occasioned by debates and quarrels which our Saviour so prevented that when Iudas asked Master is it I least his silence should have betrayd Iudas the answer was thou sayst it i. e thou hast said it not I thou condemns or betrays thy self not I. WHEN the band told him they were seeking Iesus being strengthned by an Angel Michael say some he being Captain of the Lords host Revel 12. Gabriel say others the messenger for his birth and his name importing the strength of God or the man of God fittest therefore to comfort God Man being I say strengthned by him both in a natural way by food as is thought and Ghostly Counsel he told them I am he they not knowing his voice discovered not his person untill he pointed out himself which voice made them affraid letting go forth so much divine vertue from his face mouth and eyes as to make them fall before him through fear though armed their knees as no creature is being not able to support them when conspiring against God unlesse even God whom they oppose let out of his clemency some emanations of beaming power to uphold them respiting them from that grave that death that hell which waits upon them in and after their sinful complyance with paultry lust to reclaim men when convinced by wonders or put to straits from the errour of their ways as here was done when they came as in the Psalms to eat up his flesh in their stumbling and falling yet the second time he suffâ—red himself to be taken checking them for their delay and ordering his Disciples freedom to goe away John 18. the set time of his departure being come his hour being come and all things near to be fulfilled touching his delivery to the Gentiles he hasted as the Sun unto his setting being judged and condemned in one night and that the first of his apprehension whereas ordinary judgement and sitting in judgement by law use and custome in other cases among the Jews was still in the morning Ier. 21. Eccle. 10. GIDEON trying the valour or cowardice of his Army was ordered to observe at the water who lapped and who bowed down such as bowed were in probability the stoutest not fearing the enemy and those that lapped the more fearful not dareing to stoup for drink if the lappers discovered Zeal shewing earnestnesse for fight or those who bowed down wearinesse inâ—flight or whether the lappers were the most cowardly and chosen therefore I disput not this is sure that our Lord ran and drank that is hasted to his sufferings and suffered with hast dying in the 33. year of his age resolving not to be old least the world should dy in sin and men go to the grave their bones full of the sin of their youth and let all the ages of the Universal world be reveiwed it will be found from the vexations in them that of all things next being born it 's best to dy betimes was a true saying of the Philosopher but the sins in them and temptations to sin encreasing a hundreth fold the dotage of the world being more encumbred and plagued with perillous times the end of life being also glory to be translated by death with Enoch to be taken up to God early is a blessing with Divines THE first that tasted of death was Abel he was accepted of God and was in heaven in the â—â—our of his youth not tasting not knowing of old age a center of diseases a very treasure continually emptying it self of Rheums Catarrhs defluctions gouts hydropsies gravels to the tormenting of men all which to evite as Ioseph stood before Pharaoh being thirty years old our Saviour beginning to be about the same age stood up preaching of plentiful times for spiritual food for the twelve hours of the day but â—ight shall come says he and then no man shall work in which time if the years of plenty be remembred it shall only make the hunger of the damned the more biting which he prophesied of and forwarned in such zeal that in or about three years he finished the work that was given him to do which was to take away the sins of the world sins both of soul and body defraying the one in being heavy to the death the other in bearing death and the instrument of his death for he carryed his CROSSE chusing that death before Iohn the Baptists sword or Isaias saw makeing it as the tree of life to stand in the midst of the Church communicating it's vertue fruit and shade for life and salvation to all the world about no deadly weapon being capable to sense the fruit of his death nor answer the typs thereof so well as that OVR Lords CROSSE being David's shepherds staff Noach's ark Samson's gates Isaac's wood Iacob's ladder Moses pol Esdras pulpit the Spouses palm tree Phineas spear slâ—ying the Zimri of thoughts pollution and Cosbi the inventer of lyes for such almost are their names by interpretation that the plague might be stayed from the people which had been brought among them by he counsel of the first Balaam that is destroyer of the people the Devil by a woman in place whereof the CROSSE affoordeth life and health by beholding it as the Iews the Serpent to be cured giving life in opening our eyes as the honey on Ionathans rod to see pursue and overtake our enemies all by his death the immensurable pains whereof with infinit patience he endured being the more bittering that it was lingering for the removing of that guilt which by mans dallying with and delightfulnesse in sin had been contracted WHAT he did typically here viz. drink and really afterwards did viz. dy must Mystically by all his members be followed the first condition of Christianity being self denyal and that unto death for to that must his steps be followed Pet. 1.2 we have in much pleasure drank of the goblets of Satans mixing to expiat which the black Cedron waters of mortification must be tasted going forwards with him to Gethsemane by interpretation a fat or plentiful valley as affoording especially when Christ is in it abundance of good things new and old new for pleasure old for health for though in the gardens of earthly paradise whence sin had it's rise there may be pleasant fruits they are but seemingly so and if not so they are only so that is pleasant whereas this garden hath store of all manner of all good things for all purposes times and seasons Christs bloudy sweat having watered it for excellent products the Universe being but a wildernesse when compared to those fragrancies wherewith the garden of the Church is planted replenished which to him who fals in a spiritual agony as Christ religious conflicts and in earnest sweats in the resistance of the old man that he may do all according to the will of God shall from heaven be strengthned as he by an Angel and know that Grace is sufficient for him and in that garden shall find from
his suffâ—ings outcryings were more or lesse as heaven lesse or more ordained them to flow or swell he was silent before the Governour not terrified at but contemning his accusers suffering innnocence to plead for it self in strong though mute oratory but directed in servour a prayer to heaven for acquittance for deliverance for exemption from the Death he feared discovering more dejection then ordinary malefactors nay then the thieves that dyed with him but upon this score that they had only men he had Almighty God and omnipotence revealed from heaven to struggle withall for neither Pontious Pilat nor Iew nor Gentile to the worlds end dare or can make any professing Iesus to undeâ—go that but which heaven hath before hand determined to be done and when all have drunk sufficiently the brook shall be dâ—yed up THERE is a cup of new wine the feelings of spiritual comforts refreshing the soul in the apprehension of the Love of God whereof many of the Saints drink another of sour wine in the grief anxiety and soul rentings feelings of the horrours of accused and accusing consciences darkned minds occasioned by the noysome vapours of sloath lust or uncleannesse this the penitent must partake of lastly there is a cup of worm wood water of suffering hard things dolefull calamitous inward and outward perplexities of which Iesus drank and of which all after him shal because heaven hath so appointed allowing such and so much to each one as by infallible wisdome is found to be for spiritual health and good which when acquir'd the dregs poured forth upon the ungodly the Religious then prosperously enjoying rest being elevated above the level of indignity and abuse yea attempts of Hel. FOR the Lord said to my Lord sit thou at my right hand and then the Lord said to his Church he shal drink of the brook for the Lord God had said thou shalt bruise his heel and he shall bruise thy head after which he shall reign and his enemies become his foot-stool wherefore he got this Commandement from the Father to lay down his life John 10. From the Father because he fitted him as Man to suffer hard things though spotlesse exposing also his naked body to the contempt and malice of the Iews and his harmless soul to the darts of his own displeasure for that sin which by imputation with God and reputation with men he had took upon him for he was numbred with transgressours that is esteemed one of them this commandement haveing also received from the Father WHILE Herod Pilat Priests Scribs Pharisees were in there stately lodgings palaces and parlours drinking wine in bowls that is at ease in Sion was Iosephs antityâ— the Son of God drinking bitter water salt water not from a Sea but from a river not from a river but a brook muddy water as it were rainy water for as in life he had