Now hee must play the Priest and suffer patientlie his death which hee would not stay Thou should vse poore Soule the opportunitie of the worde verie earnestlie while the raine thereof from Heaven doeth water the dry and thirstie soules of men and whilst it is called to day let vs not barden our hearts The Lord therefore will knowe the inventer of this accusation and in all the History wil haue every mans part knowne in this action I am no Iew said hee cleansing himselfe Thine owne Nation doeth accuse thee I count not for the Messias religion troubles me not so much The Cleargie and Church-men must take heed thereto A liuelie image of wordlings who in the matters of the earth are more thaÌ„ curious But spiritual things are spirituallie decerned For he inquireth not what a King hee was where his Kingdome was that he might haue a part and shâ—re thereof but breakes off in an accusation of Iesus if he was a King The naturall man knoweth not the thinges of the spâ—rit of God 1. Cor. 1.14 for they are fâ—clishnâ—sse to him And therefore Christ taketh the mouth of Pilat to bee witnes that hee was a King Who albeit hee was equall with the Father Phil. 2.6 and thought it no robberie made himselfe of no reputation by taking on him the forme of a servant to his Father to be witnes to the Truth He wold haue hereby wonne Pilat if it had been possible but he was interrupted for the word is euer a sweet odour to God 2. Cor. 2.15 either to salvation or damnation in mercie or Iustice. With great constancie and grauitie without respect of persons doeth Christ answere so should his servants defend Gods honour and not to turne their faile to everie Winde and therefore hee did avouch his Kingdome as anonynted of the Father Psal 2.6 and sat vpon Mâ—unt Syon his holie Mountaine Zac. 9.9 who is just and saued himselfe and his people from their sinnes Mat. 2.21 Blessed is hee that commeth in the Name of the Lord Hosanna Mat. 21.9 thou which art in the highest heavens who hath giuen vs to inherite the Kingdome prepared for vs Mat. 25.34 from the fâ—undation of the world And therefore weak Soule Why art thou affâ—aied Is it of the Devill hee can not hurt one haire of tâ—iâ—e head Mat. 8.31.32 without thy Kings will Art thou troubled with sickenesses At his command they depart Mar. 1.31 Are enemies risen against thee Hee can crushe with a Scepter of Iron Psal 2.9 and breake them in pieces like a Potters vessell Art thou astonished at Death 1. Cor. 15.55 Death is swallowed vp in victorie feare not therefore feeble Soule For it pleaseth the Father to giue thee his Kingdome Luc. 12.32 who can therfore separate thee from the loue of Christ bee perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor thinges present nor thinges to come nor hight nor deepe nor any other creature shal bee able to separate thee from the loue of God Rom. 8.35 38.39 which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for he hath al power in heaven Mat. 11. â—7 and in earth His Kingdome is not subject to change and vanitie but eternall Iohn 3.35 and reacheth aboue the heavens and the earth and the depths therof Ier. 6.7 Therefore poore Soule place thy treasâ—â—e in heaven but alace as the Fountaine casteth out her waters so doe wee cast out our malice Let the world bee crucified to vs and vs to the world Gal. 6.14 For if wee bee dead with him wee shall also liue with him 2. Tim. 2.11.22 if wee suffer with him wee shall reigne with him if wee be therefore troubled with the Children of this vvorld remember my Soule his Kingdome is not of this world Iohn 16.33 in the world thou shall suffer affliction but be of good comfort bee hath overcome the world This his Kingdome is from Sea to Sea Psal 72.8 and to the last parts of the earth and it is governed by the preaching of the Gospel Heb. 2.8 who in place of taking tribute from his subjects Luc. 24.47 hath caried vpon him our sorrowes plagued of God Esay 53.4 and smitten of God and humbled who hath giuen vs eternall goods as Righteousnesse Rom. 14.17 Peace and joye in the holie Ghost And therefore my Soule bee wise serue the Lord in feare and rejoyce in trembling Psal 2.10.11.12 kisse the Sonne least hee bee angrie and thou perish in the way when his wrath shall suddenlie burne blessed are all they that trust in him I came in the world to witnes the Trueth Iohn 14.6 who am the Way Veritie and Life to giue knowledg of salvation vnto my people by remission of their sins Luc. 1.77 that all that beleeue in mee â—ohn 3.15 should not perish but haue everlasting life Hee is therefore not onlie the Teacher of that heavenly wisedome Iohn 3.32 but is also made our wisdome from God 1. Cor. 1. 