the time of the Law before the comming of Christ very costly So likewise his paines in trauell was very great it being farre distant from that place to serusalem yet not withstanding it is not the cost nor it is not the paines in trauell that can keepe him back or any whit discourage him but vp will he goe to Ierusalem there to worship God and herein will teach vs That the duties of Religion must earnestly bee pursued and followed after Doct. The duties of religion must be earnestly pursued and followed after not coldly negligently and carelesly but earnestly zelously carefully and constantly Men must not stick for labor for cost for their paines but the Lord must bee serued intentiuely and constantly In euery seruice wee doe vnto God he calleth for this zeale and godly resolution to go thorough with the same And surely this was the great commendations of the Prophet Dauid that he had a zeale as hot as fire Psâ—l 96.10 The zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp This forwardnesse and zeale wee may see to haue beene in the people of God in building of the Temple wherein they spared no cost as also in their diligent repairing to the same wherein they spared no labour and to this are we exhorted Seek for wisdome as for siluer and search for it as for hid treasures Now they that worke in Mines of the earth dig deepe and are not beaten off with much labour such resolution becometh it Gods people to haue in seeking the true treasure The Lord cannot abide that men should go about his seruice negligently coldly and carelesly Cursed are they that do the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48.10 and How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1 Re. 18.21 c. And it was that our Sauiour was so highly offended with the Church of Laodicea Ren. 3.15 that shee was neither cold nor not and therefore the Lord threatneth to spew her out of his mouth It was the commendations of those in the days of our Sauiour that they flocked after him and pressed vpon him And in diuers places we reade that multitudes followed Christ to heare his heauenly doctrine Yea our Sauiour â—â—â—onisheth vs to labour but for what Not for the meat that perisheth Ioh. 6 but for the meat that endureth to eternall life Zoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 quâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 â—uâ—â—â— paâ—â— oâ—â—â—oâ—â— woâ—â—sâ—â—â— And this zeale and diligence I â—â—igâ—â—t haue â—hewed how God requires the same in euery part of his worship and seruice As First in the preaching of the word Wee are commanded to preach the word in season and out of season 〈…〉 to improue rebuke and exhort with long-suffering and doctrine Secondly in hearing of the word we are commanded to bee swift to heare Iâ—â—a 2.19 Thirdly in prayer we are com manded to be feruent in prayer 3 Râ—â—â— â—â— 12 And in all the duties of sanctification wee are commanded to redeeme the time and to worke out our saluation And great reason First in regard that such as do the worke of the Lord negligently Reas 1 slothfully and carelesly lye vnder an heauie and a fearefull curse Cursed is euery one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Ier. 4â— â—0 But such are all those that come negligently vnto Gods seruice and therefore lie vnder this curse Secondly to doe any dutie to God negligently and carelesly Reas 2 it neuer hath any promise of any acceptation with him There is no duty that we can assure our hearts shall finde acceptation with the Almighty further then the same is zealously performed in faith repentance and obedience to Gods Commandement Thirdly such as performe any duty formally Reas 3 customarily and but for fashion sake are in great danger to fall away euen from that they make shew of as our Sauiour saith That shall bee taken away which they seemed to haue This was the curse of the Church of Ephesus a drowsie and dead-hearted people Reu 2 5. Thou hast lost thy first loue Such drowsie Christians are alwayes vnder a spirituall consumption for it fares with such a one as with him that hath a Consumption of the body for there the naturall heate decayeth daily more and more and threatneth death Euen so such as haue a spirituall consumption of the soule the spirituall heat doth diminish and threaten destruction Fourthly Reas 4 earnestnesse and zeale in the publicke duties of Gods worship is an excellent meanes to prouoke others to be more diligent in Gods seruice And this the Apostle affirmes to the great commendations of the Church of Corinth Your zeale hath prouoked many 2. Cor. 9.2 And last of all Reas 5 without this diligence and zeale we haue no promise to meet with God in his ordinances Pro. 23.4 If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voice for vnderstanding if thou seeke her as siluer and search for her as for hidde treasure What then Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Feruency and zeale in good duties addeth wings vnto them and makes them sore aloft and pierce the heauens euen into Gods presence Whereas duties formally performed and but with lip labour onely bring no fruit at all but hasten Gods sudgements vpon him that doth them Seeing then that the duties of Religion are so earnestly to bee pursued and followed after Vse 1 This serues then for the iust reprehension of those that are so farre from being zealous themselues to trauell with the Eunuch here vnto Ierusalem to worship God as that they mocke and scoffe at others that doe their duties herein Certainly if this Nobleman liued amongst vs it were not his greatnesse that would free him from the imputation of Puritanisme and his zeale should not escape the disgraces of wicked men Is not this common in the world See wee not that if there be any one in a Parish as many God knoweth there be not that is more forward then others to sanctifie the Sabbath and to spend that day as set apart wholly for Gods seruice in the publicke duties belonging thereto how are these singled out aboue all others and derided and scoffed at for the same when drunkards swearers and prophane persons are neuer wondred at This hard measure Dauid met withall from Micol his owne wife 2. Sam. 6 20. who dancing before the Arke therein expressing the inward ioy of his heart she mockes him How glorious was the King this day To whom Dauid made answer It was before the Lord who chose mee before thy fathers house and I will yet be more vile Let it euer be the commendations of all Gods people so to be vpbraided and scoffed at for their godly zeale As for wicked men they are neuer so zealous as in the cause of sinne And this indeed is the misery of this age and time wherein wee liue that that which indeed is the greatest ornament to a christian man
No man hateth his owne flesh Eph. 5 29. but nourisheth and cherisheth it Now if a man may not take away the life of another much lesse his owne life Reas 2 Secondly death in it selfe is an euill inflicted vpon man for sinne The day thou eatest thereof Gen. 2.17 thou shalt dye the death Now death being a punishment for sinne a man cannot seeke it but he seekes his owne iudgement Reas 3 Thirdly it argueth want of naturall affection and makes men more vnnaturall and bruitish then the very beasts which howsoeuer they may teare and goare one another yet will neuer hurt themselues Now the more vnnaturall any sinne is the greater the sinne is Fourthly it is an iniury to the State wherein a man liues to the King to the Country to the Church to a mans friends and family for euery man is pars rei publicae a part of the State wherein hee liues both politique and Ecclesiastique now to depriue himselfe of life is as much as within him lyeth to mayme that body whereof he is a member Reas 5 Fiftly life is the gift of God it is he that is the Author of life and to him belong the issues of death what to doe then haue we to diuide asunder those whom God hath so nearely knit together This cannot bee done by a mans selfe without manifest iniury against God and extreme hazard and danger vnto a mans own soule Reas 6 And last of all this course is as fruitlesse as comfortlesse it rather procures then preuents misery and it is much to be feared that whilst by this meanes they seeke to shun some temporall calamitie they procure vnto themselues eternall misery verifying the Prouerbe of the fish that leapeth out of the Frying pan into the fire Vse 1 This serues then to shew the hainousnesse of their sinne that stay not vntill they be led but leade themselues into misery especially such as despairing of Gods mercy become their owne executioners by hastening their ends Such sinne against Christs bloud and put the lye vpon all the principall attributes of God such as are his loue his power his truth his mercy and the like as if he were not able to help or that he had forgotten to be gratious Let euery man take heed of Sathans assaults in this kinde the deepenesse of whose policy and malice is