MEDITATION ON OUR LORD'S PASSION: The Second Accusation Before Pilate I

MAZZOLINO, Ludovico 
Christ before Pilate 
c. 1525

The 21. Meditation of the second accusation before Pilate
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Pilate went forth again unto the Jews, saying: I find no cause in this man: But the high Priests accused him in many things; and Jesus answered nothing: Then Pilate asked him, saying to him: Dost thou not hear how great testimonies they speak against thee? Dost thou not answer anything? Behold in how great things they accuse thee? But Jesus answered not him to any word, so as the President wondered greatly. 

Consider first, that Pilate expecting no answer to this question (what is the truth) went forth, either because he thought that question appertained not to him, or else that it was not convenient at the time. To whome thou maiest know thyself to be like, so oft as thou shalt passest over lightly heavenly things; or as oft as thou shalt think, that those things which are spoken of everlasting life, of perfection, or as Christian life, appertain not unto thee; or as often as thou dost lightly leave that which before thy God thou hadst justly purposed. Think no time unfit for divine instructions.

Consider secondly that Pilate found no cause of death in Christ; the Jews a false cause; and God the Father a true cause, to wit, the purging of thy sins for the salvation of thy soul. Ponder earnestly with thyself upon this cause. For the reason why thou lovest not Christ so well as thou oughtest, nor art so thankful as thou shouldest be; nor art sufficiently moved with this his so great and bitter pain, is, because thous doest not earnestly acknowledge, nor revolve in thy mind, that thou wert the cause of these his bitter pains.

Consider thirdly the great and manifold crimes objected against thy Lord in the sight and hearing of all the people, who wondered exceedingly at such new and strange things. Do thou patiently suffer for thy Lords sake all slanders, injuries and reproaches.

Consider fourthly the deep silence of our Lord, wherein Pilate the Gentile admired the wisdom of Christ, and the Jews were made more audacious to add more and grievous accusations. Admire thou the patience of God, who being hitherto offended with so many and so grievous sins, both of thee, and of other men, doth not only still hold his peace, wink at them & pardon them, but also doth bestow many benefits upon thee; that thou being moved with his bountiful liberality, maist at last remember thyself.

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