and refractory this name is not publickly proclaimed from heaven but given to Mary and after that to Ioseph who gave it to his supposed Son at 's Circumcision and by that name which his parents gave him was he known in all the tract of his life God in this occult way preserving the order and honour of paternity disallowing such who assume the boldnesse to rebaptize themselves and write new names which their parents knew not HE is by the Holy Ghost yea by men sometimes called Iesus sometimes Iesus Christ often our Lord sometimes this and again that other name every one of which have some peculiar eye to some relation he beareth towards the Church and in all those glorious precepts for divine celebrating the Supper that is the holy communion of the Church by S. Paul he speaks of it in that style that would hardly make that phrase the cup of Iesus the death of Iesus to be proper speaking constantly of the Lord as the Lords Death the body and bloud of the Lord a word importing the founder of that communion and fellowship we have with the Father from which this may safely be drawn that men should discreetly expresse the tittles gâ—ven to their Saviour It is a truth that some have spoken of him under Epithets purely that is scripturally applicable to the Father to the Spirit to an Angel THE most celebrated tittles are Iesus Christ and the Son of God this last when Iews deny him mock raile reprobat laugh at him c. is proper to use Christ intimating his anointing hinting at the means whereby he saved us as preaching fighting conquering is pertinent for us the Son of God he is called being very God of very God the second as he is Man God by assuming humanity but his name Iesus represents him God joyned to humanity united to the humane nature and here wisely given yea before haveing three times been so named viz. at his conception to Mary next to Ioseph 〈◊〉 a dream and lastly at Circumcision for then they called his name Iesus a name majestick a name consolatory holding forth his Deity for besides this Lord there is no Saviour and his Humanity also for by it he maketh propitiation for our sin nay we find it iâ— other writtings not removing but preventing sin even that of robbery for a paddist or High-way-man attempting to spoil a preacher ordering him to stand and asking what he was was answer'd I am a the servant of the Lord Iesus the Paddist trembling at the answer said again what are you and had the same answer and so a third the Robber as amaz'd forgot both bloud-guiltinesse and covetousnesse and called to his unjustly detained Captain for the sake of Iesus depart in peace and ruminating to himself whose servant he had been in this debauch'd trade of life being cogitabund cryed out Iesus Iesus Iesus blessed be the name of Iesus who hath keeped me from sin and forsakeing that course of life walked after in the path of vertue LET none inquire touching the utmost extent of this name since it 's secret and wonderfull Iud. 13.18.19 above all mans conception and expression having not under it the name or shadow but the essence and verity of all Salvation yet know he is not called Iesus because he saves from war or sword for these may be good but from sin which can never be but ill therefore it comforteth the heart when opened delighteth the Ear when hearkned pleaseth the mouth when expressed intimating from sin freedom and predicts glory in place of misery But yet not by the aiery sound or letters thereoâ— whether utter'd or impress'd for the Devil spake it to Christ himself and had a finger in the py when it was writ upon the crosse but when applyed by faith and conforming to the Doctrine of him who bears it as he who learning and studying Iesus well proposed to himself for a Coppy a meek man â— humble man a sober man a chast man merciful man and finally a man endued with all honesty and full of all sanctity which is a sweet way to make him to every man Iesuâ— i. e. a Saviour that he as being Almightâ— God created them so as Iesus that is Goâ— and man may redeem them from this present evill world by his omnipotent unspeakeable goodness compassing strengthning by his mediatory office what ever is his own within the â—oul abolishing by his Royal power Christ-like vertue what ever besides that the heart hath contracted to prevent relapsing let the man Iesus be our example and Iesus God your chief support leaning upon him as your beloved and the name Iesus shall assure salvation secure heaven not otherwise THE name Iesus is admirable for by it all wonders have been wrought and because of it all Devils trembled it 's also amiable sinners having by it been justified righteous gladned the dejected raised and all that ever called as the blind-men Iesus thou son of David have mercy upon us have been relieved it's lastly laudable for it 's glorious it 's holy it 's new it 's exalted above every name and the name that is given to us for us whereby only we can be saved therefore glory ye in his holy Name REMEMBER you are his by purchase be having redeemed you not with corruptible things as with silver and gold but by his pretious blood of which summ he this day gave part in hand as earnest and payed the whole afterward in grosse upon the Cross and might there be not more then a common providence that upon the first of Ianuary there should be fewer Martyrs in the primitive persecution then on any other in the year each day produceing when laid together five thousand save that since the faithfull witnesse himself by whose bloud their's was accepted did as upon that day enstate us into the passage leading to the spiritual Paradice by applying his merits in Circumcision as the first fruits of the land â—or earnest of our forgivenesse makeing hell to tremble as being spoyled of its Dominion Earth to rejoice as being redeem'd to God and Angels to triumph as being confirmed in righteousnesse all which passionatly excits to a confession that Iesus is the Christ to the Glory of God the Father makeing his Regimen in our souls the more arbitrary when by way of reserve we reflect upon that purpose of the Father that every knee shall mark the word shall bow that is yeeld and submit to the name Iesus that is the power authority and Judgement of Iesus FROM the name Christ are we called Christians that implying both his and our Unction with the graces of the spirit whence also came that name of the Messiah i. e. one that is anointed viz above his fellows as Christ is said to be Isa. 61. with gifts not with material oyl which had been improper to him as a King for his Kingdom is not of this world or as Priest for he was not of
