time not retracting from what he had said, and what they understood him to say, of his essential unity with God; but expressly asserting and confirming it, by proclaiming his power of doing the works of his Father, and that in virtue of his union with him.

39. Therefore they sought again to take him; but he escaped out of their hand.

He escaped with no other design but to do good elsewhere, and to give himself up to them at a proper time.

40. And went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

41. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

They were fully convinced of the truth of John's testimony concerning Christ, by his miracles. But what did John testify of him? That he is "The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world :" and that he baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

42. And many believed on him there.

Believing on Christ, is believing on Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as the way to eternal life. God grant that all who are here, capable of exercising faith, may so believe on him!

SECTION XLVI.

Chap. xi. ver. 1-15.

CHRIST AND THE SISTERS OF LAZARUS.

1. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Christ says to each of us in effect, Art thou sick? And do I not love thee? Apply to him, call upon him, trust in him. If it were for thy body, thou wouldest have such a physician at any rate.

4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

The sickness was not for Lazarus's continuance in death: and farther, that is no death in Christ's account, which he is happily to raise us from. "But for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby :" namely, in our belief of him. But to what end do we know this, if we do not seek to him for help in our own case, if he has no power in us, and gets no glory by our conversion?

5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. He loved them with a peculiar affection. What an unspeakable happiness was this! If I were to be asked, who were some of the most renowned persons in history, I should say Lazarus, and his sisters. And yet Christ's love to all passeth knowledge. Let us not lose it for the world. And, O! that we might burn with desire to have a chief place in his love!

6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

That Lazarus might die before he came. His sisters would have had him come to prevent it, but he knew better what he had to do. Learn from hence to leave all to him. His own time and way are best, and his help is not the less sure for being delayed.

7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.

8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought. to stone thee and goest thou thither again?

They thought of nothing but the danger: he thought of nothing but the glory of God, in the salvation of souls.

9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If

any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

In these verses, he gives them to understand, that, like all other men, he had a time assigned him, in which to do his work, and he must not lose any of it. This is the wisdom we must learn of him, to think for what purpose the short day of our life was given us, and how fast it is spending.

11. These things said he and after that, he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may wake him out of sleep.

There was but one way whereby Lazarus could become entitled to this glorious and happy distinction; and the Scripture informs us how we may all become such friends of Jesus, as to be saved by him from eternal death. Let us mark the word sleepeth; so he teaches us to think and speak of a happy death.

12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15. And I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, (to the intent ye may believe,) nevertheless, let us go unto him.

He says this to us, and to the intent that we may believe in him. The miracle and their belief of it, is nothing to us, but as we believe, and apply it, for ourselves. He has a work to do in us; till we believe this, and come to him for it, whatever else we believe of him is in vain.

SECTION XLVII.

Chap. xi. ver. 16-27.

THE DEATH OF LAZARUS,

16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

He meant that Jesus was running himself upon certain death, but that, whatever happened, he was ready to die with him.

17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

When he first comes to men, he finds all in a dead state. Let us think how long we have been lying in it; but let not this hinder us from thinking greatly of his power.

18. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him but Mary sat still in the house.

O! for a will to meet Jesus in humble faith, and trouble of soul, for his comfort! Did this hour ever come with us? "But Mary sat still in the house." Who can tell why Martha went to meet him, and Mary did not? Mary seems to have been higher in faith and love, and yet she sat still in the house; perhaps she was superior, in the excellent grace of patient waiting.

21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been my brother had not died.

here,

If we speak Martha's words, with Martha's faith, Lord!

if thou art with us, we shall live.

22. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

We know that this same Jesus is our advocate with the Father, and now interceding for us at the right hand of God.

23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Her belief of this great article of faith would be confirmed beyond all doubt, when she saw the power of Jesus in restoring her brother to life again; and the several particulars of this transaction are set before us, for our belief and assurance.

25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live :

Christ is the resurrection and the life. 1st. As overcoming death in his own person. 2ndly. As the author and cause of a happy resurrection, by raising us first from our death in sin.

Christ hath taught us already what to call the death of a believer in him, it is a falling asleep and he lies down in his grave as in a bed, to awake the same man, with the same life, in the morning of the resurrection.

26. And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this ?

Whosoever he be that so believeth on Jesus Christ, as to get true life from him, "shall never die :" he does not die under a sentence of death. The curse is removed from him, and the life he has received from Christ will be continued for ever, and completed in heaven.

"Believest thou this ?"-Be not deceived. Let each put this question home to himself: hear it from Christ's mouth. Do I believe, not only that he is the resurrection, and the life, but that he must be the resurrection and the life to me? And do I indeed come to him for this end, that by faith in him, and the newness of life that follows it, I may be titled to a blessed resurrection, and be qualified to participate in its blessings.

en