seene in nothiâ—g more then in soliciting men vnto sinne and then afterwards in taintering the same to the vtmost pin and all to draw men into desperation But what shall we doe to resist these temptations Quest when Sathan shall solicite vs to this sinne Contemplate much and often Answ 1 Of Gods loue which is such as can neuer be altered or changed Can a woman forget her childe Esa 49.15 and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe yet will not I forget thee saith the Lord q.d. this were a thing impossible Now all the Loue in the creature is but as a drop of a bucket in comparison of the loue of God 2 Contemplate of Gods faithfulnesse who keepeth couenant with a thousand generations He abideth faithfull 1 Ioh. 1.9 and cannot deny himselfe Hath he said it and shall he not doe it Who hath resisted his will 3 Contemplate of the infinitenesse of Gods power who can make our crimson sinnes as white as snow and can as easily couer a multitude of sinnes as one in his seruants I haue put away thy transgressions as a cloud Esa 44.22 and thy sinnes like a mist Who for my names sake saith the Lord will put away thy sinne 4 And lastly contemplate much and often of the greatnesse of his mercy that he is a God of mercies Neb. 9.17 Psal 145 9. and the father of all consolation His mercies are ouer all his workes That hee is rich in mercy and hath a multitude of mercies in store for such as sue for mercy Psal 103.13 Hee remembreth whereof we be made he considereth that we are but dust As a sheepe to the slanâ—â—â—er Here we haue the third circumstance at first propounded The illustration of Christs passion and that is the illustration of his Passion the meaning is that as an innocent and harmelesse sheepe that had beene altogether profitable and commodious As a sheep and no way iniurious or hurtfull vnto any thus went Christ to his death Wherein the Spirit of God will teach vs that as sheepe and Lambs especially the Paschall Lambe in the time of the Law being offered in sacrifice were liuely representations of Christ the true Paschall Lambe slaine from the beginning So it was Christ himselfe in whose death there was an end put vnto them all who was that Sacrifice for sinne in whom his Father was well pleased Who as the Apostle saâ—th Heb. 9.12 Not by the bloud of Goates and of Calues but by his owne bloud he entred in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs for all those sacrifices in the time of the Law serued but till the time of reformation came Now Christ in his death being thus compared vnto a sheepe in regard that he went so voluntarily vnto his death doth commend vnto vs this doctrine That Christ did voluntarily Doct. Christ wenâ— willingly to his death Ioh. 10.18 willingly and freely lay downe his life It was not by constraint but he offered vp the same freely as he saith I lay downe my life that I might take it againe No man taketh it from me but I lay it downe of my selfe I haue power to lay it downe and to take it againe Rom. 5.19 So Paul By the disobedience of one many were made sinners so by the obedience of one many are made righteous Phil. 2.8 He was obedient euen to the death on the Crosse And surely had not this death of Christ beene voluntary it had neuer beene acceptable with God I haue saith Christ a Baptisme to be baptised with Luk. 12 20. and how am I strained vntill it be accomplished Thereby manifesting that his earnest desire after the accomplishment of the worke of mans redemption yea those who crucified Christ were not more willing to doe it then he to suffer himselfe to be crucified This truth doth most manifestly appeare throughout the whole history of Christs passion when he told his Disciples the things he was shortly to suffer at Ierusalem at the hands of the Iewes Peter intreating him to fauour himselfe was called Sathan for his paines Get thee behind me Sathan When Christ was come vp to Ierusalem hee did not withdraw himselfe as at other times And albeit hee knew that Sathan had put it into the heart of Iudas to betray him yet kept hee accustomed time and place of prayer where Iudas might be sure to haue him Yea when the company came with swords and staues to apprehend Christ what did he but as it were offer himselfe into their hands by asking them saying whom seeke
Psal 16.10 When it testified aforehand The sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow Yea Christ himselfe foretold the same Ioh. 20 9. Mar. 26.54 Matth. 20.18.19 saying They shall condemne him to death crucifie him and the third day hee shall rise againe Secondly in regard of those types that went before of his exaltation that should follow As that of Isaac being bound Gen. 22. yet not slaine That of Sampson Iudg. in carrying away the gates of the City by the which hee escaped the malice of his enemies Leuit. 16.5 Of the scape Goate and that of Ionas All which pointed at this thing Mat. 12.39 the exaltation of Christ Thirdly the Exaltation of the Lord Iesus was necessarie in respect of himselfe in regard of the dignity of his person Act. 2.24 being the Lord of life and of glory in which regard it was impossible he should bee holden downe of death And wherein might hee proue himselfe the Sonne of God more then by raising himselfe from the dead Fourthly hee was a Iust man and without sinne and in his death and fully satisfied the Iustice of his Father for sinne and therefore God could not keepe him in the prison of the graue for nothing Fifthly the Offices of Christ shewed the necessitie of his resurrection and this Exaltation of his 1. He must be the Euerlasting King of glory and of his kingdome there must be no end 2. He must be that high Priest for euer Psal 110 4 after the order of Melchisedech 3. Hee must be that Prophet that perpetually must teach and instruct his Church vntill the end of the world vntill we all meete in the vnity of faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God All which Christ could neuer haue beene had he abode still amongst the state of the dead And last of all Death which is the last enemie that is to bee destroyed had neuer beene destroyed nor vanquished had not Christ triumphed ouer death in the graue and rose againe Hitherto of the Reasons shewing the necessitie of the exaltation of Christ The fruites and benefits that arise from this Exaltation of Christ The benefits of Christs exaltation are diuers First this Exaltation of Christ doth assure vs of our Iustification from all our sinnes according to that of the Apostle Paul Christ dyed for our sinnes and rose againe for our Iustification God the Father deliuering vp his Sonne to death in our flesh hereby condemned sinne in the flesh Rom. 8.3 Euen so by letting him out of the prison of his graue which he did in this his glorious resurrection he did discharge him of that bond of obligation that lay against him and therein acknowledged himselfe to be fully satisfied For if Christ had not payed our full debt so as any one sinne had beene left behinde Christ could not haue risen from the dead the guiltinesse of that one sinne would haue kept him in the prison still of his graue and then had wee beene yet in our sins and so of all men most miserable But now Christ being risen from the dead 1 Cor. 15.17 and exalted on high God the Father declareth himselfe herein fully satisfied for our debts in the enlargement of our Suretie Secondly by this glorious resurrection and exaltation of Iesus Christ from the dead we come to haue part in the first resurrection which is to newnesse of life From the death of sinne to the life of grace for so saith the Apostle God which is rich in grace Eph. 2.4.5 euen when wee were dead in trespasses and sinnes hath he quickened together with Christ and hath raised vs vp together Col. 2.17 c. Againe And you being dead in your sinnes and the vncircumcision of your flesh hath hee quickened together with him hauing forgiuen you all your trespasses Againe Rom. 6.4.5 As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father so wee also should walke in newnesse of life As it is a shame for the seruant to lye in bed when the master of the house is vp So Christ being risen it shall be our shame if we lye still asleep in sinne Know ye not saith the Apostle that so many of vs as are baptised into Iesus Christ Rom. 6.3 are baptised into his death And wee are buried with him by baptisme so as now if our sinnes bee brought into his graue they will not away and consume daily more and more as it doth with a dead carcasse lying in the graue Thirdly by this glorious resurrection and exaltation of the Lord Iesus we come to our assurance that these bodies of ours shall rise againe being members of Christ and liuing by the same Spirit that â—â—â—ed vp Christ from the dead For so saith the Apostle If the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you Rom. 8.11 he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortable bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Can