The execution of criminals is of itself calculated to impress the mind with pity for the sufferers, and to evince the evil of those crimes for which they suffer : but the crucifixion of our Lord drew the attention of the spectators to their own state, and led them to contemplate their own guilt and danger in being accessary to it. Observe the effect it produced,
1. On the multitude —
[The chief priests and rulers, it should seem, were not at all affected with it. Their envy, their pride, their resentment had taken too deep a root within them to suffer them to listen for a moment to the voice of conscience : but the multitude, who were mere instruments of their rage, began to consider what they had done. The three hours of darkness had given them time for reflection : the recollection of all that Christ had done for their nation, led them to consider what return they had now made him for all his unparalleled kindness ; and the earthquake convinced them that they were in the hands of an angry God. Now therefore they began to express their regret and sorrow at having lent their aid to so cruel a deed, so wicked a conspiracy. Now they shewed that sin has a far different aspect when committed, from what it had previous to the commission of it. Even Judas, when he saw what was likely to be the consequence of his treachery, was filled with compunction, and would have gladly reversed the deed to which his covetousness had impelled him. So these now wished that they had not yielded to the instigations of their rulers, or
suffered themselves to participate in so foul a crime
How far their repentance was genuine, we are not able to say : though we think it probable that numbers of them were amongst the converts on the day of Pentecost : but of this we are sure, that sin, of whatever kind, when once it is viewed aright, will cause us to "smite our breasts" with anguish, and to forsake the company of those who hold fast their transgres- sions : and that, if this effect be not produced upon us now, we shall " weep and wail and gnash our teeth" with unavailing sorrows to all eternity.]
2. On the Centurion —
[He, and those whom he commanded, had attended there, not so much from choice as from necessity : accordingly we find hoth in him and them a mind more open to conviction : for they, though heathens, became the advocates of Him, whom his own nation had rejected and abhorred. The miraculous signs attendant on the death of Christ, together with the whole conduct of that righteous Sufferer, and the peculiar