John xi. 51, 52. This spake he not of himself: but being high- priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation ; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
IT is often found that the people who are not humbled and converted by the Gospel, are irritated and incensed by it ; and that, to justify their rejec- tion of its truths, they become persecutors of those who preach it. When their prejudices are once ex- cited, nothing will allay them. However exemplary a minister may be in his conduct, however benevo- lent in his purposes, however wise and discreet in his exertions, he cannot escape their censure, or ward off their hatred. Rather than he should pass without censure, the very best actions of his life shall be brought against him as grounds of accusation. The abundance of his labours and the success of his en- deavours shall be reported as matters worthy of blame, and shall be made the grounds of inveterate persecution. It was thus when our blessed Lord himself ministered on earth. His wisdom or bene- volence none can doubt : yet was he " a butt of con- tradiction'1" to all around him. He had just wrought a stupendous miracle in raising from the grave a man who had been dead four days, and who, in that climate, must have begun to putrefy. Would any one suppose that this should give offence ? yet behold, some who were present, went and made the miracle an occasion of grievous complaint ; insomuch that the high-priest instantly convened a council, in order to concert measures for preventing a repetition of such offences in future. After some of the chief-priests had offered their opinions, the high-priest himself, in a very contemptuous and dictatorial tone, decided the point at once ; and determined, that private,