the head and the members be seuered Seeing that Christ which is the head is raised from the dead no one of his members then can be left vnder the power of death His resurrection being full of power drawes after him all his members for so saith the Apostle 1. Cor. 15.20 21.22 Christ is risen from the dead and is made the first-fruites of them that sleep for since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead For as in Adam all dye euen so by Christ shall all be made aliue c. Nay to put it out of all doubt he hath carried vp our flesh into heauen as anearnest of the whole and is himselfe possest of that kingdome in the name of the whole body his Church What greater comfort then this to bee assured before wee go to lay downe our bodies in the dust that the Lord will raised them vp againe by his owne Almighty power and that howsoeuer they taste of corruption they shall not perish in corruption for that at the last day this corruptible shall put on incorruption 1. Cor. 1â— 53 and this mortall shall put on immortality And last of all Christs resurrection and exaltation on high at the right hand of his Father doth minister vnto vs a comfortable expectation of our owne glorification at the last day according to that petition of our Sauiour Father Ioh. 17.24 I will that those that thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory For as a friend takes possession in anothers name and it is good in Law as if he had done it himselfe Euen so Christ in our name and in our stead hath entered into heauen and taken possession of that glorious and immortall kingdome not for himselfe alone but also for all his members that beleeue in his name which through Christ are as sure one day to bee put into the reall possession of the
1 Pet. 1.23 We are borne againe not of mortall seed but immortall the word of God c. Secondly it is a christian mans euidence for life and saluation Reas 2 Thy Testimonies haue I claymed as my heritage for euer for why Psal 119.111 they are the very ioy of my heart wee can neuer haue true faith firme hope vndoubted assurance without it Thirdly it is by the Word Reas 3 that we come to haue a sanctified vse of the creatures All things are sanctified by the word and prayer So David I had perished in my affliction Psal 119. bad it not beene for thy word Seeing then that it is so necessary a duty Vse to be conuersant in the Scripture as the ordinary meanes of our saluation as the Christian mans euidence to eternall life and to procure vnto vs a sanctified vse of the creatures and of all estates and conditions of life This shewes how trecherously the Church of Rome doth deale with mens soules herein that barre the people from reading the Scriptures locking them vp in an vnknowne tongue like the Scribes and Pharisees of whom our Sauiour faith thus That they shut vp the kingdome of heauen against men If a Captaine should leade out a Company into the field and permit them to take no weapon in their hands who could but thinke that he intended to betray them into their enemies hand And is not this the practice of that grand Captaine of Rome that whereas the word of God is the sword of the spirit Eph. 6. â—7 a part of a Christian mans armour both offensiue and defensiue whereby we repell the fiery darts of the Deuill how is this wrung out of the hands of men they must not dare to meddle therewith then the which what greater iniury can there be to the soules of men Hitherto of the Preface the Scripture it selfe followeth Hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter and like a lambe dumbe before the Shearer so opened hee not his mouth The words are the Prophet Esayes in his fifty third Chapter and the seuenth verse This Text is a cleare prophecy of Christ and this 32 verse sets out his humiliation only Wherein are obseruable 1 person he 2 passion was led 3 the illustration 1 as a sheep 2 as a lamb 4 extent to be slaine to be shorne 5 the reddition or application of the whole vnto the person of the Lord Iesus Christ so opened he not his mouth He was led as a sheepe c. Q.d. And that as you haue heard Meâ—â—ph he was reading in his Chariot So that ye may know what he read the very place of Scripture on which hee was imployed at the instant of Philips approach vnto the Chariot was this and none other He was led c. First for the meaning of the words He that is Christ Iesus the eternall sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so doth Philip expound it verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus Was led that is was taken and carried away by the traytor Iudas and the high Priests seruants with swords and staues as if he had beene a theefe or male-factor As a sheepe as an innocent and harmelesse sheepe that had beene altogether profitable and commodious and neuer hurtfull or iniurious vnto any To the slaughter to bee slaine and sacrificed for the sinnes of men as sheepe in the time of the Law being offered in sacrifice were first slaughtered and slaine And like a lambe and that ye may yet more fully conceiue of his innocency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if a lambe a meeke and harmelesse lambe bee meet more fully to expresse the manner of his suffering hee was like an innocent lambe a very lambe vndefiled and without spot Before the shearer that meekly and without resistance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth remaine quiet before the shearer suffering his fleece to bee shorne off So opened he not his month euen as it is with a sheepe when hee is slaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a lambe when he is shorne so was Christ Iesus silent he did not striue nor cry nor was his voyce heard in the streets according to that prophecy of old He did not cry Esa 4â— 2 nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the street He roared not like a Swine nor raued like a Dog nor strugled and bit like a wolfe but silently meekly and patiently submitted to the putting off his fleece his tabernacle his life he yeelded vp without resistance The summe of all is this that he that was Lord of all and had all power in heauen and earth was content to be taken by wicked men and carried to the slaughter to the place of shearing yea as a sheepe is slaine without noyse and a lambe shorne without resistance so was it with the Lord Iesus Christ in his death in laying downe of his tabernacle Hitherto of the sense of the words the particulars follow He was led as a sheepe c. He First for the person he 1 The person that is the Lord Iesus Christ for so doth Philip expound the place verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus It is Iesus then that is the proper subiect of this Text of whom the Prophet speaketh Then the Lesson is That Christ Iesus in the onely high Priest Doct. Christ the true sacrifice for sin anoynted of his Father by the sacrificing of his own body to put away sinne hee is the true Paschall Lambe that was slaine from the beginning To him giue all the Prophets witnesse poynting at Christ as the onely Mediator betwixt God and man by his death and passion wee are fully and perfectly redeemed and the iustice of his Father fully satisfied that place of the Prophet Esay is cleare to this purpose Esa 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed The Heaue offering Leuit. 21. Gen 22. Numb 21. the sacrificing of Isaac the Brazen Serpent were all of them but types of Christ And the like may be said of all those sacrifices in the time of the Law as Lambs and Beasts that were slaine and their bloud shed whereto serued these but to leade vs to Christ who by his owne death and bloud-shed put an end vnto them all Heb. 9.12 Not by the bloud of Goates and Calues but by his owne bloud hee entred in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs. Wee are sanctified by the body of Iesus once for all Heb. 10.10 and againe He was made sinne for vs who knew no sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him So the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2 2â— Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that we being
