the morning back again they go enquiring of all they meet seeking every where for him but no tydings could they hear of him That night they got back to Jerusalem and still can hear no tydings of him the longer they seek the greater their sorrows and less rest could they take that night a good pattern to all Parents diligently to look after their Children when they are missing and a great blame it is to such Parents as suffer their Children to go and come whether and when they will 6. Here see the time and place of their finding him on the third day of their seeking for him they enquired no doubt of all their friends and acquaintance in the City where they used to resort but could hâ—ar no tydings of him which still augmented their sorrow at last it came into their minds to go to the Temple and seek for him there it is much that they made that the last place of their enquiry for him But God had wise and holy ends in ordering and over-ruling their motions to be as they were when they came to the Temple they soon found him there the Temple was his Fathers house Joh. 2.16 and what place could they seek to find the Son in more likely then in his Fathers house there they find him And what employment did they find him about in his Fathers house They found him in the place of Education and Instruction of youth in the knowledge of the Scriptures and Religion a very meet place employment for a godly religious wise child and an eminent example to all youth to go of his own accord unto the Schools where he might learn Instruction in the knowledge of God and of the Scriptures It is far otherwise with too many of our youth who when they are missing must be sought for in Taverns Ordinaryes or such like places of sin vanity and profaneness 7. Here we see how the School Exercises were managed in training up of â—outh 1. They had Doctors Tutors or Teachers of the Scholars who had seats in the Schools on each side higher than the rest 2. At the bottom or foot of those seats of the Doctors there were loâ—er seats for the Scholars hearers and learners hence it is said A t. 22.3 that Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel where he was taught according to the perfect manner of the Law of the Fathers according to which pattern the meeting places of the Gospel Churches were ordered for Act. 4.37 the place for the Church Treasury to be brought unto was at the Apoâ—tles feet there the Deacons had their place who gathered the Contributions of the Church unto the Lords Treasury in the Church 3. The Doctors taught and examined their Schools by proposing such questions to them as they thought meet for their Inâ—truction and unto these questions of the Doctors the Scholars were to make answer 4. In due time order the Scholars had leave liberty to propound questions to the Doctors unto which they gave answer for the Instruction of their Scholars 8. Here we see how Jesus behaved himself and managed his Fathers business among them in the Schools 1. When it was his turn in order to answer to the question proposed he answered the question with such understanding as made them to admire that word Prov. 24.26 was verified in him every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer and Prov. 20.15 the lips of knowledge are pretious jewels and Prov. 15.23 a man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season how good is it 2. When it was his turn to ask and propound questions he did propound such questions as did amaze them How they could or did answer them it is not said all that is said is Luk. 2.49 all that heard him were astonished at his underâ—tanding and answers it is a good point of understanding to ask a wise question In this place and in this employment his Parents found him 9. When the Exercise was ended for they did not they might not be so rude as to interrupt them his parents took him into their Company and when the season was fit they expostulated with him for staâ—ing behind and putting them to so much sorrow pains and trouble To which he humbly with meekness answered that he was about his Fathers business he doth with gentle modesty check their check with an expostulation why did you give your selves so much trouble so sorrowfully to seek me did you not consider if you did not you might have considered that I must do my Fathers business viz. to perform the office and duty of a Mediator and this is one part of the work of the Office of a Prophet to raise up and train up of the Sons of Israel to be Prophets and to be Nazarets his Parents understood not his discourse but his mother did lay up his sayings in her heart and well she might for she knew that Joseph whom he called Father had no business for him to do in the Schools and she perfectly knew that he had no earthly Father God only was his Father and therefore it was Gods business that he wâ—â— about I am loth to pass over this famous History without taking some notice of this great duty of our Generation work in training up of youth in Religion and learning to fit them for the service of God and the publick benefit of mankind both in Families Church and common-wealth all sorts and orders of men are bound to attend unto this great and necessary Generation work And we of New-England aâ—e more obliged to it then any other in some respects especially because it was one of the chief motives and ends of our designe in leaving of our native soile Relations callings friends and hopes for worldly Estates adventuring our all into the hands of Gods providence to pass over the vast Câ—ean into a wilderness a land not sowen to enjoy the liberties of Gods house and Ordinances and instituted worship for our selves and our posterity And to train up our Generarions under these enjoyments and improvements to be holy Churches of Jesus Christ trained up in his School for his service honour and praise which cannot be performed by any ordinary means save by Schools Though we have great cause to praise God for our Schools and the great blessing that all the Land doth enjoy thereby Yea and some returns we have made to our mother England of our Children trained up here in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Yet we have great cause especially of late years to abase our selves before the Lord for our great neglects and remissness in the pâ—rformance of our purposes and vows to God in this particular we doat upon our children and do not indure that due christian severitâ— to be exercised in their Education as the fallen Estate of mankind doth necessarily require and call for Pagan Rome and Greece will in some respects
