Theologicall questions, dogmaticall observations, and evangelicall essays, vpon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew Wherein, about two thousand six hundred and fifty necessary, and profitable questions are discussed; and five hundred and eighty speciall points of doctrine noted; and five hundred and fifty errours confuted, or objections answered: together with divers arguments, whereby divers truths, and true tenents are confirmed. By Richard VVard, sometimes student in the famous vniversities of Cambridge in England: St. Andrews in Scotland: and Master of Arts of both the kingdoms; and now a preacher in the famous city of London.

VERS. 21, 22, 23. [Vers. 21 22, 23.] The governour answered and said unto them; whether of the twaine will ye that I release unto you? they said, Barrabbas. Pi∣late said unto them, what shall I doe then with JE∣SUS, which is called CHRIST? they all said unto him, let him be crucified. And the governour said, Why what evill hath he done? But they cried out the more, let him be crucified.

§. 1. And they said, Barabbas.] [Sect. 1]

A little before Immanuel Tremelius died, some that stood by desired to heare his Novissima, or last words, whereupon he cried out, Vivat Christus & pereat Barabbas, Let CHRIST live, and let Barabbas die; which was a joyfull speech, it shew∣ing that although he was a Jewe, yet now he dis∣claimed Iudaisme, and was unlike to these Iewes who cried, Let Barabbas live, and Christ die.

§. 2. Quid faciam, What shall I doe with [Sect. 2] JESUS who is called CHRIST?]

The scope of Pilates question was, that he might free CHRIST; whence it may be deman∣ded,

What did Pilate to deliver Christ? [Quest. 1]

First, he tooke the occasion of the Feast, when [Answ. 1] of necessity he must release one; he examined Christ at this time, hoping that they would (hearing his innocenc•• O) have desired him to have beene let loose unto them.

Secondly, he conjoynes Christ with wicked tur∣bulent [Answ. 2] Barabbas, hoping, that they would un∣doubtedly rather desire that Christ should be relea∣sed then he,

Thirdly, he confesseth that Christ is innocent, [Answ. 3] and pleadeth hard for him. And

Fourthly, when he cannot prevaile with them, [Answ. 4] he washeth his hands.

Why did Pilate all these things for Christ, or [Quest. 2] in his behalfe.

First, that he might be famous for a righteous [Answ. 1] governour, or, lest he should be accounted an un∣just Iudge: and thus after him did Festus, Acts. 25.16. and Faelix. Acts. 23.35.

Secondly, the motion of his owne conscience [Answ. 2] within did partly dreame him to these things, 2.14, 15.

Thirdly, his wife being admonished in a dreame, [Answ. 3] and sending to fore-warne him, was partly a cause, why he did these things for Christ; certainly hee did not altogether contemne the admonition of God. Now these three things were good in Pi∣late, but they were but such generals, as may be in any reprobate.

Fourthly, there was yet another cause, why Pi∣late laboured to release Christ, and that was, be∣cause [Answ. 4] God would have the innocency of Christ to be confirmed and confessed even by the Judge who condemned him, that so it might manifestly appeare unto all, that Christ suffered not death for his owne fault, but for ours.

We see here that there was some good things, and good thoughts in Pilate at the first, but at last he is corrupted, and condemnes CHRIST, deale justly indelivering him to be crucified i••to his enemies.

[Observ.] Whence we may observe, That a good incli∣nation is not sufficient in a Magistrate, without a constant resolution; or a Magistrate must desire to judgement, and nothing must cause them to doe the hands of otherwise.

[Quest. 3] Why must Magistrates be so resolute in their purpose of passing righteous judgement?

[Answ.] Because otherwise they shall have many hin∣derances and many impediments. As for exam∣ple.

First, if they be weake and flexible, then they shall be overcome by importunate prayers and suites.

Secondly, if they be coveteous, then they shall easily be mislead with bribes, or hatred, or love, &c.

Thirdly, if they be ignorant either Iuris or facti, of the offence, or punishment alotted for such or such an offence, then they will most easily be deceived in judgement. And therefore it be∣hoves Magistrates thus to corroborate, and strengthen themselves; namely

I. With conscience and knowledge, both of the lawes of God, and of the lawes of the land. And

II. With circumspection, doing nothing rashly, but all things with mature deliberation. And

III. With an immunity, and fre••••ome from coveteousnesse, hatred, malice, rancour, respect of persons, paritality and the like, Exod. 18.21. And

IV. With magnanimity and constancy.

[Sect. 3] §. 3; Let him be crucified.]

[Quest. 1] Who were guilty of the death of Christ, either as actors, or, a bettors?

[Answ. 1] First, Pontius Pilatè who condemned him; I name him first, because I speake not of him at this time.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, the chiefe Priests, and Elders of the Iewes; in whom two things are observable; viz.

I. Causa; the cause why they endeavoured and procured the death of Christ? and that was ambition: they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God, and y^e glory of the world, more then the glory of God, Iohn. 12.42. and 5.44. They saw that Christ derogated much from them, and spake much against them; and therefore they envy Christ, and frequently calumniate him.

II. Modus, the manner of procuring Christs death, and that was corrupt, for they suborne the people, and false witnesses, Read. Matth. 26.59. and 28.12. Wherefore we must take heed of su∣bornation.

Why may we not use this suborning of others, [Quest. 2] when it may stand us in stead?

I. because subornation is the practice of [Answ. 1] wicked men (1 King. 21.10.) and therefore if we would be esteemed righteous, we must not use this practice.

II. because truth seekes no corners, but [Answ. 2] delights to goe naked; and therefore this practice of suborning others argues a hatred of truth, and a love of falsehood.

