From the want of sufficient matter to give a just Answer in our behalf by all things that he could allege for us.1 If he had stood in his own person, and had had nothing to do but to clear himself, he had had a world to have answered for himself, and this Pilate saw; for he said that he was a King, but a King of another world, and Pilate knew that there was no Cesarian Law that did forbid a Kingdom in another world: but standing in our persons, he knew not what to answer: What could there be charged upon Christ, but we have been guilty of it? Can it be said that none of the Elect of God did blaspheme? and that none of them did destroy the Temple of God? and can it be justified that all the Elect of God have been freed from commotions? Can any undertake that defence for the elect of God? What sin can you charge upon him, but some of the servants of God have been guilty of it? Therefore it is, that the Lord Jesus answers not: He doth not deny, he doth not out-face them in the business: It is not so with him; He is not such an Advocate: He pleads with a good conscience when he pleads, and he is clear, but he cannot clear his Elect ones from Church-censure, and Civill censure: Nor doth he plead with God about any kind of hard-ship, in putting upon him that extremity, he knew the elect of God had deserved such: And ⟨p. 158⟩though he knew that they dealt wickedly, yet standing in our room, he had not a sufficient plea, let them charge him with what they will: A man cannot charge him with any sin, but some of his Elect have been guilty of it, and therefore what can be answered? Therefore he was not willing to excuse himself: He doth neither deny nor extenuate any Crime that can be laid against him; but take it in its full rigour, and the accusation doth stand good: They stand not good against the Principal, but against the Surety, as he is a Surety, they stand good against him; for as it is in Job 9. 2, 3. How should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
From the want of sufficient matter to give a just Answer in our behalfe by all things that he could alledg for us.1 If hee had stood in his own person, and had had nothing to do but to cleare himselfe, he had had a world to have answered for himselfe, and this Pilate saw; for he said that he was a King, but a King of another world, and Pilate knew that there was no Cesarian Law that did forbid a Kingdome in another world: but standing in our persons, hee knew not what to answer: What could there be charged upon Christ, but we have been guilty of it? Can it be sayd that none of the Elect of God did blaspheme? and that none of them did destroy the Temple of God? and can it be justified that all the Elect of God have been freed from commotions? Can any undertake that defence for the elect of God? What sinne can you charge upon him, but some of the servants of God have been guilty of it? Therefore it is, that the Lord Jesus answers not: He doth not deny, he doth not out-face them in the businesse: It is not so with him; He is not such an Advocate: He pleads with a good conscience when he pleads, and he is clear, but he cannot clear his Elect ones from Church-censure, and Civill censure: Nor doth he plead with God about any kind of hard-ship, in putting upon him that extremity, he knew the elect of God had deserved such: And ⟨p. 158⟩though he knew that they dealt wickedly, yet standing in our room, hee had not a sufficient plea, let them charge him with what they will: A man cannot charge him with any sinne, but some of his Elect have been guilty of it, and therefore what can be answered? Therefore he was not willing to excuse himselfe: He doth neither deny nor extenuate any Crime that can be layd ag•inst him; but take it in its full rigour, and the accusation doth stand good: They stand not good against the Principall, but against the Surety, as hee is a Surety, they stand good against him; for as it is in Job 9. 2, 3. How should man be just with God? If hee will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
- 1Reason 2.
