sinning whose breath is in their nose-thirles and whose helpe is vaine They would not acknowledg that it beloÌ„ged to them surelie both they and their posterity feele the smarte of that Innocent Blood Which men though they know the Law of God how that they which committe such things are worthie of death yet not onelie doe they sinne Rom. 1.32 but also favour them that doe them For to sin by himselfe or by another is all one and he that consenteth is accessâ—â—ie to the fact But heere is their great blindnesse that they did not revoke and retreat their sentence hearing his innocencie justie by the traitor confessed In no ways speake thou against the word of Trueth my Soule but bee ashamed of the lyes of thine ignorance striue for the Trueth vnto death Eccl. 4.25.28 and defend Iustice for thy life and the Lord God shall sight for thee against thine enimies But hardest of all is that rough answere that Iudas receiued they ministred no comfort vnto him but increased the flamme of despare that was kindled in the heart of him The weak haue ye not strengthned EZek. 34.4 as he complaineth justly of them the sicke ye haue not healed neither haue ye bund vp the broken nor broght againe that which was dryven away neither haue yee sought that which was lost but with cruelty rigor haue ye ruled them But the good Sbepherd never resteth but goeth after that which was lost while he find it Luc. 15.4.6 and maketh his rejoycing the compensation of his trauell He did cast the money in the Temple from him which was so deere vnto him that for it hee post-poned the life of his Master Now he became so execrable that he gained nothing of it but a conscience burnt with an hote yron evill acquired goods shall neuer benefite the possessor nor the posteritie 1. King 21.16 Achab beleeued all was well when by violence and fraud hee had obtained Naboths Vine-yard which hee lost with his life and the favour of God most of all For what availeth it to gaine the whole world Mat. 16.26 and losse his soule And what fruit haue they then in those thinges Rom. 6. 21. whereof they are now ashamed for the end of these thinges are death But terrible was his execution for when hee had throwen downe himselfe head-longs hee burst asunder in the middes Act. 1.18 and all his bowels gushed out how great destruction doth abide them that serve the vncleane spirit this was not an evasion by death from Gods judgement but a more short compendious way therto Let not Sathan by his deceit allure thee neither for feare of Ignominie as hee did Saul or with loathsomnesse of thy life to such abominable practises But alace many now adayes doe harden their hearts at wholesome exhortation whereby they make the Lord to cut the threed of this life adjudge them vnto eternall death besids that many by drinking and gluttonie doeth shorten their dayes And doth not whoredome vitious venery procure sudden death What can bee said of Avarice and Covetousnesse which whiles it thirsts for the blood of others they are pearsed by that vnrighteâ—us MaÌ„mon whereby they are â—beacked and killed And what shal be thought of those who provoke the single combat thinketh it a great indignitie vnlesse they kill not themselves or their neighbour Lord grant everie moment while wee enjoye this life wee may consecraâ—e it to the glorie of the Giuer that wee may bee readie at all occasions to giue an account of our times speÌ„t here that we may say with Simeon Now let thy servant depart in peace Luâ— 2.29 according to thy word for my eyes haue seene my salvation Then learne heere my Soule by this his desperation the nature of sinne for before it bee perfected it maketh men drunke but being put in executioÌ„ the pleasure is extinguished the conscience remaineth heavier than Leed which vnlesse the Lord prevent maye dryue thee to despaire For the deceitfulnesse of sinne and delite thereof for a season maketh men so brutish that they can not decerne betwixt good and evill yea causeth them beleuee they are most blessed in greatest sinnes And therfore my Soule resist the Devill and hee will flee from thee whilst thou dost not resist the custome of sinning it brings necessitie vpon thee for it hardneth the senses that they caÌ„not clearlie see it blindeth the vnderstanding lest punishment should terrifie it fettereth the heart to make filthie thinges pleasant it weakeneth the strength that beeing overcome they succumbe The sicknes of their Soule is much more sensible than the diseases of the bodie There is no greater dolour than the wound of the conscience for sin nor any greater burden than the heavie weight of our vile transgressions Heere Sathan is a great politician for he changeth himselfe into an Angel of light while hee lessens our sins extenuateth theÌ„ intysing meÌ„ to fall But when the deede is done like lightening hee shineth in meÌ„ casting his sins suddenlie before him at the which thunderbolt he is benummed stupified feeling the bitter pangues of an euill conscience and doth so cast him downe with this great stroke that hee who before gloried in sinne now thinks himselfe secluded from mercie and salvation Lord hide thy face from my sinnes Psal 51.9 10.11 and put away all mine iniquities creat in mee â— cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within mee Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirite from mee But diligentlie perpend Peters and Iudas repentance by comparing them together that thou mayst vnderstand deare Soule in what state their iniquity was coÌ„mitted Their falls heavily wounded their coÌ„sciences doubtlesse for Peter not onelie denyed Christ but bound himselfe to cursings if hee had known him which was a sin almost to death And the other Iudas did commit an haynous trespasse worthy of everlasting condemnation but Peters was of frailtie of the flesh and feare of death But Iudas was of set purpose and of destinate malice did atempt that detestable fact And Peters againe not in a cause of it selfe so much blameable but of immoderate timeritie conjoyned therewith And to Iudas desperat malice was an insatiable greedinesse annexed but the forgetfulnesse of the word of God was the fountaine of both their falls It concerneth vs euer to pray the liuing God to giue vs ears to hear to lay vp in our hearts his promises threatnings to strengtheÌ„ vs or beat down our pride to say Esay 50.5 The Lord hath opened my eare I was not rebellious neither turned I back But as their fall was so was not their repentance both were Apostles both had woundes of conscience and frighted with the sting therof but Iudas gaue such place to the overburdeÌ„ing streÌ„gth thereof that hee despared of Gods mercie But Peter belieued that Christ is the reconciliation of our sins 1.
vpon my heart as it was wont to doe this is one token that my spirituall Life is weakened therefore as thou hast breathed in my nostrels Gen. 2.7 the breath of a naturall life breath vpon my soule Cant. 4.16 that I may finde the motions of a spirituall Life Call vpon my soule out of the grave of sinne Iohn 12.43.44 as thou called Lazarus his bodie out of the grave Let me find a quickening vertue flowing from thy livelie Spirit to quicken my dead spirit Lord teach mee to redeeme these losses and grant I may ever count it my greatest losse to lose the signes of thy presence Suffer not mine heart to bee oppressed with the thornie cares of this life Luc. 8. but learne mee to cast my care vpon the Lord. What ever I bee doing in these worldlie things 1. Cor. 7.29.30 let mee so doe them as I were not doing them Giue me that dexteritie to discharge such a duetie in mine earthlie calling as may ever agree with mine heavenlie calling Furnish mee with wisedome that I may walke wiselie even towards them that are without 1. Thess 1â— Make my life a patterne of godlinesse that where ever I come or goe I may smell of Iesus Christ Giue mee grace to bee carefull not onlie of mine owne soule but of the soules of all them of whom I haue anie charge that so thy glorie ever beeing before mine eyes thou mayest glorifie mee one day through Iesus Christ my Saviour who fitteth at thy right hand Amen Evening Meditation of the third Day O LORD I never prease to draw nere vnto thee but that Evill one draweth neere to mee If Iehoshua come in before the LORD Zach. 3.1 Satan will bee at his right hand to resist him hee troubleth and distracteth my minde with Armies of vnrulie cogitations It is my greatest difficultie O Lord at anie time to get a free minde to serve thee Exod. 5.3 When Israel desired to goe to the Wildernesse and sacrifice to the Lorde Pharaoh doubled their burdens so doth Satan double his tentations vpon me when I would goe out of my self to serve thee What am I poore weak creature that I should resist such mightie spirituall powers O Lord 1. Cor. 12.9 it is thy battell I fight and thy grace is sufficient for mee Thy people when they builded the wall of Ierusalem Neh. 4.17 they did hold their weapons in the one hand and builded with the other hand Lord furnishe mee with a double portion of thy Spirit that I may resist Satan with the one hand and draw neere to thee with the other O Lord I am come to thine Holinesse to repent my sins Ah Lorde my sinnes are great but my repentance is slender Lord giue me that repentance which thou gavest vnto Peter hee sinned grievouslie but repented earnestlie yea hee weeped bitterlie O Lord hast not thou the keyes of David which openeth Rev. 3.7 and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Open mine heart that I may make such a repentance as â—ought to doe Thou didst keepe Ionas that hee drowned not Thou O Lorde diddest streatch foorth thine helping hand and keeped Peter Mat. 14.31 that hee did not sinke when hee did walke on the waters Lord streatch foorth thine helping hand let not thy servant sinke into the sea of sinne O Lord thou prepared an Arke for thine owne Noah and the Whales bellie for thine owne Ionas Lord if I shall get my foot once within the Arke I shall bee safe Iesus Christ is mine Arke let me be found in him then shall there be no condemnation to mee Rom. 8.1 my sinnes indeed are great O Lord but shall I ballance the sinnes of a finite creature with the mercies of the infinite Creator Psal 25.9 Nay Lorde all thy wayes are mercie and trueth to these that feare thee I haue nothing to lay betweene mee and Hell but thy vndeserved mercie O Lord my God thou art a strength vnto the poore a refuge against the tempest and a shadow against the heat Who so dwelleth in the secret of the most Hie Psal 91. 