Chamber thereof least he fall upon thee and smite thee with more madnesse and astonishment of heart Deu. 28 28. THIS last expression minds me to caveat the Reader not to be angry at Helibore becâ—use it 's called Christmas-flowre for it poor thing hurts no body that lets it alone and Herbalists are to be sheâ—t not it spoyled for that Name as was the harmlesse Hawthorn tree near Glassenbury in Sommerset-shire in England which being alwayes observed to bloom so neare to this time that it was reported first to budde this day other Haw-thorns about it remaining dead and naked King Iames jestingly concluded therefâ—om our old style to be more Râ—gular then Romes new but others of latter years more seriously concluding the thorn guilty of old superstition grubbed it up by the roots and burned it to ashes which comeing to the ears of honest Christmas fearing her own fate from that of her Harbingers receiving notice by a publick order quietly retir'd and keep'd her self alive by the fireside of more Charitable Christians accounting it more honourable to ly by a flame then dy in one But this Bush hath almost put me from my path and hoping 〈◊〉 things we proceed to presse the Christian in all temptations to lift up his heart soul and all within him Râ—membring the of descent the Son of GOD I should have said of MAN approaching towards us in the Chariot of the Virgins womb moving upoâ— the wheels of Humilitie Charitie Mercy and holy Wisdom GOD uniting to MAN that maâ— might be reconcil'd to God through inscrutable actings by new things Heaven being opened as in the Revelation Angels ascending and descending as in Iacobs dream joining earth and Heaven as in the Ladder the Father saying fear not as in Israels going dowâ— to Egypt here is the Door this is the gatâ— of Heaven as in the Patriarch's dread Thâ—â— Lord shall be my God as in the pilgrims vow Gen. 20.21 BVT forget not as we ought to reverence and adore him as God in God so ought we to respect and benefit all meâ— since God in MAN became like one of us Our Lords Natalitials and birth being a mirrour representing divine Charity and bowels of compassion unto us and loves swavity or sweetnesse one with another his very swadling cloathes speaking patience and benevolence FROM the time of celebrating our Lords Advent in order of nature our days lengthen our nights shorten and was of old called Midwinter-day or Midwinter mass or feast The Solstice formerly being nearer to it then now however untill became Darknesse was upon the face of the earth and that so grosse that for eight hundreth years none had the gift of miracles for in working of them none proceeded our Saviour save Elisha only the Prophets taught the living neither cured the sick nor raised the dead that the world by his miracles might learn him to be the true Messiah the very sun of righteousnesse by whose beams the world being irradiated errours might vanish and Truth brake forth more and more for the conversion of men And that as the Cloud did Israel we by his manhood might move and be directed in our motions through the wildernesse in purenesse of behaviour and brightnesse of Doctrine that by his firy light we might have light and constantly walk as Children thereof old things passing away by the Spirits over shadowing and heart beleiving we might also become new in Christ Iesus who was once BORN and no more that the wo denounced against unbelieverâ— in all ages might deter the remiss and enforce a running into Bethlehem the house of breaâ— to see admiringly this great thing and neither complain nor deride nor scoâ—n or turn again to the Egypt of carnal pâ—ssâ—ssion buâ— vivaciâ—usly embrace this Man in their arms living by faith confesse that he is come iâ— the flesh which whoso denys is an Anâ—tichrist he as God giving so clear evidenâ—ces of his assuming flesh shewing even beâ—fore his greatest miracles infallible proofs oâ— his Man-hood cuâ—ing the deaf after sighing raising Lazarus after his weeping and shakeing of the Earth as he gave up the Ghost THE wedding then betwixt GOD and man in him being come let not the rooms be empty but the faster invite Iesus to the Marriage staying for your satisfaction in a stable untill your prepared hearts say as a Labaâ— Come in thou blessed of the Lord why tarriest thou without that darknesse of Soul and will being expelled thou mayst dwell yea encreass in light evangelical for ever as the earth receives increase of light for a time And as it puts one hence forward a new dress the fields cloathed with a fresh green the â—â—ees in the gardens sâ—ed or lopped the Vines â—n the Vineyard pruned for the grapes greaâ—er sweetnesse so he the Vine being planted â—n the earth may through our sincere prayâ—rs be engrafted and inoculated in us that â—s the Vine we may have wherewith to glad the heart of God and of this MAN causeing this days exercise to have a voice prepare â—â—e the way of the Lord lopping off all superfluity of naughtinesse and excâ—â—scencies of Vanity leaving the Drunkard to be drunk in the Night studying to be sober and vigilant as Children of Day avoiding somnolency or sleepinesse ebriety or drunkennesse the morning of temperance beginning with the Sun of rightâ—ousnesse inforceing a being wise unto sobriety remembring the very supposed Father of this MAN was Ioseph who was known to be truly a good and a just man BVT the word Encompass imports the enliving prodigious ineffable mystery the most in comprehensible conception and miraculous nativity of our Lord of which sufficiency of knowledge terminating the understanding is that which mortality can no ways be obliedged to expect yet to attract eyes for yeelding respect to this astonishing birth whereon the building of our happinesse depends more then upon his rising from thâ— dead for from the grave some have risen buâ— from a Virgins womb no man yet came anâ— affoords new yea strong consolation more over all his other actings are bottom'd upoâ— this of his birth therefore is it to be weighâ—ed THE word expresseth encircling enâ—closing by which pure word insinuating hiâ— confinement in the Virgins womb anâ— abideing there as in his proper Cell untiâ— the time of life at which this MAN apâ—peared in the world but the manner of hiâ— being compassed is concealed from us the Angels expression The Holy Ghost shalâ— overshaddow thee Remorats curiosity Goâ— thereby intending to conceal the manner proâ—â—seth wholly a belief of the matter a shadow being but the absence of light by the interposition of a body the darknesse of the womb confineth our eye-sight and the power of the Highest dischargeth prying TO shew that he was born not to be admired or gazed at were easie and to prove that he was born for us is that which we all believe to demonstrate he was not born for himself but given to us that hath been heard from
