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
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
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
Solely knew or foresaw our Lords crosses temptations poverty slights melancholy so to speak since we read of his weeping not of his laughing torture death burial c. The probability of the contrary being so evident or apparent This is not spoken to disgrace that noble Art whether Astronomy or Astrology being perswaded that the stars are both for seasons and signs and works on this inferior world by natural qualities and operations as our herbs do growing in our garden known to the learned Phisician in their vertue upon man yet as this pours no honour on the head of cheating Mountebanks or Empericks so nor the other upon them whose covetousnesse ambition arrogance or other selfish interest hath made them pry into acts of Kings Counsels Armies and as they desired have made the heavens speak to the discredit of the Ingenious Artist and could they blush to their own confusion we are sure to their scorn and reproach we have seen this star-gazer so oft to erect Schemes for such different purposes with different tones unskilful prophesies that laying him aside let us worship GOD in love reverence and fear as the Magi. THIS King we have not the star of his birth that evanishing the sun of righteousnesse himself shining with meridian luster in ordinances and means yet no industry in the work of God among us but contemning Religion revileing piety scandalously by cleaving to the earth refusing to eye the heavens though the signs of the Son of Man be come wars and rumors of wars scarce faith on the Earth and the love of many waxing cold These men of the east shall rise up against us and condemn us who it may be repented at the preaching of this single Star and arising from their bed awakeing as men out of sleep came and worshipped WHAT more all here is Mysterious Christ being born in Bethlehem which is supposed to be the center or midle part of the earth that the vertue of the Son of Man might be more regularly diffused to the Circumference of the utmost bounds of the glob and he again to be their object as equally near as equally dear uniting in him who is called the desire of all nations the impulse or star leading to the house is that lively and heavenly gift of Faith by which the serious and industrious shal be led for embraceing of saveing truths the Air heavens or firmament in which that star was and the star it â—elf again speaking as it were with a tongue Christ to be born is the Church and the Prophets Apostles Ministers thereof created that is qualified for that end viz. edifying of the Church untill she come to the stature of Iesus Christ. The Ethnick Magi honouring Christ more then and far above the Iew tipifys the amplitude of the Gentiles conversion and prognosticks it shall be more then that of the Iew Herods slaughtering of the infants to the number of an hundreth fourty four thousand not to be thought incredible in so populous a place as Iudea though others shrink this full mouth'd number into fourteen thousand where of his own son was one manâ—festly shews the Devils rage his emissaries fury against the Church of God and of his Christ in all ages yet as Christ was preserved in Idolatrous Egypt in which by the by it 's said the Idols fell at his entry so shall his Gospel out live all heathen vanities Christianity at last enjoyning all Idolatry as holy Alexander in the Tripartit did the Pagan Philosopher at Constantinople who preparing to dispute was charged thus in the name of the Lord Iesus I command thee to be silent and the Philosopher immediatly was mute so great shall be the force of truth of Christian verity THE Magi were Wise Men Kings say some Ambassadors from Kings say others how ever good-men and who perceives not that not Manners with Wickams motto but Religion makes the man the prophane haveing but an external sign of Man hood a Fool a Mad-man as beside himself for though Reason make a man with the Philosopher Honour with the Herauld yet Religion is all in all with God and good men hence these are called Wise Men. WHEN the Magi entred the house they found saith the Holy Ghost the Child his Mother it cannot be granted to them who thinks there was a good providence here that Ioseph was absent least he should have been taken for the Childs Father since that same Spirit that revealed so great a matter and inspiring them in so high a way as to adore him did in likly-hood forestale any such surmise yea possibly every punctilio of the conception might not be reveal'd to them and so her Virginity not thought upon for the scruple about the Father might have come in their heads whether Ioseph was present or no the Mother may be only named here as in other places afterward she being indeed real mother to Christ Ioseph not named not from his absence but as haveing no relation to that Child before whom they fell and worshipped first next opening their Treasures presented unto him Gold Frankincense and Myrhe THAT which is here called worship is in our civil adoration called homage