fest, he is generally denoted by the distinctive brand, "Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him." In fact, it is under this title, that he is first introduced to our notice, in St. Matthew's enumeration of the twelve apostles. The account of their first mission is the point at which his recorded history begins, and from that point it will be instructive to pursue it rapidly down to the crisis of our text. It is probable that he had already attached himself to our Lord's person, and had made loud professions of zeal, for the advancement of his kingdom. It appears to me perfectly incredible, that from the beginning of his discipleship he meditated the treachery which has for ever blackened his memory, and which issued in his perdition. On the contrary, it is likely that, had some warning voice predicted such a consummation of his profession, he would have been ready to retort with Hazael," Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?" Such a consideration only makes his example the more solemn and instructive. At the commencement of his Christian career it is probable that Judas started as fairly as some amongst ourselves. That his heart was right with God, or that he ever had the root of the matter in him, I do not believe. But is this a singular case? Would God that it were ! Would God that there were no counterpart to be found to it, in the congregation before me! Judas had heard the words of Christ, and seen the works of Christ. He had been struck

perhaps with the one, and dazzled by the other. The doctrines as they fell for the first time on his ear were accompanied with a power which evidenced their divine original; and it is not assuming too much, to suppose that his judgment was convinced, and his feelings for a season touched. He determined, on the strength of these impressions, to follow this divine teacher. But, I ask again, is there anything peculiar in this? Have none but Judas taken up a hasty profession of the gospel from the mere impulse of newly-awakened emotions? Alas! the time would fail to tell of the many who have come within the sphere of our own observation, who once seemed to have left the world, and to be pressing forward to Zion with their faces thitherward, but who have looked back, and if they have not turned back, appear to stand as lifeless and stationary as the pillar of salt. What an awakening will theirs be! God grant that it may be timely.

Thus far then, I believe the case of Judas to have been precisely parellel with that of thousands. In one respect I should earnestly hope that it differed from that of all whom I now address. In common with the rest of the Apostles, he undoubtedly entertained and indulged the notion that the kingdom of the Messiah was to be temporal in its character. Like them he would naturally conclude, that those who were nearest to the person of the king, would form the peers of his court, and the assessors of his throne. The miracles which he

beheld convinced him that Jesus could establish such an empire, and a carnal interpretation of the ancient prophecies induced him to expect that he would. Now whilst the rest were looking forward to promotion and dignity, craving like the sons of Zebedee," to sit one on his right hand, and the other on his left," and thus, constantly striving for the pre-eminence-the selfish views of Iscariot took a more sordid turn, and it is to be feared that he early began to calculate on the gain, to which a profession of godliness might be converted.

Here, I believe was his stumbling-block from the first. We know that it was declared to be so afterwards, and such being the case, how solemn and emphatic is the admonition which the example suggests, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness!" Yes, brethren, this I am persuaded was the avenue through which the enemy insinuated his successive temptations, till at length he took possession of the traitor's soul. Let me charge you, therefore, to see that in your first setting out in religion, your eye be single, and your motives sincere. Guard against worldliness, however subdued in form. It is a subtle, insidious, and encroaching sin, and is sure to lead to hypocrisy.

Such then, was the individual selected by Christ from amongst the rest of his disciples, and enrolled in the list of his Apostles. That his character was known to Jesus from the very first, is matter of certainty; and indeed is expressly and repeatedly asserted, in a variety of

passages. Still there were wise and holy reasons for the choice, which it is not now necessary to vindicate. My own persuasion has been already intimated, that Judas was not from the beginning, the devil that he afterwards approved himself. Though the seeds of his covetous, revengeful, and treacherous disposition were inherent in his heart from the first, the probability is, that they were not immediately developed. The beginnings of evil are for the most part gradual-and though the inclining path of sin is proverbially easy, it is not till a considerable momentum has been acquired, that the descent becomes uncontroulably rapid. When Judas, therefore, was first numbered amongst the twelve, there might not have been very much to mark him out from the rest. He might have been as fit for the apostleship, as Saul was for the throne. At all events, having been elected, he was qualified like the rest.-There can be no doubt that his commission was as ample-his endowments as extensive—his gifts as varied as theirs. Like them, he preached the kingdom of God, and healed the sick. Like them he cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, and cast out devils.

How forcibly, my brethren, is the lesson impressed upon us See the little dependence that is to be placed on external appearances! See the utter emptiness of the most dazzling array of gifts, apart from the graces of the Spirit! See how much a man may seem to do,

and actually do for Christ, and yet have no interest in Christ! See how completely a man may deceive himself and others, and yet be exposed at the last as a hypocrite and a traitor!' Let me entreat you, again and again, to examine your own selves, and prove your own selves. If you are really sincere, you can appeal to God to witness your sincerity. Go then, to him and say, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

The result of this mission, as we all know, was completely successful. Their doctrine and miracles had excited universal curiosity, and operated to attract vast multitudes after Christ; and this circumstance gave occasion for a wonderful display of the Divine power of Jesus, in feeding the assembled thousands with a mere handful of provisions. The consequences of this wonderful event were very remarkable. It became the turning point in the career of many of his professed disciples, and, if I mistake not, was the first prominent occasion which provoked the avarice and the malignity of Iscariot's heart. The multitude, as was natural, were amazed at such a mighty work; and at the same time were eager to turn the power which wrought it to account. They at once perceived the profit to be derived from following a Master, who could supply all their wants by the mere word of his power. With these views they entered into a conspiracy "to