rance and contempt of God. We warn them not to profane the folemnity by their formality and irreverence. If you feel not your need of Jefus, nor defire to please him, infult him not by prefuming to "eat of his bread, and to drink of the wine which he hath mingled." But you, who are bowed down with a sense of guilt and depravity, who earnestly wish to accept falvation on the terms of the Gospel, may approach with humble hope. Only devote your fouls and your all to Jefus, and bind yourselves by a vow to ferve him with all your faculties, to the last moment of your lives: and here you may expect to receive the tokens of his love, and the gracious fupplies of his Spirit.

Judas was prefent, while our Lord declared in the ftrongest terms his high regard for his difciples; and it is probable, that even the traitor himself participated of the holy Eucharift. But, though he had acted his part in fo fubtle a manner, as not to be fufpected by the other Apoftles, neither his character nor his defigns were concealed from Jefus. At length it appeared expedient, that the reft alfo fhould be apprized of the diabolical plan of treachery, then ripe for execution. While, therefore, they were all at table together the Saviour intimated his perfect knowledge of it: and this he did, that his chofen followers might not be ftaggered, when they should fee one from among themselves fo feandaloufly defert his poft, but be confirmed in the faith, by obferving a completion of the fcriptures in that event. He exhorted them, alfo, to perfevere in their zealous exertions for his cause, affuring them, that both he and his Father were concerned for their favourable reception in the world*.

In the view of this fad cafe, Jefus felt a keen anguish

John xiii. 18-30. Matt. xxvi. 21-25. Mar. xiv. 18-21. Luke xxii. 21-23.

of fpirit. He then declared more explicitly, "One of you fhall betray me;" "the hand of the traitor is with me on the table;" and by certain exprefs tokens he marked out Judas as the man, denouncing the moft tremendous wo againft him, though he fhould be the inftrument of fulfilling the divine counfels. An awful confternation feized the company, and every one, fufpecting himself rather than Judas, cried out, "Lord, is it I?" But that monfter of iniquity remained unaffected by the folemn warning. We might have fuppofd, that he would have been deterred from his purpofe: but he was the more enraged, and went out immediately, under a more violent inftigation of the Devil, in the darkness of the night, to accomplish his infernal fcheme.

Our Lord then exulted in the profpect of those bleffed confequences, which would refult from the treachery of Judas, as the means of completing the grand work of redemption *. He reminded his difciples, that the hour was approaching, when he himself fhould enter on a state of high exaltation, and bring glory to God in faving finners by his death. Looking upon his dear followers with a tenderness of affection, like an indulgent father upon his little children, from whom he was on the point of being separated, he preffed it upon them, as his dying request, that they would continue firmly and warmly attached to one another. This he enjoined as a new command, not unknown, indeed, in former difpenfations, but now enforced by fresh motives, and by an example altogether fingular in its kind. "As I have loved you," faid he, "that ye alfo love one another." His love to us, then, is to be the caufe, the measure, and the pattern of our kindnefs and regard to all the members of his Church. He recommended, also, an attention to the duty, as the strongest proof of our union

* John ziii. 31, &c. Luke xxii. 31—38.

with him, and the most honourable badge of our profeffion.

If we understand the full import of our Lord's declaration," I have loved you," its influence will be irrefiftible. We fhall not only abhor the treachery of Judas, but dread the thought of difpleafing Him, who has fhewn fuch compaffion and favour toward us. Let us examine our religion on this ground: Do we fcrupulously avoid all thofe practices and tempers, which he condemns, and endeavour to exprefs our gratitude by our diligence and fervour in his fervice? Do we cultivate that principle, on which he has laid such peculiar ftrefs, unfeigned love to his people for his fake? How excellent would be the fruits of this difpofition! What peace and happiness would it produce; and how ftrongly would it recommend our fyftem of faith! But we are all lamentably defective in this grace. Do not our peevishness, enyy, and contention, our cenforioufnefs, bigotry, and refentment, difgrace our profeffion, and betray our infincerity? Surely, it cannot now be faid, as it was of the primitive Church, "See how thefe Chriftians love one another."

Jefus had intimated his approaching departure; on which Peter, though admonished that he could not follow him for the prefent, declared his readiness to attend him through all dangers, even to death itself. Alas! little do we know, how we shall be able to ftand in the hour of trial. The boafting Apoftle was reproved and informed, that before the morning light his ftrong confidence would be fo fhaken, that he would deny in the most shameful manner all connection and acquaintance with his Lord and Mafter. That very night, he was told, would be a time of peculiar temptation, as Satan was defirous to practife his wiles upon them all. He was affured that his. principles would be feverely affaulted, and that he hould be preferved from total apoftafy, only through

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the gracious interceffion of the Saviour. He was further charged, to confirm the faith of his weak brethren, after his own recovery.

Such was the folemn caution given to Peter : Jefus alfo fubjoined an affecting addrefs to the whole company. He bad them prepare for a fore conflict, and arm themselves for the fight. They had been, till then, abundantly fupplied with neceffary provifions, when they went out to preach the Gofpel, without having any stock of their own. But he reminded them, that they would foon be so entirely destitute, as to stand in need of a purfe furnished with money, a fcrip with food, and a fword for their defence; which articles they had not wanted before. He informed them further, that, as all the ancient prophecies concerning him would be exactly fulfilled, fo in particular, agreeably to Ifaiah's declaration, he was about to be "numbered with the tranfgreffors," and to die as a malefactor *. Probably, they misunderstood him, as if he wished them to refift their enemies with violence. He intended only to lead their minds to the expectation of a fevere oppofition; and they ought to have known, that "the weapons of their warfare were not carnal +."

But, leaving for the present the case of the Apostles, let us remember for ourselves, that we also are required to" endure hardness, as good foldiers of Jefus Chrift ." Let us be folicitous to maintain his cause, at any expense to ourselves; and, as we must look for a fierce onfet, let us be prepared to make a vigorous defence. But the cautions, now before us, will teach us, not to depend on our own refolution and ability: for, if we be self-confident, probably we shall fall like Peter. Then, "be ftrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."-" Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to ‡ 2 Tim. ii. 3.

* Ifa. liii. 12. + 2 Cor. x. 4.

withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand *.”

We see our calling: we muft follow the Saviour, not to worldly honour and preferment, but to fhame, contempt, and many fecular difadvantages. Are we willing to hazard all confequences in his fervice? Let us boldly declare ourselves on his fide, and entreat him fo to pray for us, while Satan is fifting us as wheat, that our faith may not fail. Let us attend him to the cross, and then we fhall participate of his glory. Whatever dangers may threaten, or enemies affault us, may each of us be able to fay, "None of these things move me, neither count my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy*! Amen.

Eph. vi. 10, 13. + Acts xx. 240

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