The humiliation of the Sonne of God by his becomming the Son of man, by taking the forme of a servant, and by his sufferings under Pontius Pilat, &c. Or The eighth book of commentaries vpon the Apostles Creed: continued by Thomas Jackson Dr. in Divinitie, chaplaine to his Majestie in ordinarie, and president of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford. Divided into foure sections.

CHAP. XXVI. The false accusations made by the Priests, and El∣ders against the Sonne of God, when they brought him before Pilat, foretold by our Saviour him∣self and by the Prophets.

1 AS the Sonne of man, and the Sonne of God was willing to beare our sor∣rows, and take all our infirmities upon him; to the end he might bee a faithfull Comforter of all such, as mourne: so it was his pleasure likewise to suffer this most grosse and detestable civill wrong from the earth∣ly powers of Justice, that he might be most ex∣quisitely qualified, even according to his humane nature, to do right unto such as suffer like wrong: and justice upon all unjust Judges, especially upon such as persecute others, as he was persecu∣ted for bearing testimony unto the truth or fun∣damentall mysteries of our Salvation. But how∣ever these earthly Gods, or Rulers of the Jews did sentence him to death for blasphemie: yet were they not by divine providence permitted to put this sentence in execution according to that maner of punishment, which Gods Law did award to Blasphemers. For by the award of that Law he should have been stoned to death. But as S. Iohn instructs us in this remarkeable point of Gods speciall providence; When Pilate willing to free himself from guilt of innocent blood, bid them take him, and judge him according to their

law, they replide, It is not lawfull for us to put any man to death. Iohn 18.31. How true or pertinent this answer was, I will not here dispute. But thus they answered, as the same Evangelist there tells us, that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, signify∣ing what death he should die, and by whom. This saying or prophecy of our Saviour to which St. Iohn refers, is punctually set downe by S. Matthew 20.17, 18 Iesus going up to Ierusalem, took the twelve Disciples apart in the way, and said unto them; Be∣hold, we goe up to Ierusalem, and the Sonne of man shall be betrayed unto the chief Priests, and unto the Scribes; and they shall condemne him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to cru∣cifie him. Unto this death of the crosse they brought him, by their importunate, and subtill sollicitations of Pilat, to proceed against him up∣on another capital crime, then they by their pre∣tended law had condemned him for. For they pronounc'd him as worthy and guilty of death (by their law) for blasphemy: whereas, now be∣fore Pilat they frame a new accusation against him, for rebellion against Caesar; because he pro∣fest himself to be King of the Jews, as in truth he was, for royall pitty and compassion towards them: but without any purpose to move the peo∣ple to take armes, or to exercise any royall autho∣rity over them, or any others upon earth, because his kingdome was not of this world.

2 Whilest the high Priest and Elders sate as Judges in their owne Councell-house, they sub∣orn'd false witnesses against him: but whilest they

accuse him before Pilat, they themselves become the most malicious and falsest witnesses that ever were produced, or offered themselves voluntarily to testifie in open Court against any living man, in a cause criminall or capitall. All these malicious practices against him, were clearly foretold by the Psalmist his forerunner in the like sufferings, and in particular (I take it) by David himselfe Psalme 35. False witnesses did arise, they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evill for good, to the spoyling of my soule. But as for mee, when they were sick, my cloathing was sackcloth, I humbled my soule with fasting, and my prayer returned into mine owne bosome. I behaved my selfe, as though he had beene my friend or brother, I bowed downe hea∣vily as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoyced, &c. ver. 11, 12, 13. &c. Thus did the Composers of this Psalme and of some others, to the like effect complaine: every man respectively in their owne persons, and upon just occasions. And however they did not in their murmuring complaints, yet in the causes or occa∣sions of the sufferings, they did really prefigure juster occasions & more grievous matter of com∣plaint, on the behalf of their expected Redeemer. And he must have uttered the like complaints in a farre higher straine, if he had beene but a meere man, not armed with patience or long suffering truly divine. The indignities done unto him by Pilat and the Roman Souldiers, by Herod and his men of warre, were perspicuously foretold by David Psal. 2. Why do the Heathens rage, and the peo∣ple

