Christ be not risen then is our Preaching vain and your faith is vain also ye are yet in your sins grievous consequences but the Lord is risen indeed and we may now stand under his arms and make this bold challenge with the Apostle 8 Ro. 38. who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again 3. Christs Resurrection assures us of ours 27 Mat. 53. after this many dead bodies of the Saints appeared alive 1 Cor. 5. c. 20. Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept for since by man came death by man came also the Resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all dye even so in Christ shall all be made alive This is that joyful Anthem that welcomes in this Festival Holy Job seeing Easter as Abraham did Christmas-day 8 Jo. 56. many hundred years before they were by faith cheerfully concludes his Resurrection from the Resurrection of his Redeemer 19 ch 25. Victurum me certâ fide credo liberâ voâ—e profiteor quia Redemptor Meus resurget qui inter Impiorum manus occubuit with assured faith I believe and with free courage confess that rise I shall in as much as my Redeemer shall rise who is to dye by the hands of wicked men saith St. Gregory on these very words Eâdem catenâ revincta est Christi Resurrectio nostra Christs Resurrection and ours are linked with one and the same chain If the Head be above the water the members cannot perish otherwise they may 1 Cor. 15. c. 16.17 Now we may insult over death 1 Cor. 15. ch 55. since Christ risen thence hath given death it self it's deaths wound 13 Hosea 14. O Death I will be thy Death Death now it self hath its Epitaph the Grave its Tomb-Stone Nor is it a small thing for Christians to hear of their Resurrection since it is the Ground-work of all their hope and happiness 1 Co. 15. v. 19. Our Souls are here burdened with a sinful sickly loathsome body But at the Resurrection this corruptible shall put on incorruption 1 Co. 15.53 this mortal shall put on immortality this weak dishonourable dust shall be raised in glory and power v. 43. Well may then be rehearsed with abundance of joy a Surrexit Dominus the Lord is risen since such infinite benefit doth arise to us from his Resurrection Application Is the Lord risen indeed 1. Let us be risen with him Then is he risen indeed to us when our affections are risen with him 3 Coloss 1 2. Christs Resurrection must work in us a Resurrection to grace 6 Rom. 11. before it can work for us a Resurrection to Glory 20 Rev. 6. Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on whom the second death shall have no power 2. Let us strive to find Christ this day risen with the same haste as Peter and John 20. Jo. 3 4. the same care v. 11. constancy and rapture of Joy v. 16. as Mary by the same means as the Disciples in the verse following our Text viz. Breaking of Bread in the Sacrament Here we may with Thomas 20 Jo. 25. thrust our hands into the print of the nails and the wounds in his side to convince us of the truth of his Resurrection I know not Our Church will not at this time especially excuse us from this duty and cettainly the life every worthy Communicant finds in Christ fed on here cannot but sufficiently inform him that he is alive And having thus found him we cannot but be Glad 20 Jo. 20. Glad though Christs rising saith Bishop Andrews in his 2 Ser. on the Resur p. 397. did no way concern us or we that yet 1. In that a Man one of our own flesh and blood hath gotten such a victory even for Humanities sake 2. Then that one that is Innocent hath quit himself so well for Innocencies sake 3. Thirdly in that he hath foyled a common enemy for amityes sake 4. Fourthly in that he hath wiped away the Ignominie of his fall with the glory of his Riâ—â—ng again for Vertue and Valours sake for all these we have cause to rejoyce but chiefly â—â—nce his Resurrection was for us 4 Ro. v. ult how ought our souls to overflow with gratitude 'T is the peculiar faith of a Christian to believe Christ Risen Mortuum esse Christum pagani etiam credunt resurrexisse verò propriafides est Christianorum St. Austin and the property peculiar to this faith to create in us Joy for his Resurrection Lord we believe help thou our unbelief O Heavenly Father who didst raise thy Son from death raise our dull Souls to a due thankfulness for this mercy It is meet right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee Almighty Everlasting God But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord for he is the very Paschal Lamb that was offered for us and hath taken away the Sin of the world who by his death hath destroyed death and by his Rising to life hath restored to us everlasting life Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of Heaven we land and magnifie thy glorious name evermore praising thee and saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory Glory be to thee O Lord most High FIFTH SERMON ON Holy-Thursday OR The Ascension 4 Ephes 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things HERE is the Highest ascent answering to the Lowest descent immaginable and both in one and the same person He that descended is the same also that ascended c. This the Apostle speaks of Christ v. 7 8. in his Exposition on that Prophetical Psalm the 68. proper for this day His Descent we have already treated from Heaven to the Earth the lowest part of the world at his Incarnation from the surface of the Earth into the Bowels thereof the grave at his passion He descended from the bosome of his Eternal Father that excellent Glory 2 Pet. 1. c. 17. into the lap of a poor Virgin He that thought it no robbery to be equal with God took to him humane nature and in it the form of a Servant submitted himself to shame pain mortality was Crucified Dead and Buried nay say we in our Creed Descended into Hell lower than this he could not go Now He that descended thus hath as many lifts of his ascension till he came to the highest pitch can be Mark the tearms of his rise He ascended up far above all Heavens In the Text. you have three parts Division In the Text three things 1. The Person Ascending 2. The Ascent 3. The End of it 1. The Person Ascending He that descended ipse est is the same also that ascended 2. The ascent longè supra omnes
