is the power of God neither did the Iew touch this cursed tree to helpe Christ to the hight of Mount Calvarie but constrained this Lybian famous for his two vertuous godlie sonnes Alexander Rufus to suppor our Saviour not for any compassion or louing affectioÌ„ they caried to him for they hated him to death but eueÌ„ to declare the acceptation of the Gentiles to the participation of grace in the Lords accepted time And now is Iesus come to the place of Golgotha who had sanctified it vnto his martyredome and those publick torments to whoÌ„soeuer shuld die in constant profession of his Name For Num. 24. he is that brasen Serpent that whosoeuer looketh on him by a livelie and true faith Iohn 14. shall bee healed of all their infirmities for our Saviour did die the cursed and execrable death to releiue vs from the curse therefore seeing wee are bought for a price Gal. 3.13 we should glorifie God in our bodies and in our spirits 1 Cor. 6.20 for they are Gods Nowe did hee hang sorrowfull Soule with out streatched armes to welcome and imbrace readily all that wold come vnto him Mat. 11.28 hee is lifted on high as exposed vnto all that would beleeue in him to show that by crosse and calamitie we must enter to glorie He would hang I say betwixt heaven and earth to reconceale them together for vvhen hee was exalted froÌ„ the earth hee did draw all things to him and naked did hee hang to cloath thee with his righteousnesse and holinesse confirme thee against crosses and povertie when thou shall know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 8.9 that he being rich for thy sake became poore that thou through his povertie mightst be made rich for more are wee in obligation to his povertie by which we were redeemed than by his riches by which we wer created for what benefite was it to haue beene borne if vvee should not haue beene delivered froÌ„ eternall death And therfore neither hunger nor nakednesse nor death it selfe can separat vs from this loue and conjunction with him Rom. 8.38 The pride of our Progenitours Adam and Eue brought this base condition on Christ when as the Lord cladde them for hyding of their nakednes but now the world is giuen to supersluity of vanitie in their rayment Esay 3.19 â—26 21 which is a conspicuous badge of their rebellion against God But our David is scorned of Michal for his nakednesse but more glorious is be than the verie Angels in heaven for bringing home the Arke of the promises and the sealing vp the Covenant betwixt God and man by his blood death He is the Tree in the midst of the Paradise of God which sweetneth the bitter waters of Meribab 1. Sam. 6.16 O giue vs grace deare Iesus that wee may comprehend with all Saintes which is the breadth and length and deepth Eph. 3.18.19 and hight and to know this thy loue which passeth knowledge that wee may bee filled with all fulnesse of God Now may they tell all thy bones all thy nerves sinewes and veins are drawne in length Psal 22. thy whole body disjoynted they pierced thy hands and feet and rivers of blood did burst out Behold all that goe by the way Lam. if there bee anie dolour like vnto my dolour The second Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. NOwe in this Mount Calvarie hee beginneth to thirste wherefore the Iewes to fulfill the Scripture thogh far beside their mindes They gaue mee gall in my meat and in my thirst they gaue mee Vinegar to drinke But Salomon hath counselled more charitably Giue yee strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish Pro. 21.9 wine to them that haue griefe in heart but the Son of God was destitute of all consolatioÌ„ that we might receiue aboundance of comfort in him Psal 16.11 For in his presence is fulnesse of joy and at his right hand there is pleasures for euermore But hee vvould suffer thirst that hee should not hasten death vnto himselfe before the appointed houre for he knew the Lord vvould bring all this busines to a blessed event Hee would I say beside these tormentes inwardlie in his Soule against the wrath of God Hell Death Law and condemnation suffer also in all his outward senses in his Tasting the bitternesse of gall in his Sight the bespitting watching in his Hearing blasphemie mocking in his Touching beating buffeting whiping crowning with thornes in his Smelling the filthy bespitting and vile odour over-spreading that precious Bodie whereby it was imbrued and these many stripes receiued he for vs. And nowe consider my Soule what shal be the pains they shall suffer in soule and bodie who shal not be found in Christ The rich glutton in Hell could not obtaine one drop of vvater to coole his tongue in that burning torment Terrible is that drouth and hotnesse that sinne bringeth with it Mat. 5. But blessed are they that hungers and thirste for righteousnesse for they shall bee filled Iohn 4. and haue in their bellie the fountaine of living water Iesus Christ Whilst thou art quaffing and scolling sweete and delicious cuppes to the contempt and abuse of Gods creatures remember this bitter and sowre drinke of Christ which wee doe make him drinke againe how oft soeuer wee doe injurie to his members Then beware of all that can separate thee from this thy Christ especiallie of bad prophane idolatrous society for their god is not as our God and their wine is of Sodom and Gomorrha their grapes are grapes of gall their clusters are bitter their wine is the poyson of Dragons and the cruell gall of Aspes Well might Christ haue said My strength hope is perished from the Lord Lam. 3.19 remembring mine affliction my mourning the wormwood and the gall Now vvhile our Saviour is thus fastned to the Crosse hands and feete as our high Priest at his Altar For everie high Priest is taken from among men and is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that hee may offer both giftes sacrifices for sinnes so likewise bee in the dayes of flesh did offer prayers supplications Rom. 12.15 Mat. 18.35 yea for his verie enemies and so should wee forgiue and it shall bee forgiuen vs. Heere hast thou deare Soule great matter of comfort and consolation neuer to bee casten down despare with the opinion of thy own sinnes Thou hast an high Priest 1. Iohn 2. Esay 63.12 and Advocat with the Father euen Iesus Christ the lust to whom thou shouldest haue recourse in all thy tentations and boldlie approach to the Throne of grace that thou mayst receiue mercie grace in tyme of neede When the Princes did stone Zacharias hee said Lord looke to it and require it and so did the blood Abel call for
Rom. 12 13. Mat. 11 25. Luc. 10.21 Iohn 7.4.46.49 1. Cor. 13.2 The Lord did bide those thinges from the wise and learned and reveiled them to Babes They were blind leaders of the blind learning profiteth not vnlesse it bee accompanied with Humilitie and Love Thus seeing they see not and groping they finde nothing Act. 17.17 The Athenian Philosophers Epicures and stoicks Act. 2.13 most of al withstood Paul The religious of everie Nation vnder heauen mocked Peter The Syrenians Act. 6.12 they of AlexaÌ„dria desputed with Steven and falslie accused him And finally the whole Iewish nation at Ierusalem 〈◊〉 little handful only excepted which did not dreame of 〈◊〉 spirituall Kingdome combined to conclude his death as was fore-spoken The people raged Psal 2. 1. the kinges of thâ— earth band themselues and the Princes are assembled togetheâ— against the Lord and againsâ— his Christ Destitute of aâ— Consolation Col. 1.16 in so much a the Creator of the Armeis oâ— Angels had neede of one oâ— them Heb. 2.7 Luc. 22.43 Luc. 16.22 O! but One frâ—â— Heaven to comfort him so greatlie was hee forsaken of hiâ— Father for our sinnes Neither yet shall the Angels leave thee in the like houre of death and necessitie of helpe if thou trust in him which alwayes beholde the face of his Father in Heaven Mat 18.10 By which Christ evidentlie declared it was no jest nor collusion betwixt his Father him but that in deed in truth he was terriblie astonished and agast Mat. 26.37 while his Bloode did so copiouslie runne from him but his Father was highlie offended Psal 6. 1. and greatly inraged at our sinnes for hee is a GOD Psal 11.5 that loveth righteousnesse but the wicked and him that loueth iniquitie doth his Soule hate Wherefore Christ was wounded for our transgressions Esay 53.7 hee was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him though hee had done no wickednesse neither was there fraude in his mouth Despise not thou deare Soule those who at the feare of Death are most dejected humbled and stupefied neither yet judge those to haue the better cause who yeelde themselves foolishlie and too boldlie to Death But bee thou taught to bee god-lie afrayed of the separation of the Soule Luc. 12.40 from the Body and ever as Death were instant to foresee the same and learne to die which followeth thee at the heeles as the shaddow doeth the Body LORD Psal 90.12 teach vs to number our dayes and apply our hearts to wisedome For the meditation of Death is greatest Philosophie Remember my Soule thine ende and thou wilt not sinne for euer and the more the outwarde man decay be thou renewed strengthened in the inner-man And heere the first and second Adam doe meete for the first in the Garden made a beginning of our miserie Gen. 3.2 and the second builded the ground of his Passion for our Redemption in the Garden 2. Cor. 5.18 That is I say that amongst greatest pleasures meditate of thy mortalitie There Christ was taken and bound Iohn 18.2 the place was knowne to Iudas because Christe would not shunne the occasion of our deliverance but hee would not haue him to know the person with whom hee was to eate the Passover by name least he should had sought meanes to prevent the same which hee could not because his houre was not come The second Step to ascend by SEcoundlie thou mayest conceive poore Soule that thy Spouse suffering was exceeding great when beeing sorrowfull and grieuouslie troubled hee said Mar. 14.34 My Soule is heavie even vnto death Hee that said vnto his servant in the Prison Act. 23.11 Bee of good courage now is afrayed of his imminent passion beeing like to vs in soule and bodie and infirmities Heb. 4.15 and all thinges Sinne excepted As God hath said I am the Life and restoreth the dead to life exhorting his Disciples Iohn 5.25 not to feare them that can kill the bodie but not harme the soule as God I say howe can hee bee afrayed to whome the Sainctes doe sing The Lord is with mee Psal 117.6 therefore I will not feare what man can doe vnto mee The humane nature was borne to suffer and to bee partaker of all our afflictions that hee might communicate solide constancie of his power to vs for vnto the world hee came as a rich Marchant traffecting with vs that of his fulnesse wee might all receiue Iohn 1.16 taking ours by a marveilous translation Col. 1.13 and exchange Iam. 1.5 Mat. 26.53 and giving his most liberallie and reproached no man giuing I say for shame Honour Salvation for Dolour for Death Life and though hee might command moe than twelue Legions of Angels to aide him hee had rather receiue our feare than exercise his owne power yea it aggreged his griefe Mat. 26.24.31 Iohn 13.1 Iudas treason the scandall of the Apostles whom hee loved to the end rejection of the Iewes Esay 48.4 for whome hee had done so much And the fearfull destruction of Ierusalem on which there was not to bee left a stone vpon a stone Mat. 23.38 So that hee had forewarned the mourners thereof Luc. 23.28 weepe not for mee but weepe for your sevels sayeth hee and your children When thy Loue beloved Soule was transfigured on mount Tabor Mat. 17.2 his face shined as the Sunne but now he is despised and esteemed nothing both pale and wan for there was no bewtie in him now who before was fairer Esay 53.2.3 than the Chrildren of men but now despised Psal 45.2 and rejected of men A man full of sorrowes and bad experience of infirmities that by sufferinges hee might learne obedience And he who taught his Disciples to pray for vs and for himselfe Iohn 16.26 Heb. 7.25 9.24 practised the same lesson by blessing prayer by his owne mouth not once in that short moment of time but thrice according to the weight of that imminent necessitie O Father Mat. 26.39 if it bee possible let this Cuppe passe from mee meaning his bitter passion and the dregges of the vialles of Gods wrath not that hee was vnwilling to drinke therof for hee went alwayes about his Fathers bussinesse Mat. 3.15 and it was meate for him to doe his Fathers will submitting himselfe that hee might fulfill all righteousnes But these earnest speeches declared the heavie burthen of sinne which lay on him the painful griefe which hee endured the greatest tormentes and terrors which hee sustained for thee vnthankefull Soule and his Elect. The Soule of thy Bride-groome was from Heaven Mat. 1.20 heavenlie never bespotted and defyled with any vncleannesse 1. Pet. 1.19 Act. 2.27 but pure without corruption Notwithstanding that it was sadde and touched with the feare of Death for thee which hath deserved the same 1. Pet.
