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
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
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
and refractory this name is not publickly proclaimed from heaven but given to Mary and after that to Ioseph who gave it to his supposed Son at 's Circumcision and by that name which his parents gave him was he known in all the tract of his life God in this occult way preserving the order and honour of paternity disallowing such who assume the boldnesse to rebaptize themselves and write new names which their parents knew not HE is by the Holy Ghost yea by men sometimes called Iesus sometimes Iesus Christ often our Lord sometimes this and again that other name every one of which have some peculiar eye to some relation he beareth towards the Church and in all those glorious precepts for divine celebrating the Supper that is the holy communion of the Church by S. Paul he speaks of it in that style that would hardly make that phrase the cup of Iesus the death of Iesus to be proper speaking constantly of the Lord as the Lords Death the body and bloud of the Lord a word importing the founder of that communion and fellowship we have with the Father from which this may safely be drawn that men should discreetly expresse the tittles gâ—ven to their Saviour It is a truth that some have spoken of him under Epithets purely that is scripturally applicable to the Father to the Spirit to an Angel THE most celebrated tittles are Iesus Christ and the Son of God this last when Iews deny him mock raile reprobat laugh at him c. is proper to use Christ intimating his anointing hinting at the means whereby he saved us as preaching fighting conquering is pertinent for us the Son of God he is called being very God of very God the second as he is Man God by assuming humanity but his name Iesus represents him God joyned to humanity united to the humane nature and here wisely given yea before haveing three times been so named viz. at his conception to Mary next to Ioseph 〈◊〉 a dream and lastly at Circumcision for then they called his name Iesus a name majestick a name consolatory holding forth his Deity for besides this Lord there is no Saviour and his Humanity also for by it he maketh propitiation for our sin nay we find it iâ— other writtings not removing but preventing sin even that of robbery for a paddist or High-way-man attempting to spoil a preacher ordering him to stand and asking what he was was answer'd I am a the servant of the Lord Iesus the Paddist trembling at the answer said again what are you and had the same answer and so a third the Robber as amaz'd forgot both bloud-guiltinesse and covetousnesse and called to his unjustly detained Captain for the sake of Iesus depart in peace and ruminating to himself whose servant he had been in this debauch'd trade of life being cogitabund cryed out Iesus Iesus Iesus blessed be the name of Iesus who hath keeped me from sin and forsakeing that course of life walked after in the path of vertue LET none inquire touching the utmost extent of this name since it 's secret and wonderfull Iud. 13.18.19 above all mans conception and expression having not under it the name or shadow but the essence and verity of all Salvation yet know he is not called Iesus because he saves from war or sword for these may be good but from sin which can never be but ill therefore it comforteth the heart when opened delighteth the Ear when hearkned pleaseth the mouth when expressed intimating from sin freedom and predicts glory in place of misery But yet not by the aiery sound or letters thereoâ— whether utter'd or impress'd for the Devil spake it to Christ himself and had a finger in the py when it was writ upon the crosse but when applyed by faith and conforming to the Doctrine of him who bears it as he who learning and studying Iesus well proposed to himself for a Coppy a meek man â— humble man a sober man a chast man merciful man and finally a man endued with all honesty and full of all sanctity which is a sweet way to make him to every man Iesuâ— i. e. a Saviour that he as being Almightâ— God created them so as Iesus that is Goâ— and man may redeem them from this present evill world by his omnipotent unspeakeable goodness compassing strengthning by his mediatory office what ever is his own within the â—oul abolishing by his Royal power Christ-like vertue what ever besides that the heart hath contracted to prevent relapsing let the man Iesus be our example and Iesus God your chief support leaning upon him as your beloved and the name Iesus shall assure salvation secure heaven not otherwise THE name Iesus is admirable for by it all wonders have been wrought and because of it all Devils trembled it 's also amiable sinners having by it been justified righteous gladned the dejected raised and all that ever called as the blind-men Iesus thou son of David have mercy upon us have been relieved it's lastly laudable for it 's glorious it 's holy it 's new it 's exalted above every name and the name