saving that we may add that his holiness of Doctrine and life would be yea was an Eye-sore to the Scribes Pharisees and hipocrites and to such as adhered unto them This low condition is a part of the spotless punishment of the sin of man unto which Iesus Christ doth voluntarily submit himself Quest Wherein or in what respects was Jesus Christ like unto a worm for he describeth himself a worm is 1. Despicable 2. Vseless 3 None feareth it 4 None cares to defend it 5. Every one is bold to tread on it 6. They will be easily induced to destroy it 7. None fears revenge for destroying it 1. Jesus Christ his poverty did so vaile his glory that in all these and such like respects he was like a worm which cloud of obscurity was no small part of his humiliation and suffering for our sin he was despicable Psal 22.5 despised of the people Psal 119.141 I am small and despised Eccles 4.16 the poor mans wisdome is despised Isai 53.3 despised rejected of men but God did dearly accept him Math. 3.17 and 12.18 2. He was rendered hereby in the worlds eye useless they were exceeding populous and where it is so the poor worms are rather a burthen then of any use to their Generation though they be godly and wise Joh. 7.49 the poor people are cursed Act. 4 11. the stone set at nought by the builders but God made him the head of the Corner and desireable to redeem preserve and govern the world and especially the Church 3. None is afraid of a worm it cannot hurt us so none feared Jesus Christ Herod and his men of war set him at nought though there was the greatest cause in the world for Herod and his men of war to have feared the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Rev. 5.5 and to kiss the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.12 and tremble at the wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6 1â— 16 17. and the Kings of the Earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and the bond man and every free man hid themselves in the Dens and in the Rocks of the mountains and said to the Rocks and mountains fall on us and hide us from the face of him that fitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand 4. None careth to defend such a poor useless creature as a worm is so no body cared to defend Jesus Christ and his cause Once Nicodemus spake a good word for Jesus Christ which had a present good effect but he was quipped for it Joh. 7 50.51 52 53. Jesus Christ complained Psal 22.11 there is none to help but God taketh care of this poor worm Isai 40.14 fear not thou worm Jacob. 5. Any one is bold to tread upon a worm to hurt and injure it so were the people bold to speak and do against Jesus Christ sometimes to stone him Ioh. 8.59 and 10.31 sometime to cast him down the clist of the Rocks Luk 4.28 29 30. but God preserved him from them 6. Every one is easily induced perswaded to destroy a worm So were thâ— people who a few dayes before had cried Hosanna to the Son of David easily perswaded by the Priests Scribes and Pharises to cry crucifie him and give us Barabbas 7. They fear no body to take vengeance for wrong done to a worm so were the Jews fearless of any vengeance to be inflicted upon them for the wrong and injury done unto Jesus Christ which made them bold to expose themsâ—lves and their posterity unto any such vengeance saying his blood be upon us and upon our Children And never was blood more sharply revenged and a curse more severely executed for they have been under that curse near seventeen hundred years and they are still under it to this day Quest But why did Jesus Christ take upon him such a low condition in this world why came he not a Prince in the external Royalty of his Father David Answ 1. Because this low stripped bereaved condition under the loss of thâ— dominion of man in this world is one part of the punishment due to the sin of man Gen. 3 23 24. and it is such a punishment as may be taken up and born with Innocency without any defilement of sin therefore Jesus Christ did willingly submit to the deepest stroke of that punishment for the satisfaction of Divine justice Isai 63.9 in all our sinless afflictions he was afflicted and Isai 53.4 he hath born our griefs was wounded for our transgressions the chastisement of our peace was upon him And this innocent punishment for our sin he suffered most purely perfectly and meritoriously unto the Infinite satisfaction of the vindictive Justice of God And thereby took out the sting of the curse from the like low condition that we may fall into and he bore it away from us Isai 53.5 6. 2. Jesus Christ came in this low condition to sanctifie a low condition in this world for his Saints the elect of God Seeing it was the purpose of God to carry the Church in this world through such a low condition 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. Yet take this with these cautious 1. All the Church of Gods Elect are not so all are not in such a low condition though most are for the Text saith not many noble rich mighty but some such there alwayes are for the great support of the Church when Kings are nuâ—sing Fathers and Queens are nursing mothers to the Churches Isai 49.23 2 Again take this caution that this low condition of the Church shall not alwaâ—es be so for in the latter dayes Jesus Christ will more plentifully pour out pâ—â—s â—rity grace which though it hath been more rarely dispenced hitherunto yet it seemeth to me that it shall be otherwise in the glorious times of the Church in this world as may be gathered out of the Prophesies of Isaiah from the sixty Chapter and so forward and from many other Scriptures 3. Jesus Christ came in a low condition in this world and carryeth his Elect many of them through this world in a low condition to exert and exercise Gods Sovereignty in defending his poor worms against the proud great world and sometimes in advancing his worm Jacob and David from the Shephards crook to the Scepter Luk. 1.48 he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid this Sovereignty of God is highly celebrated 1 Sam. 2.4 ad 11. Job 5.15 16. and abundantly in the books both of the Scriptures and of the providences of God 4. Jesus Christ came in such a low condition to set us a pattern of exercising suffering graces which must be in this militant world or not at all for there will be no occasion in Heaven for the use of suffering grace when all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes 5. Jesus Christ came in such a low condition to
as pure as we can and may be capable to doe in this our state militant and to be filled with holy spiritual and heavenly conference after it 4. While Jesus and his Disciples were thus exercised in these holy services conferences and Prayers Iudas was among the chief Priests and Pharisees who by that time of night were at home and soon ready to attend the motion of their traiterous Companion Yet Iudas found difficultyes and delayes in getting all things ready to get a Company of men and Officers their Commission arms clubs staves and other weapons lanthorns torches c. Judas found that he had thrust himself into a troublesome employment And however he intended to have dispatched quickly according to that discovering word which Jesus Christ spake to him at his going out what thou doest doe quickly intimating that it was in the plot and purpose of his heart to surprize him there in the place where they kept the passover But he found so many difficultyes and delayes that it was near about midnight ere he could get all things ready as will appear in the Sequel 5. After this holy communion Conference and prayer Jesus with his Disciples went forth and entered into the suffering garden Ioh. 18.1 When Jesus had spoken these words he went forth with his Disciples over the brook Kedron there was a Garden into which he entered with his Disciples where first he placed his Disciples where they might be within sight and hearing of what should come upon him but out of the way of Judas and his Company for their safety so carefull was our Lord of his poor Lambs when a company of wolves were to come amongst them That which he commanded them was Sit here till I go pray yonder Luk. 22.40 pray that ye enter not into Temptation Then he took Peter James and John and went a little further And now did he enter into his Soul-agony with wonderfull horror and distress even to death 1. His body was not under any immediate suffering as yet only as it did co-suffer and sympathise with his Soul in its terrible Agony so deep and terrible were the horrors of his Soul as that his body was ready to faint away and dye Math. 26. â—7 38. he began to be sorrowful and very heavy then saith he unto them my soul is â—xceeding sorrowful even unto the death tarry here and watch with me Mark 1â— â—3 34. he began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy and saith unto them my Soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death tarry ye here and watch Luk. 22.43 44. there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthening and being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground The extremity of his Soul sorrow did wring and torture the whole wheel of nature And that this Agony was firstly upon his Soul is expresly testified by Mathew and Mark such a load of sorrow lay upon his Soul that he could scarce live under it The same is evident in the Prophesy Isai 53.10 Thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin which Text shews that the cause of this sorrow was the load of our sin which lay upon him being our Surety Luke calleth it an Agony ver 44. 2. This Soul Agony is expressed by Jesus Christ himself who felt it in such significant words as do make it appear to be a very extream torment that he was in Sorrowful or so beset round with sorrows and he was ready to faint and dy away he felt the greatest terror consternation and distress of mind that a mans Soul was capable to be in yea his terror was greater then any one was able to bear except himself who is God-man 3. This distress of Soul was begun five dayes before the Pasover as appeareth Ioh. 12.27 now is my Soul troubled what shall I say Father save me from this hour but for this cause came I unto this hour That this was spoken five dayes before the Passover appears Ioh. 12.1 six days before the Pasover Iesus came to Bethany v. 12. on the next day much people were come to the Feast and then Jesus went up to Jerusalem and then was this word spoken by him so that he had been long in some degrees of this Agony yea long before his Soul was distressed about it Luke 12.50 but I have a Baptisme to be baptized with and how am I streightned pressed pained till it be accomplished so that that Prophesy is herein in part accomplished Isai 53.3 a man of sorrows acquainted with griefs his Soul was in continual sorrow distress 4. This Soul Agony was not inflicted upon him by man nor by Devils no creature was able to put his blessed Soul into such a condition Quest Who was it that put his Soul into this distress I answer it was his Father that gave him this Cup to drink Joh. 18.11 the Cup which my heavenly Father hath given me shall I not drink it Isai 53.6 the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all he suffered the wrath and curse of God the punishment due to the sin of man he is our surety he stood in our stead and divine justice inflicted upon him all the punishment due to our sins And he spared not to lay upon him till he was fully satisfied Rom. 8.32 He spared not his own Son here he drank the first deep draught of the wrath of God due to our sin on the Cross he drank the last draught and then he dyed 5. He turned the Innocent reluctancies of humane nature into prayers unto his Father who laid this load upon him and subdued and suppressed them with humble holy submission to his will and then drank and this he did three times he made three draughts of this bitter cup which he drank in the garden And it pleased the Father to give him interims of some ease so that after his first submission he went unto his Disciples and awaked them poor watch men and then returned to his dreadful work again and submitted the second time and drank then went he again to his Disciples and did the same with a check to Peter by Name and returned again and prayed and submitted and drank the third draught and then he had an interim again And by that time the Traitor Judas and his Companions were come into the Garden 6. In all this bitter conflict he had no humane help for every time he came to his Disciples he found them sleeping he fulfilled that Prophesy Isai 63.3 I have trodden the wine press alone and of the people there was none with me Yet to inform and convince us of the greatness of this work and bitter suffering it pleased God to send an Angel to strengthen him as Luke testifieth Luke 22.43 and there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthning him The Cup was so bitter that it was as much as life could
As Jesus Christ hath taught us to forgive our Brother yea our enemies so he himself doth practice at this eminent time 2. He prayes the Father to forgive them which he could not have done unless he himself â—ad forgiven them for their offence was against both Father and son and therefore both must concur in the pardon 3. He urges the Father with a charitable and compassionate reason because alas they are in a Temptation and know not what they do 4. The Lord doth herein with divine wisdome distinguish viz that there be two sorts among his persecutors Some we have cause to fear did know what they did as appears Math. 21.38 this is the heir come let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours Such as so acted are not within the compass of Iesus Christ his pardon and prayer But the generality of the people acted even as they were led 1 Cor. 12.2 and they did like those that followed Absolom in the simplicity of their hearts now such as those Jesus Christ doth pitty pardon and pray for The chief Priests Council did know or might have known that he was Christ the Son of the living God for besides all the proofs that he gave of it in his life and Ministry by doctrine and fulfilling Prophesies and abundance of miracles yet they raged against him and resolved to kill him and when they could find no cause against him they put him upon it to confess whether he was the Son of God or no he did plainly witness a good confession that he is the Messiah and for that confession only and for no other cause saving their own envy they did condemn him to dye and rested not till they had accomplished it These things being so it is hard for us to say that these are of the number of those that knew not what they did But the people for the most part were over perswaded by them in their ignorance acted Pilate also was ignorant of his Diety though he believed with an historical faith that he was the King of the Jews and had he known his Deity he would not have crucifyed him 1 Cor. 2.8 So that Jesus Christ hath opened a dore of pardon to his persecutors The Centurion that had the command of the watch that day and how many more God knows did that very day receive benefit of this pardon and prayer of Jesus Christ The second act of Jesus Christ upon the Cross he doth with tender love and care provide for his widow mother Joh. 19.25 26 27. Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus his mother and his mothers sister Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the Disciple standing by whom he loved he saith unto his mother Woman behold thy Son Then saith he to the Disciple Behold thy mother And from that hour that Disciple took her unto his own home Where see 1. The title he giveth his mother woman which he was wont to do upon occasion formerly Ioh. 2.4 which he doth not shewing any strangeness or disregard of her grief whose heart was now pierced as with a sword but he did it 1. To take her heart off from all carnal confidence in her fleshly interest in Jesus Christ to put her to consider that her paps are more blessed by her interest of saith in Jesus Christ then in giving him suck Luk. 11.27.28 2. To instruct her and us that