affirm that here they are breathed upon to dispose their minds already sanctified for the Spirits reception in a more solemn manner in the dayes of Pentecost MOREOVER a religious melancholy seazing on the vitals of their Spirits and belief of their Masters proceeding from or ascending to the Father in and for their behalf the Spirit being a pledge of Salvation the strength and life of the Soul is here given by an apt similitude of a breath foâ— as the visiâ—le body of Christ was not God so neither is the breath here felt to be estimate the spirit to confirm them that as the breath came from him so should or so did the Spirit proceed from him likewise which the Greek Church to this day denys affirming his procedure from the Father only which is seen say some in their punishment in looâ—ing their Imperiable Citty Constantinople their Emperour Crown and Kingdome being taken by the Turk upon this day in the Calendar An. Dom. 1237. wherein the nature gifts and proceeding of the Holy Ghost are taught explained and truly commemorat in the Orthodox and Latine Church MANY good things our Saviour had taught especialy about his Death and Resurrection which the Spirit was appointed to bring to their Remembrance the brain of man in it self being naturally dull hereby is cleared and as his birth purifieth ours as his life instructeth ours as his death destroyeth ours as his Resurrection preceedeth ours and as his Ascension prepareth ours so his sending down of the Holy Ghost helpeth us mightily in the reflecting upon these things against all infirmity whatso-ever oyling the wheels of the Soul makeing that lift up it self being otherwise bowed down and by this is said Woman or man thou art loosed from thy infirmity causing them still look forward oâ— like a religious pulley stil haleing or pulling the soul heaven-ward to a loveing of spiritual things contrary to the carnal mind spiritually hence the Sunday betwixt his Ascension and the Spirits descension is called from the entrance of the twenty eight Psalm Dominica exaudi as if from that time the Church of old and yet now had been still calling praying for and expecting a fuller portion of the Spirit this breath being but the first fruits untill the harvest a taste only of Canaeans grapes a warm breath a refreshing gale untill the mightier and rushing wind should blow when Iesus had been glorified THERE are two principal parts of the body viz. head and heart to which in the soul corresponds the understanding and the will it being led and moved by these as greater wheels and God in his Church hath to both of these in resemblance Christ and the Spirit the head and heart of his Congregation for understanding of and being guided unto the things concerning life and by these we know he loveth us and by that knowledge procureth in us Love and Ioy by divine illumination toward himself the Spirit being that Regius or great Divinity Professor teaching from within the mysteries of God for what ever David the Psalmist Amos the Prophet Daniel the Prince Peâ—er the fisher Samuel the Sâ—er or any other Priest Prophet or Patriarch taught were but lecturs of his composing words of his frameing sentences of his drawing up directing how to believe how to live how to walk and how to talk how to love and how to adore how to weep and how to pray all with admireable wisdom holy zeal and fervent charity THE Spirit was here given about the Resurrection before the Ascension after which the spâ—ce of ten dayes reckoning from the fortieâ—h that is from the Passeover for he was given again so that we are to observe the feast of Pentecost when the HOLY GHOST came from heaven whereby they as all good men are made to look up before which we must meet and assemble so receiveing it in the Word breathed upon us on Earth this doubling of the Spirit being like the two-fold Commandement of loveing God who is in heaven and loving man who abideth upon Earth yet it 's but one command acting on different objects so it s also one Spirit given and acting for differâ—nt things or for discovery of that one great thing the Trinity FOR the Son having been visibly known among men the Father also revealed by the things that are seen there remained one thing to enforce the certainty and existance of three Persons that was the appearance of the HOLY GHOST who had once come as unto Noahs ark like a dove in the evening of the world upon Christ the Lord expressing the meeknesse peaceablnesse harmlesnesse of them who are as houses inhabited by him this was at his baptisme the next as is thought was in a cloud strengthning his constancy glorifying his purity and heating his fervency this was at his transfiguration A third was by a breath for animating a perplexed little flock about the removeal of himself from them a few dayes before his Ascension A fourth was in fire in tongues and this was after his glorious Session at the right hand of the Majesty on high giving them a noon-day knowledge to understand all Scripture power over all Devils wisdom against all Philosophers Eloquence against all Orators Patience against all Torments Gifts to convert all Nations Confidence in the love of God for subduing of unruly lusts Grace for persevering in all good works Lastly Ioy in the peace of a good conscience through Christ and him crucified whence it is sayd they were al filled with the HOLY-GHOST in contradistinction to those portions or draughts they had received before so diminute that it s said the HOLY-GHOST was not yet given q. d. in that ample and miraculous measure because Iesus was not glorified John 7.19 WHICH when done they are quasi overcharged and Speaking were thought drunk that is intoxicated which in a trope they were but not as the Jews â—uppos'd with wine but with the new-wine of the Spirit wherewith the old bottles of corrupâ—ed self could not be brimmed the Vine whence it flowed being above the liquor whereof stupâ—fied not the braine but transmented the Soul noâ— causing staggering but confiâ—ming in faith and joy as in the Citty by that River which maketh glad the Citty of God which they renewed by wind fire and tongues were capacitate to drink of the one blowing away the chaff the other heating the Spirit giving light also to the dark chamber of vain Imagination the last promoting to speak refinedly perswadingly being cleansed from carnall sordidness and earthly selfishness delighting in no talk but of the wonderfull works of God IT is usuall with Expositors to shew the analogy between things themselves and that which is represented by those things In how many wayes the Paschall Lamb and Christ doth agree the Red-Sea and baptisme the Cross and the brazeâ— Serpent Iesus and Aaron David and Ioseph is not of our province but how aptly doth wind represent the operation of the HOLY GHOST in those upon whom he cometh
yet with this excellent and comfortable difference that as Moses yeelds to Christ so must Sinai to Sion here was fire only their fire and smoak there was clouds darknesse and earth-quakes accompanâ—'d with fear and trembling Sinai it self quaking But in Sion only a sound as of a mighty wind to prepare the receivers and cloven tongues uniting Iew and Gentile the boundiary of the wilderness being pulled up and variety of tongues perswaded the scattered abroad that God had given the Kingdoms of this world to his dear Son that in a spirituall sence not Israel only but the Earth might become the Lords and the fullnesse thereof typified by that multitude gathered and converted by the heat fireynesse yet harmlesnesse of the Saints charity and ardor having received the remission of sin and that from heaven the self same day their Fathers received the law against which they had transgressed for both was at the time oâ— Pentecost as may be demonstrated in computing the time thus THE people came from Egypt on the 14 day of the month there therefore remained 16 dayes for travell the Hebrews always reckoning 30 dayes for a month the first day of the third month they came to Sinai 30 dayes of the second month being accounted there will with this be found 47 dayes then the Peoples encamping Moses goeing up to God his returning again to the people for clear calculation is called one day which is 48 in which going up again to the Mount he is ordered by God to order the peoples being ready against the third day which will make the 50. â—n which God appeared for reckoniâ—g from the peoples want of bread or fall of Mannah is uncertain and may be erronious this is more clear and evidenceth the Anology better betwixt that fire from God by the Ministry of Angels and writting his law on tables of stone and that by fire in the descending of the Spirit that came one the 50 day after the slaying