1. shall abyde in the shadow of the Almightie I will say vnto the Lord O my hope Psal 42.10 and my fortresse hee is my God in him will I trust Confirme my soule O Lorde in the certaintie of this perswasion Strengthen also the arme of thy feeble and weake servant that I may fight with the greater courage against that spirituall Gohab Let mee not depart from thee at this time without some spirituall comfort Thou wouldst not suffer the multitude Mat. 14.19 that waited vpon thee three dayes in the Wildernesse to depart vntill they were refreshed Lorde refresh my soule with some crummes of grace falling from thy Table When Ionathan was wearie 1. Sam. 14.28 and put foorth his rodde and tasted of the honie his dimme eyes received sight and his feeble bodie was strengthened O Lord Luc. 8.46 if I shall touch Iesus by the rodde of faith my dimme eyes shall receive sight and my feeble soule new strength O my Lord am not I seeking this strenth of thee to bruise the head of the old Serpent Gen. 3.15 a sworne enemie to thy Kingdome Denie not armour to thine owne weake souldiour that in the power of thy might I may subdue that great dragon Sinne that it may bee borne downe and Iesus his throne may bee set vp in the secret corner of mine heart Sanctifie my rest this night in such sort that when this wearied bodie hath received its bodilie refreshment I maye rise by thy grace to morrow to doe thee better service in Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the fourth Day THY sacrifices O Lord Psâ—â— 5.17 are a contrite a broken heart I come to thy Altar but I want the sacrifice O Lord who vouchsafedst a sacrifice vpon Abraham Gen. 22.13 vouchsafe a sacrifice vpon me I would wish mine heart could bee dissolved in bitter teares but such is my present hardnesse that neither can I repent as I should neither is mine heart so softened as it should bee EZek. 11.19 It is thy praise O Lord to take the stonie heart away and to giue an heart of flesh Lord I haue a stonie heart rent it O Lord take it away and giue mee a soft heart that I may make such a repentance as my great offences require Lord there is no contentment to my soule but either when thou humblest mee with a sense of sinne or raisest mee vp with a sense of mercie rather than I bee senselesse let mee be sensible of my sinne that in the bitternesse of my heart I may bewaile it Teach mee now to mourne with thy children 2. Thess 1.7 that I may rejoyce in the day of their rejoysing Cherish O Lord those litle sparkles of grace which in thy great mercie thou hast kindled in my soule Increase my faith
my love and my light Learne mee to forget those things that are behind mee Phi. 3.13 and follow hard towards the mark O Lord open thine owne Treasures and sende downe of thy spirituall graces Let mee finde a lifting vp vertue in thy spirit continuallie raising vp my spirit Speake peaceable things to my soule this morning that all the day long I may rejoyce in thee Giue mee faith to applye the sweete promises of mercie made in thy Worde Hedge mee so about with thy grace that my secreet corruptions breake not out Let my whole life bee a walking with thee and a moving towards thee Iohn 12.32 Draw mee everie day somewhat neerer to thy selfe and deface the image of sinne in me that the image of Christ may bee set vp in my soule Bee thou O Lord a bulwarke to thy servant that the violent spait of the corruption of this time dryve mee not away Save mee that I communicat not with the sinnes of other men 1. Tim. 5.22 and cleanse mee from my owne sinnes As this bodie of clay weareth and wasteth graunt O Lord that sinne may weare and waste in me Bring the worke of thine owne grace to perfection and leade mee from faith Rom. 1.17 to faith and from feeling to feeeling 1. Cor. 13.12 vntill faith end in sight and feelling into an endlesse fellowship which I hope to enjoy in the Heavens with my blessed Head and Husband Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fourth Day I Blesse the time wherein I was acquainted with thy Majestie If thou hadst not sent the light of thine owne Spirit Eph. 2.12 as I was borne a stranger I had died a straÌ„ger I confesse O Lord that before my calling I was doing the workes of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and of the minde and was by nature the child of wrath as well as others But thou O Lorde who art riche in mercie through the great love that thou hast loved mee in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.4 hast made mee to see that I was walking in a way to mine owne damnation Thou in mercie reclaimedst mee and broughtest mee backe yea thou diddest pardon those selfe-same sinnes in mee for the which thou hast condemned others O Lord what didst thou see in mee more than in others Nothing but matter of wrath and condemnation Yea Lord as thou didst separate Eliah from Elisha 2. King 2.11 walking in one way together by a fyrie chariot so hast thou shedde mee from the reprobat sometime walking in one course with them I say with thy servant David Not vnto mee Psal 115. 1. not vnto mee O Lord but vnto thy Name let the glorie bee given Who is able to thinke aright of thy mercy all thy wayes are mercy truth to them that feare thee Psal 25.1 When I remember what I haue beene I am enforced to wonder at thy mercie If thou hadst beene as readie to punish mee for my sinne as I was readie to commit sinne I had had my portion amongest the damned Spirites ere now What follie was there wherein I did not take pleasure I stopped mine care at the voyce of GOD and hearkened vnto the voyce of the Serpent The deceitfull pleasures of sinne ensnared my soule but thou hast broken the grinne Psal 124.6 and my soule like a bird hath escaped all thinges are naked and patent before him Heb. 4.13 with whom we haue to do Thou didst see Nathanael vnder the figge tree Iohn 1.48 I do therefore in all humilitie crave thee mercie for all my sinnes before my calling and also after my calling Like a Dogge I haue returned to my vomite 2. Pet. 2.22 and like a Sowe washed I haue defiled my selfe in the myre againe After that thou hadst made mee cleane these same sinnes for the which I haue lamented and repented I haue falne into againe As my salvation was begunne of thy mercie so let it bee continued and perfected of that same mercie for mercie is all I leane to At that last houre when all these outward comforts as false friends will flie from mee in my greatest neede then Lord bee at my right hand yea bee in the secreet corner of mine heart that my death as well as my life may edifie others in the faith of Christ Let my mouth whilst I haue breath vtter foorth a good matter Psal 45.1.2 Then leade thou mee through the valley of death and in end bring mee into that glorious and lightsome Pallace where the glorie of God shineth most brightlie â—sal 17.15 that my soule may ever bee delighted with the brightnesse of his Face and may haue my part in that Songe of Thankesâ—giving Rev. 5.9.10 c. which the glorified Spirites sound to the praise of GOD to whom be everlasting praise Amen Morning meditation of the fift Day O Heavenly Father as all the waters runne into the Ocean so doth all poore sinners powre out their complaintes in thy bosome Thou art the onelie refuge of a wearied soule to thee onelie doe wee flie in our greatest necessities and at thy mouth doe wee seeke resolution in our most perplexed affaires I haue manie things to lament to thy Majestie but in speciall I lament to thee that my meditations are so confused and mixed with impertinent cogitations Lorde this is a token of a confused heart I am sorie that the heart which should bee the dwelling place of thy Spirit should bee so preoccupied by earthlie fleshlie and profane cogitations I may withdrawe my selfe from the companie of the Worlde but allace I can not with drawe my selfe from a profane heart where ever I goe I carrie a profane heart about with mee and albeit thou givest mee an outward libertie to bow the knee of my bodie yet my spirite is bound Ah Lord I can neither speake nor thinke of thee as I should doe Thou art infinite vnmeasureable incomprehensible what can a finite creature take vp of an infinite God Forgive mee Lord that I worship thee in such ignorance let mee see thee in a clearer light and I shall worshippe thee with a greater affection The better O Lord that I know thee the better I loue thee the more will I reverence thee That woman of Samaria Iohn 4.9 before Thee knew thee preferred a drinke of water to thee but from time shee knew thee shee esteemed much of thee and preferred thee vnto all things To the end therefore O Lorde that thou may haue that rowme in mine heart that thou oughtest to haue manifest thy selfe more clearelie to my soule Drawe abacke this curtaine off my soule that I may take thee vp more sensiblie I crave light with the increase of light and grace with the increase of grace faith with the increase of faith and because that heere is no perfection Graunt I may studie to a growth vntill thou perfite thine owne worke and in the meane time O Lorde consider what I am
minde most evidently to vs it belongeth to the Iustice GOD by the same reasonable creature Gen. 3.15 the Devill should bee overcome which hee had gloried to bee subdued by him as God therefore hee triumphed over Death The offering of Isaac is a shadow of this dispensation done for vs Gen. 22.8 Isaac being a type of the divinitie and the Rain of the humanitie In the purification of the Leper also for whom was taken two Sparrowes aliue and cleane whereof the one was killed Lev. 14.4 and the other dipped in the blood of the slaine then let gâ—e the live Sparrow into the broad fielde And so of the two Goates offered for the sinnes of the people whereof the one was sacrificed and the other did escape 2. What did hee suffer in Soule and Body man hath sinned so did hee suffer in both not in his Passion onely but all the time of his life hee was in the flesh As his povertie flight to Egypt and all other his persecutions contained in the historie of his Gospell declare Esay 53.4 3. Why sâ—ffered hee surelie hee hath borne our iniquities and caried our sorrowes 1. Pet. 2.24 hee his own selfe bare â—ur sinnes in his body on the tree that wee beeing delivered from sinne should live in righteousnesse by whose stripes wee are healed Thy trespasses brought shame and ignominie on thy Saviâ—ur and nailed him to the Crosse and drived him to the lowest part of the earth Hence doeth shine God his Iustice and Mercie to vs wâ—rd aâ—d espâ—â—ially Iesus Christ his lâ—ve to vs all Of his Iustice punishing sin The Angells which kept not their first estate deludge of Noah Iud. 6.7 the subversion of Sodom Gen. 19.24 and Gomorrha are examples which suffer the vengeance of eternall fire Chorah Numb 16.32 