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spirit_n	faith_n	heart_n	work_n	7,151	5	5.4540	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64251	Peter his repentance shewing, among other things, these two points for edification I. what weakenes remaines in Gods owne children, especially in times of triall and danger, and to, what little cause they have to trust their hearts, or be confident of themselves, but get to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. II. what is the power of Gods grace and covenant, for renewing His children by repentance, and so, what encouragement they have to return after every fall, and goe on in their course of watchfulnesse, humiliation, prayer, and magnifying of Jesus Christ / by Dr. Thomas Taylor.	Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632.	1653 (1653)	Wing T569; ESTC R20311	101,739	76

with conscience of our owne infirmities and drives out to the spirit of strength and fortitude 3. It restaines us from evill as the Midwives Exod. 1. 17. and Joseph Ge● 39. 9. and Job c. 1. 1. 4. It hath all the Promises made good to it of prosperity and blessednesse Blessed is he that feareth alwayes Prov. 28. 14. We proceed Ver. 30. Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee this day even this night before the Cocke crow twice thou shalt deny me thrice OVR Saviour perceiving the corruption of Peter notably checkes and reproves it in this verse with this asseveration Verily I say Wherein 1. He admonisheth Peter of his fall thou shalt denie me 2. He gives him a signe by which he shall take knowledge Cocke crow twice 3. The time this day even this night double for certainty 4. The determinate number of fals or denials deny me thrice As if he had said otherwise thus Oh Peter thou attributest and ascribest too much to thine owne strength and knowest not the present danger for verily I say unto thee the more seriously I speake it the more neerly it concernes thee to consider it that thou who art confident above all thy fellowes and thou who singlest thy selfe as more constant unto me then all the rest even thou Peter shalt denie me Besides that thou shalt flye away from me with the rest thou shalt denie me thou shalt deny me that ever thou knowest me or ever hadst any reference or dependence on me and thou shalt doe this this night thou sayest thou wilt never at any time doe so but thou shalt this present day doe it while yet thy promise is yet in thy mouth and thou canst not well forget it I many dayes and nights thou mightest forget me or thy promise but even this day this night shall not passe till thou hast denyed me And that thou mayest consider the truth of this my Prediction both before and after it is come to passe I will give thee a signe or marke as a remembrance betweene us Before the Cocke crow twice A Cocke ordinarily crowes two times iu one night 1. About midnight called Gallicinium 2. Towards morning called Colicinium Both times after But before the morning Cocke crow or before the Cocke have done that crow thou shalt perceive the truth of my words and the vanity of thine own And because thou hast more confidently boasted of thy strength then all the rest of my Disciples thou shalt more shamefully fall then all the rest for thou shalt not content thy selfe to deny me once but in that small time thou shalt deny me thrice and that in such a manner as now thou wouldest scorn to hear but thou shalt not shame to doe John 2. 25. He knew what was in man Whence Note 1. The Divinity of Jesus Christ who knew things to come in the particular circumstances he foretels a fact which Peter must presently doe while he is even protesting against it and thinkes it most unlikely and impossible he discovereth the time the manner the repetition how often and all circumstances by which he is distinguished and discerned from all creatures and false Gods Isaiah 41. 23 26. Bring forth your Gods let them tell us what is to come Men may see events as Peter did this but Christ foreseeth them men see imperfectly by consequents and effects Christ seeth and knoweth by the causes he soundeth the depth of Peters heart which Peter himselfe could not gage he saw the backe and deceitfull corners of it and discerned how it must needs serve him being left a while of Grace Vse 1. To live in his sight with feare and trembling to whom all our wayes are knowne long before no sin we can commit but it is foreseen as Peters was his eyes are upon the wayes of man Prov. 5. 21. for as there is no sinne committed but the eye of the Conscience is upon it above a thousand witnesses so there is none to be committed but the eye of the Lord is upon it which is above a thousand Consciences Vse 2. Never thinke to carry sinne so close but it shall come to reckoning Luke 12. 2. Nothing is so covered which shall not be revealed no darknesse can hide the workes of darknesse as the Prophet to Gehezi Did not my spirit goe with thee so doth not the eye of the Judge goe with thee Ez●ch 35. 12. Thou shalt know the Lord hath heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the Mountaines of Israel so thou shalt know the eye of the Judge hath seene all thy drunkennesse the times places manner how often so thou blasphemer thou railer thou de●ier of good men shalt know to thy cost and torment yea Men and Angels shall know Lastly Christ is as ready to take notice of the least good to reward it 1 King 14. 