No right attention or obedience to the Will of God without it The ear saith Aristotle is the Organ of Discipline and St. Paul saith That faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10. But there are some that be uncircumcised in heart and ears Acts 7.51 dead in the uncircumcision of their flesh Col. 2.13 The inner ear lies in the heart We must circumcise the fore skin thereof Jer. 4.4 For the true Circumcision is that of the heart Rom. 2.29 The heart is the fountain of filthiness Mat. 15.18,19,20 If this be not washed from wickedness by the washing of of regeneration we cannot be saved for it will wax gross and fat and make the ears dull of hearing Jer. 4.14 Tit. 3.5 Mat. 13.14,15 In the Levitical Law the sons of Aaron the Priests were to have the blood of the sacrifice put upon the tip of their right ear the Thumbs of their right hand and the great Toes of their right feet Lev. 8.24 Those whom Christ doth make Priests unto God 1. Pet. 2.5 Rev. 1.6 he doth cleanse and purifie from head to foot from top to Toe that he may present them to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.27 He will sprinkle our ears that they mey be healed of that poysonous Dectrine of Disobedience those venomous Charms of the old serpent and be unstopt to hear what the Lord shall say He will sprinkle our right thumbs that we may be ready to do the Will of our Father which is in Heaven He will sprinkle our right Toes that we may walk circumspectly not as Fools but as Wise shewing out of a good Conversation our works with meekness of Wisdom proving indeed that we are indued with knowledge Eph. 5.15 Jam. 3.13 The cleanness of our feet must shew the cleanness of our head If our feet be clean it doth imply that our hands and our head are washed John 13.10 Pure Practice cannot be without true knowledge If we receive Christ for Wisdom we must receive him also for Obedience As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him Col 2.6 Christ came to wash head hands and feet to cleanse our Infancy Youth and old Age to purifie the three essential parts of man to sanctifie us throughout in Spirit Soul and Body 1 Thes 5.23 Again 33. It is the best Guardian to the inner man The outward man is liable to many dangers but the inward is subject to many more The outward may have great assauls but the inner much greater We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with Principalities and Powers and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places or things Eph. 6.12 The War in Heaven is hotter and sharper then that on earth That on earth is with men that in Heaven is agaiust the old great red Dragon Rev. 12.7 A cut in the flesh is easily born and cured but a wounded Spirit who can bear The one lets out the blood the other poysons it the one lanceth the skin the other pierceth the heart Heart-wounds though not incurable yet are hard to be cured Most Combats of the outward man are in the day time when he can see to defend himself but the Conflicts of the inner man are in the night as well as the day and as often when that restless roaring Lion seeks to devour us 1 Pet. 5.8 Faith cannot be idle or sottishsy secure for it never wants an enemy As it is not without an enemy so it is not destitute of Refuge and Aid it hath the clefts of the Rock the open ribs of Christ to shelter and secure it self in Can. 2.14 This is the strong hold we are to flee unto the mountain and banner of safety His Banner over me was love Can. 2.4 He loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 34. This Ensign of the Cross is that which terrifieth our spiritual enemies the sight of it doth conquer and chase them away But then we must hold it in our eye and in our hand look upon him whom we have pierced and beholding his sufferings suffer with him smite our breasts and return let us search and trie our ways our works our thoughts and turn to the Lord. It is reported of Constantine that in one of his battles he saw the sign of the Cross over his head in the air with this Motto In hoc signo vinces this is that which shall give thee victory Luke 23.48 Lam. 3 4◠doubtless we cannot get the Day or win the field without it Our inner man cannot ride on prosperously except this march in the Van and beat down them that hate us Nor can we keep what we have got but by this means Non minor est virtus quā quaerere parta tuerl And therefore we find it recorded of Hester that she did the commands of Mordecai after she came to the Crown like as when she was brought up with him Hest 2.7,20 35. Hester and Mordecai were two captive Jews carried away in the Captivity by Nebuchadonezer into Babylon Hester was left an Orphan of whom her kins-man Mordecai took care after the death of her Father and Mother Now these things as the Apostle saith in the like case are an Allegory and have their mystical signification Hester is as much as to say Hidden and may imply the hidden man of the heart 1 Pet. 3.4 Mordecai is bitter contrition or teaching contrition and was Guardian to Hester Whereby we are instructed that affliction or the Cross is a good Protector Tutor Fosterer and Nurse to the inner man Ego in flagello paratus sum saith the vulgar Latin Psal 38.17 the scourge is our Sehoolmaster Foolishness is bound in the heart of a Child but the rod of Correction shall drive it far from him Prov. 22.15 Thy Rod and thy staff comfort me Psal 23.4 Our light Afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day verse 16. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ 1 Cor. 1.5 Wherefore faint not when thou art rebuked 't is for thy profit and good that thou mayst be partaker of Gods holiness Heb. 12.5,9,10 Neither must we think that this Cross and Rod is of use unto us in our Non-age or Child-hood only but that it is profitable for us in our riper years also not only whilst we are children in understanding but when we are grown in Christ when we come to the Crown as well as when we lay in captivity Too many cast off the Cross too soon and so expose themselves to the snares of the wicked one Hadassa observed and obeyed Mordecai in her Royalty as well as in her slavery and this became the safety of her self and of all the Jews Twelfthly 36. It is the best
