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 fly to prayer; in the sixth, the virtue of obedience and perseverance; in the seventh, perfect resignation into the hands of God, which is the sum of all perfection.

This day thou shalt meditate upon the piercing of our Blessed Saviour's side with a spear; the taking down of Christ from the cross; the lamentations of the women; and other things which did occur about his burial.

First, take notice, how that Christ, after he gave up the ghost upon the cross, his enemies much rejoiced at his death. But yet, there was not an end of their insatiate cruelty, but still their increasing malice raged against him, being dead. They divided, and cast lots for his garments, and with a spear pierced his precious side.

O barbarous caitiffs! O adamantine hearts! did you think those torments he suffered before his death were not sufficient, that you would not vouchsafe to spare him being dead? what madness did possess your souls? lift up your eyes and behold his dead face, his eyes sunk, his hanging head, and his whole body being wan and pale. Although your hearts be harder than adamant, yet let this pitiful aspect mollify them.

Behold the centurion struck a lance into his sacred side, with such violence that the very