to condemn bim, and even offering the most bitter insults, while he laboured under the most cruel sufferings. And others were deeply affected at beholding the pains he suffered, which were undeservedly severe.

These various passions, being visibly painted in their countenances, afforded a melancholy spectacle; the whole multitude returning from the cruel execution with their eyes fixed upon the earth, pensive and silent, their hearts ready to burst with grief, groaning deeply within themselves, shedding floods of tears, and smiting themselves on their breasts.

The grief they now felt for the blessed Jesus was distinguished from their former rage against him, by this remarkable particular, that their rage was entirely owing to the artful insinuations of the priests; whereas their grief was genuine, and the and the natural feelings of their own hearts, greatly affected with the truth and innocence of him who was the object of their commiseration. And as flattery had no share in this mourning, so the expressions of their sorrow were such as distinguished a real and unfeigned passion.

Thus was demonstrated, by many awful tokens, the truth, the divinity, the power of our Redeemer's mission; the blind, the obdurate Jews, were struck with horror, fully convinced that the person they had eruelly put to death, was nothing less than the Son and Servant of God, the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world.

This wound, therefore, was of the greatest importance to mankind, as it abundantly demonstrated the truth of our Saviour's death, and consequently prevented all objections, that the enemies to our holy faith would otherwise have raised against it. The evangelist adds, that the legs of our great Redeemer were not broken; but his side pierced, that two particular prophecies might be fulfilled, "A bone of him shall not be broken, and they shall look on him whom they have pierced."

Among the disciples of our blessed Jesus, was one called Joseph of Arimathea; a person equally remarkable for his birth, fortune, and office. This man, who was not to be intimidated by the malice of his countrymen, went boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of his great Master. He had, indeed, no

thing to fear from the Roman governor, who, during the whole course of our Saviour's trial, had shewn the greatest inclination to release him; but he had reason to apprehend that this action might draw upon him the malice of the rulers of the Jews, who had taken such pains to get the Messial crucified.

However, the great regard he had for the remains of his Master, made him despise the malice of the Jews; being persuaded that Omnipotence would defend him, and cover his enemies with shame and confusion. And he well knew, that if no friend procured a grant of the body, it would be ignominiously cast out among the executed malefactors.

Pilate was at first surprised at the request of Joseph, thinking it highly improbable that he should be dead in so short a time, He had, indeed, given orders for the soldiers to break the legs of the crucified persons; but he knew it was common for them to live many hours after that operation was performed; though the pain they felt must be exquisite to the last degree, yet as the vital parts remained untouched, life would continue some time in the miserable body.

The governor, therefore, called the centurion, to know the truth of what Joseph had told him; and being convinced from the answer of that officer, that Jesus had been dead some time, he readily gave the body to Joseph.

This worthy counsellor having obtained his request, repaired to mount Calvary; and being assisted by Nicodemus, took the body down from the cross. The latter was formerly so cautious in visiting Jesus, that he came to him by night. But in paying the last duties to his Master, he used no art to conceal his design. He shewed a courage far superior to that of any of the apostles, not only assisting Joseph, in taking down the body of Jesus from the cross, No. 16.

but bringing with him a quantity of spices, necessary in the burial of his Saviour.

Accordingly they wrapt the body with the spices in fine linen, and laid it in a new sepulchre, which Joseph had hewn out of a rock for himself. This sepulchre was situated in a garden near mount Calvary; but being not entirely finished, when they deposited in it the body of the blessed Jesus, they fastened the door, by rolling to it a very large stone.

Oh! what a wonderful spectacle was now exhibited in this memorable sepulchre! He who clothes himself with light, as with a garment, and walks upon the wings of the wind, was pleased to wear the habiliments of mortality, and dwell among the prostrate dead! Who can repeat the wondrous truth too often? Who can dwell upon the enchanting theme too long? long? He who sits enthroned in glory, and diffuses bliss among all the heavenly host, was once a pale and bloody corpse, and pressed the floor of this little sepulchre!

O death! how great was thy triumph in that hour! never did thy gloomy realms contain such a prisoner before-Prisoner, did I say? No, he was more than Conqueror. He arose far more mighty than Sampson from a transient slumber; broke down the gates, and demolished the strong bold of those dark dominions. And this, O mortals, is your consolation and security. Jesus has trod the dreadful path, and smoothed it for your passage. Jesus, sleeping in the chambers of the tomb, has brightened the dismal mansion, and left an inviting odour in those beds of dust.

The dying Jesus is your sure protection, your unquestionable passport through the territories of the grave. Believe in him, and they shall prove a highway to Sion: shall transmit you safe to paradise. Believe in him, and you shall be no losers, but

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unspeakable gainers, by your dissolution. For hear what the oracle of heaven says, on this important point, "whoso believeth in me shall never die." Death shall no longer be inflicted as a punishment, but rather be vouchsafed as a blessing. The exit is the end of the frailty, and their entrance upon perfection; their last groan is the prelude to life and immortality.

But to return. The women of Galilee, who had watched their dear Redeemer in his last moments, and accompanied his body to the sepulchre, observing that the funeral rites were performed in a burry, agreed among themselves, as soon as the sabbath was passed, to return to the sepulchre, and embalm the body of their dead Saviour, by anointing and swathing him in the manner then common among the Jews. Accordingly, they returned to the city, and purchased the spices necessary for that purpose; Nicodemus having furnished only a mixture of myrrh and aloes.

During these transactions, the chief priests and pharisees, remembering that Jesus had more than once predicted his own resurrection, came to the governor and informed him of it; begging at the same time, that a guard might be placed at the sepulchre, lest his disciples should carry away the body, and affirm that he was risen from the dead. This happened a little before it was dark in the evening, called the next day that followed, by the evangelist, because the Jewish day began at sun-set.

This request being thought reasonable by Pilate, he gave them leave to take as many soldiers as they pleased out of the cohort,

which the feast came from the castle of Antonia, and kept guard in the porticoes of the temple. For that they were not Jewish but Roman soldiers, whom the priests employed to watch the sépulchre, is evident, from their asking them of the governor. Besides, when the soldiers returned with the news of our Saviour's resurrection, the priests de

The priests having thus obtained a guard of Roman soldiers, men long accustomed to military duties, and therefore the most proper for watching the body, set out with them to the sepulchre; and, to prevent these guards from combining with the disciples in carrying on the fraud, placed them at their post, and sealed the stone which was rolled to the door of the sepulchre.

Thus what was designed to expose the mission and doctrine of Jesus, as rank falsehood, and vile imposture, proved in fact the strongest confirmation of the truth and divinity of the same, that could possibly be given and placed what they wanted to refute, which was his resurrection from the dead, even beyond a doubt.

CHAP. XLI.

Two pious Women go to view the Sepulchre of their crucified Lord and Saviour. An awful Phænomenon happens. A ministering Spirit descends. The Redeemer bursts the Chains of Death, and rises from the Confines of the Grave.

VERY early in the morning, after the

sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, came to visit the sepulchre, in order to embalm our Lord's body; for the performance of which, they had in consort with several other women from Galilee, brought ungents and spices. But before they reached the sepulchre, there was a great earthquake preceding the most me