their father if not by their own virtues also Mar. 15.21 4. Symon doth practice a Gospel rule in this act Gal. 6.2 Bear one anothers burden and so fullfill the law of Christ Heb. 13.13 Let us go forth unto him without the Camp bearing his reproach Sect. 2. SO much for their Rigor now followeth the gracious deportment of Jesus Christ in his going to Golgotha Luk. 23.27 28 29 30 31. And there followed him a great Company of people and of women which also bewailed and lamented him But Jesus turning to them said Ye daughters of Ierusalem weep not for me but weep for your selves and for your children For behold the dayes are coming in which they shall say Blessed are the barren and the womb that never bare and the paps that never gave suck Then shall they begin to say to the mountains fall on us and to the hills cover us for if they doe these things in a green tree what shall be done in a dry So soon as ever he was eased of that cruel and heavy burden of his cross by the assistance of Symon he presâ—ntly falls into holy discourse expressing the tender Compassions of his heart over Ierusalem and the falling dying perishing Church and Church-state of the Jews In which discourse 1. See the occasion of his discourse There were a great multitude following him among them there were mourning women who lamented for him and over him for his death approaching v. 27. As it was the manner of the Jews Ier. 9 17 18 19. Call for mourning women skillfull in mourning that our eyes may run down with tears c. Though Jesus did not call for any mourners to follow him yet there were such as followed him as dangerous as the times were to appâ—ar to be a lover and a believer in him By this mourning of these Jesus took occasion to discourse 2. See the manner of his entrance upon his discourse v. 28. Jesus turned to them and said Daughters of Ierusalem Where we see what a kind look Jesus gave unto these mourners that followed him We see also what an holy compellation he giveth them Ye Daughters of Ierusalem that is ye children of the Church 3. See the matter of his speech unto them and to all the Auditory in four Particulars 1. Weep not for me that is not only for me it is a not comparative viz. not so much or not only for me for I shall tell you of another object of your weeping and lamentation He doth not forbid them weeping for him much less doth he check or blame them for it but he informeth them of another object to weep for besides him You now weep because of my death this day but I tell you of that which shall be the effect and punishment of that which is done this day in putting me to death Jerusalem shall smart for what they doe this day and when that day of vengeance is come there will be other matter of weeping then yet you see 2. Weep for your selves and for your children weep both for the present Generation and for the rising Generations Look not only on present things but consider what your present actions do portend and threaten to bring upon you And did you but consider what punishment Calamityes and miseryes this dayes act will bring upon Ierusalem you would then see that there is great cause to weep for your selves and for your children as well as for me 3. Jesus Christ gives them a Reason why they should weep for themselves and for their Children viz. because of those terrible days that are coming upon them which are described First By that usual note of attention Behold shewing the certainty of such calamityes coming on them and the terribleness thereof in both these respects those dayes will be remarkable Behold 2dly Those dayes are described by the terrible effects thereof which prove them to be a just matter of mourning and weeping for your selves and for your children Those terrible effects of the calamity of those dayes are two v. 29 30. 1. They shall bless the barrâ—n woman womb dry breasts it was a reproach in Israel to be barren Gen. 30.23 Luk. 1.25 but now they shall count them happy that have no children to see and feel these bitter calamityes the words imply that it is a curse and misery to have Children to be sufferers of these calamityes which is an Argument to prove that these calamityes will be great yea exceeding great the consideration whereof doth shew that you have cause to weep for your selves and for your Children as well as for me 2. The second Effect will be that they shall be in such desperation that they shall wish the mountains to fall on them and the hills to cover them which is a Scripture expression of desperation Rev. 6.15 16 17. desperation is one of hell Torments Such terrible dayes are coming on you and your Children which should cause you to weep for your selves and for your Children as well as for me And all this Jesus Christ doth foretel them with an heart more bleeding with compassion over them his dying Church then over his own dying body now bleeding with Furrows on his back and thorny wounds on his head and therefore exhorts them to add this ditty unto their present mournings for him 4. He gives a demonstrative reason that such at least if not far worse calamityes shall surely come upon them viz. because they add unto all their wrath provoking sins this last and greatest in putting to death so unjustly so cruelly the Lord of glory the Son of God mightily proved so to be by many miracles done among them their own King Saviour Messiah Which sins do ripen them for wrath as dry wood is fitted and prepared for the fire This reason is communicated with deep and elegant wisdome so as that the Enemies could not easily interpret it or apply it so as to stop them in their way or hinder them from putting him to death because that was