a greater and more inevitable cause of mans destruction to God irresistibly subjecting him thereunto then to the Devil who can but tempt and entice him to sin having no power at first to force him to commit it Again 45. Some of you suspect me to be an Arminian that I hold Free-will and a power in man to do good And this ye think is a departing from the Faith a denying of Principles a contradiction to what I wrote against Baker a forsaking my first Love which hath made you decline my Ministry I have waited now about two years to give you satisfaction and have solicited a private Discourse but could never yet obtain it Surely that opinion is much to be suspected that is unwilling to come to trial John 3.20 But I shall not now insist much on these things The Points in question have been and are in debate already between godly and learned men from whom you may expect further satisfaction All that I have to say if only this i. e. 46. Josh 22. When Joshua had sent the Reubenites the Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasseh unto their possession which Moses had appointed them in the promised Land their lot fell on the other side of Jordan and thither they go The rest of Israel stay on this side Jordan Shortly after the devout Reubenites c. build an Altar of which the Israelites have quick intelligence and grow jealous They conclude them Rebels without further examination they arm themselves against their brethren and resolves to deal with them as with Idolaters How easie is it for good men of the same Religion to mistake one anothers intention But when the Reubenites had given an account to the Ambassadors of Israel wherefore they erected that Altar and that tho reason and end thereof was not to divide from their brethren but to preserve a Vnion with them not to separate to other Gods but to preserve an interest with their brethren on this side the River in the worship of the true God unto posterity when their intention was cleared all thoughts of Hostility were laid aside and a brotherly league and amity joyfully confirmed So my friends I hope it shall be between us 47. I know ye are zealous for God and the glory of his Truth ye are jealous of the Blood of Christ and the Grace of the Gospel lest it should be undervalued ye suspect every notion that seems to detract from the Honour of it T is good to be zealously affected alwayes in a good thing Concerning the things for which ye have me in suspition I was alwayes ready and often offered to give you a reason of my Faith according to the Scriptures 48. And whereas ye impute a contradiction in my present judgement to what I formerly declared in my book against Baker in reference to the state of man both before and after his fall I suppose ye will not find my faith or opinion in that point to be changed but improved For I still affirm it as my belief That Adam even in his innocency and much less any man since his Delinquency had no wisdom power righteousness ability holiness or any manner of good whatsoever of or from himself Iam. 1.17 but what he received originally from God and 1 Cor. 15. that he was of the earth earthy from the beginning Nor is there any now 2 Cor. 3.5 sufficient to think so much as a good thought as of himself but by that sufficiency which is of God 49. Yet I say not that the first Adam was at first made a corrupt or sinful earthy man but rather that he was of so pure a mould that although he was not constituted in or of an Heavenly Nature yet be was created in such a capacity that he might have improved that earthy state unto an Heavenly if he had taken of the Tree of Life which he might have done with free leave and licence and not tasted of the Tree of Knowledge of which he was strictly commanded not to eat Gen. 2.16,17 This Adam in his primitiue state was a pure clean unpolluted earth and the Law of God which is of an undefiled Nature circled it about like the incorruptible Heavens To this innocent state we hope to be reduced and confirmed in with an addition of Heavenly glory by Christ 1 Cor. 15.22 who will change 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the body of our Humility or our humble body Phil. 3.21 For in and by Christare all things renewed Isa 43.19 Rev. 21.5 God will give a new heart Eze. 36.26 there is the new earth I will put my Law into their inward parts and write it in their hearts Ier. 31.33 there is the new Heaven this was promised Isa 65.17 chap. 66.22 So that according to his promise we look for New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet 3.13 50. And therefore also do I not deny but that man even after his fall had sufficient succour and supply sent him from God in the incorporate inspoken or as I may so say the incarnate Word whereby he might and still may if he will convert and turn himself to God Gen. 3.15 Verse 8. Nor was God slack concerning the promise of the Seed but hastily pursued man with it and overtook him in the cool of the day not suffering the Sun to go down upon his wrath 51. T is true God first examined the matter of fact and shewed his justice displeasure and indignation against sin in sentencing Adam to death and casting him under the curse thus he was a God that forgave him yet he took vengeance of his inventions Psalm 99.8 And as Adam was to pass under the curse and death before he received the Promise and as our Fathers died according to the Faith Heb. 11.13 before they saw the personal appearance of Christ so must we first die unto sin and live unto Righteousness before we can see or enter into the Kingdom of God John 3. Rom. 6. If we live after the flesh we shall die but if we through the Spirit of God do mortifie the flesh we shall live Rom. 8.13 Heb. 4.1 Let us therefare fear lest a promise being left of entering into his Rest any of us should seem to come short of it 52. In wrath he remembreth mercy Hab. 3.2 Now I say when God had thus strictly and narrowly sifted out the business and had executed his Justice according to the mans demerit he presently runs after him with a Promise in his hand to comfort and recover his creature which he had cast down as if he thought it long before he shewed himself a God of mercy pardoning iniquity Exod. 34.6,7 His bowels seemed to be troubled ever since he spake against him Thus he that had torn did heal he that had smitten did bind up again Jer. 31.20 Hos 6.1,2 This is He that will revive us after we have lain one day dead in sin and another
