should take such person and hang him upon a Tree before the face of the Sun and after this take down and bury this accursed Corps before night that the land might not be defiled therewith For this see Numb 25.4 Josh 10.26 2 Sam. 21.6 Our Lords death then being appointed and offered to Gods Justice for the Expiation of all even the most horrid crimes of the whole world Jew and Gentile ever since the fall of Adam he voluntarily became such a curse for us and was to undergo this solemnly accursed death to be suspended on a Tree before the Sun and taken down and buried before the Evening as the Apostle hath observed Gal. 3.13 and cites the place in Deuteronomie for God's pronouncing this particular death accursed § 50 This then being the particular way of our Lord 's suffering death which the Jews now in no way at all could inflict the Execution of it was left to the Gentile who more used Crucifixion that so both Jew and Gentile whose sins were equally expiated by it might have a joint concurrence in contriving it § 51 Though Pilats sentence for our Lord's Execution was now the main thing wanting and sought for yet for satisfaction of the Counsellors absent the night before and that all the Jewish consistory might have an equal hand in his condemnation and blood Our Lord is called again before them And without producing any accusation or witness to confirm and make it good here again they require him to tell them whether he was the Christ To whom our Lord shewing his prescience of their thoughts replies that whatever he testified they would not believe Nor if he argued the case with them as he had many times formerly done see Mat. 21.24 22.45 John 5.36 convincing them from the testimony of the Prophets of John Baptist of his Father from heaven of his miraculous works would they answer him Nor upon the truth said dismiss him their distemper lying not indeed in their understanding but in their will But however that they should one day find true what the Scriptures had foretold of him that this Son of man that stood before them now so despicable and vilifyed should hereafter sit on the right hand of the power of God Upon which speech they collecting plainly from this Exaltation spoken in Scripture of the Son of God that he made himself so the question was put again to him now by them all saith the Text Luk. 22.70 which was over night only by the High Preist whether then he was the Son of God And the same answer was returned to it now also the second time Whereupon all pronounced the same sentence as was given over night and concluded that there needed no further witnesses against a Person sufficiently condemned from his own mouth § 52 Upon this they commanded that he should be bound again Mat. 27.2 for whilst he stood before the Council his bonds were loosed according to the custome Acts 22.30 and so without delay led him away to the Roman Governour Pilat to request that by his authority the sentence of Death which his crimes had deserved might speedily be executed before the great Feast commenced or any Insurrection of the populacy to his rescue famed for a Prophet Though indeed they wanted not other motives of deferring this proceeding as also afterward Herod did concerning Peter Acts 12.4 since they could not so well then present him in Pilats Court nor enter into it for fear of defiling themselves by touching persons unclean who were that night to eat the Paschal Lamb. And again should the persons executed have hung upon the Gibbet so long as was needful in so lingring a torment for the finishing of their life they had continued upon it some of them perhaps till the next day which would have bin a great Prophanation of their highest Feast but malice is impatient § 53 In this consult also they prepared many other strong accusations that might be more specious and current with the Governour and the Roman Soldiery than those meerly touching their Law and Religion such as these that besides his blasphemy and making himself the Son of God capital by their law his threatning to destroy their Temple his breaking the Sabbath and justifying it his setting himself above Moses and the Law and former Traditions and endeavouring to abolish them c. he was also highly delinquent against the Romon-state and the Emperour had gotten a great multitude of Followers and Disciples and raised Tumults and Seditions amongst the people frequently followed by many thousands of them whom also he feasted and who had a purpose also to make him their King calling him that was born and bred not in the Tribe of Juda but in the outskirts of Galilee the Son of David That his assumed title of the Messias includes also that of a King that he refused to pay tribute to Cesar that having skill in the black art he deceived the common sort with many miracles and cast out Devils also with the Devils consent That for his ends though professing great Sanctity he kept company with prophane and lewd people lived mostwhat in the out-skirts of the countrey remote from Jerusalem the place of Justice and from the Presidents residence who might observe and curb his Insolencies These crimes I say and the like for we may imagine there was nothing in our Lord's actions capable of an ill sense as most actions of great persons are that the Devil now loosed did not suggest to the High-Preiâ—t's malice And the Evangelists Mat. 27.13 14. Mark 15.4 5. say that they accused him of many things in so much as the Governour questioned our Lord continuing in a constant silence whether he did not hear how many things they witnessed against him § 54 Whilst such accusations were designed before the Council arose comes in Judas now as much tormented in his consciscience as he was over-night pleased in his sin to whom then by Satan were presented many plausible imaginations to induce him to so foul an Act. As that he should remain undiscovered therefore went he at some distance before the band and as a servant did reverence to his Master that our Lord could suffer nothing by what he gained but at pleasure as formerly could withdraw himself and escape therefore some think he bad them look that they held him fast or that in any trial his innocency and doing all things well whom none could truely accuse of any sin would easily free him or if finding some injustice in the Court the people at least so taken with his Sermons and miracles would quickly rescue him So the Devil at first by diminishing the fault enticeth men to commit it but when done by as much aggravating it to their sight strives to usher in a second and greater sin Despair and to shut the door to pardon God before sin is represented by him all mercy after it all Justice and contrary to this worketh the Holy Spirit
