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
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
play'd rex but the Christian must be circumcis'd all over to extinguish not only the heat as by pores but the very sum of uncleannesse in his eyes for restraining Vanity in his ears for debarring obscenity in his tongue withdrawing from ribbaldry in his hands by shutting out iniquity in his whole person and converss laying aside all superfluity of naughtinesse for that as the circumcised part may be well spared least emasculating themselves they walk as the Daughters of men that is not worthy of God that is not as his Son our Lord Iesus who being to introduce a new doctrine into the Church of Faith and Love got in a new day and as is supposed the first day of the of the new year a new name and was called Iesus not by chance or choice but according to the order of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb which fights against and impugns our old courses pregnantly inviting to a new and holy life for matriculating or ingrafting our selves in a real not nominal Spiritual not political and innocent not blasphemous way to the Society of Iesus TO work a cure against the distempers of the whole body of the Church was the head thereof as about this time let bloud and by whose vein breathing the body becometh more agile and every member more apt to exercise it's peculiar office for the good of the whole therefore ought all as spiritual Eagles a bird who by casting her feathers and breaking her old bill occasions a fresh growth and repairs her strength to arise from old and dead works Mount towards the heaven in new desires and new affections testifying both by new lives unto which this Child this name Iesus strennously attract's there being in it when opened a treasury of all riches a gaâ—ner of all provisions and a ware-house of all excellencies sounding first from an Angels mouth into a Virgins ear nothing but what was heavenly and of a heavenly vertue being fit to express it or capable to apprehend it ITâ—S true we find some of this Name besides him yet of such eminency as demonstrated them forerunners i. e. typs of this Iesus it is of the same root and sense with that of Ioshua who was Captain of the Lords host and possessed Israel of the holy land another was a holy and high priest separat for expiating the sins of the penitent delinquent Zach. 3.1 And to passe the Apocriphal Iesus who yet was a wise and prudent teacher we have mention of another Iesus Colos. 4. a companion of S. Paul and fellow-labourer with him in the Kingdom of God it was in short a common and an honourable name among the Iews but out of veneraâ—ion to our Lord Iesus not now used in the Church NAMES of old have been adopted by Friends or parents according to the hope conceived of the person named or by some accident about him or done by him but none of these here for our Saviour was seen by by none when he was named nor thought upon by any when he was called Iesus a Saviour not from hope which still includâ— fear but from assurance that he should save his people from their sins which untill revealed might be unknown even to the Angel who brought the message so that nothing of the creature was instrumental in this nomination but purely drawn from the benefits should accrew unto the world through him which obiter and by the way enforceth parents to elect such names as may import to their posterity some duty befitting them that their names may teach sanctity and true piety for as if something had been in that name Ioshuang or Iesus we read not of their sins not of their scandals as we do of other's we have Iudah's incest Solomons apostacy Davids adultery and Iudas the traitor as if Salvation in the others name had transfus'd it self working detestation of prophane courses Adam named his wife Evah because she was mother of all living and the name Gabriel enforceâ—h the bearer to be a man of God the name Nicholaus to overcome the people in good Iohn to walk graciously William couragiously Thomas to behold each man as a brother the word importing a twin such are good and sutes Christianity whereas Hercules a sturdy heathen Lout Diana a fam'd huntresse savours pardon my boldnesse not of the font not of the Laver of Regeneration not of baptismal water and therefore to be retir'd least Mars Iupiter Vulcan and other names of Baal defile the Baptistry the name Patience I cannot conclude ill but that Femal one of Faith in my judgement is to be avoyded as all other that in any direct way tends either to sin or revieve the memories of the prophane WHICH evill the name Iesus in it 's very initiatory letters doth abrogat and cancel improving the Saints in all degrees to the highest blesse of Saintship speaking Iucundity or gladnesse to the sorrowfull Eternity to the mortal Sanity or health to the languishing Vtility or profit to the poor Satiety or plenty to the hungry in Greek it 's anagram'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou art the sheep or lamb viz. which is given for the sins of the world it is oft writ in 3 letters thus I. H. S. Iesus Hominum Salvator shewing the Salvation he brought to man-kind and thus drawn in the body of the Sun is it the armes and publick seal of the segniory of Genevah shewing her light to beam from the rays of this Sun of righteousnesse her inscription about that being Iesus Sol Scutum meum Jesus is to me both a Sun and shield but others expresse thereby his Innocence Humility Sublimity he not being conceived in sin yet under-went death for sin and because he is man is made Lord of all things GIVEING of names is a sign of authority and dominion and given by Jewish Fathers at Circumcision as we do now at Baptisme it 's the first act of jurisdiction Fathers exercise over their Children the Scripture shewing plainly in Abraham and Zacharias that the Mother hath no right to impose them and if they do the Father may alter them as in the History of Benjamine is conspicuous he being never called Benoâ—â— and though the Mothers name should stand in holy writ it is to be understood by the Fathers indulgence as is famously clear in the Register of Leas fruitfulnesse her husband gratifying her in that particular and not without reason but this name Iesus was not imposed by Ioseph who was no father noâ— by Mary though a Mother but by God who hath power over Christ as man and exercis'd the same as a Father before his birth that he who is the King of Kings and Son of God might not be made subject to his parents but so far as his own knowledge discretion or goodnesse in riper years should concede unto as is evident from several places his subjection being commended and â—oman what I to do with thee being expressed YET to condemn the obstinat
rising THE Iews craved a sign and those that mocked said come down and we will believe but that being the time of suffering he disdained the motion the sign of the Prophet Ionah which was of rising up and opposit to their coming down being appointed all other signs were rejected and because that of Ionah was fulfiled let 's believe and go before him unto Galile by interpretation transmigration or going over that going from infirmity to vertue from mortality to eternity from contumely to glory we may more fully participat of those sore-expected joys in being treated yea feasted in the company of our ever to be adored Saviour Worshiping our Lord begining to practise and celebrat our Sabbath when the Jew rendeth his acting not only contrary to him but spiritualizing his superstitious deportment thereon he will kindle no fire that day let us blow up that of the spirit in the hearth of our hearts for elevating our thoughts and raising our minds upward heavenward to this day they alleadge the destruction of Ierusalem solely to have flowed from the neglect of the Sabbath in putting no difference between the holy and prophane Ez. 22. Let us compute it's desolation to spring from â—he innocent blood shed on the preparation day for the Sabbath and in hiding their eyes from the Lord of the Sabbath they will not put so much as their finger to any serwill or country work let us not fear to exercise our selves about works of piety charity or necessary with both our hands our Lord giving â—s example whose servants I mean the Christians whom they keep being put by them in this day to their drudgery which yet and by the way might be rectified by Christiâ—â— laws and magistracy as they will not writ nor blot out what is written on that day let the errata's of our soul be reviewed and weekly 〈◊〉 be exactly corrected that the next weeks impression of our civil or spiritual conveâ—â—s may be both more clean clear and holy being emended from our former mistakes by religious watchfulnesse and future taking heed do they knock on the door when calling unto a preparing for the Synagogne it is 〈…〉 to provoke to love and to good works They will not on that day begin a journey and justly having killed him that was the Way yet let us walk and be undefiled in the way of the Law of the Lord keeping our feet from the filthinesse that is our affections from those lusts that are in the world through sin they crowned our Lord with thorns let us adorn both his holy Temples in exalting his two fold nature by a firm adhering to the truth thereof and laying out for him and his the best of our substance somewhat of our rich possessions entering by the gate of the Church into that of Paradise from which impenitent Iews as the Reprobated Theif are for ever excluded The sixth Psalm and the twelth are entitled pro octavo for the eight in the Vulgar translation from which some will have many mysteries to emerge particularly the change of the Sabbath for respecting our Lords entry into Jerusalem in our computation on Palm Sunday the day of his rising will be one of the seventh but not upon the seventh the prophesies therefore and conquests also of our Saviour to be by us celebrate in the Church the eight day after that account will be the Lords day in the new Testament beginning our holy day when the murtherers of our Lord endeth his Mosaical weakly feast it is nearer to affirm that as God had Circumcision Sabbaths and other rites to difference his people from the masse of the world it is fit to have now some difference to discriminat his Church and since there is a change of the Temple of the Sacrifice of the Circumcision of the Paschal supper of the Priest a necessity may easily be suggested of an alteration of the Sabbath heightned when we consider that Christ came to work a new creation Isa. 65. for which a celebration of an old Sabbath had been incongruous and his kingdome beginning from and his resting dated at the Resurrection how consonant is it to name this day the Lords day and in the proportion all it's followers HIS sleeping or resting on the seventh day in the grave typifying that the old Sabbath dyed with him as all other changeable ceremonies of the law which none ought to judge us in respect of a Sabbath or a holy day since Christ hath triumphed on the eight let us rejoice beholding as badges of his victory the scares of his wounds the print of the nails the wound in his side not only as probable tokens of his rising but as jems to adorn his royal body as a testimony of his victory and as some think to be seen yet in heaven that as in his Church militant he hath bread and wine continually as visible memorials of his bloudy agony and death for his peoples stronger confirmation so in the triumphant the scares of his wounds remain in his body before the glorified for more fervent and eternal Iubilation THESE same wounds when seen and felt besids his own faithful Testimony so strengthned the Apostles that the ghastly frownings of an incensed crew in this wicked world