Copyright©MonergismBooks

TheSufferingSaviorMeditationsontheLastDaysofChrist

byF.W.Krummacher

TableofContents

Preface

THEOUTERCOURT

TheAnnouncement

TheAnointing

TheEntryintoJerusalem

Christ'sWashingHisDisciplesFeet

ThePassover

TheInstitutionoftheLord'sSupper

"Lord,isitI"

JudasIscariot

TheWoeDenounced

TheWalktoGethsemane

TheConversebytheWay

THEHOLYPLACE

Gethsemane-ConflictandVictory

Gethsemane-ImportandResult

TheSuddenAssault

TheTraitor'sKiss

TheSwordandtheCup

OfferingandSacrifice

ChristBeforeAnnas

TheJudicialProcedure

TheFallofPeter

TheGreatConfession

Peter'sTears

"ProphesyUntoUs,youChrist"

ChristBeforetheSanhedrin

TheEndoftheTraitor

ChristBeforePilate

TheAccusations

ChristaKing

"WhatisTruth?"

TheLambofGod

ChristBeforeHerod

PilateourAdvocate

JesusorBarabbas

Barabbas

TheScourging

EcceHomo!

TheCloseoftheProceedings

TheWaytotheCross

SimonofCyrene

TheDaughter'sofJerusalem

THEMOSTHOLYPLACE

TheCrucifixion

TheDividingoftheClothing

TheInscription

"Father,ForgiveThem"

TheMalefactor

TheLegacyofLove

"Eli,Eli,LamaSabachthani"

"IThirst"

"ItisFinished"

"Father,intoYourHandsICommitMySpirit"

TheSignsthatFollowed

TheWoundoftheLance

TheInterment

Copyright

PREFACE

InthefollowingmeditationsItrustIhavesucceededindisplayingtomyreaders at least a portion of those riches which are contained in theinexhaustible treasuryofourSavior's sufferings.Unmutilatedscripturaltruth,suchas IbelieveIpromulgate,still findsa favorable reception inthe world, which I have been permitted to experience in the mostgratifyingmanner. Imention it, solely to thepraiseofGod,and for thesatisfactionofthosewhoarelike-minded,thatmywritings,oratleastapart of them, are, as I hear, already translated into English, French,Dutch,Swedish,andasIamassured,thoughIcannotvouchforthefact,intotheDanishlanguagealso.My"ElijahtheTishbite"hasevenappearedinaChineseattire.Butthatwhichisofgreaterimportance,isthenewsIam constantly receiving of themanifold blessingwhich the Lord of hisgreat and unmerited favor has bestowed upon my labors. That in hiscondescensionandloving-kindness,Hewouldalsodeigntoblessthismymost recent work is so much the more my heartfelt wish and ardentprayer,sinceithasforitssubjectthechiefsupportingpillarofthewholechurch—thecrossofourLordJesusChrist.

Thedivisionoftheworkintothe"OuterCourt,"the"HolyPlace,"andthe"MostHolyPlace,"isintendedmerelytopointoutthedifferentstagesoftheRedeemer'ssufferings,fromtheircommencementtotheirclose,butbynomeanstoattachalessorgreaterimportancetothem.Hadthelatterbeen the case, I would naturally have assigned the institution of theLord'sSupper itsappropriateplace in the"MostHolyPlace," insteadofthe"OuterCourt."Butintheplanofthisvolume,itfallsamongtheclassof events, which immediately precede the propitiatory work of theMediator.

THEOUTERCOURT

TheAnnouncement

The history of our Savior's passion is about to display before us itsbleeding mysteries and its awful vicarious scenes. The "Lamb of God,which takes away the sins of the world," submissive to the council ofpeace,whichwasheldbeforethefoundationoftheworld,approachesthealtar of burnt-offering.Bonds, the scourge, the cross, and the crownofthorns, present themselves to our view in the distance; and the "sevenwords,"utteredbyJesusonthecross,soundinourears,likethefuneralknellof thekingdomofSatan,and like intimationsof libertyand joytothesinfulraceofman.

ItwassaidtoMosesfromtheburningbush,"Putoffyourshoesfromoffyourfeet, fortheplacewhereonyoustandsisholyground."—Exod.3:5.With still stronger emphasis are these words uttered to us from thesacredspot,wherethatmuch-implyingtypefounditsactualfulfillment.Owhatwondersareweabouttoapproachinourmeditations!Fromthemost appalling scene the world ever witnessed, a paradise of peacesprings forth. From the most ignominious sufferings, we see the mostglorioustriumphemerge;andfromthemostdreadfulofdeaths,adivineandnever-fadinglifearise!

Maydevotion,humblenessofmind,andchild-likefaithaccompanyusinourmeditations,andpenitentialtearsbecomeoureye-salve!ButdoYou,who have the key ofDavid, unlock for us the gates to the sanctuary ofyoursacredpassion,andintheawfulscenesofyoursufferings,enableustodiscoverthemysteryofoureternalredemption!

Almost immediately after our blessed Lord had performed perhaps themoststupendousofhismiracles,inraisingLazarusfromthegrave,afterhehadbeendeadfourdays,weareinformedbytheEvangelist,that"thechief priests and the Pharisees took counsel together to put Him todeath." What an humbling view does this circumstance give us of thedepravity of human nature as exemplified in these men, who, while

obligedtoconfessthefactofthemiracleswhichJesuswrought,notonlyrefusedtoaccepthimastheMessiah,butevenconspiredtogethertoridthemselves of him by condemning him to death! Thus confirming thewords of Abraham to the rich man in torment, "Neither will they bepersuadedthoughonerosefromthedead."

"Jesus,therefore,"wearetold,"walkednomoreopenlyamongtheJews,butwentthenceuntoacountryneartothewilderness,intoacitycalledEphraim,andtherecontinuedwithhisdisciples.Butwhenthetimewascome, thatheshouldbereceivedup,hesteadfastlysethis face togo toJerusalem."

Withthisobjectinview,theLordtakeshistwelvedisciplesapart.Hehasmattersofimportancetodisclosetothem.Destined,astheywere,tolaythe foundations of his Church, itwas requisite that they should not bedeficient in a comprehensive acquaintancewith the counsel ofGod, fortheredemptionoftheworld.Theysoonperceivehisintention,andhanguponhis lipswith increasingeagerness.Theyprobably reckonon somecheering intelligence, and expect to hear, that the triumphantdevelopmentofhiskingdomisathand.Butwhatshortsightednessandsimplicitydotheydisplay!Othemightychasmwhichintervenesbetweentheir thoughts and God's thoughts! As though the restoration of fallenmanwereathingofsucheasyaccomplishment!Asifsinhadcausedonlya transient disturbance in the relations between God and man, andoccasioned a breach which could be healed, either by a voluntarydeclarationofmercyfromonhigh,orbyaconfessionofsinonthepartofthefallen!

The Lord opens his mouth, and to the astonishment of the disciples,announces to them inplain termshisapproachingofferings,andat thesame time his subsequent victory. "Behold," says he, "we go up toJerusalem;andallthingsthatarewrittenbytheprophetsconcerningtheSonofManshallbeaccomplished."

Observe,firstofall,howthesewordsconveyourLord'sfixedresolution.His heart, under the impulse of love, is firmly and immutably bent ontaking the way to the cross. You well remember with what impressiveearnestnessherejected theadviceofSimonPeter tosparehimself, and

not to go up to Jerusalem. "Get you behindme, Satan,"was his reply;"youareanoffenceuntome;foryousavornotthethingsthatbeofGod,butthosethatbeofmen."Soevidentwasittohim,thatthesufferingshewasgoingtomeet,werenotmerelyaneffluxofhumandepravity,butalsotheexpresswillandcounselofhisheavenlyFather,that inthecontraryadviceofhisdisciple,hecouldrecognizenothingbutatemptationfromthe bottomless pit, and Simon as the unconscious instrument of it. Noaffectionateentreatyany longer restrainshim inhis course;nomenacedictated by hatred deters him from it. The bloodthirsty council hasalreadyassembledat Jerusalem, and is concocting itsplanof treacheryandmurder.ButthewatchwordofJesuscontinuestobe—"Behold,wegoup!"andthoughanotherRedSeawerefoamingathisfeet,andthoughahundreddeathsawaitedhim,yettheonlysentimentofhisheartis—"Wegoup."Forit ishisFather'swill,andthepathtothegreatandardentlylonged-for aim of the world's redemption. O what resignation, whatobedience, what love to sinners is here exemplified by our adorableImmanuel.

"Behold,"saysourLord,"wegouptoJerusalem,andallthingsthatarewritten by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall beaccomplished."Hereweareinformedwhatwashisstaffandhisstayontheroadtohissufferings.Hefounditinthe"surewordofprophecy,"inwhich he read what was recorded of himself, and the counsel of Godrespectinghim.And if anyonestill requiresadefiniteauthority for thedivine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, it is here presented to him.Christ, theKingofTruth,recognizes in theScripturesnothing less thantheinfalliblerecordoftherevelationofhisheavenlyFather;hebearsit,day andnight, onhisheart; hedecides according to its statutes, as theCanonLaw,whichputsanendtoallstriferespectingthevitalquestionsofhumanlife,anddirectshisstepswhereveritpointstheway.Itistohimthe infallible guiding-star of his life.Whether the voice of his heavenlyFatherishearddirectfromheaven,orsoundstohimfromthisvenerablerecord:itisthesametohim.Theoneisasimportantastheother;andhereverentially bows to every title and iota of it. It is thus his ways areestablished; and every moment's experience seals it to him, that he isactually obeying a divine command. Everything that the word enjoinsbecomesreality,andthemostdelicatetraitassumeslifeandsubstance.

"Certainly,"someonemaysay,"itoughttostrengthenourdeterminationtoproceeduponthepathprescribedforusbythewordofGod,when,likeChrist,weareawarethatourwaythroughlifeisnotonlydivinelyorderedand superintended, generally speaking,but alsowhenwe can survey it,fromsteptostep,inthelightofaninfallibleanddivinerevelation,evento its glorious termination." But is not this really the case, if you havebelievinglyandsincerelygivenyourselfuptoGod?Forcantherebeanysituationinwhichthedivineword,withitscounsel,leavesyouataloss?Isitnotalsowrittenrespectingyou,"TheLordwillnotsufferyoutowantany good thing?" "Through much tribulation you must enter into thekingdomofheaven."But"whenyoupass throughthewaters, they shallnotoverflowyou;and through the fire, the flameshallnotkindle uponyou, for theLord iswith you." Itmay indeedbe the case thatmenwillrevileandpersecuteyou;but ifyou faithfullyendure,yourrewardshallbe great. The light shall always rise upon you after the darkness;—andafter sorrow, joy shall again visit your threshold. Nor shall any one beable to snatch youout of theLord's hands; but after having fought thegoodfight,youshallfinallyreceivethecrownofrighteousness,shallnotseedeath,butpassfromdeathuntolife,andtriumpheternally.Doesnotallthis,andmanifoldmorestandwrittenofyou;andisnotthereforeyourpathpointed out andprophetically indicated?May younot also say, inyourmeasure,withtheLordJesus,"Behold,wegouptoJerusalem,andall shall be accomplished, that stands written by the finger of God,respectingme,apoorsinner,sinceIamnolongermyown,butbelongtoChrist?"Ocertainlyyoumaysaythis!Howoughtwenot,therefore,withsuch a consciousness, to put on a cheerful courage, during ourpilgrimage,and feelas ifheavenly triumphalmusicprecededusonourpaththroughlife!

Mydear readers, letusonlyplacea firmrelianceon thewordof truth,and,initslight,ascendtheprecipitousroad;accordingtoitsinstructions,proceedforwardwithfirmandsteadysteps,unmindfulof thetumultoftheworld,andnotdeviatingahand-breadthfromthewayprescribed.Letusmeethimwhowoulddirectusotherwise,withavoiceofthunder,andexclaim,"Getyoubehindme,Satan,foryousavornotthethingsthatbeofGod,butthosethatbeofman!"TheAlmightywillthenbefavorabletous; we shall then carry the peace of God, that choicest pearl! in our

bosoms; and literal accomplishments of the divine promises, whichwehavetakenforourcompass,andfora lampuntoourfeet,willdaily falluponourpath,likelightsfromheaven.

TheLord'sfaceistowardJerusalem;andwehavealreadyseenforwhatpurpose.Hisintentionis,tosufferandtodie.Otheremustbesomethingof immense importance connected with his passion! It appears as thecrisis of thework for the accomplishment of which he left his Father'sbosom,andcamedowntoearth!Werethisnotthecase,tojudgeofitinthemostlenientmanner,itwouldhavebeentemptingGodthustorushtomeetdeath,afterhavingcompletedhispropheticofficeinJerusalem;and the over-rulingMajesty on highwould have exposed his justice towell foundedreproach, ingivingup theHolyOne,whohad fulfilledhiscommands,tothehorriblefateofamalefactorandreprobate,inthemostglaringoppositiontotheaxiomsofhisowngovernment.ButtheEternalFatherhadincludedinhiscounselsthecross,thescourge,andthecrownof thorns, long before the sons of Belial thought of having recourse tothese instruments of torture; and all his prophets, however reluctantly,werecompelledinspiritto interweavethesehorridemblemsalongwiththemajesticimageoftheMessiah,whichtheyportrayed.ThustheLordcould say with profound truth, "All things that are written by theprophetsconcerningtheSonofManshallbeaccomplished; forheshallbe delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefullyentreated, and spitted on, and they shall scourge him and put him todeath."

Suchweretheingredients,deducible,fromthepropheticwritings,whichfilled the cup that Satan, in accordance with the counsels of EternalWisdom,was to present to the Son of theMostHigh. And believeme,these counsels went far, very far beyond all that we understand bymartyrdom, chastisement, purification, or trial. The immaculate andrighteous Savior did not require correction as for himself; and if apurification had been salutary for him, it needed not—unless somegigantic shadow had for a time obscured divine justice—to have comeupon the Holy One of Israel in the form of such degrading infamy,unheard-of reproach and humiliation, and such unparalleled suffering.ThepassionofourLordhasaninfinitelymoreprofoundsignificance;and

itrequiresonlyacursoryglanceatthenarrativetodiscoverthatthiswasthecase.ObservewhattheEvangelistinformsusrespectingthewayandmannerinwhichtheTwelvereceivedtheirMaster'scommunication.Hestates, that "they understood none of these things, and this sayingwashiddenfromthem,neitherknewtheythethingswhichwerespoken."

Howstriking is thiscircumstance!Whocanresist inquiringwhat itwasthey did not understand? They could not possibly havemistakenwhattheirMastersaidrespectinghissufferinganddyingatJerusalem.Thatheintendedtosealthetruthofhisdoctrinebyhisdeath,wasanideawhichmust also have occurred to them. Yet Luke assures us that "theyunderstood none of those things, and knew not what it was that wasspoken." Is it not obvious that theEvangelist'smeaning is that hewhowould only apprehend the history of Christ's sufferings, and regard hispassion as a martyrdom, not essentially different from the bloodytestimony borne by other saints, does not understand its truesignification?Wehavehereanevident reference toan infinitelydeepercauseofthetragicalterminationofourSavior'slifebeforeus.

It is confessedly true that the Eternal Father, by an almighty decree,mighthaveannihilatedthefallenrace, inwhichsinhadtakenroot,andthushaveputanendtotheevil.Butweweretoliveandnotdie.Andthushehasnotonlycausedthesinofmantoactasafoilforthedisplayofthefullradianceofhisattributes,andespeciallyofhislove;buthasalso,bythe offering up of his Son, provided ameans of salvation by whichwemightattaintoamuchhigherstageofgloryandrelationshiptoGodthanwe once possessed in our progenitor, or than we should ever haveattained if we had not fallen. Our fall afforded him the opportunity ofshowing that in the destruction of sin he could not only manifest hisjustice,butalsoglorifyhismercyinremittingandforgivingsin,withoutinfringinguponhis righteousness.We sinned, andwere exposed to thecurse.ThewordthatwaswithGod,andwasGod, thenwasmadeflesh.The eternal son became our brother; took upon himself our sin, in theway of a mysterious imputation; paid our debt to the majesty of theinviolablelaw;coveredournakednesswithhisrighteousness;presentedus,asthoseinwhosesteadheappeared,unblameableandacceptabletotheFather;excitedthehallelujahsofangelsatourexaltation;elevatedus

toaparticipationofhisownriches,blessedness,andprivileges;pitchedtents of peace for us around the throne ofGod; and connecteduswithhimselfbythebondsofeternalgratitudeandaffection.Suchistheedificewhich the Almighty reared upon the ruins of sin; and of which thedisciples, at that time, had not the remotest idea. In the sequel, theyrecognizedthedivinemethodofsalvationandofpeace;andhowhappywere they, subsequently, in the knowledge of this "great mystery ofgodliness!"

TheAnointing

SixdaysbeforethePassover,and,consequently,fourbeforetheawfuldayofcrucifixion,wefindourLordinthepeacefulvillageofBethany,ontheothersideoftheMountofOlives,whereHewasaccustomedsowillinglytostay.WemeetwithhimthistimeinthehouseofamannamedSimon,wherehisfollowershadpreparedhimafeast.Heappearsbeforeusintheunassuming formof a guest, invitedwith others; but look a littlemorenarrowly,andyouwillseehim,eventhere,asJohnafterwardsawhiminvision, only in a somewhat different sense, as "walking amid thecandlesticks."

The Lord Jesus has no need to testify of himself; for those who arepresentbearwitnessofhiminthemosteloquentmanner.Look,first,atMaryandhersisterMartha.Theyarewomenpossessingtruenobilityofsoul,respectedbyall,sensible,clear-sighted,andsober-minded.Martha,cheerful, active, and busy; Mary, thoughtful and contemplative. Both,however, reclinewithall theirhopesonJesus.He is, toboth, the livingpillarwhich supports their heaven; their prospects of a blissful futurityarise solely from his mediation; and the peace and comfort, whichrefreshes them in life and death, they derive from Christ alone as thesource.What a high ideamust this fact alone afford us of theMan ofNazareth!

Lookaroundyou further.There are thedisciples.Peter,Andrew, John,James, Nathanael, Thomas, and the rest. You formerly saw themlistening to the Baptist in the wilderness, like a flock of scattered and

helpless sheep. You learn to know them as peoplewhowere incited toseekforhelp,byaverydifferentmotivethanamerethirstforknowledge.Youfoundthemtobemenwhoseheartsweregrievouslyburdenedbysin,andbytheanticipationof"thewrathtocome,"andwhoseinwardpeacewasentirelyatanend,afterhavingseenGodinthefierysplendorofhislaw,withitsrequirementsandthreatenings.Neithermannorangelwasable to comfort them;but since theyhad foundJesus, their thoroughlyhumbledsoulswere like the sparrowwhichhas foundahouse,and theswallow a nest,where theymay drop theirwearywings. They are nowelevated above all anxiety.What bright rays of light does this fact alsosheduponJesus!Howhighlydoesitexalthimabovetheideaofbeingameremortal!

Butalas! among thediscipleswe still findJudas, the childofdarkness,the sonofperdition.He, indeed,wasnever, inhisowneyes, ahelplesssinner;hehadnever thirstedafterGod;hewasnever trulydevout; norhadeversethisaffectionsonthingsabove.Itmaybeasked,whatinducedhimtoforcehimselfintotheimmediatevicinityofJesus?Assuredly,first,the irresistible and overpowering impression of the superhumangreatnessanddignityof theSonofDavid,and then,doubtless,also,anambitious desire of being called to act some important part in thenewkingdom, to establish which the former had evidently come. Thus, thepresentiment of the traitor aided in glorifying the person of the LordJesus.ThedivinemajestyofImmanuelshonesopowerfullythroughhishumanformthat itsrayspenetratedevenintothedarknessofIscariot'ssoul.

But letus further inspect the circle of guests.Who is themaster of thehouse? He is called Simon, and bears the surname of "the Leper." HebearsittothehonorofJesus;forthenamebetokenswhathewas,beforethe Lord pronounced over him the almighty words, "Be clean!" Simonhad once been infected with that horrible disease which no earthlyphysicianwas able to heal, andwhich he alone could removewho hadinflicted it—the Almighty, and he who could testify, saying, "I andmyFatherareone."Simon,standforward,andshowyourselftoeveryskepticas a livingmonument of the divine fullness which dwelt in Christ! AllBethanyknowsthathehadpreparedthisfeastfortheLordJesus,solely

from feelings of gratitude for the marvelous cure which he hadexperiencedthroughhim;andevenhisenemiescannotdenythat,inthisman,amonumentiserectedtotheLordJesus,whichspeakslouderandmoreeffectuallythananyinscriptionisabletodo.

Butlook!WhoisitthatsitsnexttoJesus?—theyoungmanwithpiercingeyeandsunnycountenance.Oh,doyounotrecognizehim?Onceyousawhimlyingshroudedonthecoffin.Youwerepresentwhenhiscorpsewascarriedout, followedbyhisweepingsistersandamourningcrowd.Youlooked down into the gloomy vault intowhich it was lowered. But youwereequallywitnessesofthatwhichtookplacefourdaysafter,whenOneapproachedthegravewhocalledhimself"theResurrectionandtheLife,"and then commanded the stone to be taken away from itsmouth. Youheard the words of Martha, "Lord, by this time he smells," and themajesticreply,"SaidInotuntoyouthatifyouwouldbelieveyoushouldseethegloryofGod?"Andthen,afterthestonehadbeenremoved,howtheLord, liftinguphis eyes towardheaven, over theputrefying corpse,exclaimed,"FatherIthankYouthatYouhaveheardme.AndIknewthatYouhearmealways;butbecauseofthepeoplewhichstandby,Isaidit,thattheymaybelievethatYouhavesentme!"andthenhow,withaloud,commanding, and creating voice, he called down into the sepulcher,"Lazarus,comeforth!"andyouknowwhatfollowed.

Hewhowasoncedead,nowsitsamongtheguests,havingescapedfromtheadamantineprisonofthetomb.Helives,andisvigorousandhappy;anditneveroccurs,eithertofriendorfoe,todenythatLazarusoncelayasacorpseinthegrave,andnowlivesagainattheomnipotentwordofJesus.WefindabundanttracesthatthePhariseeswerebesidethemselveswith rage and envy at this miracle, but not the smallest that any oneventured to deny or even to doubt the fact itself. There he sits, andcompletes the row of lights amidwhich Jesuswalks.No herald is hererequired to testifyofJesus;noharper tostrikehischords tohishonor.He who looks at Lazarus hears in spirit a whole choir exultinglyexclaiming, "Judah, youarehewhomyourbrethrenpraise!"No sacredmelodyisneededtochantthegloryofJesus;LazarusisasufficienthymnofpraisetotheKingofGloryfromtheworldabove.

Oh, then, go to Jesus, my dear readers, as the Lord from heaven, the

Prince of Life, the Conqueror of Death, for such he is, when regardedeveninthelightthatstreamsuponhimfromthecirclewhichsurroundshimatBethany.Andheisstillsomethingmorethanallthis.

HeisstayingatBethany.Hehasnowaccomplishedhispublicministry.Severaltimeshashegivenhisdisciplesoflatetounderstandthatsuchisthe case.Hehas told themand revealed to themasmuchas theywereable to bear. The Comforter,who is to succeed him,will instruct themfurther. According to the views of those who call themselves "theenlightened"amongus,heoughtnow tohave completedhiswork, andfulfilledthewholeofhismission.Butinhisowneyes,thisisbynomeansthecase.Forwedonotseehimnowretiringintosilence,norreturningtohisheavenlyFather;butsaying,onthecontrary,"Ihaveabaptismtobebaptized with, and how am I straitened until it is accomplished!" Heknowsthattheprincipaltaskassignedhimhasstilltobeperformed.Heis on the road to Jerusalem, with the full consciousness of all that ispassingandconcertingthere;thathisenemiesarenowinearnesttoseizehim,andgetridofhim;thatthechiefpriestsandPhariseeshavealready"givenacommandment,thatifanymanknewwherehewere,heshouldshow it, that theymight take him."All thiswas known to him; but farfromseekingtoescapethesnarewhichwaslaidforhim,hegoesdirectlytoward it.Hewasnow—according tohisownwords—tobedelivered totheheathen, crucified, and slain; and therewas a necessity for it. "TheLamb of God which takes away the sin of the world," was not yetsacrificed.Hisassertion,that"theSonofMancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,andtogivehislifearansomformany,"wasnotyetfulfilled.Theblood,towhichthewholeoftheOldTestamenthadpointedastheprocuringcauseofallremissionofsin,hadnotyetstainedthefataltree,butstillflowedthroughhisveins.AndforthishepreparedhimselfontheeveninghespentatBethany.

Above all things, therefore, let us draw near to Jesus as our sole andeverlastingHighPriest,asourMediator,Surety,andRansom."Withoutshedding of blood there is no remission." "The blood of Jesus Christcleansesusfromallsin."Thesaintsabove"havewashedtheirrobesandmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb."Odelaynolonger,therefore,to follow their example! Jesus, in his crown of thorns and bleeding

wounds,mustbetheobjectofyourloveandthegroundofyourhope,orelseheisnothingtoyou,andyouareindangerofeternalperdition.

TheLordhasjustplacedhimselfattable,whenMaryapproaches,deeplyaffectedbygratitude,veneration,andlove,andwithaforebodingofwhatis about to befall him. She feels impelled to display to him her inmostsouloncemore,andtomanifestherreverentialanddevoutattachmenttohim.Buthowisshetodothis?Wordsseemtohertoopoor.Presentsshehasnonetomake.Butwhatshehasthatisvaluable—possiblyalegacyleftby her mother—is an alabaster vessel, of pure oil of spikenard, muchvalued in the East, and used only on peculiarly festive occasions. Shebringsitwithher.Shedoesnotintendtopouroutafewdropsonly,butthatitshouldbewhollyanemblemofherprofounddevotiontotheLordofGlory.With theutmost reverence she approachesherDivineFriend,breaks unobservedly behind him the well-closed vessel, sheds thespikenarduponhisheadandfeet,thenhumblybendsherselfdownandwipesthelatterwithherloosenedtresses.

"And thewhole housewas filledwith the ointment." Yes, wemay wellbelievethatthisodorascendedupevenintothethrone-roomofheaven,andwasinhaledwithdelightbytheholyangels.Fortheearthlyanointingoil was only the symbol and vehicle of that which the wise virginspossessedintheirvessels,whentheywentforthtomeetthebridegroom.In this affectionate and symbolical act, a degree of devotedness wasmanifestedsuchas is rarely exhibited.Marydesires tobelong toChristfor timeand eternity; to cleave tohimby faith, like the ivy to the tree,roundwhichitentwinesitself.Shewishestoliveinhislight,likeadarkplanet inthebeamsof thesun,which lends it itsradiance.Maryknowsnoanchorofhope,nogroundof consolation,noway toheaven, exceptthroughhismediation;andwere she to imagineexistencewithouthim,shecouldonlythinkofherselfasinthejawsofdespair,andirrecoverablylost.He is her last resource, but at the same time all-sufficient for hereternalsalvation.Henceshecleavestohimwithallhersoul,andnothingis able to divide her from him. He is always in her thoughts, her soledelight,andthesupremeobjectofheraffections—allwhichsheexpressesintheactofanointingjustmentioned.

Thewhole circleof theguestsatBethanyaredeeply touchedbyMary's

significantact.Onlyinthecaseofonedoesitssweetharmonysoundasdiscord;onlyoneofthemwithrepugnancerejectsthegratefulodor.Ah,we imagine who it is! No other than the unhappy Judas, the child ofdarkness. Never, probably, has frigid self-love stood in such horriblecontrastwithwarmandsacredaffection,aswasthecasehere,inthecoldand really offensive expression, "Why this waste? Why was not thisointmentsoldforthreehundredpence,andgiventothepoor?"Alas,howdeeplyisthemiserablemanalreadyfallen!"Thepoor?"Oyouhypocrite!AsifthereasonwasunknowntohisMasterwhyhewouldratherhavetheointment sold. "For three hundred pence!"He knows how to value thespikenard,butisunabletoappreciatethelovethatprovidedit,forheiswhollydestituteofsuchafeeling.

OlettheexampleofJudasserveasawarningtoanyofmyreaderswhobetrayastronginclinationtomistaketheloveofasoullikeMary'stoherSavior;andwhen it ismanifested,canspeakof itwithacertain inwarddisgust and bitterness; and if not of waste, yet of enthusiasm, cant,hypocrisy, etc. Know, that on such occasions, a slight similarity to thefeaturesofthetraitorJudaspassesoverthefaceofyourinnerman.Youhaveneedtobemostcarefullyuponyourguard,nottoletthatwhichyoufeelatsuchmomentsextenditselfuntil itgraduallymakesyoubrothersofthetraitor.O,whenoncethescalesfallfromyoureyes—andGodgrantthatthismaybethecasebeforelong!—andyoursoulsawakefromtheirPharisaicdreams,attheawfulthoughtofeternity;whenpursuedbythecurseofthelaw,terrifiedatthejudgmenttocome,andseverelypressedbyDeath,thekingofterrors,youlearntothankandpraisetheAlmightythat,asalastresource,thebleedingarmsofJesusstillstandopentoyou:youwillthennolongerknityourbrows,whenyoumeetwithonewhohaspresentedhiswholehearttotheLord;norfeelrepugnanceatthefervorwithwhichAsaphexclaims,"WhomhaveIinheavenbutYou,andthereisnoneuponearththatIdesirebesidesYou!"Ono!youwillthenweepinsecret penitential tears, that you could ever have somistaken themostpreciousthingonearth,theloveofChrist,andlament,withus,thatwedonotlovehimasweought.

ObservehowtheLordJesusappreciates theactofMary.Likea faithfuladvocate,heimmediatelyentersthelistsonherbehalf,againstJudasand

thetransientimpressionmadebyhisdarkspirituponthedisciples,andsays,whileintimatingtoJudasthathewaswellawareofthecauseofhisdispleasure,"Whytroubleyouthewoman?Letheralone(donotconfuseher);shehaswroughtagoodworkonme.Thepooryouhavealwayswithyou,butmeyouhavenotalways.Againstthedayofmyburyinghasshekeptthis"(or,accordingtoanotherEvangelist,"Sheiscomebeforehandtoanointmybodytotheburying.")"Verily,Isayuntoyou,whereverthisgospel shallbepreached throughout thewholeworld, thisalso that shehasdoneshallbespokenof foramemorialofher."Dobutnotice,howHe,whowasotherwisesospareincommendinghumanworks,mentions,withaparticularemphasis,Mary'sworkasgood.Alltheworldistoknowthat such devotedness as Mary shows him is considered valuable, andhowhighlyheestimatesthisfeelingasbeingthesourceofMary'sact.Alltheworld is tobe informedthattheaffectionaterelationinwhichMarystands toward him, is nothing overstrained or enthusiastic, but thatwhichalonebeatifies itspossessor.And thateveryonemayknow it,hehas caused this act of Mary's to be repeatedly inserted in his Gospel.What he then predicted has taken place; and wherever this gospel ispreachedintheworld,thatwhichshedid,ismentionedasamemorialofher,eventothisday.

ScarcelyhadourLordendedthisremarkablespeech,when,asMatthewrelates, "One of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chiefpriests,andsaiduntothem,Whatwillyougiveme,andIwilldeliverhimuntoyou?Andtheycovenantedwithhimforthirtypiecesofsilver.Andfromthattime,hesoughtopportunitytobetrayhim."Horrible!Where,inall theworld,canwemeetwithacontrastsostriking,soappalling,andbeyondmeasuredreadful,asisherepresentedtousinMary'stenderandaffectionate act, and the horrible procedures of this unhappy son ofperdition? He is already so far gone that words of compassion, whichmight have tended to his eternal salvation, when reaching theatmosphereofhissoul,transmutethemselvesintoabanefulessence,andproducing vexation and bitter hatred instead of repentance, completelypervade the unhappy man as with a mortal poison. "He went out."Horribledeparture!He turnshisbackuponhisonlySavior,becausehenow feels that He sees through him. He rushes out into the night, towhichasachildofdarkness,hebelongs—no,herushesout intoamore

awfulnightthanthenaturalone;andthedivine"Woe!"followshimuponhisway.

We shudder. We shrink from the idea of accompanying the wretchedman,and returnwith increased fervor toJesus. "Against thedayofmyburialhasshekeptthis,"saysourLord.Weunderstandhismeaning.Heseeshisdeathandresurrectionatoneglance.Anembalmingofhisbodywastotakeplacewhilehewasstillalive,sincetherewasnotimeaffordedforitafterhisdeath.It isnottobesupposedthatMaryhadanyideaofthis;butapresentimentofhisapproachingdeparturecertainlyaffectedherheart;andanticipationofitssavingsignificancyfannedtheholyglowof her love to a brilliant flame, and contributed to impel her to thateffusion of affection in Simon's house which we have been justcontemplating. Her Master's love, which was even unto death, excitedhers to him in the highest degree; even as the love of his people isaccustomedtobeenkindled,mostofall,bytheremembranceofChrist'ssufferings.

ButwherevertheloveofJesusfindsroom,therewillneverbeawantofactivity in relieving the distresses of others. "The poor," says our Lord,whilecastingthewordslikeanarrowintothesoulofJudas,"thepooryouhavealwayswithyou;"bywhichhemeansthatMarywillnotbedeficientinhercharity to them. "Butme,"headds, inconclusion, "youhavenotalways,"andthesewordsareaddressedtoallmyreaders,whocannotyetcallJesustheirSavior.

O take them to heart, my friends! Him you have no longer, when thewings of death suddenly overshadows you, orwhen your senses departunder the influence of disease, and themessage of salvation no longerpenetrates through the crowdofunbridled imaginations.Youhavehimno longer, when God, the Righteous Judge, gives you up at length to"strongdelusions,"andpermits themtotakeuptheirpermanentabodein your minds, because you have long enough hardened yourselvesagainst his calls to repentance. You have him no longer, when the lastgreat"houroftemptation,"withitsinfernaldelusions,aswellaswithitspersecutinghorrors,shallbreakinuponyou,andwhentouseaprophet'swords—"Yourfeetshallstumbleuponthedarkmountains."Youhavehimno longer, if, in the abundance of your prosperity, you are ready to

exclaim,withthemanintheGospel,"Soul,youhavemuchgoodslaidupfor many years: eat, drink, and be merry!" to whom the horrifyingannouncement was made, "You fool! this night shall your soul berequiredofyou."Therefore"fleefromthewrathtocome!"Hastentosaveyourselves. Stay not in all the plain. Let nothing hinder you fromimmediately repairing to the blessed Savior, who has so graciouslyassuredus,thatwhoevercomesuntohim,hewillinnowisecastout.

TheEntryintoJerusalem

"Areyouhewhoshouldcome,ordowelookforanother?"'Questionslikethis lie heavily on the hearts of many in the present day, whoseintentions,inotherrespects,arehonestandsincere."IshetheLordfromheaven?IshetheKingofIsrael?""No!"istheresponseofanapostatizingworld;and,alas!thelamentableconditionofhisChurchonearthseemsonly to confirm this negative assertion. For if he fills the throne ofomnipotenceandglory,whydothepeoplerage?Ifhegovernsallthings,whydoesSatansofrequentlytriumph?Ifhisarmreachesfromheaventoearth, why does he not closemouths of blasphemers? If he wields theswordofDivine justice,whydoeshenot immolate thosewhodefyhimandlaywastehisvineyard?Ifallpowerisathiscommand,whydoeshenotcompel,bysignsandwonders,theglorywhichishisdue?Andifheonly need put forth his breath to reanimate dead and refresh thewilderness, why have not the wastes of heathen world long agoflourished,andthedesertsblossomedastherose?

Ohowoftendo theseandsimilarquestionsurge themselves evenuponbelievers; andhow inclined they are to doubtwhetherhe is thatwhichtheythinkhimtobe!Butdoubtistheworstenemytopeace;andhencenothing is more acceptable to those who are sincere than that whichdisables and destroys the former. To such, the narrative of our Lord'striumphant entry intoJerusalemwill be, therefore, extremelywelcome,since it scatters every cloud of uncertainty, displays a Divinely-sealedattestation of the Messiahship and kingly dignity of Christ, and againloosens our tongue-tied hearts, reanimates our faith, and causes usjoyfullytoexclaim,"Yes,YouaretheChrist!BlessedareYouwhocomein

thenameoftheLord!Hosannainthehighest!"

Thathe is theChrist, theSonofGod,andthatwehaveevery reason totrustinhim,isconfirmedtous,first,byhisownconsciousnessofbeingso.WefindhimproceedingtoJerichoonhislastvisit toJerusalem.Onarriving at the Mount of Olives, he requests two of his disciples, in acommanding tone, to go into the village over against them,where theywouldfindandonkeytied,andacoltwithher.Thesetheyweretolooseandbringhim.

Observe here that he sees the animals he is in want of at a greaterdistance than the eye could reach. Even in this circumstance we seesomething superhuman breaking through the lowliness of the Savior'sform.Hethengivesinstructionsrespectingthedonkeyandhercolt,withadecisionwhichbetraystoustheGovernorofallthings.Hetellsthem,"Ifanymansayanythinguntoyou, you shall say, theLordhasneedofthem,andimmediatelyhewill send them.Hesays, "theLord,"andnot"theMaster" only, or "Jesus of Nazareth." This is a title of majesty, anameofdignity,bywhichheelevateshimselfhighaboveeverycreature,and declares himself to be Jehovah's other self. "The Lord has need ofthem." As the mere Son of Man, he never could have spoken this ofhimselfwithoutbeingguiltyofblasphemy.Butheknowswhoheis,andhow he may call and entitle himself, and he utters the words withfirmnessanddignity.

Butwill theowner feel induced, at themereexpressionof thedisciples—"TheLordhasneedofthem"—toresigntheanimalstothem?Assuredlyhewill.TheLordhasnodoubtofit,butisperfectlyconfidentthat,astheLordfromheaven,therewasnothingwhichwasnothisown,thathehadpower over all things, and that his Eternal Father would grant such apower with his words that, as he expressly says, the owner would"immediately"sendthem.Oh,letusrevivefromourstateofdespondencybytheconsiderationofourLord'sself-consciousness,asheremanifested,whichsubstantiateshissuperhumangloryinfinitelymorethanthewholeweightofanti-christianobjectionstoprovethecontrary.

Buthold!unbelief findsevenhereabackwaybywhich itexpects tobeabletoescape.Itsays,"Theownerofthedonkeyanditscoltmighthave

beenafriendoftheProphetofNazareth;andpresupposingthis,thefactofhiswillinglypartingwiththeanimalslosesallitsimportance."Still,theall-seeingeyeofJesus isnotclosedbythis,andhismajesticexpression—"the Lord"—likewise remains in full force. But though unbelief maybring forward additional objections, yet still stronger andmore evidentconfirmationsappear.Thedonkey'scoltis ledawaywithitsparent.Thedisciples lay their garments upon it as a covering, and the Lord seatshimselfupon the animal, inorder to ride into Jerusalem.This seems atriflingfeatureinthecase,andscarcelyworthyofnotice;butlookalittledeeper, and its importancewill increase.OurLord,by this act, testifiessomethinginfinitelygreaterrespectinghimselfthanwouldhavebeenthecasehadhesuddenlyplacedhimselfuponaroyalthrone,orhadmadehisentry intotheHolyCitybeneathgildedcanopy,andarrayedinapurplerobe. It is evident, so theScriptures expressly informus, that our Lordhadinview,atthatmoment,anancientdivineprophecy.YouwillreaditinZech.9:8,9.Jehovahtheresays—predictingthefuture—"Iwillencampaboutmyhousebecauseofthearmy,becauseofhimthatpassesby,andbecause of him that returns (those that act as sentinels), and nooppressor shall pass through them anymore; for now I have seen (itswretchedness) with my eyes." After this general reference to a futuredeliverance, it is said, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! shout, OdaughterofJerusalem!Beholdyourkingcomesuntoyou;heisjust,andhavingsalvation,lowly,andridinguponandonkey,anduponacolt,thefoalofandonkey."

Thisisadelightfulprediction,atwhichthewholeworldofsinnersoughtto rejoice. It is a gracious star of hope in the hemisphere of the OldTestament,greetedforcenturiesbythesaintsofGodwithtearsofardentlonging.Morethanfourhundredyearshadelapsedafterthesewordshadbeenuttered,when, on the summit of theMount ofOlives, theManofNazarethappears,andcallstomindthisancientprophecy.OnthepointofapproachingJerusalem,heordersandonkeyanditscolttobebroughthim,seatshimselfupononeofthem,andpubliclyentersJerusalemuponit,inthepresenceofassembledmultitudes.

Butwhat doeshe testify by thismute but significant action?Whatelsethanthattheprophet'swordsarebeingfulfilledinhisownperson?What

elsethanthatheisthepromisedKingofglory,just,andhavingsalvation,andbringingpeacetohispeople?Whatelsethanasifhehadsaid,"ItisI,whosedominionshallextend fromsea tosea,and fromtheriver to theendsoftheearth?ItisI;thereforerejoice,OdaughterofZion!andshout,O daughter of Jerusalem!" Yes, he announces this as loudly as with avoiceofthunder.Noothermeaningcanlieatthebottomofthatscene.IfJesuswerenotthepromisedKingofPeace,withwhatepithetshouldwebecompelledtodesignatethatact?Butheknewwhathedid,andhowfarhewas justified in it;andhence, inhisentry intoJerusalem,wehaveanew, powerful, and actual proof that Christ was the true Messiahannouncedbytheprophets,andatthesametime,theonly-begottenSonoftheFather,ourMediator,andeternalHighPriest.

My readers, doubtless, feel how extremely striking is this trait in ourLord'shistory,and, infact, thepassageonwhichwearemeditatinghasneverbeensufficientlyappreciatedfromthispointofview.Thedisciples,andevenmanyofthepeopleafterthisevent,hadnodoubtwhateverthathewasnootherthantheMightyPrinceofPeacesolongbeforepredicted.Observehowheisattended.Amorethanregalentryispreparedforhim.Thepeoplecasttheirgarmentsintheway,bestrewtheroadwithverdure,andprecedeand followhimwithpalm-branches in theirhands,as inatriumphal procession, and there is no end to their exulting hosannas."Hail," they cry, "to the Son ofDavid!Blessed be hewho comes in thenameof theLord!Hosanna in thehighest!"Only thinkofsuchhomagebeing paid to a simple individual, devoid of all regal insignia! But itexplainsitself.Therideronthelowlybeastofburdenwasseen,inpartatleast,by theancientprophets, surroundedby thishomage. It couldnotfail thatZechariah, in particular,whose prophetic vision of theKing ofGloryenabledhim todescribe the sceneasminutelyas ifhehad reallywitnessedit, fully dispelled from theirminds any remains of obscurity,which might still envelop the person of him who was thus enteringJerusalem.Butthatwhichelevatedtheirideasofhimtoperfectcertaintywas the stupendous miracle which he had performed at Bethany, inraisingLazarusfromthedead.Aftersuchanoccurrence,howcouldtheybesilent,orceaseexultinglytoexclaim,"HosannatotheSonofDavid!"

ThePhariseesheardtherejoicingwithsecret indignation,andmorosely

saidtohimwhowasthusapplauded,"Master,rebukeyourdisciples."Butwhy did not they rebuke the rejoicing multitude themselves? Why didtheynotaccusethemofbeingunderadelusion?WhydidtheynotadduceasaproofthattheraisingofLazarusbytheirrabbiwasonlyatale,aswellas that one born blind had been restored to sight by him?O had theybeenabletodosotheycertainlywouldnothaverefrained!Butthiswasout of their power. The facts were too generally known andacknowledged.Indespair,therefore,theyapplytothemasterhimselftorebuke his followers. O how does this significant trait tend also tostrengthenour faith!ButdoestheSaviorcomplywiththeirwishes,andreprovetheenthusiasticcrowd?Onthecontrary,herideson,surroundedbyathousandhosannahs;thuslettingtheancientprophecyofZechariahdevelopitselfinallitsaspectsinhisprocession,andcalmlyreceivedthehomageashisdue,while remarking to thePharisees, "I tell you that iftheseshouldholdtheirpeace,thestoneswouldimmediatelycryout."Myfriends,whatmorecanyoudesire?Nothingunderheaven ismore fullyprovedthanthat theLordJesusknewhimself tobe theGod-man,whohad been promised and expected for thousands of years; and this is initself a sufficientweapon for us victoriously to repel and overthrow allobjectionswhichmightberaisedagainstourbeliefonhim.

The whole scene of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem has both itstypical and prophetic side. The progress of our Lord, so destitute ofpomp,neither clothed inpurple,noronagayly caparisonedwar-horse,nor accompanied by ribboned magnates or dignitaries, but in thesimplest attire, on the foal of an donkey, and surrounded by poorfishermenand tradespeople, givesus ahint inwhatmannerChrist, forcenturies together, will manifest himself on earth until his secondcoming. And the expressly quoted, and now accomplished prophecy ofZechariah, confirms and attests this, in the words, "Behold, your kingcomesuntoyoulowly"—awordwhichimpliesatthesametimetheideaof an entire absence of display, pomp, and dignity; and this is theattributewhichispeculiartohisgovernmenttothishour.

"Butwheredowediscoverhim?"Odescendintothebasementsofhumansociety;becomeinitiatedintotheprivacyofexperimentalreligioninthecottage; listen to the narratives of "the quiet in the land." Read the

missionaryrecords,which,likeNoah'sdove,flytowarduswiththegreenolive leaf of refreshing intelligence from the regions of the home andforeignmissions.Inquireofthemanythousands,who, ineveryquarter,and in quiet concealment at Jesus' feet, are healed of their heartfeltmaladies, and are desirous of salvation, or else, already comforted, fallasleepinhisnametoawakentolifeeternal.Doit,andyouwillnolongerask,WhereisChrist,theKing?Trulyheisstillamongyou,withthesamepower, love, and miraculous grace by which he was formerlyaccompanied. The "Hosanna to the Son of David," has not yet ceaseduponearth,andneverwill.

"Butwill his kingdomprosper in theworld?"O be not anxious on thisaccount! The passage we have been considering, affords a powerfulpanacea against such apprehensions. Observe, first, what our Lordcommissionshisdisciplestosaytotheownerofthedonkeyanditscolt:"Say to him, that the Lord has need of them, and immediately he willsendthem.""TheLordhasneedofthem;"—moreisnotnecessary.Ifherequiresthem,allmustbeathiscommand.Hespeaks,anditisdone;hecommands, and it stands fast. "The Lord has need of them!" What agloriousencouragement formissionaries;what valuable consolation forthe Church, when fears are entertained for the supply of faithfulwitnesses! What an incomparable assurance that he can never bedeficientofmeansfortheaccomplishmentofhisplans!Hidethesewordsinyourspiritual treasury,my friends,and refreshyourselveswith themasoftenasyoufeelyourcouragefail.

Observe,further,howtheLord,whilefulfillingtotheletterthepredictionofZechariahbythemannerofhisentranceintotheHolyCity,confirmsatthe same time, the whole of the prophecies respecting him. You knowwhatthesepassagespredict.Accordingtothemhisfoesshalleventuallybecomehis footstool; theendsof theearthshallbehis inheritance,andthe Lord shall be one, and his name one. Jerusalem, cleansed andpurified,shallbecomeapraiseintheearth;andthereshallbeonefold,andoneshepherd;andwhateverelsetheEternalFathermayhavesworntogivehim.Asinfalliblyastheonewasaccomplished,sosurelywillnotthe other remain a mere type and shadow. The literal fulfillment ofZechariah's prophecy is a most striking pledge of the eventual

accomplishmentofthevisionofJohnintheRevelations."Behold,awhitehorse,andhewhosatuponhimiscalledFaithfulandTrue,andhasonhisvestureandonhis thighanamewritten,Kingofkings,andLordoflords."Andinlikemannershallbefulfilledthatothervisioninwhichhebeheld,aroundthethroneoftheLamb,thathostofadoringsaints"whichnomancouldnumber."

Finally,consideranotherexpressionofImmanuel's,whichLukerecords.Whenenragedat the loudrejoicingsofhisdisciplesandthepeople, thePharisees called upon the Lord Jesus to reprove them, he uttered thefollowingsignificantandever-memorablewords:"Itellyouthatiftheseshould hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." TheLord, in these words, could not have more clearly evinced his inmostconvictionof the invaluableblessing theworld enjoyed inhim,and theobjectofhismission.Forwhatelsedotheyimplythanthat'IamsuchaSavior and bring you such aid, and offer you such felicity, that if itproduced no exultation and rejoicing among mankind, the Almightywouldanimatethelifelesscreaturetocelebratehisloveandcompassion!'TheLord,inthesewords,givesusalso,theassurance,thatonearth,menshallneverbesilentconcerninghimandhissalvation; forshouldIsraelandChristendombesilent,hewouldanimatethesonsofthedesert,thedeadheathenworld,tosinghosannastohim.

This he has done, is still doing, andwill continue to do. Earth'swholepopulationshalleventuallyspreadtheirgarmentsonhispath,and,strewit with palm branches, even as the people did on this occasion. Asthousandsdidthen,millionswillhereaftershout,"HosannatotheSonofDavid!BlessedishewhocomesinthenameoftheLord!Hosannainthehighest!"Oletusminglewiththeadoringcrowd,andoncemoretakeourLord'sassertiontoheart, thatthesalvationwhichGodhaspreparedforus in him is so infinitely great that if we could keep silence, the verystoneswouldcryout.

ChristWashingHisDisciple'sFeet

We are approaching, in our meditations, a very solemn section of our

Lord'shistory.Jesushascompletedhissojournonearth,andtheeveofthe great and awful day of atonement has arrived. He assembles hisfollowersaroundhimoncemore,inthesocialchamberofafriend'shouseinJerusalem.Oncemore they arepermitted to look into theirMaster'sfaithfulheart,and to feelhowmuchGodhasgiven them inhim.Neverwastherecollectionoftheaffectingcircumstanceswhichtookplacethatevening erased from their memory. The tranquil majesty displayed bytheirLordandMaster—theastonishingdegreeofardentaffectionwhichmanifested itself in every look, and every word—the heavenly peacewhich shone forth in his whole deportment—his cheerful and filialresignationtothewillandcounselofGod;andwithallhisdignity,suchamiablecondescension,whileineveryexpressionofhislips,andinallhisactionsandconduct, therewassomethingdivinelyprofound,consoling,andmysterious.Thewhole scenewas overpowering and heart-cheeringin a manner they had never before experienced. They felt themselvestranslated,asitwere,intoanouter-courtofheaven,andwouldhavefeltinfinitelygreaterblessednessthaneveninthegloryofMountTabor,haditnotbeenfortheanticipationof theirMaster'sapproachingdeparture,whichthrewamelancholygloomovertheirjoy.

TheEvangelist John informsus, that "before theFeastof the Passover,whenJesusknewthatHishourwascomethatHeshoulddepartoutofthis world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in theworld,He loved them to the end."What awonderful style ofwriting isthis!DoesitnotseemasiftheEvangelist'sheartbeataudiblythroughthewholepassage?DoesnotHismanner remindusofamountain torrent,whichrushesalong,withirregularimpetuosityovertherocks?Isitnotasifthefeelings,whichoverpoweredthebeloveddisciplewouldnotpermithim to reflect on the proper disposition of thewords—no, as if he hadwritten under the influence of tears of adoring rapture, and with theconsciousness of utter inability to record thatwhich presented itself tohim like a vision from another world, in language whichmight in anydegreecorrespondwithit?Butthatwhichsopowerfullyaffectshisheartabove everything else, is the fact that the Lord Jesus, although hewasthenclearlyconsciousthathishourofreturntothebosomoftheFatherwasnearathand,andalthoughhehadalreadylivedinspiritmoreabovethanontheearth,andheardfromadistancethehymnsofpraise,amid

whoseechoeshewassoontore-ascendthethroneofDivineMajesty—yethedidnotforgethisfollowers,butstillretainedsomuchroomforthesepilgrims in this valley of death, in his affectionate solicitude andrecollection.

And yet howmuch sorrowof heart had these very disciples occasionedhimonlya short timebefore,by their lamentable strife forprecedence,andespeciallyby their conduct,whenMarypoured the costlyointmentuponhim;justasiftheygrudgedtheirmastersuchhonor,and,infectedwiththegloomysentimentsofthetraitor,hadevenventuredtotermthelove-offering of the deeply affected woman, in a repudiating tone "awaste;"andhadsuffered themselves tobe so farmisledas tomake thecoldandheartlessobservationthatitwouldhavebeenbettertohavesoldthe ointment, and have given themoney to the poor, rather than havespentitsouselessly.YourememberthemildandgentlereplywhichourLordthengavethem;butsofarwasitfromhumblingthem,andcausingthemtoacknowledgetheirfault,thatitcreateddiscordantfeelingswithinthemandevenclosedandestrangedtheirheartsfromhimforaseason.Andyet—Ocomprehendthisdepthoffidelityandcompassion!andyet—theEvangelistwritesasifthetearswereburstingfromhiseyes—andyet"having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to theend."Foritwastothisend—istheApostle'smeaning—thatheassociatedwithsinners,thathemightbearthemeternallyonhisheart.ThosewhomhisFatherhadgivenhim,weremoretheobjectsofhisaffectionthantheholyangelsaroundthethroneofGodandhis lovetothemincreasedastheenddrewnear.Ohowhe loved them,whenhe took their sinswithhim into judgment, and cast himself into the fire which theirtransgressionshadkindled!Howhelovedthem,whenhisownblooddidnotseemtohimtoodearapricetobepaidforthem,althoughitwastheywhowerethetransgressors!Helovedthemtotheend;andtothisdayheloves them that are his in a similar manner. If a feeling of heavenlyrapture thrilled through the apostle John at such a thought; let ourhearts,my readers, vibrate in likemanner!Whatevermaybefallus,hislovecontinuesthesame;"Forthemountainsshalldepartandthehillsberemoved; butmy kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall thecovenant of my peace be removed, says the Lord, that has mercy onyou."—lsa.54:10.

We return to the chamber at Jerusalem, and find the company alreadyreclining around the paschal meal. It would seem that at thecommencement, little was spoken. But when the Lord is silent, hisdisciplespeaks.UnveilingtheheartoftheincomparableRedeemer,likeasanctuary,hesays, "Jesus,knowing that theFatherhadgivenall thingsintohishands,andthathewascomefromGod,andwenttoGod."Whataknowledgeisthis!Hadsuchanideasprungupintheheartofanyonewhowasamereman,thoughhewerethemostexcellentofhiskind;hemust either have been an idiot, or theworst of blasphemers, that evercalleddownthecurseof theAlmightyuponhisguiltyhead.Wesee theLord Jesus, sitting at table, in the consciousness of his eternalmajestyandgodhead,ofhisbeingtheKingofkingsandtheLordoflords,aswellas the Mediator, to whose hands, for his work's sake, the Father hascommittedallthings,includingthedivineauthoritytoforgivesins;and,regarding the shedding of his blood, as having already taken place, towhomnothingmorestandsinthewayofhisactingasthehighpriestandintercessorofhispeople,atthebaroftheThriceHoly,intheheavens.

In this sublime and twofold consciousness, we see him unexpectedlyrisingup fromsupper;and forwhatpurpose?Toappear inhisdignity?Todisplaythesplendorofhisdivineglory?Toconstrainhisdisciplestobowthekneeinthedustbeforehim?Onemightimagineso;butno,hehas something very different in view. Look, whatmeans that? He laysasidehisuppergarments,takesatowelandgirdshimselfwithit;pourswaterintoabasin,bendsdowntothefeetofthedisciples,andbeginstowashthemin their turn,andthentowipe themwith the towel.Whataspectacle! It isenoughtomakeonestart,and toholdone'sbreathwithastonishment!Arewenotreadytoexclaimaloud,"Lord,Lord,whatareyoudoing?"Thinkof theHolyOne,whocamedown fromheaven, thusengagedwith sinners; theMajestic Being, whom angels adore, abasinghimself to the occupation of amenial servant!No,we should never beable to make such an action agree with his high dignity, were we notacquainted with his wonderful and peculiar sentiments. He no longerknows his followers "after the flesh;" he sees in them those whom hisFatherhasgivenhim—thosewhomGodso loved, thathegavehisonly-begottenSonforthem—theobjectsofaneternalandpaternalcouncilofmercy—beings,who,notwithstanding thesinwhich still cleave to them,

carry in their bosoms theworkof theHolySpirit, and in it the seedofGod;andstillmorethanallthisdoeshebeholdinthem.Theyaretohimthe spiritual bride, clothed with the sun; for they stand before himarrayed in the royal robe of his righteousness; and ravished at thewondrousbrillianceofhisownglory,whichhebeholdsreflectedinthem,he lovingly inclines toward them, and washes their feet! O great andsignificantsymbol!Opowerfulexpositionofthewords"Icamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister!"Oimportanttestimonytothatwhichisof value in his kingdom, and to that which is not! O impressivecondemnation of all selfishness and self-exaltation in the children ofmen!Odeeplyaffectingcommendationofhumilityandself-denial,asthecharacteristics of his children, and amiable and ennobling instance ofthatlove,whichoughttoanimateus!AndhowmuchmorethanallthisistherenotcomprisedinthisactofourLord's?Ittestifiesofthesweetest,most glorious, andmost exalted things in store for us, as will now beexposedtoourview.

The disciples continue motionless and lost in mute astonishment. Aretheyembarrassed,affected,orashamed?Allthesefeelingsaremingledinthem into one. If anything of an inimical nature still rankled in theirbreastsagainsttheirDivineMaster,everytraceofitnowdisappears.Hadanymistrustofhimarisenwithinthem,itisnowwhollyerased,and,asitwere,washedaway fromtheirsouls.Everydiscordantsoundwith themdissolves intoharmony.Andhoware theynowashamedofeverhavingstrivenamong themselvesas towhoshouldbe thegreatest!Theycouldalmost bury themselves in the earth for confusion and regret. Howhumbleddotheyfeelandwhattendernessandlovepervadetheirhearts!Withfeelingsofblissfulastonishment,theysuffertheirLordtoactashepleaseswiththem.

Theworkofunheard-ofcondescensionproceedsinsilence,untiltheturncomes toSimonPeter.Here,asmightbeexpected, resistance isofferedandastandismade.WhentheMasterapproacheshim,hisfaceflusheswith a fiery excitement. He hastily draws back his feet, and, as on aformeroccasion,heexclaimed,"Departfromme,forIamasinfulman,OLord!"sonowhecriesoutintheviolenceofhisfeelings,andalmostinareproachingandaccusingtone,"Lord,doYouwashmyfeet?"Asifhehad

said, "No; I can never permit that!"How entirely does this correspondwithSimon's character! In onepoint of view,his refusal seems tohavenothingculpableinit.Hecannotcomprehendhowanythingsounseemlyshould take place. The glory of the Lord and the worthlessness of thecreature contrast too strongly.Howdeeply does Peter abase himself inthis expressionofhis feelings, andhowhighlydoesheelevatehisLordandMaster!"You,theHolyOne,"isthelanguageofhisheart—"I,awormofthedust!Itcannotbe."

ButhowevercommendablemayhavebeensuchafeelinginSimon'ssoul,itwasnevertheless,inotherrespects,culpableandimproper.HeoughttohaverememberedhisMaster'sownwords:"Icamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister."Itishispeculiarofficetocleansethepollutedandto purify the unclean. What would have become of us had he notcondescendedtothedepthofthatdepravityinwhichhefoundus?SimonthoughtitwouldbemorebefittingforhimtowashhisMaster'sfeet.Yes,donotceasetowashthemwithpenitentialtears;butinotherrespectslethim wash and cleanse you, otherwise how will you escape eternalperdition?ButSimondoesnotunderstandhisLord,andhasno ideaofhiserror.Jesus,therefore,repliestohiminthewell-knownwords,"WhatIdo,youknownotnow,butyoushallknowhereafter."

But will not this remark of our Lord's induce Simon to resign himselfwholly tohim?On the contrary, Simon thinksheought topreserve hisMaster's dignity, and therefore exclaims, in a very decided tone, "Youshall never wash my feet!" Simon, however, forgot that obedience isbetter than sacrifice.Even to thisday,wehear it not infrequently said,"For the honor of Christ, I cannot believe that he receives sinners, assuch, without anything further." O, my friends, if you wish to honorJesus,dosobysubmittingtohisword!Hesays,"Iamcometoseekandto save that which is lost." "No," you reply, "I cannot imagine that hisDivineMajestywilltroublehimselfabouttheprayersofsuchawormasI!Ounreasonable zeal for thedivinedignity! It is thewill ofGod thatweshouldglorifyhim in thisveryparticular, thatwebelievehim tobe thehearerofprayer.

"Youshallneverwashmyfeet!"saidthemistakendisciple.But listentotheSavior'sreply,"IfIwashyounot,youhavenopartwithme."Whatan

importantdeclaration is this!O that I could indelibly inscribe it on thehearts ofmy readers!Youperceivehow themoreprofound andmysticmeaningofourLord'sactshinesforthinthesewords—namely,ashavingreference to the blood of atonement, to forgiveness, justification, andpurificationfromsin.Youknowhowmuchliesconcealedinthispassage,andhoweverysyllablehasitsprofoundsignification."IfIwashyounot."Yes,You,LordJesus,mustdoit;forwhoeverpurifiedhimselffromsin?"IfIdonotwashyou."Yes,Youmustwashus;forteaching,instructing,andsettingusanexample,isnotsufficient."IfIwashyounot."Certainly,whatdoesitavailme,ifPeterorPauliscleansed,andIremaindefiled?Imust be forgiven, and feel that I amabsolved; and it remains eternallytrue, thathewhoisnotwashedinthebloodofChrist,hasnopartwithhim,norintheblessingsofhiskingdom.

It may easily be supposed that our Lord's words excited in Simon adegreeofastonishmenthehadneverbeforeexperienced;andtheideaofhavingnopartwithJesus,thesupremeGod,humbleshimunspeakably.Resigning himself, therefore, without reserve, while guessing theprofoundermeaning of hisMaster's expression, he says, "Lord, notmyfeet only, but also my hands and my head,"—that is, the whole man.WhenJesusmakes itappear thathe isabout todepart fromus, it thenbecomes evident how closely and deeply we are connected with him,thoughforatimehemayhavebeenforgottenbyusinthebustleofdailylife.Whenitwouldseemthatheiswillingtoleaveustowalkagaininourownways,itbecomesmanifesthowvaluelessisallbesidecomparedwithhim.Theanxiousdoubt,whetherwehaveanyfeelingforhim,disappearsandthe"bondofperfectness,"whichinseparablybindsustohiminourinmostbeing,isagainbroughttolight,andwefeel,withrenewedvitalityand force, how suddenly the curse, death, hell, andSatan,would againbreakinuponus,werewenolongerpermittedtotrustandhopeinhim.Andhowdelightful it is, inthewayofexperience, thustobecomeagainconsciousofourconnectionwithJesus!Howbeneficialalsomaythisbetous,when the feeling subsides, and thedanger ofmistaking our pathagain presents itself? Experience of this kind then gives "songs in thenight,"andencouragesusinatimeofdarkness,evenasKingDavidwascheeredbytheremembranceofhisformerhymnsofpraise.

"Lord,notmyfeetonly,butalsomyhandsandmyhead."Excellent,butagainnotaltogethercorrect.Simonnowoverstepsthelinetotheright,ashe had before transgressed to the left. He had previously rejected thatwhichwas indispensable;henowrequireswhat issuperfluous.He doesnot yet comprehend the whole of thematter clearly; and probably thefollowingwordsofourLordbelongedalso to those, the fullmeaningofwhichbecameevidenttohimonlyinthesequel;"Hewhoiswashedneednotsavetowashhisfeet,andiscleaneverywhit,andyouareclean,butnotall." It is clear that the lastwordshave reference to the traitor.Butwhat is the meaning of this mysterious speech? I believe it to be asfollows: he is washed, who, as a poor sinner, enters by faith intofellowship with Jesus. Such a one is then purified from sin, inconsequenceofbeingjustifiedbygrace.ThebloodoftheLambwasshedforhim.Thepaymentofallhisdebtswasmade.HeiscleaninthesightofGod,forthemeritsoftheSuretyareimputedtohim,andhecontinuestobe thus regarded; for "the gifts and calling of God are withoutrepentance." He ought daily and hourly to rejoice in this his purifiedstate.Peter,inhissecondEpistle,admonishesusnottoforgetthatweare"cleansedfromouroldsins."Buttheindividualisalsopureasregardshissanctification;since,inconsequenceofbeingbornagainofwaterandtheSpirit, he has forever renounced all that is sinful, and by reason of hisnewnature, though still assaulted and tempted in various ways by theflesh,hedesires that thewill ofGodmaybe accomplished inhim, andthatwhateverhedoesmaybewell-pleasinginhissight.

But what is accustomed to happen in the progress of the life of faith?Unguardedmomentsoccur, inwhich themanagain sins inonewayorother.Heincautiouslythinks,speaks,ordoesthatwhichisimproper,andis again guilty of unfaithfulness, although against his will; for only thedevil and his seed sin willfully; while he who is born of God, says theapostle,cannotsin.Theman'swalk ispolluted;his feet,withwhich hecomesincontactwiththeearth,aredefiled.Whatisnowtobedone?Twoby-pathspresentthemselves,andnotinfrequentlyoneofthemistaken.Theindividualeithergiveshimselfuptoanexcessivefeelingofhisguilt;openlycriesout, "Unclean,unclean!" likeonewho isexcluded fromthefellowshipofthepure;regardshimselfasfallenfromgrace;considersthebondof unionwith theLord as rent asunder, and cries outwith Peter,

"Lord, notmy feet only, but alsomy hands andmy head!"Or else themantakeshistransgressionstooeasily;persuadeshimselfthatthefaultshehascommittedareofnoimportance;sootheshisconsciencewiththerashandvainideathattheiniquitybelongstothemultitudeofsinswhichhave been atoned for and annihilated by the blood of Christ, and thusunconcernedlyproceedsonhisway.

Ineachof thesecases there isadeviation, theone to the right,and theother to the left of the line of truth. In the former, theman gives wayunnecessarily to an excessive idea of the fault he has committed, andascribestoitaninfluenceoverhisentirestateofgrace,whichaccordingto the word of God it does not exercise. The individual transgressionswhich a Christian may be induced to commit, are by no means to becomparedtoanapostasyfromChrist.Inthesingleadvantageswhichthefleshgainsoverthespirit,theregenerationwhichhasbeenexperiencedisnomorelostthandivinegraceiswithdrawn,oritssuperintendenceandprotectiondiscontinuedbecauseof the transgression. In theother case,thesincommittedistoolightlyesteemed;andbyanarbitraryactoftheunderstanding, the man forgives himself, instead of letting himself beforgiven.Butthelittlefaults,astheyaretermed,arenottherebyrenderedless;andsofarfrombeingerasedfromtheconscience,inconsequenceofourpersuadingourselves that theybelong to themultitudeof thoseforwhichtheatoningbloodwasshed,theyremaininit,onthecontrary,asasecret evil which gnaws the peace of our hearts like a cancer, andgradually robs us of filial boldness in our approaches to the throne ofgrace.

What, then, ought to be our conduct, according to the Scriptures, insituationsliketheforegoing?First,bewareofdespondency,bywhichweonlypreparea feast forSatan.Next,withdrawnot fromthepresenceoftheLord,asifhisheartwereclosedagainstus.Thirdly,donotthinkthatitisnecessarytomakeafreshbeginningofareligiouslife.Theseedofthenew birth remainswithin us; and the child of the family of God is notsuddenly turned out of doors, like a servant or a stranger. "Hewho iswashed,"saysourLord,"iscleaneverywhit;andyouareclean,butnotall."Whodoesnotnowunderstandthisspeech?Itsmeaningis,hewhoisbecomeapartaker of thebloodof sprinkling andof thebaptismof the

Spirit—thatis,ofthetwofoldgraceofabsolutionfromtheguiltofsin,andofregenerationtonewnessoflife,—is,asregardstheinmostgermofhisbeing, a thoroughly new man, who has eternally renounced sin, andwhose inmost love, desire, and intention is directed toGod and thingsdivine.Whensuchaone,fromweakness,isovertakenbyafault,hehasnoneedof an entirelynew transformation, but only of acleansing.Hemustlethisfeetbewashed.Letthisbedulyconsideredbythosewhoareinastateofgrace,andletthemresisttheinfernalaccuser,lesthegainanadvantageoverthembyhisboundlessaccusations.Holdupthebloodofthe Lamb as a shield against him, and do not suffer your courage andconfidencetobeshaken.

The other danger which menaces us here, must be equally cautiouslyavoided;andwemustbewareofcloakingorunderestimatinganynewactof unfaithfulness we may have committed. No fault is too trifling orinconsiderable.Wemust suffer the judge in our breasts to performhisofficewithouthindrance,andnotrefuseto listentohisconvictions.Wemust drawnear toGod as grieved, but not as despairing children, andsincerelyconfessourfaults.Letourlanguagebe,"OLord,myGod,Ihavesinned against You afresh, and am grieved at it. I judge and condemnmyself; but Your mercy is great, and therein do I trust. Sprinkle myconscience with the blood of atonement, and enable me, by faith, toappropriate, for thismy fault, the sufferingYouhave endured forme!"Let the humbled and contrite heart pray thus, and the Lord willgraciously incline to it, and impart forgiveness to the soul by his HolySpirit,andthepeaceoftheheartwiththeconsciousnessofadoptionwillthenremainundisturbedinthebloodoftheLamb.AndO,howdowefeelourselves again united to the Lord, and strengthened anew to fightagainstSatan,theworld,andourownfleshandblood;andhowdoesthejoyful confidence bloom afresh in our minds, that we really possess aSavior, after such a renewed experience of his faithfulness! Then wearrive again at Penuel, and exultingly saywith Jacob, "I have seen theLordfacetoface,andmylifeispreserved;"andjoin,withdeepemotion,inthewordsofDavid,"Returnuntoyourrest,Omysoul!fortheLordhasdealtbountifullywithyou!"

This,mydearreaders,islettingourfeetbewashed,inthesenseintended

byourLord;andyouwillobservehowblissful,refreshing,andrevivingistheact.And in theeyesofhimwho ispossessedof truesimplicity, thisdaily renewed repentance, and the fresh experience of salvation whichattendsit, isnothinglegal,buttherealGospel,andanexercisewhichisunspeakably sweet. The inward man is thus renewed day by day, andexperiencesacontinuedrestoration.Theflowersof joyanddevotednessto God incessantly spring up in the heart, and it is always spring timewithin.TherearemanyChristianswhoknowofnoothernourishmentfortheir inward life than themoldy bread of long past experience. But notruepeaceresultsfromthis.Inwardreligiondoesnotconsistinalifeofmorbidity, arising from the recollection of having once received theforgivenessofsins.Wherearealspirituallifeexists,thereisalsoconstantactivity,unceasingstrivingagainstsin,repeatedhumiliationbeforeGod,andrenewedexperienceofhis favor.Were itotherwise,whyshouldtheLord put into his children's lips the daily petition, "Forgive us ourtrespasses!" He who is washed need not be again entirely washed, butonlyhisfeet,andthatcontinually.

The inmost meaning of the scene under consideration has thus beenunfoldedbeforeus.Itbelongstothemethodofsalvation,andasregardsits whole extent, was certainly apprehended only in the sequel by theunderstandings of the disciples. That which they doubtless understoodbetter, and at the time,was the exterior of the act, and the example itafforded.To this ourLord's closing explanation is limited, towhichwehavenowinconclusion,todirectourattention.

AftertheLordhadresumedhisuppergarments,andre-seatedhimselfatthetablewithhisdisciples,heagainopenshisgraciousmouthandsaystothem,"KnowyouwhatIhavedonetoyou?"Bythisquestionherefersoncemoretotheprofoundermeaningofhisaction,whichhehadbroughtsufficiently near to the comprehension of his disciples by the remark,"nowareyouclean,butnotall."At thesewordseverydoubtmust havevanished as to the spiritual cleansing here alluded to. But the Lordprepared the way by them to what followed: "You call meMaster andLord, continues he, and adds, in majestic self-consciousness, "You saywell,forsoIam."Hethensaysfurther,"IfIthen,yourLordandMaster,havewashedyour feet:youalsoought towashoneanother's feet.ForI

have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you.Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord,neitherhewhoissent,greaterthanhewhosenthim.Ifyouknowthesethings,happyareyouifyoudothem."

Inthesewords,thatpartofChrist'sactwhichisintendedasanexample,issetbeforeus.Theoriginalword, translated inourversion"example,"includesinitthetwofoldideaofsymbolaswellasexample,andthereforepointsouttousadeepermeaningthanappearsonthesurface.Itwillbeknown to you that many have supposed our Lord here intended toinstituteanoutwardecclesiasticalsolemnityforhisChurch.Butthereisnot the slightest foundation for such an idea; nor is the Lord to blamethat thewashingenjoinedbyhim,has in someplacesdegenerated intothemere formality of an outward act. In it he recommendedno emptyceremonial,muchlessacloakforhierarchicalpride,towhichthosemakeit subservient, of whom it has been justly observed, that "it would bemoretobewonderedat, if, ingenuinehumility,theywashedthefeetofoneking, than theirwashing the feet of a thousand poor people in themannerinwhichitisnowperformed."

The Lord, by this act, commended to his disciples that brotherly lovewhich flows fromhisownheart intoours,whichmanifests itself inrealself-denial, and willingly condescends to the most menial offices. Weought also to wash one anther's feet, even in a literal sense, whennecessity and circumstances require it. We ought not to imagineourselves too high and lofty for any kind of assistance, howeverapparentlydegrading,sinceChristhasleftussuchabrilliantexampleinthis respect. Acts of love never degrade, however menial they may be.TheydidnotdegradetheLordofGlory;how,then,shouldtheydegradeushisunworthyservants?

ButitischieflyinaspiritualsensethatweoughttofollowtheexampleofourLord.Wearenaturallymuchinclinedtoaccuseeachotheroffaults,and we judge and grieve each other by our severity. But the Lordrecommends a washing of the feet, which arises from the charitableintention of cleansing and divesting our brother of some besetting sin.This cannot indeed be donewithoutmentioning the particular offense;butthereisagreatdifferencewherehumility,whichneverjudgesothers

without first judging itself, shows another his sins, and mercy, whichnever grieves, but only seeks to heal, discovers infirmities, whencontrastedwiththeself-righteousloftinessandfault-findingPharisaism,whichholdsuptothepoorsinnerthecatalogueofhistransgressions.Hewho washes a brother's feet in the sense intended by our Lord, placeshimselfonthesamefootingwithhimasasinner;enterscompassionatelyintohis fault; reveals it tohimwith forbearanceand sincere frankness;meltshisheart,bygentlyremindinghimoftherichesofdivinegoodness,whichhehas repaidwith ingratitude;andafterhaving thuswashedhisfeet,while inciting him to repentance, he does not forget towipe themalso,byunveiling the throneofgrace,depicting tohisview thecrossofCalvary,announcingtohimthemercyofhimwhohasreceivedgifts,evenfor the rebellious, and by dropping into his wounds the balm of theGospel.

Certainlyweneverwasheachother's feet in thismanneruntilweknowwhattheLordhasdoneforusinparticular.ThemysteryofhiscrossmustfirsthavebeenrevealedtousinthelightoftheHolySpiritbeforeweareablethustowashoneanother'sfeet.Wemustfirsthaveexperiencedthatin the substantial antitype,whichSimonPeter experienced in the type.Christhimselfmustfirstwashusbeforewecanwashthefeetofanyinthemannerintendedbyhim.Letthewords,then,eversoundinourears:"IfI wash you not, you have no part with me." May they expel all falsesecurity from our souls; give us no rest day or night until they cast usdownathis footstool, and ifhehasnotyet cleansedus, call forth fromour bosoms the words of Peter: "Lord, not my feet only, but also myhandsandmyhead!"

ThePassover

Thepassover is justbeingcelebrated—themost importantglorious,andjoyfulofthefestivalsofIsrael;thebirthday-feastofthechosenpeople—thatfestivalwhichhasbeenkeptforfifteenhundredyears,andannuallygreeted with fresh delight; upholding, by its mere occurrence, thehistoricaltruthofthewonderfuldeliveranceofAbraham'sseedfromthesword of the destroying angel, by the sprinkled blood of lambs. As the

festive memorial of this great event, it continually called for renewedthanksgiving and humiliation before the Father of Mercies. With thenecessity for spiritual deliverance, it equally revived the hope ofredemptionby thebloodof thepromisedPrinceofPeace, ofwhich thedeliveranceexperiencedinEgyptwasameretype.

Letus then cast a transient look at the typical feast itself.The angel ofdivine justice had been sent from the throne of the EternalMajesty tosmiteallthefirst-borninEgypt,andtosweepthemawayfromthefaceoftheearth.TotheseedofAbraham,however,ameansofdeliverancewasgiven, and you know wherein it consisted. Each head of a family wasorderedtotakeamalelamboutofhisflock,killit,sprinkleitsbloodonhisdoor-posts,andthenquietlyandconfidentlyremaininhisdwelling."And the blood," said the Lord, "shall be to you for a token upon thehouseswhereyouare;andwhenIseetheblood,Iwillpassoveryou,andtheplagueshallnotbeuponyoutodestroyyou,whenIsmitethelandofEgypt"—Exod.12:13.AnditwasdoneastheLordcommanded.

Who does not perceive in this divine ordinance the symbolicannouncement of the eternal redemption projected for sinners in thecounsels of God? Who still doubts that the Lamb, on which thedeliverancedepended,signifiedChrist, theonlySavior—that theslayingof the lamb had reference to Christ's atoning sufferings and death forsinners—that the sprinkling of the door-posts with the blood of thevictims, foreshadowed to the believing sinner, the divine imputation ofthemeritsofthegreatSurety,andthatthesecurityoftheIsraeliteswho,inchild-likesimplicityobeyedthedivinecommand,reflectedtheperfectforgivenesswhichtheEternalFatherwouldgratuitouslygranttoallwhoshouldhumblysubmittohismethodofsalvation,byrepentanceandfaithintheatoningbloodoftheLambofGod?

"This great symbolical announcement of salvation was handed downthrough successive ages; and the wondrous deliverance in Egypt wasannuallybroughttotherecollectionofthepeopleinalivelymanner,bytheFeastofthePassover.Theythenbeheldthelambs—thosesignificanttypesoftheexpectedLambofGod—ledtotheslaughter,andatthesightoftheir streamingblood, the thanksgivingsof thepeoplewere renewedforthedeliverancewroughtfortheir forefathers inEgypt,aswellasthe

joyful hope of that spiritual deliverance for which they waited. In thishope they encouraged themselves, and exclaimed, with increasingconfidence, "Hewho shall bear our sins, will come without fail, so wehavehere the seal andpledge of the faithful and trueGod."Andwhileconsuming the paschal lamb in the social family circle, after theobservanceofthesacrificialrites,theyrejoicedtofindanotherdivineideain this unpretending outward act, namely, that a faithful appropriationandreceptionofthatwhichGodwouldimparttosinnersinthebloodofChrist should formtheonlyconditionattachedtoaparticipation in theboundlesstreasuresofgraceandeternalsalvation.

My readers, we have now arrived at the moment in which Christconnected the institution of his sacred Supper with the Passover. Theword "connected," however, does not sufficiently convey our meaning.We designate the matter more correctly when we say that Christ hasexaltedtheMosaicfestivalofthePassoverordeliverance,bychangingitintohisSacrament.ItiserroneoustosupposethattheOldTestamentisabrogatedorputasidebytheNew.Forinreality,nottheminutestpartoftheMosaicritesandceremoniesisabrogated;onthecontrary,thewholeis exalted from the state of type and shadow to that which is real andsubstantial.ThisisthemeaningofthatsayingofChrist's—"Donotthinkthat I am come todestroy the lawand theprophets; I amnot come todestroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, until heaven and earthpass,one jotorone tittleshall innowisepass fromthe lawuntilallbefulfilled."—Matt. 5:17, 18. Even as the blossom on the tree is notannihilated,but,fading,passesoverintothefruit,andexperiencesinthelatter a more substantial life, so all the types and shadows of the OldTestament were divinely ordained to be realized in the New. The OldTestament figureof thepriesthood, for instance, received its fulfillmentinChrist,aswellas theatoningsacrificesof the tabernacleand temple,which were types of his sufferings and death; while the whole of theLeviticalritual,withreferencetopurging,washing,andpurifying,formedits substantial antitype in the spiritual purification by theword, blood,andSpiritofChrist.

Thisisaremarkablefact,andoughtgreatlytostrengthenourfaith.ThewholeofChrist'sworkofredemptionthusappearsinallitspartsonlyas

the vital fulfillment and realization of a cycle of types and figures,presented for upward of a thousand years, to the eyes of the people ofIsrael and of the whole world. Can this be mere chance, or only thecontrivanceofhumanforethoughtandcalculation?Impossible!Hereweseetheoverrulinghandofthe livingandtrueGod.Here ishisplan,hiswork,hisperformance.Hewhodoubtsofthis,doubtsoftheexistenceofthesunatnoon-day.ItisonlyinnaturethatwemeetwithGodunderaveil,whileintheconnectionofhisrevelation,allveilsandcoveringsareremoved.Onlysecludeyourselves,foratime,forthepurposeofbiblicalstudy, and send up repeated and heartfelt aspirations for divineenlightenment, and you will unceasingly observe infallible traces ofJehovah,andtherewillbenoendtothediscoveriesyouwillmakeofallthatiswonderfulandglorious.

Now, as the deliverance in Egypt found in Christ's atoning sacrifice itsfulfilled and substantial antitype, so likewise did the divinely-ordainedPassover in the Lord's Supper. Come, therefore, and see! The table atJerusalem is prepared; and all that the feast requires is servedup.Themysteriousactofthewashingthedisciples'feethasjustbeenconcluded,the breadmay now be broken and the food enjoyed. The disciples aredeeplyaffected.TheMaster,whowasmadelikeuntohisbrethreninallthings, sin excepted, and in whose bosom beat a human heart, whichdeeplysympathizedwiththepoorchildrenofAdam,issonoless.Heseesbefore him the paschal lamb, and in it the type of himself: He is "theLambofGodthattakesawaythesinoftheworld,"evenashehadcausedhimselftobeannouncedbyhisforerunner,John,atthecommencementofhiscourse.Asafreshtestimonythathewasso,hehadmadehisentryinto theHoly City on the same day on which the paschal lambs wereaccustomedtobebroughtinfortheslaughter.

Aftertheyhadagainsatdownatthefestiveboard,Jesusbegins,intonesofheartfelttenderness,tosaytohisdisciples,"WithdesirehaveIdesiredtoeatthispassoverwithyoubeforeIsuffer."O,observewhataglimpsehe here gives us into the sanctuary of his inmost soul!He has heartilydesired to keep this feastwith them.But forwhat reason? Itdoubtlessappeared sweet and pleasant to him to pass the last hours of a lifedevoted to the service of others, in the peaceful circle of those who

harmonizedwithhim,andwhowerethegerminatingseedofhisChurch,awayfromthediscordantsoundsofunbeliefandthenoiseofanopposingworld.Itmustalsohavebeenconsolatorytohimtocelebratethecloseofhiscareerinthebosomofaffection,andinthesocietyofhisconfidentialfollowers,andthentakehisleaveoftheminanundisturbedandpeacefulmanner. But do not suppose that, in what has preceded, you haveexhaustedthecausesofhisdesire.Beware,especially,ofascribingtotheLord, anything of that sickly nature, which is usually termedsentimentality.Asinhimallwassound,andfullofpithandenergy,sohewas also a perfect stranger to our morbid sensibility, and our selfishpleasureineffeminateandvisionarysensations.ThatwhichcausedhimtolongsoardentlyforthisPassoverwas,doubtless,love;not,however,alove that seeks enjoyment, butwhich burns to do good, to beatify, andbless.

OurSavior'sdesiretopartakeofthislastPassoverdoubtlessarosechieflyfromhisheartfeltlongingforthecomingofthathourinwhichheshouldbeabletomakeanendofourstateofcondemnation,andnailtothecrossthe handwriting that was against us. He also cordially rejoiced inanticipationofthispeacefulevening,asthepointoftimewhenheshouldbepermitted,inhisintendedandmysteriousinstitution,tomakehiswill,sotospeak,infavorofhisbelovedfollowers,andwiththeconsentofhisheavenly Father, to bequeath to them the fruits of his atoning life,sufferings,anddeath.Inaword,itwasforthesakeoftheSacrament,tobe then instituted, that he longed so ardently and earnestly for theapproachof thishis lastPassover feast.Longhad this institutionof hislovepresented itself,asanattractivememorial, tohismind.Henceyoumay judge of the importancewhichought to be attached to this sacredordinance.Anactwhichhadsimply reference to theestablishmentofareturningfriendlyfestivememorial,wouldneverhavebeentotheSonofGodtheobjectofsuchaprofound,ardent,andlong-cherisheddesire.Thewords,"WithdesirehaveIdesired,"areofthemselvessufficienttorefutenotmerely the rationalistic, but also the otherwise so estimable ZurichReformer'sviewoftheLord'sSupper.Theyimpressuponthesacredfeastthestampofadivinemystery—ofa sacrament.O,myLordandSavior,thus ardently did Your heart tong for the moment when You couldbequeath this legacy of Your loving-kindness to us sinners! Even the

horrifyingnightofdeath,whichwassosoontoclosearoundYou,didnothinderYoufromthoughtsofsuchcompassion!O,howhaveYoulovedustotheend!AndyetwholovesYouinreturn,andthanksYouasheoughtfor therich inheritancebestoweduponus,ordulyestimates thisgiftofYourgrace!OLord,howarewedegenerated, sunk, and lost!Havepityuponus,OJesus,andcreateusanew,accordingtoYourpromise!

With the expression of heartfelt desire our Lord connects one of apropheticnature,andsoonafteraddsanotherofasimilarcharacter:"ForI tell you," says he, "that I will not any more eat thereof, until it befulfilledinthekingdomofGod."Asifhehadsaid,"Weareabouttopart;ourconnectionwitheachotherwillbehenceforthofadifferentkind.Butweshall seeeachotheragain,andoncemore sit atmeat together."Weask inquisitively and anxiously,When? and, further, inquire what it isthatnowpresentsitselftothemindofourLord,andelevateshimabovethepainofparting?Theeyeofhisspiritlooksintothedistantfuture.Hesays,"Iwillnotanymoreeatthereofuntilitbefulfilled(thepassover)inthekingdomofGod."TheLordknowswhatheissaying,andrejoicinginspirit, seeswhathe refers to clearly anddistinctly beforehim.Weonlyperceive something of it in the dawning distance; but even this issufficienttocastareflectionoftheSavior'sjoyintoourhearts.

The Passover of the Old Testament, after its transformation into theLord's Supper, has not yet experienced its final fulfillment. It pointspropheticallytosomethingfurther,andevengreaterandmoreglorious.Afeastofthereconciledandredeemedisyetforthcoming,withwhichourpresent Communion stands in proportion only like the copy to theoriginal,orliketheforetastetothefullenjoyment.Whenthisfeastshallbe celebrated, Faithwill have become Sight, thatwhich is in part havebecomethatwhich isperfect,andstrifeandconflicthaveterminated inenduring triumph. The high festival, which shall nevermore beinterrupted,willbeheldat themomentwhenthekingdomofGodshallbe accomplished and completed, and with the renewal of Nature.SomethingnewwillthentaketheplaceofourpresentCommunion.Askmenotwhereinitwillconsist.Itiscertain,however,thatourLord,inthewords, "I will not any more eat this passover with you, until it befulfilled,"doesnotmerelyintendtosay,"untilweshallrejoicetogetherin

the perfect glory of my kingdom, with all the redeemed." We are notentitledthusgenerallytoexplainhislanguage.Themodeofexpressionhemakes use of, does not even admit of this reference to somethingindefinitelyspiritual;andtheaddition,whichtheLordafterwardmakes,isquiteatvariancewithit.

Itbelonged to the ritualof thePassover, that in it, fourcupsshouldbehanded round, having reference to the four promises in the divineannouncementofthemiraculousdeliveranceinEgypt,viz.:"I,Jehovah,willbringyouout,deliver,redeem,andtakeyoutobemypeople,andwillbeyourGod."Afterpresentingoneofthesecups,duringthesocialmealat Jerusalem, probably the first of the four, which must not beconfoundedwiththecupaftersupper,mentionedinLuke22:20,theLordthusexpresseshimself,"Isayuntoyou,Iwillnotdrinkofthefruitofthevine, until the day when I shall drink it new with you in my Father'skingdom."

Whatdoesthismysterioussentencemean?Doesheonlymeantosay,"Iwilldrinknomorepassoverwine,butwilleventuallyenjoythatheavenlyfelicity with youwhich is signified by the wine, in fallmeasure, in theChurchtriumphant?"TheLordcouldnotpossiblyhaveintendedthatweshould thus generalize and subsidize the meaning of his very strikinglanguage,sosolemnlyintroducedwiththewords,"Isayuntoyou."ButinChrist's perfected kingdom on earth therewill be something similar toour communionprepared forus, atwhich,perhaps, as from the tree oflifeinParadise,weshallagaineatandwhereweshallagaindrinkasfromthefountainsofEden.OurLordreallyseemstohintatsomethingofthisnature,althoughthekindofeatinganddrinking,forwhichtheglorifiedcreationwillfurnishtheelements,may,forthepresent,remainamysterytous.

SufficeittosaythattheSaviorhereundoubtedlypointsoutthepassoverof the New Covenant—in which he elevates and transforms thatwhichwastypicalintheOld—asthepreludeofagreatandfestaljubilee,whichawaitshisbelievingfollowers inthefutureof thekingdomofGod.Thatwhich exalts the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to such a preludewillappear inthesequelofourmeditations.Othat itmaybemanifestedassuchtotheexperienceofallwhoapproachit,andcausethemtoexclaim

withdelight"ThisisnoneotherthanthehouseofGod,thisisthegateofheaven!" This would assuredly be the case, if they only came dulyhungering, thirsting, and filially believing. A single participation of thesacred ordinance would then teach them more of its true nature andobjectthanahundredtheologicaldiscourses.Theywouldthenleavetheholy place inwardly rejoicing in the language of the Psalmist, "Youprepareatable forme in thepresenceofmineenemies.Youanointmyheadwithoil,mycuprunsover!"

TheInstitutionoftheLord'sSupper

ThePassover has been kept, according to Israelitish usage, the paschallambhasbeenconsumedbytheguestswithfeelingsofdeepemotion,andthefestivecuphasbeenseveraltimessentroundaswascustomary.Themoment had now arrived when after singing the great of "Hallel," orpsalmofpraise,themealshouldbeconcluded,andthesignalgiventothegueststoriseupanddepart.Insteadofthis,whatoccurs?TheMaster,towhom all eyes were directed, rises from his seat—not, as is soonperceived, to leave the room, but—to commence a new and still moresolemnactthanthatofeatingthepassover.Inthecapacityoftheheadofthefamily, he again takes the bread, breaks it, and after giving thanks,distributes it to his disciples; and you know the words with which heaccompaniedthisact.Hethenlikewisereachesthemthecup,commandsthem all to drink of it, and what he said at the time you also know.Heaven alone can satisfactorily explain to us why the Evangelists havenot transmitted to us the words of institution used by the Savior, inperfectcoincidencewitheachotherastotheirformandmanner.

"But,"yousay,"havetheynotdoneso?"No,myfriends.InMatthewandMark, theLord, inbreaking thebread, says, "Take,eat, this ismybodywhichisgivenforyou.Dothisinremembranceofme."AccordingtoPaul(1Cor.11:24),Heusedtheexpression,"brokenforyou,"insteadof"givenforyou."InMatthew,hesays,onpresentingthecup,"Drinkyouallofit;forthisismybloodoftheNewTestament,whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsins."InMark,boththewords,"Drinkyouallofit,"aswellas "for the remission of sins," are wanting. In Luke, we find the Lord

saying, "This cup is theNewTestament inmyblood,which is shed foryou."Paulexpressesitinlikemanner,butdescribestheLordasadding,"Thisdoyou,asoftenasyoudrinkit,inremembranceofme."

Here are, therefore, manifest differences, although anything butopposition and contradiction.Nowhoware these variations in thefournarrativestobeexplained?Avarietyofsuppositions,asyoumayimagine,havebeensuggestedduringeighteencenturies.ButImustprotest,ontheoutset, against the idea, unaccountably entertained by many piouspeople,thatoneorotheroftheEvangelistshadmadeamistake,andwasunableminutelytoremembertheprecisewordsusedbytheLordJesus.The apostles, in compiling their sacred records, were preserved fromeveryerror.FortheirLordandMasterhadexpresslypromisedthemthattheComforter,theHolySpirit,shouldleadthemintoalltruth,andbringallthingstotheirremembrancethathehadspokentothem.Andcanwe,foramoment,supposethatthisSpiritshouldhavebeendeficient inhisoffice in such an importantmatter as the institution of this sacrament,and not rather have attended to it with the greatest exactness? Letwhoeverwillbelieveit,Inevercan.

Butperhapsyousay,"Howwillyoubeabletomakethedeviationswhichreally exist agree?"My readers, I do not for amoment doubt that theLord uttered all the words which are recorded, and that the fourwitnessesonlyenlargeeachother'sdescriptionofwhatoccurred;anditismyconviction, thatondistributingthebreadandpresentingthecupheseveraltimesutteredthewordsofinstitution,andrepeatedthem,firstinoneformandtheninanother.

Certainly,itisnotamatterofindifferencetobeabletoplaceourfootonfirmgroundinthismatter,andwithperfectconfidencetosay,"ThesearetheoriginalwordsofinstitutionusedbyourLord,intheirauthenticandproper connection. This is their essential and real meaning; this thesacredformulawhichistocontinueinuseforever,accordingtothewillof our Lord himself, and to be always uttered at the celebration of hissupper."ButinordertoprovidefortherealrequirementsofhisChurchonearth,theLordwassubsequentlypleasedtogivehisapostlePaul,byexpressrevelation,anunambiguousdisclosurerespectingtheformulaofthe institution of his sacred ordinance. Hear what the Apostle says,—1

Cor11:23-25:"ForIhavereceivedoftheLord,thatwhichalsoIdeliveredunto you, that the Lord Jesus, on the same night in which he wasbetrayed,tookbread,"etc.Thesubstanceofthewordsoftheinstitutionisconsequentlyexpressedastothebread,intheformula,"Thisismybodywhichisbrokenforyou;thisdoinremembranceofme;"astothecup,inthewords, "This cup is thenew testament inmyblood; thisdoyou, asoftenasyoudrinkit,inremembranceofme."

Somuchwithregardtotheformulaoftheinstitution.Letusnowcastalook at the actions with which our Lord accompanied the words:—Weread, first, that "theLord tookbread."Observe,he tookbread, and notthefleshofthepaschallamb.Thishedidthathemightnotcountenance,in any way, such crude and gross ideas of the sacrament as thoseexpressed by the Jews at Capernaum (John 6.), and that he might,beforehand meet the error, as if there were still room in the NewTestamentforthesacrificesoftheOld.Thebreadwhichhetookwastheunleavenedpassover cake,which, however,was not subsequently used;for the first Christians, with the apostles at their head, at theircommunion,whichtheywereaccustomedalmostdailytocelebrateattheclose of their love-feasts,made use of the customary bread; that is, ofsuchaswasusedattable,andthereforeleavened.

"The Lord took bread"—this most indispensable of all the means ofnourishmentandsustenance,theproductofthemostvaluableofearth'sfruits,whichpresents,atthesametime,suchanextremelystrikingimageofhimwithoutwhomwehavenospirituallife.Butyouask,"Isthebreadonly an emblem, a figure?" I inquire, in reply, whether you wish todispute the position, that we must regard the elements of the sacredordinance,inthefirstinstance,assigns,symbols,andfigures?Ifso,youmust overlook the Lord's words in John, 6:51, "I am the living bread,whichcamedownfromheaven,andgivelifeuntotheworld;"aswellasmany other of his expressions of a similar kind. The divine "corn ofwheat,"which,thatitmightnotremainalone,butbringforthmuchfruit,fellintotheground,and,bytheheatofGethsemane,andthefireofthecross, was prepared to become the spiritual food of poor sinners, isreflected,likethesuninthedew-drop,inthesacramentalbread,andbythelatterisexhibitedtoourview.

AftertheLordhadtakenthebread,helifteduphiseyestowardheaven,and "gave thanks"—that is, he poured out his heart in praise andthanksgiving tohisheavenlyFather.Forwhatdidhe render thanks?Omyfriends, forwhat else than for thedecisionof divinemercy, to savesuchpoorsinnersaswe,whichhesawinspirit,asalreadyaccomplishedin his blood, and for the deliverance of the children of Adam from thecurseofthelaw,thepowerofSatan,andthegulfofperdition.Itwastheywholaycontinuallyuponhisheart;towhoserestorationallhiscaresandanxietieswere directed, andwhose exaltation and beatificationwas theobjectofhishighestinterestandsweetesthope.Hegavethanks.O,withwhatadoringdelightwilltheholyangelshavecaughtthiscostlyincenseintheirgoldencensers,and,haveborneituptoGod!Hegavethanks.Weoughtalsotogivethanks.Butitiswellforus,thatinthis,asineverythingelse,heintercedesforus,andcoversourguiltwithhisobedience,andourdeficiencieswithhisfullness.

However he did not merely give thanks, but, according to Matthew'sexpression, he also blessed. It is true theword used by this Evangelistsignifies both thanking and praising, like the word used by Luke andPaul,norwouldanygreaterstressrequiretobelaiduponit,asincludingtheideaofblessing,ifPaul,inemployingthesamewordin1Cor.11:16,hadnotcalledthecup,"theblessed,"or"thecupofblessing."TheSavior,however, pronounced his benediction, not only upon the cup, but alsouponthebread.Andwherefore!Wasitinordertoseparatetheelementsfrom a common andprofane use to one thatwas higher, spiritual, andholy? Doubtless, he had this also in view. But where Jesus, the HighPriest,blesses,weought to thinkof somethingmore substantial thanamere designation and setting apart of the kind above-mentioned. Weoughttoexpectthatinfluenceisthenexerted,andrealityproduced.AndO,whatsuperabundantrichnessandfullnessofblessinghaverestedonthebreadandwineof thecommunion fromthebenediction,whichourLord pronounced upon them! Since that festal evening, how manythousands have received heavenly refreshment, invigoration, andencouragement by their means! How many a wounded heart, in thecourseofeighteencenturies,hasbeenhealed,howmanyfaintingspiritsrevived, and thepassage through thedark andmortal valley illumined,alleviated,andsweetened!andhowinnumerablearethosewho,untilthe

endof time,will joyfully experience all this! Such is theblessingof thePrinceofPeace,whichextendseventotheblissoftheeternalhills.

AfterourLordhadgiventhanksandblessed,he"broke"thebread.Noristhis without a deeper meaning, as he himself declares immediatelyafterward, in the words, "This is my body, which is broken for you."Hence the whole of the apostolic statements of the institution of thissacredordinancedonot fail to record thisbreakingof thebread.Jesusbrokeitassymbolicofthatwhichshouldsoonoccurtohisownbody,bywhichheshouldbecomeouratoningsacrificeandthebreadoflife.Inthebreaking of the bread he depicted his own death to the eyes of thedisciples;andthesublimeandadmirable tranquillitywithwhichhedidso,againtestifiesoftheinfinitelovetosinnerswhichpervadedhisheart.

OurLordpresentedthebread,thusbroken,tohisdisciples,anditisherethat we see him in his proper office and favorite vocation. Giving,presenting,andcommunicating,ishisdelight.Asthen,sonow,hishandisstretchedoutinhisfeastoflove,althoughatpresentconcealedinthehandofhishumanmessengerandminister.We,his servants, retire, asregardsourselves,entirelyintothebackground,whileadministeringthecommunion. We are then nothing but his instruments. He himself isalways thedispenserandgiver.Hencehiswordsaloneareheardat thesacred feast; and none else, however beautiful and believing theymaysound,arepermittedtobeused.

Attheconsecrationofthecup,thesameformulawasrepeatedasat theconsecrationof thebread.Afterrenewedthanksgivingandblessing,ourLordpresentedittohisdisciples,andinvitedthemalltodrinkof it.Hecalls thewinehisblood,evenashedesignatedthebreadhisbody;and,bothelementsunited,indicateandrepresentthewholeChrist,inasmuchas he gave his life, which is "in the blood," unto death, as an atoningsacrificeforus.

That theLorddidnot selectwaterbutwine, for the symbol ofhis shedblood,wasdonefromthewisestmotive;andonlyenlargesanddiversifiesthe meaning of the selected symbol. Christ is the real vine, and wepossessdivinelife,onlyinsofaraswe, likethebranches,growthroughhim,andarepervadedbyhisinfluence.Besides,thewineremindsusof

the wine-press of torture and agony, in which the Son of God wascapacitatedtobecomeourSaviorandMediator,andsignifiesthefullnessofheavenlyencouragement,joy,anddelight,whichChristimparts,asanaddition and superabundance to his believing people; while the breadrepresentsmorewhatisnecessaryandindispensableforthedeliveranceandblessedness,whichtheypossessinhisredemptionandmediation.

Whatanincomparablelegacy,therefore,hastheLordleftusinhissacredSupper! What a fullness of heavenly blessings and mercies has heshowereddownuponusinthisunpretendinginstitution!Letusthereforehighlyestimatethispreciousbestowment.Letusoftenavailourselvesofit by repeated and devout approaches to the sacred table for thesanctificationandglorificationofourinnerman.Only,letusbecarefultoappear in true communion attire—in child-like simplicity and godlypoverty of spirit; and on our return from the holy place, we shall feelourselvesconstrainedtorenderheartfeltandjoyfulthanksuntohim,whohasboughtuswithhisblood,andbemorethaneverresolvedtoliveanddietohispraise.

"Lord,IsItI?"

We return to the chamber in which our Lord and his disciples hadassembled to eat the passover, and previous to the institution of thesacredordinanceofwhichwehavebeentreating.Wefindthedisciplesina state of great excitement, in consequence of the unexpectedannouncement,which had fallen from the lips of their belovedMaster,thatoneofthemshouldbetrayhim.

TheLordhadrevealed to themapainfullyaffectingsecret.Hehad toldthemthatamongthemwasanunhappymortal,whowouldhavenopartinthekingdomofGod,andwouldneverseelife.ThebloodoftheLambwouldnot cleansehim from sin, nor the righteousness of theMediatorcoverhim;onthecontrary,hewouldcontinuewhathewas,achildofthedevil,withregardtowhomitwouldhavebeenbetterhadheneverbeenborn.Thisreprobatewouldspurnfromhimtheonlygroundofsalvation,betray the Lord ofGlory, and thus become irrecoverably the subject of

deathandthecurse,andhastentoplungehimselfintoeternalperdition.ItwasthiswhichJesusrevealedtothem;andhowdotheyreceiveit?Dothey say, "Talk as you please, the consequences will not be so fatal.Eternalperdition? there isnoonewhoneedapprehendanythingof thekind, since God is love." No, they do not think thus. The idea whichpervadestheirinmostsoulsandretainstheupperhandisthis:"He,whoatoneglancesurveysheavenandearth,thepresentandthefuture,andinwhosemouthnodeceitwasever found,affirms it;"andhence it is thatthisexpressioncausesthemsuchanxietyandalarm.

TheLordhasalsorevealedsomethingofasimilarkindtous.Welikewisehearfromhislips,thatinallages,thoughmanyarecalled,yetonlyfeware chosenand find thepath to life;while,on the contrary,many,whohad likewise better never have been born, walk the road that leads todestruction,andthusbecomemeetforhell.Thereisthereforenowantofsuchpitiablecharacters in thepresentday; forheasserts itwhocannotlie.

The peace of the disciples is at an end, after this appalling disclosure.Theycannotleavethematterthus;theymustascertainwhoisintended;andtheydonotseektheculpritatadistance,butamongthemselves.

Observe here, that it is no infallible sign that we are not ourselves thesonsofperdition,becausepeople regardusas thechildrenofGod,andbecause our external deportment seems to justify their opinion. Foramong those who are respected, and reputed as blameless characters,amongchurchmenandthosewhoareapparentlydevout,no,evenamongthosewho frequent theLord'sTable,maybe foundsuchasare rushingonward to destruction. In congregationswhere theGospel is preached,Satanentrapsindividualsinthesnareofreligiousself-deception,aswellas in the pits of infidelity and ungodliness. Among those to whom thedreadfulwordswillbeaddressed, "Ineverknewyou,"nota fewwillbefound,who,withgoodreason,areabletosay,"Lord,havewenoteatenanddrunkinyourpresence?havewenotprophesiedinyourname?andinyournamedonemanywonderfulworks?"Thediscipleswereawareofthis;andhence,ontheLord'sinformingthem,thattherewasoneamongthem, who was accursed, they were by no means satisfied with beingmerely intheirMaster's immediatevicinity.Letus followtheirexample

in this respect, and not seek at a distance those who shall eventuallyperish. Let us commence the inquiry within our own walls, and notexclude ourselves from those whom we regard as being possibly thedeplorable people in question.On the contrary, let each, first, examinehimself.Itisnotonlythosewhoopenlyrevolt,andswearallegiancetotheenemies of God and his Anointed, who are hastening to perdition, buttherearealsoothers,withtheBibleintheirhands,andthenameofJesusontheirlips,whofinallyperish.

In order that their investigation may not prove fruitless, the disciplesresort to the light—the brightest and most penetrating in the world,—whichneverdeceivesnor shineswithadelusive radiance. It is toJesusthey refer—to him who tries the heart and the thoughts, and fathomseverydepth."Lord,"theyask,oneaftertheother,deeplyconcernedandgrieved,"IsitI?IsitI?"AndO,howaffectingisthistrait,howpleasingandworthyofimitation!

Daviddrewnear to this lightwhenheprayed, "Searchme,OGod, andknowmyheart; tryme,andknowmy thoughts,andsee if therebeanywickedway inme." Those who try themselves by any other light, onlydeceive themselves like thePharisees of old,who trusted in themselvesthattheywererighteous,anddespisedothers.O,youall-penetratinglightofGod,mayeachone turn toyou, thatyoumayaidhim indiscoveringthemanofsin,thesonofperdition!Howsoonwouldhethenbetracked,even into hismost secret recesses; and howmuch nearer would he befound to be, to the surprise of the seeker, than the latter could havebelieved!

Letusnowinquireintotheresultoftheinvestigation,andinsodoing,wearriveatthemostimportantandpleasingpartofthesubject.Thesonofperditionisdiscovered.EachofthembringshimboundtotheLord,anddelivershimuptohisjudgment."Eachofthem?"youaskwithsurprise.Yes:withoneexception,allof themhave foundthesinner in their ownpersons. Hear the anxious inquiry which they address to theirMaster,"Lord,isitI?"andobservethedowncastlookandtearfuleyewithwhichtheyaccompanyit.Whatdotheymeanbythis?Theyeachintendtosay—"Lord,I feelmyheartsocorruptthatIamcapableofcommittinganyevil, and when the wind of temptation blows in that direction, it were

evenpossibleformetobetrayyouasyouhavesaid;unguarded,andlefttomyself,Icannotdependuponmyselfinanyrespect.Alas,IfeelthatIamsoldundersin,andwithmybestresolutions,I findIamonly likeareed,shakenbythewind."

Such,wemaysuppose,werethefeelingsofthedisciples.Butwhiletheythusjudgeandcondemnthemselves,agraciouslookfromtheirbelovedMasterassuresthemoftheirmistake;andthisisimmediatelyconfirmedto them, stillmore intelligibly,byhisdeclaration that itwasnotoneoftheEleven,butthathewhodippedhishandwithhiminthedish,wasthemanthatshouldbetrayhim.

Letusnowattendtotheimportantlessontobederivedfromthisstrikingscene. Theywho really perish in theworld—the children of wrath—arethose who either do not acknowledge themselves to be sinners in thesightofGod,orwho,whenconsciousthattheyhavethesonofperditionwithinthem,neitherjudgethemselvesnordeliverhimovertotheLordtoexecutejudgmentuponhim,butonlyseekhowtheymayrescuehimanddisguise him, like Judas among the Twelve, with his hypocriticalimitation of innocence and sincerity, while exclaiming with the rest,"Master,isitI?"All those,however,whohavediscoveredinthemselvesthesinner,who iscapableofallevil,and inholy indignationbringhimbound before the Holy One of God, and honor the sentence ofcondemnationpronounceduponhimbytheSupremeJudgeas justandrighteous, and imploringly entreat that he may be destroyed by thelightning of the Holy Spirit, and a new man, a man of God, may beproduced within them in his stead—such characters we pronounceblessed;forfromthemomentofthisself-condemnation,theyaremarkedout as individuals against whom the judicial sentence of the supremetribunal is withdrawn, and who have no need to tremble at anyaccusationeitherofMosesorSatan"Ifwejudgeourselves,"saysthewordof God, "we shall not be judged;" and in another place, "Those whohumblethemselvesshallbeexalted."

Letus,then,listentotheexhortationoftheprophetJeremiah,and"letussearchandtryourways,andturnagaintotheLord:"Andmayhegrantthat"inhislightwemayseelight."

JudasIscariot

AboutthesametimethattheWordbecamefleshinBethlehem,andtheangelsofGodsangtheirseraphicanthemathisappearance,therewasjoyalso in the cottageofSimonofCarioth, in the tribe of Judah, for therelikewisehada son, thoughonlyamortal, seen the lightof thisworld. Iimagine that the heavenly guardians of the little ones also offered himtheirgreetingsofwelcome;andhisparents,thankfulandhopeful,calledtheboy"Judas,"thatthepraiseofGod,ortheConfessor;andthuswithsilentemotiondedicatedhimtotheAlmighty,whohadgraciouslygivenhimtothem.

Thelittleboywaswell-formed,andofpleasingappearance;foritwasnotyetwrittenonhisforeheadwhatheshouldeventuallybecome,andwhatshould befall him in the course of his earthly pilgrimage. Ah! we nowregardthatdomesticeventwithothereyes,and lookupontheunhappyparentswithpoignantgrief,forweknowthatpropheticpassages,suchasthe following had reference to him: "Yes,mine own familiar friend, inwhomItrusted,whichdideatofmybread,haslifteduphisheelagainstme."—Psalm41:9. "As he loved cursing, so let it comeunto him; as hedelightednot inblessing,solet itbefarfromhim."—Psalm109:17."Lethisdaysbefew,andletanothertakehisoffice."

We are without any tradition respecting Judas's earlier life; but wecertainly do not mistake if we take it for granted that his gradualdevelopmentwas such as to justify uncommonhopes.He soon showedhimself possessed of superior abilities, acute understanding, strongexcitability,andenergeticwill,andthereforeseemed,ashewasprobablysoonconsciousofhimself,tobecapableofdeedsofasuperiorkindthanthelimitedcurrentofquiet,civillife,affordsopportunityforperforming.Like the electric fluid which pervades the air, and according as theconditionsmeeteitherconcentratesitselftoadestructivethunderbolt,orthickens into sheet-lightning which purifies and refreshes theatmosphere.SuchwasthealternativewhichlayinthenatureofthemanofCarioth.Itwastobeforeseenthathewouldeventuallyrenderhimselfconspicuousonthestageofpubliclifeinsomewayorother.Accordingly,

aswith the abundance of his talents, he fell under heavenly or adverseinfluence, he would necessarily develop himself, either as a choseninstrumentofGodorasanapostleandstandard-bearerofSatan.Alas!hetooktheleft-handroad,andweexclaimrespectinghim,withdeeperandmore well-founded grief than Isaiah concerning the King of Babylon,"Howareyoufallenfromheaven,OLucifer,sonofthemorning!"

TheheathenworldisignorantofaJudas,andcouldnotproducesuchacharacter. Such a monster matures only in the radiant sphere ofChristianity.ItwasJudas'smisfortunethathewasbornunderthemostpropitiousstar.Heentered intotooclosecontactwiththeSaviornot tobecomeeitherentirelyhisorwhollySatan's.Therewasatimewhen,withreference to Judas, "the candle ofGod shoneuponhishead, andwhenthesecretofGodwasuponhistabernacle."Oncehewasnotwantinginsusceptibility for impressions of themost devotional kind, andhis soulwas capable of every noble elevation of feeling. The appearing of the"fairest of the children of men" in the glory of his marvelous deeds,attractedhim,thoughlessexcitedbyhiminhischaracterofSaviorandthefriendofsinners.HesworefealtytothebannerofJesuswithyouthfulenthusiasm,thoughwithanunbrokenwill; and theSearcherofHearts,perceiving the promising talents of the young man—who was reallyzealous for the cause of God in a certain degree—confidingly admittedhimintothecircleofhisnearestandmostintimatedisciples.ThisfavorwouldneverhavebeengrantedtoJudasifhehadattachedhimselftotheSavior simply from interestedmotives.At themomentwhenheofferedhisservicestothelatter,hewasnohypocrite,atleastnotconsciouslyso.And when he afterward prayed, studied the word of God, and evenpreacheditwiththeotherdisciples,itwasdoubtlessdoneforatimewithadegreeofinwardtruthfulness:itwasonlyinthesequelthatheresortedtointentionaldeceptionanddissimulation.

TheLordappointedhimtotheofficeofreceiverandalmonerinhislittlecircle;andassuredlydidsofornootherreasonthanthatheperceivedhewasthefittestforthatvocation.ManyhaveprofanelysupposedthattheLord committed the purse to him in order to tempt him; but such athought is wholly to be rejected. On the contrary, that circumstanceaffords us an additional confirmation of the fact that Judas, at the

commencement of his discipleship, possessed the full confidence of hisMaster,although it couldnothavebeenhidden fromthe latter that thedisciple was still deficient in a thorough knowledge of himself, andespeciallyincontritionofheart,towhichaparticipationinthesalvationofGodisinseparablyattached.

Amid the superabundance of pious sentiments, an evil root remainedwithin, whichwas the love of the world, and especially of its gold andemptyhonor.And, infact,Judasdeceivedhimselfwhenheascribedhisadmission among the disciples of Jesus to much deeper and holiermotives than the longing for the realization of those earthly andenchanting ideas which his lively imagination depicted to him asconnectedwiththatkingdomwhichtheLordhadappearedtoestablish.As, on attaching himself to the cause of the great Nazarene, he fullysupposed he was following the attraction of a higher and noblerexcitement; sohis fellow-disciplesbelieved itno lessofhim.The latentwound did not escape the Savior's eyes, but the mischief was notincurable,andChristhadappearedinorderthat,astheDivinePhysician,hemighthealthesick,andbindupthewounded.

ThecompassionateloveofJesusleftnomeansuntriedtoaccomplishthecure; but alas! the result did not correspond with his tender andunwearied solicitude. It only too soon appeared that the pleasingenthusiasm which had borne Judas on its wings so near the Prince ofPeace,was,initsinmostcenter,anythingbutpurefirefromheaven.Forthe more his delusive ideas concerning the real nature of Christ'skingdomwere dispelled by the Lord'smanner of life, as well as by hisexpressionsanddiscourses, the fainterburned the torchofhisspeciouszeal,andwhatremainedofitinhisheartwastheimpurefireofaselfish,earthlyexpectation anddesire. The observation that "every one has hisprice, at which he may be bought," seems almost too strong; but thewordsareactuallyapplicabletoeveryunregenerateman,howeverlongatimemayelapseuntiltheyarefulfilled.Odonotletusdeceiveourselves!eventhemostmagnanimouscharacters,aslongastheyarenotsanctifiedby Christ, are capable, according to circumstances, of acting not onlymeanly, but even basely and vulgarly. The natural man, in his mostintellectualform,doesnotlosehiscentaur-likenature;theconsequence

ofwhichis,thatafterhavingbeenengagedinpossiblythemostelevatedpursuits,heisfoundthenextmomentcreeping,liketheserpentinEden,uponhisbelly,andeatingofthedustoftheearth.

TheawfulperiodarrivedinwhichJudasactuallysucceededinmasteringthe serious reflections which arose in his still susceptible conscience,againsttheimpiousdesireofhisheartforaself-chosenindemnificationforthedisappointmenthehadexperienced.Probably,underthedeceitfulidea thatheonly intended toborrow,he laidhis thievishhand, for thefirst time, upon the charitable fund intrusted to him; and after he hadonce broken through the barriers of his moral consciousness, the nextand every subsequent embezzlement became easier and lessobjectionable. But the condemning voice of conscience was nowawakenedbythesightofhisSacredMaster.TheLightoftheWorldwastohimaburningfire;theSaviorofsinners,evenbyhismuteappearance,an inquisitor before whom he must either expose himself as a guiltycriminal, or envelop himself in the veil of hypocritical deceit; and hechosethelatter.

For a considerable time he thought himself safe in the disguise of hisconscioushypocrisy,until thesceneoccurredinthehouseofSimontheLeperatBethany.Mary'sdevotednesstotheSaviorinducedhertopourthe costly ointment upon him. Judas, destitute of feeling for thetendernessanddeepsignificancyof theact,endeavored todepreciate itbythesanctimonious,andyetcruderemark,thattheointmenthadbetterhave been sold, and the product given to the poor. But the Lord,immediately interfering for the aggrieved woman, praised her work as"good,"andasanactwhichshouldneverbeforgotten;atthesametimereprovingtheill-timedcensureoftheheartlesshypocritewiththeseriouswords,whichmusthavepenetratedintohis inmostsoul,"Thepooryouhavealwayswithyou,butmeyouhavenotalways."Fromthosewords,andstillmorefromthepainfullycompassionatelookwhichaccompaniedthem, the hypocritical disciple became fully aware that the Lord sawthroughhim,andknewofhiscrime.

ThiswasadecisivemomentforJudas—amomentinwhichblessingandcursing were once more offered to his choice, and one which mustnecessarily exercise a definite influence for good or evil on the further

developmentofhisinwardlife.TheerringdisciplemustnoweithercasthimselfdownatJesus'feet,withstreamsofpenitentialtears,andseek,bya frank confession of his lost condition, deliverance and mercy at thethroneofgraceorhismortifiedpridemustgainthevictory,andbyurginghim to the opposite course of a willful hardening, afford Satan theopportunity of imparting the infernal spark of secret bitterness againsthim.

Youknowwhichof thesetwocoursesJudastook.ImmediatelyafterhisMasterutteredthesewords,whichwereonlymildreproof,andintendedtoheal,JudashastenedawayfromthecompanyatBethany.HenowfelthimselfmoreathomeandmoreinhiselementamongtheadversariesofJesusthaninthesphereofhispreviousconfederates.Thebargainofthethirty pieces of silver was concluded—more from a secret thirst ofrevenge, than from avarice and the love of money. Judas met theremonstranceofhisconsciencewiththeexcusethatitwouldbeaneasythingforthewonder-workingRabbi,ifhechose,tosavehimselffromthehandsofhisenemies.However,heknewonlyhalfofwhathewasdoing.He had plunged himself into a vortex against which he was unable tostruggle.Henolongerguidedhimself;anotherdraggedhimawaybehindhim.Hehadreachedthehorriblestateofthosewhose"feetstumbleuponthedarkmountains."

