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
men knew that the Jews were in great expectation of a great King He therefore examineth him the second time about this point 2. Iesus Christ answered him by proposing a question to Pilates heart which none but himself could answer unto and his answer to it would discover the Spirit of the man The question was this sayest thou this thing of thy self or did others tell it thee of me the divine depth and wisdome of this question is too deep for me to dive into But it seemeth to be proposed to instruct Pilate that if he cordially desired to know that great Truth it would be for his eternal good and benefit but if it were only out of curiosity and for humane discourse and civil ends only then it would profit him but little 3. Pilates heart felt him and seemeth to be a little short and snufty at it and maketh two replyes by retorting two questions 1. Am I a Iew intimating that his heart was no whit concerned in that great question about the Kingly Office of Iesus Christ it is a matter that concerned the Iews not him 2. He returns a quick and sharp question with the reason of his question yet with so much composure of mind and judgement that he first expresseth the reason and then his quick question thy own Nation and the chief Priests have delivered thee to me as a condemned Malefactor What hast thou done 4. Iesus Christ knowing that Pilate already knew the worst they could say against him and that there was no weight in their allegations only they were carryed with envy and wrath therefore he declineth to make any answer to his quick question and proceeds to answer to his first sober question touching the Kingdome of Jesus Christ wherein see these three particulars 1. Iesus Christ delivereth a doctrine my Kingdome is not of or from this world as authors or constitutors thereof of signifyeth from in this place it doth not signifie concerning for the Kingdome of Christ is of or concerning all the world and affairs thereof as the object or subject about which it is exercised but the world doth not make or constitute it it is not the efficient of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ 2. Here is a reason of this assertion because if his Kingdome were of or from this world then the world would fight for their King to keep him out of the hands of his Enemies the Iews and by world here he may particularly mean the Romans who have no hand in constituting his Kingdome 3. Here is an exegesis or explication of this doctrine in these words my Kingdome is not from hence viz. not from the world not from the Romans 5. Pilate is soon calm and though Iesus answered not to his last quick question whereof there was no need yet seeing he answered to his first question which was the point which Pilate desired to enquire into he accepteth him and replyeth upon him and asketh art thou a King then which the words of Iesus did imply And gave Pilate a just occasion to propose that question 6. Iesus Christ replyeth to Pilate and maketh a clear confession of and beareth a full Testimony unto his Kingly Office and of his Prophetical Office also which is that confession which the Apostle maketh mention of 1 Tim. 6.13 Iesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession wherein are these particulars 1. I will not in modesty express that word concerning my self but rest in that which you have expressed you have implicitely said that I am a King 2. I add unto this Truth my Testimony in three things 1. To this end I was born that I might execute my Kingly Office in my Kingdome 2. that I came into the world to bear witness unto the Truth which is my Prophetical Office and by my Prophetical Office I bear witness to my Kingly Office 3. I assert that everyone that is of the Truth viz. new born by the power of Gospel Light beareth my voice viz. receiveth it with love and subjection to it 7. The Pagan was so overset and confounded with these glorious Truths which were so much above him and no doubt as the effect proveth convinsingly set on that he only propoundeth this question What is Truth assuredly the question is a wise and pertinent question but he tarryed not for an answer he went out of the pretorium to the Iews So much for Pilates third act his fourth act followeth Joh. 18.38 Pilate saith What is Truth And when he had said that he went out again unto the Iews and saith unto them I find in him no fault at all This is manifestly a second time of Pilates open testifying the Innocency of Iesus Christ as the circumstances do make it appear For his first Testimony was the product of his first examination Luk. 23.3 4. This Testimony is the product of that private discourse that Pilate had with Iesus in the pretorium apart from the Iews his accusers When Pilate came forth of the pretorium from his more private discourse with Iesus and bore witness to his innocency so fully the immediate effect of that Testimony upon the Iews is related only by Luke therefore in laying together the harmony of the Evangelists I turn to that Luk. 23.