these Reflections upon it in reading them we ought to be satisfied That Sufferings are necessary to obtain Heaven considering that this is the Way our Saviour leads us and went himself When we are persecuted we ought to comfort our selves with this that it is an Honour to be treated as our Master was The Submission with which he drank the Cup which his Father gave him to drink should teach us to welcome the Crosses which God lays upon us without murmuring as Sickness loss of Goods Friends Parents c. His Patience in suffering Affronts and Abuses should quench all our passionate Resentments and Desires of Revenge which rise in our Hearts at the Sense of Wrongs In fine his exemplary Behaviour in his Sufferings should teach us to accept the Persecutions of Men as ordained by God and to adore his Justice in their most unjust Dealings with us to love our Enemies and be so far from requiting the Injuries we receive from them as to pardon them and do them good and to comfort our selves in the meek Sufferings of Evil by the Contemplation of the Glory that shall follow for as S. Cyprian Quod est Christus Cypr. de Idol van hoc erimus Christiani si Christum fuerimus imitati If we imitate Christ we shall be like him and enjoy the same Glory The last Direction which I shall give those Persons who would read the Life of Christ with Benefit to themselves is this That they would joyn Prayers with their Reading Before we begin to read we should beg of God in Prayer That he would discover to us all the imitable Parts and Circumstances of the Life of his Son and after we have done Reading we must implore his Grace to do what we have learned from thence to be our Duty Joh. 1.14 The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us saith the Gospel being full of Grace and Truth He brought Truth to instruct us in our Duties and Grace to enable us to practise what he taught us This Truth which is intended for our Instruction is diffused through all the Circumstances of his Life but we must have Eyes able to discover it he must give us these Eyes or else his Words and Actions will be to us like an enclosed Book or as so many Riddles which we cannot understand Wherefore since he hath given us abilities to know the Truth let us pray him to embrace us with Love and give us that Grace which he hath merited for us by his Sufferings and which may make us receive his Doctrin and conform to his Example 'T is the Effusion of this which hath as I may say perfected the Mystery of the Incarnation Jesus Christ was made Man to allure the Love of Men he lived with them to teach them how he would be loved by them he ascended into Heaven and sent down the Holy Spirit from thence upon them to fill their Hearts with that Love that he requires of them This is the whole Contrivance of our Salvation let us acknowledge the Obligation which we have to love Jesus Christ and let us learn by reading his Life after what manner he would have us love him and pray for Grace to love him as we ought and enkindle in our Hearts that Fire of which he speaks Luke 12.49 I am come to send Fire on Earth and I wish it were already kindled The End of the Preface A Table of the Chapters BOOK I. Contains the History from John's Conception to the First Year of Christ's Preaching I. THE Conception of S. John p 4 II. The Conception of Jesus p 5 III. The Visitation of the Holy Virgin p 7 IV. John's Nativity p 8 V. The Revelation of Jesus Christ's Conception to Joseph p 9 VI. The Divine Generation of Jesus Christ p 1â— VII The Human Birth of Jesus Christ p 13 VIII The Circumcision of Jesus Christ. p 14 IX The Adoration of the Magi ibid. X. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple p 16 XI Jesus 's Flight into Egypt p 18 XII Jesus is found among the Doctors p 19 XIII The Preaching of S. John p 20 XIV Jesus Christ is baptized by John p 23 XV. Jesus Christ fasts and is tempted p 24 XVI S. John gives Testimony concerning Jesus p 25 XVII Jesus Christ calls Disciples p 26 XVIII Jesus First Miracle p 27 XIX He drives the Traders out of the Temple p 28 XX. Jesus Christ's Discourse with Nicodemus p 29 XXI John's Second Testimony of Christ p 30 XXII John's Imprisonment p 31 XXIII The Samaritan Woman p 32 BOOK II. Containing an Account of what Jesus did in the first Two Years of his Ministry I. HE Preacheth in Galilee p 35 II. He calls Four Apostles p 36 III. He cures a Man possessed p 38 IV. He cures S. Peter's Mother-in-Law and several others Ibid. V. He goes thro' Galilee p 39 VI. He stills a Tempest p 41 VII He cures Two possessed p 42 VIII He heals a Man sick of the Palsy at Capernaum p 44 IX He calls a Publican to follow him p 46 X. He heals a Woman of a Bloody Flux p 47 XI He heals Two blind Men and a Dumb Man p 49 XII He heals a Man of an infirmity which he had had Thirty Years p 50 XIII His Disciples are accused of breaking the Sabboth-day 52 XIV He heals several Men on the Sabboth-day p 53 XV. He chuseth Twelve Disciples and preacheth on the Mountain p 54 XVI What are the Truths which he preached in that Sermon p 56 XVII He healeth a Leper p 60 XVIII He cures a Man sick of the Palsy Ibid. XIX He raised a Dead Man p 62 XX. John sends two of his Disciples to Jesus The answer he gave them Ibid XXI The Reproofs he gave the Jews p 64 XXII The Conversion of a Woman that was a Sinner p 65 XXIII He cures a Man possessed with a Devil blind and Dumb. p 66 XXIV The Pharisees ask him a Sign p 68 XXV He propounds many Parables p 70 XXVI Other Parables p 72 XXVII Jesus goes to Preach at Nazareth p 74 XXVIII He goes thro' Galilee and sends his Apostles to Preach p 76 XXIX Herod cuts off John Baptist's Head p 78 BOOK III. Containing what Jesus did in the Third Year of his Preaching I. HE feeds 5000 in the Desert with Five Loaves and Two Fishes p 80 II. Jesus goes upon the Water and bids Peter come to him p 82 III. Jesus shews in an excellent discourse that he is the living Bread the nourishment of Souls p 83 IV. The Pharisees complain that his Disciples eat with unclean Hands p 86 V. He cureth a Damsel possessed with a Devil p 88 VI. He heals a Man Deaf and Dumb. p 89 VII He feeds 4000 Men with 7 loaves Ibid VIII The Pharisees ask a Sign and he refuses to give them any p 90 IX He heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida p 91 X. St. Peter confesses that Jesus Christ is the Son of God p 92 XI
they are indeed but a small number but notwithstanding that they should not be afraid since it is their Fathers good will to give them the Kingdom He tells them further that they should always be in a readiness to appear before God who will come at an Hour when they least expect him as Servants who watch all Night waiting for the return of their Master from the Wedding That being made Stewards of Gods House to distribute to his People the Food of his Word they should discharge their Duty faithfully not doing as the Foolish Steward who seeing his Lord to delay his coming consumed the Goods he had been Trusted withal in Debaucheries made use of his Authority to abuse his fellow Servants and deserved for his irregular Management to be cast with Hypocrites and Unbelievers into that place of Torment where there is nothing but wailing and gnashing of Teeth That since the Son of Man will come in a Day and Hour which they know not of to require an Account of their Management they should always watch as a Master of an House would do if he knew what Night the Thief would come to Rob and Plunder his House That knowing the Will of their Master they are so much the more to blame if they do not obey it and the more they are trusted withall the greater their account will be And we see that elsewhere he gives them this important Instruction Luke 17.10 That after that they had done all that they are commanded they should be so far from being proud of it that they ought to look upon themselves as unprofitable Servants and acknowledge that they have done no more than what they are obliged to do He advises them to be very careful in discharging their Ministry faithfully because in so doing they shall be dealt well withall by all the World whereas on the contrary he came to bring division upon Earth so that the Persons of the same Family shall be at enmity with one another some desiring to follow Jesus Christ others Persecuting those that adhere to him Lastly he tells them that he came to kindle a Fire upon Earth and that he had a Baptism to be Baptized with This Baptism is no other according to the Fathers than his Death and many understand by the Fire he came to kindle in the World that Love which the Holy Spirit would infuse into Mens Souls to inflame them devoutly with the Love of God XXIX Jesus shews the necessity of Repentance At the same time came certain Persons to tell Jesus Luke 13 1-10 that Pilate the Governour of Judea had slain certain Galileans as they were sacrificing so that their Blood was mingled with their Sacrifices Whereupon Jesus asks them whether they thought that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because God had left them to suffer such cruel usage from Men He tells that it was not reasonable to think so but that the conclusion that they ought to make from that accident is this That unless they repented they should all come to as sad and untimely ends as those miserable Men. The same application he tells them they ought to make of the Death of those Eighteen upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell and crushed them to Death And that he might engage them to make a good use of the time that God gives them to compleat their Repentance in for their Crimes He compares them to a barren Fig-tree which the owner of the Vineyard would have had cut down but deferred it because the Gardiner desired to try by dunging and digging of it to make it Fruitful and if it still remained barren then to cut it down XXX Jesus cureth a Woman bowed together Jesus using always to Teach in the Synagogues on the Sabboth days Luke 13 11-17 there came thither a Woman possessed with a Devil who had been afflicted so Eighteen Years and so much bowed together that she could not look up He called her and laying his Hand upon her said unto her Woman thou art freed from thy infirmity and at the same instant she was restored and glorified God for her Cure The Ruler of the Synagogue being angry that Jesus had done this Miracle on the Sabboth Day said unto the People That there are Six Days in every Week allowed by God for labour in them let them come and be healed and not on the Sabboth Day which is a Day of Rest But Jesus answering him demanded of these Hypocrites Whether it were not as lawful to deliver from the Bonds of the Devil on the Sabboth Day a Daughter of Abraham whom he had kept a Captive Eighteen Years as it was for them to unloose his Ox or his Ass upon the same Day and lead them from their Stable to Watering This silenced his Adversaries while the People were astonished at his Actions which were so wonderful and made him so glorious XXXI The Jews go about again to Stone him John 10.22.42 A little after this happened the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple which was kept in Winter Two Months after the Feast of Tabernacles and by consequent towards the Beginning of December Jesus came to Jerusalem at this Feast and walked in a Porch of the Temple called Solomon's Porch till the Jews came about him and said unto him How long wilt thou hold our Soul in Suspence by thy obscure Expressions concerning thy self If thou art the Christ tell us plainly He answered them I have already told you and ye believe not the Works which I do in my Father's Name they bear Witness of me but ye believe not because ye are not of my Sheep And to shew them how great losers they are by not being of his Sheep he adds That his Sheep hear his Voice and follow him that he will give them Eternal Life and they shall never perish because no Man can pull them out of his Father's Hands nor his because he and his Father are one Upon this the Jews went about again to stone him but Jesus aked them For which of those many good Works which they had seen him do would they use him so cruelly They answered him That they did it not for a good Work but because he being a Man made himself a God He then proves to them by their own Scriptures That Men are sometimes called Gods so that he was not guilty of Blasphemy in giving himself that Name who was the only Son of God sent by his Father which he proved by so great a Number of Miracles as God had enabled him to do among them All this did not appease their Fury and Rage against him but they sought how they might take him but he escaped out of their Hands because his Hour was not yet come and having passed over Jordan he went along the Bank of the River to Bethabara the Place where John at first baptized and there he abode Hither he was followed by a great number of People
possess But the Publican on the other side standing afar off durst not so much as lift up his Eyes to Heaven but smote upon his Breast saying My God be merciful to me who am a Sinner Whereupon Jesus adds I declare unto you That this Man returned Home justified rather than the other for he that exalteth himself shall be abased but who so humbleth himself shall be exalted XLI Jesus blesseth certain Infants Then some of the Jews brought their Children to Jesus that he might lay his Hands upon them Matth. 19 13-15 Mark 19 13-16 Luke 18 15-17 and pray for them His Disciples rebuking those that brought them unto him spake roughly to them but Jesus being displeased at this Action reproved them and bid them to suffer little Children to come unto him because the Kingdom of Heaven is made up of such and if we will gain an entrance into it we must become little Children i. e. humble so commending a spiritual Infancy which consists in an Holy Simplicity and sincere Humility After this he takes these little Children up in his Arms and having Blessed them by laying his Hands upon them He departed from thence to go some whither else XLII He tells them how hard it is for a Rich Man to be saved Matth. 19.16 â— 30. Mark 10 17-30 Luke 18 18-30 As Jesus was in his Journey a Young Noble-Man who was very Rich ran unto him and kneeling down to him said Good Master What good thing must I do that I may inherit Eternal Life Jesus answered him Why callest thou me good There is none but God who is good i. e. who is good of himself being perfect and essential Goodness the Original of all Goodness for all the Goodness in the Creatures in only an Efflux and participation of the infinite Goodness of God This Young Man commended an Humane and Finite Goodness in Jesus only and it seems that the Son of God refusing the Title of Good Master and answering that there was none Good but God only would Teach him to acknowledge a Divine and Soveraign Goodness in Himself Afterward he says in Answer to his Question That if he will obtain Eternal Life he must keep the Commandments And because this Young Man asked him which of these Commandments he ought to keep he said unto him Thou knowest the Commandments of the Law Do not kill Do not commit Adultery Do not Steal Do not bear false Witness Defraud not Honour thy Father and thy Mother And Love thy Neighbour as thy Self The Young Man answered All these things have I observed from my Youth What yet have I to do Then Jesus beholding him loved him but this Love which he had for the Young Man did not hinder him from Teaching him a Truth which he could not entertain for he said unto him One thing lackest thou yet If thou wilt be perfect Go and sell all that thou hast and give it to the Poor and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven and then come and follow me But this Lord who had a great Estate not being able to accept of his Advice and forsake all went away sad Then Jesus who saw him troubled looking round about him said unto his Disciples Verily I say unto you It is very hard for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven And because they were much amazed at these Words he repeated the same Truth again to them in these Words Little Children How hard is it for them that trust in their Riches to enter into the