and knocketh if thou will heare his voyce and open the doore hee will come in vnto thee and supp with thee Esay 60.19.20 and thou with him where there shall bee no more Sunne to shine by day neither the brightnesse of the Moone Iohn 14.23 to shine to thee for the Lord shall bee thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glorie and the dayes of thy sorrow shall bee ended Loue him therfore freelie beloued Soule and keepe his word 2. Iohn 3.24 and his Father will loue thee hee will come vnto thee dwell with thee for hee that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and Christ in him and heereby shalt thou know that hee abideth in thee even by the Spirit which hee hath given thee I will intreate thee of all favour poore Soule to meditate thy omission of good thinges commission of evill and losse of wholesome time occasion which three are past by and these three present the shortnes of this life the difficultie to bee saved 1 Pet. 4.17 18. and the fewnes of them that do enter in that strait way For if judgement beginne first at the house of God what shall be the end of them which obey not the Gospel of God and if the righteous scarcelie hee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinners appeare Doe not forget these three things to come Death than the which nothing is more terrible the last Iudgment than the which nothing is more horrible eternall Punishment than the which nothing is more vntolerable O that thou were wise then wouldst thou vnderstand this Deut. 32.29 thou wouldst consider thy letter end But I poore Soule doe not know what to doe â— Chro. 20.12 but mine eyes are towards thee O Lord for trulie great travel doe sinners take to perfect their iniquities they imagine nothing impossible so they may aquire their designes The way of sinners is made plaine with stones so smooth thinke they iâ— Wisd 5.7 but the end thereof is hell darknesse and paine Flee from sinne as from a Serpent the teeth thereof are the teeth of a Lyon Eccl. 21.10 to slay the soules of men All iniquitie is as a two edged sword the wounds thereof can not bee healed And if thou hast sinned doe so no more but pray for thy fore-sinnes that they may bee forgiuen thee Eccl. 5.5.6.7 And because thy sinne is forgiuen bee not without feare to heape sinne vpon sinne And say not The mercie of God is great hee will forgiue my manifold sinnes for mercie and wrath come from him his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners Make no tarying to turne vnto Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenlie shall the wrath of the wrath of the Lord breake foorth and in thy securitie thou shalt bee destroyed But blessed is that people whose God is the Lord for peace shall bee vpon them â—â—l 6.16 and mercie and vpon the Israel of God Vnto him therefore â—h 3 20. that is able to doe exceeding aboundantlie aboue all that wee aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs be praise in the Church by Christ Iesus thorowout all generations for euer Amen THE AGREEMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN THE INCARNATION PASSION AND Ascension of our Saviour THE MYSTERIE OF the Incarnation A Mother and a Virgine beares a Sonne The Creature her Creator on her knee FroÌ„ all beginning yet but now begun Servant to Time Lord of Eternitie Earths Weaknes HeaveÌ„s Power in him doth dwell That is both God and Man Emanuel Meekenesse is heere combin'd with Maiestie The Lyon with the Lambe keepes peacefull place Obedience findes a Seat in Emperie This Earthly substaÌ„ce breeds a heaveÌ„ly grace To Poverty rich Gifts are broght by Kings Terrestriall figures of Coelestiall thinges Who sits in HeaveÌ„ vpon the Throne of State Suckes here on Earth the milke of Infancie Who rules the Stars guids the sterne of Fate Sustaines the yoke of humane Miserie Eats drinks wakes sleepes weepes a mortall man In whom Immortall happines began THE MYSTERIE OF the Passion THe Iudge of MaÌ„ by MaÌ„ is iudg'd to die He that coÌ„mands the law the law obeys Submission hath a Seat in Soveraingn'ty This stormie Night begets our Halâ—yon days The best of Hope springs froÌ„ the worst of Fears And giues vs cause of Ioy from cause of Tears The Lord of Life is subiect vnto Death The Masters power the Minister obeyes At once inspyring expiring breath Submittes to Kinges yet Kings kingdomes swayes Sin vpon Vertue hath imposde a Blame Honour by Basenesse is exposde to Shame Thus from the Crosse our Blessednes is bred His suffering made it a triumphant Signe Our looks are raisde while he bowes down the Head He tasteth Vinegar to giue vs Wine Saues all by loosing all to Tyrannie Helpes all yet cryes Lamasabachtani THE MYSTERIE OF THE Resurrection and Ascension DEath froÌ„ the Graue Life to the Graue is broght Flesh without Sin sees no coruptioÌ„ By yeelding was this noble Conquest wroght O're Sin the World Death Hel al Pollution Extensiue Weaknes with intensiue Power His Hurts haue healed these wouÌ„ded states of our ASCENSION He that the Earth hath for his Footestoole laid Makes his Ascens vp to his Heavenlie Seat There dwels his Power which his Mercy made And here his Mercy which his Power makes great All glorious in his Seaâ— he sits vpon All gratious in the Place he treades vpon Hee which is taken vp is left behind Vnbounded Power doth circumscribe al things He that hath fram'd the heart ruls the mind Doth giue Himselfe to Beggars as to Kings Mercie remaines whilst Maiestie doth tower And Grace descends with his ascending Power Succumbat ratio fidei captiva quescat A SHORT CONFESsion of our Sinnes MY life O LORD is a perpetuall rebellion against thee for who can make cleane that which is conceiued in the filth of sin My time was a Sea and flood of sorrow secluded froÌ„ all goodnes vntil thou didst put forth thy hand and pull mee into thine Arke and had I not bene made cleane in some measure by the red Sea of the Blood of thy Son in Baptisme I should haue lyen in the filthie puddle of my vyle corruption Neither hath Sathan ceased to bereaue mee of the loue whereby thou first didst loue mee Hee did not show me deceiuing Serpent the wages of Sinne but â—â—eeting and turning did hyde thy wrath from mee Amitie with him is enimitie with my God His loue is hatred because the Image of my Saviour is in mee hee pursueth at my heales but if thou bee with mee who shall bee against mee I can not thinke a good thought of my selfe but shall doe all thinges through thee O Christ who strengthenst mee who is my life resurrection the hope of the afflicted my light in darknesse the wholesome dew of my drye and withered Soule my strength in weaknesse the Physitian of my
Now hee must play the Priest and suffer patientlie his death which hee would not stay Thou should vse poore Soule the opportunitie of the worde verie earnestlie while the raine thereof from Heaven doeth water the dry and thirstie soules of men and whilst it is called to day let vs not barden our hearts The Lord therefore will knowe the inventer of this accusation and in all the History wil haue every mans part knowne in this action I am no Iew said hee cleansing himselfe Thine owne Nation doeth accuse thee I count not for the Messias religion troubles me not so much The Cleargie and Church-men must take heed thereto A liuelie image of wordlings who in the matters of the earth are more thaÌ„ curious But spiritual things are spirituallie decerned For he inquireth not what a King hee was where his Kingdome was that he might haue a part and shâ—re thereof but breakes off in an accusation of Iesus if he was a King The naturall man knoweth not the thinges of the spâ—rit of God 1. Cor. 1.14 for they are fâ—clishnâ—sse to him And therefore Christ taketh the mouth of Pilat to bee witnes that hee was a King Who albeit hee was equall with the Father Phil. 2.6 and thought it no robberie made himselfe of no reputation by taking on him the forme of a servant to his Father to be witnes to the Truth He wold haue hereby wonne Pilat if it had been possible but he was interrupted for the word is euer a sweet odour to God 2. Cor. 2.15 either to salvation or damnation in mercie or Iustice. With great constancie and grauitie without respect of persons doeth Christ answere so should his servants defend Gods honour and not to turne their faile to everie Winde and therefore hee did avouch his Kingdome as anonynted of the Father Psal 2.6 and sat vpon Mâ—unt Syon his holie Mountaine Zac. 9.9 who is just and saued himselfe and his people from their sinnes Mat. 2.21 Blessed is hee that commeth in the Name of the Lord Hosanna Mat. 21.9 thou which art in the highest heavens who hath giuen vs to inherite the Kingdome prepared for vs Mat. 25.34 from the fâ—undation of the world And therefore weak Soule Why art thou affâ—aied Is it of the Devill hee can not hurt one haire of tâ—iâ—e head Mat. 8.31.32 without thy Kings will Art thou troubled with sickenesses At his command they depart Mar. 1.31 Are enemies risen against thee Hee can crushe with a Scepter of Iron Psal 2.9 and breake them in pieces