Iohn 2.3 and not for ours onelie but for the sins of the whole world by Faith applying the merites of Christe vnto himselfe to doe this businesse whereof Iudas destitute contemning the deepenesse of his mercie and riches of grace lost hope of recovering no man can seriouslie repent but he that looketh for forgiuenes And therefore to wrestle with temptation is first to look to the promises of God which is so sure and certaine that it is more easie that beaven earth should passe away Luc. 16.17 than they should faile or that any title of the Law should faile For the Lord is strong Exod. 34.6.7 mercifull and gracious slow to anger and aboundant in goodnes anâ— truth reserving mercie for thousandes forgiuing iniquities and transgressions and sinnes for the Lord is gracious and mercifull slow to anger Psal 145.89 and of great mercie the Lord is good to all and his mercie is over all his workes In this conflict cast the eyes of thy faith on Christ Iesus to whom a voyce from Heauen came Saying Mat. 3.17 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am wel pleased For hee receiued of God the Father honour and glorie 2. Pet. 1 17 and there came such a voyce to him fâ—om the excellent It is reported that Alexander the Great when he saw Iaddus the hie Priest with his priestlie apparel meeting him ceased from his rage against Tyrus and also richlie rewarded him How much more when our euerlasting Priest Iesuâ— Christ who is just yea our righteousnesse shall appeare in the sight of God his Father making intercession for vs to mitigate his wrath Heb. 7.26 and shall giue vs forgiuenesse of sins and life everlasting for he is able perfectlie to saue them that are able to come vnto God by him seeing hee ever liueth to make intercession for them Let not therefore Sathan bereaue thee of Gods loue mercie towardes thee the merite of his passion efficacie of his death For the gift is not so as is the offence for if by the offence of one many bee dead much more the grace of God Rom. 5. 15. and the gift by grace which is by one Man Iesus Christ hath abouÌ„ded vnto many Moreouer neuer sinner yet to this day desiring to bee reconcealed with his God was euer secluded froÌ„ mercie if the sinne be great his mercies is aboundantlie more and so much more as all the whole globe of the Sea exceedeth the smallest droppe of water If thy sinne be old which thou hast drunken in from thy mothers breast and in processe of time hath euer augmented the same bee thinke thee of Gods mercie is from al eternitie if thy iniquity bee latelie committed Gods mercies are daylie renewed which euerie moment hee poureth vpon vs. And therfore poore Soule because of the savour of thy Bridgromes oyntmeÌ„ts Cant. 1.2.3 his Name is as an oyntment poured out therefore the Virgines love him draw mee wee will runne after thee the King hath brought mee vnto his chamber wee will rejoyce and bee glad in thee wee will remember thy loue more than wine the righteous doe loue thee yea thou despysest not the poore sinner thou abhorredst not the confessing Thiefe neither the weeping woman neither her that was found in adulterie neither him that sate at the receipt of custome nor the humble Publican nor the denying Disciple nor the persecuting Paul yea not these that crucified thee but prayed for them Strengthen thy faith therfore in the spirituall fight by the holy meditation vse of the Sacraments for whosoeuer are baptized in Christ Gal. 3.27 hath put on Christ he covereth our nakednesse and doth wash away the filth of our Soules whose sinnes if they were as Crimson Esay 1.18 shall bee made white as Snow for it is the â—lood of Iesus Christ that cleanseth vs from all sinne 1. â—ohn 1.7 Bee not therefore affraied sinful Soule Art thou baptized in Christ hee will hâ—ue care of thy cause as if it were his proper owne The Rainebow was a signe of the Covenant betwixt God and man That the earth shâ—uld never be destroyed by deluge of water therafter Gen. 9.13 So baptisme is a vndoubted seale of our purgation by Christ at Gods hand he made a league with vs for our foule sins never to bee cast from his presence But in the Sacrament of the blood bodie of Iesus haue we a most certaine and liuelie pawne which is our Passeover offred for vs who by his obedience hath delivered vs from the Tyrannie of death and made vs partakers of life eternall It was worthie of consideration how precislie Peters falles are registrate in the booke God For whatsoeuer thinges are written afore-time are written for our learning Rom. 15. 4 that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Peter therefore denyed his Master seven times Foure times to Maides Mat. 26.69 and three times to men First to Maides I say when he sate without the Hall and the Maide came vnto him saying that Thou wast with Iesus of Galile Secondlie as Peter was beneath in the Hall for now hee had entered but before hee was not come in There came one of the Maides of the high Priests Mar. 14.66 and when shee saw Peter warming him shee looked on him and said Thou wast also with Iesus of Nazareth Thirdlie then a Maide saw him againe and began to say to them that stood by This is one of them Fourthlie when hee went out into the Porch from the common Hall And another Maide saw him and said vnto them that were there Mat. 26.71 This man was also with Iesus of Nazareth Thus foure times denyed he his Master before these weak Vessels Man never should be courageous stout in his owne conceite The Lord is my strength my buckler and the horne of my salvation If the Lord leaue vs to our selues wee are a prey to Sathan to euerie winde and blast of temptation Thrice also denyed he before men and first Iohn 18.25 before the Souldiers standing and warming himselfe Iohn 18.26 Secondlie hee denyed before Malohus coosen whose eare hee smote off Thirdlie hee denyed him anone to them that stood by who saide vnto him againe Mat. 26.70 Mar. 14.70 Surelie thou art one of them for thou art of Galile and thy speech is like Neither doe I so punctually set these dolorours spectacles before thine eyes sinful Soule to dig vp the Sepulchres of these glorious Saints which are in heauen who repented and weeped bitterlie for their sinnes who were patterns to others not to distrust And thou Peter being converted confirme thy brethren And Dauid after his fall did teach the Lordes wayes vnto the wicked Psal 51.13 that sinners might bee converted to him The beleeving and repenting sinner therefore may be perswaded that there is euer mercie to bee found how great soever his sins
