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to show yourselves friends of the world, rather by serving than by governing, must be your distinguishing character. You do well to call me Lord and Master, for so I am: let therefore the example which I, as such, have set you, be a constant pattern for your imitation: for verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord: neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him: and remember that your happiness depends not on your knowledge, but on your practice, of these things: if ye know these things, happy are ye, if ye do them.

But the blessed JESUS did not only correct the errors, and reprove the faults of his apostles; but also, while they were eating the Paschal Lamb, he commended them for their faithfulness to him, assuring them that, although they were to undergo great trials and sufferings, they should hereafter be rewarded with exalted honours, incomparably beyond those about which they now seemed so solici

tous.

But alas! who can conceive the feelings of these apostles,-of those, I mean, who were faithful among them, when he concluded his affectionate discourse with the following words? I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen: but

that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he, even the true MESSIAH, and that it may more strongly confirm your faith in me. And be assured, that notwithstanding the total defection of one from me, and the success which my enemies will have against me, I will support your interest as my own*.

When he had said this, and so affectionately encouraged his apostles to maintain his cause, he was troubled in spirit at the ingratitude, which he foresaw would be basely practised against him by one of his chosen associates, and said to them in plain terms, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Astonished, as they must be, at such a declaration from the mouth of him, who, they were sensible, knew their hearts, they became exceeding sorrowful. Anxious, no doubt, to know on whom such guilt would lie, and hoping to clear up their innocence, they began to demand with great eagerness, Lord is it I? Peter also made a sign to

* Trimmer.

*

a favourite disciple who was next to JESUS, to inquire whom he meant. Even the traitor himself, who, not long before, had been bargaining with the chief priests, and had covenanted that they should give him thirty pieces of silver, as the price of his treachery; even he, who was then seeking an opportunity to betray him; who had just heard the woe denounced against that man by whom the son of man should be betrayed, that it had been good for that man, if he had never been borneven he hypocritically demanded, Master, is it I? JESUS having before given him the sop, which was a private sign by which he intimated to his favourite disciple the guilty person, now publickly declared, in answer to the question which Judas himself had so boldly asked, that he was the person. This discovery, instead of restraining Judas, made him more obdurate: which JESUS perceiving said unto him, That thou doest, do quickly at which although the disciples made several conjectures, yet no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this

John whom JESUS loved with a peculiar tenderness, and honoured with the most intimate friendship, sate next him at the table, on his right hand.-Doddridge.

unto him. Judas however having received the sop, immediately went out, and it was night, the time agreed upon between him and the chief priests for putting his abominable design in execu

tion.

The story itself cannot but suggest to you, my Brethren, many very pertinent reflections: time will not permit me to dwell longer at present on this depraved character; of which it will be necessary to have another view, as we advance further in the melancholy history of the sufferings of our blessed LORD.

From this unworthy character we are led in the course of the history to another instance of human frailty; melancholy indeed, but not of such an abandoned degree, as that which we have just been. considering,

As soon as the traitor Judas, had left the room, the blessed JESUS speaks to his disciples of the completion of the great design of God by the sufferings and death of the son of man, which should redound greatly to his own glory in his subsequent resurrection and ascension: and, ever awake to their welfare, having informed them that he should be with them only a little time longer, and that they could not follow him now, as he had before said

unto the Jews; he exhorted them by a new commandment, that is, by new motives and a new example, to love one another, as he had loved them, and to consider this love as the distinguishing mark of their being his disciples. Peter, distressed with the idea of not being able to follow his Master, with an eagerness peculiar to himself, demanded, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I am willing to undergo any difficulties and hardships, and I will even lay down my life for thy

sake.

Observe now the tender anxiety with which JESUS answered him, well knowing the danger of too great confidence, and how ignorant Peter was of his own weakness. Wilt thou, said JESUS, lay down thy life for my sake? O Simon, Simon, I must tell thee that a dreadful hour of temptation awaits you all; for behold, Satan hath desired to have you, my disciples, that he may sift you as wheat : but I have prayed for thee, Peter, that thy faith fail not; and when that shall be returned and established, strengthen and comfort thy weaker brethren. Peter not at all alarmed at this warning from his LORD, that he should yield in the hour of trial, asserted his confidence more eagerly, and said, Lord, I am ready to go with

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