the pronouns force He the Son of Man on Earth was He who though now talking yet as God is in heaven the word IS is urged for as Man he was at the same instant on Earth and not yet ascended to that place where He as God was before THIS ariseth from the union of the two natures in him viz that of Man and and that of God where the properties of each other are attributed to the whole person which yet in examination must be only referred to one of these natures as in these words save the Son of Man which Is in heaven 〈◊〉 if then he had been there which to affirm of his Mâ—n-hood were erronious He speaking to them under the Sun but as God it is â—greable to Truth and therefore the Ascendâ—ng of the Son of Man must not be undersâ—ood of his Deity for as God he is uncapâ—ble of going to any place being in all places â—t once and filling all by the infinity of his nature His Ascending therefore is to be applyed to his humaâ—ne nature wherein only he can properly be said to shift places and change seats and where he was before to his God-head he being with the Father before all Worlds which Doctrine of Union puzzeling Nichodemus made him wonder but remember he came to Iesus by night and untill this Sun rose upon the face of the Church this Doctrine was hid from the wise and prudent Rabbies but now unto Babs and Children this light shineth comparing Scripture with Scripture words with deeds with the assistance of the holy Ghost it is known that when Christ was crucified the blood of God was shed and when the Son of Man rose the Son of God rose when the Son of Man ascended God also ascended the Personall Union of the two naturs allowing the expressions The Word which was made Flesh at this time havâ—ng never seen heaven the Word then Flesh was to ascend and sit in heaven where the flesh that was the Word had never been WHAT St. Paul mentioned of the severall members of the body which though having their own peculiar functions yet united make one body and applyes it saying so also is Christ that is the Church 1 Cor. 12.12 May be alluded unto here in these two natures of Christ of which we say so also hath the Church every member thereof being the Son of God as well as the Son of Man and their Ascending into heaven as Sons of Men with their flesh and bones ascends but where they were before in their Spirits and desires Enoch a typ of Christ ascending and also of the ASCENSâ—ON of all the elect at the end of the world was but coached up bodily into that place where Religiously he had oft in Soul been that precept of haveing our affections above where Christ is Col 3.2 By Faith in love carries the soul aloft giving it wings to behold and see feel and â—â—joy the joyes rapturs sweetness that is 〈◊〉 the Paradise of heaven the new Ierusalem â—hich is above while the flesh or fleshly part of man is represented in the Embleme as the â—ring at a birds feet in the hand of a boy or 〈◊〉 unto a stone hindring the full fruition â—f the Souls Ardency in ascending to the heavenly mansions its clogginess impeding the spirit through fervent desires to be upward 〈◊〉 that He as man in flesh when ascended but â—cends unto that place where He when man in â—pirit was before THE Ascension for mans Instruction is â—everall wayes expressed in holy Writ two whereof are most Celebrious it s called ascending up on high in the old and an ascending 〈◊〉 the Father in the new Testament Psal. 68.18 Iohn 20.17 In the first is insinuared the glorious blessednesse and Majesty he is endowed with and possessâ—d of all things being in his estimate as low as they are in their own site the other unfolds his exaltation above all Creatures whether Heaven Saints or Angels hinting at his equality with God all glorified Spirits shouting at his entry into the heaven of heavens called in the Prophesie God's going up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet Psal. 47.5 And by the way if heaven rejoyce at the entry of the Son of Man what Jubilations ought to be on Earth at the ascending of the Son of God since he did it only to receive gifts for men Psal. 68.18 That is from God the Father that he being man might deliver them to men 4. Ephe. 8. And the Quire of Angels beholding his Kingly gate through the Clouds and manly steps upon heavens glorious and shining pavement Answered and questioned each other who is the King of glory and warning the porters yea the gates of heaven themselves to speak after the manner of men to be open'd to be lifted up for the King strong and mighty this Lord mighty in battel Psal. 24. That he had power and authority over Earth was eminently known in Lazarus come forth his dominion over the Sea was demonstrated by his walking on its proud waves that the Aire was at his controule was discover'd by his commanding of the winds that Hell was not exempted from his Soveraignity was made evident in casting out of Devils that Angels were made subject to him was not or in that they ministred unto him and served him Now there wanted one thing but one thing to shew that he was Lord of all things which was his ASCENSION up to heaven by which he proved himself Lord of the Vniverse and for creating this faiâ—h in the hearts of his own he did ascend in the sight of his Disciples not of the eleven only but probably of the hunder and twenty S. Luke Acts 1. Having mentioned both the women and brethren that were with Christ and in his Gospel having spoken of them who saw him after the Resâ—rrection hath so carried on the thread of his History that the eleven being expressed the other seemes not to be excluded this blessed sight of his Ascending being so recorded as indifferently to serve all the persons mentioned that as being by all men seen all should confess him to be Christ for the glory of God the Father THERE is in nature some secret pressure of Spirit when not vehemently by-assed with urgency of affairs vehemency of fear that maketh a man long for and longingly to labour after a sight of his Native Country Vlisses is said after ten years travel in and about the Hâ—lespont to desire a sight but of the smoak of his Country from the godds promising thereupon satisfâ—ction though he should dy at the same time yet was not that Rome head of an Empire nor Athens a University of Arts buâ— Ithaca a rocky poor fish town in the Ionian Sâ—a from heaven did the Son of Man come that was his Country his native soyl there it was where he had been before and towards it he had always a moneths mind as earnestnesse is expressed in the Proverb Lifting oft
his eyes towards it and in parting from earth spread his hands towards it saying in that Ceremony O Heaven Heaven Heaven the delight of my soul the darling of my Affection the beauty of my choice the treasure of my wishes O Heaven whâ—n shall I possesse thee O Heaven how long have I wished for thee O Heaven how oft have I looked upon thee O Heaven when shall I enter in into thee O Heavens I come I come open open open ye everlasting gates open that I may enter and possesse thy joys after my sighing fleeing fasting weeping scorning bleeding dying at last embrace me AND who knows not that water will ascend as high as its rise and this water of life flowing from the paradise I wâ—uld say the bosome of God instantly was to recurre and flâ—w back and in the streams of love to appear where he had been before to which he pointed that we might be enflamed for persuit crying oâ—â— with him Heaven O Heaven for though Man who is of the Earth be Earthy yet the Spiritual man being born of heavenly parents as begot of heavenly seed nuâ—sed by heavenly milk partaker of the divine nature of the ofspring of God â—s a stranger and pilgrim in this present world and because of perils by land perils by water malice irritating and corruptions enâ—â—meing molestations from his own Soul not yet perfectly made wise caâ—ouâ— It is not good to be here Christ Moses and Elias are above perfected and Holy Saints are above grief and fear which last seaâ—ed upon the Disciples at Christs removeaâ— and because he â—ent to the Father sadnesse filled their heart wherefore because he is with the Father not with us sorrow shâ—uld fil out hâ—arts prompting to call O it is good O how good it is to be there Our Saviouâ—'s stretching abroad his hands ought to attâ—act our eyes meerly to behold and desire it's beauâ—y it 's amability the glory of the Lord therein BVT wâ—e befal us so transcendent is our folly we heed neither the purpose nor cause of that indicatiâ—n loveing the valley though it were of Sodom because of it's fatnesse though as the grasse it be perishing or ascends the high hill of Ambitious undertakeings by power force or knowledge to be accounted gods which hath already destroyed both Angels and men the principles of such vanity engulphing the Soul into Eternity of despair themselves consequentialy are to be avoyded as Damnation by lifting up our hands together with our hearts unto God in the heavens Lam. 3.41 and by the feet of our desires LOVE and DILIGENCE run to the mountain of Religious contemplation the very reflection and shade thereof creating insearchable joy but reaching of it's toâ— or apex the ultimate tearm of prosperous durable and satisfying comforts known to that Solomon of this nation Robert Surnamed Stward who gave in Plate the terrestrial Glob dignified with a Crown embelish'd with thirteen stars circumscribed with Vanitas Vanitatum omnia Vanitas Vanity of vanities as if Universal command dazling glory respecting or relating to Earth had been but torture and were to him vain and should be to any vexation of Spirit TWO things amongst others are chiefly denyed to Man as not to dy and not to fly yet in this Ascension the first is known and much of the last is seen much because somewhat more for what shall we call this motion upward was it walking sleeping leaping or flying sure we are he went from the Apostles eyes in an advanceing paâ—e but a cloud encompassing him the Fathers Seat and his throne fitter to carry up the Son then a chariot that having been done for Elijah a Serâ—â—nt which cloud enjoins no prying and â—â—chaâ— get questions as if the heavens yeeldâ—d or winds ceased aided or what other thing â—â—riofity can invent yet presseth the relinâ—â—ishing and treading upon the glory of a gaudy world and requires a lifting up above our selves pregnantly exhorting us as strangâ—rs to have nothing of our heart effigied thereon at most only our feet to honour it with a â—ouch he mounting over and above Olivet seeming to say rise up my fair one and come away Cant. 2 10. fâ—om the muddy floâ—e of this lower and common hall and ascend the stairs of prayer and meditation more comforting then that Sancta Scala at Romeâ—â—id â—â—id to be and resorted unto as theâ—â—airs of Pilats house being the 28 steps whereon our Saviour went and returned in his passion and leap or walk run aâ—cend or fly to the upper rooms of the heavenly pallaces where â—ighing filth death or sorrow thorns or spears have no possibility to enter even in their remotest causes THE Songs of Angels Quire of the Prophets joy of the Spirits the light of God and the glory of Christ eternally revealing everlasting causeing ravishing never cloying Hallelujahs for auditing whereof and directing to which earths pagentry the hearts carnality is to be rejected crucifi'd and cut off these being heavy will incommodate us in our jâ—urney and retaâ—d us in our ascending heaven-ward after our Lord whose drawing the Disciples from Jerusalem is not without a mystery operating upon our overcoming this present world or then it shall be ill with us for as the men of Galilee we may know that the same Iesus shall come down again in like manner that is as some conjecture from Zach. 14.14 upon Olivet stretching abroad his hands blessing the righteous because obâ—dient and pure cursing the prophane because stubborn and idolators umbraged by the valley of the Son of Hinnon a paâ—t of which he journeyed through in his passing but leaving it behind him in his ascending the mount of his ASCENSION a fâ—uâ—â—ful mâ—unt abounding with Palms Olives Figs Gaessum Pine-trees typifying the Church and the Godly who are and which is fruâ—â—ful in gâ—od works serving as mediums â—or the souls â—easceâ—ding unto God and are as steps appointed for that end and purpose OVR Creed stands not at his ascending into heaven but registrars also his sitting at the right hand of God at which place S. Mark chap. 18.19 seats him ending at once his History and our Saviours travel which rest is far above all principalities and powâ—â—s he sits whereas the Angels stood and are expressed so to do because servants much more honour being his due because of His Sonship not that he properly sits for so there is no chair for him to sit upon nor right hand in GOD to sit by but tropically it signifieth that equality dignity honour and â—espect height râ—verence and power which equaly with God He hath obtained in His humane nature the heavens being high above the earth and the heaven of heavens â—he seat of God above them the Angels about the seat of God and our Lord on the right hand of him that as the earth is far distant from the heaven the upper invisible heaven above 〈◊〉 the pavement of the seat of God above them the Angels again above that who though glorious
most august serene Lord Iesus who was by the Spirit given to this woman and by whom is published Heaven to be at peace with men and women uniting these two together and both unto it self that peace might be on Earth and goodwil towards each other and both give glory by submission unto God ceasing from contention Salvation comeing by Iesus and Honour with Christ to men who are but dust and ashes WHEN the Almighty doth wonderously men should be surably affected here is a Prophet created a King anointed a Priest consecrated a Phisician born what more a Saviour encompassed let this be your tydings Christ is born in Bethlehem and leave your flocks ascending to him who came down in your heart and love for in your Salvation there is utility in his Vnction swavity in his INCARNATION Majesty for he hath bowed the heavens and is to be found in the swadling cloâ—ths of Precepts Sacraments and Promises of all which the Angels of the Church have told you because of which heavenly testimonies expect not a star in the air I mean a new miracle or a new good way of your own chuseing but draw near and behold this new thing proclaiming it to each other as the two cousings Mary and Eâ—izabeth that Jew and Gentile may both rejoice together in the birth of their common Saviour and that with hast our Saviours birth as his doctrinâ— being prolifick dischargeth oscitancy and slouth having a proper work which must industriously be gone about viz. Sanctiâ—y the digâ—ity of the Spirits working in thiâ— supernatural manner having morally a coercive power to suspend terâ—en matters and carry the soul to the hilly Country by affection in the sweetest Cell of the Souls complacency and thence again to issue orders unto all faculties to abstain from filthinesse to Love the Lord to speak good of his Name CHRIST being as at this time born as at this time the Angels sang the Heavenly host praised the Shepherds glorified which in our leading pious holy and Religious lives shal also satisfactory to God and Jesus our Lord be performâ—d for which this new thing was created the World being grown old exceeding old that is thin crazy and bare Adams disobedience the Angels fall Cain's slaughter Lamech's Murder Nimrod's oppression the Giants Impurity Babels Confusion c. had so marred the visage of this Earth that the heavens groaned to be delivered from its aspect from its scent as if Mezuntus Tyranny had been anticipated who tyed living men to stinking carcasses for their death and his own sport But at last God sent his Son in flesh with water that the Earth as the Garden of the Lord being well watered and as Pharao'hs Kine made fresh faire and well favoured or as David of a goodly countenance in imitation of this woman by humility for though she was Mother of our Lord she visited First in charity for she came to help the aged Elizabeth to assist the conceived and comfort her cousing now impregnat in her dolors burthens longings faintings and domestick affairs in her Modesty she was a teeming woman and at the time of her delivery Mary the Virgin returned home in her Oratory she spake so well that the Bab of grace leaped in the others womb And lastly in her Civility for she saluted Elizabeth no question but with civil honour and Religious reverence for the Mother salutes the cousing the cousing Mary and the Baptist both all with earnestnesse and serious holinesse mixed with joy or if you please in imitation of the MAN in Love for as the Son of our Mother he is come down that we may kiss him with the kisses of our mouth in comforting the shepherds when cloathed with darknesse and it may be with sadnesse were comforted with joyfull tydings in suffering he endured the worst a stable a manger for all his innate worth and former glory he fretted not at 〈◊〉 he cryed it was for mans sorrow in doing he went about doing good and so let us compasâ— each other with Religious delight celebratâ—ing this feast very near as old as the Gospel not now only but alwayes with the Church â— Virgin yet the Lambs wife by Faith hope and Charity that they being found with us 〈◊〉 Ioseph Mary and the Bab were by the shepâ—herds may live as they soberly righteously and godlily which perfected we shal not be cast out of the heaven of the Church with Lucifer nor out of the paradise of powerâ—full ordinances with Adam but enter into the new Ierusalem which is above by vertue of this new thing created in Ierusalem beâ—neath THE method of obtaining which 〈◊〉 included in the marrow and significancy 〈◊〉 such names whose bearers were more peculiarly grandiz'd in the history of Incarnation Ioseph by interpretation is addition Mary bitternesse Zacharias minding the Lord Elizabeth peace of my God Gabriel strength or man of God and Iohn gracious now a good Name is in Herauldry accounted an accomplishment gentilizing the vertuous And we find in godly saints accrewment of honour to be attended with change of names for the case in hand let this days solemnity add one cubit to the stature of your knowledge touching the pravity and bitternesse of natural self by reflecting upon what the Lord hath now done for our indwelling with him becomeing men of God inspirited with peace when the Spirit shall write on the table of the heart Grace Grace teaching us all our life long to celebrat on Christmas that is Christs-feast in the old Saxon the holy Eve of that Eternal yule or Iubile in the holy Hebrew where old Emanuel now Iesus shal be worshipped with everlasting Jubilation FROM this MANS encompassing the Holy Ghost pleads for Israels returning and 〈◊〉 this back-sliding age would suffer a word of Exhortation I should motive for Modesty now Pharaoch's physicians wold sense a childs â—onfinement in the womb a womans nourishing of her fruit or how the Egyptian midwives would retail the particulars couched in the expression I presume not to know but there is a MAN and a WOMAN in the text and the copula joining them together is chast and comely there is mention made of the attire of an Harlot Prov. 7. and we read of the solicitations of a whore Gen. 39. but the knowledge of Christ ought to instill sobriety in all our converse Men Woman Women Men at meeting or a part contriving the contexture of their discourse the Methods of their thoughts the sentiments of their soul to be spirited with that vertue A Father observes that Ioseph gave no assistance to Mary she swadling she laying him in a manger he not dareing to touch so holy a Bab whom he Knew to be none oâ— his It 's also and there from incumbent 〈◊〉 the mystical beholding of our Lord to returâ— from our irreverent behaviour and give hiâ— his just devoir how unseemingly wil soâ—â— touch Christ in the Supper as if the 〈◊〉 were their own bread and wine when it