of the Passover Christ Iesus writting his law upon the tables of the hearts of men in a fuller fairer larger and more clear Character typ or impression but note this reckoning is inclusive the other not THE Persians and some other nations adored the fire for a god because of its excessive power and force in resolving matters combustible how great so-ever into it's own substance and being and usually it 's accounted the most noble among elements being as the heavens among bodies the sun among planets yea it 's purgeing operation made it of old to be the heirogliphick of purity as if they had known the world it self was to be cleansed thereby but how hath the fire of the Spirit from Ierusalem enlarged it self making the frosted heart of the unbelieving world even to glow while it talks of the Cross from heaven which is one of the three things by wise men admired in the earth looking upon the Resurrection and Ascension far short in comparison of that conquest the Holy Ghost hath made of the Grandees of the Nations in their honourable receiving of that doctrine from the mouths of plain men so contrary to the hair of natural inclination and mark it where ever the Spirit cometh it comes ordinarly by the sound of the Gospel and by it's heat we are assured of his reception a heart touched a heart pricked is but a heart heated a heart open'd when a man crys what shall I do with Peters converts Acts 2.37 or take away the iniquity of thy Servant with David 2 Sam. 24.10 surtiship may be offered that the Spirit hatâ— spoken in a saveing way but if it be a complaint of the punishment with Cain or a remove the â—râ—gs with Pharaoh be not rash in Cautoâ—ry this being a Legal not a Gospel expression far from that request of creating a clean heart which the Iews compareth to the Holy of Holies to Solomonâ— throne to Mosesâ—ables â—ables and truly displays that the wickednesse is done away by the Spiriâ—s inhabiting his resting therein and writting thereupon the doctrine of pardon and remission provyding the man seperate himself from an untoward generation Acts 2.40 IT 'S said the Spirit sat upon each of them in which it differs from that unclean Spirit that goeth about compassing the earth to and fro seeking rest but findeth none whereas holinesse is pacifique serene tranquilling consolidating the heart in which he dwels makeing it calm in it self and causing quietnesse towards all others condemning Ambition Covetousnesse Hatred Envy Vanity and what ever els tends to the Churches disturbance in which the Spirit rests sitting in it as upon a Throne purposing to reign as on a Tribunal resolving to judge as on a Chair purposing to instruct for all which in all ages to come he represented his undertakeing on this day establishing himself upon the Apostles heads as by fire clearing them from the rust of Errour the filth of Corruption that as Patterns as well as Preachers they might be exâ—mples of Sanctity to their own generation and give infallible rules for obtaining happinesse unto all posterity for ever COMPVNCTION of heart and remission of sin are both from the Spirit of God and is that new wine which shall only be put in the new bottles of a regenerated soul whereby they shal do and speak as the Spirit shall prompt them I had almost said as the Spirit give them utterance as here the Apostles for we find the whole house was filled with the rushing wind the Majesty of the Holy Ghost excluding all in-maets and though each Apostle had the sanctifyed operation of the Spirit filling every angle and corner of the soul as the understanding with Faith the will with Love and that sin or Devil might be exiled the hands with Promptitude the feet with Solicitude the eyes with Modesty the tongue with Eloquence the whole man with Prudence the Faculty Concupiscible being filled with good the Irascible with courage the Rational with verity though they had all gifts and were all filled yet they spake as the spirit gave them utterance some had five others had two talents and S. Paul abounded and spake with tongues more then they all whereby he who expects the gifts bestowed unto all ought not to caresse himself or hug and embrace himself in the deceiving hopes of a rich ample and perfect possession of the Spirit here but rest satisfied with his gift and with being one of the eleven not envying Peters singularity for he is particularly spoken of and eminency since a pinnace a small yaught shall land as wel as a great ship with full sail under the conduct and flag of the Admiral VPON the coast of the Whit-sea there is a cap called Pentecost and somewhat east of that there is another called Bonae Fortunae q d. good-luck let this day be any mans Pentecost a time of gathering in that is of heeding the law offering the first fruits of strength unto the Lord as the Jews did this day of their
Wisdom to cure our folly righteousness to remove our irregularity Sanctification to wash away uncleannesse and Redemption to obliterat our guiltinesse AND verily she had her reward and shall have for may we not see with Elizabeth blessed is she that believeth and in temptations to pride to avarice in the surges oâ— a tempestuous world among other Saints Mary as a star may be veiwed and as a copâ—py followed in this her act of relying upoâ— Gods Testimony which is thought no sooâ—â—er to be done then Christ was conceived That Holie thing said the Angel pointing aâ— it were then at him now in her womb the person of the Son of God bodily formed of heâ— flesh bloud not by transmiting the deity into the substance of flesh or flesh into that of thâ— deity but by uniting both in one subsistinâ— person so that neither the Godhead was manned nor the Manhood Goded but both though dâ—stinct really united qualifying the Impassible to suffer the Immortal to dy and the Eternal God who had ever been to be by a Mystery not to be apprehended and is the Mystery of Godlinesse God humbling himself for men that is for their good to men because born a MAN above men for though like them he was born of a woman yet was he unlike them in so far as in her he was formed by the Holy Ghost and born of her a religious virgin in him also the God-head bodily abideing CAN we do here lesse then cry out blessed is the womb that bare thee and the paps that gave the suck the womb bearing him who is the Author of all blessednesse to us the virgin becoming Spouse to the Father Mother to the Son and habitation to the Spirit hail Mary thou art highly favoured being made the restorer of thy sex sorrow in bringing forth imposed for sin by thee not felt when from thee we received Iesus God from the Father Christ man from the Mother therefore blessed art thou among women the blessed fruit of thy Virginity expressing a blessing to all the Daughters of Eva abideing in following after or cleaving unto thy pattern set them of Simplicity and Faith even in thine in their Child bearing thou as a star emitting beams of light upon the earth from thy breasts giving food to him who giveth meat to all flesh beareth the price of mans Redemption the mean of the Angels confirmation in thy armes thou art highly favoured God workâ—ng in thy belly three wonders for our astonishment and cureing of our heart first in preserving thy Virgin purity in integrity though in flesh 〈◊〉 the Ark was covered with pure gold in frucâ—tifying thy Virginity and makeing it conceive as the bush burned and was not consumed Lastly by an meffable joining of earthly thinâ—s and heavenly together thou 〈◊〉 Iacobs ladder touching both thou art highâ—ly favoured For in thee God becomes MAN a Virgin turns a Mother and the heart of mâ—â— believes all being peâ—swaded thou aâ—t the Mother of our Lord yet thy Lords handâ—maid that is our Lords Servant for thoâ—â— was made by him and if God be terrible oâ—â— of his holy places how much more wonderfull when he appears out of thy bowels having been compass'd by thy womb Thoâ— art highly favoured therefore Hail Mary 〈◊〉 heavenly salutation while thou was upon Earth yet on Earth thy worshipping of him ought to expound unto us its robbing him of his just devoir to pray unto thee since he was born by thee to become the Author of eternal Salvation to all that believe and to thy ignorant adorer I imagine that is I conceive thou sayes Man what have I to do with thee seing he is the Lord thy God worship thou him for it s written him only shalt thou serve c. THE english word compass is known and the root Sabab is of the same sense importing round about or on every side whence some apply the word to the Church who should after much wandring and wantonnesse cleave to embrace the Lord her Husband as the barren womb doth a man but this being no new thing we make progresse in our first