30 Receiue therefore comfortles Soule receiue his testimonie Hee that receiueth his testimony Iohn 3.33 hath sealed that God is true for hee whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giueth him not the spirit by measure Iohn 8.47 he that is of the Trueth doeth heare his voice be that is not of God Iohn 10.27 heares not Gods word Iohn 12 48. for the word that hee hath spoken shall judge him in the last day Verily he that heareth his word Iohn 5.24 and beleeueth in him that sent him hath everlasting life and shall not come vnto conâ—emnation but hath passed from death vnto Life So Pilat comming from the Common-Hall testified Christs innocencie but herein hee offended that hee did not deliver him who suffred wrong from the band of the oppressor Eccl. 4.9 but was faint hearted when he judged Iam. 1.26 All this while in silence and patience our Saviour possessed his soule vseing great moderation in speeches 1. Pet. 3.10 If thou lay thy injurie poore Soule at Christs feete hee will avenge it if thy wrong hee will repare it 1. Cor. 6.7 if thy sorrow he will care it And therefore learne to suffer wrong and sustaine harme Thy Christ sad Soule is thy patron and Advocate in the presence of God who by his silence hath opened thy mouth giueÌ„ thee libertie to speak for because thou art his son hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into thy heart Gal. 4.9 which cryeth Abba Father Let not therefore thy vnworthinesse dash thee so that thou should bee frighted Therefore come boldlie vnto the Throne of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest receiue mercie and grace in the time of need The third Step of the third degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. NOw must Christ pas to Herod
filled full with reproaches and hath giuen his backe vnto the smitters and his cheeke to the nippers Esay 50.7 neither hid be his face from shame and spitting that thou mayst bee admonished of the greatnesse of thy sin and weight of Gods anger thou didst merite for thy sinnes in everlasting punishments in Hell So didst thou not O Lambe of God resist euill Mat. 3.39 but whosoeuer did smite thee on thy right cheek didst turne to him the other also euer beaten while life did laste thee By thy shame bloody blew-face bewtifull doe wee appeare who were deformed in sin Nowe it restes His examination and processe thereof to bee discussed Woe is mee poor Soule that not onely false recordes witnesses for wicked endes but that the Princes Elders should haue admitted suborned coÌ„stituted them without respect to the law of God Act. 6. 11. So Steven had proofe thereof God will never suffer his followers in this Ier. 7.4.5.6.7 to be destitute of comfort Mat. 7.21 For wee should not haue Christ in our mouth but doe the will of him that sent him else all boasting of the Temple of God is to no effect for what hath the wicked adoe to declare his ordinances Psal 50.16 17. or take his Covenant in their mouth seeing they hate to bee reformed and doe cast his words behind them But what did these false witnesses they could doe no other than to mixe Trueth with Falset or interprete against the minde of the speaker right done or thinges spoken falslie Our Saviour had said Destroy this Temple Iohn 2.19 and in three dayes I will raise it vp againe But they said I can destroy this Temple he meaning of his bodie they of the materiall temple Christ said I will raise it vp againe they said hee would build it Great are the offences deare Soule which false witnesses commit against God Exod. 20. whose commandement they wilfully break against the Son who is Trueth it selfe against the holy Ghost whose habitation they defile with lies For the mouth that lieth killeth the Soule yea and offendeth against the Iudge who beleeueth them and against their neighbour who falleth in the hazard of his life and goods as of Naboth 1. King 21.9 And therefore Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord but they that deale truely are his delight Pro. 12.22 and reason for false witnesses shall not bee vâ—punished Pro. 19.9 and bee that speaketh lies shall perish And therefore deare Soule come never in custome hereof for both spirituall corporall punishments abideth them For he that slandereth not with his tongue nor doeth evill to his neighbour nor receiueth a false report against his neighbour Psal 15.2.3 shal rest in the Lords Mountaine And therefore speake trueth in the heart for when inquisition shall bee made and thy witnesse bee found false Deut. 19.19 shall bee done vnto thee as thou thoughtest to doe vnto thy brother Therefore my Soule eschew the thing that is euill and bee not ashamed to say the truth for thy life Accept no person against thine own conscience that thou bee not confounded to thy owne decay Eccl. 4.33 Heere then hee admits al while the witnesse proue nothing but appointeth as Darius did in favours of his Nobles Dan. 6.16 our Daniel to be casten in the Den of Lyons Now what is Christ thy Saviours part in all this businesse he holds his peace First to accomplish the prophesie Esay 53.7 next a graue example of patience If the Iudge