conscious of doing any thing worthy of attention. If Jesus had not happened to have a particular kind of garment, which was woven without a seam, and had probably been made a present to him by some of those women who ministered unto him, they would have had no more reason for casting lots for that, than for the other which they divided among them. And, after all, he had but just before been stript of his clothing, not only to be scourged, but that, being arrayed in mock majesty, he might be made an object of universal derision ; and in that dress had sentence of condemnation been passed upon him : so that, if God had not signally interposed to incline them to put his own garment upon him again, this prophecy had never been fulfilled. See then how minute was the prophecy, and how exact its accomplishment! If they had cast lots at all, the probability was that the whole would have formed but two lots, and that none would be torn in pieces : but as God ordained it to be, so it was ; and from thence arises an indisputable evidence, that the religion which was to be confirmed by it, was from God. Indeed, the more insignificant the transaction itself was, the more decisive is the proof arising from it.
In confirmation of this statement we would call your attention to the very words of our text; where the fulfilling of the Scrip- ture is said to be the primary object of that arrangement: and again it is added, " These things therefore the soldiers did." We are not to understand from this, that the soldiers had this object in view ; (for there was not any thing further from their minds:) but God inclined their minds to it for that end. Every thing which the Scriptures had spoken respecting the Messiah, must needs be fulfilled ; and therefore this, as well as every other point, must be accomplished in hime.]
III. The government of the universe —
[" Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the worldf." Nothing was left to chance: but every thing was both foreseen and foreordained.
It may be asked then, are we mere machines? I answer, no. God leaves us free agents ; but makes use of our free agency for the accomplishment of his own purposes. This he did in reference to his Son. There was not any thing " done to him, which God's hand, and God's counsel, had not determined before to be doneg." Nevertheless, all who bore any part in those transactions, were perfectly free in every thing they did. None were compelled by any overbearing power ; but all followed the bent of their own minds. Judas was actuated by covetousness ; the priests by envy ; Pilate by fear ; and the
c Luke xxii. 37. John x. 35. f Acts XV. 18.
v- Acts iv. 28. and xiii. '27. '_'!>.