88 SECT. exxxiii. He preaches at the feast of dedication in Solomon's porch. In the mean time let us maintain all proper regards to him, and especially the most cheerful confidence in his care; repeating Ver, with evangelical views, and so with a peculiar sublimity of sense, 14 those words of David as our own, (Psal. xxiii. 1-4.) "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want: he maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters: he restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake: yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." SECT. cxxxiv. SECT. CXXXIV. Christ, discoursing of his union with the Father, is charged with blasphemy; and, being assaulted by the Jews, retires beyond Jordan. John X. 22, to the end. JOHN X. 22. JOHN X. 22. salem the feast of NOW it may be proper to observe, that the AND it was at Jerutime when these discourses were delivered the dedication, and it John by our Lord was the feast of dedication, which was winter. X. 22. was observed at Jerusalem in memorial of the purification of the temple after it had been polluted by the idolatries and impieties of Antio23 chus; and consequently it was winter. And, to shelter himself from the inclemencies of the weather, Jesus was then walking in the covered walk that went round the temple, and was now in that part of it which was called Solomon's porch. 24 23 And Jesus walkSolomon's porch. ed in the temple, in 24 Then came the Then several of the Jews surrounded him, and Jews round about him, said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in an and said unto him, a The feast of dedication.] As it is expressly said this feast was in winter, it is plain it could not be observed in remembrance of the dedication of Solomon's temple, which was just after harvest (1 Kings viii. 2.) nor of that of Nehemiah's, which was in the spring (Ezra vi. 15, 16.) but the feast here intended must be that instituted by Judas Maccabæus on his having purified the temple and altar from the pollutions and idolatries of Antiochus Epiphanes. This was celebrated every year for eight days successively, in the month of Deccinber (1 Mac. iv. 52, 59.) and is mentioned by Josephus as a festival to which great regard was paid in his time. See Joseph. Antiq. lib. xii. cap. 7 (al. 11), § 6, 7, and Selden. de Sened. lib. iii. cap. 13, § 7. anxious How b Solomon's porch.] Josephus informs us (Antiq. lib. viii, cap. 3 (al. 2), § 2, 9, and lib. xx. cap. 9 (al. 8), § 7) that Solomon, when he built the temple (finding the area of Mount Sion too small to answer his magnificent plan), filled up a part of the adjacent valley, and built an outward portico over it towards the east. This was a most noble structure, supported by a wall 400 cubits high, and consisting of stones of a vast bulk, each stone (as it is said) being twenty cubits long and six cubits high. And Josephus speaks of it as continuing even to the time of Albinus and Agrippa, which was several years after the death of Christ. This is called Solomon's porch, Acts iii. 11. and v. 12. He asserts that He and the Father are one. How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. me. 89 anxious and uneasy suspense? If thou art indeed SECT. the Messiah, tell us so plainly and expressly: which CXXXIV. they said with a malicious design to insnare and accuse him. John X. 24. And Jesus answered them, I have in effect 25 told over and over, yet you believe me not; you and, had I offered nothing more, the works which I do in my Father's name sufficiently declare it, as it is clearly to be seen that they bear witness of me in a language which you would easily understand if you were to judge impartially. 26 But ye believe But you do not believe, because you are not persons 26 not; because ye are of such simplicity and sincerity as I described not of my sheep, as I under the character of my sheep. For, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear said unto you but just now (ver. 4, 14, 16), My 27 my voice, and I know sheep hear my voice, and I know and take care of them, and they follow them; and they, like sheep accustomed to their 28 And I give unto shepherd, acknowledge and follow me. And 28 them eternal life, and the consequence of that will be such as would they shall never perish, make it well worth your while to lay aside all neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. these prejudices, and to join with them: for I give unto them an invaluable blessing, even eternal life; and guard them with such almighty power and constant care, that they shall never perish, neither shall any enemy, be he ever so subtile, or ever so outrageous, be able to pluck them out of my hand, or injure them while they remain in it. Nor indeed is it possible that any 29 should; for my Father, who gave [them] to me on purpose that I might redeem and save them, is confessedly greater than all; and therefore they must needs be safe, as none is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. Now it is a 30 most certain truth that I and the Father are one: and the union between us is so strict and intimate, 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all: and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. c I have in effect told you over and over.] What he had just been saying of himself, in the preceding verses, as the great Shepherd, was in sense equivalent to a declaration of his being the Messiah.-I mention that discourse as what had just been delivered, because I think it most natural to explain the 22d verse as referring to what was said before, and not merely to what follows: for else the evangelist would probably have said, After these things was the feast of dedication. Compare John v. 1. vi. 4. and vii. 1, 2. d Neither shall any enemy pluck them, &c.] This is the plain import and energy of the original (ux aşnaon teg avla), which is greatly enervated by adding the word man in the translation, as the authors of our English version have frequently done. assaults. e I and the Father are one.] If we at- 90 cxxxiv. They are about to stone him, as making himself God, SECT. intimate, in nature as well as in affection and design, that his almighty power is mine, to be employed for the defence of my sheep; and no X. 30. one can deprive them of eternal life without prevailing against him as well as me. John 31 32 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Then the Jews, transported with rage, took up some of the stones which lay in the court of the temple, where they were still repairing some of the buildings, and armed themselves with them. again, as they had formerly done, (John viii. 59. Vol. VI. p. 545), in order to stone him. But Jesus, with his usual mildness and strength 32 Jesus answered of reason, answered them, I have shewed you many works have I shewed them, Many good good works from my Father; and for which of you from my Father: these works do you go about to stone me? or what for which of those have I ever done among you but acts of bene- works do ye stone me? ficence and kindness? swered him, saying, and 33 The Jews replying, said unto him, Whatever 33 The Jews anthy other works have been, it is very apparent, For a good work we from what has just now passed, that we do not stone thee not; but stone thee for a good work, but for the most de- for blasphemy, testable blasphemy; even because thou, being only because that thou, bea wretched, mortal, sinful man, makest thyself thyself God." God; pretending to be one with him in so extraordinary a manner, that his omnipotence and other divine perfections are thine. ing a man, makest 34 Jesus answered in your law, I said, Ye are gods! 55 If he called them 34 Jesus, not judging it proper at that time to bring the sublime doctrine of his Deity into far- them, Is it not written ther debate, answered them, Is it not written in your law, or in those sacred books which you own to be of Divine original, (Psal. lxxxii. 