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
saving that we may add that his holiness of Doctrine and life would be yea was an Eye-sore to the Scribes Pharisees and hipocrites and to such as adhered unto them This low condition is a part of the spotless punishment of the sin of man unto which Iesus Christ doth voluntarily submit himself Quest Wherein or in what respects was Jesus Christ like unto a worm for he describeth himself a worm is 1. Despicable 2. Vseless 3 None feareth it 4 None cares to defend it 5. Every one is bold to tread on it 6. They will be easily induced to destroy it 7. None fears revenge for destroying it 1. Jesus Christ his poverty did so vaile his glory that in all these and such like respects he was like a worm which cloud of obscurity was no small part of his humiliation and suffering for our sin he was despicable Psal 22.5 despised of the people Psal 119.141 I am small and despised Eccles 4.16 the poor mans wisdome is despised Isai 53.3 despised rejected of men but God did dearly accept him Math. 3.17 and 12.18 2. He was rendered hereby in the worlds eye useless they were exceeding populous and where it is so the poor worms are rather a burthen then of any use to their Generation though they be godly and wise Joh. 7.49 the poor people are cursed Act. 4 11. the stone set at nought by the builders but God made him the head of the Corner and desireable to redeem preserve and govern the world and especially the Church 3. None is afraid of a worm it cannot hurt us so none feared Jesus Christ Herod and his men of war set him at nought though there was the greatest cause in the world for Herod and his men of war to have feared the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Rev. 5.5 and to kiss the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.12 and tremble at the wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6 1â— 16 17. and the Kings of the Earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and the bond man and every free man hid themselves in the Dens and in the Rocks of the mountains and said to the Rocks and mountains fall on us and hide us from the face of him that fitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand 4. None careth to defend such a poor useless creature as a worm is so no body cared to defend Jesus Christ and his cause Once Nicodemus spake a good word for Jesus Christ which had a present good effect but he was quipped for it Joh. 7 50.51 52 53. Jesus Christ complained Psal 22.11 there is none to help but God taketh care of this poor worm Isai 40.14 fear not thou worm Jacob. 5. Any one is bold to tread upon a worm to hurt and injure it so were the people bold to speak and do against Jesus Christ sometimes to stone him Ioh. 8.59 and 10.31 sometime to cast him down the clist of the Rocks Luk 4.28 29 30. but God preserved him from them 6. Every one is easily induced perswaded to destroy a worm So were thâ— people who a few dayes before had cried Hosanna to the Son of David easily perswaded by the Priests Scribes and Pharises to cry crucifie him and give us Barabbas 7. They fear no body to take vengeance for wrong done to a worm so were the Jews fearless of any vengeance to be inflicted upon them for the wrong and injury done unto Jesus Christ which made them bold to expose themsâ—lves and their posterity unto any such vengeance saying his blood be upon us and upon our Children And never was blood more sharply revenged and a curse more severely executed for they have been under that curse near seventeen hundred years and they are still under it to this day Quest But why did Jesus Christ take upon him such a low condition in this world why came he not a Prince in the external Royalty of his Father David Answ 1. Because this low stripped bereaved condition under the loss of thâ— dominion of man in this world is one part of the punishment due to the sin of man Gen. 3 23 24. and it is such a punishment as may be taken up and born with Innocency without any defilement of sin therefore Jesus Christ did willingly submit to the deepest stroke of that punishment for the satisfaction of Divine justice Isai 63.9 in all our sinless afflictions he was afflicted and Isai 53.4 he hath born our griefs was wounded for our transgressions the chastisement of our peace was upon him And this innocent punishment for our sin he suffered most purely perfectly and meritoriously unto the Infinite satisfaction of the vindictive Justice of God And thereby took out the sting of the curse from the like low condition that we may fall into and he bore it away from us Isai 53.5 6. 