manner in which he resigned his life, evincing indisputably that it was not taken away from him, but that he surrendered it voluntarily into his Father's hands ; all this together con- vinced the Centurion, that Jesus was the very person whom he had professed himself to be. Hence, in the hearing of all around him, he exclaimed, " Certainly this was a righteous man," " Truly this was the Son of Goda." There were two grounds on which Jesus had been put to death ; the one was, that he was a blasphemer, for making himself the Son of God ; the other was, that he was a rebel against Cassar, for making himself a king. In opposition to both of these accusations the Centurion affirms, that he was no rebel, but " a righteous man ;" and that he was no blasphemer, but " the very Son of God." Thus, whilst the Jews were pouring contempt on God, the Centurion " glorified him ;" and, whilst they hardened their hearts against him, he and his fellow-soldiers " feared greatly." What a blessed earnest was this of the conversion of the Gen- tiles ! and what a reproof is this to us, who can hear of these transactions without any emotion, and neglect that Saviour whom he acknowledged ! ]
From the effects of Christ's death on the beholders, let us proceed to notice,
II. The reflections it suggests to us —
Amongst the numberless considerations which na- turally arise from this subject, we will select such only as have not been anticipated under any other view of our Lord's sufferings, and only two or three of them.
Observe then from hence,
1. That the best of causes may be violently op- posed—
[If we were speaking to Jews, we should have need to prove the excellence of Christianity ; but to a Christian assem- bly, it is scarcely necessary to prove that the cause of Christ is the best of all causes. We see in the Gospel the most stupendous display of God's wisdom and love ; a plan for the saving of a ruined world, and for restoring men to the Divine favour, through the mediation and intercession of God's only- begotten Son. We see. or at least profess to see, how suited it is to our necessities, and how sufficient for our wants: and, if we are Christians indeed, we know by sweet experience that it is an inexhaustible source of peace and joy, of righteousness
H Compare Matt, xxvii. 54.