plenitude of merit and righteousnesse to God his Father for his whole Church Hitherto of the illustration of Christs passion To be slaine To be shorne Here we haue the extent of his passion The meaning whereof is Extent That Christ did not onely suffer himselfe to bee buffeted to bee smitten onely or to be crowned with thornes in derision Doct. No other way to purchase life to the Church but by Christs death but he suffered euen to the effusion of his bloud And herein will teach vs. That there was no other way to purchase life vnto the Church but through Christs death and to this end Christ submitted himselfe to the lowest degree of humiliation Now this humiliation of the Lord Iesus is not to be restrained to the time of his death but is indeed of a more large extent euen to the whole course of his life Yea the very incarnation of Christ was no small degree thereof that he should be pleased to lay aside that maiesty and glory that he had at the right hand of his Father and become man yea such a man as was subiect vnto all our infirmities sinne onely excepted as hunger thirst wearienesse c. yea hee became euery way subiect and obedient vnto the law that was the onely Law-giuer But the height of all was in this that he that was the Lord of life should as my Text saith submit himselfe to death yea such a kinde of death that was not onely ignominious before men but accursed before God as it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on the tree Deu. 21 23 That so he that was his Fathers darling and delight might become the obiect of his wrath and beare that intolerable burthen and displeasure for sinne that would haue crushed men and Angels into peeces to haue borne Now this humiliation of Christ hath diuers degrees thereof it began at the time of his incarnation as we haue heard before And those infirmities of our nature that he bore were part thereof But the principall part of all was in or about his death And the beginning hereof was in the Garden where the Text saith Luk. 22.44 Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops of blond trickling downe to the ground Saint Iohn hath it Ioh. 13.21 He began to be sore troubled Now surely the end of his passion must needs be mournfull when the beginning is so fearefull Wherein it may as truly be said of Christs death as euer it was of his life Neuer any man spake as this man doth Ioh. 7.46 So neuer man dyed as this man dyed And herein let vs first stand awhile and behold the lamentable distresse of a troubled and perplexed spirit When a man is in distresse indeed of whom doth he looke for comfort but from his Father and who are fittest to condole a mans misery but a mans dearest friends of whom Iob speaketh thus that A man in affliction ought to be comforted of his friends Thus was it with Christ at this time Now that he is so sore troubled now that his soule is so heauy euen to the death how earnestly praieth he to his Father Father Mar. 14.34 if it be possible let this cup passe from me And from whom might Christ â—t this time looke for comfort but from his dearest friends and who might these be if not Peter Iames and Iohn These aboue the rest of the disciples were most conuersant with Christ were eye-witnesses of Christs glorification vpon the Mount But alas Christ bids these watch with him and pray But when he was sweating they were sleeping they yeeld him no comfort they stand him in no stead so as backe againe he goes to his Father and from his Father to his Disciples againe but here is no helpe at all Ah Lord that hee should bee brought to this low ebbe so to be desolate and forsaken on all hands When he was in Caiphas Hall Peter denies him when he went to the Crosse all the Disciples forsake him and those that loued him most dearly did stand a farre â—ff Thus was he alone in his sufferings Wounded at the heart with sorrowes troubled in minde melting in soule afflicted in body and in the middest of all these sweating water and blood trickling down to the ground Here are vnknown sorrowes secret sufferings and suffrings vnspeakable The Physitians say that blood is the life of man now this blood of Christ was exhausted and his body became as a bottle dryed in the smoâ—ke And as this agony of his began with water and blood so did his passion end with blood and water first blood then water when no more blood what can come but water So that truly doth Ieremy cry out in that patheticall lamentation of his O thou hope of Israel and Sauiour thereof Ier. 14.8 why art thou as a man astonied and why is confusion gone ouer thy face There is neither forme nor beauty Esa 53.2 He made his soule an offering for sinne ver 10. But what was the reason why Christ was thus perplexed in the garden Q. before he was apprehended or taken This was not for feare of the bodily death that Christ was now to suffer R. as it appeareth by the godly resolution and courage of many of the blessed martyrs of Christ who albeit they were men that no doubt had their infirmities yet did readily and willingly embrace the sentence of death without any such agony But this arose principally from the sense of the most horrible wrath and displeasure of God his father that at this time lay so heauy vpon him for the sinnes of the world and which he was now to endure and to vndergoe This this was it that pressed out both water and blood and made him to cry out in the bitternesse of his soule My God my God why hast thou forsaken me This bred that inward feare and terror in the soule of Christ But wherein then is the difference betwixt Christs sufferings and the sufferings of martyrs Quest since the one beares them so comfortably and the other seemes to be so much deiected Answ The martyrs were perswaded that their sinnes were pardoned and the guilt thereof done away through Christ by which means they feared not death the sting thereof being plucked out for the sting of death is sinne Whereas Christ in his death 1 Cor. 15. as our surety stands charged with the sinnes of all the world and now was to satisfie Gods wrath for the same and hence it was that hee was left to himselfe voyd of comfort in the middest of all his sufferings and prayes against the terrours of death whereas those blessed martyrs were assured and supported with the inward consolations of Gods spirit But was this all that Christ did suffer and vndergoe for vs oh no. I remember the Lords speech vnto Eliah being distressed at mount Horeb and lying hidden in a caue alone
