Natalitials of our Saviour Greg. Naz. Orat. 38. Whence the Golden-mouthed Father prefaceth a Sermon in upbraiding such whose zeal and fervour excited only to Communicat upon such dayes which yet might be often and not upon others pathetically shewing how each day might be made a Festival Chrys. in Fide Ane Hom. 5. Which themâ— by Origen who was Famous Anno Dom. 226. was closely followed in his writting in defence of the Gospel against the cavils of subtile Philosophers affirming that to Keep a feast was but to attend dutifully offering up Prayer and praise as unbloody sacrifices unto God and he who believed the death of Christ and lived by his word did Celebrate the Pasch such who went to an upper Chamber to pray with one accord Keeped the Pentecost c. Contra Cels. lib. 8. WHAT more for Paper would faile if exact rehearsal of the practise of the most fam'd most Ancient most edifying most Religiouâ— Sermons Orations Persons Churches and Nations touching these things were in Individuo Specified without boasting what hatâ— been said as light may Conjure those Spectrum Phantasmes Phasmes and Apparitions of pretended supperstition though walking in 〈◊〉 heavenly garb by a holy vogue to disappeare as Impostors airey vanitys possessing nothing of the substance of solid piety not having thâ— true body of Refined Reason Laws Edicts and Authority regulating Christianity in this exercise by uniting Churches for observing in the Circumstance of time that for the doing whereof they had Authority from Apostles or Apostolick men I say Circumstance of time there being a while disagreement among the Churches when but never about whether these dayes should be observed the difference in our own Churches about Easter after Austine the monks enstalment being removed by Theodorus Bishop of Canterbury a Citizen of no mean City born in Tarsus in Cilicia St Pauls Countrey who appointed the feast of Easter to Commence according to our present Computation Anno Dom. 662. Ful. Eccles. Hist. Cent 7. WHEREBY Vnity was beheld in the Churches of Palestine that Conforming with the Churches of Antioch of the greater and lesser Asia of Egypt Thessalonica Athens and Corinth the Churches of the Isle St. Thoms of Iberia the Mengrellians bordering on the black Sea those of Phrigia Galathia Bythinia Lydia Caria Paphlagonia Magnesia Lycia Alepo Damascus Tripoly Cyprus Candia Zant. those of Media Persia India those of the Abyssins Babylon Syria and those of the once great Kingdom of China For a learned Author shewing how all these Churches though under the Dominion of the Turk Rome or Pagans agree with us in the great matters agitat against our Romish adversaries as in the Supremacy Purgatory halfe Communion Transubstantation c. Discovers also their disagreement from us in severall points to Instance onely in the case in hand some beginne their Lent ten dayes before ours some fast nine dayes before the Ascension in regard of Christs absence from the Apostles which to them they reckon a time of sorrow Paget Christian ograph 146. and 150. Which exception from our observance evidenceth their agreement with us in the matter under proof according to that Known rule exceptio firmat in non exceptis SHOULD we say in all this they inclin'd to Popery waspishly they would sting and frettingly would they be angry having against that so great an aversness that the Patriarch or Archbishope of Constantinople when Elected by his Clergy and confirmed by the Barut or Patent of the Grand-Segnior in the Government of the Churches of Greece Macedon Epirus Thrace Mosina Maldavia Corsu in the Egean Seâ— c. having under him seventy four Archbishops I say this great Patriarch yearly upon the Sunday called Dominica Invocavit solemnly excommunicats the Pope and all his Clergy for Schismaticks its true of late his seat hath been oft at Musco where to this day if a Roman priest by chance should officiat upon any of their tables or Altars as polluted or accursed they break it into pieces Paget ut sup c 29. A Learned Critick and Antiquary viewing the severall Churches of the world finds that part of the Greek Church in Armenia Celebrating the Nativity not as wee but upon the sixth of January Breeâ—woods inquir 124. as if that had been his birth day which indeed is an old opinion being received by some but neither so universaly nor so rationaly believed Chrys. Hom. de Nat. led thereunto through a mistake of the word Epiphania signifying manifestation they concluded the time of his birth and baptisme to be one for which cause it may be yet the Ethiopicks sprinkle themselves in the Epiphany in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost yet not as essential unto Faith but as Historicall a remembrance of our Saviours baptisme Barrets travells p. 146. YET the received opinion by the Current Testimony of all Antiquity from the first and primitive times was the feast of Christmas that is with the old Saxon Christs feast computed and appointed to be observed as it is now being Inclyta solemnitas a Famous Festivity over all the world Cyp. de Nat. Ser. giving it as genuine Characters of true profession to observe the Lords-day and Festivals Tert. de Idol c. 15. TO make yet a doubting Thomas believe the existence of no Popry in this codicle let him thrust his hand into the side and looke upon the Prints of these things in the body of the Church Reformed he shall or may be ascertained of its Innocency in this matter or be forced to exalt