hands, I commend My Spirit;" I commend it, that I may take it again. And having said these things, He gave up the Ghost; but not for any long time, for He rose again from the dead speedily.

The sun was darkened, because of the Sun of Righteousness. The rocks were rent, because of the Spiritual Rock. The tombs were opened, and the dead arose, because of Him Who was free among the dead; He sent forth His prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water." (Ps. lxxx. 5; Zech. ix. 4.) Be not then ashamed of the Crucified, but be thyself bold to say, "He beareth our sins, and carrieth our sorrows, and with His stripes we are healed." Let us not be unthankful to our Benefactor. And again, "for the transgression of my people was He stricken, and He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His Death." Therefore Paul says plainly, "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

But we seek to be told plainly where He has been buried. Is His tomb then made with hands? The

Prophets say, Look unto the solid rock which ye have hewn. Look and behold." (Isa. li. 1. Sept.) Thou hast in the Gospel, "In a sepulchre hewn in stone, which was hewn out of a rock." What kind of door has the sepulchre? Again another Prophet says, "They cut off My life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon Me." (Sam. iii. 53.) I Who am the chief Corner-stone, elect, precious," lie for a little time within a stone. I Who am a stone of

stumbling to the Jews, but of salvation to them who believe. The Tree of Life, therefore, was planted in the earth, that the earth which had been cursed might enjoy the blessing, and that the dead might be released.

Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow, and in everything: even the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are in the way, and when we are still. Great is that preservative: it is without price for the poor's sake, without toil for the sick; since also its grace is from God. It is the sign of the faithful, and the dread of devils; for he has "triumphed over them in it, having made a show of them openly;" for when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him; they are afraid of Him, Who hath "bruised the heads of the dragon." Despise not the Seal because of the freeness of the gift; but for this the rather honour thy Benefactor. Take therefore first as an unassailable foundation, the Cross, and build upon it the rest of thy faith. This shall appear again with Jesus from heaven; for the trophy shall precede the King: that seeing "Him Whom they pierced," and by the Cross knowing Him Who was dishonoured, the Jews may repent and mourn, and that we may glory, boasting of the Cross, worshipping the Lord Who was sent, and Crucified for us, and worshipping also God His Fa

ther Who sent Him, with the Holy Ghost; to Whom be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

Catechet. Lect., xiii.

Easter Ebe.

WATCHING. S. EPHREM.

WHO would pass this night in slumber? Watch not we as usurers, who, on money put to interest thinking, watch at night so oft, to reckon up their capital and interest. Waking, full of cool devices, is the thief, who in the earth hath buried and concealed his sleep. His wakefulness all ends in this, that he may cause much wakefulness to them that be asleep. Wakeful likewise is the glutton, who hath eaten much and is restless; his watching is to him his torment, because of stint he was impatient. Wakeful likewise is the merchant, of a night he works his fingers telling o'er what pounds are coming, and if his wealth doubles or trebles. Wakeful likewise is the rich man, whose sleep his riches chase away his dogs are sleeping, he doth guard his treasures from the thieves. Wakeful also is the careful, by his care his sleep is swallowed: though his end standeth by his pillow, yet he wakes with cares for years to come. Satan teacheth, O my

brethren, in one watching's stead another, that to good deeds we be sleepy, and to ill awake and watchful. Even Judas Iscariot for the whole night through was wakeful, and he sold the Righteous Blood, that did purchase the whole world. The son of the dark one put on darkness, having stripped the light from off him; and the Creator of silver, for silver the thief did sell. Yea Pharisees, the dark one's sons, all the night through kept awake: the dark ones watched that they might veil the light which is unlimited. Ye then watch as heaven's lights in this night of starry light. For though so dark its colour is, yet in virtue it is clear.

For whoever is like this clear One, wakeful and at prayer in darkness, in this darkness visible him a light unseen envelopes! The bad man that in daylight standeth, yet as a son of darkness dealeth, though with light clad outwardly, inly is with darkness girt. Be we not deceived, beloved, by the fact that we are watching! For whoso doth not rightly watch, his watch is an unrighteous watch. Whoso watcheth not cheerfully, his watching but a sleeping is: whoso also watcheth not innocently, even his waking is his foe. This is the waking of the envious one! a solid mass, compact with harm. That watch is but a trafficking with scorn and mockery compact. The wrathful man if he doth wake, fretful with wrath his wake will be, and his watching proves to him full of rage and of cursings. If the babbler be watching, then his mouth becomes a passage which for sins is expeditious, but for prayers disrelish shews.

The wise man if so be that he watches, one of two things choose thhim, either takes sweet, moderate sleep, or a holy vigil keeps. That night is fair, wherein the Fair One rose to come and make us fair. Let not aught that may disturb it enter into our watch. Fair be kept the ear's approach, chaste the seeing of the eye! hallowed the musing of the heart! speaking of the mouth be cleared. ....

In this night of reconcilement, let no man be wroth or gloomy! In this night that stilleth all, none that threateneth or disturbs! This night belongeth to the Sweet One; bitter none, nor harsh be in it! In this night that is the Meek One's, high or haughty none be in it! In this day of pardoning, let us not be unforgiving! In this day of gladnesses, let us not spread sadnesses! In this day so sweet, let not us be harsh! In this day of peaceful rest, let us not be wrathful! 'Tis to-day that opened for us a gate on high to our prayers.

The Rhythms of S. Ephrem on the Nativity, i.

OXFORD: PRINTED BY I. SHRIMPTON.