fore advanced for the mission of the twelve: "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few." And being never more to preach in Chorazin, Bethsada, and Capernaum, the cities wherein he usually resided, and where he had so often delivered his heavenly discourses, and displayed his miraculous power and divine benevolence, in many wonderous works; he was naturally led to reflect on the reception which himself and his doctrines had met with, from those wicked, impenitent cities He was sensible of the terrible evils which would flow from rejecting the Son of God, and persisting in the obstinacy of unbelief, notwithstanding the mighty works which they had seen and all the opportunities which they had for instruction and improvement; and though he was grieved for their obstinacy and perverseness, he pronounced the following sentence against thean: "Wo unto thee, Chorazin! Wo unto thee, Bethsada! For, if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shal be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell." To this our exalted Redeemer added, as a consideration swhich ought to administer comfort, and give encouragement to his disciples: He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me."

This kind and encouraging declaration was particularly calculated to comfort and support the disciples he was now sending out, under the contempt and ill-usage they would meet with in executing the duties of their mission: they could not be ignorant, that the preaching of CHRIST himself had often been unsuccessful, and that he had been opposed, reviled, and despised; and, therefore, they had no reason to conclude, that they should find a welcome reception, and be received, honoured, and esteemed: but it would, at the worst of times, afford them great consolation to reflect, that the Eternal God was on their side, and, however they might be despised and rejected by men, they were sure to be received, honoured, and esteemed by their Maker.

The seventy disciples, having received their commission and instructions, & being by their Master, invested with the power of working miracles, they departed and preached according to the tenor of their commission, in the cities and villages of Judea Perea; and after visiting several places, publishing the glad-tidings of salvation, and working many miracles in confirmation of the truth, they returned to their Master with great joy, saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us, through thy name."

From these expressions, it seems reasonable to conclude, that the disciples, when they set out on this journey, did not know that their power extended so far as to cast out devils, and they were, no doubt, pleasingly surprised, to find that the apostate spirits trembled at their Master's name. To this our great Redeemer replied, "I beheld Satan, as lightening, fall from heaven:" as much as to say, You need not be astonished at the subjection and dismay of the apostate spirits, their prince is fallen, I saw him fall as swift as lightening from heaven: 1 have triumphed over him, I came down from heaven, and was manifested in the flesh to destroy his works and he knows I shall finally conquer him and his legions, and put them down for ever.

Our Lord then for the farther encouragement of his disciples, informed them, that he would enlarge their power, and increase their authority, not only over evil spirits, but over whatever, in this world, had power to hurt or annoy them: "Behold," said he, "I give unto you power to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you." At the same time, our Lord was pleased to inform them that these miraculous powers were the least part of their privilege, and the consequences attending them, not so much to be rejoic

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ed in, as their title to that eternal reward, which he would bestow on all bis faithful followers: "Notwithstanding," said he, "in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, that your names are written in the book of life."

Nor could the blessed Jesus reffect on the wisdom and goodness of the divine dispensations, and the particular care and tenderness which the Supreme Governor of the universe manifests to the objects of his love, however mean and despised they may be in the eyes of the world, without extraordinary joy; so that his benevolent heart overflowed with streams of gratitude and praise; " 1 thank thee," said he, " O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight."

The disciples being returned from their tour, JESUS left Samaria, and journeying into Judea, he was met on the road by a certain lawyer, who, in the language of the New Testament, is a person whose employment is the expounding and ex explaining the law of Moses. This person was desirous to know whether the doctrine which JESUS advanced, were the same as the precepts of the law; and, with this view, he asked our Redeemer what he must do to inherit eternal life. Such was the pride of this teacher of Israel, that it seems by the sequel, that be asked this important question to tempt, and not to be instructed: but, though our Lord well knew the secrets of his heart, he did not answer him with such a rebuke as he deserved, but in such a manner as to turn his base design, and sophistical evasions against himself: "What," said he, " is written in the law? How readest thou?" The Scribe answered, Thou shalt love thy Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

This reply our Lord received with approbation, and said to the lawyer, "Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live;" if thou art able to fulfil these great precepts of the law, thou mayest claim an interest in the divine favour, on the footing of the eternal rules of righteousness; and as a right to that happiness which is assigned to the keepers of the law: for on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The lawyer now perceiving himself taken in his own snare: his conscience could not acquit him of violating these great duties; he was at a loss and confounded, and knew not what to reply: but, yet being willing to say something to justify himself, he inquired, and who is my neighbour? A question very natural to be asked, by a bigotted Jew, whose narrow, selfish conceptions led him to despise all who were not the children of Abraham.

To correct the low littleness of such a private party spirit, to open and enlarge the heart to a more generous and noble way of thinking, to shew them the only foundation of true love, and the extensive relation which they and all mankind stood in to each other, our Lord delivered the following most beautiful and instructive parable.

