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
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
in the Church from all generations sent his Servants the Prophets who though dead yet speak to purchase proselyâ—s unto piety by powerfully convinceing the world of sin and terrifying men from unrighteous courses by the Terrour of the Lord even by those judgements he is purposed to execute upon all that are ungodly by which the strongest holds sin hath erected hath become like Iericho's walls flat so powerful hath been the breath of their mouths from which Energy came that confidence of Lactantius who with open mouth transacts witâ— his Readers that if they give him a Covetouâ— man an Ambitious man a Libidinous man by a few Scripture Texts actuated by the Spâ—â—rit he shal instantly present them with a liâ—beral an Humble and a Chast man And if any Rampier of Belials erection had brav'd it 〈◊〉 opposition to those precepts of pious deportment making avarice and lust with impudence and power Rapine Effusion of blood Oppression and Injustice so far to enlarge the Philacteries of their Jurisdiction that like Augustus Cesar they tax all the World compelling even man-kind to pay Contribution Goodness joins with Omnipotence and by wonders and Miracles GOD gives check to unbelief making it as Pharaoh's Chariots first move softly and next overthrows it in the Sea of Admiration making Faith first transcendently to triumph next resolve upon obedience and godly holiness argued into them by convinceing prodigies the intellectual faculties of the Soul not being so deprav'd but will prompt the organs of the Speech to say This is the finger of GOD. Which holy violence if yet more obstructed through the frequency of visions the customableness thereof not inforceing but nauseating the Heart as cloyed with signs and wonders the Almighty compassionating the phrensy displays once more the Ensigns of his power and for creating in men new hearts and disuniting them from their beloved lusts causeth Truth to be embraced by representing for its verity unwonted Spectacles as here he did the Jews a generation fatted and surfeited with miracles putting Divinity it self to devise a new device for reclaiming them from stale and Frantick combateings against Heaven and for confirming them against their old wonted Apostacy and back-slideing Creats a new thing in the Earth makeing a woman to compass a man PROVIDENCE is but a continued Creation a series of the things at first created which Creation is not only the production of things out of pure nothing by an irresistable fiat but also out of matter by it selfe through any vertue inherent not disposed to be the origen or parent of such or such a Substance as Adams rib was not in nature in its utmost activity capable to produce of its self or give the constituent parts of such a Harmonious body as Eva had receiving the power for that by its inlargement extension and apt composition in symetry of parts alone from the great IEHOVAH who stilâ— continueth the beings at first created by thâ— same alsufficiency they were formed anâ— wherein they are commanded to subsist whicâ— being observed and indeed expected in the turns and returns of the year forsooth by natural reason and experience createth 〈◊〉 wicked men a neglect of prejudice against their maker which putteth God by way of reâ—venge upon some and in manner of advice to others and for Caveats unto all to form stâ—ange effects from not imaginable causes that the Dreadfulness or Loveliness thereof may thunder or allure men into a reformation which to perfect our Prophet orders his Hearers to consider this new thing viz. A womans compassing a Man THAT a woman should be created out of man is an old thing that man should be produced out of a Woman is an ordinary thing that a Woman should embrace a man is no strange thing but search records and a woman's encompassing a man is a new thing in the Earth so new that it is the prerogative of the Lord of Glory alone and an act whereof he boasts yea invits to wonder at its creating by which is hinted that as it was never done so neither is it after to be expected purposeing still to have it a new thing and under that notion to be rever'd THE words by some are understood as predicting a change in the Iewish Church now groaning under onerous oppression being enfeebled by broyls and tyranny labouring to be delivered and here promised strength against and power to overcome the Masculin sword of the conquering Babylonians but this being no such new thing since Egypt was before destroy'd they may be interpreted to be the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ according to Ieremiah Speaking of her whose womb without the Knowledge of a man encircled a MAN That MAN That singular MAN with an Emphasis as the word Gaber originally imports hold out mighty strength a MAN in his strength a man not old not a boy but in perfect ability and full strength and was and is and which is yet to come yet still a MAN so that the woman is Mary a Daughter of the house of David and the Man is Iesus Son of the most high GOD whose Conception and Nativity in the flesh was indeed a strange thing and prophesied of as a sign and as a wonder futurely to be accomplished this sign the Lord giving that a Virgin should bear a Son Isa. 7. joyning Heaven and Earth for his animation God man for his Constitution A new thing yet an old thing because foretold it is an old thing yet a new thing because but now Created that Israel who had been married in Truth Righteousness and Iudgement might leave her dissolute Harlot-like Conversation and return to the first Husband of her Youth who upon her penitence purposeing graciously to accept her as a chast Virgin that Truth might spring out of the Earth confirmeth his word by this astonishing miracle of a Womans encompassing a Man which ratifies Gods tendernesse to all posterity unto all mans issue who will Spiritually dive into the depth of this Abyss and secure the Treasure therein unto himself by application Kissing the man with the Kisses of his mouth that is doing Homage to the Son least he be Angry THIS being the feast of our Lords Incarnation called Theophania because the Lord appeared and sometimes the Nativity because the Lord was BORN it shal be as apples of Gold upon pictures of silver to descant upon the thing it self viz. A womans compassing a man next upon the strangeness of that thing or as it is a new thing in the Earth A Woman that is in sex and yet a Virgin that is in condition receiving the first compellation from her wombs fruit-fulnesse in which she conceiveth and nourisheth man as if she were not properly a Woman whose womb had not bred a man neither shal man be happy but by this Woman this womb Mans bearing this Virgin 's encompassing she saveing all by this Child 's bearing though a Virgin an expression from the bodies vigorous and beautiful motion