was but a whet-stone to edge their zeal for publishing this truth this glorious truth of the Resurrection for though it be said he was stole yet who durst rouz this young lyâ—n and a little more money would have made the Souldiers tell another tale he quickned in the grave by receiving in the second time his soul then rose from out of the grave astonishing death amazing the keepers yet so heartning and heating his Disciples that they spurn and disdain the threats of men accounting all the worlds wrath or fawning to that degree of naughtinesse as to comput it dung in comparison of the excellency in the knowledge of the rising from the dead all created beings in the power of man being but a cypher to the Resurrection Christ by it and in him themselves conquering and flying above all the pouder Crakers the ungodly should frame or fire to disturb the power of it's Doctrine or the progresse of it's publication the voice of all the Martyrs being like the call of Heliâ—dorus who refusing to sacrifice to Idols and being tormented for denyal cryed out aloud O Lord Iesus Christ assist me and when the crown of the Chuâ—ch is now beheld to have been but made the puâ—er by the fires of devouring persecutors and the ancient Stanza or holy Doxology of our Quires now heard in giving glory to the Father and thought upon who so dul as not to anticipate the rehearsal and suggest the fam'd answer given to the same Martyre is yet returned to all Saints witnesses and confessors be not affraid for I am with thee FORâ—s â—s unhurt with torture how have the heathen and Iews been braved and out-braved by Christians through the hope of the Resurrection Paul was thought
yet are under Christ to the dignifying our nature and us being men who being but dust and ashes at best and worse when sinners at the highest yet where sin abounded grace much more abounding the Father receiving him into favour as our first fruits from the earth which obtained a blessing for the whole Harvest of Adams off-spring God saying to such in him sit at my right hand which sitting cleareth his merits to traâ—scâ—nd those workings or purchaseings of Cherubims and Seraphins who stand before the throne Luk. 1.19 for sit thou is to be expounded be thou my Fellow according to thy word shall all my People be ruled as Pharaoh said so heareth this Ioseph I am almighty God without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot Gen. 41.44 WHICH honour being given to Man who once heard dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return who was sent to the Ant accounted woâ—se then the Ox or the Ass not only sent to the birds of the Air to learn instruction but called the sons of the Devil discovers infinit love which should cause man perâ—ue that passage of sit thou iâ— his soul untill Gods love heat the hâ—art Christs merits cool the conscience and God's sit at my right hand Nobilitat the mind and Christs sitting secure the whole man he noâ— only resting for himself but preparing a place of rest for others MOREOVER the right hand is the high blessednesse peace and joy with satisfaction which God hath in Christs holy society upon the account of his obedience as Man in doing always his will for the left in the Parable denots enmity dissatisfaction and contrariety and in ordinary gestures inferiority â—t represents also three great properties therewith Christ is endowed the glory and â—onour of his Divinity this Sun of righteousnesse rising at his birth clouded by death did 〈◊〉 so to speak in his Fathers throne ending the day of his earthly appearance and worldly troubles in this felicity perfecting and finishing the work which he came to do â—ext the Authority of his Man-hood we will â—ay such a one sat fourty twenty or Fifteen â—â—ar in the chair meaning government and â—are so also doth Christ his sitting not being 〈◊〉 naked quiescence but expressing his vigiâ—ance and thoughts for and about the Church for as again Iames the third of this Kingdome gave in a Medal a Hen brooding over the Chickens shadowed with a Crown with this device Non dormit qui custodit he sleeps not who governs though they may rest yet in that rest there is life and comfort beneathed to others Our Lord by his word Sacraments and Miracles doth unweariedly uphold his Church and all her begotten by the mediatory office lastly there is in his sitting his power of judgeing Advocats and Counselours stand while Judges and Justices sit especially when they give sentence so he when executing the ungodly and sentenceing them for hateing mercy he haveing judgement on his left hand fire to burn consume and tear the fiery bloody Spirit and sits in sentenceing to evince the deliberatnesse of the judgement IT 'S true once Stephan saw him stand yet reflect that he is a Counsellour an Advocate for the Church and the gesture is not to be wondred at for still understand a Metaphor by which figure ye may finde he sits as a Judge stands as a pleader by the sentencing bloody Jewes and by the other intercedeing for patient Christians and again by standing he vows reveâ—ge to the enemies of his servants by sitting he absolveth the enormity of his Disciples sitting not denoting circumscription of place but the glory of the Deity wherein before alâ— worlds the SON was being from Eternity consubstantial to the Father and in latter dayes when Incarnate the glory of His flesh being exalted because in the God head to be adored above every creature He coming down by his birth enter'd into the field oâ— Warre fought against all his adversaries in strugling with death conquering that King of terrours in the power of his Resurrection and entring his Royal Citty He triumpheâ— in his Ascension as the Roman triumpheâ— haveing his prisoners in bonds and scattering medals and presents among the people in the Scripture phrase giving gifts unto â—en ending his troublesome journey to Earth in Heaven