in the Church from all generations sent his Servants the Prophets who though dead yet speak to purchase proselyâ—s unto piety by powerfully convinceing the world of sin and terrifying men from unrighteous courses by the Terrour of the Lord even by those judgements he is purposed to execute upon all that are ungodly by which the strongest holds sin hath erected hath become like Iericho's walls flat so powerful hath been the breath of their mouths from which Energy came that confidence of Lactantius who with open mouth transacts witâ— his Readers that if they give him a Covetouâ— man an Ambitious man a Libidinous man by a few Scripture Texts actuated by the Spâ—â—rit he shal instantly present them with a liâ—beral an Humble and a Chast man And if any Rampier of Belials erection had brav'd it 〈◊〉 opposition to those precepts of pious deportment making avarice and lust with impudence and power Rapine Effusion of blood Oppression and Injustice so far to enlarge the Philacteries of their Jurisdiction that like Augustus Cesar they tax all the World compelling even man-kind to pay Contribution Goodness joins with Omnipotence and by wonders and Miracles GOD gives check to unbelief making it as Pharaoh's Chariots first move softly and next overthrows it in the Sea of Admiration making Faith first transcendently to triumph next resolve upon obedience and godly holiness argued into them by convinceing prodigies the intellectual faculties of the Soul not being so deprav'd but will prompt the organs of the Speech to say This is the finger of GOD. Which holy violence if yet more obstructed through the frequency of visions the customableness thereof not inforceing but nauseating the Heart as cloyed with signs and wonders the Almighty compassionating the phrensy displays once more the Ensigns of his power and for creating in men new hearts and disuniting them from their beloved lusts causeth Truth to be embraced by representing for its verity unwonted Spectacles as here he did the Jews a generation fatted and surfeited with miracles putting Divinity it self to devise a new device for reclaiming them from stale and Frantick combateings against Heaven and for confirming them against their old wonted Apostacy and back-slideing Creats a new thing in the Earth makeing a woman to compass a man PROVIDENCE is but a continued Creation a series of the things at first created which Creation is not only the production of things out of pure nothing by an irresistable fiat but also out of matter by it selfe through any vertue inherent not disposed to be the origen or parent of such or such a Substance as Adams rib was not in nature in its utmost activity capable to produce of its self or give the constituent parts of such a Harmonious body as Eva had receiving the power for that by its inlargement extension and apt composition in symetry of parts alone from the great IEHOVAH who stilâ— continueth the beings at first created by thâ— same alsufficiency they were formed anâ— wherein they are commanded to subsist whicâ— being observed and indeed expected in the turns and returns of the year forsooth by natural reason and experience createth 〈◊〉 wicked men a neglect of prejudice against their maker which putteth God by way of reâ—venge upon some and in manner of advice to others and for Caveats unto all to form stâ—ange effects from not imaginable causes that the Dreadfulness or Loveliness thereof may thunder or allure men into a reformation which to perfect our Prophet orders his Hearers to consider this new thing viz. A womans compassing a Man THAT a woman should be created out of man is an old thing that man should be produced out of a Woman is an ordinary thing that a Woman should embrace a man is no strange thing but search records and a woman's encompassing a man is a new thing in the Earth so new that it is the prerogative of the Lord of Glory alone and an act whereof he boasts yea invits to wonder at its creating by which is hinted that as it was never done so neither is it after to be expected purposeing still to have it a new thing and under that notion to be rever'd THE words by some are understood as predicting a change in the Iewish Church now groaning under onerous oppression being enfeebled by broyls and tyranny labouring to be delivered and here promised strength against and power to overcome the Masculin sword of the conquering Babylonians but this being no such new thing since Egypt was before destroy'd they may be interpreted to be the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ according to Ieremiah Speaking of her whose womb without the Knowledge of a man encircled a MAN That MAN That singular MAN with an Emphasis as the word Gaber originally imports hold out mighty strength a MAN in his strength a man not old not a boy but in perfect ability and full strength and was and is and which is yet to come yet still a MAN so that the woman is Mary a Daughter of the house of David and the Man is Iesus Son of the most high GOD whose Conception and Nativity in the flesh was indeed a strange thing and prophesied of as a sign and as a wonder futurely to be accomplished this sign the Lord giving that a Virgin should bear a Son Isa. 7. joyning Heaven and Earth for his animation God man for his Constitution A new thing yet an old thing because foretold it is an old thing yet a new thing because but now Created that Israel who had been married in Truth Righteousness and Iudgement might leave her dissolute Harlot-like Conversation and return to the first Husband of her Youth who upon her penitence purposeing graciously to accept her as a chast Virgin that Truth might spring out of the Earth confirmeth his word by this astonishing miracle of a Womans encompassing a Man which ratifies Gods tendernesse to all posterity unto all mans issue who will Spiritually dive into the depth of this Abyss and secure the Treasure therein unto himself by application Kissing the man with the Kisses of his mouth that is doing Homage to the Son least he be Angry THIS being the feast of our Lords Incarnation called Theophania because the Lord appeared and sometimes the Nativity because the Lord was BORN it shal be as apples of Gold upon pictures of silver to descant upon the thing it self viz. A womans compassing a man next upon the strangeness of that thing or as it is a new thing in the Earth A Woman that is in sex and yet a Virgin that is in condition receiving the first compellation from her wombs fruit-fulnesse in which she conceiveth and nourisheth man as if she were not properly a Woman whose womb had not bred a man neither shal man be happy but by this Woman this womb Mans bearing this Virgin 's encompassing she saveing all by this Child 's bearing though a Virgin an expression from the bodies vigorous and beautiful motion
Mysterium Pietatis OR THE Mysterie of Godlinesse WHEREIN THE MYSTERIES CONTAINED IN THE Incarnation Circumcision Wise-Men Passion Resurrection Ascension OF The SON of GOD and comeing of the HOLY-GHOST are unfolded and applied AT EDINBVRGH By Will. Arâ—and M. A. oâ—e of the Ministers of that City laâ—e of Vniversity Coll. OXON I. Tim. III. XVI And without contrâ—versie great is the Mysterie of Godliness London Printed for Robert Boultâ—r at the Turks-head in Corn-hill near to the Royall Exchange ANNO DO 1671. To the right Reverend Father in God George by the Mercie of God Lord Bishop of Edinburgh My LORD THE Almighty in His Law ordered none to appear before him empty handed yet he himself being to Flesh invisible the present was an offering to His Priest God who is also called Good accounting it churlish to addresse in thankfulnesse to Him without something that figured bounty to His Servant neither would he have his People alwayes takeing but sometimes also giveing unto which Law as a Conformist I in this your Clinical condition comeing to receive your Blessing presume to present this my Mysterium in regard of your Acquaintance with Godlinesse not according to the new stile which intimats separation but to Scrâ—pture-Dialect Respectiâ—â— Holinesse and peace You have had experience of the CROSS and that at home we by your Lordships order in our Pulpits pray for your PASCH your self waits for ASCENSION in your bed the power of the RESURRECTION haveing said be not affraid My LORD when the Rivers of Babylon beguâ— to swell I mean when those tyds of confusion that destroyed all order in these pleasant Lands of late years did first rage you were one of the Hundreth and Twenty that resolved TO SIT by and weep retiring from your own to other Countries to any Kingdom rather then IN those waters to become instrumental of your Countries Sorrow Death or Discredit How did my dear and worthy Father your Brother and Companion in that Tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of Jesus Christ exult at his Death that he had in a bloody Time been free of the blood of all men whether executed on the scaffold or slain in battel and that in a time when one cryed up Character of a perfect Evangelist was to be an Incendiary to which how vehemently was he solicited in both Kingdomes IN those dayes of unleavened bread the Angel who Redeemed you from the same evill made you find Favour in the sight 〈◊〉 Strangers Providence among them alott alottinâ— you a Charge peculiarly respecting Church-Festivities and that Theme pursu'd untill Iniquity and Invasion gave Check to Royalty and Order but these again being Captiv'd by Truth and Decency a door was open'd and that Holy subject a fresh prosecuted Vntill God and the King whom you alwayes joyned called you to weare an Honourable Mytre in that City wherin you had so signaly Innocently and patiently endured the Crosse. VPON which score unto whom fitter could this manuel be delivered for Patronage then to you my dear Lord The Author coâ—fiding to be participant of the effects of those vertues whereof Experience hath evidenced to him you are copiously endowed conveyed into your breast as it were by Christanity and Blood finding one William Archbishop of St. Andrews Anno Dom. 1279. Chronicled for a lover of peace and your Names-sake and our Martyr Mr. George Wisheart to be fam'de for Humility and Charity Vpon which rocks I build my presentment Conceiving that your Aged Young and yet Accomplished Abilities shall not disdain my Improportionat Dedication but that you shall depart in peace even with me pardoning my failings praying for directtion to my good Intentions and for Additament to my weak endowments In gratitude whereof that your Nunc Dimittis with Simeon may be in Peace and that Peace to come in Job's opportunity as a shock of Corn cometh in his Season shall be the Prayer of My LORD Your Lordships most Obedient Son and Servant WILL. ANNAND From my Study May 15. 