Reign King of kings, and Lord of lords, for ever
And for ever. With this immensity of

Joy before thee set, thou wilt endure the cross,
Thou wilt despise the shame.

We previously observed our having been led to conjecture that the angel might have suggested to our blessed Lord considerations somewhat of the nature of those just selected from Scripture, by the reason assigned for this celestial minister's appearance, which is not described as being intended to console or sympathize with him, but to strengthen him. All his petitions subsequent to his entrance into the garden, discovered the most fervent desire to have this bitter cup of affliction taken from him; and though he always manifested the most perfect resignation to his Father's will, and the most determined resolution to fulfil it, yet, as hath been also already remarked, while he cherished the smallest ray of hope that the Supreme Being might adopt other measures for the vindication of his glory than those to be achieved by his sufferings and death, it naturally produced an undecided and perplexing state of mind; and we are powerfully confirmed in the justness of our supposition, namely, that to remove this by determining his purpose and irrevocably fixing his doom, was the end proposed by the heavenly ministration; from two reasons: first, our finding no further repetition of his entreaties that the hour might pass from him; and, secondly, by the immediate effect produced; for no alternative being now left, the necessity of his sufferings appearing imperious; his distress and

terror were consequently greatly heightened and augmented, and the conflict became in the extremest degree violent and acute. "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." How unlike to man! For the agonies endured by our blessed Saviour increased his devotion, and fixed him suppliant at the throne of grace. The matter of his fervent prayer, at this agonizing juncture, it may be inferred from the light thrown on this awful subject by the information of St. Paul, was for the Divine assistance to carry him through the dreadful scene that lay before him, with honour and with victory. For the torturing fear lest he should not prove victor in the terrific contest in which he was engaged, and which was probably originally insinuated by his subtil adversary, he would doubtless at this momentous crisis, to the utmost of his power, increase and exasperate. And his terror and agitation now became so excessive as to force the crimson fluid through the pores; which "intermingling with the sweat, dropped in clots on the ground, as he bowed himself to the earth." Dr. Whitby observes "that Aristotle and Diodorus Siculus both mention bloody sweats as attending some extraordinary agony of the mind; and Dr. Doddridge informs us that he finds Leti, in his Life of Pope Sixtus V. page 200, and Sir John Chardin, in his History of Persia, vol. i. page 126, mentioning a like phenomenon; to which Dr. Jackson, in his Works, vol. ii. page 819, adds another

VOL. II.

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from Thuanus, lib. x. page 221." And so violent and extraordinary was now the commotion into. which our blessed Saviour's animal frame was thrown, that notwithstanding his being in the open air, and the cool of the night, his sweat ran off with. uncommon violence, and was productive of the effect we have just been citing, as mentioned by the before-named authors. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples (Mark) the third time, he found them sleeping for sorrow, (Matthew,) and said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Wonderful and unparalleled love, thus to remain unaltered, unimpaired, in this his utmost exigence! (Matthew.) (Matthew.) "And he saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest; it is enough, behold the hour is come, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners; rise, let us be going; behold he is at hand that doth betray

me."

Th' Omnipresent eye, which pierc'd through the thin veil
Which now o'ercast it, beheld the traitor's act,
And mark'd his near approach. Tremendous crisis!
The dreadful moment come, and the last precious
Hour past gone, and half consumed in anxious
Distrust, and deluding hope, that might solely
Have been spent in seeking heavenly succour, and
Preparing to meet impending fate with firm
And dignified composure. Behold him now,
Amidst his agonizing struggle, with nought
But virtue t'oppose the high-flowing tide that
In him rolled, and stem this torrent of fear,
Terror, and dismay. Loudly upon him did
Stern duty call, to instant rise and meet his

Foes with fortitude unequall'd; and he who
Ever kept himself complete arrayed out
Of God's arsenal, could now at once obey

This summons; and guarded well in th' Almighty's
Armour, was able in his evil day to

Stand 'gainst all the devil's wiles; for wielding straight
The ponderous shield of faith, he quickly quenched
The tempter's fiery darts; and with a
Resolution high as heaven, and
Magnanimity unparallel'd, went forth
To meet the dreaded danger.

END OF VOL. II.

LONDON:

IBOTSON AND PALMER, PRINTERS, SAVOY STREET, STRAND.

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