offered by sin Satan or the world to our deceiving senses WHAT deductions faith can make from those Names of the Rock the Lamb the Vine the Sun the Rose the Shepherd the way the door the Priest pertaineth not to our province but the appellation MAN in our theme is so soveraign so gravidat with blessing flowing from Fraternity and Brotherhood that the improver may observe a Magazine in point of war for all accommodation a store-house in matter of peace for all conveniency at first representing God in MAN and therefore in spiritual attaques hellish conflicts wrestlings of Conscience strugling with the world interceeding with God he is a MAN an accomplish'd Captain endowed with all requisits required anciently by the Law of Armes for accomplishing a Leader Gentryâ—he â—he battel ended and the Halcion days â—f peace being come the soul in sweet Communion holy Fellowship with God uninterrupted joys of the Spirit he is a MAN to advise with in the Management of all things INDEED the Angel appointed this MANS name to be Iesus that is a Saviour adapting his name to his office whence saâ—vation in its bulk as also in its parts is ascertain'd to him who makes this MAN his Iesus an appellation which none of the Prophets knowing or not revealing maketh evident that Almiâ—hty wisdome concluded it fittest for an Angel first to utter and next him the Christian that both the one and the other might eternally adore the impresse and signature thereof being capable to mâ—lt the soul by its heat but its worth proclaims a jubile to the most deâ—ponâ—ding sinner in enclining his ear to these 〈◊〉 that Iesus is born in Bethlehem whoâ—â— a Saviour Christ the Lord which so traâ—â—quillats the Conscience that it may disdaâ—â— the surmisings the whâ—sperings of Fear 〈◊〉 inviting the eye and attracting the ear thâ—â— except Iesus be seen and heard wise disâ—courseing is but babling A holy Man disrelisâ—ed the otherwise sweet fluency of Tullys eminent not to say admited Rhetorick and immitable because not bumbastick Oratory in regard that Jesus was not among all his tropes to be found that being the salt seasoning the highest expression of endearing Friendship or most allureing Eloquence THAT Signior like name the Prophet giveth him Isa. 9.6 exceeds all delectation that speaking him wonderful Counseller the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace the first â—epresenting all the rest miraculous being Wonderful yet amiable because a Counsellour yet that hinting subjection he is formidable in action understand to his foes he is Mighty and least that should be construed not to extend to omnipotence he is said to be the Mighty God yet to conciliate kindnesse he is a Father and to cause veneration he is the everlasting Father and that he might be known to be above all desirable he is the Prince of Peace made peace go before him brought peace with him there being either peace or Truce at his birth all the world over what can be reflected upon here wanting for the accomplishment of a MAN and what is not here evincing the rationality of his name wonderfull IN the beginning was this word John 1.1 there 's eternity this word was with God there 's equality the word was God there 's a Deity and the word was made flesh there 's Humanity and that word in flesh is called Jesus there 's Salvability the Grace of God by him appearing and bringing salvation unto all men and how happy should we be if we would so far act as MEN as make our symbole like that the Emperouâ— Jovianus scopus vitae Christus the end and perfection of my life is Iesus FOR this cause the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. hath as a Father observes the Name Iesus and again the Name Iesus in the first ten verses eleven times over as if he could not or would not compleat his triumphant wishes for the Corinthians establishment by other means then by tuneing their ears to this Appellative Jesus makeing it manifest to the most inadvertant that the word Master or MAN or any other nown had not in his judgement vertue competent to heal their sores remove their follies or siâ— their quick silver so much as Jesus Or as if he himself by a holy inebriation of the juice or wine pressed from the signification thereof had forgot the earthinesse of names and sounds but in heavenly Dialect could only pronounce the Elements of mans salvation view the stable therefore the manger the swadling-cloaths and behold they all cry See Jesus Behold the MAN who being eternally enjoying peace and splendidly ruling in heaven was as about this time born MAN a word also insinuating Misery vexation and wo encompass'd from the womb with Legions of Devils Princes Pharisees and people yea by his own Kinred and Disciples was he perplex'd being denied forsaken and rejected saying we have no pleasure in him because they saw him a MAN that is a compend of Sorrow yet because he is a MAN that is a compound of Excellency behold his worth with chearfulnesse and Zeal as Simeon Anna the Angel and the heavenly hoast who as they sang at the Creation Iob. 38.7 would also rejoice at the Redemption of the world worshipping him who was the first begotten HOW much more ought man for whom the Lord more peculiarly was made Christ as the shepherds will shew you who went to see and returned from Christ the Lord with great joy two words expressing fiâ—st his Humanâ— then his Divine nature The great Turk vanteth of his being Guardian of our Saviours Sepulchre let us exult in his Authority glory in his Holy Name Religiously improving the design of his comeing that we may be redeemed from this present evill World Gal. 1.4 that is from the practices thereof and designs therein the mischief whereof can easily be discern'd and from which no Angel could secure us therefore their maker Gods Son became MAN by consequence our Brother voluntarily divesting himself of his glorious Robes cloathed himself with the poor rayment of flesh and blood buckled on the coat-Armour oâ— bones and sinnews to fight against the god of this world who had projected maâ—â— thraldome to Eternity by the worlds gaiâ—â—ty whereas contrary our Iesus is before us in a stable Reprobating the worlds glory in his practise that others may abstract their souls from it in their Converse IT is said that the herb Christâ—â—woort or Christmas flower in plain English black Helebore so called for its springing about this time helpeth madnesse distraction puâ—geth melancholy and dulnesse sure we are that though Christ at this time did not speak yet the members of his bodie the face of his nativitie the indigence of his parent the surlinesse of his hoast says to the demented witless because prophane prodigal Love not the world cease from evill and do good subdue pride watch envy provoke not to wrath Love mercy do violence to no man he troubled none in the Inn by makeing intrusion into any
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
the order of Aaron nor as a Prophet for their unction shewed their lawfull successour whereas he succeeded none for all before him were thieves and robbers Iohn 10. insinuating that all the Prophets were either after him or came along with him art thou the Christ said the Messengers to Iohn is not this the Christ said the woman of Samaria that is he who was to be the Messiah the anointed one and this name of Christian from Vnction is most proper for men to use they if believing receiving some measure of that holy oyl the Spirit of God which was given to him without measure But some contrary to this name delight in the word Catholick and some of these Catholicks again glorie in the appellation Iesuits and both of these scandalously use some countries in particularly in Italy and in Rome it self to make the glorious and honourable name of Christian to signify an Idiot a Dolt a very fool which shews their impious arrogance in boasting of what is proper to Rome nor Romes Doctrine as now taught the word Catholick being of no worth unlesse Holy be added and their spiritualiz'd pride in stamping the name Iesus upon a few making him the head of a faction assuming a name so glorious so ineffable as if salvation were only to be found in their colledges and Christ himself to be only of their order GIVE us the name of Christian signifying out hops in his Authority and the sense of it also as heirs of his purchase together with the obligation of it as being bound to his doctrine chiefly first in reprobating the worlds vanity for Io. 6.15 perceiving that they would come and take him by force to make him a King he departed next strennously to exercise repentance for he was the lamb slain then fervidly to exercise Charity for he prayed for his enemies and lastly studying purity in the whole man for he taxed the Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the Cup. SO being Christians in truth let 's leave others to boast of being Catholicks and brag of their Iesuitism we shal exult in our Lord Iesus Christ honouring revering but not dareing to assume the name Iesus there being no other name under heaven by which we can be saved Christian including only our duty obedience and respect unto Christ whereas Iesus imploys his office and benifits towards us and therefore no project how devoutly so-ever carried on ought to appear under that notion in the world and truly the interpretation of the same being known the inapâ—nesse thereof as to Ignatius Disciples would as clearly appear as the incongruous name Cosmographers give to the Magelanican sea calling it Mare Pacificum that is peaceable whereas the Pilot finds it still rageing and stormy which they are to that degree that they are a burthen a curse and cursed by the generality of that Church wherein they so monstrously breed and if obedience Laws designs scops give names they are neither to be called Ignatians nor Iesuits but Popelings IESVS is his name and Salvation is his office and our profession proclaims our acceptance of him for a Saviour yet who will â—enter a cut or a bruise because he hath a salve or oyntment or break his arm upon confidence of a skilfull Chirurgeon So no lesse warrinesse against offending issueth from the knowledge of a born Redeemer whom we are to use not as Mountebanks for sale of their balsoms viz try his efficacy or skill by putting our selves upon spiritual hazards and run risks in eternal concerns but as wise men avoid both danger and infection and either happening consult him as we do a learned wise Phisician agaiâ—â—t the impurity of our birth unrulinesse of our lâ—â—es and horrour of our death against all which he is a Saviour and ready to help for he was called Iesus IT hath been an old complaint that the celebration of our Lords Nativity in these days hath been polluted by Pagan-like behaviour as if by it we had been liberate from God Sabbaths and Temptations and tyed to nothing but idleness gluttonness and wantonnesse not as God but as if the Devil had been incarnat and this is not of yesterday for we find the Ancients exprobating the case with Christians for their beholding observing some wanton rites of Ianus at this time celebrated yet their zeal was attended with greater knowledge then to raze these dayes out or expunge them from the Kalendar but rather their people from sin the observation of which time being accounted by them as it is yet with the Churches of the Saints at home or abroad reform'd a godly a goodly practice the protestants in Holland France Switzerland Germany c. joins in this practice with the Church of old and we as Brethren ought in charity not to condemn them though we withdraw our Amen In not consenting to that observance LET us abhorring the lasciviousnesse of the Gentile the scandalous practice of the irreligious equally avoiding the maliciousnesse of the Iew serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Circumcising our selves in our flesh externally by seemlinesse in our apparel to be in our actings irreprehensible and in our speech that it be not contemptible and in the Spirit also internally which consists likewise in three as in our thoughts that they be holy in our affections that they be pure and in our purposes that they be honest all which is most necessary though they may be thought severe as was cutting off the prepuce of the foreskin under the Law by â— knife importing how fast sin stuck and how dear lust is BVT off it must or we shall be cut off râ—ther then which let it go and as about this time there was for our good a new birth a new mother a new Son a new Song a new Marriage a new Spouse a new Brid a new Testament a new Inheritance a new Sacrifice a new Sign a new Child a new Yâ—ar we ought to have new lives laying aside the old leaven of malice wrath envy and all uncharitablenesse going beyond that is exceeding the superstitiousness not to say the righteousness of those Pharisees the Iews who will not eat what is either sour or bitter on their new-years-day but sweet almonds figs rasins as also fish a type of that candor inoffensivenesse that they are to shew towards all the year after before whom their good works must abound and multiply as fish in the Sea that is numerously exercising our selves sincerely at all times in the things that may accompany Salvation and wherewith one may edifie another unto which Circumcion of old did morally enforce and Christs Baptism with ours also doctrinally proposeth IN the Kingdome of Portugal there hath been for above three hundreth years an order of Knight-hood entitled of Iesus Christ that King being Soveraign of the order and held in great esteem not to sensure the Acts of Princes if Cnicht or Knight in our old Saxon English be interpreted a servant as Iames and S.
