for the Soule to your daylie practise as afore and thus my good intention to your favourable censure wishing alwayes your Hon. not to think it amisse althogh it agreeth not so much with my professioÌ„ as in respect of others more beseeming that I should exhort your Ho. as you haue begun to bee constant in your religious dueties althogh I know it was not needfull for mee to remember you of those things you haue beene taught of God because I know the sinceritie of your profession and practise hath so many witnesses since you beleeued the Gospell of Salvation and was sealed by the Spirit of promise you haue a witnesse in your selfe which I am perswaded will not faile in life or death to plead your aboundant consolation Now thus with due acknowledging of the manifold kindnesses I haue receiued both from your selfe and from my right Honourable good Lord Patron I commit your Honours and your most Noble Familie to the mercifull protection of the Almightie who mot without ceasing multiplie his graces vpon you and crowne you with all kind of blessings The God of mercie and Father of Glorie who hath abounded towardes you not only in outward happinesse of vnstained Nobilitie grandour greatnesse of meanes and favour with the highest on our earth but which is greatest of all in the vnsearchable riches of Iesus Christ in the largenesse and eminencie of manie singulare gifts and abundance of all good workes make you perfite to doe his will and worke in you an increase of all that is pleasing in his sight That yee may see many good and happie dayes in this life and end them with comfort and immortalitie in the life to come I rest Your Hon. owne Physitian in all humble duetie M. P. ANDERSON THE COVNTESSE OF MARRES SANCTVARIE Morning meditation of the first Day I Doe present my self O LORD before thy sacred Majestie a poore sinfull creature filthy within and filthie without but where shall I goe to bee cleansed the waters of Iordan cleansed the leprosie of Naamans bodie 2 King 5.14 but all the waters in the Ocean can not cleanse the leprosie of my soule I am enforced to come to thee O Lord for where shall I goe Thou hast the words of eternall Life Iohn 6.47 If thou wash mee not I can haue no part with thee Iohn 13.8 Wash I beseech thee O Lord not my feete onelie but my hands and my head also Mercifull Father let not the gates of thy mercie bee closed vpon mee which haue beene opened to so manie poore sinners before me If thou refuse to be mercifull where shall mercie bee found Luc. 23.43 O Lord thou didst not abhorre the penitent Theef nor the woman of Canaan when shee requested thee Mat. 15.22 neither the woman apprehended in adulterie Iohn 11 8. nor the Publican praying to thee Mat. 26 74. neither yet the Disciple that denyed thee In the smell of these thine Oyntments doth my soule runne after thee Cant. 4.10 I doe confesse in sinceritie 1. Tim. 1 15. O Lord that of all sinners I am the chiefe where sinne hath abounded Lord let thy mercie superabound I say vnto thee O Lord with that poore leper Lord if thou wilt Mat. 8.2 thou canst make mee cleane yea although I bee spotted as the Leopard and blacke as a Moore one drop of the blood of Iesus Christ is able to make mee as white as snow I beleeue Lord Psal 51.7 helpe my vnbeliefe It is thy praise O Lord that thou makest the barren wombe the mother of manie children and turneth the barren wildernes into a fruitfull Land Psal 107 35. Exod. 15 25. Iohn 2.9 Mat. 12 10. Thou Lord canst make bitter waters sweet and canst turne water into Wine O Lord pittie my withered heart as thou pittied the withered hand Quicken this dead heart of mine by the quickening vertue of thy Spirit yea Lord Act. 16.14 Numb 17.8 open my heart as thou openedst the heart of Lydia thou that madest the rodde of Aaron to blossome make my soule to floorish in true repentance It is no small mercie O Lorde that thou hast spared mee so long If thou hadst dealt with mee as I haue deserved thou mightest haue taken the Axe in thine hand Mat. 3.10 and hewed mee downe as an vnprofitable tree and casten mee into the fire Long hast thou spared mee O Lord but let mee not bee reserved to anie further wrath as I am partaker of thy sparing mercies make mee partaker also of thy converting mercie Create into mee a new heart Psal 51.10 and renew a right Spirit within mee Let mee finde that change into my soule that is proper to the children of God Translate mee yet further out of the Kingdome of darknesse Col. 1.13 into the Kingdome of thy deare Sonne Fashion me so to thine owne image Gal. 2.20 that I no longer live but Christ may live in me Marke mee with that new Name which no man knoweth but hee that hath received it Giue mee to taste of that hidde Manna which no man can decerne but he that hath tasted of it Create in my soule spirituall senses that in a spirituall manner I may take thee vp who is the spirit of spirits Furnish my languishing soule with some of the first fruits of thy heavenlie Canaan that in the strength thereof I may walke vntill thou possesse mee into that promised rest Bee with mee in all my tentations and lead mee through all difficulties that I may sing that joyfull triumph with thine owne Apostle Thankes bee to GOD who hath given vs victorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Evening Meditation of the first Day SINNE makes mee ashamed to speake vnto thee O Lord but my Saviour encourageth mee to present my selfe before thee vnder the shaddow of his merits doe I appeare in thy sight and in his Name doe I present my selfe and my supplications to thy Majestie O Lord dost thou not number my steppes If the conscience of the sinnes of this one day doe so dash and confound mee what feares may arise in my soule through the memorie of sinnes committed my whole lifetime I doe confesse O Lord my whole life hath beene a wandring from thee and all my dayes I haue beene doing nothing but making vp a dâ—ttâ—y against my selfe thou needst not O Lord to lead any processe against mee for my conviction the conscience may both accuse witnesse and condemne O Lord all my life hath beene either sinfull or vnfruitfull If I haue done anie thing that seemed good it was either counterfeit or corrupt or some way vnperfite the dung of all my sacrifices justlie mightest thou cast vpon my face I haue rather seemed nor truelie beene religious therefore doe I seeke salvation without my selfe Mat. 3.17 I seek it in him in whom thou art well pleased Israel stinged with fyrie Serpents Numb 21 6. were healed by looking to the
keeping faith and a good conscience in surrendring obedience in holinesse to God Charitie to thy neighbour puritie of life and diligence in thy calling that the Lord may direct thy steps in his Trueth may guyde thee by his Counsell and reserve thee to his Glorie For thy Armour are Teares and Prayers other-wise thou neither can resist nor possiblie prevaile Iacob against Esau vsed these spirituall meanes Patience and Devotion for a slender and light wind of temptation can shortlie cut vs off from confidence for Peter was a deseâ—bler a lyar and perjure vntill that grace reduced him So man is nothing yea hee is much in himselfe to his owne minde vntill hee haue the experience of his owne deficiencie but beeing tempted hee will learne from whom hee hath receiued strength and with howe much vigilancie hee should keepe the same For who denyeth mee before men I will denye him saith hee before my Father which is in Heaven hee that denyeth him by mouth doeth not beleeâ—e by â—eart the faith in the hearte is the roote of confession confession is the fruite of Faith while the Roote is liuing there are blossomes and leaues if not dead For â—y the hearte wee beleeue to righteousnes Rom. 10.10 and by the mouth wee confesse to salvation And therefore Soule the confession of the mouth without faith in heart neither faith in heart without confession of the mouth availeth Lord giue that thou askest and aske what thou wilt Peter was prompt in promising fearefull in keeping but diligent in amending greatest spirits gather strength to themselves the greatest occasion of sinne If we consider how feeble we are to resist evill and changeable to persever in goodnes we wold quake But O dead Soule thou art nothing else than a vanitie and shaddow of death and gulfe of darknesse in earth without forme and voyde which without Gods blessing can bring out no good thing I haue confusion sinne and death of my self whilest I stand it is by thy gift if I fall it is of me and ever should lye vnlesse thou raised mee Blinde am I vnlesse thou enlighten me and when I fell vnlesse thou laid thine hand vnder mee there should I haue lyen yea ever haue fallen vnlesse thou had sustained mee oft-times perished vnlesse thou hadst governed mee And now dead Soule remember the occasion of this Peter his fall Preachers are Cockes to crow the glad tythinges of salvation so Nathan to David Ier. 7.26 and Ionas to the Ninivites but yee would not heare me nor incline thine eare but hardened the necke saith hee The Lord looke on vs with the eyes of his mercie that we may bitterly worthilie weep for our transgressions applying the merites of Iesus Christ by a true faith vnto our soules for wee haue many sweete promises of salvation and favour of our God offered vnto vs who came not to call the righteous Mat. 9.13.14 but sinners to repentance for the whole need not a Physician but these that are sicke For it is not onelie requisite that thou accuse thy selfe for sin but thou first accuse thy selfe and looke not for rebuking from others but who can build without God keepe witho t God begin without God O! Rom. 11.33 the vnsearcheable and infinite and vnspeakable goodnesse of God! amongst the railinges of the Priestes falshoodes of witnesses against Christ being buft and bespitted Christ casteth a glanse of his eye vnto Peters tossed faith Turne vnto mee beleeue in mee followe mee this is the tyme of my Passion the tyme of my marriage wilt thou followe mee bee not afrayed thou shalt overcome let not the infirmitie that I haue taken for thy sake make thee swarue bee strong in me Thus he that sleepeth is wakened the feeble confirmed the casten downe raised out of the dry rock of his heart floods of teares doe spring once beeing touched with the rod meditation of his bitter Passion For Thou art hee who will not the death of a Sinner but rather to convert and liue for Thou camest not into the world to judge it but to saue it THE SECOND DEgree in this Ladder of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by the meditatioÌ„ of the Passion of Iesus Christ And the first Steppe thereof INto this Garden then in Mounte Olives over the Brooke Kedron came out a multitude with Iudas and bound Christ and caried him to Annas the high Priest Heere hast thou deepe matter poore Soule of spirituall contemplation thy Saviour of his wisedome did see all these thinges yea the verie houre of his death But hee that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh Psal 2.4 and haue his enemies in derision For their counsells are not hid from him who by his word onlie was able to cast them to the ground Which is like a fire Iâ—r 5.14 and men as woode to devour them for it is liuelie and mightie in opereation and sharper than any two edged sword and entreth through even vnto the dividing asuâ—â—â—er of thâ— Soule Heb. 4.12 and the Spirit and of the joyntes and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearte If such a mylde worde did cast his enemies downe what shall become of them in that day Psal 37.12.13 when hee shall rebuke them in his wrath so the wicked practised them against the just Mat. 25.47 but the Lord shall laugh him to scorne for hee seeth his day commeth Neither is our sweete Saviour so much moued with his owne cause as indeed hee was verie much that hee did forget his Fatherly care over his own Disciples Let these goe Iob. 1.10 The Lord hath a hedge about his owne against Sathan Zach. 2.5 hee is I say a wall of fire round about his owne yea hee is patient and long suffering with his enemies who beeing cast downe hee permitteth to ryse and not to bee swallowed vp of the earth Num. 16.32 with Corah Dathan and Abiram Thou canst not marveill sufficieÌ„tly on the blindnes of this companie they had oft-ten seene him before yet Iudas to be sure that Christ should not escape as by his divinitie hee had done sundrie times gaue them the signe of a kisse The Lord can keepe his owne and not suffer them to bee exposed to the pleasure of their foes They that sought for Lot were smitten with blindnesse by the Angels Gen. 19.11 and so the Lord did to the Syrians at the word 2. King 6.28 of Elisha but small was their power against him for how soone Christ professed that it was hee they fell and beeing risen againe are no whit bettered but persevere in their wicked course O! the riches of the mercie of God Ezek. 33. 11. as I liue sayeth the Lord I desire not the death of the wicked but that bee turne from his way and liue Ier. 20.12 Turne you turne you from your evill way for why will ye die yee house of Israel Hee might
brasen Serpent which Moses lifted vp in the Wildernesse I am stinged with the fyrie Serpent of sinne I looke for health in Christ lifted vp at thy right hand Poore sicke creatures gotte health to their bodies at the poole of Siloam Iohn 9.3 I looke for health to my soule at Silo in Christ my Saviour Come Lord Iesus Isai 61. 1. thou that deliverest the prisoner and openest the eyes of the blinde Deliver my soule from the bondage of sinne anoint mee with thy eye salve Come as the sweete Samaritane and poure of thine Oyle into my wounded spirit Come my onelie Comforter leade mee to thy cellars Cant. 2.5 refresh mee with thy flagons comfort mee with thine apples Come the Husband of my soule furnish out of thy Ward-robe a garment to cloath my inward nakednesse Come Light of the World Iohn 1.9 bring light to my soule plunged in palpable darknesse Streatch foorth thy wings O my Soule mount above vpon the chariot of spirituall meditations Delite thy selfe in the memories of the joyes to bee revealed the like whereof the eye never sawe the eare never heard 1. Cor. 2.9 neither ever entred in the heart of man to vnerstand Abide not still in Babell neither long for the flesh pots of Aegypt Sighe to the Lord vntill thou bee delivered out of the prison-house of this bodie Phil. 1.23 and so bee with Him which is best of all And to this purpose my gratious Lord sanctifie my rest this night when the bodie sleepeth Psal 11. let the Spirit watch Bee thou ever in my minde and let thy word bee the matter of my meditation Keepe mee out of the hands of that roaring Lyon 1. Pet. 5.8 who greedilie hunteth for my soule let him get no vantage of mee in the night who tempteth mee continuallie in the day Let my thoughts and visions bee pure and holie being set on thee on thy heavenly kingdome Let my last thought this night and my first thought to morrow bee of thee that so my spirit being ever with the Lord while I am absent in the bodie in thine owne time both