who could thus calmly hold his peace, whilst his reputation and life were both attacked by palpable calumnies. The malice of our Saviour's enemies being thus confounded, the high-priest arises and adjures him by the living God, to tell him if he was the Christ, the Son of God! In reverence to this adorable name, our Lord made a solemn confession and profession of the truth, teaching, by his example, all his followers, when called to the like trial, never to be ashamed of him or of his faith. Upon this, Caiphas rends his garment, crying out: Blasphemy! And they all pronounce him worthy of death. But thou, my soul, on the contrary, cry out with the angels and all the elect of God: Rev. v. 12. The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction, from all creatures for ever.
3. Consider how that unjust sentence against our Redeemer was no sooner pronounced by the great council, but immediately they all, with unheard-of barbarity, fell upon him like furies of hell rather than men, and discharged upon him all kinds of injuries, blows, affronts and blasphemy. See, my soul, how these hell-hounds spit in thy Saviour's face, and disgorge their filthy phlegm on that sacred forehead, where beauty and majesty sit: see, how they buffet, kick and strike him with merciless rage, whilst he with his hands tied behind him, is not able to ward off one blow, nor has any friend there to wipe his face, or afford him any other help. See, how they cover and muffle up his face with some filthy rag, and then in scorn (as if he were a mock prophet, and an impostor) at every blow they bid him prophesy who it was that struck him; besides many other affronts, which
