The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

DOCT. 2. That though nothing could be proved against our Lord Iesus Christ,* 1.1 worthy of death, or of bonds; yet was he condemned to be nailed to the Cross, and there to hang till he died.

For the explication of this, I shall open the following particu∣lars. First, Who gave the Sentence. Secondly, Upon whom he gave it. Thirdly, What Sentence was it that was given. Fourth∣ly, In what manner Christ received it.

[ 1] First, Who and what was he that durst attempt such a thing as this? Why, this was Pilate who succeeded Valerius Gratus in the Presidentship of Iudea,* 1.2 (as Iosephus tells us,) in which trust he continued about ten years. This cruel cursed act of his against Christ, was in the eighth year of his government. Two years after he was removed from his place and Office, by Vitelius Presi∣dent of Syria, for his inhumane murdering of the innocent Samari∣tans. This necessitated him to go to Rome, to clear himself be∣fore Caesar. But before he came to Rome, Tyberius was dead, and Cajus in his room.* 1.3 Under him, saith Eusebius, Pilate killed him∣self. He was a man not very friendly or benevolent to the Jewish nation, but still suspicious of their rebellions and insurrections, this jealous humour, the Priests and Scribes observed, and wrought upon it, to compass their design against Christ. Therefore they tell him so often, of Christs sedition, and stirring up the people; and that if he let him go, he is none of Caesars friend; which were the very considerations that prevailed with him to do what he did. But how durst he attempt such a wickedness as this, however he had stood in the opinion of Caesar? What I give Judgement against the Son of God; for 'tis evident by many circumstances in this trial that he had many inward fears, and convictions upon him,

that he was the Son of God. By these he was scared and sought to release him, Ioh. 19.8, 12. the fear of a Deity fell upon him; his mind was greatly perplext, and dubious about this prisoner, whether he was a God or a man. And yet the fear of Caesar pre∣vailed more than the fear of a Deity, he proceeds to give sen∣tence.

O Pilate wast thou not afraid to Judge and Sentence an Inno∣cent, a known Innocent, and one whom thou thy self suspectedst at least to be more than man? But see in this predominancy of self-interest, what men will not attempt and perpetrate to secure and accommodate self.

Secondly, against whom doth Pilate give Sentence? against a [ 2] Malefactor? No, his own mouth once and again acknowledged him innocent. Against a common prisoner? No, but one whose same no doubt had often reached Pilates ears, even the wonderful things wrought by him, which none but God could do. One that stood before him as the picture, or rather as the body of in∣nocency and meekness. Ye have condemned, and killed the Just, and he resisteth you not, Iames 5.6. now was that word made good, Psal. 94.21. They gather themselves together, against the soul of the Righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

Thirdly, But what was the sentence that Pilate gave? We have [ 3] it not in the form in which it was delivered. But the sum of it was, that it should be as they required. Now what did they re∣quires why, crucifie him, crucifie him. So that in what forma∣lities soever it was delivered, this was the substance and effect of it, I adjudge Iesus of Nazareth to be nailed to the Cross, and there to hang til he be dead. Which sentence against Christ was,

• First, A most unjust, and unrighteous sentence, the greatest perversion of Judgement and Equity that was ever known to the civilized world, since seats of Judicature were first set up. What! to condemn him, before one accusation was proved against him? And if what they accused him of (that he said he was the Son of God) had been proved, it had been no crime, for he really was so; and therefore no blasphemy in him to say he was. Pilate should rather have come down from his seat of Judgement and adore him, that sit there to judge him. Oh it was the highest piece of injustice that ever our ears heard of.
• Secondly, As it was an unrighteous sentence, so it was a cruel sentence, delivering up Christ to their wills. This was that mise∣ry