7. in the form of a Servant and in maâ—y other respects as will appear hâ—reafter in the History of his life The sufferings of Jesus Christ fully satisfied vindiâ—tive justice and the active obedience of Jesus Chriâ—t did fully satisfie rewarding jâ—stice every act of Jesuâ— Chriâ—t was pure perfect and meritorious Gâ—d saith in him I am well pleased Mat. 3.17 Every act of Jesus Christ his obedience either active or passive was pure and without sin Heb. 4.15 and 1 Pet. 2.22 who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously Heb. 7.26 holy harmless undefiled Every act of Jesus Christ his obedience either active or passive was perfect Heb. 2.10 the Captain of our Salvation perfect Heb. 5.9 and being made perfect he became Author of Salvation to all that obey him Every act of Jesus Christ his obedience either active or passive was meritorious Rom. 5.18 19. as by the offence of one Judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to justification of life for as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Eph. 1.11 14. In whom also we have obtained an Inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will ver 14. which is the earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory This meritorious eminency of the obedience of Jesus Christ springeth from the eminency of his person being God-man The Law never had such a person subject unto it never did nor could any other perform such obedience as this glorious person performed never were or could be such acts of obedience both active and passive performed as were performed by Jesus Christ because he is a publick person by Office he is our Mediator and Surety every act that he did was acted by virtue of his Office in which Office he was from his first Incarnation as it is testified by the Angel Math. 1.21 Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sin Luk. 2.11 unto you is born this day a Saviour in the City of David which is Christ the Lord all that Jesus Christ did and suffered were acts of his Office If Adam a meer man had performed pure and perfect obedience it should have been meritorious how much more eminently meritorious are all the acts of the obedience of Jesus Christ One consideration more I shall add to illustrate the wonderful sufferings of Jesus Christ by shewing that they do infinitely exceed all the sufferings of man either the sufferings of the Elect in this life or the sufferings of the damned in Hell Jesus Christ suffered as a publick person the punishment of all our sin was laid upon him Isa 57.6 he laid upon him the iniquities of us all he had no sin of his own to suffer for but he was made sin for us 2 Cor. 5.21 and all our sins were nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ all the punishment due unto the sin of all Gods Elect was laid upon him The sufferings of Christ were of value sufficient to satisfie justice for all sin though in the application thereof unto us by the new Covenant only the Elect doe receive and partake of the benefit thereof Sufferings of infinite value were necessary to redeem one Soul and sufferings of Infinite value are enough to redeem all the world yea many worlds Our greatest sufferings alass are of small value we merit nothing but hell by our deepest sufferings our sufferings at best are spotted and stained with sin and our sufferings are but personal not publick Ezek. 18.4 the Soul that sinneth it shall dye we suffer for our sins not for the sins of others The sufferings of Gods people are not penal but medicinal so much as may serve to purge out sin and no more Isai 27.9 and alas a little serves the turn through the mercy of Jesus Christ and through the operation of the Spirit The sufferings of Christ are penal he suffered the whole weight of the curse till the Infinite vindictive justice of God was satisfied O the Infinite weight of the sufferings of Jesus Christ yea the damned in hell suffer the vindictive wrath of God but alas they are finite and can bear but drops at once they can never satisfie justice and besides they suffer every one only for his own sin But Jesus Christ suffered the whole weight of Gods wrath due to all sin and all this at once O the unconceivable depth of the sufferings of Jesus Christ and O the Infinite value of them Cap 2. The History of the wonderfull Conception of Jesus Christ and the sad afflictions and sufferings that attended the same LOrd help me with humble Reverence to handle the holy History of the holy life sufferings and death of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ In the first and last periods of the life of Jesus Christ in the world his sufferings and passive obedience were most conspicuous in the intermediate periods of his life his active obedience to the Law of God was most conspicuous as will afterwards appear in the History thereof Though the conception of Jesus Christ was exceeding glorious above the dignity of any man that ever was born of a woman yet was the morning of his life black and tempestuous very dark according to the Prophesy Isai 53.2 as a tender plant as a Root out of a dry ground this I shall open in four particulars 1. His Conception was wonderful and Divine and this appeareth in sundry respects 1. In respect of the Angel whom God sent to be his Messenger to manage and transact this glorious and divine work Luk. 26.27 the Angel Gabriel was sent from God the time of the coming of this Angelical Messenger from God is expressed to be in the sixth Moneth after John Baptist his conception which consideration will be of some use afterward the place he came to was a City in Galilee of the Gentiles named Nazareth a place of little expectation Joh. 1.46 Can any good thing come out of Nazareth this is the place of the first springing of that glorious branch Jesus Christ which is marked by Mathew Math. 2.23 as the fulfilling of the Prophesies viz. those Prophesies where Jesus Christ is called the Branch from which word that city had its Name The person to whom the Angel came was a Virgin espoused lately unto Joseph both of them of the house of David and the next and proper heirs of the crown of David this God knew though the world took no notice of it The Virgins Name was Mary 2. This Conception was wonderful in respect of the heavenly Salutation which the Angel expressed unto Mary haile thou that
with the wicked Jews and Romans to put him to death for none of them feared to abuse such a poor man Herod and his men of War despised him the Emperour and other Rulers under him feared him not but easily condescended and conspired to put him to cruel sufferings and death he was so darkened by the cloud of poverty that he had no thoughts that he was thâ— Lord of glory 1 Cor. 2.8 which none of the Princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory The Sacrament of the Lords Supper may seem to be a pure Institution yet it is an effectual memorial of all the sufferings of Jesus Christ from his poor cradle to his bitter Cross and dark grave Moreover it is necessary to consider that the poverty of Jesus was a thousand times yea above all comparison more bitter then our poverty is for his poverty had the sting of the curse in it it was an effect of the wrath of God And by his suffering thereof unto the full satisfaction of divine justice he took the sting of the curse out of our sufferings and out of our poverty and made them to be only medicinal to us Our poverty and all our sufferings are upon many accounts sweet and easy yea Jesus Commands us to rejoyce and be exceeding glad under them The believing Jews took joyfully the spoyling of their goods Heb. 10.34 But Jesus Christ his sufferings were all bitter as respecting his humane nature as being our Mediator and Surety He had joy in respect of the Father