13. the little good in Abjah mentioned and recompenced Note 2. The humanity and meeknesse of our Lord and Saviour Peter had already grievously sinned in contradicting his Lord in despising the Prophetical word in advancing himselfe presumptuously against the expresse word yet our Lord is not severe in rebuking nor so sharpe in checking or reproaching him as he had deserved but patiently heares him passeth by the infirmity and onely most lovingly and plainly forewarns him of his present danger not reproaching him for future denials 1. Our Lord breakes not the bruised Reed nor quencheth a smoaking weke 2. The Spirit in Peter even in the midst of infirmity making request for him gets a cover and acceptance 3. There was a graine of Faith and sparke of love in Peters heart which was more in Christs eye then all his frailty the Lord in mercy looks more on his worke in us then ours against him 4. Christ was now to leave them as weaklings and children which was griefe eno●gh to them and would not so much discourage them especially at this time measuring the tryall they were to undergoe 5 He saw them now out growing their weaknesses and therefore thought fitter to beare with them for a time there was a good worke begun which himselfe was to perfect and it is notably exprest in John 13. 37. setting downe the Story thou canst not follow me now but hereafter shalt follow me namely in bearing crosses and suffering to the death hereafter when the Spirit is come to strengthen the● Vse Which must be a patterne of our imitation on the like grounds to provoke our selves to meeknesse gentlenesse towards our Brethren offending if we must reprove let them see our love if we can spy the least good in them let that qualifie our heat for the present if we cannot spy any for the present hope what they may be they may receive the Spirit and outgrow the weaknesses How ever we should not forget our Saviours meeknesse nor that our selves may be tempted as Peter nay to good for evill The Woman of Canaan refuseth him

weapons or against the word of his Captaine Ans. 3. He should have considered the infirmity of his Faith which yet was weake and suspected if not for the truth yet strength of it not knowing the strength of the imminent temptation Ans. 4. He should have considered that the strength of Faith of the Saints hath bin shaken in temptation as Abraham Paul David and why not he Objec Christians are to come with courage to the battaile assured of victory Ans. 1. But by his strength that hath loved us Rom. 8. 37. 2. With the best diligence in using the means which Peter layes off Faith Prayer Watchfulnes 3. With mixing Faith and Feare together certainly beleeving the Promise of God but fearing and suspecting our own weaknesse so Phil. 2. 11 12. Worke out your salvation with feare and trembling there is feare for it is God that workes the will and deed there is Faith the temper of Faith and Feare upholds us in the triall when our eye is cast both on our weaknesse and Gods strength Objec But Gods children are as bold as Lyons Prov. 28. 1. Answ. 1. There is boldnesse of Flesh. Faith 2. Boldnesse in the strength of God and love of our Father not of our strength and love of him Peter presumed to stand because of the love Christ. 3. A boldnesse upon the assured Promises of God and infinite merits of Christ foyling both carnal feare and presumption Peters boldnesse was not with the Word but against it 4. Boldnesse not suffering to feare damnation but to extinguish the feare of transgression 5. A boldnesse banishing feare to fall away into perdition but not the feare of falling into finne and offence of God which his owne Children are often too bold in Note The vaine presumption of mans heart in Peter see our selves our nature is as confident we thinke if all should flye from Faith and Religion sure we would not But were the Sword shaken a little and the Scepter swayed but a little another way many would see their mould and temper they that now spit at the name of the hatefull Idoll of the Masse would easily conceive it a better Religion and we should not want some Catholike Moderators who would say These two Religions with a little yeelding each side might be brought into one We are as strong before the Battle as Peter and when danger seemes farther off whereas the sight of one adversary would make a whole Army of us run away as I●rael at the sight of Goliah But Peter should have remembred and so should we the Answer of the King of Israel to Benhadad 1 King 20. 11. Let not him that putteth on his Armour boast as he that puts it off Let us not crow before the Victory We are ready to promise our selves successe and events as he was which are out of our power he might promise and purpose watchfulnesse endeavour strive against this temptation which was all he could doe but to promise of the event and issue was not his part nor to dispose of We can as easily promise to our selves above that God hath promised as he nay against the word of God as he that we shall be safe and stand and conceive some singular prerogative or strength in our selves while yet we forget to use meanes to grow in knowledge awaken our Faith provoke our watchfulnesse we can be as proud and bragging in our speech as he was forgetting modesty and humanity promising Mountaines and should our actions swell to our words we would doe wonders but away with these brags and learne to speak humbly warily and modestly as knowing what befell this Apostle Vse Beware of Pride of heart which is so hatefull to God as robbing him of his glory and so prejudicial to our selves for if nature onely and the pride of it quicken our resolutions and not Faith they will dye and deceive us if flesh onely incite our courage it will suddenly be cold as in Peter Objection But I have great gifts of knowledge and speech and zeale and love and faith Answ. 1. Let no gifts puffe thee up suppose thou hadst gifts Apostolicall Peter had all these gifts but pride of heart foiled them all and the more and better the gifts be it is so much the worse where they be abused or corrupted 2. Never pride thy selfe above any man who mayest see those corruptions and evils in thy selfe which thou never sawest in any other man Vse 2. Thou standest by Faith Rom. 11. 