ting for things which concerned religion and the Temple alone, and
they could not pass a sentence of death. They wished to prove that
Jesus was an enemy to the emperor, and this accusation concerned those
departments which were under Pilate's jurisdiction. The soldiers were all
standing in front of the house, surrounded by a large body of the
enemies of Jesus, and of common persons attracted by curiosity. The
High Priests and a part of the Council walked at the head of the
procession, and Jesus, led by archers, and guarded by soldiers,
followed, while the mob brought up the rear. They were obliged to
descend Mount Sion, and cross a part of the lower town to reach Pilate's
palace, and many priests who had attended the Council went to the
Temple directly afterwards, as it was necessary to prepare for the
festival.

CHAPTER XIV.

The Despair of Judas

Whilst the Jews were conducting Jesus to Pilate, the traitor Judas
walked about listening to the conversation of the crowd who followed,
and his ears were struck by words such as these: 'They are taking him
before Pilate; the High Priests have condemned the Galilean to death;
he will be crucified; they will accomplish his death; he has been
already dreadfully illtreated; his patience is wonderful, he answers
not; his only words are that he is the Messiah, and that he will be
seated at the right hand of God; they will crucify him on account of
those words; had he not said them they could not have condemned him to
death. The miscreant who sold him was one of his disciples; and had a
short time before eaten the Paschal lamb with him; not for worlds would
I have had to do with such an act; however guilty the Galilean may be,
he has not at all events sold his friend for money; such an infamous
character as this disciple is infinitely more deserving of death.' Then,
but too late, anguish, despair, and remorse took possession of the mind
of Judas. Satan instantly prompted him to fly. He fled as if a thousand
furies were at his heel, and the bag which was hanging at his side
struck him as he ran, and propelled him as a spur from hell; but he
took it into his hand to prevent its blows. He fled as fast as
possible, but where did he fly? Not towards the crowd, that he might
cast himself at the feet of Jesus, his merciful Saviour, implore his
pardon, and beg do die with him,--not to confess his fault with true
repentance before God, but to endeavour to unburden himself before