GOOD FRIDAY.

ON THE PASSION OF CHRIST.

It is consummated. ... John xix. 30.

THESE were the

memorable words of our blessed Saviour, when he consummated the great sacrifice of man's redemption on the cross these the last breathings of his pious soul before its temporary separation from the body; this his last declaration to his faithful followers.

How these words were understood by those who surrounded him at the moment, is not said; but the melancholy reflections which overwhelmed the minds of his apostles, when they

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understood that He, in whom they trusted as their great Deliverer, was no longer to be sought for among the living, must have been painful indeed. Perhaps the dreadful prodigies which succeeded-the preternatural eclipse of the sun, the trembling of the earth,— 'the resurrection of the dead,--and the confusion of all nature, encouraged the idea that the universal dissolution was, at hand, -that the world could not survive the death of its Maker,-and that the outrage offered to his divine person could not be expiated by any thing less than the destruction of the whole creation. This, perhaps, was confirmed by the recollection of his former words respecting the near approach of the last day, and of the final consummation of all.

But the testimony of faith has declared, that on that great day of retribution, the Son of Man, instead of appearing in the garb of humility, loaded

with ignominy, and nailed to the cross, will be seated on a cloud of glory, surrounded by legions of angels, and preceded by the ensigns of power, terror, and majesty. Let us, therefore, examine the mysterious import of these his last words they are instructive, and explain the whole mystery of the

cross..

In the first place, our Lord frequently declared, by the ministry of his prophets, that the Jewish sacrifices. were imperfect; that they suspended his judgments, but did not satisfy his justice and that they were accepted merely because they prefigured the great sacrifice of his Son, by which every deficiency was to be filled up. His death, therefore, consummates the measure of atonement which was due to the divine justice.

In the second place, Jerusalem had not filled up the number of her crimes. She had as yet only put to death the en

voys and prophets that were sent to her it remained that she should put to death the Son and Heir likewise, in order that the measure of the iniquity of her ungrateful children might be consummated.

Lastly, testimonies of an infinite love had not been given to God, in return for that infinite love which he entertains for man. Such testimonies could not be given by any created being for this reason, he himself descended from heaven, and by the voluntary sacrifice of his life gave testimonies of love equal to that of his Father.

By these words, therefore, Jesus intimates that he has consummated the satisfaction due to the justice of his Father, that man has consummated his ingratitude, and that he has consummated his love. The contemplation of these mysteries will open an extensive field for pious reflections,

and will display before our eyes truths, which are concealed from the world, because the world is a stranger to the mystery of the cross.

1. God would neither be wise, nor holy, nor just, nor even good, says St. Augustin, were he to suffer sin to go unpunished. His glory requires that he should vindicate his injured honour. His wisdom requires that he should re-establish order, which had been violated by sin. His goodness requires that, by due punishment, he should stem the torrent of wickedness, which would be extended beyond all limits by impunity. His sanctity requires that he should no longer communicate himself to the unworthy, but abandon them to wretchedness and woe. In a word, every attribute of the Divinity demands the punishment of sin.

But his justice, which in a particular manner calls for the punishment of