Mat. 23.37.38 â—sal 76.2 Dathan and Abiram their destruction and the miserable desolation of Ierusalem the bewtie of the earth and the chosen habitation of GODS worship can beare record Bâ—t none of them all can bee compared with this that God would not but by the death of his onely begotten Sonne be pacised for our sinnes Cease therefore to provocke so iust a GOD by thy wickednesse Psal 95 7.8 since thou receiuest a kingdome that can not bee shaken craue grace Heb. 12 2â— that thou may so serue GOD that thou mayest please him with reverence and feare for even thy GOD is a consuming fire Rom. 1.15 whose wrath is revealed froÌ„ Heaven against all vngodlinesse and vnrighteousnesse of men The fierce Lyon is tamed and dauntoned when the Whelp is beaten with roddes in his sight Psal 147.19.20 cast thou off superfluitie of maliciousnes for whilst thou seest not onelie the people dearest to GOD of any Esay 2.6 for hee hath not so done to everie nation so dangerouslie forsaken because they did not repent nor acknowledge the day of their visitation but his well-beloved Sonne also in whom hee is well pleased mayest thou behold to die 1. Iohn 3.5 that execrable death because he appeared that hee might take away our sinnes and in him is no sinne Despise not therefore the riches of his bountifulnesse Rom. 2.4 and patience and long suffering not knowing that the bountifulnesse of GOD leadeth thee to repentance It behoued our woundes to bee verie deepe and corrupt which could not bee healed Esay 1.6 but by the woundes of the Sonne of God hee hath redeemed vs not to sinne but from sinne not with corruptible thinges as Siluer or Gold 1. Pet. 1.17.18 Heb. 10.29 but wiâ—h the precious bloode of Christ as of a Lambe vndefyled and without spotte How sore punishment shall hee bee thought worthie which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of GOD and compteth the blood of the Testament as a vnworthy thing wherewith hee was sanctifyed and despiteth the the Spirit of Grace Againe nothing more could declare GODS mercie Rom. 5.8 than the death of his owne Sonne what is dearer to man Ioh. 3.16 than his owne children Iacob deploreth his sonne Ioseph David yeelded a bitter and heavie sorrow for Absâ—lon yea Gen. 37.34.35 2. Sam. 18.23 Ier. 31.15 in Rama was a voyce heard murning and weeping and great lamentation Rachel weeping for her children and would not bee comforted for such cace hath procured in many astonishment rather than teares seeing therefore that GOD hath delivered his Sonne begotten from all eternitie Phil. 2.6 equall with himselfe coessentiall and consubstantiall to a shamefull death for thee despare not with that damned Crue Cain Saul and Iudas But rouse vp thy selfe in the consâ—ience of GOD'S mercie saying with David The Lord is full of compassion and mercy slow to anger and of great kindnesse hee will not alwayes chyde nor keepe his anger for euer Psal 103.8.9.10.11.12 he hath not delt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs after our iniquities for as high as the Heauen is aboue the Earth so great is his mercies towardes them that feare him So farre as the East is from the West so farre hath hee remoued our sinnes from vs. As a father hath compassion on his children so hath the LORD compassion on them that feare him For as by one mans dissobedience Rom. 5.20.21 many were made sinners So by the obedience of one many shall also be made righteous For where sinne aboundeth there grace aboundeth more that as sinne hath reigned vnto death so might grace also reigne by righteousnes vnto eternall Life by Iesus Christ our Lord who was made a curse for vs Gal. 4.4 5. that the blessing of Abraham might come on thee through Christ Iesus Thus is hee made vnto vs of GOD 1. Cor. 1. 30. Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption Seeing therefore that wee haue Christ the pledge of GODS favour and lâ—ue who hath payed more than wee were indebted and hee restored that which hee tooke not Psal 69.4 and hath merited more for vs than the Ocean Sea is bigger thaÌ„ the smallest droppe of water The righteous GOD of his Iustice being once satisfied can not sue double pay in punishing those that belieue in Iesus Christ And what can bee said of Iesus Christ his most burning Loue to mankind never Bridegrome loved his Bride so intirelie and ardently never man matched so vnworthily and with greater disparagment in marriage as Christ and his Church If thou see any cast his affection vpon a Wenâ—h deformed maimed yea a sâ—old and durty thou wilt say Such a one is benummed yea bewitched But God when we were dead in sin and trespasses Eph. 2.2 yea which is worse walked after the course of the Devill his enemie 1. Iohn 1.8 emptie and voide of all goodnesse fraughted and defyled of all vice of meere vnlookt-for love not onlie had hee given his onelie begotten Sonne to deliver vs from the bondage and staverie of Satan but hath adopted vs to be anexed heires
Iohn 2.3 and not for ours onelie but for the sins of the whole world by Faith applying the merites of Christe vnto himselfe to doe this businesse whereof Iudas destitute contemning the deepenesse of his mercie and riches of grace lost hope of recovering no man can seriouslie repent but he that looketh for forgiuenes And therefore to wrestle with temptation is first to look to the promises of God which is so sure and certaine that it is more easie that beaven earth should passe away Luc. 16.17 than they should faile or that any title of the Law should faile For the Lord is strong Exod. 34.6.7 mercifull and gracious slow to anger and aboundant in goodnes anâ— truth reserving mercie for thousandes forgiuing iniquities and transgressions and sinnes for the Lord is gracious and mercifull slow to anger Psal 145.89 and of great mercie the Lord is good to all and his mercie is over all his workes In this conflict cast the eyes of thy faith on Christ Iesus to whom a voyce from Heauen came Saying Mat. 3.17 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am wel pleased For hee receiued of God the Father honour and glorie 2. Pet. 1 17 and there came such a voyce to him fâ—om the excellent It is reported that Alexander the Great when he saw Iaddus the hie Priest with his priestlie apparel meeting him ceased from his rage against Tyrus and also richlie rewarded him How much more when our euerlasting Priest Iesuâ— Christ who is just yea our righteousnesse shall appeare in the sight of God his Father making intercession for vs to mitigate his wrath Heb. 7.26 and shall giue vs forgiuenesse of sins and life everlasting for he is able perfectlie to saue them that are able to come vnto God by him seeing hee ever liueth to make intercession for them Let not therefore Sathan bereaue thee of Gods loue mercie towardes thee the merite of his passion efficacie of his death For the gift is not so as is the offence for if by the offence of one many bee dead much more the grace of God Rom. 5. 15. and the gift by grace which is by one Man Iesus Christ hath abouÌ„ded vnto many Moreouer neuer sinner yet to this day desiring to bee reconcealed with his God was euer secluded froÌ„ mercie if the sinne be great his mercies is aboundantlie more and so much more as all the whole globe of the Sea exceedeth the smallest droppe of water If thy sinne be old which thou hast drunken in from thy mothers breast and in processe of time hath euer augmented the same bee thinke thee of Gods mercie is from al eternitie if thy iniquity bee latelie committed Gods mercies are daylie renewed which euerie moment hee poureth vpon vs. And therfore poore Soule because of the savour of thy Bridgromes oyntmeÌ„ts Cant. 1.2.3 his Name is as an oyntment poured out therefore the Virgines love him draw mee wee will runne after thee the King hath brought mee vnto his chamber wee will rejoyce and bee glad in thee wee will remember thy loue more than wine the righteous doe loue thee yea thou despysest not the poore sinner thou abhorredst not the confessing Thiefe neither the weeping woman neither her that was found in adulterie neither him that sate at the receipt of custome nor the humble Publican nor the denying Disciple nor the persecuting Paul yea not these that crucified thee but prayed for them Strengthen thy faith therfore in the spirituall fight by the holy meditation vse of the Sacraments for whosoeuer are baptized in Christ Gal. 3.27 hath put on Christ he covereth our nakednesse and doth wash away the filth of our Soules whose sinnes if they were as Crimson Esay 1.18 shall bee made white as Snow for it is the â—lood of Iesus Christ that cleanseth vs from all sinne 1. â—ohn 1.7 Bee not therefore affraied sinful Soule Art thou baptized in Christ hee will hâ—ue care of thy cause as if it were his proper owne The Rainebow was a signe of the Covenant betwixt God and man That the earth shâ—uld never be destroyed by deluge of water therafter Gen. 9.13 So baptisme is a vndoubted seale of our purgation by Christ at Gods hand he made a league with vs for our foule sins never to bee cast from his presence But in the Sacrament of the blood bodie of Iesus haue we a most certaine and liuelie pawne which is our Passeover offred for vs who by his obedience hath delivered vs from the Tyrannie of death and made vs partakers of life eternall It was worthie of consideration how precislie Peters falles are registrate in the booke God For whatsoeuer thinges are written afore-time are written for our learning Rom. 15. 4 that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Peter therefore denyed his Master seven times Foure times to Maides Mat. 26.69 and three times to men First to Maides I say when he sate without the Hall and the Maide came vnto him saying that Thou wast with Iesus of Galile Secondlie as Peter was beneath in the Hall for now hee had entered but before hee was not come in There came one of the Maides of the high Priests Mar. 14.66 and when shee saw Peter warming him shee looked on him and said Thou wast also with Iesus of Nazareth Thirdlie then a Maide saw him againe and began to say to them that stood by This is one of them Fourthlie when hee went out into the Porch from the common Hall And another Maide saw him and said vnto them that were there Mat. 26.71 This man was also with Iesus of Nazareth Thus foure times denyed he his Master before these weak Vessels Man never should be courageous stout in his owne conceite The Lord is my strength my buckler and the horne of my salvation If the Lord leaue vs to our selues wee are a prey to Sathan to euerie winde and blast of temptation Thrice also denyed he before men and first Iohn 18.25 before the Souldiers standing and warming himselfe Iohn 18.26 Secondlie hee denyed before Malohus coosen whose eare hee smote off Thirdlie hee denyed him anone to them that stood by who saide vnto him againe Mat. 26.70 Mar. 14.70 Surelie thou art one of them for thou art of Galile and thy speech is like Neither doe I so punctually set these dolorours spectacles before thine eyes sinful Soule to dig vp the Sepulchres of these glorious Saints which are in heauen who repented and weeped bitterlie for their sinnes who were patterns to others not to distrust And thou Peter being converted confirme thy brethren And Dauid after his fall did teach the Lordes wayes vnto the wicked Psal 51.13 that sinners might bee converted to him The beleeving and repenting sinner therefore may be perswaded that there is euer mercie to bee found how great soever his sins
