of Man," " the Christ, the Saviour of the world." Had he entertained any secret suspicions that Jesus was an impostor, he would have had some excuse for his treachery : or if he had enjoyed but few opportunities of instruction, his guilt would have been less heinous. Pilate, who was an ignorant Heathen, sinned grievously in not executing strict justice: but the sin of those who had delivered Jesus unto him was incomparably greater a, because of the superior light which they enjoyed. In this view therefore the sin of Judas was exceeding great.]
2. The obligations he violated —
[Judas was " one of the twelve," who were called to a more intimate acquaintance with our Lord ; and was selected from among them to be his purse-bearer and almoner. He had been sent out, like all the other Apostles, to preach the Gospel, and to work miracles in the name of Jesus. He had seen diseases and devils yielding to his word ; and had probably been instrumental in converting others to the faith of Christ. How was he bound then to " shew all good fidelity," and to maintain to the uttermost his Master's cause ! But besides all this, Jesus, within the space of a few hours, had acted towards him the part of a menial servant, and had condescended to wash his feet : should not such love have called forth his tenderest and most faithful regards? Moreover, Judas had, on that very occasion, pledged himself to die with Jesus rather than deny him : yet behold, this man, almost immediately after uttering these words, leaves the room, in order to betray his Lord ! What impiety was here ! If woe was denounced against Cho- razin and Bethsaida for not improving the mercies vouchsafed to them, what woes must belong to this unhappy man for violating the strongest obligations which could lie upon him !]
3. The manner in which he violated them —
[Jesus, it should seem, had permitted his Disciples to express their regards to him by the affectionate and endearing token of a kiss : and this was the sign by which Judas under- took to betray him into the hands of his enemies ! What horrid perfidy ! to make an expression of love and friendship a signal for his apprehension !
But mark the peculiar aggravations with which this perfidy was attended ! It was altogether a voluntary act. The Chief Priests and Elders could never have entertained a thought of prevailing on one of Christ's own Disciples to betray him : they could expect nothing from them but the most vigorous and determined opposition. Methinks they could scarcely believe their own senses when they heard the traitor Judas making
a John xix. 11.