interpretation affirming the words sound a retreat to the Church in her unprosperous war against God perswading to a Reformation of life upon this new Creation beseeching them as els-where the Apostle by the Mercies of God and of our Lord Iesus Christ who to cultivat our barren souls had first appointed the bloud of beasts in sacrifice next our own in Circumcision and when both failed the desiâ—ned effect by this new thing his last and great work that from his mouth the mouth of a Bab the bloud of a Lamb of this Lamb of God we might be perswaded to bring forth fruit upon the sight of such pure innocency who not being heard when he thundered might be heard when he weeped yea loved and obeyed descending unto Earth that he might be kissed of such who while he sat in heaven was not feared God purposeing to ereat nothing to save the impenitent this being done to enforce abhorrency of every evill way and the newnesse of it causeing wonder might the more to enflam godliness the worthies Kings and Prophets of the former ages not knowing not seeing this that is knew it not saw it not fuâ—filled for though it be said The Lord hath created a new thing in the Earth yet the time of utterance sheweth it only to be prophesied of because of which the People of the prophets generation might be ascertain'd that it should be as if it been past and gone God speaking of things that are not as though they were and to come as though already done so in after ages A woman did compass a man ENDVED he was in probability with a rational Soul from the first instant of his glorious conception the Holy Ghost framing by his power his pure body withâ—ut those previous preparations of natural formation infusing likewise his Soul before the ordinary number of thirty six or fourty six dayes which casteth the birth upon the seventh or the ninth moneth for though he was like unto us in all things yet the exception of sin includeth such effect as emerge from it of which pain in conceiving or in bringing forth is to be exempted from his Mother or imperfection of parts or lack of a Soul from himself we speak not of the extension or delineation of his members which must be by time perfected but of his bodies organization which how smal so ever might be animated that be from the beginning mâ—ght be both God and man which of an Embrio could not properly be allowed and the body being immediatly the work of the Spirit of Power makes diffiâ—ult to grant the body of Christ to be shaped or figured according to the wonted manner of men the Scripture as leaving it doubtful expressing the Embrio which can neither be caâ—led Male nor Female fruit whereas Iesus must be reputed to have always been God and MAN and MAN here
enforceth the same conclusion the word Child in other places not enervating the inferences that being used more effectually to demonstrate the verity of his INCARNATION THIS one word MAN proved a confounding Topick to the Iews in their pungent hopes of a Messiah foretold by a reaming Prophetissa of their own who being with child predicted of a deliverer in her womb her belly indeed grew yet their hopes grew bigger untill the Chast-Damosell was delivered of a lusty Girle which brought her Country-men to bed of a brown that is a shamefull and melancholy study But our Redeemer like the true Lamb of God Exod. 12. was taken from the flock of mankind a Male a MAN without blemish without sin In the evening born in the last age of the world and to be eaten whole believed wholly in as God Christ and Man Christ without which what can be thought of these Scriptures but forgeries as that he grew in wisdom and stature Math. 2. that is as MAN or that he knew not the Judgment day that is as MAN or that he made the worlds Heb. 1 or that he was in the beginning which is to be understood only as he was God so that our Iesus is canonically I should say Levitically fitted to be a sin offering by whose Masculine Vertue through grace the sins of the world are to receive expiation let none therefore in malice or in mirth henceforward maintain the Etymon of Woman to be wo to man but derive it rather from wonder of men all fixing and centering their eyes on this woman and this MAN as objects for samplars of joy and admiration SATAN at first by the Serpents craft abused the woman into credulity perswadiâ—g her too attentive ear to betray the heart into lust by which death triumph'd over all her Sons But here is a Daughter of Eva hearkning unto the words of an Angel of light baâ—â—ling Satan believing God rather yea bâ—foâ—e her self and becometh a great instrument of salvation wounding Satans head for her Son bruised it in which his craft and tongue are both destroyed and like David with the head of Goliath erects trophees and signs of eternal conquest over the legions of Death and Hell Conceiving by â—aith bearing by faith pondering in and storeing up in her heart â—hatever could corroborat her faith unâ—ill her Son had made both his and our enemies become his foot-stool By his horn FOR he is the horn of Salvation Luke 1 i. e. his power and beauty as by the horn of a Unicorn pushing yea breaking the Devils stem not only antidoting but annihilating any poyson he can or doth lay in our way to hurt us it is true that too great confidence made Eva talk with the Serpent she being without fear whence even in a Phisical sense for her punishment there yet is a pannick dread generally in her sex at the sight even of a dead snake but thogh Mary was terrified or put out of countenance at the Angels Salutation or first appearance conceiving him as is conjectured a man she solitary whence good in the accost might be suspected let in any case spiritual horrour in Serpentine discourses or Satanick blandishments or sinful appearances staining a good report contrary to Christian modesty to the fleshes satisfaction in any debauch be always rooted in us for avoiding the wages of either of these which is Death And if any put the evill day far off yet as the seed of the woman like things long look'd for came at last so the Veracity and truth of God shall at length display it self to the terrour of all adversaries and shall prosperously publish it self in accomplishing what ever it predicted for the believers consolation as after some thousand years by and in a woman was the promise of the seed in the person of our Saviour perfected A woman shall compasse a man is not this strength out of weaknesse and visibly evident at his birth she first bringing him forth we read of no Midwife next she wrapped him in swadling cloaths we find no assistance and she laid him in a manger BEHOLD a new thing cheefly in civiliz'd Nations in honest births Tulliola the Daughter of Cicero dyed in labour Iulia the Daughter of Caesar dyed in Child-bed and weaknesse generally is found in Travel and help called for in bringing forth but this Hebrew woman was strong and in History neither had nor demanded aid Joseph her spouse not dareing to touch what he begat not or it may be was exercised about some other employment while she swadled the Child and laid him in a manger THE ancients generally record it to be of a rock and histories registrat the truth of that to have been seen of many and what more pertinent for the rock upon whom the Church was to be builded then a rock for him the Mystical foundation to be laid in But of this cum Deo we shall speak elswhere and Ioseph standing by when the shepherds entered to shun the surmise of scandal and remove the beginnings of an ill bruit apt enough to kindle in the breasts of them whose hard heartednesse drove his great bellyed mother to a stable for though there was at the birth of Iohn great joy yet at Christs save in heaven and in shepherds we read of little but that world knew no better we have more full intelligence and understand though our hearts be rocky and our bosoms as the stable common filthy and unclean yet he is born a Saviour to deliver us from both as a Moses to break the one as a Hercules pardon the comparison to cleanse the other for which let the Holy bâ— glad because here is a rule let the honourable rejoice for here is a fountain the humble for here is a pattern the dying for here is life the sinner for here is a Redeemer born who purposeth to pay their Ransome and for that end more enriched then was that Silesian Child born A D. 1585 Decem. 22. In whose mouth afterwards was found a great jawtooth of gold approaching to the Carat of Hungary for he hath precious bloud without which there is no remission which as a priâ— from his holy body he shall deposit to procure us from slavish servitude and spirit of bondage and therefore in these days it is unlawfull to be surly out of spite and unholy to be sad except for sin touch taste and see that God is good and rejoice for to you is born a Saviour Christ the Lord. AVGVSTVS about this time this good time by proclamation order'd none to call him Lord prompted sure unto it by a spirit not of flesh and bloud so let no lust rule over you but bow the knee to him of whom it 's said And let all the Angels of God worship him pay tribute unto him who is over all the world evidencing that where ever you are as Ioseph in Galile that there is peace with you towards him having either yeelded or being subdued by the
