11 35.36 Iesus wept then they said behold how he loved him Joh. 11.11 our friend Lazarus sleepeth Ioh 11.3.5 he whom thou lovest is sick now Iesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus Whether Jesus Christ suffered any sinless punishment in these animal passions I dare not be bold ro affirm But that Christ hath sanctified them by his experience for us that I may boldly affirm There be infirmityes of mans mortal body instanced in the Gospel and expressed by the same word of which sort Christ took not as Luk. 13.11 12 13. a woman bowed with a Spirit of infirmity eighteen years and Ioh. 5.5 a man lying with an infirmity thirty eight years but Jesus Christ took no such infirmity as corrupted his humane body or disabled him from his work and service from doing the will of the Father But such infirmity as made him preach pray traâ—ail with much pain grief and infirmity in doing and fulfilling his Fathers work and will that we have ground to believe and it is a great comfort unto sâ—ch serâ—ants of God as do work with much pain that labour in the service of God with an aking head pained limbs feeble spirits crazy bodyes and lungs unto such it is an unspeakable comfort that Christ did fulfil his Fathers will and obey his commands under much infirmity and by experience knoweth how to pit such as do so s rve the Lord. Which is the case of most of Gods dear Children at sometimes or other and some constantly It is an antient question among Diâ—ines whether Iesus Christ did submit himself to bodily sickness some are of apprehension hâ— did not and some are of apprehension he did among whom I am and with submiâ—â—ion I shall be bold to offer my grounds for it 1. It is expresly affirmed in the Prophesy Psal 41.8 9. an evil disâ—ase a thing of Belial cleaveth fast unto him as the Viper did to the hand of Paul Act. â—8 3 4 5 6. and now that he lyeth he shall rise up no morâ— some such sharp distempâ—r fell upon him as forced him to lye down and his Enemies hoped that he should dy of it but they were mistaken as the Barbarians were about Paul when the Viper fastened on his hand but an evil disease did befall him it is not said what it was but it was dangerous sharp and threatning When he had been hot and spent all day with preaching and travail and then be all night on a mountain at prayer what aguish or feaverish fits it might expose his mortal body unto or what aches and pains in his limbs head jaws sinews or the like discomposure of his health it might bring we do experience in our mortal bodyes often and so might he yea he did expose his body to more labour and hardship both by night and by day then we do That this Prophesy of the Psalmist is spoken of Christ is most evident because the ninth verse which is part of the sentence addeth another aggravation unto the affliction Yea mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted viz. with the bag who eat of my bread hath lift up his heel against me this part of the sentence Christ himself doth apply to himself and Iudas Ioh. 13.18 he that eateth bread with me hath lift up his heel against me So that we cannot doubt that the ninth verse belongeth to Iesus Christ then why not the eight verse if the latter part of the sentence be spoken of Christ why not the former part Iesus Christ doth most perfectly know the meaning of the Scriptures therefore by the sure Testimony of Christ that Prophesy in the Psalms belongeth unto him so that some ill disease befel him so as that for the present he kept his bed upon it 2. As it is expresly affirmed in the Prophesy so it is expresly affirmed by Mathew Chap. 8.17 himself took our infirmityes and bare our sicknesses 3. Because sicknesses are a great part of the sinless punishment that is inflicted on man for sin it is not a sin to be sick but it is a punishment of sin and Chriâ—t hath borne all the sinless punishments of sin Isai 53.3 a man of sorrows acquainted with griefs here be two significant words that shew that it was the general and ordinary frame of his mortal body the words doe signifie such sorrows and griefs as arise and spring from sickness and from a crazy state of body which notwithstanding he did not abate any labour travail work or hardship that lay before him and that he had a calling to attend whereby he might do good to others in Soul or body Act. 10.38 he went about doing good and healing others yet this he did in much pain grief and infirmity he was accustomed so to do 4. It is of great comfort and encouragement to the dear Servants of God who are forced so to do unless they should leave the work and Service of the Lord undone they cannot forbear and withdraw themselves from the work and yet must perform it with difficulty through pains aches weariness hardship and sometimes dangerous adventures in which cases the Servants of God have this eminent encouragement that Jesus Christ experienced the same and he is a merciful high Priest and Mediator to pitty help relieve and comfort such of his Servants as are faithful to do his Service though it be upon such hard Terms Such as think Jesus Christ did not submit himself to bodily sickness do render this Reason becausâ— he healed all manner of diseases in others and if he had been sick himself they would have said unto him Physitian hâ—al thy self or would have said it is a sign that he is an Impostor a deceiver because he healeth others but cannot heal himself therefore his holy wisdome would not expose himself to such a check and evil construction of his miraculous healing of others But under savour I see not force in this Reason because though he was sick and sometimes so sick as that he was constrained to ly by it and so that his Adversaries knew that he was sick yet it is most certain that he did heal himself and rise again which is evident by this that he dyed not of any sickness or disease he dyed a violent death by the cruelty of his Enemies Though sometimes they understood that he was sick yet they quickly saw him up again and about his heavenly Fathers business he did not tell them of all the pains and aches that he went about withal it was enough to him that his Father saw them all and divine justice saw how holily patiently constantly he suffered those sinless punishments of sin and was fully satisfied in his right pure perfect and meritorious suâ—ferings therein yea it is like that Christ did not tell his dearest friends of what pains he laboured under every day and that may be one Reason why so little is written about this part of the suâ—ferings of Jesus Christ he gave no such way to
in your hands that God cannot deliver him out of your hands had you patience to have suppressed this blasphemy but till the morning of the first day you might have been prevented of this sin for you might have seen him mightily proved to be the Son of God by his Resurrection and that God hath power to deliver him out of your hands and greater then yours too 3. The third sort of mockers were the Souldiers Luk. 23.36 37. the Souldiers also mocked him coming to him and offering him vineger and saying if thou be the King of Israel save thy self Touching their giving him vineger we see by this it was no act of favour but such as was accompanied with mocks of this more hereafter Little did these men know that his dying upon the Cross was the way appointed by God for the salvation both of Jew and Gentile 4. The fourth and last sort of mockers instanced in the Text were the Theevs Math. 27.44 but of this part of the History we have already spoken CAP. XIV The last part of the Sufferings of Jesus Christ upon the Cross THe whole life of Jesus Christ was a suffering life the first and the last parts of his time in this world were fullest of sufferings the last and greatest of his sufferings were on the Cross Phil. 2.8 obedient to the death even death upon the Cross here all his bitter sufferings met upon him upon the Cross he fulfilled to answer and satisfie all that was to be said by the Law against us Col. 2.14 15. blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross and having spoyled Principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly tryumphing over them in it viz in the work that he did accomplish on the Cross in giving full satisfaction to the Law The full stream of his sufferings fell on him on the Cross Jesus Christ did both suffer and agonize before the Cross as appeareth Luk. 12.50 I have a Baptisme to be baptized with and how am I streightned till it be accomplished Joh. 12.20 now is my Soul troubled in the garden he had a great Soul Agony Luk. 22. 44. his body was not yet in a suffering condition only by way of simpathy with his agonizing Soul which so wrought on him as that he swet drops like blood But on the Cross all kind of sufferings met together the whole stream of wrath against sin fell upon him and he was under it altogether 1 His body suffered all those cruel torments wrackings before mentioned 2. His mind suffered all the grief they could afflict him withal by mocks reproaches blasphemies 3. His Soul suffered the full cup of the Justice of the Law and desert of sin His great sufferings upon the Cross he underwent in his near three hours silence for after he had forgiven his persecu ors â—nd provided for the comfort of his widdow mother and took care of the penitent Thief he did with holy patience and silence suffer all that fell upon him until the ninth hour and then spake such words as expressed what he was doing and suffering all this while The sense of cruel pain that his body was in all this while may in a small measure be apprehended by what hath been said in the particular Tortures The sufferings of his mind by the reproaches mocks blasphemies taunts which he heard and saw all this while of his silence these were a bitter part of his suffering as it is expressed in the Prophesy Psal 69.20 reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness and I lookod for some to take pitty but there was none comforters but found none vineger and gall was all that the creatures afford him ver 21. The causes of this affliction of his mind are expressed ver 19. by three words reproach shame and dishonour which are said to have this effect upon him reproach hath broken my heart an heart wound is deeper and more terrible then a bodily wound ungrateful men pierced and wounded his heart when he was dying for them Ovile ingratitude O infinite patience and pitty the tongues of men did pierce Jesus Christ to the heart as he hung upon the Cross they so filled his heart with heaviness that there was no room for comfort When he looked for some to pitty and bemoan him or help him but there was none that had power to help him his mother and John stood by and many more no doubt but alas they could not help him be trade the wine press alone Isai 63.3 There is a threefold wounding of the heart by words 1. A penitential piercing of the heart by words of conviction Act. 2.2.37 this is a blessed gospel wound 2. There is a wrathfull cutting of the heart when reproofs are applyed as Act. 7. 54. this is a sinfull wound But 3. There is a sorrowfull piercing of the heart by words of reproach and this was the heart-breaking sorrow that Jesus Christ suffered upon the Cross Object But can the words of a man so pierce the innocent heart of Jesus Christ Answ Jesus Christ stood in the stead of those that were guilty and therefore divine justice set them home to his heart to the uttermost None can tell the force of words till he have experienced the same Words are the means whereby Souls have converse and communion Words carry the mind heart judgement notion affection passion of one party to another If we use Gods words and apply them right they both wound and heal and are most wholsome But they were mens words that broke the heart of Iesus Christ When words flow from anger envy hatred wrath revenge such words are full of the breath and spirit of Satan and make cruel wounds upon the heart and such wounds were made in the heart of Iesus Christ Some sorts of wounding words did especially pierce the heart of Iesus Christ 1. When they upbraided him Where is thy God Psal 42.3 4. Mat. 27.45 Psal 22.7 2. When they forge a Lye against him and impose it upon him Psal 119.69 3. Vngratefull saucy words against him that is beneficent Ioh. 10.32 Many good works have I done for which of them do you stone me So Psal 35.3 4 11 12. Among ungratefull men abusers of Iesus Christ two men are to be wondered at and they are Iudas and Malchus Sect. 2. The last part of the Sufferings of Iesus Christ when he dyed for our Redemption is recorded by all the four Evangelists I desire the Reader to turn to all these Scriptures and first read them Mat. 27.45 ad 55. Mark 15.33 ad 40. Luk. 23.44 ad 49. Joh. 19.28 ad 38. OVT of all these texts together we may gather these two particulars 1. The history of the three hours darkness which was the time most of it of Jesus Christ his silence wherein his soul did agonize under the punishment of our
sin which punishment was extended to the uttermost even untill justice was fully satistied 2. What was said and done and acted at the end of the 6t hour at the beginning of the ninth hour viz. 1. The first word which Jesus Christ spake in terrible manner was Eli Eli lamasabachtani 2. The second word which Jesus Christ spake was I thirst Both these words were spoken by him soon after each other both were uttered before they gave him vinegar and gall which act Mathew and Mark relate to be done upon his speaking the first word Iohn relates it to be done upon his speaking the second word Therefore both those words were spoken before that act was done The effect of both these words upon the by-standers was Some ran took a spung gave him galled vinegar of which he tasted Others mistook him and said he calleth to Elias to deliver him 3. The third word Iesus Christ spake when he had tasted the vinegar was It is finished 4. The fourth and last dying word which Jesus Christ spake was Into thy hands I commit my Spirit and with that word breathed out his Soul Sundry remarkable effects of his death of which in their place In this silent agony of Jesus Christ upon the cross he suffered all the punishment and curse which sin hath brought upon man Gal. 3.13 he was made a curse for us viz. by suffering all the punishment of the curse 2 Cor. 5.21 He was made sin for us viz. an Offering to bear the guilt and punishment of sin though he knew not sin so as to doe it Isai 53. This whole famous Prophesie declareth this great point Psal 69.26 whom thou hast smitten Col. 1.2 Having made peace by the blood of his cross 1. Cor. 15.3 4. Christ dyed for our sins occording to the Scriptures Dan 9.24 He hath made an end of sin viz. He hath satisfied justice for the first sin of Adam and for all sin that hath followed from the same He hath taken away the condemning power of sin by the authority of the Law and brought it under another law or Covenant viz. of Grace The first Covenant of works doth not over-rule sin in its condemning power but Jesus Christ doth over-rule it by the New Covenant under which he doth rule all the Elect of God And that he might accomplish all this he hath suffered all the essential punishment of the curse viz. all sinless punishment all that the justice of the law requireth with his sufferings justice was fully satisfied and all this he suffered for us Isai 53.3 4 5 6. c. There be some accidental parts and points of punishment which fall upon man but cannot fall upon Iesus Christ which I will touch in a few instances Instance 1. Eternity of punishment befals man Math. 25.41 46. Everlasting fire Everlasting punishment Mark 9.44 45 46 48. the worm dyeth not nor is the fire quenched But this is so because of the inability of a finite Creature to satisfie infinite justice But Jesus Christ is God-man and therefore he is able to satisfie infinite justice in a finite time because he is an infinite person and therefore his sufferings are of infinite value his sufferings make up in value what they be short in time of duration He suâ—fered infinite punishment wrath and curse in a finite short time As the first Adam if he had stood though a finite person should have finished perfect active obedience to the Law in a finite time because he was a person fitly qualified by God for such a service being furnished with the perfect image of God So the second Adam did in a finite time finish all obedience to the Law both active and paâ—sive and fulfilled our Covenant of works being an infinite person and infinitely qualified for that work having the Spirit without measure an infinite person suffered obeyed satisfactorily in a finite time he had Gods image perfectly and therefore perfectly fitted and qualified for that great work Thirty three years and an half were requisite wherein Jesus Christ might perform and fulfil perfect obedience to the Law both active and passive and perform all that which Justice did require at the hand of man The middle part of his pilgrimage had less of passive and more exercised in active obedience the beginning and end of his life were more filled with sufferings though every act of Jesus Christ had both active and passive obedience in it yet one sometimes more illustrious then the other From his entrance into the garden till he dyed was about twenty hours or near so much and that was the chiefest time of his suffering Torment but his humiliation continued his whole life through And when Jesus Christ did dye if he had dyed eternally then d at h had overcome him But he hath overcome death and saw not corruption though he dyed because he rose again the third day Instance 2. The place of mans suffering Torment is Hell Luk. 16.23 and in Hell he lift up his eyes being in Torment But Jesus Christ suffered all his sufferings on Earth how then did he suffer all the punishment due to man Answ There is a penal Hell and local Hell penal hell hath two branche seperation from God sense of Torment Math. 25.41 depart from me ye cursed that is the punishment of loss into Everlasting fire that is punishment oâ— sense And wheresoever these two are inflicted there is penal hell though it be not in local Hell These two kinds of punishment are chiefly inflicted on the damned in local Hell sometimes a good measure of it in this life But on Jesus Christ all was inflicted on Earth where sin is committed And great reasons might be offered why it must be so 2. The place of punishment is not of the Essence or an Essential part of the punishment of sin the judge may chuse and appoint the place where the punishment shall be inflicted and executed It was an act of Gods infinite wisdome to appoint and order that Jesus Christ should suffer the punishment of sin in this world among men it is most agreeable to the Covenant of works that it should be so it is great love to his Elect that it is so it is not yet revealed where the place of Hell is or shall be Some great divines have thought that after the day of Judgement the Earth shall be the place of Hell that the place of committing sin shall be the place of punishing of it Sure it was so with Jesus Christ he suffered the punishment of sin on Earth where sin was committed Instance 3. It is a great part of the punishment of sin inflicted on man that he is dead in sin Eph. 2.1 5. and Gen. 2.17 one part of this dying is to be dead in sin But this death Jesus Christ suffered not how then did he suffer all the punishment of sin Answ 1. To be dead in sin is personal defilement by the loss of Gods image this could
would look to find the King of Israel the Messiah It is called Galile of the Gentiles Mat. 4 15. And Nazaret was an obscure place out of which no body looked for such a Branch to grow and spring Ioh. 1.46 Good Nathaniel said can any good thing come out of Nazaret And as this might be an inducement to go thither because Nazaret was their own city Luk. 1.26 27. The place where Joseph and Mary dwelt before and at the time of her Conception and where they had no doubt many godly friends and acquaintance who would desire their return thither And aboâ—e all other inducements Mathew taketh notice of the divine Prophesâ— Mat. 2.23 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets and he shall be called a Nazarene that is the BRANCH so he is called Isa 11.1 and other places for from this word the city Nazaret had its name Thus we see the tender care the Lord had over this blessed Branch and how serviceable the Angels were unto Jesus Christ CAP. VI The History of the holy life of Jesus Christ in the time of his Child-hood SO much for the History of Jesus Christ in his Infancy and what sore Persecution he suffered while he was an Infant which was prophesied of Psal 22.9 10. Thou art he that took care of me in the womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breasts I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mothers belly The life of Jesus Christ may be set forth in four Periods 1. His Infancy of which we have already spoken 2. His Childhood the history whereof is recorded Luk. 2.40 ad 51. 3. His Youth the history whereof is recorded Luk. 2.51 52. 4. His Ripe Age in his publick Ministry His Childhood is 1. Described ver 40. 2. Illustrated by one particular history at the finishing of his childhood beginning of his Youth viz. when he was about twelve years old Luk. 2.41 ad 51. Although this Instance only is recorded yet no doubt there were many more eminent and observable passages in his life And why the Lord hath said so little of his eminent life and so much of his sufferings and Death is a point worth searching into This I may say that in this life we have most need to feed meditate upon and improve the Sufferings and death of Jesus Christ At the day of Judgment and in heaven we shall be more capable to behold and improve the history of the holy life of Jesus Christ and his heavenly Sayings and Doings The Childhood of Jesus Christ is described by four things 1. He grew 2. He waxed strong in Spirit 3. He was filled with Wisdome 4. The Grace of God was upon him Here behold the most excellent Child that ever was born of a woman a most high and glorious pattern for all good Children to set before them as an high mark to make towards John Baptist was a famous Child he was conceived by Faith as Isaac was a child of Prayer his birth foretold by the Angel who spake many and great things of him Luk. 1.13 The Angel said fear not Zacharias for thy prayer is heard thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a Son thou shalt call his name John and thou shalt have joy and gladness and many shall rejoyce at his birth for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink and he sâ—all be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mothers womb and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God And he shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdome of the just to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Lo what marvelous things are spoken by the Angel touching John And when Zacharias objected and made difficult to believe what the Angel had said touching his haâ—ing a child he gave Zacharias such a sign as made this matter observable to all Istael for he was struck dumb till John was born And what the Angel had said touching his being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mothers womb ver 15. was performed ver 41 44. As soon as Elizabeth heard the voice of Maryes salutation the babe Joâ—n leaped in her womb for joy His birth was very observable At his Circumcision his fathers dumb tongue was loosed and his mouth opened to praise the Lord. And he was filled with the Holy Ghoâ—t and prophesied both touching Jesus Christ and touching John Baptist that he should goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his way according as the Angel had foretold Many more things are spoken of him in this Prophesy so famous were these things about John that Luk. 1.66 All that heard these things laid them up in their hearts saying what manner of child sâ—â—â—â— this be and the hand of the Lord was with him and ver 80. the child grew and waxed strong in spirit Two of the very same words that are spoken of Jesus Christ Luk. 2.40 are spoken of John Behold here this child John was the most famous child of a meer man that ever was brought forth into the world But notwithstanding all this he was not comparable to the child Jesus as may be made to appear in many and great respects yea in those two things that are said of John in the same words wherein they are said of Jesus viz. that he grew and waxed strong in spirit there is a wonderfull difference betwixt John and Jesus 1. John was a Son of fallen man under the stain of Original Sin though he was very early sanctified even in the womb three months before he was born yet by nature he was defiled and stained with Original Sin by reason of the just imputation of the guilt of Adams sin unto him for thus sin is propagated from Father to child all the posterity of Adam being in his loins The Embrio in the womb is not a Man till it be quickned with an immortal Soul though it hath principles of natural growth yet till it be united and quickned with an immortal Soul it is not Man kind and the Law taketh no hold on it And that the body is thus prepared in the womb before the immortal Soul is creatingly infused into it and united doth appear as I conceive in that law of God Exod. 21.22 23. If a man strive and hurt a woman with child so that her fruit depart from her and yet no mischiâ—f follow he shall be surely punished according as the womans husband will lay upon him and he shall pay as the Iudges determine but if mischief follow then thou shalt give life for life See here that a woman may be so hurt as to lose her Conception but it is not murder if her Conception was not quickned with an immortal Soul But if it were
by addition of food without augmentation of any Limb or part of the body this is another of the wonderful works of God in the sustenance of the body of man These particular meditations concerning the growth of the body of man and in the samâ— manner of the growth of the body of Iesus Christ should raise our hearts to admiration at the wisdom power mercy goodness of God that we have dayly experience of yea hourly continually And hence we see a cogent Argument to oblige us to pray and give thanks alwayes when we eat and drink And so when we eat at the Lords Supper where our souls are eminently fed with spiritual food in a spiritual and wonderful manner by outward signs of eating and drinking such matter of sustenance as the Lord hath pleased by his wisdom and Institution to dispence In all these meditations about our bodily estate sustenance and preservation it is good to sing with David Psal 139.13 14 15 16 17. for thou hast possessed my Reins thou hast covered me in my mothers womb I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvellous are thy works and that my Soul knoweth right well my substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and thine eyes did seâ— my substance yet being unperfect and in thy book all my members were written which iâ— continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them how pretious are thy thoughts unto me O God how great is the sum of them It is an addition of wonders that as the body groweth in bigness ability and capacity for the Soul to act in and by so the Soul grows to its appointed bigness and capacity for action and no bigger then God hath appointed the chief time of the Souls moral growth is after the body hath done growing There is great difference of Souls though we see and know the increase of the Body but know not the wisdom and power of God how he doth perform it so we are much more ignorant how the Lord performeth the growth of Souls and how the Soul is adapted fitted to the body that in every part and unto every purpose It is also wonderful to observe the different bigness of Souls with the adapting of the body for the Soul it is better to say the body is fitted for the Soul then to say the Soul is fitted for the body though both be true Gluttons and drunkards and unclean persons and lazy c. do spoyle their bodies and unfit them for their Souls use it is a point of great wisdom to govern and order the body for the use and service of the Soul Again we may observe great likeness and unlikeness of bodyes and Souls which cometh to pass by a wonderful and powerful operation of Gods wisdom the foundation whereof is laid in the first matter of the body and so in the created matter of the Soul bodily port complection features gestures dispositions inclinations c. are patronimick gifts and effects Esther was a gallant woman and was of the stock of Saul who was a gallant man none like him among all the people and â—et there were gallant men at that time in Israel Both body and Soul of Jesus Christ were extraordinary therefore he grew in a more eminent and excellent manner then any of mankind â—â—s humane nature both body and soul were making fit and preparing to be a sacrifice to God for the sin of man Heb. 10.5 a body hast thou prepared me And Isa 53.10 thou shalt make his soul a sacrifice for sin This was the greatest best Sacrifice that