not thereon to lay his head so at death not wherewith to satisfie his thirst but a brook no Tagus either where in is golden sand no fam'd because rich Ganges as â—n India nor Padusâ—s â—s in Italy to encrease his treasure but as he came to the world poorly so he leaves it again in poverty he borrowed an Ass in the way he lived as he dyed and both dyed and lived as he taught viz. blessing Religious and innocent poverty as that naked young man mysteriously inculcats Mark 14. and if the Gardners son this observe is good that neither idlenesse nor sloath nor plenty nor abundance was to be expected upon attendance of Christ Iesus Cinna of old was poor to the utmost degree of necessity and resolved to be accounted the poorest so would Christ yet because he was a King unto whom soft cloathing is allowed his woven vesture was singularly majestical indicating greatnesse and recording his God-head that being one and worn above as more noble then his garment which some will have to sound forth his Man-hood in both which God hath set him as a King upon his holy hill THERE are four brooks celebrated in Scripture first Iabock where Iacob saw almighty God face to face Gen. 32. the word signifies to empty or scatter and here Israel scattered the cloud of Esaus fury by soft words and emptied his heart of rancour by goodly presents the second is Zered Deut. 2. where the Tribs made a famous passe from Kadesh Barnea the word signifieth a going down as if men ought to descend and search the low vallies of their deepest thoughts before they go up to Canaan a third is before which Davidâ—oorded â—oorded in his persuit after the Amalekits it signifyeth glad tydings or incarnation which indeed as relating to the Words being made Flesh was good and refâ—eshing news to all in heart circumcis'd Isralits the whole being recovered what was took away by the Amalekits of lust the two wives of Iew and Gentile lost in Idolatry and uncleannesse regained again by the edge of the Lords sword the Lords so that this may be the burthen of this days exercise this is Davids that is Iesus spoile 1 Sam. 30. The fourth and last is Cedron the word importeth blacknesse the water whereof rising from a mountain Southward from Ierusalem 〈◊〉 through the vally of Iehosopâ—â—â—â— a far and â—ruitful soyl receiving a blackish tincture and is lesse or more filled as the weather proves more or lesse rainy OVER this brook Christ in David crossed when that King fled from the face of Absolom his Son and over it also did Iesus in person foord when he entred upon the last act of his passion Iohn 18. unto which pass this text might have an eye and as the Disciples eat of the ears of corn in the way for hunger I trust it may be no heresie to affirm the probability of Christs tasting the water of this bâ—ook in his way to Gethsemany for thirst occasioned from deep resolves of an ensuing violent Death though we read not of it as we read not of the literal accomplishment of that Prophesy in the history of his passion I gave my back to the smiters and cheeks to them that plucked off the hair Isa. 50. BROOK then is to be expounded the flouds of ungodly men the blacknesse and darknesse was brought into his very soul by the gathering and falling of the many waters of the desperat multitude hurrying him as Cedron was to the dead lake of Asphallites or cursed Sea of Sodom which God judged to the death of the CROSSE a cursed death of old because on a tree such who dying thereon being lifted up from the earth as unworthy to touch it being judged for sin which flowing from the tree the tree is cursed above other deaths and Christ enduring the curse must undergo the tree by which also now is taken away the curse from the tree no death since his being accursed in it self the sinner being penitent The Ground near Cedron was also accursed there standing the Tabernacle of Molech as if every thing
the soul for in ordinary law the money was neither his nor their's to whom he gave it being the price of the highest sacriledge and of which as of the censures of Dathan and Abiram God was to have been heir and by consequence the poor which the consciences of the Scribs knew and therefore laid it out upon and for strangers as their own charity he makeing no confession of his former theifts discovered not the manner of his apprehension hâ—â—ged himself a sad ending a fearful close a dismal evening of such a fair day as the Apostleship presented to him IT is much to purchase but a greater mercy to secure goodnesse and grace if therefore there be any good thoughts this day for Christ saying if it be so why am I thus with Peter sink not for fear with him is love and forgivenesse with Iudas sell him not for greed let not the cares pelf or trash of this world chock that good seed remembring that Peter and Iohn was only sent to prepare the passeover before he suffered the first signifieth a rock the other grace and such as are established by grace in their heart are only they with whom Christ the truth of the passeover shall be found for because with the cup of remission of sin which shall in the evening of their days as the bloudy mark secure them from the destroying Angel FRIENDSHIP of old was effiged bodily with an open side discovering the very frame figure and position of the heart without which it was concluded true amity and fellowship could not be secured and is not true kindnesse represented on the CROSSE where bodily our Lord hung with a peirced side not only shewing but the heart emptying it self unto us pouring forth bloud and water not blood only for justification as by beasts slain under the Law but water also for purifying the vessels of the young men that they be holy and this visibly from the heart being sub dio of the Brook that is of the field not the wells of a house dying that is drinking at Ierusalem a publick City at a passeover a holy feast not in the town but on a mount not privatly massacred but publickly adjudged by Pontius Pilat not in the Temple by Tumults least Jews should plead a priveledge but in the open Air by the hands of the Gentiles for purifying of the air from the defilments of both Nations clearing it also that he dyed for both and is as clear as the parting of his garments which yet being divided in four equal parts projects his merits to be open to be applied by many in the four quarters of the world that in the self same day wherein there passed four glorious occurences eminent passages in relation to the Church the day of his death though at long distance being the selfsame day in which Abraham was called from Vr of the Caldeans in which the Israelits were called out of Egypt with whom went a mixed multitude and in which the decree went forth to build the holy City to which the Gentiles contributed these three meeting with this according to the time of the passeover and the best computation denoteth the general influence his Death the last of the famous four hath upon all the world and in evidence whereof he would not dy a privat death chusing rather to drink of the brook in the sight of the Nations that is in the way IT is said he was crucified with his back to the citty as if his prophannesse had been so great that his face was not worthy to behold their holy Temple but was it not if true a shrewd sign of the fulfilling of that prophesy I will shew them the back and not the face in the day of their calamity Je. 18 â— hath so long taken his countenance from them that that wherwith they apbraided Iesus of his being a Friend to publicans to sinners is now their greatest and most ordinary employment in point of trust among the Turks they being under that disgrace that in no Nation are they martial'd or embodyed in an army for the field and as they alwayes resisted the Holy Ghost and became the murtherers of the just one still they persist in that obduration seeking the bloud of his followers and Disciples polluting in their desperate malice the pure annual celebration of this our Lords death with crucifying to death Christian children in derision of our Saviour and oft to their own destruction in the shedding of their own bloud as murtherers and banishing their posterity as the vilest of miscreants as from England France and many other places IT is stupendious what is recorded touching that mystery of iniquity the necessity the Jews are in of haveing Christian blood a secret not known to many Rabbies discovered but An Dom. 1500. by a converted Rabbi of Ratisbon avouching that they at point of death annoint the sick with Christian blood in these words If he who is promised in the Law and Prophets be already come and Jesus who was erucifi'd be the true Messiah let the blood of this innocent man who dyed with faith in him wash thee from all thy sins and also conduct thee to Eternal life So that his blood upon them among them and by them triumphs AND of old after the destruction of Jerusalem those of Tiberias would whisper into the ears of their dying relations believe in Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified whom our Princes slew upon the CROSSE for he is come and will judge thee at the last day SO that yet he lives his drinking being but in the way Everlastingnesse or Eternity having no power upon his sufferings for by this phrase Way understand the brevity of his passion being but to taste of death which as a sleepy drench a potion of popy water had a while dominion over him and then he awaked to their shame sorrow and astonishment as the wisest of them at this day declare observing since his death their desolation finding no term of their captivity as in the other two nor promise of a third return to Canaan which either from policy or conscience made those Iews who of late An. Dom. 1666. had the eyes of the world upon them pretending to a restauration give out that they were the posterity of the ten Tribs carried away into Babylon who never returned and not of the two who did and therefore not the successors of such who put Iesus the Son of Mary to death which yet did not hold him for wanting sin whereby the dead are fettered in their graves he first stouped drank dyed and then lift up his head it being impossible for death to retain him because of innocence BVT as at his death his very disciples were offended that is in a Scripture sense stumbled at the Crosse and it 's not to be questioned but something of doubting entered into Maries soul as if all her hopes memorials relations revelations about her Sons kingship Government