vpon my heart as it was wont to doe this is one token that my spirituall Life is weakened therefore as thou hast breathed in my nostrels Gen. 2.7 the breath of a naturall life breath vpon my soule Cant. 4.16 that I may finde the motions of a spirituall Life Call vpon my soule out of the grave of sinne Iohn 12.43.44 as thou called Lazarus his bodie out of the grave Let me find a quickening vertue flowing from thy livelie Spirit to quicken my dead spirit Lord teach mee to redeeme these losses and grant I may ever count it my greatest losse to lose the signes of thy presence Suffer not mine heart to bee oppressed with the thornie cares of this life Luc. 8. but learne mee to cast my care vpon the Lord. What ever I bee doing in these worldlie things 1. Cor. 7.29.30 let mee so doe them as I were not doing them Giue me that dexteritie to discharge such a duetie in mine earthlie calling as may ever agree with mine heavenlie calling Furnish mee with wisedome that I may walke wiselie even towards them that are without 1. Thess 1â— Make my life a patterne of godlinesse that where ever I come or goe I may smell of Iesus Christ Giue mee grace to bee carefull not onlie of mine owne soule but of the soules of all them of whom I haue anie charge that so thy glorie ever beeing before mine eyes thou mayest glorifie mee one day through Iesus Christ my Saviour who fitteth at thy right hand Amen Evening Meditation of the third Day O LORD I never prease to draw nere vnto thee but that Evill one draweth neere to mee If Iehoshua come in before the LORD Zach. 3.1 Satan will bee at his right hand to resist him hee troubleth and distracteth my minde with Armies of vnrulie cogitations It is my greatest difficultie O Lord at anie time to get a free minde to serve thee Exod. 5.3 When Israel desired to goe to the Wildernesse and sacrifice to the Lorde Pharaoh doubled their burdens so doth Satan double his tentations vpon me when I would goe out of my self to serve thee What am I poore weak creature that I should resist such mightie spirituall powers O Lord 1. Cor. 12.9 it is thy battell I fight and thy grace is sufficient for mee Thy people when they builded the wall of Ierusalem Neh. 4.17 they did hold their weapons in the one hand and builded with the other hand Lord furnishe mee with a double portion of thy Spirit that I may resist Satan with the one hand and draw neere to thee with the other O Lord I am come to thine Holinesse to repent my sins Ah Lorde my sinnes are great but my repentance is slender Lord giue me that repentance which thou gavest vnto Peter hee sinned grievouslie but repented earnestlie yea hee weeped bitterlie O Lord hast not thou the keyes of David which openeth Rev. 3.7 and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Open mine heart that I may make such a repentance as â—ought to doe Thou didst keepe Ionas that hee drowned not Thou O Lorde diddest streatch foorth thine helping hand and keeped Peter Mat. 14.31 that hee did not sinke when hee did walke on the waters Lord streatch foorth thine helping hand let not thy servant sinke into the sea of sinne O Lord thou prepared an Arke for thine owne Noah and the Whales bellie for thine owne Ionas Lord if I shall get my foot once within the Arke I shall bee safe Iesus Christ is mine Arke let me be found in him then shall there be no condemnation to mee Rom. 8.1 my sinnes indeed are great O Lord but shall I ballance the sinnes of a finite creature with the mercies of the infinite Creator Psal 25.9 Nay Lorde all thy wayes are mercie and trueth to these that feare thee I haue nothing to lay betweene mee and Hell but thy vndeserved mercie O Lord my God thou art a strength vnto the poore a refuge against the tempest and a shadow against the heat Who so dwelleth in the secret of the most Hie Psal 91. 1. shall abyde in the shadow of the Almightie I will say vnto the Lord O my hope Psal 42.10 and my fortresse hee is my God in him will I trust Confirme my soule O Lorde in the certaintie of this perswasion Strengthen also the arme of thy feeble and weake servant that I may fight with the greater courage against that spirituall Gohab Let mee not depart from thee at this time without some spirituall comfort Thou wouldst not suffer the multitude Mat. 14.19 that waited vpon thee three dayes in the Wildernesse to depart vntill they were refreshed Lorde refresh my soule with some crummes of grace falling from thy Table When Ionathan was wearie 1. Sam. 14.28 and put foorth his rodde and tasted of the honie his dimme eyes received sight and his feeble bodie was strengthened O Lord Luc. 8.46 if I shall touch Iesus by the rodde of faith my dimme eyes shall receive sight and my feeble soule new strength O my Lord am not I seeking this strenth of thee to bruise the head of the old Serpent Gen. 3.15 a sworne enemie to thy Kingdome Denie not armour to thine owne weake souldiour that in the power of thy might I may subdue that great dragon Sinne that it may