he was the son of God, the Messiah whom they expected in the world. "And again

he sent another, and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet, therefore, one son, his well beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, they will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among them, selves; This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard." Mark xii. 1-9.

When the soldiers, appointed to watch; the grave, returned and assured these men, that Jesus was risen, they persuaded them, to say that his body was stolen, and gave them money for so doing. Here their true character and temper appear: the fact is plain and unequivocal; and it authorizes us to conclude that, as on this occasion, they acted contrary to their deliberate judgment; they acted throughout contrary to their deliberate judgment, in resisting the claims of Jesus Christ. But it may be said that, though a few men in power could have been so depraved, as wilfully to shut

their eyes against the most awful and important truths, it is very improbable that so great a proportion of a whole nation should act so corrupt and profligate a part, on a subject which involved their highest interests. In answer to this I observe, if we duly examine the evangelical records, it will by no means appear that the majority of the Jewish nation continued hostile to Christ and his cause: on the contrary, during his ministry, and at the period of his death, the people were in his favour; the tragedy of his crucifixion was acted by the government, the teachers of the law, and the mob of Jerusalem, who, though comparatively few in number, had power to overawe the multitude; and who arrogated the name of the nation, merely because in a political view they were the principal men of the nation. While the majority of the higher classes opposed, and many in the middling and lower classés supported; the authority of Christ; great numbers, no doubt, in every class fluctuated between belief and doubt, till their doubts were completely removed by the opening genius

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and prevalence of the gospel, and by the additional evidence exhibited in its sup port by the apostolic teachers. Nor is it to be allowed that all the priests and rulers continued to resist the evidence of the gospel. In the book of the Acts we are expressly told, that a great multitude of priests became obedient to the faitli. During his lifetime Jesus was not without his friends, even in the great council of the nation. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea exerted their influence, we may well infer, to prevent his condemnation; and when their generous efforts were defeated, they braved ignominy and danger, in shewing to the dead the high reverence and faith which they cherished for the living. Gamaliel was influenced by the same honourable feelings; and the wise admonition, which, at a subsequent period, this celebrated teacher delivered in favour of the apostles, unequivocally evinces the sentiments of his heart." Ye men of Israel," says he, “take care what ye do against these men. For not long ago, Theudas rose up pretending to be some great person,

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to whom about four hundred men joined themselves: but he was slain, and all that had been persuaded by him were scattered abroad and came to nothing. After this man rose Judas of Galilee in the days of the registering, and drew aside much people after him he also perished; and all that had been persuaded by him were dispersed. And 1 advise you on this occasion, have nothing to do with these men, but let them alone: for if the contrivance of this business be of men, it will be destroyed; but SINCE it is of God, you will be unable to destroy it, and be found also fighters against God." Acts v. 36.

From this speech, I repeat, if duly exa❤ mined, we are authorized to infer, that the Jewish doctor at this time felt a decided conviction of the divine authority, with which the apostles were invested: for when he supposes that their scheme originated with men, his words are hypothetical; while in laying down the opposite alternative, he uses positive terms. Moreover, it is remark able that the instances adduced by the Jewish rabbi, were calculated rather to en

courage than to dissuade the persecution of the apostles: for they are instances of successful opposition made by the government to those who pretended to have been divinely commissioned. And one of the Sadducees might have risen and said, " For these reasons we ought to oppose them. We opposed Theudas, and we opposed Ju das, and in both instances we were suc cessful: let us therefore persevere in op posing and punishing these inen, and we shall meet with similar success.” And yet the argument of Gamaliel was decisive: no one dared to reply; and the apostles were dismissed. Where, then, did the force of it consist?

A notion derived either from a mistaken interpretation of certain passages in the Jewish scriptures, or from oral tradition, generally prevailed among the Jews, that their Messiah, when he should appear, would establish an eternal empire on the earth, and confer upon his subjects an everlasting exemption from death. This expectation, flattering and pernicious as it was, the crucifixion of the Saviour was well