we might have been apt to have concluded out of sight out of mind Pharaohs chief Butlers re-advance made him forget Joseph 3 Gen. 13 14.23 But the height of Christs place doth not make him unmindful of us he remembers us in his Kingdom 23 Luke 42. and from thence sends us rich presents gifts and graces Temporal and Spiritual blessings 1 Ephes 3. for whatever we receive as a pledge of Gods greatest love towards us must be through his mercy in Christ 3. To prepare a place for all that believe in him 14 Jo. 1 2. This blessed Harbinger 6 Heb. 20. is gone before in our flesh to take possession for us of our Heavenly Mansions most glorious certainly and Magnificent as provided and appointed by such Infinite Majesty and Bounty Prepare us dear Jesus for those happy habitations which thy love hath so painfully and carefully fitted and prepared for us The Relation that is betwixt Christ in heaven and his Church on earth gives us a full assurance that he will bring that thither The Head is not compleat without its members 5 Eph. 23. nor the Bridegroom without his Bride 2 Mar. 19 20. Christ therefore shall undoubtedly unite to himself his Body Mystical and take to the same place his beloved beauteous Spouse She shall be brought to the King her Husband in raiment of needle-work with gladness and rejoycing shall she be brought into the Kings Palace 45 Psal 14 15. What Christ prayes for 17 Joh. 24. himself is also able to perform where-e're the man dwells he may Command his wife none can detain the Church from cohabiting with her Lord in Heaven As all Christs undertakings in the flesh his Birth Death Resurrection he was Born for us 9 Isa 6. 2 Luk. 11. Dyed for us 4 Ro. 25. Rose again for us so at his Ascension we come in too he ascended for us he is gone up on high far above all Heavens to prepare there a place for us 4. To send the Comforter down unto his Church 16 Jo. 7. It is expedient for you c. There lyes an expedience that Holy Thursday should preceed Pentecost Christ must go before the Holy Ghost can come down for which Bishop Andrews alledges excellent Reasons gathered from the fathers 1. On the Holy Ghosts part who came to manifest himself as God by shewing great â—â—gns and wonders now had Christ stayed they might have attâ—ibuted these to him which had been an impeachment of the others divinity but Christ ascending all such immaginations cease 2. On Christs part A little impeachment it might have been to Christs equality to the Father for he not going to send him but staying still here till he was sent the sending of the Spirit might have been ascribed to the Father alone as his sole act That he had been sent for Christs sake had been the most but being ascended his love and power is apparent to be equal with the Father in sending him and we alike beholding to them both Now the Fathers sending him 14 Jo. 26. and the Sons sending him from the Father 15 Jo. 26. is all one 3. On our part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he might fill all things by his Spirit which he could not by his Body that he might be present with every particular member of his dispersed Church thus is he with all Christians in all places at all times even unto the end of the world 28 Mat. 20. See Piscator on the Text Hoc Sophistae Ubiquitarâ—s sic exponunt quasi diceret Paulus ut omnia loca impleret suo corpore Sed Apostolus se ipse declarat duobus versibus sequentibus ex quorum Collatione perspicitur Apostolum hoc velle dicere Christum ascendisse in coelum ut indè misso spiritu sancto impleret illius donis omnia Ecclesiae membra Again say they Christ withdrew his Bodily presence to draw us off from sence or fleshly fondness of him which his nearest and dearest followers were too much prone to as we see in Martha 11 Jo. 21. attributing the greatest power to his Corporal residence Lord if thou hadst been here my Brother had not dyed As if absent he had not been able to have prevented it The Disciples are upon building of Tabernacles for his stay in the flesh As if in that only consisted the Co summation of their happiness 17 Mat. 4. Mary would fain be embracing him with a carnal contract 20 Jo. 17. which Christ strives to beat her off from with a Noli me tangere touch me not putting her in mind nereupon of his Ascension After that he sends his Spirit whereby we are to apprehend him spiritually Seeing the invisible by faith which the moâ—e abstract from sence the more notable blessing it hath pronounced to it 20 Jo. 29. Blessed are they hat have not seen and yet have believed Lastly The Fathers stick not to say that at Christs Ascension before the Coming of the Holy Ghost it was necessary that he should withdraw himself for some time as to his Bodily so his Spiritual presence likewise 1. That the Disciples growing faint and tepid whilst he was with them should now become more vigilant and watchful after him on the sense of the loss of him like the Spouse 5 Cant. 2 3 5 7. 