Mark And they all forsook Him, and fled. 14:50 These words describe the conduct of the very same men of whom it had not long before [in last Sabbath text] [it was] been said they forsook all and followed Him. Now, these all forsake Him. The circumstances were, indeed, remarkable: So remarkable that Christ even wished [to have] them to leave Him. He was being arrested by the multitude that broke in upon Him [and His disciples] & them of the dark hour of His betrayal, [to carry Him to trial and to [?]] But He would not have His disciples arrested, too: and so, giving Himself into the hands of His enemies He said to their leaders: Ye Jesus of Nazareth: [?] I am He : let those go their way. They could follow Him no further; they could not share with Him the crucifiction: He must now be alone in every sense of this word. The sword that was falling upon the Shepherd was not for the sheep. Let them ? escape, All forsook Him & fled [?] 1883 [?] 2nd Ch. [?] Hopes Jan 10, 97 [?] April 24, 1898 2 And escape they did: every man [?] of them making his way to a place of security as best he could - favored [?] by the covering and concealing night: only one stopping long to strike a wild and useless blow for the masters rescue: [a blow which was itself rebuked, and the wound it made instantly healed by a miracle of love.] / But although Christ desired [to have none involved] their escape, it was not because of this desire that none of them continued with Him. [They deserted Him by choice of their own accord]. They now as freely forsook their Lord as their own bidding as, before, they had forsaken their [? to follow Him] all, at His bidding: - for a time, as completely. / They did not wait to be told to go: they turned absent and fled. / They did not have to be informed that they were no longer wanted - that their former service would be of no further use. [Their flight was of their own hearts. / The wings that gave speed] 3 to their feet - were the [?] wings of a genuine willingness. / They went; for the simple reason that they did not care to stay. / They had changed their minds. / To this conclusion this wording of the text inevitably leads us. / But, if additional proof were needed, it is found in the study of Peters sad case, who, that very night; took all pains to show his deflection in a manner as decisive as it was [daring and] dastardly. The others did not go so far as he in this meanness; but they were [all] of one sort. / They all forsook Him and fled. Are we, however, to argue from this fact; that these men were insincere, when, [they first] 2 or 3 yrs. before, they forsook all to fallen Him whom they now forsake? [their [?]] No. [There] Never were men more sincere, since the world began. / They were as honest as [straighforwardness of] a straightforward character could make them. / They certainly were not playing 4 a part. / They were too candid and open [for] to admit of such a supposition. / The breezes that found [used to [?]] their lake were not freer of poison than their minds were of policy. / Much converse with nature is apt to make me frank and artless - and these men were the very children of nature. Besides, their souls were too big for the indulgence of deceit [which] loves to dwell with souls that are [falseness of any kind to live long upon their large [?]] small, [to find any country there; or to find it long,] They [was] had, however, a deforming weakness [they indulged] which has spoiled [?] [?] the character of [any] many a man [unless] otherwise great and good: an ill-regulated self-seeking ambition. Not at once did this [blot] blotch appear; but when it did, it spread like a galloping cancer, fast and far. / In the outset of their new career, [as Xns. it would seem that] they were content to love their master of their thoughts with a personal affection which asked for no return save the [happiness of its [?]] satisfaction of being with its object 5 -an affection which, in fact, never ceased to be strong even down to the hour of their dissertation. / But, after awhile -- when they saw how [mighty] powerful their Lord was - how wise, too - how from [underneath] the cloud of His humility there occasionally shot out - rays of royalty which gave [promise] proof of His being superior even to David and of His [which] becoming [mightier] grander than [gave hope of an empire] even Solomon himself had been, - and when He Himself bade Him look for a kingdom [mightier which, He said, His was actually preparing,] the like of which He gave them to understand, their fathers [Isaac], had not known, even when the odd time [?] glory of their [was] country was blazing [at] in with its highest flame, then these men felt fluttering in their hearts the birth - throes of a durable hope: the patriots hope of a restored renown, national, [dignify and renown]: the personal hope of a lofty place for themselves in [this] that coming empire which was again to lift Israel to the very top of this world. [If you will 6 study with care the N.J. narrative, you will find two things more and more emering [[appearing at intervals longer and shorter]] the one, surprise at xts continual postponement of His [[?]] coronation day: the other a corresponding disappointment by the desire for his dear sake & that of their country more for they who expected to become his ministers of cloth, [[?]] on their own account.] // And then, when at last, their cherished [?] hopes sank suddenly out of sight in the [darkness] mystery of [the] that final arrest of their king, who most bewildering to them submitted to be bound, and consented to be led away to trial and to death -they gave the whole matter up as a miserable failure who even thought it would come to this. And, hence, they all forsook Him and fled- believing that there was now nothing left to them except flight. Later, indeed - they [saw] were made to see things in a far different light. Later, they came to apprehend the [?] the more glorious i.e. the spiritual nature of the kingdom of which so much had been spoken and so little had been understood - [that it was, [?]] and then they returned to their allegiance, never again to shame it. [The a kingdom such as earth had never ?] 7 I once knew a man in whose experience this peace was beautifully exemplified. He had passed the noon of his earthly life, and the western sun had begun to throw its soft light upon the evening of his days - yet he seemed to have no sense of weariness from having long carried his burden of years. Winter was upon his head, but spring was in his heart. His look was serious, as if once who had [?] trouble, but it was at the same time serene, as of one whom trouble had not soured, He appeared [like] to be always at prayer, yet prayer was with him an exercise akin to praise. He labored for Xt with an assiduity that know in fatigue, [were with an elasticity that knew no relaxation] Religion was his business, but religion was also his relaxation. The Bible was his study, but it was also his delight. His mind was, indeed, seldom lifted into spiritual ecstasy, but was all the while upon that elevated ridge where godliness, in its sober walks and high out- -looks, is permitted to breathe the air of perpetual peace. [which is far better than gleams of oc- cassional joy.] Many of his days were; like the days of other men, clouded by care and severe with needed discipline - but, his soul, anchored above and holding fast to that which is written the veil, shook off [?times] evert temptation to murmur; and whilst keenly feeling each shock of trail, felt, still mere [?], its necessity and its value. Like all other mortals, he had to drink his appointed cup of tears, but, lasting in each drop the sweetness of his Fathers love, was content and happy. He actually felt beneath his feet the rock on which [which] his new and completing manhood was built and as which it rested secure -- the rock composed of Gods well-tried premises - The rock [of Ages] against which the storms of life, - whether raised by indwelling sins, or blown by Satans malice, as directed by the masked love of heavens rod-beat in vain, is only to establish it the more firmly. [Mark this perfect man-behold. This upright saint - for the end of all such is peace; after lifes trials are over - its burdens all laid down from off the tired shoulders, -its darkness all fleeing away at the bright approach of the day of eternity. X