12. be not high-minded but feare Peter that was now so forward had no small cause to feare and we want not more cause as 1. The weaknesse of flesh and pronenesse to sinne yea weaknesse of spirit in the best being borne of God but yet as children 2. Satans malice ever seeking to cast us downe winnowing us also as Wheat 3. Naughtinesse of our bad workes and imperfections of our best in them unprofitable 4. Perfection of Gods Law strictnesse against the least disobedience and in giving up of our Accounts Objection But what need the Saints feare or how may they having against the former Gods power Gods promise Gods intercession and seeing nothing is more contrary to Faith then fear and doubting Answ. When the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 1. 17. wisheth Christians to passe the whole time of their dwelling here in feare he implyeth both the possibility and necessity But we must distinguish of feare which is of Humility Infidelity The former is a reverent feare of Gods presence whom we would not offend a feare of falling into sinne or making matter of unkindenesse between him and our selves The latter a hatefull feare of his presence which we would avoid a fear of faling into hell and suffering according to our deserts The one is a despaire of Gods goodnesse because sinne lyes at doore and wrath hangs over their heads and their Couscience is restlesse and death is ready to overtake them in sinne and hell is open and the Divell reaching at them to eternall confusion The other is a feare of reverence by which we feare the corruption of our Nature and treachery of our owne hearts we feare the commiting of the least sin and make conscience of all known evils we feare least we be called to account before the reckoning be ready we feare to offend God and godly men or grieve his holy Spirit we feare to be infected by evill men and carried into their errour The former cannot stand with Faith but is utterly against it and being a feare of diffidence makes men even distrustfull The latter is not against Faith but stablisheth it and makes our hearts watchfull and attendant to good meanes both of continuance in the estate of grace and worke of it and increase of Faith that we may be upheld to the end Let us therefore nourish this feare in us Motive 1. This feare is loves keeper and preserver of graces fear of fals temptations occasions of offending 2. It smiteth

chiefe Shepherd all times of persecution did ever confirme this truth that the Pastor was no sooner smitten then the Sheepe were scattered from him But let it comfort Ministers as Christ I am not alone but my Father is with me Vse 5. If the Disciples be scattered in dayes of trouble let us know the day of our peace our season the time of our visitation frequent holy Assemblies get hold of Christ encrease of Faith grow in wisdome enjoy our season our Sun our Summer our seed time not knowing our day forfeits it worke while we may doe in our peace what we would but cannot if triall come Ver. 28. But after I am Risen NOW followes Christs Consolation Wherein Note difference betweene Law and Gospell the Law pronounceth heavie things and there resteth But the Gospell still after heavie newes ends with good tydings the Law throwes downe a man and there leaves him the Gospell raiseth the humbled You shall be scattered but I will come againe Mat. 16. 21. I must goe up to Jerusalem to suffer heavie tydings Peter disswades him But I will rise againe the third day There is Gospell indeed So to the Church You shall be hated of all men for my names sake sad tydings but if you continue to the end ye shall be saved Mat. 10. 23. You must take up the Crosse and follow Christ but I will give refreshing to your soules Iohn 16. 33. In the Worl● ye shall have affliction but be of good comfort Vse 1. Lay hold upon the Gospel and sow in never so many teares thou shalt reap in joy Vse 2. Accept the condition of the Gospel be content to begin with the Crosse be weary laden lay a good foundation in Repentance mortification godly sorrow on this condition attaine the crowne of refreshing and entrance into the Kingdome by many afflictions Act. 14. 22. If we suffer we shall raign all true joy is fetched out of sorrow blessed are the mourners Vse 3. Let Papists sticke to the comfort of the Law they shall never hear a good word from Christ. Let prophane Persons shun the heavinesse of the Gospel they shall never have joy Christ wipes away no teares where none be shed he that will not be a weary needs no refreshing This by the way Ver. 28. But after I am risen I will goe before you into Galilee SUch a promise as was never heard off before and without exception that a dead man should rise within few dayes and promise so to do Having spoken of Christs admonitions now of consolation where the Lord sustaines them with many grounds of comfort 1. That there shall be a certaine end of this evill ready to swallow them up 2. There shall be a short end after a few dayes three or four 3. There shall be a happy end For 1. Christ shall rise again from the dead with power and glory 2. Whereas they are run from him he will come to them againe 3. Though they have left their Shepherd yet he will become their Shepherd againe and goe before them and guide them as a Shepherd goes before his Sheep For their full confirmation he declares both the time and place where he will and when he will meet them in Galilee a place fit for their estate for it signifyeth dispersing or scattering the Sea of Galilee forty miles from Jerusalem Quest. Why in Galilee Answ. 1. That they may more surely enjoy one another without feare of the Jewes and instruct them in the Kingdome of Christ. 