Jesus Christ suffer his holy pure humane nature to be so far under the power of Satan as to be transported in such an hideous manner from the wilderness to the City to the Temple to the top of a Pinacle to the top of an high mountain and there to be deluded with a vain sight Satan hath a great power over the Phantasies of men and he can when leave is given unto him transport their Phantasies and imaginations unto such strange notions and Temptations and therefore still the question remaineth why did our Lord Jesus suffer his pure mind to be afflicted with such transporting Temptations Answ 1. Because this is a great part of the punishment due unto the sin of man to be given up unto and under the power of Satan unto his seductions and Temptations Eph. 2.2 in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience c Act. 26.18 from the power of Satan Mankind are lawful Captives to justice and we are delivered up unto Satan to be our jaylor and one part of the power which the Goaler hath over us is this to work in our hearts minds Phantasies and affections this is a deep and dreadful part of the punishment of sin our mental bondage is a sore bondage there is abundantly more sin committed in the minds thoughts and imagination then in outward actions There be frequent Murthers Adulteries Fornications Thefts Blasphemies and what not There be many abominations within that dare not look out Prov. 6.16 18. there be seven abominations whereof one is an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations at the day of Judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be opened and judged there will be abundance more work in judging the inward sins of the mind and heart then of the outward sins of words and deeds it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth doth speak our slavedome to Satan is principally in our minds hearts and imaginations Therefore Jesus Christ suffered this punishment to the full so far as it could be suffered with Innocency he suffered till Justice was satisfied he gave Satan leave to do his worst against him in these Temptations as he did at his last sufferings which are called your hour and power of darkness at this time of Temptation Satan did saucily domineer over our dear Lord abusing his Phantasie and Imagination to the uttermost of his skill and all this Jesus Christ suffered in our stead 2. By his suffering of Temptations Iesus Christ hath taken away the sting and curse and condemning power out of all our Temptations so that they cannot mortally hurt us because the Law is satisfied by the sufferings of Jesus Christ it is the Law that gives strength to sin to procure punishment 1 Cor. 15.56 seeing then that the offence of the Law is removed by the sufferings of Jesus Christ the mortal power of Temptations is taken away Temptations they may sorely afflict but they cannot kill and damn a Child of God 3. Jesus Christ suffered himself to be horribly tempted that he might be an experienced able Faithfull and compassionate high Priest to relieve us in our Temptations and to bear with us in our violent and strange extravagancies in our vain figments and imaginations Hebr. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a mercifull faithfull high-Priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the sins of the People 4. Our Lord Jesus gave Satan leave thus to assault him in this part of his invisible Kingdome where his power is greatest that he might procure for us an absolute and compleat Victory over Satan and all his powers and policyes that no force should be left in his hand against Believers in Christ He hath conquered his inner Kingdome the power that he hath over mens minds and imaginations Hereby he hath Satan in so streight a chain that all his Temptations are at the dispose and ordering of Jesus Christ Col. 2.15 Having spoiled Principalityes and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it viz. in his cross and Sufferings And this is a chief part of this conquest to conquer Satans inner Kingdome in the minds and imaginations of men 5. Jesus Christ suffered himself to be tempted and in that case to conquer him that when Satan assaults Believers in their thoughts minds and imaginations these may find Satan a conquered and a chained enemy and that by a man our Captain who is God-man all which he hath done to encourage us to resist fight and triumph in Jesus Christ 6. Jesus Christ suffered himself to be tempted to set us a pattern of the way of conquering Temptation Example and experience doe effectually teach therefore when at any time we are assaulted with Temptations turn our minds to the pattern of Christ Mat. 4. and see what he did and doe we the same 7. Jesus Christ hath undergone this field of Temptations to let us see by experience the power of the word over Satan and all his Temptations The Spiritual War is a principal part of our Religion and we see that the Word of God is a principal weapon in the management of this War Psal 17.4 By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer 8. All this Jesus Christ hath done to teach us how necessary it is that the word of God should dwell richly in us Col. 3 16. It is a great Duty and a precious mercy to be ready in the Scriptures like a ready Scribe that can draw out of his Quiver a fitting arrow for every case Every Scribe which is instructed to the Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a