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.
THURSDAY.
Christ Condemned to Death.
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
