The Harmony of the Gospels, Chapter 10
CAP. X.
The Sufferings of Jeſus Chriſt in the Garden.
I Contract & paſs over many things in the Sufferings of Chriſt, & come to his laſt Sufferings, in the laſt twenty hours of his life in this world; which laſt Sufferings were begun in the Garden, and finiſhed at Golgotha. In the Garden he ſuffered a Soul Agony, under the ſence of the Curſe, and puniſhment due to the ſin of Man, and under the ſenſe of the bitter cup of death, which he was now going about to drink. And no ſooner was there an Intermiſſion of the rigour of that Agony, but preſently he was betrayed, and fell into the hands of his Enemies that ſought his life. I ſhall briefly touch ſome parts of the Hiſtory, to ſhew how and when he came into this garden, and how he was there betrayed.
1. The Covetouſneſs of Judas, and a deſire to pilfer, and rob the bag which Jeſus his Maſter had truſted him with, was the bottome wheel of this Treaſon, as appeareth,
Joh. 12.4, 5, 6. Then ſaid one of his Diſciples, Judas Iſcariot, Simons ſon, which ſhould betray him, why was not this ointment ſold for three hundred pence and given to the poor? This he ſaid, not that he cared for the poor, but becauſe he was a thief & had the bag, and bare what was put therein. It is a dangerous temptation to a covetous man, to carry another mans Bag. Mathew ſayes Math. 26.8. the Diſciples had indignation, ſhewing that Judas ſpake from an heart filled with anger and diſdain againſt his Maſter, that had cauſed him to loſe ſuch a fat gob of gain: and the reſt of the Diſciples in their innocency were led to conſent to Judas. Mark 14.4. ſaith ſome of them had indignation: but John ſheweth, that it was the ſpirit of Judas that ſo vented himſelf, and why he did ſo. The reſt that conſented to him were only ſuch as were miſled in their ignorance of Judas his treachery.
So ſoon as Judas had thus vented his indignation, the Devil entered into his Soul, and ſuggeſted to him how he might have his gains made up that he had now loſt, he might get a great piece of money, if he would but goe to the chief Prieſts, and offer to betray his Maſter to them. And that it was thus, Luke teſtifieth, Luk. 22.3, 4. Then entered Satan into Judas Iſcariot being one of the twelve, and he went his way and communed with the chief Prieſts and Captains, how he might betray him unto them. Both Mark and Luke ſay, they promiſed him money: but Mathew tels the Sum they bargained for. Math. 26.15. for thirty pieces of ſilver. And now his covetous heart was fatted; but he muſt be ſure to perform his bargain, elſe he ſhould not have his wages: therefore now he ſtudied and watched for an opportunity to doe what he had agreed to doe. The love of money may well be ſaid to be the root of all evill. Satan can bring about a covetous heart to run himſelf into horrid ſins for ſmall gains. Did he eſteem the bloud of a man of his Lord and Maſter, our Saviour, at no greater price? But ſo it was propheſied, Zach. 11.12, 13. We ſee alſo what a dangerous thing it is, to ſuffer our hearts to be blown up into indignation, for the loſs of an opportunity of getting gain, eſpecially unjuſt gain: for the Devil hath an open door thereby to enter into the Soul, and to put them upon ſome wicked deſigns.
2. The execution of this treaſon, this bloudy bargain, was alſo done in a devilliſh Fury, viz. becauſe Jeſus Chriſt diſcovered his treaſon, and him to be the Traitor before all the Diſciples to his diſgrace. Math. 26.25. Then Judas which betrayed him ſaid Maſter is it I? Ah bold wretch, whoſe Conſcience is ſ…ared with pieces of ſilver. That which Jeſus anſwered was, Thou ſayeſt it, Yet this was not ſo full a diſcovery, he made a ſhift to bear that: but the full diſcovery is recorded by John, who was a Speaker in the matter, Joh. 13.23 ad 28. Now there was leaning on Jeſus boſome one of his Diſciples whom Jeſus loved: Simon Peter beckned to him that he ſhould ask who it ſhould be of whom he ſpake, he then lying on Jeſus breaſt ſaith unto him, Lord who is it? Jeſus anſwered, he it is to whom I ſhall give a Sop when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the Sop he gave it to Judas Iſcariot, the Son of Simon. And after the Sop, Satan entered into him. Then ſaid Ieſus to him, that thou doeſt, do quickly. This Sop did ſo plainly diſcover Iudas, that the Devill entered with it, and ſwelled his heart into a reſolution of a preſent execution of his bloudy bargain and treaſon. O what a Soul did this man eat the Paſſover withall!
