28. But Jesus turning unto them, said; Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for your selves, and for your Children.
LOrd Jesu! Thou sawest, what miseries were com∣ing upon that Nation, and art concern'd for them more than thou art for thy self! In all thy sufferings thou didst not consult thine own welfare so much, as ours! It was for our sakes, it was for my sake, that thou didst endure the Torments, which fell upon thee! Thou wast loth I should perish, and therefore wouldst rather dye, than I should be undone! Thy Father's wrath was levell'd at me, and thou stepst in, and tookest the blow, that I might escape! The curse of the Law was pronounc'd against me, who was the Offender! Thou wentst into the midst of the Fire, that I might not be burnt! The Floods went high, and their Commission was to drown me; thou venturedst into that Sea, and didst divide the Waters, that I might go through the midst and be safe! and if this Mercy does not melt my Af∣fections, and make them thine, how unexcusable must I make my self! O let these Thoughts for ever dwell in my mind, that I may live as becomes the Gospel of Christ, and may think no service so sweet as thine.