I receive not honour from men I need it not; I seek it not from you for my own sake. As if he had said, Though I speak of your coming to me as necessary in order to your salvation, it is not out of an ambition of drawing multitudes after me, who may approve and applaud my teaching; for the whole of my conduct proves that I seek not the praise of men. But I say it out of a tender regard for your salvation and reformation; for I know you I am fully acquainted with the state of your minds, and the conduct of your lives; that ye have not the love of God in you That, notwithstanding the distinguished profession of piety which you make, you are destitute of that great and only principle of true religion, the love of God: For I am come in my Father's name With evident credentials from him; and yet ye receive me not Which, if you had really loved him, you would undoubtedly have done: if another shall come in his own name Without such credentials, and without any commission from God; him ye will receive Provided he assume the majesty of a king, and promise you temporal wealth, power, and glory. Of this infatuation the Jews gave many proofs during their wars with the Romans, and a little before the destruction of Jerusalem. For then many impostors arose, pretending to be the Messiah, and promising them deliverance, by which, although they wrought no miracles, yet they drew great multitudes after them, as their own historian, Josephus, informs us; and met with a much better reception, even from the Pharisees and rulers, than Christ did, notwithstanding all his miracles. And no doubt Christ meant to include these, and all who appeared while the sanhedrim existed.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising