plenitude of merit and righteousnesse to God his Father for his whole Church Hitherto of the illustration of Christs passion To be slaine To be shorne Here we haue the extent of his passion The meaning whereof is Extent That Christ did not onely suffer himselfe to bee buffeted to bee smitten onely or to be crowned with thornes in derision Doct. No other way to purchase life to the Church but by Christs death but he suffered euen to the effusion of his bloud And herein will teach vs. That there was no other way to purchase life vnto the Church but through Christs death and to this end Christ submitted himselfe to the lowest degree of humiliation Now this humiliation of the Lord Iesus is not to be restrained to the time of his death but is indeed of a more large extent euen to the whole course of his life Yea the very incarnation of Christ was no small degree thereof that he should be pleased to lay aside that maiesty and glory that he had at the right hand of his Father and become man yea such a man as was subiect vnto all our infirmities sinne onely excepted as hunger thirst wearienesse c. yea hee became euery way subiect and obedient vnto the law that was the onely Law-giuer But the height of all was in this that he that was the Lord of life should as my Text saith submit himselfe to death yea such a kinde of death that was not onely ignominious before men but accursed before God as it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on the tree Deu. 21 23 That so he that was his Fathers darling and delight might become the obiect of his wrath and beare that intolerable burthen and displeasure for sinne that would haue crushed men and Angels into peeces to haue borne Now this humiliation of Christ hath diuers degrees thereof it began at the time of his incarnation as we haue heard before And those infirmities of our nature that he bore were part thereof But the principall part of all was in or about his death And the beginning hereof was in the Garden where the Text saith Luk. 22.44 Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops of blond trickling downe to the ground Saint Iohn hath it Ioh. 13.21 He began to be sore troubled Now surely the end of his passion must needs be mournfull when the beginning is so fearefull Wherein it may as truly be said of Christs death as euer it was of his life Neuer any man spake as this man doth Ioh. 7.46 So neuer man dyed as this man dyed And herein let vs first stand awhile and behold the lamentable distresse of a troubled and perplexed spirit When a man is in distresse indeed of whom doth he looke for comfort but from his Father and who are fittest to condole a mans misery but a mans dearest friends of whom Iob speaketh thus that A man in affliction ought to be comforted of his friends Thus was it with Christ at this time Now that he is so sore troubled now that his soule is so heauy euen to the death how earnestly praieth he to his Father Father Mar. 14.34 if it be possible let this cup passe from me And from whom might Christ â—t this time looke for comfort but from his dearest friends and who might these be if not Peter Iames and Iohn These aboue the rest of the disciples were most conuersant with Christ were eye-witnesses of Christs glorification vpon the Mount But alas Christ bids these watch with him and pray But when he was sweating they were sleeping they yeeld him no comfort they stand him in no stead so as backe againe he goes to his Father and from his Father to his Disciples againe but here is no helpe at all Ah Lord that hee should bee brought to this low ebbe so to be desolate and forsaken on all hands When he was in Caiphas Hall Peter denies him when he went to the Crosse all the Disciples forsake him and those that loued him most dearly did stand a farre â—ff Thus was he alone in his sufferings Wounded at the heart with sorrowes troubled in minde melting in soule afflicted in body and in the middest of all these sweating water and blood trickling down to the ground Here are vnknown sorrowes secret sufferings and suffrings vnspeakable The Physitians say that blood is the life of man now this blood of Christ was exhausted and his body became as a bottle dryed in the smoâ—ke And as this agony of his began with water and blood so did his passion end with blood and water first blood then water when no more blood what can come but water So that truly doth Ieremy cry out in that patheticall lamentation of his O thou hope of Israel and Sauiour thereof Ier. 14.8 why art thou as a man astonied and why is confusion gone ouer thy face There is neither forme nor beauty Esa 53.2 He made his soule an offering for sinne ver 10. But what was the reason why Christ was thus perplexed in the garden Q. before he was apprehended or taken This was not for feare of the bodily death that Christ was now to suffer R. as it appeareth by the godly resolution and courage of many of the blessed martyrs of Christ who albeit they were men that no doubt had their infirmities yet did readily and willingly embrace the sentence of death without any such agony But this arose principally from the sense of the most horrible wrath and displeasure of God his father that at this time lay so heauy vpon him for the sinnes of the world and which he was now to endure and to vndergoe This this was it that pressed out both water and blood and made him to cry out in the bitternesse of his soule My God my God why hast thou forsaken me This bred that inward feare and terror in the soule of Christ But wherein then is the difference betwixt Christs sufferings and the sufferings of martyrs Quest since the one beares them so comfortably and the other seemes to be so much deiected Answ The martyrs were perswaded that their sinnes were pardoned and the guilt thereof done away through Christ by which means they feared not death the sting thereof being plucked out for the sting of death is sinne Whereas Christ in his death 1 Cor. 15. as our surety stands charged with the sinnes of all the world and now was to satisfie Gods wrath for the same and hence it was that hee was left to himselfe voyd of comfort in the middest of all his sufferings and prayes against the terrours of death whereas those blessed martyrs were assured and supported with the inward consolations of Gods spirit But was this all that Christ did suffer and vndergoe for vs oh no. I remember the Lords speech vnto Eliah being distressed at mount Horeb and lying hidden in a caue alone
are set forth and represented vnto vs. First of all The diuers mysteries represented in baptisme our washing and clensing by the bloud of Christ according to that of the Apostle Christ loued his Church and gaue himselfe for it Eph 〈…〉 2â— that he might sanctifie it and clense it with the washing of water by the word According to his mercy hee saued vs by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost And againe Such were ye but ye are washed ye are iustified ye are sanctified Not simply by water but by the holy Ghost and the Spirit of our God Secondly our Mortification for so saith the Apostle Rom. 6 3. Know ye not that so many of vs as are baptised into Iesus Christ were baptised into his death And againe Being buried with him in Baptisme Col. 2 â— wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead That euen as the body being once dead hath in it no motion at all euer after to sin euen so such as are baptised into Christs death become as dead men in respect of sinne Thirdly herein is represented vnto vs our spirituall resurrection to newnesse of life â—ol 2 1â— We are risen with him And againe Rom. 6.4 We are buâ—ried with him by Baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father euen so we also should walke in newnesse of liâ—â— For as Christs death is powerfull in all his members to their mortification of sinne So is his resurrection no lesse effectuall to their viuification and quickening to righteousnesse Fourthly herein and hereby our repentance is set forth for Baptisme is a Symbole of our regeneration for sinne and newnesse of life He came into all the countrey about Iordane Luk. â— 3 preaching the baptisme of repentance for remission of sinnes they were baptised of him in Iordane Mat. 3.6 confessing their sinnes And it is the counsell of the Apostle Peter that hee gaue vnto the Iewes Act. 2.38 Repent saith he and be baptised euery one of you in the Name of the Lord Iesus for the remission of siâ—nes And last of all through our Baptisme our vnion and communion is â—erein signified and represented vnto vs 1 Cor. 12 13. For by one Spirit we are all baptised into one body So that we must now grow vp together with Christ in holinesse So Peter 1. Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto euen Baptisme doth also now saue vs not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ Not with water but our consciences being sprinkled with the bloud of Christ So that in Baptisme is represented 1. Our sanctification 2. Our mortification 3. Our first resurrection 4. Our repentance from sinne 5. Our vnion and communion with Christ Which manifold fruits and benefits which accrue vnto euery true beleeuer through the reuerent vse of this sacred ordinance should teach vs to desire it and to prise the same at a high rate as the dearest pledge of Gods loue vnto his Church But doth Baptisme of it selfe conferre all these excellent gifts and graces to such as are baptised Quest No corporall thing properly can worke vpon a spirituall Answ The water in baptisme cleanseth not the pollution of sinne without the Spirit of Christ which in baptisme regenerateth the true beleeuer So that indeed all the worke of inward grace in and through this Sacrament of Baptisme comes properly from the holy Ghost For so saith the Apostle According to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the holy Ghost So that vnlesse the Spirit of God cooperate and worke together with the outward washing in water in Baptisme the soule remaines still polluted and the conscience defiled and the Sacrament profiteth not at all â— Cor. 12 1 By one spirit saith the Apostle we are all baptised into one body So that it is not water alone but the Spirit accompanying the outward washing that sets vs into the body of Christ by Baptisme The true materiall cause of all our good is the bloud of Christ the holy Ghost applying the same to the soule and conscience of euery true beleeuer VERSE 39. And as soone as they were come out of the water the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip And the Eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way reioycing WE haue in this Verse the happie fruite and effect that followed the ministery of Philip wherein are obseruable two things 1. That miraculous transportation of Philip. 2. The wonderfull ioy that followed First it is said that the spirit of the Lord tooke away Philip. After what manner were curiositie to enquire For as one faith well why should we with danger determine that that without danger we may be ignorant of It is sufficient for vs to know that the Lord hauing effected what was the good pleasure of his owne will in the Eunuchs conuersion he remoued his seruant to another place euen to Azotus to preach the word to another people as we haue it in the last verse of this Chapter Now it came not to passe but by the good prouidence of God that Philip in this strange and miraculous manner should be taken away at this time for herein and hereby the Lord would confirme this Nobleman in the truth that Philip had preached vnto him when he should now consider that he was sent from heauen by a diuine prouidence to instruct him in regard of that his strange and miraculous departure from him Wherein we may take notice Doct. of the wonderfull loue of God towards his people The Lord would haue his seruants setle in the truth that he would not haue them wauer or bee doubtfull in the weightie matter of their saluation but he would haue them to bee grounded and stableshed in the truth and hence is it that the Lord would haue this Eunuch setled in the faith by this miracle that hee wrought Thus he was pleased to confirme his Gospell at the first by miracles from heauen that men might see that it was not from men but from God as our Sauiour saith The works that I do beare witnesse of me And with those signes and wonders we ought to rest satisfied and not to looke for new ones daily as the Church of Rome doth to confirme so cleare a truth For thus to doe were but to calâ— the truth againe into question and to require signes from heauen as the Iewes did We will bee content that the Popish Imposture should bragge and boast of their Miracles as their Straw miracle at Garneis death not worth a straw the miracles daily done by the reliques of some of their he Saints and she Saints this they bragge and boast of this they make a Marke of the true Church
1 Pet. 1.23 We are borne againe not of mortall seed but immortall the word of God c. Secondly it is a christian mans euidence for life and saluation Reas 2 Thy Testimonies haue I claymed as my heritage for euer for why Psal 119.111 they are the very ioy of my heart wee can neuer haue true faith firme hope vndoubted assurance without it Thirdly it is by the Word Reas 3 that we come to haue a sanctified vse of the creatures All things are sanctified by the word and prayer So David I had perished in my affliction Psal 119. bad it not beene for thy word Seeing then that it is so necessary a duty Vse to be conuersant in the Scripture as the ordinary meanes of our saluation as the Christian mans euidence to eternall life and to procure vnto vs a sanctified vse of the creatures and of all estates and conditions of life This shewes how trecherously the Church of Rome doth deale with mens soules herein that barre the people from reading the Scriptures locking them vp in an vnknowne tongue like the Scribes and Pharisees of whom our Sauiour faith thus That they shut vp the kingdome of heauen against men If a Captaine should leade out a Company into the field and permit them to take no weapon in their hands who could but thinke that he intended to betray them into their enemies hand And is not this the practice of that grand Captaine of Rome that whereas the word of God is the sword of the spirit Eph. 6. â—7 a part of a Christian mans armour both offensiue and defensiue whereby we repell the fiery darts of the Deuill how is this wrung out of the hands of men they must not dare to meddle therewith then the which what greater iniury can there be to the soules of men Hitherto