the Idolatry 1 Cor. 10.14 IN the Kingdom of France of old an order of Knighthood was institute called of the Star which in the days of Charles the seventh became contemptible the Honour becomeing dishonourable being given to pages yeoman of the guard and other attendants so that the Knights laid asside the badge and cognisance of the Star whereupon the order evanished the Magi in a holy and respectfull sence might be termed of the Star but Religion in Gospel preaching having descended unto the poor many great in their own esteem as the Iews repineing at the Gentile shifts off devotion to their Chaplain and servants menial and in a distinguishable sense is it not sadly visible that the poor have the Gospel preached unto them great men landed men Wise men or men for any thing of renown gilding their sword garnishing their board embroidering their apparel as if birth-right nobility and gallantry did ipso facto and of it self qualify for glory piety and religion in the mean while exposed to nakednesse and contempt bleeding and trod-underfoot as injurious unto because debasing greatnesse and suiting rather the Tenents then the Land-Lords habitation whose revenue provyding against course fair hard beds shifts off prayer reading holy living as inept guests or complemented with a dinner and then farewell VPON this score not many wise after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called 1 Cor. 1.26 yet because their are not many it would seem their are some mighty and some noble called wherefore freeing your souls from this abuse embrace holinesse as an honourable inmate as the Crown embellishing al your vertues the preservative of al your excellencies the engine mean or instrument to augment your fortunes enlarge dominions dignifie your issue protect your dwellings guard your persons secure your consciences and acquire gloâ—y for Godlinesse hath the promise and the sinner will dy accursed THE Natural Sons of the Kings of Spaâ—n by law are never to enter the gates of Madrid Don Iohn as we read was never nearer it then a league the court leaving the pallace that that mighty Austian might be capable to give a visit to his Catholick Majesty as if their were so black a stain or so thick a fibre somewhere in that great body that royal blood could not so encircle the person as to nobiliat and on all quarters in all parts properly make him his Highnesse his Serene Highnesse just so it is with wickednesse and unbelief no gold can beautify it no silver adorne it nor throne honour it nor greatness make it or the breast in which it lodgeth to be capable to see the face of God or admit it to his holy Habitation INDEED God condescends so far as to descend to sinners and by them may be visited and spoak withal in the acts of his worship and temple of his Son as Christ was beheld by the Magi but so as we find not first and second he as Death makeing no difference between Rich and poor High and low and if any it is to the poorest that is in Spirit all before and in comparison of him being but dust and ashes and he who is loosest upon the earth that is puft up is because such soonest and easiest blown away all epithets declairing greatnesse being unsuccesfull fading and evanishing as smoak from the tunnels of their own well furnish'd kitchins known it seems to Ioan Queen of Spain who gave on a glob a moulting peacock with Vanitas encircled as if all earthly glory without the coronet of Sanctity and piety were but like the splendor of that fowl and beauty of his train which a rainy day will cause to disappear and a warm spring a smal calamity shall make the prey of any baser born scattering them in the path of this world's contingencies to adorn the cap's of it may be their own Skip-Jacks followers and footmen MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF OUR LORDS CROSSE Unfolded and applied Passion-Friday April 1. High Church 1670. GOOD-Friday April 1. High Church 1670. PSAL. CX VII He shall drink of the Brook in the way therefore shall he lift up his head WE read of a Holy Man whose library being ill stored furnished himself richly with store of Literature by serious revolving upon the matter contained in three books whose leaves were of different colours one whit wherein he was directed to walk talk and do conform to that favour patience long suffering God had exercis'd towards him another was black representing the formidable number and sad consequence of his infinit and multiplied transgressions the third was red which to his affections passionatly discovered the great secret of the wisdom of the Love of God towards and for his Soul in contriving the death of his Son whose blood as the Red Sea destroying the Egyptians of his lust made him both rejoice and weep IN which meditation holy men of old as they were moved by the holy Ghost nothing being more usâ—ful necessary comfortable mysterious then the knowledge of Christ and him Crucified were much conversant and among them David is eminent in many places particularly in this Psalm pointing both at Calvery and Olivet for he shall Drink and then he shall lift up the head which expresseth a triumâ—h a Trophe