serving of him according to his will be afraied of his justice vvhereby hee will surelie punish the wicked Place thine hope in his eternall mercie bottomlesse grace and euerlasting glorie The third and last Steppe of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by contemplation of Christs entrance there ANd now Pilgrime Soule wilt thou aspire vpward yea let mee heare Lord thy loving kindnesse in the morning for in Thee is my trust Psal 143.8.9 Show mee the way that I should walke in for I lift vp mine heart vnto thee Deliver me from mine enemies for I hide me with Thee Remember mee with the favour of thy people Psal 106.4.5 Visite mee with thy Salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the joye of thy people glorie with thine Inheritance Poure cleane water vpon mee make mee cleane from my filthinesse Ezek. 36.36.37 Giue me a new heart and a newe spirit Take away that stonie heart out of my bodie and put in an heart of flesh that I may walke in thy Statutes and keep thy Iudgements For thou art the Poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.4 with fiue porches vvithin the vvhich vvhosoeuer steppeth in and doth cast the anker of Faith in the depth of thy wounds shâ—ll be made whole of whatsoeuer disease hee hath But alace whosoeuer washeth himselfe because of a dead bodie Eccl. 34.26 toucheth it againe what availeth his washing for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy Kingdome Such as doe returne with the Dogge to his vomit beleeue but for a season Pro. 26.11 and in the day of temptation goe away But I sorrowfull Soule as the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters Luc. 8.13 Psal 42.1 so doe I pant after thee O God ascended But woe is mee sinne is a sicknesse incurable which none can forgiue but thou O Christ Luc. 5.21 who putteth away iniquitie for thine owne sake Luc. 7.48 and will not remember sinnes For this purpose will I weake Soule make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel Esay 43.25 2. Chro. 29 1â— that hee may turne away his face from me and now will sorrowe that I doe not feele my selfe so much sorrowfull for the weight filthinesse multitude of my sins whose number doth passe the sand in the Sea-shore and doe beare mee downe as a heavy burden are growne over mine head With Peter not of infirmitie once and againe but infinite times haue I denyed Thee With Iudas I euen I haue betrayed Thee Heb. 6.10 With Iewes Gentiles I crucified Thee often haue I renewed thy wounds trode thy precious blood vnder foote vvith my louers hath my soule gone a whooring notwithstanding of that promise of marriage in my Baptisme vvhereinto I vvas betroathed vnto thee confirmed in thy blessed Supper ratified on the Crosse in thy blood to bee solemnized in thy glorie vvhereof I received the first fruites and earnest of the spirit Now alas doe I know and behold that it is a bitter and an evill thing to haue forsaken thee my God Ier. 2.19 and that thy feare was not in mee And these displeasures haue I O my Christ because I dearlie loue thee although there were no hell nor punishment at all I doe acknowledge all the tormentes of the world can not satisfie for the least imagination of the thought of mans heart Gen. 6.5 which is onely evill conâ—inually yea my righteousnesse if any I haue vvhich is the beautie and flowre of all that is best in mee is as a fiâ—thie clout But tâ—ou promisedst in trueth â—sâ—y 64.6 wilt performe in mercie that thou wilt not the death of a Sinner but whensoeuer hee shall repent bee shall liue Lord accept of the desires groanes of my heart Heare my cryes and vveeping forgiue my frailtie wipe awaye the filth and corruption of my soule furnish mee strength and spirituall courage against the life of sinne so pregnant and powerfull vvithin mee Inflame mine affections zealouslie to bee disposed to thy glory graÌ„t Perseverance Loue Hope and all Christian vertues vnto my last breath for I resolve by thy grace O my God to walke in thy vvayes the rest of my dayes I haue to spend lameÌ„ting for by past offences promise to shunne all occasions of evill hereafter O of how short continuance is this life Esay 40.7 endles is the eternitie in that life to come Iob. 2.7 plentifull is that reward Wisd 2.3.4.21 it is momeÌ„tary that pleasureth euerlasting that annoyeth yet as the Lordes greatnesse is so is his mercie Rom. 8.28 And therfore doe I account that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall bee showne 2. Cor. 4.17.18 for the light affliction which is but a moment causeth a farre more excellent and an eternall weight of glorie The thinges which are seene are temporall Gal. 3. 1. but the things which are not seene are eternall I know troubled Soule it beboued Christ whom thou didst see suffer and so enter into his glorie Luc. 24.26 in thy Place to take state and possession that wher hee is thou mayst be also for he hath married thee vnto himselfe for ever â—os 2.19 yea hee did marrie thee in righteousnes and judgements and in mercie and in compassion he hath euen married thee in faith fulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. â—ant 2. 16. Therefore thy beloued is thine and thou art his it is the voyce of thy welbeloued that knocketh saying OpeÌ„ to me my Doue my Sister â—ant 5.2 my Loue my well-beloved for mine head is full of dew and my lockes are wet with the drops of the night Say not deceitfull Soule to thy Christ Goe and come againe â—ro 3.28 and to morow I will giue thee if thou now haue it Remember the portion thou shalt haue vvith him in wed-locke who hath acquired vnto thee by his Poverie a Kingdome by his sorowes thy joy by his travles thy rest by his shame thy glorie by his Death thy life vvho vvould buy a match at such a deare and costlie rate Returne therefore disobedient Soule vnto the Lord hee will not let his wrath fall vpon thee for hee is mercifull Lam. 3.12 and will not keepe his anger And who is great like vnto him who takâ—th away iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercie pleaseth him hee will turne againe Micah 17.18.19 and haue compassion yea hee will subdue thy iâ—iquitie and cast all thy sins in the bottome of the Sea For thy Christ did come into this world to finish the wickednes Dan. 9.24 to seale vp the sinnes and to reconceale the iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Rev. 3.20 And novv behold poore Soule he standeth at the doore
and knocketh if thou will heare his voyce and open the doore hee will come in vnto thee and supp with thee Esay 60.19.20 and thou with him where there shall bee no more Sunne to shine by day neither the brightnesse of the Moone Iohn 14.23 to shine to thee for the Lord shall bee thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glorie and the dayes of thy sorrow shall bee ended Loue him therfore freelie beloued Soule and keepe his word 2. Iohn 3.24 and his Father will loue thee hee will come vnto thee dwell with thee for hee that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and Christ in him and heereby shalt thou know that hee abideth in thee even by the Spirit which hee hath given thee I will intreate thee of all favour poore Soule to meditate thy omission of good thinges commission of evill and losse of wholesome time occasion which three are past by and these three present the shortnes of this life the difficultie to bee saved 1 Pet. 4.17 18. and the fewnes of them that do enter in that strait way For if judgement beginne first at the house of God what shall be the end of them which obey not the Gospel of God and if the righteous scarcelie hee saued where shall the vngodlie and sinners appeare Doe not forget these three things to come Death than the which nothing is more terrible the last Iudgment than the which nothing is more horrible eternall Punishment than the which nothing is more vntolerable O that thou were wise then wouldst thou vnderstand this Deut. 32.29 thou wouldst consider thy letter end But I poore Soule doe not know what to doe â— Chro. 20.12 but mine eyes are towards thee O Lord for trulie great travel doe sinners take to perfect their iniquities they imagine nothing impossible so they may aquire their designes The way of sinners is made plaine with stones so smooth thinke they iâ— Wisd 5.7 but the end thereof is hell darknesse and paine Flee from sinne as from a Serpent the teeth thereof are the teeth of a Lyon Eccl. 21.10 to slay the soules of men All iniquitie is as a two edged sword the wounds thereof can not bee healed And if thou hast sinned doe so no more but pray for thy fore-sinnes that they may bee forgiuen thee Eccl. 5.5.6.7 And because thy sinne is forgiuen bee not without feare to heape sinne vpon sinne And say not The mercie of God is great hee will forgiue my manifold sinnes for mercie and wrath come from him his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners Make no tarying to turne vnto Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenlie shall the wrath of the wrath of the Lord breake foorth and in thy securitie thou shalt bee destroyed But blessed is that people whose God is the Lord for peace shall bee vpon them â—â—l 6.16 and mercie and vpon the Israel of God Vnto him therefore â—h 3 20. that is able to doe exceeding aboundantlie aboue all that wee aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs be praise in the Church by Christ Iesus thorowout all generations for euer Amen THE AGREEMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN THE INCARNATION PASSION AND Ascension of our Saviour THE MYSTERIE OF the Incarnation A Mother and a Virgine beares a Sonne The Creature her Creator on her knee FroÌ„ all beginning yet but now begun Servant to Time Lord of Eternitie Earths Weaknes HeaveÌ„s Power in him doth dwell That is both God and Man Emanuel Meekenesse is heere combin'd with Maiestie