of glory out of their minds Where ambition is Prov. 13. there even brethren fall together by the ears Proud men are ever quarrelling Never any thing so rent Christian unity in pieces like ambition when one will not yield to another The Words of Christ carry an Emphasis in them And ye ought c. to let us know that t is not so much his Counsell as his Command which must not be sleighted and that we shall incur great punishment if we obey it not Therefore he addeth I have given you an Example c. And truly a very excellent one worthy of all diligence Christ was Lord not only of men but Angels too Matth. 11. 28. to whom the Father had given to share with him in all things who had all Power in Heaven and in Earth who was one with the Father yet so he humbled himself John 14. even to the feet of fishers Who ever heard the like of any of the Kings and Princes of this world So great a price did the Son of God set upon us Let us then do the same Let us walk humbly towards one another Let us love one another If this Pattern of Christ will not work upon us nothing will do us good He must needs be obstinate and obdurate nay both blinded and desperate that is not softened with this Example of Christ Here let thy disdain proud man be confounded who art so proud thou canst not tell whether thou goest on thy head or feet thou knowest not what cloaths to wear or how to jett it out in thy gesture Doest thou not see Christ girt and going up and down among them serving with a Bason and water And who or what art thou to him Blush for shame wretched man saith he I have given you an Example I mean you Christians These things were not done and written for Turks but for us Whence comes so much pride so much loftiness so much pomp and state not only among Lay-Christians but even among the Bishops themselves the successors of the Apostles Is this to imitate Christ What Christ by all means endeavoured to prevent to wit ambition pride pomp especially in the Ministers of the Church this very thing is now grown to the height to the great prejudice and scandal of the Church c. Let us take heed then to this word of Christ I have given you an Example c. In this speech Christ is to be considered two wayes 1. As our Minister and as a gift given us of God For he did not only give him for us but he gave him also to us 2. 1 Pet. 2. Matth. 11. As our Example Thus Peter Christ hath suffered leaving us an Example And Christ himself saith Learn of me for I am meek c. So also are all Christs works and sufferings 1. They are the Ministries wherewith Christ ministred unto us they are the very gifts which he gave us For whatsoever he did and suffered he did it and suffered it for us and so he ministred unto us yea he hath given and by Faith still doth give all his works and merits to us 2. What he did and suffered are our Examples to which we ought to conform as here you expresly hear it They see but with one eye who respect Christ but only as a gift or only as an Example when his will is that we should consider him both wayes Whereas he addeth As I have done so do ye we must understand it according to our ability For there is no man that can do every way as Christ did nor doth Christ require it at our hands As a Master sets his scholar a fair Copy that he should imitate his hand to the utmost yet doth he not require or expect that he should at first essay write as well as he for he knows it cannot be This Word As I have done may be refer'd especially to those things which we have heard that Christ did when he washt their feet For herein if we diligently mark it is the office of the Apostles clearly exprest 1. They ought by Christs example to rise from the supper of Moses to the supper of Christ from knowledge to practice from meat to labour from letter to Spirit 2. They should lay by their garments cast aside whatever hindereth godliness and not be slothfull but serious in business 3. Gird themselves with a white Towel with a pure Life according to that Let your loines be girt Luke 12. 4. Gird themselves lest while they cleanse others they pollute themselves 5. They must pour water out of the pitcher into the Bason draw and pour forth the water of saving Knowledge out of the Bark of Scripture 6. Then presently wash but specially the feet first mend the heart and affections 7. Wipe with Linnen build them up whom they have washed with their own wholsome and clean conversation and what they cannot do by words let them effect with works and an exemplary Life 8. When they have so done let them retire to a private silence and look to their own salvation 1 Cor. 9. lest when they have preached to others they themselves become cast-awayes The like let other Christians do for themselves and those committed to them Now to make this his Example of more force to perswade Christ useth another Argument The servant saith he is not greater then his Lord q.d. There 's no reason why ye should be ashamed to follow my Example For what are ye but my Apostles and servants whose Lord and Master I am You are not above me And if hereafter either you or your Successors shall rise to any preferment yet ye will not then be greater or know and do more than I have done and known There is no cause therefore why you should blush at humility and charity who are but servants whereof I your Lord have not been ashamed So then Christ doth here beat down all proud and ambitious Church-men let them be either Popes or Bishops or Cardinals or Doctors c. What are they but servants And if they are servants as all will easily confess they should so do as not to climb above their Lord. How this may be let them well consider c. But I have not time now to pluck up this stinking weed Their own conscience will tell them wherein they are unlike Christ yea wherein they strive to be above Christ c. Christ doth often inculcate this saying Mat. 10. Luke 6. The servant is not greater c. But here he rehearseth it with great weight of words Verily verily I say unto you c. Every body knows that the servant is not greater than his Lord. But every word of Christ though he doth not swear it is more stedfast than Heaven and earth Luke 21. as himself saith Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away yet here he binds it with an oath First to make the deeper impression Secondly
