SECTION XLII.

Johnxviii.1.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples

Mt.xxvi.36. unto a place called Gethsemane

32
•

Johnxviii.1. over the brook Kedron, where was a garden,, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

2.

And Judas also-knew the place, for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.

Mt.xxvi.36. and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I pray yonder.

Mar. xiv.33.

go
and

And he taketh with him Peter, and James and John,

Mt. xxvi.37. the two sons of Zebedee,

Lu. xxii. 40.

And when he was at the place,

Mt.xxvi.37. he began to be sorrowful,
Mar.xiv.33. and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy ";

33

32 The scene of the first temptation was in the garden of Eden-there Adam fell, and brought sin into the world. To complete the parallel, the second Adam, in the garden of Gethsemane, submitted to his last and fearful temptations against all the powers of darkness, (Luke xxii. 53.) which assailed him in every form, and, by a perfect obedience, revoked our sentence of condemnation. In the temptation of the wilderness we read the Devil departed from him only for a season. In this hour of agony he renews his assault with better hopes of success; and our Saviour, as soon as he enters the garden, appears conscious of his power, although not visible to mortal eye; He said to the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder; pray ye also not to enter into temptation. After the temptation in the wilderness, we read, an angel ministered to him; and now, in this hour of despondency and suffering, there appeared an angel, strengthening him.

33 If we consider (says an eminent divine,) the circumstances of Christ's agony in the garden, it is evident it was the effect of some more powerful cause than merely a natural fear of his ensuing death, and bodily torments, for he bore his death far better than his agony. He had no sooner entered on the scene of his trial, but he began to be sorrowful," to "be sore amazed," to "be very heavy," which words, according to their original signification, declare him to have been suddenly oppressed with a mighty dejection of spirits, which arising from some fearful spectacle, or imagination, overwhelmed his soul with an unknown and inexpressible anguish. They intimate that, at this dark hour, he was assaulted by devils, who exercised all their power and malice, to tempt him to renounce his merciful design. If we consider the warning our Saviour gave bis disciples, when they entered the garden with him, (Luke xxii. 40.) of the extraordinary danger they were in, of falling into temptation, it seems very probable that he expected, and found there an extraordinary concourse of tempters, or evil spirits; for he repeats the same admonition when he finds his

Jerusalem.

Mt.xxvi.38.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sor- Jerusalem. rowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me.

disciples asleep, saying, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not
into temptation." (Matt. xxvi. 41.) And since his sufferings in
his agony are described with more painful circumstances, than
his sufferings on the cross, we have just reasons to conclude they
were inflicted on him by more malignant, and more powerful
executioners; and, consequently, that he endured the torments
of men only on the cross, but of devils in the garden. His body
was crucified on the cross-his mind in the garden. As Adam
had offended in both-so Christ suffered in both.

The unaccountable drowsiness that seized the disciples at this
period, may also have been produced by the agency of infernal
spirits, for the purpose of having our Saviour alone during
their conflict with him, thereby hoping to gain a greater advan-
tage over him. St. Luke imputes this drowsiness to sorrow;
but it is not probable that mere sorrow alone should necessitate
three men to fall asleep together, under the most awakening
circumstances. Why did it not as well force them to fall asleep
afterwards, when their Lord was apprehended, condemned, and
crucified? At which time they were doubtless more sorrowful
than they were at Gethsemane. May it not then be possible
that some secret influence was added to the causes assigned by
the Evangelist, and that our Saviour, experiencing in himself
the power and malice of Satan, and his emissaries, admonished
his disciples, who were much less capable of resisting, to be
upon their guard, lest they in their turn should be tempted
also (a). Christ, as we have already shewn, (note, p. 96.) began
his incarnate life as the second Adam, in the very spot to which
the disobedience of the first Adam had driven him.
In a
typical point of view, we may now consider the second
Adam as having redeemed by his perfect innocence and obe-
dience, the possession of that garden from which the first
Adam had been expelled; and here again the devil (for he
had only departed from him for a season,) assailed him with
all his powers of darkness, torturing his suffering and afflicted
spirit with the most dreadful phantoms and apprehensions;
and endeavouring by every art of malice and invention, to
divert him from his glorious purpose of laying down his life
for the world. The expression "My soul is exceeding sorrow-
ful, even unto death,” πɛρíλvπoç ësɩ ǹ Yuxý μ8, may infer, "his
soul had been struggling under some mortal pang, and the pains
of hell had got hold upon it." God permitted him to be assailed
with the utmost force of temptation to which his assumed nature
could be exposed. "For in that he himself hath suffered being
tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Some
consider that the infernal spirit suggested the most agonizing
and wicked delusions, such as it is not lawful for man to utter;
nor possible, without Satanic agency, for man to conceive. Cal-
vin believes that the wrath of God was so poured out upon him,
that the atonement could only be completed, by his undergoing
that agony; which in the future world is prepared for the impe-

nitent.

In my own opinion, the parallel between the first and second Adam, which we find from the Holy Scriptures, has been so minutely and remarkably observed, here closes. The second Adam, from the wilderness into which the first Adam fell, traced back step by step, by a most divine life, the condemnation of the first Adam, till he arrived again at the scene of his disobedience

Jerusalem.

