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34 A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

" Let it be supposed for a moment, that you had lived in Judea at the time when the incarnate Word appeared there to give light to them who sat in darkness; and that your names at this interesting period had been enrolled in the Jewish priesthood: It is very plain that under these circumstances your duty would have called you to form a judgment of that wonderful person, his pretensions and his doctrine. But in forming this judgment, would you have thought it sufficient to hearken only to the voice of the multitude? ^Some said he is a good marty and that never man spake like him; others said nay, but he deceiveth the people; he has a devil and is mad, why hear ye him? ' The voice of the multitude, therefore, was divided, and might have led you right or led you wrong, according as you received your report from this or that quarter. But would you have thought it safe, or prudent, or conscientious, or becoming your characters as members of the Sanhedrim, entrusted with the oracles of God and the interpretation of prophecy and the instruction of the people, and peculiarly called at that period of time to discover the marks of Messiahship, to detect false pretenders, and point out the true Christ — would you, I say, have thought it safe and equitable under these circumstances, to see with another's eyes, and hear with another's ears, instead of using your own? Would you not rather have thought it your