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-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
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
Solely knew or foresaw our Lords crosses temptations poverty slights melancholy so to speak since we read of his weeping not of his laughing torture death burial c. The probability of the contrary being so evident or apparent This is not spoken to disgrace that noble Art whether Astronomy or Astrology being perswaded that the stars are both for seasons and signs and works on this inferior world by natural qualities and operations as our herbs do growing in our garden known to the learned Phisician in their vertue upon man yet as this pours no honour on the head of cheating Mountebanks or Empericks so nor the other upon them whose covetousnesse ambition arrogance or other selfish interest hath made them pry into acts of Kings Counsels Armies and as they desired have made the heavens speak to the discredit of the Ingenious Artist and could they blush to their own confusion we are sure to their scorn and reproach we have seen this star-gazer so oft to erect Schemes for such different purposes with different tones unskilful prophesies that laying him aside let us worship GOD in love reverence and fear as the Magi. THIS King we have not the star of his birth that evanishing the sun of righteousnesse himself shining with meridian luster in ordinances and means yet no industry in the work of God among us but contemning Religion revileing piety scandalously by cleaving to the earth refusing to eye the heavens though the signs of the Son of Man be come wars and rumors of wars scarce faith on the Earth and the love of many waxing cold These men of the east shall rise up against us and condemn us who it may be repented at the preaching of this single Star and arising from their bed awakeing as men out of sleep came and worshipped WHAT more all here is Mysterious Christ being born in Bethlehem which is supposed to be the center or midle part of the earth that the vertue of the Son of Man might be more regularly diffused to the Circumference of the utmost bounds of the glob and he again to be their object as equally near as equally dear uniting in him who is called the desire of all nations the impulse or star leading to the house is that lively and heavenly gift of Faith by which the serious and industrious shal be led for embraceing of saveing truths the Air heavens or firmament in which that star was and the star it â—elf again speaking as it were with a tongue Christ to be born is the Church and the Prophets Apostles Ministers thereof created that is qualified for that end viz. edifying of the Church untill she come to the stature of Iesus Christ. The Ethnick Magi honouring Christ more then and far above the Iew tipifys the amplitude of the Gentiles conversion and prognosticks it shall be more then that of the Iew Herods slaughtering of the infants to the number of an hundreth fourty four thousand not to be thought incredible in so populous a place as Iudea though others shrink this full mouth'd number into fourteen thousand where of his own son was one manâ—festly shews the Devils rage his emissaries fury against the Church of God and of his Christ in all ages yet as Christ was preserved in Idolatrous Egypt in which by the by it 's said the Idols fell at his entry so shall his Gospel out live all heathen vanities Christianity at last enjoyning all Idolatry as holy Alexander in the Tripartit did the Pagan Philosopher at Constantinople who preparing to dispute was charged thus in the name of the Lord Iesus I command thee to be silent and the Philosopher immediatly was mute so great shall be the force of truth of Christian verity THE Magi were Wise Men Kings say some Ambassadors from Kings say others how ever good-men and who perceives not that not Manners with Wickams motto but Religion makes the man the prophane haveing but an external sign of Man hood a Fool a Mad-man as beside himself for though Reason make a man with the Philosopher Honour with the Herauld yet Religion is all in all with God and good men hence these are called Wise Men. WHEN the Magi entred the house they found saith the Holy Ghost the Child his Mother it cannot be granted to them who thinks there was a good providence here that Ioseph was absent least he should have been taken for the Childs Father since that same Spirit that revealed so great a matter and inspiring them in so high a way as to adore him did in likly-hood forestale any such surmise yea possibly every punctilio of the conception might not be reveal'd to them and so her Virginity not thought upon for the scruple about the Father might have come in their heads whether Ioseph was present or no the Mother may be only named here as in other places afterward she being indeed real mother to Christ Ioseph not named not from his absence but as haveing no relation to that Child before whom they fell and worshipped first next opening their Treasures presented unto him Gold Frankincense and Myrhe THAT which is here called worship is in our civil adoration called homage which in Scripture language is Kissing of the Son and unto Kings is a symbole of subjection acknowledged here above customary salutations exceeding all court-ceremony being a paying of homage to Divinity and respects both soul and body adoring the Word in flesh wisdom in infancy the truth of the Deity truly in humanity the blessed