The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

The first thing we are to consider of that fell out before ⟨p. 326⟩his Arraignment, is the consultation of his Adversaries, which is recorded, Matth. 26. 3, 4. where observe, first what they did, viz. they call a Council, they do not go about the work without advice. They gather a great assembly together to consult of the business. They unite their forces against Christ, to let us know, that the authority of Councils is not infallible: There have been Councils against Christ as well as for Christ: and to teach Christian Rulers in Church and Common-wealth, to lay their heads and hearts together, how they may destroy Antichrist. It is much to be lamented, that Christians can no better agree together against Antichrist: It is easier to get a Council against Christ, than against Antichrist. Secondly, note where they assemble, viz. in the Hall of Caiaphas, who was the man, that before in another Council, had given his sentence for the killing of Christ, and was the first that delivered his opinion expressly for the death of Christ, Joh. 11. Thirdly, consider who were of this wicked Council, viz. the chief Priests & Scribes, and Elders of the people: even the nearer men come to God by place and office, the more desperately vile they are when they once fall to opposing the truth: Christ had no enemies more malicious than the Priests and Scribes, and therefore it is not safe to rest upon men in the businesses of salvation: Things are not therefore to be believed or done, because they are graced with the authority of great men in Church or Common-wealth. And it is not unprofitable to note the causes of these mens proceedings against Christ. First, they envied his glory and respect among the people, which had so much eclipsed their glory: then this Envy begat the darkness of affected Ignorance, so as neither Scripture, nor his teaching, nor the often foils he had given them, nor his Miracles could convince them: Then their affected Ignorance begat hatted and loathing of the Truth: and that hatred of the Truth, made them fall into this mad and unappeasable Rage and Malice against Christ, which appears by the last thing I note in their consultation, which was the end why they assembled, viz. to take him by subtlety and to kill him. Note ⟨p. 327⟩here that Malice in the enemies of Religion is very cruel: