N00187:456
The harmony of the Gospels, in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus Christ, from his incarnation to his death and burial. / Published by John Eliot, teacher of the church in Roxbury. ; [Two lines from Acts]
printed by John Foster, 1678
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 he 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, Joh. 19.7. We have a Law, and by our Law he ought to dye, because he made himself the Son of God, But of this we must speak hereafter.
6. They considered that of this point we have no witnesses, only his own confession, and what if he should deny it, or not confess it before Pilate; therefore we must make this point sure.
7. Hereupon they agreed early in the morning, before the people be stirring, to sit in Council again, and examine Jesus about this point only, to bring him to confess it a second time, and to try if he will stand to it. And if he ask any question to divert or delay us, answer him not a word to any thing, but hold him to this point only, to make the matter of our accusation strong against him, and clear.
8. Care was taken to advise as great a Crew of their own side, as they could, to stand next to the Court, and exclude others as much as handsomely they could, so they acted.
Very early all the Council (viz. all that consented and conspired in this murder) met, Luk. 22.66. as soon as it was day the Elders of the people, and the chief Priests, and the Scribes came together, and led him into their Council, surely they had taken but little rest, they verified that saying of Solomon, Prov. 4.16. they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. They interrogate him again about the same point, for which they had condemned him, not out of remorse or regret of heart, but of crafty design, Luk. 22.67. art thou the Christ tell us?
Very early all the Council (viz. all that consented and conspired in this murther) met, Luk. 22.66. as soon as it was day the Elders of the people, and the chief Priests, and the Scribes came together, and led him into their Council, surely they had taken but little rest, they verified that saying of Solomon, Prov. 4.16. they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. They interrogate him again about the same point, for which they had condemned him, not out of remorse or regret of heart, but of crafty designe, Luk. 22.67. art thou the Christ tell us?
The first part of Jesus his answer is, Luk. 22.67, 68. if I tell you, you will not believe, and if I also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. Wherein Jesus Christ doth manifest to them, that he knew their agreement in their secret counsel. Whereby he proveth to their Consciences that he is the Son of God. Again, he declareth to them, that the end and scope of their question was not to be informed in the point, that they might believe, for they were resolved not to believe. Again he telleth them, if I ask you any thing, you are agreed that you will not answer me again; whatsoever I say, you will not let me go: you are ⟨p. 84⟩resolved to kill me. Thus plainly doth he lay open their design, and resolution in their private Council, and detecteth them in their open Council, so open as it was.
The first part of Jesus his answer is, Luk. 22.67, 68. if I tell you, you will not believe, and if I also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. Wherein Jesus Christ doth manifest to them, that he knew their agreement in their secret counsel. Whereby he proveth to their Consciences that he is the Son of God. Again, he declareth to them, that the end and scope of their question was not to be informed in the point, that they might believe, for they were resolved not to believe. Again he telleth them, if I ask you any thing, you are agreed that you will not answer me again; whatsoever I say, you will not let me goe: you are ⟨p. 84⟩resolved to kill me. Thus plainly doth he lay open their design, and resolution in their private Councell, and detecteth them in their open Councel, so open as it was.
The 2d. part of the Answer of Jesus Christ is ver. 69. Hereafter shall the Son of Man sit at the right hand of the power of God. The sense and meaning of which words they understood, viz. that though they now see him in this low estate of his Humiliation; yet the next appearance that they shall see him in, is, at the right hand of the power of God. Then they fully opened their trap, and say, Art thou then the Son of God? v. 70. And this is to be observed, that they were so eager upon their design that they spake all at once, Then they all said.
Then Jesus clearly answered, You say that I am, and I confess it is as you say, that is the meaning of that form of speech, & they were ready & willing so to take it. Now they are satisfied, they have gotten that which they fished for, ver. 71. And they said, what need we any further witnesses, for we our selves have heard of his own mouth.