that is given to us for us whereby only we can be saved therefore glory ye in his holy Name REMEMBER you are his by purchase be having redeemed you not with corruptible things as with silver and gold but by his pretious blood of which summ he this day gave part in hand as earnest and payed the whole afterward in grosse upon the Cross and might there be not more then a common providence that upon the first of Ianuary there should be fewer Martyrs in the primitive persecution then on any other in the year each day produceing when laid together five thousand save that since the faithfull witnesse himself by whose bloud their's was accepted did as upon that day enstate us into the passage leading to the spiritual Paradice by applying his merits in Circumcision as the first fruits of the land â—or earnest of our forgivenesse makeing hell to tremble as being spoyled of its Dominion Earth to rejoice as being redeem'd to God and Angels to triumph as being confirmed in righteousnesse all which passionatly excits to a confession that Iesus is the Christ to the Glory of God the Father makeing his Regimen in our souls the more arbitrary when by way of reserve we reflect upon that purpose of the Father that every knee shall mark the word shall bow that is yeeld and submit to the name Iesus that is the power authority and Judgement of Iesus FROM the name Christ are we called Christians that implying both his and our Unction with the graces of the spirit whence also came that name of the Messiah i. e. one that is anointed viz above his fellows as Christ is said to be Isa. 61. with gifts not with material oyl which had been improper to him as a King for his Kingdom is not of this world or as Priest for he was not of
born that is the promised Messiah in whom all the Kingdoms of the earth is and was to be blessed therefore in no Nation is there ground to despair AND though some degenerat from these their religious Gentile Ancestors either by loyttering at home in their carnal security purposing neither to take pains for nor travel after salvation or play at the door in their superstitious formal idolatry or Debauching within by their scandals and impure deportment yet having wise Preachers experienc'd in the study of heavenly Scriptures which as the star over the house shew where Christ is to be found let us unite in devotion and being faithful with the Saints part with whatever lust is dear and sweet knowing it is our wisdom so to do being Christ and his Gospel are above the price of all lusts though supposed Rubies LET Herod be troubled and great men moved against submission to the scepter of Christ for touch the Mountains they will smoak and Jerusalems inhabitants be in an uproar each one about his particular concern suggesting trouble and war by changeing of Kings and Governours upon which in all probability their fear was grounded for none went with the Magi from Ierusalem either fearing to appear despairing of successe or for such like cause yet this is but the course of wordly wisdom which being Earthly sensual is to be avoided by the Man of God whom neither Herodians of ambition nor Ierusalemits of pannick fear so far shal obscure wisdom or occasion defiling of conscience as to make him afraid of or tremble to hear of Christs approach but rather calleth why tarrieth the wheels of his Chariot having a desire to be with Christ obeys that sound of heaven the charge of Ierusalem his Mother the Church going forth to meet this King Cant. 3 11. now crowned in his cradle and having heard of this in Ephrata seeks and finds him in the wood of the Cratch and ark of the Church rejoyceing as they that find rich treasure and good reason for he is found in Bethlehem i. e. the house of bread and under that notion implys all happinesse to his visitants to his Receivers the tittle of life adding Eternity to his crums which when enjoyed the snars of death are avoided AS these Magi left Ierusalem a crafty Herod the skilfull Scribs who durst not deny what the Scripture recorded yet shuned to believe what the Wise revealed bringing damnation upon their souls the more speedily for their base ingratitude the more desparingly for their great knowledge the more inexcusably for dissembling with Herod so let us relinquish and turn our backs upon those Sirens stopping our ears against the songs and counsels devices secrets that by the wicked witty the demure in hypocrisy the knowing in disobedience are laid any way to debar us from the regular path of Gods revealed will in persuance of enjoying that blessed sight which is in the star light of a promise offered to us how difficult soever it may seem to flesh and bloud leaving the politick and carnal to their Interrogatories their Questions their fears their scruples what may be what shall be rather then what is to be done things which is to be feared in our days have made our Lord to go further from us then he was once dare I name that place to be in Egypt HERODS Hypocrisie made him promise adoration his timidity made him search and ask not