eto. (3) Thie rule of Divine impartation of power was well and generally known. "We know," etc. As if he were to say," Even I know this, much more yon." (4) Ignomnce of the Divine character and origin of Christ was marvellous. "He opened mine eyes." 3. The uniqueness of the miracle. (1) It Wl!.8 unique in relation to the general experience of that age. Such o. miracle was never witnessed by any one present, nor by any one then living. (2) Unique in relation to the ora,l and written history of the world. "Since the world began was it not heard," etc. History, oral er written, ancient or modem, does not furnish such an instance of Divine power in sight-giving 11s this. (3) Uuique in relation to the miracu[011,S performance of the grent men of the past. AB compared with theirs, it stands alone and singular. " It was not heard that any man." J cwish history could boast of the names of great men who through God performed works of wonder and might; but this eclipsed them all. Not even Mo~<1s nor Elijah performed such an act with regard to sight. (4) Unique in its peculiar character and originality. An equal amount of power had been displayed before, but not in the same way. Defective sight had been restored, and total blindness had been removed ; but never a man who had been born blind had hie eyes opened. This was reserved for Jesus. This original and new miracle was reserved for a new dispensation-a dispen- sation ofspiritual insight and Divine illumination. And if Christ was a sinner, he was more original, eminent, and Divine than the most illustrions and boasted saints of all past ages. 4. The temporal cirC'Umstances of Christ. These were such as to be most unfavourable to impress the public and gain a personal reputation, Temporal circum- stances are generally favourable and productive of this. Such as: (1) An il[U,Stri()'l/,/l lineage. To come down upon society in the splendonr of an illustrious descent goes far with it. But this Jesns did not, He appeared as the Son of Joseph and Mary. True, he descended from David; but this was scarcely known, and the connection was so distant that the effect would be little. (2) Great wealth. This has a great influence. '!'his Jesus had not. He was the reputed Son of a poor carpenter, and was a poor Carpenter himself, and as such appeared before the public and was known by them. (3) The patronage of the great. This goes very far in gaining popularity and reputa- tion. But Jesus had not this. From his first public appearance the aristocratic element of the nation was against him, and the social and religious leaders of the people were his deadly foes. (4) '.!.'he fame of learning. This is a most powerful element of success; but Jesus had not this. He was not brought up in any of the celebrated schools of his nation, nor sat at the feet of any illustrious rabbi. It is not known that he ever enjoyed the advantage of any school besides that of home, and he was notorious o.s a Teacher who had no human learning. From the poor village and the common workshop he emerged as the teacher of his nation. All his outward circumstances were age.inst him, so that it was well said, "If this man were not of God, he could do nothing." But, in spite of his disadvantage, his doings far eclipsed those of his most eminent predecessors, which plainly and irresistibly leads to the inference of the man that was born blind that he was of God-he was indeed Divine. II. THE MOST OBSTINATE RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY. Their marvellous ignorance was the offspring of the heart rather than of the head, of the will rather than the understanding. It was the offspring of the most obstinate religious bigotry whose character their conduct here reveals. 1. .As most bitter in spirit. "Thou wast altogether," etc. This language is: (1) Most slanderous. A slander on the man, on his parents, on the Creator who made him, and on the Saviour who healed him. The charge was nut true. (2) Extremely mean. To upbraid the man with a calamity for which he was not responsible, and to rake up in his breast the painful reminiscences of a misery which he had so long endured, but which happily now had passed away, (3) Most i1Televant. It is not to the point. What mattered it whether the man was born in sins or not? That had nothing to do with the fact of the miracle, and the cha.meter a.nd claims of him who had performed it. 2. .As most prowl in spirit. "And dost thou tee.eh us?" The spirit evinced here is : (1) Most contemptuotl8. "Dost thou,'' eto.? Contempt of a.11 who dlU'e to differ from their opinion is chare.cteristio of bigots. This man not only differs from the council but teaches them; th.eir contempt is unbounded. (2) Most proudly self-satisfying. "Tee.eh us I" (3) Most unpl1ilosophic and unprogressive. What philosopher worthy of the n&me would disdain to listen with respect to one who was the object of such 11 wonderftil operation, in who$e ey~ were still rays of Divine light, and iu whose sow 80 TUE GOSPEL ACOORDING TO ST. .JOHN, [ou. 1x. 1-41,
wo~ still burn in~ the inspiration of such 1m experience? Where is the man In his right miud who would not list.en with attention and due deference to suoh a tale? 'l'he nrnmbers of the Jewish oouncil listened with consummate pride and seething contempt proving themselves to be most nnphilosophic, ungodlike, unprogressive, and blind to th~ greatest and most brilliant light. 3. As =st intolerant in spirit. "And they cast him out." And for what? For .:ixercising the right of private judgment, and respectfully expr<'ssing his honest convictions and defending the truth. 'l'heir conduct was: (1) Most weak. Mentally and morall~, weak. They could not refute his arguments nor stand the light. (2) Most unreasonable and unjust. A Church hns a right to exclude those who are immoral, and violating its fundamental principles. But this was not the elk~ here. A coming Messiah was the most fundamental doctrine of the Jewish Oburch. This man was excluded for accepting him. (3) Most cruel. (4) Most fatal. When a Church begins to persecute, it begins to cease to exist; when it excludes the light of truth, it cannot last long.-B. T,