2. Jesus Christ came in this low condition to sanctifie a low condition in this world for his Saints the elect of God Seeing it was the purpose of God to carry the Church in this world through such a low condition 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. Yet take this with these cautious 1. All the Church of Gods Elect are not so all are not in such a low condition though most are for the Text saith not many noble rich mighty but some such there alwayes are for the great support of the Church when Kings are nuâ—sing Fathers and Queens are nursing mothers to the Churches Isai 49.23 2 Again take this caution that this low condition of the Church shall not alwaâ—es be so for in the latter dayes Jesus Christ will more plentifully pour out pâ—â—s â—rity grace which though it hath been more rarely dispenced hitherunto yet it seemeth to me that it shall be otherwise in the glorious times of the Church in this world as may be gathered out of the Prophesies of Isaiah from the sixty Chapter and so forward and from many other Scriptures 3. Jesus Christ came in a low condition in this world and carryeth his Elect many of them through this world in a low condition to exert and exercise Gods Sovereignty in defending his poor worms against the proud great world and sometimes in advancing his worm Jacob and David from the Shephards crook to the Scepter Luk. 1.48 he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid this Sovereignty of God is highly celebrated 1 Sam. 2.4 ad 11. Job 5.15 16. and abundantly in the books both of the Scriptures and of the providences of God 4. Jesus Christ came in such a low condition to set us a pattern of exercising suffering graces which must be in this militant world or not at all for there will be no occasion in Heaven for the use of suffering grace when all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes 5. Jesus Christ came in such a low condition to
as pure as we can and may be capable to doe in this our state militant and to be filled with holy spiritual and heavenly conference after it 4. While Jesus and his Disciples were thus exercised in these holy services conferences and Prayers Iudas was among the chief Priests and Pharisees who by that time of night were at home and soon ready to attend the motion of their traiterous Companion Yet Iudas found difficultyes and delayes in getting all things ready to get a Company of men and Officers their Commission arms clubs staves and other weapons lanthorns torches c. Judas found that he had thrust himself into a troublesome employment And however he intended to have dispatched quickly according to that discovering word which Jesus Christ spake to him at his going out what thou doest doe quickly intimating that it was in the plot and purpose of his heart to surprize him there in the place where they kept the passover But he found so many difficultyes and delayes that it was near about midnight ere he could get all things ready as will appear in the Sequel 5. After this holy communion Conference and prayer Jesus with his Disciples went forth and entered into the suffering garden Ioh. 18.1 When Jesus had spoken these words he went forth with his Disciples over the brook Kedron there was a Garden into which he entered with his Disciples where first he placed his Disciples where they might be within sight and hearing of what should come upon him but out of the way of Judas and his Company for their safety so carefull was our Lord of his poor Lambs when a company of wolves were to come amongst them That which he commanded them was Sit here till I go pray yonder Luk. 22.40 pray that ye enter not into Temptation Then he took Peter James and John and went a little further And now did he enter into his Soul-agony with wonderfull horror and distress even to death 1. His body was not under any immediate suffering as yet only as it did co-suffer and sympathise with his Soul in its terrible Agony so deep and terrible were the horrors of his Soul as that his body was ready to faint away and dye Math. 26. â—7 38. he began to be sorrowful and very heavy then saith he unto them my soul is â—xceeding sorrowful even unto the death tarry here and watch with me Mark 1â— â—3 34. he began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy and saith unto them my Soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death tarry ye here and watch Luk. 22.43 44. there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthening and being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground The extremity of his Soul sorrow did wring and torture the whole wheel of nature And that this Agony was firstly upon his Soul is expresly testified by Mathew and Mark such a load of sorrow lay upon his Soul that he could scarce live under it The same is evident in the Prophesy Isai 53.10 Thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin which Text shews that the cause of this sorrow was the load of our sin which lay upon him being our Surety Luke calleth it an Agony ver 44. 2. This Soul Agony is expressed by Jesus Christ himself who felt it in such significant words as do make it appear to be a very extream torment that he was in Sorrowful or so beset round with sorrows and he was ready to faint and dy away he felt the greatest terror consternation and distress of mind that a mans Soul was capable to be in yea his terror was greater then any one was able to bear except himself who is God-man 3. This distress of Soul was begun five dayes before the Pasover as appeareth Ioh. 12.27 now is my Soul troubled what shall I say Father save me from this hour but for this cause came I unto this hour That this was spoken five dayes before the Passover appears Ioh. 12.1 six days before the Pasover Iesus came to Bethany v. 12. on the next day much people were come to the Feast and then Jesus went up to Jerusalem and then was this word spoken by him so that he had been long in some degrees of this Agony yea long before his Soul was distressed about it Luke 12.50 but I have a Baptisme to be baptized with and how am