whose will he obeyed and fulfilled but the desert and punishment of their sin lay with its full weight upon him so that we see that the poverty of Jesus Christ was an heavy part of his sufferings a part of his passive obedicnce which did run through the whole course of his life from his birrh to his death Sect. 2. Jesus Christ suffered the punishment of a low obscure dispised condition in this World PSalm 22.6 I am a worm and no man despised of the people a no body a nothing a poor despicable thing this is an effect of his poverty and therefore in the opening of it sundry things will be coincident and some the same that were expressed in his sufferings of poverty but it should not be accounted a needless Tautologie seeing the Scripture is so plentiful in this point both in the Prophesy and in the History to express amplifie and dilate upon the point of the sufferings of our Lord Jesus as being a point very remarkeable and much to be insisted upon and often inculcated Wealth is an exercise of the dominion of man therefore it exalts a man in the World poverty strippeth man of his dominion therefore it layes him low in the World And in that condition it pleased Jesus Christ to lay himself He who is God humbled himself by his Incarnation lower then Angels though he had been born the greatest of men on Earth yet he humbled himself to become a man Phil. 2 6 7. he emptied himself to become a man and laid himself among the lowermost rank and sort of mâ—n which is Rhetorically expressed by a worm what is lower then a worm among living creatures such was Jesus Christ in the flesh a no body among men the lowest of no body therefore the Text saith a worm no man one of no account But consider that this Text sheweth of what esteem and account Jesus Christ was in the worlds eye only he was not so accounted in Gods eye nor in the Churches Eye for see of what account Jesus Christ was in Gods Eye Mat. 3.17 this is my well beloved Son in whom I am well pleased See also Math. 12 18. behold my servant whom I have chosen my beloved in whom my Soul is well pleased I will put my Spirit upon him and he shall shew judgement unto the Gentiles See what account he was of in the Angels eye Luk. 2.10 11. I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. See what account he is of in the estimation of the Scriptures Isai 9.6 7. unto as a child is born unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his Name shall be called wonderful Counsellour the mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever the Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this Amen This glorious person is the low worm we are speaking of see also what account he is in the Eye of the Church Joh. 1.14 we beheld his glory the glory of the only begotten of the Father And this is the person that in the worlds Eve is a worm and a no body and despised of men Quest What renders a man to be a no body a nothing a worm Answ Many things which are in no wise appertaining to Jesus Christ as for instance 1. When a man is of low parts and gifts a simple sorry foolish creature but Jesus Christ was not such an one Luk. 2.40 when he was a child he was full of wisdome and 52. as he grew up he increased in wisdome 2. When a man is unfit for any action or service in his generation like an Image finely carved but good for nothing as Isai 44.10 But Jesus Christ was not such an one he did the greatest good to man thar ever was done never man did the like Psal 89.6 who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord who among the Sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord. 3. When men are deboshed and defiled with gross sins this doth debase them and make them no bodies Prov. 14.34 But Jesus Christ was far from any such stain or spot he is a Lamb without spot or blemish 1 Pet. 1.19 he knew no sin though he was made sin for us by the imputation of our sin and 1 Pet. 2.32 23 24. who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the Tree 4. Men are rendred of no esteem when they are of an ill disposition proud covetous selfish passionate censorious contentious and such like But no such thing was ever found in Jesus Christ he was meek lowly lovely Math. 11.29 learn of me for I am meek and lowly Math 12.17 18 20. he shall not strive nor cry c. 5. Lastly When men are poor in the world this makes them low and despicable in the worlds Eye And this only was the case of Iesus Christ
the distress was such that no creature could help them out of it nor give counsel and advice in the case only they cry to God Lord appear in the Mount Now the Lord who useth to pity and relieve his children that cry unto him in their distress relieved these his dear Children as appeareth Math. 1.20 21. while Joseph pondered on these things behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying Joseph thou Son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost and she shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Oh what an ease and lifting up of heart was this to Joseph and what a fulness of confirmation of the Faith of Mary and consolation to her distressed Soul when Ioseph related the same unto her Now Ioseph with all speed consummated according to their publick manner their marriage and took her to his house Yet they now both being divinely informed of the divinity of her Conception and well knowing the promise of the Messiah and the expectation of all Israel of his coming about this time and believing the Divine Oracle that this is he by consent and agreement out of holy reverence to the Lord he knew her not till she had brought forth her first born Son and he called his Name Iesus Math. 1.25 3. Though the present breaking forth of this Scandal was now divinely and wonderfully prevented from coming forth by Ioseph yet they were in danger that some degree of Scandal might break forth by an over soon time of her Birth and in that case they never want observers of the time of marriages especially when there be signal Characters upon the Parents or concerning the Birth as it was eminently in this case But we shall see in the sequel of the History that the Divine Providence of God did draw two Mantles over this danger whereby the matter was put out of the reach of all observations of any man viz. The first Mantle was that by occasion of Caesars Taxation of all the world under his dominion Ioseph and Mary were called yea compelled though she was big with child to go to Bethlehem the City of David and there the child was born far from home where there was no body had any knowledge of these things to make so critical an observation The second Mantle was that by reason of Herods persecution Ioseph and Mary with the child were by Divine direction sent away to Egypt where they stayed about two years even till Herods death after which thâ— Lord called them home again and though they went and lived in their own City yet now the child was upward of two years old and all thoughts of such a curious observation were utterly buryed in forgetfulness So that the danger of a seeming Scandal was quite covered by these two Mantles which we shall again touch in the time of them Now the Lord took care for the