Christ doth not simply require Love of those that are his but so as without it he will own none for his Disciple And if it be so or rather because it is so truly there are but few true Christians to be found in these dayes for Charity almost among all men waxeth cold and faith and mercifulness faileth every where and is withered instead of which hatred envy discord deceit treachery is sprung up 2. We see how much they are out of the way who would fain be taken for Christians by I know not what Tokens when Charity towards God and their Neighbour is nothing regarded 3. Here we find the difference between Faith and Charity Faith maketh a Disciple of Christ Charity maketh him known to be a Disciple It followeth Simon Peter said unto him Lord whither goest thou John 13.36 Jesus answered him whither I go thou canst not follow me now but thou shalt follow me afterwards Peter said unto him Lord why cannot I follow thee now verse 37. I will lay down my life for thy sake Jesus answered him wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake verse 38. Simon Simon Satan hath desired you Luke 22.31 that he may sift you as wheat But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not verse 32. and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren And he said unto him Lord verse 33. I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death And he said I tell thee Peter the Cock shall not crow this day verse 34. before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me It was a sign of great fervency in Peter that he only should interrupt Christ and ask his Lord whither he was going when all the rest held their peace sure he was astonished at the word which Christ spake whither I go ye cannot come and fearing that he should be separated from Christ he could hold no longer but must needs ask the question To whom Christ very sweetly answered Whither I go thou canst not follow me now but thou shalt follow me afterwards which may be understood two wayes 1. He could not follow Christ to Heaven who was now going thither but he should follow him afterwards when he was made a Citizen of the City above he with the rest of the Saints should raign with Christ 2. He was not yet indued with power from on high neither had he that strengthening Spirit to reform him and his Nature therefore he could not scorn the dangers of death nor wholly overcome the terrour thereof 1. The power to break the force of death was only in Christ Therefore thou canst not follow me now because that to go by the Cross is yet very hard and difficult Psal 77.19 As t is said Thy Wayes are in the sea and thy Path in the great waters and thy Foot-steps are not known 2. Again secondly Thou canst not follow me yet because of the imperfection of thy love Rom. 5. There had need be a great fire of Love which so many waters of afflictions cannot quench but hereafter when the Spirit shall shed forth more Love into thy heart then shalt thou follow me 3. Lastly Thou canst not follow me yet It is not in the power of thy carnal will to conquer Death this it the work of Gods Grace his Grace alone must do it I must first set upon it by my death and overcome it I will grapple with it in my Passion and conquer it by my Resurrection Till this be done thou canst not follow me thou canst not but tremble at death T is too strong for thee to conquer and contemn Inded our nature shrinks at death croucheth under it Our Saviours Passion was the first dissolution of Death 1. To this end the Son of God did take upon him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2. that by the death of his flesh he might make Death of none effect and might deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to bondage 2. Again the contempt of Death had its first original from the Resurrection of Christ 1 Cor. 15. From that very time we may say with Paul O Death where is thy sting O grave where is thy Victory Thanks be to God who hath given us the Victory by Jesus Christ our Lord. And that Peter might not think that he should for ever be separated from Christ he saith But thou shalt follow me afterwards alluding to Peters death and tels him in a Riddle what death he should die q.d. as I will go by the Cross to the Father so thou shalt follow me by the Cross Very truly did Christ say Thou canst not follow me now which thee vent of the matter shew'd not long after When poor feeble Peter could not follow his Lord but denied him the third time for fear he should be forced to follow him with the loss of his own life But afterwards he did follow him when he stretched forth his hands and was crucified like a worthy Disciple of his Master But Peter not well weighing what Christ said and too much trusting to his own strength doth reply again Why saith he can I not follow thee now q.d. Dost thou think that I will prove so ingratefull for all thy kindnesses as to desert thee Thou hast chosen me for one of thy Apostles I had a taste of the joyes of heaven upon Mount Tabor I have wrought miracles in thy name indeed what favour hast thou denied me how then can I forsake thee at the greatest pinch of death when my own life shall be never so much in danger Nay I will engage my self and this I promise I love thee so dearly that I will lay down my life for thee I esteem so much of thy love that I value not my own life Indeed Peter thou dost make large promises but thou dost not well understand what thou saist thou hast a good conceit of thy own abilities but art altogether ignorant of thy weakness thou hast not yet tryed nor tasted the force of death if thou hadst thou wouldst not have spoken as thou dost nor wondred why Christ said thou couldst not follow him now I know there are examples enough of such as hazarded their lives for their country or kindred but this proceeded from their carnal affection But if God may be Judge it is not a work of the flesh but of the Spirit to dye for a stranger or to lay down ones life for his enemies Yet such is the property of humane reason that it will not acknowledge its own weakness Peter should have believed what Christ said and not so boldly contradicted him Let it be granted that be did it out of his great affection yet he ought to have believed Christ before himself and have thought with himself thus Surely he knows all things and understands better then I what he saith but what doth Christ reply to this presumptuous confidence