• which David so earnestly deprecated, Psal. 27.12. O deliver me not over to the will of mine enemies. But Pilate delivers Christ over to the will of his enemies; men full of enmity, rage, and malice: whose greatest pleasure it was, to glut themselves with his blood, and satiate their revengeful hearts with such a spectacle of misery. For lo, as soon as these Wolves had griped their prey, they were not satisfied with that cursed, cruel and ig∣nominious death of the Cross, to which Pilate had adjudged him; but they are resolved he shall die over and over: they will con∣trive many deaths in one: Now they say as a Tyrant did once, moriatur, ut sentiat se mori, let him die so as he may feel him∣self to die, (i. e.) let him die by inch-meal. To this end they pre∣sently strip him naked, scourge him cruelly, array him in scarlet, and mock him: Crown him with a bush of platted thorns: fasten that Crown upon his head by a blow with a cane, which set them deep into his sacred Temples: Sceptered him with a reed: spet in his face: strip off his mock-robes again: put the Cross upon his back, and compel him to bear it. All this, and much more they express their cruelty by; as soon as they had him delivered over to their will. So that this was a cruel sentence.
• Thirdly, As it was a cruel, so it was a rash and hasty sentence. The Jews are all in haste: consulting all night, and early up by the break of day in the morning to get him to his trial. They spur on Pilate with all the arguments they can to give sentence. His trial took up but one morning, and a great part of that was spent in sending him from Caiphas to Pilate, and from Pilate to Herod, and then back again to Pilate: so that it was a hasty and headlong sentence that Pilate gave. He did not sift and examine the mat∣ter, but handles it very slightly. The trial of many a mean man hath taken up ten times more debates and time, than was spent about Christ.* 1.4 They that look but slightly into the cause, easily pro∣nounce and give sentence. But that which was then done in haste, they have had time enough to repent for since.
• Fourthly, As it was a rash and hasty, so it was an extorted forced sentence. They squeeze it out of Pilate by meer clamor, importunity, and suggestions of danger. In Courts of Judica∣ture, such arguments should signifie but little:* 1.5 not importunity, but proof should carry it: but timorous Pilate bends like a Wil∣low at this breath of the people. He had neither such a sence of Justice, nor spirit of Courage to withstand it.
• ...

• Fifthly, As it was an extorted, so it was an Hypocritical sen∣tence; masking horrid murder under a pretence and formality of Law. It must look like a legal procedure to paliate the business. Loth he was to condemn him, lest innocent blood should clamor in his Conscience; but since he must do it, he will transfer the guilt upon them, and they take it: His blood be on us and on our children for ever, say they. Pilate calls for water, washes his hands before them, and tells them I am free from the blood of this just person. But stay, free from his blood, and yet condemn a known innocent person. Free from his blood, because he washt his hands in water. No, no, he could never be free, except his soul had been washed in that blood he shed. O the hypocrisie of Pilate! Such juggling as this will not serve his turn, when he shall stand as a prisoner before him, who now stood arraigned at his Bar.
• Sixthly and Lastly, As it was an Hypocritical, so it was an un∣revoked sentence. It admitted not of a reprieve, no, not for a day; nor doth Christ appeal to any other Judicature, or once de∣sire the least delay of the execution. But away he is hurried in haste to the execution.

Blush, O ye heavens! and tremble, O earth, at such a sentence as this! Now is Christ dead in Law; now he knows whither he must be carried, and that presently. His soul and body must feel that, the very sight of which put him into an Agony but the night be∣fore.

Fourthly and Lastly, In what manner did Christ receive this cru∣el [ 4] and unrighteous sentence? He received it like himself, with ad∣mirable meekness and patience. He doth as it were wrap him∣self up in his own innocency, and obedience to his Fathers will: and stands at the Bar with invincible patience, and meek submissi∣on. He doth not once desire the Judge to defer the sentence, much less fall down and beg for his life, as other prisoners use to do at such times. No but as a sheep he goes to the slaughter, not opening his mouth. Some apply that expression to Christ, Jam. 5.6. Ye have condemned, and killed the just, and he resisteth you not. From the time that Pilate gave sentence, till he was nailed to the Cross, we do not read that ever he said any thing, save only to the women that followed him out of the City to Golgotha: and what he said there, rather manifested his pity to them, than any discontent at what was now come upon him. Daughters of Jerusalem

(said he) weep not for me, but weep for your selves and for your children, Luk. 23.28, &c. O the perfect patience and meekness of Christ! The Inferences from hence are.