1671. To the Courteous Reader Ingenuous Friend IT is not unknown that Solomon of old said of makeing many Books there is no end yet by the expression it 's probable he only understood his own continued pains therein having accâ—mplished Abilities therefore But grant him to check the plurality of other Writters I dare engage and promise never to write more that since his time if there had not been multitudes of Authors we should not have had one book for a hundreth which yet we profitably turn over Freedom therefore of Writting not being called in I have for my Mysteria the Apology of a late publisher in the year 1659. a time wherein the Presse like a skittish Jad had broke all bridles Curbs and Girhts of Licenses and Restraints who entitled his Book Let me speak too and believe it in some things he was worth hearing for in all to be perfect is the sole priviledge of Almighty GOD. LET me declare that I knew of no false Copies abroad of these Sermons that I never feared to be injured thereby though there had that Importunities from others never induced me to a composure or that Arguments were offer'd urging a necessity of Publication being convinced that the perpetual burying of these sheets should never have caused any sensible alteration in the affairs under agitation about the present expedition or Dunkirk Randevouz of the most Christian King But profitable I humbly conceiv'd they might be to such as will read then practise and having an education that said Stand off to tattle with a Natural Genius abominating To meddle I have some spare houres forming conveniences for profitting my Generation the immediate Parent of this and other Subjects which Time and Opportunity may bring to light IT is plain white-seam work without the Point or Lace of Marginal citations because Toylsome and Expensive yet one thing troubled me which was the throng of Authors upon this Subject being forced as sometimes Travellers are to forsake the path but never I hope the rode untill the Croud passed by which as may be perceived by the Scrutinous I had or took time to look about the Country and what others did lesse heed iâ— here respected with greater care and Vice Versa IF thou hast ever Printed thy self want of Charity is not to be surmised if otherwise perhaps thy Relations thy Kinsman thy Father hath and I presume some Paragraph or other hath Redundancy Deficiency Some Section containeth somewhat too laxe too dark and upon this score crosse I pray thee my Failings Beseeching also that when in the Title thou reads the Mysterie of the INCARNATION or ASCENSION unfolded and applied thou wouldst understand the phrase with this Restrictive note IN PART Farewell An advertisment by way of Caution unto all Readers AMONG other blemishes wherewith the face of this Age is disfigured and whereof she ought to be accused as being degenerat from that Pristine Beauty Justice Equity of which our more upright
Ancestors bequeathed ample legacies one is that whatever savors of that Ancient Doctrine established in the Church who for her age and Religious hoarinesse ought to be accounted venerable Invidiously is by some foolishly is by many houted upon as Superstitious Idolatrous and Anomolous to verity and Truth atteesting yet without ground that whatever in Divinis cannot be found in express text as Fornication should not be named among Saints Obtruding this upon some Disciples it cannot be supposed but this smal treatise because an ofspring of Antiquity shall be deemed scandalous and as a misshappen birth in the Midwifery of their forestalled fancy be smother'd as soon as parted from the womb of the Press and not buried but cast forth through the dung-gate of Obloquie or into the Kidrone of disdain NOT considering that if the question should be put concerning some approved practises and strongly pleaded for Resolves the legitimating of many Acts should be found to emerge from Scripture Logically that is Rationally understood conform to that rule a Minore ad Majus The Iewes appointing feasts as that of Dedication one great Jew instituting a feast as that of Purim the Zealous separating dayes from civil use to commemorat mercy the devout Magistrate designing such and such hours oâ— dayes for publick preaching Colledges Halls Hospitalls Schools solemnizing dayes in memory of their pious Founders Religious Benefactors exempteth the Church from Censure in enacting festivitys for her Lords birth passion or Resurrection SINCE the world could not contain the books had all things been writen which were done or said concerning it by Christ the world I inferr is to rest satisfied when any thing is done not contrary to the things in that one Book taught and delivered by him or at least not to condemn it which so much the less â—s to be done that the Judges of these exercises seldome if ever were they exactly scann'd are found seriously to reflect upon any one day in the year the matter wherefore these dayes were set apart which they condemne because fixed principaly upon one day ANABAPTISTS infringe that liberty our Lord hath procured for us in denying infant-baptism as if they were without the Covenant in which more higher priveledges are tacitly granted to the Jew then Christian he wanting the other enjoying the comforts of admitting his Son into that promise made of old unto the people the Almighty styling himself Lord God of your Fathers whereas the Baptized by them stands in a particular or personall Relation to the Same Lord from which there doth not flow so eminent Consolation in case of Death in Infancy AND such who will not allow the Church in separating times of worship for dazeling that is singular acts of Grace ought to reflect how the vesture of the Christian under Gospel-dispensation is our-tail'd being made more short more bare more thinn that is the Churches freedom more impared by the Death of heâ— Saviour then amplified and enlarged we bâ—â—fore seeing the Phylactery of the Iew so extensively broad large honourably gracefull under Typicall oblations Synagogue and Temple-service the removeall of which discharging to the now Believer that piece of true devotion wherein the Faithfull of old appeared before God with joy haveing Roome that is liberty to make to keep Holy-day IT S granted that neither Jew nor Gentile men or Angel â—an dare or make offer to make a day holy now but to observe a day Holily or to separate a Civil day that is one of the six for a Holy use a Saint-like encompassing the throne of God for Celebrating praise or powring forth prayer as by many it is held good and performed in the week so ought it not to be judged supperstitious if done by others in the Return of the year IVDICIOUS Calvin expoundeth those places of St Paul Orthodoxly genuine Let no man judge you in meat or drinke or in respect of a holy day 2 Cal. 16. Ye observe dayâ—s and months and times and years Gal. 4.10 One man esteemeth one day above another Rom. 14.5 For quis nisi Furioso who saith he but Mad-men will here understand any observation condemned save what ritualy shadowed Christ to come neque Ecclesias damnavero neither shall I censure marke the words those Churches who have instituted other solemn dayes for the Congregations Conveening together they Keeping from superstition of which they shall be free when appointed purely for good order and Discipline not as shadows of the Law c. Institut lib. 2. c. 8. S. 33. Whence its deducible that feasts so observed are not to be accounted either Jewish or Popish they being purely to Commemorat Christ already come and appointed for that end before either Pope or Romish Antichrist that is to say before the usurpation of the Bishop of Rome above all called gods FOR when the Records of the Church shall be exactly viewed and when again more diligently inspected and a search made after that then for greater security if once more there be a tumbling over the monuments of Ancient times the Time the Place the Persons by whom the dayes here marked were distinguished and first instituted shall never be found never be heard of so that it was a puzling and thorny question and for ought we find an Unanswered one proposed by our Late Soveraign April â— 1647. of blessed memory in these words I desire to be resolved why the new Reformers discharge the keeping of Easter the Celebration wherof being of the same Authority which changed the Iewish Sabbath into the Lords-day Saturday being no where discharged wherefor it must be the Churches Authority that changed the one and instituted the other therefore my opinion is that those who will not keep this Feast may as well return to the observation of Saturday and refuse the weekly Sunday when any body can shew me that herein I am in an error I shall not be a shamed to confesse and amend it till when you Meaning the Comissioners and Ministers treating in the Isle of Wight Know my mind C. R. THERE is no foot-steps of Antiquity indeed declaring the rise either of the one or other and those Arguments from proportion touching the vndenyed one wants not their influence in approving the other controverted the old Church by her own power abolishing the Iewish Sabbath though expresse law and Divine sanction for its observance is scattered throughout Moses the Prophets the present Church abrogating by not using Apostolical constitutions though enjoyned by the holy Ghost in proper terms as not abstaining from blood not anointing the sick not tarrying one for another before the Sacrament of the Supper in St. Pauls sense not having Deaconesses to attend the poor Clinick sick and bed-rid Against which such as are not distracted foameth not nor at the Churches desuetude thereof being convinced at the Reasonablnesse of her omission and her Authority so to doe which in the case under debate is also to be acquiesed in and
