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Mary comes to him, and is followed by the Jews.

123

SECT,

cxl.

saying, unto him, Lord, respect, saying to him, as her sister had done if thou hadst been here, before, Lord, if thou hadst been here sooner, surely my dear brother had not died. And she was so overcome with grief that she could utter X1.32.

my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus there

fore, saw her weeping,

and the Jews also

no more.

John

Jesus therefore, when he saw her thus weeping, 33 and the Jews also weeping that came with her, weeping which came groaned with a deep concern, as feeling a strong with her, he groaned commotion in his own spirit; and judging it in the Spirit, and was proper in this instance to indulge it (though he troubled, always had every passion under the most entire command), he voluntarily afflicted himself by opening his mind to a set of melting and painful ideas. And looking with a tender pity on the 31 mourning relations of his deceased friend, he said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord, we desire thou wouldst come and see; wishing to bring him to the sepulchre, in some uncertain hope of what was afterwards done.

34 And said, Where have ye laid him?

They say unto him,
Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him.

57 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38 Jesus therefore

self, cometh to the

And as they were going along, Jesus himself 25
wept, at the remembrance of the dead, in sym-
pathy with the living, and in compassion to the
obstinate Jews, whose final impenitence he fore-
saw, and knew how much the guilt of it would.
be aggravated in consequence of their being
spectators of such a miracle.

The Jews therefore, seeing him in tears, said, 36
Behold, how he loved him, and how his heart
overflows with sorrow for his death. But some 37
of them, who had a secret aversion to him, said,
Could not this man, who is said to have opened
the eyes of the blind, have caused that this man
also should not have died? Could he not have
come to cure him, or, as it is reported in some
other instances, have effected it even at a
distance?

Jesus therefore, understanding this invidious 38 arain groaning in him- insinuation, and groaning again within himself, grave. It was a cave, as in great anguish of heart, comes to the sepuland a stone lay upon it. chre. Now it was a cave, and a large stone was 39 Jesus said, Take laid upon the mouth of it. Jesus says to them 39 Martha, the sister of that stood by, Remove the stone which stops up him the entrances; but Martha, the sister of the de

ye away the stone.

8 Jesus says, remove the stone, &c.] Our Lord (as Bishop Hall justly observes) could with infinite ease have commanded the stone to roll away of itself, without employing any to remove it; but he judiVOL. VII.

ceased,

cjously avoided all unnecessary pomp and
parade, and mingled all the majesty of
this astonishing miracle with the most
amiable modesty and simplicity. There is
no reason to įmagine, as some do, that

the

124 Jesus having caused the stone to be removed, calls Lazarus forth.

cxl.

saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stink

eth: for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto

SECT. ceased, says to him, Lord, he has been dead so him that was dead, long, that he now smells in an offensive manner; for he has been [here] no less than part of four John XI. 39. days, this being the fourth since his interment. 40 (Compare ver. 17.) Jesus says to her, Why dost thou object against what I direct? Did I not say unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God remarkably displayed in a work of sigual power and mercy? 41 Then they took away the stone from the mouth of the tomb where the deceased lay.

her, Said I not unto believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God?

thee, that if thou wouldst

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.

And

Jesus lift up his eyes,

and said, Father, I thank thee, that thou

hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me al

And when it was removed, Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee, that thou hast graciously heard me in those secret groanings of soul which I have been pouring forth in 42 thy presence: And indeed I knew that thou always hearest me, and art most ready to answer all my petitions; but I now speak [thus,.] because ways: but because of of the multitude that is standing by, that they, by, I said it, that they comparing what they hear with what they are may believe that thou now to behold, may have increasing and more effectual engagements to believe that thou hast

43

sent me.

the people which stand

hast sent me,

43 And when he

had thus spoken, he Lazarus, come forth.

cried with a loud voice,

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound

And having said these words, he cried with a loud voice, suitable to the majestic part which he was now acting, and the dominion he had even in the empire of death itself, as well as that he might be heard by all the multitude that 44 were present, Lazarus, come forth. And such an almighty energy went along with his word, hand and foot with that immediately, according to his command, grave-clothes and his he that was dead came forth, bound (as the dead face was bound about usually were) about [his] feet and hands with with a napkin. Jes grave-clothes, or with several rolls and foldings of linen that were wrapt about him, but which were so far loosened by the power of Christ as to permit him to move; and his face was also bound about with a napkin. And Jesus, on his

the stone lay on the top of the cave, and that
the corpse was let down with cords; for
then Lazarus could not, without a far-
ther miracle, have ascended of himself.
It is much more reasonable to believe
the entrance was at the side of the sepul-
chre. Mr. Maundrel tells us (in his Journey
to Jerusalem, p. 79) that the ruins of La-
zarus's house are still shewn, and not far
from thence his sepulchre, into which there
is a descent of twenty-five steep stairs,
which lead into two small rooms, in the
farther of which the body is said to have
been laid. But one cannot much depend

coming

sait

on the genuineness of such antiquities. See Sands's Travels, p. 196.

h He has been dead so long that he now smells, &c.] The word has the same ambiguity with this which I have used, and seems rather more decent than that in our translation, though the meaning is plainly the same.-Martha's mind seems to have been in a painful struggle, tossed with a variety of passions, which prevented a perfect consistency in her behaviour.

iHis face was bound about with a napkin.] If the Jews buried as the Egyptians did,

the

Reflections on Christ's raising Lazarus from the dead.

125

exl.

John

saith unto them, Loose coming forth in this confined posture, says to SECT. him, and let him go. them that stood by, Unbind him, and let him go: for nothing more was needful to be done in a miraculous way, and he had strength enough XI. 44. to walk, his health and vigour being perfectly recovered with his life.