there no Wherefore God hath exalted him Col. 2.14.15 and giuen him a name c. He hath spoyled Principalities and powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing ouer them againe Christ dyed for our sins Rom. 4.25 and rose again for our iustification For as it will nothing cōfort a man condemned to death to know that one hath sued to the Prince for his pardon and life vnlesse he haue obtained the same euen so wee being all cast men by the Law by reason of our sinnes it will yeeld small comfort to a distressed soule to know that Christ hath interceded betwixt God and vs for our pardon and wrestled with death the deuill with Principalities and powers except we know that he hath triumphed ouer them Except wee 〈◊〉 this we can haue no comfort for when Paul would furnish himselfe with strength against the time of triall he comforts himselfe in this Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen Rom. 8.33 it is Christ that is dead nay rather which is risen againe and sitteth at the right hand of God making request for vs. And here-hence he triumpheth thus What shall separate vs from the loue of God Verse 35 c. We are taught then Vse not to separate those whom God hath ioyned together Christs death and his resurrection must goe together otherwise it is nothing to beleeue the one vnlesse we beleeue the other That hee dyed for my sinnes is not sufficient that hee rose againe for my iustification seales vp all sound comfort for being iustified through faith in him we are at peace with God Againe in that Christ vas first humbled before exalted Doct. Godly must through afflictions enter into glory Wee may further note what must be the condition of his members They must follow him and through afflictions enter into glory Euery member must be made conformable vnto Christ the head according to the proportion of strength and grace receiued to suffer with him And hence is it that the Apostle Peter exhorteth thus 1 Pet. 4.12 Beloued thinke it not strange concerning the fiery tryall which is to try you as though some strange thing happened vnto you but reioyce inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shal be reuealed yee may be glad also with exceeding ioy Afflictions now are the Lords trodden path to heauen And hence is it that the Apostle Paul reioyced in his sufferings and in his bands I now reioyce Col. 1.24 saith he in my sufferings for you and fill vp that which is behinde of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh Indeed all the afflictions of all the members of Christ are but as a remnant in respect of the afflictions of Iesus Christ for of him it was prophecied thus I haue trodden the wine-presse alone Esay 63.3 Gal. 3.13 and of all people there were none with me Hee was made a curse for vs. So that now the afflictions that are laid vpon his members are not inflicted vpon them as a curse for that hath Christ borne for them being made a curse for vs but they now become the louing chastisements of a louing father which bring forth at the last the quiet fruits of righteousnesse to all them that are thereby exercised Yea all the godly in their sufferings they doe but beare a part with Christ therein to bee made conformable vnto Christ their head and therein are pronounced blessed Blessed are ye when men reuile you c. and againe Mat. 5.11.12 1 Pet. 4.14 Blessed are ye if ye be railed vpon for the name of Iesus for the spirit of God and of glory rests on you Verse 13. Inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christs sufferings But how shall I know that I suffer with Christ Quest and so looke to haue my sufferings sanctified vnto me By comparing our sufferings with the sufferings of Christs Answ in three things First Christ receiued his Crosse as a cup giuen him of his Father to drinke of And herein looked not so much to the malice of Iudas that betrayed him nor of the Iewes that pursued him to his death as to God his Father without whose counsell purpose and will they could doe nothing It is an excellent thing when in our miseries and troubles wee can ouerlooke the instruments and take notice of Gods owne hand correcting vs as Dauid in Shemi his rayling Secondly Christ receiued his Crosse not grudgingly impatiently or vnwillingly but readily willingly and patiently with a meeke subiection of his will to his Fathers will in all things Father if thou be willing Luk. 22.42 remoue this cup from me Neuerthelesse not my wil but thine be done So it is a good signe of a heart prepared to suffer to whom afflictions shal be sanctified indeed when we can with patience and humble submission submit our selues vnto the Lords good pleasure in suffering Thirdly and lastly Christ suffered for this end that he might abolish sinne and destroy him that had the power of death that is the deuill so then if our afflictions produce this happy fruit and effect in vs as that they worke in vs the happy worke of mortification vnto sinne and to our former euill wayes so as wee can say with Dauid Before I was afflicted I went astray but now haue I learned thy commandements This is an excellent signe that our afflictions through Christ are sanctified vnto vs. Let vs come to the vses Vse 1 Seeing then that Christ was thus humbled before exalted and that we that are his members must through afflictions enter into glory This may teach vs then in the middest of all our sufferings whatsoeuer to consider what great things Christ hath suffered for vs. When wee finde any paine or misery bitter vnto vs it will be an excellent meanes to sweeten the same to consider what bitternesse there was in the whole sufferings of Christ Hee dranke the full cup of his Fathers wrath and displeasure for sinne Now why should wee startle so much at shame disgrace or some small affliction what we may meet withall here since the Prince of our saluation was thus consecrated through affliction Surely the consideration of this may quell those repining thoughts which may times arise in the hearts of Gods children afflicted that neuer were so grieuously afflicted as they this was Iobs case who complained Iob 6.2.3 that his misery was heauier then the sand and this was likewise the case of the Church Behold Lam. 1.12 and see if any sorrow were like vnto my sorrow c. But consider that this is but the time of thy tryall thy triumph is at hand If wee looke vpon Lazarus on the dung hill Ioseph in prison and Dauid in exile their case might seeme most miserable But this is but the time of their humiliation their exaltation followed this at hand 1 Cor. 15. If in this life we haue only hope in
1 Pet. 1.23 We are borne againe not of mortall seed but immortall the word of God c. Secondly it is a christian mans euidence for life and saluation Reas 2 Thy Testimonies haue I claymed as my heritage for euer for why Psal 119.111 they are the very ioy of my heart wee can neuer haue true faith firme hope vndoubted assurance without it Thirdly it is by the Word Reas 3 that we come to haue a sanctified vse of the creatures All things are sanctified by the word and prayer So David I had perished in my affliction Psal 119. bad it not beene for thy word Seeing then that it is so necessary a duty Vse to be conuersant in the Scripture as the ordinary meanes of our saluation as the Christian mans euidence to eternall life and to procure vnto vs a sanctified vse of the creatures and of all estates and conditions of life This shewes how trecherously the Church of Rome doth deale with mens soules herein that barre the people from reading the Scriptures locking them vp in an vnknowne tongue like the Scribes and Pharisees of whom our Sauiour faith thus That they shut vp the kingdome of heauen against men If a Captaine should leade out a Company into the field and permit them to take no weapon in their hands who could but thinke that he intended to betray them into their enemies hand And is not this the practice of that grand Captaine of Rome that whereas the word of God is the sword of the spirit Eph. 6. â—7 a part of a Christian mans armour both offensiue and defensiue whereby we repell the fiery darts of the Deuill how is this wrung out of the hands of men they must not dare to meddle therewith then the which what greater iniury can there be to the soules of men Hitherto of the Preface the Scripture it selfe followeth Hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter and like a lambe dumbe before the Shearer so opened hee not his mouth The words are the Prophet Esayes in his fifty third Chapter and the seuenth verse This Text is a cleare prophecy of Christ and this 32 verse sets out his humiliation only Wherein are obseruable 1 person he 2 passion was led 3 the illustration 1 as a sheep 2 as a lamb 4 extent to be slaine to be shorne 5 the reddition or application of the whole vnto the person of the Lord Iesus Christ so opened he not his mouth He was led as a sheepe c. Q.d. And that as you haue heard Meâ—â—ph he was reading in his Chariot So that ye may know what he read the very place of Scripture on which hee was imployed at the instant of Philips approach vnto the Chariot was this and none other He was led c. First for the meaning of the words He that is Christ Iesus the eternall sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so doth Philip expound it verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus Was led that is was taken and carried away by the traytor Iudas and the high Priests seruants with swords and staues as if he had beene a theefe or male-factor As a sheepe as an innocent and harmelesse sheepe that had beene altogether profitable and commodious and neuer hurtfull or iniurious vnto any To the slaughter to bee slaine and sacrificed for the sinnes of men as sheepe in the time of the Law being offered in sacrifice were first slaughtered and slaine And like a lambe and that ye may yet more fully conceiue of his innocency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if a lambe a meeke and harmelesse lambe bee meet more fully to expresse the manner of his suffering hee was like an innocent lambe a very lambe vndefiled and without spot Before the shearer that meekly and without resistance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth remaine quiet before the shearer suffering his fleece to bee shorne off So opened he not his month euen as it is with a sheepe when hee is slaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a lambe when he is shorne so was Christ Iesus silent he did not striue nor cry nor was his voyce heard in the streets according to that prophecy of old He did not cry Esa 4â— 2 nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the street He roared not like a Swine nor raued like a Dog nor strugled and bit like a wolfe but silently meekly and patiently submitted to the putting off his fleece his tabernacle his life he yeelded vp without resistance The summe of all is this that he that was Lord of all and had all power in heauen and earth was content to be taken by wicked men and carried to the slaughter to the place of shearing yea as a sheepe is slaine without noyse and a lambe shorne without resistance so was it with the Lord Iesus Christ in his death in laying downe of his tabernacle Hitherto of the sense of the words the particulars follow He was led as a sheepe c. He First for the person he 1 The person that is the Lord Iesus Christ for so doth Philip expound the place verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus It is Iesus then that is the proper subiect of this Text of whom the Prophet speaketh Then the Lesson is That Christ Iesus in the onely high Priest Doct. Christ the true sacrifice for sin anoynted of his Father by the sacrificing of his own body to put away sinne hee is the true Paschall Lambe that was slaine from the beginning To him giue all the Prophets witnesse poynting at Christ as the onely Mediator betwixt God and man by his death and passion wee are fully and perfectly redeemed and the iustice of his Father fully satisfied that place of the Prophet Esay is cleare to this purpose Esa 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed The Heaue offering Leuit. 21. Gen 22. Numb 21. the sacrificing of Isaac the Brazen Serpent were all of them but types of Christ And the like may be said of all those sacrifices in the time of the Law as Lambs and Beasts that were slaine and their bloud shed whereto serued these but to leade vs to Christ who by his owne death and bloud-shed put an end vnto them all Heb. 9.12 Not by the bloud of Goates and Calues but by his owne bloud hee entred in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs. Wee are sanctified by the body of Iesus once for all Heb. 10.10 and againe He was made sinne for vs who knew no sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him So the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2 2â— Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that we being
No man hateth his owne flesh Eph. 5 29. but nourisheth and cherisheth it Now if a man may not take away the life of another much lesse his owne life Reas 2 Secondly death in it selfe is an euill inflicted vpon man for sinne The day thou eatest thereof Gen. 2.17 thou shalt dye the death Now death being a punishment for sinne a man cannot seeke it but he seekes his owne iudgement Reas 3 Thirdly it argueth want of naturall affection and makes men more vnnaturall and bruitish then the very beasts which howsoeuer they may teare and goare one another yet will neuer hurt themselues Now the more vnnaturall any sinne is the greater the sinne is Fourthly it is an iniury to the State wherein a man liues to the King to the Country to the Church to a mans friends and family for euery man is pars rei publicae a part of the State wherein hee liues both politique and Ecclesiastique now to depriue himselfe of life is as much as within him lyeth to mayme that body whereof he is a member Reas 5 Fiftly life is the gift of God it is he that is the Author of life and to him belong the issues of death what to doe then haue we to diuide asunder those whom God hath so nearely knit together This cannot bee done by a mans selfe without manifest iniury against God and extreme hazard and danger vnto a mans own soule Reas 6 And last of all this course is as fruitlesse as comfortlesse it rather procures then preuents misery and it is much to be feared that whilst by this meanes they seeke to shun some temporall calamitie they procure vnto themselues eternall misery verifying the Prouerbe of the fish that leapeth out of the Frying pan into the fire Vse 1 This serues then to shew the hainousnesse of their sinne that stay not vntill they be led but leade themselues into misery especially such as despairing of Gods mercy become their owne executioners by hastening their ends Such sinne against Christs bloud and put the lye vpon all the principall attributes of God such as are his loue his power his truth his mercy and the like as if he were not able to help or that he had forgotten to be gratious Let euery man take heed of Sathans assaults in this kinde the deepenesse of whose policy and malice is seene in nothiâ—g more then in soliciting men vnto sinne and then afterwards in taintering the same to the vtmost pin and all to draw men into desperation But what shall we doe to resist these temptations Quest when Sathan shall solicite vs to this sinne Contemplate much and often Answ 1 Of Gods loue which is such as can neuer be altered or changed Can a woman forget her childe Esa 49.15 and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe yet will not I forget thee saith the Lord q.d. this were a thing impossible Now all the Loue in the creature is but as a drop of a bucket in comparison of the loue of God 2 Contemplate of Gods faithfulnesse who keepeth couenant with a thousand generations He abideth faithfull 1 Ioh. 1.9 and cannot deny himselfe Hath he said it and shall he not doe it Who hath resisted his will 3 Contemplate of the infinitenesse of Gods power who can make our crimson sinnes as white as snow and can as easily couer a multitude of sinnes as one in his seruants I haue put away thy transgressions as a cloud Esa 44.22 and thy sinnes like a mist Who for my names sake saith the Lord will put away thy sinne 4 And lastly contemplate much and often of the greatnesse of his mercy that he is a God of mercies Neb. 9.17 Psal 145 9. and the father of all consolation His mercies are ouer all his workes That hee is rich in mercy and hath a multitude of mercies in store for such as sue for mercy Psal 103.13 Hee remembreth whereof we be made he considereth that we are but dust As a sheepe to the slanâ—â—â—er Here we haue the third circumstance at first propounded The illustration of Christs passion and that is the illustration of his Passion the meaning is that as an innocent and harmelesse sheepe that had beene altogether profitable and commodious As a sheep and no way iniurious or hurtfull vnto any thus went Christ to his death Wherein the Spirit of God will teach vs that as sheepe and Lambs especially the Paschall Lambe in the time of the Law being offered in sacrifice were liuely representations of Christ the true Paschall Lambe slaine from the beginning So it was Christ himselfe in whose death there was an end put vnto them all who was that Sacrifice for sinne in whom his Father was well pleased Who as the Apostle saâ—th Heb. 9.12 Not by the bloud of Goates and of Calues but by his owne bloud he entred in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs for all those sacrifices in the time of the Law serued but till the time of reformation came Now Christ in his death being thus compared vnto a sheepe in regard that he went so voluntarily vnto his death doth commend vnto vs this doctrine That Christ did voluntarily Doct. Christ wenâ— willingly to his death Ioh. 10.18 willingly and freely lay downe his life It was not by constraint but he offered vp the same freely as he saith I lay downe my life that I might take it againe No man taketh it from me but I lay it downe of my selfe I haue power to lay it downe and to take it againe Rom. 5.19 So Paul By the disobedience of one many were made sinners so by the obedience of one many are made righteous Phil. 2.8 He was obedient euen to the death on the Crosse And surely had not this death of Christ beene voluntary it had neuer beene acceptable with God I haue saith Christ a Baptisme to be baptised with Luk. 12 20. and how am I strained vntill it be accomplished Thereby manifesting that his earnest desire after the accomplishment of the worke of mans redemption yea those who crucified Christ were not more willing to doe it then he to suffer himselfe to be crucified This truth doth most manifestly appeare throughout the whole history of Christs passion when he told his Disciples the things he was shortly to suffer at Ierusalem at the hands of the Iewes Peter intreating him to fauour himselfe was called Sathan for his paines Get thee behind me Sathan When Christ was come vp to Ierusalem hee did not withdraw himselfe as at other times And albeit hee knew that Sathan had put it into the heart of Iudas to betray him yet kept hee accustomed time and place of prayer where Iudas might be sure to haue him Yea when the company came with swords and staues to apprehend Christ what did he but as it were offer himselfe into their hands by asking them saying whom seeke
admittance into the kingdome of heauen By that new and lining way which he hath prepared for vs through the veile that is his flesh Heb 10 19 20. Whereas in the sacrifice of the Masse there is no benefit at all to any of these vses And last of all this great worke that Christ hath wrought for vs should worke in vs thankfulnesse towards God there is nothing in all the world should affect our hearts more with thanksgiuing then this The common blessings that we receiue should at all times moue vs to thankfulnesse as our meat drinke c. but this aboue all Christs sufferings are the Christians treasure let our hearts be there and neuer let this worke of his be forgotten of vs. So opened he not his mouth Here we haue the reddition or application of the whole vnto the person of Christ that as the sheepe goeth vnto the slaughter and Lambe to haue his fleece shorne off so was it with Christ in the putting off of his tabernacle and laying downe of his life And herein hath left vs in his admirable patience of his an admirable paterne of patience and an example as the Apostle Peter saith of suffering affliction 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ also suffered for vs leauing vs an example that we also should follow his steps who when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered Vers 23 he threatened not but committed it to him that iudgeth righteously Now should we thinke much to take vp his crosse and to follow him to suffer afflictions for his sake and for his Gospels sake that hath suffered so great things for vs. Shall we not bee content to loose a little nay all if need be seeing wee shall receiue an hundred fold Mat. 29. And what though we meet with mockings and scoffings at the hands of men say with Dauid It may bee that God hath bid him do it 2. Sam. 16.11 Num. 12 Mat. 11.29 Moses suffered Aarons and Miriams reproofe patiently Take my yoke vpon you saith Christ The greatest honour that can betide any of Gods children is to suffer for Christ Phil. 1.29 So Paul To you it is giuen not only to beleeue on him but also to suffer for his sake But of this before VERSE 33. In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away and who may declare his generations for his life is taken from the earth THe Spirit of God hauing spoken of Christs humiliation of his death and passion how he was smitten and afflicted of God his Father for our sinnes Now lest any should bee dismayed beholding nothing but his death and those vnsufferable sorrows he vnderwent and think that he was swallowed vp of these as the nature of man is to feare at such a spectacle Hee therefore comes here to shew the notable victory he got ouer these In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away The meaning is Christ hauing beene thus humbled and brought so low not willingly but voluntarily seeing he had power to resist hee could haue commanded legions of Angels to fight for him for by his owne word he made those that apprehended him to fall backward to the ground yet was he content to be humbled to the death And in this his humiliation so meeke and humble so perfect and so exceeding great His iudgement was taken away that is the sentence he vnder went by Pilate vnder whom he suffered was remoued For that it was impossible he should be held downe by death Act. 2.24 He was at last taken away from prison Isa 53 and from Iudgement for as Christ saith Ioh. 19.18 I haue power to lay downe my life and to take it to me againe And who shall declare The meaning is that now that he is deliuered and set at libertie from the graue and from death Pilats Iudgement being remoued and the bitternesse of death being ouer past Who shall declare That is who shall set forth or expresse to the sonnes of men the meaning is it is beyond all humane art and Science to demonstrate the number of his dayes the length of his life or the perpetuitie of his kingdome the exceeding glorious successe of his death and resurrection againe according to that of the Prophet Who can number his seed Isa 53.10 or measure his dayes For his life is taken from the earth That is he liues now no longer vpon earth a place of mortalitie but in heauen a place of immortality he layed downe his life that he might take it to him againe He was cut off from the land of the liuing not for his owne transgressions for his very Iudge pronounced him innocent Mat. 27.24 But hee was taken off for the transgressions of the people euen for those whom God had giuen him to redeeme by that death of his according to that of the Prophet For the transgressions of my people he was smitten Isa 53.8 9. And now his Iudgement being remoued and hee againe raised from the dead dyeth no more Death hath no more dominion ouer him for he indeed dyed vnto sinne or for sinne once but now liueth vnto God or for God The summe then of this verse is this That Christ so humbling himselfe and meekly submitting himselfe to death and the graue in the very depth of his humiliation he was extolled his iudgement remoued the bands of death broken and himselfe set at libertie And now being raised vp againe his life is euerlasting his dayes past numbring and his kingdome shall neuer haue an end And therefore no man can be found that is able fully to expresse his generation for his life is no longer on earth but in heauen He is no longer subiect to mortality but is he who onely hath immortalitie and shall enioy the same for euermore Thus of the sense of the words In his humiliation was hiâ— Iudgement c. The Spirit of God hauing spoken of the death of Christ and how he was afflicted of God his Father for our sinnes lest any should now thinke the state of the Church desperate and forlorne or that Christ was swallowed vp of these miseries He comes now to shew the happy victory hee got ouer them all And herein will teach vs Doct. As Christs death is cause of mourning Christs resurrection is cause of reioycing That to behold Christs death that he dyed for our sinnes and not to consider his resurrection will cause nothing but sorrow vnto vs. It is the consideration of his glorious resurrection That he arose againe for our Iustification that yeelds the most solid comfort vnto a Christian soule And hence is it that the Apostle Paul doth vsually ioyne these two together Christs death and Christs resurrection that as the one doth cast downe the other might raise vp as the one might cause vs to mourne the other might cause vs to reioyce So Paul Phil. 2.8.9 He humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse rests he
Christ then are we of all men most miserable But now the hope of a christian reacheth further and answers vs That if we suffer with him Rom 8. wee shall be glorified with him Vse 2 Secondly seeing that through afflictions we must enter into glory this serues as a speciall ground of comfort to Gods children in time of their greatest troubles that their light and momentany afflictions which last but for a few dayes should bring with them such an eternall weight of glory Rom. 5.3 The saying is That is well that ends well I confesse many are the seares cares sorrowes and troubles that betide the godly here yet in the midst of them all wee are more then Conquerours through him that hath loued vs. Say then Why art thou then cast downe my soule and why art thou so disquieted within me waite on God for I will yet giue him thanks which is the helpe of my countenance and my God Heauinesse may indure for a night but ioy commeth in the morning Hitherto of the generall Doctrines In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away c. The meaning is that after Christ had beene thus humbled and abased in suffering so cursed and shamefull a death His iudgement was taken away That is the sentence of death and condemnation was remoued from him which was done in his glorious resurrection Acts 2.24 for that it was impossible he should be held downe by death Thus was hee taken from prison and from iudgement for as our Sauiour saith I haue power to lay downe my life and to take it to me againe so that euery part of Christs humiliation had an end in is resurrection and comming out of the Sepulchre Now followes his exaltation and glorification His iudgement was taken away In handling the doctrine of Christs exaltation and glory diuers circumstances are to be considered 1 The degrees of his exaltation 2 The reasons why Christ was to be thus exalted 3 The fruits and benefit of this his exaltation The degrees of Christs exaltation The first degree of Christs exaltation is his raising himselfe from the dead He losed the pangs of death because it was not possible he should be holden of it Raising himselfe from the dead Acts 2.24 euen as a man that chops vp a morsell that is too hot for his mouth is glad to put it out againe so death hauing swallowed vp our blessed Sauiour and finding him too hot for him could not hold him but rendreth him vp againe according to that prophecy that went before of Christ Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption But what was it of Christ that went thus to the graue Quest and that thus rose againe There are in Christ Answ three natures 1 A humane body 2 A reasonable soule 3 His deitie quickning both The soule of Christ that went presently from the Crosse into heauen according to Christs own speech to the penitent Thiefe To day thou shalt be with me in Paradice The Deity of Christ could not suffer but was at this time vailed and forbeareth the execution of it power during the time of Christs passion It must needs therefore bee Christs body that went thus to the graue which the third day is raiseâ— agaâ—â—â— and that by it owne poâ—â—â— wâ—â—â—h iâ—â—â—ed puts the differeâ—â—◠〈…〉 Christs resurrection and 〈…〉 againe from thâ—â—â—ad by â—is own power wee by the power of Christ as many men be 〈…〉 out of a Boate into the watâ—â— if there bee any one in the company expert in swimming as many as hang on him are safe and are brought to land And thus are wee saued through Christ for so saith the Apostle As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made aliue 1 Cor. 15.22 23. but euery man in his owne order Christ the first fruits then they that are Christs at his coming He is the first fruits of them that sleepe Reu. 1.5 The first borne of the dead The first degree then of Christs exaltation is the resurrection from the dead The second degree Christs Exaltation Christs ascention in to heauen Mar. 16.19 is his ascending vp into heauen So when the Lord had spoken vnto them he was receiued vp into heauen And againe And it came to passe when he had blessed them Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.11 he was parted from them and carried vp into heauen So that Christ Iesus in regard of his bodily presence is in heauen farre from the malice of any mortall creature no more to be assaulted by Sathan or wicked men but is now at the right hand of his Father there to be and remaine vntill his second coming to Iudgement So that it is a foolish and absurde conceit of the Papists that hold Christs reall presence in the Sacrament of the Altar If the Article of our faith bee true that Hee ascended into heauen That Doctrine of the Reall presence is false But did not Christ say to his Disciples Object Mat. 28.20 that hee would be with them and with his Church vnto the end of the world I answer Christ is present with his Church according to his Godhead and spirituall presence Resp and by his grace whereby he worketh effectually by his owne spirit Mar. 16.20 And so is Christ still present with his Church and people But in regard of his bodily presence so is he not alwayes present inasmuch as hee is now ascended vp into heauen there to bee and remaine vntill that his second coming to Iudgement The third degree of Christs exaltation is his sitting at the right hand of God his Father as it is confessed in the Creed Now to speake properly Christs sitting at the right hand of his Father God hath no right hand nor left but is a Spirit infinite and incomprehensible but thereby is meant how hee is next vnto God his Father in maiestie power and glory So that after all his labours sorrowes and sufferings after that his bitter death and passion hee is now at rest in heauen in vnspeakable happinesse blessednesse and felicitie there to be and remaine vntill that his second comming to Iudgement when he shall come againe not to be iudged as before by Pontius Pilate But to iudge all flesh to whom euery man shall giue vp an account of all the things he hath done in his body 2. Cor. 5.10 whether they be good or euill The Reasons why Christ was to be exalted And thus we haue seene the degrees of Christs 〈◊〉 We come now to the reasons why Christ was to be thus exalted First it was so decreed and appointed of God Luk 24.46 Thus it is written and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe the third day Luk. 24.26 Ought not Christ to haue suffered these things and to enter into glory To this agreeth that of the Apostle Peter 1. Pet. 1.11
Psal 16.10 When it testified aforehand The sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow Yea Christ himselfe foretold the same Ioh. 20 9. Mar. 26.54 Matth. 20.18.19 saying They shall condemne him to death crucifie him and the third day hee shall rise againe Secondly in regard of those types that went before of his exaltation that should follow As that of Isaac being bound Gen. 22. yet not slaine That of Sampson Iudg. in carrying away the gates of the City by the which hee escaped the malice of his enemies Leuit. 16.5 Of the scape Goate and that of Ionas All which pointed at this thing Mat. 12.39 the exaltation of Christ Thirdly the Exaltation of the Lord Iesus was necessarie in respect of himselfe in regard of the dignity of his person Act. 2.24 being the Lord of life and of glory in which regard it was impossible he should bee holden downe of death And wherein might hee proue himselfe the Sonne of God more then by raising himselfe from the dead Fourthly hee was a Iust man and without sinne and in his death and fully satisfied the Iustice of his Father for sinne and therefore God could not keepe him in the prison of the graue for nothing Fifthly the Offices of Christ shewed the necessitie of his resurrection and this Exaltation of his 1. He must be the Euerlasting King of glory and of his kingdome there must be no end 2. He must be that high Priest for euer Psal 110 4 after the order of Melchisedech 3. Hee must be that Prophet that perpetually must teach and instruct his Church vntill the end of the world vntill we all meete in the vnity of faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God All which Christ could neuer haue beene had he abode still amongst the state of the dead And last of all Death which is the last enemie that is to bee destroyed had neuer beene destroyed nor vanquished had not Christ triumphed ouer death in the graue and rose againe Hitherto of the Reasons shewing the necessitie of the exaltation of Christ The fruites and benefits that arise from this Exaltation of Christ The benefits of Christs exaltation are diuers First this Exaltation of Christ doth assure vs of our Iustification from all our sinnes according to that of the Apostle Paul Christ dyed for our sinnes and rose againe for our Iustification God the Father deliuering vp his Sonne to death in our flesh hereby condemned sinne in the flesh Rom. 8.3 Euen so by letting him out of the prison of his graue which he did in this his glorious resurrection he did discharge him of that bond of obligation that lay against him and therein acknowledged himselfe to be fully satisfied For if Christ had not payed our full debt so as any one sinne had beene left behinde Christ could not haue risen from the dead the guiltinesse of that one sinne would haue kept him in the prison still of his graue and then had wee beene yet in our sins and so of all men most miserable But now Christ being risen from the dead 1 Cor. 15.17 and exalted on high God the Father declareth himselfe herein fully satisfied for our debts in the enlargement of our Suretie Secondly by this glorious resurrection and exaltation of Iesus Christ from the dead we come to haue part in the first resurrection which is to newnesse of life From the death of sinne to the life of grace for so saith the Apostle God which is rich in grace Eph. 2.4.5 euen when wee were dead in trespasses and sinnes hath he quickened together with Christ and hath raised vs vp together Col. 2.17 c. Againe And you being dead in your sinnes and the vncircumcision of your flesh hath hee quickened together with him hauing forgiuen you all your trespasses Againe Rom. 6.4.5 As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father so wee also should walke in newnesse of life As it is a shame for the seruant to lye in bed when the master of the house is vp So Christ being risen it shall be our shame if we lye still asleep in sinne Know ye not saith the Apostle that so many of vs as are baptised into Iesus Christ Rom. 6.3 are baptised into his death And wee are buried with him by baptisme so as now if our sinnes bee brought into his graue they will not away and consume daily more and more as it doth with a dead carcasse lying in the graue Thirdly by this glorious resurrection and exaltation of the Lord Iesus we come to our assurance that these bodies of ours shall rise againe being members of Christ and liuing by the same Spirit that â—â—â—ed vp Christ from the dead For so saith the Apostle If the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you Rom. 8.11 he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortable bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Can the head and the members be seuered Seeing that Christ which is the head is raised from the dead no one of his members then can be left vnder the power of death His resurrection being full of power drawes after him all his members for so saith the Apostle 1. Cor. 15.20 21.22 Christ is risen from the dead and is made the first-fruites of them that sleep for since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead For as in Adam all dye euen so by Christ shall all be made aliue c. Nay to put it out of all doubt he hath carried vp our flesh into heauen as anearnest of the whole and is himselfe possest of that kingdome in the name of the whole body his Church What greater comfort then this to bee assured before wee go to lay downe our bodies in the dust that the Lord will raised them vp againe by his owne Almighty power and that howsoeuer they taste of corruption they shall not perish in corruption for that at the last day this corruptible shall put on incorruption 1. Cor. 1â— 53 and this mortall shall put on immortality And last of all Christs resurrection and exaltation on high at the right hand of his Father doth minister vnto vs a comfortable expectation of our owne glorification at the last day according to that petition of our Sauiour Father Ioh. 17.24 I will that those that thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory For as a friend takes possession in anothers name and it is good in Law as if he had done it himselfe Euen so Christ in our name and in our stead hath entered into heauen and taken possession of that glorious and immortall kingdome not for himselfe alone but also for all his members that beleeue in his name which through Christ are as sure one day to bee put into the reall possession of the
spirit of meeknesse for hee must apply the plaster according to the wound Hee can be no compleat Surgion that hath but one salue and that for some greene wound only to clense and heale it What if he meete with an old festere soare that is cauterized and must haue corsiues to eate out the dead flesh if this be not had doth he not through his ignorance vnskilfulnesse kil the man doubtlesse such Ministers are neuer able to acquite themselues of the blood of such mens souls in the last day And preached vnto him Iesus By his text wee may iudge of his Doctrine the text of Scripture being a cleare prophecy of Christs humiliation and of Christs exaltation no doubt the scope of Philips Sermon tended principally to conuince the iudgement of this Eunuch in the truth of both of them how that euery part and particle of that prophecy had it determination and period in the Lord Iesus Christ And herein will teach vs That Christ Doct. Christ the subiect matter of true preaching is the subiect matter of the Gospel yea the subiect matter of al true preaching Christ and him crucified is the whole scope of the whole Scripture Yea the Doctrine of the law it selfe is but a Scholemaster to leade vs to Christ For the more clearly the law hath conuinced the conscience of sinne the more ready shal we be to go out of our selues and to seeke Saluation in Christ The matter then of true preaching is Iesus Christ. We preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 2. And hence it is that the Gospel is called the Gospell of Iesus Christ Mar. 1.1 and the World of Christ againe whom we preach Col. 3. saith the Apostle speaking of Christ Paul calls the Galatians Folish Galatians for not obeying the truth Gal. 3.1 Before whose eyes saith hee Iesus Christ hath beene euidently set foorth and crucified amongst you And hence is it that the same Apostle placeth all his happinesse in Christ and Christ alone God forbid saith hee that I should reioyce in any thing but in our Lord Iesus Christ He is the only King Priest Prophet of his Church And all true happinesse and felicitie consisteth in the true knowledge of him This is life eternall to know thee to be the true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Ioh. 17.3 Now the grounds of this are First Reas 1 because life and Saluation come from him hee is our Suretie Sauiour by whom through whom we come to stand iustified in Gods sight according to that of the Apostle Paul Christ is made vnto vs wisdom and righteousnesse sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30.31 and all to this end that hee that glorieth might glory in him Reas 2 Secondly because without him we could haue no full or perfect reconciliation with God his Father It pleased the Father that in him all fulnesse should dwell Col. 1.19.20.21 and hauing made peace through the blood of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things to him whether they be things on earth or things in heaven Thirdly by his death hee hath destroyed death Reas 3 and triumphed ouer death O Death I will bee thy death O Death where is thy sting and againe Thanks be to God who hath giuen vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.55.57 Vse 1 This serues then to informe all the Lords watchmen how to preach and what to preach euen Iesus Christ and him crucified and to apply the same close to the conscience of euery man in such wise as some change and reformation may follow Pitie it is to see how many Teachers now a dayes doe chuse out hard texts of Scripture and make learned discourses theron shew much reading for Fathers and humanity of whom it may truely bee sayd that they preach many of them themselues and not Christ is preaching Gods ordinance was it ordained then my Brethren to please the eare or to prick the hart Neuer let a Preacher think that he hath preached Christ as hee should vnlesse by his preaching hee bring men to Christ For as all lines doe meete in the point of the Center so must it bee the end and scope of a Ministers function to bring men Christ Vse 2 And as Ministers are thus regulated for their preaching so people are likewise taught what doctrine to desire to heare and to rest satisfied in Euen such kinde of preaching as serues most clearly to set out Christ I know not how it is come to passe in this old age of the world Men haue got them Athenian cares To preach Christ and him crucified is too homely a thing men delight in nouelties and must haue their preacher sore alofte in sublimitie of doctrine or else hee is not worth the hearing these are wanton Christians that now begin to play with the word as little children with their bread O let vs labour with our owne harts herein and learne to prize that ministery wherein we may se and discerne the true estate of our soules And withall let vs labour that wee may bee cast into the mould of the Gospell That our Iudgments wils affections may stoupe to the Scepter of the Lord Iesus for without this wee preach but in vaine and you heare but in vaine yea the word shall become at last the wofull sauour of death vnto death vnto you Vse 3 And last of all since that Christ is all in al to be preached heard to life and saluation this serues iustly to taske the Church of Rome and may giue vs to know whether they or we are in the safest condition touching Saluation Let it bee duely thought vpon and considered whether they or we rest most on Christ magnifie Christ and the allufficiency of his sufferings Doe we looke to merit by our owne works doe wee mingle his blood with the blood of martyrs in way of satisfaction for sin doe we ioine with the intercession of Iesus Christ the Intercession of Angels or Saints or doe we not rather rest wholly vpon him Surely this is not the least argument to assure vs of the truth of our Religion against the Church of Rome that wee can rest wholly and totally vpon Christ VERSE 36. And as they went on their way they came to a certaine water and the Eunuch said See here is water what doth hinder me to bee Baptized PHilip hauing thus preached Iesus Christ vnto him and that through him alone we must looke for life saluation through faith in his name And hauing likewise preached vnto him the necessitie of being Baptised into Iesus Christ that thereby wee put on Christ are ingrafted into him and admitted into his Church For howsoeuer euery thing is not here recited that Philip preached vnto this man yet considering the Text of Scripture Philip had in hand and the question of the Eunuch here it is our of all question that Philip had