iPwiPiPilPlw
«. ""Ill
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, OF THE
Theological Seminary,
PRINCETON, N. J.
BS 2560 .B5
1839
Bickersteth,
Edward,
1786-
1850.
A harmony of
the
four
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HARMONY
OF
THE FOUR GOSPELS
FOUNDED ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF TflE HARMONIA
EVANGELICA, BY THE RliV. EDWARD
GRESWELL.
WITH THE PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS
OF DR. DODDRIDGE.
DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF FAMIMES AND SCHOOLS, AND FOR
PRIVATE EDIFICATION.
RY THE REV. E. 'BICKERSTETH,
RKOTOR OF WATTON, HERTS.
PHILADELPHIA :
HOOKER AND CLAXTON
1839.
PREFACE.
The objects in view in compiling- the present work,
have been to give such a Harmony of the Gospels as
might furnish heads of families with a suitable work
for family instruction: schools with a profitable school
book ; and Christians in general with a combined
statement of the different accounts given of our Lord
by the Evangelists, so that all may have a more
distinct and full view of his Divine and glorious
character.
The plan of Mr. Greswell's Harmony, given in his
Harmonia Evangelica, on the whole, seemed to the
Editor the most satisfactory of those which he has
had the opportunity of consulting, and has therefore
been preferred to that of others ; and has been fol-
lowed with but slio-ht variations.
The fundamental principles of Mr. Greswell's Har-
mony are, 1, That the last three Gospels are regular
compositions ; 2, That St. Matthew's Gospel is partly
regular and partly irregular ; 3, That each of the
Gospels was written in the order in which it stands ;
4, That the Gospels last written, in every instance,
were supplemental to the prior. For the full investi-
gation of this subject, with the detailed evidence, the
reader is referred to that valuable work, entitled. Dis-
sertations on the Principles and Arrangement of the
IV PREFACE.
Harmony of the Gospels, by the Rev. E. Greswell,
3 vols. 8vo.
The Reflections of Dr. Doddridge, though wanting
in that more prominent statement of Evangelical
doctrines which marks those of Guyse, Scott, and
some others, are yet so peculiarly devotional and
practical, as to be very edifying. It is hoped that
they may be more extensively useful by being thus
connected with an improved Harmony in a portable
volume.
In forming the combined text, the Editor has
chiefly availed himself of that published by the
Moravian brethren, only following the order of
Mr. Greswell's arrangement.
He has prefixed a striking Introduction taken from
Baxter's Reasons of the Christian Religion, giving
an account of the peculiar characteristics of the
Gospel of Christ ; with some slight alterations and
additions.
He will be truly thankful, should it please God to,
make the work acceptable and useful to his church.
Watt07i Rectory,
Oct. 1, 1832.
INTRODUCTION
ON THE CHARACTER OF THE GOSPEL.
" The Gospel or doctrine of Christ has the very image
and superscription of God, I will not say imprinted
on it, that is too little^ but intrinsically animating
and constituting it. The matttr and design contains
the most wonderful expression of the wisdom of God,
that ever was made to man on earth. All is myste-
rious, yet admirably fit, consistent and congruous.
That a world which is visibly and undeniably fallen
into W' ickedness and misery, should have a Redeemer,
Saviour, and Mediator towards God ! That he should
be one that is near enough to God and unto us, and
hath the nature of both : that he should be the second
Adam, the Root of the redeemed and regenerate :
that God should give all mercy from himself, from
his own bounty and fulness, and not (as unwilling)
be persuaded to it by another ; and therefore that the
Redeemer be not any angel or intermediate person,
but God himself : that thus God comes nearer unto
man, who is revolted from him, to draw up man again
to him : that he loose not the world, and yet do not
!•
VI INTRODUCTION.
violate his governing justice : that he be so merciful,
as not to be unrighteous, nor permit his laws and
government to be despised ; and yet so just, as that
his only Son must die before one sinner can be for-
given : that he gives man a new law and conditions
of salvation, suitable to his lapsed guilty state ; and
leaves him not under a law and conditions, which
were fitted to the innocent : that he revealed himself
to the apostate world in that way, which only is fit
for their recovery, that is, in his admirable love and
goodness, yet combined with unutterable purity and
tenderness, that so love might win our love, and
attract those hearts, which under guilt and the ter-
rors of condemning justice would never have been
brought to love him : that guilty souls have such
evidence of God's reconciliation to encourage them,
to expect his pardon, and to come to him with joy
and boldness in their addresses; having a Mediator
to trust in, and his sacrifice, merits, and acceptable*
name, to plead with God : that justice and mercy are
so admirably conjoined in these effects : that Satan,
and the world, and death, should be so conquered,
in a suffering way, and man have so perfect a pat-
tern to imitate, for self-denial, humility, contempt of
honour, wealth and life, and exact obedience, and
resignation to the will of God, with perfect love to
God and man : that the world should be under such
an universal Administrator, and the church be all
united in such a Head ; and have one in their nature
that has risen from the dead, to be in possession of
INTRODUCTION. VU
the glory which they are going to, and thence to
send down his Spirit to sanctify them and fit them
for heaven ; and afterwards to be their Judge, and to
receive them unto blessedness : and that sinners now
be not condemned merely for want of innocency, but
for rejecting the grace and mercy which would have
saved them : that we have all this taught us by a
Messenger from heaven, and a perfect rule of life
delivered to us by him, and all this sealed by a Divine
attestation : that in the weakness and helplessness
to which man is sunk, He provides the gifts of the
Spirit to enlighten, to regenerate, to sanctify, to be in
his people a Spirit of adoption, to console, and to
make them meet for heaven : that this doctrine is
suited to the capacity of the weakest, and yet so
mysterious as to exercise the strongest wits ; and is
delivered to us, not by an imposing force, but by the
exhortations and persuasions of men like ourselves,
commissioned to open the evidences of truth and
necessity in the Gospel : all this is no less than the
image and wonderful effect of the wisdom of God.
And his goodness and love^ his holiness and justice,
are as resplendent in it all : for this is the effect
of the w^hole design, to set up a glass in the work
of our redemption, in which God's love and holiness
should be as powerfully represented to mankind, as
his power was in the works of creation. Here sinful
man is saved by a means which he never thought
of or desired : he is fetched up from the gates of
Vm INTRODUCTION.
hell ; redeemed from the sentence of the righteous
violated law of God, and the execution of his justice :
The Eternal Word so condescends to man in the
assumption of our nature, as that the greatness of the
love and mercy, incomprehensible to man, becomes
the greatest difficulty to our belief. He reveals to
us the things of the world above, and brings life and
immortality to light : He dwells with men ; He con-
verses with the meanest : He preaches the glad
tidings of salvation to the world : He refuses not
such familiarity with the poorest or the worst, as is
needful to their cure : He spends his time in doing
good, and healing all manner of bodily diseases : He
refuses the honours and riches of the world, and the
pleasures of the flesh, to work out our salvation :
He bears the ingratitude and abuse of sinners, and
endures to be scorned, buffeted, spit upon, tormented
and crucified by those, to whom he had done no
greater wrong than to seek their salvation : He makes
himself a sacrifice for sin, to shew the world what
sin deserved, and to save them from the deserved
punishment. God had at first decreed and declared,
that death should be the punishment of sin ; and
Satan had maliciously drawn. man to it, by contra-
dicting this threatening of God, and making man
believe that God would falsify his word, and that
he did envy man the felicity of his advancement to
be liker God in knowledge : And now Christ will
first justify the truth and righteousness of God, and
INTRODUCTION. IX
will demonstrate, by himself dying in our stead, that
death is indeed the wages of sin ; and will shew the
world, that God is so far from envying their felicity,
that he will purchase it at the dearest rate, and
deliver them freely from the misery which sin and
Satan had involved them in. Thus enemies are
reconciled by the sufferings of him whom they
offended ; even by his sufferings in the flesh, whose
Godhead could not suffer ; and by his death as man,
who as God was most immortal. As soon as he was
risen, he first appeared to a woman, who had been a
sinner, and sent her as his first messenger with words
of love and comfort to his disconsolate disciples, who
had but lately sinfully forsaken him : He gives them
no upbraiding words, but meltingly says to her. Go to
my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father, to my God and your God. He
after this familiarly converses with them, and instructs
them in the things concerning the kingdom of God.
He bids them preach the gospel to every creature,
proclaiming salvation for all the world, that will not
reject it ; and appoints messengers to preach it unto
all ; and whatever pains or suffering it cost them, to go
through all with patience and alacrity, and to be de-
terred by nothing from the saving of men's souls. He
gave the Holy Spirit miraculously to them, to enable
them to carry on this work ; and to leave upon record
to the world, the infallible narrative of his life and
doctrine : His gospel is filled up with matter of conso-
INTRODUCTION.
lation, with promises of mercy, pardon and salvation,
the description of the privileges of holy souls, justifi-
cation, adoption, peace and joy: and finally. He gov-
erns and defends his church, and pleads our cause,
and secures our interest in heaven, according to the
promises of this his word. Thus is the gospel the very
image of the wisdom and goodness of God. And such
a doctrine from such a person must needs be Divine."
CONTENTS.
PART I.
THE PERIOD OF TIIIRTY-ONE YEARS, FROM SIX YEARS
PREVIOUS TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TO TWENTY-
SIX YEARS SUBSEQUENT TO HIS BIRTH.
SECT.
1. The preface to the Gospels .
2. John the Baptist's birth foretold
3. The birth of Jesus Christ foretold .
4. Mary's visit to Elizabeth
5. Joseph, instructed by the angel, receives Mary
6. John the Baptist's birth .
7. Song of Zacharias
8. Christ's birth at Bethlehem .
9. The genealogy of Joseph and of Mary
10. Jesus presented in the temple
1 1. The visit of the Eastern Magi
12. The flight into Egypt and return to Nazareth
13. Jesus in the temple hears and questions the doctors
PAGE
3
4
6
8
10
11
12
13
16
19
21
23
25
PART II.
THE PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN MONTHS, FROM THE BE-
GINNING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST's PREACHING, IN
THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR 26, TO THE END OF
THE FIRST year's PREACHING OF OUR LORD, IN
THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 28.
1. The divinity, humanity, and office of Jesus Christ . . 31
2. John the Baptist begins to preach 33
3. Multitudes resorting to John, are instructed . . .34
4. The baptism of Jesus . , 36
Xll CONTENTS.
SECT. PAGE
5. Jesus tempted by Satan 38
6. Priests sent from Jerusalem to John . . . .40
7. John gives testimony to Jesus . . * . .41
8. Philip called, and Jesus' interview with Nathanael . 43
9. The marriage in Cana 45
10. Jesus drives those that sold out of the temple . . 46
11. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus on regeneration . 48
12. The necessity of faith in Christ 50
13. John gives his last full testimony of Christ . . .51
14. Discourse with the woman of Sarnaria . . . .53
15. Discourse with the disciples and stay at Sychar . . 56
16. While at Cana Jesus cures a nobleman's son . . 57
17. Preaches in the synagogue at Nazareth . . .59
18. Christ comes to Capernaum, and calls Andrew, Simon,
James, and John ....... 62
19. Teaches in the synagogue, and casts out an unclean
spirit ......... 63
20. Cures Simon's wife's mother — casts out devils — and
goes through Galilee 64
21. Christ begins the sermon on the mount with the
Beatitudes ........ 67
22. He came to fulfil the law ; he explains it . . .69
23. He further explains the law . . . . . .71
24. Directions about alms, prayer, and fasting . . .74
25. Not to lay up treasure on earth but in heaven . . 76
26. Not to judge others, to pray, enter the strait gate and
beware of false prophets 78
27. He concludes by shewing the necessity of doing the will
of God 80
28. Teaches from Peter's ship — the large draught of fishes . 84
29. Cures a leper, and retires to the desert . . . .85
30. The man sick of the palsy let down through the roof,
and healed ........ 85
31. Matthew, called, makes a feast — Christ defends his
disciples 37
PART III.
THE PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS, FROM THE END
OF THE FIRST YEAR's PREACHING OF OUR LORD
TO THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR IN THE BEGIN-
NING OF THE YEAR 29.
1. Heals the infirm man at the pool of Bethesda . . .93
2. Defends himself from the Jews 95
3. Shews the divine testimony to his mission . . .96
4. Defends his disciples for plucking ears of corn . . 98
5. Restores the withered hand on the Sabbath . . 100
PART I.
MATTHEW I. II.— LUKE I— III. 23—38.
CONTAINING A PERIOD OF THIRTY-ONE YEARS,
FROM SIX YEARS PREVIOUS TO THE BIRTH OF
CHRIST TO TWENTY-SIX YEARS SUBSEQUENT TO
HIS BIRTH.
2
HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS.
SECTION [.
Mark i. 1. — Luke i. 1 — 4.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God. Forasmuch as many have taken in hand
to set forth in order a declaration of those things
which are most surely believed among us, even as
they delivered them unto us, which from the begin-
ning were eye witnesses, and ministers of the word :
it seemed good to me also, having had perfect under-
standing of all things from the very first, to write unto
thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou
mightest know the certainty of those things wherein
thou hast been instructed.
Let us humbly adore the Divine Goodness, that facts of so
great importance as these now to be laid before us were not
left to the uncertainty of oral tradition, but delivered to the
church in writing, by persons who had so many opportunities
of learning the truth, and have given such full proof of their
integrity in relating it. — Let us be thankful that we have not
only one such history, but that several undertook this excellent
and necessary work, by whose united testimony the whole is
confirmed ; while it is also illustrated by the variety of their
narrations, each inserting some considerable circumstance which
the rest have omitted. Let us rejoice in that providential care
which hath preserved this invaluable treasure through so many
succeeding ages, and some of them periods of the grossest
darkness and the hottest persecution.
4 HARMONY OF THE
While we study this orderly series of sacred history, let us be
concerned that our faith may be estabhshed by it, and our
other graces proportionably advanced ; maintaining a continual
dependance on that blessed Spirit, by wliose instruction it was
written to lead us into wise and pious reflections upon it.
To conclude ; from the care which this holy evangelist
expresseth for the edification and comfort of his friend Theoph-
ilus, let us learn to regard it as one of the most important
offices of friendship to labour for the spiritual advantage of each
other ; by endeavouring not only to awaken and instruct those
that are entirely unacquainted or unaffected with divine things,
but also, as we have opportunity, to confirm the faith and quicken
the zeal of the most established Christians with whom we
converse. Happy the men whose tongues and whose pens are
employed in so good a work : may they never, in the remotest
ages, fail of some excellent TheopJiUus to welcome and encourage
their pious attempts.
SECTION II.
Luke i. 5 — 25.
There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea,
a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of
Abia : and his wife tvas of the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both
righteous before God, walking in all the ccfmmand-
ments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And
they had no child, because that Elisabeth was
barren, and they both were now well stricken in
years. And it came to pass, that Avhile he executed
the priest's office before God in the order of his
course, according to the custom of the priest's office,
his lot was to burn incense, when he went into the
temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the
people were praying without at the time of incense.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and
fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him,
Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard ; and thy
wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall
FOUR GOSPELS. ft
call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and
gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. For
he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall
drink neither wine nor strong drink ; and he shall
be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's
womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he
turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before
him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the dis-
obedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a
people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said
unto the angel. Whereby shall I know this ? for I
am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am
Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God: and am
sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad
tidings. And behold thou shalt be dumb, and not
able to speak, until the day that these things shall
be performed, because thou believest not my words,
which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the
people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he
tarried so long in the temple. And when he came
out he could not speak unto them ; and they perceived
that he had seen a vision in the temple : for he
beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And
it came to pass, that as soon as the days of his
ministration were accomplished, he departed to his
own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth
conceived, and hid herself five months, saying. Thus
hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein
he looked on me, to take away my reproach among
men.
How amiable is the character of this pious pair, who were
found walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord
blameless ! May our behaviour be thus unblameable, and our
obedience thus sincere and universal! And let those whose
office leads them nearer to God than others, remember the
peculiar obligation to imitate such an example.
Let us observe, with pleasure, that the prayers which such
worshippers offer come up with acceptance before God ; to whom
2*
6 HARMONY OF THE
no costly perfume is so sweet as the fragrance of a character
like this. — ^in answer of peace was here returned when the case
seemed to be most helpless. Let us learn to wait patiently for
the Lord, and leave it to his own infinite wisdom to choose the
time and manner in which he shall appear for us.
Zacharias, accustomed as he was to converse with the God
of heaven, was, nevertheless, as we see, thrown into great
consternation at the appearance of his angelic messenger. And
may we not regard it, therefore, as an instance of the goodness
as well as wisdom of God, that he determines that the services
which these heavenly spirits render us should be generally
invisible? — It is delightful to observe that amiable condescension
with which Gabriel, the courtier of heaven, behaved on this
occasion. Let it teach us with pleasure to pursue the humblest
offices of duty and love which God may assign us towards any of
our fellow-servants, even in the lowest station.
Happy was the holy Baptist m being employed in this blessed
work of preparing men's hearts to receive a Saviour, and reducing
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. May we be inspired with
some degree of zeal like his, in our proper sphere, to pursue so
noble a design.
We see in the instance of Zacharias, that some remainders of
unbelief may be found even in a faithful heart : let us guard against
them, as remembering they will be displeasing to God, and hurt-
ful to ourselves. — And, to conclude, when Providence favours us
with any peculiarly gracious interpositions, let us attentively
remark the hand of God in them ; and let religious retirement
leave room for serious recollection and devout acknowledgements.
SECTION III.
Luke i. 26—38.
And in the sixth month the ansfel Gabriel was
sent from God, unto a city of Galilee, named Na-
zareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name
was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's
name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her
and said. Hail ! thou that art highly favoured, the
Lord is with thee : blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his say-
ing, and cast in her mind, what manner of salutation
this should be. And the angel said unto her Fear
FOUR GOSPELS. 7
not, Mary : for thou hast found favour with God.
And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy v:omb, and
bring forth a son, and shak call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Highest ; and the Lord God shall give unto him the
throne of his father David. And he shall reign over
the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there
shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel.
How shall this be, seeing I know not a man ? And
the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy
Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee : therefore also that
holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be
called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin
Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old
age : and this is the sixth month with her who was
called barren. For with God nothing shall be im-
possible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of
the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word. And
the angel departed from her.
With what holy wonder and pleasure should we trace this
notice of an incarnate Redeemer! and how thankfully should
we adore his condescending goodness, that for us men, and
for our salvation, he did not despise the womb of so obscure a
virgin ?
We too are ready in our thoughts, with Gabiiel, to congratu-
late her on so distinguished an honour, and to say, as one did to
Christ in the days of his flesh. Blessed is the womb that bare thee
O Lord, and the breasts which thou hast sucked ! (Luke xi. 27.)
But let us remember there is yet a nobler blessedness than this
attending those, in whose hearts he is so formed by divine grace,
that they hear his loord and do it.
'- Let us hear with joy, that he is Jesus the Saviour ; but let us
also consider that he is Christ the anointed Sovereign, who is
to rule over God's people for ever. Remember, O my soul that
of his kingdom there shall be no end ; and esteem it thine unspeak-
able honour and happiness to be enrolled amongst his faithful
subjects.
The glories promised to such in the future state are so far
beyond experince, or even imagination, that they might, to sense,
appear as incredible as the message which Mary received : but
let us remember the eternal truth of what Gabriel suggested to
her, that nothing is impossible to God, He can therefore ripen our
8 HARMONY OF THE
imperfect souls to all the improvement and pleasures of the
heavenly state, as easily as he produces the meanest vegetable on
the earth.
Let the temper of the blessed virgin on this great occasion, be
therefore the beautiful model of ours: so when the purposes of
the Divine Love are declared to us, we may resign ourselves unto
the Lord : and with such calm tranquillity, firm faith, and joyful
acquiescence,may wait the accomplishment of his gracious promise,
and say. Behold the servants of the Lord ! be it unto us according to
his word ! So do thou, O Lord, animate and support us ! and the
weakest of thy children shall not stumble at the greatest of thy
promises through unbelief; but, being strong in faith, shall give
glory to God.
SECTION IV.
LiJKE I. 39 — 56.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the
hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda, and
entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted
Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth
heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
womb : and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said.
Blessed art thou among" women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that
the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo,
as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my
ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And
blessed is she that believed : for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from
the Lord.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For
he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden :
for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call
me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me
great things and holy is his name. And his mercy
is on them that fear him, from generation to genera-
tion. He hath shewed strength with his arm, he hath
FOUR GOSPELS. 9
scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and
exaUed them of low degree. He hath filled the
hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent
empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in
rememberance of his mercy, as he spake to our fathers,
to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary
abode with her three months, and returned to her
own house.
How natural it is fortlioso, who have themselves received mercy
of the Lord, to conmmnicate their joy to others, and to seek the
society of their fellow saints, whom he hath honoured with the
signal manifestations of his favour ? Happy are they, whose
friendship is confirmed and heightened by such endearing ties !
And thrice happy the humble and generous souls, who can thus,
like Elisabeth, lose tiie thoughts of private honour and interest iu
a cordial concern for the glory of God and the good of men;
rejoicing to see others, perhaps in some respects their inferiors,
raised to stations of service more distinguished than their own!
If this pious matron thought herself so highly honoured in re-
ceiving a visit from the mother of our infant Saviour, how much
more doth it become us to admire tjie condescension of our glori-
ous Lord, that he will represent himself as graciously knocking
at the door of our hearts, and ready not only to make us a tran-
sient visit, but to take up his stated abode with us ?
May our faith, like that of the blessed virgin, delightfully rest on
all the promises he makes, as firmly believing that there shall be an
accomplishment of these things which are spoken! And while that
accomplishment is delayed, may the pleasing expectation of it
tune our voice to a song of praise like her's — Let our souls also
viagnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in that God whom we hope,
throuiih grace, to be our Saviour; whose condescension hath
regarded us in such low circumstances ; and whose almighty
power and everlasting love have done such great things for us. —
He hath provided heavenly food, to satisfy our hungry souls; and
hath raised lis to enjoy the mercies which, in more obscure intima-
tions only, he promised to the pious patriarchs. — His mercy is on
all that fear him, through succeeding generations. — May such
distinguished favours animate our hearts with those sentiments
of devotion and zeal which they are so well qualified to excite!
otherwise the joy of the Old Testament Saints, in the distant
and imperfect prospect of these blessings, will testify against our
insensibility in the superior advantages with which we are
favoured.
10 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION V.
Matthew i. 18 — 25.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise :
When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, she was found with child
of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being
a just man^ and not willing to make her a public
example, was minded to put her away privily. But
while he thought on these things, behold, the angel
of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying,
Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee
Mary thy wife : for that which is conceived in her, is
of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS : for he shall
save his people from their sins, (Now all this was
done, that it might be fulhlled Avhich was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin
shall be w4th child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emm.anuel, which being-
interpreted is, God with us.) Then Joseph being
raised from sleep, did as the angel of, the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife : And knew
her not, till she had brought forth her first-born son.
We see here, in Joseph^ an excellent pattern of gentleness and
prudence. In an affair which appeared dubious, he chose, as we
should always do, rather to err on the favourable, than on the
severe extreme. He was careful lo avoid any precipitate steps;
and in the moments of deliberation, God interposes ta guide and
determine his resolves.
With what wonder and pleasure did Joseph receive these
glad tidings ! With what pleasure should we also receive them !
For we too are informed of Jesus who came to save his people
from their sins. An important and glorious salvation indeed !
Hosanna to him that cometh in the name of the Lord ! Blessed
Jesus ! answer thy character in delivering us, not only from sin's
condemning, but from its reigning power!
Let our souls bow to Emmanuel, our incarnate God ; and,
while with holy wonder we survey the various scenes of his humil-
iation, let us remember too his native dignity and his divine glory.
FOUR GOSPELS. H
By him God hath fulfilled his ancient promises in the most ample
and glorious manner, in the fullnes of time sending forth his
Son, made of a woman, and sprung like a tender shoot from
the decayed stock of David his servant.
While we study the oracles of the Old Testament, let us with
pleasure trace the notices of the great Messiah there, even of
Jesus, to whom all the prophets give witness. May his name
be ever inscribed upon our hearts. In that name may we lift up
our banners, and judge those reproaches a glory which we may
meet with in his sacred cause !
SECTION VI.
Luke i. 57 — 66.
Now Elisabeth's full time came, that she should be
delivered, and she brought forth a son. And her
neig-hbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had
shewed great mercy upon her ; and they rejoiced
with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth
day they came to circumcise the child ; and they
called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
And his mother answered and said. Not so ; but he
shall be called John. — And they said unto her.
There is none of thy kindred that is called by this
name. And they made signs to his father, how he
would have him called. And he asked for a writing-
table, and wrote, saying. His name is John, and they
marvelled all. — And his mouth was opened imme-
diately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and
praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round
about them : and all these sayings were noised abroad
throughout all the hill-country of Judea. And all
they that heard them, laid them up in their hearts,
saying, What manner of child shall this be ? And
the hand of the Lord was with hims
So sure are the promises of God, and so certainly will the
full accomplishment of them another day shame our suspicious
unbelieving hearts, and awaken the tongues of servants to songs
of praise ! Happy the souls who, by a lively faith in them, are
anticipating that blessed day, and whose minds, kept in tune by
12 HARMONY OF THE
these pleasing views, are opening themselves to the most tender
sympathy with others, and, like the kindred oi this pious pair, are
making the religious joys of others their own ; so sharing,
rather than envying the superior favours bestowed upon them !
Let us learn with them, wisely to observe what God is doing
around us and to lay up remarkable occurrences in our hearts :
that, by comparing one step of divine conduct with another, we
may the better understand the loving-kindness of the Lord, and be
engaged to act with more regular obedience in a holy subservi-
ency to his gracious purposes.
When, like good Zacharias and Elisabeth, we have the pleasure
to see our infant offspring growing up in safety and cheerfulness,
with healthy constitutions of body and towardly dispositions of
mind too, let us ascribe it to the hand of the Lord, which is upon
them for good. Let us remember that we are at best but the instru-
ments of the divine care and favour to them ; and that our families
would soon become scenes of desolation, did not God watch over
them in a thousand circumstances of danger and distress, which
no prudence of ours could have foreseen, and which no care of
ours could have been able to provide against.
SECTION VII.
Luke i. 67—80.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy
Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 'Blessed be the Lord
God of Israel, for he hath visited, and redeemed his
people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for
us, in the house of his servant David ; as he spake
by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been
since the world began, that we should be saved from
our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to
remember his holy covenant ; the oath which he
sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant
unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand
of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holi-
ness and righteousness before him, all the days of our
life. And thou child shalt be called the prophet
of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face
of the Lord, to prepare his ways ; to give knowledge
of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their
FOUR GOSTELS. 13
sins, through the tender mercy of our God ; whereby
the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give
light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow
of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
And the child grew, and waxed strong inspirit, and was
in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
With what sacred joy should we join in this hymn of praise !
The blessings celebrated in it were not peculiar to the family of
Zacharias or to the house of Israel ; but we, through Divine good-
ness, have our share in them : the Lord God of Israel hath visited
and redeemed us. He hath remembered his covenant with the
pious patriarchs in favour of millions who are their seed only as
heirs of the faith of Abraham. To us hath he accomplished
the words he had spoken by his holy prophets, and through his
tender mercies hath caused the Sun of Righteousness to arise
upon us; upon us who were once indeed sitting in darkness and
in the shadow of death ; and whose ancestors, for many succeed-
ing generations, were lost in ignorance, idolatry, and wickedness.
Let us bless the Lord who hath given us light, and make it
our daily prayer that it may be the happy means of guiding our
feet into the way of peace. Let us, with pleasure and thankful-
ness, receive the knowledge of salvation by the remission of our
sins without which we shall never see it but at an unapproach-
able distance.
Let us repose our cheerful confidence in this almighty Saviour,
this Horn of Salvation, which God's own right hand hath raised
up for us ; through him let us seek the pardon of our sine, and
deliverance from all the enemies of our souls. And let a grateful
sense of his redeeming love engage us resolutely to walk in the
strictest holiness and righteousness, as in the presence of God,
and carefully to maintain before him a conscience void of offence
all the days of our lives.
May we carry this temper along with us into solitude and
retirement : may it animate us in the busiest scenes of life ; and,
in every particular instance, may it determine us in onr choice
of either and regulate our conduct in both]
SECTION VIII.
Luke ii. 1 — 21.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went
out a decree from Caesar Agustus, that all the world
should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made
3
14 HARMONY OF THE
when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all
went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city
of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which
is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and
lineage of David,) to be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child. And so it was, that
while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she broug-ht forth
her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-
clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was
no room for them in the inn. And there were in the
same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel
of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them, and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not :
for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people. For unto you is born
this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord. And this shall he a sign unto you ;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes
lying in a manger. And, suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good-will towards men. And it
came to pass, as the angels were gone away from
them, into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath
made known unto us. And they came with haste,
and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in
a manger. And when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was told them con-
cerning this child. And all they that heard it,
wondered at those things which were told them by
the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and
pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds re-
turned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
FOUR GOSPELS. 15
that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto
them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the
circumcising" of the child, Joseph called his name
JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he
was conceived in the womb.
Willi what humble amazement should we contemplate this
first appearance of our Incarnate Redeemer! Surely all the
angels of heaven might justly have admired his condescension in
assuming such a nature as ours and wearing a mortal frame,
though it had been attended with all the ornaments and splen-
dours earth could have given it. Though at his entrance into
our low world, he had been born of an imperial family placed
under a canopy of velvet and gold, or laid to repose on pillows of
down, all this had been deep abasement in the eyes of those
who had beheld the glories of his celestial throne and the
honours paid to him by cherubim and seraphim; but, behold,
the Son of God, and the Heir of all things, is not merely in the
abodes of men, but in a place destined for beasts; and, while
xorapped in swaddling clothes, is laid tJi a manger !
Yet, O, blessed Jesus how much more venerable was that
stable and manger, when graced with thy sacred presence, than
the most magnificent palace, or most shining throne of earthly
princes! How ill doth it become thy disciples to seek for them-
selves great things in this life, or to be proud of its pomp and
grandeur ! Give us, O God, the simplicity of children, and make
us willing to be conformed to the birth of thy Son as well as to
his death !
Yet, mean as his birth might appear, his Heavenly Father
did not leave him without witness. We see him, in this wonder-
ful account that the Evangelist hath given us, surrounded with
a brighter lustre than a court or a crown could have afforded.
Angelic legions are employed as herelds to proclaim the new-
born King. And to whom are they sent ? To humble pious
shepherds, diligently employed in the duties of their proper
calling, and loatching by night for the security of their flocks.
Who would not gladly have shared in their poverty and fatigue,
to have heard with them these good tidings of great joy ?
Let us observe with what delight these courtiers of heaven
undertook the happy embassy to these lowly mortals. Let us
with pleasure attend to the anthem of these benevolent spirits.
Far from envying the favour that was done us, they ascribe glory
to God for it, and take their part in the joy they gave. Let this
love of the whole heavenly host to us awaken our love to them and
our longing for that blessed world where we and they shall
surround our dearest Redeemer, not in such a form of abasement
16 HARMONY OF THE
as that in which he here appeared, but clothed in that celestial
lustre with which God hath rewarded the humiliations of the manger
and the cross.
In the mean time let our more intimate concern in this great
salvation engage us more cordially to join with these blessed
angels in then hallelujahs ; ascribing glory to God in the highest for
this ;)cace 071 eari/t, this good-will towards men, the great fountain
of our present tranquillity and future hope ! Above all, if
Divine Grace hath conquered all the foolish prejudices of our
hearts against Christ, and taught us with humble faith to apply
to him, let us, with the shepherds, bless God for the things which
have been shewn us, and make it our care to spread abroad the
savour of his name, that others may join with us in paying their
homage and their praises to him !
SECTION IX.
Matthew i. 1 — 17.
( The Genealogy relating to Joseph.)
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat
Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas
and his brethren. And Judas begat Pharez and
Zara of Thamar, and Pharez begat Esrom, and
Esrom begat Aram, and Aram begat Aminadab, and
Aminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Sal-
mon. And Sahnon begat Booz of Rachab, and Booz
begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse. And
Jesse begat David the king, and David the king
begat Solomon of her that had been the ivlfe of Urias.
And Solomon begat Roboam, and Roboaih begat
Abia, and Abia begat Asa. And Asa begat Josaphat,
and Josaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias.
And Ozias begat Joatham, and Joatham begat Achaz,
and Achaz begat Ezekias. And Ezekias begat Ma-
nasses, and Manasses begat Amon, and Amon begat
Josias. And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren,
about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias
FOUR GOSPELS. 17
begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zerobabel. And
Zerobabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim,
and Eliakim begat Azor. And Azor begat Sadoc,
and Sadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud.
And Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Mat-
than, and Matthan begat Jacob, and Jacob begat
Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born
Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations
from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations ;
and from David, until the carrying away into
Babylon, are fourteen generations ; and from the
carrying away into Babylon, unto Christ, are fourteen
generations.
Luke hi. 23 — 38.
{The Genealogy relating to Mary.)
Jesus being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,
which was the son of Heii, which was the son of Mat-
that, which was the son of Levi, which was the son
of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was
the son of Joseph, which was the son of Matthias,
which was the son of Amos, which was the son of
Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son
of Nagge, which was the son of Maath, which was
the son of Mattathias, w^hich was the son of Semei,
which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of
Juda, which was the son of Joanna, Avhichwas the son
of Rhesa, which was the son of Zerobabel, which
was the son of Salathiel, which was the so?i of Neri,
which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of
Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son
of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, which was the
son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was
the so7iof Jorim, v\"hich was the son of Maithat, which
was the son of Levi, which was the son of Simeon,
which was the son of Juda, which was the so7i of
Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the
son of Eliakim, which was the son of Melea, which was
the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha,
3*
18 HARMONY OF THE
which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of
David, which was the so7i of Jesse, which was the son
of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the
son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, which
was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram,
which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of
Pharez, which was the son of Juda, which was the son
of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the
son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which
was the son of Nachor, which was the so7i of Saruch,
which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of
Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the
son of Sala, which was the son of Cainan, which was
the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which
was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son
of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the
son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, which
was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which
was the son of Adam, which was the so?i of God.
"When we survey any such series of generations, it is obvious
to reflect how like the leaves of a Pree, one passeth away and another
Cometh ; yet the earth still abidethy and with it the goodness of the
Lord, which runs on from generation to generation, the common
hope of parents and children.
Of those who formerly lived upon earth, and perhaps made the
most conspicuous figure among the children of men, how many
have there been whose names have perished with them 1 and how
many of whom nothing but theirnrtme5 are remaining ! Thus are
toe passing away, and Thus shall we be shortly forgotten. Happy
if, while we are forgotten of men, we are remembered by God,
and our names are found written in the book of life ! There they
will make a much brighter appearance than in the records of
fame, or than they would do even in such a catalogue of those
who were related to Christ according to the flesh • whose memory
is here preserved, when that of many, who were once the wonder
and terror of the mighty in the land of the living, is lost in per-
petual oblivion.
We observe, among these ancestors of Christ, some that were
Heathens, and others that, on different accounts, were of infamous
characters ; and perhaps it might be the design of Providence that
we should learn from it, or at least should, on reading it, take occa-
sion to reflect that persons of all nations, and even the chief of sinnen
FOUR GOSPELS. 19
amongst them, are encouraged to trust in him as their Saviour.
To him therefore let us look even from the ends of the earth, yea,
from the depths of guilt and distress, and the consequence will be
happy beyond all expression or conception.
Adam, though originally the son of God, lost that inheritance of
life and glory, which, in consequence of such a relation he might
reasonably have expected ; but the second Adam repairs the loss
which we had sustained by the transgression of the first. We
are now predestinated to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, and
raised by him to the hope of a fairer inheritance than the terres-
trial Paradise. Let it be our daily labour to secure this invaluable
blessing ; that s©, as we have borne the image of the earthly Adam,
we may in due time bear the image of the heavenly, and at length
attain to the perfect manifestation of the sons of God.
SECTION X.
Luke ii. 22—39.
And when the days of the purification of Mary ac-
cording to the law of Moses were accomplished, they
brought Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the
Lord ; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every
male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to
the Lord ;) And to offer a sacrifice, according to that
which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-
doves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was
a majti in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon ; and
the same was just and devout, waiting for the conso-
lation of Jsrael : and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost,
that he should not see death before he had seen the
Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the
temple. And when the parents brought in the child
Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then
took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and
said. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace, according to thy word : For mine eyes have
seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before
the face of all people ; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
20 HARMONY OF THE
and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and
his mother marvelled at those things which were
spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said
unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for
the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a
sign which shall be spoken against, (yea, a sword
shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the
thoughts of many hearts may be reveald.
And there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter
of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser : she was of a great
age, and had lived with an husband seven years from
her virginity: and she was a widow of about four-
score and four years which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fasting and prayers
night and day. And she coming in that instant gave
thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
And when they had performed all things according
to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to
their own city Nazareth.
Who can behold the pious Simeon, thus welcoming death, whilst
he embraced his Saviour, without wishing to pass over the interme-
diate moments of life to meet so peaceful a dissolution ? May
we, like him, approve ourselves the faithful servants of God ;
and then we may hope that, when our dismission comes, we shall
share in his serenity and joy !
We may comfortably expect it, if our eyes are now opened to
behold with wonder and delight the great salvation he has prepared
for his people ; and if our hearts, with our lips, are frequently
praising him for this light which he hath given to lighten the Gen-
tiles as well as to be the glory of his people Israel.
As such may Christ be universally owned and adoredj both by
Jeivs and Gentiles ! In the mean time, while he is set up as a
mark of contradiction and contempt, let us not be ashamed of him
or of his words : but rather let those indignities which are offered
to him be as a sword to pierce through our own souls ! Let us
remember that the gospel, with all the difficulties which attended
it, is the great touch-stone by which God will try the characters
of all to whom it comes ! May our ready acceptance of it, and
our zealous adherence to that sacred cause, approve the humble
sincerity with which we inquire into its evidence ; that Christ may
not be to us a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, but rather
FOUR GOSPELS. 21
the means of raising us to God and happiness, even to that
redemption for which they that wait sliall never be ashamed !
Our circumstances in hfe are various : there are comparatively
few who have such leisure for extraordinary devotion as was the
privilege of the pious vinna : where it is found, let it be valued
and improved : but how great and how many soever our engage-
ments and entanglements in life may be, let the care of our souls
be still our chief concern. Let us be serving God in one sense or
another, night and day ; with prayers, pouring out our souls before
him morning and evening ; and at proper seasons adding fasting
to prayer, and public solemnities to private retirement.
To conclude: let the example of these aged saints impress and
animate those, whose hoary heads, like theirs, are a croxvn of glory,
being found in the way of righteousness. (Prov. xvi. 31.) Let those
venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed
in shewing forth the praises of their Redeemer. Surely days shoidd
speak, and the mxdtitude of years shoidd teach, such wisdom. (Job
xxii. 7.) Such/n/i( may they produce in oW age; and may they
have the pleasure to see all these pious attempts most thankfully
received by the rising generation, and most gratefully improved by
them ; that they may quit the world with the greater tranquillity,
in the view of leaving these behind them to whom Christ shall be
as precious as he has been to them, and who will be xcaiting for
God's salvation, while they are gone to enjoy it ! Amen.
SECTION XL
Matthew ii. 1 — 12.
Now when .Tesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in
the days of Herod, the king, behold there came wise
men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is
he that is born King of the Jews ? for we have seen
his star in the East, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king heard these things he was
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he
had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the
people together, he demanded, of them where Christ
should be born. And they said unto him, in Bethle-
hem of Judea : for thus it is written by the prophet;
And thou Bethlehem in the land of Juda, art not the
least among the princes of Juda, for out of thee shall
come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
22 HARMONY OF THE
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise
rnen, inquired of them diligently what time the star
appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and
said. Go and search diligently for the young child,
and when you have found him, bring me word again,
that I may come and worship him also. When they
had heard the king, they departed, and lo ! the star
which they saw in the east, went before them, till it
came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
great joy. And when they were come into the house,
they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and
fell down and worshipped him : And when they
had opened their treasures, they presented unto him
gifts ; gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being
warned of God in a dream, that they should not return
to Herod, they departed into their own country another
way.
Let us observe, with pleasure, this farther honour which God
did to his only begotten Son in ordering a new star to appear as the
signal of his birth, and in calling these illustrions persons from
afar to pay their early adorations to him. No doubt they thought
such a discovery, as brought them to the feet of their Infant
Saviour, an ample recompence for all the fatigue and expense of
Buch a journey. They loere exceedingly transported lohcn they saw
the star. So let us sejoice in every thing which may be a means
of leading our souls to Christ, and of disposing us to cast ourselves
down before him with humility and self-resignation !
Let us look upon this circumstance of the sacred story as a
beautiful emblem of that more glorious state of the Christian
when the Gentiles shall come to its light, and sages and kings to
the brightness of its rising : when the abundance of the sea shall be
converted to it, and the wealth of the Ge^itiles shall be consecrated to
its honor. The multitude of camels shall cover it, the dromedaries of
Midian and Ephah ; all they from Sheba shall come ; they shall bring
gold and incense, and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
Isa. Ix. 3, 5, 6.
How wonderful was the honour conferred upon so obscure a
town as Bethlehem when it was made thus illustrious among the
thousands of Judah ! Happy they who consecrate not only their
gold and their other possessions, but also their souls and their
bodies to their great Ruler, whose office it is to feed and govern the
Israel of God : under whose conduct and care they shall receive
FOUR GOSPELS. 23
blessings infinitely more valuable than all the treasures of the east
or the west !
But oh, the fatal power of carnal influence on the heart! This
engaged Herod to receive the news of the Redeemer's birth with,
horror; and with execrable cruelty and vile hypocrisy, to contrive
his murder under the specious form of doing him homage. Vain
and self-confounding artifice! Let us recjoice in the thought,
that there is no understanding, or loisdom, or counsel against the
Lord: no scheme so artfully disguised liiat he cannot penetrate
it, or so politically formed that he cannot with infinite ease con-
found it.
To what perplexity and grief might these sages have been
brought had they been made even the innocent instruments of an
assault on this Holy Child ! But God delivered them from such
an alarm, and happily guided their return ; so that, through his
care and favour, they carried home, in the tidings of the new-born
Messiah, far richer treasures than they had left behind. Thus
shall they, who in all their ways acknowledge God, by one method
or another find that he will graciously direct their paths.
SECTION XII.
Matthew ii. 13 — 23.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel
of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying,
Arise, and take the young child, and his mother, and
flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee
word : for Herod w411 seek the young child to destroy
him. When he arose, he took the young child and
his mother by night, and departed into Egypt : And
was there until the death of Herod : that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the pro-
phet, saying. Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the
wise men, was exceeding Avroth, and sent forth, and
slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in
all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had diligently inquired
of the wise men. Then was that fulfilled which
was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying. In Rama
was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping.
24 HARMONY OF THE
and great mourning", Rachel weeping, for her chil-
dren, and would not be comforted, because they are
not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of
the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream in Egypt,
saying. Arise, and take the young child and his
mother, and go into the land of Israel : for they are
dead which sought the young child's life. And he
arose, and took the young child and his mother, and
came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that
Archelaus did reign in Judea, in the room of his father
Herod, he was afraid to go thither : notwithstanding
being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into
the parts of Galilee : And he came and dwelt in a
city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophets. He shall be called a
Nazarene.
What is our fallen nature, that it can be capable of such enor-
mities as we have now been surveying ! or what imaginable
circumstances of grandeur and power can free the mind of an
ambitious creature from servitude and misery ! Who can behold
Herod under the agitation of such a barbarous rage, and not see
the vanity even of royal dignity, when the man that sways the
sceptre over others hath no rule over his oxon spirit ? Surely none
of the innocent victims of Herod^s wrath felt so much from the
sword of their barbarous murderers as the guilty mind of the tyrant
from its own unnatural transports.
The indignation which ariees in our minds on the view of so
much wickedness, finds a secret satisfaction in this thought. But
how griveous is it to reflect on what the parents of these poor babes
felt while the sword that murdered their children in their very sight
pierced through their own bowels! Happy, in comparison with
these, were the loombs that never bare and the paps that never gave
suck! Let parents remember how soon their dearest hopes may
be turned into lamentation, and learn to moderate their expect-
ation from their infant offspring and check too fond a dehght in
them.