Hypocrites though they love their Sins and deſigns, yet they cannot abide to be ſeen and diſcovered. The diſcovery of a bloudy Plot, will make an Hypocrite rage, as it did Judas: but it will make a godly heart very thankful to God that hath prevented his ſin: as it was with Da…id, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. when Abigail did prevent him from murdering Nabal, Bleſſed be the Lord God of Iſrael, who ſent thee this day to meet me, bleſſed be thy advice, and bleſſed be thou that haſt kept me this day from coming to ſhed bloud. When the Spirit of God enters with preventing Counſel, the effect is gracious. But if Satan enter with the diſcovering Sop, he will blow up Hell fire in that boſome, as it was with J…das.
3. When Judas went out in that de…illiſh Fury, that Satan had blown up his heart into, it was night, Ioh. 13.30. A fit ſeaſon for Traitors and Hypocrites to act their deſigns and works of darkneſs in. It was after day-light was ſhut in, for then it is ſaid to be night: it might be near eight of the Clock; for he tarried untill the Paſſover was celebrated. And when Jeſus Chriſt meaneth to inſtitute the Goſpel Sacrament of his Supper, he firſt huſhed and haſted away Judas: and when he was gone, then he inſtituted the Lords Supper, and finiſhed it with a Pſalm: and after it he had that gracious Conference recorded by John in Chapters, 13, 14, 15, 16. And after all this, he uttered that gracious mediatorial Prayer, Chap. 17. All theſe were moſt heavenly Preparatoryes for his own Sufferings, and the Sufferings of his Diſciples, which were not ſmall. And although that word be recorded Ioh. 14.31. ariſe, let us go hence, yet they did not goe pr…ſently; for they went not till that Prayer Cap. 17. was uttered, as appears Joh. 18.1. when Jeſus had ſpoken theſe words, he went forth, though ſome of the diſcourſe in theſe Chapters might be diſcourſed by the way.
By this pattern of Chriſt his celebration of the Supper, here is much inſtruction how we ought to keep our Sacramental Communion as pure as we can, and may be capable to doe in this our ſtate militant, and to be filled with holy, ſpiritual and heavenly conference after it.
4. While Jeſus and his Diſciples were thus exerciſed in theſe holy ſervices, conferences and Prayers, Iudas was among the chief Prieſts and Phariſees, who by that time of night were at home, and ſoon ready to attend the motion of their traiterous Companion. Yet Iudas found difficultyes and delayes in getting all things ready: to get a Company of men, and Officers; their Commiſſion & arms clubs, ſtaves, and other weapons, lanthorns, torches &c. Judas found that he had thruſt himſelf into a troubleſome employment. And however he intended to have diſpatched quickly, according to that diſcovering word which Jeſus Chriſt ſpake to him at his going out, what thou doeſt, doe quickly, intimating that it was in the plot and purpoſe of his heart to ſurprize him there, in the place where they kept the paſſover. But he found ſo many difficultyes and delayes, that it was near about midnight ere he could get all things ready, as will appear in the Sequel.
5. After this holy communion, Conference and prayer, Jeſus with his Diſciples went forth, and entered into the ſuffering garden, Ioh. 18.1. When Jeſus had ſpoken theſe words, he went forth with his Diſciples over the brook Kedron there was a Garden into which he entered with his Diſciples: where firſt he placed his Diſciples where they might be within ſight and hearing of what ſhould come upon him, but out of the way of Judas and his Company for their ſafety. ſo carefull was our Lord of his poor Lambs, when a company of wolves were to come amongſt them. That which he commanded them was, Sit here, till I go & pray yonder. Luk. 22.40. pray that ye enter not into Temptation. Then he took Peter James and John and went a little further. And now did he enter into his Soul-agony, with wonderfull horror and diſtreſs, even to death.