the work which Jesus Christ did willingly expose himself unto being that upon which the salvation of Gods Elect dependeth Thus Jesus Christ expresseth this reasoning if they execute these crueltyes upon me an innocent person as unmeet for such punishments as green wood for the fire Then what shal befal them who are by this sin added to their many other sins fully ripe for wrath as dry wood is fitted for the fire He doth not say how hot the fire shall be but he saith what shall be done to the dry to shew that their misery shall be unexpressible yea unconceivable Sect. 3. Their arriving at Golgotha and setting up the Cross JOh. 19.17 18 19 20 21 22. And he bearing his Cross went forth into a place called the place of a scull which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha Where they crucified him and two other with him on either side one and Jesus in the midst And Pilate wrote a Title and put it
art highly favoured the Lord is with â—hee blessed art thou among women all this is true and pertinent seeing she was appointed by God to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ 3. In respect of the Effect of this vision upon her heart which was trouble fear â—mazement at this glorious heavenly Salutation she cast in her mind what manner of Salutation this was what the meaning thereof should be surely it wrought â—own her godly heart to humble thoughts of her self and prepared and raised her â—eart unto heavenly expectations 4. The Angel qualifieth her fear and informeth her of the meaning of his Saluâ—ation and of what God was about to do with her and for her Fear not Mary for â—hou hast found favour with God and thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a â—on and call his Name Jesus 5. The Angel informeth her of the heavenlâ— honour dignity and glory of this â—er Son and of the glorious works that he shall do he shall be great and shall be â—â—lled the Son of the highest and the Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his Father â—avid and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdome there â—all be no end 6. Mary objecteth against the possibility of her conception seeing she knoweth not a man 7. The Angel answereth her Reason by raising her faith to expect the performance of the promise by the divine and Infinite power of God saying the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee shall be called the Son of God and behold thy Couzen Elizabeth she hath also conceived namely by faith as also Sarah did in her old Age and this is the sixth Moneth with her who was called barren for with God nothing shall be unpossible 8. Mary by faith submitteth her self to the will of God She said behold the Handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word And that this was an act of Faith in Mary doth appear bâ— the Teâ—timony of the Holy Ghoâ—t who spake by Elizabeth Luk. 1.45 and blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And the Holy Ghoâ—t whose Office is to bring to our remembrance the word of God which we have heard Joh. 14.26 did doubtless bring to her remembrance and presented to her humble believing Soul that word of God Isai 7.14 behold a Virgin shall be with Child and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call his Name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us by Faith in this Word of God she did conceive all this may justly be gathered from that Text Math. 1.22 23. The second particular touching the dark morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ Thus far the morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Chri t was bright and glorious but behold presently a dark cloud ariseth which involveth both Joseph and Mary and the holy conception in her womb in bitter anguish and distress Mary must and did of necessity tell Joseph that she was with child and that this matter befell her since their Espousals and opened to him all the History of it all that the Angel had said and that the effect of this divine vision is that she is with child This was amazing tidings to Joseph he would ask her what Testimony Evidence or proof she could bring that these things were so as she had said alass there was no Testimony or proof to be made of these things only Mary her self in her own cause and defence To be begotten with child after Espousals is by the Law of God a capital offence such incredible stories as you tell in your own defence I have no rule to believe I love you dearly but I cannot I may not believe you and much less will the judges or any body else give credit to your Apologâ— Joseph took this matter into deep consideration Math. 1.20 what an heart wounding consideration must this needs strike into the heart and Soul of Mary who knew her own Innocency yet could by no means clear her self to her Husband Josephs godly heart was rent and distressed he loved his godly espoused wife but his love to God zeal of his Law obliged him to put away his espoused and beloved wife God is to be loved in the first place and this is the Law of God Deut. 22.20 21. if this thing be true viz. that she is with child then they shall bring out the Damosel to the dore of her Fathers house and the men of her City shall stone her with stones that she dye because she hath wrought folly in Israel to play the whore in her Fathers house so shalt thou put away evil from among you How bitterly would the sword of this Law pierce through the godly heart of Mary and how would it fill her Soul with such distress as would not a little affect the very conception of her womb to be so near destruction his Mother who had conceived him to be stoned to death at her Fathers