of them 4 And they were all filled with the holy ghost And began to speake with other tongues etc The Plate here Whitsunday DISQUISITION 15. THis Day is worthily devoted to the Holy Ghost the third Person in the Blessed Trinity by whom all things times and persons that are such are sanctified and made holy Epist 118. ad Januarium and therefore so devoted over all the world saith Augustine in memoriall of that day Acts 2. wherein the Spirit after a Wonderful and mysterious manner descended for the propagating governing and preserving of Christs holy Catholick Church unto the end of the world 'T is sometime called Pentecost as being fifty days after our Christian Passeover Deut. 16. The Jewish Pentecost was a memoriall of the Law which was an hidden Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Fifty Acts 2.1 but our Pentecost a memoriall of the Gospel which is the revealed Law One delivered in Mount Sinai th' other in Mount Sion and somtimes called Whitsunday from the glorious light of heaven that was then shed upon the earth as also from a custome of some Christians Thence cloathing themselves in white Cyril Catech. in token of the joy and solemnity thereof as Saint Augustine speaks for whereas Christs Birth and other times we keep in Honour of his coming in the flesh now at Whitsuntide wee should rejoyce more for his coming in the Spirit Now we have a double joy Serm. 133. de Evang. saith he Quod abeuntem Christum non amisimus venientem Spiritum possidemus that we have not lost our Christ departed but yet enjoy the Spirit approached I the Sun of Glory being now in his height shines forth on his Apostles in a Light from Heaven and knowing the worlds charity would soone wax cold as he foretold them Matth. 24. He warmeth them with a shower of Heavens better fire and lest great sorrows for his Absence strike them dumb as ingentes stupent He sendeth each of them for a Token an inspired tongue Christs Promises O how worthy confidence that so in each point answered their necessities as not in any thing left them comfortlesse John 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereas without him Joh. 14.15 16. and his Comforts what forlorne Orphanes are the best of men very Apostles you see in the Metaphor here as fatherlesse children or widdowed mothers Orphanos In locum Hierom rendreth it Orbos so Beza One of the words speaking a neer Allegory to helplesse children The other to deprived parents both pregnantly expressing man's destitute condition without Christ Christs Fatherly affection towards man Man who left alone is the desolatest creature in the world especially for Spirituals how unable therein to help himselfe Rom. 1.19 so much as to a good thought Rom. 7. When thus the Apostles without Christ are very Orphanes as children Fatherlesse exposed to oppressions injuries and delusions Let Nature boast of nothing what are the rest of men without him but even wormes as it were and no men But on the other side How manifestly did Christ's Parentall care appear to them that while present gathered them as an Hen her chicken and now absent set so good a Guardian over them Earth could not afford a Comforter sufficient no alas her miserable ones and therefore Heaven shall nor is any Angel there thought good enough to be intrusted with so dear a charge but even God himselfe the Holy Ghost who from the sweet effects of his Illumination and Assistance is Emphatically stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of all the world the Comforter indeed sometimes he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John 14.16 i. e. another Comforter yet not exclusively but relatively Christ still remaining one Abiit per id quod Homo est manet per id quod Deus 'T is Saint Augustines Christ though absent in body yet by spirituall protection Lo I am with you to the end of the world Matth. 28. Nay and so farre even literally it is made good by Him Matth. 28.20 being personally for ever with our humane Nature Lo I am with you c. or else another Comforter saith Calvin both for distinction of Persons In locum and difference of Gifts as it was proper to the Son to pacifie the wrath of God to ransome us from hell to purchase life by dying but peculiar to the Spirit to aply these Benefits to make us partakers of Christ and all his saving graces I we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cor. 12.14 i. e. Diversities of gifts by that same Spirit or as the same Apostle else where calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the manifold wisdome of God Spiritus benignus Spiritus dulcis Spiritus fortis So St. Bernard He is a Spirit of Comfort as various as our Misery a Spirit of Love to unite the envious a Spirit of strength to support the weak a Spirit of truth to guide the ignorant a Spirit of Consolation to bind up the Afflicted Psal 68.18 So that David's prophesie is fulfilled here Psal 68. Ascendisti Dedisti Thou art gone up on high and hast given gifs unto men I Thou hast now given all good gifts by giving them the Giver of all the Holy Spirit The gifts bestowed as upon this day were of a double considerability viz. Officia Gratiae Abilities or Graces Either gifts of Edification for the Church which are legible Eph. 4.11 He gavesome Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and sme Pastors and Teachers Or gifts of Sanctification for the immediate Benefit of Soules whose Catalogue you have Gal. 5.22 The Fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse c. Psal 68.18 which St. Paul repeats Ephes 4.8 Davids word received and the Apostles Gave no opposition butshewing the Heavenly Derivation c. But what John 20.22 Dr. Hammon in locum had they not formerly received the Holy Ghost Joh. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet some say This signifies here not the actuall giving of the Holy Ghost for that came not on them till Acts 2. and they are appointed to abide at Jerusalem Luke 24.29 til they were endued with power from above which therfore now before his Ascension they had not received and when the Spirit came it would lead them into all truth and as yet it appears by their question Acts 1.6 Acts 1.6 they were not thus led but onely the confirming to them his former promise and by the ceremony of breathing on them to expresse the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The eternall Breath and Spirit of God sealing it as it were solemnly unto them The Holy Ghost not received til now and preparing and fitting them for the receiving of it So saith Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The words Receive the Holy Ghost signifie Be ye ready to receive him and again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. He
be multiplied unto her Full of Glory the Spouse I say that until then like Jacob beyond Jordan was but obscure and of small Retinue able to plead but little visibility but here like Him again having once passed some bitter waters can challenge either Stars or Sands for Number singing now Laudate Dominum omnes Terrae Praise the Lord all ye Lands I. Quid Linguae Gentium nisi conversionem Gentium 1. What else do the Tongues of all Nations here import but the conversion of the Nations Again whereas at first all languages save one were as a curse for sin Gen. 11. Gen. 11. a punishment of pride none of them as yet by some thought holy unlesse the three inscribed on the Cross of Christ viz. Hebrew Greek and Latin why here were all the other sanctified by this appearance of the holy Ghost in Tongues for which Let all Tongues and Languages Kindreds and Nations especially that enjoy these Fountains open and not stopt up by envious Philistins ever sing prayses to the Lord and speak good of his Name for so affording them his word in their owne language as a Means and Message of their Salvation Lastly The Tongue too is an Instrument of Tast as well as Speech Distnguit sapores sapidum ab insipido dulce ab Amaro So doth the Holy Spirit rectifie the Palate of the soul hereby teaching her to relish Good and disgust Evil to prefer a bitter wholesom to a sugered venom 1 Cor. 2.22 to taste and see how gracious the Lord is Psal 34. whereby the natural man saith the Apostle as wanting this same holy Tongue Non sapit quae Dei sunt Discerneth not savoureth not the things that are of God But one may speak too much even of the Tongue it self and therefore now I will cleave off my discourse from the Linguae to the Dispertitae The third Querie Why the Holy Ghost was pleased to descend in cloven Tongues And this Dispertitae some take to be no more then Distributae Tongues divided not in themselves they mean but among their Receivers Ita ut Quisque suam habuit So as that a Peculiar Tongue sate upon each of them But there is more in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that signifieth such as were divided from the middest dimidiated as it were by-forked Tongues in specie Ignis saith Goran Gorran in locum These imitating Fire likewise in its pyramidall Figure may easily bee conceived to spread into a Bipartition And what did the two Branches hereof intimate but the equall mixing of the Law and Gospel for the conversion both of Jew and Gentile In the old Law you know the dividing of the hoof was an argument of cleanness Levit. 11.3 Lev. 11. and the Serpent also that embleme of wisdome to which Christ schooleth our Imitation Matth. 10. hath Linguam bifurcatā Matth. 