Let us learn to be very thankful that we are not under the
arbitrary power of a tyrant, whose sallies of distracted fury might
spread desolation through houses and provinces. Let us not say,
Where was the great Regent of the universe when such a horrible
butchery was transacted? His all-wise counsels knew how to
bring good out of all the evil of it. The agony of a few moments
transmitted these oppressed innocents to peace and joy ; while
the impotent rage of Herod only heaped on his own head guilt,
FOUR GOSPELS. 26
iafamy, and horror. He conceived mischief, and he brought forth
vanity, (Job xv. 35.) and while he studied to prevent the estabUsh-
ment of the Messiah''s kingdom, and set himself with impious rage
against the Lord, and against his Anointed, He that sitteth in the
heavens did laugh, yea, the Lord had him in derision. (Psalm ii. 2,
4.) That God, who discerns every secret purpose of his enemies,
and foresees every intended assault, knows how, whenever he
pleases, by a thought, by a dream, to baffle it.
The preservation of the holy child Jesus in Egypt may be con-
sidered as a figure of God's care over his church in its greatest
danger. God doth not often, as he easily could, strike their
persecutors with immediate destruction ; but he provides a hiding
place for his people, and, by methods not less effectual, though
less pompous, preserves his chosen seed from being swept away,
even when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Egypt, that was once the seat of persecution and oppression to
the Israel of God, is now a refuge to his So7i ; and thus all places
will be to us what Divine providence will be pleased to make
them. When, like Joseph and Mary, we are cut off from the
■worship of his temple and perhaps removed into a strange land,
he can be a little sanctuary to us, and give us, in his gracious
presence, a rich equivalent for all that we have lost.
They continued here till he gave the signal for their departure.
Let us, in like manner, remember that it is God's part to direct
and ours to obey ; nor can we be out of the way oi safety and of
comfort while we are following his directions, and steering our
course by the intimations of his pleasure !
Jesus survived his persecutors, and returned into the land of
Israel again ; but such was his condescension, that he abode at
Jsfazareth, which seems to have been allotted to him as the most
humble station. Let us never be unwilling to hear reproach for
him, who from his infancy endured it for us ; nor take offence at
the meanness of his condition, whose removes were directed
by angelic messengers, as immediate envoys from the God of
heaven.
SECTION XIII.
Luke ii. 40 — 52.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom : and the grace of God was upon
him.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at
the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve
4
26 HARMONY OF THE
years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom
of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days,
as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in
Jerusalem ; and Joseph and his mother knew not
of it. But they supposing him to have been in the
company, went a day's journey ; and they sought him
among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when
they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusa-
lem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after
three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the
midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking
them questions. And all that heard him were aston-
ished at his understanding and answers. And when
they saw him, they were amazed : and his mother said
unto him. Son, why hast thou thus dealt Avith us ?
behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me ?
wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business ?
And they understood not the saying which he spake
unto them. And he went down with them, and
came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them : but
his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And
Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in
favour with God and man.
Let us, who are heads of families, take occasion from the story
before us to renew our resolutions that icc and our house will serve
the Lord; and remember that it is a part of our duty, not only to
God but to our domestics, to engage them with us in his pubHc
worship ; the pleasures of which will surely be increased when
we see them, and, especially our dear children, joining with us in
attendance on our great common Father.
Let children view the example of the holy child Jesus with an
humble desire to copy after it. Let them love the house and ordi-
nances of God and thirst for the instructions of his good word.
Let them think themselves happy if his servants in the ministry
will bestow a part of their important time in those exercises which
are especially suited for their instruction ; and let them not
only be careful to return the properest answers they can, but at
convenient times, with modesty and respect, ask such questions as
may be likely to improve them in knowledge and grace.
Let those children, vyhose genius is most promising and most
admired, learn from the blessed Jesus to behave themselves in an
FOUR GOSPELS. 27
humble and submissivo manner to all their elders and especially
to ihe'ir parents ; for though he was Me Lord of all, yet was he
subject not only to J\Iary his real mother, but to Joseph, though
only supposed to be h\s father. Such children may well hope that
the grace ofGodwiW still be upon them; diUd, growing in wisdom
as they do in stature, they will also advance i?i favour with God
and men, and be the darlings of heaven as well as of earth.
And, oh, that the greatest and wisest of us, those of the long-
est standing and of the most eminent stations in the church,
might learn of this admirable and divine child ; that, always
remembering our relation to God, and ever intent on learning his
will and promoting his glory, we might, with humble acquies-
cence, accommodate ourselves to all the disposals of his provi-
dence ! How easily could he, who discovered such early marks
of a sublime genius and a lively wit, have relished the most
elegant delights of science and have eclipsed all the most cele-
brated poets, orators, and philosophers of that learned and polite
age ! But he laid all those views aside, that he might pursue the
duties of that humble rank of life which his heavenly Father^s
infinite wisdom had assigned him ; and joined, as it would seem,
to assist in maintaining himself and his parents too by the daily
labour of his hands. Let us learn from hence, that it is the truest
greatness of soul to know our own place and office, and to deny
ourselves those amusements of the mind, as well as those gratifi-
cations of the senses, which arc inconsistent with the proper
services of our difl^erent relations and callings.
PART II.
MATTHEW III. IV. V. VII. VIII. 1.— 4, 14—17,
IX. 2— 8.— MARK I. II. 1—22.— LUKE III.
1—23. IV. V.
IN WHICH IS CONTAINED THE PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN
MONTHS, FROM THE BEGINNING OF J(?IIN THE
baptist's PREACHING, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
YEAR TWENTY-SIX, TO THE END OF THE FIRST
year's PREACHING OF OUR LORD, IN THE BEGIN-
NING OF THE YEAR TWENTY-EIGHT.
>■
'k
HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS. 31
SECTION I.
John i. 1 — 18.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. The same was
in the beginning Avith God. All things were made
by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made. In him was life, and the life was the
light of men. And the light shineth in darkness ;
and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name tvas
John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness
of the light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of
that light. That was the true light, which lighteth
every man that cometh into the world. He was in
the world, and the world was made by him, and the
world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his
own received him not. But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name : which were born, not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth. John bare witness of him and cried,
saying. This was he of whom I spake, He that
cometh after me is preferred before me ; for he was
before me. And of his fulness have all we received,
and grace for grace. For the law was given by
Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
32 HARMONY OF THE
No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begot-
ten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath
declared him.
Justly hath our Redeemer said, Blessed is the man that is not
offended in me ; and we may pecuharly apply the words to
that great and glorious doctrine of the deity of Christ, which is
here before us. A thousand high and curious thoughts will
naturally arise in our corrupt hearts on this view of it ; but may
Divine Grace subdue them all to the obedience of an humble
faith ; so that, with Thomas, we may each of us fall down at his
feet, and cry out with sincere and unreserved devotion, J\Iy Lord
and my God !
Let us adore him as the Creator and Preserver of all, the
overflowing fountain of light and life. Let us with unutterable
pleasure hail this Sim of righteousness, whose rays by the tender
mercies of the Father, have visited our benighted world to guide
our feet into the way of peace ; and while we lament that the dark-
ness hath not apprehended and received him, let us earnestly pray
that he may ere long penetrate every cloud of ignorance and
mist of error, and may diffuse among all the nations knowledge
and grace, purity and joy. Let us especially pray that he may
penetrate our beclouded souls ; and that they may, in holy cor-
respondence to the purposes of his appearing, be turned as clay to
the seal. Job xxxviii. 14. — The world knew him not ; but may we
know him, and give him that honourable and grateful reception
which so great a favour may justly demand ! — Yet what returns
can be proportionable to his condescension in becoming flesh for
us, and pitching his tabernacle among miserable and sinful mor-
tals? — Happy apostles that beheld his glory ! And surely there
are in his word such reflections of it as we may also behold, and
as will oblige us to acknowlegde it to be a glory that became the
Only-begotten of the Father.
Let us cordially receive him as fidl of grace and truth, that we
also may stand entitled to the privileges of God's children. And
if we are already of that happy number, let us not arrogate the
glory of it to ourselves, or ascribe it entirely to those who have
been the instruments of this important change ; but remember
that of his own will God hath begotten us by the word of his power j
and that of him we are of Christ Jesus ; to him then let us refer
the ultimate praise, if that divine and almighty Saviour be made
unto us wisdom and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption.
1 Cor. i. 30.
Happy are they that, (like this beloved apostle,) when they
hear the praises of Christ uttered by others, can echo back the
testimomy from their own experience, as having themselves
received of his fidness ! May an abundance of grace be commu-
nicated from him to us ! We are not straitened in him ; oh, may
FOUR GOSPELS. &&
we not be straiUned in ourselves ; but daily renewing our appli-
cation to him as our Living Head, may vital influences be con-
tinually imparted to our souls from him !
With pleasure let us compare the dispensation of Jesus with
that of Moses, and observe the excellency of its superior grace
and of its hrighier tndh ; but let us remember, as a necessary
consequence of this, that if the despisers ofJMoses^s law died without
mercy, they shall be thought loorthy of a much sorer punishment and
a more aggravated condemnation who tread uiider foot the Son of
God. Heb. x. 28, 29.
May we ever regard him as the Only-Begotten of the Father;
and, since he hath condescended so far as to come down from his
very bosom to instruct us in his nature and will, let us with all
humility receive his dictates and earnestly pray, that under his
revelations and teachings, we may so knoic God as fully to serve
him now, and at length, eternally to enjoy him.
SECTION II.
Matt. hi. 1 — 4. — Mark i. 2 — 4. — Luke hi. 1 — 6.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius
Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and
Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother
Philip, tetrarch of Iturea, and of the region of
Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word
of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the
wilderness of Judea. And he came into all the
country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins. And saying,
Repent ye : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
As it is written in the prophets, Behold I send my
messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy
way before thee. For this is he that was spoken
of by the prophet Esaias, saying. The voice of one
crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be
filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought
low ; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
rough ways shall be made smooth ; and all flesh
shall see the salvation of God.
34 HARMONY OF THE
And the same John had his raiment of camel's
hair, and a girdle of a skin about his loins, and his
meat was locusts and wild honey.
It is surely matter of unspeakable thankfulness that the king-
dom of heaven should be erected among men ! that the great God
should condescend so far as to take to himself a people from our
mean and sinful world, and appoint his own Son to be the gov-
ernor of that kingdom ! How happy are we that it is preached
among us and we are called into it ! Let it be our great care
that we be not only nominal but real members of it.
For this purpose let us remember and consider that, to become
the subjects of this kingdom, we are to enter it by the way of
repentance ; humbly confessing our sins, and resolutely forsaking
them, if we do indeed desire to find mercy.
Let us bless God, both for the promises of pardon and for the
appointment of the seals of it, particularly of baptismal vj ashing ;
always remembering the obligation it brings upon us to cleanse
ourselves from all fiUhiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God. 2 Cor. vii. 1.
And, being ourselves become members of Christ^s kingdom, let
us pray that it may be every where extended. May Divine Grace
remove every obstruction, and make a free course for his gospel,
that it may every where run and be glorified, so that all flesh may
see the salvation of God !
SECTION III.
Matt. hi. 5 — 12. — Mark i. 7 — 8. — Luke hi. 7 — 20.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all the land
of Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,
and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan,
confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the
Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he
said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath
warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? Bring
forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance. And
think not to say within yourselves. We have
Abraham to our father : for I say unto you, that God
is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root
FOUR GOSPELS. 35
of the trees : every tree therefore which bringeth
not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the
fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall
we do then ? He answereth, and saith unto them.
He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that
hath none ; and he that hath meat, let him do like-
wise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and
said unto him. Master, Avhat shall we do ? And he
said unto them. Exact no more than that which is
appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded
of him, saying. And what shall we do ? And he said
unto them. Do violence to no man, neither accuse
any falsely, and be content with your wages. And
as the people were in expectation, and all men
mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the
Christ or not ; John answered, saying unto them all,
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but
he that cometh after me is misfhtier than I, the
latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down
and unloose, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear ;
He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with
fire. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thorough-
ly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into
his garner ; but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire. And many other things in his
exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod
the tetrarch being reproved by John for Herodias his
brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which
Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut
up John in prison.
What an excellent pattern of ministerial service does John
exhibit in the passage before us ! Blessed is that gospel preacher
who, like him, seeks not his own ease and pleasure and indulges
not too luxurious and sensual inclinations, but cheerfully accom-
modates himself to the state and circumstances which Providence
hath assigned him, as infinitely more intent on the success of his
ministry than on any little interest of his own that can interfere
with it ! — Happy the man who, imitating the impartiality of this
faithful servant of God, giveth to every one his portion of meat in
due season, and abhors the thoughts of flattering men in their
36 HARMONY OF THE
vices or buoying them up with delusive hopes in their birth and
profession, while they are destitute of real and vital religion !
May this plain and awakening address be felt by every soul
that hears it ! And, in particular, let the children of religious
parents, let those that enjoy the most eminent privileges and that
make even the strictest profession, weigh themselves in this
balance of the sanctuary, lest they be found toa7iting in the awful
decisive day. And if the warnings of the gospel have alarmed
our hearts, and puts us upon feeing- from the wrath to come, oh, let
the terrors of the Lord engage us not only to confess but io forsake
our sins, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance !
Let all, to whom the gospel message comes, most attentively
and seriously consider in what alarming circumstances of danger
and extremity impenitent sinners are here represented. The gospel
is the last dispensation we must ever expect ; the axe is at the
root of the unfruitful tree, and it must ere long be cut down and
burnt, be its branches ever so diffusive and its leaves ever so
green.
Christ hath a fan in his hand to winnow us, as well as the Jews.
O that we may stand the trial ! And O that, as his xoheat, we may
be laid up in the store-house of heaven when that day cometh which
shall burn as an oven, and when all that do wickedly shall be con-
sumed as stubble, and be^bwnt up as chaff! Mai. iv. 1.
And to conclude: that we may be prepared for that final trial,
let us be earnest in our applications to our gracious Redeemer,
that as we are baptized with water in his name, he would also
baptize us xoith the Holy Ghost and icithfire ; that, by the operations
of his Holy Spirit on our cold and stupid hearts, he would enkin-
dle and quicken that Divine life, that sacred love, that flaming,
yet well-governed zeal for his glory, which distinguishes the true
Christian from the hypocritical professor, and is indeed the seal of
God set upon the heart to mark it for eternal happiness.
SECTION IV.
Matthew hi. 13 — 17. — Mark i. 9 — 11. — Luke hi.
21—23.
It came to pass in those days, when all the people
were baptized, that Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be
baptised of thee, and comest thou to me ? And Jesus
FODR GOSPELS. 37
answering said unto him, Suffer it io be so now : for
thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then
he suffered him. And he Avas baptized of John in
Jordan. And Jesus, when he w^as baptized, went up
straightway out of the water, and praying. And lo,
the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the
Spirit of God, in a bodily shape, descending like a
dove, and lighting upon him. And lo, a voice came
from heaven, which said. This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began
to be about thirty years of age.
Let our Lord's submitting himself to 6fl/)i?5»i teach us a holy
exactness and care in the observance ofthose positive institutions
which owe their obligations merely to a Divine command ; for
thus it also becometh us to fulfil all righieousness ; lest by breaking
one of the least of Christ's commandments, and teaching others to do
it, we become unworthy of a part in the kingdom of heaven.
(Matt. V. 19.)
Jesus had no sin to confess or wash away, yet he was baptized;
and God owned that ordinance so far as to make it the season of
pouring forth the Spirit upon him. And where can we expect this
sacred effusion, but in a conscientious and humble attendance on
Divine appointments?
Let us remember in how distinguishing a sense Jesxis is the
Christ, the annointed of God, to whom the Father hath not given the
Spirit by measure, but hath poured it out upon him in the most
abundant degree. Let us trace the workings of this Spirit in
Jesus, not only as a Spirit of miraculous power, but of the richest
grace and holiness; earnestly praying that this holy unction may,
from Christ our head, descend upon our souls ! May his enlivening
Spirit kindle its sacred flame there with such vigour thai mariy
waters may not be able to quench it, nor floods of temptation and
corruption to droicn it.
Behold God's beloved Son in whom he is icell pleased! As such
let us honour and love him ; and, as such, let our souls acquiesce
in him, as, in every respect, such a Saviour as our wishes might
have asked and our necessities required.
Wit!) what amazement should we reflect upon it that the
blessed J'es7(s, though so early ripened for the most extensive ser-
vices, should live in retirement even till his thirtieth year ! That
he deferred his ministry so long should teach us not to thrust our-
selves forward to public stations till we are qualified for them, and
plainly discover a Divine call ; that he deferred it no longer
should be an engagement to us to avoid unnecessary delays, and
to give God the prime and vigour of our life.
Our Great Master attained not, as it seems, to the conclusion
5
38 HARMONY OF THE
of his thirty-fifth year, if he so much as entered upon it ; yet what
glorious achievements did he accompUsh within these narrow
hmits of lime! Happy that servant who, with any proportionable
zeal, dispatches the great business of life ! so much the more
happy if his siin go down at noon; for the space that is taken from
the labours of time will be added to the rewards of eternity.
SECTION V.
Matthem' IV. 1 — 11. — Mark i. 12 — 13. — Luke
IV. 1—13.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned
from Jordan, and immediately the Spirit driveth him
into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And
he was there in the wilderness with the wild beasts,
being forty days tempted of the devil. And in
those days he did eat nothing. And when he had
fasted forty days and forty nights, he was after-
wards an hungered. And when the tempter, the
devil, came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of
God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that pro-
ceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil
taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on
a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him. If thou
be the Son of God, cast thyself down : for it is writ-
ten, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee
to keep thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee
up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a
stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is
written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an ex-
ceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the
kingdoms of the Avorld, and the glory of them, in a
moment of time : and saith unto him. All these things,
and all this power, and the glory of them, will I give
FOUR GOSPELS. 39
ilice ; for that is delivered unto me, and to whomso-
ever I will, I give it. If thou therefore wilt fall
down and worship me, all these things will I give
thee, and all shall Ije thine. Then sailh Jesus unto
him, Get thee behind me Satan : for it is written.
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only
shalt thou serve. Then when the devil had ended
all the temptation, he leaveth him, and departed
from him for a season. And behold, angels came
and ministered unto him.
Who can read this account without amazement, when ho
compares ttie insolence and mahce of the prince of darkness with
the condescension and grace of the Son of God !
What was it that animated and emboldened Saiun to undertake
such a work ? Was it the easy victory he had obtained over the
first Adam in Paradise? or was it the remenibranc-j otliis oiaifall,
from whence he arrogantly concluded that no htart could stand
against the temptations of pride and ambition ? Could he, who
afterwards proclaimed Christ to be tke Son of the J\Iost High God,
and had perhaps but lately heard him owned as such by a voice
from heaven, make any doubt of his Divinity ? Or, if he actually
believed it, could he expect to vanquish him ? We n)ay rather
conclude that he did not expect it ; but mad with rage and
despair, he was determined at least to worry that Lamb of God
which he knew he could not devour ; and to vex with his hellish
suggestions, that innocent and holy soul which he knew he could
never seduce. Wretched degeneracy ! Hoic art thou fditn,
Lucifer, son of the morning ! to be thus eagerly driving on thine
own repulse and disgrace !
But, on the other hand, how highly are we obliged to our
Great Deliverer, who hath Ijrought forth meat out of the eater, and
sweetness out of the strong ! who can sufficiently adore thy conde-
scension, blessed Jesus ? who wouldst permit thyself to be thus
assaulted and led from place to place by an infernal spirit, whom
thou couldest in a moment have remanded to hell to be bound in
chains of darkness and overwhelmed with flaming ruin !
The apostle tells us why he permitted this : it was that having
himself suffered, being tempted, he might by this experience that he
had of Satan^s subtilty, and of the strength of his temptations,
contract an additional tenderness and be the more inclined, as well
as better able to succour us when ive are tempted. (Heb. li. 18.)
Let this embolden us to come unto the throne of grace, io obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in the time of need. (Heb. iv. 16.)
Let us remember and imitate the conduct of the Great Captain
of our Salvation ; and, like him let us learn to resist Satan, that he
may flee from us. Like C/tm<, let ua maintain such an humble
40 HARMONY OF THE
dependance on the Divine blessing as never to venture out of the
way of it, be the necessity ever so urgent : nor let us ever expose
ourselves to unnecessary danger, in expectation of extraordinary
deliverance. Like him let us learn to overcome the loorld, and to
despise all its pomps and vanities when offered at the price of our
innocence.
To furnish us for such a combat, let us take the sword of the
spirit, which is the ward of God. Let us not only make ourselves
familiarly acquainted with the words of scripture, but let us study
to enter into the true design and meaning of it ; that so, if Satan
should attempt to draw his artillery from thence, we may be able
to guard against that most dangerous stratagem, and to answer
perverted passages of holy writ by others more justly applied.
Once more ; when the suggestions of Satan grow most horrible,
let us not conclude that we are utterly abandoned by God,
because we are proved by such a trial; since Christ himself was
tempted even to worship the infernal tyrant. But in such cases let
us resolutely repel the solicitation, rather than parley with it, and
say in imitation of our Lord^s example, and with a dependance on
his grace. Get thee behind me, Satan.
If our conflict be thus maintained, the struggle will ere long be
over; and angels, who are now the spectators of the combat, will
at length congratulate our victory.
SECTION VI.
John i. 19—28.
And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent
priests and levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who
art thou? And he confessed and denied not, but
confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him,
What then ? Art thou Elias ? And he saith, I am not.
Art thou that prophet ? And he answered, No. Then
said they unto him, Who art thou ? that we may give
an answer to them that sent us : What sayest thou
of thyself? He said, I a7n the voice of one crying in
the v/ilderness, Make straight the way of the LiOrd,
as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were
sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him,
and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou
FOUR GOSPELS. 41
be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet ?
John answered them saying, 1 baptize with water ;
but there standcth one among you, whom ye know
not : He it is, who coming after me, is preferred
before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to
unloose. These things were done in Betiiabara,
beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
How remarkably were the words of our blessed Redeemer
fulfilled in Jolm, he that humbleth himself shall be exalted ! (Luke
xviii. 11.) He declined assuniing the name of any of the servants
of God among the prophets ; and yet our Lord bore testimony to
him as of a higher rank than any of the prophets, than whom
there was none greater among those that had in a natural way been
born of women. (Luke vii. 28.)
Did John, this great and illustrious saint, speak of himself as
umcorthy to untie even the sandals of Christ; wliat reverence then
do we owe him ; and what reason have we to admire his conde-
scension, that he should honour us, who are so mucli more umcor-
thy, with the title of his servants ?
Let not any, the most distinguished of that happy number
wonder if they bo unlaioicn by the world, and perhaps too, slighted
and despised ; since it appears that even Jesus himself, not only
at his first appearance stood wiknoicn among the Jews but after-
wards was rejected by them, when his claim was solemnly entered
and his miracles most publicly wrought.
Vain, and worse than vain, was this message and inquiry winch
when answered, was so soon overlooked and forgot. iViay Divine
grace teach us to inquire as those that are earnest in our search !
and then shall ice know to saving purposes, if tee thus folloic on to
knmv the Lord. (Hos. vi. 3.)
SECTION VII.
John i. 29—42.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,
and ssith. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I
said, After me cometh a man which is preferred
before me : for he was before me. And I knew him
not : but that he should be made manifest to Israel,
5*
42 HARMONY OF THE
therefore am I come baptizing with water. And
John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending
from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
And I knew him not : but he that sent me to baptize
with water, the same said unto me. Upon whom thou
shah see the Spirit descending and remaining on him,
the same is he which baptizeth w^th the Holy Ghost.
And I saw, and bare record that this is the son of
God.
Again the next day after, John stood, and two of
his disciples : And looking upon Jesus as he walked,
he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two
disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and
saith unto them, What seek ye ? They said unto
him Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted,
Master,) where dwellest thou ? He saith unto them.
Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt,
and abode with him that day : for it was about the
tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak,
and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and
saith unto him. We have found the Messias, which
is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought
him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said,
thou art Simon the son of Jona : Thou shalt be called
Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a stone.
Let our faith daily behold Jesus under the character o^the Lamb
of God, a Lamb indeed without blemish and without spot ; by whose
precious blood we are redeemed, as by an infinitely more valuable
ransom than silver and gold. (1 Pet. i. 18, 19.) As such let us
humbly apply to him to takeaway our sins, and rejoice that (as the
apostle John elsewhere expresses it) he is the propitiation not for
our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world; all ages and
nations being interested in the benefit of his atonement. (1 John
ii. 2.)
Let us consider him as aiiointed by the Holy Spirit, and as bap-
tizing his church with it ; and learn, after the example of John the
Baptist, to bear our testimony to him again and again, with contin-
ued steadiness and growing zeal.
Our satisfaction in him, as the great and only Saviour, will surely
FOUR GOSPELS 43
grow in proportion to our acquaintance with him. If Divine
grace hath discovered him to us, and taught us to repose the
confidence of our souls upon him, let us, like Andrew in the
passage before us, be concerned to make him known to others;
and especially to lead our nearest relatives and our most intimate
friends into that acquaintance with him which is so absolutely
necessary to their eternal happiness !
Let the condescending readiness with which our blessed
Redeemer accepted and even invited the visit of these two disciples,
engage every preacher of righteousness most willingly to give his
private as well as his public labours and his lime (valuable as that
treasure is) to the service of those who are seriously affected with
the concerns of their souls, and are inquiring the way to salvation.
We are sufficiently honoured, if by any means, and by all, we
may be instrumental in promoting that cause which employed the
daily labours of God's incarnate fcJon, and at length cost him his
very blood !
SECTION VIIL
John i. 43 — 51.
The day following, Jesus would go forth into Galilee,
and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew
and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith
unto him, We have found him of whom Moses in the
law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth,
the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him.
Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth ?
Philip saith unto him, come and see. Jesus saw
Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him. Behold
an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile ! Nathanael
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. Nathanael answered and saith unto him,
Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the king
of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because
I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree,
believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than
these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say
44 HARMONY OF THE
unto you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and
the angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of man.
How cautiously should vve guard against popular prejudices,
which possessed so honest a heart as that of Jfathanael, and led
him to suspect that the blessed Jesiis himself was an imposter,
and that no good could be expected from him because he had been
brought up at J^azareth! I3ut his integrity prevailed over that
foolish bias, and laid him open to the conviction of evidence,
which a candid inquirer will always be glad to admit, even when
it brings the most unexpected discovery.
How amiable is the character here given of JSTathanael ! Jin
Israelite indeed, in whom thereis no guile ! May the attainment of
so excellent a character, and a resemblance to him in it, be the
daily aim and emulation of all who have the honour to be called
into the Israel of God !
A constant intercourse with God in secret devotion will be a
happy expression of one branch of this sincerity, and an effectual
means of promoting the rest. Let it therefore be our care that
the eye of him that seeth hi secret may often behold us in religious
retirement, pouring out our souls before God, and humbly con-
secrating them to his service. The day will come when those
scenes of duty which were most cautiously concealed shall be com-
memorated with public honour; and when he who now discerns
them, and is a constant witness to the most private exercises of
the closet, will reward them openly. (Matt. vi. 6.)
Happy were those who saw the miracles performed by the Son
of Man while he was here on earth ! and happy those favourite
spirits of heaven which were ascending and descending as ininisters
of his to do his pleasure ! But in some degree yet happier are they
who, having not seen, have believed; John xx. 29. As their /atf/i
is peculiarly acceptable, it shall ere long be turned into sight.
They shall behold much greater thhigs {hdiVi ever were seen below,
and more extraordinary manifestations of his glory than they can
now conceive ; and being brought with all his people to surround
his throne, shall join in those nobler services which attendant
angels render him above.
FOUR GOSPELS. 45
SECTION IX.
John ii. 1 — 11.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of
Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And
both Jesus was called and his disciples to the mar-
riage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of
Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus
saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee?
mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto
the serA'ants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
And there were set there six water-pots of stone, after
the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing
two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them,
Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them
up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out
now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And
they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted
the water that was made wine, and knew not whence
it was : (but the servants which drew the water
knew ;) the governor of the feast called the bride-
groom, and saith unto him. Every man at the begin-
ning doth set forth good wine, and when men have
well drunk, then that which is worse : but thou hast
kept the good wine until now. This beginning of
miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested
forth his glory ; and his disciples believed on him.
We have here the first of ChrisVs public miracles, which we
find was not wrought till about his thirtieth year. How much
sooner [Could he have glorified himself, and amazed the world by
the display of his Divine power! But he waited his Father's call,
and the delay added at length to the lustre of his works.
It was performed to grace a nuptial solemnity: and who doth
not see that it was, in effect, a testimony borne to the honour
and purity of that happy state on which so much of the comfort
of the present generation and the existence of the future regularly
depend ?
How happy were these guests while Jesus was among them !
and how condescending did he appear in making one on the
46 HARMONY Oy THE
occaBion ! His social and obliging temper should sweeten ours,
and be a lesson to his followers that they avoid every thing sour
and morose, and do not censure others for innocent liberties at
proper seasons of festivity and joy.
If Aw mother met with so just a rebuke for attempting to direct
his administrations in the days of his flesh, how absurd is it for
any to address her as if she had a right to command him on tlie
throne of his glory ! And how indecent for us to direct his
supreme wisdom as to the time and manner in which he shall
appear for us in any of the exigencies of life !
Her submission and faith manifested on this occasion are
truly amiable : and with this we have surel}- reasons to admire
the benignity and generosity of Chnst in this miracle before us ;
who consulted the pleasure and entertainment as well as the
necessity of his folloMers j and by this abundant supply amply
repaid any extraordinary expense which he might have occasioned
to the family.
How easily could he, who thus turned water into loine^ have
transformed every entertainment of a common table into the
greatest delicacies, and have regaled himself daily with royal
dainties ! But, far superior to such animal gratifications, he chose
the severities of a much plainer life. Blessed Jesxis ! who can
say whether thou art greater in what thou didst or in what thou
didst not do? May none of us thy followers be too intent on
indulging our taste or any of our other senses ; but, pursuing those
intellectual and devotional pleasures whicli were thy meat and
thy dnnk on earth, may we wait for that good icine which thou
roservest for thy people to the last, and for those richer dainties
with which thou wilt feast those who shall drink it with thee in thy
Father's kingdom ! (Matt. xxvi. 29. )
SECTION X.
John ii. 12 — 25.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his
mother, and his brethren, and his disciples, "and they
continued there not many days. And the Jews'
passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jeru-
salem : And found in the temple those that sold
oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of
money, sitting : And when he had made a scourge
of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple,
and the sheep, and the oxen ; and poured out the
changers' money, and overthrew the tables ; and said
FOUR GOSPELS. 47
unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence,
make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
And his disciples remembered that it was written,
The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then
ansAvered the Jews, and said unto him, What sign
shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these
things ? Jesus answered, and said unto them. Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this
temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three
days? But he spake of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was risen from the dead, his
disciples remembered that he had said this unto
them : and they believed the scripture, and the word
which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jeru-
salem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed
in his name, when they saw the miracles which he
did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them,
because he knew all men, and needed not that any
should testify of man : for he knew what was in man.
How powerful is the love of this world, when it could engage
even the priests and the Phansees to let out the temple itself for
a market place ! though a professed zeal for the honour of it made
so great a part of the righteousness of which they boasted before
God. But oitr Lord beheld the scene with just indignatioji ; as
that displeasure is indeed just, which arises from a sense of
dishonour done to God and contempt poured on the institutions
of his worship. Happy shall we be in the warmest emotions of
zeal which do not transport us beyond the rules of prudence and
love, and make us forget those stations in life which require the
same principles to shew themselves in widely different effects !
Methinks the state of the temple, when these traders had
erected their seats and their stalls in it, and turned the courts of
God''s house into a market, is too just an emblem of the state of our
hearts when we appear in the sanctuary distracted with worldly
cares to the neglect of that one thing needfid, which then demands
our most attentive regards. Would to God that in this sense
our Father^s house were not often made a house of merchandise !
Let us pray that Jesus, by his good Spirit, would assert it to him-
self, and drive out those intruders which break in upon our truest
enjoyments, in proportion to that degree in which they intrench
on our devotion !
48 HARMONY OF THE
After a thousand proofs of his Divine mission, the Jews were
wicked and desperate enough, with sacrilegious hands to destroy
the temple of ChrisVs body : but let us be thankful for the un-
doubted evidence we have, that, as an everlasting monument of
his power and truth, he raised it again in three days I
Happy will it be for us if we cordially believe a gospel so
gloriously attested : but most vain will that belief be which doth
not penetrate and influence the heart. Let us remember that we
have to do with him, that formed our nature and is most inti-
mately acquainted with all its recesses. He knows what is in man ;
may he see nothing in us which shall not be thoroughly agreeable
to the profession we make of being his faithful disciples !
To conclude ; let us learn, from the caution which Jesus used,
not rashly to put ourselves and our usefulness into the power of
others ; but to study a wise and happy medium between that
universal prejudice and suspicion, which, while it wrongs the best
and the most worthy characters, would deprive us of all the
pleasures of an intimate friendship, and that undistinguishing
easiness and openness of temper which might make us the prop-
erty of every hypocritical pretender to kindness and respect.
SECTION XL
John hi. 1 — 26.
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode-
mus, a ruler of the Jews : The same came to Jesus
by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God ; for no man can
do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with
him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus
saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is
old ? can he enter the second time into his mother's
womb, and be born ? Jesus answered. Verily, verily,
I say unto thee. Except a man be born of water and
of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh ; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee. Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest
the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh.
FOUR GOSPELS. 49
and whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of
the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him,
How can these things be? Jesus answered and said
unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest
not these things ?
He that halh ears to hear, let him hear with attention what the
blessed Redeemer said on this occasion. It is surely a matter
of universal concern: for who would not desire to enter into the
kingdom of God ? to be an acceptable member of ChrisVs church
now, and an heir of glory beyond the grave? — But how is this
blessing to be expected and secured? Thus saith the Lord him-
self, Unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Let us remember therefore that it is not enough that a new name
be given us, or that a new profession be assumed ; it is not
enough that we are descended from the most pious ancestors, that
we have been externally devoted to God by the early seal of his
covenant, or that we openly have made a solemn and express
profession of our own faith and obedience, and have been born of
baptismal icater in our riper years ! There must be a neio nature
implanted, a new creation formed in our souls by the almighty
energy of the eternal Spirit, or it had been better for us that we
had 7iever been born at all.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and as we all proceed
from a corrupt original, we do not more evidently bear the image
of the earthly Adam in the infirmities of a mortal body than in the
degeneracy of a corrupt mind. Oh, let us earnestly intreat that
being born of the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, we may bear
the image of the heavenly ! And to these influences let us with all
humility and thankfulness be ready to yield up our souls, as
remembering that they are of a free and sovereign nature, like
the wind that bloweth where it will, and docs not stay for the com-
mand of the children of men.
Let none of us indulge a vain and useless curiosity with respect
to the manner of the SpiriVs operations, or wonder that we meet
with some things that are secret and unknown in matters of a
spiritual nature, when we see daily there are sj many things
unknown in the common appearances of the natural world, and
indeed so few that we can perfectly understand.
May the pride of a falsely pretended reason be subdued to the
authority o( faith. And more especially, may such as are teachers
in Israel, or who are designed for that important office, take their
instructions with all humility from this teacher sent from God!
For it must surely be not only their calamity, but that too of the
church in general, if its guides continue ignorant of those sublime
and spiritual truths which Christ came down from heaven to
reveal, or are so biassed by the carnal reasonings of a depraved
mind as to be indisposed and backward to receive them.
6
50 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION XII.
John hi. 12—21.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee. We speak that we
do know, and testify that we have seen : and ye
receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly
things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I
tell you of heavenly things ? And no man hath
ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up : That
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be-
lieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world : but that the world through him
might be saved. He that believeth on him is not
condemned : but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name
of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth
the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds
should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh
to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest,
that they are wrought in God.
How happy is it for us that, since none of the children of men
ever ascended up into heaven to learn the mysteries of Divine
knowledge there, the only begotten Son of God has been pleased to
come down from thence that he might instruct us ! He spake what
he knew, and testified what he had seen ; Oh that men were so wise
as to receive his testimony, be the discoveries ever so new cr the
doctrines ever so sublime !
FOUR GOSPELS. 51
Let us with peculiar pleasure attend unto that abstract of the
gospel which he exhibited in this profitable and comprehensive
discourse with J^icodemvs. — It presents to our view Christ, and
him crucified. It opens the treasures of Divine beneficence and
compassion, and shews us the Father of mercies so loving a world,
which he might justly have abhorred and destroyed, as lo give his
only begotten Son to be a ransom for it.
Let us behold him lifted up on the cross as the great attractive
to whom all were to be drav-n! In him shall we find the Divine
cure for our souls, infected as they are with the poison of sin, if
we behold him not merely with a curious but a believing eye.
Whatever our wounds be, if in the exercise of faith we look to
him, we shall not die of them; but it is owing to our own
obstinacy and impenitence if we yet perish.
He might justly have appeared in a different form for the
condemnation of sinners, rather than their salvation. The So7i of
God might have come into an apostate loorld armed with thunder-
bolts of flaming vengeance to punish the violation of his Father's
law ; but his hands are filled with eternal blessings.
As we love our own souls, let us apply to him in time for this
salvation. Let us dread the aggravated condemnation of those who,
ichen light is come into the world, prefer darkness to it, and obsti-
nately shut their eyes against it, though it be the dawnings of an
eternal day.
J\Iay iiitegi'ity and uprightness preserve us! (Psalm xxv. 21.)
And, conscious of a real desire to govern ourselves according to
the light we have, may we cheerfully lay ourselves in the way of
more ; that in the last awful day, when the sentence of Divine
wrath shall be executed on all the servants of sin, and their
character shall stand disclosed in the most odious colours, ours
may shine out beautiful and fair, and the good deeds that we have
done, being now wrought in God, may then not only be accepted
and applauded, but through the grace of the Redeemer abua-
dantly rewarded by him !
SECTION XIII.
John hi. 22—36.
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into
the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them
and baptized. And John also was baptizing in
JEnon near to Salim, because there was much water
there : and they came and were baptized. For John
53 HARMONY OF THE
was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a
question between some of John's disciples and the
Jews, about purifying. And they came unto John
and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee
beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearcst witness, behold,
the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John
answered and said, A man can receive nothing,
except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves
bear me witness, that T said, I am not the Christ, but
that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is
the bridegroom : but the friend of the bridegroom,
which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly
because of the bridegroom's voice : this my joy
therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must
decrease. He that cometh from above, is above all :
he that is of the earth, is earthly, and speaketh of the
earth : he that cometh from heaven is above all :
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testiheth,
and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath
received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God
is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the
words of God : for God giveth not the Spirit by
measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and
hath given all things into his hand. Fie that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life : but the wrath of God
abideth on him.
It is indeed too true that the spirit tokich naturally choellcth in lis
all lusteih to envy, (James iv. 5,) and it is far from being a low
attainment in religion to look with complacency and thankfulness
on the superior abilities and acceptance of others, especially of
those who once appeared in an inferior rank. But for the cure of
this unreasonable and restless passion, so contrary to the true
spirit of the gospel, let us remember that a man can receive nothing
at all except it be given him from heaven. It is Gf)d that makes one
man to differ from another ; and surely nothing can be more
unreasonable than that, when we ourselves have received all from
his bounty, otir eye should be evil because he is good. (Matt. xx. 15.)
If we are indeed the friends of Christ, we shall rejoice to see
his interest advance, and especially to see souls espoused to him
as the great Bridegroom of the church, whoever are the instru-
ments of promoting so happy a work. Would to God that in this
FOUR GOSPELS. ^
sense all the Lm'd's people were even as the greatest of the
prophets, or as the very chief of the apostles ! (Numb. xi. 29.)
But if indeed they were so, yet, like those brightest luminaries
of the church, they must in time have ihc'ir change and their tcanc.
If God does not darken their g^Iories by a sudden eclipse, yet they
who are now, like the Baptist, burning and shilling lights, nnist
like him gradually decrease, while others are increasing about
them; as they, in their turns, grew up amidst the decays of the
former generation. Let us know how to sef as well as to rise;
and let it comfort our declining days to trace in those that are
likely to succeed us in our work the openings of yet greater
usefulness. So shall we grow in our meetness for that world
where all the righteous shall shine forth together, as the sun, in the
kingdom of their Father, in a bright resemblance of him with whom
there is no variableness nor shadow of turning.
As the surest means of guiding us to that happy world, let us
make it our great care, by receiving the teslimony of Christ, to set
our seal to the truth of God, engaged in his cause. — With how
much pleasure should we do it, and with what joy should we
reflect that the Father so loveth the Son that he has not only given
him the rich and unnieasurable communications of the Spirit, but
has committed also into his hand the reins of government ! Let his
faithful servants remember it with joy, and cheerfully commit
their concerns to him xcho is made head over all things for the
benefit of /lis church. (Ephes. i. 22.)
And to conclude ; let it engage us to see the sincerity of our
faith in him and subjection to him ; since it is not a light matter,
but our lift, even the very life of our soids. May God awaken
those on whom his lorath now abideth to a sense of their danger;
and may he strengthen in each of our souls ihdX faith which is the
pledge of a happy immortality I
SECTION XIV.
John iv. 1 — 26.
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees
had heard that Jesus made and baptized more dis-
ciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not,
but his disciples,) he left Judea, and departed again
into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called
6*
54 HARMONY OF THE
Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave
to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there.
Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat
thus on the well : and it was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water :
Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his
disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is
it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which
am a woman of Samaria ? for the Jews have no deal-
ings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said
unto her. If thou knoAvest the gift of God, and who
it is that saith unto thee. Give me to drink, thou
wouldest have asked of him, and he would have
given thee living water. The woman saith unto him,
Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is
deep : from whence then hast thou that living water ?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave
us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his
children, and his cattle ? Jesus answered and said
unto her. Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again : But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him, shall never thirst: but the water
that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of' water
springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith
unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not,
neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her.
Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman
answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said
unto her. Thou hast well said, I have no husband :
For thou hast had five husbands, and he whom thou
now hast is not thy husband : in that saidst thou
truly. The woman saith unto him. Sir, I perceive
that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in
this mountain ; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the
place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto
her. Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye
shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what :
FOUR GOSPELS. 55
we know what we worship : for salvation is of the
Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the
true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in truth : for the Father seeketh such to worship
him. God is a Spirit ; and they that worship him,
must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman
saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which
is called Christ ; when he is come, he will tell us all
things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee,
am he.
Condescending and compassionate Redeemer! who would thus
graciously converse with a Samaritan, with a woman of an infa-
mous reputation too, from whom, on various accounts, a haughty
Pharisee would have turned away in proud disdain ! and could
forget his thirst, pressing as that appetite is, that he niight instruct
and lead her to the waters of life I
Gracious gift of God to the children of men! how noble and
how lasting a delight does it administer ! Let it be our language,
Lord, evermore give lis this living ivater ! Oh, pour out this en-
livening spirit on us, which alone can allay the thirst of our souls,
and give us that lasting satisfaction which we in vain would seek
from these broken cisterns, from these precarious streams; till at
length the fountain spnngs up in Paradise, and flows on to life
everlasting !
May this good spirit anticipate those immortal delights to our
souls by leading us into that spirituality of worship which the
nature of God demands, and which the gospel dispensation is so
eminently calculated to promote ! Let it be inscribed on our
hearts that God is a Spirit; and let it teach us to worship him in
spirit and in truth. Such worshippers the Father seeks; such may
he ever find in us !
May all intemperate zeal for matters of doubtful disputation,
all sentiments of bigotry and severity against our brethren, be
happily swallowed up in this infinitely greater concern ! and
while others contend about j)/rtces and forms of worship, may we
pour out our hearts before him, and feel the love of God and man
shed abroad in them by his Spirit given unto us ! (Rom. v. 5.)
56 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION XV.
John iv. 27—42.
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled
that he talked with the woman ; yet no man said,
What seekest thou ? or, Why talkest thou with her ?
The woman then left her water-pot, and went her
way into the city, and saith to the men. Come, see a
man which told me all things that ever I did : Is not
this the Christ ? Then they went out of the city and
came unto him. In the mean while his disciples
prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto
them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. There-
fore said the disciples one to another. Hath any man
brought him ought to eat ? Jesus saith unto them,
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work. Say not ye. There are yet four
months, and then cometh harvest ? behold, I say unto
you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields ; for
they are white already to harvest. And he that
reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto
life eternal : that both he that sovveth and he that
reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that
saying true. One soweth and another reapeth. I
sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour :
other men laboured, and ye are entered into their
labours.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed
on him for the saying of the woman which testified,
He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samar-
itans were come unto him, they besought him that
he would tarry with them : and he abode there two
days. And many more believed because of his own
word : and said unto the woman. Now we believe,
not because of thy saying : for we have heard him
ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the
Saviour of the world.
