Apart from other evidence it would have been somewhat precarious to allege this as proof of the use of the fourth Gospel, and yet I believe there would have been a distinct probability that it was taken from that work. The parallel is much closer—in spite of [Greek: thura] for [Greek: pulae]—than is Matt. vii. 13, 14 (the 'narrow gate') which is adduced in 'Supernatural Religion,' and the interval is very insufficiently bridged over by Ps. cxviii. 19, 20 ('This is the gate of the Lord'). The key-note of the passage is given in the identification of the gate with the person of the Saviour ('I am the door') and in the remarkable expression 'he that entereth in through me,' which is retained in the Homily. It is curious to notice the way in which the [Greek: sothaesetai] of the Gospel has been expanded exegetically.
Less doubtful—and indeed we should have thought almost beyond a doubt—is the next reference; 'My sheep hear my voice.'
Hom. iii. 52.
[Greek: ta ema probata akouei taes emaes phonaes.]
John x. 27. [Greek: ta probata ta ema taes phonaes mou akouei.]
'There was no more common representation amongst the Jews of the relation of God and his people than that of Shepherd and his sheep' [Endnote 290:1]. That is to say, it occurs of Jehovah or of the Messiah some twelve or fifteen times in the Old and New Testament together, but never with anything at all closely approaching to the precise and particular feature given here. Let the reader try to estimate the chances that another source than the fourth Gospel is being quoted. Criticism is made null and void when such seemingly plain indications as this are discarded in favour of entirely unknown quantities like the 'Gospel according to the Hebrews.' If the author of 'Supernatural Religion' were to turn his own powers of derisive statement against his own hypotheses they would present a very strange appearance.
The reference that follows has in some respects a rather marked resemblance to that which we were discussing in Justin, and for the relation between them to be fully appreciated should be given along with it:—
Justin, Apol. i. 61.
Except ye be born again ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[Greek: An mae anagennaethaete ou mae eiselthaete eis taen basileian ton ouranon.]