to undergo this painful ceremony, i. To honor the law in His own person. 2. Not to offend others by His singularity. 3. That He might declare Himself to be the son of Abraham, whose descendants this law regarded. Lastly, that, whilst yet an infant, He might show, by His sufferings, His love for mankind. There can be no better proof of love than to suffer for the person whom you love. Learn from the example of Christ a respect for the law of God; to do virtuous works of supererogation; to despise human respect; and, by mortifying yourself, to prove your love of your suffering Saviour.
II. The divine Infant willingly offers Himself to His eternal Father, to satisfy for your transgressions: He patiently suffers the pain of circumcision, and rejoices because He 'is promoting your salvation. Excite your heart to suffer something for Christ, who suffered so much for you. Undergo cheerfully, in the first place, that mortification which is necessary for the observance of the law of God in general, and for the performance of your own particular duty. Add to this, voluntary acts of mortification, from a spirit of imitating Christ and atoning for past sins.
III. The chief virtues which Christ exercised in His circumcision were obedience, humility, and charity. He was not bound by the law, yet He subjected Himself to it. And since circumcision was an acknowledgment of subjection to the whole law, he undertook to observe it entirely. Circumcision was the remedy of original sin, and, consequently, an acknowledgment of having contracted it. Christ could neither sin, nor contract it. He received, however, the stigma of it. Wonderful humility! His charity for us prompted Him to undergo all these pains. His love of us did not induce Him to seek for glory and honor; but for mortification and punishment,
