e under the most horrible and
disgusting forms imaginable. She saw his intense sufferings, his
patience, and his inexhaustible love, likewise the anguish of his
Mother, and her perfect resignation. These visions filled the wife of
Pilate with the greatest anxiety and terror, particularly as they were
accompanied by symbols which made her comprehend their meaning, and her
tender feelings were harrowed by the sight of such dreadful scenes. She
had suffered from them during the whole of the night; they were
sometimes obscure, but more often clear and distinct; and when morning
dawned and she was roused by the noise of the tumultuous mob who were
dragging Jesus to be judged, she glanced at the procession and
instantly saw that the unresisting victim in the midst of the crows,
bound, suffering, and so inhumanely treated as to be scarcely
recognisable, was no other than that bright and glorious being who had
been so often brought before her eyes in the visions of the past night.
She was greatly affected by this sight, and immediately sent for
Pilate, and gave him an account of all that had happened to her. She
spoke with much vehemence and emotion; and although there was a great
deal in what she had seen which she could not understand, much less
express, yet she entreated and implored her husband in the most
touching terms to grant her request.

Pilate was both astonished and troubled by the words of his wife. He
compared the narration with all he had previously heard concerning
Jesus; and reflected on the hatred of the Jews, the majestic silence of
our Saviour, and the mysterious answers he had given to all his
questions. He hesitated for some time, but was at last overcome by the
entreaties of his wife, and told her that he had already declared his
conviction of the innocence of Jesus, and that he would not condemn
him, because he saw that the accusations were mere fabrications of his
enemies. He spoke of the words of Jesus to himself, promised his wife
that nothing should induce him to condemn this just man, and even gave
her a ring before they parted as a pledge of his promise.

The character of Pilate was debauched and undecided, but his worst
qualities were an extreme pride and meanness which made him never
hesitate in the performance of an unjust action, provided it answered
his ends. He was excessively superstitious, and when in any difficulty
had recourse to charms and spells. He was much puzzled and alarmed
about