our Lord more followed then their Master they consulted St. John § 190 before whom John discourse giving testimony to our Lord § 191 which fully satisfied them § 192 But John himself boldly reproving Herod was by him cast into Prison § 195 Meanwhile our Lord departed out of Judea into Galilee § 196 thro Samaria coming to Sychar § 197 where fitting by the Well he discoursed with and converted a woman and many of the Inhabitants § 204 Thence after 2 daies stay he continued his journey towards Galilee § 205 where he healed the Rulers son § 206 Then he went to Capernaum where preaching with great applause § 207 he gathered Disciples Particularly § 208 Simon Peter Andrew and the sons of Zebedee § 209 With whom the next Sabbath he entred into the Synagogue and taught 〈…〉 Spirit § 213 And departing from the Synagogue he entred into Simons house and cured his wives mother § 214 Betimes in the morning he retired privatly to Prayer § 215 And leaving Capernaum he went about other cities and towns of Galilee § 217 Going over the Lake he discoursed with several of the Scribes concerning following him § 220 Passing over in the night-time he calmed a great storm § 221 And the next morning landed in the countrey of the Gadarens where he met with two possessed violently with Devils Which casting out he permitted to enter into Swine and to drown them in the Lake § 225 Upon which the Gadarens being displeased desired him to depart And § 226 he immediatly returned into the ship § 227 and came to Capernaum § 228 Where he cured a paralytick on the Sabbath-day § 231 Thence going to the Sea-side he called Mathew and dined with him § 233 justifying that action § 234 as also the not so frequent fasting of his own as of Johns Disciples § 237 Then Jairus the Rules of the Synagogue intreated him to come and cure his daughter § 238 going along with him he cured the woman touching his garment § 240 and went forward to Jairus's house and restored his daughter to life § 241 Returning thence to Capernaum by the way he cured 2 blind men § 242 And at Easter went up to Jerusalem § 243 Where he cured a known Paralytick lying at the Pool on the Sabbath-day § 245 To the great offence of the Jews § 246 But our Lord justified himself § 247 and his Disciples also for plucking rubbing and eating the ears of corn on the Sabbath-day § 248 himself also for curing a man with a withered â—and on the Sabbath when as it should seem he returned to Capernaum § 249 But the Pharisees joyning themselves with the Herodians sought how they might put him to death Which caused his suddain departure thence by Sea § 250 into a Mountain where he chused his 12 Apostles § 255 and constituted Peter the first or cheif § 257 and preached unto them that divine Sermon concerning the Beatitudes § 262 Recapitulated and § 263 the contrary woes § 264 The rest of that Sermon also is explained § 269 Yet not all pressed as equally necessary § 272 Thence he proceeds to instruct them how to pray § 275 and how to behave themselves in their Apostolical office particularly concerning false teachers A brief account of what is contained IN THE SECOND PART of the Life of our SAVIOUR § 1 OUR Saviour informing his Disciples of the dangerous temtation shortly to come upon them and providing them against it § 2 Judas departed to the High Priests to bargain for betraying him § 3 who agreed with him § 4 and gave him Officers and Guards to apprehend him § 5 They came and found him in the Garden of Gethsemane § 6 Whither our Lord retired § 7 and his Disciples with him § 8 all especially Peter resolving and promising never to forsake him § 9 our Lord being arrived in the Garden comforted his Disciples and took some of them to be witnesses of his great agony there § 10 In the garden he § 11 enters upon a spiritual combat § 12 by Gods permission § 13 very sharp upon several grounds § 15 as he discovers to the three Apostles which he had also hinted before in the Temple § 17 so that he sweated blood § 18 and an Angel was sent to strengthen him in § 18 but not deliver him from sufferings § 20 Then he riseth from the ground and with great cheerfulness and serenity prepares for his suffering § 21 meets those sent to apprehend him § 22 Whom his Disciples especially Peter prepare to resist § 23 blamed therefore by our Lord § 24 who after a short expostulation with the Officers § 25 yeilds himself into their power § 26 who laid hold upon a young man accidentally there present § 27 and carried our Lord late in the night to Annâ—s § 28 then to Caiphas the High Priest § 29 where he was strictly examined § 30 divers witnesses appearing against him § 33 To whose frivolous accusations our Lord answered not § 34 Wherefore the High Priest adjured him to confess the truth § 35 which he did with great courage and plainess § 36 warning them of his future power and glory § 38 Mean while 2 of his Disciples John and Peter follow him to the High Priests Palace § 39 where Peter denied him 3 times § 40 For which he was very much greived Meanwhile § 43 our Lord was very ill used by the servants and Officers § 46 as was prophecied of him § 49 In the morning he was carried before the Governour § 53 before whom he was vehemently accused § 54 Which Judas seeing made away himself § 57 as was fore-prophesied § 59 Our Lords behaviour as he was led to the Governor § 60 Before whom the Jews laid many things to his charge § 62 But examined by Pilate and found innocent he § 64 was sent to Herod § 68 Who despising him returned him to Pilate § 69 and Pilate endeavoured to save him 1 by proposing his releasment § 70 2 by chastising him § 71 and suffering him to be mocked by the Soldiers § 73 The Jews urged that he called himself the Son of God and laid other accusations against him § 76 till they forced Pilate yet with great reluctance § 80 to condemn him to be Crucified § 81 a death foreshewed by the Prophets and chosen by himself § 90 and to commit him to the Soldiers § 91 Who led him to execution much pitied by divers persons § 95 unto Golgotha Where they offer him mingled-wine § 96 stripped-off his garments § 97 set a title over his head § 98 and Crucified him § 99 And divided his garments § 100 Meanwhile many of the people and one of the theives mocked but divers pittied him Our Lord having disposed of his Blessed Mother § 101 was silent whilst many prodigies appeared § 103 At last he said I thirst and gave up the Ghost § 104 The meaning of those prodigies § 105 acknowledged by the Centurion §
Priest that after their second Captivity at Babylon conducted the People again into the land of promise and rebuilt the Temple of the Lord formerly demolished Against whom in the visions of the Prophet Zachary cloathed in poor and filthy Garments Satan before the Lord bringing great Accusation God rebukes him Satan for it and commands Joshuahs filthy Garments to be taken away from him and him to be clothed with change of Raiment and a Miter and Crown to be set upon his head See Zach. 3.3 c. and 6.11 c. In both which places is joined a promise concerning this our Jesus called there by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Oriens Or as the Hebrew Germen who was typified by the other and who is our everlasting High Priest That he should build the Temple of our Lord and should bear the Glory and should sit and rule upon his Throne and be a Priest upon his Throne c. § 59 But tho Jesuses these two were before him and both sent deliverers of Gods people after a Captivity and both reconductors of Gods people into Canaan yet far short they came of this Jesus who saved mankind from a far higher slavery and of another kind than those other were and indeed from the only Captivity that could make us truly miserable Viz from the Captivity of sin Satan and death Triumphing in his Cross and Resurrection and descent of the Holy Ghost over these three the only terrible enemies of poor mankind who before that this Saviour came sat in chains and darkness and in the shadow of death trembling under Gods wrath and appointed to eternal torments § 60 This great Saviour came saith the Apostle 1 Thes 1.10 that he might save us from the wrath to come 1 For our salvation from Satan By him saith the Apostle Col. 1.15 we are delivered from the powers of Darkness And 1 Jo. 3.8 for this was he made manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil And Col. 2.15 He spoiled Principalities and Powers and made an open shew and spectacle and triumph over them both in his life and in a Resurrection from the death that they had most cruelly contriv'd against him 2 And so for our saving from sin Sermo omni acceptione dignus saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 1.15 a comfortable saying beyond all other sayings this that Jesus came into the world to save sinners Especially when our conscience adds Quorum ego primus 3 Lastly for the salvation from death O Death saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.55 where is now thy sting O Grave where thy victory Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory over these thro our Lord Jesus And for the manner also of our Salvation by this Jesus much more misterious miraculous and indearing it was as to the delivered than that of any other Saviour whatever hath or can be For this Jesus came if I may so say not so much with his power to save us as with his patience and conquered not by his enemies sufferings but his own 1 To conquer those powerful spirits he took upon him weak flesh by this flesh they conquered us and in this flesh he redeemed us 2 To conquer Death Himself under-went and suffered Death but it could not hold him Act. 2.24 and by this his death destroyed Him that had the power of death Heb. 2.14 To save our lives he laid down his own Jo. 10.15 and healed our wounds with his own stripes Esay 53.5 3 So for sin He came in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh Rom. 8.3 And to free us from a Curse became himself a Curse for us Gal. 3.13 Such was this Salvation of this Jesus and such the way of it worthy a God O Blessed Jesu O ever blessed Name A name and the mistery thereof hid from ages and from generations and now made manifest and revealed What comfort could any other name expressing perhaps the Majesty or power or holiness or justice or eternity of this Prince have afforded to a poor guilty sinner trembling and despairing for the judgment to come but only this Or what comfort would this have aforded if it had bin only a Jesus from some temporal Tyranny from a Pharaoh or a Nabuchadnezzar or a Cesar and not a Jesus from the Devil or Hell or the Grave to which these other deliverances though for a time never so glorious would have left us still in bondage and in fear all our lives after a few daies to be devoured and swallowed up by them for ever Blessed name at which all the Spiritual Apolluons and destroyers of mankind all spiritual Pangs and anguishes of souls all the corporal messengers and arrows of death are afraid and tremble and from which only pronounced they do so often fly away Blessed name a poor sinners only consolation on his death-bed when the Grave opens her mouth for him and these spiritual Foes on every side invade him and Hell-fire eternal burns before him Blessed therefore be this name Jesus and exalted above all names at which Name let every knee bow of things in heaven in earth and under the earth and every tongue confess this Jesus Lord to the Glory of God the Father Amen § 61 After our Lord thus had received Circumcision as a Son of Abraham and entered into Gods Covenant and the name of Jesus as ordained the Saviour of the World and whilst Joseph and Mary abode still at Bethleem because this City near to Jerusalem and their own country very remote expecting the appointed time of the Purification of the Mother and presentment of the Child in the Temple certain persons both rich noble and Learned and probably much addicted to the study of Astronomy being directed by a Star came from the Oriental parts much more famed for wisdom to adore and do homage to this new-Born King and to present him with the most precious things those Countries afforded in behalf of the Gentiles as the poor and simple Shepheards being instructed by an Angel had done formerly in behalf of the Jews The Divine Providence so disposing it that our Lord to the Gentiles more contemplating the Creature should be manifested by a Star rather and the Jew as acquainted with the true worship of the Creatour by an Angel For both Jew and Gentile were now to have an equal share and a General Union in this Prince of Peace And the event corresponding exactly to these beginnings hath shewed us that after some few for the most part poorer and meaner and so humbler sort of the Jewish Nation were for the present by our Lord and his followers converted to the Faith represented by the Shepheards the riches and wisdom of the Gentiles hath bin brought into the obedience of the Gospel represented by the Magi till a compleat harvest of both shall be reaped by the Addition to them of the full Body of the Jews § 62 Now the Adoration and doing homage of the
13.55 are said to be James and Joses and Simon and Judas besides Sisters there also mentioned See Hegesippus apud Eusebi m l. 3. c. 10 26. and these are thought to be the sons of Alpheus supposed brother to S. Joseph and elsewhere called Cleophas and of Mary his wife See Matt. 10.3 compared with Matt. 27 56. called Mary Mother of James Mat. 27.56 Mark 16.1 and called Mary of Cleophas i. e as some suppose wife of Cleophas Jo. 19.25 and called there Sister to the Blessed Virgin i. e a near Kinswoman Unless we will suppose her to be wife of Alpheus brother to S. Joseph and Father of our Lords brethren and daughter to Cleophas a person distinct from Alpheus and Brother to Joachim the Blessed Virgins Father or to her Mother Anna. But if Cleophas be supposed Brother to S. Joseph then Alpheus may be brother to the Blessed Virgins Father or Mother and thus our Lords brethren will be his nearer Kindred Salome also wife to Zebedee is supposed a daughter of Alpheus and so her sons James and John our Lords Kinsmen I say these brethren of our Lord seem to have removed their habitation to Capernaum For they made not only this journey with him thither but here we find them again Mat. 12.47 compare 13.1 and Mark 3.20 21 31. comp 2.1 13. and 3.1 7. where the Synagogue is that in Capernaum And it seems their so solicitous looking after our Lord Mat. 12.46 was for his taking some refection the importunity and pressing of the multitude disturbing the due times of his repast Mark 3.20 and excluding his nearest friends from him and his zeal also of instructing the people and bringing them into the Kingdom of Heaven whom he campassionately beheld Matt. 9.36 as Sheep having no Shepherd which zeal some of his unbelieving Kindred thought mingled with some excess Mark 3.21 making him neglect his sustenance and the care of his Body Here it was also Jo. 7.3 as appears by the context that his Brethren perhaps having also some little touch of ambition spake to him that he would go and shew himself rather in Judea some of them having as yet some distrust of his Messiasship and high pretences when they saw him keep so much in Galilee though this necessary for prolonging his life till the time was come of his being offered up and far from Jerusalem and the Highest Court of the Nation there as also from the Court of Herod It is most probable also that these his Brethren attended on him in most of his peragrations and excursions through the other Cities and Towns of Galilee