of the Preface the Scripture it selfe followeth Hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter and like a lambe dumbe before the Shearer so opened hee not his mouth The words are the Prophet Esayes in his fifty third Chapter and the seuenth verse This Text is a cleare prophecy of Christ and this 32 verse sets out his humiliation only Wherein are obseruable 1 person he 2 passion was led 3 the illustration 1 as a sheep 2 as a lamb 4 extent to be slaine to be shorne 5 the reddition or application of the whole vnto the person of the Lord Iesus Christ so opened he not his mouth He was led as a sheepe c. Q.d. And that as you haue heard Meâ—â—ph he was reading in his Chariot So that ye may know what he read the very place of Scripture on which hee was imployed at the instant of Philips approach vnto the Chariot was this and none other He was led c. First for the meaning of the words He that is Christ Iesus the eternall sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so doth Philip expound it verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus Was led that is was taken and carried away by the traytor Iudas and the high Priests seruants with swords and staues as if he had beene a theefe or male-factor As a sheepe as an innocent and harmelesse sheepe that had beene altogether profitable and commodious and neuer hurtfull or iniurious vnto any To the slaughter to bee slaine and sacrificed for the sinnes of men as sheepe in the time of the Law being offered in sacrifice were first slaughtered and slaine And like a lambe and that ye may yet more fully conceiue of his innocency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if a lambe a meeke and harmelesse lambe bee meet more fully to expresse the manner of his suffering hee was like an innocent lambe a very lambe vndefiled and without spot Before the shearer that meekly and without resistance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth remaine quiet before the shearer suffering his fleece to bee shorne off So opened he not his month euen as it is with a sheepe when hee is slaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a lambe when he is shorne so was Christ Iesus silent he did not striue nor cry nor was his voyce heard in the streets according to that prophecy of old He did not cry Esa 4â— 2 nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the street He roared not like a Swine nor raued like a Dog nor strugled and bit like a wolfe but silently meekly and patiently submitted to the putting off his fleece his tabernacle his life he yeelded vp without resistance The summe of all is this that he that was Lord of all and had all power in heauen and earth was content to be taken by wicked men and carried to the slaughter to the place of shearing yea as a sheepe is slaine without noyse and a lambe shorne without resistance so was it with the Lord Iesus Christ in his death in laying downe of his tabernacle Hitherto of the sense of the words the particulars follow He was led as a sheepe c. He First for the person he 1 The person that is the Lord Iesus Christ for so doth Philip expound the place verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus It is Iesus then that is the proper subiect of this Text of whom the Prophet speaketh Then the Lesson is That Christ Iesus in the onely high Priest Doct. Christ the true sacrifice for sin anoynted of his Father by the sacrificing of his own body to put away sinne hee is the true Paschall Lambe that was slaine from the beginning To him giue all the Prophets witnesse poynting at Christ as the onely Mediator betwixt God and man by his death and passion wee are fully and perfectly redeemed and the iustice of his Father fully satisfied that place of the Prophet Esay is cleare to this purpose Esa 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed The Heaue offering Leuit. 21. Gen 22. Numb 21. the sacrificing of Isaac the Brazen Serpent were all of them but types of Christ And the like may be said of all those sacrifices in the time of the Law as Lambs and Beasts that were slaine and their bloud shed whereto serued these but to leade vs to Christ who by his owne death and bloud-shed put an end vnto them all Heb. 9.12 Not by the bloud of Goates and Calues but by his owne bloud hee entred in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs. Wee are sanctified by the body of Iesus once for all Heb. 10.10 and againe He was made sinne for vs who knew no sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him So the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2 2â— Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that we being
