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 theless, He was scourged and crowned with thorns; and at last, in compliance with the clamorous and threatening demands of the chief priests and the Jewish rabble, who preferred the murderer Barabbas before Him, Pilate delivered Him unto them to be crucified.

26. Jesus, like one of the greatest criminals, was loaded with a heavy cross, and conducted to Mount Calvary, a place of execution, where He was crucified between two thieves. As the prophets had foretold, so it was now accomplished: His hands and feet were pierced with nails; the soldiers divided His garments among them, and upon His vesture they cast lots. When tormented with burning thirst, they gave Him vinegar and gall to drink. Even the chief priests and ancients scoffed at Him; but Jesus suffered all these cruelties with the most wonderful patience and meekness. Nay, He even prayed for His enemies, saying: ' Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' For three hours Jesus was hanging upon the cross suffering the most dreadful pains. The sun was darkened, and all nature mourned. At last, with a loud voice He exclaimed, ' It is consummated; Father, into Thy hands I commend my Spirit'; and bowing His head. He gave up the ghost. The moment He expired the earth quaked, the rocks split asunder, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, the graves were opened, and many bodies of the Saints that had slept arose and appeared in Jerusalem. The centurion or captain and the soldiers, who stood near the cross, were struck with awe, and said, ' Indeed this was