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hope:" of all these, the men of this world have no idea: they are ready to speak of such things as marks of daring presumption. But the disciple of Christ has an inward witness of the truths he has learned;° and knows perfectly that they are not a cunningly devised fable." He can venture his soul upon them with as much confidence, as he can recline his weary body upon his bed. He knows in whom he has believed; and that the soul which is committed to Jesus, is safe for ever.9] 2. From the accusations of conscience

[In spite of men's endeavours to silence the convictions of their conscience, they never can obtain peace but in God's appointed way. But the person that has learned of Christ to rely simply on his blood and righteousness, enjoys a "peace that passeth all understanding." He knows that "the blood of Jesus will cleanse him from all sin," and that “ there is no condemnation to the soul that believes in him❞———)

3. From the turbulence of passion

[Whatever difference there may be in the natural tempers of men, all have some predominant passion that leads them captive. But the disciple of Christ has a new and more powerful principle infused into his soul;" by means of which he is enabled to bring into subjection his corrupt appetites, and to mortify those evil dispositions which are such a fruitful source of misery to the unregenerate. This forms the great line of distinction between the Lord's people and others; for, whereas others are led captive by some sin, believers "have not so learned Christ, if they have indeed heard him and been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:" on the contrary, "they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."t]

4. From the fear of death

[Men may brave death on a field of battle; but all, except the true Christian, shrink from it in its more silent and gradual approaches. But Christ purchased for his followers a deliverance from this bondage." With respect to them, death has lost its sting: yea, it is counted amongst their richest treasures: and they are enabled to look forward to it with pleasure, as the period when all their conflicts will cease, and their joys be consummated for everŸ— —

"Such is the heritage of the servants of the Lord;" and such is the rest that Christ will impart to all who learn of him.]

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ADDRESS

[Are there any amongst us that are prosecuting humam learning with avidity? O remember, that the knowledge of Christ infinitely transcends all other knowledge, and will bring with it a more certain, and far nobler, recompence. Be persuaded then to devote to it some portion of every day, and the whole of your sabbaths, that you may not only be wise, but "wise unto salvation."*

Are there any that are dejected on account of their own incapacity to learn? Consider the abilities of your Teacher; and say, whether he be not able to instruct you, as well as others? He can make "the blind to see out of obscurity, and out of darkness:" yea, he will the more readily exert himself on your behalf, because the excellency of the power displayed in your proficiency, will the more evidently appear to be of him. Take comfort then, and expect the certain accomplishment of that promise," Then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord.""]

■ Phil. iii. 8. 2 Cor. iv. 7.

a 2 Tim. iii. 15.

b Isai. xxix. 18.

a Hos. vi. 3.

DLXII. CHRIST'S RESIGNATION.

John xii. 27, 28 Now is my soul troubled: and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.

THE sight of one in affliction necessarily produces some emotion of pity in our breasts, if we be not dead to all the feelings of humanity. But if there be majesty in distress, and that majesty be accompanied with consummate goodness, we take a deeper interest in all the circumstances exhibited to our view. Behold then a spectacle, such as the world never saw before, never will see again! a suf ferer, infinitely superior to the highest archangel in dignity and worth! a suffering God! Let us draw nigh with reverence, and learn from his own lips

I. The depth of his troubles

Man had not yet touched his body; nor, whatever weight we may give to his apprehension of bodily sufferings, can we suppose that it was that alone, or that chiefly, which drew forth these bitter complaints.

His soul was now enduring the severest agonies

[He particularly says, "Now is my soul troubled." If it be asked, What was the source of his troubles? we answer, he was now sustaining the wrath of God, and conflicting with all the powers of darkness.

It had been foretold that the Father should bruise his Son,* and smite him with the sword of his inexorable justice. And now the season was come for the accomplishment of these prophecies. The wrath of God was the punishment due to sin: and that wrath Jesus was now enduring: Yes; he was become a curse, that he might redeem us from the curse of the law.

But it had also been foretold that the "Serpent should bruise his heel." And he himself had just before said, that the Prince of this world was coming to assault him. Satan, when first our Lord enterd on his ministry, had made repeated efforts to destroy him; and, though foiled and vanquished, he retreated only for a season, determining to renew his assaults with increased vigour. This therefore seeming an opportunity peculiarly favourable to his designs, he failed not to improve it. He summoned all his principalities and powers to unite their efforts: and O, how desperate was their attack! Our blessed Lord himself, though victorious in the conflict, had almost fainted, if angels had not been sent to succour him from heaven.i]

Under these agonies he was reduced to the greatest embarrassment

[Never was he embarrassed through the persecutions or cruelties of man: but when he endured the wrath of God, and the assaults of Satan, he could not but complain of his accumulated troubles: yea, so was he distressed, that he was at a loss what to say, or what to do. His nature dictated a prayer, which afterwards he saw occasion to revoke. He begged that the cup might pass from him, and that he might be saved from that tremendous hour. Nor was this petition in the least degree inconsistent with his fortitude or resignation. It shewed him to be a man; and it was such a petition as he might offer with perfect innocence; seeing that to dread and deprecate the wrath of God is our bounden duty.]

