Barak and Samson and Jephtah and David and Samuel and of all the Prophets who through Faith did marvellous things as it there appears Surely they had the same Doctrine of Grace as we have it is the very same for Substance without any difference 2. Wherein is the Difference then betwixt the Old and New-Testament or betwixt the Old and New Manner of the Dispensation of the Covenant of Grace They are one for Substance but in regard of the manner of Dispensation and revealing in the several Times Ages States and Conditions of the Church there is a difference I shall reduce all to these Particulars They are distinguished 1. In the Object In the Old Administration Christ was promised but in the New-Covenant Christ is exhibited It was meet the Promise should go before the Gospel and be fulfilled in the Gospel that so great a Good might earnestly be desired before it was bestowed 2. In the Federates Under the Old Dispensation they are compared to an Heir under Age needing a Gardian Tutor or School-master little differing from a Servant But in the New-Testament they are compared to an Heir come to ripe Years see Gal. 4.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 3. In the Manner of their Worship In the Old-Testament they were held under the Ceremonial Law and Oh What an heap of Ceremonies Rites Figures Shadows did they use in their Worship Certainly these declared the Infancy and Non-age of the Jews who being not capable of the high Mysteries of the Gospel they were taught by their Eyes as well as their Ears These Ceremonies were as Rudiments Introductions fitted to the gross and weak Senses of that Church who were to be brought on by little and little through such Shadows and Figures to the true Image and thing signified But in the New-Covenant or Testament our Worship is more spiritual Our Saviour hath told us 〈◊〉 4.23 24. That as God is a Spirit so They that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit Truth The Hour cometh and now is saith Christ when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship Him â—ts 15.10 4. In the Burthen of Ceremonies Peter calls the Ceremonies of old A Yoak which niether our Fathers nor we saith he were able to bear And no wonder if we consider 1. The burthen of their costly Sacrifices if any had but touched an unclean Thing he must come and offer a Sacrifice as sometimes a Bullock and sometimes a Lamb You that think every thing too much for a Minister of Christ if for every Offence you were to offer such Sacrifices now you would count it an heavy Burthen indeed 2. They had long and tedious Journeys to Jerusalem the Land lay more in length than bredth and Jerusalem stood almost at one End of it â—ut 16.16 and thither Thrice a Year all the Males were to go and appear before God 3. They were tyed to the Observation of many Dayes the New Moons and many Ceremonial Sabbaths and they were restrained from many Liberties as in Meats and the like Oh What Burthens were upon them But in the New-Covenant or Testament the Yoak is made more easie We are bound indeed to the Duties of the moral Law as well as they yet a great Yoak is taken off from us and therefore Christ inviting us to the Gospel He gives it out thus Take My Yoak upon you saith He for My Yoak is easie 〈◊〉 11.29 and My Burthen light 5. In the Weakness of the Law of old The Law then was unable to give Life to purge the Conscience 〈◊〉 7.18 to pacifie God's Wrath and therefore saith the Apostle There is verily a dis-annulling of the Commandment going before for the Weakness Vnprofitableness thereof Hence they are called weak and beggarly Rudiments 〈◊〉 4.9 in comparison of the New-Testament there was then a less forcible Influence of the Spirit accompanying that Dispensation of the Covenant 〈◊〉 7.39 The Spirit was not then given in that large Measure as now Because Christ was not then glorified It appears in these Particulars 1. There was less Power of Faith in the Saints before Christ when the Doctrine of Faith was more fully revealed then was Faith it self more fully revealed in the hearts and lives of God's People 〈◊〉 3.23 Before Faith came saith the Apostle we were kept under the Law shut up unto the Faith which should afterwards be revealed Surely this implies there was a Time when there was less Faith in God's People and that was the Time of the Law 2. There was less Power of Love in the Saints before Christ according to the measure of our Faith so is our Love The less they knew the Loving-kindness of God towards them in Christ the less they loved It may be they were more drawn by the Terrours of the Law than by the Promises of Grace and therefore they had less Love in them 3. They had a less Measure of Comfort to carry them on in all their Troubles Christ exibited is called the Consolation of Israel and therefore the more Christ is imparted Luk 2.25 Acts. 9 31 the more means of