dore and that bâ— the Law of God But Joseph was a just man that is right godly holy and merciful he was not willing to expose his Espoused unto the rigour of the Law to the shame and disgrace of her and her Relations Mean while when these considerations were before them oh how would good Mary cry unto God to clear her Innocency But good Joseph called to mind a more gentle Law which left it in his liberty to deal more gâ—ntly with her and he purposed to act towards Mary according to that Law Deut. 24.1 when a man hath taken a wife and married her and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes because he hath found some uncleanness in her then let him write her a Bill of Divorce and give it in her hand and send her out of his house by this Law or some other of like importance Joseph considering deeply of the matter purposed to walk Math. 1.19 Joseph her Husband being a just man and not willing to make her a publick Example viz. by the Law Deut. 22.20 21. was minded to put her away privily viz. by that Law Deut. 24.1 this I propose with submission But alas this was but small relief to innocent Mary though her life and her conception was by this means spared yet the scandal remained and the reproach of Incontinency and Whoredome in the Mother and Illegitimacy on the child and all this came upon them not malitiously by adversaryes for then it might have been borne but regularly by the Law of God by Joseph walking regularly according to the Law of God doing what he did in obedience to the Law this was a bitter pill to them both Oh the distressed cryes prayers tears lamentations would their godly hearts be involved drowned in
many things but he answered nothing And Pilate asked him again and said answerest thou nothing Behold how many things they witness against thee But Iesus yet answered nothing so that Pilate marvelled Luk. 23.2 3. And they began to accuse him saying we found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar saying that he himself is Christ a King And Pilate asked him saying Art thou the King of the Iews And be answered him and said Thou sayest it Joh. 18.28 29 30. Then led they Iesus from Caiphas unto the Hall of Iudgment and it was early and they themselves went not into the judgment-hall lest they should be defiled but that they might eat the Passeover Pilate then went out unto them and said What accusation bring you against this man They answered and said unto him if he were not a Malefactor we would not have delivered him up unto thee From what is recorded in these Texts laid together the following History is collected 1. The place where Pilate began this Court was in the Pretorium the Roman judgement Hall Joh. 18.2 there Iesus Christ was presented before Pilate as a condemned person in the Court such as it was a Council of the Iews and they desired Pilate to put him to death after the Roman manner by crucifying him and by the Roman power 2. Pilate told them that he could not justly condemn him to dy until he had heard his accusers face to face and his offences lawfully proved against him and thereof he called for his accusers and witnesses of his evil deeds 3. Answer was made that the Iews might not by their Law come that day into the Pretorium because it was the Feast of the Passover and the morrow was that Sabbath which fell to be in their Feast week and therefore it was an high day Ioh. 19.31 The Feast was to be celebrated seven dayes Exod. 12 15 18. in which week one day must of necessity be a Sabbath and to morrow is that Sabbath And therefore they intreated Pilate to put him to death as one that they had condemned It seems that they thought to catch Pilate by this means to trust them and be their Servant to condemn and execute him because they had condemned him without seeing and examining the cause why they did condemn him But Pilate would not do so a just judge must see the cause before he condemn the person to die a just judge will stand upon his own legs see by his own eyes 4. Pilate though a Pagan yet in prudence so far complyed with respect to their Religion which they proposed and pretended in this case and condescended to go out of the Pretorium into some open pbulick place where the Iews might appear before him all this see Ioh. 18.28 29. They went not into the Iudgement Hall least they should be defiled but that they might eat the Passover Pilate then went out unto them and said what accusation bring you against this man Thus Pilate disappointed them of that device whereby they thought to have brought him to have believed and obeyed them Ioh. 18.30 They said that if he were not a Malefactor we would not have delivered him to thee But Pilate would hear and see the cause himself before he would condemn him 5. Now the chief Priests and Elders who were his Judges before and had condemned him in their Council were his accusers and they accused him of many things both to vindicate themselves and their own act in condemning him and to vent their envy against Jesus Christ That they did thus accuse him of many things before Pilate we have it from Pilates own mouth Math. 27.13 And Mar. 15.4 Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee Lukâ—â—â—th inâ—â—ance in three particular accusations Luk. 23.2 They began to accuse him saying We found this man perverting the Nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar saying that he himself is King Touching the first of these his Perverting the Nation Pilate did strictly examine it as appears Luk. 23.14 Pilate saith unto them Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people and behold I have examined him before you and