doe thee wronge thou art no better than Christ was commit thy cause vnto God Psal 146.7 which executeth justice for the oppressed looseth the prisoners Trueth may bee hid but not overcome iniquitie may floorish for a time but can not bee permanent His innocencie also heere appeares which behoued to be that we might be made the righteousnes of God by him 2. Cor. 5.21 And these things he suffered the night-tyde that the licentious in a soft bed wheÌ„ his head Prince and King did suffer these thinges by night should earnestlie regard them I see Annas doth not loose our Saviour which of compassion did loose the Daughter of Abraham whom SathaÌ„ bound many yeeres Sampson by vertue of the haire of his heade could burst the bonds of strange womeÌ„ but Christ after so many miracles wonders and powers done by him willinglie gaue himself bound to releiue our bondes Our Saviour being asked if hee was Messias not onelie confessed but told he should come in judgement in visible forme at which the high Priest rent his rayment and accused the most Innocent of blasphemie I pray thee why doest thou adjure the Sonne of GOD it was not to find out trueth but occasion of death if any could bee such as was in Achab who ajured Micha the sonne of Iemlie whom he presentlie committed to fetters The sleeping of the Conscience is common both to the wicked and to the godlie and it should bee diligentlie attended vnto that it may be tymouslie wakened for the longer the Conscience lyeth in sinne the bitterer and harder the wakening will bee David did lye a yeare in this stuÌ„ber and after adulterie 2. Sam. 11 4. committed murther yet the Lord in mercie wakened him Ready is it to bee lulled asleepe and of all judgements a sleeping conscience is the greatest happie is hee that finds him reconceiled to his God a wakening conscience will tell thee when thou hast done euill that thou mayst haue displeasure repent wheÌ„ thou hast don well thou mayst haue joy through Iesus Christ Rom. 2.19 of whom wee haue our sufficiencie and without whom wee cannot thinke a good thought What is it then that he asketh of Christe is it concerning his Doctrine and his Disciples he did not point out any particular because hee had many to laye to his charge his dittay should haue beene made before hee was taken How should the high Priest bene ignorant that Christ was both Messias and the Son of God for hee saw his marveilous workes which testified of him he saw the Prophesies onelie fulfilled in his person Yet our Saviour did with his mouth confesse freely that he was the Sonne of the liuing God Heb. 4.15 which is the greatest coÌ„fort that euer can befal any soule that he hath the Sonne of the liuing God his Mediatour Priest and King and companion in all his calamities And shall not such a mightie King revenge the injuries done to his members Truely he will not onely take the defence of theÌ„ in this world but draw them as his own flesh bones to himselfe for hee is gone to prepare a place for them Iohn 14.3 and will come againe and receiue them to himselfe that where hee is they may bee also For what can bee more comfortable my Soule thaÌ„ to remember wee haue such an omnipotent and everlasting King not onely night day to
haue care over vs but that our flesh also doeth possesse the heavens where we shall bee in the presence of God for euer hee went alone to heaven but he all entered into it for a bone was not broken of him both head members shall bee found in heaven Hee hath giuen vs the earnest of his Spirit and taken the earnest of our flesh and caried it as a pawnd to Heaven where wee and all they that haue true faith shall bee brought and here withall to lance this vnrighteous Iudges heart hee maketh mention of the latter day which is his day wherein hee shall judge all flesh as Daniel hath fore-spoken who behelde in visions by night one like the Sonne of man Dan. 7.13 comming in the cloudes of heaven and approaching to the Ancient of dayes and they brought him before him and hee gaue him dominion and honour a Kingdome that all people Nations and Languages should serve him And so said another Zach. 10. They shall looke vpon mee whom they haue pearsed and shall lament for him as one mourning for his only sonne and bee sorie for him as one is sorte for his first borne Which second comming 1 Thess 4.16 seeing it is at hand we should remember of our accomptes to bee giuen to him and the precisnesse of that Iustice wherein wee shall render a reckoning for everie idle word Mat. 12.36 Let it not depart from our memorie but what-soever thou takest in hand Eccl. 7.36 remember thy end and thou shall neuer doe amisse Christ suffered for a good cause â— Pet. 4.15.16 even for righteousnesse sake who although hee was in bonds afflicted as though hee were an evill doer yet the word of God that was in his mouth was not bound Iudges as they exercise their judgement shall be