is his body How rudely will other skip tread walk and frisk upon 〈◊〉 ground as if it were their own furroâ— their own tale their own house their 〈◊〉 Romance Certainly the Gospel is scandaliz'd by the sordidnesse of some mens unclean fingering mouthing writing yea Printing of the person of Iesus so contumeliously that it would be Death in Turky to word it so of Mahomet I know intimacy and acquaintance is pretended yet that ought not to offer rudenesse to the serenity of his countenance the sanctity of his Laws the dignity of his person the excellency of his being which are infring'd to that degree of mockage that were he once again upon Earth he might say to such what a great yet affable Emperour said unto a Churle who confidently made invitation yet nigardly served up his meat which was I did not think there had been such Familiarity betwixt us BELIEVE it what in the state by policy in the Church by Simony in trade by defrauding in Religion by opinionating in faction by abetting in the road by stealing in the Sea by pyratting in common talk by filthy discourseing in print by unholy applying in the house by slandering in designs by oppressing in the counting house by tricking and in our hearing of the word with itching our holy and ever-glorious Lord is made and accounted as a common thing wash your hands therefore you sinners purifie your hearts you Hypocrites for how unprosperously all this is done is known long ago to the Jew and may in due time be evidenced to us Gentiles if so besotted as not already to have full instruction since this new thing hath been created on the Earth A woman shall compass a MAN This Generation old because so long lying in wickedness seemeth incapacitat for amendment But as when S. Paul was weak that is in himself then was he strong that is iâ— Grace and as when the impotent Man complained of his want of a man to assist him towards a cure Iohn 3. The MAN in the text said Rise take up thy bed and walk it is hoped there is an holy seed in the womb of our Mother Church springing toward and hastning forward the desire of the godly and truly Religions of the Nations some holy Simeon that is obedient hearer expecting the Lords salvation and some devout Anna's that is gracious and merciful waiting that is praying for the Redemption of our Israel from the division-ating hub-ubs wherewith she is entangled in practising and perswading for peace and Holiness which as from the womb of a Mary or Mara of all or any that is in bitternesse for our grosse back-slidings shall hasten the production of comfort and tranquility in the knowledge of a Iesus born to save us from our sins MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF Our Lord and SAVIOUR Unfolded and applied Circumcision Day Tolbooth Church 1671. New Years Day Tolbooth Church 1671. LUKE II. XXI And when eight days were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child his name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb AS we find no nation the old Savages of Mount Atlas excepted but found a necessity and from natural as wel as politick causes gave proper and distinct names to things and persons so in civiliz'd nations ingenuity and law prompted them to pitch upon a time proper for designing their issue by them When Cain Abraham or Lot were so denominated is not so far as I know upon record but Christianity hath generally observed and followed near about the time of the Iews who were strictly tyed to the observance of the eight day from Isaac who was but eight days old when he felt the knife and afterward in all ages each Male was to have the sign of the Covenant in his foreskin under the penalty of being cut off a phrase among the Iews intimating a liablenesse to the wrath and vengeance of the Lord in the highest measure and was concluded to be the greatest most cursed of all threatnings in Scripture as a punishment not inflicted by man but an impending vengeance of God on earth imprinting say some the certainty of dying Childlesse and towards heaven say others importing the Gospel's Anathema Maranatha the offendour peculiarly being seperate for a curse when the Lord cometh as hateing his holy institution for which also his indignation may be felt in being cut off in the midst of their dayes as is evident in Moses tarrying in the Inn fearing to go down to Egypt wherefore that irregularity in no rite might be charged upon the Son of God now born of the seed of Abraham when eight dayes were accomplished they came to the Circumcision of the Child and called his Name Iesus Circumcision importeth bloud and since without that there is no remission withal being to speak of a Saviour I know no better object to present before you then a ruddy then a bloudy IESVS for because of the Circumcision he may say to the Church his wife a bloody spouse art thou to me and her name since Abel may be Aceldama a field of bloud as being bought with a price of bloud and still sprinkled with that bloud which bought it as that field was with his bloud who took that price as the text imports Acts 1. or she may be called Damascus a bag of bloud where and because our Brother the Lord as Abel was slain by his brethren Iewish Cainits out of envy and whose bloud at this time beginning to be shed crys loud to heaven speaking better things CIRCVMCISION is a short word yet of a large sense and as applied here maketh three miracles to be discovered First the eternal God who was before all worlds and made time dividing it between day and night is found to be eight days old next the impassible Lord of Glory unto whom there be no augmentation or increase nor diminution or lessening of parts is made lesse by the foreskin Lastly the ineffable Iehovah who is above all Names in heaven or earth is called IESVS IT was and is ordinary with God to ratifie his pretious promises to the Church by appending signs as seals reason it self being dim except the eye perceive something illustrious or takeing in things purely natural how much more in spiritual the bow in the cloud the dew in Gideons fleece the change of Abrahams name the whole pedagogy of Law and among others this sign of Circumâ—cision held in so great veneration as to be reckoned above that is greater then the Law for it was before the Tables preferred to the Sabbath for even on that day it was not to be omitted hence S. Paul wisely caveating the Philippians Philip. 3. against its use reflects not upon the word yer presseth its neglect and chargeth warrinesse under the notion of Concision Being then purely a pareing or cutting of the flesh not a sign of the Covenant which as such not only with Iews but with
or any thing relating to the death of Christ had been appointed for a curse so ineffable are the Mysteries of his CROSSE and horrours of his suffering and yet his drinking thereof that is the enduring and undergoing of them exceedingly pourtrays the vehemency of his desire for accomplishing mans happinesse which all his Sermons miracles actings watchings fastings evince saying still I thirst but at last conquered and triumphed over the Devils and men makeing us this day to blesse the Lord in the house of the Lord as did our elder Brethren in the day of Iehosophat when fighting againâ—t the Moabits and Ammonits in this same ground calling it Baracha that is blessing 2. Chro. 20. THE curses being removed due to fallen man for sin maketh no death to be though the sinner may dâ— accursed wherefore in death the tree is still and may be used though in honour to our Saviour the use of the crosse was abolished by Constantin the first Christian Emperour haveing seen before his famous battel with the Infidel Maxentius in the South a shining crosse in the air with this inscription in hoc vince he conquer'd by which the Church had peace round about Christ sent his Disciples two and two into every City where he was to come to prepare eyes ears and heart for his own reception that at his comeing they might receive the Holy Ghost so eminent was his thirst so longing his desire whether in eaâ—th or heaven for mans benefit for mans Salvation DAVID in many things was a typ of Christ and in this prefigured him also that as the Hart panted after the water brooks so panted his soul after God David in Christ was crucifâ—ed and Christ in David thirsted as the Hart which beast bearing naturally an antipathy to Serpents first sucks them out of their holes then rents them they again when not prevailing by force claspeth about his horns lyeth on his back to bit he for defence roulleth on his back and brusing them â—layeth them with which he is so heated that he is not at rest until he drink the applicablenesse of which to Christ is conspicuous who by the power of his breath commanded the Devils out of the possessed and by lying on his back a few hours in the grave overcame their greatest force before which how mightily he did glocitare pant and roare out that terrible cry My God my God why hast thou forsaken me an expostulation in death shewing the things he suffered and contents of what we are to do speaking this for his peoples instruction in taking inspection in calamitous times into the principal cause of their distressâ—s where faulty with the thief to say we indeed justly if otherwise sinceâ—ity appear in our tendencies to please him then to plead with him Remember Lord said Hezekiah I have walked before thee with a perfect heart why then should I dy Childlesse why should thy promise made to my Father David fail in me THOVGH with Iob for a while we suffer for secret causes yet with him let us hold fast our Faith as Christ not saying O God but My God my God why hast thou forsaken me words that discover so much of a man that but for to Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise we might demure upon his being God and in themselves hard to be understood yet this is perceptible that in strong temptations the truth of things being hid we judge of them and of our own state worse then they are the ingemination shews innocence to be enflamed because it suffered and the affluence of his sorrows so directed as to Ecclipse in him the wonted consolations in the Fathers fellowship which though wanting yet he endured his own zeal unexpressibly irritating him for â—ins removing his teeth on the CROSSE being set on edge because we in the field so greedily had eaten sour grapes CEDRON is also said to be black from it's shadinesse as being shadow'd by the mount of Olives over which David pâ—ssed bare-headed and weeping his Son our Lord was appointed for the same pilgrimage though not upon the same ground David weeping for his Son who had moved Rebellion Christ weep'd for sins committed by Rebellion David saw something in himself meriting that blacknesse and therefore cry'd Christ saw that nothing was in man that deserved clearnesse yet that his head might want no oyntment and that his garments might be always white he travelled towards this black brook under Olives the very place inspiring this observe that because of it's fruitfulnesse of oyl used in medâ—caments and one of the ingredients of the Samaritans recipe for the cure of the wounded traveller our Lords death is declared proper for cure of our spiritual wounds for strengthning our weaknesse in wrestling against principalities and powers Devils who may by permission embitter our waters yet as the horn of the Vnicorn is medicinal in healing infected fountains the plunging whereof by it causing other beasts to drink securely so application to his CROSSE as Moses to the tree Exod. 15. maketh our bitter waters to become sweet our afflictions to become easy our burthen to become light he having antidoted their evil by drinking that is by bearing of them before us yea by it our sins shall our very lusts shall have a tendency for good the remembring of Piters sin made him bitterly weep yet may we not say it made him diligently to watch he afterward not comparing himself with others attested his own Love not falling back again into the condemnation of the Devil by over-rating of himself FILTH or Earth may cause ones hands to scour the better and after washing to become the whiter this was designed in his blood viz. that we should be pure white and holy by washing our selves therein his bloud having that property to make our very garments white as in the vision Reve. â— hinting at that remission of sin which by blood was obtained in the Law As Herod therefore sought this Holy Childs life to take it and destroy it let us seek his death that is the benefit of it that we may live by it and in it with as great earnestnesse as he laid it down for he is said to drink of the brook in the way IN the way that is walking forward that is takeing no rest untill as Naomi he had setled his Church he being that Goel Ruth 3.9 the next kinsman appointed Redeemer of his Church and by right of inheritance to betroth the Gentile Church as Ruth unto himself he as Boaz being a Jew born in Bethlehem not by pulling of his shoe but by being stripped of his garments yea robbed of his life Judas lingred as did Lot but was â—oused with a what thou dost do quickly a charge not enjoyning diligence but evidencing impatience wishing for and suggesting sufferance of that which a treacherous heart had in dissimulation contrived and concealing from the other Apostles his treason by this declaration least a moments stay had been
of the people yet united and agreed against him let us for his sake not fal out with one another but agree to crucifie those lusts of envy whispering uncleannesse back-biting which war against the Church WE are not graduaâ—s in all Arts knowing but in part and ought not to be positive in our determining Christ is dead leaving us an example of humility seldom found in the Chambers of the Censorious this day we preach of our freedome from the curse of the â—aw and I charge by the Lord Iesus judge of quick and dead and who before Pontius Pilat witnessed a good confession curse not the day for us nor us for the day cry out rather with Tremel that famous Iew when demanded at his death if he continued Christian Jewish converts though to the degree of Priest-hood being to be suspected answered in detestation of his cursed country-men let Christ live and Barâ—abas be crucified AS Kings judge not their Crowns sufficiently honourable without the CROSSE shewing it's victory and conquest be on the top thereof judge your worth to be of no worth if not virâ—uated by the doctrine thereof whereby as Friends or Sons we shal have happinesse in receiving or understanding the nature and wealth of these legacies he left his relations Leaving on the CROSSE Persecution to his Apostles Peace to his disciples his body to the Iudge his Garment to the souldiers if they were such which is doubted being rather servants to the executioners and called souldiers in a general way as armed and guarding him for death the number four makeing it probable his Mother to his beloved Paradise to the thâ—ef and his Spirit to his Father which last shall not be received if not attended with Marâ—s tears Iohns respect Theifs confession Ioseph of Arimathea's a Jew his justice Simon of Cyrene a gentile his asistance when Christ in his poor flock is at a pinch with Christs own Purity Humility and Love which alone and together shall cause thy conclamatum est or consummatumest thy end to be happy for then it s finished i. e. the Law and Prophets in thy obedience and the desire of the holy Angels in thy conversion BVT whereas some think Romes doctrine is here asserted alleadging we symbolize with Papists know it is not Romish though taught at Rome but the doctrine of the Church taught in the purest times that were and of the Greek Church that is enemies to Rome more then we and as the Iews made Christs death the medium or mean to keep the Romans from them and it proved the very cause that brought them it 's evident the Reformed Church might say to such concluders for this and several other positions and inferences verily verily one of you shall betray me c. THANKFVLNES for our mercies in enjoying the truths of the Gospel might be more becomeing that our eyes might be towards him for Grace Mercy and peace from his merits blood and wounds and what ever properly may be produced and effected by them walking after that light shewn us by oyl from him the olive in the religious performance of Borgius Duke of Gant who seven times a day presented himself before God praying for seven gifts conform to that seven times our Saviour shed blood desireing for the honour of the Circumcision to attain wisdom and chastity for what he shed in the garden knowledge and abstinence for what he shed in being scourged tendernesse and charity for what he shed when crowned with thorns humility and fear what he shed when his hands were nailed counsel and compassion for what he shed when his fâ—et were pierced courage and perseverance and for the blood which issuâ—d from his side godâ—inesse and patience that being therewith sprinkled seven times as the leaper under the Law he might be pronounced clean that as Christ himself said when I am lifted up I will draw all men unto me he might do that all in men that is all spirits souls and bodies being raised that as sinners we may detest our follies as penitents receive hope as Iust prepare for the Crosse apprehending with all Saints the extent of the love of God revealed by it answering in carriage and manners to our Saviours triumvirat the three beheld him in the garden having Peters confession owning him for the Son of God Iohns affection in standing by him to the last Iames devotion in fervent calling upon him for it 's said his knees were hard as a camels by frequent kneeling in prayer by which despair being closed up there shall never be cause finally to say my God my God why hast thou forsaken me FORSAKEN may be Ierusalems proper name as it was once her nick-or by-name Isa. 62.4 once the Ioy now the scorn of the whole earth formerly for her inhabitants delight and to Forrengers admiration her coasts furnished her with abundance of necessaries of delights her meadows storing her with milk her woods sweetning that milk with honey her vallies storing her with wheat and barley her mountains as high in charity as in height though brassy bowelld out of compassion heated themselves and in case of reluctancy did beat and knock one another that she might have plenty of mettal for her strengthning 8. Deut. 9. And she her self thinking it dishonourable always to take gâ—ve them again gold silver pretious gums spices and honour in such plenty that Israel became the glory of all the Lands Eze. 20.6 Yet now hath not where withall to buy her self bread save what relats to our glorious Saviour his sepulchre and it's temple being the greatest ornament within or without her walls besides which so insignificant is her poâ—t that when Selymus the Turkish Emperour came on purpose to behold so fam'd a place he almost disdained to take on nights logding within her avenues and quarters her pristine and Jewish glory lying contemptibly in the dust the very ground where Solomons temple stood being covered with a Mahomeâ—an Mosk into which if any Iew enter he is certain to meet with death at his comeing out AT such a distance hath her Lord husband put her for multiplyed adulteries and so tarâ—ly hath he drawn up her bill of divorce that neither the Art power reason indulgence graets priviledges Heathens Egyptians Iews Christians Turks could ever cause her have a good coat a clear face much lesse a fair one Christianity was at much pains for pitys sake to have her restored to her Lords bed and for fourscore years was their Kings and Patriarchs of Jerusalem in Jerusalem fighting for and preaching up our Lord Jesus but in the most perswasive entreatings and more earnest solicitations I mean their bloodiest and most chargeable encounters to preserve her there were seen and heard almost as many hundreths of terrible visions astonishing cracks and sights in the Heaven Earth and Air evidenceing heavens dissent from such amicable proposals God resolving in probability to make her a-cast-away from Royalty since she crucified her King having only