where the King of the Iews but where Christ should be born the Question to the Iews is made in privat by the Gentiles it 's made in publick the reply represents and infers the Jews to have answered where our Saviour not where their's was to be born because they believed not in him nor rejoyced at his birth nor travel'd to his lodging and at this day for unbelief they are a scatter'd people through the earth still beholding that faith published and gloried in unto which they are enemies which no doubt adds to their torture shame despondency and grief having neither Temple Priest nor sacrifice of their own as other Nations yea hardly retaining their name but by a few absurd and ridiculous ceremonies for which being derided by all Nations and accounted murtherers Iesus being deemed innocent increaseth their astonishment and is reckoned by Travellers the formal cause of that pregnancy or rather subtility of wit which proverbialy is applied unto them their Religion putting them under a general odium they are driven to help them-selves by base shifts whereby bandyting themselves against the rest of mankind they are better studyed in malice and mischief then other men for which each Visier and Basha of state in Turky keeps a Iew of his privy Council by whose malice wit experience intelligence it 's thought most of that mischief is contrived which is executed upon Christendome yet at the same time that Iew is so hated that would I might die a Iew if this be so is one great curse in Turky and he dare not yea cannot become Turk unlesse first Christ be acknowledged a true Prophet which still must edge his envy and more ferment his spite IT is said one of these Magi was a Black Moor and master-painter limns accordingly but I shall not swear to the truth hereof yet there can be no danger to maintain to such who credite the report that in our addresses unto Christ the outward appearance the difference of or about things external the clearness of the souls knowledge or doubtings in the bosome blacknesse of the soul contracted by fear and horrour or dwelling in the torrid zone of persecution affliction or desertion as it ought not to deter from the embracements of our Lord in the house of the Church so neither in others should it represent any cause of interrupting their well intended progresse in those religious duties of prostration or adoration since the Saviour of the world is an Advocaâ— with the Father speaking peace and shal accept of their attendance before the throne in good and comfortable words as be of good chear thy sins are forgiven whereby they shal not only be cloathed in white but like David have a goodly and ruddy countenance that is be well favoured in the serenity of a good conscience marching forward toward their own because desired country with as large strids of zeal affection and discourse as amply how and which way their service was accepted prayers heard doubts cleared as any of them whose complexion i. e. whose soul at fiâ—st setting out was of a more amiable colour or allureing temper ARE there not persons who with the Scribs can readily inform where Christ should be born and that he is to be believed upon in faith working by Love can talk of the Kingdom of God tasting the powers of the world to come by many fathoms go deeper in the speculative parts of Divinity speaking as if they had seen the Trinity talked with God first take wing and then flee out of the sight of ordinary capacities
day we may truly pronounce that the Godlesse are not this day raised the communication of those two who went to Emmaus discovers the truth of this who though sadned at their Masters Death yet were not Spiteful at the instruments thereof speaking how the chief Priests and the Rulers delivered him to be condemned without any other epithet expressing rancour there be who will have these Luke and Cleophas Luke is rising up and Cleophas hath glory in his name and surely the rising from darknesse and deadnesse with the desire of being glorious is to go to Emmaus which by interpretation is desire of counsel and how happy were it if this age would advise with and about it self touching the verity of Christ and Him risen together with the duties dâ—pending thereupon leaving Ierusalem and all its gâ—udinesse to walk those sixty furlongs Morally these two physically trod it is a number arising from multiplying of ten by six The Ten Commandments being appointed by IEHOVAH for the rule of our Actings and the renouncing this present World amending our Lives crucifying Self voyding Hypocrisie keeping of the Heart wâ—tching over the door of our Lips being the six paces to be observed in our going over the moral Law We cannot chuse but have Christ with us and our eyes to see Him with great â—oy where now because glorified He shal not only eat bread with us as in the History but shall sup with us and we with him as in the Revelation unto which a serious reflection and deep meditaâ—ion upon the Cross and sufferings of our LORD this passage examplifies to be a fertil-mean LAY