owne beames my owne motes and turne back my eyes upon my owne offences Turne thou them O Lord and they shall be turned Ier. 31. 18. The Scribe Matth. 8. 19 20. And a certaine Scribe came and said Master I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest And JESUS said unto him The Foxes have holes c. Discovery I Discover Christ declines these hastie resolutions Master I will follow thee and abates the pace of them with a deniall JESUS said unto him The foxes have holes they that give themselves over so unadvisedly to an adherence are not to bee entertained at the same rate they run into your service they that will follow as this Scribe wheresoever you go are too Catholike and generall reteiners and follow the person more then the parts Wheresoever thou goest a thou shalt be followed more then that thou that teachest more then that which thou teachest wheresoever betrayes too unbounded and regardlesse an humour and like rash young maids they betroth their opinions at the first courtship they are better in their resolutions that follow where and not wheresoever that follow where they have warrant and authority for their motion and that follow howsoever not wheresoever howsoever the world go with them though Affliction or Tribulation meete them in the way yet they will follow howsoever but these that will follow wheresoever are not to be quire cashier'd but moderately brought on by holding their reine so much faster as they would break the more hotly after you JESUS said not unto him Thou shalt not follow but hee said unto him The Faxes have holes declining his hast and propension after him The turne Matth. 19. 22. JESUS turned him about and when hee saw her hee said Daughter be of good comfort Discovery I Discover here how JESUS animares and cherishes a timorous spirit the woman turnes behinde him and hee turnes about and presents her the face and presence shee avoyded and hee calls her on with his lips as he cast her off with his countenance thus one part of Christ becomes a spokesman for another and are by course Advocates and Mediatours to each other for he turned about and saw her and said Daughter had he turned and not said it had been worse with her for a silent aspect had disabled her more had he onely turned and seene her and not said an expectation of his dislike or approbation or some such two-fac'd passion had perplexed her but he saw and said he opened his mouth and behaviour at once and they both speake and speake her fairly Daughter JESUS had a caracter of power in his visage and she turned from it therefore hee turned to her see the mercie of GOD that vyes turne for turne with us turnes after us when we turne from him and a turne of him thus is able to wheele us about and then a gracious reply too will make us turne further and stay more firmely in our aspects toward him be of good comfort this he said and to one that was turned away too I see then where he findes his presence hath a due influence he will rather abate then advance and raise then deject and will not triumph in his Soveraigntie and Empire over the spirits of a weaker On the just and on the unjust Matth. 5. 45. He maketh his Sunne to rise upon the just and on the unjust The Flame LOrd how gratious art thou to shine upon that soule that shootes thee no glance no ray to make a Sun to enlighten her who sits thus in darknesse and in the shadow of death how dull and stupid is every part and Organ about mee how fixt and unmoveable even as the earth it lookes upon no aversation no turning back from earth no erection no lifting up from this part of the world no soaring above no advancement of eyes of heart to the heaven from whence this light shootes and irradiates which enriches and adornes all this Globe Lord how worthily mightest thou withdraw this Sunne from us that withdraw thus from thee A cloud a shadow a visage of night a retinue of blacknesse and darknesse were fitter and more sutable to us then thy Sunne and this light seeing our soules are so unthankfull so regardlesse so supine How justly O Lord maist thou complaine I have called but yee refused I have stretched out my hands and no man regarded Prov. 1. 24. thou callest us in every ray which beates upon us thou stretchest out thy hand in every beame which sparkles from thy heaven for the heavens are the worke of thy hands Hebr. 1. 20. but why art thou so mercifull to let thy creature look upon that creature which will not looke upon thee nor acknowledge thee but this is thy mercie and the earth is full of this mercie even this earth of ours which beares thy owne Image and impression O Lord in this Sunne thou lightest me up so much knowledge as to see that thy common blessings are no cognizance no distinction no priviledge but are shared equally with the evill and the good the just and unjust I see by this light thou art liberall in thy temporall disbursments and worldly expences there where thou meanest to be frugall in thy eternall and dost dispense with brightnesse thy meaner favours when thou intendest a darknesse in thy after rewards JESUS and the Publicans Matth. 9. 10. And as JESUS sate at meat behold many Publicans and sinners came and sate downe with him Discovery I Discover a double respect one on the Disciples part another on JESUS part on the Disciple's part to entertain him and with a meale that his dish as well as his roofe should receive him that his very table and meat should taste the better for him and on JESUS part he sate at meat as JESUS sate at meat hee came and sate downe at the meale provided him he will accept from a Disciple verie homely fare any thing from a Disciple will take with him neither does hee nicely or proudly refuse the board that was spread for him nor in a stately affectation disappoint the fare provided him and now he sate as though hee would compose himselfe to a posture should do the table of his Disciple some honour some respects are to be done to your adherents and retinue especially at a time of publike notice for then to make use of their roofe or table then a comming in or sitting at meat is an honour as well in the eye of others as their owne here was a confluence where he sate now behold many Publicans c. Publicans and sinners came and sate downe men debauched and notorious yet they came and sate downe neither did Christ forbid them the board nor their host the Disciple here is no rising on JESUS part when the Publicans sit downe And as JESUS sate at meat behold many Publicans came and sate down these common exchanges and enterludes should passe without distaste and offence their stomacks are too squeasie in religion
