dren! So Pilate, willing to content them, gave sentence that it should be as they desired, and delivered JESUS to be crucified. JESUS, bearing his cross, went forth into a place called Golgotha,* or the place of a skull. And they obliged * Map of Canaan, 2 D. one Simon, a poor African, whom they chanced to meet, to help him to carry it; and there followed a great company of people, and of women, who bewailed him. And JESUS said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. And there were also two thieves led with him to be put to death. Thus did the wicked Jews treat the SAVIOUR who came to bring Salvation to mankind! And when they were come unto Golgotha, on Mount Calvary, they stretched JESUS on the cross, nailing him to it by his hands and feet; and they raised up the cross as he hung on it. Then JESUS said, FATHER, forgive them, for they know not what they do! And they crucified the two thieves also, one on his right hand, and the other on his left. Then the soldiers parted his garments among them, and sat down to watch him there. And Pilate had caused to be written up at the top of the cross, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And many of the Jews who passed by reviled him, saying, If thou be the SON OF GOD, come down from the cross. And the Chief Priests and Scribes mocked him, saying, He saved others, himself he cannot save; if he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. But though JESUS suffered the greatest agonies, and was able to do all that the Chief Priests and others pretended to require of him, yet would he not come down from the cross, for he had resolved to endure the pangs of death for the salvation of mankind. Now for three hours there was darkness over the land. At length JESUS cried with a loud voice, FATHER, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and he bowed his head and expired. And behold, the earth did quake, and the rocks rent. And when the Roman officer, who stood over against him, observed these things, he said, Truly, this man was the SON OF GOD. |