guages, and those most known in the world at that time." The Greek tongue was then known in most parts of the world. The Hebrew was the Jews' native language. And the Latin the language of the Romans. So that it being written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, it was easy to be understood both by Jews and Gentiles.

Thus the providence of God designed to make it notorious and evident to all the world; for so all things intended for public view and knowledge were written. Josephus tells us of certain pillars, on which was engraven in letters of Greek and Latin, "It is a wickedness for strangers to enter into the holy place." So the soldiers of Gordian, the third emperor, when he was slain upon the borders of Persia, raised a monument for him, and engraved his memorial upon it, in Greek, Latin, Persic, Judaic, and Egyptian letters, that all people might read the same. And as it was written in three learned languages, so it was exposed to view in a public place, and at a time when multitudes of strangers, as well as Jews, were at Jerusalem, the time of the passover; so that all things concurred to spread and divulge the innocency of Christ, vindicated in this title.

3. It was an honorable title. Such was the nature of it, says Bucer, that in the midst of death Christ began to triumph by it.

4. It was a vindicating title; it cleared up the honor, dignity, and innocency of Christ, against all the false imputations, calumnies, and blasphemies which were cast upon him by the wicked tongues, both of Jews and Gentiles. They had called him a deceiver, a blasphemer, because he made himself the Son of God. But now in this they acknowledge him to be the King of Israel.

5. Moreover it was a predicting and presaging title. Evidently foreshowing the propagation of Christ's kingdom, and the spread of his name and glory among all kindreds, nations, tongues, and languages. As Christ

hath right to enter into all the kingdoms of the earth by his Gospel, and set up his throne in every nation; so it was presaged by this title that he should do, and that Hebrews, Greeks, and Latins should be called to the knowledge of him. Nor is it a wonder that this should be predicted by wicked Pilate, when Caiaphas himself, a man every way as wicked as he, had prophesied to the same purpose; for "being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." John, 11:51, 52. Yea, many have prophesied in Christ's name, who, for all that, shall never be owned by him. Matt. 7:22.

6. And lastly, It was an immutable title. The Jews endeavored, but could not persuade Pilate to alter it. To all their importunities he returns this resolute answer, "What I have written, I have written;" as if he had said, Urge me no more, I have written his title, I cannot, I will not alter a letter thereof. Surely the constancy of Pilate at this time can be attributed to nothing but special Divine Providence. Most wonderful! that he, who before was inconstant as a reed shaken by the wind, should now be fixed as a pillar of brass. And yet more wonderful, that he should write that very particular in the title of Christ, This is the King of the Jews, which so alarmed him but a little before, and was the consideration that moved him to give sentence. What was now become of the fear of Cesar! that Pilate dares to be Christ's herald, and publicly to proclaim him, The King of the Jews.

II. In all this, Divine Providence acted gloriously and wonderfully,

1. In overruling the heart and hand of Pilate contrary to his own inclination. I doubt not but Pilate himself was far enough from intending what the wisdom of

Providence designed in this matter. He was a wicked `man, and had no love to Christ. He had given sentence of death against him; yet this is he that proclaimed him to be Jesus, King of the Jews. His pen was so overruled, that he did not write what was in his own heart, but quite the contrary; even a fair and public testimony to the kingly office of the Son of God, This is the King of the Jews.

2. In applying a present, proper, public remedy to the reproaches and blasphemies Christ then received.

3. In keeping so timorous a person, a man of so base a spirit, that would do any thing to please the people, from receding or giving ground in the least to their importunities.

4. In casting the ignominy of the death of Christ upon those very men who ought to bear it. For it is as if Pilate had said, You have moved me to crucify your King, I have crucified him, and now let the ignominy of his death rest upon your heads, who have extorted this from me. He is righteous, the crime is not his but yours.

5. In fixing this title to the cross of Christ, amid such a confluence of people; so that it could never have been more advantageously published. How wonderful are the works of God! "His ways are in the sea, his paths in the great deeps; his footsteps are not known." His providence hath a prospect beyond the understanding of all creatures.

INFERENCE 1. The providence of our God can, and often does overrule the counsels and actions of the worst of men for his own glory. It can serve itself by them that oppose it, and bring about the glory and honor of Christ by those very men and means which are designed to lay it in the dust. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee." Psalm 76: 10. The Jews thought, when they crowned Christ with thorns, bowed the knee and mocked him, led him to Golgotha and crucified him;

that now they had utterly despoiled him of all his kingly dignities; and yet even there he is proclaimed a King. Thus the dispersion of the Jews, upon the death of Stephen, spread the Gospel far and near, " For they went every where preaching the word." Acts, 8:4. Thus Paul's bonds for the Gospel fell out to the furtherance of the Gospel. Phil. 1: 12. Oh the depth of Divine wis dom! to propagate and establish the interest of Jesus Christ by those very means that seem to import its destruction! How great a support should this be to the faith of God's people, when all things seem to oppose their hopes and happiness! "Let Israel therefore hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." Psalm 1307. He is never at a loss for means to promote his own ends.

2. The greatest services performed for Christ undesignedly, shall never be accepted nor rewarded of God. Pilate did that for Christ that not one of his own disciples at that time durst do; and yet this service was not accepted of God, because he did it not designedly for his glory, but from the mere overruling of Providence. "If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, saith the apostle." 2 Cor. 8: 12. The eye of God is first and mainly upon the will; if that be sincere and right for God, small things will be accepted; and if not, the greatest shall be abhorred. So 1 Cor. 9: 17. "If I do this thing (that is, preach the Gospel) willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me;" that is, if I, upon pure principles of faith and love, from my heart, designing the glory of God, and delighting to promote it by my ministry, cheerfully and willingly apply myself to the preaching of the Gospel, I shall have acceptance and reward with God; but if my work be a burden to me, and the service of God esteemed as a bondage,

Providence may use me for the dispensing of the Gospel to others, but I myself shall lose both reward and comfort. As it doth not excuse sin, that God can bring glory to himself out of it; so neither doth it justify an action, that God overrules it to his praise. Paul knew that even the strife and envy in which some preached Christ, should turn to his salvation; Phil. 1: 19; and yet he was not at all beholden to them for promoting his salvation that way. So Pilate here promotes the honor of Jesus Christ, to whom he had no love, and whose glory he did not at all design; and therefore hath neither acceptance nor reward with God. Oh then, whatever you do for Christ, do it heartily, designedly, for his glory; of a ready and willing mind; with pure and sincere aims, for this is acceptable with him.

3. Would not Pilate recede from what he had written on Christ's behalf? How shameful is it for christians to retract what they have said or done for Christ. Did Pilate say, "What I have written, I have written?" and shall not we say, What we have believed, we have believed; and what we have professed, we have professed? What we have engaged to Christ, we have engaged. As God's election, so your profession must be irrevocable. Oh let him that is holy be holy still. The counsel given by a reverend divine in this case, is both safe and good. "Be sure you stand on good ground, and then resolve to stand your ground against all the world. Follow God, and fear not men. Art thou godly? repent not, whatsoever thy religion cost thee. Let sinners repent, and let saints repent of their faults, but not of their faith; of their iniquities, but not of their righteousness. Repent not of your righteousness, lest you afterward repent of your repentance. Repent not of your zeal, or your forwardness, or activity in the holy ways of the Lord. Wish not yourselves a step further back, or a cubit lower in your stature in the grace of God. Wish