ever was offered up to God Therefore there was perfect work in the growth governance and ordering of this child I might here digress into the consideration of the admirable wisdome of God in the preparation of this blessed person to be a spotless Lamb a fit Sacrifice for sin offered to God for the sin of man The life of this person was more precious then any other of mankind yea more precious then all the lives of all mankind The Iewish Sacrifices were but Bruits vegetables But Jesus Christ offered this precious Body Soul a reasonable Sacrifice We are commanded to offer our selves to God a reasonable sacrifice Rom. 12.1 for the mortification of our sin and dedecation of our selves to the service of God But Jesus Christ offered himself to God to satisfie vindictive justice for the offence of sin Heb 9.26 he hath put away sin by the sacrifice of himself and hath made an end of sin Dan. 9.24 The second branch of the description of the glorious person of this holy Child Jesus who was preparing to be made a Sacrifice to God for the sin of man is expressed in these words He waxed strong in spirit his humane nature was made under the guidance and governance of the Law as Adam was in his first creation that he might fulfill the law to the full satisfaction of rewarding justice and receive the blessed inheritance of life according to the covenant of works as a reward of his meritorious obedience and all this as a publick person a second Adam in which the first Adam failed and fell short Which glorious work when he had finished he was to offer up himself to God and dye for the sin of Adam and all the effects of it So that this holy child Jesus was educated and trained up in and for a double sâ—rvice by active obedâ—ence meritoriously to keep the law and obtain the life promised in the covenant of works from the hand of rewarding justice and by passive obediâ—nce meritoriously to satisfie vindictive justice for the offence of man That he might doe and perform all this as his humane nature both body and soul grâ—w and passed from infancy to childhood from childhood to youth and from youth to ripe age and all this undâ—r the Rule of Obedience to the law of God So in the second place it is said he waxed strong in spirit I yet see not but that I may adventure to call the first of these his natural growth and the second his moral growth it is not a soul growth only but his body grew also in fitness to be serviceable to his holy soul and spirit therefore it is a growth of the whole man The same word is said of John Luk. 1.80 but it must be underâ—tood with great difference according as their persons differed in eminency Joâ—n grew as a son of fallen Adam when regenerated doth grow Jesus grew as the son of God that touched not tasted not of the fall of Adam But as Adam in innocency should haâ—e grown and much more eminently John grew according to the measure of his capacity Jesus grew in a wonderful higher measure of capacity Iohn had the spirit according to his measure which was great in comparison of them that went before him but Iesus had the spirit without measure Quest 1. What is meant by
Spirit Job 32.8 there is a Spirit in man and it is called the Spirit of a man Prov. 18 4. he will hear his infirmity by a stout and gallant resolution he will bear any thing from the hand of man as we see our Indians will unto which they are trained up from their Child-hood and it is infusâ—d into them as an honourable Character of a man of courage but a Spirit wounded by God who can bear The Spirit of a man is that part of Gods Image or likeness in a man that fitteth him for action his Spirit doth exert and draw him forth to action and judgeth of his action when he hath done it Job 32.18 I am full of matter the Spirit within me conâ—traineth me Psal 39 2 3. my sorrow was stirred my heart was hot while I was musing the fire burned then spake I with my tongue and when he hath acted his Spirit judgeth of his action by the rule Prov. 20.27 the Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord searching to the bottom of the belly The Spirit of a man naturally is carnal and unsanctified 1 Thes 5.23 sanâ—tifie you throughout in body Soul and Spirit that which is called the Spirit of a man is chiefly as I conceive Conscience because conscience constraineth us to action and judgeth of our action when it is done by carrying it to the Rule and glass which is Gods Candle a wounded Spirit mentioned Prov. 18.14 is a wounded Conscience Zeal is acted partly in Conscience which exerteth action Joh. 2.17 the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up This zealous Spirit maketh a man devout to God in all dutyes of the first Table just loving and benificent to man in all duties of the second Table Conscience is called the spirit of a man because it is one chief seat in a man where the ruling spirit of a man sitteth abideth and acteth The spirit dwelleth in the whole man in every faculty especially in the Will Conscience and Vnderstanding All mankind are secretly acted by a spirit either good or bad the carnal sort are acted by the Devils spirit Eph. 2.2 the spirit that acteth in the Children of Disobedience Thus it is ordinarily though Gods Spirit may sometimes break in yea effectually in such as shall be saved But the Godly are acted by the good Spirit of God Rom. 8.11 13 14. if the Spirit dwel in you he shall quicken you And if through the Spirit ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh and as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God One chief seat or residence of the Spirit of God is the Conscience where he sitteth and overlooketh the understanding the will the affections the passions and all the figments and imaginations And hence Conscience chiefly raiseth the spiritual War and sets all grace into action against all sin The evil Spirit that ruleth in the carnal hath his chief seat in imaginations figments affections and Lusts and the smoak of them blindeth the understanding yea and conscience too perverteth the will and all the powers o the soul and inclineth them to evil continually and by those doors he creepeth in yea sometimes breaketh into the hearts of the godly Thus we see why Conscience may be called the Spirit of a man and so the Spirit of Iesus and of Iohn may be their Conscience in a good part Q. 2. What is it to be strong in spirit A. To be full of Grace Zeal and Courage for God so Jesus Christ was Joh. 2.17 when he was eaten up with Zeal for the purity of Gods house and instituted Worship Act. 6.10 Steven was so full of the Spirit of grace and zeal in conscience for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that none was able to gainsay or resist him viz. with Scripture and reason but with rage and stones about his ears they did resist him till they had killed this blessed Martyr Jesus was strong in grace and zeal and as he grew in years and as his humane nature grew in capacity so this Spirit grew in him strong in Spirit the word which the Holy Ghost useth signifieth a growing in strength as the word is used 1 Cor. 16.13 quit you like men and be strong c. very fully is it expressed in that Text Eph. 3.16 that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man and thus did this blessed child Jesus wax strong in Spirit in his Child-hood he grew up to be a mighty powerful gracious zealous child 3. The third branch of the description of this holy child Jesus is in these words filled with wisdome wisdom is that part of Gods Image in man whereby he is capable of and furnished with diâ—ine knowledge and undersâ—anding to be furnished with all the intellectual virtues and that not onlâ— in knowing the rules of Art but especially the Rules of Râ—ligion in the knowledge of the Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 from a Child thou hast knownâ—th holy Scâ—iâ—turâ—s which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Jesuâ— Christ Iesus Christ received his Fulness from God and out of his Fulness we all recei e he is full of grace Joh 1.14 when the word dwelleth richly in us Col. 3.16 it filleth us with wisdom so it dwelt in Iesus and inriched him in all wisdom as the vessels of nature grâ—w greater in capacity so the indwelling Spirit of God did fill them unto all fulness This is as the child whom Solomon describeth Eccles 4.13 a poor wise child 4. The fourth branch of the description of this holy â—h ld Iesus the grace of God was upon him that word upon him sheweth the meaning partly to be that visible port and outward carriage the demeanour of his person in his conversing with men This outward grace is that part of Gods Image which shineth in the gravity and Authority of his port gestures and actions which command acceptation Deut 33.24 acceptable to his brethren so was Iesus Christ Math. 7.29 he spake as one having Authority Mark 1.22 and Luk. 4.32 his word was with power Ioh. 7.46 neâ—â— man spake as he speaketh Ioh. 18.6 as soon as he said I am he they went backward and fell to the Earth good gesture good voice good speech gentle grave loving behaviour such things make up this outward grace of God in which some persons both men and women are eminent So was Iesus Christ and yet more may be meant by that word Object But here is a great Obiection Isai 53.2 c. he hath no form nor comeliness no beauty that we sâ—ould desire him Answ So Iesus Chriâ—t was in the worlds eye Isai 53.3 despised rejected of men but in the Church sâ—ye that looked by faith and love he was far otherwise Joh 1.14 we beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Tâ—is â—â—orâ—ous person thus
