perfon named Lazarus, to whom as well as to his fifters our Saviour fhewed great regard on account of their faith and goodnefs. He died at Bethany, a place, which was little more than two miles from Jerufalem. It was the purpose of Christ to raise him from the dead; and to make his recovery a prelude to his own refurrection, which was to happen very soon. From hence people might know, that by the fame power, by which he raised up Lazarus, he could raise himself; and ultimately raise all mankind at the last day. And as the scene of action was to be near the great city, Jerufalem, the miracle would be a matter of notoriety, to which numbers would be eye-witnelles. This circumftance would diminish many doubts and fcruples, when he should in a very fhort time rife himself from the dead, and dispose many persons to accede to the gofpel. Jefus had told his difciples, that Lazarus was fick, and afterwards mentioned more plainly, that he was dead. He feems to have been at this time at a distance, and probably near Enon and Bethabara, where

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where John formerly had baptized. When therefore he came to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days, and after such an interval in a state of putrefaction. Just as he was arrived, Martha, one of the fifters, met him full of grief, and faid, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now whatever thou wilt afk of God, God will give it thee. Jefus faid, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha Said unto him, I know, that he fhall rise again at the refurrection, at the last day. Jefus faid unto her, I am the refurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet fhall be live. Notwithstanding this he could not wean his best friends of their prejudices; nor induce them to place a fure truft in his divine power. Though he was grieved at their hardness of heart; yet when he faw the two fifters in tears, and the Jews also that were with them in tears, he was greatly affected, and wept himself. He at laft came to the tomb, which was a cave, with a stone over it: and he ordered the stone to be removed. Martha ftill unbelieving, intimated, that

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the removal would be to no purpose; as her brother was now in a state of putrefaction: for he had been dead four days. By this we learn, that there could be no deceit in this cafe. It was no deliquium nor any epileptic diforder: for the body was not only dead, but, as they had reason to believe, in a state of corruption. Jefus was affected at this want of faith, and gave her a gentle rebuke, which compaffion foftened-Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldft fee the glory of God? Then they took away the ftone, where the dead was laid. Upon this our Saviour stopped awhile to offer up an awful address to Heaven, which must have raised the expectation, and increased the reverence of all, who beheld the operation. And Jefus lifted up his eyes, and faid, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me at all times: but becaufe of the people, which stand by, I faid it, that they may believe, that thou haft fent me. We find, that the ultimate of this process was to give glory to God; and to ascertain the divine commiffion of his fon Christ

Jefus alfo to confirm his difciples in their faith and to open the eyes of others, that they might hereafter embrace the truth. When, therefore, Chrift had thus Spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. The dead immediately heard his voice; and Lazarus came out of the tomb in his grave cloaths, and appeared to the aftonished multitude. In confequence of this not only his difciples were more established in their faith; but many of the Jews, people of Jerufalem, when they had feen the things, which fefus did, believed on him. And, as I before faid, this miracle disposed the minds of people towards the belief of his own refurrection afterwards. For he, who could restore a person from a state of corruption, was able to raise himfelf, who was not to fee corruption. Some of thofe, who had been prefent, returned to the city and disclosed, what had been done. Then gathered the chief priests, and the Pharifees a council, and faid, What do we? for this man doth many miracles. See John xi, Hence we may perceive, that nobody entertained any doubt concerning the mighty

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works performed. Yet fuch was their verfeness, that from that day they took counSel together to put him to death.-And the chief priests confulted, that they might put Lazarus alfo to death. Chap. xii. 10.

The happy Confequences of thefe Miracles.

We find, what neceffity there was for miracles, to get the better of this backwardnefs in fome, and this hardness of heart in others. And we may farther perceive, what an excellent design, and what wifdom, appears in all these operations. First they were calculated for the immediate good of the person or perfons, on whofe account they were performed. Next for the honour of God, whose worship and reverence were by these means greatly enhanced. They likewife afcertained the divine miffion of Christ, who, by his extraordinary powers fhewed that he was the Meffiah promised to the world. Laftly they difpofed people to the reception of the gospel, when after his refurrection it was preached at Jerufalem, and in its vicinity. Hence