that hee found himselfe deserted but in him are we takē vp saued Martyrs and witnesses of the trueth haue suffered great and grievous tormentes but divine consolation from aboue did aboundantlie shine in their soules the part which tyrantes could not kill nor touch looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of their faith who for the joy that was sett before him indured the Crosse Heb. 12.2 and despised the shame and mocking of them that stood by who turned his holie word in scornefull jest as though hee had called for Elias Christs Soule now beeing burnt vp with the wrath of God for Sinne Psal 69.22 and all the moisture of his body dryed vp with the same yet did hee not quensh his thirst vntill the wrath of his Father was satisfied Iohn 19.28 the infinite wrath of God thirsted after the blood of the mediator bearing our sins Mat. 11.2.8 Esay 12.3 was not quenshed till the Blood of the Mediator was dryed vp But blessed bee Iesus that had a spirituall thirst pleasure to obey his Father to the death Esay 55.1 to saue thy soule from hell and yet in bitter malice and scorne they tooke a watersponge and putt it to his mouth on a reede The wrath of his Father was begun to bee mitigated yet the wrath of the Iewes could not be asswaged for when hee was liuing they raged against him when hee was dead they persecut him when hee vvas in glorie they would shame him The Lord seeketh but chastismēt the wicked seeke overthrow of bodie and soule if it were possible For Evahs sweet Apple Christ must drink this bit er liquor both thy bread drinke must bee boght with the blood of Iesus To them who are sanctified all things are sanctified If thou bee not found in him thou shall bee accused as a violent possessour of what-soeuer thou hast Now thou dost heare him daylie in his members calling vpon thee I hunger I thirst Mat. 25.35 but thou convertest Gods good creatures to the fulfilling of thy lust rather bereaueth the servants of Christ that that they haue than vouchsafe anie thing on thē Christ after he had drunken cryed out in the audience of them al It is finished the work of Redemption is ended the ransome is payed to buy heaven conquere life which is the first vvorke and to put vs in possession of it which hee began at his Resurrection shall continue till his comming againe declared that no mā did take his life from him but layde it downe Iohn 10.17.18 and would tak it vp againe for he was not a cōmon man but God also to keepe his life or put it out at his pleasure Hee might haue liued lōger by the strength of Nature for the other two out-liued him and were not dead till they came and broke their legges And now when he yeelded vp the Spirit he had a divine power aboue Nature which put out the life saying Father into thine handes Psal 31.5 I commend my Spirit vvhile his Soule was loused from his bodie vvith joye Which sweete death hee did communicate vnto his Martyres Act. 7.59 as Steven all his members Consider heere vveake Soule that Christ hath purchast vnto thee the great benefite of Adoption Iohn 20 1◠For thy Brother Christ hath made his Father thy Father therfore vvil haue a Fatherly care of thee for euer For vvho is more faithfull 1. Pet. 4. 19. than our Father to vvhō vve commend our soules vvhich doe not perish but are kept by him 1. Cor. 15.21.22 while they bee joyned to the bodie at the resurrection are receiued vvhen vvee depart this life in his Armes vvho will not suffer them to be taken from his hands but vvill surelie keepe them in peace Be thou therefore carefull of thy Soule at al times but speciallie at the houre of separation for then the devil is busie to devour thee For be knoweth his time to bee short the gulfe of hell open to swallow thee vp If Iesus who had no sin be so careful for his Soule how carefull shuldst thou be who is nothing else but a masse of sinne yea he cryed so loud that the Earth quaked againe and the Temple raue asunder now to declare his Power and Victorie to terrifie the Iewes of whom hee is so mishantly handled and to bring if it were possible that stubborn people to Faith and Repentance Now hath the Doue gone out of the Arke which wil returne with an Oliue branch in signe of peace The Deludge is the wrath of God for Sinne the Arke is Christs Bodie the Doue his Soule At his Resurrection how great joye peace and comfort doeth hee purchase to man-kinde Rom. 4.25 For as he dyed for our sinnes so rose he for our righteousnesse Thē yeelded delivered hee his Spirit which was not taken from him against his vvill For hee hanging on the Crosse did make all the creatures quake and tremble Great was his humilitie beeing made obedient to his Father vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse of the vvhich thou may learne the exceeding greatnesse of his Majestie who euen then whē hee was exalted from the earth did draw all things vnto himself for where a Testament is there must bee the death of him that made the Testament Heb. 9.16 for the Testament is confirmed when men are dead for it is yet of no force as long as hee that made it is aliue So behoued this Testament leauing such an inheritance to his Saintes in that exceeding great glorie bee ratified by the blood of the Testator which is the ground of thy Salvation His death is thine honour the assurance of thy life is the assurance of his death his ignominie and shame is thy Glorie Now haue we heard of the Passion and death of Christ novv shall wee touch briefelie the thinges vvhich followed thereafter The fift Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. THere fell out immediatly foure things of the which two did teach the people The other two the quaking of the earth renting of the Rockes did threaten destruction for no man to take all excuses away shall perish without advertisemēt The first of these the vaile of the Temple is rēt after the darkening of the Sun in Christes greatest humiliation The Father gaue greatest tokens of his Glorie who is the Lord of Life for dumbe senselesse creatures did shame the Iews and glorified their Maker The Temple was divided in two For the Priest went alwayes into the first Tabernacle and accomplished his office Heb. 9.6.7.8 but into the second went the high Priest alone once everie year not without blood which hee offered for himselfe and ignorances of the people Betwixt these was a faire vvall overgilt with fine gold vpon the which hang a glorious Tapestrie wroght curiously which did hide the Sanctuarie
to breake one bone of him 1. Cor. 5.7 for he is our Passeover who sacrificed for vs died was peirced with a lance yet his Legges was not broken His members may be tossed with many calamities but shall not bee utterlie forsaken for many bee the troubles of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all Psal 34.19.20 The Lord would haue manie witnesses of his death the executioners the Souldier with his speare and the testimonye that the creatures gaue For without shedding of blood and death there had beene no remission of sins for vs They vvere enemies to the Crosse of Iesus Christ yet did they record the truth for our well Neither did this Souldier alone but mâ—nie moe now doe pierce his side Rom. 6.9 whilest he sitteth at the right haÌ„d of the Fâ—ther by mocking and contemning him in his word Mal. 3.8 Zach. 2.8 defrauding him of the meanes of his glorie Act. 9.4 for hee that toucheth his Saintes toucheth the apple of his eye as it was spoken of Paul persecuting him And this was done to confirme Gods power Zach. 12.10 and providence forespoken by the Prophet vvhich vvhich they did accomplish of meere ignorance Therefore out of his heart came Blood and Water Blood for the finest cleanest is about the heart and Water by the which liquor the heate of the heart is cooled and refreshed for as yet the Body was warme No man can liue when his heart blood is shed which is the seat of Life This signifieth a power flowing from his death to the remission of sinnes 1. Iohn 6.6 washing of our foule nature which tvvo great blessinges are represented vnto vs in two Sacraments of Baptisme the Lordes Supper Num. 20. 11. for as Moses while hee smote the Rocke water did come foorth to refresh the people So Blood and Water did gush out at Christs side for the benefite of the vvhole vvorld which is that Laver 1. Cor. 10.4 wherein our soules are purged from their inward spottes 1. Iohn 1.7 For as in Egypt when the first begotten was killed so many as had the posts of their doores marked with the blood were free so by this Lambes Blood that bringeth salvation to the world Heb. 9.13 are wee delivered by Faith from destruction that wee may serue him in righteousnes and holines And not presume to be so bold Tit. 2. 11 as by our profane life to tread his Blood vnder foote Nowe heere is a place for thee at his verie heart deare Soule where thou mayst creepe in and rest thee for as out of the side Eue was taken while Adam did sleepe so now is hee cleanseing and purifying his Church by redemption regeneration in this time of his death The fift Degree and first Steppe of the ascension of the Soule vnto Heaven by meditation of the buriall of our Lord Iesus Christ NOwe hath his verie enemies procured at Pilate that hee should bee taken from the Crosse Iohn 19.31 That blessed Corps beeing layde on the ground Ioseph a rich just godlie Disciple of Christ boldlie begged the dead Corps at the hands of Pilat that as his death was notable so should his buriall be also his glorious resurrection bee made famous Hee was not taken from the Crosse without leaue of the Magistrate nor buryed with out the same as he vvas not condemned but by the Magistrate that thou mighâ—st be fullie fred from all points of the Iustice of Gods wrath for sinne For if this power had beene in the Iewes hands they wold haue opponed themselves to heape more shame and ignominy vpon him but the Lord will haue a noble man and a notable faire place appointed to this worke that the honour of the Son and his glorie should beginne at the buriall which was shamefull in it selfe and that hee should bee instrument 1 Pet. 3.7 who shuld be hiere with him of that Kingdome of glorie and of that life All the glorie of this world pertaineth to the faithfull howsoeuer they apeare to haue least part thereof Ioseph is called to this great honour 1. Cor. 1.26 which is rare to be seene in men of like conditioÌ„ for the Lord in his death was more mightie theÌ„ in his life For when the corne of wheat lyeth in the ground and dieth as Christ foretold of the power of his death it fructifieth Iohn 12.24 and bringeth foorth much fruite for where euer the dead Carcase is thither doe the Eagles resort Of the which number this Counsellour was who looked for the Kingdome of God and there is no mention of such another great man but Nicodemus Iohn 7.50 who opponed himself to the death of Christ in the counsel for God hath his own in everie part 2. King 19 10. Rom. 11.4 of whom hee vvill bee served albeit he durst not for feare of the Iewes openlie professe â—say 42.3 yet the Lord will not breake the bruised reede nor quensh the smoaking flaxe To the supplication of Ioseph Pilat yeelded but wondred that Christ was so seene dead whose miracles was so many the shortnesse of his life vpon the Crosse floorishing time of his age which was thirtie three yeares and some od months which imported that the death of Iesus was extraordinarie Iohn 10.17 who onelie had power to lay it downe Ioseph therefore bought a fine linnen cloath to wrappe the Bodie of Iesus in and Nicodemus an hundreth pound weight of a mixture of Myrrhe Aloes The wisedome the learning and the riches of these men were cast at Christs feete vvhereof they counâ—ed much of before they had a sight of Iesus nowe they counted all but dongue Phil. 1. They felt a sweet savour and odour comming to them froÌ„ his death therfore would they meete it with a sweet savour But there needed no odours to preserue it beeing filled with the presence of God Wherefore with one concord coÌ„stantlie they accomplished his buriall after the custome of the Iewes that is honourablie Act. 9.37 for never was a more honourable Man than Christ and all these vvere ceremonies the rest of their washings were figurs of him to come vvho is the earnest of our resurrection For he shall raise all these which doe sleepe in monuments In a newe graue therefore hewen out of a stone by Ioseph to his owne vse was hee laide in a Garden neare by Ierusalem that Christs buriall might be the more honourable in how much as he was aboue all the kinges of the world separated from sinners and made higher than the heavens The Father had his loving care of him albeit he appeared to haue forsaken him on the Crosse Hee is buried in another mans Sepulchre for hee died for the sins and salvation of others that hee might sanctifie our burials by comming vnto them and from them to ascend to the heavens But remember poore Soule it
is a new buriall place that hee will bee laide in so a renewed heart by the Spirit is his dwelling place for hee can not rest in the ludging of that soule that hath sold it selfe to sinne as he will haue also a cleane a pure bodie as a winding-sheete to bee wrapped in as sweetly smelling savours of Vertues Faith Repentance Loue Patience c. joyned thereto To the mouth of this Buriall doe they rolle a great stone by the Lordes providence to stop the mouthes of his enemies Eph. 1.19 for it was hee that raised him from death to life wherein most of all thinges his power did appeare And this vvas done in the preparation to the Sabbath For as God the Father perfected the work of creation then so the Sonne hath accomplished the work of redemption and did rest the Sabbath from his worke 1. Cor. 15.24 shall giue sweete securitie and peace to our bodies and soules Novv hast thou woefull Soule the accomplishment of the Prophets concerning his buriall Psal 16.9 that his flesh should rest in peace and the type of Ionah perfected â—â—y 53.9 And therefore seeing in Christ by Christ our sinnes are buried let vs not digge them vp againe of new Math. 12.39 but since wee are buried with him by Baptisme vnto his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so wee also should walke in newnes of life And albeit our buriall was a part of the punishment inflicted to Adam Gen. 3.19 that he shuld turne to dust yet now they are not filthie prisoÌ„ houses of the body but glorious Bed-chambers of the Sonne of God from whence hee shall raise vs to that heavenlie inheritance Esay 57.2 after that wee haue sleeped a little while therin for hee hath sanctified them by the vertue and power of his buriall Dan. 12.2 For as hee caried our sinnes in his Bodie vpon the tree so hath hee hidde them in the graue with himselfe to the vvhich place we must ever send Sathan when hee shall trouble and assault our vveake consciences with the terrible face of Sinne. For Ionas being cast in the sea it was quieted So Christs resting in the womb of the earth as in a whales bellie doeth mitigate the Lordes anger For as Death now hath beene pursued by Christ to the utermost yea euen vnto the graue and bovvels of the earth so can it not hurt Iohn 5.24 but greatlie benefite the beleeuers to eâ—ernall life And therefore nowe mayst thou boldly say Phil. 1.23 I desire to bee dissolved and bee with Christ The second Step of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven on the buriall of Christ Iesus our Saviour WHile Ioseph and Nicodemus thus handled the glorious Bodie of Iesus laide it in the Graue the women that followed him heavie hearted looking on that spectacle yet had they great hope to see him rise againe when the graue was closed with sadnes joy mixt together prepared for embalming of him The third day following the morow was the Sabbath wherein they rested the third day Christ did rise before they came they disappointed of their commendable intention wherein shined their godlines Liberalitie Loue Diligence Abilitie and more than manlie fortitude 1. Cor. 1.17 whereby God to his glorie out of the weakest instruments doeth effectuate great things For as they were going to the Graue the Lord of glorie sent an Angel to tell the resurrection to these women An Angel vvas a witnes before the women and the womeÌ„ before the men which rolled away the stone from the doore of the Graue For neither in death nor in buriall the God-head had uttered it selfe but in the resurrection it brake out And therefore the Lord hauing respect to the weakenes of these women which were not so able to remoue the stone did send an Angel that when they came they should see that Christ was risen froÌ„ the dead They heard before that the third day hee should rise but they beeing weake in Faith were supplied by the Angel vvho testified of his resurrection The Lord did promise to make an everlasting Covenant with his people of the sure mercies of David Esay 55.3 Therefore sayd hee Act. 13.34 It behoued the Lord to rise from death for mercie had never continued if Christ had not risen For all the promises of God are in him Yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 For hee would not suffer his holie One to see corruption â—sal 16.10 Had hee not risen his Bodie behoued to rotte but God did raise him vp who said Psal 2.7 Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee Esay 538. And who is able to count his Generation for hee is that everlasting Essence albeit hee died hee arose to liue without end And now my Soule since thou art dead with Christ Col. 2.20 and risen with him Seeke these thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Sette thy affections on thinges which are aboue Col. 3. 1.2.3 not on things which are on earth for thou art dead and thy life is hid with God in Christ When Christ which is thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with him in glorie Be carefull therfore to get this excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whoÌ„ couÌ„t al this losse that thou mayst winne Christ mayst be found in him not hauing thine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law Phil. 3.8.9.8.10 but that which is through Faith of Christ that thou mayst know him I say and the vertue of his resurrectioÌ„ and the fellowshippe of his afflictions and hee made conformable vnto his death if by any meanes thou mayst attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Let thine heart â—ee filled with the vvord and promises of salvation that it may be established by grace And now seeing Christ is thy riches thy treasure all that thou staÌ„dest in need of let thy heart be where hee is Ascend with him liue in this vvorld as not liuing here for thy conversation is in heaven it is not thou now that liuest Gal. 2.20 but Christ that liueth in thee and in that that thou liuest in the flesh vntill thine appointed time thou liuest by Faith in the Son of God who loued thee 1. Cor. 6.17 and hath giuen himself for thee Be thou therefore joyned to the Lord that thou mayest bee one spirit with him And behold as in a mirror the glorie of the Lord with open face and be changed in the same image froÌ„ glorie to glorie 2. Cor. 3.18 as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let all thy vnderstanding vvisedome cogitation and memorie bee bent on him vvho is risen and Death shall no more prevaile over him Poure out thy best affections on him Bee sorowfull to offend him Rejoyce in
my love and my light Learne mee to forget those things that are behind mee Phi. 3.13 and follow hard towards the mark O Lord open thine owne Treasures and sende downe of thy spirituall graces Let mee finde a lifting vp vertue in thy spirit continuallie raising vp my spirit Speake peaceable things to my soule this morning that all the day long I may rejoyce in thee Giue mee faith to applye the sweete promises of mercie made in thy Worde Hedge mee so about with thy grace that my secreet corruptions breake not out Let my whole life bee a walking with thee and a moving towards thee Iohn 12.32 Draw mee everie day somewhat neerer to thy selfe and deface the image of sinne in me that the image of Christ may bee set vp in my soule Bee thou O Lord a bulwarke to thy servant that the violent spait of the corruption of this time dryve mee not away Save mee that I communicat not with the sinnes of other men 1. Tim. 5.22 and cleanse mee from my owne sinnes As this bodie of clay weareth and wasteth graunt O Lord that sinne may weare and waste in me Bring the worke of thine owne grace to perfection and leade mee from faith Rom. 1.17 to faith and from feeling to feeeling 1. Cor. 13.12 vntill faith end in sight and feelling into an endlesse fellowship which I hope to enjoy in the Heavens with my blessed Head and Husband Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fourth Day I Blesse the time wherein I was acquainted with thy Majestie If thou hadst not sent the light of thine owne Spirit Eph. 2.12 as I was borne a stranger I had died a straÌ„ger I confesse O Lord that before my calling I was doing the workes of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and of the minde and was by nature the child of wrath as well as others But thou O Lorde who art riche in mercie through the great love that thou hast loved mee in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.4 hast made mee to see that I was walking in a way to mine owne damnation Thou in mercie reclaimedst mee and broughtest mee backe yea thou diddest pardon those selfe-same sinnes in mee for the which thou hast condemned others O Lord what didst thou see in mee more than in others Nothing but matter of wrath and condemnation Yea Lord as thou didst separate Eliah from Elisha 2. King 2.11 walking in one way together by a fyrie chariot so hast thou shedde mee from the reprobat sometime walking in one course with them I say with thy servant David Not vnto mee Psal 115. 1. not vnto mee O Lord but vnto thy Name let the glorie bee given Who is able to thinke aright of thy mercy all thy wayes are mercy truth to them that feare thee Psal 25.1 When I remember what I haue beene I am enforced to wonder at thy mercie If thou hadst beene as readie to punish mee for my sinne as I was readie to commit sinne I had had my portion amongest the damned Spirites ere now What follie was there wherein I did not take pleasure I stopped mine care at the voyce of GOD and hearkened vnto the voyce of the Serpent The deceitfull pleasures of sinne ensnared my soule but thou hast broken the grinne Psal 124.6 and my soule like a bird hath escaped all thinges are naked and patent before him Heb. 4.13 with whom we haue to do Thou didst see Nathanael vnder the figge tree Iohn 1.48 I do therefore in all humilitie crave thee mercie for all my sinnes before my calling and also after my calling Like a Dogge I haue returned to my vomite 2. Pet. 2.22 and like a Sowe washed I haue defiled my selfe in the myre againe After that thou hadst made mee cleane these same sinnes for the which I haue lamented and repented I haue falne into againe As my salvation was begunne of thy mercie so let it bee continued and perfected of that same mercie for mercie is all I leane to At that last houre when all these outward comforts as false friends will flie from mee in my greatest neede then Lord bee at my right hand yea bee in the secreet corner of mine heart that my death as well as my life may edifie others in the faith of Christ Let my mouth whilst I haue breath vtter foorth a good matter Psal 45.1.2 Then leade thou mee through the valley of death and in end bring mee into that glorious and lightsome Pallace where the glorie of God shineth most brightlie â—sal 17.15 that my soule may ever bee delighted with the brightnesse of his Face and may haue my part in that Songe of Thankesâ—giving Rev. 5.9.10 c. which the glorified Spirites sound to the praise of GOD to whom be everlasting praise Amen Morning meditation of the fift Day O Heavenly Father as all the waters runne into the Ocean so doth all poore sinners powre out their complaintes in thy bosome Thou art the onelie refuge of a wearied soule to thee onelie doe wee flie in our greatest necessities and at thy mouth doe wee seeke resolution in our most perplexed affaires I haue manie things to lament to thy Majestie but in speciall I lament to thee that my meditations are so confused and mixed with impertinent cogitations Lorde this is a token of a confused heart I am sorie that the heart which should bee the dwelling place of thy Spirit should bee so preoccupied by earthlie fleshlie and profane cogitations I may withdrawe my selfe from the companie of the Worlde but allace I can not with drawe my selfe from a profane heart where ever I goe I carrie a profane heart about with mee and albeit thou givest mee an outward libertie to bow the knee of my bodie yet my spirite is bound Ah Lord I can neither speake nor thinke of thee as I should doe Thou art infinite vnmeasureable incomprehensible what can a finite creature take vp of an infinite God Forgive mee Lord that I worship thee in such ignorance let mee see thee in a clearer light and I shall worshippe thee with a greater affection The better O Lord that I know thee the better I loue thee the more will I reverence thee That woman of Samaria Iohn 4.9 before Thee knew thee preferred a drinke of water to thee but from time shee knew thee shee esteemed much of thee and preferred thee vnto all things To the end therefore O Lorde that thou may haue that rowme in mine heart that thou oughtest to haue manifest thy selfe more clearelie to my soule Drawe abacke this curtaine off my soule that I may take thee vp more sensiblie I crave light with the increase of light and grace with the increase of grace faith with the increase of faith and because that heere is no perfection Graunt I may studie to a growth vntill thou perfite thine owne worke and in the meane time O Lorde consider what I am
an vnspeakable joye other times refusing all comfort sometimes doubting and distrusting othertimes firmelie belieuing stedfastlie apprehending sometimes longing for to be dissolved â—hil 1. other times loving to Iudge still in this tabernacle of clay in all these things where is my comfort but in this that thou art vnchangâ—ble As for mee O Lord I confesse Malach. 1. for my best action thou mightst condemne me for the sinnes of my prayer hearing of thy word what then should bee mine estate if thou woldst enter in judgment with mee Teach mee to vvalke in trembling and feare before thee let it be my first care to keepe thy presence saue mee O Lord that by my vnclean thoghts profane speeches vngodlie actions I quench not thy Spirit but let mee euer finde that Spirit working moving into my soule when I wander bring me home againe when I fall raise mee when I sleepe waken me hold me waking O Lord that when the Bridegrome shall come I may bee in the ranke of the wise Virgines Mat. 25. with my lampe clearlie burning attending his coÌ„ming And finallie forgiue mee all the infirmities of my prayers and accept of my leane and vnworthie sacrifice in through that alsufficient Sacrifice that my blessed Lord hath offered in my name in the name of all these that loud his second coming To him therefore bee praise honour glory for euer Amen Nowe vnto the King everlasting immortall invisible vnto God onelie wise bee honour and Glorie for euer Amen FINIS AN Ascension of the SOVLE TO HEAVEN By meditation of the Passion Death Buriall and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 3.16 And without contraversie great is the Mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angells c. EDINBVRGH Printed by Iohn Wreittoun 1625. An Advertisement to the Christian Reader MAN in all his actions purposeth to himself Glorie and Gaine whereof if hee giue vnto God the first which is due vnto him hee will make the second redound to thy vse Therefore â—â—ght wee with the Angels to sing Glâ—rie bee to God in thâ— Heauen and with Zacharias Luc. 2.4 Blessed bee the LORD GOD of Israel who hath visited redemed his people Then must wee consider whâ—â— bee the benefites we gaine of Christâ— death which are in number manyâ— in feeling comfortable in estimatâ—â— most precious The first is Purgation of sinnes thus happie is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinnes is couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth none iniquitie Psal 31.1.2 but most miserable are they that lacke these The penitent sinner of a troubled spirit Psal â—1 17 of a broken and a contrite heart forsaking his owne wayes and renounceing his owne imaginations Mat. 4.17 promising amendement and purposing the fruites of repentance confessing his owne miserie and appealing to the mercie of GOD Esay 1.18 and the merites of Christ hath his soule though as red as Scarlot washed in his most precious gracious and glorious bloode Heb. 9.13 14. Lev. 6.14 For if the bloode of Bullocks and Goates and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling them that are vncleane sanctified as touching the purifying of the flesh how much more shal the blood of Christ which through the eternall Spirite offered himselfe without spot to God 1. Iohn 1.7 purge our conscience from dead workâ—s to serue the liuing GOD Thus the Blood of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God purgeth vs from all sinne O purge mee with this Hysope and I shall bee cleane wash Psal 51.7 and I shall bee whiter than snow 2. The second benefite is Remission of sinnes Sinne is in the Child of God but it reigneth not Sin is in the Elect but couered Sin is in the Heires of Saluation Rom. 8.33 but not laid to their charge because it is forgiuen Exod. 25.17 As the Arke was couered with an golden sheeteâ— alled the Propitiatorie So Christ is the propiciatâ—â—n of our sinnes Mat. 26.28 by whom wee haue redemption through his Blood euen forgiuenesse of them Col. 1.14 for the voyce of his blood is remission of sinâ—â—s euer proclaimed in the hâ—artes of the godly Eph. 1.7 calling for â—etter thinges than the blood of Abel Heb. 12.24 3. The third Benefite of Chriâ—â— pâ—ssion is Deliuerance from thâ— curse of the Law the Law accuseth Christ exâ—useth The Law teâ—â—fieth Christ comforteth the Laâ— curseth but Christ blesseth fâ— Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law Gal. 3.13 when hee was made a curse for vs for it is written Deut. 21.23 Iohn 1.17 Cursed is everie one that hangeâ—h on a tree And the Law wâ—s given by Moyses but Grace and Trueth came by Iesus Christ iâ—deede Cant. 1.4.15 we bee but blacke by nature yet are we white by Grace Bla k in Adam yet comelie as the tentes of Kedar Cant. 6.9 and as the curtaine of SalamoÌ„ yea plesant in Christ now in Him wee lâ—â—ke as the Morning faire as the Noone pure as the Sun terrible as an Armie with Banners hard favoured by merite but beautifull by Mercie for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse tâ— every one that beleeve Rom. 10.4 Iohn 5.24 Thâ—y thâ—â— which in a livelie faith apprehend Christ crucified and risen againe haue what the Law requireth that is perfect obedience performed by Christe imputed to them who was delivered to death for our sins Rom. 4.24 Rom. 4.25 Col. 2.14 and risen for our iustification Thus hath hee put out the hand-writting of ordinances that was against vs which was contrarie to vs he even tooke it out of the way and fastened it vpon the Crosse 4. The fourth Benefite wee reape by Christes passion is freedome from damnation and purchase of eternall Life for God so loved the world Iohn 3.16 that hee hath given his onelie begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him Rom. 8.1 should not perish but have eternall Life For what destruction can come to them which are ingraffed in Christ the Authour and finisher of our saith and salvation Heb. 12.2.3 who for the ioy that was set before him endured the Crosse anâ— despised the shame how can the second death take hold on them that haue their part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 and are in Christ Iohn 4.6 the Life it selfe For when Christ which is our Life shall appeare Col. 3.4 Iohn 10. then shall we also appeare with him in his glorie The Devill can not pluck them away fiâ—aly from GOD who is stronger than any and hath giuen them to Christ who is one with the Father and hath their names written in the Booke of Life having washed their Garmentes in the Blood of the Lambe Phil. 4.2 Rev. 20.14 Hell cannot terrifie them which patientlie looke for an inheritance in Heaven Eph. 1.4 Wee are in
Christ by election before the world was made Rom. 5.1 Wee are iustified by a livelie Faith the obedience of the sonne of God Rom. 5.16 being imputed vnto vs wee are sanctified through the Spirit 1. Pet. 1.2.22 Iohn 15.3 our soules are purified in obeying the Trueth Wee walke not after the flesh when wee resist covetous cogitations Rom. 8. 1. ambitious desires voluptuous thoughts envious conceits Gal. 5.19.22 malitious purposes or whatsoever else corrupt of olde Adam Wee walke after the Spirit when wee imbrace love wee follow peace and holinesse show longe suffering gentlenesse meekenesse temperance crucifieing the fleshe with the affections and lusts thereof to such as are in Christ there is no condemnation 5. The fifth Fruite wee haue of Christ his Passion is the Wrath of God is pacified Col. 3.6 for as they which obeye not the Sonne shall not see Life but the wâ—ath of God abydeth on them so they which beleeve in the Sonne haue everlasting Life reserved in Heaven for them 1. Pet. 1.4.5 which by the power of God are kept to salvation for his sak God pardoned all our offences and our sinnes and our iniquities will he remember no more Ier. 31 33 34. but will put his Lawes in our mindes and write them in our hearts and will bee our God Esay 42. 1. and wee shall bee his people Mat. 3 17. for hee is his beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who is also our Advocate with the Father if we sinne 1 Iohn 2.1 even Iesus Christ the lust 6. The sixt benefite of Christ his passion is Victorie over Sathan for where sinne is purged Gen. 3.15 and remitted and not imputed where the malediction of the Lawe is abrogated Eph. 2.14 where the second Death is abolished where the wraith of GOD is pacified there the Devill hath nought For Christ by death destroyed him that had power of death Heb. 2.14 that is the Devill that hee might deliver all them which for feare of Death were all their lifetime subiect to bondage For this purpose appeareth the sonne of God 1. Iohn 3.8 that hee might lowse the workes of the Devill wherefore though Sathan bee yet suffered to tempt the children of God yet shal hee neuer bâ—e able to draw them awaye from the state of Salvation because Iohn 18.28 God is saithfull and will not suffer his to bee tâ—mpted aboue their strength but shall in the middest of their tentation make a way that they may bee able to beare it 7. The seventh benefite is Victorie over Death and our freedome from the feare thereof for hee sayeth I will redeeme them from the power of the grave Hos 13.14 I will deliver them from death O Death I will bee thy death O graue I will bee thy destruction Death 1. Cor. 15.55.56 where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie the sting of Death is Sinne and strength of sinne is the Law But thankes be to God who hath given vs victory through the Lord Iesus Christ Now â—y the meanes of the death of Christ death is nothing else but a sweet passage way to eternall life to the faithfull Iohn 8.51 for if any man keepe his word hee shall never see death Let vs therefore couragiouslie follow our Châ—staine the Lord Iesus Christ who as hee did not perish in Death so shall hee not suffer vs to perish neither he is the God of the living Mat. 22.32 and not of the dead that is which cease to be For this is his Fathers will which hath sent him that of all which hee had given him hee shoulde lose none but raise them vp againe at the latter Daye for the things which the eye hath not seene Cor. 2.2 neither eare heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that love Him And finallie besides these singulare benefites by Christs Passion Rom. 5.2 wee haue the same peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding Heb. 2.18 and accesse to this grace wherein wee stande by the mediation of Christ and after this wretched life entrance to behold the glorious and blessed Trinitie in Glorie Maiestie and Eternitie AND now Gentle Reader that wee may make heavenlie and spirituall vse of his sufferings First diligentlie weigh what person in the Deitie did suffer Seâ—ondlie what hee did suffer Thirdlie why hee did suffer And lastlie what our Meâ—iatour requyreth at our hands The Apostle sâ—yeth 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ suffered once for vs that is the Sonne of God and the virgine Marie Iohn 1.14 That Worde which was made fleshe and dwelt amongst vs and wee saw sayeth heeâ— the glorie ther of as the glorie of the onelie begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and trueth And so confesseth Peter Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Sonne of the living God whiâ—h was â—e whoÌ„ when the fulnes of time was come Gal. 4.4 GOD sent foorth made of a woman and made vnder the Law Iohn 7.14 for his name is Immanuel being a child borne to vs and a Sâ—nne given vs Esay 9.6 whose governement is vpon his shoulder whose name is wonderfull Eph. 3.9.10 Counsellour to the mightie God everlasting Father the Prince of peace But we should rather adore the Hypostaticall vnion and Incarnation of the sonne of God than searche it by our shallow braines anxiouslie for the minde and vnderstanding of man cannot reach to it much lesse can it bee expressed by tongue yea and the verie Angells admired 1. Tim. 3.16 that the eternall sonne of God that did take the shape of a servant Phil. 2.7.8 and willinglie yeelded himselfe to the ignominious death of the Crosse But why was thy Mediator both God and man If hee had beene man onelie hee could not haue satisfied the Iustice of God so should our Redemption haue beene vnperfyte and not sufficient for he suffered in that nature 1. Pet. 4. 1. that could suffer that is the flesh Yet because of that strait vnion of both the natures in Christ wee may convenientlie say God to haue beene dead and crucified for the sonne of man and purchased his Church Act. 20.28 by his owne Bloode Now then because thy Mediator is God hee can free thee from death and Hell 1. Tim. 2.5 and because hee is man bone of thy bone and fleshe of thy fleshe hee is sensible of thy miserie for wee haue not a high Priest Heb. 4.15 which can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all thinges tempted in like sort yet without sinne goe therefore boldly vnto the throne of grace that thâ—u mayest finde mercie and receiue grace to helpe in time of neede But why did God perfyte this great worke of our Redemption from Sinne by the death of his Son not by other meanes besides that it pleased God to declare his