Nativity The Synod smelling a Rat refused the motion Leo having been cited before them for Censure yet Censured not the request nor hissed at the purpose adjacent Ministers being easely obtained Synod Dordre sess 36. and 45. How would some of our Precisians have ranted dissented to let the world know them to be no small fools it is probable they had protested against such Actings VEIW these Churches in their severall precincts it shall be found Dayes of this fort are not condem'd as unholy or superstitious but honourably mentioned those of Suitzerland Decently observing the Incarnation the Circumcision c. The like is done by the Churches of Germany Hungaria Transilvania those of the great Dukedome of Lituania the greater and lesser Polonia the Fratres Bohemi those of Moravia Holland France in Genevah its true they are not observed yet it 's as true that she condemns not these that do approving and commending thereof as her subscription to the Helvetick Confession apparently evinceth Durells veiw p. 25.26 THE practices of the Reformed Kingdomes of Denmark Norway and Sweden is Known which appended to what hath been declared may strick an aw Creat a terror in the bosome of that Malapert whose rigid conceptions are wraping to a tendency of disrelishment disrespect or Censure THE Fairest Daughters of the Church Reformed being our own three Kingdomes are not to want their due respect the particular judgement of each one being equivalent to many extraneous or beyond Sea provinces as the Judicious among those will declare we begin with Ireland as farthest off whose Clergy in a numerous Convocation in Dublin Anno Dom. 1615. agreeth in their Confession that every particular Church hath Authority to institute Change put away Ceremonies and other Ecclesiasticall rites c. Constituting others making more to seemlinesse or edification Art of Irel. 77. Vpon which firme basis stands fixed her obedience in pleading for and standing to the observance of these dayes England in her Confession drawn up Anno Dom. 1562. speaketh the samething both agreeing to the Reformed Churches abroad saying Every particular or nationall Church hath Authority to ordaine change and abolish Ceremonys and rites of the Church so that all things be done to edifying adding that whosoever through his privat judgement willfully and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church not repugnant to the word ordained by Authority ought to be rebuked as he that offendeth against the Common ordor of the Church thus fare the Article Now though neither of these be so expresse as are the Confessions of the Helvetian Churches allowing the Celebration of the Lords Nativity Circumcision c. nor as that of Ausburgh the standart of the Reformed Churches abroad retaining the traditions of about holy dayes the Lords day the Nativity the Passeover c. Yet upon these pillars stood that Arch of her Law and Church constitution Anno Dom. 1630. viz. All manner of persons shall from henceforth Celebrate and Keep the Lords day and other holy dayes according to Gods holy will and pleasure that is in hearing the word c. And where is that Church Rome excepted in the whole world Regularly constitute did ever presume to Censure England in this particular nay where is that Church except as above excepted but blesseth her as a Daughter and prays for her as a Mother SCOTLAND is behind none of the Reformed Churches in defence of the matter questioned for she in her Reformation which truly in this was according to the best Reformed Churches by the Lords of the Congregation after mature deliberation for raising bulwarks against Popery concluded that in all parishes the lessons of the Old new Testament should be read on Sundayes and other FESTIVAL DAYES Spots Hist. lib. 3. Ann. Dom. 1558. the sence of the word FESTIVAL determineth the Authors exemption from obloquy upon the account of this works were any of these noble Patriots alive to peruse his discourcess but least any suspend belief of the thing out of prejudice to that most Reverend Historian I hope Mr. Knox will have some influence upon the weak in faith who records the same thing to be done by the same persons whom he calls Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus Reformed preachers rejoyceing and much encouraged thereby the Popish Clergy being on the other hand much Incensed Knox Hist. lib. 1. Was not our old League with England in our new dayes and Vniformity thereto in the mouths of many which was begun by subscription and consenting to the rites and service of that Church by which the French was here overthrown the Pope the most Christian and Catholick King being angry thereat Buchan Scot. Hist. lib. 19. All which put together with the legall procedure of Future times demonstrateth those bug-bare ordinances Votes and Resolves contrary to those proceedings which hath troubled our Lands were not Nationall decrees but Falacious opinions And beheld by the Churches abroad as could be proved by numerous instances not so much the Doctrine of our Reformed Churches as the Dodder of our Churches Reformed i. e. weeds growing about them excrescences of the Earth occasioned by showers and Tempests of popular commotion and in seren sky cast over the wall and Empalement of our Congregations BVT yet if any man be contentious and still hold this youngling as Popishly affected its Father the Author from these vndenyable records smiles at the expression pittys their mistake justifying himself against such selandarous taunts in St. Pauls words we have no such custome that is so to speak neither the Churches of God But for peace sake do wish the dissenter to cognosce before he condemn For as the Erecting of the Altar of Ed. Ios. 22.10 Occasion'd a surmise of Rubens Apostacy and Idolatry was upon search found otherwise so a right stateing of the Question and a seasonable distinction as with them may make us blesse pray for and part from each other to the laying aside contention and debate which the sense of the Reformed Church about these things when hearkned unto shall happily procure MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE INCARNATION OF THE SON of GOD Unfolded and applied Christmas Sunday Tolbooth Church 1670. YVLE Sunday Tolbooth Church 1670. JEREMIAH XXXI XXII How long wilt thou go about O thou back-sliding Daughter For the Lord hath created a new thing in the Earth A woman shal compass a man VICE and Folly are so congenit with the Essence and soul of man since his fall that Aristippus counted a good or temperate man to be the most admirable thing in the World and the Orator beholding the proclivity of most unto that which by the torch-light of Nature was to be condemned chused rather then be led by them to become a Victime or Sacrifice unto Reason and perish with good men wherefore GOD superadding to those un-audiable censures motives and documents suggested vigorously by the Spirit into the hearts of people as perswasives unto vertue hath
the Prophets For say they to us a Child is born to us a Son is given Child yet before his Mother was he was a Son a wise Phisician and tender Saviour the omnipotent God to us is given a Child a Son respecting his two natures the first viz. Child expressing him real MAN as he was and cleared to be from his Genoâ—ogy from his soul body eating wearinesse fasting sleeping weaping from his being called Man the son of Man besides such representatives as GOD made of him under the Law as the seed of the woman of Abraham a Prophet from among your Brethren and Davids righteous branch The other word SON expressing him real God which he was being called alwayes the Son of God after his Resurrection after which time that phrase the Son of man is never used He is the everlasting Son of the Father Creator of all things giver of eternal life from the beginning confessed by the Angels demonstrated by his fasting by his miracles and that in the Temple where never miracles were wrought by man that being the place wherein God significantly would have his Son to be noticed and he proved from his working therein to be the Lord who was suddenly to come thereto Malach. 3. It being the house of his Father IN short by his suffering dying riseing from the dead he declared himself to be the Son of God with power for never MAN neither Moses Samuel nor any that called upon his Name neither Priest nor Prophet wrought miracles at their Death but he thâ— exploit of Sampson was rather wonderfulâ— then miraculous and came far short of thosâ—â—â—upendious actings at our Saviours giving up of the Ghost but at his rising from the grave so far he declared himself to be God that these words the Son of MAN are noâ— mentioned he said it behoved the Son of maâ— to suffer but being raised it was ought noâ— Christ to have suffered HOW elegantly hath S. Paul Philip 2. differenceâ— I shou'd have said united these two in these words who being in the forâ— of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God herein is the truth of his Son-ship and first part of his nature but made himself of 〈◊〉 reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men here is the truth of his Child-hood the other part of his being the Apostle expounding the Prophet would have said He was given to us who was in the form of God and born for uâ— who made himself of no Reputation this is the beginning middle and end of his nativity even to adore reverence that Love of God we who after he had made all things yet made himself MAN so mans good before this Child was born as a Son he governed all things but for nothing was he born save to serve that men might injoy all things and if the biâ—th of this Child this Son be accounted fabulous either by Iew or Greek because incredulous I passe the Vengeance shown on a lewd painter intending to draw our blessed Saviour in the form of Iupiter An. C. 436. whose hand by the Divinity of Christs power withering was again refreshed by Prayer Repentance and â—aith in the two natures though reason could not unfold the Union But let me know why the diseased lyon seeks out an ape by whose ugly tricks he as it were laughs himself into health how or what can cause an ovel ball of Virgin wax cast into the salt Sea fill it self with fresh water why should the Iew doubt of Marys Virginity since he believes the bush burned and was not consumed that Gideons fleece was wet and all the ground dry that Daniels stone was cut out of the Mountains without hands All these were antecedent to this the Spirit trolling us forward to believe the Mystery of the Incarnation from a Virgin overshadowed she being like the porch in Ezekiel 4.4 through which none was to pass because the Lord hath entred in by it he was the occult seâ—d which had we wanted we had been like to Sodom 1. Isa. he is the fruit of Davids body to sit upon Davidâ— throne other sons are the fruit of the Loins Psal. 132. but Christ was purely a fruit oâ— the belly for from Iosephs piety for Iesuâ— Dignity for the Honour of the Holy Ghost as we know Mary to have been a Virgin before her Conception so she is believed to have remained a Virgin ever after HIS Conception in the womb being the fund and bottom of all that followed in hiâ— Mediatory office in it resteth the inscrutablâ— Mystery of the two natures the possibility whereof in the Union of our capacious Souls with our finit infirm bodies is somewhaâ— cleared but admit this should not be reflected upon Heaven it seem'd resolves that thâ— A. B. C. of our profession should be wholâ—ly superstructed upon faith that the 〈◊〉 and Ground-sale might be conform to thâ— roof and both to stand upon his ipse 〈◊〉 the word of the Lord the Femal being 〈◊〉 only placed for the parent not a man to coâ—â—passe a woman whereby a man may be bâ—â—gotten but a woman a MAN by whicâ— Iesus was organiz'd AND if heathens beliâ—ved the possibility of Minervahs concepâ—ion in the brain of Iupiter without a woman may it not from truer gâ—ounds be trusted that Iesus was framed in the womb without a man it is certainly fabulous that Budda should have gendred in his side a Virgin buâ— for this truth what direful things have not been suffered and what consolation hath it not bred And the newnesse of the thing in the uniting God and man is said to have been registrat'd in the book of Heaven it self for all to see the Learned observing by their tables that upon the observed day of our Lords nativity viz. December 25. their fell the greatest conjunction of the eight and ninth speares in head of Aries that ever was and nature is not able to effect the like say they unlesse the world continue thirty or fourty thousand years a strange conjunction upon earth represented by another in heaven imports the Almighâ—y would have it wonder'd at HER name Mary imports a star and that of the Sea too designed in this particular to be eyed by such Mariners or rather questionists who in sailing through the Ocean of Divine Revelation Mysteries will needs be exerciseing the plummet and by the line of reason â—athâ—me in the depth of the wisdom of God or coast it by the shoar of their own interest opinion faction or concernment Mary in this being a better pilot by her own motion above her own reason in how can these things be steared towards the bay of Faith and of dependance in Be iâ— according to thy word and to her Honour cast anchor within the port of God's verity and omnipotency with God all things being possible and their striking sail saved her own Soul bringing him forth who is made to us of God