as he began having the 〈◊〉 of the Angels to Eccho him to the World the gratulations of the Quire at his ingresse into Heaven the Selah of all the Glorious Prophets the Euge of the goodly company of Martyrs together with the Religious Hymns of the Chuâ—ch both East and Weâ—t in all ages untill this day believing that he is gone to prepare a place for them if it were not so he would have told us Ioh. 14 2. HE was once thought a stranger in Ierusalem and was before that so obscure that his brethren did not believe on him which the Jewes yet presse as one great ground for their unbelief He acting as a Painter who drawing his most excellent draughts in the dark when finished exposeth his Tables to publick veiw so until now he carried himself strangly as to the Syrophenician woman and confineing his Discples to the lost sheep of Israel but now it is Go teach all nations suffering the Jewes to deride his Miracles to lye against his Resurrection but as he said it shall be and all the world must acknowledge Him the everlasting Son of the Father IN order to which the song of the Elect is HE that is God HATH raised up a horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David Luk. 1.69 an Horn indeed growing out of flesh yet more solid more firm then flesh yea exceeding all flâ—shly horns being borne of the Virgin behold flesh but conceived by the Holy Ghost behold his excellency above flesh yet when we perceive him at the right hand of God behold that horn raised and as the horn of the Unicorn causeth sweetnesse to all the imbitter'd waters of our Iericho even by the touch so doth the applying of his ASCENSION unto all our perplexities becomeing to all a horn of salvation Let the Iewes therefore blasphem if they will He is now made the Head of the Corner exalted raised above all the buildings either of Church or Synagogue virtuating them for beauty strength and lustre that as in the dayes of Elias the heavens were shut up so in the dayes of Iesus after a barrennesse of faith love and hope there was a cloud like the hand I might say like the footstep of a Man arising out of that Sea of Christs Passion suffering and a sound from thence of abundance of precious good things of Gods promising and Mans needing not to say asking in his ASCENSION the Church being now as a field which the Lord hath blessed by having Faith in Divinity expectation of bless in the hope of what he hath promised and Charity in the love and tendernesse he hath kindled for us so that the expression of
a voiding so dreadfull an arrow as sentence to eternall flames or formidable mischief from so omnipotent â—n arm who can even cloathed in flesh make us feel the sting of his displeasure in first blowing and then kindling the very first streams of hell within us as he did in desparing Iudas and vagabonding Cain IT is true we pretend much to the Spirit and braves out reproof yea censure upon that score anticipating in conceit Heavens joy by the assurances we brag already to have possessed from especiall evidence above as if the mighty wind had already blown upon us whereas we are yet carnal and sold under sin having not that noted nimblenesse to perform all Religious exercise clearly observed to be in them who answer the Spirits call for though with the Publican we may come down from the tree of some conceited excellencies possibly our due and birth-right by washing the Saints feet visiting the sick feeding the hungry binding up the wounded yet really we sadly behold that through some opinion or nice punctilio we adjourn attendance upon God in expresse duty either altogether or approach with reluctancy untill with him in the Gospel We first bury our father Matth. 8.21 which equally with him maketh us unfit for the Kingdome of God for no sooner did the wind blow then the Apostles were inspired immediately not about the restoring of the Kingdome to Israel but of Israels enjoyment of the Kingome the promise vâ—z of Heaven not of the Earth being to them and to their children the Spirit hateing dull delay wherefore it was also a sudden sound from Heaven making them straight heavenly the sound being before the spirit for gathering in of their Spirits causing intense attendance upon that which was to be revealed the sound from Heaven making them heavenly minded the sound from Heaven coming suddenly confirmes the Doctrine of the spirits aversnesse from sloath the sound from Heaven that came suddenly was of a rushing mighty wind the wind rushing causing spirituall awe mighty to excit their depressed and it may be desponding souls and wind to purge their hearts from filth and blow away what in them was lurking to detard from that employment which by the Spirit they were intended for and for which like full vessels they were filled so as no earthly thing could enter there wanting room no temptation make them rail sound or roar as empty they being filled WHICH deliberatly consider'd deplorable inferences must be inferred touching the sad mistake of too â—oo many whose opinion only is the alone significant thing before others causing them to be accounted Saints or some conceit in themselves which groundâ— only to themselves the certainty of their future glory which errour shall be to it's possessors I might say Admirers what the voluptuous life of the Sophist Isaeus was to him which how delightful soever at first yet at last bâ—moned his being Tantaliz'd that is supposed to find good and rejoyced in its proximity yet still went without and was at last frustrate of all hopes thereby being but dreams and shadows for as all is not gold that gâ—â—sters so neither is every thing that ravishes by and by to be termed Divine Nor whaâ— affects yea comforts the heart to be presently surnamed types of Heaven yet where Dexterity Agility in the things of God are accompanied with Purity Peace Ioy and Heavenly mindednesse as in the Apostles here its a pâ—â—gnant