Inference 1.

* 1.6Do you see what was here done against Christ under pretence of Law? What cause have we to pray for good Laws, and righteous executioners of them.

O 'tis a singular mercy to live under good Laws, which pro∣tect the innocent from injury. Laws are hedges about our lives, liberties, estates, and all the comforts we enjoy in this world. Times will be evil enough, when iniquity is most discountenanced and punished by Law; but how evil are those times like to prove, when iniquity is established by Law! As the Psalmist complains, Psal. 94.20.* 1.7 It was the complaint of Pliny to Trajan, that whereas crimes were wont to be the burden of the age, now Laws were so; and that he feared the Common-wealth which was establisht, would be subverted by Laws. 'Tis not like that vertue will much flourish, when Iudgement springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field, Hosea 10.4. How much therefore is it our concern∣ment, to pray that Iudgement may run down as a mighty stream, Amos. 5.24. That our Officers may be peace, and our Exactors righteousness, Isai. 60.17. It was not therefore without great reason, that the Apostle exhorted, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For Kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Great is the interest of the Church of God in them. They are instruments of much good or evil.

Inference 2.

* 1.8Was Christ condemned in a Court of Judicature? How evident then is it, that there is a Iudgement to come after this life? Sure∣ly things will not be alwaies carried as they are in this world. When you see Iesus condemned, and Barrabbas released, con∣clude, that a time will come when innocency shall be vindicated, and wickedness shamed. On this very ground Solomon concludes, and very rationally, that God will call over things hereafter at a

more righteous Tribunal. And moreover I saw under the Sun the place of Iudgement, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous, and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose, and for every work, Eccles. 3.16, 17. Some indeed on this ground have denied the divine providence; but So∣lomon draws a quite contrary conclusion, God shall Iudge: sure∣ly he will take the matter into his own hand: he will bring forth the righteousness of his people as the light, and their just dealing as the noon day.

It's a mercy if we be wronged in one Court, that we can appeal to another, where we shall be sure to be relieved by a just impar∣tial Judge. Be patient therefore my brethren, (saith the Apostle) until the coming of the Lord. Jam. 5.6, 7, 8.

Inference 3.

Again,* 1.9 here you see how Conscience may be over-born, and run down by a fleshly interest. Pilates Conscience bid him beware, and forbear; his interest bid him act: his fear of Caesar, was more than the fear of God. But oh! what a dreadful thing is it for Conscience to be ensnared by the fear of man? Prov. 29.25. To guard thy soul, Reader, against this mischief, let such considerati∣ons as these be ever with thee.

First, Consider how dear those profits or pleasures cost, which are purchased with the loss of inward peace! there is nothing in this word good enough to recompence such a loss; or ballance the misery of a tormenting Conscience. If you violate it, and prosti∣tute it for a fleshly lust, it will remember the injury you did it ma∣ny years after. Gen. 42.21. Iob. 13.26. It will not only re∣tain the memory of what you did, but it will accuse you for it. Matth. 27.4. It will not fear to tell you that plainly which others dare not whisper. It will not only accuse, but it will also condemn you for what you have done. This condemning voice of Consci∣ence is a very terrible voice.

You may see the horror of it in Cain; the vigor of it in Iu∣das; the doleful effects of it in Spira. It will from all these its offices produce shame, fear, and despair, if God give not repen∣tance to life. The shame it works will so confound you, that you will not be able to look up. Iob. 31.14. Psal. 1.5. The fear it

works will make you wish for a hole in the rock to hide you: Isai. 2.9, 10, 15, 19. And its despair is a death pang. The cutting off of hope is the greatest cut in the world. O who can stand un∣der such a load as this? Prov. 18.14.

