very little importance. Some can run to the greatest excess of riot, being wholly addicted to worldliness or dissipation, and yet account themselves very good Christians. Others, who are restrained from such excesses, can content themselves with " a form of godliness, while they utterly deny its power ;" and though they never smite upon their breasts with contrition, never flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, never devote themselves in earnest to the service of their God, they imagine that all is well, and that they are to be reckoned among the friends and followers of Christ. But their profession serves only to lower Christ in the estimation of the world, and in many instances to fill heathens themselves with an utter abhorrence of his name.
We must acknowledge, indeed, that neither the one nor the other of these characters have the malignant designs of Judas : but the ultimate effect of their conduct is to betray him with a kiss.]
3. Hypocritical —
[These come the nearest of all to the character of Judas : and many there are to whom this designation properly belongs. In every age there have been some who have joined themselves to the Church, while yet they felt only transient impressions, and had no root of grace in their hearts. Of them, some cast off all profession of religion, and go back again to the world : others continue their profession, but indulge habits altogether inconsistent with itg. Hence they are found deceitful in their words, dishonest in their dealings ; and less worthy of confi- dence than the generality even of avowed worldlings. For a time they wear the mask with success : but at length their true character appears ; and they make religion " to stink in the nostrils" of all who know them. It is almost superfluous to say that these are traitors : for they not only deliver up Jesus to the scorn and contempt of his professed enemies, but lay a stumbling-block in the way of his friends, and cause many to wax cold in their attachment to Christ, if not also utterly to renounce him. " Woe unto the world because of them ! but woe be more especially to those by whom the offence cometh !" In a little time, if they repent not, they will " go to their own place," and participate with Judas the just reward of their deeds.]
Improvement —
1. Let us not be offended with religion on account of the faults of those who profess it —
[It would manifestly be absurd to make the treachery of
s Ezt'k. xxxiii. 31.