good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." (Acts x. 38.) He therefore not only suffered without deserving these sufferings, but, on the contrary, He merited every kind of honor, respect, and veneration.
III. He who suffered was the great Lover of mankind. He had made Himself our Redeemer, Pastor, Physician, and Brother. If the son ought to feel sensibly the sufferings of his father, and the spouse to condole with her spouse in his afflictions, how much more reason have you to compassionate Jesus Christ in the sufferings which He has undergone for your sake! There is no character, however affectionate, and no title, however dear, that this man-God has not assumed in your regard. Grieve for Him, then; and if you cannot carry, with the Apostle, the marks of His sufferings on your own body, bear them in your heart. Resolve to suffer something, at least, for His sake.
WEDNESDAY.
Christ's Passion in General.
WHAT DOES HE SUFFER?
I. The sufferings of Christ were various and numerous. He suffers in His external goods; for He is stripped of everything that He had, even of His very clothes, and He is suspended naked on the cross, in the presence of all the Jews. He suffers in His honor; for every species of reproach is thrown upon Him. His fame suffers; for He is variously traduced and calumniated: He is represented as a Samaritan, a man possessed by the devil, a glutton, a lover of wine, a blasphemer, and a seducer. His knowledge is insulted; for He is considered as a man without learning, and a madman. His miracles are