the Lord saith thus vnto him What dost thou here Eliah arise for thou hast yet a further iourney to goe So may I say Blessed redeemer what dost thou here in the garden in this plight the holy Ghost be thy comfort thou hast yet a further iourney to goe thou must hence to Caiphas from Caiphas to Pilat from Pilat to Herod from Herod to Pilat back againe from Pilat to the iudgement Hall there to receiue thy doome to bee crucified vpon mount Caluary a long and weary iourney And thus wee haue seene the first degree of his humiliation his agony in the garden Now wee are to see those great things the which hee suffered at the hands of sinners as the history in the Gospell sets out vnto vs. And while he yet spake Lu 22.47 Behold a multitude and he that was called Iudas one of the twelue went before them and drew neere to kisse him To handle euery part and circumstance of Christs passion how he was taken with swords and staues as a thiefe and malefactor bound and carried away coâ—â—eâ—ted before Herod as an euill doer and howsoeuer they could lay nothing iustly to his charge worthy of death or punishment yet how spitefully they scourged him spit in his face arayed him scornfully in kingly robes crowned him with a crowne of thornes put a reede in his hand in stead of a Scepter to speake of euery of these would aske a large discourse I intend it not howbeit in euery one of these his humiliation doth in part appeare Wee shall rather accompany him to mount Caluary to his Crosse the place of execution as my Text saith As a sheepe to the slaughter that is to mount Caluary there to suffer where wee haue his body racked his blessed hands and feete pierced with nayles his side opened with a speare vinegar and gall giuen him to drinke the high Priests mocking him the souldiers flouting him yea the very thiefe that suffered with him blaspheming him and yet all this was nothing to that burthen of Gods wrath that lay so heauy vpon his soule that made him to cry out and say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me By which words it doth appeare that Christ was not only tormented in body by those rackings and tortures they put his body vnto but that he suffered also in his soule according to the prophecy that went before Esa 5â— â—0 It pleased the Lord to bruise him to put him to griefe his soule was made an offering for sinne God the Father leauing him to those vnutterable sorrowes in his soule for a time and with-holding from the humane nature of Iesus Christ those inward consolations which might comfort and support him We haue knowne and haue heard of many notorious malefactors executed and put to cruell and shamefull deaths as the Gun-powder Traytors c. but did euer any seeme so miserable in death as Christ did of whom the Prophet truely speaketh Esa 53.2 Hee had neither forme nor beautie but was despised and reiected of men And why did the Lord poure out all this contempt vpon his Sonne but to free vs from that shame and misery that did iustly belong vnto vs for so saith Paul He was made sinne for vs 2 Cor. 5.21 that knew no sinne that we might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him Hauing all the sinnes of all the elect imputed vnto him so as Christ seemes not to be cloathed with all the Drunkennesses Adulteries Murthers Blasphemies c. of all the elect throughout the whole world which were now laid vpon him and in his body and soule suffered for them all He was made a curse for vs. Gal. 3.13 Gal 4 4. He was made vnder the law that he might redeeme them that were vnder the law c. Heb. 5.7 He offered vp Supplications with strong crying and teares Hee sweat water and bloud Luk. 22.44 He bare the curse of God in such wise as that it forced him to cry out and say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat 27.46 So that that which the Prophet speaketh of the Church in another case may truely be said of Christ at this time Behold Lam 1.12 and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow wherwith the Lord hath afflicted mee in the day of his fierce wrath And wherefore hath Christ vndergone all these great things for vs but to satisfie the iustice of his Father and to free vs from the wrath to come And hence it comes to passe that the bloud of Christ speaketh better things then the bloud of Abel Heb. 12.29 By Abels bloud Gods wrath was kindled by Christs bloud Gods wrath is appeased the bloud of Abel cryeth for vengeance the bloud of Christ cryeth for mercy the bloud of Abel cryed and had done the bloud of Christ cryeth and will neuer haue done but it auaileth for all the elect vnto the end of the world He alone trod the wine presse of his Fathers wrath He alone bath put out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against vs Esa 69.5 and tooke it out of the way and fastened it on the Crosse Heb. 10.14 and with one offering hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Let vs come to the vses Vse 1 Seeing then that Christ hath suffered so great things for vs at the hands of sinners and all to satisfie Gods wrath for