part, and to think him my friend who blames or disparages me the most. Give me grace not to feel angry at any harshness shown me, and not to bear malice for any unjust complaint made against me; but to let the thought of Thy most gentle endurance of the wrongs done to Thee strengthen me to rejoice in my own, and fill me with a desire to suffer even worse things for love of Thee.
CHAPTER V
☙ The fell seizure and leading away of the Lord Jesus
BLESS Thee, and give thanks to Thee,
O Lord Jesus Christ, Hope of the
Saints, and their strong Tower in every
distress, for the violent seizure of Thee
by Thy hateful enemies; for the insolent laying
upon Thee of the sacrilegious hands of those who
sought to hold Thee; for the fierce looks they cast
upon Thee; for the threatening shouts of the
soldiers; for their rough and cruel binding of
Thee; for their rude and ungentle holding of Thee
fast; for their hasty and disorderly leading away
of Thee; for the contumely and the violence with
which they dragged Thee along; when, with wild
tumult, Thou wast hurried away by vile and worthless scoundrels to Thy death; while the disciples,
who were so dear to Thee, either fled, or with
eyes full of grief and sorrow looked upon Thee
from afar.
O King of Kings, O Lord Who rulest over all Thy creatures, and alone among mortals art free, how couldst Thou bear to be thus violently seized