confirmation of the Faith of Ioseph and Mary and all the believers in those times and for the confirmation of our Faith and the Faith of all the Churches to the Worlds end And this the Lord brought about by putting it into the heart of Mary to goe with the consent of her husband to visit her Couzen Elizabeth the Mother of Iohn Baptist of whose Conception six Moneths before Maryes the Angel had informed Mary Now therefore this holy couple being agreed in holy reverence to the Lord to abstain from the use of the marriage bed Mary did speedily upon the consummation of the marriage goe unto her Couzen Elizabeth ver 39. and Mary arose in those dayes and went into the hill Country with haste into a City of Iudah and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the Salutation of Mary the babe leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and she spake out with a loud voice and said blessed art thou among Women and blessed is the fruit of thy Womb. And whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me for lo so soon as the voice of thy Salutation sounded in mine Ears the babe leaped for joy and blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lo d. Vpon this Divine and Oraculous Speech of this holy Woman Elizabeth whose holiness is recorded Luk. 1.6 Zacharias and Elizabeth were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless by the mouth of this holy Woman did the Holy Ghost now speak upon which Speech many great things may he observed for the confirmation of Maryes Faith and ours Mary knew that no humane means had inform d Elizabeth of the great things that the Angel had said unto her and of her Conception by the power of the Holy Ghost and of the great promises of God which the Angel uttered touching her Son it was the Holy Ghost that had informed her of all these things and now the Holy Ghost filled the heaâ—t and mouth of this good woman to utter all this for the confirmation of heâ— Faith it was the Holy Ghost that informed her of Maryes submission of Faith at heâ— Conception it is the Holy Ghost that now saith unto her blessed is she that believed this must needs raise the Faith and joy of Mary to have such a Divine Testimonâ— given unto all that had passed The power of the Holy Ghost upon the sanctifieâ— heart of Iohn the babe in the Womb is a great confirmation of Faith that the babâ— conceived in Maryes Womb is the Messiah and that Iohn is his forerunner It waâ— no small comfort to Mary that this holy aged Woman did so bless her and thâ— fruit of her womb about which she had lately been in such bitterness and distresâ— The Angels speech to Ioseph had comforted her and now the Holy Ghost doâ— greatly add confirmation to her comfort and joy That Elizabeth by the Hoâ—â— Ghost should call her the Mother of her Lord and prove it by the miraculous leaping of the babe in her Womb for joy O what heavenly and heart ravishing joâ— did all this work in the holy heart of Mary And that it did thus raise and raviâ—â— her heart appeareth in Maryes holy and heavenly Answer by the assistance of tâ—â— Holy Ghost who now hath filled her heart as he had done unto Elizabeth as appeareth Luk. 1.46 c. to 56. and Mary said my soul doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour for he regarded the low estate of his hand-maid for behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed for he that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is his Name and his mercy is on them that fear
forth her first-born Son and wrapped him in swadling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. Jesus Christ emptied himself of glory and came into this world in a very mean condition such was his low condition that it was a great tryal to Faith it was an â—vidence of strong Faith to be able to look through these dark clouds believe To believe him to be the Lord of Glory the Saviour of the world the King of Israel who hath no outward form nor comliness nor beauty that we should dâ—sire him The Church did find this to be a very hard point a great tryal of Faith For this cause it pleased the Lord to illustrate this mean birth of Jesâ—s Christ with famous testimonies both from heaven and earth to strengthen the Faith of the Church The testimony from heaven was given by Angels Luk. 2.8 ad 21. a famous History and a great confirmation of the faith of the Church to the worlds end It was a vision unto Shepards by night wherein a glorious light of the Lord did shine aboâ—t the men which did much affright them but the Angel did comfort them against thâ—ir fears saying Fear not He telleth them he was a Messenger of joyfull tidings unto all people he telleth them what the tidings is viz. Vnto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord the blessedest tidings that eâ—er in a few words was told unto men The Angel sends them to see and giveth them a sign by which they shall know him ver 12. this shall be a sign unto you ye shall find the babe wrapped in swadling clothes lying in a Manger The greatest humility that ever any king did manifest in this world For the further confirmation of their Faith and ours suddenly there appeared a multitude of the heavenly host with the Angel praising God and saying glory to God in the highest in earth peace and good will towards men Here be three points in this heavenly Doxology of high Instruction and Consolation and so they departed away to heaven Then the Shephards agreed to go see this thing that was come to pass The Shepards said one to another let us now goe unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass which the Lord hath made known unto us And they came with haste and found Mary and Ioseph and the babe lying in a Manger and when they had seen they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child the effect whereof upon the hearers was all they that heard it wondered at these things that were told them by the Shephards The Testimony from earth touching this Child was by the wise Men of the east who knew that the Jews waited for and expected a king and Saviour to be born and come into the world and they were divinely instructed and guided to come and see him and worship him and make their offering of homage and honour unto him in which service they were instructed and conducted by an extraordinary Star And seeing they enquired after a king that was born they went to the Kings Court to Herod to enquire after him Math. 2.2 saying where is he that is born King of the Iews for we have seen his Star in the east and are come to worship him Now King Herod is eminently informed that Jesus Christ is born who would as he doubted out him of his Kingdome The effect of this tiding is ver 3. When Herod the King heard these things he was extreamly troubled and all Ierusalem with him especially such as were of his faction and apostacy Herod contrived how he might be sure to find him out and get him into his hands and then resolved what to doe with him For this end First ver 4. He gathered all the chief Priests and Scribes of the people together and demanded of them where Christ should be born They answered v. 5. In Bethlehem of Iudea For thus it is written by the Prophet v. 