bee borne downe and Iesus his throne may bee set vp in the secret corner of mine heart Sanctifie my rest this night in such sort that when this wearied bodie hath received its bodilie refreshment I maye rise by thy grace to morrow to doe thee better service in Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the fourth Day THY sacrifices O Lord Psâ—â— 5.17 are a contrite a broken heart I come to thy Altar but I want the sacrifice O Lord who vouchsafedst a sacrifice vpon Abraham Gen. 22.13 vouchsafe a sacrifice vpon me I would wish mine heart could bee dissolved in bitter teares but such is my present hardnesse that neither can I repent as I should neither is mine heart so softened as it should bee EZek. 11.19 It is thy praise O Lord to take the stonie heart away and to giue an heart of flesh Lord I haue a stonie heart rent it O Lord take it away and giue mee a soft heart that I may make such a repentance as my great offences require Lord there is no contentment to my soule but either when thou humblest mee with a sense of sinne or raisest mee vp with a sense of mercie rather than I bee senselesse let mee be sensible of my sinne that in the bitternesse of my heart I may bewaile it Teach mee now to mourne with thy children 2. Thess 1.7 that I may rejoyce in the day of their rejoysing Cherish O Lord those litle sparkles of grace which in thy great mercie thou hast kindled in my soule Increase my faith
Luc. 22.21 if it had not beene so he would not haue come hither to haue taken him and now deâ—re Soule no man betrayeth Christ but he that knoweth him and his Trueth Take heede to thy knowledge and looke that it bee in sinceritie and not in hypocrisie or else in the end thou shalt proue an Apostate The thoughts of the Iust are right Pro. 12.5 but the counsells of the wicked are deceitfull And thus Iudas lost securitie arming himselfe with the power of the guarde of the high Priestes It is the peace of God that passeth all vnderstanding that fortifieth the heart of man for peace is nothing but a good conscience Although I were compassed about with ten thousand men Psal 3.6 yet would I not bee affrayed for I know assuredlie that thou wilt bee with mee It is a dangerous matter to harden the hearte against Christ or if it bee once indâ—red tâ—ou shalt not stay vntill thou come into extreame induration I pray the LORDE preserue thee my Soule froÌ„ the hardnes of heart against the Trueth Rom. 9.18 2. Pet. 3.17 and against Iesus Christ for seldome is it that one going forward therin and ever returneth to grace Gen. 18.14 but with the Lord all thinges are possible For it is an hard matter to bee given over to a reprobate sense and when the Lord taketh out of the Soule Zach. 8.6 all sight and sense of his judgements thou shall never leaue off from evill doing Stryue therefore O my Soule to keepe thy selfe in feâ—â—ing Rom. 1.26 and let not that miserable sward and scroofe to growe over thy vnderstanding but waken the conscience with the acknowledging of the power and mercie of God and suffer not it to come to such fatnesse Act. 28.26 27. as seeing thou shouldest not see and become vncurable In the Garden then the cup of Gods indignatioÌ„ was presented vnto him even as the good master of the house distributeth to his servants their taske so doth the Lord dispose the measure of afflictions vnto his owne But vnto the wicked in his hand hee hath a cup and the wine is red Psal 75.8.9 it is mixed and hee shall poure out of the same surelie all the vngodly of the earth shall wring out and drinke the dregges thereof But well knoweth the wise God 1. Cor. 10.13 how strong a measure of temptation his own can beare What is the reason then that thou doest not fully rely on thy God to whom all thy bones are knowne Psal 139.15 though thou wast made in a secret place and fashioned beneath in the earth And why dost not thou willingly receiue at his handes whaâ—soever quantitie of tryall it pleaseth him to send Psal 50.15 Call on him therefore in the day of trouble he will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie him The translation of this Cup he craved then of his Father whome hee knewe caried a favourable affection towardes him Esay 65.24 who will before wee call answere whiles wee speake hee will beare for it is not the will of our Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.13 that one of these little ones should perish Parents may neglect duetie to the children Esay 49.15.16 and a woman whose loue is most vehement may forget her childe and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe though they should forget yet will I not forget sayth the Lord behold I haâ—e graven thee vpon the palmes of my handes But alas poore Soule thy sinnes made him both kneele and bee cast below on the earth and wilt thou with a stiffe necke and out-streached arme proudlie walke therein hee sweate blood for vs and wee draw the blood of our brethren by Avarice oppression and vsurie Woulde to God the Blood of Iesus woulde soften our hard heartes as the blood of Goates doe breake Adamantes that beeing sanctified by the same wee may render new obedience vnto him by feeling and lamenting our sinnes and imperfections and ever haue recourse from the angry God to the pacified god giuing eare in reverence and feare to the admonitions and exhortations out of the word least it befall vs because hee hath called and wee refused And be streatched out his band and none would regarde bee also laugh at our destruction and mocke when our feare commeth Pro. 1.24 for this is the nature of Gods invitation that the men doe die that speak the word but the worde shall bee founde living Zach. 1.4.5.6 And so it is that the Prophets dyed with their fathers but the word never left them vntill