Kingdom of God It is easier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle This last assertion encreased the astonishment of the Apostles who said one to another Who then can be saved But Jesus removed their admiration by telling them that that which is impossible with Men is possible with God who can change the Heart and make Rich Men to leave all to follow Christ and gain Heaven Then said Peter unto him As for us thou seest That we have left all and followed thee What reward shall we receive Jesus answered him That at the Resurrection when the Son of Man shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory they shall sit by him on Thrones judging all the People of Israel And he further tells them that not only they But whosoever shall forsake his House or Kindred or Lands for His and the Gospels sake shall receive in this World an hundredfold Houses and Kindsfolk and Lands with Persecutionâ— and in the World to come Life Eternal By which he means that God who will reward his Elect in another World will give them in this such comforts as are necessary to support them in their afflictions and will find them such Friends as shall by their Christian Charity be as serviceable to them as their nearest Kindred and shall supply the want of all they have forsaken or lost for his sake to them XLIII Jesus explains how they that are first shall be last in the Kingdom of God Mrtth. 19.30 Matth. 20 1-16 The Apostles might well be surprized at the Promise which Jesus had made them That he would set them on Thrones to Judge their whole Nation especially since they had been always so little esteemed among the Jews From this passion the Son of God seems very desirous to free them by repeating to them again the words which he had before used upon another occasion That many of those that should have been first shall be last and many that should have been last shall be first Which Truth that he might throughly explain it to them he propounds a Parable and saith That the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man who having sent some Labourers with whom he had agreed for Wages early in the Morning into his Vineyard did also send others at the Ninth Third and Eleventh Hours promising to give them as much as was reasonable for their Labour In the Evening he called all these Men to him and beginning with those who came came last he gave them the same Wages which he had promised to those whom he had hired in the Morning but these last expecting to receive somewhat more than the other murmured against him for giving them as much as he agreed with them for But the Master of the Vineyard proves that he had done them no wrong because he had payd them what was due to them and as for the rest it was Lawful to give them what he pleased From hence the Son of God concludes So the last shall be first and the first shall be last for many are called but few are chosen This is all the explication which our Lord gives us of this Parable but the Fathers understand by the Kingdom of God and the Vineyard into which he calls Men to Labour for the reward which he hath promised by an Holy Life the Church And this reward is nothing but himself Some entred at the beginning of the World into this Vineyard
Lamb that was eaten and to the Solemnity which began with the Sacrifice of that Lamb Whence it comes to pass that we often meet with such Expressions as these in the Gospel to Eat Sacrifice and Keep the Passover As the Bondage of Aegypt from which God delivered the Jews was a Figure of Man's Slavery to Sin from which he was about to free Men so the Lamb whose Blood saved the Israelites is a Figure of Jesus Christ who is called The True Passover because 't is by his Blood that we are truly redeemed And for this Reason it is that he would dye at the Passover to fulfil by his Sacrifice the great Mysteries which were represented by all the Jewish Ceremonies XXII Jesus sups with his Disciples This great Feast of the Passover being near Matth. 26 17-20 the Disciples asked their Master Where he would eat the Passover Jesus immediately sent Peter and John to Jerusalem and tells them That as soon as they are entred into the City they should find a Man bearing a Pitcher of Water let them follow him and where-ever he enters let them tell the Master of the House That he intends to keep the Passover at his House with his Disciples and he will shew you saith he a large upper Room furnished and prepared there prepare all Things necessary for us Peter and John did as they were commanded and in the Evening he came thither with his Twelves Apostles where at the Hour appointed they sat down to eat the Paschal Lamb. He saith then to his Disciples With much earnestness have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer for I say unto you That I will not eat any more thereof till it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God i. e. in Heaven where not only the Passover but also all the other Mysteries shall have a full accomplishment Then he taketh a Cup and giving Thanks said to them Take this and divide it among you for I say unto you That I will not drink any more of the Fruit of the Vine until the Kingdom of God shall come XXIII Jesus washes his Disciples Feet John 13 1-15 From this Time Jesus had his Death continually in his Thoughts which seems to have been appointed at this Feast of the Passover which signifies a Passage to put him in Mind that his Hour was come wherein he was to pass out of this World to his Father He knew that the Devil had put into the Heart of Judas Iscariot a Design to betray him but before he was delivered into the Hands of his Enemies he was desirous to give his Disciples whom he had always loved and would love unto the end a signal Testimony of his Love wherefore he riseth from the Table layeth aside his Garments takes a Towel pours Water into a Bason and knowing that his Father had given all Things into his Hands and that he was come from God and went to God he goes about to wash his Apostles Feet and to wipe them with the Towel he had about him Peter could not endure this great Debasement of his Master and says unto him in a Surprize Why wilt thou wash my Feet Lord And although Jesus answered him Thou knowest not now what I do but thou shalt know afterward yet he still asserted Thou shalt never wash my Feet But because his Master told him That if he washed him not he should have no part in him he chose rather to see him do so mean an Office than be separated from him and therefore replyed Lord not only my Feet but my Hands and my Feet Jesus said unto him He that hath been washed already hath no need to wash any part of him but his Feet and ye are clean but not all Under which Exception he marked out Judas who being his Disciple should betray him This Answer makes it credible that Jesus did wash his Apostles Feet not only to give them a signal Example of his Humility but to shew us that although we are purified by Baptism yet in this Life we have continual need to cleanse our Affections which are daily engaged in Human Affairs in the same manner as our Feet how clean soever the rest of our Body is do continually gather Soil and Filth and therefore only need washing After he had washed his Apostles Feet he took his Garments and sitting down at the Table he saith unto them Know ye what I have done unto you ye call me Lord and Master and 't is reasonable you should for so I am if I then your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye also ought to wash one anothers Feet For I have given you an Example that ye may consider upon it and do as I have done unto you XXIV Jesus appoints the Eucharist and foretells Judas's Treachery After this they again returned to their Supper Matth. 26 26-29 Mark 14 22-25 Luke 22 19-29 1 Cor. 11 23-25 which being almost ended Jesus who having washed their Feet had as it were prepared them for the Sacrament which he intended to institute at the same Time wherefore he took Bread blessed it by giving of Thanks brake it and gave it to them saying Take eat this is my Body which is given for you do this in remembrance of me Likewise he took the Cup gave Thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of this for this is my Blood the Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the Remission of Sins Joyn this also with the Bread in remembrance of me Matth. 