2. Because Christ had more Disciples and Favorites in Galilee to whom he would familiarly offer himselfe and manifest his resurrection then in Judea 3. Themselves were of Galilee he would bring them backe were he found them 4. They must follow their calling till Christ came and for the time before they can get into Galilee he will be there before them expecting them note here Note 1. The wonderfull lenity and meeknesse of Jesus Christ he was going to dye for his Disciples they fly from him and doubt the truth of his whole proceedings his Person his Doctrine his miracles sufferings the event of all his course He now doth not sharpely rebuke them for their infidelity inconstancy and ●emerity after so long being with him but uses them gently and with great and loving affection as the Titles of Shepherd and Sheep import not only forewarneth them of their danger but furnisheth them with grounds of comfort and promiseth them most loving and kind entreaty even after their flight as if they had never forsaken him Vse A Rule to carry our selves toward Brethren that faile let them be restored by the spirit of meeknesse yea if the offence concerne our selves wherein we are hottest to be most coole and calme Christ casts not off for ever no more must we breake affection but imitate him with all moderation Note 2. Christ never with-draws himselfe from his Members but he leaves some comfort behind him something to bring them in love with him or to stay them in his absence or to make them desire and seeke after him againe yea something instead of his presence or promise Iohn 14. having told his Disciples he must goe away and leave them yet ver 18. he promiseth not to leave them comfortlesse for he will send the comforter to supply his absence and still God ordinarily takes not away one mercy but he gives another as Christ here removes his personal presence but supplyes it with a double blessing 1. Protection of their persons in his absence 2. Promise of his presence to rest their faith on in the meane time Cant. 5. the Church would not open unto Christ when Christ called he goes away in displeasure at her unkind answer but he left behind him drops of Myrth some sweet worke of the spirit that made her spirit yearn within her which wrought compunction for her offence and quickned her to seeke him ver 25. His desertions are never totall Vse Which may comfort poore souls affected in sense of Christs absence feelest thou a want of Christs presence he hath left some pledge behind him and he is perhaps nearer then thou thinkest 1. He hath given thee a promise he will not leave thee long 2. He hath given the spirit which hath wrought some grace of trembling for offending him some grace of fainting and longing after him some grace of seeking him as him whom thy soule loveth some grace of prayer breathing earnest and inward desires not satiate without him some grace of fortitud sustaining the heart for the present and enabling to undergoe many troubles for his sake yet abiding and waiting for him this sweet hunger and thirst shall be satisfyed Mat. 5. 6. Note 3. That Christ will shortly come againe after his smiting within a very few dayes learne that as Christs desertions are not totall so neither sinall Christ never goes away but he will see us againe Iohn 16. 22. 1. His displeasure

is but for a moment 2. Finall desertion were above their strength and so against his promise 3. It will not onely endanger the faith of the Elect but quite destroy it which is impossible against all the Gates of Hell it is their victory 4. Vnion betweene Christ and the Christian admits no finall desertion a fruit of it is in John 17. 24. to be where Christ is and see his glory 5. The Covenant is everlasting not to depart but do us good Jer. 32. 40. He marries us for ever in mercyes Hos. 2. 12. and is a perpetual covenant not onely on Gods part as Papists say but on our part also who will never breake finally with God because of his feare put in our hearts never to depart from him Jer. 31. 41. Vse Now as Christ would confirme the faith and confidence of the Disciples by setting before them a certaine end of the tryall so let us confirme our selves with these words If the Lord seeme to absent himselfe he will not doe it for ever his mercy cannot come to an utter end his mercyes are as the Ocean which hath no eb but a flow again sometimes he stands off the longer because his Children stand off with him and the case seemes desperate as Abraham for a Sonne but he will come at length to Abraham in the Mount but not till the third day to Jonas in the third day Christ may lie in the grave till the case seeme desperate but riseth the third day and appeareth to all the Disciples save Thomas the same day Iohn 20. he more glorifies himselfe in his long absence then presence Iohn 11. 6. Note 4. Note againe how Jesus Christ prevents us with his grace he promiseth the Disciples that before they can get to Galilee after they have kept the Feast at Jerusalem he would be there before them The Shepherd smitten will returne to the dispersed Sheep he will gather them againe and he will be found of them in Galilee the place of dispersion He saith not they shall come to him but they shall goe into Galile and there he will finde them surely we never come to him unlesse he come to us first he must come to the Disciples themselves or they cannot come to him much lesse we Note 5. Christ here both strengthens them in the Article of his Resurrection and tels them the end of his Resurrection which is to goe before them he will not onely rise againe but for this purpose to be their guide and leader and to take them againe as companions with him as if they had never sinned against him How this was performed see Mat. 28. 7. the Angels tell the Women Arise goe tell his Disciples he is risen behold be goeth before you into Galilee and Marke 16. 