be put out of the synagogue. parents, He is of age, ask him. Therefore said his Then again called they the man that was blind, and said, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that whereas I was blind now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? How opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: As for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said Who is he Lord? that I might believe on him! and Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world: that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; Therefore your sin remaineth. EXTRACT FROM THE TASK-BOOK V. COWPER. Acquaint thyself with God, if thou would'st taste His works. Admitted once to his embrace Thou shalt perceive that thou wast blind before: It yields them; or recumbent on its brow The paradise he sees, he finds it such, And such well pleased to find it, asks no more. Not so the mind that has been touched from Heaven, And in the school of sacred wisdom taught To read his wonders, in whose thought the world, Fair as it is, existed ere it was. Not for its own sake merely, but for his Much more, who fashioned it, he gives it praise; To earth's acknowledged sovereign, finds at once The soul that sees him, or receives sublimed A ray of heavenly light, gilding all forms Sweet conference. Inquires what strains were they Sent forth a voice, and all the sons of God "And systems, of whose birth no tidings yet "And many an aching wish, your beamy fires, "That show like beacons in the blue abyss, "Ordained to guide the embodied spirit home "From toilsome life to never ending rest. "Love kindles as I gaze. I feel desires, "That give assurance of their own success, "And that, infused from heaven, must thither tend. So reads he nature, whom the lamp of truth Illuminates. Thy lamp mysterious word! Which whoso sees no longer wanders lost With intellects bemazed in endless doubt," But runs the road to wisdom. Thou hast built With means, that were not till by thee employed, Worlds that had never been hadst thou in strength Been less, or less benevolent than strong. They are thy witnesses, who speak thy power And goodness infinite, but speak in ears, That hear not, or receive not their report. In vain thy creatures testify of thee, Till thou proclaim thyself. Theirs is indeed A teaching voice; but tis the praise of thine That whom it teaches it makes prompt to learn, Gods such as guilt makes welcome; Gods that sleep Thee we reject, unable to abide Thy purity, till pure as thou art pure, Made such by thee, we love thee for that cause, A voice is heard, that mortal ears hear not From thee is all that sooths the life of man, REVELATIONS. And they sung a new song, saying. Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. A STATE OF PROBATION CONSIDERED, With reference to Divine Goodness. PALEY. Of all views under which human life has been considered, the most reasonable, in my judgment, is that which regards it as a state of probation.-It is not a state of unmixed happiness simply: it is not a state of designed misery, or of misery simply: it is not a state of retribution: it is not a state of punish |