and elsewhere they and our Lords Mother are mentioned Act. 1.14 among the attendants of our Lord at his Ascencion and if they had not bin part of his ordinary Train and Auditors he would not have called two of them Viz. James and Jude to have bin of the number of the twelve And it appears that our Lord had many as it were constant followers of him besides the twelve by those 70 that besides the 12 were sent abroad by him by two and two to preach the Gospel Luk. 10.1 and by what S. Peter saith Act. 1.21 § 178 As for his Holy Mother also we cannot think but that she preferred the hearing of his Sermons the beholding of his wonderful works and the consolation of his ordinary Conversation beyond all other things of this world but by which also she became a great fellow-sufferer in all the affronts and reproaches given him in the most of his life time as well as at his death For we find many other women also as well as men that were his usual followers and every where provided necessaries for him and his Apostles As also afterward some of the Apostles in their Peregrinations had the attendance of women for providing them necessaries see 1 Cor. 9.5 And such of these as were rich ministred to him also of their substance Many women were there by the Cross Mat. 27 55 56. saith S. Matthew which followed Jesus from Galilee ministring unto him Among which saith he was Mary Magdalen Mary the mother of James and Joses our Lords Brethren and so she the wife of Alpheus And the Mother of Zebedees children Salome The same is said by S. Luke 23.55 24.10 he adding there Joanna the wife of Herods Steward And chap. 8.1 2 3. the same Evangelist saith that as our Lord went throughout every City and Village preaching c. the twelve were with him and certain women Mary called Magdalen Joanna Susanna and many others which ministred to him of their substance And we find Salome's request to our Lord for her two Sons was not made at Capernaum but some where upon the way in his last journey to Jerusalem wherein she with many other women waited on him as hath bin said See Mat. 20.20 comp 17. 29. So that I may say our Lord had an Holy Court of pious men and women following and attending on him in most of his travels Among these therefore was our Lords Blessed Mother and she most diligent in the same offices and contributing also the little she had to the common charges or supposing she had nothing was by the other more wealthy supplyed with necessaries as our Lord was Yet I say not this of a perpetual but of a frequent attendance whilst they sometimes also were absent and ordered other necessary affairs but then the residence of our Blessed Lady seems to be not at Nazareth but at Capernaum whither our Lord made frequent returns from his journeys about the Country As for the Nazaren's words Mat. 13.56 His Sisters are they not all with us This may be said only of his Sisters exclusively to his Mother or Brethren or may be understood of their ordinary former abode there § 179 Our Lords staying at Capernaum was not long the great solemn Paschal feast of the Jews now approaching He is commonly said to have received Baptism from John January the sixth after which having spent six weeks in the wilderness and some time afterward with the Baptist in collecting some Disciples and then making some little stay at Cana with his kindred and the Paschal Feast being celebrated at the full Moon it March accordingly our Lords abode in this City was not above a fortnight or three weeks In which time is no mention of any publick Predication of his the entrance upon which perhaps was intended to be rather at Jerusalem and in his Fathers house there mean while employed in more private Discourses and instructions of his Disciples and others Though his Miracle done at Cana having so many witnesses must needs be much talked of there and the Dignity of his person and the Baptist's Testimony of him by his Disciples communicated to many others and the same thereof also gone before him to Jerusalem At the great Feast of the Pasch he went up thither accompanied with his Disciples as for the observance of the Feast so there solemnly
considering their human infirmity when his divine Society or his fortifying grace is never so little suspended or also already being faln into Satans temptation elevating our abilities by Grace into presumption which is the usual forerunner of every fall returned an hasty and confident Answer against the infallible Word and prophecy of their Master that they would never forsake him viz. That as they had abode with him hitherto in his temptations twice followed him of late when he fled for his safety and when he returned to his dangers when also one of them Jo. 11.16 that was afterward as backward in his faith as any resolutely said Let us also go that we may dy with him so they would still be faithful and constant to him But especially Peter as more affectionatly loving our Lord so more forward in expressing it now also carrying one of the two Swords said That though all the rest should possibly withdraw themselves and he stand alone yet he would never leave him would go with him into prison and to death would dye with him and for him To whose confidence our meek Saviour replyed onely to this purpose That though it was now already night yet before the Cock-crow of the very next morning he that was so forward now to dye for him should not once but thrice deny him And indeed amongst others at the questioning of a silly Maid he did not onely say but swear and curse not onely that he was none of his followers or company but that he not so much as knew him A Passage very punctually related by all the Evangelists though Peters friends That this example might remain for ever upon Register to shew the world what the best of men what the very chief of the Apostles of God is when in an hour of temptation God's supporting grace is for never so little time withdrawn from him that the highest Saints to keep themselves from falling might learn to walk in profound humility and perpetual fear of falling and might also learn to compassionate the falls they daily see of their weaker Brethren and to bear with them their burdens Gal. 6.2 3. whilst as the Apostle if any man whatever thinketh himself to be something except only our Lord who stood in his temptation and by his standing we also stand when he is nothing he deceiveth himself Yet after this which was said by our Lord to Peter we find that Peter replyed again more vehemently That if he should dye with him he would not deny him in any wise Mark. 14.31 § 9 Thus he passed through the vally of Jehosaphat the vally of Judgment as some think it shal be and over the Brook Cedron an Emblem of the torrent of Gods wrath of which he was now to drink to the full Psal 110. and so came to the garden a Garden of sorrows to expiate herein what the first Adam had trespassed in a garden of pleasure Of which Passage of our Lord David in some manner seems to have bin a Type when he passed over the same brook toward Mount Olivet flying from the face of his ungrateful son Absalon conspiring against him and seeking his life see 2 Sam. 15.23 Where also he worshipped wept and prayed vers 30.32 And was heard and delivered from death but not so our Lord Where Ittai also his friend vers 21. promised like St. Peter and the Apostles to live and dye with him but was more faithful and stedfast herein than St. Peter was And where Hushai