it "If you know the truth, it will make you free:"
but if it do not "sanctify you" in this world, it can never profit you in the world to come."]
pilate's further attempt to save jesus.
John xix. 5. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them,, Behold the man !
IT is common to speak of our fallen nature as altogether corrupt, and destitute of any good thing. But this must be understood with caution : for though it is true that there is nothing really and spiritually good in the natural man, (as Paul says, " In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing,") yet there is a principle of conscience, which, in proportion as it is enlightened, deters men from evil, and prompts them to what is good. Of this we have many ex- amples in the Holy Scriptures ; and a very striking one in the passage before us. Pilate was persuaded in his mind that Jesus was innocent, and therefore could not endure the thought of putting him to death. He strove by every means in his power to pacify those who sought his life : a great many different times he bore witness to his innocence ; and, when that would not succeed, he laboured in a variety of ways to release him. He offered to inflict upon him the punishment of scourging, under the idea that his enemies would be satisfied with that : and now, after having inflicted that punishment, and permitted him to be treated with every species of indignity, he had recourse to one more device, in hopes that he should at last pre- vail upon them to spare him. He brought forth Jesus, arrayed as he was in mock majesty, and his face denied with blood and spitting; and said unto the people, " Behold the man !"