sinne This serues then in the first place to discouer vnto vs the wofull condition of euery impenitent sinner that hath no part nor portion in Christs sufferings for whatsoeuer Christ suffered here in some sort rests for euery wicked and impenitent sinner one day to suffer Gods wrath still burnes against them all the curses of the law are still in force and hauing no part in Christ they can neuer winde themselues from vnder the same And if this were such a misery vnto our blessed Sauiour to bee forsaken of his Father thus for a time and thus to suffer O then what shall be the condition of the wicked in the last day that shall be forsaken for euer and for euer suffer that intolerable burthen of Gods wrath to lye vpon them in those insufferable torments of soule and body Thou that art a Drunkard Swearer vncleane person that liuest yet in thy naturall estate and art yet in thy sinnes not reconciled vnto God in Iesus Christ know O know that thou art vnder the Law a cast man by the Law Christ hath not yet vndertaken for thee but thou thy selfe standest charged with thy owne sinnes and for the same shalt one day bee cast into prison from thence neuer to depart vntill thou hast paid the vttermost farthing And if God did thus torment his owne Sonne that neuer knew sinne how will he spare thee that hast beene a transgressor from the wombe Herein then appeares the endlesse and infinite loue of God the Father to vs wretched and miserable men that
hee should bee pleased thus to send his owne Sonne out of his owne bosome and that to suffer such cursed and hellish torments and all for our sakes and rather then wee should perish and 〈◊〉 damned for euer should himselfe thus grieuously be tormented and be offered vp in sacrifice for vs. When tidings was brought to Dauid that Ionathan his friend was slaine O how did Dauid rent his cloathes fast mourne and cry out O noble Israel 2 Sam. 1.26 how wert thou ouerthrowne woe is we for thee my deare brother very kinde hast thou beene vnto mee and thy loue hath passed the loue of women The case is now ours a more louely then Ionathan is here the Messiah is slaine hee is crucified on Mount Caluary he is dead and gone great cause haue we to cry out and say O noble Redeemer how art thou distressed woe is mee for thee my deare Sauiour very kinde hast thou beene vnto mee thy loue hath passed the loue of women thou hast wounded my heart with thy loue I will not mourne for thee a few dayes as Dauid did for Ionathan but all the dayes of my life when I thinke of this thy passion How can we my brethren behold him thus in the Garden combating with Gods wrath swearing drops of bloud all on a gore bloud and in this plight vpon on the Crosse where his hands I and feete are rent with nayles and his side opened with a speare from whence there issued water and bloud when his bloud was totally exhausted then came there out water and not haue our hearts moued to pitty Vse 3 Thirdly hence ariseth ground of singular comfort and consolation vnto the godly that Christ hath suffered so great things It was not for himselfe hee had in him no sinne neither was there guile found in his mouth It was for vs miserable sinners that lay vnder the law and were cast men by the Law for whom Christ dyed that so hee might remoue the curse from vs and make vs heires of the blessing And therefore whensoeuer Sathan shall accuse vs we may answer him thus Christ iustifieth vs who shall condemne Rom. 8. Hee dyed for our sinnes Rom. 4.5 and rose again for our iustification Sampson Iudg. 14. out of the wounds of the Lyon tooke the sweetest honey so in Christs wounds wee haue the liquor of life that shall refresh the weary soules and nourish vs vnto eternall life Vse 4 Fourthly this may teach vs how carefull wee ought to be of our selues that were redeemed at so high a rate lest by any meanes we sinne against this bloud of Iesus Christ the price of our redemption for if Abels bloud cryed for vengeance against him that shed it what will Christs bloud doe against those that spill it and sinne against it which those doe 1 That sweare by his bloud as too many blasphemous wretches doe How many wayes men sinne against Christs bloud 2 That ioyne their owne merits and workes with the sufferings of the Lord Iesus in the worke of iustification 3 That receiue the Sacrament of his body and bloud vnworthily 4 That contemne that grace that is daily offered in the ministery of the Word Fiftly seeing Christ hath suffered so great things for vs and for our sakes it should reach vs readily and willingly to suffer any thing for his sake and hence is it that the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes exhorteth thus Consider him that indured such contradiction from sinners against himselfe Heb. 12.3 lest ye be wearied and faint in your mindes O what a shame is this that euery mocke euery checke