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
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
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
and refractory this name is not publickly proclaimed from heaven but given to Mary and after that to Ioseph who gave it to his supposed Son at 's Circumcision and by that name which his parents gave him was he known in all the tract of his life God in this occult way preserving the order and honour of paternity disallowing such who assume the boldnesse to rebaptize themselves and write new names which their parents knew not HE is by the Holy Ghost yea by men sometimes called Iesus sometimes Iesus Christ often our Lord sometimes this and again that other name every one of which have some peculiar eye to some relation he beareth towards the Church and in all those glorious precepts for divine celebrating the Supper that is the holy communion of the Church by S. Paul he speaks of it in that style that would hardly make that phrase the cup of Iesus the death of Iesus to be proper speaking constantly of the Lord as the Lords Death the body and bloud of the Lord a word importing the founder of that communion and fellowship we have with the Father from which this may safely be drawn that men should discreetly expresse the tittles gâ—ven to their Saviour It is a truth that some have spoken of him under Epithets purely that is scripturally applicable to the Father to the Spirit to an Angel THE most celebrated tittles are Iesus Christ and the Son of God this last when Iews deny him mock raile reprobat laugh at him c. is proper to use Christ intimating his anointing hinting at the means whereby he saved us as preaching fighting conquering is pertinent for us the Son of God he is called being very God of very God the second as he is Man God by assuming humanity but his name Iesus represents him God joyned to humanity united to the humane nature and here wisely given yea before haveing three times been so named viz. at his conception to Mary next to Ioseph 〈◊〉 a dream and lastly at Circumcision for then they called his name Iesus a name majestick a name consolatory holding forth his Deity for besides this Lord there is no Saviour and his Humanity also for by it he maketh propitiation for our sin nay we find it iâ— other writtings not removing but preventing sin even that of robbery for a paddist or High-way-man attempting to spoil a preacher ordering him to stand and asking what he was was answer'd I am a the servant of the Lord Iesus the Paddist trembling at the answer said again what are you and had the same answer and so a third the Robber as amaz'd forgot both bloud-guiltinesse and covetousnesse and called to his unjustly detained Captain for the sake of Iesus depart in peace and ruminating to himself whose servant he had been in this debauch'd trade of life being cogitabund cryed out Iesus Iesus Iesus blessed be the name of Iesus who hath keeped me from sin and forsakeing that course of life walked after in the path of vertue LET none inquire touching the utmost extent of this name since it 's secret and wonderfull Iud. 13.18.19 above all mans conception and expression having not under it the name or shadow but the essence and verity of all Salvation yet know he is not called Iesus because he saves from war or sword for these may be good but from sin which can never be but ill therefore it comforteth the heart when opened delighteth the Ear when hearkned pleaseth the mouth when expressed intimating from sin freedom and predicts glory in place of misery But yet not by the aiery sound or letters thereoâ— whether utter'd or impress'd for the Devil spake it to Christ himself and had a finger in the py when it was writ upon the crosse but when applyed by faith and conforming to the Doctrine of him who bears it as he who learning and studying Iesus well proposed to himself for a Coppy a meek man â— humble man a sober man a chast man merciful man and finally a man endued with all honesty and full of all sanctity which is a sweet way to make him to every man Iesuâ— i. e. a Saviour that he as being Almightâ— God created them so as Iesus that is Goâ— and man may redeem them from this present evill world by his omnipotent unspeakeable goodness compassing strengthning by his mediatory office what ever is his own within the â—oul abolishing by his Royal power Christ-like vertue what ever besides that the heart hath contracted to prevent relapsing let the man Iesus be our example and Iesus God your chief support leaning upon him as your beloved and the name Iesus shall assure salvation secure heaven not otherwise THE name Iesus is admirable for by it all wonders have been wrought and because of it all Devils trembled it 's also amiable sinners having by it been justified righteous gladned the dejected raised and all that ever called as the blind-men Iesus thou son of David have mercy upon us have been relieved it's lastly laudable for it 's glorious it 's holy it 's new it 's exalted above every name and the name that is given to us for us whereby only we can be saved therefore glory ye in his holy Name REMEMBER you are his by purchase be having redeemed you not with corruptible things as with silver and gold but by his pretious blood of which summ he this day gave part in hand as earnest and payed the whole afterward in grosse upon the Cross and might there be not more then a common providence that upon the first of Ianuary there should be fewer Martyrs in the primitive persecution then on any other in the year each day produceing when laid together five thousand save that since the faithfull witnesse himself by whose bloud their's was accepted did as upon that day enstate us into the passage leading to the spiritual Paradice by applying his merits in Circumcision as the first fruits of the land â—or earnest of our forgivenesse makeing hell to tremble as being spoyled of its Dominion Earth to rejoice as being redeem'd to God and Angels to triumph as being confirmed in righteousnesse all which passionatly excits to a confession that Iesus is the Christ to the Glory of God the Father makeing his Regimen in our souls the more arbitrary when by way of reserve we reflect upon that purpose of the Father that every knee shall mark the word shall bow that is yeeld and submit to the name Iesus that is the power authority and Judgement of Iesus FROM the name Christ are we called Christians that implying both his and our Unction with the graces of the spirit whence also came that name of the Messiah i. e. one that is anointed viz above his fellows as Christ is said to be Isa. 61. with gifts not with material oyl which had been improper to him as a King for his Kingdom is not of this world or as Priest for he was not of