The Lyon with the Lambe keepes peacefull place Obedience findes a Seat in Emperie This Earthly substaÌ„ce breeds a heaveÌ„ly grace To Poverty rich Gifts are broght by Kings Terrestriall figures of Coelestiall thinges Who sits in HeaveÌ„ vpon the Throne of State Suckes here on Earth the milke of Infancie Who rules the Stars guids the sterne of Fate Sustaines the yoke of humane Miserie Eats drinks wakes sleepes weepes a mortall man In whom Immortall happines began THE MYSTERIE OF the Passion THe Iudge of MaÌ„ by MaÌ„ is iudg'd to die He that coÌ„mands the law the law obeys Submission hath a Seat in Soveraingn'ty This stormie Night begets our Halâ—yon days The best of Hope springs froÌ„ the worst of Fears And giues vs cause of Ioy from cause of Tears The Lord of Life is subiect vnto Death The Masters power the Minister obeyes At once inspyring expiring breath Submittes to Kinges yet Kings kingdomes swayes Sin vpon Vertue hath imposde a Blame Honour by Basenesse is exposde to Shame Thus from the Crosse our Blessednes is bred His suffering made it a triumphant Signe Our looks are raisde while he bowes down the Head He tasteth Vinegar to giue vs Wine Saues all by loosing all to Tyrannie Helpes all yet cryes Lamasabachtani THE MYSTERIE OF THE Resurrection and Ascension DEath froÌ„ the Graue Life to the Graue is broght Flesh without Sin sees no coruptioÌ„ By yeelding was this noble Conquest wroght O're Sin the World Death Hel al Pollution Extensiue Weaknes with intensiue Power His Hurts haue healed these wouÌ„ded states of our ASCENSION He that the Earth hath for his Footestoole laid Makes his Ascens vp to his Heavenlie Seat There dwels his Power which his Mercy made And here his Mercy which his Power makes great All glorious in his Seaâ— he sits vpon All gratious in the Place he treades vpon Hee which is taken vp is left behind Vnbounded Power doth circumscribe al things He that hath fram'd the heart ruls the mind Doth giue Himselfe to Beggars as to Kings Mercie remaines whilst Maiestie doth tower And Grace descends with his ascending Power Succumbat ratio fidei captiva quescat A SHORT CONFESsion of our Sinnes MY life O LORD is a perpetuall rebellion against thee for who can make cleane that which is conceiued in the filth of sin My time was a Sea and flood of sorrow secluded froÌ„ all goodnes vntil thou didst put forth thy hand and pull mee into thine Arke and had I not bene made cleane in some measure by the red Sea of the Blood of thy Son in Baptisme I should haue lyen in the filthie puddle of my vyle corruption Neither hath Sathan ceased to bereaue mee of the loue whereby thou first didst loue mee Hee did not show me deceiuing Serpent the wages of Sinne but â—â—eeting and turning did hyde thy wrath from mee Amitie with him is enimitie with my God His loue is hatred because the Image of my Saviour is in mee hee pursueth at my heales but if thou bee with mee who shall bee against mee I can not thinke a good thought of my selfe but shall doe all thinges through thee O Christ who strengthenst mee who is my life resurrection the hope of the afflicted my light in darknesse the wholesome dew of my drye and withered Soule my strength in weaknesse the Physitian of my
woundes salue for my sores whose mercies are infinitelie more than my detestable sinnes can bee I haue wandred alace like a lost sheepe Good Sheepheard seeke mee and bring me home againe O Lambe of God who taketh away the sinnes of the world let the light of thy countenance shine on me and looke on mee as thou didst on Peter By dying thou hast overcome Death and brought agâ—ine Life by rysing therefrom If I had the knowledge of Angels and all my members were converted into tongs never should I be able worthily to magnifie the boweles of thy compassion extended to mee wretched sinner which passeth all vnderstanding Thou didst not take deare Christ the Angels but the seed of Abraham beeing made like vnto mee in all things Sinne excepted which nature thou hast glorified in the heavens Now since it is humane nature wherein thou raignest I beleeue also to reigne and bee glorified with thee And albeit my sins hinder me in the constant course of my Salvation yet thy loue this Commnuion and coniunction taketh all lettes out of the way Thou art not so hard O Lord as to despise mee since thy Sonne hath caried my nature vnto heaven Canst thou forget that which thou hast fast by thee No truelie thou art slow to anger full of mercie with thee is plentifull redemption Most louing art thou for no man hateth his owne flesh at any time thou O God louest thy Sonne and they that are his which are risen with him and placed by Faith hope in heavenlie places I was not worthie to bee thy servant but thou hast made mee thy Sonne and fellow-Heire with my Brother Christ Consider the paines of my Redeemer and pardon the redeemed his offences Why did he so obedientlie suffer the punishment of disobedience but onelie to saue mee and thine Elect There was no goodnesse in mee that could induce thee to the same it was thy bountie and free mercie and now thine hand is not shortned but it can saue mee Wil thou then try thy power against straw and stubble against mee who am but a shaddow and lighter than vanitie My sinnes are alwayes in my sight still representing before me thy anger I feele the grievous burthen of them thy iudgements against them but thou will not the death of a Sinner but that hee should turne and liue Enter not therefore in iudgement with mee O Lord for no flesh shall bee iustified in thy sight for thy Christ whom I imbrace by a true Faith is made vnto mee righteousnes wisedome and redemption To whom with thee and the holie Ghost bee all glorie and praise for euer Amen A PRAYER BEFORE the Communion WOunderfull must thy loue bee O Lord towards mee poore and miserable Sinner that thou woldest haue thy deare and onelie Sonne to suffer all tormentes and death for mee and to take vpon him all my infirmities and miseries yet not contented therewith wouldest haue the remembrance of this thy great mercie least it should be forgotten razed out of mine heart and that my Faith should not waxe faint sith thy Sonne hath ascended vp to Heaven after a strange and wonderfull manner fed and nourished mee and distilled in mee that spirituall Life by the meanes of his Bodie making the Crosse the wine-presse out of the which those grapes liquor of eternall life are drawne out Giue me thy holy Spirit that I may haue streÌ„gth against Sathan the World the Flesh Grant spirituall life to abide in mee as the branches hath that naturall from the wine that forsaking my selfe louing of my selfe I may liue in thee by thee and for thee vntill I come vnto thee where I shall see thee face to face True it is O Lord no reasoÌ„ can reach to this spirituall food but Faith onely doeth goe through for by those visible Elements I dâ—e apprehend spirituall and invisible graces and that not by imagination for as Breade doeth nourish the body so doest thou O Christe the soule And as Flesh is a substance so thou Sonne of God incarnate is the cause of this substantiall nourishment of my soule As life is in the bodie so Christ by his Blood shall giue mee life and is my life the condition estate of my flesh my blood and my whole life was more than miserable but by throgh and in thee O Christ all things were restored and made perfect in me The forebidden blood of beastes in the Law should make me shunne a brutish and a beastlie life But thy Blood teacheth mee to liue a Christian holie righteous and sober life For it is not nowe I that liueth but thou in mee who is only consubstantiall with the Father and holy Ghost yea this vnion I haue with thee by true faith as the head with the members an vnion I say of affections wittes participation of heavenlie and eternall blessednesse that I liue not to my selfe but to thee O Lord who loued me and gaue thy selfe for me For they that liue on sweet meates haue sweete breath so they haue a sweet odour in all their words works who taste of this spirituall and heavenlie food in whome Christe doeth spiritually dwell by faith O Christ thy manhood was seene on earth but the God-head not at all yet did great wonderfull things without changing or coÌ„founding of natures so in these Symboles Christs bodie I see not which notwithstanding worketh in me a beginning and grouth of renovation The body of the Sunnes light aboue is in it selfe whole albeit it bee dispersed heere beneath so thou O Christ is aboue in heaven whole yet dost communicate to everie belieuer to bee partaker of thy Body and Blood but diminution or weakening of thy selfe which thou offeredst for me weak not inclosed in me when thou is receiued of mee without any dishonour at all to thy Maiestie when thou commeth vnto this my sinfull cottage hauing mine heart to be thy Temple and dwelling place who filleth the heavens and the earth thy Footstoole O happy is he that doth eate the flesh of my Lord and Saviour with earnest desire to obey his will and stayeth on his promises trusting alwayeâ— on him In this earth am I partaker of Christ by the helpe of his word Sacraments But in heaven aboue without any externall meanes I shall feede on that heavenlie Breade and drinke of that spirituall drinke feeling in effect his presence and enioying that glorious life fulfilled in the Kingdome of God where I shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on mee neither any heate For thou O Lambe which is in the midst of the Throne shall governe mee and lead me vnto the liuelie fountaines of waters And thou sweete Saviour shall wype away all teares from my eyes O happy day when I shall feede on that heavenlie Manna the food of thy holy Angels in that Paradise and thrise happie am I in Christ to taste of the sweetnesse of the life