above others where the same word in the Original is used Gal. 1.14 and he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel a very learned Doctor Act. 22.3 The matter of our learning is chiefly the Scriptures that is the book above all books to train up youth in the knowledge thereof as Timothy was 2 Tim. 3.15 The next book to that is the book of Gods creatures the works of God where all the liberal Arts are to be found and learned And the next books are the books labours and works of learned men and especially of holy men who lay open the Treasures of wisdome and knowledge which are laid up in Jesus Christ laid out displayed and revealed in the Scriptures and explained to our Capacityes in the Books and labours of holy and learned men That Jesus according to his humane nature increased in wisdome is here testifyed of him as his body and Soul grew in capacity to receive more and more addition of wisdome so the Holâ— Ghost filled him more and more with wisdome when he was a Child he was filled with wisdome Luk. 2.40 according to the measure of his capacity and as he grew up his virtue was more and more exerted and he was still more and more filled and increased in wisdome Jesus was full of grace and as the habits were drawn out by new Objects into act so his wisdome increased The means that Jesus Christ usâ—d were those above named Luk. 2.46 he was among the Doctors both hearing them and asking them questions And no doubt such as taught in the Synagogues where he lived had him to be their frequent if not constant hearer And that Jesus did read the Scriptures there is no doubt to be made of it because he hath commanded us to search the Scriptures wherein he was so expert that Luk. 24.27 beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself That Jesus meditated and prayed which are two exercises of the Soul so neer of kind that they are seldome asunder especially when we meditate on Religion the Scriptures And how abundant our Lord Jesus was in prayer is greatly witnessed in the Gospels Thus Jesus Christ hath set a pattern to all scholars and Christians who all are the Scholars of Jesus how we may increase in wisdome Wisdome entereth into the Soul by degrees so it entered into the soul of Jesus because he increased in wisdome We find two kinds of soul food milk for Babes strong meat for men Heb. 5.14 and Jesus Christ made use of both these kinds of Soul food the Scriptures are the purest spiritual milk in the world 1 Pet 2.1 2. the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby such babes as are born of the Spirit by receiving into their Souls the ingrafted word they relish no food but such as is grounded upon and deduced from the Scriptures such was the food that Jesus fed upon whereby he was filled with wisdome we see that Jesus Christ hath sanctified Schools of learning and all good means of education of youth in knowledge and wisdome and did perfectly fulfil the Law of God therein for us 5. He increased in stature As his Age and Years came on so his humane nature grew he grew up a comelâ— young man well featured and proportioned in all his limbs unto that measure of stature that was appointed to him of God his body visibly grew as his Soul grew invisibly unto that glorious measure which the Lord had appointed for it to attain unto Though the carnal persecuting world vexed and incensed by his holiness and faithful ministry were blinded with the black smoak of envy and his person obscured by poverty and a low condition and therefore saw no beauty nor any thing desireable in him yet in Gods eye he was his pleasant Child and in the Churches eye he was a glorious person we beheld his glory the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 6. He increased in favour both wi h God and man he was a very gracious holy youth a young man eminent in Religion eminent in Sabbath worship in Synagogue worship in Family worship in Temple worship all his converse and discourse was holy heavenly and religious he behaved himself in all things as a darling Child of God And in his converse with men he was of a civil kind courteous and affable conversation so that all Gods people did love him honour him and reverence him in their hearts though the wicked and prophane contemned him yet in their consciences they could not but have a reverent esteem of him So he grew in favour with God and man Thus he lived and carryed himself until he was about thirty years of Age. In this course of his Earthly pilgrimage he had opportunity to obey God in all the Commandments of the Law The whole System of the obedience of man in walking towards God in holiness according to the first Table of the Law and in righteousness towards man according to the second Table of the Law was performed by him and he never failed in one jot or Tittle of the Law but did perfectly fulfil it Such particular commands as his Sex or calling c. gave him not opportunity actually to perform those hâ— did virtually and habitually perform and that was acceptable to God for Adam if he had stood in Innocency should not personally have performed the Commandments peculiar to Children yet should acceptably have fulfilled the whole Law And the times that Jesus lived in were such trying times as did put him often upon most eminent acts of obedience 〈◊〉 he came to the Church of the Jews when they were at the worst that â—ver they were and under the deepest degree of Apostacy which filled all men with tryals and temptations and rendred it a difficult work to keep true and upright in his obedience to God Yet Iesus kept his integrity without the least spot blemish or stain 1 Pet. 2.22 23. he came also at a time when the Jews were subdued by and subjected unto the Roman power which condition did render the times very difficult to keep a good Conscience and to walk with God in truth and sincerity Yet notwithstanding these and such like difficulties Jesus Christ held fast his integrity and walked in all obedience to God and towards all men with perfect Innocency In this course of his humane life he perfectly fulfilled the Law of God And all this he did as our Saviour and Mediator and Surety The first Adam ought to have fulfilled the Law but he did not he fell into sin before he had kept the Law therefore Jesus Christ the second Adam he undertaketh to perform that which he left unperformed he hath perfectly fulfilled the Law by his active obedience this perfect obedience of Jesus is imputed unto believers and God doth account it unto us as if we had
is of great instruction to such as haâ—e crazy sickly weak bodyes take heed how we abate any service unto the Lord espâ—cially we Ministers must be careful in this point because the pattern of Christ firâ—tly respecteth us Paul did eminently imitate Jesus Christ in this point Gal. 4.13 14. you know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel to you at the first and my Temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus And we see that Paul was under some sickly crazâ— infirmity when he first preached at Galatia and yet he favoured not his flesh he spared not his crazy body his love and zeal carried him out to preach the Gospel effectually to them notwithstanding his great bodily weakness that was at that time upon him now this humility love and self denyal in Paul was so acceptable and powerful with them and so prevailed upon their hearts that they looked at him as if an Angel had preached to them yea as if Christ himself had come unto them to do them good and they were so far from despising or rejecting him as a poor crazy sickly man as that they would if possible have plucked out their eyes to have done him good it is honourable and acceptable service to do good to others with self denyal hardship and difficulty to go about in weariness weakness pains and infirmityes to do good such a pattern Jesus Christ hath set us though he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs aches and infirmityes yet he alwayes went about doing good Act. 10.38 by this Rod of sickness Jesus Christ doth not only exercise power over the lives of his Children but also over the lives of his Enemies Herod must dye that Jesus might return out of Egypt unto Israel the World is full of Examples how the Church and Saints have been delivered from persecution by the death of a persecutor Sect. 5. The Sufferings of Jesus Christ under Reproaches Psal 22.6 a reproach of men and despised of the People JEsus Christ did voluntarily bear for us the reproaches cruel mockings deririsions scoffs and dâ—spisings of the People David hath abundantly prophesied of Christ in this Book of Psalms and in particular he hath said much of this kind of his sufferings for David was a Type of Jesus Christ and eminently he is so in his sufferings therefore I shall lay together some Texts of Scripture and especially out of the Book of Psalms which set forth this point and I choose to express these sufferings of Christ in the Scripture words which carry a greater fulness of sense and Spirit then any words that I can speak or write are capable to do Psal 22. is expresly spoken of Jesus Christ and ver 6 7 8. I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people all they that see me laâ—gh me to scorn they shoot out the lip and shake the head saying he trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him Psal 35.11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21. false witness did rise up and laid to my charge things that I knew not they rewarded me evil for good to the spoyling of my Soul But as so me when they were sick my cloathing was sackcloth I humbled my Soul with Fasting and my prayer returned into mine own bosome I behaved my self as though he had been my friâ—nd or brother I bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his mother But in mine Adversity they rejoyced and gathered themselves together yea the abjects gathered