them to preach, without the usual necessaries for travelling. They answered no. He then informed them, "now it would be otherwise, for from distress, they would need all these things, and a sword more than a garment; for all scripture written of Him was about to be accomplishedfor He was reckoned among the transgressors." The apostles understanding this literally, said they had two swords; but Jesus, to intimate that He had another meaning, answered, "It is enough." After this they sang the "Hallel," including Psalms cxiii. and cxviii.

Before leaving the house, our Lord delivered a farewell exhortation to the apostles, and said they were pure, because they had received His doctrine, that they might bring forth the fruit of good works as the gospel required, and to do this, they must also abide in Him, as the branches in the vine, that the Father was glorified, when they brought forth much fruit; but such as bore no fruit, He would cut off and cast into the fire, as did the vine-dressers the unfruitful branches: that the principal fruit the Father expected, was love one towards another; imitating their Master, who would lay down His life for His enemies. And further told them they had not chosen Him, but He had chosen them, to bring forth such

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fruit as the gospel required; and had not used them as servants but as friends, in teaching them what He had received from the Father that in choosing them to be His followers, He had separated them from the world; and from this very circumstance they were to expect hatred as He had received. Adding, that the Jews would be so zealous against them, as not only to excommunicate them; but also to think they did God's service in taking away their lives, because they knew not the Son, nor the Father who sent Him; therefore He forewarned them of these afflictions, because He was leaving them, that when they came to pass, they might remember His words and fortify their minds under the most violent persecutions. Matt. xxvi. 30; Mark xiv. 12, 26; John xv. 1, 27.

The apostles hearing these things with sorrowful silence, Jesus mildly reproved them saying, He was going to the Father who sent Him; yet none of them asked whither He went: but He now told them, that His departure would be highly to their advantage; for till then, the Holy Spirit, the comforter, would not come: that when He was come, He would convince the world of sin in not believing in Him; of righteousness by manifesting His glorious resurrection and ascension;

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and of judgment, because He had condemned Satan, the prince of this world: that this Spirit, should enable them to understand all the truths and doctrines they had heard, some of which they could not now comprehend; and He would also glorify Him, by miraculous gifts communicated by the Father, and then added, "a little while, and ye shall not see me; and after a little ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." The apostles not understanding the meaning of these last words, questioned each other concerning them, desirous to ask Jesus himself-when He assured them, they would weep and lament, but the world would rejoice; and as a woman in time of labour, had great sorrow, but upon delivery forgot all her pangs, for the joy of an heir being born; so they would be in sorrow for a time, but He should soon return and then their sorrow would be turned into joy, such as no man could take from them.

After this, Jesus promised them "that after His resurrection, He would speak to them, not in proverbs and parables as formerly; but tell them plainly of the Father." And praying the Father in His name, they should obtain whatsoever they petitioned; for the Father loved them, as they loved the Son, and believed that He came

from God: then added, that He came forth from the Father into the world, and was now about to leave it and return to Him. This the apostles acknowledged He had spoken plainly without proverbs; and being assured that He knew all things, even their thoughts, He therefore must come from God. Jesus said that their assurance was yet weak, for the time was near, when every one of them should flee and leave Him alone; yet He was not alone, because the Father was with Him and then concluded with these words, "I have told you these things, that in me ye might have peace; in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good comfort, I have overcome the world." John xvi. 5, 33.

Having uttered these comfortable, parting exhortations, Jesus, to leave a proof of His perpetual intercession in heaven, as our Great Highpriest, poured forth this memorable prayer for Himself, the apostles, and all succeeding Christians. First for Himself: when He lifted up His eyes to heaven saying, "O Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may also glorify Thee; and, as thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that to as many as Thou hast given him, He should give eternal life. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true

God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou me with Thine ownself, with the glory which I had with Thee, before the world was."

Second. I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them me ; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given me are of Thee. For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came from Thee, and have believed that Thou didst send me I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me, for they are Thine. All mine are Thine, and Thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name, those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scriptures might be fulfilled.