Comfort Hence the Primitive Saints after Christ are said to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost Certainly the Spirit was poured in less plenty on the faithful in the Old Testament because that benefit was reserved to the times of Christ who was first to receive the Spirit above measure in his humane Nature and thence to derive Grace to his Saints 6. In the darkness of that administration of Old Christ was but shadowed out to the Fathers in Types and Figures and dark Prophesies but now we see him with open Face 2 Co. 5.18 Observe the difference in reference to the person of Christ and to the Offices of Christ and to the benefits that come by Christ 1. Concerning the Person of Christ it was revealed to them that he should be God Isa 9 6. And that he should be man Isa 9.6 Isa 9.6 The same verse speaks of a Child that is born and of a mighty God But how he should be God and man in one person it was very darkly Revealed 2. Concerning the Offices of Christ his Mediatorship was Typed out by Moses his Priesthood was Typed out by Melchizedeck among the Canaanites and Aaron among the Jews his Prophetical Office was typed out by Noah a Preacher of Righteousness his Kingly Office was typed out by David but how dark these things were unto them we may guess by the Apostles who knew not he should Die who dreamed of an earthly Kingdom and till the Holy Ghost came were ignorant of many things pertaining to the Kingdom of God 3. Concerning the Benefits that come by Christ Justification was signified by the sprinkling of Blood and Sanctification by the water of Purification Heaven and glorification by their Land flowing
Prodromus he was 2. That Christ himself might be anointed or installed to his Function Isa 61.1 2. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach good tidings unto the meek c. As Aaron and his Sons were anointed with material Oyl when they entred into their Offices so Christ was by the Spirit as it were anointed that so he might receive this Consecration and Institution for the Office that he was to enter on viz. the Preaching and Ministry of the Gospel 6. Upon what account was it that the Holy Ghost should reveal himself at this time and why in form of a Dove rather than some other form To the first I answer the Holy Ghost now revealed himself because the Spiritual Kingdom and Scepter of Christ in and by which he was to rule all Nations for ever was now at hand Dr. Lightf Harm of the Evang. It was agreeable saith my Author that the spiritualness of this Kingdom should be sealed and confirmed by the Holy Spirits shewing himself even in the beginning of it The carnal Rites of Moses were now to vanish and his Corporal and Ceremonial Observances were now to be changed into a Spiritual Worship and neither at Jerusalem or at Mount Gerazim nor elsewhere must there be any more adoration with fleshly and earthly Ceremonies John 4.21 24. but he that will Worship God must worship him in Spirit and Truth and therefore it is no wonder if now the Holy Ghost doth reveal himself I say now when his Spiritual Dominion by sanctification is to begin Secondly Because the Holy Ghost was now in especial manner to be restored again Some observe that he was visibly departed from Israel after the Death of the last Prophets and therefore now at his restoring he comes in a visible and apparent form and he lights on him to whom it belongs to give the Spirit and his gifts to whom he pleaseth As John had preached that Christ should baptize with the Holy Ghost so now the Holy Ghost comes and abides on Jesus Christ in the sight of John as if the Father should have said Now I seal that Power and Priviledge to Christ my Son which John hath spoken now the Holy Ghost is upon himself and hereafter he shall baptize others with the same Holy Ghost Thirdly Because at the beginning of the Gospel it was most sutable that a full clear and sensible demonstration of the whole Trinity should be made The Learned observe that the Holy Ghost in Scripture hath a special regard to express this Mystery of the Trinity upon singular occasions so the very first thing that is taught in all the Bible Gen. 1.1 2 3. is this same Mystery In the Begining God Created there is the Father and God said there is the Word or the Son and the Spirit of God moved there is the Holy Ghost And the very first word of the Bible that speaks of a man it holds out the Trinity as creating him and God said Let us make Man in our own Image he saith let us to shew the Trinity of persons Gen. 1.26 and he saith in our Image not in our Images to shew the Unity of Essence And when Moses begins to rehearse the Law to Israel the first thing he teacheth them is the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity Hear O Israel the Lord our God Deut. 6.4 the Lord is one The last word One denotes the Unity the three words the Lord our God