proof of the in-being of the Spirit and coming down of the HOLY-GHOST whence comforts truly originat and flâ—w c. TWO thousand and odd years had mans Ambition exposed him to infamy Lewdnesse and Idolatry by Gods confounding languages at Babel stopping then from perfecting that joyntly intended Tower by dividing their speech which at this day again was transferred by plurality of tongues unto a blessing the Spirit diverssifying the Apostles tongues not to disturb the world bâ—t advance the Church in propagating Faith the readier that there needed no Interpreter every Preacher being furnished with the gift of every tongue to speak to the multitude of the devout that Iesus was the Christ Uniting them again to be of one mind and one accord for edifying themselves in love and one another in the holy Faith which is a strong Tower of defence as the Name of the LORD Prov. 18.10 and whose top indeed reacheth up to Heaven each Convert being as a stone to the building and united by the Cement of the Blood of the Eternall Covenant laid on by the hand of the Spirit who can as here turn ill to good by drawing good from it whether for mans profit or his Makers honour as Levi's curse in being scattered occasionally through grace made the Lord to be his portion and be sanctified for Priest unto the Tribes Numb 3.12 CONFOVNDING of Languages made the whole Earth to be peopled each company flocking planting building together according to that understanding they had of their neighbours speach which now brought great things to passe for the Almighties praise all Nations beholding these unletter'd men from Heaven in an instant promptly uttering the good things of Peace and Reconciliation with Him who first confounded them and of Reconciliation and Peace with all who were confounded with them all tongues expressing this one thing Love the Brethren 1 Pet 3.8 As Christ hath loved you and given himself for you THE tongue is a purifying mundifying member it can lick out viscuous matter can suck out putrid and infections corruption from the body as did that of the Lady Ellenor wife to that Prince of Chivalry Edward Prince afterward Edward the first of England her Lord being engâ—gâ—d and fortunate in the Holy war was almost assassiâ—nate by a Turk being wounded with a poysoned kniffe with which the Prince slew the Attemper but Physicians despairing of his own recovery the noble Lady her Lord sleeping is said to suck and draw the venome forth recovering her Husband she her self not being endangered thereby The tongue is a tasting member by iâ— we know the white of an egg to be unsavory it is a speaking member the Hierogliphick of a word among the Egyptians was a tongue and by it we blesse God at this day and alasse by it also we curse men setting it on fire as from hell to reform which and virtuate the doctrine of the Gospel for drawing forth of the Soul the deadly poyson of Atheism and Prophannesse by pravity and exemple thrust upon us and put in us by those watchful lusts and vigilant adversaries of our Lord and of our souls because we would regain that Ierusalem that Royal City of pure and Holy peace with God which hath been wrested out of our hands by Turk-like force Tyrrany and Cunning FOR draining us of such putrid filthiness and the whole world is the Spirit represented in that shape the first fruits whereof appeared in that first and Famous Sermon of S. Peter whose tongue had been but a few weeks before so glib for
yet with this excellent and comfortable difference that as Moses yeelds to Christ so must Sinai to Sion here was fire only their fire and smoak there was clouds darknesse and earth-quakes accompanâ—'d with fear and trembling Sinai it self quaking But in Sion only a sound as of a mighty wind to prepare the receivers and cloven tongues uniting Iew and Gentile the boundiary of the wilderness being pulled up and variety of tongues perswaded the scattered abroad that God had given the Kingdoms of this world to his dear Son that in a spirituall sence not Israel only but the Earth might become the Lords and the fullnesse thereof typified by that multitude gathered and converted by the heat fireynesse yet harmlesnesse of the Saints charity and ardor having received the remission of sin and that from heaven the self same day their Fathers received the law against which they had transgressed for both was at the time oâ— Pentecost as may be demonstrated in computing the time thus THE people came from Egypt on the 14 day of the month there therefore remained 16 dayes for travell the Hebrews always reckoning 30 dayes for a month the first day of the third month they came to Sinai 30 dayes of the second month being accounted there will with this be found 47 dayes then the Peoples encamping Moses goeing up to God his returning again to the people for clear calculation is called one day which is 48 in which going up again to the Mount he is ordered by God to order the peoples being ready against the third day which will make the 50. â—n which God appeared for reckoniâ—g from the peoples want of bread or fall of Mannah is uncertain and may be erronious this is more clear and evidenceth the Anology better betwixt that fire from God by the Ministry of Angels and writting his law on tables of stone and that by fire in the descending of the Spirit that came one the 50 day after the slaying of the Passover Christ Iesus writting his law upon the tables of the hearts of men in a fuller fairer larger and more clear Character typ or impression but note this reckoning is inclusive the other not THE Persians and some other nations adored the fire for a god because of its excessive power and force in resolving matters combustible how great so-ever into it's own substance and being and usually it 's accounted the most noble among elements being as the heavens among bodies the sun among planets yea it 's purgeing operation