juâ—ged againe for he that for thy cause was presented to jugdement shal be Iudge who hath said That God hath sent his Sonne not to condemne the world but that bee world by him should bee saued Beleeue in Christ and thou needest not to bee affraid of judgement will be condemne them for whom he hath suffered all these things Iohn 3.17 suffered I say both of the hie Priest who spak to him against order of Law of the hie Priests servant who strooke him against order of law for maintaining the truth before he had beene judged neither was it a fitte place to punish a man in judgement thogh he were never so bad And now the high Priest at this innocent Lambes answere rent his choathes Ioel. 2.13 but thou shouldst haue so done to thy heart He pretended the Majestie of God to bee hurt be this externall behaviour but inwardlie well pleased that now hee might haue occasion to fulfill his wicked counsell The godlie indeed should burne in zeale when they see the glorie of God to bee impared Mat. 22. as Lot was vexed with the vncleanly conversation of the wicked for hee beeing righteous dwelling amoÌ„gst them 1. Pet. 2 7.8 in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deedes But alas poore Soule how oftimes dost thou both pollute thy selfe dost heare the holie Name of God blasphemed by oaths and perjuries it becommeth thee to avert the wrath of God by all meanes â— King 11.30 wheÌ„ thou shalt heare such Rabsakeas blasphemies as Hezakiah did Nothing should more grieue thee thaÌ„ when wee see the glorie of God his Majestie to be hindred or hurt by any Who is weake and I am not weake who is offended and I burne not 2. Cor. 11.24 Now by this outward gesture hee would declare the punishment of the Lawe in commiting blasphemy justie to appertaine to Christ Lev. 24.13 to bee stoned to death by the whole multitude but this is our greatest comfort that by these means hee hath redeemed vs from the condemnatorie sentence of the Law Gal. 3.13 for as the Father hath life in himselfe so likewise hath he given to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe and hath giuen him power also to execute judgement in that hee is the Sonne of man But the high Priest did not vnderstand what he was doing for being risen from his place hee might haue presaged the losse of his Priesthood chaire therin that in this rage in reÌ„ting his cloths he did signifie the translatioÌ„ of the Law for the change of the Priest-hoode imported the change of the Law also The like was done to Ieroboam whose vpper garment was cut in twelue pieces by the Prophet who did deliuer vnto him with the ten pieces the ten Tribes Now as if they had not tormented him enough the hie Priests leaue him to be mocked of their servants vntill the dawning of the day that the Counsel should sit For what marveill is it when the Magistrates giue evill examples that vnrighteousnesse violence and oppression reigne every where And now deare Soule raise vp thy selfe to thankfulnesse and let thy heart bee inflamed with his loue when thou shalt remember what and how great bitter things all that whole night thy Redeemer suffered For his face was bespitted as if it had bene most ignominious with their Fistes they boxt him and spitefullie mocked him covering his face that being stricken hee should tell them who had done it Great therfore must be the anger and wrath of God for sinne for which Christ did suffer so much and therefore wee should abhorre it from our heartes But most of all hast thou to consider the infinite mercie of thy heauenlie Father who to vindicate assoilyle thee from everlasting ignominie suffered his beloued Sonne so shamefullie to bee intreated well might hee haue said Psal 22.7 I am a worme and not a man Remember therefore thy vncleannes and inward corruption who is borne in iniquitie â—sal 51.5 and in sinne hath thy mother conceiued thee to purge thee from these spots and to present thee without blotte or wrinkle Eph. 5.25 Was this blessed face of Iesus embrued with spittell Iustlie may wee deplore the impuritie of our nature which must bee cleansed by the Blood Christ 1. Iohn 1.7 Yet doeth not the wicked now cease to beate Iesus in his members and which is most abominable doe scorne the divine Majestie as if he did not see nor had care nor were to craue vengeance for that they doe but doe cover the face of Iesus in their opinion while they afflict his members giuing themselves to carelesse securitie but hee doeth see and beholdeth all these thinges for their oppression and their sighes are before him and their wandringes are compted their teares put vp in his bottle But although hee appeare not to seeâ— neither the God of Iacob to regarde yet vnderstand yee vnwise among the people and yee fooles when will â—ee bee wise bee that planted the care shall bee not heare â—r hee that formed the eye shall bee
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.
