gradually to the light, lest they should be overpowered by too hasty a transition to the full radiance of Gospel truth. He told even his own disciples, that he had many things to say unto them ; but was constrained to withhold them for the pre- sent, because of their incapacity to receive them' : he thought at proper to educate them as children, that he might gradually inform their minds, and mature their judgment. And this was the intent also of all his public ministrations ; he administered milk to the people as babes, that they might, when grown to full age, be nourished by the strong meat which he intended afterwards to set before them.]
3. To render them without excuse if they should reject his word —
[Had his instructions been unseasonably clear and full, the people might have cast some reflection on their teacher as injudicious. But when he so condescended to their weakness, " they had no cloke for their sin;" they were altogether with- out excuse ; and it was manifest beyond a doubt, that the only reason of their rejecting him was, that " they loved darkness rather than lightK" The judgments that were to be brought upon them, were such as never had been experienced from the foundation of the world : this opportunity therefore of filling up the measure of their iniquities was given to the people of that generation, that the equity of the Divine procedure might be more manifest in their destruction.]
Let us LEARN from hence,
1. The folly and danger of prejudice in those who hear the Gospel —
[Such is the force of prejudice that it will blind the eyes, and shut the ears, and make the heart impenetrably hard. Yet how many indulge it without being at all aware of their danger ! They have taken up the notion that salvation by faith is injurious to moralit}', and that vital godliness is en- thusiasm ; and will receive nothing that militates against their preconceived opinions. But let the fate of the Jews convince us of the folly and danger of such conduct : and let us seek from God that " honest and good heart," that shall embrace with readiness, and improve with care, whatever God has revealed in his word.]
2. The need of wisdom in those who minister the
Gospel —
[Much harm has been done to the interests of religion by an unguarded declaration even of the truth itself. Men should
i John xvi. 12. ^ John iii. 19.