Lord hideing these things from the wise and prudent who at the birth of a King had looked for pompuous trains splendid attendance stately lodgings ravishing musick but these men had not so learned Christ falling down giveing as is the custom yet in Eastern countries head and knee hand eye and love zeal and true adoration preferring him to themselves their learning their possessions presenting with some of the fruits of their land as Gold and Frankincense and Myrhe THE two last being plentifully offered to God under the law which being now finished the reserve and store is returned to Christ there being no more offering for sin upon the altar but the Gold typifies their trampling upon secular or worlely wealth in comparison of those riches they had acquir'd by his advent which proceeded not from inspection into glasses books or maps but from heavens inspiration that giving the sign gave also the thing signified the Myrhe which preserves the dead from putrifaction offered to him is in the Mystery acknowledging both ours and their hoped for Resurrection to proceed from him alone Gold the price of our Redemption to be told down by his satisfaction and righteousnesse the incense a perfume used in sacrifice with both Jews and Heathens given to him shadoweth abolishment of all legal offerings and diabolical services that he viz. Christ may be all in all A King they asked for a King they found and like unto a King they offered Herod said seek not
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
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
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
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
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
with vivacity more particularly called Mary which is by Interpretation exalted and to the highest acclivities of acquir'd Honour was she manuducted when seperate by eternal Decree to be Mother to the Son of God and rais'd above the level of ordinary capacities in believing the Angels Revelation for which all Generations shall call her blessed both for Faith and Example her Faith and Chastity at first view inclining her Beholders her Admirers and Followers to that high way of the upright i. e. vertue Modesty with self denial which is above not dareing to tread in those so did and impure paths of Wantonness Conceitednesse or uncleannesse leading to Hel beneath She was indeed found with Child but it was by the Holie Ghost this woman removing the Curse due to man for Insobriety became by Samplar another Eva not for being beguil'd but for believing the Mother of all living or of all that would live by beautifying their lives with Angelick continence becoming Mothers to the Son of God conceiving by the Holie Ghost who again helpeth them to keep their vessels in Sanctification and Honour The thoughts as the shade of the Iuniper tree frighting and debarring the Serpents of Corrupt resolves from entrance and avoiding the deplorable issue of enflamed lost in the remotest imaginations tending thereunto subjugating every thought to the Captivity of Reason which by and by brings it under subjection unto Christ and perpetually deterreth unclean Spirits from nestling in the Soul or heart by remembring the wo due to them who neglect so great Salvation about this time as it were BORN by this Woman this Virgin unto whom the Angel was sent as unto a Virgin in body and mind being every whit holy not for one day but dayly which all ought to be and shal at last be acquir'd maugre all seeming difficulties by girding the Sword of Honour upon our thigh denying ungodliness and worldly lusts by which we not only conquer and Triumph but with our Virgin woman Magnifie the Lord for doing great things not only for us but in us ADAM is said not to be deceived but the woman she being beguiled by the Serpent brought forth Death Adam consenting to her Mary alone believes Ioseph consenting and aiding her in things requisit life is brought forth by them to destroy that Death conceived by the other two Eva Adam's wife became the mother of Death Adam yeelding Mary Iosephs espoused for which she is called woman brought forth life Ioseph attending therefore she 〈◊〉 called a Mother she conceived that life by Faith therefore a Virgin yet brought forth in sense wherefore she is also called woman How men are born all men know but not that way but on this wise was the birth of Iesus Mat. 2. that it might be strangely differenc'd from other products of the womb For when his Mother Mary was espoused to Ioseph she was found with Child having already conceived that Ioseph should not mistake him for his Son yet she was espoused so Josephs wife that the world should not charge her with whordome or her Son with Bastardy so zealous is God that the ugly stain of incontinency be avoyded pretiously esteemed among the very Heathen for a Laconian Lady being demanded of the Dowry she brought her Husband Answered I brought chastity to his bed Mary was found a Virgin Mary was made a Woman for her Honors defence for her lifes security Adulterers being stoned and that more honourably she might travel as in Iewrie or sojourn as in Egypt with a man and some will have her made a woman that is espoused that from the devil might be concealed Christs birth and conception for though from the prophesies before runing by the translation of the kingdom to the romans by the weeks in Daniel by the Angels Message he might have a conjectural