bodie and spirit may rest with thee for ever through Iesus who hath prepared that rest Amen Morning meditation of the second Day LET thy servant O Lord haue accesse this morning vnto the throne of thy grace Lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon mee Oh Lord I come as emptie of grace to thy Majestie at this time as I had neâ—er received grace It grieveth mee O LORD to bee so â—rodigall of thy spirituall blesâ—inges Thou gavest mee O Lord some faith some measure of divine light some feelâ—ing some assurance of thy favour which bred such joy and peace into my soule as passed all naturall vnderstanding but in stead of these infidelitie darknesse and senselesse doubtings are stolne in into my soule O Lord Hos 13.9 my destruction commeth of my selfe but my deliverance commeth of thee The prodigall childe Luc. 15.17 when hee had wasted all hee had no other refuge but returne to his father O Lord where shall I go now in my greatest distresse to whom shall I make my mone I will returne vnto thee my loving Father I know thy treasure cannot bee emptied I do confesse I haue sinned against Heaven and against Earth and against thee Luke 15 21.22 and is no more worthie to bee called thy sonne As thou opened the eyes of Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and made her see a Well of water so Lord open the eye of my soule that I may see that fountaine of Life from whence my soule may receiue the waters of true consolation Father send downe that lightening Spirit of thine to renew my faith my feellings and my assurance seeing I am content to forsake all things to enjoy thee and counts all things doung in respect of thee I confesse O Lord that these desertions are just punishments of my negligence in thy service I take no such paines to entertaine thy Spirit as I should doe I watch not so narrowlie over my heart as I ought I labour not so painfullie to mortifie and subdue my sinfull affections Col. 3.5 as becommeth my Christian calling Show mee O thou whom my soule loveth Cant. 1.6 where thou feedest where thou lyest at noone Psal 23. leade mee to thy pasture put in thine hand at the hole of the doore of my soule Cant. 5.4 and my heart shall bee affectionat towards thee Many times O Lord by doing of evill Rom. 7.19 and by leaving of the good vndone haue I grieved thy Spirit yea allace I doe what in mee lyeth to quench the Spirit Ephes 4.30 but O Lord 1. Thess 5.19 thou knowest that I am grieved in grieving thee I am displeased with my selfe for displeasing thee I know O Lord it is some great sinne that hath moved thee to punish mee with these desertions Lord open mine eyes that I may see it Lord open mine heart that I may repent for it I am content O Lord to quite anie thing to enjoy thee If thou looke blytlilie vpon mee I care not who frowne vpon mee Ah Lord that sinne which is not thy creature should so mightilie prevaile against thy creatures I sinne Lord but with a wrestling there is indeed a lawe in my members rebelling against the law of my spirit Rom. 7 13. the evill I would not doe that I doe the good I would faine doe I doe it not I take thy Majestie to witnesse Lord it is my hearts desire that the flesh and powers of corruption be weakened that the Spirit and renewed part of my soule bee strengthened There was long warres betwixt the house of Saul 2 Sam. 3. 1. and the house of David but in end the house of David was strengthened and the house of Saul weakened O Lord weaken the power of my corruption and strengthen the power of the grace of God in mee Ismael and Isaac will not aggree in one familie Gen. 21.10 there can bee no agreement betwixt the flesh and the Spirit Lord crucifie the slesh with the lusts thereof quicken the Spirit that my inner man may grow Thou knowest O Lord that I am crossed mightilie by the remnants of the olde man When my soule woulde mount vp vpon the wings of prayer to the Heaven I am borne downe to the Earth When I resolve to go forward into a good course I am drawne backward by the cords of a corrupt nature If Iehoshua found fault with the people of God that they were slow in marching forward towards earthlie Canaan how may Iesus finde fault with mee hee brought mee indeede out of spirituall Aegypt but slowlie make I forward to heavenlie Canaan O Lord thou that sent thy Angell to Eliah 1. Kiâ— 19. when hee was sleeping vnder the juniper tree and commanded him to arise and eate for hee had a longe journey to goe Send
esteeme all things doung in respect of him Let mee feele sensiblie O Lorde that I am rooted Eph. 2.20 and builded in him Let vertue proceed from him to heale my diseased soule in him Lord bee well pleased with mee thy weake servant Furnishe mee with grace to doe everie point of thy worshippe with some peece of good conscience that in the end thou bee not ashamed of mee nor denie mee not to bee thine but mayest call vpon mee saying Come faithfull servant Mat. 25.21 enter into thy Masters rest vnto the which rest O Lord of thy infinite mercie bring this poore soule of mine in thy owne good time Amen Evening Meditation of the sixt Day WHAT shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefites bestowed vpon mee a sinfull worme Psal 116.12 I haue found thy kindnesse in outward things I haue had a proofe of thy favour in inward mercies If Ruth Ruth 2.3 when she found favour with Boaz in suffering her to gather cornes on his field amongst his slaves and give her bodilie refreshment with his servants made such an humble confession saying What am I that I should haue found favour in thine eyes and that thou shouldest knowe mee seeing I am a stranger What may I say to thy Majestie who albeit I was a stranger from the wombe yet hast thou O Lord received mee to mercie and communicatest of thy spirituall Treasure to my soule O Lord thou hâ—st powred in life in my soule where Death had taken seasing yea as thou quickened Lazarus his dead bodie Iohn 11.43 so hast thou quickened my dead soule thou madest light to breake vp where there was nothing but darknesse As the morning clowde passeth away at the rising of the Sunne so the clowde of naturall darknesse passeth away at the breaking vp of the light of thy Face Thou hast O Lorde brought libertie to my soule where I was fettered in the chaines of an vnbelieving heart whereas at my first wakeninges I found terrours feares accusations and great inward griefes thou hast now pacified my soule and brought peace and joye to mine heart Blessed bee the time that ever I knew thee happie was that houre wherein thou manifested thy selfe vnto mee Peter Iames and Iohn were so ravished with the glorie of Christ his transfiguration Mat. 17. 