Father CERTAINE it is that Peter did convert and the other Disciples together at the feast of Penticost more hundreds in one day then for ought we find Iesus in all his life-time to have done to omitt that passage of Peters shaddow Acts 5.15 since it is not told us who did it or that ever any was cured by it or whether it was done for a good or bad end whether in fond supperstition by Christians or malignity from Jews who might desire to receive benefit thereby yet not own the Faith of him whom Peter taught I say to passe this we find all the Disciples endowed with a double portion of knowledge and heavenly joy He being seen of them go up who had been with him from the beginning when such hot spurs as were offended at his Person and Doctrine enjoyed not that blessed sight nor partaked of his fruiâ—fuâ—l blessing from whom such posters are not many degrees distant as declines the hearing of his Gospel now or if they do their impatience suffers them not to reach the end of our Divine service that the blessing from the mouth or hands of the preacher cannot be raught unto them their head and ears being equaly remote from him as their Kitchin is from his Pulpit as if the blessing of the Sanctuarie were to be undervalued in respect of their trivial I might say sensuall conveniency CHRIST is said to be the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the valleys Shaâ—on was a pleasant field near to mount Libanus in the Country of Bashan where Davids flocks and herds were fed near unto which was a valley fruitfull both of Lillys and Roses growing without mans care or hands industry having earth for Mother and heaven for a Father which Christ also had who as a Rose is encompass'd by prickly thorns of cares troubles and persecutions yet fragrant to such who placeth him as beautifull in their breast heart and bosome He was white in casting away his grave-cloaths and winding sheet and napkin the badges and colour of infirmity and darkness so great was his humility that he became as a Lilly and of the vallie too bending down-ward to bear upon his shoulders what the Father was pleased to imposs even unto death but now the darkness of Mortality being evanished he became ruddy cloathed with the purple robs of Majesty and Grandor stedfasty eyeing heaven yet still like the Rose piercing and galling yea tearing as by thorns or pricks the hearts the consciences the Souls of such who approach not to handle him in reverence and religious deportment in all parts of worship as prayer praise Sacraments vows or any other ordinance of the Church He carrying up to heaven as may be conjectured the very scarrs and wounds he received on the Cross that beholding them the ungodly nations may the more despairingly mourn and more convincingly bevail their it may be forgotten injuries toward the Son of Man BVT to such who as Roses delight in the shade or as Lillys root themselves in the vally of humility that is rejoyceth or affecteth a Conformity in his excellent communicative properties he shall become as an ornament to their breast or a pearl of great price in their hand causing and procuring the Fathers acceptance to such works as thaâ— breast shall conceive wherein he is fixed as David about building the Temple or the Angel of Philadelphia about his Ministry Revel 3.8 God purposing never to exalt any but in the manner he magnified his Son who first drank of the brook of the way afterward he lifted up his head SAINT John is the Apostle that speaketh most propheticaly of our Saviour going to the Father yet hath not one word that Historically he did it so that the Question here What and if you see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before is not answered by him for except in the Gospels of S. Mark and Luke the manner and term of his ASCENCION is not to be found and not without reason is it in them and ommitted here for S. Luke having in his Gospel drawn his Genealogy from Mary of the house and lineâ—ge of David making him thence to be owned for a King it was needfull to commemorate his entrance into heaven as into his Kingly palace and Mark beginning with his Priestly Office viz. of his preaching the Kingdom of God it was sutable thereunto to beare in record that he enter'd heaven as into his holy Temple to interced for the tribs of the world But Mathew and John speaking of him as the Son of God and as one that came from God besids that each Evangelist as he writ observed what the other had omitted or largely handled and accordingly as one abridgeth or enlargeth his own history Leaves the Faithfull to infer the necessity of his return into heaven as to his native Countrey and of being in heaven as the proper seat of God the holy Gospel throughout radicating the truth of this and abundantly making good the inference all which S. John saw he writting his Gospel after his three holy Coleagues had finished ended and published their severall Evangels BVT if any would have a sight of him ascending as there are many who doth not yet eats with us drinks with us goeth to the Mountain and Olivet of our Temple yet wants that beautifull Spectacle as did the carnall Iewes in the text who understanding all things Nichodemicaly that is carnally derided this supposition but if you would answer this what and if with an O that I might see the Son of Man ascend where he was before then pursue the acquisition of such Gifts the Apostles were endued with before it came to pass which were Magnanimity and Courage Longanimity and Patience Vnity Concord The first made them keep together though their Master and Shepherd had been smitten separating but in fits and starts as men in distemper the second hush'd all disturbances strife and discord none cheked Peter for his fall he blam'd none for cowardice whence flowed Unity and Love their Masters last appearance being at their dinner so to speak when they were at meat And ought not the memory of the ASCENSION to be attended with a religious banquet since its last service was usher'd in with a Table ready furnished a little after wh ch they see him again no more and truly if our eating and drinking be for the glory of God which shall be when strength only is expected from them his service in our generall and particular calling we need not scruple but if two or three or one be in holy discourse meditation in soberness I mean not poor dishes for there may be prodigality in wooden platters and gluttony over the coursest bread thankfulness frugality piety and unity it is impossible to misse the company or want the presence of Jesus neither ought there to be a despondency for the truth of the ASCENSION shall and will be evidenc'd unto those with whom these accomplishments are at
a voiding so dreadfull an arrow as sentence to eternall flames or formidable mischief from so omnipotent â—n arm who can even cloathed in flesh make us feel the sting of his displeasure in first blowing and then kindling the very first streams of hell within us as he did in desparing Iudas and vagabonding Cain IT is true we pretend much to the Spirit and braves out reproof yea censure upon that score anticipating in conceit Heavens joy by the assurances we brag already to have possessed from especiall evidence above as if the mighty wind had already blown upon us whereas we are yet carnal and sold under sin having not that noted nimblenesse to perform all Religious exercise clearly observed to be in them who answer the Spirits call for though with the Publican we may come down from the tree of some conceited excellencies possibly our due and birth-right by washing the Saints feet visiting the sick feeding the hungry binding up the wounded yet really we sadly behold that through some opinion or nice punctilio we adjourn attendance upon God in expresse duty either altogether or approach with reluctancy untill with him in the Gospel We first bury our father Matth. 8.21 which equally with him maketh us unfit for the Kingdome of God for no sooner did the wind blow then the Apostles were inspired immediately not about the restoring of the Kingdome to Israel but of Israels enjoyment of the Kingome the promise vâ—z of Heaven not of the Earth being to them and to their children the Spirit hateing dull delay wherefore it was also a sudden sound from Heaven making them straight heavenly the sound being before the spirit for gathering in of their Spirits causing intense attendance upon that which was to be revealed the sound from Heaven making them heavenly minded the sound from Heaven coming suddenly confirmes the Doctrine of the spirits aversnesse from sloath the sound from Heaven that came suddenly was of a rushing mighty wind the wind rushing causing spirituall awe mighty to excit their depressed and it may be desponding souls and wind to purge their hearts from filth and blow away what in them was lurking to detard from that employment which by the Spirit they were intended for and for which like full vessels they were filled so as no earthly thing could enter there wanting room no temptation make them rail sound or roar as empty they being filled WHICH deliberatly consider'd deplorable inferences must be inferred touching the sad mistake of too â—oo many whose opinion only is the alone significant thing before others causing them to be accounted Saints or some conceit in themselves which groundâ— only to themselves the certainty of their future glory which errour shall be to it's possessors I might say Admirers what the voluptuous life of the Sophist Isaeus was to him which how delightful soever at first yet at last bâ—moned his being Tantaliz'd that is supposed to find good and rejoyced in its proximity yet still went without and was at last frustrate of all hopes thereby being but dreams and shadows for as all is not gold that gâ—â—sters so neither is every thing that ravishes by and by to be termed Divine Nor whaâ— affects yea comforts the heart to be presently surnamed types of Heaven yet where Dexterity Agility in the things of God are accompanied with Purity Peace Ioy and Heavenly mindednesse as in the Apostles here its a pâ—â—gnant proof of the in-being of the Spirit and coming down of the HOLY-GHOST whence comforts truly originat and flâ—w c. TWO thousand and odd years had mans Ambition exposed him to infamy Lewdnesse and Idolatry by Gods confounding languages at Babel stopping then from perfecting that joyntly intended Tower by dividing their speech which at this day again was transferred by plurality of tongues unto a blessing the Spirit diverssifying the Apostles tongues not to disturb the world bâ—t advance the Church in propagating Faith the readier that there needed no Interpreter every Preacher being furnished with the gift of every tongue to speak to the multitude of the devout that Iesus was the Christ Uniting them again to be of one mind and one accord for edifying themselves in love and one another in the holy Faith which is a strong Tower of defence as the Name of the LORD Prov. 18.10 and whose top indeed reacheth up to Heaven each Convert being as a stone to the building and united by the Cement of the Blood of the Eternall Covenant laid on by the hand of the Spirit who can as here turn ill to good by drawing good from it whether for mans profit or his Makers honour as Levi's curse in being scattered occasionally through grace made the Lord to be his portion and be sanctified for Priest unto the Tribes Numb 3.12 CONFOVNDING of Languages made the whole Earth to be peopled each company flocking planting building together according to that understanding they had of their neighbours speach which now brought great things to passe for the Almighties praise all Nations beholding these unletter'd men from Heaven in an instant promptly uttering the good things of Peace and Reconciliation with Him who first confounded them and of Reconciliation and Peace with all who were confounded with them all tongues expressing this one thing Love the Brethren 1 Pet 3.8 As Christ hath loved you and given himself for you THE tongue is a purifying mundifying member it can lick out viscuous matter can suck out putrid and infections corruption from the body as did that of the Lady Ellenor wife to that Prince of Chivalry Edward Prince afterward Edward the first of England her Lord being engâ—gâ—d and fortunate in the Holy war was almost assassiâ—nate by a Turk being wounded with a poysoned kniffe with which the Prince slew the Attemper but Physicians despairing of his own recovery the noble Lady her Lord sleeping is said to suck and draw the venome forth recovering her Husband she her self not being endangered thereby The tongue is a tasting member by iâ— we know the white of an egg to be unsavory it is a speaking member the Hierogliphick of a word among the Egyptians was a tongue and by it we blesse God at this day and alasse by it also we curse men setting it on fire as from hell to reform which and virtuate the doctrine of the Gospel for drawing forth of the Soul the deadly poyson of Atheism and Prophannesse by pravity and exemple thrust upon us and put in us by those watchful lusts and vigilant adversaries of our Lord and of our souls because we would regain that Ierusalem that Royal City of pure and Holy peace with God which hath been wrested out of our hands by Turk-like force Tyrrany and Cunning FOR draining us of such putrid filthiness and the whole world is the Spirit represented in that shape the first fruits whereof appeared in that first and Famous Sermon of S. Peter whose tongue had been but a few weeks before so glib for
yet with this excellent and comfortable difference that as Moses yeelds to Christ so must Sinai to Sion here was fire only their fire and smoak there was clouds darknesse and earth-quakes accompanâ—'d with fear and trembling Sinai it self quaking But in Sion only a sound as of a mighty wind to prepare the receivers and cloven tongues uniting Iew and Gentile the boundiary of the wilderness being pulled up and variety of tongues perswaded the scattered abroad that God had given the Kingdoms of this world to his dear Son that in a spirituall sence not Israel only but the Earth might become the Lords and the fullnesse thereof typified by that multitude gathered and converted by the heat fireynesse yet harmlesnesse of the Saints charity and ardor having received the remission of sin and that from heaven the self same day their Fathers received the law against which they had transgressed for both was at the time oâ— Pentecost as may be demonstrated in computing the time thus THE people came from Egypt on the 14 day of the month there therefore remained 16 dayes for travell the Hebrews always reckoning 30 dayes for a month the first day of the third month they came to Sinai 30 dayes of the second month being accounted there will with this be found 47 dayes then the Peoples encamping Moses goeing up to God his returning again to the people for clear calculation is called one day which is 48 in which going up again to the Mount he is ordered by God to order the peoples being ready against the third day which will make the 50. â—n which God appeared for reckoniâ—g from the peoples want of bread or fall of Mannah is uncertain and may be erronious this is more clear and evidenceth the Anology better betwixt that fire from God by the Ministry of Angels and writting his law on tables of stone and that by fire in the descending of the Spirit that came one the 50 day after the slaying of the Passover Christ Iesus writting his law upon the tables of the hearts of men in a fuller fairer larger and more clear Character typ or impression but note this reckoning is inclusive the other not THE Persians and some other nations adored the fire for a god because of its excessive power and force in resolving matters combustible how great so-ever into it's own substance and being and usually it 's accounted the most noble among elements being as the heavens among bodies the sun among planets yea it 's purgeing operation made it of old to be the heirogliphick of purity as if they had known the world it self was to be cleansed thereby but how hath the fire of the Spirit from Ierusalem enlarged it self making the frosted heart of the unbelieving world even to glow while it talks of the Cross from heaven which is one of the three things by wise men admired in the earth looking upon the Resurrection and Ascension far short in comparison of that conquest the Holy Ghost hath made of the Grandees of the Nations in their honourable receiving of that doctrine from the mouths of plain men so contrary to the hair of natural inclination and mark it where ever the Spirit cometh it comes ordinarly by the sound of the Gospel and by it's heat we are assured of his reception a heart touched a heart pricked is but a heart heated a heart open'd when a man crys what shall I do with Peters converts Acts 2.37 or take away the iniquity of thy Servant with David 2 Sam. 24.10 surtiship may be offered that the Spirit hatâ— spoken in a saveing way but if it be a complaint of the punishment with Cain or a remove the â—râ—gs with Pharaoh be not rash in Cautoâ—ry this being a Legal not a Gospel expression far from that request of creating a clean heart which the Iews compareth to the Holy of Holies to Solomonâ— throne to Mosesâ—ables â—ables and truly displays that the wickednesse is done away by the Spiriâ—s inhabiting his resting therein and writting thereupon the doctrine of pardon and remission provyding the man seperate himself from an untoward generation Acts 2.40 IT 'S said the Spirit sat upon each of them in which it differs from that unclean Spirit that goeth about compassing the earth to and fro seeking rest but findeth none whereas holinesse is pacifique serene tranquilling consolidating the heart in which he dwels makeing it calm in it self and causing quietnesse towards all others condemning Ambition Covetousnesse Hatred Envy Vanity and what ever els tends to the Churches disturbance in which the Spirit rests sitting in it as upon a Throne purposing to reign as on a Tribunal resolving to judge as on a Chair purposing to instruct for all which in all ages to come he represented his undertakeing on this day establishing himself upon the Apostles heads as by fire clearing them from the rust of Errour the filth of Corruption that as Patterns as well as Preachers they might be exâ—mples of Sanctity to their own generation and give infallible rules for obtaining happinesse unto all posterity for ever COMPVNCTION of heart and remission of sin are both from the Spirit of God and is that new wine which shall only be put in the new bottles of a regenerated soul whereby they shal do and speak as the Spirit shall prompt them I had almost said as the Spirit give them utterance as here the Apostles for we find the whole house was filled with the rushing wind the Majesty of the Holy Ghost excluding all in-maets and though each Apostle had the sanctifyed operation of the Spirit filling every angle and corner of the soul as the understanding with Faith the will with Love and that sin or Devil might be exiled the hands with Promptitude the feet with Solicitude the eyes with Modesty the tongue with Eloquence the whole man with Prudence the Faculty Concupiscible being filled with good the Irascible with courage the Rational with verity though they had all gifts and were all filled yet they spake as the spirit gave them utterance some had five others had two talents and S. Paul abounded and spake with tongues more then they all whereby he who expects the gifts bestowed unto all ought not to caresse himself or hug and embrace himself in the deceiving hopes of a rich ample and perfect possession of the Spirit here but rest satisfied with his gift and with being one of the eleven not envying Peters singularity for he is particularly spoken of and eminency since a pinnace a small yaught shall land as wel as a great ship with full sail under the conduct and flag of the Admiral VPON the coast of the Whit-sea there is a cap called Pentecost and somewhat east of that there is another called Bonae Fortunae q d. good-luck let this day be any mans Pentecost a time of gathering in that is of heeding the law offering the first fruits of strength unto the Lord as the Jews did this day of their