imagina vaine thing? This parallel between the prophecy of David, and the historicall events answering to it, not the Apostles onely, but other inferiour Disciples did unanimously acknow∣ledge upon the deliverance of Peter and Iohn and the rest of the Apostles from such violence inten∣ded against them by the Rulers, and Elders of the Jews, (as had been practised by them upon our Saviour,) for working of a miracle in his name: When they had further threatned them, they let them goe, finding nothing how they might punish them, be∣cause of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty yeares old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewne. And being let goe, they went to their owne company, and re∣ported all that the chief Priests and Elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lift up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art. God which hast made heaven and earth, and the sea and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy Ser∣vant David hast said, Why do the heathens rage, and the people imagin vaine things? The Kings of the Earth stood up, and the Rulers were gathered together against the Lord and his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy childe JESUS, whom thou hast annointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilat, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy Counsaile determined be∣fore to be done. Acts 4.21, 22. &c.

3. All of our Saviours Persecutors, whether Jews or Gentiles, per dicta & facta malè ominata, did reade their own doome and the doome of all

such, unto the worlds end, as shall continue the course that they begun. The Roman Souldiers clothing him in a purple robe, by putting a crown of thornes upon his head, and by crying, All haile unto the King of the Jews, did act that part in jest or comicall merriment, which they must one day act in earnest, and more then tragicall sorrow. For he had sworne it long before, That all knees should bow unto him, and in that day, they which crowned him with thornes, shall see him crowned with Majesty and glory. Herod in sending him back to Pilat in a white or candid robe, did beare witnesse of his innocency and integrity: and withall of Herod his fathers scarlet sinnes, in putting so ma∣ny poore Innocents to a bloudy death, upon the notice of his Nativitie. And as for Pilat and the Roman state, by whose authority he was scour∣ged with rods here on earth; hee whose seat is in the heavens, did even then laugh them to scorne, and since hath broken the whole race of Roman Caesars, with a rod of iron, and dasht them and their Monarchie to pieces, like a Potters vessell. What more shall be done against these cruell Actors, or Abetters of their cruell practices against this King of Kings; I leave it wholly (with all sub∣mission) to his sole determination. But that the Indignities done unto him by the Jews, by the Roman or other heathen Governors; and the vi∣sible revenge, which hath since befalne them, were punctually foretold by David, Psalme 2. the testimony before cited, Acts 4. is a proofe most authentick and most concludent.

4. Yet of all the sufferings which he suffered under Pontius Pilat, besides the indignities done unto him in the extremities of his paines upon the Crosse, (at which Pilat was not present;) the rejection of him by the Jews, when this heathen Governor out of a good nature or well meaning policy, had proposed him with an infamous theef or murderer, was far the worst, and doth deserve the indignation of all that loved him. And this circumstance is prest home to them by S. Peter, Acts 3.13, 14. The God of Abraham and of Isack and of Jaacob; the God of our Fathers hath glorified his Sonne JESUS, whom ye delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilat, when he determined to let him goe. But ye denyed the holy One, and the lust, and de∣sired a Murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised up from the dead, &c. In this preposterous, and sacrilegious choise, they did the Devill a more peculiar and more immediate service, then their Idolatrous forefa∣thers had ever done, either in adoring the brazen Serpent, (which was the most perverse Idolatry, that ever they committed) or in sacrificing their sons & daughters to the infernall spirits. In those services, they declare themselves to be servants to Devils: In this sinister choise they prove themselves to be the Devils own sonnes: and exactly fulfill our Saviours prophecy or discovery of their inclinations, before they themselves did know them. For when Jesus had told such Jews as did in a sort beleeve on him, that they were ser∣vants to sinne, and could not be made free, but by the