Godhead had been so many gracious mistakes in her of the Angels Anunciation so it may be some are now offended and those even good at this memorial of our Lords passion accounting it Idolatry to speak so particularly of his death at this time and indeed as Mary so the Church of Christ which is his Mother is yet wounded by slanders and misreports and made to drink of the brook and taste of those black waters some of her Children offer to her But know that as Christ was innocenâ— for all his dâ—inking and harmlesse though crucifiâ—d to death as Iudas will proclaim him though not yet judged by Pilat who found no fault in him and his wife who accounted him a Just man as he was Ceremonialy being circumcis'd Moraly being subject to his parents politically paying tribute religiously for he gave eyes to the blind knowledge to the ignorant IN summe the reid heifer was to be without spot and he was found without sin though put to death as seditious and with seditious persons executed as most guilty whence that word King is affixed on the Cross in scorn to the Iews for except for one crime two dyed not in one day among them therefore the three dyed as troublers of the peace thou art said the other thief in the same condemnation viz. with our Saviour as dying for the same cause with them and they suffering all for one thing viz. Sedition Luk. 23. yet as Christ If I have done evill bear witnesse of the evill if not why smytest thou me so me thinks this day speaks to our Opinionators I say this day in which he was lifted up and though innocent accounting it superstition to behold him on it or it to mind us of him his white robâ—s this day worn darkly shews his non-guiltinesse and the voice of our Brothers bloud calling to heaven it is strange if the sound may not be observed we find Pilat to have been a Bastard and in sober sadnesse there is none will condemn Christ nor Christs Disciples that are legitimatly begotten of the Church whether ancient or modern in this holy service of attending to behold the man for know THE Church reformed keepeth this day and others relating to the mysteries of our redemption expressed in sacred Writ as Germany Helvetia Hungaria Transylvania Suitzerland France Holland haveing printed Sermons in and upon those days preached and were the least of these three memorable things said to be in the death of Christ observed we should not account them Children of the Church who would condemn these there brethren one is Patience be not therefore offended that the Church primitive observed such days holily though they could not as they did not attempt to make them holy or that the Church Reformed estimats them worthy of celebration being anual catechisms for edification the other is Humility and none here ought to be so unsober in their talk or so haughty in their own conceit as to account the Church of God for so many ages not so wise nor the present Church not pure nor so holy as themselves the last is Charity and therefore let none condemn them in this their practice noâ— us their brethren in our conformity to which if they assent not they may withdraw but not judge for the Lord cometh the judge is even at the door IF this will not stop some mens mouths but will still call crucifie it crucifie it I shall â—ay more then Father forgive them for they know not what they do for as the brazen serpent was lifted up when the Isralites were stinged with serpents though as Naturalists observe looking upon brasse is hurtful to those so affected who knoweth but as the Centuâ—ion such who may come to crucifie this service or with the rabble to behold Christ dy in a discourse may go with Augustine somewhat affected and smitting their breasts and though nothing of this be yet to the patient Humble and Charitable Soul it is a lifting of him up for imitation and let no man trouble these for in those they bear about the marks of the Lord Iesus FOR fear of disturbing the good-man of the house or troubling his family wherein our Lord eat the passeover and wherein it was made ready for him among other mysteries he retired into a garden there to be taken by the Iews it being a matter of greater moment to scandalize to trouble the soul to disturb the peace of the Church even in this particular in repeating the story of the passion then some of our pretended Zelots do imagine the Church in all it's vicissituds having accounted this a good-day indeed bearing about and holding up the instruments and fruits of her Lords death as trophies of that victory which he had and she expects to have over all her enemies IN it dehorting from sin particularly from reproaching or tempting to reproach the observers of it least either the curse of the serpent or the reprobation of the thief be their portions for as there were three about the tree of life one condemned for ever and two pardoned so about the CROSSE an Embleme of life and Hierogliphick of eternity among the Egyptians and figured upon the breast of their filthy Idol Sâ—rapis though not figured as the Crux Immissa thus ✚ whereon it is thought our Saviour dyed but of that Commissa after the form of a Roman T. whereon also it 's given Moses lifted up the brazen Serpent I say about the CROSSE there were also three two carried to paradise and one left in his sin from whose punishment reasons against taunts upon known sobriety might be multiplied and drawn unto that leangth as to cause the diâ—cerner glory in the CROSSE professing their belief in him who was crucified and slain burying him boldly in the new sepulcher of a new because broken heart this day AND if any yet say the bloud that is the guilt of the contempt of this service be on us and our Children I say again fear â—he issue for the affixing of a Iewish taunt upon a Christian exercise may have a Iewish that is a cursed end the CROSSE it self teaching better things the height thereof typifying our aspiring to things above the breadth of it to the works of charity below the length of it perseverance in that good untill the end the depth of it that good will of God in his own bosome yet now revealed for our beholding of his Son finishing the work of our redemption ACCORDING therefore to the custome of the Jews let one be released from death by judgement it was done as some say in remembrance of their delivery from Egypt at the passeover of Isaac's with others from being sacrificed of Ionathans from Saul however let it be our duty in those days of judgement to let the Church Reformed escape and then we trust to stand not fall in judgement And as Annas and Caiphas Herod and Pilat at Christs death were ruleing together pointing at the division and contention
must not be reckoned among the faithfull but as uncircumcised be deny'd entrance into the holy temple the holy Citty holy IESVS being only King of the Iews that is of the Circumcision not of the letter but of the Spirit not of the Body but of the Inward-man and the precept being given to Ioshua intimats that as death and lust enter'd upon all by one MAN we are not free from either untill by his Antityp Iesus we be redeemed from our actual or original transgression by applying faithfully his life and bloud as expiatory for sin denying ungodliness and worldly lusts which is a deliverance from our vain conversation and in one sense a being crucified to the world and in another Ciâ—cumcised in our foreskin they being with some as it superfluous and no way necessary for felicitating soul or body THE Hebrews say Sem was born circumcis'd and he was happy but that the foreskin is not necessary is figured in the eight day seven being allowed in proportion and revolution of time to all in common but the right is that eternal day expected by the Elect and forestall'd already in those occult joys which emerge from liveing Soberly Righteously and Godlily in this present world and their names being written in heaven contemplats upon the felicity their Spirit shall possesse the week of this wearisome world being brought to its final period IT is said of Severus that no day passed wherein he did not something that was good and beneficial to others and without much arguing its evident how soon our Lord amply discovers earnestnesse passionatly to offer himself a Lamb indeed for the sins of the world in his yeelding so easily so suddenly to breath a vein as a wise Physician for the cure of his mystical body now in a Spiritual raveing and sinfull feaverish distemper