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those who questioned his authority;-makes many converts, but not all worthy of confidence ;-is visited secretly by Nicodemus a magistrate, with whom he converses on regeneration, faith, and fortitude in the cause of truth :-Jesus retires into the country-employs his disciples in baptizing :—this is reported to John, who gives his testimony of Jesus, exalting his mission and personal dignity much above his own.

Page 345

SECTION III.

THE JOURNEY TO GALILEE..

CHAPTER IV.

Jesus, near Sychar of Samaria, enters into conversation with a Samaritan woman;—discovers himself to her to be the Messiah: -the disciples, who had gone into the city to buy food, are surprised to find them conversing together :—he acquaints his disciples, that to do the work for which he was sent, was to him as food;-goes into the city;-stays two days, making many converts ;-returns to Galilee ;-heals the courtier's son who lay sick at Capernaum.

350

SECTION IV.

THE CURE AT BETHESDA.

CHAPTER V.

The supernatural cures wrought at Bethesda by the agitation of the water;-a diseased man who lay there, waiting such a cure, healed on the Sabbath by Jesus, who commanded him to

carry home his couch.-Hence some altercation of the Jews, -first with the man,-afterwards with Jesus:-Jesus alleges the example of his Father, from whom he derives both the pow er whereby he acts, and the wisdom wherewith he teaches:— his mission proved by―1. the testimony of John;—2. the miracles he wrought ;— -3. the declaration of the Father at his baptism;-4, the Jewish scriptures. Page 354

SECTION V.

THE PEOPLE FED IN THE DESERT:

CHAPTERS VI. VII. 1.

Jesus feeds five thousand miraculously in the desert;—while his disciples embark, he retires from the multitude, who intend by force to make him king;-the night being stormy, he fol bows his disciples, walking on the sea;-enters their vessel, which immediately reaches the intended port;-instructs the people who flock about him, as to the 'object most worthy of their labour;-declares himself the bread of life, the source of spiritual nourishment and comfort, prefigured by the manna which the Israelites ate in the desert:-his language so strongly metaphorical proves unintelligible to many, and makes not a few withdraw altogether :-Jesus having asked the twelve, whether they meant to follow their example,-Peter, in name of the whole, acknowledges him the Messiah, professing inviolable fidelity :-Jesus acquaints them that even in their small number there is one perfidious.

358

SECTION VI.

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

CHAPTERS VII. 2, &c. VIII.

Jesus declines going with his kinsmen to the festival ;—when they were gone, sets out privately;-teaches in the temple,

vindicating his doctrine and mission:-the chief priests and pharisees send officers to seize him ;-he continues to teach; the people are much divided about him;—the officers return without him, urging for their excuse, the unexampled power of his speeches:-the rage of the rulers mildly checked by Nicodemus :-Jesus dismisses the woman taken in adultery ; declares himself the light of the world;-exposes the vanity of the Jewish boasts of liberty ;—of their relation to Abraham;-of their relation to God:-defends himself against their abuse;—and when they were preparing to kill him, conveys himself out of their reach.

SECTION VII.

THE CURE OF THE MAN BORN BLIND.

CHAPTERS IX. X.

Page 364

Jesu's gives sight to a man blind from his birth :—this excites the astonishment of the neighbours :—the pharisees inquire into the fact, examining first the man,—afterwards his parents,— then again the man himself:—they acquaint him that the person who had cured him must be a bad man, because he had done it on the Sabbath.—As the man who had been cured, declared his dissent from this judgment, they expelled him the synagogue:-Jesus afterwards finding the man, comforts him ;— compares himself to the door of the fold, and to the good shepherd-divisions among the people concerning him ;—his enemies charge him with blasphemy ;-he vindicates himself, and eludes their designs.

SECTION VIII.

LAZARUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

CHAPTERS XI. XII. 1-11.

372

Lazarus of Bethany being sick, his sisters send word to Jesus. who, after two days, returns to Judea, his disciples reluctant

ly accompanying him :-Jesus restores Lazarus to life who had been four days buried; this proved the means of convinc ing numbers:—the rulers alarmed, convene the Sanhedrim, where the destruction of Jesus is determined ;—he retires into the country;—on the approach of the passover, measures are again concerted against Jesus;-he comes to Bethany,-sups with Lazarus;-his feet anointed by Mary, who is accused of profusion by Judas, but vindicated by his Master :-crowds flock to the house, to see not only Jesus, but Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead.

SECTION IX.

THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM.

CHAPTER XII. 12, &c. XIII.

Page 378

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on an ass, the multitude shouting:-some Greeks desire to see him :-Jesus fortells his own death, and its effect in engaging disciples;—warns his hearers to improve the present opportunity, of which they would soon be deprived :-several rulers convinced, but restrained by fear from declaring their sentiments :—Jesus announces his doctrine as directly from God;-washes the feet of his disciples ;—points out this as an example to them ;-fortells that one of them would betray him;—by a token acquaints the beloved disciple that Judas Iscariot was the man;—recommends mutual love; -warns Peter, more confident than the rest, of his transgression in disowning him. 383

SECTION X.

CONSOLATION TO THE DISCIPLES.

CHAPTERS XIV. XV. XVI. XVII.

Jesus, before his departure, comforts his disciples, assuring them that his absence would conduce to their good, and be but tem

VOL. III. 4

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