tion. He pointed to that great event as the proof that he was from God. "" Destroy this temple,” said he, meaning the temple of his body, "and in three days I will raise it again." At that time his words were not understood; but after his crucifixion they were remembered, and served to confirm the truth of his pretensions to divine knowledge.

While he remained at Jerusalem, he wrought many miracles, which drew attention to him, and augmented the number of those who believed in him. He did not however disclose himself to them, for he knew that the time had not yet arrived when he could advantageously do so. He knew the nature of their expectations from him; therefore he would not trust them, nor commit himself to them.

The most remarkable circumstance which occurred during this period, was the visit which he received from one of the rulers, whose name was Nicodemus. This man, a person of some consequence in the nation, had become strongly interested in what he had seen and heard of the wonderful young stranger from Galilee, and desired to ascertain, by means of a personal interview, whether he were the Messiah or not. Accordingly he came to Jesus; but by night, when he

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would be least liable to be observed. For he chose to satisfy himself fully, before he would attract attention to his movements. He saluted our Lord respectfully, and assured him that he believed he came from God; for, said he, no man can do these miracles which thou dost, except God were with him." He thus evidently expressed a readiness to join himself to the Saviour; but as our Lord knew that his views were not right, that he was looking for a worldly Messiah and hoping an earthly reward, he did not encourage his advances, but immediately began to show him his mistake, and explain the true nature of the kingdom of the Messiah. He taught him that it was not of this world, not temporal, but spiritual; that in order to enter it, one must give up all his worldly views and temporal expectations, and fit himself, by spiritual-mindedness, for a spiritual kingdom. These great truths he clothed, according to his manner, in bold and strong, but natural figures. But it was not easy for the Jewish ruler to understand them. They were not consonant to his prejudices or his desires. And he went away without openly attaching himself to the cause of Jesus. Yet such an impression did the conversation make on his mind, that he appears ever to have regarded our Lord with reverence and attachment. We find him, some time afterward, one of the few who dared to speak in his defence,

and who honored him in his death. We may trust that the memorable interview of that night produced its true effects on his soul; that the solemn words of Jesus taught him, as they have taught multitudes since, the superiority and necessity of a spiritual life, and roused him from his vain passions and worldly ambition, to the sense of a higher existence.

The Passover being ended, Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem, and took up their abode for a time somewhere near the river Jordan, in Judea. Here he gained many followers, who were baptized into his faith; not however by his own hand, but by that of the disciples. John also was still baptizing, but had removed from Bethabara to Enon, near Salim, in Samaria. This circumstance of two prophets being engaged in collecting and baptizing followers at the same time, naturally excited some speculation among the people. Some of John's disciples fell into an argument respecting it with a Jew, and they referred the question to John himself for his decision. These disciples appear to have been jealous for their master's honor, and could not well bear that another should attract more followers than he. But John had nothing of this feeling, and he endeavored to remove it from the mind of his disciples. He reminded them that he had always asserted, that he was not himself the Christ, but greatly in

ferior to him. He now repeated his assertions, and went on to declare to them, in the strongest terms, the necessity of believing in the son of God. In this way John quieted the minds of his disciples.

sure.

But there were others, who were not so easily satisfied, and who loudly expressed their displeaThese were the Pharisees, the leading sect amongst the Jews, the sect which comprised probably the principal part of the learned and influential men. The Pharisees professed to be more strictly and zealously devoted to the law than any others, and by their severe external sanctity and punctilious attention to the forms of religion, they secured the veneration of the multitude. They were scrupulous observers of the sabbath, they kept frequent fasts, were exact in all washings, ostentatious in paying tithes, in repeating prayers, and in giving alms, professed great abhorrence at sinners, and even carried the show of sanctity into the phylacteries and fringes of their garments. Thus their appearance corresponded with their name, which meant separated, or set apart, from other men in holiness and piety; and their haughty treatment of all whom they considered sinners, was of a piece with their high pretensions.

Such was the popular and predominant sect. Of course they were jealous to maintain their influence, and unfriendly to all persons and parties.

who would either rival them in the estimation of the people, or expose their true character. It could not but happen, that they would look with ill will on any one who should assume to be a religious teacher, and not consult them and forward their purposes. It is plain, that, with their principles and character, no one could be received by them as the Messiah, unless he corresponded to their expectations, and in fact were one of the Pharisees. When therefore they heard of the bold procedure of a young man from Galilee, who had gone about cleansing the temple, and teaching the people, and baptizing followers independently of them, they were naturally displeased. His tone of instruction, too, was very unlike theirs, and tended to bring them into discredit. His simplicity and purity were disagreeable to their artifice and hypocrisy. They felt themselves rebuked by his modest but severe virtue. They therefore felt ill-disposed toward him. They could not listen to the idea that he was the Messiah. Surely the Messiah would be sent to the chiefs of the church, and not spring up from the dregs of the people. "Search and look," said they, "for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."

On hearing that this new teacher was successful in gaining adherents, and that he baptized even greater numbers than John had done, they did not conceal their displeasure. In what man