234 The NEW and COMPLETE LIFE of our BLESSED LORD would difpofe force men in all places to be your friends, and to furnifh you with all neceffaries ; and, accordingly, you found that you wanted for nothing, but were wonderfully fupported without any care or provifion of your own in the whole jour- ney, and finifhed your work with fuccefs. But now the cafe is very different ; the time of that greateft trial and difirefs, whereof I have often forwarned you, is juft at hand ; and you may now make all the provifron in your power, and arm yourfelves again(} it as much as you are able: the time, I fay, of the greateft trial . and diftrefs that ever yet befel you, is now at hand ; for I am juft going to be betrayed into the hands of my inveterate enemies. I have finifhed the work for which I was fent into the world; and nothing now re- mains for me, but to undergo thofe fuffer- ings which the prophets have foretold concerning me, and, by fubmitting at laic to a molt cruel and ignominious death, to complete this whole difpenfation of Pro- vidence. The difciples thinking that their great Mafter meant, that they fhould arm themfelves in a literal fenfe, and endea- vour to oppofe the affaults that would ihortly be made upon them by the Jews, anfwered, Lord, here are two (words: but the bleffed Jesus, who only intended to convey an idea of their approaching diftrefs and temptations, and to arm them againi the furprife, replied, It is enough. Our bleffed Saviour having thus fore- warned his difciples of the great trial that was coming upon them, and commanded them to arm themfelves again(} it, pro- ceeded to animate them to fuftain the trial manfully, and to comfort them under the difmal apprehenfions it might caufe in their minds. Be not terrified and difcon- folate, faid the compatlìonate Redeemer of mankind, becaufe I have told you that I muft undergo great fufferings, and be ta- ken away from you for a time. You have always been taught to believe in God, who is the Almighty Preferver and Governor of all things ; and to rely on him for de- liverance in every afflirion and difirefs. Learn now, in like manner, to believe in me, who have all power committed to me, as preferver and head of my church; and truft in me to accompli(h fully all things that I have promifed you. If you do this, and perfft fteadfafily in the belief of my dofrine, and in the obedience ofmy com- mands, nothing in this vale of mifery, not even perfecution, or death itfelf, flail be able to hinder you from attaining the hap- pinefs I have propofed to you : for in heaven, my Father's houfe, there is abun- dant room to receive you, otherwife I would not have filled your minds with the hopes and expentations of happinefs : but, as there are manfions fuf lcient for you in another Pate, you may with confidence and affurance hope for the full accom- plifhment of my promifes, notwithlanding all this prefent world may contrive or aft again(} you. And ye ought alfo to bear patiently my departure from you at this time ; fince I only leave you to open the portals ofthofe eternal habitations, where I (hall be ever with you, and to prepare a place for your reception: after which I will return and take you to myfelf. Nor (hall you ever more be feparated from me, but continue with me to all eternity, in full participation of my eternal glory and happinefs, in the blifsful regions of the heavenly Canaan. You muft now furely know the way that leads to thefe happy feats of immortality, and whither I am going. However, the difciples, whofe minds were not yet fully weaned from the expec- tations of temporal power and glory, did not underftand this difcourfe of their great and beloved Mailer. Accordingly, Tho- mas replied, Lord, we know not whither thougoe; and how can we know the way? To which the bleffed Jesus anfwered, 1 ant the way, and the truth, and the life. Imitating my example, and obeying my commands, is the way to arrive at the place whither I am going , namely to my Father's houfe, and to the enjoyment of his
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