1. Historical relation of the sufferings and death of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Jesus; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas sirnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them ".

And he said unto them, what will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him".

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and

a Luke xxii. 1-4.

b Matt. xxvi. 15, 16.

prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt. And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, what, could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done. And He came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words ".

And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples ",

He saith unto them, sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray Me".

b Matt. xxvi. 36-44.

d Luke xxii. 45.

Luke xxii. 43, 44.

e Matt. xxvi. 45, 46.

And immediately, while He yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to Him, and saith, Master, Master; and kissed Him.

And Jesus said unto him, friend, wherefore art thou come?

Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, whom seek ye? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am He1.

As soon then as He had said unto them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked He them again, whom seek ye? and they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He: if therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled which He spake,

f Mark xiv. 43-45.

Luke xxii. 48.

g Matt. xxvi. 50.

1 Joh. xviii. 4, 5.

of them which Thou gavest Me, have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear *.

And Jesus answered and said, suffer ye thus far. And He touched his ear, and healed him'.

Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it"?

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take Me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on Me. But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled ".

Then the band and the captain and the of ficers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him".

And led Him away to Caiphas the high

priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled ".

The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why asketh thou Me? Ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold they know what I said. And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, answerest Thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me°?

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, this fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the High Priest arose, and said unto Him, answerest Thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace.

"Matt. xxvi. 57.

And the high

• Joh. xviii. 19–23.