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 And they were the more fierce saying He stirreth up the people teaching throughout all Iury beginning from Galilee to this place When Pilate heard of Galilee he asked whether the man were a Galilean And assoon as he knew that he belonged unto Herods Iurisdiction he sent him to Herod who himself was also at Ierusalem at that time And when Herod saw Iesus he was exceeding glad for he was desirous to see him of a long season because he had heard many things of him and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him Then he questioned with him in many words but he answered him nothing And the chief Priests and Scribes stood and vehemently accused him And Herod with his men of war set him at nought and mocked him and arayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves In this part of the History see 1. When the chief priests and Jews heard Pilate testifie to the innocency of Jesus a second time and that so plump fully they were greatly enraged Our English Translation renders the word very well They were the more fierce The shining innocency of any should the more qualifie and pacifie our minds and moderate our spirits This is the frame of a good Spirit that is acted by Gods Spirit But we see that the notifying of the innocency of Jesus Christ did inrage them Therefore we may see that they weâ—e acted by a Devillish spirit They were resolved to execute their envy against Jesus Christ by putting him to death and therefore they were vexed that the Judge found him innocent
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
this person was the pure innocent spotless Lamb of God which they were preparing to kill and Sacrifice Quest How can this be the day and time of the Passover seeing Iesus Christ and his Disciples kept the Passover yesterday the evening before he suffered Answ Reverend Calvin helps me with an answer The Elders had made a Tradition that when the fourteenth day of the Moneth falleth to be the fifth day of the week that it might be lawful for any that would to defer the Passover one day that so the Sabbath day might be the day after the Passover that so that Sabbath should be an high day as the Sabbath after the suffering of Iesus Christ was accompted to be Ioh. 19.31 because it was a double holy convocation much may be said about this but I will pass on Now Iesus would not keep the day allowed by Tradition but took the day that was by institution he kept the fourteenth day And it was a divine providence so to order it this gave Iudas the opportunity to betray Iesus Christ to the Jews the day before their Passover who followed the Tradition of the Fathers and this gave the occasion that Jesus was crucified just at the time of their Passover for on the sixth day of the week about the sixth hour which was about noon they began to kill Iesus for at or about that time he was condemned by Pilate 4. Here was a great check given unto Pilate before he had passed the Sentence hitherto he had strove with the Iews the Spirit of God in common grace assisting him to stop them from this abominable sin by behaving himself like a wise prudent diligent just judge yet they grew the worse by all his pains But at last they lighted on an Argument that touched him and overcame him to do unjustice for the sake of man now God strives with Pilate that he might still be valiant in doing justly and not condemn the innocent and the striving of Gods Spirit was by his wives terrible message sent unto him Math. 27.19 When he was set down on the Iudgment Seat his wife sent unto him saying have thou nothing to do with that just man for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him where see 1. The time when the message came when he was set down on the Iudgement Seat and making ready to pronounce the Sentence 2. The matter of the message in sundry things 1. She eminently asserts the innocency of the person of Iesus that just man 2. She warneth and exhorteth Pilate her husband to have nothing to do with or to do nothing against that just man in judging or condemning of him to dy 3. Her reason because she had suffered much in a dream that day about him which had terrified her stirred up her heart to send this sad warning unto him a faithful part of a wise good wife Quest what suffering could she have Answ Sad apprehensions of the guilt of innocent blood the blood of an holy innocent beneficent person looks terribly in the face of a discreet wise person as she seemeth to be Quest How did she suffer Answ By Terrours in a divine dream it was not a diabolical dream Satans chief design was to kill Iesus Christ to bruise the heel of his humanity Satan had much adoe to bring about Pilate to do it and now that he was come about he was hardly put to it to keep him too to do the deed and this check from his wife whom he knew to be a wise woman did almost shake him quite off again there was but one Hinge that turned him and still held him viz. that generous principle what shall I not be firm and true to my Sovereign Satan would not have thus acted but it was a divine dream and the Spirit of God by common grace in the wife strove with her husband Quest How came she thus to have a day dream that morning afore she rose which many times is not early with Gentlewomen she might have her dream which gastered her and caused her to rise and send to hear how things went at the Court and being informed that though Pilate had with much prudence and diligence carryed himself right a great while yet they had brought him about to yield to them whereupon she presently wrote that message or delivered it to some fit instrument to deliver to Pilate Whether this message was openly delivered to Pilate or whether his prudence did cause it to be published it is not said but he was no doubt willing it should be published that he might make use of it if possible to stop them in their violence Why may we not conjecture that seeing Pilate condemned Jesus Christ for fear of the Emperours displeasure She might dream that it should be punished with his falling into the Emperours displeasure and his banishment into Swetia in Germany then a barbarous Nation where there is a Lake near Lucerna called Pilates Lake unto this day So much touching this divine check unto Pilate the probable effects