ful thought! how is the word compassion enhanced beyond all human conception when the word Divine is prefixed to it! A quality that is infinite and unbounded is then attached to it, and the tenderest love of God is involved in the phrase. Who was it that wept with the two sisters on account of the death of their brother Lazarus? The question is answered—"Jesus wept." Jesus, the true God and Eternal Life—the Word made flesh—God himself in his Divine Humanity, who was in the world, and the world was made by Him, was redeemed by Him, and sanctified by Him!—He who declared himself to be the "resurrection and the life!"—He in mercy and in pity to the weeping sisters, spake the words—"Lazarus, come forth!" and he that was dead came forth at the word of life,—bound, indeed, hand and foot with grave clothes, but the further command of Jesus—"Loose him and let him go," gave joy and new life to the sisters, while it spread astonishment among all.
The Divine compassion is infinite, because God is infinite; nothing bounds his love, nothing can limit his power or presence. His compassion is the same to all and in all. Life being the highest possible blessing, therefore He created us forms recipient of his life, that He might be always present with us, to nourish, to guide, and to bless. He is the true Vine or Tree of Life, and we are the branches; and his Divine love or Father is glorified as we bear much fruit.
When we, by inclining to evil, left the Divine government, broke his commands, and laid our honour in the dust, He followed us in our distresses, and in pity redeemed what He had created. He, being full of compassion, forgave iniquity, and destroyed not.
