Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
Ver. 10. Speakest thou not unto me] No, and yet St Paul saith, he "witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate," 1 Timothy 6:13; because he had said sufficient before, and was now ready to seal up the truth with his blood. But to be delivered he would not once open his mouth to Pilate. So Mr Saunders had so wholly devoted himself to the defence of Christ's cause that he forbade his wife to sue for his delivery; and when other of his friends had by suit almost obtained it, he discouraged them, so that they did not follow their suit. I pray you let me make labour for you, said one Cresswell to Master Bradford. You may do what you will, said Bradford. But tell me what suit I shall make for you, quoth Cresswell. Forsooth, said the other, what you will do, do it not at my request; for I desire nothing at your hands. If the Queen will give me life, I will thank her; if she will banish me, I will thank her; if she will burn me, I will thank her; if she will condemn me to perpetual imprisonment, I will thank her. Life in God's displeasure is worse than death; and death in his true fear is true life.
I have power to crucify thee] To crucify an innocent man? Who gave him that power? But profane persons bear themselves overly bold upon their power, as if they were little gods within themselves. So Caesar told Metellus he could as easily destroy him as bid it to be done. So Caligula, speaking to the consuls, I laugh, said he, to think that I can kill you with a nod of my head, and that this fair throat of my wife's shall be presently cut if I but speak the word. Rideo quod uno nutu meo iugulare vos possim, et uxori tam bona cervix, simul ac iussero, demetur.