ItmighthavebeensupposedthatJudaswouldhavebeennolongerabletobearthecompanyofJesus.Weneverthelesssoonseehimagaininhisold place among the Twelve. I knownotwhether thatwhich drewhimthere was the tormenting uneasiness he felt, and the inward curse, orwhetheritwastheapprehensionofdrawingdownsuspicionuponhimifhewere absent; or perhaps he even calculated on the possibility of theSavior's establishing a kingdom, according to his views of it, and wasdesirousofreservingtheparthehadtoplayinsuchacase.Probablyallthesemotivesco-operatedtoinducehimtopresenthimselfamongthem.Suffice it to say that we meet the son of perdition in the last socialeveningcircleatJerusalem;andweseetheLordagaintryingeverythingtosave the soul thus sickuntodeath.Fromadelicatewish to sparehisfeelings,hedoesnotrequirehimtogiveupthecustodyofthemoney,butleaveshimstillintheofficeassignedhim.

Itwasnecessary,however, thattheLordshouldgivehimtounderstandthedangerinwhichheknewthepoorman'ssoultobeplaced;andhence,while sitting at table, the Savior begins, with deep emotion andaffectionategrief,tosaytohisdisciples,"Verily,verilyIsayuntoyou,thatone of you shall betray me!" The eleven are struck with inexpressibleamazement.Theylookateachotherwithalarmandgrief,andbreakoutinturnintotheanxiousinquiry,"Lord,isitI?"Thesonofperditiondoesnot discover himself. Ah, only a fewminutes now remain of his day ofgrace!Avoicefromwithin,asthoughitwerehisgoodangel,saystohim,"Revealyourself,Judas; throwdownthemask,andescape frometernalperdition before the door of mercy is closed." But Judas resists, andenvelopshimselfstillmoredeeply inhisdisguise; foranothervoicestillmore powerfully pervades his soul, and drowns every better feelingwithin him. The Lord then defines hismeaningmore particularly, andsays,"OneoftheTwelvethatdipshishandwithmeinthedish,thesameshallbetrayme,"andthensolemnlypronouncestheWoeuponthemanwhoshouldcommitthisheinouscrime,andrevealstohimhisfate.

The hearts of the Eleven tremble. Simon Peter beckons to the disciplewholeanedonJesus'bosomtoinquirewhoitisofwhomtheirMasterisspeaking.Johnthenventures, thoughtimidly, toask, "Lord,who is it?"The latter now tears away the last shred of themask from the traitor'sface,andsays,"HeitistowhomIshallgiveasop,whenIhavedippedit.Andwhenhehaddippedthesop,hegaveittoJudasIscariot,thesonofSimon." The disciples shudder, and Judas stands, pale as a corpse,trembling, his eyes wandering, and completely unmanned. "O Judas,thereisstilltime!Thesoundsthathavehithertosmoteyourearwereallintendedtocallyoutorepentance.Bethinkyou;castawayyourdisguise;confess, and cry for mercy!" "But shall I confess?"—thinks Judas tohimself."ShallIgivehonortohimwhohassomercilesslyexposedme?—condemnmyself,inthepresenceofmycomrades,toeternaldisgrace,andshowmyselfbeforealltheworldasamiserablecoward?No,I'llbeaman,andactaccordingly."

Such was probably the language of his soul, and with a mixture ofhorribleboldnessandprofoundperturbation,whileswallowing thesop,inhypocritical indifference,notwithstanding theunmistakablewordsof

theMaster,hestill ventures to stammerout thequestion, "Master, is itI?" The Lord now giving up the son of perdition, with infinite grief ofheartreplies,"Yousayit."Thatmoment,theevilwillofJudasovercamethe last andmost powerful attractionofmercy, and the sin against theHolySpiritwasperpetrated.Thedayofsalvationclosed;thehourofthevisitation of divine mercy expired; the angels of peace sorrowfullyremoved from his side, and Satan triumphantly entered into him. Thesayingof theSavior"Oneofyou isadevil,"wasnowverified.Themostterrible specimen of humanity which had hitherto trod the earth, nowappeareduponthestage.

Then said Jesus unto him in conclusion, "That you do, do quickly!"therebygivinghimtounderstandthathewasfullyawareofhisintention.HeintimatedtohimatthesametimethathehenceforthregardedhimastheinstrumentbywhichhisheavenlyFatherwoulddeliverhimuptothesufferingstowhichhewasonthepointofsubmittingfromvoluntarylovetosinners.TheElevenknewnothowtoexplainthewords,"Thatyoudo,doquickly."Someofthemthought,intheirsimplicity,thatbecauseJudascarriedthebag,theLordhadsaidtohim,"Buythosethingswehaveneedofagainstthefeast:"whileothersimaginedtheirMasterhadgivenJudasahinttodistributesomethingtothepoor—sofarweretheyfromhavinganyideaof the crimewhichoneof theirnumberwasabout to commit.The latter, however, understood the Lord Jesus better. But let us notoverlook the circumstance, that Jesus while saying, "That you do, doquickly!" dismissed the traitor from the circle of his confidentialfollowers, and from the chamber in which they were assembled. Andprobablythoseexpositorswereintherightwho,onthetestimonyofthebeloved disciple, consider that Judas was no longer present when theSacramentwasinstituted.

Scarcely had the son of perdition left the room, on the hint he hadreceived, and theLord Jesus sawhimself alonewithhis eleven faithfuldisciples,whentheburdenwasremoved fromhisheart. Itseemedas ifthe whole atmosphere had suddenly changed, and been purified fromsomenoxiousandoppressiveelement.TheSaviorbreathesmore freely,andthenbeginswithsublimeelevationofsoultosay,"NowistheSonofManglorified,andGodisglorifiedinhim.IfGodbeglorifiedinhim,God

shallalsoglorifyhiminhimself,andshallimmediatelyglorifyhim."

Judaswentout.Withawfulsignificance--thenarrativeadds,"Anditwasnight."Yes,nightexternallyandinternally.Weseethedeplorablebeingnow entirely sold under the influence of the powers of darkness, andfittedforcommittingthemosthorriblecrimes.Forwhatishisobject?Itisas ifaspiritofdarkness, inhatredofthelight,shouldprepare, inhiswrath, to extinguish the sun which reveals his deformity. As if someinsaneTitanshouldundertaketocastdown,intheHolyOneofIsrael,thethroneofthemoralgovernmentoftheworld,inorderthathenceforthsinmighthavenomorecausetotremble.Andasifone,whoiswoundedbythe arrows of conscience should endeavor to choke and expel from theworld its personified light, which wasmanifested in Christ, and whichfirst impressed the divine seal upon the sentence of individualconscience. Such are the heinous acts for which Judas is preparinghimself, althoughconfusedly andhalf unconscious ofwhat he is doing.Thegloomypowertowhichhehassubmittedhimself,hurrieshimawayinitswhirl,andheisnolongerabletodirecthisstepsashepleases.

OJudas,Judas!happywouldithavebeenwereyoutheonlyoneofyourkind!Butthenameofyourbrethren,eveninthepresentday,is"Legion."Theywerenot, indeed, at any timeyour like-mindedapostles;but, likeyou,theyonceinhaledthepureairoftheGospel,andwereshoneupon,likeyou,bytheraysoftheeternalMorning-Star.Theywerebaptizedlikeyou;theygrewup,nourishedbytheviewsofdivinetruth;andonthedayof their confirmationdevoted themselves,moreor less sincerely, in themostsolemnmanner, to theLordandhiscause.Butunfaithful totheirsacredvows,theyrevoltedwiththeinmosttendencyoftheirheartstothegodofthisworld;andinsteadofthekingdomofdivinelightandpeace,the idea of another presented itself to their minds, in which the fleshshouldhaveitsunrestrainedandcompletegratification.Thisobjecttheypursued, but the Holy One upon the throne of David, in the power ofreligion, interposed in the way to its attainment. He requires thecrucifixion of the flesh with its affections and lusts; unconditionalsubmission to the divine commands, and unceasing endeavors aftergodliness.Heprotectsproperty,sanctifiesthemarriagestate,introducesorder into families, condemns revolt, perjury, deceit, uncleanness,

intemperance, and every offense against the moral government of theworld,asthesupporterandadvocateofwhichheappears.Andtheywhowouldgladlyelevatetheirluststobetheworld'slaw,feel,moreorless,intheir consciences, the weight of his requirements as the sting of theircondemnation;andwithoutconfessingit,areinwardlyconstrained,evenagainst themselves, to justify the warnings and teachings of Christ'sreligion, as absolute and irrefutable truth. But this fills them withbitterness,andenkindlesinthemtheinternalsparkofenmityagainsttheGospel,andagainsttheLordasitsauthor.ThustheybecomeenemiesofGod,andjoininSatan'scolossalattemptstowaragainstthepowerandmajestyofGodintheChristianreligion,andtoburythewholeworldofreligious and moral sentiments in the gigantic grave of an atheisticmaterialism,whichdenies the existence of a future state. They preparefor Jesus the cross of an enthusiast; for hisGospel, the sarcophagus ofwhattheyprofanelycallantiquatedideas;forhiswholeChurch,thestairsofPilate,onwhich,intheirview,itdescendsfromthesceneofrealityintoakingdomofshadows;andthusrenewthetreacheryofJudastohisLordfor the wretched reward of an expected state of things, in which, in ashort time, every consciousness of a superior fate for mankind wouldperishbythepoisonousnutrimentofabaseandtransitorylust.

Onlyopenyourears,andyouwillhear fromthecampof theworld theinfernal war-cry, "Away with Jesus and the doctrine of his cross!"Phenomena,suchasthosewhichmeetusinthepresentday,wereneverbeforeseenintheworldinsuchanti-christianatrocityandmassiveness.The traitor, Judas, is againvisibleon the stage, fullofdeadlyhatred toGod,inathousandcolossalantitypes:andifthereisonedoctrineoftheHolyScriptureswhichfindsinthepresentdayitstangibleconfirmation,it is that of the existence of a Ruler of Darkness, and of a kingdom ofinfernal powers. It is now that the prophetic expression in theRevelations is fulfilled, "Thedevil is comedownuntoyou,havinggreatwrath,becauseheknowsthathehasbutashorttime."Thepentecostofhellisbeingaccomplished,anditpoursoutitsspiritovermankindlikeashowerof fire andbrimstone, and its shield-bearers andapostles shootupfromtheearth,likethefungus,inanight.

Leteveryonebewareofbeingbaptizedwithsuchabaptism!Hewhodoes

notdecidefortheLordtoday,maytomorrowbefoundopposedtohim,andcarryingthebannerofSatan.Neutralityisaforlornposition.Hewhoenters but half-way into the prevailing tendency of the present day,finisheshiscoursebeforeheisawareandinspiteofhisbestresolutions,in the hatred of Judas, that is in the snare of the devil. And he whoreachesthespiritofthetimesonlythetipofhisfinger,mayrestassuredthatsoonhiswholehandwillbetaken.

Let us therefore hasten to the Lord Jesus, and devote ourselves, withbodyandsoul,untohimasanentireoffering,whichisbutourreasonableservice.Recoursetohiswoundsisstillopentoday,butmayperhapsnotbesoto-morrow.Riseup,therefore,andsecureyoursouls;andpraythatyoumay be preserved from the snares of Satan, and from the hour oftemptationwhichshallcomeuponalltheinhabitantsoftheearth.

TheWoeDenounced

WereanyonetoaskmewhatpassageinthewholeBibleIregardedasthemost awful and appalling, I should not require to reflect long beforegivinghimananswer.IshouldneitherrefertothewordsinDeut.27:26,"Cursedbeeveryonethatcontinuesnotinallthewordsofthislawtodothem;"nortotheassertioninJohn,3:36,"HewhobelievesnottheSonofGodshallnotseelife,butthewrathofGodabidesonhim."NorshouldIcall tomind the overwhelmingwords of theApostle Paul toBar Jesus,Acts,13:10,"Ofullofallsubtletyandallmischief,youchildofthedevil!"nor the denunciations of our Lord himself against the Scribes andPharisee, Matt 23. On the contrary, I would refer the inquirer to thedreadful woe pronounced upon Judas, and feel assured that he wouldconfessthatnothingmoreappallingandawfulcanbefoundinthesacredvolume, than is contained in the woe which Jesus uttered upon hisbetrayer. Many a one who has passed unscathed by Sinai, has beencompelledbyittocryformercywithabrokenheart.

Listen:"WoeuntothatmanbywhomtheSonofManisbetrayed;ithadbeen good for that man that he had never been born!"Who is it thatuttersthesedreadfulwords?Considerthisontheoutset,andthewords

willthenbegintounfoldtheirhorrors.Othatanotherhadutteredthem,andnotHefromwhoselipstheyemanated!Othattheyhadcomeforthfromthemouthofonelikeourselves,amortal,ahumanprophet,apoorsinner! Room would then have been afforded for a variety ofconsiderations, which might, in some measure, alleviate the dreadfulsentence,andwemightthinkourselvesjustifiedindeductingsomethingfromitshorribleimport,andplaceittotheaccountoftheirascibilityofthe speaker, or ascribe it to a well-meant intention, by the appallingawfulnessofhiswords,todeterthesinner,ifpossible,fromhisimpiouspurpose.ButitisJesusfromwhoselipsthedenunciationproceeds;itisthe King of Truth, the Friend of Sinners, who utters it; and it isimpossibletostatewhatanenormousweightanddreadfulemphasisthiscircumstancealoneattaches to thewords. For in themwehearnot thevoiceofpassion,butthevoiceofhimwhocouldjustlysayofhimself,"Iammeekandlowlyofheart."Itis,therefore,notblindfury,unconsciousof what it utters, that raves and rages here, but it is the consideratetestimonyofOnewhoseownheartbleedsatbeingobligedtopronouncesuchasentenceonthemanwhohadbeenhisconfidant.

The speaker, in this instance, is one who is not accustomed to deal inexaggerations; but he who thus pronounces sentence, calls himself the"Truth,"and isunequaled formodestyof expressionandcorrectness oflanguage. It is no short-sighted person, nor one subject to error likeourselves,whouttersthesewords;buttheyproceedfromthelipsofhimwhoisinfallible,ofwhomitiswritten,thatheneedednotthatanyshouldtestifyofman,forheknewwhatwasinman.Yes,thedreadfulanathemaisutteredbyOne,thesphereofwhosevisiontakesintimeandeternity,whosespiritualeyepiercesthroughthegloomoftherealmsofdarkness,andbeforewhom,asthefutureJudgeofthelivingandthedead,thelifeandfateofeveryindividual,evenbeyonddeathandthegrave, liesopenandexposed.SuchishewhotestifiesconcerningJudasIscariot,"Ithadbeengoodforthatmanifhehadnotbeenborn."Thismusttherefore,bethe case, and that dreadful sentence cannot contain one syllable morethanisnecessary.Ohorrorofhorrorswithoutaparallel!Whodoesnottremblehereasifhellwereopenbeforehim?

Butitmaybeasked,"Whywasheborn,ifithadbeenbetterthathehad

neverbeenborn?"Ceasesuchinquiries,lesttheyshouldonlyincreasetheawfulimportofthewords.ListentowhattheLordsays,"TheSonofMangoes as it is written of him (he fulfills his destiny according to hisheavenlyFather'scounselandwill);butwoeuntothatmanbywhomtheSonofManisbetrayed!"

ObservetheLord'sobjectinthesewords.Heevidentlydesignstoletthewholeonusof thebetrayal restwhollyuponJudas,asbeing voluntarilycommitted by him, and to justify the Almighty, on the contrary, asaltogetherguiltlessoftheact,andasinnorespectoperatingtoproduceit.Youmay,however,object,andsay,"Certainly,wearefarfromwishingto deny that grace and strength did not stand at the command of thedegeneratediscipletowithstandSatan,andtoenablehimtoreturntotheLord; but the omniscient God foresaw that he would not resist thetemptation, but would fall into the snare of the devil, and eternallyperish."Ireply, thathedoubtless foresawthis,andevenpredicted itbyhisprophets."But,"sayyou,"sincetheLordknewthatitwouldhavebeengood for thatmanhadheneverbeenborn,whydidhenotpreventhisbirth?Whydidhenothinderthemarriageofhisparents?WhydidhenotsmitethemotherofJudaswithbarrenness,asheformerlysmoteMichal?Orwhydidhenottakethebabetohimselfwhileinthecradle?Whydidhegivehimtimeandspacetoripenforsuchastateofreprobation?WhydidGoddothis,sinceheisAlmighty,andloveitself?"

Restrainsuchinquiries,myreaders.Besatisfiedtoremaininignorance.Nohumanspirit fathoms thedepthsofGod'sgovernmentof theworld.Tousitisasealedmysteryhowtheall-lovingGodcansuffermentobeborn whose course of life he sees, by virtue of his omniscience, willterminateintheabyssofeternalperdition.Wecanonlyinferfromhencethat the unsearchableGodmust love in a differentmanner to usmen,who have no idea of a love which goes hand in hand with justice.Consider, besides, what would become of liberty, if God were, in acompulsory manner, to hinder any one from destroying himself andperishing?Whatwouldbecomeofthesplendorofhisthrone,if,inordertoavoidpunishing,heputaside theobjectsofhisretributive justice,orforciblyrestrainedtheirfreeandactivedevelopment?Finally,wehavenoneedtobeanxioushowtheEternalGodwilleventuallyaccountforevery

singleactofhisuniversalgovernment,butmayrestassuredthatonthegreatdayof revelation,whiledevelopinghis guidance andhisways, hewill constrain all that have breath to join in the words ofMoses, "TheLordisarock;hisworkisperfect;forallhiswaysarejudgment;aGodoftruthandwithoutiniquity;justandrightishe."

Letusnowconsider,alittlemoreclosely,thewoedenouncedbyourLordupon his betrayer, and let it unfold its horrors to our view. The Lordcommences his sentence with a "Woe!" andwhen Christ pronounces awoe! no one in heaven or in earth can any longer say, "Peace be withyou!"orblesswithanyeffect."Itwouldhavebeengoodforthatman"—anuncommonmodeofexpressioninthemouthoftheGoodShepherd.Hedoes not otherwise call poor sinners thus. That appellation has in itsomethingofarepudiatingnature,andasoundofseparationpervadesit.JudasnolongerconcernstheSavior.Jesusdismisseshimfromthecircleofhisdisciples,andregardshimhenceforwardasastranger.Howawfulis this,andhowoverwhelming!Whatwillbecomeof theunhappyman,nowthattheonlyonewhocouldhavesavedhim,letshimgo?Godgrantthat thePrince of Peacemay call us by another name than the strangeandicyappellation,"Thatman!"Icannotimagineanythingmorehorriblethan to be compelled to hear him say, "I know you not: I know notwhenceyouare;Ineverknewyou,Departfromme!"

"Ithadbeengoodforthatmanhadheneverbeenborn."TheLordcouldnot have expressed himself in amore appallingmanner respecting thedesperate conditionof the traitor, thanhedoes in thesewords.Ameredenunciation ofwoewould still have left us some hope for the deeply-fallenbeing;or,atleast,wouldnothaveexcitedinussuchdreadfulideasof themiserytowhichhewashasteningas thisdeclarationforcesuponus, by which the last prospect of a possible rescue of the disciple isannihilated. O the heart-rending view, which this assertion affords usintothedepthsofperdition!Howhorriblemustthefateofthereprobatebe,whentheLordhimselfaffirmsthatJudashadcausetocursethedayofhisbirth!Oifthefateoftherejectedwereonlypartiallytolerable,theKing ofTruthwouldnever have spoken thus.Butwhile givingusmostplainlytounderstandthatnothingbettercouldbedesiredforthesonofperditionthanareturntononentity,hetherebygivesusanideaofhell,

which ought tomake all our hopes to quake.And canwe suppose thattherereallyexistsawayofescapefromsuchastateofcondemnation,andthattheangelofhopestilllingersinitshorridabyss,orthatrepentanceisstillpreachedandmercyoffered to the finally impenitent? If suchwerethe case, would our Lord have made use of language such as he hereemployed concerning Judas? No, never! We should then have heardmilderwordsfromhislips.Thenindeed,itwouldhavebeenbettertobeborn,thannevertohavebeen.InthiscaseamanwouldstillhavereasontoblessGodforthehourofhisbirth,andnonetoexecrateandcurseit.ButJesushimselfassertsthatitwouldhavebeengoodforJudashadheneverbeenborn;andwe,therefore,knowenoughtobanishthelasthopeof his recovery. It is dreadful to see ourselves compelled to thisalternative; but according to our Lord's words, it is unavoidable. Theeternity of hell-torments, therefore, is established. The worm dies not,neitheristhefirequenchedinthosehauntsofwoe.

Now, letmyreaders judgewhetheramoreawful inscriptioncouldhavebeen written on the tombstone of Judas than that we have justcontemplated.Henowprovesitstruth.Theflamesofeternaldespairnowblazearoundhim,andifheisnowcryingout,asJoboncedid,"LetthedayperishwhereinIwasborn,andthenightinwhichitwassaid,thereisaman-child born," he only puts the seal upon hisMaster's words anddenunciation,"Ithadbeengoodforthatmanhadheneverbeenborn."

Afterhavingconsideredthedreadfulimportoftheseawfulwords,letusnowinquirerespectingtheirapplicationandlimitation.Welamentovertheunhappydisciple;butletusbewarelestthedenunciationpronouncedagainst him, be uttered respecting us; seeing that it is possible for thesamereasons,aswithJudas, that itweregoodforsomehadtheyneverbeenborn.Itis,ofcourse,notinmypowertopointoutwithcertaintytheindividual towhomtheseappallingwordsareapplicable;but Imaysaythathewhofindswithinhimcertaincharacteristics,hasreasontofearforhis soul. For he who shares them with Judas, shares also in hiscondemnation.Youanxiouslyinquire,"Whatarethosecharacteristics?"Iwill therefore cursorily bring them before you, that you may examineyourselvesbythem.

Letme, firstofall,pointout toyou, thatadegreeofoutwardpropriety

affords no reason for the tranquilizing idea that you do not belong tothosewhohadbetterneverbeenborn.Forobserve,thatJudashadalsooutwardlyforsakentheworld,andhadbeennourishedupwiththemilkof the Divine Word; had lived, subsequently, continually among thechildren of God, been innocently regarded by them as a brother, hadprayedand fastedwith them,belonged to the immediate retinueof thePrince of Peace, had been his disciple and confidant, had assisted inpreachinghisGospel,hadsuffered reproach forChrist's sake,had—likethe rest—wrought miracles in the name of Jesus; and yet,notwithstandingallthis,"Ithadbeengoodforhimifhehadneverbeenborn." O take this to heart, my dear readers, and beware of regardingyourrespectability,yourdevotions,yourreligiousknowledge,yourgoodname amongbelievers, and the like, as a securedefense, behindwhichyouaresafefromtheflamesofhell!

Butnowturnyoureyesinward,andgiveanaccountofyourselves,tome,or rather toHim, inwhosename I address you.There are those in theworld who envelop themselves in themantle of religion, in order, likeJudas,toconcealadevilbeneathit.Securedfromthejudicialeyeof theworld,theywouldgladlyservethedemonsoflust,avarice,orpride;andonthisveryaccounttheyputonthemaskofreligion.Inowask,areyouoneofthisdescriptionofpeople?

There are those also, who, though often aroused and awakened, stillrefusetogivethemselvestoChrist,becausetheyareheldinbondagebysome secret sin, which they have not the courage to condemn andrenounce.Hence,theyindulgeinitwithagloomycomposure,theresultof habit; and in time, their guilt increases to such a degree that theywouldconsenttoanythingratherthanitshouldbebroughttolight.Arethereanyofthisclassamongmyreaders?

Again, there are people who, minutely examined, have only one care,whichis,lesttheyshouldbeseenbehindthemask,andlestitshouldbediscoveredthattheyhaveneverbeenconverted,althoughtheyhavebeenforyearsregardedasbeingso.Hypocrisyhasbecomeinstinctivewithinthem, and without being aware of it, they are always occupied indisguising their words, looks, gestures, and actions, in such a mannerthat their true character and sentimentsmaynot be discovered. Is this

thecasewithanyofyou?

There are likewise individuals, who have so often succeeded inwithstanding, by dint of defiance or intentional dissipation and self-persuasion, the thunders of truth directed against their carnal security,that they have at length attained a facility in weakening the attractiveinfluences of the grace and Spirit of God, and are become, as it were,bomb-proofagainstthemostappallinghorrorsoftheeternalworld,andequallyunsusceptibleofthesweetestallurementsofDivineLove.Areanyofmyreadersthushardened?

Further,therearethosewho,atthecostofalittleoftheirmammon,aidinbuildingthearkofthekingdomofGod,yetaredispleasedonhearingthat this kingdom flourishes and progresses.Had they been present atMary's evidence of tender and sacred affection in anointing the Savior,theywouldalsohavebeenreadytosaywithJudas,"Whythiswaste?Themoney had been better spent for worthier purposes." No, such peopleeven experience a malicious pleasure; if; for instance, the Missionarycause, to which, for the sake of appearances, they may possibly havecontributed,seemstoretrograde,andwhen,generallyspeaking,thezealforthecauseofGodappearstoabate.Iask,Arethereanyofmyreaderswhoarethesubjectsofsuchfeelings?

Finally,thereareindividuals,whoaresofarovercomebythetruthoftheGospel,astofeelcompelledtobearwitnesstoitintheirconsciences,butdosoreluctantly,andagainsttheirwill.Hence,asoftenastheyhearorread anything that encourages the idea in them that they can obtainadmittanceintoheavenwithoutChrist, fromwhosemethodofsalvationtheywouldgladlyescape,theyfeelinwardlycomfortable.Aretheresuchamong you? Examine your inmost motives, and know, that whoeverbelongs tooneor theotherof theseclasses, Idonot indeedsayofhimthatitwouldhavebeengoodforhimhadheneverbeenborn;butIdosaythatthereisthepossibilityofthisbeingthecase.SuchaonehasreasontofearthattheawfulinscriptiononthetombstoneofJudasmayatlengthbetransferredtohis.

Omy friends, when I think that perhaps it would have been good hadyourcradlebeenyourcoffin;thatthenursewholaidyouinyourmother's

arms, was perhaps depositing there an infernal firebrand; that yourparents had greater reason for greeting the hour of your birth withweepingthanwithrejoicing;thatthesacredwaterofbaptismwaswasteduponyou, andwas sprinkled, as itwere, inderisionover you; and thatwhileinjoyfulhope,yourfirstfestivalwascelebrated,yournamesinsteadof being recorded in theBook of Life,were inserted in that ofDeath—whenIimagineallthistomyself,thebloodinmyveinsisreadytofreezewithhorror.Idonot indeedsaythatsuchwillactuallybethecasewithanyofmyreaders;butthatitispossibleithadbeengoodifyouhadneverbeen born. And does not your having cause for the belief in such apossibilityhurlyou,aswithathunderbolttotheground?

Yes,youtremble;youarehorrified.Atleastletmetakeitforgrantedthatyou are so. For if it were otherwise, and you could yawn amid suchstartling truths,or even laughat them inSatanicdefiance; really, therewouldnotrequiremuchmoretoauthorizemetotellyou,inthenameofGod,that"ithadbeengoodforsuchaonethathehadneverbeenborn."But God forbid that I should exceed the limits of my duty! I am notempowered to trouble the seed of Abraham, or to speak anything butcomfortably to Jerusalem, however deeply degraded I know there arethosetowhomthesentenceuponJudasdoesnotrefer,althoughtheyfearlest it should apply to them. Letme characterize, in a few brief traits,these individuals, that no onemay despair who is justified in praisingGodforhismercy.

Imakeno referencehere to thosewhocanexultingly say,withPaul, "Iknow in whom I have believed;" for, being firmly rooted in the life ofgrace,and"sealedbythespiritofpromise,"theywouldonlysmilewereItoendeavortoprovetothemthatthesentenceinquestiondidnotapplytothem.ThatwhichImightsaytothemhas,longbefore,beentestifiedby another. But I address myself to you, you troubled ones, who aretossed to and froon the seaofdoubts, andwhoare still inuncertaintywhetheryoumayblessthedayofyourbirth,orhavereasontocurseit.

Be patient, my friends! I understand the cause of your unhappiness.Neither the fact of your feeling yourselves destitute of faith, love, andstrengthtoleadaholylife,northatyoudailystumbleandfeeldefective,decidesanything.Thisstateispainfultoyou;butisitnottherealcause

ofyourgriefandyourgreatest sorrow, that it is thuswithyou?Doyoudesire anything so much as to be able to say with the bride in theCanticles, "Mybeloved ismine,and Iamhis?"And if asa conditionofthishappiness,youwerecompelledtobearthecross,initsmostpainfulform, after the Lord Jesus, and openly to confess your guilt before thewholeworld,wouldyounot resolve todosowithouthesitation?Wouldyounotsacrifice thatwhich is thedearest toyou, inorder tobeable toassure yourselves that you belong to Christ, and could rejoice in hismercy?Ifyoureplyintheaffirmativetotheseinquiries,Iwilldeclaretoyou, in the name of himwho "hears the cry of the needy, andwill notdespise their prayer," that the woe pronounced upon Judas has noreferencetoyou,andthatthegladtidingsthatyoumayblessthehourinwhichyoufirstsawthelightofthisworld,areforyou.

Oitisgoodthatyouhavebeenborn!Youaresetapartforgreatthings.You are destined to serve the Lord God as vessels of his mercy. Heintends to adorn his temple with you as the mirrors of his glory. Hedesirestoexhibityouinthesightofheaven,earth,andhell,asproofsofwhatthebloodofthecrossisabletoaccomplish.HehasselectedyoutojointhechoirofthosewhochantthemightyHallelujahtohimselfandtheLamb.Whenyouwereborn,kindangelsstoodaroundyourcradle.Overyourheadasublimevoicewhispered,"Ihavelovedyoufromeverlasting!"Yourparentspressedinyouanheirofheaventotheirbosoms.Adivinelegacy fell into your lap when the water of baptism bedewed yourforeheads.Youenteredupon this valleyof tearsonly topass through itwithrapidsteps,and then to findyourabidinghome in"theJerusalemthat isabove."TheKingofkingswroteyournames inhisBookofLife.TheRighteousnessofhisSonwasthefirstrobehethrewaroundyou;andthe last with which he will adorn you, will be the radiant garment ofheavenly glorification. It is well for you, therefore, that you have beenborn.Itwouldhavebeengrievousifyouhadbeenwantingintherankofbeings;foronevoicelesswouldthenhaveresoundedinthevast jubileechorusatthethroneofGod,andonepearllesswouldhaveglitteredinthediademof the heavenlyPrince of Peace. Therefore, thrice hail that youexist!Inspiteofallthewretchednessyoumaybeexperiencing,youhaveinfinitereasontoblesstheLord.Weheartilyrejoiceatjoiningwithyouinpraisinghim.

But you,whopasswith indifferenceby the cross of Immanuel, or evenresisttheHolySpirit,whoreprovesyouofsin,andisdesirousofdirectingyoutoJesus,whatshallIsaytoyou?Icanonlyaddressyouinthewordsofawell-knownhymn:

"Sinner,Owhysothoughtlessgrown—Whyinsuchdreadfulhastetodie?Daringtoleaptoworldsunknown,HeedlessagainstyourGodtofly.

"Willyoudespiseeternalfate,Urgedonbysin'sfantasticdreams,Madlyattemptth'infernalgate,Andforceyourpassagetotheflames?

"Stay,sinner,ontheGospelplains!BeholdtheGodofloveunfoldThewondersofhisdyingpains,Forevertelling,yetuntold!"

TheWalktoGethsemane

Wereturntoournarrativeatasolemnmoment.TheLordJesushasjustinstituted the sacred ordinance of his love—the Lord's Supper—and,accordingtocustomatthefeastofthePassover,hecommenceswithhisdisciples,inthesilenceofthenight,the"Hallel,"orgreatsongofpraise,whichconsistedofPsalms115to118.ItisthefirsttimethatwefindourSavior singing; for the original Greek word admits of no otherinterpretation.TheLord,thereby,foreverconsecratesvocalmusicinhisChurch. Singing—this language of the feelings, this exhalation of anexalted state of mind, this pinion of an enraptured soul—is heaven'svaluable gift to earth. Adopted into the service of the sanctuary, howbeneficialandblissfulisitstendency!Whohasnotexperienceditspowertoraiseushighabovethefoggyatmosphereofdailylife;totransportussowondrously,evenintotheprecinctsofheaven;toexpandandmelttheheart; tobanish sorrow, andburst the bonds of care?And it can effect

greaterthingsthanthese,whentheSpiritfromabovemingleshisbreathwith it. A thousand times has it restored peace in the midst of strife,banishedSatan,andannihilatedhisprojects.Likeagenialgaleofspring,ithasblownacrossthestiffandfrozenplain,andhascausedstonyheartstomeltlikewax,andrenderedthemarable,andcapableofreceivingtheseedofeternity.

We find the Lord of glory singing with his followers. O, if David, whowrotethosepsalms,couldhavesupposedthattheywouldexperiencethehigh honor of being sung by the gracious lips of him who was thesupremeobjectofhissongsandthesolehopeofhislife,hewouldhavelet thependrop in joyful astonishment fromhishand.Butwhat a sealdoes the Lord impress upon those psalms, as the real effusions of theHolySpirit,byapplyingthemtohimself,whilethussingingtheminthemost solemn hour of his earthly course! Would he have sung them,especially at thatmoment, if theyhadnot contained thepurewords ofGod?TheLord'ssingingthem,therefore,isapowerfulproofofthedivineinspiration of the Holy Scriptures. In fact, we are only treading in hisfootsteps whenwe resign ourselves unhesitatingly to this sacred word.And ought not this consciousness greatly to encourage us, and tooverthrow every fresh doubt that may arise? What happiness to havebeenpermittedto listentothatpeacefulnocturnalchant!Doubtlesstheholyangelslaylistening,withsilentattention,inthewindowsofheavenwhile the human soul heard, in those sounds, the cradle—andinauguration—hymnofitseternalredemption.

MillionsinIsraelhadalreadysungthegreat"Hallel"afterthefeastofthepassover, during the thousand years which had elapsed since David—many,suchastheprophets,andthemoreenlightenedamongthepeople,assuredly with profound emotion and zealous fervor. But with feelingssuchasthosewithwhichtheLordJesussangit,noonehadeverjoinedinit;forthefourpsalmstreatedofhimself,thetruepaschallamb,andofhispriesthood and mediatorship. His sufferings, conflicts, and triumphs,first gave to thosepsalms their full reality.The 115thPsalmpraisestheblessingsofdivinegrace,forwhichachanneltooursinfulworldwastobeopenedby theMessiah'smediation. InPsalm 116 theSaviorhimselfliftstheveilfromoffthehorribleabyssofsufferingtowhichhewastobe

deliveredupforsinners:"TheSorrowsofdeathcompassedme,andthepains of hell got hold upon me," is its language. But the psalm alsopraises the glorious deliverance which he should experience afterenduring thoseagonies—"Youhavedeliveredmysoul fromdeath,mineeyes fromtears,andmyfeet fromfalling.IwillwalkbeforetheLordinthelandoftheliving."The117thPsalmcallsuponthenationstoglorifytherichesofdivinegracewithhallelujahs,whichtheyweretoderivefromtheatonementof theDivineHighPriest.The 118thPsalmconcentrateswhat had been previously testified—first, as regards the cross: "Theycompassedmeaboutlikebees;theyarequenchedasafireamongthorns.You have thrust sore at me that I might fall." Then the Redeemer'sconfidence:"TheLordismystrengthandmysong.—TheLordisonmyside, therefore will I not fear. I shall not die but live, and declare theworksoftheLord."Thenthedeliverance:"Iwillpraiseyou,foryouhaveheardme, and are become my salvation." Then the redemption whichresulted from the offering up of himself: "The voice of rejoicing andsalvationisinthetabernaclesoftherighteous.TherighthandoftheLordisexalted:therighthandoftheLorddoesvaliantly.Opentomethegatesofrighteousness;IwillgointothemandpraisetheLord.ThisgateoftheLord (that is freeofaccess), intowhich the righteous shall enter."And,finally,thevictoriousandall-subduingpowerofthekingdomofhisgraceupon earth: "The stone which the builders refused, is become theheadstoneof thecorner.This is theLord'sdoing; it ismarvelous inoureyes."

TheseareallfeaturesintheportraitofthefutureMessiah,andreferencestowhatwouldbefallhimonearth,andtotheworkhewouldaccomplish.Andhe, inwhomall thiswastobefulfilled,hadnowappeared,andhisfoot already trod the soil of thisworld.TheLord Jesusbeheld his ownimageinthemirrorofthewordsofprophecygenerally,aswellasinthesepassover psalms in particular; and he sang the sacred verses with theclearandfullconsciousnessofhispositionasHighPriest,Redeemer,andMediator. After the singing he went out to theMount of Olives.Whatgreat things depended upon this eventful and mysterious walk! Weexclaim, "Earth, which he is about to rescue from the curse, salute hisfeet!Hell, againstwhichhe is bucklingonhis armor, tremble!Heaven,forwhichheisgoingforthtogainanewpopulation, lookdown,andbe

astonishedathisamazingundertaking!"

He proceeds upon his path, andO howmuch is laid upon him at thatmoment! The guilt of thousands of years, the world's future—Thesalvationofmillions!He goes in order, inhis ownperson, to plant theseed-cornofanewheavenandanewearth,Alas!whereshouldwehavebeengoinghadhenot traversed thispath forus?Our liveswouldhavebeen a progress to the place of execution; our future state would haveended in unquenchable fire. He knew this. That which he undertookstood everymoment, in all its magnitude, present to his soul. But theglorious result of his undertakingwas equally obvious to him.At everystepheapprehendedhimselfasbeingsentbytheFathertocloseupthechasm which sin had caused between God and the creature, betweenheavenandearth.

The Savior walks onward in the silence and obscurity of the night,accompaniedbyhisdisciples,allof themdeeplyaffectedby thesolemntransactionswhichhadjusttakenplaceinthechamberatJerusalem,andyetgreatlycheeredbythegraciouswordswhichhadproceededfromthelipsoftheirDivineMaster,andwhichsoundedintheirearsasfromtheheavenlyworld.TheLordthenbreaksthethoughtfulsilence,andsays,tothe no small astonishment of his disciples, "All you shall be offendedbecauseofmethisnight;foritiswritten,'Iwillsmitetheshepherd,andthe sheep of the flock shall be scattered.'"—Matt. 26:31. In thesemomentous and significantwords our Lord indicates the point of viewfromwhichhecontemplatedhisapproachingsufferings.He isminutelyacquainted with the anguish to be endured. "This night," says he. O,sacrednight,fromwhosebosomthebrightestmorning-starofhopeandconsolationhasrisenuponus,althoughwithablood-redlight!TheLordregardshispassionasanunconditionalnecessity.Hadhenotvieweditassuch, how easywould it have been for him to havewithdrawn himselffromitinthedarknessofthenight!Buthevoluntarilyyieldshimselfuptoit;for,whilesaying,"Thisnight,"heisonhisway,withafirmstep,tothegardenofGethsemane,thefirststageofhissufferings.

Heperceives,mostclearly,theendandobjectofhispassion;"for,"sayshe, "it iswritten, 'Iwill smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flockshallbescatteredabroad.'"ThesewordsaretakenfromZech.13:7,where

wereadas follows:"Awake,Osword!againstmyshepherd,andagainsttheman that ismy fellow, says theLordofHosts. Smite the shepherd,andthesheepshallbescattered,andIwillturnminehanduponthelittleones."TheLordexplainsthispassagebyhisownwords.Itschiefimportis, "I, the Lord of Hosts, will smite, with the sword of justice, myshepherd—themanthat ismyfellow,theMessiah;andthesheepoftheflock—hisdisciples,friends,andfollowers—shallbescattered.""Thusitiswritten," says the Savior; and thatwhich iswritten in theBookofGodwillcometopass.

The Lord Jesus now says expressly, that this prophecy was about toreceiveitsfulfillmentinhim.HethereforerepresentshimselfassmittenofGod, and forwhat cause, is sufficiently evident fromotherpassages.He appeared in our stead as suffering and atoning for sin. In him, asMediator, was realized the execution of the irrevocable sentence—"Cursediseveryonethatcontinuesnotinallthingsthatarewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem,"forthehonorofGod,therestorationofthemajestyofthelaw,andourownabsolutionandredemption.

Itisthus,andinnootherway,thatthesubjectmustbeapprehended,ortheentirehistoryofthepassionbecomesanobscurelabyrinth.Itmustbethus,orhundredsofpassagesstandbeforeusasinexplicableenigmas.Itmust, or thehorrible fate of theHolyOneof Israel sounds like a shrilldiscord through the history of mankind, and renders questionable theveryexistenceofaDivineProvidenceandgovernmentoftheworld.Thusitmustbe,or theLord fromheavenhas sownseedsof error insteadoftruth;forhesaid,"Thatwhichiswrittenwillnowbefulfilledinme:'IwillsmitetheShepherd,'saystheLordofHosts."

TheLordwellknewwhatreasonwouldobjecttothis;hethereforesaid,"All you shall be offended because ofme this night." Reasonmistakes,andknowsnothingofdivinethings,untiltheheartobtainsaninsight,aliving insight, into its own necessities. Only become as anxious forsalvation as Zaccheus, or the thief on the cross—how different will thewordsthensoundinyourears,"IwillsmitetheShepherd."Youwillthenknowthat theAlmightymustsmite.The judge inyourownbosomtellsyouso,andyourconscience,aroused from itsdeadlysleep, testifies thesame.WhatevermaybetoldyouofGod'suniversalkindness,mercy,and

love,youmaintainthathemustsmite.Sodeeplyandimpressivelyisthiswrittenhenceforth in your convictions, that evenan angel fromheavencouldnotpersuadeyouotherwise.Godisholy,just,andtrue,andyouarebelagainsthim,atransgressorinhissight.Youabidebythisposition,and already hear the thunder of his wrath rolling over your head; andnothing in the world can divest you of the idea that a satisfaction isrequiredbeforeyou,asasinner,canbesaved.If,amidthesefeelingsandconvictions, you hear the words, "I will smite the Shepherd," O, howpeacefulandblissfulistheirsound!Whatahappychangeinyourstate!Youdoyou seek for theShepherd,whowas smitten in your stead, andfindhiminthebleedingSuretyofGethsemane,onGabbatha,andonthecross.Youcleavetohimwithallthetenacityofyourinmostreliance,andtestify to every one who will hear you, that you would be destitute ofcomfortinlifeanddeath,iftheSonofGodhadnotjudiciallysufferedinyour room and stead. Experience daily shows that the Gospel seemsfoolishnesstothemwhodonotfeeltheirneedofit;thatitmanifestsitselftobethepowerofGodtothecontriteinheart,andthatknowledgeofthisnature does not proceed from the understanding, but solely from theheart,when enlightenedby theHoly Spirit, under a feeling of its guilt.Thenaturalman,astheScripturesassert,knowsnotthethingsthatareofGod,neithercanheunderstandthem,becausetheymustbediscernedspiritually.HewhotakesoffenseatthevicarioussacrificeofChrist,onlymakesitevident,thathoweverbelievinghemaybeinotherrespects,heat least possesses very shallow and superficial ideas of the nature andculpabilityofsin.

Thewords,thusquotedbyourLord,clearlymanifesthisconsciousnessofthe truemeaning of his sufferings.We therefore easily understand hisexclamation, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am Istraiteneduntilitbeaccomplished;"aswellashissubsequentagonizingprayer, "Father, if itbepossible, let this cuppass fromme!"Doubtless,the loveof theFather tohisonly-begottenSonnever forsookhim foramoment. Jesus continued the object of his supreme good pleasure andtenderest affection. But the experience and feeling of his Father's lovewastobeforatimewithdrawnfromhim,andtheconsciousnessofbeingforsakenofGodwasto take itsplace.Hewastodescendintothe lowerparts of the earth, and endure all the fiery assaults of Satan and his

infernal hosts, and it was at this that he shuddered and trembled. Butthrough the gloom of these oppressive feelings, the dawning rays of amorecheeringconsciousness shed themselvesgloriouslyuponhim—theconsciousnessofthetriumphthatawaitedhimaftertheconflict.ThistheLordJesusalsoexpressesinthewords,"ButafterIamrisenagain,IwillgobeforeyouintoGalilee."

Admirehere,first,thefaithfulnessofthegoodShepherd.Hehadjusttoldthem expressly, that they should all be offended because of him thatnight.Whattenderforethoughtisheremanifested!Theoffensewasnowunable to extend too far. When the sufferings of their Mastercommenced,theywereabletosaytothemselves,"Heknewwhatwouldbefall him, and yet he voluntarilymet his sufferings. It was, therefore,requisitefortheaccomplishmentofhiswork,thathesubmittedtothem."

But the Lord informs them further, that the Holy Scriptures and withthem thewill and counsel ofGod,were tobe fulfilled in his sufferings.What a powerful support did he thus afford them against the days ofsorrow—asupportwhichalonewasnotable tosustain them,butwhichneverthelesssecuredtheirfaithfromatotalshipwreck.Hetoldthem,inconclusion,thatthoughthesheepoftheflockwouldbescattered,yettheywould continue his sheep, and not be cast off because of theirunfaithfulness.Thishestatedtothemwheninformingthem,thatafterheshould come forth triumphantly from all his sufferings, and haveovercomedeathitself,hewouldagaingatherthemaroundhiminpeaceand joy. O what comfort did they derive from this, and whatencouragement for their faith, in expectation of the hour, when, afterbeing thus scattered, they should hear that he, who had been soshamefullyforsakenbythem,hadagainappearedvictoriousoverallhisfoes! There was then no need for them to be afraid, but they were atliberty to resign themselves to the delightful hope that he would notreward them according to their deeds, but pardon everything, andlovingly re-assemble them around him. Thus did his parental careprovideforthem,notmerelywithreferencetothepresentbutalsotothefuture,andpreparedthewaytopreventevilensuing,andtobringthemevery needful blessing. O how secure we are, when once we intrustourselves to his superintendence! It may happen occasionally, that we

may feeloffended,no,evendepart fromhimfora time, and followourownways;buthedoesnotleaveuslongtogoastray.Heagainseeksusout;forwithrespecttoallhissheep,hiswordsremaintrue,"Theyshallneverperish,neithershallanymanpluckthemoutofmyhand."

"But after I am risen again," says the Lord: he here looks with joyfulconfidence across the anxious sea of his approaching sufferings, to thesubsequent triumph. He feels assured that he shall reach the oppositeshore,wherethecrownofvictoryawaitshim.Hedoubtlesscalledtomindtheancientprediction,"Whenyoushallmakehissoulanofferingforsin,heshallprolonghisdays."Hewhoknowshowtofollowhissteps,inthuslayingholdofthedivinepromise,hasdiscoveredthesecrethowtocryoutwith joy, "Land! land!" in themidst of the surge, and to sing songs ofvictoryintheheatoftheconflict.Letusabandon,therefore,theanxiousposition in which we see only what is immediately before us, and aretossedabout,likeaball,bythecalculationsofreason.RatherletusplaceourfeetupontheloftyandimmutablerockofthewordandpromisesofGod.Howsafelyandpleasantlymaywethenabide,evenwhenthegloomofnightspreadsitselfaroundus,andthestormandtempestassailus!Weare thenconscious that the clouds,whichcauseusapprehension, coveronlyapartofourrealheaven; for thedistanthorizoncontinuesbright;andthatwhichisstillmoreremote,promises,aftereverynightofsorrow,adayinwhichthesunwillnomoregodown.

"Butafter I amrisenagain, Iwill gobeforeyou intoGalilee."Galilee istherefore the rendezvous, the landof reunionandmeeting.Once there,hehasnofurthercupofagonytodrink,andhisfollowerswillnomorebeoffendedinhim.HeisthennolongertheManofSorrows,butclothedinmajesty and the victor's glory, hemeets his beloved friends, andgreetsthemwiththesalutationofpeace.

"IwillgobeforeyouintoGalilee."Evenforus,thereissomethinginthesewords,ifweareabletoreadbetweenthelines."AfterIamrisenagain."Assuredly, that resurrection forwhichwewait,will not tarry—the finalelevation of his kingdom from its deep reproach—themanifestation ofhim, on whose head are many crowns, after his long envelopment ingloom.Perhaps thedaywill soonappear.Whenheshallhavemade hisfoeshisfootstool,havegatheredhiselectfromthefourwinds,andbound

andshutupSataninthebottomlesspit—thenshallwealsoremovetotheGalileeofpeaceandjoy,whereweshallbeholdhim,facetoface,whom,havingnotseen,welove,andshallgreethimwithsongsofrejoicingandrapture.

Butthoughwemayseethedawnofthisperioduponearth,yetweknowanother Galilee, where he has preceded us, and which probably liesnearerusthantheformer.ImeanthatGalilee,ontheshoresofwhichsomanywearypilgrimsdaily cast anchor; thatGalilee,where thehandofJesuswipesawaythelasttearsfromtheeyesofthefavorednew-comers;thatGalilee,where the song is continually sung of "the Lamb thatwasslain,"andofthebloodinwhichourrobesarewashedandmadewhite.OyouGalileeabove,youlandofperfectunionwithhim,whoistheobjectofourlove,howdoesthethoughtofyouexaltandcheerourspirits,duringour pilgrimage through this valley of tears! You Galilee beyond theclouds,howblessedishe,whomJesushaspreceded,inordertoprepareaplaceforhimonyoureververdantvalesandsunnyhills!

"Blessed,indeed,"yourespond,"ifwewereonlysureoflandingthereatlast." If youarenotyet sureof it,myreaders,delaynot to let theLordassure you of it. Everywhere, and at every hour, he inclines his ear toyou,andespeciallywherehespreadshissacredtableforyou.There,also,isakindofGalilee,wherehehasprecededyou,inordertomeetwithandblessyou.Ah,healreadywaits for youwithhismysteriouselementsofbreadandwine.Hiswordinformsyouthatyoushallalsoseehimfacetoface,eventually;andheiswillingnowtofavoryouwithaforetasteofthisvision. Draw near, therefore, and receive grace for grace out of hisfullness; be blissfully assured of his presence, and of hiswillingness totakeyoueventuallytohisheavenlyhome,wherethereisfullnessof joy,andwheretherearepleasuresforevermore.

TheConversebytheWay

The apostle casts a profound look into the heart of Jesus, when hetestifiesconcerninghim, that"For the joywhichwassetbeforehim,heenduredthecross,anddespisedtheshame."—(Heb.12:2.)

Inourpreviousmeditation,wesawtheLord,onthateventfulnight,whenhissufferingscommenced,courageouslyleavingJerusalem,aftersingingthe song of praise.What was it that enabled him to tread the path ofsufferingsoserenely,exceptthejoywhichhehadthusinprospect?

Think of the situation in which the Savior was placed. Itmay possiblyhave happened to some ofmy readers, that the apprehension of somegreat calamity suddenly presented itself to theirminds, as vividly as iftheywerealreadyrealizingit.Thusitwasalso,thatallthehorrorswhichtheSaviorwasabout toexperience,appeared tohim incleareroutlinesthananyoneeverregardedthefuture,andthatnotmerelyinthelightofprobability, but of certainty. But while in such seasons of painfulanticipation,ourmindsandspiritsareoverwhelmed,theLordonthewaytoGethsemane, felthisheart enlarged; and through thegloomyvisionswhich passed before him, found hisway to the sunny height of perfectand joyful composure,while regarding the joywhich afterward awaitedhim.

WelefttheLordJesusproceedingtothelonelygarden,towhichhewasaccustomedtoresort,inthedarknessandstillnessofthenight.Hismindis occupied with the thought of his approaching death. His followerspressmorecloselyaroundhim,asisusuallythecasewhenthemomentofseparationisathand,andthegriefofpartingoverwhelmstheoppressedmind.Conversationbecomesbriefandmonosyllabic,andlongpausesofentire silence intervene. Jesus now opens his mouth. The thought ofhimselfandhisapproachingsufferingsretiresintothebackground.Thatwhichaffectshimmoredeeplyishisloveforandcareofhisflock.

Addressing himself to Peter, who appears to be themost grieved, andwho clings to him the closest, he says, while regarding him withmelancholy seriousness, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired tohaveyou,thathemaysiftyouaswheat."—(Luke22:31).Whatlanguageisthis, rendereddoublyappallingby thedarkness, and the circumstancesunderwhichit isuttered!Attheverymomentwhenthedisciplesaretobe deprived of their only help and shield, they are informed of theapproach of themost dreadful of enemies. The Lord expresses himselfstrangely,andinamannercalculatedtoexcitethegreatestastonishment."Satan," says he, "has desired to have you"—that is, he has challenged

you,laidclaimtoyou,andbeggedtohaveyou,thathemightmanifesthispowerinyou,inordertoprovethatyourgoodnessisnothing,andyourconversion only specious and deceptive. And you know that the Lordoccasionally permits the Wicked One to try his power to tempt theredeemedtoacertainpoint.Hedoesso,inordertoprovetotheinfernalspirits the invincibility of those who confide themselves to him, andtherebytoglorifyhisname;andalso,thathemaypurifyhischildrenasgoldinsuchafurnaceoftemptation,anddrawthose,wholivenolongertothemselves,deeperintothefellowshipofhislife.

It was an ordeal of this kind to which the disciples were now to besubjected. Themurderer from the beginning hadwagered, so to speak,that if libertyweregivenhim,hewouldcause theirentireapostasy, theweapons for which he expected to find in the infinite abasement anddisgrace, which theirMaster was about to experience. But the latter isaware of the horrible design. He already sees the infernal vulturewheelingroundtheheadsofhis followers.Hedaresnotconceal it fromthem,lesttheassaultcouldtakethembysurprise;andhethereforesaysto them emphatically, fixing his eye especially upon Simon, whom theadversary had principally in view, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hasdesiredtohaveyou,thathemaysiftyouaswheat."

They are now aware of the adversary's design. O that they would takeevery syllable of this address to heart! Warning and comfort are herewonderfullymingled. "Likewheat," says he, "would they be sifted"—anoperationwhich,asiswellknown,onlyscattersthechaff,whilethenoblegrainremains.Theresult,therefore,issalutary.Itwillonlybeacleansingandpurifying—certainlynotaccordingtothedevil'splananddesign,butwhollythroughtheinterventionofdivinegrace.Thosewhoarethussiftedovercomeindeed,butonlyafterbeingmadepainfullyconsciousof theirown weakness; and hence they know more assuredly to whom theirvictor'scrowninrealitybelongs.

But letus listen to theLordJesus further.Hedisplays tous, stillmoredeeply,thegreatnessofhisaffection.Afterutteringtheappallingwarningjust mentioned, he looks kindly at his disciples, and, as if he wouldencouragethem,hesaystoSimon,"ButIhaveprayedforyou,thatyourfaith fail not." O where is there a faithful friend and guardian to be

comparedtohim?TheGospelnarrativeoftenconductsustothesceneofhis acts and miracles, and not infrequently removes the veil from hismore quiet converse with his beloved disciples, and reveals to us thesacredspotswhereheexercisedhispriestlyoffice;buthere it favorsuswithalookintothesolitudeofhiscloset.ScarcelywastheLordawareofthe intended assault, especially upon Peter, than he sought retirement,andinprayer,commendedtheendangereddiscipletotheprotectionandpreservationofhisheavenlyFather.Andtheobjectofhisprayerwas,thatSimon'sfaithmightnotfailinthestormoftemptation.

Donot, however, suppose that Simon alonewasprivileged above otherbelievers,inbeingtheobjectofsuchaffectionatesolicitude.ListenonlytotheSavior'sintercessoryprayer,inJohn17,andyouwillbeconvincedofthe contrary.Hear him exclaim, "Holy Father, keep, through your ownname,thosewhomyouhavegivenme,thattheymaybeone,asweare.""I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that youshouldkeepthemfromtheevil.""Iinthem,andyouinme,thattheymaybemadeperfectinone;andthattheworldmayknowthatyouhavesentme,andhavelovedthem,asyouhavelovedme."DonotthinkthatthesesublimewordshavereferenceonlytoourLord'simmediatedisciples;for,listenfurther—"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them alsowhichshallbelieveonmethroughtheirword.Thattheyallmaybeone,asyou,Father,areinme,andIinyou."

Thus has the faith, which the Holy Spirit produces in us, a pledge ofendurance in our Lord's intercession. It may be assaulted, tried, andshaken, but cannot be extinguishedor annihilated. Simonwas given toknowthis,inorderthathemightbeinpossessionofasufficientweaponwhenassailed.But incaseofhissuccumbing, thisconsciousnesswastoservehimasa staff,bymeansofwhichhemight successfully leapovertheabyssofdespair.

"I have prayed for you," says our Lord, "that your faith fail not." Heknows that Peterwill fall.He already sees in him the faithless disciplewho denied hisMaster; and yet he feels toward him only like a tendermother, in seeingherdarling child indanger.TheSavior's chief care islestSimonshoulddespairafterhis fall;andthat,at thepropertime,heshould take courage to return to him.Hence, he says,with the kindestforethought, "And when you are converted, strengthen your brethren."After your grievous fall, theLordherewithpermits you to return. Afteryourunfaithfulness,youmayagaintakecomfortinyourGoodShepherd,andregainhis flock.No,youshallbestill furtherempowered, forwhenyouhavereturnedtohim,youshallstrengthenyourbrethren;youshallcontinuehisapostle,and,infuture,feedhislambs.

ButSimondoesnotappreciatethecompassionshownbyourLord.Atthemoment,he isunconsciousof the tendernesswhichdictatedhiswords;hehasno ideawhat theymean.He thinkshewill neverneeda secondconversion; for, inthatcase,hemust firsthaveapostatized,andsaystohimself,"theMastershallneverhavecausetothinkmeanapostate."ButthoughhisLord'swordsmay, fora time, lieslumbering inhismemory,thedaywillcomewhentheywillawakeandproveaninvaluabletreasure.TheSaviorhimselfisnotsobentuponseeingtheimmediateeffectofhiswords as we are. He possesses patience and knows that every treeproducesitsfruit"initsseason."

"When you are converted, strengthen your brethren." Scarcely are weabletoceaselisteningtothesewords.ItalmostseemsasifSimonwouldonlybecomearealapostleafterhisfall.Andsuchwasreallythecase;forotherwiseGodwouldnothavepermittedit.ThefirstandessentialqualityofaheraldoftheGospeliseverathoroughlybrokenandcontriteheart.Foritisonlyafterhavingobtainedmercyasguiltycriminals,thatweareinapositionto"strengthenthebrethren."Afterhavingourselvesvitallyexperienced thatwithoutChristwecandonothing,but everythingwithhim, we then become real evangelists, who no longer lay intolerableburdensuponthepeople,whichwerefusetotouchwithalittlefinger,butmeekandgentle likehim,whocamenot to "break thebruised reed, orquench the smoking flax," but to "bind up the broken-hearted," and to"strengthenthefeebleknees."

Simon does not enter into the spirit of our Lord's words. "Lord," heexclaimsalmostangrily,asifsomefalseimputationhadbeencastuponhim,"thoughallmenshouldbeoffendedbecauseofyou,yetwillIneverbe offended. I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Howexcellent,andyethowfullofself-confidence!Nevertheless,azealforhisMaster flames forth from him, which I can only wish pervaded uslikewise.No self-estimation ismore tolerable andpardonable than thatwhich is founded upon such a zeal for the Savior.Owhatwere Peter'sfeelings during this nocturnal walk! How they warmed, glowed, andboiled within him! He had never before felt how much he loved hisMasterthanjustnow,whenthehourofpartingapproached.Andatthevery moment when his feelings were the most excited, he hears hisMaster express his fears lest he should prove unfaithful to him.What?thinks he—"That is surely an impossibility.Rabbi, do notmistake yourdisciple. Not even bonds or death shall divide me from you." A holyearnestnessdictatedthesewords;butah!hepromisedtoomuch!

"How so?"—You inquirewith astonishment. "Had not Jesus prayed forhim,thathisfaithmightnotfail?"Assuredly;andhadPeterfoundedhisconfidence on this, he might have vowed unshaken fidelity even untodeath.ButSimonvauntedhimselfonhisownstrength,andmeanttosay,"MyloveisapledgetoyouthatIwillnotdenyyou;"andthiswasjusthismisfortune."Theheartofmanisdeceitfulaboveallthings;"andhewhodependsonsensationsandfeelingsleansuponrottensupports.Howeverspiritually rich and strongwemay believe ourselves to be, let us neverpromise anything in self-dependence, nor ever plant our feet upon thewatersuntil theLord calls to us to come, and stretches outhis helpinghandtowardus.Buthewhorestson the strongarmof Immanuel, andseeksstrengthfromhim,maysaymoreboldlystillthanSimon,"Lord,Iamreadytogowithyou,bothtoprisonandtodeath!"TheLordwillnotputhisfaithtoshame,butbeastrongrefugeforhiminthemidstofthestorm.

ScarcelyhadSimon,inallsimplicity,utteredhisheroicassertion,thanhereceivesasecondwarningfromhisMaster'slips.TheLordnowinformshimplainlywhatthreatenshim:"Itellyou,Peter,thecockshallnotcrowthisdaybeforeyoushallthricedenythatyouknowme."Whatanalarm

dothesewordssoundinSimon'ssoul!Butthelatter,inthewarmthofhisaffection,repulsesit."Benotafraidofthat,"thinkshe,"Yourdisciplewillnotdenyyou;hewilldiewithyou,ifnecessary,butwillneverdenyyou."

"TheLordforesawthathewouldnotthinkotherwise;thenwhygivehimthewarning?"Itwasdirectedmoretotherestorationofthefallen,thantotheinvigorationofthecombatant.AfterPeterhaddeniedhisMaster,hecouldsaytohimself,"Hetoldmebeforehandwhatwouldoccur.Hesawitcoming, and warned me. Although he perceived that I rejected hiswarning,yethedidnotrejectme,butspokekindlyandgraciouslytomeasbefore."Itwasthushewasabletoconversewithhimself,andinduetime, to recover and encourage himself by the remembrance of hisMaster'swords.TheLordappointedthecocktoincitehimtorepentance,andbyhismorningcall,atthepropertime,tobringthefallenmanagaintohimself, and causehim to shed tearsof contrition.Thus theSavior'saffectionate solicitude extended far beyond the temptation and theconflict;andprepared,beforehand,aremedyforthewoundsoccasionedby the fall and defeat. O with how much reason may he say, "As onewhom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you;" and how muchoccasion have we to exclaim, on thus looking into the depth of hisaffection,"Hisloveisstrongerthandeath!"

AftertheLordhadfinishedspeakingtoSimon,andarrangedeverythingfortherestorationofthezealousdisciple,intheseasonofcontritionandweeping,heturnstothedisciplesingeneral.Theyhadnowfinishedtheiryearsoftuition,andthetimewasathandwhentheyweretolettheirlightshine in the darkness of this world, and in the midst of storm andpressure,tumultandstrife,tounfurlthebannerofthecrossamongthenationsoftheearth.Jesusisnowgoingtotellthemso;andhedoesitinsucha kind, careful, tender, andaffectionatemanner, as tomake one'sheart rejoice. "He said unto them,when I sent youwithout purse, andbag,andshoes, lackedyouanything?"Thedisciplescannotcall tomindthat theyhadeverbeen inwant,andmust cheerfully confess it to theirMaster's honor, by saying, "Lord, never!" The Lord had acted towardthemashegenerallyactstowardhischildrenwhom,inthetimeoftheirfirstlove,heleadsverygently,andwithparentalcareandkindness.Notonlywhattheydesireisgrantedthem,buteventhemannerinwhichthey

desireit;theintentionbeingthattheymaythusaccustomthemselvestohim, and may receive an indelible impression of the loveliness of hispeacefulkingdomduring their future journey through life, aswell as todivest themofeverydoubtof theirbeingreallyacceptedandsharing inhisaffections.

Itmightbe thought that after this declarationofhis disciplesourLordwouldsay,"Benotcareful,therefore,infuture,forsuchwillalwaysbethecase."Insteadofwhich,hetellsthemjustthereverse,andthatinfuturetheywould not infrequently find it otherwise. "But now," says he,withreferencetothewholeoftheirfuturecourseoflife,"hewhohasapurse,lethimtakeit,andlikewisehisbag.Buthewhohasnone—neitherpursenorbag—lethimsellhisgarmentandbuyasword."

How are these words to be understood? Generally speaking, theyannounce to the disciples, that conflict, danger, distress, andmanifoldtrials awaited them, for which theymust timely prepare; but that theymight then firmly confide inhim,whom theyhad ever founda faithfulfriend in time of need. At the same time, he gives them clearly tounderstand that henceforth they must not rest too confidently on thesame obvious and wondrous guidance which they had hithertoexperienced, because their life would in future partake more of thecommon course of human affairs, and that the direct interposition, bymeans of which the hand of eternal love had hitherto sustained andprovided for them, would give place to a more indirect divine aid, forwhichfaithwouldberequired.Itwouldthenbenecessary,besidesprayerand looking up to heaven, to apply the ordinary means of provision,defense,andaid.Lethimwhohadapurseandabagnotcastthemaway,but take them, andmakeuse of them.Manly resolution, foresight, andprudentcalculationarenolongertobedespised,buttobepracticedandemployed.No,hewhohadnoswordought to sellhisgarmentandbuyone.

PerhapsyousupposethatbythelatterourLordmeantaspiritualsword,the sword of theWord, or of faith.No,my readers, the Lord thinks aslittle of spiritualweapons,whenhementions the sword, as of spiritualtravelingequipmentswhenhespeaksofthepurseandthebag.Nordoesheintendthathisdisciplesshouldprovidethemselveswithswordsinthe

literalsenseofthewords.Hislanguageisallegorical,anditsmeaningis,"Your future course and calling will lead you into situations andcircumstances inwhichyouwillhave tobearyour souls inyourhands,andtostrivewithfirmnessandresolutionforyourlibertiesandlives."

But then,as if theLordhad intended tosay, "Benotastonishedat thatwhichIhave just toldyou, for thedisciple isnotabovehisMaster, andwhat ishostile tome,will alsobe so toyou:"he reminds them thathisownpathwouldterminateinignominyandsuffering:"ForIsayuntoyou,thatthisthat iswrittenofme,mustyetbeaccomplishedinme, 'andhewas reckoned among the transgressors,' for the things concerning mehaveanend."TheLordherereferstoIsaiah,53,particularlytothe12thverseofthatchapter,andexpresslytestifiesthatwhatiswrittenthereofJehovah's servant,—that he should bear the sin of many, makeintercession for the transgressors, and by his obedience and vicarioussacrifice, justifyandeternally redeemhispeople—is saidofhimself.HethusdispelseverydoubtrespectingtheonlycorrectinterpretationofthatportionofScripture.Ittreatsofhim,hisperson,work,andkingdom.Healsoaffordshisdisciplesastronglightuponthemysteriousobscurityofhisapproachingpassion;and,finally,pointsouttothemthatthewaytothecrownisbythecross,andthathispeopleoughtscarcelytoexpectabetterfate,inthisevilworld,thanhimself,whowouldhavetoenduretheaccurseddeathofthecross,andtobenumberedwithtransgressors,andaccountedandrejectedbytheworldastheoffscouringofallthings.

But what does our Lordmean by the words which immediately follow—"Forthethingsconcerningmehaveanend?"Certainlynotwhathehadintended to convey in the words, "This that is written must yet beaccomplishedinme."TheLordthereunmistakablyreferstothewarningpreviously given to his disciples; and the import of his language isthreefold. He intends to say, in the first place, "You must not armyourselvesonmyaccount,nor inmydefense; for, as theLambofGod,slainfromthefoundationsoftheworld,Imustpatientlyresignmyselftotheappointedsufferings,whichareindispensableforyourreconciliationtoGod." Next, "Themeasure of that agony on which your redemptiondepends is exhausted by my passion. You may, therefore, boldly goforward, as being by one offering forever perfected." And, lastly,

"WhateveryoumayhavetosufferinfuturehasnothingtodowithyourreconciliationtoGod,sincethatwhichhadtobeenduredtoatoneforsinandtoextinguishguilt,islaiduponandhasanendinme.Ifyousuffer,itis only for your purification, and while it does not become me, it isbefitting foryou todefendyour livesandpreserve themformyservice,for thebrethren, and, in caseofneed, toprotect themby all legitimatemeans."

Such was our Lord's meaning, which, however the disciples do notcomprehend,but explain it asa callupon them toprotecthimby forceagainst his enemies, as Peter actually endeavored to do in the sequel.Under this idea, they show him the swords, with which two of them,including Simon, were armed, as was customary with wanderingGalileans, and childishly, though with the best intention, say, "Lord,behold, here are two swords!" "It is enough," rejoined the Savior,breakingoffmournfully—as ifhehad said, "Let us leave thematter forthepresent;youwillbetterunderstandmymeaninginthesequel."

THEHOLYPLACE

Gethsemane—ConflictandVictory

It is night. The Lord has left Jerusalem with his eleven confidentialfollowers,fullyawareofwhatawaitshim.Indeeplyaffectingconversehedescendswiththemintothedarkvalleyofcypresses,whereonce,duringthe reign of the kings, the fire blazed, in which the abominations ofidolatry were consumed to the honor of Jehovah. Here he crosses thebrookKedron, overwhich his royal ancestor,KingDavid,when fleeingfromhis sonAbsalom, passed barefoot and in sackcloth, deeply boweddown by his own guilt and that of his people. Affected bymomentousrecollections, and sunk in the contemplation of expressive types andshadows,theSaviorarrivesattheentranceofthegardenofGethsemane(theoil-press)atthefootoftheMountofOlives,whereancientgiganticolive-trees,tothisday,pointouttothepiouspilgrimtheveryspotwheretheLord ofGlorywept over themisery of thehuman race, andprayedand agonized for their redemption.We know that the Lord frequently

retired to the solitude of that peaceful inclosure, after the heat andburdenoftheday,inorder,bysacredconversewithhisheavenlyFather,to strengthen himself anew for his greatwork. Luke expressly remarksthathewent "ashewas accustomed," to theMount ofOlives, butwithfeelings,suchasonthisoccasion,hehadneverbeforeenteredthatsilentretreat.

The song of praise, with which he had left the friendly chamber atJerusalemwithhisdisciples,had longbeenended.Theconversationbythewayseems,accordingtotheconcludingwords,"Itisenough!"tohaveassumed a more aphoristic and monosyllabic character than before.Longerpausesoccurred.TheLord'ssolemnityincreasedthenearertheyapproachedtheendoftheirnight-wandering;anditwasevidentthathissoulbecameincreasinglyoppressed.Everyoneperceivedthealterationinthe Master's feelings; and, therefore, it did not seem strange to thedisciplesthat,onarrivingatthegarden-gate,heshouldsaytothem,withdeepemotion,"Sityouhere,whileIgoandprayyonder."Inthemildestpossibleform,heannouncestothoseofhisdiscipleswhoweretoremainatadistance fromthemysterious scene, theeventswhichawaitedhim.With true parental kindness he seeks to prevent their being too muchalarmed."Hewouldgoyonderandpray."Itwasprayerforwhichhewaspreparing himself; but what a prayer! How clearly does he make itevident, by the preparatory measures he takes, that he regards, andwishes the conflict he is about to enter upon to be regarded, not asanything arising from within him, but as breaking in upon him fromwithout!Thatwhichawaitshimpresentsitselftohimasimpendingoverhim.Heseesitlikeathunder-cloudbroodingoverhishead.

The disciples, obedient to theirMaster's dictate, seat themselves at theentrance of the inclosure, while he himself, after beckoning to Peter,John,andJames,hismostconfidentialfriends,tofollowhim,goesbeforethemdeeperintotheinteriorofthegarden.Itisofimportancetohim,forthesakeofhisfutureChurch,tohaveeye-witnessesofthatsolemnscene.He is also incited to take the three disciples with him, by the purelyhumanfeelingoftheneedofaffectionateandcomfortingfellowshipinhisapproaching conflict. How beneficial it is, in seasons of trial, to besurrounded by like-minded friends, who watch and pray with us, and

impart to us valuable encouragement from theWord of God and theirown spiritual experience! How the conflict may thus be rendered easyandsweet;whilesolitudeisaccustomedtoincreasethefeelingofhorror,andtoopenthegatesof imaginationto terrific ideas, inadditiontothedistress which really exists. Christ was not a stranger to any purelyhuman feelingofnecessity.Hewasmade inall things likeuntous,butwithoutsin.

The voice which resounded through the garden of Eden, cried "Adam,whereareyou?"butAdamhidhimselftrembling,behindthetreesofthegarden. The same voice, and with a similar intention, is heard in thegardenofGethsemane.The secondAdam,however, doesnotwithdrawfromit,butproceedstomeettheHighandLoftyOne,whosummonshimbeforehim,resolutelyexclaiming,"HereamI!"Letusfollowhimintothenocturnalgloom.Butwhataweseizesuponus!Thebeingswetheremeetare well known to us; but how is their appearance changed! All isenveloped in mysterious obscurity, and the distress of our heartsincreaseseverymomentatthesight.

ItistheEternalFatherhimselfwhoherepresides;butwhatisleftforus,inhispresence,excepttoexclaimwithJob,"Behold,Godisgreat,andweknowhimnot,anddarkness isunderhis feet!"HisonlyandsupremelybelovedSonappearsbeforehiminapositionwhichmightmelttheflintyrocktopity;butcompassionseemsastrangerwithhim,whoyetsaidtoZion,"Though,awomanmayforgethernursingchild,yetwillInotforgetyou!"WearetemptedtobreakoutwithDavidintothepiteouscry,"HasGodforgottentobegracious,and ishismercycleangone forever?"Forlook,whatascene!AgainandagaindoestheSonofLovecasthimselfonhisFather'sbosom,withardent supplication;buthisear listens invainforafavorableAmen!fromonhigh.Thereisneithervoice,norresponse,nor attention, as if the Eternal had in wrath retracted his words, "Calluponmein thedayof trouble; Iwilldeliver you, you shall glorifyme!"and had no longer a heart for him, who lay in his bosom, before thefoundation of the world. The cup of horror does not pass from thetrembling sufferer; on the contrary, its contents become everymomentmorebitter.LoudersoundthecomplaintsoftheagonizingSavior;moreurgentbecomeshisprayerbuttheLoftyOneissilentandheavenseems

barred as with a thousand bolts. A holy angel, indeed, at lengthapproaches; but why an angel only, instead of the immediate andconsolingvisionoftheFather?Doesitnotalmostseemlikeironythatacreature should be sent to strengthen the Creator? And what kind ofinvigoration was that which was only attended with an increase ofsuffering?Forweread,"Andbeinginanagonyheprayedmoreearnestly,andhissweatwasasitweregreatdropsofbloodfallingtotheground."Othehorrorsofthathour,whenJesus,ourSurety,appearedatthebarofDivineJustice,andpaidthepenaltyforussinners,thatwemightescape!

But now let us fix our eyes upon the suffering Savior. Scarcely do weknow him again, so enveloped is he in an impenetrable covering ofagonizingmystery and contradiction.He is themanbeheld in spirit byJeremiah, anddescribed in thewords, "Hisheart is turnedwithinhim,andallhismembersquake."Heisthedesolateindividual,whotestifiesofhimself in the Psalms, "I am a worm, and no man." He announcedhimself as the Redeemer of the world, and yet, who seems to requiredeliverancemorethanhe?Hebearsthesublimetitleof"PrinceofPeace;"yetwhereeverwasthereonemoredestituteofpeacethanhe?SeehowheappliesatonetimetohisFather,andatanothertomerehumanbeingsforcomforttohisdespondingsoul,anddoesnotfindwhatheseeks,butiscompelledtoreturndisappointedandtrembling.Hiseyeisfilledwithtears,hislipswithcriesandcomplaints,whilehisheartiscrushedasinawine-press, which forces a bloody sweat from all his veins. Is this thehero, who was once the strength of the weak, the comfort of thesorrowful,thesupportofthefeeble,andtheshieldofthecombatant?Isthis theHolyOne of Israel,who formerlywas prepared for everything,andjoyfullyexclaimed,"Lo,Icometodoyourwill,OmyGod!yes,yourlaw is within my heart." I ask again, Who recognizes, in this mostwretched ofmen, the incarnate Son of God; andwho perceives in thisbruisedreedandtremblingworm,the"Fairestofthechildrenofmen?"

And now look also at his disciples, who fill up the measure of theseincomprehensible things;while theirMaster is strugglingwithdeath inindescribableagony,wesee,eventhemostselectofthelittletroop,lyingon the ground, overpowered with sleep. He rouses them, and almostsupplicatesthemtowatchwithhimonlyalittlewhile;buttheyslumber

again, as if unconcerned about him, and leave their Master to hissufferings. One of their number is he who said, "Though all should beoffendedwithyou,yetwillnotI,thoughIshoulddiewithyou!"Anotheristhebeloveddisciple,whooncelayonJesus'bosom,andthethirdishewhoformerly answered so resolutely in the affirmative to the question,"CanyoudrinkofthecupofwhichIshalldrink,andbebaptizedwiththebaptism,withwhichIambaptized?"Beholdherethelittledependencetobeplacedonhumanfidelity!Oneonly is faithful,andonhimalonecanwe,ineverycase,rely;andheneverslumbersnorsleeps,whenhispeoplearedistressed.Buthowcouldthedisciplessleepduringthatawfulscene?we may well inquire; but must we not suppose that it was out of thenaturalcourseofthings?Doesnottheideaofaninfluence,exercisedbyinfernal powers, force itself upon us? See how we are enveloped withhorrors in Gethsemane; like terrific and feverish dreams in a wakingstate,orlikespectralanddelusivephantomsinadeliriouscondition.

But let us contemplate this mysterious conflict in Gethsemane a littlemore closely. Scarcely had Jesus,with his three disciples, penetrated afewpacesintothegarden,when"hebegan"—thereforebeforetheireyes,"tobeverysorrowfulandveryheavy."Inthesewords,thehistorygivesusahintthatsomethingunheardofbefore,nowcameoverhim.Atthesametime, it intimates that the distress which seized him was voluntarilyendured by him, after due preparation. Indescribable melancholy tookpossession of his soul; mysterious apprehension oppressed his mind.Mark, according to his peculiar manner of depicting the awful scene,moreindetail,givesusaclearer ideaof theSavior'sdistress,bysaying,"Hebegan to be sore amazed."Hemakes use of aword in the originalwhich implies a sudden and horrifying alarm at a terrific object. TheEvangelistevidently intendsto intimatetherebythatthecauseofJesus'tremblingmustbesought,notinwhatmightbepassinginhissoul,butinappearancesfromwithoutwhichforcedthemselvesuponhim;somethingapproachedhimwhichthreatenedtorendhisnerves,andthesightofittofreezethebloodinhisveins.

Immediately after the first attack of agony, Jesus returns to his threedisciples,withwordswhichcasta strong lightuponhis inmost state ofmind. He says, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.

Assuredly the import of this complaint is not confined to the ideaexpressed by, "I am grieved to death," or "sorrow threatens my life;"althoughthewordscertainlyassertthisinthefirstplace.Evenaccordingto this explanation of them, they convey an idea of the sorrows of theRedeemer's soul, which is themore appalling the less exaggeration wecansuppose in thewordsofhimwhowashimself theTruth.Thebeing"sorrowful, even unto death," however, does not indicate merely themeasure,butalsothenatureandkindofsuffering.Wereadinthesequel,that "hewas inanagony," or, as other translatorshave it, "hewrestledwithdeath."ItwasinthehorrorsofthisstatethatourSuretyfelthimselfplaced—notmerely in theway of beholding them, but also in that of amysteriousenteringintothem.Whatevermenmaysay,withoutholdingfirmlybytheideaofamediator,thehorrorsofGethsemanecanneverbesatisfactorilyexplained.Amererepresentationofthedeathofthesinner,fromwhichChristcametoredeemmankind,couldnothavelaidholdoftheHolyOneof Israel so overpoweringly.He entered intomuch closercontactwith"thelastenemy."Heemptiedthecupofitsterrors.

Observe now to what a height his distress increases. With the candidconfession,"Mysoulisexceedingsorrowful,evenuntodeath,"hehastensbacktohisthreefriends,likeonewho,inhisfeebleness,welcomeseventheslightestsupportandconsolation,andspeakstothemnolongerlikeamaster to his servants, but like one who is oppressed and in need ofcomfort, to his brethren whomay possibly be able to afford him help."Tarryyouhere,"hesays,"andwatchwithme."Hemeans,"Donotleaveme,yourpresence isacomfort."It isnot theybuthimself,who is tobepitied.

"Tarry you here." In what terrific vicinitymust he have found himself,thateventhesightofthesepoor,fraildisciples,seemedsodesirableandbeneficialtohim."Tarryyouhere."Howcouldhehavebesoughttheminthismanner,ifhehadseenheavenopenabovehim,andhadfeltthathewas lying on his Father's bosom? "Watch with me." This expressionpoints out still more minutely the distress of his soul; for, thoughintendedtoserveasawarningtohisdisciples,tobeupontheirguardinthishouroftemptation;yetheclaims,atthesametime,theirsympathyfor himself, and requests their compassion, possibly, even their

intercession. Certain it is, that the Lord Jesus was never in a state ofdeeperhumiliation,eitherbeforeorafterward,thanhereinthegardenofGethsemane.

Scarcelyhadheutteredthesewordstohisdisciples,whenhetorehimselffromthem,andproceededaboutastone'sthrowintotherecessesofthegarden.Hereweseehimsinkingontheground,firstuponhisknees,andthenonhis face, and the supplicatingcrynow forces itself, for the firsttime,fromhisdeeplyagitatedsoul,"Abba,Father,allthingsarepossibleuntoyou,takeawaythiscupfromme;nevertheless,notwhatIwill,butwhatyouwill."Yes,hewouldgladlyhavebeensparedthecupwhichwasgivenhimtodrink,thecontentsofwhichweresohorrible;foritisnotasenselessstone,butarealman,susceptibleofeverypainfulfeeling, thatsuffers within him. He wishes its removal, however, simply on theconditionwhich is invariablewithhim, that it should be in accordancewithhisFather'scounselandwill.Hesays,"Ifitbepossible;"hedoesnot,however, mean this in the general sense, for he had already said, "Allthings are possible unto you;" but he thinks only of a conditionalpossibility,within the limitsof theobject forwhichhehadappeared intheworld.

But it may be asked, "How can Christ still inquire whether theredemptionofmankindcanbeaccomplishedwithout the crossand theshedding of his blood?" This, however, is not his object. The Lord'squestion confines itself to thepresenthorrors—the cupofGethsemane.Let this circumstance, therefore, again remind us that the self-renunciation of the Son of God essentially consisted in his divestinghimself,toacertainpoint,oftheuseofhisdivineperfectionsgenerally,andofhisunlimitedomniscienceinparticular; inconsequenceofwhichhe was in a position to walk in the same path of faith with us, and,according to the expression of the apostle, to "Learn obedience by thethingswhichhesuffered."

The prayer of the divine sufferer knocked at the door of the divineaudience-chamberwithalltheforceofholyfervorandfilialresignation,butnoechogreetedhisear.Heavenmaintainedaprofoundsilence.Thesuppliant, then rising up with increased anguish from the ground,hastensagaintohisdisciples,butfindsthem—howinconceivable!—sunk

in deep sleep. He hastily awakens them, and says with mournfulearnestnesstoPeter,firstofall—"Simon,sheepyou?Couldyounotwatchone hour?" An overwhelming question for the presumptuous disciple,whosemouth had just before been so full of assertions of fidelity evenunto death.He then addresses this solemnwarning to thewhole three—"Watchyou,andpray,lestyouenterintotemptation.Thespirittrulyisready,butthefleshisweak."

Thatwhichledhimbacktothedisciplesthistime,besidetheneedhefeltof consolation for his agitated soul, was his ardent affection for them,who, like himself, were surrounded by dangerous and infernal powers."Thehourofdarkness,"towhichhehadreferredinawarningmanneronapreviousoccasion,hadarrived.Theprinceofthisworldhadappearedon the stage in complete armor. Hell saw every barrier to its devicesremoved. The mysterious stupefaction and inability of the disciplesmanifests thebaneful influenceof theatmosphere theybreathe. Itwas,therefore,necessarythattheyshouldsummonupallthepowersoftheirmind and spirit in order not to succumb to the temptation to offense,unbelief,andapostasy.Fortheexpression,"enterinto,"signifiesherethebeingentangledinthesnaresof temptation.Theinjunctionto"Watch,"includes in it an alarming call to vigilance and foresight against amisapprehensionofthethreateneddanger.Theexhortationtoprayisanimperativenoteofpreparation,adirectiontothearmoryofJehovah,andaninvitationtothesourceofallhelpandstrength—thegraceofGod.Thewords,"Thespiritiswilling,butthefleshisweak,"mustnotbeexplainedasanexcusefortheslumberers,butberegardedasanadditionalreasonforthewarningheaddresses to them.TheLord intendstosay,"Donottrust to your pious resolutions. Your sinful and easily ensnared natureneedsmuchstronger restraint, especiallywhenbaneful influences fromwithoutaresuperadded."

TheLord again returns to the deeper shade of the garden, and prays asecondtimeinasomewhatalteredform—"OmyFather,ifthiscupmaynot pass from me, except I drink it, your will be done!" One of theevangelistsmentions that he prayed "more earnestly this second time."Hedoesnotmeanthatheurgedhissuittobesparedmoreimportunatelythanbefore;butthat,onthecontrary,assoonasheperceivedfromthe

silence of his heavenly Father, that his petitionwas refused, he strove,withanincreasedexpenditureofstrength,toenterstillmoredeeplyintothe obedience of faith. Meanwhile his inward horror continued toincrease.

Afterrisingupfromprayer,heagainsoughthisdisciples,butfoundthemstillsleeping—"Sleepingforsorrow,"asthenarrativeinformsus;andmyreaders may probably have themselves experienced how grief anddejection canparalyze andbind the animal spirits; "for their eyeswereheavy."Andonbeingawoke, "theyknownot," in theirstupor, "what toanswerhim."

TheLordwithdrewathirdtimeintosolitude,andprayedthesamewords.Anangelnowdescends to the suppliantSavior, andapproacheshim inorder to "strengthenhim."This suddenappearanceofaheavenlybeingmust,initself,haveaffordedtheLordnosmallcomfort,afterhismentalimprisonment in the sphere of sinful men and lost spirits. What theradiant messenger brought the divine sufferer, was not, however, thenewsthathisFatherwaswillingtogranthispetitionforexemptionfromthecupofsuffering;but,ifhecamewithanymessageatall, itwasonlythe express intelligence that the plan of salvation did not admit of itsremoval.Theprobability,however, is, that themissionof theangelwasonlyintendedtostrengthenhisexhaustedframe,andrevivehisfaintingspirit,whichhadbeenshakentotheircenter,inorderthatinthelastandmostpainfulpartof theconflict, thebody,at least,mightnotsuccumb.For immediately after the return of the angel, "Being in an agony, heprayedmoreearnestly,andhissweatwas,asitwere,greatdropsofbloodfallingdowntotheground."Whataspectacle!It isassertedonlyofoneindividual,Charles IX. of France,whose consciencewas burdenedwiththemassacreoftheProtestantsontheeveofSt.Bartholomew,thatonhisdeathbed,undertheaccusationsoftheinwardmonitor,heliterallysweatbloodintheanguishofhissoul.WhataparallelbetweenthemurdererofthousandsofChrist'sflock,andChristtheHolyOnehimself!Whoisnothorrifiedatthecontrast;buttowhomdoesitnotatthesametimeafforda dawning apprehension of the nature and importance of Immanuel'ssufferings,andshedadegreeof lightuponthedarkestandmostterrificmomentoftheconflictinGethsemane?

Letusrefer,oncemore,tothatmysteriousprayeratwhichtheworldissoofteninclinedtostumble.IthasbeenfounddifficulttomakeitagreewiththeLord'slovetomankind,withhissubmissiontohisFather'swill,withhis omniscience, and with his previous composure and resolution inannouncing the sufferings that awaited him, that he could suddenlydesiretobefreedfromthesesufferings.Andwhen,toobjectionsof thiskind, it is answered that the soul of Jesus, during the conflict inGethsemane, must be supposed to have been involved in a state ofgloomyobscurity, in accordancewith thedivinewill—it is rejoined thatthe perspicuity and fervorwithwhich he addressedGod as his Father,both before and after, by no means leave us to infer such a state ofdarkness. Inexplicable enigmas and contradictions seem to accumulateupon us here; but the obscurity will pass away, if we consider whatfollows.

First, as regards theobjectionderived fromourLord'somniscience,werepeatwhatwehaveformerlystated.Theself-renunciationoftheEternalSon consisted essentially in this, that during his sojourn on earth, hedivested himself of the unlimited use of all his divine attributes, andleavingthateternity,whichisabovetimeandspace,heentereduponanexistencecircumscribedbytimeandspace,inorderthathemighttreadthepathoftheobedienceoffaith,likeourselves,andperfecthimselfinitas our Head, High Priest, andMediator. As "the Servant of Jehovah,"whichtitleisappliedtohimintheOldTestament,itwashisparttoserve,not tocommand; to learnsubjection,not torule; tostruggleandstrive,butnot toreign inproudreposeabove thereachofconflict.Howcouldthis have been possible for one who was God's equal, without thislimitation of himself? All his conflicts and trials would then have beenonlyimaginaryandnotreal.HedidnotforamomentceasetobereallyGod, and in the full possession of every divine perfection: but heabstainedfromtheexerciseofthem,sofarasitwasnotpermittedbyhisheavenlyFather.

Observe, secondly, that the Lord, in Gethsemane, does not pray to bedelivered from his impending sufferings generally but only for theremoval of the horrors he was then enduring. How could he desireanything contrary to the counsel of God, who, when his disciples had

exhortedhimagainst thusgivinghimselfup tosuffering, rebuked themsoseverely?Heonlyasks,if itbepossibleforthecuptopassfromhim;and means that cup alone, whose bitterness and horrors he was thentasting.

That Christ, in his conflict, still acknowledges God as his Father, hadnothing strange in it, and does not contradict the assumption that inGethsemaneheemptiedthecupofdivinejudgmentforoursins.Foritisone thing toknowGodashisFather,onlyby faith, andanother to feelhim present in his paternal capacity, and experience him in theenjoymentofhis favorandaffection.TheSpiritofJesus, in itsgrievousconflicts, certainly always struggled through all opposition to thecomfortable consciousness of Sonship; but what his human soulexperienced,wasonlycurse,estrangement,andrejection.

Finally, the doubt whether the urgency of Christ's prayer stands inaccordancewithhislovetosinners,aswellaswithhissubmissiontohisFather'scounsel,iscompletelydestituteoffoundation.TheloveofJesusaswell as his obedience, celebrate, inGethsemane, theirmost brillianttriumphs.HeonlyaskshisFatherwhether,without infringingupontheworkofredemption,thiscupmightpassfromhim.Thathehasonlythisconditional possibility in view, and does not claim the divineomnipotence in general for his rescue, he clearly shows by that whichprecedeshisquestion."Father,"sayshe,"toyouallthingsarepossible;"bywhichheintendstosay,"Iwellknowthatmyconflictshallendatyourpleasure; "but will you be able to will its termination without therebyfrustrating the redemptionof sinners? Ifnot, then refusemy request; Iwillthendrinkthecuptothedregs."

His obedience to his Father resembles his love to him. The invariablelanguageofhisheartwas, "Notas Iwill,butasyouwill." If the sinlessweakness of thewill of his human soul strove against it, thewill of hisSpiritimmediatelylaidholdofit,andoverpowereditwiththefeelingofthe most decided resignation, which exclaimed, "Father, your will bedone,notmine!"Thiscryhadindeedtobewrungfromresistingnatureinher distress; and like a vessel in a storm, which steers firmly andundeviatingly, according to thedirection of theneedle, toward its port,yetnotinsodirectandequableacourseasduringacalm:sothewillof

Christ'sSpiritenteredintothewillofGod.Aslongastheunconditionalnecessityofthecupofsufferingwasstillinquestion,hisheartwastossedtoandfrolikethesurgingsea.Butassoonashebecameassured,bythecontinued silence of his heavenly Father, that the world could not beotherwiseredeemedthanbyhiscompletelyemptyingthiscup:hedidnotpermit the wish to avoid the suffering to be heard again; but with thewords, "MyFather, if this cupmaynotpass fromme except I drink it,your will be done!" He accomplished the great sacrifice of the mostunreserved,filial,andwillingresignationofhiswholeselftothecounselanddeterminationofhisheavenlyFather.

The cupof horrorhas been emptied to the verydregs.OurLord raiseshimself up from the dust, and hastens back to his disciples. Thewholemannerofhisbehavior,tone,anddeportmentisnowessentiallychanged,and indicates encouragement,manliness, and consciousness of victory.Webeholdhimcomingforthtriumphantlyfromtheconflict,andarmedandpreparedforallthatistofollow."Sleepon,now,andtakeyourrest,"hebeginstosaywithmournfulandreprovingseriousness,"Itisenough.""For my sake"—is his meaning—"you need no longer watch; I requireyourassistancenomore.Myconflictisended."

But what means the addition, "It is enough?" What else than "Yourslumbers will now cease of themselves?" The words that immediatelyfollow require this explanation. "The hour is come; behold the Son ofManisbetrayedintothehandsofsinners."Heintendsbythesewordstosay, "Thebody isnow concerned, and your liberty is at stake;whowillthinkany longerofsleepingundersuchcircumstances?Heknowswhathourhas struck.Notwithoutadegreeofapprehension,but stillperfectmasterofhisfeelings,hecourageouslypreparesforbeingdeliveredintothe hands of sinners, with whom, by this expression, he evidentlycontrastshimselfastheHolyOne.

"Rise up!" says he at the close, expressive of the valorous resolutionwhich his language breathed. "Let us go," continues he, "Lo, he whobetraysmeisathand!"Whatamomentousappealisthis!ThechampionofIsraelgoesforthtoattackandovercome,inourstead,death,hell,andthedevil, intheirstrongestholds.Letusadoringlybowthekneetohimandaccompanyhimwithhallelujahs.

Thus, has the most mysterious scene the world ever witnessed passedbeforeusinallitsaffectingcircumstances;andwhichofmyreadershasnotfeltthattosolveitsenigmas,thekeyswhichhumanscienceputsintoour hands are insufficient. In no earthly martyrdom is there anythingwhich remotely corresponds with the conflict in Gethsemane. It isobvious, on the contrary, that in treating of it, we have to do withsufferingswhichareuniqueintheirkind.Imighthowever,observethattheantitheticalobscurityoftheconflictplacesitselfinlightandsplendorbefore us, as soon as it reaches its culminating point. It is only by theguidingclueof these ideas, thatwefindourwayoutof the labyrinth.Ifwebelievinglyfollowthatclue,whichisnotdrawnbythearbitrarywillofman,butisputintoourhandsbythewordofGod,weshalldiscoverthesource of our eternal peace,where, at the commencement, nothing buthorror and distress took possession of us; and shall joyfully finish, byascribingthanksgiving,andblessing,andpraiseuntohim,whoenduredsuchgreatthingsforus.

Gethsemane—ImportandResult

The apostle, in writing to the Hebrews, concerning the priesthood ofJesusChrist,expresseshimselfinaremarkablemanner,whenhesaysinchap. 5:7, 8, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered upprayersandsupplications,withstrongcryingandtearsuntohimthatwasabletosavehimfromdeath,andwasheardinthathefeared:thoughhewereaSonyetlearnedheobediencefromthethingsthathesuffered."

The apostlehas evidently referencehere to the conflict inGethsemane,andexpresslydesignateswhattheLordJesusenduredandaccomplishedthere, as sacrificial. According to the apostle's view, the Lord therestruggledintheagoniesofdeath;andherepresentsthedeliverancefromdeath as the object of his supplications. But the death with which thedivinesuffererstrove,couldnotbethatwhichdeliversthesoulfromtheprisonofthebody:butonlythatthepoweroverwhichispossessedbythedevil, and which, while separatingmankind from fellowship with God,weighsuponthemasthecurseandwagesofsin.

The apostle says, Christ was "heard in that he feared"—that is, wasdeliveredfromthefearandhorrorofGod.Itfollowsofcourse,thatthisfear must not be understood as godly fear or filial reverence; but ashorrorandterroratthemajestyoftheThriceHolyOneintheheavens;forthebeingheard,canonlyhavereferencetothisfear.ButtheFather's"hearing" was experienced only after Christ, by his sufferings, hadlearnedobedience—thatis,whenheutteredthewords,"Father,notasIwill, but as youwill," and had,without reserve, accepted the cup fromhim.Inthemidstofstrongcryingandtears,theLordofferedhimselfupas the Lamb which, as the representative of a sinful world, presentedhimselfatthebarofdivinejudgment.ForasIsaiahsays,"Hewastakenfromprisonandfromjudgment."—Chap.53:8.

IconfessthatwheneverIamcalledupontotreatofthesacredmysteriesofGethsemane,Icannotdivestmyselfofacertaindegreeofawe.Ifeelasif there stood at the gate of that garden a cherub, who, if not with aflaming sword, yet with a repelling gesture refused admittance, andemphatically repeated our Lord's injunction to tarry outside, while heretirestopray.Afeelingalwaysseizesme,asifitwereunbecomingtoactasaspyontheSonofthelivingGodinhismostsecrettransactionswithhisheavenlyFather;andthatasinfuleyeventurestoomuchindaringtolookuponasceneinwhichtheLordappearsinsuchastateofweaknessand abandonment that places him on the same footing with the mostmiserableamongmen.Besides, Iknowthat Iamexpected to introducethe reader into depths which make the head turn giddy to look downupon;tosolveenigmas,thecompletedecipheringofwhichImustdespairof on this side of eternity; to explain mysteries, for the unsealing ofwhich,myownsoulvainlylanguishes;andtodrawasideveils,which,asoftenasIattemptit,seemthemoretothicken.ButtheGospelbringsthemysterious narrative before us for consideration, and hence it isincumbent upon us to enter into its sacred gloom, and seek tocomprehendasmuchofitashumanapprehensioniscapableof.

TheeventsinthegardenofGethsemane,withtheirscenesofhorror,havepassedinreviewbeforeus.IfwearenotentitledtoregardthepositioninwhichwefindtheSaviorthere,asaltogetherextraordinary,superhuman,andsingular;weshoulddobettertoclosethegateofthatenclosure,and

withdrawtheHolyOneofIsraelfromtheeyesoftheworld,ifwewishtosavehishonor,andthatofhisFather.If, inGethsemane,wehavetodowithJesusonlyasaprophetorteacher,hisoffice,assuch,theresufferedthemostcompleteshipwreck;sincewecannotthenavoidtheconclusion,thathemust,himself,havebeenatfaultwithregardtohisdoctrine,andhavelostthecouragetodieforit.IfheistoberegardedinGethsemaneonlyasthemodelofunconditionalresignationtoGod;wemustsaythathescarcelyattainedeventothis;sinceStephenandmanyothermartyrshaveappearedinfinitelygreaterthanthetremblingJesus,withhisbloodysweatandagonizingprayerthatthecupmightpassfromhim.IfwearetolookuponJesusonly as amandesirous, byhis example, of sealing thetruththatinthetimeofdistress,theLordGodisnearhispeoplewithhishelp and consolation—the question again recurs, where does such atranquilizing fact appear; since the very opposite shows itself, and theholysuffererlanguishesfrombeingforsakenofGod?If,finally,hemustbeviewedasaproofofthatovercomingpeacewhichneverdepartsfromthejust,butaccompanieshimineveryseasonofdistress:welookaroundusinvain,evenforsuchatestimony;forinsteadofpeace,ahorrorseizesupontheHolyOneofGod,likethatofaguiltymalefactor,whichrendershimrestlessandfugitive,andevengiveshimtheappearanceofonewhoisonthebrinkofdespair.

We must, therefore, have to do, in Gethsemane, with somethingessentially different to what I have just mentioned, or Gethsemanebecomes thegraveof theLord'sglory. Ifhewere fightingabattle,onlysimilartothatwhicheverymartyrforthekingdomofheavenhasfoughtbeforeandsince—thescholarsarethensuperiortotheirMaster,andthelatteristhrownbythemfarintotheshade.AllbeliefinthegovernmentofaholyandrighteousGodintheworld,mustbestampedasadelusion,if,in the suffering of Jesus, we apply no other criterion than that of anordinary testing and purifying trial. Heavenmust fall, the order of thedivinegovernmentbeannihilated,andChristianitybeforeverdestroyed,iftheHolyScripturescompelustoregardthecup,whichJesusdrank,asessentially the same as that of which Job, Jeremiah, Paul, and manyotherspartook.

Know,however,thatthecombatantinGethsemanelosesnothinginour

esteembyhisbeing"soreamazedandveryheavy;"norarewemistakeninhim,inwhateverdegreehemayseemtohavelosthisself-possession.Wedo not stumble at seeing him tear himself loose fromhis disciples,withtheviolenceofonebesidehimself,andthen,prostrate in the dust,hearhimmournfullyexclaim,"Mysoulisexceedingsorrowful,evenuntodeath!"Evenhisthriceutteredanxiouspetition,"Father,ifitbepossible,letthiscuppassfromme!"andhistakingrefugewithhisweakdisciples,as well as his requesting them to watch with him one hour for hisconsolation—no,eventhebloodysweat,whichflowedfromhisveins,anddroppedfromhissacredbodytotheground—howevermuchwemayfeelastonished,whateversorrowitmaycauseourhearts,andhoweverdeeplyitmayhorrifyus—itdoesnotmakeustakeoffense,norcauseourfaithtosuffer shipwreck. In our view, brilliant stars shine over thedarkness ofGethsemane. We possess the key to its mysteries and the depth of itshorrors;andwefinditinthesentiment,which,ineveryvarietyofform,pervadesthewholeBible:"Godhasmadehimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim."Aslongas Christ's position, as Mediator, is not acknowledged, the events inGethsemane will continue a sealed mystery. Every attempt to explainthem, otherwise than by the fundamental article of his vicariousmediation,must be forever unavailing. Only through the light which itaffords us, is everything rendered clear and intelligible to us in thatappalling scene. The most striking contradictions are then reconciled,and that which is the most strange and apparently incomprehensible,disappears, and seems perfectly natural. The divine sufferer inGethsemanemustberegarded,notasthatwhichhe isabstractedly,butin his mysterious relation to sinners. He here appears as "the secondAdam," as theMediator of a fallen world, as the Surety, on whom theLord"laidtheiniquitiesofusall."

Three causes lay at thebasis of Jesus'mental sufferings—theonemoreawfulthantheother.Hisagonywascaused,first,byhishorrorofsin,byamazement at the abominations of our misdeeds, and by penitentialconflict.Thetransgressions,whichweredivinelyimputedtohim,thathemight suffer for them as the representative of sinners, crowd into thesphere of his vision in the most glaring light. He beholds them verydifferentlytotheviewtakenofthembymaninhisdarkenedstate.They

present themselves, to his holy eyes, in their naked deformity, in theirunutterably abominable nature, and in their soul-destroying power. Insin, he sees apostasy from the Almighty, daring rebellion against theEternal Majesty, and base revolt against the will and law of God; andsurveys,atoneview,allthehorriblefruitsandresultsofsin,inthecurse,death,andendlessperdition.Howwasitpossiblethatthepureandholysoul of Jesus, at the sight of such horrors, should not tremble andshudder,andbeseizedwithanamelessabhorrence,ofwhichwe,whoaresodeeplyinfectedbysin,havenoconception?Onlyimaginepersonifiedholinessplacedinthemidstofthepooloftheworld'scorruption!Mayitnotbesupposed,howasinlessmessengersent tohimfromtheFather,neededonlytoenterintosuchahorriblesphereofvision,inorder,byhismereappearance,greatlytocomfortandrefreshtheSavior?

Butdonotletusconcealitfromourselves,thatthesoreamazementandheaviness, which the Savior experienced in Gethsemane, would stillremainaninexplicablemystery,werewenotpermittedtoconceiveofhimas standing in a still nearer relation to our sins than that of merelybeholdingthem.Wenotonlymaydoso,butareevencompelledtoitbythe Scriptures. The assertion is true, that the Redeemer as Mediator,wouldonlyhavebeenable tosuffer thepunishmentdue tooursins,byhavingaconsciousnessofthem.Thepersonalfeelingofguilt—thatworminthemarrowoflife—certainlyrenderspunishmentwhatitis,andformsits peculiar essence and focus. But if the doctrine of the satisfactionrenderedbyChristisopposedonthegroundthathewasholy,andthat,therefore, it was a contradiction and an impossibility for him to haveinwardlyfelt thecondemningsentenceof the law likeacriminal—thosewho do so would become guilty of a very hasty and presumptuousprocedure. They would then be overlooking the supernatural andmysterious union, into which the God-man and second Adam enteredwith us, as our Head, and by which he received into himself—not oursinfulness,forheremainedimmaculateasbefore—butourconsciousnessof guilt, together with its terrors. You ask how this was practicable?Somethingcorrespondingwithit,thoughinaremotedegree,maybemetwith, even in our human affinities and relations. Natural affection andconsanguinityareabletoestablishsympathies,inconsequenceofwhichafathermay take his son's faults and improprieties to heart, or a friend

thoseofhisfriend,insuchamannerastobecompelledtosigh,mourn,humblehimselfwithbrokennessofheart,andwrestlewithGodformercyonaccountofthem,asiftheywerehisown.Now,imaginetoyourselves,if you are able, apart from his mystic union with our sinful race, theenergyof loveandsympathywithwhichChrist immersedhimself inusand our guilty state, and you will more easily conceive how, thoughsupremelyholyinhimself,hecouldfeelourguiltashisown.Addalsotothis, that supernatural connection which, in its mysterious depths, isunfathomablebyallhumanthought,bywhichhewasincorporated,asagraft, into the stemof humanity,withwhichhe became identified, andthedoctrinethattheSaviortooktheconsciousnessofourguiltuponhimin another and more intimate manner than that of a mere objectiverepresentation, will no longer appear unreasonable. You will nowcomprehend how the Psalmist could exclaim, concerning the Messiah:"Myiniquitieshavetakenholduponme,sothatIamnotabletolookup;they are more than the hairs of my head;" nor any longer wonder atChrist'sbehaviorinGethsemane.Themysteryofhishorror,amazement,anddismayissolved.Hisanguishinthegardenisthedistressoccasionedbysin,thepangsofcontrition,andtheterroratthejudicialmajestyoftheholyGod,enduredinournames,andtastedinourstead.Itisrepentance—arepentancecommensuratewiththegreatnessofoursin,andwhich,inhispriestlycapacity,heoffersforustotheEternalFather.

Besidestheabominablenatureofsin,theLordexperiencesitscurse;andin this we perceive the second explanatory cause of the terrors ofGethsemane.HefeelshimselfasaculpritbeforeGod.Allthatisimpliedinbeing separated fromGod, deprived of his favor, estranged fromhisaffection,andachildofwrath,hefeelsasdeeply,inwardly,andvitally,asifhehimselfwere in thatsituation.Hedescends thegradationsof suchfeelings intothedistressof thedamned,andintothose infernalhorrorswherethepropheticlamentationsinPsalm22findtheir fulfillment:"Benotfarfromme,fortroubleisnear,forthereisnonetohelp.Mystrengthisdrieduplikeapotsherd,mytonguecleavestomyjaws,andyouhavebroughtme into the dust of death."He is only able, by naked faith, tostruggle through the flood of opposite impressions and feelings, to theconsciousness that God is still his Father as before. His soul isunconscious of God's gracious presence, and tastes only the pain and

distressofabandonment.Alas!thesightofhisFather'ssmilingfacewashisheaven;theconsciousnessofpaternalfavor,hisentirefelicity.Buthenow beholds it enveloped in gloomy clouds; and instead of intimatenearness,heexperiencesonlyafeelingofdistanceonthepartofGod.Buthewasnottobesparedthesebitterestdropsinour"cupoftrembling,"inorderthatthewordsofprophecymightbefulfilledinhim:"Hehasborneour griefs and carried our sorrows."—(Isaiah 53:4). Even the heavenlypeaceofhisheartbelongedtothethingswhichitwasnecessaryforhimtosacrificeastheransomforoursouls.Canwe,therefore,feelsurprisedthatwhen his sufferings rose to this state of inward abandonment, theinquiry as to thepossibility of the removal of the cup should,with stillstrongereffort,bewrungfromhissoul?

The third cause of our Lord's bitter distress in Gethsemane, is to besought in the world of fallen spirits. It is beyond a doubt that Satanessentially contributed to the horrors of that scene. The Lord himselfintimates asmuch in thewords, "Theprince of thisworld comes," and"Thisisthehourandthepowerofdarkness."Andhisrepeatedcalltohisdisciples,whenovercomebygloomyslumber,towatchandpray,lesttheyshouldenter into temptation,places itbeyondquestion inwhatkindofsocietyandatmosphere theywereat thatmoment.The infernalpowershave been let loose upon the Divine Redeemer. They are permitted toarrayagainsthimalltheircunning,mightandmalice.IftheyareabletodrivethesouloftheHolyOneofIsraeltodespair,theyareatlibertytodoso.It is intheirpowertodistressandtormenthimtodeath, fornoonehindersthem.Theymaytryhimasmuchastheyplease,noonestandsbyhimto help him.Hemust look to it, howhe canmaintain his ground.What I am saying soundshorribly; buthewho voluntarily endured thepunishmentduetous,wasnotpermittedtoescapebeinggivenuptotheassaults of the powers of darkness. What the latter did to him is notexpresslymentioned;butit iscertainthattheyassailedhiminthemostfearfulmanner,andstrove,withterrificvisions,whichtheyconjuredupbeforehim,withrevoltingblasphemies,which theypoured intohisear,andwith lyingsuggestions, to inducehim to suspect the conductofhisfathertowardhim,andtorturedhimwithinsidiousdissuasionsfromtheworkofhumanredemption.SufficeittosaythatourLord'sfaith,aswellashispatience,fidelity,andperseveranceintheworkhehadundertaken,

were never put to a fiercer ordeal than under the fiery darts of the"WickedOne,"whichheenduredinGethsemane.Herethecomplaintsofthe Psalmist, in Psalm 18, were realized: "The sorrows of deathcompassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. Thesorrowsofhellcompassedmeabout,thesnaresofdeathpreventedme."

ThushasthenightofGethsemanebecomelighttous,althoughthatlightbe glimmering. The connection between that scene of horrors and thegardenofEden,ofwhichitistheawfulantitype,isunmistakable.WhileinparadisethefirstAdamreposedinthelapofDivineLove,and,likeachildathome,heldpeacefulconversewithJehovahandhisholyangels,wesee,inthegardenofGethsemane,thesecondAdamsinkinginagonytotheground,undertheoppressiveburdenofguilt,languishing,forsakenofGod, andhorrified in the companyofdarkand infernal spirits.Howevidentitis,fromthiscontrast,thatwhatwastransgressedandviolatedin the former,wassufferedandcompensated for in the latter;andhowloudlydoesthenarrativeitselftestifytothetruth,thatChristsufferedinthecharacterofasatisfyingsurety,andanatoningrepresentative!

AfterhavingthusdevelopedthemysterybothofthecausesandnatureofChrist'ssufferinginGethsemane,sofaraswehavebeenenabledsotodo,letusnow inquire into theblessed resultwhichhasaccrued tous fromthem. For this purpose it is necessary that we should apprehend theconflict in Gethsemane, not in the abstract, but in its inseparableconnection with the whole of Christ's mediatorial sufferings. We see,however, in every single stage of our Savior's passion, some particularpart of the salvation he accomplished brought before us in a clear andobvious light; and, accordingly, as we find ourselves placed incircumstances which require especial consolation, first one and thenanother station on his path to the cross invites us under its peace-inspiringshade.

Let us hasten toGethsemane, therefore, beloved readers,when we feeloppressedinaworldwhereselfishnessreignsparamount,andwhatstillremains of the charity of theGospel threatens to expire in self-seekingand self-love. The loving Savior, whom we behold struggling for us inGethsemane, continues ours; and how faithfully, ardently, anddisinterestedlyisheattachedtous!Whatapricediditcosthimtoelevate

such unworthy creatures as we are from our misery, and to procureeternalsalvationforus!O lovedivine,howdoourheartsexpandat thecontemplationofyourbeauty!Howblissfulit istoescapefromaselfishworldtomeditateonyou,tosunourselvesinyourlight,andtoknowthatwe are reposing on your bosom! What a happiness is this—what aforetasteofheaveninthehouseofourpilgrimage!Olove,strongerthandeath,andmore invincible than thegrave,neverdepart fromourview!Beyouthestartoshineuponusdayandnight;andthecolderthewindofa self-loving world blows upon us during our sojourn here below, themore brightly do you display to the eyes of our spirits the graciousradianceofyourheavenlybeauty!

ResorttoGethsemane,myreaders,whenyoustanduncertainwhichwayto choose—whether to give yourselves to God or to the service of theworld.Gethsemanewillmakeitevidenttoyouwhatsinis.LookatJesus.Hedidnosin,butonlytookuponhimthatofothers.Howdiditfarewithhim?"Nowisthehourandthepowerofdarkness,"saidhe.Hewasgivenuptotheassaultsoftheinfernalhosts.Howtheyfelluponhim!Howtheytormentedhisholysoul!Whathorriblecompany!whatnamelessterrors!Butknowthatwhattorturedhimforatime,menacesyouforever!Thinkofbeingeternallydoomedtoendurethesocietyandthescourgesof theinfernal powers! Is it possible to conceive of anything more terrible?Jesus prayed that the cup might pass from him, but no answer wasaffordedhim.Godheedednothisagonizingcries;andyetJesuswasonlythesinner'srepresentative,whileyoumustanswer,eachoneforhimself.Remember the richman in the Gospel, who vainly besought a drop ofwatertocoolhisparchedtongue.Whoamongyoucanbeartodwellwithdevouring fire, or abide with everlasting burnings? Be irresolute nolonger.Ontheleftyawnsthepit,ontherightshinesthecrown!Sinbegetsdeath,butthefruitofrighteousnessislifeandpeace.

LetusrepairtoGethsemane,lastly,whenthestormsoftemptationroararoundus,andSatangoesaboutseekingwhomhemaydevour.Thedaysinwhichourlothasfallenaredangerous,andfewtherearewhoarenotcarried away with the stream of impiety. Even in the circle of thebelieving and the pious how much weakness of faith, decrepitude ofspirit,want of peace, and discouragement dowe perceive!How do the

complaints increase of inward darkness, doubt, and blasphemousimaginations, which cannot be repelled! All these are signs that theWickedOne isusingeveryeffort, andas theScripture says, is "ingreatwrath." He, therefore, who wishes to be secure, must resort toGethsemane.Therewe shallnotonly finda confederate in the conflict,whowillpointthewaytovictory—thereweshallnotonlybearousedwiththe alarming cry, "Watch and pray lest you fall into temptation;" buttheretheconvictionisrenewedwithinus,thattheprinceofthisworldisalready judged—that every rightful claim of the adversary upon us isextinguished,andthatwhattheEvilOnesuggeststousofanabominablenature against our wills, falls upon his own head, and not upon ours,sinceithasbeenlongagoatonedforbythebloodysweatofImmanuel,inthecaseofpenitentsinners,andcanonlyhaveapurifyingeffectuponusaccordingtothewillofGod.This faith is thevictory,whichhasalreadyovercometheprinceofdarkness.

Looking thus at Gethsemane, in its proper light, it becomes to us an"Eden," and is transformed, with its horrors, into a peaceful retreat.Withinitscircuitwearesafefromthejudicialinquiry,"Adam,whereareyou?"Inthisgardenflowsthenever-failingriverofGod,whichwatersthenewparadise.Howmanythousandanxioussoulshavegoneforthoutofit,fromtheconflictingbustleoftheworld,intodivineSabbaticrepose!Itsholygatesareopentous.Come,therefore,letusreverentiallyenter,andinhaleitspeacefulatmosphere!

TheSuddenAssault

AftercomingoffvictoriousfromhisspiritualconflictinGethsemane,thedivinesuffererpreparestoenteruponthethornypathofbodilyaffliction.We must bear in mind that under the latter the former not onlycontinues,buteachofthetrialstowhichheissubjectedmustberegardedonlyas thereflectionof incomparablymore,realand inwardstatesandsituations.Hisbeingtakenprisoner,hisbeingbroughtbeforethebarofjudgment, his condemnation by the Sanhedrin, and his passage to thecross, are only symbolical representations of infinitely more exaltedevents, whichwere behind the veil, in the relations of theMediator to

God, the supreme Judge. He who is unable to regard the individualscenesofourLord'spassionfromthispointofview,doesnotpenetratethroughthem,andwillneverfindhiswayinthelabyrinthofthehistoryofourSavior'ssufferings.

We imagine ourselves still enveloped in the darkness of that eventfulnight, in which our Lord said, in a tone of serious warning, to hisdisciples,andwhichmaystillbeutteredtothousandsinthepresentday,"Allofyoushallbeoffendedbecauseofmethisnight."ScarcelyhastheSaviorrisenupfromthegroundwhenanewcauseofalarmawaitshim.Before his disciples are aware, lanterns and torches are seen glisteningamidthegloomybushesofthevalley,andamurderousband,armedwithswords, staves, and spears, is seen approaching along the banks ofKedron. The powerful preparation made for this occasion is partly inordertoserveasamask,asiftheywerebandedtogetherforthepurposeofseizingadangerousconspiratorandrebel;andpartly inconsequenceof a secret fear and apprehension in theminds of the adversaries thatthey might probably meet with some unexpected opposition. Thesuperfluous torches and lanterns, in light of the full moon, likewisemanifest their conscience-smitten fears. They might, however, have inviewthehypocriticalannouncementthattheindividualtheywereabouttoarrest,despairingofhiscause,wasonlytobefoundinsecretcornersand hiding-places. Scarcely ever were so much devilish wickedness,baseness,andcraftinessjoinedwithsomuchinwardcowardice,timidity,andfaintheartedness,aswemeetwithinthisbandofruffians.Itistrulyaninfernalhostwithwhichwehavetodo—thebodyguardofSatan.

Letitnotdisturbustoinspectitalittlemoreclosely.Wefirstperceivethepriests, the ministers of the sanctuary. What accusation have they tobringagainstJesus?This—thatheisunderminingtheirproudhierarchy,strippingthemoftheirfalseglory,snatchingfromtheirhandsthescepterofdespotismover theconsciencesof thepoorpeople,diminishing theirtithes and resources, and, intimating to them, that they ought to placethemselvesintheranksofpublicansandsinners.Allthiswasintolerableto theseproud anddomineering servants ofmammon, and hence theirhatredoftheLordofGlory.Hencealsotheanimosityofnumbersofourcontemporaries.AllenmitytoChrist,regardedinthislight,isnothingbut

the rebelling of proud, self-righteous, human nature, devoted to theservice of the world, against a Gospel which places self-denial and thecrucifixion of the flesh, with its affections and lusts, at the head of itsrequirements.