2. That they might grow less carnally secure in their thoughts of keeping him who were apt to presume upon a non moveber 30 Psal 7. a never be moved though I dye with thee will I not deny thee saith Peter 26 Mat. 35. and all the rest yet we find the contrary v. 56. 3. The consideration hereof as also the sence of their necessary falling into sin without Christs Spiritual presence drives them to humility a fit posture to invite the Holy Ghosts Descent and abode 57. Isai 15. Thus Christus abit ut Paracletus veniat Christ is gone up on high far above all Heavens to send his Spirit down on Earth even the lowest among men Lastly To appear in the sight of God to interceed for us 9 Heb. 24. 8 Ro. 34. c. 1 Jo. 2. c. 1. 8 Rev. 3. Now we may come with boldness unto the Throne of grace 4 Heb. ult since we hâ—ve such a prevailing friend in the Court of Heaven whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name he shall give it you 16 Jo. 22. Blessed Jesus we will not robb thee of thy Mediatorship interceed for us still as thou didst once on earth 17 Jo. 23. That where thou art there we may be also whil'st we are here let our Souls our affections be above 3 Col. 2. and hereafter receive us both Souls and Bodies unto that unspeakable glory thou now enjoyest with thy Father where thou art ascended up far above all Heavens SIXTH SERMON ON Whit-Sunday OR The Inestimable Gift The Holy Ghost 8. Acts 20. But Peter said untohim Thy Money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with Money THis day of
Christmas-day Or the Nativity of Christ 1 Luke 16. And they came with haste ad found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a Manger Second Sermon On Ash-wednesday Or the Prevalency of Prayer and Fasting 17. Mat. 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by Prayer and Fasting Third Sermon On Good-Fryday Or the Passion of our Saviour 26 Mat. 39. O my Father if it be possible let this Cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt Fourth Sermon On easter-Easter-day Or the Resurrection 24 Luke 34. The Lord is risen indeed Fift Sermon On Holy-Thursday Or the Ascension 4 Ephes 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Sixth Sermon On Whit-Sunday Or the Inestimable Gift of the Holy Ghost 8 Acts 20. But Peter said unto him Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money Moses Mis-us'd Or the Magistrate's Authority most Impiously and Impudently affronted Preached at the Summer Assizes at Abingdon 1669. 7 Acts 27. But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away saying who made thee a Ruler and a Judge over us Lex Innata Religion Born with us 2. Rom. 14. These thaving not the law are a law unto themselves Errata Pag. 37. l. 9. r. Gaius p. 38. l. 25. r. prayers p. 73. l. 18. r. bones p. 86. l. 14. r. four p. 87. l. 18. r. Humane l. 27. r. contact p. 103. l. 16. r. came l. 22. r. Apostoli p. 106. l. 20. r. of the Holy Ghost 7. Serm. p. 12. l. 26. r. doers p. 19. l. 11. r. sleep These and what other Faults through the Authors absence from the Press have escaped Curteous Reader Correct FIRST SERMON ON Christmas-Day OR The Nativity of Christ 2. Luke 16. And they came with hast and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a Manger THere are two pieces of Wood that become the Jews chiefest stumbling-block and the Pagans scorn and yet are the main props in a Christians Creed and supporters in his Comfort I mean the Cratch the Cross 1 Cor. 1. c. 23. the one unavoidably accompanying Christs birth the other his death But what the blessed Jesus when he came to visit us in great humility was not ashamed to undergo for us we have infinite less reason to be ashamed to own God forbid But that we should glory with St. Paul as in the Cross of Christ 6. Gal. 14. so in his Cratch too the one is in order to the other Mysterie of Divinity the everliving God was born here to be capable to suffer there and both for our salvation Hence the Manger and the tree seem they never so despicable are greater Monuments of Gods love to Mankind than the glorious fabrick of the Universe for who will deny our Redemption to be a mercy excelling the Creation This then is a great Feast as the day of our Redeemers Birth so of his Invention too and that only at the Sign of the Manger Hoc erit signum this shall be it saith the Angel v. 12. To this let us make hast with those in the Text And they came with hast c. These words divide themselves into 4 Parts 1 Inventores The Division of the Text in 4 parts 2 The Personae Inventae 3 The Vbi 4 The Quomodo 1. The Inventores or Persons finding They came 2 The Personae Inventae or Persons found Mary and Joseph and the Babe 3 The Ubi or place where they were found In a Manger 4 The Quomodo how they found them or what means they used here They came with hast 1. The Persons finding They came 1 The Persons finding Shepheards this refers to the Shepheards v. 8. abiding in the field keeping watch over their slocks by night But if any are offended at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theoph. Excubantes quasi extra cubare dicas atque adeò sub dio pernoctare Beza and say the Shepheards being at this time abroad without doors must needs turn our December Christmas out of doors quite supposing it improbable that they would in so cold a part of the year take up their lodging in the open field they must consider the diversities of Climates and the vigilancy of Countrey-men when necessity requireth The great confluence of all sorts of people and strangers at this general tax v. 1. might make them look about them with the more care and painfulness