another friend vers 34. departed from him to the adverse party that sate in Concil against him as also Judas did but it was to betray them not him Here arrived this careful Shepheard seeing this great storm now ready to fall first thinks on the safety of those poor sheep whom his father had committed to him and seeing greater danger toward their souls from Satan who was now permitted to invade both them and their Master with all his powers of darkness and who had gotten one sheep from him already by his wiles not by any defect of this vigilant Pastor Jo. 17.12 but by his own naughtiness and Gods permission than toward their bodyes from their Fellow-Disciple and his Troops our Lord sets no sentinels nor provides no defence against these corporal Enemies but the better to prepare his Disciples for the tryal and sufferings approaching so soon as entred into the Garden straitly chargeth them not to sleep that night but to spend it in watching and prayer that they might not fall into or at least in their Temptation Thus leaving eight of his Disciples who perhaps might have bin apt to take some offence at the sight of his Agonies to their devotions near the entrance of the Garden and foreseeing his own great desolation of spirit approaching he takes those three of them more especially loved and familiarly treated by him and conducts them to the further part of the Garden that those whom he had formerly as it were to forearme their faith against this hour taken apart into Mount Tabor to behold his Glory might now be Spectators also of this his great Eclipse and exinanition § 10 And thus far all things being managed with most divine calmness readiness and courage now the combat begins not onely with his followers but himself Righteous Job yet not altogether sinless was delivered into the hands of Satan and Powers of Darkness but with a Reservation of his life But this Righteous and sinfree Person was delivered into the hands of that Enemy of Mankind and of his cruel Instruments life and all Abraham was strongly exercised and tempted by God concerning the loss of his onely Son but in fine his sons life was preserved and there was a commutation of the Sacrifice Isaac the Type proceeded so far as the carrying of his Wood but escaped the being burnt upon it But now the bowels of God his Father for the yearning of his bowels upon us had no compassion on this righteous Job stript first of all he had even to his innermost vesture nor on this onely Son the King and heir of Heaven and Earth but dy he must and the manner thereof to be committed to the malitious contrivance of the Enemy of God and man § 11 And in his entrance thereto first begins a spiritual combat far more sharp and desolate than those corporal ones that followed As in all afflictions commonly the first assault is the most grievous and least supportable Where we are to imagine that not only a natural fear of Death seized on our Lord by the suspending of other thoughts and considerations that might counterpoise it but also a most extraordinary and supernatural desolation and terror was brought upon his Spirit and that those divine consolations which God sometimes withdraws from his Saints which hath left them in very great perplexity heartlesness and aridity whereof they also make sad complaints as of even the greatest of mortal sufferings the same but in a much
deterring us before by Gods purity and Justice from so vile an act but after it inviting to repentance and reformation § 55 He then having heard or perhaps seen how far they had proceeded against his innocent Master sentenced him to dy and were now carrying him away to Pilat to procure the Execution now too late repenting himself of his horrid fact brought back to them the money he had received of them but a few hours before and told them he had grieveously sinned in betraying innocent blood Which was thus ordained by divine Providence after the opposition made before by those two upright Counsellors Joseph and Nicodemus that these his Judges might also reflect on their own crime by Judas his confessing his in their condemning that innocent blood he had betrayed But they regardlesly bidding him to look to his own faults himself and asking what his infidelity to his Master was to them hastily repelled him from before them What is thâ—t to us say they Mat. 27.4 Yes surely something 't is to you for besides that you Preists are the Physitians of sick souls to whom poor sinners repair for your Spiritual Counsel and making their attonement and reconciliation with the offended God you may remember that you are the persons that hired this poor Wretch to commit this sinful Act or if he did well in it your charity stood engaged to pacify and assure therein his troubled conscience § 56 Judas receiving no consolation or thanks from them nor seeing any hopes of their relenting or dismissing his Master and they rejecting also the mony which he would now have bin glad to have refunded for his Masters ransome he presently went and threw his poor recompence of his wickedness in the Temple where their Officers might find and dispose of it and so went and hanged himself to get out of his present pain thus dying the accursed death before spoken of not able any longer to endure the goads and pangs of his conscience setting before him the innocency of our Lord the dignity of his person his love and affection to him in great humility washing his feet but last night at Supper so requited all our Lord 's sweet Sermons and charitable actions unworthy of such a treason lastly the divine vengeance and those last words of our Lord concerning him at Supper Mat. 26.24 Filius quidem hominis tradetur sed vae homini illi bonum erat illi si non esset natus homo ille for the Devil we may imagine suggested whatever might more swell his Despair Here was a most bitter Compunction for his sin repentance and confession and that publick lastly restitution and all too little for him who had done such despight to the Spirit of Grace and was now fallen into the hands of the living God Heb. 10.29 30. and a fearful expectation of Judgment and fiery indignation Cap. 10.27 which spirit now having abandoned him all such his relenting could not be sound sincere or acceptable to God but like that of Esau not finding place of a right Repentance though sought carefully with tears Heb. 12.17 § 57 After his having thus made away himself the divine vengeance also pursued him further which seems to be pointed-at by the Psalmist Psal 108.18 Intret Maledictio sicut aqua in interiora ejus For his body thus hung up burst in peices and his bowels so void of compassion to the persecuted Innocent were ejected and emptied out of his body full of stench and corruption and most noisome to all that approached and beheld it Which strange and sad accident also could not but be presently diffamed and spread abroad and might have bin a second warning to those others Actors in this Murther so to prevent that unparallelled Judgment that shortly after followed upon the whole Nation in which also by Josephus this is noted as one of the greatest Roman torments used towards those poor Jews who fled to them for mercy that the Soldiers frequently ripped up their bowels for swallowed Gold § 58 His money thrown down in the Temple afterwards the cheif Preists took up for none else might touch things dedicated And because it was the price of blood though themselves were the