Verse 33. Which is called Calvary]
As sad a sight to our Savi∣our, as the bodies of his slain wife and children were to Mauricius the Emperour, who was soon after to be slain also by the com∣mand of the traytour Phocas. Let us learn to consider the tyran∣ny and deformity of sin as oft as we passe thorough Church-yards, and Charnell-houses.
Verse 34. Father, forgive them]
See the sweet mercy of Christ mindfull and carefull of his enemies, when the paines of hell had taken hold of him, and they, like so many breathing devils, were tormenting him. Pendebat & tamen petebat, saith Augustine. He was slain by them, and yet he begged for them.
Verse 35. Derided him]
〈◊〉〈◊〉. Blew their noses at him.
Verse 36. Offered him vineger]
In stead of wine, which Kings drink much off.
Verse 38. Greek, Latine, and Hebrew]
This venerable E∣logy and Epitaph, set upon our Saviours Crosse, proclaimed him King of all religion, having reference to the Hebrews, of all wis∣dom, to the Greeks, of all power to the Latines.
Verse 39. Which were hanged, railed, &c.]
Sic plectimur a Deo, nec flectimur tamen, (saith Salvian) corripimur, sed non corrigimur. There are many, quos multò facilius fregeris, quàm flexeris, saith Buchanan. Monoceros interimi potest, capi non potest. The wicked are the worse for that they suffer, and will sooner break then bend.
Verse 40. But the other answering]
Silent he was for a while, and therefore seemed to consent; till, hearing Christs prayers and the enemies outrages, he brake out into this brave confession, wor∣thy to be written in letters of gold.
Verse 42. Lord, remember me]
By this penitent prayer he made his crosse a Jacobs ladder, whereby the Angels descended to fetch up his soul. So did Leonard Caesar burnt at Rappa in Bava∣ria, whose last words were these, Lord Jesu suffer with me, sup∣port me, give me strength: I am thine, save me, &c. See the Note on Matt. 27. 38.
Verse 43. Verely I say unto thee]
See the infinite love of Christ to penitent sinners, in that when he hung upon the tree, and was paying dear 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mans sin, he rejected not this malefactors petiti∣on. Shall he not hear us now that all is paid and finished?
To day shalt thou be with me]
This is not every mans happinesse. A pardon is sometimes given to one upon the gallows: but who