knowledge of the Messiah near to be revealed but a certainty thereof might not be obtained for the foresaid reasons WAS not Evah when first took out of man a pure Virgin yet is she not called woman Christ is BORN on this wise that like the High Priest he miâ—ht not be defiled by his Father or his Mother for by his Father in Heaven in him is no darknesse and from his Mother on Earth he receives no guiltinesse being in her Virgin estate as the former though a Woman when a Virgin was tempted to distrust this Virgin in a womans estate not contradicting Truth but overcome by Faith and Admiration becometh pardon the allusion the Mother of Eternal Salvation to all that obey The Serpent encompas'd the woman the Angel encompas'd the Virgin and the Virgin woman without man encompas'd man Man thereby reaping the benefit of that he never sowed nay of that he never believed was in the Earth For notwithstanding of that which is Fabled of Periclio the Mother of Plato that she brought forth not devirginated yet the wise admiring at that peace in the days of Augustus Caesar enquiring at their gods its duration had no other Response then that peace should endure untill a Virgin brought forth a Child which so gladned the Spirit of the people that a Temple was builded called Peace and engrav'd on its front The eternal Temple but this their conceit miscarried for the same night Christ was BORN in Bethlehem that temple was ruined by an earthquake in Rome upon whose ruines in after ages was erected a Church called S. Marys I know there are who â—ighting against this Temple of peace triumphs as did Titus over Ierusalem at length leavâ— it as the temple of that City without one stone upon another in raseing the very being of it from Records alleadgeing with those circumstances it was never buâ—ded save in Authors brains But this being a day of joy and gladnesse of peace and Union we shal not enter the lists for combate accounting it easier to believe or misbelieve the story then travel to infringe the objectors Authority by digging up the foundations of that if so twice ruined structure THE first we read to have been named Mary was Miriam Sister of Moses a Prophetess the same with it but she keep'd among the Virgins and because of an Ethiopian woman murmured against the Goodman her Brother But our Mary because found with Child is numbred among women rejoiceing that Shiloh unto whom the gathering of all people was to be born of her betrothed providence cloathing Reputation by alloting her a supposed Husband discovering thereby her Genealogy for greater Fame both towards her self and Son he being reputed the Son of Ioseph which was the Son that is to omit dark and endlesse reckonings the son in Law to Heli Marys Kinred being Numbred Luke 3. the custome of the Jews not allowing Families to be computed by women yet this is clear from both that being of the house of David and reckoned by S. Matthew from Abraham Salvation by Jesus came to his Sons but S. Luke reckoning from Adam intimats Redemption by him also to be intended by
whole one is thought infallibly to do it yea some tarrying at home dreaming as Pilats wife waking give good directions thinking all as true Revelations what their fancy malice or prejudice can suggest as was that of the Wise Men to return to their own Country concludes their salvation to be sealed not considering that their wisdom made them travel onward embraceing difficulties chearfully and that they saw not the star untill they left Ierusalem and that they had no vision in their sleep untill they had sought out Christ diligently when they were awake so that in earnest that text which most of all grounds the Iew in his incredulity and what they stick most unto in their malice against the Gospel viz. neither did his brethren believe on him may be by them Atheistically urged but neither do his followers believe on him and to our shame may be a dead stroak to the point for which they presse the former WE read that Simeon had revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he shold not dy untill he saw the Lords Christ the occasion of which revelation we find to be this vi He doubting of the truth of that Prophesy A Virgin shall bring forth a Son an angel stood by assureing his not tasting of Death untill he saw the accomplishment of that truth whereof he scrupled not to comment upon the story it is sure that inadvertence idleness and sloath in things spiritual are not attended with the knowledge of sacred Mysteries Daniel saw the vision searching for the meaning Gabriel was sent to cause him understand when the Angel appeared to the Shepherds they were keeping their flocks and the star appeared to the Wise Men at first employing their gifts for advance in learning God deals oft with men in their own way God gave Hezekia a sign from the Sun it is given out he was a great student of the Mathematicks the second time the star was seen they were upon their journey in Ierusalem they saw it not there is time and place wherein Christ is enquir'd after and not found to seek consolation in things terrene is to seek the living among the dead or as Ioseph and Mary among their kinsmen and acquaintance some seek him as Herod to destroy him to many we may say ye ask and receive not because ye ask amisse to bestow it on your lusts there is place and time wherein Christ is to be sought and found Mary sought him and found him in the Temple yet she was at pains three days the woman