after a victory and fight he must for he shal strick through Kings and fill the places with dead bodies ver 5.6 which cannot be done without some losse of blood unto himself which eventually shall procure honour and that for ever the Lord saying to my Lord that is to David yet in the Mystery unto Davids Lord Christ sit thou on my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy foot-stool the Father giving him not only the right but the Act of dominion judging governing all things untill Devils Belialists Hereticks Shismaticks Antichrists every evil work be dashed in pieces the fathers grandor not being ecclipsed by this donation he reigning in the Son and remaining in that account stil Lord also by him for ever his sweating bleeding dying burying serving but as medicine to evacuat his holy body of humors and disposing him to rest after which as a Gyant refreshed with wine he shall rise out of sleep and smit his enemies in the hinder parts makeing them a shame unto themselves in uncovering their foâ—lies before the whole creation and in the sight of Angels of men contumeliously causing them smart for their heart enormities when he shall after his drinking lift up his head AFLICTION is in general compared to water and bearing of the CROSSE to drinking and the measure providentialy alloted for each creature may be pertinently expressed by a cup of which it 's decreed by heaven all must drink though not all alike the dregs of the cup of Tribulation being appointed for the wicked Psal. 75. Let the Jews therefore this day fret curse murmur in their carnal way 〈◊〉 a pompuous Messiah while the more spiritualiz'd exalt the name of Iesus who as another
is his body How rudely will other skip tread walk and frisk upon 〈◊〉 ground as if it were their own furroâ— their own tale their own house their 〈◊〉 Romance Certainly the Gospel is scandaliz'd by the sordidnesse of some mens unclean fingering mouthing writing yea Printing of the person of Iesus so contumeliously that it would be Death in Turky to word it so of Mahomet I know intimacy and acquaintance is pretended yet that ought not to offer rudenesse to the serenity of his countenance the sanctity of his Laws the dignity of his person the excellency of his being which are infring'd to that degree of mockage that were he once again upon Earth he might say to such what a great yet affable Emperour said unto a Churle who confidently made invitation yet nigardly served up his meat which was I did not think there had been such Familiarity betwixt us BELIEVE it what in the state by policy in the Church by Simony in trade by defrauding in Religion by opinionating in faction by abetting in the road by stealing in the Sea by pyratting in common talk by filthy discourseing in print by unholy applying in the house by slandering in designs by oppressing in the counting house by tricking and in our hearing of the word with itching our holy and ever-glorious Lord is made and accounted as a common thing wash your hands therefore you sinners purifie your hearts you Hypocrites for how unprosperously all this is done is known long ago to the Jew and may in due time be evidenced to us Gentiles if so besotted as not already to have full instruction since this new thing hath been created on the Earth A woman shall compass a MAN This Generation old because so long lying in wickedness seemeth incapacitat for amendment But as when S. Paul was weak that is in himself then was he strong that is iâ— Grace and as when the impotent Man complained of his want of a man to assist him towards a cure Iohn 3. The MAN in the text said Rise take up thy bed and walk it is hoped there is an holy seed in the womb of our Mother Church springing toward and hastning forward the desire of the godly and truly Religions of the Nations some holy Simeon that is obedient hearer expecting the Lords salvation and some devout Anna's that is gracious and merciful waiting that is praying for the Redemption of our Israel from the division-ating hub-ubs wherewith she is entangled in practising and perswading for peace and Holiness which as from the womb of a Mary or Mara of all or any that is in bitternesse for our grosse back-slidings shall hasten the production of comfort and tranquility in the knowledge of a Iesus born to save us from our sins MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF Our Lord and SAVIOUR Unfolded and applied Circumcision Day Tolbooth Church 1671. New Years Day Tolbooth Church 1671. LUKE II. XXI And when eight days were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child his name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb AS we find no nation the old Savages of Mount Atlas excepted but found a necessity and from natural as wel as politick causes gave proper and distinct names to things and persons so in civiliz'd nations ingenuity and law prompted them to pitch upon a time proper for designing their issue by them When Cain Abraham or Lot were so denominated is not so far as I know upon record but Christianity hath generally observed and followed near about the time of the Iews who were strictly tyed to the observance of the eight day from Isaac who was but eight days old when he felt the knife and afterward in all ages each Male was to have the sign of the Covenant in his foreskin under the penalty of being cut off a phrase among the Iews intimating a liablenesse to the wrath and vengeance of the Lord in the highest measure and was concluded to be the greatest most cursed of all threatnings in Scripture as a punishment not inflicted by man but an impending vengeance of God on earth imprinting say some the certainty of dying Childlesse and towards heaven say others importing the Gospel's Anathema Maranatha the offendour peculiarly being seperate for a curse when the Lord cometh as hateing his holy institution for which also his indignation