If we venture to ask, why this sin was permitted in the case of one who was so soon to become the leading founder of the Church, and to be made one of its principal pillars; we may believe it to have been for his own sake, and for the sake of future generations. For his own sake, that he might be taught to distrust himself, and lean not on his own strength, which evidently, from his early history, was the natural bias of his character. And for the sake of many hereafter, who having fallen under the temptations of Satan, and having risen again, through grace, like Peter; might have the consolation of knowing, by actual example, that "all manner of sin and wickedness may be forgiven" unto those who repent and are converted, through the virtue of that blood which was now about to be shed for Peter and for many, "for the remission of sin." In the case of his own apostle, "Jesus Christ first showed forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe in him to life everlasting."

2

2 See 1 Tim. i. 16.

LECTURE LXIX.

DEATH OF JUDAS.-CONDEMNATION OF JESUS.

MATT. xxvii. 1-26.

Mark xv.

1. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to 1—14. death:

Luke xxiii.

1-23. John xviii.

2. And when they had bound him, they led him away, 2940. and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

3. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

4. Saying, I have sinned, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that.

5. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

This passage furnishes a striking example of the cruel selfishness which belongs to the character of the wicked. Judas comes in the agonies of remorse for the evil of which he had been the instrument, and makes such reparation as he can, both in word and deed. He declares the innocence of his victim, he restores the price of his crime. All the comfort which he receives, even from those who by their station ought to have been his spiritual guides, is comprehended in this: We have obtained from you the advantage to which we

looked, and see thou to the rest; your misery, your destruction, is your own concern.

Certainly the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. And those who look for the relentings of pity in the breasts of any who have seduced them into sin, and to whose seductions they have yielded, look for that which they will never find. Such hearts are seared, and all their feelings selfish. Very different would be the conduct of one influenced by the Spirit of God. He eagerly watches the first turn of the labouring conscience, and instead of urging a self-convicted sinner to despair, points out the way of repentance.

For it is further to be observed from this passage, that all sorrow which follows sin is not the godly sorrow of real penitence. It is not cer

tain that the sons of Jacob were penitent, though they said, "We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear: therefore is this distress come upon us." It is quite certain that Pharaoh was not penitent, though he acknowledged to Moses, "I have sinned against the Lord your God." "Now, therefore, forgive, I pray thee, my sins only this once.” Judas here confesses, that "he had sinned.” And the anguish of his mind may be conceived from the effect: he departed, and went and hanged himself. Yet, since such was allowed to be the effect of his remorse, we may be assured that he felt none of that humble movement of the mind towards God, none of

Gen. xlii. 21.

Exod. x. 16.

that real contrition for sin as "the transgression of the law," which belongs to true repentance. His heart was not softened, like that of Peter, when "he went out and wept bitterly." So he was suffered to reap the full reward of his iniquity; and to anticipate his final condemnation. We learn too, from the account in the Acts, that some shocking circumstances attended his self-destruction. "Falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." 3 So soon was the Lord's compassionate prediction verified, " It had been good for that man if he had not been born."

6. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

7. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

8. Wherefore that field

unto this day.

was called, The field of blood,

9. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

10. And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.'

3 Acts. i. 18.

The passage here alluded to, occurs not in Jeremiah, but in Zechariah, xi. 12. "I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter, a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord."

11. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

12. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

13. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

14. And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barab bas.

6

17. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ.

18. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19. When he was set down on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

20. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22. Pilate said unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

"Who for a certain sedition, made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison." Luke xxiii. 18.