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
whereof we our selves are witnesses and if I speak the language â—f the Prophet Arise shine for your light is come I hope you will obey the ensuing charge and lift up your eyes and see and then as convinced shew forth the praises of the Lord which is also foretold and as Gentiles come to the light Isa. 61. IT was said of Solomon the Kings of Tarshâ—sh and of the isles shall bring presents the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts its true Tarshish was never a Kingdome but by it is prophesied what the rich Kings upon the coast of the Red-Sea near unto which Tarshish was a famous inland Town should do and what the Kings of Sheba a chief Citty of Ethiopia and Seba another in Arabia Faelix both famous for gums and pretious stones should perform as tributaries or as Favorites to Solomon a Preludium of that homage and good-will which the world owed unto and should repay unto him of whom Solomon was but a shadow even to that King whom these Wise-Men come to worship LET us veiw these holy pilgrims and their pilgrimage in there came Wise-Men from the East the place they travelled unto Ierusalem their Question in that place where is he that is born King of the Iews their errand with him we are come to worship THEY are called Wise-Men of the east otherwise Magi or Magicians of old an honorable appellation and applied not unto vizzarts or negromancers as now but to the students of Philosophy and Mathematicks observers of the motions and government of the Luminaries Sun moon or stars inferring conclusions for orderly walking in matters of regiment and intrinsick projects of state and got that name from Meditation detecting and diveing into natures deepest secrets foreseeing the probability of things were held of old men of renown by Indians call'd Gymnosophists with Grecians Philosophers Caldeans in Babylon Druydes in France Sapientes with the Latine and with Persians Magi who were of that high estimation that none was thought worthy to reign except he had studyed their art and from their Colledges were persons taken for being petty Princes and governours of countries whence it may be sprung the conceit of these Magi being reputed Kings WHENCE they came is not yet determined some brings them from Caldea they worshipping the stars others will have them of Balaam who prophesied of a star There are who fetch them from the utmost parts of the earth its most likely they came from Persia because of their gold incense c. of their motion it was east from Ierusalem from their learning there being in the Citty Susan the Kings seat near the Palace in a stately garden a Philosophical Colledge of Magi students of History Philosophy and Divinity with whom Daniel Ezechiel in the captivity conversing and by their unwearied seriousnesse in searching Records and Antiquities might arrive to the knowledge of much of the Law of Moses the promises to Abraham the truth of the Prophets and of the expected Messiah which by the weeks of Daniel might be by them now looked for not omitting the wisdome or direction of the most high to those whose acumen was to unty knots and Mysteries qualifying them to become tutors unto Daniel in all humane literature whose religious Zeal in gratitude might bequeath some of his spiritual instructions for their own and others advantage pairing off the excrescencies of their endeared studies by his life wisdom and visions that they might be more intent upon that one thing necessary whence in probability flowed at this time their worshipping of Iesus for they believed and therefore enquired and therefore offered HAD they been called Philosophers it might have been conjectured they came from Greece but the term Magi speaks them Persians being given by that nation to persons studious of knowledg only if the distance of Susa from Jerusalem be computed which is 920 miles it would be imagin'd they could not come so soon after our Lords birth as our observance will allow which is but 13 days not to speak of the swiftnesse of Dromodaries upon which in those countries men travel'd the star might appear sometime before the birth and in their travel their stay in Jerusalem something more then a year might passe for certain it is that Herod according to his information of the stars appearance slew the Children of Bethlehem from two years old and under and this interpretation seemeth more agreeable to the text though it may be the star appeared not untill the birth and hast care zeal with true piety mâ—ght cause the journey to be expede in the alloted time though in the appearance of the star Herod might be mocked there being greater slips not censured in Scripture of more experienc'd Persons in Divinity the men wisely forseeing hazard to themselves and danger to the bab TOVCHING their number they being called Wise-Men there can be no lesse supposed then two and in regard there are three sorts of gifts some will have them so many men tell you a tale of 3. Kings of Evilah where there is much gold of Magonia where there is much frankincense and are so wise that Appellius Amarius and Damascus must be their Hebrew names Galgalath Megalath and Sarachin their Greek-names Caspar Balthasar Melchior their Roman names more then twelve I have not found them to be thought it is likely there was a train a retinue of the most curious pregnant devout learned in the Society with the worshippers for they put all Ierusalem in an uproar and Herod himself was troubled when the intelligence of the Shepherds but six miles off for ought we read was not so much as headed by either THE heavens to David declaired the the glory of God and to the Magi the birth of his Son the Jewish shepherds had an Angel and tokens perswading them to belief the Gentil Philosophers had only a star yet they believe both seeing that one Christ which was then born and design'd a corner-stone for uniting these together giving them his right and left hand from the affection of his heart both being now alike pretious to him because as they he is the Son of Man The Shepherds were nigh the Magi a far off yet both received he moderating the Jews insolence because of the synagogue and illuminating the Gentiles ignorance because of his light joining them as one building himself as the corner-stone both beautifying and strengthning the structure AND into this Church as into the house with the Magi let us enter he being our Lord and saluting him let us worship they opening the door for all nations as Ambassadors of peace offering to his greatnesse the mercy of God in Christ giving ample assurance of reconciliation to all offenders though Magicians Wizzarts consulters of witches as to Manesseh when so wise as to lay aside the works of darknesse and behold his wonders in the firmament of his works and heaven of his word wherein they shall perceive that Christ is