may be felt in being cut off in the midst of their dayes as is evident in Moses tarrying in the Inn fearing to go down to Egypt wherefore that irregularity in no rite might be charged upon the Son of God now born of the seed of Abraham when eight dayes were accomplished they came to the Circumcision of the Child and called his Name Iesus Circumcision importeth bloud and since without that there is no remission withal being to speak of a Saviour I know no better object to present before you then a ruddy then a bloudy IESVS for because of the Circumcision he may say to the Church his wife a bloody spouse art thou to me and her name since Abel may be Aceldama a field of bloud as being bought with a price of bloud and still sprinkled with that bloud which bought it as that field was with his bloud who took that price as the text imports Acts 1. or she may be called Damascus a bag of bloud where and because our Brother the Lord as Abel was slain by his brethren Iewish Cainits out of envy and whose bloud at this time beginning to be shed crys loud to heaven speaking better things CIRCVMCISION is a short word yet of a large sense and as applied here maketh three miracles to be discovered First the eternal God who was before all worlds and made time dividing it between day and night is found to be eight days old next the impassible Lord of Glory unto whom there be no augmentation or increase nor diminution or lessening of parts is made lesse by the foreskin Lastly the ineffable Iehovah who is above all Names in heaven or earth is called IESVS IT was and is ordinary with God to ratifie his pretious promises to the Church by appending signs as seals reason it self being dim except the eye perceive something illustrious or takeing in things purely natural how much more in spiritual the bow in the cloud the dew in Gideons fleece the change of Abrahams name the whole pedagogy of Law and among others this sign of Circumâ—cision held in so great veneration as to be reckoned above that is greater then the Law for it was before the Tables preferred to the Sabbath for even on that day it was not to be omitted hence S. Paul wisely caveating the Philippians Philip. 3. against its use reflects not upon the word yer presseth its neglect and chargeth warrinesse under the notion of Concision Being then purely a pareing or cutting of the flesh not a sign of the Covenant which as such not only with Iews but with
born that is the promised Messiah in whom all the Kingdoms of the earth is and was to be blessed therefore in no Nation is there ground to despair AND though some degenerat from these their religious Gentile Ancestors either by loyttering at home in their carnal security purposing neither to take pains for nor travel after salvation or play at the door in their superstitious formal idolatry or Debauching within by their scandals and impure deportment yet having wise Preachers experienc'd in the study of heavenly Scriptures which as the star over the house shew where Christ is to be found let us unite in devotion and being faithful with the Saints part with whatever lust is dear and sweet knowing it is our wisdom so to do being Christ and his Gospel are above the price of all lusts though supposed Rubies LET Herod be troubled and great men moved against submission to the scepter of Christ for touch the Mountains they will smoak and Jerusalems inhabitants be in an uproar each one about his particular concern suggesting trouble and war by changeing of Kings and Governours upon which in all probability their fear was grounded for none went with the Magi from Ierusalem either fearing to appear despairing of successe or for such like cause yet this is but the course of wordly wisdom which being Earthly sensual is to be avoided by the Man of God whom neither Herodians of ambition nor Ierusalemits of pannick fear so far shal obscure wisdom or occasion defiling of conscience as to make him afraid of or tremble to hear of Christs approach but rather calleth why tarrieth the wheels of his Chariot having a desire to be with Christ obeys that sound of heaven the charge of Ierusalem his Mother the Church going forth to meet this King Cant. 3 11. now crowned in his cradle and having heard of this in Ephrata seeks and finds him in the wood of the Cratch and ark of the Church rejoyceing as they that find rich treasure and good reason for he is found in Bethlehem i. e. the house of bread and under that notion implys all happinesse to his visitants to his Receivers the tittle of life adding Eternity to his crums which when enjoyed the snars of death are avoided AS these Magi left Ierusalem a crafty Herod the skilfull Scribs who durst not deny what the Scripture recorded yet shuned to believe what the Wise revealed bringing damnation upon their souls the more speedily for their base ingratitude the more desparingly for their great knowledge the more inexcusably for dissembling with Herod so let us relinquish and turn our backs upon those Sirens stopping our ears against the songs and counsels devices secrets that by the wicked witty the demure in hypocrisy the knowing in disobedience are laid any way to debar us from the regular path of Gods revealed will in persuance of enjoying that blessed sight which is in the star light of a promise offered to us how difficult soever it may seem to flesh and bloud leaving the politick and carnal to their Interrogatories their Questions their fears their scruples what may be what shall be rather then what is to be done things which is to be feared in our days have made our Lord to go further from us then he was once dare I name that place to be in Egypt HERODS Hypocrisie made him promise adoration his timidity made him search and ask not where the King of the Iews but where Christ should be born the Question to the Iews is made in privat by the Gentiles it 's made in