I streightned pressed pained till it be accomplished so that that Prophesy is herein in part accomplished Isai 53.3 a man of sorrows acquainted with griefs his Soul was in continual sorrow distress 4. This Soul Agony was not inflicted upon him by man nor by Devils no creature was able to put his blessed Soul into such a condition Quest Who was it that put his Soul into this distress I answer it was his Father that gave him this Cup to drink Joh. 18.11 the Cup which my heavenly Father hath given me shall I not drink it Isai 53.6 the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all he suffered the wrath and curse of God the punishment due to the sin of man he is our surety he stood in our stead and divine justice inflicted upon him all the punishment due to our sins And he spared not to lay upon him till he was fully satisfied Rom. 8.32 He spared not his own Son here he drank the first deep draught of the wrath of God due to our sin on the Cross he drank the last draught and then he dyed 5. He turned the Innocent reluctancies of humane nature into prayers unto his Father who laid this load upon him and subdued and suppressed them with humble holy submission to his will and then drank and this he did three times he made three draughts of this bitter cup which he drank in the garden And it pleased the Father to give him interims of some ease so that after his first submission he went unto his Disciples and awaked them poor watch men and then returned to his dreadful work again and submitted the second time and drank then went he again to his Disciples and did the same with a check to Peter by Name and returned again and prayed and submitted and drank the third draught and then he had an interim again And by that time the Traitor Judas and his Companions were come into the Garden 6. In all this bitter conflict he had no humane help for every time he came to his Disciples he found them sleeping he fulfilled that Prophesy Isai 63.3 I have trodden the wine press alone and of the people there was none with me Yet to inform and convince us of the greatness of this work and bitter suffering it pleased God to send an Angel to strengthen him as Luke testifieth Luke 22.43 and there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthning him The Cup was so bitter that it was as much as life could
that I knew not they rewarded me evil for good to the spoyling of my Soul Again it is a matter of great consolation and holy joy to suffer any thing for the sake of Jesus Christ Act. 6.41 they departed from the presence of the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer flame for his Name Luk. 6.22 23. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their Company and shall reproach you and cast out your Name as evil for the Son of mans sake rejoyce ye in that day and leap for joy for behold your reward is great in Heaven blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake rejoyce ye and be exceeding glad for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you in this case it is good to say with David if this be to be vile I will yet be more vile grace is incensed stirred up increased by such Tribulations and abuses many graces are exercised and increased by such wrongs Rom. 5.3 4 5. we glory in Tribulations knowing that Tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us The tryal of our Faith is more pretious then gold and when a believer is reproached Faith will make him wash his hands in Innocency when men fly upon us in their wrath Faith will fly to Christ who hath taken away the sting of them and will turn them to prayers and God will make them wholsome Physick for us Yea Faith will make us to imitate our Lord Jesus who forgave his Persecutors and prayed for them And among many benefits that believers gain by suffering the wounds of evil tongues this is a chief one that he will learn to watch and govern his own tongue finding by experience the mischief of evil tongues he will beware of doing the like to others he will teach his tongue to bless when they curse he will beware of slaining his Religion by an unbridled tongue Jam. 1.26 If any man seemeth to be Religious and bridleth not his tongue that mans Religion is vain Sect. 6. The Sufferings of Jesus Christ under the ungrateful disacceptance of the good works which he did for them and among them NEver did any perform such and so many good Works for a people as Jesus Christ did for the Jews and yet never was any man so ungratefully disaccepted rejected and abused Act. 10.38 God anointed Jesus of Nazaret with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the Devil for God was with him It is unutterable how many good works Jesus Christ did among them even visible and bodily good which all men saw a child might run and read them besides these invisible spiritual and heavenly works of Redemption and Salvation which he did for them But what acceptance did he find among them see Luk. 4.28 29. All they in the Synagogue that heard these things were filled with wrath and rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him to the brow of a hill whereon the city was built that they might cast him down headlong Though he taught them the heavenly Doctrine of the Gospel and confirmâ—d his Doctrine with many Miracles yet they believed not Joh. 12.37 Though he had done so many