XX. 26.

Mat.xvi.24; their lives, and to take up their cross and humility, Luk. vi. 27- patience, and love of their enemies were among the chief virtues which they were to practise.

29.

He did not endeavour to allay the astonishment and fear of the twelve as they were going up to the last

passover: but on the contrary, he took that very opporMar. x. 32- tunity to foretell his crucifixion and its ignominious 34. and p.p. circumstances. His death on the cross was an original Jo. iii. 14. part of his plan: and he alluded to it almost as soon as he entered on his ministry.

Lastly: he prophesied of supernatural events immediately to succeed his death; I mean, his resurrection on the third day, his ascension, and the descent of the Act. i. 5. Holy Spirit. He also foretold that his disciples should Jo. xiv. 12. do greater works than he: and that "these signs should follow them that believed; in his name they should cast out demons, they should speak with new tongues, they should take up serpents, and if they drank any deadly thing, it should not hurt them; they should lay hands on the sick, and they should recoverd." The most senseless deceiver would not have subjected himself to so speedy a detection: much less one who on other occasions showed so much wisdom, and so deep a knowledge of human nature.

I shall close this attempt to illustrate the perfection of our ever blessed Lord's character, with a doxology formed out of all those which are addressed to him in the books of the New Testament; and which I, his unworthy disciple, humbly and devoutly offer up to Rev. v. 12. him: "Salvation belongeth unto the Lamb: worthy is

d Mark xvi. 17, 18. See the topic that our Lord was no impostor, and the topic also that he was no enthusiast, illustrated in a masterly way by Dr. Ran

dolph in his excellent View, &c. p. 45, 141, 155, 381-404.

e Rev. vii. 10. Gratiæ ob acceptam salutem. Grot. The sense of the words is, He is the author

the Lamb that was slain to receive riches, and wisdom, and strength: unto him that loved us, and washed us Rev. i. 5, 6. from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us

kings and priests unto his God and Father, be bless- Rev. v. 13. ing, and honour, and glory, and dominion, and power, Rev. i. 6. for ever and ever. Amen."

of eternal salvation to mankind,
Heb. v. 9.
See Rev. vii. 10;
xix. I and Jonah ii. 9.

f Compare Phil. iv. 20; and see John xx. 17; 2 Cor. i. 3; Eph. i. 3. English Version, Col. i. 3.

THE END.