Man go thou and do thou likewise do good and yet more good and by whom thou art accounted base of them at last thou shalt be had in honour God incarnat having here begun to lay down his life for thee be not ashamed to lay it down for another at least estimat what can be done for thy Brother and reckon that to be a debt due from thy Saviours stupendious humility WE mistake if we conclude our selves heavenly born untill as heaven we influence the Earth with benign aspects and Eight times or days or duties must passe over us before we ought to repute our selves of the seed of the faithfull or circumcis'd for in the opinion of Holy Bernard we must first be just in our dealings with men he who would raise high must build low and Iacobs ladder had its foot on the Earth another is the avoiding of Fellowship with evil men Christ was separate from sinners and his followers must hate the Congregation of wicked doers A third is watchfulnesse and observance of Enemies Our Saviour not being ignorant of Satans devices disappointed his stratagems he left him unresolved of his being the Son of God in the wilderness and of his wanting original sin by Circumcision in the Cradle and in both prevail'd Another is Sobriety as becometh men the Believers life is a warfare and if lust pleasure or cares of this world overcharge that day may come unawares upon us Luk. 21.34 Another is patience in all things we suffer among men for a few evill days we must neither with Cato put out our lives nor with Thrasillus run out of our wits but keeping a good heart we shall never want a place not to say a whole wherein to hide our head Another is Humility Our Lord humbled himself to the Death and that the soul with Mary be exalted Remember he visited her in her low estate Luk. 1.48 The seventh is Piety and Devotion in which by contemplation the Chilâ— of Grace celebrating a Sabbath by resting from works of sin and walking with God ought not to be reckon'd a Son of Belial but as on the eight day declared by the Angel of a good Conscience or rather is by the Priest of the new Testament called the Son of God and gets a new name which none knoweth but he that hath it Revel 2.17 THERE are who will have the eight day to imply the eight ages of the world reckoning the first from Adam to Noa the next from him to Abraham the third from him to Moses the fourth from him to David the fifth from David to Christ the sixâ—h from Christ to the end of the world the seventh to the Dead the eight represents the Resurrection at which time all the true soâ—s of the Faithfull shall receive their true name and true inheritance in being saved from their sins and approved for their Sanctity But the more sound and far more probable ground for fixing upon the eight-day was because of the infants strength being then more able to bear the sharpnesse and smart of the knife then when newly born and yet not after the eight day for they growing stronger and imagination more forcible the pain had been greater that time was therefore chosen when the skin as more tender could renew and repair it self but it is nice that to this day the Iews circumcise none but on the eight day that is to say never at night however it be it 's said that the pain is greatest on the third day nature tending then to a healing for which cause Simeon and Levi slew the Shechemits according to which its given out that the three offended in each sin viz. our selves our neighbour and our God the third and last is the forest and its remembrance most dejecting as appears from Davids confession in matter of Vriah and Iosephs admiration in the temptation of his Mistris THOVGH I conjecture not that the eâ—ght day was allowed for the body of the infant to be inflenc'd by the seven planets yet according to the Doctor of that Philosophy concluding the sun to operat upon the head and heart we may alludingly teach that the beams of the sun of Righteousness must shine and operaâ— upon the head heart of Adams Sons before they can have a living Soul or be brought forth in the second birth yet let none pin their abideing in pollution upon God for the Sun beams shine in the Ministry of the Gospel but many as the swine in a hot day tumbles the more in the pudle and what is vitiously observed of circumcised nations as Egyptians Saracens that no people is more lascivious may shamefully be applied to Christians none being more filthy more unclean then they who have been washed being the more defi'd thereby that they commend it yet mockingly rise not from forbidden pleasures from condemn'd delights Mahomet in a great measureâ— encourageing those passions allays the guilt of his Disciples but being discharged by Christ by Christians are to be the more abhorred THE Iews circumcised but in one part and that part by which the whole body is most defiled where lust and luxury tyranniz'd and
play'd rex but the Christian must be circumcis'd all over to extinguish not only the heat as by pores but the very sum of uncleannesse in his eyes for restraining Vanity in his ears for debarring obscenity in his tongue withdrawing from ribbaldry in his hands by shutting out iniquity in his whole person and converss laying aside all superfluity of naughtinesse for that as the circumcised part may be well spared least emasculating themselves they walk as the Daughters of men that is not worthy of God that is not as his Son our Lord Iesus who being to introduce a new doctrine into the Church of Faith and Love got in a new day and as is supposed the first day of the of the new year a new name and was called Iesus not by chance or choice but according to the order of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb which fights against and impugns our old courses pregnantly inviting to a new and holy life for matriculating or ingrafting our selves in a real not nominal Spiritual not political and innocent not blasphemous way to the Society of Iesus TO work a cure against the distempers of the whole body of the Church was the head thereof as about this time let bloud and by whose vein breathing the body becometh more agile and every member more apt to exercise it's peculiar office for the good of the whole therefore ought all as spiritual Eagles a bird who by casting her feathers and breaking her old bill occasions a fresh growth and repairs her strength to arise from old and dead works Mount towards the heaven in new desires and new affections testifying both by new lives unto which this Child this name Iesus strennously attract's there being in it when opened a treasury of all riches a gaâ—ner of all provisions and a ware-house of all excellencies sounding first from an Angels mouth into a Virgins ear nothing but what was heavenly and of a heavenly vertue being fit to express it or capable to apprehend it ITâ—S true we find some of this Name besides him yet of such eminency as demonstrated them forerunners i. e. typs of this Iesus it is of the same root and sense with that of Ioshua who was Captain of the Lords host and possessed Israel of the holy land another was a holy and high priest separat for expiating the sins of the penitent delinquent Zach. 3.1 And to passe the Apocriphal Iesus who yet was a wise and prudent teacher we have mention of another Iesus Colos. 4. a companion of S. Paul and fellow-labourer with him in the Kingdom of God it was in short a common and an honourable name among the Iews but out of veneraâ—ion to our Lord Iesus not now used in the Church NAMES of old have been adopted by Friends or parents according to the hope conceived of the person named or by some accident about him or done by him but none of these here for our Saviour was seen by by none when he was named nor thought upon by any when he was called Iesus a Saviour not from hope which still includâ— fear but from assurance that he should save his people from their sins which untill revealed might be unknown even to the Angel who brought the message so that nothing of the creature was instrumental in this nomination but purely drawn from the benefits should accrew unto the world through him which obiter and by the way enforceth parents to elect such names as may import to their posterity some duty befitting them that their names may teach sanctity and true piety for as if something had been in that name Ioshuang or Iesus we read not of their sins not of their scandals as we do of other's we have Iudah's incest Solomons apostacy Davids adultery and Iudas the traitor as if Salvation in the others name had transfus'd it self working detestation of prophane courses Adam named his wife Evah because she was mother of all living and the name Gabriel enforceâ—h the bearer to be a man of God the name Nicholaus to overcome the people in good Iohn to walk graciously William couragiously Thomas to behold each man as a brother the word importing a twin such are good and sutes Christianity whereas Hercules a sturdy heathen Lout Diana a fam'd huntresse savours pardon my boldnesse not of the font not of the Laver of Regeneration not of baptismal water and therefore to be retir'd least Mars Iupiter Vulcan and other names of Baal defile the Baptistry the name Patience I cannot conclude ill but that Femal one of Faith in my judgement is to be avoyded as all other that in any direct way tends either to sin or revieve the memories of the prophane WHICH evill the name Iesus in it 's very initiatory letters doth abrogat and cancel improving the Saints in all