understanding of the Gospel of CHRIST, can now account for: that CHRIST, as GOD, was David's LORD; CHRIST, as Man, was David's Son*.

The Pharisees design, in putting these questions to JESUS, was that they might ensnare him which being unable to do, they were confounded, and would ask him no more. Had they been converted, as they were convinced, by his answers, they would not have stopped here; they would have been led to another question, What must we do to be saved ? Great indeed was their obstinacy, great was their malice, great was their guilt. Some of us may perhaps say, Had we lived in those days, it would not have been so with us.

But, while we are considering the conduct of those in former days, let us not waste our time in vain conjectures, how we should have acted then ;-rather let us examine our lives thoroughly, how we behave now.

The Pharisees, it is true, resisted the evidences of CHRIST'S Divinity: we, on the other hand, acknowledge JESUS to be the Messiah, the Messiah to be GOD. But in our deeds do we not deny him? Do we not cavil at some of the doctrines

* Henry. † Acts xvi. 30.

of the Gospel, and do we not rebel against many of its precepts? We must not only be convinced, but we must be converted. It will not avail us to own CHRIST with our mouths, while by the wickedness of our lives, we crucify him afresh, and thereby put him again to open shame*. We must not only hold fast this truth, that JESUS CHRIST is over all, GOD blessed for ever, but we must evince it, by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, that in the world to come we may dwell with him in heaven, whom we have faithfully acknowledged as GOD on earth.

JESUS, having by his well adapted answers and judicious remarks, thus put to silence the scribes and the Pharisees, thought it right, in the audience of all the people, to caution his disciples against their delusions; but enjoined them in the first place to pay them proper respect as teachers of the law of Moses, and to practise the duties which they taught from that law, but by no means to imitate their actions. The scribes and the Pharisees, said he, sit in Moses seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that

observe and do; but do not after their works; for they say, and do not. Our LORD then proceeded to enumerate the vices for which they were remarkable, and with holy freedom, and authority no less than Divine, denounced against them several woes, as contained at large in the 23rd chapter of St. Matthew, not at all inconsistent with the sweetness of his disposition, nor with the respect due to persons of their rank: which, were it necessary, and time would permit, we might easily show*.

*The freedom which JESUS used in "rebuk. ing the Scribes and Pharisees," and the vehemence with which he denounced woes against them more than once, are thought inconsistent with the sweetness of his disposition, and with the respect due to persons of their rank. Nevertheless, if we con. sider the matter in its just light, we shall soon be sensible that the severity wherewith JESUS treated this order of men, was by no means inconsistent with his general character, but was the necessary result of his wisdom, and of his love to the rest of mankind. The Scribes and Pharisees were persons remarkable for avarice, sensuality, pride, obstinacy, and contempt of real religion. Their corruption of heart exceeded all bounds. Gentle means would have made no impression upon them. They needed the severest remedies.----Besides, without regarding their reformation at all, which, perhaps was not to be accomplished by any methods; considering the show of worth which they assumed, and by which mankind were cheated into

Here then is an awakening lesson both for the ministers of religion and for the people. Let the ministers be careful to preach sound doctrine, and to be themselves the first to walk in the way which leads to heaven, thereby making others by their example to walk in the same path: and let the people, although the ministers should preach sound doctrine and yet lead wicked lives, be careful not

an high admiration of them, it was necessary, for the sake of the people, to pull off the mask of hypocrisy under which they had so long concealed their wickedness, and led the world astray. St. Luke xvi. 15. "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts : for that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of GOD." Nor was there any other method to prevent the pernicious influence of their example and doctrine. This was the reason JESUS rebuked them so openly, and denounced woes against them with such vehemence. By so doing, he, whose judgment was by his miracles proved to be the judgment of a prophet, showed his hearers every where what opinion he had of those hypocrites, and cautioned them in the most affecting manner, to beware both of them and of their doctrine. And though on these occasions he expressed himself with more than ordinary vehemence, it must be owned that he preserved an entire command of himself. For he uttered no sentiment or expression, but such as the offences fully warranted, and the regard which he had for virtue absolutely demanded.----See Bishop Watson's Theological Tracts, vol. 5. page 181.

to follow their example; but to walk in that truth which is preached unto them. The woe denounced by our Saviour will be executed not only against those who speak, but also against those who hear the truth, and do not obey it. God grant, that none of us may be of that number.

The blessed JESUS having uttered several woes against the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, concluded his address to them in a most pathetic prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, and with the most tender compassion for the calamities which were afterwards, and, at no great distance of time, to befall it. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chicken under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD. That is, You who have now with so much indignation heard the children and people saluting me thus, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD, after a while shall lie under so great calamities for the punishment of your infidelity, that