act as they did, if God did not interpose to enlighten and restrain our minds. The haste and acrimony with which godly persons are calumniated amongst us, shew clearly that we are actuated by the same principles as the Jews were, and, as far as occasion is afforded, are ready to tread in their steps.]
Let us next advert to the history, II. In a way of spiritual improvement —
In this view much instruction may be gathered from it. We may learn from it,
1. To inquire after Christ —
[With what earnestness did the high-priest and elders pursue their inquiries ; depriving themselves even of their rest, in order to acquire the information they desired ! And are not we equally interested in the inquiry, " Whether he be the Christ, the Son of God ? " Should we be content to take this matter upon trust, and not inquire into the grounds on which it stands, and the evidences which are adduced in its support? Or, having ascertained the truth of his Messiahship, should we not examine into the nature of his work, and office, and cha- racter ? In our spirit, indeed, wo cannot too widely differ from the Jews ; but in our zeal and diligence we may well propose them to ourselves as objects of imitation. For what is there in the whole world that deserves our attention in comparison of this ? St. Paul " accounted all things but loss for the excel- lency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord." Nor let us imagine that the study of the Holy Scriptures is to be confined to ministers : it is a work equally necessary for all, though all cannot devote the same portion of their time to it. And it is a work to which all are competent, as far as is necessary for their spiritual instruction. To all then would I say, " Search the Scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Christ."]
2. To trust in him —
[When we see our Lord sentenced to death without any fault whatever having been found in him, then we see what is «
to be our plea at the bar of judgment. This very circumstance ■
of his having been condemned without cause frees us from I
condemnation. Having no sins of his own, his death was an expiation for our sin ; and shall become effectual for the sal- vation of all who trust in him. To this agree the words of St. Peter : " Christ once suffered for sins, the just for the mijust, that he might bring us to God." Hence, whilst we confess ourselves to have deserved the deepest condemnation, we may point to him as our Surety and Substitute ; and may say with the prophet, " He was wounded for our transgressions, and
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bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed." O that we may never lose sight of this blessed truth, which is the hope of all the ends of the earth ! Let us contemplate it ; let us glory in it; let it be the one labour of our souls to " live by faith m him, and to say continually, He hath loved me, and given himself for me s."]
3. To confess him openly —
[Our Lord well knew what would be the consequence of the confession that he made ; yet would he not conceal the truth : and shall we be afraid to confess him ? When he was not deterred by the most cruel death, shall we be intimidated by a reproachful name ? Shall we not rather glory in being counted worthy to suffer shame for his sake 1 Yes : let us take up our cross cheerfully, and" follow him without the camp, bearing his reproach." If persecution should menace us with its severest penalties, let us be ready to answer with the holy Apostle, " None of these things move me ; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may but finish my course with joy," and fulfil my duty to my Lord. Let us remember, that as he " endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," so shall we also, " having overcome, be seated with him on his throne, as he sitteth on his Father's throne."]