NearthepriestswebeholdthePharisees,thoseblindleadersoftheblind,the representatives of the delusive idea of individualmerit, and hence,also of repugnance to a doctrine which while stamping every one as adelinquent, affords a hope of salvation only by grace, and even to themostpiousastheobjectoftheirboastingbeforeGod,leavesnothingbutthe freely bestowed righteousness of another. It is easy to understandhowthesemenwereoffendedataTeacherwhosetupregenerationasavitalconditionforall:whoselanguagewas,"TheSonofMancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,"andwhotestifiesofhimselfsaying,"IamtheWay,theTruth,andtheLife,nomancomestotheFatherbutbyme."Letushereaskourselves,whether,untiltheSpiritenlightensourdarkness, we are willing to be nothing, and that grace should beeverything?WhetherwearebetterpleasedthanthesesonsofGamaliel,toseeourjustificationbeforeGodfoundedsolelyandexclusivelyonthebloodoftheLamb,andthatwearethereforenaturallylessoffendedwiththe Prince of Peace than they? I doubt whether this question will bedecidedinourfavor.ThePhariseedwellsinallofusfromourinfancy.

In theScribes,whoappearnext in theband,wesee theexpressionofaspurious wisdom, accompanied by spiritual ambition. No wonder,therefore,thatsuchcharactersarealsometwithamongtheconspiratorsagainst Jesus. They, the learned among the people,were told that theymustsitonthescholar'sbenchwiththerest,andcondescendtotaketheirplacesat the feetof theRabbiofNazareth.They, themasters in Israel,who were stared and wondered at, and who sat with the heads of thepeople—weretheytosubmittothis?Howcouldsuchanideafailtorouseandenragetheself-conceitedmentotheutmost?ButdonotthewordsofJesuscontinueinforce,eventothisday?"Youhavehidthesethingsfromthewise and prudent;" aswell as those of the apostle, "Notmanywisemen after the flesh are chosen?" In addition to the universaldisinclinationtoJesus,whichispeculiartoeveryonewhoisnothealedofthehereditarydarknessofthehumanmind,therewasalsointhecaseof

theScribes,alatentvexationatthenumerousdefeatsandmortificationstheyhadsustainedinthefaceofthepeople,asoftenastheyhadventuredtoassailhim.Howvictoriouslyhadhealwaysdriventhemfromthefield!Howhadhecaughtthemintheirowncraftiness!Howhadhetakenthemcaptive in the very snares they had laid for him, and then openlydisgracedandtriumphedoverthem!Thesewerethethingsforwhichtheycouldnotforgivehim.Andaftertheweaponsoftheirsophistryhadbeenwrenched from their hands, they were neither noble-minded noringenuousenoughnottoregardthoseofthebasesttreacheryandrudestviolence as suitable for their purpose. O speak nomore of the naturalman'snobilityofspirit!Whateverstageofrefinementandmentalculturehe may boast of occupying, there is always a price for which he willunhesitatinglybarterthiscauseforboasting.

Underthecommandoftheringleadersabovementioned,weobservetheservants of the high priests, those blind instruments of their superiors,who, though less guilty, are anything but guiltless; and then also, themercenaries of theRoman temple guard. It becomes, indeed, people ofthisclassunconditionallytoobeythecommandofthosewhoaresetoverthem.Yettheyarenotmeremachines,incapableofguiltinsodoing,butanswerable, as well as all other men, to God the final judge, for theirmoralconduct;whoseobedienceought tobe limitedby thewell-knownmaxim—"We must obey God rather than man;" and whose duty itthereforewas, in the present case, to prefer dying by the hands of theexecutioner, to the doubtful praise of having done their duty in theperpetrationofthemostheinousofcrimes.However, forthemostpart,theyknownotwhat they aredoing.More reprobate than they, appearsthedespicabletroop,who,formoneyorfavor,havevoluntarilyjoinedtheband.These cowardly flatterersandmen-servers, towhom it is a trifle,foroneapprovinglookfromamanofrank,tosmitetheirconscienceintheface,remindusofthosemiserableimitatorsofothers,who,becausethisorthatperson,onwhomtheydepend,thinksinthismannerorthat,donotdaretospeakotherwise;andcarrytheirbasenesstosuchapointthat they even dispose of their independent judgment in affairs ofsupremely vital importance, for themostmiserable price in the world.Woetosuchworthlesscharacters!

But letuscasta lookalsoat the troopofcatchpoles.Who is itwalksattheir head, with a gloomy face and confused look? Who is the man,muffledupinacloak,andbearingtheimpressofaforced,ratherthanofanaturalbravery,inhismien?Ah,werecognizehim!Ourheartsshudderat the sight of him, and the blood stiffens in our veins. It is the son ofperdition,ofwhomitwaswrittenathousandyearsbefore:"Hewhodideatofmybreadhaslifteduphisheelagainstme."Itisthewretchedmanwhowearsthegarbofdiscipleshiponlyasthepoisonousadderisclothedinitsglisteningskin;thehypocrite,whoconcealshimselfinhisapostolicoffice,likethemurderousdaggerinitsgoldensheath.Sinisperfectedinhim,andcondemnationripenedtomaturity.Indarkness,bitterness,andadeceiver to the inmost centerofhisbeing:henowhates Jesusas thedarkness hates the light.He has got beyond the periodwhen hemighthavebrokenwithJesuswithindifference,andthenhavegoneonhiswaywithouttroublinghimselfanymoreabouthim.Buthehasnowgivenwaytoallthefeelingofaninfernalrevolt.Heisfuriousagainsthim,asthoughthemeekand lowlyJesuswerean implacable judge,bywhoseholiness,purity, and love, he feels himself condemned for his own treachery,hypocrisy,andmalice.HehadlongfeltpainfullyuneasyinthecompanyofJesus.Howcoulditbeotherwise?Abirdofnightcannotbearthelightofthesun.AttheanointinginBethany,wherehebecameconsciousthatJesussaw throughhim,he resignedhimselfwholly to the spirit of furyandbitterness,insteadoftotheHolySpirit;andsworedeadlyvengeanceagainstthemanwhohaddonehimnootherwrongthanthatoflookingintohisheart.Donotthinkthatthelureofthethirtypiecesofsilverwasasufficientcauseforhistreachery.Itwasinfernalinitsnature,andmustbesoughtmuchdeeper.Theunhappydisciplehadalreadyimbibedthatfurious spirit, which incessantly stings the lost in hell, to curse andblaspheme him who judged them, and of whom they are obliged totestify, thatallhis judgmentsare just.Alas!asparkof this fury iseverywherefoundinfallenhumannature.AsoftenastheLordisonthepointofsheddinghis light intothedepthsof itsdarkness, thehiddenserpentbegins tomove. The natural heart cannot bear the disturber of its idlepeace; and thus, the only Savior of sinners is greeted, even by thosewhomhecametosave,withthesalutationsoftherebelliouscitizens:"Wewillnothavehismantoreignoverus;"andwiththatoftheGergesenes:"Weprayyoutodepartoutofourcoasts."

"Rise,letusbegoing.Behold,heisathandthatdoesbetrayme!"Fromwhenceresoundsthiscourageousandresolutecall?Fromthesamelips,out of which the cry of pressure and distress had only just beforeascended to heaven, "If it be possible, let this cup pass fromme!" Butnow, behold the glorious conqueror! He emerges from the horribleconflict in Gethsemane, as if steeled both in body and soul. His wholebearingbreathesself-possession,manliness,andsublimecomposure.Nosooner was he aware who it was that presented the cup to him inGethsemane,thanhewillinglyemptiedit,andknowshenceforththattheterrorsandhorrorswhichmaybeinreserve,belongtotheindispensableconditions with which the completion of his great mediatorial work isconnected.Thisconsciousnessenableshimtotakefirmstepsonthepathofsuffering.Heclearlyseesthatwhateverofevilawaitshim,istheresultofhisFather'scounsel.

WhentheLordsaystohisdisciples,"Rise,letusbegoing!"hedoesso,inthe next place, in order to show them his altered state of mind, andbecausehewasdesirousthattheyshouldallbepresentathisarrest,that,aseye-witnesses,theymightafterwardinformtheworldhowtheirmasterhadvoluntarilydeliveredhimselfup into thehandsofhisenemies, andnotasonewhowasvanquishedbythem.

But see what occurs? Before the multitude that came against him hasreached the place, he proceeds several paces toward them with a firmstep.Inoppositiontotheconductofourprogenitorinparadise,who,onthe inquiry, "Adam, where are you?" sought concealment, our Lordapproachesthearmedband,andasksthemthesimplequestion,"Whomdoyouseek?"—aquestionatwhichtheruffiansoughttohavefeltdeeplyashamed, because it revealed the lying character of their wholeprocedure, and especially of their warlike array against him. But theworldwastolearnthattheLordwasledtotheslaughter,notbymistake,butintentionally,becausehewastheJustandHolyOneofIsrael;anditwasforthisreasonalso,thattheSaviorasked,"Whomseekyou?"

The answer of the armed band was clear and decisive: "Jesus ofNazareth,"saythey.Afterthusmakingknowntheirobject,theLord,withthesublimecomposureofthedivineMediator,whonotonlyknewallthatshouldbefallhim,butwasalsoclearlyconsciousofthecause,results,and

finalconsequencesofitall,saidtothem,"IamHe!"Greatandsignificantexpression! It was never uttered by the Savior without beingaccompaniedwiththemostpowerfuleffects."ItisI!"exclaimedhe,tohisastonisheddisciples,whenwalkingonthewavesofthesea;and,asatthesoundtheragingstormimmediatelysubsided,so,afloodofpeaceandjoypoured itself into theheartsofhis followers. "I that speakuntoyouamHe!" saidhe to theSamaritanwomanat Jacob'swell; and immediatelyshe leftherwaterpotandhastenedbackhome,as the firstevangelist totheborders of Samaria. "I amHe!"washis testimony at the bar of theSanhedrin,asweshallsubsequentlyfind;andtheconvictionthathewasreally theMessiah, smote theminds of his judges so powerfully that itwasonlybymeansofthestage-trickofrendinghisclothes,thatthehighpriest was able to save himself from themost painful embarrassment.Andwhatoccursonhismakinguseofthewordsonthepresentoccasion?On hearing them the whole band of officials start, give way, staggerbackward, and fall to the ground as if struck by an invisible flash oflightning,orblownuponbythebreathofOmnipotence.

That which thus powerfully affected them was, undeniably, the deepimpressionoftheholinessandinnocenceofJesus,bywhichtheywereforatimeoverpowered.Hismajestic,thoughsimpledeclaration,calledforthin them, in its full strength, the forcibly repressed conviction of hissuperhuman glory. But this mental emotion would not alone havesufficedtostretchthewholetroopbodily,asbymagic,inthedust,ifanactofdivineomnipotencehadnotaccompanied it.TheLordoverthrewthem,inorder,inthemostforciblemanner,tostamptheirappellationof"JesusofNazareth"asafalsehood,andtoforceuponthemtheconvictionofhisdivinesuperiority,aswellastoleavetheworldanactualproofthatitwasnotthroughcompulsionorweaknessthathebecameasacrificeforit,butinconsequenceofhisfreedetermination.

Themurderousbandlieathisfeet,prostratedbyasingleexpressionfromhislips.Andwhatwouldhavehinderedhimfromwalkingtriumphantlyoverthem;and,afterfixingthemtotheground,departinguninjuredanduninterrupted? But he only aims at displaying his supremacy andindependence, and after attaining this object, he permits them to riseagain fromtheground.Theirprostration in thedustbeforehim,points

outtounbelieversthesituationinwhichtheywillonedaybefound.Thehomage which they refused to Jesus here below, he will in due timecompel them to render him. The knee that would not bow to him involuntaryaffection,willatlengthbeconstrainedtodosobythehorrorsofdespair.Athreefoldwoewilllightuponthemasobstinaterebels,whenthe Lord shall appear, no longer with the palm branch and shepherd'scrook,butwiththeswordandscalesofeven-handedjustice.Thereisnorisingup,orrecoveringfromtheamazementandterrorwhichwill thenseizeuponthem,atthesoundofthewords,"IamHe!"

After the armed band, by the Lord's permission, had again raisedthemselves up, he repeats the question to them, "Whom seek you?"accompaniedthistimebyanoverwhelmingirony.Aswhenone,whohadbeen mistaken for a vagrant, and arrested as such, should suddenlydisplaytotheviewofhiscaptors theroyalstaronhisbosom,andwerecalmlytosaytothem,"Whomdidyouthinktocatch?"Sohere,likewise,withourLord'squestion,"Whomseekyou?"onlythathereismorethananearthlyking.Thebandittiathisfeethavejustbeenmadeawareofit;the question, therefore, as it respects them, puts on the form of thebitterestmockery,forwhatfollyforastrawtoattackafire,orasparkthefoaming ocean! They feel the sting of the reiterated question in theirconsciences,andareconfounded.Themonitorwithincondemnsthemasreprobates and fools; nevertheless, they readily overcome their inwardimpressionofthetruth,andmechanicallygivethesamereplyasthoughitwere thewordofparole. Itwasuttered, the first time,with a certainmilitary rudeness and boldness, but now it escapes from them timidlyandwithoutemphasis,andtestifiesofaninwardoverthrow,whichgiveswaytoadegreeofassurance,onlyaftertheLordhasvoluntarilydeliveredhimselfuptothem.

"Jesusanswered,IhavetoldyouthatIamHe.If,therefore,youseekme,letthesegotheirway."Howsweetandfullofpromisearethesesounds!OhowwelltheLordwasabletopreservethemostperfectself-possessionineverysituation,howeverterrible;and,withhisanxietyforthecompletionoftheworkofredemption,tomingletheminuteandinconsiderablewiththe stupendous and sublime. While girding himself for his mysteriouspassage to the cross,hedoesnot forget, inhis adorable faithfulness, to

rescuehisdisciples fromtheapproachingstorm;"Ifyouseekme," sayshe, "let these go their way." To this expression, however, we mustattribute an application far beyond its immediate meaning. Theevangelist, nevertheless, acts quite correctly in applying it, in the firstinstance, to the apostles, and adds, "that the saying might be fulfilledwhichhespoke,'OfthemwhichyougavemehaveIlostnone.'"

"Ifyouseekme,letthesegotheirway."Anexpositorhasveryjudiciouslyremarkedonthesewords, thattherewasadelicatepropriety inChrist'snot saying, "These my followers," or "These my disciples," but onlyindefinitely,whilepointingtothem,"these."Forhadheappliedeitherofthepreviousappellations to them, itwouldhavebeen construedby thearmed band as meaning "my partisans," and that in a sense which hewouldbecarefulnottocountenance.Inthesense inwhichtheworld isaccustomed to understand it, the Lord Jesus was not at the head of aparty,andhewasdesirousofavoidingtheleastappearanceofbeingso.

In other respects, the simple expression, "Let these go," uttered withemphasis,wasall thatwasneeded for the safetyofhisdisciples. Itwasnotarequest,butaroyalcommand,andatthesametime,ahinttothedisciplesastowhattheyhadtodo.Itwasthesignalfortheir temporaryretreat fromhis scenes of suffering. Itwouldhavebeenwell for SimonPeterhadheobeyedhisMaster's faithfulhint.At thatperiodtheywereunabletocopewithsucha"fightofafflictions,"andwouldcertainly,foratime, have all of them suffered shipwreck as regards their faith, if theyhadfollowedtheirMasterfurtheronhispathofhumiliation,nottospeakofthedangerwhichwouldbesideshavethreatenedtheirliberty,andeventheir lives.Therefore, adoredbe the foreseeing circumspection, and theadmirable collectedness and composure which we see the Lord Jesusexercisingatatimewhenthemostexcellentofmencouldnothavefoundroomto thinkofanythingbut themselves,whilebearinguponhisheartthewelfare and safety of his followers, and so graciously providing fortheirsecurityduringtheapproachingstorm.

Butdonotletusoverlooktherichconsolationforbelieversineveryage,which this act of ourLord's includes.Forhehasuttered thewords, "Ifyou seek me, let these go their way," to other bands than those atGethsemane,onourbehalf.Intheirmoreprofoundandgeneralsense,he

spoke them also to hell, earth, and the devil, for it was he whom theyreallysought,laidholdof,andbroughtlow.Butasregardshisbelievingpeople,theyhaveforeverexhaustedtheirpoweruponhim,andhaveleftin him their sting. And as far as these hostile powers extend, in thepresent day, anythingmore than to sift, try, or purify the followers ofJesus,aninsuperablebarrierisplacedbeforethembythesewords.TheycanneverdestroythosewhoareinChrist.Inthewordsabovementioned,wehaveapassportwhichinsuresusasafeescortacrossthefrontierintothe heavenly Jerusalem. Let us therefore honor this document, for thesealofGodbeamsuponit.

TheTraitor'sKiss

Wedirectoureyes,oncemore,tothearmedmultitudewhohadreachedtheGardenofGethsemaneinquestofJesus.Theyhavejustrisenupfromthe ground onwhich they hadbeen thrownby the power of theLord'sword,"IamHe!"AmongthosewhohadbeenthushurledtothedustwasJudas.Itmighthavebeen supposed that this renewedmanifestationofthemajestyofJesuswouldhave finallyscaredthesonofperdition, likesome fiery sign or signal of danger, fromhis traitorous path. Andwhoknowswhat effect servile fearmighthaveproduced, ifhehadnotbeensurrounded by witnesses, and if his imaginary honor had not been atstake! But he had undertaken to act the part of a leader; and what acowardwouldhehaveappearedintheeyesofhispatronsandsuperiorshadhenotresolutelyperformedhispromise!Howhorriblethedelusion,tomake a virtue of consistency, even in wickedness! Judas fanned theflameofhishostilitytotheLord,whichmighthavereceivedamomentarycheck,byrecallingtomindtheanointinginBethany,andthelastsupperinJerusalem.Sufficeittosay,heagainstandsbeforeusattheheadofthemurderous band, with a carriage certainly more forced than real. Hisbearing indicatesahypocritical resolution;butsomethingverydifferentisexpressedinhisavertedlooksandconvulsivelycontractedlips,aswellasintherestlessworkingofthemusclesofhispallidcountenance.Buthehas pledged his word and concluded his contract with Satan. Thetraitoroussignalmustfollow.Hellreckonsonhim,andwouldnotfortheworldlosethetriumphofseeingtheNazarenebetrayedintoitshandsby

oneofhisowndisciples.

Wemayhavereadandheardathousandtimesofthishorrible fact,andyetasoftenasitisrepeated,weareastonishedafresh,asifwehadneverhearditbefore.CantherebeamoreappallingordeeplyaffectingscenethanthistreacherousbetrayalofhisMaster?Wheredideverpersonifiedgoodness and consummate wickedness, heaven and hell,meet inmoreopen and awful contrast? Scarcely can we support the overpoweringimpressions,whichweherereceive,ofthesuperabundanceofdivineloveandmeeknessontheonehand,andthefullnessofSatanicwickednessonthe other! We are witnesses of a parting scene—one of the mostmelancholy and mysterious the world has ever beheld—Jesus and hisdiscipleJudas,separatedforever.

Before we view, in the traitor's kiss, the mature infernal fruit of hisinward corruptions, let us cast a look at the prophecies respecting himandhiscourseoflife.InPsalm41weread,"MineownfamiliarfriendinwhomItrusted,whichdideatofmybread,haslifteduphisheelagainstme."InPsalm109,"Lethisdaysbefew;andletanothertakehisoffice.Ashelovedcursing,soletitcomeuntohim;ashedelightednotinblessing,soletitbefarfromhim.Asheclothedhimselfwithcursinglikeaswithagarment,soletitcomeintohisaffectionslikewater,andlikeoilintohisbones."AndinPsalm69,"Lethishabitationbedesolate,andletnoonedwell in his tents." But that these and other appalling passages hadreferencetohim,hisparentshadnottheslightestidea.Theboygrewup,displayingadiversityof talents, andan inclination for religion.Hadhebeen an ordinary man, how could he have been selected by Christ tobecomeoneofhismostconfidentialdisciples?

After our Lord had openly come forward, Judas seemed, according tohuman ideas, to be fitted above others, to aid him in his stupendousobject.Heoffershimselfasadisciple,theSavioracceptshim,andadmitshim into the number, assigning to him the administration of theircommon fund. No one knows anything of him but that he is a truedisciple,adevoutandhighlygiftedman,and,ineverycase,noordinarycharacter.TheLordJesusalonesoonseesthroughhim,andperceivesinhimanevil root.This root is covetousness, ambition, and inoneword,egotism,thatis,thesinfulinclination,commontoallnaturalmen,forthe

exclusivegratification,exaltation,andglorifyingofself.

ThatwhichledJudasintofellowshipwithJesus,wasprobablythehopeofactingaprominentpartinthekingdomofhiswonder-workingMaster.Finding that he had formed an erroneous idea of that kingdom, whichwasthereverseofwhatheexpected,heseizes,aswehavealreadyseen,themoneywithwhichhewasentrusted, tocompensatehim, ina smalldegree, for his disappointment. The scene at Bethany then occurred,whichconvincedhimthathisbasenesswasdiscovered;andhethengavewaytothosefeelingsofanimosityandhatred,whichafterwardpromptedhim to betray hismaster for thirty pieces of silver.We have seen how,after receiving the sop from the latter, the devil entered into him, andfromthatmomenthebecametheentirepropertyofSatan.

Letusnowreturntothehorriblescenewewerecontemplating.Itistruethatthesignofbetrayal,whichhadbeenagreedupon,hadbeenrenderedsuperfluous by the voluntary approach of Jesus, and his majesticdeclaration concerning himself. The armed band, however, wereunwilling that Judas should forego it, seeing that the thirty pieces ofsilverhadbeenpaidhim,andsinceitmightserveasakindofsalvetotheconsciencesoftheconspirators.Hencetheyhintedtohimbytheirlooks,to keep his word; and Judas, partly to save the credit of his assumedheroism, and partly to conceal the discouraging impression which theoverwhelmingwordsofJesushadproduceduponhim,aswellas inthefurtivehopeofdisarmingtheangeroftheHolyOneofIsraelagainsthimbythemarkofaffectionwhichaccompaniedhisflatteringsalutation,forhe inwardly trembled at his wrath, and his language to the captors—"Seizehimandholdhimfast!"seemsonlytoemanatefromhisfearandanxiety,andnot,assomewouldmakeitappear,asironicallyintimatingthattheywouldnotsucceedindoingso—approachestheLordunderthemaskoffriendlyintimacy,welcomeshimwiththeformulaofheartywell-wishing,"Hail,Master!"andventures,likeapoisonousviperhissingforthfromarose-bush,topollutethesacredlipsoftheSonofMan,amidtheplauditsofhell,withhistreacherouskiss!

Thisactisthemostprofligateandabominablethateveremanatedfromthedarkregionofhumansinfulnessanddegeneracy.Itgrewonthesoil,not of devilish, but of human nature, although not without infernal

influence,whichwasvoluntarilyimbibed;andhenceitmaybeattributed,inallitsinfamy,toourownrace,assuch.Asthefullyexpandedflower,itdisplaystheseedoftheserpent,whichweallofusbearinthecenterofour being, either developedor in embryo. It condemnsourwhole race,andat the same timeplacesbeyondquestion the entirenecessityof anatonement,mediation, and satisfaction, in order that our soulsmay besaved. The kiss of Judas continues, in the sphere of morals, to be theshieldwithMedusa'shead,beforewhichthePelagian,withhistheoryofthenatural goodnessof thehumanheart,mustpetrify.Thatkiss is theindelible brandmark on the forehead of mankind, through which their"virtuouspride"receivesthestampoflunacyandabsurdity.

Wouldthatthetraitor'skisshadremainedtheonlyoneofitskind!But,inaspiritualsense,Jesushasstilltoendureitathousandfoldtothishour.For, hypocritically to confess him with the mouth, while the conductbelies him—to exalt the virtues of his humanity to the skies, whiledivesting him of his divine glory, and tearing the crown of universalmajestyfromhishead—tosingenthusiastichymnsandoratoriostohimwhile,outoftheconcert-room,mennotonlyblushathisholyname,buttramplehisGospelbywordanddeedunder foot—What isall thisbutaJudas-kiss with which they have the audacity to pollute his face? TheSaviordoesnotindeed,diefromsuchkisses;butthosewhodaretoofferhimsuchinsultswillnotescape.Thelossofreputationandhonor,wealthandproperty,healthandlife,areofnolastingimportance.Thereexistsacompensationforallthese;buttoloseandalienateourselvesfromJesus,isdeathandperdition;forheislifeandhappiness,andthelivingepitomeofpeace,salvation,andblessing.

"Hail,Master!"exclaimsthetraitor.ThesewordsareliketwopoisonousdaggersintheheartoftheHolyOne.Hecalmlyacceptsthem,nordoesherefuseeventhe infernalkiss itself.Heknowswhyhe ispassivehere,seeingthatthisgriefofheartwasalsoadropofthecupwhichhisFatherhadapportionedhim,andthatatthebottomofthishorribleact laythedeterminate counselof theAlmighty.Angelicmeeknesswouldnothavestood the test of that flagitious crime; but here is more than angelicmeekness, forbearance, and patience. It is a testimony to the divineenduranceoftheLordJesus;forthetraitorwouldnothavechosenthisas

thesignalforbetrayinghisMasterhadhenotbeenawareofthelatter'sboundless long-suffering. Thus, with the very kiss with which hedeliveredhimuptohiscaptors,Judaswascompelledtoglorifyhim,andonlyenhanceourideasoftheinfinitecondescensionandlovewithwhichhehadbeenfavoredbytheSavior; forheneverwouldhaveventuredtodisguise his villainy under the mask of intimacy, had he not beenemboldened by the infinite and often-experienced amiability of hisMaster.Sotrueitisthatinthetraitor'sdaringtoapproachhimthustheLord manifests it afresh by his passive resignation to the hypocriticalsalute of the apostate, and by the spirit of compassion and gentlenesswhichpervadesthelastwordsheeveraddressedtohim.

"Friend,"says theLordJesus,withpatheticseriousness, "whereforeareyou come?" Who would have expected such mildness on the presentoccasion?A "Get youbehindme,Satan!"or, "a curse lightonyouwithyour Joab's kiss, you whited sepulcher!" would have been moreappropriate intheeyesofmany.Insteadofwhich,wehearasoundlikethevoiceofaparenttenderlyconcernedforthesoulofhisdeeplyseducedchild.Andcertainly,anoutburstofflamingpassionwouldnothavebeenso annihilating to the traitor as was this exhalation of compassionatecharity. The word "friend," or, as itmight bemore correctly rendered,"companion,"recalledtohismindtheprivilegedpositionwithwhich,ashaving been received into the circle of the Lord's most intimateassociates,hehadbeen favored.Thisaddress remindedhimalsoof themanymanifestationsofunspeakable kindness and gracewithwhichhehad been loaded for three whole years, in the immediate society andfaithful superintendence of the most amiable among men. And if oneunobdurateplacehadbeenleftinhisheart,howwouldthisremembrancehaveaffectedandoverpoweredhim!

But in the Lord's pointed reference to the social connection in whichJudashadstoodwithhim,therelay,atthesametime,anoverwhelmingcondemnation of the conspirators, who did not blush to committhemselves to the guidance of amanwhom, in their hearts, theymusthave despised as a reprobate that had not his equal. An infamousrenegade,whowasnotashamedthusknavishlyanddetestablytodeliverup and tread upon a faithful friend and master, from whom he had

received nothing but benefits, bore the banner before them, and gavethemtheparoleoftheday.Whatahumiliationforthem!Howshamefulanddisgraceful!ButthehardenedbandcaredatthemomentonlyfortheSavior'sfall,andthattheymightgivethedeath-blowtohishatedcause;andthismurderousdesiretooksuchpossessionoftheirsouls,astoleavenoroomfortheinterestsoftheirownreputation.

"Companion,"saystheLord,"whereforeareyoucome?"or,"whystandsyou here?" The dreadful inquisitorial interrogatory rolls like terrificthunderthroughthetraitor'sheart.Hisconscienceawakesinamomentfrom its deadly sleep, and feels itself carried away, as by an Almightyhand, to the bar of divine judgment. But Judas, prepared for thisentranceoftruthintohissoul,forciblyresistshisownconscience,stiflestheconfessiononthe lipsofhis inwardmonitor,presents the latterthepoisonous draught of self-deception, and with the rapidity of one wellpracticed and experienced in the wicked are, succeeds in againcompellingittosilenceandapathy.HencetheLordhasnothingleftbutto let the stroke fall upon the door of his heart, which, if it does notsucceedinbreakingitopen,actsastheknellofeternalreprobationtothetraitor.

The Lord now calls him by his name, asmen hope to awake a lunaticsleep-walker, who is seen treading on the edge of a precipice, beforecastinghimselfdown,byasimilarprocedure."Judas,"saystheLord,withemphasis,asifhewouldleavenothingunattemptedforhisrescue,andasifhe intendedby it tosay,"Doesnot thementionofyournameremindyouof its signification—aglorifier ofGod, and that you are called afterthenobleandprincelytribeofwhichyouareascion,andyetdoyoucometomeinthismanner?"Afterthusmentioninghisname,ourLordplainlycharacterizes his deed. Yet even thenwe hear him giving a turn to hisspeech,as ifhedisbelieved thepossibilityof the traitor'spurpose.As ifstillquestioningit,hesays,"BetrayyoutheSonofManwithakiss?"ButJudas, under the influence of Satan, answers the question by thecommission of that crime which has branded his name as proverbiallycharacteristicofallthatisreprobateandflagitious,andwhichplaceshiminthepilloryoftheworld'shistory,markedwiththecurseofGodonhisforehead,asaterrificexampletomankindforendlessages.

"Betray you the Son ofManwith a kiss?" This is therefore, the eternalfarewelltothemiserableapostatefromthelipsoftheSaviorofsinners.Woetotheunhappyman!Helltriumphsoverhim,heavenforsakeshim,andthehollowthunderofthatquestionstillrollsovertheheadofJudas.Eventually, however, the words will be divested of their interrogatoryform,andwillbechangedintoanakedjudicialdeclaration,"YoubetraytheSonofManwithakiss."

Deeply affected, we close our meditation. Let what has been broughtbeforeushaveitsfulleffectuponus.LetnopharisaicalthankingGodthatwearenot like thatman,weaken the impression.Thegermofwhathewas,liesineachofus,andmaydevelopitselfbeforeweareaware,unlessweplace ourselves betimes under the protection ofDivine grace. Satanhasnotyetceased"Goingaboutasaroaringlion,seekingwhomhemaydevour;"and thedistancebetween the first step in thewaysof sin,andthelastisoftenquicklyaccomplished,aslongaswearelefttoourselves.Letus,therefore,hastentosaveoursoulsandguardourhearts,likeacitybesiegedby the enemy.But our armsofdefensemustbe soughtwherealonetheycanbefound—beneaththewingsofChrist.Heisourrockandourfortress,ourrefugeandstrength,andourverypresenthelpineverytimeofneed.

TheSwordandtheCup

A singular occurrence interrupts the regular course of the sacrednarrative of our Lord's passion, and serves as an additional proof howdifficult it is for human thought to elevate itself to God's thoughts,especially as displayed in thework of redemption. In the scenewe areabouttocontemplate,adisciplesmiteswiththesword,anaction,which,however well meant, is, nevertheless, directed against the very groundandbasisoftheworld'ssalvation.Letusrejoicethateternallovepursuesitsevenpath,anddoesnotrequireourhelpintheaccomplishmentofitsobject.

Afterthemildbutoverwhelmingwordsaddressedtothetraitor,ourLordopensthebarrierstothebanditti,andvoluntarilyoffersthemhishands,

whiletheypressuponhimwithanartificialcourage.Howhorribletoseethe Lord of Glory fallen upon and surrounded like a robber and amurderer! The disciples witness it; but the sight renders them besidethemselves. If,at the traitor'skiss, theirbloodcongealedwithhorror, itnowbeginstoboilintheirveins.Theycannotbearthatitshouldcometosuchapass."Lord,"saythey,aswithonevoice,"shallwesmitewiththesword?"They dowell first to ask, but the question is amerematter ofform, and unconsciously uttered from the force of habit. For, whilespeaking, they themselvesgive theanswer; andbefore theirMasterhastime to say a word, Peter's sword is unsheathed, and the first blow indefenseisstruck.

Weunderstandwhatwaspassing inSimon'sheart.ThewordsourLordhad uttered on the road to Gethsemane, respecting his denying hisMasterandhisownreply,stillfermentedwithinhim;andhewasanxiousto show the latter that, in accordancewithhisownassertion,hewouldrather die than forsake him. Full of these ideas, and, doubtless,with aconfused remembrance of what the Lord had said respecting thepurchaseofswords,heblindlyattacks the troopwithhisbladeof steel,andsmitesMalchus,oneofthehighpriest'sservantsontherightear,sothatithangsdownonhischeek,onlybyaslendershred.

"Welldone,Simon!"wearereadytoexclaim,"onlyproceedasyouhavebegun.These sonsofBelialdeservebleedingheads! If you,whoarehisintimate associates, could have coldlywitnessed this abominable crimeagainst yourMaster,we shouldneverbe able tobelieve in your love tohim."Buthere againwemust takeoccasion toobservehowapparentlythenoblestebullitionsofthenaturalheartofmanareopposedtothewillandorderofGod.Thatwhichappears tousassuchanamiable trait inPeter,isonlyaconfusedmixtureofself-love,arrogance,andfolly;whilethefireofournaturalenthusiasmforSimon'sact,proceedslikewiseonlyfromshort-sightednessandblindness.

ItisundeniablethatanardentandsincereaffectionhaditsessentialpartinthisactofPeter's;butcertainly,itwasnotlovealonewhichnervedhisarmonthisoccasion;at leasthewasequallyasanxioustosavehisownhonor as thepersonofhisMaster;while thepublicity of the affairwasassuredly nomean stimulus to his bravery. Had Peter been in earnest

withhisquestion,"Lord,shallwesmitewiththesword?"theLordwouldcertainlyhaveansweredhimbysaying,"Simon,willyoupollutethegloryofmysubmission?Isityourintentiontoexposeustothesuspicionthatwe are only a company of political demagogues? Do you proposeaffordingouropponentsagroundof justification for comingagainstusarmed?AndwillyouagainofferthehandtoSatanforthefrustrationoftheentireworkofredemption?"

Inthis,orasimilarmanner,wouldtheLordhavespoken;forcertainly,ifSimonandtherestofthedisciples,whowerealsoreadyforthecombat,had succeeded in their attempt, theplanof theworld's salvationwouldhavebeenobstructed,sincetheLambofGodwouldthennothavebeenled to the slaughter. The great truth that the salvation of sinnerscouldonly be accomplished by the offering up of the God-man, was still aprofound mystery to the disciples, and continued so until the day ofPentecostbrokethesealsanddisclosedtothemitssacreddepths.AndtothisdayitistheSpiritonlythatopenstheunderstandingandsolvesthedifficulty.Withouthim,wemay listen to thearticleof reconciliationbythebloodoftheLamb,andperhapsevenknowhowtopreachit.Butitisonly possessed as a barren idea, a dogmatic formula, a dead thing ofthought,andwillbeofnobenefittous.Itisonlythoroughlyunderstood,seriously believed, and vitally apprehended as the basis of hope andsalvation,whentheSpiritofGracebringsitnear,andexpoundsittothecontriteheart.

The confusion caused by Simon's thoughtless assault is indescribable.Thewholescenesuddenlychanges.Thetroop,drawingtheirswords,nowpreparealsofortheconflict,andthesacredsoilofGethsemaneisonthepointofbeingtransformedintoabattle-field.Ashrillerdiscordcouldnothave interrupted the entire purpose of Jesus, than arose out of thatinconsiderate attempt. To all appearance, Peter had for the moment,drawnhisMaster entirely out of his path; and inwhat danger had thethoughtlessdisciple,byhisfoolishact, involvedtheEleven,whoformedthetendergermoftheLord'sfutureChurch!Theywoulddoubtlesshavebeen together overthrown and slain without mercy, had not the Lordagaininterferedattherightmoment.Butitiseasyforhimtounloosethemost complicated knots. The repairing what we have injured has ever

beenhisvocation,andissostill.

Scarcelyhad the lamentableblowbeenstruck,whentheSaviorsteppedforward, and while turning to the armed band, rebuked the storm insomemeasure,bythesewords—"Sufferyouthusfar"—thatis,"Grantmeashorttime,untilIhavedonewhatIintend."Itisarequestforatruce,inorderthatthewoundedmanmaybehealed.Beastonished,hereagain,atthehumility,calmness,andself-possessionwhichtheLordexhibitsevenin themost complicated situations and confusing circumstances, neverforgettingwhat isbecoming,andwhatbelongs tohisofficeandcalling.Evenintherecklesstroops,hehonorsthemagistracytheyrepresent;anddoesnotorderand command,butonly requests them for amoment todelay seizing his person. And how willingly does he again, in thisinstance, bow tohisheavenlyFather's counsels, according towhich, hewas to be deprived of his liberty and subjected to the power of hisadversaries! What silent admiration must his meek and tranquilsubmissionhaveproducedinthemindsofhisfoes!

Byasignificantsilence,theygavetheirassenttohiswish.Buthowtheyare astonished on seeing the Lord kindly inclining to Malchus, andtouching his wounded ear with his healing hand, when the bloodinstantaneously ceases to flow, and the ear is restored uninjured to itsplace! We are also astonished at this miracle—the last and not thesmallest,bywhich the Saviormanifested himself on earth, as theGod-man.Andweadmire in it, notmerelyhispower,which shines forth sogloriously,butlikewisehislove,whichdidnotexcludeevenhisenemiesfromitsbeneficialoperation,aswellashiscareofhisdisciples,whom,bythehealing ofMalchus, he secured from the sanguinary revenge of themurderoustroop.NormustweoverlookthewiseforethoughtwithwhichtheLord,bythischaritableact,defendshiskingdomforthefuturefromall misunderstanding as to its real nature. It is not a kingdom of thisworld,butoneinwhichrevengeissilent,meeknessheapscoalsoffireontheadversary'shead,andwhereevilisrecompensedwithgood.

WhiletheLordwasstretchingouthishealinghandtothewoundedman,he opens his mouth to Peter, and utters, for the instruction of everyfutureage, thehighly importantwords respecting theuseof the sword,hisvoluntaryabasementforsinners,andhisunconditionalsubmissionto

hisFather'swill.

Hebeginsbysaying,"Putupyourswordagainintoitsplace,forallthosewho take the sword, shall perish with the sword." A serious warning,whichmusthave rolled like thunderoverSimon'shead.Feware awarethataccordingtotheviewsofsomepartiesintheChristianChurch,thispassagealtogetherprohibitstheuseofthesword.ButScripturemustbecomparedwithScripture,andwhatistermed"theanalogyoffaith,"isthefirstprincipleofbiblicalexposition. In thewordsabovementioned,ourLord gives us a hint that the sword has also "its place," where it mayjustlyleavethescabbard;andhence"thepowersthatbe"aredescribedinRom.13:4,as"notbearing thesword invain,"seeing that theyare "theministers of God, and revengers to execute wrath upon him that doesevil." Now, if they commit the sword to any one—whether to theexecutioner,thesoldier,ortoaprivateindividualforhisowndefense:itis then drawn in a proper manner; while in the two first-mentionedinstances, the responsibility attaches solely to them; but the sword isunconditionallyandineverycasewithdrawnfromprivaterevenge,whichissomethingessentiallydifferentfromself-defense.

Leastofallistheswordinitsplace,withreferencetotheinterestsofthekingdomofGod.There,on thecontrary, thewordsareapplicable,"Notbymight,norbypower;butbymySpirit,saystheLord!Theweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnal,butmighty,throughGod,tothepullingdownof strongholds." There the victory is gained by the power of thetestimony,by thebloodof theLamb,andby thepatienceof the saints.ThebloodofthemartyrsistheseedoftheChurch,andnotthebloodof"heretics."TheChurchofRome,alas!hasselectedtheworstthingoutofthe legacy of her patron, Peter, namely his sword—not, however, inaccordancewithourLord'simpressivecommand,toreturntheswordtoits place, but in the strongest contradiction to it, having drawn andbrandished it in order to smite. The weapons of Popish warfare havealways been "carnal"—bulls of excommunication, interdicts, tortures,Auto-da-fes, and scaffolds. Hence they have established only a worldlychurch,whichresemblesthekingdomofChristaslittleasanaturalmandoes one that is born of the Spirit; it beingmore an institution of theState than a Church, more like Hagar than Sarah, bringing forth only

bond-servantsandnotchildren;andworsethantheGalatians,ithasnotonlybegunintheflesh,butseemswillingtoendinitalso.ThewordsofourLord, "Thegatesofhell shallnotprevail against it,"donot at leastrefer toher, but to the trueChurch, themembersofwhicharebornofwater and theSpirit.The latter conquerwhile succumbing, and endurehardness,asgoodsoldiersofJesusChrist.ThetrueChurchhasindeedtodowith"coalsoffire,"butheapsthemontheheadofheropponentsonlyby the exercise of love. Her laurel wreath is the crown of thorns, andmeeknessisherweapon.Ifreviled,sheblesses;ifpersecuted,shesuffersit;ifdefamed,sheentreats(1Cor.4:12,13).Shetakestoheartthesayingof Peter (1 Epis. 4:14): "If you be reproached for the name of Christ,happyareyou;fortheSpiritofGloryandofGodrestsuponyou."Thussheovercomesbysubmission,andpreparesatriumphforChristbyhertriumph over herself; and either fights her battles like the sun, whichdispelsthemists,andcausesthemtodescendinfructifyingdew-drops,orlike the anvil, which does not strike itself, but cannot prevent thehammers,whichfalluponit,frombeingsplittopieces.

In this mode of passive overcoming, by which alone the world isconqueredandbroughtintosubjectiontothePrinceofPeace,thelatterhimself is our forerunner and leader.Hearwhat he says, "Put up yourswordagainintoitsplace;forallthosewhotakethesword,shallperishwiththesword.Thecup,whichmyFatherpathgivesme,shallInotdrinkit?OrthinkyouthatIcannotnowpraytomyFather,andheshallgiveme more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should theScripturesbefulfilled,thatthusitmustbe?"

OwhataprofoundandcomprehensiveviewishereaffordedusintoourLord's sublime knowledge of his Divine Sonship! How the veil of hisabjectformisheredrawnaside,andhowdoesthewholemajestyoftheonly-begottenSonoftheFatheragaindisplayitselfbeforeuslikeaflashof lightning in thedarknessof thenight!He continues the same in theobscurestdepthsofhumiliation;and in theconsciousnessofhisDivinedignity,always rises superior to theoppositeappearance inwhichhe isenveloped.Heissureofnothingsomuchasthis,thatifhewould,hehadonly to ask, and theFatherwould send twelve legions of angels for hisprotection (consequently a legion for each of the little company). How

mustPeter,onhearing thesewords fromhisMaster,have feltashamedforimaginingthat,ifhedidnotinterfere,thelatterwouldbelefthelplessandforsaken.Howseverelyisthisfoolishthoughtreprovedbythewords,"Thinkyounot."ForSimonknowsthathisLordisnotaccustomedtouseemptyphrases, and that hemust, therefore, take thewords concerningthecelestialpowersthatstoodathiscommand,intheirliteralsense;andyettheideacouldoccurtohimthathemustdeliversuchaMasterfromahandful of armedmortals, as thoughhewereutterlydefenseless!Whatunbelief!Whatdelusion!

But was it really in the Lord's power to withdraw himself from hissufferings by angelic aid? Without the shadow of a doubt. Havingvoluntarily resolved upon the great undertaking, he could, at anymoment,have freelyandwithoutobstruction,withdrawn fromit.Everyidea of compulsion fromwithoutmust be banished far from the doingandsufferingofourRedeemer.Hence,thereisscarcelyamomentinhiswhole life, in which his love for our fallen race is more gloriouslymanifested than in that on which we are now meditating. A heavenlyhost,powerfulenoughtostretchaworldofadversariesinthedust,standsbehindthescreenofclouds,waitingathisbeck,andburningwithdesiretobepermittedtointerfereforhimandtriumphantlyliberatehimfromthe hands of the wicked while he, though ill-treated and oppressed,refusestheiraid,andagainrepeats,moreemphaticallybytheactionthanbywords,"Father,yourwill;andnotmine,bedone!""Thusitmustbe,"says he. Carefully observe also this renewed testimony to theindispensablenecessityofhispassion."How,then,shalltheScripturesbefulfilled,"headds.ThewordsofMosesandtheprophetsare"alampuntohisfeet,andalightuntohispath."Hislanguagestill is,"Thecupwhichmy Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" Great and momentouswords!Letusspendafewmomentsinmeditatingonthem.

Acup isavesselwhichhas itsappointedmeasure,and is limitedby itsrim. The Savior several times refers to the cup that was appointed forhim.InMatt.20:22,heaskshisdisciples, "Areyouable todrinkof thecupthatIshalldrinkof?"Bythecup,heunderstoodthebitterdraughtofhis passion which had been assigned him. We heard him ask inGethsemane,at thecommencement, if itwerenotpossible that thecup

mightpass fromhim;andherewe findhimmentioning,with themostunmovedself-possession,"thecupwhichhisFatherhadgivenhim."Weknowwhatwas in the cup. All its contentswould have been otherwisemeasuredouttousbydivinejusticeonaccountofsin.Inthecupwastheentirecurseoftheinviolablelaw,allthehorrorsofconsciousguilt,alltheterrors of Satan's fiercest temptations, and all the sufferingswhich canbefallbothbodyandsoul.Itcontainedlikewisethedreadful ingredientsofabandonmentbyGod,infernalagony,andabloodydeath,towhichthecursewasattached—allwhichwastobeenduredwhilesurroundedbythepowersofdarkness.

Herewelearntounderstandwhatisimpliedinthewords,"WhosparednothisownSon,butfreelygavehimupforusall.""TheLordlaidonHimtheiniquitiesofusall.""IwillsmitetheShepherd,andthesheepshallbescattered.""Christhasredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus.""Godmadehimtobesinforuswhoknewnosin."AllthatmankindhaveheapeduptothemselvesagainstthedayofGod'sholyandrighteouswrath—their forgetfulnessofGod—theirselfishconduct—theirdisobedience, pride, worldly-mindedness—their filthy lusts, hypocrisy,falsehood, hard-heartedness, and deceit—all are united andmingled inthiscup,and ferment together intoahorriblepotion."Shall Inotdrinkthiscup?"askstheSavior."Yes,"wereply,"Emptyit,belovedImmanuel!wewillkissyourfeet,andofferupourselvestoyouuponyourholyaltar!"Hehasemptiedit,andnotadropremainsforhispeople.Thesatisfactionherenderedwascomplete, thereconciliationeffected."There isnownocondemnation to them that are inChrist Jesus,whowalknot after theflesh, but after the spirit." The curse no longer falls upon them. "Thechastisement of our peace lay upon him, and by his stripes we arehealed,"andnothingnowremainsforusbuttosingHallelujah!

OfferingandSacrifice

We shall confine our present meditation to the state of resignation inwhichwe left ourgreatHighPriest, at the closeof the last chapter.Heyieldshimselfuptohisadversaries,andsuffersthemtoactwithhimastheyplease;andthisverycircumstanceisforusofthegreatestandmost

beneficialimportance.Hissituationisdeeplyaffecting.Imagine,asmightactually have been the case, that immediately after the occurrences atGethsemane a messenger had hastened to Jerusalem to inform hismotherMaryofwhathad justbefallenherson,outside thegatesof thecity.Whatmusthavebeenthefeelingsofthedistressedwoman!"What?"shewoulddoubtlesshaveexclaimed,"Hasthishappenedtomychild—ishe in such a situationwhowas the best of sons—theHolyOne,who islove itself, assaulted like a criminal?—the benefactor ofmankind, theirtenderlysusceptible andgraciousSavior, coveredwith suchundeserveddisgrace, and in thehands, and even in the fetters of jailors?" Itwouldcertainlyhaveseemedtohisgrievedparentasifshehadonlydreamedofsuch horrible things; and on receiving a confirmation of the painfulintelligence,canyousupposeanythingelsethanthatshewouldentirelylose all command over herself; and burst into loud lamentations andfloodsofbittertears?

It is from such a point of view that we ought to contemplate theoccurrenceatGethsemane,inordertofeelandcomprehenditfully.Andthatyoumayviewitinastillmorelivelymanner,imaginetoyourselveswithwhat feelings theholyangelmusthavewitnessed theirLordbeingthus taken prisoner—they whom the Savior's humiliation never for amoment prevented from being conscious of his real character anddignity;andwho,whereverhewent,perceivedinhimtheLordofGloryand the King of kings, before whose throne they only ventured toapproach with veiled faces. Let us realize, if possible, what they musthavefeltatthatmoment,when,lookingdownfromtheclouds,theysawtheHighandLoftyOnesurroundedbytheofficers,asifhehadbeenthevilest of criminals; thePrince of heaven taken captivewith swords andstaves;theJudgeoftheworldfetteredlikeamurderer,andthendraggedawayundertheescortofacrowdofruthlessmenamidblasphemiesandcurses, to be put upon his trial! May not a cry of horror have rungthroughheaven,andtheideahaveoccurredtothoseholybeingsthatthemeasure of human wickedness was now full, and that the day ofvengeanceontheungodlyearthhadarrived?Wecansoeasilyforget, inhis appearance as a man, whom it is that we have before us in thehumbled individual of Nazareth; and it is only now and then that itflashesthroughourmindswhohereally is.Butthenourheartsbecome

petrified with amazement, and we can only fold our hands in silentastonishment.

But however dreadful his position may be, the Savior bears withcomposuretheseoutrageousproceedings.Hedelivershimselfup,andtowhom?—to the armed band, the officers and servants. But we arewitnesseshereof another yieldingupofhimself, andone that is veiledandinvisible;andthelatterisofincomparablygreaterimportancetousthan that which is apparent to the outward senses. Christ here giveshimselfuptohisFather, first, as "anoffering" (Ephes.5:2),andsuchaone as will doubtless satisfy the Father. How shall we sufficientlyappreciate the excellency of this offering? Behold him, then, as Oneagainst whom all hell may be let loose without being able to cast theslightest blemish on his innocence; as One who endured the fiercestordeal without the smallest trace of dross; who boldly withstood thestorm of temptation,which only served themore rapidly to perfect hisobedience; who, in a state of the most painful inward privations,preserved, unshaken, his love to his Father; and although his Father'sheart seemed turned away from him, yet regarded it, as before, as hismeatanddrinktodothewillofHimwhosenthim;who,inasituationinwhich acute agony forced him to sweat blood, could nevertheless prayfrom the bottom of his heart, that not what he desired, but what theEternal Father wished and had determined respecting him,might takeplace. Such is the dazzlingly pure, immutably holy, and severely testedoffering,whichChristinhisownpersonpresentstotheFather.

Regard him now as submitting himself, not only to the disgrace of apublicarrest,butalsotothefateofacommondelinquent,inobediencetohis Father's will. But how willingly does this conviction cause him todescend to such a depth, and unhesitatingly to resign himself into thehands of sinners! Hear him address his enemies. With the majesty,freedom, and sublime composure of One who, far from beingoverwhelmedby thatwhichbefallshim,marksouthimself thepathonwhich he is towalk, andwho, in accordancewith his Father's counsel,ordainshisfatehimself;hesaystothemultitude,andespeciallytotheirleaders, the chief priests, and the captains of the Jewish temple-guard,andtotheelders,theassessorsoftheSanhedrin,who,intheheatoftheir

enmity to Jesus, had come out with the intention of encouraging thecaptors by their presence, "Are you come out as against a thief, withswordsandstavestotakeme?Isatdailywithyou,teachinginthetemple,andyoulaidnoholdonme,norstretchedforthyourhandsagainstme."

Our Lord, by these words, intends, first, that they shall serve as atestimony, notmerely to those that heard them, but also to the wholeworld, that he was led guiltless to the slaughter, and that the shadow,whichPeter'ssmitingwiththeswordmighthavecastuponhimandhisadherents,wasentirelydispelled;andnext,thatnopoweronearthwouldhavebeenable toovercomehim,hadhenot,whenhishourwascome,voluntarily yielded up himself in free submission to his Father's will.Until hehad completedhisministerial office,no enemydared to touchhim.Nor had they been able to discover anything in himwhichmighthave enabled them to prosecute him. The invisible barrier is nowremoved."This,"continues theSavior, to theprofoundconfusionofhisadversaries,"thisisyourhourandthepowerofdarkness."Hismeaningis, "By an act of the Divine government the chain of Satan has beenlengthened, the bridle of hell, whose armor-bearers you manifestyourselvestobe,hasbeenremoved,thatitmaydowithmeasitpleases."What self-possession and divine composure are in these words! Withsuch unreserved willingness does he yield himself up to the mostdisgraceful treatment. Not even the slightest feeling of a disturbed orrevengefulaffectionrisesupwithinhimagainstthereprobates.Hissoulcontinues ina stateofequanimityandserenity, justas if theywerenotjailers'assistants,whoboundhimwithcords,butfollowersandfriends,whowerewindingchapletsforhim.

ButwhatbenefitdowederivefromthefactofChrist'sgivinghimselfupso completely and devotedly to the Father? The greatest and mostbeatifyingofwhich thought is capable.Listen! Jehovah says inhis law,"You shall not appear before me empty." Consider, that if we wish toinheritheaven,wecannotdowithoutthat,towhichsalvationispromisedasthereward.Wenowpossessit,andthedaysofourgriefandshameareat an end.Wemay now boldly appear before the Father, and need nolongerapprehendanythingdiscouragingfromhimwhenweexpressourdesirethatheshouldloveus,andopenthegatesofhispalacetous."But

what have we to exhibit to him that is meritorious?" Sufficient, myreaders—yes,morethantheangelspossess.Wehave,indeed,nothingofourown. In the recordsofour livesweperceiveonly transgressionandguilt.ButGodbethankedthatweneednothingofourown,andareeveninterdictedfromtrustinganddependinguponanythingof thekind.Weare instructed toappeal to the righteousnessof another, and this is theliving"offering"ofwhichwespeak—Christ,withtheentirefullnessofhisobedienceinourstead.Ifhewasacceptedsoarewe,sinceallthathedidandsufferedisplacedtoouraccount.For,"asbyoneman'sdisobediencemanyweremadesinners,sobytheobedienceofoneshallmanybemaderighteous." Those who are in Christ are no longer transgressors in thesightofGod,butpure,blameless,andspotless.Whatablissfulmystery!Ifyouareunabletobelieveit,grantit,atleast,aplaceinyourmemory.Thehourmaycomeinwhichyouwillbeabletouseit;forwehaveoftenhad occasion to witness how it has fared at the last with those whosupposed themselves among the most pious and holy of mankind.Whatever of ameritorious and approved character they imagined theypossessed,nothingremainedwhenthelightofeternityandapproachingjudgmentthrewitspenetratingraysupontheirpastlives.Thesplendoroftheir virtues expired, their gold became dim, and that which they hadpreservedasrealworth,provedonly tinselandvalueless.What is tobedoneinsuchacase?Howweavetogether,inhaste,sucharighteousnessas God requires, and without which no man can enter heaven? Whatanswerarewetomaketotheaccusersthatopentheirmouthsagainstus—Satan,thelaw,andourownconsciences,whichsaytous,"Youaretheman?" Really, if we are not to give ourselves up to despair, somethingwhich isnotoursmustbebestoweduponus,whichwemayoffer untoGod as the ground of our claim to salvation. The living offering whichChristmade of himself can then alone suffice, and that abundantly, torecommendustoGod.Possessingthis,wenolongerneedbemuteinthepresence of our accusers. In Christ, as our Surety, we fulfilled theconditions to which the heavenly inheritance is attached. Henceforth,whowillaccuseus,whowillcondemnus?WerejoicewithPaul,andsay,"Therefore,beingjustifiedbyfaith,wehavepeacewithGodthroughourLordJesusChrist."

TheLord Jesus appears in ournarrative, not only as an "offering," but

also as a "sacrifice." Our sins are imputed to him, and in his sacredhumanityheenduredwhattheydeserved.Letus,therefore,nowconsiderhiminthecharacterofourrepresentative,andthesufferingsheendured,andthewrongshesustained,willthenappearintheirproperlight.

Ahorriblescenepresentsitselftomymind,inwhicheveryoneoughttorecognizehisown likeness. I seeamurderer; for it iswritten, "Hewhohateshisbrotherisamurderer."Iperceivearobber;onewhoisguiltyintworespects;towardGod,indeprivinghim;byunbeliefandpride,ofhisglory; and toward his neighbor, whom he has injured by envy or evil-speaking. Thus the curse of the law impends over him, and the divinedenunciationsattendhissteps.Adreadfulfateawaitstheunhappymortal—first,anassaultinanhourofdarkness,andthenadreadfularrestandcaptivity.Heproceedsforawhilefreelyandsecurelyuponhispath,andyieldsobediencetohisfleshlylustsfearingnoevil.Butbeforeheisaware,thesentenceispronouncedoverhim,"Putinthesickle,fortheharvestisripe!" Horrible beings, the one more dreadful than the other, putthemselvesinmotion.Thedayhasdisappeared,thenighthasovertakentheman. The gloom of his dying hour envelops him.What occurs? Inwhatsituationdoesthemiserablebeingfindhimself?Aretheyministersofvengeancewhichsurroundhim?Aretheydemonsandspiritsfromthepit?Hehearstheclashingofironsandtheclankingofchainsandfetters.He finds himself in the power of another, surrounded, seized, andapprehended.Hecannolongergowherehelikes.Ahorribleguardtakehimbetweenthem,andanironnecessityindicatestohimthewaythathemust take. As long as he sojourned on earth, it was, perhaps, only theflatteringvoiceofapplauseandcommendationthatreachedhisears.Thehour of his accusers now arrives, and he hears on every side thethunderingaccusation,"Youaretheman!"Hithertohehadexperiencedsolittleannoyancefromthepowersofdarknessthathethoughthimselfat liberty todoubt their existence.Theynowemerge from theirhiding-places,andhelearnstobelieveinthedevil,nowthathefindshimselfinhispower.Foritishe,andhisinfernalbands,whohavefallenuponhim,in themidstofhis fanciedsecurity, inorder that theymaybindhim inchains of darkness, and drag the resisting criminal, with yells ofexecration, there,wherehewillbe reserved for thatburningday,whenthe Judge of the world will pronounce the final sentence, even the

dreadful words, "Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire,preparedforthedevilandhisangels!"Suchisthehorriblefuturewhichpresents itself to my mind. It is no empty product of a heatedimagination, but contains in it real truth and substance; for in thisrepresentationweeachbeholdourselves,asinournaturalstate,andareconsciousofthecurse,which,aslongasweremaininit,impendsoverus,andthegloomyfatethatawaitsus.

But to return toournarrative.Whatdoes itpresent tousbut apictureresemblingineveryfeaturethatwhichwehavejustbeencontemplating?Howwonderfulandstrikingisthiscircumstance!WeseeattheentrancetoGethsemaneonewhowouldseemtobenothingbetter thanarobberandamurderer.Inthedeadofnightheissetuponbyorderofthepublicauthoritieswithswordsandspears, surroundedbyanarmedband,andtaken prisoner. And what is the language of the captive? "This," heexclaims,"isyourhour;"bywhichhemeanstosay,"You,myadversaries,havefulllibertytodealwithmeasyouplease.Falluponme,accuseme,disgraceme,anddragmetothescaffold;Iamatyourmercy."Andthenhesaysfurther,"Thisisthepowerofdarkness"—themeaningofwhichis,"Hellisnowgrantedfreeaccesstome,andcandowithmeasitlikes;forby a judicial decision I am given up to its power." And lo, theman isactuallyseized, bound like a dangerousmalefactor, draggedwith crudethreatsbeforethebarofjudgment,andbeforelongweshallhearhimcry,inthedeepestdistress,"MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?"

We here see the same situation and fate as we saw before was thedeserved lotof every individual simmer.Andwho is themanonwhomthosehorrorsarepouredout?Onewhoisignorantofitwouldsay"Whocan he be but a criminal of the worst description?" And this would berelativelycorrect.Hewhoisarrestedissuchaone,andyet,atthesametime,"theHolyandtheJust."HowthiscanagreetogetherisintimatedbyPaul,inthewell-knownwords,"Godmadehimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim."

A blissful and heart-cheeringmystery is here presented before us. If Ipossesssavingfaith,IfindmyselfinapeculiarrelationtothesuffereratGethsemane.Forknowthatthehorrorshethereexperiencedarenothiscursebutmine.TheHolyandtheJustsubmitshimself,representatively,

to the fate of the guilty and the damnable; while the latter are foreverliberated, and inherit the lot of the holy Son of God. Wonderful andincomparably blissful truth! Our only shield and comfort in life anddeath!

Oyoublessed,whobelongtoChrist,whocanworthilydescribethegloryof your state!Wehail thewondrousexchangewhich theeternalSonofGodhasmadewithyou.WeglorifytheSuretyandtheLiquidatorofyourdebts.Never forget thenocturnalarrestofyourHighPriest.Paint it, inbrightandvividcolors,on thewallsofyourchambers. Ifyouareagainremindedofthecursewhichyoursinshadbroughtuponyou,accustomyourselves to regard it only in this sacredpicture,where youno longerbehold it lying upon you, but upon him, in whose agonies it eternallyperished.

Therefore,letnotshadowsanylongerdisturbyou.Therewillneverbeaperiodineternitywhenyouwillbecompelledtosaytoyourenemiesandaccusers, "Now is your hour and the power of darkness." Yourrepresentativeutteredit,onceforall,foryou;andhenceforwardonlythehouroftriumphanddelight,whichshallneverend,awaitsyou.Peacebewith you, therefore, you who are justified by his righteousness, andforever perfected by his one offering! No longer dream of imaginaryburdens,butknowandneverforgetthatyoursuitisgainedtoalleternity.BeholdChristyonderbearsyourfetters;andnothingmoreisrequiredofyou than to love him with all your heart, and embrace himmore andmore closely who took your entire anathema upon himself, that youmight be able eternally to rejoice and exclaim, "Jehovah Zidkenu—theLordourRighteousness."

ChristBeforeAnnas

Thearmedbandhaveexecutedtheirobject,withregardtoChrist,andtheEleven, perceiving it, have fled to the right and left.A youngmanwhoalso belonged to the little flock, and resided near, having heard thetumult, in holy indignation against the banditti, hadhastened fromhiscouch to the revolting scene, in his night-dress. But no sooner was he

observedbythemercenaries,thanhewaslaidholdof,andonlyescapedfrombondsandprobablyevendeath,byleavingintheirhandshislinencovering, and fleeing away naked. This little circumstance is related byone of the Evangelists, doubtless in order to point out and excuse theflight of the disciples, as rendered imperative by the most imminentdanger.

Surrounded by a bristling forest of swords and spears, the Lord Jesussufferedhishandstobebound,likeacaptiverobber,byatroopofcrudemercenaries, in the name of public justice. Think of those hands beingboundwhichwereneverextendedexcepttohealandaid,tobenefitandsave,andnevertoinjure,exceptitbeconsideredasacrimetouncovertomankindtheirwounds,inordertohealandbindthemup;todestroytheBabelsofdelusion,andintheirplacetoerectthetempleoftruth;andtopulldownthealtarsoffalsegods,inordertomakeroomforthatof theonlytrueGod.

Jesusbound!What a spectacle!Howmany aprophetic typeof theOldTestamentfindsitsfulfillmentinthisfact!IfyouinquirefortheantitypeofIsaac,whenboundbyhisfatherasalambforaburntoffering;or forthat of the ram on Mount Moriah, which was caught in the thicketbecauseGodhaddestineditforthesacrifice;orofthesacredarkof thecovenant, when it had fallen into the hands of the Philistine, only,however, to cast down the idols of the latter; or of that of Jacob's son,arrestedandimprisonedinEgypt,whosepathlaythroughthecompanyofcriminals, toalmostregaldignityandcrownsofhonor;or for thatofthe paschal lambs, which, before being slaughtered for the sins of thepeople,wereaccustomedtobetieduptothethresholdofthetemple;orfinally, for thatof thecaptiveSamson,whoderidedDelilah'sband,andcame forth victoriously from the conflict with the Philistines—all thesetypesandshadowsfoundtheirentirefulfillmentinJesus,thusbound,astheirembodiedoriginalandantitype.

Jesusbound!Canwetrustoureyes?Omnipotenceinfetters,theCreatorboundby the creature; theLordof theworld, the captiveofhismortalsubjects!HowmucheasierwouldithavebeenforhimtohaveburstthosebondsthanManoah'ssonofold!However,herendsthemnot;butyieldshimself up to them as one who is powerless and overcome. This hispassivedeportmentmusthaveforitsbasisagreatandsublimeintention.Andsuchisreallythecase,aswehavealreadyseen.

Behold themmarching off in triumphwith their captive. They conducthim first to Annas, the previous high priest, the father-in-law ofCaiaphas,asinnerofahundredyearsold.Butwhyfirsttohim?Perhaps

outofcomplimenttotheoldman,whoprobablywishedtoseethefanaticofNazareth.Hisbeingbroughtbeforehim,however,seemstohavebeentheresultofasecretarrangementbetweenhimandhisson-in-law;andhe, theoldSadducee,wasperhapsmoredeeply interested in thewholeaffairwithJesusthanoutwardlyappearstobethecase.Thepreliminaryhearing, which now commenced, was doubtless instituted by him, andnot by Caiaphas. Even the irregular course which it takes, places thisbeyond a doubt. What appears in the Gospels to contradict thisassumption, loses all its importance, as soon aswe suppose—forwhichthere is sufficient reason—that Annas was residing in the high priestlypalacewithhisson-in-law.

Thus,theLordstandsatthebarofhisfirstjudge—oneofthosemiserablemen,ofwhom,alas!notafewaretobefoundamongus,andwho,"twicedead," estranged from the truth of God, and satisfied with the mostcommon-placeoccurrencesof life, thinkofnothingbetter,but treat themost sublime things at least only as a spectacle; and in their perfectunsusceptibility for everything that is divine, visibly bear on their foreheadsthebrandmarkofthecurse.Certainly,itwasnotoneoftheleastofthesufferingsoftheHolyOneofIsraeltoseehimselfdeliveredintothehandsof suchaman, sodestituteof everynoble feeling.Andonly lookhow the hoary-headed sinner domineers over and puffs himself upagainsttheLordofGlory,althoughheisnoteventheactualhighpriest,and while he was so, presented only an airy shadow of the true HighPriest,who,PriestandKingatthesametime,standsnowbeforehim,inthe person of the captive Nazarene! Jesus, however, endures withresignationalltheindignitiestowhichheissubjected,andweknowforwhatreasonhedoesso.Weareacquaintedwiththemysteriouspositionheoccupies,inwhich,henotonlyshowsus,byhisownexample,thathiskingdomisnotofthisworld,andthathonorissomethingdifferentfromwhattheworldisaccustomedtocharacterizebythatname,butalsothathefillsitasourSurety,whomitbecametopresent,totheEternalFather,thesublimevirtuesofaperfectself-denialandresignation inourstead,andinoppositiontoourungodlyself-exaltation.

Annasproceedswith thehearingof thecase,and interrogatesourLordrespectinghisdisciplesandhisdoctrine.Hehopesthatthestatementsof

Jesus may enable him to bring an accusation against the former as apoliticallydangerousassociation,andagainstthelatterasbeingawickedandblasphemousheresy.Inhisquestions,heispresumptuousenoughtotreat our Lord as the disguised head of a party, and a secret plotter,notwithstanding that he brought forward his cause in the most publicmanner, andwalked everywhere in broad daylight. But theworld stillactslikeAnnas.BecauseitwillnotacknowledgethatwepossesstherealandeternaltruthofGod:itstampsthelatterasheretical,andbrandsusas a sect. The world cannot bear that believers should call themselves"trueChristians," andnever fails to attach someopprobrious epithet tothem. However boldly we may preach our doctrine, and howevercompletelywemayprove thatweconfessandbelievenothingelse thanwhat thewholeChristianChurchhasbelieved andprofessedbeforeus,and forwhich thenoblest andmost excellentofmen in everyagehaveblissfully livedanddied—yet theworldpersists inmaintaining thatourfaith isonly the religionof conventicles,andweourselvesonlynarrow-minded fanatics. It strives,by theseartful suspicions, tokeep the truth,with its goads and nails, far from it, and thus to give its ungodly andcarnalproceedingsatleastasemblanceofcorrectness.

TheLordanswerstheoldpriest'squestionsregardinghisdoctrine;foritwaslessrequisiteheretodefendthehonorofhispersonthanthatofhiscause, which was, at the same time, the cause of God, and which he,therefore,feltcalledupontovindicate.Healsowishedtomakeitclearlyknownthroughoutallages, thathewascondemnedandcrucifiedsolelybecauseofhisassertinghisDivineSonship."Ispoke,"sayshe,"openlytotheworld"—thatis,"Iopenedmymouthboldly."Yes,inallthathespoke,theprofoundassuranceandpowerfulconvictionofbeingtheLordfromheaven,whorevealed thatwhichhehadhimselfseenandhandled,wasperceptible; not like the wise men after the flesh, who defend theirpropositions with many proofs and arguments against possibleobjections;butasknowing thathewhowasof the truthwouldhearhisvoice,andacknowledgehiswordtobethewordofthelivingGod.Nordidhedeceivehimselfwith reference to this. To this day,when any one isdeliveredfromthesnareofthedevil,andattainstotheknowledgeofhisnecessities,heneedsnootherproof of the truthof thewords of Jesus;sincehishearthearsthemasifspokendirectfromheaven,anddiscovers

between the language of Jesus and the most intellectual discourses ofmeremortals,agulfofdifferencesoimmense,thatitisincomprehensibletohimthathedidnotlongbeforeperceiveit.

The Lord Jesus continues: "I ever taught in the synagogue and in thetemple,wheretheJewsalwaysresort."Hehaddoneso,andnoonehadever been able to prove that he had taught anything which was not instrict accordancewith theOld Testament Scriptures, and did notmostbeautifully harmonize with the nature and being of a holy God. TheMastersinIsraelwerecompelled,byhisdiscourses,mutelyto laydowntheir arms. Why then does Annas inquire respecting his doctrine? Anexpositorwellobserveshere,that"WemaydiscerninJesusallthemarksof a true teacher—confidence, which delivers its testimony before thewholeworld;perseveringcontinuanceinthattestimonyatalltimes;andasidingwithexistingdivineandhumanordinances."

"InsecrethaveIsaidnothing,"saystheLordJesusfurther.No,noteventhatwhichwasenigmatical,obscure,andmysterious,muchofwhichwasexplainedonly in the courseof centuries,while other things remain, tothishour,partially closedand sealed tous, andawait their elucidation.Heknewthatthesethingswould longbe inexplicabletohispeople;butthisdidnothinderhimfromutteringthem.Thisisanotherproofthathewas clearly conscious thathisdoctrinewasdivine, andwould thereforecontinuetotheendoftime.

"Why ask you me?"—says our Lord in conclusion—"Ask them whichheardmewhat I have said unto them; behold, they knowwhat I havesaid."HowcouldtheLordtestifymorestronglytothepurityanddivinityofhisdoctrine,thanbycallinguponhisjudgetosummonbeforehimallthose,eitherfriendsorfoes,whohadeverheardhimspeak,andaskthemiftheywereabletosayanythingagainsthimwhichmightfurnishgroundforaccusation.Nor to thepresentdaydoeshe showanywitnesses,butappealsasbefore,onbehalfofhiscause,toallwhohearandreceivehisword;andtheseunanimously,fromtheirownconviction,confirmit,andwilleverdoso,thatthedoctrineofJesusisofGod,andthathehasnotspokenofhimself.

WhiletheLordisspeaking,oneoftheservantsofthehighpriestrisesup

and smites him on the face, while saying, "Answer you the high priestso?" From this circumstance, we may perceive what is intended withrespect to Jesus. This first maltreatment gave the signal for all thatfollowed. It did not escape the servant how completely hismaster wasembarrassedbythesimplereplyoftheaccused;andthiscrudeblowwastheonlyandfinalmeanswhichpresenteditselfofrescuinghimfromhispainfulanddisgracefuldilemma.The fellowwellknew that itwouldbeallowedhim—no,thathewouldonlyrisebyitinthefavorofhismaster;andthusthefeelingof thefamilyreflecteditself,as isoftenthecase, inthesoulofthemenialwhoworeitslivery.

Itwas horrible to act thus toward the Lord fromheaven. For this verycrime alone, which must not be placed to the account of a singleindividual,buttoourcorrupthumannature,totheguiltyraceofAdam,itwas fit that hell should open its mouth and swallow it up, as the pitformerlydidKorahandhiscompany.ButJesuscamenottohastenourperdition,buttopreventit.Wethereforedonotbeholdthewickedmanscathed by lightning from heaven, nor his hand withered, like that ofJeroboam,onhisstretchingitouttosmite;northatthedeeplyinsultedJesus threatens or reviles, but resignedly endures the injury,which hisholy soul must have felt more painfully than his body, while gentlyreproving the worthless man, and thus again fulfilling that which hadlong before been predicted of him, "Then I restored what I took notaway."

"Answeryouthehighpriestso?"AsiftheLord,whoknewbetterthananyoneelsewhatwasbecominginhisconversewithmankind,hadinfringedupon reverence due to the sacerdotal dignity. But how often are wetreated in a similarmanner, when the truth which we proclaim to themen of the world can no longer be assailed. We are then called bold,presumptuous, obstinate, etc. And woe to us completely, when wepresume to abide firmly by our belief before dignitaries and superiors,andrefusetodeviatefromthetruth!Howdoeshypocriticalzeal for thepreservation of the honor of authority start up against us, and howpompously it calls out to us, "Answer you the high priest so?"while itwouldalsogladlysmiteusonthecheek.Butwhat is left forus, insuchsituations, except to make use of our Master's own words, "If I have

spokenevil,bearwitnessoftheevil;butifwell,whysmiteyoume?"

How overpoweringwas this speech to bothmaster and servant! Itwaslikethestrokeofahammer,drivingthestingoftheirevilconsciencestilldeeper into themarrow.Theblowon the cheek,with its accompanyingbrutal language, was only a clear proof that the miserable men feltthemselves unable to bring anything of a culpable nature against theLord. By acting thus, they only smote themselves in the face, since bytheirconducttheymadeitevidenthowdeeplyandpainfullytheyhadfeltthetruth.

Thus our Lord andMaster came forth perfectly justified from this firstexamination, and the high priest and his satellites were covered withdisgrace.IntheirfateweseereflectedthatofallthosewhodaretolifttheshieldagainsttheLord'scause,which,throughthepowerofinwardtruth,victoriously repels every attack. Whatever may be planned andundertakenagainstit,itinvariablycomesforthlikethesunshininginthemists of the valley, and calmly looks down on all opposition andgainsayingasuponvanquishedenemies.

TheJudicialProcedure

Christatthebaroftheecclesiasticaltribunalisthesubjecttowhichourmeditations arenow to bedirected.The apparent contradictions in thelife of Jesus increase, and become the more striking, the nearer itapproaches its close. Think of the Holy One of God arraigned as acriminal;theJudgeoftheworldjudgedbysinners!Wherewasthereeveramoreoutrageouscontrastexhibited!Andthatwhichthusdisplaysitselfon the stage of the world's history is not the most astonishing or thestrangest part of that which here occurs. The exterior of the event,occupies,aswehavealreadyseen,theplaceofascreen,interwovenwithsymbolical figures, behind which the real judicial act is accomplished,whichistypifiedbytheformer,andonlyobvioustotheeyeoffaith—anactwhich, in a higher degree, concerns us all, andwhich is carried onbeforeaninfinitelyhighertribunalthanthatoftheJewishSanhedrin.

Nightstillreigns.ThecityofJerusalemliesforthemostpartinprofoundslumber, and has no presentiment of the awful events which areoccurring within its walls. Occasionally, isolated footsteps are heardalongthestreets,inthedirectionofthehighpriest'spalace,thewindowsofwhich,nowglaringatanunwontedhourwith the lightof lampsandtorches, cause events of an extraordinary nature to be inferred. Let usalso repair there. An assembly of high rank, collected together in thespacious hall of audience, receives us. It is the council of the seventyrulers of Israel, with the high priest as its president. A venerableassembly, as regards its appointment; the most illustrious and awe-inspiring in thewholeworld; since, sitting in the seat ofMoses, in themidstofthechosenpeople,itsofficeistoadministerjusticeaccordingtothebookofthelaw,andinthenameoftheMostHighGod.Nexttothepresidentweperceivethemenwhohadpreviouslyfilledtheofficeofhighpriest. Behind these, we observe the representatives of the four andtwentyclassesof thepriesthood.Then follow theeldersor rulersof thesynagogues, while the rest of the assembly is composed of the mosteminentdoctorsof the law,menwellversed in theMosaic statutesandthetraditionsandordinancesoftheRabbis.

It was the primary duty of these men, as keepers of the sanctuary, tomaintaintheobservanceoftheordinancesofJehovahamongthepeople;to settle the legal differences of the various tribes; to watch over thepurity of doctrine and of divine service; and to examine and judge anyheresiesthatmightspringup.Itcertainlybelongedtotheprivilegesandevendutiesoftheauthoritythusconstituted,tobringbeforethemamanwhogavehimselfoutfortheMessiah;andtoexaminehiminthestrictestmanner.And that it did not occur to theHolyOne of Israel to disputetheir right to this, is clearlymanifest from the reverence, which, apartfromthemoralqualitiesof its individualmembers,didnot fail toshowitself inhis deportmentduring thewhole course of theproceedings. IntheSanhedrinheseesthetribunaloftheDivinejudge—butinasuperiormanner;thatis,whilehearingthevoiceofGodthroughitsmedium,evenwhen the counselors, as respects their own persons, speak from thesuggestionsofSatan;andwhileregardingtheunrighteous judgmentsofthe latter as changed, with reference to himself, intowell-founded andjustdecisionsofthecourtofjudicatureabove.

BeforethissupremetribunaltheSaviorofmankindstandsbound;forwemust not limit the great judicial procedure to thatwhich is visible, butmustseekitespeciallyintheinvisibleworld.TheLorddoesnotstandatthebarasaHolyOne,butastherepresentativeofsinners.Ourcatalogueofcrimes isdisplayedbeforehim,as if theywerehisown.Our sinsarechargeduponhim, forhebears them.He is laid in the scalesof justicewith our transgressions, for they are imputed to him. What may thenhavepassedbetweenhimandtheMajestyuponthethrone,isconcealedfrom us by the veil of eternity. One thing, however, we know, that hestoodthereinourplace.Hadhenotappeared,thatpositionwouldhavebeenours;andwoeuntous,hadwebeenmaderesponsibleforoursins!Sucha thoughtneedno longer terrifyus, ifwebelong toChrist's flock.What was due from us, he has paid. We come no more intocondemnation, since he has taken our place. We know no longer anyjudge; for the Judge is our friend. How blissful is this consciousness!Eternalpraisetohimtowhomweoweitall.

But we return to the hall of judgment. The council seek for witnessesagainstJesus.Theyseek,becauseunsought,nothingofthekindpresentsitself. Thatwhich is unsought is all in his favor. But they have alreadydecided to put him to death.Why? Because he spoils the game of theproudmen,whohavehimintheirpower,andeverywherecomesinthewayof their selfishpractices.Theirheads are less at variancewithhimthantheirhearts.Butgenerallythisisnotthecasewithhisenemies.Theydislikehimbecausehedisturbs them in their sinfulhaunts;becausehedisapproves of the ways of vanity in which they walk, judges theirungodly and carnal deeds, and pronounces them deficient in thatrighteousnesswhichavails beforeGod.And because, for these reasons,theydislikehim, theyseek forwitnessesagainsthim,denyingaboveallthingshisdivinity;forifhewereGod,whowouldabsolvethemfromthedutyofreverencinghimandbelievinghisword,whichcondemnsthem?Andwhatkindofwitnessesdotheybringagainsthim?Othemiserableauthorities to which they appeal, who not only contradict one anotherincessantly,butthemselveseverymoment!whilethewitnesseswhichwebring forward inbehalfofour faith,are thedevout seersandprophets,theholyevangelistsandapostles, the thousandsofmartyrs,who, inhisstrength,havesungtheirpsalmstohiminthemidstoftheflames—yes,

we appeal to the entire history of his Church, as well as to the dailyexperienceofallbelievers,as toacontinuoustestimony in favorofhimwhoistheobjectofourlove,andofthetruthofhiscause.

ThecounciloftheSanhedrin,whoareanxiousforthepeople'ssake,andprobablyalsoforthesakeof theirownconsciences, toclothetheir legalmurder,with at least an appearance of justice, take great pains to findwitnesses against Jesus. But amore fruitless undertaking was perhapsneverattempted.Theylongtomeet,inthegardenofhislife,withasinglepoisonousplant,fromwhichtheymayweaveforhimafatalwreath.Theyfind, indeed,anabundanceof flowers foracrownofhonor,butnotthevestigeofaweed.Desperationthenadvisesanextremecourse.Anumberofbribedwitnessesaresuborned—fellowswellexperiencedinalltheartsof rendering another suspected—who strive to fasten one or other falseaccusation on the Holy One. But what is the result? They exposethemselves,with thosewhohired them, in themostbarefacedmanner,andserveonlyasanewfoil to the innocenceof theaccused.Whattheyadduce, condemns itself as an absurdity, and not even that is attainedwhichwasindispensablyrequiredbytheMosaiclaw,thattheirtestimonyshould correspond. They becomemore and more confused, refute oneanotheragainsttheirwill,andremindusofthewordoftheLordbythemouthofZechariah,"Iwillsmiteeveryhorsewithastonishment,andhisriderwithmadness."

Thevenerableassemblynowfindsitselfinthemostpainfuldilemma.Atlength,twowitnessescomeforward,andhope,bymeansofanexpressionwhich the Lord had once uttered a year before, and which they nowchargehimwith—naturally in amalicious andperverted form, tomakeamends for thedeficiencies in their accusation.ThewordsadducedarethoseinJohn2:19,"Destroythistemple,andinthreedaysIwillraiseitup."Evenatthetime,thisexpression,whichhedoubtlessdivestedofanyserious misapprehension by pointing to himself, was most maliciouslymisinterpretedbytheJewswhowerepresent."Fortyandsixyears,"saidthey,"wasthistempleinbuilding,andwillyourearitupinthreedays?Buthespoke,"saystheEvangelist,"of thetempleofhisbody."Thetwohirelingswereawareofthis.Itseemedtothem,however,averysuitableexpressiontomakeuseofforcastinguponJesustheappearancenotonly

ofanungodlyboaster,butalsoofacrimeagainsttheDivineMajesty,byblasphemingthetemple.Thuswehearthemsay,"HeboastedthathewasabletodestroythetempleofGod,andtobuilditagaininthreedays."Butthey,too,fallintothemostglaringcontradictionsontheoutset,aspartlyappearsfromtheGospelnarratives.TheonemaintainingthatJesushadsaid,"Iwill,"theother,"Ican;"theone,"IwilldestroythetempleofGod,and build it in three days;" the other, "This temple that is made withhands,Iwilldestroy,andwithinthreedaysIwillbuildanotherwithouthands."

Sufficeittosay,theopposingstatementsofthetwocompletethesceneofconfusion; and even the high priest is not yet base and inconsiderateenough to pronounce his judicial decision upon such miserable andsuspicious evidence. His conscience was still sufficiently susceptible tomake him sensibly feel the pitifulness and worthlessness of these lasttestimonies; and if it were not the voice of his inward monitor whichraised itself against it, yet the secret apprehension that such a judicialinquirymightnotsatisfy thepeople,aswellas the impressive,sublime,andcommandingtranquilitywhichtheaccusedopposedtothewretchedfabricationofthetwowitnesses,restrainedhimfromit.Thusintheend,thewholeinquisitorialproceedingofthejudge,althoughsowellversedinscrapingtogetherthemoralweaknessesanddefectsofoffendersagainstthe law, only tended to our Lord's glorification, since by it his spotlessinnocence was placed in the clearest light. Yes, my readers, he is theLambwithoutspot,whichitwasnecessaryheshouldbeinordertotakeawayourguilt.

Buthowdoestheaccusedconducthimselfduringthejudicialprocedure?His whole conduct is extremely significant and remarkable. With ajudicialmien,whichonlypartially covershisperplexity, thehighpriestsays to him, in an imperious tone, "Answer you nothing to what thesewitnessagainstyou?""ButJesus,"aswearetoldbythenarrative,"heldhis peace."How eloquentwas this silence—more overwhelming for thechildrenofthefatherofliesthantheseverestreproofswouldhavebeen!Andwhymakemanywordsonthisoccasion?sincehisenemies, thoughagainsttheirwill,witnessedsopowerfullyinhisfavorthatheneedednofurtherjustification.Hewassilent.Howeasywouldithavebeenforhim,

byafewwords,tohavemostpainfullyexposedtheaugustassembly!Buthe honors in it, as before, the powers ordained of God, of whateverinjustice theymay be guilty; and, viewing thematter thus, he deems itbecominghimtoholdhispeace.Hedoesso, remarksanexpositor, likean ill-treated child,who is silent beforehis unjust father.The essentialmeaning of his silence, however, lies still deeper. It is not merely thesilence of a good conscience, but rightly understood, the reverse. Hisholding his peace is the reflection of amoremysterious silence beforeanother and higher than any human tribunal; and regarded from thispointofview,itmaybeconsideredasasilenceofconfessionandassent.

Whenacriminalmakesnoreplytotheaccusationsbroughtagainsthimbeforeahumantribunal,itisregardedasanadmissionofhisguilt.Thuswemust also regard the silenceof Jesus,who,having takenuponhim,before God, the sins of his people by a mysterious imputation, deemshimself worthy of death and the curse. By mutely listening to theaccusations of his judges, without attempting to exculpate himself, hewishesoutwardlytointimatetheactualofferingupofhimselfasaculpritinourstead.Thusheissilent,notonlyasalamb,butalsoastheLambwhichtakesawaythesinoftheworld.Hissilenceenablesustospeakinjudgment, and gives us power and liberty to lift up our heads boldlyagainstevery accusation,while trusting to the justificationwrought outforusbytheRedeemer.

May the Lord instruct us all when to speak andwhen to be silent; theformer,byenlighteningthedarknessofournaturalstate;andthe latter,by an application to our hearts and consciences, of the consolatorymystery of the sufferings of Jesus for us! There is only one way ofescaping the horrors of future judgment, and that is, the believingapprehensionofall thatourSuretyhasaccomplished inourstead.MayGod strengthen our faith for this purposemore andmore, and enableeachofusfromthehearttoexclaim,inthewordsoftheapostle,"ThanksbetoGodforhisunspeakablegift!"

TheFallofPeter

Inadditiontoallhisothersufferings,ourblessedLordhadalsotoendurethat of being denied by one of the little company of his confidentialdisciples,onwhosefidelityheoughttohavebeenabletoreckonunderallcircumstances.Hisheartwasnottobeastrangertoanygrieforpain,inorder thathemightbe tous in all things a compassionateHigh Priest.But how would the Scriptures have been fulfilled, had he not alsoexperiencedthefateofhislivingprototypes—Joseph,deliveredupbyhisbrethren, and David forsaken in the season of his calamities—or howverified the prophetic language of thePsalmist, "Lover and friendhaveyouput far fromme,andmyacquaintance intodarkness?"At thesametime it was to be made manifest, for our consolation, that "he hadreceived gifts even for the rebellious;" and where is this more evidentthaninthegrievouseventwhichweareabouttocontemplate?

LetusjoinourselvesinspirittoSimonPeter.Ifanyonewaseverardentlyattached to theSavior, itwashe;buthewasonlypartiallyconsciousofwhatitwasthathelovedinJesus.Themysteryinhisvicariouscharacter,andtheconsequentnecessityfortheofferingupofhimselfasasacrificeforthesinsoftheworld,wasstillconcealedfromhim.Hehadonlyakindof general perception that his salvation in some way depended uponfellowshipwithJesus,andthatwithouthimhewouldinfalliblyperish.InPeter, as inmany churcheswhere theGospel is not preached in all itsfullness, faith and love preceded religious knowledge and discernment.Morethesubjectoffeelingthanofadivinelyenlightenedunderstanding,which regulates the whole life, Peter reminds us of that class of ourbrethren,ofwhomweareaccustomedtosaythatthoughtheypossesstheburningheart,yettheyarestillinwantofthelightoftheHolySpirit.Thenew life is implanted in itsgerm,andtheability todevelop itself to theaim of its heavenly calling exists: but the development itself is still farbehind,andmuchremainsfortheHolySpirittoenlargeandcomplete.

The cause of Peter's ignorance of the chief intention ofChrist's comingintotheworld,washisdeficiencyintheknowledgeofhimself.Heknew,indeed,thatasapoorsinner,hestoodinneedofmercy:buthehadnoideaoftheboundlessextentofman'smoraldepravityandinability.Overthis a veil was thrown by the sparkling and deceptive brilliancy of hissentimental state.He felt himself animatedby such an ardent loveand

enthusiasm for Jesus, that the smallest suspicion, in this respect,woundedhimdeeply.Alas! he didnot yet knowhowmuch thenoblesthuman feelings depend upon the change of circumstances, situations,and seasons. The declaration of Jeremiah, that "the heart of man isdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked,"wasnotobvioustohisunderstanding.Hewas ignorant thatonewhocouldbeenthusiastic forJesus transfigured on Mount Tabor, possessed no pledge, from thisfeeling, that he would be equally zealous for Jesus ignominiouslycrucified on Mount Calvary. Just as little did he imagine that whatpervadedhismindunder the soundofhisMaster's affectionatepartingaddress, in the solemn stillness of the midnight hour, by no meansnecessarily enabled him still to cleave to him when arrested anddisgracefullydraggedbeforeajudicialtribunal.

We readofGideon, that theLord said tohim, "Go in this yourmight;"andtothisday,itisonlytheLord'sgraciousinspirationwhichproducestrueheroism.ButofthisPeterwasignorant.InsteadofdespairingofallhisowncourageandleaningsolelyonthestrengthoftheLord,hetrustedto his own valor, which he lamentably over-estimated; and instead ofapplyingforspiritualweaponstohimwhosaid,"Withoutme,youcandonothing:"thesimpledisciple,inthearmorofhisownfeelingofaffectionforhisMaster, thoughthimself sufficientlyable tocopewithSatan andhiscraftydevices.

Peter was like the man in the Gospel, who went to war without firstsittingdownandcountingthecost.Hemighthavealreadyperceivedthathewasactingfoolishly,whenafterhisrashassaultontheservantof thehighpriestandtheLord'ssubsequentresignationofhimselftothehandsof his enemies, his zeal was instantly extinguished, so that he wascowardly enough to take to a disgraceful flight with the rest. True, heagain bethought himself after a time; but that which induced him tofollowhiscaptiveLordatadistance,was, inreality,more thespurofadespicablepride,thanthenoble impulseofa"lovestrongasdeath."HehadspokensoopenlyandloudlyofneverdenyinghisMaster,andevenofgoingtodeathwithhim; andwhatwouldbe thoughtofhim ifhewerenow to break his vows and vanish from the field?No, hewas resolvednevertoberegardedasacoward.WherehisMasteris,therehemustbe.

Like a vessel steering against the wind, he follows in due distance themarchofthearmedband.Hegoesforwardwithfeeblekneesandinwardreluctance. What would he give if some unavoidable and obvioushindranceweretoblockuphiswayandpreventhis furtheradvance!Infact,suchawished-forobstacleseemstopresentitself,inthegatesbeingclosed as soon as the band, with their captive, have entered into thecourt-yardofthehighpriest'spalace.Peterwouldnowhavefelthimselfexcused,hadhegoneaway,sincehoweverwillinghemightbe,hecouldproceednofurther.Ifwemistakenot,heisalreadypreparingtodepart;but just as if everything conspired to promote his fall, it happenedaccidentally, as people say, that before the entrance, he meets with afriendand fellow-believer,whowasknownto thehighpriest;andwho,beingonamicable termswithhim,went freely inandoutofhishouse.Thelatteraddressesafewwordstothedoor-keeper,andPeter,whetherwillinglyorunwillingly,isadmitted.

Wearenot informedwhothedisciplewasthatprocuredhis admission.If,asmanysuppose,itwastheEvangelistJohnhimself,towhomweowethementionofthisunimportantevent,itispleasingandtrulyaffectingtoseehimtaking,inthisstatement,partoftheblamefromhisfriendPeter,andputtingituponhimself.Butwhoeverhemayhavebeen,thequestionstillurges itselfuponus,whyGod inhisprovidencedidnot soorder itthat Peter should arrive only a few minutes earlier at the gate of thecourt-yard; since that eventfulmeeting would have then been avoided,andthewholeofthesubsequentmischiefprevented?Theansweriseasy.Although it remains a truth thatGod tempts no one,much less causeshimtostumbleand fall: yethenot infrequentlyvisitswith severe trialsthosewhomheloves,andevendoesnotpreventtheirfalling,whentheydonotattendtohiswordanddisbelievehiswarnings;thusrefusingtobehealedof theirpresumptuous relianceon theirownability inanyotherway than by bitter experience. Even Peter's fall, which, as regards itsguilt,mustbeplacedsolelytohisownaccount,andisfullyexplainedbytheself-dependenceof thedisciple,was intendedbyGodasamedicineforhissoul,whichaimedatitsthoroughhealingofitsfoolishandblindself-confidence. The Lord Jesus had already clearly hinted at this, andalsoat the salutary resultsofhis lamentable fall,whenheaddressed toPetertheencouragingwords,"Whenyouareconverted,strengthenyour

brethren."

Simonpasseswithtotteringstepsoverthethresholdoftheopenedgate,andthussetsfootonthesceneofhistrial.Othathehadnowcasthimselfdown in prayer before God! But instead of this, he still depends uponhimself;anduponthechanceofaccidentsandcircumstances.Satanandtheworldalreadystandarmedagainsthimonthefield.Hehadnoneedtofearthem,ifhehadonlyputonthebreastplateoffaith.Wecannowdonothingbut tremble for thepoorman,andshouldbecompelled togivehimupforlost,werewenotawareoftheadmirableprotectionaffordedhim,butofwhichheisunconscious.ThesolemnitywithwhichtheLord,on the way to Gethsemane, foretold what awaited him, hangs in hismemory,thoughsilentforawhile—likeabellwhich,atthepropertime,willgive thesignal forhis restoration.The cock, thedivinelyappointedalarmistalreadystandsathispost,andhiscrowingwailnotfailofitsdueeffect.TheSavior'sintercession,thatPeter'sfaithmightnotfail,hovers,likeaprotecting shield, over his head; andhewhonever quenches thesmokingflax,norbreaksthebruisedreed,continuesneartheendangereddisciple,andinthehourofdistresswillaffordhimseasonableaid.

Letusnowconsiderthemelancholyeventwhichtookplaceinthecourt-yardof thehighpriest.At themomentwhenSimon is admitted, at theintercessionofhisfriend,thedamselthatkeptthedoor,holdingupherlanterntohisface,regardedhimwithalookasifsheknewhim,butisnotquite sure of it. Peter, seeing this, turns away his face, and hastens asquicklyaspossiblepastthewoman,lestsheshouldrecognizehim.Inthecenter of the court-yard the soldiers had kindled a fire, to protectthemselves against the raw, cold,morning air, and, crowding round it,pass the time in talking and joking; while inside the house theproceedingsagainstJesusaregoingon.

Peter, who feels uncomfortable enough in such an atmosphere,approachesthenoisygroup,andwithacarelessmien,asifonlyanxioustowarmhimself,takeshisplaceamongthem.Infact,hisdenialhadnowcommenced,forhisintentionwasevidentlytoappeartothemercenariesasifhebelongedtotheirparty,andsharedtheirsentimentswithregardto the Nazarene. Not a little pleased at having thus attained a twofoldobject—the safety of his person, and the being able to say that he had

manifested his courage in thus mingling with the adversaries, andfulfilling his promise not to forsake his Master—the pitiable hero sitsthere and expects that he will be able to witness the future course ofeventswithoutdanger tohimself.Ona sudden, apainful stop isput tothese calculations.Theporteress,whowished toassureherselfwhetheror not she had mistaken the stranger whom she had admitted, stealsthere unobserved, and mingling among the soldiery, discovers, by thelight of the flickering flame, the lurking guest; and looking over hisshoulderinhisface,sheaskshim,withatriumphantandmaliciousleer,"Were you not also with Jesus of Nazareth? Are you not one of hisdisciples?"

Who can describe Peter's confusion at this question? At the momentwhenhethoughthimselfsosafe,tobesosuddenlyassailed!However,herecollectshimself,andthinks,"Whatdoesthewomanmean?Whatrighthas she toput such a question? It is toomuch to be obliged to answereveryidleinquirer.IwouldhavetoldCaiaphas,oroneofthechiefpriests,who I am, but who is this busy-body, that I should give an answer toher?"Thinkingthus,hereplies,withtheemphasisofonewhosehonorisassailed,"Woman,Iknowhimnot.Iknownotwhatyousay."

Alas! Alas! He who offered to take up the gauntlet for Jesus, even ifthrowndownbythekingofterrors,succumbsatthefirstideaofdanger,suggested by the question of amenial servant!Who does not perceivefromhis languagethetempestofaccusingandexcusingthoughtswhichrageswithin?"Iamnot; Iknowhimnot," is firstutteredwith tolerabledecision.But then, condemnedby conscience,he seeks tobearout thisdenialinsomemeasure,whilepassingbythenecessityofadirectanswer,byadoptinganothermodeofspeech,andadding,"Iknownotwhatyousay.What do youmean? I do not understand you." But this no longersufficestoexpungetheunambiguouswords,"Iknowhimnot."

While stammering out this lamentable prevarication, he rises from hisseat, under the influence of alarm and inward rebuke, and attempts toretire unobserved from his dangerous position, in which he succeedswithoutbeingagainattacked.Hebendshisstepstowardthegate,inthehopeoffindingitopenandbeingabletomakehisescape.Thecocknowcrowsfor the first time,but thestateofexcitementwhichhe is in,does

notsufferhim,thistime,tohearthewarningsound,themoreso,sincethewayisunexpectedlyblockedupbyanothermaidservant,who,callingtothesoldierswhoassembleroundher,says,inamoredefinitemannerthan the former, "This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth!" ThemercenariesaregratifiedbythestrippingoffofPeter'sdisguise,sinceitaffordsthemthedesiredmaterialsforadditionaljokeandpastime."Areyounot alsooneofhisdisciples?" they ask, in a crude and threateningtone—"Youbelongalsotothesect!"

Whatisthepoormantodonow?Afterhisfoothasonceslipped,weseehim fall into a state of complete vacillation. The way to the secondtransgressionisalwaysrapidlytraversedafterthecommissionofthefirst.Somedarkspiritthenwhispersinourearthattherepetitioncannotmakeusmoreculpable, sinceGod isaccustomednot tonumberbut toweighour sins;or else, thatbypersisting in the commissionof anyparticularsin,weonlymanifest thatwedonot exactly regard it as sin, and have,therefore,insomemeasure,sinnedignorantly.SufficeittosaythatPeternowdenieshisLordagain,andthistimeatleast,accordingtothesoundof thewords,moreboldly thanbefore, "Man," sayshe, "I amnot," andthenaddsanasseveration;no,evensofarforgetshimselfastospeakofhisMaster inacontemptuoustonewhilesaying,"Iknownot theman!"Theymustnowbeforcedtobelievehim,sincenoonewouldspeakthusofhisfriend, ifhewerenottherefuseoffaithlessnessandfalsehood.Theydonot imaginePetertobecapableofsuchbaseness,andthereforetheylethimgo.Owhatadisgraceforthedisciple,morallytohaveconvincedthetroopthathecouldnotbeJesus' friend,buthadswornfealtytothebannerofhisadversaries.

Restless and fugitive, like a stricken and chased deer, the unhappydisciple wanders about the remote parts of the courtyard, but to hishorror finds every outlet of escape closed against him. For a while hesucceedsinwithdrawinghimselffromtheview—andfurthermolestationbothofthespearmenanddomestics;butthedangerofhissituationtakessuchpossessionofhisthoughtsandsensesthatwemustgiveupthehopeofhistakingtohearttheextremepointtowhichthewindoftemptationhascarriedhim.He staggersabout likeonewho isno longermasterofhimself, when, after the lapse of about another hour, a fresh crowd

surroundshim,who,aftercarefullyweighingallthecircumstances,haveatlengthcometotheconclusionthatthestrangermustcertainlybelongtothedisciplesofJesus."Surely,"saythey,withgreaterconfidencethanbefore,"youarealsooneof them;"andwhenheagainbeginstodefendhimself, they convict him of falsehood by his ownwords, and exclaim,"Yourspeechbetraysyou;youareaGalilean."Anothersoldier,attractedbythenoise,lookshimfullintheface,andaddshisconfirmationtotheirassertion,bysaying,"Ofatruththisfellowalsowaswithhim."Lastofall,a servant of the High Priest approaches, a kinsman of him whose earPeter had cut off at Gethsemane, and says, "Did not I see you in thegardenwithhim?"

Peter now finds himself completely entrapped. How is he to act? Twowaysareopentohim,eithertorevealhisdisgracefuldenialsbyacandidacknowledgment, andpresenthis barebosom tohis enemies for Jesus'sake,orelsetoacthislamentablepartcompletelythrough,inwhichcasehemustcarryhisbarefacedfalsehoodstotheutmost.Inastateborderingon desperation he decides upon the latter. In the confusion of themoment, Iknownotwhathemay,halfunconsciously,have summoneduptosoothehisconscience,atleastforatime.Whetherhetookrefugeinthesubterfugethatsuchdegradedcharacterswerenotworthyofhavingthe name of Jesus confessed before them, which would be like castingpearlsbeforeswine,orwhetherhesoughttodeceivehimselfwiththeideathat he would spare his blood until the desired opportunity arrived ofshedding itpubliclybefore all thepeople in testimonyofhis faith,whoshall decide? Suffice it to say, he is quite the old fisherman, the roughsailor again—no, even much worse than he had ever been before, andheapsoathuponoath,andcurseuponcurse,toconfirmhisassertionthathe knew not the man. While calling down upon his head all that isdreadful, and abjuringhis salvation, he exclaims, "I amnoChristian; Iknownotthemanofwhomyouspeak."Andhegivesthemthisassurancewith a gesture and in a tone as if no one under heaven was moredespicable in his esteem than "thatman," and as if amore outrageousinjurycouldnothavebeeninflicteduponhimthanbysuchasupposition.He is apparently beside himself at the grievous wrong which he isenduring. But the more violently he protests and cries out, the moreobvious is hisGalilean dialect; and themore this is the case, themore

certainatlengtharethemercenariesthattheyhavenotbeenmistakeninhim.Themeasureofhissinisnowfull.Thesoldiersleavehimtohimselfwithout giving him any further trouble, and turn their back upon him,eitherout of contempt, as deeming such a renegade unworthy of beingstampedasamartyr,orelsebecause,bytheopeningofthedoorsofthejudgmenthall,anewspectacleattractstheirattentioninahigherdegree.

Webreakoff, forthepresent,withpainfulfeelings."Is it, then,possibleforthechildrenofGodtofallsofarbackintotheirformerstate?"Yes,myreaders, if, instead of commending themselves, in true humiliation ofspirit, to the grace of God, they enter the lists in presumptuous self-confidence,andrushofthemselvesintodanger.Inthiscase,thereisnosecurityagainsttheirexperiencingsimilardefeats.Thenewman,inthosewhoareregenerate,doesnotattaintosuchanunlimitedsuperiorityoverthe old, as no longer to require, on all occasions, the continuance ofdivineinfluencefortheovercomingandrestrainingofthelatter.Itistruethattheformerwillneveryieldthefieldtothefleshforlongtogether,butinduetimewillagaintrampleitunderfoot.Itmay,however,bethecase,as itwaswithPeter,thattheoldAdam,underthepressureofseductiveanddarkening influences,mayagainbursthis fetters, and,manifestinghisdepravitybeforeGodandman,mayobtainaconsiderableadvantageoverthenewman.HencetheLord'spointedadmonitiontohisdisciplestowatchandpraylesttheyfallintotemptation.SimonPetervowedandpromised, certainly with the purest intentions, but neglected to watchand pray. What was the consequence? The first blast of temptationmiserablyoverthrewhim,andallhisvowsandpromiseswerescatteredtothewinds.

"Lethim,therefore, thatthinkshestands, takeheedlesthefall."Inthekingdom of God, indeed, a defeat may bring more blessings than avictory; andmore costly fruits often spring from stumblings than fromthemostapparentlysuccessfulstrivingsafterholiness.Butwoeuntohimwhomthistruthwouldrenderreckless!Suchaonewouldbeindangerofbeing never raised up from his fall by the hand of divine grace. Andthoughhemightriseagain,yetnoonecancalculatehowfararelapseintosinmightaffect,atleastthepresentlife,byitsdestructiveconsequences.Therefore,letuseverbearinmindtheapostolicexhortation,"Putonthe

wholearmorofGod, thatyoumaybeable tostandagainst thewilesofthe devil;" as well as those other words of the same apostle, "Endurehardness,asgoodsoldiersofJesusChrist."

TheGreatConfession

We return to the judgment hall of the Sanhedrin at a moment whenprofoundandgloomysilencereigns.Buteventhispausehasits import.The Spirit of Truth does his office in the assembly. Shame andembarrassment takepossessionofeverymind.The falsewitnesseshaveacted their part most wretchedly, and stand unmasked. Theircontradictory evidence only tends to their own disgrace. The sublimebearing of the accused, expressive only of innocence, completelyparalyzeshisadversaries.Everyeyeisnowfixedonthepresidingheadofthe Church. Every look seems to ask with amazement, "What are youabout, you Priest of the Most High? Where is your wisdom; what isbecome of your dignity?" He, meanwhile, finds himself in the mostpainful situation in theworld.Anxiety, both for the preservation of hisofficialdignity,and for theresultof thewholeaffair, tormentshis soul.Theretheproudhierarchsits,andhisthoughtstaketumultuouscounselhow the difficultymay be overcome, and how hemay escape from thepressure.SuchistheendofthejudicialprocedureagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael.Iask,whohaslostthecause?—Jesusorhisjudges?Beassuredthat the world's great process against Christ will eventually end in asimilarmanner.Itwillterminateintheutterconfusionanddespairofallwhoopposehim.Thereforeletnothisadversariesimaginethattheyhavebroughtthecaseagainsthimtoaclose.

The perplexity of the high priest is great. How can he conceal hisembarrassment?Hemustgivetheaffairanotherturn.Butofwhatkind?His ideaswhirlround likea fierywheel.Allatoncea thoughtoccurs tohim, which he deems fortunate. But it is not by mere accident that itpresentsitselftohim.Agreaterthanheoverrulesandcontrolsthescene.Thehierarch convulsively snatchesuphis fallingdignity from thedust,and, with visible effort, while enveloping himself in the gravity of hisoffice, he solemnly steps forward a few paces, and makes known his

intentiontocitetheaccusedbeforethethroneoftheAlmighty,andtocallupon him to testify on oath, and under invocation of the name of theMostHighGod,whohe is;whetherhe is really thepersonwhomhe isregarded as being and lets himself be taken for by his followers, orwhetherheisafalseprophetandadeceiver?Werejoiceatthismeasure,though evidently more the result of desperation than of calmconsideration. The affairwill now be decided. Think of a testimony onoath by Jesus respecting himself! There was nothing else wanting tosatisfyourutmostwishes.

Now, give heed. The greatest and most solemn moment of the wholeprocess has arrived. The high priest, re-assuming all his dignity, openshismouthtoutterthemostsublimeofallquestions:"Iadjureyou,"sayshe,"bythelivingGod,thatyoutelluswhetheryoubetheChrist,theSonoftheBlessed."Hemakesuseofthelegalformofadjurationwhichwascustomary in Israel. Itwas in this form that theoathwasadministeredandtaken.Thepersonswornansweredwithoutrepeatingtheformitself,withasingle,"Yes"or "No;"beingconsciousat the same time, that theanswerhegave, if itdeviated fromthe truth,wouldbepunishedby theHigh and Lofty One, who had been invoked as a witness, with hisrighteous displeasure and the loss of eternal salvation. The high priestthus solemnly calls upon Jesus, as it were, for his credentials, whilemaking the basis of the entire Christian religion as the object of hisinquiry,andinsodoing,heisperfectlyjustifiedbyhisofficialposition.

Whatisit,therefore,towhichJesusistoswear?Letusaboveallthingsbeclearuponthispoint.Heis,inthefirstplace,totestifywhetherheistheChrist—that is, the Messiah. Caiaphas, the steward of the divinemysteries, indicates by that name, the object of prophecy, andcomprehendsinitallthepromisesandtypesoftheOldTestament,outofwhich as from mysterious coverings and swaddling-clothes, a sublimeformascends,who,asProphet, is tobringdown the lightof eternity totheearth;asHighPriest,togivehisownlifeasanatonementforthesinsoftheworld; and asKing, to establish an everlasting kingdomof graceand peace. This dignified Being is called the "Lord's Anointed," or"Christ."ButCaiaphasknowsthatthis"Christ"willbeaman,andyetatthe same time "theLordMostHigh:" such asDavid andDaniel saw in

vision; andMicah, as one "whose goings forth have been of old, fromeverlasting." He knows that the Messiah will be the Son of God, in amannersuchasnooneelseinheavenoronearthisentitledtobecalled.Hewill not only be like Jehovah, but Jehovah's equal, and thus reallyGod.Fromthissublimepointofview,Caiaphasasks,"Areyouhe?"andbelieves that in the event of Jesus affirming it, he would be perfectlyjustifiedinpronouncinghimablasphemer,andassuch,incondemninghimtodeath.

Whatgreaterormoremomentousquestionwaseverputthanthis?Whatwould have been the consequences, had an answer in the negativeensued?Whatmercywouldthenhavebeentheportionofthesinfulraceof man? Jesus might then have been whatever he pleased—the wisestphilosopher,thechiefoftheprophets,themostperfectmodelofvirtue—no,anangelandseraphofthefirstrank—allwouldnothaveavailedus,andhellwouldhavebeentheterminationofourpilgrimage.Ifanegativehadfolloweduponthehighpriest'squestion,itwouldhaveextinguishedallourhopes;itwouldhavefallenlikealightedtorchintothecitadelofour consolation; the whole edifice of our salvation would have beenoverthrown, and we should have been hurled into the open jaws ofdespair. For think of what is included in this one question. "Are youChrist,theSonoftheBlessed?"InitCaiaphasinquiresifthehourofourredemptionhasarrived;ifthereisapossibilityofasinnerbeingsaved;ifan atoningpower canbe ascribed to the obedience of Jesus; and if theSuretyship of Christ can in reality be of any avail to transgressors? Allthesequestionsandmanymoreareansweredinthenegative,ifasimplenegationhadissuedfromthelipsofJesustotheinterrogatory,"AreyoutheSonofGod?"But if it be answered in the affirmative then they areaffirmedtoalleternity.Andwhoistherethatisnotanxiousforthereply?Well,then,givemeyourattention,andopenyourheartstothetruth.

The all-important question is propounded. Deep silence reigns in theassembly. Every heart beats audibly, and every eye is fixed on theaccused.Nordoourhearts remainunmoved.Wealso stand, tremblingwithexpectation, before thehigh-priestly tribunal.Weare awareof theastonishing miracles by which Jesus has magnified himself. We werewitnesses how he displayed his superhuman glory at the coffin of the

youngmanofNainandatthegraveofLazarus.Wehaveseenhimintheendangeredvessel,whentherageoftheelementsceasedathisbeck,andonthestormylake,wherethewildwavesbecamefirmbeneathhis feet,and spread a crystal carpet for theKing ofNature. But all thesemighthave been the acts of a prophet sent from God, and the marvelousperformances of a human possessor of divine power. Such a person,however,couldnothavecopedwithourmisery.Weheardhimsay,"Hewho has seenme, has seen the Father also," for "I and the Father areone," and "before Abraham was, I am;" with other expressions of asimilarkind.But still,with reference to these expressions, theTemptermightsuggesttousthattheymustnotbeapprehendedliterally,butareonlytobeunderstoodofthemoralgloryofJesus.Andthusanassertionwas still requisite, which should put to shame all the arts of infernalperverters of language; a testimony was still desirable concerning theperson of Jesus, the undoubted nature of which would be able toannihilatealltheobjectionsofskepticism;andhowcouldthisbedoneinamoresatisfactorymanner thanbya solemndeclarationonoath? It isthis,whichisabouttotakeplace.JesusisaskedifheisthetrueGodandEternalLife?—forthisisallcomprisedintheappellation,"Christ,theSonof theBlessed," in themouth of a believing Israelite.He therefore thathasears,lethimhearwhatthepersonatthebarofCaiaphastestifiesofhimself,beforethefaceof theAlmighty, themaninwhosemouth,evenaccordingtotheconfessionofhismurderers,wasfoundnodeceit.

There he stands in the presence of the council of the nation, to allappearance"awormandnoman."Greatnessanddignityappeartorestonly on those who surround him. In himself you perceive nothing butlowlinessandpoverty.Therehe stands,withhisheadboweddown,hiscountenancepale,hishandsbound,andsurroundedbyarmedmenlikearobber.Hestandsthere,readytosinkwithwearinessfromthesufferingshehasalreadyendured,forsakenofhisfriends,inveighedagainstbyhisenemies, apparently the offscouring of the earth, and incomparablywretched.Tothisdeeplyabasedandseverelystrickenman,thequestionissolemnlyputbythefirstandprincipalpersoninthenation,whetherhewill swear by the living God that he is the Son of the Blessed? He isthereforenowconstrainedto layasidealldisguise;andforoursakeshegladlyliftstheveil.Aslongastheinvestigationwasconfinedtowretched

accusations of personal reference, Jesus was silent; but after the affairhadtakensuchadifferentandmuchmoreseriousturn, itwasrequisitetobeartestimonytothetruth,anddeclarehimselfdefinitelywithregardtohisperson.Heknowsthathisanswerwillcausehisdeath,buthedaresnolongerrefrain.Heisconstrainedtospeakbythereverencewhichfillshisheartforthesacrednamebywhichheisadjured.Heisconstrainedtoitbythesubmission,whichhethinksheowestothedignityofhimwhocallsuponhimtoansweronoath.Heisconstrainedtoitbyhisloveandholyzealforthetruth,andespeciallybyhistendersolicitudeforus,poorsinners,onwhosebehalfheappearsatthebarofjudgment.ItisnottheSanhedrinalone,beforewhichhefeelshimselfplaced;hesees,inspirit,his whole Church assembled around him; he sees a whole world inbreathlessexcitement,andallthekindredsoftheearth,groupedaroundhim,fullofexpectation.TheearofhiswholeChurchto theendof timehangsuponhislips;andheknowsthatthemomenthasarrivedwhenhemustplaceafirmandimmutablesupportbeneathitsfaith,forthousandsofyearstocome.Hethereforeopenshismouth,andtestifiesbeforethethrone of the living God, with clear consciousness, considerately,formally,andsolemnly,"Youhavesaidit.Iam."

Hereyouhavethegreatconfession.Whatanaffirmationisthis!Itliftsusupabovealldoubtandapprehension.Itplacesourfaithonaneverlastingfoundation. It establishes and seals our entire redemption, and is thegraveofeveryscruple.Butthatnoshadowofobscuritymightrestontherealmeaningofhis testimony,hemakesanaddition tohisaffirmation.Heunveilsthefuture,andsays,"HereaftershallyouseetheSonofMansittingontherighthandofpower,andcominginthecloudsofheaven."Thisisinpartalreadyaccomplished.Itcommencedwithhisresurrectionandascension.ItsfulfillmentproceededwiththeoutpouringoftheHolySpirit and the founding of his Church; and it is hastening toward itscompletioninanuninterruptedseriesofvictories,whileitwillexperienceitsconsummationamidthesongofmillions,chanting,"ThekingdomsofthisworldarebecomethekingdomsofourGodandofhisChrist!"

Itwas impossible that it could bemore clearly testifiedwho Jesuswasthanwasnowdone.Ifhistestimonyistrue,itisthenalsotruethatallarelostwhowillnotbelieveonhim,andthatnothingremainsforthosewho

refusetobendthekneetohim,but"afearfullooking-forofjudgmentandof fiery indignation,which shall devour the adversaries." It is true that"whoever is not born of water and of the Spirit, cannot enter into thekingdomofGod,andthathewhobelievesnottheSonshallnotseelife,butthewrathofGodabidesonhim."Forthislikewiseistestifiedbyhim,whoanswered, "Iam,"before thecouncil;and if the latter is true, so isalsotheformer.Hasten,therefore,tocommityourselvestothehandsofhim,besidewhomthereisnonetohelpyou,eitherinheavenoronearth;norbesuchenemiestoyourselvesastochoosedeathandthecurse,nowthatlifeandimmortalityarebroughttolight,andofferedtoyoufreelyintheGospel.InrelianceonthesacredoathoftheSavior,turnyourbacksupontheworld,andcastyourselvesintothearmsandupontheheartoftheonlyMediator.

"Iam!"—answeredJesus;and ifhehadnotbeen,at thesame time, thesacrificial lamb destined to disgrace and suffering for the human race,millions of voices would have sealed his testimony with their "Amen!"Theseraphimwiththeirgoldenharpswouldhavehoveredoverhimandhaveexclaimed,"Jesus,youarehe!"Fromthefoundationsof theearth,whichwerelaidbyhim,wouldhaveresoundedthesametestimony;andthe Eternal Father, with that voice which causes the mountains totremble,wouldhavecalleddownfromheaven,"ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased."Butsilencereignsabove,below,andaroundhim. The priest of God is in the sanctuary, engaged in offering up hissacrifice.Thereallissilent.Hisenemiesonlyarepermittedtorage.

When Caiaphas hears the unequivocal confession, in order to manifesthis hypocritical indignation at this supposedpiece of impiety, he rendshis clothes, by which act he unconsciously intimates symbolically theapproachingdissolutionofthetypicalpriesthood,nowthatinthepersonof Christ, the true priest had appeared. In a few hours the templewillclose; the offering up of lambs and of goats will have reached itsterminationinthesightofGod.TheLordofheavenandearthwill thenretireforeverfromtheHolyofholies,madewithhands,inorderinfuturetotakeuphisabodeinthosewhoareofahumbleandcontriteheart.

Thehighpriest,bythissignofgrief,givesusalsoalessonwhichisworthyofourattention.Itbecomesusspirituallytodothesame,inthepresence

ofJesus,ashedid.Wemustappearbeforehimwithourgarmentsrent,otherwisehewillnotregardus.Wemusttear inpiecesthedressofourown imaginary righteousness, virtue,power, andwisdom.Wemustnotconcealournakedness,norseektohideourshame.Wemustcomebeforehim as poor sinners and poverty-stricken mendicants, if we wish torecommendourselvestohim.Allself-exaltationisanabominationinhissight.Away,then,withallourtinsel!Hewilladornuswithhisownrobe.He does not desire artificial flowers. He plucks only lilies, which hehimselfhasclothedwithpurityandbeauty.