Beleeuest thou that wheÌ„ the Sonne of man shall come that bee shall find faith and trueth in the earth They therefore desire this bloodie Fellow to bee put to liberty Deut. 11.12.13 that against the Law and the Innocent to be condemned Whosoeuer in place of Iustice doth not stay sin when hee may by his over-sight giueth waye to it Punish thou them therefore that thou bee not punisht for them How odious is this comparison Mat. 12.2 Christ the Author and Prince of Peace and Salvation Barabbas a mutinous bloodie Rogue Christ the Physician of al our sores the restorer of the dead vnto life Barabbas a inflicter of wouÌ„ds and man slayer Christ a most perfite and absolute Patron 1. Pet. 2.21 and example of all vertue Barabbas filthily defiled within with our with all kind of vices Infinite is the difference betwixt them and yet Barabas by vote and voyce of the people is delivered The punishment of One Rom. 5. 15. doth satisfie for the wickednesse of many So the libertie to sin breedes occasion to verie many to doe the like better burne and cut one member rather than the whole bodie perish Thus is the prophesie fulfilled Esay 53.12 Hee hath poured out his Soule vnto death hee was counted with the transgâ—essors and bee bare the sinnes of many and prayed for the trespassers Consider heere my Soule howe vile and filthie a thing Sinne is which did dryue Christ to such deepe ignominy that hee is judged more contemptiblie than a common Briggand and Villane But this is thy sure coÌ„fort against the wrath of God that heereby hee hath delivered thee from euerlasting shame and giuen thee a beautifull and happie Inheritance in the heavens For it doeth not appeare now what wee are but when this corruption shall put on incorruption 1. Cor. 15.53 and bee translated in the glorious libertie of the Sonnes of God Rom. 8. 21. then shall wee bee like vnto him gathered from the shame of eternall death to the Citie of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem into the companie of innumerable Angels and to God the Iudge of all and to the spirites of just and perfect men Heb. 12.22.23 and to Iesus the Mediator of the New-Testament to the Blood of sprinkling And not onelie Herods resembling the Iew and Pilate representing the Gentile two supreame Magistrates but al so Pilates vvife hauing her dreame gouerned by Gods providence giueth testimonie of Christs innocencie to make both Iudge Iewes the more inexcuseable A Woman truelie for modestie to bee commended that did not take vpon her Esay 45.24 any civile government but made intimation by message to her husband not to medle with Iesus Christ And for Counsell admirable farre contrarie to Iezabel 1. King â—1 7.8 who gaue advyse to idolatrous Achab how to possesse himselfe in Naboths Vine-yard for the which impietie shee was justlie punished and not shee onlie but the whole house and posteritie of Achab destroyed Let women here learne what it is to giue their husbandes bad and sinistrous informations lest the iniquitie redownd to both their posterities Indeede womens counsell is not to bee rejected but wiselie to bee ballanced Such was Abigall her counsell to Dauid 1. Sam. 25.23.24 which broght great loue before God and credite before men Men should not always ly vnder the directioÌ„ of their wiues but they shuld bee a sounding bell in their eares not to sin against Chrâ—st his members Pilat should haue pittied Christ if hee had loved his wife who had suffred much for him Now it is to be fulfilled which was prophesied He looked for judgment but behold oppression Esay 5.7 for righteousnesse behold a crying And againe I haue forsaken my house I haue left mine heritage I haue giuen the dearlie beloued of my Soule vnto the hands of enemies mine heritage is vnto mee as a Lyon in the Forrest it cryeth out against mee therefore haue I bated it But beholde Pilate heere greatly contraveened the law of Iustice hee knew of malicious envie Christ to bee accused yet to mitigate the Iewes mind so highlie incensed against our Saviour and to free him from the punishmeÌ„t of death commanded him to be whipped If they had known the God of Glorie 1. Cor. 2.8 they had not delt so contumeliouslie with him Great things such as are heavenlie and spirituall are contemned by the worlde But vanitie and such as are foolish deceitfulnesse and pleasures heere belowe are in great admiration but far other ways was Moses choice wheÌ„ he came to age refused to be called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God Heb. 11.24 25.26 than to enjoye the pleasures of sinne for a season esteeming the rebuke of Christ great riches more than the treasures of Egypt for hee had respect vnto the recompense of the reward And heere consider my Soule that Christ was scourged not of one but of many this shame would thy Cautioner vnder-goe Mat. 5 1â— not onelie to leaue thee heere an exsample of his patience Act. 5.41 11 1â— 11.15 but also to sanctifie the diseases sicknesses which hee vseth as scourges to daunt and chastise thy wantonesse Now a crowne of Thornes is platted on his head for the Lord vseth their hands Psal 1. 16. for his Coronation Heere meditate my Soule the reparation of Adams curse Gen. 3. 18. to whom thornes and briers for his rebellion was a punishment 1. Cor. 1â— 56.57 and the point and sharpnesse of our sinnes are blunted by his satisfaction for them which are briers to pierce vs through Come forth yee Daughters of Syon and behold thy King Salomon a type of Christ with the crown wherwith his mother the Iewish Church crowned him in the day of his marriage Cant. 3. 11. and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart for earnestlie desired be to eate that Pascall Lambe with them his greatest triumph is in his sufferings Hee is cloathed with a Purple garment the signe of Labour wrestling and victorie for hee was all imbrodered with his own blood This combat with Death he tooke in hand for vs for it was we that clad him there with all And all our life here is nothing else but a continuall war-fare but in the end we shall be more than Conquerours by him who loueth vs Rom. 8 3â— and washed vs in that Lambes blood He is buffetted that we should not bee plagued euerlastingly with Sathan There is a Râ—ed put in his right haÌ„d in place of a kinglie Scepter wherby they wold insinuate that his Kingdome was waste and voyde and brittle subject to euery winde and blast of stormie tempest as the Râ—ede is And that his Kingdome was not guarded with anie humane helpe far are they deceiued His Kingdome is an euerlasting Kingdome for hee hath receiued the Heathen for his Inheritance
that hee found himselfe deserted but in him are we takē vp saued Martyrs and witnesses of the trueth haue suffered great and grievous tormentes but divine consolation from aboue did aboundantlie shine in their soules the part which tyrantes could not kill nor touch looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of their faith who for the joy that was sett before him indured the Crosse Heb. 12.2 and despised the shame and mocking of them that stood by who turned his holie word in scornefull jest as though hee had called for Elias Christs Soule now beeing burnt vp with the wrath of God for Sinne Psal 69.22 and all the moisture of his body dryed vp with the same yet did hee not quensh his thirst vntill the wrath of his Father was satisfied Iohn 19.28 the infinite wrath of God thirsted after the blood of the mediator bearing our sins Mat. 11.2.8 Esay 12.3 was not quenshed till the Blood of the Mediator was dryed vp But blessed bee Iesus that had a spirituall thirst pleasure to obey his Father to the death Esay 55.1 to saue thy soule from hell and yet in bitter malice and scorne they tooke a watersponge and putt it to his mouth on a reede The wrath of his Father was begun to bee mitigated yet the wrath of the Iewes could not be asswaged for when hee was liuing they raged against him when hee was dead they persecut him when hee vvas in glorie they would shame him The Lord seeketh but chastismēt the wicked seeke overthrow of bodie and soule if it were possible For Evahs sweet Apple Christ must drink this bit er liquor both thy bread drinke must bee boght with the blood of Iesus To them who are sanctified all things are sanctified If thou bee not found in him thou shall bee accused as a violent possessour of what-soeuer thou hast Now thou dost heare him daylie in his members calling vpon thee I hunger I thirst Mat. 25.35 but thou convertest Gods good creatures to the fulfilling of thy lust rather bereaueth the servants of Christ that that they haue than vouchsafe anie thing on thē Christ after he had drunken cryed out in the audience of them al It is finished the work of Redemption is ended the ransome is payed to buy heaven conquere life which is the first vvorke and to put vs in possession of it which hee began at his Resurrection shall continue till his comming againe declared that no mā did take his life from him but layde it downe Iohn 10.17.18 and would tak it vp againe for he was not a cōmon man but God also to keepe his life or put it out at his pleasure Hee might haue liued lōger by the strength of Nature for the other two out-liued him and were not dead till they came and broke their legges And now when he yeelded vp the Spirit he had a divine power aboue Nature which put out the life saying Father into thine handes Psal 31.5 I commend my Spirit vvhile his Soule was loused from his bodie vvith joye Which sweete death hee did communicate vnto his Martyres Act. 7.59 as Steven all his members Consider heere vveake Soule that Christ hath purchast vnto thee the great benefite of Adoption Iohn 20 1◠For thy Brother Christ hath made his Father thy Father therfore vvil haue a Fatherly care of thee for euer For vvho is more faithfull 1. Pet. 4. 19. than our Father to vvhō vve commend our soules vvhich doe not perish but are kept by him 1. Cor. 15.21.22 while they bee joyned to the bodie at the resurrection are receiued vvhen vvee depart this life in his Armes vvho will not suffer them to be taken from his hands but vvill surelie keepe them in peace Be thou therefore carefull of thy Soule at al times but speciallie at the houre of separation for then the devil is busie to devour thee For be knoweth his time to bee short the gulfe of hell open to swallow thee vp If Iesus who had no sin be so careful for his Soule how carefull shuldst thou be who is nothing else but a masse of sinne yea he cryed so loud that the Earth quaked againe and the Temple raue asunder now to declare his Power and Victorie to terrifie the Iewes of whom hee is so mishantly handled and to bring if it were possible that stubborn people to Faith and Repentance Now hath the Doue gone out of the Arke which wil returne with an Oliue branch in signe of peace The Deludge is the wrath of God for Sinne the Arke is Christs Bodie the Doue his Soule At his Resurrection how great joye peace and comfort doeth hee purchase to man-kinde Rom. 4.25 For as he dyed for our sinnes so rose he for our righteousnesse Thē yeelded delivered hee his Spirit which was not taken from him against his vvill For hee hanging on the Crosse did make all the creatures quake and tremble Great was his humilitie beeing made obedient to his Father vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse of the vvhich thou may learne the exceeding greatnesse of his Majestie who euen then whē hee was exalted from the earth did draw all things vnto himself for where a Testament is there must bee the death of him that made the Testament Heb. 9.16 for the Testament is confirmed when men are dead for it is yet of no force as long as hee that made it is aliue So behoued this Testament leauing such an inheritance to his Saintes in that exceeding great glorie bee ratified by the blood of the Testator which is the ground of thy Salvation His death is thine honour the assurance of thy life is the assurance of his death his ignominie and shame is thy Glorie Now haue we heard of the Passion and death of Christ novv shall wee touch briefelie the thinges vvhich followed thereafter The fift Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. THere fell out immediatly foure things of the which two did teach the people The other two the quaking of the earth renting of the Rockes did threaten destruction for no man to take all excuses away shall perish without advertisemēt The first of these the vaile of the Temple is rēt after the darkening of the Sun in Christes greatest humiliation The Father gaue greatest tokens of his Glorie who is the Lord of Life for dumbe senselesse creatures did shame the Iews and glorified their Maker The Temple was divided in two For the Priest went alwayes into the first Tabernacle and accomplished his office Heb. 9.6.7.8 but into the second went the high Priest alone once everie year not without blood which hee offered for himselfe and ignorances of the people Betwixt these was a faire vvall overgilt with fine gold vpon the which hang a glorious Tapestrie wroght curiously which did hide the Sanctuarie
to breake one bone of him 1. Cor. 5.7 for he is our Passeover who sacrificed for vs died was peirced with a lance yet his Legges was not broken His members may be tossed with many calamities but shall not bee utterlie forsaken for many bee the troubles of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all Psal 34.19.20 The Lord would haue manie witnesses of his death the executioners the Souldier with his speare and the testimonye that the creatures gaue For without shedding of blood and death there had beene no remission of sins for vs They vvere enemies to the Crosse of Iesus Christ yet did they record the truth for our well Neither did this Souldier alone but mâ—nie moe now doe pierce his side Rom. 6.9 whilest he sitteth at the right haÌ„d of the Fâ—ther by mocking and contemning him in his word Mal. 3.8 Zach. 2.8 defrauding him of the meanes of his glorie Act. 9.4 for hee that toucheth his Saintes toucheth the apple of his eye as it was spoken of Paul persecuting him And this was done to confirme Gods power Zach. 12.10 and providence forespoken by the Prophet vvhich vvhich they did accomplish of meere ignorance Therefore out of his heart came Blood and Water Blood for the finest cleanest is about the heart and Water by the which liquor the heate of the heart is cooled and refreshed for as yet the Body was warme No man can liue when his heart blood is shed which is the seat of Life This signifieth a power flowing from his death to the remission of sinnes 1. Iohn 6.6 washing of our foule nature which tvvo great blessinges are represented vnto vs in two Sacraments of Baptisme the Lordes Supper Num. 20. 11. for as Moses while hee smote the Rocke water did come foorth to refresh the people So Blood and Water did gush out at Christs side for the benefite of the vvhole vvorld which is that Laver 1. Cor. 10.4 wherein our soules are purged from their inward spottes 1. Iohn 1.7 For as in Egypt when the first begotten was killed so many as had the posts of their doores marked with the blood were free so by this Lambes Blood that bringeth salvation to the world Heb. 9.13 are wee delivered by Faith from destruction that wee may serue him in righteousnes and holines And not presume to be so bold Tit. 2. 11 as by our profane life to tread his Blood vnder foote Nowe heere is a place for thee at his verie heart deare Soule where thou mayst creepe in and rest thee for as out of the side Eue was taken while Adam did sleepe so now is hee cleanseing and purifying his Church by redemption regeneration in this time of his death The fift Degree and first Steppe of the ascension of the Soule vnto Heaven by meditation of the buriall of our Lord Iesus Christ NOwe hath his verie enemies procured at Pilate that hee should bee taken from the Crosse Iohn 19.31 That blessed Corps beeing layde on the ground Ioseph a rich just godlie Disciple of Christ boldlie begged the dead Corps at the hands of Pilat that as his death was notable so should his buriall be also his glorious resurrection bee made famous Hee was not taken from the Crosse without leaue of the Magistrate nor buryed with out the same as he vvas not condemned but by the Magistrate that thou mighâ—st be fullie fred from all points of the Iustice of Gods wrath for sinne For if this power had beene in the Iewes hands they wold haue opponed themselves to heape more shame and ignominy vpon him but the Lord will haue a noble man and a notable faire place appointed to this worke that the honour of the Son and his glorie should beginne at the buriall which was shamefull in it selfe and that hee should bee instrument 1 Pet. 3.7 who shuld be hiere with him of that Kingdome of glorie and of that life All the glorie of this world pertaineth to the faithfull howsoeuer they apeare to haue least part thereof Ioseph is called to this great honour 1. Cor. 1.26 which is rare to be seene in men of like conditioÌ„ for the Lord in his death was more mightie theÌ„ in his life For when the corne of wheat lyeth in the ground and dieth as Christ foretold of the power of his death it fructifieth Iohn 12.24 and bringeth foorth much fruite for where euer the dead Carcase is thither doe the Eagles resort Of the which number this Counsellour was who looked for the Kingdome of God and there is no mention of such another great man but Nicodemus Iohn 7.50 who opponed himself to the death of Christ in the counsel for God hath his own in everie part 2. King 19 10. Rom. 11.4 of whom hee vvill bee served albeit he durst not for feare of the Iewes openlie professe â—say 42.3 yet the Lord will not breake the bruised reede nor quensh the smoaking flaxe To the supplication of Ioseph Pilat yeelded but wondred that Christ was so seene dead whose miracles was so many the shortnesse of his life vpon the Crosse floorishing time of his age which was thirtie three yeares and some od months which imported that the death of Iesus was extraordinarie Iohn 10.17 who onelie had power to lay it downe Ioseph therefore bought a fine linnen cloath to wrappe the Bodie of Iesus in and Nicodemus an hundreth pound weight of a mixture of Myrrhe Aloes The wisedome the learning and the riches of these men were cast at Christs feete vvhereof they counâ—ed much of before they had a sight of Iesus nowe they counted all but dongue Phil. 1. They felt a sweet savour and odour comming to them froÌ„ his death therfore would they meete it with a sweet savour But there needed no odours to preserue it beeing filled with the presence of God Wherefore with one concord coÌ„stantlie they accomplished his buriall after the custome of the Iewes that is honourablie Act. 9.37 for never was a more honourable Man than Christ and all these vvere ceremonies the rest of their washings were figurs of him to come vvho is the earnest of our resurrection For he shall raise all these which doe sleepe in monuments In a newe graue therefore hewen out of a stone by Ioseph to his owne vse was hee laide in a Garden neare by Ierusalem that Christs buriall might be the more honourable in how much as he was aboue all the kinges of the world separated from sinners and made higher than the heavens The Father had his loving care of him albeit he appeared to haue forsaken him on the Crosse Hee is buried in another mans Sepulchre for hee died for the sins and salvation of others that hee might sanctifie our burials by comming vnto them and from them to ascend to the heavens But remember poore Soule it
to come I doe refuse the deceitfull pleasures of this world and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God than enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season Reioyce thou one of that flocke on whom it hath pleased the Father to giue a Kingdome Thou art my good Shepheard who feedeth mee with thy owne Blood that I may liue by thy life For they that liue by the infected and poysoned blood of olde Adam only are more miserable than beastes Prepare O Lord in me loue and repentance make mee cleane and purifie mine heart by Faith the onely receptacle and mansion of thy presence to receiue such a pretious Guest Put on mee the wedding Garment sith thou deare Husband Iesus will ioyne vnite thy selfe to mee never heereafter on thy part to bee dissevered make mee beware of Hypocrisie and couÌ„terfaite dealing in approaching with my body but my heart farre off betraying thee againe with a Iudas kisse The pure the contreâ—te and broken heart for the sence of Sinne laden and wearie are here invited by thee who wil not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flaxe such are eased and find rest to their soules And because none oblation pleaseth thee without reconciliation with my Brother I make an attonement with him forget and forgiue him as I hope to be forgiven for his sake who hath come vnder the poore roofe of my soule by participation of his bodie on earth beginning alreadie a life in mee in heaven for whom haue I there but thee whom can I desire on earth beside thee The Israelites did eate that Manna and died but they that eate this heavenlie food shall never perish But after thou hast guided me by thy counsell wil receiue me to glorie Adams forbidden tree procured death but by thee is everlasting life agreeing heaven with earth Men with Angels as it is the fulnes of Ioy to behold thy Face feele thy presence so let my soule haue a liuelie feeling of comfort in my Christ with a growing strength in grace and in the saving knowledge of thee my God and not to losse a good conscience for the trash of this world and as thou willes me to remember thy Sonnes death O Fâ—ther bee thou as thou hast promised and wilt performe mindfull of mee in the riches of thy mercie to the ending of my life in Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee praise and honour for now and euer So bee it A Prayer and Thankesgiuing afâ—er the receiuing of the holy Supper of our LORD O LORD GOD Father Almightie I yeelde thee heartie thankes for thine inestimable loue and favour towards mee miserable Sinner not onely for that I haue my being moving and living in thee and from thee but also because it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie to redeeme me from eternall damnation wherein I was cast by reason of transgressions and that by the Blood of thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that I might liue with thee in that thy Kingdome in the Heaveâ—s Let not the effusion thereof be in value towards mee but still feede and nourish my soule by participation of the Body of thy Son Christ Iesus as an effectuall pawnde earnest of that glory which shall follow And now what shall I render vnto thee for all thy spirituall and temporall blessinges thou hast vouchsafed on mee And what doth the Lord my God require of me but to feare thee to walke in all thy wayes and to loue thee and serue thee with all mine heart and with all my soule Command mee Lord what thou wilt and doe in mee that thou commandest The most detestable vice is ingratitude and greater honour can be giuen to none than to bee called the Childe of God Thou hast the Son of thy delight with whom thou mightst haue contented thy selfe and hast thou not the holy Angels which doe readily thy will yet it hath pleased thee to adopt man-kinde O suffer me not holy Father to degenerate from thee and to turne to my former nature Giue me an vnderstanding heart to doe thy will and preserue mee as the apple of thine eye Remoue my sins which are as a clowde betwixt thee and mee O my God which art my light my life and salvation albeit I find in my selfe great temptations and grievous assaultes of Sathan the flesh and the world Thogh thou euen thou my deare God wold kill mee yet will I trust in thee for I know thou canst reviue me and when thou woundest canst heale mee Grant I never doubt of thy promises through vnbeliefe but beeing confirmed in Faith giue glorie to thee as fully perswaded that thou that promisest art also able to doe it For it is the greatest punishment that can befall man to forsake thy word and admonitions not to relye on thy promises but harden the heart by obstinacy and rebellion Take not thy Spirit from me but fasten mine heart to thee Show mee the light of thy countenance that I wander not from thee and sleepe in sinne but I may gather in this last age of the world Manna for that great and everlasting Sabbath in the Heavens that Ierusalem aboue the Citie of the living God where I shall find peace and rest for ever hauing accesse and entrie to that light of Glorie which hath broken and overthrowne the kingdome of Sathan For I know as thou strengthenest and fortifiest thy secreâ— ones thou redoublest their temptations Oâ— but hard is the combate when thou striuâ—â— against vs and seemest to bee our adversariâ—â— for how should dust and ashes stand beforâ— thee Strengthen guide me by thy might that encouraged by thy promises I may conquere and bee conpassed with ioyfull deliverances Great infirmitie and weakenesse doth remaine in mee I am full of vexation and anguish of minde but let mee never yeelde noâ— waxe faint but sustained and vpholded by thy grace and power that bâ—eing pressed I bee not oppressed but rise againe as the Palme tree For as the seede dead and rotten in the earth bringeth foorth greater aboundance so tribulation is the seed of the Church Assist me therfore by thy heavenly grace to try how much more precious the tryall of my Faith is than gold which bringeth so great a glorie when thou shalt change my teares into ioye my mourning into mirth my sorrow into solace my death into life Make my delite to bee always in thy word which being eternall can make mee also eternall I choose it to be my Treasure that mine heart may be alwayes therein for he that will liue must needes know thee hee that will reigne must needs serue thee that he wil haue ioy of heart must needes praise thee for thou art that Ladder by which Angels come downe to vs and wâ—â— ascend vp to Heaven to them Thou art the Way the Veritie and Life no man commeth to the Father but by Thee Quicken â—â—e therefore in thy Blood that I may bee of the number of thy Children and true member of the bodie of thy Church and never forget this Covenant I haue now bouÌ„d vp with thee who hath giuen mee that Inheritance by thy Will and Testament wherof this holy Supper is a true pledge Nowe hence foorth I am fullie deliberated to obey willinglie thy Statutes and persevere ioyefullie vnto the death and suffer crosses patiently sith thou my Saviour art my life To thee therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost Triniâ—â—e in Vnitie bee all praise and glorie and honour for nowe and euer Amen
my love and my light Learne mee to forget those things that are behind mee Phi. 3.13 and follow hard towards the mark O Lord open thine owne Treasures and sende downe of thy spirituall graces Let mee finde a lifting vp vertue in thy spirit continuallie raising vp my spirit Speake peaceable things to my soule this morning that all the day long I may rejoyce in thee Giue mee faith to applye the sweete promises of mercie made in thy Worde Hedge mee so about with thy grace that my secreet corruptions breake not out Let my whole life bee a walking with thee and a moving towards thee Iohn 12.32 Draw mee everie day somewhat neerer to thy selfe and deface the image of sinne in me that the image of Christ may bee set vp in my soule Bee thou O Lord a bulwarke to thy servant that the violent spait of the corruption of this time dryve mee not away Save mee that I communicat not with the sinnes of other men 1. Tim. 5.22 and cleanse mee from my owne sinnes As this bodie of clay weareth and wasteth graunt O Lord that sinne may weare and waste in me Bring the worke of thine owne grace to perfection and leade mee from faith Rom. 1.17 to faith and from feeling to feeeling 1. Cor. 13.12 vntill faith end in sight and feelling into an endlesse fellowship which I hope to enjoy in the Heavens with my blessed Head and Husband Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fourth Day I Blesse the time wherein I was acquainted with thy Majestie If thou hadst not sent the light of thine owne Spirit Eph. 2.12 as I was borne a stranger I had died a straÌ„ger I confesse O Lord that before my calling I was doing the workes of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and of the minde and was by nature the child of wrath as well as others But thou O Lorde who art riche in mercie through the great love that thou hast loved mee in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.4 hast made mee to see that I was walking in a way to mine owne damnation Thou in mercie reclaimedst mee and broughtest mee backe yea thou diddest pardon those selfe-same sinnes in mee for the which thou hast condemned others O Lord what didst thou see in mee more than in others Nothing but matter of wrath and condemnation Yea Lord as thou didst separate Eliah from Elisha 2. King 2.11 walking in one way together by a fyrie chariot so hast thou shedde mee from the reprobat sometime walking in one course with them I say with thy servant David Not vnto mee Psal 115. 1. not vnto mee O Lord but vnto thy Name let the glorie bee given Who is able to thinke aright of thy mercy all thy wayes are mercy truth to them that feare thee Psal 25.1 When I remember what I haue beene I am enforced to wonder at thy mercie If thou hadst beene as readie to punish mee for my sinne as I was readie to commit sinne I had had my portion amongest the damned Spirites ere now What follie was there wherein I did not take pleasure I stopped mine care at the voyce of GOD and hearkened vnto the voyce of the Serpent The deceitfull pleasures of sinne ensnared my soule but thou hast broken the grinne Psal 124.6 and my soule like a bird hath escaped all thinges are naked and patent before him Heb. 4.13 with whom we haue to do Thou didst see Nathanael vnder the figge tree Iohn 1.48 I do therefore in all humilitie crave thee mercie for all my sinnes before my calling and also after my calling Like a Dogge I haue returned to my vomite 2. Pet. 2.22 and like a Sowe washed I haue defiled my selfe in the myre againe After that thou hadst made mee cleane these same sinnes for the which I haue lamented and repented I haue falne into againe As my salvation was begunne of thy mercie so let it bee continued and perfected of that same mercie for mercie is all I leane to At that last houre when all these outward comforts as false friends will flie from mee in my greatest neede then Lord bee at my right hand yea bee in the secreet corner of mine heart that my death as well as my life may edifie others in the faith of Christ Let my mouth whilst I haue breath vtter foorth a good matter Psal 45.1.2 Then leade thou mee through the valley of death and in end bring mee into that glorious and lightsome Pallace where the glorie of God shineth most brightlie â—sal 17.15 that my soule may ever bee delighted with the brightnesse of his Face and may haue my part in that Songe of Thankesâ—giving Rev. 5.9.10 c. which the glorified Spirites sound to the praise of GOD to whom be everlasting praise Amen Morning meditation of the fift Day O Heavenly Father as all the waters runne into the Ocean so doth all poore sinners powre out their complaintes in thy bosome Thou art the onelie refuge of a wearied soule to thee onelie doe wee flie in our greatest necessities and at thy mouth doe wee seeke resolution in our most perplexed affaires I haue manie things to lament to thy Majestie but in speciall I lament to thee that my meditations are so confused and mixed with impertinent cogitations Lorde this is a token of a confused heart I am sorie that the heart which should bee the dwelling place of thy Spirit should bee so preoccupied by earthlie fleshlie and profane cogitations I may withdrawe my selfe from the companie of the Worlde but allace I can not with drawe my selfe from a profane heart where ever I goe I carrie a profane heart about with mee and albeit thou givest mee an outward libertie to bow the knee of my bodie yet my spirite is bound Ah Lord I can neither speake nor thinke of thee as I should doe Thou art infinite vnmeasureable incomprehensible what can a finite creature take vp of an infinite God Forgive mee Lord that I worship thee in such ignorance let mee see thee in a clearer light and I shall worshippe thee with a greater affection The better O Lord that I know thee the better I loue thee the more will I reverence thee That woman of Samaria Iohn 4.9 before Thee knew thee preferred a drinke of water to thee but from time shee knew thee shee esteemed much of thee and preferred thee vnto all things To the end therefore O Lorde that thou may haue that rowme in mine heart that thou oughtest to haue manifest thy selfe more clearelie to my soule Drawe abacke this curtaine off my soule that I may take thee vp more sensiblie I crave light with the increase of light and grace with the increase of grace faith with the increase of faith and because that heere is no perfection Graunt I may studie to a growth vntill thou perfite thine owne worke and in the meane time O Lorde consider what I am
esteeme all things doung in respect of him Let mee feele sensiblie O Lorde that I am rooted Eph. 2.20 and builded in him Let vertue proceed from him to heale my diseased soule in him Lord bee well pleased with mee thy weake servant Furnishe mee with grace to doe everie point of thy worshippe with some peece of good conscience that in the end thou bee not ashamed of mee nor denie mee not to bee thine but mayest call vpon mee saying Come faithfull servant Mat. 25.21 enter into thy Masters rest vnto the which rest O Lord of thy infinite mercie bring this poore soule of mine in thy owne good time Amen Evening Meditation of the sixt Day WHAT shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefites bestowed vpon mee a sinfull worme Psal 116.12 I haue found thy kindnesse in outward things I haue had a proofe of thy favour in inward mercies If Ruth Ruth 2.3 when she found favour with Boaz in suffering her to gather cornes on his field amongst his slaves and give her bodilie refreshment with his servants made such an humble confession saying What am I that I should haue found favour in thine eyes and that thou shouldest knowe mee seeing I am a stranger What may I say to thy Majestie who albeit I was a stranger from the wombe yet hast thou O Lord received mee to mercie and communicatest of thy spirituall Treasure to my soule O Lord thou hâ—st powred in life in my soule where Death had taken seasing yea as thou quickened Lazarus his dead bodie Iohn 11.43 so hast thou quickened my dead soule thou madest light to breake vp where there was nothing but darknesse As the morning clowde passeth away at the rising of the Sunne so the clowde of naturall darknesse passeth away at the breaking vp of the light of thy Face Thou hast O Lorde brought libertie to my soule where I was fettered in the chaines of an vnbelieving heart whereas at my first wakeninges I found terrours feares accusations and great inward griefes thou hast now pacified my soule and brought peace and joye to mine heart Blessed bee the time that ever I knew thee happie was that houre wherein thou manifested thy selfe vnto mee Peter Iames and Iohn were so ravished with the glorie of Christ his transfiguration Mat. 17. 1.2 that they desired never to have removed off that mountaine so Lord the smallest glimmering of thy light doeth so delight the heate that it maketh vs to forsake all that wee may abyde with thee I say to thee Ruth 1.16 O Lord as Ruth said to Naomi where thou goest I will goe My deare Lord strengthen my weak faith that day by day I may get a faster grippe of Iesus Christ and howbeit I continue not at all times in the like degree of feeling yet let never my faith faile mee and whensoever I misse thee give mee grace to seeke thee with a sorrowfull heart vntill I finde thee Leade me forward from faith to faith and feeling to feeling vntill faith end in sight and feeling in a perfite fruition of these supernaturall joyes which I longe for and daylie awaite in Christ Iesus our Lorde and Saviour Amen Morning meditation of of the seventh Day IT hath pleased thee O Lord to separate this Day from the rest of the dayes for thine onelie worshippe LORD in like manner separate mee from my corruptions and in some measure sanctifie mee this Day to thy service that I may dedicate the same whollie to thy service and not onelie cease from medling with my worldlie businesse but I may cease from sinne and haue all the powers of my soule lifted vpward O Lord warme mine heart with the loue of thee inslame mine affections with the zeale of thy Glorie Oh Lord how long shall I dwell in the tentes of Kedar Psal 120.5 when shall this wearisome pilgrimage be ended when shal that blessed Iubile come when all thy Saintes shall be set at libertie and wee to enjoye perfect rest with thee for euer Heere I am oppressed with feares doubtinges deadnesse of spirit blindnesse of minde In the meane time sweet Christ Iesus leaue me not in this place of my banishment for thou art Light and without thee I can doe nothing but walke in darknesse Iohn 8.12 Thou art Life and without thee there is nothing but present Death Thou art the Way and without thee I can doe nothing but walke in the broad way Goe thou before mee my deare Sauiour then shall I cheerefulie follow thee let mee see the way I should walke into and lead mee into that way Make the light of thy face continually shine vpon my soule that in thy light I may see light And now O Lord since I am to goe to thy house to heare thy will out of thy Word be thou my convoy and giue mee grace to take heede to my feete Eccl. 4 5.1 when I goe to the house of the Lord grant I may watch so narrowly over mine heart and minde that I bee not wandring in tyme of thy worshippe make thy word comfortable vnto my soule yea let it bee sweeter to mee than the honey and the honey combe that I may returne from thy Service with a minde more illuminated and heart by grace better established and affection better informed and all the powers of my soule in a greater measure sanctified finally so rule me by thy good Spirit this day that no part of it bee stollen away from thy service but that I may spend it so regiouslie that when the Evening shall come I may reape the peace of a good conscience the which peace is to mee an arles pennie of that endlesse Peace I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christe our Lord Amen Evening Meditation of the seaventh Day O Lord my God although thy Majesty knoweth it was my purpose in the Morning to haue spent this whollie day in thy service yet I haue stollen a part of it froÌ„ thee my minde hath gone a whooring after other vanities no I dare not but confesse that euen in the verie houre of preaching and prayer my heart hath wandred from thee Oh Lord it is easie to promise obedience but not so easie to performe I perceiue by doolefull experience that my soule is subject to such inconstancie that I can not keep it in the state with thy Majestie no not the space of one day no Lord not one houre yea scarse a quarter of an houre I resolve wel Rom. 7.18 but practise nothing my desire is euer to walke with thee but alace everie moment I wander froÌ„ thee manie are the changes whervnto I am subject sometime I finde the Spirit-slightering vpward incontinent drawing downe to the earth sometimes delighting to talk with GOD at other times wearying of spirituall exercises sometime marveilouslie enlightned with a great light at other times plight with a palpable darknes â— Pet. 1. sometimes rejoycing with
By the Passion of Iesus Christ And first wherein the holie and saving meditation thereof consisteth secondly which bee the principall parts of the Historie whereof some not all are handled THat worthely thou mayest vnder-stand these two thinges are necessarie First the knowledge of the History which is common to the Elect and the Reprobat Secondlie the spirituall notice and application thereof to thy selfe The first is necessarie for all that purpose to be saved but it is not enough and sufficient For how canst thou apply the passion of the Lord Iesus to thy selfe vnlesse thou be instructed therein Rom. 10.14 For how can they call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued And how can they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard And how shall they heare without a Preacher Iohn 8.56 Abraham had long agoe cognition heereof as Christ witnesseth Your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day and hee saw it and was glad So David in his 7.2 Psal and manie moe as if he had bene staÌ„ding by that wooden crosse and heard these words of Christs own mouth And Esay in his 53. hath clearlie the historie of the Passion as if he had beene at Golgotha in proper person yet this historicall knowledge doth shoot short For the Devils beleeue Iam. 1. and they tremble that is haue a simple naked knowledge Our looking vp to Heaven doth not transport vs thither So that bare knowledge doeth not joyne thee with GOD vnlesse there be added a spirituall mediâ—ation and speciall application of his death to thy selfe such as was in Abraham David and Esaias The Priestes and Elders the Pharisees Scribes and their servantes Pilate Herod and Iudas and innumerable moe knew this Historie whereof they were presidents and actours but never one of them voide of fault shall bee saved Heb. 11.6 yea it hade beene more tolerable to them never to haue seene nor heard of Christ Iohn 8 24. which maketh them the more inexcuseable For if hee bad not come and declared his Fathers will Mat. 11.21 they would haue had some clocke to pretend but now they haue none Remember all thy life-time is short Iam. 4.14 and insufficient for the true knowledge of this so high a mysterie of salvation which cannot be accordingly â—o the worth thereof expressed by any mortall and neither canst thou be fully ravished in admiration heereof It is not the saving vse of this Tragicall historie often to speake of it or with teares and lamentations Iohn 14. Luc. 23. or such humane feeling and sense to bewaile that the most righteous Sonne of God should haue vndergone such cruell and vndeserved punishmentes a most shamefull death it selfe much lesse to fall out in bitter imprecations and spitefull cursings against Pilate or Iudas remnant which contriued this innocent Lambes death but it should pearse deeper in thine heart and soule that his grace assisting draw and moue thee to earnest repentance 2. Cor. 10. not to be repented of patience in affliction thankfulnesse and brotherlie loue to abhorre and detest sinne for which our Saviour was so tormented never to dispare since for thy sake hee hath given him out of the deepe and gulfe of his love who was his enemie but seeing whilst thou was a sinner Rom. 5.8 Christ died for thee much more beeing now justified by his Blood shall thou bee saved from wrath through him For thou mayest bee perswaded that if when thou was a foe was reconcealed to God by the death of his Son Rom. 8.32 much more beeing reconcealed shalt thou bee saued by his Life for bee that gaue thee his Sonne will not hee giue thee all things also Especiallie during the time of thy life carie a thankfull heart to thy Redeemer that for maintainance and defence of his glorie Act. 21. â— thou would suffer all calamitie and miserie whatsoeuer yea death it selfe thus if it were possible to make a requitall to him But alwayes which is most acceptable in his sight by true faith establish thy confidence that after all the distresses of this wretched world are finished thy Redeemer shall stand the last on the earth Iob. 1 25.26 and though after thy skinne wormes destroy thy bodie yet shalt thou see GOD in thy flesh whom thou thy selfe shall see and thy eyes shall behold and none other for thee and so enjoye eternall felicitie with thy Christ in the Heavens who shall bee All in All. THE FIRST STEPPE in this Ladder to ascend are of thinges which went before his Crosse HERE consider my Soule how hee was betrayed by Iudas with a kisse Mat. 26.48 Whose delight was to be with the children of men Pro. 8.31 Accused of the Iewes who is the Iudge of the World Condemned vnder Pilate who would all to be saued 1. Tim. 2.4 and come to the knowledge of Trueth Crucified between two malefactors who is among the middest and in the middest of two or three gathered in his Name his Soule sore troubled Luc. 2.25 who is the consolation of his owne secrete ones his heart grieved who is the joye and mirth of his Elect Psal 66.1 his Bodie tormented with the nailing of his blessed Hands and Feete who created the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 32 18. Psal 110 1. and these bee the workes of his hands whose enemies shall bee made his foote-stoole With the pearcing of his gracious side which yeelded streames of Iordan-like blood Mat. 26.28 and water to cleanse our leprosie whereof one drop was sufficient satisfaction for infinite worlds be reason of the personall vnion of the Deitie therewith 1. Pet. 1.12 The bespitting and beating of that Face on which the Angels of the Heaven take pleasure to behold So the Son of God the Lord of glorie the Prince of peace was hainouslie ignominiouslie and cruellie entreated of miserable miscreants so hee which knew no sinne was made a sacrifice for sinne 2. Cor. 5.21 that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God through him The Devill the prince of this world albeit a Lyar Iohn 8.44 a man-slayer from the beginning came and found in him nothing Iohn 8.46 yea who could rebuke him of sinne Now if the vaile of the Temple of senslesse stones was rent if the Earth did tremble which of it selfe was so firmelie sounded Psal 104.4 that it could not bee moued to condole the manifestatioun of that strange passion and hard Rockes raue asunder which thunder-boltes and Earthquakes could not divide If these creatures I say voyde of reason and sense expressed their sorrow reverence and obedience thus to their Creator Phil. 2.8 who had emptied and abased himselfe so to bee handled by the children of darknesse how can it be but thou my Soule who did the same and for whome it was done should bee much affected and feelinglie take to heart these vndeserved favours purchased for thee thy Bowells
maye quake thy Reason bee astonished thy Vnderstanding amazed to thinke of it and so may thy Tongue to speake of it Yet may thou sorrowfull Soule rejoyce in Christ crucified Gal. 6.14 which is the onely true object of all thy solide Ioye for by vertue of his painefull Passion 1. Cor. 1.30 thine hudge ransome is payed thy running wounds are healed perfite and absolute satisfaction for all thy sinnes made The first Death converted to Life the seconde valiantlie conquered the reid Dragon Sathan 1. Pet. 5.8 that Lyon goeth about to devour thee couragiouslie subdued Rev. 20.14 Hell that gapeth for thee overcom Col. 2.14 that Obligation that was against thee cancelled sinning sinne and that sinne that hangeth so fast on Heb. 12. 1. killed thy justly offended God pacified and thou with strong cords of love and everlasting mercie betrothed and reconcealed to him Hos 2.19 And now to call to memory wretched Soule these actions which went before his Crosse mayest thou not thinke that his suffrings were exceiding great when he did sweate blood Luc. 2.7 Hee spent his Bloode in his circumcisiâ—â— in our behalfe before and now in mount Oliues beeing in an agonie kneeling downe devotelie Luc. 22 44. and praying most earnestlie drops of Blood doeth burst through his sacred Bodie It is an vsuall thing for man in anguish to sweate but to sweate bloode and that in such quantitie and aboundance that it should trickle from him vpon the grouÌ„d is a strange thinge and an vnaccustomable thing and only proper to such an eminent personage whose Griefe was vnspeakeable and Paine vntolerable And did he thus shed drops of blood for thy sinne poore Soule and canst thou not nor wilt thou not shed teares for the same thou canst bewaile and mourne for vanishing and deceiuing toyes of this earth but for thy trespasses thy eyes are dryed and shoote vp Ob that mine head were a well of water Ier. 9.1 and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that thou mayest bewaile thy blindnesse forgetfulnesse and vngratitude And truelie it was not without cause that this terrible pâ—ssion did so sease vpon him for the matter which hee had in hand Col. 1.22 was weigh ie 2. Pet. 3.13 Eph. 6.12 Eph. 2.2 the worke which hee had to accomplishe was great the conflict strong the enemies mightie Luc. 4.13 their assaultes many the worke was mans eternall redemption the battell was with detestable Sinne destroying Death devouring Sathan insatiable Hell accusing Law and with the consuming Wrath of God and would not deare Soule these enemies so manie in number so mightie in power so terrible to behold make a man to feare to tremble to sweate Truelie if Christe had beene meere man onelie hee could not haue encountred with them for hee should haue succumbed vnder the burden of his owne sinne much lesse should haue releaved others But beeing very GOD and very Man Iesus Chrâ—ste the Iust 1. Iohn 2â— hee did fight them all overcame them all led captiue all Eph. 4.8 and hath triumphed over them all it cost them all their liues for ever and h m drops of blood with strong crying and teares Heb. 5.7 What say I droppes of bloode costed him no more yes yes that which was dearest vnto him his verie Life which could not bee taken from him but laid it downe for thee Mat. 20.28 and hath the power to take it again according to his Fathers commandement But now thou seest him crowned with Glory and Honour which is made a little inferior to the Angels through the suffring of death Heb 2.9 that by Gods grace he might taste Death for all men Hee is that stronger man that entred in the strong mans house spoyled all that he had and this and much more hee did Mat. 18. 11. before hee could bring vnder so mightie enemies as man had and so accomplish so painfull a worke as Redemption is Rom. 4.10 and pacifie so great a Person as is the most hie Almightie everlasting God O my Soule diligentlie remember often cal to mind the heauenlie droppes of that inesteemable Blood which he shed for thy sake thy soule vile sinnes for thee vnworthy soule and salvation 1. Iohn â— 19. Eph. 5.5 â—sal â— Rom. 8.3 Loue him for it dearelie thanke him for it earnestlie serue him in humilitie obedience and simplicity And that thou mayst receiue deeper impression of his blood marke heere diligentlie my Soule to how many severall respects and diverse ends hee had in this worke For first Rom. 8.32 GOD the Father delivered him who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death It was bee that smote the Sheepe-Heard Zach. 13. and the Sheepe was scattered For the sinnes of his people hee smote him I say Esay 53. for the Lord had laide vpon him the iniquitie of vs all And it behoued him to drinke of the cup that the Father had giuen him but what shall I say they persecute him whom they haue smitten Psal 69.26 and they adde vnto the sorrowes of them whom thou hast wounded As Iudas who said What will yee giue mee Mat. 28.15 and I will deliver him vnto you not assisting or cooperating to Gods will but perfecting his owne maliciousnesse as did the rest The Iewes also tooke him Iohn 18 13. and bound him and ledde him away vnto Annas Pilate also delivered him to bee crucified at their owne will Yea Iohn 19 16. Sathan had a enterest heerein who from the his Nativitie persued him euen to his Baptisme Mat. 4. where he hand to hand combated him but got the foyle and now hath entered in Iudas O! Eph. 5.2 but most of all deare Christ thou gauest thy selfe to death for the loue of thy Church for thou loued thy Church and gaue thy selfe for it Truelie Psal 1â— 3. thou mightest haue said The snares of Death compassed mee and the grieues of the Graue caught mee I haue found trouble and sorrow Psal 22. many young Bulles haue compassed mee mighty Bulles of Basan haue closed mee about they gape vpon mee with their mouthes as a ramping and roaring Lyon Dogges haue compassed mee and the assemblie of the wicked haue inclosed mee The chiefe Priestes who should haue defeÌ„ded the Shepe-Heard Bishop of our Soules 1. Pet. 2.25 1. Cor. 8.2.3 who pretended knowledge in whose handes were the Oracles of God most of all both privatlie and publicklie did procure his Death For Envy corrupted the whole masse of their learning They knew where Christ should bee borne Mat. 2.4 they had ofttimes disputed with him after that Iohn had testified of him Iohn 1.19 hee himselfe confessed and denyed not that hee was the Son of God Luc. 22.67.69.70 yet they never pretermitted no opportunitie while they had his life It is good to vnderstand according to sobrietie
keeping faith and a good conscience in surrendring obedience in holinesse to God Charitie to thy neighbour puritie of life and diligence in thy calling that the Lord may direct thy steps in his Trueth may guyde thee by his Counsell and reserve thee to his Glorie For thy Armour are Teares and Prayers other-wise thou neither can resist nor possiblie prevaile Iacob against Esau vsed these spirituall meanes Patience and Devotion for a slender and light wind of temptation can shortlie cut vs off from confidence for Peter was a deseâ—bler a lyar and perjure vntill that grace reduced him So man is nothing yea hee is much in himselfe to his owne minde vntill hee haue the experience of his owne deficiencie but beeing tempted hee will learne from whom hee hath receiued strength and with howe much vigilancie hee should keepe the same For who denyeth mee before men I will denye him saith hee before my Father which is in Heaven hee that denyeth him by mouth doeth not beleeâ—e by â—eart the faith in the hearte is the roote of confession confession is the fruite of Faith while the Roote is liuing there are blossomes and leaues if not dead For â—y the hearte wee beleeue to righteousnes Rom. 10.10 and by the mouth wee confesse to salvation And therefore Soule the confession of the mouth without faith in heart neither faith in heart without confession of the mouth availeth Lord giue that thou askest and aske what thou wilt Peter was prompt in promising fearefull in keeping but diligent in amending greatest spirits gather strength to themselves the greatest occasion of sinne If we consider how feeble we are to resist evill and changeable to persever in goodnes we wold quake But O dead Soule thou art nothing else than a vanitie and shaddow of death and gulfe of darknesse in earth without forme and voyde which without Gods blessing can bring out no good thing I haue confusion sinne and death of my self whilest I stand it is by thy gift if I fall it is of me and ever should lye vnlesse thou raised mee Blinde am I vnlesse thou enlighten me and when I fell vnlesse thou laid thine hand vnder mee there should I haue lyen yea ever haue fallen vnlesse thou had sustained mee oft-times perished vnlesse thou hadst governed mee And now dead Soule remember the occasion of this Peter his fall Preachers are Cockes to crow the glad tythinges of salvation so Nathan to David Ier. 7.26 and Ionas to the Ninivites but yee would not heare me nor incline thine eare but hardened the necke saith hee The Lord looke on vs with the eyes of his mercie that we may bitterly worthilie weep for our transgressions applying the merites of Iesus Christ by a true faith vnto our soules for wee haue many sweete promises of salvation and favour of our God offered vnto vs who came not to call the righteous Mat. 9.13.14 but sinners to repentance for the whole need not a Physician but these that are sicke For it is not onelie requisite that thou accuse thy selfe for sin but thou first accuse thy selfe and looke not for rebuking from others but who can build without God keepe witho t God begin without God O! Rom. 11.33 the vnsearcheable and infinite and vnspeakable goodnesse of God! amongst the railinges of the Priestes falshoodes of witnesses against Christ being buft and bespitted Christ casteth a glanse of his eye vnto Peters tossed faith Turne vnto mee beleeue in mee followe mee this is the tyme of my Passion the tyme of my marriage wilt thou followe mee bee not afrayed thou shalt overcome let not the infirmitie that I haue taken for thy sake make thee swarue bee strong in me Thus he that sleepeth is wakened the feeble confirmed the casten downe raised out of the dry rock of his heart floods of teares doe spring once beeing touched with the rod meditation of his bitter Passion For Thou art hee who will not the death of a Sinner but rather to convert and liue for Thou camest not into the world to judge it but to saue it THE SECOND DEgree in this Ladder of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by the meditatioÌ„ of the Passion of Iesus Christ And the first Steppe thereof INto this Garden then in Mounte Olives over the Brooke Kedron came out a multitude with Iudas and bound Christ and caried him to Annas the high Priest Heere hast thou deepe matter poore Soule of spirituall contemplation thy Saviour of his wisedome did see all these thinges yea the verie houre of his death But hee that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh Psal 2.4 and haue his enemies in derision For their counsells are not hid from him who by his word onlie was able to cast them to the ground Which is like a fire Iâ—r 5.14 and men as woode to devour them for it is liuelie and mightie in opereation and sharper than any two edged sword and entreth through even vnto the dividing asuâ—â—â—er of thâ— Soule Heb. 4.12 and the Spirit and of the joyntes and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearte If such a mylde worde did cast his enemies downe what shall become of them in that day Psal 37.12.13 when hee shall rebuke them in his wrath so the wicked practised them against the just Mat. 25.47 but the Lord shall laugh him to scorne for hee seeth his day commeth Neither is our sweete Saviour so much moued with his owne cause as indeed hee was verie much that hee did forget his Fatherly care over his own Disciples Let these goe Iob. 1.10 The Lord hath a hedge about his owne against Sathan Zach. 2.5 hee is I say a wall of fire round about his owne yea hee is patient and long suffering with his enemies who beeing cast downe hee permitteth to ryse and not to bee swallowed vp of the earth Num. 16.32 with Corah Dathan and Abiram Thou canst not marveill sufficieÌ„tly on the blindnes of this companie they had oft-ten seene him before yet Iudas to be sure that Christ should not escape as by his divinitie hee had done sundrie times gaue them the signe of a kisse The Lord can keepe his owne and not suffer them to bee exposed to the pleasure of their foes They that sought for Lot were smitten with blindnesse by the Angels Gen. 19.11 and so the Lord did to the Syrians at the word 2. King 6.28 of Elisha but small was their power against him for how soone Christ professed that it was hee they fell and beeing risen againe are no whit bettered but persevere in their wicked course O! the riches of the mercie of God Ezek. 33. 11. as I liue sayeth the Lord I desire not the death of the wicked but that bee turne from his way and liue Ier. 20.12 Turne you turne you from your evill way for why will ye die yee house of Israel Hee might
not see or hee that chastiseth the nations Psal 94.7.8.9.10 shall bee not correct hee that teacheth men knowledge shall bee not know yea the Lord knoweth the thoughtes of men that they are vanitie But heere is a notable image of eternall punishment represented vnto vs which wee ha e deserved in bodie and soule for if we examine our life and conversation not to speake of our thoughtes and weigh them in the ballance of Gods Law wee cannot but judge our selves to bee worthie of eternall contempt rebuke and shame if we would not with euerlasting punishments be plagued let vs in all possible haste repent and turne our selves But here is abundant consolations offered against persecution contumelies which the wicked doe inflicte on the godlie His shame was changed in an vnspeakeable glorie the ignominie redunded on the head of his enemies so shall the persecutions of his members receiue a coÌ„pensation of eternall life Rejoyce therefore in asmuch as ye are partakers of Christs suffrings that when his Glorie shall appeare yee may bee glad and rejoyce if yee bee railed on for the Name of Christ blessed are yee for the Spirit of Glorie and of God resteth on you which on their part is evill spoken of 1. Pet. 4.13.14 but on your part is glorified O! but heere hâ—ue wee a notable defence against the wrath of God and everlasting coÌ„demnation for if God hadde suted vs before his judgement and appointed the due punishment for vs wee should not haue beene thoght worthy of a temporal but an everlasting confusioÌ„ But Christ such was his mercie hath become debter for vs and hath remoued al our shame and ignominie sanctified and cleansed vs that he might make vs vnto himselfe a glorious Church holie and without blame What shall wee â—ander vnto the Lord for all his goodnesse bestowed vpon vs most vndeservedlie Psal 116.12 wee will take the cup of salvation and call on his Name in presenting to him a mindfull and thankefull heart By the spetle therefore that hee was defiled with hath he washt the face of our soule by the covering of his face hath he taken away the veile from our heartes his head was beaten that all his members might receiue spirituall motion life sense influence and with Fists was hee rigorouslie stricken that we may render glorie praise and honour vnto him with heart and clapping of our hands THE THIRD DEGREE and first Step of the ascension of the Soule vnto heaveÌ„ by comtemplation of Christs exaltation on the Crosse ANd now heere consider the hie Priests Elders their diligence in conveening their Counsell Mat. 27. Iudas the tratour his conterfeit Repentance Mar. 15. whose end was desperation and the consultation of the Elders Luc. 23. for buying a Potters fielde They pretermitted no time so speedily would they haue yea even before the Sunne arose the Sunne of righteousnes dispatched fearing least hee should escape the more short deliberation take they for killing of him althogh their meeting did hold by the 70. and one which was their Sanhendrin for the which cause the kingdome was taken from them the Scepter from Iuda Gen. 49.10 Iudgement and the Priesthood from that Nation Hos 13.9 Thy destruction is from thee O Israel Esay 5.4 What more could he haue done to his Vine-yarde than he hath done Gen. 3.11 That which Adam had commited our Saviour payed Christs silence made a defence for Adam for hee heard from Euah that whicâ— was not lawfull and spake things also which he should not hee heard and obeyed his wife counselling wrongouslie excused himselfe when the Lord accused him But contrarily Christ accused by the wicked holdeth his peace as a deafe man neglecteth their forgeries for well knew he their malice to come to such hight that neither would they heare him nor put him to liberty and yet constaÌ„tly professed himselfe Luc. 22.69 to bee Son of man the Sonne of God and one that should sit at the right hand of â—he Majâ—stie in Heaven Mat. 26.64 which to make a way to their ovvne decree against him as hauing testimonie out of his owne mouth vvith many vvords they insult against him But what is Iudas part seeing that thus Christ had incurred their sentence of coÌ„demnation Mat. 27.3.4.6.7 whose Conscience being raised from sleepe by the sting thereof and sense of Gods fierce anger rendered the money and testified Christes innocencie which they imployed for a buriall for strangers Well beleeued Iudas that he had bene in a good cace when hee once had receiued the money but hauing done this mishant fact his eyes vvere so opened that he not onely did feele his abominable offence but also is tormeÌ„ted with such horrour in soule that he beleeued no no remedie to bee left but hanging of himselfe But more particularlie poore Soule examine these circumstances the time wheÌ„ hee did see Christ adjudged to death soone enough if wel enough late repentance is seldome true but true repentance is never late Ezek. 18.27.28 For when the wicked turneth away froÌ„ his wickednesse that hee hath committed and doeth that which is lawfull and right he shal saue his soule aliue because hee considereth and turneth away froÌ„ all his transgressions that hee hath committed Ezek. 23.16 hee shall surelie liue not die for none of his sinnes that hee hath committed shall be mentioned vnto him as is evident in the Malefactor that hang on Christes right hand But this goodnesse of God should not breed security in thee abyde not nor prolong the time Rom. 2.4 when thou shalt not bee master of thy owne thoughts They that are in Fever raue before they coole and many die before they intend to repent because the time Luc. 12.40 and houre of death is vncertaine Consider he brought the thirtie silver pieces and restored them Ezek. 33.15 which sometimes was a vndoubted token of repentance as in Zacheus Luc. 19.8.10 But he was destitute of true Faith in applying to him the mercie of God Who came to seeke and saue that which was lost Mat. 18.14 Hee also made a free confession of his sinne which is very requisit in repentance but it was not to the Priests but to God and to his onlie begotten Sonne What marveile therefore he be voyde of comfort And this hee proclamed in the verie Temple but alace many doe we find who doth not come so far off although their wickednesse witnesse to their face Psal 3.8 but doe deny or threaten those which admonish them of it But this is remarkable that he bare record of Chirsts innocencie for such an high Priest it became vs to haue which is holie harmelesse vndefiled Heb. 7.26 separate from Sinners The high Priests did answere What is that to vs looke thou to it Neither for promise norrewarde or pleasure of any man fall vnder the wrath of God by
Iohn 2.3 and not for ours onelie but for the sins of the whole world by Faith applying the merites of Christe vnto himselfe to doe this businesse whereof Iudas destitute contemning the deepenesse of his mercie and riches of grace lost hope of recovering no man can seriouslie repent but he that looketh for forgiuenes And therefore to wrestle with temptation is first to look to the promises of God which is so sure and certaine that it is more easie that beaven earth should passe away Luc. 16.17 than they should faile or that any title of the Law should faile For the Lord is strong Exod. 34.6.7 mercifull and gracious slow to anger and aboundant in goodnes anâ— truth reserving mercie for thousandes forgiuing iniquities and transgressions and sinnes for the Lord is gracious and mercifull slow to anger Psal 145.89 and of great mercie the Lord is good to all and his mercie is over all his workes In this conflict cast the eyes of thy faith on Christ Iesus to whom a voyce from Heauen came Saying Mat. 3.17 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am wel pleased For hee receiued of God the Father honour and glorie 2. Pet. 1 17 and there came such a voyce to him fâ—om the excellent It is reported that Alexander the Great when he saw Iaddus the hie Priest with his priestlie apparel meeting him ceased from his rage against Tyrus and also richlie rewarded him How much more when our euerlasting Priest Iesuâ— Christ who is just yea our righteousnesse shall appeare in the sight of God his Father making intercession for vs to mitigate his wrath Heb. 7.26 and shall giue vs forgiuenesse of sins and life everlasting for he is able perfectlie to saue them that are able to come vnto God by him seeing hee ever liueth to make intercession for them Let not therefore Sathan bereaue thee of Gods loue mercie towardes thee the merite of his passion efficacie of his death For the gift is not so as is the offence for if by the offence of one many bee dead much more the grace of God Rom. 5. 15. and the gift by grace which is by one Man Iesus Christ hath abouÌ„ded vnto many Moreouer neuer sinner yet to this day desiring to bee reconcealed with his God was euer secluded froÌ„ mercie if the sinne be great his mercies is aboundantlie more and so much more as all the whole globe of the Sea exceedeth the smallest droppe of water If thy sinne be old which thou hast drunken in from thy mothers breast and in processe of time hath euer augmented the same bee thinke thee of Gods mercie is from al eternitie if thy iniquity bee latelie committed Gods mercies are daylie renewed which euerie moment hee poureth vpon vs. And therfore poore Soule because of the savour of thy Bridgromes oyntmeÌ„ts Cant. 1.2.3 his Name is as an oyntment poured out therefore the Virgines love him draw mee wee will runne after thee the King hath brought mee vnto his chamber wee will rejoyce and bee glad in thee wee will remember thy loue more than wine the righteous doe loue thee yea thou despysest not the poore sinner thou abhorredst not the confessing Thiefe neither the weeping woman neither her that was found in adulterie neither him that sate at the receipt of custome nor the humble Publican nor the denying Disciple nor the persecuting Paul yea not these that crucified thee but prayed for them Strengthen thy faith therfore in the spirituall fight by the holy meditation vse of the Sacraments for whosoeuer are baptized in Christ Gal. 3.27 hath put on Christ he covereth our nakednesse and doth wash away the filth of our Soules whose sinnes if they were as Crimson Esay 1.18 shall bee made white as Snow for it is the â—lood of Iesus Christ that cleanseth vs from all sinne 1. â—ohn 1.7 Bee not therefore affraied sinful Soule Art thou baptized in Christ hee will hâ—ue care of thy cause as if it were his proper owne The Rainebow was a signe of the Covenant betwixt God and man That the earth shâ—uld never be destroyed by deluge of water therafter Gen. 9.13 So baptisme is a vndoubted seale of our purgation by Christ at Gods hand he made a league with vs for our foule sins never to bee cast from his presence But in the Sacrament of the blood bodie of Iesus haue we a most certaine and liuelie pawne which is our Passeover offred for vs who by his obedience hath delivered vs from the Tyrannie of death and made vs partakers of life eternall It was worthie of consideration how precislie Peters falles are registrate in the booke God For whatsoeuer thinges are written afore-time are written for our learning Rom. 15. 4 that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Peter therefore denyed his Master seven times Foure times to Maides Mat. 26.69 and three times to men First to Maides I say when he sate without the Hall and the Maide came vnto him saying that Thou wast with Iesus of Galile Secondlie as Peter was beneath in the Hall for now hee had entered but before hee was not come in There came one of the Maides of the high Priests Mar. 14.66 and when shee saw Peter warming him shee looked on him and said Thou wast also with Iesus of Nazareth Thirdlie then a Maide saw him againe and began to say to them that stood by This is one of them Fourthlie when hee went out into the Porch from the common Hall And another Maide saw him and said vnto them that were there Mat. 26.71 This man was also with Iesus of Nazareth Thus foure times denyed he his Master before these weak Vessels Man never should be courageous stout in his owne conceite The Lord is my strength my buckler and the horne of my salvation If the Lord leaue vs to our selues wee are a prey to Sathan to euerie winde and blast of temptation Thrice also denyed he before men and first Iohn 18.25 before the Souldiers standing and warming himselfe Iohn 18.26 Secondlie hee denyed before Malohus coosen whose eare hee smote off Thirdlie hee denyed him anone to them that stood by who saide vnto him againe Mat. 26.70 Mar. 14.70 Surelie thou art one of them for thou art of Galile and thy speech is like Neither doe I so punctually set these dolorours spectacles before thine eyes sinful Soule to dig vp the Sepulchres of these glorious Saints which are in heauen who repented and weeped bitterlie for their sinnes who were patterns to others not to distrust And thou Peter being converted confirme thy brethren And Dauid after his fall did teach the Lordes wayes vnto the wicked Psal 51.13 that sinners might bee converted to him The beleeving and repenting sinner therefore may be perswaded that there is euer mercie to bee found how great soever his sins
hath beene Peter was taught this lesson of his Saviour That hee loued much to whom much is forgiuen and so being demanded if he loved him more than the rest of the Disciples did hee according to the multitude of his compassions bestowed vpon him referred the answere to his Master Iohn 21.15 whom hee knew did know all things knew how much and in what degree hee loved him Neither is this contradicent to the word which sayeth Thou shalt denie mee thrise for Christ said not thrise onlie but thrise and hee that denyeth seven times denyeth also thrise Peter had said before shall I forgiue my brother seven times to whome Christe answered not seven times but seaventie times seven times Christs favour to his owne is aboue the affection of men or loue of women as Dauid said of Ionathan and according to his everlasting mercies doth hee so much more freely and readilie forgiue yea this was also to strengthen Peter that when hee should fall which Christ did foresee he should not bee swallowed vp in desperation but constantlie beleeue with a liuelie and justifying faith in the Sonne of God as hee had professed before his Master To whâ—m shall we goe Iohn 6.68 69. thou hast the words of eternall life and wee beleeue and know that thou art the Christ the Son of the liuing God Mat. 16.16 Thus haue wee spoken of these two Disciples Peter Iudas their falles and repentance which are as different as Heaven is aboue Hell How are now the Priests Elders of the people imployed they are about the counsell for buying of the Potters fielde because they would not put his money in their Treasures Narrow and strait is their conscience in small things but rowme large broade in greater affaires They are constrained to perfect the Lordes decree pronounced by the Prophet Zacharie It is impossible that the enemies of Christ can stoppe the course strength of the Trueth There is neither wisedome neither vnderstanding Pro. 21.30 nor counsell against the Lord. O propheticall certaintie O great vnspeakable knowledge of the holie Ghost He said not ten or twentie but preciselie thirtie as if he had told debursed to them these pieces of silver Let nothing diswade vs from the certanty of Gods promises although there appeare vnto flesh and bloode no reason how they shall bee accomplished yea and that all thinges tend to the flat contrarie never doe thou swerue nor shrinke but beleeue against hope vnder hope Rom. 4.18 Many beautifull showes of outward holinesse doeth these represent they knewe vnlawfully purchased almes was displeasing vnto God They knew a care should be had of the poore and strangers departing this life that they be buried and for the perpetuall memorie thereof did giue the place a name Heere is their Pharisaicall hypocrisie they attend outward religion but lacke internall worship of the minde which is not looked to Well said Christ of theÌ„ Woe be vnto you Scribes Pharisees Hypocrits for yeare like vnto whited Tombs which appeare beautifull outward Mat. 23.27.28 but are within full of dead mens bones and of all filthinesse So are yee also for outwardlie yee appeare righteous vnto men but within yee are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie Yet the faithfull should not omit their dueties of humanty to support the indigencie of their brethren while they liue duetiful care of them when they are dead neither not to pull the goodes from their heires vnto themselves Yet one thing heere thou must learne poore Soule of their hypocrisie to bestow thy charitie and almes vpon the poore of thy own lawfull goods For I the Lord Esay 61.8 loue Iudgement and hate robberie for burnt offering and I will direct their work in truth will make an euerlasting Covenant with them for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Pro. 15.8 to present him in his members with such is to associat him to their villany he that taketh away his neighbours liuing Esay 1. 11.12 slayeth him and be that defraudeth the labourer of his hyre Eccl. 34.23 is a blood-shedder But heere behold an everlasting monument raised by them of their impietie and malice against Christ for whiles dissemblars will cover their wickednesse then most of all it is made manifest by reason of Aceldama But this was long time before figured in Ioseph who at the desire of Iuda was sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 47.5 6. wherby it came to passe that the Land of Goshan was giuen his brethren to dwell in So Iesus sold and delivered to death Iohn 14.2.3 prepared a place for vs where beeing delivered from all troubles Iohn 17.24 we might enjoy rest for euer Remember my Soule that thou art solde vnder the tyrannie of sinne But by Iesus Christ who was solde for thee thou art restored to libertie Beeing then made free from sinne wee are made the servants of righteousnesse and as ye haue giuen your members servants to vncleannes Rom. 6.18.19.22 and iniquitie to commit iniquitie so now giue your members servants vnto righteousnesse and holinesse that beeing fred from sinne yee haue your fruit in holinesse and the end euerlasting Life Mat. 13.18 Wherfore this Field is the world the Potter is God who made maÌ„ of the slime of the earth Gen. 2.7 The strangers are Christians who haue no abiding Citie heere Rom. 9.21 but haue renouÌ„ced the world The buriall place is our rest in Christ whose sepulchrs are sanctified by him Col. 2.11 1. Cor. 15.42.43.44 and who shall restore our bodies committed vnto him as vnto a faithfull Creator the price of blood is the merite and vertue of his Passion 1. Pet. 1.19 The second Step in the third degree of the asâ—ension of the Soule vnto Heauen c. NOw haue we conveyed our Saviour froÌ„ the Garden to Cajaphas now wee would accompanie him to Pilat Iohn 19. there false accusation against him Mat. 27. of the sending of him to Herod Luc. 23. and of most wrongous excambing of him with Barabbas with the most mishant condemnation of that Innocent Lambe of God Mar. 15. Pilat at the desire of the Iewes is deafe for hee heares nothing worthie of death in him The Iewes vvere verie diligent to take all occasions to put Iustice to execution if any had bene against him which now is oft times delayed But the cause that hee should bee presented before his Tribunall was Mat. 20.19 that it behoued the Sonne of man to bee delivered to the Gentiles to mocke and to scourge and to crucifice him that both Iew and Gentile as they had conspired his death so should both bee partakers of his Life And the first If they abide not still in vnbeliefe Rom. 11.23 should bee graffed in for God is able to graffe them in againe And for the second God hath concluded all vnder sinne
Now hee must play the Priest and suffer patientlie his death which hee would not stay Thou should vse poore Soule the opportunitie of the worde verie earnestlie while the raine thereof from Heaven doeth water the dry and thirstie soules of men and whilst it is called to day let vs not barden our hearts The Lord therefore will knowe the inventer of this accusation and in all the History wil haue every mans part knowne in this action I am no Iew said hee cleansing himselfe Thine owne Nation doeth accuse thee I count not for the Messias religion troubles me not so much The Cleargie and Church-men must take heed thereto A liuelie image of wordlings who in the matters of the earth are more thaÌ„ curious But spiritual things are spirituallie decerned For he inquireth not what a King hee was where his Kingdome was that he might haue a part and shâ—re thereof but breakes off in an accusation of Iesus if he was a King The naturall man knoweth not the thinges of the spâ—rit of God 1. Cor. 1.14 for they are fâ—clishnâ—sse to him And therefore Christ taketh the mouth of Pilat to bee witnes that hee was a King Who albeit hee was equall with the Father Phil. 2.6 and thought it no robberie made himselfe of no reputation by taking on him the forme of a servant to his Father to be witnes to the Truth He wold haue hereby wonne Pilat if it had been possible but he was interrupted for the word is euer a sweet odour to God 2. Cor. 2.15 either to salvation or damnation in mercie or Iustice. With great constancie and grauitie without respect of persons doeth Christ answere so should his servants defend Gods honour and not to turne their faile to everie Winde and therefore hee did avouch his Kingdome as anonynted of the Father Psal 2.6 and sat vpon Mâ—unt Syon his holie Mountaine Zac. 9.9 who is just and saued himselfe and his people from their sinnes Mat. 2.21 Blessed is hee that commeth in the Name of the Lord Hosanna Mat. 21.9 thou which art in the highest heavens who hath giuen vs to inherite the Kingdome prepared for vs Mat. 25.34 from the fâ—undation of the world And therefore weak Soule Why art thou affâ—aied Is it of the Devill hee can not hurt one haire of tâ—iâ—e head Mat. 8.31.32 without thy Kings will Art thou troubled with sickenesses At his command they depart Mar. 1.31 Are enemies risen against thee Hee can crushe with a Scepter of Iron Psal 2.9 and breake them in pieces like a Potters vessell Art thou astonished at Death 1. Cor. 15.55 Death is swallowed vp in victorie feare not therefore feeble Soule For it pleaseth the Father to giue thee his Kingdome Luc. 12.32 who can therfore separate thee from the loue of Christ bee perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor thinges present nor thinges to come nor hight nor deepe nor any other creature shal bee able to separate thee from the loue of God Rom. 8.35 38.39 which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for he hath al power in heaven Mat. 11. â—7 and in earth His Kingdome is not subject to change and vanitie but eternall Iohn 3.35 and reacheth aboue the heavens and the earth and the depths therof Ier. 6.7 Therefore poore Soule place thy treasâ—â—e in heaven but alace as the Fountaine casteth out her waters so doe wee cast out our malice Let the world bee crucified to vs and vs to the world Gal. 6.14 For if wee bee dead with him wee shall also liue with him 2. Tim. 2.11.22 if wee suffer with him wee shall reigne with him if wee be therefore troubled with the Children of this vvorld remember my Soule his Kingdome is not of this world Iohn 16.33 in the world thou shall suffer affliction but be of good comfort bee hath overcome the world This his Kingdome is from Sea to Sea Psal 72.8 and to the last parts of the earth and it is governed by the preaching of the Gospel Heb. 2.8 who in place of taking tribute from his subjects Luc. 24.47 hath caried vpon him our sorrowes plagued of God Esay 53.4 and smitten of God and humbled who hath giuen vs eternall goods as Righteousnesse Rom. 14.17 Peace and joye in the holie Ghost And therefore my Soule bee wise serue the Lord in feare and rejoyce in trembling Psal 2.10.11.12 kisse the Sonne least hee bee angrie and thou perish in the way when his wrath shall suddenlie burne blessed are all they that trust in him I came in the world to witnes the Trueth Iohn 14.6 who am the Way Veritie and Life to giue knowledg of salvation vnto my people by remission of their sins Luc. 1.77 that all that beleeue in mee â—ohn 3.15 should not perish but haue everlasting life Hee is therefore not onlie the Teacher of that heavenly wisedome Iohn 3.32 but is also made our wisdome from God 1. Cor. 1. 30 Receiue therefore comfortles Soule receiue his testimonie Hee that receiueth his testimony Iohn 3.33 hath sealed that God is true for hee whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giueth him not the spirit by measure Iohn 8.47 he that is of the Trueth doeth heare his voice be that is not of God Iohn 10.27 heares not Gods word Iohn 12 48. for the word that hee hath spoken shall judge him in the last day Verily he that heareth his word Iohn 5.24 and beleeueth in him that sent him hath everlasting life and shall not come vnto conâ—emnation but hath passed from death vnto Life So Pilat comming from the Common-Hall testified Christs innocencie but herein hee offended that hee did not deliver him who suffred wrong from the band of the oppressor Eccl. 4.9 but was faint hearted when he judged Iam. 1.26 All this while in silence and patience our Saviour possessed his soule vseing great moderation in speeches 1. Pet. 3.10 If thou lay thy injurie poore Soule at Christs feete hee will avenge it if thy wrong hee will repare it 1. Cor. 6.7 if thy sorrow he will care it And therefore learne to suffer wrong and sustaine harme Thy Christ sad Soule is thy patron and Advocate in the presence of God who by his silence hath opened thy mouth giueÌ„ thee libertie to speak for because thou art his son hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into thy heart Gal. 4.9 which cryeth Abba Father Let not therefore thy vnworthinesse dash thee so that thou should bee frighted Therefore come boldlie vnto the Throne of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest receiue mercie and grace in the time of need The third Step of the third degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. NOw must Christ pas to Herod
serving of him according to his will be afraied of his justice vvhereby hee will surelie punish the wicked Place thine hope in his eternall mercie bottomlesse grace and euerlasting glorie The third and last Steppe of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by contemplation of Christs entrance there ANd now Pilgrime Soule wilt thou aspire vpward yea let mee heare Lord thy loving kindnesse in the morning for in Thee is my trust Psal 143.8.9 Show mee the way that I should walke in for I lift vp mine heart vnto thee Deliver me from mine enemies for I hide me with Thee Remember mee with the favour of thy people Psal 106.4.5 Visite mee with thy Salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the joye of thy people glorie with thine Inheritance Poure cleane water vpon mee make mee cleane from my filthinesse Ezek. 36.36.37 Giue me a new heart and a newe spirit Take away that stonie heart out of my bodie and put in an heart of flesh that I may walke in thy Statutes and keep thy Iudgements For thou art the Poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.4 with fiue porches vvithin the vvhich vvhosoeuer steppeth in and doth cast the anker of Faith in the depth of thy wounds shâ—ll be made whole of whatsoeuer disease hee hath But alace whosoeuer washeth himselfe because of a dead bodie Eccl. 34.26 toucheth it againe what availeth his washing for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy Kingdome Such as doe returne with the Dogge to his vomit beleeue but for a season Pro. 26.11 and in the day of temptation goe away But I sorrowfull Soule as the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters Luc. 8.13 Psal 42.1 so doe I pant after thee O God ascended But woe is mee sinne is a sicknesse incurable which none can forgiue but thou O Christ Luc. 5.21 who putteth away iniquitie for thine owne sake Luc. 7.48 and will not remember sinnes For this purpose will I weake Soule make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel Esay 43.25 2. Chro. 29 1â— that hee may turne away his face from me and now will sorrowe that I doe not feele my selfe so much sorrowfull for the weight filthinesse multitude of my sins whose number doth passe the sand in the Sea-shore and doe beare mee downe as a heavy burden are growne over mine head With Peter not of infirmitie once and againe but infinite times haue I denyed Thee With Iudas I euen I haue betrayed Thee Heb. 6.10 With Iewes Gentiles I crucified Thee often haue I renewed thy wounds trode thy precious blood vnder foote vvith my louers hath my soule gone a whooring notwithstanding of that promise of marriage in my Baptisme vvhereinto I vvas betroathed vnto thee confirmed in thy blessed Supper ratified on the Crosse in thy blood to bee solemnized in thy glorie vvhereof I received the first fruites and earnest of the spirit Now alas doe I know and behold that it is a bitter and an evill thing to haue forsaken thee my God Ier. 2.19 and that thy feare was not in mee And these displeasures haue I O my Christ because I dearlie loue thee although there were no hell nor punishment at all I doe acknowledge all the tormentes of the world can not satisfie for the least imagination of the thought of mans heart Gen. 6.5 which is onely evill conâ—inually yea my righteousnesse if any I haue vvhich is the beautie and flowre of all that is best in mee is as a fiâ—thie clout But tâ—ou promisedst in trueth â—sâ—y 64.6 wilt performe in mercie that thou wilt not the death of a Sinner but whensoeuer hee shall repent bee shall liue Lord accept of the desires groanes of my heart Heare my cryes and vveeping forgiue my frailtie wipe awaye the filth and corruption of my soule furnish mee strength and spirituall courage against the life of sinne so pregnant and powerfull vvithin mee Inflame mine affections zealouslie to bee disposed to thy glory graÌ„t Perseverance Loue Hope and all Christian vertues vnto my last breath for I resolve by thy grace O my God to walke in thy vvayes the rest of my dayes I haue to spend lameÌ„ting for by past offences promise to shunne all occasions of evill hereafter O of how short continuance is this life Esay 40.7 endles is the eternitie in that life to come Iob. 2.7 plentifull is that reward Wisd 2.3.4.21 it is momeÌ„tary that pleasureth euerlasting that annoyeth yet as the Lordes greatnesse is so is his mercie Rom. 8.28 And therfore doe I account that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall bee showne 2. Cor. 4.17.18 for the light affliction which is but a moment causeth a farre more excellent and an eternall weight of glorie The thinges which are seene are temporall Gal. 3. 1. but the things which are not seene are eternall I know troubled Soule it beboued Christ whom thou didst see suffer and so enter into his glorie Luc. 24.26 in thy Place to take state and possession that wher hee is thou mayst be also for he hath married thee vnto himselfe for ever â—os 2.19 yea hee did marrie thee in righteousnes and judgements and in mercie and in compassion he hath euen married thee in faith fulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. â—ant 2. 16. Therefore thy beloued is thine and thou art his it is the voyce of thy welbeloued that knocketh saying OpeÌ„ to me my Doue my Sister â—ant 5.2 my Loue my well-beloved for mine head is full of dew and my lockes are wet with the drops of the night Say not deceitfull Soule to thy Christ Goe and come againe â—ro 3.28 and to morow I will giue thee if thou now haue it Remember the portion thou shalt haue vvith him in wed-locke who hath acquired vnto thee by his Poverie a Kingdome by his sorowes thy joy by his travles thy rest by his shame thy glorie by his Death thy life vvho vvould buy a match at such a deare and costlie rate Returne therefore disobedient Soule vnto the Lord hee will not let his wrath fall vpon thee for hee is mercifull Lam. 3.12 and will not keepe his anger And who is great like vnto him who takâ—th away iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercie pleaseth him hee will turne againe Micah 17.18.19 and haue compassion yea hee will subdue thy iâ—iquitie and cast all thy sins in the bottome of the Sea For thy Christ did come into this world to finish the wickednes Dan. 9.24 to seale vp the sinnes and to reconceale the iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Rev. 3.20 And novv behold poore Soule he standeth at the doore
and knocketh if thou will heare his voyce and open the doore hee will come in vnto thee and supp with thee Esay 60.19.20 and thou with him where there shall bee no more Sunne to shine by day neither the brightnesse of the Moone Iohn 14.23 to shine to thee for the Lord shall bee thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glorie and the dayes of thy sorrow shall bee ended Loue him therfore freelie beloued Soule and keepe his word 2. Iohn 3.24 and his Father will loue thee hee will come vnto thee dwell with thee for hee that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and Christ in him and heereby shalt thou know that hee abideth in thee even by the Spirit which hee hath given thee I will intreate thee of all favour poore Soule to meditate thy omission of good thinges commission of evill and losse of wholesome time occasion which three are past by and these three present the shortnes of this life the difficultie to bee saved 1 Pet. 4.17 18. and the fewnes of them that do enter in that strait way For if judgement beginne first at the house of God what shall be the end of them which obey not the Gospel of God and if the righteous scarcelie hee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinners appeare Doe not forget these three things to come Death than the which nothing is more terrible the last Iudgment than the which nothing is more horrible eternall Punishment than the which nothing is more vntolerable O that thou were wise then wouldst thou vnderstand this Deut. 32.29 thou wouldst consider thy letter end But I poore Soule doe not know what to doe â— Chro. 20.12 but mine eyes are towards thee O Lord for trulie great travel doe sinners take to perfect their iniquities they imagine nothing impossible so they may aquire their designes The way of sinners is made plaine with stones so smooth thinke they iâ— Wisd 5.7 but the end thereof is hell darknesse and paine Flee from sinne as from a Serpent the teeth thereof are the teeth of a Lyon Eccl. 21.10 to slay the soules of men All iniquitie is as a two edged sword the wounds thereof can not bee healed And if thou hast sinned doe so no more but pray for thy fore-sinnes that they may bee forgiuen thee Eccl. 5.5.6.7 And because thy sinne is forgiuen bee not without feare to heape sinne vpon sinne And say not The mercie of God is great hee will forgiue my manifold sinnes for mercie and wrath come from him his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners Make no tarying to turne vnto Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenlie shall the wrath of the wrath of the Lord breake foorth and in thy securitie thou shalt bee destroyed But blessed is that people whose God is the Lord for peace shall bee vpon them â—â—l 6.16 and mercie and vpon the Israel of God Vnto him therefore â—h 3 20. that is able to doe exceeding aboundantlie aboue all that wee aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs be praise in the Church by Christ Iesus thorowout all generations for euer Amen THE AGREEMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN THE INCARNATION PASSION AND Ascension of our Saviour THE MYSTERIE OF the Incarnation A Mother and a Virgine beares a Sonne The Creature her Creator on her knee FroÌ„ all beginning yet but now begun Servant to Time Lord of Eternitie Earths Weaknes HeaveÌ„s Power in him doth dwell That is both God and Man Emanuel Meekenesse is heere combin'd with Maiestie The Lyon with the Lambe keepes peacefull place Obedience findes a Seat in Emperie This Earthly substaÌ„ce breeds a heaveÌ„ly grace To Poverty rich Gifts are broght by Kings Terrestriall figures of Coelestiall thinges Who sits in HeaveÌ„ vpon the Throne of State Suckes here on Earth the milke of Infancie Who rules the Stars guids the sterne of Fate Sustaines the yoke of humane Miserie Eats drinks wakes sleepes weepes a mortall man In whom Immortall happines began THE MYSTERIE OF the Passion THe Iudge of MaÌ„ by MaÌ„ is iudg'd to die He that coÌ„mands the law the law obeys Submission hath a Seat in Soveraingn'ty This stormie Night begets our Halâ—yon days The best of Hope springs froÌ„ the worst of Fears And giues vs cause of Ioy from cause of Tears The Lord of Life is subiect vnto Death The Masters power the Minister obeyes At once inspyring expiring breath Submittes to Kinges yet Kings kingdomes swayes Sin vpon Vertue hath imposde a Blame Honour by Basenesse is exposde to Shame Thus from the Crosse our Blessednes is bred His suffering made it a triumphant Signe Our looks are raisde while he bowes down the Head He tasteth Vinegar to giue vs Wine Saues all by loosing all to Tyrannie Helpes all yet cryes Lamasabachtani THE MYSTERIE OF THE Resurrection and Ascension DEath froÌ„ the Graue Life to the Graue is broght Flesh without Sin sees no coruptioÌ„ By yeelding was this noble Conquest wroght O're Sin the World Death Hel al Pollution Extensiue Weaknes with intensiue Power His Hurts haue healed these wouÌ„ded states of our ASCENSION He that the Earth hath for his Footestoole laid Makes his Ascens vp to his Heavenlie Seat There dwels his Power which his Mercy made And here his Mercy which his Power makes great All glorious in his Seaâ— he sits vpon All gratious in the Place he treades vpon Hee which is taken vp is left behind Vnbounded Power doth circumscribe al things He that hath fram'd the heart ruls the mind Doth giue Himselfe to Beggars as to Kings Mercie remaines whilst Maiestie doth tower And Grace descends with his ascending Power Succumbat ratio fidei captiva quescat A SHORT CONFESsion of our Sinnes MY life O LORD is a perpetuall rebellion against thee for who can make cleane that which is conceiued in the filth of sin My time was a Sea and flood of sorrow secluded froÌ„ all goodnes vntil thou didst put forth thy hand and pull mee into thine Arke and had I not bene made cleane in some measure by the red Sea of the Blood of thy Son in Baptisme I should haue lyen in the filthie puddle of my vyle corruption Neither hath Sathan ceased to bereaue mee of the loue whereby thou first didst loue mee Hee did not show me deceiuing Serpent the wages of Sinne but â—â—eeting and turning did hyde thy wrath from mee Amitie with him is enimitie with my God His loue is hatred because the Image of my Saviour is in mee hee pursueth at my heales but if thou bee with mee who shall bee against mee I can not thinke a good thought of my selfe but shall doe all thinges through thee O Christ who strengthenst mee who is my life resurrection the hope of the afflicted my light in darknesse the wholesome dew of my drye and withered Soule my strength in weaknesse the Physitian of my