the incarnation to the Gentiles found in the Royal line and appears in the person of the the King of the Jews Iesus the Saviour of the whole Earth Whose Mothers Kinred is reckoned under Iosephs name as being one with Mary she being his wife Luke 3. and Heli's Daughter which Iâ—seph a Carpenter became a Foster Father a reputed or supposed Father to the worlds Master-builder and great Architecture of heaven and Earth his espoused having conceived in her womb about the age as is said of fifteen being fitted early for her Saviours intertainment by Sanctity and pudicity contrary to that Famous Helene upon whose eyes it s recorded none could look securely there being thence emitted rays destructive to purity enflameing the breast unto concopiscence but from this woman say they there was such emanations of beaming Continence as not only denyed such reflections but extinguished their being as the sun-beams do an ordinary fire I shal swear to none of these yet know that though Nebuchadnezars furnace be seaven times more heated then usually it no way impedeth Iesus the Son of God from making it his gallery but the least spark of natural lust indisposeth the soul for being a receptacle for that holy Child Iesus he being both separate from sinners and sin can have no Communion with Belial nor his imps yea if a David by entertaining of a lust lose the warmth or forfeit the sense of heavenly joy or Mary at a feast who hath ears to hear let him hear lose her Son and Saviour they must both regain their Consolation with sorrow and Care and acknowledge with Naomi that their Names are Mara that is Mary by interpretation also bitterness All our Saviours actions have in their womb instructions to the world concerning Converse and particularly his being BORN of a woman Virgin doctrinaâ—s to Virgin-like simplicity as some therefore abstaines from wickednesse for fear of pain others of shame or such like Carnal grounds let Believers make no provision for the flesh that Iesus may be formed in them more and more that his left hand may be under their head and his Right hand embrace them the former healing and justifying the other embraceing and felicitating the fiâ—st applying his merits the last assureiâ—g his reward the one offering food the other medicine yet behold the Phisician and his first cure for the Souls support is innocence attested in his Manlâ—sse conception that we shewing freedom from the deformity of brutal desires Manlike may be capaâ—le to convers with heavenly intelligâ—nces crying out in our acts with those in Theodoret who being ignorantly through Cunning made to offer incense unto Idols we are Christians we are Christians keeping fresh the Image of Holinesse becomeing Familiar as it were with Angels Outstripping that modest heathen Archytas who refuseing to utter an immodest word yet desireing to sense his discourse pouâ—traid upon the wall with a coal somewhat significative to his purpose which is but to trapan sanctity and shutting our Organ that is our ear against ribâ—uldry to offer it an inlet by the eye an orâ—an apt enough to smutt the soul and sufficiently politâ—ck to captivat the heaâ—t wiâ—h it s own consent and betray it to destructive conceptions DRAW near you that are Virgins and behold this Virgin you that are Mothers and behold this Mother you that give suck and behold this Nurse you that aâ—e with Child and behold this womb you that are widows and behold this woman no Maid no Wife you that are begotten of Men and born of woman and behold this MAN encompass'd by a woman born for all kinds of condition wherein woman can be found begotten of Man that all living as she in breeding in Châ—stity may be encompass'd by this MAN secur'd against shame and misery by imitating this womanâ— Genâ—us this Marys warrinesse this womanâ— temperance this Virgins holinesse this Maids retiredness for its probable the Virgin was alone when the Angel accosted her and it may be conjectur'd at some good exercise as appeareth by his salutation Thâ— Lord is with thee the Religion of the Hebrews teaching them to blesse in the Name of the Lord whom they found diligent and well imployed as Boaz did his Reapers and the Reapers again their master IMITAT also this Marys cleannesse for the Virgin was pure in heart that is in eye in ear in feet in tongue walk and apparel her compositum being cloathed crowned with the vertues as with so many robes and diadâ—ms of stares defending her by nature unfortified ear from the assaults of immodest utterance by bashfulnesse gravity and censure disdaining to soyle or smutt her purer soul with the reports of obscenity acted either on the Theatre or seen in the wardrop the habit but warping toward kindling of Concupisence in any being condemned in the solidity of her Judgment accounting it equally destructive to be casually an incentive of as studiously to become a pander to lust in any the Angels salutation her Royal stemme and pedigree cleareth all this and more As if her word had been like that of Heraclius the Emperour Insania lâ—ta voluptas estimating the usual trivial finical delights of the Daughters of men to be dangerous and their Gamboles to be very madnesse because either being or forming or bordering upon pollution yet according to the Accute Maxime in the Holy State of Virginity counted it Virginitie to be unspotted not unmarried encompassing her self with Resolves of piety industry and purity in all conditions therefore she Saw GOD and that with her eye the invisible being in her and of her and to her made visible the Father through the Spirit erâ—cting a mansion place in her womb for the Son she having had a repository for the Almighty his Law revealed to his Servants in her heart from which issued an aptitude and disposition inclining heâ— body rather to Kneel then Dance Ought not this to perswade future Ages for applauding and consenting to consciouâ— sanctimonious behaviour Christ being thâ—â— born for this cause or then his coming had been casting pearls before swine and the product of Christian profession little different from the frantick actings of the fableâ— Jewish Armillus with them the same thâ— Antichrist is with uâ— who before the comeing of the Messiah with them is to be boâ—â— by oâ— breathed from a Marble image of Virgin unto whom the wicked of the world shall be gathered for incestuous copulation And under him their Leader bandy against heaven HOW advantageously hath the Hoâ—â— Ghost baptized our Saviour so to speak with variety of names titles and comparisons and how comfortably doth he expatiat upon that subject that in all doubts fears or discouragements his Name is as oyntment poured forth Cant. 1.3 the word Messiah the expression Christ the phrase oyntment being all one holding up the tapestry shewing the devout the inside of his worth that the savour of his works merits and offices may bind up and restrain the deluding pleasures
Chamber thereof least he fall upon thee and smite thee with more madnesse and astonishment of heart Deu. 28 28. THIS last expression minds me to caveat the Reader not to be angry at Helibore becâ—use it 's called Christmas-flowre for it poor thing hurts no body that lets it alone and Herbalists are to be sheâ—t not it spoyled for that Name as was the harmlesse Hawthorn tree near Glassenbury in Sommerset-shire in England which being alwayes observed to bloom so neare to this time that it was reported first to budde this day other Haw-thorns about it remaining dead and naked King Iames jestingly concluded therefâ—om our old style to be more Râ—gular then Romes new but others of latter years more seriously concluding the thorn guilty of old superstition grubbed it up by the roots and burned it to ashes which comeing to the ears of honest Christmas fearing her own fate from that of her Harbingers receiving notice by a publick order quietly retir'd and keep'd her self alive by the fireside of more Charitable Christians accounting it more honourable to ly by a flame then dy in one But this Bush hath almost put me from my path and hoping 〈◊〉 things we proceed to presse the Christian in all temptations to lift up his heart soul and all within him Râ—membring the of descent the Son of GOD I should have said of MAN approaching towards us in the Chariot of the Virgins womb moving upoâ— the wheels of Humilitie Charitie Mercy and holy Wisdom GOD uniting to MAN that maâ— might be reconcil'd to God through inscrutable actings by new things Heaven being opened as in the Revelation Angels ascending and descending as in Iacobs dream joining earth and Heaven as in the Ladder the Father saying fear not as in Israels going dowâ— to Egypt here is the Door this is the gatâ— of Heaven as in the Patriarch's dread Thâ—â— Lord shall be my God as in the pilgrims vow Gen. 20.21 BVT forget not as we ought to reverence and adore him as God in God so ought we to respect and benefit all meâ— since God in MAN became like one of us Our Lords Natalitials and birth being a mirrour representing divine Charity and bowels of compassion unto us and loves swavity or sweetnesse one with another his very swadling cloathes speaking patience and benevolence FROM the time of celebrating our Lords Advent in order of nature our days lengthen our nights shorten and was of old called Midwinter-day or Midwinter mass or feast The Solstice formerly being nearer to it then now however untill became Darknesse was upon the face of the earth and that so grosse that for eight hundreth years none had the gift of miracles for in working of them none proceeded our Saviour save Elisha only the Prophets taught the living neither cured the sick nor raised the dead that the world by his miracles might learn him to be the true Messiah the very sun of righteousnesse by whose beams the world being irradiated errours might vanish and Truth brake forth more and more for the conversion of men And that as the Cloud did Israel we by his manhood might move and be directed in our motions through the wildernesse in purenesse of behaviour and brightnesse of Doctrine that by his firy light we might have light and constantly walk as Children thereof old things passing away by the Spirits over shadowing and heart beleiving we might also become new in Christ Iesus who was once BORN and no more that the wo denounced against unbelieverâ— in all ages might deter the remiss and enforce a running into Bethlehem the house of breaâ— to see admiringly this great thing and neither complain nor deride nor scoâ—n or turn again to the Egypt of carnal pâ—ssâ—ssion buâ— vivaciâ—usly embrace this Man in their arms living by faith confesse that he is come iâ— the flesh which whoso denys is an Anâ—tichrist he as God giving so clear evidenâ—ces of his assuming flesh shewing even beâ—fore his greatest miracles infallible proofs oâ— his Man-hood cuâ—ing the deaf after sighing raising Lazarus after his weeping and shakeing of the Earth as he gave up the Ghost THE wedding then betwixt GOD and man in him being come let not the rooms be empty but the faster invite Iesus to the Marriage staying for your satisfaction in a stable untill your prepared hearts say as a Labaâ— Come in thou blessed of the Lord why tarriest thou without that darknesse of Soul and will being expelled thou mayst dwell yea encreass in light evangelical for ever as the earth receives increase of light for a time And as it puts one hence forward a new dress the fields cloathed with a fresh green the â—â—ees in the gardens sâ—ed or lopped the Vines â—n the Vineyard pruned for the grapes greaâ—er sweetnesse so he the Vine being planted â—n the earth may through our sincere prayâ—rs be engrafted and inoculated in us that â—s the Vine we may have wherewith to glad the heart of God and of this MAN causeing this days exercise to have a voice prepare â—â—e the way of the Lord lopping off all superfluity of naughtinesse and excâ—â—scencies of Vanity leaving the Drunkard to be drunk in the Night studying to be sober and vigilant as Children of Day avoiding somnolency or sleepinesse ebriety or drunkennesse the morning of temperance beginning with the Sun of rightâ—ousnesse inforceing a being wise unto sobriety remembring the very supposed Father of this MAN was Ioseph who was known to be truly a good and a just man BVT the word Encompass imports the enliving prodigious ineffable mystery the most in comprehensible conception and miraculous nativity of our Lord of which sufficiency of knowledge terminating the understanding is that which mortality can no ways be obliedged to expect yet to attract eyes for yeelding respect to this astonishing birth whereon the building of our happinesse depends more then upon his rising from thâ— dead for from the grave some have risen buâ— from a Virgins womb no man yet came anâ— affoords new yea strong consolation more over all his other actings are bottom'd upoâ— this of his birth therefore is it to be weighâ—ed THE word expresseth encircling enâ—closing by which pure word insinuating hiâ— confinement in the Virgins womb anâ— abideing there as in his proper Cell untiâ— the time of life at which this MAN apâ—peared in the world but the manner of hiâ— being compassed is concealed from us the Angels expression The Holy Ghost shalâ— overshaddow thee Remorats curiosity Goâ— thereby intending to conceal the manner proâ—â—seth wholly a belief of the matter a shadow being but the absence of light by the interposition of a body the darknesse of the womb confineth our eye-sight and the power of the Highest dischargeth prying TO shew that he was born not to be admired or gazed at were easie and to prove that he was born for us is that which we all believe to demonstrate he was not born for himself but given to us that hath been heard from
the Prophets For say they to us a Child is born to us a Son is given Child yet before his Mother was he was a Son a wise Phisician and tender Saviour the omnipotent God to us is given a Child a Son respecting his two natures the first viz. Child expressing him real MAN as he was and cleared to be from his Genoâ—ogy from his soul body eating wearinesse fasting sleeping weaping from his being called Man the son of Man besides such representatives as GOD made of him under the Law as the seed of the woman of Abraham a Prophet from among your Brethren and Davids righteous branch The other word SON expressing him real God which he was being called alwayes the Son of God after his Resurrection after which time that phrase the Son of man is never used He is the everlasting Son of the Father Creator of all things giver of eternal life from the beginning confessed by the Angels demonstrated by his fasting by his miracles and that in the Temple where never miracles were wrought by man that being the place wherein God significantly would have his Son to be noticed and he proved from his working therein to be the Lord who was suddenly to come thereto Malach. 3. It being the house of his Father IN short by his suffering dying riseing from the dead he declared himself to be the Son of God with power for never MAN neither Moses Samuel nor any that called upon his Name neither Priest nor Prophet wrought miracles at their Death but he thâ— exploit of Sampson was rather wonderfulâ— then miraculous and came far short of thosâ—â—â—upendious actings at our Saviours giving up of the Ghost but at his rising from the grave so far he declared himself to be God that these words the Son of MAN are noâ— mentioned he said it behoved the Son of maâ— to suffer but being raised it was ought noâ— Christ to have suffered HOW elegantly hath S. Paul Philip 2. differenceâ— I shou'd have said united these two in these words who being in the forâ— of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God herein is the truth of his Son-ship and first part of his nature but made himself of 〈◊〉 reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men here is the truth of his Child-hood the other part of his being the Apostle expounding the Prophet would have said He was given to us who was in the form of God and born for uâ— who made himself of no Reputation this is the beginning middle and end of his nativity even to adore reverence that Love of God we who after he had made all things yet made himself MAN so mans good before this Child was born as a Son he governed all things but for nothing was he born save to serve that men might injoy all things and if the biâ—th of this Child this Son be accounted fabulous either by Iew or Greek because incredulous I passe the Vengeance shown on a lewd painter intending to draw our blessed Saviour in the form of Iupiter An. C. 436. whose hand by the Divinity of Christs power withering was again refreshed by Prayer Repentance and â—aith in the two natures though reason could not unfold the Union But let me know why the diseased lyon seeks out an ape by whose ugly tricks he as it were laughs himself into health how or what can cause an ovel ball of Virgin wax cast into the salt Sea fill it self with fresh water why should the Iew doubt of Marys Virginity since he believes the bush burned and was not consumed that Gideons fleece was wet and all the ground dry that Daniels stone was cut out of the Mountains without hands All these were antecedent to this the Spirit trolling us forward to believe the Mystery of the Incarnation from a Virgin overshadowed she being like the porch in Ezekiel 4.4 through which none was to pass because the Lord hath entred in by it he was the occult seâ—d which had we wanted we had been like to Sodom 1. Isa. he is the fruit of Davids body to sit upon Davidâ— throne other sons are the fruit of the Loins Psal. 132. but Christ was purely a fruit oâ— the belly for from Iosephs piety for Iesuâ— Dignity for the Honour of the Holy Ghost as we know Mary to have been a Virgin before her Conception so she is believed to have remained a Virgin ever after HIS Conception in the womb being the fund and bottom of all that followed in hiâ— Mediatory office in it resteth the inscrutablâ— Mystery of the two natures the possibility whereof in the Union of our capacious Souls with our finit infirm bodies is somewhaâ— cleared but admit this should not be reflected upon Heaven it seem'd resolves that thâ— A. B. C. of our profession should be wholâ—ly superstructed upon faith that the 〈◊〉 and Ground-sale might be conform to thâ— roof and both to stand upon his ipse 〈◊〉 the word of the Lord the Femal being 〈◊〉 only placed for the parent not a man to coâ—â—passe a woman whereby a man may be bâ—â—gotten but a woman a MAN by whicâ— Iesus was organiz'd AND if heathens beliâ—ved the possibility of Minervahs concepâ—ion in the brain of Iupiter without a woman may it not from truer gâ—ounds be trusted that Iesus was framed in the womb without a man it is certainly fabulous that Budda should have gendred in his side a Virgin buâ— for this truth what direful things have not been suffered and what consolation hath it not bred And the newnesse of the thing in the uniting God and man is said to have been registrat'd in the book of Heaven it self for all to see the Learned observing by their tables that upon the observed day of our Lords nativity viz. December 25. their fell the greatest conjunction of the eight and ninth speares in head of Aries that ever was and nature is not able to effect the like say they unlesse the world continue thirty or fourty thousand years a strange conjunction upon earth represented by another in heaven imports the Almighâ—y would have it wonder'd at HER name Mary imports a star and that of the Sea too designed in this particular to be eyed by such Mariners or rather questionists who in sailing through the Ocean of Divine Revelation Mysteries will needs be exerciseing the plummet and by the line of reason â—athâ—me in the depth of the wisdom of God or coast it by the shoar of their own interest opinion faction or concernment Mary in this being a better pilot by her own motion above her own reason in how can these things be steared towards the bay of Faith and of dependance in Be iâ— according to thy word and to her Honour cast anchor within the port of God's verity and omnipotency with God all things being possible and their striking sail saved her own Soul bringing him forth who is made to us of God