man that is an housholder who bringeth forth out of his Treasury things new and old By this high and glorious example of Jesus Christ his suffering of Temptations the Saints of God should learn much and most usefull instruction touching which I shall give some short hints A right walking with God in Temptations is an eminent practical point of Religion it renders a man to be a true follower of Jesus Christ and very acceptable unto him His Disciples who continued with him in his Temptations he rewards them with a Kingdome a Kingdome of Grace in this Life and a Kingdome of Glory in the life to come 2 Cor. 4.17.18 Our light and short afflictions tryals temptations doe work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory It is unworthy a Believer a Disciple of Jesus Christ to shrink from or sink under Temptations It is the wisdome of a Christian to arm and prepare for Tribulations in this world because the appointed way to heaven is through many tribulations Act. 14.23 in this point we must be followers of Christ as dear chiâ—dren Jesus Christ hath provided for
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
is of great instruction to such as haâ—e crazy sickly weak bodyes take heed how we abate any service unto the Lord espâ—cially we Ministers must be careful in this point because the pattern of Christ firâ—tly respecteth us Paul did eminently imitate Jesus Christ in this point Gal. 4.13 14. you know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel to you at the first and my Temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus And we see that Paul was under some sickly crazâ— infirmity when he first preached at Galatia and yet he favoured not his flesh he spared not his crazy body his love and zeal carried him out to preach the Gospel effectually to them notwithstanding his great bodily weakness that was at that time upon him now this humility love and self denyal in Paul was so acceptable and powerful with them and so prevailed upon their hearts that they looked at him as if an Angel had preached to them yea as if Christ himself had come unto them to do them good and they were so far from despising or rejecting him as a poor crazy sickly man as that they would if possible have plucked out their eyes to have done him good it is honourable and acceptable service to do good to others with self denyal hardship and difficulty to go about in weariness weakness pains and infirmityes to do good such a pattern Jesus Christ hath set us though he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs aches and infirmityes yet he alwayes went about doing good Act. 10.38 by this Rod of sickness Jesus Christ doth not only exercise power over the lives of his Children but also over the lives of his Enemies Herod must dye that Jesus might return out of Egypt unto Israel the World is full of Examples how the Church and Saints have been delivered from persecution by the death of a persecutor Sect. 5. The Sufferings of Jesus Christ under Reproaches Psal 22.6 a reproach of men and despised of the People JEsus Christ did voluntarily bear for us the reproaches cruel mockings deririsions scoffs and dâ—spisings of the People David hath abundantly prophesied of Christ in this Book of Psalms and in particular he hath said much of this kind of his sufferings for David was a Type of Jesus Christ and eminently he is so in his sufferings therefore I shall lay together some Texts of Scripture and especially out of the Book of Psalms which set forth this point and I choose to express these sufferings of Christ in the Scripture words which carry a greater fulness of sense and Spirit then any words that I can speak or write are capable to do Psal 22. is expresly spoken of Jesus Christ and ver 6 7 8. I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people all they that see me laâ—gh me to scorn they shoot out the lip and shake the head saying he trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him Psal 35.11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21. false witness did rise up and laid to my charge things that I knew not they rewarded me evil for good to the spoyling of my Soul But as so me when they were sick my cloathing was sackcloth I humbled my Soul with Fasting and my prayer returned into mine own bosome I behaved my self as though he had been my friâ—nd or brother I bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his mother But in mine Adversity they rejoyced and gathered themselves together yea the abjects gathered themselves together against me and I knew it not they did tear me and ceasâ—d not With hypocritical mockers in Feasts they gnashed upon me with their Teeth LORD how long wilt thou look on rescue my Soul from their destruction my darling from the Lions Yea they opened their mouth wide against me and said Aba aba our Eyes hath seen it Object Why is this reckoned so great a part of his sufferings they are but words and is it so great a suffering to suffer the bad and evil words of others if they touch not our bodyâ—s nor goods is it any great matter what they say Answ The Scriptures shew that there is cruel force in words words are a weapon that wound the Soul that is a deeper wound then to wound the body Psal 42.10 as with a Sword in my bones mine Enemies reproach me while they say daily to me where is thy God Psal 57.3 4. he shall send from heaven