10.16 a kind of a forked tongue Here therefore why may not the cleaving of the tongue be an apt Symboll of sincerity Sure that tongue which rends it selfe off from worldly and corrupt communication and setleth to Gods praises is one of the Holy Spirit 's cloven tongues For the Devill too playeth Gods Ape and hath his cloven tongues viz. those that love division flattery and dissimulation as well as his fiery tongues viz. such as love lying slanders oathes blasphemy and imprecations And these likewise I fear may all Nations hear I am sure our's may almost in every corner speaking in their own language Horribilia Diaboli the fearfull works of the Devilll But not to proportion my discourse of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Sin of Tongues lest I be infinite or rather uncessant but in stead thereof let us take a more necessary glance of the number here the Holy Ghost descended on For we read of 120. assembled Acts 1.15 But Beza and some others restrain this Advent of the Spirit Acts 1.15 to the Apostles onely because indeed the promise was made to them and He led them forth at his Ascension and the Grand Charge was laid on Them Go forth and preach c. yet for all this the stream runneth th' other way C. à Lapide with a cloud of witnesses affirmes the Holy Spirit shed on all that Company but not without Discrimination In locum Acts 1. cap. 10.47 and this argued first from that Question Acts 10. Who can forbid water that these should not bee baptized having received the Holy Ghost as well as wee besides we know more were to preach the Gospel then the Apostles Luke 10.1 He appointed other seventy Luke 10. and they then had need of tongues But then here may bee objected that there must be divers women in this Company besides the blessed Virgin Acts 1.14 Acts 1.14 and They not permitted to speak in the Church needed not this gift of tongues but we may thus salve the scruple The Holy Ghost here probably descended on them all Apostles and others men and women Joel 2.28 according to Saint Peters exposition of that place of Joel Effundam Spiritum I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh your sons and your daughters shall prophecy Acts 2.17 c. Acts 2.17 which he there appropriateth to that every businesse to take off the Enthusiasticall Pretenses of this Age yet all this not to the same end nor in the same degree as one that was present there Saint Paul will tell you 1 Cor. 12. 1 Cor. 12.8 To one was given by the Spirit the word of wisdome to another the word of knowledg by the same Spirit To others the gift of Faith to others Prophesie to others the Discerning of Spirits as was most necessary to their severall conditions but to the Apostles and to their Helpers the higest Degree of Illumination Diversitie of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues because they were to convert the Nations Serm. 69. de Temp. So that we may conclude it gratefully with St. Augustine Spiritum sanctum à Christo promissum duodecim Apostalis datum numero decuplato O the great Fidelity and Liberality of Christ that promised a Gift to 12 Apostles and performeth it to ten times twelve which is 120. teaching us to be spaing in protestations ample in performances not like Antigonus sirnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of whom it is said he never denied any thing was asked nor ever performed any thing he promised but like David to keep our word though it bee our losse it shall be our Gain a better way Psalm 15.4 it is a Qualification of a St an Imitation of Christ you see who here promised his Apostles only filleth all of them with the Holy Ghost And while they are thus filled with the Holy Ghost some mockers are so empty of him as to say the Apostles are filled with new wine Acts 2. Acts 2.15 If They did not sure enough their Successours shall never want Censures and Derisions
Pair of cleansing streames flow'd from the Side Of our deare Lord when on the Crosse he dy'd Even Christs two witnesses who though not slaine Yet slay our sinnes and fresh his Death againe Our Brace of Spies that from blest Canaan brings Newes of its cheering wines and fruitfull Springs A Mother hath but two Breasts Ours These are For spirituall Nutrition thriving fare The two Church dores open to who desire First leading into th' Body then the Quire The one a Spirituall Matriculation T'other such nourishment and Education Then not to Tantalize you on and Tast The Delicates of their Divine repast Vpon Holy Baptism Gen. 15.17.11 1 Cor. 1.16 1. The INDULGENCE CHRIST no hard Master our Indulgent Lord Now for harsh Sacraments doth milde afford No way ward Zippora need now upbraid Her Moses bloudinesse or be afraid Her Child's life cut together with his Skinne That Bloud 's turnd Water now but wash thy sinne His Yoake in deed is easie Burthen light Wear 't all Life's day and rest well at Death night 2. The LAVER To wash is ease but Thereby to doe good Faith must our Water mingle with Christs Bloud And then it takes out Staines of deepest dye And gives more then our own first Purity A Simon Magus else may be Baptiz'd And passe for a Disciple so disguis'd 'T is not the Water only but the Dove Moving upon 't doth the Soules Laver prove 3. The LISTING This is the Military Sacrament Giving to each Presse-money from Christs Tent Engaging us to warre ' gainst Sinne and Hell Such and so many Foes need guard us well Mind we our part 'o th Compact as Christ his Who the victorious Crowns with Grace and Blisse But who his Standard cowardly doth flye You know