standing, in order that further expedients might be tried to make it more fruitful; and then, if it should yet continue barren, it was condemned. Thus God, by sending Christ and His Apostles to preach the Gospel to the Jews, made them one offer of mercy more, and gave them one further space for repentance; after which, if they rejected it, He irreversibly determined to destroy them without mercy. And thus, likewise, does God offer means and times for repentance to every obstinate sinner; though He may not order the tower of Siloam to fall and crush him, He employs other means to cut him off from His favour, and, at last, to destroy him that he perish 2.

SECT. LXXXVII.—Christ healeth the Crooked Woman.Luke xiii. 10-17.

As Jesus passed through Galilee He taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. In one of these assemblies, a poor woman, "bowed down for eighteen years by a spirit of infirmity," excited His compassion; and, without solicitation, "He called, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thy infirmity;" and she was at once restored to health and vigour. But the ruler of the synagogue was moved with indignation at what he deemed a profanation of the sacred day. The conduct of this ruler might lead us to suppose, that an evil thing had been

2 Dr. S. Clarke.

3 Dr. Robinson.

committed, when this woman, who came to find comfort under her affliction in the synagogue, found, what she had not expected, a cure. Jesus saw into the heart of the hypocrite who pretended a regard for religion that he did not feel, and in whom prejudice and enmity had blinded reason, and says, Can you permit a work of mercy to be done on the Sabbath, in the case of your labouring cattle; and will you not permit a work of mercy to be done in the case of a fellowcreature, one, like yourself, of the stock of Abraham1? "And all His adversaries were ashamed." SECT. LXXXVIII.-The Strait Gate.—Luke xiii. 23–30.

A QUESTION that seems to have been much disputed among the Jewish doctors is now propounded to Jesus; and, as it was agreeable to their received opinion to suppose, that all Israel should have their part in the world to come, it is probable that it was now proposed to our Lord for the real satisfaction of the inquirer". "Lord, are there few that be saved ?" Our Lord reproves the inquisitiveness of the person who asked the question by a silence towards him, personally, that expressed at once dignity and mildness; but, addressing Himself to others who were present, He acquaints them with all that it was necessary for them to know and remember in relation to this subject".

4

Abp. Sumner.

5 Drs. Whitby and Lightfoot.

6

Archbishop Secker.

We must carefully observe that our Lord is not here speaking of what takes place in the present world, but of what will take place at the last day. He shows, that the number of those who may be saved, is not defined by any decree of God; but that all may obtain salvation, who display constancy, diligence, and courage, in conflicting with the world, the flesh, and the devil: and He proceeds to warn the Jews, that they were deceiving themselves with false hopes, and that many of them shall find themselves mistaken at the last, in expecting to enter the kingdom of heaven without the needful qualifications". "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." Speaking in a parable, Jesus describes persons who are shut out from a place of happiness or a place of safety, which they have neglected to "strive to enter" in time. The storm comes on; the danger is at hand; they seek refuge in vain. The Jews of that day might urge that they had eaten and drunk in His presence, and had been in His company when He had preached in their streets, endeavouring to correct the errors of their nation. They had seen His miracles; they had heard His doctrine, not as that of the Scribes, but as one having authority. Wilt thou not, therefore, now receive and acknowledge us for your disciples ? No! says our Lord, I will reject you.

For, although ye may say truth in these things, yet since in your lives and conversations upon earth, you did not obey My injunctions; since you would not listen to My teaching, and would not leave your iniquities, but ascribed My miracles to Satan, and would not come unto Me that you might have life; I never looked on you as disciples then, and do not now acknowledge or receive you;—“I know you not whence you are; depart from Me." Ye Jews, who could not make a right use of these benefits, shall be "thrust out;" and ye Gentiles, who had not the same blessings, and now enjoy the fewest advantages, though last, shall be first. Strangers to the law and covenant of which the one boast, the other shall be received into the kingdom of God.

SECT. LXXXIX.-Christ reproveth Jerusalem.

Luke xiii. 31-35.

ON the same day on which our Lord had delivered these exhortations, intelligence was brought in by "certain of the Pharisees," that Herod, whose jurisdiction extended over Galilee, in which our Lord still was, had determined on Christ's destruction. It seems probable that the Pharisees suggested this danger, with the view of terrifying Christ, being unwilling that the people should witness any more of His miracles, or learn any more of His doctrine, and Archbishop Sumner, Bishop Mann, and Dr. S. Clarke.

10

fearing the effect that these would have upon their minds and their religion'. Jesus was not to be terrified by this shallow artifice; but replied, Go, tell that crafty and wicked prince the very things you see Me do, and of which I know full well you dread the effects. In all this I am employed in the business for which I was sent by God into the world. When the time appointed by Divine wisdom is come, then, indeed, "I shall be perfected" by suffering death. The power of Herod cannot hinder Me, for I must yet a little while longer continue preaching, and working miracles; but, when the season determined by God shall have arrived, and at that time only, must I suffer; but this shall not happen here in Galilee, Jerusalem is the place in which the wisdom of the Father has preordained from the beginning, that the Prophet, which I am, should finish His course 2. After observing that it cannot be that He should "perish out of Jerusalem," He was led to reflect upon the heinous guilt and approaching desolation of that rebellious city, and broke forth into the most tender and affecting lamentation over the "house," which yet contained the Temple in which the Divine glory had vouchsafed to dwell, and in which the great prophecies concerning man's redemption were to be perfected. In an apostrophe, inimitably passionate and tender3,

1 Dr. Hammond.

2 Dr. S. Clarke.

3 Dr. Hales.