the ends of the earth for his possession Psal 1.8.9 whom hee shall crush with a Scepter of yron and breake them in pieces like a Poters vessel In all these things Christ is innocent and so declared foure times by Pilate otherwayes hee could neuer haue justified vs nor yet could our Faith rest in him But it is wonderfull that the Lord wrought so with this reprobate Pilate before he put the decrâ—e of reprobation in execution inviting him to Repentance and suffering with long suffering the Vessel of wrath prepared to destruction but he according to his heart Rom. 2.4 that could not repent heapes vp vengeance against the day of the revelation of the just wrath of God And that nothing should be left of vnspeakeable disdaine and rigorous dealing with Christ they spitted in his Face on which the verie Angels delited to behold according to the prophesie which went before of him Esay 5.6 I hid not my face from shame and spitting and making a knee they saluted him as King they said truelie but it was not an earthlie but an heavenlie Kingdome Now deare Soule consider the estate of Christes Kingdome in this world It is not accompanied with Pleasures or Power or Strengtâ— of man but replenished with Thornes labours and dangers For whosoeuer will follow mee let him forsake himselfe Mat. 16.24 take vp his crosse and follow me Confirme therefore thine heart that thou mayest continue in thy faith for thou must goe throgh many afflictions ere thou enter into the Kingdome of God Act. 14.22 Wherefore these illusions and mockings of Christ doe strengthen vs against the wounds of Conscience all the bitter sorrowes of this life for his stripes are the plasters Esay 53.5 whereby our soules are cured and healed Adam fell from his innocencie for which Christe was â—â—ladde with Purple and was crowned with Thornes that hee might plat on the heads of the faithfull an eternall Crowne of Glorie Thus apparelled as a most miserable spectacle is hee brought foorth to the Iewes if possible hee might moue them to commiseration saying Behold the man Would euer such a despised creature vsurpe a Kingdome What thinke yee of him now so miserablie casten downe as yee see Hee is a man like vnto your selfe and not a beast He is your flesh your Brother Iohn 1.11 why are yee so cruellie bent against him Can not your hearts be inclined to pittie Vnto verie brutish creatures one would show more rueth and none would doe so muche outrage For a good man will haue pittie on his owne beast but the mercies of the wicked are cruell Well did the Prophet foresee this Who is this that commeth from Edom with red garmentes from Bozrah hee is glorious in his apparell and walketh in his great strength I speak in righteousnes and mightie to saue Wherefore is thine apparell red and thy garments like him that treadeth the wine-presse I haue troden the wine-presse alone and of all the people Esay 63.1.2.3 there was none with mee my blood is sprinkled vpon my garmentes and hath stained all my rayment Let vs therefore bee ashamed of sin wheÌ„ we looke vpon this face of Christ but especiallie detest Pride since the Sonne of God did so humble himselfe beneath all men Phil. 2.5.6.7.8 that hee might mount vs into the heauens But such is that more than barbarous crueltie of the Iewes yet not onlie are they not touched with any sense of mercie but becomme to bee more fierce raging against Christ and therfore put they in a new false delation That bee made himselfe the Sonne of God hee professed indeede Mat. 3.17 and that truelie that he was the Son of God for the voyce from heauen did testifie it but Veritie beside such stiffenecked people had no place therefore condemned him to die But O Iew if it bee the law against blasphemies that thou accusest the Saviour of the world of Deut. 13.13.14 why should hee not bee rather stoned to death why doest thou make the Law of God a courting to thy knauerie should it be thy pleasure and not Gods will to be obeyed Wherfore Pilat hearing this recent accusation against the Son of God asketh him not of his Country for he knew him to bee a Galilean but of his pedegrie parentage and descent fearing he had takeÌ„ his beginning from some of the gods of the Gentiles as Saturn Iupiter or Mars therefore should haue incurred their wrath and hatred be cause he had made Christ to be whipped For such were the fabulous