We cannot be at a loss to discover to whom Christ here refers; when Jesus had dipped the sop at the table, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; and after the sop, Satan entered into him. Here we see the prediction fulfilled; John 13:26. The expression of Satan standing at his right hand, is perhaps in conformity to a proverbial method of speaking: meaning as an Adversary to accuse, after having acted as a Tempter to lead into sin. Zechariah 3:1. Reader! do not fail to observe the awfulness of the great doctrine contained in this passage. Satan is the accuser of all the brethren. And he who entered the heart of Judas, when Christ had given him the sop, would enter every heart, if Jesus did not restrain him. Recollect the remarkable case of Peter. The Lord Jesus told the apostle, that Satan desired to have him, that he might sift him as wheat. And what prevented? The powers of Christ's intercession: I have prayed for thee, saith Jesus. Precious, precious Lord! Do I not see: am I not fully convinced, that to the everlasting efficacy of thy blood and righteousness, must be ascribed the salvation of thy whole church, in every individual member of it, and that Satan's power is restrained? Pause, Reader! and behold the decided marks, in those instances, of distinguishing sovereign grace. Behold Peter, kept by the power of our God through faith unto salvation. See Satan entering into Judas the son of perdition! and connect with both, that view which the Holy Ghost hath given the church by his servant John and begin now to sing that song, which ere long will be sung in one loud and universal chorus, of all the redeemed in glory, of the accuser of the brethren being cast down, whom they have overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 1:5; John 17:12; Revelation 12:9.

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