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mind of Chrift? Ah! what pride and petulance, what unbelief and difcontent, do we betray in sharp afflictions! We are ready to quarrel with Jehovah for appointing us fo arduous a poft: we entertain hard thoughts of him, if deliverance be not inftantly vouchfafed; and it fhould feem, from our vehement impatience, that we could with every confideration to be facrificed to our own ease and convenience. If this be the cafe, furely we do not watch and pray: therefore we are not prepared for the conflict, and a defeat may be expected.

It is enquired, What could be the occafion of the Saviour's extreme diftrefs in this remarkable agony? There was no vifible, external cause of that perplexity and horror, which he difcovered. He appears not to have fuffered through exceffive pain of body: nor ought we to fuppofe, that he was terrified, merely under the apprehenfion of approaching dangers, or that he repented of his undertaking. Never did he fhew more diftinguished courage, or more clearly manifeft his defire of faving finners at any expense to himself. Yet, confiftently with this affertion, it may be allowed, that human nature, even in the holy Jefus, might fhudder at the profpect of fevere calamities.

It is faid, that many martyrs have poffeffed greater composure and intrepidity of mind, when they were meeting death in its moft dreadful forms. But the comparison ought not to be admitted, as the circumfrances are fo widely different. Jefus was afflicted, in a way, and from caufes, peculiar to himfelf: nor is it poffible, that any other man could endure what was laid upon him. He stood as "the Repairer of the breach," to turn away from us the vengeance our offended God, interpofing himself between us and the ftroke of juftice. Therefore" it pleased the Lord to bruife him: He hath put him to grief.”

* Ifa. li. IC.

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In this view, it is probable, that his mind fuffered much more than his body, and that before he came to the cross he felt inexpreffible agonies, not merely in the profpect of his paffion, but from the immediate hand of God preffing his Spirit. In Gethsemane, then, while we accompany the Saviour bowed down under "the terrors of God," we behold the deep malignity of fin, and perceive, that, if we fhould anfwer for our own offences, the burden would be heavier than we could bear.

It should feem, alfo, that Satan had confiderable influence in producing or increasing the distress on this remarkable occafion. Jefus had just before declared, that the malicious adverfary was preparing to attack him, and probably the fiend was then permitted to vent his utmost rage, and make his fiercest onfet. But, however he might harafs, he could not overcome; and this very conflict turned to his greater confufion. Jefus obtained the victory, and, as "the Captain of our Salvation," is able to deliver those who are tempted. Only let us follow his ftandard, and we may exult in the hope of fharing his glorious conquest.

At the clofe of the agony, Jefus had intimated to his difciples the approach of the traitor; and at that very inftant Judas came upon them with an armed company. This infamous Apoftle had previously fold his Mafter; and as he knew the place of his retirement, he now took the opportunity of conducting a large and mixed multitude of perfons, for the express purpose of feizing him by force. Judas went up to addrefs him with that vile hypocrify, which marked his character, endeavouring to conceal the bafest defigns under the guife of friendfhip. Still profetiing refpect and affection, he faluted his Lord, and with a kifs betrayed him into the hands of his enemies.

Was no refiftance made, or escape attempted?

No:

No: a cutting reproof was given to the traitor, for being the leader in fuch a bufinefs and with fuch diffimulation; but Jefus fled not from the danger. Though he had a clear view of all his fufferings, he advanced with amazing fortitude towards the very men, who wished to apprehend him. Having declared himself the perfon, whom they fought, he difplayed his majesty through fome invifible influence, by which they were inftantly confounded, and ftruck to the ground, in his prefence. After fo remarkable a proof of his power, it was a fignal evidence of their obduracy, to refume and profecute their scheme. He might have eluded their purfuit; but he cheerfully furrendered himfelf, infifting only on one condition, that his difciples might be difiniffed in fafety. How kind and tender was his concern for his dear and affectionate attendants even to the laft!