have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him 2. Touching his forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar nothing is said of it in his examination It is not unlike but that the answer of Jesus to that poynt heretofore was so famous that Pilate had heard of it viz. that asking for a Tribute penny he asked whose Image and superscription is on it they said Cesars then he said give unto Cesar that which belongeth unto Cesar and to God that which is Gods Touching the third point his being King of the Jews Pilate asked him art thou the King of the Iews to whom Jesus answered thou sayest it he denyed it not nor at this time so fully asserted it as he did afterwards as shall be seen in its time and place 6. Pilate having given full scope and liberty to his accusers to produce what they would or could against him and strictly examined all their allegations he now called upon the Prisoner to answer for himself But Jesus kept silence and answered not a word Math. 27.12 then Pilate urged him to answer saying hearest thou not how many things they accuse thee off ver 13. but still Iesus kept silence and answered not a word 7. Now Pilate falls to admiring and that exceedingly Math. 27.14 for Pilate saw plainly first that they had no proof of what they said against him Secondly that many things they said were frivolous and far from being capital offences if they had been proved Thirdly that they persecuted him out of envy Mark 15.10 he knew that the chief Priests had delivered him for envy and all this increased his admiration at his silence What are you willing to dye But alas neither his Pagan judge nor envious accusers were aware of what God the Father and the Son Iesus Christ were now transacting touching the great counsel of God for the Salvation of sinners For 1. Now Iesus Christ stood as our sponsor and surety to bear the imputation of our sins Iesus Christ now taught and confirmed the great point of the imputation of our sins unto him who was personally innocent as a Lamb but as our surety he is guilty of all some or other of his Elect were guilty of whatsoever they laid to his charge and God laid upon him the guilt of all our sins Isai 5 3 4 5 6. he was in this respect as being our Surety the guiltyest person in the world the guilt of all sin lay upon him and therefore he silently bore it 2. Iesus Christ was willing to bear all this imputation of sin and to dy for it Ioh. 10.17 I lay down my life that I may take it again no man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self Pilate saw plainly how easily he might
have answered and avoided all their allegations and accusations brought against him and that put him into such admiration at his silence his Innocency appeared to his Roman Judge without any answer of his though they had condemned him Pilate saw no cause for it but envy So much for the first act of Pilate the second act followeth There is some difficulty in laying together the harmony of the Evangelists in this point touching the order of the acts that passed in Pilates Court. This second act of Pilate that I am entering upon is again acted by Pilate afterward as we shall see in its time and place Luk. 23.4 then said Pilate to the chief Priests and to the people I find no fault in this man these words of Pilate are clearly annexed to the first examination as appeareth ver 3. when Pilates question and Jesus his answer were transacted it was in the first examination as we saw in its place and that which Pilate addeth ver 4. doth presently after follow and therefore I place them next And render them a part of the second act of Pilate which I am now about to set down in the order of the History of actions as they passed in Court again Joh. 18.30.31 32. they answered and said unto him if he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him up unto thee then said Pilate take ye him and judge him according to your Law The Iews therefore said unto him it is not lawful for us to put any man to death that the saying of Iesus might be fulfilled which he spake signifying what death he should dye Which saying of Jesus Christ is recorded Math. 20.18 19. behold we go up to Ierusalem and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief Priests and unto the Scribes and they shall condemn him to death and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucifie him and the third day he shall rise again This part of the History which John relateth was at or about the time of the beginning of Pilates Court as appeareth by the immediate foregoing words ver 28 29. Therefore laying Lukes record and Johns record together the History proceedeth thus When Pilate had given the accusers leave to produce what they would against him and had diligently examined all that they had said and called Iesus to answer for himself though he was silent and answered nothing to Pilates admiration seeing he might so easily have made void all that they had said against him Now Pilate turneth his speech to the Priests and Elders his accusers and argueth with them you have delivered up this man to be put to death but I find no fault in him for which I should judge him to dye many things you say but prove nothing You produce no Roman capital Law that he hath broken how then should I iudge him to death To this they answered we have a Law viz. against Blasphemy and by that Law we have condemned him and were he not a malefactor we would not have so done nor have delivered him to you to put him to death Now Pilate maketh them a noble offer it is a point of eminent consideration Pilate saith take ye him and judge him according to your Law exercise your own power and