499 THE ATONEIVIENT OF cnatsT. the apostles themselves learn this gospel in the complete extent and gloryof it. But this is only an inference by the way. [This is a properpause in themiddle of thissermon, when it is read in families.] Let us proceed to the next reason to prove that Christ was a propitiation for our sins in his death. VI. The terrors of soul, the consternation and inward ago- nies which our blessed Lord sustained a little before his death, were a sufficient proof that he endured punishments in his soul Which were due to sin. These were vastlygreater than the per- secutions of bloody men, and the mere fears of dying : Can it everbe imagined, that the Son of God, whose virtues and gra- ces, whose patience and holy fortitude sparkled with divine lustre in the various parts of his life, should have shewn so much natu- ralfear, and innocent disquietude of spirit, at the mere thoughts of death by the hands of men, as if he liad nothing else to en- counter with ? When this dreadful hour was come, and the pow- ers of darkness were let loose upon him, he began to be sore amazed, and very heavy; Mark xiv. 23. He told his disciples, N[/ soul is exceeding sorrowful even untodeath; He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed, that if it werepos- sible that hour might pass from him. He entreated his Father, with prayers and supplications, with strong cries and tears ;'Heb. v. 7. Such a terror was upon his spirits, that three times he re- peated the same petition, that he might be excused if possible fromdrinking that cup of sorrow. The agonies of his soul pres. sed great drops of blood through the pores of his body, and bathed him in a crimson sweat. These cries and tears, these agonies and these sweats of blood preached thedoctrine of atone- ment with dreadful power, and uncontested evidence. And as uponthecross, so in the garden, it is probable his Father forsook him, or hid his face from him, so that he had need of an angel to be sent down from heavenon púrpose to comfort or strengthen him ; Luke xxii. 43. It was here that he learned feelinglywhat was the curse of thebroken law, what was that indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, that were due to the sin of man. Here the seedof thewoman maintained a combat with that great serpent, the devil, and had his heel bruised ; that is, his lower nature filled with anguish. And it is most probable, that his nature being worn out with this load of distress, was the true reason why he expired on the cross much sooner than was ex- pected, so that Pilate marvelled to hear that he was alreadydead; Mark xv. 44. I think it is impossible for the Socinians, who represent the death of Christ chiefly as a martyrdom for the truth of his doc- trine, and an example of patience in Suffering, to support their
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