Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main."
So it was with the idea of the Messiah which was abroad in the land, and had been for centuries, before Christ's coming; and never has he been really recognised by more than a few. Dare we not say that he is more truly recognised now than in any previous age in the history of the Church—except perhaps the very earliest? And I doubt if we need make that exception.
The idea of his Messiahship gradually dawned upon him, and he made no mistake as to his mission:—
The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
The words which I say unto you I speak not of myself; the Father which dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
The Father is greater than I.
But, for all that,