Christian religion; which might, during the life-time of our bleffed Lord, be very properly called 'ftrait' and 'narrow;' as the knowledge of it was then confined to a fmall corner of the earth, and it labored under the great disadvantages of opposing the darling paffions of mankind, and requiring of its converts to give up all the pleasures and interests of this life, for a new system; the author and teachers of which appeared in fo poor and mean a fituation, that many who could not withhold their belief were yet afhamed to confefs it and to facrifice all their boasted learning and philosophy at the cross of a crucified Saviour, and to fubmit to be taught by ignorant fishermen and mechanics. I am confirmed in this opinion, by the next verse of the fame chapter of St. Matthew: "Beware of falfe prophets,

which come to you in fheep's clothing, "but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” They taught the broad way that leadeth to deftruction, in oppofition to the narrow and strait way of the Gofpel; which

was

was to take up our cross, and to follow our Lord. But, after his death, when by the gift of the Holy Ghoft the apoftles were enabled to address their doctrines to all nations in their own languages and feparated themselves into the different parts of the world for that purpose, the Gospel spread with incredible fwiftnefs; the gate and the way were widened, and made more easy of access to all who accepted his call; and the cross of Christ, which his enemies intended as a lafting reproach, became the pride and glory of all ranks of people, from the peasant to the fovereign.

Let us not fuppofe, however, that, because the way is made easier, we may therefore be careless and remifs in our paffage through it; for if we neglect to fulfil the conditions required of us, when we are by baptism admitted into Chriftianity, by a fincere and hearty repentance where we have done amifs; a reparation, to the utmost of our power, of any evil we have committed; an amendment of life; and a conftant dependance upon Sss 2 God's

God's grace (which we are commanded to apply for through the merits and mediation of Jefus Chrift), it will be of no advantage to us that the way to eternal life has been rendered more easy of accefs.

"7. If ye had known me, ye fhould "have known my Father allo: and from "henceforth ye know him, and have feen ❝ him.

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8. Philip faith unto him, Lord, fhew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9. Jefus faith unto him, Have I been "fo long time with you, and yet haft thou "not known me, Philip? he that hath "feen me hath feen the Father; and how "fayeft thou then, Shew us the Father?

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10. Believeft thou not that I am in "the Father, and the Father in me? the "words that I fpeak unto you, I speak "not of myself: but the Father, that "dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

"11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else be"lieve me for the

very works' fake.”

From

From the above paffage it is plain that the disciples ftill misunderstood our blessed Lord, and, taking his words in a literal fense, supposed that he was merely going a journey to fome part of the country to which they were ftrangers. Jefus, therefore, to undeceive them, points out the fpiritual fenfe of what he had faid; namely, That he was the way, the truth, and the life: that is, that a firm belief in him, and obfervance of his doctrines, was the true and only way of acquiring for themfelves the happiness he offered them, and of gaining admittance into the presence of his Father, where there is joy for everHe adds, If they had known him, they would have known the Father also: that is, if they had fuffered his precepts and instructions to fink deep into their minds, they would by this time have known the nature of God the Father, Philip, who could not yet elevate his mind to the spiritual fenfe of our Lord's words, requests that they may fee the Father, perfonally:-a ftrange request

more.

from

from one who, having fo long benefited by the conversation of Jesus, must have known that the Almighty had expressly declared to Mofes, (Exodus, chap. xxxiii. ver. 20.) "Thou canst not fee my face:

"for there fhall no man see me and live."

In the reply of our Saviour, we cannot but admire his unwearied patience and perfeverance to enlighten the dull and flow apprehenfions of his difciples. This fhould ferve as a leffon to all who undertake the work of inftructing the ignorant, that they should not be disheartened, much lefs rendered impatient by the ftupidity of their pupils; but, with that meekness and gentleness fo confpicuous in their great Mafter, fhould perfevere till they have effected their point. How amply fuch care and trouble will be rewarded, we may learn from Scripture: this is one of the ways by which we may lay up treasure for ourselves which fadeth not away.

At Philip's request that they might fee the Father, our Lord expreffes his fur