evidence of it, would meet them in Galilee : I will go before you into Galilee; there shall you see me. And when they did see him he never upbraided them with their timorousness, but was friends with them, notwithstanding their late cowardice. Christ's love to his disciples is like himself, unchangeable and everlasting. Having loved his own, he loved them to the end.

sides, to eat human flesh, and drink blood, || forsake them, but love them still; and as an was not only against the express letter of the law, but abhorred by all mankind. True it is, that the heathens laid it to the Christians' charge, that they ate human flesh; but falsely, as it appears by the apology made for the primitive Christians; which apology had been false, had they daily eaten the flesh of Christ in sacrament. The very heathens owned it a thing more detestable than death to eat human flesh, and more to eat the God they worship, and to devour him whom they adore. Again, as to the cup; Christ having set it apart by prayer and thanksgiving, he commands his disciples to drink all of it; and subjoins a reason for it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the remission of sins; that is, the wine in this cup represents the shedding of my blood, by which the new covenant be

twixt God and man was ratified and confirmed. Whence we learn, That every communicant has as undoubted a right to the cup as to the bread, in the Lord's supper; Drink ye all of it, says Christ; therefore to deny the cup to the laity is contrary to the institution of Christ. After the celebration was over, our Saviour and his disciples sang an hymn, as the Jews were wont to do at the passover the six eucharistical psalms, from the 113th to the 119th psalm. Learn hence, How fit it is that God be glorified in his church, by singing of psalms, and in particular, when the sacrament of the Lord's supper is celebrated. When they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

See here what strong purposes and settled resolutions both Peter and all the apostles had, to keep close to Christ; but how did their self-confidence fail them! Learn thence, That self-confidence is a sin, too, too incident to the holiest and best of men. Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I. Good man, he resolved honestly; but too, too much in his own strength. Little, little did he think what a feather he should be in the wind of temptation, if once God left him to the power and prevalence of his own fears. Observe farther, That the rest of the apostles had the like confidence of their own they all. Note thence, That the holiest of strength with St. Peter. Likewise also said men know not their own strength till it comes to the trial. Little did these good men imagine what a cowardly spirit they had in them, till temptation put it to the proof.

Here our Saviour acquaints his disci36 Then cometh Jesus with them ples, that by reason of his approaching suf- unto a place called Gethsemane, and ferings, they should all of them be so ex- saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, ceedingly offended, that they would cer- while I go and pray yonder. 37 And tainly forsake and leave him; which accord- he took with him Peter and the two ingly came to pass. Learn thence, That sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorChrist's dearest friends forsook him, and left him alone in the midst of his greatest rowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith distress and danger. Observe, 2. What was he unto them, My soul is exceeding the cause of this their flight, it was the pre-sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye valency of their fear. Thence note, How sad it is for the holiest and best of men to be left under the power of their own fears in a day of temptation.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Observe here, The wonderful lenity of Christ towards his timorous and fearful disciples; notwithstanding their cowardly night from him, he tells them he would not VOL. L-18

here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Fafrom me: nevertheless, not as I will, ther, if it be possible, let this cup pass but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh' unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What! could ye not watch with me one hour?

M 2

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ST. MATTHEW.

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Our blessed Saviour being now come with his disciples into the garden, he falls there into a bitter and bloody agony, in which he prayed with wonderful fervency and importunity to his heavenly Father. His sufferings were now coming on a great pace, and he meets them upon his knees, and would be found in a praying posture. Learn thence, That prayer is the best preparative for, as well as the most powerful support under, the heaviest sufferings that can befall us. As to this prayer of our Saviour's in the garden, many things are very observable. As, 1. The place where he prayed, in the garden; but why went Christ thither? Was it to hide or shelter himself from his enemies? Nothing less: for if so, it had been the most improper place, because he was wont to retire thither to pray, John xviii. 2. Judas knew the place, for Jesús oft-times resorted thither; so that Christ went thither not to shun, but to prepare himself by prayer to meet, his enemies. Observe, 2. The time when he entered the garden for prayer, it was in the evening: here he spent some hours in pouring out his soul to God: for about midnight Judas and the soldiers came and apprehended him in a praying posture. Teaching us by his example, that when imminent dangers are before us, especially when death is apprehended by us, to be very much in prayer to God, and very fervent in our wrestling with him. Observe, 3. The matter of our Lord's prayer, that if possible the cup might pass from him; that is, those bitter sufferings which were then before him; particularly the insupportable burden of He prays, if poshis Father's wrath. sible, that his Father would excuse him from this dreadful wrath, his soul being amazed at it. But what! Did Christ then begin to repent of his undertaking for sinners? Did he shrink and give back when it came to the pinch? No, no; as Christ had two natures, being God and Man, so he had two distinct wills; as Man, he feared and shunned death; as God-man,