Secondly, Consider the nature of your present actions; they are seed sown for eternity, and will spring up again in suitable ef∣fects, rewards or punishments; when you that did them are turned to dust. Gal. 6.7. what a man sows, that shall he reap: and as sure as the harvest follows the seed time, so sure shall shame, fear, and horror follow sin, Dan. 12.2. What Zeuxis the famous Limner said of his work, may much more truly be said of ours, eter∣nitati pingo, I paint for eternity said he, when one asked him why he was so curious in his work. Ah, how bitter will those things be in the account and reckoning, which were pleasant in the acting and committing! 'Tis true our actions physically considered are transient; how soon is a word or action spoken or done, and there is an end of it: but morally considered, they are permanent, being put upon Gods book of account. O therefore take heed what you do. So speak, and so act, as they that must give an account.

Thirdly, Consider how by these things men do but prepare for their own torment in a dying hour. There's bitterness enough in death; you need not add more gall and wormwood, to add to the bitterness of it. What is the violencing, and wounding of Consci∣ence now, but the sticking so many pins or needles in your death-bed, against you come to lie down on it: this makes death bitter indeed. How many have wisht in a dying hour they had ra∣ther lived poor and low all their daies, than to have strained their Consciences for the world? Ah how is the face, and aspect of things altered in such an hour!

No such considerations as these had any place in Pilates heart; for if so, he would never have been courted, or scared into such an act as this.

Inference 4.

* 1.10Did Christ stand arraigned, and condemned at Pilates Bar; then the believer shall never be arraigned or condemned at Gods Bar. This sentence that Pilate pronounced on Christ, gives evi∣dence that God will never pronounce sentence against such. For had he intended to have arraigned them, he would never have suf∣fered

Christ their surety to be arraigned, and condemned for them. Christ stood at this time before a higher Judge than Pilate. He stood at Gods Bar, as well as his. Pilate did but that which Gods own hand and Counsel had before determined to be done. And what God himself at the same time•• did. Though God did it Justly and Holily, dealing with Christ, as a Creditor with a Sure∣ty. Pilate most wickedly, and basely, dealing with Christ as a corrupt Judge, that shed the blood of a known innocent to pacifie the people. But certain it is that out of his Condemnation flows our Justification. And had not Sentence been given against him, it must have been given against us.

Oh what a melting consideration is this! that out of his agony comes our Victory; out of his condemnation our Justification; out of his Pain our Ease; out of his Stripes our Healing; out of his Gall and Vinegar our Hony; out of his Curse our Blessing; out of his Crown of Thorns our Crown of Glory; out of his Death our Life: if he could not be released, it was that you might. If Pilate gave sentence against him, it was that the great God might never give sentence against you. If he yielded that it should be with Christ as they required, it was that it might be with our souls, as well as we can desire. And therefore,

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct. 2.
• * 1.2

  Iosephus lib. 18. A••t Iu∣daea quarto ad cap. 7.
• * 1.3

  Euseb Histo. Eccl••s. lib. 3. cap. 7.

  Non admodum amicus Iudaeo∣rum genti pro∣pterea quod eam suspecta•• habe∣ret animo erga Casarem hunc putant sacerdo∣tes commodum fore ipsorum pro∣posito, &c. Bu∣cer in Mat. 27. Audito Filii Dei nomine mens ejus Religione tacta fuerat, metu numinis perculsus, inter sacrum (ut aiunt) & saxum haerebat. Marlor. in Loc.
• * 1.4

  Qui ad pa••ea respiciunt, fa∣cile pronuntiant.
• * 1.5

  Minaciter ex∣torquent ab eo, ut Christum damnet. Calv.
• * 1.6

  Infer. 1.
• * 1.7

  Olim cri nini∣bus, jan legi∣bus laboratur. Et metuendum est me respublica legibus fundata, sit Legibus eversa. Plini ad Trajan.
• * 1.8

  Infer. 2.
• * 1.9

  Infer. 3.
• * 1.10

  Infer. 4.