himself above all in our Israel accounting none to be so wise so pure so knowing so holy as he in all our Congregations when put together BEHOLD Eminent Emissaries of those Churches chosen as messengers from Holland Gilderland Zealand Vtrech Frizland Transylvania Groning from the Palatinate Landgrave of Hesse Helvetia Genevah from the Republick of Brem and that of Embden and from the Kingdom of great Britaine met together at Dort to Censure Remove and Rebuke opposers of their peace and Corrupters of the Doctrine of the Reformed Church for preventing of Error Heresy and Division And see them all seated debating for this end yet unanimously agreeing in full Synod to Intermitt for a while untill the feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour which then approached was performed and over The foraigne Divines being desired not to remove from Towne for more convienency of meeting the solemnity being done This motion freely obeyed and by none disputed may put some stop to the grumbling Zelot not to say the Censorious Hypocrite whose Religion perhaps should altogether not only be questioned but his prophannesse attested had he not the salvo of twitting others in the teeth as Formalists to buoy up his Credit with the headless Vulgar And when the Magistrats of Bommel writ requesting that Henricus Leo their Minister might be allowed to repare to his congregation to preach Administer c. with his own people upon the feast of the
offered by sin Satan or the world to our deceiving senses WHAT deductions faith can make from those Names of the Rock the Lamb the Vine the Sun the Rose the Shepherd the way the door the Priest pertaineth not to our province but the appellation MAN in our theme is so soveraign so gravidat with blessing flowing from Fraternity and Brotherhood that the improver may observe a Magazine in point of war for all accommodation a store-house in matter of peace for all conveniency at first representing God in MAN and therefore in spiritual attaques hellish conflicts wrestlings of Conscience strugling with the world interceeding with God he is a MAN an accomplish'd Captain endowed with all requisits required anciently by the Law of Armes for accomplishing a Leader Gentryâ—he â—he battel ended and the Halcion days â—f peace being come the soul in sweet Communion holy Fellowship with God uninterrupted joys of the Spirit he is a MAN to advise with in the Management of all things INDEED the Angel appointed this MANS name to be Iesus that is a Saviour adapting his name to his office whence saâ—vation in its bulk as also in its parts is ascertain'd to him who makes this MAN his Iesus an appellation which none of the Prophets knowing or not revealing maketh evident that Almiâ—hty wisdome concluded it fittest for an Angel first to utter and next him the Christian that both the one and the other might eternally adore the impresse and signature thereof being capable to mâ—lt the soul by its heat but its worth proclaims a jubile to the most deâ—ponâ—ding sinner in enclining his ear to these 〈◊〉 that Iesus is born in Bethlehem whoâ—â— a Saviour Christ the Lord which so traâ—â—quillats the Conscience that it may disdaâ—â— the surmisings the whâ—sperings of Fear 〈◊〉 inviting the eye and attracting the ear thâ—â— except Iesus be seen and heard wise disâ—courseing is but babling A holy Man disrelisâ—ed the otherwise sweet fluency of Tullys eminent not to say admited Rhetorick and immitable because not bumbastick Oratory in regard that Jesus was not among all his tropes to be found that being the salt seasoning the highest expression of endearing Friendship or most allureing Eloquence THAT Signior like name the Prophet giveth him Isa. 9.6 exceeds all delectation that speaking him wonderful Counseller the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace the first â—epresenting all the rest miraculous being Wonderful yet amiable because a Counsellour yet that hinting subjection he is formidable in action understand to his foes he is Mighty and least that should be construed not to extend to omnipotence he is said to be the Mighty God yet to conciliate kindnesse he is a Father and to cause veneration he is the everlasting Father and that he might be known to be above all desirable he is the Prince of Peace made peace go before him brought peace with him there being either peace or Truce at his birth all the world over what can be reflected upon here wanting for the accomplishment of a MAN and what is not here evincing the rationality of his name wonderfull IN the beginning was this word John 1.1 there 's eternity this word was with God there 's equality the word was God there 's a Deity and the word was made flesh there 's Humanity and that word in flesh is called Jesus there 's Salvability the Grace of God by him appearing and bringing salvation unto all men and how happy should we be if we would so far act as MEN as make our symbole like that the Emperouâ— Jovianus scopus vitae Christus the end and perfection of my life is Iesus FOR this cause the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. hath as a Father observes the Name Iesus and again the Name Iesus in the first ten verses eleven times over as if he could not or would not compleat his triumphant wishes for the Corinthians establishment by other means then by tuneing their ears to this Appellative Jesus makeing it manifest to the most inadvertant that the word Master or MAN or any other nown had