they expected.* He probably knew that Jefus was put to death, for affuming this character; he had heard him repeatedly pray to God, on the cross, calling him Father; "Father, forgive them." Father, into thy hands I

commend my fpirit ;" and he had reafon to believe from the extraordinary behaviour of the fufferer, and the fo lemn appearance of the face of nature, on that memorable day, that Jefus was fincere in these addreffes, and that God had heard him; whence it was natural for him to conclude, that there was fome fpecial union and relation between God and him,as between a father and a fon that he was invested by the father, with a power over death and the future state; that he had a kingdom beyond the grave, in the unfeen world, and could difpofe of departed fouls at his pleasure. Such a teftimony, coming from fuch a perfon, at such a time, reflects the highe honour on the character of Jelus, and is a striking evidence in favour of

* Pfalm ii. 7,

T

Could any

the chriftian revelation. perfon more defervedly receive fuch unfought, unbiaffed teftimonies? Can we wonder that his difciples loved him, when those who had no particular connection with him, but to affift in his execution, have expreffed fuch a full conviction of his dignity and glory and the fpotlefs purity of his character? Who, judging only by the light of nature, and attending to the evidence before their eyes, were fully perfuaded that his pretenfions were juft and his character divine?

Permit me, here to introduce a fine paffage, from the late excellent Bishop Sherlock; where he compares and examines the different characters of Jefus and Mahomet; both of whom are believed by their refpective followers to have been meffengers from GOD.*

"Go to your natural religion. Lay before her MA HOMET and his difciples, arrayed in armour and blood; riding in triumph, over the fpoils of thousands

and ten thousands who fell by his victorious fword. Show her the countries which he ravaged and destroyed; the cities which he fet in flames; and the miferable diftrefs of all the inhabitants. When fhe has viewed him in this scene, carry her into his retirement; fhow her the prophet's chamber, his concubines and wives; let her fee his adultery, and hear him alledge revelation and a divine commiffion, to justify his luft and oppreffion. When fhe is tired with this profpect, then fhow her the blessed JESUS, humble and meek, doing good to all the fons of men; patiently instructing both the ignorant and the perverfe. Let her fee him in his moft retired privacies; let her follow him to the mountain and hear his devotions and fupplications to GOD. Carry her to his table, to view his poor fare and hear his heavenly difcourfe. Let her fee him, injured but not provoked. Let her attend him, to the tribunal, and confider the patience, with which he endured the fcoffs and reproaches of his enemies.

Lead her to his crofs and let her hear "Father him pray to his enemies. forgive them for they know not what they do." When natural religion has viewed both; afk, which is the prophet of GOD? But her anfwer we have already; when the faw part of this fcene through the eyes of the Centurion who attended at the Crofs; by him, he fpoke and faid, "Truly this man was the Son of God.'

Differtation VI.

ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

THE dignity and folemnity of

this grand event, and the infinitely mo mentous confequences of it to us and to all mankind, may juftly strike our minds with awe and reverence; yet if we would entertain a just idea of it, we must enter familiarly into all its circum

stances; and even into the affect⚫ns; the weaknesses and the prejudices of thofe who were firft acquainted with it; for they were human beings like ourfelves, having reafon and paffion in exer. cife at once; and the tumult of both produced those effects; which we are now to contemplate.

It is impoffible to read the history of the life and death of Jefus Christ, without obferving the conftant, zealous and refpectful attention of his female friends. We find among them fingular inftances of attachment to a worthy and amiable character in the moft diftreffing scenes. They gave the strongest proofs of their love to him, even when most of his chofen difciples forfook him; they kept as near to him as the circumstances he was in would allow; and, they would gladly have miniftered to him and com. forted him in his laft moments, had they been permitted.

Among the friends of Jefus were two perfons who had hitherto kept themfalves concealed; but on occafion of his.