and legitimate Master,―to use this world as not abusing it, to look upon it as a passing shadow, -to be ever ready to leave it without a regret for any thing it contains? Are the subjects of Jesus always actuated by this spirit?

"If my kingdom were of this world," Jesus continued, "then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence," John xviii. 36. I am not a King for earth-for time-for things that have an end. My kingdom is everlasting, and every thing connected with this world is unworthy of me.

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth," John xviii. 37. Before I came it was unknown, obscured, despised; I am come to teach the Jews how to understand the Scriptures; to teach the end of the law, its ceremonies and sacrifices; how also they may attain true righteousness; and into what errors they may fall while professedly seeking it. I am come to call the Gentiles back again to the

to the pro

true and only God; to open their eyes fane and impure fables which distinguish their worship; to show them the necessity of a Mediator, and the vanity and uselessness of that false wisdom, which, instead of healing their miseries, renders them incurable. I am come to discover to all men their deep corruption; the severity of the judgments of God, of which they have lost all dread; the certainty of reward and punishment after death, for which they care so little; and the only way to flee from the wrath to come. I am come to bear witness to the truth, not as a king, whose laws, however just, he has no power to engrave upon the hearts of his people, or inspire them with a love of; but I am come as one having the power to renew the heart and mind, and bring them both into subjection to truth, by persuasion and by love. "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice," John xviii. 37.

This sublime answer of our blessed Lord might, at the time it was uttered, when Jesus Christ was at the lowest depth of his humiliation, disowned by his nation, and delivered up to a heathen judge, have appeared but improbable words; but how highly were they justi

fied by the event! And what voice could that be, of such wonderful power and efficacy, as to conquer all whom it pleased to call to the knowledge of the truth; which was to be heard indeed from one end of the world to the other, when Jesus Christ himself would be no longer visible among men; what voice could it be, if not the voice of God?

"Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?" John xviii. 38. But this question was not asked in earnest, nor did it proceed from a desire of instruction. The proof of this is, that Pilate, after he had uttered it, did not wait for the answer of Christ. He verified the truth of that solemn assertion, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice:" in not hearing the voice of Christ he plainly showed that he was not of the truth; and his conduct was a proof, not only of his unworthiness to hear it, but also that he was unconscious of that unworthiness.

Though perfectly indifferent about the wisdom which is from above, Pilate was not so devoid of earthly wisdom, as not to perceive, by the way in which Jesus had spoken, that nothing could be more false than the accusations brought against

E

him, of his having incited the people to revolt, and prevented them from paying tribute, and of having assumed a sovereign power, opposed to that of the emperor. He therefore returned to the Jews, and said to them, "I find in him no fault at all," John xviii. 38. This was a full and public acquittal of Christ. It could not have been declared in more distinct or clearer words. It leaves no further room for suspicion; it entirely acquits the accused person; and it came from the judge himself, after examination, and was pronounced in the presence of the accusers.

XII.

THE JEWS MAKE FRESH EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT THE CONDEMNATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

THE first time Pilate had left his palace it was to give audience to the Jews in the open air, because they refused to enter his house in order to keep themselves undefiled to celebrate the Passover. He returned thither to question Jesus Christ. He again leaves it to give an account of the examination to the chief priests, and to the people who had been drawn thither by curiosity. It would seem by the sequel of the history, that Jesus accompanied him this second time, and that it was in his presence he had made the declaration of his innocence, no doubt thinking that this would terminate the matter.

*See page 40.