Jurisdiction according to your own Laws The Jews expresly refuse to accept this offer and say it is not lawful for us to put any man to death Say you so Caiaphas by whose Law is it not lawful for you to put any man to death Surely not by Gods Law it is only by the Roman Law that it is not lawful for you So that by this saying of the Jewish Council they do testifie in open Couâ—t that the SCEPTER is now departed from Iudah which is a very great evidence tâ—at Iesus Christ is the Messiah and that the Scepter is departed from them by their own confession and that before publick Authority Yea and wâ—eâ— Pilate offered them the exercise of their own Scepter in a particular case they expressly refused to accept it for that very reason because the Scepter was departed from them And though they thus acted out of envy against Iesus Christ yet it is a remarkable hand of God that they themselves should so eminently acknowledge that the Scepter was departed from them Iohn taketh notice of the prediction that Iesus Christ had given to his Disciples foretelling how the Iews would condemn him and deliver him to the Gentiles to be put to death after the manner of the Gentiles all which things were accomplished just as he had foretold which is a great proof of his Divinity The reason of the Iews thus acting was because they durst not offer violence against Iesus Christ by their own power and Laws for they know that their proceedings were unjust and that the people would not have suffered them to do violence against Iesus Christ and yet they were so mad to execute their envious resolution to put him to death that they rather chose to put away the Scepter from Iudah then not to execute their wrath against Iesus Christ they willingly put away the Scepter from themselves the Scepter was departed from Iudah when Iesus Christ was put to death O the depths of divine Wisdome So much for the second act of Pilate the third followeth Ioh. 18.33 ad 38. Then Pilate entered into the Judgement hall again and called Jesus and said unto him Art thou the King of the Iews Iesus answered him Sayest thou this thing of thy sâ—lf or did others tell it thee of me Pilate answered Am I a Jew thine own nation and the chief Priests have delivered thee unto me What hast thou done Iesus answered My Kingdome is not of this world if my Kingdome were of this world then would my Servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Iews but now is my Kingdome not from hence Pilate therefore said unto him Art thou a King then Iesus answered Thou sayest that I am a King To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the Truth every one that is of the Truth heareth my voyce Pilate saith unto him What is Truth Pilate went again into the pretorium or Romane judgement hall out of which he had come to comply with the Jews who would not enter into it that day Now he goeth thither again and calleth Jesus Christ before him there apart from the Jews his accusers who would not come thither and there are sundry particulars of great moment 1. Pilate asked Jesus this question art thou the King of the Iews he had asked him the same question in his first examination and Jesus made him that answer thou sayest it it is like that Pilate thought he would be more free to answer him apart from his accusers and Pilate was diligently inquisitive into this point The Romans had a great respect unto royal blood and all
and it made them the more violent in aggravaâ—ng his offences which they imputed to him 2. They inflame the matter which they accuse him of by putting a bad construction upon his good actions they say he stirreth up the people by his teaching he shaketh their hearts like as an Earthquake shaketh the Earth so the word signifieth The word of the Gospel doth indeed shake the hearts of men but it is to repentance and to embrace the offer of grace and mercy in Iesus Christ and this is the real and true shaking and heart stirring that the Ministry of Iesus had raised but they put a bad and false construction upon it and say or intimate at least that Iesus and his followers did stir up the people to Sedition c. they pervert the powerful effects of the word that move men to repentance and say it moveth them to Faction and Rebellion 3. They aggravate and urge their accusation from the extent of the effect of his Ministry and preaching saying that it moveth and worketh through all Iury beginning at Galilee unto this place even to Ierusalem that which is a real glory and commendation they turn into an angry and envyous accusation 4. Their instructing in the extent of the effect of his preaching from Galile to Ierusalem gave occasion to Pilate to ask if he were a Galilean And it is like that word of theirs put the notion into Pilates mind that he now acteth When he understood that he was a Galilean he knew that he belonged to Herods Jurisdiction who was Tetrarch of Galile Luk. 3.1 and being willing to shut his hands of such an ill cause wherein he saw no justice but wrath and envy The Roman was noble and just he abhorred injustice and therefore he was glad he had found a way to shift off this loathsome matter from himself knowing that he should gratifie Herod very much who had a long time a desire to see Jesus which it is like that Pilate knew or had some sentiment of it that it would much gratifie Herod The opportunity also was very fit because it so fell out that Herod was at that time in town v. 7. an happy juncture for Pilate to attain his ends therefore Pilate resolved to send the prisoner to Herod This innocent falsly accused Lamb is sent unto Herod Pilates reason for this act may be gathered out of the consequent