which in Scripture language is Kissing of the Son and unto Kings is a symbole of subjection acknowledged here above customary salutations exceeding all court-ceremony being a paying of homage to Divinity and respects both soul and body adoring the Word in flesh wisdom in infancy the truth of the Deity truly in humanity the blessed Lord hideing these things from the wise and prudent who at the birth of a King had looked for pompuous trains splendid attendance stately lodgings ravishing musick but these men had not so learned Christ falling down giveing as is the custom yet in Eastern countries head and knee hand eye and love zeal and true adoration preferring him to themselves their learning their possessions presenting with some of the fruits of their land as Gold and Frankincense and Myrhe THE two last being plentifully offered to God under the law which being now finished the reserve and store is returned to Christ there being no more offering for sin upon the altar but the Gold typifies their trampling upon secular or worlely wealth in comparison of those riches they had acquir'd by his advent which proceeded not from inspection into glasses books or maps but from heavens inspiration that giving the sign gave also the thing signified the Myrhe which preserves the dead from putrifaction offered to him is in the Mystery acknowledging both ours and their hoped for Resurrection to proceed from him alone Gold the price of our Redemption to be told down by his satisfaction and righteousnesse the incense a perfume used in sacrifice with both Jews and Heathens given to him shadoweth abolishment of all legal offerings and diabolical services that he viz. Christ may be all in all A King they asked for a King they found and like unto a King they offered Herod said seek not
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
self experience the brusing of the serpents head PROVIDED he come not as Iudas to betray him or his cause for love of this present world the poyson whereof infecting the heart of Iudas to mercilesse treacherie eating up the bowels of compassion made to retaliat his crime his own bowels to be cast into the earth yet not so low but they stand as a beacon that we may avoid an evill custome pilfring and stealing the consequence thereof an evill conscience and the perfection of that the place prepared for hypocrites and unbelievers but what Pilat said thy own nation have delivered thee unto me may both Turk and Pagan say of Christ the lives of Christians scandalizing the nations through avarice pride interest and malice contradicting that good confession My kingdom is not of this world securing Pilat from fear of rebellion or disturbance in his Government by stratagems of war or engines of State whereas by both we seek not only to invade the territories and dominions of those differing from us but maligâ—s corrupts deâ—ames enviously calling away away with them who in principles of Religion are one with our selves AS Iudas avarice one the on hand â—o Peter's Arrogance is to be avoided on the other ingoing over this brook he also went with Christ arrogating to himself what was not in him he seemed as the Pharisee to despise others and gave to his Master a flat contradictory speech in the vehemency of his supposed constancy a warning for the strongest to say I am weak since his fall from the occasion of it a Woman a Maid a Wench pricks the bladder of self confidence and causes the informed to bear a low sail least if by his example doctrine be not drawn of humility Pride become our ruine as we see in those days in which holinesse that is strictnesse getting an honourable name becomes a shelter a pent house for more subtile sinners their subtilty being only in this viz in a high ungrounded conceit of themselves from which if we this day arise it shall be good-friday forgetting the lâ—cks which by many of you is eat this day as a proper food as well as the onyons and garlike of earthly sensuality makeing the breath of our Spiritual converse too too ranky fâ—ast upon the sour herbs of lowly and repentant considerations being circumcis'd Israelits and proper for the Paschal Lamb of the Gospel compensing the dâ—shonour we have given the most high by sinfull because fleshly dainties by the sorrow and sighings bitter reflections from a mortified because converted soul for denying the Lord that bought us being first remembred by the Cock croâ—ing next by Iesus looking that is by the sound of the word next by meditation thereof remembring he said the Lord resisteth the proud but giveth Grace to the humble as the justifying the Publican in the paâ—able discovers THE ancients in their baptism did dip or sprinkle three times the baptized in remembrance of the holy Trinity or the three dayes lying in the grave of the Son of man that even in this demersion they might be conformed to the sufferings of their Lord and how hath S. Pa. boasted of his being crucifyed with Christ and presseth to the likenesse of his death for our being crucified by keeping from the filthinesse of the flesh and walking with Zacharias Righteously one hand being nailed that is