phaned, and the people deluded. It was also convenient that there should be a market near the temple, to expedite the change of several coins, which the dispersed Jews brought from different countries; and this they did for a small gratuity, though not for interest of money, which was a plain elusion of the law, that not only forbids all sort of usury, but increase also: as the prophet Ezekiel expresses it, Thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the LORD GOD, ch. xxii. 12.

Now our Saviour, seeing that all this traffick was improperly carried on within the precincts of the temple, and also dishonestly conducted, judged right to put a stop to it*, in the manner which has been thus related.

But we read also, that as he turned them out of the temple, he added this severe rebuke, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.

An

excellent paraphrase of this is given by a learned and judicious commentator in the following words; And he said to them

Sheridan's Sermons, vol. L.

as he turned them out, Such practices as these profane the house of GOD, and shamefully pervert the use for which it was designed; for it is written, My house shall be called an house of prayer for all people, to which they shall resort for the performance of religious worship; But you have turned it into a house of merchandize, and made it, as the prophet speaks*, a den of robbers, a place whose traffick is carried on by persons of the most infamous character, who live by deceit and oppression, and practise the vilest extortion, even in the house of the righteous and blessed Gopt.

We must not dismiss this subject, my Brethren, as if we were no farther concerned in it, than as an amusing narrative we must consider it as profitable for our instruction; and therefore let me beseech you for CHRIST's sake, to consider your own eternal welfare and since he has purified a temple for you to worship him in, serve him there in purity and holiness, and cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of GODS. Thus your hearts being fit temples for CHRIST to dwell in, you shall * Is. lvi. 7. +11 Tim. iii.

+ Doddridge's Fam. Exp.
11 Cor. vii. 1.

not only escape his scourge, and enjoy inward peace and satisfaction here, in having done your duty; but, through his merits, eternal happiness hereafter as the reward of your observance of that duty, so specifically prescribed, and so solemnly enjoined.

While these wonderful occurrences were transacting, the fame of them drew together people of every description. Even the blind desired to be conducted to, and the lame to be assisted in reaching, the spot where JESUS was who no sooner saw them, than by the same Divine power and authority which he had exerted in purifying the temple, he, most compassionately, in the presence of all the people, commanded the former to see, and the latter to walk.

It can hardly be supposed that there should be such depravity in any human beings, as that they should be offended at seeing cures wrought on their fellowcreatures; or when children were uttering their joyful acclamations in the temple, and crying Hosanna to the Son of David, as the multitude had done before, that any should be offended. But the conduct of the chief priests and scribes on this occasion was a lamentable instance of such depravity. They were not

only sore displeased, says the evangelist, but even censured JESUS for permitting these rejoicings: Hearest thou, say they in an indignant humour, what these say? Our LORD, not only allowing, but being also well pleased at. the Hosannas which these children uttered, said unto the unreasonable opposers of his wonderful works, Yea, nor do I reprove them for it. Have ye never read, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perjected praise. Thus quoting a scripture out of the book of Psalms*, which was fulfilled, or at least exemplified in the incident.

From this occurrence too, my Brethren, we must endeavour to derive instruction. And here let me more partiticularly address myself to parents. You see that praise well becomes the mouths of children--that your Saviour was pleased with their Hosannas, with their shouts of joy, as he entered into the temple. Bring your children therefore betimes to the house of prayer, remembering that of such is the kingdom of GoDt. Teach them to keep up the form of godliness, it will be in no small degree instrumental to the power of it.

The blessed JESUS having returned this answer to the discontented scribes and Pharisees, left them to make the applition, and retired to Bethany, a village about a mile from Jerusalem.

Thus have we brought the transactions of this day to a conclusion: and may GOD grant, that the observations which have been made on them, as they have severally occurred to us, may prove beneficial to those who have given their attendance here this evening. Let us

ever be ready both in heart and voice to praise the LORD for the mercies vouchsafed unto us by the author and finisher of our faith, and to join in joyful Hosannas to the Son of David. Never let us, as did the envious scribes and Pharisees, throw any impediments in the progress of the Gospel, nor disdain to join, even with children, in joyful acclamations to him that cometh in the name of the LORD.