History First he should gratifie Herod Secondly he hoped to quit his hands of the case Thirdly if not yet he should gain light and aime to himself being a Gentile by seeing what Herod a Jew would doe in this case 5. The Jews passionate aggravation of the extent of the effects of the preaching of Jesus Christ from Galilee even to Jerusalem gave the occasion of this divertion But it was very cross unto them and to their design for they were resolved to put him to death yea and it must be done that very day yea and by the Romane power and after the Romane manner But if Herod should accept to judge him that would quite alter the matter or if he doe not but remit him to Pilate it will occasion much loss of time it was therefore a very vexatious matter to them but thank their own passion that gave Pilate the occasion But being so they must bestir themselves The chief Priests and Elders must goe and appear before Herod to represent the matter as foul as they can 6. When Jesus came before Herod then the History thus proceedeth 1. See Herods carnal joy at his coming and at the sight of him We must consider Herod to be a visible Professor of Religion though a carnall hypocrite Pilate was a Pagan Herod was a Jew therefore he acts the part of one that hath Religion therefore he had exceeding great joy to see Jesus this his joy is amplified by two reason 1. Because he had of a long time a desire to see Jesus having heard such famous things of him 2. Because he hoped he would have been so officious to him being a King as to gratifie him by doing some Miracle before him 2. Herod questioned him in many things though they were not of such weight as to be mentioned by the Holy Ghost not any one of them 3. His questions would be promoted and inlarged by the high Priests and Scribes who prosecuted him before Herod 1. They stood up against him 2. They vehemently accused him and this would occasion Herod to ask him many Questions 4. See the holy wise Lamb-like behaviour of Jesus Christ among these adversaries of whom in the prophesy he complaineth Psal 22.12 13 16. Many Bulls have compassed me strong Bulls of Bashan have beset me round they gaped upon me with their mouthes like a ravening and roaring Lion For dogs have compassed me the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me But in all these doings Jesus held his peace he spake not one word and some Reasons of his silence before Herod may be given 1. There was nothing of moment found against him which needed an answer as Pilate afterwards argueth Luk. 23.15 2. Because Jesus would make it manifest before Herod and that great Audience that he laid down his life willingly 3. He totally vailed his glory Had any part of his glory appeared they would not have condemned him 1. Cor. 2.8 Pilate was very loth to it because of his innocency which he did see had he seen his glory he would not have done it 5. See the unworthy and vile usage they put upon him though they found no cause against him Where see 1. The partyes that abused him Herod and his men of war chief Officers and others that came together unto this spectacle when they hard that Pilate had sent Iesus to Herod 2. The abuses which they did to this innocent Lamb of God Viz. 1 They set him at nought 2. They mocked him 3. They arrayed him in a gorgeous robe to promote their mockeryes 4. They sent him back to Pilate when they had disrobed him 6. See a notable effect of this act of Pilate in gratifying Herod by sending Jesus unto him it removed the enmity that was betwixt them so that they became friends afterwards Luk. 23.12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves The world can agree to persecute Jesus Christ and his Servants And as Pilate gratified Herod so Herod gratified Pilate by setting him a patcern of hardness of heart to abuse Jesus Christ though he were innocent as it will sadly appear in the Sequel Many observations of instruction might be raised but I will pass on and not touch them for brevity sake So much for Pilates 4th Act. his 5th Act followeth Luk. 23.13 14 15 16. And Pilate when he had called together the chief Priests the Rulers and the people said unto them Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people and behold I having examined
envy the high Priests had delivered him And Pilate used that word to the people the King of the Jews as an argument perswasive to the people as appears by his after arguing upon that point 2. Pilate contrived to give them their choyce of one but so as that they should be forced to chuse Jesus and so deliver him by their own act Pilate would have done them good but they would not The way that he contrived was to streighten them in their liberty of chusing among all the prisoners he would give them their choice but of two and they were Jesus and Barrabas Now this Barrabas was a Mutineer a Robber a Murderer Mar. 15.7 Luk. 23.19 Ioh. 18.40 But Jesus was an innocent person had done many good works among them only the Priests had a spight and envy against him and all this Pilate knew to be so Math. 27.18 Therefore the Jews being a religious people and willing to be accounted so to be will never chuse Barrabas before Jesus He thought verely to catch them in this Noose And if they should quarrel him for streightning their Liberty he would so delay the matter that the case should be forced to stop until after the Feast was over and by that time theâ—r envy might be cooled Surely this was a notable Dilemma 3. But the Iews brake this net and made nothing of it They neither regarded their own Religion nor the honour of God concerned in it Nor did they regard the innocency of Jesus nor the great