most august serene Lord Iesus who was by the Spirit given to this woman and by whom is published Heaven to be at peace with men and women uniting these two together and both unto it self that peace might be on Earth and goodwil towards each other and both give glory by submission unto God ceasing from contention Salvation comeing by Iesus and Honour with Christ to men who are but dust and ashes WHEN the Almighty doth wonderously men should be surably affected here is a Prophet created a King anointed a Priest consecrated a Phisician born what more a Saviour encompassed let this be your tydings Christ is born in Bethlehem and leave your flocks ascending to him who came down in your heart and love for in your Salvation there is utility in his Vnction swavity in his INCARNATION Majesty for he hath bowed the heavens and is to be found in the swadling cloâ—ths of Precepts Sacraments and Promises of all which the Angels of the Church have told you because of which heavenly testimonies expect not a star in the air I mean a new miracle or a new good way of your own chuseing but draw near and behold this new thing proclaiming it to each other as the two cousings Mary and Eâ—izabeth that Jew and Gentile may both rejoice together in the birth of their common Saviour and that with hast our Saviours birth as his doctrinâ— being prolifick dischargeth oscitancy and slouth having a proper work which must industriously be gone about viz. Sanctiâ—y the digâ—ity of the Spirits working in thiâ— supernatural manner having morally a coercive power to suspend terâ—en matters and carry the soul to the hilly Country by affection in the sweetest Cell of the Souls complacency and thence again to issue orders unto all faculties to abstain from filthinesse to Love the Lord to speak good of his Name CHRIST being as at this time born as at this time the Angels sang the Heavenly host praised the Shepherds glorified which in our leading pious holy and Religious lives shal also satisfactory to God and Jesus our Lord be performâ—d for which this new thing was created the World being grown old exceeding old that is thin crazy and bare Adams disobedience the Angels fall Cain's slaughter Lamech's Murder Nimrod's oppression the Giants Impurity Babels Confusion c. had so marred the visage of this Earth that the heavens groaned to be delivered from its aspect from its scent as if Mezuntus Tyranny had been anticipated who tyed living men to stinking carcasses for their death and his own sport But at last God sent his Son in flesh with water that the Earth as the Garden of the Lord being well watered and as Pharao'hs Kine made fresh faire and well favoured or as David of a goodly countenance in imitation of this woman by humility for though she was Mother of our Lord she visited First in charity for she came to help the aged Elizabeth to assist the conceived and comfort her cousing now impregnat in her dolors burthens longings faintings and domestick affairs in her Modesty she was a teeming woman and at the time of her delivery Mary the Virgin returned home in her Oratory she spake so well that the Bab of grace leaped in the others womb And lastly in her Civility for she saluted Elizabeth no question but with civil honour and Religious reverence for the Mother salutes the cousing the cousing Mary and the Baptist both all with earnestnesse and serious holinesse mixed with joy or if you please in imitation of the MAN in Love for as the Son of our Mother he is come down that we may kiss him with the kisses of our mouth in comforting the shepherds when cloathed with darknesse and it may be with sadnesse were comforted with joyfull tydings in suffering he endured the worst a stable a manger for all his innate worth and former glory he fretted not at 〈◊〉 he cryed it was for mans sorrow in doing he went about doing good and so let us compasâ— each other with Religious delight celebratâ—ing this feast very near as old as the Gospel not now only but alwayes with the Church â— Virgin yet the Lambs wife by Faith hope and Charity that they being found with us 〈◊〉 Ioseph Mary and the Bab were by the shepâ—herds may live as they soberly righteously and godlily which perfected we shal not be cast out of the heaven of the Church with Lucifer nor out of the paradise of powerâ—full ordinances with Adam but enter into the new Ierusalem which is above by vertue of this new thing created in Ierusalem beâ—neath THE method of obtaining which 〈◊〉 included in the marrow and significancy 〈◊〉 such names whose bearers were more peculiarly grandiz'd in the history of Incarnation Ioseph by interpretation is addition Mary bitternesse Zacharias minding the Lord Elizabeth peace of my God Gabriel strength or man of God and Iohn gracious now a good Name is in Herauldry accounted an accomplishment gentilizing the vertuous And we find in godly saints accrewment of honour to be attended with change of names for the case in hand let this days solemnity add one cubit to the stature of your knowledge touching the pravity and bitternesse of natural self by reflecting upon what the Lord hath now done for our indwelling with him becomeing men of God inspirited with peace when the Spirit shall write on the table of the heart Grace Grace teaching us all our life long to celebrat on Christmas that is Christs-feast in the old Saxon the holy Eve of that Eternal yule or Iubile in the holy Hebrew where old Emanuel now Iesus shal be worshipped with everlasting Jubilation FROM this MANS encompassing the Holy Ghost pleads for Israels returning and 〈◊〉 this back-sliding age would suffer a word of Exhortation I should motive for Modesty now Pharaoch's physicians wold sense a childs â—onfinement in the womb a womans nourishing of her fruit or how the Egyptian midwives would retail the particulars couched in the expression I presume not to know but there is a MAN and a WOMAN in the text and the copula joining them together is chast and comely there is mention made of the attire of an Harlot Prov. 7. and we read of the solicitations of a whore Gen. 39. but the knowledge of Christ ought to instill sobriety in all our converse Men Woman Women Men at meeting or a part contriving the contexture of their discourse the Methods of their thoughts the sentiments of their soul to be spirited with that vertue A Father observes that Ioseph gave no assistance to Mary she swadling she laying him in a manger he not dareing to touch so holy a Bab whom he Knew to be none oâ— his It 's also and there from incumbent 〈◊〉 the mystical beholding of our Lord to returâ— from our irreverent behaviour and give hiâ— his just devoir how unseemingly wil soâ—â— touch Christ in the Supper as if the 〈◊〉 were their own bread and wine when it
Christ being the substance oâ— that very ark of the Covenant he being tâ—â— mean for reconcileing unto God both natiâ—ons beginning with circumcision which hâ— received in Isaac untill he suffered in him fulâ—â—filling the figure wherefore we are said to be circumcised with the Circumcision madâ— without hands obtaining the benefit promiâ—sed unto it another way then by bloud PROVIDENCE like the goodman of thâ— house knowing not only when but how thâ— thiefes would enter frustrats by Circumcisiâ—on their design who should a vouch our Saviour not to have had a real corporal but an aerial or phantastick body for as Alexander proved himself unto his flatterers to be no God because when wounded he bled so the Gospel cleares him to be no phantasme because of the prepuce and by it casts a mist in the Devils way to abate his fury that though he might know the Angels revelation yet as truly again he might infer him guilty of sins tincture which Circumcision did mainly respect wherefore we read of no great rage that either Satan or Man had against him untill his Baptism being then more clear because of the voice from heaven yet still was there some dimnesse of his perfect Deity as appeareth in the first temptation Mat. 4. Our Saviour as a war-like Prince in his enemies country cloathing himself in the robes of that country to passe the more securely undiscerned and pardon so strong application to destroy his adversaries the more surely and make them inexcusable WHAT more the ends and uses intended by God and the profits or benefits received by the Church in the Circumcision were of old comprised in this distich and applied to Christ are proper Cauterium signum meritum Medicina Figura Exemplum fuit olim Circumcisio dura AND as an issue or cauter it emitteth putrid matter from the body was a Character or badge of discriminating the people of God from the worshippers of Idols and to them also represented their merits for sin committed which in justice might have made the whole man to be cut off by which it proved Medecine or physick some say against the Carbuncle sure it is it figureâ— lust in the Soul and shewed what puriâ—â— ought to be in the heart the corruption thereof being moraly evacuated and causing each one become a good example to another of continence and vertue BVT the design in the Circumcision 〈◊〉 the Son of God was for the fulfilling of tâ—â— Law which he came to do Mat. 5. 