save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up Selah My Soul is among Lions I lye even among them that are set on fire even the Sons of men whose teeth are Spears and Arrows and their tongue a sharp Sword Psal 52. â— thou lovest all devouring words O thou deceitful tongue his tongue swallowâ—d up Nob the City of Priests Psal 55.21 the words of his mouth were smoother then butter but war was in his heart his words were softer then oyle yet were they drawn Swords Psal 12.3 4. The tongue that speaketh proud things who have said with our tongues we will prevail c. Psal 64.3 4. who whet their tongues like a Sword and bend their bows to shoot their Arrows even bitter words that they may shoot in secret at the perfect suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not Psal 10.7 His mouth is full of cursing deceipt and fraud under his tongue is mischief and vanity Some People have bloody moutâ—s â—he words of a Tale-bearer wound deep All the providential wounds which God inflicted upon Job's estate and body did not wound him so deep as the censorious words and unkind speeches of his friends did The Tongue of man is his glory if it be a good tongue it is very excellent a wholsome tongue is a tree of life knowing how to use knowledge aright Prov. 15.2.4 the tongue of the just is as choice silver very desireable and delightful But if it be a bad tongue it is very mischievous and pernicious it wounds the honour of our Neighbour and that is a very deep wound Eccles 7.1 a good name is better then pretious oyntment Prov. 15.31 a good report maketh the bones fat Prov. 22.1 a good name is rather to be chosen then great riches and loving savour rather then siâ—ver and gold a reproachful tongue robbeth our Neighbour of this pretious Treasury Reproaches kill love and that is a bitter and mischievous slaughter Prov. 16.28 a whisperer separateth chief friends a reproaching tongue destroys the comfort of humane society which is a great wound to the heart of man whom God hath made a sociable creature Je. 9.3 5 8. they bend their tongues like their bow for lyes they will deceive every one their Neighbour they will not speak the truth they have taught their tongue to speak lyes their tongue is an Arrow shot out
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
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
with Swords Staves Clubs Lanthorns Torches c. no doubt he first led them to the house where he had left Iesus and his Disciples but he found that they were gone from thence some hours ago which might vex them but Iudas incouraging them he knew the place whither they were gone Ioh. 18.2 Iudas who betrayed him knew the place for Iesus oft times resorted thither with his Disciples unto this place he led them how they got into the garden is not said but Iudas their Leader knew how to get in and did so And this is greatly to be observed that by such time as they were come Iesus Christ was ready for them he had ordered and placed his Disciples he had finished his Soul Agony and prayers and he had no sooner finished that great work but the Traitor and his Crew came he steppeth out of one furnace into another he had finished his Soul conflict under the wrath of God now falleth into the wrathful hand of man from one suffering into another the time of his last sufferings was now come In the management of this matter there be sundry particulars 1. The Company that came to apprehend this Lamb of God to make him a Sacrifice was a band of armed men with Officers and Arms Ioh. 18.3 and Iudas was their Leader a goodly Crew to follow a Disciple of Iesus Christ but they are fit enough for a Traitor they had objected to Iudas that they might miss the right person being night how shall we know the right party Iudas devised this direction he told them that he will kiss the man and whom ye see me kiss that is he lay hold on him and lead him away safely so Mark expresses his direction Mar. 14.44 2. According to this agreement so soon as they came up to Iesus the first act that passed was Judas came up to Iesus with a smooth flattering tongue and said hail Master and kissed him The most mischievous and wicked kiss that ever was given in this world a fitting behaviour of a bloody Traitor 3. Iesus Christ giveth him in a mild manner a most dreadful rebuke Iudas betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss a terrible Question to all smooth flattering but falshearted Hypocrites that mean not as they speak whose words are smooth as butter and oyl but falshood and venome is in their hearts 4. The next act that passed was Iesus asked them whom seek ye they said Iesus of Nazaret he said I am he and with that word opened a Crevis of the Majesty of his person which made them all to start back and fall to the ground and probably tumbled over each other And Ioh. 18.5.6 Iudas that betrayed him stood among them and it is like fell also among them unless his heart was harder than the rest and not so ready to be daunted in this wicked work he was about he was the most guilty person of them all 5. But they recovered themselves again and stood up Nothing will daunt and divert an hard heart when the Devill doth animate and inspire them And all this Company depended upon Judas their Leader and Captain all the action must be attributed to him 6. Then Iesus asked them again whom seek ye He was more composed in his mind then they were he was in a good work they were in a