with the late miracle which he saw when Christ with a word hurl'd all his enemies to the ground and not thinking of Christs answer draws his sword and falls about him as if he would valiantly perform what he promised Who would not take Peter for a very stout and valiant man that durst signly incounter such a company of armed men If we consider him carnally then he did notably discharge his Engagement that he would die with Christ Did he not lay down his life for Christ when he hazarded it in charging an army of men But his Lord did not so construe it Peter did this more out of carnal confidence than of spiritual faith Now indeed he was bold so long as he saw a divine Power in Christ but presently after Christ hid his Power Peters courage quickly grew cold Whence 't is plain that this his valour proceeded not from faith if it had it would have held out in danger For Faith is most couragious in difficulties There was love and zeal in Peter but not according to knowledge Christians are forbid to fight Mat. 5. If we would overcome the world it must be with another kind of weapon we can do little or nothing with a corporal sword Peter saw that the sons of Zebedee were chid for saying Master Wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume these Samaritans as Elias did Luke 9.54 Know ye not saith he of what spirit ye are of The son of man came not to destroy but to save mens lives This Peter heard and yet now he layes about him as if he would kill them all if he could The flesh ever loves fighting it seeks to revenge it self Peter did not yet understand that Christ must suffer Nay he did not know that Martial Discipline was never taught in the school of Christ but that patient submission was alwayes learned there Whereas Peter did that servant no more hurt no thanks to Peters good will but to Christs goodness who useth to do good to unworthy and unthankfull men otherwise fire from Heaven might more justly have consumed this servant or the earth have swallowed him up alive But whereas Peter did in special cut off this servants ear it was not by chance but by the Providence of God and that not without a Mysterie too 1. For First It signified that the Jews should from henceforth lose the true and right hearing or obedience of the Law and Prophets and should interpret all things in a wrong and not in a right sense which also is come to pass 2. But secondly Whereas Christ healed that servant it shewed that in due time they should be inlightned again by Christ when the fulness of the Gentiles was come in Rom. 11. 3. Thirdly Whereas he whose ear was cut off was the servant of the high Preist it she weth that this sort of men viz. the Parasites of great persons have for the most part but one ear only and that the left one whence it is that they only hear and report to their Masters those things only which are false wicked worldly c. but they will neither hearken to nor tell their Lords the truth the Word of God the Righteousness and good service of others 4. But lastly Whosoever is an enemy to Christ hath but one ear for he understandeth all things in a wrong sense and never cometh to the light of Truth The name also of this servant is exprest because of the miracle that was wrought on him in curing his ear again But let us return again to Peter who was now fallen under the power of the sword because he had taken up the sword And no doubt but he had felt the force of other swords if Christ had not protected him by his divine Power What doth Christ therefore do He reproved Peter and forbids him to use any such force or violence and that with many Arguments for Peter by this fact was many wayes to be reproved 1. First because every private person is forbid to use the sword 2. Secondly Because having been so long in the school of Christ he should have learned that the weapons of our warfar are spiritual mighty through God 2 Cor. 10. 3. Thirdly He was an Apostle yea the chief of the Apostles whose duty is to save not to destroy 4. Lastly Peter was most blame worthy in that he gave the first blow before any hurt was done either to him or to Christ Therefore Christ doth justly blame him more than the rest He speaks but one word to the rest Suffer ye thus far saith he q.d. It is a great work of Charity to preserve the life of our Neighbour and to defend him from violence but there is another business now in hand My Father hath appointed me to suffer and to die Let me alone therefore that I may suffer and accomplish those things which the Father hath determined to do by me for the salvation of men Suffer ye yet that I may be apprehended and perfect the work of your Redemption this he said to the other Disciples But he saith more to Peter at first Put up thy sword into his place q.d. Knowest thou not that I did chide thee before and called thee Satan for this very thing Mat. 16. Do not hinder my death but rather study to conform to it Throw away this thy sword with which thou dost kill and slay men My sword which I gave thee doth destroy and cut down sin but preserveth men Put up therefore that outward sword into the sheath or as the other Evangelists say into its place Now the proper place of the material sword is the ordinary Power Therefore hide thy sword here Let that Power use it not thou If the body be sick the Physitian is to cure it not the Plow-man So if any thing be amiss in the Mystical or rather the Politick body it concerns the Power to deal with it not every private person 1. Christ then doth hereby forbid all revenge to private persons as it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay it Deut. 32. 2. Secondly He teacheth us to overcome evil with good according to that Mat. 5. Ye have heard that it hath been said An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth But I say unto you Do good to them that hate you Christians ought not to defend themselves with swords and staves but with Humility Patience Gentleness Courtesies Learn of me saith he for I am meek and lowly in heart Mat. 11. 3. Again Christ doth hereby condemn our wrath and impatience who cannot put up and pass by a hasty word nor be content to requite with the like loss but must revenge our selves double and trebble contrary to that of Paul Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good Rom. 12. 4. Fourthly We are here taught that the Gospel is not to be fought for with worldly weapons and