it brought a judgement vpon the disobedient With Teares therefore poore Soule confesse thy sinnes vnto the Lord â—sal 6.6 for if thou hyde them thou accusest thy selfe Psal 32.5 bee forgets them when thou rememberest them thou art deare vnto him wheÌ„ thou art vyle vnto thy selfe hee findeth thee when thou art lost and annibilated he much regardeth thee when thou art nothing in thine owne eyes Beggers doe show their wounds to moue compassion let vs open to God the sores of our festered conscience without delay least by the occasion of sinne and delay of repentance grace bee intercepted from vs. Remember what tâ—y Saviour hath done for thee and with what vnkindnesse thou hast recompensed h m. Consider the wrath of God against sinne which maye moue verie senselesse creatures but joyne heere withall a liuelie faith taking holde on the mercie of God which hee hath manifested in his beloued Sonne 1. Iohn 2. 1.2 for his mercie is the port vnto the which sinners should aryue the comfort of the offenders and great securitie of the righteous I know his mercies are great but can not comprehend the quantitie and am ignorant of the qualitie of the greatnesse thereof for vnlesse it had beene great few or none should haue ever beene saved When Christe came in the fleshe hee called Magicians Mat. 2. 1. or wisemen then the Publicans then the Whoores the Malefectors and whom last the Blasphemers these are the first fruits of his calling even those who be tyed with the bonds of Sinne. Art thou therefore vngodly remember the Magicians art thou an oppressour thinke on the Publican art thou vncleane the LORD pittied the whoore art thou blood-thirstie let that Traitour and Malefactor bee obversant vnto thine eyes art thou profanelie wicked remember Paul who was first a blasphemer and then an Apostle first a Persecuter and then an Evangelist for this is a true word and by all meanes worthie to bee receiued 1. Tim. 1.15.16 that Christ Iesus came into the world to save Sinners of whom I am chiefe sayeth hee Notwithstanding for this cause was I receiued vnto mercie that Iesus Christ should first show on me long suffering to the example of them which shall in time to come beleeue in him vnto eternall life But heere there is required especiallie that thou shouldest fight a good fight
sinning whose breath is in their nose-thirles and whose helpe is vaine They would not acknowledg that it beloÌ„ged to them surelie both they and their posterity feele the smarte of that Innocent Blood Which men though they know the Law of God how that they which committe such things are worthie of death yet not onelie doe they sinne Rom. 1.32 but also favour them that doe them For to sin by himselfe or by another is all one and he that consenteth is accessâ—â—ie to the fact But heere is their great blindnesse that they did not revoke and retreat their sentence hearing his innocencie justie by the traitor confessed In no ways speake thou against the word of Trueth my Soule but bee ashamed of the lyes of thine ignorance striue for the Trueth vnto death Eccl. 4.25.28 and defend Iustice for thy life and the Lord God shall sight for thee against thine enimies But hardest of all is that rough answere that Iudas receiued they ministred no comfort vnto him but increased the flamme of despare that was kindled in the heart of him The weak haue ye not strengthned EZek. 34.4 as he complaineth justly of them the sicke ye haue not healed neither haue ye bund vp the broken nor broght againe that which was dryven away neither haue yee sought that which was lost but with cruelty rigor haue ye ruled them But the good Sbepherd never resteth but goeth after that which was lost while he find it Luc. 15.4.6 and maketh his rejoycing the compensation of his trauell He did cast the money in the Temple from him which was so deere vnto him that for it hee post-poned the life of his Master Now he became so execrable that he gained nothing of it but a conscience burnt with an hote yron evill acquired goods shall neuer benefite the possessor nor the posteritie 1. King 21.16 Achab beleeued all was well when by violence and fraud hee had obtained Naboths Vine-yard which hee lost with his life and the favour of God most of all For what availeth it to gaine the whole world Mat. 16.26 and losse his soule And what fruit haue they then in those thinges Rom. 6. 21. whereof they are now ashamed for the end of these thinges are death But terrible was his execution for when hee had throwen downe himselfe head-longs hee burst asunder in the middes Act. 1.18 and all his bowels gushed out how great destruction doth abide them that serve the vncleane spirit this was not an evasion by death from Gods judgement but a more short compendious way therto Let not Sathan by his deceit allure thee neither for feare of Ignominie as hee did Saul or with loathsomnesse of thy life to such abominable practises But alace many now adayes doe harden their hearts at wholesome exhortation whereby they make the Lord to cut the threed of this life adjudge them vnto eternall death besids that many by drinking and gluttonie doeth shorten their dayes And doth not whoredome vitious venery procure sudden death What can bee said of Avarice and Covetousnesse which whiles it thirsts for the blood of others they are pearsed by that vnrighteâ—us MaÌ„mon whereby they are â—beacked and killed And what shal be thought of those who provoke the single combat thinketh it a great indignitie vnlesse they kill not themselves or their neighbour Lord grant everie moment while wee enjoye this life wee may consecraâ—e it to the glorie of the Giuer that wee may bee readie at all occasions to giue an account of our times speÌ„t here that we may say with Simeon Now let thy servant depart