deliuered from sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse by whose stripes we are healed This was that Lambe slaine from the beginning as Saint Iohn testifieth Reu. 13.8 All that dwell vpon the earth shall worship the Beast whose names are not written in the Booke of life of that Lambe that was slaine from the beginning of the world And the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes calleth him Christ Iesus yesterday Heb. 13.8 and to day and the same for euer And howsoeuer this suffering of Christ was now in the last age of the world yet was hee that Lambe that was slaine from the beginning What was the Paschall Lambe to the Iewes and their sacrifices in the time of the Law but Looking-glasses wherin they might clearely behold Christ And hence is it that our Sauiour saith Ioh. 8.56 Abraham desired to see my day and he saw it and reioyced But what might be the difference betwixt the state of the Church in the time of the Law Quest and now in the time of Grace In respect of the matter or person of the Redeemer Answ it is to vs both alike For neuer any could come to life and saluation but onely through Iesus Christ Onely the Fathers in the Primitiue Church hauing the promise of a Messiah to come beleeued the same and by faith laid hold on him and so was Christs death as effectuall vnto them although he were to come as to vs that haue seene his comming in the flesh and the expiration of all those prophecies and promises touching the Messiah in the Lord Iesus Christ to haue their period and determination And the reason is Because by the comming of Christ Reas and in that sacrifice of his death all other sacrifices are taken away and the Altar of his Crosse was the end and dissolution of all other Altars and now what hath the Church to doe to rest vpon shadowes the substance being come and hence it is that the Apostle concludes it thus With one offering he hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Which may serue wonderfully for the confirmation of our faith in a poynt of the greatest moment and consequence that may be and that is that Christ is the vndoubted Messiah and Sauiour of the world For how can we rest vpon Christ for life and saluation if wee be not fully perswaded and assured that it is hee that was promised and prophecyed of of old and are to looke for none other And therefore it is an excellent thing for the confirmation of our faith in the maine ground thereof Christ the Messiah that we parallell the old Testament with the new and see how all those prophecies that went before of Christ haue all their periods and determination in him to giue instance in some of them The prophecies concerning Christ are 1 It was foretold concerning the Messiah that when hee did come hee should not be knowne nor acknowledged to be the Messiah but refused and reiected of the Iewish Nation Esa 53.3 He is despised and reiected of men Psal 118.22 The stone which the builders refused c. 2 That he should be borne of a Virgin Esa 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceiue c. 3 That the place of his birth should be at Bethlem Micha 5.2 And thou Bethlem Ephrata c Out of thee shall he come that shal be the Ruler in Israel 4 That at the time of his birth the Infants in the Country round about should be slaine Ier. 31.15 A voyce was heard in Ramah c. 5 That there should goe a messenger before him to prepare the way before him Mal. 3.1 Behold I wil send my messenger he shall prepare c. 6 That hee should be poore and of no reputation Zac. 9.9 Behold thy king commeth vnto thee poore c. 7 That hee should preach good tidings to the poore and bind vp the broken hearted Esa 61.1 8 That he should ride thorough Ierusalem vpon an Asse Zach. 9.9 Thy king commeth vnto thee lowly riding vpon an Asse 9 That hee should be betrayed into the hands of his enemies by his owne familiar friend Psa 41.9 Yea my owne familiar friend c. 10 That he should befold for thirty peeces of siluer Zach. 11.12 They weighed for my price thirty peeces of siluer 11 That he should be beaten and bâ—â—feted of the Iewes spit vpon Esay 50.6 I gaue my back to the smiters I hid not my face from shame and spitting 12. That he should bee put to death amongst Theeues and malefactours Isa 53.12 He was numbred with the transgressours 13. That the manner of his death should bee the nayling of his hands c. Psalm 22.16 They pierced my hands and my feet 14. That his garments should be parted by lot Psal 22.18 They part my garments amongst them and cast lots vpon my vestuâ— 15. That after his death and buriall he should rise againt out of his graue Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell c. 16. That after all this he should ascend and go vp into heauen and there sit at the right hand of God his Father Psa 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord Sit thou at my right hand c And thus fulfilled Ioh. 1.11 Hee came amongst his owne and his owne receiued him not Mat. 1.18 Before they came together she was found to bee with childe by the holy Ghost Mat. 2.1 Now when Iesus was borne in Bethlem c. Mat. 2.16 Then Herod sent forth his men of warre c. Fulfilled in Iohn Baptist Luk. 1.17 He shall go before him in the â—pirit of Elias to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Mat. 8.20 Foxes haue holes and the fowles of the ayre haue nests c. But the sonne of man hath no where c. Mat. 4.28 Who went about preaching the Gospell and healing euery sicknesse and disease amongst the people Mat. 21.7 And brought the Asse and the Colt and put on them cloathes and they set him thereon Fulfilled in Iudas Ioh. 13.2 Supper being ended Sathan put it into the heart of Iudas to betray him Matt. 26.15 What will yee giue me c. And they appointed him thirty peeces of siluer Matt. 26.67 Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him c. Luke 23.32 And there were also other malefactours led with hm to be put to death Luke 23.23 And when they were come to the place called Caluary there they crucified him Matth. 27.35 And they crucified him parting his garments casting lots Matth. 28.7 Go tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead Mar. 16.19 Hee was receiued vp into heauen I might stand also to shew how the time appointed for the comming of the Messiah should be in the time of the fourth Monarchy which was the Romane Monarchy or Empire Dan. 2 4â— as Daniel foretold And in the time that the second Temple stood â—ag 2 〈◊〉 as the Prophet Haggai foretold And at such a time as
the Scepter was departed from Iudah Genes 49.10 as old Iacob foretold That hee should come of the seed or Dauid as Ieremy foretold Ier. 23 5.6 Firmitas sidei in eo est quod omnia in Christo implentur quae praedicta sunt Aug. All which particulars were fully accomplished in Christ our Sauiour All which doe serue to settle our iudgements and to confirme our faith in Christ the true Messiah in whom all things are accomplished that were foretold of him Vse 2 Secondly seeing that Christ is the true Messiah and Sauiour of the world â—y whose sacrifice of himselfe once for all Gods wrath is satisfied and the curse and malediction of the Law remoued This shewes the miserable estate and condition of the Church of Rome that will haue many Mediatours and Sauiours by whose merits and intercessions they look to bee saued Such as are Saints Angels the Virgine Mary and the like then the which what can bee more iniurious vnto the all-sufficiency of Christs sufferings To which of all these did any of the Prophets giue witnesse did they all point at him and is hee able perfectly to saue all that come vnto him Hebr. 9. by that all-sufficient sacrifice of his once for all Let vs for euer then rest vpon him and make him our sole and alone Sauiour Vse 3 Thirdly the consideration hereof that Christ hath suffered so great things for vs should worke our hearts to an indignation against sinne For in Christ crucified wee may see the vgly face of sinne if wee looke vpon sinne in our selues or in such miseries it brings vpon vs such as are blindnes lamenes c. we can neuer truly behold the cursed nature therof But when we shall come to behold the Lord Iesus Christ sweating water and bloud agonizing in the Garden combating with Gods wrath suffering grieuous torments at the hands of sinners this will humble our hard hearts and make vs mourne kindly for sinne Zech. 12.10 when we shall come thus to looke on him whom wee haue pierced It was vpon good ground that the Lord commanded the Passeouer to be eaten with sowre Hearbes Christs sufferings should neuer be thought vpon but with hearty sorrow and with melting affections Thus much for the person Was led That is was carried away by the Traitour Iudas Passion and by the high Priests seruants with swords and staues as a Thiefe or Malefactour Though Christ were willing to dye and that by his death life was to come vnto the world yet hee did not procure his owne death not wilfully put himselfe into danger The Text saith hee was led that is taken by Iudas and the seruants of the high Priest who carried him along to Caiphas the high Priest for so saith the Euangelist Mat. 26.57 And they that had laid hold on Iesus led him away to Caiphas the high Priest where the Scribes and Elders were assembled And againe Then the Band and the Captaine Ioh. 18.13 and the officers of the Iewes tooke Iesus and bound him and led him away to Annas the high Priest So that it appeares in the History of the Gospell that Christ did not voluntarily thrust himselfe into danger but was first taken and led and then went willingly to his death as we shall see in the next place Our lesson is Doct. It is dangerous sin for a man to bee the instrumeÌ„t of his own death That it is a dangerous and fearefull sinne for a man to be an