glory, what it really is, and how to be attained? Nay, they eagerly catch at the empty shadow of it, while they avoid and turn their backs upon that glory which is real, substantial, and everlasting. The happiness of good men, in the life to come, is not only infinitely above all our expressions, but even beyond our most enlarged thoughts. By comparing, however, great things with small, we attain some faint notion of these exalted and invisible blessings, from the earthly and visible enjoyments of this world. In this respect, even the Holy Scriptures descend to the weakness of our capacities, and, as the Hebrews express it, "the law of God speaks the language of the children of men." They speak of this celestial life, under the representation of an heritage, of riches, of a kingdom, and a crown, but with uncommon epithets, and such as are by no means applicable to any earthly glory, or opulence, however great. It is an inheritance, but one that is uncorrupted, undefiled, and that fadeth not away: a kingdom, but one that can never be shaken, much less ruined. -LEIGHTON. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.-The four steps of the union which subsists between believers and Christ are all distinctly expressed in this prayer of our Lord. Here we have, (1.) God's purpose that the Son should give "eternal life to those whom he hath given him," v. 2. (2.) The Son's undertaking and accomplishing their redemption, in v. 4, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (3.) The application of this union, and its performance in them by their "faith," their "believing," and "keeping his word," v. 6, 8, and in several of the subsequent verses. And then, lastly, (4.) the consummation of this union, "I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am." There meet the first donation and the last.-LEIGHTON. The soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, he feels little or nothing, he cleaves to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when that great separatist, Death, comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, yet so far is it from separating the believer's soul from its beloved Lord Jesus, that, on the contrary, it carries it into the nearest union with him, and fullest enjoyment of him for ever.-LEIGHTON. Doubt not then, O my soul, but thou shalt once see, besides the face of thy God, whose glory fills heaven and earth, the blessed spirits of the ancient Patriarch and prophets; the Holy Apostles and Evangelists; the glorious Martyrs and Confessors; those eminent saints, whose holiness thou wert wont to magnify; and, amongst them, those in whom nature and grace have especially interested thee: thou shalt see them, and enjoy their joy, and they thine. How often have I measured a long and foul journey to see some good friend; and digested the tediousness of the way, with the expectation of a kind entertainment, and the thought of that complacency which I should take in so dear a presence! and yet, perhaps, trayed him, knew the place: Judas betrayeth Jesus. The officers fall to the ground. Peter smiteth off Malchus' ear. с for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 "Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: е 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. WHEN Jesus had spoken these 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The ser 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath the "the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then saith the damsel a Mat. xxvi. 36. Mark xiv. 32. Luke xxii. 39.-82 that kept the door unto Peter, Sam. xv. 23.-c Luke xxi. 37; & xxii. 39.-d Mat. xxvi. 47. Mark xiv. 43. Luke xxii. 47. Acts i. 16.-e ch. xvii. 12.-f Mat. xxvi. 51. Mark xiv. 47. Luke xxii. 49, 50. g Mat. xx. 22; & xxvi. 39, 42. See Matthew XXVI. 47-56. § LXXXV. § CCLXXII. CHAP. XVIII. 12-27. Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas. Peter's denial. Jesus examined before Caiaphas. 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to 'Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year." 14 Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. k 15 ¶'And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16" But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold and they warmed themselves and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 0 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus 'with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24 "Now Annas had sent into the judgment hall, lest him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out un said therefore unto him, Art to them, and said, What accunot thou also one of his dis-sation bring ye against this ciples? He denied it, and said, man? I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: immediately the cock and crew. 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to And Annas sent put any man to death: h See Mat. xxvi. 57.—i Luke iii. 2. Christ bound unto Caiaphas the high priest, ver. 24.-k ch. xi. 50.-/ Mat. xxvi. 58. Mark xiv. 54. Luke xxii. 54. - Mat. xxvi. 69. Mark xiv. 66. Luke xxii. 54. #Mat. xxvi. 55. Luke iv. 15. ch. vii. 14, 26, 28; & viii. 2.- Jer. xx. 2. Acts xxiii. 2.—JOr, with a rod.-p Mat. xxvi. 57.-q Mat. xxvii. 69, 71. Mark xiv. 69. Luke xxii. 32 "That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he 58.- Mat. xxvi. 74. Mark xiv. 72. Luke xxii. 60. ch. spake, signifying what death xiii. 38. if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that "is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 8 Mat. xxvii. 2. Mark xv. 1. Luke xxiii. 1. Acts iii. 13. Or, Pilate's house, Mat. xxvii. 27.- Acts x. 28; & xl. 3.-u Mat. xx. 19. ch. xii. 32, 33.- Mat. xxvii. 11. -y 1 Tim. vi, 13.-z Dan. ii. 44; & vii. 14. Luke xii, 14. ch. vi. 15; & viii. 15.-a ch. viii. 47. 1 John iii. 19; & iv. 6.- Mat. xxvii. 24. Luke xxiii. 4. ch. xix. 4, 6.-c Mat. xxvii. 15. Mark xv. 6. Luke xxiii. 17.-d Acts iil. 14.-e Luke xxiii. 19. See Matthew XXVII. 11-23. § CCLXXIV. CHAP. XIX. 1—16. Christ is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten. Pilate is desirous to release him, but, being overcome with the outrage of the Jews, he delivered him to be cru cified. a THEN Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, 'that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man ! 6 "When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because |