found him in the garden yet they sought him with tears Zacheus sought to see and found him on the Sycamour yet he sought him with care and our Wise Men sought for him with care hazzard zeal love and cost and found him FIRST let 's know our selves to be Magi Wise Men own and know our selves to be but MEN that is flesh such as have separated from God worshipping stocks and stones and given over to direful lusts next let 's come from the east with Abraham Isai. 41 preferring Christ to country kinred despising gems riches and costly Jewels chiefly to be found in the east which as soft beds â—ull the Soul asleep makeing flesh contemn the invitations Christ maketh for entrance and do this betimes at the sun rising of our days Mary Magdalen came about the sun rising saw the sepulchre not her Lord and being there were several of these Wise Men let us learn the benefits of religious Associats for where two or three are gathered together to seek he will be found but our meeting must be in peace for they came and they came together and they came together to Ierusalem the vision of peace for only when we are in peace he will come and speak peace saying be not afraid I am Iesus whom ye seek OBSERVE there is not a state or condition wherein man can fall but Christ hath been discovered and in it found as in a married estate under which he was born though not by it in a Virgin estate in which he was born in a studious estate for he was found among the Doctors in an Artificer or handy-craft estate so he was oft found with Ioseph at an honourable treat so he was by Mary Magdalen in a croud or pent up in a throng so by Zacheus in a Garden so by the woman in poverty so by the Shepherds in any place in Iudea in Egypt among the Samaritans and lastly in the house the poor house the despised house as by the Magi yet still as condemning idlenesse and exciting to diligence he was found of them that sought after him WE have seen his star in the east say the Magi but whether they in the east saw it over Ierusalem or over themselves in the east or if it was an Angel as a star or a star and a Child in it is not worthy of search or refutation for it 's we have seen and are come exemplifying promptnesse that with Lot we should not linger when by some secret inspiration we are warned of removeal as Lot did when advised to leave Sodom but as Simeon when the spirit excits to enter the temple remembring also Lots wife seasoning our selves by her salt that corruption being exsicâ—at in our mortal bodys we may go forward in our spiritual progresse at the removing of the Ark or moving of the cloud it 's motion being not for satisfying of our sight but for putting forward our feet not to stand by but to follow after i. e. these Wise Men untill we see our Lord and who shall by the noise of the worlds confusion Jerusalems trouble or by the beauty of gâ—udy pictures of appearing benefits slight the powerfull documents of the Gospel despise the beautiful face of an amiable Iesus will be condemned by these Philosophers who in duty set their face as though they would go to Ierusalem not fearing the wrath of the King though enquiring after another then he or Augustus either though over the Iews they had made themselves Kings whereas he whom they seek was a King born and exceeding Sapores of Persia who yet was crowned in the belly the crown being set upon his Mothers womb for suppressing faction but this was a King and so conceived and therefore named before he was conceived in the womb had a star to indicat his regality which they call his star as being deputed for that office others being made for times and seasons yet this for this time to shine to move to stand according as our progresse toward him advanceth or is impeded and when that is done to withdraw it's shining NO ways giving countenance to these two-peny I mean Mercenary Astrologers who pretend from the stars to judge the futurity of events depending not so much upon natural causes as reasons and deliberat consultation seconded by providence assisting or marâ—ing the design it were no puzzeling question to demand if the Magi by this star ordained to signifie our Lords Nativity
thy self the Son of God and for making sedition among the people Ordereth according to the Laws of the Roman Empire thy fastning to the Cross and to be lifted vp unâ—ill thou die waveâ—â—g thâ—s every sin pretending to have rule and command hath forced us to deporable actings and by usurped Authority countermanded God harressing the soul by Sedition having seduced it from orderly and peaceably walking Pride Ambition Lust or Envy having been made King by the wills content ordering obedience to our Makerâ— dishonour and our own disquiet Redness of eyes Deadness of heart Fury in face wounds in the side Death in the fiâ—ld moving on uproar wandring thoughts as posts runing to and fro abbetting every lust almost to uâ—pardonable transgression in that sinfull stayedness as if because of Impudence Corruption had bâ—en of God for which it is to be adjudgâ—d to the 〈◊〉 by man who is established under God over the Common-wealth of his own Soul having Common-Laws and rules for discerning of matters which if not hearkned unto by passion fear or otherwise may cause deposition which Pilat feared who when called to Rome to answer for tirany fearing contumely and receiving affronts slâ—w himself as Herod also did who is thought to be aimed at in the parable of the unjust Steward and like him when