degrees to the highest blesse of Saintship speaking Iucundity or gladnesse to the sorrowfull Eternity to the mortal Sanity or health to the languishing Vtility or profit to the poor Satiety or plenty to the hungry in Greek it 's anagram'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou art the sheep or lamb viz. which is given for the sins of the world it is oft writ in 3 letters thus I. H. S. Iesus Hominum Salvator shewing the Salvation he brought to man-kind and thus drawn in the body of the Sun is it the armes and publick seal of the segniory of Genevah shewing her light to beam from the rays of this Sun of righteousnesse her inscription about that being Iesus Sol Scutum meum Jesus is to me both a Sun and shield but others expresse thereby his Innocence Humility Sublimity he not being conceived in sin yet under-went death for sin and because he is man is made Lord of all things GIVEING of names is a sign of authority and dominion and given by Jewish Fathers at Circumcision as we do now at Baptisme it 's the first act of jurisdiction Fathers exercise over their Children the Scripture shewing plainly in Abraham and Zacharias that the Mother hath no right to impose them and if they do the Father may alter them as in the History of Benjamine is conspicuous he being never called Benoâ—â— and though the Mothers name should stand in holy writ it is to be understood by the Fathers indulgence as is famously clear in the Register of Leas fruitfulnesse her husband gratifying her in that particular and not without reason but this name Iesus was not imposed by Ioseph who was no father noâ— by Mary though a Mother but by God who hath power over Christ as man and exercis'd the same as a Father before his birth that he who is the King of Kings and Son of God might not be made subject to his parents but so far as his own knowledge discretion or goodnesse in riper years should concede unto as is evident from several places his subjection being commended and â—oman what I to do with thee being expressed YET to condemn the obstinat
and refractory this name is not publickly proclaimed from heaven but given to Mary and after that to Ioseph who gave it to his supposed Son at 's Circumcision and by that name which his parents gave him was he known in all the tract of his life God in this occult way preserving the order and honour of paternity disallowing such who assume the boldnesse to rebaptize themselves and write new names which their parents knew not HE is by the Holy Ghost yea by men sometimes called Iesus sometimes Iesus Christ often our Lord sometimes this and again that other name every one of which have some peculiar eye to some relation he beareth towards the Church and in all those glorious precepts for divine celebrating the Supper that is the holy communion of the Church by S. Paul he speaks of it in that style that would hardly make that phrase the cup of Iesus the death of Iesus to be proper speaking constantly of the Lord as the Lords Death the body and bloud of the Lord a word importing the founder of that communion and fellowship we have with the Father from which this may safely be drawn that men should discreetly expresse the tittles gâ—ven to their Saviour It is a truth that some have spoken of him under Epithets purely that is scripturally applicable to the Father to the Spirit to an Angel THE most celebrated tittles are Iesus Christ and the Son of God this last when Iews deny him mock raile reprobat laugh at him c. is proper to use Christ intimating his anointing hinting at the means whereby he saved us as preaching fighting conquering is pertinent for us the Son of God he is called being very God of very God the second as he is Man God by assuming humanity but his name Iesus represents him God joyned to humanity united to the humane nature and here wisely given yea before haveing three times been so named viz. at his conception to Mary next to Ioseph 〈◊〉 a dream and lastly at Circumcision for then they called his name Iesus a name majestick a name consolatory holding forth his Deity for besides this Lord there is no Saviour and his Humanity also for by it he maketh propitiation for our sin nay we find it iâ— other writtings not removing but preventing sin even that of robbery for a paddist or High-way-man attempting to spoil a preacher ordering him to stand and asking what he was was answer'd I am a the servant of the Lord Iesus the Paddist trembling at the answer said again what are you and had the same answer and so a third the Robber as amaz'd forgot both bloud-guiltinesse and covetousnesse and called to his unjustly detained Captain for the sake of Iesus depart in peace and ruminating to himself whose servant he had been in this debauch'd trade of life being cogitabund cryed out Iesus Iesus Iesus blessed be the name of Iesus who hath keeped me from sin and forsakeing that course of life walked after in the path of vertue LET none inquire touching the utmost extent of this name since it 's secret and wonderfull Iud. 13.18.19 above all mans conception and expression having not under it the name or shadow but the essence and verity of all Salvation yet know he is not called Iesus because he saves from war or sword for these may be good but from sin which can never be but ill therefore it comforteth the heart when opened delighteth the Ear when hearkned pleaseth the mouth when expressed intimating from sin freedom and predicts glory in place of misery But yet not by the aiery sound or letters thereoâ— whether utter'd or impress'd for the Devil spake it to Christ himself and had a finger in the py when it was writ upon the crosse but when applyed by faith and conforming to the Doctrine of him who bears it as he who learning and studying Iesus well proposed to himself for a Coppy a meek man â— humble man a sober man a chast man merciful man and finally a man endued with all honesty and full of all sanctity which is a sweet way to make him to every man Iesuâ— i. e. a Saviour that he as being Almightâ— God created them so as Iesus that is Goâ— and man may redeem them from this present evill world by his omnipotent unspeakeable goodness compassing strengthning by his mediatory office what ever is his own within the â—oul abolishing by his Royal power Christ-like vertue what ever besides that the heart hath contracted to prevent relapsing let the man Iesus be our example and Iesus God your chief support leaning upon him as your beloved and the name Iesus shall assure salvation secure heaven not otherwise THE name Iesus is admirable for by it all wonders have been wrought and because of it all Devils trembled it 's also amiable sinners having by it been justified righteous gladned the dejected raised and all that ever called as the blind-men Iesus thou son of David have mercy upon us have been relieved it's lastly laudable for it 's glorious it 's holy it 's new it 's exalted above every name and the name that is given to us for us whereby only we can be saved therefore glory ye in his holy Name REMEMBER you are his by purchase be having redeemed you not with corruptible things as with silver and gold but by his pretious blood of which summ he this day gave part in hand as earnest and payed the whole afterward in grosse upon the Cross and might there be not more then a common providence that upon the first of Ianuary there should be fewer Martyrs in the primitive persecution then on any other in the year each day produceing when laid together five thousand save that since the faithfull witnesse himself by whose bloud their's was accepted did as upon that day enstate us into the passage leading to the spiritual Paradice by applying his merits in Circumcision as the first fruits of the land â—or earnest of our forgivenesse makeing hell to tremble as being spoyled of its Dominion Earth to rejoice as being redeem'd to God and Angels to triumph as being confirmed in righteousnesse all which passionatly excits to a confession that Iesus is the Christ to the Glory of God the Father makeing his Regimen in our souls the more arbitrary when by way of reserve we reflect upon that purpose of the Father that every knee shall mark the word shall bow that is yeeld and submit to the name Iesus that is the power authority and Judgement of Iesus FROM the name Christ are we called Christians that implying both his and our Unction with the graces of the spirit whence also came that name of the Messiah i. e. one that is anointed viz above his fellows as Christ is said to be Isa. 61. with gifts not with material oyl which had been improper to him as a King for his Kingdom is not of this world or as Priest for he was not of