1. His body was not under any immediate ſuffering, as yet, only as it did co-ſuffer, and ſympathiſe with his Soul, in its terrible Agony, ſo deep and terrible were the horrors of his Soul, as that his body was ready to faint away and dye.
Math. 26.…7, 38. he began to be ſorrowful and very heavy, then ſaith he unto them, my ſoul is …xceeding ſorrowful, even unto the death, tarry here and watch with me.
Mark. 1….…3, 34. he began to be ſore amazed, and to be very heavy, and ſaith unto them, my Soul is exceeding ſorrowful unto death, tarry ye here and watch.
Luk. 22.43, 44. there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven ſtrengthening 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. The extremity of his Soul ſorrow did wring and torture the whole wheel of nature. And that this Agony was firſtly upon his Soul, is expreſly teſtified by Mathew and Mark, ſuch a load of ſorrow lay upon his Soul, that he could ſcarce live under it. The ſame is evident in the Propheſy, Iſai. 53.10. Thou ſhalt make his Soul an offering for ſin, which Text ſhews that the cauſe of this ſorrow was the load of our ſin, which lay upon him, being our Surety, Luke calleth it an Agony, ver. 44.
2. This Soul Agony is expreſſed by Jeſus Chriſt himſelf who felt it, in ſuch ſignificant words as do make it appear to be a very extream torment that he was in. Sorrowful, or ſo beſet round with ſorrows, and he was ready to faint and dy away, he felt the greateſt terror, conſternation, and diſtreſs of mind, that a mans Soul was capable to be in, yea, his terror was greater, then any one was able to bear except himſelf who is God-man.
3. This diſtreſs of Soul was begun five dayes before the Paſover, as appeareth Ioh. 12.27. now is my Soul troubled & what ſhall I ſay? Father ſave me from this hour, but for this cauſe came I unto this hour. That this was ſpoken five dayes before the Paſsover, appears, Ioh. 12.1. ſix days before the Paſover Ieſus came to Bethany, & v. 12. on the next day much people were come to the Feaſt, and then Jeſus went up to Jeruſalem, and then was this word ſpoken by him, ſo that he had been long in ſome degrees of this Agony, yea, long before his Soul was diſtreſſed about it, Luke 12.50. but I have a Baptiſme to be baptized with, and how am I ſtreightned, preſſed, pained till it be accompliſhed, ſo that that Propheſy is herein (in part) accompliſhed, Iſai. 53.3. a man of ſorrows, acquainted with griefs, his Soul was in continual ſorrow & diſtreſs.
4. This Soul Agony was not inflicted upon him by man, nor by Devils, no creature was able to put his bleſſed Soul into ſuch a condition.
Queſt. Who was it that put his Soul into this diſtreſs? I anſwer, it was his Father that gave him this Cup to drink, Joh. 18.11. the Cup which my heavenly Father hath given me ſhall I not drink it?
Iſai. 53.6. the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all, he ſuffered the wrath and curſe of God, the puniſhment due to the ſin of man, he is our ſurety, he ſtood in our ſtead, and divine juſtice inflicted upon him all the puniſhment due to our ſins. And he ſpared not to lay upon him till he was fully ſatisfied, Rom. 8.32. He ſpared not his own Son, here he drank the firſt deep draught of the wrath of God due to our ſin, on the Croſs, he drank the laſt draught, and then he dyed.
5. He turned the Innocent reluctancies of humane nature into prayers unto his Father, who laid this load upon him, and ſubdued, and ſuppreſſed them with humble, holy ſubmiſſion to his will, and then drank, and this he did three times, he made three draughts of this bitter cup which he drank in the garden. And it pleaſed the Father to give him interims of ſome eaſe, ſo that after his firſt ſubmiſſion he went unto his Diſciples, and awaked them, (poor watch men) and then returned to his dreadful work again, and ſubmitted the ſecond time, and drank, then went he again to his Diſciples and did the ſame with a check to Peter by Name, and returned again and prayed, and ſubmitted, and drank the third draught, and then he had an interim again. And by that time the Traitor Judas and his Companions were come into the Garden.
