Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Ver. 15. The governor was wont] In remembrance, say some, of their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage. A custom it was, and therefore obtained; but an evil custom, and therefore should better have been abrogated. Custom without truth is but hoariness or mouldiness of error, saith one. And custom without righteousness is but antiquity of iniquity, saith another. A custom they have in Rome to this day, that if a cardinal meet a condemned person going to execution, and put his hat on the malefactor's head, he is thereby set free. I see no sense for such a pardon. But the inhabitants of Berne in Germany gave a general pardon to most of their prisoners, and called home their banished that same day wherein the Reformation was received and established among them. a And they gave this reason for it. b Should some confederate prince pass through our coasts, we should for his sake pardon our offenders, upon promise of amendment. Now shall the King of kings, the Son of God, and our dear Brother, who hath done and suffered so much for us, come graciously unto us; and we not honour him this way also? Saul, for joy of his victory over the Ammonites, would not suffer such to be put to death as had spoken treason against him; for "today," said he, "the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel," 1 Samuel 11:13 .
a Heidfeld
b Gravissimo hoc argumento usi. Scult. Annul.