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heaven, or among the inhabitants of the earth." 1 The songs of angels, the rage of devils, the wickedness of the ungodly, the humble obedience of the redeemed, the wrath of the unregenerate, will all redound to his praise, when the grand scene of his Providence shall be hereafter unfolded. Let us, therefore, wonder and adore! "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! " 2 2. Confide in his Protection!

It is true, that, in declaring yourself on the Lord's side in this sinful world, you join a party which is loudly opposed; you serve a Master who has hosts of enemies; you trust a Saviour, who could not himself obtain a patient hearing-nay, who did not even open his mouth in self-defence before his clamorous foes. But come now "into the Sanctuary of God, and understand the end "3 of these men-the final upshot of this strife. Look into the Scripture of truth, and you will learn, not only that the Lord's plans cannot be disconcerted-they are even carried on by means of the opposition which they encounter. When therefore you most suffer; when you are most disheartened; when you meet with most enmity from man, and are most identified with your despised God and Saviour; then be sure that your lot is most blessed. You are in the same ship with Christ; and, though you may think that he is asleep, he will shew that he can save you still from sinking. Hear how he rebukes such unreasonable distrust. "I, even I, am he that comforteth you! who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and 1 Daniel iv. 35. 2 Romans xi. 33. 3 Psalm lxxiii. 17.

laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea whose waves roared; the Lord of Hosts is his name." Or, in accents of greater mildness and love, hear him say,

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"These things

have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have ye shall have tribulation; but be

peace in the world :

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of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Lastly, let all the enemies of God learn here to 3. Dread his Displeasure!

It is not merely the power of God's wrath, which I would have the hardened sinner to tremble at. At present, I would entreat him only to notice its mysterious sagacity-its secret agency. Hitherto, perhaps, you have prospered in your iniquity; and "because sentence against your evil work is not executed speedily, therefore your heart is fully set in you to do evil.” 3 But, after what you have now heard, is this wise on your part? Why, the very success which you have gained over your conscience-the very enjoyment that you taste in sin-may be the handle which a just and holy God is using, for bringing you at last, as an incorrigible enemy, to the pit of destruction! then let every sinner humble himself! Repent, and accept the grace which he still offers, even to the rebellious. "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and SO ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled, yea but a little." 3 He can destroy, even in a moment; - he can also, in a moment, forgive. May this be his merciful act towards you !-as assuredly it will be, if, throwing down the arms of your rebellion, you bow before the golden sceptre of his grace.

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1 Isaiah li. 12, 13, 15.

2 John xvi. 33.

3 Psalm ii. 12.

SERMON XVIII.

LUKE xxii. 44.-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.

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THE hour was now at hand, when Jesus was to make his soul an offering for sin he was to sleep no more, till he should sleep in death. His last evening is spent in the garden, "whither he had oft resorted with his disciples; "three only are his immediate attendants now, and they are asleep. Meanwhile, he falls on the ground, overwhelmed with the prospect of his sufferings on the following day; and praying that, if it be consistent with the will of God, he may be excused from drinking that cup of woe: yet-"Not my will, but thine be done! The prayer is heard-not granted strength to bear the trial is however communicated, by the ministry of an angel; yet this prevents not the awful scene, which my text describes. He renews his prayer: but, "being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

I shall endeavour, for your instruction, to

I. EXPLAIN THE MYSTERIOUS SCENE.

Had Jesus Christ been nothing more than a human Prophet-sent, like other human prophets, to be a teacher of righteousness—the scene here before us would have been unaccountable. Was the Founder of

Christianity so faint-hearted, as to be afraid to die a martyr to the truth of his doctrine? If so, many of his own followers-poor, feeble, and ignorant men-have far surpassed him in fortitude. The prospect of death in their Master's service has been hailed by them with joy; and when the hour of martyrdom actually arrived, they have been enabled to triumph even at the stake. Surely, either Christ was not worthy of their devoted attachment; or his own sufferings were altogether of a different kind from their's. You will readily perceive, which of these two is the more probable supposition.

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It is to be remembered, in the first place, that 1. He was about to "bear the sins of many.' The most painful death of a sinner cannot be more than equal to his own individual guilt. But that of Jesus was to bear a proportion to the guilt of all sinners-past, present, and to come. What he suffered was to equal the amount of God's hatred against our universal iniquity; so as to become available for the pardon of all that should believe. And no doubt it did so; for though it was but a single cruel death, yet the Divine and infinite dignity of him who suffered that death gave a value to it, which can never be calculated by us.

There were several accompanying circumstances which may help to account for the horror of his soul.

2. He probably had before his mind, at the moment, every sin for which he was to suffer.-To a holy soul, like (in some measure) unto his, the sight of a single wicked deed is shocking. The song of the lewd jester, the loud curse of the profane, the malignant sneer of the infidel, is to such a one an occasion of the keenest distress. "Horror hath taken hold upon me,"

1 Hebrews ix. 28.

1

says the Psalmist, "because of the wicked that forsake thy law." Who then can be surprised at the Redeemer's agony, from whose view not a single enormity could be hidden that was ever committedand who was now to suffer for its guilt?

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3. He was to lose, for a season, the comfort of God's special presence.—A slight matter this to the carnal mind: "God is not in all his thoughts; nay, he can even live without God in the world." 3 But, to Jesus, the light of God's countenance was his greatest, his only joy; it had been so, even in heavenmuch more upon earth. It had never yet been withdrawn or interrupted; but he must now taste even of that misery. Not only on the cross, but probably at this very moment, he felt all that a holy soul can feel, of God's hatred against sin, and of the wretchedness of a being who is abandoned by God.

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4. He had begun his last conflict-the fiercest because the last-with Satan.-That Evil spirit had assailed him at the very beginning of his public ministry; but, baffled by his faith, he had "departed for a season. The temptation was probably repeated from time to time; and always with similar disappointment. But the important day was at hand, when it must be decided whether Man should be redeemed or not; and therefore his fiercest efforts were now made against this Surety of the everlasting covenant. Who can tell what blasphemous thoughts were now suggested to the mind of Christ-what impatiencewhat murmuring against God? suggested, I mean, not by his own pure and spotless mind, but by Satanwho evidently has a power over the imagination of Our Lord's innocence of soul would render such "He suffered,

man.

suggestions the most hateful torture.

1 Psa. cxix. 53. 2 Psa. x. 4. 3 Eph. ii. 12.

4 Luke iv. 13.

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