6. In all this bitter conflict he had no humane help, for every time he came to his Diſciples he found them ſleeping, he fulfilled that Propheſy, Iſai. 63.3. I have trodden the wine preſs alone, and of the people there was none with me. Yet to inform and convince us of the greatneſs of this work and bitter ſuffering, it pleaſed God to ſend an Angel to ſtrengthen him, as Luke teſtifieth, Luke 22.43 and there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven ſtrengthning him. The Cup was ſo bitter, that it was as much as life could bear, yet he revived again, and went on in his work, till he drank the laſt draught on the Croſs, & then it killed him, he drank at ſeveral times, that it might not yet kill him; b…cauſe all was not yet finiſhed; but when all was finiſhed, he drank the bottom of the Cup, & then it killed him, he began with a ſoul Agony only, without immediate bodily ſufferings, ſave what his body ſuffered by ſimpathy with his diſtreſſed ſoul; but on the Croſs he ſuffered the extremity of bodily ſuffering, & Soul ſufferings alſo both together, & then it killed him
7. What is a Soul Agony? Anſw. The wrath and curſe of God due to ſin by the Law, inflicted to puniſh the Soul.
What is that Soul puniſhment which Jeſus Chriſt ſuffered, which he began in the garden, before they touched his body?
Anſw. It is ſo deep, terrible, Infinite, and intollerable, that it is unutterable, as it is ſaid, 1 Cor. 2.9. Eye hath not ſeen, Ear hath not heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him. So nor for them that love him not, who are ſinners. And what unconceivable puniſhment divine juſtice hath prepared for ſinners, all that, Jeſus Chriſt hath ſuffered in our ſtead, no man can bear the curſe of the Law but it will ſink him to hell, and there he can bear it but by drops, and therefore his puniſhment is drawn out to Eternity. But Jeſus Chriſt was able to bear it, and to accompliſh his ſufferings in a finite time, Iſai. 53.4. he hath born our griefs. Souls in hell feel what a Soul Agony under Gods wrath and curſe is, Luk. 16.24. I am tormented in this flame, ſaid Dives in Hell. Souls und…r the work of converſion, when they are wounded for ſin, feel ſome drops and ſparks of it, & yet that little is intollerable, Pro. 18.14. a wounded Spirit who can bear? a Negative Interrogative, meaning that none can bear it. Only Jeſus Chriſt can bear it, yea, we may truly ſay, never did any wounded Soul in the work of converſion feel ſuch Soul wounds as Jeſus Chriſt felt, and never did, ſhall, or can any Soul in Hell feel ſuch Torments of ſoul as Jeſus Chriſt felt.
For 1. In Hell every ſoul feels the puniſhment due to his own ſin only, he ſuffereth only for his own ſins.
2. In the work of converſion the ſoul feels the ſting of the guilt of his own ſin only. But Ieſus Chriſt ſtood in the room and ſtead of all, he is a ſecond Adam, he ſuffered the puniſhment due unto all, and all at once, and this maketh a wonderful difference. The ſuffering of any one perſon is but as the drop of a Bucket in compariſon of the ſufferings of Ieſus Chriſt. There be ſundry parts and powers of the ſoul; The underſtanding is the great light, ruler, commander of the whole man, in all its actions. The will is the ſovereign uncompelled chooſer in the ſoul of man, that cloſeth with what it liketh beſt. The Conſcience is the ſovereign judge of all that is done, doing, or to be done. The memory is the depoſitory Treaſury where all our ſtore, good or bad is laid up for after uſe. The imaginations and affections are under Servants to the Soul. And all theſe powers of the Soul, the perſon being in the ſtate of ſin are capable of high torments; as on the contrary, the perſon being in the ſtate of grace through Faith in Jeſus Chriſt they are capable of glory and high joyes.
Torments enter into the Soul two wayes, as alſo do joyes.
Sometimes by way of ſenſe and imagination.
Sometimes by the underſtanding, by the Word and Spirit.