6. And thou Bethlehem in the Land of Iudah art not the least among the Princes for out of thee shall come a Governour that shall rule my people Israel Then Herod sent them to Bethlehem v. 9. when they had heard the King they departed when they were departed lo the Star which they had seen in the east appeared to them again went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was when they saw the Star they rejoyced with exceeding great joy It seemeth they had no sight of the Star all the time they were at the Court and whether they had sight of it in their journey to Ierusalem it is not said But now that Star that had appeared to them in the east appeared to them again and conducted them to the very place where the child was and when they were come into the house viz. the Stable the poor chamber where Mary Lay in and where our Lord Jesus was born They saw the young child with Mary his Mother and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures they presented to him gifts gold frankincense and mirrhe They were men of great Faith that could believe him to be King and Saviour whom they found in so poor a Cottage and in so poor a condition but divine faith built upon Divine Testimony can bear down all Objections of carnal and humane Reason this faith of these strangers was a strengthening pattern to all believers especially to Joseph and Mary who were now in great danger Herod having such assured notice of the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem What ever the danger was they attended upon the Lord to obey all his Laws and Institutions to fulfil them according to the Word Therefore Luk. 21 2. when eight dayes were accomplished for circumcising of the child his Name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Womb. Whether this service was performed in the stable where he was born nothing is said of it but we may justly cenceive that some of the godly hearing of these eminent and Divine Testimonies touching this child had removed them to some fitter place before the eight dayes were accomplished and it may be out of the City if they were aware of the danger that the child and his parents also were in But where the Scriptuâ—e is silent why should we speak There be yet two Laws more to be performed for Luk. 1.39 they performed all things according to the Law The two Laws remaining were the purification of Mary and the dedication of the child unto God which were te be performed after thirty three dayes more Obedience to both these Laws they diligently performed both for time and place Luk. 2.22 and when the dayes of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished they brought him to Ierusalem and presented him to the Lord
birth his first entrance into the Flesh into this World was attended with great sufferings And as his life was the pretious life of a publick person so all his sufferings were the sufferings of a publick person the Redeemer of Gods Elect. And this is to be noted that in all his sufferings he did attend unto follow divine Counsel he did not rashly or without cause or call either expose himself to danger or engage into any difficulties alwayes he attended unto the command and direction of the Lord whatever the Lord appointed to him that he did and suffered in all which he is an holy pattern unto us in all our sufferings And when we celebrate in our Sacramenatl worship the sufferings of Jesus Christ we celebrate all his sufferings even from his first incarnation and these sufferings in his Infancy for all his sufferings are of the same kind and nature In this their flight into Egypt and tarrying there till the death of Herod the wise over-ruling providence of God did accomplish two eminent faâ—ours for them 1. He compleated the Mantle which he drew over the birth of Jesus Christ which was very probably some dayes sooner then the time of their compleating the marriage in the sight of men would be correspondent unto for after her Conception she brought forth her first born according to the ordinary time of of the life of man and that was some distance of time afore the strict account of the time of the consummation of the marriage would allow in which case some observers no doubt were busying themselves but now they being sent away to Egypt and there abiding till the death of Herod all memory of such a critical observation was utterly removed out of the way 2. It may justly be here enquired how this poor couple with their babe subsisted in their long flight and tarriance from home and that among strangers in a strange land What provision had they for their sustenance In this matter Gods eminent providential care over them appeared for the wise men of the east offered gold frankincense and myrrh which were worth gold in Egypt And hereby the Lord made a supply of provision for their subsistence to bear all their charges in this difficult and chargeable flight O what a sovereign high hand of God is here magnified to provide and send men from the East among other ends to bring sustenance and provision for Joseph Mary and Jesus in their flight into Egypt This persecution that Herod raised against Jesus Christ in his Infancy was the first entertainment that he had among the Jews and it was very sharp but reached not his life he had other things to do and accomplish in this world before he left it We read of no more persecutions that he suffered until he entered his publick Ministry and then the chief Priests Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites were his persecutors and they did so malitiously cunningly and effectually follow the matter that they persecuted him to the death under their hands he finished his sufferings in this life which he came into the world to undergoe CAP. V. The Return of Iesus Christ out of Egypt into Israel the Church of God THough Gods dearest children may be banished out of the Church into the world yet they have no quiet and rest to continue there Godly hearts long for the enjoyment of Gods presence in his inâ—tituted worship They can â—â—nd no rest in their souls so long as they are at a distance from the visible presence of God David is a lively Type of all this that Jesus the Son of David suffered Psal 84. per totum is a very lively description of the frame of Davids heart in the time of his banishment and flight and hereby is set forth with what frame of heart Jesus as Mediator and his parents were exercised in the mournfull time of their residence in Egypt all which time is a part of the suffering times of Jesus Christ in this world whereby he sanctified such a condition to his servants when he shall so try them O what longing desires were in their godly hearts to leave that dead world lying in Egyptian darkness and to come into the light of the Lord in the Land of Israel Psal 84.2 My Soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of my God my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God But they were commanded to tarry till the Angel should bring them word and call them to return Math. 2.13 Be thou there till I bring thee word They were commanded to attend to divine direction in all their motions It was a great help to their holy