Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/215

 for Adam's  transgression. " He  is  the  propitiation  for our  sins,"  therefore,  "behold,  O  Lord!  our  protector,  and look  on  the  face  of  Thy  Christ." (i John  ii.  2  and  Ps. lxxxiii.  10.)  Say  the  same  often  to  yourself,  with  feelings (1)  of  affectionate  compassion  for  your  suffering Saviour, (2)  of  gratitude  for  His  numerous  torments  endured for  you,  (3)  of  confidence  and  hope  in  so  much goodness, and  (4)  of  an  ardent  desire  to  imitate  His  example, and  of  suffering  for  the  love  of  your  Redeemer.

I. "As  Pilate  was  sitting  on  the  judgment  seat,  his wife  sent  to  him,  saying;  Have  thou  nothing  to  do  with that  just  man,  for  I  have  suffered  many  things  this  day, in  a  dream,  on  account  of  Him." (Matt, xxvii.  19.)  Contemplate the  goodness  of  God,  who  by  various  means endeavors to  divert  sinners  from  guilt,  as  He  did  in  this case in  regard  to  Pilate. It was  true  of  him,  as  it  is  of  all other sinners  "Destruction  is  thy  own,  O  Israel." (Osee xiii. 9.)  How  often  has  He  admonished  you,  by  speaking interiorly  to  your  heart,  by  holy  inspirations,  and  exteriorly by  preachers  and  superiors,  forbidding  you  to do  this  or  that,  and  yet  you  have  neglected  their  words. Be more  attentive  hereafter  to  these  divine  admonitions.

II. "And Pilate  seeing  that  he  prevailed  nothing,  but that  rather  a  tumult  was  made;  having  taken  water, washed  his  hands  before  the  people,  saying,  I  am  innocent of  the  blood  of  this  just  man;  look  ye  to  it." (Matt, xxvii. 24.)  Yet  at  the  same  time  he  pronounced  sentence of death  against  Him. Thus many  pretend  by  their actions to  be  innocent,  but  keep  no  restraint  over  their tongues; they  do  not  offend  against  their  neighbors  by