impossible to please God"-without faith your profession of attachment to Christ may end in treachery to his cause-without faith, your repentance will issue in despair and perdition. Most wisely expressed, therefore, was that petition of the disciples, who, when they felt the duty of forgiveness of injuries, as enjoined by Jesus, to be too hard for them, prayed " Lord increase "—not our charity-not our forbearance-but "our faith." Is it asked, wherein did Judas prove, that he lacked this cardinal grace? I answer, in his not believing that the blood of Jesus Christ could cleanse him from all sin. Of all that were ever born of woman, there never had lived or moved such a transgressor as Judas. In his case sin appeared to attain to its full tide of enormity. Jesus himself when speaking to his guilty judge, remarks -"He that delivered me unto thee, hath the greater sin." Yet for that foul crime, (it were blasphemy to doubt it), there was free and full forgiveness with Jesus. Had every member of this congregation been a Judas in sin, without being a Judas in unbelief, the blood of Jesus Christ could still wash out every stain, and the spirit of Christ present them without "spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Judas knew not of such abounding grace-could not understand it-would not believe it. Destitute of faith, he was by necessary consequence destitute of that hope, which might else have been as an anchor to his soul, and preserved it from dashing on the rocks of despair and perdition. This was the single, but inconceivably important distinction between his case, and that of Peter. Both had fallen through transgressionawfully, shamefully fallen. Both were convinced of their sin-both repented-but whilst Peter believed and was saved, Judas believed not and was damned. Hear now the conclusion of the whole matter. Do you profess to be contrite for sin, and are you sincerely seeking salvation from sin? Jesus puts the simple question to you," Believest thou, that I am able to do this? Believest thou that I am willing?" On the answer of your soul to that two-fold inquiry, turns the whole question of its salvation. Is it hard to comprehend a love so infinite, unmerited, unbought, and unrequited? Does the tempter suggest the doubt -'there may be mercy, grace, salvation for others but not for you?' How suitable then, and important the petition, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." SERMON VIII. JOHN XXI. 15. "JESUS SAITH TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA, LORD; THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE." It is a faithful saying, that there is nothing like the cross of Christ, for crucifying the world to the believer, and the believer to the world. If other examples of the fact were wanting, the conduct of the eleven disciples, immediately after the crucifixion of their Lord, would furnish a striking and convincing illustration. Up to that period they had perpetually manifested a worldly, emulous, and ambitious spirit. Principalities and satrapies glittered in their fancy, and the glory of a temporal kingdom dazzled their imagination. It was to no purpose that Jesus had taken every opportunity, during his life-time, of undeceiving them on the subject. Within a few hours of his betrayal and apprehension, we find them renew ing the old contest for the pre-eminence. But the view and memory of the cross, at once restored them to their right mind. The selfishness of their former desires, the vanity of their former expectations seem at once to have been forced upon their apprehensions. Their splendid hopes were all forgotten; and we find them in the opening of this chapter, returning to their original station, and humble employment as fishermen of Galilee. But though their occupation was the same, they were men of a different spirit, from that with which they had once pursued it. Meek and lowly, chastised and penitent, sensible from painful experience, of the infirmity of their own hearts, and the inconstancy of their faith; full of tender contrite love to him, who had taught. them, guided them, stipulated for their safety, died for them, re-appeared to them, and spoken peace to them. Such is ever the spirit which the Lord delighteth to honour, and such was now the spirit of that little band of disciples. Hence the renewal of their high commission as ambassadors for him, which is given to Peter in the context, and through him to the whole body. It is already known to my hearers, that the example before us has been selected as an illustration of the general subject we have in hand, and it will, therefore, be chiefly to this view of Peter's behaviour on the occasion that your attention is now to be directed. It is the last specimen of the genuine penitent, which our prescribed course will permit us to consider-but it is one of the most interesting and instructive. The history of the context is soon told. Jesus as we have already observed, found a party of his disciples resuming their former occupation as fishermen. Their toil had been unsuccessful-" that night they caught nothing." In the morning he appeared to them, and without, in the first instance, being recognized by any of them, interfered for their assistance. That assistance having approved itself to be miraculous, led to a discovery of its author. John with the quick apprehension of a more tender love, was the first to exclaim-" It is the Lord." Peter with the impetuous eagerness of a more zealous love, at once dashed into the waves, and through them, that he might the sooner be with his master. Then Jesus again condescends to take food with them, and presides as before at his own table. And then, after their meal, ensues the conversation, of which the text is a portion. The entire verse may be regarded as a summary of the three. In each the same question is put, the same reply given, and the same rejoinder made. As a part only of the verse is under our immediate consideration, the last of these particulars will not come within the sphere of our investigation. The two former will furnish abundant matter for your prayerful attention. I. THE QUESTION PROPOSED BY JESUS. |