Thehighpriestrendshisclothesandsays,"Whatfurtherneedhaveweofwitnesses?"Themanisintheright.HadJesusunwarrantablypresumedtodeclarehimself tobe theSonofGodand theJudgeof theworld,hecouldnothavebeenguiltyofamoreheinousblasphemythanbysodoing.Butwhy,youjudgesofIsrael,mustthatnecessarilybefalsewhichhehadjust testifiedofhimself?Why should it beutterly inconceivable thathewas the promised Lord fromheaven?Was there anything in his life tocontradict the assertion? In spite of all your efforts, what did you findthatwasdisreputableinit?Youcanaccusehimofnothing,exceptthat,inthe declaration just made, he had unduly exalted himself—which youmust first prove—and in an unauthorized manner had appropriatedDivine honor to himself. You were compelled to confess that he cameforthfromyourexaminationpureasthelightofheaven.Andtellme, isthetestimonytohisSonshipwhichhehasjustgiven,whollyisolatedandunsupported?Onthecontrary,isnothisentiremanifestationonearthaconfirmationofit?Wasitnotestablishedbyvoicesfromonhigh?Didnotnumbers of unheard-of signs and wonders surround it, like so manyproofsofitstruth?Andhasitnot,aspowerfulwitnessesinitsfavor,thewhole choir of prophetic announcements which were most literallyfulfilledinhim?Sucharethequestionswemightputtoyou,youjudgesof Jerusalem. But youwould not that thisman should reign over you;and,therefore,yourefusedtoacknowledgehimasthatwhichhedeclaredhimselfonoathtobe.Woeuntoyou,youmodelsofalljudicialinjustice!Whatwillbecomeofyouwhenthedaydrawsnear inwhichyouwillbebroughtupfor judgment,andwheneverythingshallbebroughtto lightthatwashiddeninobscurity!

"Whatthinkyou?"asksthehighpriest.Thewholeassembly,then,aswithonevoice, taking theword fromhis lips,exclaimaloud, "He isguiltyofdeath."Justso—asstandinginourroomandstead, it isreallythecase.Other andmore exalted voices than those of the councilmingle in theverdict.Butwhatkindofdeathisitofwhichheisdeclaredtobeguilty?Not that of which Balaam spoke, saying, "Let me die the death of therighteous,and letmy lastendbe likehis!"Not thatwhich the preachercommendsinthewords,"Thedayofdeathisbetterthanthedayofone'sbirth."NorthatofwhichPaulwrites,"Odeath,whereisyoursting?"Thedeath towhichJesuswascondemned,heenduredas therepresentativeofourguiltyrace.Byhisdeathhetookfromoursitssting,whichissin.All fear of death in the children of God is henceforth needless andgroundless;andhissayingremainsforevertrue, that"Whoeverbelievesonhimshallneverseedeath."

Wecloseourpresentmeditation.Youseethealternative,whichisplacedbeforeyou—eitherforevertobreakwithJesus,asthemostdisreputableenthusiasttheworldeversaw,andapproveofthebloodthirstysentenceoftheSanhedrin,ortocry"Hosanna"tothelowlyNazarene,andfall inhumbleadorationathisfeet,asGodmanifestintheflesh.Thereisherenomiddle path. The idea of his beingmerely an "excellentman," onlymanifests great levity; and regarded in the light, concealswithin it thetraitor'skiss.How,therefore,doyoudecide?Evensoundreasonadvisesyou to take partwith us. In Jesus' affirmation on oath before the highpriest,beholdtheimmutablerockwhichbearsandsustainsourbeliefinhim!Build the house of your hopes for eternity thereon, and you shallneverbeconfounded;forthemouthoftheLordhasspokenit!

Peter’sTears

OurpresentmeditationwillconsoleusforthegriefweexperiencedwhenconsideringthedepthofPeter'sfall.Thestarofdivinegracerisesonthatgloomyscenewithbenignantradiance.Weherewitnessthesheddingoftears,which,nexttothosethatflowedfromourLordhimselfatthegraveof Lazarus, over ungodly Jerusalem, and in Gethsemane, may beregardedas themost remarkable thatwere ever sheduponearth.They

havedropped,likesoothingbalm,intomanyawoundedheart.Maytheynot fail to produce a blessed effect on many of my readers, and berenewedintheirexperience!

WeagainmeetwithPeterat thehorriblemomentwhencompletinghisdenial of Jesus, he formally abjures his discipleshipwith heavy curses.Observe, this is done by the very individual from whose lips the greatconfessionhadpreviouslyproceeded—"WehaveknownandbelievedthatyouaretheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod;"andtheardentandsinceredeclaration—"Though all men should forsake you, yet will not I." Butwhatareeventhebestofmenwhenleftforamomenttothemselves?AndwhatwouldbecomeofthemostfaithfulofChrist'sfollowers,iftheLordwereonly for a short time to remove the restraints of his grace?O thefollyoftrustingtothefinestfeelings,seeingthatwearenotsureofthemforasinglesecond!Whatchildishpresumptiontorelyforsuccessontheairyweaponsofwhatmencallgood-will,ornobleresolutions!Wemightindeeddoso, if the"weak flesh"didnotalwaysaccompany the"willingspirit," and if Satan did not always go about as a roaring lion, seekingwhomhemaydevour.

Peter has first to learn, in the school of experience, like us all, thatwepresume toomuch if we rely upon ourselves, even in themost triflingtemptation. The love of Christ constrains us to venture everything forhim;butitisonlythebeliefinChrist'sloveforus,andthetrustingtohisgracious power and strength, that enables us to overcome. He whotremblesathimself,asbeingcapableaboveothersofdenyinghisMaster,willgaingreatervictoriesthanhewhodeemshimselfsufficientlystrongtobeabletosay,"Thoughallmenforsakeyou,yetwillnotI.""Youstandsby faith," writes Paul to the Romans, "Be not high-minded, but fear.""Therefore,"saysthesameapostle,"Iwillrathergloryinmyinfirmities,thatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme."

Peterisvanquished.Helltriumphs.Andwhyshouldshenot?Hadeverasoul become hers which had drawn down upon itself the curse sodeservedly as that of this apostate disciple? and did the cause ofChristianity,sohatedbyher,everreceivesuchapainfulshockasinthisinstance,whereoneofitsapostlesbaselysuccumbsunderthefirstdangerwhichmenacesacandidconfessionofhisdiscipleship,and isunable to

find language strong enough forhis affirmation that "he knowsnot theman?" Nevertheless, hell begins to cry "victory" too soon. There is nosuchhurrywithregardtothecursewhichistolightuponPeter.Listentowhatispassinginthejudgmenthallofthepalace.Theappallingsentencehasjustbeenutteredinthemidstofatumultuousuproar,"Whatfurtherneed have we of witnesses! He has blasphemed God, and is guilty ofdeath.""Who?"weask,astonished."SimonPeter?"No,another—aHolyOne:evenhewhoonceexclaimed,"Ilaydownmylifeforthesheep."Heisnowreadytodoso,andPeterbelongsalsotohisflock,fromwhomthecurse is transferred to him, the Surety, and with respect to whom thewordsarehenceforthapplicable, "They shall never perish, neither shallanyman pluck them out ofmy hand." As regards the shockwhich thecause of the Gospel endured through Peter's denial, it will survive thisalso.Yeta littlewhile, and there isOnewhowillbeable togivesuchaturntothewholeaffairthatitmusttendrathertotheadvancementthantheinjuryoftheGospel.

JustasPeterhasfilledupthemeasureofhissinbyaformalrepudiationof his Master, the cock crows. What is the result? A return to sober-mindedness, repentance, and tears. God only knows with what clamorSatan deafened the disciple's ears so that the first cry of the featheredwatchmandidnotpenetrateintothem.Petersankonlystillmoredeeplyinto the snare, and midnight darkness, enlightened only by solitaryflashesofhisaccusingconscience,envelopedhismind.

Anawakenerofsomekindorotherisappointedtoeveryone.Whereverwemaybe,therearevoiceswhichcallustorepentance.Nature,aswellasourwholelife,isfullofthem,onlyourearsareheavyandwillnothear.There is an awakening call in the rolling thunder, which is a herald ofinfinitemajesty—inthelightning,whichdartsdownbeforeyou,carryingwith it destruction—in the stars,which look downupon you from suchremoteregions,as if theywouldsay,"Howfar,Oman!areyoucastoutfrom your home!"—in the flower of the field, which, in its transientbloomingandfading,depictsyourownbriefexistenceuponearth—inthemidnighthour,whenthechurch-bellstrikesuponyourear,likethepulseoftime,whichrapidlyhastensway,andcallsouttoyoutohastentosaveyoursoul.No,wherearewenotsurroundedbyawakeningvoicesofthis

nature? They sit upon the tombstones of our church-yards, and theirlanguage is, "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that thejudgment."Theirwarningvoiceresoundsfromeveryfuneralcarthatrollspastyou.Itmaybeheardoneverybirthdaywhichyoucelebrate;ineveryfit of illness bywhich you are attacked; in every danger that threatensyour life; as well as in that secret uneasiness which incessantly stealsthroughyoursoul.

Andbesidesthesegeneralcallstorepentance,dowenotfindsomethingsimilar in every family circle and in each individual? Someunrepentedsinliesuponyoursoul.Whenwillthisawakeningcallfillyoureyeswithtears?Onemisfortuneafteranotherhaslatelycrossedyourthreshold.Ohowmany alarming voices have been contained in these strokes of theAlmighty'srod!Youfeelyourstrengthdecaying,andthatthesunofyourlifeisdeclining.Doyounothearinthisfactthecrowingofthecock?Oneverysidewemaybeconsciousofit—invisionsofthenight,intheeventsof the day, in serious thoughts, which we are unable to prevent, insermons and admonitions which are addressed to us. But to whatpurpose? Something must be added to this warning cry—somethingsuperior and more powerful than itself, or it will never succeed inawakeningus,whoarebynature so "uncircumcised inheart andears,"fromourdeadlysleep.

The cock in the court-yard of thehighpriest crows a second time, andthis call enters and finds a response. Day begins to dawn upon Peter,awakened by the remembrance of his Master's warning, and whilereflecting on the abyss into which he has plunged himself. But if heshudderswithhorror,hellmaysharehisterror,sincethesecondcrowingofthecockistoherwhatthetrumpetsofJoshuawereofoldtothewallsofJericho, castingdown,ona sudden, all theproud trophiesof victoryshehadalreadyerected.

Letus,however, return fora fewmoments, toseewhatoccurred in thecouncil hall just before this second warning. Something of importancehas just takenplace.Theaccusedhasdeclareduponoath thathe is theSonofthe livingGod.Thehighpriest, indissembledindignation,rendshisclothes.AmidwilduproarsentenceofdeathispronouncedupontheHolyOneofIsrael,andtheminionsofjusticeseizehimtoleadhimaway

intothecourt-yard,andthereventuponhimtheirunlicencedfury.Thedivinesuffererhas justpassed through thedoorway into thecourt-yardwhen the crowing of the cock reaches his ear. "And the Lord turnedhimself;" we know toward whom. That sound announced to him hisdisciple's fall, and his eye and his compassionate heart go in search ofhim.SuchisJesustheSavior.Heembraceshisfollowerswithmorethanmaternaltenderness,andtheirwantoffidelitydoesnotpreventhisbeingfaithful.Whatwavesofsorrowbeatoverhishead,andyethecanforgeteverythinginhisanxietyforhisfallendisciple!Soonerthanoneofthemshouldbe forgotten, hewould forget the government of theworld; andwouldsufferthenationstotaketheircourse,ratherthanlosesightofoneofhis littleones.As longasa roseofhisplantingbloomson theearth,thisdesertistohimadelightfulgarden,andheleavesheaventotendandnourishthisplant.Andhappyareyouwhoaretheweakoftheflock,thepoorandneedyaboveothers!Itwouldseemthatyouliethenearesttohisheart.

DeeplywasPeterimmersedinthemireofsin,yettheLordturnedtowardhim.Who among uswould have troubled himself further about such afaithlessdeserterfromtheranks?Ifsuchcharacterswerereferredtous,it would go ill with them.How ready we are to stamp and reject suchstumblingbrethrenashypocrites! Insteadofmovinga finger to restorethem, we not infrequently plunge them deeper into the mire, andpersecute them worse than the world does. If Jerusalem is besieged,Judah assists in the blockade. The Lord, on the contrary, whose rightaloneitistojudgeinsuchcases,isnotashamedtodeigntoactthepartofthe woman in the Gospel, who having lost one of her pieces of silver,strikesalight,seizesthebroom,andceasesnottostirupthedustuntilitisdiscovered;andwhenfound,shecallsherneighborstogether,andsays,"Rejoicewithme, forIhavefoundthepieceofsilver,whichIhadlost."Hischildrenaredearertohimthanthebrethrenoftenaretous.Tellme,youthatareparents,doyourerringsonsanddisobedientdaughtersceasetobeyourchildrenbecauseof theiraberrations?Doyounotratherstillmoredeeplyfeelthattheyareboneofyourbone,andfleshofyourflesh?Does not your love to them increasewith the danger towhich you seethemexposed?Andareyounotmorefullyconscious,whencompelledtoweepover them, thatyour life isboundupwith theirs, thanwhen they

merely caused you joy? If you then, being evil, cannot reject your ownseed, how should He be able to forget those who are of his flesh andblood,whosaid,"AsmyFatherlovesme,sohaveIlovedyou;"andbythemouth of his prophet, "Can awoman forget her nursing child that sheshould not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, she mayforget,yetwillInotforgetyou.Lo,Ihaveengravedyouonthepalmsofmy hands." Peter, though fallen, still belonged to him. Though he hadactedsowickedly,yethisMaster'sloveforhimremainsunchanged.Seehowcarefullyhelooksroundafterhim!Forthesecondtimeitmightbesaid, with reference to Peter, "When I passed by you, and saw youpollutedinyourownblood,Isaiduntoyou,whenyouwerecastoutintothe open field, and lying in your blood, yes, I said unto you,when youwereinyourblood,live!"Certainly,haditnotbeentheLord'swillthatweshould believe that the covenant of grace, on his side, stood inviolablyfast,hewouldhavehesitatedtohavesetbeforeussuchexamplesasthoseof David and Peter. "And Jesus turned and looked upon him." Yes,"thoughwebelievenot,yetheabides faithful;hecannotdenyhimself;"for"thefoundationofGodstandssure;havingthisseal,theLordknowsthemthatarehis."

TheLordturnedhimself.TheconversionofeverysinnerbeginswiththatforwhichDavidprays,"Lookuponme!"Bynaturewearelikedrybonesinahugechurch-yard,andcannotcometohim.ButassoonastheLordbegins to look upon us, its effect is soon felt. Before we are awareweenterintocloserconnectionwithhim,andfeelthatheisnearus.Weareconscious of being deeply and wondrously affected by things, which,otherwise, we scarcely noticed. The idea occurs to us, in a variety ofcircumstances,thatGodintendsbythemtocallustorepentance,andweareofteninclinedtosaywithJacob,"SurelytheLordwasinthisplace."TheAlmighty is thenno longerdistant fromus on some far-off height,butpervadesourchamber,andmeetsusinthedailyoccurrencesoflife.Notadaypasseswithoutsomethinghappeningwhichcompelsustosay,"It is theLord!"Yet this state of thingsmay continue longwithout ourattaining to real conversion of heart. But when the Faithful Shepherdbeginstofollowafterus,hedoesnotleaveuswithoutaccomplishinghispurpose.

Itwasnotsimplythecrowingofthecockthatraisedthedisciplefromhisfall. Nor did the turning of the Lord toward him produce the desiredeffect. A third and more powerful means was added. What was it? Aword,acall,anexhortation?—No;alookwhichtheeyeoftheKeeperofIsrael cast upon his disciple, who was staggering on the brink ofdestruction.This lookdidwonders. "TheLord turned,and lookeduponPeter."What a lookmust thathavebeen!Whatdivine sorrowand lovemust ithave expressed! andhow accompanied by the effulgence of theSpiritandtheradianceofdivinegrace!Itactedbothasaswordtowound,andasabalmtoheal.Itstrucklikedestroyinglightning,andatthesametimeexpandeditselflikerefreshingdew.OthereisinexpressiblepowerinthelookoftheLord!Withalookofmajestyhebeholdstheearth,andittrembles.Witha judicial lookheovertakes the sinner,whoexclaims, "Iperishathispresence."Hisdying lookon the crossmelts stonyhearts,and transforms lions into lambs. With a look of forgiving mercy, hemakes a contrite soul forget heaven and earth in its happiness; and bymeansofagrievedandlovinglook,herestoreslambstohisfold,whichhadlonggoneastrayinthewilderness.Tothisdayhispeoplefeelthathiseyesareuponthem,andaccordingtowhattheyreadinthem,theirpeaceorjoyrisesorfalls.

TheLord's look did not fail of its effect uponPeter.No sooner did thedisciple'seyesmeethis,thanthemagicbandwhichheldhimisdissolved,theinfernalintoxicationdispelled,hisearopened,andreflectionreturns—no,sinisacknowledged—hisheartismelted—thesnareisbroken,andthebirdhasescaped."GraciousGod," isnowhis language,"howdeeplyhaveIfallen!WretchthatIam,wasnotallthisforetoldme?Saidhenotontheway,'Beforethecockcrowstwice,youshalldenymethrice?'Woeis me, that in foolish presumption I repelled the warning, and onlyremember itnow,when it is too late! I vowed togowithhim toprisonandtodeath;andyetIamthefirsttodenyandabjurehim!Howisitthatthe earth still bearsme, and that heaven's lightnings do not blast me!Instead of which, he who so kindly forewarned me, and whom Inevertheless abjured and ignored, deigns me still a look of pity andcompassion!"

SuchmayhavebeenthelanguageofPeter'ssoul,when,asthenarrative

informsus,"herememberedthewordoftheLord,whichhehadspokentohim."Hewouldnowhaveinfalliblybecomeapreytodespair,hadnottheSavior'sloving-kindness,bymeansoftheconversationonthewaytoGethsemane,madeeveryarrangementforpreventingSatanfromsiftingthepoordisciple tooseverely.HisMaster'sprayer, that"his faithmightnotfail,hadsurroundedtheabyss,as itwere,withabalustrade,andbyhis injunction, that "after his conversion, he should strengthen hisbrethren," hadmade preparation forwiping away his tears long beforethey fell. O how did the soothing influence of all the words which thegraciousfriendofsinnershadspokentohim,sheditselfuponhisheart,when to them was added that look so full of mercy and compassion!Certainly, no one ever felt himselfmore unhappy than Peter; butwhatwould have been his misery had not the gracious wings of divine pitybeen extended over him. Peter, by the look of his Master, is whollydissolvedingriefandhumiliation.Hecovershisheadwithhismantle,asif hewas unworthy to appear beforeGodorman, andbegins to "weepbitterly."Thesearethetears,ofwhichit iswritten,"Putthemintoyourbottle; are they not in your book?" and from the sowing of which aharvestof joy ispromised.Likethepearlydropswhichburst, inspring,fromthebranchesofthevine,theytestifyoftheexistenceoflife;andintheeyeofthesinner,announcetoSatanthelossofhissuit,andtheendofhis triumph.Ohowmuch is reflected in these tears!What thoroughcontritionbeforeGod,whatholyindignationagainstsin,whatanardentthirstforgrace,andwhatfullnessofferventlovetotheLordbeamforthfromtheirpurelight!"Benotdreadfultome,youwhoaremyrefugeindistress!Castmenotawayfromyourpresence!WhomhaveIinheavenbut you?" such are the aspirations which issue from his heart. All hisdesireandlongingcenterinthis,thathemayagainrejoiceinthefavoroftheLord. Thoughhewere to become an outcast from theworld all thedaysofhislife,andasregardshisbody,werecompelledtofollowinthesteps of Job and Lazarus, yet he would gladly submit to all this, if hemightonlyagainhopeformercy.Histearsannouncethebirthofanewman. The old, presumptuous, self-seeking, self-trusting Adam is dead,andamanofhumility, filial resignation toGod,andsinceredesire thatthenameoftheLordmayalonebeglorified,rises,phoenix-like,fromhisashes.

ItissaidthatatearglistenedinPeter'seyeaslongashelived.Ifthisisanythingbutalegend,itwasnotatearofsorrowonly,butof joyat themercy experienced, tempered only by a permanent melancholy. Theremembranceofhisfallneverlefthimforamoment;andinthedegreeinwhichitkepthimlow,itsharpenedhisspiritualvisionforthemysteryofthecrossandofsalvationbygrace.Thisisabundantlyevident,especiallyin his first epistle. He there comforts believers with the cheeringassurance that they are "kept by the power of God, through faith untosalvation."Hecallsuponthemto"hopetotheendforthegracethatshallbe revealed." He impressively reminds them of the weakness andevanescentnatureofeverythinghuman,whilecallingtotheirrecollectionthewordsoftheprophet:"All fleshisgrass,andall thegloryofmanastheflowerofgrass.Thegrasswithers,andtheflowerthereoffallsaway."He speaksof "thepreciousbloodofChrist as of aLambwithout spot,"with a fervor which immediately indicates him as one who had deeplyexperienceditshealingpower.It ishewhoaddressesthewarningtous,"Besober,bevigilant;foryouradversarythedevilgoesaboutasaroaringlion, seekingwhomhemaydevour."Andwhenhe quotes the psalm inwhichitissaid,"TheeyesoftheLordareupontherighteous;andhisearsare open to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against them that doevil"—doesitnotseemasifheintentionallyreferredtothatlookfromhisMaster,whichhadoncesooverwhelmedhimandcasthimtotheground?

Inconclusion:arethereanyofmyreaderswho,withreferencetoPeter,arepresumptuousenoughtosaywiththePhariseeofold,"God,Ithankyou that I am not as that man!" O how much of the guilt of denyingChrist,either inagrossorsubtlemanner,restsuponusall!Howmuchreasonhavewealsotobealarmedatthewords,"Hewhodeniesme;himwillIalsodenybeforemyFatherinheaven."Letusthereforecoverourheadswithourmantles,andwithPeter,gooutandweepbitterly;thatadayof gracemayalsodawnuponus, and that thewordsof theapostlemay be also applicable to us, "Such were some of you, but you arewashed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of the LordJesus,andbytheSpiritofourGod."

"ProphesytoUs,YouChrist"

We have now to proceed to the contemplation of a scene which, withregardtoitshorriblenature,isscarcelyparalleledinthewholehistoryofourSavior'spassion.Wescarcelyknow,atfirstsight,whattosayofsuchaspectacle.Weshudder,arehorrified,tremble,andlookawayfromsuchill-treatment, and, covering our heads, would gladly hasten from themournful sight, exclaiming, "Omy God, who can bear to witness suchbarbarity!" Let us not, however, hurry away from, but endure it, andthrow light upon the revolting scene, which at first appears to us soincomprehensible, by referring to the "sure word of prophecy." Theseeminglyimpenetrabledarknesswillthenbeillumined,andthatwhichisobscurefindaconsolatorysolution.

ThesentenceispasseduponJesus.ItsimportisnothinglessthandeathtotheAccused.Thejudicialassembly,after itsfirstsitting,whichbeganduring the night, has been adjourned for a short time, amid wild andtriumphant uproar. Meanwhile the Divine Sufferer is given up to therecklessbandofofficersandspearmen,whoshamefullyill-treathim,andtheydosothemoreboldly,becauseitisdonewiththeassentandfortheaccount of their superiors, aware that they thereby cause the lattersatisfaction.

Jesus is now in their power, andhemust dearly pay thepenalty of hisconduct. "But why must he suffer? What has he ever done to offendthem?"Ohowmuch,notwithstandinghisbestintentions!Didhenot,inhis own sacred person, hold up to them a mirror, which presented tothemthedarkimageoftheirownungodliness?—andsuchtreatmentdidnot please them. Was not an evident proof afforded, by his brilliantexample, thattheyweregoing thewrongroad?—andconvictionsof thiskindcutthemtotheheart.ByhiscallinguponthemtobereconcileduntoGod, had he not plainly told them to their face that they had hithertolivedestrangedfromGod?—andsuchdisclosuresoffendandcausepain,especiallywhen theman'sownconscienceunites in theaccusation.Didhe not repeatedly tell them that a new birth was an indispensablecondition attached to the entering into the kingdom of heaven?—andwhat elsewere they to understand from this than that in their presentstate they were in danger of perishing?—but who likes to hear of suchthings?

Itwasthusthatamassofrageandvexationhadbydegreesaccumulatedwithin them.Ahorrible state, it is true,butonewhichonly testifies forJesus.Believeme,my readers, that theadversariesof theLord andhiswordamongusare,forthemostpart,likeawoundedstagflyingfromthehunters.They feel that the teachingsofChristdestroy their falsepeace,condemn their carnality, and demand the sacrifice of their idols; andhence they are averse to and incensed against him even to blasphemy.TheyjoyfullygreeteveryattemptwhichtendstodegradeJesustoamerehumanRabbi; forall theireffortsaredirectedsolely toescape fromtheobligations they lie under to him. Almost in every case where enmityagainstChrist ismanifested, itmaybe traced to these corruptmotives.TheChristianreligiondisturbsthehornet'snest,tearsawaytheplastersand coverings from secretwounds, and awakens the conscience,whichhad been rendered lethargic by a variety of magic potions; and hencetheirhatredandanimositytoit.

Before we approach the revolting scene in the court-yard of the highpriest'spalace,letusagaincalltomindwhoitiswehavebeforeusintheindividualthusill-treated.Weareabouttowitnessunheard-ofoutrages,atwhichtherocksmightrendwithhorror.When,towardthecloseofthelastcentury,theruthlessmobputtheredrevolutionarycapontheheadoftheunfortunatekingofFrance,amidshoutsofderisive laughter,andthen cut their infernal jokes on his royal dignity—a cry of horror andindignation ran through the world; and he in whose heart thereglimmered only a spark of piety and right feeling, turned away withdisgustfromsucharevoltingspectacle.Butwhatwasthat,oranyothereventof thekindwhich theworld'shistory records, comparedwith thescenewhichwearenowcalledtobehold?Ifthepersontowhomoureyesaredirectedhadbeenonlyanearthlydignitary,eventhenthecontrastofhisdreadful fatewithhis exaltedpositionwouldgreatlyhorrifyus, andwe shouldbeunable to refrain from calling out, "You go too far; ceaseyour ill-treatment; men whom the Lord places in such high positionsought not to be treated in so disgraceful a manner!" But here, as youknow, is a greater than any human potentate. He who is maltreatedyonder is the samewho spoke to the storm and thewaves, saying, "Bestill,"andtheyobeyed;who,withaword,calledforththedeadfromthe

coffinandthetomb;atwhosebiddingstandtheangelichostsofheaven;no, through whom, and to whom are all things that were created, andwhocould justlysay,"IandmyFatherareone.""Hewhoseesme,seestheFather.""MyFatherworkshitherto,andIwork.""AllmenshallhonortheSon,evenastheyhonortheFather."Itisuponhim,theKingofkings,andLordoflords,inwhomdwellsallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodily,thattherecreantstramplewiththeirdirtyfeet.ItisinthefaceofEternalLove that they spit. It is theSourceofLifewhom they smitewith theirfists, and it is himwhom the heavens adore that they insultwith theirvenomoustongues,whicharesetonfireofhell.Yes,itwasuponhimthatall this was inflicted, who had just before affirmed on oath, in the fullconsciousnessofhisdivinedignity,thathewastheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod,andwhohadafterwardadded,"Isayuntoyouthathereafteryou shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, andcominginthecloudsofheaven."

Itis,therefore,amonstrousspectaclewhichispresentedtoourview.Theworldneverafterwardbeheldanythingsimilar.Whatwecallcompassiondoesnotseemheretocorrespondwiththesubject;noristhereanyroomfortheideaofanunfortunateandpitiablemortal,suchasisthecaseinother instances. Every one feels that here is an occurrence entirelyisolatedfromtherankofsimilareventsintheworld'shistory,andthatitmust necessarily be of an extraordinary nature. Every one must beconsciousthattheindividualfreelyandvoluntarilygavehimselfuptothehorrible treatment he experienced; and that the idea of One who wasovercome, and yielded to superiorpower,mustbewholly excluded.Hewhowas thus coveredwith insultwasneitherweakernor lesspowerfulthan at themomentwhen,with a singleword, he overthrew thewholecompanyofhis adversaries. In thenamelesswretchedness inwhichwenow find him, he was not less the "stronger" than "the strong armedman,"thanatthemomentwhenthelegionoffoulfiends,entreatingtobespared, fled before his face. Though hemay seem to be nothing but abroken reed and a worm trodden under foot, yet the sword ofOmnipotenceisnotthelessgirdeduponhim,northebowofhisstrengthbroken. What but a single word from him was requisite, and themurderousbandwouldhavelainannihilatedathisfeet?Buthedidnotmakeuseofhispower.Hesufferedvoluntarily.Itiswithhisownconsent

that he is plunged into these depths of horror. Imagine, therefore, themagnitudeofthepurposeswhichlieatthebasisofthisresignationoftheHolyOneof Israel.ThesufferingsofJesusassuch,compelus toadmittheiratoningsignification.

Letuscomenearertothescene.ImagineaHolyOneappearingagaininthissinfulworld.Scarcelydoesheshowhimselfthanmankindacttowardhimasiftheywerehyenasanddevils.Tosuchadegreeisheavenlypuritybecomeodioustothem,andthatwhichisdivinelyreverent,abominable!Alas!what isdonetoyou,youwhoare fairer thanthechildrenofmen!How is your benignant countenancedisfigured!Onewould gladly closeone's eyes to such a spectacle. Have youmerited this at our hands, OEternalLove?Isthistheduerewardforyour loving-kindness?Andyet,howevermuchyouare insulted, youwillnot forsakeus,until youhaverescued us from the curse, even though it should cost you your life. Owhatisleftforusbuttosinkdowninthedust,tocoverourfaces,andtomeltintoglowingtearsofpenitenceandthankfulness!

Lookwhatoccurs!Whensentenceispronounceduponamalefactor,andthe judicial decision is read, a solemn silence usually pervades theauditory,andafeelingofsolemnitytakespossessionofthem.Everyonefeels the majesty of the law, which, whenever transgressed, justlydemandssatisfaction.ItisasifEternalJusticeinpersonhadcomedownandestablisheditsthroneuponearth.Andthecondemnedcriminalisnotmerely an object of compassion, but he is regarded with a kind ofreverence,because themoralgovernmentof theworlddemandshimasanatonement.InthecondemnationofJesushowever,nofeelingsofthisnature appear to have been excited in the reprobate host of hisadversaries.Scarcelyhas theword"Guilty"beenuttered,whenthey falluponhim;and,O,whatrevoltingscenesarenowunfolded toourview!The world had never before witnessed anything so horrible. Cain'sfratricide—Manasseh'sblood-guiltiness—whatwerethey,comparedwiththese flagitious acts? Alas! what will become of our Lord and Master!Oughtwenottofeelpetrifiedwithhorrorandastonishment?Theyhavenowgothimamongthem,andtheyloadhim,firstofall,withthevilestexecrations and insults. But they are not satisfied with thus heapingridiculeuponhim.Theysmitehimwiththeirhands.Buteven thisdoes

notsatisfytheirthirstforrevenge.Hemustfeelmorepainfullystillhowutterlyheisdespised.Theyopentheirmouthsagainsthim,and,horribletorelate!theyspituponhissacredface,withgesturesandgrimacesoftherudest kind. Nor is their rage yet cooled, nor their satanic inventionsexhausted."Thewicked,"astheprophetsays,"arelikethetroubledsea,whosewaterscastupmireanddirt."Thereprobatesseekforsomenewoutrage,and itsoonoccurs to them.Theyhaveheardhowtheobjectoftheirillusagehadjustbeforesolemnlyassertedinthecouncil-chamber,thathewasChrist,theSonofthelivingGod,andforthishemustnowbeespecially punished. The arrows of their bitterest ridicule are thereforedirectedagainsthisMessiahship,andparticularlyagainsthispropheticaloffice.Theybindtheeyesofthepatientsuffererwithacloth,thensmitehim with their fists; and exclaim, amid peals of sneering laughter,"Prophesytous,youChrist,whoitisthatsmitesyou!"

ButIwillletthecurtaindrop.Whocanlongercontemplatesuchascene?O, it is too appalling! What infernal wickedness meets our view! Andfromwhencedoes itproceed?From thehumanheart.Buthowcouldarace that is capable of such things be received into the favor of God,withoutanatonementandamediator?Whatwouldhavebecomeofthegloryofhisjusticeandholiness,ifhehadsufferedsuchdegeneratebeingsto be spared without a satisfaction? Nor ought you to regard theperpetratorsoftheoutrageswehavebeendescribing,asdepravedaboveallothers.Believeme, that according to its inmost being, everynaturalhumanheart isalike.Eventhosewhorefuse tohearof redemptionandatonement, do not fail, unconsciously and involuntarily, to condemnhumannature,everymoment, in themostgrievousmanner.Hear theirlanguage,"Egotismrulestheworld.""Everyoneseekshisown.""Woetohim that falls into the hands of man!" "Friendship lasts only duringprosperity.""Everymanhashisprice.""Letnoonebesuretyforanother'svirtue.""Opportunityistherulerofmankind.""Inthemisfortunesofourbestfriendswefindsomethingthatdoesnotdispleaseus."Sucharetheexpressionswhichareconstantlyflowingfromthelipsofthemenoftheworld.Howcompletelydotheytherebypronouncethehumanhearttobedepraved and corrupt! Have they not therefore, sufficient cause towelcomeaDelivererwithrejoicing, insteadofcoldly,orevensneeringlyturningtheirbacksuponhim?

Buttoreturntothequestion—"Prophesyuntous,youChrist,whoitwasthatsmoteyou?"Fromthelips,bywhichthesewordswereuttered,theywere only blasphemous ridicule and a burst of depravity. But inthemselves, and apart from the feeling which accompanied them, theyappearintheformofaquestionofthefirstimportance;andhewhohasfound the right answer to it, is acquaintedwith the groundwork of oursalvationandentireredemption.

Many have impiously repeated the inquiry of the reprobate troop, andhavethoughtwithinthemselves,"Howdoesheknowwhetherwehonorhim,ortrampleuponhim?Whereishetobefound?Eighteencenturiesago,hewent thewayof all flesh,and thedead rest in theirgraves."Byactingthus,theyhave,asfarastheyareconcerned,againboundhiseyes,andsneeringlysaidtohim,"Prophesy,ifyouarestillalive,andhear,andsee,whoitisthatsmoteyou!"Icouldrelatetomyreaders,howhehas,inpart at least, replied to them. One he answered by reducing him toextreme poverty. Another, by disgracing his name before the world. Athird,bystrikinghimwithmadness;andothers,again,bygivingthemuptothepathsofthedestroyer,andpermittingthemtosinkintothelowestdepths of depravity, and suffering despair to seize upon them on theirdeath-beds, and rendering their descent into the regions of darknesspalpabletothehorror-strickenbystanders.Andhowmanyofthosewhonowsay,"WhoisJesus, that I shouldbeafraidofhim,orevenhumblemyself before him?" when once he replies to them, will call upon therocks to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them, that theymay behiddenfromthefaceofhimthatsitsuponthethrone,andfromthewrathoftheLamb!OletnoonesupposethattheJudgeoftheworldwillsufferhimself tobemockedwith impunity.Rather let them"kisstheSon, lesthebeangry,andtheyperishfromtheway,whenhiswrathiskindledbutalittle."

"Prophesy to us, you Christ, who it is that smote you!" The mockersreceivedno reply to this question. Jesuswas silent. Butwemay give adifferent turnto the inquiry,andtheanswerwillproveconsolatory.Letthose who are earnestly seeking salvation, and the contrite in heart,humblyinquire,"WhoitwasthatsmotetheLord?"andtheywillreceiveasatisfactoryreply.Atfirst, indeed, itwillalarmthem;for itwillbe,"not

thosemiscreants;butitisyouwhohavemademetoservewithyoursins,and wearied me with your iniquities. For your transgressions was Ismitten."AndwhenhehimselfprophesiesthistoyoubyhisSpirit—howevidentitwillthenbecometoyou;howwillyouhumbleyourselvesinthedust before him; how the wish will then depart to lay the blame uponCaiaphas,Annas,andthespearmen;howvitallyareyoupersuadedthattheywere only your representatives, andhowwill youhangdown yourheads,andlearntosmiteuponyourbreastswiththetax-collector!Howwill you tremble for your souls, and earnestly seek for salvation and aMediator!

Butknowthatthisisonlyhalftheanswertoyourquestion.Continuetoask, and itwill not be longbefore a graciousmessagewill be deliveredyou.Thiswillbeitsimport:"Thehandthatsmotemewouldhavecrushedyou.Thecursefelluponmewhichwasdestinedforyou.Idrankthecupof wrath which your sins had filled. I drank it, that it might bereplenished for you with everlastingmercy." And when this convictionpervadesyou,donotdoubtthatitisreallyfromhim.AstheLordlives,itishisowncommunication;andifyouarestillunwillingtobelieve,listentothecheeringwordsoftheapostlesandevangelists,whoassureyouthat"Godmadehimtobesinforus;"andthat"Christhasredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,havingbeenmadeacurseforus."

YounowknowwhoitisthatsmotetheSavior,andthatitwasthesinofeach of us.Does not this clearly appear from the circumstances of ourLord's passion themselves?Does it not seem strange to you that Jesusacted so patiently, meekly, and resignedly, under such barbaroustreatment? Is it not wonderful that his tormentors were suffered to gounpunished? Are you not in the highest degree astonished that theruthlessbandwerenotcrushedbylightningfromheaven;andthatonthecontrary, the Almighty observed silence, as if nothing had happenedwhichwasnot in the regular course of things?Korah andhis companyhadnosoonerrebelliouslyattackedonlyAaron'spriestlydignity,thantheLordrentthegroundbeneaththeirfeet,andsentthemdownquickintothepit.Uzzahwasguiltyofaseeminglyslightirreverencetowardtheark,and the anger of theLordwas kindled against him, and smotehim, sothathe felldeadontheground.Buthowmuchmore is therehere than

the ark andAaron thepriest!Here they trample the Son ofGod in themire,andtheJudgeofquickanddeadismute,asifallwasright.Tellme,doesnotallthisamazeyou?Doesitnotexciteinyouthemostfearfulandyetthemoststupendousexpectations?Giveroomto the latter,andyouwillfindthemnotunfounded.Rightlyunderstood,itisGodhimself,whosmitesthesufferer,onwhomthechastisementofourpeacewaslaid;andwhat he endures are the strokes of that sword, towhich Jehovah said,"Awake,againstmyShepherdandthemanthat ismy fellow."They falluponhim,thatwesinnersmightbeforeverexonerated.

Such,myreaders,isthesolutionofthisgreatmystery,andthecompleteanswertothequestion,"Whosmoteyou,youChrist?"Nosoonerdoesthelight of a propitiation shine upon the obscurity of the events of thepassionthanallisclearedup,andthedeepestmysteriesareunsealed.

ChristbeforetheSanhedrin

After ahorriblenight, themorningbreaks, andannounces thedawnofthemostimportantandmomentousofallearthlydays.ItisGoodFriday,thatmostdreadfulaccuserofthesinfulworld,butatthesametime,thebirthdayofitssalvation,andthedawnofitseternalredemption.Itistheday typified by the deliverance of the chosen race out of Egypt, andannuallyannouncedtothebelievingIsraelitesforupwardofathousandyears, inthegreatdayofatonement,whichwasthechiefobjectoftheirhopes and desires. All the radiations of grace, which had ever beamedupon them, were only preliminary emanations of this day, which stillslept in the lap of a far distant future; and whenever God favorablyregardedasinner,itwassolelyonthegroundof thepropitiationbythebloodofChrist,whichwasactuallymadeuponthisday.

Notwithstanding the very early hour, the members of the council atJerusalem are up and in full activity. They are preparing a secondexaminationofJesus,"thattheymightputhimtodeath."Buthavetheynotalreadyestablishedhisguilt,andpronouncedsentenceagainsthim?Certainlytheyhave.

Butyettheyarenotsatisfied,andwouldgladlyfindoutotherandmoredecisive proofs against him, than those on which their judgment was

founded. It is evident that our Lord'swhole demeanor, during the firsthearing,andespeciallyhisgreatconfession,whichwasutteredwithsuchmajestic decision and confidence, had left a powerful impression uponthem;andwhat remainsof conscience they stillpossessed, awoke fromits slumbers and stung them. The irresolution we perceive in them, aswell as the hope they betray of obtaining fresh and more substantialgroundsofjustificationwithreferencetotheirmurderouspurpose,placesthisbeyondadoubt.

Theynowmeetintheirhallofsession,whichwasinoneofthebuildingsof the temple, in the character of a regular plenary assembly, becausetheirfirstmeetinginthehighpriest'spalace—apartfromtheabsenceofseveral of its members—bore the aspect of being accidental andtumultuous. The council or Sanhedrin, was, as you know, the supremecourt of judicature of the later Jews, and consisted of seventy-onemembers, including the chief priests, elders, and doctors of the law, orscribes, under the presidency of the high priest, which, formed on themodel of the seventy elders, whom Moses joined with him for theadministrationofjustice,duringthejourneyoftheIsraelitesthroughthewilderness, had to judge and decide in all national Jewish, andparticularly in ecclesiastical affairs. Christ, according to Matt. 23:2,regarded this authority as being divinely sanctioned, and submittedwithoutobjectiontoitscitation.Beforethistribunal,Petersubsequentlystood,asapretendedwonder-worker,andagain,incompanywithJohn,asadeceiverofthepeople;further,Stephen,asablasphemer,andPaul,accusedofbeingafalseprophet.AftertheRomanshadpossessionofthecountry,thiscourtofjudicaturewasdeprivedoftherightofcarryingitssentencesofdeathintoexecutionbyitsownauthority,whichrequired,asappears from John, 18:31, the sanction of the Roman procurator. ThestoningofStephenwithoutit,wasatransgressionoftherule, forwhichtheJewsmighthavefoundanexcuseinthefactthatthegovernor,whousuallyresidedatCaesarea,wasatthattimeabsentfromJerusalem.

We now see our Lord brought a second time before this court. He isconductedupthehillonwhichthetemplestandsbyanarmedescort.Itishis last passage along that road, and by a remarkable coincidence, itoccurs at the same timewith thepaschal lambs,which are on that day

brought to thepriests forsacrifice.Whatmayhavebeenhis feelingsonthisoccasion!HecertainlythoughtofthetypicaljourneyofAbrahamtoMountMoriah,whichwasnowsovisibly fulfilled inhim.ForChrist, astheantitypeofIsaac,isnowproceedingtothealtarofGoduponthesamepathwhichoncehishuman type, ledbyhis father,had trodden for thesame purpose. Christ, indeed, does not say like Abraham's son, "Myfather,beholdthefireandthewood,butwhereisthelambforaburnt-offering?" He knows what the lamb is which God has provided, andwillinglybowstothedivinedecree.Heisalsoawarethatinhiscaseitwillnotbemerelya sacrificeof thewill, and thatafterhehasascended thealtar,anangelfromheavenwillcry,saying,"Laynotyourhanduponthelad,"butthathehastorecognizehistypenotonlyinIsaac,butalsointheram whose horns were caught in the thicket, and which Abraham, atJehovah'scommand,took,inordertoslayitintheplaceofhisson.

ThesittingoftheSanhedrincommences.Theaccusedstandsat thebar.Heisagainaskedbythejudge,"AreyoutheChrist?tellus!"asifhehadnot alreadyplainly told them thathewas.But itwould seemas if theyhesitatedtodeliverhimuptodeath,asadeceiverandablasphemer,onthisaccount,withoutanythingfurther—no,asiftheyinvoluntarilysoughttoprolongtheaffair,becauseaslightechoofthevoiceofconsciencetoldthem—not,indeed,thathereallywaswhathegavehimselfouttobe—butthat itpossiblymightbe the case.TheLordopenshismouth; and nowmarkhowthetablesareturned,andtheaccusedbecomesjudge,andhisjudgesthedelinquents."IfItellyou,"sayshe,"youwillnotbelieve;andifIalsoaskyou(thatis,ifIweretoattempttoconvinceyoubyproofs),youwillnotanswerme,norletmego."

O how many there are in the present day, to whom these words areapplicable! I do not now refer to peoplewho are entirely indifferent toreligion. I mean such as are continually inquiring who Christ is, andwouldseemtohavenorestuntiltheywereconvinced.Butalthoughheisbroughtbeforethem,firstinoneformandtheninanother,stilltheydonotbelieve.TheChurchtellsthem,inthesecondarticleofitsConfessionofFaith,buttheysay,"TheChurchmayerr.WhatdothecontemporariesofJesussay?"Theapostlestellthem,aswithonevoice,"HeistheWordthatwaswithGodfromthebeginning,andwasGod;thebrightnessofthe

Father'sglory,inwhomdweltallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodily."Buttothistheyreplywithagestureofdissent,"Loveisblind,andenthusiasmisvisionary."TheywillonlyreceivewhatJesussaysofhimself.AndJesuscomesforwardandannounceshimself,notonlyasthelightoftheworld,thetruthandthelife,butasgreaterthanallthis—asonewiththeFather,asbeingbeforeAbraham,andtowhomallpowerinheavenandearthisgiven. Do they now believe? They start; but before we are aware, theyagain slip out by means of a variety of questions, such as, "Did thehistorians rightly understand Jesus? Are his expressions to be takenliterally? Is it possible, generally speaking, for Deity to becomeincarnate?"etc.AndwhentheLordcondescends,inaconvincingmannertotheseskeptics,andbyadirectinfluenceontheirminds,orbymeansofhisministers,beginstoaskthemwhoelsehecouldbe,ifhewerenottheOne whom he gave himself out to be, after the predictions of twothousandyearshadreachedtheirfulfillmentinhimtoaniota—afterhisresurrection from thedeadhadbeen established evenbyhis enemies—afterhavingbeen subsequently seen by a host of discipleswho joyfullyhazarded their blood and their lives for him—after the Holy Spirit,according to his promise, had really visited the earth with hisregenerating influences—after the best of the human race, for eighteencenturies, had honored and adored him—and seeing that his Churchtestifiesforhimmoreloudlythananywordorsingleactcando—theyaresilenced, and have reached the end of their objections, but still do notbelieve,andyetdonotlettheLordgo,sincetheyceasenottodoubtofhissuperhumandignity,andtorenderitsuspectedbyothers.Theywillnotbelieve. This is the solution of the problem. They are horrified at thethought of being obliged to crucify the idols of their own wisdom andrighteousness,aswellas thehonorsandpleasuresof theworld, for thesakeofChrist.TheyseeanabyssopenbetweenthemandtheLord,whichthreatens to swallow up nothing less than their entire glory and self-sufficiency, and they start back from such a death. They are still tooconscientioustopartwithhimdecidedly,liketheGadarenes,andtosay,"What have we to do with you?" but not conscientious enough to giveadmission to the truth.They rather let thematter rest, andcome tonodecision.

TheLordrenewshisdeclaration.Theconstitutedauthoritiesdemandit,

andheobeys.Besides, it isof importance tohim that theworldshouldknow, with certainty, who he was, and whom they crucified. From thesummitoftheeminenceonwhichthetemplestood,hesurveys inspiritthehumanraceandtheagestocome.Heoncemoreraisestheveilfromhis humble guise, and baring the regal star upon his bosom, he says,"Hereafter shall the Son ofMan sit on the right hand of the power ofGod."Asublimeexpression,evidentlyhavingreferencetotheremarkablepassageinDaniel,7:13:"OneliketheSonofMancamewiththecloudsofheaven."Thepriests and scribes couldnot for amomentdoubt thatbythis he declared himself to be the Messiah promised by the inspiredprophet,andthusclaimeddivinenatureandessentiality.He intimated,even by the name by which he usually designated himself, that hishumanitywasonlysomethingattachedtohispersoninanextraordinaryway. For had he been conscious of being a mere man, what kind ofmeaning would attach to that striking appellation? His predictionconcerninghisapproachingsittingat therighthandofpower,orof theDivineMajesty,isnothinglessthanadecideddeclarationthathewoulddividethethroneofglorywithhisheavenlyFather,andwithhimruletheworld inequalperfectionofpower.TheSanhedrin,conversantwiththelanguageof theprophets,understood thewords in this sense. "Are youthen the Son of God?" cried they all, as with one voice. "You say thatwhichIam,"repliedhe,withmajesticfirmnessandcomposure.

TheLordhas repeatedhis great confessionThewhole assembly rise inreal or dissembled indignation and astonishment. One exclaims louderthantheother,"Whatneedweanyfurtherwitness;forweourselveshavehearditfromhisownlips?"True,theyhavehearditfromhisownmouth.Thistheirconfessionhasbeenrecordedinheaven,andwill,withoutfail,bebroughtagainst themat thedayof judgment.Withwhich, then,willtheyjustifytheirrefusingtopayhomagetotheLord,seeingthatinrealitythey needed no further witness? On account of this testimony theycondemnedJesustodeath,andbysodoing,fortheconfirmationofourfaith, only established the fact of the testimonyhaving proceeded fromhisownlips.Eventothishour,thetraditionexistsamongtheJews,thatChrist was crucified because he made himself equal with God, andtherefore was guilty of blasphemy. Hence, nothing in the world is sobeyondadoubtasthatJesusactuallymadethatjudicialconfessionofhis

divine Sonship. He who seeks to view him as anything less than theEternal Son, brands him as a blasphemer, and convicts him, with theJewishcouncil,asbeingworthyofdeath.

Aftersentenceofdeathonthedivinesuffererhadthusbeenconfirmed,theofficersapproach,inorderagaintoputonhisfetters,whichhadbeenfor the time removed. He willingly offers his hand, that the words ofIsaiah might be fulfilled (chap.53:7), "He was oppressed, and he wasafflicted, yet he opened not hismouth.He is brought as a lamb to theslaughter,andasasheepbeforehershearers ismute,soheopenednothismouth."Hewhohad justbeforesolemnlyassertedhisequalitywithGod,withtheconsentofthewholeheavenlyworld,appearsnowinfetterslike a rebel.Howmonstrous the contrast, how great the contradiction!ButhowobviousitisthatitisavoluntaryactontheLord'spart;andhowclearlydoweagainreadinthesouloftheholysuffererthewords,"ThenIrestored that which I took not away!" His fetters have contributed toprocureourredemption; forSatanwouldhavehelduseternallycaptivehadJesuspreferredlibertytobonds.Horribleandheart-affectingitistosee,thatthosehands,whichwereonlyemployedinofficesofmercy,areboundwithcords, like thehandsofa felon,by theveryworld towhichthey were extended only in blessing. But God be thanked that herestrained the lightning of his wrath from destroying the rebels, whentheythuslaidhandsuponhisHolyOne!Forinthosecordswhichboundthe limbs of Jesus, were hidden the fetters which would have foreverboundsinnersinhell.

Theofficershavedonetheirtask.Thewholeassemblythenbreaksup,inorder,contrarytocustomandetiquette,personallytobringtheaccusedbeforethegovernor,andbytheirappearinginabody,toforcefromhimthe confirmation of their sentence of death. Herein was fulfilled theSavior's prediction, that he should be delivered unto theGentiles. Thisfeatureintheproceedingsbelongedtothatwhichwassymbolical inthehistory of his passion. The whole world was to have occasion, in itsrepresentatives, tomanifest its real positionwith reference to theHolyOne of Israel, and its participation in the guilt, and the need ofredemption. As regards sin and the curse, we have all fellowship withIsrael;aswellasinthevocationofgrace.

Hewhomwehaveseenproceedingboundtothesecondcourtof justice,sitsnow,having longsinceaccomplishedhiswork,at the righthand ofthe Majesty on high, as keeper of the heavenly blessings which hepurchasedforus.Letusbow, inhumbleadoration,beforehim,andnotlethimgountilhehasgrantedusall theblessedresultsofhispassion.Letusbewareofagainbindinghishandsbyourunbelief,andbecautiouslest by our improper conduct, we should again deliver him up to thebaptized and unbaptized heathen. Rather let us bind him to us by thecordsofgratefullove,andbyajoyfulconfessionofhim,recommendhimto those who are still ignorant of him. Let us bring our peacefuldisposition,holinessoflife,andfidelityinhisservice,aswitnesseswhichjustifyhimbeforetheworld,andlearntodevoteourselvesunceasinglytohimwholovedusandgavehimselfforus.

TheEndoftheTraitor

My readers are aware how much depended upon our High Priestaccomplishingtheworkofatonementintherobesofpurity.Ifablemishwas found in the lamb, itwas deemedunfit for sacrifice. "Such aHighPriestbecameus,"saystheScripture,"whoisholy,harmless,undefiled,and separate from sinners." And such a one dowe possess. Themoralcapabilityof Immanuel forhismediatorialwork isunquestionable.Godhassparednothing,inordertodispeleverydoubtonthissubject.Tothisend,hegaveuptheSuretytothescrutinyoftheacutestinvestigatorsintheworld.Buttotheirnosmallvexation,theytriedinvaintofindasinglespotinhim,andarecompelled,eitherinplainwordsorbytheirconduct,totestifyconcerninghim,"Wefindnofaultinthisman."

It was of great importance that the Argus eyes of the scribes andPharisees discovered nothing culpable in him. But it addsmuch to theweightof this fact, thatnothingof thekindcouldbe traced in theLordJesusbythemanwhomweshallnowseedescendingintothepit.Itwasofmuchgreaterimportancetohimthantothem,tobeabletoconvicttheLordofasinglesin,sincehecouldnot,likethosemen,whoseconscienceswereasleep,aidhimselfbythe inventionofa fictitiousculpability, ifhefoundno real guilt inhim.Hadhebeendesirousofhaving recourse to

such means, the judge in his bosom would have scoffed at such anartifice,liketheleviathanatthequiveringlance.CouldJudashavebeenable to say to himself; even with a shadow of truth, "He whom I ambetraying,deservesbeingdeliveredintothehandsofjustice,"whatwouldhenothavegiven?Hewascompelledardentlytowish,forthesakeofhispeace of mind and his present and eternal salvation, that he mightdiscoverJesustobe insomerespectsa transgressor.Asinglesin foundoutinJesuswouldhavebeenagreatcomfortandasweetsolacetohiminthe torment which he felt within. But however diligently he sought,howevermuchheexertedhisingenuity,andrecalledtomindalltheactsof his Master's life, virtues presented themselves in abundance, aluminousseaofholinessshoneuponhimfromit;butnotonedarkpointcould he discover, nor did the slightest spotmeet his scrutinizing eye.Howannihilatingtheresult!Judasiscompelledtojustifyhisconscience,whichaccuseshimasbeingthebetrayeroftheHolyOne,andcondemnshim as the murderer of innocence. He finds nothing to assist him inweakeningthesentence,andisforcedtoendurethemosthorriblecursethatevermadeahumansoultotremble.

ItisremarkablethatJudassoughtforsininJesusinordertoderivefromit some alleviation to his agonized spirit, while he shrunk back fromJesus'holiness.HadthelightoftheGospelshoneuponhim,hewould,onthecontrary,haverejoicedat thespotlessnessofJesus,andwouldhaveshudderedandtrembledatbeingabletodiscoverthesmallestblemishinhim. It is strange, however, that we again make common cause withJudas,thoughinadifferentsense,sinceweseeksininJesustopacifyourconsciences.Andwereallyfindit,butonlyasattachingtohiminthewayofimputationandtransfer;andthisenablesustogoonourwayinpeace.

Judas findshimself in adreadful condition.Consolinghimselfwith thewonder-working power of Jesus as a cloak for his wickedness, andholdinguptohisawakeningconsciencethedelusiveideathathisMasterneededonlytoexerthiswill,incaseofnecessity,inordertoescapefromthehandsofhisenemies;whenhesawhisMasteractuallycondemned,anddraggedboundandescortedbythewholeSanhedrintotheresidenceofthegovernor,thelastanchorbreakswhichhadhithertoheldthemansecureagainstthestormofdespair.Theincorruptiblejudgeinhisbosom

hasnow free scope forhis accusations, and thunders inhis ears, "Yourvillainyhas succeeded—yourMaster isgoing theway todeath,andyouarethemeansofit.Onyourheadreststheentireguiltofthebloodyendof thisJustOne.You,whodideatofhisbread,are theviperwhichhasgivenhimthedeadlybite.Itisawonderthattheearthstillbearsyou,andthatthesunshinesuponsuchascumofhumanity.Woe,woeuntoyou,traitor, murderer, and accursed!" O the fearful agony which takespossession of his bosom at these arrows of conscience, the boundlessdistress which falls upon him like an armed man! O the horror anddismaywhichthrillthrougheverynerveandlimb!Itseemstohimasifheheard the footsteps of theAvenger of blood approaching him; as if thesentence of death was already thundered down from heaven upon hisdevotedhead;andas ifhesaw the flamingabyssofhellyawningathisfeet. The darkness of despair weighs heavily on his soul. O how theaccursed blood-money sears his conscience! How horribly sounds thesilverinhispurse!ItseemstohimasifitwerethepayofSatanandthewagesofhellthathecarriesaboutwithhim;no,asifhehadbarteredforitthesalvationofhissoul.Andthiswaswhathehadreallydone.Seehimhurryingalong,urgedforwardbytheravenwingsofmentalagony.Godhas forsakenhim,andthedevilhasceasedto troublehimselfabout thecomfortofhissoul.Thepitiablewretchrushestothetemple."Forwhatpurpose? In order to pray?" No, he can pray no longer. He must ridhimself of theaccursedwagesof sin.He seeks for the chief priests andelders,andhavingfoundthem,heapproachesthem,paleasacorpse,andfilled with rage and hatred against these instruments of his fall, andconfesses boldly and openly, saying, "I have sinned, in that I havebetrayedinnocentblood."

Hear these words, they are of great importance. "Why? Has Judasbecome Jesus' friend?" By no means; his heart was still embitteredagainsthim."WashistestimonytotheinnocenceofJesusofadvantagetohim?"Onthecontrary,byitheonlydrewdownuponhimthedispleasureofhissuperiors,andincreasedthedreadfulnatureofhiscrime.Itwouldhavebeen tohisadvantage tohavereasonedhimself into the falsehoodthat Jesus was unworthy of any other treatment than that which heexperienced. How strongly and triumphantly, therefore, must theheavenly radiance of Jesus' innocence have been reflected, even by the

darkenedmirrorofhis treacheroussoul, that, in spiteof the injury justmentioned which he thereby occasioned himself, he could not refrainfrom honoring Jesus by such a confession! Truly, scarcely ever has amorepowerfulhymnofpraise to theholinessof theLambofGodbeenheard, thansounds inourears in thedespairingoutcryofhisbetrayer;and where has the innocence of Jesus been more powerfully attested,than by the testimony which the unhappy murderer is compelled byconscience to give against himself? Thus, the Lord Jesus, as alreadyobserved,celebratedabrillianttriumphinthemidstofthedeepestgloomofhishumiliation.HetriumphsasOnewhomnoonecouldconvinceofsin—as the Lamb without spot—as the Holy One of Israel. Wecongratulateourselvesonthisnewconfirmationofthetruth,thatthereisnoblemishinourrighteousness;fortherighteousnessoftheSuretyistherighteousnessofhispeople.ThosewhopraisetheglorifiedHead,praiseusalso,whoarehismembers.EventheenemiesofChrist,whodenyhisdivinity,butenthusiasticallyhonorhimasthemodelofeveryvirtue,are"helpers of our joy." Their laudatory effusions in reality praise ourexcellence.Theyrefuse, indeed, tohearof this;butwhenat lengthGodshalltakeustohisarmsbeforethewholeworld,andpresentuswiththeinheritanceofhisSon,theywillbemadeawarethatImmanuel'sgarmenthasdescendedtous,andthatweareclothedwithit.

The Lord celebrates his second triumph in the event we are about tocontemplate, as the only salvation which is prepared for sinners.Singularly enough, he is glorified by his betrayer even in this quality.Judas here performs apostolic service—not intentionally on his part,althoughonGod'spart.Heservesasafearfulexample,howamanmayundertakeeverything,inordertofreehimselffromsinanditsattendantcurse, andyetnot succeed, as longas theLordJesus isnothis, andaslongashedoesnotbelongtotheLordJesus.

Behold the miserable man! The horrible deed is done, and he alreadyacknowledges it as a crime. In himwe have not to dowith an entirelyhardened villain. He feels the greatness of his guilt, confesses it, andbitterlyrepentsofit.Whatwouldhegive,couldheundothewickeddeed!Heattemptsmanythingsforthispurpose,towhichthemoralistsofthepresentdaywoulddoubtlessalsohaveadvisedhim.Hehastilyreturnsto

themeninwhoseservicehehadsinned,bringsthembacktheaccursedbribe;prefersenduringshame,disgrace,andmuchmorebesides,ratherthan let the blood-money remain in his hands; confesses freely andopenlytheimpiousacthehascommitted;doesnotseektoalleviateit,butdirectlysays,"Ihavesinned,inthatIhavebetrayedtheinnocentblood!"andsufficientlyshowsthattheabhorrencehedisplaysatthecrimehehascommitted is earnest and sincere. And when the priests refuse to takebacktheirpiecesofsilver,andhaughtilyturntheirbacksuponhimwiththecoldandcuttingwords,"Whatisthattous?Seeyoutothat!"hecaststhemoney down in the temple, and thereby gives them to understandthathedestinesitforthepoor,orothersacredpurposes.Inthisscene,weperceive something dreadfully retributive, when we call to mind thehypocritical words, "Why was not this ointment sold, and the moneygiven to the poor?"withwhich the unhappydisciple oncepresumed todeprecateMary's laudableworkof love.He isnowcompelled,althoughwithothermoney,toverify,inadreadfulmanner,whathethenutteredindissimulation.

Butwhatmorecouldbedesiredthanwhatthesinnerdidhere?Herewasself-condemnation, resolutions of amendment, and even earnestendeavorstorepairtheevilhehaddone.Andyetofwhatusewasitall?Sin remained; heaven continued closed against him; the heart of theEternal Judge was turned from him, and Satan's chain was unbroken.Thetremblingofthewretchedmanisinvain,aswellashisrepentance,confession,andhismoralresolutionsandvows.Allthiswasinsufficientto purge him from his sin. All these laudable acts do not procure himmercy.Judasperisheshorribly."Why?Isitbecausehissinsexceededthemeasureofdivine forgiveness?"O,not so! "Is it becausehewas a thiefandacheat?"Suchwasthethiefonthecrossinamuchhigherdegree,yethefoundthewaytoParadise."IsitbecausehebetrayedtheHolyOneofIsrael?"Thousandsdidthesame,andyetweresaved."Wasitbecausehelaidhandsonhimself?"Itellyou,thatevenifhehadnotdonethis,buthad lived for years together, and spent them in serious attempts atamendment,hewouldstillhaveperished,forthisonesinglereason—thatJesus was not on his side nor atoned for him by his blood. Thus theperdition of Judasmust serve, like no other event, to show, in strikingcolors,howimpossibleitistodowithoutJesus;andthelattertriumphs

in this, as in almost nothing else, as the only and exclusive Savior ofsinners.

Nothingcanavailorsave,ifJesusisnotours.Ifyou,myreaders,hadanycommensurate idea, how much you need him, you would throw openevery avenue to admit him.Gladlywould you divest yourselves of thatwhich is thedearest andmostprecious to you, inorder that youmightpossess him. No, you would risk your very lives, much more the vaindelights and empty honors of this world, in order to gain him. ThereexistsnocompensationforthewantofJesusandthecleansingefficacyofhis blood. The most specious tissue of austerities, morality, anddevotionalexercises,cannotsupplyhisplace.Itisonlyamorehandsomedressforadelinquent,andnottheweddinggarmentfortheinvitedguest.

Jesusaloneenablesustoobtainmercy,andtoreachheaven.Ifhebenotgracioustoyou,itisinvainforyoutoriseearlyandtosituplate,inorderby such means to work out your salvation. You labor and accomplishnothing; yougather andput it into abagwithholes, youwove spider'swebs,whichareunfitforclothing.Youpourintoavessel,thebottomofwhich is knocked out, and condemn yourself to roll a stone up a hill,which,justasyouthinktoreachthesummit,againescapesyou,androllsdown, unimpeded, into the abyss below. But if Jesus is your, you havealreadygainedyourcause; fruitsofpeace fall intoyour lap froma tree,which is not of your planting; you can boast of your Savior'srighteousness,whileyouarestillstrivingagainstsin;andarereconcileduntoGod,withoutanatonementbeingrequiredatyourhand.Whythendoyoudelaytoembracehim,andmakehimyourallinall?Saywiththeapostle,"The lifewhich Inow live in the flesh, I liveby the faithof theSon ofGod, who lovedme, and gave himself forme;" andwhen thesewordsareverifiedinyou,youaresafetoalleternity.

Judas is exhibited tous in thehistoryof thePassion, inorder that sin,with all its horrors, may appear in the full blaze of day, and thatredemptionmayappearinallitssplendor,andJesusbevisiblyglorified,notonlyastheHolyOne,andtheonlywayofsalvation,butalsoastheSaviorofmankind. If ever thedreadfulnatureof sinwasmanifestedinany one, it was so in the traitor.Here, it first of all, presents to us itsentire hatefulness and darkness, which appears only themore striking

when contrasted with the heavenly light, which beams forth from thepersonofChrist.Hereitmakesitselfknownasthegreatdeceiver,whichpromises its servantsmountainsof gold,but rewards themwithhorrorandterror.Hereitcomesforwardasanemanationfromhell,whosefruitbrings death, andwhich has never borne any other children than fear,despair,andcondemnation.Here it reveals itselfas theworstenemyofour race, which cuts asunder the bonds that connected us with God,inflamesthewrathoftheAlmightyagainstus,openstousthegatesoftheeternaldesert,andestablishesagulfbetweenusandtheheavenlycityofGod,overwhichnobridgecanbe thrown.Besides, it isheremanifestlyshownhowitscoffsateveryhumanattempttoextract itssting;hownopenitencecanbanish it,no tearswash itaway,andnogoodresolutionsannihilateit;butitobstinatelyremainsindefianceofallthis;handsoveritssubjectstoSatan,andafterembitteringtheirlifeonthissidethegrave,transfersthemfinallytoaneternalnightofdeath,andgivesthemuptoendlessperdition.

Lookat thetraitor inhisstateofdespair,andbeholdhowsinsitsuponhis shoulders, like a hideous specter! See how he shades himself andplungesunderhisburden,butthemonsterrefusestoleavehim.Observehowhehurriesalong,restlessandfugitive,butthespecteraccompanieshimandbecomesincreasinglyfrightfulasheproceeds.Heexpectstogetridofhishorribleburdenbyreturningthethirtypiecesofsilver;but invainaretheattemptstosettleaccountswithsinatsucharate.Judashasrecourse to the chief priest and elders, but they know of no remedyagainst sin. Driven at length to desperation, he casts himself into thearmsofdeath;buteventhelatterdoesnotrelievethesoulfromthefiend.Judasmaydivesthimselfofhisbody,buthedoesnotthereby,layasidehis guilt. Hemay part with his life; but sin does not, on this account,departfromhim.Hecanleavetheworld,buthisimpiousactfollowshimacross its boundaries. Hemay strangle himself, but his iniquity is notdestroyedbysodoing:onthecontrary,greaterscopeisthusaffordedittounfolditswholepoweranddominion.Itdoesnotpreventhisbodyfrombursting asunder, but carries away the soul with it to everlasting fire.ApproachthegraveofJudas.Noangelsarewatchingthere,nordoestheguardian eye ofGod standopenover it.No rose of hopebloomson itsgrassymound.Night-shadeandthistlealonevegetatethere.Andwhatis

theinscriptiononhistombstone?Itisshortandhorrifying—"AndJudaswent to his place"—and indicates in a dreadful manner how far thedesolating,destructive,andfatalpowerofsinextends.

Whowastherethatwasabletocopewiththismonster?He,whoisbeingdraggedyonder inchainsbeforethe judgment-seatofaheathen,andatthe sight of whom, Judas despairs, instead of breaking out intoexclamations of joy—he it is who enters the lists against it. Christ, byimputation,wastheLambwhichtookuponhimselfthesinoftheworld,inorderbytherepresentativeenduranceofthecurseduetoit,hemightdeprive itof itssting, inbehalfofall those,whoshouldbelieveonhim.Hehas done so; andwhenwe asserted that he triumphed in the eventunder consideration as a Savior, we meant to say, first, that theredemption accomplished by him, appears in such adorable splendor,becausethemonstersinhererevealsmorevariously thanelsewhere, itsrealnature,andexhibits itshorrorsinbroaddaylight.ButChrist isalsoglorifiedhereastheSavior,sinceeveryonemustfeelconvincedthatthesonofperditionsuffersshipwreckheresolelybecausehedisdainstocasthimself patiently and believingly into the arms of him whom he hasbetrayed. However dreadful the storm, which sinks the whole fleet ofhuman aid—a barque still remained, in which he might have takenrefuge.Hadhedoneso, itwouldhave infalliblybroughthimsafely intothehavenofeternalpeace."Butwhydidhenotascenditssides?"Partlybecausehewasstilltooproudtohonorhim,bysuingforhismercy,whohadtornawayhishypocriticalmask,andagainstwhomhissoulwasstilldeeplyembittered.Partly,also,becausehehadgivenwaytodespair;forSatan did not cease, as a reward for the services which Judas hadrenderedhim, to suggest tohim that therewasno longer any hope forhim. In addition to which, by filling his imagination with all kinds ofinfernal imagery, he deprived him of the power of calm and lucidreflection. Could Judas have summoned up sufficient humility andcouragetoturnhistearfuleyetoJesus,asdidafterwardthedyingthief,hewouldhavemetonlythelookofforgivingmercy;andOwhatdifferentsoundswould have saluted his ear, than the horrifying language of thechiefpriestsandelders,whosaidtohim,"Whatisthattous?Seeyoutothat." There was no want of grace, even for a man in his desperatecondition;andalthoughhis sinwas"red likecrimson,"yet thebloodof

atonementwouldhave sufficed towash itwhite as snow.But the devilcarriedhimawayinthewhirlwind,likethevulturethelambithasseizedupon;nordidherestuntilhehadcompletedhistriumphoverhim,andhadgottensecurepossessionofthesoulofhim,whohadthusbecomehisrarebooty.

Theworldhasneverbeheldamoretragicspectaclethantheonewearenow contemplating. One who was ordained and fitted to become adistinguishedvesselofsalvationandblessing tomankind,giveshimselfup todespair in thepresenceof theworld'sdeliverer, andplunges intothegulfofeternalperdition,insteadoflayingholdofthehandextendedforhisrescue,under theunhappydelusionthat,bysodoing,heshouldexperiencedeliverance fromtheagonyofhisconscience. Itwouldseemasifevendeathandhelldisownedthissonofperdition,justastheworldhad previously done in the person of the chief priests and elders, andwerecompelled,withGod,toexecutejudgmentuponhim.Theropewithwhich the miserable man had hung himself snaps asunder. The treewhich he had selected as the instrument of his death, shakes him offagainwithhorror.Thestrangledwretchfallsdown,burstsasunder,andhisaffections,gushingout,liescatteredontheground.

Whilethesehorriblethingsareenacting,thechiefpriestsandeldersareconsultingtogether,whatshouldbedonewiththethirtypiecesofsilver,whichJudas,inhisstateofdesperation,hadthrownbackagain."Itisnotlawful," say the hypocrites, unconsciously stigmatizing themselves, "toputthemintothetreasury,foritisthepriceofblood."Theysayright;foraccordingtoDeut.23:18,thetreasuryoftheLordwasnottobedefiledbyblood-money, or the price of a dog. But howwell do the words of ourLord inMatt. 23:23, apply to these whited sepulchers, "Woe unto youscribes andPharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe ofmint, and anise,and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the lawjudgment,mercy,andfaith.Youblindguides,whostrainatagnat,andswallowacamel!"Werenotthesemenequallyguiltyoftheheinouscrimewiththetraitorhimself,towhomtheyhadpaidthethirtypiecesofsilver?Andthoughtheywereinequalcondemnationwithhim,yettheyassumetothemselvesnotonlytheplaceofhisjudges,butwithahaughtymien,contrast themselveswithhimaskeepersof the lawandtheholyplaces.

Whodoes not feel almost more sympathy with the despairing disciplethanwiththeseproficientsinfalsehoodanddissimulation?Whocansaythatitmaynotbemoretolerableinthedayofjudgmentfortheformer,thanforthesearrogantandheartlesshypocrites!

Theyagreetogethertopurchase,withthewagesof iniquity, thepotter'sfield—a piece of ground belonging to a potter; and destine it for theburial-placeofthosepilgrimswhomightdieinJerusalemwithouthavingany tomborplaceof sepultureof theirown.Thus, even themoney, forwhichourLordwasbartered,mustbeproductiveofgood.And is therenotinthistransaction,adistanthintthatChristyieldeduphimself,thatwe, poor pilgrims in the valley of death, might rest in peace? Thepurchased field was thenceforward known by the semi-Syrian name of"Aceldama," or "the field of blood." Amelancholymonumentwas thuserectedtothelostdiscipleandhiscrime;whichstillspeakstothetravelerandsays,"Thereisnomoreofferingforsinuntohim,whotreadsunderfootthebloodoftheSonofGod."

The evangelist, after narrating the purchase we have just beenconsidering,observes,that"Thenwasfulfilled,thatwhichwasspokenbyJeremytheprophet,saying,'Andtheytookthethirtypiecesofsilver,theprice of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel didvalue, andgave them for thepotter's field, as theLordappointedme.'"Matthew combines here, as respects their chief import, two propheticpassages; the first of which belongs to Jeremiah, but the other toZechariah, whose name is not mentioned. We read the words ofJeremiah,inchap.19:11-13asfollows:"ThussaystheLordofHosts,evensowill Ibreak thispeopleand this city, asonebreaksapotter's vessel,thatcannot bemadewhole again, and they shall bury them in Tophet,untilthereshallbenoplacetobury.ThuswillIdountothisplace,saysthe Lord, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city asTophet. And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings ofJudahshallbedefiled,astheplaceofTophet,becauseofallthehouses,onwhoseroofs theyhaveburned incense toall thehostofheaven,andhave poured out drink-offerings unto other gods." The words ofZechariah we find in the eleventh chapter of his prophecies, where wereadinverse13,"AndtheLordsaiduntome, 'Cast ituntothepotter;a

goodlypricethatIwasprizedatofthem.'AndItookthethirtypiecesofsilver,andcastthemtothepotter,inthehouseoftheLord."

Let us endeavor, first, to penetrate to the bottom of the words ofJeremiah.Theprophet announcesheavy judgments upon thepeople ofIsraelandthecityofJerusalem;andaccordingtodivinedirection,hehadtakenhisstandnearthetile—orpotter'sgate,attheplacecalledTophet,which belongs to the valley of Benhinnom, and is the same where theIsraelites,inthedaysofdreadfulapostasy,hadsacrificedtheirchildrentothe idolMoloch.Inthepresenceof thepriestsandelders,accompaniedbywhomhehadgoneoutbydivinecommand,hetakesanearthenvessel,whichhehadbroughtwithhim,anddashes it inpieceson theground,accompanyingthissymbolicalactwiththepredictionthatthusshouldthecity and people be broken, and that the latter would be buried in thedefiledandaccursedTophet,fromwantofroomtointerthecorpses,andthecityitselfshouldbeasTophet,anditshousesunclean.

Tophet,whereoncetheimageofMolochstood,was,atthesametime,thepieceofgroundwherethepottersofJerusalemprocuredtheclayfortheirhandicraft.When theprophetbroke inpieces theearthenvessel in thisvery place, and thus changed it into its original material, he verysignificantly and affectingly pointed out the fate which would, in likemanner, befall the holy city and the chosen race. This Tophet was thepotter'sfield,which,asstatedabove,wasboughtbytheeldersforthirtypiecesof silver.ButwhenMatthewsays, "Thenwas fulfilled thatwhichwasspokenbyJeremytheprophet,"themeaningoftheHolySpirit,whoguidedthe evangelist'spen, is this—"Seeing thatGod soordered it thatthe elders of Israel purchased with the wages of iniquity, the field onwhich the curse of Jeremiah rested, thusmaking it the property of theJewish state, and by so doing, transferred, as it were, that curse tothemselvesand thepeople: thus testifying, andagain symbolically, thatthe visitation, then threatened, would break in, a second time, uponIsraelinsomuchthemoredreadfulform,themoregrievousthemurderof the Son of God himself was than the service of Moloch, and theabominationsconnectedwithit.Itwasnotthereforethepurchaseofthefield itself, but rather the symbolic appropriation, by it, of the divinecurse upon Tophet, which received its final accomplishment in the

destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, that is here described as thefulfillmentofJeremiah'sprophecy.

The passage from Zechariah serves only to enlarge the meaning ofJeremiah'sprediction.The latterbeing, intheopinionof theevangelist,themoreimportantofthetwo,hedoesnotevenmentionthenameoftheformer. Jeremiah points out the piece of ground purchased; ZechariahthepricewhichtheJewishauthoritiespaidforit.Letuslookalittlemoreclosely at the words of the latter. The Lord is there speaking to hisungrateful people, and represents himself as their Shepherd, who hadtended them at one time with the staff "Beauty" (gentleness), and atanother,with the staff "Bands" (severity).But theyhaddisregardedhispastoralcare,andhadcontinually strayed fromhispaths,anddespisedhisunder-shepherds,theprophets,andamongthem,Zechariahhimself,whocomplainsthathe,andinhimtheLordwhosenthim,wasnomorevalued by them than the lowest slave; thirty pieces of silver being theprice at which they estimated him. Jehovah threatens them with hisjudgments in consequence of this impious conduct. "Cast it unto thepotter"—that is, throw it, as the wages of sin, into the mire of thataccursedfield,wherethepottercarriesonhiswork—thefieldofTophet.And then the Lord adds, in sacred irony, "A goodly price, that I wasprizedatof them," "and I," continues theprophet,now speaking inhisownperson,"tookthethirtypiecesofsilver,andcastthemtothepotter,in the house of the Lord." Thus the temple was treated, by divinecommand,asifitwerethefieldofTophetitself;adreadfulemblematicalprediction of the fact that even the temple, in process of time, shouldcrumbleintodustunderthecurseofGod.

Thehourofthethreatenedjudgmentwasathand,whenhe,whowastheperfectionofGod'spastoralfaithfulness,wasvalued,onthepartofIsrael,atthetriflingpriceofthirtypiecesofsilver.Forthissmallsum,Judas,asrepresenting his nation, disposed of his part in the Savior, and thechildrenofIsrael,bytheirrulers,bargainedfortheHolyOnetoslayhim.Butby the factof the traitor, indespair,hurling themurderer's rewardfrom him, and casting it down in the temple, the blood-money (a badomen)wasreturnedtothecongregationofIsrael.Thisact,whichwasnotwithoutdivineintervention,calledfearfullyandsignificantlytomindthe

thirty pieces of silver mentioned by Zechariah, and could only beexplained to mean that the Almighty now renewed, more impressivelythanbefore, the threateninghehadpronounced against Jerusalemanditssanctuary,inthesymbolicalactofhisprophet.AndthecircumstancethattheJewishrulershitupontheideaofpurchasingtheaccursedspot,calledTophet,withthewagesofiniquity,completelyimpressesthesealoftruthonthatexplanation.

Hence it is evident that the spirit of prophecy both uttered andapprehended the words of Zechariah and Jeremiah with a consciousreference to the event which occurred in Jerusalem after the lapse ofcenturies;andthatGodpermittedthetransactionbetweenJudasandtherulersofIsraeltoassume,insostrikingamanner,aformcorrespondingwith those ancient prophetic sayings, only because he would give theungrateful flock of his people, a newand tangible sign that the timeofmaturityfordestruction,andthelongannouncedandterriblejudgmentsofhishandhadnowarrived.Matthewthereforesays,withperfectjustice,"Then was fulfilled, that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet."Actual predictions found their final accomplishment. Even as theHolySpirithaddistinctlypointed,inZechariah,tothethirtypiecesofsilver—soinJeremiah,hehadpointedtothepurchaseofthepotter'sfieldbythepriests and elders. The accusation of amerely arbitrary and allegoricalapplication of Old Testament sayings and events to New Testamentoccurrences,nowhereappliestotheevangelistsandapostles.

Deeply affected, we take our leave of themost horrible passage in thewholehistoryof thepassionof ourLord.Hownearwemaybe to him,andyetbecomethepreyofSatan, ifwedonotcarefullywatchoverourhearts!Howmanygiftsandfavorswemayhavereceivedfromhim,andyetmay suffer the most dreadful loss of them by an unfaithful use ofthem! Let himwho gives himself to Christ, do sowithout reserve; andwhoeverisdesirousofholdingcommunionwithhim,lethimalwayswalkbeforehimwithoutdisguise.Lethimwhoisovertakenbyafaultseekthethroneofgracewithoutdelay;andhewhoisconsciousofbeingunderthedominionof a single sin, let himnot cease towatch and pray, until itspowerisbrokenbythemercyofhimwhobruisedtheserpent'shead.Thegerm from which a Judas may spring, when fructified by hell, lies

concealedinallofus.LetusthereforemakeroomfortheHolySpiritinourhearts,thathemaydestroyit,andmakeallwithinusnew!

ChristbeforePilate

Thedayhasjustdawned—themostmomentous,decisive,andeventfulintheworld. It greets ourLordwithdreadful insignia. It approaches in ablood-stained robe, a crown of thorns to encircle his brow, in the onehand,andintheother,thescourge,thefatalcup,andtheaccursedtree;whileitrisesuponuswiththeolive-branchofpeace,thedivineacquittal,andthecrownof life.OsacredFriday,dayofdivinecompassion,birth-dayofoureternalredemption,weblessyou,wegreetyouonourknees!

We find the holy city in unwonted commotion. Masses of men movealong the streets. A spectacle like that which now presents itself, hadnever before been witnessed. The whole Sanhedrin has risen up toconducta delinquent,whom they have condemned to death, in solemnprocessiontotheRomanauthorities,inordertowrestfromthelattertheconfirmationoftheirsentence.Andwhoisittheyaredraggingthere?Theverymanwhowasrecentlyreceivedinthesamecity,bythesamecrowdofpeople,withloudhosannas,andwasexaltedandcelebratedasnoonehad been before. It is Jesus of Nazareth, respecting whom they criedexultingly, "Blessed is hewho comes in the name of the Lord!" and ofwhom, even his enemies could not refrain from testifying that a greatprophethadarisenamongthem.Henowmeetsusastheoffscouringandrefuse of the same people, who shortly before strewed palms andwreathedchapletsforhim!Suchistheworld'sfavor,andsolittletruthisthereinthesaying,"ThevoiceofthepeopleisthevoiceofGod."

TheprocessionmovesontothepalaceofHerod.Foritwastherethatthegovernorusuallyresided,whenhisdutiescalledhimtoJerusalem fromCaesarea, where he regularly abode. It is well known that the Romanemperors committed the several provinces, of which their extensivedominionswerecomposedtothegovernmentofpro-consulsorviceroys.Tothese,procuratorsorgovernorswereaddedforeachprovince,whoseoffice itwas tocollect the revenues,and togive the finaldecision inalljudicial affairs. In the smaller districts, the latter not infrequentlyexercisedthesolepower,aswasthecaseinJudea,which,withSamaria,

hadbeenincorporatedintotheprovinceofSyria.Itwasgenerallysaidofthese individuals, thattheywere inthehabitofmakingtheir influentialposition themeansofpromoting theiravariciousviews;andhence theywerecharacterizedasbeingunjustandsevere.Wherevertheyappeared,they were received only with mistrust and secret bitterness by theirsubjects; and it was only by the application of military force that theysucceeded in giving effect to their commands, and in restraining thepeoplefromrevolt,withwhichtheywerecontinuallymenaced.

After the deposition and removal of the Tetrarch Archelaus, PontiusPilate,sixyearsafterthebirthofChrist,wasmadethesixthgovernorofJudea. FromLuke, 3:1, it appears that hewas in officewhen John theBaptist came preaching in the wilderness, and he therefore spent inPalestinethewholeperiodofourLord'sministry.FortenyearstogetherhewasabletomaintainhispositionundertheEmperorTiberius,a factwhichdoeshonor tohisknowledgeof theareof governing, since therewasprobablynot amoredifficultpost of thekind in thewholeRomanempire. For apart from his having to deal with the Jews, the mostcunning and intriguing of all the nations around, there was no otherpeopleuponearth towhomthegovernmentof foreignerswasagreaterabomination than to them. However far the Jewsmight be from theirformerglory,theywerestill,inspiteoftheirdegradation,asmuchawareas ever of their nobility as the chosen people of God; and thoughtthemselvescalled,underthesanctionofdivinepromises,whichhowevertheygrosslymisunderstood,eventuallytobearruleoverthewholeearth;and yet these free-born children of Abraham were now living under aforeignyoke,andthataheathenone!Wherewasthewonder,then,thattheyboreitwithstifledrage,likeacaptivelioninitsironcollar;andthathewhoexercisedadirectpoweroverthem,was,fromthefirst,anobjectoftheirbitteresthatred!

It is equally comprehensible that Pilate also, on his part, could notentertainanyparticular liking for suchanation,andgladlymade themfeelhissuperiorauthoritywhenopportunityoffered.NorcoulditappearstrangetoanyonethatPilatepreferredfixinghisresidenceatCaesarea,which was chiefly inhabited by Gentiles, and by means of its harborcarried on an animated communionwith the rest of the empire, rather

thaninthemetropolisoftheproudandrebelliousHebrews.TherewereseveralseriousrevoltsinJerusalemduringhisregency,whichcouldonlybequelledbycallingouttheRomangarrisonquarteredinFortAntonia.Buttheserepeatedsuppressionsoftherebelliousspiritofthepeoplewereaccustomed to be followed by stricter measures on the part of thegovernment,whichonlyembitteredtheJewsthemore.InotherrespectsPilate was not very severe or strict; and when he sometimes executedsummary justice, as in the instance recorded in Luke 13:1, he hadprobablysufficientcauseforsodoing.

WereweabletolookintotheheartsoftheJews,andespeciallyintothoseof their chief priests and rulers, during their procession to the Romanpraetorium, we should see in them a glowing furnace of rage andvexation. It was dreadful to them to see themselves compelled to thisopen exhibition of their subjugation to a foreign yoke. But thebloodthirstiness underwhich they languished for the extirpation of thehated Nazarene, this time outweighed their boundless ambition andnationalpride.Foamingwith indignation, like fetteredhyenasraging intheirchains, theyproceedforwardwiththeirvictim,andarecompelled,by this procession, to testify, against their will, that the scepter hasdepartedfromJudah,andthatthetimesodefinitelypointedoutbythedyingJacobfor theappearanceof theShiloh, towhomthegatheringofthe people should be, had now arrived. Yes, they are compelled toacknowledgeevenmore than this, andbymeansof theirwickedness toplacethenecessityofanatonementbeyondadoubt,suchasthefetteredcaptivewhowalkedattheirhead,wasabouttoaccomplish.

Itwilldoubtlessbe,insomemeasure,theconvictionofeveryoneofmyreadersthatGodmustnecessarilyhavepronouncedaneternalcurseonsuchruthlessreprobatesasthecharactersjustdescribed,ifnomediatingsurety interposed to take their curse upon himself, and rendersatisfactiontodivinejusticeintheirstead.TosupposethattheMostHighcouldpardonsuchsonsofBelial,withoutanything further,wouldbe todemandtheoverthrowofthewholemoralgovernmentoftheworld,andtorequirenothinglessthanthatGodshouldactinoppositiontohimself,andceasetobeGod.Reasoncannotbelieveinthepossibilityofsalvationforarace like thatofAdam, irrespectiveof anatonement; and scarcely

anythingintheworldappearsmorerationalthanthescripturaldoctrineoftheredemptionofsinnersbythemediatinginterventionoftheSonofGod. I confess that all that is withinme would rise up in the greatestexcitement and astonishment, were I to behold the thrice holy Godembracing, without such an intervention, the worthless assemblage atJerusaleminthearmsofhislove.Inthiscase,nothingwouldbeleftmebuttofeelmistakeninGod,ortodisbelievemyowneyes.ButwhenIseeinthemidstofthosetransgressors,theLambwhichtakesawaythesinoftheworld, I thensee thatGodcouldopen thegatesofparadiseeven tothe most degraded of that generation of vipers; and in this I shouldperceive nothing either enigmatical or objectionable. The Lamb is,therefore,thelightintheeconomyandgovernmentofGod,andthecrossthekeytothedeepestmysteriesofhiswaysandguidance.

BeholdtheadorablePrinceofPeacebound likeacriminal, andcoveredwithignominy!Whocouldbeabletoformacorrectideaofthisspectacle,andyetbelievethatdivinejusticerulestheworld,ifwewerepermittedtobehold the Savior only in his ownperson, andnot at the same time asMediatorandHighPriest!ButnowthatweareawareofhisSuretyship,althoughwemayfeeldeeplyaffectedathisinfinitehumiliation,wearenolongerstruckandastonished.Wecanevenbeartobetoldthatthevisiblesufferingsheenduredwereonlythefaintreflectionof the incomparablymore horrible torments which he secretly suffered; and that the hostwhich surroundshimwith swords and spears, forms only a part of theescortwhichaccompanieshim,sinceanotherpart,whichisinvisibleandbehind the curtain, is commanded by Satan himself. For when Christexperiencedwhatwasduetous,weknowthatthelatterincludedallthesehorrors.Nothingmorenorlessbefellhimthanwhatwasdestinedtobeenduredbyus on account of our sins.What anunspeakable gift dowethereforepossessinthebleedingLamb!Wouldtoomuchhonorbedonehim if our whole lives were one continued adoration of his name; andwouldourloveexceeditsmeasureifnothinganylongersoundedsweetorlovelytousexceptwhatwasinterwovenwithhisname?

Theybring theLordJesus toPilate theRomangovernor.TheAlmightypermitscircumstancessotoconnectthemselvestogetherthatthewholeworld,initsrepresentatives,mustparticipateinthecondemnationofthe

JustOne.Hencehisdeathbecomesthecommoncrimeofourrace,andeverymouth is stoppedbefore the judgment-seatofGod.They conductthe Lord to Pilate; and thus, what the Savior had before so distinctlypredicted,whenannouncinghispassion,wasliterallyfulfilled:"Behold,"saidhe,"wegouptoJerusalem;andtheSonofManshallbedelivereduntothechiefpriestsanduntothescribes,andtheyshallcondemnhimto death, and deliver him to the Gentiles." We now see theaccomplishment of this prediction. By so doing Israel filled up themeasure of its guilt. For the second time they hand over their brotherJoseph to the uncircumcised and to strangers. By this transfer theytypified,atthesametime,theirownfate.Theworld'ssalvation,intendedfortheminthefirstinstance,wasbythemmostungratefullygivenuptotheGentiles;whiletheythemselveswerethenceforwardlefttolanguishindarknessandtheshadowofdeath.

The procession arrives at the governor's palace. They lay hold of theirprisoner,andrudelypushhimintotheopenportalofthehouse.Whydotheyact thus?Thenarrative informsus, that"theythemselveswentnotintothejudgmenthalllesttheyshouldbedefiled,butthattheymighteatthe passover." Their idea was not in accordance with a rightunderstandingofthedivinelaw;buttheyobeyedthearbitrarilyinventedordinanceoftheirRabbis,whichstatedthattheyexposedthemselvestodefilement by entering a house, and especially a Gentile one, in whichleaven might be found. But they had no objection that their captiveshouldbethusdefiled.Theyevenpurposelypushhimintothehousetheydeemedunclean,andthustangiblyandsymbolicallyexpelhim,asatax-collectorandasinner,fromthecommonwealthofIsrael.Butallthiswasto happen thus, in order that Christ's character as the sinner's Suretymightbecomeincreasinglyapparent,andeveryoneperceiveinthemanwho,byvirtueofamysterioustransfer,hadtakenhimselfeverythingthatwascondemnatoryinus.

There is no feature in the history of the passion which is devoid ofsignificance. Throughout there is a manifestation of superiorarrangement and divine depth of purpose. This forcible urging of theHolyOneofIsrael intothehouseofaheathen issomethinghorrible. Itexhibits a degree of wickedness worthy of Beelzebub himself. If the

redemptionof theworldhadnotbeenat stake,howcouldheavenhavebeensilentorhaverestrainedthevialsofGod'swrath?Butthesalvationoftheworldwastobeaccomplished,andhenceitwasthattheLambofGod patiently and silently endured even the most unworthy anddisgraceful treatment.Wecouldweepbloodytears toseehim,whowaslove itself,pushedforwardbythecrudehandsof thebrutishmultitude.Butwewillnotweepoverhim,butoverourselvesandourrace,whichiscapableofsuchdepravityanddevilishness.Letusnotoverlook,however,the evangelical emblem that meets our view even in this trait of thenarrative.Christenteredforusalone,notonlywhereapparent,butwhererealandseriousdangermenacedus,even into thehorribleabyssof thecurseofthelaw,theprisonofdeath,andtheregionsofdarkness,inordertoexhaustuponhisownsacredpersontheforceoftheterrorswhichwerepreparedforus,andleaveusnothingbutpeace,salvation,freedom,andblessing.

ButwhatshallwesaytotheconductoftheJews,who,fulloftheleavenofall ungodliness, whilemaking no conscience of laying their murderoushandson theHolyOneofGod, act as if theywere too conscientioustoenter thehouseofan impureheathen, lest theyshouldcome incontactwiththeleavenwhichcouldnotdefilethem?Whatastrikingexampledothese "whited sepulchers"proveof the truthofourLord'swords,Matt.23:27, andwhata complete commentarydo theyyielduson thewordsthat follow: "You blind guides which strain at a gnat, and swallow acamel!"WouldtoGodthesewretchedpeopleweretheonlyonesoftheirkind!Buttheymeetus inevery formandcolor, evenamong thesewhocall themselvesChristians.Who isnot acquaintedwith individualswhoscrupulously abstain from worldly amusements, and carefully avoidcoming into social contact with the worldly-minded, who not only viewiththeworldinalltheartsofdissimulation,uncharitable judgmentofothers,andhatefulscandal,butevengobeyondit?Whodoesnotknowthosewho believe that theywould be committing a great crime if theyperformedtheslightestlaborontheSunday,oriftheywerenotthefirstateveryperformanceofdivineservice;while itneveroccurs to themtoregardassinthesecretserviceofmammontowhichtheyaredevoted—whoonnoaccountwouldsuffer themselves tobeseenata theateroraball—inwhich theydowell—but forgive themselves,withouthesitation,

for compensating themselves for that privation, by taking part, inimagination,inalltheenjoymentsandpleasuresoftheworld,andbloatwith vanity, in theirway,not less than themost frivolous characters ofthe age—who never fail to appear at the institution of beneficentestablishments and associations, and head the list of the contributors,whiletheymakenoscrupleofsecretlypracticingdeceitandimpositionintheir trade and business, or of acting unjustly or severely toward thosewho are under them, or of their avarice and greediness for transitoryhonor?

Oneof thecraftydevicesbywhichmenpassbythemoralclaimswhichGodmakesonourconductis,thatinsteadofbowingtothedivineyoke,theyformandimposeanothermorepleasingtotheflesh;thustryingtomakeitappearasiftheyperformedmorethanGod'scommandsenjoinedupon them.Thusarose the traditionsof theTalmudisticRabbis,which,althoughtheyarenothingbutexerciseseasytobeperformed,affordedtothose who practiced them the semblance of a special piety,conscientiousness,andfaithfulness inthedischargeofduty.Inthiswayalso,arosetheshallowandsentimentalmoralityofourmodernsophists—that tissue of unobjectionable rules of life, which it likewise derivedsolely from the surface of moral consciousness, and which may bepracticed just as conveniently as their performance aids us in theobtainmentofavirtuousappearanceataneasyrate.Butheismistakenwhosupposesthatbysuchcounterfeitholinessheshallbeabletosettleaccounts with the Most High; and he dishonors and insults him, whohopes to bribe him with "cups and platters," outwardly clean, butinwardlyfullof"raveningwickedness."Hewhoreignsonhighis justaslittlesatisfiedwithmeredeductionsfromtheamountofobedienceduetohim aswith the counters of our self-chosenworks, instead of the puregoldofrighteousnessrequiredbyhislaw."TheeyesoftheLord,"saidtheprophetHananitoKingAsa,"runtoandfrothroughoutthewholeearth,to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfecttowardhim."Hedesiresthewholemanandnotmerefractionalparts.Hewhocannotresolvetodevotehimselftohisservicewithoutreserve,losesnothing by withdrawing himself entirely, and placing himself at thedisposal of the world and his own lusts. There is nomedium betweenbelief and unbelief. In the exercise of the former, we give ourselves

entirely to God; andwhere this is not done, there faith does not exist,however specious the man may be in his outward profession. Trueconversionisanewbirth,andnotapatchingupoftheoldgarment.Thelifeofgodlinessisaharmoniousorganization,andnotastickingtogetherofsingleactsofpiety.

Pilate soonbegins to suspectwhy theJewspushed their culprit towardhimthroughthegate,butfeelssolittleoffendedatthis,thathepretendsignorance,andmagnanimouslystepsouttothemtoascertaintheobjectoftheircoming.Heconsidersthathehasonlytodowithcontractedandnarrow-minded Jews, and deems that it comports both with hisrefinementandhisdignity to tolerate their limitedprejudices.Butwiththeseprejudices,heoverlooksthefactofthedivinerecordsbeingintheirpossession. There is no want, my readers, of people among us whoassume, but not without culpability, a position with reference to realChristians, similar to that of this proud Roman toward the children ofAbraham. It cannot be denied that there are believing Christians whosufferfromacertainpartialityandcontractedjudgmentwithreferencetothe thingsof science,are,or life.But,however, thoseofamore refinedintellectmay look down with a degree of compassion on these simplepeopleandtheirnarrowsphereofvision,andthoughitmaybenocrimetodoso,foritisoftendifficulttobearwithsuchlimitedandcontractedcharacters,yet,thoughyoumayappeartoyourselvestobeelevatedabovesuch people, and suppose that it becomes you to tolerate, with theirnarrow-mindedness, the truths which they profess; yet you actimproperly by so doing, and will one day smart severely for your self-esteem.Ifyouarereallyineveryrespectfarbeyondthese"poorinspirit,"thereisnothingleftforyou,ifyouaredesirousofattainingtothehighestaim of your existence, but to descend from your proud elevation, andplaceyourselvesonthesamelevelwiththem.Yes,youmustcomedowntotheirhumbleposition,and,withthem,learntohungerandthirstafterarighteousnesswhichisnotyourown;andtothepositionofLazarusattherichman'sdoor,whichisChrist,whereyouseethemalsolying.Youmustevenbebroughttoacknowledgethattheyarefarbeyondyouinallthatisofrealvalue;andthatyouareonthewaytomidnightdarkness,ifthefaith,love,andheavenly-mindednessofthesehumblefollowersoftheLambdonotbecomeyours.Youarenotrestrainedfrombeinginadvance

oftheminrefinement,extensivebenevolence,andmaturityofjudgment,or from moving more freely and unfettered, as far as the Spirit fromabovegivesyouliberty.Butyoumustbegraftedintothesamestockwiththese inferior people, and flourish from the same root, or you willcontinue,ontheheightofyourintellectualsuperiority,tobethechildrenofdeath,whiletheywilleventuallysoartowardheavenasglorifiedspiritsfrom the dark chrysalis state of their defective education. Thereforebewarethatyoudonotthrowawaythekernelwiththeshell,norbefoundpreferringexternalpolish to thatmeekandhumble spiritwhich, in thesightofGod,isofgreatprice.

"Pilate thenwentoutunto thepeople, and said,What accusation bringyou against this man?" He assumes the appearance of unbelief andindifference, but he was able to take a more unprejudiced view of thematterthantheJews,andcannotthink,afterallhehashithertoheardoftheNazarene,andfeelsatthatmomentthattheywouldbeabletobringanyseriouschargeagainsthim.LikeaswithPilate,soitisstillwitheveryonewholooksunprejudicedlyintothesacredvolume.Suchaonewillnotbe able to rid himself of the impression of the spotlessness of Jesus,whichnothingcanshakeorneutralize.ButoughtitnottoberegardedasamatterofastonishmentthataHolyOne,inthefullsenseofthewords,hasreallyappearedintheworld?Doesitnotindisputablyfollowthatthesayings of this Just One are much more worthy of credence than thedoctrinesofallthewisemenaftertheflesh?Doesitnotconstrainustothe conviction that a person so illustrious and superior to all othermortals, must have been sent by God for some very particular object?And does not this idea necessarily lead to another, that theremust besomethingextraordinaryandmysteriousattachedtothesufferingswhichwere poured upon this Holy One? And do we not, finally, perceive,without any positive revelation respecting it, that we are compelled tocome to the conclusion, that this incomparable personage must havebeen selected to be the deliverer and savior of a sinful world? It isimpossible to avoid such reflections, after an unprejudiced and logicalconsiderationofthesubject.Butwemaywellask,wheredowemeetwithsuchsoundandliberalmindedreasoners?Theindocilityandstupidityofthenaturalman,withregard tosupernaturalanddivine thongs,hasnobounds.

To the governor's question, of what Jesus is accused, the followinghaughty and insane reply is returnedbyhis accusers, "If hewerenotamalefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto you." In thisimpudentspeech,theirentirerefractorinesstowardthehatedRomansismade apparent. It is the rebelliousness of fettered slaves, the fury ofencagedwolves.Here againwe perceive also, the furious pharisaismofthe priests and the people; for though they are endeavoring tomurderinnocenceanddothedevil'swork,yetbecausetheydoit,itmustberightand blameless. Can pride go beyond this? Do not let us overlook thecircumstance, however, that by their arrogant language they hope todisguise the embarrassment in which, despite of all appearance to thecontrary, they have involved themselves. They know of nothing fromwhich they can form a well-grounded charge against their delinquent,and think that thebold front theyputon theaffairwill compensate forwhatisdeficientinproofandtestimonyagainstJesus.

Alas!theydonotentirelyfail intheirobject.Pilatesuffershimself tobeoverawed by their determined appearance, and places the first foot onthatslipperypathonwhichweshallafterwardseehimcarriedforward,from one crime to another, against his will, and finally ending in theabyss of perdition, amid the derisive laughter of infernal spirits. "Thensaid Pilate unto them, Take you him, and judge him according to yourlaw."Whatworthless behavior in a judgewho ought to administer lawandjusticeintheland!WealreadyseehowlittlehecareswhetherJesuslivesordies,onlyhewouldnotwillinglyhavethebloodofamanuponhissoulwhomhisconscienceabsolvesasinnocent.

MorerecklessthantheRomanarethoseofourcontemporaries,who,likePilate, would not personally lay hands on Jesus, because they cannotdivest themselves of a certain degree of reverence for him, but secretlysuggest to bolder rebels than themselves, thatwhich Pilate did openly,whenhesaid,"Takehimandjudgehimaccordingtoyourlaw,"andfeelamaliciouspleasurewhentheemissariesofSatandragdowntheHolyOneinto the dust, pollute his Gospel with their infernal blasphemies, andreward his believing followers with the appellation of fools, or brandthemashypocrites.Comparedwiththosewhoviewwithsilentdelighttheanti-Christian proceedings and rebelliousmovements of the age, Pilate

was an honorable man, while they are worthy of a double curse, andalreadybearthemarkofitontheirforeheads.

"Take you him, and judge him according to your law." The heathengovernorwouldgladlyhaveescapedfromsharingtheguiltofmurderingtheRighteousOne,whomtheJewshaddelivereduptohim.Buthewillnotsucceedinhisobjectonthepathheisnowpursuing.HemusteitherdecidefororagainstJesus.HeiscompelledeithertotakethepartoftheHolyOne, to the settingasideof allprivate considerations,or toaffordhissanctiontothemostcruelandbloodydeedtheworldeverwitnessed.But,myreaders,thecaseissimilarwithus.Thereisjustaslittleroomleftus foraneutralpositionaswas lefthim.TheHolyOneof Israelcomesintotoocloseacontactwithustobequietlypassedby.Ifwerefusetodohim homage, we are compelled to aid in crucifying him. We cannotescape the alternative of rejecting him, if we will not decidedly devoteourselvestohim.HetestifiestooloudlytoourconsciencesthatHeistheLord, to suffer us quietly to part with him with a mere passingcompliment.Ifwewishtoseparateourselvesfromhim,nothingisleftforusbuttosay,inpositiveopposition,"Wewillnothaveyoutoreignoverus;getyoubehindus!"Godgrantthatthismaynotbethecasewithanyofus,butenableustoexclaim,withtheapostleThomas,"MyLordandmyGod!"

TheJewsclosetheoutletbeforePilate'sfacebywhichhehopedtoescapefromanyparticipation in thedreadfulcrimeof themurderofJesus,bygivinghimareplywhichoughttohavemadehimfeeldeeplyashamed,"Itisnotlawfulforus,"saythey,"toputanymantodeath."Pilateknewthis,and what confusion of ideas and increasing perplexity does the manbetray,who,thoughhewasthesupremejudge,couldrecommendtotheJewsthemselves theexecutionofanactof justice towhichtheyhadnoright, according to the existing laws. Or was Pilate induced to expresshimself thus foolishly, from having no idea that the accusers of Jesuswere bent upon his death? This is also conceivable. But his miserableattempt at an escape is wholly frustrated, as it deserved. There issomethingreallytragicalinthefactthatcircumstancesshouldsoconcurandbeinterwovenwitheachotherthatitwouldseemasifPilatewastobedrawnintotheblood-guiltinessoftheJews.Andthiswillassuredlybe

thecaseifhecannotresolvetogivehisheart,andpayhomagetoJesus,even as every one who obstinately resists the call to conversion mustincreasinglyfillupthemeasureofhissins,andacceleratehisripenessfordestruction.

"Itisnotlawfulforustoputanyonetodeath."Theywerenotpermittedtodoso.If,ononeoccasion,theytumultuouslystonedasupposedheretictodeath, theRomanauthoritiesprobably lenientlyoverlookedit.But inordertoaformalaccusation,anddeathbycrucifixioninparticular,theycouldnotdowithout superiorconsent.Hence theyopenly, thoughwithstifledrage,confesstheirdependenceontheRomantribunal.Theirthirstfor revenge upon the Nazarene, however, this time outweighs theirnationalpride.Themantheyhateisdoomedtobecrucifiedandtoperishignominiously. Such are their thoughts. But the Lord in heaven alsoexercises an influence in the affair. The evangelist remarks, "That thesayingofJesusmightbefulfilledwhichhespoke,signifyingwhatdeathhe should die." John has reference here to the words recorded in ch.12:32,ofhisGospel,"AndI,ifIbeliftedupfromtheearth,willdrawallmenuntome,"addingtheexplanatoryremark,"Thishesaid,signifyingwhatdeathheshoulddie."

Inthetumultuousassemblagebeforethegovernor'spalaceatJerusalem,we are, therefore, unexpectedly aware of a divine intimation respectingthe Savior. The counsel of the Eternal Father displays itself, and in itsdepthsacrossisdescriedforhisonly-begottenSon,evenasitwasalsointheplansofSatan.Forthesakeofthesymbolicalmeaningincludedinit,the accursed tree was selected in the counsels of eternity, as theinstrumentoftheSavior'sdeath.Thebrazenserpentinthewilderness,aswellasthewave-offeringofthetabernacle,earlyshadoweditforthtothepeople of God. The crowd which had assembled round Gabbatha,unconsciouslyaidedinrealizingit.Itnowstandserectedinhistory,intheministry of the Gospel, and in the minds of men, and manifests itswonder-working and attractive influence in an increasing measure, tothishour.

We conclude our meditation, strengthened afresh, as I hope, in thetwofold conviction, that our forgiveness unconditionally demanded avicarioussacrifice,andthatthewholeofourLord'spassioncanonlybe

properly understoodwhen regarded from such a point of view.We arereasonably astonished at the wisdom of the Almighty, who has sowonderfullysolvedthegreatestofallproblems—thatoftherestorationofa racewhichhad fallenunder the curse, to thedivine right of sonship,without thereby denying his holiness. This solution is found in theSavior'sobedienceanddeath.Letusadoringlybowthekneetohim,andjoinwiththankfulheartsinthesongoftheChurchtriumphant,"WorthyistheLambthatwasslain,andhasredeemedustoGodbyhisblood,outofeverykindredandtongue,andpeople,andnation!"

TheAccusations

AftertheJewshadgainedtheirfirstvictoryoverthegovernor,forassuchtheymightaccountit,inhavingsucceededbytheirimposingattitude,inwrestingfromhimthereply,"Takeyouhimand,judgehimaccordingtoyour law," they proceed with increasing courage, and bring forwardaccusations against their prisoner, by which they hope completely toinfluence theRoman,and inducehim to favor theirmurderousproject.Theyareacquaintedwithhisweakside—hisprideofoffice,hisambition,and, in particular, his dependence on the favor of his imperialmaster;and toward this point they direct their assault. They abstain fromrepeating, before a heathen tribunal, accusations against Jesus whichthey could successfully bring forward against him in their JewishSanhedrin.Insteadofanecclesiastical,theymakebeforePilateapoliticalcharge. They accuse the Lord of a threefold crime,which, because it isimputedtohim,inacertainsense,byhisopponentsandtheenemiesofhis kingdom, even in the present day, is worthy of particularinvestigation.

"Wehavefoundthisfellowpervertingthenation."Thisisthefirstofthethree chargesbrought againsthim.They intendby it to say, "Thismanseeks to lessen the respect due to the constituted authorities." Theworthless beings, who were themselves puffed up with revolutionaryfeelings, and incessantly intent upon inciting the people against theRomansovereignty!ButtobringforwardagainstJesusachargeliketheone justmentioned, some shadow of truthwas requisite, and this they

foundinthepositionwhichtheLordhadtakenupwithreferencetothepriestsandscribes.Forasregardsthepriests,ourLordcertainlydidnotinstructhisdisciplestoplacetheirtrustinthem,astheirrealmediatorswithGod,or toseek in theirsacrifices thecauseof their justification inhissight.If,bythis,hedetractedfromtheauthorityofthesonsofAaron,he did nothingmore than reduce this authority to the correctmeasureintended by God, and thus purified the veneration which the peopleshowed them, from the elements of a dangerous delusion andsuperstition, which had occasionally been attached to them incontradiction to the Word of God. But where had he denied to thepriesthood of Israel the authority of a divine institution, and refused itthereverenceandsubmissionwhichbelongedtoitassuch?Hispositionasregardsthepriesthoodwascertainlypeculiarandunique.Thelatter,asa prophetic shadow, had pointed to him, and in him, as its essentialantitype,itwasintendedtoreachitsaim,andtermination.Thiswasnotto be accomplished by means of a violent overthrow of existinginstitutions,butontheevenandhallowedpathofagradualdevelopment.Of itself, and in consequenceof an internalnecessity, thepriesthoodoftheoldtabernaclewastogivewaytothatwhichistrueandreal, justastheblossommakesroomforthefruit,orlikethebutterflyburstingfromthe chrysalis. Therefore, as long as Jesus had not fulfilled the entirerequirementsofhishigh-priestlycalling,andaslongasthegreatatoningsacrifice had not been offered on the cross, he gave all honor to theLevitical priesthood, for the sake of their divine appointment.Not onlydidhevisitthetempleasthehouseofGod,andcelebratethefestivalsofIsrael as sanctified by him, but he obediently submitted also to all theLevitical statutes enjoined by Moses, from the circumcision andpresentation in the temple, to the eating of the paschal lamb. And notonlyso,buthedidnotfailtoenjoinuponothersthepunctualfulfillmentof their ecclesiastical duties; so that he did not even absolve a leper,whomhehadhealed,frompresentinghimselftothepriests,andofferingthesacrificesappointedbyMosesinsuchacase.Solittledidthereproachapply to himof degradingwhatwas divinely authorized, that the latterfound inhimapowerful support;andso farwashe from loosening thebondbetweenthepeopleandtheirsuperiors,thathewasaccustomedtoenjoinuponallwhocametohimthemostunconditionalsubmission tothem—ofcourseafterdivestingitofallsuperstitiousintermixture.

The Lord acted toward the elders of the people, whether they werePhariseesorSadducees,ashedidtowardthepriests.ItistruethatastheMasterof all, he reproved their errors and sins, as appears fromMark,7:13, and refused in any manner to justify their human inventedordinancesandtraditions,bywhichthewordofGodwasonlyweakenedand rendered void. He, nevertheless, unhesitatingly recognized theirdivineappointment,as,youwillremember,isevidentfromMatt.23:2,3,where he says, "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses's seat. All,therefore,whatevertheybidyouobserve,thatobserveanddo;butdonotyou after their works, for they say and do not." Could this be calledweakening the respect due to the constituted authorities, or was it notratherthecontrary?

In the present day, the Christ of the Protestant Church, who, as theScripturalChrist,iscertainlyasomewhatdifferentChristfromthatoftheChurch ofRome, is reproached in a similarmanner by the latter as hewasformerlybytheJews.Thisarisesfromtheuniversalpriesthoodofallbelievers, instituted by Christ himself, and realized in our Church, invirtueofwhichtheyarecalledto immediatefellowshipwithChrist,andno longer need any further mediators between him and them. Apriesthood with mediating rights, finds just as little room in theProtestantChurch,as there exists any cause ormotive for invoking theglorified saints for their intercession. Now, if a warning against thedelusion, that for the laity, absolution, forgiveness,andevery favorandanswertoprayerisonlyattainablebyahumanhierarchicalintervention,maybecalledaweakeningofauthority—thencertainlyitmaybesaidofChrist, that he perverted the people. This, however, is no longer areproach,butacommendation,becauseheturnedthepeopleasidefromauthoritieswhichdonotdeservethename,notbeingdivinelyinstitutedandappointed.Butthisdoesnotexcludethefactthathemostexpressly,though in the spirit of Christian liberty, claims the submission ofbelievers to theofficial ordinancesof theChurch,whichhehashimselfinstitutedandsanctified.Thepastoraloffice,with itsvariousspheresofoperation, isestablishedbyhim.Hesaystothosewhopreachhisword,"He who despises you, despises me." He points them out to us asstewards of the divine mysteries, and says to the members of theChurches,by themouthofhisapostle, "Let theelders thatrulewell,be

counted worthy of double honor." "Obey them that have the rule overyou,andsubmityourselves;fortheywatchforyoursouls."ItisthustheLord supports the authorities of the Church which rest on divineinstitution,andonlyproperlyrejects,withallearnestnessandemphasis,thoseunjustifiableassumptionswhicharecontrarytothewordofGod.

The second accusation which is brought against the Lord Jesus by theJews,isthatof"forbiddingtogivetributetoCaesar."Truly,amoreunjustaccusation than this they could not have invented against him. It isdevoidoftheslightestfoundation;andwearecompelledtobelievethatitoccurredtothemonlybecausetheywerestillsmartingunderthedisgraceofthedefeattheyhadexperiencedathishands,whentheyendeavoredtodraw from him a disloyal expression. Luke mentions this affair in thetwentiethchapterofhisGospel.Thechiefpriestsandscribessought,evenat that time, how they might lay hands upon him; but their evilconsciencemade them afraid of the people, in whose esteem they hadalreadybegun to sink considerably.Thatwhich theydidnot venture toexecute by force, they sought to attain by craftiness, and under theassumed appearance of whatwas just and right. For this purpose theyinducedsomeworthlessindividualsoftheirparty,disguisedinthemaskof piety, and pretending to be secretly his disciples, to attempt to takehold of his words, so that they might have an ostensible ground fordeliveringhimuptothecivilpower.ThebribedemissariesapproachtheSavior,inthegarbofreverentialsubmission,andask,withtheinnocentmienof thosewhoseek instruction,"Master,weknowthatyousayandteachrightly,neitheracceptyouthepersonofany,butteachthewayofGodtruly.IsitlawfulforustogivetributetoCaesar,orno?"Thenetwascunningly spread, but in such a manner that they were caught in itthemselves.TheLordimmediatelysawthroughthesnare,andtoreawaythe hypocritical mask from them, by the simple question, "Why temptyoume?"Hethenaskedthemtoshowhimapenny,whichbeingdone,hetakes the coin, holds it up to them, and asks, "Whose image andsuperscriptionhas it?They answer, 'Caesar's.'"Andhe saidunto them,"Render,therefore,toCaesarthethingswhichbeCaesar's,anduntoGodthethingswhichbeGod's."Thenarrativeinformsusthattheycouldnottake hold of his words before the people, and they marveled at hisanswer,andheldtheirpeace.

ThissingleexpressionofourLord'sperfectlysufficestoshowuswhatwashispoliticalprinciple,ifImaysocallit.Aheathenemperorthenreignedover Judea, an enemy to God and his cause. But still he ruled, andwieldedthescepter.Thecoinwhichborehisimagetestifiedofthis.TheLordcommandedthatitshouldbereturnedtohimtowhomitbelonged.Whatelsedidheintimatebysodoing,thanthatwhichwassubsequentlyenjoineduponusbyhis apostle inhisname, inRom. 13:1-3,whereweread,"Leteverysoulbesubjectunto thehigherpowers.For there is nopower but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whoever,therefore,resiststhepower,resiststheordinanceofGod;andthosewhoresist shall receive to themselves condemnation. For rulers are not aterrortogoodworks,buttotheevil.Willyou,then,notbeafraidofthepower?Do thatwhich is good, and you shall have praise of the same."Christ, therefore, is so far from favoring revolt, that he threatens withjudgmentallresistancetotheexistingauthorities,whatevertheymaybe,as though it were a rebellion against the majesty of God himself. Heenjoinsus, inhisword, to be "subject to ourmasterswith all fear, notonlytothegoodandgentle,butalsotothefroward."Ifatyrantrulesoverus, there isnoquestionas towhat isourduty,according toourmagnacharta, theHoly Scriptures. In the autocrat and the despotwe have torecognize a chastening rod raised against us by the hand of God, andquietly endure it,while calling tomind our sins. Even themost cryinginjustice, inflicted upon us by legitimate authority, does not absolve usfromthedutyofobediencetoit.Ifthegovernmentcommandsanythingcontrary to our consciences and the word of God, we may then offerpassive resistance, but nothing more. We refuse obedience with allreverence, and patiently endure the consequences of so doing for theLord'ssake.Theseprinciplesstandimmutablyfirm,asbeingthoseofthereligion of Christ. The Lord has proclaimed them, and, by his ownexample,hassethissealuponthem.

ThethirdandlastaccusationbroughtagainstJesusis,thathehadsaidofhimselfthathewas"Christ,aking."TheywishPilatetounderstandthisinapoliticalsense.Buthowfar theLordwas fromcausingor fosteringsuchanideaoftheobjectofhiscomingintotheworld,myreaderswellknow.TheJewsoftenattemptedby force tomakehimact thepartofaking; andwould have borne him on their hands, and loaded him with

homage and crowns of honor, as the liberator of his people from thedisgracefulyokeofforeigners.Butasoftenasheperceivedanymovementofthekind,heescaped fromthemultitude,andhidhimself.Andwhenhisowndisciplesexpressedsimilarsentimentsrespectingthekingdomhecametoestablish,heneverfailedtoreprovethemseverely,torectifytheirmistakes, and to impressupon them, again and again, the fact that hiskingdomcamenotwithoutwardobservation,butwaswithinthem.

