The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-09
Belief without Confession.
A sermon, preached al WhitesborO' ~ J
BY BERIAH GREEN.

Il SEfWOHi pTcUCheU W VbtteSOoIO Nv =
BY BERIAH GREEN.
JOHN xii: ~, 43.-"Nevertheless, among the
| Chief Rulers also many believed on him: but be-
cause of the Pharisees they did not confess Him
lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For
they loved the praise of men more than the praise
Of God''
We knew before,' that 'the common
people heard our Savior gladly They
gathered around Him by scores and hum
dreds; and often hung eagerly upon His
Ups. They regarded Him with respect
and confidence, if not with veneration.-
Indeed, it was heavy task for the gen.
tlemen Of properly aud standing among
them to goad the multitude on 10 acts of
violence against their greatest Benefac-
tor.
But now we learn, that His influence
was not confined to The common people.
1t reached the high places of Jewish So
ciety. Among the Chief Rulers also
many believed on Him Shall we not
then congratulate the Man of Nazareth
His prospects are growing brighter. He
now has friends, who may deserve the
name of patrons. He may doubtless re-
! ly on their countenance and assistance -
They will exert themselves, openly and
resolutey, to shield Him from reproach
and persecution. They will devote ,hem4
selves to the great objects Of His mission
Must not the kingdom of heaven be near
a, hand i? But what saith our historian
He tells very different story. No such
results, however fairly they might be ex-
pected, did their faith produce. They
did not confess Him.
The fact, which the Evangelist here
records, deserves earnest attention. 1t
can hardly fail, however harsh may be
its bearing on our expectations, TO be
highly instructive. This fact, then, let
US study IN ats relation to some Of The Ca
rious positions, where we might fairly ex-
pect to find these honorable believers.
Human expectation. especially among
the Jews, was on tiptoe about the time of
our Savior's incarnation. With this
event, psamists and prophets had long
been engrossed. 1t was the burden OF
their sweetest songs, their lofiiest psalms,
their most spirit-stirring anthems, their
most glorious predictions. This was the
centre of their hopes. 1t was the glory
Of their brightest prospects. 1t gave 10
the future Its power to dlspel their sor-
rows-to sustain and refresh their spirits
It is no wonder, then, that they dweIt on
this event with the livelIest expectation,
that they studied their sacred writings
with especial reference to the coming
Messiah. Chief Rulers we may well
suppose, would be the very last to expose
Themselves to The charge Of ignorance and
negligence where the welfare of their
country and The claims of their office were
so vitality concerned. They doubtless
were familiar with the aims, methods and
character, which their own prophets as
cribed to the expected Messiah. When,
therefore, Jesus of Nasareth made His
appearance, asserted His claims and en-.
tered on His work. they saw in His words
and deeds clear and decisive proof, that
, He was the King of Israel. Ofthis they
were well persuaded. They believed On
Him. The belief of such truth, tailh
fastening itself on such conclusion
might well be expected to reach their in
most souls with transforming power
The fulflment of their best hopes; what
an occasion of rapture and thanksgiving.
Surely the least, that the Joy and graft
tude Of these believers will permit them
to do must be at once to summon their
felIow.citizens around them and set before
them this new discovered treasure
Friends, brethren, hear US. We announce
glad tidings. The darkness, in which
we have long been developed, shall no
! more Cypress us. Already the serene and
steadfast heavens smile upon US. Behold
the Lamb of God, which laketh away the
sins of the world GLORY TO God in the
highest; on earth peace, good will to
men, But is this the posture, they as
sumed and this the language, they en-
ploved! Alas, far enough from that
Their belief in the Savior they conceal |
Ii is among the secrets of their bosom l.
Not word do they utter on the subject.
They refuse TO confess Hin"
They heard Him charged with bias.
phsmy. Hear, say his accusers, hear
this Nazarene' Every body knows, that