Matthew 27

Crucifixion was the most cruel, shameful, and cursed, death, that could be devised; was not at all used by the Jews; and by the Romans inflicted only upon slaves, and the basest of the people, who were capital offenders. The person was nailed to the cross, as it lay upon the ground, through each hand, extended to its utmost stretch, and through both the feet together: then the cross was erected; and the foot of it, with a violent thrust, which disjointed the whole body of the sufferer, placed into a hole of the ground prepared to receive it. The whole weight of the body thus hung upon the nails, which went through the hands and feet, till the person expired by mere dint or terrible pain

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXVII.—Men, especially wicked rulers, are awfully set upon mischief. Not only commanded devotion, but even necessary sleep, must give way to it. But dreadful is the reward of treachery to Christ. And the price of blood, the horrors of conscience, and the damnation of hell, are closely linked together. Yet no alarming convictions, no pretences to piety, can restrain men abandoned to wickedness.—Dreadful from earth, from hell, from heaven, were the sufferings of our Redeemer. Hypocritical rulers, the lately extolling mob, the inwardly-convinced Heathen governor, the profane soldiers, concur to abuse and murder him. But, alas, at what expense of misery to themselves and posterity, for many ages, do the hardened Jews, who had witnessed his benevolent miracles, and heard his saving doctrines, cry for his blood! In the most dreadful manner they tempt him to abandon his work of redemption. But willingly and steadily he persevered in his ransoming of sinful men! Yes, the malice of the priests and elders, the treachery of Judas, the insolence and imprecations of the mob, the indulgence and obstinacy of Pilate, the insults of the soldiers, the attempt to imprison him in his grave, were all marvellously overruled to accomplish the oracles of God, and for the honour of Jesus and redemption of his church. With pleasure and triumph he therefore breathed out his last. And the most honourable attestations were given to his death. Thrice happy are they who sleep in Jesus!—Them will God, through his death, bring with him, that they may be glorified together.—Stand in awe, then, my soul! avoid sin, lest it bring thee to a miserable end, and entail a curse on my seed. Never value thyself on popular applause, which may so quickly be turned into contempt, malice, and murder. Let me never account any thing too much to be given, or to be suffered, for the sake of my dying Redeemer. While others prefer Barabbas, let me adhere to, look on, and weep with, him in every difficulty and danger. Let me never come down from my cross, till I can say, It is finished. And let neither death nor the grave terrify me, since Jesus the forerunner hath for me passed through and entered into his glory.—See now, my soul, the dreadful punishment, and in that the nature, of my sin. What is a drowned world, a burning Sodom, a plagued Egypt, an opened hell, in comparison of the Son of God accursed—troubled in spirit, till he knew not what to say—amazed and very heavy—sorrowful, even unto death—in an agony, sweating great drops of blood—tormented and insulted by men—harassed by devils—deserted by God—growing, and giving up the ghost, under the weight of infinite wrath!—Listen, O my soul, how, by every debasement, every strait, every labour, every reproach, every wound, every groan, every tear, every drop of blood, Jesus charges me to come to him, that I may have life. Behold how my debt is paid, my happiness purchased, my peace with God procured and confirmed, and my comfort enhanced! There divine righ- N. B. Passages of Mark are explained in their parallels in Matthew