CHRIST DELIVERED TO PILATE.

A murderer and a rebel,-then in bands,
Before the Prince of Life: he wash'd his hands
To show him guiltless of the blood was shed,
(Ah, vain 'lustration) then he dooms him dead.

"AND when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor." (Matt. xxvii. 2.)

Jesus Christ was now to be the great Sacrifice. They bound him and led him through Jerusalem, to expose him to derision and contempt, where he was but a few days before held in great veneration by the public. They delivered him to Pilate. Christ was to be the Saviour of Jews and Gentiles, and both took part in his death.

The money paid to Judas for betraying Christ, was by him delivered back. Thus even this apostate was made a witness of Christ's innocence, which was glory to

Christ in the midst of his sufferings, and a proof of his victory over Satan. Whatever were his views when he betrayed his Lord, he saw his conduct in a very different light when Jesus was condemned. Then he repented himself, but it was not the true repentence of humility, fear, faith, hope, love, godly sorrow, confession, and renouncing of all sin. His conscience was filled with horror and remorse. He could

not but feel the excellency and holiness of Jesus; the miracles he had witnessed, and the wisdom and love of his gracious Lord, must have rushed into his distracted mind.

Satan, who had tempted Judas to presumption, now left him to despair. He, in the fullest manner, acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person; but the rulers were determined to put Jesus to death.

This completed his ruin; casting down the money, he departed, and immediately went and hanged himself, not being able to endure the terror of Divine wrath.

But they had thirsted after this blood, and hired Judas to betray it, and had now condemned it to be shed unjustly. Thus do fools make a mock at sin, as if no harm were done, no hazard run, by committing the greatest wickedness.

See here how carelessly they speak of the sin of Judas. It is folly for us to think that the sins of others are nothing to us, especially those sins we are any way accessary to, or partakers in. But the judgment of God is according to truth, not according to comparison.

This is an instance of the wretched end of those whom Satan beguiles, particularly such as are given up to the love of money;

and we have an instance of the wrath of God revealed from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. vi. 23.)

Let us watch against the beginning of evil, and avoid covetousness, and earnestly pray, and endeavour to feel, when we say, Lord, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."