〈◊〉 again to abolish the law which as a shadow went before him the body untill he waâ— incarnat which being done as a shadow must go behind and at his ascending vaniâ—â— away he himself being the substance of thâ— shadow perfecting throughly what it in 〈◊〉 only endeavoured therefore must 〈◊〉 children of Israel according to the 〈◊〉 Ios. 5. be circumcis'd the second time 〈◊〉 this Ioshuah to whose law according tâ— Moses doctrine they have been circumcisâ—â— once but these leading them by Faith 〈◊〉 Christ in the Gospel they must undergo ciâ—â—cumcision the second time by which their reproach shall only be rolled away and their gathering together to be glorious YET subordinat to this it is worth considering that he opened himself unto this first fruits of his suffering for the same cause he payed tribute viz. that he might give no occasion of offence that all might splendidly adapt themselves for obedient walking and not justle with Superiors upon account of priviledges wherefore we should hammer our pernicious designs and curb our extravagant affections not as untamed heifers in a conceit of our own worth plead immunity from law or from premisses of Dignity Excellency Piety Liberty or Birth-right maintain a disorderly carriage Christ presenting himself in this as a Samplar for us to work by as a rule to act by as a law oblidging us to conform yeelding to those in authothority and laws in force though in all things we be gratified nor in all parts there be no necessity for them hence he is said not to be born but made under the law Gala. 4. whereas we are not made but born and ought the rather to be Subject THIS Sun of righteousness rising in a red cloud caveats against murmurings complainings having something in it to be seen to be loved and also to be imitated induceing to a Circumcision of the foreskin of our heart the badge of Gospel mortification and teck-merion of self denyal his bloud and name hinting at salvation even from our selves STEPHEN chargeth his impenitent country-men with Vncircumcised hearts and ears by which he understands the whole man Ears implying their hearing such doctrine as tended to depravement Hearts insinuating their peculiar kindnesse and approbation of it to that height that the eyes beheld it as delectable the palat as delicious the hands as prosperous the feet as an easy journey so that heresie impurity vanity iniquity sensuality with practice without consideration becomeâ— the love of him who is carnal and prevails to seduce the undiscerning to the subsequent way of ungodly folly the whole Man becomeing prize to the Tempter for all irregularities the universal intendment of the Soul being Guadrat to the appetits of the corrupâ— heart which therefor is to be keep'd that is circumcised above all things Prov 4.23 by which the eyes shall let in no vanity and the ears be stopped that is circumcis'd against rotten communication the Spiritual Pallaâ— shall taste and see that God and his ways are only good the lips shall be preserved from lying and the tongue from speaking guile least at any time we grieve the Holy Ghost Eph. 4.30 WE find upon record an universal Circumcision of the whole Tribs at one time by knives or sharp flint stones Ios. 5. that service being omitted in their travel through the wildernesse not because the northwind blew not for scattering the cloud which had been inconvenient as the Iews foolishly suppose holding that wind most seasonable for Circumcision but through their unfitness to admit the same in regard of tedious and uncomfortable travels which being ended and the holy land entered God thought it expedient no longer to be delayed and therefore ordered Ioshua no more to procrastinat or put off shadowing that such who would possesse Jerusalem the holy City spoyl the potent adversaries of our rest in succesful battels must by faith in Christ the rock make holocausts that is burn'd offerings of beloved lusts though as near or dear as the skin it self by declining from evill and doing good keeping the soul from rapin bloud covetousnesse and wrath solicitously by the sharp and two edged sword of the word of God which Christ brought into the world restraining every thought and bring it captive to the Laws of piety and sound reason that being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart a divider betwixt the soul and sin CIRCVMCISION being nothing but a purgation of the soul from vice which who so scruples to deposit
Paul were of God and Christ how soon might the rude swaine the country lossel the clownish Boor the whistling plowman the earthy drudge find out a way for nobilitating his family and Gentilizeing of himself in observing the rules and orders belonging to the badge and profession of the Gospel Let those of Castile passe for born Gentleman the Bereans are far more honourable Alexander and Nimrod may do great strange and bloody feats while Paul and Cornelius keeping their bodies in subjection least they should be cast-aways more splendidly writs their name and with a greater flourish in the volumns of repute TAKEING heed to Gospel rules holy laws observing the outgoings of the King of Saints even of the paths walks and orders of Iesus the Soveraign and Heir of all things and Kingdoms being King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God 1 Timo. 1.17 maketh the clown a Gentleman the Gentleman a noblesse yea all men from the basest of Pesants Kings unto God the Father and younger brethren to our Lord that is partakers of the whole inheritance with the Son of which dignity if you be religiously ambitious or earnestly covet after you shal do well for Iesus then in all cases shall be a Iesus that is a Saviour in time of trouble MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE WISE MEN Unfolded and applied For Epiphany-Day Ian. 6. Tolbooth Ch. 1671 But preached Sunday-Ian 8. Tolbooth Ch. 1671 MATTH 11.1 Now when Iesus was born in Bethlehem of Iudea in the days of Herod the King behold there came wise-men from the East to Jerusalem Saying where is he that is born King of the Jews for we have seen his Star in the East and are come to worship him THOVGH it be said that God is no respecter of persons yet it s to be understood in his eternal decision and sentenceing men to happinesse or misery conform to the Regularity or extravagancy of their actions for otherwise he eminently signalizeth some above the masse of plebeian beauty by signs and wonders makeing their ingresse to or egresse from the world prodigious or auspicious by unusual occurrences not to speak of the three Suns which appeared when Nero entred upon government or that fearfull comet some months before his slaughter nor of that shining bright before many lights of the Germain Church were extinguished by death as being portentuous it is upon record that glorious worthies have been saluted at their births by visions from heaven auspicating the felicity of their government grandour of their lives and glory of their fame as his late Majesty to passe old and musty Registers of glorious memory journeyed from his Palace to Pauls Church to render thanks for the birth of a Son our present Soveraign about ten of the clock May 29. in bright-day a star was seen to shine predicting as some then said his out-shining and breaking forth at last though for a time he might be out-shined by another not to comment God doth not always speak by his Prophets only but by the meteors and elements likewise in persons especially born for government and if in persons meerly temporal this be what shal indicat to the world the birth of the King of Kings rather then a goodly star and that in the east by whose rayes the Religious Magi whether by Day or night could spel if not read the birth of the King of the Jews for as there were many new things about and at our Saviours birth on earth and all wonderfull as the Angels appearance Zacharias dumbnesse c. It was seemly that the Heavens should also lift up their voice and declair that wonderfull work of God which lay in Iury yet shined to Persia coming to them who were nigh that they might be saved and to them who were afar off that they might be redeemed Therefore there came Wise Men from the east c. HAVEING seen our Lord born for and circumcised by the Jew we should wrong our selves if we beheld him not worshipped by the Gentiles for though Salvation be of the Jews Iohn 4.22 yet it's effects are to the ends of the earth at first the Shepherds adored here Philosophers are come to adore they directed by an Angel these conducted by a star both from heaven to him who was to unite them in one unto himself and of them so united as living stones to build a Temple for the Holy Ghost that is a Tabernacle for himself IN a Mystery behold Araunah the Jebusit offering gifts and David the Jew doing service to our God for the health of both and salvation one of another the Gentile exceeding the Jewish spectators in his the Lord thy God accept thee he knowing the Israelite to have as he had untill the Gospel was revealed a more peculiar interest in God so Christ was King of the Jews that is eminently but not only for he was also the God and King of that King-like Araunah a Gentile ONE day viz. Ianuary the sixth hath been fam'd among the Ancients and it 's first appearance highly rever'd because of a four-fold miracle wrought thereon God even the Father proving as on a Theater the Divinity of Iesus his Son for when he began to be about thirty years of age and baptized in Iordan the Trinity was discovered the Father being in the voice the Spirit in the liknesse of a dove the Son in the flesh and proclaimed to be the Son well-beloved whence by them that day was called Theophania the apparition of God viz from heaven that same day of the next year he at the Marriage of Cana of Galile turned water into wine because of which they called it Bethphania the appearance of God in the house On the same day next year he fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes wherefore they called it Phagiphania the appearance of God eating or in eating of this last there is some more scruple then of the other but let him be Anathema that denyes the appearance of a star unto these Wise-men which some will have to be shining when this King was thirteen dayes old others will have him two years old however the day from this was called Epiphania the apparition of God above or from the heavens and this as being more sacred more miraculous the Wise-men seeing believing journying searching adoreing and offering have in the Annals of the Church swallowed up almost all the other that is for the time he being adored now as God which we find not to be done in the other wonders by Jew or Gentile and the solemnity by the Ancients in all ages is especially observed upon that account unto whose venerable and gray-headed practice we shall in all humility conform this universal Lord and Sun of Righteousnesse having a morning star in the East giving intelligence of an approaching day for mans perfect Redemption and by it good tydings to these Magi or Wise-Men and by them to Ierusalem and thence to all the world
bound hand and foot with grave cloaths being afterward to wear the same robes not so Christ death having no more dominion over him Rom. 6. being swallowed up in victory as Moses rod swallowed up those of the Magicians as the wide Ocean doth the smal drop in which it is to be more seen as the Sun the dark cloud which it either scatters or illuminats THIS Lyon of the tribe of Iudah overcomeing that devourer of men even in the grave his deepest den resolving from first to last for conquest in the Manger in the Hall on the Crosse in the rock their mocks their blasphemy their swords their guards for had he been possessed by the tomb or his holy body seen corruption after his Viniger and Gal what benefit had men accrew'd by his death It was therefore a religious error of Mary Magdalen and the other Mary to come early to the sepulchre with oyntments being grounded upon their thoughts of finding death whereas he was up before to take possession of his new purchase having so punctualy payed the contracted for sum for sin unto the Father thereby becomeing Lord of heaven and heir of the utmost coasts of the earth MAKE his Resurrection a question and for once put it to probation Davids seed in whom the Kingdom was to be established 2. Sam. 7. Adams sleep and his awaking out of that after Eva his spouse had been forming the promise of ransoming from the grave Hâ—s 13. Isaac's delivery from being sacrific'd in the old Testament an Angel from heaven Christs own prophesy Peters testimony Thomas believing in the New doth almost overstock us with sufficient proofs his eating drinking walking talking priviledging the expression yea the simplicity of the arguments brought against us by the Jews evidenceth it's reality for if he were stole why was he not resceu'd If by his Disciples why were they not questioned and if either of these be true how is it known to them since the watchers declare they were asleep what more the order and neatnesse in disposing of the grave cloaths the confident declarations of the pious women and the calamities the Apostles chearfully underwent evinceth the Resurrection to be no fallacy IT was attended with that power that the watchers became as dead men when they came to apprehend him or to eat up his flesh they stumbled and fell amazed at some discovery of unexpected Majesty but here beholding an Angel from heaven preparing to liberat the innocent it was just on the other hand to strick as if not altogether dead the guilty and give check to unbelief especialy when heaven is at pains to refute impertinencies as their keeping was since it flowed from cruelty not piety earth also labouring by an earth-quake to invalidat their strength shaking their greatest confident that is their armes causing them unfit to handle the weapon their ground disableing them to stand their authority to keep him in the grave being recalled by a stronger then either was Pilat or the Councill FOR yet once more was the earth to be shaken and the desire of the Nations then to come which was the Messiah that is Christ sent to all Nations for as at the giving of the Law their were Earthquaks and shakeings even in heaven by the thunder and smoak shakeings of the