Lu.xxii. 40. and pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Mar. xiv.35. And he went forward a little,

Lu.xxii. 41. and he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down,

Mt. xxvi.39. and fell on his face, and prayed,

Mar.xiv.35, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him.

36. And he said, Abba, Father,

Mt.xxvi.39. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;
Mar.xiv.36. all things are possible unto thee:

Lu. xxii. 42. if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: neverthe-
less, not my will but thine be done.

43.

44.

45.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood, falling down to the ground.

And when he rose up from prayer,

Mt. xxvi.40 he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them

Lu.xxii. 45. sleeping for sorrow; and said unto them, Why sleep ye?
Mar.xiv.37. and he saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou?

Mt.xxvi.40. What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Mar.xiv.38. Watch ye,

Lu. xxii. 46. rise and pray,

Mt.xxvi41. that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42. And he went away again the second time, and prayed, Mar.xiv.39. and spake the same words,

Mt.xxvi.42. saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Mar. xiv. 40.

And when he returned, the found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy: neither wist they what to answer him.

where, as the substituted victim, He submitted to that spiritual
death, and suffering, which had been pronounced against the
first man. He submitted the offending nature to the tree of the
eross, reconciled justice with mercy, and restored to the human
race, through the influence of his spirit, the capability of regain-
ing that spiritual state of blessedness and glory in which the
first Adam had been originally created.

By Christ's death, He hath destroyed him that hath the
power of death, that is, the devil (Heb. ii. 14.) And hence the
Apostle tells us, that unsubdued by infernal attacks and tempta-
tions, He swallowed up death in victory. He spoiled principa-
lities and powers, and made an open shew of them, triumph-
ing over them. Satan, as lightning, fell from heaven-His
kingdom is taken away from him; and man, believing man, is
ransomed from his malignant power, and by the intercession of
the Mediator, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, is restored
again to the favour of his God.

(4) Scott's Christian Life, pp.449, 450.

Mt. xxvi.44.

45.

Mar.xiv.41.

42.

Mar. xiv.43.

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the Jerusalem. third time, saying the same words.

Then cometh he to his disciples,

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. MATT. XXVI. part of ver. 36, 37. 39, 40, 41. ver. 43. part of ver. 45. and ver. 46.

36 Then cometh Jesus with them

37 And he took with him Peter and-and-and very heavy.
39 And he went a little farther-saying-nevertheless, not as
I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And-asleep, and saith unto Peter

41 Watch and pray

43 And he came, and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

45 and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take rest: your behold, the bour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

MARK xiv. ver. 32. 34. part of ver. 36, 37, 38, 39.

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane :
and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto
death: tarry ye here, and watch.

36-take away this cup from me; nevertheless not what I
will, but what thou wilt.

37-And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping-couldest not thou watch one hour?

38 and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39 And again he went away, and prayed

LUKE Xxii. ver. 39. part of ver. 40, 41, 42. 45, 46.

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the Mount of Olives: and his disciples also followed him.

40

he said unto them

41 and prayed,

42 Saying, Father

45 and was come to his disciples, he found them

46 lest ye enter into temptation.

SECTION XLIII.

Christ is betrayed and apprehended-The resistance of

MATT. XXVI. 47-56.

47-53.

Peter.

MARK XIV. 43-50. LUKE XXII.

JOHN Xviii. 8—11.

And immediately, while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve,

Johnxviii.3. then, having received a band of men and officers, from the Chief Priests and Pharisees, cometh thither, with lanterns, and torches, and weapons.

Mar. xiv.43. and with him a great multitude, with swords and staves, Jerusalem. from the Chief Priests, and the Scribes and the elders.

Mt.xxvi.47. of the people.

Mar. xiv.44. had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him,

Mt.xxvi.48. hold him fast.

Mar. xiv.44. and lead him away safely.

45. And as soon as he was come,

Lu.xxii. 47. [he] went before them, and drew near unto Jesus, to kiss

him.

Mt.xxvi.49. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, mas-
ter; and kissed him.

50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou
come?

Lu.xxii. 48. Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?

Johnxviii.4.

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Lu.xxii. 49.

As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground".

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.

That the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of
them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Mt. xxvi.50. Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
When they which were about him saw what would follow,
they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus,
Joh.xviii.10. Simon Peter, having a sword,

Mt. xxvi.51.

Mt. xxvi.51. stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and smote off his ear, Joh.xviii.10. and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Mal

Lu. xxii.51.

Joh.xviii.11.

chus.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Then said Jesus unto Peter,

34 The whole of this transaction shews that our Lord had perfect power over his enemies, if he had chosen to exert it. (Matt. xxvi. 54.) By a look the guards who attempted to seize him drew back, and fell to the ground. When Peter afterwards struck the servant of the High Priest, and smote off his ear, the Roman soldiers, who were never resisted with impunity, would doubtless have revenged themselves on the disciples, if they had not been supernaturally protected-He had power to lay down his life, and to take it again: but He completed the mysterious sacrifice, and man was saved, and the Scripture fulfilled.