not only escape his scourge, and enjoy inward peace and satisfaction here, in having done your duty; but, through his merits, eternal happiness hereafter as the reward of your observance of that duty, so specifically prescribed, and so solennly enjoined.

While these wonderful occurrences were transacting, the fame of them drew together people of every description. Even the blind desired to be conducted to, and the lame to be assisted in reaching, the spot where JESUS was: who no sooner saw them, than by the same Divine power and authority which he had exerted in purifying the temple, he, most compassionately, in the presence of all the people, commanded the former to see, and the latter to walk.

It can hardly be supposed that there should be such depravity in any human beings, as that they should be offended at seeing cures wrought on their fellowcreatures; or when children were uttering their joyful acclamations in the temple, and crying Hosanna to the Son of David, as the multitude had done before, that any should be offended. But the conduct of the chief priests and scribes on this occasion was a lamentable instance of such depravity. They were not

only sore displeased, says the evangelist, but even censured JESUS for permitting these rejoicings: Hearest thou, say they in an indignant humour, what these say? Our LORD, not only allowing, but being also well pleased at. the Hosannas which these children uttered, said unto the unreasonable opposers of his wonderful works, Yea, nor do I reprove them for it. Have ye never read, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perjected praise. Thus quoting a scripture out of the book of Psalms*, which was fulfilled, or at least exemplified in the incident.

From this occurrence too, my Brethren, we must endeavour to derive instruction. And here let me more partiticularly address myself to parents. You see that praise well becomes the mouths of children--that your Saviour was pleased with their Hosannas, with their shouts of joy, as he entered into the temple. Bring your children therefore betimes to the house of prayer, remembering that of such is the kingdom of Godt. Teach them to keep up the form of godliness, it will be in no small degree instrumental to the power of it.

The blessed JESUS having returned this answer to the discontented scribes and Pharisees, left them to make the applition, and retired to Bethany, a village about a mile from Jerusalem.

Thus have we brought the transactions of this day to a conclusion: and may GOD grant, that the observations which have been made on them, as they have severally occurred to us, may prove beneficial to those who have given their attendance here this evening. Let us ever be ready both in heart and voice to praise the LORD for the mercies vouchsafed unto us by the author and finisher of our faith, and to join in joyful Hosannas to the Son of David. Never let us, as did the envious scribes and Pharisees, throw any impediments in the progress of the Gospel, nor disdain to join, even with children, in joyful acclamations to him that cometh in the name of the LORD.

LECTURE III.

Matthew xxi. 18, 19.

NOW IN THE MORNING, AS HE RETURNED INTO THE CITY, HE HUNGERED.

AND WHEN HE SAW A FIG-TREE IN THE WAY, HE CAME TO IT, AND FOUND NOTHING THEREON, BUT LEAVES ONLY, AND SAID UNTO IT, LET NO FRUIT GROW ON THEE HENCEFORWARD FOR EVER.

MY last discourse was concluded by

observing that our blessed LORD,

as soon as he had ended his conversation with the chief priests and scribes who were sore displeased at the Hosannas which were uttered by the children in the temple, retired to Bethany; It was to the house of Lazarus, whom he had not long before restored to life, after he had lain four days in the grave*. On the next morning, although JESUS had perceived, the night before, that some of the people were dissatisfied with him, and knew that, in consequence of it, they

:

were meditating his ruin; yet he was determined to return early into the city with his disciples. He who took on him our nature, took on him also the infirmities of it: he became like unto us in all things, sin only excepted. As in other instances he is represented to have felt as a man, so here he is said to have been hungry*. The hunger which JESUS then felt, was the occasion of his working a miracle, full indeed of instruction, as were all his miracles; but not perhaps wrought in such a manner, as we might suppose it would have been; that is, not to satisfy the cravings of his appetite; for he who at first created the fruit-tree to yield fruit after his kindt, might as easily have commanded fruit to grow, and to ripen instantly, on an apparently bar