Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/425

which his executioners afterwards cast lots. I ask it through the scoffs and ignominies by which he was insulted; the false accusation and unjust sentence by which he was condemned to death, and which he bore with heavenly patience. I ask it through his bitter tears and bloody sweat: his silence and resignation; his sadness and grief of heart. I ask it through the blood which trickled from his royal and sacred head, when struck with the sceptre of a reed, and pierced with the crown of thorns. I ask it through the excruciating torments he suffered when his hands and feet were fastened with large nails to the tree of the cross. I ask it through his vehement thirst and bitter drink of vinegar and gall. I ask it through his dereliction on the cross, when he exclaimed “ My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” I ask it through the mercy extended to the good thief, and through his recommending his precious soul and spirit into the hands of his eternal Father before he expired, saying, “ All is finished.” I ask it through the blood mixed with water, which issued from his sacred side, when pierced with a lance, and whence a flood of grace and mercy hath flowed to us. I ask it through his immaculate life, bitter passion, and ignominious death on the cross, at which nature itself was thrown into convulsions by the bursting of rocks, the rending of the veil of the Temple, the earthquake, and darkness of the sun and moon. I ask it through his descent into hell, where he comforted the saints of the Old Law with his presence, and led captivity captive. I ask it through his glorious victory over death, when he arose again into life on the third day; and through the joy which his appearance, for forty days after, gave thee, his blessed mother, his apostles, and the rest of his disciples;