CHAP. Of the malice of the Iewes against our Sauiour Christ.
FIRST, The malice of the Iewes against our Sauiour Christ, is seene, in that they did not onely spitefully oppose them∣selues against him, throughout all his life, and most vniustly deliuer him to a most shamefull death, but also malici∣ously watched him in his graue, that he might not rise, (to shew the right pro∣perty of the wicked, not onely to throw the righteous downe, but also to keepe them downe, and to trample them still vnder feete) and to hire the Watchmen to belie both themselues and his Disciples, that the truth of his Resurrection might not be knowne and beleeued for our saluation.
O miseri, quae tanta insania ciues! O wretched men that you are; what, is your rage as strong as death? nay, stronger then death? and longer then death? For the man is dead, and he is buried; And yet, Ʋos excandescitis ira, Your rage is implacable; you set armed Souldiers to watch and ward ouer this dead, harmelesse man: And so we finde what the Scripture saith of the wicked, to be true in you, Malicia eorum excaecauit eos;* 1.1 Your malice and your wickednesse haue blinded your eyes. Nay, but this deceiuer said (saith some of them) That after three dayes I will rise againe.
A deceiuer indeede; Sed pius seductor,* 1.2 But of them onely that deceiue themselues, either,
First, By relying too much on his mercy, and not thinking of his iustice; or,
Secondly, By fearing too much his iustice, and forgetting all his mercy: or,