Christ by election before the world was made Rom. 5.1 Wee are iustified by a livelie Faith the obedience of the sonne of God Rom. 5.16 being imputed vnto vs wee are sanctified through the Spirit 1. Pet. 1.2.22 Iohn 15.3 our soules are purified in obeying the Trueth Wee walke not after the flesh when wee resist covetous cogitations Rom. 8. 1. ambitious desires voluptuous thoughts envious conceits Gal. 5.19.22 malitious purposes or whatsoever else corrupt of olde Adam Wee walke after the Spirit when wee imbrace love wee follow peace and holinesse show longe suffering gentlenesse meekenesse temperance crucifieing the fleshe with the affections and lusts thereof to such as are in Christ there is no condemnation 5. The fifth Fruite wee haue of Christ his Passion is the Wrath of God is pacified Col. 3.6 for as they which obeye not the Sonne shall not see Life but the wâ—ath of God abydeth on them so they which beleeve in the Sonne haue everlasting Life reserved in Heaven for them 1. Pet. 1.4.5 which by the power of God are kept to salvation for his sak God pardoned all our offences and our sinnes and our iniquities will he remember no more Ier. 31 33 34. but will put his Lawes in our mindes and write them in our hearts and will bee our God Esay 42. 1. and wee shall bee his people Mat. 3 17. for hee is his beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who is also our Advocate with the Father if we sinne 1 Iohn 2.1 even Iesus Christ the lust 6. The sixt benefite of Christ his passion is Victorie over Sathan for where sinne is purged Gen. 3.15 and remitted and not imputed where the malediction of the Lawe is abrogated Eph. 2.14 where the second Death is abolished where the wraith of GOD is pacified there the Devill hath nought For Christ by death destroyed him that had power of death Heb. 2.14 that is the Devill that hee might deliver all them which for feare of Death were all their lifetime subiect to bondage For this purpose appeareth the sonne of God 1. Iohn 3.8 that hee might lowse the workes of the Devill wherefore though Sathan bee yet suffered to tempt the children of God yet shal hee neuer bâ—e able to draw them awaye from the state of Salvation because Iohn 18.28 God is saithfull and will not suffer his to bee tâ—mpted aboue their strength but shall in the middest of their tentation make a way that they may bee able to beare it 7. The seventh benefite is Victorie over Death and our freedome from the feare thereof for hee sayeth I will redeeme them from the power of the grave Hos 13.14 I will deliver them from death O Death I will bee thy death O graue I will bee thy destruction Death 1. Cor. 15.55.56 where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie the sting of Death is Sinne and strength of sinne is the Law But thankes be to God who hath given vs victory through the Lord Iesus Christ Now â—y the meanes of the death of Christ death is nothing else but a sweet passage way to eternall life to the faithfull Iohn 8.51 for if any man keepe his word hee shall never see death Let vs therefore couragiouslie follow our Châ—staine the Lord Iesus Christ who as hee did not perish in Death so shall hee not suffer vs to perish neither he is the God of the living Mat. 22.32 and not of the dead that is which cease to be For this is his Fathers will which hath sent him that of all which hee had given him hee shoulde lose none but raise them vp againe at the latter Daye for the things which the eye hath not seene Cor. 2.2 neither eare heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that love Him And finallie besides these singulare benefites by Christs Passion Rom. 5.2 wee haue the same peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding Heb. 2.18 and accesse to this grace wherein wee stande by the mediation of Christ and after this wretched life entrance to behold the glorious and blessed Trinitie in Glorie Maiestie and Eternitie AND now Gentle Reader that wee may make heavenlie and spirituall vse of his sufferings First diligentlie weigh what person in the Deitie did suffer Seâ—ondlie what hee did suffer Thirdlie why hee did suffer And lastlie what our Meâ—iatour requyreth at our hands The Apostle sâ—yeth 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ suffered once for vs that is the Sonne of God and the virgine Marie Iohn 1.14 That Worde which was made fleshe and dwelt amongst vs and wee saw sayeth heeâ— the glorie ther of as the glorie of the onelie begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and trueth And so confesseth Peter Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Sonne of the living God whiâ—h was â—e whoÌ„ when the fulnes of time was come Gal. 4.4 GOD sent foorth made of a woman and made vnder the Law Iohn 7.14 for his name is Immanuel being a child borne to vs and a Sâ—nne given vs Esay 9.6 whose governement is vpon his shoulder whose name is wonderfull Eph. 3.9.10 Counsellour to the mightie God everlasting Father the Prince of peace But we should rather adore the Hypostaticall vnion and Incarnation of the sonne of God than searche it by our shallow braines anxiouslie for the minde and vnderstanding of man cannot reach to it much lesse can it bee expressed by tongue yea and the verie Angells admired 1. Tim. 3.16 that the eternall sonne of God that did take the shape of a servant Phil. 2.7.8 and willinglie yeelded himselfe to the ignominious death of the Crosse But why was thy Mediator both God and man If hee had beene man onelie hee could not haue satisfied the Iustice of God so should our Redemption haue beene vnperfyte and not sufficient for he suffered in that nature 1. Pet. 4. 1. that could suffer that is the flesh Yet because of that strait vnion of both the natures in Christ wee may convenientlie say God to haue beene dead and crucified for the sonne of man and purchased his Church Act. 20.28 by his owne Bloode Now then because thy Mediator is God hee can free thee from death and Hell 1. Tim. 2.5 and because hee is man bone of thy bone and fleshe of thy fleshe hee is sensible of thy miserie for wee haue not a high Priest Heb. 4.15 which can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all thinges tempted in like sort yet without sinne goe therefore boldly vnto the throne of grace that thâ—u mayest finde mercie and receiue grace to helpe in time of neede But why did God perfyte this great worke of our Redemption from Sinne by the death of his Son not by other meanes besides that it pleased God to declare his
Luc. 22.21 if it had not beene so he would not haue come hither to haue taken him and now deâ—re Soule no man betrayeth Christ but he that knoweth him and his Trueth Take heede to thy knowledge and looke that it bee in sinceritie and not in hypocrisie or else in the end thou shalt proue an Apostate The thoughts of the Iust are right Pro. 12.5 but the counsells of the wicked are deceitfull And thus Iudas lost securitie arming himselfe with the power of the guarde of the high Priestes It is the peace of God that passeth all vnderstanding that fortifieth the heart of man for peace is nothing but a good conscience Although I were compassed about with ten thousand men Psal 3.6 yet would I not bee affrayed for I know assuredlie that thou wilt bee with mee It is a dangerous matter to harden the hearte against Christ or if it bee once indâ—red tâ—ou shalt not stay vntill thou come into extreame induration I pray the LORDE preserue thee my Soule froÌ„ the hardnes of heart against the Trueth Rom. 9.18 2. Pet. 3.17 and against Iesus Christ for seldome is it that one going forward therin and ever returneth to grace Gen. 18.14 but with the Lord all thinges are possible For it is an hard matter to bee given over to a reprobate sense and when the Lord taketh out of the Soule Zach. 8.6 all sight and sense of his judgements thou shall never leaue off from evill doing Stryue therefore O my Soule to keepe thy selfe in feâ—â—ing Rom. 1.26 and let not that miserable sward and scroofe to growe over thy vnderstanding but waken the conscience with the acknowledging of the power and mercie of God and suffer not it to come to such fatnesse Act. 28.26 27. as seeing thou shouldest not see and become vncurable In the Garden then the cup of Gods indignatioÌ„ was presented vnto him even as the good master of the house distributeth to his servants their taske so doth the Lord dispose the measure of afflictions vnto his owne But vnto the wicked in his hand hee hath a cup and the wine is red Psal 75.8.9 it is mixed and hee shall poure out of the same surelie all the vngodly of the earth shall wring out and drinke the dregges thereof But well knoweth the wise God 1. Cor. 10.13 how strong a measure of temptation his own can beare What is the reason then that thou doest not fully rely on thy God to whom all thy bones are knowne Psal 139.15 though thou wast made in a secret place and fashioned beneath in the earth And why dost not thou willingly receiue at his handes whaâ—soever quantitie of tryall it pleaseth him to send Psal 50.15 Call on him therefore in the day of trouble he will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie him The translation of this Cup he craved then of his Father whome hee knewe caried a favourable affection towardes him Esay 65.24 who will before wee call answere whiles wee speake hee will beare for it is not the will of our Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.13 that one of these little ones should perish Parents may neglect duetie to the children Esay 49.15.16 and a woman whose loue is most vehement may forget her childe and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe though they should forget yet will I not forget sayth the Lord behold I haâ—e graven thee vpon the palmes of my handes But alas poore Soule thy sinnes made him both kneele and bee cast below on the earth and wilt thou with a stiffe necke and out-streached arme proudlie walke therein hee sweate blood for vs and wee draw the blood of our brethren by Avarice oppression and vsurie Woulde to God the Blood of Iesus woulde soften our hard heartes as the blood of Goates doe breake Adamantes that beeing sanctified by the same wee may render new obedience vnto him by feeling and lamenting our sinnes and imperfections and ever haue recourse from the angry God to the pacified god giuing eare in reverence and feare to the admonitions and exhortations out of the word least it befall vs because hee hath called and wee refused And be streatched out his band and none would regarde bee also laugh at our destruction and mocke when our feare commeth Pro. 1.24 for this is the nature of Gods invitation that the men doe die that speak the word but the worde shall bee founde living Zach. 1.4.5.6 And so it is that the Prophets dyed with their fathers but the word never left them vntill it brought a judgement vpon the disobedient With Teares therefore poore Soule confesse thy sinnes vnto the Lord â—sal 6.6 for if thou hyde them thou accusest thy selfe Psal 32.5 bee forgets them when thou rememberest them thou art deare vnto him wheÌ„ thou art vyle vnto thy selfe hee findeth thee when thou art lost and annibilated he much regardeth thee when thou art nothing in thine owne eyes Beggers doe show their wounds to moue compassion let vs open to God the sores of our festered conscience without delay least by the occasion of sinne and delay of repentance grace bee intercepted from vs. Remember what tâ—y Saviour hath done for thee and with what vnkindnesse thou hast recompensed h m. Consider the wrath of God against sinne which maye moue verie senselesse creatures but joyne heere withall a liuelie faith taking holde on the mercie of God which hee hath manifested in his beloued Sonne 1. Iohn 2. 1.2 for his mercie is the port vnto the which sinners should aryue the comfort of the offenders and great securitie of the righteous I know his mercies are great but can not comprehend the quantitie and am ignorant of the qualitie of the greatnesse thereof for vnlesse it had beene great few or none should haue ever beene saved When Christe came in the fleshe hee called Magicians Mat. 2. 1. or wisemen then the Publicans then the Whoores the Malefectors and whom last the Blasphemers these are the first fruits of his calling even those who be tyed with the bonds of Sinne. Art thou therefore vngodly remember the Magicians art thou an oppressour thinke on the Publican art thou vncleane the LORD pittied the whoore art thou blood-thirstie let that Traitour and Malefactor bee obversant vnto thine eyes art thou profanelie wicked remember Paul who was first a blasphemer and then an Apostle first a Persecuter and then an Evangelist for this is a true word and by all meanes worthie to bee receiued 1. Tim. 1.15.16 that Christ Iesus came into the world to save Sinners of whom I am chiefe sayeth hee Notwithstanding for this cause was I receiued vnto mercie that Iesus Christ should first show on me long suffering to the example of them which shall in time to come beleeue in him vnto eternall life But heere there is required especiallie that thou shouldest fight a good fight