Purchasers of it their devotion thought not fit to put it into the Treasury of Holy things there God having prohibited less scandals than this to be brought into the Temple Deut. 23.18 and not permitting David because a shedder of blood though such as ought to be spilt to have a hand in building it they resolved therefore to dispose of it some other way and the divine Wisdom so ordered it that they should lay it out upon land a known peice of ground that ever after called the field of Blood might perpetuate the memory of their wicked fact This ground they designed for a burying place for strangers such Proselytes of the Gentiles as much resorted to their solemn feasts their buryals generally being out of the City a type of Christs blood benefitting those strangers whilst they that shed it lost their share in it Nec introierunt in requiem ejus and a type of the Gentiles now admitted by the Purchase of that blood to be joined and to take their everlasting rest and repose with his former people the Church of the Jews All these particulars we have punctually foretold by the Prophet Zachary Zac. 11.12 13. both the just summ of the price thirty shekels or pieces of silver and the vileness of it exaggerated being the value of a Servant in case his Master was any way deprived of him Exod. 21.32 and the projection of this money in the Temple and the disposing of it to a Potter yet had not these learned men that fulfilled it light to discover it To a Potter i. e. one that traded in vile and cheap ware which shewed the summ fit for a very mean purchase The field it seems by the price of it was some neglected place perhaps where potsherds were cast out as Montetestaced at Rome or where clay was digged for pot-making and it was ever after by the people called the field of blood for a Witness against the cruel purchasers but also as it seems by St. Peters words Acts 1. upon this account that Judas chose the same piece of ground wherein to make away himself and where his bowels and blood by the divine Justice poured out before our Lord's became such a loathsome and offensive spectacle to the beholders § 59 Now to return to the High Priests They and the Scribes and the Elders the whole Multitude of them saith S. Luke Luk. 23.1 not spending much time in consultation concerning a matter long before resolved betimes in the morning Jo. 18.28 led away our Lord thus condemned and bound to the Roman President 's Pallace and delivered him up into the hands of the Romans And so were they themselves afterwards for it the whole Nation led into captivity by Titus their City destroyed a thing sadly foreseen and deplored
to God calling him Father in the midst of that severe handling of him and meekly resigning his dying Spirit into his hands Lastly in his dying before the other two and sending out a loud voice at his expiring which shewed his Divinity and that he gave up his life not upon any constraint of torments but voluntarily and when he pleased § 88 Seventhly This manner of death by the lifting up of the body in it towards heaven seems very significative that we now after and in imitation of it should exalt and remove our eyes and affections henceforth from the Earth towards Heaven Therefore our Lord gives it this honourable name of his Exaltation And I saith he if I be exalted from the Earth will draw all unto me Jo. 12.32 And the Apostle calls it his triumph having taken out of the way the Decree that was contrary to us he fastned it to his Cross and having despoiled the principalities and potentates triumphed over them in it Col. 2.15 So also in the nailing and fixing of the flesh of our Lord to the Cross significative of the mortifying and crucifying of the flesh and its lusts that is required of us in imitation of our Lord so disenabling it to stir hand or foot as it were any more to the breach of Gods commands and signifying our now dying to sin as he for it and this death of the Cross is often thus alluded to by the Apostle § 89 Eightly and Lastly the posture of this death carryed in it a lively Representation of his love to mankind with his arms stretched out as it were to embrace and receive all those who would come to him and his head declining to kiss them Having made this Digression upon the Jewes so often vehement demanding and at last Pilats consent to our Lord's Crucifixion to shew the multiplicity of the divine wisdom in the choice of this manner of death rather than any other I proceed now in the relation of the story after Pilats having committed to the Roman Guards the execution thereof § 90 The time now after Pilats four or five returns into the Praetorium and Exits to the Jews whilst he endeavoured by all means to have preserved our Lords life i. e. so far as his own safety with Cesar and his reputation with the Jews would permit and after our Lords being sent to and returned from Herod and the soldiers scourging and dressing him so as to be made a fitter object of the hard-hearted Jews Pity drew well towards Noon Jo. 19.14 Luk. 23.44 about the sixth hour saith St. John and St. Luke though called as yet the third hour by St. Mark because the sixth hardly yet begun The scoffing Soldiers then seizing on our Lord after some further abuses which both in words and actions by Satans instigation were committed both in the way and at the place of Execution as we may gather from the very Theif in the midst of his torments not tempering himself from reviling of him with the rest stript our Lord of his Purple and put on him his own garments whose prize shortly they were to be and so making all speed laid a cross already prepared upon his torn shoulders and so led away this only Isaac of God carrying the wood of his Sacrifice upon his back § 91 And to fulfil a second time after his being coupled with Barabbas the Prophet Esay's cum sceleratis reputatus est Esay 53.12 and that there might be some greater appearance of Justice and our Lord mingled with company whom the people might think like himself there were two notable Thieves on either hand one joined with him and haled along to their Execution but these also or one of them at least railing at him even when suffering with him and such companions he was to have of his greifs as offered him no solace therein And indeed if we consider the person he now took on him what Malefactor or crimes so great as could match him or his for he carried on his shoulders all the sins of the whole world present and past and to come and even those too of these Malefactors and so also this Anathema as the chief was crucified in the midst and the reason in the Prophet of his cum sceleratis reputatus seems very apposite quia ipse peccata multorum tulit Graced with this company and laden with an heavy Cross the long beam thereof being probably more than twice the length of a man for his body was to be stretched at its full length upon it and to be exalted to such a convenient height as might render him a spectacle to all the multitude and de facto so high it was that the Soldier to pierce his side used not his Sword but his Lance and to give him drink they tyed a spunge to the end of a long reed and so reached it to his mouth It was also to carry a Title over his head and to be fastned in the ground and the cross Beam of it also was to equal the breadth of his body and length of his arms I say thus laden he made a painful but most chearful march under it through a good part of the City the