FOUR GOSPELS. 57
Let us behold with pleasure the glorious example of our blessed
Redeemer, and learn to imitate his zeal. It was Ids meat and drink
to pursue his Father''s icork, to glorify God, and to do good to
souls : and ought it not to be ours ? Let us bless God for every
opportunity of applying to it and every field of service, which
Providence opens to us.
Let gospel minislers especially be thankful for all that hath been
done to introduce their services, not only by the ministration of
the prophets under the Old Testament, but the apostles also under
the J^cio, and by succeeding servaiits of Christ m every age of the
church. In this sense, with rcjiard to us, is that proverb true. One
soxoeth and another reapeth. We have entered into the labours of
others: may others in time enter into ours! May the work be
delivered over trom one ("aitlifiil hand to another and be carried on
by each with slowing zeal and success ! Blessed time, when all
the icorkmfn sliall meet and join their songs; and each of the
souls gathered into eternal life shall be, to all concerned in their
conversion or edification, an ornament of glory and a source of
pleasure !
Surely, if we know Christ ourselves, we shall, like this icoman
of Samaria, be solicitous to communicate the knowledge to others,
and shall sometimes forget our little icorldly interests\o attend to
this vast superior care. May we believe in him, not merely on the
report and testimony of others, but on our own experience ; that
having tasted that the Lord is gracious, we may bear a more lively
and effectual testimony to him !
Let us watchfully observe the leadings of Providence, and what-
ever our own schemes may have been, let us still adjust our con-
duct by the intimations of present duty ; and especially where we
have reascm to believe that God is by his Spirit beginning to work
on men's hearts, let us be ambitious of being icorkers together loith
him. .,3 icord spoken in such a season is remarkably good, and it is
a great part of Christian and ministerial prudence to observe and
improve those tender times.
SECTION XVI.
John iv. 43 — 54.
Now after two days he departed thence, and went
into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a
prophet hath no honour in his own country. — Then
when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans re-
ceived him, having- seen all the things that he did
at Jerusalem at the feast ; for they also went unto
58 HARMONY OF TUB
the feast. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee,
where he made the water wine. And there was a
certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea
into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him
that he would come down and heal his son : for
he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto
him. Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not
believe. The nobleman saith unto him. Sir, come
down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him. Go
thy way ; thy son liveth. And the man believed the
word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went
his way. And as he was now going down, his
servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son
liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour, when
he began to amend : And they said unto him, Yes-
terday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the
father knew that it was at the same hour, in the
which Jesus said unto him. Thy son liveth ; and
himself believed, and his whole house. This is again
the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come
out of Judea into Galilee.
How unreasonable are the passions and prejudices of mankind,
and this in particular, a prophet should have no honour in his own
country ! One would have imagined that Jesus at least, free as he
was from all the follies of childhood and youth, should have been
en exception ; nay, indeed, that he should have been peculiarly
honoured there, where his early wisdom and piety could not but
be observed.
Our Lord however intended them a visit, even at J^azareth; and
it is the duty of his ministers to bear their testimony, ichether men
will hear, or whether they will forbear. Yet should they learn of
their Great Master to study as much as they can to obviate those
prejudices, which might prevent their usefulness, and should use
the most prudent and gentle methods to vanquish them.
Such was this beneficial miracle of our Lord; which may afford
us many particulars worthy of our notice. With what affection and
zeal does this tender parent apply to Christ on the sickness of his
child! Let us not be less importunate when soliciting spiritual
blessings in behalf of our dear offspring: and so much the rather
as their lives are so precarious, and we know not how soon these
\o\e\y Jlotcers may be cut down, and all farther petitions for them
be for ever superseded,
FOUR GOSPELS. 59
Our Lord while at a distance from the patient, wrought and per-
fected the cure. And has he not still the same Divine power,
though he does not exert it in the same miraculous way ? Let not
his bodily absence abate our faith, while praying for others or for
ourselves.
Salvation now came to this house, and blessings infinitely more
valuable than noble blood, or ample possessions, or royal favour,
or recovered health could give; for the ewe wrought on the body
of one was a means of producing/ai7A in the hearts of all. Blessed
Jesus ! thy power was no less employed in the latter than in the
former. Oh may that power work in such a manner on our souls
as that we all may be disposed cordially to receive thee, and
cheerfully to venture our eternal all upon thee ! May toe and our
houses concur in so wise and happy a resolution; and not insist-
ing upon evidence beyond what thy gracious wisdom has thought
fit to give us, may we candidly receive the light we have, and
faithfullyjmprove it so as to be at length entitled to the blessedness
of those who have not seen and yet have believed ! John xx. 29.
SECTION XVII.
Luke iv. 14—30.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been
brought up, and as his custom was, he went into the
synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to
read. And there was delivered unto him the book
of the prophet Esaias, and when he had opened the
book, he found the place where it was written, The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he
hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he
closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister,
and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were
in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he
began to say unto them. This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and
wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out
60 HARMONY OF THE
of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son ? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say
unto me this proverb. Physician, heal thyself; what-
soever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also
here in thy country. And he said, Verily, I say unto
you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But
I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in
the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three
years and six months, when great famine was through-
out all the land ; but unto none of them was Elias
sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a
woman that w^as a widow. And many lepers were in
Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet, and none of
of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these
things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust
him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the
hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast
him down headlong. But he passing through the
midst of them, went his way.
We see that it was the custom of our blessed Saviour to fre-
quent the synagogues every sabbath day ; how well therefore does
it become his servants to be constant in their attendance on
public ordinances, especially since those of the gospel are in
many respects so much nobler than any which the JViosaic institu-
tion would admit !
In the synagogues the scriptures were constantly read; and it
is matter of pleasing reflection that, in all ages of the Christian
church, the reading them hath usually been made a part of the
service in most of its solemn assemblies. Let it still be so with
us for this reason, among others, that so glorious a testimony to
the genuineness of scripture may not be impaired in our hands,
but transmitted to those that shall arise after us.
And surely the Old Testament, as well as the J^few, deserves
our attentive perusal ; in which, if we are not strangely negli-
gent, or strangely prejudiced, we must often meet with remark-
able prop/jecies 0/ Christ shining with a pleasing lustre, like lights
in a dark place. (2 Pet. i. 19.) How amiable a view of him is
given in that which he now opened ! Let us seriously attend to
it. It is a moving representation that is here made of the deplor-
able stale in which (he gospel finds us ! The helpless prisoners of
Divine justice, the wretched captives of Sata7i, stripped and
wounded, the eyes of our understanding blinded, and tlie powers
FOUR GOSPELS. 61
of our souls enfeebled ; and, as it were, bruised with those chains
which prejudice and vice have fastened upon them ! But in these
miserable circumstances Jesus appears to opeyi the doors of our
prison, to strike off our fetters, and even to restore our sight. He
comes to enrich our impoverished souls, and to preach a far better
jubilee than JSIoses could proclaim ; the free forgiveness of all our
sins and the recovery of an inheritance of eternal glory. Surely
it should be to us a most acceptable time. Blessed are the people
that know this joyful sound; they shall toalk, Lord, in the light of
thy countenance ! Psalm Ixxxix. 15.
In some sense this instructive and comfortable scripture is this
day fidfilledjn our ears likewise. Let us also bear our testimony
to the gracious icords of this welcome messenger whom God hath
annointed for such happy purposes !
One would have imagined that while the eyes of his auditors
■were fixed upon him, their souls should have drank in his doctrine
tis the thirsty earth sucks up the rain, and that every heart should
have been open to embrace him. But, O blessed Jesus, while thou
art preaching these glad tidings of great joy, what a return dost
thou find ! Thou art ungratefully rejected, thou art impiously
assaulted ; and had their rage and malice been able to prevail,
the joyful sound would have died into empty air as soon as it began
and this thy first sermon at JSTazareth, had been thy last.
Thus disdainfully art thou still rejected by multitudes who still
hear the same message echoing from thy word. And is there not
a malignity in the hearts of sinners which might lead those of
our own days to the outrageous wickedness of these J/'azarenes
were their opportunities the same, rather than they would bow
their stubborn hearts to the obedience of faith ? But while they
are crucifying thee afresh by their sins, and putting thee to open
shame, may we honour thee as the Son of God, the Saviour of
men; and labour by the ardour of our love and the steadiness of
our obedience, in some measure to balance the ingratitude of
those, who, while they are opposing thee, are destroying them-
selves .'
62 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION XVIII.
Matthew iv. 12—26. Mark i. 14 — 20. Luke iv.
31, 32.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into
prison, he came into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth,
he came down to, and dwelt in Capernaum, a city
of Galilee, which is upon the sea-coast in the borders
of Zabulon and Nepthalim : That it might be ful-
filed which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nepthalim by
the way of the sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the
Gentiles : The people which sat in darkness, saw
great light, and to them which sat in the region and
shadow of death, light is sprung up. — From that
time Jesus began to preach the gospel of the kingdom
of God, and to say. The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand : Repent ye, and believe
the gospel.
And Jesus Avalking by the sea of Galilee saw two
brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his
brother, casting a net into the sea ; for they were
fishers. And Jesus said unto them. Come ye afler
me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway they forsook their nets and followed
him. And when he had gone a little further thence,
he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, who also were in a ship with
Zebedee their father, mending their nets : And
straightway he called them ; and they immediately
lefl their fathsr Zebedee in the ship with the hired
servants, and went after him.
Such was the zeal and courage of our blessed Redeemer, that
he no sooner had been persecuted and assaulted ^\. J^azareth, but
he went and preached in the synagogue at Capernaum. Thus
may all the opposition that we meet with in thecourse of our duty
animate, rather than overbear, our resolution in performing it !
How happy Mas the land of Zabulon and Nepthalim in the visits
FOUR GOSPELS. 63
of such a guest ! And may we not ad-d too, how happy is onr own
land in being visited by the everlasting gospel, which is now much
more clearly discovered to us than it was to these coasts while
Christ began to open his ministry among their inhabitants.
In us is this prophecy of Isaiah emincni\y fulfilled : We but a
few ages ago sat in darkness ; and behold we see a great light. Our
country, amidst all the advantages of its soil and situation, was in
a spiritual sense, the region and the shadow of death; but the Sun
of Righteonsness is risen upon us, nor do we only behold his rising
beams, but his meridian lustre. May we not be so ungrateful as
obstinately to shut our eyes against it, lest the valley of vision, and
EmmanuePs land, should on the whole prove to us the land of
destruction and the valley of death itself!
That this may never be our case, let us diligently attend to this
Divine Teacher, who speaks with such authority, and whose u'ords
are so weighty and powerful. May we feel the energy and
authority of them ! May they call us off from every undue
attachment to the business or the pleasures of life! And if ever
he should see fit to try us, as he did these his servants, with a
a command to forsake our nearest relations and our earthly all, for
his service, let us do it with pleasure ; remembering on the one
hand, that he loho luves father or mother, wife or chUelren, houses or
lands, moi'e than Christ, is not xoorlhy of him ; and on the other
hand, that he who abandons these engagements, /or his sake, shall
receive an hundred fold noiv ni this lime, and in the world to come,
life everlasting. (Matt. s. 37, and Mark x. 29, 30.)
SECTION XIX.
Mark i. 21—28. Luke iv. 31—37.
And they went into Capernaum ; and straightway on
the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and
taught them. And they were astonished at his doc-
trine ; for his word was with power, for he taught
them as one that had authority, and not as the
scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man,
v/hich had a spirit of an unclean devil, and he
cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone,
what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazar-
eth ? Art thou come to destroy us ? I know thee,
who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus
rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out
64
HARMONY OF THE
of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him,
and thrown him in the midst, and cried with a loud
voice, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And
they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned
among themselves, saying. What thing is this ? What
new doctrine is this ? for with authority and power he
commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they do obey
him, and come out. And immediately his fame
spread abroad, throughout all the region into every
place of the country round about Galilee.
Justly may we join our astonishment with that of the inhabitants
of Capernaum, and say, What manner of teaching is this? and
with what regard should it be received, when the devils them-
selves, and the most desperate diseases, are thus apparently
subject to him who uses it?
We see the malice of Satan in possessing and tormenting the
bodies of men. God then permitted it, to render Chrisl^s triumph
over him so much the more illustrious, and the appearance of
that great Deliverer so much the more welcome. Such diabolical
operations as these are now restrained ; and it is matter of great
thankfulness that they are. But would to God that malignant
enemy did not, in a yet more fatal manner, possess the soids of men
and work in the children of disobedience ! Yet there can the power
of Jesus prevail, to bind the strong man and spcil his goods.
AVisely did Christ silence the suspicious praises of an ^mclean
spirit, and vain is all the hope which men build merely on those
orthodox professions of the most important truths, in which Satan
himself could vie with them.
SECTION XX.
Matt. viii. 14 — 17. — Mark i. 29 — 34. — Luke iv.
38—41.
And forthwith when they were come out of the
synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon
Peter and Andrew, with James and John. And
Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a great fever : and
anon they told him of her, and besought him for her.
And he came, and stood over her and took her by the
hand, and rebuked the fever, and lifted her up, and
rOUR GOSPELS. 6S
immediately the fever left her. And she arose, and
ministered unto them.
And at even, when the sun did set, all they that
had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto
him, and they brought unto him many that were pos-
sessed of devils. And all the city was gathered
together at the door. And he cast out many devils
with his word, and they cried out, saying, Thou art
Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them
suffered not the devils to speak : for they knew him,
that he was Christ. And he healed many that were
sick of divers diseases : and he laid his hands on
every one of them and healed them : That it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying. Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses.
Mark i. 35— 39.— Luke iv. 42—44.
And in the morning rising up a great while before
day, he went out and departed into a desert place,
and there prayed. And Simon, and they that were
with him, followed after him : And when they had
found him, they said unto him. All men seek for
thee. And the people sought him, and came unto
him and stayed him that he should not depart from
them. And he said unto them, let us go into the
next towns, that I may preach there also. I must
preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, for
therefore came I forth. And he preached in their
synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out
devils.
Matt. iv. 23 — 25.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in
their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and
all manner of disease among the people. And his
66 HARMONY OF THE
fame went throughout all Syria : And they brought
unto him all sick people that were taken with divers
diseases and torments, and those which were pos-
sessed with devils, and those which Avere lunatic,
and those that had the palsy ; and he healed them.
And there followed him great multitudes of people
from Galilee, and fro7n Decapolis, and from Jeru-
salem, Siudfrorn Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Christ returning from the synagogue, finds the mother-in-law of
Peter detained from the solemn assemblies, a prisoner at home
under an afflictive providence, which that circumstance of* con-
finement probably rendered yet more afflictive to her. But the
mercy which the evening brought with it was a rich equivalent for
all the sorrows of the day. Jesus, their welcome guest, appears
as the great Physician both of soul and body ; a touch of his ha7id
assuages the tumult in her veins, and at his voice the distemper
leaves her. Surely, as the great Lord in the kingdom of Provi-
dence, he performs those cures which are now wrought by natural
means, and is to be owned in them. Must not each of us thank-
fully acknowledge how often he hath rebuked fevers and other
distempers by the skill of physicians, and the efficacy of
medicines ; so that they have departed from us perhaps when we
esteemed them desperate, and had received the sentence of death in
ourselves ?
Let us learn to imitate the pious gratitude of this good xooman,
who, when recovered, immediately arose and ministered unto Christ.
Thus let it be our care that those lives which are spared by his
goodness, and that strength which is renewed by his power,
may be faithfully and affectionately devoted to his service.
flow delightfully were the sabbaths of Christ spent in the midst
of all his fatigues! How pleasantly did the sun go down upon him,
when he had been imitating that heavenly luminary in his steady
and constant course; scattering a brighter light and more bene-
ficial influences upon all about him.
And when the sabbath had been spent in these labours of piety
and love, how happily were the fruits of it carried into the
ensuing week ? The first morning of it, that it might be most
pleasantly and most profitably begun Jesus rose before it was lighty
that he might enjoy God and himself in religious retirement. It
surely becomes us sometimes willingly to deny ourselves the
gratification of sleep, that we may have the better opportunity for
devotion. And it should be the peculiar care of those who are
employed in God's public service, to cultivate communion with
him in private ; lest while they keep the vineyard of others, their
own be rieglected and impoverished. Cant. i. 6,
FOUR GOSPELS. 67
Our Lord's retirement is interrupted by the people who caine to
inquire after him and desired to have detained him longer among
them : and who that has ever known the pleasure of conversing
with him, would not desire that it might be longer continued and
frequenlly renewed? But in this instance, request must be
denied; the great purpose of his miuistry required his presence
elsewhere, and he breaks through all that importunity which
would have broken in upon his schemes of usefulness: a resolu-
tion which we must learn in some cases to imitate, if we would
prosecute the business of life with vigour and success. Let us
often reflect wherefore we are sent; and jiidoe by t'lat \vhere God
would have us to be ; that by the inumatioiis of liis pleasure
every motion may be regulated, and every abode determined.
Wherever Christ removes, he still goes about doing good, publish-
ing the gospel and confirming it by the most amazing works of
power and mercy. How well were tliese miracles suited to
awaken men's attention, and to convince their consciences of his
Divine mission ! Well might his fame go over the whole country:
may it extend itself now to the remotest regions, that all the ends
of the earth may look imto him and be saved, (Is. xlv. 22,) while he
displays a healing power over their spirits proportionable to that
which he here exerted on their bodies !
SECTION XX.
Matthew v. 1 — 16.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a moun-
tain. And when he was sat, his disciples came unto
him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them,
saying,—
Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn,
for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek
for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for
they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful : for
they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-
makers : for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteous-
68 HARMONY OF THE
ness' sake ; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you^ and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be
exceeding glad : for great is your reward in heaven :
For so persecuted they the prophets which were before
you.
Ye arc the salt of the earth : but if the salt have
lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out,
and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the
light of the world : A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and
put it under a bushel : but on a candlestick, and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven.
What abundant reason have we to bless God that this large
and edifying discourse of our blessed Reeeemer is thus particularly
recorded by the sacred historian. Let every one thai hath ears to
hear attend to it ; for surely never man spake as our Lord here doth.
Let us fix our souls in a posture of humble attention, that we
may receive the laic from his mouth.
He opened it with blessings, repeated and most important
blessings. But on whom are they pronounced? and whom are
we taught to think the happiest of mankind? The meek and the
humble, the penitent and the merciful, the peaceful and the pure,
those that hunger and thirst after righleousnes, those that labour,
but faint not under persecution ! Blessed Jesus ! how different are
thy maxims from those of the children of ihis world ! They call
the proud happy, and amire the gay, the rich, the powerful and the
victorious. But let a vain world take its gaudy trifles, and dress
up the foolish creatures that pursue Ihem. May our souls share
in that happiness which the Son of God came to recommend and
to procure! May we obtain mercy of the Lord; may we be
owned as his children ; may we see his face; and may we inherit
his kingdom! With these enjoyments, and these hopes, we will
cheerfully welcome the lowest or the most painful circumstances.
Let us awaken and stir up our souls to the cultivation of those
amiable virtues which are here recommended to our pursuit; this
kumilily and meekness, this penitent sense of sin, this ardent desire
FOUR GOSPELS. DW
after righteousness, this compassion and purity, this peacefulness and
fortitude of soul, and, in a v\'ord, this universal goodness, which
becomes us, as we sustain the character of the salt of the earth and
the light of the tcorld.
Is not there reason to lament it, that we answer the character
no more? Is there not reason to cry out, with a good man in
former times, ' Blessed Jesus! either these are not thy words, or
we are not Christians ." Oh, season our liearls more effectually
with thy grace ! Pour forth that Divine oil on our lanjps ! Then
shall the flame brighten ; then shall the ancient honours of thy
religion be revived ; and multitudes be awakened and animated
by the lustre of it to glorify our Father in heaven. Amen.
SECTION XXI.
Matthew v. 17 — 20.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the
law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall
teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom
of heaven : But whosoever shall do and teach ihenii
the same shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven. For I say unto j-^ou, That except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the
Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into
the kingdom of heaven.
Ye have heard, that it was said by them of old
time, Thou shalt not kill : and whosoever shall kill,
shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto
you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without
a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment : and
whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger of the council : but whosoever shall say,
Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore,
70 HARMONY OF THE
if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remem-
berest that thy brother hath aught against thee :
Leave there thy gift before the aUar, and go thy way;
first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and
offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly
whiles thou art in the way with him : lest at any
time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the
judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into
prison. Verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no
means come out thence, till thou hast paid the utter-
most farthing.
Let us seriously consider and often recollect the purposes of
ChrisVs appearance : he came not to destroy the laio and the prophets,
or to dissolve men's obligation to observe them : but rather to
enforce as well as to fullil them. How fatally shall we pervert
the purposes of his comimg, if we regard him as the minister of
sin ! How ungiatefully shall we abuse the merciful constitution
of his gospel should we take encouragement from thence to
violate his law ? Dangerous as well as ungrateful abuse indeed!
For God's eye will be watchful over its honours, and his hand
exerted to maintain them ; so that heaven and earth shall pass
away before it shall fail of its accomplishment in being either
obeyed or avenged on the impenitent sinner. May it be our
constant care to keep it ourselves, and to teach others to observe
it ! May we teach it by our lives as well as our lips ; and let our
daily conversation demonstrate how practicable and how amiable
its precepts are ! So shall we be great in the kingdom of heaven,
in the pursuit of \a hich we may give full scope to the noblest
ambition of which human nature is capable.
Let our hearts own and feel the spiritual sense of God's law,
that we may rise to a more sincere and more extensive HghteoiiS'
ness than that of the Scribes and Pharisees. May we delight in it
after the inward man, and learn to regulate our thoughts and our
passions, as well as our external b jhaviour, by it !
Especially let us avoid all the malignant and ill-natured passions,
all thoughts of rash and immoderate anger, all words of con-
tumely and reproach. If we would maintain communion with the
God of love, let love govern in our hearts; and when we come to
present our devotions to him, let us lift up holy hands withoKt
wrath, as well as without doubting, (1 Tim. ii. 8,) so may we
promise ourselves a gracious welcome ; so shall we carry away
the most valuable blessings!
But are none of us strangers to this blessed state ? Are none of
us obnoxious to the Divine displeasure ? If we are so, with what
a holy solicitude of soul should we labour, to make up the contr-a-
FOUR GOSPELS. 71
versy and come to an agreement, while ive are yet in the way with
this awful adversary! lest we be immediately hurried before the
tribunal of the righteous Judge of all the ivorld, and be delivered into
the hands of justice, to be reserved in everlasting chains beyond
the possibility of redemption.
Lord, we were all the debtors, and in one sense, the prisoners
of thy justice ; and of ourselves we are most incapable, not only
of paying the titlermost farthing, but even of discharging the least
part of the debt ! We bless thee for that generous Surety who
has undertaken and discharged it for us : and by the price of
whose atoning blood we are delivered from the chains of darkness,
and are translated into the glorious liberty of thy children.
SECTION XXII.
Matthew v. 27 — 48.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,
Thou shalt not commit aduhery. But I say unto
you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust
after her, hath committed adultery with her already
in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck
it out, and cast it from thee : for it is profitable for
thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And
if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it
from thee : for it is profitable for thee that one of thy
members should perish, and not that thy whole body
should be cast into hell. It hath been said. Who-
soever shall put away his w^ife, let him give her a
writing of divorcement : But I say unto you. That
whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the
cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery :
and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced com-
mitteth adultery.
Again ye have heard that it hath been said by them
of old time. Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt
perform unto the Lord thine oaths. But I say unto
you, Swear not at all ; neither by heaven, for it is
72 HARMONY OF THE
God's throne: nor by the earth, for it is his footstool:
neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great
king. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black. But
let your communication be, Yea, yea, Nay, nay : for
whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for
an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you,
That ye resist not evil : but whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take
away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And
whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with
him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from
him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said. Thou shalt
love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I
say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them w^hich despitefully use you and persecute
you ; that ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven : for he maketh his sun to rise on
the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love
you, what reward have ye ? do not even the publicans
the same ? And if ye salute your brethren only, what
do ye more than others ? do not even the publicans
so ? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.
Alas ! how may we blush to call God our Father, while we
resemble him so little ! And what reason is there, on a survey
of these directions of our Lord, to acknowledge our deficiencies
and our faults! Let us review the many advantages we enjoy,
as Christians, and the engagements we are under in the partic-
ular circumstances in which Divine Providence has placed us;
and blush to think that we do so little more than others, perhaps in
many instances falling short even of the virtues oC heathens.
Let us particularly be instructed by these lessons of our Divine
Master to recompense good for evil: lessons which come with
peculiar grace from his mouth, as he was himself the kindest
FOUR GOSPELS. 73
friend to his most inveterate enemies, and bore and forgave more
than any but himself could possibly do.
Let us who are his disciples, abhor contention and revenge. Let
us not prosecute every little injury to the utmost, nor govern
ourselves by those false maxims of prudence and honour, which
pride and self-love have introduced on the ruins of real Christian'
ity. Let us not, even in the most legal methods, seek the pun-
ishment of those who have icronged us, except in circumstances
in which we are in our conscience persuaded it will, on the
whole, be greater charity to animadvert on the offence than to
pass it by ; and even then let us act in a calm and dispassionate
manner, pitying and loving the persons of the injurious, e\en
while, for the sake of society, we prosecute their crimes.
If this be our duty towards our enemies, how inexcusable are
we if we are cold and insensible to our friends. And how much
worse than publicans themselves, if we do not love them that love us,
and do good to those from whom we have received it. Happy is
that Christian to whom the God of nature hath given a heart so
turned to sentiments of benevolence that, in all these instances,
love is a law unto itself.
Yet let us remember, that the whole of our duty is not com-
prehended in these social regards. The great Author of our being,
who hath endowed us with rational faculties, justly requires that
we assert their empire over the meaner powers of appetite and
passion. "VVe see that he forbids not only gross enormities, as
adultery, (which, though so unaccountably spared by the laws of
many Christian countries, the heathens themselves have con-
demned as a capital crime, and which some of the most barbarous
nations have esteemed infamous,) but the tinchastity o{ the eye and
of the heart. Let us then earnesily pray that God would create in
us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us ; (Psalm li. 10 •)
and let us maintain a most resolute guard over our senses and
our thoughts, remembering that there is no other alternative, but
that the dearest of our lusts must be mortified and subdued, or our
whole persons be cast into hell.
Elevate our affections, O Lord, to nobler objects than those
which are suited merely to animal nature ! Teach us to keep
under the body, and bring it under subjection, (1 Cor. ix. 27,) that
we may not finally be cast away from thy presence, and fall into
that dreadful state where every drop of sinful pleasure will be
recompensed with full vials of misery and despair!
8
74 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION XXIV.
Matt. vi. 1 — 18.
Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to
be seen of them : otherwise ye have no reward of
your Father which is in heaven. Therefore, when
thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before
thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in
the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily,
I say unto you, they have their reward. But when
thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth : that thine alms may be in secret :
and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall
reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are ; for they love to pray standing in the
synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that
they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you,
They have their reward. But thou, when thou
prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret,
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward
thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the
heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard
for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like
unto them : for your Father knoweth what things ye
have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner
therefore pray ye : —
Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be
thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heav-
enly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive
FOUR GOSPELS.
?8
not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.
Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites,
of a sad countenance : for they disfigure their faces
that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily, I say
unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when
thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face ; that
thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father
which is in secret : and thy Father which seeth in
secret, shall reward thee openly.
Let us learn from these repeated admonitions of our blessed
Redeemer what is the only acceptable principle of every religious
action ; namely, a desire to approve ourselves to God in it : and
let us particularly bring it into the instances in which it is here
recommended.
Our Lord takes it for granted that his disciples would be both
charitable and devout. Let us cultivate both these branches of
the Christian temper and avoid ostentation in both ; as remember-
ing the day approaches when every ©ne of us must be made mani-
fesl in his true character before the tribunal of Christ. And, oh,
what discoveries will then be opened upon the world ! How
many specious masks will be plucked off, that the hypocrite''s
character may appear in its native deformity ! And, on the other
hand, how many secret acts of piety and benevolence, which have
been industriously concealed from human observation, will then
shine forth in all their glory, celebrated and rewarded by God
himself, who sees in secret, and whose eye penetrates all the
recesses of our houses and our hearts !
There may our praise and our portion be ! In the mean time let
us with humble pleasure obey the call of our Divine Master, and
be often addressing- our heavenly Father in such language as he
hath taught us ; entering, for secret exercise of devotion into our
closet and shutting our door, excluding (as far as possible) every
thought which would interrupt us in these sacred and happy
moments. From thence let our prayers daily come up before the
throne like incense, and the lifting up of our hands be as the morning
and the evening sacrifice. (Psalm cxli. 2.)
Christ himself has condescended to teach us to pray. Attentive
to his precepts, animated by his example aad emboldened by his
intercession, let us learn and practise the lesson. Shed abroad
on our hearts, O Lord, thy Spirit of adoption, which may teach us
to cry Abba Father ! to draw nigh to thee with filial reverence and
confidence and with fraternal charity for each other, even for the
whole family, to whom thou graciously ownest the relation !
Inspire us with that zeal for thy glory which may render the
honour onhyname, the prosperity of thy kingdom, and theaccom-
76 HARMONY OF THE
plishment of thy will far dearer to us than any interest of our
own! On tliee may we maintain a cheerful dependance for our
daily bread, and having food and raiment, be thercxoith content,
(1 Tim. vi. 8.) most solicitously seeking the pardon of our past
sins and the influences of thy grace to preserve us from future
temptations, or to secure us in them ! And may our sense of that
need in which we stand oC forgiveness from thee, dispose us cor-
dially to forgive each other, especially as thou hast wisely and
and graciously made this the necessary means of receiving our
own pardon ! Our corrupted hearts are too little disposed for
these sentiments ; but may God's Almighty power produce and
cherish them in us ! and while the comfort is ours may all the glory
be his, through Jesus Christ our Lord ! Amen.
SECTION XXV.
Matt. vi. 19 — 34.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
break through and ^steal. But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thiev^es do not break through nor
steal. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also. The light of the body is the eye ;
if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall
be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole
body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the
light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that
darkness !
No man can serve two masters : for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will
hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot
serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you.
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye
shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and
the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the
air : for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns ; yet your heavenly Father feedeth
FOUR GOSPELS. 77
them. Are not ye much better than they ? Which
of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his
stature ? And why take ye thought for raiment ?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they
toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto
you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so
clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-
morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more
clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no
thought, saying. What shall we eat ? or what shall
we drink ? or wherewithal shall Ave be clothed ? (For
after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the
morrow ; for the morrow shall take thought for the
things of itself: sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof.
How kind are Wxese yireccpls of our blessed Redeemer ; the sub-
stance of which is indeed but this, Do thyself no harm. Let us
not be so ungrateful to him and so injurious to ourselves, as to
harass and oppress our minds with that burden oi^ anxiety which he
has so graciously taken off! Every verse and clause we have been
reading speaks at once to the understanding and the heart. We
will not therefore indulge these unnecessary, these useless, these
mischievous cares; we will not borrow the anxieties and distresses
of the morrow to aggravate those of the present day : but rather
will we cheerfully repose ourselves on that heavenly Father who
knofics that we need these things, and has given us life, which is
more than meat ; and the body, which is more than raiment; and
thus instructed in the philosophy of our heavenly Master will
learn a lesson of faith and cheerfulness from every bird of the air,
and every flower of the field.
Let the Gentiles that know not God perplex their minds with
unworthy suspicions, or bow them down to the ignoble servitude
of Mammon, that base rival of our Viving Jehovah ; but we, far
from desiring to share our hearts and our services between two
such contrary masters, will cheerfully devote them to him, whose
right to them is so infinitely beyond all room for any contest.
Let us take heed and beware of covetousness, and make it our
8*
78 HARMONY OF THE
business not to hoard up earthly and corruptible treasures, hot first
seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness ; so shall other things
be added for present subsistence j and so shall we larj upin store an
incorruptible treasure in heaven, in which we shall be rich and
happy, when the riches of this world are consumed with their
owners, and the whole /as/iion of it is passed away.
While these divine maxims are spreading their light about us,
let our eye be dear to behold them, and our heart open to receive
them : and let us cautiously guard against those deceitful princi-
ples of action which would give a wrong bias to all our pursuits,
and turn the light which is in us into a fatal and incurable dark-
ness.
SECTION XXVI.
Matthew vii. 1 — 20.
Judge not, that ye be not judged : for with what
judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged ; and with
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you
again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is
in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam
that is in thine own eye ? or how wilt thou say to thy
brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye ; and
behold a beam is in thine own eye ? Thou hypocrite,
first cast out the beam out of thine own eye ; and then
shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
brother's eye.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither
cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample
them under their feet, and turn again, and rend you.
Ask, and it shall be given you : seek, and ye shall
find : knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For
every one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh
findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask
bread, will he give him a stone ? or if he ask a fish, will
he give him a serpent ? If ye then, being evil, know
how to give good gifts unto your children, how much
FOUR GOSPELS. 79
more shall your Father which is in heaven give good
things to them that ask him ? Therfore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them : for this is the law and the
prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat : Because strait is
the gate, and narrow is the waj-- which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits : Do
men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? Even
so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a
corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree
cannot bring forth evil fruit : neither ca7i a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known
by his own fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
When will the happy time come in which Christians shall form
themselves on these important jnaxims of their great Master ?
When shall they be known to be his disciples by the candour of
their sentiments, the equity of their conduct, and the beneficence
of their actions, as well as by the articles of their faith and the
forms of their xoorship. Let us all apply these charges to our-
selves in the dear and awful name of him that gave them.
What can be more dreadful to us than to think of being
severely judged by that God, without whose hourly forbearance
and gracious indulgence we are all undone? Let us then exercise
that mercy which we need : and to form our minds to this most
reasonable temper, let us often be thinking of our own many
infirmities, and be humbling ourselves before God on account of
them.
Animated by the gracious invitations and the precious promises
which are here given, with earnest importunity let us make our
daily addresses to his throne ; asking, that we may receive; seed-
ing", that -we may find; knocking, that the door of mercy may
be opened to us. And while any of us feel in our hearts the
workings of parental tenderness towards our infant offspring, let
us consider it as a delightful emblem of yet greater readiness in our
heavenly Father to pity and relieve his children.
80 HARMONY OF THE
May universal righteousness and charity be practised by us in
the whole of our behaviour, and may we always exercise ourselves
herein to have a conscience void of offence, both towards God and to-
wards men. (Acts xxiv. 16.) May we avoidallmanner of injustice,
and guard against the sallies of a proud and over-bearing temper!
May we be upright and benevolent in all our conduct ; and make
it our constant care to govern our actions by that most equitable
rule, Of doing to others as xoe would reasonably desire they should
do to us, on a change of our circumstances and theirs ! Happy
those generous souls in whom the bias of self-love is so rectified,
that they can, in this instance, hold the balance between them-
selves and others with an impartial and unwavering hand !
On the whole, let us remember that we ourselves are at last to
be tried by the rule by which we are here directed to judge of
others, even by the fruits which we produce. May God by his
grace make the tree good, that the productions of it may be found
to his glory and the refreshment of all around us, that we may not
be cut down as cucumbers of the ground, and cast into the fire.
The way of life, which our blessed Redeemer has marked out for
us in such precepts as these, may indeed to corrupt nature appear
rugged and narrow, and the gate strait through which we are to
pass : but let us encourage ourselves against all the difficulties, by
considering that immortal life and glory to which they infallibly
lead. Then shall we, doubtless, prefer the most painful way of
piety and virtue, though with yet fewer companions than we might
reasonably expect, to all those floivery and frequented paths of vice
which go down to the chambers of death.
SECTION XXVII.
Matthew vii. 21 — 29.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven : but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied, in thy name ? and in thy name have cast
out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful
works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you : depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,
FOUR GOSPELS. 81
and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man,
which built his house upon a rock : and the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house, and it fell not ; for it was
founded upon a rock. And ever}^ one that heareth
these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be
likened unto a foolish man, which built his house
upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house ; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these
sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.
For he taught them as one having authority, and not
as the Scribes.
How justly may our admiration concur with theirs that heard
these sayings of our Lord, while we liave the honour and pleasure
of attending these discourses as the inspired penmen have re-
corded them, by the assistance of that Spirit who was to bring all
thi7igs to their remembrance. Are we not struck with the authority
of this Divine Teacher, so as to bear- our loitnsss to (he gracious and
edifying words thatproceedeth out of his mouth ? (Luke iv. 22.)
Let us not content ourselves with applauding what we have
heard, but let us go away and practice it. Shortly will that
stormy day arise which must try the foundation oi^ our hopes. God
will lay judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet ; and the
hail shall siveep aioay the refuge of lies, and the icalers shall overflow
the hiding-place. How thankful should we be that God has laid in
Zion for a foundation, a chief Corner-stone, elect and precious ; with
an assurance, that he that believeth 07i him shall not be confounded.
(Compare Isaiah xxviii. 16, et seq. and 1 Peter ii. 6.) But let every
man take heed hoio he builds thereupon ; lest the weight of his ruin
be proportionable to the height of his hopes. (1 Cor. iii. 10.)
We say unto Christ, Lord, Lord; but let us remember this
will not secure our entering into his heavenly kingdom. Whatever
be oar profession, or whatever our office in his church, the most
splendid and honourable of our loorks will be vain, if we are found
workers of iniquity ; for our great J\Iaster will then disown us as
those whom he has never approved. Blessed Jesus, it will then be
in vain to fly to thee with the importunity of prayer, and to re-
peat the most earnest addresses. We would now, while yet
there is room for it, fall down before thee, entreating thee to add
the teachings of thy Spirit to those of thy word, that we may be
effectually engaged to do the will of thine heavenly Father, that we
may finally be confessed arid owned by thee and be admitted into
the joy of our Lord.
82 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION XXVIII.
Matthew viii. 1. — Luke v. 1 — 11.
When he was come down from the mountain, great
muhitudes followed him.
And it came to pass, that as the people pressed upon
him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of
Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake :
but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were
washing their nets. And he entered into one of the
ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he
would thrust out a little from the land : and he sat
down and taught the people out of the ship. Now
Vv'hen he had left speaking, he said unto Simon,
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for
a draught. And Simon answering said unto him.
Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken
nothing ; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the
net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a
great multitude of fishes : and their net brake. And
they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the
other ship, that they should come and help them.
And they came and filled both the ships, so that they
began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell
down at Jesus' knees, saying. Depart from me, for I
am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished,
and all that were with him, at the draught of the
fishes, which they had taken : And so was also James
and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners
with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not ;
from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when
they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all,
and followed him.
FOUR GOSPELS. 83
How wonderful a choice does Jesus make of those who were
to be the chief ministers in his liingdoni ! Surely the same Divine
power which prevailed on these honest fishermen to leave their
little all, to folloxo him, could with equal ease have subdued the
hearts of the greatest and wisest of the nation, and have engaged
them to have attended him in all his progress through the
country, with the exactest observance and the humblest rever-
ence : but he chose rather to preserve the humble form in which
he at first appeared, that thus he might answer the schemes of
Providence, and by the weak things of the world confound them that
are mightij. (1 Cor. i. 27.)
Yet we may observe that he does not go to call them that
stood all the day idle; but, on the contrary, confers this honour
upon honest industry ; on them that had been toiling all the flight
in their proper duties of their station, and profession in life. Let
us pursue our business with vigilance and resolution ; assuring
ourselves that, however mean it be, Christ will graciously accept
us in it ; and let us fix our dependance on his blessing, as abso-
lutely necessary to our success.
These pious fishermen let down their nets at ChrisVs word, and
it was not in vain. How vast was that power which brought
such a mxdtitude of fishes into it ! but how much greater and more
apparently Divine was the energy which, by the ministration of
one of these illiterate men, converted at once a much greater
number of souls, and turned the despisers and murderers of Christ
into his adorers ! (See Acts ii. 41.)
Blessed Jesus, we would humbly bow ourselves before thee as
the Lord of nature and of grace ; and instead of saying with
Peter, Depart from us, for loe are sinful men, we would rather say,
^ Lord, for that very reason, while we own ourselves most un-
worthy of thy presence, we most importunately entreat it: Come
unto me, Lord, for I am a sinful man, and if thou stand at a
distance from me, I perish! Come, and recover my heart from
the tyranny of sin ; come, and possess and fix it for thyself!'
That secret power which these good men felt on their souls
while the words of Christ were sounding in their ears would be to
them a token for good as to the success of their ministry upon
others. Surely we cannot wish any thing of greater importance
for the edification of the church, than that the persons who are
employed in its public offices may themselves experimentally
know the power of Divine grace, and be brought to a determina-
tion to follow Christ whithersoever he goeth, before they under-
take to invite and persuade others to do it.
84 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION XXIX.
Matt. viii. 2 — 4. Mark i. 40 — 45. Luke v. 12 — 16.
And behold, there came a man full of leprosy, who
seeing Jesus, and kneeling down unto him, fell on
Ai5 face, worshipped him, and besought him, saying
unto him, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me
clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth
his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I
will, be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken,
immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he
was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and
forthwith sent him away : and saith unto him, See
thou say nothing to any man : but go thy way, shew
thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those
things which Moses commanded, for a testimony
unto them. But he went out, and began to publish
it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, and so
much the more went there a fame abroad of him :
insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter
into the city : For great multitudes came together
to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
But he withdrew himself, and was without in desert
places, and prayed : and they came to him from
every quarter.
Our souls are overspread with the leprosy of sin ; and where
should we apply for help but to the healing power and recovering
grace of the great Redeemer. Be the malady ever so deep,
spreading or inveterate, we may surely adopt the words of the
leper before us, and say, Lord, if thou icilt, thou canst make me
clean. And how much reason have we to hope this compassion
will be moved in our favour, and his power exerted in our cure!
If we have received that favour, we are under the obligation of
710 command to conceal it. It is, on the contrary, our duty most
gratefully to publish it abroad, for the honour of our Benefactor,
and the advantage of those who may be encouraged to make the
same application in humble hope of the same success.
FOUR GOSPELS. 85
But when will the happy time come that men shall be as
solicitous about their spiritual welfare as about the health of this
mortal body? Almighty Physician! exert thine energy in this
instance as a token of farther favours ! Convince men of their
pollution and danger, and bow their stubborn knee, that it roay
bend in submissive and importunate supplication !
Let the compassionate air with which this cure was wrought, be
considered by all spiritual physicians as a lesson of condescension
and tenderness ; and let the modesty, with which it was conducted
engage us to avoid every appearance of ostentation and vain
To conclude ; since Christ himself found it proper to retire into
a desert place to pray, when crowds of admirers were flocking in
upon him, let it teach those who are engaged in the scenes of
public business and fill them up with the greatest applause, yet
resolutely to command some seasons for retirement j as remem-
bering, that the more various and important our public labours
are, the more evidently do we need to draw down succour by
ardent prayer, that we may be strengthened and prospered in
them.
SECTION XXX.
Matt. ix. 2 — 8. — Mark ii. 1 — 12. — Luke v.
17—26.
And again he entered into Capernaum after some
days, and it was noised that he was in the house.
And straightway many were gathered together, inso-
much that there was no room to receive them, no,
not so much as about the door : and he preached
the word unto them. And it came to pass, on a
certain day, as he was teaching, there were Phar-
isees, and doctors of the law sitting by, which were
come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and
Jerusalem : and the power of the Lord was present
to heal them. And behold, men came unto him,
bringing a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed,
which was borne of four. And they sought means
to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And
w^hen they could not come nigh unto him for the
press, nor find by what way they might bring him in,
because of the multitude, they went upon the house-
9
86 HARMONY or THE
top, uncovered the roof where he was, and when they
had broken it up, they let him down through the
tiling with his couch, into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto the sick
of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are
forgiven thee. And behold, certain of the Scribes
and Pharisees sitting there began to reason within
themselves, saying. Who is this w^hich speaketh
blasphemies ! Who can forgive sins but God alone ?
And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit,
that they so reasoned within themselves, knowing
their thoughts, he, answering, said unto them, Why
reason ye these things ? Wherefore think ye evil in
your hearts ? For whether is it easier, to say to the
sick of the palsy. Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to
say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk ? But
that ye may know that the Son of man hath power
upon earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the
palsy,) I say unto thee. Arise, and take up thy bed,
and go thy way into thine house. And immediately
he rose up before them, and took up his bed, and
went forth before them all, and departed to his own
house, glorifying God, insomuch that when the mul-
titude saw it, they marvelled, and were all amazed,
and glorified God, which had given such power unto
men, and were filled with fear, saying. We never
saw it on this fashion. We have seen strange things
to-day.
