a John xi. 49 — 52. h ver. 10, 11.
" Exod. xxv. 20. d InSvi-iovfJii' irapaKv\pcu.
152 l PETER, I. 12. [2384.
his necessities, or to attest his triumphs. After his temptations in the wilderness, and his conflicts in the garden, they gladly interposed their friendly oflices to comfort and support him. Though we are not expressly told that they were present at his crucifixion, we can have no doubt but that they attended on him at that awful period with more than ordinary solicitude. Were they capable of sorrow, methinks, their eyes would on that occasion be as a fountain of tears; and they would beat their breasts with grief and anguish. But with what joy did they roll away the stone from his sepulchre, in order that his re-animated body might arisee! How happy were they to satisfy the inquiring females respecting the truth of his resur- rection, and the accomplishment of his own predictions ! At his ascension, too, they comforted his astonished followers, by announcing to them his intended return in the clouds of heaven at the last day. Shall we say that in these things they were mere servants and messengers, who felt no interest in the events themselves? We know the contrary: for at his birth a whole multitude of the heavenly hosts burst forth into that rapturous hymn, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men! "J
3. As enjoyed by the Church —
[It is not in a speculative view merely that they contem- plate the great work of redemption : they consider it as " the grace that is brought unto us :" and in that view their bene- volent hearts are most deeply affected with it. Hence, as well as from a sense of duty to their God, arose that affectionate solicitude which they expressed on all the occasions above referred to. Wherever the glad tidings are carried, they hasten, to mark the effects produced by them: and if they behold a sinner impressed by them with humble penitence and contrition, not even the presence of their God, nor all the glory of heaven, will keep them from rejoicing on his account. They acquire, as it were, new joy from every triumph that the Redeemer gains, and from every benefit that man receives. From the moment of a sinner's return to God, they watch over him with the tenderest care. They encamp around him, and minister unto him. Little do we think how much we are indebted to their friendly aid ; from how many snares they deliver us ; in how many conflicts they succour us ; and with what transport they bear our triumphant spirits into the world of bliss. As once they waited with impatience to sec the prophecies accomplished, and the work of redemption executed in the person of Christ; so do they now wait with ardent desire to see the consummation of the Church's happinesy,
e Matt, xxviii. 2 — 4.