The miserable wretch finding it impossible to procure any relief for himself, was desirous of preserving his thoughtless relations from the like distress; "Then he said, I pray thee, therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." Luke xvi. 27, 28. This also was a petition that could not be granted. It is too late to hope for relief, when the soul is cast into the bottomless pit. They may learn, said Abraham, the certainty of the immortality of the soul, from the books of Moses and the prophets, if they will give themselves the trouble to peruse them attentively. To which the miserable object replied, that the books of Moses and the prophets had been ineffectual to him, and he feared would be so to his brethren. But if one actually arose from the dead, and appeared to them, they would certainly repent, and embrace those offers of salvation they had before slighted. Nay, father Abraham; but ifone went unto them from the dead, they will repent." But Abraham told him, that in this he was greatly mistaken for that if they refused to believe the evidence of a future state, contained in the writings of Moses and the prophets, the testimony of a messenger from the dead would not be sufficient to convince them. "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

This truth asserted by Abrahahr, has been abundantly proved by undeniable facts; from whence it has appeared, that those who will not be convinced by a standing revelation, will not be convinced though one rose from the dead. These very Jews, These very Jews, to whom our Saviour spoke, were remarkable instances of this truth; they were fully assured that another Lazarus was, by the power of Christ, raised from the dead after he had lain several days in the tomb; a fact which they were so far from being able to: disprove, that they attempted to kill Laza

rus, as if, by this wicked action, they could have destroyed his evidence. Nay, they still had a more lively proof, in the resur rection of Jesus himself, which they were so far from being able to deny, that they bribed the soldiers to spread that senseless tale, that his disciples came by night and stole him away. So true were Abraham's words, that they who believe not Moses and the prophets, which testify of Christ and his eternal redemption, would not be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

There is not a more awakening and alarming example than this parable, through the whole gospel: it is drawn in such lively colours, that many in all ages of the church, have considered it not as a parable, but as a real history; but however this be, the important truths delivered in it are equally clear and equally certain. They are designed to describe the difference between this state and a future, between the children of this world, and the children of light, the former having had the portion of happiness here; but that of the latter being reserved to a glorious one hereafter.

Having thus reprimanded the Pharisees, he took occasion to speak of affronts and offences, described their evil nature, and their dreadful punishment. "It is impossible (said he) but that offences will come; but woe unto him through whom they come. It were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." Luke xvii. 1, 2. That is, the children of God, the followers of the Lamb, must meet with disgrace, reviling, and persecution bere; but woe unto those who revile and persecute them, they had better undergo the worst of temporary judgments, than the awful one which shall ensue.

He spake also against a quarrelsome temper in his servants, especially in the mini

sters and teachers of religion, prescribed a seasonable and prudent reprehension of the fault, accompanied with forgiveness on the part of the person injured, as the best means of disarming the temptation that may arise from thence. "Take beed to yourselves; If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent: thou shalt forgive him." Luke xvii. 3, 4.

But however beautiful these discourses of our Saviour appeared, when examined with attention, they seem to have staggered the faith of his disciples and followers; perhaps they still imagined, that he would shortly erect a temporal kingdom, and distribute among them the rewards they expected for their services.-If so, they might well desire their Master "to increase their faith" as discourses like these had a very different. tendency from, what might naturally have been expected from one who was going to establish the throne of David, and extend his sceptre over all the kingdoms of the earth; but, however this be, our Saviour told them, that if they had the smallest degree of true faith, it would be sufficient for Overcoming all temptations, even those which seem as difficult to be conquered as the plucking up trees, and planting them in the ocean. "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the roots, and be thou planted in the sea, and it should obey you." Luke xvii. 6.

CHAP. XXV.

Our Lord is applied to in behalf of poor Lazarus. Cures ten Persons of the Leprosy, in Samaria, and restores Lazarus to Life..

NOON, after our blessed Saviour had

these discourses, one of his

now

friends, named Lazarus, fell sick at Bethany, a village about two miles from the countries beyond Jordan, where Jesus was preaching the gospel. The sisters of Lazarus finding his sickness was of a dangerous kind, thought proper to send an account of it to Jesus: being firmly persuaded, that he who had cured so many strangers would readily come and give health to one whom: he loved in so tender a manner. "Lord (said they) Behold he whom thou lovest is sick" they did not add, come down and heal him, make haste and save him from the grave; it was sufficient for them to relate their necessities to their Lord, who was both able and willing to help them from their distress.

sickness is not unto death."-This declaration of the benevolent Jesus being carried to the sisters of Lazarus, must strangely. surprize them, and exercise both theirs and his disciples' faith; since it is probable, that before the messenger arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had expired. Soon after Jesus positively assured his disciples, that Lazarus was dead.

"When Jesus heard that, he said, This

2

The Evangelist, in the beginning of this account, tells us, that Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus; and that after he had received the message, he abode twó days in the same place where he was. Hist design in this might be to intimate that his lingering so long after the message came, did not proceed from a want of concern for his friends, but happened according to the councils of his own wisdom. For the length of time which Lazarus lay in the grave, put

Jesus having thus declared his resolution of returning into Judea, Thomas conceiving nothing less than destruction from such a journey, yet unwilling to forsake his Master, said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Let us not forsake our Master in this dangerous journey, but accompany him into Judea, that if the Jews, whose inveteracy we are well acquainted with, should take away his life, we also may expire with him.