It is a pleasure to reflect upon it that Christ was attended by
such vast numbers of people, and that they who were teachers of
others should themselves sit down to hear him. But it is melan-
choly to reflect on the perverse purposes with which many of
them came ; and how few did, on the whole, receive his icord into
their hearts, so as to bring forth fndt unto perfection. Curiosity led
some, and interest others ; and some came to find occasion of
hurting him whose whole business in life was to do good. Yet
these low, these vile purposes did not prevent his preaching and
working miracles before them, and being ready to exert his poiver
for their benefit. Thus courageous and resolute let us be in the
discharge of our duty ; thus solicitous, that we may not be over-
come of evil, but may (which, on the whole, is always in some
degree practicable) overcome evil with good. Rom. xii. 21.
FOUR GOSPELS. 87
How industrious were the attendants and friends of this poor
paralytic to obtain a cure for him ! What contrivance, what labour
did they use to tind a proper opportunity to bring him in, and lay
him before Jesus. Ought we not to be as tender and zealous in all
the offices of the truest friendship; and to imitate, so far as suits
iho difference of circumstances, their importunate application and
tljcir lively /ai:on-
ing among them, which of them should be greatest. And
they had disputed among themselves. And Jesus, per-
ceiving the thought of their heart, sat down, and called
the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be
first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And
he took a child, and set him by him in the midst of them :
and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto
them, Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall receive
one of such children in my name, receiveth me : and
whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him
that sent me. For he that is least among you all, the
same shall be great.
And John answered him, saying. Master, we saw one
casting out devils in thy name ; and he followeth not
us ; and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
But Jesus said, Forbid him not : for there is no man
which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly
speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on
our part.
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink
in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say
FOUR GOSPEtS. 185
unto you, he shall not lose his reward. And whosoever
shall offend one of these \\n\e onesy that helieve in me, it
were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about
his neck, and he were cast into the sea. Woe unto the
world because of offences ! for it must needs be that of-
fences come : but woe to that man by whom the offence
Cometh ! Wherefore if thy hand offend thee, cut it off,
and cast it from thee : it is better for thee to enter into
life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, and
to be cast into everlasting fire that never shall be quench-
ed : where the worm dieth not, and the tire is not
quenched And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off, and
cast it from thee : it is better for thee to enter halt into
life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into ever-
lasting fire that shall never be quenched : where iheir
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if
thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee :
it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God
with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell^
fire : where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not
quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and
every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good :
but if the salt has lost its saltness, wherewith will ye sea-
son it ? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one
with another.
How deeply is pride rooted in the heart of fallen man ; when
neither the daily instructions, nor edifying example of the hum-
ble Jesus could prevent it from appearing, even among the
apostles themselves, in so mean and unworthy a manner I Still
did worldly interest and grandeur so intoxicate their minds, that
they seemed even against hope to have hoped for it, and to have
found out a strange kind ot method of grafting these expectations,
even on the very cro^s of C/tris/, which was intended to destroy
them.
How edifying and affecting are these lessons, which the meek
and lowly Redeemer gave us, with this little child in his arms,
whose example we are required to copy ! Lord, give us of thy
regenerating grace, that we may do it ; that we may be converted,
and become as little children, free from avarice and ambition,
17*
186 HARMONY OF THE
malice, and prejudice ! How melancholy is it to think, that
many, who have by their ojffice been t mployed to read and ex-
plain this lesson to others, and who have not been children in
understandings seem to have learnt so little of it themselves; as
if it had never been at all intended for that order of men, to
whom indeed it was immediately addressed ! If there be any
such yet remaining in the Christian ministry ^ let them seriously
weigh the ?/'Ocdenounced on that man hy xohom the offence cometh.
May the infiiiiee mercies ot God be extended to all professing
Chrinlians, who give themselves up to worldly pursuits and
projects : and especially to those who make the church of Christ
only a kind of porch to the temple of mammon, and the sacred
office Itself merely a convenient vehicle for swallowing down
riches and honours! May Divine grace deliver us from such
fatal snares, and form us to that self-denial and mortificationt
without which we cannot be the true disciples of Christ; but,
after having ptfrcfrf ourselves through with many unnecessary
sorrows here shall plunge ourselves deep into eternal perdition !
May these repeated and dreadful representations of future
misery, which we have now been reading, impress our souls in a
becoming manner I Blessed Jesus! thou bringest good
tidings ; yet which of the prophets under the legal dispensation
ever represented the terrors of the Lord in so awful a light, as
that in which thou hast placed them ! Let none of thy minis-
ters be afraid to imitate thee herein ! nor let any of Ihy followers
presume to censure them for it ! May we all be effectually
warned to flee from the ivrath to come; and, as we would not
another day be salted with fire, may our hearts now be seasoned
with thy grace ! and may we, by a modest zud peaceful, a bene-
volent and useful life, be daily bearing a testimony to it, and,
as the salt of the earth, may we be labouring to cure the grow-
ing corruption of the world about us I
SECTION XII.
Matthew xviii. 1 — 20.
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, say-
ing, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ? And
Jesus called a httle child unto him, and set him in the
midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye
be converted and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever there-
fore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall
FOUR GOSPELS. 187
receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which be-
lieve in me, it were better for him, that a mill-stone
were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned
in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because
of offences ! for it must needs be that offences come ;
but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh !
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them
off, and cast them from thee : it is better for thee to en-
ter into life halt or maimed, rather than havinjr two
hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And
if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee : it is better for thee to enter into life with one
eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-
fire.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones ;
for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always
behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For
the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye ? if a man have an hundred sheep, and
one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the nine-
ty and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh
that which is gone astray ? And if so be that he find it,
verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep,
than of the ninety ar.d nine which went not astray. Even
so it is not the will of your Fatiier which is in heaven,
that one of these little ones should perish.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee,
go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone :
if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But
if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two
more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may be established. And if he shall neglect to
hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglect to
hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man
and a publican.
Verily I say unto you, Whatsover ye shall bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven : and whatsoever ye shall
188 HARM)]NY OF THE
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say
unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth, as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done
for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.
Thus happy are the meanest servants of Christ, in the care and
favour of their heavenly Master, and in the angelic guard, which
by his high comoiand, are continually attending even the lambs
of his Jiock. So condescending are the blessed spirits above, that
even the greatest otthem do not disdain to minister unto theheirs
of salvation ! (Heb. i. 14.) Lei not the wisest and greatest men
despise those, v/hom angels honour with their guardianship and
care ; especially since the Son of man, that merciful Shepherd,
has come forth into this wilderness to save that which was lost,
aad even to seek and recover us when we were gone astray, and
should otherwise have wandered on to our eternal ruin.
What could have been more happy for the church of Christ
than the observation of this plaiii and easy rule, which he has
given for ending- disputes among his followers ! And yet who,
that sees the conduct of the generality of Christians, would
imagine they had ever heard of such a rule? Instead of this
private expostulation, which might often bring a debate to a
speedy and amicable conclusion, what public charges ! what
passionate complaints ! what frequent and laboured attempts to
take, if th€ least scandalous yet not the least pernicious kind of
revenge^ by wounding the characters of those, w^hom we imagine
to have injured us !
As for cl Lurch- censures, how lamentable is it, that they have
been so little conformable to this rule, and in many instances so
contrary to it, in almost every Christian nation under heaven !
Is this the form in which ecclesiastical judgments do appear in
the Popish^ or even in ^he Protestant world ? Are these the
maxims by which they have been, or by which they are deter-
mined, even by those who claim the largest share in the promises
made to the apostles, and boast with the greatest confidence of
the presence and authority of Christ with them, to confirm their
sentences, and to sanctify perhaps rapine and murder ? Vain
wretched confidence ! Let us earnestly pray that this dishonour
to the Christian name may every where be wiped away ; and
that true religion, and even common humanity, may not with
such solemn mockery be destroyed in the name of the Lord.
Let humble submission be always paid to apostolical decisions
FOUR GOSPELS. 189
in every difficulty ; and let the promises made to these leaders
in the Christian Church be soiTie encourageojent even to us, on
whom the ends of the world are come. None but an Omnipresent,
and oonsequetly a Divine Person, could say, Wherever two or
three are gathered together in my name^ there I am in the midst
of them. His power and his goodness can never be impaired ;
let It therefore be an encouragement to social prayer; and let
the remembrance oi our Redeemer'' s continued presence and in-
spection, engage us to behave ourselves agreeably to (he rela-
tion that we claim to him, and to those expectations from him
which we profess.
SECTION XIII.
Matt. xviu. 21 — 35,
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft
shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him ? till
seven times ? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto
thee. Until seven times : but, until seventy times seven.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a
certain king which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought
unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But
forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded
him to be sold and his wife, and children, and all that
he had, and payment to be made. The servant there-
fore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the
Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and
loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same
servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and belaid hands
on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that
thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his
feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me,
and I will pay thee all. And he would not : but went
and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they
were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all
that was done. Then hi& lord, after that he had called
190 IIARMO^y OF THE
him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee
all that debt, because thou desiredst me : shouldest
not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-
servant, even as I had pity on thee ? and his lord was
wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he
should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise
shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from
your hearts forgive not every one his brother their tres-
passes.
How unreasonable and how odious does a severe and unchari-
table temper appear, when we view it in the light of this parable I
Yet what light can be more just than this ? We are indebted to
God more than ten thousand talents ; from our infancy we begin
to contract the debt, and aie daily increasing it in our ripening
years: justly, therefore, might he cast us into ihe prison of hell
till wi: paid the utterrnost farthing. And were we to fall at his
feet, with a promise oi paying him all on his patient foibeaiance,
it must be the language of gross ignorance, or of presumptuous
folly, when addressed to a Being who knows our poverlj^, and
knows that, in consequence of it, we are utterly incapable of
making him any amends. But he magnifies his grace in the kind
offers of a dee forgiveness ; and shall we who receive it, and
hold our lives and all oui hope by it, take our brethren by the
throaty because they owe us a few pence ? or shall we carry along
with us deep continued resentment, glowing like a hidden fire in
our bosoms ? God forbid! For surely if we do so, out of our own
mouth shall we be condemned, while we acknowledge the justice
of the sentence here passed against this cruel servant.
Christ himself has made the application : so shall my heavenly
Father deal with you, if you do not for give your brethren : and
he has instructed us elsewhere to dsk forgiveness only as we grant
it. (Matt. vi. 14, 15.) Let us then from this moment discharge
our hearts of every sentiment of rancour and revenge, nor ever
allow a word, or even a wish, that savours of it. And as ever we
hope our addresses to the throne of Divine mercy should meet
with a favourable audience, let us lift up holy hands^ without
wrath, as well as without doubting. (1 Tim. ii. 8.)
FOUR GOSPKLS. 191
SECTION XIV.
John vii. 1 — 13.
Now the Jews* feast of tabemaclei was at hand. His
brethren therefore said unto hlin, Depart hence and go
into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works
that thou doest. — For there is no man that doeth any
thing in secret, end he himself seeketh to be known
openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the
world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come ;
but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate
you : but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the
works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast : I go
not up yet unto this feast, for my time is not yet fully
come. When he had said these words unto them, he
abode still m Galilee.
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he
also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were m
secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and
said. Where is he ? And tfiere was much murmuring
among the people concerning him : for some said. He
is a good man : others said, Nay ; but he deceiveth the
people. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for tear
of the Jews.
We see how little the pjreatest external advantages can do with-
rut the Divine blessing, when some of the nearest relations of
Christ himself, by whom he had been most intimately known,
were not prevailed upon to believe in him. Who then can won-
der if some remain incorrigible in the m.ost regular and pious fami-
lies ? How much more valuable is the union to him, which is
founded on a cordial and obedient faith, than that which arose
from the bands of nature ? and how cautiously should we watch
against those carnal prejudices., by which even the brethren of
Clirist were alienated from him 1
Our Lord, we see, used a prudent care to avoid persecution
and danger, till his time wasfidly come ; and it is our duty to en-
deavour, by all wise and iinright precautions, to secure and pre-
serve oui selves, that we may have opportunities for farther service.
192 HARMONY OP THE
In the course of such service we must expect, especially if we
appear under a public character, to meet with a variety of cen-
sures ; but let us remember that Jesus himself went through evil
report and goad report ; by some applauded as a good man, but
by others, and those the greater part of his countrymen, con-
demned as deceiving the people. Let us learn of Christ patiently
to endure such injurious treatment; and endeavourr to behave
ourselves so, that we may have a testimony in the consciences of
men, and in the presence of God, that, after the example of our
great Master, in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have our conversation m the
world, (2 Cor. i. 12.) Then will our names be had in remem-
brance, and the honour and reward of our fiaithful obedience con-
tinued, when the memories of those that reviled us are perished
with them.
SECTION XV.
John vii. 14 — 24.
Now about thn midst of the feast Jesus went up into the
temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying,
How knoweth this man letters, having never learned ?
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine,
but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he
shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of him-
self seeketh his own glory : but he that seeketh his
glory that sent me, the same is true, and no unright-
eousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law,
and yet none of you keepeth the law ? Why go ye
about to kill me ? The people answered and said,
Thou hast a devil : who goeth about to kill thee ? Jesus
answered and said unto them, I have done one work,
and ye all marvel. — Moses therefore gave unto you cir-
cumcision ; (not because it is of Moses, but of the
fathers ;) and ye on the sabbath-day circumcise a
man. If a man on the sabbath-day receive circum-
cision, that the law of Moses should not be broken : are
ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit
FOrR GOSPELS.
i9:
whole on the sabbath-day ? Judge not according to the
appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Let us learn of our meek and humble Master to refer the honour
of all we know and do to Divine instruction communicated to us,
and Divine grace working in and by us ; that, seeking the glory
of God, we may have the surest evidence, that we are truly his.
Let us on all occasions remember that integrity and uprightness
will be a certain security to us against dangerous mistakes in
matters of religion. If the light we already have, be faithfully
improvsd, we may humbly hope that more will be given us ; nor
shall we then fail of convincing evidence, th, and set forth as crucified among us.
(G:tl. iii. 1.)
May this faithful admonition prevail to our conviction and
reformation ; that our everlasting condemnation may not far-
ther illustrate the reasonableness, yea, the necessity of it, and
the madness of hardening our hearts against it 1
FOUR GOSPELS. 201
SECTION XX.
John viii. 30 — 47.
As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then
said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed ;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed,
and were never in bondage to any man : how sayest
thou. Ye shall be made free ? Jesus answered them. Ve-
rily, verily, I say unto you. Whosoever committeth sin
is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in
the house for ever : hut the Son abideth ever. If the
Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free in-
deed. 1 know that ye are Abraham's seed ; but ye seek
to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I
speak that which I have seen with my Father : and ye
do that which ye have seen with your father. They an-
swered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Je-
sus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye
would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to
kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have
heard of God : this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds
of your father. Then said they to him, W' e be not born
of fornication ; we have one Father, even God. Jesus
said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love
nie : for I proceeded forth and came from God ; nei-
ther came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not
understand my speech ? even because ye cannot hear my
word. Ye are o^ your father the devil, and the lusts of
your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is
no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh
of his own : for he is a liar, and the father of it. And
because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which
of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth,
202 HARMONY OF THE
why do ye not believe me ? He that is of God heareth
God's words : ye therefore hear them not, because ye are
not of God.
May we approve ourselves the sincere disciples of Jesus, by
continuing in his word, and being faithful even unto death, as
ever we expect a crown of life ! (Rev. ii. 10.) Without this,
external privileges will turn to but little account. The chil-
dren of Abraham may be the children of Satan; and they are
so, if they imitate the temper and works of the accursed ^enc?,
rather than of the holy patriarch. The devil was from the be-
ginning a liar, and a murderer ; and all falsehood and malice
are from him. Let us earnestly pray, that we may be freed
from them, and from the tyranny of every other sin, to which
we have been enslaved ; that Christ, the Son, may make us free
of his Father's family, and of his heavenly kingdom ! Then we
shall be free indeed, and no more be reduced to bondage.
May we prove that we are the children of God by our readi-
ness to hear and receive the words of our blessed Redeemert the
words of incarnate truth, and wisdom, and love ; whom none of
his enemies could ever convict of sin, nor ever accused him of
it but to their own confusion ! May we resemble him in the
iunocence and holiness of his life; that we may the more easily
and gracefully imitate that ceurage and zeal, with which he
reproved the haughtiest sinners, and bore his testimony against
the errors and vices of that degenerate age and nation in which
he lived !
SECTION XXI.
John viii. 48 — 69.
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we
not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil ;
Jesus answered, I have not a devil ; but I honour ray
Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine
own glory ; there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Ve-
rily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he
shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him,
now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead,
and the prophets ; and thou sayest, If a man keep my
saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater
FOUR GOSPELS. 203
than our father Abraham, which is dead ? and the pro-
phets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesu> an-
swered, if I honour myself, my honour is nothing ; it is
my Father that honoureth me ; of whom ye say, that he
is your God : Yet ye have not known him ; but I know
him : and if I should say, 1 know him not, I should be
a liar Hke unto you : but I know him, and keep his say-
ing. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day . and
he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him,
Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abra-
ham ? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you. Before Abraham was, 1 ani. Then took they up
stones to cast at him : but Jesus hid himself, and went
out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and
so passed by.
With vfhs.i patience did our blessed Redeemer bear, and with
what meekness of wisdom did he answer the most virulent and
opprobrious language ! When he was rudely charged with
being a Samaritan and having a demon, he endured the contra-
diction of sinners against himself (Heb. xii. 3.) and being thus
reviUd, he reviled not again, (1 Pet. ii. 23.) And shall we too
keenly resent the refieclions which are thrown upon us ! May
but our conscience witness for us, and we need not fear all that
are against us !
Christ honoured his father, and sought not his own glory. So
may we be careful of the honour of God, and cheerfully com-
mit to him the guardianship and care of our reputation 1 And
we shall find, there is one that seeketh and judgethin our favour.
It is a great and important promise which our Lord here
makes, If any one keep my ivord, he shall never see death. Sense
seems to plead against it ; but he is the resurrection and the life,
and hath assured us, he will make it good. Let us therefore
be strong in faith, giving glory to God : (Rom. iv. 20.) Though
not only Abraham and the prophets, but Pe/erand PauZ, and the
other apostles are dead, yet this word shall be gloriously accom-
plished. Still they live to him and shortly shall they be for
ever recovered from the power of the grave : so that death is to
them comparatively as nothing. With them may our final por-
tion be, and we may set light by the reproaches, clamours, and
accusations of prejudiced, ignorant and sinful men !
Adored be that gracious Providence that determined our ex-
204 HARMONY OF THE
istence to begin in that happy day which prophets and patriarchs
desired to see, and in the distant view of which Abraham re-
joieed I
Let it be also our joy : for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday^
to-day, and for ever ; nor could the heart of those holy men fully
conceive those things^ which God had prepared for them that love
him, and which he has now revealed unto us by his Spirit. (1 Cor.
ii. 9, 10.)
SECTION XXIL
John ix. 1 — 23.
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind
from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying,
Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he
was born blind ? Jesus answered. Neither hath this
man sinned, nor his parents : but that the works of God
should be made manifest in him. 1 must work the
works of him that sent me, while it is day : the night
Cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in
the world, lam the light of the world. When he had
thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of
the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man
with the clay, and said unto him Go, wash in the pool of
Siloam, (which is by interpretation. Sent.) He went
his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had
seen him that was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and
begged ? Some said. This is he : others said, He is
like him : but he said, I am he. Therefore said they
unto him. How were thine eyes opened ? He answered
and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and
anointed mine eyes, and said unto mc. Go to the pool of
Siloam, and wash : and T went and washed, and I re-
ceived sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he ?
He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees
him that aforetime was blind. And it was the Sabbath-
day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.
FOUR GOSPELS. 206
Then again the Pharisees also asked him, How he had
received his sight ? He said unto (hem, He put clay
upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore
said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God,
because he keepeth not the Sabbath-day. Others said,
How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles ? And
there was a division among them. They say unto the
blind man again, What sayest thou ot him, that he hath
opened thine eyes ? He said, He is a prophet. But
the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had
been blind, and received his sight, until they called the
parents of him that had received his sight. And they
asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was
born blind ? how then doth he now see ? His parent?
answered them and said, We know that this is our son,
and that he was born blind : but by what means he now
seeth, we know not : or who hath opened his eyes,
we know not : he is of age; ask him : he shall speak
for !)imself These irords spake his parents, because
they feared the Jews : for the Jews had agreed already,
that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he
should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said
his parents, He is of age ; ask him.
Oh that the zeal of our great Master mi^ht quicken us, his
too negligent servants ! Still is he Ihe light of the world, by his
doctrines, precepts, and example. iVIay our eyes by Divine
grace be opened to see, and our hearts be disposed to love and
to follow this light I It was a governing maxim with him, and
he meant it also for our admonition, / mvst work the works of
him that sent me while it is day ; the night cometh, wherein no
man can work. We are sent into the world on an important
errand, to work out our own salvation, and that of others : may
we improve the present day ; and so much the rather, as we see
ihe night approaching! On some Ihe shadows of the evening
are already drawing on ; and as to oU^ers, their sun may go
down at noon. Let us therefore, waving me curiosity of unprofit-
able speculators, apply ourselves seriously to the business of life,
and zealously seize every opportunity of usefulness.
Our Lord, as it should seem unasked, and by the person on
whom it was wrought unknown, performed this important and
extraordinary cure. And the manner in which he did it is wor-
thy of notice : he anointed his eyes with clay, and then comman-
19
206 HARMONV OF THE
ded him to wash. Clay laid on the eye-lids might almost blind
a man that had sight; but what could it do towards curing
blindness? It reminds us thai God is no farther from the ac-
complishment of any purpose or event when he works with,
than without means ; and tha*^ all the creatures are only that
which his almighty operation makes them.
The blind man believed, and received the immediate benefit
of it. Had he reasoned, like jYaaman on the impropriety of
the means, he had justly been leit in Jaikness. Lord, may our
proud hearts be subdued to the methods of thy recovering
. grace ! And may we leave it to thee to choose how thou wilt
bestow favours, which it is our highest interest on any terms to
receive.
It must be a satisfaction to every true Christian to observe
the curiosity and exactness with which these Pharisees inqui-
red into the miracles of Christ, and how thoroughly they can-
vassed every circumstance of them. A truth like this need not
fear any examination. Every new witness which they heard
confirmed the case, and confounded the obstinacy of their unbe-
lief. — But surely the weakness of the parents was very pitiable,
who, in the midst of the evidence and obligation of such a mir-
acle, were more afraid of incurring a human sentence than of
ofiending God, by failing to own so great a favour, and to con-
fess the blessed Person by whom it was wrought. The fear of
man bringeth a snare, (Prov. xxix. 25 ;) but they whose eyes
Christ has opened in a spiritual sense will see a glory and ex-
cellence in him which will animate them boldly to bear their
testimony to him, in defiance of all the censures which men can
pass, or of all the penalties by which they can enforce them.
SECTION XXIII.
John ix. 24—38.
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said
unto him, Give God the praise : we know that this man
is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a
sinner or no, I know, not : one thing I know, that, where-
as I was bhnd, now I see. Then said they to him
again, What did he to thee ? how opened he thine eyes ?
He answered them I have told you already, and ye did
not hear : wherefore would ye hear it again ? will ye
also be his disciples ? Then they reviled him, and said,
Thou art his disciple ; but we are Moses' disciples. We
FOUR GOSPELS. 207
know that God spake unto Moses : as for this fellow,
we know not from whence he is. The man answered
and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing,
that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath
opened mine eyes. Now we know that God hearcth not
sinners : but if any man be a worshipper of God, and
doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began
was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one
that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he
could do nothing. They answered and said unto him,
Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach
us ? And they cast him out,
Jesus heard that they had cast him out ; and when he
had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on
the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he,
Lord, that I might believe on him ? And Jesus said
unto him. Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that
talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I beheve. And
he worshipped him.
So little does truth tear repeated examination ; and thus does
it, after every trial, comt forth like pure gold out ol the furnaee.
So did this miracle of Christ appear to these subtile adversaries,
90 will the Christian cause appear to all who will diligently
search into its evidence.
Who can forbear wondering at the obstinacy of these Phari-
sees ; and, on the same principles, at that of the present Jews,
who, while they acknowledge that God spake by Moses, because
he wrought miracles, will not, on the evidence of yet more va-
rious and glorious miracles, and those attested beyond all con-
tradiction, acknowledge the authority of the Son of God him-
self.?
But we see this poor illiterate oreature (for such he undoubt-
edly was,) with the advantage of truth on his side, baffles all
the sophistry of his most learned antagonists. Great is the truth,
and it will prevail. Great is this truth, so fundamental to the
gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God: and this also, which
is so important to natural religion and revealed, that God hear-
eth not sinners ; but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do
his will, him he hears^ and most favourably regards. iVlav we be
truly devout, and add to our devotion an obedient regard to the
Divine will, and the eyes of the Lord will be upon us, and his
ears be open to our cry I (Psalm zxxiv. 15.) Then, beings fa-
208 hakmony of the
vourably owned of God, we shall have no reason to fear the
censures oi men. If they cast us out, Christ will receive us, and
perhaps reveal himself to us with more freedom, in proportion
to the injuries we sustain from them.
SECTION XXIV.
John ix. 39 — 41, x. 1 — 10.
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world,
that they which see not might see ; and that they which
see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees
which were with him heard these words, and said unto
him. Are we blind also ? Jesus said unto them, If ye
were blind, ye should have no sin : but now ye say, We
see ; therefore your sin remaineth.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by
the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other
way, the same is a thief or a robber. But he that en-
tereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To
him the porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his voice :
and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them
out ; and when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth
before them, and the sheep follow him : for they know
his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but
will flee from him : for they know not the voice of stran-
gers. This parable spake Jesus unto them : but they
understood not Avhat things they were which he spake
unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All
that ever came before me are thieves and robbers : but
the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and
out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for
to steal, and to kill, and to destroy : I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.
Let us hear, with an holy awe on our spirits that the Lord
Jesus Christ came into the world for purposes oi judgmen as
FOUR GOSPELS. 209
well as of mtTfj/, anj m.*ke it our humble prayer that we may
b*^ enligktfiud by him, and not sealed up vinder agg;ravated
darkness, as a punishment fur our ob«tinalh in hea-
ven and on earth. Let our appetites and passions be so mode-
rated, that having even the y\ii\ii^'s{ food and raiment let may be
therewith content : and, on the other hand, how plentiful soever
our circumstances may be, let us remember, {hut day by day we
depend on God for our daily bread. Nor do we need even the
mo?t necessary supplies of life more than we need daily pardon ;
to which therefore we should be putting in our constant claim,
heartily forgiving all our brethren, as we desire to be forgiven
by God. Conscious of our own weakness, let us, as far as we can,
endeavour to avoid circumstances of temptation ; and when
necessarily led into them, let us be looking up to heaven ior
support; labouring above all things to preserve our integrity,
and to maintain a conscience void of offence.
Depeniiing on the certainty of these gracious promises, and
encouraged by the experience of so many tliousands, who have
21
230 HARMOKY OF THE
on asking received, and on seeking found, let us renew our impor-
tunate addresses to the throne of Divine gracej; and, remember-
ings the compassion of oxxv heavenly Father, let us be emboldened,
in the full assurance of faith, to ask every necessary blessing,
especially the communication ot that enlightening andsanctifying
iS/?tri/, without which our corrupt hearts will find out a ready
way to abuse the choicest of his providential favours to the dis-
honour of his holy name, and the deeper wounding of our own
miserable souls.
SECTION XXXVI.
Luke xi. 14 — 36.
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And
it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb
spake ; and the people wondered. But some of them
said, He castelh out devils through Beelzebub, the chief
of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him
a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts,
said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is
brought to desolation ; and a house divided against a
house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself,
how shall his kingdom stand ? because ye say that I cast
out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub
cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out 1
therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the
finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of
God is come upon you. When a strong man armed
keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace : But when a
stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome
him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trust-
ed, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is
against me : and he that gathereth not with me scatter-
eth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he
walketh through dry places, seeking rest ; and-finding
none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I
came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept
and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven
other spirits more wicked than himself ; and they enter
FOUR Gosnxs. 231
in and dwell there : and the last state of that man is
worse than the first.
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a cer-
tain woman of tlie company lifted up her voice, and said
unto him. Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the
paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather
blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.
And when the people were gathered thick together,
he began to say, This is an evil generation : they seek
a sign : and there shall no sia[n be given it, but the sign
of Jonas the prophet : for as Jonas was a sign unto the
Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this gene-
ration. The queen of the South shall rise up in the
judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn
them : for she came from the utmost parts of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon ; and behold, a greater
than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh shall rise
up in the judgment with this generation, and shall con-
demn it : for they repented at the preaching of Jonas ;
and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. No man,
when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret
place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that
they which come in ma\ see the light. The light of the
body is the eye : therefore when thine eye is single, thy
whole body also is full of light ; but when thine eye is
evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed there*
fore that the light vt'hich is in thee be not darkness. If
thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part
dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright
shining of a candle doth give thee light-
Whose heart doe? not echo back the exclamation o{ this pious
woman ? Yet who does not too frequently forget that weighty
and important answer which succeeded it ? Let us not only
hear^ but keep the word of Christ ; and we shall thus be happy
in a nearer union with him than ever could arise from any
natural relation to hira. and shall ere long have opportunities of
more noble and more delightful converge with him than those,
with which the Kirgin Mary herself was honoured during the
time of his abode on earth.
232 HXRMONY OF THK
i;j Still does the liiiht of his divine instructions shine with the
brightest histre, and diffuse itself around us ! Let us open the
ei/es of our mind with singleness and simplicity to receive it ;
and make it our care to r.ct according to it. Then shall we
know, if we follow on to know the Lord, (Hosea vi. 3,) and thus
with cheerfulness shall we reap the fruit ol a well-informed
mind and a well-regulated life .'
May we be delivered from all those false maxims which
would darken our hearts amidst all this meridian lustre, and
turn our boasted light into darkness? Would to God (here
were not renewed instance? of thi? kind continually occurring
among us; and that we did not daily meet with persons whose
pretended wisdom teaches them to forget or despise the gospel,
and to serve only to amuse their tyts, while it leads their jtet to
the chambers of death !
SECTION XXXVII.
Luke xi. 37 — 54.
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to
dine with him : and he went in and sat down to meat.
And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had
not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto
him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of
the cup and the platter ; but your inward part is full of
ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that
made that which is without make that which is within
also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have ;
and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
But woe unto you, Pharisees ! for ye tithe mint and
rue and all manner of herbs, aad pass over judgment and
the love of God : these ought ye to have done, und not
to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees I
for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and
greetings in the markets. — Woe unto you. Scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye are as graves which ap-
pear not, and the men that walk over them aie not aware
of them'
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him,
Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he
FOUR GOSPELS.
233
said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers ! for ye lade men
with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves
touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe
unto you ! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets,
and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness
that ye allow the deeds of your fathers : for they indeed
killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore
also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets
and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and per-
secute : that the blood of all the prophets, which was
shed from the foundation of the world, may be required
of this generation ; from the blood of Abel unto the
blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and
tKe temple : verily 1 say unto you, It shall be required
of this generation.
Woe unto you, lawyers ! for ye have taken away the
key of knowledge : ye enter not in yourselves, and them
that were entering in, ye hindered.
And as he said these things unto them, the Scribes
and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to
provoke him to speak of many things : laying wait for
him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth,
that they might accuse him.
Faithful are the uounds of a friend ; and such were the re-
proofs oi Christ on this occasion. How well had a)l the enter-
tainments of the Pharisee's table been repaid, had he and his
brethren heard them with candour, humility, and obedience I
These men despised them to their ruin; let us often review
them for our instruction, that none of these dreadful woes may
come upon us.
This discourse of our Lord is a most just and severe rebuke
to every hypocrilical professor, who is scrupulous and exact in
matters of cfrfwon^iT, while he neglects moraZj/^/ ; and is studi-
ous to shine in the sight of men, while he forirets the all-pene-
trating eye of God. It exposes the ostentation oi those who
pride themselves in empty litks of honour, and eagerly aflect
precedence and superiority. And it evidently chastises those
ssho press on others the duties they we^/ecf themselves, and ao
are most righteously y«(/gerf out of their own mouth.
21*
234 HARMONY OF THE
How melancholy it is to observe, in instances like these, this
hypocrisy and deceitfulness of the human heart, and its desper-
ate and unfathomable wickedness I and to see how men impose
upon themselves with empty appearance? like these Pharisets :
who built the sepulchres of the former prophets, whWe they were
persecuting those of their own day; and, in contempt of all that
was said by the messengers of God, were filling up the measure
of their iniquities^ till the cloud which had been so long gather-
ing, burst on their heads, and poured forth a storm of aggra-
vated wrath anil ruin !
May that God. who has an immediate access to the hearts
of men, deliver all christian countries, and especially all pro-
testant churches, from such teachers as are here described : who
take away and secrete the key of knowledge instead ol using il,
and obstruct, rather than promote men's entrance into the king-
dom of heaven ! How loud will the blood of the souls they haye
betrayed cry against them in the awful day of accounts!
and how little will the wages of unrighteousness., and the re-
wards of worldly policy, be able to warn them against destruc-
tion, or to support them under it I
SECTION xxxvm.
LVK£ XII. 1 — 12.
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an
innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they
trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disci-
ples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that
shall not be revealed ; neither hid that shall not be
known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in dark-
ness shall be heard in the light ; and that which ye have
spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the
house-tops.
And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them
that kill the body, and after that have no more that they
can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear :
Fear him, which aftei he hath killed hath power to cast
into hell ; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five
sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of the^n is
FOUR COS PELS. 235
forgotten before God. But even the very hairs of your
head are all numbered. Fear not therefore : ye are of
more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you,
Whosoever shall confess me before men, liim shall the
Son of man also confess before the angels of God : But
he that denieth me before men shall be denied before
the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word
against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him ; but
unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it
shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto
the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take
ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or
what ye shall say : For the Holy Ghost shall teach you
in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Let us from this discourse, which we have been reading, lenro
ihe/oUi/ of hypocrisy^ as well as the icicktdntss of it. A lying
tongue is but for a moment. (Prov. xii. 19;) and the great ap-
proaching yurfo-wien/.dai/ will shew all in their true colours.
May we live as those, who are then to be made manifest! May
the leaven of deceit, by Divine grace, be entirely purged out of
our hearts; and all our conduct be so fair and equal, that it
may appear more honourable and lovely, in proportion to (he
accuracy with which it is examined; as the whitest garments
are recommended by beiug seen in the strongest light I
If we would preserve such an integrity of soul, let us endeav-
our to get above the servile/ear of man; of man, that shall die^
and of the son of man. that shall be made as grass ; as if the op'
pressor had us in his power, and were ready to destroy; and
where is the fury of the oppressor? (Isa. li. 12, 13 ) With what
infinite ease can God restrain it ; and when it is let loose in all
its violence, how little can it do to hurt his faithful servants!
Let this mean passion be over-awed by the fear of that God^
who has our eternal all in his hands ; whose vengeance, or
favour, will reach far beyond the grave, and determine our
final misery or felicity, as we are the objects of the one or the
other.
While we are in the world, let us labour after a firm faith
ia the universality of Divine Providence : from which the least
of his creatures are not exempted, nor are they forgotten by it.
Let us endeavour to enjoy the pleasures and comfort of such a
thought; assuring ourselves that He, who regards the life of
birds and of insects^ will not neglect the care and preservation
of his children.
236 HAEMOKY OF THE
In a steady persuasion of this, let us determine courageously
to confess and maintain his gospel in the extremest danger ;
knowing that thus only we shall secure the honour of being
owned by Christ, amidst all the glories of his final appearance.
And, in a word, to animate us to this holy courage, and to
assist us in every other duty, let us earnestly pray for the Holy
Spirit; by whose influence the apostles were instructed and
supported in the discharge of their difficult and various offices;
whose grace therefore must be ahundanily svfficicni for us, to
cause us to abound in every good word and work, (2 Ccr. ix. S.)
SECTION XXXIX.
Luke xii. 13 — 21.
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak
to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a
divider over you ? And he said unto them, Take heed,
and beware of covetousness : for a man's life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things which he posesseth.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The
ground of a certain rich man brouglit forth plentifully :
And he thought within himself, saying. What shall I do,
because I have no room where to bestow my fruits ?
And he said, This will I do : I will pulldown my barns,
and build greater ; and there will I bestow all my fruits
and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou
hast much goods laid up for many years ; take thine
ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him,
Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee :
then whose shall those things be, which thou hast pro-
vided ? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and
is not rich toward God.
Most prudently did our Lord decline the invidious office of an
arbitrator in .civil affairs ; arid wisdom will require his ministers
generally to avoid it likewise. It is more suitable to our office,
like our blessed Master, to endeavour to draw o^" and disen-
FOUK GOSPELS. 237
gii?e the minds of men from covetousneis, aruJ to pluck up tlie
root of those eager contentions, which so oftrn diviile eveti he
nearest relations, anJ inspire ihem with mutual aversion, more
invineible than the bars of a castle . (Prov. xvui. 19.)
And that a covetous desire of the enjoyments of the world may
not create contentions, and engage us in pursuits that will be fatal
to our souls, let us seriously consider the true value of things, and
reflect how little riches can do to make us happy if we obtain
them ; and how very uncertain that life is, on the continuance of
which our possession ol them does so evidently depend. Bui,
alas, how many are there, who are now as deeply engaged in
their worldly schemes, as this rich /ool in the parable, to whom
God wiil, in a weeks, or days, if not this very night, say, by the
awful voice of his irresistible providence, Thy soul is required of
thte ! And then, what will all these treasuies do to pui chase life,
or to allay the agonies oi death 7 So far will they be found from
being capable of this, that they will rather serve to increase an«l
imbitter the surprise and anguish of those agonies.
Let it then be our labour and care that we may be rich to-
wards God; rich in works of piety and charity. So shall we safely
consign over our treasure to the bank of heaven, and shall be en-
riched by it, when we leave the world as naked as we entered
upon it, and lose all but what has been so wisely and happily
spent.
SECTION XL.
Luke xii. 22—34.
Ani> he said unto his disciples. Therefore T say unto
you. T ike no thought for your life, what ye shall eat ;
neither for the body, what ye shall put on The life is
more than meat, and the body is more than raiment,
Consider the ravens : for they neither sow nor reap ;
which neither have store-house nor barn ; and God
feedeth them : How much more are ye better than the
f >wls ! And which of you with taking thought can add
to his stature one cubit ? U ye then be not able to do
that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the
rest ? Consider the lilies how they grow : they toil not,
they spin not; and yet I say unto you that Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then
?38 HARMONY OF THE
God SO clollie the grass, which is to-day in the field,
and to-moiTow is cast into the oven : how !!)uch more
will he clothe you, O ye of little faith ? And seek not
ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be
ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the na-
tions of the world seek after : and your Father know-
eth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek
ye the kingdom of God ; and all these things shall be
added unto you. Fear not, little flock ; for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell
that ye have, and give alms ; provide yourselves bags
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that failelh
not, w^here no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupt-
eth : For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also.
Are we not all conscious to ourselves, that oo such topics as
these, we need li7ie upon line, and precept upon precept, as be-
ing too deficient in our regai'd, though God spake once, yea twice?
(Job xxxiii. 14.) We see our heavenly Father crowning the earth
with his goodness : to this day does he clothe the grass and the
flowers with the same profusion of ornament! to this day does he
/eed the young ravens when they cry, (Psalm cxlvii. 9,) nor is
the meanest species of insects perished. Still does he know our
necessities ; and still he addresses us in the same gracious lan-
guage, and avows the same endearing paternal relation. The ex-
perience of his power, goodness, and fidelity, is increasing with
every succeeding generation, with every revolving day. The life
that he has given, is supported by his care; and the same hand
that formed the body, nourishes and clothes it. Let us then cast
all our care on him. as being persuaded that he carethforus.
(1 Peter v. 7.) Feeble as his little flock is, it is the Father's
good pleasure to give us the kingdom; and we are unworthy of
our share in so gloiious a hope, if we cannot trust him for iiiferior
blessings, and refer it to him to judge, in what manner our pre-
sent wants are to be supplied.
Let the heathens abandon themselves to these low anxieties ;
but as for us, let us thank God, and take courage, opening our
hearts wide to every sentiment oi faith in God, and charity to
men; and while we have this inexhaustible hank to diaw upon,
let us be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to com-
municate, so laying up in store for ourselves a good foundation
against the time to come, thzt we may lay hold on eternal life !
{^\ Tim. vi. 18, 19,) the very hope and expectation of which, if
tOXJR GOSPELS. 239
our heart be set upon it, will give us incomparably sweeter delight
than the securest possessions of this empty world, and the most
ample magazine-) of its richest stores.
SECTION XLL
Luke xii. 36 — 48.
Let your loins be girded about, and i/ow;* lights burning :
and ye your.s.elves like unto men that waii for their
Lord, when he will return from the weddinof ; that when
he corneth Rnd knocketh, they may open unto him innne*
diately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord
when he cometh shall find watching : verily I say unto
you, That he shall gird himself, and niake them to sit
down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in
the th^rd watch, and find them so, blessed are those ser-
vants. And this know, that if the good man of the
house had known what hour the thief would come, he
would have watched, and not have suJfFered his house
to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also : for
the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Then Peter said unto him. Lord, speakest thou this
parable unto us, or even to all ? And the Lord said,
Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his
lord shall make ruler over his household, to give thein
their portion of meat in due season ? Blessed is that
servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make
him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that ser-
vant say in his heart, i^.Iy lord delayeth his coming ; and
shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to
eat and drink, and to be drunken ;, the lord ot that ser-
vant will come in a day when he looketh noifor him, and
at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in
sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the un-
believers. And that servant which knew his lord's
240 HAlJi>5(>>Y OF THE
will, and prepared not himself <, neither did according to
Ins will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that
knew not, and did coniriiit things worthy of stripes, shall
be beaten with tew stripes, for unto whomsoever much
is given, of him shall be much required : and to whom
men have committed much, of him will they ask the
more.
May our souls be awakened by these awful tiuths ! and may
we be engaged to gird up the loius of our mind, to be sober, and,
watch to the end! (1 Peter i. 13.)
Great are our encouragements to diligence, on the one hand ;
and, on the other, dreadful will be the punishment of our neglect.
The time of our Lord's appearance is uncertain ; let us therelore
always be ready ; solicitous that, when he comes, he may find
us so doing, a* he has required: living not to ourselves, but to
him, and employing oaiseb.es about that particular thing, what-
soever it ma}' be, which, all circumstances considered, we are
vfcrily persuaded, may most promote the great ends of hfe, and tlje
impoitant purposes of his glory.
How glorious are the rewards promised to such ! How justly
may they awaken our emulation ! He will prefer them to stations
of more honourable and important service. He will set them
down at his table, and minister (as it were) himself to then- de-
light, bringing forth the choicest dainties of heaven, and spreading
before them an eternal banquet. Lord, may we, through thy
grace, be found worthy to taste of that supper ! May the Lamb
that is in the midst of the throne feed us, and guide us to foun-
tains of living waters ! (Rev. vii. 17.)
On the other hand, let us seriously consider the punishments to
be inliicted on the unfaithful servant. Let ministers, if such
there are. who abandon themselves to a life oi idleness and luxury ;
who stain their sacred character by intemperance ; who proudly
censure their brethren, and either call, or wish, iox the secular arm
to smite their fellow-servants, ^^erhaps more faithful than them-
selves ; let such hear and tremble. Their Lord may come in a
very unexpected hour ; (as indeed, when do such expect him.')
and what are the stripes they have given others, when compaied
with those which they shall themselves receive ? stripes which
shall cut them asunder, and pierce deep into their very souls I
How much more tolerable will it be, even for the worst of Gentile
sinners, than for such !
Let all who are in any measure distinguished by the gifts of the
Divine bounty to them, or by their stations, whether in civil or
sacred offices, attentively dwell on this great truth, so solemnly
repeated again and again; let them consider it with a view to
their own account : To whomsoever much is given^ of him will
FOITR GOSPELS. 241
much be required. May Divine Grace so impress it on their
hearts, that they may be distinguished by present fidelity, and fu-
ture rewards, in proportion to the difference, which Providence
has already made in their favour ! And may they never have rea-
son to reflect with confusion and anguish on what is now Iheir
honour and their joy !
SECTION XLII.
Lure xi[. 49 — 59.
