the independent testimony of several different witnesses. The circumstance that they
agree in the main though sometimes differing in details is a proof that there was no
collusion between them (vide § 47).
249. M. How can Jesus be "the Prince of Peace" (Isa. ix. 6) when He
acted as mentioned in Matt. xxi. 12 (Mark xi. 15: John ii. 15), and spoke as in Luke xii.
51 (Matt. x. 34) and Luke xxii. 36?
C. He is the Prince of Peace because He reconciles men to God and gives spiritual
peace to His people (John xiv. 27: Phil. iv. 7: Col. iii. 15). He was supporting God's law
in putting an end to the desecration of the Temple (Matt. xxi. 13: cf. Isa. lvi. 7). He
warned His disciples that they would be persecuted by their enemies, but even then assured
them of the spiritual peace which He would give them (John xvi. 33). That He did not wish
them to take up the sword in their own defence is clear from Matt. xxvi. 52 (cf. Luke ix.
54-6).
250. M. If Jesus had been divine, He would have known that but few would believe
in Him, and then He would not have died for so few.
C. He did know, for He said, "Many are called, but few chosen"
(Matt. xx. 16; xxii. 14: cf. vii. 14). Moreover, your argument answers itself, if we apply
it in another way. God must have known when He created the world that many would be
idolaters. Do you therefore deny creation, or God's omniscience?