7. As he said unto you c. As Christ at first found them and began to be their guide and leader into Galilee so now after his resurrection he would manifest himselfe an eternall Shepherd Vse And this was their happinesse and ours purchased by his eternall Resurrection that we have an high Priest immortall and higher then the heavens They sled into Galilee to avoyd danger from their persons but he findes them there They goe thither because their Master was dead and betake them to their old Callings againe But their Lord findes them againe at the Sea of Galilee and makes them 〈◊〉 fishers of Men furnishing them with power from on high above all they could have expected Christ raised gives gifts unto men his Death merits them his Resurrection applies them as a great King gives great gifts on the day of his Coronation so Christ. Let us follow so worthy a guide in Faith and Obedien●e who rose from death to be our guide to eternall life We proceed Verse 29. And Peter said unto him Though all men should be offended yet would not I. HERE we have an instance as many elsewhere of Peters temerity and rashnesse not well considering his weaknesse and what spirit he was of For this holy Disciple bewrayeth great infirmity in arrogating much above that was in him 1. He directly contradicteth his Lord who said all yee Peter saith no not all he will not not this Night no never 2. Beleeves not the Oracle of the Prophet Zacharie but would shi●t it off with pompe of words not as concerning him he was none of the sheepe that should be scattered though the Pastor was smitten 3. He presumes too much upon his owne strength and of that which is out of his owne power never mentioning or including the helpe and strength of God by whom alone he should be enabled to stand he neither considered his owne frailty which will overthrow him nor yet the power of God which should sustaine and uphold him 4. He prefers himselfe too too vain-gloriously above all men as if all men were weake to Peter and Peter the onely champion if all men should deny thee I would not stronger in conceit then all the Apostles 5. He is bold hardy and vainely confident in a thing to come in which he had never tryed his strength he knew his present affection he will take no notice of his future perill nay he disclaimes and almost scornes the danger now when he is next to it and even falling into it and the difficulty expressed John 13. 37. Cannot I follow thee now I will give my life for thee I will be so far from denying thee that I will confesse thee to the death perils dangers feares or death it selfe shall not seperate me from thee Alas man thou that canst not follow Christ canst thou goe before him Object But Peter had a Promise Mat. 16. 18. that the gates of hell should not prevaile against his Faith might not he be bold in this Promise Answ. 1. Promises of God make no man presume but stir up watchfulnesse and excite to prayer which Peter should have done being admonished of our Lord. 2. Though his Faith lwas not quite to be shaken and extinct yet he might for a time be so foyled as might bring him shame and sorrow enough 3. He had promised indeed before this the spirit of fortitude and strength but Peter anticipates the time they were to be endued with virtue from above but not till after the Resurrection which was no priviledge but that in the meane time they might fall dangerously 4. No Promise could crosse the word of the Prophet and Christ himself now applying it to the present occasion which ought to have bin believed Objec But might not Peter be bold of victory standing in so good a cause must Christians stand doubtfull and in suspense alwayes of their standing Answ. 1. Peter must not be bold against so expresse a word of Christ. Ans. 2. No Christian boldnesse may make a man confident in himselfe and neglect prayer to God that is a blame-worthy boldnesse for a Souldier to run into the fight without his

fearing to fall fall not at least prevent many fals and rise out of them all Note Peter resembles here the state of every Christian set betweene a warme fire on the one hand and a dangerous temptation on the other Thou art one of them Satans ayme is either to allure and entise us to sinne by a number of weapons out of the storehouse of Prosperity or daunt us by weapons out of the Armory of Affliction and Persecution Rabshekeh 2 Kings 18. 31 32. offereth peace and promiseth in his Masters name if we will lay aside our Armes and mixeth threats and boasts in his strength so here Satans subtilty hath plots amongst all men if low 〈◊〉 he will brouse and make them ordinary fuell for fire if high Trees he hath lightning and thunder and violence of every tempest And in all Estates Adversity is a sharpe Winter to nip sprigs of Grace Prosperity as an hot Sun and Summer to nourish Weeds Peter here feeles the force of both Vse That Christians watch both in Prosperity and Adversity know that frowns and fawns of Sathan and the World are alike dangerous flattery and force both enemies and more dangerous if both assault at once as here Peter Verse 68. But he denyed it saying I know him not neither wot I what thou sayest HEre is the first denyall of this Champion by a silly Girle wherein see the foulenesse of his sin 1. He denies flatly and peremptorily saying I know him not 2. In doubling it implying more resolution neither wot what thou sayest both which speeches were manifest untruths and lyes against his own conscience for Peter well knew Christ having bin long with him and one of his first Disciples he had confessed him thou art the Son of God besides he knew well what she meant and therefore it was another lye 3. In denying him so openly amongst a multitude before them all saith Matthew 1. The fault is so foule as one witnesse were too much but Peter provides witnesses enough a cloud of witnesses 2. He that denyeth Christ before any man shall be denyed before the Father Mat. 10. What a great sin