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
Arabs Mahumetans Phenicians is in high regard unto this day though some more Barbarous derids even its institution suggesting it unâ—â—table to the benignity of a merciful God to delight in beholding bloud issuing from the â—oins of a tender Baby and to injoyn it under so severe a penalty as Cutting off But this is to be wise above what 's written for to passe the Law-giver who is not obliedged to demonstrat by reason the equity of his Mandats to any much lesse to such who have forfeited their being to his justice the speciality of its rise was to discriminat Gods own people from Ethnicks and Pagans for which if man will be at no cost he is very churlish or at no pain he is very selfish and in these days gratulation is most becomeing since God in place of Circumcision in our own bloud which as a Iudge in matters criminal he required of our forefathers alloweth yea commandeth us that of water expecting in the Mystery but cleanlinesse of us as a distinguishing character AGAINST sin of old the adult whether men or women had a Sacrifice but that being in the young also whether Male or Female God accepted a few drops of bloud from the Male when all was due as an expiatory offering for both sexes in their nonage so that in this Circumcision said of Mercy and Iudgement will I sing Psal. 101.1 WE have seen God contracted into a Man let us see that Man contracted in his parts and behold why he was circumcised and why so named at his Circumcision VIEW the causes of his birth and it 's sai'd to be for us Luk. 2. and as for himself he was not born so nor circumcis'd for neither he nor his Parents sinned in God his Father there was no sin in Mary his Mother no offence i. e. in her conceiving neither was there any guile in his own heart so that he needed not be circumcis'd his being born without original guilt infallibly removeing the merits of the smart that principally eyeing the pollution transmitted by and contracted upon ordinary generation upon which score the Baptist pleaded his no need of baptism but contrary he of his Math. 4.13 unto which our Saviour yeelded as a Truth but requested of him a sufferance for that time that he viz. Christ might fulfill all righteousness i. e. both of Law and Gospel that sinners of all sorts might equally adore and accept of him as Saviour sanctifying in his own person the signs exhibited to each assureing reconciliation begun clearing that not offence but his condition as a man requir'd Iohns connivence his own condescendence being in these words It becometh us that is both me and thee for as he took upon him the form of a servant so was he to submit to such as were superiors which is righteous yea the hight of righteousnesse all righteousness for being found as a man a sinful man was it not expedient in point of honour to submit to this law for rendring himself more capable of converts and more amiable of conversse for what could now be judged would be the issue of an unbaptized Evangelist but scorn and contempt for building up of that in Doctrine which in his own practice he disdained to stoup unto BESIDES he had took upon him the seed of Abraham and purposed as the Messiah ought to be so accounted for fitnesse therefore though not for necessity to his grandour he received the impresse of the Circumcision upon his flesh whereof GOD himself was the institutor elucidly discovering thereby to the Prophets of the Christian faith the end of his mission to be the fulfilling and ending of the Law unto which Circumcision so eminently had made them debters being now exempted from its bondage Christ himself having undergone it and institued baptism a more easy sweet comfortable Sacrament in it's place being Circumcis'd through infinit wisdom for the same cause that Paul baptiz'd Timothy even to abolish Circumcision Acts 16.3 which was to endure no longer then the use for which it was appointed did endure and that was to difference Jew and Gentile which distinction Christ removeing legal Circumcision as well as priesthood was to be changed and laid aside Gal. 3. The Cabalists finding the history of Miriams death to succeed the laws referring to the red heifer or Cow Numb 19. infer the laws binding up at the approach of the Messiah that the heifer did typifie the ruddiness sanguinolency or bloodiness of a Saviour is a truth to be attested but that the Prophetess death was a prototyp of the Laws departure is not so easily to be granted yet this is clear that as Abraham ordered his servant in swearing to put his hand under the thigh whence the Son was to come in whom all was to be blessed and that Son to be GOD also is evidenced in the addition of the letter be to the name of Abraham taken from Gods own name Iehovah so our Lord the Son of God the Son of Abraham that ordains that by faith which Abraham had when uncircumcis'd which was in himself we should know whence we are hewn even from himself whose name is upon his thigh Revel 19. by spiritual generation consequentialy receiving the benefit of Sonship from both not in that legal but in this mystical begetting by vertue whereof as he we are the Sons of Abraham not of his flesh but of his faith and such are still dâ—fferenced and separatâ— from Infidels and Cananits of the world not by the Pale of Circumcision but the waters of Baptism Gala. 3.27 in which as in Noahs ark we are secure from that deluge shal fall upon the ungodly and liberat from that bondage which the Iews as servants as Scholars were under as sons of the flesh of Gods servant Abraham and as Children of Iesus the beloved Son hath the knife turned into water and what the edge of the former could hardly cut off is now by water and grace easily wash'd away THEREFORE our Lord was both circumcis'd and baptiz'd as being prince both of Law and Gospel and a corner-stone for uniting Iew and Gentile in one unto himself receiving Baptism last saying by that of it unto the Church as of the other Sacrament take ye all of this do this in remembrance of me and of Circumcision first because made of a woman under the Law hence is he called the Minister of the Circumcision being under it and preaching actually personally to the partakers of it the promises being made to such whereas to the Gentiles there was no such obligation of his truth yet by Grace did perswade to an entrance into the Covenant by his Messengers and Prophets Rom. 15.8 Mystically seen in his verâ— Baptism receiving it from Iohn by Bethabeâ—ra in the river of Iordan Iohn 1. somewhâ—â— above the place where the priests of the Lord stood with the ark while Ioshua and thâ— camp of Israel more southward passed over into the promised land where he circumcâ—â—sed the people
play'd rex but the Christian must be circumcis'd all over to extinguish not only the heat as by pores but the very sum of uncleannesse in his eyes for restraining Vanity in his ears for debarring obscenity in his tongue withdrawing from ribbaldry in his hands by shutting out iniquity in his whole person and converss laying aside all superfluity of naughtinesse for that as the circumcised part may be well spared least emasculating themselves they walk as the Daughters of men that is not worthy of God that is not as his Son our Lord Iesus who being to introduce a new doctrine into the Church of Faith and Love got in a new day and as is supposed the first day of the of the new year a new name and was called Iesus not by chance or choice but according to the order of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb which fights against and impugns our old courses pregnantly inviting to a new and holy life for matriculating or ingrafting our selves in a real not nominal Spiritual not political and innocent not blasphemous way to the Society of Iesus TO work a cure against the distempers of the whole body of the Church was the head thereof as about this time let bloud and by whose vein breathing the body becometh more agile and every member more apt to exercise it's peculiar office for the good of the whole therefore ought all as spiritual Eagles a bird who by casting her feathers and breaking her old bill occasions a fresh growth and repairs her strength to arise from old and dead works Mount towards the heaven in new desires and new affections testifying both by new lives unto which this Child this name Iesus strennously attract's there being in it when opened a treasury of all riches a gaâ—ner of all provisions and a ware-house of all excellencies sounding first from an Angels mouth into a Virgins ear nothing but what was heavenly and of a heavenly vertue being fit to express it or capable to apprehend it ITâ—S true we find some of this Name besides him yet of such eminency as demonstrated them forerunners i. e. typs of this Iesus it is of the same root and sense with that of Ioshua who was Captain of the Lords host and possessed Israel of the holy land another was a holy and high priest separat for expiating the sins of the penitent delinquent Zach. 3.1 And to passe the Apocriphal Iesus who yet was a wise and prudent teacher we have mention of another Iesus Colos. 