in peace Luâ— 2.29 according to thy word for my eyes haue seene my salvation Then learne heere my Soule by this his desperation the nature of sinne for before it bee perfected it maketh men drunke but being put in executioÌ„ the pleasure is extinguished the conscience remaineth heavier than Leed which vnlesse the Lord prevent maye dryue thee to despaire For the deceitfulnesse of sinne and delite thereof for a season maketh men so brutish that they can not decerne betwixt good and evill yea causeth them beleuee they are most blessed in greatest sinnes And therfore my Soule resist the Devill and hee will flee from thee whilst thou dost not resist the custome of sinning it brings necessitie vpon thee for it hardneth the senses that they caÌ„not clearlie see it blindeth the vnderstanding lest punishment should terrifie it fettereth the heart to make filthie thinges pleasant it weakeneth the strength that beeing overcome they succumbe The sicknes of their Soule is much more sensible than the diseases of the bodie There is no greater dolour than the wound of the conscience for sin nor any greater burden than the heavie weight of our vile transgressions Heere Sathan is a great politician for he changeth himselfe into an Angel of light while hee lessens our sins extenuateth theÌ„ intysing meÌ„ to fall But when the deede is done like lightening hee shineth in meÌ„ casting his sins suddenlie before him at the which thunderbolt he is benummed stupified feeling the bitter pangues of an euill conscience and doth so cast him downe with this great stroke that hee who before gloried in sinne now thinks himselfe secluded from mercie and salvation Lord hide thy face from my sinnes Psal 51.9 10.11 and put away all mine iniquities creat in mee â— cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within mee Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirite from mee But diligentlie perpend Peters and Iudas repentance by comparing them together that thou mayst vnderstand deare Soule in what state their iniquity was coÌ„mitted Their falls heavily wounded their coÌ„sciences doubtlesse for Peter not onelie denyed Christ but bound himselfe to cursings if hee had known him which was a sin almost to death And the other Iudas did commit an haynous trespasse worthy of everlasting condemnation but Peters was of frailtie of the flesh and feare of death But Iudas was of set purpose and of destinate malice did atempt that detestable fact And Peters againe not in a cause of it selfe so much blameable but of immoderate timeritie conjoyned therewith And to Iudas desperat malice was an insatiable greedinesse annexed but the forgetfulnesse of the word of God was the fountaine of both their falls It concerneth vs euer to pray the liuing God to giue vs ears to hear to lay vp in our hearts his promises threatnings to strengtheÌ„ vs or beat down our pride to say Esay 50.5 The Lord hath opened my eare I was not rebellious neither turned I back But as their fall was so was not their repentance both were Apostles both had woundes of conscience and frighted with the sting therof but Iudas gaue such place to the overburdeÌ„ing streÌ„gth thereof that hee despared of Gods mercie But Peter belieued that Christ is the reconciliation of our sins 1.
hath beene Peter was taught this lesson of his Saviour That hee loued much to whom much is forgiuen and so being demanded if he loved him more than the rest of the Disciples did hee according to the multitude of his compassions bestowed vpon him referred the answere to his Master Iohn 21.15 whom hee knew did know all things knew how much and in what degree hee loved him Neither is this contradicent to the word which sayeth Thou shalt denie mee thrise for Christ said not thrise onlie but thrise and hee that denyeth seven times denyeth also thrise Peter had said before shall I forgiue my brother seven times to whome Christe answered not seven times but seaventie times seven times Christs favour to his owne is aboue the affection of men or loue of women as Dauid said of Ionathan and according to his everlasting mercies doth hee so much more freely and readilie forgiue yea this was also to strengthen Peter that when hee should fall which Christ did foresee he should not bee swallowed vp in desperation but constantlie beleeue with a liuelie and justifying faith in the Sonne of God as hee had professed before his Master To whâ—m shall we goe Iohn 6.68 69. thou hast the words of eternall life and wee beleeue and know that thou art the Christ the Son of the liuing God Mat. 16.16 Thus haue wee spoken of these two Disciples Peter Iudas their falles and repentance which are as different as Heaven is aboue Hell How are now the Priests Elders of the people imployed they are about the counsell for buying of the Potters fielde because they would not put his money in their Treasures Narrow and strait is their conscience in small things but rowme large broade in greater affaires They are constrained to perfect the Lordes decree pronounced by the Prophet Zacharie It is impossible that the enemies of Christ can stoppe the course strength of the Trueth There is neither wisedome neither vnderstanding Pro. 21.30 nor counsell against the Lord. O propheticall certaintie O great vnspeakable knowledge of the holie Ghost He said not ten or twentie but preciselie thirtie as if he had told debursed to them these pieces of silver Let nothing diswade vs from the certanty of Gods promises although there appeare vnto flesh and bloode no reason how they shall bee accomplished yea and that all thinges tend to the flat contrarie never doe thou swerue nor shrinke but beleeue against hope vnder hope Rom. 4.18 Many beautifull showes of outward holinesse doeth these represent they