In all theſe wayes, what ever Torment an Innocent Surety was capable of as the fruit of ſin, all that Jeſus Chriſt ſuffered, part now in the garden, and fully upon the Croſs, Our Surety ſtood guilty in the Eye of Juſtice, of all the ſin of the firſt Adam, and preſents himſelf to ſuffer for the ſame, unto the ſatisfaction of the juſtice of the Law, Rom. 3.19. all the world is become guilty before God, and Jeſus Chriſt taketh upon himſelf all this guilt, all the mountains of guilt of all the elect world are rowled upon Jeſus Chriſt, he is made ſin for us, and the fiery ſtreams of the wrath of God that burneth in Tophet come running down upon him, Pſal. 88.7. thy wrath lyeth hard upon me, thou haſt afflicted me with all thy waves. The curſe due unto ſin maketh it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10.31. for our God is a conſuming fire. In this fearful, terrible condition was the Soul of Ieſus Chriſt, now in his garden agony, which ſuffering of Ieſus Chriſt doth ſave believers from it, to the enlargement of our Eternal Thanksgiving, praiſe and joy.
But Wo be to thoſe unto whom this grace is freely offered, but they rather chuſe the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon, and by their own choice plunge themſelves into theſe flames of wrath, out of which Ieſus Chriſt offereth to deliver them, but they refuſe to accept his o…fer.
8. In this garden Agony Ieſus Chriſt had but three of his Diſciples near him, viz. Peter, Iames and Iohn, the reſt of his Diſciples he had appointed where they ſhould tarry, further off, and he went ſo often to theſe three to keep them waking, that Judas and his Companions ſhould not find them faſt aſleep, and behold the gentleneſs of Ieſus Chriſt to conſider their infirmity, he firſt gently checketh them, and Peter by name, could ye not watch with me one hour? ſhewing that his firſt conflict had been about an hour, and he knowing that Iudas was coming, ſet them a little way off, and bid them watch.
But alas they were poor Watchmen, he found them aſleep the ſecond time, then he giveth them an holy Item and Admonition, watch and pray leſt ye fall into Temptation: there is more danger near you then you are aware of. Yet himſelf doth make a tender kind-hearted Apology for them, Firſt accepting their willingneſs of Spirit; and then bearing with the infirmity of the fleſh: for he conſidered that it was near midnight, high ſleeping time; and their hearts were full of ſorrow, which made their eyes heavy Luk. 22.45. Yet notwithſtanding the care the Lord had to keep them awake, Judas had taken them aſleep, had not the Lord awaked them the third time, for when he came to them the third time he found them aſleep, and now he gives them a ſharp awakening, they were aſhamed the ſecond time, but now they were gaſtered; now ſleep if you can. Behold the hour is come, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of ſinners, ariſe, let us be going, when the danger is upon us it is time to beſtir our ſelves.
Now the Hiſtory returneth to Iudas, whom we left, preparing his Company to execute his wicked Treaſon in betraying his Lord and Maſter, when he had gotten his Company, a band of men and Officers, furniſhed with Swords, Staves, Clubs, Lanthorns, Torches, &c. no doubt he firſt led them to the houſe where he had left Ieſus and his Diſciples, but he found that they were gone from thence ſome hours ago, which might vex them, but Iudas incouraging them, he knew the place whither they were gone, Ioh. 18.2. Iudas who betrayed him knew the place, for Ieſus oft times reſorted thither with his Diſciples; unto this place he led them; how they got into the garden, is not ſaid, but Iudas their Leader knew how to get in, and did ſo.
And this is greatly to be obſerved, that by ſuch time as they were come, Ieſus Chriſt was ready for them, he had ordered and placed his Diſciples, he had finiſhed his Soul Agony, and prayers, and he had no ſooner finiſhed that great work, but the Traitor and his Crew came, he ſteppeth out of one furnace into another, he had finiſhed his Soul conflict under the wrath of God, now falleth into the wrathful hand of man, from one ſuffering into another; the time of his laſt ſufferings was now come. In the management of this matter there be ſundry particulars.
1. The Company that came to apprehend this Lamb of God to make him a Sacrifice was a band of armed men, with Officers and Arms, Ioh. 18.3. and Iudas was their Leader, a goodly Crew to follow a Diſciple of Ieſus Chriſt, but they are fit enough for a Traitor; they had objected to Iudas that they might miſs the right perſon, being night, how ſhall we know the right party? Iudas deviſed this direction, he told them that he will kiſs the man, and whom ye ſee me kiſs, that is he, lay hold on him, and lead him away ſafely, ſo Mark expreſſes his direction, Mar. 14.44.