publick the reply represents and infers the Jews to have answered where our Saviour not where their's was to be born because they believed not in him nor rejoyced at his birth nor travel'd to his lodging and at this day for unbelief they are a scatter'd people through the earth still beholding that faith published and gloried in unto which they are enemies which no doubt adds to their torture shame despondency and grief having neither Temple Priest nor sacrifice of their own as other Nations yea hardly retaining their name but by a few absurd and ridiculous ceremonies for which being derided by all Nations and accounted murtherers Iesus being deemed innocent increaseth their astonishment and is reckoned by Travellers the formal cause of that pregnancy or rather subtility of wit which proverbialy is applied unto them their Religion putting them under a general odium they are driven to help them-selves by base shifts whereby bandyting themselves against the rest of mankind they are better studyed in malice and mischief then other men for which each Visier and Basha of state in Turky keeps a Iew of his privy Council by whose malice wit experience intelligence it 's thought most of that mischief is contrived which is executed upon Christendome yet at the same time that Iew is so hated that would I might die a Iew if this be so is one great curse in Turky and he dare not yea cannot become Turk unlesse first Christ be acknowledged a true Prophet which still must edge his envy and more ferment his spite IT is said one of these Magi was a Black Moor and master-painter limns accordingly but I shall not swear to the truth hereof yet there can be no danger to maintain to such who credite the report that in our addresses unto Christ the outward appearance the difference of or about things external the clearness of the souls knowledge or doubtings in the bosome blacknesse of the soul contracted by fear and horrour or dwelling in the torrid zone of persecution affliction or desertion as it ought not to deter from the embracements of our Lord in the house of the Church so neither in others should it represent any cause of interrupting their well intended progresse in those religious duties of prostration or adoration since the Saviour of the world is an Advocaâ— with the Father speaking peace and shal accept of their attendance before the throne in good and comfortable words as be of good chear thy sins are forgiven whereby they shal not only be cloathed in white but like David have a goodly and ruddy countenance that is be well favoured in the serenity of a good conscience marching forward toward their own because desired country with as large strids of zeal affection and discourse as amply how and which way their service was accepted prayers heard doubts cleared as any of them whose complexion i. e. whose soul at fiâ—st setting out was of a more amiable colour or allureing temper ARE there not persons who with the Scribs can readily inform where Christ should be born and that he is to be believed upon in faith working by Love can talk of the Kingdom of God tasting the powers of the world to come by many fathoms go deeper in the speculative parts of Divinity speaking as if they had seen the Trinity talked with God first take wing and then flee out of the sight of ordinary capacities
the soul for in ordinary law the money was neither his nor their's to whom he gave it being the price of the highest sacriledge and of which as of the censures of Dathan and Abiram God was to have been heir and by consequence the poor which the consciences of the Scribs knew and therefore laid it out upon and for strangers as their own charity he makeing no confession of his former theifts discovered not the manner of his apprehension hâ—â—ged himself a sad ending a fearful close a dismal evening of such a fair day as the Apostleship presented to him IT is much to purchase but a greater mercy to secure goodnesse and grace if therefore there be any good thoughts this day for Christ saying if it be so why am I thus with Peter sink not for fear with him is love and forgivenesse with Iudas sell him not for greed let not the cares pelf or trash of this world chock that good seed remembring that Peter and Iohn was only sent to prepare the passeover before he suffered the first signifieth a rock the other grace and such as are established by grace in their heart are only they with whom Christ the truth of the passeover shall be found for because with the cup of remission of sin which shall in the evening of their days as the bloudy mark secure them from the destroying Angel FRIENDSHIP of old was effiged bodily with an open side discovering the very frame figure and position of the heart without which it was concluded true amity and fellowship could not be secured and is not true kindnesse represented on the CROSSE where bodily our Lord hung with a peirced side not only shewing but the heart emptying it self unto us pouring forth bloud and water not blood only for justification as by beasts slain under the Law but water also for purifying the vessels of the young men that they be holy and this visibly from the heart being sub dio of the Brook that is of the field not the wells of a house dying that is drinking at Ierusalem a publick City at a passeover a holy feast not in the town but on a mount not privatly massacred but publickly adjudged by Pontius Pilat not in the Temple by Tumults least Jews should plead a priveledge but in the open Air by the hands of the Gentiles for purifying of the air from the defilments of both Nations clearing it also that he dyed for both and is as clear as the parting of his garments which yet being divided in four equal parts projects his merits to be open to be applied by many in the four quarters of the world that in the self same day wherein there passed four glorious occurences eminent