he willingly submitted to it; the divine spi-
rit and the human nature of Christ did now
rests, till at last victory was got on the spi-
assault each other with disagreeing inte
rit's side. Again, this prayer was not ab-
solute, but conditional: if it be possible. Fa-
ther, if it may be, if thou art willing, if it
please thee, let it pass: if not, I will drink it.
is in itself considered as a very bitter and
Learn hence, 1. That the cup of sufferings
distasteful cup, which human nature ab-
hors, and cannot but desire and pray may
dom of God is pleased to put this bitter cup
pass from it. 2. That yet oft-times the wis
of affliction into the hands of those whom
he doth most sincerely love. 3. That when
God doth so, it is their duty to drink it with
humble submission, and cheerful resigna-
tion. Not my will, but thine be done. Observe,
4. The manner how our Lord prayed; and
here we shall find it, 1. A solitary prayer;
he went by himself alone, out of the hear-
ing of his disciples; he saith unto them,
Tarry ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mark, Christ did neither desire his disci-
ples to pray with him, nor to pray for him.
No, he must tread the winepress alone;
not but that Christ loved and delighted in
his disciples' company; but there were oc-
casions when he thought fit to leave them,
and to go alone to God in prayer. Thence
learn, That the company of our best friends
is not always seasonable. Peter, James,
and John, were three good meu; but Christ
bids them tarry, while he went aside for
private prayer. There are times and cases
when a Christian would not be willing that
the dearest friend he has in the world
should be with him, or understand and hear
what passes betwixt him and his God. 2.
This prayer of Christ was an humble
prayer; that is evident by the postures
into which he cast himself; sometimes
kneeling, sometimes lying prostrate upon his
face. He lies in the very dust; lower he can-
not fall; and his heart was as low as his
body. And such was the fervour of his spi-
rit, that he prayed himself into an agony.
O let us blush to think how unlike we are to
Christ in prayer, as to our praying frame
of spirit! Lord, what drowsiness and dead-
ness! what laziness and dulness! what stu-
pidity and formality, is found in our pray-
ers! how often do our lips move, and our
hearts stand still! 3. It was a repeated and
reiterated prayer. He prayed the first, second,
and third time. He returns upon God over
and over, plies him again and again, re-
solving to take no denial. Learn thence,
That Christians ought not to be discou
raged, though they have besought God
again and again for a particular mercy,
and no answer of prayer has come unto

Our Saviour having poured out his soul in prayer to God in the garden, he is now ready, and waits for the coming of his enemies; being first in the field: accordingly, while he yet spuke, came Judas, one of the twelve, and under his conduct a band of soldiers to apprehend him. It was the lot and portion of our blessed Redeemer to be betrayed into the hands of his mortal enemies, by the treachery of a false and dis

them. Observe also, How our Lord used || same is he: hold him fast. 49 And the same prayer three times over, saying the forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, same words. A person then may pray with Hail, Master; and kissed him. 50 and by a form of prayer, and yet not pray And Jesus said unto him, Friend, formally, but in a very acceptable manner unto God. Christ both gave a form of prayer wherefore art thou come? Then to his disciples, and also used one himself. came they and laid hands on Jesus, Observe next, The posture in which our and took him. holy Lord found his own disciples, when he was in his agony: they were sleeping, when he was praying. O wonderful! that they could sleep at such a time. Hence we gather, that the best of Christ's disciples may be sometimes overtaken with infirmities, with great infirmities, when the most important duties are performing. He cometh to his disciples and findeth them sleeping. Observe farther, The gentle reproof he gave the disciples for sleeping: What! could yesembling friend. Observe here, The traitor, not watch with me one hour? Could not you watch, when your Master is in such danger? Could not you watch with me, when I am going to deliver up my life for you? What! not one hour, and that the parting hour too? After this reprehension, he subjoins an exhortation: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: and superadds a forcible reason, for though the spirit is will-hearted servants. He is also described by ing, yet the flesh is weak. Thence, learn, That the holiest and best resolved Christians, who have willing spirits for Christ and his service, yet in regard of the weakness of the flesh, or the frailty of human nature, it is their duty to watch and pray, and thereby guard themselves against temptations. Watch and pray,-for though the spirit is willing, yet the flesh is weak; though you have sincerely resolved rather || to die with me than deny me, yet be assur-treated, by Christ, for the lucre of a little ed, that when temptation actually assaults you, when fear and shame, pain and suffering, death and danger, are before you, and present to your sense, the weakness of your flesh will prevail over these resolutions, if you do not watch diligently, and pray fervently for divine assistance.

