lowed him great Multitudes of People from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerufalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan. Is it poffible when all the Country was thus alarmed with the Miracles, that the chief Priefts and Rulers fhould be the only Perfons unacquainted with them? Many of his Miracles were performed in public Places of Refort, in Presence of the Scribes and Pharifees, and they took Counfel against him, how they might deftroy him. But fo far were they from denying that Miracles were wrought, that they endeavour to account for them; this Fellow doth not caft out Devils, but by Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils'. In the very Temple itfelf the Blind and the Lame came to him, and he bealed them m And it follows immediately, when the chief Priests and Pharifees faw the wonderful Things that he did-they were fore dif pleafed. When our Lord healed the blind Man, who fat begging by the Way, the Pharifees had the blind Man before them and his Parents also, and examined them ftrictly as to his miraculous Cure". And after all their Enquiry they were forced to admit the Truth of the Micles, however unwilling they were to admit the divine Power of Jefus. The Scribes were Witneffes to the Cure wrought upon one fick of the Palfy, in the Prefence of a great Mul i Matt. iv. 23, &c. 24. Matt. xxi. 14. 1Ib. k Matt. xii. 10, &c. titude. titude". When Lazarus was raised from the Dead, the chief Priefts and Pharifees debate in Council, what was to be done upon it: What do we, for this Man doth many Miracles"? It would be endless to produce all the Paffages of Scripture that fpeak to the fame Purpofe. These already cited will enable the Reader to apply the reft, which fo frequently Occur. The Question now is, What Effect these Miracles had upon the Scribes and chief Priests? That they were extremely alarmed appears plainly, and that they fought his Life, as the only Method to ftop the Influence he gained over the People, is notorious. But were they clear of all Doubts themselves? Had they no Mifgivings of Mind, that he might poffibly be what he pretended to be? Confider their Behaviour after they had fecured his Person, and carried him before Pilate: They accufe him of many Things, and among the reft, of Sedition against the Roman Government. Had they believed it themselves, what need of further Examination? What Occafion had they to enquire of a Cheat and an Impoftor, whether he was the Chrift of God, or no? And yet the chief Priests made this Enquiry with the utmoft Concern and Solemnity: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us, whether m Mark ii. 6. John xi. 47. thou thou be the Chrift the Son of God. Had the chief Prieft no Sufpicion, no jealousy that he might be the Chrift, when he made this folemn Adjuration to him? Would he have used the fame Form to the fame Purpose to Barabbas or any other common Malefactor? The Thing speaks itself, and fhews the Anxiety of Mind under which the chief Priest acted, and how far he was from being fatisfied, that Jefus was an Impoftor and a Deceiver. When our bleffed Lord hung upon the Crofs, the chief Priests and Elders recovered Spirit and faid, he faved others, himself he cannot fave P. He faved others! What! do they mean that he never wrought any Miracles, as the Confiderer fuppofes? Quite otherwife, they acknowledge his Miracles by which others were faved, referring ('tis probable) to his raising the Dead; but they imagined now they had found the Extent of his Power, and that he could not fave himself. It will perhaps be faid, this was Mockery. Be it fo; there was no Mockery in faying, he faved others; the Infult is expreffed in the other Part, himself. he cannot fave. They go on with their Mockery; if he be the King of Ifrael, let him now come down from the Cross. But why all this Triumph in being delivered from the King of Ifrael? had they never fufpected that he might poffibly prove fo Matt. xxvi. 63. Ibid. xxvii. 41. indeed indeed, what Occafion for this fudden Joy and Exultation? But this Mirth did not last long. When Chrift died, Nature feemed to die with him; there was Darkness over all the Earth, the Sun was darkened and the Veil of the Temple was rent in the Midst¶. The Roman Centurion was fo affected with it, that be glorified God faying, This was a righteous Man. And all the People that came together to that Sight, beholding the Things which were done, fmote their Breafts and returned. chief Priefts and Scribes In what Manner the behaved on this OcProbably they with cafion, we are not told. drew filently, unwilling to difcover any Fear or Apprehenfion before the People. But could they be unaffected? If ever they had heard of our Lord's Prophecy, that he would rife again, could they help remembring it now? They had feen him expire on the Crofs, but that was no Eafe to their Minds in reflecting on the Prophecy of his Refurrection; for he had foretold his Death and the Manner of it, as well as his Refurrection. The firft Part they had feen accomplished, and had Reafon to fear the laft would be fo. Lay thefe Things together: The chief Priefts had been Witneffes of his Power to work Miracles in his Life Time; they knew he claimed to be King of the Jews; they Luke xxiii. 44, 45. г ** 47, 48. knew knew he had owned to Pilate, that he was King of the Jews; and under a most folemn Adjuration from the chief Prieft, even when he was his Prisoner, he had confeffed that he was the Chrift the Son of God, and that they should see him again coming in Glory. They had heard him even on the Crofs maintain his Character, and promise Paradife to the penitent Thief; they faw the Sun darkened, the Veil of the Temple rent; the Roman Guard at the Crofs, and all the Spectators aftonished.Surrounded with this amazing Scene, could they defpife the Predictions of his Resurrection? Could they remember them without great Apprehenfions, that they might prove true? Whoever can fuppofe it, not only contradicts the exprefs Declaration of the Gospel History, but fhews himself to be but little acquainted with the Sentiments of human Nature. But here the Confiderer ftops us again. He fays, he finds no Account, where or when fuch public Prophecy was delivered before the Priests and Pharifees, in any of the four Evangelifts. But what if fuch Prophecies were delivered before others, and reported by Perfons of Credit, to the chief Priefts and Pharifees, will not that be fufficient? He thinks not; but all the Reafon he has for thinking fo is, because they say to Pilate, We remember that Deceiver faid, while he was yet alive, After three Days I will rife Firft Edit. p. 23. Third Edit. p. 16. G again, |