The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

3. Pilate must be carefully prepared for this matter. Some of us that may be most acceptable to him and prevailing with him, must undertake that matter.

4. Though Pilate was a Pagan, yet they knew him to be wise, just, and of a noble Roman spirit, he will strictly examine the case; and we know that we have no witnesses unto any thing we accuse him of, wherein the witnesses agree, saving in that Point of destroying the Temple and raising it again in three days, and in that Point the witnesses do not punctually agree: nor will Pilate think or judge it a Capital matter if they did agree.

4. Though Pilate was a Pagan, yet they knew him to be wise, just, and of a noble Romane spirit, he will strictly examine the case; and we know that we have no witnesses unto any thing we accuse him of, wherein the witnesses agree, saving in that Point of destroying the Temple and raising it again in three dayes, and in that Point the witnesses do not punctually agree: nor will Pilate think or judge it a Capital matter if they did agree.

5. These considered that they had but one capital matter against him, viz. that he confessed openly before our Court that he is Christ the Son of God, which by our Law is Capital, not by the Roman Law. And this is the only point that we can plead against him. And this they did plead, Joh. 19.7. We have a Law, and by our Law he ought to dye, because be made himself the Son of God. But of this we must speak hereafter.

5. These considered that they had but one capital matter against him, viz. that he confessed openly before our Court that he is Christ the Son of God, which by our Law is Capital, not by the Romane Law. And this is the only point that we can plead against him. And this they did plead,