minde most evidently to vs it belongeth to the Iustice GOD by the same reasonable creature Gen. 3.15 the Devill should bee overcome which hee had gloried to bee subdued by him as God therefore hee triumphed over Death The offering of Isaac is a shadow of this dispensation done for vs Gen. 22.8 Isaac being a type of the divinitie and the Rain of the humanitie In the purification of the Leper also for whom was taken two Sparrowes aliue and cleane whereof the one was killed Lev. 14.4 and the other dipped in the blood of the slaine then let gâ—e the live Sparrow into the broad fielde And so of the two Goates offered for the sinnes of the people whereof the one was sacrificed and the other did escape 2. What did hee suffer in Soule and Body man hath sinned so did hee suffer in both not in his Passion onely but all the time of his life hee was in the flesh As his povertie flight to Egypt and all other his persecutions contained in the historie of his Gospell declare Esay 53.4 3. Why sâ—ffered hee surelie hee hath borne our iniquities and caried our sorrowes 1. Pet. 2.24 hee his own selfe bare â—ur sinnes in his body on the tree that wee beeing delivered from sinne should live in righteousnesse by whose stripes wee are healed Thy trespasses brought shame and ignominie on thy Saviâ—ur and nailed him to the Crosse and drived him to the lowest part of the earth Hence doeth shine God his Iustice and Mercie to vs wâ—rd aâ—d espâ—â—ially Iesus Christ his lâ—ve to vs all Of his Iustice punishing sin The Angells which kept not their first estate deludge of Noah Iud. 6.7 the subversion of Sodom Gen. 19.24 and Gomorrha are examples which suffer the vengeance of eternall fire Chorah Numb 16.32 Mat. 23.37.38 â—sal 76.2 Dathan and Abiram their destruction and the miserable desolation of Ierusalem the bewtie of the earth and the chosen habitation of GODS worship can beare record Bâ—t none of them all can bee compared with this that God would not but by the death of his onely begotten Sonne be pacised for our sinnes Cease therefore to provocke so iust a GOD by thy wickednesse Psal 95 7.8 since thou receiuest a kingdome that can not bee shaken craue grace Heb. 12 2â— that thou may so serue GOD that thou mayest please him with reverence and feare for even thy GOD is a consuming fire Rom. 1.15 whose wrath is revealed froÌ„ Heaven against all vngodlinesse and vnrighteousnesse of men The fierce Lyon is tamed and dauntoned when the Whelp is beaten with roddes in his sight Psal 147.19.20 cast thou off superfluitie of maliciousnes for whilst thou seest not onelie the people dearest to GOD of any Esay 2.6 for hee hath not so done to everie nation so dangerouslie forsaken because they did not repent nor acknowledge the day of their visitation but his well-beloved Sonne also in whom hee is well pleased mayest thou behold to die 1. Iohn 3.5 that execrable death because he appeared that hee might take away our sinnes and in him is no sinne Despise not therefore the riches of his bountifulnesse Rom. 2.4 and patience and long suffering not knowing that the bountifulnesse of GOD leadeth thee to repentance It behoued our woundes to bee verie deepe and corrupt which could not bee healed Esay 1.6 but by the woundes of the Sonne of God hee hath redeemed vs not to sinne but from sinne not with corruptible thinges as Siluer or Gold 1. Pet. 1.17.18 Heb. 10.29 but wiâ—h the precious bloode of Christ as of a Lambe vndefyled and without spotte How sore punishment shall hee bee thought worthie which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of GOD and compteth the blood of the Testament as a vnworthy thing wherewith hee was sanctifyed and despiteth the the Spirit of Grace Againe nothing more could declare GODS mercie Rom. 5.8 than the death of his owne Sonne what is dearer to man Ioh. 3.16 than his owne children Iacob deploreth his sonne Ioseph David yeelded a bitter and heavie sorrow for Absâ—lon yea Gen. 37.34.35 2. Sam. 18.23 Ier. 31.15 in Rama was a voyce heard murning and weeping and great lamentation Rachel weeping for her children and would not bee comforted for such cace hath procured in many astonishment rather than teares seeing therefore that GOD hath delivered his Sonne begotten from all eternitie Phil. 2.6 equall with himselfe coessentiall and consubstantiall to a shamefull death for thee despare not with that damned Crue Cain Saul and Iudas But rouse vp thy selfe in the consâ—ience of GOD'S mercie saying with David The Lord is full of compassion and mercy slow to anger and of great kindnesse hee will not alwayes chyde nor keepe his anger for euer Psal 103.8.9.10.11.12 he hath not delt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs after our iniquities for as high as the Heauen is aboue the Earth so great is his mercies towardes them that feare him So farre as the East is from the West so farre hath hee remoued our sinnes from vs. As a father hath compassion on his children so hath the LORD compassion on them that feare him For as by one mans dissobedience Rom. 5.20.21 many were made sinners So by the obedience of one many shall also be made righteous For where sinne aboundeth there grace aboundeth more that as sinne hath reigned vnto death so might grace also reigne by righteousnes vnto eternall Life by Iesus Christ our Lord who was made a curse for vs Gal. 4.4 5. that the blessing of Abraham might come on thee through Christ Iesus Thus is hee made vnto vs of GOD 1. Cor. 1. 30. Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption Seeing therefore that wee haue Christ the pledge of GODS favour and lâ—ue who hath payed more than wee were indebted and hee restored that which hee tooke not Psal 69.4 and hath merited more for vs than the Ocean Sea is bigger thaÌ„ the smallest droppe of water The righteous GOD of his Iustice being once satisfied can not sue double pay in punishing those that belieue in Iesus Christ And what can bee said of Iesus Christ his most burning Loue to mankind never Bridegrome loved his Bride so intirelie and ardently never man matched so vnworthily and with greater disparagment in marriage as Christ and his Church If thou see any cast his affection vpon a Wenâ—h deformed maimed yea a sâ—old and durty thou wilt say Such a one is benummed yea bewitched But God when we were dead in sin and trespasses Eph. 2.2 yea which is worse walked after the course of the Devill his enemie 1. Iohn 1.8 emptie and voide of all goodnesse fraughted and defyled of all vice of meere vnlookt-for love not onlie had hee given his onelie begotten Sonne to deliver vs from the bondage and staverie of Satan but hath adopted vs to be anexed heires
By the Passion of Iesus Christ And first wherein the holie and saving meditation thereof consisteth secondly which bee the principall parts of the Historie whereof some not all are handled THat worthely thou mayest vnder-stand these two thinges are necessarie First the knowledge of the History which is common to the Elect and the Reprobat Secondlie the spirituall notice and application thereof to thy selfe The first is necessarie for all that purpose to be saved but it is not enough and sufficient For how canst thou apply the passion of the Lord Iesus to thy selfe vnlesse thou be instructed therein Rom. 10.14 For how can they call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued And how can they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard And how shall they heare without a Preacher Iohn 8.56 Abraham had long agoe cognition heereof as Christ witnesseth Your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day and hee saw it and was glad So David in his 7.2 Psal and manie moe as if he had bene staÌ„ding by that wooden crosse and heard these words of Christs own mouth And Esay in his 53. hath clearlie the historie of the Passion as if he had beene at Golgotha in proper person yet this historicall knowledge doth shoot short For the Devils beleeue Iam. 1. and they tremble that is haue a simple naked knowledge Our looking vp to Heaven doth not transport vs thither So that bare knowledge doeth not joyne thee with GOD vnlesse there be added a spirituall mediâ—ation and speciall application of his death to thy selfe such as was in Abraham David and Esaias The Priestes and Elders the Pharisees Scribes and their servantes Pilate Herod and Iudas and innumerable moe knew this Historie whereof they were presidents and actours but never one of them voide of fault shall bee saved Heb. 11.6 yea it hade beene more tolerable to them never to haue seene nor heard of Christ Iohn 8 24. which maketh them the more inexcuseable For if hee bad not come and declared his Fathers will Mat. 11.21 they would haue had some clocke to pretend but now they haue none Remember all thy life-time is short Iam. 4.14 and insufficient for the true knowledge of this so high a mysterie of salvation which cannot be accordingly â—o the worth thereof expressed by any mortall and neither canst thou be fully ravished in admiration heereof It is not the saving vse of this Tragicall historie often to speake of it or with teares and lamentations Iohn 14. Luc. 23. or such humane feeling and sense to bewaile that the most righteous Sonne of God should haue vndergone such cruell and vndeserved punishmentes a most shamefull death it selfe much lesse to fall out in bitter imprecations and spitefull cursings against Pilate or Iudas remnant which contriued this innocent Lambes death but it should pearse deeper in thine heart and soule that his grace assisting draw and moue thee to earnest repentance 2. Cor. 10. not to be repented of patience in affliction thankfulnesse and brotherlie loue to abhorre and detest sinne for which our Saviour was so tormented never to dispare since for thy sake hee hath given him out of the deepe and gulfe of his love who was his enemie but seeing whilst thou was a sinner Rom. 5.8 Christ died for thee much more beeing now justified by his Blood shall thou bee saved from wrath through him For thou mayest bee perswaded that if when thou was a foe was reconcealed to God by the death of his Son Rom. 8.32 much more beeing reconcealed shalt thou bee saued by his Life for bee that gaue thee his Sonne will not hee giue thee all things also Especiallie during the time of thy life carie a thankfull heart to thy Redeemer that for maintainance and defence of his glorie Act. 21. â— thou would suffer all calamitie and miserie whatsoeuer yea death it selfe thus if it were possible to make a requitall to him But alwayes which is most acceptable in his sight by true faith establish thy confidence that after all the distresses of this wretched world are finished thy Redeemer shall stand the last on the earth Iob. 1 25.26 and though after thy skinne wormes destroy thy bodie yet shalt thou see GOD in thy flesh whom thou thy selfe shall see and thy eyes shall behold and none other for thee and so enjoye eternall felicitie with thy Christ in the Heavens who shall bee All in All. THE FIRST STEPPE in this Ladder to ascend are of thinges which went before his Crosse HERE consider my Soule how hee was betrayed by Iudas with a kisse Mat. 26.48 Whose delight was to be with the children of men Pro. 8.31 Accused of the Iewes who is the Iudge of the World Condemned vnder Pilate who would all to be saued 1. Tim. 2.4 and come to the knowledge of Trueth Crucified between two malefactors who is among the middest and in the middest of two or three gathered in his Name his Soule sore troubled Luc. 2.25 who is the consolation of his owne secrete ones his heart grieved who is the joye and mirth of his Elect Psal 66.1 his Bodie tormented with the nailing of his blessed Hands and Feete who created the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 32 18. Psal 110 1. and these bee the workes of his hands whose enemies shall bee made his foote-stoole With the pearcing of his gracious side which yeelded streames of Iordan-like blood Mat. 26.28 and water to cleanse our leprosie whereof one drop was sufficient satisfaction for infinite worlds be reason of the personall vnion of the Deitie therewith 1. Pet. 1.12 The bespitting and beating of that Face on which the Angels of the Heaven take pleasure to behold So the Son of God the Lord of glorie the Prince of peace was hainouslie ignominiouslie and cruellie entreated of miserable miscreants so hee which knew no sinne was made a sacrifice for sinne 2. Cor. 5.21 that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God through him The Devill the prince of this world albeit a Lyar Iohn 8.44 a man-slayer from the beginning came and found in him nothing Iohn 8.46 yea who could rebuke him of sinne Now if the vaile of the Temple of senslesse stones was rent if the Earth did tremble which of it selfe was so firmelie sounded Psal 104.4 that it could not bee moued to condole the manifestatioun of that strange passion and hard Rockes raue asunder which thunder-boltes and Earthquakes could not divide If these creatures I say voyde of reason and sense expressed their sorrow reverence and obedience thus to their Creator Phil. 2.8 who had emptied and abased himselfe so to bee handled by the children of darknesse how can it be but thou my Soule who did the same and for whome it was done should bee much affected and feelinglie take to heart these vndeserved favours purchased for thee thy Bowells
maye quake thy Reason bee astonished thy Vnderstanding amazed to thinke of it and so may thy Tongue to speake of it Yet may thou sorrowfull Soule rejoyce in Christ crucified Gal. 6.14 which is the onely true object of all thy solide Ioye for by vertue of his painefull Passion 1. Cor. 1.30 thine hudge ransome is payed thy running wounds are healed perfite and absolute satisfaction for all thy sinnes made The first Death converted to Life the seconde valiantlie conquered the reid Dragon Sathan 1. Pet. 5.8 that Lyon goeth about to devour thee couragiouslie subdued Rev. 20.14 Hell that gapeth for thee overcom Col. 2.14 that Obligation that was against thee cancelled sinning sinne and that sinne that hangeth so fast on Heb. 12. 1. killed thy justly offended God pacified and thou with strong cords of love and everlasting mercie betrothed and reconcealed to him Hos 2.19 And now to call to memory wretched Soule these actions which went before his Crosse mayest thou not thinke that his suffrings were exceiding great when he did sweate blood Luc. 2.7 Hee spent his Bloode in his circumcisiâ—â— in our behalfe before and now in mount Oliues beeing in an agonie kneeling downe devotelie Luc. 22 44. and praying most earnestlie drops of Blood doeth burst through his sacred Bodie It is an vsuall thing for man in anguish to sweate but to sweate bloode and that in such quantitie and aboundance that it should trickle from him vpon the grouÌ„d is a strange thinge and an vnaccustomable thing and only proper to such an eminent personage whose Griefe was vnspeakeable and Paine vntolerable And did he thus shed drops of blood for thy sinne poore Soule and canst thou not nor wilt thou not shed teares for the same thou canst bewaile and mourne for vanishing and deceiuing toyes of this earth but for thy trespasses thy eyes are dryed and shoote vp Ob that mine head were a well of water Ier. 9.1 and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that thou mayest bewaile thy blindnesse forgetfulnesse and vngratitude And truelie it was not without cause that this terrible pâ—ssion did so sease vpon him for the matter which hee had in hand Col. 1.22 was weigh ie 2. Pet. 3.13 Eph. 6.12 Eph. 2.2 the worke which hee had to accomplishe was great the conflict strong the enemies mightie Luc. 4.13 their assaultes many the worke was mans eternall redemption the battell was with detestable Sinne destroying Death devouring Sathan insatiable Hell accusing Law and with the consuming Wrath of God and would not deare Soule these enemies so manie in number so mightie in power so terrible to behold make a man to feare to tremble to sweate Truelie if Christe had beene meere man onelie hee could not haue encountred with them for hee should haue succumbed vnder the burden of his owne sinne much lesse should haue releaved others But beeing very GOD and very Man Iesus Chrâ—ste the Iust 1. Iohn 2â— hee did fight them all overcame them all led captiue all Eph. 4.8 and hath triumphed over them all it cost them all their liues for ever and h m drops of blood with strong crying and teares Heb. 5.7 What say I droppes of bloode costed him no more yes yes that which was dearest vnto him his verie Life which could not bee taken from him but laid it downe for thee Mat. 20.28 and hath the power to take it again according to his Fathers commandement But now thou seest him crowned with Glory and Honour which is made a little inferior to the Angels through the suffring of death Heb 2.9 that by Gods grace he might taste Death for all men Hee is that stronger man that entred in the strong mans house spoyled all that he had and this and much more hee did Mat. 18. 11. before hee could bring vnder so mightie enemies as man had and so accomplish so painfull a worke as Redemption is Rom. 4.10 and pacifie so great a Person as is the most hie Almightie everlasting God O my Soule diligentlie remember often cal to mind the heauenlie droppes of that inesteemable Blood which he shed for thy sake thy soule vile sinnes for thee vnworthy soule and salvation 1. Iohn â— 19. Eph. 5.5 â—sal â— Rom. 8.3 Loue him for it dearelie thanke him for it earnestlie serue him in humilitie obedience and simplicity And that thou mayst receiue deeper impression of his blood marke heere diligentlie my Soule to how many severall respects and diverse ends hee had in this worke For first Rom. 8.32 GOD the Father delivered him who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death It was bee that smote the Sheepe-Heard Zach. 13. and the Sheepe was scattered For the sinnes of his people hee smote him I say Esay 53. for the Lord had laide vpon him the iniquitie of vs all And it behoued him to drinke of the cup that the Father had giuen him but what shall I say they persecute him whom they haue smitten Psal 69.26 and they adde vnto the sorrowes of them whom thou hast wounded As Iudas who said What will yee giue mee Mat. 28.15 and I will deliver him vnto you not assisting or cooperating to Gods will but perfecting his owne maliciousnesse as did the rest The Iewes also tooke him Iohn 18 13. and bound him and ledde him away vnto Annas Pilate also delivered him to bee crucified at their owne will Yea Iohn 19 16. Sathan had a enterest heerein who from the his Nativitie persued him euen to his Baptisme Mat. 4. where he hand to hand combated him but got the foyle and now hath entered in Iudas O! Eph. 5.2 but most of all deare Christ thou gauest thy selfe to death for the loue of thy Church for thou loued thy Church and gaue thy selfe for it Truelie Psal 1â— 3. thou mightest haue said The snares of Death compassed mee and the grieues of the Graue caught mee I haue found trouble and sorrow Psal 22. many young Bulles haue compassed mee mighty Bulles of Basan haue closed mee about they gape vpon mee with their mouthes as a ramping and roaring Lyon Dogges haue compassed mee and the assemblie of the wicked haue inclosed mee The chiefe Priestes who should haue defeÌ„ded the Shepe-Heard Bishop of our Soules 1. Pet. 2.25 1. Cor. 8.2.3 who pretended knowledge in whose handes were the Oracles of God most of all both privatlie and publicklie did procure his Death For Envy corrupted the whole masse of their learning They knew where Christ should bee borne Mat. 2.4 they had ofttimes disputed with him after that Iohn had testified of him Iohn 1.19 hee himselfe confessed and denyed not that hee was the Son of God Luc. 22.67.69.70 yet they never pretermitted no opportunitie while they had his life It is good to vnderstand according to sobrietie