Sea at the makeing way for his people so once more he will as in Christs suffering the sun was darkned the rocks rent here at his rising there was a shakeing of hearts upon earth and moveing of Angels of heaven some being shaken out of their dumps doubt fears and sinful carnal condition others not desireing him being shaken out of their wits out of their lives out of their armes and justly having refused him whose face was lovely and society desired by all Nations by Angels and Men unto whom they should run as the camp to the standarâ— as the eagles to the carcaâ—e bringing as subjects to their Prince all their desireable things offering unto him not only of the best of the fruits of the land as gold frankincense and Myrbe but the choisest of their hearts as love fear joy obedience which all Nations ow unto him and the elect have payd being shaken with the wonder of so great a mystery as his death and rising again from the dead which the unbelieving Iews denying and mercenary Souldiers striving to obstruct he that sitteth in heavens did laugh at the confederacy and said in spite of them in the morning of the Resurrection thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee THE mountains skipping like Rams and the little hills like lambs to respect him in his exite from the grave and prepare his people to admire believing his heroick atchiefment of subduing Hel and Death curbing by it and shakeing their insolence who cry'd we have no King but Cesar and said crucifie him crucifie him but on the other hand comforting his followers with a fear not ye for I know that ye seek Iesus he is not here for he is risen so that the Church may salute Iesus as the Angel Gideon the Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour Judg. 12. for hath it ever been heard since the beginning of the world that any wrought wonders in their death or that wonderfully raised himself again to life Iesus excepted whose Resurrection is the sine qua non of the joy in all believers the living having no hope no comfort save in it and by it IT was refreshing news to the eleven and unto these two unto whom he was seen in breaking of bread and so much the more cordial was his perception that he was at first concealed from them having wrapped up the face of his Humanity in a skreen by the power of his Divinity which no sooner drawn aside then they behold the Lord that bought them which brought new life and vigour to the heart-broken and doubting Disciples breaking that silence which for grief had been more then half an hour in the heaven of their society where sorrow had caused mutenesse about fourty hours for so long it is reckoned he lay dead Adam after the ejectment from paradise is never recorded to have spoak and after the second had admittance we can find among the Apostles little mirth but now all preach and teach Angels descend women walk Peter and Iohn run the two talk whence the Church of old this day sung the Psalms of Invitation inviting all creatures to praise the Lord because Iesus who was crucified is not here viz. in the grave but risen come said the Angel see the place where the Lord lay affoording matter for deep contemplation Iesus discovering the truth of his being Saviour who was crucified a holy abridgement and true repetition of his passion He is not here discovering the truth of his being dead and his once being there come see the place where the Lord lay by Lord acknowledging the soveraignity of Iesâ—â— and by the word lay enforceing a belief of his
the vivifying robes of celestial purity and contrivances of real and forestalled heavenly joy the prospect whereof in these womens diligence dischargeth wallowing in carnal ease pressing to a speedy rising even in the dawning of the day from the soft bed of sensuality to that more soul comforting exercise of searching after our Lord Iesus enstating our selves in his favour by unguenting the body of his poor crucified and traduced members since he himself now as wel as then needs neither our Spices nor oyntments that is our alms charity and beneficence YET let heaven behold us at some cost in preparing spices and oyntments at the charge of self denyal with discretion zeal and rais'd devotion for unto those is oyl compared and if Demosthenes thought men were likest the gods when they did good sure we may affirm they are very unlike Saints but excâ—edingly resemble the Devil who will not do good to Gods poor nor pardon the expression to Christ their God when he seemeth poor as here he did to the holy women wise Ioseph and holy Nicodemus who teacheth to râ—fresh and to preserve in vigour to keep from decay and to comfort the soul now of Christ by the oyntments and embalming Spices of sins mortification for as he dyed by so he also dyed for our sin and by Ointments of praise gratulation and thanksgiving we prepare for him the rather that he rose again or was raised for our justification which if not accomplished you are yet in your sins the discharge not being procured from God the true and just creditor then are we under the power of the Devil and heirs of hel and damnation being children of wrath but if Christ be risen nothing of all these to discover which an Angel was sent to roul away the stone from the sepulchre as the Iudge ordereth the prison doors to be opened signifying to spectators to believers heaven to be reconciled and the work of the Resurrection to be perfectly wrought without the power of Negromancy which might have been objected had he immediatly with the witch of Endor's gods rose from the earth HENCE that inference is good the Spirit shall convince the world of righteousnesse because I go to the Father i. e. I go to the Father therefore I am righteous for in his face might not I look having had by him sin impured if I had not compleately satisfied for the same and done every thing to perfection which I came into the world for which was to take away the sins of the world which being done I am righteousnesse in my self and the Spirit shal prove me to be right unto all because I am gone to the Father wherefore he rose in the dawning of the day the clouds and darknesse about himself the darknesse and clouds about the souls of men being scattered and gone the Sun of Righteousnesse with healing under his wings a metaphoâ—ick expression from the spreading of his beams and stretching forth his rays as wings covering us and brooding over by his warmth ouâ— young graces for their strength and healing our old sores and festred boils that we might not be darknesse but light in the Lord noâ— as lepers secluded his congregation but as his symbol had been like that of Maximilian of Bavaria he brought visible testimonies of everlasting reconcilment from all in heaven towards all on earth that Duke gave in a field two Turtles standing on the brim of a cup on each side of a lance which was adorned with a Crown suâ—mounted by a Cross illuminated from a glory out of hâ—aven all upheld by two right hands complicated or joyned together issuiâ—g out of the clouds with this motto Concordiae aeâ—ernae as if by the support and Union and of the two natures there were a cup of Salvation offered now to dove like innocents shining from heaven by the Crosse offering a crown of glory in laying a side Hawk-like ferity and uniting like kind mates one to another since amnestia or oblivion like acts are passed in heaven towards us all which is made out beyond demonstration by our Saviours going to the Father by his rising from the dead DOTHâ—ot â—ot the Holy Ghost presse in divine writ a life Godly Holy and prepared