A Golden Chain

The time when Christ was executed, was at the Jews passover, when not only the Jews, but also many Proselytes of many countries and nations were assembled: and therefore this execution was not in a private corner, but openly in the view of the world. For as he was a Saviour not to the Jews only but also the Gentiles: so it was very requisite that his death should be public before all men both Jews and Gentiles. As for the hour of the day, in which he suffered, there is some difficulty in the Evangelists:¹ for S. John saith, that he was condemned about the sixth hour of the day: and Saint Mark saith, he was crucified the third hour. Hence it may be demanded, how both these can stand together. Ans. Howsoever the Jews natural day began at evening, yet the arti•ificiall day began at sun-rising, and ended at sun-setting: and it was divided two ways. First, into twelve parts called twelve hours, whether the days were longer or shorter. Secondly into four parts or quarters, and every part contained three hours: as from the first hour to the third was one part called morning: from the third hour to the sixth, another part called the sixth hour: from the sixth hour to the ninth, the third part called the ninth hour: and from the ninth hour to the twelfth, the fourth part called evening. Now when Saint John saith, Christ was condemned about the sixth hour: it must be understood of the second quarter of the day, called the sixth hour: and whereas Saint Mark saith he was crucified the third hour of the day, he speaks of the lesser hours, twelve whereof made the whole day: and thus they both agree, for the third hour of the day and the beginning of the second quarter follow each other immediately. Again it may be answered, that Christ was condemned at six of the clock after the Roman account, which begins the day at midnight;² and crucified at three (which is nine of the clock in the morning with us) after the Jews ⟨p. 330⟩account who begin their artificial day, as I said, at the sun rising.

The time when Christ was executed, was at the Iewes passeouer, when not onely the Iewes, but also many Proselytes of many countries and nations were assembled: and therefore this execution was not in a priuate corner, but openly in the viewe of the world. For as he was a Sauiour not to the Iewes onely but also the Gentiles: so it was very requisite that his death should bee publike before all men both Iewes and Gentiles. As for the houre of the day, in which he suffered, there is some difficultie in the Euangelists: