Indeed, in the delineation, it is not only the _order_ of _time_, but the _precision_ of _words_, that we see most rigidly characteristic. The _Jews_, it is certain, could not be called “_His own_,” except by _adoption_; and, I am free to allow, that from them, “as concerning the _flesh_, Christ came”; but by “_His own_”[551] are meant His _real relations!--emanations from the Godhead, such as He was Himself! beings altogether separate from flesh and blood!_ and whose _mysteriousness_ was perceptible most clearly to St. John, as you will perceive by the Greek words from which this is rendered, viz. τα ιδια, having been put in the neuter gender! But suppose them, for an instant, to have been the Jews!--Then we are told that, “to as many as received Him, gave He power to become sons of God.”[552] Now, the apostles were they who did _implicitly receive_ Him: and why does not St. John refer to those, whether living or dead, as admitted to the privilege of becoming “sons of God”? I will tell you:--it was because that they did not answer to that order of beings “which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”[553] These were the persons to whom _Christ came before_--these were “His own,” because that, _like Him_, they also were _of God_.[554] These were they, who having lapsed into sin,[555] and vitiated their nature, drew down the vengeance of heaven upon them; and to the descendants of these it was that “the elect” and “the concealed one,” in mercy was made manifest, with proposals of redemption to regain their lost state!!! “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and how inscrutable His ways!”[556] Seest thou not now, therefore, the propriety of St. John’s expression, when He says, “And I knew Him not, but that He should _be made manifest_ to Israel”;[557] for when, before “He was in the world,” it was in _secret_ and _concealed_--as _still and always represented_ in the _mysteries_! The latter, he _asserts_, as a matter of _revelation_--for the former he _appeals to the experience_ of his auditors, as a subject of _history_: and _both epochs are confirmed_ by the “voice from heaven,” which replied to Christ’s own prayer, as thus, “I have both glorified it,” viz. _at Thy former manifestation_--“and will glorify it again,”[558] _at this Thy present_!!!