The peace that Christ gives is not given as the world gives. What He gives the world cannot give at all, and what He gives is given neither unwillingly, nor sparingly, nor for a little time. Christ is far more will- ing to give than the world is to receive. AVhat He gives He gives to all eternity, and never takes away. He is ready to give abundantly above all that we can ask or think. " Open thy mouth wide," He says, " and I will fill it." (Psalm Ixxxi. 10.)
Who can wonder that a legacy like this should be backed by the renewed emphatic charge, " Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid ? " There is nothing lacking on Christ's part for our comfort, if we will only come to Him, believe, and receive. The chief of sinners has no cause to be afraid. If we will only look to the one true Saviour, there is medicine for every trouble of heart. Half our doubts and fears arise from dim perceptions of the real nature of Christ's Gospel.
We should observe, for another thing, in this passage, Chrisfs perfect holiness. We find Him saying, " The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me."
The meaning of these remarkable words admits of only one interpretation. Our Lord would have his di& ciples know that Satan, " the prince of this world," was about to make his last and most violent attack on Him. He was mustering all his strength for one more tre- mendous onset. He was coming up with his utmost malice to try the second Adam in the garden of Geth- semane, and on the cross of Calvary. But our blessed Master declares, " He hath nothing in Me." — " There is nothing he can lay hold on. There is no weak and de- fective point in Me. I have kept my Father's command- ment, and finished the work He gave me to do. Satan, therefore, cannot overthrow Me. He can lay nothing to