The Jews also were well aware how far it had always been from hisintentiontofoundakingdomaccordingtotheirviews;andthiswastheverythingwhichirritatedthemaboveeverythingelse,andkindledtheiranimosity against him. Nevertheless their effrontery and mendacityextendsofar, thattheynowimputetohim,ashisdesireandaim,whattheyhadfruitlesslylaboredtoinducehimtoattempt.Theythusopenouttous anewview into the treachery and craftiness of the humanheart,andgiveevidencethattheyarewell-schooledandtutoredchildrenofthefatheroflies.

Youknow that the endeavor to stampChrist as anearthlykingdidnotexpire with the Jewish scribes and Pharisees. A Church exists, whichascribes it to the Lord, not in the way of accusation, but ofcommendation,thathisintentionwastofound"akingdomofthisworld."ItrepresentsChristashandingovertoPetertwoswords,emblematicalofspiritual and temporal power; and that from him they pass to hispretendedsuccessorsthepopes,astheheadoftheChurch,andasfaraskings and princes reign in the world, they bear the sword of authorityonly by commission from the Church, and as a fief of the latter. TheChurch is authorized, in case of their refusing the service claimed, towithdrawtheirpowerandauthorityfromthem,andtoabsolvethepeoplefromtheiroathofallegiance.ThisChurchdoesnotsaywiththeapostle,"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal;" but deems itself calledupon,bymeansofbothswords, toprotectandenlarge its territories. Ithasexcommunicationsandinterdictsforitsdisobedientchildren,andtheprison,andthescaffoldforheretics.Foritsowninterests,itdeclareswarandinstitutescrusades.TocelebratethebloodyeveofSt.Bartholomew,it ordersmedals to be struck; and the history of Otaheite tells us of amissionby themouthsof cannon.A single glance into theGospelswill

depriveusofeverydoubtwhetheritwastheintentionoftheSaviorthathis Church, the Bride of heaven, should be clothed in such attire. TheLordgiveshismessengersthesalutationofpeaceontheirway,andnotthe word of arbitrary power or excommunication. He girds them withmeekness and with ministering love, and not with severity andinquisitorialrigor.Hepointsouttheirworktothemas thatof thegoodSamaritan,andnotasoppressorsand inquisitors.Hecertainlyrequires"coals of fire" for his opponents, but only such as are heaped on theirheadsbypatienceandunweariedkindness. It isalsohiswill that thosewhoarewithoutshouldbecompelledtocomein,buthewillhavethemquietly sought for in thehighwaysandhedges, andbegreetedwith thepeacefulsalutation,"Come,forallthingsarenowready!"Healsodesiresthatthefallen,andsuchasaregoingastray,shouldberestoredfromtheerroroftheirways;butthatitbedoneinthespiritofmeekness.Besidesthis,herequiresfromhisfollowersthattheyshouldforgivethosewhosinagainst them,seventytimesseventimes,andsays inparticular to thosewhobearthepastoraloffice,"Youknowthattheprincesof theGentilesexercisedominionoverthem,andthosewhoaregreat,exerciseauthorityuponthem.But itshallnotbesoamongyou;butwhoeverwillbegreatamongyou,lethimbeyourservant."

ButascertainlyasChristdidnotcometoestablishanearthlykingdom;sosurelywillhisdominioneventuallyswallowupallthekingdomsoftheworld, and become itself an earthly empire. Yet will this not beaccomplished by means of any powerful overthrow or assault fromwithout: but by the inward operation and creative energy of the HolySpirit.ThepotentatesofthisworldwilldeposittheircrownsandsceptersinhomageatJesus'feet,inordertoreceivethembackconsecrated,andasafieffromthehandoftheKingofkings.Thepeople,enlightenedandreturned to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, will submit withdelight and affection to a government in which the gentle guidance oftheirPrinceofPeaceisaloneperceptible.Thelegislationwillhave,asitsbasis, thewordof the livingGod,andtheeconomyofthestatewillrestupon the foundation of the Gospel. The offerings, which the commonwealmayrequire,willbetenderedbytheimpulseofvoluntaryaffection,and the "swords will be turned into plowshares and the spears intopruning hooks." Daniel looked forward to this jubilee-period of the

kingdomofChrist,whenheexclaimed,"Butthekingdomanddominion,andthegreatnessofthekingdomunderthewholeheavenshallbegivento the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is aneverlastingkingdom,andalldominionshallserveandobeyhim."Inthesamemanner,ZechariahreferstothissubjugationofallworldlyempiretoChrist,whenhesignificantlypredictsthat"Inthatday,shall therebeuponthebellsofthehorses,'holinessuntotheLord,'andthepotsintheLord'shouseshallbelikethebowlsbeforethealtar."Thesongofpraiseforthisperiodoftriumphandfulfillment, liesalreadyinthearchivesofdivine revelation, and is as follows: "The kingdoms of this world arebecome the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ! and our Lordcomfortsuswiththeanticipationofthisperiod,whileteachingusdailytopray,inblissfulhope,"Yourkingdomcome!"

Wehave now been convinced,my readers, that nothing could bemoregroundless than were the accusations brought against our Lord beforePilate.Everyinvestigationwhichtookplaceterminatedonlyinhisgreaterglorification.We rejoice at this result; for you know howmuchwe arepersonally interested in his coming forth justified from every tribunal."Justandrightishe."Nodeceitwaseverfoundinhismouth,andhewasthepersonificationofeverymoralvirtue,andinthisrespect,hehas leftusanexample,thatweshouldfollowhissteps.

ChristaKing

LetusnowreturntotheMightyCaptive.Hesuffershimselftobejudged,inorderthathemaysubsequentlyinterfere,bothlegallyandeffectually,onourbehalf,whohadbecomeamenabletodivinejustice.Ineverystepofhispathof suffering,heproveshimself tobe themanwho "restoredwhathetooknotaway."Buthewouldnothavebeensuchamediatorif,eveninhisformofhumiliation,hehadnotbeenatthesametime,"higherthan the heavens." This his superhuman glory breaks forth victoriouslyon every occasion, through the obscurity of his lowliness, like the sunthroughtheveilofclouds.Norcanhesoentirelyrestrainitastopreventatleastafewglimmeringsofitfromconstantlyshiningforth.Thosewhoare the blindest, are aware of its reflection, and feel surprised. But the

sun's rays produce one effect upon a morass, and another on theslumberinggermsofawell-tilledfield.

To form a correct idea, however, of Pilate's state of mind, a differentfiguremustbefoundtoeitherofthosejustmentioned.Forwestillfindinhimadegreeofhumanityandofsusceptibilityforsomethingbetter.Heisnotthecold,shallow,worn-outmanoftheworld,towhichmanywoulddegrade him. God, indeed, will judge him, but not with the lukewarm,whodisgusthim,andwhom,liketheLaodiceans,hewillspueoutofhismouth.

Thegovernorafter listeningtotheaccusationsof thepriestsandrulers,returns thoughtfully into his palace, and commands Jesus to be againbrought before him. The sacred sufferer appears in silence in thechamberofhisjudge.ItisevidentthattheRomancannotavoidfeelingadegree of veneration for the wonderful man; and who is there can dootherwise?Eventherudestscoffersfeel,intheirconsciences,thestingoftheirattacksupontheLordJesus,andendeavor,bymeansofridicule,todrownthereprovingvoicewithinthemfortheirenmitytohim.

Pilatebeginshisexaminationbyasking,"AreyouthekingoftheJews?"Thisheseemstohaveutteredinamollifiedtone,inthefullexpectationof his saying in reply, "God forbid, that I should seek after such highthings!"Muchwouldhehavegiventohaveheardsuchadeclarationfromhis lips,partly, thathemighthavea legalground forofficiallyrejectingthe accusation of the malignant Jews, and partly in order, in an easymanner, to get rid of the Nazarene, of whose innocence he is fullypersuaded. Jesus, however, does not give the desired answer in thenegative;but,onthecontrary,heaffirmsit,afterrectifyingthefalseviewsofhiskingdom,withwhichthegovernorwasimbued.HebeginshisreplytoPilate'squestion,byaskinginreturn,"Sayyouthisthingofyourself,ordidotherstellityouofme?"Thesewordswerecalculatedtoremindthejudgeofhisduty,nottoenterfurtheruponthingsmerelyofasuspiciousnature, which, like the charge brought forward by the Jews, bore thestampof falsehoodupon its front. "Of yourself," theSavior intended tosay, "you do not surely speak thus, since, being in possession ofintelligence respecting my conduct, you are doubtless sufficientlyconvinced of the absurdity of the Jewish accusation. But how does it

consistwiththedignityofyouroffice,thatyoucondescendtotreatsuchagroundlesscharge,insuchaseriousmanner?"

There isalsoaprofoundermeaning inourLord'swords,whichmaybeexpressedasfollows:"Isitofimportancetoyou—andsuchitoughttobe—toinquire,whether,andinwhatsenseIamaking;orwastheimpulsetoyourquestiongivenyouby the languageofothers?"HadPilatebeenabletoanswerthefirst intheaffirmative,thathourwouldhavebeentohimatimeofeternalsalvation.ButhisanswerwasnotofakindtoinducetheSaviortoinitiatehimmoredeeplyintothemysteriesofhiskingdom.

OurLord'squestionisstillputinacertainsensetoall.Itisofthehighestimportance,whetheras inquirers,weapproachthekingdomoftruthbyimpulse fromwithout,or froma feelingof inwardnecessity.Thousandsask,"WhoisChrist?"onlybecausetheywishtoknowwhetherthisorthatdivine teaches correctly and scripturally respecting him and his cause.People of this description may attain to a degree of mastery in theknowledge of divine things; but this kind of wisdom, howevercomprehensiveitmaybe,willneverproducepeaceandsalvation.Those,on the contrary, who approach the Lord and hisword from an inwardimpulse,andforthesakeoftheirsoul'swelfare,willbehold"theKinginhisBeauty,"andfindunsealedthemysteryofgodliness.

The governor has not whollymisunderstood the Lord's words, even intheirprofoundermeaning,andclearlyperceivesthatJesusseekstomakean impressionuponhim,and to incitehimtobeseriouswithregardtothequestionconcerninghiskingdom.ButscarcelydoesheperceiveourLord's intention than he adroitly evades it, and says, with a degree ofharshness,whichmakesitclearlyappearthatheisstrugglingagainsttheideaofcomingintoclosercontactwiththemysteriouspersonagebeforehim,"AmIaJew?Yourownnationandthechiefpriestshavedeliveredyou untome.What has you done?"We see how purposely he tries toliberate himself from him, as though he feared lest the awe-inspiringinfluence which the deportment of Jesus exercised over him, mightbecome stronger, and in the endoverpowering. "AmI a Jew?"heasks,andtherebymeanstosay,"CanyouexpectmetohaveanyregardtothequestionwhetheryouarereallythepromisedMessiahornot?WhathavewecitizensofRometodowiththehopesoftheJews?"

ObserveherehowPilate is the inventorof theoften-repeatedartificeofinfidels—that of regarding both the Old and New Testament only asOriental literature.TheyareanxioustodiscusstheirestrangementfromChristianityonthegroundwhichPilatetakes,ofnotbeingaJew.Itisacurrent saying with such people, "Every nation has its own sphere ofreligiousideas;andhencewhatrespondstothepeculiarityofonenation,isnot,onthataccount,forall."Theprophets—no,eventheLordhimselfandhisapostles,aretreatedjustlikethesagesofGrecianantiquity,ortheSaphis of Persia, and the Brahmins of India. There, as here, meninvestigateunderthepretenseofretainingwhatisgood.Buttheideaofbelongingtoanyparticularreligion,likethatofPalestine,asifitweretheuniversal religion, they reject. What blindness! Is the sun a particularlight,andofnousetothenorth,becauseitrisesintheeast?

OurLordeasilyperceiveshow little inclined thegovernor is to lendhisear to deeper explanations, and, therefore, he confines himself to theplacing thechargemadeby theJews in itsproper light."Mykingdom,"says he, "is not of this world. If my kingdomwere of this world, thenwouldmyservantsfight,thatIshouldnotbedeliveredtotheJews;butnowismykingdomnot fromhence."Howsimple,andyethowstrikingare these words! How they overthrow the absurd accusation that hisintentionwas to subvert the government! But do not leave unobservedhowcarefullyheselectshiswords,whilethusdefendinghimself, lestheshould infringe upon the truth even by a mere omission. He does notdeny that he came to establish a kingdom, and expressly calls it hiskingdom;heonlyrepelsthegroundlesssuspicionofhishavingintendedtooverturntheexistingauthorities,andtoestablishanewpoliticalstate."Had this beenmy intention," says he, "then wouldmy servants fight,that I should not be delivered to the Jews."He does not, however, saythat his kingdommakes no claim eventually to the government of thewhole world, or he would have denied more than was consistent withtruth.Heonlyassertsthathiskingdomwasnotofthisworld,andclearlyintimates,by laying theemphasisontheword"this," thatanotheraeonthanthepresentwouldcertainlyseehisdelegatesseatedonthethrones,andhiswordandGospelthemagnachartaofallnations.Itisparticularlyto be observed that in the sentence, "Now is my kingdom not from

hence,"theword"now,"evidentlyreferstoaperiodinwhichhiskingdomshouldoccupyaverydifferentpositionthanitdidatthattime.

Pilate listenswithastonishmentandwithadegreeofuneasinesstoourLord's speech, and then affected by a reverential impressionrespectingthepersonoftheaccused,hesays,"Areyouakingthen?"Onemighthavethoughthewouldhavesaid,"Iclearlyseethatyouarenotaking."Butitwouldappear that the ideabecame increasingly strong inhim that thisJesuswasreallyaking,althoughinadifferentsensefromwhattheJewsdeclaredhepretendedtobe.Butthecaseissimilarwithregardtomanyinthepresentday.Thesepeoplearestillcapableofaslightconsciousnessofasuperiornature,andofanelevationofspirit intotheregionsabovethesenses,althoughtheycontinueintheirunbelief,andareneverclearintheirownmindsaboutthepersonofChrist.Thoughtheyweretosayahundred times,with apparent conviction, that Jesus was nothingmorethanaman,yetitonlyrequiresthattheGospel,withitssacredimagery,beonceexpandedbefore them,andtheyareno longerable toutter thewordswiththesameconfidence.Anobscurefeelingwhichpervadestheirmindsobjectstoit;andinthebottomoftheirsoulthequestionofPilateagainisheard,"Areyouakingthen?"Andwhen,notwithstanding, theytry to defend the bulwark of their unbelief, nothing is left thembut byconstrainttobeliethevoiceoftruthwithinthem,whichthousands,alas!do,becausearecognitionofChristasakingwouldcostthemthedelighttheyexperienceintheserviceoftheworldandsin.

Iherecalltomindawell-knownlearnedmanofSaxony,whoafterhavingall his life long attacked Jesus and his Gospel with all the weapons ofsophistry, was in his old days partially deprived of his reason, chieflythroughthefearofdeath,andfrequentlyfellintoreligiousparoxysmsofapeculiar nature.Hewas almost daily observed conversing with himselfwhile pacing to and fro in his chamber, on one of the walls of which,between other pictures, hung one of the Savior. Repeatedly he haltedbeforethelatter,andsaidtoit,inahorrifyingtoneofvoice,"Afterall,youwereonlyaman!"Then,afterashortpause,hewouldcontinue,"What,were you more than a man? Ought I to worship you? No, I will notworship you, for you are only Rabbi Jesus, Joseph's son of Nazareth."Uttering these words, he would turn his back upon the picture; but

immediately afterward he would return with a deeply affectedcountenance, and exclaim, "What do you say?—That you come fromabove?Howterriblyyoueyeme!Oyouaredreadful!But—youareonlyaman after all." Then he would again rush away, but soon return withfalteringstep, cryingout, "What,areyou in reality theSonofGod?" Inthis way the same scenes were daily renewed, until the unhappyman,struckbyparalysis,droppeddowndead,andthenreallystoodbeforehisJudge, who, even in his picture, had so strikingly and overpoweringlyjudged him. Tradition relates also, respecting the man whom we haveheard asking, under such peculiar excitement, "Are you a king then?"that, being exiled, he died as a lunatic at Lyons. Be that as it may, itremains true that there is nothingmore dangerous than obstinately toresisttheSpiritofTruthwhenheperformshiswitnessing,warning,andreprovingofficeinus.

WhatanswerdoestheLordJesusmaketoPilate'squestion?"Yousayit,Iam a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into theworld,thatIshouldbearwitnessuntothetruth.Everyonethatisofthetruth hears my voice." He is, therefore, a king. He boldly asserts ithimself.Notforamomentdidtheshameandsufferinghewasenduringsucceedinobscuringinhimtheconsciousnessofhissuperhumandignityandmajesty.MayyouwhoareourbrethrenintheLord,inthemidstoftheweaknessoftheflesh,andthevariousafflictionsthroughwhichyouhavetopass,neverwhollylosethedivineconsciousnessofyouradoption.Christ is a king; you are, therefore, not in errorwhowearhis uniform,and have trusted your life and destiny to his hands. You are perfectlyjustified, not only in speaking of Christ's kingdom, but also in biddingadieu to the last doubt of its final victory and eventual sway over theworld, althoughhis kingdom isnot of thisworld, or, as hemajesticallyexpresseshimself,likeonelookingdownfromtheheightsofheavenupontheearth, "Now ismykingdomnot fromhence"—that is,hasnoearthyorigin.

Christ is a king. "To this end," says he, "was I born, and for this causecame I into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth." Twoobjects are mentioned here; the first has reference to his royalty, bywhichheassertsthathewasnoadventurer,butwasbornaking,suchas

thewisemenfromtheeastcorrectlyhonoredwhentheyhailedhimasthenew-born king of the Jews. The second has reference to his bearingwitness.Inthewords,"Iwasborn,"heindicateshisincarnation.But,lestPilate, or anyone else, should erroneously suppose that Jesus includedhiswholeorigininthesewords,headds,"Icameintotheworld;"therebyintimatinghisheavenlydescent,andhisexistencebeforeheappearedinthe flesh—yes, before the world was. We ought highly to esteem suchtestimoniesofhiseternalanddivinenaturefromhisownlips.Theirvalueisincreasedinanagelikethepresentwhichissofullofskepticism,andwhichsoboldlydarestostamptheLordChristasamereman.Hadthisreally been the case, there would at once be an end of the Christianreligion,andnothingwouldbeleftusbuttocloseourchurchesandburyallourhopes;becausethelatterrestwhollyonthedivinityofJesusChristas upon their essential basis. Let us, therefore, cleave firmly to thisdoctrine, seeing that it is clearly and fully asserted in the sacredScriptures,especiallyata timewhen, touse the languageof theapostlePeter, there are many "false teachers who privily bring in damnableheresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring uponthemselvesswiftdestruction."

It is pleasing to observe how the Lord, out of consideration for thegovernor, imperceptibly leads him from his kingly office to thecircumstance of his bearing witness, and to the truth as its object. Hehopes, by so doing, to touch the string which would be the first toreverberateatthesoundoftheGospel.ThepervertedRomanwasalsoaninquireraftertruth,forthisquestionbelongedtotheGreciansubjectsofstudywhich theRomans had also taken up, although in other respectsmore intent upon war than any other pursuit. A seeking after truthbelongstohumannature, and is accustomed tobe the last featureof itthatperishes.Someonewellobserveshere,that"JesuslaysholdofPlatebytheonlytopicbywhichhecouldmakean impressiononhim."ThuscarefullydoestheLordproceedintheexerciseofhispastoraloffice,whiletakingintoaccounttheparticularinwardstateofeveryindividualwhomhestrivestosave.

Christ, however, did not come into the world to join himself to theseekersaftertruthastheirconfederate,butrathertoleadthemontothe

aimtheywereinsearchof,andthusbringthemtotheSabbathofrepose.He did not come, as some think, to bring down truth from heaven toearth,but,ashehimselfsays,"tobearwitnessofthetruth."Truthalreadyexisted, interwoven in the history of Israel, and clothed in the inspiredlanguageofMosesandtheProphets.Christonlyborewitness to it,andconfirmed it in the most comprehensive manner, accomplishingprophecyinhimself,andpresenting,inhisownperson,therealizationofthe law's fulfillment. In hiswhole conduct he exhibits to theworld thedivineoriginofthelaw,and,intheeventsofhislife,thatofprophecy.Heborewitnessof the truth, inasmuchas inhisownperson,whilecastingdownallthatisfalse,hewasabletodisplayit,inallitssplendor,inthefaceofheaven,earth,andhell.Hewho lookeduponJesus, if theeyeofhismindwerenotentirelyblinded,sawinhimtheactualsolutionofthemost important questions which can arise in themind of man. He nolongerneededtobetoldwhatwastoberegarded,held,andbelievedofGod and the world, heaven and earth, virtue and sin, and of man'svocation and his future state.He knew it all, and thatwith the utmostcertainty.

ButhowwasitthattheLord,whoneverabruptlypassedfromoneideatoanother, connected his witnessing for the truth with his kingdom anddominion?Did hemean to say that his kingdomwas only a sphere oftuition, and he in so far only a king, as he was able to reign over themindsofmenbyhisteaching?Bynomeans.Wehavealreadyobservedthathewasfarfromplacinghisregalpoweranddignityinthefactofhisbearingwitnesstothetruth.Hedoesnotbearsuchwitnessasaking,butas a prophet; and points out the way in which he will establish hiskingdom,whichheintimatesinthewords,"Hewhoisofthetruthhearsmyvoice."Yes,thosewhohearhisvoicearethecitizensofhiskingdom.

The expression, "every one that is of the truth," betokens an inwardpreparationforconversion,whichnoone,however,experienceswithouttheoperationof"preventinggrace."Nooneisbynatureofthetruth;butallmen,astheScripturessay,are liars,sincethey lovedarkness,ratherthan light, because the light reproves them for their sins, and disturbstheir repose; and because they press error to their bosoms, and shutthemselvesupagainsttheentranceoftruth,whichmenacestheirsensual

pleasureswithdanger,andurgesthemtoalifeofself-denial.Thus,asStPaulonceexpressed it, they"hold the truth inunrighteousness."ButassoonastheSpirit,which,likethewind,blowswhereitwills,gainsroom,theloveofdelusiongiveswaytotheardentdesiretobefreedfromit,andstudiousself-deceptiontothewillingnessto"proveallthings,andtoholdfastthatwhichisgood."Beforethehonest,seriousinquiryaftertruthandpeace,thevisionaryformsofthosefalseideasvanish,towhichthepoorsoul had been previously attached. But when, by the operation of theSpirit of God, we have attained to this simplicity of heart, we becomejoinedtothosewhoareofthetruth.Then,iftheDivineTeacheruttershisvoice,howdoesour inmostsoulecho to thesoundofhis lightand life-givingwords. If he then says, "Come untome, you that areweary andheavyladen,"howgladlydoweacceptthegraciousinvitation!Ifhethenunveilshisgloryandbeauty,howdoourlongingsoulsrushintohisarmsrejoicing! If he then displays the standard of his cross, how dowe nothastentoit,tobuildtabernaclesunderitspeacefulshadow!

Omydearreaders,wereyouallofthetruth,whatablessedthingitwouldbetowritetoandaddressyou,andwhatanincreasewouldthekingdomofGodamongushavetorejoiceover!ThencouldIsaywithhisbeloveddisciple, inwriting to "the elect lady," "I rejoiced greatlywhen I foundcertainofyourchildrenwalkinginthetruth;"andtohisbelovedGaius,"Ihavenogreaterjoythantohearthatmychildrenwalkinthetruth."ButithappenstothousandsasitdidtopoorPilate,whoseearwasbeginningtoopentodivinetruth,butwassoonclosedagainbytheobjectionsofcarnalreasonandthepredominatinginfluenceoftemporalthings.Therefore,letusnotcease,dearreaders,tocallupontheKingofTruthtodoviolencetous,andnotleaveusuntilhehasattunedthechordsofoursoulinsuchamanner that his word may find a full and abiding echo in us. Let usentreat, above all things, the hearing ear, the understanding, believing,child-like,andsimpleheart,andpleadhisgraciouspromisetoguidethemeekinjudgment,andtoteachthehumblehisway.

"WhatisTruth?"

In the whole of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, with the

exceptionofthewordsprefixedtoourpresentmeditation,wedonotfinda single passage which sounds anything like the complaining inquirywhich so often reaches our ears: "Whowill give us light, and solve thedarkproblemofhumanlife?"Onthecontraryweeverywheremeetwiththepresupposed fact that truthhasnot first to be sought, buthas longsincebeenbestoweduponman.Thedifferentrelationsinwhichthepiousand the impious stand to it are not those of belief and doubt, but of awilling submission and a wicked resistance to it. The words in Deut.29:29—"ThesecretthingsbelonguntotheLordourGod,butthosethingswhichare revealed belong unto us and to our children forever,"—standimmutablyfirmforall.HewhowouldrenderitdubiouswhetherGodhadeverspokentothesojournersupontheearth,wouldhaveseemedtotheIsraeliteslikeonewhoshoulddoubtatnoon-daywhetherthesunstoodin the skies. The complaint of a want of certainty with respect to thatwhich is above the senses is a folly of modern date, and a relic ofheathenism. It is a question long since infallibly answered, both asregards the origin and object of created things, and the calling anddestinyofthehumanrace;andthecheeringfactthatitissoistestifiedbythewords ofMoseswe quoted above. Those things which are revealedbelonguntousandourchildrenforever.Butwhen,bytheHolySpirit,hestates,that"thesecretthingsbelonguntotheLordourGod,"heintendsweshouldunderstandthatthetruthisonlyrevealedtoustotheextentofourcapacities,andasfarasisnecessaryforoursalvation.Thisconvictiongreatly tranquilizes us, in the face of somany unsolved enigmaswhichmeet us in the doctrines of faith which are preached to us.When, forinstance, our attention is directed to the doctrine of God's eternalexistence,of theTrinity, thecreationof theworld, the fallof theangelsandofman, the twofoldnature inChrist, the finalconsummationofallthings, etc., we rack our reason in vain, and our hearts andminds aredistressed by their incomprehensibility, we ought then to say, in thewordsofrevelation,"SecretthingsbelongtotheLordourGod."Hehasonly partially revealed these things to us, but that which we do knowabundantlysufficesfortheattainmentofthegreatobjectofoursalvation.We knownow in partwhatwe shall hereafter knowperfectly. For thatperiodwepatientlywait,andfeelassured,thatwhenitshallhavedawnedupon us with its all-pervading and enlightening radiance, doubt anddarkness will be forever dispelled, and give place to never-ending and

admiringadoration.

These brief observations may serve as an introduction to our presentmeditation, by which may the Lord be pleased to establish us in theconvictionthatHehimselfistheTruth,aswellastheWayandtheLife!

"He who is of the truth," said our Lord at the conclusion of his reply,"hearsmyvoice."Pilatethensaiduntohim,"Whatistruth?"Somehavefoundinthesewordsagentlesneer;otherstheexpressionofacompleteindifference to religion. But neither of these explanations fully accordwiththeman'scharacter.Thewordsaremoreprofoundand important.Theyshedlightuponanentireage,andupontheinmoststateofmindofthousandsofitschildren.

We have already observed that Pilate lived in days which might bedesignated as those of themature education of mankind, so far as weunderstandby that expression, intellectual andmoral culture, towhichthechildrenofAdam,lefttothemselvesandbytheexerciseoftheirownnaturalpowersandabilitiesareabletoattain.Notonlyhadarereachedits highest perfection, but philosophy was also at the summit of itsboldestinvestigations;andeventothepresentdayweadmirethesystemswhich, by the effort of highly gifted reasoning powers, they called intoexistence.Butstilltherewasnosatisfactorybasisforthemtorestupon.Althoughthehumanmindhadbroughttolightmuchthatwasprobable,yet anything certain and infallible was sought for in vain. Even thegreatestofallthesagesofantiquityconfessedthatonlyifaGodweretodescendfromheavenwoulditbepossibleformentoattaintothatwhichwassure.No,thesayingbecamecommon-place,thatonlyonethingwascertain,whichwas,thatwecouldknownothingofthingsabovethereachofthesenses,andeventhiswasnotentirelycertain.

Such were the views which first gave rise in Greece to that frivolousphilosophyoflifewhich,renouncingeverythingofasuperiorandsuper-sensiblenature,placedthewholedestinyofmanintheenjoymentofthisworldanditspleasures,andwhich,inashorttime,withallitsattendantexcesses and vices, became the religion of the great mass of thepopulation. In the Roman empire, a certain moral discipline waspreserved somewhat longer than in Greece. But after the Romans had

subjugated the latter to their sway, those who had thus become theirsubjects,soaredabovetheirconquerorsinanintellectualandsocialpointofview,andbequeathedtothem,alongwiththeirunbelief,theirfrivolityandtheirsins.Inthehighercircles,thetraditionalbeliefinanumberofdeitieswasnotonlylaidaside,butridiculedasworthlessandvisionary;andthusthecelebratedRomanorator,Cicero,madehimselfsureoftheapplauseofhishearers,when,addressinganassemblyofthepeople,healludedtothepunishmentsofthelowerworldonlyinanironicalmanner.Scarcely any one any longer believed in Orcus, and its shades andhorrors; and just as little faith did they place in the systems of thephilosophers.Inshort,theybelievednothing;yetstillthenegationoftheheadwasbynomeansabletosilencethecryforlightandpeacefromtheheartsofthousands.

Pilatestandsbeforeusasthetruerepresentativeofthesocialcultureofhis age. Though we must not take it for granted that he ever deeplystudied the various systems of philosophy, yet, like others of his ownrank, he was doubtless acquainted with the essential results ofphilosophical investigation, while to the literature of his age he wasdoubtless no stranger. This man's path through life brought him intocontactwith the Lord from heaven, and thus placed him in a spiritualatmosphere, in which feelings and presentiments again awoke in himwhich seemed to have been long stifled by the breath of the frivolouscultureoftheage,whichhehadimbibedwithhismother'smilk.Christ,whose very appearance produced a strange effect upon this heathen,speakstohimofanotherworld,ofaheavenlykingdom,andfinallyofatruthwhich had appeared, andwhich, therefore,might be really foundandknown.Pilate thenbreaksout into theremarkablewords, "What istruth?"Thepolishedheathenof that age, andoneof thebetter kindofthem,displaystousbythisquestionhisinwardstate.Somethingoffree-thinkingfrivolitycertainlystrikesusinthisquestionontheoutset,whichcauses the inquirer tosmile,notonlyat thepopularbelief in idols,but,generally speaking, in everything which had reference to the sphere ofreligious ideas, as nothing but childish dreams and fantastic delusions."Whatistruth?"wasatthattimethelanguageofthousands:"Thatwhichwe seewith our eyes, and feelwith ourhands, is the only thing that iscertainunderheaven.Nomortaleyeseesbeyondthelimitsoftheregion

ofthesenses;andthoughthepleaofapoeticimaginationmaybeabletosatisfythoseupononestageoflifeandculture,itcannotsatisfyall."

InPilate'squestion,wemayfurtherperceivetheskepticalphilosopherofrank,whoisnotonlyawarethattheresearchesofhumanthoughtleadtothemostdiversifiedandoppositeresults;butwhoalsocherishestheideathathehashimselfreflectedandruminateduponthelaborsofthewiseofthisworld,andthatbyhisownreasoninguponthem,hehasarrivedattheconvictionthatnothingcanbeknownorascertainedofthingswhichlie beyond the bounds of visibility. "What is truth?" he exclaims—"Onemancallsthistruth,anotherthat,whichisperhapsevensomethingquitethe opposite. Systems rise and fall. Themanwho seeks for truth, sailsuponaseawithoutahavenoralanding-place."

In Pilate's question is also apparent the boundless pride of theRomancitizen, who, as respects enlightenment and culture, thinks himself farabovealltheothernationsoftheearth,andtheJewsinparticular.Pilateuttershis inquirywithadegreeof inward, thoughtransientexcitement,as ifhewouldsay, "You,aHebrewrabbi,will surelynot think that I, aRomanpatrician,amgoingtoseekinstructionfromyou?"ThepervadingtoneofPilate'squestionis,however,ofabetterkind,andisonlyslightlytingedwith thediscordshithertomentioned. Itbreathesofmelancholy,dejection,andeventhesilentdespairofaheart,which,withthebeliefintheexistenceofaworldabovethestars,cannotthrowawaythewishandthe feeling of necessity for such a world. The soul of Pilate finds itselfunhappyanddesolateinthedrearywasteofabsoluteunbelief,intowhichitisbanished.

Were we to elucidate the governor's question, and explain it asproceedingfromtheinmostrecessesofhissoul,itwouldprobablyimplywhatfollows:"Youspeakoftruth,alas!Truthwasnevergiventoapoormortaltobethecompanionofhissteps.Weinquireafterit,butecho,asifinridiculeofouranxiousdesire,onlyreturnsourquestionbacktous.Weplanttheladderofinvestigatingcogitation,butitsstepsonlyleadusinto impenetrable mists. Not a single truth has rewarded the manythousand years' research of philosophic thought, and yet you, Man ofNazareth,speakoftruth,asofaresidentonthegloomyearth!Deathhasbeen silent from the first; the gravebelow is silent, aswell as the stars

above;anddoyouwishtoberegardedashavingloosedtheirtonguesandunsealedtheirmysteries?"InPilatetherewasdoubtlesssomethingoftheproudphilosopher,somethingofworn-outindifference,somethingoftheprofessed skeptic, something of the frivolous free-thinker and scoffer,andsomethingofthehasty,jealous,andhaughtyblusterer,who,withhisinquiry, "What is truth?"alsomeant to say, "Howcouldyouventure totroublemewithyourJewishmatterof faith,whohavethingsofgreaterimportance to think of?" But still there is something beside this—somethingbetterandnobler—anunpervertedinquiringmind—alongingfor deliverance, but bound down, alas! by the impure and gloomyelements,whichenthrallhim,sothathecannotactatliberty.

AsoftenasthisquestionofPilate'soccurstome,itappearstomeasifithadnotbeenaskedeighteencenturiesago,butasifutteredinthepresentday—no, it even seems to sound in my ears as proceeding from myimmediatevicinity.Itstrikinglyindicatesmanyphilosophersofourowntimes, and the so-called "height,"whichmodern intellectualrefinementhasreached;onlythatthequestion,inthemouthsofourcontemporaries,soundsinfinitelymoreculpablethanfromthelipsoftheRoman,whoseeyeshadnotseenwhatwehave;foratthattimeJesuswasnotglorified,nor his Spirit poured out from on high, nor the world subdued by thepreachingoftheGospel,northewondrousedificeoftheChurchofChristestablished.Butafterallthishastakenplace,foramantostepbackagaintothepositionofPilate,amereheathen,issomethingnolongerhumanbut devilish. An infernal spark now burns in skepticism; and thedubiousnessof theRoman, comparedwith theunbelief of ourbaptizedheathens,isalmostlikeaninnocentlambcontrastedwithawilyserpent.Unbelief is now no longer the blind bantling of a heart ensnared, anddeludedbythespiritofthisworld;butthelight-shunningoffspringofawickedandrebelliouswill.We feeladegreeofpityandcompassion forPilate,butforinfidelsofthepresentday,nothingisleftthembutthefateofthosewhorefusetocometoChrist,thattheymayhavelife,towhomisreserved"theblacknessofdarknessforever."

"Whatistruth?"Itissoonfound,whenearnestlysought.Therearemany,who inquire respecting certain truths, but studiously turn their backsuponthetruthoftheGospel,whereveritmeetsthem.Theywouldbeglad

toseesolvedanumberofproblemsinnatureandinhumanlife;butalltheir research is amere effort of the imagination, and the interest theytakeinitonlyvaincuriosity.Theytakepartindiscussionsrespectingthecreationof theworld,existenceafterdeath,and thekindof life beyondthegrave.ButtheyshunthetruthasitisinJesus,andseekinavarietyofwaystoavoidandevadeit.Doyoustillaskiftruthreallyexists?Itellyou,itisinyourheartandinyourmouth,andyourhandslayholdofit.Arenotthesetruths, thatyouexist, thatyoubear indelibly inyourbosomaconsciousness of a higher destiny, but that you are a sinful being,removed far fromyour legitimate aim, and find, in your soul,nopeacewhich can stand the test? Further, that eighteen hundred years ago, amanappeareduponearth,whomnoonecouldconvictofanyothercrimethanthatofcallinghimself"theTruth;"andofhavingannouncedhimselfas the Messiah, who should eventually subdue the whole world to hisspiritual scepter; and that you, with all your boasted liberty andindependence,arenowexperiencingtheconsequencesof the fact thatalong time ago, at a great distance, in a despicable corner of the earth,yonder despised rabbi of an inconsiderable nation,was executed like aslave; and that onhis account, your destinies, in all their relations, areentirelychanged fromwhat theywouldotherwisehavebeen—all this isbeyondadoubt;andisnotthis,therefore,thetruth?

Followtheclueofwhatyounowacknowledgeassoirrefutable;andyouwillsoonbecomeconsciousthatmankindisguidedbyanall-overrulingpower,andwillthenbeabletoswearthataGod,whoisloveitself,mustinevitablyhaverevealedhimself tohispoordyingcreatures.And itwillnotbe longbefore youwill behold these revelationsbeaming in a clearlightfromthewritingsofMosesandtheprophets.TruthmeetsyouinthenomadictentsofthepatriarchsofIsrael,aswellasintheencampmentsofthepeopleofGod,whenwanderinginthewilderness.Itspeakstoyouin a voice of thunder fromMountSinai, and in gentler tones, from thehillsandvalleysofCanaan.YouhearhervoiceonBethlehem'splains,intheharmoniouspsalmsofthe"sweetsingerofIsrael;"anditgreetsyouinthehallsofthetemple,insignificanttypesandmysterioushieroglyphics.You approach Jehovah's seers, and your astonished eye looks up to abrilliant starry skies.Theyare thoughtsof truth,which shineuponyouwithsuchsupernaturalradiance.Ledbythehandoftheseholyseers,you

go forward,andaregreetedat lengthby theTruth inperson. "IamtheTruth," saysone, everythingaboutwhom,pointshimout asmore thanhuman; and all who long for the light, are heard exclaiming, "You areHe!"Thatabovethecloudstherereignsasupremegovernoroftheworld—whothisGodis—whatishiswillwithrespecttohiscreatures—forwhatpurposemanwascreated—what ishishighcallingandtruedestiny—allthis is revealed to you, beyond contradiction, in Jesus Christ. In hismanifestation,thedepthsofDeity,thecounselsofeternallove,theabyssof divine mercy, the secrets of life and death, of heaven and hell areunfolded.Toeveryquestion—beitrespectingtheessenceandmarrowofthedivinelaw,thenatureoftruevirtueandholiness,themodelofhumannature, orwhatever itmay be—he is himself the decisive and personalreply.Andwhenhe speaksand acts, the spirits of doubt, delusion, andfalsehoodfleeaway,andlight,certainty,andconfidenceapproachuswiththeirheavenlysalutationof"Peacebewithyou!"

ThenletthequestionofPilate,"Whatistruth?"nolongerbehearduponearth.Itcannowonlybeaskedbyimbecilityorobstinateself-deceptionanddiabolicalhatredofthelight.Truthhasmadeitsentryintotheworld,anddwellsconfidinglyamongus,accessibletoallwhosincerelyseekit.Aphilosophy that acts as if itmust first bringup truth from thedeep, orfetch it down from heaven, will be punished for its base ingratitudetoward theGodofgrace,bybeing left togropeeternally in thedark, tograsp at shadows, and never to reach the end of its fruitlessinvestigations.Thetrueobjectofphilosophynowwouldbetofathomandexhaust the inmost consciousness of the human spirit, and, free fromprejudice,totrytheeffectuponitsindeliblenecessitiesofthetruthwhichhas appeared inChrist. If thisweredone, itwould soonmoor its bark,after its long aberrations, on the shores of Mount Zion, and joyfullyexclaim,"Ihave foundwhat I sought, Ihavereachedmygoal."Allwhoseriouslyandsincerelyinquirefortruthwillinevitablyland,atlast,inthehaven of the Gospel. Hence the Savior was able, with the greatestconfidencetosay"Hewhoisofthetruth,hearsmyvoice."

Letusthankandpraisetheall-sufficientGodfortheunspeakablegifthehasbestoweduponus."Behold, thenight is farspent,and theday isathand."Thepropheticcallto"Ariseandshineforyourlightiscome,"has

long been fulfilled. May the admonition which that call includes beresponded to by us, and its promise be experienced! Let us cheerfullymakeroom,inourheartsandminds,fortheTruth,whichstandsatourdoor,andletuswalkaschildrenof the light.Heis theTruth,whoisatthe same time theWay and the Life. Let us cast the viperous brood ofdoubtsbeneathhisfeet,thathemaytrampleuponthem,andmakehimourallinall,forlife,death,andeternity.

TheLambofGod

After his first conversationwith Jesus, Pilate again comes forward intothe open court before the people, bringing the accused with him. Thegovernor's inwardstate isno longerunknowntous.Weareacquaintedwithhimas aman inwhomall susceptibility for truegreatnessof soulwasbynomeansextinguished.Asilentadmirationof theextraordinarypersonagewho stood before him, pervaded thewhole of the procedurerespectinghim.Thewordsheuttered, thesilenceheobserved,his look,and his whole bearing, his humility, and then again his sublimecomposure,his lamb-likepatience, andundisturbed self-possession—allthismadeapowerfulimpressionuponPilate;andifhehadgivenventtothat which passed fleetingly through his mind, he would, at leastmomentarily,haveexpressedsomethingsimilartothetestimonygivenbythe apostle John, "We beheld his glory, a glory as of the only-begottenSon of God, full of grace and truth." Yes, even Pilate bore within hisbosomamirrorforthebeautyoftheLordfromheaven,onlyitwas,alas!anicymirror,overwhichthewarmtearsofpenitencehadneverflowed.Where the latterarewanting, themirrorof thesouldoesnotretaintherays of the Divine Morning Star, and receives its image at least butpartially.Still,thedignityofImmanuelshonetoopowerfullyintothesouloftheRomantoleavehimatlibertytoacttowardhimashepleased.Toacertainextent,hehadbeeninwardlyovercomebyhim.Heiscompelledto absolve him from all criminality. He cannot avoid feeling a secretreverence for him, and as often as he is inclined to giveway to selfishsuggestionswith regard to Jesus, he is condemned and warned by thevoiceoftruth,whichspeakswithinhim,andisevenconstrainedtoactasthe intercessor and advocate of the JustOne.Whatmajestymust have

shonearoundtheLambofGod,evenwhilesufferingandignominyrolledover his head, like the billows of the ocean, and with what wondrousradiancemusttheSonofRighteousnesshavebrokenthroughthecloudsof such deep humiliation, as to be able to constrain even a worldly-mindedepicureantosuchafeelingofrespect!

AswasthecasewithPilate,sowoulditbewithmanyoflikesentimentsinthepresentday, if theywere to come into similar contactwith Jesus. Ihave those inviewwhohave long forsaken thewordand theChurchofGod,andintoxicatedwiththeinebriatingdraughtofthespiritoftheage,have given up Christianity as no longer tenable, and have renouncedChristhimselfwithoutpreviousexamination,asthoughheweremerelyaJewish rabbi, fallible like all other mortals. Far be it from meunconditionally to cast such people away. They are not all of them sowholly immersed in worldliness as to be entirely incapable of a noblerelevation ofmind and feeling. They are only partially acquainted withhim whom they have renounced, and in him condemn a personageentirelyastrangertothem.O,iftheycouldonlyonceresolvetoapproachnearertohimbyanimpartialstudyoftheGospelhistory,andthatofhisChurchinitsvictoriousprogressthroughtheworld,Iampersuadedthatthey would soon find it impossible to continue indifferent to him infuture, no, that before they were aware, they would feel constrainedeithertodohomagetoJesus,andtogivethemselvesuptohimwithalltheirhearts,orelsethattheywouldhatehim,asOnewhoseclaimtoruleoveruswecannotgainsay,buttowhosescepterwerefusetobow.

Pilatefranklysaystothechiefpriestsandallthepeople,"Ifindnofaultin this man;" thereby confirming the words of the apostle Peter,accordingtowhichwe"arenotredeemedwithcorruptiblethings,suchassilver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lambwithout blemish and without spot." It certainly manifests greatshallowness of thought and deficiency of judgment to say, that he onlyfindsnofaultinJesus.WhenthelattertestifiedthathewastheSonoftheliving God, and the King of the kingdom of heaven, he was guilty of agreat crime, if his assertions were false, and these lofty titles onlyassumed.Butifhewascorrectinutteringsuchexaltedthingsrespectinghimself,howwas it that thegovernorhadnothingbetter tosay forhim

than the meager testimony that he acknowledged him only to beguiltless? But even this assurance we gladly receive, and regard withemotionthemanwhoissofavorablyinclinedtowardtheaccused,andsopowerfully affected by his innocence and moral unblameableness.Doubtless, after this testimony in his favor, Pilate would gladly haveliberatedhim;but theJews, theemperor,hisposition, andmanyothercauses,preventhimfromdoingso.Oh,whenitisonlytheconvictionofthe understanding, or even a natural presentiment, in place of a heartburdenedwiththeguiltofsin,whichconnectsuswithJesus—theLord,whenitcomestothepoint,willneverfindanadvocateorintercessorwhocanbereliedon.SuchanonedoesnotcountallthingsbutlossforChrist.Forconscience'sakehewouldwillinglystandinthebreachforhimwithallboldness;butworldlyhonor,humanfavor,domesticandsocialpeace,and the like, exercise over him amuchmore potent and overpoweringinfluence.Farbeitfrommetoactthepartofajudge;butIamseriouslyafraidthatamongthenumberofbelieversinthepresentday,manymaybe found whose faith is only like that of Pilate. But this species ofreverence forJesus,howevermuchofwhat is trueandbeautiful itmaycontain,willbefoundonthegreatsiftingdayonlyamongthechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway.

PilatehavingutteredhisinmostconvictionoftheinnocenceofJesus,thechief priests, not a little enraged at their defeats foam out freshaccusationsagainst theRighteousOne. "Theyare themore fierce," saysthenarrative.Theypouroutafloodofrageandfuryuponhim,andnowthesayingoftheprophetIsaiahwasfulfilled:"Hewasoppressed,andhewasafflicted,yet,likealamb,heopenednothismouth."

The most significant and remarkable type introduced into the divineordinances, as well as into Israel's history and ritual, was the lamb. ItevenmeetsusatthethresholdofparadiseinthesacrificeofAbel,asanobjectpeculiarlyacceptableinthesightofGod.Lateron,thelambwithitsbloodconsecratesthecommencementofthehistoryoftheIsraelites.Thesprinklingofthedoor-postswiththebloodoflambswasthemeansofIsrael'spreservationinEgyptfromtheswordofthedestroyingangel,andthedepartureofthepeoplefromPharaoh'shouseofbondage.Fromthattime,thelambcontinuedtobethemostprominentfigurebywhich

God typified the future Messiah to the children of Abraham.ThenceforwarditacquiredanabidingfootinginIsrael'ssacrificialrightsin general, and in the yearly passover in particular. In the latter, eachhouseholdwasenjoinedbytheMosaiclawtobringamalelamb,withoutblemish or infirmity to the sanctuary, there solemnly confess theirtransgressionsoverit,thenbringit,typicallyburdenedwiththeirsins,tothecourtof thetemple tobeslain;andafter itwasroasted,consume itentirely, in festive communion, with joy and thanksgiving to Jehovah.Thatwhichwasprophetically typical in this ceremonywas so apparentthateventhemostsimplemindcouldnotmistakeit.Everyonewhowasonly partially susceptible of that which was divinely symbolical, feltimmediately impressed with the idea that this divine ordinance couldhave no other aim than to keep alive in Israel, along with theremembranceofthepromisedDeliverer,theconfidenceandhopeinhim.

John the Baptist appears in thewilderness; and the first greeting withwhichhewelcomesJesus,whichwasrenewedwheneverhesawhim, is,"Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world!"thereby directing the attention of thewholeworld to Jesus, as if therewerethenceforwardnothingelseworthseeinginheavenoronearththanthisLambofGod;andbysodoing,hecertainlydirectsustothegreatestandmostbeatifyingofallmysteries,and to thepithandmarrowof theentireGospel.ForifChristhadbeenonlythe"LionofthetribeofJudah,"andnotatthesametime"theLamb,"whatwouldithaveavailedus?As"theLamb,"he is thedesireofallnations, thestarofhopetotheexilesfromEden,thesunofrighteousnessinthenightofsorrowtothosewhomthelawcondemns,andtheheavenlylamptothewandererinthegloomyvalleyofdeath.

Heisallthisas"theLambthattakesawaythesinoftheworld."Butthisexpression implies,notonly that thesinof theworldgrieveshissacredheart, or that he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself,andthathepatientlyborethepaininflictedonhimbytheirsins,andbyhis lifeanddoctrineaimedat removingsin.Thewordshaveameaningwhichcannotbeproperlyfathomed.Christborethesinoftheworldinamuchmerepeculiarandliteralsensethanthatjustmentioned.Heboreitby letting it be imputed to him by his Father, in a manner

incomprehensibletous,sothatitbecamenolongeroursbuthis.Forweread in2Cor.5:19, that "Godwas inChrist, reconciling theworlduntohimself,not imputingtheirtrespassesuntothem."Whatcanthismean,butthatGoddidnotleavetheworldtosufferforitstrespasses,norevenforitssins.Andifitbeasked,"Whothendidsufferiftheworldescaped?"Wefindtheanswerinthe21stverse,whereitissaid,"Godmadehimtobesinforuswhoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim."Thisbeingmadesin,mustmeanthesamethingaswassignified by imputing sin. Now, if any one objects and says that sin issomethingpersonal, and though itmay be transferred by infection andseduction, itcannotbesoby the imputationof theguiltofothers toaninnocent person:we reply, "Who are you,Oman, that dare to call theword of God to account, which not only declares it possible, but alsoplacesitbeforeusassomethingwhichhasbecomeahistoricalfact?"

Here we must not pass, unnoticed, the wonderful union andamalgamation into which Christ entered with the human race, themysterious depths of which we shall never fathom here below.Eventually, we shall be astonished in what a profound andcomprehensivesenseChristbecameourhead;andhowliterallythetitlebelongedtohimoftherepresentativeofourrace.Butthenweshallalsolearntoknowandcomprehendhow,without infringingupon themoralorder of theworld, the guilt of others couldbe transferred tohim, andhow he could thus become "the Lamb that takes away the sin of theworld."

Keeping this position of our Lord in view asMediator and Surety, theaccusations,whichwereheapeduponChristbytheJews,acquireadeepsymbolical signification. Although in the abstract, as far as they havereference to our Lord in his moral capacity, they were the mostabominable slanders and falsehoods; yet in another respect, they havemuchof truthat theirbasis.Theworld,according toGod'scounselandwill,dischargesonitsrepresentative,JesusChrist, thetransgressionsofwhich itself is guilty; and the groundless accusations of the Jews serveonly to place in the brightest and most brilliant light, the Lamb-likecharacterofourgreatRedeemer.

Stillmoreclearlydoes"theLambofGod"manifestitselfinChrist,inthe

conduct which he observes, amid the furious accusations of hisadversaries. Jesus is silent, as if actually guilty of all that they chargeuponhim.Pilate,unabletocopewiththestormwhichroarsaroundhimfromthecrowdbelow,almostentreatstheLordtosaysomethinginhisowndefense.ButJesusissilent.Pilate,occupiedsolelywithhim,saystohim,"Answeryounothing?Beholdhowmanythingstheywitnessagainstyou!Hearyounot?""ButJesus,"asthenarrativeinformsus,"answerednothing,notevenaword,insomuchthatthegovernormarveledgreatly."How could he do otherwise, seeing that he only measured the Lord'sconductbyahumanstandard?Everyoneelse,atamomentwhenlifewasatstake,wouldhavehastilybroughttogethereverythingthatcouldhaveoverthrown thechargesbroughtagainsthim,especially, if somuchhadstoodathiscommand,asinthecaseofJesus;butheissilent.Everyoneelsewouldat leasthavedemandedproofsof the truthof the shamelessdenunciationsofhisopponents;butnota syllableproceeds fromJesus'lips. Every one else, in his situation, would have appealed from themendaciouspriesthoodtotheconsciencesofthepeople,andhaverousedthe feeling of what is just and right in those who were not entirelyhardened, of whom, in themovingmass ofmen, there were doubtlessmany;butJesusappealedtonoone,eitherinheavenoronearth.Ah!hadPilateknownwhohewasthatstoodthusmeeklybeforehim,howwouldhehavemarveled!Itwashe,beforewhosejudgment-seatallthemillionsthat have ever breathed upon earth, will be summoned, that he maypronounceupon themtheir finalandeternalsentence. ItwashebeforewhomthesonsofBelial,whonowheaptheirlyingaccusationsuponhim,willatlengthappearboundinthefettersofhiscurse,andwho,underthethunderofhis sentence,will callupon the rocks to fallupon them,andthehillstocoverthem,andhidethemfromthefaceofhimthatsitsuponthethrone,andfromthewrathof theLamb.Andhenowstands beforetheirbar, and ismute, likeonewho thinkshemust giveupallhopeofgaininghiscause.Butheissilentalso,becauseintheconsciousnessofhisinnocence,hedeemsitbeneathhisdignitytowasteonewordinreplytosuchaccusations.Heissilent,thatthestingofconsciencemaypenetratestilldeeperintothemarrowoftherecklessmob,whodonotthemselvesbelieveinthefalsehoodstheyfoamout.Pilateassuredlyfeelssomethingofthedignityandmajestywhichmanifesteditself inourLord's silence;and it is thiswhich is chiefly the object of the governor's astonishment

andadmiration.

But theLordalsoobserves silencewith regard to thosewhoblasphemehim in thepresentday. It is a silenceof forbearance,but alsopartlyofcontempt;fortheylikewiseblasphemehimagainstlightandknowledge.Eventually he will speak to them, and then they will be constrainedtremblingly toacknowledge that theywouldnothavehim to reignoverthem. Christ is silent, when his people murmur against him, andcomplainofhiswaysandguidance.Heismute,inthiscasealso,fromtheprofoundest feeling of innocence,well knowing, thatwhile supplicatinghisforgiveness,theywillkisshishandsforhavingledthemjustso,andnototherwise.

Inotherrespects,Christisnotsilentuponearth.Hewhohasanearforhis voice, hears it in a variety of ways in every place. Witnessing forhimselfandhiscause,hespeaksatonetimeinobviousjudgments,whichhe inflicts upon his foes; and at another, in tangible blessings andanswers to prayer, with which he favors his friends. He speaks in theSabbaticrestofsoul,whichthoseenjoy,whotrust inhim,aswellasbythewantofpeace,thedistressingcareandfearofdeath,whicharethelotoftheungodly.Hespeaksbythesurprisingconfirmationswhichscience,initsprogress,isofteninvoluntarilyobligedtoaffordhisword;aswellasby themanifoldsignsof the times,whichmanifestnothingbuta literalfulfillmentofhisprophesies.By freshrevivalsofhisChurch, inspiteofhis enemies, who already begin to cry "Ichabod!" over her, he speakswithin the bounds of Christendom, and bears witness in the heathenworld,bynewspiritualcreations,whichhewondrouslycalls intobeing,asofold,fromapparentlyhopelessandworthlessmaterials.Hencewhatwe read in Psalm 19, literally becomes true: "There is no speech norlanguage where their voice is not heard. Their sound is gone forththroughalltheearth,andtheirwordsuntotheendoftheworld."

But thechief causeofJesus' silenceamid the stormyaccusationsofhisadversaries, has not yet been touched upon. It lies in his mediatorialposition. In our Lord, the Lamb of God, theHigh Priest, the heavenlySurety,issilent,forhetakesuponhimself,withoutgainsaying,beforethefaceofGod,allthatofwhichheisaccused,becauseheiswillingtosufferand repay, as the mediating and universal debtor, all that we have

incurred. It is with peculiar reference to this that John the Baptistexclaimed, "Behold!" forherebeamsourMorningStar,here shinesourSunof Peace.His blood,when viewed in the true light, appeases everystorm, heals every wound, blots out every sin, and removes the cursepronounced against it. The believing view of the Lamb of Godharmoniouslydissolvesallour inwarddiscords, restrainseverypassion,makesthecommandment,whichisotherwiseaheavychain,intoagentleyoke,beneathwhich,ledbythepaternalhandofDeity,wejoyfullypursueourway.InthislookingtotheLambconsists"thevictorythatovercomestheworld,"andwiththelatter,everydistressinlifeanddeath.Butwhenoureyesopenintheheavenlyworld,weshallbeholdtheLambwithoutaveil.Nocloudwillthenconcealhimfromusanymore.Wesinklowathisfeetinhumbleadoration,andjoinwiththehostsofthejustmadeperfect,inthenever-endinghymn,"Worthyisthelambthatwasslaintoreceivehonor,andglory,andblessing,foreverandever."Amen.

ChristbeforeHerod

Pilate'sclearanddecidedtestimonythathefoundnofault inJesus,didnotfailofitseffectonhisaccusers.Theystandaghast,andperceivethedangerwhichthreatenstheresultoftheirwholeproceedings.HadPilatemanfullymaintainedthroughoutthetoneofjudicialdecisionwithwhichhecommenced,itwoulddoubtlesshaveburstthefettersimposedonthebetterfeelingsofagreatpartoftheassembledmultitude,andChristhavebeensetatliberty,andevensalutedwithnewhosannas;whilethetumultthusoccasionedmighthavebeenattendedwithseriousconsequencestothe chief priests and rulers. Theywere, therefore, compelled to opposesuchachangeinthestateofthingsbyeverymeansintheirpower.Theyconsequentlyagainraisetheirvoiceswithfreshcomplaints.Buthowevergreat the clamor theymake, they donot entirely succeed in concealingtheembarrassmentinwhichtheyareinvolved.Theiraccusations,thoughuttered more noisily than before, bear evident marks of their failingcourage. Instead of denouncing the Lord, as before, as a rebel and atraitor—well aware that such a barefaced charge would no longer beresponded to, and convinced of thenecessity of supporting it by actualproof, they bring their accusation down to the unimportant assertion,

that"hestirredupthepeoplebyhisteaching,whichhebeganinGalilee,andcontinuedthroughoutallJewry."

HoweasywouldithavebeenforPilate,byarapidandprudentuseofthisfavorablemoment, tohave triumphantly rescuedhisprisoner, andwithhim, himself and his own conscience! In order entirely to confuse anddisarm his more than half subdued foes, he only needed, in a fewenergeticwords, tohavepointedout thebasenessof their conduct.Butfearhadtakenpossessionofthepoormantosuchadegreeastodeprivehim of the free use of his reasoning faculties, and compel him to haverecourse to themost foolishmeasures. In the uproar, which, however,only showed the weakness of the adverse party, he imagines he hearssomenewstormrollingoverhishead,andhowdoesherejoicewhenthementionofGalileeseemstohimtoopenanewwayofescape.Hehastilyinquires "whether themanwereaGalilean?"andonbeinganswered inthe affirmative, he exclaimswith the delight of a seaman, who, after along and stormy voyage at length discovers land, "He belongs, then, toHerod's jurisdiction!" and immediately gives orders for Jesus to beconducted bound to the latter, who happened fortunately to be at thattime in Jerusalem, on account of the festival; and he feels as if amountain were removed from his bosom, on seeing the troublesomecaptivewithdraw,undertheescortof thechiefpriests,soldiers,andthecrowdthatfollowed.

WealreadyknowsomethingofHerodAntipas,theTetrarchofGalilee.Heis the same wretched libertine who, after repudiating his consort, adaughter of Aretas, an Arabian king, and commencing an incestuousconnectionwithHerodias,hishalf-brother'swife,attheinstigationofthelatter,causedJohntheBaptist,whohadreprovedhim,inGod'sname,forhis criminal conduct, to be beheaded in prison. For this crime hisconscience severely smote him; and when he heard of Jesus and hisdoings,hecouldnotbepersuadedbutthatthewonder-workerwasJohnwhomhehadmurdered,butwhohadrisen fromthedead.ASadduceeaccording to his mental bias, more a heathen than an Israelite, andentirely devoted to licentiousness, he was nevertheless, as is often thecasewith such characters, not disinclined to base acts of violence, andcapableofthemostrefinedcruelties.Lukestatesrespectinghimthathe

haddonemuchevil;andtheonlyironicalexpressionthateverproceededfrom the lips of the "Sinner's Friend," had reference to this miserableman, who was so well versed in all the arts of dissimulation andhypocrisy. For, on one occasion, when a number of Pharisees came toJesus,andsaid,"Getyououtanddeparthence,forHerodwillkillyou,"theLordimmediatelyperceivedthatintheseapparentlykindadvisershesawbeforehimonlyemissariesfromHerodhimself,who,becausehehadnotthecouragetolayviolenthandsuponhim,hoped,byemptythreats,to banish him from his territory. He, therefore, said in reply to thehypocrites,unmaskingthem,totheirprofounddisgrace,aswellasthatoftheirroyalmaster,"Goyou,andtellthatfox,BeholdIcastoutdevilsanddo cures today and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.Nevertheless,Imustwalktodayandtomorrowandthedayfollowing."

To this degraded libertine, therefore, inwhom every better feeling hadbeengradually extinguished, ourLord is brought, inorder thathemaynotbesparedfromanythingthatisignominiousandrepulsive,andthattheremight be no judicial tribunal beforewhich he did not stand. TheenvenomedhostsofpriestsandPharisees,withwilduproar,arrivewiththeirpreybeforetheresidenceoftheGalileanking,who,onhearingwhatwasthecauseoftheappearingoftheunwontedcrowd,orderstheheadsof the people, with their delinquent, to be brought before him. Jesussilentlyandgravelyapproacheshissovereign.Thelatter,asthenarrativeinformsus,"whenhesawJesus,wasexceedingglad;forhewasdesiroustoseehimofa longseason,becausehehadheardmany thingsofhim,andhehopedtohaveseensomemiraclesdonebyhim."

ItmayseemstrangethatHerodhadneverbeforeseenthefaceofJesus,althoughhe sooftenabode inGalilee.But theLordhadneverhonoredTiberias,whereHerod resided,with a visit, althoughhehad frequentlybeennear it; and forHerod to take a single step, in order tomake theacquaintance of the Nazarene, who was so much spoken of, naturallynevercrossedthemindofonesodestituteofallreligiousinterest,andatthe same time, so proud and overbearing as his Galilean majesty. Itafforded him, however, no little pleasure, so conveniently and withoutrisk, to seehis long-cherishedwish fulfilled. "At all events," thoughthewithin himself, "it will afford an interesting pastime, an amusing

spectacle.Andifhewilllethimselfbeinducedtounveilsomewhatofthefuturetous,orperformamiracle,whatadelightfulhourmightbespent!"

Herod,therefore,hopedtodrawtheSavioroftheworldintothecircleoftheobjectsofhisamusement,evenashehaddaredtodrawtheheadofJohntheBaptistintothesphereofhislicentiousness.ThekingpromisedhimselfarecreationfromthepresenceofJesus,suchasisexpectedfromthat of a juggler or a charlatan. In this respect, he represents thosefrivolouspeoplewho,accordingtotheapostolicexpression,"havenottheSpirit," and towhomeven themost sublime things are only a comedy.Peopleofthisdescriptionventuretointrudeevenintothesanctuary,andareapparentlydesirousofseeingChrist,atleastassetforthinsermons,books, figures, or history, but only because of the aesthetic feelingtherebyexcited.Sufficeittosay,thattosuchcharacters,eventhechurchbecomesatheater,thesermonapastime,theGospelaromance,andthehistoryofconversionsanovel.Ohowdangerousisthepositionofthose,in whom all seriousness degenerates into empty jocularity, andeverything that ought deeply to affect them, into jest and amusement!Before they are aware, this their volatility may end in an entireobtusenesstothemoreaffectingdescriptionsofthelastjudgment,sothatnomoreeffectisproduceduponthemthaniscausedbythesuccessofasceneinthedrama;andtherepresentationofthehorrorsofhellpassesbeforethemonlyliketheexhibitionofamagnificentfirework,andcausesthemthesamekindoffeelingasthelatter.

Herod regardsourLord,onhis approach,withan inquisitive look, andaftereyeinghimfromheadtofoot,presumestoputanumberof foolishquestionstohim.OurLorddeignshimnoanswer,butobservescompletesilence. The king continues to question him, but the Savior is mute.Herodevensuggeststhatheoughttoperformsomemiracle.Jesuscannotcomplywithhiswish,andgiveshimtoknowthisbyhiscontinuedsilencemoreimpressivelythancouldhavebeendonebywords.Thechiefpriestsand scribes, indignant at his passive behavior, again begin theirblasphemies,andaccusehimvehemently.Heregardsthemasunworthyof a reply, and continues to observe a silence,which is distressing andalmosthorrifying.

The Lord having refused to do thewill ofHerod and his satellites, the

miserablemeninferfromhisbehaviorthatheisunabletodoanything,and begin to despise him, and even to mock him. Painful are themortifications that Jesus has here to endure. Even the hurrying himabout,hereandthere,—Pilate'ssendinghimtoHerod,toshowthelattera piece of civility—Herod's returning the compliment by sending himback to the Roman governor, that the latter may have the honor ofpronouncingthefinalsentenceuponhim—whatdegradation is inflictedontheLordofgloryinallthis!Butthisisonlythebeginningofdisgraceandhumiliation.Howmuchhashe toendure in thepresenceofHerodandhiscourtiers,whotreathimasajugglerandaconjuror!Heisurgedto amuse the company by a display of his are. His ear is offended byimpertinent questions; and on his making no reply to them all, themeasureof insult andmockeryoverflows.He is treated as a simpleton,unworthyoftheattentionhehasexcited,who,afterhavingactedhispart,andprovedhimselftobemerelyaridiculousenthusiast,isonlydeservingof universal contempt.Heroddeems it unnecessary to take any seriousnotice of the accusationswhich the chief priests ventagainstJesus.Hethinks thatnogreatweightought tobeattached to thesenseless thingswhich such a foolish fellow might presume to say of himself. He issufficiently punished for his folly by his helplessness being now madeknown to thewholeworld, andbyhis thusbecoming the object of pityand public ridicule.He carries out these sentiments, by causing, in hisjocularmood,awhiterobetobeputupontheLord,inordertopointhimoutasamockkingandthecaricatureofaphilosopher,or,perhapseventostamphimasalunatic,sinceitwascustomaryinIsraeltoclothetheseunfortunatepeopleinwhiteuppergarments.

Such,my readers, is the sacrificial firewhichburns in thenarrativewearenowconsidering.AndtellmehowtheMostHolyOne,whoinhabitseternity,couldquietlyhaveborne toseesuchdegradationof theSonofhisgoodpleasure,withoutcastingforththelightningsofhiswrathupontheperpetratorsof such indignities, if theLordJesushad endured thisscandaloustreatmentonlyforhisownperson,andnotatthesametimeas standing in an extraordinary position, and exercising a mysteriousmediation? But you know that he stood there in our stead, and as thesecond Adam, laden with our guilt. He there heard the Father'sexclamation, "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the

man that is my fellow!" Here also was fulfilled the ancient propheticsaying, "The Lord laid upon him the iniquities of us all." "Thechastisementofourpeacewasuponhim."ThankGodthatsuchwasthecase;forIshouldneverhavebeenable,evenifanangelfromheavenhadbroughtmetheintelligence,tomakeroomfortheconvictionthatmysinswouldnotbeimputedtome,hadInot,atthesametime,beentoldwhathadbecomeofthesinsthustakenfromme,sinceIknownothingmoresurely than this, thatmyblood-red sins cannot be arbitrarily pardonedandoverlooked,orevenpassunnoticedastriflesofnoaccount.Werethisthecase,howwoulditbepossibleformetobelieveanylongerina justandholyGod?ButtheGospelnowcomesin,andtellsmemostclearlythehistoryofmymisdeeds,howtheyweretransferredtohimwhoappearedin my place; and in his intervention, I now sensibly grasp the legalgroundofmyabsolution.TheLordstandsbeforeHerod,ashedidbeforeAnnas,Caiaphas,andPilate,notmerelytobejudgedbymen,butbyGodatthesametime;anditismysinforwhichheatones,andmydebtwhichheliquidates.

No wonder, therefore, that he resigns himself to the poisoned arrowswhich here pierce his heart in its most vulnerable part—that withoutgainsayinghelistenstothemostwickedimputations,andwithlamb-likepatience lets himself be brandedboth as a blasphemer and a fanatic, arebel and a conspirator—that he even bears with equanimity thecircumstance that Herod's expectations respecting him are graduallychanged into contempt for his person—that the Lord of Glory suffershimself to be degraded so low as to become the butt of the miserablejokesofacontemptibleandadulterouscourt.Whatheenduresishorribletothinkof;andyet it layinhispower,withawaveofhishand,todashtherecklesscompanytotheground.Buthedoesnotmoveafinger,andremainssilent,forheknowsthathereisGod'saltar,andthefire,andthewood;andthathewastheLambfortheburnt-offering.

ButhoweverdeepthehumiliationinwhichwebeholdtheSonofGod;itisneverthelessinterwoventhroughoutwithtraitswhichareglorifyingtohim,andtendtoestablishourfaith.

Even in the childish joy which Pilate evinces at the prospect oftransferringtheprocessagainstJesustoanother,hisdeepconvictionof

the innocence and unblameableness of the accused is more clearlyreflectedthan inallhisoralassertions.Hissoulexultsat theaccidentalinformation given him that Jesus belonged to the Galilean tetrarchate,whichteachesushowfortunatetheRomanesteemedhisbeingthusabletoescapefromsharingintheguiltofcondemningtheRighteousOne.

OfHerod itwas said that hewas "exceeding gladwhen he saw Jesus."ThisuncommonjoyoftheGalileanprince,thatatlastanopportunitywasafforded him of seeing Jesus, face to face, is not less important in anapologeticpointofview,andtendsnolesstotheLord'sglorificationthanthejoyofPilateinbeinghappilyridofhim.TheSaviormusthaveexciteda great sensation in the country, andnot have displayed hismarvelouspowersinremotecorners,butinplacesofpublicresort,thatHerodthusburned with desire to make his personal acquaintance. And howuncommon and uniquemust the Lord's acts have been, that aman sototally dead to every better feeling, as that adulterer in a royal crown,shouldhavesuchadesire!

Herodhoped,besides,thathewouldhaveseensomemiracleperformedby the Savior. This expectation is again a proof that Jesus had reallysealed his divinemission bymiraculous acts, and that the wonders heperformed were universally acknowledged to be such. Herod does notintendfirsttotrywhetherJesuscanworkmiracles,buttakeshispowerandabilitytodosoforgranted.Butwhatadepthofinwardcorruptionisbetrayedinthefactthatthisman,inspiteofhisconvictionoftheSavior'sability to perform divine acts, not only refuses him belief and homage,butevendegradeshimtothestateofanobjectofhisscorn!

ThetetrarchaskstheLordavarietyofquestionssurpassingtheboundsofhumanknowledge.HehadthereforeheardofthewisdomwithwhichtheLord knew how to reply to questions of this kind, and to solve everydifficulty. Hence he involuntarily does honor to Christ's propheticaloffice. And even in the circumstance thatHerod did not venture to gofurther inhisridicule thantheclothingJesus inawhite toga,whenthelatterobservedaprofoundsilencetohisquestions—hemanifestsasecretreverence forhim,andthusprovesanewthatChristmusthaveactuallyspoken in an ambiguous manner of his kingdom, and of a dominionwhichhecametoestablish.

Finally, thatthedeep-rooteddisagreement,whichhadso longprevailedbetweenPilateandHerod,wassuddenlyterminatedandchangedintoafriendlyfeelingbythecivilityshowntothe latter intransferringovertohimtheaccusedRabbi,servesagainasaproofhowhighlythesemeninpowerthoughtof thedelinquentbroughtbeforethem.Thetransferofacommon criminal, or even of a notorious fanatic and swindler, wouldprobablyhavebeenattendedbynosucheffect.ButthatJesusofNazarethwas selected to mediate the renewed approximation of the twopotentates, works favorably, and puts an end to all former ill-will andmistrust. Who does not perceive that this circumstance, howeverrevoltinginitself,againtendstoglorifyChristinahighdegree?

Something similar to that which occurred between Pilate and Herod,happensnotseldom,eveninthepresentday.Partieswhomostviolentlyopposeeachotherinotherfieldsofresearchbecomereconciled,andevenconfederatesand friends, ifonly forawhile,as soonas they join inthecontest against Christ and his adorers. But what else do they evincethereby than thatChrist stands in theirwayasan imposingpower?Aninconsiderable personage,whose claims on their submission they knewnot to be well-founded, would never exercise such an influence overthem; and finally, an individual whom they regarded as merelymythological, they would certainly put aside, as unworthy of theirattention.

Whatever may be planned or executed against Jesus, he comes forthmore than justified from it all.Hatredmustglorifyhimaswell as love.Persecutioncrownshimaswellasdevotednesstohiscause.Butifmutualoppositiontohimisabletotransmutebitterenemiesintofriends;whatbondsoughtthemutualhomageoftheglorifiedRedeemertocement!"Ibelieveinthecommunionofsaints,"isapartofourcreed.Inotmerelybelieveit,butthankGod!Ialsoseeit.MaytheLordhoweverpreserveit;foratthispresenttimeitsuffers.ThosewhoareunitedinChrist,falloutwith each other, because they blindly embrace some school-formula astheir Savior, instead of Christ, as if they were tired of him. This is alamentable anddeplorable circumstance.May theLordoverrule it, andawaken in the hearts of his children, sentiments of real brotherlyaffectiontowardeachother!

PilateOurAdvocate

Pilate again finds himself in a great dilemma. By transferring theproceedings to Herod, he hoped to have escaped from his painfulsituation.But,contrarytohisexpectation,theGalileanprincesendstheaccusedbacktohimagain,leavingittohimtoterminatetheaffairhehadonce begun. The governor, not a little disturbed at thismistake in hiscalculations, turns again to the accusers of the Savior, and renews hisattempttorescueJesus,andwithhimhisownpeaceofmind.Hemakesaspeechtothepriests,rulers,andtheassembledpopulace,which,thoughit contains nothing but what we have already heard him state, isnevertheless worthy of our serious consideration, because in it, Pilateunconsciouslyandinvoluntarilyappearsasouradvocate.

Howeverstrangelyitmaysound,Pilatebecomesouradvocate.HetakesChrist, our head, under his protection, and us with him. He legallyabsolves him from all criminality, and in him his followers also. Hebeginshisaddressbysaying,"Youhavebroughtthismanuntome,asonethatpervertsthepeople."Inacertainsense,somethingofthiskindmaybe asserted of the Savior with truth. For even as he testifies to hisbelievingfollowers,thattheyarenotoftheworld;sohealsoenjoinsuponthemnottobeconformedtotheworld.Hecallsuponhispeopleto"comeout from among them; for the friendship of the world is enmity withGod." Insomedegree,Christianswill alwaysbe separatists.Godhas soorganizedthem,thatanunionoffirewithwaterissoonertobethoughtofthanofthemwiththemultitude.Theirconvictions,principles,tastes,opinions,andviewsofthingsintheworld,aswellastheirwishes,hopes,anddesires,allaredirectlyopposedtotheworld'smodeofthinkingandacting. They are by nature and kind separated from the unregenerateworld,althoughtheheartsofthechildrenofGodneverdetachthemselvesfromthechildrenoftheworld,butareincessantlyinclinedtowardthemincompassionandcharity.Butthe latterrefusetoberegardedasthosewhooughttoundergoachange;andhencetheconflictuponearth,withreferencetowhichtheSaviorsaid,"DonotthinkthatIamcometosendpeaceuponearth,butasword."

WhentherulersofIsraelchargedJesuswithpervertingthepeople,theywished it tobeunderstood inapoliticalsense.Theydeclaredhimtobetheringleaderofabandofconspirators,whostrovetostirupthepeopleagainsttheemperorandtheauthorities,andwasthereforeguiltyofhightreason.NorwasourLordeitherthefirstorthelastofGod'sservants,onwhom such suspicions have been cast. EvenElijahwas obliged to hearfrom Ahab the angry salutation, "You are he who troubles Israel;" towhich he calmly replied, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and yourfather'shouseinthatyouhaveforsakenthecommandmentsoftheLord,andyouhavefollowedBaal."InthesamemanneritwassaidtothekingconcerningJeremiah,"Webeseechyou,letthismanbeputtodeath,forheweakensthehandsofthemenofwar,andseeksnotthewelfareofthispeople,buttheirhurt."Lateron,wefindPaulaccusedbeforeFelix,muchinthesamemanner:"Wehave foundthismanapestilent fellow,andamover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and aringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." And all the subsequentpersecutions of the Christians under the Roman emperors took placeunderthepretextthatthefollowersofJesusweredangeroustotheState,theirviewsbeingdirectedtotheweakeningofallegiance,andeventothesubversionoftheexistinggovernment.

This false accusationhas beenhandeddown from age to age, althougheven Pilate most earnestly took us under his protection against suchcalumnies.Wehearhimloudlydeclarebefore theassembledmultitude,thatneitherthethronenorthestatehadanythingtofearfromJesusandhis disciples. "Behold," says he, "I have examined him before you, andfindnofaultinthismantouchingthosethingswhereofyouaccusehim;no,noryetHerod;forIsentyoutohim,andlo!nothingworthyofdeathis done unto him." Indeed, how was it possible to convict him of atendencytorevolt,whoestablishedtheuniversalprinciple,"RenderuntoCaesar the things that are Caesar's;" who seriously reproved Peter forassaulting, in his defense, one of the lowest officers of the civilauthorities,bysayingtohim,"Putupagainyourswordintoitsplace,forall those who take the sword, shall perish with the sword;" and whoenjoins upon us to "be subject to the higher powers, since there is nopowerbutofGod,"andwhenwearerequiredtodothatwhichiscontraryto God's word, exhorts us to a passive behavior in obeyingGod rather

thanman.

But events have recently occurred,which render needless any advocateon behalf of believing Christians, with reference to their politicalsentiments. The world now knows that the billows of rebellion find inthemarockagainstwhichtheybreak,butnotabayintowhichtheymaypour themselves. Attempts to render their loyalty suspectedwill not infuture succeed. The revolutionary party has repeatedly been obliged toconfessthatnothinginterferessomuchwiththeirplansastheChristianreligion. States, which only a few years ago persecuted their religioussubjects, now invite them into their territories, as supporters of thethrone and guarantees of public order. Laban speaks kindly to Jacob.Belshazzar clothes Daniel in purple. "When a man's ways please theLord," says Solomon, "hemakes even his enemies to be at peace withhim." There is something astonishing in the sudden annihilation of acharge which has been brought against the followers of the Lamb formorethanathousandyears,suchashasrecentlyoccurred.LetusrejoiceatthisrevolutioninpublicopinionwithrespecttothesoldiersofChristin the world, as indicative, in some small degree, of that triumphantperiodofChrist'skingdom,whichisdrawingnear.

But all the charges brought against us are not refuted by our beingexculpatedfromthesingleaccusationofentertainingdisloyalsentiments.It is further alleged against us that we adhere strictly to irrationaldoctrines, especially that of Christ's vicarious atonement; which, wecertainlyconfess is themarrowoftheGospel,andthegroundofallourhopes. If it isnot true that theSonofGodmade thegreatexchange, incausing our transgressions to be divinely imputed to him, taking ourdebtstohisownaccount,givinghimselfuptotheswordofdivinejusticefor us, atoning for sin in our stead, enduring the curse andcondemnation,andemptying,asourSuretyandRepresentative,thecupofhorrorstoitsverydregs—if,Isay,allthisisnotfoundedintruth,oursinsthencontinuetolieasaheavyburdenuponus;wearestillunderthecurse,andmust remainso toalleternity; then,nosoulcouldbesaved;andeverypassageofScriptureinwhichitissaidtothesinner,"Yoursinsare forgiven you," is a falsehood, and every promise ofmercy inGod'snametotherebelliousandtransgressorsisblasphemous.Everythingofa

consolatorynatureforfallenman,whichtheBiblecontains,cannotthenbeofdivineorigin,butmustproceedfromSatan;foritisimpossiblethatGod,whocanneverabateanything,eitherfromhislaw—thereflectionofhisunchangeablewill—or fromhis threatenings—the emanations of hisholiness—could arbitrarily, and without anything further, bless andbeatifyguiltysinners.Ifheweretodoso,hewouldceasetobeholy,justandtrue;thatis,tobeGod.Suchisourbeliefandconfession.Butwhatappearstoussoglorious,acceptable,andrationalinthehighestsenseofthe word, the world calls an absurd and foolish doctrine, and anantiquateddelusion.Buthereagain,singularlyenough,Pilateappearsforus,andtakesusunderhisprotection.

TheLordJesushaspassedthrougheveryexamination;hehasbeenputtoone test after another, weighed in every scale, measured by everystandard, and narrowly inspected by the light of a threefold law—theLevitical,civil,andmoral.Theveilhasnowtoberemovedfromtheresultof the proceedings against him. The judge, who has called the chiefpriests and rulers to be present at the solemn, and, as he supposes,decisive act, stands surrounded by a vast multitude; and when all aresilent with expectation, he opens his mouth to pronounce the finalsentence.Hedeclaresaloudtotheassembledcrowd,"Youhavebroughtthismanuntome,asone thatperverts thepeople,andbehold"—this issaid to the world at large,—"I, having examined him before you, havefoundnofaultinthisman,touchingthethingswhereofyouaccusehim;no,noryetHerod,forIsentyoutohim,andlo!nothingworthyofdeathisdone tohim."Heconcludes,andall are silent, because they feel thatPilatehasspokenthetruth.

Now,althoughhe,whowasfreefromsin,wasinnowiseguiltyofdeath,eitherjudicialornatural,whichlatteriscalledthe"wagesofsin,"yetstill,hedies.Hedies,who,accordingtojusticeaswellasthepromiseofGod,ought not to die, but live; and dies a death which bears scarcely theremotest resemblance to a martyrdom. If, by his death, he had onlydesignedtoconfirmthetruthofhisdoctrine,hewouldhavefailedinhisobject;sincewecannotpossiblythinkhighlyofadoctrine,whoseteacher,atthegatesofeternity,iscompelledtomakethedreadfulconfessionthatGodhasforsakenhim.

But,tellusnow,whydidJesusdie?"Itisappointeduntosinnersoncetodie, and after that the judgment;" but he was not a sinner. Even theredeemedhavenootherwaytotheheavenlyworldthanthroughdeath,becausetheirfleshiscorruptedbysin.ButinChrist'scorporealitythisisnotthecase;andyethedies,andthatinsuchadreadfulmanner!Explainhow this is. You take time to reflect. But however long and deeply youmay study the subject,we tell you decidedly before-hand, that youwillnot bring forward any rational, convincing, and satisfactory solution ofthis mystery. Hear, therefore, how we view the subject, and considerwhetherthereisroomforanyother.Themonstrousfactthatthejustandspotless Jesus, notwithstanding his holiness, was condemned to death,wouldcompelustotheconclusionthatthedoctrineofarighteousGod,who rules over all, is a delusion—that thewill ofmanor chance, alonegovernstheworld—thatthereexistsnodivineretributionuponearth,andthatitwillnotfaretheworsewiththeimpiousthanwiththejust—thatnoorder exists, according to which hewho perfectly keeps the law has toexpectthecrownoflife,andthattheScripturesspeakfalsely,whentheysay that death is only the result of transgression—I say, we should benecessarilycompelledtoinferencesofthiskind,ifwewerenotpermittedtoassume that the immaculateSonofGod suffereddeath inour stead.This view of the subject furnishes the only key to the mystery of theignominiousendofthejustandholyJesus.

But ifwepresupposeanatonementmadebyChrist forsin—andwenotonlymaydo so, but are constrained to it by the clear evidenceofHolyWrit—then all is plain; all is solved and deciphered, and a sublimemeaningandagloriousconnectionpervadesthewhole.GodthreatenedAdaminparadise,saying,"Inthedaythatyoueatofthefruitofthistree,youshall surelydie."Wedideatof that fruit,and incurred thehorriblepenalty.ButtheEternalSonnowappears,removesthelatterfromustohimself, and we live. On Sinai it was said, "Cursed be every one whocontinuesnot inall things thatarewritten in thebookof the law todothem."Wedidnotcontinue inthem,andour fatewasdecided.ButourSurety presents himself, endures the curse for us, and we are justlydelivered and absolved. God has resolved to save sinners;notwithstandinghehassaid;"Iwillblotthenameofhimthatsinsoutofmy book."We believe in our salvation, for he inflicted uponChrist the

punishment due to us. God promised the crown of life only to theobedient;butafterChrist,asourrepresentative,obeyedinourname,Godcanbestowthecrownonsinnersandyetcontinueholy.Thusallbecomesclear,andthemoststrikingoppositesharmoniouslyagree.AndyetmendaretocallourdoctrineoftheatonementmadebyChristirrationalandevenabsurd!LookhowPilateunconsciouslystandsinthebreachforus,bytestifyingtothetruththatJesuswasnotguiltyofdeath.Attempt,inasatisfactoryandrationalmanner,ifyoucan,toexplainit,otherwisethanby the atonement made by Christ, how it was that even the holy andimmaculateSonofGodpaidthewagesofsin.

Pilatetakesourpartoncemore.Heclearsusofanewcauseofreproach.Hedoesnot,indeed,dothisdirectly,buthegivesoccasionforourbeingfreed from it. We are accused of dispensing Scripture consolation toolavishly.We are reproved for extending the grace purchased for us byChrist to thegreatestsinnersandmostdepravedcriminals.Weare toldthatwearenotjustifiedinsodoing,andthatsuchconductisdangerousandinjurioustomorality.Butthereissomethingintimatedinthatpartofthenarrativeunderconsiderationwhichfullyrepelsthenarrow-mindedreproof,andjustifiesourprocedureasbeingquiteevangelical.

AfterPilatehassolemnlydeclared thatnoguiltattaches totheaccused,he continues, "Iwill therefore"—release him? not so, but "chastise him(that is,with rods) and let himgo."Only think,what injustice!Wearereadytosay,"OPilate,howisitpossiblethatyoushouldhaverecoursetosuchanexpedient!Willyouscourgehimasamalefactor,whosaidtoyou,withtheclearestexpressionof truth, 'IamaKingandtothisendwasIborn, that I should bear witness of the truth,' and from the whole ofwhosedeportmentshonetheradiance,notonlyofspotlessholiness,butalsoofsupernaturaldescent?Otowhatlengthdoesthemiserablefearofmanmislead you, and the pitiful anxiety for a littleworldly honor andtemporalcomfort!"

Butletusbesilent.Pilate'sspeech,"Iwillchastisehimandthenreleasehim," is still the language of numbers of this world's children. He ischastisedwhenmentearthecrownofdeityfromhisbrow,andwhentheysilently brand him as a deceiver and blasphemer; but then begin tocommendhisexcellencesandvirtues,andthusreleasehimafterhaving

maltreatedhim.Theydenythatheistheonlywaytoheaven,althoughhehimselfhassaidso,andinthiswayheischastised;butthenagain,theyapplaudhimasthemosteminentofteachers;andthusheisletgo.Menchastise him by insulting his members upon earth, and vilifying thosewho boast of his meritorious sufferings as the sole ground of theirsalvation;butagainreleasehimbymakinganoutwardobeisanceathiscommunion-table, or by confessing that he wasmore than Socrates orSolon.Alas!weallcarryaboutwithus,bynature,asecretscourgefortheLord Jesus, and never omit to use it in one way or other. But if ourconscience asks, after such a chastising, why we are so averse andopposed to this Just One, who never injured us, we are accustomed,instead of feeling penitent, to hide our own naughtiness behind thetraitorous kisseswe bestow upon him, and again release the ill-treatedSaviorbydubiousmarksofrespect.

Buttoreturn.ItwascustomaryinIsraeltochastisethosewithrods,who,after trial, were convicted only of slight transgressions, and then torelease them. Pilate was anxious to treat Jesus as a delinquent of thiskind. Onemight have expected after all that had passed, by which theinnocence of Jesus was placed in so clear a light, that his mediatingpropositionwouldhavebeenrespondedto.Butno!Godhaddeterminedotherwise. Itwas intendedthatChristshouldsufferasacriminalof theworst description, and that the lot of amurderer and anoutcast of thehuman race, should behis, and that not until then, should the hour ofredemption arrive.Butwhywas this?Forwhat other reason than that,accordingtoGod'scounselandwill,sinnersandcriminals,likeManassehandRahab,mighthavereasontobelievethatthegreatSuretysufferedforthemalso.Jesuswasobligedtodescendintotheregionsofdarkness,intothe being abandoned by God, and into the extreme of ignominy andsuffering,thatthevilesttransgressorsmightnotdespairofmercy.

Ifthisdoctrineisdangerous,whydotheapostlesproclaimitasfromthehousetops?IfitiscontrarytoGod,whyhasheconfirmeditinthecaseofDavid, Saul, Mary Magdalen, and even in that of greater sinners thanthese?Ifitispernicious,whydothosewhointhemselvesexperiencethetruthofit,exceedallothersintheirhatredtosin,andtheirzealforGodandhisglory?Doesitmakethemnegligentandunfruitfulingoodworks?

Theveryreverse;forhewhoparticipatesinthemeritsofChrist,becomesalso byChrist's Spirit, a noble tree in the garden of God, which bringsforthitsfruitinitsseason.Oitiswellforusthatthecaseisaswehavedescribed it! If Christ had not endured the fate of the chief of sinners,who, evenamong the enlightened, couldglory inChrist, since theHolySpiritteachesallsuchtotestifywithPaul,"Christcameintotheworldtosavesinners,ofwhomIamchief!"

Pilate has done us a good office. Not only has he cleared us from agrievous accusation, but, by the testimony he bore to the innocence ofJesus,hehasalso justifiedourviewof theLord'sdeathand its import;andbyhisfruitlessattemptstotreattheRedeemerasapettyoffender,hegave occasion to the Judge on the throne of majesty to frustrate hisproject, andby sodoing, tomake it known thatChristwas to bear thecurseevenofthegreatestsinner,accordingtothewillandcounseloftheAlmighty.We feel ourselves deeply indebted to theRoman for the twolastpiecesofservicewhichhehasrenderedus,forweconfessthat,withtheatonementandsatisfactionmadebyImmanuel,ourpeaceaswellasourhopestandsorfalls.

JesusorBarabbas

Weresumeourplace amid thewild and tumultuous assemblagebeforeGabbatha, the open court, where justice was accustomed to beadministered.Pilate,who,themorehehastodowiththedignifiedManofNazareth, is themoreconvincedofhisperfect innocence,andwhosereverenceforthemysteriouspersonageincreases,continueshisattemptstogivetheaffairafavorableturn,bothfortheaccusedandhimself.Hisvery soul revolts at the idea of such a person dying the death of acriminal.Nota fewofourcontemporariesresemblehiminthisrespect.Theyarethosewho,likePilate,speakofthemoralgloryofChristwithadegreeof enthusiasm, but themore they regardhim from this point ofview,themoretheyareoffendedathiscross.Theyfeelarepugnancetothedoctrineoftheatonementmadebyhimforoursins,simplybecausethey wish sin to be regarded as an inconsiderable and trifling object,which they would be constrained to view as something important and

horrible,iftheywerecompelledtobelievethat itcouldonlybeforgiventhroughthecondemnationoftheSonofGod,andatonedforbyhisblood.Thosewho are unable to absolve themselves, as entirely free from sin,wouldthenbeforcedeithertotakerefugewithusinthewoundsofJesus,and to sue forpardonwith the vilestmalefactors, ofwhich theyhave ahorror, or carry about with them a smitten and uneasy conscience, towhich they are equally averse. Hence it is altogether their interest tooppose the doctrine that the sufferings and death of Christ must beapprehended as vicarious. No, I do not hesitate to affirm that all thedoctrinal systemswhichseek toneutralizeor evade theviewofChrist'ssufferings as an atonement, proceed from a conscious or unconsciouseffort to weaken and lessen the enormity of sin. Those who are stillsatisfiedwithsuchsystems,arenotawareoftheexceedingsinfulnessofsin.Butthosewhohavebecomeacquaintedwithitsabominablenatureinthe sight of God, see the necessity of Christ's sufferings, and beingjustifiedbyfaith,havepeacewithGod,throughtheatonementmadeforusbyhisSon.

The governor is lost in thought; his forehead burns; his mind isdistressed. What would he not give for wise counsel in this painfulemergency?Allatoncethehorizonofhissoulclearsup.Hehashitupona happy expedient, the idea of which did not occur to him withoutsuperiorintervention.Pilatecallstomindacustomwhich,thoughitwasnot founded on any divine ordinance, the Lord indulgently overlookedand bore with, from being willing to make use of it as the symbol ofsomething of a superior nature. According to this custom it waspermitted the people—as a figurative realization of the deliverance oftheir forefathers out of Egypt, and to increase the general joy at thefestival—toaskfortheliberationofsomegrievousoffenderfromprison.Pilate grasps at this custom, like a shipwrecked mariner the floatingplank, as the only means of deliverance which is left him. He hastilypasses through his mind the various receptacles of crime, in order todiscover in them somemalefactor whom he may confidently hope thepeoplewill never prefer to theNazarene.He soon thinks he has foundsuchaone,orrather,Godfoundhimforhim;forthiswastheverysinnerwhom the Lord deemed fit for the spectacle which was then to bepresented to the world. The man thus selected is Barabbas, a vile

miscreant, a rebel, and a murderer. Who, thinks the governor, wouldgrantlifeandlibertytosuchanoutcastofmankind,inpreferencetothejust Man of Nazareth? Pilate reckons upon the humanity and right-feelingofthemultitude;butitismuchtobefearedthathehasdreadfullymiscalculated, particularly as he has chosen a political offender as themeansofescapingfromhispainfulsituation,withreferencetowhomthemorality of the people is generally accustomed to be much moreindulgentthantoanyotherkindofcriminals.

Already secretly triumphing in the expected success of his plan, Pilateproceeds to the Proscenium, and in a tone of the fullest assurance ofsuccess,callsouttothecrowd,"WhomwillyouthatIreleaseuntoyou?Jesus Barabbas (for such was the man's whole name, according to anancient tradition)or Jesus theKingof theJews,which is calledChrist.For," adds the Gospel narrative, "he knew that the chief priests haddeliveredhimfromenvy."Andsuchwasactuallythecase;forthatwhichvexedthemthemostwas,thatthepeoplefollowedhim.Buthowfoolishlydid the governor act, though otherwise so prudent, in reminding theproudmen,bycallinghim"TheKingoftheJews,"howhiswayhadbutrecently been strewn with palm-branches and garments, amid thehosannasofthepeople;andhowdidhethusruinhimwithoutintendingit!Buthisspeculationwouldhavebeena failurewithout that; for "Godtakesthewiseintheirowncraftiness"who,disdainingtherestraintofhiswordandwill,seeksuccessbytheirowninventions.TheSavior's fate isnowno longer inPilate'shands.Themajority of themultitudedecides,andhe is obliged to abideby its decision.Hadhebeenbold enough tofollow the dictate of his own conscience, and to have said with calmdiscrimination, "Justice shall be done, even though the world shouldperish; the guiltlessNazarene is free, and these cohorts herewill knowhow to give effect to my decision;" his opponents, inwardly rebuked,would, doubtless, have shrunk back thunderstruck, and the people,roused from their delusion,would have loudly applauded the energeticjudge. But Pilate now stands forever as a warning example of theconsequenceof endeavoring to satisfybothGod,who speakswithinus,andtheworld.

WemeetwithPilateundervariousformsonthestageoftheworldinthe

presentday.Manyaone,inrecenttimes,hasplacedhimself,likehim,ina situation in which he must either set Barabbas free, or give up theSavior,becausehewasdeficientincouragetobraveeverydangerforthesake of Christ. Many, reckoning, like Pilate, on the instinctive moralfeelingof themultitude,withwhomtheydonotwish tobeat variance,havecowardlyasked,"Whichwillyouchoose,rightorwrong, loyaltyortreason? God's order or its overthrow?" and the unexpected reply hasbeen thundered back to them, "We choose rebellion and treason!" andbefore they were aware, they had miserably stumbled, to their owndismay,ontheslipperypathofwishingtopleasemen,andlookedaboutin vain for the possibility of escape. Let us, therefore, hold fast, myreaders, to what we know to be right.We thus becomemasters of ourposition and of the multitude, instead of being their servants. Fordegeneracy invariably yields to sacred courage,howeveroutrageously itmaybeacting.Wearesuretoovercomewhenweactresolutely,althoughweseemtosuccumb;forGodisalwayswiththosewhoaredecidedlywithhim,whilehesuffersthosetofallwhoendeavor"toservetwomasters."

"WhomwillyouthatIreleaseuntoyou?"exclaimsPilate,seatinghimselfon the marble judgment-seat to await the decision of the people. Thelatterwaverandhesitate,whichisnosoonerperceivedbythepriestsandeldersthantheyrushintothecrowdandexertalltheireloquencetostiflethe germ of right feelingwhich begins to awake in theirminds, and toblow into a flame the dying spark of animosity to Jesus.Meanwhile, aremarkable episode takes place. A messenger, out of breath appearsbeforethegovernor,sentbyhiswife,whoiscommissionedtosaytohim,"Have you nothing to dowith that justman, for I have sufferedmanythings this night in a dream because of him." What a remarkablecircumstance!Thebrightnessofthepurityandgloryofthefairestofthechildrenofmenwassuchastopenetrateintotheheathenwoman'sworldof dreams. We thus see how the life and actions of Jesus must haveaffected the hearts of those who were indifferent and even opposed tohim,andcompelledthemtorespecthim.Yes,bynight,whenthebustleof the day is silent, and deep sleep falls uponmen, the Spirit of Truthvisits their tabernacles,and approaches the couches evenof thosewho,careless about higher objects, revel in the intoxication of worldlydelusions.With the arrows of his judicial decision, he pierces by night

intochambers,whereall thathasreference to thingsofahighernatureotherwisefindsnoresponse.Bynight,ill-treatedconscienceassumesitsright, and makes itself again heard, even in the breasts of the mostungodly;andmanyareobligedtoconfesswiththePsalmist,"Yousearchmyheart, andvisitme in thenight season."Godhadalsoevidentlyhishand in the distressing night-vision of Pilate's consort, and oftenexercisescontrolovertheairyregionoftheworldofdreams,andwhenhepleasesmakestheimaginationoftheunfetteredspiritsubservienttohispurpose.ButthoughPilatereceivedafreshdivinewarningandmonitionby the message from his wife, yet the man had already laid down hisarms, and was no longer his own master. His wife's communicationaffected him deeply.His excited conscience, whispered to him, "Pilate,listen to the voice from another world, which warns you against thehorriblecrimeofa legalmurder."Hehears it, indeed,and isdreadfullydisturbed,buthopesthepeoplewillactjustly.Thepeople?Poorman!Isthisyourlastdespicablehope?

Pilate impatiently rises from his seat, and again calls out to the crowdwiththemienofasuppliant,"WhichofthetwainwillyouthatIreleaseuntoyou?"Wemayeasilyinferthatheaddedinhisownmind,"YouwillsurelydecideforJesus."Butitisinvaintocomewithrequests,wherewehavenotthecourage,inGod'sname,toorderandcommand.Thepriestsand elders have succeeded in instigating the people to sidewith them,andtheunfortunategovernorhearsathousandvoicesunanimouslyanddaringlyreply,"Notthisman,butBarabbas."

Suchare the two individualspresented to thepeople to choose fromattheirEasterfestival.ThemaninchainsandthePrinceoflife;theformera vilewretch,who in a sanguinary revolt, hadbeen seized in the act ofcommittingmurder.Hehadprobablyacted thepartofa falseMessiah;andhadexhibitedoneofthosecaricaturesofChrist,bymeansofwhichSatanhadsooftenattemptedtorenderthetrueMessiahsuspected,andanobjectofpublicridicule.ButBarabbasdoesnotstandbeforeusmerelyas an individual. He represents, at the same time, allegorically, thehuman race in its present condition—as fallen fromGod—in a state ofrebellionagainsttheDivineMajesty—boundinthefettersofthecurseofthelawuntilthedayofjudgment;butneverthelessdignifyingitselfwith

pompous titles, without any real nobility of soul, and boasting ofhonorabledistinctionswithoutinternalworth.

BeforeBarabbaswaspresentedwithJesus to thepeople's choice, everyprospectofhis escape from the fate thatawaitedhimhadbeencutoff:and such is also our case. There was no idea of a ransom, nor of anyliberation from the well-guarded dungeon, much less of a mercifulsentence,which every one elsemighthave anticipated sooner than thismurderer.Andbelieveme,thatourcasewasnotlesscriticalthanhis.Forwhat had we to give to redeem our souls? how escape the vigilance ofthoseeyes,which"runtoandfrothroughalltheearth?"andhowcouldajudgeacquitusunconditionally,ofwhomitissaid,"Justiceandjudgmentarethehabitationofhisthrone?"Barabbas'ssituationwasdesperate,andoursnoless.Butwhatoccurs?Withouthisownco-operation,andagainstallhiscalculation,adawnofescapesuddenlyflashesthroughhisprison.FromGabbatharesoundsthegovernor'squestiontothepeople,"Whomwill you that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus, which is calledChrist."

Howimportantthemoment!Howmysteriousthechangeinthestateofthings!Barabbas thought thatheshouldcertainlybeput todeath.It is,nowBarabbasorJesus.Thedeliveranceoftheformerhasatleastbecomepossible;andbywhatmeans?Solelybecausetherebelandthemurdererisoffered to the choiceof thepeople equallywithJesus, theLord fromheaven.The lotmust fallononeor theother.Onewillbe released; theothersenttotheplaceofexecution.Thereisnothingtojustifyademandfor the liberation of both. Which of the two will be chosen—whichrejected?IfJesusofNazarethissetatliberty,Barabbasisinevitablylost.Iftheformerisrejected,then,hailtoyou,Barabbas,youaresaved!Hisruinisyourredemption;fromhisdeathspringsyourlife.

What say you, my readers, to this state of things? Viewed solely in ahistoricallight,itiscertainlyofminorimportance,exceptthatitservesasa renewed proof that the Son of God was spared no disgrace norhumiliation—not even that of being placed on the same footing with amurderer,likeBarabbas.Butregardedinasuperiorlight,thathistoricalfact becomes of great importance. In the position in which BarabbasstoodtoJesus,weallofusstoodtoHim.Withrespecttous,itmightalsohavebeensaid,"Whoshalldie—thetransgressorortheJustOne?"Itwasimpossiblethatbothshouldbespared.Theswordofdivinejusticemuststrike, either to the rightor the left.Thecurse,whichwehad incurred,must be inflicted. The sentence of condemnation pronounced upon us,impatientlywaiteditsexecution,thatGodmightcontinueholy,just,andtrue.Herewasthegreatalternative:theseguiltycreatures,ortheSonofGod in theirstead, forhealonewasable toatone foroursins.ThuswewerequiteinBarabbas'sposition.IfJesuswassenttoexecution,thehourofourredemptionhadarrived;butifhewassparedwewereirrevocablylost.

Youalreadyknowtheresult.TheaffairtakesthemostfavorableturnforBarabbas,andinhim,forus.ToPilate'sutteramazement,thevoiceofthemultitude decides in favor of the rebel. "Release Barabbas!" cried theuproariouscrowd,"andcrucifyJesus."Howeverwickedthisdecisionmayappear,comparedwiththatofPilate,whowasanxiousthatJesusshouldlive,andnotbeputtodeath;still itwasmoreinaccordancewithGod'splan,andthemethodofsalvationthat itshouldbeso.For if thepeoplehad effectually demanded Jesus to be liberated, and Barabbas to beexecuted, as Pilate wished, that demand would have been the funeral-knellofthehumanrace,andthesignalforoureternalperdition.ButGodso ordered it that the affair took a different turn; for the outcry of thepeopletocrucifyJesuswasthetrumpet-soundannouncingthedayofourredemption.

Observe now the result of the decision. Barabbas and Jesus changeplaces. The murderer's bonds, curse, disgrace, and mortal agony aretransferred to the righteous Jesus; while the liberty, innocence, safety,and well-being of the immaculate Nazarene, become the lot of themurderer. JesusBarabbas is installed in all the rights andprivileges of

JesusChrist;whilethelatterentersuponalltheinfamyandhorroroftherebel's position. Both mutually inherit each other's situation and whattheypossess: thedelinquent'sguiltandcrossbecomethe lotof theJustOne,andallthecivilrightsandimmunitiesofthelatterarethepropertyofthedelinquent.

Younowunderstandtheamazingscenewehavebeencontemplating.Wefindthekeytoitinthewords,"Godmadehimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim."Itplacesbeforeus, ina strong light, themysteryofour justificationbeforeGod,through themediation of Christ. In Barabbas's deliverance,we see ourown.Left toourselves,weshouldhavebeeneternally lost.WhenChristexchangedpositionswithus,ourredemptionwasdecided.Truly,hemustbeblindwhodoesnotperceive that in thisBarabbas scene, a lightwasdivinely enkindled, which should illumine the whole of the passion ofGod's only-begotten Son. This light would alone suffice to dispel everyobjection to the scriptural nature of our view of the doctrine of theatonement, if this were not also done by a whole series of strikingpassagesfromtheapostolicwritings.Wecertainlywillnotentirelydenythat our idea of Christ's atonementmay not include in itmuch that ishumanandgross,whichwilleventuallybeswallowedupbythepureandperfectapprehensionof it, but there isnothing falseor erroneous in it.Thepithandsubstanceofour judicialviewofthesuretyshipofJesus ismostundoubtedlydivinetruth.

Letusthenrejoicethatsuchisthecase,andindeliblyimpressuponourmemoriesthestrikingfeaturesofthescenewehavebeencontemplating.Letthoseofmyreaderswhoarehumbledunderasenseoftheirsinandguilt, behold their image in Barabbas; and one consolatory idea afteranotherwilloccurtoyoufromthesight.Howcomfortablethereflectionthat the man is wholly freed at the expense of Jesus; that howeverheinous his crimes, not one of them attaches to him any longer; thathenceforward, no judicial procedure can be instituted against him forwhat he has done; and that nothing now prevents him from boldlyappearinginthepresenceofhisjudge.

You also possess all these privileges in Christ, only in amore gloriousformandamoreabundantfullness.Sincehebecamethecriminalinyour

stead,youareaccountedasrighteousforhissake;sincehewasrejectedinyourstead,youareadmitted into favorwithGod;sinceheboreyourcurse, you are the heirs of his blessing; since he suffered yourpunishment, you are destined to share his happiness. Such being thecase,howoughtyou,by faith, to rise into theblissfulpositionassignedyou,andto learnintheschoolof theHolySpirit,boldlytosaywiththeapostle,"WhoshalllayanythingtothechargeofGod'select,seeingthatitisGodthatjustifies?Whoishewhocondemns,sinceChristhasdied—yesrather is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alsomakesintercessionforus?"

Barabbas

Themosthorribleandmomentouscrythatwaseverheardunderheavenhas been uttered. To the governor's question, "Whom will you that Irelease unto you, Jesus or Barabbas?" the dreadful answer has beenreturned by the tumultuous crowd, "Away with this man, and releaseuntousBarabbas!"More thananechoof thiscryresounds throughtheworld to this day for all who daringly reject Christ as the Savior ofsinners, and are eager on the contrary for the upholding of the honor,independence,andlibertyoftheir"OldMan,"likewisesay,infact,"Awaywith this man, and release unto us Barabbas!" "But is not this thelanguage we have inherited from our corrupt nature, as such?"Undoubtedlyitis.Yetevenfromthelipsoffaithwehearthesame;onlythatinthelattercase,theexclamationhasanoppositemeaning,withthenatureofwhichwearealreadyacquainted,andshallhearofitagainonthe present occasion. The release of Barabbas is the subject of ourmeditation,which,maytheLordaccompanywithhisblessing,thatsowemay retire from it laden with a valuable store, like the bee from theflowerymeadoworthefragrantheath!

Thepeople, instigatedbytheirrulers,haveboldlyandplainlyexpressedtheirwill.Theydesirethepardonof themurderer,andthedeathof therighteousJesus.From thatmoment, it ispitiable to seehow the judge,entirelythrownoutofhiscourse,sinksdeeperateverystep,andwrithesin the dust, like a helplessworm that has been troddenupon. Scarcely

awareany longerofwhathewassaying,hecries,out, "Whatshall Idothen with Jesus, which is called Christ?" Only think of his asking theraging multitude what he must do with Jesus, who, before he put thequestion to them, had already answered him in the most convincingmanner.Hisconscience,hisinwardfeelingofjustice,theletterofthelawbywhichheisbound,andeventhewarningvoicecontainedinthedreamofhiswife—all tellhim,clearlyanddefinitely,whatheoughttodowithJesus.Heoughttopronouncehimfree,andthenwithallthepowerthatstood at his command, take him under his protection against theuproariousmultitude. But where is he to find courage for this? "WhatshallIdothenwithJesus?"Trulythesewordsareaneternalshameanddisgracetohim.

Buthowmanyofourcontemporariessharethisdisgracewithhim,sincetheymakewhattheyoughttodowithJesusdependonthepopularvoice,theprevailing toneof society, andwhat is calledpublicopinion! I haveeven often thought I heard preachers in their pulpits imitate Pilate inasking, "What am I to do with Jesus?" and I cannot tell you howdiscordantly the question sounded inmy ears. They did not appear toknowwhethertheyoughttopraytoJesusornot—whethertoconfesshimbeforethecongregationtobeGod,oronlyman—whethertorecommendhim to them as redeemer or teacher; and nothing seemed moredisagreeable to them than to be compelled officially to have to dowithJesus.Butwoeuntohimwhocanstillask,"WhatshallIdowithJesus?"Suchaone'smindisbeclouded,andheisstillveryfarfromsalvation.HewhoknowsnotwhattomakeofJesusmustbeaself-deceivingPharisee,orhissoulmustresemblethemolethatgrubsintheearth.Whathastheblindmantodowithhisguidewhooffershimhisarm?thesickmanwiththemedicinepresentedtohim?thedrowningmanwiththeropethat isthrowntohim?—ifweknowhowtoanswerthesequestions,howisitthatwecanbeperplexedatreplyingtotheother?

Pilateasks,"WhatshallIdowithJesus?"Thepeoplewillnot leavehimlong in suspense. Themore they see their rulers timidly giveway, andenter upon the path of concessions, the stronger grows their audacity."Crucify him!" they cry, briefly and decisively. The governor, beside

himself with amazement at seeing the fabric of his calculations sosuddenly overthrown, comes again before them with the unavailingquestion,"Why,whatevilhashedone?"Butthepeople,scarcelydeigningan answer to the miserable judge, repeat, with still greater insolence,"Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!"TheincreasingweaknessandirresolutionofthegovernornecessarilymadethecrowdbelievethathehimselfdidnotregarditasanymonstrouscrimethatChristshouldbecrucified.

Pilateappearsasifhewishedtosaysomethingmore;butthepeoplehavenowtheupperhand,andtheyrefusetohearhim.Wilduproardrownshisvoice.Inspiteofeveryeffort,hecannolongermakehimselfheard.Theheartlesssuccumbingmanhasthenrecoursetoasymbolicalact.Hecallsfor a vesselwithwater; and, on its being presented to him,washes hishands before all the people, and cries out, as loudly as he can, to thetumultuousmob,"Iaminnocentofthebloodofthisjustperson;seeyoutoit!"

An exciting scene! This renewed judicial testimony to the innocence ofourgreatHighPriest,istousverysatisfactory.Pilate'surgentdesireandearnestendeavortoridhimselfofthecrimeofcondemningtherighteousJesuscanonlyaidinstrengtheningourfaith.Butwearedeeplyaffectedat the sight of the poor depressed man—how he writhes under thescourge of his own conscience, and ineffectually strives to wash awayfrom his hands the bloody spots, however much he may object toacknowledgethem."Iaminnocent!"heexclaims.Butwhatavailssuchanassertion?Themonitorinhisbosomdoesnotconfirmit;andthoughheweretodoso,yettheminutesoftheproceedingsarereferredtoahighertribunal,where the decision will sound very differently. He washes hishands.Owhy thisceremony?Where is the fountainwhichyieldswaterabletocleansefromspotslikethosethatadheretohim?Thereisindeedastream which would have produced the desired effect, but Pilate isignorantofit.Othathehaddirectedtohimselfthewordsheaddressedtothe Jews in addition to his testimony, and had said, "See you to it,"insteadof"Seeyoutoit!"If,inlieuofhisinnocencehehadprofessedhisguilt,andinsteadoftheunavailingwashing,hadresortedtothebloodofatonement—thenhewouldhavebeensafefortimeandeternity,andhisnamehavesecuredaplace,notmerelyasnow,intheChurch'screed,but

also in the listof thecitizensofChrist'skingdom.ButPilate,under theinfluence of beggarly pride, will not acknowledge himself as overcome,althoughhellandtheworldneversettheirfeetmoretriumphantlyontheneck of a more discomfited man than he. But man is by nature soconstitutedthathewouldrathergivehimselfuptoSataninthesnareofthemostidioticself-delusionthandohonortothetruth,whichhumbleshimforhisgood.

"See you to it!" exclaims Pilate, hurling the entire impious act on theheads of the Jews; thereby returning upon the priests and scribes—notwithoutGod'spermission"towhomvengeancebelongs"—withincreasedhorrors, the verywordswithwhich they erst, with cruel and unpityingcoldness, repelled the despairing Judas. They feel indeed the sting ofthosewords,butknowhow toconceal theirembarrassmentandshamebehind a horrible outburst of impiety. "His blood be upon us and ourchildren!"theycry,inSatanicdefiance,andallthepeoplejoinwiththem.

Dreadful indeed! As long as the world stands, a more horrifying, self-anathematizingspeechhasneverbeenheard.Butlisten!Doesitnotseemtoyouas ifavoiceof thundersoundeddown fromthe throneofDeity,crying out, "Be it unto you according to yourwish! Let his blood comeuponyouasyoudesire!"Andoh!onlycastaglanceatthehistoryofIsraelfromthemomentwhenthatunhappydemandwasmadeuponHimwhodoes not suffer himself to be mocked, to the present hour, and it willprovethatyouheardcorrectly.HowdidthebloodofthatRighteousOnecomeuponhismurderers,whentheproudcityofJerusalemwaslaidinashesbythetorchesoftheRomans,andscarcelysomuchwoodcouldbeprocuredassufficedtopreparecrossesforthechildrenofAbraham!Howdiditcomeuponthem,when,havingslainthePrinceofPeace,theyweredriven out, like useless chaff, to the four winds of heaven, andcondemned thenceforward to roam about in inhospitable regions,withoutahome,thescornofalltheworld!Howdiditcomeuponthem,when,as theoffscouringofallnations,andas if theywereunworthy totread the ground, they yielded up their lives by thousands and tens ofthousands, under heathen, Mohammedan, and even Christian swordsanddaggers!Andwhenwenowlookatthem,asbeingstillaproscribedpeople, according to Hosea's prophecy, "Without a king and without a

prince,andwithout sacrifice,andwithoutan image,withoutanEphod,and without Teraphim"—is it not as if we read the cause of theirmiserable banishment on their foreheads, in the words, "His blood beuponusanduponourchildren?"ButthemercyofGodisgreat.Hehasstill thoughts of peace toward his ancient people, who, howeverdegenerate,arenotyetgivenup. Indue timehewill cause thehorriblelanguageofthecursetheyinvokeduponthemselvestohavethevalidityofaprayerinhissight,andthebloodofhisSon,asalreadyexperiencedbyindividualsofthatrace,tocomeuponallIsraelasanatonement.TheprophetHoseaadds the joyfulpromise to the threatening sodreadfullyverified. "Afterward, theyshall returnandseek theLord theirGod,andDavid their king." And Zechariah opens to us the prospect of a time,"whentenmenshalltakehold,outofalllanguagesofthenations,oftheskirtofhimthatisaJew,saying,Wewillgowithyou,forwehaveheardthat God is with you." The Lord himself says, in the most significantmanner, referring to the termination of their wretchedness, "You shallnotseemehenceforth,untilyoushallsay,Blessedishewhocomesinthename of the Lord!" Andwhat is the language of the apostle Paul,withreferencetothem."God,"sayshe,"isabletograftinagainthebrancheswhich were broken off. For the gifts and calling of God are withoutrepentance."—Rom.11.

Thepeople,withdiabolicaldetermination,havedeclared theirwill, andsealedtheirfatewithanimprecation,thanwhichamoreimpiousonehasscarcelyeverbeenheardintheworld.Thegovernorisnolongerabletocopewith thismanifestation of firmness on the part of the people.Heseeshimselfrobbedofthelastparticleofhismoralarmor,andcompelledtolaydownhisarms,andsurrenderinthemostdisgracefulmanner.Howdoweread?"AndsoPilate,willingtocontentthepeople,gavesentencethatitshouldbeastheyrequired,andreleaseduntothemBarabbas,whoforseditionandmurderwascastintoprison,whomtheyhaddesired,buthedeliveredJesustotheirwillthatheshouldbescourged."

This is, therefore, the result of all the serious and powerful warningswhich had been given to Pilate. He had received such decidedimpressions of Jesus' moral purity and innocence, and had even beenadmonished by a voice from the other world, as well as by his own

conscience; and yet this disgraceful defeat—this cowardly retreat—thisshameful yielding to the will of the crowd! Owhat ismanwith all hisproprietyoffeelingandwill,solongashestandsinhisownstrength,andhas not yielded himself up, with his whole confidence, to God and hisgrace!TheLordsays,"Mystrengthisperfectedinweakness;"andhencewefindSt.Paulsaying,"IcandoallthingsthroughChriststrengtheningme."

Barabbasisfree,althoughstillignorantofthedecisionmadeinhisfavoroutside his prison, and of the fortunate lot which is fallen to him.Dejected, and even despairing of deliverance, he continues lying in hisgloomydungeon;andineverynoisethatreacheshimfromadistance,heimagineshehearsthetreadoftheexecutionercomingtoleadhimawaytothescaffold.Atlengthheplainlyhearsthemassiveboltsofhisprisondoordrawnback,andtherustyhingescreakonitsbeingthrownopen—but—darehetrusthisowneyes?Whatasight!Insteadoftheexecutioner,a messenger from the civil authorities rushes in with a smilingcountenance, and brings him the amazing and almost incredibleintelligencethathe is free—thathis life issaved.Scarcelyare thewordsout of his mouth, before he begins to loosen the fetters from theastonisheddelinquent,andurgeshimtoriseupandleavetheprison.Youmaysupposethatthecriminalforalongtimeimaginedthatitwasalladream.Perhapshethoughtitwasonlysomehorriblejokeplayedoffuponhim, or that it was intended he should breathe the fresh air for a fewmoments,inorderafterwardtobereplacedinhishorribledungeon.Butthemessenger repeats still more emphatically the assurance that he issafe,andthenexplainstohimwhathascausedhis liberation.Barabbasnow learns that the sentence of death has been removed from himforever,andthathehasnolongertodowithcourtsofjustice,judges,orjailers; that no accusation will be listened to against him; that he isrestoredtothefullpossessionoftherightsandprivilegesofcitizenship,andsosituatedas ifhehadnevercommittedacrime;but that thesolecauseofthishappychangeinhiscircumstancesliesinthefact,thatOnewhowasperfectlyguiltlesshadtakenhisplace,andtroddenthepathtothecrossinhisstead.Thepeople,attheirEasterelection,haddecidedonthedeathofthisrighteousman,andforhisliberation.

