we look for another?" In answer to which, and to give them full proof that he was that person, the very prophet so long promised and foretold, that should come into the world for the deliverance and salvation of mankind, he referred them to his miracles, as the seal of his mission, and the foundation of our belief in him. And when they were departed, he spake to the multitudes, then gathered about him, concerning John, in order to magnify his office and ministry, by telling them who and what he was, and, by so doing, to turn their eyes to himself, whose messenger John was, being sent for no other end but to prepare the way before him, who had all the blessings they wanted in his own hands. Blessings so rich and so great, as to deserve the utmost earnestness of endeavour, steady purpose of heart, and persevering resolution, to obtain them; no less than the kingdom of heaven, admission to the grace, rights, and privileges of it here, and the glory of it hereafter. And what he said to the two disciples of John, and to the people afterwards, on occasion of their coming to him, throughout this chapter, he now says to you, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear;" the meaning of which is, that we are either fatally deaf, or blessed in our hearing, dead or alive unto God, just in proportion as we receive, understand, and believe his words of saving truth.

What, then, do you think of John's question, "Art thou he that should come?" Come, my friends? What to do? I will suppose you know the answer, to bless and to save mankind. What, all? the impenitent, hardened, and unbelieving; the ignorant and the careless, those who know nothing more of Christ than that they were baptized in his name, and live in all other respects as if he had never come into the world? Do not deceive yourselves, no such thing. He who came in our flesh, Christ, the Son of the living God, must come in your

souls. This, and nothing but this, is his coming to you; which cannot be till you desire it, know the end of his coming, and what you want him for. You are sinful creatures, and want forgiveness; you are weak creatures, and want help to live to God in obedience; you want mercy from the Lord in every part of your lives; you will want it at the hour of death, and the day of judgment. Have these things been opened to your hearts, so that you see the necessity of Christ to save you from eternal death, value him as the great mercy of God to you in your perishing condition, and would not lose your portion in him for the world? See, I say, what the answer of your souls is to these questions this day; and consider, I beseech you, what better you can be for knowing that Christ came into the world on the great errand of saving it, or calling yourselves by his name, if

you do not understandingly, carefully, and earnestly seek after him, every one of you singly for yourselves, as your Saviour. Do you know in particular so much of yourself, of the nature of sin, and of your condition in the sight of God, as that Christ must have come into the world, fulfilled all righteousness, and died upon the cross, to save you from perishing, if there had not been another sinner upon earth? Are you willing that Christ should subdue the strength, as well as take away the guilt of your sin, and be both the mercy of God to you, and the power of God in you? Are you calling to him day by day out of the depth of your poverty, misery, and weakness, and saying, Lord Jesus, come quickly; Lord, save me, or I perish? And is it the great prayer of your hearts to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?" Then you hear, then you believe, then the Gospel is preached to you with effect; then you can never be offended at Christ for any thing he commands you to believe or do, and blessed will

you be; for you are of the number of those who take the kingdom of heaven by force, and will have it opened to you with all its blessings.

PRAYER.

Almighty God, who didst send thy only begotten Son to seek and to save us; give us grace to receive him with all humility and thankfulness, as the great Prophet that should come into the world, and the Redeemer of lost mankind. Make us to know that we are poor, and perishing in sin, that we may come to him as our Saviour and mighty Deliverer, washing us in his blood, purifying us by his Spirit, and making us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Let his miracles of healing convince us that our help is in him; let the desire of our souls be to the name, and the prayer of our hearts for the salvation of Jesus. Deliver us from all blindness and hardness of heart, stir us up effectually to seek after the blessings of thy kingdom, pardon, and peace, and newness of life by Christ, and accept us for his sake, our blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

SECTION XXIII.

ST. MATTHEW, xi. 16-19.

FROM this passage we learn, that though God used a variety of methods with the Jews to bring them to repentance, yet, such was their perverseness, that, let him do what he would, they found out some pretence for cavilling at it. John was too reserved and austere, and therefore had a devil, was melancholy mad, as we say: Jesus suited himself more to the common way of living, and, therefore, was horribly reproached with too much

indulgence. We shall know one day the wisdom and mercy of God in all his dealings with us; what calls we have had, what various occasions of improvement, and how he has endeavoured to suit himself to us, and work upon us, whether by prosperity or adversity, riches or poverty, sickness or health.

Ver. 19. But wisdom is justified of all her children.— Whether appearing in the austere, mortified life of John, or in the more free and open conversation of Jesus, she will be discerned to be what she is, and not ill thought of, or rejected, for such differences of outward behaviour, by those who know her, and are truly enamoured of her. It would be well if this observation had its weight at all times with the children of wisdom, the lovers of God and goodness. What we disapprove, and, too often, censure in others, and they in us, may be the wisdom of God in both.

Ver. 21, 22. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, wo unto thee, Bethsaida; for if the mighty works, &c. - We do not read of any of his mighty works in the first of those places; though, doubtless, he wrought them wherever he went. The evangelists have recorded but few of his miracles, and those too selected, we may suppose, for the sake of some particular use or instruction. But what it concerns us more especially to observe is, the heavier doom of those who slight great advantages for reformation. Have you not the Scriptures in your hands? Do you not live under the light of the Gospel? Is not Christ preached to you? Is not the Holy Ghost always ready to teach your hearts?

Ver. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.-Persons of the greatest na

tural acuteness, or improved abilities, generally wise in their own conceits, and too proud to learn even of God himself, are not the fittest to receive the Gospel, which makes all stoop to it, but those who have the simplicity of children. This affirmation seems to be the thing here intended; and it is delivered by Christ in the form of a thanksgiving; for God will be glorified in them who believe not, as well as those who do. But observe further can babes, the unlearned poor, attain to the knowledge of the truth? Nay, are they better fitted for it, and, in Christ's judgment, more likely to embrace it than others? Why then will you plead your want of learning and station in life, and be always catching at this pretence for not being wise unto salvation? Let your hearts bring you to Christ, and you know all; put yourselves unfeignedly into God's hands, and you do all. See what comfort there is for you in the next words, and how desirous Christ was to settle this point

with you.

Ver. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father -To deliver to all that will receive them.

And no man knoweth the Son but the Father. Therefore the knowledge of him, what he is in himself, and what he is to us, must necessarily be by divine teaching.

- Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son.Man's wisdom, or learning, is here quite out of the question, The knowledge of him in Christ, which is the knowledge of him we are concerned in, and the in which he offers himself to be known of us, can only be by Christ.

way

And he to whomsoever the Son will reveal himBoth by outward and inward teaching. The former in this book; the latter will be granted to your desire. One is in order to the other; and one without the other