I AM come lo send fire on the earth ; and what will I, if
it be already kindled. But I have a baptism to be bap-
tized with ; and how am 1 straitened till it be accom-
plished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on
earth ? I tell you, Nay ; but rather division : For from
henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three
against two, and two against three. The father shall
be divided against the son, anfl the son against the fa-
ther; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter
against the mother ; the mother-in-law against her
daughter-in-law, and the daughter in-law against her
mother-in-law.
And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud
rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh
a shower ; and so it is. And when ye see the south
wind blow, ye say. There will be heat ; and it cometh
to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the
sky and of the earth ; but how is it that ye do not dis-
cern this time ? Yea, and why even of yourselves
judge >e not what is right ?
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magis-
trate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou
mayest be dehvered from him ; lest he hale thee to the
judge, and the judge deliver thee to the ofl5cer, and the
officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not
depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
22
242 HAKMONY OF THE
To what a lamentable degree is human nature corrupted, that s&
noble a remedy as the gospel, so well adapted to the cure of a'
malevolent and contentious disposition, should in so many instan-
ces only irritate the disease ! and that a scheme so full of love
and goodness, and so well suited to promote peace and harmony
in those, who cordially embrace it, should be opposed with all the
violence of persecution, and be the means of introducing strife and
division !
How monstrous is it, that any should hate their neighhours,
yea, and their nearest relatives, for that disinterested piety, and
regard to conscience, which might recommend strangers to their
esteem and affection ! Yet let not those, who meet with such in-
jurious treatment, be discouraged ; knowing they have a Father
and a Saviour in heaven, whose love is ten thousand times more
than all : nor let others be offended ; as if Christianity had been
the occasion of more evil than good; for such is the nature of
eternity, that the salvation of one immortal soul will be more than
an equivalent for the greatest and most lasting temporal evils,
which the greatest number of peisons can suffer for conscience
sake
Let this awaken our zeal to save souls, however great and ter-
rible the sufferings are, to which it may expose us, in proportion
to the rage^ with which the enemy is endeavouring their destruc-
tion. May we be animated in it by the example of the blessed
Jesus, who, with a view to this, even longedfor those sufferings,
which innocent nature could not but regard as the object of strong
aveision !
May w'e at all times be so wise as to discern the evidences, and
to comply with the purposes, of the gospel, else our knowledge in
natural things, should it extend not only to the most common,
but the most curious appeal ances on the face of the earth or the
heavens, will turn to no other account but to shame and condemn
us !
If we have any reason to fear that, through obstinate impeni-
tence, the blessed God is still an adversary to us, let us make it
our first and greatest care, that, by an humble submission of soul
to him in the methods of his gospel grace, that strict scrutiny of
his justice may be prevented, and that sentence of his wrath
averted, which would otherwise plunge us into endless ruin and
misery ; for when could we pretend to ]i^\e paid the last farthing
of the debt of ten thousand talents, which we have been daily
contracting, and which is charged to our account in the book of
his remembrance ?
FOUR OOSPELSL. 243
SECTION XLIII.
Luke xiit 1 — 9.
There were present at that season some that told him
of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with
their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto ihem,
Suppose ye that these G^ilileans were sinners nbove all
the Galileans, because they suffered such things ? I tell
you, Nay : but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish. Or those eigiiteen, upon whom the tower in
Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were
sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem ? I tell
you, Nay : but. except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.
He spake also this parable : A certain man had a fig-
tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought
fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the
dresser of his vineyard. Behold, these three years I
come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none : cut it
down ; why cuml-ereth it the ground ? And he answer-
ing said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I
shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit,
well ; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Which of us may not learn a lesson for himself from this in-
structive parable of the^o- tree ? Have we not long been planted
in God's vineyard, and favoured with the cultivation of his ordi-
nances, yea, with the duvvs of his grace too ; and yet how little
fruit have we borne in proportion to those advantages ? How
long has he co>7ie seeking it in vain, while we have frustrated the
most reasonable expectations, perhaps not only for three, but
several of us for more than thirty years? Wonderful is it, that
the dreadful sentence has not long since gone forth against us.
Out them down, why cumber they the ground ? We owe it to
the intercession of our blessed Redeemer^ the Great Keeper of the
garden of God, that this has not long since been our case. I..et
us not be high-minded but fear! (Rom. xi. 20.) Let barren sin-
ners reflect, that this may be the last year, perhaps indeed the
last month, or last day of their trial ; for even now also is the ax
244 HARMONY OF THE
laid to the root of the tree ! (Matt. iii. 10.) And let them remem-
ber, that though there be hope of a tree, when it is cut down, that
it may sprout again, (Job xiv. 7,) yet, when the doom is exe-
cuted on them, their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom
will go up like dust, ( Isa. v. 24;) and every tree which brings
not forth goodfruit, will be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Let such therefore meditate terror, when the Judgments of God
are abroad in the earth; and, when others are overwhelmed in
ruin, let them not harshly censure the sufferers, as if they were
greater sinners than any others ; but let them apply that salutary,
though awful admonition to their own soul;:, repeating it again
and again, till they are pricked to the heart by it, Except ye re-
pent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Terrible indeed was the case of those, whose blood Pilate min-
gled with their sacrifices, and of those who were dashed to pieces
in a moment by the fall of Siloam^s tower; but infinitely more
dreadful Avill be the condition of them, that/fl// into the hands of
the living God, (Heb. x. 31,) especially of those deceivers, who,
having surrounded his altars with the hypocritical forms of devo-
tion, shall themselves be made the victims of his justice, aijd be
crushed, by the resistless weight of his almighty vengeance.
SECTION XLIV.
Luke xiii. 10 — 21.
Amd he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the
Sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had
a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed to-
gether, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when
Jesus saw her, he called her to him^ and said unto her,
Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he
laid his hands on her : and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the syna-
gogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus
had healed on the sabbath-day, and said unto the peo-
ple, There are six days in which men ought to work :
in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the
sabbath-day. The Lord then answered him, and said.
Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sab-
bath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him
away to watering ? And ought not this woman, being
FOUR GOSPELS. 245
a daugfhter of Abraham, whom Satan halh bound, lo,
these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the
sabbath-day ? And when he had said these things all
his adversaries were ashamed : and all the people re-
joiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God
like ? and whereunto shall I resemble it ? It is like a
grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and cast into
his garden ; and it grew, and waxed a great tree ; and
the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And
again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of
God ? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in
thr«e measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Again do we see, in a very instructive instance, the power and
goodness of Christ. It wrought on a poor despised creature ; but
our Lord considered her as a daughter of Abraham, and honoured,
even in her, whatever traces of her father Abraham's faith and
p4ety his penetrating eye might discern. Her zeal and willing-
ness to attend on public worship brought her out, though she
could not stand upright, and had probably in that respect a much
better excuse for staying at home than many could make, who
now often absent themselves from the much nobler services of the
Christian sanctuary.
She met with Christ in the synagogue^ and returned with a
cure. And oh, how many, as the effect of such a pious zeal,
though they have not been loosed from their infirmities, have at
least been greatly strengthened to bear them.
Our Lord says that Satan had bound her. That malignant
enemy to our bodies and souls rejoices in any opportunity of hurt-
ing either. But it is pleasing to think, that his power is always
under the controul of Christ ; and therefore shall never be exer-
cised on his people any farther than their gracious Redeemer sees
it consistent with their good, and will take care to render it sub-
servient to it.
How gravely does thi.s ruler of the synagogue instruct the peo-
ple in a point of ceremony, while his heart was full of enmity to
Christ, and hardened against every sentiment of human compas-
sion ! Justly was his hypocrisy confounded ?nd exposed.
We should with pleasure see this Sun of Righteousness thus
victoriously breaking through those clouds, which envy and mar
lice had raised to obscure him, and diffusing his sacred light frona
one end of the heavens to the other. With pleasure should we
view the accomplishment of these parables, which represent the
22*
246 HARMONY OF JHE
success of his gospel as so great ; and we should daily pray, with
increasing earnestness, that all the remaining nations and king-
doms of this world may at length become the kingdoms of the
Lord and of his Christ: and sincere converts flock to him from
every side, even as doves to their windows/ CRev. xi 15, and
Isaiah Ix. 8.)
SECTION XLV.
Luke xiii. 22 — 35.
And he went through the cities and villages, teaching,
and journeying towards Jerusalem. Then said one
unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved ? And he
said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate : for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall
not be able. When once the master of the house is
risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to
stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord,
Lord, open unto us ; and he shall answer and say unto
you, 1 know you not whence ye are : Then shall ye be-
gin to say. We have eaten and drunk in thy presence,
and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I
tell you, I know you not whence ye are ; depart from
me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom
of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall
come from the east, and froi7i the west, and from the
north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the
kingdom of God. And behold, there are last which
shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees;
saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence : for
Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye,
and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and 1 do
cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be
perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to-day, and to-
FOUR GOSPELS. 247
morrow, and the day following : for it cannot be that a
propliet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jeru-
salem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that
are sent unto thee ; how often would 1 have gathered
thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood
under her wings, and ye would not ! Behold, your
house is left unto you desolate : and verily I say unto you,
ye shall not see me until the time come when ye shall
say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
And who would not welcome such a Saviour, when he appears
on so kind a desio;n ! who would cot bless him that comelhin the
name of the Lord, to gather our souls with the tenderest care
and to shelter us from wrath arid ruin I that i> av tour ^ho%e bow-
els yearned orer ws, and vfhoie heart poured forth iis blood for
us I Too many reject him, and will not hearken to the kindest
calls of his compassionate voice. Unhappy creatures I the time
will come, when they too late will be convinced of their fatal
error.
Let each of us be solicitous for himself. Away with those
vain curiosities, which serve only to amuse and distract our
thoughts. Let us call, and fix them down to the great concerns
of our own salvation : and, if we would secure it, let us pre-
pare to encounter difficulties, and strive, as for our lives, to
break through all the opposition of our enemies, and resolutely
to enter in at the strait gale. How many have sought it, when
the door has been barred? and how soon may the great Master
of the house arise and sJait it for over against those who are yet
trifling !
Let not hypocrites trust in vain words. The workers of ini-
quity shall be disowned by Christ at last, though they may have
eaten and drank in his presence. But oh, who can express the
disappointment, the rage, and despair, of those who fall from
such towering hopes, and plunge, as from the very gates of
heaven, into the lowest abyss of darkness and horror! Their
hearts will endeavour to harden themselves in vain ; their dole-
ful cries shall be distinguished in that resfion of universal hor-
for I but they shall not penetrate the regions of the blessed,
nor interrupt the delight, with which even the dearest of their
pioics relatives shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
If we through grace have more substantial hopes, let us imi-
tate the zeal and courage of our Divine Leader; and, what-
ever threatenings or dangers may oppose, let us go on day after
day, till our work be done, and our souls at length ferfected in
248 HARMONY OF THE
glory. But let us carefully distinguish between those things,
in which our Lord meant himself as our Pattern, and those
which were peculiar to his office as a Prophet stnt from God.
That extraordinary office justified him in using that severity of
language., when speaking of wicked princts and corrupt teachers,
to which we have no call ; and by which we should only bring
scandal on religion, and ruin on ourselves, while we irritated,
rather than convinced or reformed, those whom we undertooli
so indecently to rebuke.
SECTION XLVI.
Luke xiv. 1 — 14.
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one
of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath-day,
that they watched him. And, behold, there was a cer-
tain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus
answering spake unto the lawyers, and Pharisees, say-
ing. Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day ? And they
held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and
let him go ; and answered them, saying, Which of you
shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not
straightway pull him out on the sabbath-day ? And they
could not answer him again to these things.
And he put forth a parable to those which were bid-
den, when he marked how they chose out the ch4ef
rooms ; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any
man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room ;
lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him :
and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee,
Give this man place ; and thou begin with shame to
take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and
sit down in the lowest room : that when he that bade thee
cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher :
then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them
that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth him-
self shall be abased ; and he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted.
Then said be also to him that bade him, When thou
FOUR GOSPELS.
249
makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor
thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neigh-
bours ; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense
be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the
poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind : and thou shalt
be blessed : for they cannot recompense thee : for thou
shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
How happy were they, who had frequent opportunities of
conversing with Chrht whose discourses were alway? so wise
and so useful : how well did he repay all the entertainments
he received, in the ;\dvanta2;es which he gave for religious
improvement ! In vain might his enemies watch for oc they will be persuaded to think of a return ; till at length
Diviae grace, working in concurrence with Providence, brings
them to a better temper.
When they see themselves naked and indigent, enslaved and
undone ; when they come to themsel-ss, and recover the exercise
of their reason, improving it to the only purposes for which
it would have been worth while to have received it ; — then they
feel the pangs of penitential remorse ; then they remember the
blessings they have lost, and attend to the misery they have
incurred. And hereupon they are disposed humbly to confess
their folly, and to prostrate themselves in the presence of their
heavenly Father^ — they put the resolution immediately into prac-
tice ; they arise and go unto him.
But oh, let us behold with wonder and pleasure the gracious
reception they find from divine injured goodness ! He sees ihem
afar off; he piiies^he meets, and embraces them ; he interrupts their
complaints and acknowledgments with tokens of his returning
favour. Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child? for
since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still:
therefore my bowels are troubled for him ; I will surely have mercy
upon him, saith the Lord. (Jer. xxxi. 23.) Thus does God
welcome the humble pejiitent : thus does he open the arms of
his love to embrace him, and the treasures of his bounty to en-
rich him. He arrays him with the robe of a Redeemer''s righ-
teousness, dresses him in the ornaments of sanctifying grace,
honours him with the tokens of adopting love, and invests him
with the glorious privileges and immunities of his children. And
all this he does with unutterable delight : he rejoices over him
with joy ; he rests in his love, and, as it were, rejoices over him
xoith singing, (Zeph. iii. 17 ;) and this is the joyful language of
the song, My children that were dead, are alive again; and
though they were lost, they are found.
Let heaven and earth unite in the joy, and echo back the
song. Let no elder brother murmur at the indulgence with which
these prodigals are treated ; but rather welcome them back into
the family, and even encourage every thing that looks like a dis-
position to return toit. And let those who have been thus receiv*
ed, wander no more : but rather let them emulate the strictest pie-
ty of those, who for many years have served their heavenly Father,
FOUR GOSPELS. 2b7
without having in any notorious instances transgressed his com-
mandments.
SECTION LI.
Luke xvi. 1 — 18.
And he said also unto his disci pies, There was a certain
rich man which had a steward : And the same was ac-
cused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he
called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this
of thee ? give an account of thy stewardship : for thou
mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said
within himself, What shall I do ? for my lord taketh away
from me the stewardship : 1 cannot dig : to beg I am
ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am
put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into
their houses. So he called every one of his lord's
debtors unto hijn, and said unto the first. How much
owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred
measures of oil. And he said unto him. Take thy bill,
and sit down, quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to
another. And how much owest thou ? And he said, An
hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him,
Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord com-
mended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely,
for the children of this world are in their generation
wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you.
Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrigh-
teousness ; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into
everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that
which is least is faithful also in much : and he that is
unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore
ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,
who will commit to your trust the true riches ? And if
ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's,
who shall give you that which is your own ? No ser-
vant can serve two masters : for either he will hate the
23*
258 HARMO?«Y OF THE
one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mam-
mon.
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard
all these things : and they derided him. And he said
unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before
men ; but God knoweth your hearts : for that which is
highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight
of God. The law and the prophets were until John ;
since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and
every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven
and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law lo fail.
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another,
coramitteth adultery : and whosoever marrieth her that
is put away from her husband commit teth adultery.
May the wisdom of the children of this world in their compara-
tively striking concerns excite a holy emulation in the children of
light ! Is it not much better worth our while to employ all the
attention of our thoughts in observing opportunities for the good
of our souls, and to exert all the force or our resolutions in im-
proving them, than to labor merely for the meat which perishes^
for that deceitful niamtyion, that treacherous/nenc?, which will at
best only amuse us for a few years, and will for ever forsake us in
our greatest extremity.
Let us take occasion, from this parable^ to think how soon we
must part with all our present possessions ; how soon we must
give an account of our respective stewardships as those who must
be no longer stewards. Let us therefore manage them in such a
manner as may most effectually promote the great purposes"'of
our everlasting happiness. To this end, let us remember how ab-
solutely necessary it is that we abound in works of charity and
benevolence, and that we endeavour to abstract our hearts from an
over-eager attachment to these lying vanities ; for surely the tri-
fles of earth are no better. Let us not imagine that our particular
address can find out the secret of serving God and mammon,
since Christ represents it as an impossibility and contradiction.
May we be iound faithful in what God has corn iiitted to us,
whether it be little or much; but govern ourselves, not by the
maxims of this vain world, and by those of the gospel ! And if the
same temper that led the covetous Pharisees to deride our Lord,
engage the children of this world to pour contempt upon us as
visionaries and enthusiasts, we have much greater reason to be
grieved for them than for ourselves. Their censures can be matter
of but little account to us, when we consider tliat the things
FOUR GOSPELS. 269
which are highly esteemed by men are often an abomination in
the sight of God. His law is sacred, and the constitutions of his
kingdom are unalterable ; may the temper of our minds be so al-
tered and disposed as may suit it ! For another day, and another
world, will shew that real Christianity is the only wisdom ; and
From what we have been reading we may justly take occa-
sion to adore the wisdom and goodness of Divine Providence in
creating the human species male and female, and providing for
his new formed creature Adam so suitable and so amiable a com-
panion, to enliven every other object of delight, and to crown
the pleasures of Paradise itself.
Let us also acknowledge the apparent interposition of a wise
and kind providence in maintaining such a proportion between
the sexes, even to this day, which so apparently tends to the be-
nefit of both, as well as to the support of the race in future ages ;
as also in perpetuating in their hearts through succeeding gene-
rations that mutual tenderness for each other which the purest
bosoms may feel and vow, and which is the foundation of such
an union of souls as no other friendship will admit.
Let those who are married, considering the indissoluble bond
by which God has joined them together, make it their constant
care to promote the comfort and happiness of each other; and
let them most cautiously guard against every degree of conten-
tion, or even of distaste, which tnight at length ocrasion an
alienation in their affections, and render so close a bond propor-
tionably grievous.
Let none rashly run into these important engagements, nor
determine their choice by light considerations, of a low and
24*
270 HAEMOKY OF THE
transitory nature. And if any, on the whole, prefer the free-
dom of a single life to a state which, with its peculiar comforts,
must necessarily have its peculiar cares and trials too, let them
diligently improve that disengagement, as an obligation to seek
the kingdom of God with greater ardour, and to pursue its in-
terests with more active zeal and application.
To conclude : since it appears in this respect, as well as in
some others, that the gospel revokes some indulgences which
the law of Moses gave, let us endeavour to form our hearts by
Divine grace to a wisdom, seriousness and spiritualily, which
may suit this nobler dispensation; and while we are reading
the precept of the Jewish legislator, let us remember we have
a sublimer Master^ and are to do and forbear more than others.
(Matt. V. 47.)
SECTION LVIII.
Matt. XIX. 13 — 15. Mark x. 13 — 16. Luke xviii.
15—17.
Then were there brought unto him little children, that
he should put his hands on them, and pray ; but wben
his disciples saw it, they rebuked those that brought
them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased,
and called them unto him, and said unto them, Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not :
for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily 1 say unto you,
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a
little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. And he
took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and
blessed them ; and departed thence.
Let us make a pause here, that we may more atlecrtively re-
view this delightful and instructive sight; that we may see
this compassionate Shepherd of Israel, thus gathering the lambs
in his arms, and carrying them in his bosom, with all the tokens
of tender regard, (Isa. xl. IJ,) rebuking his disciples who for-
bade their coming and lajjing his gracious hands upon them, to
bless them. How condescending and engaging a behaviour !
how encouraging and amiable an image I
Let his ministers view it, to teach them a becoming regard to
FOUR GOSPELS. 271
the lambs of ihehjlock^ who should early be taken notice of and
instructed ; and lor and with whom they should frequently
pray ; remembering how often Divine grace takes possession of
the heart in the years of infancy, and saiictijies the children of
God almost frum the u'omb. Let every first impression made
upon their tender minds be cherished ; and let not those whom
Christ himself is ready to receive be disregarded by his servants,
who upon all occasions should be gentle unto all, and apt to
teach. (2 Tim. ii. 24.)
Let pareyits view this sight with pleasure and thankfulness: let
it encourage them to bring their children to Christ by faith, and
to commit them to him in baptism, and by prayer. And if he who
has the keys of death and the unseen world, (Rev. i. 18,) see fit
to renaove those dear creatures from us in their early days, let the
remembrance of this story comfort us, and teach us to hope that
he who so graciously received these children has not forgotten
ours, but that they are sweetly fallen asleep in him, and will be
the everlasting objects of his care and love ; /or of such is the
kingdom of God.
Let children especially observe this. The great and glorious
Redeemer i\id not despise these little ones ; nay, he was nufch dis-
pleased with those who would have prevented their being brought
to him. As kindly would he, no doubt, have received you, ye
dear children, who read or hear this ; as kindly will he still receive
you, if you go to him in the sinceri'y of your hearts, and ask his
blessing in humble and earnest prayer. Though you see not
Christ, he sees and hears you; he is now present with you, to
receive you, to bless you, and to save you. Happy the weakest
of you when lodged in the arms of Christ ! nothing can pluck
you from thence, or ever hurt you there.
In a word, let us all commit ourselves to him ; and let us be
disposed to become as little children, il we desire to enter into
his kingdom. Let us not govern ourselves by the vain maxims
of a corrupt and degenerate age. Let not pride, ambition, lust,
or avarice, possess, torment, and enslave our minds ; but, with
the amiable simjjlicity of children, let us put ourselves into the
wise and kind hand oi Jesus, as our Guardian, and reter ourselves
to his pastoral and parental care, to be clothed and fed, to be
guided and disposed of, as he shall see fit. For this purpose,
God, may we be born again by the Spiiit, and formed anew by
thy grace ! since by this method alone we can be made meet to
be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, (Col. i. 12,)
and be so the children of God, as to be at length the children of
the resurrection..
272 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION LIX.
Matt. xix. 16 — 30. Mark, x 17 — 31. Lure xviii.
lb— 30.
And when he was gone forth into the way, behold, a
certain ruler came running, and kneeled to hira, and
asked him, saying, Good Master, what good thing shall
I do that I may inherit eternal life ? and Jesus said unto
him, Why caliest thou me good ? ihereis none good but
one, that is, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep
the commandments. He saith unto him, Which ? Jesus
said, Thou knowest the commandments. Thou shalt do
no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt
not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness, Defraud not,
Honour thy father and thy mother, and, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself The young man answered and
said unto him. Master, All these things have I kept from
my youth up : what lack I yet ? Now when Jesus heard
these things, beholding him he loved him, and said unto
him, Yet lackest thou one thing ; if thou w'ilt be perfect,
go thy way, sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto
the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven : and
come, take up the cross and follow me. But when the
young man heard that saying, he was very sorrowful,
and went away grieved ; for he was very rich, and had
great possessions. And when Jesus saw that he was
very sorrowful, he looked round about, and saith unto
his disciples. Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall
hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And the dis-
ciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answer-
eth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it
for them that trust in riches to enter into the kinordom
of God ! And again I say unto ybu, It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich
man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his dis-
ciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, and as-
FOUR GOSPELS. 273
tonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who
then can be saved ? but Jesus looking upon them sailh,
The things which are impossible with men are possible
with God. With men this is impossible, but not with
God : for with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter, and said unto him. Behold, we
have forsaken all, and followed thee ; what shall we have
therefore ? And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me
ill the regeneration, W hen the Son of man shall sit in the
throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judgmg the twelve tribes of Israel. And verily I say
unto you, There is no man that hath forsaken houses, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil-
dren, or lands, for my sake and the gospePs, and for the
kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive an hundred
fold now in this present time, houses, and brethren, and
sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with perse-
cutions ; and in the world to come shall inherit everlast-
ing life. But many that are first shall be last ; and the
last shall be first.
Who can behold, without weeping eyes, and a bleeding heart,
this lovely youth perishing in sin! What could have appeared
more promising, than thi.= solicitous concern about eternal life, in
a young man, rich in the possessions, and high in the honours of
the present world ! To see him running with such eagerness to
the feet of a Medeemer, kneeling down, with such humility before
him, calling upon him by so honourable a title, and professing so
sincere a desire of instruction, could not but lead us to conclude.
Surely this man was not far from the kingdom of God ; nor do
we wonder, that Jesu^ beholding him loved him. Who would not
have looked on such an object with complacency ! Who would not
have expected, that this pleasant plant should have brought forth
grapes : but behold, it brought forth wild grapes! (Isa. v. 2.)
So have we seen, in the compass, perhaps, of our small observa-
tion and experience, many a fair blossom fall withering to the
ground. So have the hopes of ?ninisters and parents, and other
religious friends, been disappointed, with respect to many young
persons, adorned with a variety of amiab'e qualifications, yet lack-
ing one thing, ^nA parting with Christ when put to the trial, af-
ter all the regard they have shewn to his name, and all the pleas-
274 HARMONY OF THE
ing expectations they have given of a willingness to serve hira.
O Hiy young reader, whoever thou art, I earnestly pray, that thou
mayest not be added to that number !
This unhappy youth imagined himself in the certain way of sal-
vaiion, because he was free from the stains of fraud and injustice,
of adultery and theft, of perjury and murder, or any other gross
and infamous sin. But behold, how awful a method Christ takes,
to open to him that insincerity of heart, which he seems himself
not to have known. Observe, how strange a command he gives
him, tfl sell all, and distribute to the poor. We cannot say, that
the very same is directly required of us ; yet by this order that was
given to him, we are obliged to part with our all, when it cannot
be preserved with a good conscience ; and by the general rules of
Christianity, and its fundamental precepts, we are in duty bound,
conscientiously to use, not only a little part of our substance, but
even the whole of it for God, as stewards who are another day to
give up a strict account for all. And if we like not Christ and
glory on these teims, our end will be no better than his. Of him
we read, that after all his morality and all his zeal he went away
from Christ, (though sorrowful,) because he had great posses-
sions. Oh dear-bought wealth, which was the price of his soul !
Let us look upon him, and receive instruction ; let us learn to
be upon our guard against this vain luorld, that specious harlot,
who hath cast down many wounded : yea, many strong men
have been slain by her. (Prov. vii. 26.) How universally are
riches desired, how eagerly are they pursued, by persons in all
stations and of all professions of life ! Yet what do they generally
prove but shining mischief and gilded ruin ! If we believe the
incarnate wisdom of God, they make our salvation exceeding
hazardous. Yet who does not wish for them ? Who does not
think that he has wisdom and grace enough to stand the danger ?
But God knows otherwise, and therefore he keeps, or makes, so
many of his children poor. Let them be contented with their
safer state ; and let those who are rich be importunate with God
for those influences of his grace which can effect those things
that are impossible with men.
On the whole, let us not think much of any thing which Christ
demands, knowing that whatever we may lose, or whatever we
may resign, we shall gain far more by his favour. The testimony
of a good conscience before him, a life oi friendship with God, the
consolations of his Spirit, and the hopes of his glory, will yields
even for the present, an hundredfold more satisfaction than the
possession of the greatest riches, or the enjoyment of the most
tender and beloved relatives. How much more abundantly then
will all be repaid in the heavenly state ! And, if we cannot trust
the promise of the Lord for it, we are no more real Christians
than if we were publicly to worship mammon, or Plutus, with
all the idolatrous rites of the ancient heathens.
FOUR GOSPELS. 275
J^ECTION LX.
Matthew XX. 1 — 16,
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which went out early in the morning, to
hire labourers into hi? vineyard. And when he had
agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent
them into his vineyard. And he went out about the
third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-
place, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard,
and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went
their way. Again he went out about the sixth and
ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh
hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and
saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle ?
They say unto him. Because no man hath hired us. He
saith unto them. Go ye also into the vineyard ; and what-
soever is right that shall ye receive. So when even was
come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward,
Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning
from the last unto the first. And when they came that
were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every
man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed
that they should have received more ; and they likewise
received every man a penny. And when they had re-
ceived it they murmured against the good man of the
house, saying, these last have wrought but one hour, and
thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne
the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one
of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong : didst thou
not agree with me for a penny ? Take that thine is, and
go thy way : I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own ?
Is thine eye evil, because I am good ? So the last shall
be first, and the first last : for many be called,
but few chosen.
276 harMo?«y of the
May we by Divine grace appear in the happy number of
those who are not only called^ but chosen too ! If we ^rejirsl
in privileges and opportunities, let us be careful (hat our im-
provement be proportionable ; otherwise we shall be last, and
see ourselves another day exceeded, and perhaps condemned,
by those who stood in a rank much below us.
We are called to a course of holy labour, even to loork in our
Lorcfs vineyard, or in every station, whether public or private,
to do our utmost to promote the glory of God and the happi-
ness of mankind. Let us not, wnth so many calls and so many
advantages, stand oil the day idle; but let us be active and pa-
tient, and cheerfully willing to bear all the burden and heat of
the day in ?o good a cause; knowing that ere long the everdn^
will come, and that he who employs us saith. Behold, I come
quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according
as his work shall be. (Rev. xxii. 12.)
Let such as have long neglected the great business of life be
encouraged with thisthoiight, that some were called at the ele-
venth hour; but let none presume on their having such a call,
nor strain the parable so far as to imagine that an equal rtivard
awaits all, without any regard to their characters or improve-
ments ; which is most contrary^to the reason of things, to the
word of God, and to the great intent of that day which is to
render to every man according to his deeds. (Rom. ii. 6.)
The Gentiles are indeed now called t© equal privileges with
the. Jews, to which this circumstance of the parable refers: and
we all see how odious a temper it was in that favourite nation
to be offended with iho gospel on that account, which should ra-
ther have recommended it to their more joyful acceptance. Let
us be careful to avoid every degree of e7ivy, whoever may be
put on a level with us, or preferred to us. Let us acknowledge
the sovereign right of God to do what he will with his own. and
let not our eye be evil because he is good. To prevent this, let
us labour after that unfeigned love to the brethren which never
will allow us to repine at their advancement to the greatest
privileges, but will engage us to behold the favours that are
shewn them with delight and satisfaction, and to rejoice in their
honour and happiness as our own. So shall we exchange the
basest and most uneasy passion of human nature for that which
is of all others the noblest and the most delightful.
FOUR GOSPELS. 277
SECTION LXI.
Matthew XX. 17 — 20. Mark x. 32 — 45.
Luke xviii. 31 — 34.
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem ; and
Jesus went before thera : and they were amazed ; and
as they followed, they were afraid. And he took unto
him the twelve disciples apart in the way, and began to
tell them what things should happen unto him, sayings
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem ; and all things that are
written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall
be accomphshed. For he shall be delivered unto the
chief priests, and unto the scribes ; and they shall con-
demn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles,
to mock, to scourge, and to crucify Mm. And he shall
be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on : and
they shall scourge him, and put him to death : and the
third day he shall rise again. And they understood none
of these things: and this saying was hid from them,
neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children
with her sons James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
worshipping Aim, and desiring a certain thing of him :
saying. Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us
whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them,
What would ye that I should do for you ? They said
unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy
right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
And the mother saith unto him. Grant that these my two
sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on
the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said
unto them. Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to
drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized
with the baptism that 1 am baptized with ? And they
said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto thera.
Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and
25
278 HARMONY OF THE
with the baptism that I am baptized withall shall ye be
baptized : but to sit on my right hand and on my left
hand is not mine to give ; but it shall be given to them
for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten
heard it, they began to be much displeased with James
and John, and were moved with indignation against the
two brethren. But Jesus called them to him, and saith
unto them, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles ex-
ercise dominion over them, and they that are great ex-
ercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among
you : but whosoever will be great among you, shall be
your minister : and whosoever of you will be the chiefest
among you, shall be servant of all. For even the Son
of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom for many.
Astonishing grace and compassion of the Son of God in going
up to Jerusalem at this passover, when he so circumstantially
knew all the things which were to befall him there 1 not only
that he should be put to death, but in what mayiner he should
suffer ; and what cruelty and what scorn should introduce the
last scene of his agonies ! Yet, with so sad a prospect in his eye,
he marched on with distinguished alacrity, leaving the company,
as if he longed to encounter what they could not bear to see, or
even to hear of. Glorious Captain of our salvation, give us the
like alacrity in all the sufferings we are called to bear for thee !
Who would not grieve to see these good apostles ?>\.\W. so much
possessed with the spirit of this world, and still dreaming of
preferment in a temporal kingdom? Who would not especially
lament it, that his most intimate friends, James, and John the
beloved disciple, should be the persons who should come to
him with this strange request? Justly did our Lord answer
them, You know not ichat you ask. And may not the same an-
swer often be made to us? When therefore he denies us the
great things that we are seeking for ourselves, let us be satisfied
with the denial he sees fit to give us ; believing that it is wis-
dom and love, and not unkindness, that produces it.
Let us often ask ourselves, Can we shai^e the sufferings which
our Lord endured ? If we do not desire to do it so far as he shall
appoint, we are not worthy to be called his disciples. Let us then
gird up the loins of our minds, and wait our Master's signal to go
forth to any suffering or service that he shall require ; ever ready
to make ourselves the servants of all, and therein to imitate the
humility of the Son of man, who came not to be ministered unto,
FOUR GOSPELS. 279
but to minister : yet, after all we can do or bear for him, let our
trust still be in the merits of his righteousness and blood who gatJC
his life a ransom for many. So shall we be fitted for those dis-
tinguished honours in the heavenly world, in comparison with
which thrones and sceptres on earth are but empty pageants and
childish toys.
SECTION LXir.
Luke xviii. 35 — 43; xix. 1. Matt. xx. 29 — S4.
Mark x. 46—52.
And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto
Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side beg-
ging : And lioaring the multitude pass by he asked what
it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth
passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of
David, have mercy on me. And they which went be-
fore rebuked him, that he should hold his peace : but he
cried out so much the more. Thou Son of David, have
mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him
to be brought unto him : And when he was come near,
he asked him, saying. What wilt thou that I should do
unto thee ? And he said. Lord, that I may receive my
sight. And Jesus said unto him. Receive thy sight :
thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he re-
ceived his sight, and followed him, glorifying God : And
all the people, when they saw «Y, gave praise unto God.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho ; and
as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, a great
multitude followed him. And, behold, blind Bartimeus,
the son of Timeus, sat by the high-way side begging.
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, who
passed by, he began to cry out, and say. Have mercy on
me, O Lord, thou Son of David ; Jesus, thou Son of
David, have mercy on me. And the multitude rebuked
him, and many charged him that he should hold his
peace ; but he cried the more a great deal, saying,
280 HARMONY OF THE
Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David. And
Jesus stood still, and called them, and commanded him
to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto
him, Be of good comfort, rise, he calleth you. And he
casting avi^ay his garment, rose and came to Jesus.
And Jesus said, What wilt thou that I shall do unto
thee ? He said unto him. Lord, that I might receive
my sight. So Jesus had compassion on him, and touch-
ed his eyes : and said unto him-, go thy way, thy faith
hath made thee whole. And immediately his eyes re-
ceived sight, and he followed Jesus in the way.
Our Lord's progress is marked with another work of Divine
power, and beneficence in opening the eyes of the blind. With
what importunity was the cure desired ! And when the peti-
tioner was for a while discouraged, with what eagerness was that
importunity xe^ezXeA, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!
Thus will the sinner cry to Jesus when he sees how much he
needs him. But, alas ! men are not aware of their spiritual indi-
gence and distress : they say they are rich, and increasing in
goods, and have need of nothing ; and know not that they are
wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (Rev.
iii. 17.)
When once they come to be awakened to a just sense of their
case, there is then room for hope, and great encouragement for
their address. We may in such circumstances say to them, as
was said to Bartimeus, Be of good courage, rise, he calleth thee.
With pleasure should we deliver such a message ; with pleasure
should we lead on the lame and the blind, the weak and the trem-
bling, in their application to Christ : and in all the instances, in
which his victorious grace is exercised, should join with those
who have received it in glorifyirig God, and in celebrating the
praise of this Deliverer, whom he has mercifully raised up for his
people.
FOUR GOSPELS. 281
SECTION LXIII.
Luke xix. 1.
And behold, there was a man named Zaccheus,
which was the chief among the publicans, and he was
rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was : and
could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore
tree to see him ; for he was to pass that way. And
when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw
him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste and come
down ; for to-day I must abide at thy house. And he
made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying. That
he was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner.
And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord ; Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I
have taken any thing from any man by false accusation,
I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This
day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he
also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is
come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Thus did our Lord Jesus Christ, wheresoever he came, scatter
blessings around him, both to the souls and the bodies of men.
Who can wonder that Zaccheus had a curiosity to see such a per-
son ! And how happily did that curiosity end ! Christ graciously
observed him^ and with an amiable frankness and openness of
heart, invited himself to be a Guest at his house ; choosing to ac-
cept the entertainment of a publican, and to distinguish with a
particular regard one that was so desirous to see him. And let
us diligently observe how happy a change this visit produced in
the master of the family. Zaccheus, well wast thou repaid for
thine hospitality when salvation came to thine house, and the Sa-
viour himself bore witness to thee as a son of Abraham !
What cannot the grace of God effect ? This publican was in
the morning contriving only how he might increase his estate by
all possible methods of gain ; and, before evening, he cries out,
lard, the half of my goods I give to the poor. Thus does the
Spirit of Christ operate on the soul, producing in it the fruits of
25*
^^2 HARMONY OF THE
righteousness and charity to our fellow-creatures, as well as of
love to God and faith in the Redeemer. And surely the miracle
by which the walls of Jericho were many ages before thrown
down by the sound of rams-horns, was not greater in its kind
than that which now triumphed over the heart of ZaccheuSj and
threw down all the obstacles which corrupt nature had formed
against the entrance of Christ into it.
Now were his eyes opened, and he saw in a moment how much
more valuable the pearl of price was than all the riches he could
part with to procure it. And he judged rightly of religion when
he saw the necessity not only of faith, but of charity too ; and
not only of charity, but of restitution also to those whom he had
injured, without which the highest pretences to charity are but
presenting to God robbery for a burnt-offering.
SECTION LXIV.
Luke xix. 1 1 — 28.
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a
parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because
they thought that the kingdom of God should imme-
diately appear. He said therefore, a certain nobleman
went into a far country to receive for himself a king-
dom, and to return. And he called his ten servants,
and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Oc-
cupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent
a message after him, saying, We will not have this
man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when
he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he
commanded these servants to be called unto him, to
whom he had given the money, that he might know how
much every man had gained by trading. Then came
the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten
pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good ser-
vant : because thou hast been faithful in a very little,
have thou authority over ten cities. And the second
came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five ci-
ties. And another came, saying, Lord, here is thy
FOUE GOSPELS. 283
pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin : for I feared
thee, because thou art an austere man : thou takest up
that thou laidst not down, and reapest that thou didst
not sow. And he said unto him, Out of thine own
mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou
knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I
laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow : Where-
fore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that
at my coming I might have required mine own with
usury ? And he said unto them that stood by, Take
from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten
pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten
pounds.) For I say unto you. That unto every one
which hath shall be given ; and from him that hath not,
even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But
those mine enemies which would not that I should reign
over them, bring hither, and slay tliem before me.
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, as-
cending up toJerusalem.
Let U9 also hear and fear. Our Lord is gone, and has received
his kingdom. He has delivered to us our stock, to be improved
ia his service : let us be animated to diligence in it ; for propor-
tionable to that diligence will be our reicard. Let us remem-
ber we labour for ourselves while we labour for him ; as all the
progress we make in wisdom and in goodness renders our own
souls so much the happier, and will render them so to all eter-
nity. Blessed servants that have the applause of such a Master,
and share a reward as liberal as that conferred on a faithful
steward, who should be made governor of a. province containing
ten cities.
Let U3 beware of a slothful neglect of our stock : let us be-
ware of those hard thoughts of God which would discourage us
from pursuing his service. Above all, let us take heed, that we
do not proudly and \nso\ent\y reject the govrrnment of his anot'n/'
ed Son, and either say with our tongues, or declare by our ac-
tions, We will not have this man to reign over us ; for if we do,
we speak a word against our own lives. He will be glorified
by us, or upon us. And oh, what shall we do, if in that dread-
ful day he should bring us forth as the helpless prisoners of his
justice, and command us to be slain in his presence ! How can
we withstand his power 1 or to the horns of what altar shall we
flee for sanctuary ? O Lord, our flesh tremhleth for fear of thee.
284 HARMONY OF THE
and we are afraid of thy judgments. (Psalm cxix. 120.) May
we never be the miserable objects of them ; but having faith-
fully served thee here, may that be to us a day of honour, re-
ward, and triumph, which shall be to every presumptuous re-
bel a day of shame and terror, of dreadful execution and eter-
nal destruction !
SECTION LXV.
John xi. 55 — 57, xii. 1 — 11. Matthew xxvi. 6 — 13.
Mark xiv. 3 — 9.
And the Jews' Passover was nigh at hand : and many
went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the
Passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for
Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in
the temple, What think ye, that he will not come up to
the feast ?
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had
given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he
were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to
Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead,
whom he raised from the dead. There they made him
a supper in the house of Simon the leper, and Martha
served : but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the
table with him. Then came Mary unto him, having an
alabaster box with a pound of ointment of spikenard,
very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped
his feet with her hair. And she brake the box, and
poured it on his head, as he sat at meat ; and the house
was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith
one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which
should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for
three hundred pence, and given to the poor 1 This he
said, not that he cared for the poor ; but because he was
a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
FOUR GOSPELS. 283
And there were some disciples that had indignation
within themselves, and said, To what purpose is this
waste ? for this ointment might have been sold for much,
and given to the poor ; and they murmured against her.
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Let her
alone : why trouble ye the woman ? for she hath wrought
a good work upon me. For ye have the poor with you
always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good :
but me ye have not always. She hath done what she
could: for in that she hath kept this ointment, and
poured it on my body, she did it to anoint me aforehand
to my burying. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this
gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world,
this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a me-
morial of her.
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he
was there : and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but
that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised
from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that
they might put Lazarus also to death ; because that by
reason of him many of the Jews went away, and be-
heved on Jesus.
We see how happily Mary improved by sitting at the feet qf
Jesus^ and what evidence she gave of her having chosen the
better part. (Compare Luke x. 39, 42.) Like Aer, let us with
humble thankfulness bestow our very best on him, who has
given us that and every thing else. She gladly poured out her
choicest ointment on him, whose name is to every true believer
far more fragrant than ointment poured forth. (Cant. i. 3.)
How does her generous love shame those who grudge every
expense in the cause of Christ I
When we are relieving the pious poor, we are, as it were,
anointing the feet of Jesus : we are indeed performing a service
far more acceptable than any thing of this kind could in itself
be. Let us remember that we have the poor always with us ;
and that they are permitted to continue among us that we may
do them- good whenever we please. Far be it from us to imagine
that what we so spend is waste. Let all who would not share
in the guilt and punishment of Judas abhor the vile hypocrisy
of making a pretended concern for the poor a cloak for an op-
portunity of enriching themselves with their spoils ; than which
286 HARMONY OF THE
nothing can be more infamous, or can have a directer tendency
to mingle the consuming curse of a righteous and almighty
God with all that a man possesses.
The Pharisees conspired to kill Lazarus. What a mixture
was this of cruelty and folly ! What was his crime ? or what
could (heir hope be ? From what death could not Christ have
delivered him ? or from what torixh could he not again have re-
called him? Yet something like this is the madness of all who
hate and persecute others for being the trophies of the Re-
deemer's victory and grace.
But let not his servants fear; their Redeemer is strong, the
Lord of hosts is his name. (Jer. i. 34.) His work is perfect ;
and the day and hour is approaching in which his triumph
over all his enemies shall be so complete, that his friends shall
be for ever secure, not only from being destroyed, but from be-
ing alarmed by them.
SECTION LXVl.
John XII. 12 — 19. Matt. xxi. 1 — 9. Markxi. 1 — 10.
Luke xix. 29 — 40.
O?} the next day much people that were come to the
feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jeru-
salem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to
meet him, and cried, Hosanna ; blessed is the King of
Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
And it came to pass on the next day, when they
drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Beth-
phage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount
of Olives, Jesus sendeth forth two of his disciples,
saying unto them, Go your way into the village over
against you ; and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye
shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her, whereon
yet never man sat : loose them, and bring them hither
unto me. And if any man say unto you. Why do ye
this ? Thus shall ye say unto him. The Lord hath
need of them ; and straightway he will send them
hither.