self experience the brusing of the serpents head PROVIDED he come not as Iudas to betray him or his cause for love of this present world the poyson whereof infecting the heart of Iudas to mercilesse treacherie eating up the bowels of compassion made to retaliat his crime his own bowels to be cast into the earth yet not so low but they stand as a beacon that we may avoid an evill custome pilfring and stealing the consequence thereof an evill conscience and the perfection of that the place prepared for hypocrites and unbelievers but what Pilat said thy own nation have delivered thee unto me may both Turk and Pagan say of Christ the lives of Christians scandalizing the nations through avarice pride interest and malice contradicting that good confession My kingdom is not of this world securing Pilat from fear of rebellion or disturbance in his Government by stratagems of war or engines of State whereas by both we seek not only to invade the territories and dominions of those differing from us but maligâ—s corrupts deâ—ames enviously calling away away with them who in principles of Religion are one with our selves AS Iudas avarice one the on hand â—o Peter's Arrogance is to be avoided on the other ingoing over this brook he also went with Christ arrogating to himself what was not in him he seemed as the Pharisee to despise others and gave to his Master a flat contradictory speech in the vehemency of his supposed constancy a warning for the strongest to say I am weak since his fall from the occasion of it a Woman a Maid a Wench pricks the bladder of self confidence and causes the informed to bear a low sail least if by his example doctrine be not drawn of humility Pride become our ruine as we see in those days in which holinesse that is strictnesse getting an honourable name becomes a shelter a pent house for more subtile sinners their subtilty being only in this viz in a high ungrounded conceit of themselves from which if we this day arise it shall be good-friday forgetting the lâ—cks which by many of you is eat this day as a proper food as well as the onyons and garlike of earthly sensuality makeing the breath of our Spiritual converse too too ranky fâ—ast upon the sour herbs of lowly and repentant considerations being circumcis'd Israelits and proper for the Paschal Lamb of the Gospel compensing the dâ—shonour we have given the most high by sinfull because fleshly dainties by the sorrow and sighings bitter reflections from a mortified because converted soul for denying the Lord that bought us being first remembred by the Cock croâ—ing next by Iesus looking that is by the sound of the word next by meditation thereof remembring he said the Lord resisteth the proud but giveth Grace to the humble as the justifying the Publican in the paâ—able discovers THE ancients in their baptism did dip or sprinkle three times the baptized in remembrance of the holy Trinity or the three dayes lying in the grave of the Son of man that even in this demersion they might be conformed to the sufferings of their Lord and how hath S. Pa. boasted of his being crucifyed with Christ and presseth to the likenesse of his death for our being crucified by keeping from the filthinesse of the flesh and walking with Zacharias Righteously one hand being nailed that is bound up against the injustice of the world and with Elizabeth Blamlesly the other hand detained from the intemperance of the world making straight paths for our feet in a prudent heeding of our ways our hearts and sides pierced with the spear or sword of the word of God and thence as bloud and water to flow forth Love to God charity to man crowned with the sharp thorns of inward compunction for our folly and of outward compassion for our Brothers adversity beholding the solidity of this world to be but emptinesse of a Spunge and all it's delights as Vineger to the teeth forbearing to drink of that Myrhe of envy malice and all uncharitablenesse wherewith the world doth in extremity furnish her prisoners and captives as Christ knew THEN may the soul cry the prince of this world cometh and findeth nothing in me and again Father into thy hands I commit my Spirit which at the bowing down of the head in giving up the Ghost by dying to sin shall cause thy soul be cloathed with the fin linnen of the Saints and be admitted into the Paradise of joy the body being hid during the three days of suffering what God shall impose labouring to keep a good conscience and grieving for the abominations of the world after which in the morning of the Resurrection by the Ministry of the Angels meet the Lord in those mountains of Galile whereof he hath told us that is in the clouds IF any will be so charitable as who should not to heed and see where Christ is laid remember he hath been laid in three Sepulchers or places first in the Vnity of the two new Testaments which is as the Virgins womb next in the bosome of the Church which is as the manger the third is Iosephs rock which is the soul and heart of the elect watch this last and make it as sure as you can but wake him not by the noise tumult or rumbling of unruly and unholy because unruly cogitations which are not pleasing to him but rather provide oyntments with Nicodemus of Myrhe in continence and chastity of spiritual sorrow for all delinquencies of Aloes in withdrawing from such as are disorderly and cleansing your selves from the sin that so easily besets makeing a mixture of both these by eyeing the doctrine of the Law which requires inoffensivenesse towards God and man and working them into an oyntment wherewith to enbalm the poor members of the body of Christ refreshing them that their loines may blesse you THE Paschal lamb was slain in the evening so was Christ which it prefigured giveing up the Ghost about the ninth hour that is three in the afternoon he came to give light unto the world which by his life doctrine and miracles he did effectuat and none hateth him but they who hate the light least he should detect their evil deeds he came in the evening of the world to enlighten the Gentiles and be the glory of his people Israel he crossed the bâ—ook Cedron in the evening before he suffered still endeavoring to have the end of things good Iudas leaveth him in the evening Peter boasted of himself in the evening he enlightned both because he forwarned both favoring neither the one nor regarding the other looking still to the close of things a policy yet Christianity mantaiâ—s allowing good beginings but approveth only continuance in good Indâ—â— had a fair morning and began well ended miserably selling his Master and buying his own damnation for three pound fifteen shilling sterling his rendition of it not abating one farthing of the guilt his confession at it not assoiling
board LET the Zealous discover faith in his conversion preserve hope untill the consumation and a manifest love in his conversation Bethany his obedience shall so clear the eyes that this flight from Olivet shall be known in all its spirituall effects and steps for the hearts more ravishing because refined joy delight and satisfaction making the tongue to cry after him Set me as a seal upon thy heart as a seal upon thy Arm Cant 8.6 that is Lord remember me now thou art going to thy Kingdom IN the year of grace 1608 three Ships called the Ascension Vnion and Good hope sailing neere the Cape of good hope had the fate all to perish the Vnion first perished next Good-hope last of all the Ascension that aspiring minds having great hope and dangerous ploddings have perished in their hope when almost arrived at their wished-for-port and Cape of their contrived design iâ— notor to those who are not strangers in our Coast yea to our shame Strangers best know it Vnion we have already lost in our dangerous discords miserably increasing and â—candalously spreading Yet we pretend to Hope and makes a lively-hood from it for Faction and variance but having so oft been under water and it it self dashed and broken to pieces might be justly called Conceit and we Phrygian-like ought to be wise behind hand and weather it out no longer but take harbour least we lose that is forfeit the benefit of the ASCENSION having only a fancied