bound up against the injustice of the world and with Elizabeth Blamlesly the other hand detained from the intemperance of the world making straight paths for our feet in a prudent heeding of our ways our hearts and sides pierced with the spear or sword of the word of God and thence as bloud and water to flow forth Love to God charity to man crowned with the sharp thorns of inward compunction for our folly and of outward compassion for our Brothers adversity beholding the solidity of this world to be but emptinesse of a Spunge and all it's delights as Vineger to the teeth forbearing to drink of that Myrhe of envy malice and all uncharitablenesse wherewith the world doth in extremity furnish her prisoners and captives as Christ knew THEN may the soul cry the prince of this world cometh and findeth nothing in me and again Father into thy hands I commit my Spirit which at the bowing down of the head in giving up the Ghost by dying to sin shall cause thy soul be cloathed with the fin linnen of the Saints and be admitted into the Paradise of joy the body being hid during the three days of suffering what God shall impose labouring to keep a good conscience and grieving for the abominations of the world after which in the morning of the Resurrection by the Ministry of the Angels meet the Lord in those mountains of Galile whereof he hath told us that is in the clouds IF any will be so charitable as who should not to heed and see where Christ is laid remember he hath been laid in three Sepulchers or places first in the Vnity of the two new Testaments which is as the Virgins womb next in the bosome of the Church which is as the manger the third is Iosephs rock which is the soul and heart of the elect watch this last and make it as sure as you can but wake him not by the noise tumult or rumbling of unruly and unholy because unruly cogitations which are not pleasing to him but rather provide oyntments with Nicodemus of Myrhe in continence and chastity of spiritual sorrow for all delinquencies of Aloes in withdrawing from such as are disorderly and cleansing your selves from the sin that so easily besets makeing a mixture of both these by eyeing the doctrine of the Law which requires inoffensivenesse towards God and man and working them into an oyntment wherewith to enbalm the poor members of the body of Christ refreshing them that their loines may blesse you THE Paschal lamb was slain in the evening so was Christ which it prefigured giveing up the Ghost about the ninth hour that is three in the afternoon he came to give light unto the world which by his life doctrine and miracles he did effectuat and none hateth him but they who hate the light least he should detect their evil deeds he came in the evening of the world to enlighten the Gentiles and be the glory of his people Israel he crossed the bâ—ook Cedron in the evening before he suffered still endeavoring to have the end of things good Iudas leaveth him in the evening Peter boasted of himself in the evening he enlightned both because he forwarned both favoring neither the one nor regarding the other looking still to the close of things a policy yet Christianity mantaiâ—s allowing good beginings but approveth only continuance in good Indâ—â— had a fair morning and began well ended miserably selling his Master and buying his own damnation for three pound fifteen shilling sterling his rendition of it not abating one farthing of the guilt his confession at it not assoiling
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
rising THE Iews craved a sign and those that mocked said come down and we will believe but that being the time of suffering he disdained the motion the sign of the Prophet Ionah which was of rising up and opposit to their coming down being appointed all other signs were rejected and because that of Ionah was fulfiled let 's believe and go before him unto Galile by interpretation transmigration or going over that going from infirmity to vertue from mortality to eternity from contumely to glory we may more fully participat of those sore-expected joys in being treated yea feasted in the company of our ever to be adored Saviour Worshiping our Lord begining to practise and celebrat our Sabbath when the Jew rendeth his acting not only contrary to him but spiritualizing his superstitious deportment thereon he will kindle no fire that day let us blow up that of the spirit in the hearth of our hearts for elevating our thoughts and raising our minds upward heavenward to this day they alleadge the destruction of Ierusalem solely to have flowed from the neglect of the Sabbath in putting no difference between the holy and prophane Ez. 22. Let us compute it's desolation to spring from â—he innocent blood shed on the preparation day for the Sabbath and in hiding their eyes from the Lord of the Sabbath they will not put so much as their finger to any serwill or country work let us not fear to exercise our selves about works of piety charity or necessary with both our hands our Lord giving â—s example whose servants I mean the Christians whom they keep being put by them in this day to their drudgery