47

the treason, the manner how, and the time when, this treasonable design was executed. Observe, 1. The betrayer, Judas; all the evangelists carefully describe him by his name, Judas, by his surname, Iscariot; lest he should be mistaken for Jude, the brother of James. God is tender and careful of the names and reputations of his upright

his office, one of the twelve. The eminence of his place of station was an high aggravation of his transgression. Nay, in some respect he was preferred above the rest, having a peculiar trust reposed in him; he bare the bag: that is, he was almoner and steward of Christ's family, to take care for the necessary accommodations of Christ and his apostles; and yet this man, thus called, thus honoured, thus respectfully

money perfidiously betrays him. O whither will not a bad heart, and a busy devil, carry a man! Learn hence, 1. That the greatest professors had need be jealous of their own hearts, and look well to the grounds and principles of their profession. A profession begun in hypocrisy, will cer

45 Then cometh he to his disci-tainly end in apostasy. Learn, 2. That perples, and saith unto them, Sleep on sons are never in such imminent danger, as when they meet with temptations exactly now, and take your rest; behold, the suited to their master-lust. Covetousness hour is at hand, and the Son of man is was Judas's master-sin; the love of the betrayed into the hands of sinners. world made him a slave to Satan, and the 46 Rise, let us be going; behold, he devil lays a temptation before him which is at hand that doth betray me. suits his temper, hits his humour, and it And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, may be kept from a strong and suitable prevails immediately. O pray, pray that ye one of the twelve, came, and with temptation, a temptation suited to your prehim a great multitude with swords dominant lust and inclination. Observe, and staves, from the chief priests and 2. As the betrayer Judas, so the treason itelders of the people. 48 Now he that he led an armed multitude to the place self, with its aggravating circumstances: betrayed him gave them a sign, say- where Christ was, gave them a signal to ing, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that || discover him, and encouraged them to lay

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ST. MATTHEW.

hands upon him, and hold him fast. This
was the hellish design Satan put into his
heart, and it has these aggravating circum-
stances attending it. He had seen the mi-
racles which Christ wrought by the power
of God, and could not but know him to be a
Divine Person. He could not sin out of ig-
norance or blind zeal, but the love of mo-
ney made him do what he did. Farther,
what he did was not done by the persua-
sions of any, but he was a volunteer in this
service. The high priest neither sent to
him, nor sent for him, but he offers his ser-

vice, and no doubt they were very much
surprised to find one of Christ's own disci-
ples at the head of a conspiracy against
him. Learn hence, That no man knows
where he shall stop or stand when he first
enters the ways of sin; should any one
have told Judas, that his love of money
would at last so far prevail upon him, as
to make him sell the blood of Jesus Christ,
he would have answered, as Hazael did
Elisha, Is thy servant a dog, that I should do
this thing? Wickedness, like holiness, doth
not presently come to its full strength in
the soul, but grows up by insensible de-
grees. Men do not commence masters in
the art of villany in an instant; they begin
first with lesser, then with greater sins; first
with secret, then with open sins. Doubtless
Judas was an old though secret sinner; sure-
ly he could not immediately attain to such
an height of impudence, and so great a de-
gree of stupidity. Hear, ye professors of reli-
gion, ye that partake of ordinances,frequent
sacraments, take heed of living as Judas
did, in the allowed commission of any se-
cret sin, to the wasting of your consciences,
and the destroying of your souls. Observe,
3. The manner how this hellish plot was
executed; partly by force, and partly by
fraud: by force, in that he came with a
multitude armed with swords and staves: and
by fraud; he gives him a kiss, and says,
Hail, Master. Here was honey in the tongue,
and poison in the heart. This treacherous
kiss enhanced his crime beyond expression.
O vilest of hypocrites, how durst thou ap-
proach so near thy Lord in the excercise
of so much baseness and ingratitude! But
none sin with so much impudence and
obstinacy as apostates. Learn we hence,
To beware of men: when we see too, too
glittering appearances, we may suspect
the inside. Charity for others is our duty,
but too great confidence may be our snare.
There is so much hypocrisy in many, and
so much corruption in all, that we must
not be too confident. Observe, 4. The time
when this treasonable design was executed
upon Christ; when he was in the garden
with his disciples, exhorting them to prayer

and watchfulness, dropping heavenly and
most seasonable counsels upon them. While
he yet spake, lo, Judas came, and the multitude
with him. Judas found Christ in the most
heavenly and excellent employment, when
he came to apprehend him. O how happy
is it, when our sufferings find us in God's
way, engaged in his service, and engaging
his assistance by fervent supplication?
Thus did our Lord's sufferings meet him;
may they so meet us!