knewe vnlawfully purchased almes was displeasing vnto God They knew a care should be had of the poore and strangers departing this life that they be buried and for the perpetuall memorie thereof did giue the place a name Heere is their Pharisaicall hypocrisie they attend outward religion but lacke internall worship of the minde which is not looked to Well said Christ of theÌ„ Woe be vnto you Scribes Pharisees Hypocrits for yeare like vnto whited Tombs which appeare beautifull outward Mat. 23.27.28 but are within full of dead mens bones and of all filthinesse So are yee also for outwardlie yee appeare righteous vnto men but within yee are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie Yet the faithfull should not omit their dueties of humanty to support the indigencie of their brethren while they liue duetiful care of them when they are dead neither not to pull the goodes from their heires vnto themselves Yet one thing heere thou must learne poore Soule of their hypocrisie to bestow thy charitie and almes vpon the poore of thy own lawfull goods For I the Lord Esay 61.8 loue Iudgement and hate robberie for burnt offering and I will direct their work in truth will make an euerlasting Covenant with them for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Pro. 15.8 to present him in his members with such is to associat him to their villany he that taketh away his neighbours liuing Esay 1. 11.12 slayeth him and be that defraudeth the labourer of his hyre Eccl. 34.23 is a blood-shedder But heere behold an everlasting monument raised by them of their impietie and malice against Christ for whiles dissemblars will cover their wickednesse then most of all it is made manifest by reason of Aceldama But this was long time before figured in Ioseph who at the desire of Iuda was sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 47.5 6. wherby it came to passe that the Land of Goshan was giuen his brethren to dwell in So Iesus sold and delivered to death Iohn 14.2.3 prepared a place for vs where beeing delivered from all troubles Iohn 17.24 we might enjoy rest for euer Remember my Soule that thou art solde vnder the tyrannie of sinne But by Iesus Christ who was solde for thee thou art restored to libertie Beeing then made free from sinne wee are made the servants of righteousnesse and as ye haue giuen your members servants to vncleannes Rom. 6.18.19.22 and iniquitie to commit iniquitie so now giue your members servants vnto righteousnesse and holinesse that beeing fred from sinne yee haue your fruit in holinesse and the end euerlasting Life Mat. 13.18 Wherfore this Field is the world the Potter is God who made maÌ„ of the slime of the earth Gen. 2.7 The strangers are Christians who haue no abiding Citie heere Rom. 9.21 but haue renouÌ„ced the world The buriall place is our rest in Christ whose sepulchrs are sanctified by him Col. 2.11 1. Cor. 15.42.43.44 and who shall restore our bodies committed vnto him as vnto a faithfull Creator the price of blood is the merite and vertue of his Passion 1. Pet. 1.19 The second Step in the third degree of the asâ—ension of the Soule vnto Heauen c. NOw haue we conveyed our Saviour froÌ„ the Garden to Cajaphas now wee would accompanie him to Pilat Iohn 19. there false accusation against him Mat. 27. of the sending of him to Herod Luc. 23. and of most wrongous excambing of him with Barabbas with the most mishant condemnation of that Innocent Lambe of God Mar. 15. Pilat at the desire of the Iewes is deafe for hee heares nothing worthie of death in him The Iewes vvere verie diligent to take all occasions to put Iustice to execution if any had bene against him which now is oft times delayed But the cause that hee should bee presented before his Tribunall was Mat. 20.19 that it behoued the Sonne of man to bee delivered to the Gentiles to mocke and to scourge and to crucifice him that both Iew and Gentile as they had conspired his death so should both bee partakers of his Life And the first If they abide not still in vnbeliefe Rom. 11.23 should bee graffed in for God is able to graffe them in againe And for the second God hath concluded all vnder sinne
God is come vpon them to the vtmost both vpon them and on their posteritie For vpon them is come all the righteous blood that was shedde vpon the earth from the blood of Abel the righteous Mat. 23.35 and the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias whom they slew betweene the Temple the Altar Euerie man detesteth this haynous crueltie and thou my Soule sayeth That if thou hadst beene in those dayes tâ—ou wouldst not haue put hand in thy Saviour But thou lackest nothing but tyme for thou resistest the known Trueth of Christ and hatest the professors therof whereby thou crucifiest againe the Sonne of God Eph. 4.19 and makest a mocke of him For he that despised Moses Lawe died without mercie vnder two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be worthie which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God and counteth the blood of the New-Testament as an vnholie thing Heb. 10.28 wherwith he was sanctified and doeth despite the Spirit of Grace And therefore well might Christ haue said As for mee bâ—hold I am in your hands doe with mee Ier. 26.14.15 as yee thinke good and right but know yee for certaine that if yee put mee to death yee shall surelie bring innocent blood vpon your selves and vpon your citie Luc. 19. and vpon the inhabitantes thereof for of a trueth the Lord hath sent mee vnto you for to speake all these words in your eares but for three transgressions of Israel Amos. 2.6 and for foure the Lord will not turne to it because they sold the righteous for silver and the poore for shooes for the which their cities were left desolate Ierusalem