Miracles before them yet they believed not on him yea they went about to stone him Joh. 8 59. Then took they up stones to cast at him but Iesus hid himself and went out of the temple going through the midst of them and so passed by Ioh. 10. â—1 They took up stones again to stone him At another time he saw meet to hide himself from them Ioh. 12.36 Iesus departed and did hide himself from them At another time he was fain to doe the same him and the product was the Institution of a Gospel Church a stone hewed by the Axe and Hammer of Temptations is fit to be built into a Gospel Church and to injoy full Communion at the Lords Table and voting in the Church and one fitted and humbled by Temptations is fit to undertake the Gospel Ministry in a Gospel Church Iesus Christ suffered himself to be tempted both by men and Devils among men he suffered himself to be tempted both by bad good men consider some Instances of his being tempted by bad men Math 22.15 16 17 18. Then went the Pharisees took counsel how they might intangle him in his talk they sent out their Disciples with the Herodians saying Master we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in Truth neither carest thou for any man for thou regardest not the persons of men tell us therefore what thinkest thou is it lawful to give Tribute to Cesar or no but Jesus perceived their wickedness and said why tempt ye me hypocrites Luke expresseth this or the like Temptation more fully Luk. 20.20 and they watched him and sent forth spyes which should feign themselves just men that they might take hold of his words and so they might deliver him unto the power and Authority of the Governour See another Instance Math. 22.35 36. then one of them which was a Lawyer asked him a question tempting him saying Master which is the great Commandment in the Law see another Instance Luk. 10.25 and behold a certain Lawyer stood up and tempted him saying Master what shall I do to inherit eternal life see another Instance Math. 16.1 the Pharisees also with the Sadduces came and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from Heaven unto these he maketh a sad Answer Mark 8.12 and he sighed deeply in his Spirit and saith why doth this Generation seek after a sign verily I say unto you there shall be no sign given to this Generation See another Instance Math. 19.3 the Pharisees also came unto him tempting him is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause See one Instance more Luk. 11.53 54. and as he said these things unto them the Scribes and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently and to provoke him to speak of many things laying wait for him and seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might accuse him It was an hour of great Temptation that Jesus Christ was in He also suffered himself to be tempted by good men as it appeared in that famous Instance of Peter Math. 16 22 23. Peter took him and began to rebuke him saying be it far from thee Lord that shall not be unto thee but he turned and said unto Peter get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of men Jesus Christ suffered himself to be tempted of the Devil he gave Satan leave
confuted themselves they could fix and fasten nothing there was no need of an answer and in such case it is best to keep silence 2. He held his peace to fullfill the Scriptures Isa 53.7 He was oppressed and afflicted yet opened he not his mouth He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth 3. He held his peace because though he was perfectly innocent himself of all they accused him of yet some or other of his Elect might be at some time or other guilty of such evills as they falsly imputed to him in whose room and stead he stood and suffered 4. He held his peace because he was willing to dye for his Elect to expiate the sins of Gods Elect. Sect. 4. The third Act of the Council MAth 26.63 64. But Iesus held his peace And the high Priest answered and said unto him I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the Son of God Jesus saith unto him thou hast said nenevertheless I say unto you Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of Power and coming in the clouds of heaven Mark 14.61 62. Again the high Priest asked him and said unto him Art thou the Christ the son of the Blessed And Jesus said I am and ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven Here see 1. The high Priest and Council finding and perceiving plainly that they could find no just matter against him nor any colour or appearance thereof they invented another way to pick an appearance of matter against him which might seem to be of weight in the eyes of the Jews though it would be of no consideration among the Romans and that was by an open and solemn putting Jesus to answer whether he was the Messias or no. For 1. If he denied it or would not confess it that would much ease and advantage them in putting him to Death because they had found something of that point against him 2. If he should confess it that he is Christ the Messiah they were resolved to make that the crime for which they would condemn him Mark relateth only the bare question art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed Mathew relates the question more fervent for if this device had failed they had no appearance of a cause to condemn him Therefore