26 20-25 Mar. 14 18-21 Luke 22 21-23 John 13 21-32 Jesus then suffered himself to fall into a Trouble and Discomposure of Mind either at the Prospect of the Death which he was shortly to undergo or at the Thoughts of the monstrous perfideousness of Judas and said unto the Apostles Verily verily I say unto you that one of you who sitteth at Table and eateth with me shall betray me These Words not only astonished them but grieved them all and every one began to say Is it I Lord He answered them One of you Twelve that dippeth with me in the Dish shall betray me Instead the Son of Man goeth to suffer Death according as it is appointed concerning him in Holy Scripture but wo unto that Man by whom he is betrayed it were better for that Man that he had never been born They knew not who it was of whom he spake and therefore questioned among themselves who it was Peter seeing John who was the beloved Disciple leaning upon Jesus's Breast beckened to him to ask Jesus who it was of whom he spake Jesus then answered him He it is to whom I shall give a Sop when I have dipped it Judas then boldly asked his Master Is it I Jesus said Yes And having dipped the Sop gave it to him When Judas had received the Sop the Devil entred into him to embolden him in the execution of that wicked Design which he
had in his Heart some Time before Jesus then said unto him That thou dost do quickly whereupon Judas went out But the rest of the Apostles knew not whither he went supposing that Jesus had sent him to buy something or bestow some Mony on the Poor because it was he that carried the Purse As soon as he was gone out Jesus considering the Glory which his Father would gain by his Death and which he himself should receive as the Reward of his humble Obedience faith unto his Disciples Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him and if God be glorified in him God will also glorify him in himself and will streightway glorify him Then they sung an Hymn and rose from the Table to go to the Mount of Olives where we have seen that Jesus went usually at Night XXV Jesus foretells S. Peter's Denial and the Apostles Flight Jesus having thus discoursed of his Glory Matth. 26 30-35 Mark 14 27-31 Luke 22.31 38. John 13 33-38 raised a fresh Contention among his Disciples Who of them shall be accounted greatest and have the greatest Share in it Jesus checks their Ambition by repeating what he had said to them long before That it shall not be so with you as it is with Kings who rule over their Subjects with Authority but that the greatest among them should be as the least just as he who was their Master had been among them little not as he that sits at Table but as he that serveth He then tells them That since they had held firm to him in all his Persecutions he would prepare for them a Kingdom as his Father had prepared one for himself But he adds That Satan had desired to sift them as Wheat is sifted i. e. to tempt them that he may make them fall And he said to Peter I have prayed for you that your Faith fail not and when thou art converted i. e. recovered from thy Fall strengthen thy Brethren Then turning to them all he tells unto them That he had but a little Time to be with them That he went whither they could not come but he commanded them to love one another as he had loved them because by this Love they should be known to be his Disciples Hereupon S. Peter asked him Whither he would go Jesus answered Whither I go thou canst not follow me now but thou shalt follow me afterwards He replyed Lord why cannot I follow thee now Jesus explains himself further saying to his Apostles All of you shall be offended because of me this Night for it is written I will smite the Shepherd and the Flock shall be scatter'd but after that I am risen again I will go before you into Galilee Peter answered him Although all Men should be offended yet will not I be offended for I am ready to go with thee into Prison and unto Death yea I will lay down my Life for thy Sake Jesus answered Wilt thou lay down thy Life for me Verily verily I say unto thee That this Night before the Cock crows twice thou shalt deny me thrice Peter asserted it more passionately That he would not deny him though he dyed for him And all the Disciples said the same consulting the present Sentiments of their Hearts more than their own Weakness which was throughly known to Christ Jesus then ask'd them Whether they wanted any thing when he sent them without Purse or Scrip or Shoes And when they answered him No he said to them But now he that hath a Purse or a Scrip let him take it and he that hath no Sword let him sell his Garment and buy one In which figurative Language he describes the Greatness of the Persecution which they must shortly undergo that it should be so violent that if they fly to such ordinary means as are usually made use of they must sell their very Garments to provide Arms for their Defence For I say unto you adds he that this must be accomplished Isai 53. â—2 which is written of me He was reckoned among the Transgressors They who took his Words in the literal Sense That they must sell their Garments and buy one said unto him We have here Two Swords but because he understood them in another Sense he answered 'T is enough XXVI Jesus comforts his Apostles It was almost impossible but that all these Predictions of his approaching Death would much trouble his Apostles which when he saw John 14 1-31 he comforted them saying That they should not be troubled but believe in him That they knew that if he went before them to prepare a Place for every one of them in his Fathers House he would come again and take them to himself Then he says Whither I go ye know and the way ye know Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest and how should we know the Way Jesus replyed That he himself is the Way the Truth and the Life that they must go to God by him and that if they knew him they would know his Father also Upon this Philip saith unto him Lord shew us the Father and it sufficeth us But Jesus answered him Have I been so long with thee and hast thou not known me And then adds That in seeing him we see the Father because he is in the Father and the Father in him which they might have discerned by the Miracles which they had seen him do assuring them at the same time That they that believe in him shall do the same Wonders and greater than they because whatsoever they ask of God his Father in his Name it shall be done to them Then he promises them that he will by his Prayers obtain another Comforter for them which should be the Spirit of Truth which the World cannot receive because it knoweth him not That he will not leave them Comfortless but will come unto them That they shall see him when the World seeth him not which happened after his Resurrection for he appeared to none but own Disciples That he will one Day shew them that he is in his Father because he will discover himself to those that love him and shew evident Signs of his Love by receiving and keeping his Commandments Judas ask'd him Why he would discover himself to them and not unto the World He answered him If any Man love me he will keep my Commandments and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our Abode with him He that loveth me not keepeth not my Commandments He enlarges no farther upon Judas's Question but leaves us to infer from his Answer That the Reason why he doth not discover himself to the World i. e. the Lovers of the World is because the World neither loves nor keeps his Commandments He adds That the Doctrin which he had taught them was his Fathers and that the Holy Spirit would make them understand and remember all the Truths which he had taught them Lastly
