coming at by this question, what hast thou done? The answer, which our blessed Lord made to this last question, we shall discuss at large in the following consideration, in the next volume. In the mean time, from the words which we have explained, we may learn the following truths.

1. Christ's magnanimity and prudence, in his behaviour towards Pilate, is a great comfort to his suffering members.

Pilate had here before him a person of transcend.. ent dignity, who was sensible of his spotless innocence and the justice of his cause. The prisoner therefore might justly presume to put the Roman governor, who was his judge, in mind of his station; to instruct him in the observance of the rules of justice and equity; and to give him to understand, that instead of being imposed upon by an ambiguous charge, he ought to have taken care to be rightly informed of the nature and true meaning of the accusation brought before him. All these intimations proceeded from the spirit of fortitude and strength, with which the human nature of the Lord Jesus was abundantly anointed. Though Christ, in this particular, has an infinite pre-eminence above all his companions; (Psa. xlv. 8.) yet he will graciously impart to his persecuted members as much of this magnanimity, and undaunted firmness, which was here displayed to the Roman governor, as he sees proper for their several conditions. Let no Christian, therefore, however timorous and fearful he is by nature, despond, and say within himself, Alas! should persecution arise for the sake of truth, if it should be my case to be brought before magistrates, councils, and courts of judicature, to give an answer of the reason of the hope that is in me, I am afraid, that I shall greatly prejudice the cause of God. I say, let none give way to such desponding thoughts; for Jesus Christ, who can make intrepid lions of his hh

VOL. I.

most timid sheep, will, at the hour of trial, communicate to them as much of his fortitude and holy confidence, as they stand in need of. Hence women and children in the most violent persecutions, have declared the truth to tyrants in such an undaunted manner, that the remembrance of it has stuck by them during their whole lives. Thus the firmness and magnanimity of our Saviour will be always a source of comfort to his faithful servants.

But no less comfortable is the consummate wisdom and prudence that shone forth in this pattern of perfection, who did not suffer himself to be drawn into the subtile snare of perplexity, by an ambiguous question; but before he answered it, he cleared up its obscurity and equivocation, and used the utmost caution not to prejudice the truth. The spirit of this world is very industrious and artful in his endeavours to perplex and confound our ideas of the essential truths of religion, that he may afterwards take the advantage of our doubts and perplexities. In this work, none do him more service than those learned men who, by their abstracted notions, and scholastic subtilities, to perplex and obscure the clearest truths, that others of less sagacity are entirely at a loss how to go about to unravel them. This is a most wretched employment indeed: which the prince of darkness, as he is the greatest gainer by it, will one day recompence according to its deserts. But Jesus Christ the eternal word who, at the first creation, caused the light to shine out of darkness, accounts it a part of his prophetic and mediatorial office, to extricate truth from perplexity, and to reduce to order that confusion which has been introduced by designing men and scholastic dreamers. well for us that we have an all-wise mediator, who is made wisdom to us, since we have to do with a subtile enemy, who has a thousand ways to circumvent its; who would take advantage of our simplicity,

It is

did not the watchful eye of the blessed Jesus prevent us from falling into dangerous perplexities and embarrassments. This is a singular comfort to persecuted Christians, who in their examinations are often vexed with intricate and ambiguous questions; since they may be assured, that Jesus Christ the captain of their salvation, who was himself tempted in the same manner, has not only a compassionate tenderness for his conflicting soldiers, but will also give them words and wisdom; (Luke xxi 15.) and will also, as it were, put a clue into their hands, which will guide them out of the labyrinth of equivocal and perplexing examinations.

2. It is the duty of the followers of Christ to avoid all appearances of evil.

Our Saviour could with all boldness ask Pilate, whether he taxed him with rebellious and seditious designs of himself, or whether his accusers had whispered such things in his ears? This his undaunted firmness was the effect of his innocence; for he had avoided every appearance of evil. By this behaviour, he gave us an admirable pattern for our compliance with these words of his apostle, 'Abstain from all appearance of evil,' (1. Thes. v. 22.) Many are the malignant eyes that narrowly watch every step of the children of God, and put the worst construction on their actions. Therefore it behoves them not only carefully to avoid all manner of vice, but even the appearance of what may be construed to their disadvantage. But to this end, it is requisite to preserve a very tender conscience (which, like the pupil of the eye, is hurt by the least atom of sin) a constant selfdenial, and a continual watchfulness over our inward thoughts and outward demeanor. These precautions must also be accompanied with incessant prayer, that the omniscient God who counteth all our steps will establish all our goings by his sacred word. But whoever sets about this arduous task, relying merely

on his own strength, wisdom, and prudence, will, before he is aware, meet with a grievous fall.

3. It is a grievous offence to the rest of the world, when truth and godliness are persecuted by those persons, who ought to countenance them.

Pilate, as a statesman, was here offended, that the Jewish Priests should deliver up to him their Messiah and King, and desire that he should be put to death. By this proceeding of the Jews, the heathens were hardened in their hatred against Jesus, for they saw him persecuted by his own people, among whom he was born. Woe to the world likewise because of his offence! But happy are they who are the innocent objects of such unrighteous proceedings, since the blessed Jesus has sanctified this kind of suffering in his own adorable person, and has declared that theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 4. The great and wise of this world cannot bear to hear instruction from Christ and his members.

How was Pilate displeased when the Lord Jesus, instead of returning an immediate answer, by a discreet question gave him an intimation, that he ought not suffer himself to be imposed upon by his enemies, and to be prepossessed by their equivocal accusations. As the same spirit of resentment against discreet intimations still continues among those, who have the power in their hands, and have not yet been modelled into gentleness and humility by the spirit of Christ, whatever they do, they think must be right; and they look upon the most humble and mild remonstrances as an affront offered to their dignity, The privileges of princes are a much more pleasing topic to them, than the duties incumbent on that high station; and it is with a reluctant impatience that they hear themselves put in mind of their duty, though it be from the word of God. Nay, though it is a general maxim in the world that one is not to put up with an offence of

any kind; yet they think Christians are to be harrassed and insulted by them, without so much as opening their mouths. Thus it must be for a time; but the scene will at last be shifted, and a day is at hand when the saints shall judge the world, (Cor. vi. 2.)

5. Every Christian, in considering all the circumstances of our Saviour's passion, has sufficient cause to put this question to himself, what hast thou done?

Of the blessed Jesus it is said in scripture, 'He did no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth; (Isa. liii. 9.) he went about doing good,'(Acts x. 38.)

The malefactor, who was crucified with our blessed Lord, says of him, 'This man hath done nothing amiss,'(Luke xxiii. 41.) Yea, Christ himself says in the face of the enraged multitude, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father: for which of those works do ye stone me ?'(John x. 32.) But when any of us shall ask his own heart, what hast thou done? What a multitude of sinful actions will then present themselves to his affrighted conscience, which are recorded in God's book of remembrance! now, amidst the terrors that surround us, when we find we are such miserable sinners, and have been so frequently guilty of transgressing the commandments of God, let us not forget, during this salutary contrition, to lift up the eye of faith to Jesus the immaculate Lamb of God, concerning whom Pilate himself cries out' Why [would you crucify him?] what evil hath he done,' (Luke xxiii. 22.) The innocence and merits of Christ must henceforth be the asylum, to which we may fly for refuge from the complaints and accusations of our consciences. This is the way to make a beneficial application to ourselves of this part of our Saviour's sufferings.