a name among the many empty and flaunting tittles of the great Turk and the Catholick King both as relateing to Christ the last without honour the other with much profit arising from the customs and imposts exacted of pilgrims whom câ—riosity or superstition shall conduct unto that soyl where if any will engadge to avoid dishonest gain reconcile differences shun the company of infamous persons refrain from swearing perjury blasphemy drunkennesse and pay some money undergoing some ceremonies he may by the Pater Guardian of the Franciscan Convent be ordained a Knight of the holy sepulchre of our Lord Iesus Christ in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost of which order as most seemly the most Christian King is or was Soveraign HOW should our Christian Cities flourish in the fight of the Nations and the Theaters whereon our Lord coâ—quered and triumphed over all his adversaries I mean not the places whereon as Bethlehem Gethsemane Mount olivet and the rest but the Registers wherein these things are recorded as S. Mathew S. Luke S. Paul and the other Apostles if all that Travelled through the Holy Land of the Christian Dominions were qualifi'd for this Honour But to our shame as Turks in Ierusalem we make advantage our scope in designing honour to the Gospel so far crossing it's true intent of Godlinesse as it's crosse th'warts the projects of our self seeking lucre gain betraying in kissing Christ a-fresh in our covetous enterprizings and crucifying him while we Crown him as a King in the blaspheming and villany of our actings BY the Mapps of Ierusalem in Christs turnings and returnings from Annas to Caiphas from him to Pilat from him to Herod to Pilat back again from Gabbatha to Golgotha that he travel'd the best greatest part of the Citty over is visible to be seen he rendring thereby his passion more publick and offering the fruits thereof unto as many as would or will by faith come forth to behold him hath he not travelled through our lands and Kingdoms and as cursed Jews have we not scorned mocked compelled him to bear his CROSSE in our charging him with deplorable actings the most inhumane butcheries pretendedly said to proceed from the zeal of his Spirit Is he not dayly in his members persecuted by our uncharitable talking of and walking before one another whereby ruine may easily be predicted and a divorce suggested ready for sealing that we may abuse Gospel-priviledges no more as is seen in that Babylon where our Lord was crucifi'd wone once from the Turks by the slaughter of twenty thousand of them by the sword of Christians upon a Friday about three in the afternoon as if for once God would beautify Christian verity in that Unbelieving City by putting it in their hands who professed the Gospel and who wore the CROSSE on their cloathes the same day and hour his Son dyed upon the CROSSE FROM which let us fear least Mahomets growing greatnesse occasioned by our Unchristian broils provoke God to make him become a scourge and a CROSSE to our Cities and Nations pretending adherence to the Gospel but not receiving the same in the love thereof by bowing down our heads giving up the Ghost in walking with all lowlinesse of mind and dying unto sin MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE RESURRECTION of Iesus Christ unfolded and applied Pasch-Sunday April 3. Tolbooth Church 1670. Easter-Sunday April 3. Tolbooth Church 1670. PHILIP III.X. That I may know him and the power of His Resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death THE holy men of God in Scripture mentioning the death of Christ seem oft as posters to haâ—t from and briskly to exped that subject intending to lodge that is to insist upon and rest in the doctrine of the Resurrection not slighting his passion as if not comfortable but because not satisfactory for Gods justice or mans happinesse unlesse the rising from the dead be a consequent thereof he stiled himself the first and the last I am said he he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for ever more Revel 1. SO our Creed as fearing to damp belief goeth forward in haste omitting many glorious passages in being crucified under Pontious Pilat unto the rising again the third day It is Christ that dyed saith S. Paul yea rather who is risen again Rom. 8. and verily it is usual to see his dying and rising handed together they being the cementing matter whereby God and Man the Soul and Happinesse Ioy and the Consâ—ience perfectly inseparably knit and united in one for what ever felicity can be concluded from the vertue of the latter depends upon those promises which evinceth the truth of the former seeing him dy that is perswasions of his Death the knowledge of which death and the fellowship of his sufferings that is being made conformable to his death being only the proper and effectual mediums of knowing the power of His Resurrection HERE the Apostle discovers his desire of knowledge and next to benefit thereby meaning the righteousnesse of Faith that is of Christ in point of doctrine about his Resurrestion and his imitation of the other referring to practise in being made conformable to his death so that we are enforced to speak first with Peter and before him with David of the Resurrection which is not rightly known untill the vertue efficary and energy of his death be understood consisting in the expiation of sin liberation of guilt acquisition of righteousnesse and the hope of â—mmortality the scope and tendency of the Resurrection being perfectly and inwardly for the applying of these things as from it towards our selves he being delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification CONCEIVE him dead sealed watched writ upon his Tombstone here lyeth Iesus Christ of Nazareth who was crucified An. M. 3982 Aetatis suae 33. yet by power did make a spoil of death his grave cloathes those ensigns of mortality laid by baffling the envy of the Scribs the fury of the people the force of Herod and in one morning confounded all the adversaries of his life HE dyed about the ninth hour about three in the afternoon order so requiring for about that time viz. in the coole of the day Adam was cast out of Paradise about which time also it was congruous for the second Adam to make his entry therein both in the evening enjoyning all in the Mystery to dy unto the worlds pleasures before night that is the eleventh hour which was to the master of the Vineyard the time of payment not of calling unto work BVT least we speak of as the woman sought the living among the dead see him raised for he is risen and thaâ— while it is yet dawning at break of day directing us to infer that he was no more to dy the linnen napkin within the sepulchre giving caveats to us against the surmise of his after using such apparel Lazarus indeed came forth
bound hand and foot with grave cloaths being afterward to wear the same robes not so Christ death having no more dominion over him Rom. 6. being swallowed up in victory as Moses rod swallowed up those of the Magicians as the wide Ocean doth the smal drop in which it is to be more seen as the Sun the dark cloud which it either scatters or illuminats THIS Lyon of the tribe of Iudah overcomeing that devourer of men even in the grave his deepest den resolving from first to last for conquest in the Manger in the Hall on the Crosse in the rock their mocks their blasphemy their swords their guards for had he been possessed by the tomb or his holy body seen corruption after his Viniger and Gal what benefit had men accrew'd by his death It was therefore a religious error of Mary Magdalen and the other Mary to come early to the sepulchre with oyntments being grounded upon their thoughts of finding death whereas he was up before to take possession of his new purchase having so punctualy payed the contracted for sum for sin unto the Father thereby becomeing Lord of heaven and heir of the utmost coasts of the earth MAKE his Resurrection a question and for once put it to probation Davids seed in whom the Kingdom was to be established 2. Sam. 7. Adams sleep and his awaking out of that after Eva his spouse had been forming the promise of ransoming from the grave Hâ—s 13. Isaac's delivery from being sacrific'd in the old Testament an Angel from heaven Christs own prophesy Peters testimony Thomas believing in the New doth almost overstock us with sufficient proofs his eating drinking walking talking priviledging the expression yea the simplicity of the arguments brought against us by the Jews evidenceth it's reality for if he were stole why was he not resceu'd If by his Disciples why were they not questioned and if either of these be true how is it known to them since the watchers declare they were asleep what more the order and neatnesse in disposing of the grave cloaths the confident declarations of the pious women and the calamities the Apostles chearfully underwent evinceth the Resurrection to be no fallacy IT was attended with that power that the watchers became as dead men when they came to apprehend him or to eat up his flesh they stumbled and fell amazed at some discovery of unexpected Majesty but here beholding an Angel from heaven preparing to liberat the innocent it was just on the other hand to strick as if not altogether dead the guilty and give check to unbelief especialy when heaven is at pains to refute impertinencies as their keeping was since it flowed from cruelty not piety earth also labouring by an earth-quake to invalidat their strength shaking their greatest confident that is their armes causing them unfit to handle the weapon their ground disableing them to stand their authority to keep him in the grave being recalled by a stronger then either was Pilat or the Councill FOR yet once more was the earth to be shaken and the desire of the Nations then to come which was the Messiah that is Christ sent to all Nations for as at the giving of the Law their were Earthquaks and shakeings even in heaven by the thunder and smoak shakeings of the Sea at the makeing way for his people so once more he will as in Christs suffering the sun was darkned the rocks rent here at his rising there was a shakeing of hearts upon earth and moveing of Angels of heaven some being shaken out of their