WEDNESDAY MORNING.

HAIL, sweet Jesus! praise, and honour, and glory, be to Thee, O Christ, who, when Thy disciples and friends did desert and leave Thee, didst remain alone in the hands of sinful men, like a most gentle lamb within the jaws of a ravening wolf. Strengthen my excessive weakness, and confirm my too great unstableness by the support of Thy grace, and so join me to Thyself with the bonds of love, that I may neither have the wish nor the power ever to depart or separate myself from Thee.

Hail, sweet Jesus! praise, and honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who didst suffer Thyself to be led bound by an armed band to Annas, and didst vouchsafe to stand before him as if Thou hadst been a malefactor and robber. O unspeakable gentleness of my Redeemer! Behold, whilst they take 36and drag and thrust Thee forward, Thou utt4rest not a single complaint, or murmur, or word of resistance, but in silence Thou followest them whithersoever they lead Thee, obeyest their commands, and dost submit to their wanton injuries. Grant, O Lord, that these Thy virtues may shine forth in me, to the everlasting glory of Thy name.

Hail, sweet Jesus! praise, and honour, and glory, be to Thee, O Christ, King of heaven and earth, who, in great humility, as poor and needy, and of none account, didst stand before the proud High Priest, and didst most sweetly endure the dreadful blow which his impious servant gave Thee. Restrain, I beseech Thee, in me all outbreaks of anger and passion, keep down all acts of indignation, and quench within me all desire of revenge, so that when I am provoked by injury, I may not be disturbed, may offer no resistance, may suffer no disquiet, but enduring every thing with a quiet mind, may I even repay evil with good.

Hail, sweet Jesus! Praise, and honour; and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who didst vouchsafe to be led bound in a shameful manner to Caiphas, that Thou mightest deliver us from the penalty of eternal 37death, and restore us to true liberty. Make me most ready to endure every reproach, and all contempt for Thy name’s sake. Grant that in the very midst of ridicule and outrage, I may give Thee thanks with a perfect heart, and by means of these trials may grow and increase more and more in Thy love.

Hail, sweet Jesus! Praise, and honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who, when thrice denied by Thine Apostle Peter, didst mercifully turn and look upon him with kindness, and didst bring him to repentance and holy sorrow for his sin. O mayest Thou turn upon me also Thine eye of mercy and love, that I may weep over my past sins with the tears of true penitence, and may never again commit them! O may I never be found sinning against Thy goodness in word or deed.

Hail, sweet Jesus! Praise, and honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who didst stand before the elders and people of the Jews with a calm countenance and humble look, and didst not refuse to be falsely accused and to suffer divers injuries. Give me grace never to say an untrue word, or falsely to accuse my neighbour, but may I 38bear with all quietness of heart the calumnies that are heaped upon me; and casting all my troubles upon Thee, may I always in silence look for grave and consolation at Thy hands.

Hail, sweet Jesus! Praise, and honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who, when Caiphas the High Priest adjured Thee by the Name of God, didst declare the truth and proclaim Thyself to be the Son of God, and didst not refuse to be accounted by him and the rest who stood by a blasphemer. O may I fully abhor this contempt and offence against Thee. May I in every place reverence the presence of Thy divinity and majesty. O may I think on Thee, adore, praise, and love Thee, above all things for ever and ever. Amen.