by Martiall Law deserves to dye But there 's a Chancery in our Leaders breast That who returns shall be a pardon'd Guest 4. The ARK This is Christs Ark as 't were while Flouds of Sinne Deluge the World to shroud his Servants in Even in his Churches armes then no time slip To have poore Soules imbarqued in this Ship Dispute not Infants Faith thou graft's thy Plant Though in its Youth and Winter it fruit want Commerce of Spirits goes not by age or acts Externall but where Gods free Grace affects And Christ most favour did to such dispence Schooling the Gravest to their Innocence Forbid not then these Sacramentall Rites To such as Jews admitted Christ invites His Ordinance and promise who neglect Are out of 's Arke and may the Floud expect And as for timely entrance Care be ta'ne So must there too that all i' th' Ship remain As Saint Paul caution'd for offences foule Cast Jonah's Lot on a bestormed Soul But after such a wrack no better plank Then deep Remorse to land on Safeties bank Vpon the Holy Eucharist 1 Cor. 11. John 6. 1. A FEAST TO thy Grand Houshold Th' art a bounteous Lord For all the World spreading an ample Board But specially for Man at whose feet all The severall Species in subjection fall Yet thine own Israel doe higher fare And Fellow-Commoners with Angels are The Rocks are broacht to quench their Thirst at wish They doubly Feast with first and second Dish And yet all these but figure in a mist The Viands thou preparest thine in Christ The former of thine Alm's-basket are fed But unto These Thou giv'st thy self for bread Bread thresh'd and ground to dust by Sinne and Jews As Staffe of life ' then let us this Bread use Walk with it all our wayes and 't will sustaine Our hearts from slips in Sinne from falls in paines The better Jacobs Staffe that guides to Heaven From whence this Feast the Feeder doth enliven As Grace before made Thee a welcome Guest So let Zeale waite and due praise close the Feast 2. The RANSOM Our life 's a warfare and our hellish Foes Too numerous and strong daily enclose Us in their fatall Nets insulting still Or'e us as Bond-slaves captiv'd to their will But Judah's Lyon by victorious power Free's his Sheep from those Wolves that would devoure Christ to our Rescue did descend This day And unto Heaven with him bore the Prey Nor are wee only Prisoners of Warre But of Debt also and ingag'd so farre That all we have or are can never free Our Soules be-dungeon'd to Eternity Yet cheere up drooping Wights he that essaid To Rescue you and did hath also paid The Price beleeve it farre beyond best Gold Your Debts and Forfeitures and this day told A Summe so great could not be understood Paid willingly too though as drops of Bloud Henceforth by double Ransome then His be Whose service is most perfect Liberty 3. An ANTIDOTE How sick doth Poyson swallow'd make the Heart Diffusing Venom into every part Within without all ulcered and thus The Serpents Teeth and Apple had serv'd us But here 's a soveraign Antidote made up Of rare Ingredients mixed in this Cup Of Bloud and Grace which who drinks heartily Shall be so Cur'a as live immortally 4. The CEMENT How should These mixt Tenacious Cement make To bind all in a Building should partake One Common Uniformity and grace Each other with proportion in its place This tyes Christs Members in a mutuall knot Never to be rescinded or forgot Unto their saving Head uniting all In Love and Duty both perpetuall Till He and They as in grace here below Above in Glory all one Body grow Vpon Holy Orders Or the Ministeriall Function 1 Cor. 9.11 1 Tim. 3.1 2 Cor. 2.16 1 Tim. 4.16 2 Cor. 4 7. Ch. 5.20 1 Tim. 5.17 VVHich the Worlds two main Burthens if you aske Truth saith the Kingly and the Priestly taske Both Heaven-born Functions but the last all fire They 'd need all Caution be who That aspire Indeed for Soule-cure who sufficient is It startles even a chief Apostle this What Atlas shoulders nay what Angels fit Thus to beare Heaven up and yet since it Is Both Gods acceptation and Decree This Treasure should in Earthen Vessels be We gratefully attend the Divine call And then in all obedience 'fore it fall But without That and signaliz'd by those Who rightly have the Keyes on 't to dispose We stirre nor Foot nor Hand least Uzzah-like Some suddaine Vengeance our presumption strike Must all your Arts and Plants mature with time And This which needs most leape into it's Prime Beware bold Flies that buzze about This flame Lest your proud wings being scorched in the same Your fond Icarian zeale at last fall down Into that Lake which Pride shall ever drown But you that by both Callings enter faire Snuffe your own Lights and take a watchfull care The Wearer doe not holy Vestments staine Or to your Master a dishonour gaine If undeserved Scandall doe you spoile Those Shafts to their own Shooters breasts recoyle Knowledge the Head the Heart crowns Holinesse Light and Perfection make up Aarons Dresse Spirituall and Corp'rall Charities With fervent Prayer's