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GOd hath set in the way of salvation many thousand Jews, who had crucifi'd the Lord of glory, Act. 2.23, 37, &c. and 3.14, 15. and 4.4. And the same History rehearses, that there were a great number of Priests, whom we know were guiltier of the death of Christ,
who were since brought to the obedience of Faith. Such were the effects of the good∣ness of God, who was willing to save them through the same blood which they had spilt, and cause their crime, the most heinous that ever could be committed, to turn to their own salvation.
But if grace was shewed to those, to the murtherers of the righteous, to those that used him as a malefactor, why not also to that person, who alone pleaded for him on this occasion, and endeavoured to deliver him? Among many Answers that may be given to that Question, 'twill suffice now to say, that Pilat's wife was onely moved therein by the fear of pu∣nishment, in case her husband should con∣demn an innocent man; that such terror is far from the true motives of charity, and of the love of justice. Thus, among many persons that are guilty, God doth often pardon the guiltiest of all, and leaves others to the condemnation they have de∣served. In both he shews, that he hath power to shew mercy or justice, notwith∣standing the degrees of the offences.