hearts to be and stay in that dark land because God sent them thither it was also a great help to them in patient waiting for deliverance because they had a promise that deliverance should come For these words till I come express a purpose in the heart of the Lord to come who never faileth to accomplish all his purposes of love to his children and it is a promise to tell him when it will be fittinâ— and safe for their return When the time was come the Angel came according to his promise Math. 2.19.20 But when Herod was dead behold an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a Dream in Egypt saying arise and take the young child and his mother and goe into the Land of Israel for they are dead that sought the young childs life This was done Mat. 2.15 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Hos 11.2 Out of Egypt have I called my Son Gods calling of Israel out of Egypt was a Type of his calling his Son Jesus out of Egypt And this is to be noted that he sends him out of Egypt into the land of Israel out of that dark world into the Church where Gods presence was and where the light of God shined where the communion of Saints was to be enjoyed And when he cometh there he leaveth him to act according â—o his prudence And hereby the Lord put them into another dark and difficult â—ryal as will presently appear Joseph obeyeth gladly no doubt this divine Direction Mat. 2.21 He arose and â—ook the young child and his mother aod went into the Land of Israel Vnto what place â—e went it is not said but he soon heard that Archilaus reigned in his fathers stead â—oseph understanding him to be ambitious of the Kingdome as his father Herod â—ad been he feared to goe into Judea And now was he in a great straight No â—oubt they cryed to God for further divine direction whether to goe Then did â—he Lord give them a further particular direction Mat. 2.22.23 being warned of God in a dream he turned aside into the parts of Galile and came and dwelt in a city â—alled Nazaret This place the Lord did appoint for the place of the education â—f the child Galile was under another Jurisdiction it was a more obscure place where nobody
would look to find the King of Israel the Messiah It is called Galile of the Gentiles Mat. 4 15. And Nazaret was an obscure place out of which no body looked for such a Branch to grow and spring Ioh. 1.46 Good Nathaniel said can any good thing come out of Nazaret And as this might be an inducement to go thither because Nazaret was their own city Luk. 1.26 27. The place where Joseph and Mary dwelt before and at the time of her Conception and where they had no doubt many godly friends and acquaintance who would desire their return thither And aboâ—e all other inducements Mathew taketh notice of the divine Prophesâ— Mat. 2.23 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets and he shall be called a Nazarene that is the BRANCH so he is called Isa 11.1 and other places for from this word the city Nazaret had its name Thus we see the tender care the Lord had over this blessed Branch and how serviceable the Angels were unto Jesus Christ CAP. VI The History of the holy life of Jesus Christ in the time of his Child-hood SO much for the History of Jesus Christ in his Infancy and what sore Persecution he suffered while he was an Infant which was prophesied of Psal 22.9 10. Thou art he that took care of me in the womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breasts I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mothers belly The life of Jesus Christ may be set forth in four Periods 1. His Infancy of which we have already spoken 2. His Childhood the history whereof is recorded Luk. 2.40 ad 51. 3. His Youth the history whereof is recorded Luk. 2.51 52. 4. His Ripe Age in his publick Ministry His Childhood is 1. Described ver 40. 2. Illustrated by one particular history at the finishing of his childhood beginning of his Youth viz. when he was about twelve years old Luk. 2.41 ad 51. Although this Instance only is recorded yet no doubt there were many more eminent and observable passages in his life And why the Lord hath said so little of his eminent life and so much of his sufferings and Death is a point worth searching into This I may say that in this life we have most need to feed meditate upon and improve the Sufferings and death of Jesus Christ At the day of Judgment and in heaven we shall be more capable to behold and improve the history of the holy life of Jesus Christ and his heavenly Sayings and Doings The Childhood of Jesus Christ is described by four things 1. He grew 2. He waxed strong in Spirit 3. He was filled with Wisdome 4. The Grace of God was upon him Here behold the most excellent Child that ever was born of a woman a most high and glorious pattern for all good Children to set before them as an high mark to make towards John Baptist was a famous Child he was conceived by Faith as Isaac was a child of Prayer his birth foretold by the Angel who spake many and great things of him Luk. 1.13 The Angel said fear not Zacharias for thy prayer is heard thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a Son thou shalt call his name John and thou shalt have joy and gladness and many shall rejoyce at his birth for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink and he sâ—all be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mothers womb and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God And he shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdome of the just to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Lo what marvelous things are spoken by the Angel touching John And when Zacharias objected and made difficult to believe what the Angel had said touching his haâ—ing a child he gave Zacharias such a sign as made this matter observable to all Istael for he was struck dumb till John was born And what the Angel had said touching his being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mothers womb ver 15. was performed ver 41 44. As soon as Elizabeth heard the voice of Maryes salutation the babe Joâ—n leaped in her womb for joy His birth was very observable At his Circumcision his fathers dumb tongue was loosed and his mouth opened to praise the Lord. And he was filled with the Holy Ghoâ—t and prophesied both touching Jesus Christ and touching John Baptist that he should goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his way according as the Angel had foretold Many more things are spoken of him in this Prophesy so famous were these things about John that Luk. 1.66 All that heard these things laid them up in their hearts saying what manner of child sâ—â—â—â— this be and the hand of the Lord was with him and ver 80. the child grew and waxed strong in spirit Two of the very same words that are spoken of Jesus Christ Luk. 2.40 are spoken of John Behold here this child John was the most famous child of a meer man that ever was brought forth into the world But notwithstanding all this he was not comparable to the child Jesus as may be made to appear in many and great respects yea in those two things that are said of John in the same words wherein they are said of Jesus