former title, as was annexed to the pretensions of our blessed Lord to the office and character of the Messiah. But as then the contempt poured on Jesus confirmed that very truth which it was designed to invalidate, so the reproach cast on God's elect at this day, is an evidence in their favour : our Lord himself declared, that " it should turn unto us for a testimony^." Let us not then think it strange if we are called to endure fiery trials ; but let us expect to be conformed to our blessed Saviour as well in sufierings as in glory.]
3. How we are to conduct ourselves under such treatment —
[We should " arm ourselves with the same mind" that was in Christ Jesus. We should " possess our souls in patience," and " let patience have its perfect work." " Being reviled, we should bless ; being defamed, we should entreat ; being perse- cuted, we should suffer it." We should not either in word or deed avenge ourselves, but " give our cheek to the smiters" like him^, and commit ourselves to him who judgeth right- eously ; who will in due time " recompense tribulation to them who trouble us, and to us who are troubled, rest."]
e Luke xxi. 12, 13. * Lam. iii. 30.
Matt, xxvii. 3 — 5. Then Judas, tvkich had betrayed him, when he sazv that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests and Elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said. What is that to us ? See thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and tvent and hanged himself.
AS Jesus was by his own death to take away the sins of others, it was necessary, not only that he should have no sin himself % but that his innocence should be made to appear by every species of evidence that could be adduced to confirm it. Accordingly, it pleased God so to overrule events, that the witnesses brought against him should not agree in their testi- mony ; that the very judge who was to condemn him should repeatedly pronounce him guiltless ; and that
a John iii. 5.