disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

Christ went forth to meet his sufferings! Let us think of his love, see the accursed nature of sin: see our sin; and in all our sufferings for it, remember that he bore the heaviest part of them.

2. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the plac e: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Probably, to meditate on his sufferings, and to prepare himself for them, in the very place where they were to begin. There is a use in this; we know not where trouble will find us, but it is good to be ready for it.

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?

He went unto them of his own accord, when he could as easily have gone from them.

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.

It may seem strange that this stroke of Christ's power, did not change their hearts, and make them alter their purpose. But how often does God bring us to the ground, with some heavy trouble or calamity, without effect!

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.

Just so he offered himself to the justice of God for our preservation. Great comfort may be found in these words, "Let these go their way."

9. That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10. Then Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Let us learn from hence that our zeal for Christ may be excessive, and especially, that he does not want to have blood shed in his service. After the day of Pentecost, Peter was changed into another man, and could say, "If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye." 1 Pet. iii. 14.

11. Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Christ's was a bitter cup indeed! And why did he not shrink from it? Because his Father put it into his hand. That word, Father, well considered, would sweeten everything that befals us.

12. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

They need not to have done it; they could not, if our sins had not bound him first.

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.

In what sense the Holy Ghost gave forth this saying by the mouth of Caiaphas, St. John has told us before, in chap. xi. 49, 50: but we never receive it till the same Spirit convinces us of our sin, and of the expediency and necessity of Christ's death in our own case.

SECTION LXXII.

Chap. xviii. ver. 15-27.

PETER DENIETH CHRIST.

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 that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

His courage had already begun to fail him.

17. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

See what the power of nature amounts to, notwithstanding our strongest resolutions, when grace is not in exercise.

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.

He little thought that his affections needed to be warmed, and what a cold heart he had, at that time, for his Master.

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.

The answer of Jesus, delivered with the greatest mildness, and without any contempt of the high priest, or of his authority, amounts to this; that as he always taught openly, and in the most public places, those who were present could give him full information of his doctrine; and that he would do well to examine them concerning it, rather than Him, whom he would not believe.

21. Why askest thou me ? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

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?

This was a great indignity offered to the Son of God. We cannot help thinking so. Let us have an eye upon ourselves. Every sin we commit is that stroke repeated, and goes to his heart.

23. Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

He had indeed borne witness, with the utmost virulence, as we say, but his striking Jesus was no proof in the case. 24. Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

25. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself: they said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? he denied it, and said, 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 and immediately the cock crew. We know the effect which the cock-crowing had on Peter; he immediately repented. If any of us are in an evil way, let it have the same effect on us, and, as he did, let us stop short, at once.

SECTION LXXIII.

Chap. xviii. ver. 28-40.

JESUS ARRAIGNED BEFORE PILATE.

28. Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early, and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled: but that they might eat the passover.

That they might keep themselves from all outward defilement, during the time of the passover. They were, however, all over defiled with blood, and at the same time scrupulous about a ceremony. O the wretched deceivableness of the heart! Let us see to it, that we put nothing in the place of inward purity.

29. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Let us ask ourselves this question, Is it not our ground of accusation against him, that his doctrine is too pure heavenly for us?

and

30. They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Here the wickedness of their hearts comes full in view; they would have had Pilate condemn him without proof. The heathen magistrate, however, from his natural sense of good and evil, was more upright than the Jews, with the law of God in their hands.

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 put any man to death:

Upon any other occasion they would have caught eagerly at this concession of Pilate, to judge Jesus. They do not say, that the power of capital punishments was taken from them that same year. How wonderful is the providence of God in working things to his own end! Christ, by the will of God, and according to his own prediction, was to be crucified; but if his punishment had been left to the Jews, by their law he must have been stoned.

32. That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

33. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the king of the Jews?

34. Jesus answered hin, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

The meaning seems to be this, As thou dost not say this