Quare vetusta traditio Ecclesiae non temerè nobis rejicienda est Casaubon The Shepheards did properly seek for and find as Bishop Andrews observes the b Chief c Great and the d Good Shepheard e of our souls This blessed Lamb of God now newly yeaned that taketh away f the sins of the world b 1. Pet. 5. c. v. 4. c 13. Heb. 20. d 10. Joh. 11. e 1. Pet. 2.21 f 1. Joh. 29. God saith of his begotten Let all the Angels worship him 1. Heb. 6. which honour as he confers on those glorious Spirits so in his infinite mercy he is pleased to allow men likewise whose nature he took 2. Heb. v. 16. and not the others and amongst these the most ordinary plain Countrey-men Shepheards Christ coming to undertake for us in the meanest conâ—ition that might be What may be learâ—ed a from the Shepheards hath every thing suitable thereto a homely place for his birth and homely guests Nor will I part with my Shepheards till from them I learn that as there is requisite a due distance between Superiours and Inferiours so this ought to be free from all manner of Pride and Contempt since God accepteth of the lowest as well as the highest Now we know blessed Jesus that thou art h he that should come not do we look for another since according to the undeniable Character of the true Messiah which thou thy self hast given the i poor here have the Gospel Preached unto them The Shepheards this day receive the k Evangelium the first glad tidings of a Saviours birth vobis natus est v. 10. h 11. Mat. 3. i v. 5. k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 9. To conclude the Joy of this Birth is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to all people v. 10. Christ descended as from David and Solomon and a list of Kings so from Booz and Jesse plain Countreymen Now he came for them from whom he came which Intimates that all sorts and conditions of men from the Scepter to the Sheep-crook are interessed in a Saviour Lastly Shepheards first hear and declare a Saviour perhaps that the plainness of the men might add the greater credit to their relation Abfuit ab iss fingendi voluntas astutia quia rudes fuêre Lactantius I pass now from the Inventores or persons finding the Shepheards they came and found to the personae inventae The personae Inventae Mary and Joseph and the Babe Why
Mary named before Joseph persons found viz. Mary and Joseph and the Babe These be the Parents and the Child but why Mary before Joseph the Wife before the Husband This doth not quit the woman of her duty of subâ—ection 5. Ephes 22 23 24. and wring the staff of Preheminence Rule and Authority out of the mans hand to put it into hers But perhaps she was found first though not far one from the other or rather it seems to me as if the wisdome of the Holy Ghost would imply hereby that Mary of the two hath the greatest share in this Birth Mary is the real Mother Joseph but the reputed Father of Christ That He was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary is an Article of our faith without any talk of Joseph Hence sinful vile polluted Adam's off-spring Man touch not this Holy Maid and hence all base and unchast thoughts that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost Which Conception †Sicut vermis calefaciente sole c. Aug. de temp Ser. 181. St. Austin makes more plain unto us by the similitude of a Worm which Christ compares himself to 22. Psal 6. I am a worm saith he and no man i. e. not conceived after the manner of men but as the worm by the heat of the Sun onely is formed of mud or slime so Christ was conceived of our flesh by the secret assistance and operation of the Holy Ghost alone * Nec potest doceri nisi à donaate nec potest addisei nisi à suscâ—piente St. Bern. on the Conception This Melchisedec without Father Jesus thus miraculously conceived Mary yet acts the part of a Mother in bearing and bringing forth this her first born 5 6 7. verses From hence forth all generations shall call thee blessed 1. Luk. 48. Thou art the King of glory O Christ Thou art the Everlasting Son of the Father And yet when thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the * Quantus est qui natus est Sed quantus est qui de Virgine natus est Aug. Hom. 32. pag. 340. Virgins Womb. Mary in this He that is mighty hath magnified thee 1. Luk. 49. Wheresoever the Gospel shall be Preached there shall also this be told 26. Mat. 13. Thy name stands registred in that Breif our belief which must have passage over all the world and we will never remember thee but with love and reverence next to adoration If I might not be thought too superperstitious and impertinent I could tell here how that this name once named out of aweful respect to the Blessed Virgin did once stop a young Gallants lust in its full design and work a notable Reformation in him The Story we may read at large in Montaigne's Essayes lib. 1. cap. 46. But as the poor simple man must needs Saint Pontius Pilate because his name was suffered in the Creed will I on the contrary altogether despise Joseph for being left out Joseph then Josephs description though of mean occupation a Carpenter 13. Mat. 55. yet is of Royal descent of the house and linage of David v. 4. As to his Civil condition he is noble belonging to the tribe of Judah and therefore repairs to their Metropolis Bethlehem to be taxed v. 4 5. As to his vertuous disposition he is a just man and obedient to the Divine command 1. Mat. 19.24 I would fain leave them as they were found together A loving pair and so not far one from the other Indulgent Parents and so both near the Babe Methinks I see the over joy'd Mother smiling upon her heavenly Off-spring whil'st Joseph admires his Virgin Wife she busily wrapping and swadling his beauteous body whil'st he as cheerfully waiteth and tendeth on this sacred Nurse 'T is Honour over and above sufficient to Joseph only to be husband to her whose child he durst not own to have begotten For the Holy Ghost came upon her and the power of the highest did overshadow her wherefore that Holy thing which was born of her is called the Son of God 1. Luke 35. Which brings me to the Babe to whom I long indeed to come as the subject matter of this Festival As Contemptibly as here he seems to lye The Babe who he is this is none other than a Saviour Christ the Lord v. 11. 