sentiments of a Christian, but of all the honest feelings of a man*."

The history proceeds in informing us, that at the conclusion of the celebration of the Lord's Supper, when they had sung an hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives. At the close of the passover it was usual to sing an hymn of praise to GOD consisting of some of David's psalms, from the 113th to the 118th. The institution of the Lord's supper was an additional cause of thanksgiving, in which we can have no doubt, but the disciples readily and heartily united both in heart and voice.

But between the time of singing this hymn, and their going to the mount of Olives, there was some interval, wherein many discourses passed which are particularly related by St. John in the 14th and three following chapterst, but of

* Sce Bishop of London's Lecture xxi.

Dr. Deddridge concludes, that all this passed, before JESUS and his disciples quitted the house where the passover was eaten, though they probably rose from the table, as soon as those words, Arise, let us go hence, with which the 14th chapter is finished, were spoken. A short delay might leave room for this; for any one, who will make the trial will find, that the three following chapters may be deliberately read over in a quarter of an hour, and therefore might be

which even the substance cannot be comprised within the compass of this lecture. These chapters are entitled, and I recommend them, to your private perusal, only observing that the 17th contains a most solemn prayer to GoD, that he himself might be glorified, and, that those who were given him might be kept through his name; that his apostles, and all succeeding Christians might share in the favorable regards of his Father, live in union on earth, and finally be brought to glory in heaven*.

spoken in that small interval of time. Although this may be admitted as a reason for the preacher to omit them, it need not discourage the reader from turning to those chapters, before he proceeds in this lecture.

* I cannot forbear laying before my readers the same commentator's beautiful note on this most

affectionate prayer. "All the circumstances of Glory attending the sufferings of CHRIST; as, the appearance of the Angel to him in the garden, his striking down to the ground those that came to apprehend him, his curing the ear of Malchus, his good confession before Pilate, his extorting from that unjust judge a testimony of his innocence, the dream of Pilate's wife, the conversion of the penitent robber, the astonishing constellation of virtues and graces which shone so bright in CHRIST'S dying behaviour, the supernatural darkness, and all the other prodigies that attended his death; as well as his Resurrection, and Ascension, and Exaltation at GOD's right hand, and the Mission of

L

After the conclusion of this most affectionate prayer, when they had left the guest-chamber, and were on their way to the mount of Olives, JESUS informed them of the severe time of trial, which was now approaching for them, and said unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad: intimating thereby, that they should be so terrified at the dangers which threatened him, that they should all flee away, and forsake him that night. However, that they might not be entirely disheartened, he added, But after that I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Here the too great confidence of Peter again breaks forth with zealous eagerness, Although all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Our LORD, as he did once before, again checked his confidence, Verily I say unto thee, that this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. Positive as this

the Holy Spirit, and the consequent success of the Gospel; are all to be looked upon as an answer to this prayer. See Doddridge's Fam. Exp. 4to. sect. 179, page 497.

warning was, and though assured of the veracity of him from whose mouth it proceeded, Peter could not forbear to repeat his declaration, and that more vehemently, by saying, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee in any wise: and in this he was instantly joined by the rest of the apostles.

But alas! how little did they know their own strength! A short time soon convinced them, how weak they were of themselves, to the proof of which JESUS without any further reply left them; and after that goeth with them unto a place called Gethsemane, beyond the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples.

Here, my Brethren, we are brought to a scene, awful, affecting, and full of wonder. One of the disciples of JESUS had ungratefully left him, to seek an opportunity to betray him: to eight of them he said, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder the other three Peter, James, and John, he took with him to be witnesses, as they had before been of his glory, when he was transfigured on mount Tabor*, so now of his extreme agony and dejection in the garden.

*Matt. xvii.

We now behold CHRIST who, as God, created the heavens and the earth; beginning, as man, to be sorrowful, sore amazed, and very heavy; expressing his anguish of mind to his disciples in terms which indicated an almost insupportable excess of it: My soul, said he to them, is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: if not supported by supplies of divine aid, human nature will sink under its infirmities: Tarry ye here and watch with me; and be careful to pray for yourselves, that you may escape temptation; or, assisted by GoD's grace, not fall under it*.

Going forward a little, and being withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, he with humble reverence kneeled down, and afterwards, with greater humiliation, falling on his face to the ground, he prayed, that if it were possible the hour might pass from him: And said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee, take away this cup from me; adding with submissive resignation to the will of his Father, Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Returning unto his three disciples, he findeth them sleeping, and with a gentle rebuke to them all, and especially to

* Knowles.