of this message NOthing is expresly said to be the Effect of this message yet upon a serious weighing all the Circumstances we shall find that it so wrought upon him that after he was set down in the Judgement Seat and had this message he doth again attempt to perswade them by the same Arguments that he had used before 1. He argues with them again that he is their King and will ye crucifie him Joh. 19.14 15. this point he did the more urge First because the Gentiles knew that the Jews looked for a King and Saviour And secondly because Jesus Christ had fully asserted his kingly Office before Pilate and so effectually as that he did believe it viz. with an historical Faith which appeareth by the Title he set upon the Cross of Jesus Christ and his resolution to assert it That Pilate had used this point of reasoning with them before he yielded to them is manifest because one part of their answer to this point put them upon that plea that overcame Pilate Now after he is set in the judgement Seat he uses the same plea again And it puts the Jews upon the same dreadful answer viz. again to disclaim Jesus Christ from being their King and to profess that they had no King but Cesar wherein they renounced the government of God and Christ and subjected themselves to the World and worldly Rulers who have kicked them about the world in every place ever since and they put away the SCEPTER from Judah and never had it since restored to this day And Pilate by this their answer lay open to the same snare that had taken him and still holds him he cannot bear that word to be imputed to him no friend to Cesar What not true and constant to my Sovereign let God Christ Conscience all go rather then unndergo that imputation Again Pilate doth now again after the message
on the Cross and the writing was JESVS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS This Title then read many of the Jews for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the City and it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latine Then said the chief Priests of the Jews to Pilate Write not the King of the Jews but that be said I am King of the Jews Pilate answered What I have written I have written The place out of which they lead him was the City that he might fulfil the Types of Scriptures that he might be a sin offering to cleanse away the sins of the people The manner of his going was bearing his Cross bearing the imputation the guilt and the reproach of sin and the curse of God for it signified by his hanging on a Tree The place whither they carry him is Golgotha the place of a scull where many dead mens bones weresome heaped up some scattered about and that made the place ceremonially unclean and that gave name to the place And as it was ceremonially a filthy place so civilly it was no better a place of reproach disgrace dishonour a place where the worst and vilest malefactors were punished and executed the filthiest place in the world There our Lord Jesus suffered the punishment of our sin shewing us the just desert of our sin When they were come to Golgotha before they laid hands on the blessed person of our Lord Jesus they made preparation 1. They set up the Crosses the Cross of Jesus they set in the midst and the Malefactors one on the right hand the other on the left yet set his Cross in the chief place as the greatest Malefactor which though they did it out of envy to disgrace him in the vilest manner they could yet God permitted it so to be done out of infinite wisdome and justice For by imputation he was the greatest of sinners seeing all sin met in him was laid upon him and laid to his charge Isai 53. Their Crosses were set so near together that they could all speak to each other as appeareth in the sequel 2. They affixed a Title at the top of Jesus Christ his Cross to shew the cause for which he dyed Math. 27.37 and Mark 15.26 whether they did so to the other it it is not said but so they did to Iesus Christ and this matter Pilate ordered and over-ruled And it being an eminent part of the History noted by all the Evangelists and notified all the world over I shall therefore distinctly set down the History of it in seven particulars 1. The author actor and doer of it was Pilate had it been in the power of the Priests it should have been other then it was as we shall see in the History of it 2. He positively asserts and proclaimeth him to be the King of the Iews that is Christ the Messiah and Saviour of the World 3. He doth make this proclamation to all the World in these three most general known languages Hebrew Greek Latine one or other of which most men knew 4. The nearness of that populous and frequented City Ierusalem gave opportunity to many of all Nations to read this Title So that the same thereof was notified to all the World and by this it appeareth that it was inscribed with great and legible Letters which might be seen and read at a distance 5. This inscription was a sharp and sore rebuke to the Iews to the high Priests Scribes and Pharisees that they should crucifie their own Lord Saviour and King whom they looked for to redeem Israel but they looked with a misguided Eye and therefore knew him not 6. They felt the sting of this rebuke and winched at it they were displeased and requested Pilate that it might be altered which might easily be done by adding a word or two viz. he saith I am King of the Iews but that word would have quite altered the sense and the truth 7. Pilate was resolute and unmoveable What I have written I have written and this resolution of his seemeth to be well grounded 1. Because he was convinced of the Truth of it for Iesus Christ had fully asserted to him his