Evening-The rock Christ. 22 Morning-Conversion of the Samaritaness 23 Morning-The God of nature and grace Evening-The present Saviour 25 Morning-The glory of his promise. Evening-Conversion of the Corinthians. MORNING AND EVENING EXERCISES. APRIL 1.-MORNING. "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke xxii. 44. Ir is a question whether this sweat was blood comparatively; that is, 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 allowing-what 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. From Socrates, from Seneca, there was no such effusion; 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-What was the reason of this difference? they had not to contend with the powers of darkness. But with regard to him 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; that is, 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 honor 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 has 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 you to the lowest hell. Yet 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. Yet, "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? Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. APRIL 1.-EVENING. "Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth." JOHN Xviii. 7. EVERY thing here is remarkable. -How wonderful that any in the very family of Jesus 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 his 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. -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. A man alone may be often easily deterred from an evil action. But it is otherwise where hand joins hand, and the sinner is seen and supported, and stimulated or reproached, by his fellow-creatures. It shows 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 |