All this is toldtoBarabbas.Intheheraldwhoinformshimof it,weseethe imageofa trueevangelist.Yes,knowyouspirituallypoor—youwhoarebendingunder theweightofyour transgressions,andarecryingformercy—that we have to bring you a similar message to that whichBarabbasreceived,onlyofafargreater,moreglorious,andincomparablymore blissful nature than his. Nor are we permitted to withhold ordiminishitinanydegree.AfterChristhasmadethemysteriousexchangewithyou,wearecommissionedofGodtoinformyou,inplainterms,thatfromthemomentinwhichtheholyJesustookyourplace,youassumedhis,andareinstalledintoalltherightsandimmunitiesofthecitizensofhiskingdom.Youarenow justified in thesightofGod,andacceptedofhim.Nocondemnationanylongerattachestoyou.Nosinwillanymorebelaidtoyourcharge,noaccusationgiveneartoagainstyou.Thiswecantellyou,yetnotwe,buttheinfallibleWordofGod,inplainterms;andwecalluponyouinGod'snametobelieve thisword,andtorejoice in it tothehonorofChrist.

HowdoesBarabbasact after receiving theglad tidings?TheBible doesnottellus;butwemayeasilyimagineit.Ifhehadsaidtohimself,"ItisimpossiblethatthiscanhavereferencetosuchacriminalasI;"andhadresisted,whenhischainswerebeingremoved,howshouldwedesignatesuch conduct?Youwould call it senseless, andbe justified indoing so.But I fear that this reproach may attach to some of my readers; forequally foolish are many of our believers. Suppose that Barabbas hadrejectedthemessagewithaprotest,andhadrepliedtotheheraldinthefollowingmanner,—"Whatyousayisabsurd,andcannotbefoundedontruth."Whatwouldhavebeen the consequence?By sodoing,hewouldhave insulted the herald and the authorities that sent him in themostinfamousmanner,andhavebrandedthemasliars.Butsuchispreciselyyour case, my friend, who, in your legality, resist the grace of God inChrist.Youunceasinglyoffend,notmerelyahumanmessenger,but theHolySpirit,whospeakstoyouintheScriptures;theapostlesoftheLord,who so plainly testify to you of Divinemercy; and Christ himself, whoassuresyouthatwhoeverbelievesshallbesaved.Yes,youinfringeuponthegloryofGod,asifheonlyofferedyouapartialdeliverance,andhadnot wholly and completely provided it. Suppose that Barabbas hadrepliedtotheannouncementofhisliberty,"No,forthepresentatleast,I

will not leavemyprison, butwill first become anotherman, andprovethatIhaveamendedmyself."Whatdoyousupposetheauthoritieswouldhave answered? "Do you imagine," theywouldhave said, "that you areliberated for your own sake? You would never have been free on thatground. Though you might have become ten times better, you wouldneverbeabletoremovetheguiltyouhavecontracted.Intheeyeof thelaw,youwouldcontinueamurdererasbefore;andifyoudonotmakeafree use of the pardon offered you, know that youwill vainly calculateuponeverbeinglegallyliberated."

Take to heart,my dear readers, this official announcement, for it is ofhigh importance, and points out to you theway inwhich you ought towalk.SupposeBarabbashad said, "Iwill remainaprisoner,until, afterbeing injurious to society, I have shownmyself a usefulmemberof it."Thismighthavesoundednobly;but,strictlyexamined,woulditnotalsobe absurd? Doubtless you would have replied to him, and said, "Whatfolly!beforeyoucanbecomeusefultosociety,youmustbecomefree.For,ofwhatserviceorbenefitcantyoubetoothers,aslongasyouarefetteredandinprison?"Takethislessonalsotoheart,myfriends.Itisapplicabletosomany,whofoolishlyseektobecomeholybeforetheymakeroomforthecomfortofpardoningmercy.

Probably, however, not one of all these ideas occurred to Barabbas. Idoubtnot,thatonreceivingthejoyfulmessage,hegladlyacceptedit,andgavehimselfup toa transportofdelight.He immediately shookoffhischains,lefthisdarkdungeon,exchangedhisconvictdressfortheattireofacitizen,andmadeeveryuseof the libertyofferedhim.Hereturnedtohis family, joying and rejoicing, and never forgot how much he wasindebtedtothemysteriousmanofNazarethforlife,freedom,andallthathepossessed,whowascondemnedinhisstead,andbyhisdeath,savedhislife.

Andyou,myreaders,who,likeBarabbas,maybestilllanguishinginthegloomydungeonofinwardanxiety,care,andsorrow,goanddolikewise.Believe the Gospel message, that for Christ's sake, you are eternallyliberated from curse and condemnation. Listen no longer to theaccusationsofSatan,theworld,oryourownconsciences.Enjoythefruitofthesuretyshipofyourgreatrepresentative.Live inpeace,andrejoice

inhopeofthegloryofGod.

TheScourging

The path of the Holy One of Israel becomes increasingly dark andobscure.Thenight-pieceofhispassioncarriesusfromtheregionofthetragicalintothatofthehorribleandappalling.Hissufferingsincreasetotorture,hisdisgracetoinfamy;andthewordsofIsaiah,"Hewasdespisedandrejected;andwehid,asitwere,ourfacesfromhim,"arecompletelyrealized. We now proceed to the consideration of an act which iscalculatedtomakethebloodruncoldinourveins.Itisthescourgingandsubsequentcrowningwiththorns,oftherighteousJesus.Wedrawnearto the appalling scene, and after having viewed it historically, we willendeavortofathomthemysteryconcealedunderit.MaytheSpiritoftheLord guide us into all truth, and teach us to penetrate by faith, wherehumanreasonfails!

AfterthemomentousdecisionhasbeenmadeatGabbatha,andthelotofthemurdererhasfallenuponthejust:thelatteris,forawhile,removedfromtheviewofthepeople,havingbeengivenuptothearmedbandofexecutioners'assistants,andledawaybythem,amidwilduproar, likeasheepfortheslaughter,intotheinnercourt-yardofthepalace.Thereletus follow him, although we do so with reluctance; but we must bewitnessesofthescene,sinceitisthewillofGodthatweshouldbeawareofwhatourrestorationandredemptioncostourgreatSurety.

Whatnowtakesplace?Adeed,thesightofwhichmightrendevennervesof steel and iron, and respectingwhich, a feeling comesoverus as if itwere improperandevensinful tobehold itwith thenakedeye.Lookatyonder pillar, black with the blood of murderers and rebels. The ironcollarwhichisattachedtoit,aswellastheropeswhichhangdownfromitsironrings,sufficientlypointoutitscruelobject.Lookatthecrudeandbarbarous beings,who, like bloodthirsty hyenas in human form, busilysurroundtheirvictim.Observethebrutalvulgarityoftheircountenances,andtheinstrumentsoftortureintheirhands.Theyarescourges,madeofhundreds of leathern thongs, each armed at the point with an angular

bony hook or a sharp-sided cube. Such are the instruments of tortureprepared for Him, who was dear to God, as the apple of his eye. Wenaturallythinkhecouldnotandoughtnottodescendtosuchapointofdegradation,butthatallheavenmust interferetoprevent it,orthattheworldmustperishunder it.But it takesplace;andneitherdoesheavenprotestagainstit,ortheworldsinkintoruin.

See, see—the execution of the sentence begins! Good God, what aspectacle!Theexecutioners fallupontheHolyOne likeahostofdevils.Theytearoffhisclothes;bindthosehandswhichwereeverstretchedoutto do good, tie them together upon his back, press his gracious visagefirmlyagainsttheshamefulpillar,andafterhavingboundhimwithropesinsuchamannerthathecannotmoveorstir,theybegintheircrueltask.Odonot imagine that Iamable todepict toyouwhatnowoccurs.Thescene is toohorrible.Mywholesoul tremblesandquakes.NeitherwishthatIshouldcounttoyouthenumberofstrokeswhicharenowpouredupon the sacred body of Immanuel, or describe the torments, which,increasingwitheverystroke,sufficedinothercasesofthiskind,tocausethedeathoftheunhappyculprit,beforetheformalexecutionwhichthisscourgingusuallypreceded.Itisenoughforustoknowthatitlastedfullaquarter of an hour; streams of blood flow from his sacred form.Whatavails it? The scourging continues without mercy. The arms of thebarbarous men begin to grow weary. What signifies that? Newtormentors release those that are fatigued. There is not a nerve of thedivine sufferer that does not thrill with nameless pain and smart. Butsuch is the intention. The scourges cut ever deeper into the woundsalready made, and penetrate almost to the marrow. His whole backappearsanenormouswound.Eachfreshdropofbloodwhichflowsfromhisopenedveins, falls likeadropofoil—not intothe fireofpity,whichthesemen know not, but into that of their infernal fury and thirst forblood;andthatwhichtheyatfirstperformedwithakindofseriousnessandsolemnity,theyproceedwith,afterthelastremainsofhumanityarechokedwithinthem,asanamusement,withshoutsofhorridmirthandglee.Noabyssyawnstoreceivethesebloodhounds.Certainly,theremustbe no God—no avenger of innocence in heaven, or, as we have oftenalreadyseen,thepassionofourLordmusthaveamostextraordinaryandprofoundlymysteriousmeaning.

Afterthehorribleactisfinished,anotherinstantlyfollows,whichalmostexceeds it incruelty.Theagonizedsufferer isunbound fromthebloodypillar,butonly tobe torturedafresh.Thematerialrodshavedonetheirduty, andmental ones of the bitterest andmost poignantmockery arenowemployed against him.Their ridicule is directed against his kinglydignity,evenasitwas,onaformeroccasion,againsthispropheticoffice.A worn-out purple robe, once the garment of the leader of a Romancohort,isproduced.Thisisthrownoverhisbackstillbleedingfromeverypore, while the barbarians exult aloud at this supposed witty andappropriate idea. They then break off twigs from a long-spiked thorn-bush,and twist them intoa circle,which is afterwardpresseduponhissacredhead as a crown.But in order to complete the image of amockking,theyputintohishandsareedinsteadofascepter,andafterhavingthusarrayedhim,theypaymockhomagetohimwithshoutsofderisivelaughter.Themiscreantsbowwithpretended reverence to theobjectoftheir scorn, bend the knee before him, and to make the mockerycomplete,cryoutagainandagain,"Hail,KingoftheJews!"Itisnotlong,however,beforetheyarewearyofthisabominablesport,andturnitintofearfulseriousness.WithSatanicinsolence,theyplacethemselvesbeforetheir ill-treated captive,make themost horrible grimaces at him, evenspit inhisface,andinordertofillupthemeasureof theircruelty, theysnatchthereedoutofhishands,andrepeatedlysmitehimwithitonthehead, so that the thorns of the horrible wreath pierce deeply into theskull,whilestreamsofbloodflowdownthefaceofthegraciousfriendofsinners.MercifulGod,whatascene!Ohorrorunexampled,andwithoutaname!

My readers, how can we reconcile such revolting occurrences with thegovernment of a just and holy God! A great mystery must lie at thebottom of them, or our belief in a supreme moral government of theworldlosesitslastsupport.Andisnotthisreallythecase?Haveyounotalreadyperceived that the referencesof that sceneextendback,even tothecommencementofthehistoryofmankind?Diditnotseemtoyouasif,insteadoftheLordJesus,yousawourfirstfatherstandingbeforeyou,andsufferingthepunishmentduetohistransgressioninParadise?Ifso,you have hit upon the right clue to explain that otherwise inexplicablescene. Believe me, there is a closer connection between the garden of

Eden and the court-yard of the Roman praetorium thanmight at firstsightbesupposed.DebtsincurredinEdenarethereliquidated,andsinscommittedinParadisearethereatonedfor.

Consider,foramoment,whatwasthecrimebythecommissionofwhich,the first of our race plunged himself and all his descendants intodestruction. He who was so abundantly blessed by his Maker, lusted,nevertheless,aftertheforbiddenfruit,andateofit.Hewhowasadorned,bythekindnessofGod,withinnocenceandbeauty,wasnotsatisfiedwiththat attire, but stretched out his hand to grasp a crownwhich did notbelongtohim.HerefusedtobeGod'sservantany longer,butwouldbehimself a god.No longer satisfiedwith the rod of dominionwhich hadbeen granted him, as lord of the earth and every earthly creature; hesought, in a certain sense, to seize the scepter of theAlmighty himself.HispresumptuousdesirestendedtothebeingindependentoftheLordinheaven, to therightofunconditionally rulingoverhisowndestiny,andeventounlimitedfreedomfromeverylawwhichhedidnotimposeuponhimself. "Independence"was themottowhich flameduponhis banner.He wished to be a king—not as he ought to be, under God, but asovereign, independent as God himself, as autocrat, to whose egotisticwilleverythingshouldbow.

Butinthistendencyofhisheart laythemostdecidedfallingawayfromGod; and alas for us! that, in its germ, it was transferred over to, andinherited by us, like a subtle poison. Who will venture to pronouncehimself free from it? Who does not feel those sentiments dailyblossoming and bearing fruit in him, in a thousanddifferentways?Donotweallnaturallystrive,asaheathenwriterhasexpressedit,"alwaysafterthatwhichisforbidden?"Isitnotself,insteadofGod,thatwewouldgladly place upon the throne; and does not its glorification lieincomparablynearer ourhearts than that of ourCreator?Doesnot thearrogantdesireaccompanyusateverystep,tomarkout,aslittledeities,ourownpathof life;anddowenotallbringwithus intotheworldtherebelliousinclinationtoevadethelawsofJehovah,andinsteadofthem,arbitrarilytomakeourownlaws?Assuredlyitisso!Weallbearaboutinusthelikenessofourfallenprogenitor;andifwerefusetohearofit,weonly, by so doing, again evince our inherent pride, and the inward

darknessintowhichwearefallen.

Tellme, now,what, according to your opinion, ought to have been thefate of Adam for lusting after the forbidden fruit, and for his impiousinfringement of God's prerogatives? "At least," you think, "the scourgeinstead of sensual delight; a crown of thorns instead of the longed-fordiadem;andarobeofmockeryinsteadoftheimperialpurple."Youhavejudged rightly. Look now into the court-yard of Pilate's palace, andconvinceyourselves that all this, ofwhichyoudeemhimworthy, reallybefell him. "Whom;" you ask, astonished, "our first father, Adam?"Nootherthanhe,andwe,hisseed,inhim.Yes,seetherethepresumptuousluster, the culpable insurgent, and aspirer to the crown in Paradise;exceptthatyoudonotbeholdhimthereinperson,butasrepresentedbyhim,who,asthesecondAdam,tookuponhimselftheguiltofthefirst.

Suchisthesecretcauseofthebloodyeventswehavebeencontemplating.Away,therefore,withallfalsesentimentality!withthepartialandselfishindignation at the barbarous crew! Apart from the fact of our beinginnatelynobetterthanthey—theyaretheunconsciousinstrumentsinthehandsofretributivejustice.WhatbefallsChrist,befallsusinhim,whoisour representative. The sufferings he endures, fall upon our corruptnature.Inhimwereceivetheduerewardofourmisdeeds;andnowsay,ifitbe toomuch?With theshudderat thesightof themartyredLambofGod, ought to be joined a thorough condemnation of ourselves, aprofoundadorationoftheunsearchablewisdomandmercyofGod,andajoyful exulting at the glorious accomplishment of the counsel of grace.Our hell is extinguished in Jesus' wounds; our curse is consumed inJesus' soul; our guilt is purged away in Jesus' blood. The sword of thewrath of a holy God was necessarily unsheathed against us; and if theBibleisnotafalsehood,andthethreateningsofthelawameredelusion,andGod'sjusticeanidlefancy,andhistruthamerecobwebofthebrain—then,nothingismoreevidentthanthis,thatofallthemillionsofsinfuland guiltymen who ever trod the earth, not a single individual wouldhaveescaped the sword, if theSonofGodhadnot endured the stroke,and taken upon himself the payment of our debts. This he undertook.Thenitthundereduponhimfromtheclouds;theragingbillowsofaseaoftroubleroaredagainsthim;hellpoureduponhimall its torturesand

torments,andheavenremainedunmoved.Whatwasallthisbutthefatewhich awaited guilty sinners? But since Christ endured it, the crosses,which were erected for us, have been thrown down; the stake whichwaitedforushasbeenremoved;thecannonwhichwerepointedagainstushavebeendismounted, and, from the royal residence of theLord ofHosts,thewhiteflagofpeaceisheldouttouspoordwellersuponearth.

The case has been well stated by an ancient writer, in the followingwords:"Adamwasaking,gloriouslyarrayed,andordainedtoreign.Butsincasthimdownfromhis lofty throne,andcausedhimthe lossof hispurple robe, his diademand scepter.But after his eyeswere opened toperceive how much he had lost, and when his looks were anxiouslydirectedtotheearthinsearchofit,hesawthornsandthistlesspringuponthespotwherethecrownfellfromhishead;thescepterchanged,asiftomockthefallenmonarch,intoafragilereed;andinsteadofthepurplerobe, his deceived hand took up a robe ofmockery from the dust. Thepoor disappointed being hung down his head with grief, when a voiceexclaimed, 'Look up!' He did so, and lo! what an astonishing visionpresented itself tohiseye!Beforehimstoodadignifiedandmysteriousman, who had gathered up the piercing thorns from the ground, andwoundthemroundhisheadforacrown;hehadwrappedhimselfintherobeofmockery, and taken the reed, theemblemofweakness, intohisownhand.'Whoareyou,wondrousbeing?'inquiredtheprogenitorofthehumanrace,astonished;andreceivedtheheart-cheeringreply,'IamtheKingofkings,who,actingasyourrepresentative,amrestoringtoyoutheparadisaical jewelsyouhave lost.'Ourdelighted first father thenbowedhimself gratefully and reverentially in the dust; and after being clothedwiththeskinofthesacrificedanimal,fathomedthedepthsofthewordsofJehovah,'Adamisbecomelikeoneofus.'"

What Ihavenowrelated toyou isaparable,butonewhichrestsonanhistoricalbasis.For, infact, thegreatexchangewhichChristmadewithus,asregardsthereversionandtheright,hasagainplacedusinthefullpossession of paradisaic glory, seeing that we are "begotten again to alivelyhope,andtoaninheritanceincorruptible,undefiled,andthatfadesnotaway,reservedinheavenforus,whoarekeptby thepowerofGod,throughfaithuntoeternalsalvation."

EcceHomo!

We stand, in spirit, beforeGabbatha. The judgment-seat is still empty.Thescene,asweareaware,hasbeentransferredforatimeintotheinnercourt-yard.Weknowthehorriblethingswhichhavethereoccurred.Theevangelists describe them with a trembling hand. They mention thescourging only briefly.We thinkwe see them covering their faceswiththeir hands at this terrific scene; but they cannot conceal from us thetearswhichsilentlystealdowntheircheeks.

Impatiencebegins to seizeupon themultitudeoutside;whensuddenly,the gate of the praetorium again opens. Pilate approaches, visiblyaffected, followed by One who is surrounded by a troop of jeeringbarbarians.Oh,whatanappearancedoeshepresent!Youshudder,andcover your faces. Do so, and permit me, meanwhile, to relate a briefnarrativetoyou.

Heaven'spearlygateswereoncethrownopen,andaHolyOnedescendedintotheworld—suchaoneas thesonsofmenhadneverseensincethefall.Hewasgloriousbeyondcompare, andcame toverify thedreamofJacob'sladder,whichconnectedearthwithheaven.Lovewashisbanner,compassion the beating of his heart. He sojourned three years amongmortals,sheddinglightonthosewhowerestumblingindarkness,fillingthe cottages of the wretched with temporal and spiritual blessings,invitingthewearyandheavyladentocometohim,inordertogivethemrest, and irradiating the darkness of the valley of death with promisesupon promises, as with somany golden lights from heaven. "I am notcome,"saidhe,"tobeministeredunto,buttominister,andtogivemylifearansomformany."Hetestifiedthathecametoredeemhispeoplefromtheir sins; that he would not leave them comfortless, but would bringthemto theFather,andelevate themtobe fellow-heirswithhim inhisglory.Andhowdidhefulfillhispromises,wheneveranyventuredtotakeheartandfiliallyconfideinhim!Owhatblessingsmustsuchaguesthavebrought with him to a world lying under the curse! Even the angelsaroundthethronemighthaveenviedthepilgrimsinthisvalleyofdeathbyreasonofthisvisit.Andasregardsthechildrenofmen—"Doubtless,"

yousay,"theyreceivedhimwithexultation,meltedintotearsofrapture,conductedhimintriumph,andknewnotwhattheyshoulddotomanifesttheirgratitudetotheirheavenlyfriendanddeliverer."

Truly, one might have supposed that such would have been the case.''What,andwasitnotso?"Myfriends,liftupyoureyes,andlooktowardGabbatha."Graciousheaven!"youexclaim,"Whoisyondersufferer?"O,myfriends,whomdoyoutakehimtobe?Lookhimnarrowlyintheface,andsayifwickednesscouldhaveventeditselfworsethanithasdoneonthis person?Alas! they havemade of him a carnival king; and as if hewereunworthyofbeingdealtwith seriously, theyhave impresseduponhimthestampofderision.Lookatthemockrobeabouthisshoulders,thetheatrical scepter in his hands, and on his head,which is coveredwithwounds and blood, the dreadful crown of thorns. Butwho is thisman,thushorriblydisfigured?Ithinkyouwillnolongerseriouslyinquire.Thelamb-like patience, and the superhuman resignation with which hestands before you, point him out sufficiently clearly. No less does themajestybetrayhim,which, inspiteofall theabasementheexperiences,stillshowsitselfinhiswholedeportment,aswellasthedivinelyforgivinglovewhich even now beams from his eye.Whowould be found actingthus in a similar situation? Yes, it is theHoly One from on high, whostandsbeforeyou,thepictureofagony."Beholdtheman!"exclaimstheheathen judge, deeply affected, and faintly impressed with an idea ofsome superior being. Ah, had Pilate clearly known, what he onlyobscurelyfelt,hewouldatleasthavesaid,"Youhaveherebeforeyouthemoral pattern of our race, the flower of humanity, and holinesspersonified."

"Beholdtheman!"Thehopeisoncemoreexcitedinthegovernor,thathewould still be able to accomplish the liberation of Jesus. "Now," hethinks, "the blood-thirstiness of the raging multitude will certainly besatisfied.InthepresenceofOnesofullofdignityandmeekness,thefuryofthemostcruelmustsubside,andrightfeelingreturn,eventothemosthardened."Letusseewhatoccurs.Thepeopleareabout toreply to thegovernor'sappeal—thepeople, that thousand-headedgiant,ofwhomsomuch is said in commendation, andwhose appearance is so imposing;whose united voice is supposed to be always correct, and even

proverbially esteemed equal to the voice of God. But what is the echowhichresoundsfromthebosomofthepowerfulmonsterinreplytothegovernor's exclamation, "Behold theman!" "Crucify him! Crucify him!"rendstheair,asifproceedingfromasingletongue.

"Butaretheseimpiousmenawareofwhattheyaredoing?"Certainlynot,in all its extent. You must not, however, suppose that they are actingmerely as in adream.Ono! In thepersonofChrist, theywould gladlydashtopiecesthemirrorwhichmutelyrendersthemconsciousof theirowndeformity.IntheNazarene,theywouldgladlyextinguishthelightoftheworld,whichtheyhate,becausetheyfeelmoreateaseinthedarknessofdeception,thaninthebroaddaylightofunvarnishedtruth.Theywouldgladly get rid of the disagreeable monitor who reminded them of theawfulnessofeternity; for theyarevexedatbeingdisturbed in thequietenjoyment of their earthly husks. They neither desire an externalconscience,northeexhibitionofamodelofvirtue,noranawakenerfromtheir deadly sleep, nor, generally speaking, any moral authority overthem.Onalltheseaccounts,theyareexasperatedagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael,andhavenothing left for himbut the implacable cry of "Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!"

Thus theyare judged. In themanifestationofhimwhowas"fairerthanthe children of men," our fallen nature has taken occasion to make itevidentthatitscorruptionisradical,itsdiseasedesperate,anditsinmosttendencynothingelsethanenmityagainsttheMostHighGod.Themanythousand additional proofs of this which history furnishes, we maydispensewith,afterourrace,inthemurderoftheLordfromheaven,haspronounced sentenceupon itself, and filledup themeasure of its guilt.The mute sufferer in the purple robe and crown of thorns, sits injudgment upon it, and silently testifies that without mediation and anatonement,theseedofAdam,initswholeextent,isexposedtothecurse.

ThatwhichmanifestsitselfatGabbatha,isonlythematurefruitofaseed,which grows, openly or secretly, in us all. Do not call this assertionunjust.Aslongaswehavenotexperiencedthesecondbirthbywaterandthe Spirit,we do not act,with regard to Jesus, in amanner essentiallydifferentfromthewretchedmenatGabbatha.Likethem,weareoffendedat theholinessofJesus.Likethem,wespurnthemfromus,whenhe is

desirousofrendingthewebofdeceitwehavespunaroundus.Likethem,wespituponhiminspiritwithourscorn,whenhegivesustounderstandthatweought tobow thekneeofhomage tohimasour ruler.Tellme,doesnotChriststillwear, inahundreddifferent forms,thepurplerobeandcrownof thorns in theworld? Ishenot exposed topublic ridicule,and treatedasa liarandanenthusiast,becausehebearswitness tohissuperhuman dignity? Is not his name, even to this day, proscribed bythousands,likescarcelyanyother?Doesnotanironicalsmiledartacrossthelipsofmany,whenitismentionedwithreverenceandfervor?Isitnotregarded, inmany circles, asmuchmorepardonable to be enthusiasticforVoltaire, than that it shouldoccur tous tobe serious inour love toJesus?Assoonaswebegintobeso,arewenotinundatedwithdisgraceand reproach, and in us, the Lord himself? Truly, the sins which werecommittedonthebleedingformofJesus,areso littletoberegardedasthesinsandimpiousactsofafew,thattheaccumulatedguiltofthewholehumanraceisonlytherebymadeapparent.Thehorribleandcruelsceneat Gabbatha is not yet at an end. It is daily renewed, although in asomewhatlessstrikingmanner.Thewords,"BeholdtheMan!"pointnotonly to what is past, they have also a condemning reference to thepresent. Alas, the world became a Gabbatha! The thorn-crownedmartyred form exhibited there mutely condemns us all withoutdistinction.

But the presence of the divine sufferer acts not merely judicially andcondemnatory. It also exercises an influence commanding homage andreverence. However deeply abased the Savior may appear, he is still aking.Eveninhisblood-stainedattire,heaccomplishesatrulyregalwork,and in sodoing,ascendsa throneonwhichnoeyehadpreviously seenhim.Itisnotthethroneofgovernmentoverallcreatedthings;fortothisthe Father had long before elevated him. Do not mistake, whilecontemplatingthemanthuscoveredwithdisgrace.Ifheswayseventhefeeble reed in his hand, legions of angels would hasten down for hisdefense,and layhis foesbeneathhis feet. Justas little is the thronehehereascendsthatofanavengerandajudge.Thisalsohehadpreviouslyoccupied. Let no one deceive himself; beneath his robe ofmockery, hestill conceals the thunder, and the lightning; and consuming fire, if hepermittedit,wouldissuefromhisthornycrown,asfromJotham'sbush

ofold,anddevourhisadversaries.

"Butifhepossessedthepowertodothis,whydidhenotmakeuseofit?"Ianswer,becausebeneath the robeofmockeryhewearsanotherandadifferentone, thepurpleofacompassionating love,which longsforthesalvationofthelost.Thenewthrone,whichheascendsonGabbatha, isthatofaKingofpoorsinnersandofa"PrinceofPeace."Itisthethroneofgrace,fromwhenceforgivenessflowsdown,insteadofretribution,andpromise proceeds instead of command. To this throne no other way isopentohim,butthatonwhichwehaveseenhimwalk.Beforethecursecould give way to blessing, the sword of justice to the olive branch ofpeace,theobligationsofsinnersmustbefulfilled,theirdebtsliquidated,and thusdivine justice satisfied.This is thegreatwork inwhichweseetheRedeemernowengaged.Throughsuffering,heacquiresfreshpower;immersedinignominy,heclotheshimselfwithnewglory.

"Behold theman!" Yes, fix your eyes upon him, and strike your handstogetherwith astonishment at the sight. In themock robe inwhich hestandsbeforeyou,hegainsvictoriesandtriumphswhichhenevercouldhave won in the sumptuous robe of his divine majesty. In it, heovercomes eternal justice,while compelling it to change its sentence ofdeathupon the sinner into a sentenceof grace. In it, heovercomes theirrevocable law, by rendering it possible for it to withdraw the cursepronounced upon us, without infringing its authority and dignity. Heovercomessin,fromwhichherendsitsdestructivepower;Satan,whomhedeprives of his last claim to us in theway of right; anddeath, fromwhichhetakesawaythesting,andthearmorofakingofterrors.Totheman,sodisfiguredasscarcelytoberecognized,belongs,henceforth,theearth, as the price of payment for his blood; and no destroying power,which,astheconsequenceofsin,had,bydivinepermission,enteredintotheworld,hasanymorealegalclaimuponit.Fromitspillarsheremovestheinsigniaandarmorialbearingsofallusurpingauthority,andreplacesthemwiththesignofthecross,themarkofhispeacefulsway.Andnoonedare to interfere and say to him, What do you? He is complete andunassailable inhisownright.Theworld ishis, thathemay lethis loverule over it, and not his wrath; and if he henceforth treats penitentsinnersasiftheywererepletewithholinessandvirtue,whowillbebold

enoughtocontesthisrighttodoso?

"Beholdtheman!"Yes,itisastrangeornamentthatdeckshishead;butknow, that in this wreath he possesses and uses a power of which hecould not boast while only adornedwith the crown of Deity, which heinherited fromall eternity. In the latter, he couldonly say to the dyingthief,"Beyouaccursed!"Intheformer,heisabletosaytohim,"Thisdayshall youbewithme inparadise!" In theheavenly crown,he could saynothingelsetoaMagdalene,atax-collector,oraparalytic,than"Departfromme!"andgivethemovertoperdition.Butinhiscrownofthorns,itis in his power to say to these guilty souls, "Go in peace, your sins areforgivenyou!" In the formerhe certainly reigned,butoverahopelesslyruinedrace,devotedtodestruction;inthediademofthorns,herulesoveraworldrepletewithgreatandgloriousanticipations.

"Beholdtheman!"Afeeblereedishisrodofoffice;butwiththescepterof Omnipotence, which he wielded from the beginning, he did notperform thewonderswhichheworkswith thismarkof abasementandweakness.True,thegatesofhellopenedfortransgressorsatawaveoftheformer;butwhenheswaysthelatter,thedoorsoftheparadisetheyhaveforfeited open for them at his pleasure.With the former, he was Lordovermankindonlyasoveralostracedestinedfortheslaughter;withthelatter, he now tends a flock of them called to eternal salvation. Thescepter of his majesty did not menace the kingdom of darkness in itsclaimonfallenman,sinceretributivejustice,whichisthebasisofGod'sthrone,boundedhispowerwithimpassablelimits.Withthescepterofhislowliness,onthecontrary,heoverturnstheseatoftheprinceofdarkness,taking away fromhim territory andpopulation, and that so justly, thathellitselfdaresnotobjectto,norcallitinquestion.

CanyoumistaketheconqueroroftheworldinHimwhomyouseebeforeyou?Doesnotthe"stronger"standbeforeyou,whotakesawaythespoilsand armor of the "strong man," and makes an end of all opposingauthority? But know, that in the same attire in which he there yieldshimselfuptotheworld,astoanylegalclaim,hecontinuestoovercomeit.Itisnotintheformof"theMasterinIsrael,"norinthatofthegloriousSonoftheEternalFather,butintheformofthedivinesufferer,thatheinclinestheheartsofthosetowardhimwhomhehaspurchasedwithhis

blood.Hemeetshischildrenusuallyinhiswreathofthorns,andgathers,eventothisday,therecompenseofhissufferingsinhisrobeofmockery,and not in the purple of his Eternal Majesty. The sons of the desertcontinueestrangedfromhimaslongashemeetsthemonlyinthegarbofateacher,orwiththeinsigniaofhissuperhumanroyalty.Butnosoonerdoes he display before them his suffering form, than they begin to beastonished, and feel attracted, as by a wondrous and magnetic power;andwhentheyhear,asfromhisbleedinglips,thatallheenduredwasfortheirsakes,itishispurplerobetheyfirstlayholdof,hiscrownofthornstowhichtheyfirstpayhomage,andhis reed-scepter towhich, in joyfulobedience,theybowtheirnecks,astothatoftheirrightfulLord.Yes,thesight of the suffering Savior is still the mighty power which silentlychangeslionsintolambs,breaksandmeltsthestonyheart,andpreparesthewayforhismostgloriousachievements.

"Beholdtheman!"Yes,keepyoureyesfixeduponhim.EvenasheistheJudgeandConqueror,soheisalsotheBenefactoroftheworld.Weknowthat he no longer stands on Gabbatha. He has long ago ascended thethroneofglory,inadifferentrobeandadifferentdiademtothatinwhichwe there beheld him. But he left us his thorn-crowned image in theGospel;andOh,thewondersithaswroughtintheworld,andcontinuesto perform, whenever the Holy Spirit illumines it! Even as in thatdegraded suffering form, the Lord from heaven saved theworld, so hestill shows himself in it as the world's benefactor. Thus arrayed, heexhibitshimself in the lonely cell of theweeping and contrite penitent,andhowistheheartofsuchaonerelievedatthesoundof"EcceHomo!"for"Hebareouriniquities."Inthisformheshowshimselftothosewhoareseverelytempted;andthesightofhimwhohastroddenSatanunderhis feet, renders their victory secure.He appears in this form to thosewhoaregrievouslyafflicted,andscarcelydo theybeholdhim than theybreathemore freely, and exultingly exclaim, "Through the cross to thecrown!" In this form he approaches his children, when rejected anddespisedbytheworld;andwhentheyseehim,thoughonlythroughthelattice, they feel already fresh courage, and boldly say, "We desire nootherarrayfromyouwhoarehisadversaries,thanthatinwhichyouonceclothedourGloriousHead."Inthisformhesilentlydrawsneartothosewhofeelgrievedatthebaseingratitudeandcoldnessoftheworld;butin

his presence, how quickly does their sorrow turn to deep confusion attheirdesireforhumanpraiseandemptyhonor!Inthisformherestoresthosetohisflock,whohadagainletthemselvesbeseducedfromhimbytheallurementsoftheworld.Acompassionateandwarninglookfromhiseye, from under the crown of thorns, causes them again to melt incontrition at his feet. In this formhe appears to his childrenwhen theshadesofdeathbegintofallaroundthem,andtheirfeetalreadytreadthedark valley; andwhen their half-closed eyes behold him, they feel thatheavenlypeace flowsdownto themfromhiscrownofthorns,andthat,from the reed in his hand, the king of terrors, overcome, shrinks backwith all his horrors, and as if the purple robe of their divine friendextendeditselflikeapeacefulcanopyoverthem.Cheeredbyhispresence,they exclaim with good old Simeon, "Lord, now let you your servantdepartinpeace,formineeyeshaveseenyoursalvation!"

Omay he thus appear to us, likewise, when our day declines, and thedarkness of night surrounds us!May he then unveil his suffering formbefore us, when the gloomy path presents itself to our view, whichwemust tread alone!When our pulse ceases to beat, amid the unavailingtears of those who are dear to us, and the world passes away from usforever;whennohumanareanylongeravails,andeventheconsolationof human affection no longer reaches the heart, O may he thenaccompany us in our solitary path, in his purple robe and crown ofthorns,andallthatisdarkarounduswillbechangedintoheavenlylightandglory!Foritisinthisformaboveeveryother,thatthegreattruthisexpressed,thatthesentenceofdeathandthecurseareremovedfromourheads to his, in order that free access to the throne of grace may begrantedus,whenclothed in therobeofhisrighteousness.Ohowmuchsoonerdoesapoorsinnertakehearttolayholdofthehemofhispurplerobe, thanof thatofhisgarmentof light;while fromthe thornywreatharound his brow, the mysterious benediction of Moses is pronouncedupon us: "The good-will of him that dwelt in the bush come upon theheadofJoseph,anduponthetopoftheheadofhimthatwasseparatedfromhisbrethren."

Let, then, the sound of "Ecce Homo!" ever vibrate in our hearts, andnothing in the world ever cause his suffering form to fade from our

mentalview.Thisoughtnevertobethecase,ifwedesirethatthepeaceofGod,courageinstrivingagainstsinandtheworld,andcomfortinlifeanddeath, shouldabidewithinus.Thewisdomof the just consists, asPaulexpresses it, in knowing nothing among men save Christ, and himcrucified.Dyingdaily toourselvesandtheworld, in fellowshipwith thedyingRedeemer,inorderdailytorisewithhimtothenewlifeinGod,isourvocation.Letusbesatisfiedwithit,rememberingthat"wehaveherenoabidingcity."Howlongmayitbebeforewehearthesoundofanother"EcceHomo!"Butifwethenliftupoureyes,adifferentformwillpresentitselftoourviewthanthatwhichwesawonGabbatha.TheKingofGlorywill then have exchanged the robe ofmockery for the starrymantle ofDivineMajesty,thewreathofthornsforacrownofglory,andthereedforthescepterofuniversaldominion.Heinclinesthelattertousgraciouslyas the symbol of his especial favor, saying, "Come, and inherit thekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld!"AndwhilefromtheinterioroftheheavenlycityofGodthenever-endinghallelujahsoftheblessedabovegreetourears,ourfullheartsrespondtotheecstaticacclamation, "Worthy is theLamb thatwasslain, to receivepower,andriches,andwisdomandstrength,andhonorandglory,andblessing."

TheCloseoftheProceedings

The judicial procedure against the Lord of Glory hastens to its close.Events crowd upon, and even overthrow each other. The great anddecisivemomentisathand,andtheoccurrenceswhichtakeplace,claimoursympathyinanincreasingdegree.

"Crucifyhim!"wasthepeople'sanswertothepatheticappealofthemorethanhalf-vanquishedgovernor, that the lifeof theLordJesusmightbespared. This response completely dispossessed Pilate of his last andimaginary safe position.Behold him, now amere object of compassionandpity,helpless,andwhollyataloss,inwardlytornandtorturedbythescourge of his better-self; without faith, though not free fromsuperstition, and therefore the football of human and infernal powers,whichexert their influenceoverhim.Heagainaffirmsthe innocenceoftheaccused,butinsteadofterminatingtheproceedingsbytheliberation

ofJesus,asheoughttohavedone,hedemeanshimselfsofarastogivethecowardlyadvicetotheJewstotakehimandcrucifyhimwithouthisauthority:really,ourcompassionfortheweak-mindedandunprincipledmanbeginsgreatlytodiminish,andwithrespecttohim,wearetemptedtosoftenourreprobationofthepeoplethusmisledandstrengthenedintheirdelusionbyPilate'sweakness,andtotransferitentirelytohim.Canwefeel surprised that thepeoplebecomemorebold, themore they seethe judge vacillate and give way? "We have a law," they cry out verydeterminedly,"andbyourlawheoughttodie,becausehemadehimselftheSonofGod."ThepeoplearenotsatisfiedwithsimplyputtingJesustodeath, but in order to avoid the appearance of revolt, they desire thatJesusshouldbeexecutedunderalltheformsofpublicjustice.

ThenewaccusationherebroughtbytheJewsagainstJesus,thathemadehimself theSonofGod, isverydeservingofnotice.By this, they in factassertthatJesus,intheproceedingsagainsthim,hadassumedthishighandhonorable title.That they thereforeconsiderhimguiltyofa capitalcrime,mayserveusasacriterionoftheextentandsublimitywhichtheyattached to that appropriation.How could it have occurred to them toregardthelatterasanythingimpious,hadtheytakenitforgranted,thatJesushaddeclaredhimself tobe aSonofGod innohigher sensethanthatinwhichallmen,andespeciallythepiousandsuchaskeepthelaw,mightsocallthemselves?Butitwasquitecleartothem,thatbythetitleofSonofGod,Jesusintendedtoplacehimselfhighaboveeverycreature,and even on an equalitywith the all-sufficientGod himself. And if ourLordhadintendedlessthanthis,itwashissacredduty,onthisoccasion,to reject the assertionofhis accusers as false, or to rectify it asagreatmistake.However, he neither does the one nor the other, but observessilence,andbyit,openlyconfirmstheaccusationbroughtagainsthimaswell-founded.

"Wehavealaw,"criedthepeople;andsuchtheyhad,indeed—apositivelaw,revealedfromheaven,andcontainedinthewrittenwordofGod.Alaw,clearerthanthesun,deeperthanthesea,andasthepurereflectionof the holiness of God, and the perfect expression of his unchangeablewill,valid for thewholeworld for timeandforeternity;andknow,thatuntilGodshallbecome lessholy thanhe is,andnotuntil then,will the

requirementsofthatlawbelessenedandmitigated.WhenthejusticeofGodoncebeginstodecline,andhistruthtovacillate,then,andnotuntilthen,will the transgressinghis lawbeof lessmoment,and thecurseofthe law be less feared. But as long as there is in God no shadow of achange,hislawretainsitsmajestyandimplacableseverity;andaslongasjusticeandjudgmentarethehabitationofhisthrone,hewhocontinuesnotinallthingsthatarewritteninthebookofthelaw,isrejectedofGodand under the curse. Hence the law of which we speak, cannot be afavoredorwelcomeguestuponearth.AslongaswelivewithoutuniontoChrist,weshouldrejoiceifthelawdidnotexist.Forwhatdoesiteffect,butshowusinaclearlight,ourestrangementfromGod,andbymeansofits threatenings, cause a hell in our consciences?Howmany thousandshasitrobbedoftheirpeaceandalltheenjoymentoflifeandimprisonedthem, for the rest of their days, in the gloomy dungeons of terror anddespondency!Whereisthewonder,then,iftheyexecratethelaw,andarealwaysendeavoringtounnerveandmakeitvoid.Forifthelawwasnotintheworld,sinwouldbenolongersin,andmenwouldimaginetheycouldreachheavenastheylisted.Buttowishthattherewerenolaw,wouldbetodesirethatGodshouldceasetoexist.ForifthereisaGodinheaven,hehasarightoverhiscreatures,andthewillofGod,asthepersonalabstractofeveryvirtue,cannotbelessholythanthelawoftheScriptures,whichrequiresaperfection,"evenastheFatherinheavenisperfect."

TheJewsofthatdayhadstillaconsciousnessoftheexistenceofadivinelaw.Theworld in thepresentdayhas long ago lost thisconsciousness,andhassweptawaythepositivecommand,byareckless,arbitrary,self-chosen, and shallowmorality. This substitute,which capitulates to ourcorruptnature,doesnothurlacurse,butunavoidablybringsoneafterit.It is rebellion against the law to endeavor to weaken and neutralize it;and, believe me, in due time it will avenge itself on all such, anddreadfullyvindicateitshonor.

"Wehavealaw,andbyourlawheoughttodie,becausehemadehimselftheSonofGod."Verytrue,presupposingthathehadspokenfalselyinthegreat things he asserted of himself. The charge of a treasonableblasphemywould thenhave lainuponhim.Such,however,wasnot thecase, for he was really what he gave himself out to be. But let us

remember,thathewasnowappearinginourstead;andinthispositionthe people's sentence proves correct. You know, however, that he died,thejustfortheunjust,andthushebecametheendofthelawtoallthemthatbelieve.Wediedwithhim,withoutpersonallyfeelingthesufferingofdeath. Inhimwe emptied the bitter cup,whichwasdestined for us onaccountofoursins.Henceforwardthe lawno longerstands inourway,butonlyministerstousinofficesof love.Henceforthitmayonlysaytous,"Beholdtherighteousnessreflectedinmydemands,andknowthatitisnowyours inChristJesus.AspersonallyholyasI requirementobe,youshalleventuallybepresentedbeforeGod."Thelawisalsoappointedtous,whodelight in the lawofGodafter the inwardman, to live soasentirelytopleasehim,whohasboughtuswithhisblood;tounfoldtous,in every case, what is pleasing to the Lord, and with which we mayinfalliblyservehim;and inaddition to this, to showus its threateningsanditscurses,asaconqueredgeneralshowstohisvictors,theordnance,which,duringtheconflict,weredismountedbytheirsuperiorfire.Itistosuchperformancesthatthelawisnowenjoined.Itisourfriend,thoughoccasionallydisguisedunderagloomymask,andmakesagainthesoundofitsliftedrodtobeheardbyus.Thisitdoes,onlytodriveusbacktothewoundsofJesus,orstilldeeperintothem.Buthavingagainreachedthiscityofrefuge, it greetsus in its trueandwholly reconciled form. Ithasforever forsaken its hostile and menacing position with regard to us."Christistheendofthelaw;"andwhoeverisconsciousofbeingasinnerinthesightofGod,lethimreadthesewordstohiscompletesatisfaction.Inthemliesthespringofmypeace,aswellasthedyingsong,withwhichIhope,atlength,gentlyandblissfullytofallasleep.

"Hemade himself the Son ofGod," cried the assembled crowd. "WhenPilateheardthatsaying,"weareinformed,"hewasthemoreafraid."Wewellunderstand the reason.Thewordswere inunisonwithhisdeepestpresentiment.Hehadlongfelt,whiletheHolyOnewasbeforehim,asiftransportedintoasupernaturalregion.Theremembranceofhischildishdreams of heavenly beings, who appeared as dispensing benefits tomankind,ofsonsofGod,whofavoredtheearthwiththeirvisits,awokeagain in his soul, accompanied bymore serious and gloomy thoughts;and although it did not occur to him to conceive of such amessengerfromOlympusinthepersonoftheNazarene,yettherealityofasuperior

world impressed itself so strongly uponhim, that,with his enlightenedunderstanding, he felt himself greatly perplexed. Jesus had thereforedeclaredhimselftobetheSonofGod.Thisseemedtothegovernortobesomethinghighlyremarkableandsignificant.Allthathehadseenofthemanwithhisowneyesseemedonlytoconfirmthisassertionrespectinghim."TheSonofGod!"Pilate,hadhebeenwillingtohavegivenventtothe feeling, which in single moments overpowered him, would havealmostcalledhimso;andwhatwasthereinthewondrousmantorenderitincrediblethatheshouldbeofotherdescentandsuperiorinnaturetoother men? Pilate is deeply affected. His mind feels a degree ofmysteriousapprehensionofwhich ithadneverbeforebeen thesubject.Heisanxiousto inquiremoreparticularlywhotheNazareneis,andforthispurposeretireswithhimagainintotheinteriorofthepalace.

Hereamemorableconversationtakesplacebetweenthem.Pilatebeginsit with an inquiry, which includes within it nothing less than the vitalquestionof thewholeof theChristian religion. "Whenceareyou?" sayshe.Youperceivethatwehaverightlyjudgedofwhathadoccurredwithinhim. His inquiry does not refer to the city or town, but rather to theworld,fromwhenceJesusproceeded.Hewishestoknowwhetherheisasonofearth,orhascomefromsomeothersphereoftheuniverse.Thisofitself has become a problem to Pilate.How clearly, therefore,must thestamp of eternity have shone upon our Lord's forehead, even in hismenialform!

"Whence are you?" We perceive from the emphasis laid upon thisquestion,thatiftheLordhadreplied,"Iamfromheaven,"thegovernorwouldnothavestartedbackamazed,butwouldonlyhavesaid,"Thenmypresentimenthasnotdeceivedme,forithasalreadyseemedtomeasifyouwereonlyastrangerandapilgrimuponearth."But theLordgiveshim no such answer, and even thinks fit to leave him without anyinformation.Wemustnotregardthisasstrange;forwhatbenefitwouldPilatehavederived, if thegreatmysteryhadthenbeenrevealedtohim,that "In thebeginningwas theWord,and theWordwaswithGod,andthe Word was God, and the Word became flesh?" The heart of theheathengovernorwasnotpreparedforit,andhisinquiryconcerningthedescentofJesus,strictlyregarded,musthaveproceededmorefromvain

curiositythanfromadesireforsalvationandaneedofhelp.Besidesthis,suchadisclosure respectingChrist's trueperson and nature could onlyhave increased Pilate's responsibility, and have aggravated hiscondemnation at the last day, and hence it proceeded both fromcompassionandsparingmercy,thatJesusmaintainedaprofoundsilenceathisquestion.How littlePilatewouldhave felt inclined tobow tothescepteroftheSonofGod,hadherecognizedhimassuch,issufficientlyevidenced from the conduct which he observed immediately after thequestion.ForonJesusnotatoncereplyingtohim,hefeelsoffended,andaddresses the Lord, in a tone of extreme excitement,with the arrogantandhaughtywords,"Speakyounotuntome?KnowyounotthatIhavepower to crucify you, andhave power to release you?"Hear him, only!How evident he makes it appear what spirit he is of! Ah, the finestfeelingsandpresentimentsofthenaturalmanareonlylikearapidvernalvegetationuponamoralmorass,which justasrapidlydecays.Themanmustbebornagain,orelsehecontinuessoldundersinasfromthefirst;and his life, however moral and pious it may appear, will only be anuninterruptedchainofrelapses.

"Speakyounotuntome?"DoesnotthemanactasiftheLordcommittedhigh treason by not immediately giving him the desired information?What presumption! what price! "Know you not," continues he, "that Ihave power to crucify you, and have power to release you?" Oh, whatdelusion,whatridiculousandbeggarlyprideinonewhohadjustbefore,inthepresenceofhissubjects,manifestedaweaknesswhichshouldnothaveallowedhimtouseany longertheword"power"withoutblushing,especiallywithreferencetocrucifyingandreleasing!

But letus listen towhat theLordsays.With themajestic composureofhisregalself-consciousness,herepliestothejudgewhosoboldlyboastedof his authority. "You could have no power at all againstme, except itweregivenyoufromabove;thereforehewhodeliveredmeuntoyouhasthe greater sin." Admirable words, perfectly worthy of the Lord fromheavenandtheSonofGod!Accordingtothem,Pilateappears,althoughacting, in his own estimation, as self-existent and independent, as anunconscious instrument in the hands of the living God for a sublimepurpose, only moving within limits appointed and marked out by an

invisiblehand.He isunable todoanythingbut thatwhichGodenableshim to do. Notwithstanding his cowardice and want of principle, hewouldnothavedeliveredJesusovertohismurderers,ifithadnotbeenpre-determined in heaven. He walks, indeed, in his own way, but inleading-strings ofwhich he is unconscious.He bears, indeed, his guilt;but,whileactingthusculpably,hepromotesagreatandsacredobject,ofwhichheisignorant.

TheLordimmediatelyfollowsupwhathehassaid,thatwascalculatedtohumble and put the governor to shame, with something different andmore consolatory. "Therefore," sayshe, "hewhodeliveredmeunto youhasthegreatersin."PilatehadnotunderstoodourLord'swords,whenhespokeofapowergivenhimfromabove,andhadregardedtheLordwithsurprise and astonishment. It is not his misunderstanding his words,which evidenced itself in his gestures, to which the Lord refers. Heintendstosay,"Becauseyouareignorantofme,andknownotwhyIamcomeintotheworld,yourguiltislessthanthatofhimwhodeliveredmeintoyourhands."ThelatterwasprimarilythehighpriestCaiaphas,thissonofAbraham,thismaster inIsrael,whohadgrownupinthelightofMosesandtheprophets,and,therefore,knewwhatthetitle"SonofGod"signified,andwasinapositiontorecognizethisSonofGodinChrist.He,nevertheless, pronounced the sentence of death upon our Lord, as ablasphemer.Thissinwasthegreaterbecausecommittedinthedaylightof scriptural illumination, and against superior light and knowledge. Itwasso,becauseitwasnotcommittedfromweakness,butpurposely;notfrombeingtakenbysurprise,butconsiderately;notfromcowardice,butfromwickedness. But observe how the Lord here again appears great.Howheshowshimselfafreshasthekingoverall,yes,asthejudgeoftheworld.Withthecertaintyofaninfalliblesearcherofhearts,heweighssinandguiltinthebalancesofthesanctuary,appointsthemeasureoffuturepunishment,opens,atthesametime,totheunhappygovernoraprospectofmercyandpossibleforgiveness,andinthelattertrait,againmanifeststhecompassionofhisheart,whichthirstedforthesalvationofsinners.

TheLord'swordshavenotentirelyfailedoftheireffectonthemindofthegovernor.Heclearlyfeelsinthemthesublimeaswellasthebenevolentand charitablemotivewhichdictated them;andhencehe is inducedto

return to the open court, and,with fresh zeal, to repeat the attempt toliberateJesus.Buthethenhearsfromthecrowdbelowthewordswhichbreakthemastandrudderofthebarkofhisgood-will,evenonventuringoutoftheharbor."Ifyouletthismango,youarenotCaesar'sfriend;forwhoever makes himself a king (like him for whom you are pleading)speaksagainstCaesar."

Thisoutcryhitthegovernor'sweakestandmostvulnerableside.Heknewhis master, the Emperor Tiberius, too well, not to foresee that anaccusationlikethatwhichhadjustbeenraisedagainsthim,ifitreachedhisear,wouldfindonlytoostrongaresponseinhissuspiciousmind,andwouldcosthim,thegovernor,hisoffice,andwhoknowswhatbeside.He,therefore, felt assured that the emperor who, as we are informed by acontemporarywriter,regardedthecrimeoflezemajestyasthehighestofallaccusations,would,withoutpreviousinquiry,pronouncetheseverestsentenceuponhimsosoonasheshouldbeinformedthathisviceroyhadset aman at liberty who had attempted to claim the title of king overIsrael.Buttheemperor'sfavorwaseverythingtoPilate,forwithitstoodor fell his official dignity. No, the emperor's anger would haveendangeredhis liberty and life, and itwas a grave questionwithPilatewhether he ought to sacrifice these blessings to justice and peace ofconscience. He certainly judged differently in the sequel; like manyamongus,withwhomitseemsalsoaquestionwhetherthepeaceofGodisthechiefofblessings,whowillafterwardviewthematterinadifferentlight.Godgrantthatthehouroftheirawakingfromthedevil'ssnaremaynotcometoolate,thatis,onlywhennochoicewillbeleftthem,because,having too long and obstinately chosen the curse against their betterknowledge,theyarealreadygivenovertohardnessofheart.

NosoonerdoesPilateheartheunfortunatewords,"YouarenotCaesar'sfriend," thanhis littleremainingability toresistgivesway.Hedoesnotindeed entirely give up his efforts to set Jesus at liberty; but what heundertakesforthatpurpose, iswiththedespairingconsciousnessthatasuccessful result isno longer tobeexpected.With the instabilityofonewho is completely driven from the field, he steps forward from thepraetoriumoncemore,againbringstheaccusedwithhimuponthestage,ascends with assumed solemnity the judgment-seat, and then again

begins toharangue thepeople.Butallhenowadduces,onlyproves theboundless confusion which reigns within him, and seems only to becalculated fully to frustrate his purpose. "Behold your king," cries he,pointing to the suffering Savior, torn with stripes, and covered withignominy.Whodoesnotfeelfromthisexclamation,thatitwaspromptedbyamixtureofcompassionfor theManofSorrows,andofbitterscorntowardthehatedJews?Hewishesatoneandthesametime,togainthemover to favor Jesus, and to give them a very painful blow. The peoplenaturally felt only thepoisoned sting of his speech, andnot itsmovingpower, and that which Pilatemight have foreseen occurs. The insultedmultitude rise up, like an irritated viper, and cry out more resolutely,angrily, and furiously than before, "Away with him, away with him,crucify him!" Pilate now loses all self-possession. His passion evenremovestheobjectofhiseffortsfromhisview;likeamadmandestroyinghis furniture, so Pilate destroys the last hope of Jesus' rescue, whilepouringoil into the flameof thepeople's ragealreadybrightlyburning;he calls out maliciously and with bitter sarcasm to the raging crowd,"Shall I crucify your king? You think," is hismeaning, "to blackenmycharacterwiththeemperorasaprotectorof,andfellow-conspiratorwitha rebel; but you are the rebels; forhere is your chief towhomyoupayhomage."Buthenolongerknowswhatheissaying.Inwarddiscomfitureand despair, accompanied by a powerless thirst for revenge, andridiculousarrogance,renderhimbesidehimself.Thechiefpriests,onthecontrary, know better how to preserve their coolness. To the ironicalquestion,"ShallIcrucifyyourking?"theyhaveimmediatelyananswerathand,which,thoughitcastsahorrible lightuponthemselves,couldnothave beenmore ably chosen, had it been their intention, through it, togive the governor a moral death-blow. With pretended loyalty anddevotedness toward the Roman sovereignty, they cried briefly andforcibly, "We have no king but Caesar," and thus give themselves, asregards Pilate, themenacing aspect as if itwere they, and not he,whodefendedtheendangeredauthorityandsovereigntyof theemperor.ButthesuppositionthatthemattermightberegardedinthesamemannerbyTiberius, as well as the idea of the dreadful punishment, which wouldimpendoverhim, if, in theemperor'sgloomysoul the suspicionshouldarisethatthesubjugatedHebrewsweremorefaithfultohimthanhisownservant,quiteoverpowered thegovernor.HenowgivesJesusup to the

peopletodowithhimastheylist.Theyhavegainedacompletevictory;butwoe,woetothepoorunhappybeings!Whilevociferating,"WehavenokingbutCaesar!" inwhichtheyrejectedthe trueMessiah,aswellastheirhopesinhim,theyverifiedJotham'sparableofthetrees,whochosefor their king a fiery bramble-bush, and unconsciously pronouncedsentenceandpredictedacurseuponthemselvesforthousandsofyears.TothishourtheJewshavenoking,butlivewithoutlawsandwithoutahome,astoleratedaliensunderforeigndominion.

WetakeourleaveofPilate,andbidhimfarewell,notwithoutsorrow.Hewasfittedforsomethingbetterthanthatwhichwesawhimdisplay.Buthewishedtoservetwomasters—God,whospoke inhisbosom,andtheworldatthesametime;andhencehisfallandhisruin.Hewasdesirousofdoingwhatwasright,butnotwholly.Hissentimentswerenoble,buthedidnotmakeroomfortheDivineSpirittoconfirmthefeelinginhimuntilitbecameapermanentconvictionandresolutewill.Theseedofallthe sanctifying impressions he received, fell under the thorns of hisunbroken pride and worldly-mindedness, and these sprang up, andoverpoweredandchokedit.Pilate fellasacrificetohiswantofdecisionandweaknessofcharacter,evenasnumberlessothers, thoughoftenthesubjectoffinefeelingsandresolutions,incessantlybecomeapreytothepowerofSatan.

We have very scanty intelligence respecting the governor's subsequentfate. We merely know that his inward state became gradually moregloomy,andhisseverityincreased;fromwhencewereasonablyinferthathis peace was at an end, because his conscience condemned him onaccountofthecryinginjusticecommittedupontheHolyOneofIsrael.Inconsequence of heavily oppressing the people, in which he afterwardindulged,hewasremovedbytheSyrianProconsul,inthelastyearofthereignofTiberius,andbanishedtoFrance.Itisaquestionwhether,inhisexile,hecametohimself,andlearnedtoknowtheKingoftheJewsinthegloryofhismediatorship.ThecursewhichhoveredoverPilate'sheadwaswrittenclearlyenoughtoinduceustohopethatitscontentswouldbringhimtoreflection,andkindle inhimadesire formercyandforgiveness.Theprimitive fathers speak of documentswhichPilate sent to TiberiusrespectinghisjudicialproceedingsagainstJesus,andhisdeath,bywhich

thelatterwasinducedtocauseChristtobereceivedamongthegods.Wehaveno reason todoubt the truthof this ancient tradition; and for thesakeof thosewho cannotbelieve in the superhumanmajesty ofChrist,sincerely regret that these documents are lost. But to me, the wholeconductwhich Pilate, though a heathen, observed toward Jesus, seemssufficiently glorifying to him. Pilate occupies his place in the apostle'screedasawitness for theholinessandsuperhumandignityof theLordfromheaven, aswell as thatChristwas delivered up and crucified, notmerelyaccording tohumanwill anddesign,but inaccordancewith thedivineplanofredemptionandmercy.

Weconclude,while impressivelycalling tomind thewordsof theLord,"Hewhoisnotwithmeisagainstme,"andthoseoftheapostle,"Itisagoodthingthattheheartbeestablishedwithgrace;"asalsotheprayerofthe Psalmist, "Upholdmy goings in your paths, that my footsteps slipnot."

TheWaytotheCross

"Then delivered he him therefore unto them." How mournful andhorrifyingthissounds!AlasforPilate!Hadhebutknownwhoitwas,andallthathegaveupinthusdeliveringhim!Wehavetastedonlyalittleofhis heavenly manna, but we would not give him up for all the world."Lord,towhomelseshallwego?Youhavethewordsofeternallife."Weconfess, indeed,with deep humiliation, thatwe are frequently guilty ofdenying his name, and whenever this is the case, we go out, weepingbitterly,withPeter, andafterhavingbeen comfortedbyhimafresh,weagain say, with stronger emphasis than before, "We will never againdeliver him up."We renounce the friendship, favor, and honor, of hisadversaries.Ifthewholeworldwereofferedtous,Jesusisnottobehadin exchange. Our union with him bears the stamp and signature ofeternity.

"Then delivered he him unto them." Oh, if Pilate had had any idea ofwhose instrumenthewasat thatmoment!Buthe isunacquaintedwiththe precious words, "God so loved the world that he gave his only-

begottenSon,"andthoseoftheapostle,"HewhosparednothisownSon,but freelygavehimup forusall:howshallhenotwithhimalso freelygiveusallthings?"Thesetestimonies,however,areknowntous;wealsoknow their mysterious depth; we hang down our heads at the words,"Thendeliveredhehimuntothem,"sinkdowninthedust,andadore.

"Then."Hewasnowreadyandpreparedforthelastgreatsacrificialact.Hehadfulfilledthelaw,hadvictoriouslyenduredeverytrialoffaith,andhadprovedhimselfineveryordealtobepureandunalloyedgold.Hewas"theLambwithoutspot,"obedientbeyondcompare,anditwasjustsucha sacrifice as this that the God of holiness required. He must first befoundworthy of a crown before he could bear the curse. All is now inreadiness.

"Thendeliveredhehim."Nowclose the temple,yousonsofAaron; thetypesandshadowswithwhichyouhadtodohavedonetheirduty,nowthatthesubstancehasappeared.Layasidethebandfromyourforeheads,andthebreastplate,youministersofthesanctuary;forknowthatanothernow justly adorns himself with both, and that your priesthood hasreacheditstermination.

Theactofdeliveringovertheaccusedhastakenplace;Jesusisnowinthehandsofhisenemies,likealambamidwolves,oradoveintheclawsofthevulture.HowwasDavid intherightwhenhesaid,"Iwillratherfallinto thehandof theLord, than into thehandsofman."Lookhow theytreat the Holy One, now that they have him among them. They againassailhimwiththebitterestmockery,cruellyandrudelytearthepurplerobefromhisbleedingbody,andputonhimhisownclothesagain,notfromcompassion,butbecauseitseemstothemthatthehorribledeathtowhichtheyarenowpreparingtoconducthim,isnolongertobetreatedasajestorascoff,butrequiresacertainsolemnseriousness.

HavenotthemodernenemiesofChristarrivedatasimilarstageintheirconduct toward him? When, fifty years ago, the French illuminationspread itselfover thenations likeapoisonousatmosphere,Christagainstoodasamockkingonthestageof theworld;andhewhothoughthepossessed anything ofwit and humormade use of them to brand bothhimandhiscausewiththestampofridicule.Theproceedingshavesince

assumedanotherandmoreseriousappearance.Itisalmostunanimouslyagreed,inthepresentday,thatChrististoogreatandtoonobleformeretrifling. His person and doctrine are thought worthy of being treatedscientifically, and thus they put on the dishonored Jesus his garmentagain, inasmuch as they do not hesitate to restore to him the honor ofbeingoneofthewisestandnoblestmenthatevertrodtheearth.Butallthis gravity, regarded in the light, is nothing else than a solemnintroduction to theactof crucifixion.Christ,doubtlesswithgravityanddecorum, is declared in the name of science, to be a mere man, andtherefore an enthusiast and a blasphemer, justly condemned to becrucified,becausehehadaffirmedonoaththathewasmorethanaman,and hence was guilty of blasphemous perjury, in the judgment of themostmodernphilosophy.Intruth,notwithstandingallappearancetothecontrary,theanti-christianspirithasonlyentereduponanewandmoredangerous phase of development, and has approached considerablynearer itsperfectmaturity.Beneath thescoffandscornofearlier timesthere was always an accusing conscience, which was endeavored to bekept down and overpowered. Behindmodern unbelief is encamped thedeepestandmosthopelessstateofdeath.Withphilosophicalpridetheyfeelassuredof the incontrovertible foundation for theirviewsofChrist,andthushasunbeliefexpandeditselfintostrongdelusion.

Thechangeofgarmentswhichtookplaceinthecourtofthepraetoriumremindsmeofanactinourownlife.InthedaysofourblindnesswehadalsodivestedtheLordJesusof thegloryofhis inherentsplendor,whilepresumingtodenyoneorotherparticularconcerninghim,soastoleavehimlittlemorethanthetitleofaJewishRabbi,ortheSageofNazareth.Buthowdidweafterwardalterourcourse,whentheLordstrippedusofthegarmentsofourimaginaryrighteousness,andinthemirrorofhislawexhibited to us our real form! How hastily did we then put uponImmanuelhisownclothing!WefirstgaveyoubackyourMessiah-crown,andthenyoursacrificialandpriestlyrobes,and,finally,yourdiademastheKingofGlory;fortheawakenednecessitiesofourheartshadrectifiedour vision, and sharpened it for your beauty. Amid many tears ofrepentanceanddelight,weagainclothedyouinyouroriginalattire.Younowstandsbeforeusinyourfullandcompletearray,andwewillnevercease to bow the knee before you, and to rejoice, and say with Jacob,

"Judah,youarehewhomyourbrethrenshallpraise!"

After the soldiers hadmade their preparations, the awful sign appears,whichhassincebecomethestandardof thekingdomofChrist,andthetokenofour salvation.During the spaceof three thousandyears ithadbeen constantly symbolized to the view of the believing Israelites. It isevenreflectedinthepeculiarmannerinwhichthedyingpatriarchJacob,with crossed hands, blessed his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh. Itglimmered no less in the wave-offerings of the tabernacle and temple,which,asiswellknown,wereaccustomedtobewavedsoastomaketheformofacrossappear.Inthewilderness,thesignwaselevatedtosupportthe brazen serpent, and the spirit of prophecy interwove it in thefigurativelanguageofDavid'sPsalms,whenplacinginthemouthofthefutureMessiahthewords,"Theypiercedmyhandsandmyfeet."

Look,yondertheybringit!AccordingtotheRomancustom,allwhowerecondemnedtothepunishmentofthecrosswerecompelledtocarrythatinstrumentof theirdeath to theplaceofexecution;andeventhedivinesuffererisnotsparedthisdisgraceandtoil.Withoutmercytheylayonhiswoundedbackthehorribleinstrumentoftorture;and,afterhavinggivenhim for his escort two grievous criminals, similarly burdened andcondemnedtothesamedeath,theyopenthegateofthecourtyardtowardthe street, in order at length to satisfy the people, who had beenimpatientlyawaitingthecruelspectacle.Alowmurmurofmaliciousjoyandprofoundexcitementpervadesthemasswhenthethreecross-bearersmaketheirappearance.Theprocessionsets itself inmotion.Inthevan,anarmed troopon foot andonhorseback; then the three victims,withtheir crosses, surrounded by their executioners; behind these, the civiland ecclesiastical authorities of the nation; and, finally, the crowding,gaping,innumerablemultitude.

We silently join them in spirit. Oh, what a path is that which we nowtread! Only think, it is thus the unhappy world repels the man whoentereduponitheraldedbyangels,andinthemidstofheavenlysongsofpraise. It is thussherewardshimfor theunwearied lovewithwhichhepoureduponhertheabundanceofallconceivablybenefitsandmercies!Oh,who that is still inclined to doubtwhethermankindwasworthy ofeternalperditionwithout the intervention of amediator, let him cast a

lookat thispathof suffering,andconvincehimselfof thecontrary!ForwhyistheHolyOnethusdraggedalong,unlessitbethatwelovedsintooardentlynottohateaman,eventothedeath,whomadehimselfknownasthedelivererfromit.

Lookthere,hebendsbeneathhisheavyburden!Dreadfulandhorribleishissituation!Allhisfriendshaveforsakenhim,andevenheavenissilentabovehim,as if it alsohadrejectedhim.Anancient legend states, thatVeronica, a youngmaiden, steppedup tohimweeping from thecrowd,andwithcompassionatehandwipedthebloodysweatfromhiswoundedbrow. In gratitude for this service, the Lord left her his image on thenapkin.Thisisonlyafictionandalegend,butthesentimentitconveysissignificant and true. Whoever is brought by love to the Savior, heimpresses his thorn-crowned likeness on their hearts, as the gift of hisreciprocalaffection;sothathewhohasreceivedit,henceforthcarries itaboutwithhimasamostvaluablelegacy,andcannevermoreturnawayhiseyesfrombeholdingit.

Accordingtoanotherlegend,asJesuswaspassingby,theJewAhasuerussteppedoutofhisdwelling,andwithdevilishhatred,hit,withhis foot,the Holy One of Israel, in consequence of which, he began to totterbeneath his load, and even to sink to the ground. This occasioned thedenunciation, thathe shouldhenceforwardwander restlessand fugitivethrough theworld, andnot die until the Lord should come again. ThisAhasuerus is "the Wandering Jew." Here again we have to do with amyth; but it also has its truth and deepmeaning. The wandering Jewrepresents the people of Israel, who crucified our Lord, and in satanicdelusionpronounceduponthemselvestheawfulanathema,"Hisbloodbeuponusandourchildren."Theynowroamabout,fugitiveandhomeless,aliensamongallnations, theoffscouringof theworld;anddienot, andwill not die, until the Lord shall come again to complete his kingdomuponearth.Butthentheywilldie,byceasingtobeanexcommunicatedandoutlawedpeople,andriseagainasanewandgloriousrace,singingHosanna toDavid their trueKing. Thewondrous stars of thepromisesgiven to Abraham's seed shine for thousands of years, and send theirbeamstotheendofdays.

Yonder they conduct theMan of Sorrows!One cannot reflectwho it is

that is thus laden with the accursed tree, without feeling one's heartpetrified with surprise and astonishment. But it is well for us that hetraversedthepath.OnlyobservenowtheformoftheLambwhichtakesaway the sins of theworld, is so clearly expressed in him.Behold him,andsayifyoudonotfeelasifyouheardtheancientwordsproceedfromhissilentlips,"Sacrificeandofferingyoudidnotdesire,abodyhaveyouprepared forme. Lo! I come, I delight to do yourwill,OmyGod! yes,yourlawiswithinmyheart."Hadheshrunkbackfromthisfatalpath,hisroad to suffering would have represented to us that on which, whendying,weshouldhavelefttheworld.Insteadofsoldiers,theemissariesofSatanwouldhaveescortedus; insteadof theaccursedtree, thecurseofthe law itself; insteadof fetters, thebandsof eternalwrathwouldhaveencircledus,anddespairhave lasheduswith its fieryscourge.Now,onthecontrary,angelsofpeace,sentbyEternalLove,willatlengthbearusonapathoflight,illuminedbyheavenlypromises,toAbraham'sbosom.Towhomareweindebtedforthis?Solelytothemanwhotottersyonderunderthemosthorribleof allburdens; andwhocarriesawaywithhimeverything which stood opposed to us and threatened us withdestruction.

Certainly, itmaystillbethecase, thatduringourearthlypilgrimageweare led on similar paths to that on which we see Jesus, our Head,proceeding. For the world hates his members like himself; and Satanceasesnottodesiretohavehisredeemed,thathemaysiftthemaswheat.Butheaven isno longer closedover ourpathof suffering anddisgrace,nordoestheblackcloudofrejectionandthecurseobscureit.TheswordofGodhasreturnedtoitsscabbard,andpeaceandhopearethegraciouscompanionswhowalkbyourside.Christhasdeprivedourfearfulpathofitshorrors,ourburdensof theiroverpoweringweight,ourdisgraceandneedof theirdeadly stings, andplacedus ina situation to saywith theroyalpsalmist, "Yes, though Iwalk through thevalleyof the shadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil;foryouarewithme;yourrodandyourstafftheycomfortme."

Blessed,therefore,bethepathofourPrinceofPeacetothecross!Letusnot cease to accompany him daily thereon in the spirit. It willunspeakably sweeten our own painful path; for why does he take this

horribleroad,buttoenableustotraverseourswithheadserect,becauseweare freed fromcurseandcare.Uponhispathhenotonlycarriesallour sins to the grave, and breaks a passage through all the obstacleswhich blocked up our access to the Father, but hemakes, at the sametime, all the bitter waters of the desert sweet, and neither leaves norforsakesus,untilhebringsussafetoourheavenlyhome.

SimonofCyrene

Pilate,drivenfromthefieldbythedeterminedoppositionoftheenemiesofJesus,contrarytothevoiceof justice inhisbosom,hasdeliveredtheHolyOneofIsraelintothehandsofhismurderers,whohastentocarrytheexecutionintoeffectasquicklyaspossible.Noappealwaspermittedto a rebel after being sentenced; on the contrary, a Roman lawcommandedthatsuchshouldbeledawaytoexecutionimmediatelyaftersentence had been pronounced. This was believed applicable to him,whom the people thought they could not remove soon enough fromhumansociety,asbeingarebelagainstGod,againstMoses,andagainsttheemperor.

We left theSaviorat thecloseofour lastmeditationonthe road to thefatal hill. The processionmoves slowly forward enveloped in clouds ofdust.Whatarunningtogetherfromeveryside!Whatatumultuousnoiseand horrible din! Spears, helmets, and drawn swords glitter in thesunshine. Soldiers on foot andhorseback, priests and scribes, high andlow, shrieking women and crying children, Jews and heathens, allmingledtogetherinthecrowd.Attheheadoftheprocession,surroundedby guards, the three delinquents, panting slowly forward under theweight of their instruments of death. Two of them robbers andmurderers, andbetween them,he, towhom, on closer observation, thewholeofthishideousexhibitionhasreference.Beholdthatbleedingman,who, according to appearance, is the most guilty of the three! But weknowhim.Healsobearshiscross,andthusclaimsoursympathyinthehighestdegree.

Crosseswereoftenseen,underthedominionoftheRomans.Arebellious

slavewasveryfrequentlycondemnedtothismostshamefulandpainfulof all punishments.But there is something veryparticularandpeculiaraboutthecrosswhichweseetheHolyOneofIsraelbearingtoCalvary.Ifwe refer to the roll of the Divine Law, Deut. 21:22: "If a man havecommittedasinworthyofdeath,andhebetobeputtodeath,andyouhanghimonatree,hisbodyshallnotremainallnightuponthetree,butyoushallinanywiseburyhimthatday(forhewhoishangedisaccursedofGod),thatyourlandbenotdefiled,whichtheLordyourGodgivesyoufor an inheritance." This remarkable ordinance of God was punctuallyobservedinIsrael.Asoftenasacriminalwasnailedtothetreeofshame,he was regarded, according to the words of the law, as an object ofprofoundabhorrencetotheAlmighty,andthepeoplewereconsciousthatGodcouldonlylookuponthelandwithangeranddisgust,solongasthedeadbodyofthecriminalwasnotremovedoutofhissight.Butsuchofthemaswereenlightened,wellknewthatallthisincludedinitatypicalmeaning,andhadapropheticreferencetoonewhoshouldhanguponatree,onwhom the vials of heaven'swrathwould be poured out, but inwhoseatoningsufferings, thecurseandcondemnationofasinfulworldwould reach its termination.Butwhowoulddare to seek inChrist, theindividualthusladenwiththedivinecurse,andassertthattheordinancein the wilderness had found its fulfillment on Golgotha, if the word ofGod itselfhadnot justifiedsuchaconclusion?That such isactually thecase,turntoGalatians,3:13,wheretheapostlestatesfrankly,andwithoutcircumlocution, that"Christhasredeemedusfromthecurseof the law,beingmadeacurseforus,asitiswritten,Cursediseveryonethathangson a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the GentilesthroughJesusChrist."

In the type of the brazen serpent, as well as in the divine ordinancesrespectingonethatwashangedonatree,theclearestlightisthrownonthe horrible cross which the Son of God is carrying to Calvary. Thosebeams evidently form the stake uponwhich, according to the promise,the storm of Divine judgment should be discharged. It is the scaffoldwhere, according to Romans. 3:25, God resolved to declare hisrighteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through theforbearanceofGod.TheMoriahwhere,forthebenefitofasinfulworld,thecursepronounced inparadise is endured in the sacredhumanityof

thegreatSurety.Thealtarofburnt-offering,onwhichtheLambofGodsubmittedtothesumtotalofthatpunishmentwhichoughtinjusticetohavefallenuponme;andthedyingbed,wheredeath,overwhichSatanhas power, and to which I was subject by a sentence of the Supremetribunal, is permitted to seize upon, and slay another, in order that hemightforeverlosehisclaimuponme.Suchisthemysteriouscrosswhichyou see borne toward Calvary. It is the sepulcher of a world; for theinnumerablehost of those that are saved, died, in the eyeofGod,withChristupon it. It is theconductorwhichcarriesoff thedestroying flashfromourrace,byhisattractingituponhimself;thetreeoflife,"theleavesofwhichareforthehealingofthenations."

Jesuscarrieshiscross.Whendidheevershowsoplainlyinhisoutwardcircumstances that he bore the curse, as now? If the voice of God hadsounded directly down from heaven, and said, "This Just One is nowenduringthesentencepronounceduponyou,"itcouldnothaveaffordedus more certainty than by this living figure of bearing the cross. Itslanguageispowerful,andpointsout,eventoasimplechild,whereinweought to seek the final cause of Christ's passion. We find the HolySufferer, as you know, outside the gates of Jerusalem. The Scripturesattachgreat importancetothefact thathewas ledawayoutof theholycity. Thus we read in Hebrews 13:11, 12, "The bodies of those beasts,whosebloodisbroughtintothesanctuarybythehighpriestforsin,areburnedwithoutthecamp.Wherefore,Jesusalso, thathemightsanctifythepeoplewithhisownblood,sufferedwithoutthegate."HereChristisevidently represented as the true antitype of the Old Testament sin-offerings. But since we know the nature of these, and how, by thisdevotionalact,thesinsofthetransgressorswereimputedtotheanimalstobe sacrificed; that thus theybecameobjectsof abhorrence, and theirbodieswerenotonlyremovedfromtheneighborhoodofthetemple,butevenburnedwithfire,intestimonyofwhatwasjustlyduetothesinner;and that the latter, after such sacrificial act,was absolvedand declaredblameless;soitalmostclearlyappears,thatinthepassageabovequoted,the apostle cannot and does not intend to say anything else than thatChrist,onhisbeing ledoutof thegates,was in factburdenedwith oursins,andboreourcurse.Thusitiswethattreadthepathtotheplaceofexecution; forhedoes so inour stead.That such is really thecase, and

thatHe does not proceed upon that road as the holy Jesus, but as therepresentativeof our sinful race, becomesmoreapparent at every step.HenceitiscomprehensiblehowtheEternalFathercouldgivehimuptosuchnamelessignominyandtorment.Itisonthisaccountthatnoangelfromabovehastens tohisaid;no fire falls fromheaven toconsumehismurderers; rather do the clouds pass quietly and silently over thedreadfulscene,asifassentweregivenabovetothehorribletransactionsbelow;no,theJustOnemay,forthisreason,whileweariedtodeath,beready tobreakdownunder theburdenofhis cross,without anyone inheaven or on earth appearing to grieve at it. The gates of the eternalsanctuary are closed; the portals of theAlmighty's abode are shut; andthesameGodwhodeliveredrighteousLotoutofSodom,Danielfromthedenoflions,andcommandedtheenragedLabantospeakonlykindlytoJacob,andwhosaystoallhissaints,"Fearnot,forIamwithyou"—thisKeeper of Israel seems to slumber and sleep with regard to his bestBeloved,andtohaveforgottenrespectinghimwhowashis "fellow,"hissweetwordsofpromise:"Canawomanforgethernursingchild,thatsheshould not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they mayforget,yetwillInotforgetyou."AllthecircumstancesinwhichweseetheSavior are truly dreadful and appalling; but all exclaim, with themostpowerful emphasis, "Behold the Lord Jesus, laden with the sinner'scurse!"

WehavebeencontemplatingJesuswiththesinner'scross.Thescenenowchanges,andanewfigurepresentsitselftoourview—thesinnerwiththecrossofJesus.

The Holy One had proceeded forward some distance with his heavyburden, when his blood-thirsty attendants begin to fear lest he shouldbreakdownunderhisload,andentirelysuccumbfromexhaustionbeforethe execution. To prevent this, they look about for some one onwhomtheymaylay thecrossofJesus for the remainderof theway;and theireyes soon lightupona stranger, just coming from the field,whom theythe sooner select for this purpose from thinking they see inhis looks asecretsympathywith theNazarene.ThiswasSimon,bornatCyrene, inAfrica.We are not informed whether he belonged, at that time, to thesecret friends of Jesus; but he was certainly regarded as such by the

people, and probably not without reason. At least Simon's two sons,AlexanderandRufus,wereafterwarddesignatedastrueChristians;andtheinferencefromthesonstothefatherisprobablycorrect.Sufficeittosay, this Jew, Simon, was stopped, and compelled to bear the Lord'scross.Atfirstheresistedbeingthusburdenedanddisgraced,buthesoonreconciledhimselftoit,andthenboreitwillingly.

Withreferenceto thiscircumstance, thewordsofJesusareaccustomedtobeapplied—"Whoeverwillbemydisciple,lethimtakeuphiscrossandfollowme;"andoccasionisthentakenfromthehistoryofthispartofthepassion,totreatofthereproachwehavetobearforChrist'ssake.Butthisseems to me not entirely correct, since Simon does not bear his owncross, but that on which Jesus died. Something very different is,therefore,reflectedinthesymbolicalformofthecross-bearer.ItpresentstoourviewtheinwardpositionoffaithwithrespecttothecrossofChrist,that is, tothesacrificeandactofredemptionaccomplisheduponit.Weought to be cross-bearers in the same sense in which Simonwas, onlyspirituallyso.Wearesuch,whenthecrossofChristbecomesoursinthewayofself-accusation,believingappropriation,andcontinualdyingwithChrist.

Hewho,inspirit,seesJesusproceedingtowardCalvaryundertheburdenof his cross, will, in so far, immediately become like Simon, in beingcompelled,bycompassionandrightfeeling,toremovethedreadful loadfrom the innocent Jesus, and cast it upon the wicked Jews, or upon ablindandmercilesspower,whichhecallsfateandchance,orevenupontheallover-rulingGodhimself,whomhesecretlyaccusesofnothavingprevented such a piece of crying injustice. But relieving Christ of hisburdeninthismanner,onlyprovesgreatmentalblindness.Itistrue,thecommencement of all Christian life begins by our being inwardlyconstrainedtotaketheburdenfromtheSavior,not,however,inordertohurl it upon others, but in sincere self-condemnation, to take it uponourselves.Anenlightenedconscienceurgesuponustheconvictionofourownguilt.Weshrinkback from it,andresistwithallourpower,but invain.Theholylaw,thedreadfulmirroroftheDivineperfections,nownolongermisunderstood,standsbeforeus,andwhowillundertaketobelieor deceive it? Possibly the lightning that strikes us, flashes upon us, at

first,onlyfromoneofthetencommandments.Wethenthinkwemaybeabletosaveourselvesintheothernine,andwecastourselves,asintoasafe fortress,perhaps into the first command, "You shall havenoothergods before me." But the Spirit, who has now begun to enlighten us,conductsuseverdeeperintotheinmostnatureofthedivinelaw,anditisthensaidtous,"Youwhosupposeyouhavekeptthefirstcommandment,haveyoulovedGodfromyourinfancy,withallyourheart,andmind,andstrength?"

Onhearingthisheart-searchingquestion,wehastentoturnourbacksonthe first, and then flee, say to the sixth.We are aware of never havingsoughtanother'slife,norevercommittedmurder.Nevertheless,wenowhearitthunderedinourears,"Whoeverhateshisbrotherisamurderer;"andthusthesupposedfortressofthesixthcommandmenthasabreach.

Wecastourselvesintotheninth,andthinkwehaveneverbeenguiltyofbearingfalsewitness.Butit isthensaid,"Howdoyoudaretoappealtothe ninth commandment? Have you never told a falsehood, neverdeceived,dissembled,norflattered?Wehear,butdonotletthevoiceofconsciencefinishitsspeech,beforeweretire,withouthesitation,intotheseventh,andsay,veryconfidently, "Ihavekept this, Inevercommittedadultery."Butwe immediatelyhear theappallingwords,"Hewho looksupon awoman to lust after her, has committed adultery;" and we fleefrom the seventh commandment as from a fire which threatens toconsumeus.

Wherenow?possiblytothefifth.Alas,bothfatherandmotheraccuseus.Totheeighth?Itreallyseemsasifweshouldfindshelterthereforweareno thieves. But woe unto us! not far from it stands the tenth, with itsinjunction,"Youshallnotcovet!"Thisfinallystripsusofeverything,andterminates the whole process by a general condemnation. All ourboastingisthenatanend.Wehesitate,indeed,togiveup.Weassembletogetherallourso-calledgoodworks;butscarcelydowebegintoderivecomfortfromthisdubioussource,whenalightshootsdownuponitfromthe sanctuary ofGod, inwhose bright and burning rays, even our bestperformancesappearasaworm-eatenfruitofimpureself-love.

Thuswearecompelledtopronouncesentenceuponourselves.Butwhat

threatens transgressors, such as we, during the remainder of ourexistence?"Tribulationandanguishuponeverysoulthatdoesevil.""ThewrathofGod isrevealed fromheavenagainstallungodliness."Wereadandtremble, "Woe isme,"weexclaim,"Miserablemanthat I am! I amalreadycondemned,andaccursed,andlost!"Werefusetobelieveit,butthe appallingwords, "You are theman!" resound on every side; and itseemsasiftheverywallsofourchambers,andthejoistsandbeamscriedout against us. A thousand reminiscences of past transgressions crowdarounduslikeavengingspiritsexclaiming,"Youshallsurelydie!"andthedreadfulwordshauntuseveninourdreams.Weimaginewereadtheminthestars,andthattheyarewrittenoneachofourdays.Thusweareatlengthcompelledtoacknowledgethatthesentenceisjust.Christ'scrossislaiduponus,thatis,wefindourselvesguiltyofthecross,sincewefeelthatweareourselvesexposedtothecursewhichChristendureduponit.

When,inthissense,wehavetakenthecrossofChristuponus,Godwhohas humbled us, is accustomed, in due time, to comfort us. We againarise from the darkness and horrors of self-condemnation into thecrimson-colored sunshine of the atonement. In the cross of Christ, werecognizethemysterioustree,onwhichthesentencewhichmenaceduswitheternaldestructionhas longagobeenendured.Weapprehend themystery of the cross in its consolatory depth, and enter into a newrelationwithit,embraceitasouronlyrefuge,andbelievinglyappropriatethemerits of himwho suffered upon it.We now take it in a differentmanneruponusthanbefore;certainlymorefromnecessityatfirstthandesire.Proudhumannature resists the ideaofbeingsavedbygrace. Inthesequel,however,webecomereconciledtothewondrousburden,andfinallybearitwithdelight,evenasanheirhis inheritance,asakinghisscepter, as a warrior his sword and shield, as a conqueror the flag ofvictory, as a liberateddebtor his receipt in full, and as a nobleman thediplomaofhisnobility.

Thus,inaspiritualsense,webecomelikeSimonofCyrene.Weenterintothemostvital,fervent,andblissfulfellowshipwiththecrossofChrist.Weareeverywhereandcontinuallyoccupiedwiththiscross,anditbecomesthe sign bywhichwe are known. If listened to in our chamber,we areheardprayingbeneaththecross.Ifwesay,"Abba,father,"itisthecross

whichencouragesus todo so. Ifwehope fora favorableanswer toourrequests, the cross emboldens us to expect it. If our conversation is inheaven, the cross is the heavenly ladder, on the steps ofwhichwe riseabove the world, death, and hell. The cross forms the focus of all ourheartfeltmelody.Ifagleamofjoyrestsuponourforeheads,thecross isthesunfromwhenceitproceeds.Ifwearecourageous,itisintheshadowofthecross.Ifweovercomethetemptationsofthewickedone,thecrossofChrististhebannerunderwhichweconquer.

We do not indeed always embrace the cross with equal warmth andfervor.Occasionally,webearitwithindifference,unwillingly,andevenasa burden. This is the case either when the root of our life again sinksimperceptiblydeeperintothesoilofthisworld;orwhentheLordcausesour mountain to stand strong, and we take fresh occasion to pleaseourselveswithourowndoings.ButGod,whoisasfaithfulinhumblingasincomfortingus,knowshowtorenderthecrosssweettous,bygivingupouroldmantoarenewedcrucifixion,andbyrevivingandrefreshinginus the consciousness of our wretchedness in the midst of distress,disgrace,andpressure.Generallyspeaking theexperienceofallwho, infaith,takeuponthemthecrossofChrist,agreesinthis,thattheyareeverlonger drawn into the death of him who hung upon the tree. Theydecrease. They consciously become personally poorer, more worthlessandhelpless—no,intime,nothingremainsinthemofwhichtheymightboast as a ground of justification. But themore completely they suffershipwreckastoeverythingoftheirown,themorevaluabledoesthecrossofCalvarybecome to them, as theonlyplankof rescue from the surge.Howferventlyisitthenagainembraced,howhighlyandloudlypraised,and how bedewed with warm tears of grateful thanksgiving, until atlengththewholeinwardlifemovesroundthecross,inevercloserdrawncircles,liketherevolvingplanetsroundtheirseveralsuns.

MaytheLordbepleasedto impresstheformofSimonthecross-bearerevermoreclearlyuponourinnerman;andinorderthatthisfiguremaybe the more fully produced in us, may he the more and morecomprehensively unveil to us the corruption which adheres to us bynature!ItisonlythusthatwelearntobearthecrossofChristwithaholypride.Only thusdoes itbecometousa treeof life, fromwhichwemay

pluckheavenly fruit.Only thusdoes it serveasawondrousweapon,bymeansofwhichweovercometheworld,death,andSatan.

TheDaughtersofJerusalem

At length, to alleviate in somemeasure the oppression of our hearts, atraitofhumanityappearsintheexhibitionofutterobduracyandcrueltywhich presents itself to our view, on the road to Mount Calvary. Itbecomes evident that even beyond the little circle of his disciples,sympathyfortheHolyOneofIsraelstillexists!foreventearsofsorrowflow on behalf of the severely tried sufferer. But observe that thesemanifestations of compassionate feeling afford him no consolation, onthe contrary, he is induced to refuse, and even reprove them. Thissurprisesandastonishesus; forwehereseetowhataseveresiftingthefeelingsevenofthosewhowishwelltotheSavior,aresubjected,andhowmuchwemaybeindangerofimaginingthatwelovehimwiththatlovewhichformsthesoulofthenewman,whilewearestillwhollydestituteofit.

TheroadwhichleadsfromJerusalemtoMountCalvaryiscrowdedwithpeople.Othatitweresonowinaspiritualandecclesiasticalsense,fornoother leads to life and salvation! Certainly, those whom we meet withthere, are not such as sympathize with Jesus in his sufferings; on thecontrary, the number of such is probably very small. But let us rathermeetwithdecidedopponentsonthewaytothecross,thanthattheroadtoitshouldremainsolitaryandwaste.Alas!inthepresentday,itliesverydesolate.Crowdsareseenonthewaytotheidoltemplesoftheworld,andthepavilionsof the lustof theeyeand the flesh.Buthowfewtherearewhoseheartsareaccustomedtobeatlouderwhenitissaidtothem,"Thepassion-week has returned, and we are again preparing for ourpilgrimagetoCalvary,where the foundationsofoureternal redemptionarelaid."Numbers,Ifear,continuetofallapreytospiritualdeath.Fewof themsuccumbunder acute diseases; themajority die of thewastingdiseaseofcompleteindifference.Withthemithasgraduallycometosucha pass that even thatwhich is themost sublime under heaven fatiguesthem,and thewords, "Church,divineservice,andsermon,"makethem

yawn. Unhappy mortals! They know not that in these characteristicfeatures theyalreadybear thebrandmarksof impending judgment,andthesigns,ifnotofrejection,yetofthecapabilityofit.Satanevendoesnotseemtothinkthesepeopleworthyofanenergeticattack.Likedeadtrees,they fall to him of themselves, and he finds them in his net before hespreadsit.

You,myreaders,donotbelongtothispitiablerace.Westillmeetyouinspirit on the way to Calvary. It is true this is the way to heaven, butbeware! it has also its fissures and pits which terminate in endlessdeserts.WereadinLuke23:27,thatagreatmultitudeofpeoplefollowedJesus. These were by no means all of them adversaries and badcharacters.Manyofthemonlywishedtoseewhatwouldbecomeofhim,and therefore took at least a historical interest in his person and hiscause.Know, however, that this does not suffice to save us. Take it toheartthatyoursituationisthesameasthatofthesepeople.

Wemeet also, in the present day, with not a few, and their number isincreasing,whohavedirectedtheirattentiontoreligion,theChurch,andtheaffairsofthekingdomofGod,asothersdotopolitics,thearts,oranyother subject.What progress Christianity ismaking in the world—howthe churches are attended in such and such a place—what this or thatsocietyisaccomplishing—whatmaybedonetopromotepublicworship—howrespectfortheArticlesofFaithistobeincreased—whatthisorthatsectbelievesandteaches—no,eveninwhatsensethisorthatdoctrineisto be apprehended, and the best mode of expressing it—these are theobjectsforwhichtheyinterestthemselves,afterwhichtheyinquire,andofwhichtheylovetospeak.Allthisisbeautifulandpraiseworthy;butitmay be the case that in the midst of the Holy Land, in which theirattention is engaged, they may be ripening for perdition equally withthoselamentablebeingswhohavefoundtheirelementinthesteppesofextremeindifference,orthemorassesoffrivolity.

Thereisanaturalfeelingfordivinethingswhichmayevenbecomeveryactive,bywhichthe"OldMan"isnotintheleastinjured,northegameoftheprinceofdarknessspoiled.Howthis feelingmayevenextendtothescenes of our Savior's passion may be easily conceived. This narrativewhich,withtherichvarietiesofitsscenes,personalities,andcharacters,

reflects the world, how should it not be able to exercise an attractiveinfluence, where, apart from every feeling of religious necessity,whichmaybefastasleep,itmeetswithasusceptibilityforthatwhichispurelyhuman?Butsuchasympathyisnotessentiallydifferentfromanyother,andhasnothingincommonwiththelifeoffaith,onwhichalonetheeyeofGodisfixed.

Ofasomewhatnoblernaturethanthatjustdescribed,istheinterestfeltbythosewhosesympathywiththehistoryandcauseofChrist isexcitedbytheirvenerationforthelatterastheHolyOneofIsrael.Someofthesecharacters were also among the crowd that followed; and we do notinfrequentlymeet, in our own circles, with such as are thus of amorerefined nature. Christ presents himself to their admiring gaze as theperfectmodelofallmoralhumangreatness.TheyarealsoconvincedthatChristmustbeformedinmen,andbecomeallinalltothem,ifthegoldenage is to be restored.Nor does anythinghinder them from celebrating,with lively emotion, the Lord's passion, whilemagnanimously irritatedagainsttherecklessracethatcouldcrucifytheonlyimmaculateonethatevertrodtheearth.Butdo theyalsopraywithus,andsay, "OLambofGod that take away the sins of theworld, havemercy uponus?"Ono!Thisneveroccurstothem.AslittleastheyhaveanyideathatChrist, towhom,as"theflowerandmodelofmankind,"theygladlygiveallhonor,couldhavebeen anythingmore than this—so little do they dream, thatfrommankind something further is required inorder tobe saved, thanthe combined efforts of their ownmoral strength, and the perseveringenergy of their own will to resemble that living example. Hence theseworthypeople gowithus, indeed, on thepathof theChurch, and, in acertainsense,eventhewaytoCalvary;andyetitisbeyondadoubtthattheyareentirelydeficientinthefirstandmostessentialrequirementsoftrue inwardreligion—acontriteheart,anda living faith inChristas theMediator, and equal with God. Exasperated against the murderers ofJesus, they unconsciously join in signing the sentence of death againsthim. For since they refuse to rise above his humannature, they stamphim,whodeclaredonoaththathewasessentiallyonewiththeFather,asablasphemerwhowasworthyofdeath.WhilereproachingthePharisees,theyareinrealityofthesamemindwiththem;fortheyareasunwillingasthelattertoknowanythingofaJesus,whotreatsthemassinners,and

callsuponthemtoletthemselvesberedeemedbyhim.

Thewomen,whomweseefollowingtheDivineSuffererwithweepingandlamentation, present to us a third kind of relation to Christ, andparticularly to Christ as suffering.Herewe seem tomeetwith the truekind of devotion for the solemn occasion. For we perceive heartfeltsympathywith theMan of Sorrows, fervent emotion at the sight of hiscross,no,even tearswept in thepresenceof the revilingadversariesbywhom he is surrounded; and in all this a decided confession that aninnocentmanisbeingconductedtotheplaceofexecution,whoisworthyof supreme love and esteem, instead of scorn and hatred.What dowerequiremorethanweseeconcentratedhere?NordoestheLordomittodeign attention to these sympathizing witnesses of his sufferings. Heturns to them. For what purpose? To praise and console them, and tocheer and strengthen himself at the sight of them? By no means. TheLordJesusrejectsthegriefofthemournersasmistaken,andjudgestheirtears tobeuseless andunprofitable.Hewho, everywhere, and even inthedeepestsufferings,wasabletopreservethemostperfectserenityandpresenceofmind,andneverforamomentlostsightofpastoralsolicitudeforthelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael,withwhichhewasintrusted,saystotheweepingwomenwhofollowedhim,"DaughtersofJerusalem,weepnotforme,butweepforyourselves,andyourchildren."

Theseseriouswordsdeservetobetakentoheart,notonlybythewomen,but alsobymanyamongus.They reprove all thosewhosedevotion forthe cross likewise consists in a mere natural emotion, excited by thetragicalendoftherighteousJesus,andwhohavenothingelsebuttearsofpity and sentimentality for the Savior. How much pleasing emotion,occasioned by a lively representation of the Redeemer's passion inmusical oratorios, ecclesiastical solemnities, or liturgical devotions, ishererejected!Itisscarcelytobeconceivedwhatafullnessofimpenitenceand pharisaic self-righteousness may be concealed beneath suchoutburstsoffeeling.Oneindividual, inhisdevotionsontheanniversaryofthepassion,is,inreality,affectedonlybyhisownvirtue.Hethinkstheworldlovestodefamethenoble-minded,andthatitknowshimnot,evenasitknewnottheSavioronthewaytohiscrucifixion;anditisthiswhichaffects his heart. O impious pride of the worthless sinner, thus to

compare himself with the Just One from on high! Another says tohimself,"Iwillconsolemyselfinmymisfortunes,withthereflectionthatyou,theManofSorrows,didnotwalkuponroses,butdidrisefromthecross to the crown;" and at this idea, his eyes overflow. O culpabledelusion, as if he suffered guiltlessly, like Jesus, and as if God wereobligedtoshowmercytohimbecauseofhissufferings!

A third, who has thousands like him, ascribes to himself the tears ofsympathy,whichthesufferingsofChristdrawfromhim,asaspeciesofrighteousness,andexalts themas testimonialsofhisgoodnessofheart,thus making them a ground of consolation and hope. O lamentablemistake!"Weepnotforme,"saysourLord.Doyouhearit?Heforbidsthelamentingandcondolingwithhim.Heisnotsomeunfortunatepersonofa common kind. He does not succumb to any superior power, eitherhuman,ortheforceofoppressivecircumstances.Ifhepleased,hecouldinamomentstandbeforeusinacrown,insteadofwithacross.Hefreelygavehimselfup tohis sufferings, inorder toaccomplish thatwhichhisFatherhadgivenhimtodo;andtheideaof"atragicalend,"initsusualacceptance, is by nomeans applicable to the passion of our Lord. ThetearsofsentimentalityandpityarenowheresomuchoutofplaceasonCalvary.Whileresigningourselvestosuchemotions,wemistaketheLordJesus—no,evendegradehim,andasregardsourselves,miss thewayofsalvationmarkedoutforusbyGod.HencetheSaviorexclaims,onceforall,"Weepnot forme!"thusplacinghimselfentirelyoutof theranksofthewretchedandunfortunateofthisworld.

"Do tears, therefore, not belong to our devotions on this solemnoccasion?"Doubtlesstheydo;buttheirobjectmustbeadifferentonetothepersonoftheLord.Hearhimsayhimself;"Weepnotforme,butforyourselvesandyourchildren!""Ourselves!"youexclaim.Yes,myreaders.IntheimmolationofChrist,themeasureoftheworld'siniquitieswasfull.It was sinful from Paradise downward. That this was the case, wasstrikinglyevident in thedaysofNoah,Nimrod, the judgesandkingsofIsrael.But"ThetransgressionoftheAmoriteswasnotyetfull."Thateventhelastpretenseforexcuseandleniencymightdisappear,andthehatredof holiness, the base ingratitude and abominable self-seeking of thechildrenofAdammightbemanifestedstillmoreevidently,opportunity

wasaffordedthehumanracetoexhibititsrealandinmostnature,whenholiness in person was placed in contrast with it, and the Lord Godpouredupon it the fullnessofhis compassion.Both these tookplace inthe mission of Christ, the only-begotten Son, the good Shepherd. Andhowdidtheworldact?Itloveddarknessratherthanlight;wasfilledwithanimosityagainsthimwhocametoredeemitfromsin;andrejectedhimwhohurtitspridebythecalltoregenerationandconversion.ItnailedtothecrosstheheraldandbearerofthegraceofGod.

"Theworld?"youask.Yes,theworld.Onlylookalittlemoreclosely,andyouwillfindyourselfamidthecrowdwhichyonderconductstheLordofGlorytotheslaughter.Inoneorotherof those individuals,youwillseeyourownlikeness. Ifnot inJudas,yet inAnnas; ifnot inAnnas, in thehypocriticalCaiaphas,or in theworldly-mindedPilate,orelse inoneoftheunprincipledsenators,orsomeotherindividual,youwillsomewheremeetwiththemirrorwhichreflectsyourownmoralform.Lookaround,and say if the scenes on Gabbatha and Calvary are not incessantlyrenewed?If,evenatpresent,acertaindegreeofcourageisnotrequiredopenlytoconfessthenameofJesus?IfthosewholoveChristarenotstillreviledaspietistsandhypocrites; and if thosewhowish to recommendthePrinceofPeacetoothers,arenoteverywhereangrilyrepulsed?No,feelinyourownbosom,andsayifbynatureyouwouldgladlyhavetodowithJesus?Whatfeelingsareexcitedinyou,whenheplacesyouamongpublicans and malefactors, or calls upon you to offer up to him yourmammon,orsomeother idol?Orwhenhemeetsyou,witha reprovinggesture,onthepathofsensualenjoyment,andrequiresthatyoushouldlivetoGodandnottotheworld,andwalkinGod'swaysandnotinyourown; what are you then accustomed to feel? anything else thandisinclination,repugnance,displeasure,andvexation?Doyounothearofanything rather than of him; and does it ever occur to you to melt ingratitudeat theSavior's feet,whenyouhear it announced that "Godsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonly-begottenSon,thatwhoeverbelievesonhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife?"

Omyfriends,tothishourChristappearstostandamongus,onlythatbyhispresenceourcorruptionanddepravitymaybethemoreconspicuous!Howisit,then,thatyoudonotunderstandthewords,"Weepnotforme,

butweep foryourselves?"Truly,allappropriatedevotion,at thissacredseason,beginswithlamentingoverourselves,andjudging,condemning,andacknowledgingourselvesworthyof eternaldeath.ThedaughtersofJerusalemhear terrible things said to them,butnot that theymaysinkintohopelessdespair.Onthecontrary,itisherethelovethatseeksthatwhich is lost,whichspeaksto them,andwouldgladly leadthem,at theproper time, to repentance. "Weep for yourselves and your children."This is an unmistakable allusion to the dreadfulmaledictionwhich theinfatuatedcrowdatGabbathacalleddownuponthemselves,andwithit,theindicationofthatsin,whichwasprincipallytobelamentedasIsrael'schiefcrime,andconsequentlyasthechiefsourceofalltheirsubsequentmisery.

TheLordJesussays,incontinuation,"Forbeholdthedaysarecoming,inwhich theyshall say,Blessedare thebarren,and thewombs thatneverbare, and thebreastswhichnever gave suck."What an announcement!ThatwhichwaspreviouslymournedoverinIsraelasagreatmisfortune,andanequallygreatdisgrace—thebeingbarrenandchildless—will thenbecommendedasanenviableprivilege.

"Then," continues our Lord, obviously referring, both here andpreviously,topassagesinthepropheciesofIsaiahandHosea,forhelivedin his Father's word, as in the proper element of his holy soul—"Thenshalltheybegintosaytothemountains,Fallonus,andtothehills,Coverus."TheSavior'ssphereofvisionevidentlyextendsitselfherebeyondtheterrible days of the destruction of Jerusalem. His words manifestlygeneralize themselves,andpoint to the judgmentof the lastday.Thosewho will then be found rejecting, through obstinate unbelief andpersevering impenitence, their truest friend and only Savior, will findthemselves in a position in which they will prefer annihilation to acontinuanceofexistence.Theywillcalluponthehillstocrushthemandburythemforeverbeneaththeirmassofruins.Butthemountainsstandandfall atGod's command, and he,whowill then be their enemy, hasdecreed for them another fate than that of annihilation. Theywill thenimploretherockstohidethemfromthefaceoftheangryJudge;butnooutletofescapewillbefoundonthewholeearthorunderit,whichwillremovethemfromthesearchinglookofhim,"whoseeyesareasaflame

of fire."Whatahorribleprospect!Andonly consider, thathewho thuslifts the veil, is not some wild zealot, to whose threats no greatimportance need be attached; but it is he who is at the same time thetruthandloving-kindnessitself.Howdoesthisstrengthentheemphasisofthataddress,bywhichwearecalledtorepentanceinamorepowerfulandimpressivemanner,thanwaseverbeforehearduponearth.

Our Lord concludes his speech to the daughters of Jerusalemwith thewords,"Foriftheydothesethingsinthegreentree,whatshallbedoneinthedry?"Wecannotmisunderstandthesewords.Inthemthegreatcross-bearerrepresentshimselfasamirrorofthewrathofGod.SinceheistheJust One and the Life, he calls himself "the Green Tree." Glory andhappiness became him individually, and not suffering; yet he enduredunparalleleddisgraceandtorture.Butthatwhichheexperiences,mustbeof the same nature and description with that which is threatened, andwhichawaitstheungodly.Haditbeenotherwise,theinferencewhichtheLordbidsusdrawfromhissufferings,withregardtothefuturefateoftheimpenitent sinner, would not be true, and the comparison he makesinappropriate. If they were only merciful sufferings which befell theSavior,howcouldtheyserveasacriterionforthefuturelotofthosewithwhomdivinegracehadnothingmoretodo?ButChrist'ssufferingswerevicariously endured punishments; and his words have now ameaning,whichisthis:"I,theGreenTree,bearimputativelyonlythesinsofothers;andthethriceholyGodisnotangrywithmepersonally.Yethowhorribleis the cup which is given me to drink! Judge from this what willeventuallybethefateofthose,who,asdrywoodandunfruitfultrees,willhavetosufferfortheirowniniquities,andatwhosejudicialvisitation,thewrath of a holy God will by no means conflict with his love andtenderness."Thereforeletusnotoverlookthedangerinwhichweare,solong as we are found carnally-minded, estranged from God, andunthankfuldespisersofthedeliveringgraceofhim,whomtheAlmightytore fromhispaternalbosom, inorder thatbyhimhemightdeliverusunworthycreaturesfromdestruction,andbringusbacktohimself.Letusbe conscious of our enormous guilt, andno longer delay,with theholygriefofatax-collectororaMagdalen,sincerelyandheartilytoweepoverourselves.

Itisthus,Irepeatit,thatourdevotionsshouldbegin,whencommencingthesolemnitiesof thepassion-week.Butshouldtheybeginwith it only,andnotendinthesamemanner?LookattheSavior.Whydoeshetravelthepathof suffering?Becausehe intends topayourdebt, andblot outouriniquities.Letusfollowhiminspirit;forhowmuchareweinterestedin thishispassage toCalvary!Hegoes tonail thehandwriting thatwasagainstustohiscross.TheGreenTreegivesitselfuptotheflames,whichoughttoconsumethedry.Thepathhetreadsisasacrificialone,apathofsatisfactionandmediation.Hadhenottroddenit,weshouldhavebeentheheirsofeternaldeath,orelsethethroneofGodmusthavesunkintoruin,andthejusticeofGodwouldhavedegeneratedintoinjustice.Buthedidpassthroughit,andnowdeliveranceissecured,howeverheinousourguilt. Let us approach his cross in spite of Satan and the world, openbeforehimthetear-bedewedpagesofourbookoftransgressions,imploremercyuponourknees,layholdofthegreatabsolutioninthebloodoftheLamb, and resign ourselves entirely and unconditionally to the thorn-crownedKing,that,alongwiththebandsofthecurse,hemayalsolooseusfromthoseoftheworldandtheflesh.Afterthishasbeendone,wemaysaywithpropriety,thatwehavecelebratedthepassionofourLord.

Mayhegrantusallsuchacelebration!WeimploreitthemoreferventlynowthatweareabouttoentertheMostHolyPlaceofthehistoryofourgreatHigh Priest's sufferings. Let us prepare ourselves for this solemnapproach by calling to mind the infinite blessings which Christ haspurchased for his people by his death on the cross, andby lovinghim,whothuslovedus,andgavehimselfforus!

THEMOSTHOLYPLACE

TheCrucifixion

"TheLordisinhisholytemple;letalltheearthkeepsilencebeforehim."Let thesewordsof theprophetHabakkukbethe languageofourheartsonenteringintotheMostHolyPlaceoftheGospelhistory.

ThemostsolemnofalldaysinIsrael,was,aswewellknow,thegreatdayofatonement, theonlyday intheyearonwhichthehighpriestenteredinto the most holy place in the temple. Before he approached thatmysterious sanctuary, the lawenjoined thathe shoulddivesthimselfofhiscostlygarments,andclothehimselffromheadtofootinaplainwhitelinendress.Hethentookthevesselwiththesacrificialbloodinhishand,and,thrillingwithsacredawe,drewbacktheveil, inorder,humblyanddevoutly,toapproachthethroneofgrace,andsprinkleitwiththeatoningblood. He remained no longer in the sacred place than sufficed toperformhispriestlyoffice.Hethencameoutagaintothepeople,and,inJehovah'sname,announcedgraceandforgivenesstoeverypenitentsoul.

Weshallnowseethissymbolicalandhighlysignificantactrealizedinitsfull and actual accomplishment. The immaculate Jesus of whom thewholeOldTestamentpriesthood,according to thedivine intention,wasonly a typical shadow, conceals himself behind the thick veil of anincreasing humiliation and agony; that, bearing in his hands his ownblood, hemaymediate for us with God his Father. Removed from thesphereofreason'svision,andonlycognizablebytheexerciseoffaith,herealizesandaccomplishesallthatMosesincludedinthefigurativeserviceofthetabernacle.Theprecisemannerinwhichthiswasaccomplished,weshallneverentirelyfathomwithourintellectualpowers;butitiscertainthathethenfinallyprocuredoureternalredemption.

Myreaders,howshallwebestprepareourselvesforthecontemplationofthismostsolemnandsacredevent?Atleastwemustendeavortodosobyholy recollectionof thought,devoutmeditation, abelievingandblissfulconsideration of thework of redemption, and by heartfelt and gratefuladorationbeforethethroneofGod.

Maywebeenabledthustodrawnearbythehelpofhisgraceandmercy!

Oncemorewereturntotheroadtothecross,and,inspirit,minglewiththecrowdproceedingtotheplaceofexecution.Theyarejustpassingtherocky sepulchers of the kings of Israel. The ancientmonarchs sleep intheir cells, but a dawning resurrection gleams upon their witheredremainswhenthePrinceofLifepassesby.Theprocessionthenentersthe

horrible valley of Gehenna, which once reeked with the blood of thesacrifices toMoloch. But there is another stillmore dreadfulGehenna;and who among us would have escaped it, had not the Lamb of Godsubmittedtothesufferings,whichwenowseehimenduring?

Wearearrivedatthefootoftheawfulhill,butbeforeascendingit,letuscast a lookon the crowdbehindus, and see if, amidall thehatredandrancorthatragestherelikeaninfernalflame,wecandiscoveranytracesof sympathyandheartfeltveneration for thedivinesufferer.And lo!anestimablelittlegroupmeetsoureye,likeabenignantconstellationinthedarknessof thenight.Oweknowthemalready, thesedeeplydistressedmourners!WefirstperceivethepiousSalome,theblessedmotherofthetwo "sons of thunder." She desires to see her children an example offaithfulness unto death, and we know that both James and John, theformer of whom was the first martyr for the new kingdom of peace,afterward showed themselves perfectly worthy of such a mother. NearSalomewalksMary,thenearrelativeoftheblessedVirgin.Shehadalsothe great privilege of seeing her two sons, James the Less and Joses,received into the immediate fellowship of the great Master. But alas!whentheswordcameupontheShepherd, theywerealsoscatteredwiththe rest of the flock; while it seemed to their excellent mother aparamount duty to appear, instead of her children, and by her ownfidelity, to cover their flight. And lo! yonder walks Mary Magdalene,sobbingaloud,whohadexperienced,aboveothers,thedeliveringpowerofhim,whocametodestroy theworksof thedevil.Ohowsheappearsdissolvedingriefandsorrow!Shehasonlyonewishmore,andthatis,tobe able to die with him, without whom the earth seems to her only agloomygrave,adenofmurderers.

Butwho is shewith tottering step, leaning on the disciplewhomJesusloved,dejectedmorethanalltherest,whocovershergrief-wornface?Itis theseverely triedmotherofourLord, inwhomSimeon'sprophecy isnowfulfilled,"Aswordshallpiercethroughyourownsoulalso."Butshehadscarcelythesmallestpresentimentthatitwouldbeaccomplishedinsuchamanner.Truly,whatshefeels,noheartoneartheverexperienced.Butlookup,Mary!Castyourself,withallyourgrief,intothearmsoftheEternalFather.Doyouseeyoursongoing tobecrucified?Healso sees

his.HewhoiscrownedwiththornsishisSonaswellasyour.Olookatthedeardisciple,who though inconsolablehimself, tries to support thedeeplygrievedmotherofhisLord.Whatascene!Buthowgratifyingisitto perceive, that love for the Man of Sorrows has not wholly becomeextinct upon earth! Nor shall it ever expire. Be not concerned on thataccount.Inthatmourninggroupyouseeonlythefirstdivinely-quickenedgerms of the future kingdom of the Divine Sufferer. From a few, amultitudethatnomancannumberwillbeforelongproceed.

After this cursory retrospect of theSavior's attendants, let us againputourselves inmotion with the crowd. Only a few steps upward, and wereach the end of the dreadful pilgrimage. Where are we now?We arestandingonthesummitofMountCalvary—Golgotha—horrifyingname—theappellationof themostmomentousandawful spotupon thewholeearth.Beholdanakedandbarreneminence,enrichedonlybythebloodofcriminals,andcoveredwiththebonesofexecutedrebels,incendiaries,poisoners, andotheroffscouringsof thehuman race.Anaccursed spot,where love never rules, but where naked justice alone sits enthroned,with scales and sword, and from which every passer-by turns withabhorrence, a nocturnal rendezvous of jackals and hyenas. Only think,this place so full of horrors, becomes transformed into "the hill fromwhencecomesourhelp,"andwhosemysteriesmanykingsandprophetshavedesired tosee,anddidnotsee them.Yes,upon thisawfulhillourrosesshallblossom,andourspringsofpeaceandsalvationburst forth.The pillar of our refuge towers upon this height. The Bethany of ourreposeandeternalrefreshmentheredisplaysitselftoourview.Trulytheancients were in so far correct in their assertion, that Mount Calvaryformedthecenterofthewholeearth;foritisthemeeting-placewheretheredeemed, thoughseparated inbodyby landandsea,dailyassemble inspirit, and greet each otherwith the kiss of love.Not less correctweretheyinthelegendthatFatherAdamwasburiedbeneathMountCalvary—thishillbeingreallyAdam'sgrave,whenbythelatterweunderstandthefallensinfulman,whomweallcarryaboutinus,andwhowascrucifiedwithChristonGolgotha.Itisstrangethattothisdaythelearneddisputethe position of this hill, and that there is scarcely a prospect ofascertainingtheplacewithcertainty.Butitwasthedivineintentionthatthe material mount should be exalted into the region of that which is

spiritual; and such is actually the case. It finds its abiding-place in thebelievingviewoftheworld.

OnthatawfulmountendstheearthlycareeroftheLordofGlory.Beholdhim,then,theonlygreen,sound,andfruitfultreeuponearth,andattherootof this tree theax is laid.Whata testimonyagainst theworld, andwhatanannihilatingcontradictiontoeverythingthatbears thenameofGodandDivineProvidence, if the latterdidnot find its solution in themysteryoftherepresentativeatonement!Beholdhim,then,coveredwithwoundsandignominy,andscarcelydistinguishablefromthemalefactorsamong whom he is reckoned. But have patience. In a few years,Jerusalem,thatrejectedhim,glorifieshimintheformofasmokingheapofruins, as thebelovedSonof theMostHigh,whomnoone canassailwith impunity; and surrounded by the lights of the sanctuary, livingmonumentsarise,inthreequartersoftheglobe,bearingtheinscription,"To Christ, the Redeemer of the world." But before these things takeplace, a horrible catastrophe must occur. The life of the world onlysprings forth from the death of the Just One. The hour of his baptismwith blood has arrived. Collect your thoughts, my readers, while youwitnessit.

Alas!alas!whatisitthatnowtakesplaceonthatbloodyhill?Oheartofstoneinourbreasts,whydoyounotbreak?Why,youcoldandobduraterock,doyounotdissolveintearsofblood?Fourbarbarousmen, inuredtothemostdreadfulofallemployments,approachtheHolyOneofIsrael,and offer him, first of all, a stupifying potion, composed of wine andmyrrh,asusualatexecutions.TheLorddisdainsthedraught,becausehedesires to submit to the will of his heavenly Father with fullconsciousness, and to drink the last drop of the accursed cup. Theexecutioners then take theLambofGodbetween them,andbegin theirhorridoccupationbytearing,withcrudehands, theclothesfromoffhisbody.Therehestands,whosegarmentoncewasthelight,andthestarsofheaventhefringeofhisrobe,coveredonlywiththecrimsonofhisblood,anddivestedofallthatadornedhim,notonlybeforemen,butalso,inhischaracterasSurety,beforeGod—remindingusofAdaminparadise,onlythat instead of hiding himself behind the trees at the voice of God, hecheerfully goes toward it; remindingus also of theOldTestamenthigh

priest, hismysterious type, who, before he entered into theMostHolyplacetomakeanatonement,exchangedhisrichattireforasimplewhiterobe.