Wisdom to cure our folly righteousness to remove our irregularity Sanctification to wash away uncleannesse and Redemption to obliterat our guiltinesse AND verily she had her reward and shall have for may we not see with Elizabeth blessed is she that believeth and in temptations to pride to avarice in the surges oâ— a tempestuous world among other Saints Mary as a star may be veiwed and as a copâ—py followed in this her act of relying upoâ— Gods Testimony which is thought no sooâ—â—er to be done then Christ was conceived That Holie thing said the Angel pointing aâ— it were then at him now in her womb the person of the Son of God bodily formed of heâ— flesh bloud not by transmiting the deity into the substance of flesh or flesh into that of thâ— deity but by uniting both in one subsistinâ— person so that neither the Godhead was manned nor the Manhood Goded but both though dâ—stinct really united qualifying the Impassible to suffer the Immortal to dy and the Eternal God who had ever been to be by a Mystery not to be apprehended and is the Mystery of Godlinesse God humbling himself for men that is for their good to men because born a MAN above men for though like them he was born of a woman yet was he unlike them in so far as in her he was formed by the Holy Ghost and born of her a religious virgin in him also the God-head bodily abideing CAN we do here lesse then cry out blessed is the womb that bare thee and the paps that gave the suck the womb bearing him who is the Author of all blessednesse to us the virgin becoming Spouse to the Father Mother to the Son and habitation to the Spirit hail Mary thou art highly favoured being made the restorer of thy sex sorrow in bringing forth imposed for sin by thee not felt when from thee we received Iesus God from the Father Christ man from the Mother therefore blessed art thou among women the blessed fruit of thy Virginity expressing a blessing to all the Daughters of Eva abideing in following after or cleaving unto thy pattern set them of Simplicity and Faith even in thine in their Child bearing thou as a star emitting beams of light upon the earth from thy breasts giving food to him who giveth meat to all flesh beareth the price of mans Redemption the mean of the Angels confirmation in thy armes thou art highly favoured God workâ—ng in thy belly three wonders for our astonishment and cureing of our heart first in preserving thy Virgin purity in integrity though in flesh 〈◊〉 the Ark was covered with pure gold in frucâ—tifying thy Virginity and makeing it conceive as the bush burned and was not consumed Lastly by an meffable joining of earthly thinâ—s and heavenly together thou 〈◊〉 Iacobs ladder touching both thou art highâ—ly favoured For in thee God becomes MAN a Virgin turns a Mother and the heart of mâ—â— believes all being peâ—swaded thou aâ—t the Mother of our Lord yet thy Lords handâ—maid that is our Lords Servant for thoâ—â— was made by him and if God be terrible oâ—â— of his holy places how much more wonderfull when he appears out of thy bowels having been compass'd by thy womb Thoâ— art highly favoured therefore Hail Mary 〈◊〉 heavenly salutation while thou was upon Earth yet on Earth thy worshipping of him ought to expound unto us its robbing him of his just devoir to pray unto thee since he was born by thee to become the Author of eternal Salvation to all that believe and to thy ignorant adorer I imagine that is I conceive thou sayes Man what have I to do with thee seing he is the Lord thy God worship thou him for it s written him only shalt thou serve c. THE english word compass is known and the root Sabab is of the same sense importing round about or on every side whence some apply the word to the Church who should after much wandring and wantonnesse cleave to embrace the Lord her Husband as the barren womb doth a man but this being no new thing we make progresse in our first interpretation affirming the words sound a retreat to the Church in her unprosperous war against God perswading to a Reformation of life upon this new Creation beseeching them as els-where the Apostle by the Mercies of God and of our Lord Iesus Christ who to cultivat our barren souls had first appointed the bloud of beasts in sacrifice next our own in Circumcision and when both failed the desiâ—ned effect by this new thing his last and great work that from his mouth the mouth of a Bab the bloud of a Lamb of this Lamb of God we might be perswaded to bring forth fruit upon the sight of such pure innocency who not being heard when he thundered might be heard when he weeped yea loved and obeyed descending unto Earth that he might be kissed of such who while he sat in heaven was not feared God purposeing to ereat nothing to save the impenitent this being done to enforce abhorrency of every evill way and the newnesse of it causeing wonder might the more to enflam godliness the worthies Kings and Prophets of the former ages not knowing not seeing this that is knew it not saw it not fuâ—filled for though it be said The Lord hath created a new thing in the Earth yet the time of utterance sheweth it only to be prophesied of because of which the People of the prophets generation might be ascertain'd that it should be as if it been past and gone God speaking of things that are not as though they were and to come as though already done so in after ages A woman did compass a man ENDVED he was in probability with a rational Soul from the first instant of his glorious conception the Holy Ghost framing by his power his pure body withâ—ut those previous preparations of natural formation infusing likewise his Soul before the ordinary number of thirty six or fourty six dayes which casteth the birth upon the seventh or the ninth moneth for though he was like unto us in all things yet the exception of sin includeth such effect as emerge from it of which pain in conceiving or in bringing forth is to be exempted from his Mother or imperfection of parts or lack of a Soul from himself we speak not of the extension or delineation of his members which must be by time perfected but of his bodies organization which how smal so ever might be animated that be from the beginning mâ—ght be both God and man which of an Embrio could not properly be allowed and the body being immediatly the work of the Spirit of Power makes diffiâ—ult to grant the body of Christ to be shaped or figured according to the wonted manner of men the Scripture as leaving it doubtful expressing the Embrio which can neither be caâ—led Male nor Female fruit whereas Iesus must be reputed to have always been God and MAN and MAN here
Paul were of God and Christ how soon might the rude swaine the country lossel the clownish Boor the whistling plowman the earthy drudge find out a way for nobilitating his family and Gentilizeing of himself in observing the rules and orders belonging to the badge and profession of the Gospel Let those of Castile passe for born Gentleman the Bereans are far more honourable Alexander and Nimrod may do great strange and bloody feats while Paul and Cornelius keeping their bodies in subjection least they should be cast-aways more splendidly writs their name and with a greater flourish in the volumns of repute TAKEING heed to Gospel rules holy laws observing the outgoings of the King of Saints even of the paths walks and orders of Iesus the Soveraign and Heir of all things and Kingdoms being King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God 1 Timo. 1.17 maketh the clown a Gentleman the Gentleman a noblesse yea all men from the basest of Pesants Kings unto God the Father and younger brethren to our Lord that is partakers of the whole inheritance with the Son of which dignity if you be religiously ambitious or earnestly covet after you shal do well for Iesus then in all cases shall be a Iesus that is a Saviour in time of trouble MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE WISE MEN Unfolded and applied For Epiphany-Day Ian. 6. Tolbooth Ch. 1671 But preached Sunday-Ian 8. Tolbooth Ch. 1671 MATTH 11.1 Now when Iesus was born in Bethlehem of Iudea in the days of Herod the King behold there came wise-men from the East to Jerusalem Saying where is he that is born King of the Jews for we have seen his Star in the East and are come to worship him THOVGH it be said that God is no respecter of persons yet it s to be understood in his eternal decision and sentenceing men to happinesse or misery conform to the Regularity or extravagancy of their actions for otherwise he eminently signalizeth some above the masse of plebeian beauty by signs and wonders makeing their ingresse to or egresse from the world prodigious or auspicious by unusual occurrences not to speak of the three Suns which appeared when Nero entred upon government or that fearfull comet some months before his slaughter nor of that shining bright before many lights of the Germain Church were extinguished by death as being portentuous it is upon record that glorious worthies have been saluted at their births by visions from heaven auspicating the felicity of their government grandour of their lives and glory of their fame as his late Majesty to passe old and musty Registers of glorious memory journeyed from his Palace to Pauls Church to render thanks for the birth of a Son our present Soveraign about ten of the clock May 29. in bright-day a star was seen to shine predicting as some then said his out-shining and breaking forth at last though for a time he might be out-shined by another not to comment God doth not always speak by his Prophets only but by the meteors and elements likewise in persons especially born for government and if in persons meerly temporal this be what shal indicat to the world the birth of the King of Kings rather then a goodly star and that in the east by whose rayes the Religious Magi whether by Day or night could spel if not read the birth of the King of the Jews for as there were many new things about and at our Saviours birth on earth and all wonderfull as the Angels appearance Zacharias dumbnesse c. It was seemly that the Heavens should also lift up their voice and declair that wonderfull work of God which lay in Iury yet shined to Persia coming to them who were nigh that they might be saved and to them who were afar off that they might be redeemed Therefore there came Wise Men from the east c. HAVEING seen our Lord born for and circumcised by the Jew we should wrong our selves if we beheld him not worshipped by the Gentiles for though Salvation be of the Jews Iohn 4.22 yet it's effects are to the ends of the earth at first the Shepherds adored here Philosophers are come to adore they directed by an Angel these conducted by a star both from heaven to him who was to unite them in one unto himself and of them so united as living stones to build a Temple for the Holy Ghost that is a Tabernacle for himself IN a Mystery behold Araunah the Jebusit offering gifts and David the Jew doing service to our God for the health of both and salvation one of another the Gentile exceeding the Jewish spectators in his the Lord thy God accept thee he knowing the Israelite to have as he had untill the Gospel was revealed a more peculiar interest in God so Christ was King of the Jews that is eminently but not only for he was also the God and King of that King-like Araunah a Gentile ONE day viz. Ianuary the sixth hath been fam'd among the Ancients and it 's first appearance highly rever'd because of a four-fold miracle wrought thereon God even the Father proving as on a Theater the Divinity of Iesus his Son for when he began to be about thirty years of age and baptized in Iordan the Trinity was discovered the Father being in the voice the Spirit in the liknesse of a dove the Son in the flesh and proclaimed to be the Son well-beloved whence by them that day was called Theophania the apparition of God viz from heaven that same day of the next year he at the Marriage of Cana of Galile turned water into wine because of which they called it Bethphania the appearance of God in the house On the same day next year he fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes wherefore they called it Phagiphania the appearance of God eating or in eating of this last there is some more scruple then of the other but let him be Anathema that denyes the appearance of a star unto these Wise-men which some will have to be shining when this King was thirteen dayes old others will have him two years old however the day from this was called Epiphania the apparition of God above or from the heavens and this as being more sacred more miraculous the Wise-men seeing believing journying searching adoreing and offering have in the Annals of the Church swallowed up almost all the other that is for the time he being adored now as God which we find not to be done in the other wonders by Jew or Gentile and the solemnity by the Ancients in all ages is especially observed upon that account unto whose venerable and gray-headed practice we shall in all humility conform this universal Lord and Sun of Righteousnesse having a morning star in the East giving intelligence of an approaching day for mans perfect Redemption and by it good tydings to these Magi or Wise-Men and by them to Ierusalem and thence to all the world
Solely knew or foresaw our Lords crosses temptations poverty slights melancholy so to speak since we read of his weeping not of his laughing torture death burial c. The probability of the contrary being so evident or apparent This is not spoken to disgrace that noble Art whether Astronomy or Astrology being perswaded that the stars are both for seasons and signs and works on this inferior world by natural qualities and operations as our herbs do growing in our garden known to the learned Phisician in their vertue upon man yet as this pours no honour on the head of cheating Mountebanks or Empericks so nor the other upon them whose covetousnesse ambition arrogance or other selfish interest hath made them pry into acts of Kings Counsels Armies and as they desired have made the heavens speak to the discredit of the Ingenious Artist and could they blush to their own confusion we are sure to their scorn and reproach we have seen this star-gazer so oft to erect Schemes for such different purposes with different tones unskilful prophesies that laying him aside let us worship GOD in love reverence and fear as the Magi. THIS King we have not the star of his birth that evanishing the sun of righteousnesse himself shining with meridian luster in ordinances and means yet no industry in the work of God among us but contemning Religion revileing piety scandalously by cleaving to the earth refusing to eye the heavens though the signs of the Son of Man be come wars and rumors of wars scarce faith on the Earth and the love of many waxing cold These men of the east shall rise up against us and condemn us who it may be repented at the preaching of this single Star and arising from their bed awakeing as men out of sleep came and worshipped WHAT more all here is Mysterious Christ being born in Bethlehem which is supposed to be the center or midle part of the earth that the vertue of the Son of Man might be more regularly diffused to the Circumference of the utmost bounds of the glob and he again to be their object as equally near as equally dear uniting in him who is called the desire of all nations the impulse or star leading to the house is that lively and heavenly gift of Faith by which the serious and industrious shal be led for embraceing of saveing truths the Air heavens or firmament in which that star was and the star it â—elf again speaking as it were with a tongue Christ to be born is the Church and the Prophets Apostles Ministers thereof created that is qualified for that end viz. edifying of the Church untill she come to the stature of Iesus Christ. The Ethnick Magi honouring Christ more then and far above the Iew tipifys the amplitude of the Gentiles conversion and prognosticks it shall be more then that of the Iew Herods slaughtering of the infants to the number of an hundreth fourty four thousand not to be thought incredible in so populous a place as Iudea though others shrink this full mouth'd number into fourteen thousand where of his own son was one manâ—festly shews the Devils rage his emissaries fury against the Church of God and of his Christ in all ages yet as Christ was preserved in Idolatrous Egypt in which by the by it 's said the Idols fell at his entry so shall his Gospel out live all heathen vanities Christianity at last enjoyning all Idolatry as holy Alexander in the Tripartit did the Pagan Philosopher at Constantinople who preparing to dispute was charged thus in the name of the Lord Iesus I command thee to be silent and the Philosopher immediatly was mute so great shall be the force of truth of Christian verity THE Magi were Wise Men Kings say some Ambassadors from Kings say others how ever good-men and who perceives not that not Manners with Wickams motto but Religion makes the man the prophane haveing but an external sign of Man hood a Fool a Mad-man as beside himself for though Reason make a man with the Philosopher Honour with the Herauld yet Religion is all in all with God and good men hence these are called Wise Men. WHEN the Magi entred the house they found saith the Holy Ghost the Child his Mother it cannot be granted to them who thinks there was a good providence here that Ioseph was absent least he should have been taken for the Childs Father since that same Spirit that revealed so great a matter and inspiring them in so high a way as to adore him did in likly-hood forestale any such surmise yea possibly every punctilio of the conception might not be reveal'd to them and so her Virginity not thought upon for the scruple about the Father might have come in their heads whether Ioseph was present or no the Mother may be only named here as in other places afterward she being indeed real mother to Christ Ioseph not named not from his absence but as haveing no relation to that Child before whom they fell and worshipped first next opening their Treasures presented unto him Gold Frankincense and Myrhe THAT which is here called worship is in our civil adoration called homage which in Scripture language is Kissing of the Son and unto Kings is a symbole of subjection acknowledged here above customary salutations exceeding all court-ceremony being a paying of homage to Divinity and respects both soul and body adoring the Word in flesh wisdom in infancy the truth of the Deity truly in humanity the blessed Lord hideing these things from the wise and prudent who at the birth of a King had looked for pompuous trains splendid attendance stately lodgings ravishing musick but these men had not so learned Christ falling down giveing as is the custom yet in Eastern countries head and knee hand eye and love zeal and true adoration preferring him to themselves their learning their possessions presenting with some of the fruits of their land as Gold and Frankincense and Myrhe THE two last being plentifully offered to God under the law which being now finished the reserve and store is returned to Christ there being no more offering for sin upon the altar but the Gold typifies their trampling upon secular or worlely wealth in comparison of those riches they had acquir'd by his advent which proceeded not from inspection into glasses books or maps but from heavens inspiration that giving the sign gave also the thing signified the Myrhe which preserves the dead from putrifaction offered to him is in the Mystery acknowledging both ours and their hoped for Resurrection to proceed from him alone Gold the price of our Redemption to be told down by his satisfaction and righteousnesse the incense a perfume used in sacrifice with both Jews and Heathens given to him shadoweth abolishment of all legal offerings and diabolical services that he viz. Christ may be all in all A King they asked for a King they found and like unto a King they offered Herod said seek not