4. a companion of S. Paul and fellow-labourer with him in the Kingdom of God it was in short a common and an honourable name among the Iews but out of veneraâ—ion to our Lord Iesus not now used in the Church NAMES of old have been adopted by Friends or parents according to the hope conceived of the person named or by some accident about him or done by him but none of these here for our Saviour was seen by by none when he was named nor thought upon by any when he was called Iesus a Saviour not from hope which still includâ— fear but from assurance that he should save his people from their sins which untill revealed might be unknown even to the Angel who brought the message so that nothing of the creature was instrumental in this nomination but purely drawn from the benefits should accrew unto the world through him which obiter and by the way enforceth parents to elect such names as may import to their posterity some duty befitting them that their names may teach sanctity and true piety for as if something had been in that name Ioshuang or Iesus we read not of their sins not of their scandals as we do of other's we have Iudah's incest Solomons apostacy Davids adultery and Iudas the traitor as if Salvation in the others name had transfus'd it self working detestation of prophane courses Adam named his wife Evah because she was mother of all living and the name Gabriel enforceâ—h the bearer to be a man of God the name Nicholaus to overcome the people in good Iohn to walk graciously William couragiously Thomas to behold each man as a brother the word importing a twin such are good and sutes Christianity whereas Hercules a sturdy heathen Lout Diana a fam'd huntresse savours pardon my boldnesse not of the font not of the Laver of Regeneration not of baptismal water and therefore to be retir'd least Mars Iupiter Vulcan and other names of Baal defile the Baptistry the name Patience I cannot conclude ill but that Femal one of Faith in my judgement is to be avoyded as all other that in any direct way tends either to sin or revieve the memories of the prophane WHICH evill the name Iesus in it 's very initiatory letters doth abrogat and cancel improving the Saints in all degrees to the highest blesse of Saintship speaking Iucundity or gladnesse to the sorrowfull Eternity to the mortal Sanity or health to the languishing Vtility or profit to the poor Satiety or plenty to the hungry in Greek it 's anagram'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou art the sheep or lamb viz. which is given for the sins of the world it is oft writ in 3 letters thus I. H. S. Iesus Hominum Salvator shewing the Salvation he brought to man-kind and thus drawn in the body of the Sun is it the armes and publick seal of the segniory of Genevah shewing her light to beam from the rays of this Sun of righteousnesse her inscription about that being Iesus Sol Scutum meum Jesus is to me both a Sun and shield but others expresse thereby his Innocence Humility Sublimity he not being conceived in sin yet under-went death for sin and because he is man is made Lord of all things GIVEING of names is a sign of authority and dominion and given by Jewish Fathers at Circumcision as we do now at Baptisme it 's the first act of jurisdiction Fathers exercise over their Children the Scripture shewing plainly in Abraham and Zacharias that the Mother hath no right to impose them and if they do the Father may alter them as in the History of Benjamine is conspicuous he being never called Benoâ—â— and though the Mothers name should stand in holy writ it is to be understood by the Fathers indulgence as is famously clear in the Register of Leas fruitfulnesse her husband gratifying her in that particular and not without reason but this name Iesus was not imposed by Ioseph who was no father noâ— by Mary though a Mother but by God who hath power over Christ as man and exercis'd the same as a Father before his birth that he who is the King of Kings and Son of God might not be made subject to his parents but so far as his own knowledge discretion or goodnesse in riper years should concede unto as is evident from several places his subjection being commended and â—oman what I to do with thee being expressed YET to condemn the obstinat
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
whole one is thought infallibly to do it yea some tarrying at home dreaming as Pilats wife waking give good directions thinking all as true Revelations what their fancy malice or prejudice can suggest as was that of the Wise Men to return to their own Country concludes their salvation to be sealed not considering that their wisdom made them travel onward embraceing difficulties chearfully and that they saw not the star untill they left Ierusalem and that they had no vision in their sleep untill they had sought out Christ diligently when they were awake so that in earnest that text which most of all grounds the Iew in his incredulity and what they stick most unto in their malice against the Gospel viz. neither did his brethren believe on him may be by them Atheistically urged but neither do his followers believe on him and to our shame may be a dead stroak to the point for which they presse the former WE read that Simeon had revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he shold not dy untill he saw the Lords Christ the occasion of which revelation we find to be this vi He doubting of the truth of that Prophesy A Virgin shall bring forth a Son an angel stood by assureing his not tasting of Death untill he saw the accomplishment of that truth whereof he scrupled not to comment upon the story it is sure that inadvertence idleness and sloath in things spiritual are not attended with the knowledge of sacred Mysteries Daniel saw the vision searching for the meaning Gabriel was sent to cause him understand when the Angel appeared to the Shepherds they were keeping their flocks and the star appeared to the Wise Men at first employing their gifts for advance in learning God deals oft with men in their own way God gave Hezekia a sign from the Sun it is given out he was a great student of the Mathematicks the second time the star was seen they were upon their journey in Ierusalem they saw it not there is time and place wherein Christ is enquir'd after and not found to seek consolation in things terrene is to seek the living among the dead or as Ioseph and Mary among their kinsmen and acquaintance some seek him as Herod to destroy him to many we may say ye ask and receive not because ye ask amisse to bestow it on your lusts there is place and time wherein Christ is to be sought and found Mary sought him and found him in the Temple yet she was at pains three days the woman found him in the garden yet they sought him with tears Zacheus sought to see and found him on the Sycamour yet he sought him with care and our Wise Men sought for him with care hazzard zeal love and cost and found him FIRST let 's know our selves to be Magi Wise Men own and know our selves to be but MEN that is flesh such as have separated from God worshipping stocks and stones and given over to direful lusts next let 's come from the east with Abraham Isai. 41 preferring Christ to country kinred despising gems riches and costly Jewels chiefly to be found in the east which as soft beds â—ull the Soul asleep makeing flesh contemn the invitations Christ maketh for entrance and do this betimes at the sun rising of our days Mary Magdalen came about the sun rising saw the sepulchre not her Lord and being there were several of these Wise Men let us learn the benefits of religious Associats for where two or three are gathered together to seek he will be found but our meeting must be in peace for they came and they came together and they came together to Ierusalem the vision of peace for only when we are in peace he will come and speak peace saying be not afraid I am Iesus whom ye seek OBSERVE there is not a state or condition wherein man can fall but Christ hath been discovered and in it found as in a married estate under which he was born though not by it in a Virgin estate in which he was born in a studious estate for he was found among the Doctors in an Artificer or handy-craft estate so he was oft found with Ioseph at an honourable treat so he was by Mary Magdalen in a croud or pent up in a throng so by Zacheus in a Garden so by the woman in poverty so by the Shepherds in any place in Iudea in Egypt among the Samaritans and lastly in the house the poor house the despised house as by the Magi yet still as condemning idlenesse and exciting to diligence he was found of them that sought after him WE have seen his star in the east say the Magi but whether they in the east saw it over Ierusalem or over themselves in the east or if it was an Angel as a star or a star and a Child in it is not worthy of search or refutation for it 's we have seen and are come exemplifying promptnesse that with Lot we should not linger when by some secret inspiration we are warned of removeal as Lot did when advised to leave Sodom but as Simeon when the spirit excits to enter the temple remembring also Lots wife seasoning our selves by her salt that corruption being exsicâ—at in our mortal bodys we may go forward in our spiritual progresse at the removing of the Ark or moving of the cloud it 's motion being not for satisfying of our sight but for putting forward our feet not to stand by but to follow after i. e. these Wise Men untill we see our Lord and who shall by the noise of the worlds confusion Jerusalems trouble or by the beauty of gâ—udy pictures of appearing benefits slight the powerfull documents of the Gospel despise the beautiful face of an amiable Iesus will be condemned by these Philosophers who in duty set their face as though they would go to Ierusalem not fearing the wrath of the King though enquiring after another then he or Augustus either though over the Iews they had made themselves Kings whereas he whom they seek was a King born and exceeding Sapores of Persia who yet was crowned in the belly the crown being set upon his Mothers womb for suppressing faction but this was a King and so conceived and therefore named before he was conceived in the womb had a star to indicat his regality which they call his star as being deputed for that office others being made for times and seasons yet this for this time to shine to move to stand according as our progresse toward him advanceth or is impeded and when that is done to withdraw it's shining NO ways giving countenance to these two-peny I mean Mercenary Astrologers who pretend from the stars to judge the futurity of events depending not so much upon natural causes as reasons and deliberat consultation seconded by providence assisting or marâ—ing the design it were no puzzeling question to demand if the Magi by this star ordained to signifie our Lords Nativity