viz. that he grew and waxed strong in spirit there is a wonderfull difference betwixt John and Jesus 1. John was a Son of fallen man under the stain of Original Sin though he was very early sanctified even in the womb three months before he was born yet by nature he was defiled and stained with Original Sin by reason of the just imputation of the guilt of Adams sin unto him for thus sin is propagated from Father to child all the posterity of Adam being in his loins The Embrio in the womb is not a Man till it be quickned with an immortal Soul though it hath principles of natural growth yet till it be united and quickned with an immortal Soul it is not Man kind and the Law taketh no hold on it And that the body is thus prepared in the womb before the immortal Soul is creatingly infused into it and united doth appear as I conceive in that law of God Exod. 21.22 23. If a man strive and hurt a woman with child so that her fruit depart from her and yet no mischiâ—f follow he shall be surely punished according as the womans husband will lay upon him and he shall pay as the Iudges determine but if mischief follow then thou shalt give life for life See here that a woman may be so hurt as to lose her Conception but it is not murder if her Conception was not quickned with an immortal Soul But if it were
thirty years old then he began to enter upon his publick Ministry beginning with Faâ—â—ing and Prayer temptation Luk. 3.23 with 41. c. and from that time forward to his dâ—ath all the Evangelists do give the history of his doings sufferings The course of his holy life from twelve years old to thirty is wholly covered in silence save what is said in these two Verses wherein there be six things spoken of him 1. He went down with them he had come up with them unto the Temple to attend the publick worship of God and now he returneth home again in his parents company It is a spiritual comfort to godly parents when they appear before God to say as Isai 8.18 Behold here am I and the children which the Lord hath given me And when the worship is finished the Parents and the Children return home together Good Children will refuse vain company vanities and play to keep company with their godly parents Godly youth will chiefly prize and rather chuse the desirable company of their good parents as being according to the commandment of God and the holy pattern that our Saviour Jesus Christ hath set us Once we see that he tarried behind them but we also see what a good Apology he had for it because he was about his heavenly Fathers business according to this instance was his and his Parents practise all his dayes From this time forward for eighteen years did they thus walk Order is comely in Gods eyes and becometh Gods House and Worship in such order did they constantly walk with God Hereby Jesus Christ did fullfill perfectly all the laws of God touching his orderly attendance unto the instituted worship of God Such a divine beauty and lustre was upon the reverent orderly and religious attendance of Jesus Christ upon the publick worship of God that it was an high honour to the Temple for him to appear in it and to worship God there Such an honour and glory as made this second Temple to excell the first Temple though in many other respects it was inferiour to it Hag. 2.7 9. The Desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory saith the Lord of Host the glory of this latter house shall be greater then of the former saith the Lord of Hosts The holy obedience and worship of this glorious person did beautifie and illustrate the Temple and all the instituted worship of God which was there performed this Person brought more glory to the Temple then all the Ceremonyes of which he was the substance and they were but tâ—e shadows In all this period of the middle age of his life the Lord Jesus did fullfill the law of God with his pure perfect and meritorious obedience never was the Law of God so obeyed and fullfilled as it was by this glorious Person 2. He came to Nazaret the place of his education and Humiliation all his dayes untill he entred upon his publick Ministry He is after called the Branch in the Old Testament with reference to his habitation in this city which hath its name from that word and in the New-Testament he is called Jesus of Nazaret we see how exaâ—â—ly careful the Lord was to fulfil the Scriptures for the con irmation of our Faith in him yea in minute and small matters as they maâ— appear unto us Math. 5.17 think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil Joh. 6.38 I come down from Heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me 3. He was subject unto his Parents the Greek is Emphatical in three words he was that is the habit bent way and set of his heart was to be subject to his Parents according to the fifth Commandment he perfectly fulfilled the fifth Command it was never so kept and fulfilled as he kept it his heart was unto his duty which he performed without any failure or swerving either in thought look gesture word or deed The second word is subjecting viz. alwayes and upon all occasions he acted subjection in all kinds and in all things he acted the perfect duty of a child without the least spot or stain The third word to them to both his Parents Father and mother according as order and the rule called for it In Childhood the child is oftenest in the mothers bosome in youth he is oftenest at Fathers hand in all cases he acted subjection and obedience perfectly they never proâ—oked him for he had nothing in him was capable to be provoked when the Devil came to tâ—mpt he found nothing in him capable to entertain a temptation Joh. 14.30 much lâ—ss did his Parents ever provoke him nor did he ever provoke them they had in-dwelling sin in them though he had not and though they had he never provoked them nor drew out their corruption to act O what a sweet holy peaceable Family was that Family an heavenly Family no doubt he often stirred up and provoked his Parents to holiness virtue and all good works that they were capable to perform Math. 8.9 the Centurion doth rightly describe Family subjection I say to one goe and he goeth and to anothâ—r come and he cometh to another do this and he doth it So did Jesus alwayes if his mother called him he came if she said goe he goeth when his Father said go with me to work at my calling for our living he went with him he wrought with him we read that his dotracters said Is not this the Carpenters Son Math. 13.55 others called him the Carpenter Mar. 6.3 this witnesseth his subjection and obedience to his Parents And also that he was not idle but he laboured in his Fathers calling and all this was pure and perfect obedience to the Law of God Reverence to parents is a part of subjection to them and therefore that also is comprehended in this word he was subject to them 4. He increased in wisdome the greek word doth signifie to profit and increase in knowlebge and learning by the use of those means which God hath appointed for mankind to get wisdome knowledge and learning by which are hearing reading conference meditation and studâ— and watering them all with prayer That hearing is a sanctified means instituted by God to get wisdome see Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing that reading is an instituted sanctified means see Ioh. 5 39. search the Scriptures Jesus Christ often saith have you not read and how read you that conference is a sanctified means see Luk. 24.32 did not our hearts burn witbin us while he talked by the way that meditations and study are sanctified means 1 Tim 4.15 meditate on these things and that all these must be watered by prayer Iam. 1.5 If any lack wisdome let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him Paul saith that he profited in the Iews Religion