kingly Office Pilate with an historical Faith believed it 2. He saw that the Iews needed such a check who had forced him to do that which he had no heart to have done only by his respect to Cesar they intrapped him Thus we see Christ made a Sin-offering carried out of the city and setteth up the banner of Salvation in Golgotha and Golgotha was the first place where the Grace and Kingdome of Jesus Christ was most solemnly published to all nations in the most general known languages Ye Pilate is a resolute publisher of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ In Golgotha Jesus Christ suffered and laid the foundation of the Gospel Church In our sacramental celebrations of the sufferings of Jesus Christ we converse with Jesus Christ in Golgotha And to doe that well effectually is an eminent work of Christianity Sect. 4. Their cruel Execution done upon the blessed Person of Jesus Christ MAth 27.34 35 36. They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with Gall and when he had tasted thereof he would not drink And they crucified him and parted his Garments casting Lots that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet They parted my garment among them and upon my vesture did they cast lots And sitting down they watched him there When they had made all things ready they laid hands on his blessed Person and the first thing they did was they gave him the cup of death to drink which he tasted saith Mathew but refused to drink viz. a draught of it saith Mark. A tast of that cup was enough That he should taste death this was a significant act which respects all that followed This is the Preface of death put for the whole This is that Cup of which Jesus Christ spake before Mat. 20.22 23. Can ye drink of the Cup that I shall drink namely this cup of death and be baptized with the baptisme that I shall be baptized with viz. with mine own blood running down my face from the wounds which my thorny crowns caused This is the cup that Iohn speaketh of Ioh. 18.11 The Cup which my Father giveth me to drink shall I not drink it And this he speaketh to quiet Peter when he would have fought for him This is the cup that he had prayed thrice a little before that it might pass from him Math. 26 39.40 but he submitted to his fathers will and now behold he tasteth of it It is the preface and first act of his death The matter of this cup saith Mathew was vinegar and gall Math. 27.34 Mar. 15.23 saith Wine mixed with mirrhe all is one for vinegar is sower wine and that mixed with gall or mirrhe or with both It seems it was the Romane manner of executing Malefactors for Iob. 19.29 There was a vessel of
forth her first-born Son and wrapped him in swadling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. Jesus Christ emptied himself of glory and came into this world in a very mean condition such was his low condition that it was a great tryal to Faith it was an â—vidence of strong Faith to be able to look through these dark clouds believe To believe him to be the Lord of Glory the Saviour of the world the King of Israel who hath no outward form nor comliness nor beauty that we should dâ—sire him The Church did find this to be a very hard point a great tryal of Faith For this cause it pleased the Lord to illustrate this mean birth of Jesâ—s Christ with famous testimonies both from heaven and earth to strengthen the Faith of the Church The testimony from heaven was given by Angels Luk. 2.8 ad 21. a famous History and a great confirmation of the faith of the Church to the worlds end It was a vision unto Shepards by night wherein a glorious light of the Lord did shine aboâ—t the men which did much affright them but the Angel did comfort them against thâ—ir fears saying Fear not He telleth them he was a Messenger of joyfull tidings unto all people he telleth them what the tidings is viz. Vnto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord the blessedest tidings that eâ—er in a few words was told unto men The Angel sends them to see and giveth them a sign by which they shall know him ver 12. this shall be a sign unto you ye shall find the babe wrapped in swadling clothes lying in a Manger The greatest humility that ever any king did manifest in this world For the further confirmation of their Faith and ours suddenly there appeared a multitude of the heavenly host with the Angel praising God and saying glory to God in the highest in earth peace and good will towards men Here be three points in this heavenly Doxology of high Instruction and Consolation and so they departed away to heaven Then the Shephards agreed to go see this thing that was come to pass The Shepards said one to another let us now goe unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass which the Lord hath made known unto us And they came with haste and found Mary and Ioseph and the babe lying in a Manger and when they had seen they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child the effect whereof upon the hearers was all they that heard it wondered at these things that were told them by the Shephards The Testimony from earth touching this Child was by the wise Men of the east who knew that the Jews waited for and expected a king and Saviour to be born and come into the world and they were divinely instructed and guided to come and see him and worship him and make their offering of homage and honour unto him in which service they were instructed and conducted by an extraordinary Star And seeing they enquired after a king that was born they went to the Kings Court to Herod to enquire after him Math. 2.2 saying where is he that is born King of the Iews for we have seen his Star in the east and are come to worship him Now King Herod is eminently informed that Jesus Christ is born who would as he doubted out him of his Kingdome The effect of this tiding is ver 3. When Herod the King heard these things he was extreamly troubled and all Ierusalem with him especially such as were of his faction and apostacy Herod contrived how he might be sure to find him out and get him into his hands and then resolved what to doe with him For this end First ver 4. He gathered all the chief Priests and Scribes of the people together and demanded of them where Christ should be born They answered v. 5. In Bethlehem of Iudea For thus it is written by the Prophet v. 6. And thou Bethlehem in the Land of Iudah art not the least among the Princes for out of thee shall come a Governour that shall rule my people Israel Then Herod sent them to Bethlehem v. 9. when they had heard the King they departed when they were departed lo the Star which they had seen in the east appeared to them again went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was when they saw the Star they rejoyced with exceeding great joy It seemeth they had no sight of the Star all the time they were at the Court and whether they had sight of it in their journey to Ierusalem it is not said But now that Star that had appeared to them in the east appeared to them again and conducted them to the very place where the child was and when they were come into the house viz. the Stable the poor chamber where Mary Lay in and where our Lord Jesus was born They saw the young child with Mary his Mother and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures they presented to him gifts gold frankincense and mirrhe They were men of great Faith that could believe him to be King and Saviour whom they found in so poor a Cottage and in so poor a condition but divine faith built upon Divine Testimony can bear down all Objections of carnal and humane Reason this faith of these strangers was a strengthening pattern to all believers especially to Joseph and Mary who were now in great danger Herod having such assured notice of the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem What ever the danger was they attended upon the Lord to obey all his Laws and Institutions to fulfil them according to the Word Therefore Luk. 21 2. when eight dayes were accomplished for circumcising of the child his Name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Womb. Whether this service was performed in the stable where he was born nothing is said of it but we may justly cenceive that some of the godly hearing of these eminent and Divine Testimonies touching this child had removed them to some fitter place before the eight dayes were accomplished and it may be out of the City if they were aware of the danger that the child and his parents also were in But where the Scriptuâ—e is silent why should we speak There be yet two Laws more to be performed for Luk. 1.39 they performed all things according to the Law The two Laws remaining were the purification of Mary and the dedication of the child unto God which were te be performed after thirty three dayes more Obedience to both these Laws they diligently performed both for time and place Luk. 2.22 and when the dayes of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished they brought him to Ierusalem and presented him to the Lord
condemned repented himself this he saw in that night about the Cocks crowing then began his terror but did he not know before that they would so do as sure if he did not he might have foreknown it for Jesus Christ had foretold it and he knew that the end of their hiring him to betray him was that they might have him in their hands to put him to death but his eyes were blinded partly by his envy at the expence of the sweet oyntment upon the body of Jesus Christ and partly by covetousness who missed of such a booty to pilfer and principally by the Devils twice entering into him by advantages 1. The first time of the Devils entering into his heart was by his envy and indignation at the expence of that oyntment Mark 14.5 10. when his heart raged with indignation Satan put it into his heart to betray his Master so Joh. 13.2 2. The second time the Devil entered into him was upon the discovering sop that Jesus Christ gave him Joh. 13.27 now the Devil blinded him for the Prince of darkness hath power to blind mens eyes 2 Cor. 4.4 Two of the Disciples did scandalously fall Judas betrayed Jesus Christ Peter denyed him Peter the same night repented sincerely Judas repented but not sincerely 2. The manner of his repentance the Spirit of terror entered into him broke open his blinded eyes of understanding and conscience to see his sin of blood guiltiness Yea innocent blood yea the blood of his Lord and Master yea whom he had for a bribe of money most trayterously betrayed this Spirit of terror was the Spirit of God of the Law that bore down the Spirit of Satan that blinded him this brought him to horror and distress The thirty pieces of mony that before had seared his conscience to hardness now torment and burn his conscience and in this case was his tormented Soul till morning 3. The progress of his repentance he knowing the Council had appointed to meet early in the morning resolved to go unto them and restore unto them their mony and confess his great sin in betraying the innocent blood of his Master Accordingly so soon as they had confirmed their condemnation of him and commanded him to be delivered to Pilate ver 2. Then Judas appears before them in the terror of his Soul ver 3. he justifieth Iesus Christ to be innocent and himself an horrible sinner in betraying him which confession of his