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

First of the arraignment of our Saviour in the Ecclesiastical Court: The Story of the Evangelist shows with what corruption and injustice he was used in their Consistory: For first the Judges themselves, before they hear the cause, take counsel how to put him to death, intending by all their courses to devise all the ways they could to get colour of matter against him, to complain to the Civill Magistrate that he might put him to death. Secondly, it is expressly said, that they sought false witness against him: and this was a gross injustice to suborn false witnesses. Thirdly, in the very Court before the face of the High Priest, Christ is smitten on the face with a rod by a base slave that was servant or officer to the High Priest, John 18. 22. Fourthly, he was accused of double blasphemy, the one against the Temple, and the other against God. Against the Temple, because he should threaten to destroy it, and pull it down, and set it up again by his own power, within three days. Against God, because he said he was Christ the Son of God. And this is the sum of the proceedings in that Court. Now out of the whole Story many things may be noted which may serve for good use, as

First of the arraignment of our Sauiour in the Ecclesiasticall Court: The Storie of the Euangelist shewes with what corruption and iniustice he was vsed in their Consistorie: For first the Iudges themselues, before they heare the cause, take counsell how to put him to death, intending by all their courses to deuise all the wayes they could to get colour of matter against him, to complaine to the Ciuill Magistrate that hee might put him to death. Secondly, it is expresly said, that they sought false witnesse against him: and this was a grosse iniustice to suborne false witnesses. Thirdly, in the very Court before the face of the High Priest, Christ is smitten on the face with a rod by a base slaue that was seruant or officer to the High Priest, Iohn 18. 22. Fourthly, he was accused of double blasphemie, the one against the Temple, and the other against God. Against the Temple, because he should threaten to destroy it, and pull it downe, and set it vp againe by his owne power, within three daies. Against God, because he said he was Christ the Sonne of God. And this is the summe of the proceedings in that Court. Now out of the whole Storie many things may be noted which may serue for good vse, as