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them the scenes of bitter trial through which, for his sake, they must pass-scenes so contrary to their hopes, so overwhelming to their fearshe sought to quiet their alarm, and confirm their wavering trust by revealing to them the scenes of glory that would follow:-"Look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh;"*"Let not your hearts be troubled-I will come again, and receive you unto myself." True you shall see me "led as a lamb to the slaughter." Though "despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows,"§ and a victim of the most cruel sufferings-bleeding at every pore and writhing in every limb, yet unappalled at the fearful expiation, I shall proceed "to give my back to the smiters," "my flesh for the life of the world." Yes, you must witness "the hour and the power of darkness;" but "let not your heart be troubled," the day of my exaltation and of your rejoicing

* Luke xxi, 28.
Is. liii, 7.
|| Ibid. 1, 6.

† John xiv, 1-3.

§ Ibid. liii, 3.

¶ John vi, 51.

1*

hastens. Soon you shall see me lay aside the priestly garments, the badges of my bloody sacrifice, my deep humiliation; and gird on the sword of my might. "Death shall be swallowed up in my victory;"* and in the face of a gazing world I will ascend, "leading captivity captive," to "the place of my glory." Nor is this all: I will come again; and this very earth which is to witness the scene of my agony, and hear the cry of my distress, shall yet behold the brightness of my coming, and bend beneath the sceptre of my kingdom.§ True, "you shall be called before governors and kings for my sake;" "yea, the time cometh, when he that killeth you, will think that he doeth God service." But "let not your heart be troubled;" I will come again: will come unto you: will endue you with "the spirit of my glory:"¶ "will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay

* 1 Cor. xv, 54.

2 Thess. ii, 8.

§ Is. ix, 7; lxiii, passim.

|| John xvi, 2.

† Eph. iv, 8.

Phil. ii, 10. Rev. i, 7.
¶ 1 Pet. iv, 14.

nor resist."* you shall prosper." Yes, "I will come again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." "Ye have followed me, and in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."§ Such is the enrapturing view unfolded by our Lord to his sorrowing disciples; such the bright vision of final victory, under power of which, he left them "to contend earnestly for the faith." The effect was such as might have been looked for. No sooner had he ascended, than the voice of these very disciples, just now sunk in despondency, is raised, as if in echo of his own exulting strain, to the highest note of encouragement. timid are nerved, the sluggish aroused, the recreant filled with terror, by constant and thrilling appeals to the fact, that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh:" that He who once "came to visit us in great humility," would soon return + Is. liv, 17. § Matt. xix, 28.

"No weapon formed against

* Luke xxi, 15.

John xvi, 22.

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