accused them also to be horrible sinners in condemning him He offered them the mony with which they had hired him it scalded his Conscience he could not keep it 4. See their answer the wickedest answer that ever Ministers gave to a distressed soul but befitting the mouths of wolves in the pursuit of innocent blood and fit enough for so vile a Traitor the worst that ever was in the world Their answer was short and snappish 1. What is that to us say you so Caiaphas Annas and the rest did not you hire him with that mony 2. They say look thou to that is this your care of a soul in distress is this your care of your flock 3. They refused to take the money or meddle with it nor did they give him one word of comfort or counsel the Priests lips should preserve knowledge and is this all the relief he had at their mouth 5. Now Judas is not only distressed but forsaken there was but one dore of hope for relief left and that was to go to the Temple and to the Priests that were there attending the service in the Temple thither he came with a gastly countenance there also he confessed his sin offered them the Soul tormenting money but they abhorred to touch so execrable a thing nor had they one word of comfort for him now he fell into utter desperation which had these effects 1. He cast down the mony in the Temple that bloody that soul-tormenting mony that execrable thing 2. He went away to a place fitting that Satan could easily suggest to him 3. There he hanged himself But fourthly the rope either broke or slipt and he fell and the place was such either by height or by Rocks beneath that by his fall he burst asunder and his bowels gushed out And all this was famously known in all Ierusalem Quest Why did not Judas go to Iesus Christ as the penitent Thief did A. 1. Because he was the child of perdition as Joh. 17.12 Again Iesus Christ was now in Pilats Court Judas his Testimony was terribly sharpened against the Iewish Court thither he went hath left a dreadful warning what a dangerous thing it is to envy at others charity and bounty to covet and desire to pilfer another mans or a publick bag and to rob God Judas his confession was not fitting for Pilats Court. Touching the second part of the History it was acted afterwards after the Feast wherein their own actions do strongly prove that Iesus Christ is the Messiah by their fulfilling of the Prophesy Why Mathew doth call Zachariah by the name of Jeremiah is not yet revealed that I know off Their actions were 1. they hold a Council to consider what to do with this execrable mony they agree that it ought not to be put into the Treasury of the Temple because it was the price of blood they agree to buy the Potters field with it to be a place to bury strangers Pagans that cared not for the Iews Religion though they traffiqued to the City What this Potters field was may be gathered from Act. 1.20 with the Prophesy there cited viz. it was a dearned little bit of ground where the Potters had wrought out all the veins of clay and left it a desolate plat out of the way unfit for habitation good for nothing unless it were for such a despicable use as they now bought it for and this plot did the execrable wages of Judas purchase and for that reason was called the field of blood And this is the monument that Iudas that Traytor hath left behind him a fit monument of such a vile Traytor And this is all the portion that this self murtherer left to his Children as the Prophesy doth intimate And by the purchase of this field at that price the Jews have proved that Iesus is Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the World CAP XII The Sufferings of Jesus Christ before the Romane Court under Pontius Pilate MAth 27.11 12 13 14. And Jesus stood before the Governour and the Governour asked him saying art thou the King of the Iews And Iesus saith unto him thou sayest And when he was accused of the chief Priests and Elders he answered nothing Then said Pilate unto him Hearest thou how many things they witness against thee And he answered him to never a word Mar. 15.2 3 4 5. And Pilate asked him Art thou the King of the Iews And he answering said unto him Thou sayest it And the chief Priests accused him of
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
which was so great an offence to God that they never had a Scepter since unto this day but there is a day of grace coming when the Scepter shall be restored and David whom now they renounced shall be their King I pass by all instructions So much for the fifth act of Pilate the sixth followeth Joh. 19.7 8 9 10 11 12. pt The Jews answered him We have a law and by our law he ought to dye because he made himself the Son of God When Pilate therefore heard that saying he was the more afraid And went again into the judgement-Hall and saith unto Jesus Whence art thou but Jesus gave him no answer Then saith Pilate unto him Speakest thou not unto me knowest thou not that I have power to crucifie thee and have power to release thee Iesus answered Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him here see 1. The occasion that moved Pilate to enquire into the divinity or divine na of Iesus Christ viz. Pilates frequent urging the innocency of Iesus and oft saying when they said crucifie him Pilate oft would say why what hath be done what law hath he broken what shall he be condemned for an innocent person ought to be released c. 2. This forced the Iews again as formerly they had done to urge their own law which though it be not a Romane Law yet by the Authority of that law he ought to dye Now whether Pilate asked them what that Law was or whether they produced it unasked it is not very material seeing the Holy Ghost