Rom. 12 13. Mat. 11 25. Luc. 10.21 Iohn 7.4.46.49 1. Cor. 13.2 The Lord did bide those thinges from the wise and learned and reveiled them to Babes They were blind leaders of the blind learning profiteth not vnlesse it bee accompanied with Humilitie and Love Thus seeing they see not and groping they finde nothing Act. 17.17 The Athenian Philosophers Epicures and stoicks Act. 2.13 most of al withstood Paul The religious of everie Nation vnder heauen mocked Peter The Syrenians Act. 6.12 they of AlexaÌ„dria desputed with Steven and falslie accused him And finally the whole Iewish nation at Ierusalem 〈◊〉 little handful only excepted which did not dreame of 〈◊〉 spirituall Kingdome combined to conclude his death as was fore-spoken The people raged Psal 2. 1. the kinges of thâ— earth band themselues and the Princes are assembled togetheâ— against the Lord and againsâ— his Christ Destitute of aâ— Consolation Col. 1.16 in so much a the Creator of the Armeis oâ— Angels had neede of one oâ— them Heb. 2.7 Luc. 22.43 Luc. 16.22 O! but One frâ—â— Heaven to comfort him so greatlie was hee forsaken of hiâ— Father for our sinnes Neither yet shall the Angels leave thee in the like houre of death and necessitie of helpe if thou trust in him which alwayes beholde the face of his Father in Heaven Mat 18.10 By which Christ evidentlie declared it was no jest nor collusion betwixt his Father him but that in deed in truth he was terriblie astonished and agast Mat. 26.37 while his Bloode did so copiouslie runne from him but his Father was highlie offended Psal 6. 1. and greatly inraged at our sinnes for hee is a GOD Psal 11.5 that loveth righteousnesse but the wicked and him that loueth iniquitie doth his Soule hate Wherefore Christ was wounded for our transgressions Esay 53.7 hee was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him though hee had done no wickednesse neither was there fraude in his mouth Despise not thou deare Soule those who at the feare of Death are most dejected humbled and stupefied neither yet judge those to haue the better cause who yeelde themselves foolishlie and too boldlie to Death But bee thou taught to bee god-lie afrayed of the separation of the Soule Luc. 12.40 from the Body and ever as Death were instant to foresee the same and learne to die which followeth thee at the heeles as the shaddow doeth the Body LORD Psal 90.12 teach vs to number our dayes and apply our hearts to wisedome For the meditation of Death is greatest Philosophie Remember my Soule thine ende and thou wilt not sinne for euer and the more the outwarde man decay be thou renewed strengthened in the inner-man And heere the first and second Adam doe meete for the first in the Garden made a beginning of our miserie Gen. 3.2 and the second builded the ground of his Passion for our Redemption in the Garden 2. Cor. 5.18 That is I say that amongst greatest pleasures meditate of thy mortalitie There Christ was taken and bound Iohn 18.2 the place was knowne to Iudas because Christe would not shunne the occasion of our deliverance but hee would not haue him to know the person with whom hee was to eate the Passover by name least he should had sought meanes to prevent the same which hee could not because his houre was not come The second Step to ascend by SEcoundlie thou mayest conceive poore Soule that thy Spouse suffering was exceeding great when beeing sorrowfull and grieuouslie troubled hee said Mar. 14.34 My Soule is heavie even vnto death Hee that said vnto his servant in the Prison Act. 23.11 Bee of good courage now is afrayed of his imminent passion beeing like to vs in soule and bodie and infirmities Heb. 4.15 and all thinges Sinne excepted As God hath said I am the Life and restoreth the dead to life exhorting his Disciples Iohn 5.25 not to feare them that can kill the bodie but not harme the soule as God I say howe can hee bee afrayed to whome the Sainctes doe sing The Lord is with mee Psal 117.6 therefore I will not feare what man can doe vnto mee The humane nature was borne to suffer and to bee partaker of all our afflictions that hee might communicate solide constancie of his power to vs for vnto the world hee came as a rich Marchant traffecting with vs that of his fulnesse wee might all receiue Iohn 1.16 taking ours by a marveilous translation Col. 1.13 and exchange Iam. 1.5 Mat. 26.53 and giving his most liberallie and reproached no man giuing I say for shame Honour Salvation for Dolour for Death Life and though hee might command moe than twelue Legions of Angels to aide him hee had rather receiue our feare than exercise his owne power yea it aggreged his griefe Mat. 26.24.31 Iohn 13.1 Iudas treason the scandall of the Apostles whom hee loved to the end rejection of the Iewes Esay 48.4 for whome hee had done so much And the fearfull destruction of Ierusalem on which there was not to bee left a stone vpon a stone Mat. 23.38 So that hee had forewarned the mourners thereof Luc. 23.28 weepe not for mee but weepe for your sevels sayeth hee and your children When thy Loue beloved Soule was transfigured on mount Tabor Mat. 17.2 his face shined as the Sunne but now he is despised and esteemed nothing both pale and wan for there was no bewtie in him now who before was fairer Esay 53.2.3 than the Chrildren of men but now despised Psal 45.2 and rejected of men A man full of sorrowes and bad experience of infirmities that by sufferinges hee might learne obedience And he who taught his Disciples to pray for vs and for himselfe Iohn 16.26 Heb. 7.25 9.24 practised the same lesson by blessing prayer by his owne mouth not once in that short moment of time but thrice according to the weight of that imminent necessitie O Father Mat. 26.39 if it bee possible let this Cuppe passe from mee meaning his bitter passion and the dregges of the vialles of Gods wrath not that hee was vnwilling to drinke therof for hee went alwayes about his Fathers bussinesse Mat. 3.15 and it was meate for him to doe his Fathers will submitting himselfe that hee might fulfill all righteousnes But these earnest speeches declared the heavie burthen of sinne which lay on him the painful griefe which hee endured the greatest tormentes and terrors which hee sustained for thee vnthankefull Soule and his Elect. The Soule of thy Bride-groome was from Heaven Mat. 1.20 heavenlie never bespotted and defyled with any vncleannesse 1. Pet. 1.19 Act. 2.27 but pure without corruption Notwithstanding that it was sadde and touched with the feare of Death for thee which hath deserved the same 1. Pet.
haue care over vs but that our flesh also doeth possesse the heavens where we shall bee in the presence of God for euer hee went alone to heaven but he all entered into it for a bone was not broken of him both head members shall bee found in heaven Hee hath giuen vs the earnest of his Spirit and taken the earnest of our flesh and caried it as a pawnd to Heaven where wee and all they that haue true faith shall bee brought and here withall to lance this vnrighteous Iudges heart hee maketh mention of the latter day which is his day wherein hee shall judge all flesh as Daniel hath fore-spoken who behelde in visions by night one like the Sonne of man Dan. 7.13 comming in the cloudes of heaven and approaching to the Ancient of dayes and they brought him before him and hee gaue him dominion and honour a Kingdome that all people Nations and Languages should serve him And so said another Zach. 10. They shall looke vpon mee whom they haue pearsed and shall lament for him as one mourning for his only sonne and bee sorie for him as one is sorte for his first borne Which second comming 1 Thess 4.16 seeing it is at hand we should remember of our accomptes to bee giuen to him and the precisnesse of that Iustice wherein wee shall render a reckoning for everie idle word Mat. 12.36 Let it not depart from our memorie but what-soever thou takest in hand Eccl. 7.36 remember thy end and thou shall neuer doe amisse Christ suffered for a good cause â— Pet. 4.15.16 even for righteousnesse sake who although hee was in bonds afflicted as though hee were an evill doer yet the word of God that was in his mouth was not bound Iudges as they exercise their judgement shall be juâ—ged againe for he that for thy cause was presented to jugdement shal be Iudge who hath said That God hath sent his Sonne not to condemne the world but that bee world by him should bee saued Beleeue in Christ and thou needest not to bee affraid of judgement will be condemne them for whom he hath suffered all these things Iohn 3.17 suffered I say both of the hie Priest who spak to him against order of Law of the hie Priests servant who strooke him against order of law for maintaining the truth before he had beene judged neither was it a fitte place to punish a man in judgement thogh he were never so bad And now the high Priest at this innocent Lambes answere rent his choathes Ioel. 2.13 but thou shouldst haue so done to thy heart He pretended the Majestie of God to bee hurt be this externall behaviour but inwardlie well pleased that now hee might haue occasion to fulfill his wicked counsell The godlie indeed should burne in zeale when they see the glorie of God to bee impared Mat. 22. as Lot was vexed with the vncleanly conversation of the wicked for hee beeing righteous dwelling amoÌ„gst them 1. Pet. 2 7.8 in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deedes But alas poore Soule how oftimes dost thou both pollute thy selfe dost heare the holie Name of God blasphemed by oaths and perjuries it becommeth thee to avert the wrath of God by all meanes â— King 11.30 wheÌ„ thou shalt heare such Rabsakeas blasphemies as Hezakiah did Nothing should more grieue thee thaÌ„ when wee see the glorie of God his Majestie to be hindred or hurt by any Who is weake and I am not weake who is offended and I burne not 2. Cor. 11.24 Now by this outward gesture hee would declare the punishment of the Lawe in commiting blasphemy justie to appertaine to Christ Lev. 24.13 to bee stoned to death by the whole multitude but this is our greatest comfort that by these means hee hath redeemed vs from the condemnatorie sentence of the Law Gal. 3.13 for as the Father hath life in himselfe so likewise hath he given to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe and hath giuen him power also to execute judgement in that hee is the Sonne of man But the high Priest did not vnderstand what he was doing for being risen from his place hee might haue presaged the losse of his Priesthood chaire therin that in this rage in reÌ„ting his cloths he did signifie the translatioÌ„ of the Law for the change of the Priest-hoode imported the change of the Law also The like was done to Ieroboam whose vpper garment was cut in twelue pieces by the Prophet who did deliuer vnto him with the ten pieces the ten Tribes Now as if they had not tormented him enough the hie Priests leaue him to be mocked of their servants vntill the dawning of the day that the Counsel should sit For what marveill is it when the Magistrates giue evill examples that vnrighteousnesse violence and oppression reigne every where And now deare Soule raise vp thy selfe to thankfulnesse and let thy heart bee inflamed with his loue when thou shalt remember what and how great bitter things all that whole night thy Redeemer suffered For his face was bespitted as if it had bene most ignominious with their Fistes they boxt him and spitefullie mocked him covering his face that being stricken hee should tell them who had done it Great therfore must be the anger and wrath of God for sinne for which Christ did suffer so much and therefore wee should abhorre it from our heartes But most of all hast thou to consider the infinite mercie of thy heauenlie Father who to vindicate assoilyle thee from everlasting ignominie suffered his beloued Sonne so shamefullie to bee intreated well might hee haue said Psal 22.7 I am a worme and not a man Remember therefore thy vncleannes and inward corruption who is borne in iniquitie â—sal 51.5 and in sinne hath thy mother conceiued thee to purge thee from these spots and to present thee without blotte or wrinkle Eph. 5.25 Was this blessed face of Iesus embrued with spittell Iustlie may wee deplore the impuritie of our nature which must bee cleansed by the Blood Christ 1. Iohn 1.7 Yet doeth not the wicked now cease to beate Iesus in his members and which is most abominable doe scorne the divine Majestie as if he did not see nor had care nor were to craue vengeance for that they doe but doe cover the face of Iesus in their opinion while they afflict his members giuing themselves to carelesse securitie but hee doeth see and beholdeth all these thinges for their oppression and their sighes are before him and their wandringes are compted their teares put vp in his bottle But although hee appeare not to seeâ— neither the God of Iacob to regarde yet vnderstand yee vnwise among the people and yee fooles when will â—ee bee wise bee that planted the care shall bee not heare â—r hee that formed the eye shall bee
sinning whose breath is in their nose-thirles and whose helpe is vaine They would not acknowledg that it beloÌ„ged to them surelie both they and their posterity feele the smarte of that Innocent Blood Which men though they know the Law of God how that they which committe such things are worthie of death yet not onelie doe they sinne Rom. 1.32 but also favour them that doe them For to sin by himselfe or by another is all one and he that consenteth is accessâ—â—ie to the fact But heere is their great blindnesse that they did not revoke and retreat their sentence hearing his innocencie justie by the traitor confessed In no ways speake thou against the word of Trueth my Soule but bee ashamed of the lyes of thine ignorance striue for the Trueth vnto death Eccl. 4.25.28 and defend Iustice for thy life and the Lord God shall sight for thee against thine enimies But hardest of all is that rough answere that Iudas receiued they ministred no comfort vnto him but increased the flamme of despare that was kindled in the heart of him The weak haue ye not strengthned EZek. 34.4 as he complaineth justly of them the sicke ye haue not healed neither haue ye bund vp the broken nor broght againe that which was dryven away neither haue yee sought that which was lost but with cruelty rigor haue ye ruled them But the good Sbepherd never resteth but goeth after that which was lost while he find it Luc. 15.4.6 and maketh his rejoycing the compensation of his trauell He did cast the money in the Temple from him which was so deere vnto him that for it hee post-poned the life of his Master Now he became so execrable that he gained nothing of it but a conscience burnt with an hote yron evill acquired goods shall neuer benefite the possessor nor the posteritie 1. King 21.16 Achab beleeued all was well when by violence and fraud hee had obtained Naboths Vine-yard which hee lost with his life and the favour of God most of all For what availeth it to gaine the whole world Mat. 16.26 and losse his soule And what fruit haue they then in those thinges Rom. 6. 21. whereof they are now ashamed for the end of these thinges are death But terrible was his execution for when hee had throwen downe himselfe head-longs hee burst asunder in the middes Act. 1.18 and all his bowels gushed out how great destruction doth abide them that serve the vncleane spirit this was not an evasion by death from Gods judgement but a more short compendious way therto Let not Sathan by his deceit allure thee neither for feare of Ignominie as hee did Saul or with loathsomnesse of thy life to such abominable practises But alace many now adayes doe harden their hearts at wholesome exhortation whereby they make the Lord to cut the threed of this life adjudge them vnto eternall death besids that many by drinking and gluttonie doeth shorten their dayes And doth not whoredome vitious venery procure sudden death What can bee said of Avarice and Covetousnesse which whiles it thirsts for the blood of others they are pearsed by that vnrighteâ—us MaÌ„mon whereby they are â—beacked and killed And what shal be thought of those who provoke the single combat thinketh it a great indignitie vnlesse they kill not themselves or their neighbour Lord grant everie moment while wee enjoye this life wee may consecraâ—e it to the glorie of the Giuer that wee may bee readie at all occasions to giue an account of our times speÌ„t here that we may say with Simeon Now let thy servant depart in peace Luâ— 2.29 according to thy word for my eyes haue seene my salvation Then learne heere my Soule by this his desperation the nature of sinne for before it bee perfected it maketh men drunke but being put in executioÌ„ the pleasure is extinguished the conscience remaineth heavier than Leed which vnlesse the Lord prevent maye dryue thee to despaire For the deceitfulnesse of sinne and delite thereof for a season maketh men so brutish that they can not decerne betwixt good and evill yea causeth them beleuee they are most blessed in greatest sinnes And therfore my Soule resist the Devill and hee will flee from thee whilst thou dost not resist the custome of sinning it brings necessitie vpon thee for it hardneth the senses that they caÌ„not clearlie see it blindeth the vnderstanding lest punishment should terrifie it fettereth the heart to make filthie thinges pleasant it weakeneth the strength that beeing overcome they succumbe The sicknes of their Soule is much more sensible than the diseases of the bodie There is no greater dolour than the wound of the conscience for sin nor any greater burden than the heavie weight of our vile transgressions Heere Sathan is a great politician for he changeth himselfe into an Angel of light while hee lessens our sins extenuateth theÌ„ intysing meÌ„ to fall But when the deede is done like lightening hee shineth in meÌ„ casting his sins suddenlie before him at the which thunderbolt he is benummed stupified feeling the bitter pangues of an euill conscience and doth so cast him downe with this great stroke that hee who before gloried in sinne now thinks himselfe secluded from mercie and salvation Lord hide thy face from my sinnes Psal 51.9 10.11 and put away all mine iniquities creat in mee â— cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within mee Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirite from mee But diligentlie perpend Peters and Iudas repentance by comparing them together that thou mayst vnderstand deare Soule in what state their iniquity was coÌ„mitted Their falls heavily wounded their coÌ„sciences doubtlesse for Peter not onelie denyed Christ but bound himselfe to cursings if hee had known him which was a sin almost to death And the other Iudas did commit an haynous trespasse worthy of everlasting condemnation but Peters was of frailtie of the flesh and feare of death But Iudas was of set purpose and of destinate malice did atempt that detestable fact And Peters againe not in a cause of it selfe so much blameable but of immoderate timeritie conjoyned therewith And to Iudas desperat malice was an insatiable greedinesse annexed but the forgetfulnesse of the word of God was the fountaine of both their falls It concerneth vs euer to pray the liuing God to giue vs ears to hear to lay vp in our hearts his promises threatnings to strengtheÌ„ vs or beat down our pride to say Esay 50.5 The Lord hath opened my eare I was not rebellious neither turned I back But as their fall was so was not their repentance both were Apostles both had woundes of conscience and frighted with the sting therof but Iudas gaue such place to the overburdeÌ„ing streÌ„gth thereof that hee despared of Gods mercie But Peter belieued that Christ is the reconciliation of our sins 1.