layed aside for male-administration being banished by Caesar proved fellon de se a self Murtherer AND hark is it not perspicuous how that all the persecutors of our Lords body which is his Church or the instruments and abbettors of his Death as Judas in himself or the Patriarchs in his Tipe Ioseph in selling him have bought sorrow for twentie pieces of silver in common sickles the other for thirty of the Sanctuary they for their Brother had twentie five shillings sterling he for his Master three pound fifteen shillings and for a Courtezan a Draught a piece of silver a morsel of Bread a Madrigall a Song how oft is he betrayed into the hands of sinners men selling their Saviour to hugg their lust THEERFORE such as design profit by the Resurrection must conclude the additament of worldly pelf or carnall pleasure so basely purchased to be sordid and unhappy studying rather the particulars wherein Christ can be advanced that estimation may be made according to reall worth and the account of truth he being the Truth the way and the Life the first of Religious verity the next of holy Conversation the third of happiness eternall which are infinitly in true reckoning preferable above and beyond the deceitfull appearances of temporall possessions for appearances they only are as is to be seen in the agents of our Saviours Passion First of the Patriarchs who sold him in Ioseph for a bond-man next in Iudas who delivered him to them who condemn'd him as a Malefactor HE was slain by Cain in Abel and for that Cain is to be censured that is sin must be charged with his blood In Isaac after but he escaped and the Ram in the thicket served for a burn'd offering we as that Son of Laughter escape the hand of justice he is the other's seized upon found in the thorns of his Passion which were planted by our hands and made to tear his holy Body by our folly and since he hath also escaped let his endurance dash the lust of the Eye the lust â—f the Flesh and the Pride of Life which were the thorns that pricked him the nails that pierced him and the Envy that caused him to be persu'd for which Crown him with Roses and vailing our face as did Rebecca being ashamed for former delinquences let us as chast Virgins espouse him unto our selves returning into our houses dead in sin and crucified unto the World which is seemly Christ having suffered for it before us for that end having promised â—n the third day to raise us up we bearing our Cross in sincere sorrow not comming down from it by consuâ—ing with Flesh and Blood or keeping any one sin back through prophane Custome rive ed in us but bow down our heads in humility and give up the Ghost in constancie sleâ—pâ—â—g â—hat is resting in the seâ—enity of a good Conscience lookiâ—g for that hopefull assurance of the Resurrâ—ction and blessed hope of the fruâ—tion of the Spirit of holinesse with Hâ—avenly mindedness in which as by Aâ—gles we shall be comforted assured and solaced Untill we meet the Lord in the holy Mountain where he shall be seen as he is and we know as we arâ— Known WE are said in our Carnal-capacity to be dead in sin though alive by nature as having neither Life Breath nor Motion for things Heavenly the greatest vants of Heaven though set before us in Word and Sacraments or any other nourishing spirituall aliment benefiting us no more then the choicest Bâ—â—que savour or reâ—lâ—sh of the most delicious or 〈…〉 from the most artificial cook câ—uâ—d replenish saâ—isfie or fill the empâ—y because no 〈◊〉 entralls of one Deceas'd Buâ— tâ—at Spirit of Holiness which aiâ—â—d up IESVS shall uicken this mortal body and giving iâ— a living breath cause it become a living soul hungring and thirsting after righteousâ—esse groaning that so industriously it should have pulled misery upon it self which can only be compensed by being naked as all Crucified malefactors were in an Ingenuousâ—cknowledgment not putting on the Fig-leaf of an excuse as Adam but rather when reproved answer as CHRIST did Herod in silence which indeed may put flesh and blood into a heat a sweat pleasure and reâ—enge saying Let this be far from thee pitty by self and me who hath been ever with thee yet it must be endured For because of this thou cam'st into the World and Angels shall then comfort and strengthen in that â—avishing sentence the Father hath forgiven thee thy iniquity is taken away thou shalt 〈◊〉 die ONE Thief must be Crucified that is thy deceiâ—full Heart another must be peniâ—ent and beg mercy that is thine own Soul for delinquencie offending yet let it not be desperate as those without Hope but urging pressing as earnest for Salvation anâ— infallible note of prepared Paradise and then of all thy sinful courses cry they are finished Hanging still upon the Crosse by outstretched hands in Obedience securing thy Soul in all service within the Rock of thy Saviours merits fitting us for a Resurrection upon the third day First from the plague of the heart the boile of putrid Corruption as from the bed of Hezekia next from the belly of Hell in dismal frightnings and starrings of Conscience as from the Whale in Ionah and from the sentence of death passed in the breast of the Law as did Isaac from the Altar of his Father the third day being figured in that Patriarch that Saint that Prophet and a Day in which there was never one raised from the Dead HE excepted the third Day being keeped for him in Honour and therefore He is said to rise the third Day according to the