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close of his gospel, John xx. 31, where he plainly tells us the very end for which he wrote his gospel, and that was this, and this alone, These things are written, that ye should believe,' or that ye might believe, -that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; that is, not God himself, but the Messias, and favourite of God. Now as this was the aim and end of St. John, in writing his gospel, so we may believe most safely, that in the other three original gospels their authors could have none other end or view.

N. B. As the moderns have drawn' a very wrong. conclusion from Christ's miracles, viz. that he was God, though all his disciples who were contemporary with him, and always attending him, believed and knew, that God only wrought those miracles, and not Jesus Christ himself; and therefore they praised God, who had given such power or gifts to men.' Mat. ix. 8, xv. 31, and John xiv. 10. Jesus Christ himself owned, that he could do nothing of, or from himself,' but that it was the Father who dwelt in him who did the works:' yet it may furthermore be satisfactory to consider, what Christ himself would have his followers infer from the miracles they saw. Did he ever once, at any time, insinuate, that they should infer that he was God, and own him as the author of them? By no means, but quite otherwise. What then was the use he proposed, and the inference, or conclusion, he warned and pressed his followers to make, upon their seeing the miracles which attended him? Why this, and this only, namely, that he came from God: that God sent him; that they ought to receive him, and his message, for, and on account of, the wonderful works which they had seen. This, I say, was the conclusion Christ himself desired, again and again, all his followers should draw from the miracles. And his true disciples and others, accordingly, believed him to be a prophet and teacher sent from God,' Luke vii. 16, xxiv. 19, and that God sent him, and was with him, because of the wonders and miracles they had had seen. John v. 36, The works which

the Father hath given me to perform, the same works, which I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. Ver. 37, The Father, who hath sent me, himself hath borne witness concerning me. The works which I do in my Father's name,' that is, by his authority, they testify of me. If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.' John x. 25, 37.

The people who saw the miracles of Christ, and who conversed with Christ himself, praised God, as the author of the miracles, and not Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ acknowledgeth all his power' and authority,' &c. was received by him from', and given to him by God.'

Mat. ix. 2---8, Mark ii. 3---12, Luke v. 18---26, After Jesus Christ had restored the person who was sick of the palsy, the people are here represented, as 'praising God---who had given such power, 'Eeola, to man.' It may rather be rendered, Who had given such authority to men; that is, to declare men's sins to be forgiven, or that they should be healed, &c. by the miraculous power of God,' which indeed is a power absolutely incommunicable to any finite being. Mat. vi 12, 15, Mark xi. 25, 26, Jesus Christ had taught his disciples to ask, or pray to God the Father to forgive them;' and told them, that if they did not forgive others, Your Father who is in heaven, will not forgive you.' The captious scrioes, therefore, had no reason to charge Christ with blasphemy. Mat. ix. 3. For he had already taught his followers, who forgave sins,' and that he spake not his own words.' John viii. 28, and xii. 49, Christ saith, I speak not from myself, but my Father who hath sent me, hath given a command, what I should say, and what I should speak.' What, therefore, I am now speaking, even as the Father hath spoken to me, so I am now speaking. Again, John xiv. 10, Christ saith, The words which I am now speaking to you, I speak not from myself, but the Father who dwelleth,' or abideth in me, him. self doeth the works.' By these texts, nothing can

be more evident, than that Christ acknowledgeth both his words and works, of power and authority, did owe all their origin and efficiency to God the Father only. And St. Peter, than whom not one of the twelve apostles knew better, taught the Jews, in his inspired discourse, Acts ii. Jesus of Nazareth, a man' who was approved,' or recommended from God-by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God wrought by him, in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know.' This is confirmed by Christ himself, John v. 19, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son is not able to do any thing from himself.' He saith the same words, verse 30.

Rev. xix. 1. In the hallelujahs by the great multitude in heaven, salvation, glory, honour,' and 'power,' are ascribed to the Lord God---the only origin, and author of all power.

CHAP. XLV.

The scripture account of the piety and devotion of Jesus Christ.

JESUS CHRIST offered prayers to his God, and to our God,' as he styles him expressly, John xx. 17, or Jesus Christ was a worshipper of the one true God.

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N. B. Jesus Christ had never had any difference with the Jews about the object of worship: they worshipped God the Father,' and he says, the time was come, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father, for such worshippers the Father sought.' John iv. 21, 24. And Jesus Christ was such a worshipper of the Father, as is evident from what follows; for as Christ taught his disciples, Mat. vi. 9, Luke xi. 2, to direct their prayers to the Father; so he himself directed or addressed his prayers always to his Father;' as appears in the following texts:

Mat. xiv. 23, 'Jesus dismissing the multitude went up a mountain to pray alone, or privately.

Mat. xxvi. 39, Jesus fell upon his face (a posture of adoration) and praying, said, O, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.'

42, ' Again, he went away the second time, and prayed, saying; O, my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, that I may not drink it, thy will be done.'

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44, And he went away, and prayed the

third time, saying the same words.

xxvii. 46, 50, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

And St. Mark gives much the same account of Christ's prayer to the Father, as St. Matthew.

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Mark xiv. 32, 35, 36, Jesus fell on the ground and prayed, that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.-Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee-take away the cup from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.'

39, And again he prayed,' and said the same words.

xv. 34, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me ? Luke xxii. 41, 42, Jesus kneeled down, and prayed, saying, O Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. And again,

........ 44, And Jesus being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly.'

John xii. 27, Jesus said, O Father, save me from this hour.'

........ xiv. 16, Jesus said, I will pray the Father, and he will give you another comforter.'

N. B. The whole xviith chapter of St. John's, gospel is one continued prayer, or address of Jesus Christ to God the Father, viz.

....... xvii. 1, ‘Jesus lifted his eyes towards heaven, and said, O Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son.'

John xvii. 3, This is life eternal, to know (or to ac knowledge) thee ( Father) to be the only true God: -and (me) Jesus Christ to be thy apostle, or messenger.

..... 4, I have glorified thee on earth, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.' And now, O Father, glorify me which I had with thee before the

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with that glory, world was.

6, 'I have made known thy name,thine they were, and thou hast given them to me.' 7, Now they have known, that all things whatsoever thou (O Father) hast given me are of or from thee.'

9, I pray for them.'

11, O holy Father, preserve them

whom thou hast given to me.'

15, I pray not that thou shouldst take

them out of the world."'

.... 17,Sanctify (thou) them by thy truth, Thy word is truth.'

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20, I pray not for these only.'

24, O Father, I desire that those whom thou hast given to me may be where I am.'

25, O righteous Father, the world hath not owned for acknowledged) thee; but these (he means his disciples) have owned, that thou hast sent. me.'

The author of the epistle to the Hebrews has a very remarkable passage, chap. v. ver. 7, which our translators refer to Christ's prayers before and at his pas sion; and no doubt the author of the epistle had Christ's earnest prayers at that time in his mind, when speaking of Christ he says, that in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong cries and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard,' (i. e. of God) for his piety,' as our translators word it in the margin: or, 'he was heard for, or because of his devotion,' as a word of the same original is thrice trans