always for heaven in forsakeing the unfruitful works of daâ—knesse upon and from the doctrine of the Resurrection as if those who looked towards it should not look behind them least they be concluded not fit for the Kingdome of God but loveâ—s of this present world and catereâ—s for the flesh seeking to fulfill the lusts thereof to mortifie which how incredibly rigid hath been the abstinence and how strangely fervent hath been the prayers of the Ancients in their Quadragesimal or Lent-devotions in them â— menting their own and their brethren's excesse in their voluptuous embraces studying to live unto piety not luxury refusing oft to pay Nature her just debt of aâ—iment and food for her too oft debaurds makeing this feast a spiritual Pasch truly passing from darknesse and it's works the deeds of the flesh to the operations of the Spirit the renuing of the Spirit by putting on the new man after God created in righteousnesse and true holinesse perswading by the sanctimony of â—heir carriage others to receive impresses of the beauty of holinesse beholders admiring their love which wrought them unto an imitation of their deportment THOSE that rose with Christ appeared unto many giveing infallible tokens of their leaving the Society of the dead whether Adam or Iob were among them as some saâ— I know not yet his is certain that their Resurrection mystical is to be questioned whose acts do not quadrat with those ruâ—es of blameless and spoâ—lesse behaviour by law expected and in conâ—cience also resolved upon by such who really are influenced with and by the power of the Resurrection animated to things above We hear of the perverse surly morose lives of many but such as are risen with Christ are doing good and walk charitably with all men thaâ— such who are without that is out of the Church as Pagans Turks â—ewâ— may be won by their good conversation We see many puffed up with impudence and arrogance but they are cloathed with humility multitudes say come let us eat and drink for to morrow we dy these are temperate in all things and not knowing what a day may bring forth dye dayly a number grumbleth muâ—muâ—eth repineth at this and the other Crosse at this and the other fancied calamity these posesse their souls in patience too many assemble in Troups to Harlots houses are whoremongers Adulterers these â—bstain from the very garments spotted with the flesh How numberlesse are such who curse rail backbite snarle at their Brethren like dogs swear that is snarle grin at passers by these honour all men pray for all men love the brethren giving Religion a lustre and really beautifying the cause of Christ. AS the Iews fondly teach that only the Godly shall rise at the last
the pronouns force He the Son of Man on Earth was He who though now talking yet as God is in heaven the word IS is urged for as Man he was at the same instant on Earth and not yet ascended to that place where He as God was before THIS ariseth from the union of the two natures in him viz that of Man and and that of God where the properties of each other are attributed to the whole person which yet in examination must be only referred to one of these natures as in these words save the Son of Man which Is in heaven 〈◊〉 if then he had been there which to affirm of his Mâ—n-hood were erronious He speaking to them under the Sun but as God it is â—greable to Truth and therefore the Ascendâ—ng of the Son of Man must not be undersâ—ood of his Deity for as God he is uncapâ—ble of going to any place being in all places â—t once and filling all by the infinity of his nature His Ascending therefore is to be applyed to his humaâ—ne nature wherein only he can properly be said to shift places and change seats and where he was before to his God-head he being with the Father before all Worlds which Doctrine of Union puzzeling Nichodemus made him wonder but remember he came to Iesus by night and untill this Sun rose upon the face of the Church this Doctrine was hid from the wise and prudent Rabbies but now unto Babs and Children this light shineth comparing Scripture with Scripture words with deeds with the assistance of the holy Ghost it is known that when Christ was crucified the blood of God was shed and when the Son of Man rose the Son of God rose when the Son of Man ascended God also ascended the Personall Union of the two naturs allowing the expressions The Word which was made Flesh at this time havâ—ng never seen heaven the Word then Flesh was to ascend and sit in heaven where the flesh that was the Word had never been WHAT St. Paul mentioned of the severall members of the body which though having their own peculiar functions yet united make one body and applyes it saying so also is Christ that is the Church 1 Cor. 12.12 May be alluded unto here in these two natures of Christ of which we say so also hath the Church every member thereof being the Son of God as well as the Son of Man and their Ascending into heaven as Sons of Men with their flesh and bones ascends but where they were before in their Spirits and desires Enoch a typ of Christ ascending and also of the ASCENSâ—ON of all the elect at the end of the world was but coached up bodily into that place where Religiously he had oft in Soul been that precept of haveing our affections above where Christ is Col 3.2 By Faith in love carries the soul aloft giving it wings to behold and see feel and â—â—joy the joyes rapturs sweetness that is 〈◊〉 the Paradise of heaven the new Ierusalem â—hich is above while the flesh or fleshly part of man is represented in the Embleme as the â—ring at a birds feet in the hand of a boy or 〈◊〉 unto a stone hindring the full fruition â—f the Souls Ardency in ascending to the heavenly mansions its clogginess impeding the spirit through fervent desires to be upward 〈◊〉 that He as man in flesh when ascended but â—cends unto that place where He when man in â—pirit was before THE Ascension for mans Instruction is â—everall wayes expressed in holy Writ two whereof are most Celebrious it s called ascending up on high in the old and an ascending 〈◊〉 the Father in the new Testament Psal. 68.18 Iohn 20.17 In the first is insinuared the glorious blessednesse and Majesty he is endowed with and possessâ—d of all things being in his estimate as low as they are in their own site the other unfolds his exaltation above all Creatures whether Heaven Saints or Angels hinting at his equality with God all glorified Spirits shouting at his entry into the heaven of heavens called in the Prophesie God's going up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet Psal. 47.5 And by the way if heaven rejoyce at the entry of the Son of Man what Jubilations ought to be on Earth at the ascending of the Son of God since he did it only to receive gifts for men Psal. 68.18 That is from God the Father that he being man might deliver them to men 4. Ephe. 8. And the Quire of Angels beholding his Kingly gate through the Clouds and manly steps upon heavens glorious and shining pavement Answered and questioned each other who is the King of glory and warning the porters yea the gates of heaven themselves to speak after the manner of men to be open'd to be lifted up for the King strong and mighty this Lord mighty in battel Psal. 24. That he had power and authority over Earth was eminently known in Lazarus come forth his dominion over the Sea was demonstrated by his walking on its proud waves that the Aire was at his controule was discover'd by his commanding of the winds that Hell was not exempted from his Soveraignity was made evident in casting out