Blood upon them 199. the Blood of all the Righteous Men slain shall be punished upon Jerusalem 118. C Caiphas High-Priest of the Jews foretells Jesus Death 143. Condemns Christ 192. Calling of St. Peter and St. Andrew 26. the 2d time 32. of St. Philip and Nathaniel 40. of St. Matthew 46. of the 12 Apostles 54. to the great Supper 126. to the Marriage 160. to repentance 35. many called few chosen 126. Calumnies Dispersed of Jesus a Magician that cast out Devils by Belzebub 50. a friend of Publicans and Sinners 46. a Glutton and VVine bibber 64. a breaker of the Law 52. an Impostor 195. a Sinner 110. a Blasphemer and Impious 192. a Samaritan 108. a seditious Man 195. a Seducer 196. one who sought to make himself a King 195. forbad paying Tribute to Caesar ibid. Capernaum A City of Galilee scituate upon the Bank of Gennesareth 38. Jesus Christ dwelt there ibid. he reproves their hardness 65. Miracles which Jesus did there 38 39. Centurion's Faith and Care of his Servant 60. acknowledgeth Jesus the Son of God 204. Caesar Ought to have his dues 162. Christ Acknowledged to be Messias by Andrew and Philip 26. by St. Peter 92. by Martha 141. by the Centurion 204. by the Devils 39. confesseth it himself 33. the Son of David 105. Commandments of God to be preferred before the Traditions of Men 87. to be kept 136. the two great Commandments of the Law what 163. to love one another 183. he that loves God keeps his Commandments 182. Confession Of Sins at Baptism 21. of Christ by Devils 39. by all that Christ will own 77. Conversion Of a Sinner rejoyceth Heaven 128. of St. Matthew 46. of a Woman Sinner 65. of Zacchaeus 146. of S. Peter of the Thief 202. Corazin An Impenitent City 64. Covetousness to be avoided 118. of the Pharisees 131. of Judas 150. the folly of it 118. Cross We must bear the Cross 127. Jesus Christ carried his own Cross to Calvary 200. he is fixed to it 201. his Title on the Cross ibid. he entred into glory by the Cross 210. he was lifted up on the Cross as the Brazen Serpent 29. D DEbtors The Parable of the two Debtors 65. of the ungrateful Debtor 101. Dedication Feast of 122. Devils Acklowledge Jesus to be the Christ 38. he gives his Apostles power over them 76 and to 72 Disciples 113. some of them driven out only by Prayer and Fasting 97. Jesus accused of having commerce with Devils 67. Judas called a Devil 86 into whose heart he entred 173. Jesus tempted by the Devil 24. cast him out of the World 154. Prince of the VVorld Ibid. Destruction Of Jerusalem 152 153. Disciples Of John two of them become Jesus's 29. two sent to Christ by John when he was in Prison 62. fasted often 47. Disciples Of Jesus Christ their first calling 26 36. the Twelve Apostles chosen out of them 54. Seventy Two of them sent to preach 113. Devils subject to them Ibid. some forsake him 86. all leave him at his Death 190. the beloved Disciple who 178. Jesus appears to them 213. to be a Dissciple of Christ we must forsake all 127. Doctor Doctors of the Law are the Scribes 158. Doctrin Jesus 's Doctrin not his but God's 104. it was accompanied with authority 38. Pharisees Doctrin to be obeyed but their example not to be followed 164. Drachma a Tribute of Two Drachma's pay'd by Jesus 98. E ELias John Baptist said to be Elias 4. he appeared to Christ at his Transfiguration 94. Elizabeth John Baptists Mother 4. Enemies to be loved 57. Epiphany Or Christs manifestation of the Magi 15 Eucharist In it Christs Flesh and Blood are received 85. to be received by all Ibid. its effects Ibid. and institution 177. F FAith Makes Men Children of God 12. can do all things 96. power of it 157. Jesus reproves his Disciples for having little Faith 42. St. Peters faith 82. Jesus Christ is our food by Faith 84. the Apostles pray Jesus to increase their Faith 97. the Faith of the Apostles 82. of those that carryed the Man sick of the Palsey to Jesus 45. of the VVoman that had the bloody flux 48. of the Blind-men 49. of the Blind-man at Jericho 149. of the Centurion 61. of the VVoman that was a Sinnet 66. of the VVoman of Canaan 88. Jesus prays that St. Peters Faith fail not 179. requires Faith of Martha 141. Questions whether he shall find Faith on Earth at his Second coming 135. Faithful In small things 130. the commendation of a Faithful Servant 104. the unfaithful Steward put out of his Office 130. Fasting of Jesus 24. how to fast 58. Feasts St. Matthew made a Feast for Jesus 46. the Feast of Simon the Pharisee 65. Simon the Leper at Bethany 149. of Herod to his Lords 78. to sit in the lowest Room at a Feast 125. to Feast the Poor rather than the Rich 126. the Marriage feasts 160. the daily Feasts of Dives 131. Fig-tree Barren Cursed 156. Flight Of Jesus into Aegypt 18. in persecution lawful 77. of the Apostles from Jesus at his apprehension 190. G GAbriel The Angel appeared to Zachary 4. to the Holy Virgin Ibid. Galilee Joseph went into Galilee at his return out of Aegypt 19. Jesus leaving Judea went into Galilee 33. went over the First time 35. the Second time 76. the Jews would not allow a Prophet to come out of Galilee 105. Galileans Jesus Disciples called so 105. the Galileans slain by Pilate 121. Gennesareth A City of Galilee 37. the Lake of Gennesareth 36. Jesus appeas'd a Tempest in that Lake 41. went upon it and suffered Peter to come to him on it 82. the Miraculous fishing in this Lake the first 37. the second 213. Jesus Christ taught upon the Lake 37. Gentiles Called into the Church instead of the Jews 160. desire to see Jesus 153. are some of Christs Flock 112. Gerasa Or Gadar the Miracle done there 42. the People there desire Jesus to depart out of their Coasts 44. Gethsemane Where the Garden was into which Jesus often went with his Disciples 187. God Is faithful to his promises 7. his Love to Man 29. to be Worshipped in Spirit and Truth 33. alone to be Worshipped 24. to be loved with all the Heart 114. not to be tempted 24. is good only 136. never seen by any 25. he that is of God hears his Word 108. to know him is Life Eternal 186. he that doth his VVill shall inherit Eternal Life 59. he is one in Three Persons 11. he shall be seen by the pure in Heart 55. peacemakers are his Children Ibid. and so are they that love their Enemies 57. that which is highly esteemed by Men is odious to God 72. Gluttony To be avoided 169. Grace Brought by Jesus Christ 25. he grew in Grace 20. his VVords were full of Grace 74. Christs Grace compared to Living Water 33. Great Greatness who is the greatest 98. he that is Servant of all Ibid. great Men did
not believe in Jesus Christ or dare not own it 155. why 16. Gospel is glad Tidings 35. Preached by Christ 40. we must believe it 35. we must leave all for it 137. the Apostles sent to Preach the Gospel in all the World 218. H HEll is called darkness where there is nothing but wailing and gnashing of Teeth 61. the Eternal Fire of Hell 73. the Burial of the Rich Man in Hell 131. Herod The Great King of the Jews troubled at the coming of the Magi 15. pretended to Worship Jesus Ibid. killed the Children of Bethlehem 18. Herod Antipas Son of Herod the Great Marryed his Brothers Wife 31. Imprison'd John the Baptist Ibid. beheaded him 79. believes Jesus Christ to be him Ibid. Jesus calls him Fox 124. bids his Disciples take heed of the Leaven of Herod 91. is brought before him but saith nothing 196. his Officers take Jesus 162. Herodias Herods Brothers Wife hates S. John Baptist 31. made her Daughter to ask his Head of Herod 79. Honour Hypocrites Honour God only with their Lips 81. to be given to Parents 87. Jesus Christ refused Secular Honour 82. Hosanna Given to Christ 152. Humble Humility Jesus Christ is humble 113. shall be exalted 125. Jesus Christ commands it Ibid. and gives us an example of it 201. Hypocrisy Hypocrites Hypocrisy is the Leaven of the Pharisees to be avoided 118. Jesus reproves and curses Hypocrites 116. the unprofitable Servant hath his Portion with Hypocrites 120. I JAmes The greater Son of Zebedee called by Jesus Christ 36. made an Apostle 54. called Boanerges Ibid. a Witness of Christs Transfiguration 93. agony 187. reproved for his indiscreet Zeal 144. and ambition 145. asks Jesus about the Destruction of Jerusalem 