wicked work And by this second Question he shewed evidently that he would not escape from them though he could easily have so done for he knew their design Then they said again Iesus of Nazareth Iesus answered them I have told you that I am he if therefore ye seek mâ— let these viz. Peter James and John that are with me goe their way that thâ— saying which he had spoken Ioh. 17.12 might be fulfilled Of those that thou hast given me I have lost none And here behold a right good Shephard that will expose himself to the Wolves to save his Lambs 7. The next act that passed was an act of Peter who seeing Malchus a forward bold fellow a servant of the high Priest and spirited like his Master begin to lay hold on Jesus peter drew his Sword and first asked Master shall I smite but before he could receive an Answer Malchus going on he gave Malchus one Slash and cut off his right ear Luk. 22.49.50 upon which act of Peter Jesus Christ did three things First He rebuked the sword and commanded Peter to put it up into its sheath He rebuked it by that text of Scripture Gen. 9.6 he that draweth the sword shall perish by the sword Again Jesus Christ declareth that if he had need or desire of rescue I could ask my Father and have more then ten legions of Angels to rescue me All that Jesus Christ did for us was by voluntary dispensation Again Jesus Christ argueth If I should rescue my self from them how should the Scripture be fullfilled which have foretold that thus it must be Mat. 26.50.53 54. Again he argueth Ioh. 18.11 The cup which my heavenly Father hath given me to drink shall I not drink it He had already thrice in Prayer submitted to drink it and now submitteth again Secondly Jesus Christ touched Malchus his ear and healed it Luk. 22.51 whether it did his soul any good or not is not said there is no mention made of it only Ioh. 18.26 A Kinsman of Malchus challenged Peter to be one of Jesus his company Did I not see thee in the Garden with him and no doubt he could have told him that it was he that cut off Malchus his ear but because of the Miracle which Jesus did in healing it with a touch the High Priest it is like charged and they all agreed to bury it in as much silence as they could for it was a great Conviction of their malice that could not be mollified by such a miracle But poor Peter was too bold not in Courage but Fear in denying which how great a stumbling it might be to him that charged him we cannot say But O what a sad Temptation is fear that caused Peter so rashly and so often to deny his Lord But we are yet in the Garden where Malchus Ear was rashly cut off by Peter and miraculously healed by Jesus Christ 3. Jesus Christ rebuked the Officers and band of Souldiers for coming against him in hostile manner Luk. 22.52 and Iesus said unto the chief Priests and Captains of the Temple and the Elders which were come to him therefore we see that there were of such sorts of men in Judas his Crew be ye come out as against a Thief with Swords and Staves when I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretched forth no hand against me but this is your hour and power of darkness 8. Lastly They lay hold on Iesus and bind him dear Lamb of God! Ioh. 18.12 then the band of men the Captain and Officers of the Jews took Iesus and bound him and led him away 9. Now all his Disciples left
and it made them the more violent in aggravaâ—ng his offences which they imputed to him 2. They inflame the matter which they accuse him of by putting a bad construction upon his good actions they say he stirreth up the people by his teaching he shaketh their hearts like as an Earthquake shaketh the Earth so the word signifieth The word of the Gospel doth indeed shake the hearts of men but it is to repentance and to embrace the offer of grace and mercy in Iesus Christ and this is the real and true shaking and heart stirring that the Ministry of Iesus had raised but they put a bad and false construction upon it and say or intimate at least that Iesus and his followers did stir up the people to Sedition c. they pervert the powerful effects of the word that move men to repentance and say it moveth them to Faction and Rebellion 3. They aggravate and urge their accusation from the extent of the effect of his Ministry and preaching saying that it moveth and worketh through all Iury beginning at Galilee unto this place even to Ierusalem that which is a real glory and commendation they turn into an angry and envyous accusation 4. Their instructing in the extent of the effect of his preaching from Galile to Ierusalem gave occasion to Pilate to ask if he were a Galilean And it is like that word of theirs put the notion into Pilates mind that he now acteth When he understood that he was a Galilean he knew that he belonged to Herods Jurisdiction who was Tetrarch of Galile Luk. 3.1 and being willing to shut his hands of such an ill cause wherein he saw no justice but wrath and envy The Roman was noble and just he abhorred injustice and therefore he was glad he had found a way to shift off this loathsome matter from himself knowing that he should gratifie Herod very much who had a long time a desire to see Jesus which it is like that Pilate knew or had some sentiment of it that it would much gratifie Herod The opportunity also was very fit because it so fell out that Herod was at that time in town v. 7. an happy juncture for Pilate to attain his ends therefore