should have heard nothing of the message sent by him to Jesus to enquire if he was the Christ. Indeed, this is so opposite to human wisdom, that many are so shocked with the idea of the doubts of John the Baptist, that they cannot admit the obvious meaning of the language of the history. They labour to make it appear that the message was sent by John, not for his own sake, but for that of others, although there is no such intimation in the narrative, and though the reply of our Lord makes it evident that the doubts were with John himself. While the existence of such doubts is quite consistent with the existence of the most assured faith in former times, and with the testimony that John gave to Jesus as the Lamb of God, it is so far removed from man's wisdom, that it would not have been found, had the character been drawn by a human hand. Instead of making him send a message indicating doubt or dissatisfaction, human wisdom would have concealed the fact, had it existed, and have studied the strongest expression of testimony that invention could devise.

The conduct of our Lord with regard to John on the occasion, is striking and characteristic. His answer is unceremonious, dignified, and authoritative. Yet it is both strengthening and consoling, in the prospect of the approaching death of his servant. He speaks like a sovereign—a sovereign who acknowledges himself under no obligation even where life is devoted to his service. Yet while he sends no complimentary message in return, but dismisses the messengers of John without any expression of approbation of him who sent them, he bears ample testimony to John immediately after their departure, and recognises him in the high character of the harbinger of the incarnate Jehovah.

The characters of John and of Jesus Christ are here

exhibited in a light extremely different, and the difference is one which would not have appeared in a composition of human invention. John evidently was unprepared to expect such neglect from his Master, and such persecution from Herod. Jesus takes it for granted that this is a common thing in his kingdom. Had human wisdom formed these two characters, the servant would not have been so uninformed of the plans of his Master. John knew his message, but he knew not the nature of that kingdom whose appearance he was commanded to announce.

After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ remained the only prophet on earth. At certain times there were several prophets in the world, but it was proper that the Prince of the Prophets should have a time in which there was no other prophet but himself. Part of his ministry was already passed, when John was still living. It was therefore fitting that this prophet, who was so great, should be taken out of the world, in order that Jesus Christ should remain the only prophet in it before ascending to heaven.

Jesus Christ, when he entered on his public ministry, began to proclaim, as his forerunner had done, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Of those who attached themselves to him he chose twelve, whom he denominated apostles, and likewise seventy other disciples, whom he sent through Judea, to make the same proclamation, and to excite general attention. His kingdom was not set up till after his resurrection from the dead, which was the grand confirmation of his title as God's anointed.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus Christ maintained a considerable degree of reserve in the declaration of his character. Unless he had done this, such

was the inveteracy of his enemies, that his life could not have been preserved without constant miraculous intervention. But owing to the course which he adopted, he was not apprehended by the rulers, till “his hour" (the appointed time of the consummation of his mission)" was come." All along he had given sufficient intimation of his character. He that had ears to hear might hear. But towards the close of his ministry, he laid aside all reserve. In the neighbourhood of · Jerusalem, he performed some of his most astonishing miracles; openly came forward as the Messiah ; reproved and confuted the rulers who opposed him; rode publicly into Jerusalem as had been foretold, and assumed royal and sacerdotal authority in the temple as his Father's house. Overawed for a while by the majesty of his character, and fearing the people who attentively listened to him, the rulers durst not lay hands on him; but after much deliberation, being reduced to the necessity of either acknowledging him as the Messiah, or apprehending him as an impostor, they at length resolved to seize on him by night. One of his own followers became the betrayer of his retirement; in the dead of night a band of armed men came upon him in the garden of Gethsemane; even then they felt they had no power of their own against him; on approaching to seize him they fell backward on the ground. But having thus displayed his power and their weakness, he voluntarily submitted to be taken, his followers were dispersed, while he himself was condemned by the Jewish rulers, and the Roman government, and finally put to death.

When Jesus Christ was arraigned as a criminal before the high priest and elders and scribes, and afterwards at the judgment-seat of the Roman governor,

to the accusations preferred against him "he answered nothing." These were indeed false; but to understand the reason of his remaining silent, we must raise our eyes to a higher judgment-seat. We must behold him bowing before the tribunal of divine justice, appearing in the room of his guilty people, whose iniquities were laid upon him, and standing in their stead under the accusation of the broken law. This circumstance in the history of the Redeemer is so remarkable, that it was specially noted in ancient prophecy. "He was oppressed and he was afflicted; yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Isaiah, liii. 7. Another prediction concerning him was also fulfilled. "Innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me." Ps. xl. 12.

The greatest crime that men ever committed was the crucifying of the Son of God; but from it has proceeded the greatest of all blessings. In this manner God overrules all things for his own glory. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."

On the occasion of the death of Jesus Christ, his disciples, who had very imperfectly comprehended his design, and the work in which they themselves had engaged, were struck with astonishment. But shortly afterwards, they declared that, on the third day after his crucifixion, he had risen from the grave, had appeared to them, and to about five hundred more of his disciples, and that during forty days he had instructed them respecting his kingdom, after which, in

their presence, he had ascended up to heaven. They affirmed that, before he departed, he gave them a commission to proclaim in all the world the glad tidings of his resurrection, with all those important considerations which it involved, commanding all men to believe and obey the truth.

Except the appearance of Jesus Christ after his resurrection, there are none of the great facts concerning him declared by the apostles, the truth of which rests on their solitary testimony, and that of the other disciples. All the others were transacted publicly before the world. In the midst of Jerusalem, and at the next Jewish feast after he suffered, the apostles openly referred to this publicity. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know."

The public appearance of the Redeemer after his resurrection, did not comport with the design of his mission. During the whole of his ministry the Jews had treated him with every insult. They had at last desired the release of a robber rather than consent to his acquittal; with murderous rancour they had demanded his death, and, in the blindness of their rage, had imprecated the guilt of his blood upon themselves and their children. God had spoken to them, and they had not heard, therefore they were left to walk in their own counsels; the day of vengeance was at hand, and wrath was about to overtake them to the uttermost.

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, the period of his humiliation was past. Before his death, although the prince of this world had no