2. According to this agreement, ſo ſoon as they came up to Ieſus, the firſt act that paſſed was, Judas came up to Ieſus with a ſmooth flattering tongue, and ſaid, hail Maſter! and kiſſed him; The moſt miſchievous and wicked kiſs that ever was given in this world, a fitting behaviour of a bloody Traitor.
3. Ieſus Chriſt giveth him in a mild manner a moſt dreadful rebuke. Iudas betrayeſt thou the Son of man with a kiſs? a terrible Queſtion to all ſmooth, flattering, but falſhearted Hypocrites, that mean not as they ſpeak, whoſe words are ſmooth as butter and oyl, but falſhood and venome is in their hearts,
4. The next act that paſſed was, Ieſus asked them, whom ſeek ye? they ſaid, Ieſus of Nazaret: he ſaid, I am he: and with that word opened a Crevis of the Majeſty of his perſon, which made them all to ſtart back and fall to the ground, and probably tumbled over each other. And Ioh. 18.5.6. Iudas that betrayed him ſtood among them, and it is like fell alſo among them, unleſs his heart was harder than the reſt, and not ſo ready to be daunted in this wicked work he was about: he was the moſt guilty perſon of them all.
5. But they recovered themſelves again and ſtood up. Nothing will daunt and divert an hard heart, when the Devill doth animate and inſpire them. And all this Company depended upon Judas their Leader and Captain, all the action muſt be attributed to him.
6. Then Ieſus asked them again, whom ſeek ye? He was more compoſed in his mind then they were, he was in a good work, they were in a wicked work. And by this ſecond Queſtion, he ſhewed evidently that he would not eſcape from them though he could eaſily have ſo done, for he knew their deſign. Then they ſaid again, Ieſus of Nazareth? Ieſus anſwered them, I have told you that I am he, if therefore ye ſeek m…, let theſe (viz. Peter, James and John) that are with me goe their way, that th… ſaying which he had ſpoken, Ioh. 17.12. might be fulfilled, Of thoſe that thou haſt given me I have loſt none. And here behold a right good Shephard, that will expoſe himſelf to the Wolves to ſave his Lambs.
7. The next act that paſſed, was an act of Peter, who ſeeing Malchus a forward bold fellow, a ſervant of the high Prieſt, and ſpirited like his Maſter, begin to lay hold on Jeſus, peter drew his Sword, and firſt asked Maſter ſhall I ſmite? but before he could receive an Anſwer, Malchus going on, he gave Malchus one Slaſh, and cut off his right ear, Luk. 22.49.50. upon which act of Peter, Jeſus Chriſt did three things.
Firſt. He rebuked the ſword, and commanded Peter to put it up into its ſheath. He rebuked it by that text of Scripture Gen. 9.6. he that draweth the ſword ſhall periſh by the ſword. Again, Jeſus Chriſt declareth, that if he had need or deſire of reſcue, I could ask my Father, and have more then ten legions of Angels to reſcue me. All that Jeſus Chriſt did for us was by voluntary diſpenſation. Again Jeſus Chriſt argueth, If I ſhould reſcue my ſelf from them, how ſhould the Scripture be fullfilled, which have foretold, that thus it muſt be? Mat. 26.50.53, 54. Again he argueth, Ioh. 18.11. The cup which my heavenly Father hath given me to drink ſhall I not drink it? He had already thrice in Prayer ſubmitted to drink it, and now ſubmitteth again.
