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 imitate him. In this prayer he condescended so far as to allow the inferior part to petition, that the cup of his bitter passion might be removed from him; but then he immediately added: yet not my will, but thine be done: to teach us, under all trials and crosses, a perfect submission and resignation to the divine will.

3. Consider how our Saviour made two interruptions in his prayer, to come and visit his disciples, but found them both times asleep. Ah! my soul, is it not thy case, like these apostles, to sleep, that is, to indulge thyself in a slothful, sensual way of living; whereas the whole life of thy Saviour was spent in labouring for thy salvation; and all that he now suffers, he suffers for thee? Ah! pity now at least his comfortless condition, whilst on the one hand his Father seems deaf to his prayers, and on the other hand his disciples are too drowsy to give any attention to him. In this desolate state, an angel from heaven appears to comfort him who is the joy of angels. Oh! what humility! But what kind of comfort, think you, did this angel bring? No other, to be sure, but the representing to him the will of his eternal Father, and humbly entreating him, in the name of heaven and earth, not to decline the imparting to poor sinners, by his infinite love, that plentiful redemption, for which he came into the world, and to undergo the ignominies and torments of one short day's continuance, with the prospect of the salvation of mankind, and of that eternal glory and honour which the Godhead would receive from all his sufferings. Let the like consideration of God's will, his greater honour and glory, and the good of thy own soul, comfort thee also under all thy anguish and crosses. There can be no more solid comfort.