foolish ignorances of the GeÌ„tiles that they made vnto themselues demi-gods or semi-goddes or children of the goddes as Bacchus to come from Iupiter Herculas to haue hadde his beginning from them This was it that made them of Listra Act. 14.11.12 wheÌ„ Paul Barnabas curing an impotent in his feete which was a creple from his mothers wombe to say Gods are come downe in the likenesse of men and they called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Act. 14.12 Mercurius And therefore hee imagined gods to be avengers of these who disdained their progenie as Pentheus was â—eÌ„t because he despised Bacchus And now my Soule consider of these Iewes How doe yee say wee are wise Ier. 8.8 and the Lawe of the Lord is with vs should ye not haue searched Luc. 24.43 who and from whom Christ was when he called himselfe the Son of God Tit. 1.2 if bee had lyed which he could not why doe yee not punish him and if he spake the trueth why doe yee not worship him why doe ye not search your Scriptures Tit. 1.2 which testifie of him why doe yee not produce his workes to Pilate that it may appeare if hee bee the Sonne of God Why speakee ye not of him Iohn 11. 12. that was foure dayes dead and restored to life where is that widowes onely son the Prince of the Synagogues daughter Mat. 9.25 why doe yee not declare the way and meanes these miracles were perfected If thou beleeuâ—st not him beleeue his workes that hee doeth Iohn 1.14 told not hee that the word should bee made flesh was it not forespoken Behold a Virgine shall conceiue and beare a Sonne and they shall cal his Name Immanuel Esay 7.14 Can this Name agree to any but to him that is both God and Man And yet forsooth came shouting to an Heathen man Act. 14.16 that knew no Scripture and saw Iesus onely a man said they who hath made himselfe the Son of God Indeed he respected his false gods more thaÌ„ the true and onelie God 1. Cor. 8.6 he was more affrayed of his acounts in the administration of the Common-weale and Presidencie of Iudea to bee rendered to the Romane Emperour than of that great charge shall bee preciselie exacted of him in that day Esay 2.19 26.11 wheÌ„ we shall all bee presented before the
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
to breake one bone of him 1. Cor. 5.7 for he is our Passeover who sacrificed for vs died was peirced with a lance yet his Legges was not broken His members may be tossed with many calamities but shall not bee utterlie forsaken for many bee the troubles of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all Psal 34.19.20 The Lord would haue manie witnesses of his death the executioners the Souldier with his speare and the testimonye that the creatures gaue For without shedding of blood and death there had beene no remission of sins for vs They vvere enemies to the Crosse of Iesus Christ yet did they record the truth for our well Neither did this Souldier alone but mâ—nie moe now doe pierce his side Rom. 6.9 whilest he sitteth at the right haÌ„d of the Fâ—ther by mocking and contemning him in his word Mal. 3.8 Zach. 2.8 defrauding him of the meanes of his glorie Act. 9.4 for hee that toucheth his Saintes toucheth the apple of his eye as it was spoken of Paul persecuting him And this was done to confirme Gods power Zach. 12.10 and providence forespoken by the Prophet vvhich vvhich they did accomplish of meere ignorance Therefore out of his heart came Blood and Water Blood for the finest cleanest is about the heart and Water by the which liquor the heate of the heart is cooled and refreshed for as yet the Body was warme No man can liue when his heart blood is shed which is the seat of Life This signifieth a power flowing from his death to the remission of sinnes 1. Iohn 6.6 washing of our foule nature which tvvo great blessinges are represented vnto vs in two Sacraments of Baptisme the Lordes Supper Num. 20. 11. for as Moses while hee smote the Rocke water did come foorth to refresh the people So Blood and Water did gush out at Christs side for the benefite of the vvhole vvorld which is that Laver 1. Cor. 10.4 wherein our soules are purged from their inward spottes 1. Iohn 1.7 For as in Egypt when the first begotten was killed so many as had the posts of their doores marked with the blood were free so by this Lambes Blood that bringeth salvation to the world Heb. 9.13 are wee delivered by Faith from destruction that wee may serue him in righteousnes and holines And not presume to be so bold Tit. 2. 