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

The first was, in the Superscription was written over his head. The second was, in the darkness was over the Earth. The third was, in the wonderful conversion of one of the Thieves. The fourth was, in the rending of the veil of the Temple.

The first was, in the Superscription was written ouer his head. The second was, in the darknesse was ouer the Earth. The third was, in the wonderfull conuersion of one of the Theeues. The fourth was, in the rending of the veile of the Temple.

For the first, Pilate caused a Superscription to be written over his head, in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, in these words, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews: or rather, as the original ⟨p. 399⟩sounds, Jesus that Nazarene that King of the Jews, Joh. 19. 19. This Superscription (it is likely) was written in a Table and hanged over our Saviours head; for it is not probable that so many words, in so many Languages in great Characters, that might be read of them that passed by, could be graven upon the head of the Cross. As for Pilates meaning herein, some Writers think that it was the custom for the ludges to set over the heads of them that died, the cause of their death. Yet we read not of any such custom in Scripture, nor of any Title set over the heads of the two Thieves: It is very probable that Pilate meant in this Title both to up-braid the Jews, and withal to save himself from blame with Caesar, and to show how careful he had been of Caesars right. But God intended by a special providence herein, to give testimony to his Son: which we may gather two ways: First, by the consent of the Evangelists, who all make mention of this Title, which must needs import that they saw some mystery in i•. Secondly, by the very words, for (besides that, they contain a most exact description of the substance of our faith in Jesus) they are not the words of the Jews accusation upon which he was condemned, but an express affirmation of his glory: which is the more plain, because when the Priests (gowled by the Title) would have it mended thus, He said he was King of the Jews, yet Pilate would not alter it, his hand being stayed by the power of God. This Title then was given from God from above, and is of Gods own devising, and she was us, for the confirmation of our faith, what God himself acknowledgeth, and what he would have us make use of in the meditation of the Passion of Christ. Many things may be hence noted.