persisted in them, he would exert his apostohcal authority, and inflict upon them, in the Saviour's name, some heavy judgment. Now, if he had not known that such an authority was delegated to him, and that the Lord Jesus Christ himself would uphold him in the exercise of it, he would not have ventured to utter such a threat as this ; because it would, of necessity, lead to an exposure of his own weakness, and to the overthrow of that religion which he was endeavouring to establish.
The power of Christ, which he here asserts, must be considered by us in a twofold view : I. As possessed by himself —
In his crucifixion, he appeared weak —
[He did indeed exhibit somewhat of his almighty power, in beating to the ground with a mere word all the soldiers who came to apprehend him. And at the bar of Pilate he declared, that his judge could have no power at all against him, except it were given him from above. He could, if he had seen fit, have had twelve legions of angels sent to rescue him. But he had previously determined to submit to all the indignities which they should offer him. In the prophetic writings con- cerning him it had been foretold, that he should give his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair ; yea, that he should go as a lamb to the slaughter, and, as a sheep before its shearers, not so much as open his mouth in murmurings or complaints. Accordingly, he submitted to every thing with such meek resignation, that he appeared to his enemies to be incapable of delivering himself from their hands. With this, the people around him taunted him, saying, ** Thou that destroy est the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said. He saved others ; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God ; let Him deliver him now, if he will have him : for he said, I am the Son of God**." Thus, in apparent weakness, he died.]
But he still liveth by the power of God — [In vain were all the precautions taken by his enemies : the stone, the seal, the guard, were not able to detain him a
a Matt, xxvii. 40 — 43.