A Golden Chain

Again, when Pilate had thus written the superscription, the high priests and Pharisees offended thereat, came to Pilate willing him to change the title, saying,¹ Write not the King of the Jews, but that he said, I am the King of the Jews: but Pilate answered them again, That which I have written, I have written. Though Pilate had been over-ruled before to condemn Christ to death, against his own conscience, yet will he not in any wise condescend to change the superscription. Howe comes this to pass? Surely, as he was ruled by the hand of God in penning it, so by the same hand of God was he confirmed in not changing it. Hence we learn sundry instructions. First, that no man in the world, let him endeavour himself to the uttermost of his power, is able to stop the course of the kingdom of God: it stands firm and sure, and all the world is not able to prevail against it. Secondly, whereas Pilate being but an heathen man was thus constant, that he will not have his writing changed; we may note, how permanent & unchangeable the writings of the holy word of God are. They are not the words of heathen men, but were spoken by the mouth of the Prophets and Apostles, as God gave them utterance. The book of Scripture therefore is much more immutable, so as no creature shall be able to change the least part of it till it be fulfilled. Thirdly, by Pilates constancy, we learn to be constant in the practise and profession of the religion of Christ: this is a necessary lesson for these days, wherein mens professions do fleet like water and go and come with the tide. Many zealous professors to day, but to morrow as could as water. And the complaint of the Lord touching times past, agrees to our days:² O Ephraim, What shall I say to thee? thy righteousness is like the morning dew.

Againe, when Pilate had thus written the superscription, the high priests and Pharises offended thereat, came to Pilate willing him to change the title, saying,¹ Write not the King of the Iewes, but that he said, I am the King of the Iewes: but Pilate answered them againe, That which I haue written, I haue written. Though Pilate had beene ouer-ruled before to condemne Christ to death, against his owne conscience, yet will he not in any wise condiscend to change the superscription. Howe comes this to passe? Surely, as he was ruled by the hand of God in penning it, so by the same hand of God was he confirmed in not changing it. Hence we learne sundrie instructions. First, that no man in the world, let him indeauour himselfe to the vttermost of his power, is able to stoppe the course of the kingdome of God: it stands firme and sure, and all the worlde is not able to preuaile against it. Secondly, whereas Pilate beeing but an heathen man was thus constant, that he will not haue his writing changed; we may note, how permanent & vnchangeable the writings of the holy word of God are. They are not the words of heathen men, but were spoken by the mouth of the Prophets and Apostles, as God gaue them vtterance. The booke of Scripture therefore is much more immutable, so as no creature shall be able to change the least part of it till it be fulfilled. Thirdly, by Pilates constancy, we learne to be constant in the practise and profession of the religion of Christ: this is a necessarie lesson for these daies, wherin mens professions doe fleete like water and goe and come with the tyde. Many zealous professours to day, but to morrowe as could as water. And the complaint of the Lord touching times past, agrees to our daies: