Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/197

 xxii. 65.) On  this  occasion  they  repeated  their  former slanders  against  Him,  calling  Him  a  glutton,  a  lover  of wine,  a  seducer  of  the  people  from  their  allegiance,  and  a blasphemer  possessed  by  the  devil.  What  holy  Job  said of  himself  was  then  truly  verified  in  the  person  of  the Son  of  God:  "They  have  opened  their  mouths  upon Me,  and  reproaching  Me,  they  have  struck  Me  on  the •cheek;  they  are  filled  with  My  pains.  (Job  xvi.  11.)  Observe how  patiently  Christ  suffers  this  severe  treatment, and  be  confounded  at  your  own  impatience,  when  you are  unable  to  bear  a  slight  word  of  reproach  or  blame from  others.

III. This indignant  treatment  continued  during  the whole night. Those who  formed  the  council  retired home, to  enjoy  repose,  and  the  comforts  of  domestic  life but Christ  was  delivered  up  to  the  guards,  to  be  strictly watched, and  to  be  treated  at  their  pleasure  or  mercy. Meditate deeply  on  the  forlorn  situation  of  your  suffering Jesus during  that  long,  and  tedious,  and  painful  night. Be ashamed  at  your  want  of  courage,  in  mortifying  yourself so  little  for  His  sake,  who  has  endured  so  much for you,  from  every  description  of  people, — from  the priesthood as  well  as  from  the  laity.

I. "  But  Peter  sat  without  in  the  palace,  and  there  came to  Him  a  servant  maid,  saying,  Thou  also  wast  with  Jesus the  Galilean.  But  he  denied  before  them  all,  saying,  I know  not  what  thou  sayest." (Matt. xxvi.  69.)  A  few hours before  Peter  had  said,  "  Though  I  should  die  with Thee,  I  will  not  deny  Thee;"  but  now,  alas! at the  first