51 And, behold, one of them which
were with Jesus stretched out his
52 Then said
hand, and drew his sword, and struck
a servant of the high priest, and
smote off his ear.
Jesus unto him, Put up again thy
sword into his place; for all they
that take the sword shall perish with
the sword.

53 Thinkest thou that I
cannot now pray to my Father, and
he shall presently give me more than
twelve legions of angels? 54 But
how then shall the scriptures be ful-
filled, that thus it must be?

The rude multitude laying hands upon Christ, the disciples, who had remitted are willing to rescue their Master if they their watch, do resume their courage, and can; particularly Peter draws his sword, and cuts off the ear of Malchus, one of the forwardest to lay hold on Jesus. Observe here St. Peter's zeal and sincere love for his Lord and Master: it was in great sincerity spoken, Though I die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. But why did not Peter draw his sword upon Judas, rather than Malchus? Perhaps because though Judas was more faulty, yet Malchus was more forward to arrest and carry off our Saviour. How doth a pious breast swell with indignation at the sight of any open affront offered unto Christ! Observe here, That though St. Peter's heart was sincere, yet his hand was rash: good intentions are no warrant for irregular actions; and accordingly Christ, who accepted his affection, reproves him for the action: put up thy sword; for they that take the sword, shall perish by the no man to fight for him without a warrant sword. Learn hence, That Christ will thank and commission from him. To resist a lawful magistrate, even in Christ's own defence, is rash zeal, and discountenanced by the gospel. To a lawful power law. Observe lastly, Our Lord's fully executed, there must be yielded due obedience. absolute refusal to be rescued out of his "Did I incline to be rescued by force, (as enemies' hands, with the reason of it:

if our Lord had said,) I could demand all || yea, though many false witnesses the troops of angels in heaven to show came; yet found they none. At the themselves upon that occasion, but how last came two false witnesses, 61 And can this stand with the decree of my Fa- said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace.

ther, with the declaration of the scripture, with the demonstration of my mercy, and with the salvation of miserable mankind?" Learn thence, That Christ was infinitely more concerned for the salvation of lost sinners, than for his own death and sufferings; more concerned for our eternal salvation, than for his own temporal preservation. Had he been rescued by the power of angels, we had fallen a prey into the paw of devils.

Judas having made good his promise to the high priest, and delivered Jesus a pri

soner into their hands, these wolves of the

evening no sooner seize the Lamb of God, but they thirst and long to suck his innocent blood. Yet lest it should look like a downright murder, they will allow him a mock-trial, by abusing the law, and perverting it to injustice and bloodshed; accordingly, they industriously suborn false witnesses to take away his life, not sticking at the grossest perjury,so they might destroy him. The chief priests and elders, and all the council, sought fulse witness against Jesus, to put him to death. Abominable wickedness! innocency itself cannot protect from slander and false accusation. No man is so innocent or good whom false witness may not condemn. Yet observe farther, our Lord's meekness and patience, his submissive silence under all these wicked suggestions and false accusations; Jesus held his peace,

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. We had an account of our Lord's apprehension in the former verses; here, the sad effect of it upon his disciples: They all forsook him, and fled. Had this been done by the giddy multitude who followed him for the loaves, it had been no cause of wonder; but for those who had already forsaken all to follow him, who were faithful though fearful friends; what an addi-verse 63. Guilt is clamorous and impatient; tion to his sufferings must this be! No doubt, but the ingratitude of his friends made deeper wounds in his soul than the malice of enemies could make in his body. They that said all to Christ, verse 35, Though we should die with thee, yet we will not deny thee, do here all of them desert and forsake him; when it came to the push, not a man of them stands by him. Learn thence, That the holiest of men know not their own hearts when great temptations and trials are before them, till they come to grapple with them, and to be engaged in them. We know not our own strength till temptation puts us to the proof.

57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off, unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death: 60 But found none:

innocence is silent, and careless of misreports. Learn hence, That to bear the revilings, contradictions, and false accusations of men, with a silent and submissive spirit, is an excellent and Christ-like temper. Our Lord stood before his unjust judges and false accusers, as a sheep before his shearer, dumb, and not opening his mouth. Although a trial for his life was managed most maliciously and illegally against him, when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judg eth righteously. Olet the same humble mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus.

-And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further