to deny him before all men 3. In so great a company were a number of wicked men and now Peter exposeth the name of Christ to all their scorne and opproby he hardens and animates them and stands with them in rejecting of Christ. There were also some weake ones and well-wishers to Christ as he that carried Peter in and some that might be coming forward and Peter by his example being the foreman of the Disciples weakens and scandalizeth all these and destroyeth so many soules and if he that offends one of these little ones better a Milstone were hanged about his neck and he cast into the sea what a case is Peter in that offends so many Note 1. How far soever the courage of flesh and blood carries a man and rash zeale if not a stronger prop it will leave a man in the suds at length for what is become of all these great words I will lay downe my life for thee and why can I not follow thee now And I will dye with thee before I will deny thee Is this to follow the Master to deny himselfe his Disciples is this to lay down the life for the Master to fear the voyce of a silly Girle Is this not to deny Christ to deny thy selfe a Christian for if thou knowest not him to be the Christ thou knowest not thy selfe to be a Christian. Thus in one word bold Peter denyeth and renounceth his Lord his faith his profession and salvation by him Vse Let us looke well to our zeale that it serve us not as Peters did him the drugs have Adulterates and the most cunning Coynes their slips and the best graces have in this corruption their cracks and defects let us try and weigh and sound our zeale for its truth and that by these markes 1. True zeale is earnest for good but it is not for a fit or passion as John at his entrance and Peter here but it is a gift of the Spirit and a grace which is constant and lasting 2. It riseth out of knowledge of God and our selves zeale not guided by knowledge is hurtfull as Rom. 10. 2. so here Peter had zeale for Christ but knew not himselfe as mettle is dangerous in a head-strong Horse so zeale degenerated in a head-strong passion not guided by knowledge 3. It is attended ever with godly sorrow 2 Cor. 7. 11. and griefe first for his owne sin and then others God is dishonoured in both and he is troubled in both 4. Carried with care and feare of falling not selfe-conceitednesse trusting to himselfe his strength his judgement as this of Peters did 5. Coveteth spiritual things in the world Christs was zeale to Gods house so David Oh how love I thy house how deare are thy words unto me how sweet c. These ardent desires dryed him and consumed him Peter coveted Gods honour but how his owne name reputation life and safety was deare unto him Note 2. The nature of Peters sinne which was the most direct deniall of Christ that might be First not to professe and confesse his Doctrine outwardly and secretly is a denyall 2. Not to expresse the Doctrine and power of Religion which we acknowldge true whether for fear or otherwise is an high denyall of Christ. 3. To subvert or overthrow some fundamental point of Religion is fearfully to deny Christ for it is all one to deny his doctrine as himselfe being of the same nature with himselfe But Peters denyall was beyond all these not against his Doctrine onely but against his Person immediately and this not to deny him by silence but by speech whom himselfe had confessed the Son of God and had heard him so professed from Heaven by God himselfe once and againe Yes when he needed not have openly disclaimed him for the Maids speech was whether he was with Christ he might have contented himselfe to have belyed himselfe and said I was not rather then have sinned directly against his Lord and Master Or what lawfull authority had this Maide to examine Peter he was not bound to confesse that he knew him neither doth Peter confesse some and conceale some to fumble or equivocate to tell you for if this could have saved Peter he needed not have wept for denying his Master though some Fathers would excuse him but he flatly and stoutly denyeth all that ever he knew him or had to doe with him he doth not say I know him not so well as I should doe Alas what a poore case is Peter now in for if he deny Christ who doth not confesse him that others may know he doth so as well as himselfe what a feareful denyall is to make others even boyes and girles know we disclaime him Doctr. Note hence what a hard matter it is to confesse Christ in time of danger and

vaine fashi●● in Apparell c. you would not be offended But he hath said it and his Preachers cannot speake it after him but thou art offended If Christ should bid thee take up his Crosse and follow him thou sayest thou wouldst not be offended but the Crosse of the Gospell so offende thee thou wilt rather part with the Gospell then suffer a word of disgrace for thy profession is not this to be offended at Christ Christ comes in his Servants that hold forth the word of life by holy profession and expresse the vertues of Christ and abstain from the evils of the world thou abhorrest them canst not abide them a packe of dissemblers thou wouldst be an enemy to Christ and his Apostles Note 2. Marvaile not that the most of the world be offended at Christ this day if the Apostles could be so offended at his very person how much more the world at his profession as in the dayes of the Jewes Isay 8. 18. Behold I and the Children thou hast given me are as signes and wonders in Israel Christs owne Disciples who were mirrours in the world were counted monsters in the world and those that lived as Angels were as gazing stocks to men and Angels 1 Cor. 4. 9. The holy religion of Christ was once everywhere counted as Heresie Acts 28. 