Vol. 2

CHAPTER XV.2i5He expiates the pride of thosewho exact or receivefrom their subjects such honours as areahnostdivine. To observe in the church the posture andcountenance of abundance of Christian professors, onewould take them rather for Jews or pagan soldiers,who insult and mock Christ, than for Christians, whocome to adore their Saviour and thieir King. Wouldto God the clergy themselves did not contribute tothis irreverence, either by their cowardice inbearingwith it, or by their negligence in instructing others,or by their own bad example." 19. And they smote him on the head with areed, and did spit upon him, and, bowing their knees,worshipped him."He expiates that excessive resentment which menhave of the least injuries which are done them, theirinclination to revenge, and the transports of theirpassions. The insults of these pagan soldiers, whoknow not Christ, affect him less sensibly in this dayof his humiliations and sufferings, than the carelessness,forgetfulness, and irreligion of Christians, whomake profession that they believe in him, and lookupon him as their Saviour. Let us pray to God,and worship him in Jesus Christ; but let us doit insuch a manner as is worthy both of God and of Christ.If to bow the knees be to worship Christ, theseheathens do it as well as we. It is the heart whichprays and worships; the modest and reserved behaviouris but the sign, and, as it were, the visiblesacrament of the invisible adoration.