good works that he had done among them and for them Nor did they regard the vileness of Barrabas nor his three horrible offences that he was guilty of These Considerations would have moved a Pagan to a better mind and Pilate a pagan thought so But they chose Barrabas before Jesus a choice that a pagan would not have made Yea not only so but they urged that Jesus might be crucified Though Pilate opposed them saying Why what evil hath he done Math. 27.23 Mark 15.14 Luk. 23.22 Quest How came it to pass that the Jews a religious people should make such a wicked choice that a pagan would not have done Answ See the reason of it Math. 27 20. The chief Priests and Elders perswaded the people to ask Barrabas and destroy Iesus So Mark 15.11 They that led them caused them to erre Isai 3.9 9.16 30.28 Ier. 23.13 33 The world is too full of such sad examples Thus we see the effect of the policy of Pilate it did more hurt then good it drew the people into a most odious sin it layes the Jews under ignominy and disgrace unto this day in the eyes of all the world that hear of it A 2d device shall I call it or rather a prudent means Pilate used to qualifie and divert their minds viz. upon the point of their Religion though it was not his Religion as thus he argueth all men know that you Jews expect a Messiah a Christ a King to be your Saviour and deliverer behold he is come this is he and will you crucifie and kill him and would you have me to crucifie your King Vnto this arguing of Pilate they return a sad answer 1. They renounce Jesus Christ to be their King and Saviour 2. They acknowledge no King but Cesar Joh. 19.15 the chief Priest answered we have no King but Cesar thus they renounce Iesus Christ yea and the government of God and put themselves under the government of the world Act. 3.13 14 15 16. The God of Abraham the God of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our Fathers hath glorified his Son Iesus whom ye delivered up and denyed him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him goe but ye denyed the holy one and the just and desired a Murtherer to be granted unto you and killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Yea further they retort and reflect the Argument upon Pilate Ioh. 19.12 If you refuse him you are no friend to Cesar he that maketh himself to be a King is against Cesar he is the only King in the World Thus Pilate got a sad blow which wounded his very heart and wrought a sad effect and change in him for this very Argument brought Pilate about to condemn Jesus They argued if you dismiss him upon this point that he is the King of the Jews you are a Jew and an Enemy to Cesar as we that oppose you arâ— Romans and friends to Cesar Thus we see what ill success Pilate had in all the pains he took to deliver Jesus Christ out of their hands So much for the sixth act of Pilate in this sad Court the seventh act followeth wherein finally he yieldeth to the chief Priests and Jews to condemn Jesus Ioh. 19.13 14. part of it when Pilate therefore heard that saying if thou let him go thou art no friend to Cesar he brought Iesus forth and sate down in the Iudgement seat in a place that is called the pavement but in the Hebrew Gabatha And it was the preparation of the Passover and about the sixth hour First Here we must first consider the causes that moved Pilate to yield unto the high Priest and Jews 1. They struck him on the right vein for their purpose and when they pleaded him to be no friend to Cesar if he released Jesus Ioh. 19.12 he could not indure the impeachment of that Argument he had rather offend God and Conscience or any thing then to offend Cesar he must claw and curry favour with the Emperour he could not bear with the breath of that Sentence he is no friend to Cesar and therefore when he heard that saying it turned his wheel he yielded ver 13. 2. He yielded to please and content the people Mark 15.15 Pilate willing to content the people released Barrabas and delivered Iesus to them c. 3. He yielded to please the high Priest and people too Luk. 23.23 and the voices of them and of the chief Priests prevailed 4. He yielded to prevent a tumult which his delayes and their haste hurryed them unto Math. 27.24 When Pilate saw he could prevail nothing but rather a tumult was made c. these are the causes expressed that brought about pilate especially the first 2. Here is noted the place where he passed that black Sentence not in the Roman judgement-Hall but in the Jews judgement-Hall a Romane Judge in the Jews judgement-Hall to shew their absolute subjection to the Romane Yoke and that voluntarily The SCEPTER was departed from Iudah by their own voluntary choice and to shew the concurrence both of Jews and Gentiles in the condemning and crucifying of Jesus Christ 3. The time of this act was about the beginning of the sixth hour the exact time of the preparation of the Passover Lamb that is near noon Then began the preparation to kill the pascal lamb And little did Pilate think or the Iews regard that