like a Potters vessell Art thou astonished at Death 1. Cor. 15.55 Death is swallowed vp in victorie feare not therefore feeble Soule For it pleaseth the Father to giue thee his Kingdome Luc. 12.32 who can therfore separate thee from the loue of Christ bee perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor thinges present nor thinges to come nor hight nor deepe nor any other creature shal bee able to separate thee from the loue of God Rom. 8.35 38.39 which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for he hath al power in heaven Mat. 11. â—7 and in earth His Kingdome is not subject to change and vanitie but eternall Iohn 3.35 and reacheth aboue the heavens and the earth and the depths therof Ier. 6.7 Therefore poore Soule place thy treasâ—â—e in heaven but alace as the Fountaine casteth out her waters so doe wee cast out our malice Let the world bee crucified to vs and vs to the world Gal. 6.14 For if wee bee dead with him wee shall also liue with him 2. Tim. 2.11.22 if wee suffer with him wee shall reigne with him if wee be therefore troubled with the Children of this vvorld remember my Soule his Kingdome is not of this world Iohn 16.33 in the world thou shall suffer affliction but be of good comfort bee hath overcome the world This his Kingdome is from Sea to Sea Psal 72.8 and to the last parts of the earth and it is governed by the preaching of the Gospel Heb. 2.8 who in place of taking tribute from his subjects Luc. 24.47 hath caried vpon him our sorrowes plagued of God Esay 53.4 and smitten of God and humbled who hath giuen vs eternall goods as Righteousnesse Rom. 14.17 Peace and joye in the holie Ghost And therefore my Soule bee wise serue the Lord in feare and rejoyce in trembling Psal 2.10.11.12 kisse the Sonne least hee bee angrie and thou perish in the way when his wrath shall suddenlie burne blessed are all they that trust in him I came in the world to witnes the Trueth Iohn 14.6 who am the Way Veritie and Life to giue knowledg of salvation vnto my people by remission of their sins Luc. 1.77 that all that beleeue in mee â—ohn 3.15 should not perish but haue everlasting life Hee is therefore not onlie the Teacher of that heavenly wisedome Iohn 3.32 but is also made our wisdome from God 1. Cor. 1. 30 Receiue therefore comfortles Soule receiue his testimonie Hee that receiueth his testimony Iohn 3.33 hath sealed that God is true for hee whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giueth him not the spirit by measure Iohn 8.47 he that is of the Trueth doeth heare his voice be that is not of God Iohn 10.27 heares not Gods word Iohn 12 48. for the word that hee hath spoken shall judge him in the last day Verily he that heareth his word Iohn 5.24 and beleeueth in him that sent him hath everlasting life and shall not come vnto conâ—emnation but hath passed from death vnto Life So Pilat comming from the Common-Hall testified Christs innocencie but herein hee offended that hee did not deliver him who suffred wrong from the band of the oppressor Eccl. 4.9 but was faint hearted when he judged Iam. 1.26 All this while in silence and patience our Saviour possessed his soule vseing great moderation in speeches 1. Pet. 3.10 If thou lay thy injurie poore Soule at Christs feete hee will avenge it if thy wrong hee will repare it 1. Cor. 6.7 if thy sorrow he will care it And therefore learne to suffer wrong and sustaine harme Thy Christ sad Soule is thy patron and Advocate in the presence of God who by his silence hath opened thy mouth giueÌ„ thee libertie to speak for because thou art his son hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into thy heart Gal. 4.9 which cryeth Abba Father Let not therefore thy vnworthinesse dash thee so that thou should bee frighted Therefore come boldlie vnto the Throne of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest receiue mercie and grace in the time of need The third Step of the third degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. NOw must Christ pas to Herod
downe thy Spirit to put vpon my soule that I may awake out of the deep sleep of vnrighteousnesse take the staffe of God in mine hand and never to looke backe with Lots wife Gen. 26. but ever to haue my face towards the new Ierusalem that in the end I may say with thy servant Paul 2. Tâ— 4. â— I haue runne a good race I haue foughten a good fight from this time foorth is the Crowne laid vp for mee Leade mee thorow the snares of this day See my feete vpon a rocke Psal 2. and order my goingâ— Furnish me with wisdome that I may go in and out wiselie before thy people set a watch before my lippes Psal and the doore of my speech let all my speeches bee seasoned with grace and tend to edifieing Let my heart ever be with thee what ever I bee doing beneath And finallie as thou led thy servant Moses vnto mount Pisga and did let him see Canaan a farre off Deut. 34. 1 let my soule delite to walke vpon the mountaine of heavenlie meditations looking a farre off to that heavenlie Canaan while in thine owne good time thou bring mee through the waters of Iordan even through death it self and enter me into that rest Now to my blessed Lord the purchaser of this rest with the Father who from all eternity appointed the same the holie Spirit who daylie confirmeth me in the hope of it bee praise for ever 3 Eph. 1.13 Amen Evening meditation of the second Day O LORD let that same Spirit which indyted thy holy Word whereby thou speakes to my Soule indyte my prayers Rom. 8.26 whereby my soule speaketh to thee thou knowest the voyce of thine owne Spirit but the voyce of a stranger thou wilt not heare I continue my complaint to thy Majestie still lamenting this ignorance and yet remaineth into the mind notwithstanding I am ever endevouring to know thee Who can take thee vp who is such an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit thou dwellest into a light 1. Iohn 4.12 wherevnno man can haue accesse No man can take thee vp by naturall light 1. Cor. 2.14 for the naturall man knoweth not the things that are of God they are foolishnesse vnto him I crave therefore such a measure of that vncreated light even the light of thy Spirit as may breed into the mind a continuall reverence of thee bring the heart to an holie obedience to thee and make all my affections and actions directlie to tend to thy glorie True it is O LORD now and then I haue enjoyed sensiblie this light but ever after humiliation and fervent prayer I am become colde in prayer I seek thee not with that hunger and thirst as I should doe and this maketh my feellings not so frequent Lord stirre vp my spirit that I may seeke thee continuallie with that holie zeale and fervencie that becommeth mee Indeede O LORD these desertions are â—earefull and terrible to fall vnto thy Children Truelie I am most certaine that greater deadnesse darknesse and senselesnesse can not fall vnto a reprobat If the memorie of by past experiences did not comfort me these fearfull desertions wold mak me faint fall a back Lord let not thy servant bee tempted aboue his strength 1. Cor. 10.13 Returne O Lord deliver my soule Psal 119.8 save mee for thy mercies sake forsake mee not over long And if it shall please thee O Lord to hold mee vnder the bitter sense of those fearefull desertions for a time for my further humiliation let this ever bee my greatest griefe that I misse thy presence Teach mee to seeke vncessantlie vntill I finde thee to knocke vntill thou open to call vntill thou answere Psal 39.7 What waite I for O Lord Is not mine hope even in thee Yea let the hope I haue to enjoye thee and thy presence for ever make mee to possesse my soule with the greater patience in the middest of all these feares And now O Lord in this absence from thee albeit the body be here on earth Phil. 3.20 let my conversation ever bee in heaven Giue me grace this night to examine my heart vpon my bed Teach thou my reines in the night Psal 4.4 let mee lye down in thy peace and rest vnder the shadow of thy protection Psal 4.9 Let my bed remember mee of the grave and my rising againe of the last resurrection Make â—ee alwayes wâ—tchfull and suffer not Oyle to bee inlacking to my lampe Mat. 25.8 When my Lord shall come grant I may meet h m with joy ever bee with him in heaven whom my soul hatâ— sought on earth Amen Morning meditation of the third Day O LORD my God if I had eyes to see the miserie of this time wherein I doe live I could take vp both the vniversall defection of the whole world and the particular desolation of my owne soule then would mine eyes bee a fountaine of teares Thy servant David powred out rivers of teares Psal 119.136 when hee did see the wicked not keepe thy Law 2. Pet. 2.8 Lots heart was vexed within him when hee saw the iniquitie of Sodome but alaace Lord I am not so sensible these things are hidde from mee therefore I pray thee remove this vaile that overshaddoweth my soule Act. 9.18 Make the skales to fall from mine eyes that I may take vp those decayes into a clearer light from the Priest to the people Hos 4.9 all haue a part in this defection Where is that wonted zeale to thy glorie Who are they who in singlenesse of heart seeke thee All doe seeke their owne thinges Phil 2.21 but few the things which are Christs Religion which should overrule mens wayes are made a coverture to vice and sinne O Lord demaske them and let them appeare who turne the trueth of GOD into a lie and laboure to cover vngodlinesse with a cloâ—ke of an holie profession Mat. 2.12.13 Take the scourge into thine hand and purge thy Temple put to the door those buyers and sellers who make the house of God a denne of theeves and touch mine heart with a livelie feeling of my particular defects I confesse O Lord I haue fallen from my first love from my former zeale Revel 2.4 from my former care and diligence in thy service Where is the melting hearte the mourning eye the painfull diligence night and day at home and abroad to seek thy face Where I was wont to pray with delite with libertie and with teares now I wearie of prayer I finde no inwarde libertie no softnesse of heart I come vnto thee with a senselesse heart I depart from thee with as senselesse a heart Where my heart was wont to bee pricked at the hearing of thy Worde Act. 2. â— where I was wont to depart from Sermons with great comfort now I finde my selfe neither casten downe nor raised vp Thy Word O Lord worketh not
