JOHN II. To him a learned doctor came; He came by night, disgrace to shun, And was the SCRIPTURE HISTORY; WITH THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES, &c. BY E. MILLER. DESIGNED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF YOUTH. THE ORIGINAL EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED. ILLUSTRATED BY UPWARDS OF TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY ENGRAVINGS, VOL. IV. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. KELLY, 17, PATERNOSTER ROW. M.DCCC.XLVIII. CHRIST AND NICODEMUS. 'T was night, which covers fear and covers shame, Rabbi (he thus begun), we must confess THERE is not perhaps a chapter in the New Testament wherein the necessity of being made new creatures in Christ Jesus is more plainly impressed than in St. John, chapter iii. We read that Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night to receive instruction from him; and what then passed is worthy the attention of mankind in all ages; for what the Saviour said to him, his holy word and his ministers now say to us; and that which was pointed out to Nicodemus as being of infinite importance, is equally important to every human being. Nicodemus came by night to Christ; it is probable that this arose from fear, for though he was one of the rulers of the Jews, yet the greater number of that body rejected and persecuted the Lord; but if he came now in a private manner, yet when occasion required it, he could speak openly for Christ (John vii. 50, &c.) and when his beloved Saviour had been crucified, he feared not to bring spices to perfume his body for the tomb (John xix. 39.) From which we may learn that in proportion as grace increases in the soul, holy confidence in Christ becomes more evident, and a becoming forwardness in his work appears; this is a thing to be much desired, when we consider what Jesus Christ in infinite mercy has done for us. But let us consider what passed between the great Teacher sent of God and this ruler of the Jews; he came to Christ for instruc |