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A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jerico, and fell amongst thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journied, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he departed depart he took out two-penco, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

By this well-chosen, and most elegant and affecting parable, our exalted Saviour beautifully inculcated an open and generous disposition and greatness of mind, which lays aside all selfish views, and diligently exerts itself in the great work of doing good to mankind, readily relieving all objects of distress, let their national quarrels and religious disputes be what they will. No persons were more hated by the Samaritans than the Jews; for which reason, our Lord represents a Samaritan relieving and suc couring a distressed Jew, when a priest and levite, of his own nation and religion, had forsaken him. And this affecting parable our Lord laid down as an answer to the question proposed by the lawyer, "Who is my neighbour ?" and then put it to his own feelings to determine the matter: "Which now of these three, thinkest thou," said he," was neighbour unto him that fell amongst the thieves?" The case was so plain, that the lawyer could but reply, " He that shewed mercy on him." To which our Redeemer immediately returned, with a look which gave the lawyer to understand that he knew he was silenced, "Go and do thou likewise."

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CHAPTER XXII.

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JESUS journeying to Jerusalem to be present at the Feast of Dedication, lodges at Bethany, and is entertained by Martha and Mary: when he arrives at Jerusalem, he attendeth at the Feast, and disputes with the Jeros in Solomon's Porch: The feast being over, he retires beyond Jordan, and teacheth his disciples to pray: He casteth out a Devil: He *dines and disputes with the Pharisees, whom he reprehendeth for their outward Shew of Holiness, and pronounceth woes against them and the Scribes and Lawyers. CHRIST teacheth his Disciples to avoid Нуроcrisy, and not to be fearful in publishing his Doctrine: He refuseth to • be Judge in a civil Cause, and warneth the people to beware of Covetousness, by the parable of a rich Man, who boasted himself in his multeplied Stores: He exorteth his Disciples to lay up Treasure in Heaven by giving Alms; always ready against our Lord's Coming.

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AFTER our blessed Lord had effectually silenced the cavilling lawyer, he continued his journey towards Jerusalem to be present at the feast of dedication. In the evening he retired to Bethany, a small village about two miles from Jerusalem. In this village dwelt Martha and Mary, two pious sisters, who dwelt together in the same house with their brother Lazarus. In this little family, our great Redeemer took up his abode, and was joyfully received by the religious young man and his virtuous sisters. Whether any former acquaintance had subsisted between this family and our great Redeemer, the evangelists have not informed us; but it seems they were not unacquainted with his character, for he was kindly received and generously entertained. JESUS, as his custom was, wherever he went, took the opportunity of dispensing his divine instructions, and teaching his hospitable friends those things which concerned their everlasting peace. Martha was desirous of expressing her regard to her noble guest, by providing & grand entertainment; but Mary, being of a contemplative disposition, was taken with his divine discourses, and sitting at the feet of our great Redeemer, she listened to his words with the most earnest and steady: attention: Martha being greatly fatigued with the burthen of the service, was offended at her sister, because she did not help her, and complained to our Lord of her omission: "Lord," said she, "dost thou not care

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that my sister hath left me to serve you alone? Bid her therefore that she help me."

But Jesus, by this answer to this discontented sister, gave her to understand that it was more pleasing to him when persons attended on his instructions, and listened to his words, than all their endeavours to provide sumptuous entertainments for himself and his disciples: he was not insen sible of any regard which persons had for him, nor unthankful for their kindness, in what way soever it was expressed; but as the good of man kind was his constant endeavour and care, he always approved those ex. pressions of kindness best, which were most conducive to that end: nor could he esteem himself being fed with the food which perisheth, of equal Pendureth

consequence with his bestowing on others, that which endureth to ever lasting life: "Martha, Martha," said he," thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her."

From this little village Jesus departed to Jerusalem, and attended at the feast of dedication. Being in the temple, and standing in Solomon's porch, he was accosted by the Jews, who desired him to tell them plainly, whether he were the Messiah or not? Well knowing that they did not ask this question for information, but to gain an opportunity of accusing him to the Romans as a seditious person, who pretended to be the great son of David, promised by the prophets, and by this means, designing to stir up the people to rebellion, and seize on the kingdom; our great Redeemer told them, that they must form a judgment of him from his actionsvas "I told you," said he," and ye believed not the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you." It is in vain to dispute, or lay down reasons and arguments to persons of your temper and spirit; you are under the dominion of your headstrong passions and wicked hearts, and your inveterate prejudices will not be overcome; you are not of the number of those whom my Father, by his powerful grace, will bring unto me, and cause to believe in my name; these happy persons are assisted by the power from on high, they carefully and candidly examine the proofs. I have given of my mission, and they believe in me, and receive me with all their hearts: nor will these my followers and friends loose their rewards; for I will willingly receive them, and make them partakers of eternal life and glory: these persons 1 will support and defend; I look upon them as my own, and however industrious or assiduous the wicked of this world, or the powers of darkness may be to deceive and destroy them, they shall: never effect their purpose; for I stand determined to bring them safe to my heavenly kingdom, and all their enemies may rage in vain: my Father hath given them to me: all power, both in heaven and earth, is in his hands, and his omnipotence is engaged in their defence: none is able to contend with him, to prevent the accomplishment of his will, or to hurt the persons whom he defends: none is able to contend with me, or wrest my people from me; for I and the Great Eternal Father of the universe are one: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. A stranger they will not follow: for they know not the voice of strangers. And I gie unto them eternal life; they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them. out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."

These words highly provoked the Jews, they considered them as blasphemous, and were so enraged, that they took up stones to stone the ex alted Saviour of sinners; they thought they acted in conformity to the law. which commands, that all blasphemers shall be stoned; but JESUS asked them, which of the benevolent miracles he had wrought amongst them, deserved such treatment: "Many good works," said he, "have I shewed: