The punishment first generally declared But now they are hid from thine eyes Then more particularly explained in the verses following These are the severals some of which I have now to deal with Begin with the first The occasion of this lamentation And when he was come near he beheld the City So he did and that Oculis tam animi quam corporis with the eye both of his body and mind With the eye of his body he beheld the place And beholding it wept over it Thus is the eye of the body oftimes as a window to let in affection and passion into the soul. Love and hatred joy and grief they often enter at this door Among other in this way is pity and compassion often let into the heart The good Samaritane he saw the man that was fallen among theeves And when he saw him saith the text he had compassion on him Luk. 10. 33. And thus our Saviour here saw the City of Hierusalem and when he saw it he was thus affected with it Seeing it as with his bodily eye so with the eye of his mind considering the state and condition of it Q. But what was it that he there saw or looked upon that did so affect and move him A. Why first with his bodily eye he took notice of the place the City it self where he beheld as goodly a prospect as the earth could afford A magnificent City beautiful for scituation Beautiful for scituation the joy of thâ— whole earth is mount Sion Psal. 48. 2. Beautiful for edifices and structures which were rich and stately Among which the Temple rebuilt by King Herod was the most sumptuous and magnificent pile that then the world was owner of So as had there been nothing else this alone had been enough to move compassion to think that so goodly a City as that should within a short time be ruined such stately edifices laid level with the grouâ—d This is conceived to have affected the Disciples of Christ as the story sets it forth Matth. 24. 1. His Disciples came saith the text to shew him the buildings of the Temple This they did as by way of admiration being much taken with the rich magnificence of the structure so also out of pity and commiseration in as much as their master had but a little before given them a hint of the destruction thereof cap. 23. 38. Behold your house is left unto you desolate intimating that both the City and Temple should be destroyed Hereupon they now shewed him the buildings thereof as pittying that sad fate that so stately a fabrick should be ruined This moved them And I will not say but it might also at the present affect their master when he had this goodly prospect in his eye to think what afterwards he speaks verse 44. that the enemy should lay that City and Temple even with the ground not leaving one stone upon another This possibly might move some compassion in him But this was but the least grain in the ballance There were divers other considerations besides this of greater importance which our Saviour might then have in his thoughts As viz. In the second place the number of people in that City which was great and populous All these generally he looked upon as destinated to ruin and destruction either by sword or famine or pestilence Gods three stringed whip or by exile or else miserable slavery And this questionlesse could not but much affect him So it did in another case as the Evangelist reports the story once and again Matth. 9. 36. When he saw the multitude he was moved with compassion in them because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepheard And again â—ap 15. vers 32. he tells his Disciples I have compassion on the multitude because they continue with me now three dayes and have nothing to eat Thus did he pity the condition of the people having compassion both on their souls and bodies the one because they wanted instruction the other because they wanted refreshment How much more then might this stir the like affection in him when looking upon this populous City he considered how many were like to perish in that desolation which hung over the head of it As it is reported of that great Commander Xerxes that from a hill beholding his numerous Armies consisting of some hundreds of thousands of able fighting men and considering how that with in a short time 40. or 50. years not a man of them should be left alive he could not refrain from weeping And even alike consideration might here draw tears from the eyes of our blessed Saviour Which also himself gives a hint of in that 44. verse after the Text where speaking how the City should be laid level with the ground he adds and thy children within thee meaning that they also should perish the very little ones being as the Psalmist saith of the Babylonians Psal. 137. dashed against the stones Thirdly To this in the third place add the quality of the people which as they were numerous so also they were a select a choice people Gods people A people whom God had chosen out of all the nations in the world whom he had adopted and taken into Covenant with himself To whom belongeth the adoption and the Covenant saith that Apostle reckoning up the priviledges of the people Rom. 9. 4. Now that they through their own ingratitude and obstinacy in refusing the offer and means of grace held forth to them should perish so miserably This as Calvin noteth upon it could not but exceedingly affect him who came into the world to seek and save them This thought exceedingly affected the blessed Apostle as he tells his Romanes Rom. 9. 1. 2. I say the truth in Christ I lie not c. That I have great heavinesse and continual sorrow in my heart viz. for his countreymen the Jews to think of their obstinacy and consequently their rejection So it followeth For I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh So was Paul affected with the miscarriage of that people that he could even have wished the greatest of evils to himself so as he might have prevented it in them And the like thought no question could not but exceedingly affect our blessed Saviour to think that such a people the hope of the world the onely people in Covenant with God at that time that they should miscarry they should perish Fourthly To this add in the fourth place that that City as it was the Metropolis the head City of the Kingdome of Iudaea so the whole Kingdome was concerned in it and depended upon it Yea the whole Nation of the Jews As it went with that City so it was like to go with the whole body of that nation If that miscarried it could not but prove fatal to that whole kingdome and to all the people of God in
and the desire which he had of their welfare and happinesse Q. But if he loved them so why did he not help them Why did he not divert those inpending evils This had been a greater expression of love to them to save them then to weep over them A. True as God he could have helped them He could have prevented all those evils and miseries But we must here look upon him as acting the part of a Mediator In the execution of which office the Divine nature often rested and hid it not putting forth that power which otherwise it could Thus in his Passion the Godhead slept while the Manhood suffered And thus here the Divine nature rested while the humane acted And he acting according to that nature lamenteth the miseries of 〈◊〉 people which in respect of his absolute power as God he could have prevented He could have done it but he would not And why Because he came not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him As he came to preach his Word not his own My doctrine is not mine own but his that sent me Joh. 7. 16. So he came to do his work his will not his own I seek not mine own will but the will of the Father which hath sent me Joh. 5. 30. Now this was the will of the Father that that ungrateful people refusing and rejecting his Son and the offer of grace and mercy through him should smart for that their ingratitude And this he as man here lamenteth and bewaileth weeping over them When he saw the City he wept over it And what shall we observe from hence that may be useful to our selves Why here see what affection there ought to be in all those that professe the name of Christ towards the Church and people of God How they ought to be affected deeply affected with their miseries their calamities So was our blessed Saviour as we see with Hierusalems Foreseeing that calamitie which hung over the head of it the thought thereof melts his heart and wrings tears from his eyes He wept over it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Original which word coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Etimologist tels us which signifieth to break it imports a breaking of the heart with sorrow which dissolveth it self into tears And like affection should there be in all Christians It is that which Paul presseth upon â—is Philippians Let the same mind be in you which also was in Christ Iesus Phil. 2. 5. Now what mind was in him we see He was affected not onely with his own private condition but with the condition of others He not onely wept when the bitter cup was coming towards himself but he did the like when he saw it coming towards Hierusalem And let there be the same mind in all the Lords people Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others So the Apostle there presseth it in the verse foregoing vers 4. Thus should Christians look upon the condition of others specially of the Church and people of God with an affectionate eye as rejoycing in their welfare so condoling their misery and calamitie So should they look upon private persons pitying them in their misery Have pity upon me have pity upon me O ye my friends saith Iob to his kindred Job 19. 21. much more upon the Church Not looking upon her calamity with delight as a pleasing spectacle So indeed the Edomites are said to have looked on the day of their brother Obad. 12. When their brethren the Iews were carried into captivity they rejoyed at it but this was in them barbarous inhumanitie for which the Lord there threatens to be even with them vers 15. As thou hast done it shall be done unto thee But with pitiful and compassionate eyes and hearts mourning over their miseries whether present or imminent felt or found Thus shall we find the Saints of God to have been affected That of Jeremy is well known â—ho wisheth his head waters and his eyes a fountain of tears that he 〈◊〉 weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of his people Jer. 9. 1. So great was his compassion towards the people of the Jews that he thought he could never sufficiently bewail the miseries which by his prophetical eye he saw ready to befall them So was he affected therewith as if they had fallen upon himself So he expresseth 〈◊〉 in the chapter foregoing cap. 8. vers 21. For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt I am broken his heart was broken I am black like a mourner clad in sable or I am in heavinesse astonishment hath taken hold of me Like affection like compassion ought there to be in all Christians towards their brethren they ought to sympathize with them Weeping with them that weep as the Apostle hath it Rom. 12. 16. Yea weeping for them whilest it may be they do not weep for themselves This doth our Saviour here for Jerusalem They thought their state and condition good and happy Being not sensible of the evils which hung over their heads they were not affected with them I but our Saviour who foresaw those judgements as God he weepeth over them as man Thus should Christians be affected with those judgements of God which they foresee ready to fall upon others they ought to mourn for them This will the Prophet Isay do for Moab as himselâ— most pathetically expresseth it Isai. 15. 5. My heart shall cry for Moâ—â— cap. 16. 9. I will bewaiâ— with the weeping of 〈◊〉 the vine of Sibma I wilâ— water thee with my tears O Heshbon Again versâ— 11. My bowels shall sound like a harpe for Moabâ— i.e. with pity and compassion And the likâ— will the Prophet Ieremy do Therefore will 〈◊〉 homle for Moab c. Jer. 48. 31 32. Now werâ— the Prophets of God thus affected with the condition of Moab who were strangers nay enemies to God and his people O how oughâ— Christians to be affected towards Ierusalem towards the Church and people of God Great reason why they should mourn witâ— them for them In as much as they are memberâ— of the same body Now such a sympathy 〈◊〉 know there is betwixt the members of the natural body If one member suffer all the members suffer with it as the Apostle observes I Cor. 12. 26. And such a sympathy there ought to be betwixt the members of the Mistical Bodie That it should be so I presume it will readily be granted But then why is it not so Let that be the first branch of the Application How is it that there are no more mourners in this our Sion Surely it is not for want of just cause of mourning I presume that among those who are most in love with the present times yet there are none that so doate upon them but they will acknowledge there is yet somewhat among us
presence with his Church Christ performeth the like offices to his Church that the Sun doth to the earth Inlightning it All light coming from Jesus Christ. Natural light of reason Reason Supernatural light of Grace Of Glory Inlivening Comforting Making fruitful Purifying Christ as the Sun to his Enemies how Branch 2. The face of Christ as the Sun shining Christ upon earth like the Sun under a cloud In his death Eclipsed In his Resurrection breaking forth Herein the members conformable to their head Partaking of the same glory for kind though not degree Branch 3. The face of Christ as the Sun shining in his strength The glory of Christ transcendent Etiam justi fulgebunt sicut sol in regno patris Christi verò corpus fulget ut Sol in vigore suo quo excellentia capitis prae membris significatur Pareus ad Text. His efficacious operations Dissipating and dispelling fogs and mists of Heresies and Errors Melting frozen and congealed hearts Warning and heating them with joy love zeal Drying up sinful corruption Applic. Seek we the face of Jesus Christ. Quest. How seek it Answ. That we may see it The Beatifical vision upon earth Quest. How Christ is to be seen upon earth Answ. 1. Neg. Not by way of vision Answ. 2. Affirm In the Glass of the Gospel In his Ordinances Answ. 2. Seek the face of Christ that we may feel it The operations of Christ to be felt in the soul. Illumination Light received is to be reflected how Vivification No life from Christ without union with him Spiritual life as begun so maintained and increased by Jesus Christ. Consolation True comfort not to be found in the creatures Nor in a mans self All true comfort to be sought from Christ Fructification Purification Christ to be felt as the Sun in his strength Dispelling mists of ignorance infidelity Thawing and melting of the heart Warming and heating it The appearing of Christ not to be feared by those who have felt these his powerful operations Which to others will be terrible Christs second coming to believers a joyful day Errata to the three Sacred Emblems The text upon what occasion takâ— up Declaration Novem. 21. 1655. Division Parts three Part 1. The occasion of this lamentation The eye lets in affection to the heart What Christ looked upon in Jerusalem that so affected him The City it seâ—f magnificent for structure The number of people devoted to destruction Magis tamen subversionem planxit animarum quam ruinas parietum Carthus â—d lot The qualitie of the people Gods people Qâ—um populum qui in spem vita aeâ—ernae adâ—pius 〈◊〉 suae ingratiâ—udine maâ—iâ—ia misere perire videret nihil mirum si lachrymâ—s non tenuit Cal. â—d loc Ierusalem the 〈◊〉 the head city upon which the whole Nation had a dependance Ierusalem the City of the great King the city of God Quum expenderet illam divinitus electam esse sacram sedem in quae resideret salutis aeternae foedus Sanctuarium unde prodiret salus salas toti mundo fieri non potuit quam ejus interitum graviter doleret Cal. ad loc Part 2. The expression of Christs compassion by weeping Lachrymae sunt legati doloris Cyprianus lib. Ep. 7. Weeping a passion not unsutable to Christ. Mutarunt homines temerarii delicati quibus flere Christo indignis videbatur Grotius at Text. Gorranus ad Text. alli Alii septies Chriâ—â—um flevisse aâ—â—erunt Gerhard Harm ad loc Why Christ lamenteth what he could have remedied To shew the truth of his humanity Carne humanacircundatus vere humanos induit affectus Cal. ad loc To testifie his affection to the Iews Hoc fletu testatus est fraterne se diligere eos in quorum gratiam fuerat homo factus Calvin ad Text. Viscera misericordiae suae per fletum osstendit Theophil ad loc Why did he not then help and save them Christ here in acteth as man Obs. Christians to be tenderly affected towards the Churches of God The Churches misery to be mourned over Christians to mourn for those who do not mourn for themselves Reas. Christians members of the same body Appli The present times to be mourned over In regard of the state of the Church abroad The presen state of England a matter of just lamentation Englands condition looked upon three waies What it hath been What it is Set forth in the late Declaration Iamaika Four particulars justly to be mourned over Tares of division Abominable blasphemies Dreadful apostacy The hindrance of settlement and reformation What like to be Part 3. The cause of Christs weeping Pathetica est ratio ideoque abrupta Calvin ad loc Passionate expressions often abrupt The defect here how supplied Obser. Christs affection to an unworthy people the Iews God not taking pleasure in the death of sinners How God willeth the death of the wicked Appli Gods grace not to be turned into wantonnesse Gods goodnesse leading to repentance Christ still retaining the same affection towards poor sinners The matter of this lamentation where the evil lamented Aggravations of it The evil lamented Expli Three things What here meant by peace viz. All kind of happinesse What were the things which belonged to their peace viz. Christ and his Gospel How they are said not to know these things viz. in not owning of Christ. To know God and Christ what Christ acknowledged by a small party By whom it was A party inconsiderable both for quality and number Obser. Not to receive Christ and his Gospel a most deplorable thing This is that which belongeth unto the peace of a people The rejecting of the Gospel the undoing of a people Applic. A just cause of mourning over this nation the sleight entertainment given to the Gospel Calling for deep lamentation Vse 2. What to be done for the preventing of judgment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic est utinam Grotius ad loc The Aggravations of this complaint Aggravation 1. The Persons Thou as well as others Diodate Annot ad loc Thou rather then others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vel tu urbs illa suprâ— omnes terrae urbes Dco dilecta urbs David urbs Regia urbs sacris dicata Grotius ad loc Ierusalem a Non-such in respect of spiritual priviledges An Aggravation Of Christs sorrows Of her sin Obser. Means and mercies not answered great aggravations of sin and judgment Ad astra tolli Sublimi feriens sydera vertice The more light the greater sin R. Grace abused a high contempt Applic. Vse 1. Application to the nation in generall Jerusalem and England pararelled In respect of spirituall priviledges Temporall favours Unanswerable returnes A great Aggravation of Englands sin Threatning a proportionable judgment Application to the Town of Yarmouth in special Vse 2. Exhortation To indeavour an answerable return to mercies A sad thing for God to upbraid a people with his favours A thing which he is not ready to do Yet being provoked by ingratitude he will do