dumps doubt fears and sinful carnal condition others not desireing him being shaken out of their wits out of their lives out of their armes and justly having refused him whose face was lovely and society desired by all Nations by Angels and Men unto whom they should run as the camp to the standarâ— as the eagles to the carcaâ—e bringing as subjects to their Prince all their desireable things offering unto him not only of the best of the fruits of the land as gold frankincense and Myrbe but the choisest of their hearts as love fear joy obedience which all Nations ow unto him and the elect have payd being shaken with the wonder of so great a mystery as his death and rising again from the dead which the unbelieving Iews denying and mercenary Souldiers striving to obstruct he that sitteth in heavens did laugh at the confederacy and said in spite of them in the morning of the Resurrection thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee THE mountains skipping like Rams and the little hills like lambs to respect him in his exite from the grave and prepare his people to admire believing his heroick atchiefment of subduing Hel and Death curbing by it and shakeing their insolence who cry'd we have no King but Cesar and said crucifie him crucifie him but on the other hand comforting his followers with a fear not ye for I know that ye seek Iesus he is not here for he is risen so that the Church may salute Iesus as the Angel Gideon the Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour Judg. 12. for hath it ever been heard since the beginning of the world that any wrought wonders in their death or that wonderfully raised himself again to life Iesus excepted whose Resurrection is the sine qua non of the joy in all believers the living having no hope no comfort save in it and by it IT was refreshing news to the eleven and unto these two unto whom he was seen in breaking of bread and so much the more cordial was his perception that he was at first concealed from them having wrapped up the face of his Humanity in a skreen by the power of his Divinity which no sooner drawn aside then they behold the Lord that bought them which brought new life and vigour to the heart-broken and doubting Disciples breaking that silence which for grief had been more then half an hour in the heaven of their society where sorrow had caused mutenesse about fourty hours for so long it is reckoned he lay dead Adam after the ejectment from paradise is never recorded to have spoak and after the second had admittance we can find among the Apostles little mirth but now all preach and teach Angels descend women walk Peter and Iohn run the two talk whence the Church of old this day sung the Psalms of Invitation inviting all creatures to praise the Lord because Iesus who was crucified is not here viz. in the grave but risen come said the Angel see the place where the Lord lay affoording matter for deep contemplation Iesus discovering the truth of his being Saviour who was crucified a holy abridgement and true repetition of his passion He is not here discovering the truth of his being dead and his once being there come see the place where the Lord lay by Lord acknowledging the soveraignity of Iesâ—â— and by the word lay enforceing a belief of his
Father CERTAINE it is that Peter did convert and the other Disciples together at the feast of Penticost more hundreds in one day then for ought we find Iesus in all his life-time to have done to omitt that passage of Peters shaddow Acts 5.15 since it is not told us who did it or that ever any was cured by it or whether it was done for a good or bad end whether in fond supperstition by Christians or malignity from Jews who might desire to receive benefit thereby yet not own the Faith of him whom Peter taught I say to passe this we find all the Disciples endowed with a double portion of knowledge and heavenly joy He being seen of them go up who had been with him from the beginning when such hot spurs as were offended at his Person and Doctrine enjoyed not that blessed sight nor partaked of his fruiâ—fuâ—l blessing from whom such posters are not many degrees distant as declines the hearing of his Gospel now or if they do their impatience suffers them not to reach the end of our Divine service that the blessing from the mouth or hands of the preacher cannot be raught unto them their head and ears being equaly remote from him as their Kitchin is from his Pulpit as if the blessing of the Sanctuarie were to be undervalued in respect of their trivial I might say sensuall conveniency CHRIST is said to be the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the valleys Shaâ—on was a pleasant field near to mount Libanus in the Country of Bashan where Davids flocks and herds were fed near unto which was a valley fruitfull both of Lillys and Roses growing without mans care or hands industry having earth for Mother and heaven for a Father which Christ also had who as a Rose is encompass'd by prickly thorns of cares troubles and persecutions yet fragrant to such who placeth him as beautifull in their breast heart and bosome He was white in casting away his grave-cloaths and winding sheet and napkin the badges and colour of infirmity and darkness so great was his humility that he became as a Lilly and of the vallie too bending down-ward to bear upon his shoulders what the Father was pleased to imposs even unto death but now the darkness of Mortality being evanished he became ruddy cloathed with the purple robs of Majesty and Grandor stedfasty eyeing heaven yet still like the Rose piercing and galling yea tearing as by thorns or pricks the hearts the consciences the Souls of such who approach not to handle him in reverence and religious deportment in all parts of worship as prayer praise Sacraments vows or any other ordinance of the Church He carrying up to heaven as may be conjectured the very scarrs and wounds he received on the Cross that beholding them the ungodly nations may the more despairingly mourn and more convincingly bevail their it may be forgotten injuries toward the Son of Man BVT to such who as Roses delight in the shade or as Lillys root themselves in the vally of humility that is rejoyceth or affecteth a Conformity in his excellent communicative properties he shall become as an ornament to their breast or a pearl of great price in their hand causing and procuring the Fathers acceptance to such works as thaâ— breast shall conceive wherein he is fixed as David about building the Temple or the Angel of Philadelphia about his Ministry Revel 3.8 God purposing never to exalt any but in the manner he magnified his Son who first drank of the brook of the way afterward he lifted up his head SAINT John is the Apostle that speaketh most propheticaly of our Saviour going to the Father yet hath not one word that Historically he did it so that the Question here What and if you see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before is not answered by him for except in the Gospels of S. Mark and Luke the manner and term of his ASCENCION is not to be found and not without reason is it in them and ommitted here for S. Luke having in his Gospel drawn his Genealogy from Mary of the house and lineâ—ge of David making him thence to be owned for a King it was needfull to commemorate his entrance into heaven as into his Kingly palace and Mark beginning with his Priestly Office viz. of his preaching the Kingdom of God it was sutable thereunto to beare in record that he enter'd heaven as into his holy Temple to interced for the tribs of the world But Mathew and John speaking of him as the Son of God and as one that came from God besids that each Evangelist as he writ observed what the other had omitted or largely handled and accordingly as one abridgeth or enlargeth his own history Leaves the Faithfull to infer the necessity of his return into heaven as to his native Countrey and of being in heaven as the proper seat of God the holy Gospel throughout radicating the truth of this and abundantly making good the inference all which S. John saw he writting his Gospel after his three holy Coleagues had finished ended and published their severall Evangels BVT if any would have a sight of him ascending as there are many who doth not yet eats with us drinks with us goeth to the Mountain and Olivet of our Temple yet wants that beautifull Spectacle as did the carnall Iewes in the text who understanding all things Nichodemicaly that is carnally derided this supposition but if you would answer this what and if with an O that I might see the Son of Man ascend where he was before then pursue the acquisition of such Gifts the Apostles were endued with before it came to pass which were Magnanimity and Courage Longanimity and Patience Vnity Concord The first made them keep together though their Master and Shepherd had been smitten separating but in fits and starts as men in distemper the second hush'd all disturbances strife and discord none cheked Peter for his fall he blam'd none for cowardice whence flowed Unity and Love their Masters last appearance being at their dinner so to speak when they were at meat And ought not the memory of the ASCENSION to be attended with a religious banquet since its last service was usher'd in with a Table ready furnished a little after wh ch they see him again no more and truly if our eating and drinking be for the glory of God which shall be when strength only is expected from them his service in our generall and particular calling we need not scruple but if two or three or one be in holy discourse meditation in soberness I mean not poor dishes for there may be prodigality in wooden platters and gluttony over the coursest bread thankfulness frugality piety and unity it is impossible to misse the company or want the presence of Jesus neither ought there to be a despondency for the truth of the ASCENSION shall and will be evidenc'd unto those with whom these accomplishments are at
