SERMON IX.

THE PRAYER OF JESUS ON THE CROSS.

LUKE Xxiii. 34.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

WE are interested in distinguished characters: we mark their conduct, and value their sayings, particularly at the close of life. None was ever so eminent as Jesus Christ, so worthy of our attention in all that he did and said; and here we behold him in the most affecting situation.

One favourable circumstance attending the manner of the Saviour's death was; it allowed him time to express his feelings, and the compassionate Sufferer wisely improved it. Many gracious words proceeded from his lips, but none more kind than these. In the severity of his pain, he uttered no complaint, he charged no one with cruelty: he addressed himself to his heavenly Father, and what did he request? Nothing for himself: in the tenderness of his concern for others, he forgot himself. His petition was in behalf of his enemies, his murderers; and instead

of calling for vengeance, he pleaded that mercy might reach them, and forgiveness be granted them. "Then said Jesus"-as he hung bleeding on the cross, in the extremity of his anguish, and amidst the barbarous insults of an infatuated crowd"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

The immediate effect produced by this unparalleled combination of suffering, patience, benevolence, and love, was striking ::-"Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned *."

Jesus had taught his disciples-" Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you;" and on the cross he exemplifies what he had inculcated on others. Soon after, he was imitated in this noble spirit by his servant Stephen, who, amidst the fury of his persecutors, "kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sin to their charge t.”

But from the text, we observe,

I. That sin is founded in much IGNORANCE: "they know not what they do."

Similar to these are the words of Peter, in reference to the same action-" I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers." And also of Paul-" Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known, they would not have cru

* Luke xxiii. 47, 48.

+ Matt. v. 44; Acts vii. 60.

cified the Lord of glory." Certainly they knew what they were doing as to the outward act; they must also have had conviction that they were putting to death an innocent character; but they were so blinded by prejudice, so enslaved by passion, so bent on accomplishing the horrid deed, that they reflected not on its peculiar atrocity, the awful magnitude of

its guilt.

And at this day, when persons commit sin, they cannot plead absolute ignorance. The swearer, the liar, the adulterer, the sabbath-breaker, knows that his practice is wrong. And in the allowance of more secret sin, when a man indulges pride, envy, anger, or any unhallowed lust, he is seldom ignorant of it, and will even profess disapprobation. When, therefore, we say that sin is founded in ignorance,

we mean,

1. That men are ignorant of its extreme evil in the sight of God.-Sin is not merely the transgression of a law, but this law is Divine: "it is holy, just, and good." Sin is not only the violation of authority, but this authority is supreme, combining whatever is awful in majesty and sacred in goodness. It is rebellion against the best of Beings, and against the most tender and beneficent proofs of his compassion and love. But who considers this? When is it that transgressors weigh the malignity of their actions, and reflect on the offensive character of their crimes in the view of the Most High?

2. Men are ignorant of the baneful influence of sin upon themselves.-They are not aware how it hardens the heart, stupifies the conscience, settles into habit, and at length gains complete ascendency. Many an amiable youth has shuddered at the distant apprehension of crimes, which now he commits with

out remorse. Had he been warned of them, he would have been ready to ask-" Am I a dog, that I should do this?" But gradually he has fallen into temptation; yielding to one vice has prepared the way for another; and each forbidden action has increased his avidity for the next, till he has sunk into the deepest enormities. Little did he once suspect that this would be the case! But such is the tendency of evil; such is frequently its hold of the human heart and such is the need of habitual watchfulness and care, "lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

3. Men are ignorant of the pernicious effect of sin on others.-Few sins are confined to the transgressor only they have a relative influence. The frequent commission of crime forms a character; this character exhibits an example; and this example must produce, more or less, an injurious effect on those who observe it. Beside, are not many the direct seducers of others? Walking in the way of their own hearts; they must have their companions; but in gaining such," they know not what they do!" Perhaps they pretend friendship; but can this sacred bond consist with deliberate efforts to draw you into sin? Is that man your friend who cannot rest without tempting you into paths of iniquity? Believe him not. He destroys himself, and labours also to destroy you. Under the mask of affection he presents poison to your taste, he points a dagger at your heart. "Evil communications corrupt good manners;" and thousands have learnt by fatal experience, that "though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished."

4. Men are ignorant of the dreadful consequences

of sin in another world.-There is a future state of gracious reward for the righteous, and of awful retribution for the wicked. Have you not read-"When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death!" This is its final issue. "The wages of sin is death?" This is its righteous recompense. "These shall go away into everlasting punishment," and shall "suffer the vengeance of eternal fire." But is such a result of little moment? "Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge?" The fact is, they are deluded by present pleasures, given up to the gratification of appetites and passions, and mind not futurity. If at any time conscience is disturbed, and uneasy fears are excited, they find it not difficult to apply some opiate, and whisper to themselves—“ I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart." The commission of sin is certain proof that men "know not what they do;" and have not we been chargeable with this infatuation? Yes; we have neither considered its extreme evil in the sight of God, its baneful influence on ourselves, its pernicious effect on others, nor its dreadful result in another world, or the mountain of our guilt would never have been thus accumulated. -We observe,

II. That ignorance is no sufficient EXCUSE for sin. In some instances, it mitigates offence: we may even conceive of forbidden actions having no guilt, as when committed by idiots, or by persons in delirium, or under mental derangement. These, however, are extraordinary cases, and do not affect the general sentiment expressed. Those persons, the murderers of the Lord Jesus, were ignorant; yet doubtless they