what is in man, and what are the trials to which we are exposed in life, he is prepared to pity our weaknesses and forgive our sins. He was made "perfect through suffering;" and having himself thus suffered in the flesh, and been tempted of its lusts "in all points like as we are," he can sympathize with suffering man, and as a faithful Mediator, he will "make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

'Jesus has been empowered of God to execute Judgment, and to render unto every man according to his deeds. But he need not be viewed as a stern and relentless Judge, too highly exalted to remember our frame and consider we are dust. He has himself struggled against the strong and seductive powers of temptation, and been "compassed with infirmity." He can feel for human weakness, and in mercy cover a multitude of sins. And though his religion makes no compromise with iniquity, and even requires the strictest moral purity of life, his heart overflows with compassion for the erring; and the benevolent yearnings of his soul constantly follow the poor prodigal, until he is restored in safety and peace to his Father's house.'

We trust the reader will pursue the delightful theme; and he may rest assured that as he progresses in the study of this great 'High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,' new beauties will strike his eye, and new truths will dawn upon his soul.

XXXIX. HOLY CHILD.

'And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.' Acts iv. 29, 30.

CHRIST is called a child in nine instances; holy I child twice. The word here, however, should have been rendered servant, as in verse twenty-five of this same chapter.

We shall not dwell long on this appellative, for it chiefly derives its importance from the connection in which it is found. It occurs in the midst of a fervent prayer uttered by the Apostle during a violent persecution, occasioned by a 'notable miracle' performed on a 'man who was above forty years old.'

The event here recorded in the life of the Apostles, presents a beautiful exemplification of their spirit and confidence in Jesus. They expected to accomplish every thing in his name. They never imagined they could do any thing in their own strength. If christians had always reposed the same confidence in 'the holy child Jesus,' the gospel would long before this have shone forth in all its purity and glory. They have trusted too much to their own wisdom and power. They have lost sight of the saying of their Master in his dying admonitions to his disciples, 'Without me ye can do nothing.' And the whole

history of the church has verified the saying; almost every system of religion that men have endeavored to build up without Jesus has come to nought. He must not be lost sight of for a single moment. We must preach, and pray, and sing in his name. See the grand effects which flowed from the preaching of the Apostles: 'And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they had assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all.'* A more powerful illustration of the mighty effects that flowed from preaching the name of Jesus is not to be found in all the acts and doings of his early followers. In this name, they touched the disordered intellect, and even the maniac was clothed in his right mind, and sat at the feet of Jesus. In this name, they 'cast out devils,' 'healed the sick,' and even awoke the sleeping dead. They went every where, preaching that there was no other name under heaven given among men whereby they could be saved.' It is in and through this name that the world will ultimately be brought home to glory. 'God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in

6

*Acts iv. 31-33.

earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."* Let us go forth then, and 'with all boldness speak the word,' and 'signs and wonders will again be done in the name of the holy child Jesus.'t

*Phil. ii. 9-11.

† For a learned and valuable Dissertation on the phrase, 'Name of Christ,' see Critical Remarks on many important Passages of Scripture, by Rev. Newcome Cappe, vol. ii. p. 381 of his works. York, 1802.

XL. HOLY ONE OF GOD.

'And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.' Mark i. 23, 24.

THE evangelists, Mark and Luke, both relate the above account. We had some little doubt respecting the propriety of the insertion of the title, inasmuch as it had its origin with one who was sometimes under the influence of demons. But this might have been uttered during a lucid interval. That he was sometimes sane, is evident from the fact that he was often admitted into the synagogue, and he was there when he thus cried to the Son of God.

What

The Messiah is called the 'Holy One' in Psa. xvi. 10. Isa. xli. 14. Luke i. 35. iv. 34. Acts iii. 14. Similar forms of expression to those in the motto are found in Matt. viii. 29, and perhaps the Evangelist had the same maniac in view. Dr. Clarke has presented some critical remarks on the language here that may be of great service to the reader. have we to do with thee? Or, what is it to us and to thee? or, What business hast thou with us? That this is the meaning of the original, τι ημιν και σοι, Kypke has sufficiently shown. There is a phrase exactly like it in 2 Sam. xvi. 10. What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? ma li v'lacem beney Tseruiah, What business have ye with me, or, Why