Christ by election before the world was made Rom. 5.1 Wee are iustified by a livelie Faith the obedience of the sonne of God Rom. 5.16 being imputed vnto vs wee are sanctified through the Spirit 1. Pet. 1.2.22 Iohn 15.3 our soules are purified in obeying the Trueth Wee walke not after the flesh when wee resist covetous cogitations Rom. 8. 1. ambitious desires voluptuous thoughts envious conceits Gal. 5.19.22 malitious purposes or whatsoever else corrupt of olde Adam Wee walke after the Spirit when wee imbrace love wee follow peace and holinesse show longe suffering gentlenesse meekenesse temperance crucifieing the fleshe with the affections and lusts thereof to such as are in Christ there is no condemnation 5. The fifth Fruite wee haue of Christ his Passion is the Wrath of God is pacified Col. 3.6 for as they which obeye not the Sonne shall not see Life but the wâ—ath of God abydeth on them so they which beleeve in the Sonne haue everlasting Life reserved in Heaven for them 1. Pet. 1.4.5 which by the power of God are kept to salvation for his sak God pardoned all our offences and our sinnes and our iniquities will he remember no more Ier. 31 33 34. but will put his Lawes in our mindes and write them in our hearts and will bee our God Esay 42. 1. and wee shall bee his people Mat. 3 17. for hee is his beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who is also our Advocate with the Father if we sinne 1 Iohn 2.1 even Iesus Christ the lust 6. The sixt benefite of Christ his passion is Victorie over Sathan for where sinne is purged Gen. 3.15 and remitted and not imputed where the malediction of the Lawe is abrogated Eph. 2.14 where the second Death is abolished where the wraith of GOD is pacified there the Devill hath nought For Christ by death destroyed him that had power of death Heb. 2.14 that is the Devill that hee might deliver all them which for feare of Death were all their lifetime subiect to bondage For this purpose appeareth the sonne of God 1. Iohn 3.8 that hee might lowse the workes of the Devill wherefore though Sathan bee yet suffered to tempt the children of God yet shal hee neuer bâ—e able to draw them awaye from the state of Salvation because Iohn 18.28 God is saithfull and will not suffer his to bee tâ—mpted aboue their strength but shall in the middest of their tentation make a way that they may bee able to beare it 7. The seventh benefite is Victorie over Death and our freedome from the feare thereof for hee sayeth I will redeeme them from the power of the grave Hos 13.14 I will deliver them from death O Death I will bee thy death O graue I will bee thy destruction Death 1. Cor. 15.55.56 where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie the sting of Death is Sinne and strength of sinne is the Law But thankes be to God who hath given vs victory through the Lord Iesus Christ Now â—y the meanes of the death of Christ death is nothing else but a sweet passage way to eternall life to the faithfull Iohn 8.51 for if any man keepe his word hee shall never see death Let vs therefore couragiouslie follow our Châ—staine the Lord Iesus Christ who as hee did not perish in Death so shall hee not suffer vs to perish neither he is the God of the living Mat. 22.32 and not of the dead that is which cease to be For this is his Fathers will which hath sent him that of all which hee had given him hee shoulde lose none but raise them vp againe at the latter Daye for the things which the eye hath not seene Cor. 2.2 neither eare heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that love Him And finallie besides these singulare benefites by Christs Passion Rom. 5.2 wee haue the same peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding Heb. 2.18 and accesse to this grace wherein wee stande by the mediation of Christ and after this wretched life entrance to behold the glorious and blessed Trinitie in Glorie Maiestie and Eternitie AND now Gentle Reader that wee may make heavenlie and spirituall vse of his sufferings First diligentlie weigh what person in the Deitie did suffer Seâ—ondlie what hee did suffer Thirdlie why hee did suffer And lastlie what our Meâ—iatour requyreth at our hands The Apostle sâ—yeth 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ suffered once for vs that is the Sonne of God and the virgine Marie Iohn 1.14 That Worde which was made fleshe and dwelt amongst vs and wee saw sayeth heeâ— the glorie ther of as the glorie of the onelie begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and trueth And so confesseth Peter Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Sonne of the living God whiâ—h was â—e whoÌ„ when the fulnes of time was come Gal. 4.4 GOD sent foorth made of a woman and made vnder the Law Iohn 7.14 for his name is Immanuel being a child borne to vs and a Sâ—nne given vs Esay 9.6 whose governement is vpon his shoulder whose name is wonderfull Eph. 3.9.10 Counsellour to the mightie God everlasting Father the Prince of peace But we should rather adore the Hypostaticall vnion and Incarnation of the sonne of God than searche it by our shallow braines anxiouslie for the minde and vnderstanding of man cannot reach to it much lesse can it bee expressed by tongue yea and the verie Angells admired 1. Tim. 3.16 that the eternall sonne of God that did take the shape of a servant Phil. 2.7.8 and willinglie yeelded himselfe to the ignominious death of the Crosse But why was thy Mediator both God and man If hee had beene man onelie hee could not haue satisfied the Iustice of God so should our Redemption haue beene vnperfyte and not sufficient for he suffered in that nature 1. Pet. 4. 1. that could suffer that is the flesh Yet because of that strait vnion of both the natures in Christ wee may convenientlie say God to haue beene dead and crucified for the sonne of man and purchased his Church Act. 20.28 by his owne Bloode Now then because thy Mediator is God hee can free thee from death and Hell 1. Tim. 2.5 and because hee is man bone of thy bone and fleshe of thy fleshe hee is sensible of thy miserie for wee haue not a high Priest Heb. 4.15 which can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all thinges tempted in like sort yet without sinne goe therefore boldly vnto the throne of grace that thâ—u mayest finde mercie and receiue grace to helpe in time of neede But why did God perfyte this great worke of our Redemption from Sinne by the death of his Son not by other meanes besides that it pleased God to declare his
