Nevertheless we may derive from this history much
[It forbids any, however long or heinously they may have sinned, to despair. It points out the simple way in which we may attain salvation. The substance of our Lord's answer is applicable to every penitent. Such joy is offered to all x : let all seek it in the same wayy.]
x Rom. x. 12, 13. y Ps. cvi. 4.
Luke xxiii. 47, 48. Now when the Centurion saw ivhat was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
RAPID are the revolutions of the human mind: like the sea, it is easily agitated by every gust of wind, and driven with violence in whatever direction it may happen to be impelled. God has given us reason to guide us and to keep us fixed to our purpose; but we are slaves to passion, and yield ourselves willing in- struments of all who have skill and inclination to move us. We have a striking instance of this fluc- tuating disposition in the Jewish populace : they had been so impressed with the wonders which Jesus had wrought in confirmation of his divine mission, that they all followed him with acclamations and hosan- nahs into Jerusalem : but by the artifices of the chief priests and rulers, they were, in the space of three days, made as clamorous against him, all of them demanding, as with one voice, that he should be crucified. Scarcely however had they prevailed, but another change took place in their minds ; and they were as sorry at seeing what they had accomplished, as they had just before been eager to accomplish it.
Let us consider,
1. The effects which Christ's- death produced on the beholders—