12.46 Numb 9.12 which the Iews religiously observed in aâ—l ages generations but never knew the reason of this branch of the divine Institution The infinite prescience of God had respect unto this history of the sufferings of Christ which we are now treating off These Iews possibly might see the reason of this branch of this Institution I dare not say they did see it because the Text doth not say so But if they had any such intent to get his legs broke to blemish him who is the true Paschal Lamb Then I say 1. Their wickedness was the greater because it was against light 2. The infinite wise and merciful providence of God is so much the more to be adored and admired in their disappointment 3. The disappointing and preventing of the breaking of his bones is a mighty striving of God to convince the Iews that Iesus is the Paschal Lamb. 4. The fulfilling of the Scriptures in preserving his bones from being broken is a powerful confirmation of the saith of the Church to the Worlds end that Iesus Christ is our Paschal Lamb in whom we believe for salvation When the Souldiers came to break their legs and did break the legs of the two Theevs Iesus Christ being already dead they did not break his legs yet one of them without cause neither knowing nor caring what he did only to insult over his dead body took a Spear and pierced his left side It appeareth to be so by that which issued out of the wounds viz. blood from the wound in his flesh and water out of the pericardium which he pierced with his Spear here we are to admire the all-ruling wisdome of God who by this act hath provided a wonderful confirmation of the faith of the Church that both our Sacraments are founded in the death of Christ the water in Baptisme and blood celebrated in the Supper confirm the faith of the Church to the worlds end 1 Joh. 5.6 8. Again by this act they did in part fulfil that Prophesy Zech. 12.10 they pierced his side O Lord Jesus make haste to accomplish the other part of this gracious Prophesy which saith And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only Son and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first born In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo c. 7. Another memorable work of God that attended the death of Jesus Christ was the conversion of the Centurion who had the charge of the watch that day where see first The means of his conversion viz. the dying words of Jesus the Earthquake and other things as the darkening of the Sun and the brightning of the same the rending of the Rocks c. 2. We see the signs of his conversion 1. He feared greatly 2. He made confession of his faith first in the Deity of Christ surely he is the Son of God 2dly in the innocency and justness of his person Surely he was a just man 8. Many more of those upon the watch and of the spectators were convinced if not converted when they saw what was done they returned smiting on their breasts Sect. 2. Of the Reverent Buryal of the Body of our Lord Jesus THe buryal of Iesus Christ is a great point in Religion both in the Prophesy and in the History and in the application In the History of this act of Christian love see first the persons that did with due reverence perform this service to the dead body of our Lord. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus they would not leave his blessed Corps to the rude disposal and usage of Hangmen and Executioners But with their own hands they did reverently lay him into a Tomb. These two men were honourable men for they were both of them of the Council but consented not with them in their condemning of Jesus Luk. 23.51 the same did not consent to the Council and deed of them it is like that neither Joseph nor Nicodemus were sent unto or called unto their Clandestine night Court wherein Jesus was condemned they knew that they would oppose they had experience of Nicodemus his opposing them how many more of the Council might be absent from that night Court is not said it is like that it was carryed on by a Faction that adhered to that violent young man Caiaphas and his Father in law Annas For in the History we find all the Council present to be of one mind therefore neither of these two worthy men were with them These were both holy men and true Disciples of Jesus Christ yet formerly they both of them had been timorous professors Joh. 19.38 39. Joseph a Disciple of Jesus Christ but secretly for fear of the Jews And Nicodemus who at first came to Jesus by night see a little what the Scripture saith of these first of Nicodemus John 3.1 2 3. c. he came to Jesus by night he was a well minded man but weak in knowledge Joh. 7.51 52 53. Nicodemus saith unto them he that came to Jesus by night being one of them doth our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he doth they answered and said unto him art thou also of Galilee search and look for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet and euery man went into his own house Here we see Nicodemus was grown more valiant and appeared openly in the Council on the behalf of Jesus Christ and though he suffered a châ—ck for his labour yet what he said saved the cause of Jesus Christ for that time And now when Jesus Christ was persecuted to the death and crucified his courage still arose and his love abounded for he joyned with good Joseph and brought an hundred pound weight of Myrrhe and Aloes for the embalming of the Corps Joseph was a very eminent holy and good man all the Evangelists do inlarge in his commendation and though he had been as John saith timorous yet now he taketh boldness Mark 14.43 and so did Nicodemus if the Reader please to turn to these Texts he shall see how amply the holy Ghost hath spoken of Joseph Math. 27.57 ad 61. Mark 15.43 ad 47. Luk. 23.50 ad 54. Joh. 19.38 Pilate granted to Joseph at his request the dead body of Jesus Christ these two honourable men took it down from the Cross they prepared a fine linnen burying Sheet newly bought for this purpose they wrapped up the body with the aromaticks in decent manner carefully laying Aromaticks upon all his wounds in hands feet side back head or else where They carryed the body into a garden hard by which was Josephs where was a new Sepulchre hewen out of a Rock which Joseph had prepared for his own buryal in