euery taunt or frowne of a mortall man that is but dust should make vs stagger in the good way of righteousnesse whereas the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe indured so great things for vs. Sixtly this commends vn the al sufficiency of Christs sacrifice who with one offering hath consecrated for euer Heb. 10.14 them that are sanctified by that sacrifice of his that was made once for all Verse 11 Against that abhominable sacrifice of the Masse in the which the body and bloud of Christ is offered daily for the quicke and dead Now if this sacrifice in the Masse bee so powerful and effectuall it must be either the continuation of the sacrifice of Christ on the crosse or else the iteration of the same by the Priest which to affirme is blasphemy If they say it is the continuing of that sacrifice of Christ on the Crosse this is blasphemy for what meaneth then the Apostles once for all Heb. 10.10 that by his one sacrifice once offered hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified This were in effect to put the lye vpon those words of the Apostle and to say that the sacrifice of Christ were not perfect on the Crosse but onely begun If they say the sacrifice of the Masse is but an iteration of that Sacrifice of Christs this is blasphemous likewise For what is this but to make Christs sacrifice imperfect Was not this the Argument of the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrews to proue the sacrifices in the time of the Law imperfect because they were daily offered The abhomination of that Idol in the Masse Besides herein appeares the abhomination of that Idoll in the Masse First in regard that by Christs Sacrifice all other sacrifices are taken away for must the Church still rest vpon shadowes when the body is present It is Christ who is the true High Priest vnto God his Father who through his own bloud hath entred into the holy of holies and there made an euerlasting attonement for his people Neither shall there be an end of that sacrifice vntill his coming to iudgement Which we keepe daily in remembrance in the Sacrament of his Supper not daring as the Church of Rome doth to renew any propitiatory sacrifice then that that was once so perfectly made Secondly the sacrifice of Christ was with bloud euen his owne precious bloud that he shed and indeed it was most requisite it should bee so Heb. 9.22 for without bloud there is no remission of sinnes And againe Heb. 9.28 Christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many Which shewes that it cannot be renewed or iterated and therefore that vn bloudy sacrifice in the Masse must needs be a meere Idoll and an abhomination to the Lord. Thirdly this sacrifice of Christs was sharpe bitter and painefull what sense of any paine in the Hoast in the Masse Fourthly the sacrifice of Christ was visible and in one place according to the nature of a true substantiall body This sacrifice of theirs is in a thousand places at once Besides that sacrifice of Christ was of infinite value and worth being able to saue all that come vnto him 1. Ioh. 1.7 to purge away the sins of euery true beleeuer To iustifie vs in Gods sight Rom. 5.9 10. and by the same wee come to haue an
deliuered from sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse by whose stripes we are healed This was that Lambe slaine from the beginning as Saint Iohn testifieth Reu. 13.8 All that dwell vpon the earth shall worship the Beast whose names are not written in the Booke of life of that Lambe that was slaine from the beginning of the world And the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes calleth him Christ Iesus yesterday Heb. 13.8 and to day and the same for euer And howsoeuer this suffering of Christ was now in the last age of the world yet was hee that Lambe that was slaine from the beginning What was the Paschall Lambe to the Iewes and their sacrifices in the time of the Law but Looking-glasses wherin they might clearely behold Christ And hence is it that our Sauiour saith Ioh. 8.56 Abraham desired to see my day and he saw it and reioyced But what might be the difference betwixt the state of the Church in the time of the Law Quest and now in the time of Grace In respect of the matter or person of the Redeemer Answ it is to vs both alike For neuer any could come to life and saluation but onely through Iesus Christ Onely the Fathers in the Primitiue Church hauing the promise of a Messiah to come beleeued the same and by faith laid hold on him and so was Christs death as effectuall vnto them although he were to come as to vs that haue seene his comming in the flesh and the expiration of all those prophecies and promises touching the Messiah in the Lord Iesus Christ to haue their period and determination And the reason is Because by the comming of Christ Reas and in that sacrifice of his death all