1.2 that they desired never to have removed off that mountaine so Lord the smallest glimmering of thy light doeth so delight the heate that it maketh vs to forsake all that wee may abyde with thee I say to thee Ruth 1.16 O Lord as Ruth said to Naomi where thou goest I will goe My deare Lord strengthen my weak faith that day by day I may get a faster grippe of Iesus Christ and howbeit I continue not at all times in the like degree of feeling yet let never my faith faile mee and whensoever I misse thee give mee grace to seeke thee with a sorrowfull heart vntill I finde thee Leade me forward from faith to faith and feeling to feeling vntill faith end in sight and feeling in a perfite fruition of these supernaturall joyes which I longe for and daylie awaite in Christ Iesus our Lorde and Saviour Amen Morning meditation of of the seventh Day IT hath pleased thee O Lord to separate this Day from the rest of the dayes for thine onelie worshippe LORD in like manner separate mee from my corruptions and in some measure sanctifie mee this Day to thy service that I may dedicate the same whollie to thy service and not onelie cease from medling with my worldlie businesse but I may cease from sinne and haue all the powers of my soule lifted vpward O Lord warme mine heart with the loue of thee inslame mine affections with the zeale of thy Glorie Oh Lord how long shall I dwell in the tentes of Kedar Psal 120.5 when shall this wearisome pilgrimage be ended when shal that blessed Iubile come when all thy Saintes shall be set at libertie and wee to enjoye perfect rest with thee for euer Heere I am oppressed with feares doubtinges deadnesse of spirit blindnesse of minde In the meane time sweet Christ Iesus leaue me not in this place of my banishment for thou art Light and without thee I can doe nothing but walke in darknesse Iohn 8.12 Thou art Life and without thee there is nothing but present Death Thou art the Way and without thee I can doe nothing but walke in the broad way Goe thou before mee my deare Sauiour then shall I cheerefulie follow thee let mee see the way I should walke into and lead mee into that way Make the light of thy face continually shine vpon my soule that in thy light I may see light And now O Lord since I am to goe to thy house to heare thy will out of thy Word be thou my convoy and giue mee grace to take heede to my feete Eccl. 4 5.1 when I goe to the house of the Lord grant I may watch so narrowly over mine heart and minde that I bee not wandring in tyme of thy worshippe make thy word comfortable vnto my soule yea let it bee sweeter to mee than the honey and the honey combe that I may returne from thy Service with a minde more illuminated and heart by grace better established and affection better informed and all the powers of my soule in a greater measure sanctified finally so rule me by thy good Spirit this day that no part of it bee stollen away from thy service but that I may spend it so regiouslie that when the Evening shall come I may reape the peace of a good conscience the which peace is to mee an arles pennie of that endlesse Peace I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christe our Lord Amen Evening Meditation of the seaventh Day O Lord my God although thy Majesty knoweth it was my purpose in the Morning to haue spent this whollie day in thy service yet I haue stollen a part of it froÌ„ thee my minde hath gone a whooring after other vanities no I dare not but confesse that euen in the verie houre of preaching and prayer my heart hath wandred from thee Oh Lord it is easie to promise obedience but not so easie to performe I perceiue by doolefull experience that my soule is subject to such inconstancie that I can not keep it in the state with thy Majestie no not the space of one day no Lord not one houre yea scarse a quarter of an houre I resolve wel Rom. 7.18 but practise nothing my desire is euer to walke with thee but alace everie moment I wander froÌ„ thee manie are the changes whervnto I am subject sometime I finde the Spirit-slightering vpward incontinent drawing downe to the earth sometimes delighting to talk with GOD at other times wearying of spirituall exercises sometime marveilouslie enlightned with a great light at other times plight with a palpable darknes â— Pet. 1. sometimes rejoycing with
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.
Now hee must play the Priest and suffer patientlie his death which hee would not stay Thou should vse poore Soule the opportunitie of the worde verie earnestlie while the raine thereof from Heaven doeth water the dry and thirstie soules of men and whilst it is called to day let vs not barden our hearts The Lord therefore will knowe the inventer of this accusation and in all the History wil haue every mans part knowne in this action I am no Iew said hee cleansing himselfe Thine owne Nation doeth accuse thee I count not for the Messias religion troubles me not so much The Cleargie and Church-men must take heed thereto A liuelie image of wordlings who in the matters of the earth are more thaÌ„ curious But spiritual things are spirituallie decerned For he inquireth not what a King hee was where his Kingdome was that he might haue a part and shâ—re thereof but breakes off in an accusation of Iesus if he was a King The naturall man knoweth not the thinges of the spâ—rit of God 1. Cor. 1.14 for they are fâ—clishnâ—sse to him And therefore Christ taketh the mouth of Pilat to bee witnes that hee was a King Who albeit hee was equall with the Father Phil. 2.6 and thought it no robberie made himselfe of no reputation by taking on him the forme of a servant to his Father to be witnes to the Truth He wold haue hereby wonne Pilat if it had been possible but he was interrupted for the word is euer a sweet odour to God 2. Cor. 2.15 either to salvation or damnation in mercie or Iustice. With great constancie and grauitie without respect of persons doeth Christ answere so should his servants defend Gods honour and not to turne their faile to everie Winde and therefore hee did avouch his Kingdome as anonynted of the Father Psal 2.6 and sat vpon Mâ—unt Syon his holie Mountaine Zac. 9.9 who is just and saued himselfe and his people from their sinnes Mat. 2.21 Blessed is hee that commeth in the Name of the Lord Hosanna Mat. 21.9 thou which art in the highest heavens who hath giuen vs to inherite the Kingdome prepared for vs Mat. 25.34 from the fâ—undation of the world And therefore weak Soule Why art thou affâ—aied Is it of the Devill hee can not hurt one haire of tâ—iâ—e head Mat. 8.31.32 without thy Kings will Art thou troubled with sickenesses At his command they depart Mar. 1.31 Are enemies risen against thee Hee can crushe with a Scepter of Iron Psal 2.9 and breake them in pieces like a Potters vessell Art thou astonished at Death 1. Cor. 15.55 Death is swallowed vp in victorie feare not therefore feeble Soule For it pleaseth the Father to giue thee his Kingdome Luc. 12.32 who can therfore separate thee from the loue of Christ bee perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor thinges present nor thinges to come nor hight nor deepe nor any other creature shal bee able to separate thee from the loue of God Rom. 8.35 38.39 which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for he hath al power in heaven Mat. 11. â—7 and in earth His Kingdome is not subject to change and vanitie but eternall Iohn 3.35 and reacheth aboue the heavens and the earth and the depths therof Ier. 6.7 Therefore poore Soule place thy treasâ—â—e in heaven but alace as the Fountaine casteth out her waters so doe wee cast out our malice Let the world bee crucified to vs and vs to the world Gal. 6.14 For if wee bee dead with him wee shall also liue with him 2. Tim. 2.11.22 if wee suffer with him wee shall reigne with him if wee be therefore troubled with the Children of this vvorld remember my Soule his Kingdome is not of this world Iohn 16.33 in the world thou shall suffer affliction but be of good comfort bee hath overcome the world This his Kingdome is from Sea to Sea Psal 72.8 and to the last parts of the earth and it is governed by the preaching of the Gospel Heb. 2.8 who in place of taking tribute from his subjects Luc. 24.47 hath caried vpon him our sorrowes plagued of God Esay 53.4 and smitten of God and humbled who hath giuen vs eternall goods as Righteousnesse Rom. 14.17 Peace and joye in the holie Ghost And therefore my Soule bee wise serue the Lord in feare and rejoyce in trembling Psal 2.10.11.12 kisse the Sonne least hee bee angrie and thou perish in the way when his wrath shall suddenlie burne blessed are all they that trust in him I came in the world to witnes the Trueth Iohn 14.6 who am the Way Veritie and Life to giue knowledg of salvation vnto my people by remission of their sins Luc. 1.77 that all that beleeue in mee â—ohn 3.15 should not perish but haue everlasting life Hee is therefore not onlie the Teacher of that heavenly wisedome Iohn 3.32 but is also made our wisdome from God 1. Cor. 1. 