6.) where it is plain the persons that are spoken of are princes and magistrates, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the 35 Most High?" Now if the Psalmist thus applied this character, and it appears he called gods, unto whom the them gods, to whom the word of God then came, and the scripture canmerely with regard to that office which by not be broken: Divine designation they bore (and certainly the scripture cannot be broken, nor can you, with any shew of reason, pretend to censure the priety of those expressions which a divinely in36 spired writer has used); How is it then that you are so offended now? or how do you pretend to xvi. 21), will sufficiently appear by con- pro say word of God came, 36 Say ye of him, whom apprehend the coming of the word of God to them which is here mentioned refers to the message then delivered to them in the name of God, rather than, in the general, to their receiving a commission from him: To whom the word of God came.] I but the difference is not very material. When He escapes from the Jews, and goes beyond Jordan. sanctified, and sent into SECT. 91 John whom the Father hath say concerning him whom the Father hath so the world, Thou blas- solemnly sanctified, or set apart to this great phe nest; because I work in his eternal counsels, and whom he at said, I am the Son of length has sent into the world under such an X. 36. exalted character, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? when you allow there is a sense in which even oppressive magistrates may be honoured with such a title %. God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and be And when I claim this character, and speak 37 so highly of myself, I do not expect to be credited, merely on my own affirmation: If I do not the works of my Father, such glorious works as could not be performed by any but a Divine agent, believe me not. But if it be ap- 38 parent that I do such works, though you believe not me, and are regardless of my own testimony lieve, that the Father in the case, yet at least believe the mighty works is in me, and I in him. that I perform; and let the evidence of these remove the prejudices you have entertained, that ye may know and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him, by such a union, as abundantly justifies the expression, which seems to give you such peculiar offence. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went again beyond Jordan, into the place where John at Then, though they knew not what to answer 39 And presently departing from Jerusalem, he 40 he abode. g When you allow-magistrates, &c.] A late learned and pious paraphrast apprehends that our Lord here vindicates bis claim to supreme divinity by pleading that the Jewish rulers are called gods, not in a general regard to their office as rolers, but as types of the Messiah, the great Sovereign of the church, who (as it is expressed at the close of this lxxxiid psalm) was to inherit all nations. But not to urge that it seems improbable that such wicked magistrates as arc there spoken of should be described as types of Christ, this explication seems to imply, that every person whose office was typical of the Messiah might be called a God; and on the other hand, that a creature's VOL. VII. M being called by that name, would intimate, 92 John Reflections on our safety under the care of Christ. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: SECT. abode for a while, till the fury of the multitude cxxxiv. was a little abated. And many of the inhabitants of that place who had been formerly acX. 41. quainted with the Baptist, and remembered the but all things that John strong and repeated testimonies which he had spake of this man, were borne to Jesus, came to him there, to attend true. upon his preaching, and said among themselves, John indeed did no miracle himself; but he foretold extraordinary things of another; and we now find, that all the things which John said of this man were exactly true, which is a Divine attestation to the mission and authority of both. 42 And many of them believed on him there, and happily improved this little season of his recess lieved on him there. among them, as the means of their instruction and establishment in piety. 42 And many be IMPROVEMENT. Ver. Ir is worthy of remark, that we here see our Lord Jesus at a 22 festival, appointed only by human authority, in commemoration of a national deliverance. He came from Galilee to observe it in the temple, though it was winter; and brought with him, as at all times, a heart glowing with the most ardent and amiable zeal, for the honour of God, and the salvation of men, even of those who were studying to insnare and destroy him. 24, 25 What prudence, mingled with spirit and sweetness, runs through his answers to them! What inestimable blessings does he propose, to invite them to enter into his fold! May we never forget those gracious words! May we ever be entitled to all the comfort of 28 them! I give unto my sheep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Lord, may we be found in the number of those secure and happy souls, even 27 of those who know thee, and who obey thy voice, and follow thee, whithersoever thou leadest them by thine example, thy Providence, and thy Spirit! Then may we look on our eternal life and happiness, as inviolably secure. Safely indeed may we trust it in 30 his hands, who could say, in so sublime, and so glorious a sense, I and the Father are one. The enemies of our salvation must tri28, 29 umph then over Omnipotence itself, before they can wrest the sheep of Christ out of his hands; nor will his fidelity to God, or his love to them, suffer them to be seduced by fraud, any more than destroyed by violence. Blessed situation of thy little flock! O thou faithful, thou compassionate, thou Almighty Shepherd, gather thou our souls with theirs; and never suffer us to forget of how great importance it is, that we still continue near thee, that we look up to thee for our defence |