are incompatible to their interest, or are likely to expose them to the loss of life. But here we see, that whilst the Jews were seeking every opportunity of taking away the life of Christ, he boldly maintains his obnoxious sentiment, and insists upon his proper and essential divinity, though it brought all their rage and malice against him. Much might be said on the latter clause of the verse, to shew in what this divine co-operation of the Father and Son consisted; but as it extends through all the dealings both of providence and grace, it is impossible here to say any thing, but to acknowledge its truth. However the structure of the clause, claims a little attention from us; "These also doeth "the Son likewise." First, He doeth them; independently only of God, as rests in the virtual execution, which in the affairs of grace at least is entirely committed to the Son; and dependently in regard to the oneness of design, and unity of operation, in which the Father works also, not actually but by committing all the affairs of redemption to the Son. Just as in the act of death for our sins; neither the Father nor the whole Trinity suffered, but the Son, to reconcile man to the undivided and justly offended God. 2d. These; the works spoken of, which are whatsoever the Father doeth, both in Providence and Grace, as was hinted before; 3d. These also doeth the Son as a matter of course, as his being the eternal Son of God; 4th. Doeth the Son likewise, or in the same manner. Doth the Fa

ther execute the plans of his councils by his Almighty power; so doth the Son by his : a harmony and oneness of design as well as unity of operation, call upon us from his own words, to acknowledge his undoubted divinity, and to receive, adore, and love him as God over all, blessed for ever.

5th. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John v. 24.

The divinity of the Son, being clearly established from the voice of scripture, all subsequent acts in Christ whether to reward, or punish, are only an exercise of his proper prerogative in that great and glorious character: and in this point of view, two things present themselves in the verse before us worthy of our regard, viz.

1st. The hearing of Christ's Word.

2d. The belief on the Father who sent him.

1st. The hearing of Christ's Word. The word of Christ is his gospel, it was ushered into the world like its divine master, with this harmonious and solemn, yet joyful strain, "Glory to God in the

highest, and on earth peace, good will toward "men," Luke ii. 14. And surely this was a solemn strain, if we consider that all the glory of God, in this fallen and unredeemed state of man, was at enmity against him; yet it was a glorious strain, if

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notwithstanding, God for his mercy's sake, and for his dear Son's sake had engaged (on the performance of certain stipulated articles to be performed in the person of a surety), to pass by the sin of those whom his Spirit should in his own due time bring to repentance and the acknowledging of the truth, and to cause peace on earth and good will toward man to be proclaimed; moreover it was an harmonious strain: if the safety of man could be fully and finally ensured, notwithstanding his lost condition, and even the glory of God be more fully manifested to his creatures thereby for we are not warranted either by the voice of scripture, or by the displays we have of the fulness of the divine nature, to suppose God's glory is really encreased in the effecting our salvation; for if that were the case, it would have still more been increased, if instead of choosing only a few of the world, by the operation of his Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, he had been pleased to choose and ordain every descendant of Adam to life, by the same Spirit, through faith in the same Lord; but the declaration of the word of God, and the actual continuance of thousands in open and secret sins, notwithstanding the gospel is daily preached, prove that this was not the method which God had pitched upon for the display of his glory; and even his elect ones increase not his essential glory by their election, but only are made the happy creatures of his grace, to contemplate his glory to their own unspeakable and eternal de

light, and to display it in its beauty to the sight of

others.

That we might rightly know the true meaning of, hearing Christ's Word, it will be necessary to pay close attention to the general language of scripture in speaking on the subject, and from thence we may gather, that it is not an outward hearing that can profit the soul, but the attention of the heart, in believing and receiving with gladness the words of Christ. And this alone can profit the soul, for "unto every one that hath, shall be given, and "from him that hath not, even that he hath shall "be taken away from him," Luke xix. 26. Various readings of this passage may be found in the Evangelists. Luke in another place hath it: "for who"soever hath, to him shall be given ; and whosoever "hath not, from him shall be taken even that which "he seemeth to have," viii. 18. Matthew has it, "For "whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he "shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath "not, from him shall be taken away, even that he "hath,” xiji. 12. and again in another place to the same purpose, xxv. 29. Mark has it; "For he "that hath, to him shall be given: and he that "hath not, from him shall be taken even that "which he hath," Mark iv. 25. These passages however agree so closely in the leading signification, point out so strongly the danger of unprofitableness, and shew so clearly that barrenness of soul is in

tended, that we may gather this signification from them; To him that hath a willingness of mind to receive instruction, shall be given spiritual understanding suited to his case 'and condition, but from him that hath not that willingness, shall be taken away even that which he hath, even that spiritual understanding which had been given, but which he would not improve. And if we trace the progress or declension of religion in the heart, we shall find that barrenness and infertility follows an unwillingness to exercise the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and many it is to be feared, who had begun to distinguish between good and evil, by being vainly puffed up because of it in their yet fleshly mind, have become so bewildered in the mazes of reason, that at last all their attainments have in judgment been taken from them, and they have gone on without light and knowledge, dead while they yet lived, and according to the passage in Luke viii. 18. though he may seem to himself to continue in the right use of his spiritual understanding, yet it is only seeming, whilst he is under a dreadful delusion and whilst the Spirit of God is departed from him.

But more particularly the method and spirit of hearing which we should adopt, is set forth by our Saviour in the parable of the sower. "Behold a "sower went forth to sow. And when he sowed, "some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls “came and devoured them up, some fell into stony