instrument to hasten his owne death It is such a kinde of sinne that for ought we know none but notorious wicked men haue euer been guilty of Christ went not of himself vnled neither did he willingly and wilfully thrust himselfe into danger but first taken then led It was a Saul Ahitophel Zimri and a Iudas that became their owne executioners The Patriarkes Prophets Apostles and those blessed Martyrs that were put to death yet would neuer offer any violence to themselues what torture or torment soeuer they endured from the hands of others Iob had a burden of sorrowes and calamities vpon him some inward some outward insomuch as in his passion he said My soule chuseth rather to bee strangled and to die then to be in my bones And yet notwithstanding hee neuer attempted to slay himselfe or rid himselfe of life nay rather marke his godly resolution All the dayes of my appointed time I will waite vntill my change shall come Iob 14.14 Our Sauiour acquainted his Disciples aforehand with the troubles they should meet withall in the world Mat. 10.16 Luk. 21 1â— namely that they should be persecuted deliuered vp into prisons and be brought before Kings and Rulers for his Names sake Yet Christ neuer bad them work their owne deliuerance Luk. 21.19 but to possesse their soules by patience So that howsoeuer our Sauiour was by his death to bring life vnto his Church and by that his bitter passion to redeeme mankinde yet hee would not make away himselfe or any wayes thrust himselfe into danger But he stayed the appointed time of his Father vntill the houre came the houre of Darknesse that hee was to dye In Sanctis Canonicis libris nusquam reperiri potest c. Aug. Yea one of the Ancients is very peremptory in this case that in all the Canonicall Scripture we haue neither precept nor permission of any in misery to procure their owne death Obiect 1 But what shall we say then to Sampson who pulling downe the house vpon the Philistines killed himselfe Sampson therein Answ was to be a liuely figure of Christ who ouercame most dying as Christ did by his death and nothing from that example can be concluded for the imitation of any Obiect 2 We see that many amongst vs haue come to fearefull ends and that by being themselues the most vnhappy instruments of their owne deaths The condition of such men is miserable and fearefull Answ for ought we know And the reason is because God hath promised to bee with his seruants in sixe troubles and in seuen Heb. 13. and neuer to leaue them nor forsake them Yet it is not safe for vs to passe a finall doome vpon such and that for these reasons 1. For that Gods mercy is infinite who can at his pleasure distill some drop thereof euen at the last breath 2. This fact is commonly committed in the heate of some violent temptation frenzy or height of Melancholy when indeed the partie is not himselfe Inter ponteÌ„ fontem 3. Such commonly liue some short time after the fact done and so may be brought to the sight of sinne and repentance for the same Neuerthelesse wee are still to know that the practise is detestable the sinne damnable and the condition of that man so dying most desperate And that for these reasons Reas 1 First it is against a double Commandement Legall Euangelicall Exod. 20.13 Ex. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill againe
admittance into the kingdome of heauen By that new and lining way which he hath prepared for vs through the veile that is his flesh Heb 10 19 20. Whereas in the sacrifice of the Masse there is no benefit at all to any of these vses And last of all this great worke that Christ hath wrought for vs should worke in vs thankfulnesse towards God there is nothing in all the world should affect our hearts more with thanksgiuing then this The common blessings that we receiue should at all times moue vs to thankfulnesse as our meat drinke c. but this aboue all Christs sufferings are the Christians treasure let our hearts be there and neuer let this worke of his be forgotten of vs. So opened he not his mouth Here we haue the reddition or application of the whole vnto the person of Christ that as the sheepe goeth vnto the slaughter and Lambe to haue his fleece shorne off so was it with Christ in the putting off of his tabernacle and laying downe of his life And herein hath left vs in his admirable patience of his an admirable paterne of patience and an example as the Apostle Peter saith of suffering affliction 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ also suffered for vs leauing vs an example that we also should follow his steps who when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered Vers 23 he threatened not but committed it to him that iudgeth righteously Now should we thinke much to take vp his crosse and to follow him to suffer afflictions for his sake and for his Gospels sake that hath suffered so great things for vs. Shall we not bee content to loose a little nay all if need be seeing wee shall receiue an hundred fold Mat. 29. And what though we meet with mockings and scoffings at the hands of men say with Dauid It may bee that God hath bid him do it 2. Sam. 16.11 Num. 12 Mat. 11.29 Moses suffered Aarons and Miriams reproofe patiently Take my yoke vpon you saith Christ The greatest honour that can betide any of Gods children is to suffer for Christ Phil. 1.29 So Paul To you it is giuen not only to beleeue on him but also to suffer for his sake But of this before VERSE 33. In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away and who may declare his generations for his life is taken from the earth THe Spirit of God hauing spoken of Christs humiliation of his death and passion how he was smitten and afflicted of God his Father for our sinnes Now lest any should bee dismayed beholding nothing but his death and those vnsufferable sorrows he vnderwent and think that he was swallowed vp of these as the nature of man is to feare at such a spectacle Hee therefore comes here to shew the notable victory he got ouer these In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away The meaning is Christ hauing beene thus humbled and brought so low not willingly but voluntarily seeing he had power to resist hee could haue commanded legions of Angels to fight for him for by his owne word he made those that apprehended him to fall backward to the ground yet was he content to be humbled to the death And in this his humiliation so meeke and humble so perfect and so exceeding great His iudgement was taken away that is the sentence he vnder went by Pilate vnder whom he suffered was remoued For that it was impossible he should be held downe by death Act. 2.24 He was at last taken away from prison Isa 53 and from Iudgement for as Christ saith Ioh. 19.18 I haue power to lay downe my life and to take it to me againe And who shall declare The meaning is that now that he is deliuered and set at libertie from the graue and from death Pilats Iudgement being remoued and the bitternesse of death being ouer past Who shall declare That is who shall set forth or expresse to the sonnes of men the meaning is it is beyond all humane art and Science to demonstrate the number of his dayes the length of his life or the perpetuitie of his kingdome the exceeding glorious successe of his death and resurrection againe according to that of the Prophet Who can number his seed Isa 53.10 or measure his dayes For his life is taken from the earth That is he liues now no longer vpon earth a place of mortalitie but in heauen a place of immortality he layed downe his life that he might take it to him againe He was cut off from the land of the liuing not for his owne transgressions for his very Iudge pronounced him innocent Mat. 27.24 But hee was taken off for the transgressions of the people euen for those whom God had giuen him to redeeme by that death of his according to that of the Prophet For the transgressions of my people he was smitten Isa 53.8 9. And now his Iudgement being remoued and hee againe raised from the dead dyeth no more Death hath no more dominion ouer him for he indeed dyed vnto sinne or for sinne once but now liueth vnto God or for God The summe then of this verse is this That Christ so humbling himselfe and meekly submitting himselfe to death and the graue in the very depth of his humiliation he was extolled his iudgement remoued the bands of death broken and himselfe set at libertie And now being raised vp againe his life is euerlasting his dayes past numbring and his kingdome shall neuer haue an end And therefore no man can be found that is able fully to expresse his generation for his life is no longer on earth but in heauen He is no longer subiect to mortality but is he who onely hath immortalitie and shall enioy the same for euermore Thus of the sense of the words In his humiliation was hiâ— Iudgement c. The Spirit of God hauing spoken of the death of Christ and how he was afflicted of God his Father for our sinnes lest any should now thinke the state of the Church desperate and forlorne or that Christ was swallowed vp of these miseries He comes now to shew the happy victory hee got ouer them all And herein will teach vs Doct. As Christs death is cause of mourning Christs resurrection is cause of reioycing That to behold Christs death that he dyed for our sinnes and not to consider his resurrection will cause nothing but sorrow vnto vs. It is the consideration of his glorious resurrection That he arose againe for our Iustification that yeelds the most solid comfort vnto a Christian soule And hence is it that the Apostle Paul doth vsually ioyne these two together Christs death and Christs resurrection that as the one doth cast downe the other might raise vp as the one might cause vs to mourne the other might cause vs to reioyce So Paul Phil. 2.8.9 He humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse rests he
there no Wherefore God hath exalted him Col. 2.14.15 and giuen him a name c. He hath spoyled Principalities and powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing ouer them againe Christ dyed for our sins Rom. 4.25 and rose again for our iustification For as it will nothing cōfort a man condemned to death to know that one hath sued to the Prince for his pardon and life vnlesse he haue obtained the same euen so wee being all cast men by the Law by reason of our sinnes it will yeeld small comfort to a distressed soule to know that Christ hath interceded betwixt God and vs for our pardon and wrestled with death the deuill with Principalities and powers except we know that he hath triumphed ouer them Except wee 〈◊〉 this we can haue no comfort for when Paul would furnish himselfe with strength against the time of triall he comforts himselfe in this Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen Rom. 8.33 it is Christ that is dead nay rather which is risen againe and sitteth at the right hand of God making request for vs. And here-hence he triumpheth thus What shall separate vs from the loue of God Verse 35 c. We are taught then Vse not to separate those whom God hath ioyned together Christs death and his resurrection must goe together otherwise it is nothing to beleeue the one vnlesse we beleeue the other That hee dyed for my sinnes is not sufficient that hee rose againe for my iustification seales vp all sound comfort for being iustified through faith in him we are at peace with God Againe in that Christ vas first humbled before exalted Doct. Godly must through afflictions enter into glory Wee may further note what must be the condition of his members They must follow him and through afflictions enter into glory Euery member must be made conformable vnto Christ the head according to the proportion of strength and grace receiued to suffer with him And hence is it that the Apostle Peter exhorteth thus 1 Pet. 4.12 Beloued thinke it not strange concerning the fiery tryall which is to try you as though some strange thing happened vnto you but reioyce inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shal be reuealed yee may be glad also with exceeding ioy Afflictions now are the Lords trodden path to heauen And hence is it that the Apostle Paul reioyced in his sufferings and in his bands I now reioyce Col. 1.24 saith he in my sufferings for you and fill vp that which is behinde of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh Indeed all the afflictions of all the members of Christ are but as a remnant in respect of the afflictions of Iesus Christ for of him it was prophecied thus I haue trodden the wine-presse alone Esay 63.3 Gal. 3.13 and of all people there were none with me Hee was made a curse for vs. So that now the afflictions that are laid vpon his members are not inflicted vpon them as a curse for that hath Christ borne for them being made a curse for vs but they now become the louing chastisements of a louing father which bring forth at the last the quiet fruits of righteousnesse to all them that are thereby exercised Yea all the godly in their sufferings they doe but beare a part with Christ therein to bee made conformable vnto Christ their head and therein are pronounced blessed Blessed are ye when men reuile you c. and againe Mat. 5.11.12 1 Pet. 4.14 Blessed are ye if ye be railed vpon for the name of Iesus for the spirit of God and of glory rests on you Verse 13. Inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christs sufferings But how shall I know that I suffer with Christ Quest and so looke to haue my sufferings sanctified vnto me By comparing our sufferings with the sufferings of Christs Answ in three things First Christ receiued his Crosse as a cup giuen him of his Father to drinke of And herein looked not so much to the malice of Iudas that betrayed him nor of the Iewes that pursued him to his death as to God his Father without whose counsell purpose and will they could doe nothing It is an excellent thing when in our miseries and troubles wee can ouerlooke the instruments and take notice of Gods owne hand correcting vs as Dauid in Shemi his rayling Secondly Christ receiued his Crosse not grudgingly impatiently or vnwillingly but readily willingly and patiently with a meeke subiection of his will to his Fathers will in all things Father if thou be willing Luk. 22.42 remoue this cup from me Neuerthelesse not my wil but thine be done So it is a good signe of a heart prepared to suffer to whom afflictions shal be sanctified indeed when we can with patience and humble submission submit our selues vnto the Lords good pleasure in suffering Thirdly and lastly Christ suffered for this end that he might abolish sinne and destroy him that had the power of death that is the deuill so then if our afflictions produce this happy fruit and effect in vs as that they worke in vs the happy worke of mortification vnto sinne and to our former euill wayes so as wee can say with Dauid Before I was afflicted I went astray but now haue I learned thy commandements This is an excellent signe that our afflictions through Christ are sanctified vnto vs. Let vs come to the vses Vse 1 Seeing then that Christ was thus humbled before exalted and that we that are his members must through afflictions enter into glory This may teach vs then in the middest of all our sufferings whatsoeuer to consider what great things Christ hath suffered for vs. When wee finde any paine or misery bitter vnto vs it will be an excellent meanes to sweeten the same to consider what bitternesse there was in the whole sufferings of Christ Hee dranke the full cup of his Fathers wrath and displeasure for sinne Now why should wee startle so much at shame disgrace or some small affliction what we may meet withall here since the Prince of our saluation was thus consecrated through affliction Surely the consideration of this may quell those repining thoughts which may times arise in the hearts of Gods children afflicted that neuer were so grieuously afflicted as they this was Iobs case who complained Iob 6.2.3 that his misery was heauier then the sand and this was likewise the case of the Church Behold Lam. 1.12 and see if any sorrow were like vnto my sorrow c. But consider that this is but the time of thy tryall thy triumph is at hand If wee looke vpon Lazarus on the dung hill Ioseph in prison and Dauid in exile their case might seeme most miserable But this is but the time of their humiliation their exaltation followed this at hand 1 Cor. 15. If in this life we haue only hope in
Christ then are we of all men most miserable But now the hope of a christian reacheth further and answers vs That if we suffer with him Rom 8. wee shall be glorified with him Vse 2 Secondly seeing that through afflictions we must enter into glory this serues as a speciall ground of comfort to Gods children in time of their greatest troubles that their light and momentany afflictions which last but for a few dayes should bring with them such an eternall weight of glory Rom. 5.3 The saying is That is well that ends well I confesse many are the seares cares sorrowes and troubles that betide the godly here yet in the midst of them all wee are more then Conquerours through him that hath loued vs. Say then Why art thou then cast downe my soule and why art thou so disquieted within me waite on God for I will yet giue him thanks which is the helpe of my countenance and my God Heauinesse may indure for a night but ioy commeth in the morning Hitherto of the generall Doctrines In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away c. The meaning is that after Christ had beene thus humbled and abased in suffering so cursed and shamefull a death His iudgement was taken away That is the sentence of death and condemnation was remoued from him which was done in his glorious resurrection Acts 2.24 for that it was impossible he should be held downe by death Thus was hee taken from prison and from iudgement for as our Sauiour saith I haue power to lay downe my life and to take it to me againe so that euery part of Christs humiliation had an end in is resurrection and comming out of the Sepulchre Now followes his exaltation and glorification His iudgement was taken away In handling the doctrine of Christs exaltation and glory diuers circumstances are to be considered 1 The degrees of his exaltation 2 The reasons why Christ was to be thus exalted 3 The fruits and benefit of this his exaltation The degrees of Christs exaltation The first degree of Christs exaltation is his raising himselfe from the dead He losed the pangs of death because it was not possible he should be holden of it Raising himselfe from the dead Acts 2.24 euen as a man that chops vp a morsell that is too hot for his mouth is glad to put it out againe so death hauing swallowed vp our blessed Sauiour and finding him too hot for him could not hold him but rendreth him vp againe according to that prophecy that went before of Christ Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption But what was it of Christ that went thus to the graue Quest and that thus rose againe There are in Christ Answ three natures 1 A humane body 2 A reasonable soule 3 His deitie quickning both The soule of Christ that went presently from the Crosse into heauen according to Christs own speech to the penitent Thiefe To day thou shalt be with me in Paradice The Deity of Christ could not suffer but was at this time vailed and forbeareth the execution of it power during the time of Christs passion It must needs therefore bee Christs body that went thus to the graue which the third day is raiseâ— agaâ—â—â— and that by it owne poâ—â—â— wâ—â—â—h iâ—â—â—ed puts the differeâ—â—◠〈…〉 Christs resurrection and 〈…〉 againe from thâ—â—â—ad by â—is own power wee by the power of Christ as many men be 〈…〉 out of a Boate into the watâ—â— if there bee any one in the company expert in swimming as many as hang on him are safe and are brought to land And thus are wee saued through Christ for so saith the Apostle As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made aliue 1 Cor. 15.22 23. but euery man in his owne order Christ the first fruits then they that are Christs at his coming He is the first fruits of them that sleepe Reu. 1.5 The first borne of the dead The first degree then of Christs exaltation is the resurrection from the dead The second degree Christs Exaltation Christs ascention in to heauen Mar. 16.19 is his ascending vp into heauen So when the Lord had spoken vnto them he was receiued vp into heauen And againe And it came to passe when he had blessed them Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.11 he was parted from them and carried vp into heauen So that Christ Iesus in regard of his bodily presence is in heauen farre from the malice of any mortall creature no more to be assaulted by Sathan or wicked men but is now at the right hand of his Father there to be and remaine vntill his second coming to Iudgement So that it is a foolish and absurde conceit of the Papists that hold Christs reall presence in the Sacrament of the Altar If the Article of our faith bee true that Hee ascended into heauen That Doctrine of the Reall presence is false But did not Christ say to his Disciples Object Mat. 28.20 that hee would be with them and with his Church vnto the end of the world I answer Christ is present with his Church according to his Godhead and spirituall presence Resp and by his grace whereby he worketh effectually by his owne spirit Mar. 16.20 And so is Christ still present with his Church and people But in regard of his bodily presence so is he not alwayes present inasmuch as hee is now ascended vp into heauen there to bee and remaine vntill that his second coming to Iudgement The third degree of Christs exaltation is his sitting at the right hand of God his Father as it is confessed in the Creed Now to speake properly Christs sitting at the right hand of his Father God hath no right hand nor left but is a Spirit infinite and incomprehensible but thereby is meant how hee is next vnto God his Father in maiestie power and glory So that after all his labours sorrowes and sufferings after that his bitter death and passion hee is now at rest in heauen in vnspeakable happinesse blessednesse and felicitie there to be and remaine vntill that his second comming to Iudgement when he shall come againe not to be iudged as before by Pontius Pilate But to iudge all flesh to whom euery man shall giue vp an account of all the things he hath done in his body 2. Cor. 5.10 whether they be good or euill The Reasons why Christ was to be exalted And thus we haue seene the degrees of Christs 〈◊〉 We come now to the reasons why Christ was to be thus exalted First it was so decreed and appointed of God Luk 24.46 Thus it is written and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe the third day Luk. 24.26 Ought not Christ to haue suffered these things and to enter into glory To this agreeth that of the Apostle Peter 1. Pet. 1.11
same as if they were now already glorified with him according to that of the Apostle He hath raised vs vp together Eph. 2.6 and made vs sit together in heauenly places in Christ Iesus Hitherto of Christs exaltation Who shall declare his generation Hauing set downe Christs death and glorious victory ouer the same now hee comes to set out the perpetuity of his raigne and this he doth by way of acclamation who shall declare that is who is able to demonstrate and expresse to the sonnes of men the meaning is that it is beyond all humane Art and Science to demonstrate the number of his daies the length of his life or the perpetuitie of his kingdome according to that prophecy of old Esa 53.10 Who can number his seede or measure his dayes The note is That Christs death was momentany Doct. Christs death momentany but life perpetuall but his life is beyond the declaration of any mortall It is not with Christ as it is with men who being deliuered from death may dye nay must dye But Christ neuer more to taste of death but through this victory he got ouer death and the graue he became himselfe the death of death therein making good his owne word O Death I will be thy death This truth stands cleare by diuers places Heb. 1.8 Vnto the Sonne hee saith thy Throne O God is for euer and euer a Scepter of righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy kingdome and thy yeares shal not faile Verse 12. This was prophecied of of old Thy kingdome is euerlasting and the increase of his gouernement and peace Esay 9.7 shall haue no end Hee shall sit vpon the throne of Dauid and vpon his kingdome to order it and to stablish it with iudgement and iustice from henceforth euen for euer To this agreeth the testimony of the Angell vnto the Virgin Luk 1.32 God shall giue him the throne of Dauid his father and hee shall raigne ouer the house of Israel for euer and his kingdome shall haue no end and is therefore called the mighty God Esay 9.6 the euerlasting Father the Prince of peace Vse 1 This teacheth vs to ascribe al glory and dominion to him for euer and to admire the greatnesse of his dominion and power and to say with those foure and twenty Elders Reu. 5.12 Worthy is the Lambe that was slaine to receiue power and riches and wisedome and strength and glory and praise Vse 2 Secondly this may serue for consolation for all these honours done to Christ may be so many pledges to assure vs of that honour which his Saints shall partake of when they shall come to be glorified with their head Reu. 1. â— He hath made vs Kings and Priests vnto God Now Christ hath made vs to bee inheritours of his kingdome which himselfe holdeth by a double right by Inheritance by Purchase The title of Inheritance he reserueth to himselfe alone the title of purchase he communicates to vs and thereby we come to be interessed thereunto Vse 3 And lastly this may likewise serue to admonish vs that if wee desire a happinesse and felicitie that shall not wither and be taken away let vs affect the life of Christ and stay our selues vpon this our Anchor hold that hath entred into the heauens for vs. Our faith must stay vpon him as vpon that rocke that cannot bee moued That as he liueth for euer so wee shall liue and remaine for euer with him as our head is eternall so shall his members be eternall a chosen generation 1 Pet. 1.9 a royall Priesthood a holy nation a peculiar people Our head is crowned with glory and immortalitie the members may be glad for they shall raigne with him in glory For his life is taken from the earth These words containe in them the reason wherefore Christ shall neuer admit of any alteration or change in regard of his glory He liueth vnto God no more to bee iudged by men as before but himselfe to be the iudge of quicke and dead He liues no longer on earth a place of mortality but in heauen a place of immortality being now raised from the dead and sit on Gods right hand in heauenly places Now inasmuch as the Prophet Esay in this Text Eph. 1.20 vseth a reason to perswade vs of the truth of Christs exaltation and glorification a doctrine so profitable and beneficiall vnto vs. We may first of all obserue this generall instruction Namely Doct. Heauenly truths are hardly beleeued of vs and applied by vs. what an indisposition there is in euery man by nature to beleeue and apprehend those things that appertaine to our chiefest good Heauenly truths are hardly beleeue of vs and applyed by vs. And indeed this was the great hurt and losse wee sustained in Adam not so much his casting out of Paradice the curse vpon the creature and a temporall death these compared vnto Gods iudgement vpon the soule are but small for now is the vnderstanding darkened that before was full of diuine light and knowledge the will rebellious the affections disordered yea the whole frame of the whole man quite disordered and his soule robbed and spoyled of all heauenly dispositions So true is that of the Prophet Ieremy Ier. 10.14 Euery man is a beast in his owne knowledge Wee may see this in Nichodemus Ioh. 3. that could not easily bee brought to vnderstand the necessity of a new birth it seemed a thing most absurd vnto him Wee may see this in some sort in the Disciples themselues Mat. 13. they could not conceiue the parable of the Sower vntill Christ had expounded the same vnto them Till the eyes of our vnderstandings come to be inlightned Eph. 1.18 we are all meere naturals in the knowledge of God and mysteries of Christs kingdome Let Paul speake before Agrippa of the heauenly vision Acts 26.24 Festus will count him a foole And Lot seemed vnto his sonnes in law Gen. 19. as if he had mocked when he laboured their greatest good The reason is rendred by the Apostle Reas 1 Cor. 2.14 where he saith The natural men perceiueth not the things that are of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Rom. 8.7 and the wisedome of the flesh is enmitie to God for it is not subiect to the law of God neither can it be Vse 1 O how should this humble euery one of vs in the sense of our owne naturall miserie and blindenesse in heauenly things Did we see a man shut vp in a darke and irkesome dungeon wanting the light of heauen the comforts of men and creatures how miserable and wretched would we conceiue the estate of this man to be But if hee should be so farre stupified as that he should please himselfe in this condition and neither labour to come out of it nor accept of deliuerance if the same were
are set forth and represented vnto vs. First of all The diuers mysteries represented in baptisme our washing and clensing by the bloud of Christ according to that of the Apostle Christ loued his Church and gaue himselfe for it Eph 〈…〉 2â— that he might sanctifie it and clense it with the washing of water by the word According to his mercy hee saued vs by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost And againe Such were ye but ye are washed ye are iustified ye are sanctified Not simply by water but by the holy Ghost and the Spirit of our God Secondly our Mortification for so saith the Apostle Rom. 6 3. Know ye not that so many of vs as are baptised into Iesus Christ were baptised into his death And againe Being buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2 â— wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead That euen as the body being once dead hath in it no motion at all euer after to sin euen so such as are baptised into Christs death become as dead men in respect of sinne Thirdly herein is represented vnto vs our spirituall resurrection to newnesse of life â—ol 2 1â— We are risen with him And againe Rom. 6.4 We are buâ—ried with him by Baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father euen so we also should walke in newnesse of liâ—â— For as Christs death is powerfull in all his members to their mortification of sinne So is his resurrection no lesse effectuall to their viuification and quickening to righteousnesse Fourthly herein and hereby our repentance is set forth for Baptisme is a Symbole of our regeneration for sinne and newnesse of life He came into all the countrey about Iordane Luk. â— 3 preaching the baptisme of repentance for remission of sinnes they were baptised of him in Iordane Mat. 3.6 confessing their sinnes And it is the counsell of the Apostle Peter that hee gaue vnto the Iewes Act. 2.38 Repent saith he and be baptised euery one of you in the Name of the Lord Iesus for the remission of siâ—nes And last of all through our Baptisme our vnion and communion is â—erein signified and represented vnto vs 1 Cor. 12 13. For by one Spirit we are all baptised into one body So that we must now grow vp together with Christ in holinesse So Peter 1. Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto euen Baptisme doth also now saue vs not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ Not with water but our consciences being sprinkled with the bloud of Christ So that in Baptisme is represented 1. Our sanctification 2. Our mortification 3. Our first resurrection 4. Our repentance from sinne 5. Our vnion and communion with Christ Which manifold fruits and benefits which accrue vnto euery true beleeuer through the reuerent vse of this sacred ordinance should teach vs to desire it and to prise the same at a high rate as the dearest pledge of Gods loue vnto his Church But doth Baptisme of it selfe conferre all these excellent gifts and graces to such as are baptised Quest No corporall thing properly can worke vpon a spirituall Answ The water in baptisme cleanseth not the pollution of sinne without the Spirit of Christ which in baptisme regenerateth the true beleeuer So that indeed all the worke of inward grace in and through this Sacrament of Baptisme comes properly from the holy Ghost For so saith the Apostle According to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the holy Ghost So that vnlesse the Spirit of God cooperate and worke together with the outward washing in water in Baptisme the soule remaines still polluted and the conscience defiled and the Sacrament profiteth not at all â— Cor. 12 1 By one spirit saith the Apostle we are all baptised into one body So that it is not water alone but the Spirit accompanying the outward washing that sets vs into the body of Christ by Baptisme The true materiall cause of all our good is the bloud of Christ the holy Ghost applying the same to the soule and conscience of euery true beleeuer VERSE 39. And as soone as they were come out of the water the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip And the Eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way reioycing WE haue in this Verse the happie fruite and effect that followed the ministery of Philip wherein are obseruable two things 1. That miraculous transportation of Philip. 2. The wonderfull ioy that followed First it is said that the spirit of the Lord tooke away Philip. After what manner were curiositie to enquire For as one faith well why should we with danger determine that that without danger we may be ignorant of It is sufficient for vs to know that the Lord hauing effected what was the good pleasure of his owne will in the Eunuchs conuersion he remoued his seruant to another place euen to Azotus to preach the word to another people as we haue it in the last verse of this Chapter Now it came not to passe but by the good prouidence of God that Philip in this strange and miraculous manner should be taken away at this time for herein and hereby the Lord would confirme this Nobleman in the truth that Philip had preached vnto him when he should now consider that he was sent from heauen by a diuine prouidence to instruct him in regard of that his strange and miraculous departure from him Wherein we may take notice Doct. of the wonderfull loue of God towards his people The Lord would haue his seruants setle in the truth that he would not haue them wauer or bee doubtfull in the weightie matter of their saluation but he would haue them to bee grounded and stableshed in the truth and hence is it that the Lord would haue this Eunuch setled in the faith by this miracle that hee wrought Thus he was pleased to confirme his Gospell at the first by miracles from heauen that men might see that it was not from men but from God as our Sauiour saith The works that I do beare witnesse of me And with those signes and wonders we ought to rest satisfied and not to looke for new ones daily as the Church of Rome doth to confirme so cleare a truth For thus to doe were but to calâ— the truth againe into question and to require signes from heauen as the Iewes did We will bee content that the Popish Imposture should bragge and boast of their Miracles as their Straw miracle at Garneis death not worth a straw the miracles daily done by the reliques of some of their he Saints and she Saints this they bragge and boast of this they make a Marke of the true Church