made it of old to be the heirogliphick of purity as if they had known the world it self was to be cleansed thereby but how hath the fire of the Spirit from Ierusalem enlarged it self making the frosted heart of the unbelieving world even to glow while it talks of the Cross from heaven which is one of the three things by wise men admired in the earth looking upon the Resurrection and Ascension far short in comparison of that conquest the Holy Ghost hath made of the Grandees of the Nations in their honourable receiving of that doctrine from the mouths of plain men so contrary to the hair of natural inclination and mark it where ever the Spirit cometh it comes ordinarly by the sound of the Gospel and by it's heat we are assured of his reception a heart touched a heart pricked is but a heart heated a heart open'd when a man crys what shall I do with Peters converts Acts 2.37 or take away the iniquity of thy Servant with David 2 Sam. 24.10 surtiship may be offered that the Spirit hatâ— spoken in a saveing way but if it be a complaint of the punishment with Cain or a remove the â—râ—gs with Pharaoh be not rash in Cautoâ—ry this being a Legal not a Gospel expression far from that request of creating a clean heart which the Iews compareth to the Holy of Holies to Solomonâ— throne to Mosesâ—ables â—ables and truly displays that the wickednesse is done away by the Spiriâ—s inhabiting his resting therein and writting thereupon the doctrine of pardon and remission provyding the man seperate himself from an untoward generation Acts 2.40 IT 'S said the Spirit sat upon each of them in which it differs from that unclean Spirit that goeth about compassing the earth to and fro seeking rest but findeth none whereas holinesse is pacifique serene tranquilling consolidating the heart in which he dwels makeing it calm in it self and causing quietnesse towards all others condemning Ambition Covetousnesse Hatred Envy Vanity and what ever els tends to the Churches disturbance in which the Spirit rests sitting in it as upon a Throne purposing to reign as on a Tribunal resolving to judge as on a Chair purposing to instruct for all which in all ages to come he represented his undertakeing on this day establishing himself upon the Apostles heads as by fire clearing them from the rust of Errour the filth of Corruption that as Patterns as well as Preachers they might be exâ—mples of Sanctity to their own generation and give infallible rules for obtaining happinesse unto all posterity for ever COMPVNCTION of heart and remission of sin are both from the Spirit of God and is that new wine which shall only be put in the new bottles of a regenerated soul whereby they shal do and speak as the Spirit shall prompt them I had almost said as the Spirit give them utterance as here the Apostles for we find the whole house was filled with the rushing wind the Majesty of the Holy Ghost excluding all in-maets and though each Apostle had the sanctifyed operation of the Spirit filling every angle and corner of the soul as the understanding with Faith the will with Love and that sin or Devil might be exiled the hands with Promptitude the feet with Solicitude the eyes with Modesty the tongue with Eloquence the whole man with Prudence the Faculty Concupiscible being filled with good the Irascible with courage the Rational with verity though they had all gifts and were all filled yet they spake as the spirit gave them utterance some had five others had two talents and S. Paul abounded and spake with tongues more then they all whereby he who expects the gifts bestowed unto all ought not to caresse himself or hug and embrace himself in the deceiving hopes of a rich ample and perfect possession of the Spirit here but rest satisfied with his gift and with being one of the eleven not envying Peters singularity for he is particularly spoken of and eminency since a pinnace a small yaught shall land as wel as a great ship with full sail under the conduct and flag of the Admiral VPON the coast of the Whit-sea there is a cap called Pentecost and somewhat east of that there is another called Bonae Fortunae q d. good-luck let this day be any mans Pentecost a time of gathering in that is of heeding the law offering the first fruits of strength unto the Lord as the Jews did this day of their
Gradation and generally understands an Act flowing purely from the Power Vertue Ability alone of the Ascender and in Scripture is interpreted a motion to a Holy and Honourable Place it is a going down to Egypt but it s a going up to Canaan it s a going down to Iericho but it s a going up to Ierusalem to the house of the Lord and going up to God 1. Sam. 10.3 and Ascending here beareth both this latter and that former sense of His own power CHRIST not being translated as Enoch neither was He rapt as Paul nor carried as Elias nor ravished in the Spirit as Iohn the Divine but did Ascend climbing up the scale of the clouds untill He got above all Heavens its true His Birth is said to be an Ascending the humane nature being by it advanced and is called a rideing upon a cloud Isa. 19.1 His Death is called an Ascending for He was lifted up upon the Crosse that Palm-tree whereof the Church is said to speak Cant. 4.8 but these were Improper and Metaphorick ascendings this whereof we are to speak is proper corporal bodily and local THE Understanding as chief Governour and Regent of the Soul being first to be informed least ignorance marre our present design and that the Will with more opennesse be sooner allured to advance toward and chuse the projected good this day laboured for wherein our LORD happily yea gloriously finished and ended all His Travels We shall shew whence and then whether He ascended YOV must note He had lived in and trod upon the Earth and woe was He for abideing in that Mesech being hedged and entangled three and thirty years with the thorns and nets of