Why did the judge set bail so high for Zenger?

The judge set bail high for John Peter Zenger primarily due to the serious nature of the charges against him, which included seditious libel for publishing articles critical of the colonial government. The high bail was likely intended to reflect the perceived threat that Zenger's actions posed to the authority of the government and to deter others from similar dissent. Additionally, it served to ensure that Zenger would remain in custody while awaiting trial, given the political tensions of the time.