While the character of Jefus is exhibited, and indubitable proofs are brought, of his ability and rea> dinefs" to fave unto the uttermoft," is there one among us, who does not need, or desire, his affiftance? Oh, the fatal blindnefs, and wretched ftupidity of men! They neglect and defpife the Saviour, to their own everlafting deftruction. But you, whom affliction weighs down, or convictions of guilt terrify, behold the merciful Redeemer, and fay, "Lord Jefus, to whom elfe can we apply? Thou only canst relieve us." He is ftill the fame; and, though at a diftance, he can inftantly remove your complaints. His bodily prefence is not neceflary: He can fpeak the word, and your health fhall be reftored, your peace of mind established. Only believe his own gracious declarations: Go your way, expecting what he hath promiled, and, according to your faith, fo thall it be done unto you.

JESUS

JESUS CHRIST.

SECT. 7.

Jefus returned to Galilee-preached at Nazareth-miraculously efcaped-dwelt at Capernaum-wrought, various miracles-rofe early-took a circuit round Galilee-called four difciples, after a miraculous draught of fifbes.

An inhabitant like this, the world never faw either before or fince. Every view of him, during his abode on earth, not only furnishes inftruction, but excites amazement. Each part of his life is a proof of his own affertion, and a ftriking comment on what he faid, "My meat is to do the will of Him that fent me, and to finish his work *." While we obferve his activity, may we feel the force of his example, as an incentive to diligence! And as we perceive with what ftrength of evidence his high character and divine miffion were displayed, may our faith and hope: in him abound more and more!

Wherever he travelled, he appeared as no common perfon: both the doctrines he delivered, and the miracles he wrought, proved inconteftably, that he was more than an ordinary prophet, and no less than the Saviour of the world, "God over all, bleffed for ever."

to carry

"He returned in the power of the Spirit into Ga lilee" being anointed to his office by the Holy Ghoft, by the fame unction he was directed, affifted and comforted in the execution of it. "The power of the Spirit" fo accompanied his ministrations, as forcible conviction to the minds of others.. There went a fame of him through all the region round about: and he taught in their fynagogues, being glorified of all." We fhall not wonder, that he engaged the general attention of the neighbourhood, if we take a view of his conduct, and the circumstances which occurred, during his first circuit round: Galilee.

"He came to Nazareth," which had been the place of his education, and his principal refidence till he entered on his public miniftry. He had declined. going thither for fome time after his vifit at JerufaTem, and turned afide to the other parts of Galilee, on account of the prejudices, which his townsmen entertained against him. He himself testified, that "a prophet hath no honour in his own country:"thofe, who have known him in his childhood, or lived with him on terms of intimacy, in a lower. fituation,, are feldom difpofed to pay him reverence or attention, as a teacher of religion. We might have imagined, indeed, that Jefus would be an exception to this general.obfervation, and that thofe, who had been neffes of his aftonishing wifdom and holiness, even: early age, would be prepared to liften and fub

his inftructions. The fact, however, was fe, as our Lord had företold; for he was fufy aware of the enmity of the Nazarenes against Though he knew what his reception would e determined to hear his teftimony amongst , and to give them an opportunity of manifeftheir real diffitions. Nor are the minifters of,

ke iv. 14, &c..

his

his Gospel to be deterred from declaring the truth, though they have to combat with very strong prejudices. Neceffity is laid upon them, and they muft deliver their meffage, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Upon his arrival at Nazareth," he went, as his custom was, into the fynagogue on the Sabbath day." At Jerufalem only, in the temple, facrifices were offered, and the Mofaic rites obferved. But in almost every town and village fynagogues were erected, like our parish churches, for public worship, for prayer and praife, for reading and expounding the fcriptures.. To them our Lord reforted, whenever he had opportunity; fo that he may be propofed as a pattern of a diligent attendance on religious inftitutions. But do all his profeffed followers copy after him? Is it their custom, their habitual practice, to frequent the houfe of God? Is there any excufe to be urged for their neglect of it, which will bear examination? If Jefus thought it right to be a conftant worshipper in Jewish affemblies, who fhall defpife or turn away from Chriftian ordinances? Who fhall fay, that he has no need of prayer and the word of God, fince Jefus himself paid fuch regard to them?

One particular perfon prefided over each of these places, called "the Ruler," who directed the fervice, and had a power of appointing any man, feriously disposed and properly qualified, to officiate in it.. Accordingly, upon the appearance of Jefus in the fynagogue at Nazareth, he was defired to read; and what was probably a leffon for the day, furnished him with a fuitable text for his first fermon among them. The attention of the congregation was fixed upon him, while they heard him repeat those remarkable words, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor: he hath fent me to heal the broken-hearted, t preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering c

fight to the blind, to fet at liberty them that are bruifed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord *." The paffage confeffedly defcribed the office of their expected Meffiah; and, while they were anxious tơ know what application he would make of it, he folemnly declared, that it was fulfilled in himself.

The completion of the prophecy affords ftrong confolation to us. We are to regard Jefus, as he is here exhibited, the anointed of God, fent from above, bringing with him the gracious offers of pardon for the guilty, peace for the miferable, and falvation for thefe," who are ready to perish." In this reprefentation the finful, depraved, and helplefs condition of man is clearly implied; and the bleffings of redemption are freely propofed to the acceptance of all, who feel and lament the melancholy truth. If we pride ourselves on any fancied goodriefs or ability of our own, we grofsly mistake our cafe, we overlook the grand peculiarities of the Gospel, nor can we receive thofe important benefits, which Jefus came to bedow. He gives wifdom to the ignorant, rightecube to the guilty, fanctification to the impure, and redemption to the miferable captive. But, he copters no favour on the proud and self-sufficient, who, not being fenfible of their own neceffities, will not fabrit or apply to him.

We ak then, Are you "the poor," of whom the prophet freaks; poor, in a fpiritual fenfe, as perceivvo rives deititute of every thing really excel

The Geipel proclaims glad tidings in your ears: Jelas brings a meflage of mercy to you, and * You tike “ the unfearchable riches" of his

e vou diftreffed in mind, not on account of , but from a conviction of your guilt ? Is your anguifh extreme, fo that, under

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the