presumption of felicity to come GOD avert the ominous application of â—his instance and unit us again by the Spirit to an holy Vnion in which only we can have â—rue hope secured and then our ASCENSION will be ascertian'd by which we shall â—e ever with the Lord in the Lord and afâ—er a troublesome sea deluge of a tumultuous â—urly-burly the Ark of our Soul will rest â—o that Arrarat those mountains of Spices above saving the Cargo of a good conscience by Anchoring in the Indian shoar of heavens rich and glorious enjoyment THE Emperour Sigismund having proâ—ed succesfull in severall battels against the â—arks dignified many of his martiall Worâ—hies with the Knight-hood of the Dragon their Device being a Dragon falling headlong RESEMBLE a Saints progress toward Ierusalem to a land-journey through a vast wast and howling Wildernesse comparatively thâ— whole Earth being no other yet no Misprision from within no false Information from without no Hellish Combination encompassing need cause a retreat for all of those in the Dâ—agon already cast from Heaven are overcome Revel 12. Their attempts against the Woman and the Remnant of her seed that is the Church her Sons and Daughters are but wrigglings of that old Serpents tail since his head was wounded be not precipitate be not afraid Lyonâ—nd â—nd Adder the young Lyon and the Dragon shall you tramplâ— under feet as speaks the old Testament Psal 91. That is shortly bruise Satan under your feet as prophesieth the new Rom 16. For Christ must sit that is he must Reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet A worthy saying of that great Apostle of the Gentiles 1 Cor. 15. MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE DESCENDING OF THE HOLY GHOST Unfolded and applied Pentecost-day-May 22. Tolbooth Church 1670. Whitsun-May 22. Tolbooth Church 1670. JOHN XX. XXII And when he had said this he breathed on them and saith unto them Receive ye the HOLY GHOST AMONG other promises given by our LORD unto his Disciples for their support in the tydings of his departure that of the Father is â—aid to be one which was their being baptized with the Holy Ghost Acts 1.4 5. and that from heaven which had been revealed to Ioel Chap. 2.28 by the Father and also to the the world by the Son who had given the Spiâ—it to his Followers but the Father having promised a more ample manifestation it is peculiarly fixed to him by the Son who as a preparative thereunto from above breaths here upon them beneath the Spirit being the Soul of the Church without it you must imagine it to be only a Carcase that Article of the holy Catholick Church being a depending one the holinesse thereof relying upon her Relation in and towards that of the Holy Ghost THOVGH as a bride she be betrothed to the Son yet it 's the Spirit maketh her the Lambs wife as believing she is Baptized unto Christ yet wanting the confirmation unction or blessing of the Spirit there is no inward sanctity which being ordained to be gradualy given it is recorded in one place to be lesse plentifully and in another to be more miraculously infused as before and after our Lords Ascension is evident in many places and particularly in this wherefore it is expedient to behold how the Apostles received here the Spirit and how afterward and how we may be said as Sanctified to receive the Spirit now that we may passe from the infancy and weak condition of meerly inâ—ant Baptism and to become adult in possessing the thing thereby signified even the sprinkling by or baptisms of the Holy-Ghost as by fire that as washed and heated we may become so enliven'd as the Lord may have pleasure in our beauty and delight to dwel in our very bodies as Temples for himself His altar our mind spiritualiz'd his Sacrifice our good works the fire devouring that Sacrifice being that of Compunction for sin and zeal for his glory THESE two words Holy Ghost expresse the holy Spirit the third Person of the Trinity when together for if separated the Father and the Son are holy and the Father and angels are Spirits but when united they respect a duplicated operation and double office of the third person performed upon them who are chosen vessels unto Glory in makeing them holy and in giveing them life breath or spirit by which they become living souls Ghost or Guest being a name synonymous to all Spirits but â—elly or holy to him by way of excellency who proceeding from the Father and the Son as breathed forth and being every wâ—y holy fitteth his name to his nature the sutablenesse whereof being eminent he is denominat in our new style thought more refined then the old the Holy Ghost receiving other Names from other properties as wind fire the finger of God the comforter the spirit of Truth the holy spirit which the Apostles are commanded to receive not as though they had formerly wanted him for they preached wrought wonders cast out Devils a power that flowed from his In-being and during Christs abode but he being upon his ascending qualifieth them now this second time for the work of the Ministry in remitting of sin in binding the obstinat for sin in inteâ—preting the Scripture for their greater assurance and fuller consolation because of his absence about Prophesies and typâ— as the election of Mathias in the place of Iudas from the mouth of David doth famously make evident YET it is no great cause of offence to
lying and cursing now fluently detects the monstruous deformity of the Jews bloody Zeal and bridles their passion yea from convinced guilt oblidgeth them so fare to renounce there former impietys against Christ honoured and blessed of his brethren as to rejoyce in the knowledge of him Crucified craving remission of sin thereupon to the Churches ineffable glory the accession of Multitudes to her banner upon that score dispiriting her opposers and creating fear upon every soul beholding the stupendious wonders wrought by the Power Hands and Tongues of such whom the wise of the world though not worthy of veneration BEFORE Christ dyed his Apostles feet were washed John 1â— 5 For exact circumspect and clean walking and after he ascended he cleanseth their tongue for Prudent Holy and Pure talking consulting in all their converse with truth verity and love That as it is naturaly placed between the heart and head so its motion should be regular by there consent being seasoned with salt Colos. 4.6 That is gracefullness and discretion flowing from mature deliberation and wise for-thinking not hurried to the violation of precepts by the winds of passion but consult and compleat what from duty and charity upon holy and sober inspection we shall find incumbent for our place and calling Not swelling in rancor but alwayes remembring the proverb of the Arabs being wary least our tongues cut our throats For can it be questioned but that Dives was the more tormented in his tongue that he had scandelously offended in that member which walking in uvo i. e. lying in moysture is the more prone to glid glib fiery in colour edged as a sword therefore by nature sheathed in lips and teeth quenched with water God seting more guards and closer Centurys about it then other parts of the body arguing its ferity and unrulyness TONGVES resting upon the first preachers of the Gospel and probably upon others also the contexture of the History Acts 1.15 being grounded from the hundreth and twenty and not reading how Stephen Philip and the other Deacons received the HOLY GHOST a more conjecturall time is hardly to be found then the Pentecost I say tongues resting at first upon those Holy Teachers indicats how the Spirit tryeth and designeth their willing condiscending to those generous rules of refined language and what he sayes to them he sayes unto all Take heed unto your wayes that ye sin not with your tongue Psal 39.1 The image whereof as it were growing from because rooted in a serpents tail with the inscription quo tendis whether goest thou was of old an Embleme of those unhappy issues men were brought into whose tongues were not poysed with premeditation and wise government which yet must not be thought identical with carnall subtilty or that selfish principle of fawneing flattering and caressing any in unjust practises for sensuall and proper advantages there being a time of and for speaking as well as a time of silence and restraining of the tongue which cannot be more pertinently said though more properly to be set on fire of hell then when it is employed by the Divel or brib'd by his emissarys to stand mute and not defend the truth under pressure or to utter words of slander Calumny Atheism and Blasphemy lyingly or wickedly engaging men into Hellish broyls dangerous garboyls glorying in the bravery and finness of Satanical