Sacrament and the solemn and affecting words of Jesus had inspired
them. They eagerly crowded round him, and expressed their love in a
thousand different ways, earnestly protesting that they would never
abandon him. But as Jesus continued to talk in the same strain, Peter
exclaimed: 'Although all shall be scandalised in thee, I will never be
scandalised!' and our Lord answered him: 'Amen, I say to thee, that in this
night, before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.' But Peter still
insisted, saying: 'Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny
thee.' And the others all said the same. They walked onward and stopped,
by turns, for the sadness of our Divine Lord continued to increase. The
Apostles tried to comfort him by human arguments, assuring him that
what he foresaw would not come to pass. They tired themselves in these
vain efforts, began to doubt, and were assailed by temptation.

They crossed the brook Cedron, not by the bridge where, a few hours
later, Jesus was taken prisoner, but by another, for they had left the
direct road. Gethsemani, whither they were going, was about a mile and
a half distant from the supper-hall, for it was three quarters of a
mile from the supper-hall to the Valley of Josaphat, and about as far
from thence to Gethsemani. The place called Gethsemani (where latterly
Jesus had several times passed the night with his disciples) was a
large garden, surrounded by a hedge, and containing only some fruit
trees and flowers, while outside there stood a few deserted unclosed
buildings.

The Apostles and several others persons had keys of this garden,
which was used sometimes as a pleasure ground, and sometimes as a place
of retirement for prayer. Some arbours made of leaves and branches had
been raised there, and eight of the Apostles remained in them, and were
later joined by others of the disciples. The Garden of Olives was