"saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom "is no guile."

Such should be the character of every Christian; such will be the character of every one who follows the gospel rules.

"48. Nathaniel saith unto him, Whence knowest "thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before "that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the. fig-tree, I saw thee.

66

49. Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King ❝ of Israel.

"50. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because "I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, be"lievest thou? thou shalt see greater things than

"these.

"51. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say "unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and "the angels of God ascending and descending upon "the Son of Man!"

Nathaniel's immediate and zealous faith may be accounted for by the purity and innocence of his mind: the soil was fitted to receive the seed of truth, which accordingly took root as soon as sown; and having no weeds to choke or impede its growth, flourished abundantly. He had the gratification of being highly approved by his master, and received a promise from him that he should see greater things than those which had just carried conviction to his mind. This promise is more fully explained by our Lord, in the 51st verse just recited.

May the Almighty grant us grace to follow the conduct of Nathaniel, that true Israelite in whom was no guile! and then we may hope to see greater things, continually, than any we have seen! we may hope to

see

see his promises opening more and more, and his grace still farther extended towards us.

To Him, for all the holy instructions and pious examples he has afforded us, be all praise, thanksgiving, and worship, world without end! Amen!

1.

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

ST. JOHN, CHAP. II.

ND the third day there was a marriage in

•AND day, and the mother of Jesus

was there.

"2. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples to "the marriage."

Our Lord seems purposely to have distinguished this sacred institution with his presence, and, by this performance of his first miracle, to restore it to its former credit, which it had greatly lost amongst the Jews, who made no scruple, upon the most frivolous pretences, of getting rid of their wives, by giving them a bill of divorce. Our blessed Saviour wished to reform a practice which was attended with numberless evils; and therefore gives the weight of his authority, not only by his presence, but precepts, to this sacred tie, decreed from the beginning by the Almighty, for the wisest purpose. Our Lord, indeed, made it a rule, upon all occasions, to endeavour to draw people by mildness and gentleness into the right path; and for this purpose, though reproached for it by the Jews, he - frequently accepted invitations, to draw, by gentle means, sinners to repentance. In how different a point of view does this conduct of our Lord place the

duties

duties of religion, to that in which some gloomy sec taries represent it? In the practice of the former, we see that cheerfulness which should naturally be the result of a self-approving conscience: on the countenance of the latter, we see a constant gloom, attended with that severity of behaviour and of animadversion on the conduct of others, as if the Father of Mercies could be only pleased when his creatures were inflicting torments on themselves. Of the religion of our blessed Lord, it may be truly said, "Her ways are "ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Our Saviour, who knew every thought of the human heart, judged such seasons to be particularly proper for making an impression upon it, and therefore gave many of his lessons, both of morality and divinity, at such meetings. Innocent amusements are not only allowable, but a necessary relaxation to the mind which cannot, more than the body, admit of the constant exertion of its powers. The danger lies in our making them our business, and becoming too much attached,to them, to the neglect of our serious duties: when this is the case, they change their nature, and from innocent amusements become dangerous indulgences, and ought to be entirely laid aside, till we can bring our inclinations under due regulation.

The apostles did, literally, take up their cross and follow their Lord; but, with us, who are happily freed from religious persecution, the taking up our cross and following him, is to be understood of crucifying our lusts and passions; entreating the Father of all Mercies to enable us to conquer our evil habits, particularly those sins which by the natural bent of our disposi tion, or by custom, we are most prone to commit; and resolutely persevering in our duty, in despite of difficulty and danger; in defiance of fashion and custom; of the sneer of the vicious, or ridicule of the infidel. Neither must we, in consideration of our own case, lose an opportunity of being useful to our fellow

crea

creatures; as therein, we honor God, who will not suffer us to go unrewarded. Since we know that our duty, if steadily pursued, will make us blessed to all eternity, and that the sufferings of the longest life are as nothing, when compared to the rewards which will follow, we are thoughtless to the last degree if we relinquish such glorious expectations to avoid a little present trouble or inconvenience.

Great bodily as well as mental sufferings will unfit a person from taking an active part in life; but those who are not called to very severe trials, and have leisure and opportunity afforded them, should endeavour to employ their time in the most useful manner to their fellow-creatures.

The life of our blessed Lord was actively spent in the service of mankind: "he went about doing good," and never missed an opportunity of affording the assistance of his power, or advice, to those who stood in need of it.

Elijah may serve as an instance of the duty I wish to impress, when reprimanded by the word of the Lord for quitting his station, (I. Kings, chap. xix. ver. 9.7 "And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there: "and behold the word of the Lord came to him; and he said unto him, What doest thou here, "Elijah???

"15. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on "thy way," &c.

"3. And when they wanted wine, the mother of "Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine..

4. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to "do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."

Our Lord, as we are told in other parts of scripture fulfilled all the duties which his station in life imposed upon him he was particularly obedient and submissive to his earthly parents: this reply therefore to his mother, must have been drawn from him by some

:

pow

some powerful motive. Upon the present occasion, he was about to perform his first miracle in support of the truth of his doctrines; and to his acts of this supernatural kind, he refers the Scribes and Pharisees, in proof of his divine mission. May we not then reasonably suppose that our blessed Lord, to whom future events were as clear as past ones, might wish to guard his disciples against that worship of his mother (who, though highly distinguished by the favour of the Almighty was a mere mortal like themselves,) which he foresaw would be paid to her in aftertimes; and that he therefore took occasion to make this public declaration, that she had nothing to do with the great business of his life, (the redemption of mankind,) and that he would not permit even of her interference in any matter that related to it?

5. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

"6. And there were set there six water-pots of "stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two cr three firkins apiece.

7. Jesus saith unto them, fill the water-pots with "water: "and they filled them up to the brim.

"8. And he saith unto them, draw out now, and "bear unto the governor of the feast; and they bear "it."

Our blessed Lord could have instantly caused the water-pots to be filled wine; but he chose that this miracle should be very striking, so that all present should feel its force; he therefore, first, directed the servants to fill the water-pots; which must have produced conviction in them; and then to draw off some of the wine and to carry it to the governor of the feast; which removed the possibility of a doubt being entertained of its reality.

It was a custom amongst the Jews, when a feast was made, that the giver of it should appoint one of