my Son spoke, saying: “I am reputed as a worm, which lies in winter as if dead, on which the passer-by spits and tramples. The Jews have this day treated me like a worm, because I was deemed most abject and unworthy by them.” — Lib. iv., c. 99.
When the time of my Son’s Passion arrived, his enemies seized him, striking him on his cheek and neck; and spitting upon him, they mocked him. Then, led to the pillar, he stripped himself, and himself stretched his hands to the pillar, which his enemies pitiless bound. Now, while tied there he had no clothing, but stood as he was born, and suffered the shame of his nakedness. Then his enemies rose up, for they stood on all sides, his friends having fled, and they scourged his body, pure from all spot or sin. At the first blow, I, who stood nearest, fell as if dead, and on recovering my senses, I beheld his body bruised and beaten to the very ribs, so that his ribs could be seen; and what was still more bitter, when the scourge was raised, his very flesh was furrowed by the thongs. And when my Son stood thus, all bloody, all torn, so that no soundness could be found in him, nor any spot to scourge, then one, his spirit roused within him, asked: "Will you slay him
