Vol. 2

244 ST. MARK.Let us adore the Son of God abandoned to theinsolence of the soldiers. He is sometimes worsetreated in a company of gentlemen, among the greatpretenders to reason, than amidst this whole band ofcruel soldiers. He suffers, at the hands of these,that ill treatment to which his Father condemnedhim ; and he suffers it in the body, wherein hewas to suffer it : but the others, as far as lies in theirpower, debase and humble him in his glorious andimmortal state, by their infidelity with respect tohis mysteries, and contrary to the design of God,who would have him honoured by the faith of hischurch." 17. And they clothed him with purple, andplatted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,"Let us honour Jesus Christ,dishonoured in thatvery quality which ought to have been most respectedand honoured in him. Li this mystery he expiatesthe vanity and excess of the great ones of the world,who spend, in clothes and superfluous ornaments, notonly that which is due to the necessities of his members,but even that of which they are frequentlystripped and spoiled. All the crowns of the earth,and the purple of kings, how bright and glorious soeverthey be, must pay homage to this crown of thornsand to this purple. The homage which these requireof them is, that they use their utmost endeavoursin causing their people to serve Jesus Christ,maintaining and supporting the truths of Christianity,and the faithful ministers of the church, with all theauthority which God has given them.*'18. And began to salute him, Hail, King ofthe Jews !"