to make sure work the high Priest saith I adjure by the living God answer plainly and catagorically to this question art thou Christ or Messiah the Son of the living God where 1. See what the Jews saith then was touching the Messiah whom they then looked for viz. that he was to be such a man as also is the Son of God God and man in one person which is the same Faith that now the Gentile Churches believe according to the Scriptures and the same point is manifest by Peters answer unto Christ according to the Faith of the Church of the Jews Math. 16.16 in that famous Confession of Peter Thou art Christ the Son of the living God 2. Vnto this question of the high Priest and Council Jesus Christ answereth two things 1. He maketh a plain clear and direct answer Mark 14.62 I am he Math. 26 64. Thou hast said it it is as thou hast said 2. He proveth it by the consequent viz. the two next acts and dispensations of Christ which they shall see viz. 1. From hence forward you shall see Christ the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power that is you shall see the mighty power of Gospel grace of Christ Jesus in the conversion both of Jews and Gentiles and so going on until the last and final conversion of the Jews which we hope for at this day 2. The next and last act of Jesus Christ in this world you shall see him coming in the Clouds of Heaven viz. in power and great glory to judge the World Sect. 5. The fourth act of the Council WHen Jesus Christ had made this clear confession that he is Christ the Messiah then they thus proceeded Math. 26.65 66. Then the high Priâ—st rent his clothes saying He hath spoken blasphemy what further need have we of witnesses behold now ye have heard his blasphemy What think ye They answered and said He is guilty of death Mar. 14.63 64. Then the high Priest rent his clothes and said What need we any further witnesses Ye have heard the Blasphemy what think ye And they all condemned him to be guilty of death 1. The high Priest rent his garment it may be the rest did the same though it be not expressed 2. He saith he hath blasphemed viz. by confessing that he is Christ the Messiah 3. You the judges the whole Court have heard his blasphemy 4. We need no further witnesses to find matter against him to condemn him to dy this that we have heard is matter sufficient 5. They all expressed themselves to be of the same mind and opinion 6. The high Priest put it to the Vote what think you 7. They all passed their Vote and so the sentence of condemnation was pronounced against our Lord Jesus for confessing that he is Christ the Son of the living God And no other cause or appearance of a cause could theâ— find against him saving this only a blessed cause wherein Christ himself was the first Gospel Martyr John Baptist was martyred for his faithful discharging the office of a Prophet in telling Herod of his sins But Jesus Christ was condemned to dye meerly purely for this his confession and for nothing else no not so much as pretended All this was done in the night the blackest work of darkness that ever was done in this world They began their clandestine night Court about midnight they pursued their work in the manner above related until about the second crowing of the Cocks about that time they condemned him Sect. 6. The fifth act of the Council VVHen they had done this wicked deed in condemning our Lord Jesus to dye it being deep in the night They committed their condemned Prisoner unto a company of men to keep him fast and safe until the morning and then adjourned the Court till the morning And so this dark Sessions of this Court was ended It cometh now to be considered how they used him this latter part of the night until the morning when the Council met again if any bowels of mercy had moved in them they should have given him some refreshing and opportunity to take some rest but they were mercyless unto him who is the spring of all mercy to us they used him cruelly which usage is set forth 1. By the actors a company of men that were charged with the safe keeping of him till the morning they are called Luk. 22.63 a chosen company fitted for the purpose that they could confide in spirited like
not attempt it 3. Pilate must be carefully prepared for this matter Some of us that may be most acceptable to him and prevailing with him must undertake that matter 4. Though Pilate was a Pagan yet they knew him to be wise just and of a noble Romane spirit he will strictly examine the case and we know that we have no witnesses unto any thing we accuse him of wherein the witnesses agree saving in that Point of destroying the Temple and raising it again in three dayes and in that Point the witnesses do not punctually agree nor will Pilate think or judge it a Capital matter if they did agree 5. These considered that they had but one capital matter against him viz. that he confessed openly before our Court that he is Christ the Son of God which by our Law is Capital not by the Romane Law And this is the only point that we can plead against him And this they did plead Joh. 19.7 We have a Law and by our Law he ought to dye because be made himself the Son of God But of this we must speak hereafter 6. They considered that of this point we have no witnesses only his own confession and what if he should deny it or not confess it before Pilate