passages in relation to the Church the day of his death though at long distance being the selfsame day in which Abraham was called from Vr of the Caldeans in which the Israelits were called out of Egypt with whom went a mixed multitude and in which the decree went forth to build the holy City to which the Gentiles contributed these three meeting with this according to the time of the passeover and the best computation denoteth the general influence his Death the last of the famous four hath upon all the world and in evidence whereof he would not dy a privat death chusing rather to drink of the brook in the sight of the Nations that is in the way IT is said he was crucified with his back to the citty as if his prophannesse had been so great that his face was not worthy to behold their holy Temple but was it not if true a shrewd sign of the fulfilling of that prophesy I will shew them the back and not the face in the day of their calamity Je. 18 â— hath so long taken his countenance from them that that wherwith they apbraided Iesus of his being a Friend to publicans to sinners is now their greatest and most ordinary employment in point of trust among the Turks they being under that disgrace that in no Nation are they martial'd or embodyed in an army for the field and as they alwayes resisted the Holy Ghost and became the murtherers of the just one still they persist in that obduration seeking the bloud of his followers and Disciples polluting in their desperate malice the pure annual celebration of this our Lords death with crucifying to death Christian children in derision of our Saviour and oft to their own destruction in the shedding of their own bloud as murtherers and banishing their posterity as the vilest of miscreants as from England France and many other places IT is stupendious what is recorded touching that mystery of iniquity the necessity the Jews are in of haveing Christian blood a secret not known to many Rabbies discovered but An Dom. 1500. by a converted Rabbi of Ratisbon avouching that they at point of death annoint the sick with Christian blood in these words If he who is promised in the Law and Prophets be already come and Jesus who was erucifi'd be the true Messiah let the blood of this innocent man who dyed with faith in him wash thee from all thy sins and also conduct thee to Eternal life So that his blood upon them among them and by them triumphs AND of old after the destruction of Jerusalem those of Tiberias would whisper into the ears of their dying relations believe in Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified whom our Princes slew upon the CROSSE for he is come and will judge thee at the last day SO that yet he lives his drinking being but in the way Everlastingnesse or Eternity having no power upon his sufferings for by this phrase Way understand the brevity of his passion being but to taste of death which as a sleepy drench a potion of popy water had a while dominion over him and then he awaked to their shame sorrow and astonishment as the wisest of them at this day declare observing since his death their desolation finding no term of their captivity as in the other two nor promise of a third return to Canaan which either from policy or conscience made those Iews who of late An. Dom. 1666. had the eyes of the world upon them pretending to a restauration give out that they were the posterity of the ten Tribs carried away into Babylon who never returned and not of the two who did and therefore not the successors of such who put Iesus the Son of Mary to death which yet did not hold him for wanting sin whereby the dead are fettered in their graves he first stouped drank dyed and then lift up his head it being impossible for death to retain him because of innocence BVT as at his death his very disciples were offended that is in a Scripture sense stumbled at the Crosse and it 's not to be questioned but something of doubting entered into Maries soul as if all her hopes memorials relations revelations about her Sons kingship Government
rising THE Iews craved a sign and those that mocked said come down and we will believe but that being the time of suffering he disdained the motion the sign of the Prophet Ionah which was of rising up and opposit to their coming down being appointed all other signs were rejected and because that of Ionah was fulfiled let 's believe and go before him unto Galile by interpretation transmigration or going over that going from infirmity to vertue from mortality to eternity from contumely to glory we may more fully participat of those sore-expected joys in being treated yea feasted in the company of our ever to be adored Saviour Worshiping our Lord begining to practise and celebrat our Sabbath when the Jew rendeth his acting not only contrary to him but spiritualizing his superstitious deportment thereon he will kindle no fire that day let us blow up that of the spirit in the hearth of our hearts for elevating our thoughts and raising our minds upward heavenward to this day they alleadge the destruction of Ierusalem solely to have flowed from the neglect of the Sabbath in putting no difference between the holy and prophane Ez. 22. Let us compute it's desolation to spring from â—he innocent blood shed on the preparation day for the Sabbath and in hiding their eyes from the Lord of the Sabbath they will not put so much as their finger to any serwill or country work let us not fear to exercise our selves about works of piety charity or necessary with both our hands our Lord giving â—s example whose servants I mean the Christians whom they keep being put by them in this day to their drudgery which yet and by the way might be rectified by Christiâ—â— laws and magistracy as they will not writ nor blot out what is written on that day let the errata's of our soul be reviewed and weekly 〈◊〉 be exactly corrected that