By the Passion of Iesus Christ And first wherein the holie and saving meditation thereof consisteth secondly which bee the principall parts of the Historie whereof some not all are handled THat worthely thou mayest vnder-stand these two thinges are necessarie First the knowledge of the History which is common to the Elect and the Reprobat Secondlie the spirituall notice and application thereof to thy selfe The first is necessarie for all that purpose to be saved but it is not enough and sufficient For how canst thou apply the passion of the Lord Iesus to thy selfe vnlesse thou be instructed therein Rom. 10.14 For how can they call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued And how can they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard And how shall they heare without a Preacher Iohn 8.56 Abraham had long agoe cognition heereof as Christ witnesseth Your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day and hee saw it and was glad So David in his 7.2 Psal and manie moe as if he had bene staÌ„ding by that wooden crosse and heard these words of Christs own mouth And Esay in his 53. hath clearlie the historie of the Passion as if he had beene at Golgotha in proper person yet this historicall knowledge doth shoot short For the Devils beleeue Iam. 1. and they tremble that is haue a simple naked knowledge Our looking vp to Heaven doth not transport vs thither So that bare knowledge doeth not joyne thee with GOD vnlesse there be added a spirituall mediâ—ation and speciall application of his death to thy selfe such as was in Abraham David and Esaias The Priestes and Elders the Pharisees Scribes and their servantes Pilate Herod and Iudas and innumerable moe knew this Historie whereof they were presidents and actours but never one of them voide of fault shall bee saved Heb. 11.6 yea it hade beene more tolerable to them never to haue seene nor heard of Christ Iohn 8 24. which maketh them the more inexcuseable For if hee bad not come and declared his Fathers will Mat. 11.21 they would haue had some clocke to pretend but now they haue none Remember all thy life-time is short Iam. 4.14 and insufficient for the true knowledge of this so high a mysterie of salvation which cannot be accordingly â—o the worth thereof expressed by any mortall and neither canst thou be fully ravished in admiration heereof It is not the saving vse of this Tragicall historie often to speake of it or with teares and lamentations Iohn 14. Luc. 23. or such humane feeling and sense to bewaile that the most righteous Sonne of God should haue vndergone such cruell and vndeserved punishmentes a most shamefull death it selfe much lesse to fall out in bitter imprecations and spitefull cursings against Pilate or Iudas remnant which contriued this innocent Lambes death but it should pearse deeper in thine heart and soule that his grace assisting draw and moue thee to earnest repentance 2. Cor. 10. not to be repented of patience in affliction thankfulnesse and brotherlie loue to abhorre and detest sinne for which our Saviour was so tormented never to dispare since for thy sake hee hath given him out of the deepe and gulfe of his love who was his enemie but seeing whilst thou was a sinner Rom. 5.8 Christ died for thee much more beeing now justified by his Blood shall thou bee saved from wrath through him For thou mayest bee perswaded that if when thou was a foe was reconcealed to God by the death of his Son Rom. 8.32 much more beeing reconcealed shalt thou bee saued by his Life for bee that gaue thee his Sonne will not hee giue thee all things also Especiallie during the time of thy life carie a thankfull heart to thy Redeemer that for maintainance and defence of his glorie Act. 21. â— thou would suffer all calamitie and miserie whatsoeuer yea death it selfe thus if it were possible to make a requitall to him But alwayes which is most acceptable in his sight by true faith establish thy confidence that after all the distresses of this wretched world are finished thy Redeemer shall stand the last on the earth Iob. 1 25.26 and though after thy skinne wormes destroy thy bodie yet shalt thou see GOD in thy flesh whom thou thy selfe shall see and thy eyes shall behold and none other for thee and so enjoye eternall felicitie with thy Christ in the Heavens who shall bee All in All. THE FIRST STEPPE in this Ladder to ascend are of thinges which went before his Crosse HERE consider my Soule how hee was betrayed by Iudas with a kisse Mat. 26.48 Whose delight was to be with the children of men Pro. 8.31 Accused of the Iewes who is the Iudge of the World Condemned vnder Pilate who would all to be saued 1. Tim. 2.4 and come to the knowledge of Trueth Crucified between two malefactors who is among the middest and in the middest of two or three gathered in his Name his Soule sore troubled Luc. 2.25 who is the consolation of his owne secrete ones his heart grieved who is the joye and mirth of his Elect Psal 66.1 his Bodie tormented with the nailing of his blessed Hands and Feete who created the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 32 18. Psal 110 1. and these bee the workes of his hands whose enemies shall bee made his foote-stoole With the pearcing of his gracious side which yeelded streames of Iordan-like blood Mat. 26.28 and water to cleanse our leprosie whereof one drop was sufficient satisfaction for infinite worlds be reason of the personall vnion of the Deitie therewith 1. Pet. 1.12 The bespitting and beating of that Face on which the Angels of the Heaven take pleasure to behold So the Son of God the Lord of glorie the Prince of peace was hainouslie ignominiouslie and cruellie entreated of miserable miscreants so hee which knew no sinne was made a sacrifice for sinne 2. Cor. 5.21 that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God through him The Devill the prince of this world albeit a Lyar Iohn 8.44 a man-slayer from the beginning came and found in him nothing Iohn 8.46 yea who could rebuke him of sinne Now if the vaile of the Temple of senslesse stones was rent if the Earth did tremble which of it selfe was so firmelie sounded Psal 104.4 that it could not bee moued to condole the manifestatioun of that strange passion and hard Rockes raue asunder which thunder-boltes and Earthquakes could not divide If these creatures I say voyde of reason and sense expressed their sorrow reverence and obedience thus to their Creator Phil. 2.8 who had emptied and abased himselfe so to bee handled by the children of darknesse how can it be but thou my Soule who did the same and for whome it was done should bee much affected and feelinglie take to heart these vndeserved favours purchased for thee thy Bowells
haue casten them to the lowest hell for hee is the Lord that searcheth the hearte and reines Thus they bound him they play thy part sinfull Soule as Dalilia in behalfe Iudg. 16.5 of the Philistims bound Sampson and thus did David confesse in our name Behold Lord Psal 116.16 for I am thy servant I am thy servant and the sonne of thine hand-maide thou hast broken my bones Wee should not raile on the Iewes but detaste our sinnes which bounde our Sauiour Wee were allas bound by the setters of sin and death to loose our bonds and bring vs out of captivitie Was hee thus intreated his captivitie was our libertie his ignâ—minie is our glorie his voluntarie infirmitie is Gods power to our salvation Thus we are saued through the Blood of the Covenant â—ach 9.11 Hee hath loosed the Prisoners out of the Pit wherein there was no water Psal 124.7 our soule hath escaped euen as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler the snare is broken and wee are delivered our helpe is in the Name of the Lord that made heaven and earth who delivered vs I say from the power of darknesse Col. 1.13 and translated vs in the Kingdome of his Sonne and glorious libertie of his adopted inheritance When thou poore Soule feeles thy selfe fast tyed with the snares of thy sins haste thee to Christ who biddeth all come that are wearie and laden Mat. 11.28 that hee may râ—lieue them And this deliverance from sinne Sathan hath hee sealed vp vnto vs by his holy Sacraments as vndoubted pledge earnest thereof Hee that shall beleeue and be baptized Mar. 16.16 shall be saved As the other This is the Blood of the New-Testament that is shed for many Mat. 26.28 for the remission of Sinnes And therefore carefullie shouldst thou beware of Sinne that beeing made free from it Rom. 6.18 thou be the servant of Righteousnesse for as Sampson often bound Iudg. 16.22 at last was made a mocke to the of Philistims so beeing loosed from the cordes and grinnes of sinne must not serue our own concupiscence but liue the life of God least wee bee bound hand and foote Mat. 22.13 and cast out into vtter darknesse But heere deare Soule meditate to learne Patience whereof thou hast much need Heb. 10.36 that after thou hast done the will of God thou mayst receiue the promise for if wrongouslie thou bee committed or bound or if the Lord to daunt and chastise thy corrupt nature suffer the bonds of sicknesse povertie or other whatsoever adversitie to bee laid on thee Christe knoweth and hath felt the same himself and hath learned to remember them that are in bonds Heb. 13. â— as though he were bound with them and them that are in affliction as if bee were afflicted in the bodie And if it come to passe as alas thou often dost cast fetters of sinne of thine owne accord vpon thy selfe giue not over nor despare but then most of all direct the eye of Faith to beholde Christ that was bound Zach. 12. who doeth sanctifie thy captivie and satisfieth for all thy sinnes by his captivitie Indeed the binding of him made all his Disciples to flie oblivious of the oath that they made at the entrie to the Garden for besides that Christ had truelie foretold them they would all leaue him so was it not in mans power to presever in goodnesse wee are so weake to resist and easie to fall The faithfull must goe out of themselves and judge themselves as â—roken vessels for as the sting of the smallest pinne doth make the wind in a blowne bladder to burst out so the least temptation will overthrow the strongest Champion if wee bee not guarded with mercy and vpholden by the