therefore we must make this point sure 7. Hereupon they agreed early in the morning before the people be stirring to sit in Council again and examine Jesus about this point onlâ— to bring him to confess it a second time and to try if he will stand to it And if he ask any question to divert or delay us answer him not a word to any thing but hold him to this point only to make the matter of our accusation strong againâ—â— him and clear 8. Care was taken to advise as great a Crew of their own side as they co ld to stand next to the Court and exclude others as much as handsomely they could so they acted Very early all the Council viz. all that consented and conspired in this murther met Luk. 22.66 as soon as it was day the Elders of the people and the chief Priests and the Scribes came together and led him into their Council surely they had taken but little rest they verified that saying of Solomon Prov. 4.16 they sleep not except they have done mischief and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall They interrogate him again about the same point for which they had condemned him not out of remorse or regret of heart but of crafty designe Luk. 22.67 art thou the Christ tell us The first part of Jesus his answer is Luk. 22.67 68. if I tell you you will not believe and if I also ask you you will not answer me nor let me go Wherein Jesus Christ doth manifest to them that he knew their agreement in their secret counsel Whereby he proveth to their Consciences that he is the Son of God Again he declareth to them that the end and scope of their question was not to be informed in the point that they might believe for they were resolved not to believe Again he telleth them if I ask you any thing you are agreed that you will not answer me again whatsoever I say you will not let me goe you are resolved to kill me Thus plainly doth he lay open their design and resolution in their private Councell and detecteth them in their open Councel so open as it was The 2d part of the Answer of Jesus Christ is ver 69. Hereafter shall the Son of Man sit at the right hand of the power of God The sense and meaning of which words they understood viz. that though they now see him in this low estate of his Humiliation yet the next appearance that they shall see him in is at the right hand of the power of God Then they fully opened their trap and say Art thou then the Son of God v. 70. And this is to be observed that they were so eager upon their design that they spake all at once Then they all said Then Jesus cleerly answered You say that I am and I confess it is as you say that is the meaning of that form of speech they were ready willing so to take it Now they are satisfied they have gotten that which they fished for ver 71. And they said what need we any further witnesses for we our selves have heard of his own mouth Now with all possible hast and speed they delivered him up to the Romane power as a condemned prisoner to be put to death by them after their manner by crucifying or hanging on a tree Luke 23.1 And the whole multitude of them arose and led him unto Pilate all the Court and all the Creatures about them combined in this matter to deliver him up to the Gentiles as Jesus Christ had foretold that they will Math. 20.19 and Mar. 10.33 The company that acted these things both Rulers and people are Apostates whose day of Grace was past as appeareth Math. 23.37 38 39. Luk. 13.34.35 O that thou hadst hearkned at least in this thy day but now it is hid from thine eyes Such Persons are the Devills fittest instruments to persecute Jesus Christ and his saints These Sufferings of Jesus Christ before the Council of the Jews were aggravated by this because they were his own people to whom he came and offered them mercy and life eternal and called them to Repentance But behold how wickedly they dealt with him they condemned him but could find no other cause but his confessing that he is the Messiah and not only condemned him but committed him into the merciless hands of their Servants and creatures that did so vilely abuse him all the night and crastily dealt with him in the morning and out of envy delivered him to the Romane power to be put to death And all this did the holy innocent Son of God suffer for the sake of Gods elect that they might become vessels of mercy to shew us how vile sin is in Gods sight who spared not his own Son when he stood under a just imputation of our sin unto him And all these sufferings of Jesus Christ we celebrate in that high Soul exercise in our Sacramental Commemoration hereof The History of Judas I shall shut up this Chapter with a touch upon the History of Judas which in this place and time cometh into consideration the history thereof is recorded Math. 27.3 4 5 c. ad 11. with Act. 1.18 19 20. in which Texts if any please to read them we may observe two principal points 1. A terrible Testimony sharpned against the high Priests and the rest of them in their bloody persecution of our Lord Jesus by Judas his repentance 2. A strong and clear Testimony that Jesus Christ is the Messiah by the Jews fulfilling the Prophesies touching him 1. In the first see first the occasion or cause moving Judas to repentance ver 3. when he saw that he was
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
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