though there be use of natural Relations in this life yet it is not so in heaven Math. 22.30 We shall there be as the Angels are Spiritual weanings from creature confidences are no hurt unto or hindrances of right natural affections 2. He directs his mother to chuse an adopted son in his room who is now departing that he may be unto her in the stead of her natural Son to doe all offices of a Son unto her He saith to her Behold thy son intimating to her John that was standing by her 3. He instructeth and chargeth John to doe all offices of a good Son unto her saying to him Behold thy mother 4. This charge is set on because Jesus Christ did thus dignifie him out of special favour and love The Disciple whom be loved And therefore he might confide in him in committing such a trust and charge unto him 5. The effect of this act of Iesus Christ was from that hour he took her into his own Family which proveth that she was a widdow and had not a family of her own now her Son was gone When Ioseph died or what became of her after this nothing is said The third act of Iesus Christ upon the Cross he taketh a mercifull care of the penitent Thief Luk. 23.39 40 41 42 43. And one of the Malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying if thou be Christ save thy self and us But the other answering rebuked him saying dost thou not fear God seeing thou art in the same condemnaion And we indeed justly for we receive the due reward of our deeds but this man hath done nothing amiss And he said unto Iesus Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdome And Iesus said unto him verily I say unto thee To day shall thou be with me in Paradice Where see among the Mockers Revilers Railers against Iesus Christ on the cross one of the Theeves did as he heard others doe though he was hanging on his cross under the hand of justice and Execution Mathew and Mark impute this to both the Melefactors because what one in a company doth is in usual custome imputed to all unless they bear witness against it And whether at first or by the way both of them might be accessary we cannot say but Luke is particular in this history shewing that one of them was a true penitent Where 1. we see what his ill words are that are recorded viz. if thou be the Christ save thy self and us wherein he vents his unbelief and hardness of heart in way of reproach This he doth when he was dying yea a shamefull death and that justly yet so ill minded is he against Iesus Christ 2. His fellow thief rebuked him whereby he cleared himself from participation with him in his sin which silence in such a case doth involve men in In which Rebuke see 1. Dost thou not fear God The words of thy mouth shew that the fear of God is not in thine heart therefore speak not so wickedly 2. He giveth a reason of this Rebuke and exhortation because we are condemned to dye as he is we are in the same condemnation They are executing death upon us and dost thou now vent the vileness of thine heart against him that is dying with us 3. Here is the aggravation of this Reason 1. We are justly put to death our sin deserves it 2. This man whom you revile hath done nothing amiss he is unjustly condemned and will you add Revilings 3. This penitent thief maketh his believing
in your hands that God cannot deliver him out of your hands had you patience to have suppressed this blasphemy but till the morning of the first day you might have been prevented of this sin for you might have seen him mightily proved to be the Son of God by his Resurrection and that God hath power to deliver him out of your hands and greater then yours too 3. The third sort of mockers were the Souldiers Luk. 23.36 37. the Souldiers also mocked him coming to him and offering him vineger and saying if thou be the King of Israel save thy self Touching their giving him vineger we see by this it was no act of favour but such as was accompanied with mocks of this more hereafter Little did these men know that his dying upon the Cross was the way appointed by God for the salvation both of Jew and Gentile 4. The fourth and last sort of mockers instanced in the Text were the Theevs Math. 27.44 but of this part of the History we have already spoken CAP. XIV The last part of the Sufferings of Jesus Christ upon the Cross THe whole life of Jesus Christ was a suffering life the first and the last parts of his time in this world were fullest of sufferings the last and greatest of his sufferings were on the Cross Phil. 2.8 obedient to the death even death upon the Cross here all his bitter sufferings met upon him upon the Cross he fulfilled to answer and satisfie all that was to be said by the Law against us Col. 2.14 15. blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross and having spoyled Principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly tryumphing over them in it viz in the work that he did accomplish on the Cross in giving full satisfaction to the Law The full stream of his sufferings fell on him on the Cross Jesus Christ did both suffer and agonize before the Cross as appeareth Luk. 12.50 I have a Baptisme to be baptized with and how am I streightned till it be accomplished Joh. 12.20 now is my Soul troubled in the garden he had a great Soul Agony Luk. 22. 