amazed, and to be very heavy." Add to this that Jesus Christ was
better able to grapple with death, even alone, than the whole world
joined all together. 1. He was anointed with the Spirit without
measure. 2. He had all grace perfect in him. 3. Never had any so
much of his Father's love as he. 4. Never one so harmless and
without sin as he, and consequently never man had so good a
conscience as he. 5. Never one prepared such a stock of good works
to bear him company at the hour of death as he. 6. Never one had
greater assurance of being with the Father eternally in the heavens
than he. And yet, behold, when he comes to die, how weak is he, how
amazed at death, how heavy, how exceeding sorrowful! and, I say, no
cause assigned but the approach of death.

Alas, how often is it seen that we poor sinners can laugh at
destruction when it cometh; yea, and rejoice exceedingly when we
find the grave, looking upon death as a part of our portion, yea, as
that which will be a means of our present relief and help. 1 Cor.
3:22.

This Jesus could not do, considered as dying for our sin; but the
nearer death, the more heavy and oppressed with the thoughts of the
revenging hand of God; wherefore he falls into an agony and
sweats--not after the common rate, as we do when death is severing
body and soul: "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood
falling down to the ground."

What should be the reason but that death assaulted him with his
sting? If Jesus Christ had been to die for his virtues only,
doubtless he would have borne it lightly.