calamities and trouble it being to Him a perpetuall Calvary a place of suffering so coupling him to sorrow that He was a man of sorrows Isa. 53.3 Once we find Him reading and once writing oft â—raying yea IESVS weep'd the shortest â—entence in the Bible Yet that IESVS should weep maketh infathomable compassion conspicuously discernable and we know He did it more then once but that He laughed we have not one Text that doth so much as smile that way His life being conâ—orme to His birth which was in tears sighing out His time and groaning in the Spirit for the falls follies and laughings of men THAT glory he had with the Father when he was not the Son of Man being revealed to his Man-hood by his Divinity brought down the sale and in his esteem the worth of those sights the world or the god of this world offered unto him the glory and Kingdomes thereof not abusing his refined understanding nor blinding his judgement to the defalcation of that real worth which was in the solidness of a future expected glory but left an impress more deep in his Heaven-born Soul to contemn those flourishes the Temple stones or a Herod or a Kingly Office in all its glory could represent to his uneâ—ring fancie which did frustrate in him and indeed does in all believing upon him the fairest perswasives or most prolifick enjoâ—ments sensuality can or could offer He and They because of him accounting all of these in their summe totall what Solomon did in deep knowledge and Gellimer King of Goths in high grief attested who being presented as Captive before Justinian in his glorious Throne rent his garments crying hideouslâ—y Vanitie of Vanities all is but Vanitie the Varnish whereof he beholding with reluctancy did endure its flattering promises and with constancie its eagerest and most stupifying menaces this day hasted to the Hils of Frankincense and calls upon you as upon His Spouse To come from Lebanon the tops of Amana from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the Lyons Den from the Mountains of Leopards Can. 4.8 From Pâ—aces and Hills seemingly beautifull yet Hazardous beyond expression Syrians Philistims as bâ—asts devourinâ— and destroying men for with me there is neither Iudas Iew Herod nor Devil that can attach WHICH invitation if lifted unto by Faith we may supperad that of the Church 1â— Can. 4. Draw me we will run after thee Shewing willingness but withall inability the imitation of his flight pardon the expression being the Period of the Souls desire detesting the Malignity of this world and contending against its Dignity the first embittering its greatest enjoyment as an iron brusing the bone the lâ—st founded as upon ice ready to be dissolved both to the eternall hazard of all good The Church wishâ—th and prayeth to be drawn after him in imitation to him by affection yea in him by Vnion and Impession AS the birds of the Air though Jesus by a compounded for or conseâ—ted unto necessity sometimes touched â—he Earth for his meat yet like thâ—m again his aspiring thoughts frequented the more holy and durable objects which were above the Sun food for man being not only brought from bread disdaining the admittance into his breast the dust heaps of earthly trash which the crafty foxes and wild beasts of avaricious and carnall oppressors worldly Muck-worms felicitat themselves in which was expressed in this expression A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me because I go to the Father John 16.16 As if his abode upon Earth in any kind was still to be short by which he gave assurance Mortality in the image of his flesh was shortly to be put off and the same flesh to be again invested with the robes of Majesty and glory which being heeded by his Followers causes support against the ruinous deceits this Mortality endeavours to entangle them in resolving to fight with him even to suffering of death concluding to be victors in his Resurrection and to triumph in the vertue of his Ascension OLIVET giving so much light and Calvary that knowledge to the sanctified head that all sufferings and glorious actings how different so ever they appear and how vast seems the discrepancie between Christ on the Cross and Christ in the Cloud when compared together yet center in this one thing mans Ascension unto glory unto which as weak yet though weak the Good-man shews earnestnesse and willingness to possess in saying Draw me promising not to be sloathfull in the acquisition of such dignity subjoyneth we will run after thee and truly as mercy began towards man at or in Christs birth and continued in his death published at his Resurrection so was it sealed ratified and confirmed in his Ascension henceforth no more to be doubted then whether Christs being there is to be scrupled that being the seal by which all is made sure which was Written in 〈◊〉 word subscribed by miracles supeâ—â—scribed by death directed in rising the third day but signed as by the Kings own signet by the seall of glorious verity this day wherein in our flesh heaven was entered and we being flesh Enfranchis'd or Incorporat into that Citie naturaliz'd into that Kingdome as natives as Citizens or if you please have got seasment of that
