§. 42. Of Apostates putting the Son of God to an open shame.
YEt further to aggravate this sin of Apostates, the Apostle addeth another wo•…•…▪ thus translated, a 1.1 put to an open shame. This is a compound word. T•…•… b 1.2 simple signifieth to shew, Matth. 4. 7. Thence a c 1.3 noune; which signi•…•… •…•… spectacle, or an example, (Iud. v. 7.) and a d 1.4 verb which signifieth to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of, and thereupon to make an example. From thence ariseth the e 1.5 com•…•… here used: which for the most part is taken in the worst sense; namely to ma•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an example of disgrace, to expose one to ignominy and open shame. It is used •…•…∣gatively of Iosephs mind to the Virgin Mary, He was not willing to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 publick example, Matth. 1. 19.
This compound verb is here fitly and fully thus translated, put him to an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shame. This is an evidence of Apostates excessive envy, hatred and malice agai•…•…* 1.6 Christ: and it hath reference to their malicious handling of Christ, at the time of his death. For they sent men to apprehend him as a thief. When they had bro•…•… him to the High-Priest, they suborn false witness against him. The High-Prie•…•… servants spit in his face, smite him with their hands and staves. They deliver 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up to an heathen Judge. They choose him rather to be put to death, then a •…•…∣rious murderer. They all cry out to the Judge, to have him crucified. Souldi∣ers, after he was whipped and condemned, in derision, put a purple robe up•…•… him; plat a Crown of Thornes upon his head, and put a reed for a Scepter into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand. They lead him out to the common place of execution, making him to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his own Crosse. They naile him to a Crosse, and so lift him up: and that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two theeves, for the greater ignominy. They deride him so hanging upon the Crosse. They give him Gall and Vinegar to drink. These and sundry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wayes did they, who first crucified Christ, put him to open shame.
In like manner do Apostates deal with the Lord Jesus Christ. They blasp•…•…* 1.7 his name: they disgrace his Gospell: they persecute his members, and that in the •…•…orest, and rigourest manner that they can. If they could, they would pull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself out of heaven, and handle him as shamefully as he was before handled: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all on meer malice: and that after they have been enlightned, tasted of the heavenly 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