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
mad and Heliodorus thought a witch but he call'd my Charmes my Art my Craft is Christ and demanding respite for three days to advise what to do he repaired to the Idols Temple and in fervent prayer obtained from heaven the falling of them all like Dagon for which being set upon a fresh he made ample confession of the truth of Christ yea his tongue being cut he preached heaven-ward with his hand untill he was slâ—in rejoyceing in hopes to see God in his flesh desireing also to depart and to be with Christ. BY the Resurrection the Believer hath a privative and a possessive good the first containeth an abolishment of hell and death that they be not the portion of his cup Christs appearing to be the Son of God by it haveing brought life and immortality to light is the substance of the other 2 Tim. 1. opening the gates of Death a typ of the resuscitation of our mortal bodies having made out peace by defraying as a surity or cautioner what we were endebted to justice whereby we are accounted just and righteous before God his egressâ— from the prison of the grave testifying a discharge and maâ—s assâ—ilment whence still to our being condemâ—d there is oppos'd his rising for who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is Christ that dyed yea rather who is risen again and in this righteousnesse it is wherein S. Paul desire to be found makeing it his own by faith and rejoyceing in his own security thereby blessing God for that victory which in Chrâ—st he himself obtained the day book of his sins being crossed and the head of his advâ—rsary bruised by the substance of the Crosse in the power of the Resurrection which so far virtuats his life that as raised in Christ he accounts not himself any more in this world haveing his conversation in heaven not regarding the knowledge even of Christ after the flesh as did not a latter Saint who seeming to behold his Saviour in bodily shape visionally cryed out Lord keep that sight from me here but let me behold it in thy own Kingdom in the other world RISE therefore from your vain conversation from your graves of lust your reward is slighting Christ or selling Christ being no other then what the Patriarchs had when they sold Ioseph or what Iudas got when he betray'd Iesus viz. shame and fear which whoso would avoid must follow him who is the way to young beginners the truth to such as affirm and life to those that persevere the way to them that ask the truth to such is have found the life to those who passe the way to them who travel the truth to them who rest and the life the righteous do enjoy all procured by the death Christ underwent IT is said the lyons whelps lying as dead three days after birth are awakned by the roaring of the Syre certain it is that after three days this lyon of Iudahs trib was raised by God the Faâ—her for thogh his rising be attributed to the Spirit of holinesse Rom. 1. as also to himself having a power to take up as well as to lay down his life John 10. yet it is also expressed to originat from the Father for God said Peter raised up Iesus Acts 2. scattering the least mist could arise from doubts temptations or surmise improving faith against all stumbling blocks the holy Trinity joining in one for Christs manumission from the grave all being reconcil'd to man in his Saviours actings upon that particular the Lord God who had sentenc'd Adam raising the Son who was God and by the Spirit who with the Father and the Son is one all equally willing equally appearing for and equally approveing what by the determinat counsel of the Father was under agitation in that affair SHEWING withall that as Christs manhood was raised by God through the Spirit of holinesse so the quickning of man against the deadnesse of sin ignorance and unbelief is the sole work of Omnipotency which alone can remand back the Spirit of sanctified illumination men possessed in the loins of their Father Adam and adapt them by a receive the holy Ghost to walk as Sons of God not of men yet as nothing quickens except it dy so neither can the sinfulnesse of sin be taken away untill man know he is sold under it and by it betrayd as by a Iudas into the hands of the Devil who hath the power of death that is of execuâ—ing not sentenceing which conviction of heart only maketh man to dy with Christ and necessarily must preceed a rising with him TO some it is true Christ is not yet born such are the lofty Spirits the touring souls behaving themselves not as Children weaned from the mothers breast but as so many Gyants begotten of some Goliah and born of some radiant Amazon which conceit maketh them conceive themselves some great body and being contrary to our Lord who was born a Child that is for humility and meeknesse debonaire and affable towards all soar in their carriage and Pea-cock like moutting in the sun-shine of their own vain glorious imagination as if with the Pea-hen all must then be in love with their mistaken transcendency and couch to the shadow of their greatnesse whereas quite contrary self denyal religious pensivenesse for the losse we have had for the things we want a reversing of the Escutcheon of that excellency which fortune or parts have bestowed because ensigns of our mysery and badges of our poverty tokens of the infamy because sinfulnesse of our birth are still in those true Children moraly and in their own esteem little ones to whom belongs the Kingdome of heaven TO others he is not yet dead these are the carnal the fearful the sensual minds who desireing to live in the affluence of flâ—shly pleasures flye from the Crosse as a bugbear and sailing in the Pleasure-boat of a bare profession in the least cloud gets into the coast snugging under the wind of alluring comforts hat 's nothing more then to ride out a storm with the warelik builded and storm prepared for Christian knowing he cannot weather out the tempest and judgeing himself no further in safety then that the next step lands him on the shore of ease delight and ticklish pleasure where loving this present world he embraceth it with both arms saying to tribulation at a more convenient time I will hear thee again in this matter and so with Peter denying any soul saveing knowledge of Iesus chuseth the warmth which the fire of the Mammon of this present world doth affoord accounting beloved Paul mad for because of the Gospel enduring a storm or abideing a night and a day in the deep judging the cargo of a soul not to be valued at so high a rate that the losse of the vessel of the body which is but the hâ—ll of man should be suffered to endure such hardship for it's security TO others he is not risen these are the