gates are open only to the rich and such as bring presents with them Hence Isaiah saith They judge not the fatherless neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them Isa 1. So chap. 59. Truth is fallen in the street and Equity cannot enter When Peter was shut out John makes way to bring him in but to his great loss It had been better for him he had never come in His Brother Andrew formerly gave him a much more happy entrance to Christ Iohn 1. For here he is in a sort led away from Christ In Caiaphas's house there was neither Truth nor Equity to be found But what Christ foretold must come to pass Thou shalt deny me thrice Now was fulfilled that which Christ shewed him long ago in a kind of Figure When the Disciples were all in danger together upon the Sea Mat. 14. Christ came to them walking on the water When Peter heard his voyce he offered of his own accord to go to him and he also walking on the Sea to go to Christ when he saw the wind was rough he was afraid and when he was almost drowned the Lord caught him by the hand In that Miracle was foreshewed what here came to pass For here the Lord did truly walk above the waters while his Disciples were toyling in the Sea because when his Apostles were offended he endured Tribulation quietly at his pleasure and suddenly rose up a Conquerer of Death So did Peter also walk upon the waters to go to Jesus for being yet mindfull of his former love he followed Christ in the confidence of that little Faith he had left although it was afar off But he saw a strong gust of wind coming against him and so was afraid for fear he denyed by denying he had been drowned if the Lord had not stretched out his hand to hold him Hear now who was that wind It is said when she that kept the door saw him If you consider the maid her self she was but a little cloud But if you look to that Council of those Malignants which Peter did so dread then you will find this maids word was crabbed it was indeed a very blustering wind Thus Satan that sifter of the Apostles layeth his plot so as to begin his crafty Temptations with a woman which sex did heretofore open the door of deceit to our first Parent in Paradise Gen. 3. But t is possible the maid might take pitty on Peter and speak to him to warn him that if he were one of Jesus his Disciples he should make haste and be gone out of sight And her words seem to imply as much For she did not accuse him nor speak positively Nor did she rail on Christ calling him a Deceiver but only a man Finally she did but ask Peter the question whether he were not one of that mans Disciples What doth Peter answer her Woman saith he I am not I know him not I do not know what thou sayst See how easily that strong Pillar was shaken with the blast of one breath Take notice what it was that Peter denyed and before whom He denyed that he belonged to Christ He that denies himself to be one of Christs must needs give up himself to the Devil Peter doth not deny before the Souldiers or the high Priest but before the Damosel What is now become of his former courage Is it not plain enough to be seen now that he took the Sword before for Christs Defence out of carnal affection and not out of a spiritual discerning If he were such a stout Champion in a just quarrel why doth he not now so much as with a word vindicate Christs innocency I say not fight for him with his Sword If he denyed before a maid the meanest of women what would he have done before Kings and Princes But we are all the same that Peter was Before the Lord comes to Judgement and while we are yet ignorant of our own weakness we are wont to be proud of our Power and as it were all on fire with zeal for God but in the Judgement of the Lord we are as wax before the fire and as the dust which the wind scattereth from the face of the earth so we melt and moulder away Psalm 1. Peter then is a Type of those who attempt to do any thing without the Grace of God it so falls out that they both accuse Christ of a lye and what they boast they will do they never perform They charge Christ with a lye for he saith Without me ye can do nothing John 15. And they are never as good as their word For Paul saith The good that I would that do I not but the evil that I would not that I do Rom. 7. Whence we may infer that the Evangelists did not so exactly set down this story of Peter out of any desire to inveigh against or aggravate the sins of other men but only for our instruction And it is most worthy of our observation For 1. We see here that not the least word of Christ was spoken in vain which is a great confirmation of our Faith For otherwise if but one word of Christ had failed we might have doubted all the rest 2. Here we see that there is as little as comes to nothing placed in mans power For as iron which of it self is hard yet will easily be blunted with stones unless it be hardened with liquors or something else so the mind of man although it boast that it can scorn all perils for the love of Truth yet will it be overcome with the sharp brunt of opposition if it be not strengthened by the Grace of the Holy Spirit If Peter a man of so great Faith and Love who lived so long with Christ and was so familiar with him that he gave him a taste of the Heavenly Joy in his Transfiguration did fall so fowly what may be expected of us There is no security any where so long as we are in this mortal body An Angel fell in Heaven Adam in Paradise Peter in the world Who then should not dread the incomprehensible height of Gods Judgements Well therefore doth Paul admonish Be not high minded but fear Rom. 11. Again Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. Thou art righteous in thy own conceit but thou canst not tell whether thou art so in the sight of God Nay thou knowest not what thou mayst be to morrow Look on holy Peter Who would have believed that either he or any man else should have fallen from so great confidence and love into such fickleness and impiety without mighty opposition On the other hand who would have thought that that Thief should have been saved A man can be in no safer condition than to continue with all carefulness in deep humility to hope in Gods Mercy not to boast himself in his own merits or foolishly to censure and judge others When thou seest any man sin be he never so bad
