Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/185

 contriving means  to  seize  him,  but  Judas  told  them, "Whomsoever I  shall  kiss,  that  is  He;  hold  Him." Then were verified  the  words  of  the  Royal  Prophet,  "  Many dogs  have  encompassed  me;  the  council  of  the  malignant hath  besieged  me." (Ps. xxi.  17.)

III. Christ did  not  fly,  nor  render  Himself  invisible,  as He  might  easily  have  done,  nor  call  down  fire  from heaven to  consume  His  enemies,  as  did  Elias,  but  from his desire  of  suffering  for  us,  courageously  went  to  meet them. " He  was  offered  because  it  was  His  own  will." (Is. liii.  7.)  Be  grateful  for  his  passion,  learn  constancy in adversity,  and  do  not  avoid  occasions  of  suffering  for Christ, but  meet  them  rather  with  courage  and  resolution, like  your  divine  Instructor.

I. "  And  forthwith  coming  to  Jesus,  he  said,  Hail  Rabbi, and  he  kissed  Him." (Matt. xxvi.  49.)  Reflect  on  the impudence of  this  treacherous  disciple. He fawns  upon his Master  to  destroy  Him. Such precisely  are  the  allurements of  the  world;  they  appear  to  be  sincere  embraces, but they  are  mingled  with  poison. They are  darts,  that wound the  soul. " His  words  are  smoother  than  oil,  and the  same  are  darts." (Ps. liv.  22.)  Alas,  how  many are there  who  carry  the  outward  garb  of  devotion,  and fondly fawn  upon  our  Lord,  whilst  their  minds  are  hypocritical and  treacherous! How many  deal  in  fair  and honeyed words,  whilst  their  hearts  are  filled  with  enmity, envy, jealousy,  and  rancor  against  their  neighbor! Take care your  character  be  different  from  these;  do  not  embrace Christ  in  the  sacrament  so  treacherously  as  did  His unworthy Apostle.