1. 1 A Saviour A Saviour soter hoc quantum est saith Tully How great are the thoughts of a Saviour if but for the Body But this is a spiritual Saviour this Babe's name is Jesus because he saves his people from their sins 1. Mat. 21. Neither is this salvation in any other 4. Acts 12. A Saviour 1 Christ Christ or †Christus dicitur à Chrysmate i.e. unctione St. Austin de temp Ser. 181. Anointed for of a truth this Holy Child Jesus was Gods special anointed 4. Acts 27. with the oyle of gladness above his fellows 45. Psal 7. i. e. as the †Bishop Hall 's Paraphr on the Text. King Priest and Prophet of his Church God hath endued his assumed humanity with all divine graces above all meer mankind Christ comes fully qualified for the work of a Mediator or compleat Saviour purposely designed hereto with his Commission Patent from heaven for him hath God the Father sealed 6. Jo. 27. 3. Christ the Lord. 3 The Lord. There be Gods many and Lords many 1. Cor. 8. ch 5. But Holy Babe Thou only art the Lord. There be many Christi Domini the Lords Christs or anointed yet but one Christus Dominus the Lord Christ He is the Lord Lord of Lords and King of Kings 17. Rev. 14. The Lord coeternal and coequal with God the Father begotten of him before all worlds God of God very God of very God saith the Nicene Creed Such a Lord that the very Pagan †Augustus Emperour 't is reported by Grotius lib. 7. c. 2. upon the same day that this Babe was born forbid any by Edict to call him Lord That all Lordship might be ascribed to him To whom he in great devotion erected an Altar with this inscription Haec est ara primogeniti dei Suet. The Delphick Oracle is said to acknowledge the Deity of this Babe vid. Balduin de Cas Consc pag. 75. One of the Sybils to prophecy concerning it Plato to believe it But whate're becomes of Heathenish Stories Scripture doth sufficiently prove him our Immanuel God with us 1. Mat. 23. In this word saith Bishop Andrews Ser. Nat. 9. pag. 75. is implyed both natures El signifies Gods cum plenitudine potestatis God in his full strength and vertue God with all that ever he can do So is Christ saith Athan. in his Creed perfect God Immanu with us one of us perfect man too and that in the Infancy of our nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Babe A Babe Christ a Babe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eust 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implyes a child newly born hanging at his Nurses breast Blessed Babe Well may thy name be called Wonderful 9. Isaiah 6. what * Christi Nativitas silentio colatur c. Bas Hom. in Sanctam Christi Nat. p. 246. a mysterious Birth is this where Incomprehensibility is cradled (k) 1. Rev. 8. Eternity hath a beginning the Rock of ages not a day old Almightiness made weak the Word 1. Jo. 1. not able to speak a word Immensity l whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain but a span long 2. Lam. 20. He m that hath gathered the winds in his fists and bound the waters in a garment who hath established all the ends of the Earth is himself in a Virgins arms in clouts in a stable The great n creatour and o preserver of all things is content to become a Creature to take Being from her to whom he gave Being and nourishment from her to whom he gives sustentation Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the Paps which thou hast sucked l 1. K. 8. ch 27. m 30. Pro. 4. n 1 Col. 16. o v. 7. Oh whether hath thy love for us transported thee infinitely below thy self in Humiliation which must needs transport us beyond our selves in admiration of it 3. 3 The Ubi or place Christ was found The Manger Why so This Humility doth further demonstrate it self in the ubi or place Christ was found in the Manger How so 1. Take the Holy Ghosts reason v. 7. there was no room in the Inn. 1 No Room in the Inn. In respect of the meanness of her Husband Joseph and that the concourse of people was so great so Bishop Hall in his Paraphrase on the Text. O ignorance and ingratitude no room for him on Earth who prepares us such glorious mansions in Heaven 14. Jo. 2. 2. 2 This was the Angels Sign to find Christ This was the sign given of the Angel verse 12. without this the Shepheards might have sought Christ long enough and not have found him Let them alone say nothing to them saith Bishop Andrews in his Ser. of the Nat. 12. p. 110. when they came to Bethlehem they would never go to an Inn or Ostrie but the very best house in the Town or if to an Inn to the fairest Chamber in it or to a Chamber at least They would have expected a chief person in a chief place a Lord and Saviour somewhat Lord and Saviour like in a Crimson Mantle in an Ivory-Cradle c. But this is his state of Humiliation and as he is †Athan. in his Creed Inferiour to God as touching his Manhood so inferiour to man touching his Manger Being made like unto the Beasts that perish 49. Psal 20. lower then this he could not well go 3. 