Vol. 2

—;CHAPTER XV. 255Jews. As Christ during his whole life gave himselfto the Jews : so immediately upon his death he heginsto declare for the Gentiles by this first grace." 40. There were also women looking on afar off:among whom wasMary Magdalene, and Mary themother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome41. (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followedhim, and ministered unto him;) and many otherwomen which came up with him unto Jerusalem."Grace, which is the fruit of the death of JesusChrist, triumphs in the weaker sex, by renderingthese women faithful intheir attendance at the cross,to teach man to glory in his own weakness, if hewould receive the strength of Jesus Christ. Theseholy women satisfy the bashfulness and modesty oftheir sex, in keeping at some distance from this spectacle: they satisfy their love and their duty, in notlosing sight of the Saviour of the world during hissacrifice. The love of life, and the fear of death,are the things which most strongly opposethe obligationunder which we lie to follow Jesus Christsuffering and dying for us : the grace to be freedfrom those obstacles is the fruit of having followedChrist in his life by imitating him, and of havingliberally distributed alms among his poor members,as these pious women had done.Sect. VI.Joseph of Arimathea,The Burial." 42. f And now, when the even was come, (becauseit was the preparation, that is, the day beforethe sabbath,) 43. Joseph of Arimathea, an honourablecounsellor, which also waited for the kingdomof God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate,and craved the body of Jesus."