Lord. Deseâ—tion is dangerous thinke modestlie therefore of thy selfe yea bee that thinkes he standeth 1. Cor. 10.12 beware least bee fall The Disciples did flee I say Christ had no helper nor support in this businesse that all the glorie praise thereof might be his Esay 6.33 who did tread the winepresse alone neither is there salvation in any other Act. 4.12 neither is there any name given vnder Heaven amongst men by which we must bee saved And as the first Adam merited by his rebellion that all the creatures should fall from his obedience yea and to make insurrection against him so it behoued our Suretie and Cautioner to bee left of all that by his obedience all our debt being payed we might bee receiued in favour and with all the Sainctes to be made free Denisanes and Citizens in Heaven He then that loosed Lazarus foure dayes dead from the bonds of death Iohn 11.39 and Peter froÌ„ the yron bondes in prison and them that dwell in darkenesse and in the shadow of death being bound in miserie and yrons so that bee broke the gates of Brasse Psal 107.10.13 burst the bars of yron asunder could he not loose himself for the loue hee caried to thee hee would not for he knew that God would raise him vp Act. 1.24 and loose the sorrowes of death because it was impossible that bee shoulde bee holden of it Act. 8.28 for they did nothing but whatsoever thine holie hand O Lord and thy counsell had determined before to be done But thou O God verilie hydest thy selfe Esay 45.15 O Saviour of Israel Say thou therefore my Soule I greatlie rejoyce in the Lord and my soule shall bee joyfull in my God Esay 61.10 for bee hath cloathed mee with the garments of saluation and covered me with the robe of righteousnesse hee hath decked me like a Bride-groome and as a Bride tyeth her selfe with her Iewels For thy Christ is to preach good tydings vnto thee Esay 61.4 to bind vp the broken hearted to preach libertie to the captiues and to them that are bound the opening of the prison But before thou passe the Garden and his bondes meditate the resemblance of the first and second Adam the first was accompanied with Eua Gen. 3.22 the second alone left of all his owne for Adam did not alone sin but Christ alone payed the price of our redemption The first Adam beeing thrust out that hee should not haue regresse a firie sword was appointed to stay him from entrie but our second Adam was smitten yet Paradice opened To what purpose should the Garden bee keeped when the Tree of Life which is Iesus Christ that giueth immortalie is caried from the Garden Now is there no more the wrath of God but Reconciliation no Vengeance but Mercie no Hatred but Loue with this Tree of Life which is made a Sacrifice for vs purchased to vs all THE THIRD STEP of the ascension of the Soule by meditation of those things which were done in the house of Annas Father in Law to Caiaphas Mat. 26. ANd now here sicke Soule consider wel Christs presentatioÌ„ Iohn
tribunall seat of God to receiue what wee haue done in this flesh good or badde The verie Romanes Lysias Faelix Festus had a conscience of the innocencie of Paul who had onelie the light of Nature but they had light by the word yet the malice of their hearts put out that illumination corruption blotted it Whence it coÌ„meth of Gods just judgment that all conscience is scraped out and they became like beastes fell into a Reprobate sense What euer was the Iews part or Herods or Pilates the Lord had his decree therein will haue his onely begotten Son to die for the sinnes of the world But look to the Lords dispensation hee will haue the Iudge protesting his innocencie hee will haue the hearts of the accusers hardned to sue after Christes blood for if their coÌ„science had bin wakened it had not beene so Consider here my Soule how willingly Christ came vnto his passion not that he did smite crucifie himself but that he did not gainst and the wickednesse of the Iewes nor approuing their impiety but wisely disponing the benefit that should redowned thereby One and the same was the passion of Christ but the actions intentions in God the Iewes farre different and diverse but euen amongst the Iewes and Governours was there lesser greater sins in this action He that delivered thee vnto me Iohn 19.11 hath the greater sinne yet thou Pilate art sinfull in this businesse also all sinnes are not alike as all the glorie is not alike 1. Cor. 15.41 for one star differeth from another in glorie In my Fathers house said hee there are many dwelling places Iohn 14.2 Now then Pilate beleeued hee had done amisse as he did in deede when hee had scourged the Sonne of God hee knew nothing but vvhat nature furnished him yet his conscience within him did tell him powerfullie that be ought to feare and honour God This naturall spunck of light is left to bridle man from sinne but it will not hold vs Rom. 2.14 beeing so weake in the feare of God yet if it had beene taken away wee should be more miserable than the brutish beastes Psal 49.20 Trust neuer to nature but striue to acquire grace by the holie Spirit Luc. 11.13 who ouercoÌ„meth the caÌ„ker of the hart This Pilate hath glances and glimmerings of ChristiaÌ„ vertues but they evanished WheÌ„ the Lord giueth light Iohn 1.4 boweth the heart establishing grace in it and grace abiding with thee thou art not farre from the Kingdome of heaven but is happie blessed in deede Now Pilate in anger beginneth directlie against Christ whom oftimes before he had pronounced innocent because hee had not answered him with insolent bragging glorying of the power that he had aboue him falling out in blasphemie against God his hart being never truely renewed Act. 8.23 nor hauing any feare reverence to Iesus but being ful of the gall of bitternesse claimed vnto himselfe an absolute power which God hath not giuen neither to man nor Angel Rom. 13.1 for it is proper to himself but a power restrained limited by Gods Law Naturall men in high places hauing power froÌ„ God without sanctification Tit. 3.3 are but mad men as here he protesteth that Iesus was innocent and now that he had power to doe with him what hee pleased which is in effect to be a murtherer for what else is hee who will take the life from an Innocent pride in his heart made his mouth so foolish 1. Pet. 5.5 The proud dishonour the Majestie of God therefore caused hee his lips to speake to his shame to accuse himselfe but woe vnto them Esay 5.21 that call euil good and good euill The Magistrate is the ordinance of God indeede Rom. 1.3.4 to punish the guiltie 1. Pet. 2.13.14 and maintaine the righteous as Christ sayeth Thou shouldest haue no power Psal 82.6 vnlesse it were giuen thee from aboue But because Pro. 8.15 Kings doe reigne by God they should therefore vse their power accord ng to his will And happie are Iudges if they follow the direction of Iâ—hosaphat King of Iuda 2. Chro. 19 6. who said to the Iudges whom he had set ouer his Cities Take heede what ye doe for ye execute not the judgements of man but of God and hee will bee in the cause of judgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you take heede and doe it for there is none iniquity with the Lord our God neither respect of persons nor receiuing of rewards And although Tyrants and wicked men as Pilate was haue power from aboue yet the wise God can vse it to the glorie of his Name as he did by the hand of Nabuchodonazar King of Babel Ier. 27.6.7 his servant And heere Pilate deceiueth himselfe beleeuing hee had his power of Caesar only Christ did holde his peace before but now wil speak in defence of his Fathers honour and make him vnderstand albeit he was in his haÌ„ds yet he was in Gods hands also without whose speciall dispensation nothing can bee done 1. Sam. 14.45 as is evident in Saul and Ionathan for it was not in Sauls hands to kill him howsoeuer he had giuen out sentence against him Hee ordained that Agag should liue 1. Sam. 15.33 but Samuell killed him For Gods eternall decree and power over-ruleth all which while men wil not acknowledge Dan. 4.29 they become like beasts God wil never denude himselfe of his owne power Esay 10.15 for what was Ashur but an Axe or a Saw in the hand of the Sawer or a rod and staffe which should not exalt it selfe as if were no wood But O Ashur Esay 10.5 the rod of my wrath I will send him to a dissembling Nation I will giue him a charge against the people of my wrath Neither is it amisse that wicked men should haue power to hurt to try the patience of the godlie and punish the iniquitie of the wicked But heere is thy comfort my Soule that Tyrantes doe not according to their pleasure perverse wil rage against the Saintes but when and how far it pleaseth God by speciall permission and yeelding grant to them for the Lord hath put a bounds vnto them which they can not exceed for while they abuse their power to tyrannie Exod. 14.28 the higher they ascend the nearer destruction they are For they are rods Act. 12.23 which when the wrath of God doeth relent and our punishmentes are ended shal be burnt with euerlasting fire as in Pharaoh and Herod is evident Christ submitteth him to the power which hee acknowlegded Pilate to haue of God and so should subjectes not so much looke to men as to God who hath armed them vvith that power which is the ground of our obedience to Magistrates when wee see Gods providence to over-rule all things for they are but