30 Receiue therefore comfortles Soule receiue his testimonie Hee that receiueth his testimony Iohn 3.33 hath sealed that God is true for hee whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giueth him not the spirit by measure Iohn 8.47 he that is of the Trueth doeth heare his voice be that is not of God Iohn 10.27 heares not Gods word Iohn 12 48. for the word that hee hath spoken shall judge him in the last day Verily he that heareth his word Iohn 5.24 and beleeueth in him that sent him hath everlasting life and shall not come vnto conâ—emnation but hath passed from death vnto Life So Pilat comming from the Common-Hall testified Christs innocencie but herein hee offended that hee did not deliver him who suffred wrong from the band of the oppressor Eccl. 4.9 but was faint hearted when he judged Iam. 1.26 All this while in silence and patience our Saviour possessed his soule vseing great moderation in speeches 1. Pet. 3.10 If thou lay thy injurie poore Soule at Christs feete hee will avenge it if thy wrong hee will repare it 1. Cor. 6.7 if thy sorrow he will care it And therefore learne to suffer wrong and sustaine harme Thy Christ sad Soule is thy patron and Advocate in the presence of God who by his silence hath opened thy mouth giueÌ„ thee libertie to speak for because thou art his son hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into thy heart Gal. 4.9 which cryeth Abba Father Let not therefore thy vnworthinesse dash thee so that thou should bee frighted Therefore come boldlie vnto the Throne of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest receiue mercie and grace in the time of need The third Step of the third degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. NOw must Christ pas to Herod
is a new buriall place that hee will bee laide in so a renewed heart by the Spirit is his dwelling place for hee can not rest in the ludging of that soule that hath sold it selfe to sinne as he will haue also a cleane a pure bodie as a winding-sheete to bee wrapped in as sweetly smelling savours of Vertues Faith Repentance Loue Patience c. joyned thereto To the mouth of this Buriall doe they rolle a great stone by the Lordes providence to stop the mouthes of his enemies Eph. 1.19 for it was hee that raised him from death to life wherein most of all thinges his power did appeare And this vvas done in the preparation to the Sabbath For as God the Father perfected the work of creation then so the Sonne hath accomplished the work of redemption and did rest the Sabbath from his worke 1. Cor. 15.24 shall giue sweete securitie and peace to our bodies and soules Novv hast thou woefull Soule the accomplishment of the Prophets concerning his buriall Psal 16.9 that his flesh should rest in peace and the type of Ionah perfected â—â—y 53.9 And therefore seeing in Christ by Christ our sinnes are buried let vs not digge them vp againe of new Math. 12.39 but since wee are buried with him by Baptisme vnto his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so wee also should walke in newnes of life And albeit our buriall was a part of the punishment inflicted to Adam Gen. 3.19 that he shuld turne to dust yet now they are not filthie prisoÌ„ houses of the body but glorious Bed-chambers of the Sonne of God from whence hee shall raise vs to that heavenlie inheritance Esay 57.2 after that wee haue sleeped a little while therin for hee hath sanctified them by the vertue and power of his buriall Dan. 12.2 For as hee caried our sinnes in his Bodie vpon the tree so hath hee hidde them in the graue with himselfe to the vvhich place we must ever send Sathan when hee shall trouble and assault our vveake consciences with the terrible face of Sinne. For Ionas being cast in the sea it was quieted So Christs resting in the womb of the earth as in a whales bellie doeth mitigate the Lordes anger For as Death now hath beene pursued by Christ to the utermost yea euen vnto the graue and bovvels of the earth so can it not hurt Iohn 5.24 but greatlie benefite the beleeuers to eâ—ernall life And therefore nowe mayst thou boldly say Phil. 1.23 I desire to bee dissolved and bee with Christ The second Step of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven on the buriall of Christ Iesus our Saviour WHile Ioseph and Nicodemus thus handled the glorious Bodie of Iesus laide it in the Graue the women that followed him heavie hearted looking on that spectacle yet had they great hope to see him rise againe when the graue was closed with sadnes joy mixt together prepared for embalming of him The third day following the morow was the Sabbath wherein they rested the third day Christ did rise before they came they disappointed of their commendable intention wherein shined their godlines Liberalitie Loue Diligence Abilitie and more than manlie fortitude 1. Cor. 1.17 whereby God to his glorie out of the weakest instruments doeth effectuate great things For as they were going to the Graue the Lord of glorie sent an Angel to tell the resurrection to these women An Angel vvas a witnes before the women and the womeÌ„ before the men which rolled away the stone from the doore of the Graue For neither in death nor in buriall the God-head had uttered it selfe but in the resurrection it brake out And therefore the Lord hauing respect to the weakenes of these women which were not so able to remoue the stone did send an Angel that when they came they should see that Christ was risen froÌ„ the dead They heard before that the third day hee should rise but they beeing weake in Faith were supplied by the Angel vvho testified of his resurrection The Lord did promise to make an everlasting Covenant with his people of the sure mercies of David Esay 55.3 Therefore sayd hee Act. 13.34 It behoued the Lord to rise from death for mercie had never continued if Christ had not risen For all the promises of God are in him Yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 For hee would not suffer his holie One to see corruption â—sal 16.10 Had hee not risen his Bodie behoued to rotte but God did raise him vp who said Psal 2.7 Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee Esay 538. And who is able to count his Generation for hee is that everlasting Essence albeit hee died hee arose to liue without end And now my Soule since thou art dead with Christ Col. 2.20 and risen with him Seeke these thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Sette thy affections on thinges which are aboue Col. 3. 