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insinuated that prayer was a fit means of increasing the faith which he spake of. Matt. xi. 25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespassès. See on Matt. vi. 14, 15. § 26.

CXIII. Certain Greeks desire to see Jesus. John xii. 20,-50.

JOHN xii. 20. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast. Toss Edens, the phrase used by the evangelist here, signifies properly, as our translators have rendered it, certain Greeks. However, all the Gentiles being thus named by the Jews, it denoted their religion rather than their country. In the present instance, however, the persons called Greeks, were not idolatrous Gentiles. For their business at the feast, which was to worship, shews that they were proselytes to the Jewish religion, and cherished expectations of Messiah, But being foreigners, they had never seen Jesus. 21. The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee*, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Our Lord's fame, and the general opinion which now prevailed, concurred to persuade these proselytes that he might be Messiah; for which reason, they desired an interview with him. 22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again, Andrew and Philip told Jesus. From Philip's not venturing to introduce the men himself, it would appear that there was some difficulty in the case. Perhaps they were only proselytes of the gate, who, according to custom, could not be admitted into the company of Jews, Acts x. 28. 23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified, meaning that he should soon be honoured by the conversion of all the Gentiles. At the same time he told them, that he was to suffer death before he arrived at this glory; and illustrated the necessity of his dying, by the similitude of grain cast into the earth. 24. Verily, veri ly, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. As the only way to make grain produce fruit, is to bury it in the ground, so the most proper method of bringing about the conversion and salvation of the world is, that I die and be buried. To omit other things, our Lord's resurrection, the grand miracle on which the truth of Christianity is founded, and by which the conversion of the world was effected, happened in consequence of his death. He told them farther, that as he their Master

Ver. 21. Which was of Bethsaida of Galilee.] This circumstance is mentioned to shew how these men came to apply themselves to Philip. Probably they were Syrophenicians dwelling about Tyre and Sidon, and who having commerce with Galilee, might be acquainted with Philip.

Master was to suffer before his exaltation, so were all they his disciples; for which reason, they were to expect persecution, firmly resolving to lose even life itself, after his example, when called to do it; and in that case he promised them a share in his crown and glory. John xii. 25. He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life (see on Luke xiv. 26. § 98.) in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal. 26. If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Thus Jesus tacitly insinuated that the strangers would be greatly disappointed, if their desire of conversing with him proceeded from a hope of recommending themselves to earthly preferments through his favour.

Having taken a view of his own sufferings, and proposed them as an example to his disciples, the prospect moved him to such a degree, that he uttered his grief in the following doleful words: 27. Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? accompanying them with a prayer for relief; Father, save me from this hour. Some however understand these words interrogatively: Shall I say, Father, save me from this hour? supposing that the question implies a negation. But for this cause came I unto this hour. His praying on this occasion, shews us what is the best method of easing the mind in deep distress. At the same time, as in his prayer, he expressed an entire resignation to the Divine will, he has taught us, that although the weakness of human nature may shrink at the first thoughts of suffering, his disciples are not to yield, but ought to fortify themselves by just reflections on the wisdom of God, and on the happy end he proposes by their afflictions. 28. Father, glorify thy name. This some consider as a farther expression of resignation, importing, that he was willing to submit to whatever the Father should judge necessary for the manifestation of his perfections. But the answer that was given to this part of Christ's prayer, suggests another meaning; namely, that he begged God to demonstrate, perhaps by an immediate interposition, the truth of his mission, a full proof thereof being altogether necessary for vindicating the honour of God. Accordingly, the words were no sooner spoken, than a voice from heaven was heard, answering distinctly to this sense of them. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again: I have glorified it by the miracles which thou hast already performed, and will continue to glorify it by other miracles yet to be performed. Accordingly by the miraculous circumstances which accompanied our Lord's crucifixion, but especially by his resurrection from the dead, by his ascension into heaven, and by the effusion of the Holy Ghost upon his apostles, the truth of Christ's pretensions and mission was demonstrated, and the glory of God was greatly advanced.

advanced. The sound of this voice was evidently preternatural, being strong and loud as thunder; but at the same time so articulate, that all who had heard Jesus pray, understood what it said. John xii. 29. The people therefore that stood by and heard it, said that it thundered; others said an angel spake to him. None of them took it for a human voice, it being entirely different from any thing they had ever heard. The reflection which Jesus made upon it was, that the voice had spoken, not to assure him of the Father's love, but to confirm them in the belief of his mission. 30. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, nor did I pray for it on my own account, but for your sakes. The farther glorification of the name of God promised to Jesus by the voice, signified the honour that should accrue to God, from the new proofs wherewith his mission was to be adorned, particularly the great miracles of his resurrection from the dead, of the effusion of the Spirit on the first converts, and of the conversion of the Gentile world to the Christian religion.

