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tion was to be made to divine justice, by the fufferings of a divine person, remained a hidden myftery, till explained by the event. This was necessary. Had the enemy been able to penetrate the design, these things would not have been done. Satan would not have instigated, nor his adherents crucified the Lord of glory.

THE powers of darkness were laboring to fubvert and destroy; they vainly thought to defeat the purposes of grace; but were made instrument. al in their accomplishment. "The wife were taken in their own craftiness; the purposes of the froward carried headlong; but the divine purpofes stood, and God performed all his pleasure ! Oh, the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

II. ANOTHER thing which our fubject suggests to our confideration, is the way of God with man. God hath provided a savior, and offered falvation -he hath pointed out the way of duty, and commanded us to walk in it-allured us thereto by promises, and barred up the way to destruction by threatenings. Those who enjoy the gospel, have life and death set before them. But no constraint is laid upon them-they choose for themselves, and the consequences follow.

THOUGH the best services of fallen man are imperfect, and mercy offered in Christ his only hope, he hath reason to expect saving mercy while feeking it in the way of duty, and only while thus seeking. When we "keep confciences void of offence,

toward God and men, then are we fatisfied from ourselves," and expect the approbation of our judge. When we act differently, we are con demned of ourselves, and tremble to approach the enlightened tribunal.

THESE views are natural-they are written on the heart, or confcience, by the creator's hand, and indicate what we may reasonably expect from him who knows our hearts-from him who is moral governor of all worlds.

As we know ourselves to be free agents, and as we possess only delegated powers, we are certainly accountable for the use which we make of those powers. The duties which rise out of such a situa tion, and the consequences which will follow, according to the manner in which we act our parts, need not to be pointed out-they lie open to every eye.

III. WHEN WE consider the struggle in Pilate's breast, between sense of duty, and a desire to please the world, and how it terminated, we see the danger of wanting fixed principles of rectitude-of not being determined, at all events, to do right, whatever may be the consequences.

PILATE's duty was plain. He knew his dutyfelt his obligation to do it, and wished to do it, that he might feel easy, and not be concerned for consequences. But he had formerly facrificed confcience, to appetite, paffion, or selfishness, and it was known. This exposed him to temptation again to do wrong. He who had violated conscience to gain worldly ends, might do it again. Pilate had exposed himself by past conduct-could not justify his past administration-his enemies might report him to Cæfar-he could not answer for himself before Cæfar; but if he would again violate confcience, oblige the Jews, in a matter they had much at heart, he hoped their friendship -that they would spread a veil over his past conduct, and report in his favor at Rome.

SUCH was the situation into which he had brought himself by wilful deviations from dutythence temptations to farther and greater devia. tions-temptations not easily overcome--temptations by which he was overcome, and feduced to the most horrid wickedness--crucifying the Lord of glory!

THOSE who would maintain their integrity, and stand in the evil day, must refsolve to do right; to obey the dictates of confcience; they must beware the beginnings of sin; hold no parley with the enemy; never hefitate, whether it is not best, in any cafe to yield to temptation; nor make attempts to please those who wish them, and dare to importune them to counteract the light of their own minds-" trimming their way to seek love."

To enter on such a course, is to go on forbidden ground. It is to pass the bounds, and go into the way of seduction. "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."*

* Proverbs iv. 14.

WHAT the poet observes, respecting one species of temptation, holds, in degree, of every other. "In spite of all the virtue we can boaft, "The person who deliberates is lost."-Young.

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SERMON ΧΙΙΙ.

The Trial of Peter's love to Christ.

JOHN xxi. 15, 16, 17.

So when they had dined, 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. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowelt all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

"THIS was the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples after he was risen from the dead." But it was not the last time. " He often shewed himself alive after his passion, being seen of them for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." Once he appeared to a Christian assembly-" was seen by above five hundred brethren" at the fame time. When he had given to his disciples those infalli.

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