or any thing relating to the death of Christ had been appointed for a curse so ineffable are the Mysteries of his CROSSE and horrours of his suffering and yet his drinking thereof that is the enduring and undergoing of them exceedingly pourtrays the vehemency of his desire for accomplishing mans happinesse which all his Sermons miracles actings watchings fastings evince saying still I thirst but at last conquered and triumphed over the Devils and men makeing us this day to blesse the Lord in the house of the Lord as did our elder Brethren in the day of Iehosophat when fighting againâ—t the Moabits and Ammonits in this same ground calling it Baracha that is blessing 2. Chro. 20. THE curses being removed due to fallen man for sin maketh no death to be though the sinner may dâ— accursed wherefore in death the tree is still and may be used though in honour to our Saviour the use of the crosse was abolished by Constantin the first Christian Emperour haveing seen before his famous battel with the Infidel Maxentius in the South a shining crosse in the air with this inscription in hoc vince he conquer'd by which the Church had peace round about Christ sent his Disciples two and two into every City where he was to come to prepare eyes ears and heart for his own reception that at his comeing they might receive the Holy Ghost so eminent was his thirst so longing his desire whether in eaâ—th or heaven for mans benefit for mans Salvation DAVID in many things was a typ of Christ and in this prefigured him also that as the Hart panted after the water brooks so panted his soul after God David in Christ was crucifâ—ed and Christ in David thirsted as the Hart which beast bearing naturally an antipathy to Serpents first sucks them out of their holes then rents them they again when not prevailing by force claspeth about his horns lyeth on his back to bit he for defence roulleth on his back and brusing them â—layeth them with which he is so heated that he is not at rest until he drink the applicablenesse of which to Christ is conspicuous who by the power of his breath commanded the Devils out of the possessed and by lying on his back a few hours in the grave overcame their greatest force before which how mightily he did glocitare pant and roare out that terrible cry My God my God why hast thou forsaken me an expostulation in death shewing the things he suffered and contents of what we are to do speaking this for his peoples instruction in taking inspection in calamitous times into the principal cause of their distressâ—s where faulty with the thief to say we indeed justly if otherwise sinceâ—ity appear in our tendencies to please him then to plead with him Remember Lord said Hezekiah I have walked before thee with a perfect heart why then should I dy Childlesse why should thy promise made to my Father David fail in me THOVGH with Iob for a while we suffer for secret causes yet with him let us hold fast our Faith as Christ not saying O God but My God my God why hast thou forsaken me words that discover so much of a man that but for to Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise we might demure upon his being God and in themselves hard to be understood yet this is perceptible that in strong temptations the truth of things being hid we judge of them and of our own state worse then they are the ingemination shews innocence to be enflamed because it suffered and the affluence of his sorrows so directed as to Ecclipse in him the wonted consolations in the Fathers fellowship which though wanting yet he endured his own zeal unexpressibly irritating him for â—ins removing his teeth on the CROSSE being set on edge because we in the field so greedily had eaten sour grapes CEDRON is also said to be black from it's shadinesse as being shadow'd by the mount of Olives over which David pâ—ssed bare-headed and weeping his Son our Lord was appointed for the same pilgrimage though not upon the same ground David weeping for his Son who had moved Rebellion Christ weep'd for sins committed by Rebellion David saw something in himself meriting that blacknesse and therefore cry'd Christ saw that nothing was in man that deserved clearnesse yet that his head might want no oyntment and that his garments might be always white he travelled towards this black brook under Olives the very place inspiring this observe that because of it's fruitfulnesse of oyl used in medâ—caments and one of the ingredients of the Samaritans recipe for the cure of the wounded traveller our Lords death is declared proper for cure of our spiritual wounds for strengthning our weaknesse in wrestling against principalities and powers Devils who may by permission embitter our waters yet as the horn of the Vnicorn is medicinal in healing infected fountains the plunging whereof by it causing other beasts to drink securely so application to his CROSSE as Moses to the tree Exod. 15. maketh our bitter waters to become sweet our afflictions to become easy our burthen to become light he having antidoted their evil by drinking that is by bearing of them before us yea by it our sins shall our very lusts shall have a tendency for good the remembring of Piters sin made him bitterly weep yet may we not say it made him diligently to watch he afterward not comparing himself with others attested his own Love not falling back again into the condemnation of the Devil by over-rating of himself FILTH or Earth may cause ones hands to scour the better and after washing to become the whiter this was designed in his blood viz. that we should be pure white and holy by washing our selves therein his bloud having that property to make our very garments white as in the vision Reve. â— hinting at that remission of sin which by blood was obtained in the Law As Herod therefore sought this Holy Childs life to take it and destroy it let us seek his death that is the benefit of it that we may live by it and in it with as great earnestnesse as he laid it down for he is said to drink of the brook in the way IN the way that is walking forward that is takeing no rest untill as Naomi he had setled his Church he being that Goel Ruth 3.9 the next kinsman appointed Redeemer of his Church and by right of inheritance to betroth the Gentile Church as Ruth unto himself he as Boaz being a Jew born in Bethlehem not by pulling of his shoe but by being stripped of his garments yea robbed of his life Judas lingred as did Lot but was â—oused with a what thou dost do quickly a charge not enjoyning diligence but evidencing impatience wishing for and suggesting sufferance of that which a treacherous heart had in dissimulation contrived and concealing from the other Apostles his treason by this declaration least a moments stay had been
self experience the brusing of the serpents head PROVIDED he come not as Iudas to betray him or his cause for love of this present world the poyson whereof infecting the heart of Iudas to mercilesse treacherie eating up the bowels of compassion made to retaliat his crime his own bowels to be cast into the earth yet not so low but they stand as a beacon that we may avoid an evill custome pilfring and stealing the consequence thereof an evill conscience and the perfection of that the place prepared for hypocrites and unbelievers but what Pilat said thy own nation have delivered thee unto me may both Turk and Pagan say of Christ the lives of Christians scandalizing the nations through avarice pride interest and malice contradicting that good confession My kingdom is not of this world securing Pilat from fear of rebellion or disturbance in his Government by stratagems of war or engines of State whereas by both we seek not only to invade the territories and dominions of those differing from us but maligâ—s corrupts deâ—ames enviously calling away away with them who in principles of Religion are one with our selves AS Iudas avarice one the on hand â—o Peter's Arrogance is to be avoided on the other ingoing over this brook he also went with Christ arrogating to himself what was not in him he seemed as the Pharisee to despise others and gave to his Master a flat contradictory speech in the vehemency of his supposed constancy a warning for the strongest to say I am weak since his fall from the occasion of it a Woman a Maid a Wench pricks the bladder of self confidence and causes the informed to bear a low sail least if by his example doctrine be not drawn of humility Pride become our ruine as we see in those days in which holinesse that is strictnesse getting an honourable name becomes a shelter a pent house for more subtile sinners their subtilty being only in this viz in a high ungrounded conceit of themselves from which if we this day arise it shall be good-friday forgetting the lâ—cks which by many of you is eat this day as a proper food as well as the onyons and garlike of earthly sensuality makeing the breath of our Spiritual converse too too ranky fâ—ast upon the sour herbs of lowly and repentant considerations being circumcis'd Israelits and proper for the Paschal Lamb of the Gospel compensing the dâ—shonour we have given the most high by sinfull because fleshly dainties by the sorrow and sighings bitter reflections from a mortified because converted soul for denying the Lord that bought us being first remembred by the Cock croâ—ing next by Iesus looking that is by the sound of the word next by meditation thereof remembring he said the Lord resisteth the proud but giveth Grace to the humble as the justifying the Publican in the paâ—able discovers THE ancients in their baptism did dip or sprinkle three times the baptized in remembrance of the holy Trinity or the three dayes lying in the grave of the Son of man that even in this demersion they might be conformed to the sufferings of their Lord and how hath S. Pa. boasted of his being crucifyed with Christ and presseth to the likenesse of his death for our being crucified by keeping from the filthinesse of the flesh and walking with Zacharias Righteously one hand being nailed that is bound up against the injustice of the world and with Elizabeth Blamlesly the other hand detained from the intemperance of the world making straight paths for our feet in a prudent heeding of our ways our hearts and sides pierced with the spear or sword of the word of God and thence as bloud and water to flow forth Love to God charity to man crowned with the sharp thorns of inward compunction for our folly and of outward compassion for our Brothers adversity beholding the solidity of this world to be but emptinesse of a Spunge and all it's delights as Vineger to the teeth forbearing to drink of that Myrhe of envy malice and all uncharitablenesse wherewith the world doth in extremity furnish her prisoners and captives as Christ knew THEN may the soul cry the prince of this world cometh and findeth nothing in me and again Father into thy hands I commit my Spirit which at the bowing down of the head in giving up the Ghost by dying to sin shall cause thy soul be cloathed with the fin linnen of the Saints and be admitted into the Paradise of joy the body being hid during the three days of suffering what God shall impose labouring to keep a good conscience and grieving for the abominations of the world after which in the morning of the Resurrection by the Ministry of the Angels meet the Lord in those mountains of Galile whereof he hath told us that is in the clouds IF any will be so charitable as who should not to heed and see where Christ is laid remember he hath been laid in three Sepulchers or places first in the Vnity of the two new Testaments which is as the Virgins womb next in the bosome of the Church which is as the manger the third is Iosephs rock which is the soul and heart of the elect watch this last and make it as sure as you can but wake him not by the noise tumult or rumbling of unruly and unholy because unruly cogitations which are not pleasing to him but rather provide oyntments with Nicodemus of Myrhe in continence and chastity of spiritual sorrow for all delinquencies of Aloes in withdrawing from such as are disorderly and cleansing your selves from the sin that so easily besets makeing a mixture of both these by eyeing the doctrine of the Law which requires inoffensivenesse towards God and man and working them into an oyntment wherewith to enbalm the poor members of the body of Christ refreshing them that their loines may blesse you THE Paschal lamb was slain in the evening so was Christ which it prefigured giveing up the Ghost about the ninth hour that is three in the afternoon he came to give light unto the world which by his life doctrine and miracles he did effectuat and none hateth him but they who hate the light least he should detect their evil deeds he came in the evening of the world to enlighten the Gentiles and be the glory of his people Israel he crossed the bâ—ook Cedron in the evening before he suffered still endeavoring to have the end of things good Iudas leaveth him in the evening Peter boasted of himself in the evening he enlightned both because he forwarned both favoring neither the one nor regarding the other looking still to the close of things a policy yet Christianity mantaiâ—s allowing good beginings but approveth only continuance in good Indâ—â— had a fair morning and began well ended miserably selling his Master and buying his own damnation for three pound fifteen shilling sterling his rendition of it not abating one farthing of the guilt his confession at it not assoiling
