(Matt. xxvi. 30-56. Mark xiv. 26–52.)

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

40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

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 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

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

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.

45. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Here a warning is given which the present exigency required. Why sleep ye? Rise and pray that ye enter not into temptation. And indeed it is a question which might be often asked, Why sleep ye? Why are ye off your guard? Why are ye not on the watch? While ye are sleeping, Satan is waking, and plotting snares against those whom he may find unprepared. Rise and pray: let your attitude be that of men who know their danger, and are using the means by which they may escape or resist it.

Even the present season, which was a time of predestined grief, that all that was written might be accomplished,-even that holds out an encouragement to rise and pray against temptation. It

did not please the Father to remove this cup from his beloved Son: for this cause came he to that hour, that the ransom required by the sins of men might be fully and actually paid. But nevertheless, there. appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And so it may often happen that the immediate object of prayer shall not be granted. But the prayer, the prayer of faith, never falls to the ground: and he who ordains the trial, " will with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." According to the need,

strength shall be supplied.

47. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

48. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

49. When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

50. And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

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

52. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

53. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

It might be plain, to all who were not blinded against the truth, that what was now transacting, was out of the ordinary course of things. Jesus

had long exercised, and even was still exercising, divine power. But he did not employ it to defend himself. The power, then, which his enemies had against him, was "given them from above:" they acted under permission. Jesus had been daily with them in the streets and in the temple, yet they stretched forth no hand against him his hour was not then come.

Now, however, was their hour, and the power of darkness. The time had arrived, when he should be perfected:" when the original prophecy should be fulfilled, and Satan should “bruise the heel" of that seed of the woman, who was appointed to "bruise his head."? St. Paul gives "thanks unto the Father, who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." 3 To accomplish this, Jesus was content to yield for a while to that power of darkness. He could not otherwise have discharged the penalty of sin, because he could not have borne its curse. He bore the curse of the law, the curse which comes from the power of darkness, that we might "have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins."

See then what attends the power of darkness. "Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish," such as Jesus was now to suffer. Escape it, through that way of deliverance which his sufferings have opened. If Satan lays, as he will lay, temptations, difficulties, and hardships in the path of duty, oppose him, in the strength and in the words of Jesus: This is your hour, and the power

2 Gen. iii. 15.

3 Col. i. 13.

of darkness. It must be endured for a while, that we may escape "the blackness of darkness for ever." Hereafter another and a brighter hour shall come; "the hour of judgment," when "the prince of this world, "the accuser of the brethren," shall be cast out. Hereafter shall be "heard a loud voice, saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ."5

"He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so; come, Lord Jesus." 6

LECTURE LXXXVI.

PETER'S DENIAL OF JESUS.-JESUS IS EXAMINED BY THE COUNCIL.

LUKE Xxii. 54–71.

(Matt. xxvi. 57-75; Mark xiv. 53-72; John xviii. 15-27.)

54. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

4 Rev. xiv. 7.

5 Ib. xii. 10.

6 Ib. xxii. 20.

57. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58. And after a little while, another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59. And about the space of one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.

60. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter: and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Jesus had said, not long before, to Peter, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." It might have been thought that he was converted. He had discerned that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God:" he had "left all, and followed him." But something was wanting still that perfect faith was wanting, which should realise things future, and enable him to say, like Paul afterwards, in the actual crisis of danger, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy."1 Therefore, when suddenly questioned, in the midst of enemies, and in a time of dismay, he fell into a sin of which he had believed himself incapable, and showed how much more fully the heart of man is known to God, than to man himself. He had been sincere in saying, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not

66

1 Acts xx. 24.