Though there was something here peculiar in our Saviour's obedience, there is something also exemplary in it. He did not expose himself before his hour was come; but cheerfully submitted to the Divine will, when it was come. So we are not to turn aside in search of trials, but to take up our cross when it is fairly in our way. We are not to be impatient to suffer; but when we are called to it, the call should bear us up, and bear us through, for God is with us.

And this obedience resulted from love-"I love the Father." I delight, said he, to do thy will; yea, thy law is within my heart. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. His people, in their measure and degree, can say the same. As obedience is the best evidence of love, so love is the best spring of obedience. It is love that makes it pleasant to ourselves. It is love that makes it acceptable to God. With him, nothing can be a substitute for it. Indeed, we ourselves, in the conduct of our fellow-creatures towards us, judge not by the bulk of the action, but the disposition from which it proceeds. The estimate is taken, not from the service, but the principle; not from what is given, but from what is implied. The smallest donation is welcomed as a token of coadial regard; while, like God, we abhor "the sacrifice where not the heart is found."

Jesus would have all this known, not to his disciples only, but to others and to all: "But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." And the world ought to know it-and in due time will know it. They are deeply concerned in it. At present a very large majority of mankind have never heard of his Name, or of his salvation. But his cause is spreading. The Scriptures are entering all languages. Missionaries are visiting all climes. The Church

is praying that his Word may have free course and be glorified. And God has said, "It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth." It must therefore by-andby be said, without a figure, "Behold! the world is gone away after him."

But blessed are our eyes, for they see, and our ears, for they hear. We already know these things. But how do we know them? Do we feel as well as understand them? Are we like a December's night, as cold as we are clear? Shall we be found in the number of those who behold, and wonder, and perish? Or, filled with admiration, and gratitude, and confidence, and zeal, are we, beholding as in a glass his glory, changing into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord?

APRIL 1.-"His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Luke xxii. 44.

It is a question whether this sweat was blood comparatively, i. e. whether it resembled blood whose drops are denser, heavier, and larger, than those of common perspiration-or really blood. The latter is possible. There have been instances of the kind, well authenticated. Such an opinion early and generally prevailed; and nothing was more common among the Fathers, than to consider this, as one of the times when he bled for us, each of his pores as a kind of wound, flowing with that blood without which there is no remission. It is, perhaps, impossible

to determine this, absolutely. But even allowingwhat we by no means consider as proved-that it was only blood in resemblance; it must have been most extraordinary. For he was abroad in the open air; upon the cold ground; the night far advanced; and the weather chilling-for the High Priest's servants made a fire to warm themselves-here was enough to have checked perspiration-yet his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground!

And what could have caused it? Surely not the mere circumstances of dying. Socrates-Seneca-did not sweat thus; they were cool and calm. Look at the martyrs; and even those of the more timid sex: they were tranquil in the prospect, and in many instances came forth from prison smiling, and blessed the instrument of death-Yes: but they had not to contend with the powers of darkness: but this was their hour, and the power of darkness. They had not to bear the sins of others, nor yet their own; whereas, the Lord laid on him the iniquities of us all.

We indulge here no curious speculations; and we require the definitions of no human creeds: but neither will we be reasoned out of the plain language and meaning of the Scriptures. We believe God; and not as some believe him; i.e., as a jury in a court believe the testimony of a suspected, a discredited witness, relying no further upon his deposition than it is collaterally supported; and thus yielding no honour to himself We do not found our belief on knowledge; but derive our knowledge from belief. We believe in the unerring wisdom and veracity of God-and he has told us, that Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust: that he bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows: that the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and that by his stripes we are healed.

Men think lightly of sin; but an awakened conscience feels it a burden too heavy to bear.

It

as made the whole creation groan. But see Jesus bearing it in his own body-and his sweat falls as great drops of blood down to the ground! What, then, if you should bear it in your own person, O sinner!-Why it will sink thee to the lowest hell. But bear it you must, if you reject or neglect him ; for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin-He that believeth on the Son of God, hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son of God, hath not life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. But,

"Each purple drop proclaims there's room,
"And bids the poor and needy come."

Oh! let me look on him who suffers thus. Oh! let me mourn over my sins, which caused his anguish

""Twere you that pull'd the vengeance down
"Upon his guiltless head;

"Break, break, my heart; and burst, my eyes;
"And let my sorrows bleed!"

But let me also rejoice. That bloody sweat proclaims my discharge from condemnation, and tells me the Law is magnified and made honourable.

And can I help loving him? Love begets love. And what can evince love like suffering? And such suffering! and for such criminals! and not only without their desert, but their desire !-Lord! what wilt thou have me to do?

APRIL 2.-" Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth." John xviii. 7.

EVERY thing here is remarkable.

In the very family of Jesus, how wonderful that any should be base enough to betray him! But

here we find Judas, who had been called to the Apostleship, and invested with power to work miracles, and a few hours before had partaken of the Holy Supper, heading a band of men and officers, which he had obtained from the Chief Priests and Pharisees; and betraying his Master and Benefactor into their hands, with a kiss!

How wonderful was the courage of Jesus, that, though he knew all things that should come upon him, not only remained in the place, but came forth from the retreat, and presented himself! This was the effect of a love stronger than death. Perfect love casteth out fear.

How wonderful was the rebuke, and the repulse, which his enemies met with! No sooner did he pronounce the words, "I am he," than they went backward, and fell to the ground. Whether some rays of glory broke from his sacred body, or whether he immediately by his power impressed their minds, we know not; but, surely, here was enough to induce them to discontinue the unhallowed enterprise.

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Yet how wonderful, that in a few moments they rise, and recover heart enough to approach him a second time-So that he asks them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. This was partly the influence of numbers.

alone may be often easily deterred from an evil action. But it is otherwise where hand joins in hand, and the sinner is seen and supported, and stimulated or reproached, by his fellow-creatures— It shews us, also, the hardening nature of sin. When the men of Sodom were smitten with blindness, they even then groped by the wall to find the house where the heavenly visitants were. Upon the removal of each plague, when Pharaoh saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. And Ahaz, in his affliction, sinned yet more and more against God. And of how many may it be said, "Thou hast stricken