A Golden Chain

Pilates third policy was this; when he saw that neither of the two former would prevail, he comes forth unto the Jews, and makes an oration to this effect; that now was the feast of the passover, and that they had a custom that the Governor should then deliver unto the people a prisoner whom they would: therefore he asked them whether he should let loose to them Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ: this Barabbas was a notable malefactor, that with insurrection had committed murder. And thus Pilate cunningly matcheth Christ with Barabbas, thinking that the Jews would rather choose him then Barabbas being a notorious malefactor, not worthy to live on the face of the earth: and by this means he thought to have delivered Christ from death, though otherwise he accounted him as a malefactor. The ground of this policy (as we see) is an old custom of the Jews, that a prisoner should be let loose at Easter. And it may be the end of this custom was, to increase the solemnity of the feast. But whatsoever in trueth the end was, the fact it self was but a profanation of the time, and an abomination before the Lord: for Solomon saith,¹ He that justifieth the wicked, &condemneth the just, even they both are abomination before the Lord. The like practise takes place with many in these days, who think the Lords day never well spent unless they may add solemnity thereunto, by revel & riot, by frequenting of taverns and alehouses. And furthermore, where Pilate matcheth Christ being innocent with Barabbas, and the people prefer him before Christ, having liberty to choose either; it shows that God in his providence had appointed that Christ should not stand in his own room before Pilate, but in our room and stead, as a Mediator between God and us. And in this fact of the people we see how sin by degrees takes hold of men and that speedily. Who would have thought that these Jews, which a little before cried Hosanna, and spread their garments before Christ in the way, would ever have preferred a murderer before him? But it was the doing of the high priests, the Scribes, and Pharisees, who did animate and stir them up to this wickedness: and hereupon when they had yielded first to to attach him, and then to accuse him, they are carried to an higher degree of impiety, namely to seek his blood:

Pilates third pollicie was this; when he sawe that neither of the two former would preuaile, he comes forth vnto the Iewes, and makes an oration to this effect; that nowe was the feast of the passeouer, and that they had a custome that the Gouernour should then deliuer vnto the people a prisoner whome they would: therefore he asked them whether he should let loose to them Barrabas, or Iesus which is called Christ: this Barrabas was a notable malefactour, that with insurrection had committed murther. And thus Pilate cunningly matcheth Christ with Barrabas, thinking that the Iewes would rather chuse him then Barrabas beeing a notorious malefactour, not worthie to liue on the face of the earth: and by this meanes he thought to haue deliuered Christ from death, though otherwise he accoūted him as a malefactour. The ground of this pollicie (as we see) is an old custome of the Iewes, that a prisoner should be let loose at Easter. And it may be the ende of this custome was, to increase the solemnitie of the feast. But whatsoeuer in trueth the ende was, the fact it selfe was but a prophanation of the time, and an abomination before the Lord: for Salomon saith,