34. Then said Jesus, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
LOrd Jesus! What a Miracle of Mercy dost thou work here! I know not, which is the greater wonder, those thou dist formerly, when conversant on the Earth, or that which I see now perform'd on the Cross. To pray for Men, who had abused thee to a Prodigy! To beg of thy Father to forgive their In∣solencies, and not to exclude them from the possi∣bility of Repentance! Can I think of this, and not believe, that this was to teach me, how I must behave my self toward those, that have done me wrong? Canst thou forgive such injuries, and shall not I forgive them that trespass against me? One would have thought, that these affronts and indignities, which were offered to thee, would never have been forgiven! yet they are no sooner offer'd, but thou intercedest for their Remission! O let no injury, that's henceforward of∣fer'd me, seem too big for pardon! O let me freely pass by the offence committed against me, that my Father which is the Heaven may forgive me my Tres∣passes.