Rhetorick boasting because we have outrail'd and it may be silenced our Brother not convinced not converted but heated by our words as by coals of Iuniper which kindled once burneth even some months after Devil like leaves off speaking in not answering again for a season purposeing afterward in fiery rage to work revenge even unto blood IF the tongue be the glory of a man how shamefully do some abuse their glory and tread there honour in the dust Let thy talk Reader hereafter and thy silence also be such as is fit for Saints and worthy of God symbolizing with Crucigerious of the Last age who spake oft to his Friends about Christian Doctrine of the wounderfull preservation of the Church of immortality and the â—ope of glory which and the like thereto shall evidence the Spirit to have sat upon thy head as the tongues rested on the Apostles ignorance evanishing and the Mutinees that so oft hath risen in Societies formerly about questions of honour and preferment of sitting at the right hand and who should be the greatest one great cause of our late calamity shall be dashed quieted and repented for all agreeing to talk of the wonderfull works of God! following Iesus our Captain and our Master whom we have oft mistook and misinterpreted but now having a true light and purchas'd a perfect Idea of things Mystical by ouâ— zealous yet sober behaviour by our holy yet peaceable deportment clear to the Multitude that in truth we have been with Iesus and received the earnest Spirit THE tongues are said to be cloven Acts 2.3 Not divided for that were Babel but dimidiated as it were double pointed since there was Heresies to confute sin to detect Exhortations to be given reproofs to be made reason would have them to be gifted for this work and needfull it waâ— to shew there invisible endowments different gifts inwardly possessed by this outward and visible appearance the multiplicated number whereof discovering the variety of those languages which by the spirit they were to instruct in whether to Iew or Gentile implyed in the Mystery from the dimidiatness of the same tongues forkednesse or clift in them these two nations thereby to be united and Law and Gospel though seemingly different to be joyned into one root as proceeding from one cause viz. our Lord Iesus Christ. THIS was known to the multitude of believers out of all nations dwelling at Ierusalem much about the time Christ was expected by the studious Jews themselves and by those now truly gifted brethren who having the true sence or marrow of the law which is nothing but the pith of the Gospel could work the hearts of the observers of either to know and imbrace both yea properly to inferr each others duty and there own requisit practise from what they heard imposed upon the one or known formerly revealed to the other as Davids sepulchre with Peters Exposition doth excellently make offer and convinceingly prove YET not in this only but in the circumstance of time did the Law and Gospel harmoniously unit for these things happned in the dayes of Pentecost one of the three solemn feasts of the Jews so called as being the fiftieth day from the Passeover in which day the law was given from Mount Sina in fire God speaking out of the cloud But that law being broke fiftieth dayes after the rising of our Saviour at the Passeover who then as a Lamb did take away the sins of the world God the HOLY-GHOST came down in fire that is in fiery tongues to imprint a new education of his law in the hearts of the true Israelite
corn it shall as Godlinesse hath the promise enrich both for heaven and earth doing good to him and not evill all the days of his life by pardon the alteration of the coast and similitude giving him a trade wind for the port of his desired rest IN this last age we are not to look for miracles by a sensible feeling of the rite or significant ceremony here used yet still Christ breaths on the Elect enlargeing to that degree their bowels of Love that they â—hew him always their faces being averse neither to his Doctrine nor to his Crosse yet forget not that he ascended before the mighty strong wind blew in upon them and that there may be no mistake there are some â—pon whom the Spirit comes never being â—eft in the ignorance of nature coldnesse of the Earth rawnesse of the flesh there are oâ—hers upon whom he comes but abides not â—lowing only upon them and no more heats â—hem indeed but as warm water they are â—older soon after he washeth them yet afterward they go to the puddle and are offensive â—s before to others he cometh and abideth â—itteth upon them liveth in them fills them outwardly with heavenly ardor celestial â—eat and by fire from above causes them seem â—peaking Seraphims and inwardly with wisâ—ome understanding knowledge in the â—eepnesse whereof they may be stiled Cheâ—ubims yea gods in the liknesse of men and â—hose fiery ones too this was for the Apostles BVT alas we see not those signs to passe â—he fiery tongues of too many in this age atâ—nded with smoak and brimstone the known fewel of Hel flames it is but one of a Citty and two of a Trib in whom we see the love of God an evidence of the Spirit which is known chiefly by the loveing of man who being ready for good works to both and patient in suffering and enduring evill from both and makeing progresse from one degree of vertue to another not falling back into perdition in the sight of either this is for us unto whom the Disciples are as lights after they received the promise of the Father as a gift from Iesus in his triumphant chariot the right hand of the Father the Captain of our Salvation haveing led Captivity captive giveing gifts to men to those then to us now more dureable treasures then those offered by the Roman conquerors of old as Sanctity in fire Purity in wind Eloqution in tongues that a Hebrew man might in Roman Oratory and with Attick Eloquence publish Salvation to the respective people and even perswade and reason them by the Spirit into everlasting blesse I say by the Spirit for unlesse he signifie unto the heart the preaching in the Air wil little avail neither shal ever he be Oraly instructed for laying aside the weight that so easely besets whose mind by the Spirit is not perfectly anointed for discovering the reward designed for observers of the Law he being the principale Master Clearing the memory Refining the Reason Inclining the will by the first alwayes minding us of God by the second directing how to apply him for our good because to him that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not there are appointed double strips by the third he sweetly willingly and powerfully draws us to the practise of the good we know for our souls sake and by the mercy of Iesus and by the fellowship of the Spirit and this alwayes for tongues being the organ of expressing words manifests the perpetuity of the things heard which as by fire are to be engraven and melted into their head and heart for their subsistance in them who are sanctified as is published in the Multitude of converts their joy their union their increase though under persecution AFTER the Disciples return from Olivet we find them enter into an upper roome continuing in prayer by some learned thought to be the place where our Saviour instituted the blessed Sacrament of his body confirmed Thomas in the faith of the Resurrection and where the HOLY GHOST came down in fire upon this day And was as antiquity records the Church and Synod-house of the Apostles in Ierusalem called Coenaculum Sion being first hallowed by our Lords supper and consecrate by other appearances for holy use and service a Church being builded thereupon called the Church of Sion on the top of the mount whereof there yet remaineth some reliques confirming the History and Tradition In this place the multitude of believers about an hundreth and twentie some of them possibly of our Saviours own kinred converts and acquaintance in Jerusalem mett prayed for the Election of Mathias at which time surely God loved the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings in Ierusalem his foundation being in this Holy mount 87. Psal. 1.2 Here was Mary the Mother of Jesus it may be Martha Mary Lazarus who ever they were they continued in one accord in prayer Acts 1.14 for if men give bread when their Children importunatly ask from them and afectionatly being at peace among themselves How much more shall our heavenly Father give the Spirit to such who call for him especially if in sound faith upright heart chast bosoms holy groanings innocent thinkings with unwearied solicitings Which unweariedness is intimated in the words they continued the fire of the Spirit burning up the stinging wither'd Nettles of contention the