the next weeks impression of our civil or spiritual conveâ—â—s may be both more clean clear and holy being emended from our former mistakes by religious watchfulnesse and future taking heed do they knock on the door when calling unto a preparing for the Synagogne it is 〈…〉 to provoke to love and to good works They will not on that day begin a journey and justly having killed him that was the Way yet let us walk and be undefiled in the way of the Law of the Lord keeping our feet from the filthinesse that is our affections from those lusts that are in the world through sin they crowned our Lord with thorns let us adorn both his holy Temples in exalting his two fold nature by a firm adhering to the truth thereof and laying out for him and his the best of our substance somewhat of our rich possessions entering by the gate of the Church into that of Paradise from which impenitent Iews as the Reprobated Theif are for ever excluded The sixth Psalm and the twelth are entitled pro octavo for the eight in the Vulgar translation from which some will have many mysteries to emerge particularly the change of the Sabbath for respecting our Lords entry into Jerusalem in our computation on Palm Sunday the day of his rising will be one of the seventh but not upon the seventh the prophesies therefore and conquests also of our Saviour to be by us celebrate in the Church the eight day after that account will be the Lords day in the new Testament beginning our holy day when the murtherers of our Lord endeth his Mosaical weakly feast it is nearer to affirm that as God had Circumcision Sabbaths and other rites to difference his people from the masse of the world it is fit to have now some difference to discriminat his Church and since there is a change of the Temple of the Sacrifice of the Circumcision of the Paschal supper of the Priest a necessity may easily be suggested of an alteration of the Sabbath heightned when we consider that Christ came to work a new creation Isa. 65. for which a celebration of an old Sabbath had been incongruous and his kingdome beginning from and his resting dated at the Resurrection how consonant is it to name this day the Lords day and in the proportion all it's followers HIS sleeping or resting on the seventh day in the grave typifying that the old Sabbath dyed with him as all other changeable ceremonies of the law which none ought to judge us in respect of a Sabbath or a holy day since Christ hath triumphed on the eight let us rejoice beholding as badges of his victory the scares of his wounds the print of the nails the wound in his side not only as probable tokens of his rising but as jems to adorn his royal body as a testimony of his victory and as some think to be seen yet in heaven that as in his Church militant he hath bread and wine continually as visible memorials of his bloudy agony and death for his peoples stronger confirmation so in the triumphant the scares of his wounds remain in his body before the glorified for more fervent and eternal Iubilation THESE same wounds when seen and felt besids his own faithful Testimony so strengthned the Apostles that the ghastly frownings of an incensed crew in this wicked world was but a whet-stone to edge their zeal for publishing this truth this glorious truth of the Resurrection for though it be said he was stole yet who durst rouz this young lyâ—n and a little more money would have made the Souldiers tell another tale he quickned in the grave by receiving in the second time his soul then rose from out of the grave astonishing death amazing the keepers yet so heartning and heating his Disciples that they spurn and disdain the threats of men accounting all the worlds wrath or fawning to that degree of naughtinesse as to comput it dung in comparison of the excellency in the knowledge of the rising from the dead all created beings in the power of man being but a cypher to the Resurrection Christ by it and in him themselves conquering and flying above all the pouder Crakers the ungodly should frame or fire to disturb the power of it's Doctrine or the progresse of it's publication the voice of all the Martyrs being like the call of Heliâ—dorus who refusing to sacrifice to Idols and being tormented for denyal cryed out aloud O Lord Iesus Christ assist me and when the crown of the Chuâ—ch is now beheld to have been but made the puâ—er by the fires of devouring persecutors and the ancient Stanza or holy Doxology of our Quires now heard in giving glory to the Father and thought upon who so dul as not to anticipate the rehearsal and suggest the fam'd answer given to the same Martyre is yet returned to all Saints witnesses and confessors be not affraid for I am with thee FORâ—s â—s unhurt with torture how have the heathen and Iews been braved and out-braved by Christians through the hope of the Resurrection Paul was thought
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
a voiding so dreadfull an arrow as sentence to eternall flames or formidable mischief from so omnipotent â—n arm who can even cloathed in flesh make us feel the sting of his displeasure in first blowing and then kindling the very first streams of hell within us as he did in desparing Iudas and vagabonding Cain IT is true we pretend much to the Spirit and braves out reproof yea censure upon that score anticipating in conceit Heavens joy by the assurances we brag already to have possessed from especiall evidence above as if the mighty wind had already blown upon us whereas we are yet carnal and sold under sin having not that noted nimblenesse to perform all Religious exercise clearly observed to be in them who answer the Spirits call for though with the Publican we may come down from the tree of some conceited excellencies possibly our due and birth-right by washing the Saints feet visiting the sick feeding the hungry binding up the wounded yet really we sadly behold that through some opinion or nice punctilio we adjourn attendance upon God in expresse duty either altogether or approach with reluctancy untill with him in the Gospel We first bury our father Matth. 