his suffâ—ings outcryings were more or lesse as heaven lesse or more ordained them to flow or swell he was silent before the Governour not terrified at but contemning his accusers suffering innnocence to plead for it self in strong though mute oratory but directed in servour a prayer to heaven for acquittance for deliverance for exemption from the Death he feared discovering more dejection then ordinary malefactors nay then the thieves that dyed with him but upon this score that they had only men he had Almighty God and omnipotence revealed from heaven to struggle withall for neither Pontious Pilat nor Iew nor Gentile to the worlds end dare or can make any professing Iesus to undeâ—go that but which heaven hath before hand determined to be done and when all have drunk sufficiently the brook shall be dâ—yed up THERE is a cup of new wine the feelings of spiritual comforts refreshing the soul in the apprehension of the Love of God whereof many of the Saints drink another of sour wine in the grief anxiety and soul rentings feelings of the horrours of accused and accusing consciences darkned minds occasioned by the noysome vapours of sloath lust or uncleannesse this the penitent must partake of lastly there is a cup of worm wood water of suffering hard things dolefull calamitous inward and outward perplexities of which Iesus drank and of which all after him shal because heaven hath so appointed allowing such and so much to each one as by infallible wisdome is found to be for spiritual health and good which when acquir'd the dregs poured forth upon the ungodly the Religious then prosperously enjoying rest being elevated above the level of indignity and abuse yea attempts of Hel. FOR the Lord said to my Lord sit thou at my right hand and then the Lord said to his Church he shal drink of the brook for the Lord God had said thou shalt bruise his heel and he shall bruise thy head after which he shall reign and his enemies become his foot-stool wherefore he got this Commandement from the Father to lay down his life John 10. From the Father because he fitted him as Man to suffer hard things though spotlesse exposing also his naked body to the contempt and malice of the Iews and his harmless soul to the darts of his own displeasure for that sin which by imputation with God and reputation with men he had took upon him for he was numbred with transgressours that is esteemed one of them this commandement haveing also received from the Father WHILE Herod Pilat Priests Scribs Pharisees were in there stately lodgings palaces and parlours drinking wine in bowls that is at ease in Sion was Iosephs antityâ— the Son of God drinking bitter water salt water not from a Sea but from a river not from a river but a brook muddy water as it were rainy water for as in life he had not thereon to lay his head so at death not wherewith to satisfie his thirst but a brook no Tagus either where in is golden sand no fam'd because rich Ganges as â—n India nor Padusâ—s â—s in Italy to encrease his treasure but as he came to the world poorly so he leaves it again in poverty he borrowed an Ass in the way he lived as he dyed and both dyed and lived as he taught viz. blessing Religious and innocent poverty as that naked young man mysteriously inculcats Mark 14. and if the Gardners son this observe is good that neither idlenesse nor sloath nor plenty nor abundance was to be expected upon attendance of Christ Iesus Cinna of old was poor to the utmost degree of necessity and resolved to be accounted the poorest so would Christ yet because he was a King unto whom soft cloathing is allowed his woven vesture was singularly majestical indicating greatnesse and recording his God-head that being one and worn above as more noble then his garment which some will have to sound forth his Man-hood in both which God hath set him as a King upon his holy hill THERE are four brooks celebrated in Scripture first Iabock where Iacob saw almighty God face to face Gen. 32. the word signifies to empty or scatter and here Israel scattered the cloud of Esaus fury by soft words and emptied his heart of rancour by goodly presents the second is Zered Deut. 2. where the Tribs made a famous passe from Kadesh Barnea the word signifieth a going down as if men ought to descend and search the low vallies of their deepest thoughts before they go up to Canaan a third is before which Davidâ—oorded â—oorded in his persuit after the Amalekits it signifyeth glad tydings or incarnation which indeed as relating to the Words being made Flesh was good and refâ—eshing news to all in heart circumcis'd Isralits the whole being recovered what was took away by the Amalekits of lust the two wives of Iew and Gentile lost in Idolatry and uncleannesse regained again by the edge of the Lords sword the Lords so that this may be the burthen of this days exercise this is Davids that is Iesus spoile 1 Sam. 30. The fourth and last is Cedron the word importeth blacknesse the water whereof rising from a mountain Southward from Ierusalem 〈◊〉 through the vally of Iehosopâ—â—â—â— a far and â—ruitful soyl receiving a blackish tincture and is lesse or more filled as the weather proves more or lesse rainy OVER this brook Christ in David crossed when that King fled from the face of Absolom his Son and over it also did Iesus in person foord when he entred upon the last act of his passion Iohn 18. unto which pass this text might have an eye and as the Disciples eat of the ears of corn in the way for hunger I trust it may be no heresie to affirm the probability of Christs tasting the water of this bâ—ook in his way to Gethsemany for thirst occasioned from deep resolves of an ensuing violent Death though we read not of it as we read not of the literal accomplishment of that Prophesy in the history of his passion I gave my back to the smiters and cheeks to them that plucked off the hair Isa. 50. BROOK then is to be expounded the flouds of ungodly men the blacknesse and darknesse was brought into his very soul by the gathering and falling of the many waters of the desperat multitude hurrying him as Cedron was to the dead lake of Asphallites or cursed Sea of Sodom which God judged to the death of the CROSSE a cursed death of old because on a tree such who dying thereon being lifted up from the earth as unworthy to touch it being judged for sin which flowing from the tree the tree is cursed above other deaths and Christ enduring the curse must undergo the tree by which also now is taken away the curse from the tree no death since his being accursed in it self the sinner being penitent The Ground near Cedron was also accursed there standing the Tabernacle of Molech as if every thing
bound hand and foot with grave cloaths being afterward to wear the same robes not so Christ death having no more dominion over him Rom. 6. being swallowed up in victory as Moses rod swallowed up those of the Magicians as the wide Ocean doth the smal drop in which it is to be more seen as the Sun the dark cloud which it either scatters or illuminats THIS Lyon of the tribe of Iudah overcomeing that devourer of men even in the grave his deepest den resolving from first to last for conquest in the Manger in the Hall on the Crosse in the rock their mocks their blasphemy their swords their guards for had he been possessed by the tomb or his holy body seen corruption after his Viniger and Gal what benefit had men accrew'd by his death It was therefore a religious error of Mary Magdalen and the other Mary to come early to the sepulchre with oyntments being grounded upon their thoughts of finding death whereas he was up before to take possession of his new purchase having so punctualy payed the contracted for sum for sin unto the Father thereby becomeing Lord of heaven and heir of the utmost coasts of the earth MAKE his Resurrection a question and for once put it to probation Davids seed in whom the Kingdom was to be established 2. Sam. 7. Adams sleep and his awaking out of that after Eva his spouse had been forming the promise of ransoming from the grave Hâ—s 13. Isaac's delivery from being sacrific'd in the old Testament an Angel from heaven Christs own prophesy Peters testimony Thomas believing in the New doth almost overstock us with sufficient proofs his eating drinking walking talking priviledging the expression yea the simplicity of the arguments brought against us by the Jews evidenceth it's reality for if he were stole why was he not resceu'd If by his Disciples why were they not questioned and if either of these be true how is it known to them since the watchers declare they were asleep what more the order and neatnesse in disposing of the grave cloaths the confident declarations of the pious women and the calamities the Apostles chearfully underwent evinceth the Resurrection to be no fallacy IT was attended with that power that the watchers became as dead men when they came to apprehend him or to eat up his flesh they stumbled and fell amazed at some discovery of unexpected Majesty but here beholding an Angel from heaven preparing to liberat the innocent it was just on the other hand to strick as if not altogether dead the guilty and give check to unbelief especialy when heaven is at pains to refute impertinencies as their keeping was since it flowed from cruelty not piety earth also labouring by an earth-quake to invalidat their strength shaking their greatest confident that is their armes causing them unfit to handle the weapon their ground disableing them to stand their authority to keep him in the grave being recalled by a stronger then either was Pilat or the Councill FOR yet once more was the earth to be shaken and the desire of the Nations then to come which was the Messiah that is Christ sent to all Nations for as at the giving of the Law their were Earthquaks and shakeings even in heaven by the thunder and smoak shakeings of the Sea at the makeing way for his people so once more he will as in Christs suffering the sun was darkned the rocks rent here at his rising there was a shakeing of hearts upon earth and moveing of Angels of heaven some being shaken out of their dumps doubt fears and sinful carnal condition others not desireing him being shaken out of their wits out of their lives out of their armes and justly having refused him whose face was lovely and society desired by all Nations by Angels and Men unto whom they should run as the camp to the standarâ— as the eagles to the carcaâ—e bringing as subjects to their Prince all their desireable things offering unto him not only of the best of the fruits of the land as gold frankincense and Myrbe but the choisest of their hearts as love fear joy obedience which all Nations ow unto him and the elect have payd being shaken with the wonder of so great a mystery as his death and rising again from the dead which the unbelieving Iews denying and mercenary Souldiers striving to obstruct he that sitteth in heavens did laugh at the confederacy and said in spite of them in the morning of the Resurrection thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee THE mountains skipping like Rams and the little hills like lambs to respect him in his exite from the grave and prepare his people to admire believing his heroick atchiefment of subduing Hel and Death curbing by it and shakeing their insolence who cry'd we have no King but Cesar and said crucifie him crucifie him but on the other hand comforting his followers with a fear not ye for I know that ye seek Iesus he is not here for he is risen so that the Church may salute Iesus as the Angel Gideon the Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour Judg. 12. for hath it ever been heard since the beginning of the world that any wrought wonders in their death or that wonderfully raised himself again to life Iesus excepted whose Resurrection is the sine qua non of the joy in all believers the living having no hope no comfort save in it and by it IT was refreshing news to the eleven and unto these two unto whom he was seen in breaking of bread and so much the more cordial was his perception that he was at first concealed from them having wrapped up the face of his Humanity in a skreen by the power of his Divinity which no sooner drawn aside then they behold the Lord that bought them which brought new life and vigour to the heart-broken and doubting Disciples breaking that silence which for grief had been more then half an hour in the heaven of their society where sorrow had caused mutenesse about fourty hours for so long it is reckoned he lay dead Adam after the ejectment from paradise is never recorded to have spoak and after the second had admittance we can find among the Apostles little mirth but now all preach and teach Angels descend women walk Peter and Iohn run the two talk whence the Church of old this day sung the Psalms of Invitation inviting all creatures to praise the Lord because Iesus who was crucified is not here viz. in the grave but risen come said the Angel see the place where the Lord lay affoording matter for deep contemplation Iesus discovering the truth of his being Saviour who was crucified a holy abridgement and true repetition of his passion He is not here discovering the truth of his being dead and his once being there come see the place where the Lord lay by Lord acknowledging the soveraignity of Iesâ—â— and by the word lay enforceing a belief of his
thunder-struck the conscience-smitten sinners who with Iosuah ly all day before the Ark of the Lord complaining of flams kindled in their souls through wrath forâ—een being invaded by sudden incomes from above as by a troup before tâ—e Lord himâ—elf come to pul down and to destroy to sentence to condemn with Mary Magdalâ—n they cry who shall roul us away the stone of our sadness sloathfulnesse haâ—d-heartednesse and bitternesse wretched mâ—n that we are who shal roul away the stone from the Sepulchre of our hearts from the sight of our eyes and in pithy Harangues deâ—ats upon their own misery because of ransgression with broken pauses again feelingly sigh because of aggravated circumstances calling out with that convert Thais who having led a life unchast and purchas'd great riches by unlawfull embraces loathed her self and casting away her wealth not daring to name God her ordinary prayer was O thou that made me have mercy upon me BVT there are to whom he is risen making them to rejoyce with exceeding great joy becomeing rivals even to Angels in point of exhileration rising from the deadnesse of rottennesse and filthinesse darknesse and horror found in the vault or grave of polluted Adamsâ—ffâ—pring â—ffâ—pring having the lively colour of a sanctified countenance in the face of their conversation by being conform to the amiable aspect found in the behaviour of the old Saints which if denyed they answer as the blind man did the Pharisees one thing we know whereas we were dead now we live and behold the things that are above not bowed down as before but makeing straight paths for our feet towards the mysticall Galile to see our Lord avoiding the sâ—arch of these Finical Apish Trivial poor things in the valley of this world to enquire after 1. what is in that mount to which he hath ascended and 2. whereof he hath told us for remember to seek the things to affect the things that are above to be dead with Christ and then to live like him are the only four scriptural tokens of a spiritual Resurrection flowing from the power of our Lords rising from the dead OVR elder brethren the Jews keeped one passeover and their first at their comeing out of Egypt Exo. 12. another was observed in their journey through Sinai Numb 9. a third at their entry into the holy land that Christ is our passeover and that he is the lamb of God and that this is our Paschal feast in the truth verity and substance of the old rite of eating the passeover is clear and evident yea let the Mystery of that lamb be reviewed and both the Christians duty and the Christians Saviour are beautifully delineated a lamb pourtrays Christs meekness innocency and harmlesnesse that the lamb was to be of the Male kind respected his courage activity and Spirit it 's spotlesness his undefilednesse with guilt or sin it 's being a year old the perfectnesse of his age and ripenesse of understanding exactly qualifying him to preach it 's takeing in the first moneth shews our duty of consumeing the whole year in Gods service the first moneth whereof being consecrated unto him by this formal worship points out that he is enfeassed of the whole that it was to be in the fourteen day of the moneth sheweth Christs comeing in the darknesse of the soul and with full Moon clearnesse shins for secureing it against the darknesse of error and the evening doth so evidently publish his comeing in the last days or ages of the world that it needs no remark That it was to be eaten with unleavened bread banisheth malice and wickednesse this day from the houses of your hearts that it's blood was sprinkled upon the door is but the necessity we stand under of haveing our hearts purged from an evil conscience that it was to be rosted only not boyled is but the wholesomenesse of the Gospel of peace and implys it's good nourishment and that the Doctrine thereof is not pleasantly to be handled according to the soft or easy tempers of men that nothing was to be left of it enjoins nothing of Christ to be reprobated slighted or set by and that no bone of it was to be broke discovers that as Christ lost nothing by his passion so by nothing since is he to be overcome or hereafâ—er to be â—uperate COMMONLY we call this feast Easter from Eoaster an old Saxon goddesse whose feast was either in or about this time celebrated but the name Pasch i e a going over a marching away is more holy more divine more Scripâ—uâ—al and the Resurrection falling upon the Pasch raâ—her to be used for our instruction in keeping this feast which who so would keep with Christ who on it passed from the grave and his holy Church must keep it with the sour herbs of sorrowful contrition as nobly resolved to hold fast the profession of our Faith against all difficulties LET us with him eat our passeover standing and like religious pilgrims not leaning upon the staffe of our own understanding but upon that of the Spirit which may be obtained and preserved by girding our â—oyns abstain from fleshly lusts having the shoes of peace whereby in holy solidity and grave deportment we only make way and passe towards heaven in hast that is not being tepid dul or negligent in heavenly matters or soul-concerns leaving the spiritual Egypt or Pharaoh of Satans subtilty and earths gaiety going through Sinai or the thorny cares troubles vexations that are in this world still making progresse toward Iordan in the walks of sincere devotion untill we see the Captain of the Lords host in religious confidence and as Iosua stood so let us worship with the Disciples saying what saith my Lord unto his Servant not fearing but to feel the vertue of that expression all power is given me in heaven and in earth but Mark 16. ye shall cast out Devils which is done by the Ministry of the Gospel and when a Soul is converted from the error of his ways ye shall speak with tongues i. e. the prophane ribbauldry of fleshly communication shal be renounced the things that accompany Salvation being the substance of your future discourses ye shall take up Serpents in driving malice wrath rancour back-bitting whispering evil surmising from the ground caverns and hollow places of the heart and if you drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt you in not being drawn away by the enticements of the great deceiver but rather in zeal cry out depart you cursed or if by guile you transgresse redrâ—osse shal be obtained by a vomitting up the sinful potion in acknowledging thy sin by which you shall not dy for some shall lay hands on thee as sick recovering thee by the light of a good example and provoking hereafter to love and to good works to joy and comfort as Peter was when Mary according to her charge informed him of his Masters rising and of his place of meeting to him in particular giving him
