what a gloomy, what an appalling prospect presented itself to our Redeemer, in such a land, and at such a time! Obstacles of the most formidable character he had full in view. The domestic constitution itself, as well as the Mosaic economy, both of divine appointment; the latter temporary, but the former of more ancient obligation, and never to be dissolved; as then corrupted and abused, he saw standing in his way. Yet did the Messiah propose to raise up in the very

heart of Judaism, and in the bosom of the Jewish family too, an interest for himself, an interest for God. The whole family, both old and young, Parents and Children, were invited and entreated to submit, but one individual only in that family might accept the boon! This the Redeemer foresaw, and for such an event he made provision. It was a strong case, it might surprise the disciples, it might shake the resolution of the convert himself,— but, when the genius and design of the domestic constitution are regarded, no language could more powerfully have explained to us the paramount importance of his cause and claims, than that which the Saviour employed. "Think not," said he, "that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-inlaw and a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me : and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." As though the Redeemer had said,-" If it must come to this, whether I or the dearest earthly connexions are to be

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followed and obeyed, then, in all cases, there is no alternative; and be not discouraged, even for this most trying sacrifice, I can, and I will, make ample amends." "Every one who hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Language could not convey more strongly, the peculiar distinction between the Jewish dispensation, and the kingdom now setting up by the God of heaven. Under the former, for wise and important reasons, the family constitution could not be invaded, much less broken up with impunity but now that the Messiah himself hath come, the seed to whom the promises were made, if it must be so, then it seems it might be, and with great personal advantage: an hundred fold, even in this life, of abounding consolation, when such great sacrifices were made, and great trials endured, and in the world to come, life everlasting.

This virulence of persecution, however, might, and actually did, spend its force, yet the same thing might happen: a single branch, a Father or Mother only, in a single family, might be converted to Christianity, and if persecution was not carried to extremity, the path of duty should be pointed out, and, in the progress of divine revelation, so it is. Under the Jewish economy, the Man, with all his Family, must conform, or the Man, with all his Family, be expelled, nay, in case of resistance or non-compliance, his very substance must be forfeited, as well as himself separated from the congregation. Ezra x. 3. and 8. But now,

as in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision availed any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature, or the

keeping of the commandments of God;" so the Husband might be received into the household of faith, though his Wife should not, would not follow, or the reverse. In such case, however, the strong natural tie of God's own institution, far from being violated, might, through the kind and gracious and plastic power of Christianity, be turned to great account. "If any brother hath a Wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away and the Woman which hath an Husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving Husband is sanctified by or in the Wife, and the unbelieving Wife is sanctified by or in the Husband: else were your Children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A Brother or a Sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace; for what knowest thou, O Wife, whether thou shalt save thy Husband? or how knowest thou, O Man, whether thou shalt save thy Wife?"

Could any language be more explicit, and satisfactory, or consoling, or discover a more tender regard for the domestic circle? Thus the best interests of the Children were secured, by the continuation of the marriage-contract, while the delightful prospect is held out, of the Husband or Wife being the instrument, in the hands of a gracious God, of saving the other. Under the Jewish economy such an arrangement was impossible, "but now" it is otherwise; and hence the enlargement of privilege here announced. Once on a time, the Children of the Jewish Parent were to be cast out, and even the Wife se

parated; nor was there "hope in Israel concerning this thing," but upon the trying supposition of such a separation. Now, therefore," said they, "let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the Wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my Lord (Ezra), and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it." What a severe trial must this have been! Still it was then imperiously necessary: but now-the Wife may, nay, if she is so disposed, must, remain, and all the benefits of this Christian economy may descend on the whole family, in consequence of the piety and prayers, the consistent conduct and assiduous endeavours, of only one Parent!

To return, however, to the actual operations of the Messiah and his forerunner. Much, I know, has been said of the non-success of Jesus and of John, but the event proved that this was only apparent. The truth is, that both were employed about foundation work, and about such a foundation!" Other Men," said Jesus, "have laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." In these words, especial reference was had to himself, and perhaps to John; but this was his divinely humble manner of making such reference.

Even in the days of the Redeemer, however, we have proofs, all in character, of the faithful, and laborious, and well-directed labours of John, now gone to his reward, as well as of Jesus, now on the way to his. Corrupt and evil as the times were, parental feeling, at least, is seen in most affecting display; nay, it seems

as if it were the only cord in the human heart which responded to the touch of Jesus; and, when reading the evangelical history, we are often left to repose on it alone, as the surest hope and symptom of a better day. Here, the Parents intercede for their child-one comes on behalf of his only son, and another on behalf of her only daughter! Nor is it individuals only, who press round the adorable Redeemer: there, in company, the very Women bring their Children to him to be blest. He takes them up in his arms, lays his hand upon them, and blesses them, after having uttered these most gracious and delightful words, which, since he spake, have gladdened the heart of millions of Christian Parents: "Suffer the little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." In a word, in the evangelical history, among all the travels of our blessed Lord, excepting only one instance, the strongest faith with which he met was the faith of Parents, and two cases in particular are most eminent. The one a Mother, the other a Father. The one a Jew, a ruler of the synagogue, and the other a solitary descendant of Canaan's devoted race. The Jewish Parent believed that his Child might be even raised from the dead, and therefore, with his partner in life, was present when this was done and to the other, the Saviour could not, and at last would not, by any means, suppress the utterance, even of his admiration. 'Oh, Woman,” said he, "great is thy faith!" At other times we see him take a single branch of a single family, and turn it to great account. The demoniack beyond the sea of Galilee, who had not only been the grief of his family, but the terror of the neighbourhood, would have left all and

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