Iohn 2.3 and not for ours onelie but for the sins of the whole world by Faith applying the merites of Christe vnto himselfe to doe this businesse whereof Iudas destitute contemning the deepenesse of his mercie and riches of grace lost hope of recovering no man can seriouslie repent but he that looketh for forgiuenes And therefore to wrestle with temptation is first to look to the promises of God which is so sure and certaine that it is more easie that beaven earth should passe away Luc. 16.17 than they should faile or that any title of the Law should faile For the Lord is strong Exod. 34.6.7 mercifull and gracious slow to anger and aboundant in goodnes anâ— truth reserving mercie for thousandes forgiuing iniquities and transgressions and sinnes for the Lord is gracious and mercifull slow to anger Psal 145.89 and of great mercie the Lord is good to all and his mercie is over all his workes In this conflict cast the eyes of thy faith on Christ Iesus to whom a voyce from Heauen came Saying Mat. 3.17 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am wel pleased For hee receiued of God the Father honour and glorie 2. Pet. 1 17 and there came such a voyce to him fâ—om the excellent It is reported that Alexander the Great when he saw Iaddus the hie Priest with his priestlie apparel meeting him ceased from his rage against Tyrus and also richlie rewarded him How much more when our euerlasting Priest Iesuâ— Christ who is just yea our righteousnesse shall appeare in the sight of God his Father making intercession for vs to mitigate his wrath Heb. 7.26 and shall giue vs forgiuenesse of sins and life everlasting for he is able perfectlie to saue them that are able to come vnto God by him seeing hee ever liueth to make intercession for them Let not therefore Sathan bereaue thee of Gods loue mercie towardes thee the merite of his passion efficacie of his death For the gift is not so as is the offence for if by the offence of one many bee dead much more the grace of God Rom. 5. 15. and the gift by grace which is by one Man Iesus Christ hath abouÌ„ded vnto many Moreouer neuer sinner yet to this day desiring to bee reconcealed with his God was euer secluded froÌ„ mercie if the sinne be great his mercies is aboundantlie more and so much more as all the whole globe of the Sea exceedeth the smallest droppe of water If thy sinne be old which thou hast drunken in from thy mothers breast and in processe of time hath euer augmented the same bee thinke thee of Gods mercie is from al eternitie if thy iniquity bee latelie committed Gods mercies are daylie renewed which euerie moment hee poureth vpon vs. And therfore poore Soule because of the savour of thy Bridgromes oyntmeÌ„ts Cant. 1.2.3 his Name is as an oyntment poured out therefore the Virgines love him draw mee wee will runne after thee the King hath brought mee vnto his chamber wee will rejoyce and bee glad in thee wee will remember thy loue more than wine the righteous doe loue thee yea thou despysest not the poore sinner thou abhorredst not the confessing Thiefe neither the weeping woman neither her that was found in adulterie neither him that sate at the receipt of custome nor the humble Publican nor the denying Disciple nor the persecuting Paul yea not these that crucified thee but prayed for them Strengthen thy faith therfore in the spirituall fight by the holy meditation vse of the Sacraments for whosoeuer are baptized in Christ Gal. 3.27 hath put on Christ he covereth our nakednesse and doth wash away the filth of our Soules whose sinnes if they were as Crimson Esay 1.18 shall bee made white as Snow for it is the â—lood of Iesus Christ that cleanseth vs from all sinne 1. â—ohn 1.7 Bee not therefore affraied sinful Soule Art thou baptized in Christ hee will hâ—ue care of thy cause as if it were his proper owne The Rainebow was a signe of the Covenant betwixt God and man That the earth shâ—uld never be destroyed by deluge of water therafter Gen. 9.13 So baptisme is a vndoubted seale of our purgation by Christ at Gods hand he made a league with vs for our foule sins never to bee cast from his presence But in the Sacrament of the blood bodie of Iesus haue we a most certaine and liuelie pawne which is our Passeover offred for vs who by his obedience hath delivered vs from the Tyrannie of death and made vs partakers of life eternall It was worthie of consideration how precislie Peters falles are registrate in the booke God For whatsoeuer thinges are written afore-time are written for our learning Rom. 15. 4 that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Peter therefore denyed his Master seven times Foure times to Maides Mat. 26.69 and three times to men First to Maides I say when he sate without the Hall and the Maide came vnto him saying that Thou wast with Iesus of Galile Secondlie as Peter was beneath in the Hall for now hee had entered but before hee was not come in There came one of the Maides of the high Priests Mar. 14.66 and when shee saw Peter warming him shee looked on him and said Thou wast also with Iesus of Nazareth Thirdlie then a Maide saw him againe and began to say to them that stood by This is one of them Fourthlie when hee went out into the Porch from the common Hall And another Maide saw him and said vnto them that were there Mat. 26.71 This man was also with Iesus of Nazareth Thus foure times denyed he his Master before these weak Vessels Man never should be courageous stout in his owne conceite The Lord is my strength my buckler and the horne of my salvation If the Lord leaue vs to our selues wee are a prey to Sathan to euerie winde and blast of temptation Thrice also denyed he before men and first Iohn 18.25 before the Souldiers standing and warming himselfe Iohn 18.26 Secondlie hee denyed before Malohus coosen whose eare hee smote off Thirdlie hee denyed him anone to them that stood by who saide vnto him againe Mat. 26.70 Mar. 14.70 Surelie thou art one of them for thou art of Galile and thy speech is like Neither doe I so punctually set these dolorours spectacles before thine eyes sinful Soule to dig vp the Sepulchres of these glorious Saints which are in heauen who repented and weeped bitterlie for their sinnes who were patterns to others not to distrust And thou Peter being converted confirme thy brethren And Dauid after his fall did teach the Lordes wayes vnto the wicked Psal 51.13 that sinners might bee converted to him The beleeving and repenting sinner therefore may be perswaded that there is euer mercie to bee found how great soever his sins
hath beene Peter was taught this lesson of his Saviour That hee loued much to whom much is forgiuen and so being demanded if he loved him more than the rest of the Disciples did hee according to the multitude of his compassions bestowed vpon him referred the answere to his Master Iohn 21.15 whom hee knew did know all things knew how much and in what degree hee loved him Neither is this contradicent to the word which sayeth Thou shalt denie mee thrise for Christ said not thrise onlie but thrise and hee that denyeth seven times denyeth also thrise Peter had said before shall I forgiue my brother seven times to whome Christe answered not seven times but seaventie times seven times Christs favour to his owne is aboue the affection of men or loue of women as Dauid said of Ionathan and according to his everlasting mercies doth hee so much more freely and readilie forgiue yea this was also to strengthen Peter that when hee should fall which Christ did foresee he should not bee swallowed vp in desperation but constantlie beleeue with a liuelie and justifying faith in the Sonne of God as hee had professed before his Master To whâ—m shall we goe Iohn 6.68 69. thou hast the words of eternall life and wee beleeue and know that thou art the Christ the Son of the liuing God Mat. 16.16 Thus haue wee spoken of these two Disciples Peter Iudas their falles and repentance which are as different as Heaven is aboue Hell How are now the Priests Elders of the people imployed they are about the counsell for buying of the Potters fielde because they would not put his money in their Treasures Narrow and strait is their conscience in small things but rowme large broade in greater affaires They are constrained to perfect the Lordes decree pronounced by the Prophet Zacharie It is impossible that the enemies of Christ can stoppe the course strength of the Trueth There is neither wisedome neither vnderstanding Pro. 21.30 nor counsell against the Lord. O propheticall certaintie O great vnspeakable knowledge of the holie Ghost He said not ten or twentie but preciselie thirtie as if he had told debursed to them these pieces of silver Let nothing diswade vs from the certanty of Gods promises although there appeare vnto flesh and bloode no reason how they shall bee accomplished yea and that all thinges tend to the flat contrarie never doe thou swerue nor shrinke but beleeue against hope vnder hope Rom. 4.18 Many beautifull showes of outward holinesse doeth these represent they knewe vnlawfully purchased almes was displeasing vnto God They knew a care should be had of the poore and strangers departing this life that they be buried and for the perpetuall memorie thereof did giue the place a name Heere is their Pharisaicall hypocrisie they attend outward religion but lacke internall worship of the minde which is not looked to Well said Christ of theÌ„ Woe be vnto you Scribes Pharisees Hypocrits for yeare like vnto whited Tombs which appeare beautifull outward Mat. 23.27.28 but are within full of dead mens bones and of all filthinesse So are yee also for outwardlie yee appeare righteous vnto men but within yee are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie Yet the faithfull should not omit their dueties of humanty to support the indigencie of their brethren while they liue duetiful care of them when they are dead neither not to pull the goodes from their heires vnto themselves Yet one thing heere thou must learne poore Soule of their hypocrisie to bestow thy charitie and almes vpon the poore of thy own lawfull goods For I the Lord Esay 61.8 loue Iudgement and hate robberie for burnt offering and I will direct their work in truth will make an euerlasting Covenant with them for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Pro. 15.8 to present him in his members with such is to associat him to their villany he that taketh away his neighbours liuing Esay 1. 11.12 slayeth him and be that defraudeth the labourer of his hyre Eccl. 34.23 is a blood-shedder But heere behold an everlasting monument raised by them of their impietie and malice against Christ for whiles dissemblars will cover their wickednesse then most of all it is made manifest by reason of Aceldama But this was long time before figured in Ioseph who at the desire of Iuda was sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 47.5 6. wherby it came to passe that the Land of Goshan was giuen his brethren to dwell in So Iesus sold and delivered to death Iohn 14.2.3 prepared a place for vs where beeing delivered from all troubles Iohn 17.24 we might enjoy rest for euer Remember my Soule that thou art solde vnder the tyrannie of sinne But by Iesus Christ who was solde for thee thou art restored to libertie Beeing then made free from sinne wee are made the servants of righteousnesse and as ye haue giuen your members servants to vncleannes Rom. 6.18.19.22 and iniquitie to commit iniquitie so now giue your members servants vnto righteousnesse and holinesse that beeing fred from sinne yee haue your fruit in holinesse and the end euerlasting Life Mat. 13.18 Wherfore this Field is the world the Potter is God who made maÌ„ of the slime of the earth Gen. 2.7 The strangers are Christians who haue no abiding Citie heere Rom. 9.21 but haue renouÌ„ced the world The buriall place is our rest in Christ whose sepulchrs are sanctified by him Col. 2.11 1. Cor. 15.42.43.44 and who shall restore our bodies committed vnto him as vnto a faithfull Creator the price of blood is the merite and vertue of his Passion 1. Pet. 1.19 The second Step in the third degree of the asâ—ension of the Soule vnto Heauen c. NOw haue we conveyed our Saviour froÌ„ the Garden to Cajaphas now wee would accompanie him to Pilat Iohn 19. there false accusation against him Mat. 27. of the sending of him to Herod Luc. 23. and of most wrongous excambing of him with Barabbas with the most mishant condemnation of that Innocent Lambe of God Mar. 15. Pilat at the desire of the Iewes is deafe for hee heares nothing worthie of death in him The Iewes vvere verie diligent to take all occasions to put Iustice to execution if any had bene against him which now is oft times delayed But the cause that hee should bee presented before his Tribunall was Mat. 20.19 that it behoued the Sonne of man to bee delivered to the Gentiles to mocke and to scourge and to crucifice him that both Iew and Gentile as they had conspired his death so should both bee partakers of his Life And the first If they abide not still in vnbeliefe Rom. 11.23 should bee graffed in for God is able to graffe them in againe And for the second God hath concluded all vnder sinne
Gal. 3.22 that the promise of faith by Iesus Christ should bee giuen to them that beleeue Wherefore my Soule be not affrayed by him thou hast accesse to the Throne of Grace neither sicknesse nor calamitie shall bereaue vs of comfort Hee was preseÌ„ted to the Barre of Gods Iustice that wee should remember our Absolution from it therefore boldlie mayst thou say Psal 42.11 Why art thou cast down my soule and why art thou this disquieted within me waite on God for I will yet giue him thankes be is my present hope my God The superstition hypocrisie of the Iewes is verie clear they would not enter into Pilates house least they should bee debarred from eating of the Passeouer Numb 9.10 according to the Law giuen against the vncleane they indeede were affraid to bee polluted in this strangers Iudge his consistoriall place yet were not ashamed to shed the blood of their innocent countrie-man they will not be defyled with the dwelling place of Pilat but never examine the pollution of their own sins in their heart They left the weightier matters of the Law Mat. 23.23 as Iudgement mercie and fidelitie which are rare in such false seditious people for they could pretend no excuse wherfore the Lord did reject and forsake them seeing of their owne mouth that they did coÌ„fesse they had no power of death and life but their authoritie was devolved in the Romanes hands For the Scepter shall not depart from Iuda nor a Law-giuer from betweene his feete Gen. 49.10 vntill Shiloh come and the people shall bee gathered together vnto him but God in his righteous judgement hath given theÌ„ the spirit of slumbering eyes that they should not see Rom. 11.8 eares that they should not heare to this day But was it not lawfull to kill a man for blasphemie Lev. 24. Lev. 20. Numb 25. Lev. 26. for adulterie for profanation of the Sabboth day for murther for Idolatrie Deut. 21. and for wilfull disobedience to Parents yea Deut. 17. and for neglect not due reverence to the high Priest yea Iohn 18.31 and did they not stone Steven to death But this was that the word of Iesus should bee fulfilled signifying by what death bee should die Besides this they accused Christ of sedition vproare they might stone burne kill strangle but to crucifie they had no power for the very Nations did worship idolatrouslie stones and timber but Christs forwarning culd not be but accoÌ„plished Mat. 20.19 they shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucifie him Thus Christs enemies are meanes and instruments to manifest Gods Trueth and to perfect mans Salvation The covetousnes of Iudas procured remission to all beleeuers so the rage of the Pharisees and deceit of Sathan did serue to the glorie of God For all things worke for the best Rom. 8.27 to them that feare him Now Pilat inquireth what they had to object against him they attribute so much to their justice and authoritie that there needed no more inquisition but to rest on their Conscience yet by reason of his place hee would haue a Processe which is that Christ subverted the people denyed tribute to be giuen to Caesar and to make himselfe a King which Pilat in their minde could not abide O! but what sinne is it my Soule to make Pilat the communalitie gâ—iltie of Christs death a lesse sinne it had beene if they had killed him privatelie but to cause a Iudge against conscience by the testomonie of false witnes to decree or intise ignorant men by bud and promises to offend is the greater sin For Christ never meaned of an earthlie dignitie heere For when Iesus perceiued that they would come and make him a King hee departed againe vnto a mountaine Iohn 6.15 himselfe alone Neither did he euer denye tribute to be giueÌ„ to Caesar but directed to giue to Caesar Mat. 22.21 thinges which are Casars and giue vnto God these things which are Gods Remember heere poore Soule that all these more than false calumnies were spewed out against him that not onelie hee might satisfie the Iustice of God but also signifie that his Churche should euer bee exposed to hatred and envye Achab called Elias 1. King 18.17 the troubler of Israel If they were of the world the world would loue them Iohn 8. and yet they are in the world wherefore hee prayeth to his Father not to take them out of the worlâ— but to keepe them from euill Iohn 17. for he hath made vs vnto his Father Kings and Priestes whom bee hath gathered out of everie Tongue Tribe and Nation Rev. 5.10 Heere therefore poore Soule great is thy comfort not onelie against false accusations of the wicked but also against Sathans impudent reproaches whereby he ceaseth not night and day to accuse the Saiâ—ctes before their God whom they doe ouercome by the blood of the Lambe Rev. 12.10.11 and by the word of their testimonie and they loued not their liues vnto the death So by his bondes wee are delivered from the bondage of sin death and hell by his mockings wee are made honourable in the sight of God and by his accusation wee are fred from all guiltinesse Thus hee hath made our sins to be his that hee might make his righteousnesse ours An euill turne can not be done but by euill meanes The Iewes haue heere their parte and so hadde Herod but the sinne of Pilat is laide vpon the Iewes and hee may forethinke that euer hee was Governour of Iudea In conscience he was perswaded of Christs innocencie and their calumnie but hee was intangled in his Iudgement so deepe that he could not free himselfe Such a thing is it to satisfie the appetit of wicked men In Pilats deeds words many excelleÌ„t vertues which are rare to be fouÌ„d in Iudges doe appeare as the great moderation of his minde being supreame Magistrate to whom belonged honour The Iewes woulde not superstitiouslie come in to him hee maketh the trauell and went out to them A Magistrate should be such a one to others Pro. 19 1â— as he would wish others to bee to him if hee were a private man The Kinges wrath is like the roaring of a Lyon but his favour is like the dew vpon the grasse To this his civile Iustice in searching the trueth is eminent rash judgements are dangerous and therefore wil not coÌ„demne Christ vntill he heare him Gen. 39.16.20 Pothiphar did otherwise to Ioseph And therfore now he entred vnto Christ with whom softlie moderatelie and friendlie he reasons not with disdainfull speechs as did the Iewes for it was not grieuous vnto him to bow downe his eare vnto the poore Eccl. 4.8 Being therfore demanded if he was a King our Saviour denyes not but a spirituall King It was not nowe time to teach and play the Doctor to Pilat for that part was ended