vengeance But this mylde Lambe of God Heb. 12.24 the Mediator of the new Covenant his blood speaketh better thinges than those Hee regarded not the injurie shame and paine hee was in and forgotte not to haue pittie on them that cruelly tormented him Hee suffered together with them of whom he did suffer hee cured them that wounded him and procured life for them that killed him And therefore by this his prayer full of Majestie Hee was heard in that which he feared for he is his beloved Sonne Mat. 17.5 in whom hee is well pleased But heere diligentlie consider what was the companie he was crucified with for hee came not to saue the just Mat. 9.13 but sinners an example whereof he manifested in sauing of one of the Theeues touched with repentance wherof his faith confession gaue notice So is hee on the Crosse as if hee were in that great Daye of judgment giuing out sētence of salvation to the Elect and condemnation to the Reprobate Perillous is it to delay Repentance and to promise our selves securitie to the last day It is a fooilsh thing to neglect the maters that concerneth eternity in glory or pain imbrace the changable occasions of this world which is all put in evil The priviledge of a few is not a lavv to all yet where vndoubted signes of Gods grace goodnesse doeth appeare there may Christian charitie interprete vnfained repentance to follow for there is neither measure nor tyme can bee appointed to the Lordes mercie For what day soeuer a Sinner shall repent hee shall liue EZek. 18.22 not die As this Malefactor did confesse Christs immortality in that hee desired to bee remembred when hee came to his Kingdome who had takē the life of others before The Lord being tyed to the Crosse hands and feete and nothing free but Heart and Tongue which hee gaue to that Penitent who by the bear beleeued to righteousnesse and by the tongue confessed to saluation Rom. 10. By Faith he did see that Christ should reigne whom he did see die vvith him By Hope he looked for an entrie to his Kingdome by Loue defended the innocencie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ against the reproach of his fellow Great is this his Faith Who had taught him had hee seene miracles who had bene kept in prison either of giving sight to the blind or raising of the dead yet he confessed him to be an euerlasting King who was companion to him in punishmēt despising the present paine praying for things to come requiring rather to be exemed from eternall judgement thā delivered frō tēporall punishment sorrowing and longing for that that hee hoped for thā feele that that he suffred In Christs extreamities hee beleeued in him and was not ashamed to haue the Iewes witnesses of his Faith vvho railed on Christ in the midst of all the scandals and reproaches of the people and now when Christ was in his weakest most miserable estate vvhat didst thou see sinfull convert to aske heere for a Kingdome thou hadst onlie before thine eyes the Crosse and the Nailes O! but the crosse is the ensigne of a Kingdome and it is the duetie of a King even to expone his life for his Subjectes As the good shep-heard doeth his Soule for his sheepe Ioh. 10.11 Gen. 17.1 Gen. 18.3 Abraham beleeved but taught from heaven and by the Angels which came vnto to him Esay 6.1 And Esaias but hee saw the Lord sitting vpon his Throne and lifted vp and the lower parts thereof filled the Temple Ezekiel beleeued but hee saw the Lord vpon the Cherubines Ezek. 1.4 and so did the other Prophetes but after diuerse manners God spake Heb. 1.1 Moses beleeved but the Lord spake vnto him out of the burning Bush but none of these occasions did this penitent haue but saw no Majestie of glorie but equality of paine hee saw him tormented but worshipped him as if he had beene in glorie hee saw him on the Crosse but praised his Saviour as if hee hadde sitten in the heavens hee saw him cōdemned yet acknowledged him to bee a free and absolute King and wold not shrinke but died in that profession in spyte of all the the argumentes that Sathan could object or flesh and blood vrge in the contrarie Truelie Faith is the gift of God Eph. 2.8.9 that no man should boast himselfe Therefore should wee pray Lord increase our Faith So where Sin aboundeth Grace super-aboundeth The Lord is more ample in his grace than hee in his prayer hee gaue more than hee could seeke Hee sought to bee remembred when hee came into his Kingdome but the Lord promised that this day hee should be with him in Paradise O the great goodnes of God! vnspeakeable is thy fauour towardes them whome thou lovest Thou as the bright Sun hast made thy hote beames to shine vpon our soules therby to draw vs to the Knowledge of Thee and to warme our heartes that wee may loue Thee Expell this darknesse O Lord wherewith our heartes is replenished and thaw by the heate of thy mercie the frozen condition of our soules that they may melt considering that euerlasting and vnsearchable favour thou hast borne towards mankind The third Step in the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. ONelie Iohn and some vvomen in great cōstancie did attēd Christ on the crosse Whose grace was sufficient for them 2. Cor. 2.9 whose power is made perfect through weaknesse in whose infirmities the power of Christ is showne who tooke pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions anguish for Christs sake For when they were weake then were they made strong That is true friendship which is founded in God whose knot is Christ they that bee touched with the sense of the miserie of his members shal neuer lacke that is good Marie the Virgine Marie Cleophas Marie Magdalene accōpanied were inspectors of this lamentable spectacle his owne Mother he called Iohn whom hee ever loued his Mother he honoured wold haue her provided for for he knew it spoken by Simeon that the sworde should passe through her Soule Luc. 2.35 and with the eye of mercie did see her wrestling with such calamities He especially of singulare favour looked on her because shee loued mee Psal 91.14.15 therefore will I deliver her because shee hath knowne my Name So did David fugitiue from the face of Saul commend his parents to the King of Gath. But the obedience promptitude and alacritie of Iohn in receiuing his Mother declareth the willing heart of a Disciple to accomplish the minde of his Master so he acquited loue for loue Nothing is comparable to the sense of the loue of God in the heart of man If it had beene no more than natural love Marie wold neuer haue followed her Sonne to such a vile death if shee had not belieued that that Death shuld
is a new buriall place that hee will bee laide in so a renewed heart by the Spirit is his dwelling place for hee can not rest in the ludging of that soule that hath sold it selfe to sinne as he will haue also a cleane a pure bodie as a winding-sheete to bee wrapped in as sweetly smelling savours of Vertues Faith Repentance Loue Patience c. joyned thereto To the mouth of this Buriall doe they rolle a great stone by the Lordes providence to stop the mouthes of his enemies Eph. 1.19 for it was hee that raised him from death to life wherein most of all thinges his power did appeare And this vvas done in the preparation to the Sabbath For as God the Father perfected the work of creation then so the Sonne hath accomplished the work of redemption and did rest the Sabbath from his worke 1. Cor. 15.24 shall giue sweete securitie and peace to our bodies and soules Novv hast thou woefull Soule the accomplishment of the Prophets concerning his buriall Psal 16.9 that his flesh should rest in peace and the type of Ionah perfected â—â—y 53.9 And therefore seeing in Christ by Christ our sinnes are buried let vs not digge them vp againe of new Math. 12.39 but since wee are buried with him by Baptisme vnto his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so wee also should walke in newnes of life And albeit our buriall was a part of the punishment inflicted to Adam Gen. 3.19 that he shuld turne to dust yet now they are not filthie prisoÌ„ houses of the body but glorious Bed-chambers of the Sonne of God from whence hee shall raise vs to that heavenlie inheritance Esay 57.2 after that wee haue sleeped a little while therin for hee hath sanctified them by the vertue and power of his buriall Dan. 12.2 For as hee caried our sinnes in his Bodie vpon the tree so hath hee hidde them in the graue with himselfe to the vvhich place we must ever send Sathan when hee shall trouble and assault our vveake consciences with the terrible face of Sinne. For Ionas being cast in the sea it was quieted So Christs resting in the womb of the earth as in a whales bellie doeth mitigate the Lordes anger For as Death now hath beene pursued