on the Cross and the writing was JESVS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS This Title then read many of the Jews for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the City and it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latine Then said the chief Priests of the Jews to Pilate Write not the King of the Jews but that be said I am King of the Jews Pilate answered What I have written I have written The place out of which they lead him was the City that he might fulfil the Types of Scriptures that he might be a sin offering to cleanse away the sins of the people The manner of his going was bearing his Cross bearing the imputation the guilt and the reproach of sin and the curse of God for it signified by his hanging on a Tree The place whither they carry him is Golgotha the place of a scull where many dead mens bones weresome heaped up some scattered about and that made the place ceremonially unclean and that gave name to the place And as it was ceremonially a filthy place so civilly it was no better a place of reproach disgrace dishonour a place where the worst and vilest malefactors were punished and executed the filthiest place in the world There our Lord Jesus suffered the punishment of our sin shewing us the just desert of our sin When they were come to Golgotha before they laid hands on the blessed person of our Lord Jesus they made preparation 1. They set up the Crosses the Cross of Jesus they set in the midst and the Malefactors one on the right hand the other on the left yet set his Cross in the chief place as the greatest Malefactor which though they did it out of envy to disgrace him in the vilest manner they could yet God permitted it so to be done out of infinite wisdome and justice For by imputation he was the greatest of sinners seeing all sin met in him was laid upon him and laid to his charge Isai 53. Their Crosses were set so near together that they could all speak to each other as appeareth in the sequel 2. They affixed a Title at the top of Jesus Christ his Cross to shew the cause for which he dyed Math. 27.37 and Mark 15.26 whether they did so to the other it it is not said but so they did to Iesus Christ and this matter Pilate ordered and over-ruled And it being an eminent part of the History noted by all the Evangelists and notified all the world over I shall therefore distinctly set down the History of it in seven particulars 1. The author actor and doer of it was Pilate had it been in the power of the Priests it should have been other then it was as we shall see in the History of it 2. He positively asserts and proclaimeth him to be the King of the Iews that is Christ the Messiah and Saviour of the World 3. He doth make this proclamation to all the World in these three most general known languages Hebrew Greek Latine one or other of which most men knew 4. The nearness of that populous and frequented City Ierusalem gave opportunity to many of all Nations to read this Title So that the same thereof was notified to all the World and by this it appeareth that it was inscribed with great and legible Letters which might be seen and read at a distance 5. This inscription was a sharp and sore rebuke to the Iews to the high Priests Scribes and Pharisees that they should crucifie their own Lord Saviour and King whom they looked for to redeem Israel but they looked with a misguided Eye and therefore knew him not 6. They felt the sting of this rebuke and winched at it they were displeased and requested Pilate that it might be altered which might easily be done by adding a word or two viz. he saith I am King of the Iews but that word would have quite altered the sense and the truth 7. Pilate was resolute and unmoveable What I have written I have written and this resolution of his seemeth to be well grounded 1. Because he was convinced of the Truth of it for Iesus Christ had fully asserted to him his kingly Office Pilate with an historical Faith believed it 2. He saw that the Iews needed such a check who had forced him to do that which he had no heart to have done only by his respect to Cesar they intrapped him Thus we see Christ made a Sin-offering carried out of the city and setteth up the banner of Salvation in Golgotha and Golgotha was the first place where the Grace and Kingdome of Jesus Christ was most solemnly published to all nations in the most general known languages Ye Pilate is a resolute publisher of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ In Golgotha Jesus Christ suffered and laid the foundation of the Gospel Church In our sacramental celebrations of the sufferings of Jesus Christ we converse with Jesus Christ in Golgotha And to doe that well effectually is an eminent work of Christianity Sect. 4. Their cruel Execution done upon the blessed Person of Jesus Christ MAth 27.34 35 36. They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with Gall and when he had tasted thereof he would not drink And they crucified him and parted his Garments casting Lots that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet They parted my garment among them and upon my vesture did they cast lots And sitting down they watched him there When they had made all things ready they laid hands on his blessed Person and the first thing they did was they gave him the cup of death to drink which he tasted saith Mathew but refused to drink viz. a draught of it saith Mark. A tast of that cup was enough That he should taste death this was a significant act which respects all that followed This is the Preface of death put for the whole This is that Cup of which Jesus Christ spake before Mat. 20.22 23. Can ye drink of the Cup that I shall drink namely this cup of death and be baptized with the baptisme that I shall be baptized with viz. with mine own blood running down my face from the wounds which my thorny crowns caused This is the cup that Iohn speaketh of Ioh. 18.11 The Cup which my Father giveth me to drink shall I not drink it And this he speaketh to quiet Peter when he would have fought for him This is the cup that he had prayed thrice a little before that it might pass from him Math. 26 39.40 but he submitted to his fathers will and now behold he tasteth of it It is the preface and first act of his death The matter of this cup saith Mathew was vinegar and gall Math. 27.34 Mar. 15.23 saith Wine mixed with mirrhe all is one for vinegar is sower wine and that mixed with gall or mirrhe or with both It seems it was the Romane manner of executing Malefactors for Iob. 19.29 There was a vessel of