Afterhavingunclothed theLord,and lefthim,bydivinedirection,onlyhis crownof thorns, they layhimdownon thewoodonwhichhe is tobleed; and thus, without being aware of it, bring about the momentpredicted in Psalm 22, where we hear the Messiah complaining, andsaying,"Benotfarfromme,fortroubleisnear;forthereisnonetohelp.Manybullhavecompassedmeabout;strongbullsofBashanhavebesetmeround."OwhatadyingbedfortheKingofkings!Myfriends,asoftenas we repose on the downy cushions of divine peace, or blissfullyassemble in social brotherly circles, singing hymns of hope, let us notforgetthatthecauseofthehappinessweenjoyissolelytobefoundinthefact,thattheLordofGloryonceextendedhimselfonthefataltreeforus.

Oseehimlie!Hisholyarmsforciblystretchedoutuponthecross-beam;hisfeetlaiduponeachotherandboundwithcords.ThusIsaaconcelayon the wood on Mount Moriah. But, the voice that then called out ofheaven, saying, "Laynot yourhandupon the lad!" is silent onCalvary.Theexecutionersseize thehammerandnails.Butwhocanbearto lookupon what further occurs! A deep and anxious silence pervades thecrowd,likethatwhichisaccustomedtofillthehouseofmourningwhenthecoffin isnaileddown.And,probably,not only on earth, but also inheaven at that moment, profound and solemn silence reigned. Thehorrible nails from the forge of hell, yet foreseen in the sanctuary ofeternity,areplacedonthehandsandfeetoftherighteousJesus,andtheheavystrokesof thehammer fall.Reader,doyouhear thesound?Theythunderonyourheart,testifyinginhorriblelanguageofyoursin,andatthesametimeofthewrathofAlmightyGod.Ohowmanysleepershaveawokefromtheirsleepofdeathundertheechoofthosestrokes,andhaveescaped fromSatan's snare!Awake also you that are asleep in sin, androuse yourself likewise you who are lulling yourself in carnal security!How many a proud and haughty heart has been broken into salutaryrepentancebythosestrokes!Owhydoesnotyourheartalsobreak?Forknow, that you did aid in swinging those hammers; and that themostcrying and impious act which the world ever committed, is charged to

youraccount.

See, the nails have penetrated through, and from both hands and feetgushesforththebloodoftheHolyOne.Othesenailshaverenttherockofsalvation for us, that it may pour forth the water of life; have reft theheavenlybushofbalm,thatitmaysendforthitsperfume.Yes,theyhavepierced the hand-writing that was against us, and have nailed it, asinvalid, to the tree; and by wounding the Just One, have penetratedthroughtheheadof theoldserpent, likeJael'snail throughtheheadofSisera.Oletnoonebedeceivedwithrespecttohimwhowasthusnailedtothecross!Thosepiercedhandsblessmorepowerfullythanwhiletheymovedfreelyandunfettered.Theyarethehandsofawonderfularchitect,whoisbuildingtheframeofaneternalChurch—yes,theyarethehandsofa hero, which take from the strongman all his spoil. And believeme,thereisnohelporsalvation,saveinthesehands;andthesebleedingfeettreadmorepowerfully thanwhenno fettersrestrainedtheirsteps.Theynowwalkvictoriously over the heads of thousands of foes,who shortlybeforehelduptheirheadswithboldness.Hillsandmountainsflowdownbeneath their steps, which they never would have leveled unwounded;andnothingspringsorbloomsintheworld,exceptbeneaththeprintsofthesefeet.

Themostdreadfuldeed isdone,and thepropheticwordsof thePsalm,"Theypiercedmyhandsandmyfeet,"havereceivedtheirfulfillment.Thefootofthecrossisthenbroughtneartotheholedugforit;powerfulmenseizetheropeattachedtothetopofit,andbegintodraw,andthecross,withitsvictim,elevatesitselfandrisestoitsheight.ThustheearthrejectsthePrinceofLife fromitssurface,and,as it seems,heavenalsorefuseshim.Butwewill let thecurtaindropover thesehorrors.ThankGod! inthatsceneofsufferingtheSunofGracerisesoverasinfulworld,andtheLion of Judah only ascends into the region of the spirits that have thepower of the air, in order, in amysterious conflict, eternally to disarmthemonourbehalf.

Look what a spectacle now presents itself! The moment the cross iselevated to its height, a purple stream falls from the wounds of thecrucifiedJesusthroughtheair,andbedewstheplaceoftorture,andthesinful crowd which surrounds it. This is his legacy to his Church. We

renderhimthanks forsuchabequest.This rosydewworkswonders. Itfallsuponspiritualdeserts,andtheyblossomastherose.Wesprinkleituponthedoor-postsofourhearts,andaresecureagainstdestroyersandavenging angels. This dew falls on the ice of the north pole, and theaccumulatedfrozenmass of ages thawsbeneath it. It streamsdownonthetorridzone,and theairbecomescoolandpleasant.Where this rainfalls, the gardens of God spring up, lilies bloom, and what was blackbecomeswhite in thepurifyingstream,andwhatwaspollutedbecomespureasthelightofthesun.Thatwhichdewandrainistonature,whichwithout themwould soon become a barren waste, the crimson showerwhich we see falling from the cross is to human minds. There is nopossibility of flourishing without it, no growth nor verdure, but everywhere desolation, barrenness, and death. Let us therefore embrace thecross,andsingwiththepoet:

"Hereatyourcross,mydyingGod,Ilaymysoulbeneathyourlove,Beneaththedroppingsofyourblood,Jesus,norshallite'erremove!"

Therestandsthemysteriouscross—arockagainstwhichtheverywavesof the cursebreak,a lightning-conductor,bywhich thedestroying fluiddescends, which would otherwise have crushed the world. He who somercifully engaged to direct this thunderbolt against himself, hangsyonder in profound darkness. Still he remains the Morning Star,announcinganeternalSabbathtotheworld.Thoughrejectedbyheavenandearth,yetheforms,assuch,theconnectinglinkbetweenthemboth,andtheMediatoroftheireternalandrenewedamity.Ahsee!hisbleedingarmsareextendedwide;hestretchesthemouttoeverysinner.Hishandspointtotheeastandwest;forheshallgatherhischildrenfromtheendsoftheearth.Thetopofthecrossisdirectedtowardthesky;farabovetheworld will its effects extend. Its foot is fixed in the earth; the crossbecomes a wondrous tree, from which we reap the fruit of an eternalreconciliation. O my readers, nothing more is requisite, than that theLord shouldgrantuspenitential tears, and then, bymeans of theHolySpirit,showustheSaviorsufferingonthecross.Wethenescapefromallearthlycareandsorrow,andrejoiceinhopeofthegloryofGod.Forour

justification in his sight, nothing more is requisite than that, in theconsciousnessofourutterhelplessness,welayholdonthehornsofthataltar,which is sprinkledwith the blood that "speaks better things thanthatofAbel."AndtheManofSorrowsdisplays tous the fullnessofhistreasures,andbestowsuponus,inasuperabundantdegree,theblessingofthepatriarchJacobonhissonJoseph:—"Theblessingsofyourfatherhave prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmostboundoftheeverlastinghills."

Therestandserectedthestandardofthenewcovenant,which,whenitisunderstood,spreadsterroraround itno less thandelight,and produceslamentationnolessthanjoyandrejoicing.Itstandstothisday,andwillstand forever, andnomore fears thosewhowouldoverturn it than thestaffofMosesfearedwhenthoseofthemagicianshissedaroundit.Andwherever it is displayed, there it is surrounded by powerfulmanifestationsandmiraculous effects.Wecarry it through thenations,andwithoutablowofthesword,conqueronecountryafteranother,andone fortress after another. Look how the missionary fields becomeverdant, anda spring-time of the Spirit extends itself over the heathendeserts!Harkhowtheharpsofpeaceresoundfromthe islesof thesea;andbeholdhow,between the icebergs of thenorth, thehearts begin toglow with the fire of divine love! From whence these changes—theseresurrection-wonders? From whence this shaking in the valley of drybones?Thecross iscarriedthroughthe land,andbeneath itsshade thesoilbecomesverdantandthedeadrevive.When thiswondrouscross isexhibited, with a correct exposition of its hieroglyphic characters,"lightnings,thunderings,andvoices,"areaccustomedtoproceed.Stonesmeltinitsvicinity,rocksrendbeforeit,andwaters,longstagnant,againripple,clearandpure,asifsomehealingangelhaddescendedintothem.

"I am crucified with Christ," exclaims the apostle, and by these wordspoints out the entire fruit which the cross bears for all believers. Hismeaningis,"Theyarenothissins,forwhichthecurseisthereendured,butmine;forhewhothusexpiresonthecross,diesforme.Christpaysandsuffersinmystead."ButthatofwhichPaulboasts,isthepropertyofusall,ifbythelivingbondoffaithandlove,wearebecomeonewiththecrucified Jesus.We are likewise exalted to fellowshipwith the cross of

Christ in thesensealso thatourcorruptnature iscondemnedtodeath,andouroldman,withhisaffectionsandlusts, issubjectedtothebitterprocess of a lingering death, partly through the spirit of purity whichdwells and rules within us, and partly by the trials and humiliationswhich God sends us, until the lance-wound of the death of the bodymakesanendofit.Butitiswhileenduringthesemortalagonies,thatwefirstseethecrossofCalvaryunfolditsfullandpeace-bestowingradiance.Itarchesitself,likearainbow,overourdarkness,andprecedesusonourpathofsorrowlikeapillaroffire.Othatitsserenelightmightalsoshineuponourpaththroughthisvalleyoftears,andasthetreeoflibertyandoflife,strikedeepitsrootsinoursouls!Apprehendedbyfaith,mayitshedits heavenly fruit into our lap, and warm and expand our hearts andmindsbeneathitsshade!

TheDividingoftheClothing

Thesceneweareabouttocontemplate,isremarkableevenforthosewhoare either unable or unwilling to share in our belief. It represents thetakingpossessionofaninheritance,inwhich—atleastinsomerespects—weourselvesarenearlyinterested.Adyingbedpresentsitselftoourview—anindividualatthepointofdeath—alegacy,andtheheirs.Happyishewho is justified in numbering himself with the latter! Let us approachnear,anddirectourattention,first,tothetestator,andthentohislegacyandheirs.

A testator, as you are aware, is onewho bequeaths an inheritance.WefindsuchaoneinthatpartoftheGospelnarrativewhichweareabouttoconsider.Theplacewherewemeetwithhimisindeedthelastwhereweoughttoseekhim.WearestandingonthesummitofMountCalvary.Thecompanybywhomwearesurrounded,arecertainly,inpart,ofhighrank,—senators, priests, and centurions meet our view. We might suppose,that if there was a testator here, he could be found only among thesedignitaries.But such is not the case. Lookup, andbehold the bleedingmanupontheaccursedtreebetweentwocompanionsinsuffering.No,hewho dies like this severely smittenman, does not diewell; andwe areinclinedtoexclaim,"Letnotourendbeliketheendofthissufferer!"O

horror beyonddegree!Dreadful are the terrorswhich youhere behold;butwhataretheycomparedwiththoseagonieswhichheenduresbehindtheveilofthatwhichisvisibletotheeye?Oh,whatawayofleavingtheworld!Ahostof scoffingdemons surroundshisdyingbed; the curseofthelawisthecoverletoverhim;theatmospherehebreathesglowswithfieryindignation;hislastdraught,thedistressandagonyofareprobate;thepartinghymnsung tohim,Satanic scoffandscorn;hisonly refuge,his Father's hidden countenance, which no longer deigns him aperceptibleglanceofaffection;hisprospect,adeathoverwhichSatanhaspower,andthatwhichcloseshiseyes—notanangelwithapalmbranch,butthegloomykingofterrors.Comprehendallthisinoneview,andwhatwillyousaytoit?Doubtless,thatthisisrealdegradation,misery,distressandpressure,andisdeathinthemostcompleteandhorriblesenseoftheword.

But howwill you be astonished, when I inform you that thisman, thepoorestofthepoor,istheveryonewhomwewentforthtoseek."What!"youexclaim,"nottheTestator?"Yes,myreaders,incomprehensibleasitmay seem, it is he andnoother. Look at the inscriptionoverhishead,Pilatecausedittobewritten;but,believeme,thatGodhashadhishandinit,howeverseeminglyitmaystandincontradictionwiththebleedingform to which it has reference. It is no bitter scoff, but actual truth:"JesusofNazareththeKingoftheJews."

"What!"youexclaimagain,"thatwretchedmanaKing?"O,myfriends,andsomethingstillmoreandgreaterthanthat!Thelinestheredonotsayenough. We will strike them out, and put in their place "Jesus ofNazareth,theKingofkings."Buteventhistitleistoovague.Letusplaceanotherinitsstead:"JesusofNazareth,theSonofthelivingGod."Nordoesthistitlesatisfyus.Weblotitoutandwrite,"JesusofNazareth,theAlphaandOmega,thefirstandthelast,thecreatorandpreserverofallthings, God blessed forever." This epitaph may remain, for thedescriptionismostfirmlyandirrefutablyfounded.Itwashe,itishe,evenamidthehorrorsofsuchadeath;allthingsarehis,heavenandearth,theblissofparadiseandthetreesof lifebytheriverofthecityofGod,andthecrownofhonoron itspillars.But thatwhichhepossessed fromthebeginning,hepossessedonlyforhimself,oratmost,onlyinpartforthe

holyangelsthathadremainedfaithful.Nottheleastglimmerofhisglorycouldhebestowuponus,sinners,withouttrenchinguponhishonorandmajesty. Divine justice, which necessarily condemned us, decidedlyprotested against every impartation of the kind; likewise, his divineholiness,whichblessesonlythosewhoarefreefromsin;anddivinetruth,whichneveremploysemptywords,norutters threatswhich itdoesnotverifybythedeed.

Now,iftherichLordofheavenwasneverthelessdesirousofbequeathingsomepartofhispropertytous,itwasfirstofallnecessarythatheshouldsatisfytheseexaltedopponentsofourfallenrace, inaholyanddivinelyappointedway.Andtothisheagreed,whenheundertooktoyield,inourstead,thatobediencewhichweowed,andtoendure,inhisownperson,the curse inflicted upon us. And both these he accomplished at thehorrible moment in which we now find him; and by his vicariousenduranceofourmisery,hebuildsabridgeforus,unhappymortals,bywhich we are enabled to reach his own felicity. But because, by hisrendering this satisfaction, he acquires the power to receive us sinnersinto the fellowship of his blessedness, we shall do well to remove theinscriptionswehavejustattachedtohiscross,howeverwellfoundedtheymaybe,andleavethefirstandoriginalone,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."Itisthemostcharacteristicinitsplace;forwhydidtheLordsufferanddie,butbecausehewasnotmerelytheSonofthelivingGod,and regentof theworldand thoseupon it;butalsobecausehebecamethekingandthebeatifyingPrinceofPeaceofaspiritualIsrael,gatheredfromamongsinners.

WearenowacquaintedwiththegreatTestator—themanwhoisbleedingonthecross.Anditisbecausehehangstherethatheacquiresthepowerto restore the justly disinherited children of Adam to their lostpossessions.Butinwhatdoesthelegacyconsist?Itsnoblestpartwillbeseeninthatportionofthenarrativeweareabouttoconsider.Initajewelglitters, withwhich is combined the pledge, that no good thingwill bewithheldfromus.Fromthesummitofthecrosscastyoureyesdowntoitsfoot.Fourassistantexecutionersareseencoweringdowntogether,busilyengaged in a peculiarmanner. They inherit all that theman possessedwhomtheyhavenailed to the cross—his clothing.Theyareoccupied in

parting the wide upper garment, and dividing it among them. But onmorecloselyexaminingtheunderclothing,theyseeinitasingularpieceofare,forthedressiswithoutaseam,wovenentirelyinonepiece.Thisvesture,theythink,oughtnottobecut;andhencetheyagreedtocastlotsfor it. They do so, and he who is so fortunate as to win, becomes thepossessorofthewholegarment.

Scrutinizenarrowlythisgamblinggroupbeneaththecross;forwhattheyare doing is extremely significant. At first sightwewould suppose thatthiswas far frombeing thecase;but the fact that thewholeof thefourevangelists,includingthebeloveddisciple,mention,onthedictateoftheHolySpirit,thisdivisionoftheclothing,isapledgetousofitssymbolicalimportanceanddivinemeaning.Besides this, the executioners,withoutany ideaof it, are fulfilling,by theirdivisionof thegarments,and theircastingthelotfortheunseamedvesture,aScripturalprophecyofalmosta thousand years old. We read that "this was done that the Scripturemight be fulfilled," and you know that it is the twenty-second Psalmwhichisherereferredto.Inthatsacredsong,whichmayberegardedasaprophetic effusion of the suffering Lamb of God, the Redeemer uttersbeforehandbythemouthofDavid,thethoughtsandfeelingsbywhichhewould subsequently be affected during his crucifixion. It is there said,"Dogshavecompassedme,theassemblyofthewickedhaveinclosedme.Theypiercedmyhandsandmy feet; Imay tell allmybones, they lookand stare upon me." Then follow the words, "They part my garmentsamongthem,andcastlotsformyvesture."

Whatdoyousaytothispassage?Mustnotexpressionsofthiskindfromthespiritofprophecysurpriseandastonisheventhemostunbelieving?Davidcouldnothaveutteredthesewordswithreferencetohimself.Thedescription only suits the sufferer, inwhose life we now see it actuallyinterwoven. He who bleeds on Calvary is therefore the mysteriousindividualwhoannounceshimself inthePsalmabovementionedastheRedeemeroftheworld.Butwhileitaddsgreatimportancetothetrivialactofthedivisionoftheclothing,bymakingknowntheLordJesusasthetrueMessiah, we shall find that something of a still moremomentousnatureisincludedinthepassageabovequoted.

WemustfirstinquireforwhatreasontheLordcausedthesewordstobe

inserted in theprophetic lamentationof thePsalmist, "They partedmygarments among them, and formy vesture they cast lots."He certainlydidso,notmerelywiththeintentionofrecordingacircumstance,triflingin itself, from the subsequent fulfillment of which it should be evidentthathewasindeedthepromisedMessiah.Considerthattheyareratherhisownfeelingsandsentimentswhicharethereexpressed.Theyare, inpart,complaintsandexpressionsofsuffering;butalsocompriseaheart-cheeringviewoftheincomparableresultswhichwouldaccruetosinnersfromhissufferings.Inthelatterclassmustbeincludedthewords,"Theypartedmygarments,andformyvesturetheycastlots."TheLordinthemencourages himself by the blessed consequences of his blood-shedding.But in what does he perceive them? Naturally, not in the fact of hisearthly garments being divided among sinners. He evidently takes thisoutwarddivisionofhisclothingasasymbolfullofmeaning,andregardsit inasense incomparablyhigherandmorespiritual.Andwhat is that?Thus we might ask, my friend, if there was no mention in the HolyScripturesofagarmentwhichChristhadacquiredforus.Butyouknowthat it is frequently alluded to. This spiritual legacy of a robe is theresensibly represented. Such is the object of the transaction on MountCalvary.

What we read respecting Adam is worthy of our most seriousconsideration. Before he gave way to sin, he shone in the white andhonorablerobeofperfectinnocence.HewastreatedasabelovedchildinhisFather'shouse.Hewaspermittedtoapproachhim,andcasthimselfupon his bosom, when and wherever he pleased. Everything was putunderhisfeet,andhishappinessflowedinaninexhaustiblestream.Theholyangelswerehiscomrades,andthepeaceofGodhisfood,earlyandlate. But scarcely had the unhappy fall occurred than his situationwasentirely changed.We now behold him fleeing and even hiding himselffromthefaceofGod,andhearhimreplytotheinquiry,"Adam,whereareyou?" with the lamentable confession, "I was afraid, and hid myself,becauseIwasnaked."Whatwasexpressedinthisconfessionbutourownstate by nature? Adam's mournful nakedness is ours. We also, as theapostlesays,are"destituteofthegloryweoughttohavebeforeGod."Wearenaked.NotathreadofthatrighteousnesswhichavailsinthesightofGod is left us. Sin has banished the last gleam of the radiance of our

originalbeauty.Butthisfactisdreadfulandmomentousbeyonddegree.Doesnot even sound reason tell us thatwedarenot appearnakedandunadorned before a holyGod? Cain felt that he was thus naked in thesightofGod,andbecameapreytodespair.ThesamefeelingpromptedJudasIscariottodestroyhimself.ThistruthsmotetheconscienceofthePhilippianjailor,andhewasuponthepointofthrowinghimselfuponhissword. Andwhat efforts dowe seemade on dying beds, to lay hold ofsomething with which we may appear clothed before God! In oneinstance,thegraspingatthefig-leavesofahandfulofgoodworks,whichthemanthinkshehasperformed.Inanother,whatattemptsatexcusesandpalliations!Inathird,whataplaguinghimselfwithpraying,reading,wringing thehands, or somethingof thekind!What is theobject of allthis? The time has arrived when men begin to have a dawningconsciousnessoftheirnakedness,andthentheycryoutforacovering,forthey feel assured that it is a dreadful thing to appear naked before thefaceofthejudgeofthewholeearth.

Certainly,itisadreadfulthing.AstrueasaholyGodlivesinheaven,sosurelyshallwebeexcludedfromhisfellowshipifwehavenotaholinesstoplace in the lightofhiscountenance,whichshall reflect, though inalesser degree, the purity of his own perfections. But where are we toprocuresuchattire?Notfromourownlooms.Itiselsewhereprovidedforus. Hear what the apostle says, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ." Thesewordsdirectustothatwhichleadstoamostblissfuldiscovery.

We return to the soldiers under the cross. They are busied in dividingamong themselves the upper garment of the dying Jesus. They are notprohibited from parting this. By so doing, they continue quite in thefigure which, under divine direction, they are to represent to us. Theupper garment symbolizes the outwardly operating fullness of theSavior's power and life; and in a second signification, the spiritualendowmentintendedforus.Thisisdivisible,anditalsoappearsdividedintheassemblyofthefaithful.Onehadmore,theotherlessofthislegacy.To one, "the gift of knowledge was allotted, to another, the gift ofprophecybythesameSpirit;toathirdthepowertoworkmiracles;toafourth, the discerning of spirits," etc. (1Cor. 12.)A distinctmeasure ofthesegiftsoftheSpiritwasnotrequiredinordertobesaved.Butthere

wasonekindof legacywhichwasquite indispensable toeveryonewhodesirestostandinthejudgment.Itsemblem,also,youfindinthehandsof the mercenaries under the cross. Beside the Lord's upper garment,anotherprizehas fallento them,and it is thiswhichformsthepeculiarcapitalof their inheritance. It is thevestureorbody-coatof themanofsorrows,whichheusedtowearunderthemantle;thereforesuchadressas thehighpriestwasobliged toputonwhenheentered into themostholyplaceonthegreatdayofatonement.ThatsuchapriestlygarmentisfoundonthebodyofJesus,that it is inheritedbyoneofhismurderers,and falls to himwholly andundivided, is extremely significant.A childmust be conscious that he is here standing before hieroglyphics,whichconceal something important andprofound.Butwhat is themarrowofthissacredsymbol?Whoisthereamongmyreadersthathasnotanideaofit?

Beneaththeresplendentrobeofhiswonderfulandactivelife,theSaviorworeanother,thegarmentofaperfectobedience,whichheyielded,evenindistressanddeath.Nothingwaswantinginhim.Manyeyes—human,angelic, and satanic—have scrutinized it, but all have been filled withwonderat the sight.Even the eyesofGodbeheld itwithdelight, andavoicefromheavendeclared,"ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased."Itwasagarmentwroughtentirelyofthegoldenthreadsof thepurestlovetoGodandman,withoutspotandwithoutaseam,andwoveninonepiece.You see it is the robeof righteousness of theSonofGod,whichissymbolizedbythecoatwithoutaseam,forwhichthelotiscastatthefootofthecross.

Butyouaskinsurprise,"DidthisalsobelongtoJesus'legacytosinners?"Without a doubt. Hear what the Scripture says: "As by one man'sdisobediencemanyweremadesinners;sobytheobedienceofoneshallmany be made righteous." And again, "As by the offense of one,condemnation came upon allmen, so by the righteousness of one, thefreegiftcameuponallmenuntojustificationoflife,"orwhichprocureslife. (Rom. 5.) Not merely was forgiveness intended for us, but alsosomethingfurtherandgreater.Paultestifies(Acts,26:18),thattheLordhadassuredhimthathispeopleshouldreceive"forgivenessofsinsandinheritanceamongthemwhicharesanctified."

Here,therefore,aretwothingsmentioned.Forgivenesswouldonlysecureus against deserved punishment, and bestow upon us the negativeblessing of being uncondemned. But according to the counsel of amercifulGod,weweretobepositivelyexalted,blessed,andbeatified;andfor this purpose he required a righteousnesswhich commended us notonlytothesparingmagnanimity,butalsotothelovinggoodpleasureofaholyGod.Christacquiredthisforusalso.WhilefulfillingthelawasourSurety, he placed that incomparable obedience before the eyes of hisheavenly Father, which, being mercifully imputed to us on the part ofGod,is,onourpart,laidholdofbyfaith,andafterbeingappropriatedbyus, cause us to break forth into the song of the prophet, "Iwill greatlyrejoiceintheLord,mysoulshallbejoyfulinmyGod,forhehasclothedmewith the garmentsof salvation;hehas coveredmewith the robeofrighteousness,asabridegroomdeckshimselfwithornaments, andasabride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth herbud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to springforth;sotheLordGodwillcauserighteousnessandpraisetospringforthbeforeallthenations."(Isaiah,61:10,11).

Fromtheinheritance,letusnowcastacursorylookupontheheirs.Whoisitthatinheritsthecostlyattire?Onlythink,oneofthemurdererswhoaresittingbeneaththecross,isthefortunateman.Thiscircumstancetellsusthat,accordingtothedivineintention,nowickedness,howevergreat,excludesunconditionallyfromtheinheritance.Itonlydependsuponthis,that the symbolical position of those executioners, and their conduct,withrespecttothebooty,shouldbeessentiallyfulfilledinus.

Whatistheirposition?Theyguardthecross,andthuspointouttoustheplace of refuge, to which, as our last resource, the necessities of ourhearts, should impel us to flee. First, they know how to value thepreciousnessoftheseamlessvestment.Next,theyperceivethatonlyinitsundividedwholeitwasofvalueandarealtreasure;and,finally,theyaresatisfiedthattheyshallobtainpossessionofthecostlygarment,entirelygratuitously, by a cast of the dice, and, therefore,without anymerit oftheir own.Do you now understand these hieroglyphics? I do not thinkthatyouneedafurtherexplanationofthem.Becomepoorsinners, learnto understand the demands of God upon you, and be content to be

justified by grace. The symbol under the crosswill then find in you itsactualantitype.

Howtheheirof theseamlessgarmentwillhaverejoicedat theprizehewon!We,myreaders,haveinheritedtherobe,whichmakesusobjectsofthe divine good pleasure, and shall the chords of our harps be silent?Doubtlessthefortunatemanimmediatelyputonhislegacy,andworeitthenceforward.Letusavailourselvesofthehintthusgivenus,to"putontheLordJesusChrist." It certainlyneveroccurred to that individual, toattachstrangelappetstothatscientificallywovengarment.LetusbewareoftheabsurdideaofenlargingtherighteousnesswhichwehaveinChrist,by any additional doings of our own.On the contrary, let usmake theproperdistinctionbetweenjustificationandsanctification.

Even the earthly dress of the crucified Jesus will have exercised amanifold influence on the mind of the mercenary, and have at timesaffectedhim,madehimshudder,andfeelashamed,anddoubtlesshavecaused the image of the man from whom he inherited it, never to beeffacedfromthemirrorofhisremembrance.Reflect,therefore,withwhatpowerful and salutary influence the substance of that shadow, therighteousness of Christ himself, must be accompanied, as regards theheartandlifeofthosewhoareabletoappropriateitbyalivingfaith.

The soldier might—as regarded his upper garment—have occasionallygone about poorly clad; and yet, if one looked deeper, it would not bedeniedthathewasmorerichlyattiredthanmanyaking.IsnotthecasesimilarwiththechildrenofGod,whoseexternaldressisoften,especiallyinthedaysoftrial,anythingbutsplendid?andyettheeyeofallheavenrests upon them with pleasure; and the words are applicable to them,"Theking'sdaughterisallgloriouswithin."

Letuscongratulateourselves,therefore,ontheincomparableinheritanceleftusbyhimwhoexpiredonthecross.LetasmanyofusashavereasontonumberourselvesamongtheheirsofChrist,maintaintheconviction,livelyandfreshwithinus,thatwearealreadyjustifiedinhimbeforeGod;andthattheloveofGodisnotmeasuredouttousaccordingtothedegreeof our personal holiness. Let the watchword of our faith, "JehovahZidkenu," the Lord our righteousness, with which we overcome the

world, bemore andmore fluent on our lips and let us ever sing,withincreasingfervor,

"Jesus,yourbloodandrighteousnessMybeautyare,mygloriousdress;Midstflamingworldsinthesearrayed,WithjoyshallIliftupmyhead."

TheInscription

Let us again lift up our eyes to the inscription, which beams from thecrossof theDivineSufferer.Wethereread, "JesusofNazareth,KingoftheJews,"writteninthreedifferenttongues—Greek,Latin,andHebrew—the three theological languages, that all the world may read andunderstand. Pilate had so ordered it, inducedpartly by an obscure andreverential presentiment, and partly in order to give the hated Jews afinalblow.Nosoonerhadthelatterreadtheinscription,thantheyangrilyhastentothegovernor,andsaytohiminanimperioustone,"Itmustnotbeasyouhavewritten.Downwiththatinscriptionfromthecrossoftheblasphemer.Write thathepresumptuouslysaid thathewas theKingoftheJews."ButPilatebrieflyandresolutelyreplied,"WhatIhavewritten,Ihavewritten!"Andthus,Pilate,itoughttobe.Whatyoudidwritewasnot from arbitrary choice, for another guided your hand. You haveprophesied as did Balaam of old; and with your inscription, areignorantlyandinvoluntarilybecomeawitnessforthetruth.

Will you behold the King of Israel? Come, friend, and follow me toCalvary'sbloodyhill.Seeyouthatmanonthecross,dyingthedeathofamalefactor? "What?" sayyou, "Is thisaking?"Donot shakeyourhead,butknowthatyouarewantingindiscernment,notheinmajesty.Retracethe ancient Levitical service, and behold in the sacred songs andprophetic language of the Old Testament that which shall throw lightupon the appalling scene. Light your torch in the Psalms of David, inwhichyouhearagreatKingcomplainandsay,"Theypiercedmyhandsandmy feet.Theygavemealsogall formymeat,and inmy thirst theygave me vinegar to drink," and yet he remains a King. Listen to the

prophet Isaiah speaking of One who though he was "wounded for ouriniquities," yet "the government was upon his shoulder, and of hispeaceful kingdom there shall beno end."Read thewordsofZechariah,"Awake, O sword, against the man that is my fellow!" and hear theforerunnerinthewilderness,exclaiming,"BeholdtheLambofGod,thattakesawaythesinoftheworld!"ReturnwiththeselightstoCalvary,andsay if youare still somuchastonishedat finding the inscriptionon thecross,whichstandsbetweentheothertwo,bearingthewords,"JesusofNazareth, the King of the Jews?" A cloud of holy witnesses adoringlysurroundthecross—venerablefigures,triedsaints,patriarchsandseers,poetsandprophets,kingsandpriests.ThefigureofthebleedingKingdidnotmisleadthem.Reverentially,andfarfromstartingbackwithsurprise,theyreadtheinscription,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

DoyouinquirewhereisthemajestyofthisKing?Trulyitexists,althoughforthetimehidden,liketheglitteringgoldoftheark,beneaththerams'skinsthatcoveredit.Benotoffendedatthegloomycloudwhichfrownsaroundhim.Theeyeoffaithpenetratesthroughit,andperceives inthebalmy background, a rainbow-garland of angels' heads and seraphicfaces.IftheyappeartogrievewhentheeyesoftheirKingcloseindeath,yettheybearpalmsintheirhands,withwhichtheywillaccompanyhimwhenhe re-ascends the throne.Andwho, in the furtherdistanceof theheavenlyworld,composethebrillianthostthat,sunkinadoration,lieontheir faces beneath the trees of life? They are the saints of God, whoinherited thekingdombefore theLordofGlorydescended to theearth.Butwhentheyshookthedustof theirpilgrimage fromoff their feet,hesaid, "Behold, I lay down my life for these lambs," and at these royalwords, the gates of paradise opened to admit them. They have longenjoyedthefruitsofthemeritsoftheirSurety,beforehecommencedhiswork.Theynowbeholdhimpayingthepromisedransomforthem,andsupportingtheblissfulabodestheyinhabitwiththepillarsofjustice.Andwhatisleftforthematthissight,buttosinkadoringlyinthedustbeforethewondrousman, and to confess, that evenwith their glorified visionthey are unable to fathom the depths of such infinite compassion. Andlookstillfurtherinspirit.Themultitudesofpeopleoutofeveryageandnation, their eyes attentively directed to the cross, and their facesexpressiveofsacredpeaceandsilentblessedness—whoarethey,who,in

interminable circles, surround the fatal hill? It is his Church, hisredeemedpeople,includingthebestandnoblestofmankindineveryage.See the censers in their hands. They desire only to hear and knowrespectingtheLambthatwasslain.

Sucharethesightswhichfaithbeholdsthatunderstandshowto lift theveiland lookwithin.Andonbeholdingsucharepresentation, the crossbeforeitchangestoathrone,thecrownofthornsaboutthebrowofthedying man becomes a diadem, and Pilate's inscription is read withreverenceandadoration,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews!"

Yes,itishe!Youmayrecognizehimbythevictoriesheachieves,evenonthefataltree,thefirstofwhichisofagloriouslytwofoldcharacter—overhimself and over the infernal tempter. He is assailed by powerfultemptations,which rise up in the shape of the scornful revilings of thepeople,whoexclaim,"Hesavedothers,himselfhecannotsave.IfhebetheKingof Israel, lethimnowcomedown from the cross, andwewillbelievehim," apowerful assaultof thewickedone, almostmorepotentthanwhenheurgedhim to casthimselfdown from thepinnacleof thetemple. How much did the taunting advice to come down correspondwiththenecessitiesofhissufferinghumannature!Ifhehadfollowedit,notonlyhehimselfwouldhavebeendeliveredatoncefromhistorment,butthehostofblasphemingadversarieswouldhavebeendrivenfromthefield in an unexampled manner, and convinced of his divinity almostmore plainly thanwas afterward the case by his resurrection from thedead.Alluringthought,atoneblowtostriketheragingmultitudemute,andbendtheirkneesinthedust!Butfarbesuchanideafromhim!Itisasnare,atrapoftheartfulfowler,arockunderwater,towrecktheprojectoftheatonementjustbeforeitsfinalaccomplishment.Jesussurveystheinfernal toils, and says in spirit, "Get you behindme, Satan. I will notcome down, but bleed, sacrifice myself and pay the wages of sin." Insublime silence, he rejects the call, and bears the torment; nor did hedeviatefromhispathasinglemoment.Come,letusinterweaveanolive-branch in his crown of thorns, and wreathe about with the laurel ofvictorytheinscription,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

Yes,whilehanging there,he is still a royal conqueror.Youmight thinkthatnoonewasmoreovercomethanhe.Buttheprospectiveglassoffaith

willshowyousomethingdifferent.Intherepresentationwhichitaffordsyou,youseethattheeyeofJesus,insteadofclosing,scattersdestroyinglightnings;thathisunfetteredhandsbrandishawondroussword;thathisfeet tread freely on a stormy arena. Hot is the battle; furious theonslaught.Aconflictofdesperationhascommenced,andthehumanraceisitsobject.ThehostilepartiesarethecaptainoftheLord'shostandtheinfernalpowers.Howthedemonsofthepitrageandstruggle!Thepreyisto be taken from them and the captive delivered; the scepter to bewrestedfromtheirhands,andtherighttheyhadacquiredoverusbythedivinedecisionagaintornfromthem.Anditisthemaninthecrownofthorns who threatens their dominion, and is trying to overturn it.Nothinginthearsenalofhellisleftuntried,whichmayaffordanyhopeofvictory.ButtheLionofthetribeofJudahlaughsatthequiveringlance.Hebleeds;buthisbloodistheenemy'soverthrow.Hefallsintothehandsofhisadversaries;butthisisthemeansofrescuingusoutoftheirhands.He suffers himself to be fettered by the bands of Belial; but his chainsbegetourliberty.Heemptiesthecupofwrath;butonlythathemayfillitwithblessingsforus.Hesuffershimselftobewoundedintheheel;butatthe samemoment breaks the head of the old Serpent; and after a verydifferentmartialruletothecustomaryone,heconquerstheenemy,likeSamson,byhisfall.

Such are the achievements of the dying Jesus. Even though one maycomplain,thatthefairestofthesonsofmenshouldbesoabused;anotherbecamehoarsewithcrying,"Comedown,andshowuswhoyouare!"We,whoknowhowtoviewthingswiththeeyeoffaith,neithermournnorcryout. To us he would not seem more glorious were he to descend inmajesticsplendorfromthecross,amidthemusicofangelicharps, thanhe appears to us, yonder, in his bleeding form. We see him, like thearchangel, decked with victorious insignia, standing upon a thousanddragons'heads;andwhilesoundingthetrumpetoftriumph,weexclaim,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

Athirdvictoryisgainedatthecross,thegreatestandmostwonderfulofall.Icallitthevictoryofthelawgiveroverthelaw.Therewasnowantofwishandwillinheaventosaveus.Theyexistedabundantly;buttherighttoundertakethegreatworkwaswanting.Theholyandinviolablelawwas

theboltwhichfastenedthedoorofthetreasuryofdivinemercy.Thelawputinitsprotestagainstourredemption.Itslanguagewas,"Nosalvationfor sinners until their guilt is expiated;" and even eternal majesty feltbound by the protestation. But divine wisdom was able to loose theirfetters.TheEternalSondescendeduponearthtochangethenegativeofthe law into an affirmative.He sufferedhimself to be "madeunder thelaw,"andfulfilledit,asourrepresentative,insuchamanner,astoenablehimtostandforward,andsay,"Whichofyouconvincesmeofsin?"Butthis did not remove the barrier from the sluices of divine mercy. Thecursehadtobeendured,towhichwehadbecomesubjectbyabreachofthelaw.Hesubmittedtothis,likewise,anddrankthecupofwrath.Didadrop remain? "Notone,"was the law'sdecision.Andwhen thevoiceofmercy was heard from heaven, the law had nothing to object. Divinejusticeresignedthescepter to itsaugustsister,Love,without infringingits glory in the slightest degree. We admire the victory over the law,withoutviolence,inthewayofjustice;andadoringlyreadtheinscription,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

Yes, he is a King! But where is his kingdom? He is founding it whilehanging on the cross. The drops of blood, which trickle down, are theprice he paid to ransom his people, and the dying groans which issuefromhisbosom,thejoyfulpealwhichannouncesthebirthdayofhisZion.

Hedid not foundhis kingdomwhen gathering the people around him,and addressing them from the mount of the beatitudes. Nor when hescattered in the darkness the sparks of divine truth, and when theshadowsofdeathweredispersedbythe lightofhisheavenlytorch.Notthere,where he cast out the spirits of darkness, and by hismiraculousaid,wontheeternalgratitudeofhundredsofthewearyandheavy-laden.Notthere,wherewith thesplendorofhisdeeds,heravished theworld,andwassurroundedbytheirenthusiastichosannas.Hadhelefttheworldafterthesetriumphs,allwouldhaveremaineduponearthasbefore,andhe himself have been without a kingdom and a people. No Jerusalemwouldhavebeenrearedinthevalleyofdeath;nobanneroflibertyhavewaved fromthe turretsofZion.NoencampmentofGod'speople in thewilderness, and no longing after a better country. No! Teaching,preaching, and example could not effect it. The new city had to be

foundedon thebloodof thecovenant;and itwasdone.Thehands thatwerenailedtothecrossovercametheworld;andfounded,inthemidstofthe kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of light and peace. O wonderbeyond compare! What Pilate wrote remains forever true, "Jesus ofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

The Jews did not imagine it was he. They ventured to cry, "His bloodcomeuponusanduponourchildren!"Youknowthattheirimprecationwasfulfilledinthemannertheydesired."Woe!"exclaimedtheblood,andcried to heaven for vengeance upon them. Behold the result! A heavystormgathersoverJerusalem.Thetorchofwaris lightedintheland.Aforestofhostilelancesbegirdstheholycity.Thetemplesinksinflames.Thewallsfalldown.Notonestoneremainsuponanother,andthebloodofthechildrenofAbrahamflowsintorrents.Thosewhoescapetheswordmustfleeintothewideworld,farfromtheirbelovedhillsandthegravesof their forefathers, into the barren and inhospitablewaste. And Israelremainstothisdayasubjugatedpeople,andstealsaboutthemementosofitsformerglory.Itisbydivinearrangementthatthispillarofsalt,thisburning bush, which miraculously remains unconsumed, continuesconspicuous during eighteen hundred years. This people, in theirwretchedness, are a lasting memorial, that he, whose blood they hadinvokedoverthem,wasandisaKing,anddoesnotsufferhimselftobemockedwith impunity.And, in fact, thewords, "JesusofNazareth, theKingoftheJews,"areaslegiblywritteninfierylettersofjudgmentontheforeheadsofhispeople,asuponthecross.Butwewaitforatime,nownolonger distant, in which the Lord will make it evident, in another andmoregratifyingmanner, inthesehisancientcovenantpeople,thatheistheirrealandtrueKing.Whentheyshalleventuallycomewithweepingandlamentation,andheshallgather themoutof the landof thenorth,and lead them in a plain path, by the rivers of water, and shall say tothem,"IamIsrael'sfather,andEphraimismyfirst-born;"thenthemostobstinateunbeliefshallnolongerrebel,butreverentlyfoldthehandsonreadingtheinscription,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

Yes,heisourKing!Hereignsfromthecross.Fromthencetothishourhecarriesonthegovernmentinthecityofpeace.True,henolongerhangsthere,butwhenhepresentshimselftotheeyeoffaith,andwhen,inorder

toaccomplishgreatthingshemanifestshimselfinvision,heappears,asbefore,inhisbleedingform,andhangingonthetree.Itisfromthencehetakes the spoil from the strong, and produces repentance in the sinful.Fromthencehehumblestheloftylooks,andmeltsthestonyheartinthefireofhislove.Fromthencehecomfortstheanxioussoul,anddriestheweeping eyes of the contrite. From thence, he awakens rejoicing in thecampofthetrueIsraelites,andencourageshispeopletodancebeforetheark. O how variously does he daily make it manifest that he, as thecrucifiedJesus,isthetrueKingofIsrael!Yes,inhiscrownofthorns,hegoverns theworld of spirits and of hearts; and the greatestmarvels bywhich he glorifies himself upon earth, he performs with his piercedhands. Hence Calvary continues to be the place where we pay ourhomage,andwhereweceasenotadoringlytocry,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

Thus, in fact,nohumanhandeverwrote anythingmore trueandwell-foundedthantheinscriptionwhichPilate,underdivinedirection,wroteandplacedonthecross.Yetalittlewhile,andsignsfromheaven,angelicappearances,fallingstars,andgravesopeningatthetrumpet'ssoundwillconfirm it. Therefore, while unfolding before my readers his blood-besprinkledbanner,Icalluponthem,asamessengerfromGod,toswearallegiancetothissacredstandard,toworshipthemonarchinthecrownof thorns,andreverently tobow thekneewith themultitude,whichnomancannumber,beforetheinscriptiononthecross,"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."

My friends, the time isathand,whenweshallno longer read iton thecross, but in the radiant letters on the flowing robe of the returningconqueror.Othatthennoneofusmaybeforcedtosaytotherocks,"Fallonus,"andtothehills,"Coverus!"buteachofusmeethimwith joyfulacclamations,andhailhimLordofall!

"Father,ForgiveThem"

Ourvisit tothehorribledarknesswhichreignsonCalvaryhasthistimereference only to the ray of compassionwhich flashes through it, than

which,onemorebeatifyingnever shoneupon the sinful earth.This raydisplaysitseffulgenceintheintercessionofhimwhohangsbleedingonthecross.Init,thedivinesuffererthrowsdownfromhiscrossthefirst-fruit of his passion into the lap of the human race, whom he came toredeem.

Horrible is the tumultonCalvary.Achoir from thepitofhellprecedesthe chorus of angels. The powers of darkness exhaust themselves invomiting forth rage and blasphemy; and alas! the very men whosevocationitistobekeepersofthesanctuary,yieldthemselvesuptobethemostzealousinstrumentsofhell.Withoutbeingawareofit,thesemenofBelialentirelyfailoftheirobject.Theirintentionistodegradethemanonthecross,andyettheyareobligedtoglorifyhim.Theyareanxioustotearfromhis head the last remnant of his crown, but they only lift the veilfromoffhismajesty.ListentothetauntswhichtheypourforthupontheHolyOne;butremark,atthesametimehowtheseoutbreaks,viewedinthe light, only contain themost honorable confessions respecting him."He saved others," say they, "himself he cannot save." Truly, this plainconfessionon thepartofhis adversaries is ofhigh importance, since itconfirmsanewthehistoricalaccountofthesavinganddeliveringactsofJesusrecordedbytheevangelists.

"He trusted inGod," they continue. Infer fromhence,my readers, howevidentlyhisheavenlyanddevotional framemusthave impressed itselfon his entire outward deportment, so that it did not remain concealedevenfromsuchworthlesscharactersasthese.

"Hesaid, 'IamtheSonofGod;' lethimdeliverhimnowifhewillhavehim!" Can it be otherwise than extremely welcome to us, to hear itconfirmed, even by his most furious opponents, that the Lord haddeclaredhimselftobetheSonofGod,andhadthereforemadenosecretofhisheavenlydescent?

"You thatdestroy the temple," they exclaim further, "andbuild itup inthree days, save yourself!" Observe how they confirm what he had sodecidedly announced concerninghis resurrection from thedead. In thesame manner, by their taunting words, "Let Christ the King of Israeldescendnowfromthecross,"theyestablishthefact,thattheSaviorhad

repeatedlyappliedthissignificanttitletohimself.Whatdothesewickedmen therefore effect? In their fury they break a diamond in pieces, bywhichtheyonlycauseittoshowitsgenuinenessbyitssparklingsplinters.In their wrath they pluck to pieces a divine rose, but by so doing onlydisplaythebrillianceandenamelofeverypetal.

The Savior hears the envenomed taunts of the crowdbelow.He knowsfrom whence they proceed, and to whom the blasphemers serve asinstruments,withouttheirbeingawareofit.Intheirinfuriatedlanguage,hehearsonlyaruderechoofthosetemptationswithwhichtheprinceofdarkness once assailed him in the wilderness. But now, as then, he isconscious of being on the path pointed out to him by his HeavenlyFather; and this serves him as an impenetrable shield, with which hequenchesallthefierydartsoftheadversary.OthatwecouldnowcastalookintotheRedeemer'ssoul!Butprofoundsilenceconceals it fromusliketheveilinthetemple.If,insuchmoments,whenthemeasureoftheopprobrium vented on him overflowed, the glow of a holy indignationhadflushedhim,orthethunderoftheapostle's"AnathemaMaranatha"had rolled through his soul—if his heart had turned to him who callshimself an avenger of the evil, with a prayer to reward the wickedaccordingtotheirdeeds—orif,inhisownmind,ajudicialwoehadbeenpronouncedupontheseaccursedsonsofBelial,hisholinesswouldhavebeen fully preserved, and even hell itself must have justified him inforeverrenouncingtheredemptionofsucharaceas thedescendantsofAdam.

But,bestill!See,hislipsaremoving.Heisabouttospeak.Whatshallwenowhear?Willanythingofthekindabovementionedbethundereddownfrom the cross? It might reasonably be expected. Look, he opens hismouth. But canwe believe our ears? "Father," says he, "forgive them!"What?Who does hemean? Surely not the servants of Satanwho havenailedhimtothecross—theheartlessbrutes,whoareevenstillrendinghim with their poisoned fangs? Yes, it is even they to whom hisintercessionrefers.Itisforthemherequestsmercyandforgiveness.Webowourheadsandadore.Whatlanguage,"Father,forgivethem!"and,inthe words, what an act, greater than the most splendid miracles withwhich he marked his radiant path through the world. Christ was

admirable inhis transfigurationonMountTabor;buthereheshines insuperiorlight.

"Forgive them!" Is it possible! With these words, as sincerely as theysound,hecoverstheguiltyheadsofhismurdererswiththeshieldofhislove,inordertosecurethemfromthestormofthewell-deservedwrathofAlmighty God. With these words, which must have produced adoringastonishmentevenintheangelsthemselves,hetakesthesemiscreantsinthearmsofhiscompassion,andbearsthemupthestepsofhisFather'sthrone, inordertocommendthemtohismercy.Forknow,myreaders,that thewords "Forgive them,"mean, inJesus'mouth,notmerely, "Donotimputetothemthemurderouscrimetheyhavecommitteduponme."No,whenheutters"Forgive,"itcomprehendssomethingmuchmore,andembracesthewholeregisterofsins.Inhismouthitmeans,"Plungetheirwholesinfullifeintothedepthsofthesea,andremembernomoretheirtransgressions, but consider these sinners henceforth as dear in yoursight,andacttowardthemassuch."

Thereareindividualsuponearthforwhomnoonefeelsinclinedtopray,because theyare toodepraved.Thereare thosewhoevendarenotprayfor themselves, because their consciences testify, that such worthlesscreaturesastheyare,cannotreckonuponbeingheard.Whataprospectishereopenedtopeopleofthisdescription!Ah,ifnoheartbeatsforthemonearth,theheartoftheKingofkingsmaystillfeelforthem.Ifamongtheirfriends,notoneistobefoundtointercedeforthem,yet,possibly,the Lord of Glory is not ashamed of bearing their names before hisFather'sthrone.OwhathopebeamsonCalvaryforasinfulworld!Andifthe great Intercessor appears there for a transgressor, how does hisintercessionsucceed!Thoughawholeworldshouldprotestagainstit,hisprayersaveswhomhewill.HisvoicepenetratestheheartoftheeternalFatherwithirresistiblepower.Hisentreatiesarecommands.Mountainsof sin vanish before his intercession. How highly characteristic anddeeplysignificant is thefact thattheLord,withthisprayer,commencesthesevenexpressionsheutteredonthecross.Thewords,"Forgivethem!"showusnotmerelytheheavenofloving-kindnesswhichhecarriesinhisbosom,butitalsodartslikeaflashoflightningthroughthegloomoftheentirenightofsuffering,anddeciphersthemysteriouspositionwhichthe

HolyOneofIsraelhereoccupiesasSurety,Mediator,andHighPriest.

"AsHighPriest?"youexclaim.Certainly,youmustfeelthathecouldonlyventure to offer up such a prayer in that capacity. Apart from this hispeculiardivineoffice;suchapetitionwouldhavebeenlikeaTitan-stormagainst the divine order; no as a rebellious attempt to overturn thefoundations ofGod's throne,which are justice and judgment.How cantheholyGoddealwithsinners?Canhesayanythingelse than, "Departfromme, you polluted beings?"How can theGod of justice act towardtransgressors? Must he not if he will not act contrary to his nature,rewardeveryoneaccordingtohisworks?HowwoulditbecometheGodof wisdom blindly to take some one promiscuously from a crowd, andelevatehimtohisglory?Isitnotmorebecoming,thatheshouldcarefullysiftandscrutinize?AndhowcouldhebeaGodoforderwithoutdoingso!Can he, who is the true God, make laws and denounce threateningsagainst transgressors, and yet pardon those who have actually troddenhis law under foot, without breaking his word, and withdrawing histhreatenings? Impossible; if hewill not render himself liable to awell-foundedaccusation,hemust, inspiteofallhumanentreaty forpardon,inflictcursewhereitbelongs,andwrathuponhimtowhomitisdue.

Allthisstandseverlastinglyfirm,andyettheprayerforforgivenessraisesitswing from themountof sufferingandpasses apparently through allthose eternal and unimpingeable statutes and limitations. It puts asideevenMount Sinai andEbal, and heeds not the cherub of the law, whokeeps thegateofparadise,and is enjoined toadmitonly the righteous.Careless of his flaming sword, it soars with seemingly unheard-ofboldness above the brazenwalls of themanifoldmenaces of the divinemaledictions,whichinexorablycloseagainstsinnerstheentrancetothemansions above, and in a most striking contrariety with the indelibleinscriptionover theeternal sanctuary, "Himthat sinsagainstme,will Iblotoutofmybook,"requestsforgivenessandevenadmittanceintothehabitationsof theblessedchildrenofGod, for rebels,blasphemers,andmurderers.

"DoestheSavior'sprayerdosomuch,andyetcontinuelegitimate?"Yes,myreaders, it is legitimate,well-founded,andentitled tobeheard.Themercyofintercedingloveonthecross,isalawwhichis,atthesametime,

subject to all the ordinances of God. Its seeming boldness is only inappearance. It knowswhat it does, while crying for forgiveness to himwithwhomisnovariablenessnorshadowofturning.It iswellawareofthepropertiesofthehouseofGod,whiledesiringblessingandliberationfor those whom the law condemns and sentences to the prisons ofdarkness.ItdoesnotdirectitspetitiontoanarbitrarinessinGod,whichdoesnotexist,butappealstoboththedivinejusticeandmercy.Itsprayersetsasidenodivineordinance,butleavesthemalluninfringedupon.Itissofar fromdesiringthattheAlmightyshoulddenyhimselforhisword,thatithas,onthecontrary,thegloryofGodasitssupremeandfinalaim.

"ButcanGodcontinueintheexerciseofallhisperfections,ifherewardsmurdererswith his favor?" Yes,my readers, he can; and it is just this,whichisthegreatestmysteryofgodliness,ofwhichtheGospelopenstheseals,butwhichisaccessibleonlytofaith.Jesus,whoherepraysforhismurderers,standsintheveryplaceofthosemen,astheirrepresentative.Iftheyhavebrokenthelaw,he,theSurety,hasfulfilleditintheirstead.Aretheyworthyofdeath?HeistheLambthatletsitselfbemadesinforthem, that sinmightbeno longer imputed to them. If theydrewdownuponthemthecurseofthelaw,heistheMediatorofwhomitiswritten,"Christhasredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus." If, according to the judgment of God, they are consigned to thepowersofdarkness,hegiveshimselfupasavoluntarysacrifice to theirfiery darts. If the sentence applies to them, "In the day that you eatthereof,youshallsurelydie;"hesuffersthissentencetobeexecutedonhisownsacredperson, inorderthat itmightbesaid,"Ifonedieforall,thenwerealldead."

Therefore, satisfaction, atonement, and mediation, are the momentouswords which express the ground of justification for the intercession ofJesus.Thewholeworldmustnowbemute,andhelllikewise,whenGodhimself receives into his favor blasphemers and murderers, for whomJesusappearedinthebreach.Forcompletesatisfactionisrenderedtoallthe statutes of the eternal sanctuary, and divine justice can no longerobjectwheneternal lovepressessinnerswithblessingto itsbosom.Buthow comforting and consoling it is to see that divine grace andforgivenessrestuponsuchfoundations!

Wenowfullycomprehendthe toneandperfectcertainty, firmness, andconfidencewithwhichthewords,"Father,forgivethem!"areuttered.TheHighPriestpronounces them fromthemostholyplace,and that tooattheverymomentwhenheispayingthedebtoftheguilty.Thathereallydoes this,and that the truemeaningofhissufferings is tobesought inthis, he once for all evinces to a sinfulworld fromhis elevation on thecross;andhence,whilebleedingon theirbehalf,hesendsup toheaventhis unconditional petition formercy in favor of the vilest sinners, hismurderers.

"But how could the Lord commend these hardened rebels to divinemercy?"Observe,myfriends,thatthosewhomhehadinview,werebynomeanshardened.Forsuchashavecommittedthe"sinuntodeath"thereiscertainlyno longeranydeliveranceorsalvation,andaccordingto theapostle's directions, we ought not to pray for such. But the Lord wellknowswhatheisdoing.Althoughhesaysatfirst,"Forgivethem,"whichis certainly very general, yet he immediately limits his words, so thatJudas, for instance,anddoubtlessmanyof theheadsof thepeople,areexcluded from the influence of his intercession. The addition of thewords,"Theyknownotwhattheydo,"definesitsbounds.BythisclausetheLordselectsfromthemultitudewhichsurroundshimthosetowhomthemajorityofthemthatcrucifiedhimprobablybelonged.TheywerenotlikethePharisees,whoaccusedJesusofcastingoutdevilsbyBeelzebub,and had therefore committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, but theywereunderadelusion,whichwascertainlyfarfromguiltless,whentheyconsignedJesustodeath.

Now, observe, first, the sublime self-possession which the Lord hereagainmanifests in thewords, "Theyknownotwhat theydo."Forwhatother meaning lies concealed beneath them than this, that if they hadknownitwastheLordofGlory,orevensomeinnocentandjustperson,theywouldnothavedoneit?Forinthewords,"Theyknownotwhattheydo," the idea is included that while offering up the Lord Jesus, theyunconsciously pay the ransom for themselves, and thereby render itpossible forGod tohavemercyupon them,withoutdetracting fromhisjustice.

Finally,thewords,"Theyknownotwhattheydo,"mustbeapprehended

inthesamesenseinwhichImustbeunderstood,ifIlikewisesaidofanyonewhomIhadcometodeliveroutofhisdistress,butwho,ignorantofmy intention,basely repulsedme, "Heknowsnotwhathe isdoing." Inthis case,mymeaningwould be, "Havepatience; hewill soon recollecthimselfwhenheisawarewhoIam,andforwhatpurposeIenteredhisabode,andwillthenactdifferentlytowardme."Ithusutteraprediction,andsuchaoneisdoubtlessincludedinourLord'swords.Theycontainaveiled prediction of the future repentance and conversion of those forwhom he prays. For even by this petition a powerful impulse torepentanceisgiventhem,andadirectiontoachangeofmind.Onlylookforwarda little, and youwill already see, first, in theRoman centurionunder the cross, and his shield-bearer, the commencement of thefulfillmentofthatprediction.Mark,then,thecrowdswho,returningfromCalvarytoJerusalem,smoteupontheirbreasts,and,atleastinpart,gaveevidence of sincere repentance. Assuredly among them were some towhomthepetition,"Father, forgivethem,"applied.But if theywerenotamong these, theyweredecidedly among the three thousandwhowerepiercedto theheartby theapostles'wordson thedayofPentecost.Forlisten to the address of Peter: "This Jesus," says he, "whom you havecrucified, has Godmade both Lord and Christ. Now, when they heardthis," the narrative states, "theywere pierced in their hearts, and said,Men and brethren,what shallwe do?" Yes, itwas thesewho knewnotwhat they did, but now it became evident to them. O how did theremembranceofthewords,"Father,forgivethem,"smitehumblinglyandoverwhelmingly upon their hearts! How did the love which wasmanifestedinthosewordsmelttheirsouls!Alas!alas!theyhadnailedtothecrosstheironlyDelivererandSavior!Coulditbeotherwisethanthatunder such reflections their eyes became fountains of tears? But therepentance forwhich the consolationof forgiveness firstmade room intheirsouls,issuedindevotednesstotheLord,andintheirbeingfaithfultohimevenuntodeath.Thusdidthepetition,"Father,forgivethem,theyknownotwhattheydo,"neitheroverthrowthestatutesofdivinejustices,nor the method of grace, once for all established by the Lord. Justiceretained its splendor, by virtue of the satisfaction of the only-begottenSon,andtheplanofsalvationwaspreservedentireintherepentanceandconversionofthemtowhomthepetitionapplied.

Letusthenrejoice,myfriends,thatthemostdesirableandindispensableofallblessings,theforgivenessofsins,isacquiredsofullyandlegallyforus.Whatdoall the treasures in theworldavail, ifwedonotknowthatournamesarewritteninheaven,andthatwehaveaninheritancethere?Butreflect,thattheforgivenessacquiredonthecross,althoughalwaysanentirelyfreegiftofgrace,isforeverwith-heldfromthosewhoknowwhatthey do, while refusing to give their hearts to Christ; and just as littlebelongs to those who persist in their ignorance and in their deludedoppositiontohim.Awake,therefore,fromyourdeadlysleepofsecurity;bidfarewelltopharisaicdeception,condemnthesinthatbesetsyou,andthenhastenpenitentlyandbelievinglytothecrossofChrist,anddevoteyourselves, body, soul, and spirit, unto him who loved you, and gavehimselfforyou;forthisistheroadthatleadsuntolife.

TheMalefactor

Againwedirectoureyesupward.Thethreecrucifiedindividualsformthecenter of our presentmeditation. The dyingmen are in so far alike intheir situation, ashaving eachof themarrivedat the last stageof theirearthlypilgrimage,andarehoveringonthesolemnandawfulbrinkofamomentouseternity.Hewhohangs inthemidst,althoughexposedtoaragingstorm,takesinthesailsforapeacefulentranceintothehavenofrepose.Wesee theother two,on the contrary, almost shipwreckedandthreatenedwiththemostdreadfulruin,strugglingwiththebillows.Theyhadopened theirhearts todelusion;hadpursued temporal enjoymentswith the rebellious motto, "Liberty, equality, and pleasure," and werecarriedalong,unrestrainedly, fromsintosin,untilarrestedat lengthasmurderers, they were crucified as an atonement to public justice.Pleasure is short, repentance long.What other booty did they carry offfromtheirungodlydoings,thanthebodilymiseryinwhichweseethemlanguishing,thewormintheirbosomthatneverdies,andthefireinthebones which is never quenched? O folly and madness, to devotethemselvestotheserviceofthedevil,insteadoftothatoftheMostHighGod,while themost costly rewards of the former are onlyBelshazzar'sfeasts and the hands of the executioner! Millions of sinners, in theexamplegivenbytheirdreadfulend,havecriedmoreloudlytotheworld,

thanitwaspossibletodobywords,"You,whoarehaltingbetweentwoopinions,forGod'ssake,andthatofyourownsoul'ssalvation,gonottotheleft,forhellhowlsthere."Yetimmenseisthenumberofthose,who,like the herd into which the unclean spirits entered, do not cease toplunge themselves into the gulf of destruction after their deludedforerunners; and the groans of despair, in the eternal deserts, increasefromonenight-watchtoanother.

Thetwomalefactorshavehungthereforawhileinsilence;buthavebeenunabletoturnawaytheireyesfromthewonderfulmanwhoweltersinhisblood by their side, and inwhom the vital and bodily appearance of asuperhumansanctitywasbynomeanshiddenfromthem.AtlengththeoneonJesus'left,beginstospeak,butalas!verydifferentlyfromwhatwemighthaveexpected.Joiningintheblasphemousspeeches,whichriseupfromthecrowdbelow,hesaystothemaninthecrownofthorns,"IfyoubetheChrist,saveyourselfandus!"

Themeaning of thesewords is doubtlessmanifold. Themalefactor hasevidentlyreceived the impressionrespecting themanathisside, that ifheonlywould,hecouldbothsavehimselfand them;andhis speech tohimwasanattempt,thoughadesperateone,tolayholdofChristbyhishonor,andtherebytoinducehimtoanactofrescue.ButthemistrustheplacedinthewillingnessofJesustoperformsuchamiracle,farexceededthehope inhim,andhence thewordsproceeded fromhim ina toneofvexationandbitterrailingagainstChrist.

Butwhoinspiredhimwiththeidea,thattheLord,supposinghehadthepower,wouldstillnotsavehim?Hisconsciencetestifiedit.Thespotlesspurityof themysteriousSufferer threwabright reflectioneven into thedarkmindofthemalefactor,andcondemnedhiminhisinmostsoul,asamoral abortion, by the mere display of its brilliance. But was not thisinwardjudgmentablessingtohim?Itmighthavebeenso.Atallevents,itdecidedhisfate.Hadhemaderoomfortheenteringinofthetruth,andhave judged himself, as the revered reflection of the Holy One judgedhim, hewould then have set his foot on the path of salvation, and hiswretched soul, however debased, would have been saved. But in hisbeggarlypride,hesought tomaintainhis favorable ideaofhimself;andinstead of penitence and humiliation, an infernal hatred was kindled

withinhim,againstone,whosepresenceimpresseduponhimthebrand-markofdepravity.Hencethewordsproceededfromhimlikethebiteofthe poisonous adder—"If you be the Christ, save yourself and us."Wretchedman,howshouldhe,whobyawordcouldhaveburstthebondsof hell and of death, not have been able to save himself, if higherconsiderationshadnotinducedhimtoactotherwise!

"Saveyourselfandus!"Ounparalleledaudacity, todegrade theLordofheaventoa levelwithhimselfasonofBelial,andbesidesthis, toclaimhis help, although his heart was hardened against him! Yet echoes ofthese taunting words of the malefactor still very frequently reach ourears.Howoften dowehear people say,while biting their lips, "Say nomore about your God; for if he be God, why does he leave us in ourwretchedness?"Owhat horrible pride in a fallen sinful creature!Whatelsedoyoudeserve,youdaringrebelagainstthestatutesofhiskingdom,thanthatheshouldleaveyoutolanguishinyourdistress?Firsthumbleyourselfinthedust,andsubmitwithoutreservetohisscepter,andthenwaitandseeifhewillnotletmercytaketheplaceofjustice.Butthisyourefuse to do; and you are conscious of being inwardly condemned foryouroppositiontohim.Thepainfulfeelingofhisdispleasureincreasesinyour heart the rebellion against him, and transforms your repugnanceintohatredandbitterness.Stillyoucannotdivestyourselfofhim.Onthecontrary, every one is compelled, in his peculiar manner, to aid inglorifyinghim.IfhedoesnothonorGodwithhislove,hehonorshimbyhishatredofhim.ThatGodisaconsumingfire,isfeltbytherebelagainsthim,aswellasbytheseraphonthefierywingsofhisfervor.

Noanswerisreturnedtothemalefactorontheleft.Therewouldstillhavebeenhelpfortherobberandmurderer;butthereisnodeliverancefortheimpenitentscofferandhardenedchildofunbelief.TheLordisobligedtoleave the wretched man to his fate—yes, the Lord, the only Savior inheavenandonearth.Whodoesnottremble?ButGodisaGodoforder,andevenhismercyisneverarbitrarilybestowed.

TurnyoureyesnowtotherightoftheDivineSufferer.Hereaspectacleispreparing, atwhich our soulsmay recover from the horror which tookpossession of them, at the preceding scene. A refreshing contrast ispresentedbytheothermalefactor,whom,thoughequallyguiltywiththe

pitiable companion of his fate, and on the verge of hell, we beholdrending and casting away the fetters of Satan, just in time, and thenascending a path, which is not trodden too late, even from the stationwhichprecedesthepitofdestruction.

Wearenotexpresslyinformedwhatitwasthatprincipallyexercisedsuchablessedandtransforminginfluenceontheheartofthisindividual,who,asmaybeinferredfromtheGospelnarrative,hadjoined,shortlybefore,intherailleryagainstJesus.ItmighthavebeentheLord'swords,utteredon the way, "Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and yourchildren;" or, "If these things are done in theGreenTree,whatwill bedone in thedry?"And ifnot,yet infalliblyhisheart-affectingprayer forhismurderers, and, generally speaking, the full splendorofdignityandholiness inwhichheshone.Suffice it tosay, that thechangewhichwaswrought in the soul of the poor criminal, was evidently thorough anddecisive, and appears, as the commencement, at least, of a completeregenerationandrenewingoftheHolySpirit.

Therehehangssilentlyonthecross;buteveryfeatureinhisface,whichisturnedtowardtheDivineSufferer,unfoldsanddisplaystoustheworldwithinhim.Weclearlyseehowtheevilspiritshavedepartedfromhim,and a solemn train of holy thoughts and emotions passes through hissoul.The tauntingattackofhis companion in tribulationonJesus' left,loosenshistongue,whichhadbeensilentfromcontritionandreverence.Hefeelscompelledtoobjectagainstbeing included intheblasphemousappeal,"IfyoubetheChrist,saveus!"Heisconstrainedtorenounceallparticipation in such insulting language. He knows the importance aswell as the awfulness of themoment,which places an opening eternitybefore him, and feels no longer any fellowship with his companion incrime, as regards the man who is crowned with thorns. He has seenenoughinthedignifiedindividual,andhasheardenoughfromhimtobeabletosaytohimself,"IfthisisnotthepromisedconsolationofIsrael—that consolation will never arrive." He perceives in him, not only thebrightmirrorofhisowndegradation,buttheonlyandfinalanchorageforhishopes.

Thehorrorwhichseizeshimattheimpiouswordsofhisfellowsuffererisindescribable; andwhile judginghim—towhichhewas entitledby first

condemning himself—he begins to say to him, "Do you not fear God,seeing youare in the same condemnation?"Ah,hehimself trembledatthethoughtoftheJudgeofquickanddead!Themeaningofhiswordsisasfollows:"Andyou,wholikemyself,arewelteringinyourblood,andsonear eternity, do younot fearGod,who is a consuming fire to sinners,and who, as certainly as he will justify this righteous man, mustpronouncehiscurseuponthosewho,likeyou,daretorailathim.Benotdeceived;Goddoesnotlethimselfbemocked."

O how moving and heart-affecting is this call to repentance from onedelinquent toanother!Buthearhimfurther: "Andwe indeedjustly, forwereceivetheduerewardofourdeeds!"Ohearthislanguageofsincereabasementbeforethemajestyofthelaw!Listentothisself-accusation,inwhich,asfarasregardscriminality,heplaceshimselfonthesamefootingwith the other malefactor! Certainly, where such language is heard,heavenpreparestohangoutthewhiteflag.Andletnoonesupposethatthereisanythingdishonorableinit.Onthecontrary,itisthelanguageofmanly self-deliverance from thenetofdelusion—ofcourageous homageofferedtotruth—andofaresolutereturnfromthewayofdarknesstothatoflightandsalvation.Oneofthemostcunningartificesof theprinceofthis world, by which he is able to bind his victim to his standard,consisted,fromancienttimes,inendeavoringtorepresentrepentancetomankindassomethingunworthy,degrading,andeffeminate.Inourview,onthecontrary,nothingismorecontemptiblethanintentionallytoavoidthemirror,whichshowsusthingsastheyare,andtofindcomfortonthecouchofamiserableself-deception.

Butletus listenfurthertothemalefactor."Butthisman,"continueshe,"hasdonenothingamiss."Whatafreshandpleasingtestimonythisistothe innocence of Jesus. O how evident it must have been from theSavior'swholedeportment, that, as theapostle says, "Heknewno sin."From all the clouds of ignominy and accusation with which hellblasphemingly covered him, the light of his divine spotlessness andbeautyshonesovictoriouslyforth,thattheblindestshrunkbackfromitinamazement;andeverymomenthiswell-knownpredictionwasalmostliterallyverified,"Iftheseshouldholdtheirpeace,theverystoneswouldcryhosanna!"

Butletushearhimfurther.Somethingreallyastonishingnowsucceeds.Theworkofgrace in theheartof themalefactor throwsoff its last veil.Whowouldhaveexpectedthatweshouldhavewitnessedanythingofthekindonthatawfulhill!Afterthemalefactorhadrebukedhisblasphemingfellow-sufferer,and impressed theone thingneedfulsohumbly, kindly,urgently, and seriously upon him, he turns his face again to him,whoincreasingly became his only hope and the object of his affection, andsaystohim,asunpresuminglyandhumblyasdevoutlyandconfidently,"Lord,remembermewhenyoucomeintoyourkingdom."

We are surprised;we can scarcely believe our ears.What a confession,andatsuchatimeandundersuchcircumstances,fromthelipsofsuchaman! Here is divine illumination in midnight darkness. Even theenlightenmentofanapostlescarcelyreachestothismalefactor'sheightoffaith."Lord,"sayshe,notRabbi,notteacher,ormaster;no,intheword"Kyrie," he applies to him the title of Majesty. By this expression hebrings out of the appearance of a worm that is trodden upon, theheavenlyKingofGlory. "Howeverdeeplyyoumaybeconcealed," ishismeaning, "in ignominyandmisery, I still recognize you. You aremore,infinitelymore than all the human race. You are not of the earth; youcame from above. "Remember me," continues he, with a boundlessrelianceandconfidentchildlikesupplication.Ohowmuch is implied inthis ejaculation! It is the expression of themost vital conviction of theexistenceofa futureworld; for it isnothelp fromthebodilydistress inwhichhelanguishes;butthemalefactordesiressomethingverydifferentand superior. It is, further, a loud testimony to the necessity of amediation,ifsinnersaretobesaved."Intercedeforme;"hemeanstosay,"speak a kindword forme, a sinner; put in a word of entreaty onmybehalf."Yes,itisafrankconfessionthatthemaninthecrownofthornsistheMediator,andthereforehefleestohimwiththeconfidencethathisintercessionwith the Father, and that only, can save him from eternaldeath.

To the supplication contained in the words "Remember me," themalefactoradds,"whenyoucomein(notinto)yourkingdom."Whatdoeshemeanby this?Doeshemean, "Yourundertakinghasnot failed.Die,andfrom your prison of death you shall again come forth triumphant?

Yourkingdomshall come,andyour throneexist forever?"Certainly,hemeans nothing else.He intends to say, "To you belongs theworld; thebannerofyourpeacefulkingdomwillwavefrompoletopole.Whenyoushallhaveestablishedyourthrone,thengrantthatI,apoorcriminal,maybereceivedamongthelowestofyourservants."

WhataheraldofChristinthemidnightdarknessofthecrucifixion!Whatabrightandguidingstarforallwhoseekhavenofrestonthestormyseaof life! We feel astonished at the great and penetrating faith of thismalefactor. But here convince yourselves anew how rapidly theprofoundest mysteries of heaven display themselves to the awakenedfeeling of the need of salvation. O if you ever become powerfullyconscious of your estrangement from God, and do feel that you neednothing somuch asmercy, truly the spirit of illumination from abovewould soon descend upon you, and, elevated above every doubt, youwouldbeawarethat intheGospelanditsplanofsalvation,thereisnotonlywisdom,connection,anddivine reason,but also that it is theonlyconceivable way of escape for beings who, whatever else they maydisbelieve,areunabletodenythattheyaredebtorstothelaw,andcomeshortof thegloryofGod.Yes,weshouldthensoonhear fromyour lipsthewords "Lord, rememberme in your kingdom!"which equally pointouttothekinguponhisthrone,thevirtuousmoralistinhisciviccrown,to the beggar on the highway, and the outlawed convict in fetters, thewatchword by which alone the keepers of heaven's gates will bow theswordbeforethem.

Themalefactorhasspoken.NowlistentotheLord'sreply.Itwillrevealsomethingveryastonishing.ThehighandloftyOne,whomthecriminaldiscovered beneath the thorn-crowned bleeding form by his side nowcomesactually forth inhis glory.Calvarybecomesapalace, the cross athroneoftheJudgeofallworlds.Themaninthecrownofthornsacceptstheprayerwhichthepoorcriminaladdressedtohim,andimpressestheconfirmingsealuponhisdistinguished faith.There isnorejection,as ifheweremistaken inhishopes—no reproof, as if hewere an enthusiastandexpectedtoomuchfromhim,butratheranencouragementtohopestill more boldly, since he was not mistaken in him. With the fullconvictionofbeingtheonly-begottenSonoftheFather,whichhewas,as

wellasthetrueandonlyMediatorbetweenGodandman,theLordsays,turning to themalefactorwitha look full of graceandmercy, and loudenoughforthosewhostoodaroundhimtohear,"Verily,Isayuntoyou,todayshallyoubewithmeinparadise."

Hereyouhavethegreatandmajesticwords,which,iftheyweretheonlytestimony which Jesus had given of himself would forever decide thequestionwhohewas—thewords,which,burstingthebondsofdeath,andopeningaheavenof consolation,have sounded likeapeaceful chord ofparadise in the earsofmillionson theirdyingbeds; andmay they alsosound in our ears when our feet tread the gloomy valley!—the words,whichcomprehendthewholeresultofthesufferingsanddeathofChrist,theBridegroom of our souls. They hover around us with their blissfulharmony,andseekourhearts, inorder toconveyto themsomethingofheaven.Oattendwell to thesewords!Theyare themostpreciousboonwhichChristhasthrownintoourlapfromhiscross.

Leteverysyllableofthembewellweighedbyus."Verily,"saysourLordat the commencement, and this is the confirmation of his words. Howimportantisthisassertion,utteredbysuchamouth,atsuchatime,whenon the threshold of eternity! How suited to dispel all our doubts.Unspeakablyelevating is theconsciousnessof thefullnessofconfidenceandcertaintymanifestedinourLord'sspeechtothedyingcriminal.Thefact is firm as a rock, that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—immutablyfirm;thathebearsthekeysofhellandofdeath;thathewillconduct thepenitentsinner through thenightofdeath intoeternal life,andthatlifeablissfuloneinparadise;andhowgreatlydoesthishisownassurancetendtoconfirmandanimateourfaithinhim!

Thatwhichsohighlyravishesus inhiswords,nexttohisconfidence, istherepetitionofthepoorcriminal'srequestinasuperiordegree.Tohisappellationof"Lord!"thethorn-crownedJesusreplieswiththewords,"Isayuntoyou."Andwhatelsedoesthis imply,but"Iamso;youarenotmistakeninme.Youcannotthinktoohighlyofme."Uponthepetition,"Rememberme,"followstheLord'swords,"Youshallbewithme"—thatis,"Ishallnotneedfirsttothinkofyou;"forwedonotthinkofthosewhoare present, but of those who are absent. The period indicated by theword "when," the Lord responds to by the assertion, "this day"—not at

some distant period, but this day shall be the happy day of yourdeliveranceandredemption.Tothecriminal'sappeal,"whenyoucomeinyourkingdom,or appear in your regal glory," theLord replies: "I amaking already. I will take youwithme into paradise.With this bleedinghandwillIopentoyouthegatesoftheworldofblessedness."

The words addressed by the illustrious Sufferer to the malefactor,produce, lastly, such a beneficial effect upon us, because they bear inthem an infallible testimony to the perfection and all-sufficiency of theredemptionaccomplishedbyhimforus.

ForonwhatgroundisitthatJesussoconfidentlypromisesinsteadofthecurse, salvation to a sinner, onwhom, according to the divine statutes,the curse of the law ought to be inflicted? Not upon the ground of avoluntarydivineamnesty,whichwouldnevercoincidewiththenatureofaperfectGod.Notonthatofapresupposedweak-mindedpaternal loveofGod,beforewhoseeyesthedifferencebetweenthejustandtheunjustat length vanished, and which would be compelled to erect its throneupontheruinsofholiness,justice,andtruth;hepromisesparadisesolelyonthegroundofhisever-validworkofmediationandatonement.

The three crossesonCalvarypresent tousa very important subject forconsideration.Theyaffordusanimageoftheworld.Christinitsmidst;buttotheonehe isset fortherising,andforthefallingof theother—asavoroflifeuntolifetotheone,andofdeathuntodeathtotheother.Thetendermercy of Jesus there celebrates its triumph, and appears in theradiance of glorification. You behold a sinner on his right hand andanotheronhisleft;butheissolittleashamedoftheirsocietythatonthecontrary,hethenfeelsinhiselementandathome,becausehecanthereexhibithislovetoman—therehealandsave.

Youseeinthethreecrosses,further,anactualexpositionoftheSavior'swords,"IamtheWay,theTruth,andtheLife."Forwhoisitthatservesthemalefactoronhisright,inoppositiontohisfellow-suffererontheleft,asabridgeonwhichhemaypassfromastateofcursetothatofgrace?Whoisitthatenlightenshim,andinsomedegreethecompanionofhisfate,notlessbyhismereappearance,thanbythatmarvelouslight,whoserays penetrate into his inmost soul, and expel all the phantoms of

delusion fromhim?And lastly,who is it that takes fromhisbosomtheconsciousnessof a stateofdeath, and replaces itwith themostblissfulandvitalhope?—yes,thatimpartstohissoul,evenonthissideeternity,anewlifeofpeace,supernaturaljoy,divineconsciousnessofadoption,andthe most heartfelt longing after heaven? Is it not the thorn-crownedSufferertherewhoistheauthorofitall?

Finally,thesceneonCalvaryaffordsusarepresentationoftheboundlesspowerandwonderfulefficacyofthemeritsofourgreatHighPriest.Foreven as the word "to-day," in our Lord's announcement, represents allfuturepurgingandpurifyingfiresasforeverextinguishedinhisblood,asregards his believing people—so the expression, "This day shall you bewithmeinparadise"—whetherbythewordbeunderstoodheavenitself,or only an outer court of heaven, affords us a stupendous proof thatChrist's vicarious satisfaction perfectly suffices for the sinner'sjustification and beatification. Certainly,wemust duly observe that themalefactorwasinastateoftrueandthoroughrepentance,andthatafterbreakingwithsinbypenitentialgrief,andopeninghishearttoJesusbyaliving faith, he had received into himself all the germs of a subsequentsanctification—germswhich immediatelybegan tounfold themselves inthecompassionateloveinwhichhetooktoheartthecriticalstateofhiscompanionincrime.Butitwasnotforthesakeofthesegermsoffuturevirtues, which naturally could offer no recompense for a perfectobedienceof the law, that themalefactorwas justifiedbeforethedivinetribunal;buthereceivedthedivineabsolutionintherighteousnessofhisSuretyimputedtohim,whichdoesnotlesscommendincipientsaintstothe eyes of the Judge of the living and the dead, than those alreadyperfected.

Anticipate,myfriends,thenextfewmoments,andwhatdoyouseeoccurabove the summit of Calvary? The three who were crucified bow theirheads, and the great separation is accomplished,Alas!heonJesus' leftdescends also to the left; and the powers of darknesswill have joyfullywelcomedhimwho,evenindeath,couldinsulttheLordofGlory,asoneof their most faithful and consistent instruments. The criminal to theright, on the contrary, soars heavenward, at the side of the Prince ofPeace, and, received into his triumphal chariot, passes, amid the

acclamationsofangels,throughthegatesofparadise,nolongerguardedby the cherub's flaming sword. He was the first herald who, by hisappearingthere,broughttheglorifiedspirits the intelligencethatChristhad won the great battle of our deliverance. As the first-fruits of thesufferingsof theDivineSurety,aswellasof theblissfulhumanharvestwhichshouldspringupfromthewondrousseedofhisblood,hemaystillbe especially embraced by the worshipers of the Lamb, in the realmsabove, as aparticularly dear citizen of the heavenly kingdom.To us heremains both an incomparable monument of the all-sufficiency of thebloodofChrist, anda lofty candlestick, onwhich the free graceofGodbeamsasaflame,andanextremelysignificantbeacon,yes,alight-houseestablishedbyGodforusonourpassagethroughlife.O,beassured,myreaders, that the spiritual footsteps of the dying malefactor, with thewords,"Rememberme!"onhislips,pointouttoustothisday,theonlypath that leads to Zion. Let us, therefore, follow him, and make his"Rememberme!"ourown,andthensayunderthecrossof thebleedingFriendofSinners,asheartilyinfaith,aspoorinspirit,inthesenseofthemalefactor,

"WhentothecrossIturnmyeyes,AndrestonCalvary,OLambofGod,mysacrifice!Imustrememberthee.

"Andwhenthesefailinglipsgrowmute,Andmindandmemoryflee,Whenyoushallinyourkingdomcome,Jesus,rememberme!"

TheLegacyofLove

Our present meditation brings us again to the cross on Calvary. Andwhere,myreaders,dowe lingermorewillingly thanbeneath its shade?Every day the desires of our hearts resort there for the supply of oursoul'snecessities.Forsincewehavedailytolamentoverournegligencesandsins,wedailyrequirefreshbalmforourwoundedconsciences.What

wouldbecomeofushadwenotCalvarytofleeto?O,youaretheArarattowhichIdailyescapefromthewavesof trouble; theZoartowhichI fleefrom the flames of Sodom; my Nebo's top, from whence I survey thepromisedland;andmyTabor,whereIrejoiceandsay,"It isgoodtobehere—herewillweerectourhabitations."

A pleasing scene presents itself to our view beneath the cross.Hewhowas "fairer than the children ofmen" does not die unlamented. In themidstofrageandfury, lovestandsnearhiminhisdyingmoments,andliftsuptohimitstearfulandaffectionateeye.Lookatthelittlemournfulgroup yonder, and behold a lovely little company in the midst of thebands of Belial—a hidden rosebud under wild and tangled bramble-bushes,asplendidwreathofliliesaroundthedeathbedoftheRedeemer.

It is thus that the cross is surrounded even to this day. Though theinfuriatedhostsofhellragearoundit,yetitisstillencircledbythemostestimableoftheearth.Forifweseekforsacredgrief,forlovewhichhasemanated from heaven, for patience, which never tires, and gratitude,which gives up everything—where do these beautiful and heavenlyflowersflourishexceptbeneaththecross?Weknowthefaithfulcompanythere,whoformalivingcommentaryonthewordsoftheSongofsongs,"Love is strongasdeath,and immovableas thegrave; thecoals thereofarecoalsoffire,whichhasamostvehementflame.Manywaterscannotquench love,neither can the floodsdrown it."Whatdo theycareabouthazardingtheir lives!Their lifewasthemanonthecross.Whatdotheytrouble themselves about the scorn and contempt of the word! TheydesirenothingelseandnothingbetterfromaworldwhichcrownedtheirKingwiththorns.Hadtheybeennailedtothecrosswithhim,theywouldhavepushedawaytheearthfromunderthemasarottenandworthlessplank, and have triumphantly cast their anchor in the clouds. Whatcharmscouldearthhaveforthem,afterhisblessedstepsceasedtotreaduponitsthornyandthirstysoil?

Look at the courageous group a little more closely. Of whom does itconsist?Strangeenough,withoneexception,allofthemarefemales.Thestrongarefled—theweakmaintaintheirground;theheroesdespair—thetimid, who did not presume to promise anything, overcome the world.ThiswasbecausetheypouredouttheirheartsbeforeGod,saying,"Hold

youusup,andweshallbesafe!"andspeakingthus,theyleanedfirmlyonthedivinearm.God'sstrengthwasthenmighty intheirweakness.Howoftendoessomethingofasimilarkindoccuramongus!Iftheman'sisthesplendiddeed,theresultofcombinedstrength—thewoman'sisenduringpatience.Iftotheformerbelongstheheroismwhichcutstheknot—tothelatter (which is thegreaterof the two)belongs thesilentself-sacrificinglovewhichisfaithfulevenuntodeath.

Amongthebelovedfemalesbeneaththecross,thereisonewhoespeciallydemandsoursympathy.Itistheblessedone,whoboreinherwombtheman thatbleedson the cross—thedeeply strickenMary.Though itwasgrievous forEve tostandat thegraveofher favoritesonAbel,andstillmoresoforthepatriarchJacobtobeholdthebloodygarmentofhissonJoseph,yetwhatwastheirgriefcomparedwiththatofthemotherofourLordatthefootofthecross?Othinkwheresheisstanding,whatisthecauseofhergrief,andwhoitisshemourns!Thinkwhatason,andwhatakindofdeath!Owho isable todescribe the feelingswhichwring hermaternal heart! One thing, however, we may be assured of, that thedeeply woundedMary did not despair. Even through this her night ofweeping,thewordsofherSon,respectingthenecessityofthesufferingsthat awaited him, and the glory that should follow, gleamed like somedistant light. And although it was most difficult for her still to cleavefirmlytothem,andthoughanimpetuoushostofdistressingdoubtsragedinMary'sbosom,yetshewasnotinconsolable,nordidshegiveupallforlost, as surely as the assertion of the apostle is true, that Godwill notsuffer us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear. No!wheneverthegoldisinthecrucible,theRefinerhimself isathand;andwhen a child of the Most High suffers, the paternal hand of Jehovahalways lies, alleviating and mitigating, between the burden and theburdenedshoulder.Ifwethusexperience it,myreaders,howwillMaryhaveexperiencedit!

Youalsosee,thatalthoughleaningonthedisciplewhomJesusloved,shestill stands upright under the cross, and only a gentle shower of tearsbedewshercheeks,butnocryofagonyproceedsfromherlips.WhenthewifeofPhineassawthearkinthehandsoftheenemy,shefelldeaduponthegroundindiredismay.Marybeholdssomethingmoreappallingthan

thatevent,yetstillshelives.SheisindeedcompelledagaintobringforthChrist with great travail. Her earthly son dies, with all the earthlyconnection inwhich she had hitherto stood toward him, aswell as theearthlyideasofhimandhiskingdom,sofarasshehadyieldedtothem.Inoppositiontothese,shehasnowtoreceiveChristbyfaith,asfromhisashes, inaverydifferentcapacity—asanewChrist—asonehithertonotknownbyher—asaLordandPrinceofPeaceofanincomparablyhigherkindandorderthanhuman;nordidsheattaintothiswithoutgreatpainandconflict.

AtMary's side,andservingasher support, theApostleJohnmeetsoureye.This"divineeagle"alsotriesthepinionsofhispenetratingspirit inthedarknessandthestormonCalvary,butheisunabletofindthewaythrough this thunder-cloud. He sees himself surrounded by problemswhichheisunabletosolve.Butwherehisunderstandingbeholdsonlyanempty desert, he has, nevertheless, an inward presentiment of infiniteandhidden riches.He again introduceshimself here, as he is so gladlyaccustomedtodo,as"thedisciplewhomJesusloved."Inthesewordsheindicates touswhatwashispride,his crown,andhishighestboast.Atthesametime,theypointouttousthesourcefromwhencehederivedallhisconsolation,allhishope,andallhisstrength.Thissourcewaslove—not the lovewithwhichheembraced theLord,but thatwithwhichtheLordembracedhim.NordoIknowanythingmorepreciousordesirable,thanthelively,fresh,andwell-foundedconsciousnessoftheSavior'sloveandaffection.Whatapeacefulresting-placeisthisinthewildnocturnalstorm! What a powerful staff and support for a wanderer in thewilderness!Whatsweetconsolationin"thepitwherethereisnowater;"andwhatanoverflowingspringofencouragement in lifeanddeath!Hewho,withJohn,cansignhimself thedisciplewhomJesus loves,has, inthisappellation,asureguarantyforallthatheneeds,andforallthathisheartcandesire.If,inotherrespects,hemustcallhimselfthemanthatistossedwithtempest,orthewretchedwormwhichtheworldtreadsunderfoot;yet,ifheisonlyjustifiedinsubscribinghimself"thedisciplewhomJesus loves," what more will he have? This consciousness gilds andsweetenseverything.

While the little company stand mourning together below, the mighty

Sufferer hangs silent and bleeding on the cross.He is in the sanctuaryperforming his high-priestly office, while bearing upon his heart thesinfulraceofAdam."Oh,"mightthemourningMarythink,"ifhewouldbut once more open his gracious lips to me, and give me one partingword!"But inthesublimesituationhe isnowoccupying,willhestillbeabletoattendtowhatispassingatthefootofthecross?Willhestillfindtime and leisure to think of anything else than how he may arm anddefendhimselfagainstthefierydartsofthewickedonewhichflyaroundhim,andhowhemaycompletethegreatandworld-embracingwork,onthe last stage ofwhichhe has just entered! Scarcely shouldwe think itpossible.Butwhatoccurs?Owhendidanythinghappenmoregenerousandaffectingthanthis?Truly,until theendof timehis filial tendernesswillbespokenof.InthemidstofhisdyingagoniestheDivinesuffererallatoncedirectshiseyes to the little faithfulgroupbelow;andhewho isable to read in his eyes, reads a sympathy and a degree of consoling,cheering,andencouraginglove,suchastheworld,untilthen,hadneverbeheld. No, my friends; however much he may have to think of andattend to, he never loses sight of his children for a moment from thesphereofhissuperintendingcare.Howevergreatandboundlessmaybetheobjectsofhissupervisionandvigilanceinhisgovernment,yet therewillneverbeamomentwhentheeyeofhislovewillnotrestuponeveryindividual whom the Father has given him. They are his primary care,although innumberandoutwardappearance, in comparisonwithwhathe has otherwise to superintend and provide for, they may be as thedrops in the wide rolling ocean, and as flowerets in the immense andgloomy forest in which they stand. He discovers the scattered solitaryflowers in the wood, in order that hemay tend, bedew, and adorn hisbosomwiththem.

TheLordfirstfixeshiseyesonhisbelovedandseverely-triedmother.Bymeans of thewords he had spoken to themalefactor, respecting beingwith him that day in paradise, he had elevated her looks and thoughtsabovedeathandthegrave.Yetstillshewouldhavetoremainforaseasonaloneintheworld,whichhadnowbecomesodesolatetoher,andlo!forthisconsideration,theManofSorrowsonthecrossstillfindsroominhisheart, amid his anxieties for the world's redemption. He looks, in thekindestmanner,attheweepingMary,openshismouth,andsays—notin

effeminate weakness, but in sublime tranquility, self-possession, andserenity, referring to the disciple on whom his mother was leaning,"Woman,beholdyourson!"andthentoJohn,"Beholdyourmother!"

Though the words are few, yet who is able to exhaust the fullness oftenderaffectionwhichispouredintothem?Howconsolingmustithavebeen toMary's grievedheart, the almost cheerfulmanner inwhichherdyingSonmadehislastbequest.Thesoundofhisvoice,andthepeacefullookwhichaccompaniedhiswords,wereasmuchastosay,"Mary,yourSonisnotlost.HeisonlyreturningtohisFather'shappyabode,afterthefatiguesoflife,inordertoprepareaplaceforyou."Andthenthecontentsof the words themselves—how tenderly did he clothe in them his lastfarewell tohisbelovedparent!Howdelicatelydidhearrange it, thatbythehint given to John, shewhohadbeen so severely tried, shouldnotalsobe awitness ofhis last andhardest struggle!Andhowprovidentlydoes he enter, at the same time, into all, and even the most triflingnecessitiesofhisbereavedmotherfortheresidueofherlifeuponearth!Truly,whenwaseverthedivinecommandtohonorfatherandmothersodeeplyandcomprehensivelyfulfilledasitwasonCalvary?

It has been considered strange that the Savior, in speaking to Mary,should have made use of the distant word, "Woman," instead of thetendernameofmother.Inreplytothis,itiscertainlytruethathedidso,partlybecausehewouldnotstillmoredeeplywoundherbleedingheartby the sweet title ofmother, aswell as that hemight not excitewithinhimselfastormofhumanemotions;and likewise lestheshouldexposehis mother to the rudeness of the surrounding crowd. But the chiefreasonwhy,insteadofthematernaltitle,heusedthemoregeneralterm"Woman," or lady, liesmuch deeper, both in this, and the well-knownscene at the marriage in Cana. He certainly meant his mother tounderstandthathenceforwardhisearthlyconnectionwithhermustgivewaytoasuperiorone.Asthoughhehadsaid,"You,mymother,willfromthistimebeasoneofmydaughters,andIyourLord.Youbelieveinme,andshallbeblessed.Youlayholdofthehemofmygarment,andIappearin your stead. You adore me, and I am your High Priest and King.Mother,brother,andsister,henceforward,areallwhoswearallegiancetomybanner.The relationshipsaccording to the flesh and themanner of

theworldhaveanend;otherandmorespiritualandheavenlytaketheirplace."

ItwasthisthattheLordintendedtosuggesttoMary'smind;andhencetheword "Woman,"which at first sounds strange, instead of the moretenderandaffectionateterm,"Mother."No,itthelessbecamehimtocallherMothernow,sincethistermintheHebrew,includesinittheideaof"Mistress,"whilehewas justpreparing, as theLordof lords, to ascendthe throne of eternalmajesty. But while endeavoring to elevateMary'smindabovethesphereofmerelyhumanconceptionsintoahigherregion,hedoesnot forget either thathe isher son, or that she ishisdear andseverely-triedmother; and reflects, at the same time, that man, in hisweakness,hasneedofman;andbesidestheheartofGodmustpossess,atleast, oneheart upon earth, intowhichhe can confidingly pour outhisown,anduponwhose loveandfaithfulnesshemayfirmlyreckonunderall circumstances. For these reasons, the Lord is desirous, in his filialforethought, and as far as is practicable, to fill up forMary, even in ahuman respect, the voidwhichhis deceasewould leave in her life, andgive her, instead of himself, a son to assist her, even in an earthlymanner, in whom she might place entire confidence, and on whoseshouldershecould leaninallherdistresses,cares,andsorrows.Andinthis new son, he bequeaths to her his favorite disciple, the faithful andfeelingJohn.Isitnotasifheintendedtosay,"Iwellknow,myMother,how solitary and drearymust be awidow's path upon earth, when thecrownisremovedfromherhead.Butlo!hereisthedisciplethatlayinmybosom,andisthuspeculiarlypreparedtobecomeyoursupportandstay.HeisreadytodoallIdesireofhim,andsinceIhaveneithersilvernorgold, I bequeath youallmy claimon thisdisciple's love, gratitude, andfaithfulness.Lethimbeyourson!"Itwasthushelovedtotheend;thusdelicatelydoesheprovideforallthenecessitiesofthoseheloves.Andashe formerly did, so he does still. He is to this hour the compassionateHighPriest.Heentersmostfeelinglyintothewantsofthosewhoconfideinhim,sothateveryoneinhisstation,whethertheybewidows,orphans,poorandinfirm,ortowhateverclassofthewearyandheavy-ladentheybelong,theymayrely,mostpeculiarly,onhisprovidentialcare.

After saying to Mary, "Woman, behold your son!" he says to John,

"Behold your mother!" O what a proof does the Savior here give hisdisciple of the affection and confidence which he reposes in him! Heimposesaburdenuponhim,butheknowsthatJohnwillregarditasthehighesthonorand felicitywhichcouldbebestoweduponhimonearth.NoristheSaviormistakeninhisdisciple.JohnunderstandshisMaster'swish,looksatMary,andhiswholesoulsaystoher,"MyMother!"

"Fromthathour,"weareinformed,"thatdiscipletookheruntohisownhome." John possessed therefore a house of his own, doubtless inJerusalem, which Mary did not. Joseph had already fallen asleep. Wemayalso infer, fromthenarrative, thatJesuswasMary'sonly son. Theexpression,"Thatdiscipletookherintohisownhome,"implies,however,accordingtotheoriginal,muchmorethanthatheonlytookcareofherinhis habitation. He received her into his heart, and bore her thenceforwardonhishands.Itmayeasilybesupposedwhatlovehefelttowardher from that time, and with what tenderness and fidelity heaccompanied her through life. It afforded him supreme pleasure topossess in her an object, toward which he could in some measuremanifest the gratitude and affection he felt toward Him, to whom heowed his salvation. But the whole of the costly harvest of love, whichflourishedforherSon,intheheartofthedisciple,underthedewoftheHoly Spirit, was transferred to Mary. And because John's love was inrealitynoother thana sacred spark fromJesus' ownbosom,MarywasbelovedbyJohn,asbefore,withtheloveofherdivineSon.

"Woman, behold your Son!" "John, behold your mother!" O attendcarefullytothesewords.Theycontainnothinglessthantherecordoftheinstitution of a new family fellowship upon earth. In this fellowshipChrist is thehead,andallhisbelievingpeople formunitedlyonegreat,closely-connected family. Begotten of the same seed, endued with thesamespirit,theyareallcalledtooneinheritance,andeventually,thoughnowscatteredabroadthroughtheworld,onecitywithshiningwallswillembrace them. They soon know each other by their similarity ofsentiment, bias, speech, and joyful hope, and love each otherwith onelove—thatlovewhichoverflowedintothemfromtheheartofChristtheirhead. As long as they linger here below, their habitation is under thecross,andtheirdailybreadthewordofGod;theirbreath,prayer,andthe

peace of God the atmosphere in which they freely and blissfullymove.Theinmostandmostessentialfamilyfeatureofthisspiritualfraternityis,thatselfinthemiscrucified,andChrististhecenterofalltheirdoingandsuffering.

LethimwhowouldenvyJohnthepleasingtaskofbeingasupporttothemotherofJesusknow,thatthewaytothesamehonorliesopentohim.Let him reflect on a previous expression of our Lord's, "Who is mymother,andwhoaremybrethren?andstretchingforthhishandtowardhisdisciples,hesaid,Beholdmymotherandmybrethren!ForwhoevershalldothewillofmyFatherwhichisinheaven,thesameismymother,andsister,andbrother,"Matt.12:48-50.

Ifyouarereallydesirousof theprivilegeenjoyedbyJohn,younowseethat it may be your. Be, from love to the Lord, a faithful help to hischildren;feedthehungry,givedrinktohimthatisthirsty,andespeciallyvisit pious widows in their loneliness, and you will perform a service,whichiswell-pleasingtohim.Becomefeettothelame,amongbelievers,eyestotheblind,thecounselorandfatheroftheorphan,andyouwillbetakinghisplaceuponearth,asdidhisdiscipleofold.Johncertainlysawhimselfmore closely connectedwith this life by the new duty imposeduponhim;butyouseethatthislifecangivenewcharmsforyoualso,inasimilarmanner.OnlyapplytotheheavenlyPrinceofPeacetoopenyoureyesthatyoumayrecognizehisquietandholyhousehold;andevenashewillthensaytothelatter,whoconstitutehisspiritualChurch,whilesuingfor their love to you, "Woman,behold yourSon!" sohewill also saytoyou,withreferencetosometroopofwearyandheavyladenbelovedones,"Beholdyourmother!"

Yes,myfriends,ifareformationistotakeplaceonearth,andtheworldtoexperienceagoldenage,Christianityalonecanproduceit.Fortellme,what iswantingtomaketheworldakingdomofheaven, if that tender,profound, and self-denying love which we see Jesus practice andrecommend, were paramount in every human heart? But the whole ofreligionconsistsinthis,thatChristbeformedineveryindividual.Thinkwhat itwouldbe ifeveryoneexhibiteda livingmirrorof "the fairest ofthesonsofmen,"andlovedGodandthebrethrenlikehim!Oreally,theloftiestandmostgloriousideaofhumansocietywouldthenberealized.

Be convinced, therefore, that you are invited and allured by Jesus, notmerely to be happy in heaven, but that the earth may again betransformedintoaparadise;foryouseeinJohn'scase,thathewhocastshimself by living faith on Jesus' bosom, soon imbibes from thence hislove.

Wepart fromourpleasingnarrative;but Imustpreviouslymentionanevent which happened some years ago in Paris. A society had beenformed there, the sittings of which the most celebrated infidels of thetimeusedweeklytoattend,inorder,astheyexpressedit,to"discovertheabsurditiesof theBible," and tomake them theobjectof theirridicule.But one evening, when themembers were busy at their work, and fortheir devilish purpose had read some portions of the Gospel, the well-knownphilosopher,Diderot,whohadhithertobeenthelastandtheleastvolubleof theblasphemers, suddenlybegan to saywithagravitywhichwas not customary with him, "However it may be with this book,gentlemen, I freely confess, on behalf of the truth, that I knowno one,neitherinFrance,norinthewholeworld,whoisabletospeakandwritewithmore tact and talent than the fishermen and publicans who havewrittenthesenarratives.Iventuretoassert,thatnoneofusiscapableofwriting,evenapproximately,a tale,which issosimple,andat thesametimesosublime,solivelyandaffecting,andofsuchpowerfulinfluenceonthemind,andpossessingsuchunweakenedandpervadingeffectafterthelapseofcenturies,aseachindividualaccountofthesufferingsanddeathofJesusChrist,inthebookbeforeus."

Heceased,andall atonce, insteadof the laughterwhichshortly beforehad rung through thehall, a general andprofound silence ensued. Thetruth of the speech was felt, and perhaps even something more. Thecompanysilentlybrokeup,anditwasnotlongbeforetheentiresocietyofscofferswasdissolved.Andtellme,myreaders,ifyouhavenotfeltatthelittle scenewehavebeen contemplating, something similar towhat theinfidelFrenchmanfelt.Yes,thereisnothingintheworldwhichbearsinits front the stamp of such lively historical truth as the Gospel; andwhatever theremaybeofbeautifuluponearth,hewhohaseyes to see,must confess, that the most beautiful, venerable, and holy is, and willeverbe,theGospelhistory.

Let us then ever bear in mind the pleasing exhibition of Jesus' loveinstitutingloveonthecross,whichwehavenowbeencontemplating;andmay it enable us to form those supernatural bonds of union andfellowship, which will survive both time and death. Let this exhibitioncontinually remindusof the first andmostglorious lessonofour lives,thatoflovingtheLordJesusinhispeople,andurgeustosingonourwaytoourheavenlyhome,

"Come,brethren,onwardmove,Andtravelhandinhand;Rejoicingineachother'slove,Whileinthisdesertland.

"Morechild-likeletusgrow,Norfalloutbytheway;Andangels,evenwhileherebelow,Well-pleasedshallwithusstay."

"Eli,Eli,LamaSabachthani!"

Once,whenavoicespokefromheaventothepeoplewhowereassembledaroundJesus,theevangelistrelates,that"somesaiditthundered;others,that an angel spoke tohim."Noone exactly knewwhat tomake of thewondrous sound, although all were affected, amazed, and thrilled by asecretawe.Suchareourfeelingsonthepresentoccasion,onhearingtheechoofthecry,whichsoundsdownfromthecross;andIconfessthatmysoul trembles at the idea of approaching the unfathomable depth ofsuffering,fromwhencethecryof"Eli,Eli,lamasabachthani"proceeded.HowmuchratherwouldI lieprostrateonmyfaceinsilencebeforethisawfulincident,thanwriteorspeakuponit!YouknowwhathappenedtoLuther, when he plunged himself in profoundmeditation on thismostenigmaticalandaffectingpartofthewholeofourSavior'ssufferings.Hecontinued for a long time without food, and sat wide awake, but asmotionlessasacorpse, in thesameposition,onhischair.Andwhenatlengthheroseupfromthedepthofhiscogitation;asfromtheshaftofamysteriousmine,hebrokeintoacryofamazement,andexclaimed,"God

forsakenofGod!Whocanunderstandit?"Yes,whoistherethatisable?We find ourselves surrounded by an impenetrable darkness. But if theunderstanding has here reached the boundary of all humancomprehension, yet faith finds a path amid thesemysterious shades. Aholy light precedes it, and that light is derived from the Savior'sMediatorship. Enlightened by it, let us now contemplate,more closely,theawfulcryofthedyingRedeemer.

Itisabouttwelveo'clockatnoonthatweagainmeetonMountCalvary.The Savior has hung bleeding on the tree for nearly three hours. Nochangehasmeanwhiletakenplaceinhisvicinity,exceptthat,inthelittlefaithful group,wemiss the disciple John and themother of Jesus, thecauseofwhichweknow.Amomentarysilencehasensued inthecrowdsurroundingtheplaceofexecution.Wemaysupposethatevenonthemthe sublime behavior of the Divine Sufferer under his torture has notfailed inproducing feelingsof emotionandshame.They lookup to thecrosswithsilentseriousness.Themoaningofthetwomalefactorsintheiragonystrikestheirears,andthetricklingofthebloodofthedyingmenisheardasitfallstotheground.Fromtimetotime,also,thegriefandhalf-stifledsobsof the little faithfulgroup isheard,whomwenow, inspirit,join, asking with anxious hearts, if the Father of heaven will continueforever silent concerning his Son, and not at lengthmake it known bysome sign, which shall be obvious to all the world, that he, who wasapparentlyrejectedbothbyearthandheaven,wasnotransgressor,butinrealitytheHolyOneofIsrael,andhis,theFather'selectandwell-belovedSon.

Lo, a sign appears! Butwhat kind of one?Who could have anticipatedanythingofthesort?Oursurpriseincreasestohorror,ouramazementtodismay.Thesun,justarrivedatthemeridian,withdrawsitsbeams,asiftheearthwerenolongerworthyofitslight,andbeginsvisibly,inaclearsky,togrowdark.First,twilightcommences,asatthedeclineofday;andthis is followed by the obscurity of evening. Gloomy night at lengthspreadsitselflikeafuneralpall,notonlyoverthelandofJudea,butoverthewhole of the enlightenedpart of the earth.The animal creationareterrified.Theherdsofthefieldcrowdbellowingtogether.Thebirdsoftheair flutter,alarmed, to their retreats,and themassesof thepeoplewhosurround the place of execution, hurry back with loud outcries, toJerusalem, wringing their hands and beating their breasts. Tremblingand lamentation extend into palaces and cottages, as if theworldweremenacedwithdestruction.Theprimitivefathers,asforinstance,OrigenandEusebius,wereacquaintedwithheathenrecords,someofwhichwerefrom distant countries, such as that of Phlegon, a freedman of theEmperorAdrian,whichmentionsaneclipseofthesunatthesametime

with the crucifixion of Christ, and that one so entire, terrific, andwonderfulhadneverbeforebeenseenintheworld.Anancienttraditionalso states thatDiogeneswitnessed, inEgypt, the solar darknesswhichpreceded the death of Jesus, and exclaimed, "Either the Deity himselfsuffersatthismoment,orsympathizeswithonethatdoes."

We,myreaders,alsostandamazedatthisterrificphenomenon,inwhicheven the blindest cannotmistake the finger of the Almighty. But whatdoesthisgigantichieroglyphiconthepillarsoftheworlddenote?Somehave supposed it to convey a symbolicalmanifestation of the wrath ofGodagainstthemurderersofJesus.Butsuchaninterpretationisnotinaccordancewith theevent that is takingplaceonCalvary,and inwhichGod,by the givingupofhis only-begottenSon, evinces,notmerelyhisjudicial severity and avenging justice, but especially his compassion forthemurderers.Theinferencehasalsobeendrawnfromthedarknessthatnaturemusthave suffered in thedeathofChrist.But there seems littleground even for this explanation, since Christ, by his vicarious death,became, in an especial manner, the prop, support, and renovator ofnature.

It has also been supposed that the nocturnal darkness typified the factthatwithChrist,thelightoftheworldwasextinguished.ButitwasjustinChrist'svicariousdeaththatthelightofconsolationandofrealliferoseupontheworld.AsympathyalsooftheirrationalcreationwiththepangsofitsLordandMaster,hasbeenspokenof;butthereisnoroomhereforsuch poetic speculations. The sun did not obscure itself, but itwas theAlmightywhoclotheditinthatmourning-dress.

The import of the sudden darkness lies incomparably deeper than theabove-mentionedattemptsatexplainingit.Eventhemournfulcryofthesuffererdoesnotleaveusforamomenttodoubtthatthedarknessstoodinimmediaterelationtohissacredperson,andthesituationinwhichhewasatthetime.Itistrue,indeed,thatthemiraculousevent,accordingtothepurposeofGod,wasintendedtointimatetotheworldthewondrousnatureof the fact about tobe chronicled in itshistory, that theEternalSon,thesourceofall life,becamehimselfapreytodeath.Butthechiefobject of the appalling phenomenon was to shadow forth, by astupendousfigure,themysteriouspositionandinwardstateatthetime,

ofhimwhobledonthecross.TheLordwithdrewhimselffromtheeyesofmenbehindtheblackcurtainofappallingnight,asbehindthethickveilof the temple. He hung there full three hours on the cross, his thorncrowned head thoughtfully drooping on his bosom, involved in thatdarkness.HeisintheMostHolyPlace.HestandsatthealtaroftheLord.He performs his sacrificial functions. He is the true Aaron, and at thesametimetheLamb;butthesacrificialfirethatburnsaroundhim,Ihavenoneedtomention.

Thatwhich,duringthistime,passedbetweenhimandhisFather,lies,forthepresent,sealedaswithsevenseals,hiddeninthedepthsofeternity.Weonlyknowsomuch,thatbehindthatveil,hewasengagedinthemostarduous conflict, gained the most brilliant victory, and adorned hisrepresentativeobediencewithitsfinalcrown.Weknowthatthegraveofoursinswasthendug;thehandwritingthatwasagainstustakenoutofthe way; the curse which impended over us blotted out; and the wallwhich separated us from our God removed. Call the sight of theRedeemerwelteringinhisblood,andintotaldarkness,heart-rendingifyouwill;weknownotamoredelightfulscenethanthatinheavenoronearth.Themanonthecrossistousthefaireststarinthehorizonoftheworld. We behold it, and feel delivered from every evil. When MosescameforthfromthedarknessinwhichGoddwelt,hisfaceshoneinsucha manner, that the astonished Israelites could not bear the sight. TheradiancewhichwewearuponourbrowfromthedarknessofCalvary,asfarasweenterbelievinglyintoit,ismilderandmorepleasant;foritistheradianceofapeaceofwhichtheworld is ignorant,andthereflectionofaninwardandtriumphantjoyofwhicheventheangelsmightenvyus.

But I hear you say, "Explain to us themeaning of the awful darkness;decipher the terrific and ambiguous hieroglyphic, and unfold to us thestate it indicates." Listen, then. That phenomenon signifies thewithdrawing of another sun than the earthly one—the obscuring of aninwardworld.Itshadowsthegoingdownofadayofcomfortandjoy.Itpoints to a night of the soul, in which the last bright star is about todisappear.Imagine toyourselves, ifpossible,aman free fromsin,holy;no,ofdivinenature,whocallstheAlmightyhislight,God'snearnesshisparadise, andGod's love his bliss. Imagine himdeprived of all this; no

longer refreshed with any experience of the gracious presence of hisheavenlyFather,andalthoughexclaiming,"WhomhaveI inheavenbutyou?" banished into dreadful and horrifying visions of hell, andsurroundedbynothingbutimagesofsinanddeath.Imaginesuchaone,and then say if his state is not strikingly depicted by the midnightdarknesswhichoverspreadstheearth.

Thethirdhourofthisappallinganduniversalgloomisdrawingtoaclose.The sun again begins to cast off his obscuring veil. The Sufferer thenbreakshis longandanxioussilence,and, likesomecryofdistress fromthe shaft of a mine, but at the same time, like the trumpet-sound ofvictory, the incomprehensible and heart-affecting exclamation breaksforth,"Eli,Eli,lamasabachthani!"Undertheinfluenceofreverentialawe,the evangelists give us this cry in the same language in which it wasuttered by theDivine Sufferer. It is as if theywere apprehensive lest arenderingofitintoGreekmightdetractsomewhatfromitsimport.Likeus, my readers, have all believers for eighteen hundred years stoodamazed and astonishedbefore thesewords, andhave sought in vain tofathomtheirdepth.Youareawarethatthewords,"MyGod,myGod,whyhave you forsakenme!" form the commencement of the twenty-secondPsalm,inwhichDavid,impelledandguidedbytheHolySpirit,describes,whileconnectingwith it his own sufferings, the lot of aRighteousOnesojourning in a sinful world. His description, however, expands in thesequelsomuch,thatthePsalmist'spersonalstateandcircumstanceslosethemselves in it; and a childmust perceive thatmore stupendous andimportanteventsthanthoseinthelifeofDavidmingleintheexpressionsmade use of by him. The portrait of a guiltless sufferer graduallyincreasestoasublimity,whichhasfounditsperfectantitypeinthelifeofthe holy Jesus. In the picture, features appear, of which wemeet withonlyslighttracesinDavid'shistory,andwhich,therefore,calluponustoseek their literal fulfillmentelsewhere.For thesufferer in thePsalms isnotonlyrepresentedas theoffscouringof thewholeworld,notonlydothose who see him say to him, "He trusted in the Lord that he woulddeliver him; let himdeliver him, seeing that he delighted in him"—notonlymust he agonizingly exclaim, "I am poured out like water; all mybones are out of joint; my tongue cleaves to my jaws, and you havebroughtme into the dust of death"—but he must also see what David

never experienced, that his hands and feet were pierced, and that hisenemiespartedhisgarmentsamongthem,andcastlotsuponhisvesture.Besides this, his passion ends in such a manner as no other man'ssufferings; for a glorious crown of victory at length adorns the head ofthis tried and faithful One, yes, he receives the testimony that hissufferingsshallresultinnothingshortofthesalvationoftheworld,andthe restoration, enlightening, and beatifying of the Gentiles.Who is soblindasnottoperceivethatthis justman,whoissoseverelytried,andwho comes forth so triumphantly from the conflict, as depicted by theSpirit in this twenty-second Psalm, is no other than the promisedMessiahinthepersonofJesusofNazareth?Thisisbeyondadoubt,evenif the New Testament had not expressly given that Psalm such anapplication.Evenoneofthechampionsofmoderninfidelity,prophesyinglike Balaam, has called the twenty-second Psalm "the program of thecrucifixionofChrist;"andanother,againsthiswill,iscarriedawaytousethese words, "One might almost think a Christian had written thisPsalm."

WewillnotentirelyrejecttheideathatourLord,inhisdistressofsoul,bore this Psalm in mind. But if he uttered his exclamation with aconsciousreferencetoit,hecertainlydidnotdososimply inorderthatthewordsmightbefulfilled;butonlybecausethatpropheticPsalmwasnowbeing fulfilled inhim.Thatmournful cry, as itproceeded fromhislips,wasthegenuineexpressionofthemostperfectpersonalrealityandtruth."ButwasChristreallyforsakenofGodwhileonthecross?"Notamoment,my dear readers.How could he be forsaken ofGod,whowasessentially one with him, and when just at the moment of hisunconditionalobedientself-sacrificeonthecross,hewastheobjectofhissupremeandpaternalgoodpleasure?Butinthedepthsofsufferingintowhich he had then sunk, and through which his cry of "Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani!" darts like a flash of lightning—suchdistress overpoweredhim,suchhorribleanddeath-liketerrorappalledhim,andsuchinfernaltemptations roared around him, that a feeling came over him, as if hewere exiled from the fellowship of God, and entirely given up to theinfernalpowers.Notonlydidallthehorrorswhichwereproducedintheworldfromthedreadfulwombofsinexpandthemselvesbeforehim,buthealsoentered,withhisholysoul,inamannerincomprehensibletous,

intothefellowshipofourconsciousnessofguilt,andemptiedthewholeof thehorriblecupof thewagesofsin—that is,of thedeath involved inthecurse,whichwasthreatenedinparadise.

Andnoonestoodbyhim.Nogreetingofaffectiondescendedtowardhimfromheaven.Novisionofangels refreshedhim inhisgreat agony.TheFatherhad reallywithdrawnhimself fromhis inwardconsciousness. Inthesphereofhisfeelings,thelatterstoodopposedtohim.IfthetrialsinGethsemane brought the Lord Jesus to the extreme boundary ofobedience—thoseofthecrossbroughthimtotheutmostextentoffaith.Notastep,no,noralinemorewasbetweenhimanddespair.Accordingto Psalm 69:15, the horrible idea entered his soul as with a vulture'sclaws, that these floods of sufferingmight swallowhimup, and the pitshut her mouth upon him. It was then that the cry of "Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani!"waswrungfromhisagitatedbosom.