a name among the many empty and flaunting tittles of the great Turk and the Catholick King both as relateing to Christ the last without honour the other with much profit arising from the customs and imposts exacted of pilgrims whom câ—riosity or superstition shall conduct unto that soyl where if any will engadge to avoid dishonest gain reconcile differences shun the company of infamous persons refrain from swearing perjury blasphemy drunkennesse and pay some money undergoing some ceremonies he may by the Pater Guardian of the Franciscan Convent be ordained a Knight of the holy sepulchre of our Lord Iesus Christ in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost of which order as most seemly the most Christian King is or was Soveraign HOW should our Christian Cities flourish in the fight of the Nations and the Theaters whereon our Lord coâ—quered and triumphed over all his adversaries I mean not the places whereon as Bethlehem Gethsemane Mount olivet and the rest but the Registers wherein these things are recorded as S. Mathew S. Luke S. Paul and the other Apostles if all that Travelled through the Holy Land of the Christian Dominions were qualifi'd for this Honour But to our shame as Turks in Ierusalem we make advantage our scope in designing honour to the Gospel so far crossing it's true intent of Godlinesse as it's crosse th'warts the projects of our self seeking lucre gain betraying in kissing Christ a-fresh in our covetous enterprizings and crucifying him while we Crown him as a King in the blaspheming and villany of our actings BY the Mapps of Ierusalem in Christs turnings and returnings from Annas to Caiphas from him to Pilat from him to Herod to Pilat back again from Gabbatha to Golgotha that he travel'd the best greatest part of the Citty over is visible to be seen he rendring thereby his passion more publick and offering the fruits thereof unto as many as would or will by faith come forth to behold him hath he not travelled through our lands and Kingdoms and as cursed Jews have we not scorned mocked compelled him to bear his CROSSE in our charging him with deplorable actings the most inhumane butcheries pretendedly said to proceed from the zeal of his Spirit Is he not dayly in his members persecuted by our uncharitable talking of and walking before one another whereby ruine may easily be predicted and a divorce suggested ready for sealing that we may abuse Gospel-priviledges no more as is seen in that Babylon where our Lord was crucifi'd wone once from the Turks by the slaughter of twenty thousand of them by the sword of Christians upon a Friday about three in the afternoon as if for once God would beautify Christian verity in that Unbelieving City by putting it in their hands who professed the Gospel and who wore the CROSSE on their cloathes the same day and hour his Son dyed upon the CROSSE FROM which let us fear least Mahomets growing greatnesse occasioned by our Unchristian broils provoke God to make him become a scourge and a CROSSE to our Cities and Nations pretending adherence to the Gospel but not receiving the same in the love thereof by bowing down our heads giving up the Ghost in walking with all lowlinesse of mind and dying unto sin MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE RESURRECTION of Iesus Christ unfolded and applied Pasch-Sunday April 3. Tolbooth Church 1670. Easter-Sunday April 3. Tolbooth Church 1670. PHILIP III.X. That I may know him and the power of His Resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death THE holy men of God in Scripture mentioning the death of Christ seem oft as posters to haâ—t from and briskly to exped that subject intending to lodge that is to insist upon and rest in the doctrine of the Resurrection not slighting his passion as if not comfortable but because not satisfactory for Gods justice or mans happinesse unlesse the rising from the dead be a consequent thereof he stiled himself the first and the last I am said he he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for ever more Revel 1. SO our Creed as fearing to damp belief goeth forward in haste omitting many glorious passages in being crucified under Pontious Pilat unto the rising again the third day It is Christ that dyed saith S. Paul yea rather who is risen again Rom. 8. and verily it is usual to see his dying and rising handed together they being the cementing matter whereby God and Man the Soul and Happinesse Ioy and the Consâ—ience perfectly inseparably knit and united in one for what ever felicity can be concluded from the vertue of the latter depends upon those promises which evinceth the truth of the former seeing him dy that is perswasions of his Death the knowledge of which death and the fellowship of his sufferings that is being made conformable to his death being only the proper and effectual mediums of knowing the power of His Resurrection HERE the Apostle discovers his desire of knowledge and next to benefit thereby meaning the righteousnesse of Faith that is of Christ in point of doctrine about his Resurrestion and his imitation of the other referring to practise in being made conformable to his death so that we are enforced to speak first with Peter and before him with David of the Resurrection which is not rightly known untill the vertue efficary and energy of his death be understood consisting in the expiation of sin liberation of guilt acquisition of righteousnesse and the hope of â—mmortality the scope and tendency of the Resurrection being perfectly and inwardly for the applying of these things as from it towards our selves he being delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification CONCEIVE him dead sealed watched writ upon his Tombstone here lyeth Iesus Christ of Nazareth who was crucified An. M. 3982 Aetatis suae 33. yet by power did make a spoil of death his grave cloathes those ensigns of mortality laid by baffling the envy of the Scribs the fury of the people the force of Herod and in one morning confounded all the adversaries of his life HE dyed about the ninth hour about three in the afternoon order so requiring for about that time viz. in the coole of the day Adam was cast out of Paradise about which time also it was congruous for the second Adam to make his entry therein both in the evening enjoyning all in the Mystery to dy unto the worlds pleasures before night that is the eleventh hour which was to the master of the Vineyard the time of payment not of calling unto work BVT least we speak of as the woman sought the living among the dead see him raised for he is risen and thaâ— while it is yet dawning at break of day directing us to infer that he was no more to dy the linnen napkin within the sepulchre giving caveats to us against the surmise of his after using such apparel Lazarus indeed came forth
mad and Heliodorus thought a witch but he call'd my Charmes my Art my Craft is Christ and demanding respite for three days to advise what to do he repaired to the Idols Temple and in fervent prayer obtained from heaven the falling of them all like Dagon for which being set upon a fresh he made ample confession of the truth of Christ yea his tongue being cut he preached heaven-ward with his hand untill he was slâ—in rejoyceing in hopes to see God in his flesh desireing also to depart and to be with Christ. BY the Resurrection the Believer hath a privative and a possessive good the first containeth an abolishment of hell and death that they be not the portion of his cup Christs appearing to be the Son of God by it haveing brought life and immortality to light is the substance of the other 2 Tim. 1. opening the gates of Death a typ of the resuscitation of our mortal bodies having made out peace by defraying as a surity or cautioner what we were endebted to justice whereby we are accounted just and righteous before God his egressâ— from the prison of the grave testifying a discharge and maâ—s assâ—ilment whence still to our being condemâ—d there is oppos'd his rising for who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is Christ that dyed yea rather who is risen again and in this righteousnesse it is wherein S. Paul desire to be found makeing it his own by faith and rejoyceing in his own security thereby blessing God for that victory which in Chrâ—st he himself obtained the day book of his sins being crossed and the head of his advâ—rsary bruised by the substance of the Crosse in the power of the Resurrection which so far virtuats his life that as raised in Christ he accounts not himself any more in this world haveing his conversation in heaven not regarding the knowledge even of Christ after the flesh as did not a latter Saint who seeming to behold his Saviour in bodily shape visionally cryed out Lord keep that sight from me here but let me behold it in thy own Kingdom in the other world RISE therefore from your vain conversation from your graves of lust your reward is slighting Christ or selling Christ being no other then what the Patriarchs had when they sold Ioseph or what Iudas got when he betray'd Iesus viz. shame and fear which whoso would avoid must follow him who is the way to young beginners the truth to such as affirm and life to those that persevere the way to them that ask the truth to such is have found the life to those who passe the way to them who travel the truth to them who rest and the life the