haue care over vs but that our flesh also doeth possesse the heavens where we shall bee in the presence of God for euer hee went alone to heaven but he all entered into it for a bone was not broken of him both head members shall bee found in heaven Hee hath giuen vs the earnest of his Spirit and taken the earnest of our flesh and caried it as a pawnd to Heaven where wee and all they that haue true faith shall bee brought and here withall to lance this vnrighteous Iudges heart hee maketh mention of the latter day which is his day wherein hee shall judge all flesh as Daniel hath fore-spoken who behelde in visions by night one like the Sonne of man Dan. 7.13 comming in the cloudes of heaven and approaching to the Ancient of dayes and they brought him before him and hee gaue him dominion and honour a Kingdome that all people Nations and Languages should serve him And so said another Zach. 10. They shall looke vpon mee whom they haue pearsed and shall lament for him as one mourning for his only sonne and bee sorie for him as one is sorte for his first borne Which second comming 1 Thess 4.16 seeing it is at hand we should remember of our accomptes to bee giuen to him and the precisnesse of that Iustice wherein wee shall render a reckoning for everie idle word Mat. 12.36 Let it not depart from our memorie but what-soever thou takest in hand Eccl. 7.36 remember thy end and thou shall neuer doe amisse Christ suffered for a good cause â— Pet. 4.15.16 even for righteousnesse sake who although hee was in bonds afflicted as though hee were an evill doer yet the word of God that was in his mouth was not bound Iudges as they exercise their judgement shall be juâ—ged againe for he that for thy cause was presented to jugdement shal be Iudge who hath said That God hath sent his Sonne not to condemne the world but that bee world by him should bee saued Beleeue in Christ and thou needest not to bee affraid of judgement will be condemne them for whom he hath suffered all these things Iohn 3.17 suffered I say both of the hie Priest who spak to him against order of Law of the hie Priests servant who strooke him against order of law for maintaining the truth before he had beene judged neither was it a fitte place to punish a man in judgement thogh he were never so bad And now the high Priest at this innocent Lambes answere rent his choathes Ioel. 2.13 but thou shouldst haue so done to thy heart He pretended the Majestie of God to bee hurt be this externall behaviour but inwardlie well pleased that now hee might haue occasion to fulfill his wicked counsell The godlie indeed should burne in zeale when they see the glorie of God to bee impared Mat. 22. as Lot was vexed with the vncleanly conversation of the wicked for hee beeing righteous dwelling amoÌ„gst them 1. Pet. 2 7.8 in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deedes But alas poore Soule how oftimes dost thou both pollute thy selfe dost heare the holie Name of God blasphemed by oaths and perjuries it becommeth thee to avert the wrath of God by all meanes â— King 11.30 wheÌ„ thou shalt heare such Rabsakeas blasphemies as Hezakiah did Nothing should more grieue thee thaÌ„ when wee see the glorie of God his Majestie to be hindred or hurt by any Who is weake and I am not weake who is offended and I burne not 2. Cor. 11.24 Now by this outward gesture hee would declare the punishment of the Lawe in commiting blasphemy justie to appertaine to Christ Lev. 24.13 to bee stoned to death by the whole multitude but this is our greatest comfort that by these means hee hath redeemed vs from the condemnatorie sentence of the Law Gal. 3.13 for as the Father hath life in himselfe so likewise hath he given to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe and hath giuen him power also to execute judgement in that hee is the Sonne of man But the high Priest did not vnderstand what he was doing for being risen from his place hee might haue presaged the losse of his Priesthood chaire therin that in this rage in reÌ„ting his cloths he did signifie the translatioÌ„ of the Law for the change of the Priest-hoode imported the change of the Law also The like was done to Ieroboam whose vpper garment was cut in twelue pieces by the Prophet who did deliuer vnto him with the ten pieces the ten Tribes Now as if they had not tormented him enough the hie Priests leaue him to be mocked of their servants vntill the dawning of the day that the Counsel should sit For what marveill is it when the Magistrates giue evill examples that vnrighteousnesse violence and oppression reigne every where And now deare Soule raise vp thy selfe to thankfulnesse and let thy heart bee inflamed with his loue when thou shalt remember what and how great bitter things all that whole night thy Redeemer suffered For his face was bespitted as if it had bene most ignominious with their Fistes they boxt him and spitefullie mocked him covering his face that being stricken hee should tell them who had done it Great therfore must be the anger and wrath of God for sinne for which Christ did suffer so much and therefore wee should abhorre it from our heartes But most of all hast thou to consider the infinite mercie of thy heauenlie Father who to vindicate assoilyle thee from everlasting ignominie suffered his beloued Sonne so shamefullie to bee intreated well might hee haue said Psal 22.7 I am a worme and not a man Remember therefore thy vncleannes and inward corruption who is borne in iniquitie â—sal 51.5 and in sinne hath thy mother conceiued thee to purge thee from these spots and to present thee without blotte or wrinkle Eph. 5.25 Was this blessed face of Iesus embrued with spittell Iustlie may wee deplore the impuritie of our nature which must bee cleansed by the Blood Christ 1. Iohn 1.7 Yet doeth not the wicked now cease to beate Iesus in his members and which is most abominable doe scorne the divine Majestie as if he did not see nor had care nor were to craue vengeance for that they doe but doe cover the face of Iesus in their opinion while they afflict his members giuing themselves to carelesse securitie but hee doeth see and beholdeth all these thinges for their oppression and their sighes are before him and their wandringes are compted their teares put vp in his bottle But although hee appeare not to seeâ— neither the God of Iacob to regarde yet vnderstand yee vnwise among the people and yee fooles when will â—ee bee wise bee that planted the care shall bee not heare â—r hee that formed the eye shall bee
not see or hee that chastiseth the nations Psal 94.7.8.9.10 shall bee not correct hee that teacheth men knowledge shall bee not know yea the Lord knoweth the thoughtes of men that they are vanitie But heere is a notable image of eternall punishment represented vnto vs which wee ha e deserved in bodie and soule for if we examine our life and conversation not to speake of our thoughtes and weigh them in the ballance of Gods Law wee cannot but judge our selves to bee worthie of eternall contempt rebuke and shame if we would not with euerlasting punishments be plagued let vs in all possible haste repent and turne our selves But here is abundant consolations offered against persecution contumelies which the wicked doe inflicte on the godlie His shame was changed in an vnspeakeable glorie the ignominie redunded on the head of his enemies so shall the persecutions of his members receiue a coÌ„pensation of eternall life Rejoyce therefore in asmuch as ye are partakers of Christs suffrings that when his Glorie shall appeare yee may bee glad and rejoyce if yee bee railed on for the Name of Christ blessed are yee for the Spirit of Glorie and of God resteth on you which on their part is evill spoken of 1. Pet. 4.13.14 but on your part is glorified O! but heere hâ—ue wee a notable defence against the wrath of God and everlasting coÌ„demnation for if God hadde suted vs before his judgement and appointed the due punishment for vs wee should not haue beene thoght worthy of a temporal but an everlasting confusioÌ„ But Christ such was his mercie hath become debter for vs and hath remoued al our shame and ignominie sanctified and cleansed vs that he might make vs vnto himselfe a glorious Church holie and without blame What shall wee â—ander vnto the Lord for all his goodnesse bestowed vpon vs most vndeservedlie Psal 116.12 wee will take the cup of salvation and call on his Name in presenting to him a mindfull and thankefull heart By the spetle therefore that hee was defiled with hath he washt the face of our soule by the covering of his face hath he taken away the veile from our heartes his head was beaten that all his members might receiue spirituall motion life sense influence and with Fists was hee rigorouslie stricken that we may render glorie praise and honour vnto him with heart and clapping of our hands THE THIRD DEGREE and first Step of the ascension of the Soule vnto heaveÌ„ by comtemplation of Christs exaltation on the Crosse ANd now heere consider the hie Priests Elders their diligence in conveening their Counsell