Pilate resolved to send the prisoner to Herod This innocent falsly accused Lamb is sent unto Herod Pilates reason for this act may be gathered out of the consequent History First he should gratifie Herod Secondly he hoped to quit his hands of the case Thirdly if not yet he should gain light and aime to himself being a Gentile by seeing what Herod a Jew would doe in this case 5. The Jews passionate aggravation of the extent of the effects of the preaching of Jesus Christ from Galilee even to Jerusalem gave the occasion of this divertion But it was very cross unto them and to their design for they were resolved to put him to death yea and it must be done that very day yea and by the Romane power and after the Romane manner But if Herod should accept to judge him that would quite alter the matter or if he doe not but remit him to Pilate it will occasion much loss of time it was therefore a very vexatious matter to them but thank their own passion that gave Pilate the occasion But being so they must bestir themselves The chief Priests and Elders must goe and appear before Herod to represent the matter as foul as they can 6. When Jesus came before Herod then the History thus proceedeth 1. See Herods carnal joy at his coming and at the sight of him We must consider Herod to be a visible Professor of Religion though a carnall hypocrite Pilate was a Pagan Herod was a Jew therefore he acts the part of one that hath Religion therefore he had exceeding great joy to see Jesus this his joy is amplified by two reason 1. Because he had of a long time a desire to see Jesus having heard such famous things of him 2. Because he hoped he would have been so officious to him being a King as to gratifie him by doing some Miracle before him 2. Herod questioned him in many things though they were not of such weight as to be mentioned by the Holy Ghost not any one of them 3. His questions would be promoted and inlarged by the high Priests and Scribes who prosecuted him before Herod 1. They stood up against him 2. They vehemently accused him and this would occasion Herod to ask him many Questions 4. See the holy wise Lamb-like behaviour of Jesus Christ among these adversaries of whom in the prophesy he complaineth Psal 22.12 13 16. Many Bulls have compassed me strong Bulls of Bashan have beset me round they gaped upon me with their mouthes like a ravening and roaring Lion For dogs have compassed me the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me But in all these doings Jesus held his peace he spake not one word and some Reasons of his silence before Herod may be given 1. There was nothing of moment found against him which needed an answer as Pilate afterwards argueth Luk. 23.15 2. Because Jesus would make it manifest before Herod and that great Audience that he laid down his life willingly 3. He totally vailed his glory Had any part of his glory appeared they would not have condemned him 1. Cor. 2.8 Pilate was very loth to it because of his innocency which he did see had he seen his glory he would not have done it 5. See the unworthy and vile usage they put upon him though they found no cause against him Where see 1. The partyes that abused him Herod and his men of war chief Officers and others that came together unto this spectacle when they hard that Pilate had sent Iesus to Herod 2. The abuses which they did to this innocent Lamb of God Viz. 1 They set him at nought 2. They mocked him 3. They arrayed him in a gorgeous robe to promote their mockeryes 4. They sent him back to Pilate when they had disrobed him 6. See a notable effect of this act of Pilate in gratifying Herod by sending Jesus unto him it removed the enmity that was betwixt them so that they became friends afterwards Luk. 23.12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves The world can agree to persecute Jesus Christ and his Servants And as Pilate gratified Herod so Herod gratified Pilate by setting him a patcern of hardness of heart to abuse Jesus Christ though he were innocent as it will sadly appear in the Sequel Many observations of instruction might be raised but I will pass on and not touch them for brevity sake So much for Pilates 4th Act. his 5th Act followeth Luk. 23.13 14 15 16. And Pilate when he had called together the chief Priests the Rulers and the people said unto them Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people and behold I having examined
in your hands that God cannot deliver him out of your hands had you patience to have suppressed this blasphemy but till the morning of the first day you might have been prevented of this sin for you might have seen him mightily proved to be the Son of God by his Resurrection and that God hath power to deliver him out of your hands and greater then yours too 3. The third sort of mockers were the Souldiers Luk. 23.36 37. the Souldiers also mocked him coming to him and offering him vineger and saying if thou be the King of Israel save thy self Touching their giving him vineger we see by this it was no act of favour but such as was accompanied with mocks of this more hereafter Little did these men know that his dying upon the Cross was the way appointed by God for the salvation both of Jew and Gentile 4. The fourth and last sort of mockers instanced in the Text were the Theevs Math. 27.44 but of this part of the History we have already spoken CAP. XIV The last part of the Sufferings of Jesus