righteous do enjoy all procured by the death Christ underwent IT is said the lyons whelps lying as dead three days after birth are awakned by the roaring of the Syre certain it is that after three days this lyon of Iudahs trib was raised by God the Faâ—her for thogh his rising be attributed to the Spirit of holinesse Rom. 1. as also to himself having a power to take up as well as to lay down his life John 10. yet it is also expressed to originat from the Father for God said Peter raised up Iesus Acts 2. scattering the least mist could arise from doubts temptations or surmise improving faith against all stumbling blocks the holy Trinity joining in one for Christs manumission from the grave all being reconcil'd to man in his Saviours actings upon that particular the Lord God who had sentenc'd Adam raising the Son who was God and by the Spirit who with the Father and the Son is one all equally willing equally appearing for and equally approveing what by the determinat counsel of the Father was under agitation in that affair SHEWING withall that as Christs manhood was raised by God through the Spirit of holinesse so the quickning of man against the deadnesse of sin ignorance and unbelief is the sole work of Omnipotency which alone can remand back the Spirit of sanctified illumination men possessed in the loins of their Father Adam and adapt them by a receive the holy Ghost to walk as Sons of God not of men yet as nothing quickens except it dy so neither can the sinfulnesse of sin be taken away untill man know he is sold under it and by it betrayd as by a Iudas into the hands of the Devil who hath the power of death that is of execuâ—ing not sentenceing which conviction of heart only maketh man to dy with Christ and necessarily must preceed a rising with him TO some it is true Christ is not yet born such are the lofty Spirits the touring souls behaving themselves not as Children weaned from the mothers breast but as so many Gyants begotten of some Goliah and born of some radiant Amazon which conceit maketh them conceive themselves some great body and being contrary to our Lord who was born a Child that is for humility and meeknesse debonaire and affable towards all soar in their carriage and Pea-cock like moutting in the sun-shine of their own vain glorious imagination as if with the Pea-hen all must then be in love with their mistaken transcendency and couch to the shadow of their greatnesse whereas quite contrary self denyal religious pensivenesse for the losse we have had for the things we want a reversing of the Escutcheon of that excellency which fortune or parts have bestowed because ensigns of our mysery and badges of our poverty tokens of the infamy because sinfulnesse of our birth are still in those true Children moraly and in their own esteem little ones to whom belongs the Kingdome of heaven TO others he is not yet dead these are the carnal the fearful the sensual minds who desireing to live in the affluence of flâ—shly pleasures flye from the Crosse as a bugbear and sailing in the Pleasure-boat of a bare profession in the least cloud gets into the coast snugging under the wind of alluring comforts hat 's nothing more then to ride out a storm with the warelik builded and storm prepared for Christian knowing he cannot weather out the tempest and judgeing himself no further in safety then that the next step lands him on the shore of ease delight and ticklish pleasure where loving this present world he embraceth it with both arms saying to tribulation at a more convenient time I will hear thee again in this matter and so with Peter denying any soul saveing knowledge of Iesus chuseth the warmth which the fire of the Mammon of this present world doth affoord accounting beloved Paul mad for because of the Gospel enduring a storm or abideing a night and a day in the deep judging the cargo of a soul not to be valued at so high a rate that the losse of the vessel of the body which is but the hâ—ll of man should be suffered to endure such hardship for it's security TO others he is not risen these are the
Scripture A Sabbath also interveening in which it is observed therâ— was never Man raised either in Old or New Testament and CHRIST being the Heaâ— of the RESURRECTION shewed in this a purpose not to disjoyn Himself from those before risen but to continue Communion chused another time which was the third Day Leaving the Sabbath I might say Saturday-Sabbath to rest with His Grave-cloathes as never more to be used and aâ— we learn from the Current of Antiquity from the Vniversal practice of the Church in times in and so near the Apostles that the head of the Institution is not found making it the more venerable though some factiously in our â—â—yes rant at the observance designed the Day of the RESURRECTION for solemn â—ppearance before the Throne of GOD â—hich was so rever'd both weekly and annually that the Precepts 1. Cor. 5. Let â— keep the feast and that other expression â—â— I. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day â— by many understood to belong to the â—early Feast of the RESURRECTION 〈◊〉 observed REMAIN not therefore with Lazarus the Grave-cloaths of sinful custome four â—yes by thinking upon likeing of by doing 〈◊〉 then continuing in the acts of concupisence or such no doubt stinke in the nostirles of 〈◊〉 and shall be killed by Death but rise 〈◊〉 third day that is this Morning with â—ur LORD and appear unto them that â—ow you talking of the Kingdom of GOD 〈◊〉 walking in the Holy City and be more â—â—rious more sublime more majestick 〈◊〉 before as Ioseph was when he was taken 〈◊〉 prison and as IESVS was when He 〈◊〉 from the Grave that Christian being Christian who is not conform to the 〈◊〉 suitable to the RESURRECTION CHRIST which we shall be if we rise and talking saluâ—ing our Brethren with Peace and again peace be unto you that they mâ—y perceive we intend for Galile forsakeing terren desirâ—s there abiding now Faith Hope and Charity Faith in the RESURRECTION of the flesh Hope in the expectation of eternal life and Charity in the holy catholick Church expressed in our Creed by the Communion of Saints IAMES of Aragon upon his Conquest of the Mâ—jorca Islands fancied and created an Order of Knight-hood called of Redemption their service peculiarly respecting â— liberation of Prisoners and Captives theiâ— habit was alwayes to be white Is not ouâ— IESVS appointed for deliverances anâ— did He not by entring into the Prison of thâ— Sepulchre say to each of us detained under igâ—norance force and fraud what the Angeâ— said to Peter Arise up quickly cast thy garment about thee and follow me Actâ— 12.18 Abiding no longer with the possessed amonâ— the Tombs of the Dead Graves of lust noâ— Iayls of sinful custome let us go forth witâ— Him who is so to speak Soveraigne of thaâ— Order other Redeemers in comparison 〈◊〉 Him delivering from a flea-bit he shielâ—ding from a thunder-bolt a sword a poyson 〈◊〉 arrow a burning fire a â—aging Sea a â—inging Serpent a roaring Lyon and a â—â—wing heart-worm assaulting all at once without hopes of rescue except from His Almightinesse alone BVT how justly doomed are they who â—eing once freed will run the second time to 〈◊〉 stocks who being washed and shaved with Ioseph will return to their former â—ench polluting themselves afresh with â—he noysomnesse of dung-like-corruptions â—allowing in the myre of ungodly chambering and wantonness drunkenness and excess â—aining thâ—se Vestuâ—es they have put on in embracing Gospel-Truths Swine-like lying down in the pond pool and puddle of filâ—hy conversation WRITE rather after the Coppy of the â—â—imitive Christians who in this Feast of the RESURRECTION and many dayes after refused to or did not kneel in Prayâ—r judging that a more sorrowful posture then was adâ—quat or fit for so joyful a season is their frequent Allelujahs expressed this to be but stood the LORD being risen as though their joy chearfulnesse and zeal had perfectly assured them their next motion should be toward Heaven It was Christs Pasch for He left the Dead they expected their Pasch and being ready for the Father stood as alive frequenting the Holy Communion the pledge of Eternal Salvation Young Converts appearing in Church cloathed in white Raiment the badge of that purity acquir'd in their Baptisme of which Sacrament we partaking let us keep this Feast with holy Innocence batâ—ing the Garment that is but spotted with the flesh our news and tydings our salutes and complements being as theirs was The Lord is risen THE Answer in our Lives like theirs also in Words The LORD is risen indeed MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE ASCENSION OF THE SON of GOD Unfolded and applied Holy-Thursday May 20. High-Church 1669. Ascension-Thursday May 20. High-Church 1669. JOHN VI. LXII What and if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where He was before IN the History of the holy Gospel that express exactnesse of method and dependence in answering and questioning in other Arts studied and required is not alwayes to be found Our Saviour who knew the heart to detect the deceits therein answering oft according to them for confutation and discovering raâ—her then conforme unto or observe contexture of words and purposes Among which these words are evidently to be seen where speaking of and proving Himself to be the true Bread which came down from Heaven inferreth thence a necessity of the Jews eating that is of believing upon Him and from Himself perceiving their murmuring at the impossibility or absurdity of that matter demandeth What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before Whereas of his ascending up there was no preceding controversie YET as there is a secret digested Art by the wisdom of the Spirit in the compileing of that sacred Record in general so there may be avowed a hidden connexion even of these words to the former for His assertion of His coming down from Heaven implieth evidently His being there and that He was there He proves by His Descending thence which words when the Jews were offended at to enstall their admiration and heighten their wondering He proposeth His What and if c. A QVESTION which proposeth ground for yet expecteth no answer prophesying of though but supposing His ASCENSION and both by way of Question the speech being suspensive and seemingly defective q. d. surely ye will wonder much more then that I whom you see a man like unto your selves shall ascend up where He that is the Son of God was before that is I before I was the Son of man and this being a greater matter then my coming down you will if you see it certainly be more offended at me or believe the other was true Offering it as conditionall by putting an if to it yet would have it positively to be understood and expounded that He shall go up and it may be some of you may see it which will creat a greater certainty or breed a greater indignation ASCENSION supposeth
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