The journey to Judea being thus resolved on, Jesus departed with his disciples, and in his way to Bethany passed through Samaria and Galilee. "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed." Luke xvii. 12, &c.

Among these miserable, objects, one of them was a native of the country, who perceiving that his cure was completed, came back praising God for the great mercy he had received; he had before kept at a distance from our Saviour, but being now sensible that he was entirely clean, approached his benefactor; that all might have an opportunity of beholding the miracle, and fell on his face at his feet, thanking him, in the most humble manner, for his condescension in healing him of so terrible a disease. Jesus, in order to intimate, that those who were enlightened with the knowledge of the truth, ought, at least, to have shewn as great a sense of piety and gratitude as this Samaritan, asked, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." Luke xvii. 17.

Jesus and his disciples now continued their journey towards Bethany, where he was informed by some of the inhabitants

of that village, that Lazarus was not only dead, as he had foretold, but had now lain in the grave four days. The afflicted sisters were overwhelmed with sorrow; so that many of the Jews from Jerusalem came to comfort them, concerning their brother.

It seems the news of our Lord's coming had reached Bethany, before he arrived at that village; for Martha, the sister of Lazarus, being informed of his approach, went out, and met him, but Mary, who was of a more melancholy and contemplative disposition, sat still in the house. No sooner was she come into the presence of Jesus, than in an excess of grief she poured forth her complaints, Lord (said she) if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." If thou hadst complied with the message we sent thee, I well know that thy interest from heaven had prevailed, my brother had been cured of his disease, and delivered from the grave.

Martha, doubtless, entertained a high opinion of our Saviour's power; she believed that death did not dare to approach his presence; and consequently, if Jesus had arrived at Bethany, before her brother's dissolution, he had not fallen a victim to the king of terrors. But she imagined that it was not in his power to heal the sick at a distance; though, at the same time, she seemed to have some dark and imperfect hopes, that our blessed Lord would still do something for her. "But I know (said she)

that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." She thought that Jesus could obtain whatsoever he desired by prayer; and therefore did not found her hopes on his power, but on the power of God, through his intercession. She, doubtless, knew that the great Redeemer of mankind had raised the daughter of Jairus, and the widow's son at Nain, from the dead; but seems to have considered her brother's resurrection as much more difficult; probably because he had been longer dead.

But Jesus, who was willing to encourage

this imperfect faith of Martha, answered, "Thy brother shall rise again." As these words were delivered in an indefinite sense, with regard to time, Martha understood them only as an argument of consolation drawn from the general resurrection, and accordingly answered, "I know that he shall rise again at the resurrection, at the last day." She was firmly persuaded of that important article of the christian faith, the "resurrection of the dead ;" at which important hour she believed her brother would rise from the chambers of the dust. And here she seems to have terminated all her hopes, not thinking that the Son of God would call her brother from the sleep of death. Jesus, therefore, to instruct her in this great truth, replied, "I am the resurrection, and the life." I am the Author of the resurrection, the fountain and giver of that life they shall then receive; and therefore can, with the same ease, raise the dead now, as at the last day." "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" To which Martha answered, "Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." I believe that thou art the true Messiah, so long promised by the prophets, and therefore believe that thou art capable of performing every instance of power thou art pleased

to undertake.

Martha now seemed to entertain some confused expectations of her brother's immediate resurrection and leaving Jesus in the field, ran and called her sister, according to his order, being willing that both Mary and her companions should be witnesses of this stupendous miracle.

Mary no sooner heard that Jesus was come, than she immediately left her Jewish comforters, who only increased the weight of her grief, and flew to her Saviour. The Jews, who suspected she was going to weep over

the grave of her brother, followed her to that great Prophet, who was going to remove all her sorrows. Thus the Jews, who came from Jerusalem to comfort the two mournful sisters, were brought to the grave of Lazarus, and made witnesses of his resurrection.

As soon as Mary approached the great Redeemer of mankind, she fell prostrate at his feet, and in a flood of tears poured out." her complaint, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." No won-der the compassionate Jesus was moved at so affecting a scene: on his side stood Martha, pouring forth a flood of tears, at his feet lay the affectionate Mary, weeping and lamenting her dear departed brother: while the Jews, who came to comfort the afflicted sisters, unable to confine their grief, joined the solemn mourning, and mixed their friendly tears, in witness of their love for the departed Lazarus, and in testimony to the justice of the sisters' grief, for the loss of so amiable, so deserving a brother. Jesus could not behold the affliction of the two sisters, and their friends, without having a share in it himself; his heart was melted at the mournful scenes," he groaned in spirit, and was troubled."

To remove the doubts and fears of these

pious women, he asked them where they had buried Lazarus; not that he was ignorant where the body of the deceased was laid he who knew that he was dead, when so far distant from him, and could raise him up by a single word, must know where his remains were deposited; to which they answered, "Lord, come and see." The Son of God, to shew us, that the tender affections of a human heart, when kept in due bounds; that friendly sorrow, when not immoderate, and directed to proper ends, is consistent with the highest sanctity of the soul, joined in the general mourning. He wept, even to the time that he was going to give the most ample proof of his divinity.