is silent in it but they produce the effect of the law ver 7. we have a law and by that Law be ought to dye because he made himself the Son of God This plea they formerly used in the second act of Pilate and now again more fully and this is evidently at another time attended with other circumstances This law of blaspemy is the only law that they had to plead against him for saying he is the Son of God which is one of the greatest and most glorious Truths in the world For this they condemned Iesus in their Council and this they plead before Pilate he ought to dy for saying he is the Son of God Iesus Christ was the first Martyr that dyed for this Truth 3. When Pilate heard that word that he said I am the Son of God this word startled the pagans heart and he was more afraid He clearly saw his innocency and that they persecuted him out of envy now if this innocent person should be the Son of God how should I dare to put him to death The Iews hearts were hard their Consciences seared as hard as Rock stones But Pilate a pagan was more afraid he was afraid before but now more afraid what was he afraid of before sure he feared the guilt of innocent blood To condemn an innocent man to dye is an abomination to God an horrible sin and this he was afraid of before but now he is more afraid if this innocent person be the Son of God his very heart twittered and shrunk about it 4. Therefore Pilate taketh Iesus again into the Pretorium being industrious to find out the matter and that which passed in the Pretorium is in these particulars First Pilate asked Jesus Whence art thou viz not of what Nation or Country for he knew him to be a Jew of Galilee but of what Original art thou art thou the Son of God 2dly Iesus Christ is silent and answered not he was not silent in testifying to his Kingly and Prophetical Offices before Pontius Pilate 1 Tim. 6.13 why then was he silent to testify to his divine nature the reason is 1 Cor. 2.8 had the Princes of of the World known they would not have crucifyed the Lord of glory now Iesus Christ his purpose was to dye Neither yet did Iesus Christ lead Pilate into sin though in this point he did not stop and prevent him enough was said and done to have stopped him were it but in the clearness of his innocency But it was not effectual 3. Pilate was moved offended huffed because he would not answer him nor respect him but neglect him therefore he speaks big to him what do you not know who I am I have power to crucifie thee or to release thee He thought to scare him with such vapouring words But alas what are his great vaporing words to Jesus Christ or to his Saints The world miss their mark when they think by such means to prevail against Jesus Christ 4. Vnto this high vapouring of Pilate Jesus Christ answereth two things First Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above viz. Not from Caesar so much as he might understand it but from the God of Israel whom thou neither knowest nor professest to serve Secondly For this cause the Jews who delivered me to thee have the greater sin because they know God and profess to serve him and they know the promises touching me and yet they persecute me Thou sinnest but they are the greater sinners And herein Jesus Christ testified of his divinity before Pilate only it was but subobscurely so much as in his divine wisdome he saw fitting Quest. Why did not Pilate deliver him seeing he vapoured so much of his power so to doe Answ We shall in this history see the Reasons thereof So much for what passed between Jesus and Pilate in the Pretorium Now see what followed in the beginning of v. 12. Pilate did not only suppress his disgust and displeasure at the silence of Jesus but took patiently his reproof for his sin in persecuting him Yea and not only so but from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him Quest How did Pilate seek to release him Answ By humane policies and Tricks he had no better nor higher principles to act by And this will be very observable that all his humane policy and devices were not only ineffectual to his end but drew forth the Jews to an horrible increase of their sins as we shall see in the particulars Yea and he entrapped himself also Great observations of Instruction lye before us all the way But I pass on One of Pilates politick devices was to catch them in a necessity to deliver Jesus by their own consent wherein see 1. Pilate considered that he must either by publick Articles or by custom deliver unto the people one prisoner whom they should chuse at the Feast of the Passover and the people began to call upon him for the performance of it Mar. 15.8 The multitude began to cry aloud that he would doe as ever he had done he took therefore that opportunity to offer unto them to remit unto them Jesus Mar. 15.9.10 Will you that I release unto you the King of the Iews for he knew that for