shall deliver us flying from contrived-for-disturbance or tenets of separation as from filth and ordure in which alone the unclean spirit keepeth because there only he findeth rest WHEN the World was souâ—ed or so to speak under the pickle of the deluge the Dove alone gave intelligence of the waters abatement not by a Bramble but by an Olive branch So untill the waters of Contrition flow for our former defilements unchristian-like temperaments which as raw blood putrifies yet the body of our Kingdoms it is not to be expected the Comforter from the FAâ—HER and the SON shall intimate unto us that our sins are forgiven or that in Christ we have got the Victory testifying the truth thereof by the Olive branch of refreshing comforts antedateing heavens felicity in the infallibility and certainty of its possession peace with God being certainly deduceible therefrom Whereas contrairily by our tearing and devouring one another its easie to prognosticate what the result of our lives shall be and whereunto the issues of our Death shall tend if we persevere in discord the Horoscope of the litigious discovering his being born in Satan the scheme manifests his rest pardon the irony shall be with him which even his spirit attests in the pangs of a tortured and disturbed breast so that within us we have either way a witnesse of our blesse or misery whereby our condemnation is the more intollerable if we do not our own businesse and study to be quiet living in love and peace that the God and Spirit of peace and love may be with us HOW oft in the History of the Ascension and of the HOLY GHOSTS descension to harp once more upon this string have we these words they met with one accord and no where besides shewing that in opposition to that quarrelsome life to those frequent disputeings among the Apostles and Disciples and censurings one of another they formerly had offended in Now they unanimously agree in a Brotherly harmony being united though numerous as one body by the Cement of the Spirit through the Gospel there being no intimation in the sacred History of any reflection of the Disciples to the Converts or of the Converts to them or of any one towards another about any miscarriage whereof aforetime they might be or had really been guilty of their life answering the Law for it was the Pentecost in ordinary fiftie days from the Pasch that these things were done and the fiftieth year also and so the year of Jubilee a time of releasment for servants lands debts of rest and proclaimed with great joy Levit. 25. figuring that delight Christianity hath obtained under the full deliverance Christ hath purchased for his people freeing them not only from the pedantry of the Law and burthensome rites thereof but restored them to their former priviledges with God the exceedingness whereof is figured in this that there passed twenty nine Jubilees betwixt Ioshua and Christ the Gospel abridging the Laws authority and hastning the acceptable time the year of great deliverance Luk. 4.18 THE Pasch by Christs death is antiquated and outdated it was expedient also to abolish both Pentecost and Jubilee for having procured a plenary remission from sin we as freed from its bondage are now to rejoyce in the LORD alway the Jubilee being proclaimed upon the day of Expiation which was a day of sadnesse grief and sorrow for the offences of the whole year that in the midst of trouble they might remember joy and we having liberty by the Resurrection who before were sold and gifts by his Ascention who before were poor presenting himself as the first fruits being first born from the dead before the Father for obtaining a blessing on the crop or race of mankind which the Jews did at Pentecost therefore let us pray for fulfilling of the Pentecost feast in having sin remitted the curse from the Earth removed and the Iubilee rite also in having the liberty of the Sons of God the legal ceremonies evanishing a clearer manifestation of things and mysteries are under Evangelical dispensation sprinkling with water being now repentance washing with water baptizeing with the HOLY GHOST and sacrificing of bullocks goats and lambs for expiating sin is that superlative sacrifice of Iesus death an offering for the sins of the whole world He being that Lamb of God which taketh them away by whose strips it is healed and by whose blood it is made white which the very garments of the Neophti or new Converts of old upon this day worn emblematically discover'd being cloathed in whit insinuating sanctity purity harmlesnesse and peâ—ceablenesse whence the day is called Whit-sunday or with the Saxon wied i. e. that is sacred or holy Sunday LET this Generation pretend to what degree of Sanctity it please to fear God to eschew evil to honour all men to do violence to no man to do good and in all these to persevere is the alone mean to be cloathed in White the proper habit of that Citizen which is of Ierusalem above unto which all his acts must quadrat of what kind soeever least the Spirit be blasphemed through his impertinencies FOLLOWING that Heroe Peter King of Aragon who gave a Glob representing the Earth a Crown surmounting that signifying Soveraignity that overlaid by a Scepter typifying the application of Law according to merit over all a Dove in a glory emblemating the HOLY GHOST circumscribed with this device TE GUBERNATORE i e. by thy Direction all things being done within the Empire of the Christians jurisdiction thus Religion shall not be used as Talque shining over glasse cases to hide the rottennesse worm-eating and mothinesse in the frame of many mens conversation neither shall their talk so amuse the Vulgar and undescerning as to cause a sigh a long prayer the nameing of God and conscience cover the â—ickednesse of practises as to let it passe without abhorrence of their Hypocrisies or censuring their â—ick-nam'd holy profession as too frequently they do to the defaming of that which our devout Ancestors called Zeal Piety and Religion accounting honesty in the second Table one genuine Character clearing mens observance of the first wanting the brazen-fore head now boasted of in some Professors where holinesse is divorced from peace no sacrifice Sermons or Prayer so pure as those which are mingled with the blood of men who gainsay the principles of a few by blood is not barely to be understood that physical thing so called but the curses lyes untrue reports slanders calumnies with which the services of Formalists and Pretenders are maliciously sinfully scandalously and madly interwoven THAT French King Henry the third having been upon this day by the Diet of Poland elected their King did in memory â—hereof institute an Order called Knights â—f the HOLY GHOST their Habit haâ—ing many black and white ornaments therein â—nd in a golden Collar within the center of â— Cross was the effigies of a Dove umbrageâ—ng that blessed Spirit It is lawful to attempt â—ea honourable to design high Atcheifmenâ—s if within the verge of our Capacity power or calling and to whet my weapon at this Philistines forge how strenuously hath the Ancient Saints endeavoured to cause the days and places whereon and wherein they have been honoured with mercies blessings or visions to be remarked as Abraham in Beersheba Gen. 21.33 or Iacob in Bethel and Mordecai at Purim This hath been a day of glad tydings wherein by Tongues the organ of Eloquence utterance and acclamation GOD hath testified mans endowment with the gifts of holynesse and given instances of gracious acceptance for humble Penitents possitively deduced without much scruple from the Apostles teaching and the Murtherers repenting sorrowing believing rejoycing Whence it is consequential that if we reflect upon the blacknesse of our tongues in our clamours bawlings against Christ his Word his Instituts his Servants as if they were not worthy to be or fit to live walking in God-like or Dove-like innocence invested with the white Robe of love and meeknesse adequat and cut out for the Elect of GOD Col. 3.12 We shall have the honour of all GODS Saints being elected Kings to reigne over lusts hell and Death by being from this day forward filled as was Stephen with the holy Spirit filled with all knowledge evidenced when with the Romans we are full of all goodness Rom. 15.14 Glory be to the FATHER and to the SON and to the HOLY GHOST FINIS Errata â—ie Corrige The China Printers having by their Art Exim'd themselves only from Possibility of Errour the best in Europe yet pleads guilty of mistakes Here are some Capitall ones marked others being Remitted to the Readers Charity and Correction Page 6. l. 7. Read holding p. 37. l. 6. r. be in time p. 40. l. 12. r. Enflame to p. 64. l. 25. r. That by that p. 69. l. 22. r. not gratified p. 70. l. 22. r. Quadrat p. 86. l. 24. r. leaning p. 89. l. 12. is not p. 204. l. 20. r. endeth p. 213. l. 12. r. moulting p. 240. l. 19. r. viants Mr. VVill. Annand His Mysterium Pietatis