answer the three Persons and the middle word our God deciphers fitly the second Person who assumed our Nature how fit then was it that at the beginning of the new world and the new Law and the Baptism of Christ the three persons should be revealed especially since he ordained Baptism to be admitted in all their names Baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son Mat. 28.19 and of the holy Ghost But where is it revealed see Mat. 3.16 17. where the Father speaks from Heaven the Son comes out of the water and the holy Ghost appears in the likeness of a Dove This was the greatest meeting that ever was upon the earth every person of the Trinity gives some sensible evidence of his presence at it To the second why in the form of a Dove rather than some other form Many reasons are given as 1. To shew Christs innocency purity simplicity charity and love 2. To shew what innocency and harmlesness should be in those that are baptized 3. To answer the Figure in Noahs Flood for as a Dove at that time brought tidings of the abatings of the waters so now it brings tidings of the abating of Gods wrath upon the preaching of the Gospel the first Dove we find in the Bible is Noahs Dove with the Olive-Branch in her Bill proclaiming peace the next is Davids Dove with Feathers silver-white as noteing sincerity then Esays Dove mourning with her voice as signifying patience and lastly Christs Dove innocent and harmless now all these properties meet in this Dove the Spirit of God Much more might I add to these but I desire to hasten to some more edifying truths From this Baptism of Christ we may learn a practical necessary Truth Vse There is a Generation that cries down Baptism of water and upon this score because they suppose it was proper to John to Baptise only with water and to Christ to Baptise only with the holy Ghost and with fire Indeed Christ in his own person Baptized none otherwise but with the holy Ghost immediately after his Ascension he sent his Spirit upon the Church and baptized them with fire the spirit appearing like a flame and to this day though not visibly he Baptizeth all his Saints with the Holy Ghost and with fire but for all this he appointed John and not only John but all his Apostles and their Successors for ever to Baptise with water and they did so and yet do so obeying the preceptive words of Christ which are almost the last words that he spake upon the earth And though Christ did not Baptize with water yet Christ himself we see here was Baptized with water he himself enters at that door by which his Disciples must for ever follow after him and indeed therefore he went in at that door of Baptism that he might hallow or sanctifie the entrance which himself made to the house he was now a Building And for the difference they make betwixt Christ's Baptism and John's Baptism what 's this to the purpose we all know that in Baptism are two parts the outward part and the inward part you may call them if you please the outward Baptism and the inward Baptism the outward Baptism is of the Minister but the inward Baptism is of Christ But must we separate these or rather Joyn them if these in ordinary must be joined as we find them in Christ Mark 1.4 and as we desire they may
revelling and dishonouring of God hath made them so pensive Why sinners your carriage grieves the very Spirit of God Gen. 6.6 You grieve God at the heart as it is expressed Gen. 6.6 and therefore no wonder if the godly cannot rejoyce in your sinful society you are the cause of their sadness but admit them once into the company and fellowship of the Saints and they know how to be joyful 4. If it be so that usually they are pensive and sad it is not because of Religion but because they are not more Religious because they find so much want of godliness in their own hearts Rom. 7.24 this was the cause of Pauls heaviness O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death And yet know that all these sadnesses are true preparatives to joy and therefore in the very next words the Apostle breakes out into that sweet Doxology I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Never was true sorrow for sin but it ended in rejoycings and praises and thanksgiving to God Why then be convinced Ah deceived souls say not that God is an hard Master reaping where he sowed not and gathering where he strawed not say not that his wayes are tedious and irksome and uncomfortable wayes but rather taste and see and try how good the Lord is experience the truth of these words My Yoak is easie and my Burthen is light What is lighter than that Burthen which instead of burthening Chears up the party on which it is laid Just like those burthens of Cinnamon that refresh those that carry them through the deep sands of Arabia An holy Divine once endeavouring to convince men of the sweetness and pleasantness of Gods wayes by his