Recovering himself, however, he welcomes his afflic tions, and states

a Isai. liii. 10. first part.

d Gen. iii. 15.

f Luke iv. 2-12. ¡Matt. iv. 14.

rogation; thus: "What shall

b Zech. xiii. 7. e Gal. iii. 10. 13, e John xiv. 30. and xii. 31.

8 Ib. ver. 13. ↳ Col. ii. 15.

Some read the words with an interI say? Father, save me from this hour?" But our translation seems preferable, if we compare the account in Matt, xxvi. 38-42.

11. The grounds of his submission to them

1. It was with a view to those very sufferings that he had come to that hour

[These had been foreseen, when he first engaged to redeem a fallen world, and he had then stipulated to bear them for our sakes. It was with a view to them that he had assumed our nature, without which he would have been incapable of bearing them." And throughout the whole of his ministry he had frequently adverted to them as what he should undergo, as soon as his hour was fully come." Yea, he had reproved Peter with great severity for attempting to dissuade him from his purpose:P and had expressed his eager "desire to be baptized with that bloody baptism," being greatly "straitened till it should be accomplished." And would he

now recede? would he shrink from the trial now it was come upon him? would he rescind his own voluntary engagements, and abandon the work he had undertaken? No: difficult as it was to submit to these sufferings, he determined to endure them, since the purposes of his grace could in no other way be accomplished.]

2. They were necessary for the promoting of his Father's glory

[This is strongly intimated in the latter petition. The Father's justice could not have been so much glorified even in the destruction of the whole human race, as in the sufferings of his only Son: in these it appeared altogether inflexible. And how glorious would be the display of the Father's love, when it was seen that he had adopted such a method of restoring man to his favour! Yea, how would every perfection shine forth in this stupendous mystery? Would Jesus then sacrifice the Father's glory to his present feelings? When the Father had already glorified him by repeated attestations from heaven, and by so many miracles, would Jesus now draw back, and rob the Father of all the glory that was to accrue to him from this dark and painful dispensation? No, by no means; and therefore he not only acquiesces in the appointment, but even prays, that, whatever he himself might endure, God would glorify his own name.]

This subject is capable of most useful IMPROVEMENT 1. For the awakening of our fears

[These sorrows were the just reward of our sins: and every one on whom sin shall be found must sustain them. Go then, ye who may mock at sin, go follow at your ease the imagina

1 Isai. liii. 10. latter part. m Ps. xl. 7, 8. • Luke xviii. 32, 33.

P Matt. xvi. 21-23.

n Heb. ii. 9.
1 Luke xii. 50.

tions of your own hearts. But consider, that "if these things were done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"r If the curse due to sin so overwhelmed the Lord of glory in the space of one hour, what effect shall it produce on you to all eternity? Then no supplication can remove, nor any submission mitigate, our anguish. This, this alone, is the time for prayer. If then we would escape the wrath of Almighty God, let us flee instantly to him, whose blood can cleanse us from the guilt of sin, and whose grace can rescue us from its dominion.] 2. For the encouraging of our hopes

[What do we owe to the adorable Saviour, for that in the hour of his extremity he did not recede? But he saved not himself, that he might save us: "He gave up his own life, that he might ransom us;" and drank, even to the dregs, the cup of bitterness, that he might take it out of our hands for evermore. Let all then rest assured, that the debt once discharged by their great surety, shall never be required at their hands, provided they believe in him.]

3. For the regulating of our conduct

[There is no sin in praying for the removal of afflictions, provided we be willing, on the whole, that God's will should be done in preference to our own. But we must desire above all things the glory of God: and cheerfully acquiesce in any dispensation, provided God may be honoured by it.]

Luke xxiii. 31.

DLXIII. CHRIST'S PATIENCE UNDER SUFFERINGS,

eb. xii. 3. Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

THINGS are good or evil in this life chiefly by comparison: the happiest of men is unhappy in comparison of Adam in paradise; and the most miserable of men is happy in comparison of those who are in hell. This reflection will be of great service to us in estimating our own state. It is not indeed expedient that we should compare ourselves with those who appear in a more prosperous condition than ourselves (unless for the purposes of humiliation and self-abasement) lest we should be led to envy them, and

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