Jefus, the high and exalted Perfonage, whose name is, "King of kings, and Lord of lords," fubmitted to be taken into cuftody, and even to be bound. Amazing fight indeed! Thofe, who accompanied him, propofed to refift: and Peter, with his ufual forwardness, actually drew his fword in his Master's defence, and cut off the ear of the high prieft's fervant. This was a hafty, and imprudent ftep, for which Jefus rebuked him, obferving, that fuch means of protection were improper in their cafe, and generally proved deftructive. He added, that, if it had been expedient, he could eafily have ob. tained the affiftance of numerous armies of Angels, but, that, with a view to fulfil the fcriptures, he cheerfully acquiefced in the Father's appointment, though painful to himself.

of Peter's rafhnefs, miraculous power, Otherwife, the re

To prevent the bad effects Jefus immediately exerted his and healed the wounded perfon. fentment of this armed company might have been

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fatal to the difciples. He enquired of his enemies, why they came against him with fuch a formidable force, as they had no reafon to expect an oppofition, and why they had not seized him before, when he gave them the fairest opportunities. But, as he remarked, their malice, which had been reftrained, was then let loose upon him, and the infernal spirits were permitted to employ their utmoft influence: yet their united efforts could prevail no farther than to fulfil the prophecies of fcripture.

The fight of Jefus, as a prifoner in the hands of the wicked, was more than any of the Apoftles could bear. They were faggered, as if they had been deluded, and terrified, as being left defenceless. Forgetful, therefore, of their late proteftations, they all forfook him, and confulted only how they might fecure themfelves by flight. Oh! the bafe ingratitude and treachery of their conduct! This defection muft have been more painful to Jefus, than all the violence of his oppofers. It furnishes, however, fome ufeful leffons: it teaches us, not to glory in men, not to depend on the firmnefs of the most eminent characters, nor to confide in any wifdom, ftrength, or goodness of our own, as fufficient to preferve us in the hour of temptation. May God of his mercy keep us from falling; or elfe, the fiery trial,' which may poffibly come upon us, will prove our weakness in a ftill more awful manner! They neglected to improve the feafon of retirement allowed them; and from the fame caufes, indulgence of floth, and omiffion of watchfulness and prayer, many have forfaken and difhonoured Chrift. How forcible an argument for attention to duty!

But, turning our eyes to Jefus, we behold an inexpreffible majefty and meeknefs in his deportment. The fplendour of his divinity broke forth, even in this low ftate of meanness and abafement. His power and grace were both wonderfully exhibited; and, in

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the union of the two, the fecurity of our falvation confifts. The Redeemer stood alone, being deserted of all his moft faithful adherents, who had vowed, that they would die with him. Yet he expreffed no refentment; nor did he, in any meafure, depart from his purpofe. He went through his work in the greatness of his strength," actuated by an ardent defire to accomplish the will of God, and make reconciliation for his people, whatever he might endure. O look unto Jefus, and confider, for what ends this amazing transaction was defigned! Do you not feel a cordial regard to him for his voluntary fubmiffion to fo much contempt and fuffering? Does it not confirm your hope, and infpire you with an expectation of pardon, peace, and heaven?

Jefus was hurried away, as a criminal, from Gethsemane to Jerufalem, and there dragged from one part of the city to another. He was taken first to the house of Annas, and then to the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest, where, it fhould feem, though in the dead of night, the principal members of the Sanhedrim were affembled, waiting to receive their prisoner*. Here he underwent an examination before his malicious and enraged enemies. They queftioned him concerning his followers and doctrine. He meekly replied, that he had faid nothing in a covert manner, and appealed to those, who had heard his inftructions, as the proper witnesses to be interrogated on the subject. For this gentle anfwer he received a blow, with marks of disdain, from an officer, who stood near him: and then, with aftonishing patience, he defired to know only, whether, by what he had fpoken, he had deferved fuch

treatment.

The holy Jefus was arraigned: but what accufa

* Mat. xxvi. 57, &c. Mar. xiv. 53, &c. Lu, xxii. 54, &c. John. xviii. 13-27. VOL. IV.

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