Peter who had so lately declared his readiness even to die with his Master, he said unto him, Simon, sleepest thou? What, could not ye, and thou Peter in particular, couldest not thou watch with me one hour? And at the same time making great allowances for the infirmities of human nature, he said, I again intreat you all to watch and to pray, lest ye enter into temptation: the spirit truly is ready and willing, but the flesh is weak.

After this admonition, now more than usually necessary, he went away the second time, and prayed and spake the same words, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And now returning to his disciples, he findeth them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy ; neither knew they what to answer him. And he left them again, and went away and prayed the third time, saying the same words, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; adding as before, with patient submission, Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. This prayer was uttered more earnestly, and his agony became so great, that his sweat was, as it were great drops of blood, falling down to the ground.

Inexpressible, and to us inconceivably great, must that agony have been, which almost overpowered his human nature, and required the interference of an angel, who was dispatched from heaven to strengthen him under his amazing conflict. Whether this sweat was really drops of blood, or only fell to the ground like such; yet this we are well assured of, that never was a sorrow like unto that sorrow, wherewith the LORD afflicted him in his severe anger. And all this, my Brethren, did he suffer-all this to save us sinful men.

Strengthened by the heavenly aid which had been sent him by his Father, and recovered by it from his dreadful agony, he again returned to his disciples; and finding them asleep a third time, he said unto them, probably with some reflection on them for their drowsiness, notwithstanding he had in so particular a manner exhorted them to watchfulness; You may sleep on now, and take your rest; you may now indulge your drowsy inclination, for I shall make no farther use of your vigilance it is enough: behold the hour. is come, that the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners: your Master shall presently be apprehended and taken. from you, and carried before the tribunal

of the Gentiles, the Romans, by whose judicature he shall be put to death*. New trials therefore now approaching, it is time for you to arise and be going, that we may resolutely meet the dangers which threaten us; for behold he is at hand, that doth betray me.

By this time Judas had concerted his iniquitous plan with the chief priests and Pharisees; and as he well knew the place, to which JESUS often resorted with his disciples,--that spot which his Master had chosen for the purpose of performing his devotions with greater privacy, the traitor selected, for apprehending and delivering him into the hands of those who sought his life. Judas therefore having received a band of men, that is of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves for to take him that very multitude, which had so lately ushered him into the city with repeated Hosannas and joyful acclamations.

A signal had previously been settled between them, that, as JESUS and his disciples were together, they might not

* Hammond.

mistake the person, whom they were to apprehend and this was a kiss; which aggravated the crime of the traitor, who was thus using a token of allegiance and friendship, as a signal for the basest treachery.

And now behold the hypocritical traitor surrounded with his armed men, drawing near to the innocent JESUS to kiss him: and straightway going up to him, with honey in his mouth, and gall in his heart, he said unto him, Hail, Master, and kissed him. JESUS, although he well knew his traitorous design, reproached him not, but replied with meekness, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Is this the signal of thy treachery?

We have lately seen the blessed JESUS dejected, amazed, and full of anguish ; but now we behold him, firm in conscious rectitude, declaring himself to be the person they were in search of; for knowing all things that should come upon him, he went forth and said unto them, Whom seek ye? To their answer, JESUS of Nazareth, he replied, I am he. Struck with awe at so uncommon a declaration, and at the noble steadiness of his conduct, they for a while forgat their guilty purpose, went backward, and fell to the

ground*. JESUS repeated the question, Whom seek ye? to which they answering as before, JESUS of Nazareth; his concern for the safety of his disciples, not for himself, immediately showed itself in all its tenderness: I have told you, said he, that I am he. If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.

Those then who were sent to apprehend him, came and laid their hands on JESUS, and took him. We have already had occasion, more than once, to speak of the hasty zeal of Peter; and here we are presented with another instance of it: for seeing their beloved Master thus treacherously apprehended, the disciples were prompted to revenge, and said unto him, LORD, shall we smite with the sword? and one of them, even Simon Peter, having a sword, stretched out his hand and drew it, and struck a servant of the high priest so violent a blow, that he cut off his right ear. JESUS rebuking Peter for his indiscreet zeal, commanded him to put again his sword into the sheath, telling him that he had no occasion for such kind of weapons; for that by praying to his Father, he could instantly obtain from him more than twelve legions of

* D'Oyly.