11 as by our profane life to tread his Blood vnder foote Nowe heere is a place for thee at his verie heart deare Soule where thou mayst creepe in and rest thee for as out of the side Eue was taken while Adam did sleepe so now is hee cleanseing and purifying his Church by redemption regeneration in this time of his death The fift Degree and first Steppe of the ascension of the Soule vnto Heaven by meditation of the buriall of our Lord Iesus Christ NOwe hath his verie enemies procured at Pilate that hee should bee taken from the Crosse Iohn 19.31 That blessed Corps beeing layde on the ground Ioseph a rich just godlie Disciple of Christ boldlie begged the dead Corps at the hands of Pilat that as his death was notable so should his buriall be also his glorious resurrection bee made famous Hee was not taken from the Crosse without leaue of the Magistrate nor buryed with out the same as he vvas not condemned but by the Magistrate that thou mighâ—st be fullie fred from all points of the Iustice of Gods wrath for sinne For if this power had beene in the Iewes hands they wold haue opponed themselves to heape more shame and ignominy vpon him but the Lord will haue a noble man and a notable faire place appointed to this worke that the honour of the Son and his glorie should beginne at the buriall which was shamefull in it selfe and that hee should bee instrument 1 Pet. 3.7 who shuld be hiere with him of that Kingdome of glorie and of that life All the glorie of this world pertaineth to the faithfull howsoeuer they apeare to haue least part thereof Ioseph is called to this great honour 1. Cor. 1.26 which is rare to be seene in men of like conditioÌ„ for the Lord in his death was more mightie theÌ„ in his life For when the corne of wheat lyeth in the ground and dieth as Christ foretold of the power of his death it fructifieth Iohn 12.24 and bringeth foorth much fruite for where euer the dead Carcase is thither doe the Eagles resort Of the which number this Counsellour was who looked for the Kingdome of God and there is no mention of such another great man but Nicodemus Iohn 7.50 who opponed himself to the death of Christ in the counsel for God hath his own in everie part 2. King 19 10. Rom. 11.4 of whom hee vvill bee served albeit he durst not for feare of the Iewes openlie professe â—say 42.3 yet the Lord will not breake the bruised reede nor quensh the smoaking flaxe To the supplication of Ioseph Pilat yeelded but wondred that Christ was so seene dead whose miracles was so many the shortnesse of his life vpon the Crosse floorishing time of his age which was thirtie three yeares and some od months which imported that the death of Iesus was extraordinarie Iohn 10.17 who onelie had power to lay it downe Ioseph therefore bought a fine linnen cloath to wrappe the Bodie of Iesus in and Nicodemus an hundreth pound weight of a mixture of Myrrhe Aloes The wisedome the learning and the riches of these men were cast at Christs feete vvhereof they counâ—ed much of before they had a sight of Iesus nowe they counted all but dongue Phil. 1. They felt a sweet savour and odour comming to them froÌ„ his death therfore would they meete it with a sweet savour But there needed no odours to preserue it beeing filled with the presence of God Wherefore with one concord coÌ„stantlie they accomplished his buriall after the custome of the Iewes that is honourablie Act. 9.37 for never was a more honourable Man than Christ and all these vvere ceremonies the rest of their washings were figurs of him to come vvho is the earnest of our resurrection For he shall raise all these which doe sleepe in monuments In a newe graue therefore hewen out of a stone by Ioseph to his owne vse was hee laide in a Garden neare by Ierusalem that Christs buriall might be the more honourable in how much as he was aboue all the kinges of the world separated from sinners and made higher than the heavens The Father had his loving care of him albeit he appeared to haue forsaken him on the Crosse Hee is buried in another mans Sepulchre for hee died for the sins and salvation of others that hee might sanctifie our burials by comming vnto them and from them to ascend to the heavens But remember poore Soule it