But be very careful, in explaining this expression, that you make nomistake.ItisnotachargingGodwithhavingforsakenhim,butratherapowerful defense against infernal incitement to such an accusation. Bytherepetitionofthewords,"MyGod,"hemakesitevidentthatsolelybymeansofhisnakedfaithhehadstruggledthroughallopposingfeelings;and thatGodwas still hisGod.Does he not, in thesewords, still clingwithfilialfondnesstohisheavenlyFather,andsay—althoughthewords,"My God," instead of "My Father," leave us to infer a superiority ofinwardreverence in thepresenceof theEternalMajesty—"Betweenyouandmetherecanneverbeanyseparation!"

Perhaps some one may say, "But we hear him inquire why God hadforsakenhim?"That is true;but consider that thewordsdonot, in thefirstplace,askthereasonofhispassioningeneral.Ofthishewasclearlyconscious every moment on the cross. The question rather refersexclusively to the personal bearing of his heavenly Father toward him,especiallyduring the threehoursofdarkness;and the inquiry isa filialone,synonymouswith"Whyareyousofarfromme,andhideyourfacefromme?" But at the verymoment inwhich he is threatenedwith thehorribleideathatthehellwhichblazedaroundhimmightcloseoverhim,andwhenthenamelessmiseryofbeingeternallyrejectedentered,asfaras it was possible, into his consciousness, he fled from this horrible

mentalphantom,andfromthefierydartsofthewickedone,holdingtheshield of faith against them, into the arms of God; and hence thefollowingresultsastherealmeaningofhismournfulcry,"MyGod,whydo you forsake me, and withdraw your aid from me? Have I actedcontrarytoyourcommands?AmInotstillyourchild,youronly-begottenSon; in whom is all your delight? And you are still my God; for howshouldyoubeable to forsakeme?Youcannot;youwillhelpmeoutofthisdistress.Youwillcauseyourfaceagaintoshine."Thus,complaint—notaccusation—acryforhelp,andavictoriouschild-likeconfidencearethe three elements which mingle in the exclamation, "Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani!"

But let this suffice respecting a subject which, inaccessible to humancomprehension, discloses, even to believing presentiment, only a smallpartofitssublimesignification.Butsomuchmustbecleartoeveryone,thatwithoutthedoctrineofmediation,Christ'smournfulcryonthecrosswouldbealtogether inexplicable.But, viewed in connectionwith it, thewordsbecomethesolemnannouncementofoureternalredemption.MayGodinmercygrantthatassuch,theymayfindamightyandincreasingechowithinus!

Thus, as far as it was possible—and with reference to the mysteriousconnectionintowhichChristasthesecondAdamenteredwithourrace,wemustnot imagine the limitsof thispossibility toonarrow—theLordtastedthebitterestdropintheaccursedcup—thebeingforsakenofGod.The words, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" were certainly thewarrior'scry,withwhichheoverpoweredandvictoriouslyovercame,byfaith, the inward feeling of abandonment. But, nevertheless, it was amanifestproofthatChristhadreallytoendureanarduousstrugglewiththishorriblefeeling.

Ifwenow inquirewhat fruitshaveresulted tous fromthis conflict, thefactitselfisencouragingandconsolatoryforus,thatinourLord'sinquirywhy he was forsaken, the consciousness of his perfect righteousnessbefore God is so clearlymanifested. For in default of it, how could hehave ventured the bold question to the thrice holy God, why he hadforsakenhim?But themost essential benefitwhichwe derive fromhisconflictisaverydifferentone.Howdidthosemistake,who,beneaththe

cross, said to one another, inwretchedmisunderstandingof hiswords,"This man calls for Elijah!" Primarily, this remark was intended foranythingbutmockery.Onthecontrary, the feelingagainbroke inuponthemurderersthattheexaltedonewhowasbleedingonthecrossmightbe the Messiah. But as they knew from the prophecies of Isaiah andMalachithatElijah,astheforerunner,wastoprecedethegreatonewhowas to come, the ideaoccurred to them thatpossibly theDivineSaviorwas invoking the aid of that powerful herald of God from the invisibleworld. But what a misunderstanding of the great Redeemer lay at thebottomofthisideaofhiscrucifiers!Itwasnotofhimselfthathethought;butof the sinnerswhomhewas representing,whenheexclaimed, "Eli,Eli,lamasabachthani!"andhisprimaryintentioninitwastoreconquertheheartofthelivingGodforthem.ForifGodforsookhim,hehadalsoforsakenthemwhomherepresented.IfGodrejectedtheSurety'sworkasinsufficient, the redemption of the whole world was frustrated. It waschieflythisconsiderationwhichforcedfromourLordthecryof"MyGod,MyGod,whyhave you forsakenme?" andhence his question containsthismeaninginitalso—"No,youdonotforsakeme,youacceptmywork,andI,therefore,cleavefirmlytoyouasmyGod,andconsequently,also,astheGodofthosewhosecauseIhaveundertaken."

But his heavenly Father did not suffer the cry of his Son to remainwithouthis"Amen."Heuttereditsymbolically,byimmediatelydispellingthe darkness, and restoring to the sun its full mid-day splendor. Thebeingthusforsaken,essentiallybelongedtothecupwhichourgreatHighPriestwasobligedtoemptyforus.Hencetherecanbenoideathatthosewho are united to Christ by the bonds of a living faith, can be reallyforsaken of God. Even as for us, no somber cloud any longer darkensheaven,andasweatalltimesbeholdthefaceofGodunveiled,andeverymomentmayenjoy freeaccess tohis throneofgrace,soGodwillnevermoredepart fromus,whateverelsemay forsakeus.Thoughwemaybeabandonedbytheworld'sfavor,thefriendshipofmen,earthlyprosperity,andbodily strength, thoughwemay evenbebereft, asmaypossiblybethecase,ofthefeelingofGod'snearness,andthefreshnessoftheinwardlifeoffaith;yetGodhimselfalwayscontinuesnearandfavorablyinclinedtousinChrist.Howeverstrangelyhemaysometimesacttowardus,intowhateverfurnaceofafflictionhemayplungeus,howevercompletelyhe

maywithdrawhimselffromourconsciousness,yetineverysituationtheblissfulprivilegebelongs tous,not only courageously to approachhim,and say, "Why do you forsakeme, your child, for whom your Son hasatoned?"butalsotosaytohimwithstillbolderconfidence,"Youwillnot,can not, and dare not forsake me, because the merits of your only-begottenSonforeverbindyoutome."

Atthisverytime,thecorpseofapiousfemale,whowasoneofthemostcostly pearls which, from this great city, will eventually adorn theRedeemer's crown, isbeing carried to its final resting-place.Whoknewher,exceptherchildrenandalittlegroupoflike-mindedfriends,whomtheLordhadconductedtoher?Who,exceptthese,everheardhername?She lay twowhole years in the concealmentof a gloomyattic, sickof agrievousandpainfuldisease,as ifon thorns,butshewas thought tobelying on a bed of roses, so fullwas she of heavenly peace and cheerfulresignation.Thecauseofwhichwas,thatChristhadbecomeherlife.Themore her bodywasted, themorewas her spirit visibly strengthened inGod. Themore her outwardman decayed, themore gloriously did herinner man unfold and transfigure itself. If, occasionally, the flood ofsuffering penetrated into her soul, we never heard her sigh,much lessdespond. If her faith grew dark, her eyeswere immediately directed toCalvary,andbeneaththeechoof"Eli,Eli, lamasabachthani!" thecloudonherbrowwasrapidlydispelled."Hecannotforsakeme,"saidshe,witha smile, "after forsaking him forme,who paidmy ransom."And once,when in the days of her last agony, compassion forced from me thewords,"OthatitmightpleasetheLordinsomemeasuretoalleviatethecross of suffering!" she replied,wavingher hand, andwith solemnandserious emphasis, "O be silent! not one drop less! each of them iscarefully measured out by his wisdom and love." She left the worldadorned with the heavenly chaplet of the firmest faith, the sinceresthumility, themost persevering resignation and patience, and themostself-denyinglove,atriumphantconqueroroverdeathandthegrave.Shenow sings the great "Hallelujah"with the host of those glorified spiritswhohavecomeoutofgreattribulation,andhavewashedtheirrobesandmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb.Godhaswipedawaythetearsfrom her eyes, and placed in her hand the palm of a never-fadingtriumph. As her last will, she left behind her the earnest request that

nothingmightbesaidathergrave,exceptwhathadreferencetothegraceofChristandthepowerofhisblood.Norwillweboastofanythingelseover her tomb than themercy of God in Christ, and add the prayerfulwishthatourlastendmaybelikehers!

IhaveinsertedthisincidentinordertogivemyreadersafreshproofthatGodhasstillhispeopleamongus,andthathestillsuesforsouls inthemidstofus,aswellastoaffordthemaninstancehowthemysteryofthecross in general, and that of God's abandonment of the Mediator inparticular, should be taken advantage of. May we be enabled toappropriate,inthismanner,thefruitsofthecrossofChrist,andmaythewordsofthehymnbeincreasinglyrealizedinourhappyexperience—

"O,thesweetwondersofthatcrossOnwhichmySaviorlovedanddied!ItsnoblestlifemyspiritdrawsFromhisdearwoundsandbleedingside."

"IThirst!"

Thatportionof thehistoryof ourSavior's passion,whichwill form thesubjectofourpresentmeditation,doesnotapparentlybelongtothemoreimportantandedifyingpartsofit.Butletusnotbedeceivedbythemereappearance, for if we dig sufficiently deep, we shall here find also thewater of life abundantly springing forth from the inexhaustible well ofsalvation,whichwasopenedforusonCalvary.

Itisabouttheninthhour,orthreeo'clockintheafternoonTheawfulcryof"Eli,Eli,lamasabachthani!"hasjustbeenuttered,which,whileitwasdoubtlessacryofdistress,was,atthesametime,ashoutofvictoryandtriumph. The sun again shines forth from its gloomy covering, andheavenagainlookskindlydownupontheearth.Butyouwouldbeundera mistake in supposing this to be a sign, that the agonizing darknesswhich reigned in theRedeemer's soul,wasnowover. It continues evenuntil themomentofhisdecease,althoughessentiallydiminishedbytheclearnessoffaith,whichhehadregained;andeventhewords,"Ithirst!"

reachourearsfromthemidstofthatdarkness.Todoubtthiswouldshowlittleacquaintancewiththesixty-ninthPsalm,themournfulexpressionsinwhich, receive their final fulfillment in this last stage of our Lord'scrucifixion.

It is true that Jesus knew, according to the express declaration of theevangelist,thathispassionwasdrawingtoitsclose.Heclearlysawthatthecupofsufferingwasemptied,withtheexceptionofthelastdrops;buttheselastdropsstillremained,andrequiredalsotobedrank,and,believeme, theydidnot yield inbitterness to those already tasted. Ah, see, healready drinks them! The woes of that death which was threatened inparadise, seize him. He enters into that state of which the spirit ofprophecyrepresentshimintheabove-mentionedPsalm,ascomplainingandsaying,"Iamwearyofmycrying,mythroatisdried,mineeyesfailwhile I wait for my God. Draw near unto my soul and redeem it.Reproachhasbrokenmyheart, and Iam fullofheaviness. I looked forsometo take pity, but therewas none, and for comforters, but I foundnone."Andthesecomplaintsconcludewiththeremarkableandpropheticwords,"Theygavemealsogall formymeat,and inmythirst theygavemevinegartodrink."Thistrait,whichalsopointsoutnoresting-placeinthe Savior's path of suffering, had to be realized in the progress of hispassion; and as a proof that this was really the case, or, as the Gospelexpresses it, "that the Scripturesmight be fulfilled," our Lord exclaimsfromthecross,"Ithirst!"Yes,thesewordstellofcomplaint,distress,andagony. This, the Psalm above mentioned, which portrays to us asuccessionoftrials,placesbeyondadoubt.

But ofwhat naturewas the distress expressed by the cry? First, it wascertainlyofaphysicalkind.HowwoundedandexhaustedwastheSavior,evenwhenhereachedMountCalvary!andhehadalreadyhungnearlysixhoursonthecross.Theblood-vesselsofhissacredbodyarealmostdriedup. A dreadful fever rages through his frame. His juices havedisappeared.Histonguecleavestohisjaws.Hislipsglow,andadropofwater seems a great refreshment to him. There is scarcely a greatertormentthanthatofaninsatiablethirst.TravelerswhohaveexperienceditintheburningsteppesoftheEast,giveusdescriptionsofit,whichfillus with horror. They assure us, that when thus situated, if they had

possessedallthegoldintheworld,theywouldgladlyhaveresigneditforafewdrops,evenofthemuddiestwaterofourbrooks.Iftheydiscoveredaglimmeringspotatadistance,whichseemedtothemapondorlagoon,they rushed toward it like madmen. But if it turned out to be only aburning sandy surface, on which the sun's rays played, theirdisappointmentplungedthemintoastateofdespair,whichcausedthemtobreakoutintoloudhowlings.Onlythink,theSavioroftheworldwasno stranger to this torment also! Even to this depth of destitution andwretchednessdidhe,whowas sounspeakably rich,divesthimself.Andallthisforus,"thatwethroughhispovertymightbemaderich!"Whoisabletocomprehendandworthilytopraisesuchamazinglove?

But thecry fromthecross, "I thirst," refers tosomethingmorehorriblestill than bodily torment. Does it not remind you of the awfulrepresentationfromtheinvisibleworld,whichtheLordonceportrayedtoour view inoneofhisparables?Doesnot the remembranceof the richmanpresentitselftoyou,who,whileonearth,clothedhimselfinpurpleand fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day; but after inexorabledeathhadswepthimaway,wrunghishandsdespairingly,beinginpainandtorment;andagonizedbyanameless inward thirst,hecalleduponfatherAbrahamtosendLazarus,thathemightdipthetipofhisfingerinwater, and cool his parched tongue, but whose request was refusedwithoutmercy,howeversuppliantlyitknockedatheaven'sgatesfromthehabitationsofeternalnight?

"No;"Ihearyoureply,"wedidnotthinkofthisparablehere.Howshouldtherichmanintormentremindusoftheholyandrighteoussufferer?Weshoulddeemit impioustocomparethethirstoftheguiltlessJesuswiththat of this child of hell. By such a comparisonwe thinkwe should beactingworsethantheJewsinnumberinghimwiththetransgressors."Soyousay;butknow,myfriends,thatonlythosecanspeakthus,whodonotbelievewhattheScripturesstateofthevicariousenduringofthecursebyJesusChrist.ButhetowhomthelightoftheHolySpirithasrisenuponthewords, "the chastisement of our peacewas upon him, andwith hisstripeswe are healed,"would be indeed astonished if theMediator didnotactuallyexperiencethelotofthemanintheparable—thatis,ifhehadnottasted,asfaraswaspossible,allthetormentsofthedamned.Andhe

actuallydidso!Thebitterscornandridiculewhichreachedhisearfrombelow,andwasalsoexpressedinthewords,"LetusseeifElijahwillcomeandhelphim,"wasonly a faint andhuman representationof themorehorrible assaults,whichhehad to endurebehind the veil of thatwhichwasexternal.There,unseen,hewas surroundedby thebandsofBelial.There the powers of darkness aimed at him their most dangerousmissiles.ThereSatansiftedhimlikewheat,andfromthisappallinghostofadversaries,fromthishorribledesert,fromthis"pitinwhichtherewasno water," and in which he could only believe that God was his God,withoutfeelinghimtobeso,rose,liketheprayerofthelostmantosendLazarus, thecry,"I thirst!"Tospareus,sinners, thethirstofan infiniteabsence of comfort, he submitted to such torment in his mediatorialcapacity!Owhatawellofconsolationhasheopenedforusbyhisthirst!If we sinners now exclaim, "Be not terrible unto me, you who are myconfidence in distress," the flowing streams of peace bear the divineamen!toourprayersforthesakeoftheRedeemer'sthirst.

"Ithirst!"Forwhatdidhethirst?Ithinktheanswernowisplain.Itwasnotonlyforearthlywaterthathelanguished,butforsomethinggreater,higher, and more essential. He longed for the termination of hisredeemingtoil,andthecompletionofhisgreatworkofmediation.Whenthisobjectwasattained,hewouldagainberestoredtothefullbeatifyingfellowshipofhisheavenlyFather,andwouldagainsee,whereashenowonly believed. He would not then have laboriously to struggle for theconsciousness thatGodwaskindlyandpaternally inclined towardhim,but would again taste it, for he would then rest, as formerly, in hisFather'sbosom,andinsteadofthehorribleimagesofsin,thecurse,anddeath, the radiance of a spotless purity andholinesswould beamuponhimanewfromeveryside.Peaceandjoywouldthenreturn.Theviperoushissing of the powers of darkness around him would be silenced. Hewouldhearonly thehallelujahsofangels, and theblessedabove.Everydiscordwouldbedissolved in blissful harmony, and the atmosphere inwhich he breathed, would again be love, entirely love. Yes, he thirstedafter the full restoration of his Father's countenance, and after hisFather's renewed and plain declaration, "You are my beloved Son, inwhomIamwellpleased,"aswellasafterthepaternalconfirmationofhisworkofredemption,asbeingspotlesslyperfect.Thathe thirstedchiefly

forthis,isnoarbitrarysupposition,butisderivedfromthosepassagesofthe sixty-ninth Psalm, which belong here, and which represent him assayinginhisagony,"Saveme,OGod,forthewatersarecomeinuntomysoul. My prayer is unto you, O Lord! hear me in the truth of yoursalvation. Turn unto me according to the multitude of your tendermercies.Hidenotyourfacefromyourservant,forIamintrouble.Hearmespeedily;drawnearuntomysoul,andredeemit."HencehisthirstisanexpressionofdesiretowardhisheavenlyFather.

But do not think that in this complaint he had only himself and whatbelongedtohispeace inview.Itwasnot forhisownsake thathehunguponthecross.HelongedtobeagainreceivedintofellowshipwithGod,becausehisreception into itwouldbeapledgeof theirs,whomheborevicariouslyuponhisheart.AsthesecondAdam,heexperiencedtheirfateinwhatheendured,andbythatmeansacquiredalegalclaimtopreparetheirfutureinheritance.Aftertakingtheirplace,astheirrepresentative,hecouldnotbejustified,exalted,andcrownedwithouttheirparticipatinginit.ButhowdidhelongforthemomentwhenhecouldappearbeforehisFather, and say, "HereamI, and thosewhomyouhavegivenme! Ihaveredeemedthem,haveboughtthemwithmyblood,andnowpresentthembeforeyouunreproveable.Henceforththeyareyourandmine,andworthytoenterintoyourcourts."It istothisdesireofhisheart,andtothisespecially,thathegaveutteranceinthesymbolicalwords,"Ithirst!"OwithwhatrichgarlandsoflovehasJesusadornedtheaccursedtree!

Butwedonotfailtoperceivethatthewords,"Ithirst,"notonlyexpressedtheSavior'slongingafterGodhisheavenlyFather,butlikewisearequesttomankind,whomhesawrepresentedonCalvarybythosewhocrucifiedhim.Evenfromthemhesolicitedacharitableact.Herequestedofthemadrink of cooling water for his parched tongue. Do not overlook thiscircumstance. However trivial the trait may seem, there is somethinggreatconcealedunderit.Who,evenifhehadbeenthenoblestofhisrace,would inJesus' situation,haveuttered thosewords tohis scoffing foes,and have besought of them a manifestation of kindness and charity?Thesemenweredeservingofproudcontempt;butasaproofthathewassodifferentlymindedfromhisbrethrenaftertheflesh,andthatnothingdweltinhisheartofallthatistermedwoundedpride,revenge,orangry

feeling—he solicits from his adversaries an act of compassion andkindness, and says to them, suppliantly, "I thirst." What else did heintend to say by this, than, "See, I do not break with you. I continuefaithfullyinclinedtowardyou,andholdthebondfirmlywhichconnectsmewithyou."Lethimlookhere,whodoesnotyetknowwhatitistoheapcoals of fire on his enemy's head. How does the holiness of yourRedeemer againmanifest itself!Howdoes the pure golden grain of hisdivinenatureheredisplay itself afresh!Yes, light ishis garment.But itwas necessary that he who was willing to be our Surety andMediatorshouldbesoconstituted.Aspeckonthewhiterobeofhisrighteousnesswould have sufficed to have deprived him of the ability for theaccomplishmentofhisgreatwork.

It might be supposed that the delicate trait of heartfelt approximationandconfidingcondescension,asevidencedinthewords,"Ithirst,"musthavefilledthosewhocrucifiedtheSavior,withaconfusionwhichwouldhave scarcely permitted them to lift up their eyes any more. And itcertainly seems as if it had not entirely failed of its conciliatingimpression, by producing in them milder sentiments. We see themimmediatelypreparetofulfillhisrequest.Oneofthemrunsandfetchesabranchofhyssop,andaftertheyhaddippedaspongeinvinegar,andputitonthereed,theyheldituptohismouththathemightsuckit.Buteventhismiserablerefreshmentismingledwiththegallofrenewedmockery."Let alone," say they, "let us see whether Elijah will come to take himdown!"But if Imistakenot, there ismore seriousness than jest in thisspeech, and that they really intended by it to disguise the better andgentler feelings of compassion—no, even a certain inclining toward thedyingman,whichtheyfeltarisewithinthematthatmoment.Ifwewishtogainouropponents,we cannotdo somore rapidlyor surely thanbyrequestingthemtodousakindness,andthusobligeourselvestothankthem.Thiswillimmediatelysoftenthem.Butinordertothis,adegreeofhumilityandcharity is requisite,whicheveryonedoesnotpossess.ButthischarityandhumilitydweltintheSaviorinunlimitedfullness;andinordertoplacehimselfinapositiontoowetheworldhisthanks,hegivesthelatter,bysaying,"Ithirst,"theopportunityofpresentinghimwiththelastearthlysolaceofhislife.

Whatanaffectingandheart-winningtrait isthis!Othat itmaywinourheartsalso,iftheyarenotalreadygainedforJesus!Forthatforwhichhechieflythirstsis,thathemaygainusovertohimself.Theprincipalobjectof his desire and longing is, that transgressorsmay be freed from sin;thosewhoareunderthecurse,absolved;thosethatarebound,liberated;andtheprisonerssetfree.Butthatthisgreatendofhumanredemptionmay be accomplished, he still thirsts for our love, the resignation ofourselvestohim,andforourchildlikeconfidenceinhissavingname.WethereforeknowhowandwithwhatwecanstillrefreshtheLordofGlory.The first solace which he, with desire, awaits from us, is our tears ofpenitenceandrepentance.Oletusbearthemtohim!Orshallweneverfallweepingintoeachother'sarmssaying,"Come,andletusreturnuntotheLord;forhehastornandhewillhealus;hehassmitten,andhewillbindusup?"Shallthebloodwhichflowedonthecross,neversucceedinsofteningthehardgroundofourhearts,northe lovewhichdiedforus,inflameour frigidsoulswithareciprocalaffection?Otheabundance ofawakeningvoicesandattractingpowers,whichurgethemselvesuponusfromthecross!Willweeverresistthem,asifweconsidereditanhonorto make it evident that the hardness of our hearts was altogetherinvincible?MayGodprevent it,andbestowuponusthehumilityof thetax-collector,andtheardentdesireofthedyingmalefactor.

Theremaybesomeofmyreaderswhoseeyes, fromwhichapenitentialtearneverflowed,willsooncloseindeath.Othattheywouldmeltbeforedespairhardensthemforever!Theremaybethosewho,fromchildhoodup, havewitnessedwhatmany prophets and kings have desired to seeandhavenotseen,andyetarefarfromrecognizingtheonethingthatisneedful.Othattheywouldweepatlengthovertheirblindness,andtheirbase and appalling ingratitude! There may be those, also, whose eyesrequirenolighttorevealtothemtheirmisdeeds,andyetareneverthelesslikesealedfountainswhichyieldnowater.OthatyoucouldweepasPeterwept,andlikeDavid,whowateredhiscouchwithhistears!Suchtearsarethedrink-offeringforwhichtheSaviorstillthirsts.Godgrantthatwemayapproachhis thronewith them!Assoonas this takesplace, theactionschange,therelationsarereversed.Itisthenhewhogivesustodrink,andrefreshesus;andweimbibeandenjoy.Andblessedishewhoexperiencesin himself the truth of his words, "Whoever drinks of the water that I

shallgivehim,shallneverthirst;butthewaterthatIshallgivehim,shallbeinhimawellofwaterspringingupintoeverlastinglife."Whowouldnot say with the Samaritan woman, with reference to such a draught,"Lord,givemethiswater,thatIthirstnomore!"

"ItisFinished!"

Thesearethegreatestandmostmomentouswordsthatwereeverspokenuponearth,sincethebeginningoftheworld.Whodoesnotfindinthemacryofvictory?Itisashoutoftriumph,whichannouncestothekingdomofdarkness itscompleteoverthrowandto thekingdomofheavenuponearth its eternal establishment. How wonderful! At the very momentwhen,fortheHeroofJudah,allseemslost,hiswordsdeclarethatall iswon and accomplished! Our Lord's exclamation is like the sound of aheavenlyjubilee-trumpet,andannouncestotheraceofAdam,whichwasunder the curse, the commencement of a free and sabbatic year,whichwillevermoreextensivelydisplayitsblessing,butnevercometoanend.Listen,and itwill appear toyouas if in thewords, "It is finished!"youheardfettersburst,andprison-walls falldown.At thesewords,barriersashighasheavenareoverthrown,andgateswhichhadbeenclosed forthousandsofyears,againmoveontheirhinges.Butwhatwasitthatwasfinished at the moment when that cry was uttered? The evangelistintroduceshisnarrativewith thewords, "After this, Jesusknowing thatall thingswereaccomplished."Onlythink—"All things!"Whatmorecanwewant?Butwherein did they consist?We hasten to lift the veil, andview in detail what was realized and brought about, and may the fullpeacebeimpartedtouswhichthewords,"Itisfinished!"announcetotheworld!

"Jesuscriedwithaloudvoice,Itisfinished!"Itwouldseemasifhehadwished to drink only to make this victorious cry sound forth with fullforce,likethevoiceofaheraldorthesoundofatrumpet.TheLordhasnow reached the termination of his labors. He has performed thestupendous taskwhichheundertook in thecouncilofpeace,before theworldwas,whenhesaid,"Idelighttodoyourwill,OmyGod!"Death,towhichheisonthepointofsubmitting,formedthesummit,butalsothe

concluding act of his mediatorial work. Only take into your hands thedivineprogramofhisvicariousearthlycourse,ascompiledintypesandpropheciesinthearchivesoftheOldTestament,andbeconvincedhowithas beenmostminutely carried out. Themysterious delineation of theMessiah, as it passes before us in increasing brightness andcompleteness,inthewritingsofMosesandtheprophets,isfullyrealizedin itssmallestandminutest traits in thepersonofJesus. Ifyouask forthe wondrous infant of Bethlehem described by Micah, "whose goingsforthhavebeenofold,fromeverlasting;"orfor"theChildborn,andtheSongiven,withthegovernmentuponhisshoulder,"whomIsaiahbringsbeforeus;orforthemeekandlowlyKingmentionedbyZechariah,whomakeshisentranceintoJerusalemonthefoalofandonkey—itmeetsyoubodilyinJesusChrist.Doyouseekfortheseedofthewoman,who,withhiswoundedheel,bruisestheserpent'shead;orthesecondAaron,whoshould actually bring about a reconciliation between God and a sinfulworld—lookuptothecross,andthereyouwillseeallcombinedinOne.

Do you look about you for the antitype of the brazen serpent in thewilderness,orof thepaschal lamband itsdeliveringblood inEgypt;orfortheexaltedSufferer,whoappearsintheappallingdescriptionsgivenusinPsalms22and69,whichrecordamalefactor'sawfuldoom,eventothemournfulcryof"MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme!"—alliscombinedinthebleedingSaviorwhohangsyonder,andexclaims,"It isfinished!"Thentakearetrospectivelookintothewritingsoftheancientprophets, andwhatmeets your view?The ancient types have lost theirsignificance. They have put on flesh and blood in Jesus Christ. Theirimportancetousishenceforthlimitedtothetestimonytheybearthatthedivinely-promised Messiah is indeed come, and that no other is to belookedfor.Everyconditionof theworkofhumanredemptionhadbeenfulfilledat themomentwhenChrist uttered thewords, "It is finished!"withtheexceptionofone,whichwas includedand taken forgranted inthem, because it inevitably awaited him, and actually took placeimmediatelyafterward—thusbringingthewholetoaperfectconclusion.

Thatwhichstill remainedunaccomplishedclearlyproves thatJesusdidnothangon thecrossonhisownaccount,butasour representative. Itwasourdeath.The lawsofnature forbade that a greenand thoroughly

healthytree,whichwasrootedineternity,shouldbleedandsinkbeneaththeblowsof"the lastenemy."Itwascontraryto thedivinegovernmentthat One, who had not, with Adam, tasted the forbidden fruit, shouldneverthelessfallunderthesentencepronounceduponthelatter,"Intheday that you eat thereof, you shall surely die!" It was also entirelyopposed to the immutable and fundamental statutes of the sanctuary,thatatributeshouldbedemandedofarighteousperson,whichisthereexpresslyindicatedasthewagesofsin.ItwasatvariancewiththeexpresspromiseoftheMostHigh—"Thisdo,andyoushall live"—thatOne,whodidnotleaveunfulfilledoneiotaofthedivinecommands,shouldnotlive,butdie.Hehimselfrepeatedlydeclaredthattheuniversallawofmortalityhad,abstractedlyconsidered,noclaimuponhisperson.Heassertedmostpointedly,thatnoone,notevenhisFatherinheaven,tookawayhislife,butthathelaiditvoluntarilydown.Truly,thedeathofJesuswouldhaveshaken the throne of the Almighty to its foundations, have brokenthroughtheordinancesofhishouse,andviolatedall thestatutesof thedivine government, if it were not permitted us to carry the idea of itbeyondtheboundsofsuchadeathasallexperience.

Theseconsiderationscompelus—irrespectiveofanyrevelationwhichtheScriptures afford—to regard the death of Christ as somethingextraordinary and unique in its kind. And certainly, it is a fact whichstandssolitaryinhistory,andwithwhichnonebesidescancompare.Hewho,accordingtodivineright,wasexemptfromdeath,freelysubmittedtoitinourstead,asthelastbitterdropoftheaccursedcup.Whetheryoubelieve thisornot, theScripturesmost expressly affirm it inmanyandpowerful words. They tell us, that "Christ tasted death by the grace ofGod,"andthereforenotastheresultofanaturalnecessity.Theysay,"Inthathedied,hedieduntosin."Andwhentheyassert that,"IfOnediedforall,thenwerealldead,"itpointsoutthevicariousnatureofhisdeathsoplainly,thatIknownothowitcouldbemoreclearlyexpressed.If,byhisdeath,hepaid thewagesofsin forus,hisdeathnaturallycouldnotresemble Elijah's ascent to heaven, nor the cheerful striking-sail of oldSimeon, nor the exulting triumph of a Stephen, nor the peaceful goinghome of a John, nor such a falling asleep as is granted at present tothousands of believers under the smile of heaven, and with the joy ofredemption upon their lips. No! an eternal statute required that he

shouldyield,as faraspossible, to the strokeof thekingof terrors, andtastethedeathtowhichthefirstAdamwassentenced.Underitshorrorshe bowed his head. Observe the continued silence on high concerninghim—the appalling restraint upon all the heavenly powers—the threehours'darknessinwhichhewasinvolved—andthejeersandblasphemieswhichassailhimfrombelow.Truly, inall thisyouperceivenocheeringpictureofthestateinwhichhedescendsintothegloomyvalleyofdeath.No!hedoesnotdieonthedownycouchofapre-assumedblessedness,asmanyofthepoorestsinnersnowdie,athisexpense.Neverthelesshediesin thecrownof triumph.At themomentwhenhisheartceased tobeat,thewords,"It isfinished!"revealedtheentire fullnessof theirmeaning.Hehadnowreachedthefinalcompletionofhisworkofredemption.Theexclamation,"Itisfinished!"resoundedinheaven,andawokehallelujahstotheLambwhichshallnevermorebemute.Theyreverberatedthroughthe abodes of darkness, like the thunders of God, announcing theterminationofthedominionoftheirprince.Butamoreblissfulsoundonearthdoesnotstriketheearofthepenitentsinnertothishourthanthewords,"Itisfinished!"Itisasthesoundofthegreatjubilee-trumpet,andtheproclamationofaneternalsalvation.

Yes, my readers, we are delivered. There is no longer any cause foranxiety, except in the case of those who refuse to acknowledge theirsinfulness,and, lost inpharisaicself-sufficiency,turntheirbacksontheMan of Sorrows on the cross. But if we are otherwise minded, and,honoringtruth,havejudgedandcondemnedourselvesinthepresenceofGod, then come!Nomore circuitous paths—no fruitless efforts to helpyourselves—no vain recourse to the empty cisterns of this world,whatever proud names theymay bear! The voice of peace is heard onCalvary.O thatweweresolemnlyconscioushowmuchwasdone forusthere!Greatwasourguilt;wewerecondemned todeath,and thecurselayuponus;butallisdoneawayinthewords,"Itisfinished!"Ifhehaspaidtheransom,howcanarighteousGodinheavendemandpaymentasecondtime?Knowyounottheassertionoftheapostle,"Thereisnownocondemnation to them that are inChrist Jesus!" Let us give ourwholeheartstohim,andneitherthemultitudenortheheinousnessofoursinsneedappallus.Hisclosedeyes,hisdeath-likevisage,hispiercedhandsandfeet,obligeus,evenfortheglorifyingofhisname,toopposenotonly

the infernal accuser and the judge inourownbreasts,but evenMoses,theadministratorofeternaljustice,withtheapostle'swatchword,"Whoishewhocondemns,sinceChristhasdied?"

What invaluable fruit, therefore, dowe reap from the treeof the cross!That which the Savior accomplished by his death, was not merely theworkofsatisfactiontodivinejustice,bywhichheremovedthecursefromourheads,butlikewisehisrepresentativeobedience,whichishenceforthimputedtohisbelievingpeople,astherighteousnesswhichavailsinthesightofGod.Alongwiththesentence,"Departfromme,youcursed!" isalsothe"Mene,Tekel,"erasedfromourwalls,andinitssteadwereadthemightywords, "You arewashed, you are sanctified, you are justified inthenameoftheLordJesus."AndthatwearesoisconfirmedtousbythefactthatGodnowlovinglyinclinestowardus,breatheshisSpiritintous,leadsusinbondsofmercyandkindness,andassoonaswehavefinishedour course, opens the gates of his heavenly mansions to us. But thatcondemned sinners are regarded as holy before God, without anyinfringement on his justice, holiness, and truth, is intimated by thatwhichthesufferingSavioraccomplishedon thecross.Even the twenty-secondPsalm asserts that this would be the consequence of his death,since, in the lastverse it is said, "They shall comeand shalldeclarehisrighteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he has done this."How just and well founded is, therefore, the victorious cry, "It isfinished!" withwhich the Lord, after performing hiswork, inclined hisheadtorest!

Aftertheseelucidations,youwilleasilyunderstandtheenigmaticalwordsinHeb.10:14,"Withoneofferinghehasforeverperfectedthemthataresanctified."Yes,bytheoneactoftheofferingupofhimself,hehassolaidthe foundation for all who believe in him, of their justification,sanctification,andredemption,thattheymaynowunhesitatinglyrejoicein the first as anaccomplished fact; that theybear in themthesecond,indeed,onlyasagerm,butsuchaoneasstrives,byaninwardnecessity,foraperfect futuredevelopment;andthat theyhave the thirdas surelyandcertainlyinprospect,asChristtheirrepresentativehasalreadytakenpossession, in theirnames,of thegloriousandheavenly inheritance.Asrespectsthecapability,groundwork,andrudiments,thereis,therefore,in

every believer, the ideal man—the man of the future glorified world,already createdandpresented toGod.A creativeactof a spiritual kindwasaccomplishedonthecross;andwhenthatwhichwastherecreated,shallhaveattainedtoitsperfectdevelopment,andhavelaidasideall itsearthly veils and coverings the full truth of the triumphal shout, "It isfinished"willbecomeapparent,andtheentireextentof itssignificationberevealedtous.

Forknowthat theeyeof thecrucifiedSavior,onuttering these sublimewords,restednotmerelyonindividualsinners,forwhosereturntotheirparadisaicstatehepreparedthebloodstainedpath,butalsoonthewholeworldat large. Itwas then thathe satisfied thedesireof allnations, asexpressedforthousandsofyears,inmysterioususagesandreligiousrites,legends, songs, and imagery, and could nowmost justly call the wholeworldhisown.Hehaddissolvedthebanthatlayuponit—hadsnatcheditfromthecursewhichjusticehadimpendedoverit,andhadrentfromthepowersofdarknessthedesolateearth,which,bythedivinedecision,hadfallen to them on account of sin, had conquered it for himself, andconsecrated it to be the scene of his future kingdom. There is,consequently,nothingmoregroundlessthanthefearthattheearthmayagain become in perpetuity a fief of the prince of darkness, or awildernessanddesertofbarbarismandsin.ThebloodofChristclaimsitstransformation into an abode of righteousness—its renovation to aparadise—itsrenewedamalgamationwithheaven;andtheEternalFatherwhohas solemnly sworn tohisSon, saying, "Askofme, and Iwill giveyoutheheathenforaninheritance,andtheuttermostpartsoftheearthforapossession,"willnotrefusetolistentotheclaimsofthebloodofhisonly-begotten Son. Whatever confusion and desolation may yet comeupon our world, its future is secure. On the cross, the ground of itsinevitabletransformationandglorificationwas laid,andtheHolySpiritwas commissionednot to rest, until at the cost of Immanuel, the greatworkofthatnewcreationshallhavebeencompleted.Themodelhehastorealize has long been handed to him. Do you wish to see the heavenlyprogram, which is to serve him as the standard of his working andoperation? thewish can be granted you. The prophet Isaiah displays itbeforeyouinthesixty-fifthchapterofhisprophecy,whereyoumayreadasfollows,fromtheseventeenthverse:"Behold,Icreatenewheavensand

a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered nor come intomind. But be you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; forbehold, I create Jerusalema rejoicing, andherpeople a joy. And IwillrejoiceinJerusalem,andjoyinmypeople;andthevoiceofweepingshallnomorebeheardinher,northevoiceofcrying.Thereshallbenomorethenceaninfantofdays,noranoldmanthathasnotfilledhisdays; forthechildshalldieanhundredyearsold,butthesinnerbeinganhundredyearsoldshallbeaccursed.Andtheyshallbuildhousesandinhabitthem;and they shallplantvineyardsandeat the fruitof them.They shallnotbuildandanotherinhabit;theyshallnotplantandanothereat;forasthedaysofatreearethedaysofmypeople,andmineelectshalllongenjoytheworkoftheirhands.Theyshallnotlaborinvain,norbringforthfortrouble, for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and theiroffspringwiththem.Anditshallcometopass,thatbeforetheycall,Iwillanswer,andwhiletheyareyetspeakingIwillhear.Thewolfandthelambshallfeedtogether,andthelionshalleatstrawlikethebullock,anddustshallbetheserpent'smeat.Theyshallnothurtnordestroyinallmyholymountain,saystheLord."

When the glorious representationswhich arehere givenus becomelifeand reality,we shall then be truly conscious inwhat a stupendous andcomprehensive sense the dying Redeemer uttered the words, "It isfinished!" At that moment, the entire fullness of deliverance andglorificationtheredepicted,hadbeenwonbyhim,andthenewworld,inallthepreliminaryconditionsofitsrealization,wasformed.

Let us avail ourselves, then, of the treasures of consolation and hopewhich lie concealed for us in the words, "It is finished!" Beating ourbreasts,letusmorecloselyencirclethecross,andderivefromthedeathoftheRedeemer,alongwiththeblissfulconsciousnessthatoursinsareforgivenus,desire,courage,andstrength,tolivehenceforthonlytoHimwhogavesuchaninvaluableransomforus.IfwenowwishtoseewhatHehasmadeofus,poorchildrenofAdam,bytheofferingupofhimself,letuscastalookattheChurchtriumphantabove.Thejustmadeperfecttherewere oncepeople like ourselves.Among themare themalefactor,thetax-collector,Magdalen,Zacchaeus,andahostofotherpoorsinners.Whorecognizesthemintheirglorifiedstate,theirshininggarmentsand

unfadingcrownsoflifebeforethethroneofGod?Butifyouwouldknowhow they attained to this glory, listen to what is said in the book ofRevelations:"Thesearethosewhohavecomeoutofgreattribulation,andhavewashedtheirrobesandmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb."See, my friends, this is the whole of the mystery. In those saints thewords,"Itisfinished!"have,asitwere,assumedaform.Theydisplaytoustheentiregreatnessoftheexpression.Theyformitslivingandvisiblecommentary.Letusthereforefollowintheirsteps.Nootherbannerbutthe cross accompanies us to the city of God. Let us join the band oftravelerswho follow this oriflamme, and let the full-toned echo, whichresounds from the depth of our hearts, to the cry, "It is finished!" beheard both now, and especially in our last hour, "Who is he whocondemns,sinceChristhasdied?"

"Father,intoYourHandsICommitMySpirit!"

WereturntoCalvary.Letdevoutandpeacefulrecollectionspossessourminds. We are entering a sanctuary. Is there, generally speaking,anything on earth more solemn and affecting than dying moments, inwhichtimeandeternitymeeteachother,andinthesilenceofwhichweseemtohearthestrikingofthehoursofanotherworld?Whatoughtwethentofeelatadeathbed,suchasthatwearenowtocontemplate,andatthemoment inwhichtheRedeemerbowshisheadandexpires?Liftupyoureyes.OwhatadyingbedhasbeenpreparedyonderfortheFather'sbelovedSon!Noonewipestheperspirationfromhisbrow.Noonecheershimwiththewordsoflife.Noonepronouncesthefinalbenedictionoverhim.Whoeverlefttheworldmoreforsakenandinvolvedindeepershadesthanhe!Yetdonotmistakehim.Itisnotaconflictinwhichweseehimengaged, but a sacrificial act. He does not yield to death like us, butdevoteshimself to it after having previously invested itwith the poweroverhislife.

Whatisdeath?Forthousandsofyears,asyouknow,hasthegloomyanduniversally dreaded being, known under that name, been in theworld,andcarriedoninithisdreadfulworkofdestruction.Itisnotathingthatexists, but is the fate anddestinyof our race.The young creation, as it

cameforthfromthehandoftheAlmighty,knewnotthismonster.Thereallwaslifeandharmony,undisturbedbyanysuchdiscordasdeath.Thegloomy phantom was first known in the world only by the divinethreateningconnectedwitheatingoftheforbiddenfruit.Inconsequenceofthefall,itentereduponthestageofreality,inorder,thenceforward,asthe king of terrors, to subject everything that breathed to his awfulscepter.Our firstparentswere the firstwhobeheld itdisplay itspowerand majesty on their beloved Abel. O what a terrible object was thatwhichtheywere called towitness!There lay theblooming youth in thedust. The light of his eyes was extinguished; his lips no longer utteredwordsofkindnessandaffection;hislimbs,paleasthelily,andstiffasthecoldmarble.Howeverloudlytheycalledhisname,heopenedhiseyesnomore.Howevermuchtheyconjuredhimwith tears to let themhearhisvoiceoncemore,hewas silent, and the floodsof tearswhich they shedoverhimnolongercausedhispulsetobeat.Andbeforetheywereaware,corruption,withleadenweight,andathousandhorrors,tookpossessionof the corpse, and the poor parents, in spite of all their affection,wereobligedtoturnawaytheir facesfromitwithhorror,andhastento interhim,whowasdeartothemastheappleoftheireye,beneaththesodasfoodforworms.Theythenknew,thoughonlyinpart,whatwasmeantbydeath. From that moment, death continued its dreadful sway over theearth, dropped its gall into every cup of joy, surrounded every lovingbondwith themourningdraperyof thecertainprospect, that soonerorlaterthehourofseparationanddissolutionwouldarrive,andoverspreadallnaturewithablackfuneralpall,evenwhere itbloomedthe loveliest.Andashehasacted for thousandsofyears,hedoes to thisday.Buthewhofirstbecamefullyacquaintedwiththemonster,andwasconsciousofthe horrors thatwere hiddenbeneath its exterior, and learned that theseparation of the body from the soul, which it effects, as well as thedissolution of the former in the kingdom of corruption, was only themildestofitsdoings,sinceasGod'sjudicialmessengerithasalsoorderstodeliverupthesinnertohell,willfullycoincidewiththesonofSirach,andsay,"Odeath,howbitterareyou!"Butcertainlyhewillrejoiceonlythe more loudly when he hears, that there is one who can testify ofhimself, saying, "Ihave thekeysofhellandofdeath!"Anddoes suchabeing exist? you inquire. Yes, my readers, you will now behold hisbleedingface.

Thepaymentofthewagesofsinisdueonlyfromsinners.TheHolyOneof Israel had nothing in commonwith death.What is it, then, thatwewitness on Calvary? Look up! After having uttered the great andtriumphantshout,"Itisfinished!"heagainmoveshislipstospeak.Whatwill follow? A mournful farewell? A plaintive exclamation of, "I mustdeparthence?"Apainfullyfalteringoutofthewords,"Mysensesforsakeme.Isuccumb,andamgoingthewayofallflesh?"Onotso!Listen!Withaloudvoice,andthestrengthandemphasisofonewhodoesnotdiefromweakness,nordyingpaysaforcedtributetoamournfulnecessity;butasonewho is Lord over death, and voluntarily yields himself up to it, heexclaims—and the noise of rending rocks, falling hills, and burstingsepulchers accompany his cry—"Father, into your hands I commit mySpirit!"andafterthesewords,likeonewhoselaborisfinished,hebows,self-acting,hisbleedingheaduponhisbosom,andresignshisSpirit,or,as John expresses it, "gives up the spirit." But before we treat of themighty results which proceed from his death, let us for a momentimmerseourselvesintheconsiderationofthepartingwordoftheDivineSufferer.

"Father!" he begins. He is, therefore, again conscious of his Father,although at first only by faith. The firstwordwe hear fromhis lips onearthwashis father'sname,and it isalso the last.Allhis thoughtsanddeeds,desiresandefforts,endedtowardhisFatherandtheglorifyingofhis name. To accomplish his Father's will was hismeat and drink; theloveofhisFatherhisdelightandbliss;andunionwithhimthesummitofall his hopes and desires.With the heraldic and conquering cry, "It isfinished!"heturnedoncemoretotheworld.Itwashisfarewelltoearth—afarewellsuchasbeseemedtheConquerorofDeath, thePrinceofLife,the Governor of all things. He then withdrew himself entirely intoconnectionwithhisGod,andturnedhisfacetohimalone.

"Father!" This sound was the utterance of regained and strong filialconfidence,butnottheexclamationofonewhohadfullyattainedtorestinhisFather'sbosom.Wemuststillregardthewords,"Father,intoyourhandsIcommitmySpirit,"asthewar-cryofawarrior,engagedinbattle.Hell, which raged around him, did not give up its cause as lost, butcontinued toassaulthim ineveryway, and todistresshimwith terrific

imagery;andtheactofdeathcosthim,whowastheLife,nosmalleffort.Wemust,therefore,imaginetoourselvestheSavior'sdyingexclamationasthatofoneseverelyoppressed,whoisstrugglingtoplacehissoulinasecure asylum, and flees from a horrid pressure into the hands of theAlmighty;andthatthistakingrefugeoccurswiththepeaceandassuranceofcompletevictory.Theideadoesnotevenremotelypresentitselftohim,that death could be anythingmore than a transfer of the Spirit into adifferent sphere of existence. He is exalted, high as heaven, above themiserablehuman inquiry, "Tobeornot tobe?"Heknows thathe fallsasleeponlytoawakeonthebosomofGod;andinthisconsciousness,inwhichhealreadyseesthearmsofhisFatherlovinglyextendedtoreceivehim,heexclaims,"Father,intoyourhandsIcommitmySpirit!"HetakesthesewordsfromPsalm31,exceptthatheprefacesthemwiththeword"Father," which gives the appropriate form to his position and dignity,andleavesoutthewordsofthePsalmistwhichimmediatelyfollow,"Foryouhaveredeemedme,"asnotbelongingtohimwho,astheRedeemeroftheworld,hunguponthecross.Butstillhowsignificantitis,thatheleftthe world with a passage of Scripture on his lips! He was completelyimbuedwiththewordofGod,andevendying,givesusahintrespectingwhatoughttobethenourishmentofourinnerman.

Hislastcryisuttered.Hetheninclineshishead,afterhiswellandfully-accomplishedwork,andthemostunheard-ofeventtakesplace—theSonof the livingGodbecomesacorpse!Westandaffected,astonished,andsinkinadoration;andwhatisleftforusbuttopouroutourheartsinthewordsofthepoet:

"OurspiritsjointoadoretheLamb.OthatourfeebletonguescouldmoveInstrainsimmortalashisname,Andmeltingashisdyinglove!

"InvainourmortalvoicesstriveTospeakcompassionsodivine;NorcanseraphicstrainsarriveAtsuchamazingloveasyour."

WherewastheLordJesusafterhisdeparturefromthebody?Whereelse

than where his desires and longing carried him—in the hands of hisFather. Heaven celebrated his triumph; the music of angelic harpssaluted his ears; the justmade perfect before the throne shouted theiradoringandrejoicingwelcome;andthenewsongbegan,"Youareworthytotake the book, and to open the seals thereof, for youwere slain andhave redeemed us to God by your blood, out of every kindred, andtongue,andpeople,andnation,andhavemadeuskingsandpriestsuntoGod,andweshallreignontheearth."—Rev.5:9,10.

But it isundeniable thatmysteriouspassagesofScripture intimate thatthePrinceofPeace, afterhaving laid asidehis earthly body, hadbynomeans concluded his mission. For the Apostle Peter says in his firstEpistle, 3:19, 20, that Christwent in the Spirit—that is, divested of hisbodily personality—"and preached unto the spirits in prison, whichsometimeweredisobedient,whenoncethepatienceofGodwaited,inthedays of Noah, while the ark was preparing." And supported by thispassage especially, the apostle's creed asserts a descent into hell,immediatelyafterthedeathofChrist.Buttheexplanationofthispassagerequiresgreatcaution.ThattowhichPeterrefers,belongsbynomeanstoany further abasement of the Lord Jesus, much less to his work ofatonement.ThesatisfactionrenderedbytheSuretywasfinallycompletedat the moment of his death. Now, if Christ entered the habitations ofthose departed spirits of the antediluvian world, it was in order toannounce his victory to them, as the words in the original expresslyintimate.Thatitwasalsoinordertopreachrepentanceandofferfaithtothem,andthentoconductthosewhobelieved,aslivingtrophieswithhimintoheaven,weareinducedtothink,whencombiningitwiththoseotherwords of the same apostle, chap. 4:6, "For this cause was the Gospelpreachedalsotothemthataredead,thattheymightbejudgedaccordingtomenintheflesh,butliveaccordingtoGodintheSpirit."Ineverycasewe must be content with not having reached the conclusion of theexpositionofthesepassages;andhenceaveilofmysterycontinuestorestupon the sojournofChrist, during the interval between themoment ofhis death and that of his reunion with the body, as well as upon thecorrectandfullmeaningofthewords,"Hedescendedintohell."

But the reason of Christ's death stands, on the contrary, fully unveiled

beforeus.Evenasuperficialconsiderationsufficestogiveus,atleast,anideaofthecauseofit.Itmust,firstofall,appearextremelystrikingthatan individualdieswho could testify respectinghimself, that hewas theResurrectionand theLife;who,at thegraveofLazarus,at thecoffinofthe youngmanofNain, and at the deathbed of the daughterof Jairus,manifestedthathewasLordoverdeath,andwhohadnevercommittedasingle sin bywhich, in accordancewith the threatening in paradise, hehad forfeited his life. Stillmore does it surprise us, that he becomes apreytodeath,who,becauseaccordingtohisownassertion,noonetookawayhislifefromhim,onlyrequiringtowillit,inordertoescapesuchacatastrophe,andthatthismanexpiresundercircumstanceswhichwouldleadonetosupposethathewasamalefactorandarebel,rejectedbothbyGod and theworld, rather than a righteousman, and even a universalbenefactorofmankind.

Thathediedvoluntarily,isevidenttoeveryoneatfirstsight.Butforwhatenddidhedie thisvoluntarydeath?Was it togiveus theexampleofaheroic departure from the world? By nomeans. How do the words hespokecorrespondwithsuchanobject?"Ihaveabaptismtobebaptizedwith,andhowamIstraiteneduntilitisaccomplished!"Wasitinordertoshowus that dying is an easy thing? Stephenhas certainly givenus aninstanceofthisinhisexitfromtheworld,butnotthemanwhomwehearmoaninginthedarkvalley,andexclaiming,"MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyou forsaken me?" It is usual, from these words, to point out theintentionofhisdeath,butwithoutrightlyknowingwhattheymean; forJesusdies,neitherinaconflictagainstIsrael'sfoes,norinanattempttodeliverfromaburningcityoradevastatinginundation.

Many, again, suppose that he died to confirm his doctrine. But whichdoctrine did he seal on the cross? Was it this, that God is with therighteous?orthis, that"theangelof theLordencampsaboutthemthatfearhim,anddeliversthem?"orthis,that"godlinesshasthepromiseofthe life that now is?" I know not what fresh support these truths havefoundinthecircumstancesofhisdeath;soonershouldwethinkwefoundproofinthemtothecontrary.Besides,noonedoubtedofthesetruths,soas to require a renewed practical confirmation of them. If Christconfirmedanythingbyhisdeath,itwashisassertiononoath,withwhich

he answered the high priest's question, "Are you the Son of the livingGod?"Onaccountof this affirmation, theynailedhim to the cross.Butthattruetohisinmostconviction,hecontinuedfirmlytoabidebyit,hetestifiedbyhissanguinarydeath.

The fact thathedied as such, certainlymakes themysteryofhisdeathcomplete; but the seals of this mystery are opened, and its depthsrevealed. Men enlightened from above, stand ready to afford us everywished-forelucidation.Theydrawneartousatthecross,fromthetimesofboththeoldandnewcovenant,andtheirstatementsillumine,likethecandlestick in the temple, the darkness of Calvary. One of the divineheraldsheads the phalanxwith testifying thatChrist "restoredwhat hetook not away." Another exclaims, "He was wounded for ourtransgressions,thechastisementofourpeacewasuponhim,andwithhisstripeswearehealed."Athird,"BeholdtheLambofGodthattakesawaythesinoftheworld!"Afourth,"Godmadehimtobesinforuswhoknewno sin." And again "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,beingmadea curse forus;"andagain, "Christhas reconciledusby thebodyofhis flesh, throughdeath;" andagain, "Withoneofferinghehasperfected forever themthatare sanctified."Andwith the testimoniesofthesemessengers of God, are combined these of the Lord himself. Forinstance,"TheSonofMancametogivehislifearansomformany;"andagain, "Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abidesalone,but if itdie, itbrings forthmuch fruit."Andmoreespecially, thewordsof the institutionof thesacramentofhisbodyandblood,brokenandshedfortheforgivenessofsins.

Butitmaybesaid,"Wehearthesewords,butarenottheywhichshouldexplain to us this mystery themselves hieroglyphics which requiredeciphering?"Theyareso;andinordertounderstandthemitrequiresaprevious consecration,which,however, isnot impartedby anointing orlayingonofhandsintemplesofhumanerection,butintheprivacyofthecloset, amid grief and tears. Rouse yourselves, therefore, from yourdelusions:leavethemagiccircleofdeceptionintowhichyouarebanned,andenterintothelightoftruth;andafterhavingbecomeacquaintedwiththeEternal, in his nature, as the thrice holy LordGodAlmighty, in itswhole extent, and having received an impression of themajesty of his

law, investigate thenatureof sin, reflect inwhatmanner it isodious inthesightofGod,thenweighyourselvesinthebalancesinwhichGodwillat length weigh you, and, with your estrangement from God, becomeconsciousofyourneedofreconciliationandredemption,andinashorttime,thewordsyouhavejustread,willburnlikeflamingtorchesbeforeyou, and the sanguinary and enigmatical exhibition on the cross, willbecome clear as the day before the eyes of your spirits. You will thenbehold in theManofSorrows, theMediatorbetweenGodandyou,andrejoicingly embrace in his death, the sacrifice that outweighed all yourguilt,andjustifiedyouforeverinthesightofGod.

''Father,intoyourhands,IcommitmySpirit!"Owhatdidhenotcommitto his Father's hands when uttering these words! "And being madeperfect,"writestheapostle,Heb.5:9,"hebecametheauthorofsalvationto all them that obeyhim." Itwas, therefore, necessary that hehimselfshouldbeperfected,asrighteous,byfulfillingthewholelaw;asholy,byvictoriouslyovercomingevery temptation; asSurety,by thepaymentofallourdebts;andasMediatorandReconciler,byemptyingthewholeofthecupofcurseallottedtous.Inalltheserespectshewasperfectedthemomentheexpired,and thushedeposited inhisFather'shands, alongwith his spiritual personality, the basis of the new world, yes, hisredeemed Church itself, as purified in his blood, arrayed in hisrighteousness,apleasingandacceptableofferinginthesightofGod.

Now,ifweareobedienttotheSonofhislove,weknowthatthereisacityofrefugeforusineverysupposablecase.Intowhateverdistresswemayfall,weneednotbeanxiousastoitstermination.WereadinHeb.10:31,"ItisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthelivingGod."Wesay,nolongerfearful,butwhollyblissfultothosewho,aftertheexampleoftheirdyingLord,canbelievinglyresigntheirspiritsintohishands.Iftheworldpersecutes, or Satan tempts us, if death alarms us, or anything elseexcites apprehension, we courageously exclaim, while relying on themeritsofImmanuel,"BecauseIhavemadetheLordmyrefuge,eventheMostHighmyhabitation,thereshallnoevilbefallme."Andwearesurethat this high and lofty asylum is every moment open to receive andshelterus.

O the incomparable privileges which are granted us in Christ! Let us

makegooduseofthem,andcoverthefeetofHim,whoacquiredthemforus, with reverential kisses. Let us peacefully go on our way, in therainbowlightwhichbeamsuponusfromCalvary,andtunethestringsofourheartstogratitudeanddevotedlove.

TheSignsthatFollowed

Scarcely has the Lord of life and glory bowed his head and expired onCalvary,thantheawfulsceneischanged.HeavennolongerwithholdsitsrecognitionoftheManofSorrows.ThecryofthedyingMediator,"It isfinished!" receives the most brilliant confirmation; and in lieu of thehostile tumult, which had hitherto raged around him, a sublimecelebration of his incomparable triumph ensues. Themanner in whichthiscelebration is commenced in heaven and solemnized on earth,willformthesubjectofourpresentmeditation.

Followme first into the temple at Jerusalem. It is three o'clock in theafternoon,thehour,therefore,whentheIsraelitesassembledinitssacredcourtsfortheeveningsacrifice.Thepriestsbegintheircustomaryduties,whenat the verymoment inwhichChrist onCalvary exclaims, "FatherintoyourhandsIcommitmyspirit!"whocandescribetheastonishmentofthesonsofAaron!Thethickly-wovenheavyveil,withoutbeingtouchedby anyhumanhand, is rent in twain, in themidst, from the top to thebottom,andthemercy-seatwiththearkofthecovenantandthegoldencherubim, that sacred depositary which the high priest alone waspermitted toapproach,notwithoutblood,andonlyonceayear, standssuddenlynakedandunveiledtotheviewofeveryone.

Itwas theAlmighty,atwhosenod thiseventoccurred.Andwhatdid itimply? First, a renewed intimation that the Levitical service, thoughdivinelyordered,andpropheticallysignificant,containedonlytypesofacoming salvation, which, now that the latter was accomplished, wererenderedvoid,evenastheblossomisexpelledbythefruit.

Secondly,asymbolicalandobviousrepresentationoftheblissfuleffects,whichshouldattendthebloodydeathtowhichtheLordofGloryhadjust

devotedhimself onCalvary.Themostholyplace in the templewas theshadowandtypeofthethrone-roomofheaven,fromwhichwehadbeenejectedandexcludedbyadivinedecree.Theveilwhichseparatedusfromit,wasoursinful flesh. "Whoshallascend into thehillof theLord,andwhoshall stand inhisholyplace?"hadbeen thequestionhitherto;andtheanswerwas,"Hewhohascleanhandsandapureheart;whohasnotlifted up his soul unto vanity." But who could boast of being thusblameless in the sight of God? There was none righteous, no not one."Whoamongus,"was the inquiry, "candwellwithdevouring fire?Whocan dwell with everlasting burnings?" And the reply was, he who doesrighteousness. But what remained for any one, except the mournfulejaculationoftheprophet,"Woeisme,forIamundone,forIamamanofuncleanlips!"Righteousnesshaddeparted,sinreigned.Suddenly,thesigninthetempleannouncesthatourposition,asregardsthehabitationoftheMostHigh,hadundergoneagreatandthoroughchange.Andsuchitactuallyexperienced.ThatwhichhinderedouraccesstothesanctuaryofGod,wasdoneaway.Thatwhichelevateditselfasawallofseparationbetween us and him, fell down. No danger any longer threatened himwho wished to enter into the heavenly abodes, over whose gates theinscriptionflames,"TheLordisfarfromthewicked."Thereisnolongeranyriskincastingourselvesintothehandsofhim,beforewhomeventheangels are not pure. Embrace the cross, and then courageously say toMoses, "Tear up your roll of curses against me, I no longer owe youanything!" Believe, and then meet the infernal accuser with theexclamation,"TheLordrebukeyou,Satan,yes,theLordthathaschosenJerusalem,rebukeyou!"PutontheLordJesusChrist,andthenyoumayboldlyandwithchildlike confidence, enter theFather'sholyhabitation,whichhenceforwardstandsopentoyoudayandnight.Washyourrobesin the blood of the Lamb, and then cast yourself, with childlikeconfidence,ontheFather'sheart,andpoureverythingthatharassesandoppresses you intohisbosom.O layholdof theblissful idea,which, inGod'sintention,andbyhisimmediatearrangement,therentintheveilofthetempleportraystoyou!YourSavior,byhisdeath, threwopeneverydoorandgateinheaven.

Butwouldyoustillinquire,whetherwearereallyjustifiedingivingthatrentintheveilofthesanctuarysuchanencouragingmeaning;knowthat

we are fully authorized to do so. Read what the apostle says in Heb.10:19-23,"Having,therefore,brethren,boldnesstoenterintotheholiestbythebloodofJesus,byanewandlivingway,whichhehasconsecratedforusthroughtheveil,thatistosay,hisflesh;andhavinganHighPriestover the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in fullassuranceof faith,havingourhearts sprinkled fromanevil conscience,andourbodieswashedwithpurewater."Yousee,therefore,thataccesstotheholyplaceisopenedtous,andthatthewaytoourFather'shouseisprepared for us. "By whom?" By Jesus Christ. "In what manner?" Bymeansofarentintheveil.ThisveilwasthefleshofthegreatHighPriest.Theveilwasrentwhenheoffereduphishumannatureonthecrossforus, after taking, by imputation, our sins upon himself. By this act ofmediation, he answered and fulfilled everything requisite for ourjustification in the sight of God, and, therefore, also for our admissionbefore the throneofGod.Hence, at themomentwhenhe expired, thattook place substantially, which the samemoment occurred typically inthetemple.

WeleavetheedificeatJerusalem,whichhasnowlostitsimportance,andreturn toCalvary,wherea secondmiraclemeetsus. "Theearth quakes,therocksrend."Whatdoesthisimply?Somethinggreatandglorious.ThedeathoftheMediatorhasdecidedthefutureoftheoldworld.Itis,withall its concerns, devoted to destruction, and awaits a great andcomprehensive change. Hear what is said in Heb. 12:21, 26—"Whosevoice then shook the earth; but nowhehas promised, saying, Yet oncemoreIshakenottheearthonly,butalsoheaven.Andthisword,yetoncemore signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, that thosethingswhichcannotbeshakenmayremain."Thepresentcreationisnotwhat it was originally. Sin entered into it and overspread it with thefuneralpallofmortality,andthemourningdressofendlessdestruction.Innumerablerelations innatureaswellas inhumansociety, contradictthe divine plan of the Creator, and have disturbed the harmony whichGodintroducedintotheworld.Thesediscordsweretheconsequencesofthe fall. But after sinhadbeen againput away through the satisfactionmadeby theRedeemer, its consequencesmust also naturally find theirgrave. The blood of the Lamb demands the restoration of the originalstate of created things. And believeme, the quaking of the earth to its

veryfoundations,thetotteringofthehillsandmountains,therendingoftherocks,whichattendedtheLord'sdeath,allthesearenothingelsebutanamenofAlmightyGodtothedemandofthebloodofhisSon,clothedinthesymbolicalphenomenaofnature."Thefashionofthisworldpassesaway," says the apostle, 1 Cor. 7:31, and the pleasing vision of John,recorded inRev. 21:1-3—"I saw anewheaven and anew earth; for thefirstheavenandthefirstearthwerepassedaway,andtherewasnomoresea.And I, John, saw theholy city,newJerusalem, comingdownfromGodoutofheaven,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband.AndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheaven,saying,BeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmen,andhewilldwellwiththem,andtheyshallbehispeople,andGodhimselfshallbewiththem,andbetheirGod,"mustbefulfilled.

Thethirdwonderoughttoaffectourheartsinthemostpowerfulmanner.Not only do rocks in the neighborhood of Calvary rend, but ancientsepulchersofsaints,longfallenasleep,areopened,andthecorpsestheyconceal,invigoratedbynewlife,begintostirandmove,inorder,aftertheresurrection of the Illustrious Sleeper, likewise to go forth from theirchambers,andtoappearuntomanyintheholycity.

Whatanevent! It is certainly somewhat veiled inmysterious obscurity,andgivesrisetoavarietyofquestions.Wastheawakeningofthesedeadbodiescompleteatonce,orwas itaccomplishedbydegrees?And if theformerwere thecase,wheredid the reanimated formsremainuntil theresurrectionofChrist?Didtheycontinueintheirsepulchersduringthatperiod?Thisisscarcelycredible.Andwhentheyafterwardarose,inwhatbodydidtheyappear?Inthatspiritualonespokenof in1Cor.15?If inthe latter,howcanChristbe called "the first-fruitsof them that slept?"Yousee,myreaders,thatthequestionissurroundedwithdifficulties.ButitseemstomethatthecircumstancelastmentionedofChristbeingcalledthefirst-fruitsoftheresurrection,compelsustobelievethatathisdeath,the graves only opened as a preceding intimation of what wouldafterwardoccur;andasthefirstdawnofapproaching life,propheticallyflashingovertheslumberingremains;whilethereunionofthedepartedspirits with their bodies only took place three days after, on the greatEastermorning.But the fact itself is beyond a doubt, andwould standfast, even without being confirmed by many of the inhabitants of

Jerusalem,towhomtheevangelistsappealforitshistoricaltruth.

But thatwhichGod intendedby thismiracle is sufficientlyevident.Thepowerful effects of Christ's vicarious death reach down even to thedomainsof thedead.By theofferingupofhis own life, hebecame thePrinceofLife.Evenintheappallingregionsofcorruption,heoverthrewthe throne of him,who, according to the Scriptures, "had the power ofdeath,"andacquiredtheauthority,notonlytoconductthesoulshehadredeemedtothemansionsofeternalpeace,butalsotowresttheirbodiesfromthebondsofthecurse,andinduetimetopresenthispeopletohisFather, entirely renewed to their original paradisaic form, in bodily aswellasspiritualglorification.ThistruththeAlmightyintendedprimarilyto confirmby themiracle of the previous opening of the graves,whichwas connected with the death of Christ, and then by the actualresurrectionofthebodiesofthesaintsonthethirdday.

Who were these first trophies of the glorious conqueror of the king ofterrors?Was Abraham among them, towhom it was promised that heshouldsee,inaverypeculiarmanner,thedayoftheLord?WasMoses,ofwhom the Apostle Jude relates, that Satan strove with the heavenlypowersabout his body?Thenarrative leaves uswithout a reply, and isalsosilentastotheappearancepresentedbytherisensaints,whoweremade visible to many in the holy city; and when, where, and in whatmanner theywere afterward taken up to heaven. Themission of thosewhowerethuscalledfromthedustofthegrave,waslimitedtoonething,namely,torepresentthedeathofJesusasaneventwhichoperatedwithcreativepower,bothinthepast,thepresent,andthefuture,andnotlessinthedepththanintheheight,andtogiveactualproofoftheexceedinglyabundantandwell-groundedcausewehavetorejoicebeneaththecrossofChrist, and to saywith theapostle, "Odeath,where is your sting?Ograve,whereisyourvictory?Thestingofdeathissin,andthestrengthofsinisthelaw;butthanksbetoGodwhichgivesusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist."1Cor.15:55-57.

ThustheatoningdeathofChristwassolemnizedinamajesticmannerbydivine signs and wonders, which commenced immediately beneath thecross.Wearenotindeedawareofanyfestivepomp,nordoesthemusicofharps and cymbals meet our ear. But in the deepest center of the

intellectual world, the bells ring, the garlands wave, and every feeling,which rises in the hearts of those who celebrate it at the cross, is likeinstrumental and vocal music. Who are these silent assistants at thesolemnity?Hewho first attracts our attention is theRoman centurion,thecommanderof thebandof soldierswhowatch thecross.Mute,andapparently lost in thought, he stands and looks up to the cross of theDivineSufferer.Hehaswitnessedthewholecourseofthecrucifixion.HebeheldtheadmirablebehavioroftheMysteriousMan.Helistenedtothewordswhichproceededfromhisbleedinglips,andatthemomentwhentheJustOneexpired,he felt theearth tremblebeneathhis feet;andhesawalsowithhisowneyes,howthehillsaroundtottered,andtherockswererentasunder.Theemotions,whichhaduntilthenaffectedhissoul,compressedthemselvesintoonepowerfulandappallingimpression,andhegivesventtohisfeelingsintheloudandunambiguousexclamation,inwhichhepraisedthetrueGod,theGodofIsrael,saying,"Certainlythiswasarighteousman,thiswastheSonofGod!"

Wemust not be too anxious to knowwhat the centurionmeant by thelatterexpression.Hewascertainlynodogmatician,noraJewinstructedinthecatechism,butonlyapoor,blindheathen.ButaccordingtoallthathehadseenoftheManofNazareth,hedoubtednotthathemustbemorethan a man, and according to the presentiment which had takenpossessionofhissoul,heregardedhimas,infact,nootherthantheSonofGod,foretoldintheJewishScriptures.Nordiditrequireaveryfinelypolishedmentalmirror toexpress thereflectionof thedivinedignityofJesus.Evena crude,buthonestheathensoldier'sheartwasa sufficientmirrorforit,Butsee!Notonlythecenturion,butalsoseveralofhistroopare overpowered by feelings similar to his own; and astonished andthrilled with a sacred reverence, join in his confession, or murmursomething of the kind. What a pleasing and significant occurrence! Anumberofblindheathen,amongthemprobablyeventhosewhohadbeentheinstrumentsofJesus'crucifixion,atamoment,when,withhiscause,heseemed irretrievably lost,givehim, inspiteofaworldofopponents,thegloryof the candid confession, thathe is theSonof the livingGod,andsurpriseus,likearadiantconstellationinthedarknessofthenight,with a truly heart-cheering anticipation of that which should in futurecometopass.

Omydearreaders,youhaveseenandheardnotmerelythatwhichthoseheathens saw and heard, but something infinitely greater and moreimportant.Youarewitnessesofthefact,thatChrist'sdeathonthecrossnotonlyrenttherocksandmadethehillstotremble,butliftedthewholeorderof theoldworld fromits jointsandhinges,andpushed it intoanentirelynewpath.Yousawfromthatdeath,aresurrection-beamdart,notmerelyoverafewbodiesofsleepingsaints,butthefierystreamofanewanddivinelifepouritselfoverthewholegraveyardoftheearth.Youarenot only aware of the rending of the veil in the temple, at themomentwhen the great Sufferer expired, but also of the rending of a propheticcoveringwhichhad existed for four thousand years, in order thatwhatwasconcealedunderit,asideaandimage,mightberealizedintheworld,even in its minutest features. You not only heard the dying Saviormajesticallygladdenasinglemalefactorwiththepromise,"Thisdayshallyou be withme in paradise;" but are aware, that to this hour, no oneunderheavenglows,eitherwithpurelovetoGod,orattainstothoroughpeaceamidthedarknessandstormsofthislife,untilhehaslifteduptheeyeof faith to that thorn-crownedhead,whichbenignantlybeholds thehumanraceforthelasteighteencenturies,andcontinuesunobscured,inspite of hell, for the consolation of every penitent sinner; and that thefield,beitfamily,orstate,orchurch,overwhichthecrossdoesnotcastitswonder-workingshadow,producesonlythehemlockandthebrambleof perdition, but never "yields the scent of a field which the Lord hasblessed."Allthesethingshavebeenbroughtbeforeyou,andyouaredailyconversantwiththem;andcanyoudelaytodetachyourselves,resolutely,fromanunbelievingworld,andtomaketheconfessionofthoseheathensoldiers your own; and while thus paying homage to the Son of God,mingleintheirpeacefulsolemnizationofhisdeath?

TheRomanmercenariesarenothowevertheonlyindividualsonCalvarywhopaytheirtributeofreverencetothedeceasedSavior.Itisdonemoreprofoundlyand ferventlyby thegroupofweepingwomenwho followedtheMaster from Galilee andministered unto him. Even in death theycannotleavehim.Theystillclingtohimwiththeirloveandhope,likeivytothefallentree.Dulymarkthesacredfirewhichburnsinthecenteroftheir hearts. It is the fire of the purest enthusiasm for true moralgreatness.Thisenthusiasmcannotweephopelessly,muchlessrestona

mere deception. The kingdom of that which is venerable, noble, andbeautiful,musthavereality,duration,andexistence.Christisthekingofthiskingdom,andmustforevercontinuetobeso.Youbelovedsouls,donotdespairofthiskingdom,eventhoughthewholeworldshoulddeclareittobeanidledream.Italoneisreality,andwillhavethevictoryunderall circumstances. Let us therefore all join ourselves to it. Let us alladdress the crucified Redeemer, and say, "We side with you, youbeauteousMorningStar!"Letus giveourwordandourhands, thatwewillwalkinhispaths,throughwhateverstraitsanddifficultiestheymayleadus.Extend towardusyourhand, therefore, youwhoare estrangedfrom all that is low and vain, and teach us to elevate our nature byfollowinginyoursteps!

Let these be the ejaculations which rise from our breasts beneath thecross.But know that the celebrationofhisdeathdoesnot terminate insuchmoral enthusiasm for theLord andhis kingdom.ThewomenhadfoundinJesusmorethanamodelofhumanityandaguidingstarinthepath of virtue. They felt their need, above all things, of a Surety, whoshould mediate their reconciliation with God, in order that in thestrength of this consciousness, and with the assistance of a reconciledGod,thebeginningofanewlifemightbemade.Andtheybelievedthatthey had really found the object of their ardent desires in their greatMaster.Butdid they give up their belief at his death? Itwas doubtlessdeeply shaken by the sanguinary exit of theirDivine Friend out of thislife;butthesignstheyhadjustwitnessed,swelled, likeafavorablegale,the sails of their hope anew, and seemed to them nothing less than avoiceoftheirheavenlyFather,sayingtothem,"Endureandwait,forheisnevertheless the man whom you held him to be." And however weakmight be the glimmering of their confidence, yet they celebrated theirreconciliation through the blood of the Lamb, although more in hopethan in a clear consciousness of its being the case. O let us enter intofellowshipwiththem!Theonlyreal,true,andfullcelebrationofthedeathofChrististhatwhichisbaseduponthesongoftheblessedabove."TheLambthatwasslain,isworthytoreceivepraise,andhonor,andglory!"

Letsuchbealsoourcelebrationof it.WereadintheGospelthatmany,who had likewise been witnesses of the divine wonders at the cross,

returned to Jerusalem, in great amazement, beating their breasts. Thestateof thesepeoplepointsout toyou thepreparation fora real "GoodFriday."Othattheremaynotbeoneofmyreaders,whothroughdivinemercy, isnotplaced inthispreparatorystate!Beawarewhatenormousguilt, apart from your other sins you incur, by so long refusing duehomageandsubmission toaLordandKingsopowerfullyaccreditedasJesusuponthecross.Othatyouwouldtakeitdeeplytoheart,andnowbegin to humble yourselves before God! Youwould then soon be able,withbeamingcountenancetosing,

"Oforthislove,letrocksandhillsTheirlastingsilencebreak;AndallharmonioushumantonguesTheSavior'spraisesspeak!

"Yes,wewillpraiseyou,dearestLordOursoulsareallonflame,Hosannaroundthespaciousearth,Toyouradoredname!"

TheWoundoftheLance

OnourreturntothesceneofsufferingonCalvary,wefindagreatchangehastakenplace.Profoundsilencereignsonthethreecrosses.Death,thespeechlessmonster, has spread his sable wings over the sufferers. Thegazingcrowdwhichsurroundedtheplaceofexecution,hasdispersed—inpart,deeplyaffectedandconscience-smitten.Eventhelittlecompanyoffaithfulwomen,almostreadytosuccumbwithgriefandsorrow,appeartohavereturnedtothecity.WethereforefindonlytheRomanguard,andbesides them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who, after he had safelylodgedMary inhispeacefulcottage,couldnotresist theurgent impulsetoseekagaintheplacewherehe,thatwasalltohim,hungonthecross.Who could we have wished as a witness to the last event on Calvarysoonerthanthissober-mindedandsanctifieddisciple?Herelatestous,inallsimplicity,whathetherebeheld;buthisdeeply-affectedheart lieswhollyopenbeforeus,withallitsthoughtsandfeelings,inhisbriefand

unadornednarrative.

The priests and scribes, accustomed to strain at a gnat and swallow acamel,donotthinkoftheheinousblood-guiltinesstheyhadincurred,butonly of the prevailing custom in Israel, to take down from the gibbets,wheretheyhadbeenexposedtopublicview,asawarningtoothers,thebodies of malefactors, and inter them before night. This custom wasfoundedonanexpressdivinecommand.WereadinDeut.21:22,23,"Ifamanhavecommittedasinworthyofdeath,andhebeputtodeath,andyouhanghimonatree,hisbodyshallnotremainallnightuponthetree,but you shall in anyway bury him that day; (for he who is hanged isaccursedofGod)thatyourlandbenotdefiled,whichtheLordyourGodgives you for an inheritance." This is a strange andpeculiar ordinance,whichweshouldscarcelyhavebeenabletoaccountfor,hadnottheSpiritof the Lord himself presented us with the key to it. The fact that Godpoints out those that are hung as especially burdened with his curse,compelledthemorethoughtfulinIsraeltoinferthattherewassomethingtypicalinit;becauseawickedman,thoughnotthusputtodeath,couldnotreallybe lessaccursedthanonewhosedeadbodywasthuspubliclyexhibited.Thusthedivinecommandto inter thebody,andthepromiseconnectedwithit,"Soshallyouburywithitthecursethatrestsupontheland,"unfoldedtheconsolingprospectthataremovalandblottingoutofguiltwasactuallypossible.Butsince it followed,ofcourse, that itcouldnotbeaffectedby themere intermentofexecutedmalefactors, the ideamusthaveoccurred to them that in thedivine counsels, the removalofthecursewould,atafutureperiod,beactuallyaccomplishedbythedeathand burial of some prominent mysterious personage. Now, whenbelieving Israelites hit upon such thoughts, their ideas were inaccordance with God's intention, who, in the ordinance respectingmalefactorsthathadbeenputtodeath,hadnootherobjectinviewthanaprophetic symbolizing of the future redemption by Christ. The latter isclearly evident from Gal. 3:13, 14, where the apostle says, "Christ hasredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus(foritiswritten,Cursed is every one thathangson a tree) that"—instead of thecurse—"the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles throughJesusChrist."HereChristisundeniablysetforthastheantitypeofthosewhowerehangedinIsrael.Onthecrossheborethecurseforus,andin

doing this, died the public death of a criminal. But after he hadcommended his Spirit, as a voluntary offering into the hands of hisFather,thecursethatlayupontheearthanditsinhabitants,wasactuallyinterredwithhis body, since all that believeonhimare freed from thecurse,andbecomeheirsofanincorruptibleandheavenlyblessing.

Hence,howdeeply significantdoes the sceneonCalvaryappear,whichwearenowcontemplating!Thepeoplethatareactingtheredonotindeedknowwhattheyaredoing.Butthisdoesnotpreventthemfrombeingled,byaninvisibleclue,inthehandofdivineProvidence.Withoutreflectingfurther, they call tomind the letterof theMosaic law, andbelievetheyoughttohastenwiththetakingdownthebodiesfromthecross,inordertotheirinterment,bothbecausethedaybegantodecline,andbecauseitisthepreparationforthegreatSabbath—thatofthefeastofthepassover,andhencepeculiarly holy. They, therefore, proceed in a body toPilate,andrequesthimtocausethelegsofthethreecriminalstobebroken,aswascustomary,thentobetakendown,andafterwardinterred.

Thegovernordoesnothesitate togrant their request,andsends,at thesametime,anotherguardtotheplaceofexecutiontobreakthelegsofthemalefactors,andtoconvincethemselvesoftheirbeingreallydead.Itwasconsideredanact ofmercy to those thatwere crucified, tohasten theirdeathbybreaking their limbswithan ironbar, and thengiving themafinalcoupdegraceonthebosom.Thebeginningwasmadewiththetwomalefactors,butwhentheturncametotheLordJesus,everysignofhisbeing already dead was so apparent, that the breaking of his legs wasthoughtneedless,especiallyasoneofthespearmenpiercedhissidewithhislance,whichalonewouldhavesufficedtohavecausedhisdeath,hadtheDivineSuffererbeenstillalive.

Intheabstract,thisoccurrenceappearsofextremelytriflingimportance;buttheEvangelistJohn,whosoexpresslystatesit,regardeditwithothereyes.InthetwofoldfactoftheSavior'slimbsnotbeingbroken,andofhissidebeingpiercedby the lance,he recognizesadivine interposition,bywhich two ancient prophecieswere fulfilled. "These thingswere done,"sayshe,"thattheScripturesshouldbefulfilled.Aboneofhimshallnotbebroken."Thiswassaidinreferencetothepaschallamb(Exod.12:46),towhichtheevangelisthereexpresslyattributesthesignificanceofthetype

oftheLambofGod,offeredupforthesinsoftheworld.Asashadowofhimthatwas tocome, thepaschal lambwas tobeamale,and inorderespecially to intimate the holiness of him who was prefigured, it wasrequired to be without blemish. But that not a bone of him was to bebroken,wasintendedtopointout,thatChristwouldofferhimselfasanatonement to God, whole and undivided; and those who desired tobecomepartakers of his salvation,must appropriate him to themselvesentirely.TheLordalso,inthatappointment,aimedattheestablishmentof an additional sign, which, when the Messiah should appear, wouldcontributeclearly tomakehimknowntoeveryone.AndJohnseemstosaytousinhisnarrative,"Beholdherethepredictedsign!"Thefact,thatthe sacred vessel of his body remained unmutilated, impresses theconfirmingsealupontheillustriousdeceased,asthetrueatoningPaschalLamb.He is therighteousOne,ofwhom it is said inPsalm34:20, "Hekeepsallhisbones;notoneofthemisbroken."

Inthewoundwiththespear,theevangelistseesthefulfillmentofanotherpassageofScripture."Again,"continueshe,"anotherScripturesays,Theyshall look on him whom they pierced." The word of the Lord by theprophet Zechariah, chap. 12:10, presents itself to hismind, where it issaid, "Iwill pourupon thehouseofDavid andupon the inhabitants ofJerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications, and they shall lookupon me whom they have pierced." This passage was an inexplicableriddle to the Jews, on which account, in the Greek version of theSeptuagint,theoriginalword,withoutanygroundforsodoing,insteadof"pierced,"hasbeenrendered"degrade"or "despised."But theonly truemeaningofthesepropheticwordshas,sincethen,beenmadeevidenttothousands,andwillbecomesotothousandsmore—yes,eventothewholeworld, either in the day of grace or of judgment. Either theywho havehithertodeniedChrist thehomageduetohim,shallbe laidholdofandenlightenedby theHolySpirit, andwithweepingeyesand supplicatinghearts,shalllookuptohim,inthepainfulconsciousnessofhavingaided,by their sins, in crucifying the Lord of Glory; or they shall experiencewhat the apostle announces beforehand, in the book of Revelation,"Beholdhecomeswithclouds,andeveryeyeshallseehim,andtheyalsowhich pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because ofhim.Evenso.Amen."

Thusyouseehowtheprofoundevangelistdiscovers,inallthatoccursonCalvary, even in the most unimportant circumstance, a striking divinehieroglyphic, which has solely reference to the acknowledgment andglorificationofChristasthetrueandpromisedMessiahandRedeemeroftheworld.Butwhodoesnotperceive,thatinallthesevariousevents,thehand of a living God overrules, and causes them to occur in such amanner,thatonepassageofprophecyafteranotherisfulfilledbythemtothe letter? How highly the evangelist estimates them as a means ofstrengtheningourfaith,heproves,veryimpressively,bythewords,"Andhewhosawit,barerecord,andhisrecordistrue,andheknowsthathesays true, that youmight believe." It is not, however, the taking downfromthecross,thewoundofthespear,andthepreservationofthesacredbodyofChristfrommutilation,thatJohnhassolelyinviewinthewordsabovequoted;butitis,moreespecially,theeffusionofthewaterandtheblood from the Savior's wounded side, in which he recognizes nothingless than a profound and divine symbol of the saving power of theheavenlyPrinceofPeace.

The narrative states, that "one of the soldiers with a spear pierced hisside, and forthwith there came there out blood andwater." It has beensupposedthatJohnlaidsomuchstressuponthiscircumstance,becausehebelieved itmight serve to refute certainerroneous spiritsofhis day,whoassigned toChristan imaginaryandnotarealbody. It iscertainlypossiblethat, ingivinghisaccountof thematter,hewaspartly inducedbysuchamotive.Butitisthemiraculousnatureoftheeventthatchieflyexcited his interest in it. In dead bodies the blood always coagulates,whilefromthewoundabovementioned,onthecontrary,itflowedclearlyand abundantly, unmixed with the water which burst forth from thepiercedpericardiumofhisheart,andrandownfromthecross.ItwasasifthegreatHighPriestintendedtosay,eveninhisdeath,"Behold,Ishedmybloodvoluntarily,andofferitupinentirefullnessforyoursins."Butthatwhichmostdeeplyaffectedthesoulof thebeloveddisciplewasthedivinesymbolheperceivedbeneaththewondrousevent.InthewaterandthebloodheseesrepresentedthemostessentialblessingsofsalvationforwhichtheworldisindebtedtoChrist.Weknowthatinhisfirstepistlehepointsoutthefactofhiscomingwithwaterandblood,aswellaswiththeHoly Spirit, as themost peculiar characteristic of the Redeemer of the

world; and who does not perceive, in these words, that the wondrouseventonCalvarymusthavebeenpresenttohismind?

Butwhatdothesethreeelementsimply?And,firstofall,thewater—doesit imply baptism? Doubtless it has a remote reference even to thatordinance.Butwaterchieflysymbolizes to theevangelist, inaccordancewith the figurative language throughout theHoly Scriptures, themoralpurifying power of the word of Christ—yes, the atmosphere of hiskingdom.WherevertheGospelpenetrates,itchangesthemoralaspectofnations,apartfromregenerationandconversion,inthemorelimitedandspecific sense of these words. Decorum and mental culture expelbarbarism.Disciplineandorder take theplaceof a licentious serviceofsin.Animalcarnalityfindsat least itsbound, intherisingapprehensionofa superior ideologyofhuman life.Theconsciencesof the childrenofmenbecomemoresensitiveandrefined;andmodesty,as thekeeperofgoodmanners,erectsamongthemitsthrone.Evenasjusticeestablishesits claims in legislation and civil institutions, so does also love. Menbecome conscious of the obligation for mutual assistance and kindoffices.Attentiontothepoorandthesickerectsitshospitals,andopensto the destitute its places of refuge. There is nothing which is notcemented,ennobled,and transfigured,assoonasaffectedby thegentlebreathoftheChristianreligion.Compareeventhemostdegradedofthenations of Christendom with any of the heathen, and even with theMohammedan,andsay, if incomparisonwiththese, theymaynot, inageneral sense of theword, be termed regenerated? It is in theseeffectsthat the water-power of Christ and his Gospel manifests itself. It wasthese results, especially, which the Almighty had in view when hepromised by the prophet Ezekiel, chap. 36:25, saying, "Then will Isprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. From all yourfilthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you." The apostledoubtless refers to the same effects in Heb. 10:22, when he speaks of"havingourbodieswashedwithpurewater."And, in thesamemanner,John the Baptist, when he said, "I baptize you with water," whilereferring,atthesametime,toanotherbaptism—that"withtheSpiritandwithfire,"whichhealonecouldaccomplishwhoshouldcomeafterhim.

Sufficeittosaythatbymeansofhisword,andtheplantingofhisChurch,

a moral purification, ennobling and transforming the human race,emanatesfromChrist,andtotheseresults,thewaterwhichflowedfromJesus'openedside,symbolicallypoints.

Butwateralonewouldnothavesavedus.Wearedeeplyinvolvedinguiltin the sight of God; and though we might cease, from this time, toaccumulate fresh guilty yet our former offenses would not, on thataccount, be undone and blotted out. Besides, notwithstanding all thecleansing and ennobling of our lives by the Word—when measuredaccording to the model of the divine requirements—we remain poorsinnersasbefore,andexposedtothecurse.Wethereforeneed,besidesamoralreformation,andmoreurgentlythanthat,adeliverancefromthesentenceofcondemnationwhichimpendedoverus,andabeingreplacedinastateofgrace.Forthisnecessity—themosturgentofall—thatwhichis requisite is supplied by the blood we see streaming, along with thewater,fromthewoundedsideofJesus.Itpointsouttheransompaidforour guilt, once for all before God; as well as the atoning sacrifice, bymeans of which the reconciliation of divine justice with God's love tosinnersisbroughtabout,andouracceptancewithoutanyinfringementofthe former rendered possible. The blood flowed separately from thewater; justificationmustnotbemingledwith,muchlessexchangedfor,personal amendment. That which again recommends us to the love ofGodissolelythemeritsofChrist,andbynomeansthepiece-workofourownvirtue.Certainly,unionby faithand lifewithChrist is requisiteonourparts,butinChrist'srighteousness,andinthatalone,dowereceivetheabsolutionfromdeservedpunishment;evenas,foritssakealone,wearereinstatedintheprivilegesofdivineadoption.Conversionmakesuscapable of blessedness; but the blood of the Lamb alone renders usworthyofit.

Butweknowthatwaterandbloodbynomeansexhausttheexhibitionofthe saving efficacy of Christ'smerits. There are three, says the apostle,that testify forhimandofhimonearth—thewater(themoralpowerofthe Word), the blood (the atoning and peace-bringing effect of hisvicarious sufferings), and theHoly Spirit, who notmerely amends, butrenews;notonlyprunesawaythetwigsfromthetreeofsin,butrootsitup,andplantsinitsplacethescionofanessentiallynewbeingandlife.

He who passes through the world adorned with the threefold seals ofsuch powerful credentials, cannot be otherwise than from above, andmustbetheRedeemerandMessiahordainedofGod.Johnregardsitasscarcelypossiblethatanyonecanmistakethis,andvehementlyurgesusto swear fealty tohim alongwith himself,whilemost impressively andaffectinglyexclaiming,"Hewhosawitbarerecord,andhisrecordistrue;andheknowsthathesaystrue,thatyoumightbelieve."

Letus,then,alsobelieve,dearreaders,thatwemaylikewiseexperiencethe Lord of Glory asHimwho comes with water, blood, and theHolySpirit—that is, cleansing, reconciling, and regenerating. Let us giveourselves wholly and without reserve to Him, after he has thus givenhimselfuptodeathforus,andsaywiththepoet,

"Letthewaterandtheblood,Fromyourwoundedsidewhichflowed,Beofsinthedoublecure,Cleanseusfromitsguiltandpower."

TheInterment

After all the heart-affecting and appalling scenes we have beenwitnessing,howbeneficialtoourspiritsisthesolemnstillnessthatnowreignsonCalvary!ItisthepreparationfortheSabbath,andtousitseemsjustasifweheardthegentlesoundoftheSabbath-bellsreachingusfroma distance. The Gospel narrative which details to us the circumstancesattendingourLord'sbeingtakendownfromthecross—hisbeinglaid inthegrave—andthewatchwhichwassetoverit—produceinusatranquiland peaceful feeling. It is our last meditation on the history of ourSavior'spassion.MaythepeaceofGod,whichpassesunderstanding,bethepreciousfruitthatweshallderivefromit!

The crowd have vacated the summit of Calvary. The Roman guard,however, remains.Whether Johnwas also there, we are not informed.Profound silence reigns around. The bodies of the twomalefactors aretaken down from their crosses, and their graves are being dug. The

crucified Redeemer, with his head crowned with thorns, and recliningupon his bosom, still hangs solitarily between heaven and earth. Youinquire what will next occur to his lifeless corpse? We need not beanxious, my readers. His heavenly Father has already made everyarrangement. The grave-diggers are ordered, and the vault prepared.Who is to inter him? According to the law, it was the duty of theexecutioners toburyhimon theplaceof execution.ButGodordered itotherwise.AfterthegreatHighPriest'satoningsacrificehadbeenofferedup,hewasnottobesubjectedtoanyfurtherignominy.Thiswouldhavebeen contrary to the order of thedivine statutes. If hehadbroughthiscausetoasuccessfulandtriumphanttermination,honorandgloryalonewerehenceforthhisdue.SuchwasalsothejudgmentofAlmightyGod.AfuneralwastobegiventohisSon,inthecircumstancesattendingwhich,even the blindest might perceive the overruling hand of Eternal Love.Two honorable men—honorable not only in the eyes of men, but alsobeforeGod—areentrustedwiththeintermentofImmanuel'scorpse;andacompanyoftriedfemaledisciples,towhomitwillbeaconsolationtobepermitted to bathe the sacred body with their grateful tears, are to bejoinedwiththem.

Let us not anticipate the narrative.We leaveMount Calvary for a fewmoments,and takeour stand in thecityofJerusalem.Who is it that iswalking so hastily up the street that leads to the palace of the Romangovernor? The man seems to be the bearer of some importantcommission.Hiscountenanceexpressesit,andhishastebetraysit.Whoishe?Jerusalemknowshim,andnumbershimamongherprincipalandmost estimable citizens. It is Joseph, surnamed of Arimathea, hisbirthplace,whichlayonthemountainsofEphraim—amanhonoredwiththeuniversalconfidenceofhistribe,andat thesametimeamemberofthehighestJewishcourtofjustice—theSanhedrin.Assuch,hehadbeenpersonallypresentatthewholeoftheproceedingsagainstJesus;andinthecourseofthemhadacquiredavitalconviction,notonlyoftheperfectinnocence of the accused, but also of something more. He "had notconsentedtothecounselanddeed"ofhisassociates,butyethehadnothad the courage to enter a strong and decided protest against it. ThesentencepronouncedupontheJustOnehadexcitedhisabhorrence;buta lamentable fear of man had prevented him from doing more than

withholdinghisconsent.Christwasledawaytoexecution,andJoseph,inspirit,withhim,sofarashewasseverelyjudgedandcondemnedbyhisownconscience.Thebloodyexecutiontookplace.WeknownotwhetherJosephbehelditfromadistance,orlearneditsdetailsfromanother.Beitas it may, before he was aware, and while under the influence of apowerful presentiment that the affair would terminate differently, thestartling announcement reached his ear, that theMan ofNazareth hadjust given up the spirit on the cross. What was still wanting of anappalling nature in this intelligence, was fully made up by the terrificphenomenonoftheearthquake,whichoccurredatthesamemoment.WethenseehimsittingsolitarilyinhischamberatJerusalem,andhearhimsay in broken sentences, "He is therefore dead! They have slain himwhomtheyoughttohaveboundtotheearthbyathousandtiesof love.Woe to themurderers! They have extinguished, in his own blood, thefaireststarthatevershonefromheavenupontheworld.Theyknewnotwhattheydid,butIknew.WhydidInotappearinhisbehalf?WhydidInotconfessmyselftobehisdisciple?Withouthim,theworld isawasteandlifeworthlesstome.Buthumanfavorwasmyidol,andofmorevaluetomethanthehonorwhichcomesfromGod.ForthemosttriflingpriceIhavedeniedtheLordofGlory.Heisnowdead,andhisearwillnolongerhear theconfessionofmyrepentance,nor ishismouthable to speakawordofforgivenesstome.Butishereallydead,andwilldeathbeabletoretainhim?TheManofNazarethwaseitherthepromisedMessiah,orthepredictions of the prophets have failed, andwill never be fulfilled.AndyetIneverbowedthekneetohim,andsufferedhimtobeslainwithoutsolemnly protesting against it!" Such was the language which we maysupposeJosephuttered tohimself inhis solitude,while,with a grievedheart, he covered his face with his mantle. But suddenly rising up, heexclaims,"YouwhomIought tohavehonored in life, letmyhomageindeath be acceptable to you! So saying, he leaves his chamber and hisdwelling,andmingleswiththecrowdwhichthrongsthestreets.

WhatisJoseph'sobject?Heisproceedingdirectlytothegovernortoaskhis permission to take down the Savior from the cross, and honorablyinterhim inhisown family sepulcher.Hearrivesat theRomanpalace,andafterhavingbeenannounced,he appears in thepresenceofPilate,andsayswithfirmnessandinplainterms,"Iamcometobegofyouone

thing—thatyouwouldgiveme thebodyofJesus that Imayprepareanhonorablegraveforhimashedeserves."

PilateisnotalittleastonishedatsucharequestfromthelipsofaJewishsenator; but, evidently to conceal the feelingswhich are excited withinhim,heexpresseshisastonishment,firstofallthattheNazareneshouldbealreadydead.Toassurehimselfofthis,heimmediatelysendsforthecommanderof theguard;andonhisappearing, inquiresmostcarefullyrespectingthethreementhathadbeencrucified.Butinspiteofthequietofficial mien which he seeks to put on, it does not escape us, that hesympathizes with the deeply affected senator, although in a smallerdegree. Nor can he call to mind the image of the murdered Nazarenewithoutfeelingpervadedbyemotionsofdecidedveneration.EveninthesurprisewithwhichhehearsthenewsthatJesusisalreadydead,IthinkIsee reflected something of the powerful presentiments, which his soulwasunable to resist, at the thoughtofHimwhowas crucified.Besides,hisconscienceaccuseshimrespectinghisconducttowardOnewhomheknew to be guiltless; and that he should experience, now that he wasdead, an honorable funeral, such as Joseph intended, corresponded soentirely with his own wishes and feelings, that he readily gives hispermission,asifhisownheartwererelievedbysodoing.

Josephheartilythanksthegovernor,andhastensfromhimasjoyfullyasif he had gained a great treasure, in order, first of all, to purchase thefinest linen he can procure, and at the same time the most costlyointment and spices. And if the whole world should wish to know forwhomtheywere intended,hewouldhave testifiedaloudthat theywereforhisLordandKing.AndthoughtheSanhedrinshouldwarn,orgosofar as to threaten him with a removal from office, or even somethingworse,letthemdoso.Josephwillthenstillmoreloudlyexclaim,thatitisforhisKing,hisLord, andhisPrinceofPeace, thathe ismaking thesefuneral preparations. The narrative states, that "he went in boldly toPilate;" but to him it did not seem too bold. He would gladly havesacrificedanythingforJesus,ifbysodoinghecouldhavemadeamendsforwhathehadneglectedtodowhilehewasliving.

We leave him, and return to the place of execution. O see, who hasmeanwhilearrived there!Werecognize theman,who is standing,mute

andmotionless, likea statue,beneath the cross, and is lookingupwithdevout and tearful eyes to thedeceased sufferer. Joseph finds inhimacompanion in spirit; for he has to repent of the same thing, and burnswith desire, like him, to make amends for his fault. And who is thiscontemplative stranger? We are as well acquainted with him as withJoseph.It isNicodemus,Joseph'scolleague inoffice, thatPhariseewhocame to Jesus, desirous of learning and anxious for salvation, but bynight;becauseinhimalso,thefearoftheJewsat leastequaledhis loveforthetruth.He,likewise,hasthrownasidethedisgracefulfetterswhichboundhim.Trulyweseemarvelousthingsoccurringinthevicinityofthecross. If we were to say to one ignorant of the facts, "Observe twoindividuals,belongingtothefirstranksinsociety,who,whenJesusstillwalkedabroadinthemajestyofhissupernaturalacts,didnotventuretomakeknowntheirfavorableimpressionsrespectinghim,forfearofbeingcondemned by public opinion—now that the termination of his courseseemstohavestampedhimasapitiableenthusiast—honorhimastheirKingbeforeallthepeople,andwithupliftedhandsswearfealtybeneaththetatteredbannerofhisruinedkingdom"—wouldhebeabletobelieveit?Soonerwouldhecreditanythingelse;andyet such is thecase.Nowthat, with one single exception, all his disciples, and even his mostconfidentialoneshave forsakenhim—nowthatJesusno longer rebukesthewinds and the sea, but swims inhisblood,beinghimself overcomejust now when nothing but defeat is apparent in him—at the momentwhen his cause seems to suffer the most decided shipwreck—both ofthem layaside themask,andcome forth fromtheir retreats, freelyandopenly,withthefrankconfession,thattheyjointhecauseofthecrucifiedJesus, and thereby tacitly condemn his execution as a judicialmurder,andaccuse,inparticular,thewholeSanhedrinofthecryingsinofhavingimbruedtheirhandsintheinnocentbloodoftheHolyOneofIsrael.Andwhoisitthathasthussuddenlyopenedtheireyes?ItistheSpiritoftheliving God. The germ of faith which, all at once, manifests itself sogloriously and so fully developed, had long lain in their hearts, thoughbound, and as if under the sod. From out of the thunder-cloud thatbroodedoverCalvary,abundantgracehasproceeded,andhenceitisthatweseeitsofreelyandpowerfullymanifested.

AfterNicodemushadmeditatedawhilewithunspeakableemotionatthe

sightof the cross, Josephalso reaches the summitofCalvary; andhowcordially does he greet his associate in mind and spirit! Then, afterconversingashorttimeconfidentiallytogether,andmakingthesoldiersacquainted with the permission they have received from the governor,they begin theirmournful and yet blissful labors. Ladders are fetched,and planted against the cross of the Prince of Peace, and theyreverentially ascend to the corpse, feeling at the same time, as if theyweremountingthestepsofsomesacredtemple.Lovelyscene!ascenefullofprofoundmeaning,and,whileviewing it,we join in thewordsof thepoet,andsing—

"Sweetthemoments,richinblessing,Whichbeforethecrosswespend,Life,andhealth,andpeacepossessing,Fromthesinner'sdyingFriend.

"Herewe'llsitforeverviewingMercy'sstreamsinstreamsofblood;Preciousdrops,oursoulsbedewing,MakeandsealourpeacewithGod."

ThetwofriendshavejustreachedtheirdepartedMaster'swoundedfeet.There they devoutly bow their heads, and cover them with kisses andtears,forheisworthyofit.Theythenascendhighertohislaceratedhead.It isnot tendersympathy,butsomethingmore,withwhich theybeholdhis blood-stained countenance. They do not fail to perceive what loftymajesty sits enthroned on that pallid brow, and that over the closedeyelids,somethinghoverslikethedawnofresurrection.Theirmindsaredeeply affected by the anticipation of what may still come to passrespectinghim;andtheythenbegin,tenderlyandgently,todrawoutthenails from his hands and feet. The precious corpse reclines upon theirshoulders,andaftertheyhavewrappeditinlinen,theygentlyletitdownfromthecrosstotheground.

Letusimitatetheirexample,dearreaders.JesusteachingatNazareth,orpreachingonthemountofthebeatitudes,oreventransfiguredonMountTabor, will not suffice us. Christ crucified must be the object of ouraffections.Thereforeascendtohimonthespiritualladderofsorrowfor

sin, longing for mercy, and belief in the efficacy of his sufferings anddeath. Detach him from the accursed tree, and deposit him in yourhearts,asyouronlyconsolationinlifeanddeath.ThatitistherealsavinglovetoJesuswhichburnswithinus,andnotamerecaricatureofit,maybe best ascertained by its being first enkindled by the sight of him,bleeding and dying on the cross, and then embracing him as the ever-livingOne.He, on the contrary,who turns away from the deadChrist,and imagines that the living Christ, going about doing good, teaching,andsettinganexample,sufficeshim,miscalculates,andonthedayofhiscoming, notwithstandinghis greeting of "Rabbi!Rabbi!"will hear fromhislipstheawfulwords,"Iknownotwhenceyouare,Ineverknewyou!"

Letus return to our two friends.We see themdescending thehillwiththeir precious burden. The funeral is without pomp, but rendereddistinguishedbythetendernessandcourageousconductofthetwowhocarry the corpse. No mournful peal, indeed, accompanies the quietprocession, but in the future it is so much the more abundantlycelebrated.Fromhowmanythousandtowers in thepresentday,dothesolemn bells resound over the cross and grave of Jesus, on the annualreturnofthedaywhichissacredtothememoryofhisdeathandburial?Nomournfuldirgeprecedesit,nofuneraltorchesflame.Butwhatmorecostly flambeaux can there be than those of inextinguishable love andreverence,theoffspringofheaven?And,onlylisten;thereisalsonowantofaburial-service.Aninspiredprophethaschanteditnearlyathousandyearsbefore,theprophetIsaiahinchapter53:9,"Hisgravewasdestinedto be with the wicked, but he found his resting-place with the rich;becausehehaddonenoviolence,neitherwasdeceitfoundinhismouth."

We have reached the place, and enter a quiet plot of ground, partlyinclosed by rocks. It is Joseph's garden. The sun is just casting its lastrays upon it, and the twilight of evening its first cool shades. In thispeacefulseclusion,theHolyOneistofindhis lastearthlyresting-place.Hewhohadnotwhere to lay his head, possessed no grave of hisown,and, therefore, required that one should be lent him for his transientrepose.ButhowhappyJosephthoughthimselftohavethehonorofbeingpermittedtopreparehimasepulcher;andhowpleasingistheprospecttohimofeventually,whenhislasthourshallarrive,entering,indeath,into

the closest fellowship with him, whom in life he had, alas! so baselydeserted!

Whenthetwofriendsreachtherockygrottowiththeirbelovedburden,theyperceive that there is nowant of a train ofmourners.The faithfulwomen, Mary Magdalene, Mary Joses, and many other courageousfemale friends had followed them at some distance; for they also wereanxioustoseetheplacewheretheobjectoftheirentirehopeandlovewasto be deposited. Joseph and Nicodemus heartily welcome them, andgladlyaccept of their services to aid them in the interment.The sacredbody is then gently laid on the ground, and, while the women, almostmorewith their tears thanwith thewater they have brought,wash thebloody spots fromhishead andbosom, themen fill thewhite linen, inwhichthebodyistobewrapped,withmyrrh,aloes,andotherofthemostcostly spices, of which they had brought a large quantity with them;Nicodemus even a hundredpoundsweight Then, after havingwrappedthebodyinthecustomarylinenbandages,theyoncemorelookinsilenceat the pallid yet regal face of the dead, and spread the napkin over it,whichwasprobablydonebythehandsofMaryMagdalene.

The entire business of interment is, however, not yet ended; but thenearness of the Sabbath requires them to delay the actual embalminguntilthecloseofthatfestival,and,forthetime,leavethecorpsesimplywiththosepreliminarylaborsoflove.IfMary,thesisterofLazarus,wasalsoamongtheburialtrain,shewouldrememberthatnofurtherworkofthatkindwiththeMaster'scorpsewasnecessary,since,accordingtohisown express assurance, he had already received from her hands inBethany,theanointingforthedayofhisburial.

Thefriendsnowagainliftupthebelovedcorpse,andbearit,gentlyand,solemnly,intothenew,cleansepulcherintherock,wheretheysoftlylayitdowntorest,asthoughitwereonlyasleep,inalargeandhigh-archedniche. Once more they look at it deeply affected, then forcibly tearthemselvesaway, leave thevault, roll a great stonebefore itsdoor, andbecausetheSabbathlightsarealreadyseenglimmeringfromadistance,return to their dwellings in profound sorrow, but not without hopefulanticipations.

Weleavethem,andlingerafewmomentslongeratthesepulcher, fromwhence a vital atmosphere proceeds, and the peace ofGod is breatheduponus.Thereherests, theLionof the tribeofJudah.Howgrateful isthefeelingtous,afteralltheignominyandsufferinghehasendured,tosee him, at least once again honorably reposing, and that too upon acouch,which love, fidelity,andtendernesshaveprepared forhim!Whodoes not perceive, that even in the circumstances of his interment, theoverruling hand of God has interwoven for our consolation, a gentletestimony, that his only-begotten Son had well accomplished the greattask which he was commissioned to perform? How clearly the takingdown from the cross, and the interment of the Redeemer before thesetting inofnightandtheSabbath,showsthe fulfillmentof theancientordinanceofIsraelrespectingthosewhowerehangedonatree!Andhowdistinctly are we convinced, to a demonstration, that the curse is nowremoved from a sinful world, and that the eye of God again looksgraciouslyandwell-pleased,downupontheearth!

Thereheslumbers.Wellforus,dearreaders,thathewaswillingtopassthrough even this dark passage on our behalf! Nothing hindered himfrom taking up his life again on the cross, and returning from thenceimmediately to his Father. But had he done so, our bodieswould havebeenleftinthegrave,andyouknowhowmuchmoreweareaccustomedtofearthegrave,thanevendeathitself.There,wherecorruptionreigns,itseemsasifthecurseofsinstillhungoverus,andasifnoredemptionhadbeenaccomplished.Inordertodispelthisterror,andtoconvinceus,bymeansofhisownprecedent,thatevenwiththeintermentofourbodiesinthe gloomy cell, there is no longer anything to fear, but that a passageintolifeisopenedforusoutofthisdarkdungeon,hepaternallytookintoconsideration all our necessities, and suffered himself to be laid in thegravebeforeoureyes.Hedidnotindeedseecorruption,becausehewasonlyimputativelyandnotsubstantiallyasinner."YouwillnotsufferyourHolyOnetoseecorruption,"saidDavidinPsalm16:10,impelledbythespiritofprophecy.Our flesh,on thecontrary,which ispoisonedbysin,mustnecessarilypassthroughtheprocessofthegerminatingseed-corn,andbedissolvedintoitsoriginalelementbeforeitsglorification.ButthedifferencebetweenourlotandthatofourDivineHeadisnotanessentialone. The chief thing continues to be this, that we know that even our

bodiesarenot lost inthegrave,butthattheyrest there inhope.This isconfirmedandguaranteedtousbyChrist.Thewaywehaveseehimgo,weshallalsotake.ThatwhichhisobediencemeritedforhimastheSonofMan, it merited and acquired for us, because Christ yielded it in ourstead.

If, therefore, the second Adam's rest in the grave was only a peacefulsabbatic repose, ours cannotbe anythingmore. If, on the thirdday,hewas called forth from the prison, in which the king of terrors hadconfinedhim,andwascrownedwithgloryandhonor;thesamething,indue time,awaitsourbodies, ifwehaveentered intounionwithhimbyfaith and love. If, henceforth, we say that Christ by his burial hasconsecrated and shed light upon the darkness of our graves, we giveutterancetosomething incomparablymore thanamerepoeticmodeofspeaking. When we look down into our sepulchers, as into a silent,solemn resting-place, we do not dream, but see that which is real andtrue.TheApostlePaulinwritingtotheCorinthians,1Cor.15:13,feelssoassuredthatourbodieswillberaisedagain,astoaffirm,thatifthiswerenot the case, Christ himself would not have risen. Who therefore willdeny that grave-yards may not justly be termed, "Resurrection-fields!"Yes!thosewhoareboughtwiththebloodoftheLamb,restevenintheirgraves under theAlmighty'swing, and over theirmoldering remains, adivinelysealedhopecastsaradiantandtransfiguringlight.

The Prince of Peace reposes in his sepulcher. A venerable manapproachesitinsilentdevotion,itisPaulofTarsus,andwritesuponthetombstoneamighty inscription.Youmayread it inRom.6,where it istestified, thatwe are not only deadwith him but buriedwith him.Butevenasweareplantedtogetherinthelikenessofhisdeath,soshallwebealso in the likeness of his resurrection. What is the meaning of thisinscription?Itassertsnothinglessthanthis,thatChristhasenduredthecurseofsinonthecrossforus."ThereisthereforenownocondemnationtothemthatareinChristJesus,whowalknotaftertheflesh,butafterthespirit."Buteven thoughregenerate,westillbear theremainsof theoldsinfulnatureinanduponus.Thisisourgriefandcross,andimpelsustouttertheanxiousinquiry,"OwretchedmanthatIam,whoshalldelivermefromthebodyofthisdeath!"MayGodenableustosay,withhimwho

utteredit,"IthankGod,throughourLordJesusChrist!"

The first nightwhich succeeded the great andmomentous day, is past.Thebodyof thedeceasedRedeemerslumbers solitarily in theprisonofthetomb.Themorningatlengthdawns,andmovementsareheardaboutthesepulcher.Theyarenolongerthebelovedformsofhisfriendsthatweseehasteningsoearlythroughthegarden.Thelatter,accustomedtoobeyeverycommandment,remainquietlyintheirhabitationsduringthegreatSabbath. It is enemies whom we see so active and busy at the firstdawningofthemorning.Thepreviousevening,ananxioussolicitudehadseized their hearts. Their excited evil consciences saw visions. Theremembranceof somany sayingsof theNazareneoccurred to them, inwhich he had most clearly announced a resurrection, by which hisheavenlyFather,afterhiscrucifixion,wouldglorifyhimbeforethewholeworld. The hypocrites pretended, indeed, that they were far fromsupposing that such fanatical fancies of One who had now been socompletelyputtoshame,wouldeverberealized;buttheythinkotherwisein their hearts. Even in death the crucified Jesus asserts his regalinfluenceontheirminds,andinhisgraveterrifiesthembyhismajesty.CarelessabouttheSabbathorthepassoverfestival,thehighpriestsandPhariseesgo, insolemnprocession,tothegovernor'spalace,inordertoinducehimtotakemeasuresforsecuringthegraveofthecrucifiedJesus.TheyareadmittedintothepresenceofPilate,whoisnotalittlesurprisedatsuchanearlyvisitfromthenotablesofIsrael.

"Sir," say they, "we remember that that deceiver (shame upon them tospeakinsuchamanneroftheHolyOneofIsrael,contrarytotheirbetterlightandknowledge)said,whilehewasyetalive,Afterthreedays,Iwillrise again. (Thus they confirm it, that he had really asserted this.)Command therefore that the sepulcher be watched until the third day,lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say unto thepeople,heisrisenfromthedead,sothelasterrorshallbeworsethanthefirst."

Observe how cunningly these wicked men try to conceal their realthoughtsandfeelings.Onewouldsupposethattheywereonlyafraidofapossible deception. But if they were merely anxious to repel the poordisciples, would any such measures as they demanded have been

requisite?Would not a handful ofminions, such aswere always at thebeck of the Pharisees, have sufficed to protect the tomb against thosedefenselessmen?Butthemightyactswhichtheyhadseenthemurderedman perform, cause them to think everything possible; and the terrificevents,whichhadaccompaniedhisdeath,werenotcalculatedtodispeloralleviatetheiranxiety.Theyscent theairofEastermorning,andare, infact,afraidofaresurrectionoftheburiedcorpse.Butifthelatterweretoensue,ofwhatavailwouldbeaguard,orthelimeandplasterwithwhichthey intended to fix the stone? So we might well inquire, and doubtwhetheranyseriousapprehensionsofJesus'restorationtolifecouldhaveactuatedhisenemies.But fear is foolish,andsin isblind,andgropes inthedark,howeverwiseitmaythinkitself:Pilate,whoprobablyfeltverypeculiaremotionthrillthroughhim,whilelisteningtowhattherulersofIsraelhadtosay,verywillinglygrantedtheirrequest,and,pointingtoabandof armed soldiers,whichhe sawparadingbefore thepalace, says,"Youhavethereawatch,goyourway,makeitassureasyoucan."

Not a little pleased at having attained their object, the deputation,togetherwith theRomanguard, repair toJoseph'sgarden.Afterhavingconvincedthemselvesbyinspectionthatthebodystilllayinitsplace,theheavystone,whichtheyhadrolledawayfromthemouthofthesepulcheris replaced, and the work of fixing and sealing commences. This is aremarkablescene—asingularcampaign.Suchpreparationsaremade,asifnothinglesswereintendedthantoexpelahostileforcefromJoseph'sgarden. It is related of aGerman emperor of a former age, that, borneabout inhisopenwar-chariotcompletelyarmed,heputawholehostilearmytotherout,evenwhendying.Inthequietgardenthereisevenmorethanthis.Itistruethat,inthepresentinstance,theadversariesactasifthey were the victors, but inwardly they are the vanquished. Theslumbering Hero of Judah took from them the armor of carelessconfidence,and filled theirsoulswitha cloudof terrific andoppressiveforebodings.What do theymean by their extensive preparations? Theyarefightingforthecauseofdeathagainstlife;andwouldgladlyestablishandmaintainthethroneof theformer,andkeepdownandimmurethelatter. Let them do their utmost. An all-overruling God controls theirdesigns,andpermitsthemtoassistdeath,bystillmorestronglyforginghis fetters, in order that thebursting of themmay appear somuch the

moreglorious.Andthustheyaresufferedtodeprivelifeofallscope,andtowallupeveryoutlet,thatwhenitburststhrougheverybarrier,itmaythemoreevidentlyproveitselftobedivine.

Wedepart fromthesepulcherofourLord—not ingriefandsorrow,butfull of joyful expectation of what is shortly to take place. We alreadybeholdinspirit,thefirstglimmerofthedawningresurrection-mornuponthe rocky tomb.Only twenty-fourhoursmoreuntil the trumpetofGodshall sound, and Joseph's garden present a different spectacle. Theneverysealwillbebroken,not fromtheRedeemer's tombonly,butalso,fromthemysteryofthewholeofhispassion.An"Amen!"fromonhigh,themostgloriousandstupendousthateverresoundedunderheaven,willthenannouncetotheworldthatreconciliationhasbeenmade,andthatthePrinceofLife,crownedwithgloryandhonor,astheconquerorofallthe terrific powers which were opposed to us, offers the first Eastersalutation of peace to the favored race of man, from the ruins of hisshatteredtomb.Letusthentuneourharps,andholdourfestivegarlandsinreadiness,whileawaitingthemightymomentthatshallputaneternalendtoallthesadnessandanxietyofthehumanheart!

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