May 18

Easter Eve

I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest: for it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety. PSALM iv. 9.

THIS blessing, of laying ourselves down in peace, and taking our rest, whether in our bed or in our grave, seems to bear an especial relation to the mystery of this day, the Burial of Jesus Christ. By virtue of our heavenly and spiritual union with Him, our buried Lord, we hope for safe and quiet sleep, after the work and service of each day of our trial, and for a slumber yet safer and quieter, when that trial is quite over; a comfortable place in Paradise for our souls, and for our bodies a grave on which God's blessing shall rest. Our warrant for this hope is, that the Son of God died for us, bought us to be His own with His precious Blood: bought us to be His own in such sort, that we should be really joined to Him, mystically made members of His Body, and as such have a share, as in His Cross and Passion here, so in the heavenly and eternal good things wherewith God crowned Him in the world out of sight. As members, inseparable members, of the Man Christ Jesus, we hope to have our bodies buried with Him; and for our souls, our true selves, we hope that when they pass away from our bodies, they may be with Him that day in Paradise.

O come that day, when in this restless heart Earth shall resign her part, When in the grave with Thee my limbs shall rest, My soul with Thee be blest! But stay, presumptuous—Christ with thee abides In the rock's dreary sides: He from the stone will celestial dew If but the prisoner's heart be faithful found and true.