of Devils that Angels were made subject to him was not or in that they ministred unto him and served him Now there wanted one thing but one thing to shew that he was Lord of all things which was his ASCENSION up to heaven by which he proved himself Lord of the Vniverse and for creating this faiâ—h in the hearts of his own he did ascend in the sight of his Disciples not of the eleven only but probably of the hunder and twenty S. Luke Acts 1. Having mentioned both the women and brethren that were with Christ and in his Gospel having spoken of them who saw him after the Resâ—rrection hath so carried on the thread of his History that the eleven being expressed the other seemes not to be excluded this blessed sight of his Ascending being so recorded as indifferently to serve all the persons mentioned that as being by all men seen all should confess him to be Christ for the glory of God the Father THERE is in nature some secret pressure of Spirit when not vehemently by-assed with urgency of affairs vehemency of fear that maketh a man long for and longingly to labour after a sight of his Native Country Vlisses is said after ten years travel in and about the Hâ—lespont to desire a sight but of the smoak of his Country from the godds promising thereupon satisfâ—ction though he should dy at the same time yet was not that Rome head of an Empire nor Athens a University of Arts buâ— Ithaca a rocky poor fish town in the Ionian Sâ—a from heaven did the Son of Man come that was his Country his native soyl there it was where he had been before and towards it he had always a moneths mind as earnestnesse is expressed in the Proverb Lifting oft
his eyes towards it and in parting from earth spread his hands towards it saying in that Ceremony O Heaven Heaven Heaven the delight of my soul the darling of my Affection the beauty of my choice the treasure of my wishes O Heaven whâ—n shall I possesse thee O Heaven how long have I wished for thee O Heaven how oft have I looked upon thee O Heaven when shall I enter in into thee O Heavens I come I come open open open ye everlasting gates open that I may enter and possesse thy joys after my sighing fleeing fasting weeping scorning bleeding dying at last embrace me AND who knows not that water will ascend as high as its rise and this water of life flowing from the paradise I wâ—uld say the bosome of God instantly was to recurre and flâ—w back and in the streams of love to appear where he had been before to which he pointed that we might be enflamed for persuit crying oâ—â— with him Heaven O Heaven for though Man who is of the Earth be Earthy yet the Spiritual man being born of heavenly parents as begot of heavenly seed nuâ—sed by heavenly milk partaker of the divine nature of the ofspring of God â—s a stranger and pilgrim in this present world and because of perils by land perils by water malice irritating and corruptions enâ—â—meing molestations from his own Soul not yet perfectly made wise caâ—ouâ— It is not good to be here Christ Moses and Elias are above perfected and Holy Saints are above grief and fear which last seaâ—ed upon the Disciples at Christs removeaâ— and because he â—ent to the Father sadnesse filled their heart wherefore because he is with the Father not with us sorrow shâ—uld fil out hâ—arts prompting to call O it is good O how good it is to be there Our Saviouâ—'s stretching abroad his hands ought to attâ—act our eyes meerly to behold and desire it's beauâ—y it 's amability the glory of the Lord therein BVT wâ—e befal us so transcendent is our folly we heed neither the purpose nor cause of that indicatiâ—n loveing the valley though it were of Sodom because of it's fatnesse though as the grasse it be perishing or ascends the high hill of Ambitious undertakeings by power force or knowledge to be accounted gods which hath already destroyed both Angels and men the principles of such vanity engulphing the Soul into Eternity of despair themselves consequentialy are to be avoyded as Damnation by lifting up our hands together with our hearts unto God in the heavens Lam. 3.41 and by the feet of our desires LOVE and DILIGENCE run to the mountain of Religious contemplation the very reflection and shade thereof creating insearchable joy but reaching of it's toâ— or apex the ultimate tearm of prosperous durable and satisfying comforts known to that Solomon of this nation Robert Surnamed Stward who gave in Plate the terrestrial Glob dignified with a Crown embelish'd with thirteen stars circumscribed with Vanitas Vanitatum omnia Vanitas Vanity of vanities as if Universal command dazling glory respecting or relating to Earth had been but torture and were to him vain and should be to any vexation of Spirit TWO things amongst others are chiefly denyed to Man as not to dy and not to fly yet in this Ascension the first is known and much of the last is seen much because somewhat more for what shall we call this motion upward was it walking sleeping leaping or flying sure we are he went from the Apostles eyes in an advanceing paâ—e but a cloud encompassing him the Fathers Seat and his throne fitter to carry up the Son then a chariot that having been done for Elijah a Serâ—â—nt which cloud enjoins no prying and â—â—chaâ— get questions as if the heavens yeeldâ—d or winds ceased aided or what other thing â—â—riofity can invent yet presseth the relinâ—â—ishing and treading upon the glory of a gaudy world and requires a lifting up above our selves pregnantly exhorting us as strangâ—rs to have nothing of our heart effigied thereon at most only our feet to honour it with a â—ouch he mounting over and above Olivet seeming to say rise up my fair one and come away Cant. 2 10. fâ—om the muddy floâ—e of this lower and common hall and ascend the stairs of prayer and meditation more comforting then that Sancta Scala at Romeâ—â—id â—â—id to be and resorted unto as theâ—â—airs of Pilats house being the 28 steps whereon our Saviour went and returned in his passion and leap or walk run aâ—cend or fly to the upper rooms of the heavenly pallaces where â—ighing filth death or sorrow thorns or spears have no possibility to enter even in their remotest causes THE Songs of Angels Quire of the Prophets joy of the Spirits the light of God and the glory of Christ eternally revealing everlasting causeing ravishing never cloying Hallelujahs for auditing whereof and directing to which earths pagentry the hearts carnality is to be rejected crucifi'd and cut off these being heavy will incommodate us in our jâ—urney and retaâ—d us in our ascending heaven-ward after our Lord whose drawing the Disciples from Jerusalem is not without a mystery operating upon our overcoming this present world or then it shall be ill with us for as the men of Galilee we may know that the same Iesus shall come down again in like manner that is as some conjecture from Zach. 14.14 upon Olivet stretching abroad his hands blessing the righteous because obâ—dient and pure cursing the prophane because stubborn and idolators umbraged by the valley of the Son of Hinnon a paâ—t of which he journeyed through in his passing but leaving it behind him in his ascending the mount of his ASCENSION a fâ—uâ—â—ful mâ—unt abounding with Palms Olives Figs Gaessum Pine-trees typifying the Church and the Godly who are and which is fruâ—â—ful in gâ—od works serving as mediums â—or the souls â—easceâ—ding unto God and are as steps appointed for that end and purpose OVR Creed stands not at his ascending into heaven but registrars also his sitting at the right hand of God at which place S. Mark chap. 18.19 seats him ending at once his History and our Saviours travel which rest is far above all principalities and powâ—â—s he sits whereas the Angels stood and are expressed so to do because servants much more honour being his due because of His Sonship not that he properly sits for so there is no chair for him to sit upon nor right hand in GOD to sit by but tropically it signifieth that equality dignity honour and â—espect height râ—verence and power which equaly with God He hath obtained in His humane nature the heavens being high above the earth and the heaven of heavens â—he seat of God above them the Angels about the seat of God and our Lord on the right hand of him that as the earth is far distant from the heaven the upper invisible heaven above 〈◊〉 the pavement of the seat of God above them the Angels again above that who though glorious
