those hearts have been which could hear such testimony^ and yet remain unmoved ! Bat it only proves the truth of the old saying, — that unbelief does not arise so much from want of evidence, as from want of will to believe.
Let us observe for one thing in this passage, the lionout Christ puts on His faithful servants. See how He speaks of John the Baptist. — *' He bare witness of the truth ;" — " He was a burning and a shining light." — John had pro- bably passed away from his earthly labours when these words w^ere spoken. He had been persecuted, imprisoned, and put to death by Herod, — none interfering, none trying to prevent his murder. But this murdered disciple was not forgotten by his Divine Master. If no one else remem- bered him, Jesus did. He had honoured Christ, and Christ honoured him.
These things ought not to be overlooked. They are 'vritten to teach us that Christ cares for all His believing people, and never forgets them. Forgotten and despised by the world, perhaps, they are never forgotten by their Saviour. He knows where they dwell, and what their trials are. A book of remembrance is written for them. " Their tears are all in His bottle." (Psalm Ivi. 8.) Their names are graven on the palms of His hands. He notices all they do for Him in this evil world, though they think it not worth notice, and He will confess it one day publicly, before His Father and the holy angels. He that bore witness to John the Baptist never changes. Let believers remember this. In their worst estate they may boldly say with David, — " I am poor and needy ; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." (Psalm xl. 17.)
Let us observe, for another thing, the honour Christ puts upon miracles^ as an evideiice of Sis being the Messiah. He says, — " The works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me."