Christ upon the Cross THe whole life of Jesus Christ was a suffering life the first and the last parts of his time in this world were fullest of sufferings the last and greatest of his sufferings were on the Cross Phil. 2.8 obedient to the death even death upon the Cross here all his bitter sufferings met upon him upon the Cross he fulfilled to answer and satisfie all that was to be said by the Law against us Col. 2.14 15. blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross and having spoyled Principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly tryumphing over them in it viz in the work that he did accomplish on the Cross in giving full satisfaction to the Law The full stream of his sufferings fell on him on the Cross Jesus Christ did both suffer and agonize before the Cross as appeareth Luk. 12.50 I have a Baptisme to be baptized with and how am I streightned till it be accomplished Joh. 12.20 now is my Soul troubled in the garden he had a great Soul Agony Luk. 22. 44. his body was not yet in a suffering condition only by way of simpathy with his agonizing Soul which so wrought on him as that he swet drops like blood But on the Cross all kind of sufferings met together the whole stream of wrath against sin fell upon him and he was under it altogether 1 His body suffered all those cruel torments wrackings before mentioned 2. His mind suffered all the grief they could afflict him withal by mocks reproaches blasphemies 3. His Soul suffered the full cup of the Justice of the Law and desert of sin His great sufferings upon the Cross he underwent in his near three hours silence for after he had forgiven his persecu ors â—nd provided for the comfort of his widdow mother and took care of the penitent Thief he did with holy patience and silence suffer all that fell upon him until the ninth hour and then spake such words as expressed what he was doing and suffering all this while The sense of cruel pain that his body was in all this while may in a small measure be apprehended by what hath been said in the particular Tortures The sufferings of his mind by the reproaches mocks blasphemies taunts which he heard and saw all this while of his silence these were a bitter part of his suffering as it is expressed in the Prophesy Psal 69.20 reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness and I lookod for some to take pitty but there was none comforters but found none vineger and gall was all that the creatures afford him ver 21. The causes of this affliction of his mind are expressed ver 19. by three words reproach shame and dishonour which are said to have this effect upon him reproach hath broken my heart an heart wound is deeper and more terrible then a bodily wound ungrateful men pierced and wounded his heart when he was dying for them Ovile ingratitude O infinite patience and pitty the tongues of men did pierce Jesus Christ to the heart as he hung upon the Cross they so filled his heart with heaviness that there was no room for comfort When he looked for some to pitty and bemoan him or help him but there was none that had power to help him his mother and John stood by and many more no doubt but alas they could not help him be trade the wine press alone Isai 63.3 There is a threefold wounding of the heart by words 1. A penitential piercing of the heart by words of conviction Act. 2.2.37 this is a blessed gospel wound 2. There is a wrathfull cutting of the heart when reproofs are applyed as Act. 7. 54. this is a sinfull wound But 3. There is a sorrowfull piercing of the heart by words of reproach and this was the heart-breaking sorrow that Jesus Christ suffered upon the Cross Object But can the words of a man so pierce the innocent heart of Jesus Christ Answ Jesus Christ stood in the stead of those that were guilty and therefore divine justice set them home to his heart to the uttermost None can tell the force of words till he have experienced the same Words are the means whereby Souls have converse and communion Words carry the mind heart judgement notion affection passion of one party to another If we use Gods words and apply them right they both wound and heal and are most wholsome But they were mens words that broke the heart of Iesus Christ When words flow from anger envy hatred wrath revenge such words are full of the breath and spirit of Satan and make cruel wounds upon the heart and such wounds were made in the heart of Iesus Christ Some sorts of wounding words did especially pierce the heart of Iesus Christ 1. When they upbraided him Where is thy God Psal 42.3 4. Mat. 27.45 Psal 22.7 2. When they forge a Lye against him and impose it upon him Psal 119.69 3. Vngratefull saucy words against him that is beneficent Ioh. 10.32 Many good works have I done for which of them do you stone me So Psal 35.3 4 11 12. Among ungratefull men abusers of Iesus Christ two men are to be wondered at and they are Iudas and Malchus Sect. 2. The last part of the Sufferings of Iesus Christ when he dyed for our Redemption is recorded by all the four Evangelists I desire the Reader to turn to all these Scriptures and first read them Mat. 27.45 ad 55. Mark 15.33 ad 40. Luk. 23.44 ad 49. Joh. 19.28 ad 38. OVT of all these texts together we may gather these two particulars 1. The history of the three hours darkness which was the time most of it of Jesus Christ his silence wherein his soul did agonize under the punishment of our