hast seen, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Admitting the language of St. Thomas to be correctly represented above, (and it were difficult indeed rationally to represent it otherwise;) admitting it, that is, to bear properly the signification of attributing sovereignty and divinity to the blessed Jesus, the reply of Jesus cannot be otherwise understood, than as an acceptance of the homage and an appropriation of the attributes to himself.

But there is another view to be taken of our Saviour's reply, with particular reference to the occurrence which gave occasion to the dialogue. Forbearing with his characteristick mildness to utter any reproof of the Apostle for his previous incredulity, he still takes occasion to in. timate that his faith would have been more excellent, if he had believed without such sensible and demonstrative evidence; and to guard against that incredulity being brought into an injurious precedent by others, in justification of the like incredulity on their parts, or as a ground of expecting the like sensible proofs for its removal. To those, to whom the resurrection of Jesus, that corner stone of the Gospel, was thenceforth and in future ages to be preached, the evidence, on which their faith was to be built, was the evidence not of sight, but of the

duly authenticated teaching of the Apostles. Men were to be called upon to believe, not what they had themselves seen, but what they should receive upon the testimony, first delivered by word of mouth, and then in written documents, of those who had. "Faith" was to "come by hearing." Such testimony, our Lord knew, would be sufficient, not to compel, but to induce belief; not to force conviction upon the reluctant gainsayer, but to per. suade the reasonable inquirer, and to satisfy the intelligent, the candid, and the willing mind. More than such testimony, he knew, would not be necessary: nor, if required at all, would it be required under circumstances corresponding with those of our Apostle; nor if granted, would it tend, as in the case of our Apostle, "to the more confirmation of the faith;" nor would the granting of it be consistent with the divine economy in the establishment of a standing revelation of his will. Upon all expectations therefore of further evidence, than that which should be transmitted from the Apostles, our Saviour in this reply to Thomas imposes an implied prohibition. At the same time upon those, who should duly inquire into the evidence provided for them, and be persuaded, and believe, he pronounces a blessing: a blessing, which may

a Rom. x. 17.

E

well make us content that we "have not seen" our risen Saviour with our own eyes, provided we have faith in his resurrection upon the credit of those who have; and add to our faith the ingenuous confession of the Apostle; and acknowledge him and call upon him as "our Lord and our God."

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We conclude our reflexions upon the Saint of the day with the Collect provided by the Church. Almighty and everliving God, who for the more confirmation of the faith didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore. Amen."

And "grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

And "grant, we" moreover "beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy

Collect for the ninth Sunday after Trinity.
Collect for the Ascension Day.

only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen."

Rash was the word: "Except I see
The hands which bore him on the tree;
Till on those hands my fingers trace
The thrilling nail's indented place;

And till my hand be close applied,
And feel the spear-print in his side;
Know, I believe not." Rashly said,
THOMAS, that word thy doubts betray'd.

"Reach forth, and let thy finger trace
Here the sharp nail's indented place;
Reach forth, and be thine hand applied
To feel the spear-print in my side:
See and believe!" The Apostle knew
The voice, the form, the features true;
Doubt fled: and answering faith avow'd,
"My Lord art thou, and thou my God!"

O Thou, whose ear at distance heard
Thy faltering servant's wayward word,
Whose voice reproved the fond demand,
Whose form endured the searching hand;
O may the doubt, which vex'd his breast,
Make us with strong assurance blest;
Whilst taught by his belief we see
Thy Father's glory shrin'd in Thee!