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The subject of our Lord's prayer, and the answer which he received, naturally led him to meditate on the happy effects of his coming into the world, viz. the destruction of Satan's kingdom, and the exaltation of men with himself into heaven. grand events afforded a prospect that was very reviving, amidst the melancholy thoughts which now afflicted his soul. Wherefore, that his disciples might share with him in the comfort of them, he foretold them as the necessary effects of his sufferings. 31. Now is the judgment of this world, the time of the destruction of wickedness is come. Now shall the prince of this world be cast out: The devil, who has so long reigned in the hearts of the children of disobedience, is about to be dethroned. 32. And 1, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33. This he said, signifying what death he should die. Our Lord cannot be supposed in this passage to talk of his own death as a thing uncertain; and therefore we should be translated, when I am lifted up, a sense which av has sometimes. See Deur. vii. 1. Judges vi. 3. The people, on hearing Jesus affirm, that he was to be lifted up or crucified, told him that it was inconsistent with the character of Messiah, who, according to the law, (so they named the whole of their sacred writings) was never to die, Psal. cx. 4. Dan. ii. 44. vii. 14. 34. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou the Son of man must be lift up? Who is the Son of man? What sort of a Messiah must he be, that is to die. Jesus replied, that the Light, meaning himself, would continue with them but little while longer, for which reason they would do well not to cavil at, but to believe what he said. 35. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you, rwalk while ye have the light: Improve by my instructions, who am

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the light of the world, (see on John viii. 12.) lest darkness, i. e. spiritual blindness, come upon you by the just judgment of God. Rom. xi. 25. If that should happen to you, ye will be in a miserable condition: for he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth, so is in danger of perishing. 36. While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light: While you enjoy the benefit of my doctrine and miracles, which clearly prove my mission from God, believe on me, for it is thus alone you can become the children of God. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them: he retired privately with his disciples, perhaps to Bethany.

On this occasion the historian observes, that notwithstanding Jesus had wrought many miracles in the presence of the Jews, they generally rejected him, fulfilling Isaiah's prediction, ch. liii. 1. John xii. 37. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him. 38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? He likewise observes, that they could not believe, being such persons as the same prophet describes, ch. vi. 9. $9. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, that I should heal them. See on Matt. xiii. 14. $ 49. 41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. He uttered these remarkable words, when in vision he saw the glory of the Son of God, and the manifestations which he was to make of the Divine counsels, and described the effect which these manifestations were to have upon his hearers; for which reason they are a prophetical description of the men of the age in which Jesus lived. But though the greater part of those to whom Christ preached rejected him, his sermons were not altogether unsuccessful; for a number of the chief rulers believed on him. Yet they did not openly profess their faith in him, fearing they might be excommunicated by the Pharisees, whose party was now very powerful both in church and state; for they valued the good opinion of men more than the approbation of God. 42. Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also, many. believed on him; but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. 43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Where fore, to strengthen the faith of such, and to inspire them with. courage. 44. Jesus, on some occasion or other, soon after this, cried and said in the temple, He that believeth on me, believeth not.

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⚫ Ver. 38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled.] [* here, and in many other passages, ought to be translated so that, for it denotes the event spoken of, and not the cause of that event.

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on me, but on him that sent me; see John vii. 16. § 76. My doctrine is so evidently from God, that he who believeth on me may more properly be said to believe on God, by whose autho.. rity I preach. 45. And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me : He that seeth the miracles which I perform, seeth the operation of his power by whom I act. See John x. 37, 38. § 84.. 46. Į am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me, should not abide in darkness. I am the Sun of righteousness, whose beams dispel the darkness of ignorance in which men are involved, and am come to deliver all who believe on me out of that darkness. See on John viii. 12. § 77. John xii. 47. And if any hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world: Yet if those who hear my doctrine do not believe, I will not at present execute judgment upon them; for I am not come to condemn and punish, but to save the world; and consequently to use all the gentle : methods possible in order to reclaim the wicked. Nevertheless, they who reject the instructions and the offers of salvation which I give, shall not pass unpunished; for the doctrine that I have preached, shall bear witness against them at the day of judgment, and because it has aggravated their sin, it shall heighten their punishment. 48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day: Do not think it strange. that you are to be judged according to my doctrine and precepts 49. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak. 50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting; whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. Because I am sensible that the doctrines and precepts which the Father hath commanded me to preach, are the only conditions of eternal life, I have proposed them with the greatest faithfulness, plainness, and confidence. Therefore, I am worthy of credit, both in respect of my com mission, and in respect of the fidelity with which I have executed

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§ CXIV. Priests and elders are sent by the senate to‘ask Jesus concerning his authority. The parable of the sons commanded to work in the vineyard. Matt. xxi. 23,-82. Mark xi. 27,33. Luke xix. 47, 48. xx. 1,—8.

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JESUS being now to remain but a short time on earth, employ ed himself, without intermission, in teaching as many people as possible, and in the most public places. Luke xix. 47. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests, and the scribes, and the chief of the people, sought to destroy him, 48. And could not find what they might do; for all the people were very at

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