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was instituted by Judas Maccabeus *, in memory of the purification of the temple, after it had been polluted by the idolatries and impieties of Antiochus Epiphanes. Solomon's porch was a large portico leading to the Temple, originally built by Solomon, part of which continued in the second Temple, and was called by his

name.

It must have been with an invidious design, that the Pharisees expressed their desire for our LORD's declaring himself to be the MESSIAH; for had they really wished to know him as such, his calling himself the good shepberd was sufficient. Our SAVIOUR appealed to his miracles, and then keeping up the similitude of a shepherd, assigned the reason of their infidelity to be want of sincerity and humility. Many who followed him entered into the spiritual meaning of his discourses, because they were accustomed to lend a willing ear to his instructions, and knew that they were such as no other person could give; to these he promised the inestimable gift of eternal life, with an assurance, that no outward violence should prevail against them, or force them out of his fold, as they would be constantly strengthened and protected by the FATHER.

Having promised eternal life as his own gift, our LORD proceeded to explain how he came to be possessed of the power to bestow it, namely, by his union with the FATHER. His expression is very strong, I and my FATHER are one; and it is plain that he meant it to be taken in a literal sense, because, when the Jews were going to stone him, and accused him of making himself GOD, he did not deny the assertion, but, with the ut most mildness, appealed to his works, which evidently

See Supplement to Vol. IV.
S 3

manifested

manifested Divine power; and being perfectly righteous, shewed that he must possess Divine wisdom and goodness: and, lest they should imagine he called himself God in the same sense as princes and governors had borne the title (because in their respective jurisdictions they had supreme power), our LORD pointed out his own superiority, and shewed how unreasonable it was to style them gods who were mere men, and deny him the title of the Son of GOD, who was so truly GOD by the union of the DIVINE WORD, and the HOLY SPIRIT abiding with him. Our LORD then again appealed to his works, as evidences of his union with God; and shewed, that he did not mean to ascribe Divinity to his human nature, but to the GoDHEAD dwelling in him.

The place our LORD retired to was Bethabara, where John had preached in the beginning of his ministry: the inhabitants of this country seem to have retained a strong impression of the Baptist's prediction, that "he who came after him should be greater than himself;" and willingly acknowledged CHRIST'S superiority to him, as John performed no miracle. They also compared our SAVIOUR's actions with the testimony of John, which convinced them that he was the MESSIAH; and they gladly embraced the opportunity of hearing his doctrine, and professing their faith in him.

"What prudence †, mingled with sweetness, runs through our LORD's answers to the Pharisees! What inestimable blessings does he propose to invite men into his fold! Let us never lose sight of them, but resolve to obey his precepts, and follow him wherever he shall lead us, either by his example or his doctrine: then may

* See Sect. xvii. xix. and xxi. + Doddridge's Family Expositor.

we

we look on our eternal happiness as perfectly secure, for he and the father are one: the enemies of our salvation must therefore triumph over omnipotence itself, before they can wrest the sheep of CHRIST from his hand: nor will his fidelity to God, or his love for man. kind, suffer any to seduce them by fraud, or destroy them by violence." What a picture of pride, cruelty, and injustice, is exhibited in the virulence of the Pharisees against JESUS! While he was shewing them the path of life, they were contriving his death, and that in the very temple, thus proving themselves to be the genuine offspring of those who slew the Prophet and Priest of the LORD even on his altar; but our SAVIOUR'S wise and gentle reply baffled their malice for the present, and his Divine power protected him from their rage.

In this instance our LORD has left a valuable lesson to all his followers, those in particular who are exposed to persecution on account of their religion; and it may also be extended to the common affairs of life, for calm dispassionate reasoning will always have great advan tages over prejudice and ill-nature.

SECTION XCI..

LITTLE CHILDREN BROUGHT TO CHRIST. HIS BE NEVOLENT RECEPTION OF THEM.

From Mark, Chap. x.

* AND they brought unto him also infants, that he

*Here should have been inserted our Lord's discourse on di vorces and adultery, recorded in the xixth chapter of St. Matthew, and the xth of St. Mark; but as my work is principally intended for young persons, I have, for reasons which actuated me on a former occasion, omitted it. Let me however earnestly exhort all who are of age to comprehend the import of them, seriously to peruse them in the Bible, and consider with what solemnity our Lord forbids the violation of the marriage vow.

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might put his hands on them and pray, and his disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

We may regard the account here given of our SAVIOUR'S compassionate and tender behaviour to young children, as a completion of that part of Isaiah's prophecy, which describes the good Shepherd of Israel gathering the lambs in his arms, and carrying them in his bosom *

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It was a custom among the Jews, to present their children to illustrious persons remarkable for their piety, that they might lay their hands upon them, and recommend them to God's favour by their prayers t.

The parents of those who were brought to CHRIST certainly entertained such an opinion of him, and regarded him as the MESSIAH.

The disciples probably had several reasons for rebuking those who brought their infants. It seems that they were at that particular time conversing with their LORD upon an important subject, and full of attention to his doctrine; and they might be offended at the im. portunity of those persons who interrupted the discourse.

*See Sect. lxxxvii.

+ See Dr. Jortin's Sermons."

They

*

They might also think such actions as laying his hands on young children beneath the dignity of their Master, as he came into the world to instruct men, and perform many wonderful works; and perhaps they imagined that those persons would be unwelcome to him, as he was so much taken up with higher employments. What' ever was their motive for driving them away, our LORD was much displeased that his late instructions so soon forgotten: he therefore reproved them with holy anger; and again repeated, that "whosoever would enter the kingdom of heaven must humble himself, and become like little children;" taking this occasion to acquaint those who were present with some of the qualifications necessary for those who should join themselves to him.

were

Encouraged by his gracious permission to approach him, each mother (as we may suppose) pressed forward to offer her child to his hands. The babe, unable to distinguish the embraces of its SAVIOUR from those of the parent, lifted up a cry of supplication for its usual food; or, delighted with the amiable benignity of our LORD'S Countenance, courted his tenderness by engag ing smiles. With affection, exceeding that of the fond est mother, he folded these tender lambs to his bosom, promising to feed them with the milk of the Gospel, tọ protect them in their infant years with the arms of his mercy, and to reward them with eternal life, if they continued to live as the children of God; then deliver. ing them to their happy mothers, he probably turned his eyes on other children, who being old enough to repeat what their parents taught them, were kneeling at his feet imploring his benediction. Though they could scarcely articulate, and knew not the full import of their

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