Now hee must play the Priest and suffer patientlie his death which hee would not stay Thou should vse poore Soule the opportunitie of the worde verie earnestlie while the raine thereof from Heaven doeth water the dry and thirstie soules of men and whilst it is called to day let vs not barden our hearts The Lord therefore will knowe the inventer of this accusation and in all the History wil haue every mans part knowne in this action I am no Iew said hee cleansing himselfe Thine owne Nation doeth accuse thee I count not for the Messias religion troubles me not so much The Cleargie and Church-men must take heed thereto A liuelie image of wordlings who in the matters of the earth are more thaÌ„ curious But spiritual things are spirituallie decerned For he inquireth not what a King hee was where his Kingdome was that he might haue a part and shâ—re thereof but breakes off in an accusation of Iesus if he was a King The naturall man knoweth not the thinges of the spâ—rit of God 1. Cor. 1.14 for they are fâ—clishnâ—sse to him And therefore Christ taketh the mouth of Pilat to bee witnes that hee was a King Who albeit hee was equall with the Father Phil. 2.6 and thought it no robberie made himselfe of no reputation by taking on him the forme of a servant to his Father to be witnes to the Truth He wold haue hereby wonne Pilat if it had been possible but he was interrupted for the word is euer a sweet odour to God 2. Cor. 2.15 either to salvation or damnation in mercie or Iustice. With great constancie and grauitie without respect of persons doeth Christ answere so should his servants defend Gods honour and not to turne their faile to everie Winde and therefore hee did avouch his Kingdome as anonynted of the Father Psal 2.6 and sat vpon Mâ—unt Syon his holie Mountaine Zac. 9.9 who is just and saued himselfe and his people from their sinnes Mat. 2.21 Blessed is hee that commeth in the Name of the Lord Hosanna Mat. 21.9 thou which art in the highest heavens who hath giuen vs to inherite the Kingdome prepared for vs Mat. 25.34 from the fâ—undation of the world And therefore weak Soule Why art thou affâ—aied Is it of the Devill hee can not hurt one haire of tâ—iâ—e head Mat. 8.31.32 without thy Kings will Art thou troubled with sickenesses At his command they depart Mar. 1.31 Are enemies risen against thee Hee can crushe with a Scepter of Iron Psal 2.9 and breake them in pieces like a Potters vessell Art thou astonished at Death 1. Cor. 15.55 Death is swallowed vp in victorie feare not therefore feeble Soule For it pleaseth the Father to giue thee his Kingdome Luc. 12.32 who can therfore separate thee from the loue of Christ bee perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor thinges present nor thinges to come nor hight nor deepe nor any other creature shal bee able to separate thee from the loue of God Rom. 8.35 38.39 which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for he hath al power in heaven Mat. 11. â—7 and in earth His Kingdome is not subject to change and vanitie but eternall Iohn 3.35 and reacheth aboue the heavens and the earth and the depths therof Ier. 6.7 Therefore poore Soule place thy treasâ—â—e in heaven but alace as the Fountaine casteth out her waters so doe wee cast out our malice Let the world bee crucified to vs and vs to the world Gal. 6.14 For if wee bee dead with him wee shall also liue with him 2. Tim. 2.11.22 if wee suffer with him wee shall reigne with him if wee be therefore troubled with the Children of this vvorld remember my Soule his Kingdome is not of this world Iohn 16.33 in the world thou shall suffer affliction but be of good comfort bee hath overcome the world This his Kingdome is from Sea to Sea Psal 72.8 and to the last parts of the earth and it is governed by the preaching of the Gospel Heb. 2.8 who in place of taking tribute from his subjects Luc. 24.47 hath caried vpon him our sorrowes plagued of God Esay 53.4 and smitten of God and humbled who hath giuen vs eternall goods as Righteousnesse Rom. 14.17 Peace and joye in the holie Ghost And therefore my Soule bee wise serue the Lord in feare and rejoyce in trembling Psal 2.10.11.12 kisse the Sonne least hee bee angrie and thou perish in the way when his wrath shall suddenlie burne blessed are all they that trust in him I came in the world to witnes the Trueth Iohn 14.6 who am the Way Veritie and Life to giue knowledg of salvation vnto my people by remission of their sins Luc. 1.77 that all that beleeue in mee â—ohn 3.15 should not perish but haue everlasting life Hee is therefore not onlie the Teacher of that heavenly wisedome Iohn 3.32 but is also made our wisdome from God 1. Cor. 1. 30 Receiue therefore comfortles Soule receiue his testimonie Hee that receiueth his testimony Iohn 3.33 hath sealed that God is true for hee whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giueth him not the spirit by measure Iohn 8.47 he that is of the Trueth doeth heare his voice be that is not of God Iohn 10.27 heares not Gods word Iohn 12 48. for the word that hee hath spoken shall judge him in the last day Verily he that heareth his word Iohn 5.24 and beleeueth in him that sent him hath everlasting life and shall not come vnto conâ—emnation but hath passed from death vnto Life So Pilat comming from the Common-Hall testified Christs innocencie but herein hee offended that hee did not deliver him who suffred wrong from the band of the oppressor Eccl. 4.9 but was faint hearted when he judged Iam. 1.26 All this while in silence and patience our Saviour possessed his soule vseing great moderation in speeches 1. Pet. 3.10 If thou lay thy injurie poore Soule at Christs feete hee will avenge it if thy wrong hee will repare it 1. Cor. 6.7 if thy sorrow he will care it And therefore learne to suffer wrong and sustaine harme Thy Christ sad Soule is thy patron and Advocate in the presence of God who by his silence hath opened thy mouth giueÌ„ thee libertie to speak for because thou art his son hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into thy heart Gal. 4.9 which cryeth Abba Father Let not therefore thy vnworthinesse dash thee so that thou should bee frighted Therefore come boldlie vnto the Throne of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest receiue mercie and grace in the time of need The third Step of the third degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. NOw must Christ pas to Herod
Beleeuest thou that wheÌ„ the Sonne of man shall come that bee shall find faith and trueth in the earth They therefore desire this bloodie Fellow to bee put to liberty Deut. 11.12.13 that against the Law and the Innocent to be condemned Whosoeuer in place of Iustice doth not stay sin when hee may by his over-sight giueth waye to it Punish thou them therefore that thou bee not punisht for them How odious is this comparison Mat. 12.2 Christ the Author and Prince of Peace and Salvation Barabbas a mutinous bloodie Rogue Christ the Physician of al our sores the restorer of the dead vnto life Barabbas a inflicter of wouÌ„ds and man slayer Christ a most perfite and absolute Patron 1. Pet. 2.21 and example of all vertue Barabbas filthily defiled within with our with all kind of vices Infinite is the difference betwixt them and yet Barabas by vote and voyce of the people is delivered The punishment of One Rom. 5. 15. doth satisfie for the wickednesse of many So the libertie to sin breedes occasion to verie many to doe the like better burne and cut one member rather than the whole bodie perish Thus is the prophesie fulfilled Esay 53.12 Hee hath poured out his Soule vnto death hee was counted with the transgâ—essors and bee bare the sinnes of many and prayed for the trespassers Consider heere my Soule howe vile and filthie a thing Sinne is which did dryue Christ to such deepe ignominy that hee is judged more contemptiblie than a common Briggand and Villane But this is thy sure coÌ„fort against the wrath of God that heereby hee hath delivered thee from euerlasting shame and giuen thee a beautifull and happie Inheritance in the heavens For it doeth not appeare now what wee are but when this corruption shall put on incorruption 1. Cor. 15.53 and bee translated in the glorious libertie of the Sonnes of God Rom. 8. 21. then shall wee bee like vnto him gathered from the shame of eternall death to the Citie of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem into the companie of innumerable Angels and to God the Iudge of all and to the spirites of just and perfect men Heb. 12.22.23 and to Iesus the Mediator of the New-Testament to the Blood of sprinkling And not onelie Herods resembling the Iew and Pilate representing the Gentile two supreame Magistrates but al so Pilates vvife hauing her dreame gouerned by Gods providence giueth testimonie of Christs innocencie to make both Iudge Iewes the more inexcuseable A Woman truelie for modestie to bee commended that did not take vpon her Esay 45.24 any civile government but made intimation by message to her husband not to medle with Iesus Christ And for Counsell admirable farre contrarie to Iezabel 1. King â—1 7.8 who gaue advyse to idolatrous Achab how to possesse himselfe in Naboths Vine-yard for the which impietie shee was justlie punished and not shee onlie but the whole house and posteritie of Achab destroyed Let women here learne what it is to giue their husbandes bad and sinistrous informations lest the iniquitie redownd to both their posterities Indeede womens counsell is not to bee rejected but wiselie to bee ballanced Such was Abigall her counsell to Dauid 1. Sam. 25.23.24 which broght great loue before God and credite before men Men should not always ly vnder the directioÌ„ of their wiues but they shuld bee a sounding bell in their eares not to sin against Chrâ—st his members Pilat should haue pittied Christ if hee had loved his wife who had suffred much for him Now it is to be fulfilled which was prophesied He looked for judgment but behold oppression Esay 5.7 for righteousnesse behold a crying And againe I haue forsaken my house I haue left mine heritage I haue giuen the dearlie beloued of my Soule vnto the hands of enemies mine heritage is vnto mee as a Lyon in the Forrest it cryeth out against mee therefore haue I bated it But beholde Pilate heere greatly contraveened the law of Iustice hee knew of malicious envie Christ to bee accused yet to mitigate the Iewes mind so highlie incensed against our Saviour and to free him from the punishmeÌ„t of death commanded him to be whipped If they had known the God of Glorie 1. Cor. 2.8 they had not delt so contumeliouslie with him Great things such as are heavenlie and spirituall are contemned by the worlde But vanitie and such as are foolish deceitfulnesse and pleasures heere belowe are in great admiration but far other ways was Moses choice wheÌ„ he came to age refused to be called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God Heb. 11.24 25.26 than to enjoye the pleasures of sinne for a season esteeming the rebuke of Christ great riches more than the treasures of Egypt for hee had respect vnto the recompense of the reward And heere consider my Soule that Christ was scourged not of one but of many this shame would thy Cautioner vnder-goe Mat. 5 1â— not onelie to leaue thee heere an exsample of his patience Act. 5.41 11 1â— 11.15 but also to sanctifie the diseases sicknesses which hee vseth as scourges to daunt and chastise thy wantonesse Now a crowne of Thornes is platted on his head for the Lord vseth their hands Psal 1. 16. for his Coronation Heere meditate my Soule the reparation of Adams curse Gen. 3. 18. to whom thornes and briers for his rebellion was a punishment 1. Cor. 1â— 56.57 and the point and sharpnesse of our sinnes are blunted by his satisfaction for them which are briers to pierce vs through Come forth yee Daughters of Syon and behold thy King Salomon a type of Christ with the crown wherwith his mother the Iewish Church crowned him in the day of his marriage Cant. 3. 11. and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart for earnestlie desired be to eate that Pascall Lambe with them his greatest triumph is in his sufferings Hee is cloathed with a Purple garment the signe of Labour wrestling and victorie for hee was all imbrodered with his own blood This combat with Death he tooke in hand for vs for it was we that clad him there with all And all our life here is nothing else but a continuall war-fare but in the end we shall be more than Conquerours by him who loueth vs Rom. 8 3â— and washed vs in that Lambes blood He is buffetted that we should not bee plagued euerlastingly with Sathan There is a Râ—ed put in his right haÌ„d in place of a kinglie Scepter wherby they wold insinuate that his Kingdome was waste and voyde and brittle subject to euery winde and blast of stormie tempest as the Râ—ede is And that his Kingdome was not guarded with anie humane helpe far are they deceiued His Kingdome is an euerlasting Kingdome for hee hath receiued the Heathen for his Inheritance
as by a courtaine from â—he sight of the people and Priests But at Christs suffering these shadows were taken away no more vse of that Vaile Whereby the holie Ghoste signifieeth this that the way into the boliest of all was not yet opened whilest as yet the first Tabernacle was standing this earthlie vaile rave asunder at the voyce of the Lord. But the Iewes mindes are hardened for vntill this day remaineth the covering vntaken away 2. Cor. 3. 15 for the Vaile is laid over their hearts but when their heartes shall bee turned to the Lord the Vaile shall bee taken away So hard and evill it is to doe against the knowledge and conscience wherof coÌ„meth a reprobate sense which is past all-feeling that sooner a stone shall heare thaÌ„ they will obey They were admonished of the subversioÌ„ of the Temple and of their Citie and that there was no difference now betwixt Iew nor Gentile Gal. 3.28 but the partition wall beeing demolished they had â—like communion by faith in Iesus Christ Act. 10.34 The Earth also did tremble whilst the Soule of the Lord separated from his Bodie threatening to swallow them vp Num. 16.32 as it had done to other rebellious obstinate before which were not worthie that the earth shouldst beare but either to receiue them in her mouth to consume them or else to spew them out according to the Lordes commination in his Law Lev. 20.22 Thus the Earth did preach groane Rom. 8.22 and travell in pain but they hardened their neckes and would no returne to bee healed It quaked the foundations of the Mountaines moued shooke Psal 18.7 because bee was angrie at their obduration And should not the Land tremble for this and euerie one mourne that dwelleth therein Amos. 8.8 The Mountaines also did cleaue to fall on them which would not suffer the dishonour of their Maker but they were nothing moued with it so much were they voyde of light in their soule A mighty strong wind rent the Mountains and broke the Rockes before the Lord but this people 1. King 9. 11. neither by the word of God by natural sense or creatures voyd of reason will be taught no even then vvhen the Dead did rise for the Graues did ly open from three a clocke afternoone about which time the Lord gaue vp the ghost all that day all that night the nixt day the nixt night till that day in the morning that the Lord did rise by vertue of whose resurectioÌ„ Hos 13.14 the Saints arose and went into the Citie lowsing the bandes of the Graue 1. Co. 15.54.55 by his death but their hearts could not be opened But it behoueth vs all to compeare before his Tribunall Seate to receiue what we haue done in the bodie 2. Cor. 5.10 Rom. 14.10 good or evill The Saintes I say arose for his glorious resurrection belonged onelie to them vvhich beeing sanctified in Christ did die in the Lord and they all shall goe into that holy Citie Dan. 12.25 even that Ierusalem Gal. 4.26 the Mother of vs all which is aboue to abide with Christ for euer 1. Thess 4.6 The senselesse creatures the Saintes departed the Gentiles Centurion and Officers did all testifie of Christ everie one in their owne degre but the Pharises Scribes and Elders vvere no whit moued For this Centurion confessed of a suretie that this man was just And such as before lacked the feare of God feared greatlie saying Truelie this man is the Sonne of God the poore multitud which cried Crucifie him went smiting their breasts but the Priests wer not touched neither by worde nor vvorke they had judgment and vnderstanding had read the Prophetes yet repined against the holâ—e Ghost Act. 7.51 and against their conscience opponing themselves to the knowne trueth The Centurion was rather prickt in his soule as the Iewes were at Peters Sermon and Christ is glorified of him Act. 2.37 when hee appeared to be quite forgotten and gotte moe friendes in his death than in his life for this precious Sacrifice hanging on the Crosse did cast such a sweete smell on the earth that they wâ—o vvere his enemies went away mourning beating their breastes Luc. 18.13 testifying their dolour resolving that if God wold deale with them in his judgement Psal 143.2 they were worthy of eternal damnation Neither were women ashamed to beare record of the Loue and Faith they had to the Lord Iesus for some stood so neare that hee did speak to them froÌ„ the crosse and they heard him and wheÌ„ he was dead Luc. 23.59 they would not depart froÌ„ him their hearts were so linked with him he who is a sweete perfume incense in the nose thirles of the Father is a fragrant odour and smell vnto them For moe of them followed Christ to the Crosse than men which were favourers of him did minister to him on their own charges Christs innocencie made them not to shrink but constantly to fight vnto the end against al temptations 2. Tim. 4.7.8 that they may receiue the Crowne They vvere fed vvith that Bread of Life that came out of his mouth 1. Tim. 5.17.18 and they communicated vnto him freely liberallie that which they had Christ was poore 2. Cor. 8.9 to mak vs rich Iohn and Peter had not a farthing to giue the Creple Act. 3.6 and Paul wrought vvith his hands for his bread Act. 18.3 That that thou can not doe to Christ in his owne person 1. Cor. 4.10 11. doe to his members But this is remarkable that these vvomen haue the honour to be ey witnesses of the death and resurrection of Iesus Christe Deu. 15. 11 and themselves to bee preachers of it to the Apostles Esay 51.7 and to haue the names of some of them to bee registrated perpetuallie to their everlasting praise yea and to bee written in heaven eternallie for so it falls out often that the weaker and simpler the sex bee the more spiritually it is disposed and affectionated to heavenlie thinges for if any man seeme to bee wise in this world 1. Cor. 3.18 let him bee a foole that hee may bee wise Novv the taking down of his Bodie from the Crosse commeth by a request made by his enemies to Pilate Deut. 21.23 That there shuld not be a breach of the Law for these that were hanged They straine a gnat Mat. 23.23 and swallow a camel they were spoilde of all power they can neither put on nor tak off the crosse slaues were they which wold not acknowledge the true King of Glorie vvho would haue made theÌ„ free And this petition they sought not for any pittie they had on him but the Lord so appointed it Exod. 12.46 that hee should not lacke even the support of his foes yet it lay not in their hands