by Christ to the utermost yea euen vnto the graue and bovvels of the earth so can it not hurt Iohn 5.24 but greatlie benefite the beleeuers to eâ—ernall life And therefore nowe mayst thou boldly say Phil. 1.23 I desire to bee dissolved and bee with Christ The second Step of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven on the buriall of Christ Iesus our Saviour WHile Ioseph and Nicodemus thus handled the glorious Bodie of Iesus laide it in the Graue the women that followed him heavie hearted looking on that spectacle yet had they great hope to see him rise againe when the graue was closed with sadnes joy mixt together prepared for embalming of him The third day following the morow was the Sabbath wherein they rested the third day Christ did rise before they came they disappointed of their commendable intention wherein shined their godlines Liberalitie Loue Diligence Abilitie and more than manlie fortitude 1. Cor. 1.17 whereby God to his glorie out of the weakest instruments doeth effectuate great things For as they were going to the Graue the Lord of glorie sent an Angel to tell the resurrection to these women An Angel vvas a witnes before the women and the womeÌ„ before the men which rolled away the stone from the doore of the Graue For neither in death nor in buriall the God-head had uttered it selfe but in the resurrection it brake out And therefore the Lord hauing respect to the weakenes of these women which were not so able to remoue the stone did send an Angel that when they came they should see that Christ was risen froÌ„ the dead They heard before that the third day hee should rise but they beeing weake in Faith were supplied by the Angel vvho testified of his resurrection The Lord did promise to make an everlasting Covenant with his people of the sure mercies of David Esay 55.3 Therefore sayd hee Act. 13.34 It behoued the Lord to rise from death for mercie had never continued if Christ had not risen For all the promises of God are in him Yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 For hee would not suffer his holie One to see corruption â—sal 16.10 Had hee not risen his Bodie behoued to rotte but God did raise him vp who said Psal 2.7 Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee Esay 538. And who is able to count his Generation for hee is that everlasting Essence albeit hee died hee arose to liue without end And now my Soule since thou art dead with Christ Col. 2.20 and risen with him Seeke these thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Sette thy affections on thinges which are aboue Col. 3. 1.2.3 not on things which are on earth for thou art dead and thy life is hid with God in Christ When Christ which is thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with him in glorie Be carefull therfore to get this excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whoÌ„ couÌ„t al this losse that thou mayst winne Christ mayst be found in him not hauing thine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law Phil. 3.8.9.8.10 but that which is through Faith of Christ that thou mayst know him I say and the vertue of his resurrectioÌ„ and the fellowshippe of his afflictions and hee made conformable vnto his death if by any meanes thou mayst attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Let thine heart â—ee filled with the vvord and promises of salvation that it may be established by grace And now seeing Christ is thy riches thy treasure all that thou staÌ„dest in need of let thy heart be where hee is Ascend with him liue in this vvorld as not liuing here for thy conversation is in heaven it is not thou now that liuest Gal. 2.20 but Christ that liueth in thee and in that that thou liuest in the flesh vntill thine appointed time thou liuest by Faith in the Son of God who loued thee 1. Cor. 6.17 and hath giuen himself for thee Be thou therefore joyned to the Lord that thou mayest bee one spirit with him And behold as in a mirror the glorie of the Lord with open face and be changed in the same image froÌ„ glorie to glorie 2. Cor. 3.18 as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let all thy vnderstanding vvisedome cogitation and memorie bee bent on him vvho is risen and Death shall no more prevaile over him Poure out thy best affections on him Bee sorowfull to offend him Rejoyce in
woundes salue for my sores whose mercies are infinitelie more than my detestable sinnes can bee I haue wandred alace like a lost sheepe Good Sheepheard seeke mee and bring me home againe O Lambe of God who taketh away the sinnes of the world let the light of thy countenance shine on me and looke on mee as thou didst on Peter By dying thou hast overcome Death and brought agâ—ine Life by rysing therefrom If I had the knowledge of Angels and all my members were converted into tongs never should I be able worthily to magnifie the boweles of thy compassion extended to mee wretched sinner which passeth all vnderstanding Thou didst not take deare Christ the Angels but the seed of Abraham beeing made like vnto mee in all things Sinne excepted which nature thou hast glorified in the heavens Now since it is humane nature wherein thou raignest I beleeue also to reigne and bee glorified with thee And albeit my sins hinder me in the constant course of my Salvation yet thy loue this Commnuion and coniunction taketh all lettes out of the way Thou art not so hard O Lord as to despise mee since thy Sonne hath caried my nature vnto heaven Canst thou forget that which thou hast fast by thee No truelie thou art slow to anger full of mercie with thee is plentifull redemption Most louing art thou for no man hateth his owne flesh at any time thou O God louest thy Sonne and they that are his which are risen with him and placed by Faith hope in heavenlie places I was not worthie to bee thy servant but thou hast made mee thy Sonne and fellow-Heire with my Brother Christ Consider the paines of my Redeemer and pardon the redeemed his offences Why did he so obedientlie suffer the punishment of disobedience but onelie to saue mee and thine Elect There was no goodnesse in mee that could induce thee to the same it was thy bountie and free mercie and now thine hand is not shortned but it can saue mee Wil thou then try thy power against straw and stubble against mee who am but a shaddow and lighter than vanitie My sinnes are alwayes in my sight still representing before me thy anger I feele the grievous burthen of them thy iudgements against them but thou will not the death of a Sinner but that hee should turne and liue Enter not therefore in iudgement with mee O Lord for no flesh shall bee iustified in thy sight for thy Christ whom I imbrace by a true Faith is made vnto mee righteousnes wisedome and redemption To whom with thee and the holie Ghost bee all glorie and praise for euer Amen A PRAYER BEFORE the Communion WOunderfull must thy loue bee O Lord towards mee poore and miserable Sinner that thou woldest haue thy deare and onelie Sonne to suffer all tormentes and death for mee and to take vpon him all my infirmities and miseries yet not contented therewith wouldest haue the remembrance of this thy great mercie least it should be forgotten razed out of mine heart and that my Faith should not waxe faint sith thy Sonne hath ascended vp to Heaven after a strange and wonderfull manner fed and nourished mee and distilled in mee that spirituall Life by the meanes of his Bodie making the Crosse the wine-presse out of the which those grapes liquor of eternall life are drawne out Giue me thy holy Spirit that I may haue streÌ„gth against Sathan the World the Flesh Grant spirituall life to abide in mee as the branches hath that naturall from the wine that forsaking my selfe louing of my selfe I may liue in thee by thee and for thee vntill I come vnto thee where I shall see thee face to face True it is O Lord no reasoÌ„ can reach to this spirituall food but Faith onely doeth goe through for by those visible Elements I dâ—e apprehend spirituall and invisible graces and that not by imagination for as Breade doeth nourish the body so doest thou O Christe the soule And as Flesh is a substance so thou Sonne of God incarnate is the cause of this substantiall nourishment of my soule As life is in the bodie so Christ by his Blood shall giue mee life and is my life the condition estate of my flesh my blood and my whole life was more than miserable but by throgh and in thee O Christ all things were restored and made perfect in me The forebidden blood of beastes in the Law should make me shunne a brutish and a beastlie life But thy Blood teacheth mee to liue a Christian holie righteous and sober life For it is not nowe I that liueth but thou in mee who is only consubstantiall with the Father and holy Ghost yea this vnion I haue with thee by true faith as the head with the members an vnion I say of affections wittes participation of heavenlie and eternall blessednesse that I liue not to my selfe but to thee O Lord who loued me and gaue thy selfe for me For they that liue on sweet meates