The Fountain of Life Opened

as soon as they had him delivered over to their will. So that this was a cruel sentence. Thirdly, As it was a cruel, so it was a rash and hasty sentence. The Jews are all in haste: consulting all night, and early up by the break of day in the morning to get him to his trial. They spur on Pilate with all the arguments they can to give sentence. His trial took up but one morning, and a great part of that was spent in sending him from Caiaphas to Pilate, and from Pilate to Herod, and then back again to Pilate: so that it was a hasty and headlong sentence that Pilate gave. He did not sift and examine the matter, but handles it very slightly. The trial of many a mean man hath taken up ten times more debates and time, than was spent about Christ.¹ They that look but slightly into the cause, easily pronounce and give sentence. But that which was then done in haste, they have had time enough to repent for since. Fourthly, As it was a rash and hasty, so it was an extorted forced sentence. They squeeze it out of Pilate by mere clamour, importunity, and suggestions of danger. In Courts of Judicature, such arguments should signify but little:² not importunity, but proof should carry it: but timorous Pilate bends like a Willow at this breath of the people. He had neither such a sense of Justice, nor spirit of Courage to withstand it. ⟨p. 321⟩Fifthly, As it was an extorted, so it was an Hypocritical sentence; masking horrid murder under a pretence and formality of Law. It must look like a legal procedure to palliate the business. Loth he was to condemn him, lest innocent blood should clamour in his Conscience; but since he must do it, he will transfer the guilt upon them, and they take it: His blood be on us and on our children for ever, say they. Pilate calls for water, washes his hands before them, and tells them I am free from the blood of this just person. But stay, free from his blood, and yet condemn a known innocent person. Free from his blood, because he washed his hands in water. No, no, he could never be free, except his soul had been washed in that blood he shed. O the hypocrisy of Pilate! Such juggling as this will not serve his turn, when he shall stand as a prisoner before him, who now stood arraigned at his Bar. Sixthly and Lastly, As it was an Hypocritical, so it was an unrevoked sentence. It admitted not of a reprieve, no, not for a day;