own experiences I call Hâ—aven and Earth to Record saith he that these things are truths of God they are not notions or conceits but certain realities Another flyes somewhat higher If men would in earnest sayes he abandon the Devils service and give up their names to Christ in truth and try I dare assure them in the Word of Life and Truth they would not exchange the saddest hour of all their life afterward with the prime and flower of all their former sensual pleasures Prov. 3.17 might they have ten thousand worlds to boot her wayes are wayes of pleasure saith Solomon Vse 2. Psal 1.1 2. Psal 119.1 Psal 40.8 2. You that are so convinc'd I beseech you carry on the work of God sweetly comfortably and with delight the Psalmist sayes Blessed is the man that delights in the Law of the Lord. And Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk chearfully in the Law of the Lord. And blessed is the man that delighteth greatly in his Law And it is written upon the heart of Christ I delight to do thy will O my God yea they Law is within my heart as God loves a cheerful giver so a chearful server Come take my Yoak upon you saith Christ for my Yoak is easie it is not an Iron Yoak of Bondage but a Chain of heavenly Pearls to adorn your souls Quest 1 Oh but how should we carry on the Work the Yoak the Duty the Practise of Piety and of Religion pleasantly I answer Answ 1. Be sure to keep the heart right and upright within let all we do be in sincerity and let all we are in respect of the inner man be at peace within sence and reason can tell us that according to the tempter within so there is the relishing of things without he that acts in sincerity and hath peace within can easily go through the duties that are required without with joy and comfort 2. Exercise saith in the work and office of the Holy Ghost I mean that work and office to which the Holy Ghost is designed by the Father and the Son both to help his people and to be the Comforter of his people 1. The holy Ghost is designed to help his people Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities the word in the Original †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John 14.26 and 15.26 doth properly imply such an help Rom. 8.26 as when another man of strength and ability steppeth in to sustain the burthen that lyeth upon weak shoulders why this makes Christs Burthen light we do not bear all the weight for the holy Ghost puts under his shoulder 2. The Holy Ghost is designed to comfort his People Christ calls him the Spirit the Comforter because he brings in a kind of spiritual joy and spiritual comfort Mark it is not a natural but a spiritual joy Oh what a vast difference is there betwixt the comforts of a carnal heart and the comforts of the godly The one comes from a little meat or drink or creature vanity but the other comes from the exercise of Faith about the office of the Holy Ghost who is designed to this work surely here is the way to carry on duty sweetly and comfortably and with delight i.e. to be in the exercise of faith on the work and office of the Holy Ghost as he is our Helper and Comforter 1 Pet. 2.9 1 Pet. 2.9 3. Understand what is in Christian Religion and in the practise of it to cause delight As. 1. In every duty and gracious acting of it there is more of the Glory of God than in the whole frame of Heaven and Earth besides Herein is my Father glorified that you bear much Fruit John 15.8 Oh if we but thus looked at the profession and practice of Christian Religion we could not but take pleasure in it 2. In every duty and gracious acting of it there is the seed of glory and eternal life sometimes there breaks out in the very exercise of duty a joy in the Holy Ghost a foretast of Glory but howsoever there is the seed of Glory and though the seed of Glory be not seen but lye as it were under ground dead and unseen yet in time it will spring up unto eternal life why thus look at the practice of Religion and it will be sweeter to us than Honey and the Honey-Comb it will be more precious than Gold yea than much fine Gold But how should we know the difference betwixt the natural pleasantness and this Quest 2 spiritual pleasantness in Religion I know Christians may put a lustre upon the wayes of God by their natural pleasantness and chearfulness of spirit but because we speak of a spiritual joy and comfort and not of a natural wherein lies the difference I answer 1. If it be a spiritual pleasantness it will be serious I have said of laughter it is mad Answ Eccles 2.2 and of mirth what doth it There is much lightness and vanity in such breakings out of natural pleasantness but in spiritual pleasantness all is grave and sober and exceeding serious 2. If it be a spiritual pleasantness it can stand with repentance and humiliation and the fear of God rejoyce with trembling saith the Psalmist
