but when we have swallowed the bait, then we begin to feel the hook ; and oftentimes would gladly restore, if it were possible, all the pleasure we have felt, provided we could at the same time get rid of the sting that it has left behind. And what will be our views of sin, when once we come into the eternal world ? How gladly would we then restore the thirty pieces of silver for which we have sold the Lord ! Or, if through penitence and faith in the liOrd Jesus Christ we have obtained mercy, with what indignation should we receive a proposal to forego an interest in the Saviour for some momentary pleasure,
or some trifling gain! Ten thousand worlds would
tlien appear to us as of no value in comparison of that inestim- able pearl.]
3. Of how little avail will it be at the last day, to have rendered unto God a partial and hypocritical obedience!
[We blame not the priests for refusing to put into the treasury the money which .Tudas cast down in the temple : for if the price of a dog, or the hire of a harlot, were not to be presented to God, much less ought money that had been the reward of treachery, and *' the price of blood." But we marvel at their hypocrisy, in that they could siiborn false wit- nesses, and persecute unto death an innocent man, and yet profess the smallest reverence for God. Truly, while " they strained out a gnat, they swallowed a camel." They hoped perhaps to compensate for their oppression of Jesus by their gratuitous kindness to strangers*^. Yet, if we know ourselves, we shall not greatly wonder : for we may find a transcript of this very thing in our own hearts. How many are there eminent for truth and honesty, who are yet habitually regard- less of all the sublimer exercises of religion ! With respect to the second table of the law, they are exemplary ; but in their duties to God, they are altogether remiss. In the same man- ner, there are some who profess a great regard for the Gospel, who yet are defective in their adherence even to truth and honesty. Indeed there are very few, who do not notoriously fail in some one particular: so "deceitful, and desperately wicked, is the heart of man." But it is certain that an observance of some duties will never procure us an exemption from others : " if we keep the whole law, and yet offend know- ingly and habitually in any one point, we are guilty of all," and shall be dealt with as contemners of the Lawgiver himself.
^ The field having been exhausted by the pottery, and rendered mifit for cultivation or pasture, was probably worth no more than v hat they gave for it, and applicable to no better purpose than that to which they destined it.
1408.] Pilate's protest. , 583
And as the name, "Aceldama," perpetuated the memory of the atrocious wickedness committed by the priests^, so shall the very endeavours we use to conceal our impieties stamp them at last with indelible and eternal infamy.]
4. How certainly shall every jot and tittle of God's word be accomplished !
[Little did the chief priests think of fulfilling the Scrip- tures : and little do the contemners of God and his Christ reflect, that they will one day be exhibited as proofs of God's veracity. But, as all the most contingent actions of men were infallibly foreseen, and not one single prediction, however im- probable, ever failed of its accomplishment ; so every promise and every threatening shall be fulfilled in its season, and the lot of men be fixed according to their true character. In this world, we see enough to assure us that God is true ; but in the world to come, there shall be in all an irresistible demonstration of it : and every man, whether in heaven or in hell, shall be a living witness of his truth : the blessed shall inherit his promised mercies ; the damned shall feel his threatened judg- ments. Let us consider then, that either our salvation or " damnation lingereth not ;" and that " the things spoken con- cerning us have an end."]