day we may truly pronounce that the Godlesse are not this day raised the communication of those two who went to Emmaus discovers the truth of this who though sadned at their Masters Death yet were not Spiteful at the instruments thereof speaking how the chief Priests and the Rulers delivered him to be condemned without any other epithet expressing rancour there be who will have these Luke and Cleophas Luke is rising up and Cleophas hath glory in his name and surely the rising from darknesse and deadnesse with the desire of being glorious is to go to Emmaus which by interpretation is desire of counsel and how happy were it if this age would advise with and about it self touching the verity of Christ and Him risen together with the duties dâ—pending thereupon leaving Ierusalem and all its gâ—udinesse to walk those sixty furlongs Morally these two physically trod it is a number arising from multiplying of ten by six The Ten Commandments being appointed by IEHOVAH for the rule of our Actings and the renouncing this present World amending our Lives crucifying Self voyding Hypocrisie keeping of the Heart wâ—tching over the door of our Lips being the six paces to be observed in our going over the moral Law We cannot chuse but have Christ with us and our eyes to see Him with great â—oy where now because glorified He shal not only eat bread with us as in the History but shall sup with us and we with him as in the Revelation unto which a serious reflection and deep meditaâ—ion upon the Cross and sufferings of our LORD this passage examplifies to be a fertil-mean LAY your ear to the holy Communication these two had and it 's properly a devout imagination to conceit Luke speaking Brother Cleophas can you forget the clamour of the Priests against our Master when Pilat was determined to let Him go how they cryed away with Him crucifie Him not this Man but Barabbas yea a murtherer whereas our Master shed no mans bloud but went about doing good to every body and that in such a way by commanding praying advising that I should have sworn he had been the Son of God whereas now I conjecture his Faâ—her haâ— smitten them with blindnesse as he did he Sodomites with Hemroids as the Philistens with fire as did Elisha the Capâ—aiâ—s oâ— sâ—me other way had been found as by a vâ—ice from heaven for his sons delivery but to lay hold on that tattle of his appearance to the women is to be swallowed up of errour Luk 24.11 their brains their early rising their â—eaâ— hath certainly disturbed them and made them fancy they saw God knows what and as some think the bells Clâ—â—k Dear Brotheâ— might Clâ—ophas say I should almost be of yâ—ur mind but when I remember of Lazarus whom you mind me of for you know we heard a voice from Heaven I sâ—y when I think upon him How fresh how well-coloured he was raised by a Loud not Cheâ—ping voice with words we understood not dark Phrases as Conjurers and Charmers 〈◊〉 to do I must conclude him to bâ— the Son of God though I confesse I marvel he wrought no miracle to save himself from scâ—urging from dying and since he said he was King of the Iews he came not down from the Crosse that they might believe this I confesse sticks with me this I am sure of if he be alive this day he will be so to morrow and next day also and we shall see it and know it his goodnesse sweetnesse kindnesse and merciful disposition towards all in distresse but especialy to us makes me confident he will not concâ—al himself long but will come unto us and God who in the simplicity of our heart doth know we followed him not for any lucre we got by it shal setle us in the truth at last and reward us according to the integrity of our hearts therefore be not affraid at our return we shal know more and your bells clink may be retorted unto turned by a Crosse Proverb before the lame post make much of one there is few good a true axiome and holds here the women being of excellent endowments formeth hope of future comfort by a certainty of all things SVCH communication administrats such grace that it is no wonder if the fiery chariot of Religious gifts hasten to come down for conveying the heart aloft and the Spirit as at Pentecost to come with full information of all sâ—ving truths takeing the Scalls of doubtings from the eyes of the mind as Saul did from those of his body makeing it to be known for a truth that Christ is risen indeed and if he should seem as though he were to depart in the coldnesse of the heart to those conferences then be instant with thy Mane â—obiscum abide with us Luk. 24.29 the evening of thy dark and cold surmises clouds temptations and other perplexities being approaching and if serious he shal continue to the end and make appear that he is no stranger to thy affairs but well acquainted with whatso-ever hath shall or can befall thee comforting thy soul in all and all because of the Resurrection IT was a Iwell expression that fell from the mouth of the golden-mouth'd Father that at the Sun rising upon the day of the Resurrection it was defraying of just debt to begin teaching of brotherly kindness and charity applying the power of the Resurrection for cementing the hearts of men one towards another it appearing to unite God and Man yea gloriously procured it but how can these things be without a conformity to his death Not such as is fabled in the Legend of that Popish Saint Francis who is said to have the print of the nails and spear in his feet hands and side or such either as is recorded of the herb Granadille in America in which if we believe report the instruments of the Passion to the whip the piller and the thorns are visibly seen in the flour nor it may be with St. Paul to have the wales of the persecutors rod upon the flesh the gore blood lying and not cured in the blewness of the stripe upon the skin the Fellowship of his suffering even to his condemning by Pilat being to be answered by a severe sentenceing our selves singling out every sin and processing it before the barr of Conscience according to the judgement God makes thereof causing execution to follow with as much Zeal and as little delay as did the Jews after the Governours sentence of of which take one Coppy in record Take you Iesus of Nazareth a contemner of Cesar and one who calleth himself the Mesâ—iâ—h as hath been proved by the Testimony of his own Nation to the Common place of execution and in derision of his Kingly Majesty fasten him to the Cross but to evidence the uncertainty of this History â—ake it as another Coppy sayes it was I Pilat President of Ierusalem adjuageth thee Iesus of Nazareth for making thy self a King and for calling
