SERMON I

WHY JESUS SIGHED:

THE SIGH OF PITY A STIMULUS TO ACTION.

A

B

WHY JESUS SIGHED.

Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that His inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of His most holy life, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Pereant commenta philosophorum qui negant in sapientem cadere perturbationes animorum.”—AUG. in Joann. xiii. 21.

Sight so deform what heart of rock could long
Dry-eyed behold? Adam could not, but wept,
Though not of woman born: compassion quell'd
His best of man, and gave him up to tears
A space, till firmer thoughts restrained excess,
And scarce recovering words, his plaint renew'd :-
'C miserable Mankind, to what fall
Degraded, to what wretched state reserv'd!'"

MILTON, Paradise Lost, xi. 494-510.

"Ahi quanto a dir quel era è cosa dura
Questa selva selvaggia ed aspra e forte,
Che nel pensier rinnova la paura!
Tanto è amara, che poco è piu morte."

DANTE, Inferno, i. 4—7.