3 This Sign runs Counter to mans sinning Our Saviours Signs runs counter to mans sinning and so it must No fruit will serve us but the reserved tree no preferment but a Dii eritis 3. Gen. no Tower but one that shall reach to Heaven 11. Gen. 4. Now contrary to all this is Christ's low common and despised Manger If Pride be the direct way to Hell quite back agen Humility must be the way to Heaven 4. 4 This Sign was proper to Shepheards This Sign was proper to Shepheards to give them encouragement for their admission to Christ this shall be a Sign unto you v. 12. There will be no Porter to stop the passage no strict Guard to hinder your access to the Manger 5. 5 A Sign that Christ stood not in need of any external pomp This is a Sign that Christ stood not in need of any external Signs or means to set him forth But was and is of himself independently glorious Indifferent personages commonly covet after the gaudiest dress a Pearl of great price retains its value as well in a Manger as in the Costliest Cabinet The more unexpected is his greatness by the baseness of his Sign the more it is to be admired 6. 6 The lower the sign the higher his love The lower the Sign the higher Christs love to be so far abased for us 7. The viler the Sign the viler sin that brought him to it 7 The viler the sign the viler sia the uncleanness of our hearts brought Christ to such an unclean and noysome Birth-place 8. 8 This sign was to punish the the Jews This Sign might be a Sign that God had a mind in his infinite Wisdome and Justice to punish the obstinacy and ingratitude of the Jews making this Sign of the Manger the Sign of our Saviour rather Signum Contradictum than Creditum rather spoken against 2. Luk. 34. than believed That their haughty spirits were ready to cry out with as great scorn as they 1. Sam. 10 c. 27. How can this man save us They fancied that the Messias should have a Princely Court at Jerusalem and never dream't of a Manger 9. 9 This was a sign Christ intended no greatness at his first coming This Sign was a Sign Christ intended no greatness no temporal greatness at his first coming His beginning was a Cratch his end no other exaltatus or lifting up 8. Jo. 28.12 Jo. 32. then the Cross The one was proportionable to the other some describe a Cratch saith Bishop Andrews in his Ser. of the Nat. 12. pag. 3. to be made Cross wise Lastly What God hath ordained Lastly This sign God ordained c. for this Manger was not left out of the Holy Pages of his eternal wise decrees 40. Psa 28. what Christ gladly accepted of 40. Psal 8. what the Holy Ghost in Scripture testifies the Angels openly Preached and Sung to 11 12 13. verse we have no cause at all to be offended at but with all love joy humility and astonishment to adore this Babe lying in a Manger 4. 4 Quomodo or how Christ was found 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It s signification I come to the Quomodo how Christ was found or what means the Shepheards used here and that was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They came with hast this signifies 1. An (r) 4. Eph. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Endeavour (s) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 studium 2. Cor. 8. ch 16. Study and earnest care for Christ The desire of all Nations 2. Haggai 8. is worthy of all this Religion doth not indulge laziness Heaven will not drop in our mouths and we sit still the promise is made to the willing and obedient 1. Isaiah 19. 2. An urgent and forcible Hastning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Angels hastned Lot 19. Gen. 11. or Hurried him by violence for ver 12. 't is said they laid hold on him and brought him forth whilst he lingred which implyes that the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force 11. Mat. 12. There is a
refresh us in afflictions and death it self for those sighs and fears himself felt at the drinking of this bitter cup which amazingly startled him and made him so earnestly cry out O my Father c. 3. The Difficulty of the Cups passing or indeed the impossibility of it appears 1. 3 The Difficulty of the cups passing From the unalterableness of Gods decrees 2 Acts 22 23. Could he not here have commanded twelve legions of Angels for his rescue 53 54. verses But how then should the Scripture have been fulfilled that thus it must be Heaven and Earth may pass away sooner than one jot or one tittle of Gods word fail 5 Mat. 18. one drop of this cup be spilt The stain of sin cannot be washed off but by blood 9 Heb. 22. now what the blood of Bulls and of Goats could not do the blood of the Son of God must Thus it is written in the Volume of his Fathers everlasting councel 10 Heb. 4 5 6. if you will too curiously enquire the reason take St. Austins answer Ipsum interroga me scire licet quòd ità cur ità non licet ask him It is lawful for me to know it is so not why Notwithstanding whatsoever hardship this beloved Son underwent in this cup it argues the highest love of God imaginable to suffer and of him to drink it and gives us all this cheerful confidence that he who hath not withheld his Son but delivered him up in this manner for us can with him deny us nothing 8 Ro. 32. Again Christs suffering on the Cross was suitable to mans sinning ut per l'gnum erigeret lapsum in ligno Theod. Ut fieret crucifixione quae erat genus mortis Maledictum maledictio pro nobis St. Austin 3 Gal. 13. that as by the Tree came Death by the same should come life That by his Crucifixion which was a cursed kind of death he might be made a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the Law for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree 21 Deut. 23. Finally on the Cross extensis utrisque manibus as one observes vocationem tà m gentium quà m Judaeorum significaret by stretching out of both arms at widest he shews forth most gracious proffers of embracing both Jews and Gentiles 2. 