The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. - documenta ...

The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.Anne Catherine Emmerich194answered his ends. He was excessively superstitious, and when in any difficulty had recourse tocharms and spells. He was much puzzled and alarmed about the trial of Jesus; and I saw him runningbackwards and forwards, offering incense first to one god and then to another, and imploring themto assist him; but Satan filled his imagination with still greater confusion; he first instilled one falseidea and then another into his mind. He then had recourse to one of his favourite superstitiouspractices, that of watching the sacred chickens eat, but in vain,—his mind remained enveloped indarkness, and he became more and more undecided. He first thought that he would acquit ourSaviour, whom he well knew to be innocent, but then he feared incurring the wrath of his falsegods if he spared him, as he fancied he might be a species of demigod, and obnoxious to them ‘Itis possible,’ said he inwardly, ‘that this man may really be that king of the Jews concerning whosecoming there are so many prophecies. It was a king of the Jews whom the Magi came from theEast to adore. Perhaps he is a secret enemy both of our gods and of the emperor; it might be mostimprudent in me to spare his life. Who knows whether his death would not be a triumph to mygods?’ Then he remembered the wonderful dreams described to him by his wife, who had neverseen Jesus, and he again changed, and decided that it would be safer not to condemn him. He triedto persuade himself that he wished to pass a just sentence; but he deceived himself, for when heasked himself, ‘What is the truth?’ he did not wait for the answer. His mind was filled with confusion,and he was quite at a loss how to act, as his sole desire was to entail no risk upon himself.CHAPTER XX.Jesus before Herod.THE palace of the Tetrarch Herod was built on the north side of the forum, in the new town; notvery far from that of Pilate. An escort of Roman soldiers, mostly from that part of the country whichis situated between Switzerland and Italy, had joined the procession. The enemies of Jesus wereperfectly furious at the trouble they were compelled to take in going backwards and forwards, andtherefore vented their rage upon him. Pilate’s messenger had preceded the procession, consequentlyHerod was expecting them. He was seated on a pile of cushions, heaped together so as to form aspecies of throne, in a spacious hall, and surrounded by courtiers and warriors. The Chief Priestsentered and placed themselves by his side, leaving Jesus at the entrance. Herod was much elatedand pleased at Pilate’s having thus publicly acknowledged his right of judging the Galilæans, andlikewise rejoiced at seeing that Jesus who had never deigned to appear before him reduced to sucha state of humiliation and degradation. His curiosity had been greatly excited by the high terms inwhich John the Baptist had announced the coming of Jesus, and he had likewise heard much abouthim from the Herodians, and through the many spies whom he had sent into different parts: he wastherefore delighted at this opportunity of interrogating him in the presence of his courtiers and ofthe Jewish priests, hoping to make a grand display of his own knowledge and talents. Pilate having111