serving of him according to his will be afraied of his justice vvhereby hee will surelie punish the wicked Place thine hope in his eternall mercie bottomlesse grace and euerlasting glorie The third and last Steppe of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by contemplation of Christs entrance there ANd now Pilgrime Soule wilt thou aspire vpward yea let mee heare Lord thy loving kindnesse in the morning for in Thee is my trust Psal 143.8.9 Show mee the way that I should walke in for I lift vp mine heart vnto thee Deliver me from mine enemies for I hide me with Thee Remember mee with the favour of thy people Psal 106.4.5 Visite mee with thy Salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the joye of thy people glorie with thine Inheritance Poure cleane water vpon mee make mee cleane from my filthinesse Ezek. 36.36.37 Giue me a new heart and a newe spirit Take away that stonie heart out of my bodie and put in an heart of flesh that I may walke in thy Statutes and keep thy Iudgements For thou art the Poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.4 with fiue porches vvithin the vvhich vvhosoeuer steppeth in and doth cast the anker of Faith in the depth of thy wounds shâ—ll be made whole of whatsoeuer disease hee hath But alace whosoeuer washeth himselfe because of a dead bodie Eccl. 34.26 toucheth it againe what availeth his washing for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy Kingdome Such as doe returne with the Dogge to his vomit beleeue but for a season Pro. 26.11 and in the day of temptation goe away But I sorrowfull Soule as the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters Luc. 8.13 Psal 42.1 so doe I pant after thee O God ascended But woe is mee sinne is a sicknesse incurable which none can forgiue but thou O Christ Luc. 5.21 who putteth away iniquitie for thine owne sake Luc. 7.48 and will not remember sinnes For this purpose will I weake Soule make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel Esay 43.25 2. Chro. 29 1â— that hee may turne away his face from me and now will sorrowe that I doe not feele my selfe so much sorrowfull for the weight filthinesse multitude of my sins whose number doth passe the sand in the Sea-shore and doe beare mee downe as a heavy burden are growne over mine head With Peter not of infirmitie once and againe but infinite times haue I denyed Thee With Iudas I euen I haue betrayed Thee Heb. 6.10 With Iewes Gentiles I crucified Thee often haue I renewed thy wounds trode thy precious blood vnder foote vvith my louers hath my soule gone a whooring notwithstanding of that promise of marriage in my Baptisme vvhereinto I vvas betroathed vnto thee confirmed in thy blessed Supper ratified on the Crosse in thy blood to bee solemnized in thy glorie vvhereof I received the first fruites and earnest of the spirit Now alas doe I know and behold that it is a bitter and an evill thing to haue forsaken thee my God Ier. 2.19 and that thy feare was not in mee And these displeasures haue I O my Christ because I dearlie loue thee although there were no hell nor punishment at all I doe acknowledge all the tormentes of the world can not satisfie for the least imagination of the thought of mans heart Gen. 6.5 which is onely evill conâ—inually yea my righteousnesse if any I haue vvhich is the beautie and flowre of all that is best in mee is as a fiâ—thie clout But tâ—ou promisedst in trueth â—sâ—y 64.6 wilt performe in mercie that thou wilt not the death of a Sinner but whensoeuer hee shall repent bee shall liue Lord accept of the desires groanes of my heart Heare my cryes and vveeping forgiue my frailtie wipe awaye the filth and corruption of my soule furnish mee strength and spirituall courage against the life of sinne so pregnant and powerfull vvithin mee Inflame mine affections zealouslie to bee disposed to thy glory graÌ„t Perseverance Loue Hope and all Christian vertues vnto my last breath for I resolve by thy grace O my God to walke in thy vvayes the rest of my dayes I haue to spend lameÌ„ting for by past offences promise to shunne all occasions of evill hereafter O of how short continuance is this life Esay 40.7 endles is the eternitie in that life to come Iob. 2.7 plentifull is that reward Wisd 2.3.4.21 it is momeÌ„tary that pleasureth euerlasting that annoyeth yet as the Lordes greatnesse is so is his mercie Rom. 8.28 And therfore doe I account that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall bee showne 2. Cor. 4.17.18 for the light affliction which is but a moment causeth a farre more excellent and an eternall weight of glorie The thinges which are seene are temporall Gal. 3. 1. but the things which are not seene are eternall I know troubled Soule it beboued Christ whom thou didst see suffer and so enter into his glorie Luc. 24.26 in thy Place to take state and possession that wher hee is thou mayst be also for he hath married thee vnto himselfe for ever â—os 2.19 yea hee did marrie thee in righteousnes and judgements and in mercie and in compassion he hath euen married thee in faith fulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. â—ant 2. 16. Therefore thy beloued is thine and thou art his it is the voyce of thy welbeloued that knocketh saying OpeÌ„ to me my Doue my Sister â—ant 5.2 my Loue my well-beloved for mine head is full of dew and my lockes are wet with the drops of the night Say not deceitfull Soule to thy Christ Goe and come againe â—ro 3.28 and to morow I will giue thee if thou now haue it Remember the portion thou shalt haue vvith him in wed-locke who hath acquired vnto thee by his Poverie a Kingdome by his sorowes thy joy by his travles thy rest by his shame thy glorie by his Death thy life vvho vvould buy a match at such a deare and costlie rate Returne therefore disobedient Soule vnto the Lord hee will not let his wrath fall vpon thee for hee is mercifull Lam. 3.12 and will not keepe his anger And who is great like vnto him who takâ—th away iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercie pleaseth him hee will turne againe Micah 17.18.19 and haue compassion yea hee will subdue thy iâ—iquitie and cast all thy sins in the bottome of the Sea For thy Christ did come into this world to finish the wickednes Dan. 9.24 to seale vp the sinnes and to reconceale the iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Rev. 3.20 And novv behold poore Soule he standeth at the doore
and knocketh if thou will heare his voyce and open the doore hee will come in vnto thee and supp with thee Esay 60.19.20 and thou with him where there shall bee no more Sunne to shine by day neither the brightnesse of the Moone Iohn 14.23 to shine to thee for the Lord shall bee thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glorie and the dayes of thy sorrow shall bee ended Loue him therfore freelie beloued Soule and keepe his word 2. Iohn 3.24 and his Father will loue thee hee will come vnto thee dwell with thee for hee that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and Christ in him and heereby shalt thou know that hee abideth in thee even by the Spirit which hee hath given thee I will intreate thee of all favour poore Soule to meditate thy omission of good thinges commission of evill and losse of wholesome time occasion which three are past by and these three present the shortnes of this life the difficultie to bee saved 1 Pet. 4.17 18. and the fewnes of them that do enter in that strait way For if judgement beginne first at the house of God what shall be the end of them which obey not the Gospel of God and if the righteous scarcelie hee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinners appeare Doe not forget these three things to come Death than the which nothing is more terrible the last Iudgment than the which nothing is more horrible eternall Punishment than the which nothing is more vntolerable O that thou were wise then wouldst thou vnderstand this Deut. 32.29 thou wouldst consider thy letter end But I poore Soule doe not know what to doe â— Chro. 20.12 but mine eyes are towards thee O Lord for trulie great travel doe sinners take to perfect their iniquities they imagine nothing impossible so they may aquire their designes The way of sinners is made plaine with stones so smooth thinke they iâ— Wisd 5.7 but the end thereof is hell darknesse and paine Flee from sinne as from a Serpent the teeth thereof are the teeth of a Lyon Eccl. 21.10 to slay the soules of men All iniquitie is as a two edged sword the wounds thereof can not bee healed And if thou hast sinned doe so no more but pray for thy fore-sinnes that they may bee forgiuen thee Eccl. 5.5.6.7 And because thy sinne is forgiuen bee not without feare to heape sinne vpon sinne And say not The mercie of God is great hee will forgiue my manifold sinnes for mercie and wrath come from him his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners Make no tarying to turne vnto Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenlie shall the wrath of the wrath of the Lord breake foorth and in thy securitie thou shalt bee destroyed But blessed is that people whose God is the Lord for peace shall bee vpon them â—â—l 6.16 and mercie and vpon the Israel of God Vnto him therefore â—h 3 20. that is able to doe exceeding aboundantlie aboue all that wee aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs be praise in the Church by Christ Iesus thorowout all generations for euer Amen THE AGREEMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN THE INCARNATION PASSION AND Ascension of our Saviour THE MYSTERIE OF the Incarnation A Mother and a Virgine beares a Sonne The Creature her Creator on her knee FroÌ„ all beginning yet but now begun Servant to Time Lord of Eternitie Earths Weaknes HeaveÌ„s Power in him doth dwell That is both God and Man Emanuel Meekenesse is heere combin'd with Maiestie The Lyon with the Lambe keepes peacefull place Obedience findes a Seat in Emperie This Earthly substaÌ„ce breeds a heaveÌ„ly grace To Poverty rich Gifts are broght by Kings Terrestriall figures of Coelestiall thinges Who sits in HeaveÌ„ vpon the Throne of State Suckes here on Earth the milke of Infancie Who rules the Stars guids the sterne of Fate Sustaines the yoke of humane Miserie Eats drinks wakes sleepes weepes a mortall man In whom Immortall happines began THE MYSTERIE OF the Passion THe Iudge of MaÌ„ by MaÌ„ is iudg'd to die He that coÌ„mands the law the law obeys Submission hath a Seat in Soveraingn'ty This stormie Night begets our Halâ—yon days The best of Hope springs froÌ„ the worst of Fears And giues vs cause of Ioy from cause of Tears The Lord of Life is subiect vnto Death The Masters power the Minister obeyes At once inspyring expiring breath Submittes to Kinges yet Kings kingdomes swayes Sin vpon Vertue hath imposde a Blame Honour by Basenesse is exposde to Shame Thus from the Crosse our Blessednes is bred His suffering made it a triumphant Signe Our looks are raisde while he bowes down the Head He tasteth Vinegar to giue vs Wine Saues all by loosing all to Tyrannie Helpes all yet cryes Lamasabachtani THE MYSTERIE OF THE Resurrection and Ascension DEath froÌ„ the Graue Life to the Graue is broght Flesh without Sin sees no coruptioÌ„ By yeelding was this noble Conquest wroght O're Sin the World Death Hel al Pollution Extensiue Weaknes with intensiue Power His Hurts haue healed these wouÌ„ded states of our ASCENSION He that the Earth hath for his Footestoole laid Makes his Ascens vp to his Heavenlie Seat There dwels his Power which his Mercy made And here his Mercy which his Power makes great All glorious in his Seaâ— he sits vpon All gratious in the Place he treades vpon Hee which is taken vp is left behind Vnbounded Power doth circumscribe al things He that hath fram'd the heart ruls the mind Doth giue Himselfe to Beggars as to Kings Mercie remaines whilst Maiestie doth tower And Grace descends with his ascending Power Succumbat ratio fidei captiva quescat A SHORT CONFESsion of our Sinnes MY life O LORD is a perpetuall rebellion against thee for who can make cleane that which is conceiued in the filth of sin My time was a Sea and flood of sorrow secluded froÌ„ all goodnes vntil thou didst put forth thy hand and pull mee into thine Arke and had I not bene made cleane in some measure by the red Sea of the Blood of thy Son in Baptisme I should haue lyen in the filthie puddle of my vyle corruption Neither hath Sathan ceased to bereaue mee of the loue whereby thou first didst loue mee Hee did not show me deceiuing Serpent the wages of Sinne but â—â—eeting and turning did hyde thy wrath from mee Amitie with him is enimitie with my God His loue is hatred because the Image of my Saviour is in mee hee pursueth at my heales but if thou bee with mee who shall bee against mee I can not thinke a good thought of my selfe but shall doe all thinges through thee O Christ who strengthenst mee who is my life resurrection the hope of the afflicted my light in darknesse the wholesome dew of my drye and withered Soule my strength in weaknesse the Physitian of my
woundes salue for my sores whose mercies are infinitelie more than my detestable sinnes can bee I haue wandred alace like a lost sheepe Good Sheepheard seeke mee and bring me home againe O Lambe of God who taketh away the sinnes of the world let the light of thy countenance shine on me and looke on mee as thou didst on Peter By dying thou hast overcome Death and brought agâ—ine Life by rysing therefrom If I had the knowledge of Angels and all my members were converted into tongs never should I be able worthily to magnifie the boweles of thy compassion extended to mee wretched sinner which passeth all vnderstanding Thou didst not take deare Christ the Angels but the seed of Abraham beeing made like vnto mee in all things Sinne excepted which nature thou hast glorified in the heavens Now since it is humane nature wherein thou raignest I beleeue also to reigne and bee glorified with thee And albeit my sins hinder me in the constant course of my Salvation yet thy loue this Commnuion and coniunction taketh all lettes out of the way Thou art not so hard O Lord as to despise mee since thy Sonne hath caried my nature vnto heaven Canst thou forget that which thou hast fast by thee No truelie thou art slow to anger full of mercie with thee is plentifull redemption Most louing art thou for no man hateth his owne flesh at any time thou O God louest thy Sonne and they that are his which are risen with him and placed by Faith hope in heavenlie places I was not worthie to bee thy servant but thou hast made mee thy Sonne and fellow-Heire with my Brother Christ Consider the paines of my Redeemer and pardon the redeemed his offences Why did he so obedientlie suffer the punishment of disobedience but onelie to saue mee and thine Elect There was no goodnesse in mee that could induce thee to the same it was thy bountie and free mercie and now thine hand is not shortned but it can saue mee Wil thou then try thy power against straw and stubble against mee who am but a shaddow and lighter than vanitie My sinnes are alwayes in my sight still representing before me thy anger I feele the grievous burthen of them thy iudgements against them but thou will not the death of a Sinner but that hee should turne and liue Enter not therefore in iudgement with mee O Lord for no flesh shall bee iustified in thy sight for thy Christ whom I imbrace by a true Faith is made vnto mee righteousnes wisedome and redemption To whom with thee and the holie Ghost bee all glorie and praise for euer Amen A PRAYER BEFORE the Communion WOunderfull must thy loue bee O Lord towards mee poore and miserable Sinner that thou woldest haue thy deare and onelie Sonne to suffer all tormentes and death for mee and to take vpon him all my infirmities and miseries yet not contented therewith wouldest haue the remembrance of this thy great mercie least it should be forgotten razed out of mine heart and that my Faith should not waxe faint sith thy Sonne hath ascended vp to Heaven after a strange and wonderfull manner fed and nourished mee and distilled in mee that spirituall Life by the meanes of his Bodie making the Crosse the wine-presse out of the which those grapes liquor of eternall life are drawne out Giue me thy holy Spirit that I may haue streÌ„gth against Sathan the World the Flesh Grant spirituall life to abide in mee as the branches hath that naturall from the wine that forsaking my selfe louing of my selfe I may liue in thee by thee and for thee vntill I come vnto thee where I shall see thee face to face True it is O Lord no reasoÌ„ can reach to this spirituall food but Faith onely doeth goe through for by those visible Elements I dâ—e apprehend spirituall and invisible graces and that not by imagination for as Breade doeth nourish the body so doest thou O Christe the soule And as Flesh is a substance so thou Sonne of God incarnate is the cause of this substantiall nourishment of my soule As life is in the bodie so Christ by his Blood shall giue mee life and is my life the condition estate of my flesh my blood and my whole life was more than miserable but by throgh and in thee O Christ all things were restored and made perfect in me The forebidden blood of beastes in the Law should make me shunne a brutish and a beastlie life But thy Blood teacheth mee to liue a Christian holie righteous and sober life For it is not nowe I that liueth but thou in mee who is only consubstantiall with the Father and holy Ghost yea this vnion I haue with thee by true faith as the head with the members an vnion I say of affections wittes participation of heavenlie and eternall blessednesse that I liue not to my selfe but to thee O Lord who loued me and gaue thy selfe for me For they that liue on sweet meates haue sweete breath so they haue a sweet odour in all their words works who taste of this spirituall and heavenlie food in whome Christe doeth spiritually dwell by faith O Christ thy manhood was seene on earth but the God-head not at all yet did great wonderfull things without changing or coÌ„founding of natures so in these Symboles Christs bodie I see not which notwithstanding worketh in me a beginning and grouth of renovation The body of the Sunnes light aboue is in it selfe whole albeit it bee dispersed heere beneath so thou O Christ is aboue in heaven whole yet dost communicate to everie belieuer to bee partaker of thy Body and Blood but diminution or weakening of thy selfe which thou offeredst for me weak not inclosed in me when thou is receiued of mee without any dishonour at all to thy Maiestie when thou commeth vnto this my sinfull cottage hauing mine heart to be thy Temple and dwelling place who filleth the heavens and the earth thy Footstoole O happy is he that doth eate the flesh of my Lord and Saviour with earnest desire to obey his will and stayeth on his promises trusting alwayeâ— on him In this earth am I partaker of Christ by the helpe of his word Sacraments But in heaven aboue without any externall meanes I shall feede on that heavenlie Breade and drinke of that spirituall drinke feeling in effect his presence and enioying that glorious life fulfilled in the Kingdome of God where I shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on mee neither any heate For thou O Lambe which is in the midst of the Throne shall governe mee and lead me vnto the liuelie fountaines of waters And thou sweete Saviour shall wype away all teares from my eyes O happy day when I shall feede on that heavenlie Manna the food of thy holy Angels in that Paradise and thrise happie am I in Christ to taste of the sweetnesse of the life
