Treading Under Foot The Son Of God.


"DISHEARTENED by the extraordinary

dangers and difficulties of their enterprise,"

says Dr. Guthrie," a Roman army lost

courage, and resolved on a retreat. The

general reasoned with his soldiers. Expostulating

with them, he appealed to their

love of country, to their honor, and to their

oaths. By all that could revive a fainting

heart, he sought to animate their courage

and shake their resolution. Much they

trusted, they admired, they loved, him, but

his appeals were all in vain. They were

not to be moved; and carried away, as by

panic, they faced round to retreat.

"At this juncture they were forcing a

mountain pass; and had just cleared a

gorge where the road, between two stupendous

rocks on one side and the foaming

river on the other, was but a foot-path

broad enough for the step of a single man.

"As a last resort he laid himself down

there, saying, 'If you will retreat, it is over

this body you go, trampling me to death

beneath your feet.' No foot advanced.

The flight was arrested. His soldiers could

face the foe; but could not mangle beneath

their feet one who loved them, and had

often led their ranks to victory sharing

like a common soldier all the hardships of

the campaign, and ever foremost in the

fight.

"The sight was one to inspire them with

decision. Hesitating no longer to advance,

they wheeled round to resume their march,

deeming it better to meet sufferings and

endure even death itself, than trample under

foot their devoted and patriot leader. Their

hearts recoiled from such an outrage.

"But for, such as have named the name

of Christ not to depart from iniquity, for

such as have enlisted under his banner to

go back to the world, for such as have

renounced sin to return to its pleasures, involves

a greater crime. A more touching

spectacle bars our return. Jesus, as it were,

lays himself down on our path; nor can any

become backsliders, and return to the practice

and pleasure of sin, without trampling

him under their feet. These, Paul's very

words, call up a spectacle from which every

lover of Christ should recoil with horror:

'He,' says that apostle, 'who despised

Moses' law, died without mercy; ... of

how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,

shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden

underfoot the Son of God?' "