themselves together against me and I knew it not they did tear me and ceasâ—d not With hypocritical mockers in Feasts they gnashed upon me with their Teeth LORD how long wilt thou look on rescue my Soul from their destruction my darling from the Lions Yea they opened their mouth wide against me and said Aba aba our Eyes hath seen it Object Why is this reckoned so great a part of his sufferings they are but words and is it so great a suffering to suffer the bad and evil words of others if they touch not our bodyâ—s nor goods is it any great matter what they say Answ The Scriptures shew that there is cruel force in words words are a weapon that wound the Soul that is a deeper wound then to wound the body Psal 42.10 as with a Sword in my bones mine Enemies reproach me while they say daily to me where is thy God Psal 57.3 4. he shall send from heaven save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up Selah My Soul is among Lions I lye even among them that are set on fire even the Sons of men whose teeth are Spears and Arrows and their tongue a sharp Sword Psal 52. â— thou lovest all devouring words O thou deceitful tongue his tongue swallowâ—d up Nob the City of Priests Psal 55.21 the words of his mouth were smoother then butter but war was in his heart his words were softer then oyle yet were they drawn Swords Psal 12.3 4. The tongue that speaketh proud things who have said with our tongues we will prevail c. Psal 64.3 4. who whet their tongues like a Sword and bend their bows to shoot their Arrows even bitter words that they may shoot in secret at the perfect suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not Psal 10.7 His mouth is full of cursing deceipt and fraud under his tongue is mischief and vanity Some People have bloody moutâ—s â—he words of a Tale-bearer wound deep All the providential wounds which God inflicted upon Job's estate and body did not wound him so deep as the censorious words and unkind speeches of his friends did The Tongue of man is his glory if it be a good tongue it is very excellent a wholsome tongue is a tree of life knowing how to use knowledge aright Prov. 15.2.4 the tongue of the just is as choice silver very desireable and delightful But if it be a bad tongue it is very mischievous and pernicious it wounds the honour of our Neighbour and that is a very deep wound Eccles 7.1 a good name is better then pretious oyntment Prov. 15.31 a good report maketh the bones fat Prov. 22.1 a good name is rather to be chosen then great riches and loving savour rather then siâ—ver and gold a reproachful tongue robbeth our Neighbour of this pretious Treasury Reproaches kill love and that is a bitter and mischievous slaughter Prov. 16.28 a whisperer separateth chief friends a reproaching tongue destroys the comfort of humane society which is a great wound to the heart of man whom God hath made a sociable creature Je. 9.3 5 8. they bend their tongues like their bow for lyes they will deceive every one their Neighbour they will not speak the truth they have taught their tongue to speak lyes their tongue is an Arrow shot out
bear yet he revived again and went on in his work till he drank the last draught on the Cross then it killed him he drank at several times that it might not yet kill him bâ—cause all was not yet finished but when all was finished he drank the bottom of the Cup then it killed him he began with a soul Agony only without immediate bodily sufferings save what his body suffered by simpathy with his distressed soul but on the Cross he suffered the extremity of bodily suffering Soul sufferings also both together then it killed him 7. What is a Soul Agony Answ The wrath and curse of God due to sin by the Law inflicted to punish the Soul What is that Soul punishment which Jesus Christ suffered which he began in the garden before they touched his body Answ It is so deep terrible Infinite and intollerable that it is unutterable as it is said 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen Ear hath not heard nor have entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him So nor for them that love him not who are sinners And what unconceivable punishment divine justice hath prepared for sinners all that Jesus Christ hath suffered in our stead no man can bear the curse of the Law but it will sink him to hell and there he can bear it but by drops and therefore his punishment is drawn out to Eternity But Jesus Christ was able to bear it and to accomplish his sufferings in a finite time Isai 53.4 he hath born our griefs Souls in hell feel what a Soul Agony under Gods wrath and curse is Luk. 16.24 I am tormented in this flame said Dives in Hell Souls undâ—r the work of conversion when they are wounded for sin feel some drops and sparks of it yet that little is intollerable Pro. 18.14 a wounded Spirit who can bear a Negative Interrogative meaning that none can bear it Only Jesus Christ can bear it yea we may truly say never did any wounded Soul in the work of conversion feel such Soul wounds as Jesus Christ felt and never did shall or can any Soul in Hell feel such Torments of soul as Jesus Christ felt For 1. In Hell every soul feels the punishment due to his own sin only he suffereth only for his own sins 2. In the work of conversion the soul feels the sting of the guilt of his own sin only But Iesus Christ stood in the room and stead of all he is a second Adam he suffered the punishment due unto all and all at once and this maketh a wonderful difference The suffering of any one person is but as the drop of a Bucket in comparison of the sufferings of Iesus Christ There be sundry parts and powers of the soul The understanding is the great light ruler commander of the whole man in all its actions The will is the sovereign uncompelled chooser in the soul of man that closeth with what it liketh best The Conscience is the sovereign judge of all that is done doing or to be done The memory is the depository Treasury where all our store good or bad is laid up for after use The imaginations and affections are under Servants to the Soul And all these powers of the Soul the person being in the state of sin are capable of high torments as on the contrary the person being in the state of grace through Faith in Jesus Christ they are capable of glory and high joyes Torments enter into the Soul two wayes as also do joyes Sometimes by way of sense and imagination Sometimes by the understanding by the Word and Spirit In all these wayes what ever Torment an Innocent Surety was capable of as the fruit of sin all that Jesus Christ suffered part now in the garden and fully upon the Cross Our Surety stood guilty in the Eye of Justice of all the sin of the first Adam and presents himself to suffer for the same unto the satisfaction of the justice of the Law Rom. 3.19 all the world is become guilty before God and Jesus Christ taketh upon himself all this guilt all the mountains of guilt of all the elect world are rowled upon Jesus Christ he is made sin for us and the fiery streams of the wrath of God that burneth in Tophet come running down upon him Psal 88.7 thy wrath lyeth hard upon me thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves The curse due unto sin maketh it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10.31 for our God is a consuming fire In this fearful terrible condition was the Soul of Iesus Christ now in his garden agony which suffering of Iesus Christ doth save believers from it to the enlargement of our Eternal Thanksgiving praise and joy But Wo be to those unto whom this grace is freely offered but they rather chuse the pleasures of sin for a season and by their own choice plunge themselves into these flames of wrath out of which Iesus Christ offereth to deliver them but they refuse to accept his oâ—fer 8. In this garden Agony Iesus Christ had but three of his Disciples near him viz. Peter Iames and Iohn the rest of his Disciples he had appointed where they should tarry further off and he went so often to these three to keep them waking that Judas and his Companions should not find them fast asleep and behold the gentleness of Iesus Christ to consider their infirmity he first gently checketh them and Peter by name could ye not watch with me one hour shewing that his first conflict had been about an hour and he knowing that Iudas was coming set them a little way off and bid them watch But alas they were poor Watchmen he found them asleep the second time then he giveth them an holy Item and Admonition watch and pray lest ye fall into Temptation there is more danger near you then you are aware of Yet himself doth make a tender kind-hearted Apology for them First accepting their willingness of Spirit and then bearing with the infirmity of the flesh for he considered that it was near midnight high sleeping time and their hearts were full of sorrow which made their eyes heavy Luk. 22.45 Yet notwithstanding the care the Lord had to keep them awake Judas had taken them asleep had not the Lord awaked them the third time for when he came to them the third time he found them asleep and now he gives them a sharp awakening they were ashamed the second time but now they were gastered now sleep if you can Behold the hour is come the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners arise let us be going when the danger is upon us it is time to bestir our selves Now the History returneth to Iudas whom we left preparing his Company to execute his wicked Treason in betraying his Lord and Master when he had gotten his Company a band of men and Officers furnished