They took Jesus but they had been better they had let him alone That is a good apprehension when the godly apprehend him by faith hope and charity whereof Paul saith I follow after if by any means I may comprehend Phil. 3. So the Spouse I held him and would not let him go Cant. 8. But this is not the apprehension spoken of here but that which the Wise man speaketh of Let us lye in wait for the Righteous let us put him to u shameful death Wisd 2. Thus he that took not the Angels but the seed of Abraham is most unworthily laid hands on by those very men whom he took by the hand He that stretcht not forth his hand of mercy to the Angels but to men when they were fallen is now taken by their hands O the wonderfull goodness of God! It was much that he should set men so high at first but it is much more that he should abase himself sollow for man at last So it was a great thing that commonly he did miraculously deliver the godly but it is far greater that he should now in love to us yield to be a captive that he might deliver us from Eternal slavery Sin death and the devil had taken us captive with great Tyranny but Christ willingly suffered himself to be taken when none of these our catch-poles had any power over him And because he was stronger than they he overcame them and set us free Therefore we may well sing I will extoll thee O Lord for thou hast lifted me up and hast not made my foes to rejoyce over me Psalm 30.1 John addeth And they bound him This was the only power of darkness to take to bind whom they could not take to understand So they did take him when his own hour was for one momentany hour for afterward there was no power of darkness could ever any more comprehend the Light When they had taken him they bound him O the horrid boldness of sinners They bound him that they might lead him away more safely For so Judas had forewarned them that they should look narrowly to him And now they think themselves safe as long as they have Christ prisoner in their own custody But certainly this taking and binding of Christ was their utter undoing A figure whereof was in Sampson and in the Ark of God Judg. 16. and 1 Sam. 5. For as the Philistins took Sampson to their own bane he killing many more of them at his death then in his life And as the same Philistins when they took the Ark of God were many wayes sorely afflicted by it so none else destroyed the Jews but he that was taken and bound by them The Philistins rejoyced when they had taken Sampson so they did when they got the Ark of God but their joy did not last long The Jews were glad when they had taken Christ but their joy was but short for a little after the Romans destroyed them Hence it is that they also now cry and pray but there is none to hear or help them And justly too For he may say to them that they manicled both his arms of Majesty and therefore he cannot now relieve them Thus the unthankfull sons of Adam lay hands on him by whose hands they were created They bind him who came to untye all men The meek Lamb all this while holds his peace and openeth not his mouth but in the bitterness of soul considereth of what continuance our time is knowing that nothing but our sin brought him into all this trouble and sorrow Isa 53. David spake of this taking of Christ long since Mine enemies compass me about they are inclosed in their own fat i.e. they are incorrigibly resolved to practice their own wickedness and not to be withheld by any perswasions or Miracles Their mouth speaketh proud things Psalm 17. We may suppose that they took him with great shouting and scoffing and reviling They have compassed my steps they set their eyes bowing to the earth that is they have determined that neither God nor his Justice no nor Heaven it self shall see or find them out They come upon me with open mouth as a Lyon greedy of his prey Behold what wrath and rage was here which cannot be exprest but by the fury of the most stout and savage Beast So in another Psalm They compassed me about like Bees and are extinct as the fire among the Thorns By which words the excessive cruelty of Christs enemies is foreshewn Psalm 118.12 For such is the fiery rage of Bees that although they can never get honey when they have lost their sting yet they will in a rage stick the same in their enemy and rather live drones than not revenge themselves Thus the Jews spit their venom on Christ never caring whether they did ever gather hony more Therefore afterward they said His blood be on us and on our children Matth. 27. Of which anon Note also that when the binding of Christ is mentioned it is spoken in the plural number It was not only one that bound him They were the sins of all men that did bind Christ So t is said in the Psalms The bonds of the wicked have robbed me Psalm 119.61 Our first Parents begun to twist these cords and we have finished them Startle here O sinner when thou hearest and seest that thy sins did so cruelly intangle and bind Christ But be not altogether dismayd for by those his bonds Christ brake ours and restored us unto true freedom So that we may merrily sing Thou hast loosed my bonds I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise Psalm 116. Learn we hence 1. To be thankfull for our deliverance 2. Let us take heed that we never more so bind Christ with our sins again 3. We also should learn constantly to suffer bonds for Christ if the case so require For fetters and shackles are now no more a reproach but an honour They are sanctified and ennobled by the sacred Body of Christ so that t is no shame but a credit to bear them for Christ as we see in the Apostles and Martyrs who had no greater badge of honour then to suffer for Christ And let not us blush to be bound for Christ who first was in bonds for us 4. Lastly Let us learn to take our selves captives and to bind our selves with the cords of Gods Precepts or rather with the bonds of Charity lest we let them take their swinge in those things that are contrary to God Let our eyes be held captive from sinfull objects our ear from idle tales our tongue from unsavoury discourse our hands from wicked works our heart from evil thoughts our understanding and judgement from erroneous and corrupt opinions c. Let this suffice in brief to be spoken of Christs surprisal And they all forsook him and fled Mar. 14.50 And there followed him a certain yong man having a linen cloath cast about his naked body and the yong