other sacrifices are taken away and the Altar of his Crosse was the end and dissolution of all other Altars and now what hath the Church to doe to rest vpon shadowes the substance being come and hence it is that the Apostle concludes it thus With one offering he hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Which may serue wonderfully for the confirmation of our faith in a poynt of the greatest moment and consequence that may be and that is that Christ is the vndoubted Messiah and Sauiour of the world For how can we rest vpon Christ for life and saluation if wee be not fully perswaded and assured that it is hee that was promised and prophecyed of of old and are to looke for none other And therefore it is an excellent thing for the confirmation of our faith in the maine ground thereof Christ the Messiah that we parallell the old Testament with the new and see how all those prophecies that went before of Christ haue all their periods and determination in him to giue instance in some of them The prophecies concerning Christ are 1 It was foretold concerning the Messiah that when hee did come hee should not be knowne nor acknowledged to be the Messiah but refused and reiected of the Iewish Nation Esa 53.3 He is despised and reiected of men Psal 118.22 The stone which the builders refused c. 2 That he should be borne of a Virgin Esa 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceiue c. 3 That the place of his birth should be at Bethlem Micha 5.2 And thou Bethlem Ephrata c Out of thee shall he come that shal be the Ruler in Israel 4 That at the time of his birth the Infants in the Country round about should be slaine Ier. 31.15 A voyce was heard in Ramah c. 5 That there should goe a messenger before him to prepare the way before him Mal. 3.1 Behold I wil send my messenger he shall prepare c. 6 That hee should be poore and of no reputation Zac. 9.9 Behold thy king commeth vnto thee poore c. 7 That hee should preach good tidings to the poore and bind vp the broken hearted Esa 61.1 8 That he should ride thorough Ierusalem vpon an Asse Zach. 9.9 Thy king commeth vnto thee lowly riding vpon an Asse 9 That hee should be betrayed into the hands of his enemies by his owne familiar friend Psa 41.9 Yea my owne familiar friend c. 10 That he should befold for thirty peeces of siluer Zach. 11.12 They weighed for my price thirty peeces of siluer 11 That he should be beaten and bâ—â—feted of the Iewes spit vpon Esay 50.6 I gaue my back to the smiters I hid not my face from shame and spitting 12. That he should bee put to death amongst Theeues and malefactours Isa 53.12 He was numbred with the transgressours 13. That the manner of his death should bee the nayling of his hands c. Psalm 22.16 They pierced my hands and my feet 14. That his garments should be parted by lot Psal 22.18 They part my garments amongst them and cast lots vpon my vestuâ— 15. That after his death and buriall he should rise againt out of his graue Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell c. 16. That after all this he should ascend and go vp into heauen and there sit at the right hand of God his Father Psa 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord Sit thou at my right hand c And thus fulfilled Ioh. 1.11 Hee came amongst his owne and his owne receiued him not Mat. 1.18 Before they came together she was found to bee with childe by the holy Ghost Mat. 2.1 Now when Iesus was borne in Bethlem c. Mat. 2.16 Then Herod sent forth his men of warre c. Fulfilled in Iohn Baptist Luk. 1.17 He shall go before him in the â—pirit of Elias to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Mat. 8.20 Foxes haue holes and the fowles of the ayre haue nests c. But the sonne of man hath no where c. Mat. 4.28 Who went about preaching the Gospell and healing euery sicknesse and disease amongst the people Mat. 21.7 And brought the Asse and the Colt and put on them cloathes and they set him thereon Fulfilled in Iudas Ioh. 13.2 Supper being ended Sathan put it into the heart of Iudas to betray him Matt. 26.15 What will yee giue me c. And they appointed him thirty peeces of siluer Matt. 26.67 Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him c. Luke 23.32 And there were also other malefactours led with hm to be put to death Luke 23.23 And when they were come to the place called Caluary there they crucified him Matth. 27.35 And they crucified him parting his garments casting lots Matth. 28.7 Go tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead Mar. 16.19 Hee was receiued vp into heauen I might stand also to shew how the time appointed for the comming of the Messiah should be in the time of the fourth Monarchy which was the Romane Monarchy or Empire Dan. 2 4â— as Daniel foretold And in the time that the second Temple stood â—ag 2 〈◊〉 as the Prophet Haggai foretold And at such a time as