1.2.3 not on things which are on earth for thou art dead and thy life is hid with God in Christ When Christ which is thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with him in glorie Be carefull therfore to get this excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whoÌ„ couÌ„t al this losse that thou mayst winne Christ mayst be found in him not hauing thine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law Phil. 3.8.9.8.10 but that which is through Faith of Christ that thou mayst know him I say and the vertue of his resurrectioÌ„ and the fellowshippe of his afflictions and hee made conformable vnto his death if by any meanes thou mayst attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Let thine heart â—ee filled with the vvord and promises of salvation that it may be established by grace And now seeing Christ is thy riches thy treasure all that thou staÌ„dest in need of let thy heart be where hee is Ascend with him liue in this vvorld as not liuing here for thy conversation is in heaven it is not thou now that liuest Gal. 2.20 but Christ that liueth in thee and in that that thou liuest in the flesh vntill thine appointed time thou liuest by Faith in the Son of God who loued thee 1. Cor. 6.17 and hath giuen himself for thee Be thou therefore joyned to the Lord that thou mayest bee one spirit with him And behold as in a mirror the glorie of the Lord with open face and be changed in the same image froÌ„ glorie to glorie 2. Cor. 3.18 as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let all thy vnderstanding vvisedome cogitation and memorie bee bent on him vvho is risen and Death shall no more prevaile over him Poure out thy best affections on him Bee sorowfull to offend him Rejoyce in
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
downe thy Spirit to put vpon my soule that I may awake out of the deep sleep of vnrighteousnesse take the staffe of God in mine hand and never to looke backe with Lots wife Gen. 26. but ever to haue my face towards the new Ierusalem that in the end I may say with thy servant Paul 2. Tâ— 4. â— I haue runne a good race I haue foughten a good fight from this time foorth is the Crowne laid vp for mee Leade mee thorow the snares of this day See my feete vpon a rocke Psal 2. and order my goingâ— Furnish me with wisdome that I may go in and out wiselie before thy people set a watch before my lippes Psal and the doore of my speech let all my speeches bee seasoned with grace and tend to edifieing Let my heart ever be with thee what ever I bee doing beneath And finallie as thou led thy servant Moses vnto mount Pisga and did let him see Canaan a farre off Deut. 34. 1 let my soule delite to walke vpon the mountaine of heavenlie meditations looking a farre off to that heavenlie Canaan while in thine owne good time thou bring mee through the waters of Iordan even through death it self and enter me into that rest Now to my blessed Lord the purchaser of this rest with the Father who from all eternity appointed the same the holie Spirit who daylie confirmeth me in the hope of it bee praise for ever 3 Eph. 1.13 Amen Evening meditation of the second Day O LORD let that same Spirit which indyted thy holy Word whereby thou speakes to my Soule indyte my prayers Rom. 8.26 whereby my soule speaketh to thee thou knowest the voyce of thine owne Spirit but the voyce of a stranger thou wilt not heare I continue my complaint to thy Majestie still lamenting this ignorance and yet remaineth into the mind notwithstanding I am ever endevouring to know thee Who can take thee vp who is such an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit thou dwellest into a light 1. Iohn 4.12 wherevnno man can haue accesse No man can take thee vp by naturall light 1. Cor. 2.14 for the naturall man knoweth not the things that are of God they are foolishnesse vnto him I crave therefore such a measure of that vncreated light even the light of thy Spirit as may breed into the mind a continuall reverence of thee bring the heart to an holie obedience to thee and make all my affections and actions directlie to tend to thy glorie True it is O LORD now and then I haue enjoyed sensiblie this light but ever after humiliation and fervent prayer I am become colde in prayer I seek thee not with that hunger and thirst as I should doe and this maketh my feellings not so frequent Lord stirre vp my spirit that I may seeke thee continuallie with that holie zeale and fervencie that becommeth mee Indeede O LORD these desertions are â—earefull and terrible to fall vnto thy Children Truelie I am most certaine that greater deadnesse darknesse and senselesnesse can not fall vnto a reprobat If the memorie of by past experiences did not comfort me these fearfull desertions wold mak me faint fall a back Lord let not thy servant bee tempted aboue his strength 1. Cor. 10.13 Returne O Lord deliver my soule Psal 119.8 save mee for thy mercies sake forsake mee not over long And if it shall please thee O Lord to hold mee vnder the bitter sense of those fearefull desertions for a time for my further humiliation let this ever bee my greatest griefe that I misse thy presence Teach mee to seeke vncessantlie vntill I finde thee to knocke vntill thou open to call vntill thou answere Psal 39.7 What waite I for O Lord Is not mine hope even in thee Yea let the hope I haue to enjoye thee and thy presence for ever make mee to possesse my soule with the greater patience in the middest of all these feares And now O Lord in this absence from thee albeit the body be here on earth Phil. 3.20 let my conversation ever bee in heaven Giue me grace this night to examine my heart vpon my bed Teach thou my reines in the night Psal 4.4 let mee lye down in thy peace and rest vnder the shadow of thy protection Psal 4.9 Let my bed remember mee of the grave and my rising againe of the last resurrection Make â—ee alwayes wâ—tchfull and suffer not Oyle to bee inlacking to my lampe Mat. 25.8 When my Lord shall come grant I may meet h m with joy ever bee with him in heaven whom my soul hatâ— sought on earth Amen Morning meditation of the third Day O LORD my God if I had eyes to see the miserie of this time wherein I doe live I could take vp both the vniversall defection of the whole world and the particular desolation of my owne soule then would mine eyes bee a fountaine of teares Thy servant David powred out rivers of teares Psal 119.136 when hee did see the wicked not keepe thy Law 2. Pet. 2.8 Lots heart was vexed within him when hee saw the iniquitie of Sodome but alaace Lord I am not so sensible these things are hidde from mee therefore I pray thee remove this vaile that overshaddoweth my soule Act. 9.18 Make the skales to fall from mine eyes that I may take vp those decayes into a clearer light from the Priest to the people Hos 4.9 all haue a part in this defection Where is that wonted zeale to thy glorie Who are they who in singlenesse of heart seeke thee All doe seeke their owne thinges Phil 2.21 but few the things which are Christs Religion which should overrule mens wayes are made a coverture to vice and sinne O Lord demaske them and let them appeare who turne the trueth of GOD into a lie and laboure to cover vngodlinesse with a cloâ—ke of an holie profession Mat. 2.12.13 Take the scourge into thine hand and purge thy Temple put to the door those buyers and sellers who make the house of God a denne of theeves and touch mine heart with a livelie feeling of my particular defects I confesse O Lord I haue fallen from my first love from my former zeale Revel 2.4 from my former care and diligence in thy service Where is the melting hearte the mourning eye the painfull diligence night and day at home and abroad to seek thy face Where I was wont to pray with delite with libertie and with teares now I wearie of prayer I finde no inwarde libertie no softnesse of heart I come vnto thee with a senselesse heart I depart from thee with as senselesse a heart Where my heart was wont to bee pricked at the hearing of thy Worde Act. 2. â— where I was wont to depart from Sermons with great comfort now I finde my selfe neither casten downe nor raised vp Thy Word O Lord worketh not