the vivifying robes of celestial purity and contrivances of real and forestalled heavenly joy the prospect whereof in these womens diligence dischargeth wallowing in carnal ease pressing to a speedy rising even in the dawning of the day from the soft bed of sensuality to that more soul comforting exercise of searching after our Lord Iesus enstating our selves in his favour by unguenting the body of his poor crucified and traduced members since he himself now as wel as then needs neither our Spices nor oyntments that is our alms charity and beneficence YET let heaven behold us at some cost in preparing spices and oyntments at the charge of self denyal with discretion zeal and rais'd devotion for unto those is oyl compared and if Demosthenes thought men were likest the gods when they did good sure we may affirm they are very unlike Saints but excâ—edingly resemble the Devil who will not do good to Gods poor nor pardon the expression to Christ their God when he seemeth poor as here he did to the holy women wise Ioseph and holy Nicodemus who teacheth to râ—fresh and to preserve in vigour to keep from decay and to comfort the soul now of Christ by the oyntments and embalming Spices of sins mortification for as he dyed by so he also dyed for our sin and by Ointments of praise gratulation and thanksgiving we prepare for him the rather that he rose again or was raised for our justification which if not accomplished you are yet in your sins the discharge not being procured from God the true and just creditor then are we under the power of the Devil and heirs of hel and damnation being children of wrath but if Christ be risen nothing of all these to discover which an Angel was sent to roul away the stone from the sepulchre as the Iudge ordereth the prison doors to be opened signifying to spectators to believers heaven to be reconciled and the work of the Resurrection to be perfectly wrought without the power of Negromancy which might have been objected had he immediatly with the witch of Endor's gods rose from the earth HENCE that inference is good the Spirit shall convince the world of righteousnesse because I go to the Father i. e. I go to the Father therefore I am righteous for in his face might not I look having had by him sin impured if I had not compleately satisfied for the same and done every thing to perfection which I came into the world for which was to take away the sins of the world which being done I am righteousnesse in my self and the Spirit shal prove me to be right unto all because I am gone to the Father wherefore he rose in the dawning of the day the clouds and darknesse about himself the darknesse and clouds about the souls of men being scattered and gone the Sun of Righteousnesse with healing under his wings a metaphoâ—ick expression from the spreading of his beams and stretching forth his rays as wings covering us and brooding over by his warmth ouâ— young graces for their strength and healing our old sores and festred boils that we might not be darknesse but light in the Lord noâ— as lepers secluded his congregation but as his symbol had been like that of Maximilian of Bavaria he brought visible testimonies of everlasting reconcilment from all in heaven towards all on earth that Duke gave in a field two Turtles standing on the brim of a cup on each side of a lance which was adorned with a Crown suâ—mounted by a Cross illuminated from a glory out of hâ—aven all upheld by two right hands complicated or joyned together issuiâ—g out of the clouds with this motto Concordiae aeâ—ernae as if by the support and Union and of the two natures there were a cup of Salvation offered now to dove like innocents shining from heaven by the Crosse offering a crown of glory in laying a side Hawk-like ferity and uniting like kind mates one to another since amnestia or oblivion like acts are passed in heaven towards us all which is made out beyond demonstration by our Saviours going to the Father by his rising from the dead DOTHâ—ot â—ot the Holy Ghost presse in divine writ a life Godly Holy and prepared always for heaven in forsakeing the unfruitful works of daâ—knesse upon and from the doctrine of the Resurrection as if those who looked towards it should not look behind them least they be concluded not fit for the Kingdome of God but loveâ—s of this present world and catereâ—s for the flesh seeking to fulfill the lusts thereof to mortifie which how incredibly rigid hath been the abstinence and how strangely fervent hath been the prayers of the Ancients in their Quadragesimal or Lent-devotions in them â— menting their own and their brethren's excesse in their voluptuous embraces studying to live unto piety not luxury refusing oft to pay Nature her just debt of aâ—iment and food for her too oft debaurds makeing this feast a spiritual Pasch truly passing from darknesse and it's works the deeds of the flesh to the operations of the Spirit the renuing of the Spirit by putting on the new man after God created in righteousnesse and true holinesse perswading by the sanctimony of â—heir carriage others to receive impresses of the beauty of holinesse beholders admiring their love which wrought them unto an imitation of their deportment THOSE that rose with Christ appeared unto many giveing infallible tokens of their leaving the Society of the dead whether Adam or Iob were among them as some saâ— I know not yet his is certain that their Resurrection mystical is to be questioned whose acts do not quadrat with those ruâ—es of blameless and spoâ—lesse behaviour by law expected and in conâ—cience also resolved upon by such who really are influenced with and by the power of the Resurrection animated to things above We hear of the perverse surly morose lives of many but such as are risen with Christ are doing good and walk charitably with all men thaâ— such who are without that is out of the Church as Pagans Turks â—ewâ— may be won by their good conversation We see many puffed up with impudence and arrogance but they are cloathed with humility multitudes say come let us eat and drink for to morrow we dy these are temperate in all things and not knowing what a day may bring forth dye dayly a number grumbleth muâ—muâ—eth repineth at this and the other Crosse at this and the other fancied calamity these posesse their souls in patience too many assemble in Troups to Harlots houses are whoremongers Adulterers these â—bstain from the very garments spotted with the flesh How numberlesse are such who curse rail backbite snarle at their Brethren like dogs swear that is snarle grin at passers by these honour all men pray for all men love the brethren giving Religion a lustre and really beautifying the cause of Christ. AS the Iews fondly teach that only the Godly shall rise at the last
Land as the Bride the Lambs wife for which Praise the Lord all ye nations praise him all ye people For his merciefull kindness is great towards us and the Truth of the Lord endureth for ever Psal. 117. All things being fulfilled which were fore-prophesied IT were not seemly to wave the particular place whence he took his rise which was from Mount Olivet by Interpretation a Mountain of lights either from the Suns shining thereon at its first rising or the lights of the Temple Splendor thereon at its setting or it may be because the lamps of the Temple were furnished with oyl from the fruit thereof or as others from the shining smoothness which is on the skin of the olive-berrie But from what part of that Mount he made his exit is unknown it may be for the same cause why the grave of Moses is obscure viz. to prevent superstition which offence and sin is evidently seen in those ignorant and scandalous Idolaâ—ers about a rock in that mount where by Mounks is shewen the the Image of a foot which they say was impressed in the rock by that foot which was last on the rock as our Saviour moved therefrom to be seen yet in that beautifull structure the Chappel of the Ascension builded by the Famous Helena just over the place where our Lord took his â—rise reverenced both by Turks and Christians as fitted upon that score for Devotion joyntly performed by both Religions the last officiating at the Toleration of the other the house being in the possession of the Mahometans Curiosity and Supperstition drains the purses of many for beholding this and other supposed Foollerys but that all might not be lost from this Impresse Travellers take some quantity of loose sand as a Religous relick yet the mischief is what quantitie soever be taken there from it is still supplyed by new so that the continuance of that miracle may be one ground to prove it no wonder but a cheat AT the foot of this mount Gethsemane was to be seen where the oyl presses stood for pressing of the olives and within the compasse of that mount as far as Bethania did he travel towards his ascending the same way â—e had rod into the City about fourty seven â—yes before and where his Friends Lazaâ—us Martha and Mary dwelt as if he had â—id there is but one way unto glory that is â—he way of the Crosse except in that rode â—here is no glory except in that path there â—s no victory and unlesse you strive no enâ—ring into the strait gate for as Oliveâ— is so â—ermed from light so Bethany is termed obediâ—nce of which grace his Ascension is a fruit â—nd who can pretend friendship unto him or â—is as did Lazarus whose soul sets not his 〈◊〉 unto Gods verity and truth in yeelding submission unto that law given the Church of avoiding ungodliness and worldly lusts beâ—ng sober righteous and Godly in this present world ADAM through disobedience forfeited Paradise and was cast into the valley of death darknesse his Successors must infer the only mean to review that whereof it was but a â—â—pe nay which is more to taste of the tree of life and ascend to the mount of God is to forsake the way of Cain and not aid the conspiracy of Corah but run that race of obedience Christ hath run before us causing every step that is every act of our life tend to the perfecting of us in those graces above mentioned whose light endoctrinating to the splendor and rayes of beaming good works made bright by the oyl of the Spirit conveyed into the soul by the branches of Sacraments and all other ordinances are abstâ—acted from earth or earthâ— mindednesse ascending to the hill of the Lord and standing in his holy place foreseeing and palpably discovering the direfull issue of abideing in a tumultuous City and bloody World where in place of Friends Marthas or Marys holy and friendly treatment worthies of whom the world is not worthy flagiâ—iously are assaulted with Lanterns torches swords and staves and by fond flattery villaneously betrayed into the hands of those who hate them by a Iudas Kisse a Ioahs fair word and a Tamars embrace BVT behold the order for that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first Eph. 4.9 and in spirituall regiment he who would leap high and far must stoup and press his body lower and lower He ascended its true far above all heavens but He first descended into the lower parts of the earth i. e. abhorred not the Virgins womb it being expedient for him who desiderates heavens joy the Seat of God blessed for ever to descend first into the deep places dark cells of his vain imagination the matrix or womb wherein is conceived all malice wrath blasphemy and all lasciviousnesse and then when perfecting the will of God in crucifying the old man walking with Abraham to the Mount of contemplation and then as Christ at Bethany lifted up his hands towards Heaven arguing His affections being there before his personal aryvall let us point at the permanency of these Heavenly pleasures accounting them more preferable then such which this earthly Glob presents to her admirers which being but in pitchers of her own mould are brittel though fair yet will the fascination be uncharmed for Hell which is a hole shal resolve that all promised enlargements were but a bewitching not a refreshing of the Soul And Canaans way being upward made Elias to be carried up and why should I be any longer here cryed Religious Monica the hopes that I have of things above making me to delight in nothing that is beneath why am I here beholding the flowry mead of this visible world to be full of stinging and poysoning serpents noysome weeds whereby it became despiâ—able in her eyes and accounted her self miserable untill elevated above it A proper work a significant fruit of Christs ASCENSION which as relating to man hath a four-fold degree First to the heart next in the heart next by the heart and lastly above the heart The first provoking the fear of God the second receiving Counsell from him the third espouses Christ unto it self and the fourth makes a discovery of God and beholding him as a fight delectable as a sight beautifull a disappearance is made of earth a neglect yea a hatred of its pretended only and seeming delicious enjoyments BVT What means this where he was before or that other like it No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven John 3.13 One He viz the Son of Man and another He viz. the Son of God the pronoun the same in both yet making a vast discrepancie in the two He 's He The Son of Man ascending where He not the Son of Man but He the Son of God was before and that for ever that is in heaven where He the Son of Man had never been Behold
yet are under Christ to the dignifying our nature and us being men who being but dust and ashes at best and worse when sinners at the highest yet where sin abounded grace much more abounding the Father receiving him into favour as our first fruits from the earth which obtained a blessing for the whole Harvest of Adams off-spring God saying to such in him sit at my right hand which sitting cleareth his merits to traâ—scâ—nd those workings or purchaseings of Cherubims and Seraphins who stand before the throne Luk. 1.19 for sit thou is to be expounded be thou my Fellow according to thy word shall all my People be ruled as Pharaoh said so heareth this Ioseph I am almighty God without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot Gen. 41.44 WHICH honour being given to Man who once heard dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return who was sent to the Ant accounted woâ—se then the Ox or the Ass not only sent to the birds of the Air to learn instruction but called the sons of the Devil discovers infinit love which should cause man perâ—ue that passage of sit thou iâ— his soul untill Gods love heat the hâ—art Christs merits cool the conscience and God's sit at my right hand Nobilitat the mind and Christs sitting secure the whole man he noâ— only resting for himself but preparing a place of rest for others MOREOVER the right hand is the high blessednesse peace and joy with satisfaction which God hath in Christs holy society upon the account of his obedience as Man in doing always his will for the left in the Parable denots enmity dissatisfaction and contrariety and in ordinary gestures inferiority â—t represents also three great properties therewith Christ is endowed the glory and â—onour of his Divinity this Sun of righteousnesse rising at his birth clouded by death did 〈◊〉 so to speak in his Fathers throne ending the day of his earthly appearance and worldly troubles in this felicity perfecting and finishing the work which he came to do â—ext the Authority of his Man-hood we will â—ay such a one sat fourty twenty or Fifteen â—â—ar in the chair meaning government and â—are so also doth Christ his sitting not being 〈◊〉 naked quiescence but expressing his vigiâ—ance and thoughts for and about the Church for as again Iames the third of this Kingdome gave in a Medal a Hen brooding over the Chickens shadowed with a Crown with this device Non dormit qui custodit he sleeps not who governs though they may rest yet in that rest there is life and comfort beneathed to others Our Lord by his word Sacraments and Miracles doth unweariedly uphold his Church and all her begotten by the mediatory office lastly there is in his sitting his power of judgeing Advocats and Counselours stand while Judges and Justices sit especially when they give sentence so he when executing the ungodly and sentenceing them for hateing mercy he haveing judgement on his left hand fire to burn consume and tear the fiery bloody Spirit and sits in sentenceing to evince the deliberatnesse of the judgement IT 'S true once Stephan saw him stand yet reflect that he is a Counsellour an Advocate for the Church and the gesture is not to be wondred at for still understand a Metaphor by which figure ye may finde he sits as a Judge stands as a pleader by the sentencing bloody Jewes and by the other intercedeing for patient Christians and again by standing he vows reveâ—ge to the enemies of his servants by sitting he absolveth the enormity of his Disciples sitting not denoting circumscription of place but the glory of the Deity wherein before alâ— worlds the SON was being from Eternity consubstantial to the Father and in latter dayes when Incarnate the glory of His flesh being exalted because in the God head to be adored above every creature He coming down by his birth enter'd into the field oâ— Warre fought against all his adversaries in strugling with death conquering that King of terrours in the power of his Resurrection and entring his Royal Citty He triumpheâ— in his Ascension as the Roman triumpheâ— haveing his prisoners in bonds and scattering medals and presents among the people in the Scripture phrase giving gifts unto â—en ending his troublesome journey to Earth in Heaven as he began having the 〈◊〉 of the Angels to Eccho him to the World the gratulations of the Quire at his ingresse into Heaven the Selah of all the Glorious Prophets the Euge of the goodly company of Martyrs together with the Religious Hymns of the Chuâ—ch both East and Weâ—t in all ages untill this day believing that he is gone to prepare a place for them if it were not so he would have told us Ioh. 14 2. HE was once thought a stranger in Ierusalem and was before that so obscure that his brethren did not believe on him which the Jewes yet presse as one great ground for their unbelief He acting as a Painter who drawing his most excellent draughts in the dark when finished exposeth his Tables to publick veiw so until now he carried himself strangly as to the Syrophenician woman and confineing his Discples to the lost sheep of Israel but now it is Go teach all nations suffering the Jewes to deride his Miracles to lye against his Resurrection but as he said it shall be and all the world must acknowledge Him the everlasting Son of the Father IN order to which the song of the Elect is HE that is God HATH raised up a horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David Luk. 1.69 an Horn indeed growing out of flesh yet more solid more firm then flesh yea exceeding all flâ—shly horns being borne of the Virgin behold flesh but conceived by the Holy Ghost behold his excellency above flesh yet when we perceive him at the right hand of God behold that horn raised and as the horn of the Unicorn causeth sweetnesse to all the imbitter'd waters of our Iericho even by the touch so doth the applying of his ASCENSION unto all our perplexities becomeing to all a horn of salvation Let the Iewes therefore blasphem if they will He is now made the Head of the Corner exalted raised above all the buildings either of Church or Synagogue virtuating them for beauty strength and lustre that as in the dayes of Elias the heavens were shut up so in the dayes of Iesus after a barrennesse of faith love and hope there was a cloud like the hand I might say like the footstep of a Man arising out of that Sea of Christs Passion suffering and a sound from thence of abundance of precious good things of Gods promising and Mans needing not to say asking in his ASCENSION the Church being now as a field which the Lord hath blessed by having Faith in Divinity expectation of bless in the hope of what he hath promised and Charity in the love and tendernesse he hath kindled for us so that the expression of