Land as the Bride the Lambs wife for which Praise the Lord all ye nations praise him all ye people For his merciefull kindness is great towards us and the Truth of the Lord endureth for ever Psal. 117. All things being fulfilled which were fore-prophesied IT were not seemly to wave the particular place whence he took his rise which was from Mount Olivet by Interpretation a Mountain of lights either from the Suns shining thereon at its first rising or the lights of the Temple Splendor thereon at its setting or it may be because the lamps of the Temple were furnished with oyl from the fruit thereof or as others from the shining smoothness which is on the skin of the olive-berrie But from what part of that Mount he made his exit is unknown it may be for the same cause why the grave of Moses is obscure viz. to prevent superstition which offence and sin is evidently seen in those ignorant and scandalous Idolaâ—ers about a rock in that mount where by Mounks is shewen the the Image of a foot which they say was impressed in the rock by that foot which was last on the rock as our Saviour moved therefrom to be seen yet in that beautifull structure the Chappel of the Ascension builded by the Famous Helena just over the place where our Lord took his â—rise reverenced both by Turks and Christians as fitted upon that score for Devotion joyntly performed by both Religions the last officiating at the Toleration of the other the house being in the possession of the Mahometans Curiosity and Supperstition drains the purses of many for beholding this and other supposed Foollerys but that all might not be lost from this Impresse Travellers take some quantity of loose sand as a Religous relick yet the mischief is what quantitie soever be taken there from it is still supplyed by new so that the continuance of that miracle may be one ground to prove it no wonder but a cheat AT the foot of this mount Gethsemane was to be seen where the oyl presses stood for pressing of the olives and within the compasse of that mount as far as Bethania did he travel towards his ascending the same way â—e had rod into the City about fourty seven â—yes before and where his Friends Lazaâ—us Martha and Mary dwelt as if he had â—id there is but one way unto glory that is â—he way of the Crosse except in that rode â—here is no glory except in that path there â—s no victory and unlesse you strive no enâ—ring into the strait gate for as Oliveâ— is so â—ermed from light so Bethany is termed obediâ—nce of which grace his Ascension is a fruit â—nd who can pretend friendship unto him or â—is as did Lazarus whose soul sets not his 〈◊〉 unto Gods verity and truth in yeelding submission unto that law given the Church of avoiding ungodliness and worldly lusts beâ—ng sober righteous and Godly in this present world ADAM through disobedience forfeited Paradise and was cast into the valley of death darknesse his Successors must infer the only mean to review that whereof it was but a â—â—pe nay which is more to taste of the tree of life and ascend to the mount of God is to forsake the way of Cain and not aid the conspiracy of Corah but run that race of obedience Christ hath run before us causing every step that is every act of our life tend to the perfecting of us in those graces above mentioned whose light endoctrinating to the splendor and rayes of beaming good works made bright by the oyl of the Spirit conveyed into the soul by the branches of Sacraments and all other ordinances are abstâ—acted from earth or earthâ— mindednesse ascending to the hill of the Lord and standing in his holy place foreseeing and palpably discovering the direfull issue of abideing in a tumultuous City and bloody World where in place of Friends Marthas or Marys holy and friendly treatment worthies of whom the world is not worthy flagiâ—iously are assaulted with Lanterns torches swords and staves and by fond flattery villaneously betrayed into the hands of those who hate them by a Iudas Kisse a Ioahs fair word and a Tamars embrace BVT behold the order for that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first Eph. 4.9 and in spirituall regiment he who would leap high and far must stoup and press his body lower and lower He ascended its true far above all heavens but He first descended into the lower parts of the earth i. e. abhorred not the Virgins womb it being expedient for him who desiderates heavens joy the Seat of God blessed for ever to descend first into the deep places dark cells of his vain imagination the matrix or womb wherein is conceived all malice wrath blasphemy and all lasciviousnesse and then when perfecting the will of God in crucifying the old man walking with Abraham to the Mount of contemplation and then as Christ at Bethany lifted up his hands towards Heaven arguing His affections being there before his personal aryvall let us point at the permanency of these Heavenly pleasures accounting them more preferable then such which this earthly Glob presents to her admirers which being but in pitchers of her own mould are brittel though fair yet will the fascination be uncharmed for Hell which is a hole shal resolve that all promised enlargements were but a bewitching not a refreshing of the Soul And Canaans way being upward made Elias to be carried up and why should I be any longer here cryed Religious Monica the hopes that I have of things above making me to delight in nothing that is beneath why am I here beholding the flowry mead of this visible world to be full of stinging and poysoning serpents noysome weeds whereby it became despiâ—able in her eyes and accounted her self miserable untill elevated above it A proper work a significant fruit of Christs ASCENSION which as relating to man hath a four-fold degree First to the heart next in the heart next by the heart and lastly above the heart The first provoking the fear of God the second receiving Counsell from him the third espouses Christ unto it self and the fourth makes a discovery of God and beholding him as a fight delectable as a sight beautifull a disappearance is made of earth a neglect yea a hatred of its pretended only and seeming delicious enjoyments BVT What means this where he was before or that other like it No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven John 3.13 One He viz the Son of Man and another He viz. the Son of God the pronoun the same in both yet making a vast discrepancie in the two He 's He The Son of Man ascending where He not the Son of Man but He the Son of God was before and that for ever that is in heaven where He the Son of Man had never been Behold