CHRIST TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND BURIED.

Compare all the four Gospels. (Is. liii. 9.)

I. Joseph.. a disciple of Jesus. but secretly for fear of the Jews, went in boldly unto Pilate. Ib. ib. One only disciple ventured to shew such love. And this one, who, from fear of others, had concealed his faith. Such was the fruit

of the Passion of Christ.

than that we follow Him in S. Luke xvii. 18.

No test is better peril and shame.

II. And there came also Nicodemus. S. John xix. 39.

He too, like Joseph, had been a secret disciple, and now, together, openly profess their love. They cared for the body of our Lord; they bore and tended it. And I may minister to His members, His suffering ones, His poor. Do I in love to Him? S. Matt. xxv. 40.

III. And laid it in his own new tomb. S. Matt. xxvii. 60.

Him we bury in our hearts, when by faith we receive Him. Still more so in the Holy Sacrament. Like Joseph, let it be a "new" (a renewed) resting-place-" in a rock," firm and faithful-guarded by devout thoughts and holy resolutions. S. John xiv. 23; Deut. xi. 8, 18.

Text.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart. Ps. cxix. 11. Buried with him in Baptism. (Col. ii. 12.)

THE LORD IS RISEN.

HALLELUJAH!

Read S. Luke xxiv. 1-9 (Rom. vi.).

I. He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Cor. xv. 4.

"Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Thirty-three years of sorrow, three days of bitter passion, brought in this glorious morn. So must we seek glory, first dying with Him. 2 Tim. ii. 11. II. I laid me down and slept, and rose up again. Ps. iii. 5.

His body, His spirit, companions in the passion, are again united in triumph. Oh, that I had a spirit to rejoice with Him, as did those of old. To insure this joy, I must abide in Him, and He in me, and be filled with His love. S. John xv. 9-11.

III. As Christ was raised up.

・・・ so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom. vi. 4.

This is the fruit of His resurrection, that we should have new life in Him. The old man must be destroyed in us; the flesh must be mortified, if I would live that life. Do I live that life? If so, how? If not, why? Rom. viii. 13.

Text.

HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID. S. Matt. xxviii. 6.

For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see p. 161.

THE FACULTIES OF THE RISEN BODY.

Read 1 Cor. xv. 35-58.

I. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. Ib. 42.

The Holy One of God did not see corruption, though He tasted death. We through Him shall be freed from disease, from death, from corruption, these no longer have any dominion. So spiritually should it be with the soul of the living Christian. Rom. vi. 6. II. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. Ib. 44.

The Body of Christ was not impeded by natural difficulties. (S. John xx. 19.) Nor should we be hindered by difficulties in the way of holiness, having power to do all things through Him. Phil. iv. 13.

III. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. Ib. 43.

The righteous shall shine as the stars of heaven-now weak, then strong, and fitted for the perfect service of God. Even now should we live to the glory of God. Do I? Tit. iii. 1; S. Matt. v. 16.

Text.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Ps. cxxvi. 5.

For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see p. 167.

OF THE MARKS WHICH REMAINED IN Our Lord's RISEN BODY.

Read Rev. v.

I. What are these wounds in Thine hands? Zech. xiii. 6.

They are the eternal proof of His suffering to all beings, the way which He has led to glory, for thus it was "needs be." How dare I then shrink from suffering? May I make another path to glory? S. Luke xxiv. 46.

II. I have graven thee upon the palms of Mine hands... I will not forget thee. Is. xlix. 15, 16. For the sake of His faithful followers, they are a memorial to Himself, for whom, for what He had suffered. He ever bears us in mind. Make me to remember Thee and forget the creature, O my Lord, otherwise shall I forget Thee. 1 Tim. ii. 4-8.

III. Every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him. Rev. i. 7.

To the impenitent they are condemnation,— to those who crucified Him then, to those who crucify Him now with sin,—yet a blessed sight to the redeemed. How shall I then look on Him? 1 John ii. 28.

Text.

We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv. 22.

For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see p. 172, &c.

THE MOTHER OF JESUS AFTER THE RESURRECTION.

Read S. John xiv. 18-24.

I. Blessed are all they that wait for Him. Is. xxx. 18. It is nowhere recorded in Scripture that she went to seek the Lord. "Blessed is she that believed." Her spirit is known by her own words: "Be it unto me according as Thou wilt." She believed; she waited His time. Let us learn from this. S. Luke xxi. 19. II. He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. S. John xiv. 21.

It is not said that He manifested Himself to her, as to others. But she knew this blessed promise. She waited to have it accomplished to her as seemed Him best. If I so loved Him, I too might be sure of His blessed presence. Ib. 23.

III. In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart Thy comforts refreshed my soul.

xciv. 19.

Ps.

In proportion to the trials she suffered, such, according to God's promises, was her consolation. Such too are the consolations of all His people. In my trials do I seek solace from earth or refreshment from His presence? 2 Cor. i. 7.

Text.

I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. S. John xiv. 18.