not in his judgement vertue competent to heal their sores remove their follies or siâ— their quick silver so much as Jesus Or as if he himself by a holy inebriation of the juice or wine pressed from the signification thereof had forgot the earthinesse of names and sounds but in heavenly Dialect could only pronounce the Elements of mans salvation view the stable therefore the manger the swadling-cloaths and behold they all cry See Jesus Behold the MAN who being eternally enjoying peace and splendidly ruling in heaven was as about this time born MAN a word also insinuating Misery vexation and wo encompass'd from the womb with Legions of Devils Princes Pharisees and people yea by his own Kinred and Disciples was he perplex'd being denied forsaken and rejected saying we have no pleasure in him because they saw him a MAN that is a compend of Sorrow yet because he is a MAN that is a compound of Excellency behold his worth with chearfulnesse and Zeal as Simeon Anna the Angel and the heavenly hoast who as they sang at the Creation Iob. 38.7 would also rejoice at the Redemption of the world worshipping him who was the first begotten HOW much more ought man for whom the Lord more peculiarly was made Christ as the shepherds will shew you who went to see and returned from Christ the Lord with great joy two words expressing fiâ—st his Humanâ— then his Divine nature The great Turk vanteth of his being Guardian of our Saviours Sepulchre let us exult in his Authority glory in his Holy Name Religiously improving the design of his comeing that we may be redeemed from this present evill World Gal. 1.4 that is from the practices thereof and designs therein the mischief whereof can easily be discern'd and from which no Angel could secure us therefore their maker Gods Son became MAN by consequence our Brother voluntarily divesting himself of his glorious Robes cloathed himself with the poor rayment of flesh and blood buckled on the coat-Armour oâ— bones and sinnews to fight against the god of this world who had projected maâ—â— thraldome to Eternity by the worlds gaiâ—â—ty whereas contrary our Iesus is before us in a stable Reprobating the worlds glory in his practise that others may abstract their souls from it in their Converse IT is said that the herb Christâ—â—woort or Christmas flower in plain English black Helebore so called for its springing about this time helpeth madnesse distraction puâ—geth melancholy and dulnesse sure we are that though Christ at this time did not speak yet the members of his bodie the face of his nativitie the indigence of his parent the surlinesse of his hoast says to the demented witless because prophane prodigal Love not the world cease from evill and do good subdue pride watch envy provoke not to wrath Love mercy do violence to no man he troubled none in the Inn by makeing intrusion into any
or any thing relating to the death of Christ had been appointed for a curse so ineffable are the Mysteries of his CROSSE and horrours of his suffering and yet his drinking thereof that is the enduring and undergoing of them exceedingly pourtrays the vehemency of his desire for accomplishing mans happinesse which all his Sermons miracles actings watchings fastings evince saying still I thirst but at last conquered and triumphed over the Devils and men makeing us this day to blesse the Lord in the house of the Lord as did our elder Brethren in the day of Iehosophat when fighting againâ—t the Moabits and Ammonits in this same ground calling it Baracha that is blessing 2. Chro. 20. THE curses being removed due to fallen man for sin maketh no death to be though the sinner may dâ— accursed wherefore in death the tree is still and may be used though in honour to our Saviour the use of the crosse was abolished by Constantin the first Christian Emperour haveing seen before his famous battel with the Infidel Maxentius in the South a shining crosse in the air with this inscription in hoc vince he conquer'd by which the Church had peace round about Christ sent his Disciples two and two into every City where he was to come to prepare eyes ears and heart for his own reception that at his comeing they might receive the Holy Ghost so eminent was his thirst so longing his desire whether in eaâ—th or heaven for mans benefit for mans Salvation DAVID in many things was a typ of Christ and in this prefigured him also that as the Hart panted after the water brooks so panted his soul after God David in Christ was crucifâ—ed and Christ in David thirsted as the Hart which beast bearing naturally an antipathy to Serpents first sucks them out of their holes then rents them they again when not prevailing by force claspeth about his horns lyeth on his back to bit he for defence roulleth on his back and brusing them â—layeth them with which he is so heated that he is not at rest until he drink the applicablenesse of which to Christ is conspicuous who by the power of his breath commanded the Devils out of the possessed and by lying on his back a few hours in the grave overcame their greatest force before which how mightily he did glocitare pant and roare out that terrible cry My God my God why hast thou forsaken me an expostulation in death shewing the things he suffered and contents of what we are to do speaking this for his peoples instruction in taking inspection in calamitous times into the principal cause of their distressâ—s where faulty with the thief to say we indeed justly if otherwise