And the disciples that were sent went their way,
FOUR GOSPELS. 287
and did as Jesus commanded them, and found the
colt, even as he had said unto them, tied by the door
without, in a place where two ways met : and they
loose him. And as they were loosing the colt, the
owners thereof that stood there said unto them. Why
loose ye the colt ? And they said unto them, even as
Jesus had commanded, the Lord hath need of him ;
and they let them go. And they brought the ass and
the colt to Jesus, and they cast their garments upon
the colt ; and they set Jes5us thereon, and he sat upon
him. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet, saying, as it is written,
Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy king cometh
unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt
the foal of an ass. These things understood not
his disciples at the first : but when Jesus was glori-
fied, then remembered they that these things were
written of him, and that they had done these things unto
him.
And as he went, a very great multitude spread
their garments in the way ; and others cut down bran-
ches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And
when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of
the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disci-
ples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice
for all the mighty works that they had seen. And the
multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried,
saying, Hosanna to the Son of David ! blessed is he, a
king, that cometh in the name of the Lord : blessed be
the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the
name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest ! Peace in
heaven, and glory in the highest !
The people therefore that was with him when he
called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from
the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also
met him, for that they heard that he had done this
miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among them-
selves. Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing ? behold, the
world is gone after him. And some of the Pharisees
288 HARMONY OF THE
from among the multitude said unto him, Master,
rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto
them, I tell you, that if these should hold their peace, the
stones would immediately cry out.
Let us behold this meek triumph of the great Redeemer with
pleasure ! He entered the capital of his kingdom riding upon an
ass; a circumstance in which he made, though by no means a
ridiculous, yet to be sure a very humble figure ; yea, he appeared
exactly as the prophet described him, upon a colt, the foal of an
ass ; not yet grown up to its best form, nor adorned with any
sumptuous or elegant furniture, but only covered with the tJian-
tles of his poor attendants, and perhaps with nothing better than
a cord for a bridle, which might have tied the foal at the door.
Let us imagine that we saw the Son of God and the King of
Israel, thus proceeding towards Jerusalem, and the people meet-
ing him, and surrounding him with their acclamations : Hosan-
nah ! Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord ! Do
npt our hearts spring at the sound ? Do we not, as it were in
spirit, go forthwith them, and join in their sublime, though simple
song ? Thus let us welcome him into our hearts ! Let us echo
it back ! Blessed he he that cometh in the name of the Lord, with
Divine authority, and Divine blessings in his hand ! And blessed
be the kingdom he hath erected ! May perpetual prosperity at-
tend it ! May the north give up a swarm of subjects to it ; and
may not the south keep back her swarthy sons I May nations be
born at once, and thousands together made willing in the day of
his power ! Surely if these are not our affectionate wishes, the
warm and zealous sentiments of our very hearts, it may almost
be expected that the very stones should cry out, to accuse and
condemn our ungrateful stupidity.
Unhappy Pharisees, who looked on these triumphs with envy
and rage, and grieved that the world ivas gone after him ! Yet
less unhappy had they not renewed their attempts against him,
those fatal attempts which ended in their ruin ! But who, that
had seen the procession, and heard the shouts of the transported
multitude, could have imagined or believed, that before the end
of the week they should have turned their voices against him,
and instead of Hosannah, should have cried out, Crucify him 1
Yet so it was, and Christ knew it would be so. Such is the un-
certainty of popular applause ! Who would then purchase it at
the expense of his conscience, or even of his ease ?
These transports were raised by the hopes of a temporal king-
dom ; and when those hopes were disappointed, these transports
were turned into rage. Oh that there may be none, under all the
engagements of a Christian, and even of a ministerial profession,
who proclaim Christ with great appearances of zeal, only that
FOUR GOSPKLS.
280
they may exalt themselves ; and wish prosperity to his kingdom,
only as it may promote their own interest in a world from which
it was the great design of his death to redeem his seivants.
SECTION LXVir.
Matt. xxi. 10, 11, 14, 17. Mark xi. 11.
Luke xix. 41 — 44.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and
wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thoi],
at least in this thy day, the things iDhich belong unto thy
peace ! but now tliey are hid from thine eyes. For the
days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast
a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep
thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the
ground, and thy children within thee : and tliey shall not
leave in thee one stone upon another ; because thou
knewest not the time of thy visitation.
And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and when he was
come into Jerusalem, all the ciiy was moved, saying,
Who is this ? and the multitude said, This is Jesus the
prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into
the temple and looked round about upon all things : and
the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and
he healed them. And when the chief priests and
Scribes saw the wonderful things he did, and the chil-
dren crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the
Son of David ! they were sore displeased, and said unto
him, Hearest thou what these say ? And Jesus saiih
unto them, Yea ; have ye never read, Out of the mouths
of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise ?
And when now the eventide was come, he went
out of the city into Bethany with the twelve : an and
took ihee in ? or naked, and clothed iliee ? or when saw
we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee ? And
the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily 1 say
unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
J FOUR GOSPELS. 327
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, De-
part from me. ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and his angels : For I viras an-hungered, and
ye gave me no meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave me no
drink : I veas a stranger, and ye took me not in : naked,
and ye clothed me not : sick, and in prison, and ye visit-
ed me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an-hungered, or athirst, or a
stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not min-
ister unto thee ? Then shall he answer them, saying,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one
of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these
shall go away into everlasting punishment : but the
righteous into life eternal.
Let us now behold, with an attentive eye and a solicitous
heart, the end of all the living ; that awful scene, in which the
various dispensations of God to mankind shall terminate in the
solemn day, when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and
sit on his magfnificent throne. All nations and people shall be
assembled before him, and we must make up apart of the assem-
bly. The sheep and the goats must then be separated: and, O
my soul, among'st which wilt thou then be numbered? Is there
an inquiry, is there a care, of greater, of equal, of comparable
importance ?
Let us view the sentence we must shortly hear, as he who
will himself pronounce it has been pleased to give us a copy of
it. Can wc conceive any thing more dreadful than that which
shall be passed on those on the left-hand; to be driven from the
presence of Christ as accursed, and to be consigned over to a de-
vouring^re .' and this is not only to the tortures of a moment,
or an hour, (as in some painful executions that have been
known here,) but io everlasting fire, yea, to fire prepared for the
devil and his angels, where they will be perpetual companions,
and perpetual tormentors ! should not the thought that he is in
danger, in hourly danger, of being sealed up under this sen-
tence, awaken the most stupid sinner, and engage him eagerly
to cry out, What shall I do to be saved ? — And on whom is this
sentence passed ? Let us attentively observe it I Not merely
on the most gross and abandoned sinners, but on those who have
lived in an habitual neglect of their duty : not merely on those
who have ravaged and persecuted the saints (though surely
328 HARMONY OF THE
their furnace will be healed seven times hotter than that of
others,) but even on those who have neglected to relieve them.
On the other hand, let us seriously reflect what it will be to
be owned by Christ before the assembled world ; and to hear
him saying with a sweet smile, and with a voice of harmony
and love. Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the loorld. How infi-
nite is the loA'^e that prepared that kingdom for us before we had
a being! how rich the blood that purchased it! how overflow-
ing the grace that bestows it on such mean, such undeserving
creatures ! Bless the Lord, O our souls, in the prospect of it I
Let men curse, O Lord, if /Aow wilt thus bless, (Psalm cix. 28.)
Let them load our names with infamy if thou wilt adorn them
with such glory : let all the kingdoms of the earth, and all the
pomp of them, be despised and trampled under foot, when of-
fered as an equivalent for this infinitely more glorious kingdom.
Let us attentively observe the charade'^ of those who are to
receive it. They are the useful and benevolent souls; such as
have loved the Lord Jesus Christ, not only in his name, and or-
dinances, and promises, but have loved him in his laws, and in
his people loo ; and have known him in those humble forms in
which he has been pleased, as it were by proxy, to appear
among us. / was hungry, and ye fed me ; thirsty, and ye gave
me drink, &c. ; for in as much as ye did it to one of the least of
these my brethren, ye did it unto me. Amazing words! that the
meanest saint should be owned by the King of glory as one of
his brethren ! Irresistible argument to those that do indeed
believe these words, to stir them up to abound in every good
word and work! Under this impression, methinks, instead of
hiding ourselves from those who should be to us as our own
flesh by virtue of our common union to him, we should not
only hearken to their entreaties, but even search them out in
those corners to which modest want may sometimes retire, and
cast about in our thoughts how we may secure any happy op-
portunity of relieving some poor saint, for their sokes., and /or
their Master''s, and even for our oxen. What if Christ came to
us in person as a poor helpless stranger ? What if we saw him
destitute of food and raiment, or in want of any other necessa-
ries of life ? Should we not contend for it as an honour, which
of us should receive him into our houses, which of us should
entertain him at our table, which of us should even strip our-
selves of our clothing to give it to him ? And yet he tells us
that he is in effect with us in his poor members ; and we invent
a thousand cold excuses for neglecting to assist him, and send
our compassionate Saviour away empty. Is this the temper of a
Christian? Is this the temper in which we should wish to be
found at the judgment-day?
FOUR GOSPELS.
329
But use know not Christ in this disguise. Neither did these
unhappy creatures on the left-hand know him : they are surprised
to be told of such a thing ; and yet are represented as pe-
rishing for it. Away therefore with all those religious hopes
(vainly so called) which leave the heart hardened, and the
hand contracted from good works ! If we shut up the bowels of
compassion from our brethren^ how dwelleth the love of God in
us ? (1 John iii. 17.) Or to what doth the love of Christ
constrain us, if it be not to the exercise of gratitude to him,
and the offices of cheerful and active friendship to those whom
he now owns as his brethren, and whom he will not be ashamed
to call so in the midst of his highest triumph ? Blessed Jesus,
how munificent art thou ! and what a fund of c/iarj;7^ didst thou
lay up in the very words which are now before us ! In all
ages since they were spoken, how many hungry hast thou fed,
how many naked hast thou clothed, how many calamitous crea-
tures hast thou relieved by them ! May they be written deep
in our hearts, that the joy with which we shall finally meet
thee may be increased by the happy effect of this day's medita-
tion !
• SECTION LXXXVI.
Matt. xxvi. 1—4, 14—16. Mark xiv. 1, 2, 10, 11.
Luke xxi. 37, 38. xxii. 1 — 6.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these
sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after
two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of
man is betrayed to be crucified.
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the
Scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace
of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and con-
sulted and sought how they might take Jesus by subtilty,
and kill him. But they said. Not on the feast-tZai/, lest
there be an uproar among the people ; for they feared
the people.
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot,
being of the number of the twelve ; and he went his
way unto the chief priests and captains, and communed
with them how he might betray him unto them : and
29*
•330 HAR^roNY OF THE
when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to
give him money. And he said unto them, What will ye
give me, and I will deliver him unto you ? and they
covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And
he promised, and from that time he sought opportunity
how he might conveniently betray him unto them in the
absence of the multitude.
Luke xxi. 37, 38.
And in the day-time he was teaching in the temple ;
and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that
is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came
early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear
him.
We see with what unremitting rigour the great Author and
Finisher of our faith pressed forward towards the mark^ and
how he quickened his pace, as he saw the day approaching ;
spending in devotion the greatest part of the nighty which suc-
ceeded to his most laborious days, and resuming his work early
in the morning .' How much happier were his disciples in
these early lectures than the slumbers of the morning could
have made them on their beds! Let us not scruple to deny
ourselves the indulgence of unnecessary sleep, that we may
come morning after morning to place ourselves at his feet, and
lose no opportunity of receiving the instructions of his word,
and seeking those of his Spirit.
But while his gracious heart was thus intent on doing good,
the chief priests and rulers of tJie people were no less intent on
mischief and murder. They took counsel together hoic they
might put him to death. They set upon his head the price of a
slave., and find an apostle base enough to accept it. Blush, O
y% heavens^ to have been witness to this ; and be ashamed, O
ea-^lh, to have supported so infamous a creature ! Yet this was
the man who but a few days before was the foremost to appear
as an advocate for the poor, and to censure the pious zeal of
Mary., which our Lord vindicated and applauded. (John xii.
4 — 8.) Let the fatal fruits of his covetous disposition, insti-
gated by Satan, be marked with abhorrence and terror ; and if
we see this base principle harboured in the breasts of those who
call themselves the disciples and ministers of Christ, let us not
wonder if by God's righteous judgment they are given up to
those excesses of it which bring upon them lasting infamy and
endless perdition.
FOUR GOSPELS. 331
SECTION LXXXVII.
Matt. xxvi. 17 — 20. Mark xiv. 12 — 17.
Luke xxii. 7 — 18.
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, when
the passover mu^t be killed, the disciples came to Jesus,
saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and pre-
pare for thee that thou maysst eat the passover ? And
he sendeth forth two of his disciples, Peter and John,
and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and behold,
when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man
meet you, bearing a pitcher of water ; follow him into
the house where he entereth in ; and wheresoever he
shall go in, say ye to the good man of the house : the
Master saith unto thee, My time is at hand, I will keep
the passover at thy house ; where is the guest-chamber
where I slmli eat the passover with my disciples ? And
he will shew you a large upper room furnished and pre-
pared : there make ready for us. And his disciples
went forth and came into the city, and found as he had
said unto them : and they did as he had appointed them,
and they made ready the passover.
Matt. xxvi. 20. Mark xiv. 17. Luke xxii. 14 — 18.
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
And when the hour was come he sat down, and the
twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them,
With desire T have desired to eat this passover with you
before I suffer : For I say unto you, 1 will not any
more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of
God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,
Take this, and divide it among yourselves : For I say
unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until
the kingdom of God shall come.
We may well assure ourselves, that the same Divine penetra-
tion and prophetic discernment which enabled the blessed Jesus
332 HARMONY OF THE
thus circumstantially to foretel to his disciples those most contin-
gent occurrences which were to determine the place where they
should prepare the passover, would also open to him a prospect of
all that was to follow. All the scenes that were to be passed
through on this fatal night, and the succeeding black and bloody
day, were, no doubt, attentively viewed : the agony of the gar-
den, the traitorous kiss of Judas, the cowardly flight of all the
other apostles^ the insults of his seemingly victorious and suc-
cessful enemies, the clamorous accusations, the insolent buffet'
ings, the scourges, the thorns, the nails, the cross, and all that
he has to endure upon it from the hand of God and men. Yet be-
hold, with all these in his view, he goes on with a holy alacrity, and
this sun of righteousness, rejoiceth as a champion to run his race!
(Psalm xix. 5.) Yea, when he is sitting down to the paschal
supper, (though therein was exhibited, in a most lively embJem,
the bitterness of his own sutferings,) he utters these gracious and
emphatical words, With desire I have desired to eat this passover
with you before I suffer.
SECTION LXXXVIII.
John xiii. 1 — 17.
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew
that his hour was come that he should depart out of
this world unto the Father, having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And
supper being ended, the devil having now put it into
the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him ;
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things
into his hands, and that he was come from God, and
went to God ; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. After
that he pourelh water into a basin, and began to wash
the disciple's feet, and wipe them with the towel where-
with he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter ;
and Peter said unto him. Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou
knowest not now ; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter saith unto him. Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Jesus answered him. If I wash thee not, thou hast no
FOUR GOSPELS. 333
part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not
my feet only, but also my hands, and my head. Jesus
saith to him. He that is washed needeth not save to
wash his feet, but is clean every whit : and ye are
clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray
him ; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his
garments, and was set down again, he said unto them,
Know ye what I have done to you ? Ye call me Master,
and Lord ; and ye say well, for so 1 am. If I then
your Lord and Master, have washed your feet ; ye also
ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given
you an example, that ye should do as I have done to
you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not
greater than his Lord ; neither he that is sent greater
than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy
are ye if ye do them.
But let us tura our eyes to him whom we justly call our Teacher
and our Lord ; for surely, if any thing can effect a cure, it must be
actions and words like these. The great Heir of all things, in-
vested with universal dominion, and just returning to his heavenly
Father to undertake the administration of it : in what a habit, m
what an attitude, do we see him ! Whom would a stranger have
taken for the lowest of the company, but him who was high over
all created nature ? Blessed Jesus, it was not so much any per-
sonal attachment to these thy servants, as a regard to the edifica-
tion of thy whole church, which engaged thee to this astonishing
action : that all thy ministers, that all thy people, in conformity to
thy example, might learn a readiness to serve each other in love !
But why are we so slow to receive this lesson ? And why is
our practice often so contrary to it ? Surely to cleanse us from
these dregs of pride and carnality we need in a spiritual sense to
be washed by him. Let us gladly submit to that washings if we
desire to secure any part in him, Which of us in this view may
not see reason to cry out with Peter, Lord, not om feet only, but
also our hands and our head ? May our whole nature be thus
purified ! and, warmly emulous of conforming to so bright an ex-
ample, may we ever be maintaining a watchfulness over our own
spirits , correcting the first appearances of irregularity, and wash-
ing away every lightest stain which omfeet may contract in this
various journey ! So shall we be great in the sight and favour of
334 HARMONY OF THE
our Master ; and, numbering ourselves among the least of his ser-
vants, shall be distinguished by peculiar honours, in proportion to
the degree in which we think ourselves most unworthy of them.
SECTION LXXXIX.
Matt. xxvi. 21 — 26. Maekxiv. 18 — 22. Luke xxii.
19—23. John xiii. 18—30. 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24.
And as they were eating, JesUs took bread, and blessed
it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said,
Take, eat ; This is my body which is given for you :
this do in remembrance of me.
But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is
with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth,
as it was determined ; but woe unto that man by whom
he is betrayed ! I speak not of you all : I know whom
I have chosen : but that the scripture may be fulfilled,
He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel
against me. Now I tell you before it come, that when
it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I
send receiveth me ; and he that receiveth me receiveth
him that sent me.
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit,
and as they sat and did eat, he testified and said. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, that one of you which eateth with
me shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on
another, doubting of whom he spake ; and they began
to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that
should do this thing ; And they were exceeding sorrow-
ful, and began every one of them to say unto him one
by one, Lord, is it I ? And another said. Is it 1 2 And
he answered and said unto them. It is one of the twelve,
that dippeth his hand with me in the dish ; the same
shall betray me. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it
is written of him : but woe unto that man by whom the
FOUR GOSPELS. 335
Son of man is betrayed ! good were it for that man if
he had never been born. Now there was leaning on
Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should
ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then
lying on Jesus' breast, saith unto him, Lord, who is it ?
Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop,
when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the
sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And
after the sop Satan entered into Judas surnamed Iscariot,
being of the number of the twelve. Then said Jesus
unto him, That tliou doest, do quickly. Now no man
at the table knew lor what intent he spake this unto him.
For some of them thought because Judas had the bag,
that Jesus had said unto him. Buy those things that we
have need of against the feast ; or, that he should give
something to the poor. Then Judas, which betrayed
him, answered and said. Master, is it I ? He said unto
him, Thou hast said. He then having received the sop,
went immediately out ; and it was night.
It is a melancholy reflection, that there should be any one in
this select company, to whom this endearing promise did not
belong ; especially one who, having eaten of ChrisCs bread
should in such a sense and degree as Judas, lift up his heel
against him. Deliver us, O Lord^ from any share in that guilt !
We are treated as thy friends ; we are set at thy table : let us
not ungratefully kick against thee, while the ox knoweth his
owner, and the ass his masters crib. (Isaiah i. 3.)
If we would not do it, let us he jealous over ourselves with a
godly jealousy. Happy they whose hearts witness to their sin-
cerity in the presence of him that searches them, andean cheer-
fully say, Lord, is it I ? Let them say it humbly too ; lest the
infirmity of nature prevail upon them beyond their present
purpose or apprehension, and lead them on to do that, the very
thought of which they would now abhor.
How artfully must Judas have conducted himself, when on
such an intimation no particular suspicion appears to have fallen
on himl But how vain is that artifice, be it ever so refined,
which, while it preserves a character in the sight of men, can-
not in the least degree impose upon Christ! The day will
come when he will lay open the false and ungrateful hypocrite^
336 HARMONY OF THE
in a more overwhelming manner than that in which he here
exposed Judas; and whatever advantage he may have gained,
either by professing religion, or by betraying it, he will un-
doubtedly find that it had been good for him that he had never
been born.
One would have imagined that an admonition like this, which
laid bare the secrets of his heart, and warned him so plainly
and faithfully of his danger, might have wrought some remorse
in his heart, or at least have proved some impediment to the
immediate execution of his design; but, being now given up by
the righteous judgment of God to the influence of Satan^ and
the lust of his own depraved mind, he is exasperated, rather
than reclaimed by it ; and immediately goes forth^ under the
covert of the night, to hasten the accomplishment of that work
of darkness, the consequences of which had been so awfully re-
presented. O Lord, let thy grace and thy love do that for us
which thy terrors alone cannot do ! Let our hearts be melted
by that nobler principle, and taught to abhor every thing which
would displease thee ! Oh, let them flow forth into such work-
ings of compassion to the afflicted as engaged the blessed Jesus
to relieve the poor out of his own little stock ; and into those
sentiments of candour which would not permit the apostles, even
after this admonition, to imagine Judas altogether so bad as in-
deed he was, but led them to put the mildest construction on
their Master's ambiguous address to him ! Such may our mis-
takes be, wherever we do mistake ; the errors of a charity, which
would not by excessive rigour injure the vilest sinner, and
much less the least and weakest of God's servants !
SECTION XC.
John xiii. 31 — 38.
Therefore when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is
the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him
in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little
children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall
seek me : and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go,
ye cannot come ; so now I say to you. A new com-
mandment I give unto you, that ye love one another ;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By
FOITR GOSIM.LS. 337
this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye
have love one to another.
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou ?
Jesus answered him, Whither I go, ihou canst not fol-
low me now ; but thou shalt follow me afterward.
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee
now ? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus
answered him. Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake ?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow,
till thou hast denied me thrice.
In this instance, as in all othrrs, let us be mindfnl of the dy-
ing clutrge, the new commandmtnl of our dear Lord; and let us
shew upon all occasions this distiiiguishing 6af/ge of our relation
to him, even our love lo each olher. So will our profession be
adorned, and the Son of man he farther glorijied, by the conduct
of his servants on earth : so shall he at length glorify us with
himself and after a short absence call us to/o//oi« Aim into those
regions of p<^rfect love which must of course be the seats of
everlasting joy.
In the mean time, send down, O gracious Emmanuel, thy
Spiril of love on all thy followers; that we may no longer glory
in the little distinctions of this or that pnrly, but may sheio we
are Christians by this resplendent ensign of our order ! May
we bind it on our shoulders as a mark of honour, and wear it
as a crown upon our heads ; that the spirit of hatred, reproach,
and persecution may vanish like an unwholesome mistbel'ore
the sun, and it may again be universally said, as of old, Behold,
how these Christians love one another! Amen.
SECTION XCI.
Luke xxii. 24 — 38.
And there was also a strife among them, which of them
should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto
them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over
them ; and they that exercise authority upon them are
called benefactors. But ye shall not be so : but he that
is greatest among you, let him be as the younger ; and
30
338 HAIiMONY OF THE
he tliat is chief, as he tliat doth serve. For whether is
greater, he that silteth at meat, or he that serveth ? is
not he that sitteth at meat ? but I am among vou as he
that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with
me in my temptations. " And I appoint unto you a
kingdom, as my Father hatlj appointed unto me; that
ye may eat and drink at my table in ray kingdom, and
sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat :
but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not : and
when thou art converted, strengthen thy bretliren. And
he said unto him. Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both
into prison, and t^ death. And he said, I tell thee,
Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou
shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
And he said unto them, When I sent you without
purse, and script, and shoes, lacked ye any thing ; and
they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them. But now,
he that hath a purse, let him take if, and likewise his
script : and he that hath no sword > let him sell his gar-
ment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that
is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was
reckoned among the transgressors : for the things con-
cerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold,
here are two swoids. And he said unto them. It is
enouorh.
What a mournful reflection is it that corrupt nature should
still prevail so far, even in the hearts of such pious men as the
apostles in the main were, that after so long a converse with
Christ they should still be so unlike him, and bring- their eag^er
contentions about superiority^ in a state of temporal grandeur
they were never to see, into the last hours they spent with their
Master, and even to one of the most holy and solemn ordinances
of religion ! Such are the vain dreams of ambition^ and with
such empty shadows does it amuse the deluded mind
Who would not gladly continue with Christ in the strictest
fidelity, nmidst all the trials which can arise, when he observes
how liberallv he repays his servants, and how graciously he
Beems to reli?h his own honours the more in proportion to the
FOUR GOSPELS. 339
degree in which those honours are shared with them ; appoint-
trig them a glorious kingdom, and erecting thrones (or each of
them I And surely, though the apostles of the Lamb are to have
their peculiar dignity in the great day of his triumph, there is
a sense in which he will perform to every one that overcomelh
that yet njure condescending promise, / inll grant him to sit
down with me on my throne^ even as I also overcame, and am set
down with my Father on his throne. (Rev. iii. 21.) Let our
souls in thitt confidence be strengthened to all the labours and
sufferings to wliich he may call u? forth.
Alas, how ready are we to forget ourselves ; and how much
safer are we in Christ's hands than in our own ! How frequently
do we resolve like Peter, and in how many instances do we/all
like him ! We see the inalice of Satan, and how eagerly he de-
sired to try the apostles, and even to sijt them as wheat ; we see
also the gracious care of our Redeemer, who, foreseeing the dan-
ger of his servants, laid in an unsought remedy, to which they re-
spectively owed their security, or their recovery.
Let us rejoice that the great enen)y is under such restraints, and
can have no power against us, unless by permission from above.
Let us rejoice that Christ is a constant and invariable Friend to
his people ; and still appears as an Advocate with the Father, and
as a tender faithful jS/j^jriAe/vf, watching over them for good, while
Satan is seeking to devour them. (1 Pet. v. 8. If at any tune
that adversary get an advantage over us, let us endeavour in the
strength of Divine grace an immediate recovery ; and wheyi re-
stored, let us exert ourselves to strengthen our brethren : for
surely it is most reasonable that we, who are surrounded with
such various, and such sensible infirmities, should have compas-
sion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. (He-
brews v 2.)
SECTION XCII.
Matt. xxvi. 27 — 29. Mark xiv. 23 — 25. Luke
XXII. 20. 1 Cor. xi. 25.
Likewise also after supper he took the cup, and gave
thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it ;
and they all drank of it, Tiiis is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the
remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in
remembrance of me. Verily I say unto you, I will not
drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day
when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
340 HARMONY OF THE
Let us now review, with most thankful acknowledgment, this
gracious legacy of our dying Redeemer , this reviving and nourish-
ing ordinance^ which he instituted for the benefit of his church
the same night in which he was betrayed. (1 Cor. xi. 23.) So
tenderly did his love for them prevail when his heart was full of
his own sorrows ! May we always consider to what purpose this
holy rite was ordained ; and as we shall see the wisdoni of the
appointment, so we shall also be both awakened to attend to it,
and assisted in that attendance !
It is the memorial of the death of Christ, by which we repre-
sent it to others, and to ourselves. May we be ever ready to give
this most regular and acceptable token, that we are not ashamed
to fight under the banner of a crucified Redeemer ! It is also the
seal of the new covenant in his blood. Let us adore the grace
that formed and ratified that everlasting covenant^ so well ordered
in all things, and so sure. (2 Samuel xxiii. 5.) And whenever
we approach to this sealing ordinance may we renew our con-
sent to the demands of that covenajit, and our expectation of those
blessings which are conveyed by it ! a consent and expectation so
well suited to the circumstance of its being ratified by the blood
of Jesus. Thus may every attendance nourish our souls in grace,
and ripen them for glory ; that at length all may be fulfilled and
perfected in the kingdom of God.
In the mean time may God, by the influence of his Spirit, give
to all professing Christians right notions of this ordinance, and a
due regard for it; that, on the one hand, none may, under the
specious pretence of honouring it, live In the habitual neglect of
so plain and important a duty; and that, on the other, it may
never he profanely invaded by those who have no concern about
the blessings of that covenant it ratifies, and impiously prostitute it
to those secular views, above which it was intended to raise them !
And may none that honour the great Author of it encouiage such
an abuse, lest they seem to lay the very cross oj Christ as the
threshold to the temple of those various idols to which ambitious
and interested men are bowing down their souls !
SECTION XCIII.
John xiv. 1 — 14.
Lkt not your heart be troubled : ye believe in God,
believe also iu me. in my Father's house are many
mansions : if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to [)repare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
FOUR GOSPELS. S4J
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And
whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto him. Lord, we know not whither
thou goest : and how can we know the way ? Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life :
no man cometh unto the Father but by me. If ye had
known me, ye should have known my Father also : and
from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto hirn, Lord, shew us the Father and
it sutficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so
long time with you, yet hast Ihou not known me, Philip 1
he that hath seen me hafh seen the Father : and how
sayest thou then, Shew us the Father ? Believcst thou
not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me ? the
words that 1 speak unto you I speak not of myself : but
the Father that dwclleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that 1 am in the Father, and the Father in
me : or else believe me for the very work's sake. Ve-
rily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the
works that 1 do shall he do also ; and greater works
than these shall he do ; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will 1 do
that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall
ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
We see in the beginning of this section that care of Christ over
his servants which may engage us cheerfully to trust him for pro-
vidential supplies, when employed in his work ; so we see in the
remainder of this, and in the following discourses, the most affec-
tionate discoveries of the very heart of our blessed Redeemer,
overflowing in every sentence with the kindest concern, not only
for the safety but the comfort of his people. We see a lively im-
age of that tenderness with vphich he will another day toipc away
all tears from their eyes. (Rev. vii. 17.) Surely when he uttered
these words he was alio solicitous that our hearts might not he
troubled: and therefore has provided a noble cordial, the strength
of which shall continue to the remotest ages, even faith in his
Father and in him. Oh may that blessed principle be confirmed
by what we have now been reading !
Let us observe with what a holy familiarity our Lord speaks of
the regions of glory ; not, as his eervants do, like one dazzled and
30*
3 4:2 HARMOKY OF THE
overwhelmed with the biightness of the idea: but as accustomed
and familiarized to it by his high birth. In ivy Father's house are
many mansions ; (delightful and reviving thought!) and many-
inhabitants in them, whom we hope through grace will be our
companions there, and every one of them increase and multiply
the joy.
it was not for the apostles alone that Christ went to prepare a
place: he is entered mio heaven as our Forerunner^ (Heb. vi.
20 ;) and we, if we are believers indeed, may be said, by virtue
of our union with him, to sit together in heavenly places in him.
(Eph, ii. 6.) Let us continually be tending thither, in more af-
fectionate desires and more ardent pursuits. IVe know the way ;
we hear the truth; oh may we also feel tfie lije ! By Christ, as
the true and living way, may we come to the Father ; that we
may have eternal life, in knowing him, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom he has sent.' (John xvii 3.) In Christ may
we see him, and have our eyes and our hearts open to those beams
of the Divine glory which are reflected from the /ace of his only-
legottcn So7i, who is Jull of grace and truth / (John i. 14.) Has
he been thus discovered to u?, as our Father, and our God, let it
svfi.ce us'. Let it diffuse a sacred and lasting pleasure over our
souls, though other desirable objects may be veiled or removed;
apiu engage us to maintain a contin\in\ fellowship with the FatheTf
and With his Son Jesus Christ. 1 (John i. 3.)
To this we are invited by every declaration of his readiness to
liear and answer our prayers : and though those miraculous pow-
ers of the Spirit are ceased, whereby the apostles were enabled
to equal, or even to exceed, the works of their Master, yet as we
have !«o many important errands to the throne of grace, in which
the glory of God and the salvation of our souls is concerned, let
us come wiih a holy boldness to it, in dependence on Jesus, that
great High Priest over the house of God, who is passed into the
heavens, and amidst all the grandeur ot that exalted state regards
his humble followers on earth, and ever appears under the charac-
ter of their Advocate ^ud then Friend.
FOUR GOSrELS. 343
SECTION XCIV.
John xiv, 15 — 31.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will
pray the Father, and he shall give you another Com-
lorter, that he may abide with you for ever ; even the
Spirit of truth ; whom the world cannot receive, be-
cause it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but ye
know him ; for he dwellelh with you, and shall be in
you. I will not leave you comfortless : 1 will come to
you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no
more : but ye see me : because I live, ye sliail live also.
At that day ye shall know that I arn in my Father, and
ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my command-
ments, and keepeth theu), he it is that loveth me : And
he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I
Will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it
that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the
world ? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my words : and my Father will
love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my
sayings : and the word which you hear is not mine,
but the Father's which sent me. Tliese things have 1
spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever 1 have
said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you :
not as the world giveth, give 1 unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have
heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again
unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because
I said, I go unto the Father : for my Father is greater
^44 HARMONY OF THE
than I. And now I have told you before it come to
pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Hereafter I will not talk much with you : for the
prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father ;
and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I
do. Arise, let us go hence.
Surely, if we are not entirely strangers to the Divine life, we
cannot read such discourses as these without feeling some warm
emotions of love to Christ; and if indeed we feel them, lei, us
consider how they are to be expressed. Our Lord directs us to
do it in the most solid and the most acceptable manner, by a
constant care to keep his commandments ; and surely such com.'
mandments as his cannot be grievous to a soul that truly loves
him. (1 John v. 3.) The more we live in the practice of
them, the more cheerfully may we expect the abundant commu-
nications of his Spirit to animate and strengthen us.
If we are Christians indeed, let us not, in any circumstance
of life, look on ourselves as helpless and abandoned orphans.
Human friends may forsake us ; but Christ will come to us ; be
will manifest himself io the eye of faith, though to the eye of
sense he is invisible; and bis heavenly Father will love us ; and
watch over us for good : yea, he will come and dwell in the obe-
dient soul by the gracious tokens of his intimate and insepara-
ble presence. And do we any of us experience this? We have
•surely reason to say that by way of admiration which the apos-
tle said by way of inquiry. Lord, how, and whence is it that
thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world I What
have we done to deserve these gracious and distinguishing mani-
festations? Nay, how much have we done to forfeit them I
even more than many, from whom they are withheld !
With unutterable joy let us review this rich legacy of our
dying Lord : peace I leave with you., my peace I give unto you.
Lord, evermore give us this peace with God, and with our own
consciences! for if thou wi\i give quietness, who can make trou-
ble.^ (Job xxxiv. 29.) How serenely may we then pass
through the most turbulent scenes of life, when all is quiet
and harmonious within? Thou hast made peace through the
blood of thy cross, (Col. i. 20;) may we preserve the precious
purchase and inestimable gift inviolate, till it issue in everlast-
ing peace! In this let our hearts be encouraged; in this let
them rejoice ; and not in our own happiness alone, but also in
that of our own glorified and exalted Redeemer. As the mem-
bers of his body, we ought certainly to maintain a pleasing
POUR GOSPELS. 345
sympathy with our Head, and to triumph in his honour and
felicity as our own. If we love Christ, we should rejoice, becau$e
he IS gone to the Fathtr. And the same consideration may in its
de;^iee comfort us when our pious Iriends are removed: if we
love them with a rational and generous frieudi'hip. and are not
too much influenced by selfish afieclions under that specious
nane, our joy for theii exaltation will greatly temper the sorrow
which our loss must give us.
Our Lord uttered these words in the near views of a grievous
assault from the prince of this world, who is the prince of dark-
ness ; but there was no corruption in him to take part with the
enemy. Too much, alas, does he find in us to abet hi? temp-
tations : l;^t us earnestly pray that the grace of Christ may be
sujfficienl for as ; and that as liis love to the Father engaged him
to go through tins painlul conflict with the tempter, his love to
us may make us partakers of his victory^ In his name let us
»et up our banners ; and i\\e powers of ^eW shall flee before us.
SECTION XCV.
JOKN XV. 1 11.
I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he takeUi
away : and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth
it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now^ ye are clean
through the word which 1 have spoken unto you. Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit
of itself, except it abide in the vine ; no more can ye,
except ye abide in me. J am the vine, ye are the
branches : he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit : for without me ye can do
nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a
branch, and is withered ; and men gather them, and
cast themmXo the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide
in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father
glorified that ye bear much fruit ; so shall ye be my disci-
ples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you :
346 HARMONY OF THE
continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye
shall abide in my love ; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have 1 spoken unto you, that my joy
might remain in you, and (hat your joy might be full.
How desirable it is that we may learn from this discourse to
regard Christ, at all times, as the spiritual Head, from whom
life and vigour are to be derived to all his people ! Let us by
the exercise of an unfeigned faith abide in him as the true vine ;
as being always sensible that without him ive can do nothing ;
and that if we are in him only by an external profession, we
are not only in danger of being cut off, and taken away, but
shall in the end be cast into the Jire. May we rather be purged
and pruned, though it should be with the most painful dispen-
sations of providence ; if by this means o\xr fruilfulness may be
promoted to the glory of God, and to the benefit of the world !
May his word operate daily upon us, to cleanse us from remain-
ing pollutions ! and if we thus desire to be clean, \ei na take
heed to our way, according to the tenor of that word. (Psalm
cxix. 9 )
We see our encouragement to pray ; let us take it from Chrisl,
and not be dismayed, nor yield to unbelieving suspicions, jis
the Father has loved Christ, so does he also love his people. Let
us preserve and cultivate this sacred friendship ; and, whatever
it may cost us, let us endeavour to continue in his love, and to
avoid whatever would forfeit it ; making it above all things our
care to ketp his commandments. Christ always observing thoi^e
of his heavenly Father, cannot but always and invariably con-
tinue the object of his love and delight : may our conduct be
such as that he may see reason to rejoice in us ! and then we
shall also have the surest foundation for a sublime and solid /o^.
SECTION XCVI.
John xv. 12 — 27.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as
I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Hence-
FOUR GOSPELS. 347
forth I call you not servants ; for the servant knoweth
not what his lord doeth : but I liave called you friends ;
for all things that 1 have heard of my Father I have made
known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but 1 have
chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and
bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain : that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he
may give it you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it
hated you. If ye were of the world, tiio world would
love his own : but because ye are not of the world, but
1 have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world
hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you,
the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have
persecuted me, they will also persecute you : if they
have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all
these things they do unto you for my names' sake, because
they know not him that sent me. If I had not come
and spoken unto them, they had not had sin : but now
they have no cloak for their sin. Ho that hateth me
hateth my Father also. — If I had not done among them
the works which none other man did, they had not had
sin : but now have they both seen and hated both me
and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word
might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated
me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come,
whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father he
shall testify of me : And ye also shall bear witness
because ye have been with me from the beginning.
The Son of God condescends to speak under the character
of a Friend : and with what humble gratitude should we attend
to his words! He lays aside the majesty of a sovereign to as-
Butue this more tender relation; and surely our overflowing
hearts must inquire, blessed Jesui, what shall we do to express
the friendship on our side ? Let us observe what he has here
declared. Ye are my friends indeed, if ye do whatever command
J you. Lord, we will run the way of these thy commandments,
348 HARMONY OP THE
whtn on this noblesL principle thou shall enlarge our hearts
(Psalm cxix. 32.)
He has loved us with an unexampled affection, which has ap-
proved iiieM stronger than, death; and, in return he requires us
to love one another. How gracious a command! How nierciful
to our fellow-creatures and to ourselves, who should infallibly
feel the benefit of the practice of it, both in the delight insepa-
rable from benevolent affections, and in the circulation of kind
and friendly ufficea, which, degenerate as human nature is, few
are so abandoned as not to endeavour to repay ! Who would
not imagine that the whole world should feel and obey the
charm ? And yet, instead of this, behold, \hey hate Christ, and
his servants/or his sake, though without a cawse, and against the
strongest engagements. Miserable creatures! who by a neces-
sary consequence, whatever they may fondly imagine, hate the
Father also, and stand daily and hourly exposed to all the dread-
ful terrors of an almighty enemy.
Let us not wonder if the world hate us ; nor greatly regard it
if it injure us. We are not of the world, nor is the servant greater
than his lord: but surely the opposition which the gospel brings
along with it, is nothing when compared with those blessings
which it entails on all who Aiithfully embrace it. Were the
sufferings and difficulties a thousand times greater than they are,
we ought to esteem the Pearl 0/ price, the most happy purchase
at any rate, and to be be daily returning our most thankful ac-
knowledgments that Christ sent forth his «/70A7Ze5. quaUfied with
such a knowledge of himself, and assisted by such power from
his Spini, appointing them logo and bring forth fruit, evei\ fruit
which should remain to the remotest ages. Through his guar-
dian care it still remains in the world: Oh may it flourish more
abundantly among us! and may its efficacy on our hearts and
lives be more apparent ! And may Divine grace convince those
who now reject and oppose it, that in the midst of such various
evidence of his having come and spoken to them, they have no
cloak for their sin! but with whatever fond excuses they may
amuse themselves and others, it will quickly appear, that the
bed is too short to stretch themselves on it, and the covering too
narrow to wrap themselves in. (Isa. xxviii. 20.)
POUR GOSPELS. 34!)
SECTION XCVII.
John xvi. 1 — 15.
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should
not be offended. They shall put you out of the syna-
gogues ; yea, the time conneth, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service. And these
things will they do unto you, because they have not known
the Father, nor ine. — But these things have I told you,
that when the time shall come, ye may remember that
I told you of them. And these things I said not unto
you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now
I go my way to him that sent me ; and none of you ask-
eth me, Whither goest thou ? But because I have said
these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth ; it is expedient for you
that I go away : for if I go not away, the Comforter will
not come unto you : but if I depart, I will send him unto
you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world
of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment : of sin,
because they believe not on me ; of righteousness, be-
cause T go to my Father, and ye see me no more ; of
judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can-
not bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth ; for he
shall not speak of himself; but w'hatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak : and he will shew you things to
come. He shall glorify me : for he shall receive of mine,
and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father
hath are mine: therefore said 1, that he shall take of
mine, and shall shew it unto you.
How great is tlie ignorance and folly of them that persecute
their brethren in the name of the Lord, and kill his dear children
under the pretence of offering him an acceptable sacrifice! Thus
31
350 HARMONY OP THE
were the apostles treated by those that knew not the God for
whom they professed all this burning zeal. Let us blesa God
that we are providentially sheltered from those effects of it
which might otherwise bear so hard upon us: and let us dili-
gently watch over our hearts, that no irregular affections may
work there, and no uncharitable sentiments be harboured.
When, like the apostles, our hearts AreJiUed tvith sorrow, let us
be cautious that they may not be stupijied by it, so that any call
of duty should pass unheard or any opportunity of religious ad-
vancement unimproved; and let us not be indolent in our in-
quiries into the meaning of those dispensations v/hich we do not
understand ; but seriously consider whether we are not sorrow-
ful for that which is indeed designed for our advantage^ and in
the issue will be matter of rejoicing to us.
We hear to what purposes the Comforter was sent. His com-
ing was designed in a peculiar manner for the advantage of the
apostles ; and was of greater service to them than the continu-
ance of Christ^s presence with them in the body would have
been, not only to support and comfort them under all their trials,
but to acquaint them with all necessary truth, and fully to in-
struct them in the mysteries of godliness. And he came also for
the conviction of an apostate world ; for the important errand he
was sent upon was toawaken men's minds, and to convince them
of their own guilt, and of Christ's righteousness, and of that
awful judgment which should be executed on the most invete-
rate of his enemies. Let us often think of the force of the Spi-
ril's testimony to the truth of Christianity, and endeavour to
understand it in all its extent. Let us bless God that the gospel,
iind the character of his Son, were thus vindicated ; and rejoice
in the views of that complete conquest, to which Satan is
already adjudged. In the mean time let us earnestly pray that
the influences of the Holy Spirit may be communicated to us in
such a manner that Christ may he glorified in us, and we in
him ; and that the things of Christ may be taken, and shewn to
us by that Spirit ; for it can only be done by means of his in-
fluence and operations.
SECTION XCVIil.
John xvi. 16 — 33.
A LITTLE while, and ye shall not see me : and again, a
little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the
Father. Then said some of his disciples among them-
FOUR GOSPELS. 361
selves, what is that he saith unto us, A little while, and
ye shall not see me : and again, a little while, and ye shall
see me : and, Because I go to the Father ? They said
therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while ? we
cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they
were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye
inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while,
and ye shall not see me : and again, a little while, and
ye shall see me ? Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye
shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice : and ye
shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into
joy.
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because
her hour is come : but as soon as she is delivered of the
child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy
that a man is born into the world. — And ye now there-
fore have sorrow : but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from
you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father
in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye ask-
ed nothing in my name : ask, and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full.