2 Christs submission In the text you have as Christs Petition O my Father c. so his submission Nevertheless not as I will What we learn in his Prayer but as thou wilt Christ in his prayer teacheth us as 1. Devout Gesture He fell on his Face 2. Secrecy He went a little further from his disciples 3. Watchfulness verse 38. Watch with me fervency in his Prayer he sweat great drops of blood 22 Luke 44. Frequency he went away and prayed the second and third time v. 42.44 4. Brevity and a form the second and third time he said the same words v. 42.44 which were not many 5. A Diligent listning for the return of Prayer Compare our Text with vers 42. whereas Christ here Prayes earnestly if it be possible c. as if he had had some secret intelligence from heaven that it could not be he alters it thus ver 42. O my Father if this Cup may not pass c. Lastly He teacheth us holy cheerful and humble resignation of our will to Gods will for the answering our Petitions Nevertheless not as I will but what thou wilt As Christ was God his will was not contrary to his Fathers but as Gregory Nazianzen saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Godhead is one so also is the will of God But the assumed nature subject to humane infirmities beginning to startle at this cup Christ will bring in subjection to Gods will Since it is thy will O my Father in thine infinite wisdom to order this cup for mans redemption In obedience to thee and in love to him I will freely drink it It is a most terrible cup indeed witness those strange fears which possess me on the very thought of it making me cry out O my Father if it be possible pity thy dear Son and let it pass Nevertheless not what I will according to the weak motions of my frail flesh but as thou wilt according to thine eternal purpose in the working of mans salvation vers 42. If this cup may not pass from me except I drink it Thy will be done FOURTH SERMON ON Easter-Day OR The Resurrection 24 Luke 34. The Lord is risen indeed THe Primitive Christians I have heard on this day meeting in the morning had this greeting Some cryed the Lord is risen the other answered the Lord is Risen indeed What the early women had received from the Angels v. 1.4 5 6. and told to the Apostles v. 9. and others The two Disciples from Emaus v. 13. now again ratifie declare to them for a most certain and very truth saying The Lord is risen indeed The matter and manner of this report which doubtless was with abundance of Joy as witnesses their great hast v. 23. to bring it so many miles v. 13. at night v. 29 30. late after Supper offers to our consideration two things 1. In the text two things observable The Reality of Christs Resurrection 2. The benefit thereby 1. 1 The Reality of Christs Resurrection The Reality of Christs Resurrection The Lord is risen indeed Some prejudiced Persons as they did all his other Actions of casting out Devils feeding the multitudes in the wilderness raiâ—ing the dead imputing these to some delusion Witchcraft or Sorcerie so they might misconstiue this of his Resurrection also and as they might say as one observes in Dr. Moore 's Myst of Godliness p. 138. of that great Eclipse of the Sun at Christs Passion that some delusive spirits might intercept that light in favour of him the great Magician whom they thought just to crucifie betwixt those two other Malefactors quasi latronum pessimus saith one as the worst of the three the same might say that the same spirits might open his Sepulchre carry him away and afterward appear in his shape making use of his body to shew to Thomas or châ—nging their own vehicles into the likeness of flesh and bones so that no mans sense might discover any difference To this answers Dr. Moor in his Myst of Godl p. 140. give me leave to rehearse his own words I cannot mend them 1. That which may be an Exception or Evasion in any case is of consequence in no case for what doth there at any time really happen but evil spirits have a power to imitate so near that our senses may well be deceived 2. Though they have this power in themselves yet I deny that they can exert it when and so far as they please and therefore God would not permit them to add so irresistable credit to the whole Ministry of Christ by this last miracle if Christ had not really been the Messiah but he being
caelos up far above all heavens 3. The End of it That he might fill all things 1. The Person ascending 1 The Persoa Asceading He that descended is the same also that ascended The same Person with the same Body though now made immortal Glorious 3 Phil. 21. Visne in altum scandere Humilitas Gradus est saith St. Austin St. Paul here shews the way and manner of Christs Ascending which must be ours by Descending first v. 9. He makes his deep Humiliation the cause of his Exaltation 2 Phil. 8 9. He humbled himself unto death even the death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Mans nature is aspiring and ascending loves to be uppermost 23 Mat. 6.7 This we find not only in the Scribes and Pharisees but in the Disciples themselves altum sapimus omnes all would be above would we know the right way It is by descending coming down first He that humbleth himself shall be exalted Ascending before Descending is Diabolical and dangerous