to come I doe refuse the deceitfull pleasures of this world and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God than enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season Reioyce thou one of that flocke on whom it hath pleased the Father to giue a Kingdome Thou art my good Shepheard who feedeth mee with thy owne Blood that I may liue by thy life For they that liue by the infected and poysoned blood of olde Adam only are more miserable than beastes Prepare O Lord in me loue and repentance make mee cleane and purifie mine heart by Faith the onely receptacle and mansion of thy presence to receiue such a pretious Guest Put on mee the wedding Garment sith thou deare Husband Iesus will ioyne vnite thy selfe to mee never heereafter on thy part to bee dissevered make mee beware of Hypocrisie and couÌ„terfaite dealing in approaching with my body but my heart farre off betraying thee againe with a Iudas kisse The pure the contreâ—te and broken heart for the sence of Sinne laden and wearie are here invited by thee who wil not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flaxe such are eased and find rest to their soules And because none oblation pleaseth thee without reconciliation with my Brother I make an attonement with him forget and forgiue him as I hope to be forgiven for his sake who hath come vnder the poore roofe of my soule by participation of his bodie on earth beginning alreadie a life in mee in heaven for whom haue I there but thee whom can I desire on earth beside thee The Israelites did eate that Manna and died but they that eate this heavenlie food shall never perish But after thou hast guided me by thy counsell wil receiue me to glorie Adams forbidden tree procured death but by thee is everlasting life agreeing heaven with earth Men with Angels as it is the fulnes of Ioy to behold thy Face feele thy presence so let my soule haue a liuelie feeling of comfort in my Christ with a growing strength in grace and in the saving knowledge of thee my God and not to losse a good conscience for the trash of this world and as thou willes me to remember thy Sonnes death O Fâ—ther bee thou as thou hast promised and wilt performe mindfull of mee in the riches of thy mercie to the ending of my life in Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee praise and honour for now and euer So bee it A Prayer and Thankesgiuing afâ—er the receiuing of the holy Supper of our LORD O LORD GOD Father Almightie I yeelde thee heartie thankes for thine inestimable loue and favour towards mee miserable Sinner not onely for that I haue my being moving and living in thee and from thee but also because it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie to redeeme me from eternall damnation wherein I was cast by reason of transgressions and that by the Blood of thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that I might liue with thee in that thy Kingdome in the Heaveâ—s Let not the effusion thereof be in value towards mee but still feede and nourish my soule by participation of the Body of thy Son Christ Iesus as an effectuall pawnde earnest of that glory which shall follow And now what shall I render vnto thee for all thy spirituall and temporall blessinges thou hast vouchsafed on mee And what doth the Lord my God require of me but to feare thee to walke in all thy wayes and to loue thee and serue thee with all mine heart and with all my soule Command mee Lord what thou wilt and doe in mee that thou commandest The most detestable vice is ingratitude and greater honour can be giuen to none than to bee called the Childe of God Thou hast the Son of thy delight with whom thou mightst haue contented thy selfe and hast thou not the holy Angels which doe readily thy will yet it hath pleased thee to adopt man-kinde O suffer me not holy Father to degenerate from thee and to turne to my former nature Giue me an vnderstanding heart to doe thy will and preserue mee as the apple of thine eye Remoue my sins which are as a clowde betwixt thee and mee O my God which art my light my life and salvation albeit I find in my selfe great temptations and grievous assaultes of Sathan the flesh and the world Thogh thou euen thou my deare God wold kill mee yet will I trust in thee for I know thou canst reviue me and when thou woundest canst heale mee Grant I never doubt of thy promises through vnbeliefe but beeing confirmed in Faith giue glorie to thee as fully perswaded that thou that promisest art also able to doe it For it is the greatest punishment that can befall man to forsake thy word and admonitions not to relye on thy promises but harden the heart by obstinacy and rebellion Take not thy Spirit from me but fasten mine heart to thee Show mee the light of thy countenance that I wander not from thee and sleepe in sinne but I may gather in this last age of the world Manna for that great and everlasting Sabbath in the Heavens that Ierusalem aboue the Citie of the living God where I shall find peace and rest for ever hauing accesse and entrie to that light of Glorie which hath broken and overthrowne the kingdome of Sathan For I know as thou strengthenest and fortifiest thy secreâ— ones thou redoublest their temptations Oâ— but hard is the combate when thou striuâ—â— against vs and seemest to bee our adversariâ—â— for how should dust and ashes stand beforâ— thee Strengthen guide me by thy might that encouraged by thy promises I may conquere and bee conpassed with ioyfull deliverances Great infirmitie and weakenesse doth remaine in mee I am full of vexation and anguish of minde but let mee never yeelde noâ— waxe faint but sustained and vpholded by thy grace and power that bâ—eing pressed I bee not oppressed but rise againe as the Palme tree For as the seede dead and rotten in the earth bringeth foorth greater aboundance so tribulation is the seed of the Church Assist me therfore by thy heavenly grace to try how much more precious the tryall of my Faith is than gold which bringeth so great a glorie when thou shalt change my teares into ioye my mourning into mirth my sorrow into solace my death into life Make my delite to bee always in thy word which being eternall can make mee also eternall I choose it to be my Treasure that mine heart may be alwayes therein for he that will liue must needes know thee hee that will reigne must needs serue thee that he wil haue ioy of heart must needes praise thee for thou art that Ladder by which Angels come downe to vs and wâ—â— ascend vp to Heaven to them Thou art the Way the Veritie and Life no man commeth to the Father but by Thee Quicken â—â—e therefore in thy Blood that I may bee of the number of thy Children and true member of the bodie of thy Church and never forget this Covenant I haue now bouÌ„d vp with thee who hath giuen mee that Inheritance by thy Will and Testament wherof this holy Supper is a true pledge Nowe hence foorth I am fullie deliberated to obey willinglie thy Statutes and persevere ioyefullie vnto the death and suffer crosses patiently sith thou my Saviour art my life To thee therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost Triniâ—â—e in Vnitie bee all praise and glorie and honour for nowe and euer Amen
vengeance But this mylde Lambe of God Heb. 12.24 the Mediator of the new Covenant his blood speaketh better thinges than those Hee regarded not the injurie shame and paine hee was in and forgotte not to haue pittie on them that cruelly tormented him Hee suffered together with them of whom he did suffer hee cured them that wounded him and procured life for them that killed him And therefore by this his prayer full of Majestie Hee was heard in that which he feared for he is his beloved Sonne Mat. 17.5 in whom hee is well pleased But heere diligentlie consider what was the companie he was crucified with for hee came not to saue the just Mat. 9.13 but sinners an example whereof he manifested in sauing of one of the Theeues touched with repentance wherof his faith confession gaue notice So is hee on the Crosse as if hee were in that great Daye of judgment giuing out sētence of salvation to the Elect and condemnation to the Reprobate Perillous is it to delay Repentance and to promise our selves securitie to the last day It is a fooilsh thing to neglect the maters that concerneth eternity in glory or pain imbrace the changable occasions of this world which is all put in evil The priviledge of a few is not a lavv to all yet where vndoubted signes of Gods grace goodnesse doeth appeare there may Christian charitie interprete vnfained repentance to follow for there is neither measure nor tyme can bee appointed to the Lordes mercie For what day soeuer a Sinner shall repent hee shall liue EZek. 18.22 not die As this Malefactor did confesse Christs immortality in that hee desired to bee remembred when hee came to his Kingdome who had takē the life of others before The Lord being tyed to the Crosse hands and feete and nothing free but Heart and Tongue which hee gaue to that Penitent who by the bear beleeued to righteousnesse and by the tongue confessed to saluation Rom. 10. By Faith he did see that Christ should reigne whom he did see die vvith him By Hope he looked for an entrie to his Kingdome by Loue defended the innocencie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ against the reproach of his fellow Great is this his Faith Who had taught him had hee seene miracles who had bene kept in prison either of giving sight to the blind or raising of the dead yet he confessed him to be an euerlasting King who was companion to him in punishmēt despising the present paine praying for things to come requiring rather to be exemed from eternall judgement thā delivered frō tēporall punishment sorrowing and longing for that that hee hoped for thā feele that that he suffred In Christs extreamities hee beleeued in him and was not ashamed to haue the Iewes witnesses of his Faith vvho railed on Christ in the midst of all the scandals and reproaches of the people and now when Christ was in his weakest most miserable estate vvhat didst thou see sinfull convert to aske heere for a Kingdome thou hadst onlie before thine eyes the Crosse and the Nailes O! but the crosse is the ensigne of a Kingdome and it is the duetie of a King even to expone his life for his Subjectes As the good shep-heard doeth his Soule for his sheepe Ioh. 10.11 Gen. 17.1 Gen. 18.3 Abraham beleeved but taught from heaven and by the Angels which came vnto to him Esay 6.1 And Esaias but hee saw the Lord sitting vpon his Throne and lifted vp and the lower parts thereof filled the Temple Ezekiel beleeued but hee saw the Lord vpon the Cherubines Ezek. 1.4 and so did the other Prophetes but after diuerse manners God spake Heb. 1.1 Moses beleeved but the Lord spake vnto him out of the burning Bush but none of these occasions did this penitent haue but saw no Majestie of glorie but equality of paine hee saw him tormented but worshipped him as if he had beene in glorie hee saw him on the Crosse but praised his Saviour as if hee hadde sitten in the heavens hee saw him cōdemned yet acknowledged him to bee a free and absolute King and wold not shrinke but died in that profession in spyte of all the the argumentes that Sathan could object or flesh and blood vrge in the contrarie Truelie Faith is the gift of God Eph. 2.8.9 that no man should boast himselfe Therefore should wee pray Lord increase our Faith So where Sin aboundeth Grace super-aboundeth The Lord is more ample in his grace than hee in his prayer hee gaue more than hee could seeke Hee sought to bee remembred when hee came into his Kingdome but the Lord promised that this day hee should be with him in Paradise O the great goodnes of God! vnspeakeable is thy fauour towardes them whome thou lovest Thou as the bright Sun hast made thy hote beames to shine vpon our soules therby to draw vs to the Knowledge of Thee and to warme our heartes that wee may loue Thee Expell this darknesse O Lord wherewith our heartes is replenished and thaw by the heate of thy mercie the frozen condition of our soules that they may melt considering that euerlasting and vnsearchable favour thou hast borne towards mankind The third Step in the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. ONelie Iohn and some vvomen in great cōstancie did attēd Christ on the crosse Whose grace was sufficient for them 2. Cor. 2.9 whose power is made perfect through weaknesse in whose infirmities the power of Christ is showne who tooke pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions anguish for Christs sake For when they were weake then were they made strong That is true friendship which is founded in God whose knot is Christ they that bee touched with the sense of the miserie of his members shal neuer lacke that is good Marie the Virgine Marie Cleophas Marie Magdalene accōpanied were inspectors of this lamentable spectacle his owne Mother he called Iohn whom hee ever loued his Mother he honoured wold haue her provided for for he knew it spoken by Simeon that the sworde should passe through her Soule Luc. 2.35 and with the eye of mercie did see her wrestling with such calamities He especially of singulare favour looked on her because shee loued mee Psal 91.14.15 therefore will I deliver her because shee hath knowne my Name So did David fugitiue from the face of Saul commend his parents to the King of Gath. But the obedience promptitude and alacritie of Iohn in receiuing his Mother declareth the willing heart of a Disciple to accomplish the minde of his Master so he acquited loue for loue Nothing is comparable to the sense of the loue of God in the heart of man If it had beene no more than natural love Marie wold neuer haue followed her Sonne to such a vile death if shee had not belieued that that Death shuld
not haue turned into a glorious life Shee knew the conference betwixt her and the Angel before for Faith and Hope will not extinguish Displeasure naturall Ioy but will mitigate them both for she looked to haue with him a joyfull meeting her heart was knit with him whilst hee hang on the Crosse not ashamed of him neither hee forgetfull of her Hee called her woman 2. Cor. 5.16 not Mother raised from all earthly thinges which men count much of for hee knew nothing according to the flesh for in heaven we shall be like Angels to the end that wee may enjoye that heavenlie life And her I say Hee commended to Iohn whom hee loued inteirelie neither will he translate her from the world but will haue everie member of his Churche to keepe one another as he commended his mother to Iohn to be entertained in his suffring forgetting as it were himselfe yet forgetting not her not willing to divide the first and second Table in the first keeping his duetie to his Father to the death and in the midst of that obedience to his Father hauing regard respect to his Mother for if thou hatest not father or mother for his sake Lu. 14.26 thou art not worthie of him Preferre God to any naturall affection which Christ notwithstanding in the middest of torment of blasphemies combate with everlasting Death with the wrath of the Father and with all the infernall powers is carefull to obserue SaÌ„ctified affections do entertaine naturall loue or else they are suffocated for this duetie standeth not in ceremonies but in performing of necessary adoes this registration will rent the conscience of these who procure their mothers curse Iohn haâ—â—rection from the Crosse wee from the heavenly Throne hee tooke an others Mother not his owne and that to his owne house Seeing Christe therfore hath suffred in the flesh it is convenient that wee bee of the like minde Naomi destitute of her two Children Ruth 1. did say when shee came to Bethlehem Call mee not Naomi that is beautifull but Mara which is bitternesse Tob. 10. What did Tobias mother when her Son went away Did not King Salomon acknowledge the true mother of the Childe 1 King 3.24 while shee would not haue him cut in two And what did Rizpah in hanging vp the sacke-cloathes from the beginning of Harvest vpon the Rocke vntill water dropped vpon them from the heaven 2. Sam. 21.10 neither suffering the Birds of heaven to light on the sonnes of Saul by day nor beasts of the fielde by night But what doloure I say can be compared to this of his Mothers whose heart was so deepelie wounded thorow Shee did not extinguish those affections but moderated them for she stood by the Crosse of Christ seeing them whom hee had fed in the wildernes with MaÌ„na broght throgh the red Sea preseÌ„t her Son Gall for Manna Vinegar for water Thou didst feede fiue thousand with fiue loaues filled all Iudea with the wordes of Life and now is that Sunne eclipsed the bright Moone darkned the creatures acknowledge their Creator but the miserable Iews shut their eyes from the tender mercie of God whereby Luc. 1.78 the day-spring from on high hath visited them but it could not bee that either affection or the tender bowels of compassion could stay this sweet Iesus from perfecting the will of his Father and that glorious worke of the Redemption of his owne Elect. The fourth Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. BEtweene eleven and twelue a clocke both sentence of condemnation and execution thereof fell out From twelue houres to three afternoon the space of three houres a fearefull and terrible darknesse was ouer the face of the earth yeelded the Spirit betweene three foure houres His Father did testifie by this darknesse not onelie of his innocencie as hee was man but also of his Glory as he was God the creatures did vtter their sorrow and began to teach that senslesse hardned people such a judgement is it to fall into a reprobate sense This Eclipse fell out beyond naturall course in the full Moone for the Passeouer was to be celebrated in March the fourteenth day thereof when the Sunne the Moone are far from other and the whole Globe of the carâ—h casten betwixt them but in this Eclipse the Moone which was opposed to the Sunne turned suddenlie and came vnder the Sunne which made this darknesse For the which cause Act. 17. the Philosophers in Athens not finding natural reasons erected an altar to the vnknowne God At this time beganne his greatest agony which was in his Soule with he vvrath of his Father froÌ„ Heaven which were the dolours of death so extreame like as a woman hath in hearing her birth Act. 2. vvhich doth expresse also the paines of hell 1. Thess 5.3 vvhere mountaines of dolour heapes of wrath are laid vp for the reprobate as the waues of the sea followeth one another so are they in growing everlastinglie His God-head never left him nor never shall but the God-head kept it selfe so close that it vvould let him haue no joy vntill he should pay that ransome to the utmost farthing vvhereby the Iustice of God was satisfied for our sinnes And therfore hee cryed out on the Crosse as deserted of God My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Confidence in God will oftimes bee without feeling of joy albeit the spirit be not taken from the Soule yet at last it doeth reviue For â—s knowledge availeth wher feeling is alwayes dead no sense of the old canker of sinne mortified and quickened with a new life to liue to God Those then are not words of Diffidence or Indignation but of combate of the flesh with Faith in the which hee felt the eternall curse that was due for sinne otherwayes he would never haue called God his God the burden of one sin yea of an evill thought can not be born of all the world how heavie must all the sins of the Elect bee that Iesus baâ—e on his backe And now poore Soule behold the dealing of God with his own albeit he loued them never so well hee will touch them with the sense of wrath for sinne in some measure from heaven that thou mayst vnderstand how heavy a wrath Iesus suffered that he might conquesse vnto thee mercie and peace of conscience which was bought payed for with his Blood Detestable and filthie must sinne be that made him thus double his crying Fie on the filthie works of the flesh which drowne men in perdition Esay 34.7.8 Hee did take him to prayer vvilling thee ever to haue refuge into thy God in all trouble Psal 22. who neither can nor will leaue thee He choosed this armor to resist out of the Scripture Which is Eph. 6.13 the sword he hath put in our hands for it vvas in our persons