1. It was so in the present case —
[Pilate and Herod were appealed to as judges; and, when they found the accused person innocent, they should have rescued him out of the hands of his oppressors. It was no fit occasion for paying compliments to each other, when the life of an innocent person was at stake ; nor were they at liberty to sport with such sacred interests. And what was the natural effect of this solemn trifling? What, but to encourage each other in sin ; to harden each other in impenitence ; and to aggravate each other's eternal condemnation? Say now, whe- ther a friendship so formed could afford any solid sasisfaction to their minds ? Say, whether it would not have been better for Herod to have continued at enmity with Pilate, and even to have subjected himself to all manner of indignities for espousing the cause of Jesus, than to have brought such guilt upon his soul for the sake of gratifying a fellow-worm ?]
2. It is so, whenever we sacrifice a good conscience in order to obtain it —
[We many conciliate the favour of men by " putting our light under a bushel," and conforming to the maxims and habits of the world. We may make " the world love us, by becoming of the world." Probably many, who would have condemned Demas for continuing faithful to his high calling, commended him when they found that he had relinquished it together with the society of the Lord's people. But what do ive think of his conduct ? or what does he himself think of it now? Has he not learned long since, that the purchase of the whole world at the expense of the soul is an unprofitable bargain ? Have not many apostates borne testimony to that effect, even while they have been yet in possession of the things they Coveted? Yes; many would gladly have restored, like Judas, their ill-acquired wealth or honour, if they could but regain the peace of mind which they have lost. Know- then, that the testimony of a good conscience is the first of blessings ; and nothing, not even life itself, is to be desired, unless in perfect consistency with that.]
Conclusion —
1. Let us not be surprised if there be confederacies against us —
[As long as there continues in the hearts of unregenerate men a principle of enmity against God, we must expect it to operate as it ever has done, and to combine against us all the powers of the world. When the Gibeonites made a covenant with Joshua, all the kingdoms of Canaan confederated to de- stroy them. Let not us think that the world will be at peace
k 2
m LUKE, XXIII. 13—25. [1583.
with us, if we unite ourselves to the Lord Jesus. " The ser- vant cannot be greater than his Lord." When therefore we suffer like indignities with him, let us not account it hard, but rather rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for his sakec.]
2. Let a principle of faith and love unite and ani- mate us —
[We blame not the union of Herod and Pilate, but their union in a bad cause. We have a cause in which it will be our honour to unite ; and a principle, which, if truly operative in our souls, will combine us all in the prosecution of the noblest ends. See what an union was produced among the converts on the day of Pentecost d. O that the Holy Ghost might descend on us also, and that we might be all of one heart and one mind in the service of our God ! Then shall we exemplify the change which divine grace effects, and glorify Him who endured such indignities for us.]
e 1 Pet. ii. 19—23. and iv. 12—16. d Acts ii. 41—47.