22. so is it among Christians but shall we count it Puritanisme which is a vile Heresie or is the Doctrin which we Preach and you professe a Sect if it be a Sect better be no man then not of this Sect. Note 3. Comfort to godly Preachers and professors of Religion if the world be offended in them it was so in their head before them And the servant is no better and they are offended in them that would be offended in Christ himselfe be content as Christ and for no other cause in them then that in Christ and the light being the same if it offended in the Head it will in the Members Christs Doctrine tended to Mortification and crossed wicked mens lusts if thine doe so as the world was offended in him so will it in thee Christs life was holy and innocent and actually reproved the corruptions of the world and this was another cause of offence If thy life doe so all loose persons Teachers or others will be offended in thee Christs Ministry was powerfull against sinne not as the Scribes but with Authority this was an eye-sore to blinde guides If thine be so then it will be an offence and pricke in the eyes of numbers Christs whole course was so gracious so profitable as God testified with him everywhere that he was with him here was a matter of envie If God testifie with thee envious men will testifie against thee For if we let him alone all men will beleeve in him Note 4. Let our care be that the world may not justly be offended by us and if in us it was our Lords case and our comfort shall be men are not so much offended in us as in Christ in us Christ never offended any man yet what loads of slanders carried he to sanctifie ours Quest. How should a Christian subject to offence carry himselfe to stop the mouthes of wicked men when nothing he doth never so carefully and justly but is traduced himselfe slandered wronged abused Surely thus we must resolve 1. That innocency wisdome goodnesse will not free us against the worlds malice no not if it were equall with Christs no more then it did with him but before Gods tribunall and equall hearing of men 2. That Dogs will bark at Strangers though they neither make nor meddle with them and a wise Traveller shall make himselfe worke enough to stop every Dogges barke will goe on his way and esteeme it as the barke of Dogges 3. Labour to give no offence and if Christ in thee offend any let them stumble and fall for to this they were appointed Note 5. A R●● for the choice of our Religion or the triall of it Christian religion is a generall offence to the wicked as Christ the subject of it most of the world are offended with it as Christ himselfe was left of followers friends Disciples kinsfolkes and ever suspect that way the most walke in that is the broad way the greater part still is against the better part Few shall be saved few beleeve few finde the narrow way Christ hath but a few Disciples and they for a time offended in him too Dislike not that Religion which hath but a few a few haire braind fellowes onely run to Sermons and are so precise say some But choose thou the broad way at thy perill and esteeme thy Religion as the Papist his by Multitudes Good men must choose theirs by Truth and that is a deare commodity in the hands of a few and you must make this your wisdome to goe rather by the guide of a few that have their eyes to see their way then of Multitudes that are blinde and discerne nothing For it is written I will smite the Shepheard and the Sheepe shall be scattered COnfirmation of the former Prediction by a testimony of Zachary 13. 7. Christ gives here a twofold reason of the Disciples scandall 1. It was foretold the Prediction must be accomplished 2. Because the Shepheard was to be smitten they as Sheepe must be scattered The Scope of which place is to prove Christ the true Pastor of the Flocke even by his smiting and abasement and so most aptly alledged that the Disciples might have matter of strength and comfort thence where they stumbled and offended themselves How different Divine conclusions are from humane and how contrary Gods spirit is from mans in drawing conclusions Humane reason saith thus Christ is smitten and therefore he is not to be longer followed as a Guide the Disciples themselves fall off from him but Divine reason concludes cleane contrary Christ is smitten and therefore is the Shepheard to whom the Sheepe ought to cleave and not scatter themselves so Isaiah 53. 4. Because he was smitten of God and humbled proves him to be our Messiah and Redeemer Reason saith That is not the true Religion which is so opposed and contradicted by Jewes Turkes Papists held but by an handfull of men the Spirit saith that is true Christianity which is so resisted never was the Sun so beset with darke clouds as Truth with oppositions As therefore that Christ is the true Messiah because he is a signe of contradiction whom now Herod seekes to kill the Scribes and Pharises are deadly enemies unto so is that true Christianity which the world opposeth Humane reason saith That cannot be the true way which so few walke in can so many Ages so many great Persons be so deceived the Spirit faith therefore it is the right way because so few finde it not many great ones wise learned c. as not many but a few meane Fisher-men followed