Then Jesus cleerly answered, You say that I am, and I confess it is as you say, that is the meaning of that form of speech, & they were ready & willing so to take it. Now they are satisfied, they have gotten that which they fished for, ver. 71. And they said, what need we any further witnesses, for we our selves have heard of his own mouth.
Now with all possible hast and speed, they delivered him up to the Roman power, as a condemned prisoner to be put to death by them, after their manner, by crucifying, or hanging on a tree. Luke 23.1. And the whole multitude of them arose and led him unto Pilate: all the Court and all the Creatures about them combined in this matter, to deliver him up to the Gentiles, as Jesus Christ had foretold that they will Math. 20.19. and Mar. 10.33.
Now with all possible hast and speed, they delivered him up to the Romane power, as a condemned prisoner to be put to death by them, after their manner, by crucifying, or hanging on a tree. Luke 23.1. And the whole multitude of them arose and led him unto Pilate: all the Court and all the Creatures about them combined in this matter, to deliver him up to the Gentiles, as Jesus Christ had foretold that they will Math. 20.19. and Mar. 10.33.
The company that acted these things, both Rulers and people, are Apostates, whose day of Grace was past, as appeareth Math. 23.37, 38, 39. Luk. 13.34.35. O that thou hadst hearkened, at least in this thy day, but now it is hid from thine eyes. Such Persons are the Devils fittest instruments to persecute Jesus Christ and his saints. These Sufferings of Jesus Christ before the Council of the Jews were aggravated by this, because they were his own people to whom he came and offered them mercy, and life eternal, and called them to Repentance.
The company that acted these things, both Rulers and people, are Apostates, whose day of Grace was past, as appeareth Math. 23.37, 38, 39. Luk. 13.34.35. O that thou hadst hearkned, at least in this thy day, but now it is hid from thine eyes. Such Persons are the Devills fittest instruments to persecute Jesus Christ and his saints. These Sufferings of Jesus Christ before the Council of the Jews were aggravated by this, because they were his own people to whom he came and offered them mercy, and life eternal, and called them to Repentance.
But behold how wickedly they dealt with him: they condemned him, but could find no other cause but his confessing that he is the Messiah: and not only condemned him, but committed him into the merciless hands of their Servants and creatures that did so vilely abuse him all the night, and craftily dealt with him in the morning, and out of envy delivered him to the Roman power to be put to death. And all this did the holy innocent Son of God suffer for the sake of Gods elect, that they might become vessels of mercy: & to show us how vile sin is in Gods sight, who spared not his own Son when he stood under a just imputation •f our sin unto him. And all these sufferings of Jesus Christ we celebrate in that high Soul exercise in our Sacramental Commemoration hereof.
But behold how wickedly they dealt with him: they condemned him, but could find no other cause but his confessing that he is the Messiah: and not only condemned him, but committed him into the merciless hands of their Servants and creatures that did so vilely abuse him all the night, and craftily dealt with him in the morning, and out of envy delivered him to the Romane power to be put to death. And all this did the holy innocent Son of God suffer for the sake of Gods elect, that they might become vessels of mercy: & to shew us how vile sin is in Gods sight, who spared not his own Son when he stood under a just imputatio• •f our sin unto him. And all these sufferings of Jesus Christ we celebrate in that high Soul exercise in our Sacramental Commemoration hereof.
I shall shut up this Chapter with a touch upon the History of Judas, which i• this place and time cometh into consideration, the history thereof is recorded, Math. 27.3, 4, 5, &c. ad 11. with Act. 1.18, 19, 20. in which Texts (if any please to read them) we may observe two principal points.
1. A terrible Testimony sharpened against the high Priests, and the rest of them in their bloody persecution of our Lord Jesus, by Judas his repentance.
1. A terrible Testimony sharpned against the high Priests, and the rest of them in their bloody persecution of our Lord Jesus, by Judas his repentance.
2. A strong and clear Testimony that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, by the Jews fulfilling the Prophesies touching him.