board LET the Zealous discover faith in his conversion preserve hope untill the consumation and a manifest love in his conversation Bethany his obedience shall so clear the eyes that this flight from Olivet shall be known in all its spirituall effects and steps for the hearts more ravishing because refined joy delight and satisfaction making the tongue to cry after him Set me as a seal upon thy heart as a seal upon thy Arm Cant 8.6 that is Lord remember me now thou art going to thy Kingdom IN the year of grace 1608 three Ships called the Ascension Vnion and Good hope sailing neere the Cape of good hope had the fate all to perish the Vnion first perished next Good-hope last of all the Ascension that aspiring minds having great hope and dangerous ploddings have perished in their hope when almost arrived at their wished-for-port and Cape of their contrived design iâ— notor to those who are not strangers in our Coast yea to our shame Strangers best know it Vnion we have already lost in our dangerous discords miserably increasing and â—candalously spreading Yet we pretend to Hope and makes a lively-hood from it for Faction and variance but having so oft been under water and it it self dashed and broken to pieces might be justly called Conceit and we Phrygian-like ought to be wise behind hand and weather it out no longer but take harbour least we lose that is forfeit the benefit of the ASCENSION having only a fancied presumption of felicity to come GOD avert the ominous application of â—his instance and unit us again by the Spirit to an holy Vnion in which only we can have â—rue hope secured and then our ASCENSION will be ascertian'd by which we shall â—e ever with the Lord in the Lord and afâ—er a troublesome sea deluge of a tumultuous â—urly-burly the Ark of our Soul will rest â—o that Arrarat those mountains of Spices above saving the Cargo of a good conscience by Anchoring in the Indian shoar of heavens rich and glorious enjoyment THE Emperour Sigismund having proâ—ed succesfull in severall battels against the â—arks dignified many of his martiall Worâ—hies with the Knight-hood of the Dragon their Device being a Dragon falling headlong RESEMBLE a Saints progress toward Ierusalem to a land-journey through a vast wast and howling Wildernesse comparatively thâ— whole Earth being no other yet no Misprision from within no false Information from without no Hellish Combination encompassing need cause a retreat for all of those in the Dâ—agon already cast from Heaven are overcome Revel 12. Their attempts against the Woman and the Remnant of her seed that is the Church her Sons and Daughters are but wrigglings of that old Serpents tail since his head was wounded be not precipitate be not afraid Lyonâ—nd â—nd Adder the young Lyon and the Dragon shall you tramplâ— under feet as speaks the old Testament Psal 91. That is shortly bruise Satan under your feet as prophesieth the new Rom 16. For Christ must sit that is he must Reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet A worthy saying of that great Apostle of the Gentiles 1 Cor. 15. MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE DESCENDING OF THE HOLY GHOST Unfolded and applied Pentecost-day-May 22. Tolbooth Church 1670. Whitsun-May 22. Tolbooth Church 1670. JOHN XX. XXII And when he had said this he breathed on them and saith unto them Receive ye the HOLY GHOST AMONG other promises given by our LORD unto his Disciples for their support in the tydings of his departure that of the Father is â—aid to be one which was their being baptized with the Holy Ghost Acts 1.4 5. and that from heaven which had been revealed to Ioel Chap. 2.28 by the Father and also to the the world by the Son who had given the Spiâ—it to his Followers but the Father having promised a more ample manifestation it is peculiarly fixed to him by the Son who as a preparative thereunto from above breaths here upon them beneath the Spirit being the Soul of the Church without it you must imagine it to be only a Carcase that Article of the holy Catholick Church being a depending one the holinesse thereof relying upon her Relation in and towards that of the Holy Ghost THOVGH as a bride she be betrothed to the Son yet it 's the Spirit maketh her the Lambs wife as believing she is Baptized unto Christ yet wanting the confirmation unction or blessing of the Spirit there is no inward sanctity which being ordained to be gradualy given it is recorded in one place to be lesse plentifully and in another to be more miraculously infused as before and after our Lords Ascension is evident in many places and particularly in this wherefore it is expedient to behold how the Apostles received here the Spirit and how afterward and how we may be said as Sanctified to receive the Spirit now that we may passe from the infancy and weak condition of meerly inâ—ant Baptism and to become adult in possessing the thing thereby signified even the sprinkling by or baptisms of the Holy-Ghost as by fire that as washed and heated we may become so enliven'd as the Lord may have pleasure in our beauty and delight to dwel in our very bodies as Temples for himself His altar our mind spiritualiz'd his Sacrifice our good works the fire devouring that Sacrifice being that of Compunction for sin and zeal for his glory THESE two words Holy Ghost expresse the holy Spirit the third Person of the Trinity when together for if separated the Father and the Son are holy and the Father and angels are Spirits but when united they respect a duplicated operation and double office of the third person performed upon them who are chosen vessels unto Glory in makeing them holy and in giveing them life breath or spirit by which they become living souls Ghost or Guest being a name synonymous to all Spirits but â—elly or holy to him by way of excellency who proceeding from the Father and the Son as breathed forth and being every wâ—y holy fitteth his name to his nature the sutablenesse whereof being eminent he is denominat in our new style thought more refined then the old the Holy Ghost receiving other Names from other properties as wind fire the finger of God the comforter the spirit of Truth the holy spirit which the Apostles are commanded to receive not as though they had formerly wanted him for they preached wrought wonders cast out Devils a power that flowed from his In-being and during Christs abode but he being upon his ascending qualifieth them now this second time for the work of the Ministry in remitting of sin in binding the obstinat for sin in inteâ—preting the Scripture for their greater assurance and fuller consolation because of his absence about Prophesies and typâ— as the election of Mathias in the place of Iudas from the mouth of David doth famously make evident YET it is no great cause of offence to
affirm that here they are breathed upon to dispose their minds already sanctified for the Spirits reception in a more solemn manner in the dayes of Pentecost MOREOVER a religious melancholy seazing on the vitals of their Spirits and belief of their Masters proceeding from or ascending to the Father in and for their behalf the Spirit being a pledge of Salvation the strength and life of the Soul is here given by an apt similitude of a breath foâ— as the visiâ—le body of Christ was not God so neither is the breath here felt to be estimate the spirit to confirm them that as the breath came from him so should or so did the Spirit proceed from him likewise which the Greek Church to this day denys affirming his procedure from the Father only which is seen say some in their punishment in looâ—ing their Imperiable Citty Constantinople their Emperour Crown and Kingdome being taken by the Turk upon this day in the Calendar An. Dom. 1237. wherein the nature gifts and proceeding of the Holy Ghost are taught explained and truly commemorat in the Orthodox and Latine Church MANY good things our Saviour had taught especialy about his Death and Resurrection which the Spirit was appointed to bring to their Remembrance the brain of man in it self being naturally dull hereby is cleared and as his birth purifieth ours as his life instructeth ours as his death destroyeth ours as his Resurrection preceedeth ours and as his Ascension prepareth ours so his sending down of the Holy Ghost helpeth us mightily in the reflecting upon these things against all infirmity whatso-ever oyling the wheels of the Soul makeing that lift up it self being otherwise bowed down and by this is said Woman or man thou art loosed from thy infirmity causing them still look forward oâ— like a religious pulley stil haleing or pulling the soul heaven-ward to a loveing of spiritual things contrary to the carnal mind spiritually hence the Sunday betwixt his Ascension and the Spirits descension is called from the entrance of the twenty eight Psalm Dominica exaudi as if from that time the Church of old and yet now had been still calling praying for and expecting a fuller portion of the Spirit this breath being but the first fruits untill the harvest a taste only of Canaeans grapes a warm breath a refreshing gale untill the mightier and rushing wind should blow when Iesus had been glorified THERE are two principal parts of the body viz. head and heart to which in the soul corresponds the understanding and the will it being led and moved by these as greater wheels and God in his Church hath to both of these in resemblance Christ and the Spirit the head and heart of his Congregation for understanding of and being guided unto the things concerning life and by these we know he loveth us and by that knowledge procureth in us Love and Ioy by divine illumination toward himself the Spirit being that Regius or great Divinity Professor teaching from within the mysteries of God for what ever David the Psalmist Amos the Prophet Daniel the Prince Peâ—er the fisher Samuel the Sâ—er or any other Priest Prophet or Patriarch taught were but lecturs of his composing words of his frameing sentences of his drawing up directing how to believe how to live how to walk and how to talk how to love and how to adore how to weep and how to pray all with admireable wisdom holy zeal and fervent charity THE Spirit was here given about the Resurrection before the Ascension after which the spâ—ce of ten dayes reckoning from the fortieâ—h that is from the Passeover for he was given again so that we are to observe the feast of Pentecost when the HOLY GHOST came from heaven whereby they as all good men are made to look up before which we must meet and assemble so receiveing it in the Word breathed upon us on Earth this doubling of the Spirit being like the two-fold Commandement of loveing God who is in heaven and loving man who abideth upon Earth yet it 's but one command acting on different objects so it s also one Spirit given and acting for differâ—nt things or for discovery of that one great thing the Trinity FOR the Son having been visibly known among men the Father also revealed by the things that are seen there remained one thing to enforce the certainty and existance of three Persons that was the appearance of the HOLY GHOST who had once come as unto Noahs ark like a dove in the evening of the world upon Christ the Lord expressing the meeknesse peaceablnesse harmlesnesse of them who are as houses inhabited by him this was at his baptisme the next as is thought was in a cloud strengthning his constancy glorifying his purity and heating his fervency this was at his transfiguration A third was by a breath for animating a perplexed little flock about the removeal of himself from them a few dayes before his Ascension A fourth was in fire in tongues and this was after his glorious Session at the right hand of the Majesty on high giving them a noon-day knowledge to understand all Scripture power over all Devils wisdom against all Philosophers Eloquence against all Orators Patience against all Torments Gifts to convert all Nations Confidence in the love of God for subduing of unruly lusts Grace for persevering in all good works Lastly Ioy in the peace of a good conscience through Christ and him crucified whence it is sayd they were al filled with the HOLY-GHOST in contradistinction to those portions or draughts they had received before so diminute that it s said the HOLY-GHOST was not yet given q. d. in that ample and miraculous measure because Iesus was not glorified John 7.19 WHICH when done they are quasi overcharged and Speaking were thought drunk that is intoxicated which in a trope they were but not as the Jews â—uppos'd with wine but with the new-wine of the Spirit wherewith the old bottles of corrupâ—ed self could not be brimmed the Vine whence it flowed being above the liquor whereof stupâ—fied not the braine but transmented the Soul noâ— causing staggering but confiâ—ming in faith and joy as in the Citty by that River which maketh glad the Citty of God which they renewed by wind fire and tongues were capacitate to drink of the one blowing away the chaff the other heating the Spirit giving light also to the dark chamber of vain Imagination the last promoting to speak refinedly perswadingly being cleansed from carnall sordidness and earthly selfishness delighting in no talk but of the wonderfull works of God IT is usuall with Expositors to shew the analogy between things themselves and that which is represented by those things In how many wayes the Paschall Lamb and Christ doth agree the Red-Sea and baptisme the Cross and the brazeâ— Serpent Iesus and Aaron David and Ioseph is not of our province but how aptly doth wind represent the operation of the HOLY GHOST in those upon whom he cometh
blood the lowest bowing down of his Head there at the Pasover in sight of the Nations did his Soul fly upward into Paradise leaving a naked body in the hands of the Souldiers and there again was his greatest exaltation pouring forth his Spirit at the Feast of Pentecost upon his despised Associats the firstlings of whose conversion by his power whom the Rulers had slain but fifty days before in that same City not only reviveing his memory proveing his innocency but convincing their Auditors the inhabitants of bloodinesse and sinfulnesse they thereby becomming adorers of the Cross manageing the vertue and merits thereof in gratifying the Father that is glorifying and pleasing God by rejoycing because of and in the same and of its extension unto all the world the Iew rejoycing in his own pardon for crucifying the Lord of glory the Gentile being glad in partaking of that Salvation which was from the Iews Ioh. 4.22 both now understanding the Prophet in his Out of Zion shall go forth the Law Isa. 2.3 and whence can it come fitter since it s a Law making peace then from Ierusalem a vision of peace where Christ the Prince of peace said once peace be unto you and again peace be unto you Joh. 20.21 that is as I have found you in peace I leave you in peace and abiding in peace the spirit of peace shall abide with you for which receive ye the HOLY GHOST THE Trumpets of the Temple sounded every morning at the opening of the Gates for assembling the devout unto Divine service the Spirit being breathed upon the Apostles here keep'd them together untill the sound of a mighty winde alarâ—m'd them and prepared them for more ample manifestation of his appearance And surely what the Trumpet did our Bells doth now each ting and toll saying Gather your selves together Joel 2.2 and though gathering by many be not regarded and by severall reasoned and printed against yet our falling from the shadow of Religious deportment in shutting our ears against such solemne invitations to our Churches hath not had among us such alluring mercies such beamings of heavens acceptance such self-denying and sin-subduing characters such warme breathings of Ghostly consolations nor such examples impulses to purity and good works but that yet we should go up to the house of the Lord and call upon his Name with the remnant that are left OVR Fiery tongues against Assemblies and the Masters thereof being indeed such that is fiery rather then like as fire God by them being dishonoured and the multitude of the Nations enforced to conclude there from that mystically we be drunk with the wine of astonishment and spirit of giddinesse having a knack of cursing what ever we see contrary to our intentions though urgently sought by us or wishedly endeavoured for what ever Providence doth with us though it may be in the main conform to our prayers and fasts yet in the end we pray and fast yea curse and ly against it since it is so well known the Gall which now imbitters our lives even to separation is no other then that same Gall that hath disrelished our former enjoyments Our disquiet proceeding not so much from this or that object as from our heeding the devil who is come down yea invited down amongst us having great wrath so that in some meetings there is it may be a mighty rushing wind and the sound of that throughout the land but our sitting that is our abideing in that harmonious concord peace and love attested as a badge of the Spirits future coming not being seen its fallacious to inferre the possession of Holinesse though they should speak with Tongues and prophesie OFT did the HOLY GHOST appear but never in the shape of a ravening beast or bird of prey Oyle is soft a Dove is not invective and the fire that came down at Pentecost was without smoak for that hurts the eyes and likewise without natural heat for it sindged not a hair of the head neither did the smell of fire passe on the Apostles it being but like fire an Element in which God had oft appeared as to Moses to Elias the nature of it being adapt to signifie the operation of the Spirit within these men for their own good and benefiteing of others which ardently they pursued prudently instructing and by Grace infusing in others their own acquiâ—'d and infused perfections as by fire melting the hard heart inlightning the ignorant cleansing as from rust the idle and sluggish Soul heating all through the love of ascending towards Heaven which love as oyle keepeth always aloft and without mixing it self with the affecting of things here below they being cast out as by a sink and not to be heeded that is beloved for nauseating the Soul which by the pledge or troth here received as by a Ring hath betrothed it self purely unto God HENCE we may pronounce their piety but formality and shall be more confounding then flat Atheisme who obtruds upon the world their rough hands enflamed cheeks tearing nailes their pilfring humour their slandering tongue to be constituent parts of those multiplicated gifts effused and shed abroad upon their heart by that Spirit which descended in these dayes the pernicity whereof to discover would long detain us from our Port but that of our Saviour detects the insolence by their fruits ye shall know them Matth. â— 16 Rapaciousness and blood-thirstinesse being equally remote from the soul of Him in whom the HOLY GHOST dwells as are the contentions and blasphemies of Hell and the joyes concord and peace in the highest Heavens SVCH who expect visits from great men fits their houses for reception possibly by perfuming pots the Disciples prepared for the Spirit by Vnion Prayer and Love embrace the Pattern imitate the Coppy with repeated acts of incense-like mortification of lust prejudice animositie or whatsoever savours of such nastinesse Using in opposition to these the strowings with the sweet herbs of Brotherly kindnesse meeknesse patience charity and love to God the house I should say the Soul thus scented is disposed for his admission he loving purity and religious cleanlinesse being the only delectable property he pursueth and expecteth THE Church is said to have Doves eyes Cant. 4.1 and the Dove is both a sociable and harmlesse creature refusing to nest in that cote where rottennesse or stench breeds annoyance being delighted with that house most which is furnished with glasses the bird delighting in her own shadow and rejoycing to behold it even in water The Doves eyes indeed properly unsolds the chastity of the Church looking only upon her beloved as a true Turtle and her not following strange lovers but the other known properties of that fowle countercharms the witchcraft-like enchantments that are in this age men caressing that is hugging themselves in a whimsical solitude not desiring to have a discovery of themselves unto themselves least they should relinquish their imbib'd opinions falsely called a principle and say O! who