how sweet Christ is to hungry Consciences And of that said he as I feel some part and I would feel more so I bequeath it unto thee and to the rest of my beloved in Christ O my soul if thou canst but taste Psal 119.10.3 thou wilt find a world of sweetness in Christ's wayes there is sweetness in the Word How sweet are thy Words to my taste yea sweeter than honey to my mouth There is sweetness in prayer Rom. 10.12 hast thou not known the time that thou hast touched the hem of Christs garment and tasted of the joyes of Heaven in prayer hast thou not seen heaven cleft and Christ sitting at Gods right Hand surely the Lord is Rich to all them that call upon him There is sweetness in meditation some call this very duty The Saints pastime which recreates and perfumes the tired Spirits Now O my soul thou art in the exercise of this duty now thou art in the meditation of the easiness of Christ's burthen Psal 119.99 and of the sweetness of his wayes tell me is there nothing of Heaven in this meditation is it sweet or is it bitter to thy Soul thou mayest read in Scripture of many admirable effects of meditation as that it confirms our knowledg I have more understanding than all my teachers Psal 119.99 Ver. 97. Ver. 15. for thy Testimonies are my Meditations that it inflames our love Oh how love I thy Law it is my Meditation all the day that it casts a sweet influence on our lives I will Meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy wayes What is it thus with thee Psal 104.34 Psal 94.19 canst thou say with David My Meditation of him shall be sweet And in the multitude of my thoughts within me thy Comforts exceedingly delight my soul Why then thou hast truly tasted of God's goodness thou hast actual discoveries of the sweetness of Gods wayes thou hast experienc'd this truth that his yoak is easie and his burthen is light Matth. 11.3 Psal 119.99 that his wayes are wayes of pleasantness and all his paths are peace Oh if men did but know what ravishing sweetness were in the wayes of God they could not but imbrace them and esteem one dayes society with Jesus Christ as Caracciolus did better than all the gold in the world 11. Consider the holiness of Christ's Nature and the holiness of Christs Life 1. For the holiness of his Nature if thou couldst but clearly see it what work would it make in thy Breast Christ's inward beauty would ravish Love out of the Devils if they had but Grace to see his beauty yea he would lead captive all hearts in Hell if they had but eyes to behold his loveliness O what a Flower what a Rose of love and light is the Lord Jesus Christ Cant. 5.10 My Beloved is white and ruddy said the Spouse the chiefest of ten thousands Summon before Christ fair Angels glorified Spirits the azure Heavens the lightsome Stars all the delicious Flowers Gardens Meadows Forrests Seas Mountains Birds Beasts yea and all the Sons of Men as they should have been in the world of Innocency and let them all stand in their highest excellency before Jesus Christ and what are they Rev. 22.4 the Saints in Glory now see the face of Christ i.e. they see all the dignity beauty that is in Christ and they are so taken with his sight that they do nothing else but stare and gaze and behold his Face for Ages and yet they are never satisfied with beholding suppose they could wear out their eyes at the eye holes in beholding Christ they should still desire to see more O this loveliness of Christ ravishes the souls of the glorified how is it O my soul that thou art not taken with this meditation But 2. Go from the holiness of his Nature to the holiness of his Life it may be that will make deep impressions on thy spirit consider his charity his self-denial his contempt of the world his mercy his bounty his meekness his pity his humility his obedience to his Father A fruitful meditation on these Particulars cannot cannot but cause some resemblance within and make thee like Christ O the wonder that any should disclaim the active obedience of Christ as to his own Justification Away away with these cavils and consider the obedience of Christ in relation to thy self God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law Gal. 4.4 to redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of Sons It is a sweet note of Doctor Andrews Christ made under the Law i.e. under the whole Law the one half of the Law which is the directive part he was made under that and satisfied it by the innocency of his Life without breaking one jot or title of the Law and so he answers that part as it might be the principal the other half of the Law which is the penalty he was under that also and satisfied it by suffering a wrongfull death no way deserved or due by him and so he answered that part as it might be the forfeiture But if we come now to ask for whom is all this it is only for us that we might be redeemed und adopted redeemed from all evil and adopted