44. his body was not yet in a suffering condition only by way of simpathy with his agonizing Soul which so wrought on him as that he swet drops like blood But on the Cross all kind of sufferings met together the whole stream of wrath against sin fell upon him and he was under it altogether 1 His body suffered all those cruel torments wrackings before mentioned 2. His mind suffered all the grief they could afflict him withal by mocks reproaches blasphemies 3. His Soul suffered the full cup of the Justice of the Law and desert of sin His great sufferings upon the Cross he underwent in his near three hours silence for after he had forgiven his persecu ors â—nd provided for the comfort of his widdow mother and took care of the penitent Thief he did with holy patience and silence suffer all that fell upon him until the ninth hour and then spake such words as expressed what he was doing and suffering all this while The sense of cruel pain that his body was in all this while may in a small measure be apprehended by what hath been said in the particular Tortures The sufferings of his mind by the reproaches mocks blasphemies taunts which he heard and saw all this while of his silence these were a bitter part of his suffering as it is expressed in the Prophesy Psal 69.20 reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness and I lookod for some to take pitty but there was none comforters but found none vineger and gall was all that the creatures afford him ver 21. The causes of this affliction of his mind are expressed ver 19. by three words reproach shame and dishonour which are said to have this effect upon him reproach hath broken my heart an heart wound is deeper and more terrible then a bodily wound ungrateful men pierced and wounded his heart when he was dying for them Ovile ingratitude O infinite patience and pitty the tongues of men did pierce Jesus Christ to the heart as he hung upon the Cross they so filled his heart with heaviness that there was no room for comfort When he looked for some to pitty and bemoan him or help him but there was none that had power to help him his mother and John stood by and many more no doubt but alas they could not help him be trade the wine press alone Isai 63.3 There is a threefold wounding of the heart by words 1. A penitential piercing of the heart by words of conviction Act. 2.2.37 this is a blessed gospel wound 2. There is a wrathfull cutting of the heart when reproofs are applyed as Act. 7. 54. this is a sinfull wound But 3. There is a sorrowfull piercing of the heart by words of reproach and this was the heart-breaking sorrow that Jesus Christ suffered upon the Cross Object But can the words of a man so pierce the innocent heart of Jesus Christ Answ Jesus Christ stood in the stead of those that were guilty and therefore divine justice set them home to his heart to the uttermost None can tell the force of words till he have experienced the same Words are the means whereby Souls have converse and communion Words carry the mind heart judgement notion affection passion of one party to another If we use Gods words and apply them right they both wound and heal and are most wholsome But they were mens words that broke the heart of Iesus Christ When words flow from anger envy hatred wrath revenge such words are full of the breath and spirit of Satan and make cruel wounds upon the heart and such wounds were made in the heart of Iesus Christ Some sorts of wounding words did especially pierce the heart of Iesus Christ 1. When they upbraided him Where is thy God Psal 42.3 4. Mat. 27.45 Psal 22.7 2. When they forge a Lye against him and impose it upon him Psal 119.69 3. Vngratefull saucy words against him that is beneficent Ioh. 10.32 Many good works have I done for which of them do you stone me So Psal 35.3 4 11 12. Among ungratefull men abusers of Iesus Christ two men are to be wondered at and they are Iudas and Malchus Sect. 2. The last part of the Sufferings of Iesus Christ when he dyed for our Redemption is recorded by all the four Evangelists I desire the Reader to turn to all these Scriptures and first read them Mat. 27.45 ad 55. Mark 15.33 ad 40. Luk. 23.44 ad 49. Joh. 19.28 ad 38. OVT of all these texts together we may gather these two particulars 1. The history of the three hours darkness which was the time most of it of Jesus Christ his silence wherein his soul did agonize under the punishment of our
because though the punishment of loss was finished yet the â—â—nishment of sense was still upon him to his death he cryed out under the weigâ—â— oâ— it and it killed him 2. He beheld his Fathers face returned in favour to him who earst while had hid his face from him which drew out that dolefull complaint Lamasabachtbani but now his father smiled on him again 3. He doth breathe out his soul into his fathers bosome in that word Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and so he obediently dyed Phil. 2.8 Obedient to the death even the death of the Cross The Lamb of God is slain the Sacrifice for sin is offered and accepted Isaac is sacrificed not only in Voto but Facto not only in will and purpose as Abraham and Isaac did but in real performance This hath God the Father and God the Son performed for our sakes to redeem and save us Admire Admire Admire unto all eternity admire CAP. XV. Of the admirable works of God which accompanied the Death of Jesus his reverent burial and of his sufferings after he was dead buried If the Reader please to turn to and read these Texts