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SECT. VII. Of Christ's Examination, and Condemnation, with their Appendices.
NOw it was that they led him from Annas to Caiphas; and presently a Council is called of the High Priests, Scribes, and Elders; these were the greatest, gra∣vest, learned'st, wisest men amongst them, and they all conspire to judge him, who is the great Judge both of quick and dead.—In their proceedings, we may observe, 1. The captious examination of the High Priest. 2. The sacrilegious smiting of one of the Servants. 3. The impious accusations of the Witnesses. 4. The Sentence of the Judges. 5. The perfidious denial of perjured Peter. 6. The shameful delusion, and abuses of the base Attendants.
1. For the captious examination of the High Priest: The High Priest then asked Je∣sus of his Disciples, and of his Doctrine. 1. Of his Disciples; what the Questions were, it is not expressed; but probably they might be such as these; How many Disciples he had? and where they were? and what was become of them? why he should take upon him to be better guarded than others of greater place and calling? whether it did not savour of sedition and disturbance of the State, to lead about such a Crew of Disciples and followers after him? and what was the reason of their flight? whether it were not a token of their guiltiness of some disorder, or of riotous practises? It is not for me to speak how many Queries the High Priest might make to tempt Jesus; but certainly he was sifted to the Bran, examined to the full of all such circumstances as either might trap Christ, or in the least degree advance and help forward his Condemnation; to this question concerning his Disciples, our Saviour answered nothing; alas, he knew the frailty of his followers, he might have said, For my Disciples, you see one hath betrayed me, and another will anon forswear me, he stayes but for the crowing of the Cock, and then you shall hear him curse and swear, that he never knew me; and for all the rest, a pannick fear hath seized upon their hearts, and they are fled, and have left me alone to tread the Wine-press. Ah no, he will not speak evil of the Teachers of his people; it was grief to him, and added to his sufferings, that all had forsaken him; once before this, many of his Disciples went back, and walked no more with him; which occasioned Jesus to say to the twelve, will ye also go? why no, said Peter then, Lord, whether shall we go? thou hast the words of Eternal Life; and we believe, and are sure, that thou art that Christ the Son of the Living God. Oh Pe∣ter, what a strong Faith was that? We believe, and we are sure; but how is it now that ye have no faith? or why are ye so fearful, O ye of little Faith? I believe this sate upon the heart of Christ, and yet he would not accuse them, who now stood in their places, and was accused for them, and for us all; and therefore to that question of his Disciples, he answered nothing.
2. He asked him of his Doctrine; what his questions were of that, are not set down neither; but probably they might be such as these; Who was his Master, or instructer in that new Doctrine he had lately broached? why he did seek to innovate, and alter their long practised and accustomed Rites? and what ground had he to bring in his own devices in their steads? as Baptism for Circumcision; the Lords Supper for the Passover; him∣self and his Apostles for the high Priests and Levites, when neither he, nor most of them were of that Tribe? why he was so bold and saucy (being but three and thirty years of age) to declame so bitterly and satyrically against the Pharisees, and Sadduces, and Scribes, and Priests, and Elders of the People? Much of this stuffe he might bring out in his Interrogatories; that so by his questioning him in many things, he might trap him in something to his confusion and destruction.—And to this question our Saviour an∣swers; but Oh how wisely! I spake openly to the World (saith he) I ever taught in the Synagogue, and in the Temple, whither the Jews alwayes resorted; and in secret have I said nothing; why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I said unto them, behold they know what I said: q. d. I appeal to the testimony of the very enemies themselves; thou suspectest me to be a seditious person, and one that plots mischief against the State in secret; I tell thee truth, I speak nothing in secret (i.e.) nothing in the least manner tend∣ing to sedition; my Doctrine I brought with me from the bosom of my Father, it is the everlasting Gospel, and not of yesterday; and it containes nothing in it of Sedition, Fa∣ction, Rebellion, Treason; ask these mine Enemies, these who have apprehended and