yet are under Christ to the dignifying our nature and us being men who being but dust and ashes at best and worse when sinners at the highest yet where sin abounded grace much more abounding the Father receiving him into favour as our first fruits from the earth which obtained a blessing for the whole Harvest of Adams off-spring God saying to such in him sit at my right hand which sitting cleareth his merits to traâ—scâ—nd those workings or purchaseings of Cherubims and Seraphins who stand before the throne Luk. 1.19 for sit thou is to be expounded be thou my Fellow according to thy word shall all my People be ruled as Pharaoh said so heareth this Ioseph I am almighty God without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot Gen. 41.44 WHICH honour being given to Man who once heard dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return who was sent to the Ant accounted woâ—se then the Ox or the Ass not only sent to the birds of the Air to learn instruction but called the sons of the Devil discovers infinit love which should cause man perâ—ue that passage of sit thou iâ— his soul untill Gods love heat the hâ—art Christs merits cool the conscience and God's sit at my right hand Nobilitat the mind and Christs sitting secure the whole man he noâ— only resting for himself but preparing a place of rest for others MOREOVER the right hand is the high blessednesse peace and joy with satisfaction which God hath in Christs holy society upon the account of his obedience as Man in doing always his will for the left in the Parable denots enmity dissatisfaction and contrariety and in ordinary gestures inferiority â—t represents also three great properties therewith Christ is endowed the glory and â—onour of his Divinity this Sun of righteousnesse rising at his birth clouded by death did 〈◊〉 so to speak in his Fathers throne ending the day of his earthly appearance and worldly troubles in this felicity perfecting and finishing the work which he came to do â—ext the Authority of his Man-hood we will â—ay such a one sat fourty twenty or Fifteen â—â—ar in the chair meaning government and â—are so also doth Christ his sitting not being 〈◊〉 naked quiescence but expressing his vigiâ—ance and thoughts for and about the Church for as again Iames the third of this Kingdome gave in a Medal a Hen brooding over the Chickens shadowed with a Crown with this device Non dormit qui custodit he sleeps not who governs though they may rest yet in that rest there is life and comfort beneathed to others Our Lord by his word Sacraments and Miracles doth unweariedly uphold his Church and all her begotten by the mediatory office lastly there is in his sitting his power of judgeing Advocats and Counselours stand while Judges and Justices sit especially when they give sentence so he when executing the ungodly and sentenceing them for hateing mercy he haveing judgement on his left hand fire to burn consume and tear the fiery bloody Spirit and sits in sentenceing to evince the deliberatnesse of the judgement IT 'S true once Stephan saw him stand yet reflect that he is a Counsellour an Advocate for the Church and the gesture is not to be wondred at for still understand a Metaphor by which figure ye may finde he sits as a Judge stands as a pleader by the sentencing bloody Jewes and by the other intercedeing for patient Christians and again by standing he vows reveâ—ge to the enemies of his servants by sitting he absolveth the enormity of his Disciples sitting not denoting circumscription of place but the glory of the Deity wherein before alâ— worlds the SON was being from Eternity consubstantial to the Father and in latter dayes when Incarnate the glory of His flesh being exalted because in the God head to be adored above every creature He coming down by his birth enter'd into the field oâ— Warre fought against all his adversaries in strugling with death conquering that King of terrours in the power of his Resurrection and entring his Royal Citty He triumpheâ— in his Ascension as the Roman triumpheâ— haveing his prisoners in bonds and scattering medals and presents among the people in the Scripture phrase giving gifts unto â—en ending his troublesome journey to Earth in Heaven as he began having the 〈◊〉 of the Angels to Eccho him to the World the gratulations of the Quire at his ingresse into Heaven the Selah of all the Glorious Prophets the Euge of the goodly company of Martyrs together with the Religious Hymns of the Chuâ—ch both East and Weâ—t in all ages untill this day believing that he is gone to prepare a place for them if it were not so he would have told us Ioh. 14 2. HE was once thought a stranger in Ierusalem and was before that so obscure that his brethren did not believe on him which the Jewes yet presse as one great ground for their unbelief He acting as a Painter who drawing his most excellent draughts in the dark when finished exposeth his Tables to publick veiw so until now he carried himself strangly as to the Syrophenician woman and confineing his Discples to the lost sheep of Israel but now it is Go teach all nations suffering the Jewes to deride his Miracles to lye against his Resurrection but as he said it shall be and all the world must acknowledge Him the everlasting Son of the Father IN order to which the song of the Elect is HE that is God HATH raised up a horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David Luk. 1.69 an Horn indeed growing out of flesh yet more solid more firm then flesh yea exceeding all flâ—shly horns being borne of the Virgin behold flesh but conceived by the Holy Ghost behold his excellency above flesh yet when we perceive him at the right hand of God behold that horn raised and as the horn of the Unicorn causeth sweetnesse to all the imbitter'd waters of our Iericho even by the touch so doth the applying of his ASCENSION unto all our perplexities becomeing to all a horn of salvation Let the Iewes therefore blasphem if they will He is now made the Head of the Corner exalted raised above all the buildings either of Church or Synagogue virtuating them for beauty strength and lustre that as in the dayes of Elias the heavens were shut up so in the dayes of Iesus after a barrennesse of faith love and hope there was a cloud like the hand I might say like the footstep of a Man arising out of that Sea of Christs Passion suffering and a sound from thence of abundance of precious good things of Gods promising and Mans needing not to say asking in his ASCENSION the Church being now as a field which the Lord hath blessed by having Faith in Divinity expectation of bless in the hope of what he hath promised and Charity in the love and tendernesse he hath kindled for us so that the expression of