them a cup of cold water only, he would acknowledge it as an obligation conferred on him ; and, if any should presume to touch them in a way of injury, he would resent it as if they had " touched the apple of his eye."]
3. As sufficient for their support —
[They had seen what wonders he had wrought during his continuance among them : and they must not imagine, that, because he offered up his soul a sacrifice for sin, he was therefore deprived of his power to perform them : for though he would, in appearance, be crucified through weakness, he did really possess all power in heaven and in earth. They might still look to him for the relief of every want, and support in every trial; and they should assuredly find his grace sufficient for them.]
4. As coming again to recompense all that they might endure for his sake —
[He had told them, that he would come again, and that too in all the glory of his Father, with myriads of attendant angels, to judge the world. They need not therefore be anxious about any present trials, since he pledged himself to remember all that they should do or suffer for him, and richly to compen- sate their fidelity to him.
These were subjects on which he had often conversed fami- liarly with them : and if only they would give him credit for the accomplishment of his promises, they might discard their fears, and be of good comfort.]
It will be not unprofitable to consider more dis- tinctly,
III. The sufficiency of this remedy to dispel all anxiety from their minds —
Faith in Christ is a perfect antidote against troubles of every kind. Faith has respect to him in all his glorious offices and characters:
1. As the Saviour of the soul —
[What has that man to do with fear and trouble, who sees all his iniquities purged away by the blood of Jesus, and his
soul accepted before God ? If he forget these things,
he may be cast down by earthly trials: but if he keep this steadily in view, the sufferings of time will be of no account in his eyes : he will feel that he has ground for nothing but unbounded and incessant joy ]
2. As the Governor of the universe —
[Who that sees how perfectly every thing is under the controul of Jesus, will give way to fear or grief? Not a sparrow