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    was in the borders of Tyre and Sidon , the woman , Whose daughter he there healed , is said to have been a Greek , a Syrophoenician by nation : " Mark

    vii - 86 . Perhaps these Greeks might be of the same country , who in consequence of their proximity to , and intercourse with the Jews , had learned and embraced the Jewish doctrines .

    and attended the Jewish festivals : and if so , they were no strangers to the miracles and doctrine of Jesus , of whom we are told , Matt . iv . 24 , that his fame was early spread through all Syria . Perhaps they might have

    heard of the miracle he had wrought in favour of their countrywoman , and the gracious notice he had taken of the strength of her faith ; and this would , more than every thing else , awaken their attention and attach their

    hearts . When , therefore , they came to Jerusalem , and found the whole attention of the people turned towards him , saw him introduced into the city iu triumph , and heard the report of the recent , wonderful miracle which he

    had wrought upon Lazarus , their minds would naturally be impressed with a desire of conversing with him . For this purpose they applied to Philip , requesting to be introduced to him . For that they did not want merely to gratify a vain curiosity by

    the mere sight of him , as the words may seem to imply , is probable from this circumstance , that Jesus did not keep himself retired and unseen , but had entered the city with vast crowds

    attending him , and taught daily in the temple ; so that it is probable these Greeks had already seen him . It seems therefore probable , that they requested , not a sight of him merely , but an intercourse and conference

    with him ; and that this was the reason why Philip first consulted Andrew , and both together carried the request to Jesus , as a matter concerning the propriety of which they had some doubt ; for which there could -have been no occasion , had a bare

    sight of him been desired . We are not told whether Jesus granted the request ; but since we never find that he refused any request , which proceeded from an honest heart , and afforded him an opportunity of doing good ; it seems probable that they were immediately admitted , and were

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    present when he delivered the following discourse , which so nearly concerned themselves and the whole Gentile world . This incident of some Gentiles requesting to be admitted to him , naturally suggested to the thoughtful mind of Jesus reflections on the general admission of the Gentile world to the

    privileges of his church , and on his own sufferings and death as previous and preparatory thereto , which was shortly to take place . " The hour is coming when the Son of Man shall be glorified , " ver * S 3 , i . e ., the season is now approaching , when my present state of humiliation shall be succeeded

    by a state of reward and honour ; when I shall be invested with power to admit all men without distinction to the blessings of the church and kingdom of God . And if , previous to this , you

    see me pass through a scene of humiliation far deeper than any you have yet been witnesses to , let not this discourage you . For look into the operations of nature itself , and you will often observe a state of

    mortification and apparent destruction precede a state of revival , growth and fertility . " Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die , it abideth single ; but if it die , it bringeth forth much fruit , " verses % 4 . Analogous to this in the moral world shall be the

    case with me , the head and root of the new dispensation ; so far will my sufferings and death be from destroying my own hopes , and frustrating the purposes of my undertaking , that they will effectually secure both my glory and the interests of the kingdom of God , in the successful and extensive

    propagation of the gospel . If I die , I also shall bring forth much fruit . And as it shall be with me , your Master , so shall it be with you , my disciples , whom I shall employ to propagate my gospel in the world . In that

    service you must expect to grappje with sufferings which will put your fidelity to the test , and call for all your fortitude . In that situation " he that loveth his life shall lose it , and he that hateth his life in this world shall

    keep it unto life eternal , " ver . 25 . Let not then the prospect of sufferings and death in the service of me and the gospel discourage you ; *? if any man serve me , let him follow ine" in sufferings , and in that case he shall follow

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    266 Biblical Criticism . —On John xii . 31 , 32 .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1818, page 266, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2475/page/42/