348 SERMONS UPON JOHN xvii. [Seh. XX.
Judas, you love his sin. I observe that the historical passag'cs of Christ's sufferings are often morally verified. The Jews preferring Barabbas, by the sensualist preferring his pleasures and brutish and swinish delights before the delights of communion with Christ ; Judas his selling Christ, by the mammonist that yieldeth against conscience, for a little worldly gain, and sustentation of himself here in this present world.
4. Take heed of his despair. Oh ! cherish the repentance of Peter, but not of Judas. If you have sinned against God, go out and weep bitterly, but take sanctuary at the Lord's grace. Do not hug a dis- temper instead of a duty. There were two ingredients wanting in Judas' repentance, that should be in every true penitent : —
[1.] Love to conversion. Whatever a convinced hypocrite doth, he doth it out of self-love. Pharaoh could say. Take away this plague ; he doth not say, Take away this hard heart. Every creature lovetli its own quiet and safety. Wicked men only hate sin when they feel wrath, and are surprised with horror and trouble ; not out of a love to grace, but fear of hell. When hurt is at hand, the fear of it worketh upon us. True repentance cometh from a sight of the beauty, and excellency, and sweetness that is to be found in the ways of God. And they grieve, not only for the effects of his wrath, because God is angry, but because God is offended.
[2.] Hopes of mercy. Judas goeth not to God, but hangs himself No conviction is good that doth not lead to God. When the Spirit convinces of sin, he convinces also of righteousness, John xvi. 8. And the heirs of promise are described to be those that ' fly for refuge to the hope that is set before them,' Heb. vi. 18. They are sensible that there is an avenger of blood at their heels, that the wrath of God is pursuing them for their sin. Oh ! but they run to take sanctuary at the grace of God. Judas' sin stuck close to him, and he casts away himself ; but Peter runs to Christ, and Christ sends him a comfortable message : Mark xvi. 7, ' Go, tell my disciples, and Peter, that I go before them into Galilee.'
4. Observe that the wicked, in their machinations against the church, do but draw perdition upon themselves. The church hath benefit by Judas' treason ; we are redeemed, and God hath glory ; but he is the son of perdition. Judas was the first heretic of the gospel, denying Christ's godhead ; he betrayed him, thinking him a mere man ; and he was the first false brother and persecutor. And now heretics and persecutors, what do they carry away but shame ? The plots blow up the author. Heresies edify the church, but damn the broacher. Light breaketh out by knocking of flints. Persecutors are an iron in the fire ; heated too hot, burneth their fingers that hold it, but the church is purged. The church was beholden to Charles the Fifth; God doth it to show his justice, power, and wisdom.
[L] His justice, that they are taken in their own net. Judas was hanged ere Christ was brought to the cross : Ps. Ixxvi. 10, ' Surely the wrath of men shall praise thee.'
[2.] His wisdom : ' He taketli the wise in their own craftiness.' The wise painter knoweth how to lay on black lines and shadows. All their policy is but a spider's web, woven with much art, but it cometh
VePv. 12.] SEKMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 349
to nothing. God will be known to be only wise, even when wicked men think to overreach him ; as the governor of a castle, that is privy to the plots of his enemies, he knows what they will do, and suffers them to run on to such a point.
[3.] His power. Let Cain, Pharaoh, Achitophel, Haman, Herod, Judas speak ; is not this true ? They all confess they did but kick against the pricks, dash against the rocks, roll up a stone that will fall upon them, and break them all to pieces. It is the devil's torment that all his plots are turned to his loss, and the good of those he hated most ; all his instruments are but executioners of God's will, while they rush against it. As men walking in a ship, the vessel keepeth its course though they move in a contrary way ; or as in clocks, though some wheels move one way, and some another, yet all tend to make the clock go.
5. Observe, in the church are wicked men, who may finally miscarry ; nay, men eminent for a while in the church, yet afterwards prove dreadful apostates. There was a Ham in the ark, a Judas among the apostles. The visible church never wanteth a mixture ; there is no possibility to eschew it. Partly because they may be useful as to external employment and service. God hath a use for wicked men, as a dead post to support a living tree. They may have gifts for the benefit of the body. Wicked men may supply the place of an officer, as Judas was an apostle. A wooden leg may be a stay to the body, though it be not a true member : Mat. vii. 22, 23, ' Many shall say unto me in that day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonder- ful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you ; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' Christ will disclaim them, as here he doth. A torch giveth never the less light though carried by a blackamore ; nor is the gospel less efficacious because managed by carnal instruments. Partly because God hath reserved a perfect dis- crimination till the last day, lest the wheat should be pulled up with the tares. He knew men were envious and censorious, therefore till sins be open he doth not allow us to judge. Partly to show us his patience to the worst of men. Judas was continued among the apostles ; Christ knew him when he was a thief as well as when he was a trai- tor ; before he discovered the traitor he bore with the thief ; though a son of perdition, he doth not deny him the means.