haue sweete breath so they haue a sweet odour in all their words works who taste of this spirituall and heavenlie food in whome Christe doeth spiritually dwell by faith O Christ thy manhood was seene on earth but the God-head not at all yet did great wonderfull things without changing or coÌ„founding of natures so in these Symboles Christs bodie I see not which notwithstanding worketh in me a beginning and grouth of renovation The body of the Sunnes light aboue is in it selfe whole albeit it bee dispersed heere beneath so thou O Christ is aboue in heaven whole yet dost communicate to everie belieuer to bee partaker of thy Body and Blood but diminution or weakening of thy selfe which thou offeredst for me weak not inclosed in me when thou is receiued of mee without any dishonour at all to thy Maiestie when thou commeth vnto this my sinfull cottage hauing mine heart to be thy Temple and dwelling place who filleth the heavens and the earth thy Footstoole O happy is he that doth eate the flesh of my Lord and Saviour with earnest desire to obey his will and stayeth on his promises trusting alwayeâ— on him In this earth am I partaker of Christ by the helpe of his word Sacraments But in heaven aboue without any externall meanes I shall feede on that heavenlie Breade and drinke of that spirituall drinke feeling in effect his presence and enioying that glorious life fulfilled in the Kingdome of God where I shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on mee neither any heate For thou O Lambe which is in the midst of the Throne shall governe mee and lead me vnto the liuelie fountaines of waters And thou sweete Saviour shall wype away all teares from my eyes O happy day when I shall feede on that heavenlie Manna the food of thy holy Angels in that Paradise and thrise happie am I in Christ to taste of the sweetnesse of the life
to come I doe refuse the deceitfull pleasures of this world and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God than enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season Reioyce thou one of that flocke on whom it hath pleased the Father to giue a Kingdome Thou art my good Shepheard who feedeth mee with thy owne Blood that I may liue by thy life For they that liue by the infected and poysoned blood of olde Adam only are more miserable than beastes Prepare O Lord in me loue and repentance make mee cleane and purifie mine heart by Faith the onely receptacle and mansion of thy presence to receiue such a pretious Guest Put on mee the wedding Garment sith thou deare Husband Iesus will ioyne vnite thy selfe to mee never heereafter on thy part to bee dissevered make mee beware of Hypocrisie and couÌ„terfaite dealing in approaching with my body but my heart farre off betraying thee againe with a Iudas kisse The pure the contreâ—te and broken heart for the sence of Sinne laden and wearie are here invited by thee who wil not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flaxe such are eased and find rest to their soules And because none oblation pleaseth thee without reconciliation with my Brother I make an attonement with him forget and forgiue him as I hope to be forgiven for his sake who hath come vnder the poore roofe of my soule by participation of his bodie on earth beginning alreadie a life in mee in heaven for whom haue I there but thee whom can I desire on earth beside thee The Israelites did eate that Manna and died but they that eate this heavenlie food shall never perish But after thou hast guided me by thy counsell wil receiue me to glorie Adams forbidden tree procured death but by thee is everlasting life agreeing heaven with earth Men with Angels as it is the fulnes of Ioy to behold thy Face feele thy presence so let my soule haue a liuelie feeling of comfort in my Christ with a growing strength in grace and in the saving knowledge of thee my God and not to losse a good conscience for the trash of this world and as thou willes me to remember thy Sonnes death O Fâ—ther bee thou as thou hast promised and wilt performe mindfull of mee in the riches of thy mercie to the ending of my life in Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee praise and honour for now and euer So bee it A Prayer and Thankesgiuing afâ—er the receiuing of the holy Supper of our LORD O LORD GOD Father Almightie I yeelde thee heartie thankes for thine inestimable loue and favour towards mee miserable Sinner not onely for that I haue my being moving and living in thee and from thee but also because it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie to redeeme me from eternall damnation wherein I was cast by reason of transgressions and that by the Blood of thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that I might liue with thee in that thy Kingdome in the Heaveâ—s Let not the effusion thereof be in value towards mee but still feede and nourish my soule by participation of the Body of thy Son Christ Iesus as an effectuall pawnde earnest of that glory which shall follow And now what shall I render vnto thee for all thy spirituall and temporall blessinges thou hast vouchsafed on mee And what doth the Lord my God require of me but to feare thee to walke in all thy wayes and to loue thee and serue thee with all mine heart and with all my soule Command mee Lord what thou wilt and doe in mee that thou commandest The most detestable vice is ingratitude and greater honour can be giuen to none than to bee called the Childe of God Thou hast the Son of thy delight with whom thou mightst haue contented thy selfe and hast thou not the holy Angels which doe readily thy will yet it hath pleased thee to adopt man-kinde O suffer me not holy Father to degenerate from thee and to turne to my former nature Giue me an vnderstanding heart to doe thy will and preserue mee as the apple of thine eye Remoue my sins which are as a clowde betwixt thee and mee O my God which art my light my life and salvation albeit I find in my selfe great temptations and grievous assaultes of Sathan the flesh and the world Thogh thou euen thou my deare God wold kill mee yet will I trust in thee for I know thou canst reviue me and when thou woundest canst heale mee Grant I never doubt of thy promises through vnbeliefe but beeing confirmed in Faith giue glorie to thee as fully perswaded that thou that promisest art also able to doe it For it is the greatest punishment that can befall man to forsake thy word and admonitions not to relye on thy promises but harden the heart by obstinacy and rebellion Take not thy Spirit from me but fasten mine heart to thee Show mee the light of thy countenance that I wander not from thee and sleepe in sinne but I may gather in this last age of the world Manna for that great and everlasting Sabbath in the Heavens that Ierusalem aboue the Citie of the living God where I shall find peace and rest for ever hauing accesse and entrie to that light of Glorie which hath broken and overthrowne the kingdome of Sathan For I know as thou strengthenest and fortifiest thy secreâ— ones thou redoublest their temptations Oâ— but hard is the combate when thou striuâ—â— against vs and seemest to bee our adversariâ—â— for how should dust and ashes stand beforâ— thee Strengthen guide me by thy might that encouraged by thy promises I may conquere and bee conpassed with ioyfull deliverances Great infirmitie and weakenesse doth remaine in mee I am full of vexation and anguish of minde but let mee never yeelde noâ— waxe faint but sustained and vpholded by thy grace and power that bâ—eing pressed I bee not oppressed but rise againe as the Palme tree For as the seede dead and rotten in the earth bringeth foorth greater aboundance so tribulation is the seed of the Church Assist me therfore by thy heavenly grace to try how much more precious the tryall of my Faith is than gold which bringeth so great a glorie when thou shalt change my teares into ioye my mourning into mirth my sorrow into solace my death into life Make my delite to bee always in thy word which being eternall can make mee also eternall I choose it to be my Treasure that mine heart may be alwayes therein for he that will liue must needes know thee hee that will reigne must needs serue thee that he wil haue ioy of heart must needes praise thee for thou art that Ladder by which Angels come downe to vs and wâ—â— ascend vp to Heaven to them Thou art the Way the Veritie and Life no man commeth to the Father but by Thee Quicken â—â—e therefore in thy Blood that I may bee of the number of thy Children and true member of the bodie of thy Church and never forget this Covenant I haue now bouÌ„d vp with thee who hath giuen mee that Inheritance by thy Will and Testament wherof this holy Supper is a true pledge Nowe hence foorth I am fullie deliberated to obey willinglie thy Statutes and persevere ioyefullie vnto the death and suffer crosses patiently sith thou my Saviour art my life To thee therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost Triniâ—â—e in Vnitie bee all praise and glorie and honour for nowe and euer Amen