their N. T. Lexicons, have given a just and proper classification of the meanings. The word "desert" came into our English translation, by the minute verbal adherence of the translators to the Vulgate or Latin version, where the word is expressed by "desertum" probably enough because desertus, in Latin, does not mean desert in English, nor any thing like it, but simply "lonely," "uninhabited;"—in short, it has the force of the English participle, "deserted," and not of the adjective "desert," which has probably acquired its modern meaning, and lost its old one, since our common translation was made; thus making one instance, among ten thousand others, of the imperfection of this ancient translation, which was, at best, but a servile English rendering of the Vulgate. Campbell, in his four gospels, has repeated this passage, without correcting the error, though Hammond, long before, in his just and beautiful paraphrase, (on Matt. xiv. 13,) had corrected it by the expression, "a place not inhabited." Charles Thomson, in his version, has overlooked the error in Matt. xiv. 13, 15, but has corrected it in Mark vi. 31, &c., and in Luke ix. 10; expressing it by "solitary." The remark of the apostles to Jesus, "This place is lonely," does not require the idea of a barren or wild place; it was enough that it was far from any village, and had not inhabitants enough to furnish food for five thousand men; as in 2 Cor. xi. 26, it is used in opposition to "city," in the sense of "the country."
HIS DECLARATION OF CHRIST'S DIVINITY.
Journeying on northward, Jesus came into the neighborhood of Cesarea Philippi, and while he was there in some solitary place, praying alone with his select disciples, at the conclusion of his prayer, he asked them, "Who do men say that I, the son of man, am?" And they answered him, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist:" Herod, in particular, we know, had this notion; "some, that thou art Elijah, and others that thou art Jeremiah, or one of the prophets, that is risen again." So peculiar was his doctrine, and so far removed was he, both in impressive eloquence and in original views, from the degeneracy and servility of that age, that the universal sentiment was, that one of the bold, pure "spirits of the fervent days of old," had come back to call Judah from foreign servitude, to the long remembered glories of the reigns of David and Solomon. But his chosen ones, who had by repeated instruction, as well as long acquaintance, better learned their Master, though still far from appreciating his true character and designs, had yet a higher and juster idea of him, than the unenlightened multitudes who had been amazed by his deeds. To draw from them the distinct acknowledgment of their belief in him, Jesus at last plainly asked his disciples, "But who do ye say that I am?" Simon Peter, in his usual character as spokesman, replied for the whole band, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus, recognizing in this prompt answer, the fiery and devoted spirit that would follow the great work of redemption through life, and at last to death, replied to the zealous speaker in terms of marked and exalted honor, prophesying at the same time the high part which he would act in spreading and strengthening the kingdom of his Master: "Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonah,