your ear to the holy Communication these two had and it 's properly a devout imagination to conceit Luke speaking Brother Cleophas can you forget the clamour of the Priests against our Master when Pilat was determined to let Him go how they cryed away with Him crucifie Him not this Man but Barabbas yea a murtherer whereas our Master shed no mans bloud but went about doing good to every body and that in such a way by commanding praying advising that I should have sworn he had been the Son of God whereas now I conjecture his Faâ—her haâ— smitten them with blindnesse as he did he Sodomites with Hemroids as the Philistens with fire as did Elisha the Capâ—aiâ—s oâ— sâ—me other way had been found as by a vâ—ice from heaven for his sons delivery but to lay hold on that tattle of his appearance to the women is to be swallowed up of errour Luk 24.11 their brains their early rising their â—eaâ— hath certainly disturbed them and made them fancy they saw God knows what and as some think the bells Clâ—â—k Dear Brotheâ— might Clâ—ophas say I should almost be of yâ—ur mind but when I remember of Lazarus whom you mind me of for you know we heard a voice from Heaven I sâ—y when I think upon him How fresh how well-coloured he was raised by a Loud not Cheâ—ping voice with words we understood not dark Phrases as Conjurers and Charmers 〈◊〉 to do I must conclude him to bâ— the Son of God though I confesse I marvel he wrought no miracle to save himself from scâ—urging from dying and since he said he was King of the Iews he came not down from the Crosse that they might believe this I confesse sticks with me this I am sure of if he be alive this day he will be so to morrow and next day also and we shall see it and know it his goodnesse sweetnesse kindnesse and merciful disposition towards all in distresse but especialy to us makes me confident he will not concâ—al himself long but will come unto us and God who in the simplicity of our heart doth know we followed him not for any lucre we got by it shal setle us in the truth at last and reward us according to the integrity of our hearts therefore be not affraid at our return we shal know more and your bells clink may be retorted unto turned by a Crosse Proverb before the lame post make much of one there is few good a true axiome and holds here the women being of excellent endowments formeth hope of future comfort by a certainty of all things SVCH communication administrats such grace that it is no wonder if the fiery chariot of Religious gifts hasten to come down for conveying the heart aloft and the Spirit as at Pentecost to come with full information of all sâ—ving truths takeing the Scalls of doubtings from the eyes of the mind as Saul did from those of his body makeing it to be known for a truth that Christ is risen indeed and if he should seem as though he were to depart in the coldnesse of the heart to those conferences then be instant with thy Mane â—obiscum abide with us Luk. 24.29 the evening of thy dark and cold surmises clouds temptations and other perplexities being approaching and if serious he shal continue to the end and make appear that he is no stranger to thy affairs but well acquainted with whatso-ever hath shall or can befall thee comforting thy soul in all and all because of the Resurrection IT was a Iwell expression that fell from the mouth of the golden-mouth'd Father that at the Sun rising upon the day of the Resurrection it was defraying of just debt to begin teaching of brotherly kindness and charity applying the power of the Resurrection for cementing the hearts of men one towards another it appearing to unite God and Man yea gloriously procured it but how can these things be without a conformity to his death Not such as is fabled in the Legend of that Popish Saint Francis who is said to have the print of the nails and spear in his feet hands and side or such either as is recorded of the herb Granadille in America in which if we believe report the instruments of the Passion to the whip the piller and the thorns are visibly seen in the flour nor it may be with St. Paul to have the wales of the persecutors rod upon the flesh the gore blood lying and not cured in the blewness of the stripe upon the skin the Fellowship of his suffering even to his condemning by Pilat being to be answered by a severe sentenceing our selves singling out every sin and processing it before the barr of Conscience according to the judgement God makes thereof causing execution to follow with as much Zeal and as little delay as did the Jews after the Governours sentence of of which take one Coppy in record Take you Iesus of Nazareth a contemner of Cesar and one who calleth himself the Mesâ—iâ—h as hath been proved by the Testimony of his own Nation to the Common place of execution and in derision of his Kingly Majesty fasten him to the Cross but to evidence the uncertainty of this History â—ake it as another Coppy sayes it was I Pilat President of Ierusalem adjuageth thee Iesus of Nazareth for making thy self a King and for calling