earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he "that cometh from Heaven, is above all.”

John here tells his disciples, that his own origin being from the earth, his language and inftructions were fuitable to a mere mortal; but that he who came from Heaven, excelled all others, as much in the dignity of his person as in the fublimity of his mind and actions.

32. And what he hath seen and heard, "that he teftifieth, and no man receiv "eth his testimony. He that hath re"ceived his testimony hath set to his feal that God is true."

Those who accepted Christ, and believed in him, would of course set their feal of belief to all God's promises refpecting the Meffiah contained in the Old Teftament, and be convinced of the truth of every word which God had there spoken.

66 34. For he whom God hath fent, speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto " him.”

He whom God hath fent from Heaven spake not, as the prophets of old who were fent from God, the language of infpiration: when Christ spake, it was God himself that spoke, he being one with the Father before all worlds; for in him the fulness of the godhead dwelt bodily: he had the springs of all in himself, and not the streams only.

35. The Father loveth the Son, and "hath given all things into his hands.”

Our Lord speaks of himself in the fame terms, St. Matthew, chap. xi. verse 27.) "All things are delivered unto me of my "Father; and no man knoweth the Son "but the Father: neither knoweth any "man the Father, fave the Son, and he " to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

God hath committed all things relative to mankind to Chrift, more particularly the power of life and death, and every thing that leads to their eternal falvation: let us, then, flee to the Almighty Father by the only means he has appointed, thro' the mediation of his truly-beloved fon, our only faviour and redeemer. for a moment hesitate to enlift under his banners, whofe "yoke is eafy and burden

Can we

"light." The members of Chrift are not without a yoke: that is, a law, or rule by which they are to walk; but how light is this, compared to that of the law, which impofed many burthenfome ordinances, whereas here, we are enjoined nothing but what the best feelings of our nature would lead us to practice, even if they were not made our duty; namely, to love God, and to live in charity and good-will with our neighbour.

How great alfo is the difference between those who endeavor to obey him, and to become his true and faithful difciples, and thofe who reject him: the minds of the

former

be

former are contented and ferene, ready to quit this world or to continue in it, as best pleases their beloved master; patient under fufferings, looking forward to the reward promised to all Chrift's faithful fervants. To arrive at this state of mind, is fuperior to the greatest riches we can enjoy on this fide the grave: it may well called the pearl of great price; and when once we have attained this heavenly difpofition, the world cannot, with all its treasures, bribe us to part with so ineftimable a blessing: we are then rifen above its temptations and vanities. Contrast this ftate of mind with that of those who reject their faviour, though their fituation in life may be ever so rich or profperous : they are for ever restless and uneasy, seeking for fomething which eludes their grafp; discontented with the present, dreading the future, fo that they may be aptly compared to the troubled fea. Our enemy, faithless even to his own servants, is ever busy to prevent their enjoyment of

quiet in this world, or of happiness in the world to come.

"36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not "the Son fhall not fee life, but the wrath " of God abideth in him."

One reason, and a very forcible one, why fome people are averse to the belief of the fcriptures, is, that they do not choose to part with fome darling vice, and were they to acknowledge their belief in the religion of Christ, it would be to proclaim to the world that they live in a state of condemnation; they therefore endeavor to perfuade themselves, and those with with whom they converse, out of all faith. But pious Christians are each day more and more confirmed in their belief, by a serious study of the scriptures: this delightful employment raises their thoughts to Heaven, and prepares their minds to make their humble petitions to the throne of grace, where truth and mercy dwell;

where