45 Then many of

the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen

the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

Thus was this illustrious miracle completely 45 and publicly accomplished: and such was the effect of it, that many of the Jews therefore, who had come to visit Mary, and beheld what Jesus did, were so affected with this marvellous instance of his power, that they believed on him as the Messiah. But some of them were so obsti- 46 nate and perverse, that they went away to the them what things Je- Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done, on purpose that they might inflame them, and stir them up to take some method to prevent his growing influence among the people.

46 But some of them

went their ways to the Pharisees, and told

sus had done.

IMPROVEMENT.

25

LET us by faith continually regard Jesus (as his discourses and Ver. actions concur to represent him) as the resurrection and the life; believing on this glorious specimen here given of it, that he can, and will finally cause all that are in the graves to hear his voice, and to come forth, (John v. 28, 29.) A most delightful thought, which we should often apply both to ourselves and to our pious friends! Let the consideration, that they are to arise in 24 the resurrection at the last day, moderate our sorrows for their removal, and forbid our mourning as others that have no hope; (1 Thess. iv. 13.) Were a resurrection on earth expected, though at the distance of several years, we should consider them only as persons absent on a long journey, and expect their return with patience and cheerfulness: but oh, how much more certain is the resurrection of the just than the issue of any of our journeys or expectation in life!

We often go, in our thoughts at least, to the grave to weep; but 31 let us not forget to raise our contemplations higher, even to Jesus, 35 who here expressed such tender sentiments of compassion, and wept when he saw the tears of others, though he knew he was go

the face was not covered with it, but it only went round the forehead and under the chin, so that on his returning to life he might easily see his way out of the sepulchre.

ing

have in this a most amazing instance of
incorrigible hardness of heart, and a dread-
ful confirmation of our Lord's remark, If
they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be persuaded, though one rose from
the dead. Luke xvi. 31. sect. cxxv.

Went away to the Pharisees, &c.] We

126

Reflections on Christ's raising Lazarus from the dead.

SECT. ing to wipe them away by restoring that friend whom they lament cxl. ed. He afflicted himself, and it may be proper for us sometimes to Ver. do it, and to hold down our thoughts to those views of things which 33 may give us pain and regret ; if that attention be so adjusted and attempered as only to produce a sadness of the countenance that may improve the heart. (Eccles. vii. 3.)

39

Let the modesty with which our Lord conducted this grand and solemn scene teach us to avoid all mean transports of self-ap41, 42 plause, and all fondness for ostentation and parade. Like Jesus, let us in all our ways acknowledge God, and maintain a continual dependance on his influence, to be sought by fervent prayer; and then we may go forth to every duty with a courageous and cheerful assurance that he will carry us honourably and comfortably 40 through it. Let us but stedfastly believe, and we shall see the glory of God: he will manifest his power for our help; and when our case appears to be remediless, then is the time for his almighty

43, 44

hand to save.

Let us adore and trust in him who was armed with so divine a power as to be able to rescue the prisoners of death, and to recover 26 the trophies of the all-conquering and devouring grave. And if we are true believers, let us learn to take our part in the triumph with a joyful assurance, that though we putrify in the dust, and 39 after the skin worms devour our bodies, yet in our flesh we shall at length see God. (Job xix. 26.)

It was surely a happy time that succeeded all the lamentations of these affectionate mourners. With what mutual congratulations and unutterable endearments did Lazarus and his sisters behold each other! With what humble gratitude and adoration did they all prostrate themselves at the feet of their Almighty Saviour! But who can conceive the greater transports which shall run through the whole redeemed world at the resurrection day, when piety and friendship shall be perfected, and those who were dearest to each other, both in the bonds of nature and of grace, shall spring up together to an immortal undivided life! In the mean time, let us trust our friends with him (with whom, if we are Christians indeed, we have trusted our souls), believing that the separations he appoints are prudent and kind, and that even our prayers for their recovery are denied in mercy.

SECT.

The sanhedrim consulting how to deal with Jesus.

SECT. CXLI.

The sanhedrim being informed of the resurrection of Lazarus, by the advice of Caiaphas, agree that Jesus should be put to death. He retires to Ephraim, and they issue an order for apprehending him. John XI. 47, to the end.

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JOHN XI. 47.

127

cxli.

T was before observed (at the close of the last SECT. IT section) that some who had been present at the resurrection of Lazarus, instead of being duly John wrought upon by the miracle, went away and XI. 47. made an invidious report of it to the Pharisees: the chief priests therefore and the Pharisees, who were united in their enmity to Christ, being exceedingly alarmed at so astonishing an information, convened the sanhedrim, which was the great council of the Jewish nation, and said, What are we doing in this strange conjuncture of affairs? and why do we seem to be dreaming, when things are come to such a crisis? It is of absolute necessity that some effectual method should immediately be taken; for it is not to be denied that, by some means or other, this man, whom we have been so solicitous to suppress, does many of the most surprising miracles that were ever seen or heard of: And if we suffer him 48 [to go on thus uncontrouled, all the populace will believe on him as the promised Messiah, and will acknowledge him as the king of Israel; and what can we expect will be the consequence of this, but that the power of the Romans, so vastly superior to ours, will be armed against us, and their legions will come and take away both our place and nation; they will destroy Jerusalem, and this sacred temple where we are now assembled, and will extirpate all the people who are committed to our guardianship and care.

And, while some of the council seemed appre- 49 hensive of the danger of attempting any thing, against Jesus, one of them, [even] Caiaphas, who, among the many sudden revolutions which happened in the government about that time, was high-priest that year in which Christ was crucified, said to them, while they were thus deliberating,

a Was high-priest that year.] It is well known that the high-priesthood among the

Jews was not annual; but the many re-
volutions about that time might justify

such

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