or interested into all good If this be so O who would for a world of Gold lose the influence and the benefit of Christs active obedience consider of this O my soul till thou feelest some vertue to come out of Christs life into thy self SECT III. Of desiring after Jesus in that respect 3. LEt us desire after Jesus carrying on the work of our salvation in his Life It is not enough to know and consider but we must desire our meditation of Christ should draw forth our affections to Christ and amongst all affections I place this first of all a desire after Christ But what is it in Christ's Life that is so desirable I answer every passage or particular named yea every thing of Christ is desirable named or un-named all that concerns Christ in any kind whatsoever if to the former particulars I should add a thousand and a thousand more it is very precious and excellent and necessary and profitable and comfortable and therefore desirable but to put them in order 1. The meanest things of Christ are desirable things the very filings of Gold the dust or sparkles of precious Stones are of real price and value yea of much worth yea the very Leaves of the Tree of Life are healing the very Hem of Christ's garment but even touched sends forth its vertue the meanest and worst things of Christ are incomparably to be desired above all things the dust of Zion the very ground that Christ's feet treadeth on any thing that hath the poorest relation to Jesus Christ it is desireable for him Hence we read that one poor woman sought no more of him but to wash Christ's
manner of conversation Then is Christ's life mine when my actions refer to him as my Copy when I transcribe the Original of Christ's life as it were to the life Alas what am I better to observe in the life of Christ his Charity to his Enemies his Reprehensions of the Scribes and Pharisees his subordination to his heavenly Father his ingenuity towards all men his effusions of love towards all the Saints if there be no likeness of all this in my own actions The Life of Jesus is not described to be like a Picture in a chamber of Pleasure only for beauty and entertainment of the eye but like the Egyptain Hieroglyphicks whose very feature is a precept whose Images converse with men by sense and signification of excellent discourses to this purpose 2 Cor. 3.18 saith Paul we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed in the same Image from Glory to Glory Christ is the Image of his Father and we are the Images of Christ Christ is Gods Masterpeice and the most excellent device and work and frame of heaven that ever was or ever shall be now Christ being the top-excellency of all he is most fit to be the the pattern of all excellencies whatsoever and therefore he is the Image the Idea the Pattern the Platform of all our sanctification Come then O my soul look unto Jesus and look into thy self yea and look and look till thou art more transformed into his likeness Is it so that thou art changed into the same image with Christ took into his disposition as it is set forth in the Gospel look into his carriage look into his conversation at home and abroad and then reflecting on thy self look there and tell me canst thou find in thy self a disposition suitable to his disposition a carriage sutable to his carriage a conversation sutable to his conversation art thou every way like him in thy measure in Gospel allowance in some sweet resemblance why then here 's another ground of hope O rejoyce in it and bless God for it 3. If Christs life be mine then shall I admire adore believe and obey this Christ All these were the effects of those several passages in Christ's life respectively 1. They admire at his Doctrine and Miracles Luke 4.22 Matth. 15.31 For his Doctrine all bear him witness and wondered at those gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth and for his Miracles they wondred and they glorified the God the God of Israel yea sometimes their admiration was so great that they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondred Mark 6.51 Luke 9.43 They were amazed at the mighty Power of God and they wondred every one at all things which Jesus did 2. And as they admired so they adored there came a Leaper and worshipped him Matth. 8.2 Matth. 9.18 Matth. 14.33 saying if thou wilt thou canst make me clean and there came a Ruler and worshipped him saying My Daughter is even now dead come lay thy hand on her and she shall live and they that were in the Ship came and worshipped saying of a truth thou art the Son of God The very worshipping of Christ confesseth thus much that he is the Son of God 3. And as they adored so they believed If thou canst believe said Christ to the Father of the possessed Child all things are possible to him that believeth Mark 9.23 24. and straight way he cried out and said with tears Lord I believe help thou my unbelief And when many of his Disciples fell away then said Jesus to the twelve will ye also go away Peter answers for the rest to whom shall we go Why Lord we believe John 6.66 69. and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God not only worshipping of Christ but believing in Christ is a right acknowledgment that Christ is God Rom. 6.17 Mat. 4.19 20 22. 