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
and where I am a weak creature in a waste Wildernesse Therefore as thou carried thy own Israel vpon Eagles winges through the wildernesse towards that earthlie Canaan carrie mee through this waste Wildernesse of the Worlde vntill I come to mine heavenlie Canaan Thou knowest O Lorde my soule is as a shippe tossed to and fro with continuall tempests manie times when I haue a straight course to Heaven I am driven aside by the contrarie windes of my corrupt affections Lord Iesus bee thou Pylote to the Shippe of my soule that I make no shipwracke as tentations followeth tentations like the waues of the sea everie one vpon the backe of another so let grace bee doubled that although Satan seek to winnow me as wheat yet he prevaile not I long O Lord to be with thee where Satan will not tempt sin will not accuse and these vnrulie affections will not trouble me Ah when shall this poore spirit bee disburthened of this lodging of clay that that which is divine may behold thy divine Majestie alwayes so long as I am heere in the bodie Thou that teachedst Davids fingers heere to fight Psal 18.33 so that a Bow of brasse was not able to withstand him So strengthen thou mine arme that I may bee able to resist these malitious enemies Thy servant David overcame the Lyon and the Beare and the vncircumcised Philistim yet was hee overcome with his vncircumcised heart Of all difficulties it is the greatest to â—me man to overcome himselfe Lord helpe mee by grace to sight against my selfe I will not despare Lord notwithstanding of all these enemies so long as I may make my plaint to thee Thy eyes are vpon the lust Psal 34.15 thine eares open vnto their crye Thou didst heare the groanings of thine owne Israel Lorde heare the gronings of my soule Thine eare O Lorde is not heavie Esay 59 1. nor is thine hand shortened streatche foorthe the arme of thy mercie and help my distressed soule Didst not thou command the stormie windes and raging seas when thy Disciples were in hazard and they obeyed thee If my small affections never rage so mightilie if thou wilt command peace they will settle and bee obedient to thy voice And now O Lorde this daye wherein I am entred I know not what inconvenient I may meete with leade me safelie through all difficulties O thou that art the shepheard of my soule Psal 23.1 that I safelie going through the snares of this daye at evening I may bow my knees and sound thy praises in Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fifth Day I Haue wandred froÌ„ thee O Lord this day That troublesome Spirit hath oppressed my Spirit with varietie of vnnecessarie affaires I bussie my selfe about manie thinges Luc. 10.42 but yet one thing is needfull I finde by daylie experience that the cares of this worlde are thornie cares they pricke and annoy my soule Mat. 13.7 they chocke the seede of grace which in mercie thou didst sowe I to mine heart they are mightie impediments to the growth of my inner man I pray thee let not these earthlie cares diminish mine inward peace nor prejudg my vnion with thy Majestie nor draw on darknes vpon my mind but O Lord let the secret beames of thy lightsome face continuallie shine vpon my soule Let mee ever live in a spirituall sense of my vnion from the which such inward joy may flow to my spirit as may make all estates acceptable to mee O Lorde of all difficulties I finde it the greatest to keepe the heart in a sense of thy presence I confesse O Lorde for all the paines I haue yet taken in thy worship if thou yet leave mee I may fall into as great Athisme as they who never knew thee Therefore waken my Spirit renew my senses lift vp all the powers of my soule Phil. 3.19 that I may ever minde heavenlie things True it is O Lord my earthly calling is a great impediment to my heavenlie calling althogh I were no ways distracted but all times gave my selfe to reading prayer and meditation it were litle enough for the intertaining the life of Christ in my soule But O Lorde as thou hast laide a double burthen vpon mee so double thy Spirite vpon mee that even whilest I am doing the points of my earthlie calling my spirit may bee above Lorde open mine eyes that I may see my predominant sinnes let mee not bee a slave to my affections but give mee grace to strive against everie sinfull motion And as thou O Lord dost now cover all thinges heere beneath with darknesse so cover my sinnes that they bee not seene againe Let never mine heart bee so farre from thee as it hath beene neither bee thou so longe absent from my soule Esay Write my name vpon the palmes of thine hands and let mee be as a signet vpon thy right hand O thou the Watchman of Israel Psal 121.3 who neither slumbrest nor sleepest bee thou my keeper this night Let this temporall rest bee a pledgde to mee of that everlasting rest which I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the sixt Day I Complaine to thy Majestie of the vncessant malice of my sworne enemie hee is a restlesse tempter and I am a carelesse resister hee knoweth my weaknesse and taketh his advantage of my infirmities When I haue best resolutions to serve thee then rageth hee most against mee and when I set my face towards heaven then hee laboureth to dryve me froÌ„ the right mark that Evill one albeit I went not to my rest after in calling vpon thy name yet hath caryed my fantasie after profane earthlie and carnall thinges Ah Lorde I what hee cannot accomplishe in the daye hee laboureth to bring it to passe in the night Take not these for mine actions but for mine enemies divelish suggestions I wold wish the minde were so pure and the heart so spirituallie disposed that ever sleeping or waking I were about spirituall matters And because O Lord thou canst not dwell inro a filthy heart sweepe the house of my soule wash mee a-new Psal 51.7 and make mee cleane prepare a lodging for thine owne Spirit into the secreet corners of mine heart possesse thoâ— thine owne dwelling for thou hâ—st bought it with the bloode of thine owne Sonne Keepe me O Lord 1. Iohn 1.7 1. Pet. 1.5 vnto that Life which thou hast keeping for mee and whilest I am heere in the bodie save mee from carnall securitie Let my delite ever bee to watch and praye and multiplie the spirit of prayer vpon mee Mat. 6.6 Let mee not wearie of wel-doing but leade mee in thy pathes I am sorie that my time hath beene so wasted time slydeth away and I profite litle or nothing in it Let no day slippe away without some spirituall advantage O Lord I count it my greatest gaine to gaine Christ Phil. 3.8 yea I