this made Angels Devils Ep. Jud. 6. ruined our first Parents 3 Gen. He that exalteth himself shall be abased 23 Mat. 12. Pride being our fall the only way of recovering our selves is Humility 20 Mat. 26 27. whereof Christ gives him an Example 13 Joh. 13 14 15. who is there very diligent with his Towel and his Bason washing his Disciples feet lower he could not well stoop It argues too much sensuality and Carnality to be with Zebedee's Children 20 Mat. v. 21 22. all upon raigning without any thought of affliction The way to Heaven is through tribulation to eternal life through death 24 Luke 26. If we would come where the Captain of our Salvation is arrived we must tread in the same steps sufferings The Servant is not greater than his Lord 20 Jo. 16. and therefore should be content with the same fashion of Ascending by Descending He that descended c. 2. This Descending the lower it is puts the greater admiration and lustre on Ascending Motions slow and gradual as in a Dial the less or no notice can be taken of them they are not perceptible but those which are sudden and aloft are gazed on with the more delight and wonder A rich heir apparent to the Crown advanced strait to his lawful Throne causeth not such astonishment as when taken from the worst and basest condition This demonstrates incomparable Might and Excellency to effect 113 Psal 5.7 Who is like the Lord our God he raiseth the poor out of the dust and the needy out of the Dunghill that he may set him with Princes even with the Princes The Ascent being considered in reference to the Descent the lower the Descent hath digged the higher must necessarily the Ascent be reckoned from it Now our Creed brings Christs Descent as far as Hell the better presently to amplifie his Ascent into Heaven He that descended thither is the same saith the Apostle that ascended up far above all Heavens which brings me to 2. 2 Christs Ascent The Ascent up far above all Heavens This going up on high 68 Psal 18. whence St. Paul here quotes his Ascent will saith Bishop Andrews in his 7th Sermon on Whitsun p. 668. bear fair sences It may be interpreted of Moses Ascending up into Mount Sinai in the literal sense 2. Of Davids Ascending up with the Ark into Mount Sion in the Analogical sence 2 Sam. 5 ch 3. Of Gods triumphing over his Churches enemies in the Moral sence Or 4. Of Christs Ascending in a Prophetical sence Now this Ascent excells all the other 't is higher than Sinai or Sion no common deliverance 'T is not only some high mountain as they thought of Elias 2 K 2. c. 16. Pelion upon Ossa will not reach it 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above the Heavens quite out of Sight 1 Acts 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 video dicitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all Heavens even the very highest of them Here we shall pass by as not worthy our stay the Sophistry of some persons who â—s Beza observes denying supra coelos esse locum that there is any place above the Heavens would attribute to Christ Corpus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Body not circumscribed and so unbody his Body as I may say ascribing to it the property of a divine Essence only omnipresence would not this somewhat befriend Transubstantiation But to deny Christ * Nisi sit Christus verus naturalis homo feustra speramus quod speramus Beza in Textum pure and perfect man which we must do if we thus wrong him of his Hamane Body were Spem nostram à fundamentis convellere So Beza To destroy the foundation of all our Christian hope With the same Body that was passive buffetted bruised buried with the same Body material flesh and bones organical palpable visible 24 Luk. 29. Behold saith Christ by all this It is Ipse Ego I my self He ascended up far above all Heavens The same that after his Resurrection retained the Print of the Nails and the wound of the Spear in his Side 20 Jo. 2.7 is by him carried up into Heaven where he is set down with it on the right hand of God i. e. Enthroned by his immediate divine Shechina or that ineffable unimitable Glory God doth in a most peculiar manner manifest there Christum scimus verum hominem fuisse nec esse disisse ac pro indè finitnm corpus finitam animam habere scimus in coelos ascendisse gloriae Patris socium c. Beza So much for the Ascent 3. 3 The end of Christs Ascending We come to the en dof Christs Ascending viz. That he might fill all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to fulfil That he might fulfill all that was foresaid of him and all that is or should be requisite for the full glorification of the Church So Bishop Hall in his Paraph. on the Text. The causes then of his Ascending were 1. To lead Captivity Captive v. 8. Sin Satan Death and the Grave He riding in triumph into Heaven like a glorious Victor made an open shew of these spoils 2 Col. 15. disarming Sin of its condemning power 8 Ro. 3. cancelled the terrible Hand-writing of the Law that was against us 2 Col. 14. slew Death by being slâ—in by it He trod out the sting of this Adder 1 Cor. 15. c. 55. 91 Psal 13. He trambled on the Dragon the Devil 12 Rev. 19. Bruising his head with his victorious Heel 3 Gen. 15. 2. To give Gifts unto men The former Act spoke the valour of his Triumph This the Bounty that shewed his Greatness this his Goodness v. 8. When He ascended up on High He led Captivity Captive and gave Gifts unto men This day of his Coronation the Conduits run with Wine the new Coyne is scattered abroad When he was taken out of Sight 1 Acts 9. especially at such a distance up far above all Heavens