arrogance and the spirits are too light that are so soone rarified and advanced hee is no wise Musician that will make one in the consort of his owne commendation The hem of the garment Matth. 14. 36. And they besought him that they might touch the hem of his garment and as many as touched were made perfectly whole Discovery I Discover that Jesus denies them not the honour they desire their petition reaches no nearer him then his garments nor higher then his hem it is an honourable courtesie to bee free in such light respects which are an honour for others to obtaine and no dishonour nor prejudice for you to give to let downe your garment where the hem will satisfie Transgresse Matth. 15. 2 3. Why doe thy Disciples transgresse the tradition of the Elders Hee answered and said unto them Why doe you also transgresse the commandement of God Discovery I Discover how Christ vies question for question and rebuke for rebuke Why doe thy Disciples transgresse say the Pharisees and he said Why doe you transgresse sometimes the quality of your adversary may be such that it wil be better to racket him his ball of reproach back then to let it rest with you and oftentimes one question is best silenced by another Christ silences the Pharisees Why do thy Disciples transgresse with a Why doe you also transgresse and their tradition of the Elders with the Commandements of God Not away fasting Matth. 15. 32. Jesus called his Disciples unto him and said Because they continued now with mee three daies and have nothing to eate I will not send them away fasting Discovery I Discover how fairely Jesus intreats these that visit him and accompany him and because hee would have his welcome as generall as generous hee called his Disciples unto him they must take notice hee intends his affability exemplary and imitable and in this entertainment he spreads a table to posterity and commends a modell and copy of hospitalitie to the world for hee gives his company that continue with him a positive repast in this negative resolution of I will not send them away fasting The Disciples to the multitude Matth. 15. 36. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes and gave thankes and brake them and gave to his Disciples and his Disciples to the multitude Discovery I Discover here Christs order and care and demeanour at his bountifull distribution hee tooke the loaves and fishes but ere hee tooke them to give hee gave thankes hee gave first to God that had given to him he carves out a tribute to him before hee carves to the multitude and tribute to God enables him better to distribute in such a giving there is nothing given away to give thankes thus is to say grace after Christ now hee brake and gave to his Disciples here is no newes of his own eating what hee takes or breakes is to give away the care of his guests takes place of himselfe hee brake and gave to his Disciples not to the multitude though he be prodigall of his fare yet not of himselfe he serves not out himselfe with his loaves and fishes hee gave to his Disciples hee preserves his owne honour at the table and what he does to the multitude is by his servants the Disciples hee gave to his Disciples and the Disciples to the multitude Get thee behind me Matth. 16. 22 23. Then PETER tooke him and began to rebuke him c. But he turned and said unto him Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me Discovery I Discover how tender Jesus is of his honour and authority and how sensible of checks from his inferiours or any thing that may impaire or detract Peter rebuked him and he rebuked Peter with advantage Satan thou art an offence unto mee it is wisedome to let your servant know his distance for phrase and behaviour and not to suffer him too neere you in either by how much hee is lesse a servant by so much you waste from Lord and Master Get thee behinde mee is a good phrase to tell him both his place and your owne and the Livery fits best when the servant is behinde and the Master before Get thee behind it seemes Peter was advancing a little too forward what a check shall those have who will even step before and beside him in his office of mediation Get thee behinde me will bee his language know your place your place is but the place of a servant and an unprofitable servant your place is but the place of a creature mine of a Lord and Creator Get thee behind me your place is a place of guilt of unworthinesse mine of merit of satisfaction Indignation against the two Matt. 20. 24 25. And when the ten heard it they were moved with indignation against the two brethren But Jesus called them unto him Discovery I Discover that Jesus will not tolerate a quarrell unpacified especially among Disciples Jesus called them that had indignation to him if Peters sword be drawne hee 'll command it back into the sheath ere he goe he called them hee takes notice of their difference hee will not leave it to its selfe and to them the decision would bee speedy lest there bee too great a prevailing for the ten were moved against the two he knew there is danger in trusting a contention too long with the parties though they be Disciples of the Church the ten were moved against the two the lesser and fewer ever suffer from the more and mightier the two from the ten and how soone were the ten moved before the two an harmony is easier preserved among few then many among two then ten the two are brethren they keep the unity and fraternity still whole when the ten are in indignation the ten were moved more will ever bee at a businesse of indignation rather then peace The poore widow Matth. 12. 43. And hee saw the rich men casting in their gifts into the treasury And he saw also a poore widow Discovery I Discover how observant Jesus is hee takes notice from the rich to the poore he saw the rich men and hee saw also the poore widow the poore is equally in his eye with the rich and she is rich enough in that notice he tooke of her the rayes of his eye set as high a rate upon her as them nay higher they seeme to beate full upon her and but to glide upon them in their passage hee saw the rich men and hee saw also a poore widow He saw also as though hee saw over them unto her and tooke the rich but by way of perspective to look on the poor and by this art of survey to advance his commiseration by the comparison and inequality neither did hee looke so much on them as rich and poore but how they disposed and dispensed their wealth and poverty and how they cast in their gifts and mites hee saw the rich men casting in and hee saw also a
