"And He, Bearing His Cross"

"And he, bearing his cross."—John 19:17.

The cross was ponderous. The body fainted under its pressure. But the sins of his redeemed made it heavier to his soul; and the weight of the Father's wrath against sin, aggravated the dreadful load. Precious Redeemer, dying Lamb of God! were my sins adding to thy sorrow? Have I been reproaching Pilate, and all the while forgetting that every transgression of mine became more painful to thy soul than the cross, or the thorns, or the soldier's spear that pierced thine heart? Oh! for grace to crucify those sins which nailed thee to the cursed tree!

- excerpt from Robert Hawker's The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions, February 6, Evening