sinceâ—ity appear in our tendencies to please him then to plead with him Remember Lord said Hezekiah I have walked before thee with a perfect heart why then should I dy Childlesse why should thy promise made to my Father David fail in me THOVGH with Iob for a while we suffer for secret causes yet with him let us hold fast our Faith as Christ not saying O God but My God my God why hast thou forsaken me words that discover so much of a man that but for to Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise we might demure upon his being God and in themselves hard to be understood yet this is perceptible that in strong temptations the truth of things being hid we judge of them and of our own state worse then they are the ingemination shews innocence to be enflamed because it suffered and the affluence of his sorrows so directed as to Ecclipse in him the wonted consolations in the Fathers fellowship which though wanting yet he endured his own zeal unexpressibly irritating him for â—ins removing his teeth on the CROSSE being set on edge because we in the field so greedily had eaten sour grapes CEDRON is also said to be black from it's shadinesse as being shadow'd by the mount of Olives over which David pâ—ssed bare-headed and weeping his Son our Lord was appointed for the same pilgrimage though not upon the same ground David weeping for his Son who had moved Rebellion Christ weep'd for sins committed by Rebellion David saw something in himself meriting that blacknesse and therefore cry'd Christ saw that nothing was in man that deserved clearnesse yet that his head might want no oyntment and that his garments might be always white he travelled towards this black brook under Olives the very place inspiring this observe that because of it's fruitfulnesse of oyl used in medâ—caments and one of the ingredients of the Samaritans recipe for the cure of the wounded traveller our Lords death is declared proper for cure of our spiritual wounds for strengthning our weaknesse in wrestling against principalities and powers Devils who may by permission embitter our waters yet as the horn of the Vnicorn is medicinal in healing infected fountains the plunging whereof by it causing other beasts to drink securely so application to his CROSSE as Moses to the tree Exod. 15. maketh our bitter waters to become sweet our afflictions to become easy our burthen to become light he having antidoted their evil by drinking that is by bearing of them before us yea by it our sins shall our very lusts shall have a tendency for good the remembring of Piters sin made him bitterly weep yet may we not say it made him diligently to watch he afterward not comparing himself with others attested his own Love not falling back again into the condemnation of the Devil by over-rating of himself FILTH or Earth may cause ones hands to scour the better and after washing to become the whiter this was designed in his blood viz. that we should be pure white and holy by washing our selves therein his bloud having that property to make our very garments white as in the vision Reve. â— hinting at that remission of sin which by blood was obtained in the Law As Herod therefore sought this Holy Childs life to take it and destroy it let us seek his death that is the benefit of it that we may live by it and in it with as great earnestnesse as he laid it down for he is said to drink of the brook in the way IN the way that is walking forward that is takeing no rest untill as Naomi he had setled his Church he being that Goel Ruth 3.9 the next kinsman appointed Redeemer of his Church and by right of inheritance to betroth the Gentile Church as Ruth unto himself he as Boaz being a Jew born in Bethlehem not by pulling of his shoe but by being stripped of his garments yea robbed of his life Judas lingred as did Lot but was â—oused with a what thou dost do quickly a charge not enjoyning diligence but evidencing impatience wishing for and suggesting sufferance of that which a treacherous heart had in dissimulation contrived and concealing from the other Apostles his treason by this declaration least a moments stay had been
board LET the Zealous discover faith in his conversion preserve hope untill the consumation and a manifest love in his conversation Bethany his obedience shall so clear the eyes that this flight from Olivet shall be known in all its spirituall effects and steps for the hearts more ravishing because refined joy delight and satisfaction making the tongue to cry after him Set me as a seal upon thy heart as a seal upon thy Arm Cant 8.6 that is Lord remember me now thou art going to thy Kingdom IN the year of grace 1608 three Ships called the Ascension Vnion and Good hope sailing neere the Cape of good hope had the fate all to perish the Vnion first perished next Good-hope last of all the Ascension that aspiring minds having great hope and dangerous ploddings have perished in their hope when almost arrived at their wished-for-port and Cape of their contrived design iâ— notor to those who are not strangers in our Coast yea to our shame Strangers best know it Vnion we have already lost in our dangerous discords miserably increasing and â—candalously spreading Yet we pretend to Hope and makes a lively-hood from it for Faction and variance but having so oft been under water and it it self dashed and broken to pieces might be justly called Conceit and we Phrygian-like ought to be wise behind hand and weather it out no longer