4. And as they believed so they obeyed ye have obeyed from the heart said Paul to the Romans that form of Doctrine which was delivered to you no sooner Peter and Andrew heard the voice of Christ follow me but they left all and followed him and no sooner James and John heard the same voice of Christ follow me but they left all and followed him Matth. 9.9 John 8.31 and no sooner Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom heard that voice of Christ follow me but he rose and followed him Why then are ye my Disciples indeed said Christ to the believing Jews if ye continue in my word Come then put thy self O my soul to the test thou hast seen and heard the wonderfull passages of Christ's Life the Baptism of Christ the Fasting of Christ the Temptations of Christ the Manifestations of Christ the Doctrine of Christ the Miracles of Christ the Holiness of Christ and is this the issue of all Dost thou now begin to admire and adore and believe and to obey this Christ is thy heart warmed thy affections kindled Forbs tells us that the word of God hath three degrees of opperation in the hearts of his chosen first it falleth to mens ears as the sound of many waters a mighty great and confused sound and which commonly brings neither terrour nor joy but yet a wandering and acknowledgment of a strange force and more than humane power this is that effect which many felt hearing Christ when they were astonished at his Doctrine as teaching with authority Mat. 1.22 27. Luke 4.32 John 7.46 what manner of Doctrine is this never man spake like this man the next effect is the voice of thunder which bringeth not only wonder but fear also not only filleth the ears with sound and the heart with astonishment but moreover shaketh and terrifieth the conscience the third effect is the sound of harping while the Word not only ravisheth with admiration and striketh the Conscience with terror but also lastly filleth it with sweet peace and joy In the present case give me leave to ask O my soul art thou struck into a maze at the mighty Miracles and divine Doctrine of Jesus Christ dost thou fall down and worship him as the Lord and thy God dost thou believe in him and relie on him for Life and Salvation dost thou obey him and follow the Lamb which way soever he goes dost thou act from Principles of Grace in newness of life and holiness of conversation dost thou walk answerably to the commands of Jesus Christ or at least is there in thee an earnest endeavour so to walk and is it the sorrow of thy soul when thou observest thy failings and dost thou rejoyce in spirit when thou art led by the Spirit why then here 's another ground hope that virtue is gone of Christ's life into thy soul 4. If Christ's life be mine then I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 Paul speaks out this evidence I am crucified
should be defiled the very prophane can learn to be superstitious in lesser matters how many amongst us will make conscience of outward Ceremonies as of eating meats observing dayes but as for the weightier matters of the Law Judgment and mercy they leave them undone 3. Christ is most falsly accused of Sedition seduction and usurpation it were indeed to be wished that they who take upon them the name of Christianity were guiltless of such crimes but let them look to it who are such This I am sure was Christ's Rule and Practise Be subject to every constitution and authority of man 1 Pet. 2.13 Rom. 13.2 for the Lord's sake If any dare to resist the Power that is of God they shall receive to themselves damnation Nor can we excuse our selves because our Governours are not Godly for all the Governours to whom Christ and his Apostles submitted themselves and to whom all those strict precepts of duty and Obedience related in the New Testament were no better for ought I know than Tyrants Persecuters Idolaters and Heathen-Princes 4. Christ is examined only of his usurpation Art thou the King of the Jews the men of this world mind only worldly things the Apostles so describes them Phil. 3.19 who mind earthly things Pilate regards not Christ's Doctrine but he is afraid lest he should aspire the Kingdom and concerning this our Saviour puts him out of doubt My Kingdom is not of this world As Pilate and Christ so Worldlings and Christians are of different Principles they mind earthly things but our Conversation saith the Apostle is in heaven our conversation i.e. the aim and scope of our hearts in every action Ver. 20. is only for heaven whatsoever we