[While some are awakened to a sense of their guilt, others proceed in the commission of the most horrible ini- quities without remorse or concern. The conduct of Judas in criminating himself before those at whose instigation he had betrayed his Lord, should certainly have operated to suspend their proceedings, and to bring them to repentance. But they were bent on the accomplishment of their blood-thirsty pur- poses, and were alike deaf to the confessions of their agent and to the voice of their own conscience.
But shall we say that this was a singular case ? Would to God that similar instances did not perpetually occur ! Return to the case of the seducer. See him, when the unhappy victim of his wiles comes to him under the most insupportable agonies of mind, and calls on him for comfort and support: what answer so common as that given in the text ? The obdurate wretch, forgetful of all the obligations of honour and conscience, replies in answer to all her complaints, " What is that to me? look thou to that." Thus it is also with those who tempt the inconsiderate youth to extravagance ; and, having caught him in their net, demand their debts' with unfeeling menaces and inexorable rigour. Perhaps in none is such conduct more manifest tlian in the gamester, who, having gained the pro- perty of his companion, discards all thought of his personal and domestic troubles, and, rejoicing over the spoils which he has gotten, says in his heart, " What is that to me ? see thou to that."
Numberless other instances might be adduced to shew, how sin hardens the heart against the temporal distresses of those whom we ourselves have beguiled. And how are we affected by their spiritual trouble ? Here, for the most part, our in- difference rises to contempt : and, instead of being led by the penitence of our companions to follow their good example, we load them with opprobrious names, alike regardless of their sorrows and of our own safety.]
IV. The despairing sinner —
[There is a " repentance unto salvation;" but there is also a repentance which leaves room for everlasting penitence, " a repentance to be repented of." Such was the remorse which Judas felt on this occasion. It carried him far, (would to God that all were even as much affected with their sins as he!) but still he stopped short of true repentance. Having no faith in Jesus ^, he abandoned himself to despair; and, to terminate the present agonies of his mind, he put a period to his existence.
Such despair is not uncommon: nor is it uncommon to
f John vi. 64, 70, 71.