but take harbour least we lose that is forfeit the benefit of the ASCENSION having only a fancied presumption of felicity to come GOD avert the ominous application of â—his instance and unit us again by the Spirit to an holy Vnion in which only we can have â—rue hope secured and then our ASCENSION will be ascertian'd by which we shall â—e ever with the Lord in the Lord and afâ—er a troublesome sea deluge of a tumultuous â—urly-burly the Ark of our Soul will rest â—o that Arrarat those mountains of Spices above saving the Cargo of a good conscience by Anchoring in the Indian shoar of heavens rich and glorious enjoyment THE Emperour Sigismund having proâ—ed succesfull in severall battels against the â—arks dignified many of his martiall Worâ—hies with the Knight-hood of the Dragon their Device being a Dragon falling headlong RESEMBLE a Saints progress toward Ierusalem to a land-journey through a vast wast and howling Wildernesse comparatively thâ— whole Earth being no other yet no Misprision from within no false Information from without no Hellish Combination encompassing need cause a retreat for all of those in the Dâ—agon already cast from Heaven are overcome Revel 12. Their attempts against the Woman and the Remnant of her seed that is the Church her Sons and Daughters are but wrigglings of that old Serpents tail since his head was wounded be not precipitate be not afraid Lyonâ—nd â—nd Adder the young Lyon and the Dragon shall you tramplâ— under feet as speaks the old Testament Psal 91. That is shortly bruise Satan under your feet as prophesieth the new Rom 16. For Christ must sit that is he must Reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet A worthy saying of that great Apostle of the Gentiles 1 Cor. 15. MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE DESCENDING OF THE HOLY GHOST Unfolded and applied Pentecost-day-May 22. Tolbooth Church 1670. Whitsun-May 22. Tolbooth Church 1670. JOHN XX. XXII And when he had said this he breathed on them and saith unto them Receive ye the HOLY GHOST AMONG other promises given by our LORD unto his Disciples for their support in the tydings of his departure that of the Father is â—aid to be one which was their being baptized with the Holy Ghost Acts 1.4 5. and that from heaven which had been revealed to Ioel Chap. 2.28 by the Father and also to the the world by the Son who had given the Spiâ—it to his Followers but the Father having promised a more ample manifestation it is peculiarly fixed to him by the Son who as a preparative thereunto from above breaths here upon them beneath the Spirit being the Soul of the Church without it you must imagine it to be only a Carcase that Article of the holy Catholick Church being a depending one the holinesse thereof relying upon her Relation in and towards that of the Holy Ghost THOVGH as a bride she be betrothed to the Son yet it 's the Spirit maketh her the Lambs wife as believing she is Baptized unto Christ yet wanting the confirmation unction or blessing of the Spirit there is no inward sanctity which being ordained to be gradualy given it is recorded in one place to be lesse plentifully and in another to be more miraculously infused as before and after our Lords Ascension is evident in many places and particularly in this wherefore it is expedient to behold how the Apostles received here the Spirit and how afterward and how we may be said as Sanctified to receive the Spirit now that we may passe from the infancy and weak condition of meerly inâ—ant Baptism and to become adult in possessing the thing thereby signified even the sprinkling by or baptisms of the Holy-Ghost as by fire that as washed and heated we may become so enliven'd as the Lord may have pleasure in our beauty and delight to dwel in our very bodies as Temples for himself His altar our mind spiritualiz'd his Sacrifice our good works the fire devouring that Sacrifice being that of Compunction for sin and zeal for his glory THESE two words Holy Ghost expresse the holy Spirit the third Person of the Trinity when together for if separated the Father and the Son are holy and the Father and angels are Spirits but when united they respect a duplicated operation and double office of the third person performed upon them who are chosen vessels unto Glory in makeing them holy and in giveing them life breath or spirit by which they become living souls Ghost or Guest being a name synonymous to all Spirits but â—elly or holy to him by way of excellency who proceeding from the Father and the Son as breathed forth and being every wâ—y holy fitteth his name to his nature the sutablenesse whereof being eminent he is denominat in our new style thought more refined then the old the Holy Ghost receiving other Names from other properties as wind fire the finger of God the comforter the spirit of Truth the holy spirit which the Apostles are commanded to receive not as though they had formerly wanted him for they preached wrought wonders cast out Devils a power that flowed from his In-being and during Christs abode but he being upon his ascending qualifieth them now this second time for the work of the Ministry in remitting of sin in binding the obstinat for sin in inteâ—preting the Scripture for their greater assurance and fuller consolation because of his absence about Prophesies and typâ— as the election of Mathias in the place of Iudas from the mouth of David doth famously make evident YET it is no great cause of offence to