do it should some way or other fit us for Heaven we should still be laying in for heaven against the time that we shall come and live there we should have our thoughts and hearts set upon heaven so it is said of holy Mr. Ward that being in the midst of a Dinner very contemplative and the People wondering what he was musing about he presently breaks out for ever for ever for ever and though they endeavoured to still him yet he still cryed out for ever for ever for ever Oh eternity to be for ever in heaven with God and Christ how shall this swallow up all other thoughts and aims and especially all wordly careful sinful thoughts aims or ends 2. Pilate having dismissed Jesus this hour is concluded with a sad disaster of wicked Judas then Judas which betrayed him when he saw that he was condemned Mat. 27.3 repented himself c. Now his conscience thaws and grows somewhat tender but it is like the tenderness of a Boyle which is nothing else but a new disease there is a repentance that comes too late Esau wept bitterly and repented him when the Blessing was gone the five foolish Virgins lift up their voices aloud when the gates were shut and in hell men shall repent to all eternity and such a repentance was this of Judas about midnight he had recieved his mony in the house of Annas and now betimes in the morning he repents his bargain and throws his mony back again the end of this Tragedy was that Judas died a miserable death he perished by the most infamous hands in the world i. e by his own hands he went and hanged himself And as Luke he fell headlong and burst asunder in the midst and all his Bowels gushed out Mat. 27.5 In every passage of his death we may take notice of God's Justice and be afraid of sin it was just that he should hang in the air who for his sin was hated both of heaven and earth and that he should fall down headlong who was fallen from such an height of honour and that the Halter should strangle that throat through which the Voice of treason had founded and that his Bowels should be lost who had lost the bowels of all pity piety and compassion and that his Ghost should have its passage out of his midst he burst asunder in the midst and not out of his lips because with a kiss of his lips he had betrayed his Lord our blessed Jesus Here 's a warning-piece to all the world Vse who would die such a death for the pleasure of a little sin or who would now suffer for millions of Gold that which Judas suffered and yet suffers in hell for thirty pieces of silver Now the Lord keep our souls from betraying Christ and from despairing in God's mercy through Christ Amen Amen I see one sand is run I must turn the Glass now was the seventh hour and what were the passages of that hour I shall next relate SECT II. Of Christ's Mission to Herod and the Transactions there Luke 23.7 ABout seven in the Morning Jesus was sent to Herod who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time The reason of this was because Pilate had heard that Christ was a Galilean and Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee he concludes that Christ must be under his Jurisdiction Ver. 8. Herod was glad of the honour done to him for he was desirous to see Christ of a long season because he had heard many things of him and he hoped to have seen some Miracle done by him That which I shall observe in this passage is Ver. 9. 1. Herod's questioning of Jesus Christ 2. Christ's silence to all his questions 3. Herod's derision and Christ's dismission back again to Pilate Luke 23.8 1. Herod questioned with him in many words what those words were are not expressed only we have some conjectures from Luke 23.8 q. d. What! art thou he concerning whom my Father was so mocked of the Wise men and for whose sake my Father slew all the Children that were in Bethlehem I have heard thou hast changed water into Wine and hast multiplyed Loaves whereon so many thousands fed come do something at my request which elsewhere thou hast done without request of any come satisfie my desire work now but one Miracle before me that I may be convinc'd of thy Divinity I dare not deliver these words as certain truths because of that silence that is in Scripture only we read that he hoped to have seen some Miracle done by him Herod could not abide to hear his Word and to bear his yoke but he was well content to see the works and miracles of Jesus Christ 2. Whatever his questions were he answered him nothing many reasons are given in for this Ver. 9. as 1. Because he enquired only in curiosity and with no true intent or end Prov. 26.4 Jam. 4.3 concerning which saith the wise man Answer not a fool according to his folly And ye ask and receive not saith James because ye ask amiss 2. Because Christ had no need of defence at all let them go about to Apologize that are afraid or guilty of death as for Christ he despiseth their Accusations