men laid hold on him And he left the linen cloath and fled from them naked Here we see what great cruelty was exercised in the taking of Christ at which the very pillars of Heaven shaked when they saw it For if they had not dealt so barbarously with him the Apostles would not have fled so suddenly from him Doubtless they were very unwilling to forsake their Lord but the excessive cruelty terrified and overcame them So that Christ is left alone amongst his enemies who before was guarded with his Disciples when the people honoured him Now was fulfilled that which he spake before concerning smiting the Shepheard and scattering the flock Now that was fulfilled which he spake elswhere The world shall rejoyce but ye shall be sorrowfull Surely this was a very sad and dolefull parting of the Apostles when these holy men were forc'd to forsake him for whom they had forsaken all things No doubt but they did often look back and make their moan to Heaven with weeping eyes Nor this did flight and scattering of the Disciples whom he so dearly loved a little encrease the Passion of Christ he having as it were born them thus long in his Bosom Can a Mother forget her child saith he Isa 49. though she may yet will not I forget thee Here then might Christ say as David long since in his person wailingly warbled Lover and Friend hast thou put far from me and mine acquaintance into darkness Psalm 88.18 Again My lovers and friends stand aloof from my sore they that seek my life lay snares Psalm 38. And again Reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness and I looked for some to take pitty but there was none and for comforters but I found none Psalm 69. And in Isa 63. I have trodden the Winepress alone and of the Nations there was not a man with me So in Job 19. Mine acquaintance are utterly estranged from me 1. Here then we see how true David and Paul spake when they said all men were lyars but God only was true Psal 116. Rom. 3. The Apostles promised with great vehemency that they would never be offended at Christ But Christ on the contrary had told them before that they should all be offended because of him Who was now the Lyar It is a lively picture of persecution when any is cast into bonds by the Magistrate and none will own him In a rainy day men sit alone without company Tempora si suerint nubula solus eris but when the Sun shines we have many visiters 2. By this flight of the Disciples we see what man is if God with-hold his hand It is most true what Christ saith Without me ye can do nothing Joh. 15. Again Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it Psal 127.1 So what Christ said to his Disciples at Supper Whither I go ye cannot follow me yet Joh. 13.33 3. Let the godly hence learn to call upon God from the bottom of his heart when they are in imminent danger Lord save us we perish Without his help we cannot hold out Again if we have done any good let us say Not unto us O Lord not unto us bnt unto thy name give the praise Psal 115. 4. Learn we also to take it patiently if friends forsake us in our necessity What befell Christ may also happen to us So saith the wise man Some friend is a companion at the Table and will not continue in the day of thy affliction Eccl. 6.10 5. Let us not for the fear of man forsake Christ or righteousness and truth but if it chance that we should flee being overcome with any lust or fear let us not despair but with the Apostles timely return to Christ again by repentance Let us return I say without delay lest we out-slip our time 6. But above all let us pray that we never be separated from Christ Now whereas Mark doth here annex the history of the young man on whom the enemies of Christ laid hold this was done to shew that there is no age or time exempted from the Cross so long as the Power of Darkness reigneth but all must suffer as was plain enough to be seen in those children of Bethlehem that were slain for Christ Mat. 2. as also in Joseph heretofore when he was yet but young Gen. 37. But who that young man was the text doth not express nor can any easily determine nor doth it much matter Yet Theophylact is of opinion that it was one of that house where Christ supt that night But two things Mark writeth of this young man whosoever he was 1. That the other young men endeavoured to lay hold of him It had been a shame for the ancient men to pursue and run after children They signifie therefore such boyes as were ill bred whose Parents were too indulgent to them and let them do what they listed letting loose their reins to all wickedness and never correcting or restraining them from their evil and lewd courses as here no man checkt these sawcy fellows from laying hands on this harmless young lad Such were those boys who mockt Elisha 2 King 2. though they scaped Scot-free from man yet God met with them with a witness 2. It is said of this young man that he left his linnen clothes and fled away naked chusing rather to be stript stark naked than to be apprehended by them Thus Joseph fled from his adulteress Mistris and left his cloak behinde him Gen. 39. He that would escape the hands of wicked men must leave the things of the world to the world and follow Jesus with all his heart Christians ought to leave all for the Kingdom of heaven much more their linnen raggs It follows in the Text And they led him away to Annas first for he was Father in law of Caiaphas which was the High Priest that same year Joh. 18.13 Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people We have attentively heard how the Lord Christ was taken by wicked men whereto also he willingly yeelded himself as knowing what great good would thence arise to all men Those night-warriours could do no more but take binde and lead him away It was not their work to murther him for so the Princes had resolv'd that he should be brought to them alive And this they did 1. That none should say he was put to death unjustly Therefore they would first hear him under colour of judging him justly 2. They determined to send his whole Answer to the Roman Court But they had no purpose to release him if he had answered never so well but were fully resolv'd to put him to death For dead men cannot bite They stood in aw of him whilst he lived because he reproved their hatred The good God keep all Governours from following this example They did not presently put Christ to death at