of Scripture he shall find many admirable works of God that accompanied the death of Jesus Christ Math 27.51 ad finem Mark 15.38 ad finem Luke 23.47 ad finem John 19.31 ad finem The admirable works of God that accompanied the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ are these 1. An Earthquake mentioned only by Mathew 2. The Vail of the Temple rent from top to bottome Math. Mark 3. The rocks rent Math. 4. The Graves viz. that were in the rocks broken open many Bodyes of Saints which slept arose and came out of the graves after the resurrection of Christ and went into the holy city and appeared to many Math. 5. The Sun brightned suddenly at the ninth hour about the time when Iesus Christ dyed Math. Mar. Luk. 6. The death of Jesus Christ being sooner then Pilate and the Jews looked for and afore the Theeves it prevented that part of the Romish and Jewish cruelty which was intended in breaking his legs yet they pierced his side with a spear and there came forth bloud and water Ioh. 19.31 ad 38. 7. The Centurion that had charge of the watch that day was converted Mat. Mar. Luke 8. Many more of those upon the Watch and of the Spectators were convinced if not converted Math. Luke 1. Touching the Earthquake God hath made two great changes of Ecclesiastical Polity since the beginning of the world and both of them have been expresly accompanied with Earthquakes When the Lord laid by the ancient Paternal Goverment and erected the Polity of Moses in the national Church of Israel God appeared with terrible Earthquakes Exod. 19. And now the Lord being about to lay aside the Mosaical Polity and erect the Gospel Polity of the Ecclesiastical Kingdome of Jesus Christ it is accompanied with Earthquakes 2. The vail of the Temple was rent from top to bottom probably it was effected by he Earthquake and the accomplishment of the Prophesy which the Apostle maketh mention of Heb. 12.26 27 28 29. whose voice then shook the Earth but now he â—ath promised saying yet once more I shake not Earth only but also Heaven And this word yet once more signifyeth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things â—hat are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain c. The Prophecy which the Apostle quoteth is Hag. 2.6 7. which is eminently fulfilled by God layâ—ng aside the Tabernacle and Temple worship which were the works of mens â—ands by the Commandment of the Lord and in their stead instituting the Souls of believers to be his Temple and his visible Church to be built of such materials who are living stones laid and built upon the Rock of Ages even Jesus Christ by â—ith and in the Communion of such a spiritual Temple hath the Lord erected â—is Gospel polity By this rending of the Vail Christ hath opened Heaven for â—ll that will come unto him Gentiles as well as Jews Eph. 2.14 he is our peace â—ho hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of Partition between us â—iz the wall of Partition between the Court of Gentiles and of the Jews The â—postle probably would not say he hath rent the vail because he would not proâ—oke the Jews but it is the same thing that he here speaketh 3. The Rocks rent 4. the graves were opened These works of God do ascribe unto Christ the power of the Resurrection and the removing â—l impediments either of his own Resurrection or of the Resurrection of all mankind Joh. 5.25 28 29. verily verily the hour is coming and now is that the dead shall â—ear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live ver 28. marvail not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of damnation 5. The Sun did suddenly perceptibly brighten about the ninth hour which was the time of the death of our Lord Jesus which manifesteth that this darkness was not an effect of any natural causes but of the divine power of God And tendeth much to the confirmation of the apprehension of such Reverend Divines as think that the darkening of the Sun was a sign of Gods hiding his face from Jesus Christ in his spiritual desertion through his Agony upon the Cross which Agony being finished the Sun brightned and Gods face of favourable acceptation turned unto him and then he breathed out his Soul into his Fathers bosome 6. The timous and speedy death of Jesus by the wonderful and merciful providence of God prevented that Roman and Jewish cruelty in breaking his legs That he dyed sooner then they looked for or then malefactors were wont to dy or then the Theevs did appeareth evidently because Pilate marvailed and would not believe Ioseph who begged his dead body until he called the Centurion that had charge of the watch and he affirmed that he was dead We see that the Romans used cruelty in putting malefactors to death by long tortures Math. 18.34 executors are called tormentors and when they desire to dispatch them they broke their legs to torture them to death by torturing their Limbs furthest from their heart when as a touch upon the head would presently finish their life but Christ escaped this by a divine hand The occasion that moved Pilate to command that they should be so killed and hastned to their death was the Jews request that their legs might be broken the reason which they proposed was because of the approach of the Sabbath and it was the time of their Passover feast God commanded in the institution of the Passover that a bone thereof should not be broken Exod.