men knew that the Jews were in great expectation of a great King He therefore examineth him the second time about this point 2. Iesus Christ answered him by proposing a question to Pilates heart which none but himself could answer unto and his answer to it would discover the Spirit of the man The question was this sayest thou this thing of thy self or did others tell it thee of me the divine depth and wisdome of this question is too deep for me to dive into But it seemeth to be proposed to instruct Pilate that if he cordially desired to know that great Truth it would be for his eternal good and benefit but if it were only out of curiosity and for humane discourse and civil ends only then it would profit him but little 3. Pilates heart felt him and seemeth to be a little short and snufty at it and maketh two replyes by retorting two questions 1. Am I a Iew intimating that his heart was no whit concerned in that great question about the Kingly Office of Iesus Christ it is a matter that concerned the Iews not him 2. He returns a quick and sharp question with the reason of his question yet with so much composure of mind and judgement that he first expresseth the reason and then his quick question thy own Nation and the chief Priests have delivered thee to me as a condemned Malefactor What hast thou done 4. Iesus Christ knowing that Pilate already knew the worst they could say against him and that there was no weight in their allegations only they were carryed with envy and wrath therefore he declineth to make any answer to his quick question and proceeds to answer to his first sober question touching the Kingdome of Jesus Christ wherein see these three particulars 1. Iesus Christ delivereth a doctrine my Kingdome is not of or from this world as authors or constitutors thereof of signifyeth from in this place it doth not signifie concerning for the Kingdome of Christ is of or concerning all the world and affairs thereof as the object or subject about which it is exercised but the world doth not make or constitute it it is not the efficient of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ 2. Here is a reason of this assertion because if his Kingdome were of or from this world then the world would fight for their King to keep him out of the hands of his Enemies the Iews and by world here he may particularly mean the Romans who have no hand in constituting his Kingdome 3. Here is an exegesis or explication of this doctrine in these words my Kingdome is not from hence viz. not from the world not from the Romans 5. Pilate is soon calm and though Iesus answered not to his last quick question whereof there was no need yet seeing he answered to his first question which was the point which Pilate desired to enquire into he accepteth him and replyeth upon him and asketh art thou a King then which the words of Iesus did imply And gave Pilate a just occasion to propose that question 6. Iesus Christ replyeth to Pilate and maketh a clear confession of and beareth a full Testimony unto his Kingly Office and of his Prophetical Office also which is that confession which the Apostle maketh mention of 1 Tim. 6.13 Iesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession wherein are these particulars 1. I will not in modesty express that word concerning my self but rest in that which you have expressed you have implicitely said that I am a King 2. I add unto this Truth my Testimony in three things 1. To this end I was born that I might execute my Kingly Office in my Kingdome 2. that I came into the world to bear witness unto the Truth which is my Prophetical Office and by my Prophetical Office I bear witness to my Kingly Office 3. I assert that everyone that is of the Truth viz. new born by the power of Gospel Light beareth my voice viz. receiveth it with love and subjection to it 7. The Pagan was so overset and confounded with these glorious Truths which were so much above him and no doubt as the effect proveth convinsingly set on that he only propoundeth this question What is Truth assuredly the question is a wise and pertinent question but he tarryed not for an answer he went out of the pretorium to the Iews So much for Pilates third act his fourth act followeth Joh. 18.38 Pilate saith What is Truth And when he had said that he went out again unto the Iews and saith unto them I find in him no fault at all This is manifestly a second time of Pilates open testifying the Innocency of Iesus Christ as the circumstances do make it appear For his first Testimony was the product of his first examination Luk. 23.3 4. This Testimony is the product of that private discourse that Pilate had with Iesus in the pretorium apart from the Iews his accusers When Pilate came forth of the pretorium from his more private discourse with Iesus and bore witness to his innocency so fully the immediate effect of that Testimony upon the Iews is related only by Luke therefore in laying together the harmony of the Evangelists I turn to that Luk. 23.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 And they were the more fierce saying He stirreth up the people teaching throughout all Iury beginning from Galilee to this place When Pilate heard of Galilee he asked whether the man were a Galilean And assoon as he knew that he belonged unto Herods Iurisdiction he sent him to Herod who himself was also at Ierusalem at that time And when Herod saw Iesus he was exceeding glad for he was desirous to see him of a long season because he had heard many things of him and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him Then he questioned with him in many words but he answered him nothing And the chief Priests and Scribes stood and vehemently accused him And Herod with his men of war set him at nought and mocked him and arayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves In this part of the History see 1. When the chief priests and Jews heard Pilate testifie to the innocency of Jesus a second time and that so plump fully they were greatly enraged Our English Translation renders the word very well They were the more fierce The shining innocency of any should the more qualifie and pacifie our minds and moderate our spirits This is the frame of a good Spirit that is acted by Gods Spirit But we see that the notifying of the innocency of Jesus Christ did inrage them Therefore we may see that they weâ—e acted by a Devillish spirit They were resolved to execute their envy against Jesus Christ by putting him to death and therefore they were vexed that the Judge found him innocent
of life it is the most solid sustenance therefore nature spent with pain grief and torment and such like punishments doth also greedily hunger and vehemently desire and crave for solid sustenance as well as for moisture to cool and moisten so did Jesus Christ in this his last Agony express his hunger as well as his thirst and both together do express the fulness of his extream sense of torment which he felt in this last finishing Agony hunger is a sinless punishment which Jesus Christ suffered to the uttermost extremity until it killed him His expression of his sense of hunger is not recorded in the History but it is in the Prophesy Psal 69.21 they also gave me gall for meat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar for drink He cryed for and needed both kinds of relief in the sense of the want whereof he was ready to dye and quickly did dye extremity of hunger and thirst are among the greatest of torments when he had no other relief to spent nature then gall and vinegar he presently dyed Prop. 4. It would set forth his extream sense of pain and torment which his body felt for the space of about twenty hours to gather up a few Instances of the suâ—fering of Soul mind and body that he passed through from his entrance into the garden until he dyed on the Cross they were tormenting him both in body and mind all that time without ministring unto him that we know off either food or rest He suffered both loss of blood and great pain by their twice cruel whippings and twice crowning him with thorns and being withal parched and burnt with heat which made him complain Psal 69.3 my throat is dried he sweat in the garden but now his moisture is turned into the drought of Summer Psal 22.15 my strength is dried up likâ— a potsheard and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws And thou hast brought me to the dust of death All these and such like expressions seâ— forth his extream sense of misery through want of relief especially his want of supply of moisture as being a chief sustenance he is therefore pleased in the history to express all by that one word I thirst all these pains are sinless punishments which he suffered unto the uttermost extremity until they killed him A painful violent death he suffered Prop. 5 Grief is exceedingly drying and expensive to nature Psal 31 9 10. Isaâ— 6.7 73.21 Iob. 30.25 Grief wasteth the body pierceth the heart woundeth the soul and many such effects there be of grief and now Iesus Christ had a juncture of the greatest griefs in the world all met together upon him like mountains of sorrow and terror All these are sinless punishments of sin which he suffered to the uttermost extremity until they killed him Prop. 6. All this pain grief horror which his humane adversaryes did inflict upon him were infinitely sharpned by the power of vindictive justice and laid upon him as our Surety so that his punishment of sense was to the uttermost extremity until they killed him The effect of these two words upon the by-standers was twofold First they gave him gall and vinegar in the extremity of his pain to adde unto his torment not to relieve him which act is thus expressed 1. One run to doe it that he might be sure to make him taste it before he was quite dead 2. He took a Spunge there ready for that purpose after the Romane manner of tormenting Malefactors 3. He