holy discoveries of himselfe to the soule When hee was come out immediately there met him there should bee a meeting on our parts then as well as Christs a holy preparation and endeavour is a rising up a stepping forward a making towards Christ a meeting him There met him and where did hee meet him but when hee was come out of the Ship it is good taking Christ at his first landing with you at his first comming upon your borders or coasts when you heare him preached or when your heart and affections are touched with him and a little affected with his Gospel then hee is landed on your shore your senses and affections are the coasts and borders of your soule and there take him and meet him Immediately there met him The Daughter dead Mark 5. 35. Thy Daughter is dead Why troublest thou the Master any further Discovery I Discover how soon a carnall hope would give over how soon it despaires Thy Daughter is dead and why troublest thou any further as though all were at an end with the Daughter all life and spirit and expectation and importunity such faint spirits must ever have some principle some pulse or motion in a businesse to encourage them on if shee bee dead once they die too such looke not at Christ at his power at his life and word but at the Daughter that is dead they consider not how Christ is alive and how soon he may blow a spirit into her arteries and a soule into her body and a sparke into her ashes but the coldnesse in the body and emptinesse in the artery and incineration in the ashes every sleep is to them a death every obstruction a destruction every decay a ruine irreparable every dissolution an annihilation prayers and holy importunities are vaine troubles and hopelesse endeavours and redresse of impossibilities Why troublest thou the Master any further how soone a weake suggestion stops all the wheels and retards the businesse and amazes the proceeding how soon they are taken off with any period or clause Why troublest thou any further not any further probability or likelyhood not any further trouble or endeavour with them how easily is a carnall reason convinced how strong an Argument can nature make how soon is her word taken thy Daughter is dead Thy sword into his place Matth. 26. 52. Then said Jesus Put up againe thy sword into his place The Flame O my God even a Disciple to thy Jesus may draw his weapon in as much hast as another his passions may bee as soone unsheathed in defence of his Master hee is but cold that hath not so much heat as to be angry in Jesus cause nor so much courage as to weare a sword in his behalf that is hath something of power and authority about him yet Jesus bids Put up againe thy sword none of his shall have a sword drawn against the sword of authority if that be out his Disciple shall have command to put up againe a private weapon must not clash against a publick neither be drawne or at least appeare Put up thy sword that is let there be even no shew of resistance and Put it up into his place not into theirs not into the place of the Magistrate or Authority sheath it not there that is not his place but theirs the Kings the Princes and Governors it is to bee feared if the Disciples have their swords out they doe not heare when Christ calls to Peter in the name of the rest Put up thy sword againe into his place Pray yonder Matth. 26. 36 37. And saith unto the Disciples Sit yee here while I goe and pray yonder And he taketh with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee Discovery I Discover that Jesus teaches a decorum to his Disciples at Prayer Sit yee here hee places them and orderly Sit yee here doe not leane here or use any irreverent gesture but Sit yee here and not while I pray here neither but while I pray yonder thus he wisely distinguishes his duty and theirs if they sit here he will pray yonder they must keep a decent distance while he officiates they must bee here and he yonder not both here or both yonder but as though here he had appointed seats for them and yonder a pew for himselfe and sit yee while I goe that is quiet settle compose your thoughts passions stay them from wandering and straying Sit yee that is put your selves in a firme posture use your preparation while I use mine Sit yee while I goe that is my spirit my soule hath a journey to take yet beyond yours as far as a prayer Sit ye while I go and pray and sit yee while I goe as though here should bee the Congregation and yonder the Minister Sit ye while I goe while I move in the services while I I your Master and Minister and Bishop of your soules while I goe And hee goes not alone neither hee will have his holy assistants and co-adjutors as a grace and honour to the prayer and service though they do little and they shall not goe after him to this holy businesse neither but with him as it were beside him at the holy imployment And hee taketh with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee The Place Matth. 28. 6. Come see the place where the Lord lay The Flame O My God the very place where Jesus hath beene is good and gracefull to look at Come see the place the very place hath so much worth in it as will deserve a Come and see Come it is a good motion and setting forward to Religion to come where Christ hath been to see the place of him where he was either preach'd or taught or died or buried Christ hath more places then one every soule that hath had Christ a day or a night or a moneth or a yeere that hath had a forme of godlinesse and Christianity hath for that time been the place or tombe where the Lord lay where hee so journed and come and see how empty the place is without him how unfurnish'd now hee is gone and in Apostacies or fallings away you may see the place where the Lord lay for such soules are but his tombes for the time places where hee dies where his graces and vertue and power perish and these were places where the Lord lay for he never stood here never sate here in these soules their godlinesse was never in so firm and stout a posture but he lay the posture hee was in was a faint a feeble a declining a disable posture Jesus met them Matth. 28. 9. And as they went to tell his Disciples Jesus met them Discovery I Discover they that go upon Jesus businesse shall bee sure of his company sooner or later if not at their setting forward yet ere they come to their journies end as they went Jesus met them them that were seekers and followers of him them that had a longing and desire after him he met