CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Thirdly, He had not only the Apostolical-Office, but the gifts and qualifications of an Apostle; He was one of those that returned with joy, saying, The very devils were subject to them. He prophesied, he wrought miracles, he confessed and published the name of Christ, he prayed, he performed all the heavenly duties, that others did, neither do we read of any neglect in his Apostolical-Office, nor is he blamed for defects in any religious duty, and certainly if he had been guilty of any such omissions, the Apostles would have suspected him, but we see when Christ said, One should betray him, they did no more suspect Judas then themselves.

Thirdly, He had not only the Apostolical-Office, but the gifts and qualifications of an Apostle; He was one of those that returned with joy, saying, The very devils were subject to them. He prophesied, he wrought miracles, he confessed and published the name of Christ, he prayed, he performed all the heavenly duties, that others did, neither do we reade of any neglect in his Apostolical-Office, nor is he blamed for defects in any religious duty, and certainly if he had been guilty of any such omissions, the Apostles would have suspected him, but we see when Christ said, One should betray him, they did no more suspect Judas then themselves.

Fourthly, Christs carriage was as full of sweetness, love and respect to him, as full of comfort and encouragement to him, as to the rest, in an external dispensation. When they returned from their spiritual circuit, Rejoicing (as you heard) because the devils were subject to them; our Saviour speaks indefinitely to them all, Rejoice not in this, but because your names are written in heaven, Luke 10.20. he speaks here, as if Judas his name were written in heaven, and Luke 22.30. Christ tells his twelve Apostles, They should sit upon twelve Tribes judging Israel. Little did men think that Judas would be cast out, and one put in his room. Now lay all these together, and thereby will appear his eminency and esteem in Religion, yet for all that he was a son of perdition; for whereas Chrysostom and others from the fore-mentioned Texts, would conclude that Judas was once a true godly man, but afterwards fell from his grace, that is contradictory to the Scripture, as you have heard. And when our Saviour condescended to that low humiliation of washing the Disciples feet (mentioned only by John; so that the same Evangelist, who doth relate in most perspicuous manner, the sublimest things of Christ, as appeareth Cap. 1. so he mentioneth this action, which was of the lowest debasement) now in washing of their feet, Judas is not excepted. Those hands of Christ which wrought so many miracles, cured so many diseases, bestowed so many blessings, yet even these wash not the face, or the hands, but the feet, the meanest part, and that of Judas, who was immediately to betray him: But no wonder he layeth aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel, and poured water in a basin, seeing he formerly laid aside the manifestation of his Divine Nature, being in the form of a man, and poured out his blood for us; yea, it's thought by many, and those learned, both by ancient and learned Writers (though opposed also by many learned men) that Christ gave Judas the Sacrament also; Neither (say they) will this prove that scandalous men may be admitted to the Lords Supper, because his sin was as yet secret, and not public; and although Christ as God, knew him to be such a secret sinner, yet Christ did not in his outward Office of the Ministry, act according to the knowledge of God, but as a Minister under God in his Office. Whether Judas received or no the Lords Supper?