received from his wife put them upon that Dilemma to necessitate them to choose Jesus or to prefer Barrabas before him which he thought the vilest of Pagans would not do for though they had so spoken before yet he had not as yet granted their choice Barrabas was not delivered to them till at the last as we shall see for in such order Mathew doth relate them And it appâ—areth that Pilate urged his Arguments over and over for so he doth inculcate that point sundry times when they cryed out crucifie him crucifie him Pilate answered why what evil hath he done and thus Pilate argued to the last When the Priests perswaded the people to ask Barrabas Pilate answered what shall I do with Iesus they say crucify him Pilate saith again why what evil hath he done which they had nothing to reply unto him but will and violence the reurging of those points seem to be the Effect of the message that Pilates wise had sent unto him Yet again before he would doe the wicked Fact he had one device more wherby he hoped either to appease their minds or if not to assert his own innocency and to testifie against them He calleth for water in their sight and washeth his hands with a protestation of his innocency in this horrid fact of shedding the blood of such an innocent person But alas Pilate why then did you doe the deed This is but a poor excuse to you though a convinsing Argument to them that the Judge should so stedfastly protest the innocency of Jesus Christ whom they out of envy persecuted to the death They still are in fear that Pilate would shrink from the work and not finish that which they hoped they had entangled him to doe And because they saw that he was so deeply affected with the guilt of the innocent blood of Jesus they endavoured to ease his mind as much as in them lay of that terror fear Therefore they doe in a most dreadfull manner take the guilt of his blood upon themselves and thereby as much as in them lay to acquit Pilate to uphold his recoiling heart to the work till he had done it and to shew their confidence in the case and harden Pilates heart they involve their Children in the guilt of his blood Why did they so did not their Fathers cavill against God for setting their childrens teeth on edge when their Fathers had eaten sower grapes Ezek. 18.2 3 4. But mad envy pride and passion are cruel bloudy confident though shut up in blindness and violent ignorance It is the saddest curse that ever parents since the fall of Adam brought upon their Children it lyeth upon them to this day Thus all the politick devices that this witty ingenious man could devise did them no good but much hurt putting them upon horrid sins and violence almost to Rebellion and Arms. Lastly Pilate shutteth up and finisheth this sad Court with four Acts not of justice but of foul injustice and cruelty 1. He delivereth to them Barrabas not acted till now an act abominable to God to justifie the wicked as Prov. 17.15 2. He passeth Sentence of Condemnation to the Cross upon Jesus Christ another most abominable act Prov. 17.15 3. He scourgeth Jesus Christ the second time for this scourging was at and upon his condemnation Math. 27.26 Mar. 15.15 His former scourging was when Herod sent him back to Pilate Pilate told the Jews he would scourge him and release him Luk. 23.16 22. And he did so Ioh. 19.1 but did not release him And now again upon his Condemnation he scourges him upon his sore wounded back Psal 129.3 Now the plowers made deep and long their furrows on his back 4. He delivered him into their hands to crucifie him Ioh. 19.16 Math. 27.26 Mar. 15.15 Yea which is to be marvelled at he delivered him not to justice but to their will Luk. 23.25 whose wills how evill they were Pilate saw So endeth the sadest Court that ever was held in this World many sons of glory have been condemned in many Courts in this world But the Lord of glory was never condemned in any Court save in this Court of Pilate and in the Council of the Jews Great many instructions are h re but I pass them all this only note the many and admirable evidâ—nces of the innocency of this blessed Lamb of God do shine in the faces both of Jews and Gentiles and all the world Never was there such an innocent person condemned Before I finish this sad Chapter here remaineth another cruel act to increase the sufferings of our Lord Jesus which I cannot fully say was an act of Pilate yet it was done by his permission and by his Souldiers and he committed them to their will and therefore he must give an account of it before Jesus Christ his judge and ours at the last day 1. It is the fourth act of mockery done unto our Lord Jesus The first act of mockery was done unto him by the Jews after the Council had condemned him and committed him to a guard to be kept till morning they spent the remainder of the night in mocking of him Luk. 22.63 64 65. Math. 26.67 68. Mark 14.65 2. The second act of mockery done unto our Lord Jesus was by Herod and his men of war Luk. 27.11 3. The third act of mockery was done unto him by Pilate and his guard in the pretorium where he scourged him and his people mocked him more cruelly then before Ioh. 19.1.2 3 4 5. 4. The fourth act of mockery is now done unto him after Pilate had condemned him before they led them away to be crucified Math. 27.28 29 30 31. Then the Souldiers of the Governour took Iesus into the common Hall and gathered unto him the whole band of Souldiers And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet Robe And when they had platted a Crown of Thorns they put it upon his head and a Reed in his right hand and they bowed the knee before him and mocked him saying Hail King of the Jews And they spit upon him and took the Reed and smote him on the head And after they had mocked him they took the Robe off from him and put his own raiment on him and led him away and crucified him where see 1. The persons by whom this was done the Souldiers of the Governour or the Governours Guard they called unto them the whole band Jesus is now in the rude pagan Souldiers hands according as himself had foretold it would be Mat. 21.61 2. The place where it was done in the common Hall where all sorts of spectators resorted they made him a publick spectacle 1 Cor. 4.9 3. the time when this was after his condemnation before they led him away Math. 27.31 there was an interim to get the Cross and all things ready and they filled the interim with cruel mockings and thus the time was delayed until the beginning of the sixth hour The very