Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/234

 the Saints  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length,  and  height, and depth."    (Eph.  iii.  18.)

I. The  Depth. — How ignominious  it  was! He was suspended aloft  in  the  air,  as  one  unworthy  either  to  live or die  on  earth. He was  condemned  at  four  several  tribunals, dragged  along  the  streets,  and  pointed  at  as  a blasphemer,  a  seducer,  an  impostor,  a  glutton,  and  an idiot. How can  you  contemplate  this  scene  and  still  be so  tender  of  your  reputation?

II. The Height. — How grievous  His  sufferings  were! Though His  frame  and  constitution  were  of  a  delicate nature, He  refused  every  kind  of  comfort,  both  interior and exterior. He was  left  alone  and  forsaken  by  all  His friends; "  He  became  a  stranger  to  His  brethren,  and  an alien  to  the  sons  of  His  mother"  (Ps.  lxviii.  9),  i.e.,  the synagogue. If on  the  cross  He  had  attempted  to  court any comfort,  the  weight  of  His  body  pressed  the  heavier on the  wounds  of  His  hands  and  feet,  and  increased  His torments. If He  leaned  His  head  against  the  cross,  the thorns were  inserted  more  deeply  in  it;  and  if  He thirsted,  His  drink  was  vinegar  and  gall. Although He suffered  more  than  all  the  martyrs,  His  interior  pains were more  afflicting  than  those  of  His  body. Good God, what unheard  of  torments!

III. The Breadth. — How universal  were  His  sufferings! " From  the  sole  of  the  foot  unto  the  top  of  the head,  there  is  no  soundness  therein." (Is. i.  6.)  His head was  pierced  with  thorns,  His  face  was  buffeted  by fists  and  defiled  with  spittle,  His  eyes  and  lips  were swollen, His  beard  plucked,  His  shoulders  lacerated  with stripes, His  side  pierced  with  a  spear,  His  hands  and feet bored  with  rough  nails;  in  fine,  His  whole  body  was bathed in  His  own  blood. Every interior  faculty  was also tortured:  His  memory,  His  intellect,  His  will. Fear,