166. James The Less made an Apostle 55. the Kinsman of Jesus Christ 74. Jesus Christ appeared to him after his Resurrection 166 Jairus's Daughter raised from the Dead 47. Jerusalem Troubled at the Birth of Jesus Christ 15. kills the Prophets 124. her Destruction 167. Jesus laments it 152. reproved also by him Ibid. Jesus Christ The Son of the most High his Kingdom to have no end 6. the Second Person in the Trinity 7 10. saves his People from their Sins 9. is God and Man 10. the Word of God Ibid. the Wisdom and Power of God 11 the Light and Life of Souls 18. subject to Mary and Joseph 20. encreased in Wisdom and Stature Ibid. came to save the World 29. for Sinners not the Righteous 46. fled from being made a King 87. the Carpenters Son 74. Son of God and David 161. the way to God the Truth and the Life 181. spake nothing of himself 182. is the beloved Son of God 23 94 entred into his glory by dying on the Cross 210. Imposition Of hands for curing 91. for blessing 136. Incarnation Of Jesus Christ 6. God visited Man by the Incarnation 8. Gods promises fulfilled by it 9. the benefits of this Mystery 6 8. Innocents Murdered 19. St. John the Baptist His Nativity foretold by an Angel 4. filled with the Holy Ghost from his Mothers Womb Ibid. great in the sight of God Ibid. his Birth 7. Circumcision 8. a Prophet of the most High dwelt in the Desert Ibid. came to manifest the Light to Men 12. his Preaching and Baptism 20. his answer to those that were sent to him 23. his first Testimony which he gave to Jesus 25. his Second 26. Third Ibid. Fourth 30. St. John The Evangelist Son of Zebedee called by Jesus 36. made an Apostle 54. named Boanerges Ibid. a Witness of Christs Transfiguration 93. and agony in the Garden 187. is reproved for his indiscreet Zeal 144. and ambition 145. and for hindring a Man from casting out Devils in Christs Name 98. the Beloved Disciple 178. who lay on Jesus Breast at Supper and asked who should betray him Ibid. stood at the Foot of the Cross 230. Jesus commended the Holy Virgin to him Ibid. went with Peter to the Sepulchre 207. acknowledged Jesus on the Shore 213. the Apostles thought he should not die 215. Joanna One of the Women that Ministred to Jesus 76. Jonas A Figure of Christ 68. Joseph Espoused to the Virgin of the Family of David 5. 13. a Just Man 9. accounted the Father of Jesus 74. Joseph Of Arâ—mathâ—ca a Jewish Counsellor but a Disciple of Christ 205. begged his Body of Pilate Ibid. Buried it in his own new Tomb 206. Judas The Apostle called also Theudas made an Apostle 55. Brother of James the Less Ibid. asks Christ why he did not reveal himself to the World 182. Judge The Parable of the unjust Judge and Widow 134. Jesus came not to judge but to save the World 29. would not judge in Temporal affairs 118. shall come again to judge the VVorld 168. for which he hath received power of God 57. Judgment Last the Description of it 171. the Time unknown 169. must be prepared for by Watchfulness and Prayer ibid. who shall appear there with Confidence ibid. Just shall be persecuted 166. shall lift up their Heads at the last Day 168. shall shine like the Sun in Heaven 73. shall be placed at the right Hand at the Day of Judgment 171. shall be like the Angels after the Resurrection 163. L. LAw Fulfilled and perfected by Jesus Christ 67. Moses gave the Law but Jesus Christ Grace 25. the difference between the Old and New Law 36 37. all the Law is compriz'd in loving God and our Neighbour 163. the Law continued to John 63. Jesus Christ accused of breaking the Law 51. The Pharisees preferred their Traditions before the Law 154. Lazarus The Brother of Martha and Mary 115. the Friend of Jesus Christ raised from the Dead 142. sat at Table with Jesus at the Feast at Simon 's the Leper 149. the Jews would slay him 150. Lazarus The poor Man the Dogs lick his Sores 131. carried into Abraham's Bosom ibid. Legion Freed by Jesus 43. Lepers The Cure of a Leper 60. of Ten 103. Jesus sups with Simon the Leper 149. a Leper cured by Elisha 75. Life Jesus Christ is the Fountain of Life 12. the Way the Truth and Life 181. the Bread of Life 84. what we must do to obtain Eternal Life 127. Lot His Wife 134. Love of God to Men In sending his Son 29. God loves them that love Jesus Christ 21. hears their Prayers ib. he loves his Elect as Christ 187. Jesus Christ loved Lazarus and his Two Sisters 140. his Love to his Sheep 112. Love of Men to God This is the greatest Commandment 114. much is forgiven to him that loves much 66. he that loves God keeps his Commandments 116. God abides in him that loves him ibid. he that loves Christ rejoyceth in his Glory 182. Jesus's Love for his Father ibid. Love of our Neighbour Is the Second Commandment 114. equal to the First of loving God 163. which are the sum of all the Law ibid. is the Fruit which Christ would have us bear 183. he gave us an Example of
hast believed for the Things which have been told thee from the Lord shall be accomplished These Commendations did not at all puff up the Virgin 's Heart with Pride she could not be unsensible of the Favours which God had bestowed on her but being desirous to give him all the Glory and not daring to attribute any thing that the Lord had wrought in her to her Faith she referr'd all to the Mercy of her Creator saying My Soul doth magnify the Lord and my Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour for he hath regarded the lowliness of his Handmaid She adds That God is pleased when he sees fit to do great Things for his mean Creatures That he loves to exalt the Humble and debase the Proud and that lastly He is faithful to his Promises because he made her the Mother of his Son That he might perform the Promises which he had made to Abraham and the other Patriarchs IV. The Nativity of S. John Luke 1. 56-80 Mary continued Three Months with her Cousin and then returned to her own House In the mean while Elizabeth's Time of Delivery came and her Relations and Cousins met together to rejoyce with her concerning the Birth of her Son On the Eighth Day when he was to be circumcised and named they all gave him the Name of Zachary as his Father was called but Elizabeth opposed them desiring he should be named John as God had commanded by the Angel They answered her That there was none of her Family called by that Name and made Signs to his Father that he should shew them his Will about it And he required Writing-Tables and wrote thereon His Name must be called John and immediately his Tongue was loosed and his Speech being restored to him he made use of it to praise God But all that had been Witnesses of these Miracles and all that heard him speak were astonished and said one to another What manner of Child shall this be How great how holy a Man But that which they were ignorant of was revealed to Zacharias who being filled with the Holy Spirit understood the Mystery of the Incarnation and the part his Son was to have in that Mystery whereupon he prophesied and said Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his People He adds as the Virgin had done in her Song That God hath raised out of the House of David a Saviour of the World to perform the Promises which he had made to Abraham and renewed often by the Mouth of his Prophets And then he sums up all the Benefits of the Incarnation in a few Words he hath promised us That we being delivered from the Power of our Enemies might serve him by walking before him in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of our Life Then he speaks these Words to his Son And thou Child shalt be called the Prophet of the most high for thou shalt go before the Face of the Lord to prepare his Ways and to give Knowledge of Salvation to his People for the Remission of their Sins And indeed God did fulfil what Zachary had foretold of his Son and that he might fit this Infant for the great Office he designed him he made him eminent in all Spiritual Gifts and kept him in the Deserts till the Time of his appearing to his People Israel V. God reveals the Conception of Jesus Christ to Joseph While the Fame of those Miracles which happened at the Birth of John Matth. 