Sonne, who abideth in the house for ever: they chole∣rickly reply, that they were the sonnes of Abra∣ham. Our Saviour rejoynes, Yee are of your Father the Devill, and the lusts of your Father you will doe, hee was a murtherer from the beginning. Iohn 8.30. &c. and the 44. And so they now desire Barabbas, one whose name imports the sonne of their fa∣ther: and by quality, the sonne of the Devill, an infamous murderer, to be delivered unto them, in memory of their deliverance out of Egypt: and importunately sollicite the murder of the Sonne of God, of that very God, who had delive∣red them out of Egypt: who spake to Moses in Mount Sinai; that Lord God, unto whom Ioshua and all the Judges that succeeded him, were but Generals in the time of warre; unto whom in time of peace or counsaile for direction of publick af∣faires, the best of the Priests and Prophets unto the dayes of Samuel, were but Deputies. For the Lord God of Israel all that time was their imme∣diat and proper King. Governors and Deputies they had successively many, but none endued with royall Authority, besides him. No matter of consequence whether of warre or peace, was un∣dertaken by their Governors without speciall revelation or answer from him by Vrim and Thum∣mim, untill Samuels old age; Then all the Elders of Israel, gathered themselves together, and came to Sa∣muel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold thou art old, and thy sonnes walk not in thy wayes: now make us a King to judge us, like all the Nations. But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, give us a King to

judge us: and Samuel prayed unto the Lord, 1. Sam. 8.4, 5. This unseasonable ill aboding desire, did dis∣please the Lord unto whom they prayed, as much as it did Samuel. And yet so far is he from forcing obedience by irresistible coaction, that hee per∣swades Samuel to descend to their importunat suit, but first to make protestation against it; Now therefore hearken to their voice: howbeit yet protest so∣lemnely unto them, and shew the manner of the King, that shall raigne over them. ver. 9. This protestation against their petition, and his patheticall fore∣warning of them, what hard usage they should find under the King, whom they would choose, are set down at full from the 10. of this Chap. unto the 19. Neverthelesse the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel, and they said, Nay, but we will have a King to rule over us, that we may be like all Nations, and that our King may judge us, and goe out before us, and fight our battels. And so after Samuel had re∣hearsed their resolution in the eares of the Lord their present King, notwithstanding the protesta∣tion, and their forewarning concerning their fu∣ture Kings manner of government, they are per∣mitted for the hardnesse of their hearts, to goe to a free Election of a new King. Yet the calamities and oppressions which Samuel forewarnes would follow upon this their not approved Election, was scarce so much as verified in the daies of Saul, of David, or Solomon: never exactly fulfilled by any King of their owne nomination, or by any King imposed upon them, untill they solemnely and openly disclaime their Native King; (that very

God whom Samuel in all this businesse had con∣sulted) and cryed, We have no King but Caesar. Af∣ter this nomination of Caesar for their King, what∣soever calamities foretold by Samuel, were in any part verified by their owne unruly Kings, were most exactly accomplisht by the race of Caesars, unto whom they solemnely dedicated that allegi∣ance, which was due to Iesus their ancient Lord and King. At the same time, and not before, were the words of the Lord unto Samuel Chap. 8.7, 8. exactly fulfilled. The Lord said unto Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have re∣jected me, that I should not raigne over them. Accor∣ding to all the works which they have done, since I brought them out of Egypt, even unto this day, where∣with they have forsaken me, and served other gods; so do they also unto thee. But of the fulfilling of this prophecy, both according to the literall sense, and prefigurations or matter of fact: and how the Priests and Scribes with their projects against our Saviour, did bring Iacobs dying curse, or ominous predictions against Simeon and Levi upon them∣selves, and their posterity; more hath been said in the Commentaries of the first Book * 1.1 of the Creed, then I now exactly remember: more at least then I will trouble the Reader with a repeti∣tion of what he may find there published.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sect. 3. Chap. 11. par. 9, 10. &c.