which yet and by the way might be rectified by Christiâ—â— laws and magistracy as they will not writ nor blot out what is written on that day let the errata's of our soul be reviewed and weekly 〈◊〉 be exactly corrected that the next weeks impression of our civil or spiritual conveâ—â—s may be both more clean clear and holy being emended from our former mistakes by religious watchfulnesse and future taking heed do they knock on the door when calling unto a preparing for the Synagogne it is 〈…〉 to provoke to love and to good works They will not on that day begin a journey and justly having killed him that was the Way yet let us walk and be undefiled in the way of the Law of the Lord keeping our feet from the filthinesse that is our affections from those lusts that are in the world through sin they crowned our Lord with thorns let us adorn both his holy Temples in exalting his two fold nature by a firm adhering to the truth thereof and laying out for him and his the best of our substance somewhat of our rich possessions entering by the gate of the Church into that of Paradise from which impenitent Iews as the Reprobated Theif are for ever excluded The sixth Psalm and the twelth are entitled pro octavo for the eight in the Vulgar translation from which some will have many mysteries to emerge particularly the change of the Sabbath for respecting our Lords entry into Jerusalem in our computation on Palm Sunday the day of his rising will be one of the seventh but not upon the seventh the prophesies therefore and conquests also of our Saviour to be by us celebrate in the Church the eight day after that account will be the Lords day in the new Testament beginning our holy day when the murtherers of our Lord endeth his Mosaical weakly feast it is nearer to affirm that as God had Circumcision Sabbaths and other rites to difference his people from the masse of the world it is fit to have now some difference to discriminat his Church and since there is a change of the Temple of the Sacrifice of the Circumcision of the Paschal supper of the Priest a necessity may easily be suggested of an alteration of the Sabbath heightned when we consider that Christ came to work a new creation Isa. 65. for which a celebration of an old Sabbath had been incongruous and his kingdome beginning from and his resting dated at the Resurrection how consonant is it to name this day the Lords day and in the proportion all it's followers HIS sleeping or resting on the seventh day in the grave typifying that the old Sabbath dyed with him as all other changeable ceremonies of the law which none ought to judge us in respect of a Sabbath or a holy day since Christ hath triumphed on the eight let us rejoice beholding as badges of his victory the scares of his wounds the print of the nails the wound in his side not only as probable tokens of his rising but as jems to adorn his royal body as a testimony of his victory and as some think to be seen yet in heaven that as in his Church militant he hath bread and wine continually as visible memorials of his bloudy agony and death for his peoples stronger confirmation so in the triumphant the scares of his wounds remain in his body before the glorified for more fervent and eternal Iubilation THESE same wounds when seen and felt besids his own faithful Testimony so strengthned the Apostles that the ghastly frownings of an incensed crew in this wicked world was but a whet-stone to edge their zeal for publishing this truth this glorious truth of the Resurrection for though it be said he was stole yet who durst rouz this young lyâ—n and a little more money would have made the Souldiers tell another tale he quickned in the grave by receiving in the second time his soul then rose from out of the grave astonishing death amazing the keepers yet so heartning and heating his Disciples that they spurn and disdain the threats of men accounting all the worlds wrath or fawning to that degree of naughtinesse as to comput it dung in comparison of the excellency in the knowledge of the rising from the dead all created beings in the power of man being but a cypher to the Resurrection Christ by it and in him themselves conquering and flying above all the pouder Crakers the ungodly should frame or fire to disturb the power of it's Doctrine or the progresse of it's publication the voice of all the Martyrs being like the call of Heliâ—dorus who refusing to sacrifice to Idols and being tormented for denyal cryed out aloud O Lord Iesus Christ assist me and when the crown of the Chuâ—ch is now beheld to have been but made the puâ—er by the fires of devouring persecutors and the ancient Stanza or holy Doxology of our Quires now heard in giving glory to the Father and thought upon who so dul as not to anticipate the rehearsal and suggest the fam'd answer given to the same Martyre is yet returned to all Saints witnesses and confessors be not affraid for I am with thee FORâ—s â—s unhurt with torture how have the heathen and Iews been braved and out-braved by Christians through the hope of the Resurrection Paul was thought
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