without an inhabitaÌ„t for the flight did perish from the swift and the strong doeth not strengthen his force neither did the mightie saue his life nor bee that handleth the bowe doeth stand and hee that is swiftest of foote doeth not escape neither doeth hee that rideth Amos. 2.14.15.16 saue his life and hee that is of mightie courage among the strong men did flee away naked in that day Wherof Iosephus that saw all these things with his eys doth vvrite that there was slaine at the same siedge of Ierusalem eleven hundreth thousand besides nyntie thousand that were takeÌ„ captiues and the Citie lamentablie destroyed and sacked Thus vengeance is mine sayeth Lord I will repay it But heere deare Soule far be it from thee that once the least conception of shedding of blood come in thy mind yea remember this be that hateth his brother is a man slayer be therefore voide and free of such inordinate passions Bee angrie and sinne not let not the Sunne goe down vpon thy wrath but overcome euill with good But heere especiallie call to minde these imprecations and cursings the Iewes vse against themselues There is nothing more effectual to destruction than the vvordes which proceede out of thine own mouth beware therefore of violent and immoderate perturbations which louse the bridle raines of the tongue neither excuse thy selfe by incoÌ„sideration rashnesse and anger to haue done the same Accustome not therefore thy mouth deare Soule to swearing Eccl. 23.9.10.11 for in it there are many falls neither tak vp fâ—r a custome the naming of the holie One for thou shall n t bee vnpunished for such thinges For as a servant which is oft punished can not bee without some skarre so bee that sweareth and nameth God continuallie shall not bee faultlesse A man that vseth much swearing shall bee filled with wickednesse and the plague shall never depart from his house when hee shall offend biâ— fault shall bee vpon him and if hee acknowledge not his sinne hee maketh a double offence and if hee sweare in vaine hee shall not bee innocent but bis house shall bee full of plagues Now Pilat thinketh himselfe secure when he is exonered to be enemie to Caesar sitteth downe absolues Barabbas vvhich is worse condemnes the Innocent beateth and scourgeth him then delivereth him to the Iewes to satisfie their wicked appetite his Conscience fast a sleepe runneth on Heb. 6.6 as the arrow out of the Bow to a mischiefâ— For vvhen man is past feeling and without remorse Mar. 15.15 hee giueth himselfe to wantonnes to worke all vncleannesse euen with greedinesse and with such speede as an horse rusheth into battell For Pilate did this to gratifie the people had he their fauour for it no they delated accused him to the Emperour which banished him and for feare of greater shame being participaÌ„t also of Christs blood put violent hands in himself slew himselfe How is the matter Pilate is this the form of judgement that thou hast learned from the Romanes vvherein thou neither hast regard of reason examinatioÌ„ of vvitnesses the guiltie of Lawes but onelie respecteth the desire of tumultuous meÌ„ Was it not to asswadge vproare and establish Law and Iustice that thou was sent President to Ierusalem Will it mitigate sedition to kill the Iust No rather increase it what did these wicked Iewes throgh all Palestina Syria coÌ„mit vnder Caius Claudius Nero vntill Veâ—pasian Titus were seÌ„t to overthrow them and thou in thy time didst know what it was to huÌ„t after the applause of the people The third Step in the third degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. NOw is Barabbas let loose and Christ delivered vnto the Souldiers in purple apparell to be crucified The murtherer Barabbas did liue by the bounty of Christ for there was but one to bee set free at the Passeouer not two and Christ adjudged to die This Barabbas represented all the Children of Adam Eph. 2. for wee were al the childreÌ„ of wrath lyable in Gods just judgment to eternall death neither was any deliuerance to be looked for but by his death who was condemned for vs so that now there is no condemnation to theÌ„ that are in Iesus Christ Rom. 8.1 now the souldiers were as ready to receiue him as Pilat was to deliver him to put this wicked sentence in execution 1. Sam. 22.18 Good Iudges shall never find goods Officers to execute so readily a good action 2. Sam. 3 39. as the wicked doe finde for an evill For the devil hath many servants in the world but God hath few Neither suffered they him any where to rest scarse while the crosse was in preparatioÌ„ but taketh him to the CoÌ„mon-Hall For the malice of men against wickednesse will end but against an Innocent who suffreth for Christ will neuer end But these torturers were instrumentes of that terrible wrath of the Father vpon his Son who is a coÌ„suming fire He was stripped of his purple vesture least the people shuld haue beene more inraged at that royall apparell hee was clad with and despise authoritie when they saw him crucified in the same But sure it was their minde to renew his recent blood and freshe wounds and to adde