8.21 which equally with him maketh us unfit for the Kingdome of God for no sooner did the wind blow then the Apostles were inspired immediately not about the restoring of the Kingdome to Israel but of Israels enjoyment of the Kingome the promise vâ—z of Heaven not of the Earth being to them and to their children the Spirit hateing dull delay wherefore it was also a sudden sound from Heaven making them straight heavenly the sound being before the spirit for gathering in of their Spirits causing intense attendance upon that which was to be revealed the sound from Heaven making them heavenly minded the sound from Heaven coming suddenly confirmes the Doctrine of the spirits aversnesse from sloath the sound from Heaven that came suddenly was of a rushing mighty wind the wind rushing causing spirituall awe mighty to excit their depressed and it may be desponding souls and wind to purge their hearts from filth and blow away what in them was lurking to detard from that employment which by the Spirit they were intended for and for which like full vessels they were filled so as no earthly thing could enter there wanting room no temptation make them rail sound or roar as empty they being filled WHICH deliberatly consider'd deplorable inferences must be inferred touching the sad mistake of too â—oo many whose opinion only is the alone significant thing before others causing them to be accounted Saints or some conceit in themselves which groundâ— only to themselves the certainty of their future glory which errour shall be to it's possessors I might say Admirers what the voluptuous life of the Sophist Isaeus was to him which how delightful soever at first yet at last bâ—moned his being Tantaliz'd that is supposed to find good and rejoyced in its proximity yet still went without and was at last frustrate of all hopes thereby being but dreams and shadows for as all is not gold that gâ—â—sters so neither is every thing that ravishes by and by to be termed Divine Nor whaâ— affects yea comforts the heart to be presently surnamed types of Heaven yet where Dexterity Agility in the things of God are accompanied with Purity Peace Ioy and Heavenly mindednesse as in the Apostles here its a pâ—â—gnant proof of the in-being of the Spirit and coming down of the HOLY-GHOST whence comforts truly originat and flâ—w c. TWO thousand and odd years had mans Ambition exposed him to infamy Lewdnesse and Idolatry by Gods confounding languages at Babel stopping then from perfecting that joyntly intended Tower by dividing their speech which at this day again was transferred by plurality of tongues unto a blessing the Spirit diverssifying the Apostles tongues not to disturb the world bâ—t advance the Church in propagating Faith the readier that there needed no Interpreter every Preacher being furnished with the gift of every tongue to speak to the multitude of the devout that Iesus was the Christ Uniting them again to be of one mind and one accord for edifying themselves in love and one another in the holy Faith which is a strong Tower of defence as the Name of the LORD Prov. 18.10 and whose top indeed reacheth up to Heaven each Convert being as a stone to the building and united by the Cement of the Blood of the Eternall Covenant laid on by the hand of the Spirit who can as here turn ill to good by drawing good from it whether for mans profit or his Makers honour as Levi's curse in being scattered occasionally through grace made the Lord to be his portion and be sanctified for Priest unto the Tribes Numb 3.12 CONFOVNDING of Languages made the whole Earth to be peopled each company flocking planting building together according to that understanding they had of their neighbours speach which now brought great things to passe for the Almighties praise all Nations beholding these unletter'd men from Heaven in an instant promptly uttering the good things of Peace and Reconciliation with Him who first confounded them and of Reconciliation and Peace with all who were confounded with them all tongues expressing this one thing Love the Brethren 1 Pet 3.8 As Christ hath loved you and given himself for you THE tongue is a purifying mundifying member it can lick out viscuous matter can suck out putrid and infections corruption from the body as did that of the Lady Ellenor wife to that Prince of Chivalry Edward Prince afterward Edward the first of England her Lord being engâ—gâ—d and fortunate in the Holy war was almost assassiâ—nate by a Turk being wounded with a poysoned kniffe with which the Prince slew the Attemper but Physicians despairing of his own recovery the noble Lady her Lord sleeping is said to suck and draw the venome forth recovering her Husband she her self not being endangered thereby The tongue is a tasting member by iâ— we know the white of an egg to be unsavory it is a speaking member the Hierogliphick of a word among the Egyptians was a tongue and by it we blesse God at this day and alasse by it also we curse men setting it on fire as from hell to reform which and virtuate the doctrine of the Gospel for drawing forth of the Soul the deadly poyson of Atheism and Prophannesse by pravity and exemple thrust upon us and put in us by those watchful lusts and vigilant adversaries of our Lord and of our souls because we would regain that Ierusalem that Royal City of pure and Holy peace with God which hath been wrested out of our hands by Turk-like force Tyrrany and Cunning FOR draining us of such putrid filthiness and the whole world is the Spirit represented in that shape the first fruits whereof appeared in that first and Famous Sermon of S. Peter whose tongue had been but a few weeks before so glib for