stupifying potions. At the time of execution, they gave the malefactor a grain of frankincense in a cup of wine, in order to stupify and render him less sensible of pain. This custom is traced to the charge of the wise man: "Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts," Proverbs 31:6 . The prophet makes an allusion to the powerful effects of this stupifying draught, in that prediction which announces the judgments of God upon the empire of Babylon:
"Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send thee to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them," Jeremiah 25:15-16 . The Jews, according to the custom of their country, gave our Lord wine mingled with myrrh at his crucifixion. See CROSS .