We may also see in this story the sovereign wisdom of God in over-ruling and ordering the counsels of men to make for his own glory, and for the accomplishment of his own holy counsel, unknown and unconsidered by them that act them, that which they act for their own bad ends, God permitteth them, and over-ruleth them for his own holy ends. The counsel of Caiaphas was cunning, but bloody, yet he was proud of it, in his own conceit; ye are a company (saith he) of weak men that know nothing at all (and yet wise Annas his Father in law was one) I can tell you of a project whereby we shall gratify the Romans, and render our selves wise Patriots, that seek the Redemption of our Country, &c. ah poor man that is so sinful an under-worker of so glorious a part of Gods holy counsel. God meant good to Israel his Church, howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so, Isai. 11.7. for such reasons as these, Annas sent him bound, (an insulting act over our suffering Lord Jesus) unto Caiaphas, from post to Pillar. When Annas was come, and had brought his Prisoner, all the Council were quickly together, though it was about midnight, men cannot sleep till they have accomplished their wicked designs. They presently (for they were in haste to make quick dispatch) call a Court, and sit as a Court of Judgement. But it was a private Court, not public; a night Court, not open for all that would: they set a Porter that kept the door, that none but friends to their wicked design (as much as in them lay) should come in, Joh. 18.16. Peter stood without, then went forth that other Disciple which was known to the high Priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Whether he that brought in Peter did not stretch the line of Truth too far, it is not said, but she that kept the door was a notable Virago, and soon challenged Peter, and drew forth his first denial of his Lord. Why the Court was so private may easily be gathered, they had guilty Consciences, and were about a black work of darkness, and therefore the dark night was not security enough to them, but they must have a Porter at the door, and one that had animosity sufficient, and that they might confide in: they feared that the people would rescue him out of their hands.
We may also see in this story the sovereign wisdome of God in over-ruling and ordering the counsels of men to make for his own glory, and for the accomplishment of his own holy counsel, unknown and unconsidered by them that act them, that which they act for their own bad ends, God permitteth them, and over-ruleth them for his own holy ends. The counsel of Caiaphas was cunning, but bloody, yet he was proud of it, in his own conceipt; ye are a company (saith he) of weak men that know nothing at all (and yet wise Annas his Father in law was one) I can tell you of a project whereby we shall gratifie the Romans, and render our selves wise Patriots, that seek the Redemption of our Country, &c. ah poor man that is so sinful an under-worker of so glorious a part of Gods holy counsel. God meant good to Israel his Church, howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so, Isai. 11.7. for such reasons as these, Annas sent him bound, (an insulting act over our suffering Lord Iesus) unto Caiaphas, from post to Pillar. When Annas was come, and had brought his Prisoner, all the Council were quickly together, though it was about midnight, men cannot sleep till they have accomplished their wicked designs. They presently (for they were in haste to make quick dispatch) call a Court, and sit as a Court of Judgement. But it was a private Court, not publick; a night Court, not open for all that would: they set a Porter that kept the dore, that none but friends to their wicked design (as much as in them lay) should come in, Joh. 18.16. Peter stood without, then went forth that other Disciple which was known to the high Priest, and spake unto her that kept the dore, and brought in Peter. Whether he that brought in Peter did not stretch the line of Truth too far, it is not said, but she that kept the dore was a notable Virago, and soon challenged Peter, and drew forth his first denyal of his Lord. Why the Court was so private may easily be gathered, they had guilty Consciences, and were about a black work of darkness, and therefore the dark night was not security enough to them, but they must have a Porter at the dore, and one that had animosity sufficient, and that they might confide in: they feared that the people would rescue him out of their hands.
