He was stripped, and a royal robe put upon him.
He was a king, crown him with thorns. He would
rule, put a sceptre in his hands. " Bow the Imee to
his Majesty." " Hail King of the Jews ! " Even
Pilate was moved at the woe of the Son of God, and
cried to the maligners: "Behold the man I" But
they had no pity. To all appeals they gave but one
answer : " Crucify him I his blood be on us and our
children." Why is not that crowd sunk to hell?
Where are th6se twelve legions of angels, we ask.
But the Saviour's eye rebukes us — " Peace, be still."
" For this hour came I into this world." The scarlet
robe was removed when the brutal sport was done,
and the company started for Calvary. Nothing was
omitted to make his death shameful and ignominious
in the last degree. He had been betrayed by one of
his own disciples. He had been denied by another,
under his own eye, and in the presence of the people.
He had been adjudged guilty of blasphemy by the
great council of his own nation. He had been the
sport of rude and profane soldiers — mocked as a king
by insulting homage while under guard, and derided
as a prophet,
d



74 MOUNT CALVARY.
