But Pilate was a governor and a judge, whose duty it was, no less to protect the innocent, than to punish the guilty. He had no right to sacrifice the life of an innocent person to the clamours of a mob. He should have told them plainly, that he would rather sacrifice his situation, and even life itself, than be guilty of such horrible injustice. And, however menacing the rising tumult might appear, he should have adhered to the path of duty, and risked all consequences. In not doing this, he neglected his office ; and, by consenting to their wickedness, made himself a partaker of it. It was to no pur- pose to enter a protest against the act, and then join in the commission of it. His saying, " I am innocent," did not make him innocent : on the contrary, we are assured, on infallible authority, that in the sight of God he is considered as a con- federate with the very people whom he thus professed to condemn"^.]
Nor less vain are many similar protests that are made amongst ourselves —
[What is more common than to reply, in justification of ourselves, ' I must do so?' One says, ' I inust be guilty of such and such frauds : it is not my fault, but the fault of the trade : one cannot carry on trade without it.' Another, whilst he conforms to the sinful customs of the world, urges a similar excuse; ' I must do so, else I shall incur the odium of sin- gularity, and endanger both my reputation and interest. I acknowledge that the things are wrong ; but I must do them.' Know then, that, if you must do them, you must also answer for them at the tribunal of God : and that, in that day, " not he who acquitteth himself shall be approved, but he whom the Lord acquitteth^."]
'• Luke xxiii. 51. "2 Cor. xii. 1, 11.
J Acts. iv. 27. « 2 Cor. x. 18.