CHAPTER XIX. 523 perform the office, ifthe high-priest was indisposed or hindered And some think they might rule alternatelyor together by permis- sion or appointment of the Romans ; it is evident the sacred laws of Moseswere not strictly observed at that time among them, nor long before. Note, This Annas is supposed to be the same person with that Ananias, whomPaul did not seem to acknowledgefor God's high-priest, when the reproved him and called him, "Thou whited wall ; Acts. xxiii. 3 -5. 40. Q. Who was governor of Judea at that time ? A. Pontius Pilate ; for Tiberius Cursar, who had reigned two or three years together with Augustus at Home, and had after his death succeededhimnow nineteen years in the empire, had a few years before made this Pilate governor : He was a man thorough- ly prepared for all manner of iniquity, which he executed through his whole government, and gave farther proof of it in that unjust sentence which he passed, even against his own conscience, for the crucifixion of our blessed Lord at the request of the wicked Jews. 41. Q: What became of Pontius Pilate at last ? A. He was in a very short time recalled by the Roman emperor for mis- demeanors inhis government, and banished to Vienne in France, where he is reported to have put an end to his own life by the sword. 42. Q. Did the Jews grow wiser and better afterwards ? A. They went on by persecution and rage against the gospel of Christ, and the professors of it, and by many other crimes, to fill up the measure of their iniquities, till at last, upon their in- surrection against the Romans, they were exposed to the fury of a conquering army, their city and temple were utterly destroyed, according to the prophecy of Christ, eleven hundred thousand of the people perished, and the remains of their nation have been scattered abroad through the earth unto this day. 43. Q. What general remark may be drawn from the whole history of the Jews since their return from the captivity of Ba- bylon ? A. That the affairs of their church and of their state have been so much disquieted by the invasions and persecutions of the kings of the earth so wretchedly corrupted with the ''introduction of human traditions, pharisaical superstitions and heathenish rites among them, and so frequently and grievously oppressed by their own priests and princes, as well as stran- gers, that they never did enjoy so peaceful, so pious, and so flourishing a state, as to give a full accomplishment of all those glorious prophecies which relate to their return from captivity. 44. Q. What follows from this remark ? A. That there must be in the decrees and providence of God a further reserve of peace, holiness and happiness for the seed of Israel, which r.12 i.
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