Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

But there is something more observable in this vote;¹ the Jews had a custom not to name what they held accursed; I will not make mention of their names within my lips; and surely this speaks their spite,² that they will not vouchsafe to speak the Name of Jesus; the cry is not thus, Not Jesus but Barabbas; but thus, Not this man, not this fellow; but Barabbas; as if they meant first to murder his Name, and then his Person.

But there is something more observable in this vote;¹ the Jews had a custom not to name what they held accursed; I will not make mention of their names within my lips; and surely this speaks their spight,² that they will not vouchsafe to speak the Name of Jesus; the cry is not thus, Not Jesus but Barabbas; but thus, Not this man, not this fellow; but Barabbas; as if they meant first to murther his Name, and then his Person.

1. 1Jud. 9.14.
2. 2Psal. 16.5.

4. For Pilate's quaere upon the vote, What shall I do then with Jesus,¹ which is called Christ? Pilate gives him his name to the full, Jesus, who is called Christ; his name is Jesus Christ. There is more pity in a gentle Pilate, than in all the Jews; in some things Pilate did Justly, and very well; as first, he would not condemn him before his accusations were brought in; nor then neither before he was convicted of some capital crime; and because he perceives that it was envy all along that drove on their design, he endeavours to save his life by balancing him with Barabbas; and now he sees that they prefer Barabbas before Jesus, he puts forth the question, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? q. d. I know not what to do with him, it is against my light to condemn him to death, who is of innocent life: I could tell what to do with Barabbas, for he is a thief, a mutineer, a murderer, a notable malefactor; but there is no such thing proved against Jesus, who is called Christ, What then shall I do with him?