1 18-25 spread it self over all the Hill-Country of Judea the Holy Virgin being returned to Nazareth meditated in deep Silence upon the Mystery which God had wrought in her She had not told Joseph what had befaln her but her Bigness discovered it and he perceived she was with Child But being an Holy and Pious Man he was not willing to disgrace her publickly whereupon he resolved to put her away privately And in this Purpose he continued till an Angel appearing to him in a Dream said unto him Joseph thou Son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife for the Child that is conceived in her is the Work of the Holy Ghost She shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call his Name Jesus because he is the Person which shall save his People from their Sins Joseph submitted to this Command and remained with his Wife both of them living in perfect Chastity And so that which God had long before foretold by the Prophet Isaiah was fulfilled A Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son Isai 7.14 which shall be called Immanuel which being interpreted is God with us VI. The Divine Generation of Jesus Christ The Time being come when the Virgin should be delivered she brought forth Jesus Christ in the manner which we shall hereafter speak of But before we relate the History of this Birth it is necessary to give an account of the Person who was born Men describe the Genealogies of the Grandees of the World that they may make them honourable by the Nobility of their Parentage and great Actions of their Ancestors who have no Worth of their own to render them remarkable Matth. 1 1-17 Luke 3. 23-38 Mary brought forth a Son of whom the Gospel recites Two Pedigrees and Two Births because he had Two Natures Jesus Christ is both God and Man and hath united in one Person the Divine and Human Nature As he is Man he is descended of a numerous Succession of Ancestors As he is God he hath only God for his Father as Man he was born in Time but as God he was born and is from all Eternity What S. John in the beginning of his Gospel teaches us concerning his Divine and Eternal Generation and for what Reasons he became Incarnate is this He says That Jesus Christ as God is the Word John 1 1-14 i. e. the Thought or Speech of God When a Man thinks he forms an Idea or Spiritual Image of the Thing he thinks of and this Image is called the Word i. e. the Speech of the Mind for it is by the Thoughts that the Mind reasons with and speaks to it self God is a pure Spirit who knows himself most perfectly and that from all Eternity He thinks then in knowing himself and forms an exact Image of himself and this Image is his Word But this Word infinitely excels all the Thoughts of Men in this That he is a Thought subsisting by himself and a distinct Person from him that formed it but yet the same God with him The Two Persons love each other infinitely from all Eternity and this Eternal Love is a Third Person called the Holy Spirit who is also the same God and of the same Nature with the Two other Persons from whom he proceeds This is what the Holy Scripture teaches us of the Holy Trinity which is nothing else but the God which we worship One in Three Persons of which the Second is called not
all the Nation should perish Thus did this wretched Man express the cruel Motions of Hatred which he had against Jesus but God delivered by him who thought nothing less the Designs of his Wisdom for the Salvation of Men and honoured his Priesthood in the Person of his High-Priest Prophesying by his Mouth of the Death which the Saviour of the World should suffer to save not only the Jews but also to gather together into one Church the Children of God which are dispersed in all other Nations This advice so took with them that from that time the Priests and Pharisees sought all the ways they could think of to put him to Death and to this end gave order that if any Man knew where he was he should discover him that they might apprehend him But because his hour was not yet come altho ' it drew very near he escaped their Fury for a little time by not appearing in publick but going into a desert place near a City called Ephraim where he abode some time with his Disciples XLVI Jesus is rejected by the Samaritans The Feast of the Passover being the time wherein Jesus Christ was to consummate the great Work of our Redemption by the Sacrifice of his Blood when that Passover drew near Luke 9 51-56 wherein he was to suffer he prepared himself for Death and set forward in his Journey to Jerusalem with a stedfast Countenance signifying the firm Resolution he had taken up to lay down his Life for Men. It seemed good to him to go thro' Samaria but when he came into a City of the Province they would not entertain him because they knew he was going to Jerusalem for there was a great Contest between the Samaritans and Jews about the place where God ought to be Worshipped the first alledging that it was Mount Gerizim and the other the Temple of Jerusalem The reason then why the Inhabitants of this place thro' which Jesus passed rejected him was because he went to Solemnize the Feast and by consequent to Worship in a different place from them The two Sons of Zebedee James and John being incensed at the Injury which they had done to their Master said unto him Lord wilt thou that we command Fire to fall down from Heaven upon them and devour them But the Son of God willing to Teach them that the Spirit of his true Disciples is a Spirit of Love and Charity and not Revenge turned himself to the two Brethren and gave them this sharp reproof Ye know not by what Spirit ye are acted for the Son of Man is not come to destroy mens Lives but to save them And they went to lodge in another Village XLVII Jesus foretells his Death a Third time Matth. 20 17-19 Mark 10 32-34 Luke 18 31-34 This assurance and resolution of the Son of God which appeared even in his Face was not in the Heart of the Apostles who accompanyed him but on the contrary they were seized with terror and amazement and followed him with fear He takes them therefore apart and saith unto them Behold we go up to Jerusalem where all things that are Written concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished For he shall be delivered to to the Chief Priests and Scribes who shall condemn him to Death and deliver him to the Gentiles who shall mock and spitefully entreat him Scourge and crucify him and he shall rise again the Third Day but they understood not this Third Prediction of his Death no more than the Two former and the Gospel assures us That this Discourse was concealed from them so that they knew not the Things that were spoken XLVIII Jesus reproves the Ambition of his Apostles At the same Time Salome the Wife of Zebedee Matth. 20 20-28 Mark 10 35-45 and the Mother of John and James came to him with her Two Sons and worshipped him as if she were about to pray unto him Jesus asked her what she would have and she answered him Command that these my Two Sons may sit the one on thy Right-Hand and the other on thy Left in thy Kingdom He returned her no answer but turning himself to her Children for whom she petitioned he said unto them Ye know not what ye ask Are ye able to drink of the Cup that I must drink of and to be baptized with the Baptism that I must be baptized with By this Cup and Baptism he understood his Death and he asked these Two Brethren Whether they were able to follow him and imitate his Sufferings They answered That they were able Then he tells them That they should indeed drink a part of his Cup but as for the chief Places in his Kingdom they are wholly at the Disposal of his Father to give them to whom he pleaseth As if he had said according to the Explication of the Fathers Do not think that my Kingdom shall be given for Human Motives and Respects it belongs to those for whom my Father hath appointed it and they are such as are qualified for it by their Lives and Sufferings Put your selves therefore into a Posture of Fighting and Conquering and you shall have the Reward which is promised to Conquerors bestowed on you The Ambition of these Two Disciples displeased the other Ten who were very angry with the Two Brethren Jesus who knew their Thoughts being desirous to cure that Pride which made the one ambitious and the other jealous calls them unto him and teaches them That they must not be like the Princes and Grandees of the World who rule with Tyranny over their Subjects but on the contrary he that will be great among them must be Servant of all according to the Example of the Son of Man himself who came not to be waited upon and served but to serve others for their Spiritual Good and redeem Souls by his Death XLIX Jesus lodges at Zaccheus's House Luke 19 1-10 They went on their Journey and came to Jericho In this City there was a certain Man named Zaccheus one of the chief Publicans and very rich who had a very great Desire to see Jesus But because the Multitude hindred him from it being a Man of a small Stature he went before and climbed up into a Sycamore Tree in a Place where he knew he was to pass Jesus accordingly came that way indeed and lifting up his Eyes he saw Zaccheus and said unto him Zaccheus make haste and come down for I must lodge at thy House to Day At this Zaccheus came down immediately and entertained him joyfully while others murmuring against him said He is gone to be a Guest with a Man of a wicked Life But Jesus made it appear by the miraculous Change which he wrought in the Heart of this Publican that he went as a Physician into a diseased Family to cure it for Zaccheus presenting himself before him said to him Lord the half of my Estate I will give unto the Poor and if I have done any
Father Jesus having given his Disciples all these Instructions John 17 1-26 lift up his Eyes to Heaven and praying to his Father said My Father the hour is come glorify thy Son that thy Son may glorify thee And as thou hast given him power over all flesh so he hath given to as many as thou hast given him Eternal Life which consists in the knowledge of thee the true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent I have glorified thee on Earth I have finished the Work which thou hast given me to do And now O Father glorifie me with thy self with that Glory which I had with thee before the World was He then prays for the Apostles which his Father had given him and who having received his Word had believed that he came from God and that he had sent him and since he left them in the World he commends them to his Father not to take them out of the World by Death but to preserve them from Sin He had kept them all in his Fathers Name and had lost but One viz. Judas He had separated them from the World and because they had not the Spirit of the VVorld the VVorld hated them wherefore he prays his Father to keep them and Sanctify them by his VVord which is Truth it self offering himself a Sacrifice for them that he might obtain that favour for them He also recommedns all those to God who should believe in his Name thro' the Preaching of his Apostles and prays for such an Admirable Union among them as makes all Christians One being united together in God by his Charity as the Father who is in the Son and Son who is in the Father are by one Nature O Father adds he I pray that where I am those whom thou hast given me may also be that they may behold my Glory And he concludes this Admirable Prayer with these words Holy Father the World hath not known thee but I have known thee these have known that I have sent thee I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it that they may have that love among them with which thou hast loved me and that I may be also my self among them XXIX The Agony of Christ in the Garden upon the Mount of Olives Jesus having finished the former Prayer Matth. 26 36-46 Mark 14 26-42 Luke 22 39-46 Jo. 18.1 went on his Journey towards the Mount of Olives and passing over the Brook Cedron which runs between Jerusalem and this Mountain went with his Disciples into a Garden called Gethsemani Here he commanded them to stay till he went and Prayed a little distance from it and in the mean time to pray themselves that they be not delivered over to temptation Jesus then taking with him Peter and James and John began to be seized with fear trouble and grief and said unto them My Soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto Death tarry ye here and watch with me Then departing from them about a Stones cast he threw himself upon the Earth and as he was willing for the Consolation of his Disciples to endure all the Passions which Nature ordinarily stirs up at the approaches of Death so he was desirous by his Example to teach them what to do in that Estate Thro' the voluntary perception of the infirmities of the flesh he Prayed his Father to save him from that Hour wherein he had declared him to suffer Death but thro' the Motion of a Spirit full of Submission and Charity he corrected those first Motions and yielded entirely to the Will of his Father saying My Father My Father all things are possible with thee remove this Cup from me nevertheless not mine but thy Will be done Having thus prayed he arose and went to his Disciples whom he found asleep their Hearts being filled with sorrow wherefore speaking to Peter he reproved him Simon sleepest thou and then he said to all of them What could ye not Watch one hour with me Watch and Pray that ye enter not into Temptation The Spirit is ready but the flesh is weak As if he had said The Spirit would not be afraid of Death and ye believe that ye have strength enough to contemn it but the weakness of the flesh makes such a strong resistance against the Spirit that it will easily conquer it unless you beg the Divine grace to support you against the fears of Death Having said thus he returned again to his Prayers and said to God My Father If this Cup may not pass from me unless I drink it Thy Will be done Then he returned again to his Disciples and finding them so sleepy that they knew not what to answer him he went again to his Prayers a Third time St. Luke tells us that there came an Angel from Heaven to him to strengthen him and that the Agony in which he was i. e. the conflict that he had in himself between the Flesh which dissuaded him from suffering and the Spirit which was willing to submit to the Will of God caused such a violent disturbance in his Body that there issued from it a Swet which fell down to the Earth like drops of Blood Then he went a Third time to find his Apostles and saying unto them by way of Reproof and Irony That they might now sleep on and take their rest because his time was come He tells them in good earnest That the time was come that the Son of Man shall be delivered into the Hands of Sinners Arise therefore saith he Let us go hence behold he that betrayeth me is at hand XXX The Apprehension of Jesus Jesus had scarcely said these words Matth. 26 47-56 Mark 14 43-52 Luke 22 47-53 John 18 2-11 but Judas Iscariot came with a Band of Soldiers and Officers which the Priests Scribes Pharisees and Rulers had sent to take him They were Armed with Swords and Staves and had Lanthorns and Torches with them because it was Night and because they knew not him whom they had Orders to Seize Judas told them That it is he whom he shall Kiss Take him and carry him away safely He then came to Jesus and saying to him Hail Master he gave him a Kiss which was the Sign he had given them to make him to be taken by them Jesus said no more to him but these words Friend why are you come hither What Judas Dost thou betray the Son of Man with a Kiss Jesus then immediately goes to the Soldiers whom Judas had brought and asked them Whom they sought They answered Jesus of Nazareth He saith to them I am He And immediately they went back and fell to the Earth Then again he asked them Whom seek ye They answered again Jesus of Nazareth he said I have told you already That I am He and if ye seek me Let these Men go which he spoke of his Disciples that he might fulfil his Words spoken in his Prayer to his Father of them which thou gavest me have I