Secondly. Jeſus Chriſt touched Malchus his ear, and healed it. Luk. 22.51. whether it did his ſoul any good or not, is not ſaid, there is no mention made of it; only Ioh. 18.26. A Kinſman of Malchus challenged Peter to be one of Jeſus his company. Did I not ſee thee in the Garden with him? and no doubt he could have told him, that it was he that cut off Malchus his ear; but becauſe of the Miracle which Jeſus did, in healing it with a touch, the High Prieſt (it is like) charged and they all agreed to bury it in as much ſilence as they could; for it was a great Conviction of their malice, that could not be mollified by ſuch a miracle. But poor Peter was too bold (not in Courage, but Fear) in denying; which how great a ſtumbling it might be to him that charged him, we cannot ſay. But O what a ſad Temptation is fear? that cauſed Peter ſo raſhly, and ſo often to deny his Lord But we are yet in the Garden, where Malchus Ear was raſhly cut off by Peter, and miraculouſly healed by Jeſus Chriſt.
3. Jeſus Chriſt rebuked the Officers and band of Souldiers for coming againſt him in hoſtile manner, Luk. 22.52. and Ieſus ſaid unto the chief Prieſts, and Captains of the Temple, and the Elders which were come to him (therefore we ſee that there were of ſuch ſorts of men in Judas his Crew) be ye come out as againſt a Thief with Swords and Staves? when I was daily with you in the Temple, ye ſtretched forth no hand againſt me, but this is your hour and power of darkneſs.
8. Laſtly, They lay hold on Ieſus, and bind him, dear Lamb of God! Ioh. 18.12. then the band of men the Captain and Officers of the Jews took Ieſus and bound him, and led him away.
9. Now all his Diſciples left him, fled, and ſhifted away, Math. 26.56. Mark relates a brief Hiſtory of a young man, a follower of Ieſus Chriſt, Mark. 14 51. and there followed him a certain young man having a linnen cloth caſt about his naked body, and the young men laid hold on him, and he left the Linnen Cloth, and fled from them naked. This young man was none of the Diſciples, for Ieſus Chriſt had taken care for all their ſafety, Ioh. 18.8. If ye ſeek me, let theſe go their way. But this Hiſtory is inſerted, to ſhew what a ſad con…ternation fell upon all the follow…rs of Ieſus Chriſt: ah, how were all the ſheep ſcattered, when the Shephard was ſmitten, and oh how the hour of darkneſs inſulted now! that none of the followers of Ieſus Chriſt durſt appear, and how Ieſus was deſerted of all men. He trode the wine Preſs alone, and none of the people were with him. To him be all glory for ever and ever, Amen.
In this ſad Hiſtory of the ſufferings of our Lord Ieſus in the Gard…n, Divines do obſerve how the ſufferings of the ſecond Adam do anſwer to the ſins of the firſt Adam. The firſt Adam beg an ſin in the garden of Paradice, and the ſecond Adam began his laſt ſufferings in a garden where Ieſus was wont to reſort, Ioh. 18.2. a good meditation to ſeaſon our garden del…ghts withal.
Again, the firſt Adam fell by the ſubtile flattering Serpent, acted by the Devil. And the ſecond Adam entered into the field of his laſt ſufferings, by the ſmooth and fallacious kiſs of his Diſciple Iudas, again all the world were corrupted by the ſin & fall of the firſt Adam, & all ſorts of the people of the world conſpired againſt the ſecond Adam, and brought him to his ſuffering.
Again, the firſt Adam by ſin hath brought ſhame upon all the world, and diſgrace. And now the world do put upon the ſecond Adam all the ſhame and diſgrace that they can. Again, the firſt Adam forſook God and his wayes, and now the ſecond Adam is forſaken of all men, his own Diſciples forſake him. Again, the firſt Adam was made a Captive, and hath captived all his Poſterity, and now the ſecond Adam ſuffering for our ſins is made a Captive unto ſinners. But paſſing theſe things I ſhall touch a few other things.
1. See to what a degree of Impudence the Devil can blow up the heart of an Apoſtate, the rebuking queſtion of Ieſus daunted not Iudas nor any thing elſe that was ſaid, or done.
2. All men ſhould beware of raſh drawing out of the Sword, it is a dangerous thing, and not to be done without great counſel and deliberation.
3. When we ask counſel, it is neceſſary to have patience till we receive an anſwer.
4. Ieſus Chriſt healed Malchus Ear. It is a Goſpel leſſon to do good againſt evil, Ieſus on the Croſs ſaid, Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.
5. It was the wiſdome and love of Ieſus Chriſt to draw a ſpeedy cover over Peters raſh act, &c. &c.