bound the spunge upon a reed with a branch of hysope which were all ready for that purpose 4. He dipt it in the vessel of galled vinegar that was ready there 5. He lifted it to his mouth and caused him to taste and he tasted it The second effect was a mistake in some of his word Eli Eli saying he calleth for Elias to come and deliver him Whether this were a real mistake of ignorance or whether it was done in mockery as some think I say not but this is sure Luk. 23.36 37. The Souldiers also mocked him coming to him and offering him vinegar and saying if thou be the King of the Iews save thy self The end and intent of this giving him gall and vinegar was to afflict him because Jesus Christ so complained of it Psal 69.21 The complaint was in the Prophesie but the thing was done in the History Sect. 5. The third word which Iesus Christ spake upon the Cross about the 9th hour JOh. 19.30 When Jesus had received the vinegar he said It is finished Quest What is finished his Sufferings were not yet finished for he had yet to dye the great sacrifice was not yet fully offered the Lamb of God was not yet quite slain But the bitter punishment of loss was finished vindictive justice is satisfied in that part of his Sufferings Gods desertion of him which he so bitterly roared out under was released His bitter cry Eli Eli lamasabachtani was the last distressing act of that suffering upon this last and most bitter exclamation he felt a cessation of the rigor of justice God turned his face with favour toward him he felt a cessation of his Soul agony under the punishment of loss But the punishment of sence continued upon him and did so till he dyed that part of the punishment of sin did finally kill him His death was more quiet and Lamb-like because the punishment of loss was finished the great test brunt of the suffering for sin was finished And that this is the true right interpretation of the word It is finished appeareth by Iohn who recordeth this Speech v. 30. doth also say v. 28. Iesus knowing that all things were accomplished viz. In his soul agony under divine desertion that the Scripture might be fullfilled said I thirst shewing us that Jesus Christ who felt the punishment and therfore best knew he felt the punishment of Loss finished before he expressed his sense of the continuance of the punishment of sense and when he had expressed his the continuance of the punishment of sense by that word I thirst now that Scripture was fullfilled Psal 69 21. viz. that the sense of pain hunger and thirst were still upon him and when the only relief that man did afford him was gall and vinegar then he uttered that word It is finished viz. the punishment of loss is finished and that Scripture is fullfilled that saith the punishment of sense doth still lye upon him and will do so untill it kill him Mortal pains were upon him under the punishment of sense when he spake that word and those pains quickly after the fullfilling the Scripture about the gall and vinegar did kill him Sect. 6. The last Words which our dear Lord Jesus spake in this World his dying words LVk 23.46 And when Jesus had cryed with a loud voice he said Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and having said thus he gave up the Ghost 1. He cried with a loud voice
because though the punishment of loss was finished yet the â—â—nishment of sense was still upon him to his death he cryed out under the weigâ—â— oâ— it and it killed him 2. He beheld his Fathers face returned in favour to him who earst while had hid his face from him which drew out that dolefull complaint Lamasabachtbani but now his father smiled on him again 3. He doth breathe out his soul into his fathers bosome in that word Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and so he obediently dyed Phil. 2.8 Obedient to the death even the death of the Cross The Lamb of God is slain the Sacrifice for sin is offered and accepted Isaac is sacrificed not only in Voto but Facto not only in will and purpose as Abraham and Isaac did but in real performance This hath God the Father and God the Son performed for our sakes to redeem and save us Admire Admire Admire unto all eternity admire CAP. XV. Of the admirable works of God which accompanied the Death of Jesus his reverent burial and of his sufferings after he was dead buried If the Reader please to turn to and read these Texts of Scripture he shall find many admirable works of God that accompanied the death of Jesus Christ Math 27.51 ad finem Mark 15.38 ad finem Luke 23.47 ad finem John 19.31 ad finem The admirable works of God that accompanied the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ are these 1. An Earthquake mentioned only by Mathew 2. The Vail of the Temple rent from top to bottome Math. Mark 3. The rocks rent Math. 4. The Graves viz. that were in the rocks broken open many Bodyes of Saints which slept arose and came out of the graves after the resurrection of Christ and went into the holy city and appeared to many Math. 5. The Sun brightned suddenly at the ninth hour about the time when Iesus Christ dyed Math. Mar. Luk. 6. The death of Jesus Christ being sooner then Pilate and the Jews looked for and afore the Theeves it prevented that part of the Romish and Jewish cruelty which was intended in breaking his legs yet they pierced his side with a spear and there came forth bloud and water Ioh. 19.31 ad 38. 7. The Centurion that had charge of the watch that day was converted Mat. Mar. Luke 8. Many more of those upon the Watch and of the Spectators were convinced if not converted Math. Luke 1. Touching the Earthquake God hath made two great changes of Ecclesiastical Polity since the beginning of the world and both of them have been expresly accompanied with Earthquakes When the Lord laid by the ancient Paternal Goverment and erected the Polity of Moses in the national Church of Israel God appeared with terrible Earthquakes Exod. 19. And now the Lord being about to lay aside the Mosaical Polity and erect the Gospel Polity of the Ecclesiastical Kingdome of Jesus Christ it is accompanied with Earthquakes 2. The vail of the Temple was rent from top to bottom probably it was effected by he Earthquake and the accomplishment of the Prophesy which the Apostle maketh mention of Heb. 12.26 27 28 29. whose voice then shook the Earth but now he â—ath promised saying yet once more I shake not Earth only but also Heaven And this word yet once more signifyeth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things â—hat are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain c. The Prophecy which the Apostle quoteth is Hag. 2.6 7. which is eminently fulfilled by God layâ—ng aside the Tabernacle and Temple worship which were the works of mens â—ands by the Commandment of the Lord and in their stead instituting the Souls of believers to be his Temple and his visible Church to be built of such materials who are living stones laid and built upon the Rock of Ages even Jesus Christ by â—ith and in the Communion of such a spiritual Temple hath the Lord erected â—is Gospel polity By this rending of the Vail Christ hath opened Heaven for â—ll that will come unto him Gentiles as well as Jews Eph. 2.14 he is our peace â—ho hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of Partition between us â—iz the wall of Partition between the Court of Gentiles and of the Jews The â—postle probably would not say he hath rent the vail because he would not proâ—oke the Jews but it is the same thing that he here speaketh 3. The Rocks rent 4. the graves were opened These works of God do ascribe unto Christ the power of the Resurrection and the removing â—l impediments either of his own Resurrection or of the Resurrection of all mankind Joh. 5.25 28 29. verily verily the hour is coming and now is that the dead shall â—ear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live ver 28. marvail not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of damnation 5. The Sun did suddenly perceptibly brighten about the ninth hour which was the time of the death of our Lord Jesus which manifesteth that this darkness was not an effect of any natural causes but of the divine power of God And tendeth much to the confirmation of the apprehension of such Reverend Divines as think that the darkening of the Sun was a sign of Gods hiding his face from Jesus Christ in his spiritual desertion through his Agony upon the Cross which Agony being finished the Sun brightned and Gods face of favourable acceptation turned unto him and then he breathed out his Soul into his Fathers bosome 6. The timous and speedy death of Jesus by the wonderful and merciful providence of God prevented that Roman and Jewish cruelty in breaking his legs That he dyed sooner then they looked for or then malefactors were wont to dy or then the Theevs did appeareth evidently because Pilate marvailed and would not believe Ioseph who begged his dead body until he called the Centurion that had charge of the watch and he affirmed that he was dead We see that the Romans used cruelty in putting malefactors to death by long tortures Math. 18.34 executors are called tormentors and when they desire to dispatch them they broke their legs to torture them to death by torturing their Limbs furthest from their heart when as a touch upon the head would presently finish their life but Christ escaped this by a divine hand The occasion that moved Pilate to command that they should be so killed and hastned to their death was the Jews request that their legs might be broken the reason which they proposed was because of the approach of the Sabbath and it was the time of their Passover feast God commanded in the institution of the Passover that a bone thereof should not be broken Exod.