tions which they had founded on his numerous miracles were delusive. Jesus seemed to them now to be like Samson after his locks were cut : he was become weak as other men. Hence they could no longer repose any confidence in him, but fled like sheep without a shepherd.
And is it not thus with the ungodly? Wherefore do they despise Jesus, but because they know neither his power nor
his grace ? Must we not trace to the same source also
the desponding fears of the contrite? Surely, if they knew how able and willing Jesus is to save them to the uttermost, they would commit their souls to him without doubt or fear
We may add also, respecting the godly themselves,
that if they had brighter discoveries of his glory and excellency, they would be more ardent in their love to him, and more
diligent in his ser\ice We may say of all, as of those
who crucified our Lord, that " had they known him (more thoroughly), they would not have acted thus and thus towards him."]
From these reflections we shall be naturally led to SUGGEST a word of,
1. Warning —
[Some take up a profession of religion hastily, because they do not expect persecution, and others because they do not fear it. But it becomes us to guard against inadvertence on the one hand, and self-confidence on the other. Let not any imagine, that it is an easy thing to be a Christian ; or that they can follow Christ aright without having a cross to bear. We must all, in some measure at least, " drink of the cup that our Divine Master drank of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with :" and therefore we should " prepare our hearts for temptation." To every one, therefore, that desires to be a Christian, we would say, " Count the cost;" " lest after having begun to build, you be not able to finish." To those who are hold and confident in their profession, our warning must bear a difierent aspect: " Be not high-minded, but FEAR." Surely when we behold all the Disciples, after such vehement protestations of fidelity, forsaking their Lord in his utmost extremity, we have reason enough to be " jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy." While we " think we are standing firm, we should take heed lest we fall." We should maintain in our minds a constant sense of our proneness to sin ; and cry daily and hourly to God, " Hold up my going in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.".]
2. Encouragement —
[The failure of such persons as our Lord's Disciples might well cause us to despond, if we had not a firmer foundation to
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build upon than any resolution of our own. But we have the word and oath of Jehovah for our support : he has said, " I will never leave thee, never, never forsake thee." This promise was fulfilled to our blessed Saviour, when he was deserted by all his friends ". It was accomplished also on behalf of the Apostle Paul, when he was in circumstances nearly similar*^. And we also are warranted to expect the same Divine aid and consolation, whenever our necessities peculiarly require it*'. Let us then, whilst we are weak in ourselves, " be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Only let our trust be in him ; and then we need "not fear, though an host should encamp against us," or though earth and hell should conspire to destroy us. *' The grace of Christ shall be sufficient for us," " nor shall any thing prevail to separate us from his love."]
<: John xvi. 32. ^ 2 Tim. iv. 16, 17. <= Isai. xUii. 2.