serving of him according to his will be afraied of his justice vvhereby hee will surelie punish the wicked Place thine hope in his eternall mercie bottomlesse grace and euerlasting glorie The third and last Steppe of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by contemplation of Christs entrance there ANd now Pilgrime Soule wilt thou aspire vpward yea let mee heare Lord thy loving kindnesse in the morning for in Thee is my trust Psal 143.8.9 Show mee the way that I should walke in for I lift vp mine heart vnto thee Deliver me from mine enemies for I hide me with Thee Remember mee with the favour of thy people Psal 106.4.5 Visite mee with thy Salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the joye of thy people glorie with thine Inheritance Poure cleane water vpon mee make mee cleane from my filthinesse Ezek. 36.36.37 Giue me a new heart and a newe spirit Take away that stonie heart out of my bodie and put in an heart of flesh that I may walke in thy Statutes and keep thy Iudgements For thou art the Poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.4 with fiue porches vvithin the vvhich vvhosoeuer steppeth in and doth cast the anker of Faith in the depth of thy wounds shâ—ll be made whole of whatsoeuer disease hee hath But alace whosoeuer washeth himselfe because of a dead bodie Eccl. 34.26 toucheth it againe what availeth his washing for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy Kingdome Such as doe returne with the Dogge to his vomit beleeue but for a season Pro. 26.11 and in the day of temptation goe away But I sorrowfull Soule as the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters Luc. 8.13 Psal 42.1 so doe I pant after thee O God ascended But woe is mee sinne is a sicknesse incurable which none can forgiue but thou O Christ Luc. 5.21 who putteth away iniquitie for thine owne sake Luc. 7.48 and will not remember sinnes For this purpose will I weake Soule make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel Esay 43.25 2. Chro. 29 1â— that hee may turne away his face from me and now will sorrowe that I doe not feele my selfe so much sorrowfull for the weight filthinesse multitude of my sins whose number doth passe the sand in the Sea-shore and doe beare mee downe as a heavy burden are growne over mine head With Peter not of infirmitie once and againe but infinite times haue I denyed Thee With Iudas I euen I haue betrayed Thee Heb. 6.10 With Iewes Gentiles I crucified Thee often haue I renewed thy wounds trode thy precious blood vnder foote vvith my louers hath my soule gone a whooring notwithstanding of that promise of marriage in my Baptisme vvhereinto I vvas betroathed vnto thee confirmed in thy blessed Supper ratified on the Crosse in thy blood to bee solemnized in thy glorie vvhereof I received the first fruites and earnest of the spirit Now alas doe I know and behold that it is a bitter and an evill thing to haue forsaken thee my God Ier. 2.19 and that thy feare was not in mee And these displeasures haue I O my Christ because I dearlie loue thee although there were no hell nor punishment at all I doe acknowledge all the tormentes of the world can not satisfie for the least imagination of the thought of mans heart Gen. 6.5 which is onely evill conâ—inually yea my righteousnesse if any I haue vvhich is the beautie and flowre of all that is best in mee is as a fiâ—thie clout But tâ—ou promisedst in trueth â—sâ—y 64.6 wilt performe in mercie that thou wilt not the death of a Sinner but whensoeuer hee shall repent bee shall liue Lord accept of the desires groanes of my heart Heare my cryes and vveeping forgiue my frailtie wipe awaye the filth and corruption of my soule furnish mee strength and spirituall courage against the life of sinne so pregnant and powerfull vvithin mee Inflame mine affections zealouslie to bee disposed to thy glory graÌ„t Perseverance Loue Hope and all Christian vertues vnto my last breath for I resolve by thy grace O my God to walke in thy vvayes the rest of my dayes I haue to spend lameÌ„ting for by past offences promise to shunne all occasions of evill hereafter O of how short continuance is this life Esay 40.7 endles is the eternitie in that life to come Iob. 2.7 plentifull is that reward Wisd 2.3.4.21 it is momeÌ„tary that pleasureth euerlasting that annoyeth yet as the Lordes greatnesse is so is his mercie Rom. 8.28 And therfore doe I account that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall bee showne 2. Cor. 4.17.18 for the light affliction which is but a moment causeth a farre more excellent and an eternall weight of glorie The thinges which are seene are temporall Gal. 3. 1. but the things which are not seene are eternall I know troubled Soule it beboued Christ whom thou didst see suffer and so enter into his glorie Luc. 24.26 in thy Place to take state and possession that wher hee is thou mayst be also for he hath married thee vnto himselfe for ever â—os 2.19 yea hee did marrie thee in righteousnes and judgements and in mercie and in compassion he hath euen married thee in faith fulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. â—ant 2. 16. Therefore thy beloued is thine and thou art his it is the voyce of thy welbeloued that knocketh saying OpeÌ„ to me my Doue my Sister â—ant 5.2 my Loue my well-beloved for mine head is full of dew and my lockes are wet with the drops of the night Say not deceitfull Soule to thy Christ Goe and come againe â—ro 3.28 and to morow I will giue thee if thou now haue it Remember the portion thou shalt haue vvith him in wed-locke who hath acquired vnto thee by his Poverie a Kingdome by his sorowes thy joy by his travles thy rest by his shame thy glorie by his Death thy life vvho vvould buy a match at such a deare and costlie rate Returne therefore disobedient Soule vnto the Lord hee will not let his wrath fall vpon thee for hee is mercifull Lam. 3.12 and will not keepe his anger And who is great like vnto him who takâ—th away iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercie pleaseth him hee will turne againe Micah 17.18.19 and haue compassion yea hee will subdue thy iâ—iquitie and cast all thy sins in the bottome of the Sea For thy Christ did come into this world to finish the wickednes Dan. 9.24 to seale vp the sinnes and to reconceale the iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Rev. 3.20 And novv behold poore Soule he standeth at the doore