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transaction ever took place equal to the death of the Lord Jesus Christ: no conquest was ever gained, at all to be compared with the conquest of the Cross. We wonder not that the Saviour should speak of the awful period in such emphatic terms-" This hour."

It was the hour in which all intelligent creation was concerned. Heaven, earth, and hell were closely interested in what then transpired and was then effected. Angels were not indifferent spectators; for in "this hour" they were confirmed in bliss. Devils in "this hour" were deprived of their last expiring hope. Man, especially, was most intimately concerned: a full atonement for his sin was made; a complete ransom for his soul was given. The law was honoured, justice was satisfied, redemption was accomplished, when the bleeding Saviour said, "It is finished;" when " he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost *." This, then, was the hour, the most memorable, the most important, of all others. The point of time for which time was made, to which all the dispensations of God referred, which all the Prophets foretold; in which the greatest work was accomplished, the grandest victory achieved, and in which all intelligent creation was closely concerned; emphatically" this hour."

We have, in the text,

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II. The peculiar AFFLICTION which the Saviour felt.

"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?" This language is remarkable: it conveys uncommon strength of meaning. "Now is my soul troubled." The word denotes tortured, racked, torn, as it were, with anxiety and distress. Our blessed

* John xix. 30.

Saviour scarcely knew how to express himself under the bitter anguish which he felt in the prospect of his approaching agony. What must have been the agony itself?

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On several accounts, no one had ever so much reason to meet death with calmness and constancy as Jesus Christ. He had no guilt of his own to disturb him he knew well the innocence of his character, and the justness of his cause: he was in perfect friendship with all mankind: he was fully persuaded of the immortality of the soul. He saw clearly the happy result of his suffering, and was assured of eternal blessedness; yet, behold! His soul was troubled. We read of martyrs, mere men, suffering with magnanimity and joy. We read of many, in times of persecution, enduring the most cruel treatment with firmness and fortitude. Stephen did so; and dying, meekly said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; and he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, not the voice of anguish, but of calm benevolence, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge; and when he had said this he fell asleep." The penitent thief on the cross did so: collected and composed, he prayed, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Paul declared, in the prospect of martyrdom which he actually suffered; "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy;" and again, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." There must have been something peculiar in the case of Jesus Christ; some very bitter ingredient in the cup of his suffering. And what was it?

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He stood, the Surety of others. He suffered, the Substitute of guilty rebellious men. He "who knew

no sin, was made sin," a sin-offering," for us." "The Lord laid on him," or caused on him to meet, "the iniquity of us all." And hence, "it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and to put him to grief." He "his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." He "once suffered for sins, the Just instead of the unjust, that he might bring us to God."

This explains the reason of such peculiar affliction. It assigns the cause of such affecting declarations as these : "He began to be sore amazed." "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." "Now is

my soul troubled; and what shall I say?" It was the load of human guilt which oppressed him. It was the frown of his Father's face which he dreaded. It was the stroke of unyielding Justice for the sin of man which tortured his holy soul. No wonder that he felt, when he endured the punishment of such enormous guilt. A thick cloud was gathering around him well might he "fear" as he "entered into the cloud." A most bitter cup was presented to him, and we are not surprised at the feeling request; "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.'

Learn from this part of the subject, the extreme evil of sin; what dreadful agony it caused in Christ the Saviour;-and if in Him who was perfectly innocent, what must it cause in the guilty? If these things were done "in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" Who can tell the unknown anguish which awaits the impenitent transgressor, who drops unpardoned into the bottomless pit?

Learn, also, the greatness of the love of Christ. It" passeth knowledge." It is stronger than death. "Many waters cannot quench it, neither can floods drown it!" "Having loved his own, he loved them

unto the end."

Though he clearly saw all the terror of "this hour," he resolved to meet it; the omnipotence of his Love sustained him, and bore him triumphant through.

Learn still farther, the indispensible necessity of faith in his great Atonement, and finished work. You are sinners; look to Christ as a suffering Saviour. Be not satisfied with speculative notions about his sufferings: they will avail to no useful purpose: remember why he suffered, and look to him for your own salvation. "Behold the Lamb of

God, which taketh away sin." Behold him, till you love him; till you lose the burden which oppresses your spirit; till you enjoy rest and peace in believing. We have, in the text,

III. The perfect RESIGNATION which the Saviour exemplified.

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Some consider the clause, "Father, save me from this hour," as a petition; the language of desire, forced from opressed nature, seeking relief. Others regard it, and perhaps with more propriety, as an interrogation, reading the verse thus ; Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? this cause came I unto this hour.' In either view, it expresses entire submission, the most lovely resignation; as when he utters that remarkable sentiment: "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I

not drink it?*".

No!

Shall I

say,

It was for

Observe here, the undertaking of Jesus Christ for sinners was voluntary. He engaged in the great work, "not by constraint, but willingly:" He

John xviii. 11.

I came unto this hour;" and this was a motive of resignation. He did not submit to suffering because he could not avoid it, but because he was unwilling to avoid it he would in no wise shrink from the solemn engagement which he had made. Does not this again remind us of the exceeding riches of his love? Yes; and it teaches the inviolable faithfulness of his character! He is true to every word that he utters, to every promise that he makes, to every contract which he engages to fulfil. In this adorable Saviour, we have not only a merciful, but a "faithful High Priest." "Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant; but Christ as a Son over his own house."

Learn, therefore, to trust him, to confide in him. He will not deceive. He who met that dismal "hour," in pursuance of his own voluntary engagement; will he not bless you, who seek his blessing, in pursuance of his own promise? Is it not more easy to confer a favour than to endure agony? And has he not said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest?” "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

Observe farther; what the Lord Jesus endured in "this hour" he had in view when he entered the world, and through every period of his existence here. I must needs suffer,' as if he had said, for this is what I have continually in mind. It is not any thing unthought of, or unexpected; just the reverse: "for this cause came I unto this hour."" We see not what is future, any farther than is revealed to us; but Christ saw, by his own unbounded knowledge, "the end from the beginning." And does

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