III. because the suborning either of wit∣nesses, [Answ. 3] or, friends, or Judges, argues, either an evill cause, or, an evill mind.

Thirdly, the people were guilty of, and ac∣cessary [Answ. 4] unto the death of Christ: now in them two things are observable; namely

I. The cause of their sinne, which is two-fold; to wit,

First, in constancy; for not long before this, they would have made Christ a King, Iohn. 6.15. and strawed their garments in his way, Matth. 21.8. crying Hosanna, verse, 9: but now they cry, cru∣cifie him, crucifie him. And

Secondly, a desire of pleasing their Elders and Governours, who perswaded them unto this. Christ certainly was not odious unto the common peo∣ple, but yet whilest they basely seeke to please their high-Priests and Elders, they neglect both equity, their owne salvation.

II. The blacknesse, and horriblenesse of their offence; which shewes it selfe in these things; vi••,

First, they had two testimonies, from which they might, and ought to have considered some∣thing; namely

I. Diuine testimonies; as for example, a Pro∣pheticall speech, search the Scriptures, for they testifie of me, Iohn. 5.39 yea a living voyce from the Father and God of heaven, Matth. 3.17. yea the frequent presence and assistance of the blessed Spirit of God: and divers visions and apparitions of Angels, and the confession of the devill him∣selfe, Marke. 1.24. yea many times CHRIST let them see (if they would haue observed it) that the secrets of their hearts were not kept secret from him. Now these things they should seriously haue considered, before they had cried Crucifie him.

II. Humane testimonies were not wanting unto them, if they had observed them; and those were Christs workes: the workes (saith he) which I doe testifie of me, Iohn. 5.31. He cast out of de∣vils, he cured the sicke he quickned the dead, he enlightneth the blind, he opened the eares of the deafe, he (with his word) made his enemies to fall to the ground, be with his word appeased the raging of the Sea. Reade, Matth. 8. and 9. and 11.5, 6. and Iohn. 4.26. Luke. 5.17. and Iohn. 3, 2. Now these they ought to have considered. And

Secondly they preferred Barabbas before Christ, a murderer before the Lord of life, a seditious tur∣bulent person before the Prince of peace. When men (say they Iohn. 2.) are ••runke then the worst wine pleaseth the palat; so when men are drunke with sinne, and besotted upon, it then they will re∣ceive Theudas and Iud••s Galilaeus for the true Messiah, then they will thinke Simon Magus to

be the great power of God, and then with the Gergesens they will preferre their Hogs before CHRIST. And

Thirdly, they adjudge Christ unto death, de∣siring that he may be crucified, although they were not able to accuse him of any evill, or to wit∣nesse any evill against him.

[Sect. 4] §. 4. What evill hath he done?]

[Quest. 1] Pilate here propounds the question, Whether Christ have done any evill or not? And

[Answ. 1] First, he answers hereunto himselfe, that for his part he finds no evill in him. And

[Answ. 2] Secondly, Christ in answer hereunto appeales unto their owne conscience; which of you can ac∣cuse me of sinne, Iohn. 8. And

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, the common people once answered, He hath done all things well, and nothing amisse: And therefore there was great reason why Pilate should aske this question, and thus seeke to free CHRIST from their hands, and power.

[Quest. 2] What good did Christ?

[Answ. 1] First, in generall he did all things well, and many good things unto many.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, more particularly, when Christ lived on the earth he did many temporall good things, viz.

I. He healed and cured all diseases amongst the people. And

II. He cast Devils out of those who were pos∣sessed. And

III. He went up and downe doing good, the Lord being with him, Acts. 10.38. And

IV. He stilled the raging waves of the Sea. And

V. He sed those who were hungry. And

IV. He raised up the dead unto life. Now if there had beene no greater workes done by Christ then these, yet who would have lost such a trea∣sure and rich Magazin of all temporall blessings, if they could have kept it?

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, but besides these there were spirituall benefits, and inestimable graces bestowed by Christ upon all those who came unto him in sin∣cerity of heart, and are still held forth, and freely offred by him, unto all who with hungring affec∣tions long for him. The spirituall graces and be∣nefits which the Jewes might, and we may have by Christ are many, and great, and of unvalued worth: as for example.

I. Christ reformed Religion, and taught the whole counsell of God, And

II. He reconciled us unto God, that in him we might have peace. And

III. He caused Sathan to fall as lightning from heaven, and destroyed all his workes. And

IV. He sends his holy Spirit unto us whereby we are regenerated and sanctified. And

V. He hath taken away the vaile, and laid o∣pen unto us a way unto the holy of holyes. And

VI. In him all the promises of God are yea and Amen. And

VII. Of his fulnesse we all receive grace for grace, Iohn. 1.16. And

VIII. By his Resurrection and Ascension, he hath sealed unto us our Resurrection and ascension (with him) unto life eternall. And therefore no wonder if Pilate saith, What evill hath he done? seeing he was no other but a rich treasurie of all grace and vertue.

§. 5. But they cried out the more, crucifie [Sect. 5] him, &c.]

It may here be demanded, [Quest] what manner of an∣swer this was, which the people gave unto Pilates question, in the former words?

First, it was an absurd reasonlesse answer: for [Answ. 1] Pilate enquires after CHRISTS fault, and they an∣swer they would have him punished: Hee saith, What evill hath he done, and they say Crucifie him: they object nothing against him and yet cease not crying to have him punished. And

Secondly, it was a troublesome, rude, unman∣nerly, [Answ. 2] and importunate answer, to desire a mans death, whom they could not justly taxe or accuse of any evill, yea to desire it with an unamimous consent, and to baule for it with one mouth and mind, and to answer (at least implicitely) ••e hath done no evill, but what of that? Let him notwith∣standing be crucified.