Governours Palace being near the Temple on the East side of it and Calvary the place of Execution at the North-West side thereof till when coming without the Gate he fainted away under it his body being now grown very feeble and his spirits exhausted by reason of his cruel scourging and other base usage of the three Guards of Officers Caiphas's Herod's and Pilats he had passed through and of his being kept all night without the least sleep or repose or refreshment or his former temperance having any superfluous humors to feed on Because our Lord alone was unable to bear it any further and it was an ignominious thing to carry or touch the instrument of the Execution of a Malefactor whence the word Furcifer was a common name of reproach by chance a poor man that came then out of the countrey one Simon a stranger of Cyrene in Africk where was then a great Colony of the Jews Act. 2.10 6.9 Joseph de Excid Hieros l. 7. c. 38. meeting them the Soldiers laid hold on him and forced him to bear our Lord's Cross after him either the whole or the heaviest end thereof whose sons Alexander and Rufus are particularly named by the Evangelist Mark 15.21 which shews that they were not only Converts to the Christian Faith but persons of some note amongst the Primitive Christians see Acts 19.33 Romans 16.13 it those the same And it is to be presumed that our Lord rewarded this service done him to their Father also in making him a Member of the Church and of his Kingdom and that he was saved by the Holy Cross he bore who thus had the honour even in the truest sense to take up the cross and follow our Lord and to partake of his reproach and ignominy But the divine Counsel
be at his return from the Sepulcher whilst John as swifter on foot was then also gone before him to tell the Disciples the strange and joyful news For he doubtless together with John had much argued the case as knowing the Soldiers report of the Disciples a fable and that Enemies in spoiling the Tomb would in the chief place have taken the linnen and spices and friends not have stript the Body of them and from this also had called to mind the predictions of our Lord and of the Scriptures concerning his rising again intimated by St. John chap. 20.9 and so returned full of joy faith and hopes to see and reenjoy him But this appearance to Peter seems to have bin later being not known to the rest whom this Apostle would immediatly have acquainted with it when the women brought the same news nor yet when Cleophas and his companion took their journey to Emaus who knew nothing of it To this Apostle our Lord first appeared both as being the chief of them by whom he would have the rest confirmed in this faith before he further manifested himself to them and also as being one that more exceedingly loved him see John 21.15 and so more passionatly lamented the absence and loss of him as he also appeared to Mary Magdalen before the other women And also to him as one more dejected and disconsolate for so late and cowardly a denial of him at which also he might think our Lord having taken some great Displeasure withheld that gracious sight and fruition of him from him which he vouchsafed to the women for which denial so soon as our Lord was pleased to comfort his grief with this most beatifying sight we may imagine he straight fell down at his feet and with many tears begg'd pardon And so after our Lords suddain departure who now glorified entertained no long conversation with Mortals he hasted to the rest of the Society to confirm his Brethren herein as one of the greatest Authority with them and the first man that our Lord made choice of to preach the Resurrection to them But several of them still to force as it were our Lord to a more open and publick discovery of himself and not to entertain a joy hastily which defeated again would so much more deject them remained incredulous both after the testimony of Mary and of the women and of Peter see Mark 16.13 nor at first did they believe when he himself appeared to them For the apparition of spirits ran still in their mind see Luk. 24.37 and not seeing as too much of seeming human reason usually darkens-faith why our Lord if risen and having conquered Death should thus appear and disappear a sign the Apparition had no reality in it and should not come along with Peter to them and shew himself either to his friends or also to all the rest of the Jews to consolate the one and confound the other else who would credit a report of him risen that was not forth-coming or to be seen § 124 The same day two of the company in which were several other Disciples and Followers of our Lord besides the eleven Apostles consulting concerning the present affairs expecting no better news wept in the afternoon about some business into the Country to a Village called Emaus lying Westward some seven or eight miles from Jerusalem and not in the road towards Galilee One of these was Cleophas who was thought to be Brother to Joseph and so our Lords Uncle and his wife to be Mary of Cleophas Jo. 19.25 who is also called there sister to the blessed Mother of our Lord and who was one of the women that stood with the Blessed Virgin by the Cross and that this morning had visited the Sepulcher and brought the good news from thence who was also the Mother of James Jude Joses and Simon or Simeon All which were called our Lords Brethren and who probably all lived in the same family at least after the death of Joseph the Blessed Virgins Husband and lived at Capernaum after our Lords residence there see John chap. 2.22 Luk. 8.19 20. Mat. 12.46 of which sons of Cleophas and this Mary two James and Jude were chosen Apostles James in relation to the other Apostle James the Son of Zebedee being called James the less Mark 15.40 and Jude in the recital of the Apostles names Luk. 6.16 Jude 1. called his Brother so that those texts Mark 3.21 and John 7.3 5. are to be understood of his kindred or friends more remote or with exception at least to these only James there being called the son of Alpheus Alpheus is imagined to denote the same person with Cleophas or if this be not admitted we must stile this Mary not wife but Daughter of Cleophas and Alpheus to be Josephs Brother and her husband This Cleophas or Alpheus then we see had a near Relation to our Lord two of his sons being Apostles James and Jude and two of them afterwards Bishops of Jerusalem James first and after his Martyrdom his Brother Simeon § 125 He and his companion discoursing by the way of the things of which their hearts were full the merits of our Lord the Injustice and cruelty of the Jews and the defeatment of all their hopes by his death our Lord in the disguise of a Traveller overtook them and seeing them much dejected chearfully asked them what they were talking of that rendred them so disconsolate and sad upon which familiarity Cleophas thinking he could be no stranger to what had hapned nor to our Lords well known merits fell on deploring to him his cruel sufferings and all their hopes cut off by his death who had thought he a Prophet so mighty in word and deed should have bin the person that would have redeemed Israel Moreover that this was the third day after his sufferings on which formerly had bin some speech of his rising again that some women of theirs also going early to his Sepulcher there found not his Body and also said they had seen a Vision of Angels that told them he was alive and that some of their men also repairing thither found what they said true concerning the empty Sepulcher but no tidings or appearance to them of our Lord at all Whereupon our compassionate Lord representing himself also as a Disciple and great Admirer of Jesus freely and with a certain authority shewed them in running through the Books of Moses and the Prophets that those sufferings of the Messias and of his Death things which so startled them were necessary before his entring into his Glory and were every where presignified and foretold in the Scriptures Here he shewed them how all the legal Sacrifices were only Types of the killing and Oblation of the Messias and expiation of sin by his blood Here he remembred them of the representation of this only Son of God his being offered up by his Father by Abraham's offering of his only ion Isaac of the roasting of
