And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, (6) And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. (7) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
What an awful Council this was become, composed of such awful characters. The Reader should be told, that this Council consisted, or ought to have consisted, of seventy Persons, the true Elders of Israel. It was first formed, by the Lord himself. See Numbers 11:16-17. But, now we find a motley crew; Scribes, and Pharisees, and Sadducees. For their character, as given by our Lord himself: See Matthew 23:1 throughout: See also Acts 23:8. Before such awful characters, the highly honored servants of the Lord Jesus Christ was brought. And I would have the Reader remark the blessedness of being so brought, because it afforded the opportunity for the Apostles to preach, and the Church, in all after ages, to read the record of what they said, under the teaching of God the Holy Ghost. And I beg the Reader to remark with me how upon numberless occasions the Lord permits, yea, appoints the malice of men, to proceed to a desperate length sometimes, for the greater manifestation of his glory, and his peoples' good. If the Reader will turn to a single verse in one of the Psalms, and beg of the Almighty Author of Scripture, even God the Holy Ghost, to write it in the tablets of his heart, to have recourse to as may be needed; he will find great blessedness in it. The verse is Psalms 105:25. He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtly with his servants. Oh! how often hath this sweet Scripture taught my soul to look through the cobweb malice of men; and to discern the hand of a gracious, wise, and love ordering Lord, Ezekiel 1:26-28.