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the idleness of Mary. He held secret relations with infernal spirits, and bartered his soul for the power of working miracles. He was followed by a crowd who adored him.

Notwithstanding their good-will, it is plain that the guardians of holy things and of the imperial prerogatives could no longer remain passive; as they were officially responsible for the preservation of the majesty of religion and the peace of the empire. That which chiefly disturbed them was the information they received that a great number of people were ready to proclaim him king of the Jews; and, moreover, that he had announced himself as the Son of God, and intended to dissuade the people from the payment of the tribute.

He who had said such things and performed such works could not but die by the hands of the people. It was only necessary to explain and substantiate the charges against him. When he was questioned concerning the tributes, he made the celebrated answer which disconcerted the inquisitor: "Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's, and unto God the things which are God's;" which was equivalent to saying: "I leave unto you Cesar, and I take away from you Jupiter." When questioned by Pilate and the high priest, he repeated the assertion that he was the Son of God, and that his reign was not of this world. Then Caiphas said: "This man is guilty, and must die;" but Pilate, on the contrary, said: "Liberate this man, for he is innocent."

Caiphas viewed the matter in its religious aspect as high priest; Pilate considered the subject in its political bearings as a laic. Pilate could not understand the connection between the State and religion, between Cesar and Jupiter, between politics and theology.