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A reprobate before he commit a sin, is often vexed within himself, and fears to commit it: not because he hates and dislikes the sin for itself, but because he cannot abide the punishment due to the sin. When the daughter of Herodias danced before Herod, and pleased him: that he might do her a pleasure, he bade her ask what she would: she asked John the Baptist's head in a platter: Herod did grant her request, but yet he had a grudging in heart, and he was sore grieved at it. In like manner, Pilate was very much troubled inwardly before he condemned our Savior Christ.