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs :
but the time comelh, when I shall no more speak unto
you in proverbs, but 1 shall shew you plainly of the
Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name : and I
say unto you, that I will pray the Father for you : for
the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved
rae, and have believed that I came out from God. I
came forth from the Father, and am come into the world :
again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His
disciples said unto him, Lo, now thou speakest plainly,
and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou
knowest all things, and needest not that any man should
ask thee : by this we believe that thou camest forth from
God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe ? Be-
hold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall
be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me
352
HARMONY OF THE
alone : and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with
me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might liave peace. In the world ye shall have tribu-
lation : but he of i^ood cheer ; I have overcome the
world.
We are, perhaps, often regretting the absence of Christ, and
looking back with emulation on the happier lot of those who
conversed with him on earth in the days of his flesh: but if we
are true believers in an unsetn Jesus^ it is but a Utile nhile and
ue shall also see him; for he is gone to the Father, and will so
successfully negociate our affairs there, that whatever our pre-
sent difficulties and sorrows are, they shall end more happily
than those of a icoman, who after all the pangs and throes of
her labour, through the merciful interposition of Divine Provi-
dence, is made ihe Joyful mother of a living child.
In the mean time, we have surely no reason to envy the
world lis Joys and triumphs; alas, its season o{ ueeping will
quickly come ? But our lamentations are soon to be turned
into songs of praise and our hearts to be filled with that solid,
sacred and pecuViar Joy, which, being the gift of Christ, can
never be taken auay.
While we are in this state of distance and darkness, let us
rejoice that we have access to the throne of grace through the
prevailing name of Christ. Let us come thither with holy
courage and confidence, and ask that we may receive; and so
our Joy may be full. With wbat pleasure may we daily renew
our visi*'=; to that throne, before which Jesus stands as an Inter-
cessor; to that throne, which is possessed by the Father, who
himself lovtth us, and answers with readiness and delight those
petitions which are thus recommended I May our faith in
Christ, and our love to him, be still on the increasing hand ; and
our supplications will be more and more acceptable to him,
whose loving-kindness is better than life ! (Psalm Jxiii. 3.)
Surely we shall be frequently reviewing these gracious afw-
courses which Christ has bequeathed us as an invaluable legacy.
May they dwell with us in all our solitude, and comfort U3 in
every distress! We shall have no reason to wonder if human
friendship be sometimes false, and always precarious : the dis-
ciples of Christ were scattered in the day of his extremity, and
left him alone, when they were under the highest obligations to
have adhered to him with the most inviolable fidelity. May
we but be able like him to say, that our Father is with us ;
and that delightful converse with God, which we may enjoy in
FOUR GOSPELS. 363
cur most solitary moments, will be a thousand times more than
an equivalent for whatsoever we lose in the creatures. In the
tcorld we must indeed have tribulation ; and he that has appoint-
ed it for us, knows that it is fit we should : but since Jesus,
the Captain of our salvation, who was made perfect through suf-
ferings, has overcome the world, and disarmed it ; let us seek
that peace which he has established, and press on with a cheer-
ful assurance, that the least of his followers shall share in the
honours and benefits of his victory.
SECTION XCIX.
JOH.V XVII. 1 12.
These vv^ords spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to
heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come : glorify
thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee : as thou
hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I
I have glorified thee on the earth : 1 have finished the
work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O
Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the
glory which I had with thee before the world was.
I have manifested thy name unto the men which
thou gavest me out of the world : thine they were, and
thou gavest them me ; and they have kept thy word.
Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou
hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto
them the words which thou gavest me ; and they have
received them, and have known surely that 1 came out
t>om thee, and they have believed that thou didst send
me.
I pray for them : I pray not for the world, but for
them which thou hast given me ; for they are thine.
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine ; and I am
glorified in them. And now I am no more in the
31*
354 HARMONY OF THE
v/orld, but these are in the world, and I come to thee.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those
whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we
are.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in
thy name : those that thou gavest me I have kept, and
none of them is lost, but the son of perdition ; that the
scripture might be fulfilled.
With pleasure let us behold our gracious Redeerx>Ar in this
posture of humble adoration ; lifting up his eyes io God with
solemii devotion, and pouring out his pious and benevolent
Spirit in those Divine breathings which are here recorded.
From his example, let us learn io pray ; und from his inter-
cession, to hope. We know that the Father heartth him always
(John xi. 42;) and singularly did he manifest that he heard
him now, by all that bright assemblage of glories vi^hich shone
around him in the concluding scenes of his abode on earth, and
in those that attended his removal from it: and in all this too
did the blessed Jesus manifest his zeal for the glory of the Fa-
ther. May we emulate that holy temper! and when we pray
even for our own consummnic happiness in the heavenly world,
may we consider it as ultimately centering in the honour and
service of Gcd !
Well may we be encouraged to hope for that happiness,
since Christ has an universal power over all fleshy and over spi-
rits superior to those that dwell in flesh; with which he is
invested on purpose that he may accomplish the salvation of
those whom the Father has given him, even of every true be-
liever. We see the certain way to this life, even the knowledge
of God in Christ: let us bless God, that we enjoy so many op-
portunities of obtaining it ; and earnestly pray that he who
com,nand(d the light to shine out of darkness, would by his
Divine rays shine forth on our benighted souls ; and so animate
us in his service, from the noblest principles of gratitude and
love, that we may be able to say, even in our dying moments,
with jomewhat of the same Spirit which our Lord expressed,
Father, we have glorified thee on earth, and finished the work
which thou gavest us to do ; and therefore, being no more in the
world, we come unto thee. Then may we hope, in our humble
degree, to partake of that glory to which he is returned, and
to sit down with him on his victorious throne.
Tn the mean time may our /ai7/i see, and oar gca/ confess,
Christ! May we acknowledge his Divine authority, as having
come out from the Father ; may we be united in love to him,
FOUR GOSPELS. 365
and to eeich other; and be kept by that Divine word which >»
the security of his people, that none of them shall be lost! Let
the ton of perdition, who perished even from among the apos-
tles, teach us an humble jealousy over our own hearts, what-
ever external privileges we enjoy ; and engage us to maintain
a continual regard to him who is able to keep us from falling,
and to present us faullless before (he presence of his glory tcith
exceeding joy I (Jude ver. 24.)
SECTION C.
John xvn. 13 — 26.
And now come I to thee ; and these things I speak in
the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in them-
selves. I have given them thy word ; and the world
hath hated them, because they are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou
shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of
the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify
them through thy truth : Thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I
also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I
sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified
through the truth.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also
which shall believe on me through their word ; that they
all may be one ; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us : that the world
may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory
which thou gavest me I have given them ; that they may
be one, even as we are one : I in them, and thou in me,
that they may be made perfect in one ; and that the
world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved
them, as thou hast loved me.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given
me, be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
3^56 HARMONY OF THE
glory, which thou hast given me : for thou lovedst me
before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee ;
but I have known thee, and these have known that thou
hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy
name, and will declare it : that the love wherewith thou
hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
We have indeed perpetual reason of thankfulness that our gra-
cious Redeemer spake these words in the world, and recalled them
thus exactly to the memory of his beloved disciple so many years
after, that we in the most distant ages of his church might, by re-
viewing them, have his joy fulfilled in us. Let us with pleasure
recollect that those petitions which Christ offered for his apostles
were expressly declared not to be intended for them alone ; but
so far as circumstances should agree, /or all that should believe on
him through their word, and therefore /or us, if we are real, and
not merely nominal believers. For us doth he stiW pray, not that
God would immediately take us out of the world, though for his
sake we may be continually hated and injured in it; but that he
would keep us from the evil to which we are here exposed, jPor
our sokes did he also sanctify himself as a propitiation for our
sins, that we might also be sanctified through the truth ; for he
gave himself for us, that he 7night redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.
(Titus ii. it.)
May these wise and gracious purposes of his love be fulfilled in
us ! May we be one with each other, and with him ! May that
piety and charity appear in the whole series of our temper and be-
haviour, which may evidently shew the force of our religion, and
reflect a conspicuous honour upon the great Founder of it! And
may all concur to train us up for that complete felicity above, in
which all the purposes of his love centre ! It is the declared will
of Christ, and let us never forget it, that his people should be
with him where he is, that they may behold his glory which the
Father has given him. And there is apparent congruity, as well
as mercy in the appointment : that where he is, there also should
his servants and members be. The blessed angels do undoubtedly
behold the glory of Christ with perpetual congratulation and de-
light ; but how much more reason shall we have to rejoice and
triumph in it when we consider it as the glory of one in our own
nature, the gZory of our Redeemer and our Friend, and the pledge
and security of our own everlasting happiness ! Let us often be
lifting up the eyes of our faith towards it, and let us breathe after
heaven in this view ; in the mean time, with all due zeal, and love,
and duty, acknowledging the Father and the Son, that the joys
of heaven may be anticipated in our souls, while thx love of God
FOUR GOSPELS. 357
19 shed abroad there by his Spirit, which is given unto us ; even
aomethinff of that love wherewith he has loved Jesus, our incarnate
Head.
SECTION CI.
Matt. xxvi. 30—35. Mark xiv. Si6 — 3J. Luke
xxii. 39. John xviii. 1.
When Jesus had spoken these words, and they had sung
a hymn, he went forth over tlie hrook of Cedron, and
went, as lie was wont, to the mount of Ohves; and his
disciples also followed him. Then saith Jesus unto
them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night :
for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep
of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after that I
am risen again I will go before you into Galilee.
But Peter answered and said unto him, Though all
men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never
be offended. Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto
thee, that this day, even in this night, before (he cock
crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake
the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will
not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said all the
disciples.
So feeble is the heart of man, and yet so ready to trust to its
own strength ! So gracious is the Lord Jesus Christ, that great
Shepherd and Bishop of soids, who gave himself to be smitten
for his flock when they had forsaken him ; and then returning,
sought them out again, and fed them in richer pastures than be-
fore!
How reasonable is it that our hearts should be fixed in the most
inflexible resolution for his service ! How fit that we should every
oneof us say, \\ ith the utmost determination of soul, Lord, though
I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee I For how could
death wear a more graceful, or a more pleasing form, than when
it met us close by our Saviour's side, and came as the seal of our
fidelity to him ?
Surely this is the language of many of our hearts before him,
especially when warmed and animated by a sense of his dying
358 HARMOWY OF THE
love to us. Yet let its not be high-minded ; for Peter, after this
declaration, denied his Master ; and the same night in which
they had protested they would never leave him, all the disciples
forsook him and fled. (Matt. xxvi. 56.) Nor, on the other
hand, let the view of that frailty discourage, though it ought to
caution us ; for the time came when each of them behaved as
they here spoke ; and they who in his very presence acted so
weak a part, through the influences of his strengthening Spirit,
resisted unto blood, and loved not their lives unto the death, for
the testimony of Jesus. (ReV. xii. 11.)
SECTION Cl[.
Matt. xxvi. 36—46. Mark xrv. 32 — 42. Luke
XXII. 40 — 46. John XVIII. 1 .
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called
Gethsemane, where was a garden, into the which he
entered, and his disciples. And when he was at the
place, he said unto them, Sit ye here while I go and
pray yonder. And he took with him Peter, and James
and John, the two sons of Zebedee, and he began to be
sorrowful, sore amazed, and very heavy. Then saith
Jesus unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even
unto death : tarry ye here, and watch with me. And
he went a little farther, and was withdrawn from them
about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, fell on his face
on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the
hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, O my
Father, if it be possible, (and all things are possible unto
thee,) take away this cup from me : nevertheless, not
my will, but thine, be done.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and firideth them
sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou ?
what, could ye not watch with me one hour ? Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation ; the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. And he went
away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except
T drink it, thy will be done. And when he returned.
FOUR GOSPELS. 369
he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,)
neither wist they what to answer him. And he left
them, and went away again, and prayed the third time,
saying the same words. And there appeared an angel
unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly : (with
strong crying and tears, Heb. v. 7,) and his sweat was
as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was
come the third time to his disciples, he found them
sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them. Why sleep ye
now, and take your rest ? it is enough ; rise and pray,
lest ye enter into temptation. Behold, the hour is come,
and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betray eth me is at hand.
On the most transient survey of this amazing story we cannot
but fall into deep admiration. Whata sightisherel Let our
souls turn aside to behold it with a becoming temper : and sure-
ly we must wonder how the disciples could sleep in the midst of
a scene which might almost have awakened rocks and trees to
compassion.
Behold the Prince of life, God's incarnate and only-begotten
Son, drinking of the brook in the tcay^ (Psalm ex. 7 ;) and not
only tasting, but drawing in full draughts of that bitter cup
which his heavenly Father pni into his hands on this awful occa-
sion. Let us behold him kneeling^ and even prostrate on the
ground, and there pouring out his strong cries and tears to him
that was able lo save him from death. (Heb. v. 7.) Let us
view him in this bloody agony, and say, If these things be done
in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? (Luke xxiii.
3L) If even Christ himself was so depressed with sorrow and
amasement, and the distress and anguish he endured were such,
that in his agony the siceat ran from him like great drops of
blood, when our iniquities uere laid upon him, and il pleased
the Father to bruise him, and to put him to grief, (Isa. liii. 6,
10;) how must the sinner then be filled with horror, and with
what dreadful agonies of anguish and despair will he be over-
whelmed, when he shall bear the burden of his own iniquities^
and God shall j30wr out all his iv rath upon him? Behold, how
fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God !
(Heb. X. 31.)
Here was no human enemy near our blessed Redeemer ; yet
«uch invisible terrors set themselves in array against him, that
360 HARMONY OF THE
his very soul was poured out like water ; nor was there any cir*
cumstance of his sufferings in which he discovered a greater
commotion of spirit. Nevertheless, his pure and holy soul bare
all this without any irregular perturbation- In all this he
sinned not by a murmuring word, or an impatient thought: he
shone the brighter for the furnace of affliction, and gave us at
once the most wonderful and the most amiable pattern of resig'
nation to the divine disposal, when he said, Father, not as I
will^ hut as thou wilt — May this be our language under every
trial ! Lord, we could wish it was; and we would maintain a
holy wntchfalness over onr own souls, that it may be so ! But
in this respect, as well as in every other, we find that even
when the spirit is witling, thejlesh is weak. How happy is it
for us that the blessed Jesus knows our frame^ and has learnt^
by what he himself suffered in our frail nature, to make the
most compassionate allowance for its various infirmities ! Let
us learn to imitate this his gentle and gracious conduct, even in
an hour of so much distress. Let us bear with and let us pity
each other, not aggravating every neglect of our friends into a
crime; but rather speaking of their faults in the mildest terms,
and making the most candid excuses for what we cannot defend.
Let us exercise such a temper, even in the most gloomy and
dejected moments of life; which surely may well be expected
of us, who ourselves need so much compassion and indulgence
almost from every one with whom we converse ; and, which is
infinitely more, who owe our all to the forbearance of that
God, of whose mercy it is that we are not utterly consiimed.
sKCTioN cm.
Matthew XXVI. 47 — 56. Mark xiv. 43 — 52. Luke
XXII. 47 — 53. John xviii. 2 — 1 1.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:
for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
And immediately, while he yet spake, io, Judas, one
of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude
Vv^ith swords and staves, having received a band of men
and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees,
Scribes and elders of the people, with lanterns and
torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all
things that should come upon him, went forth, and said
unto them. Whom seek ye ? They answered him, Jesus
FOUR GOSPELS. 361
of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And
Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As
soon then as he had said unto them, I am he^ they went
backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them
again. Whom seek ye ? And they said, Jesus of Naza-
reth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he; if
therefore ye seek me, let these go their way : That the
saying might be fulfilled, which he spake. Of them
which thou gavest me have I lost none. Now he that
betrayed him had given them a token, saying. Whom-
soever I shall kiss, that same is he ; take him, hold him
fast, and lead him away safely. And he went before
them. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Ilail
Master, Master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto
him, Friend, wherefore art thou come ? Judas, betrayest
thou the Son of man with a kiss ? Then came they, and
laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
When they which were about him saw what would
follow, they said unto him. Lord, shall we smite with
the sword : And, behold, one of them which were with
Jesus, Simon Peter, having a sword, stretched out his
hand, drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and
cut off' his right ear. The servants name was Mal-
chus.
And Jesus aiiswered and said. Suffer ye thus far.
And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then said Je-
sus unto Peter, Put up again thy sword into the sheath :
for all they that take the sword shall perish with the
sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Fa-
ther, and he shall presently give me more than twelve
legions of angels ? But how then shall the scriptures be
fulfilled, that thus it. must be ? The cup which my Fa-
ther hath given me, shall I not drink it ?
In that same hour said Jesus unto the chief priests
and captains of the temple, and the elders, and to the
multitudes which were come to him, Are ye come out
as against a thief, with swords and with staves, to take
me ? When 1 was daily with you in the temple, teach-
ing, ye stretched forth no hands against me : but this is
32
362 HARMONY OF THE
your hour, and the power of darkness. But all this was
done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be ful-
filled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
And there followed him a certain young man, having a
linen cloth cast about his naked body ; and the young
men laid hold on him : and he left the linen cloth, and
fled from them naked.
The heroic behaviour of the blessed Jesus, in the whole pe-
riod of his sufferings, will easily make itself observed by every
attentive eye, though the sacred historians, according to their
usual but wonderful simplicity, make no encomiums upon it.
With what composure does he go forth to meet the traitor I
with what calmness does he receive that malignant kiss I With
what dignity does he deliver himself into the hands of his ene-
mies, yet plainly shewing his superiority over them, and leading
as it were even then captivity captive !
We see him generously capitulating for the sajtty of his
/»-i6nc?s, while he neglected Am o\]on; and afterward, not only
forbidding all the defence they attempted to make, but curing
that wound which one of his enemies had received in this as-
sault on him. With what meek majesty did he say, Suffer ye
at least thus far ! And he touched his ear^ and healed him. We
hear his words, we behold his actions with astonishment: but
surely our indignation must rise within us when we see so amia-
ble and excellent a Person thus injured and abused ; when we
see the Son of man betrayed with a kiss : betrayed by his intimate
friend, who had eaten of his bread, and yet lifted up his heel
against him, (John xiii, 18,) and at the same time forsakenby
all his disciples, even by him whom he most tenderly loved, and
who had so often leant on his bosom. Let us not wonder if
some of OUT friends prove false; and others seem to forget us
when we have the greatest need of their assistance. When
we deserve so much less friendship than Christ did, let us not
think it strange if we find but little more. Nor can we rea-
sonably be so much amazed, as we might otherwise have been,
to see sinners going on under the most awful rebukes of provi-
dence ; when we consider that these wretches, who had been
struck downto the ground by one word of Chrisfs mouth, should
immediately me up and stretch forth their impious hands
against him, to seize and bind him; though they might well
have known that they lived only by his indulgence and forbear-
ance, and that the same word that struck them down to the
ground, could have laid them dead there. Touch our hearts^ O
FOUR GOSPELS. 363
Lord, by thy grace ; or it will be in vain that we are smitten
with thy rod !
In all the remainder of this story let us remember that Jesus
voluntarily g-are himself up to sufferings which he circumstan-
tially foreknew ; even though he could have commanded to his
assistance whole legions of angels. His Father''s will was an an-
swer to all that nature could plead in its own cause ; and the
good hand from which this cup of his severest sufferings came,
reconciled him to all the bitterest ingredients it contained. How
reasonable then is it that we who, having had fathers of our
flesh that corrected us, submitted to the rod, and gave them rever-
ence, should much rather, after the example of our innocent and
holy Redeemer, be in subjection to the Father of our spirits, and
live I (Heb. xii. 9.)
SECTION CIV.
Matt. xxvi. 57 — 68. Mark xiv. 63 — 66. Luke
XXII. 64, 55, 63—65. John xviii. IP— 24.
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews
took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas
first ; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was
the high-priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he,
which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient
that one man should die for the people. And Annas
sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high-priest : and with
him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders>
and the Scribes.
And Simon Peter followed Jesus afar off unto the
high-priest's palace, and so did another disciple. That
disciple was known unto the high-priest, and went in
with Jesus into the palace of the high-priest. But Pe-
ter stood at the door without. Then went out that other
disciple, which was known unto the high-priest, and
spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Pe-
ter- And the servants and officers had made a fire of
coals in the midst of the hall, (for it was cold :) and
were set down together ; and they warmed themselves :
364 , HARMONY OF THE
and Peter sat down among them to see the end ; and
warmed himself at the fire.
The high-priest then asked Jesus of his disciples,
and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake open-
ly to the world : I ever taught in the synagogue, and in
the temple, whither the Jews always resort ; and in se-
cret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me ? ask
them which heard me, what I have said unto them : be-
hold, they know what I said. And when he had thus
spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus
v/ith the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the
high-priest so ? Jesus answered him. If I have spoken
evil, bear witness of the evil : but if well, why smitest
thou me ? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caia-
phas the high-priest.
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council,
sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death ;
but found none : yea, though many false witnesses came,
and bear false witness against him, yet found they none :
for their witness agreed not together. At the last came
two false witnesses, and said, We heard this fellow say,
I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and
in three days I will build another made without hands.
But neither so did their witness agree together. And
the high-priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus,
saying, Answerest thou nothing ? what is it which these
witness against thee ? But Jesus held his peace, and
answered nothing. Again the high-priest asked him,
and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God,
that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the Son of
God the blessed 1 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast
said. And Jesus said, I am : Nevertheless I say unto
you. Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on
the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of
heaven. Then the high-priest rent his clothes, saying,
He hath spoken blasphemy ; what further need have we
of witnesses ? behold, now ye have heard his blasphe-
my. What think ye ? And they all answered, and con-
demned him, and said, He is guilty of death. Then
FOCB GOSPELS.
3^)5
did they spit in his face, and buffetted hira ; and the
men that held Jesus mocked him, covered his face, and
when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the
face, and asked him, saying. Prophesy unto us, thou
Christ, who is he that smote thee ? And many other
things blasphemously spake they against him : and the
servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
Thus was the patient Lamb q/" God surrounded by his blood-
thirsty enemies : Thus did the dogs encompass him, and the
strong bulls of Bashan beset him on tvery side. (Psalm xxii.
12, 16.) Thus was he brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and
as a sheep before her shearers is dumby so he opened not his mouth.
(Isaiah liii. 7, 8.) He was taken from judgment,, and suffered
the worst kind of murder, even that which had the appearance
of being legal. But those gentle words which he dropped in
the midst of all the injuries which were offered him are surely
worthy ever to be recorded and remembered. It had always
been his care io provide things honest m the sight of all men:
and as he answered with a most graceful and courageous ap-
peal to all that heard him, as to the innocence and usefulness of
his doctrine, so it is well worthy our observation and reflection,
that God so far restrained the rage and malice of hell, that no
such/a/5e witnesses arose against him, as could on the whole
asperse his character, or bring it under any brand of public in-
famy ; though Judas, a.s well as others, might have sought a
reward, or at least an indemnity, for their own villainy, in ac-
cusing him. And indeed it is no inconsiderable instance of
God's providential government of the world, that wicked men
are restrained by this one remainder of reverence for the Di-
vine omniscience, and dread of his vengeance, from destroying
the reputations and lives of his children ; especially in countries
where (as in our own) the punishment which human laws in-
flict on perjury is so much below its desert.
When i/€su5 was examined on oath he witnessed a good con-
fession, and cited those that were now his judges to appear at
his bar. Nor was it a vain boast ! The Son of man is now
sitting at the right hand of power, and will ere long come in the
clouds of heaven; and then they that condemned, and insulted,
and pierced him, shall mourn because of him, (Rev. i. 7.) May
we be now so wise as to kiss the Son in token of our humble al-
legiance to him, lest he be then justly angry with us ; yea, lest,
we immediately perish from the way, when his wrath is but be-
ginning to be kindled .' (Psalm ii. 12.)
32*
3QG HARMONY OF THE
SECTION CV.
Matt. xxvi. 69 — 75. Mark. xiv. 66 — 72. Luke
XXII. 56—62. John xvki. 17, 18, 25 — 27.
Now Peter sat without in the palace : and as Peter was
beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids
of the high-priest, the damsel that kept the door. And
when she saw Peter as he sat by the fire, warming him-
self, she earnestly looked upon him, and said, Art thou
not also one of this man's disciples ? Thou also wast with
Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying,
Woman, I am not, 1 know him not, I know not, neithrr
understand 1 what thou sayest. And he went out into the
porch ; and the cock crew. And when he was gone
out into the porch, this maid saw him again, and another,
and said unto them that were there, This fellow was
also with Jesus of Nazareth. And the servants and
officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals ; for
it was cold ; and they warmed themselves : and Peter
stood with them and warmed himself They said there-
fore unto him, Art thou not also one of his disciples ?
And again he denied with an oath, I am not, I do not
know the man. And after a while, about the space of
one hour after, one of the servants of the high-priest, be-
ing his kinsman whose ear Peter cut oflf, confidently af-
firiaeu, saying, Of a truth ihis fellow was also with him ;
for he is a Galilean. And he said to Peter, Did not 1 see
thee in the garden with him ? And they that stood by said
unto Peter, Surely thou art one of them, for thou art a
Galilean, and thy speech bewrayeth thee. Peter then
denied again, and began to curse and to swear, and said,
Man, I know not what thou sayest ; I know not this
man of whom ye speak. And immediately, while he
yet spake, the second time the cock crew. And the
Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter re-
membered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto
FOUR GOSPELS. 367
him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me
thrice. And when he thought thereon, he went out, and
wept bitterly.
How loudly does this affecting story speak to us in the words
of the apostle, Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest
he fall, (1 Cor. x. 12.) Peter professed the warmest zeal ; and
gave his Lord repeated and no doubt, very sincere assurances
of the firmest resolution in his cause I and yet, except Judas
the traitor, none of his brethren fell so low as he. But a few
hours before he had been with Christ at the sacred table, and
heard from his own lips those gracious discourses which, as
echoed back from his word, do still strike so strongly on the
heart of every true believer. He had just seen those words
remarkably, and even miraculously, verified, that J^e.si/j having
loved his own that were in the world, loved them to the end, (John
xiii. 1.) How reasonably then might it have been expected
that his oicn should also have continued their most zealous and
constant affection to him! But Peter, who, if possible, was
more than doubly his as a disciple, as an apostle, as a distin-
guished intimate, most shamefully denies him ; and that not
only once, but a second, yea, and a third time, even with oaths
and curses, as if he would by that diabolical language give a
sensible proof that he did not belong to Christ: and who in-
deed, that had heard it, would have imagined that he did?
Nay, to aggravate it yet farther, it was done in the presence of
the other disciple, and even of Christ himself, who surely was
much more painfully wounded by this pevfidiousness of Peter
than by all the rage and fury of his enemies. Lord, what in
man? What is our boasted strength but weakness! and, if we
are left unto ourselves, how do our most solemn resolutions
melt like snow before the Bun ! Be thou surely for thy servants^
for good. (Psalm cxix. 122.)
The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. So may he gra-
ciously look upon us il we at any time make any approach to-
wards the like sin ! May he look upon us with a glance which
shall penetrate our hearts, and ca.usejioods of penitential sorrow
to flow forth ! Peter went out, and wept bitterly. He quitted
that dangerous scene where temptation had met and vanquish-
ed him ; and chose retirement and solitude to give vent to his
overflowing soul. Thus may we recover ourselves ; or rather,
thus may we be recovered by Divine grace from those slips and
falls which in this frail state we shall often be making 1 Let us
retire from the business and the snares of life ; that we may at-
tend to the voice of conscience, and of God speaking by it ;
and may so taste the wormwood and gall, that our souls may
368 HARMONY OF THE
long have them in remembrance. To conclude ; let us express
the sincerity of our godly sorrow by a more cautious and reso-
lute guard against the occasions of sin, if we would not be
found to trifle with God when we pray that he would not lead
us into temptation^ but would deliver us from evil.
SECTION CVI.
Matt, xxvii. 1 — 10. Mark xv. Luke xxii.
66 — 71, XXIII. 1. John xviii. 28.
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and
the chief priests and the Scribes came together, led him
into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ ? tell us.
And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe :
And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me
go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right
hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art
thou then the Son of God ? And he said unto them,
Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any
further witness ? for we ourselves have heard of his own
mouth.
Matt xxvii. 1, 2. Mark xv. 1. Luke xxiii. 1.
John xviii. 28.
And straightway in the morning all the chief Priests
held a consolation with the elders and Scribes and the
whole council, against Jesus to put him to death : And
the whole multitude of them arose, and when they had
bound Jesus, they led him away from Caiaphas unto the
hall of judgment, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate
the governor : and it was early.
Matt, xxvii. 3—10.
Then Judas which had betrayed him, when he saw
that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought
again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and
FOUR GOSPELS. 36 J
elders, saying, I have sinned, in that 1 have betrayd thee
innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us ?
see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver
in (he temple, and departed, and went and hanged him-
self; (and falling headlong, he burst assunder in the
midst, and all his bowels gushed out. Acts i 18.)
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said,
It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because
it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and
brought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers
in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood,
unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken
by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty
pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom
they of the children of Israel did value ; and gave them
for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
In how fatal a manner does the way of transgresors deceive
them ! Judas, no doubt, but a few hours befor<^, was thinking
with eager impatience of receiving this sum oi money, which was
the wages of unrighteousness : but though he might for a little
while roll it as a sweet morsel under his tongue, yet how soon
was it turned into the gall of asps within him ? (Job xx. 12 — 14. )
We see ihe force of conscience, even in the worst of men. He
that had slighted all the warnings that his Master gave him, and
neither was affected by the remembrance of his goodness to him,
nor by the fear of his displeasure, while he was set upoii accom-
plishing his covetous design, no sooner comes to teel the sting of
an awakened conscience, but he is filled with horror, and is una-
ble to endure the cutting anguish of his own reflections. And
thus could God, in a moment, drive the most hardened sinner
into all the agonies of remorse and despair, by letting loose his
own thoufihts upon him, to prey upon his heart like so many hun-
gry vultures, and make him a terror to others, and an executioner
to himself.
We must surely admire the wisdom of Providence, in extorting
even from the mouth of this traitor so honourable a testimony of
the innocence of Jesus, though to his own condemnation. And
who could have imagined that the supreme court of Israel itself
should have been so little impressed with it, as coldly to answer,
What is that to us 7 See thou to that. Is this the language of
rulers, yea., of priests ? But they had cast off the/ear of that God
whose ministers they were, and had devoted themselves to gain
and ambition. They therefore felt no remorse, even when Judas
370 HARMONY OF THE
trembled before them, and appeared almost distracted under the
sense of a crime, in which they had been confederates with him.
But their consciences were seared as with a red hot iron, and all
their familiar converse with Divine things served only, in such a
circumstance, to harden their hearts : as tempered steel gathers
strength from the furnace and the hammer.
Judas repents ; he confesses his crime ; he throws away the re-
ward of his guilt : yet was there nothing of godly sorrow in all this.
Despairing, he becomes his own executioner ; and flies to death,
and to hell, as a refuge from the rage and fury of an awakened
conscience. Fatal expedient ! thus to seal his own damnation !
But the righteous judgment of God erected him as a monument
of wrath, and verified our Saviour's declaration. It had been good
for that man if he had never been horn. (Mat. xxvi. 24, and Mark
xiv. 21.) Tremble, our souls, at this thought! that /i/ofas, even
one of the twelve^ should fall into such depths of sin and ruin!
May we each of us be jealous over ourselves ! and may we never
presume to censure whole bodies of men for the fault of particular
members, when we find there was a traitor and reprobate among
the holy band of the apostles.
SECTION CVII.
John xviii. 28 — 40.
And they themselves went not into the judgment-hall, lest
they should be defiled : but that they might eat the pass-
over. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What
accusation bring ye against this man ? They answered
and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would
not have delivered him up to thee. Then said Pilate
unto them, Take ye him and judge him according to your
law. The Jews therefore said unto him. It is not law-
ful for us to put any man to death : That the saying of
Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what
death he should die. Then Pilate entered into the
judgment-hall again, and called Jesus ; And Jesus stood
before the governor ; and the governor asked him, say-
ing, Art thou the king of the Jews ? Jesus answered
him, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others teli it thee
FOUR GOSPELS. 371
of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew ? Thine own
nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me :
what hast thou done ? Jesus answered, My kingdom is
not of this world : If my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight, that I should not be de-
livered to the Jews : but now is my kingdom not from
hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king
then ? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.
To this end was I born, and for this cause came 1 into
the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice- Pilate
saith unto him. What is truth ? And when he had said
this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto
them, 1 find in him no fault at all. But ye have a cus-
tom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover :
will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the
Jews ? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man,
but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
How much exactness in the ceremonials of religion may be
found in those who have even the most outrageous contempt for
its vital principles and essential duties ! Yea, how much of that
exactness may be made subservient to the most mischievous and
diabolical purposes ! These wolves in sheep's clothing would not
enter into the house of a heathen, lest they should be polluted, and
become unfit to eat the passover; yet they contrive and urge an
impious murder, which that very heathen, though he had much
less evidence of ChrisVs innocence than they, could not be brought
to permit without strong reluctance, and a solemn, though vain
transferring- of the guilt from himself to them.
Justly might our Lord say in the words oi David, They laid to
my charge things that I knew not ; (Psal. xxxv. 11.) But what
can defend the most innocent and excellent against malicious
slanders and defamations ! Or who can expect, or even wish,
wholly to escape, when such accusatioiis are brought against
Christ, even by the rulers of his nation, who should have been
men of distinguished generosity and honour ! But instead of this
they were all an assembly of murderers, and lay in icaitfor their
prey, like so many devouring lions.
Pilate would renew the examination of the cause ; and so far
he acted a cautious and an honourable part. Yet, alas, how many
that set out on such maxims want courage and resolution to pur-
sue them ! But the courage of Christ never failed. He witnessed
372 HARMONY OF THE
before Pontius Pilate the good confession we have now been
reading (1 Tim. vi. 13 ;) and owned himself a King, though at
the same time he declared (what it were to be wished all his fol-
lowers had duly regarded) that his kingdom is not of this world.
Greatly do we debase it, if we imagine it is ; and most unworthy
is it of those that call themselves the ministers of his kingdom to
act as if they thought it was. Yet such is the wickedness of some,
and such the blindness of others, in the Roman church, that,
though of all the churches in the world it is manifestly the most
secular kingdom, it arrogates to itself the name not only of a part,
but of the whole, of ChrisVs kingdom here below.
Christ came to hear witness to the truth ; and a careful atten-
dance to his testimony will be the best proof we can give that we
love the truth, and the best method we can take to make ourselves
acquainted with it. And of so great importance is the truth, that
it surely deserves the attentive inquiry and the zealous patronage
of the greatest and the busiest of mankind. Let us not therefore,
when we begin to ask what it is like Pilate, hurry on to some
other care before we can receive a satisfactory answer ; but joy-
fully open our minds to the first dawnings of that celestial day,
till it shine more and more to irradiate and adorn all our souls.
On the whole, imperfect as the character of this unhappy governor
was, let us learn from him candidly to confess the truths so far as
we have discovered i <, let us learn more steadily than he to vin-
dicate the innocent and worthy, and on no terms permit ourselves,
in any degree, to do harm to those in whom, on a strict and im-
partial inquiry, we can/Ind no fault.
SECTION CVIII.
John xix. 1 — 14.
ThexN Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him;
and the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on
his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said,
Hail, King of the Jews ! and they smote him with their
hands.
Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them,
Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that
1 find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing
FOUR GOSPELS. 373
the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate
saith unto theni, Behold the man ! When the chief
priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out,
saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them,
Take ye him, and crucify him ; for I find no fault in him.
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our
law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son
of God.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the
more afraid ; and went again into the judgment-hall,
and saith unto Jesus, Whence, art thou ? But Jesus,
gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him,
Speakest thou not unto me ? knowest thou not that 1
have power to crucify thee, and have power to release
thee ? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at
all against me, except it were given thee from above :
therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the great-
er sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release
him : but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this
man go, thou art not Caesar's friend : whosoever maketh
himself a kin^, speaketh against Ceesar. When Pilate
therefore heard that saying, he brougiit Jesus forth, and
sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called
the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it
was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth
hour.
Let us now, by a lively act of faith, bring forth the blessed
Jesus to our imagination, as Pilate brought him forth io the
people. Let us with affectionate sympathy survey the indig-
nities, which were offered him, when he gave his hack to the
smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; and
hid not his face from shame and spitting. (Isaiah i. 6.) Behold
the man, wearing his purple robe and thorny crown., and bear-
ing the reed which smote him in his right hand for a sceptre !
Behold, not merely the man, but the Son of God, thus vilely de-
graded, thus infamously abused ! Shall we, as it were, increase
his sufferings, and, while we condemn the fury and cruelty of
the Jews, shall we crucify him to ourselves afresh, and put him
to an open shame? (Heb, vi. 6.) Or shall we overlook him
33
374 HARMONY OF THE
with slight and contempt, and hide our faces from him, who for
our sake thus exposed his own ? (Isa. liii. 3.)
Let the caution even of this heathen judge\ who feared, when
he heard he so much as pretended to be the Son of God, engage
us to reverence him, especially considering in how powerful a
manner he has since been declared to be so. (Rom. 1.4.) Let
us in this sense have nothing to do with the blood of this Just
Person. Let his example teach us patiently to submit to those
sufferings which God shall appoint for us, remembering that no
enemies, and no calamities we meet with, could have any power
against us, except it were given them from above.
SECTION CIX.
Matt. XXVII. 11 — 14. Mark xv. 2 — 5. Luke xxiii.
2 — ^16. John XIX. 15.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this
fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tri-
bute to Caesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a King.
And Jesus stood before the governor ; and the gover-
nor asked him, saying. Art thou tiie king of the Jews ?
Jesus answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
And the chief priests and elders accused him of many
things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked
him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing ? behold
how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus
yet answered him to never a word ; insomuch that
Pilate the governor marvelled greatly.
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the peo-
ple, I find no fault in this man. And they were the
more fierce, saying. He stirred up the people, teaching
throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this
place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked wheth-
er the man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew
that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him
to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that
time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding
glad : for he was desirous to see him of a long season,
FOUR GOSPET^. 375
because he had heard many things of him ; and he hoped
to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he ques-
tioned with him in many words ; but he answered him
nothing. And the chief priests and Scribes stood and
vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of
war set him at nought, and mocked Am, and arrayed
him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends
together : for before they were at enmity between them-
selves. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold your king !
But they cried out, away with himy away with him, cru-
cify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your
king ? The chief priests answered. We have no king
but Caesar..
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief
priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them,
Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perver-
teth the people : and, behold, I, having examined him
before you, have found no fault in this man touching
those things whereof ye accuse him : no, nor yet Herod :
for I sent you to him ; and, lo, nothing worthy of death
is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and re-
lease him.
Behold, how all imaginable circumstancps seem to conspire
to increase the infamy thrown on that sacred head., which now
most worthily wears a crown of eternal glory ! Of a truth, O
Lord, against thy holy Child Jesus, both Herod and Pontius
Pilate, with the Gentiles and the chief priests, and all the people
of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and
thy counsel had determined before to be done. (Acts iv. 27, 28.)
The wisest person on earth was by Herod and his soldiers de-
rided as a fool : the most deserving was condemned by the chief
priests ; and the most innocent was treated as a criminal by
Pilate, and furiously demanded as a public victim by the Jews.
All the proofs of his innocence are overborne by a loud and
senseless cry : and those hosannahs with which the streets and
temple were so lately echoing, are exchanged into Crucify him,
crucify him. So uncertain is human applause, and so unrigh-
teous may human judgments be.
But in the midst of all, the blessed Jesus stands collectedin
himself. Firm as a rock he bears the violence of the storm,
376 HARMONY OF THE
and is not moved by all the furious waves that beat upon him;
and when he saw a robber and a murderer preferred before him,
and a sentence of the most cruel death clamorously called for
and demanded against him, he silently commits himself to him
that judgelh righteously, who ere long brought forth his righ-
teousness as brightness, and his salvation as a lamp that burneth.
(Compare 1 Peter ii. 23, and Isaiah Ixii. 1.)
Lord, if thou callest us out to share in thy sufferings, may
the Spirit of God and of glory thus rest on us ! And may
neither the scorn nor the rage of our enemies separate us from
thee, who did so courageously bear all this for us ; nor may they
ever sink us into any weakness of behaviour unworthy of those
who have the honor to call themselves thyjollouers !
SECTION ex.
Matt, xxvii. 15 — 26. Mark xv. 6 — 15. Luke
XXIII. 17 — 2.5. John xix. 16.
Now at that feast the governoi was wont to release
unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And
they had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas, which
lay bound with them that had made insurrection with
him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do
as he had ever done unto them, (for of necessity he must
release one unto them at the feast.) Therefore when
they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them,
Whom will ye that I release unto you ? Barabbas or
Jesus which is called Christ ? will ye that I release unto
you the king of the Jews ? For he knew that the chief
priests had delivered him for envy.
When he was set down on the judgment-seat, his wife
sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that
just man ; for 1 have suffered many things this day in a
dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders
persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas,
and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and /said
unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release
FOUR GOSPELS. 377
unto you ? And they cried out all at once, Away with
this man, and release unto us Barabbas. Pilate there-
fore willing to release Jesus, answered and said again
to them, saying, What shall I do then with Jesus which
is called Christ ? him whom ye call the king of the Jews ?
And they all cried out again, saying, Crucify him, cru-
cify him. And Pilate said unto them the third time,
Why, what evil hath he done ? I have found no cause
of death in him : I will therefore chastise him, and let
him go. And they cried out the more exceedingly, they
were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be
crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief
priests prevailed.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but
that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and wash-
ed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am inno-
cent of the blood of this just person : see ye to it. Then
answered all the people, and said. His blood be on us,
and on our children. And so Pilate willing to content
the people, released Barabbas unto them, that for sedi-
tion and murder was cast into prison, whom they had
desired ; and took Jesus and scourged him. And Pi-
late gave sentence that it should be as they required,
and he delivered Jesus to their will to be crucified.
How wisely was it ordered by Divine Providence that Pilate
should be obliged thus to acquit Christ, even while he condemn-
ed him: and to speak of him as a righteous person, in the same
breath with which he doomed him to the death of the most
flagitious malefactor I And how lamentably does the power of
worldly interest over conscience appear, when, after all the con-
victions of his own mind, as well as the admonitions oi his icife,
he yet gave him up to popular fury. O Pilate, how gloriously
hadst thou fallen in the defence of the Son of God! and how
justly did God afterward leave thee to perish by the resent-
ment of that people whom thou wast now so studious to oblige.
Who can without trembling read that dreadful imprecation,
May his blood be on us, and on our children I Words, which
even to this day, have their remarkable and terrible accom-
plishment in that curse, which has pursued the Jews through
seventeen hundred years. Lord, mav il at length be averted,
33*
378 HARMONY OF THE
aod even turned into a blessing ! May they look on him whom
they have pierced, and mourn^ till all the obstinacy of their
hearts be subdued : till they bow down in glad submission to
that King whom God has set on his holy hill, and thus are
brought themselves to reign with himin everlasting honour and
joy!
SECTION CXI.
Matt, xxvii. 27 — 34. Mark xv. 16 — 23. Lukb
xxiii. 26 — 34. John xix. 16 — 18.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus, and led
him away into the common hall, called Pretorium : and
gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And
they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And
when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put U
upon his head, and a reed in his right hand : and they
bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,
Hail, King of the Jews ! and they spit upon him, and
smote him with their hands, and took the reed, and smote
him on the head.
And the soldiers, after they had mocked him, took off
the purple from him, and put his own raiment on him,
and led him out to crucify him. And he bearing his
cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull,
which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha. And as they
led him away, they laid hold upon a man of Cyrene,
Simon by name, who passed by, coming out of the
country, the father of Alexander and Rufus ; on him
they laid the cross, and compelled him to bear it after
Jesus.
And there followed him a great company of people,
and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusa-
lem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for
your children. For, behold the days are coming, in the
POUR GOSPELS. 379
which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the
wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave
suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains,
Fall on us ; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do
these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the
dry?
And there were also two other malefactors led with
him to be put to death. And when they were come to
the place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of the
skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall :
and they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh ;
but he received it not : and when he had tasted thereof ^
he would not drink. There they crucified him, and the
two malefactors with him ; one on the right hand, and
the other on the left, and Jesus in the midst.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them ; for they know
not what they do.