or in any visible attendance of Angels or Saints or fiery charet and horses to conduct him as Elias or Cloud till elevated to some considerable distance perhaps to remove from his Disciples and the world to whom they were to testify it any scruple of the reality of this Ascent without having their eyes dazled with light or that such elevation might seem to have bin performed by the assistance of others and not by his own power and virtue as also to detain them for the present rather in the meditation of his Passion than of his Glory which was not fully to be revealed to Mortals till his return § 146 But had our Lord been pleased to have opened their eyes as Elisha obtained for his servant in the Mount how great would they have seen the solemnity of this day Jo. 17.4 5 Concerning which he had a little before his Passion besought his Father that now he had with all fidelity glorified him on Earth and finished the work here on Earth He had appointed him to do He would glorifie him i.e. his Humanity also in which he had finished it though extreamly difficult to flesh and blood with that Glory which in his Divinity he also alwaies had had with him before the world was which Petition was also then ratifyed by God the Father with a voice from Heaven Jo. 12.8 And now was the time come of accomplishing it and the time of his taking possession of those Joyes which being set before him saith the Apostle Heb. 12.2 be endured the Cross and despised the shame and is now set down of the right hand of the Throne of God § 147 Now then we may presume that all the Court and Militia of Heaven descended to meet this his Sacred Humanity in the Ayre and that it was exalted above the Heavens to the Throne prepared for it with great Jubilation and Triumph cum voce tubae as the Psalmist with which Humanity the Earth only had hitherto bin beatified bona si sua nosset and the Father had received all his praise and worship and service from it at a great distance from the place of his residence And if as the Apostle Heb. 1. when his Son came into this lower world and appeared in all the infirmities of our flesh God said let all the Angels worship him much more did he now command it at this his Exit after so many sufferings passed through and victories obteined and exact obedience in all things performed and the most severe prophecies fulfilled How overjoyed must those Citizens above be and with them all the Spirits of the Patriarchs and Prophets and the Church of the first-born and of just men consummated that in those Celestial habitations now they should for ever possess their dear Lord the Author of all their happiness and behold for ever his infinit Majesty and beauty And amongst these especially those predignified Souls who ever they were that were selected by him and revested with the robes of their glorified Bodyes to accompany and wait upon him as the first-fruits of the Resurrection and of his conquess over death With what Joy and Triumph to exprese it in those ravishments with which the Apostle speaks of him was this only Son and the brightness of Gods glory and express and visible Image of the Person of the Invisible God Heb. 1.3 compared with Col. 1.15 the first born of every Creature and the first-born again 〈◊〉 the Dead that in an things he might have the preeminency who was appointed by God Heir of all things and by whom all things were created that are in Heaven and in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions be Principalities or Powers viz. all the Angels as well as men All things created by him and for him and by the word of whose Power all things afterward also do still consist and are upheld Col. 1.17 compared Heb. 1.3 after he had by himself purged our sins and made peace through the blood of his Cross Col. 1.20 Heb. 1.30 and God had by him reconciled all things unto himself and by him collected all things in one by him whether things in Heaven or things on Earth Col. 1.20 those persons already received into glory there and those yet in their warfare here here both of the Jew and the Gentile all united in him the Head of all Eph. 1.10 22. With what Joy and Triumph I say was this most Sacred person Gods only Son bearing in thither his our humanity this day first received into his Armes and welcomed by God the Father With what solemnity did this Eternal High Priest when he had first through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without fault to God Heb. 9.14 Enter into the Heavenly Sanctuary the Gates there of set open whereof the Earthly was a Pattern there to appear in the presence of God his Father for us his Brethren and with what solemnity did he with the precious blood of his Sacrifice dedicate and purify the heavenly things themselves Heb. 9.23 and so set himself down on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in these Heavens far above all Principalities and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but in that also which is to come made Head over all things to his Church and expecting there till his Enemies wicked men and unbelievers Antichrist Satan Death be made his Footstool Eph. 1.21.23 c. Heb. 10.12.12.9 § 148 Our Blessed Lady and the Disciples and the rest of this holy company beholding this fell down and adored saith the Evangelist Luk. 24.52 with their eyes fixed upon him as he ascended when two men appeared standing by them in glorious and shining Vestments two of our Lords Train whom he left behind as also he had done before at his Resurrection Luk. 24.5 John 20.12 to entertain them with a new Message and divert them from this partly joyful partly sorrowful sight as they thought of our Lords honour or of their own loss who asked them why they looked so intently and wishfully after him for that they should not be deprived for ever of this their Lord but as he had often told them the same Jesus that was now thus taken up from them into Heaven should thence descend again in the same manner as he ascended thus the Angels briefly for their present consolation But this his second appearance and return to this world is described elsewhere much more particularly and that it shall be in the greatest Majesty and glory cum nubibus as this his ascent but with a shout and the voice of the Arch-Angel and sound of Trumpet and his brightness shining from the East unto the West with all his mighty Angels attending on him and he bringing all the Saints that were in foretimes deceased with him and those then living also meeting him in the Ayre and that he then sitting on the Throne of his Majesty all the Nations of the