shadow of Thy wings he was protected from the temptations which assaulted him.
3. O righteous Father, and ever to be praised, the hour is come that Thy servant is to be proved.
O beloved Father, meet and right it is that in this hour Thy servant should suffer somewhat for Thy sake.
O Father, evermore to be honoured, the hour is come, which from all eternity Thou didst foreknow should come; that for a short time Thy servant should outwardly be oppressed, but inwardly should ever live with Thee.
That He should be for a little while despised and humbled, and in the sight of men should fail, and be wasted with sufferings and languors; that he might rise again with Thee in the morning dawn of the new light, and be glorified in heaven.
Holy Father, thou hast so appointed it, and so wilt have it; and that is fulfilled which Thyself hast commanded.
4. For this is a favour to thy friend, that for love of Thee he may suffer and be afflicted in the world, how often soever and by whom soever Thou permittest such trials to befall him.
Without Thy counsel and providence, and without cause, nothing cometh to pass in the earth.
It is good for me, Lord, that Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy righteous judgments, and may cast away all haughtiness of heart and presumption.
It is profitable for me, that shame hath covered my face, that I may seek to Thee for consolation rather than to men.
