are boldly met, present losses willingly undergone, present temptations successfully resisted. There was no intention on the part of Christ, that his disciples should be brought into immediate danger, still less that they should perish with him.1 The nature of his sacrifice admitted of no companion in suffering, Therefore he did not inspire them with resolution: but has left us this example as a testimony, that by his strength alone we can be enabled to "hold fast our integrity," even for a single day.

LECTURE LXVIII.

JESUS ARRAIGNED BEFORE CAIAPHAS.-DENIED BY PETER.

MATT. xxvi. 57—75.

57. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the

end.

* See John xix. 8. "I have told you that I am he. If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way."

59. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought fulse witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60. But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false wit

nesses,

61. And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 1

62. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

63. But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

64. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

It is as thou hast said. "I am." But ye believe it not. "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." Nevertheless, hereafter ye shall know, what now ye refuse to know. Ye shall see my divine authority confirmed by the destruction of your guilty city. Ye shall see it still more awfully, when I am seated on the right hand of power, to judge the world in righteousness.

This opens to our minds a reflection which it

showest thou unto us, 19. Jesus answered and

and in three days I will

'This is explained by St. John, ii. 18. "The Jews said unto him," early in his ministry, "What sign seeing that thou doest these things? said unto them, Destroy this temple, raise it up. 20. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21. But he spake of the temple of his body."

may be profitable to dwell upon. How altered will be the thoughts of those who were then surrounding the seat of judgment, when they hereafter see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven! How quickly will flash into their minds the conviction of their guilt, and their consequent condemnation! This then, before whom are gathered all nations, this is He who came in the flesh, who taught in our streets and our houses, Jesus of Nazareth! and called us to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand." But we did not listen. Alas! why did we not? why did we not? How gracious were his words! He told us that God sent him in love: "that the Son of man came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." He invited all to come unto him, and "find rest unto their souls." But we trusted that we were Abraham's children, and needed no repentance. We argued that no good thing could come out of Nazareth.

We now perceive that there was enough, and more than enough, to assure us that he was the Son of God. The prophets had foretold that the Christ should "preach the gospel to the poor:" And he did this. How great and how full of kindness were the miracles which he wrought! But the Pharisees told us that they were done through the power of Beelzebub. Could an evil tree bring forth good fruit? Could men gather grapes of thorns? Satan was evil, and the miracles were good how then could they proceed from Satan? Truly we loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." We dreaded their scoffs, their

reproofs, and were afraid where no fear was, while we forgot the Lord our Maker. And besides, our "deeds were evil." We did not desire repentance, or love holiness. our hearts were hardened,

So

and our eyes blinded. Did He not tell us, that we should feel what we now feel! That we should hereafter cry out, when too late, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!" Oh why did we despise the words, which we now perceive, too late, to have been the words of truth and mercy.

Such, doubtless, will be the wretched consciousness, the self-condemning thoughts of many who now stood about the judgment-seat, demanding the death of Christ, and afterwards surrounded his cross, reviling and mocking him!

We, together with them, shall hereafter see him sitting at the right hand of power. Let us beware that we do not lay up for ourselves a like miserable recollection of opportunities neglected, and offers of mercy despised. What was uttered as a warning to those who heard it then, should be no less a warning to those who hear it now, that they may not perish through error, prejudice, or thoughtless folly. It is well, if this declaration sounds in their ears as an encouragement which they love to hear as their support in difficulty, their consolation in sorrow ;-that hereafter they shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65. Then the high-priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses! behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy :

66. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

68. Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?

69. Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wust with Jesus of Galilee.

70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the

man.

73. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

74. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Such is the feebleness of man, when left to feel that feebleness. In the presence of Jesus, not long before, and in the company of friends, it had seemed impossible to Peter that he should renounce the faith in which he gloried. Though I should die. with thee, yet will I not deny thee. But now, surrounded by enemies, and dismayed at the submission of his Master, he is an easy prey to the assaults of Satan. He loses all power over himself, denies the truth, and confirms his falsehood by repeated asseveration and perjury.