Thorns of worldly cares the Heath or Heather of â—â—ars and dejectments opening the ground of soul and Spirit for the seed of the good husband man that they might be inriched with â—nd bring forth fruit meet for repentance and â—mendment of life blowing away as with wind the sandy vanâ—ty of self-conceit and opinion hindring growth in grace and knowledge and all triviall trash sordidness being either burned or scattered while the world is Sataniz'd by lust continuing in Gluttony Drunkenness Excess Wantoness and Pride these continue in prayer peace and expecting the promise in high and â—ervent love for the Spirit came down and filled the house where they were sitting that is in quietness together iniquity passionatness talkativenesse itch of disputing about words which gender strif contention and debate the HOLY GHOST purposeng eternaly to be estranged from THAT being known to them and of us to be heeded the Spirit expresseth more then once after the Ascension that the multitude met together in one accord sueing for the acomplishment of the promise which in few dayes that is ten they received haveing asked with the mouth for they prayed with the heart for being heavenly endowed they wenâ— no more a fishing but about the fullfilling of the Scripture Judas being gone to his own place THEY were in Ierusalem likewise which is by interpretation a City of Peace being commanded not to depart thence untill they received the promise of the Father Acts 1.4 Christ purposing to glorifie his Ascension yea all his actings with the greater splendour for there was his greatest humiliation the greatest powring forth of his
blood the lowest bowing down of his Head there at the Pasover in sight of the Nations did his Soul fly upward into Paradise leaving a naked body in the hands of the Souldiers and there again was his greatest exaltation pouring forth his Spirit at the Feast of Pentecost upon his despised Associats the firstlings of whose conversion by his power whom the Rulers had slain but fifty days before in that same City not only reviveing his memory proveing his innocency but convincing their Auditors the inhabitants of bloodinesse and sinfulnesse they thereby becomming adorers of the Cross manageing the vertue and merits thereof in gratifying the Father that is glorifying and pleasing God by rejoycing because of and in the same and of its extension unto all the world the Iew rejoycing in his own pardon for crucifying the Lord of glory the Gentile being glad in partaking of that Salvation which was from the Iews Ioh. 4.22 both now understanding the Prophet in his Out of Zion shall go forth the Law Isa. 2.3 and whence can it come fitter since it s a Law making peace then from Ierusalem a vision of peace where Christ the Prince of peace said once peace be unto you and again peace be unto you Joh. 20.21 that is as I have found you in peace I leave you in peace and abiding in peace the spirit of peace shall abide with you for which receive ye the HOLY GHOST THE Trumpets of the Temple sounded every morning at the opening of the Gates for assembling the devout unto Divine service the Spirit being breathed upon the Apostles here keep'd them together untill the sound of a mighty winde alarâ—m'd them and prepared them for more ample manifestation of his appearance And surely what the Trumpet did our Bells doth now each ting and toll saying Gather your selves together Joel 2.2 and though gathering by many be not regarded and by severall reasoned and printed against yet our falling from the shadow of Religious deportment in shutting our ears against such solemne invitations to our Churches hath not had among us such alluring mercies such beamings of heavens acceptance such self-denying and sin-subduing characters such warme breathings of Ghostly consolations nor such examples impulses to purity and good works but that yet we should go up to the house of the Lord and call upon his Name with the remnant that are left OVR Fiery tongues against Assemblies and the Masters thereof being indeed such that is fiery rather then like as fire God by them being dishonoured and the multitude of the Nations enforced to conclude there from that mystically we be drunk with the wine of astonishment and spirit of giddinesse having a knack of cursing what ever we see contrary to our intentions though urgently sought by us or wishedly endeavoured for what ever Providence doth with us though it may be in the main conform to our prayers and fasts yet in the end we pray and fast yea curse and ly against it since it is so well known the Gall which now imbitters our lives even to separation is no other then that same Gall that hath disrelished our former enjoyments Our disquiet proceeding not so much from this or that object as from our heeding the devil who is come down yea invited down amongst us having great wrath so that in some meetings there is it may be a mighty rushing wind and the sound of that throughout the land but our sitting that is our abideing in that harmonious concord peace and love attested as a badge of the Spirits future coming not being seen its fallacious to inferre the possession of Holinesse though they should speak with Tongues and prophesie OFT did the HOLY GHOST appear but never in the shape of a ravening beast or bird of prey Oyle is soft a Dove is not invective and the fire that came down at Pentecost was without smoak for that hurts the eyes and likewise without natural heat for it sindged not a hair of the head neither did the smell of fire passe on the Apostles it being but like fire an Element in which God had oft appeared as to Moses to Elias the nature of it being adapt to signifie the operation of the Spirit within these men for their own good and benefiteing of others which ardently they pursued prudently instructing and by Grace infusing in others their own acquiâ—'d and infused perfections as by fire melting the hard heart inlightning the ignorant cleansing as from rust the idle and sluggish Soul heating all through the love of ascending towards Heaven which love as oyle keepeth always aloft and without mixing it self with the affecting of things here below they being cast out as by a sink and not to be heeded that is beloved for nauseating the Soul which by the pledge or troth here received as by a Ring hath betrothed it self purely unto God HENCE we may pronounce their piety but formality and shall be more confounding then flat Atheisme who obtruds upon the world their rough hands enflamed cheeks tearing nailes their pilfring humour their slandering tongue to be constituent parts of those multiplicated gifts effused and shed abroad upon their heart by that Spirit which descended in these dayes the pernicity whereof to discover would long detain us from our Port but that of our Saviour detects the insolence by their fruits ye shall know them Matth. â— 16 Rapaciousness and blood-thirstinesse being equally remote from the soul of Him in whom the HOLY GHOST dwells as are the contentions and blasphemies of Hell and the joyes concord and peace in the highest Heavens SVCH who expect visits from great men fits their houses for reception possibly by perfuming pots the Disciples prepared for the Spirit by Vnion Prayer and Love embrace the Pattern imitate the Coppy with repeated acts of incense-like mortification of lust prejudice animositie or whatsoever savours of such nastinesse Using in opposition to these the strowings with the sweet herbs of Brotherly kindnesse meeknesse patience charity and love to God the house I should say the Soul thus scented is disposed for his admission he loving purity and religious cleanlinesse being the only delectable property he pursueth and expecteth THE Church is said to have Doves eyes Cant. 4.1 and the Dove is both a sociable and harmlesse creature refusing to nest in that cote where rottennesse or stench breeds annoyance being delighted with that house most which is furnished with glasses the bird delighting in her own shadow and rejoycing to behold it even in water The Doves eyes indeed properly unsolds the chastity of the Church looking only upon her beloved as a true Turtle and her not following strange lovers but the other known properties of that fowle countercharms the witchcraft-like enchantments that are in this age men caressing that is hugging themselves in a whimsical solitude not desiring to have a discovery of themselves unto themselves least they should relinquish their imbib'd opinions falsely called a principle and say O! who
