which was followed by the treachery of one of his chosen disciples, who betrayed him into the hands of his enemies-then by the desertion and flight of the rest, who had declared their resolution not long before, to remain steadfastly with him, even in the utmost extremity of danger-and last of all by a positive and peremptory denial of him, thrice repeated, by one who had promised, that he would rather die with, than forsake, him --When we farther consider, that all these heart-rending sorrows were heaped upon him day after day throughout the week, till they were terminated only by his most painful and ignominious death--when we moreover and especially take into the account, that all this was endured for our sakes, we cannot surely think it unreasonable to be required to lay aside, for one week only, those gratifications which at other seasons it may be lawful moderately to enjoy. Agreeable to this were the opinions of the primitive Christians respecting this Great and Holy Week, and of our pious forefathers of later ages, both of whom judged that a most religious attention was due to the interesting and important events which

we now commemorate.

When we read what the writers of an

cient times have said on this subject, with what fervour and zeal they have recommended a strict observance of this Week -compared with theirs, how tame are our admonitions! contrasted with theirs, how lifeless are our exhortations!

The learned Author of "The Antiquities of the Christian Church," says, "There was one week which was called the Hebdomas Magna or the Great Week before Easter, which they observed with greater strictness and solemnity above all others." This he then proceeds to describe by quoting the words of St. Chrysostom, which being very remarkable, I shall venture, upon the authority of the same author, to recite to you at full length: and your attention to them, I am confident, will not be ill-repaid.

66

"No one," says this judicious writer, can better describe it to us than St. Chrysostom, who tells us, "It was called the Great Week, not because it consisted of longer days, or more in number than other weeks, but because at this time great things were wrought for us by our LORD. For in this week the ancient tyranny of the devil was dissolved, death was extinct, the strong man was bound, his goods were spoiled, sin was abolished, the curse was destroyed, paradise was opened, heaven became accessible, men and angels were joined together, the middle wall of partition was broken down, the barriers were taken out of the way, the God of Peace made peace between things in heaven and things on earth; therefore it is called the Great Week: And as this is the head of all other weeks, so the great Sabbath is the head of this week, being the same thing in this week, as the head is in the body. Therefore in this week many increase their labours: some adding to their fastings; others to their watchings; others give more liberal alms, testifying the greatness of the Divine goodness by their care of good works, and more intense piety and holy living. As the Jews went forth to meet CHRIST, when he raised Lazarus from the dead; so now not only one city, but all the world go forth to meet him, not with palmbranches in their hands, but with almsdeeds, humanity, virtue, fastings, tears, prayers, watchings, and all kinds of piety, which they offer to CHRIST their LORD. And not only we, but the emperors of the world honour this week, making it a time of vacation from all civil business, that the magistrates being at full liberty from business of the law, may spend all these days in spiritual service. Let the doors of the courts, say they, now be shut up. Let all disputes and all kinds of contention and punishment cease; let the executioner's hands rest a little. Common blessings are wrought for us all by our common LORD, let some good be done by us his servants. Nor is this the only honour they shew to this week, but they do one thing more no less considerable. The imperial letters are sent abroad at this time, commanding all prisoners to be set at liberty from their chains For as our LORD, when he descended into hell, set free those that were detained by death; so the servants according to their power imitating the kindness of their LORD, loose men from their corporal bonds, when they have no power to relax the spiritual*."

Speaking of the season of Lent, the same author observes, that "for the further advancement of piety, and encouragement of religious assemblies at this season, all public games and stage-plays were utterly forbidden by the laws of the Church." Now Passion-Week being a part of that holy season, and that part of it in which the most important transactions were carried on by our blessed LORD for the sake of sinful men, those Christians could not be thought less culpable: indeed "it appears that they were judged to be incapable of pardon, who were so eager after publick diversions as to follow them, when men's publick professions of repentance, humiliation and sorrow, made it utterly unreasonable and absurd to pursue the vain recreations and pleasures of the world, which at such a juncture could become none but those who lived in darkness and heathenish superstition*."

Were an injunction to be issued, that the strictness of the primitive times should be revived, and that those who would not comply with it, should renounce Christianity; how many, alas! in these degenerate days of religion, when the recommendation of a little self-denial is considered almost intolerant-how many would waver and halt between two opinionst, and at last, it is to be feared, yield to their own delusions! How many, without hesitating at all, would instantly quit the distant, but certain, prospects, which Christianity exhibits, for the present bewitching, but transitory gratifications of worldly pleasure !

1