[It is possible, that some of those whom he addressed were moved to pity him merely from a natural sense of huma- nity ; whilst others were influenced both by faith and love. At all events, we are sure that he did not mean to forbid the exercise of sympathy and compassion ; since it was his desire that these amiable qualities should characterize his followers in all ages. Love, in all its branches, was not only enjoined by him, but was distinguished by him as his commandment, which he imposed on all who professed themselves his Dis- ciples3: from whence St. Paul calls it " the law of Christ ;" " bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of ChristV
The prohibition was rather of a comparative kind ; similar to that expression of the Prophet, " I will have mercy, and not sacrifice ;" where sacrifice is not intended to be prohibited, but only to give way, when it should stand in competition with the exercise of mercy.
In this view there was abundant reason for the counsel which Christ now gave them. With respect to himself, they had no such great occasion to weep, because his sufferings were altogether voluntary : they were also now very near their termination ; and they would issue both in his own exaltation to the right hand of God, and in the salvation of a ruined world. Hence, if rightly considered, his afflictions, though so exceeding grievous, were grounds rather of gratitude and joy than of regret and sorrow. But the afflictions which in due time would come on them, would be such as had not existed from the foundation of the world, nor ever would be equalled to the end of time. Happy as the Jewish women accounted themselves in having children, they would then congratulate " the barren:" and, desirous as men naturally are of life, they would wish even " rocks and mountains to fall upon them," to put them out of their misery.
This prediction our blessed Lord confirms by a kind of proverb, in which he appeals to the very judgment of those whom he addressed: ' You see,' says he, ' what they are doing to me, who have never given any just occasion of offence : judge then what shall be done to them, when they have filled up the measure of their iniquities, and rendered themselves, like dry wood, proper fuel for the wrath of God ? '
These then were the subjects to which he endeavoured to turn their minds, not so much for the purpose of augmenting their sorrow, as of giving it a right direction, and rendering it subservient to their eternal good ; for, in proportion as they anticipated the judgments that awaited that wicked genera- tion, they would become penitent themselves, and encourage
:l John xv. 12. b Gal. vi. 2.
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penitence in others ; and thus become instrumental in saving some who were now hardened in their iniquities.]
Having thus explained our Lord's counsel to the lamenting women, we proceed to, II. Engraft some further counsel upon it —
We might draw your attention to the example of Christ, who even in this hour of his deepest sorrows forgot, as it were, his own personal concerns, and was mindful only of the concerns of others0. But we shall rather keep in view the subject-matter of his address : in reference to which we would say,
1. Get your hearts impressed with the sufferings of Christ—
[We have before observed, that our Lord did not mean to forbid this, but only to recommend in preference some other considerations, which, under their circumstances, were of more importance. It is true, that under any circumstances, the being affected with the relation of our Lord's sufferings, just in the same way that we should be with any tragical story, will be of little avail. It is not such an impression therefore that we are anxious to produce. We wish you to consider, what was the end of those sufferings ; and to behold in them, as in a mirror, your desert and danger, your hope and deliverance. Yes ; you will do well to contemplate them in this view, till you weep and smite upon your breasts with even greater anguish than his compassionate attendants ever felt. This is the duty of every one amongst us; according to that declaration of the Prophet, "They shall look on him whom they pierced, and shall mourn as one mourneth for his only son, and be in bitterness as one that is in bitterness for his first-born d." In- deed, to attain this state of mind, should be the greatest object of our lives ; since without it we can have no interest in him ; and with it we can never perish. A humble, contrite, and believing view of Christ will infallibly transform us into his image, and bring us to the possession of his glory e.]