Mat. 27. Iudas the tratour his conterfeit Repentance Mar. 15. whose end was desperation and the consultation of the Elders Luc. 23. for buying a Potters fielde They pretermitted no time so speedily would they haue yea even before the Sunne arose the Sunne of righteousnes dispatched fearing least hee should escape the more short deliberation take they for killing of him althogh their meeting did hold by the 70. and one which was their Sanhendrin for the which cause the kingdome was taken from them the Scepter from Iuda Gen. 49.10 Iudgement and the Priesthood from that Nation Hos 13.9 Thy destruction is from thee O Israel Esay 5.4 What more could he haue done to his Vine-yarde than he hath done Gen. 3.11 That which Adam had commited our Saviour payed Christs silence made a defence for Adam for hee heard from Euah that whicâ— was not lawfull and spake things also which he should not hee heard and obeyed his wife counselling wrongouslie excused himselfe when the Lord accused him But contrarily Christ accused by the wicked holdeth his peace as a deafe man neglecteth their forgeries for well knew he their malice to come to such hight that neither would they heare him nor put him to liberty and yet constaÌ„tly professed himselfe Luc. 22.69 to bee Son of man the Sonne of God and one that should sit at the right hand of â—he Majâ—stie in Heaven Mat. 26.64 which to make a way to their ovvne decree against him as hauing testimonie out of his owne mouth vvith many vvords they insult against him But what is Iudas part seeing that thus Christ had incurred their sentence of coÌ„demnation Mat. 27.3.4.6.7 whose Conscience being raised from sleepe by the sting thereof and sense of Gods fierce anger rendered the money and testified Christes innocencie which they imployed for a buriall for strangers Well beleeued Iudas that he had bene in a good cace when hee once had receiued the money but hauing done this mishant fact his eyes vvere so opened that he not onely did feele his abominable offence but also is tormeÌ„ted with such horrour in soule that he beleeued no no remedie to bee left but hanging of himselfe But more particularlie poore Soule examine these circumstances the time wheÌ„ hee did see Christ adjudged to death soone enough if wel enough late repentance is seldome true but true repentance is never late Ezek. 18.27.28 For when the wicked turneth away froÌ„ his wickednesse that hee hath committed and doeth that which is lawfull and right he shal saue his soule aliue because hee considereth and turneth away froÌ„ all his transgressions that hee hath committed Ezek. 23.16 hee shall surelie liue not die for none of his sinnes that hee hath committed shall be mentioned vnto him as is evident in the Malefactor that hang on Christes right hand But this goodnesse of God should not breed security in thee abyde not nor prolong the time Rom. 2.4 when thou shalt not bee master of thy owne thoughts They that are in Fever raue before they coole and many die before they intend to repent because the time Luc. 12.40 and houre of death is vncertaine Consider he brought the thirtie silver pieces and restored them Ezek. 33.15 which sometimes was a vndoubted token of repentance as in Zacheus Luc. 19.8.10 But he was destitute of true Faith in applying to him the mercie of God Who came to seeke and saue that which was lost Mat. 18.14 Hee also made a free confession of his sinne which is very requisit in repentance but it was not to the Priests but to God and to his onlie begotten Sonne What marveile therefore he be voyde of comfort And this hee proclamed in the verie Temple but alace many doe we find who doth not come so far off although their wickednesse witnesse to their face Psal 3.8 but doe deny or threaten those which admonish them of it But this is remarkable that he bare record of Chirsts innocencie for such an high Priest it became vs to haue which is holie harmelesse vndefiled Heb. 7.26 separate from Sinners The high Priests did answere What is that to vs looke thou to it Neither for promise norrewarde or pleasure of any man fall vnder the wrath of God by
not haue turned into a glorious life Shee knew the conference betwixt her and the Angel before for Faith and Hope will not extinguish Displeasure naturall Ioy but will mitigate them both for she looked to haue with him a joyfull meeting her heart was knit with him whilst hee hang on the Crosse not ashamed of him neither hee forgetfull of her Hee called her woman 2. Cor. 5.16 not Mother raised from all earthly thinges which men count much of for hee knew nothing according to the flesh for in heaven we shall be like Angels to the end that wee may enjoye that heavenlie life And her I say Hee commended to Iohn whom hee loued inteirelie neither will he translate her from the world but will haue everie member of his Churche to keepe one another as he commended his mother to Iohn to be entertained in his suffring forgetting as it were himselfe yet forgetting not her not willing to divide the first and second Table in the first keeping his duetie to his Father to the death and in the midst of that obedience to his Father hauing regard respect to his Mother for if thou hatest not father or mother for his sake Lu. 14.26 thou art not worthie of him Preferre God to any naturall affection which Christ notwithstanding in the middest of torment of blasphemies combate with everlasting Death with the wrath of the Father and with all the infernall powers is carefull to obserue SaÌ„ctified affections do entertaine naturall loue or else they are suffocated for this duetie standeth not in ceremonies but in performing of necessary adoes this registration will rent the conscience of these who procure their mothers curse Iohn haâ—â—rection from the Crosse wee from the heavenly Throne hee tooke an others Mother not his owne and that to his owne house Seeing Christe therfore hath suffred in the flesh it is convenient that wee bee of the like minde Naomi destitute of her two Children Ruth 1. did say when shee came to Bethlehem Call mee not Naomi that is beautifull but Mara which is bitternesse Tob. 10. What did Tobias mother when her Son went away Did not King Salomon acknowledge the true mother of the Childe 1 King 3.24 while shee would not haue him cut in two And what did Rizpah in hanging vp the sacke-cloathes from the beginning of Harvest vpon the Rocke vntill water dropped vpon them from the heaven 2. Sam. 21.10 neither suffering the Birds of heaven to light on the sonnes of Saul by day nor beasts of the fielde by night But what doloure I say can be compared to this of his Mothers whose heart was so deepelie wounded thorow Shee did not extinguish those affections but moderated them for she stood by the Crosse of Christ seeing them whom hee had fed in the wildernes with MaÌ„na broght throgh the red Sea preseÌ„t her Son Gall for Manna Vinegar for water Thou didst feede fiue thousand with fiue loaues filled all Iudea with the wordes of Life and now is that Sunne eclipsed the bright Moone darkned the creatures acknowledge their Creator but the miserable Iews shut their eyes from the tender mercie of God whereby Luc. 1.78 the day-spring from on high hath visited them but it could not bee that either affection or the tender bowels of compassion could stay this sweet Iesus from perfecting the will of his Father and that glorious worke of the Redemption of his owne Elect. The fourth Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. BEtweene eleven and twelue a clocke both sentence of condemnation and execution thereof fell out From twelue houres to three afternoon the space of three houres a fearefull and terrible darknesse was ouer the face of the earth yeelded the Spirit betweene three foure houres His Father did testifie by this darknesse not onelie of his innocencie as hee was man but also of his Glory as he was God the creatures did vtter their sorrow and began to teach that senslesse hardned people such a judgement is it to fall into a reprobate sense This Eclipse fell out beyond naturall course in the full Moone for the Passeouer was to be celebrated in March the fourteenth day thereof when the Sunne the Moone are far from other and the whole Globe of the carâ—h casten betwixt them but in this Eclipse the Moone which was opposed to the Sunne turned suddenlie and came vnder the Sunne which made this darknesse For the which cause Act. 17. the Philosophers in Athens not finding natural reasons erected an altar to the vnknowne God At this time beganne his greatest agony which was in his Soule with he vvrath of his Father froÌ„ Heaven which were the dolours of death so extreame like as a woman hath in hearing her birth Act. 2. vvhich doth expresse also the paines of hell 1. Thess 5.3 vvhere mountaines of dolour heapes of wrath are laid vp for the reprobate as the waues of the sea followeth one another so are they in growing everlastinglie His God-head never left him nor never shall but the God-head kept it selfe so close that it vvould let him haue no joy vntill he should pay that ransome to the utmost farthing vvhereby the Iustice of God was satisfied for our sinnes And therfore hee cryed out on the Crosse as deserted of God My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Confidence in God will oftimes bee without feeling of joy albeit the spirit be not taken from the Soule yet at last it doeth reviue For â—s knowledge availeth wher feeling is alwayes dead no sense of the old canker of sinne mortified and quickened with a new life to liue to God Those then are not words of Diffidence or Indignation but of combate of the flesh with Faith in the which hee felt the eternall curse that was due for sinne otherwayes he would never haue called God his God the burden of one sin yea of an evill thought can not be born of all the world how heavie must all the sins of the Elect bee that Iesus baâ—e on his backe And now poore Soule behold the dealing of God with his own albeit he loued them never so well hee will touch them with the sense of wrath for sinne in some measure from heaven that thou mayst vnderstand how heavy a wrath Iesus suffered that he might conquesse vnto thee mercie and peace of conscience which was bought payed for with his Blood Detestable and filthie must sinne be that made him thus double his crying Fie on the filthie works of the flesh which drowne men in perdition Esay 34.7.8 Hee did take him to prayer vvilling thee ever to haue refuge into thy God in all trouble Psal 22. who neither can nor will leaue thee He choosed this armor to resist out of the Scripture Which is Eph. 6.13 the sword he hath put in our hands for it vvas in our persons