BOOK 6. THE DEATH.
CHAPTER 2.
6.2.7. Of the Consequents after Christ's crucifying.
Of the Consequents after Christ's crucifying.
The particulars following I shall quickly dispatch. As thus, --
1. About twelve, when the sun is usually brightest, it began now to darken. This darkness was so great, that it spread over all the land of Jewry; some think over all the world. So we translate it in Luke, "And there was a darkness over all the earth," Luke xxiii. 44. And many Gentiles, besides the Jew's, observed the same as a great miracle, Dionysius the Areopagite (as Suidas (Suid. in vita S. Dion.) relates) could say at first sight of it, "Either the world is ending, or the God of nature is suffering." This very darkness was the occasion of that altar erected in Athens, and dedicated to "the unknown God," Acts xvii. 23, Of this prophesied Amos. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon. And I will darken the earth in the clear day," Amos viii. 9.
The cause of this darkness is diversly rendered by several authors; some think, "That the sun by divine power withdrew and held back its beams." (Hier. in Matth. 17. Orig. tract 35. in Matth. Dionys. Epist. 7. ad Pelicarpum.) Others say "That the obscurity was caused by some thick clouds, which were miraculously produced in the air, and spread themselves over all the earth." Others say, "That this darkness was by a wonderful interposition of the moon, which at that time was at full, but by a miracle interposed itself betwixt the earth and sun." Whatsoever was the cause, it continued for the space of three hours, as dark as the darkest winter's night.
2. About three, (which the Jews call the ninth hour) the sun now beginning to receive his light, "Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matt, xxvii. 46. -- And then, that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, "I thirst," And "when he had received the vinegar, he said. It is finished," John xix. 28, 30. And at last, crying with a loud voice, he said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit, and having said thus, he gave up the ghost," Luke xxiii. 46. I cannot stay on these seven words of Christ, which he uttered on the cross: his words were ever gracious, but never more gracious than at this time: we cannot find in all the books and writings of men, in all the annals and records of time, either such sufferings, or such sayings, as were these last words and wounds, sayings and suffering of Jesus Christ. -- "And having said this he gave up the ghost: or, as John relates it. "He bowed his head and gave up the ghost," John xix. 30. He bowed, not because he was dead, but first he bowed and then died; the meaning is, he died willingly without constraint, cheerfully without murmur; what a wonder is this? Life itself gives up his life, and death itself dies by his death; Jesus Christ who is the author of life, the God of life, lays down his life for us, and death itself lies forever nailed to that bloody cross in the stead of Jesus Christ. And now may we suppose him at the gates of paradise, calling with his last words to haye opened, "That the king of glory might come in."
3. About four in the afternoon, he was pierced with a spear, and there issued out of his side both blood and water. And "one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out both blood and water," John xix. 34. How truly may we say of the soldiers, "That after all his sufferings they have added wounds:" they find him dead, and yet they will scarce believe it, until with a spear they have searched for life at the well-head itself, even at the heart of Christ; and "forthwith there came out blood and water." This was the fountain of both sacraments, the fountain of all our happiness, "The fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness," Zech. xiii. 1. "There are three that bear witness in earth, (saith John) the Spirit, and the water, and the blood," 1 John v. 8. Out of the side of Christ, being now dead, there issues water and blood, signifying that he is both our justification and sanctification. Physicians tell us, that about the heart, there is a film or skin like unto a purse, wherein is contained clear water to cool the heat of the heart, and therefore, very probable it is, that that very skin (or pericardium) was pierced through with the heart, and thence came out those streams of blood and water. -- "O gates of heaven! O windows of paradise! O palace of refuge! O tower of strength! O sanctuary of the just! O flourishing bed of the spouse of Solomon! Methinks I see water and blood running out of his side, more freshly than these golden streams which ran out of the garden of Eden, and watered the whole world." Here, If I could stay, I might lengthen my doctrine during my life; Oh! it were good to be here, it were a large field and a, blessed subject.
4. About five (which the Jews call the eleventh, and the last hour) Christ was taken down, and buried by Joseph and Nicodemus But enough, I must not wear out your patience altogether.
Thus far we have propounded the blessed object of Christ's suffering and dying for us: our next work is to direct you (as formerly) in the art or mystery, how you are to look unto him in this respect.