Here let us pause awhile, and make a few serious reflections
on this amazing story, which the evangelists relate with so
much simplicity. Behold the Son of God bearing his cross^
fainting' under the load of it,- and at length extended upon it,
and nailed to it. Him they took^ and with wicked hands crnci'
fitd and slew him. (Acts ii. 23.-) Blessed Jtsus, was it for
this that thou didst honour our nature by a union to thine own,
and come from thy throne of glory to visit these abodes of
misery and guilt ! Was it for this that so many gracious dis-
courses were delivered, and so many works of love and power
performed ! /or ^/iw, that thou mightest be treated as the worst
of criminals, and suspended on a cross in the air, as if unworthy
of a place on earth even to die upon ! Amazing and lamentable
sight! Justly, O sun, mightest thou blush to see it: justly, O
earth, mightest thou tremble to support it !
Lord, like these pious women, who had the zeal and fortitude
to attend thee, when thine own apostles forsook thee and fled, we
would follow thee weeping ; yet not for thee, but for ourselves :
that our guilt had brought us under si condemnation, from which
we could be redeemed by nothing less than the precious blood of
the Son of God : that Lamb without blemish and without spot.
(1 Peter i. 19.) We should behold herein the goodness and
the severity of God, (Rom. xi. 22,) for while the riches of hit
goodness are displayed in bis providing a ransom for the redemp-
tion of lost sinners, an awful proof is given of the severity of his
2180 HARMONY OP THE
justice^ in his 710/ sparing his own Son-t nor exempting him from
the sorrows and sufferings due to sin, when he came to put him-
self in the stead of sinners : and may we not in such a view
tremble for fear of him^ and he afraid of his judgments?
(Psalm cxix. 120.) Who can support the weight of his indig-
nation, especially when it shall come aggravated by the abuse
of 80 much love ? If these things be done in the green wood^
what shall be done in the dry? And if such sufferings be in-
flicted, where there was not any personal guilt to kindle the
flame, on one who only answered for the sins of others; what
then will be the end of those who, by their own iniquities, are
become as fuel prepared for the fire, and are as vessels of wrath
fitted to destruction?
How shocking is it to behold the vile indignities that were
put upon a suffering Jesus, and to reflect upon the cruel treat-
ment that he met with from his insulting enemies I Yet have
not we been verily guilty concerning this matter ? (Gen. xlii.
21.) Are we not chargeable with despising Christ? and have
we not crucified the Son of God afresh^ and put him to an open
shame ? (Heb. vi. 6.) O may that apology be heard in our
favour ! Father, forgive them, for they know 7iof what they do !
For surely sinners do not know what they do, when ihey pierce
Christ by their sins, and turn aicay their faces from him. — But
under all his sufferings, how amazing was his meekness! and
how compassionate the concern which he expressed for his
most cruel persecutors .'' May we learn pa/iencfi, and love to
our enemies, from so bright an example of it ! May we, like
him, bless them that curse us, and pray for them that despitefully
use us, and persecute us! (Matt. v. 44.) Instead of being in-
genious to aggravate their faults, and to paint them in the most
shocking colours, let us rather seek for the best excuses, which
even the worst of causes will fairly bear; influenced by that
charity which unconstrained believes no evil, and hopeth all
things even against hope. (1 Oor. xiii. 5, 7.)
Gracious Saviour! thy dying prayer, and thy dying blood,
were not like water spilt upon the ground ; they came up in
remembrance before God, when thy gospel began to he preached
ot Jerusalem .* and mullitudes, who were now consenting to thy
death, gladly received thy word, and were baptised, (Acts ii. 41,)
and they are now in glory, celebrating that grace which has
taken out the scarlet and crimson dye of their sins, and turned
that blood which they so impiously shed into the balm of their
wounds, and the life of their souls.
POUR GOSPELS. 381
SECTION CXII.
John xix. 19 — 22.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross ; and
the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING
OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the
Jews ; for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh
to the city : and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek,
and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to
Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews ; but that he
said, I am the King of tire Jews. Pilate answered,
What I have written 1 have written.
Matt, xxvii. 35 — 38. Mark xv. 24 — 28. John
XIX. 23, 24.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took
his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a
a part ; and also Jiis coat ; now the coat was without a
seam, woven from the top throughout. They said there-
fore among themselves. Let us not rend it, but cast lots
for it, whose it shall be. And they cast lots : that the
scripture might be fulfilled, wljich saith, They parted
my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did
cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did ; and
sitting down they watched him there. And it was the
third hour and they crucified him. And tJiey set up over
his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE
KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucified
two thieves .5 the one on his right hand and the other on
his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith,
And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Matt, xxvii. 39 — 44. Mark xv. 29 — 32. Luke
XXIII. 36.
And they that passed by reviled him, and railed on
him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that des-
382 HARMOKY OF THE
troyeth the temple, and buildest it in three days, save
thyself, if thou be the Son of God, and come down from
the cross. And the people stood beholding. Likewise
also the chief priests mocking him said among themselves
with the Scribes and elders, He saved others ; himself
he cannot save. If he be Christ, the King of Israel, the
chosen of God, let him now come down from the cross,
and we will believe him. He trusted in God : let him
deliver him now, if he will have him : for he said, I am
the Son of God. The thieves, which were crucified
with him, cast the same in his teeth, and reviled him.
And the soldiers also mocked him, and offering him
vinegar, and saying. If thou be the King of the Jews,
save thyself.
How great and glorious does the Lord Jesus Christ appear
in the midst of all those dishonours which his enemies were
now heaping upon him! While these rapacious soldiers were
dividing the spoils, parting his raiment among them, and casting
lots for his vesture, God was working in all to crown him with
a glory which none could take from him, and to make the lus-
tre of it so much the more conspicuous by that dark cloud
which now surrounded him.
His enemies upbraided him as an abandoned miscreant^ de-
serted both by God and man; but he (though able to have
eome down from the cross in a moment, or by one word from
thence to have struck these insolent wretches dead on the place,
and to have sent their guilty spirits to accompany the Jiends
under whose influence they were,) yet patiently endured all,
and was as a deaf man, who heard not their reproaches, and as
a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. (Psa. xxxviii. 13.)
Luke xxiii. 38 — 43.
And a superscription also was written over him in
letters of Greek and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE
KING OF THE JEWS.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed
on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not
thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemna-
FOUR GOSPELS. 383
tion ? and we indeed justly ; for we receive the due re-
ward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing
amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said
unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be
with me in Paradise.
But as soon as the pejiitent thief diddressed him with that hum-
ble supplication, the language of repentance, faith, and hope, Lord,
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom, he immediately
hears and answers him : and in how gracious and lemarkable a
phrase ! This day shalt thou be with me in paradise ! What a
triumph was here, not only oi mercy to the dying penitent, but of
the strongest faith in God, that when to an eye of sense he seemed
to be most deserted d^nd forgotten by him, and was on every side
beset with the scorn of them that were at ease, and with the con-
tempt of the proud, he should speak from the cross as from a
throne, and undertake from thence, not only to dispense /^ardoTW,
but to dispose of seats in paradise !
Most ungrateful and most foolish is the conduct of those who
take encouragement from hence to put off their repentance per»
haps to a dying moment : most ungrateful in perverting the grace
of the Redeemer iiito an occasion of renewing their provocations
againot him, and hardening their hearts in their impieties, and
most foolish to imagine that what Our Lord did in so singular a
circumstance is to be drawn into an ordinary precedent. This
criminal had, perhaps, never heard of the gospel before ; and now
how cordially does he embrace it ? Probably there are ieyv saints
in glory who ever honoured Christ more illustriously than this dy-
ing sinner, acknowledaing him to be the Lord of life, whom he
saw in the agonies of death; and pleading his cause when his
friends and brethren forsook him, and stood afar off. (Compare
Matt. xxvi. 56, and J.uke xxiii. 49.)
But such is the coiruption of men's hearts, and such the artifice
of Satan, that all other views of him are overlooked, and nothing
remembered, but that he was a notorious offender, who obtained
mercy in his departing moments. The Lord grant that none who
read this story here may be added to the list of those who, despis-
ing the forbearance and long-suffering of God, and not knowing
that his goodness leads to repentance, have been emboldened to
abuse this scripture, so as to perish, either without crying for mercy
at all, or crying for it in vain, after having treasured up an inex-
haustible store ofwratht misery, and despair ! (Rom. ii. 4, 6.)
384 HARMONY OF THE
SECTION CXIII.
Matt, xxvii. 45 — 54. Mark xliv. 33 — 39. Luke
XXIII. 44—^48. John xix. 26 — 27.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and
his mother's sister, Mary the loife of Cleophas, and
Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his
mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved,
he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son !
Then saith he to the disciple. Behold thy mother 1 And
from that hour that disciple took her unto his own
home.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was dark-
ness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And the sun
was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the
midst. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud
voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ? which is being
interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me ? And some of them that stood by, when they heard
thatj said, Behold, this man calletli for Elias ?
After this, Jesus knowing that ail things were now ac-
complished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I
thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar : and
straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and
filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him
to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether
Ehas will come to save him.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he
said, It is finished.
And when Jesus had cried again with a loud voice,
he said. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit :
and having said thus, he bowed his head, and gave up
the ghost.
FOUR GOSPELS. 386
Matt, xxvii. 51 — 56. Mark xv. 38 — 41. Luke
XXIII. 47 — 49.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain,
in the nnidst, from the top to the bottom ; and the earth
did quake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were
opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept
arose, and came out of tlie graves after his resurrection,
and went into the holy cily, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion which stood over against him,
and they that were witii Iiim, wutcliing Jesus, saw the
earthquake, and those things that were done, that he so
cried out and gave up the sih"st, they feared greatly : and
the centurion glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a
righteous man ; Truly this man was the Son of God.
And all the people that came together to that sight, be-
holding the things which were done, smote their breasts
and returned.
And surely we, when we return fiom such a view of it as this,
have reason to smite upon our breasts too, and lo be most deeply
aff'ected with what we tiave heard and seen in this lively descrip-
tion. Let lis set ourselves as wi»h the tnother of Jesus, and the
beloved disciple, at the foot of the eras'* : and see whether there be
any sorrow like unto his sorrow, wherewith the Lord abided
him in the day of his fieice anger, (i.an;. i 12.) Well might
the sun piow pale at the sight ; well might the earth tremble to
support it ! How obddrale nm^t the heails cf tlu>se sinners be,
who could make a mock of all his angui-h, and sport themselves
with his dyiirg groans ! But surely the blessed angels who were
now, though in an invisible ciovvd, sunounding the accursed tree,
beheld him with other sentiments: adtniiing ai d adoring the va-
rious virtues which he expiessed in eveiy circnm>tance of his be-
haviour ; and which, while the sun of righteousness was setting,
gilded and adorned all the hoiizon. Let ns likewise pay our ho-
mage to (hem, and observe wiih adtniration liis teniicrness to his
surviving parent ; his meekness under all these injuries a'nd prO'
vocations; his steady /ai7/j in God in an hour of the utmost dis-
tress; and his concern to accomplish all the puipores of his life,
before he yielded to the stioke of death.
Yet with what amazement must the holy angels hear that cry
from the Son oj God, from the darling of heaven. My God, my
34
S86 HAT?MONY OP THB
God, vohy h/ist thou forsaken me! Let not any of the children
of God wonder if their heavenly Father sometimes withdraw from
them the sensible and supporting manifestations of his presence,
when Christ himself was thus exercised; and let them remember
XhAt faith never appears with greater glory than when, in language
like this, it bursts through a thick eloud, and owns the God of
Israel, and the Saviour^ even while he is a God that hideth him-
self from us. (Is. xlv. 15.) May we, in our approaching com-
bat with the king of terrors, find him enervated by the death of
our dear Lord^ who thus conquered even when he lell ! May we
thus breathe out our willing and composed spirits into our Fa-
therms hands, with a language and faith like this, as knowing
whom we h?ive believed, and being persuaded that he is able to
keep what we commit to him until that day / (2 Tim. i. 12.)
SECTION CXIV.
Matt, xxvii. 55 — 61. Mark xv. 40 — 47. Luke
xxui. 49 — 66. JoHiv XIX. 31 — 41.
And all his acquaintancej and the women that followed
hinn fronm Galilee ministering unto him, stood afar off;
among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome the
mother of Zebedee's children : and many other women
were there, which came up with him unto Jerusalem,
beholding these things.
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation,
that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the
sabbath-day, (for the sabbath-day was an high day,) be-
sought Pilate that their legs night be broken, and that
they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and
brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was
crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and
saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs :
but one of the soldiers with spear pierced his side, and
forthwith came thereout blood and water.
And he that saw if bear record, and his record is true ;
and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
FOUR GOSPELS. 387
For these things were done, that the scripture should
be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And
again another scripture saith, They shall look on hina
whom they pierced.
And after this, when the even was come, behold, there
came a rich man of Arimathssa, a city of the Jews, named
Joseph, an honourable counsellor, and he ivas a good
and a just man. The same had not consented to the
counsel and deed of them : but also himself waited for
the kingdom of God, being a disciple of Jesus, but se-
cretly for fear of the Jews. This man went in boldly
unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus, that he might
take it away. And Pilate marvelled if he were already
dead : and calling unto him the centurion, he asked
him whether he had been any while dead. And when
he knew it of the centurion, he gave him leave, and
coinmanded the body to be delivered to Joseph. And he
bought fine linen, and took him down.
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first
came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh
and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then look
they the body of Jesus, and wound it in hnen clothes
with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a
garden ; and in the garden a new sepulchre, which he
[Joseph^ had hewn out in the rock, wherein was never
man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore, because
of the Jews' preparation-Jcry, and the sabbath drew on :
for the sepulchre was nigh at hand ; and he rolled a
great stone at the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
And the women also, which came with him from
Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre : and
there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary the
mother of Joses, sitting over against the sepulchre, and
beheld how his body was laid. And they returned, and
prepared spices and ointments : and rested the sabbath-
day, according to the commandment.
388 HARMONY OP THE
We have seen the sorrows of our expiring Lord : let us now,
like these pious women, raise our eyes to him with an holy and
unfeigned affection, and behold him pale and breathless on the
accursed tree. Let us view him by faith, till the eye affects the
heart, and till we learn to glory in nothing but his cross, whereby
the world may be crucified to ms, and we may be crucitied to the
world. (Gal. vi. 14)
How wonderfully does the providence of God appear to have
regarded the body of Jesus, which had so long been the temple of
the indwelling teity; even when it was deserted of that Spirit
which had lately animated it; and while it/iwng' (amazing thought,
that it ever should have hung !) between the bodies of two thieves
on a cross, without the gates of Jerusalem .' He, who has all
hearts in his hand, interposed by a secret but powerful influence
on the soldiers, who brake the legs of the malefactors, to spare
those of Christ; that so nothing which looked like a prophecy of
him should want its proper accomplishment. But his side was
pierced; and how deep was the wound, when immediately there
came out of it blood and water ! Happy emblem of the blessed
effect of his deith ! He came both by water and blood (as he
who saw and testified this important fact leads us to improve it,
1 John V. 6. ;) and by this means at once atones the injured jus-
tice of God, and purifies the souls of them that believe in him.
Our indignation rises against the man that could, by such an
outrage as this, abuse the dead body of our Redeemer : but oh,
let us seriously remember the harid which our sins had in all that
was now done. He was wounded for our transgressions ; he
was bruised for our iniquities : (Isa. liii. 5). And therefore it is
said concerning those on whom the ends of the world are to come,
that they shall look on him whom ihey have pierced and mourn.
(Zech. xii. 10,) May we mourn over him with a genuine evan-
gelical sorrow, when we consider who?7i we have pierced ; and
how deep and how often we have pierced him ; and upon what
slight temptations ; and under how many engagements rather to
have bathed his wounds with our tears, and even to have exposed
our owH hearts to the sharpest weapon by which the madness of
sinners might have attempted to injure him.
The boldness of Joseph^ and even of Jficodemus himself, de-
serves our notice on such an occasion. They are not ashamed of
the infamy of his crosSy but come with all holy reverence and af-
fection to take down those sacred remains oi Jesus ; nor did they
think the finest linen, or the choisest spices, too valuable on such
an occasion. But who can describe their consternation and dis-
tress when they saw him, who they trusted should have delivered
Israel, a cold and bloody corpse in their arms ; and left him in the
sepulchre of Joseph, whom they expected to have seen on the
throne of David!
FOUR OOSPEL6. 389
Matthew xxvii. 62 — 66.
Now the next day, that followed the day of the prepara-
tion, the chief priests and Pharisees came together un-
to Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver
said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise
again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made
sure until ihe third day, lest his disciples come by night,
and steal him away, and say unto the people. He is risen
from the dead : so the last error shall be worse than the
first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch : go your
way, make it as sure as you can. So they went, and
made the sepulchre sure sealing the stone, and setting a
watch.
We see the restless and implacable malice of ChrisVs enemies,
which pursued him even to his temb, and there endeavoured to
blast his memory by fixing upon him the character of" an imposter.
They demanded, and procuied a guard for his sepulchre. And
here also we have a repeated instance of God's taking the wise in
their own craftiness. (Job v. 13. ) The seal and the guard served
only more fully to attest the do-ctrine of ChrisVs resurrection,
which they were set to overthrow, and to grace the triumph they
were intended to oppose. Thus shall all the rage, and all the ar-
tifice of his enemies, at length promote the purposes of his glory:
thus shall meat at length come out of the eater, and sweetness out
of the strong. (Judges xiv. 14 ) The wrath of man, O Lord^
shall praise thee ; and the remainder of it shall thou restrain, and
shall tiiumph over it, either by thy grace, or by thy vengeance.
(Psalm Ixxvi. 10.)
34*
PART V.
MATT. XXVI. MARK XVI. LUKE XXIV.
JOHN XX. XXI.
COJJTAINING THE PERIOD OF FORTY DAYS, FROM THE
MORNING OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST TO THE
DAY OF HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, IN THE YEAR
THIRTY.
HARMONY OP THE FOUS GOSPELS^ 393
SECTION I.
Matt, xxviii. 1 — 8. Markxvi.1 — 8.
When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Ma-
ry the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet
spices, that they might come and anoint him. And
very early in the morning, the first day of the week, as
it began to dawn, they came unto the sepulchre, to see
it, at the rising of the sun.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake : for the
angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came
and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon
it. His countenance was like lightning, and his rai-
ment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers
did shake, and became as dead men. And they said
among themselves. Who shall roll us away the stone
from the door of the sepulchre ? for it was very great.
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment :
and they were affrighted. And the angel answered and
said unto the women, Be not affrighted, for I know that
ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified : He
is not here ; for he is risen, as he said : Come, see the
place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his
disciples, and Peter, that he is risen from the dead ;
and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee ; there
shall ye see him, as he said unto you : lo, I have told
you.
394 HARMONY OP THE
And they departed quickly, and fled from the sepul-
chre with fear and great joy ; for they trembled and
were amazed : neither said they any thing to any man :
for they were afraid ,• and did run to bring his disciples
word.
How fit is it that we should sing unto the Lord a new song !
and with what thankful hearts should we join, on his own day^
and on every day, to cons^ratulate the triumph of his rising
from the rfeac?, and to rejoice in this hir Ih- day oi o\xr hopes!
Now is ihe justice of God amply satisfied, or the prisoner had
never been released. Now is the rtproach of the cross ceasedt
and turned into proportionable glory. That reproach was rolled
away at once by the descending angels who appeared not to
awaken Christ from his sleep, or to bring him a new ///e, for he
had himself a power^ whenever he pleased, to resume that
which he had voluntarily resigned, (John x. 18 ;) but he came
to add a solemn pomp to his revival, and to strike the guards
with such a terror as would effectually prevent any mad
attempt on this glorious Conqueror, when he was bursting the
bonds in which he had for a while been held.
O Lord, we acknowledge the truth of thy promise: thou didst
not leave his soul in hell, neither didst thou suffer the flesh of
thine Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm xvi. 10.) Now is
Christ indeed risen from the dead y and become the Jirst-fruits of
them that slept., (1 Cor. xv. 20:) may we, in conformity to his
holy example, be dead to sin, and to the icorld ; that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also may walk in neuness of life I (Rom. vi. 4.)
Then will he that raised up Christ from the dead^ ere long,
quicken our mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.
(Rom. viii. 11.)
We are now again called, as by the angcVsvoice, to come and
see the place where the Lord lay, and to take an affectionate
survey of that sepulchre, which our rising Saviour had left, and
where he had laid aside the dress of death, as a token that he
should return to it no more. How wonderful that he should
ever have lain there! that the Zrort? of life should have dwelt
among the dead, and from the glory of the throne of God
should have sunk down to the abasement of ihe grave! — But
he has burst its prison doors, and hath abolished death, and him
who had the power of it ; abolished it for himself and us. How
are all its terrors now disarmed ! O death where is thy sting !
O grave, where is thy victory ! (1 Cor. xv. 65.)
With what pleasure did the angels deliver this gracious
meeeage of their Lord as well as ours ! and with what transport
FOtJR GOSPELS. 395
did the piou3 ipomen receive it! Behold the tender care of
Christ over his people ! An^ds have it immediately in charge
to send the g;lad tidings to his disciples ; and Jesus repeats and
confirms them. Go tell my brethren, I am risen from the dead.
Lord, is this thy language concerning those who but a few
hours before had forsaken thee! and one of them, with such
dreadful imprecations denied thee! Yet even that disciple is
not excluded; nay, io him is it peculiarly addressed : go tell my
brethren, and in particular tell Peter, that he, poor mourner,
may especially be comforted. Compassionate Redeemer^ thou
hast brought up from the tomb with thee that tenderness and
goodness which laid thee there !
Such is the freedom and glory of thy grace, that thou some-
times liosijirst manifest thyself io those who were once in the
most miserable bondage to Satan. Whenever this is thecase,
may the peculiar obligation be remembered ! May every re-
mainder of unbelief he subdued in our souls I and may we joy-
fully communicate to all around us the tidings of a risen Sa-
viour, and the merciful discoveries of his presence to us !
SECTION IT.
Matt, xxviii. 11 — 15.
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch
came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests
all the things that were done. And when they were
assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they
gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye,
His disciples came by nigbt, and stole him away while
we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we
will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the
money, and did as they were taught : and this saying is
comnwnly reported among the Jews until this day.
Luke XXIV. 1 — 9, 11.
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in
the morning, they came unto the sej)ulchre, bringing the
spices which they had prepared, and certain others with
396 HARMONY OF THE
them ; and they found the stone rolled away from tEe
sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the
body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they
were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood
by them in shining garments : and as they were afraid,
and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said
unto them. Why seek ye the living among the dead ?
He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spake
unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying. The Son
of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,
and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And
they remembered his words, and returned from the sep-
ulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to
all the rest. And their words seemed to them as idle
tales, and they believed them not.
Surely there is nothing in the whole sacred story which does
in a more affecting manner illustrate the deplorable hardness
of the human heart in this degenerate state, than the portion
of it which is now before us. What but the te&timony of an
apostle could have been sufficient to persuade us, that men who
had been but a few hours before the witnesses of such an awful
scene, who had beheld the angel descendi7ig, had felt ihe earth
trembling, and had seen the sepulchre bursting open by a Divine
power, and had fallen doicn in helpless astonishment and con-
fusion, perhaps expecting every moment to be themselves de-
stroyed, should that very day, yea, that very morning, suffer
themselves to be hired by a sum of money to do their utmost to
asperse the character of Christ, and to invalidate the evidence
of his resurrection, of which they were in effect eye-witnesses ?
Nay, how astonishing is it, that the chief priests themselves,
the public ministers of the Lord of hosts, could act such a part
as this ! They hear this full evidence that he, that Jesus whom
they had murdered, was risen from the dead; and they well
knew and remembered that he had himself put the proof of his
mission on this very fact ;a fact to which the prodigies at his
death, which they themselves had seen and felt, added an inex-
pressible weight of probability. "Who would not have ex-
pected that they should have been alarmed^ convinced, and
humbled ; that they should have turned the remaining days of
the passover into a puhVic fast, and have solicitously sought out
him who was so powerfully diclared to be the Son of God, to
cast themselves at his feet, and entreat his pardon and grace ?
POUR GOSPEI,*. 397
But instead of this, with invincible and growing malice^ they
set themselves. to oppose him, and bribe the soldiers to testify a
lie, the most to his dishonour of any that hell could invent.
And surely, had not Christ been kept out of their sight and
power, they would, notwithstanding all this, have endeavoured
to bring him down to the tomb again, on the very same princi-
ples on which they would have slain Lazarus after his resurrec-
tion. (John xii. 10.) So true does it appear, in this renewed
and unequalled instance, that // men hear not Moses and tht
prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from tht
dead. (Lukexvi. 31.)
No question but these very men, when pressed with the evi-
dencea of ChrisCs resurrection, answered, as succeeding irtjidels
have presumptuously done, 'that lie should have appeared to
them, if he expected they should believe he uas risen/* But
what assurance can we have th;it the same prejudices which
overbore tlie testimony of the soldiers, might not also have re-
sisted even the appearance ol Christ himself? Or, rather, that
the obstinacy which led fhem to overbear conscience in one
instance, might not have dune it in the other? Justly therefore
did God deny what wantonness, and not reason, might lead
them to demand : justly did he give them up to dishonour their
own understandings, as well as their moral character, by this
mean and ridiculous tale, which brought men to testify what
was done while they were asleep.
The most that common sense could make oi their report had
they deserved the character of honest men, would have been,
that they knew nothing of the matter. And we have a thou-
sand times more reason to admire (he condescensimi of God, in
sending iiis apostles to these v;icked rulers with such additional
proofs and messages, than to censure his providence in prtnent-
ing Christ's public appearance. May he deliver us from the
treachery and corruption of our own hearts '. May he give us a
holy tenderness and integrity of soul, that we may see truth
wheresoe-'er it is, and may follow it whithersoever it leads us;
lest God should choose our d lusions, and give us up in his
righteous iiidj;ment to believe a lie, and to think ourselves wise
in that credulous injidclily which is destroying its ten thousands
umon^st us !
SECTION III.
Mark XVI 0. Luke xxiv. 12. John xx 1 — 17.
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene
early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and
35
398 HARMONY OP THE
seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then
she runneth and cometh to Simon Pcter> and to the
other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them,
They, have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre,
and we know not where they have laid him : It was
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of
James, and olher women that icere with them, which
told these things unto the apostles. Then aros^ Peter
and that other disciple ; and came to the sepulchre.
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did
outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he
stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes
lying ; yet went he not in. Then coraelii Simon Peter
following him, and went into tiie sepulciire, and seeth
the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his
head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped
together in a place by itself. Then went in also that
other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and
he saw, and believed. For as yet tlicy knew not the
scripture, that he must rise again from llie dead. Then
the disciples went away again unto their own home,
wondering at that which was come to pass.
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the
week, he appeared first to Mary Magilalene, out of
whom he had cast seven devils. But she stood
without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept she
stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre ; and seeth
two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the
other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her. Woman, why weepcst thou ?
She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my
Lord, and 1 know not where they have laid him. And
when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and
saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her. Woman, why weepcst thou ?
whom seekest thou ? She, supposing him to be the gar-
dener, saith unto him. Sir, if thou have borne him
hence, lell me where thou hast laid him, and I will
take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She
FOUR GOSPELS. 399
turned herself, and saith unto him, Rahboni ; which is
to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her. Touch me not ;
for I am not yet ascended to my Father : but go to
my brethi( n, and say unto them, I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father ; and to ray God, and your
God.
Let the Tailh ofwhtit has been done with regard to onr
glorififid Htad, and shall at length be aocon)[)lished with res-
pect to all his numbers, daily gladden our hearts. When our
eyes are wftping, atul our souls finking within n?, let us raise
our thoughts to Jtsus our ristn, and now nsctndtd Rtdeemcr^
who says lo all his brethren these gracious words (which may
justly be rcceiveil with transports of astonishment, and fill our
heartsat the same time fiilh jot/ li. neakable, and full ofglori/)^
''^ J ascend lo my Fatker and your Father, and to my God and
your God.^''
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is now,
through (he deatli and resurrection of his dear Son (whom by
raising him from the dead he has so solemnly owned under that
relation), become our Father rnd our God. As such let us
honour him. love him, and rejoice in him : and when we must
leave this world, which Christ has long since left, let it delight
oursouls to (hitdi that we siiall likewise ascend after him, and
dwell witJi him in his propitious Divine presence. In the mean
time, if ue are rism with Christ, let us seek ihofie things which
are above, nhere Christ now siltelh at the right-hand of Godt
(Col. iii. 1. ;) and let us be willing, in whatever sense God
shall appoint, to be made conformable to Iiis dtalh, that we may
also he partakLTS of his resurrection and glory. (Phil. iii. 10,
11.)
SECTION IV.
Mark XVI. 10 — 13. Luke xxiv. 14 — 35. John xx, 10.
And Mary Magdalene came to the disciples, as they
mourned and wept, and told them, that she had seen
the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and
had been seen of her, believed not.
400 HARMONY OP THE
After that he appeared in another form unto two of
them. For behold two of iheni went that same day into
the country, to a village called Emmaus, which was
from Jerusalem about three-score furlongs. And they
talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came t'" pass, that, while they communed together
and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with
them. But their eyes were holden that they should
not know him. And lie said unto them, What manner
of communications ore these that ye have one to ano-
ther, as ye walk, and are sad ?
And the one of them, whose name was Clcopas,
answering said unto him. Art thou only a stranger in
Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are
come to pass there in these days ? And he said unto
them. What things ? And they said unto him, Concern-
ing Jesus of Nazareth, wliich was a prof)het, mighty in
deed and word before God and all the people : and how
the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be con'
demned to death, and have crucified him. But we
trusted thaf it had been he which shoul:! have redeem-
ed Israel : and beside all this, to day is the third day
since these things were done. Yea, and certain wo-
men also of our company made us astonished, which
were early at the sepulchre ; and when they found not
his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a
vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And
certain of them which were with us went to the sepul-
chre, and found it even so as the women had said : but
him they saw not.
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets have spoken : Ought
not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter
into his glory ? And beginning at Moses and all the
prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scrip-
tures the things concerning himself And they drew
nigh unto the village, whither they went; and he made
as though he would have gone further. But they con-
itrained him, saying, Abide with us : for it is toward
POUR CK)SPELS. 401
evening-, and the day is far spent. — And he went in to
tarry with (hem. And it came to pass, as he sat at
meat with them, he took bread, and blessed iff and
brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened,
and they knew liim ; and he vanished out of their sight.
And they said one to another. Did not our heart burn
within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while
he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the
same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the
eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to
Simon. And they told what tliinj^s were done in the
way, and how he was known of them in breaking of
bread. Neither believed they them.
How delightful a clo5e of so melancholy a dai/ to lhe?e pious
travellers! adai/ surely h'nj? to be remembered by them and by
us! They wave un a journey ; but they did not amuse them-
aelves otiil uitli any triflin'^ subject ofdiscourje. T\\Q\r hearts
were set upon Christ, and therefore their longues were employ-
ed in speaking of liim. And behold, Christ himself, the dear
theme of their discourse, makes one among them ; he enlight-
ens their eyes and warms their hearts, and at length makes hini'
self kriomn to them in the breaking of bread.
So may we often be speaking of Christ, from the fulness of
our hearts, vhcn ue go out, and xi'hen we comt in I So may he
still, in some degree, /(j?;i hims'tlf xcilh us in spirit, guiding cur
souls into Divine knowledge, and animating them with holy
love! •
They bear an honourable and a just testimony to that great
Prophet whom God had raised up for Iheni. as mighli/ before him
both in word and deed. Bui iLey knev/ not how to see through
so dark a cloud : their hopes were almost extinguished, and
they could only say. We trusted this had been Iip. that should
have redeemid Israel. Pitiable weakness ! Yet too ju>t an em-
blem of the temper which often prevails in the pious mind ;
when the Christian is ready to give up all, if rfeZ But they were
terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen
a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled ?
and why do thoughts arise in your hearts ? Behold my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and
see ; for a spirit bath not flesh and bones, as ye see me
have.
POUS G06FBLS. 403
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his
hands, and his feet, and his side. Then were the dis-
ciples glad, when they saw the Lord. And while they
yet beheved not for joy, and wondered, he said unto
them, Have ye here meat ? And they gave him a
piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb ; and he
took it, and eat before them.
Then said Jesus to them again. Peace be unto you :
As my Father liath sent me, even so I send you. And
when he had said this, he breathed on ihe7n, and saith
unto thera, Receive ye the Holy Ghost : Whosoever sins
ye remit, they arc remitted unto them ; and whosoever
sins ye retain, they are retained.
With pleasure let us echo back the words of the apostle, and
joiQ in that glad anthem which so well suits a resurrection-day,
The Lord is risen: he is risen indeed. We owe our daily praises
to God for the abundant demonstration he has ^iven us ot so im-
portant a fact, for every appearance ofChtist to h\^ disciples, and
for all the infallible tokens by which he shewed himself io be alive
after his passion. ( Acts i. 3. )
He came with peace and blessings in his mouth ; he came to
disperse Iheir fears, and to assuie them ot his forgiving: love. How
strong were tho-e prejudices which so hardly yielded to such con-
vincing proofs ? And liow rich was thatg^race which condescended
to overcome them !
Christ breathed on the apostles, that they might receive the
Holy Spirit. May he also breathe on our souls, and fill us with
that glorious and Divine gift, which, if it qualified the apostles for
their extraordinary office, may much more furnish us lor the com-
mon duties of life ! Mity we try our state by the characters which
they have laid down in their inspired wiitings ; in which sense,
among others, we may assure ourselves, that, if they have declared
our sins to be remitted, they arc remitted ; and, if indeed Uiey are
80, we need not to be much concerned by whom they are retained.
Vain and arrogant men may claim a despotic power, which God
never gave, and which these words are far fiom implying. But,
whatsoever be the sentence they may pass, they whom God bless-
eth, are blessed indeed. (I Chron. xvii 27.) May we always
esteem it a very small thing to be judged of man's judgment,
(1 Cor. iv,3,) pitying, rather than resenting, the rashness of those
who claim any such discretionary sacerdotal power as can give
the real penitent any alarm, or the impenitent any encouiagement
to continue in sin !
404 HABHOIVY OP THE
SECTION VI.
Mark xvi. 14. Joiiif xx. 24 — 29,
BxjT Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didynuis, was
not with ihem when Jesus came. 'J'he other disciples
therefore said unto him. We have seen the Lord. But
he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the
print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the
nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not be-
lieve.
And after cif^ht days again his eleven disciples were
within, and Tliomas with them : then came Jesus, the
doors being shut, and stood in the midst as they sat at
meat, and said. Peace be unto you : and he upbraided
them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because
they believed not them which had seen him after he was
risen. Then sailh he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger,
and behold my hands ; and reach hither thy hand, and
thrust it into my side : and be not faithless, l)ut believing.
And Thomas answered and said un*o him, My Lord and
my God. Jesus saith unto liim, 'J'homas, because thou
hast seen me, thou hast believed : Blessed are they that
have not seen, and yel have believed.
We most evidently see in this instance of Thomas, as well as
in many cucumst.inccs of ihe story mentioncil above, how far the
apostles weie from being ias>hly crtduloiis in the important fact of
Christ's resxirreciinn. It is aj^parent, liiey eired in the cc»ntrary
exTierne: yet om gracious Lord condescended to satisfy scruples
which weie carried to an extiavaganee. He renewed his visitt
and at the soine time renewed his salutation too, Peace be unto
you was still his I,mgiia2;e; nor did he only speak, but act, as one
who wislied it, and was deterndned to give it.
What pfoce must it administer to tiie mind of this good man
when his Lord said. Beach hither thy finger, and behold my
hands, and reach hither thine hand, and pat it into my side : and
be not faithless^ but believing! Evidently did he hereby shew,
not only that he was risen ft om the dead, but that he circumstan-
tially hneto those events which had passed in his bodily absence.
POUR GOSPELS. 405
and needed not human information. Let us then ever behave our-
selves as in t?ie presence of Christ. Let us act, and speak, and
think, in such a manner as may bear his inspection; and, struck
with these united demonstrations of wisdom, power, and grace,
let us prostrate ourselves before him, and say, Our Lord, and our
God! thus honouring the Son as we hon^^ur the Father (John v.
23,) and adoring the indwelling Deity, through this veil of fleak,
in which it has been pleased to enshrine itself, and kindly to at-
temper, though not entirely to conceal, its rays.
Though we have not those sensible manitestations which were
granted to Thomas, let it suffice us thai the apostles were the ap-
pointed witnesses of all these things ; and what they saw with
their eyes, and tkeir hands handled itf the word life, that they have
declared unto us. (1 Johni. 1,3.) Let us thankfully receive so con-
vincing a testimony. J.et us shew an upright and candid uiind in
accepting 5Mc/i evidence as the wisdom of God has seen fit to give
us; remembering that a truly rational /ai „: 1 a
2« ^^2 h^. 35-38. 5 ''■^-^-
29 144 X. 1—15. vi. 7—11. ix. 1—5.
30 145 X. 16—31.
31 147 X. 32—42, xi. 1. vi. 12— 13. ix. 6.
32 149 xiv. 1—12. vi. 14—29. ix. 7—9.
33 152 xiv. 13—23. vi. 30—46. ix. 10—17. vi. 1—15.
34 155 xiv. 24— 36. vi. 47— 56. vi. 16— 21.
35 157 vi.22— 40.
36 159 vi. 41—58.
37 161 vi. 59— 71.
PART IV.
1 165 XV. 1—9. vii. 1-13.
2 167 XV. 10—20. vii. 14—23.
3 168 XV. 21— 28. vii. 24— 30. «,
4 ,70 -29-39. {™; 3/2^} _ _
5 172 xvi. 1—12. viii. 11—21.
6 174 xvi. 13—20. viii. 22—30. ix. 18—21.
7 176 xvi. 21—28. \ vui. 31— 38. ) ^^ 22—27.
8 178 xvii. 1— 13. ix. 2— 13. ix. 28— 36.
9 180 xvii. 14—21. ix. 14—29. ix. 37—43.
10 183 xvii. 22— 27. ix.30— 32. ix. 43— 45. vii. 1.
11 184 ix. 33— 50. ix. 46— 50.
12 186 xviii. 1—20.
13 189 xviii. 21—25.
14 191 — - vii. 1—13.
15 192 vii. 14—24.
16 193 ^ vii. 25—36.
17 195 —- — vii. 37—53.
18 197 . viii. 1—11.
19 199 viii. 12—29.
20 201 viii. 30— 47.
21 202 viii. 48— 59.
22 204 — -. ix. 1—23.
23 206 =. ix. 24—38.
418
INDEX.
Sect. Page. Matthew. Mark.
24 208
25 209
26 211
27 213
28 215
29 218
30 220
31 221
32 223
33 225
34 ^27
35 228
36 230
37 232
38 234
39 236
40 237
41 239 .
42 241
43 243
44 244
45 246
46 248
47 250
48 251
49 253
50 254
51 257
52 259
53 261
54 263
55 264 xix. 1,2. x. 1.
56 266
57 268 xix. 3—12. x. 2—12.
58 270 xix. 13—15. x. 13—16.
59 272 xix. 16—30. x. 17—31.
60 275 XX. 1—16.
61 277 XX. 17—20. x. 32—45.
62 279 XX. 29— 34. x. 46— 52.
63 281 _
64 282
65 284 xxvi. 6—13. xiv. 3—9.
66 286 xxi. 1—9. xi. 1—10.
LCTKE.
ix. 51—62.
X. 1—16.
x. 17—24.
X. 25—37.
X. 38—42.
xi. 1—13.
xi. 14—36.
xi. 37—54.
xii. 1—12.
xii. 13—21.
xii. 22—34.
xii. 35—48.
xii. 49—59.
xiii. 1—9.
xiii. 10 21.
xiii. 22—35.
xiv. 1 — 14.
xiv. 15—24.
xiv. 25—35.
XV. 1—10.
XV. 1 1—32.
xvi. 1—18.
xvi. 19—34.
xvii. 1—10.
xvii. 11—19.
xvii. 20—37.
xviii. 1 — 14.
xviii. 15—17.
xviii. 18-30,
xviii. 31 — 34.
I xviii. 35—43,
; xix 1.
xix. 2 — 10.
xix. 11—28.
John.
ix. 39—41,
X. 1—10.
X. 11—21.
X. 22—42.
xi. 1—16.
xi. 17—46.
xi. 47—57.
xix. 29-
5 xi. 55—57.
{ xii. 1-11-
-40. xii. 12—19.
INDEX. 419
Sect. Page. Matthew. Mark. Lukk. John.
67 289 xxi. 10, 11, 14—17. xi. 11. xix. 41—44.
68 290 xii. 20—36.
69 292 xxi. 13— 22.- xi. 12— 26. xix. 45— 48.
70 295 xxi. 23—46. \ ^1: V~f^' \ xx. 1—19.
( Xll. 1 — 12. >
71 298 xxii. 1—14.
72 300 xxii. 15—22. xii. 13—17. xx. 20—26.
73 302 xxii. 23—33. xii. 18—27. xx. 27—40.
74 304 xxii. 34—40. xii. 28—34.
75 306 xxii. 41— 46. xii. 35— 40. xx. 41 — 47.
76 307 xii. 41— 44. xii. 37— 50.
77 310 xxiii. 1—22.
78 312 xxiii. 23— 29.
79 314 xxiv. 1— 14. xiii. J— 13. xxi. 5— 19.
80 317 xxiv. 15—28. xiii. 14—23. xxi. 20—24.
81319 xxiv. 29— 36 xiii. 24— 32. xxi. 25— 33.
82 321 xxiv. 37— 51. xiii. 33— 37.
83 323 XXV. 1—13.
84 324 XXV. 14—30.
85 326 XXV. 31—46.
fiA 'js>a ^ xxvi. 1— 4, ) Cxiv. 1,2, ) C xxi. 37, 38, )
»b J^y J 14—16. \ J 10, 11. 5 Jxxii. 1— 6. 5
87 331 xxvi. 17—20. xiv. 12—17. xxii. 7—18.
88 332 xiii. 1—17.
>;9 334 xxvi. 21— 26. xiv. 18— 22. xxii. 19— 23. xiii. 18— 30.
90 336 xiii. 31— 38.
91 337 xxii. 24— 38.
92 339 xxvi. 27—29. xiv. 23—25. xxii. 20.
93 340 xiv. 1 — 14.
94 343 xiv. 15—31.
95 345 XV. 1—11.
96 346 XV. 12—27.
97 349 XVI. 1—15.
98 350 xvi. 16—38.
99 353 xvii. 1—12.
100 355 xvii. 13—26.
101357 xxvi. 30— 35. xiv. 26— 31. xxii. 39. xviii. 1.
102 358 xxvi. 36— 46. xiv 32— 42. xxii. 40— 46. xviii. 1.
103 3C0 xxvi. 47— 56. xiv. 43— 52. xxii. 47— 53. xviii. 2— 11.
104 363 xxvi. 57— 68. xiv. 53— 65. J ^^g^^g^^' ^ xviii. 19— 24.
105 366 xxvi. 69—75- xiv. 66—72. xxii. 56—62. < js^SS— 27!
106 368 xxvii. 1— 10. xv. 1. xxii. 66—71. xviii. 28.
107 370 xviii. 28 — 40.
108 372 xix. 1—14.
420
INDEX.
Sect. Page. Matthew.
109 374
110 376
111 377
112 381
1 13 384
114 386
115 389
xxvii. 11 — 14.
xxvii. 15 — 26.
xxvii. 27—34.
xxvii. 35 — 44.
xxvii. 45 — 56.
xxvii. 56 — 61.
xxvii. 62 — 66.
Mark.
XV. 2—5.
XV. 6—15.
XV. 16—23.
XV. 24—32.
XV. 33 —41.
XV. 40 — 47.
Luke. John.
xxiii. 2 — 16. XIX. 15.
xxiii. 17 — 25. xix. 16.
xxiii. 26—34. xix. 16—18.
xxiii. 35—43. xix. 19—24.
xxiii. 44—49. xix. 25—27.
xxiii. 49—56. xix. 31—41.
PART V.
xxviii. 1 — 8.
xxviii. 11 — 15,
1 393
2 395
3 397
4 399
5 402
6 404
7 405 xxviii. 9,10,16— 20.
8 406
9 408
10 410
11 411
xvi. 1 — 8.
xvi. 9.
xvi. 10— 13.
xvi. 14.
xxiv, 1—9, 11.
xxiv. 12.
xxiv. 14 — 35.
xxiv. 36—40.
XX. 1—17.
XX. 18.
XX 19— 2J.
XX. 24—29.
xxi. 1-
xxi. 15-
-14.
-24.
12 413
xvi. 15—19.
xyi. 23.
xxiv. 44 — 49.
xxiv. 49 — 53.
XX. .30,31.
xxi. 25.
Princeton Theological Seminarv,, Libraries
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