Scripture A Sabbath also interveening in which it is observed therâ— was never Man raised either in Old or New Testament and CHRIST being the Heaâ— of the RESURRECTION shewed in this a purpose not to disjoyn Himself from those before risen but to continue Communion chused another time which was the third Day Leaving the Sabbath I might say Saturday-Sabbath to rest with His Grave-cloathes as never more to be used and aâ— we learn from the Current of Antiquity from the Vniversal practice of the Church in times in and so near the Apostles that the head of the Institution is not found making it the more venerable though some factiously in our â—â—yes rant at the observance designed the Day of the RESURRECTION for solemn â—ppearance before the Throne of GOD â—hich was so rever'd both weekly and annually that the Precepts 1. Cor. 5. Let â— keep the feast and that other expression â—â— I. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day â— by many understood to belong to the â—early Feast of the RESURRECTION 〈◊〉 observed REMAIN not therefore with Lazarus the Grave-cloaths of sinful custome four â—yes by thinking upon likeing of by doing 〈◊〉 then continuing in the acts of concupisence or such no doubt stinke in the nostirles of 〈◊〉 and shall be killed by Death but rise 〈◊〉 third day that is this Morning with â—ur LORD and appear unto them that â—ow you talking of the Kingdom of GOD 〈◊〉 walking in the Holy City and be more â—â—rious more sublime more majestick 〈◊〉 before as Ioseph was when he was taken 〈◊〉 prison and as IESVS was when He 〈◊〉 from the Grave that Christian being Christian who is not conform to the 〈◊〉 suitable to the RESURRECTION CHRIST which we shall be if we rise and talking saluâ—ing our Brethren with Peace and again peace be unto you that they mâ—y perceive we intend for Galile forsakeing terren desirâ—s there abiding now Faith Hope and Charity Faith in the RESURRECTION of the flesh Hope in the expectation of eternal life and Charity in the holy catholick Church expressed in our Creed by the Communion of Saints IAMES of Aragon upon his Conquest of the Mâ—jorca Islands fancied and created an Order of Knight-hood called of Redemption their service peculiarly respecting â— liberation of Prisoners and Captives theiâ— habit was alwayes to be white Is not ouâ— IESVS appointed for deliverances anâ— did He not by entring into the Prison of thâ— Sepulchre say to each of us detained under igâ—norance force and fraud what the Angeâ— said to Peter Arise up quickly cast thy garment about thee and follow me Actâ— 12.18 Abiding no longer with the possessed amonâ— the Tombs of the Dead Graves of lust noâ— Iayls of sinful custome let us go forth witâ— Him who is so to speak Soveraigne of thaâ— Order other Redeemers in comparison 〈◊〉 Him delivering from a flea-bit he shielâ—ding from a thunder-bolt a sword a poyson 〈◊〉 arrow a burning fire a â—aging Sea a â—inging Serpent a roaring Lyon and a â—â—wing heart-worm assaulting all at once without hopes of rescue except from His Almightinesse alone BVT how justly doomed are they who â—eing once freed will run the second time to 〈◊〉 stocks who being washed and shaved with Ioseph will return to their former â—ench polluting themselves afresh with â—he noysomnesse of dung-like-corruptions â—allowing in the myre of ungodly chambering and wantonness drunkenness and excess â—aining thâ—se Vestuâ—es they have put on in embracing Gospel-Truths Swine-like lying down in the pond pool and puddle of filâ—hy conversation WRITE rather after the Coppy of the â—â—imitive Christians who in this Feast of the RESURRECTION and many dayes after refused to or did not kneel in Prayâ—r judging that a more sorrowful posture then was adâ—quat or fit for so joyful a season is their frequent Allelujahs expressed this to be but stood the LORD being risen as though their joy chearfulnesse and zeal had perfectly assured them their next motion should be toward Heaven It was Christs Pasch for He left the Dead they expected their Pasch and being ready for the Father stood as alive frequenting the Holy Communion the pledge of Eternal Salvation Young Converts appearing in Church cloathed in white Raiment the badge of that purity acquir'd in their Baptisme of which Sacrament we partaking let us keep this Feast with holy Innocence batâ—ing the Garment that is but spotted with the flesh our news and tydings our salutes and complements being as theirs was The Lord is risen THE Answer in our Lives like theirs also in Words The LORD is risen indeed MYSTERIUM PIETATIS OR THE MYSTERIE OF THE ASCENSION OF THE SON of GOD Unfolded and applied Holy-Thursday May 20. High-Church 1669. Ascension-Thursday May 20. High-Church 1669. JOHN VI. LXII What and if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where He was before IN the History of the holy Gospel that express exactnesse of method and dependence in answering and questioning in other Arts studied and required is not alwayes to be found Our Saviour who knew the heart to detect the deceits therein answering oft according to them for confutation and discovering raâ—her then conforme unto or observe contexture of words and purposes Among which these words are evidently to be seen where speaking of and proving Himself to be the true Bread which came down from Heaven inferreth thence a necessity of the Jews eating that is of believing upon Him and from Himself perceiving their murmuring at the impossibility or absurdity of that matter demandeth What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before Whereas of his ascending up there was no preceding controversie YET as there is a secret digested Art by the wisdom of the Spirit in the compileing of that sacred Record in general so there may be avowed a hidden connexion even of these words to the former for His assertion of His coming down from Heaven implieth evidently His being there and that He was there He proves by His Descending thence which words when the Jews were offended at to enstall their admiration and heighten their wondering He proposeth His What and if c. A QVESTION which proposeth ground for yet expecteth no answer prophesying of though but supposing His ASCENSION and both by way of Question the speech being suspensive and seemingly defective q. d. surely ye will wonder much more then that I whom you see a man like unto your selves shall ascend up where He that is the Son of God was before that is I before I was the Son of man and this being a greater matter then my coming down you will if you see it certainly be more offended at me or believe the other was true Offering it as conditionall by putting an if to it yet would have it positively to be understood and expounded that He shall go up and it may be some of you may see it which will creat a greater certainty or breed a greater indignation ASCENSION supposeth
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