shall deliver us flying from contrived-for-disturbance or tenets of separation as from filth and ordure in which alone the unclean spirit keepeth because there only he findeth rest WHEN the World was souâ—ed or so to speak under the pickle of the deluge the Dove alone gave intelligence of the waters abatement not by a Bramble but by an Olive branch So untill the waters of Contrition flow for our former defilements unchristian-like temperaments which as raw blood putrifies yet the body of our Kingdoms it is not to be expected the Comforter from the FAâ—HER and the SON shall intimate unto us that our sins are forgiven or that in Christ we have got the Victory testifying the truth thereof by the Olive branch of refreshing comforts antedateing heavens felicity in the infallibility and certainty of its possession peace with God being certainly deduceible therefrom Whereas contrairily by our tearing and devouring one another its easie to prognosticate what the result of our lives shall be and whereunto the issues of our Death shall tend if we persevere in discord the Horoscope of the litigious discovering his being born in Satan the scheme manifests his rest pardon the irony shall be with him which even his spirit attests in the pangs of a tortured and disturbed breast so that within us we have either way a witnesse of our blesse or misery whereby our condemnation is the more intollerable if we do not our own businesse and study to be quiet living in love and peace that the God and Spirit of peace and love may be with us HOW oft in the History of the Ascension and of the HOLY GHOSTS descension to harp once more upon this string have we these words they met with one accord and no where besides shewing that in opposition to that quarrelsome life to those frequent disputeings among the Apostles and Disciples and censurings one of another they formerly had offended in Now they unanimously agree in a Brotherly harmony being united though numerous as one body by the Cement of the Spirit through the Gospel there being no intimation in the sacred History of any reflection of the Disciples to the Converts or of the Converts to them or of any one towards another about any miscarriage whereof aforetime they might be or had really been guilty of their life answering the Law for it was the Pentecost in ordinary fiftie days from the Pasch that these things were done and the fiftieth year also and so the year of Jubilee a time of releasment for servants lands debts of rest and proclaimed with great joy Levit. 25. figuring that delight Christianity hath obtained under the full deliverance Christ hath purchased for his people freeing them not only from the pedantry of the Law and burthensome rites thereof but restored them to their former priviledges with God the exceedingness whereof is figured in this that there passed twenty nine Jubilees betwixt Ioshua and Christ the Gospel abridging the Laws authority and hastning the acceptable time the year of great deliverance Luk. 4.18 THE Pasch by Christs death is antiquated and outdated it was expedient also to abolish both Pentecost and Jubilee for having procured a plenary remission from sin we as freed from its bondage are now to rejoyce in the LORD alway the Jubilee being proclaimed upon the day of Expiation which was a day of sadnesse grief and sorrow for the offences of the whole year that in the midst of trouble they might remember joy and we having liberty by the Resurrection who before were sold and gifts by his Ascention who before were poor presenting himself as the first fruits being first born from the dead before the Father for obtaining a blessing on the crop or race of mankind which the Jews did at Pentecost therefore let us pray for fulfilling of the Pentecost feast in having sin remitted the curse from the Earth removed and the Iubilee rite also in having the liberty of the Sons of God the legal ceremonies evanishing a clearer manifestation of things and mysteries are under Evangelical dispensation sprinkling with water being now repentance washing with water baptizeing with the HOLY GHOST and sacrificing of bullocks goats and lambs for expiating sin is that superlative sacrifice of Iesus death an offering for the sins of the whole world He being that Lamb of God which taketh them away by whose strips it is healed and by whose blood it is made white which the very garments of the Neophti or new Converts of old upon this day worn emblematically discover'd being cloathed in whit insinuating sanctity purity harmlesnesse and peâ—ceablenesse whence the day is called Whit-sunday or with the Saxon wied i. e. that is sacred or holy Sunday LET this Generation pretend to what degree of Sanctity it please to fear God to eschew evil to honour all men to do violence to no man to do good and in all these to persevere is the alone mean to be cloathed in White the proper habit of that Citizen which is of Ierusalem above unto which all his acts must quadrat of what kind soeever least the Spirit be blasphemed through his impertinencies FOLLOWING that Heroe Peter King of Aragon who gave a Glob representing the Earth a Crown surmounting that signifying Soveraignity that overlaid by a Scepter typifying the application of Law according to merit over all a Dove in a glory emblemating the HOLY GHOST circumscribed with this device TE GUBERNATORE i e. by thy Direction all things being done within the Empire of the Christians jurisdiction thus Religion shall not be used as Talque shining over glasse cases to hide the rottennesse worm-eating and mothinesse in the frame of many mens conversation neither shall their talk so amuse the Vulgar and undescerning as to cause a sigh a long prayer the nameing of God and conscience cover the â—ickednesse of practises as to let it passe without abhorrence of their Hypocrisies or censuring their â—ick-nam'd holy profession as too frequently they do to the defaming of that which our devout Ancestors called Zeal Piety and Religion accounting honesty in the second Table one genuine Character clearing mens observance of the first wanting the brazen-fore head now boasted of in some Professors where holinesse is divorced from peace no sacrifice Sermons or Prayer so pure as those which are mingled with the blood of men who gainsay the principles of a few by blood is not barely to be understood that physical thing so called but the curses lyes untrue reports slanders calumnies with which the services of Formalists and Pretenders are maliciously sinfully scandalously and madly interwoven THAT French King Henry the third having been upon this day by the Diet of Poland elected their King did in memory â—hereof institute an Order called Knights â—f the HOLY GHOST their Habit haâ—ing many black and white ornaments therein â—nd in a golden Collar within the center of â— Cross was the effigies of a Dove umbrageâ—ng that blessed Spirit It is lawful to attempt â—ea honourable to design high Atcheifmenâ—s if within the verge of our Capacity power or calling and to whet my weapon at this Philistines forge how strenuously hath the Ancient Saints endeavoured to cause the days and places whereon and wherein they have been honoured with mercies blessings or visions to be remarked as Abraham in Beersheba Gen. 21.33 or Iacob in Bethel and Mordecai at Purim This hath been a day of glad tydings wherein by Tongues the organ of Eloquence utterance and acclamation GOD hath testified mans endowment with the gifts of holynesse and given instances of gracious acceptance for humble Penitents possitively deduced without much scruple from the Apostles teaching and the Murtherers repenting sorrowing believing rejoycing Whence it is consequential that if we reflect upon the blacknesse of our tongues in our clamours bawlings against Christ his Word his Instituts his Servants as if they were not worthy to be or fit to live walking in God-like or Dove-like innocence invested with the white Robe of love and meeknesse adequat and cut out for the Elect of GOD Col. 3.12 We shall have the honour of all GODS Saints being elected Kings to reigne over lusts hell and Death by being from this day forward filled as was Stephen with the holy Spirit filled with all knowledge evidenced when with the Romans we are full of all goodness Rom. 15.14 Glory be to the FATHER and to the SON and to the HOLY GHOST FINIS Errata â—ie Corrige The China Printers having by their Art Exim'd themselves only from Possibility of Errour the best in Europe yet pleads guilty of mistakes Here are some Capitall ones marked others being Remitted to the Readers Charity and Correction Page 6. l. 7. Read holding p. 37. l. 6. r. be in time p. 40. l. 12. r. Enflame to p. 64. l. 25. r. That by that p. 69. l. 22. r. not gratified p. 70. l. 22. r. Quadrat p. 86. l. 24. r. leaning p. 89. l. 12. is not p. 204. l. 20. r. endeth p. 213. l. 12. r. moulting p. 240. l. 19. r. viants Mr. VVill. Annand His Mysterium Pietatis