Christ himselfe Reason saith they cannot be deare to God who are so afflicted and smitten the Spirit from thence concludes them Sons of God Heb. 12 6 7. Vse 1. Vnsafe therefore it is to follow our reason for our guide in divine things no be ordered by the word and rules of Religion 2. And we learne to deny our selves which is the first lesson in Christianity Mat. 16 24. I will smite the Shepherd WHO is the Shepherd Christ himself Iohn 10. I am the good Shepherd Christ hath as many names as Benefits 1. He redeemed us and thence called the Redeemer of Israel 2. He rules us by his Spirit and grace and thence called the King of the Church 3. He feeds us and called thence the Bread of life 4. He refresheth us and thence called the Water of life 5. He enlightneth us and thence called the Light of the World Iohn 8. 12. 6. He eternally appeaseth the Father so called our high Priest and here our Shepherd Quest. Why Answ. Because promised Ezek. 34. 23. I will set up one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them and accordingly performed all offices of a good Shepherd So here called a Shepherd a name of great love and sweetnesse 1. As descending of ancient Patriarks who were Shepherds and they Types of him Abel Jacob David Moses 2. He knows his Sheepe and markes them for his owne Iohn 10. 3. 14. And God sets his seale on them 2 Tim. 21. 19. knows them by name as Cyrus his Souldiers 3. He feeds their Soules and bodyes in greene pastures Psal. 23. and drives them to the sweet streames and waters of comfort by the paths of grace and righteousnesse 4. Defends them from the Wolfe and enemies being timorous simple weake shiftlesse creatures to flye resist or save themselves as David met the Lyon and Beare and slew them and saved the Sheepe 1 Sam. 17. 34. so this Shepherd goes on to meet the Adversaries and to give his life for the sheepe Oh wonderfull love and accordingly to be much magnified this good Sheepherd watcheth over his Flocke with his eye never absent day nor night sleepeth not by night as other Shepherds but keepeth our bones Psal. 34. 20. numbers the haires Mat. 10. 30. observeth Enemies and turneth them back Psal. 56 9. One Sheep may forget another as the Butler did Joseph but Christ cannot forget any of his Flocke 5. Nourisheth the young and tender Lambes Isa. 40. 11. breakes not bruised reedes suffereth not his to be tempted above their strength Seekes them straying rejoyceth in finding as in the Parable of the lost Sheep seekes and saves them that are lost cures the diseased if the diseased be contagious removes it till it be cured washeth them in the streames of his blood and every way saveth 7. He bringeth them to the Fold 1. Of grace 2. Of glory So of Christs Title 2. This Shepherd must be smitten namely with ignominy reproach grievous strokes death and the Sword so in Zachary Sword arise and smite c. Quest. What had he deserved Answ. He was fellow of the Lord not onely in familiarity of grace but conformity of nature for none can be Gods fellow which is not of the same nature what fellowship betweene abhorring natures therefore he was more pure then the Sun and no spot in him from top to toe but all perfection of grace he was not therefore smitten for his own sake but ours so Isa. 53. 5. he was wounded for our transgressions 3. Who smit him I will smite him Object The Original in Zachary saith Sword smile and rise upon the Shepherd Sol. The Evangelist or our Saviour respecting sense rather then words thus changeth them 2. The Prophet speaketh prophetically Allegorically obscurely in a compared sense But now the accomplishment of a Prophecy being the best Expositor he spe●ks according to the accomplishment plainly and without obscurity 3. In both Phrases nothing else is signifyed but that all that trouble and persecution of Jesus Christ was moved according to the will and counsell of God as Act. 4. 28. Herod and Pilate met to doe whatsoever thy hand and counsell determined the Prophet in the commandement to the Sword expresseth the counsell of God the Evangelist the hand of God in the death of Christ. Object But he was smitten by the high Priests and Jewes who slue him Answ. The hand and action of God was in it latent the actions of the instruments were apparent Gods hand was secret and hid to them and therefore they sinned highly in bringing Gods purpose to passe Object That God had a counsell ordaining and permitting this sin we grant but that he had a hand in the sin is hard to say Answ. Saint Luke addeth also that God had a hand in this action but more improperly then counsell for this hand wrought not with them in the sin but moderated guided restrained and over-ruled the sin to his glory and Christs advancement Vse 1. In that Christ is the Shepherd comfort our selves in his 1. Love 2. Care 1. Love more Love is included in this word Shepherd then if he should call himselfe our Father Brother Kinsman the good Shepherd gives his life for his Sheepe which every Father and Brother will not doe 2. Care the Sheep need care for nothing but the Shepherds presence Psal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall want nothing that is nothing that is needfull and good Jacob was a carefull Shepherd as any was yet lost some Sheepe some lost some stolne some torne Gen. 31. 39 40. But the care of this Shepherd is such as he loseth none whom he hath chosen Iob. 17. 12. Moses was a carefull Shepherd of Gods People but sometimes weary sometimes grudged at the great burden and charge Numb 11. 11. But Christ was obedient even unto the death Vse 2. In that Christ was smitten with the Sword learne patience in all afflictions and crosses ordinary and extraordinary Heb. 12. 2. Run with patience the race before us looking at Jesus Are we smitten with tongues of men swords of men so was the greene Tree the dry may be contented 1. He suffered for no necessity or desert but by voluntary humility we deserve even fiery tryals 2. He not for his cause but ours and shall not we for his 3. He despised the shame and why should not we doe so 4. The end of his crosse was the exaltation at Gods right hand and we expect the same end Vse 3. Of admonition in that he was smitten for us see it affect us with sorrow that we by sin drew out the Sword against Christ Oh that we could cry out of our selves and sins who brought Gods companion and as the Apostle saith one who thought it no robbery to be equall with God to abase himself as a Servant as a Sinner to be smitten and suffer death as a malefactor Phil. 2. 6. how should it humble us looke on him