their way, leaving him in the hands of his enemies, who presented him first before Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest, where he was insulted by a vile servant, that gave him a blow on the face. From thence they led him to the court of Caiphas, where the chief priests and elders were assembled, longing to see this new prisoner before them, and determined to make away with him, right or wrong. Follow thou thy Saviour, my soul, every step of the way, abandoned now by all his friends: contemplate this meek lamb in the midst of all these ravenous wolves, loaded with their scoffs and insolence: but carry the eyes of thy understanding still further, view the interior of his soul, and see the joy and satisfaction that he takes in complying with his eternal Father's will, and suffering for thee: and learn from hence the like disposition in all thy sufferings.
2. Consider how our Lord was no sooner brought to the court of Caiphas, the high priest, where the great council of the Sanhedrim was assembled, but immediately after a scornful welcome they proceed to his trial, and call in the false witnesses, who were to depose against him. But see the providence of God: see the force of truth, and the wonderful innocence of this Lamb of God: notwithstanding all the malice of this impious court and their witnesses, men of neither honour nor conscience, yet all that they could allege against him was either insignificant, or they could not agree in their story, which made their testimonies of no weight. But whilst thou adorest this providence, see and admire the meekness and patience of thy Saviour, who was silent under all the provocations given by these false witnesses; giving thereby a most convincing proof of his being something more than man,