an vnspeakable joye other times refusing all comfort sometimes doubting and distrusting othertimes firmelie belieuing stedfastlie apprehending sometimes longing for to be dissolved â—hil 1. other times loving to Iudge still in this tabernacle of clay in all these things where is my comfort but in this that thou art vnchangâ—ble As for mee O Lord I confesse Malach. 1. for my best action thou mightst condemne me for the sinnes of my prayer hearing of thy word what then should bee mine estate if thou woldst enter in judgment with mee Teach mee to vvalke in trembling and feare before thee let it be my first care to keepe thy presence saue mee O Lord that by my vnclean thoghts profane speeches vngodlie actions I quench not thy Spirit but let mee euer finde that Spirit working moving into my soule when I wander bring me home againe when I fall raise mee when I sleepe waken me hold me waking O Lord that when the Bridegrome shall come I may bee in the ranke of the wise Virgines Mat. 25. with my lampe clearlie burning attending his coÌ„ming And finallie forgiue mee all the infirmities of my prayers and accept of my leane and vnworthie sacrifice in through that alsufficient Sacrifice that my blessed Lord hath offered in my name in the name of all these that loud his second coming To him therefore bee praise honour glory for euer Amen Nowe vnto the King everlasting immortall invisible vnto God onelie wise bee honour and Glorie for euer Amen FINIS AN Ascension of the SOVLE TO HEAVEN By meditation of the Passion Death Buriall and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 3.16 And without contraversie great is the Mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angells c. EDINBVRGH Printed by Iohn Wreittoun 1625. An Advertisement to the Christian Reader MAN in all his actions purposeth to himself Glorie and Gaine whereof if hee giue vnto God the first which is due vnto him hee will make the second redound to thy vse Therefore â—â—ght wee with the Angels to sing Glâ—rie bee to God in thâ— Heauen and with Zacharias Luc. 2.4 Blessed bee the LORD GOD of Israel who hath visited redemed his people Then must wee consider whâ—â— bee the benefites we gaine of Christâ— death which are in number manyâ— in feeling comfortable in estimatâ—â— most precious The first is Purgation of sinnes thus happie is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinnes is couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth none iniquitie Psal 31.1.2 but most miserable are they that lacke these The penitent sinner of a troubled spirit Psal â—1 17 of a broken and a contrite heart forsaking his owne wayes and renounceing his owne imaginations Mat. 4.17 promising amendement and purposing the fruites of repentance confessing his owne miserie and appealing to the mercie of GOD Esay 1.18 and the merites of Christ hath his soule though as red as Scarlot washed in his most precious gracious and glorious bloode Heb. 9.13 14. Lev. 6.14 For if the bloode of Bullocks and Goates and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling them that are vncleane sanctified as touching the purifying of the flesh how much more shal the blood of Christ which through the eternall Spirite offered himselfe without spot to God 1. Iohn 1.7 purge our conscience from dead workâ—s to serue the liuing GOD Thus the Blood of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God purgeth vs from all sinne O purge mee with this Hysope and I shall bee cleane wash Psal 51.7 and I shall bee whiter than snow 2. The second benefite is Remission of sinnes Sinne is in the Child of God but it reigneth not Sin is in the Elect but couered Sin is in the Heires of Saluation Rom. 8.33 but not laid to their charge because it is forgiuen Exod. 25.17 As the Arke was couered with an golden sheeteâ— alled the Propitiatorie So Christ is the propiciatâ—â—n of our sinnes Mat. 26.28 by whom wee haue redemption through his Blood euen forgiuenesse of them Col. 1.14 for the voyce of his blood is remission of sinâ—â—s euer proclaimed in the hâ—artes of the godly Eph. 1.7 calling for â—etter thinges than the blood of Abel Heb. 12.24 3. The third Benefite of Chriâ—â— pâ—ssion is Deliuerance from thâ— curse of the Law the Law accuseth Christ exâ—useth The Law teâ—â—fieth Christ comforteth the Laâ— curseth but Christ blesseth fâ— Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law Gal. 3.13 when hee was made a curse for vs for it is written Deut. 21.23 Iohn 1.17 Cursed is everie one that hangeâ—h on a tree And the Law wâ—s given by Moyses but Grace and Trueth came by Iesus Christ iâ—deede Cant. 1.4.15 we bee but blacke by nature yet are we white by Grace Bla k in Adam yet comelie as the tentes of Kedar Cant. 6.9 and as the curtaine of SalamoÌ„ yea plesant in Christ now in Him wee lâ—â—ke as the Morning faire as the Noone pure as the Sun terrible as an Armie with Banners hard favoured by merite but beautifull by Mercie for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse tâ— every one that beleeve Rom. 10.4 Iohn 5.24 Thâ—y thâ—â— which in a livelie faith apprehend Christ crucified and risen againe haue what the Law requireth that is perfect obedience performed by Christe imputed to them who was delivered to death for our sins Rom. 4.24 Rom. 4.25 Col. 2.14 and risen for our iustification Thus hath hee put out the hand-writting of ordinances that was against vs which was contrarie to vs he even tooke it out of the way and fastened it vpon the Crosse 4. The fourth Benefite wee reape by Christes passion is freedome from damnation and purchase of eternall Life for God so loved the world Iohn 3.16 that hee hath given his onelie begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him Rom. 8.1 should not perish but have eternall Life For what destruction can come to them which are ingraffed in Christ the Authour and finisher of our saith and salvation Heb. 12.2.3 who for the ioy that was set before him endured the Crosse anâ— despised the shame how can the second death take hold on them that haue their part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 and are in Christ Iohn 4.6 the Life it selfe For when Christ which is our Life shall appeare Col. 3.4 Iohn 10. then shall we also appeare with him in his glorie The Devill can not pluck them away fiâ—aly from GOD who is stronger than any and hath giuen them to Christ who is one with the Father and hath their names written in the Booke of Life having washed their Garmentes in the Blood of the Lambe Phil. 4.2 Rev. 20.14 Hell cannot terrifie them which patientlie looke for an inheritance in Heaven Eph. 1.4 Wee are in
By the Passion of Iesus Christ And first wherein the holie and saving meditation thereof consisteth secondly which bee the principall parts of the Historie whereof some not all are handled THat worthely thou mayest vnder-stand these two thinges are necessarie First the knowledge of the History which is common to the Elect and the Reprobat Secondlie the spirituall notice and application thereof to thy selfe The first is necessarie for all that purpose to be saved but it is not enough and sufficient For how canst thou apply the passion of the Lord Iesus to thy selfe vnlesse thou be instructed therein Rom. 10.14 For how can they call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued And how can they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard And how shall they heare without a Preacher Iohn 8.56 Abraham had long agoe cognition heereof as Christ witnesseth Your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day and hee saw it and was glad So David in his 7.2 Psal and manie moe as if he had bene staÌ„ding by that wooden crosse and heard these words of Christs own mouth And Esay in his 53. hath clearlie the historie of the Passion as if he had beene at Golgotha in proper person yet this historicall knowledge doth shoot short For the Devils beleeue Iam. 1. and they tremble that is haue a simple naked knowledge Our looking vp to Heaven doth not transport vs thither So that bare knowledge doeth not joyne thee with GOD vnlesse there be added a spirituall mediâ—ation and speciall application of his death to thy selfe such as was in Abraham David and Esaias The Priestes and Elders the Pharisees Scribes and their servantes Pilate Herod and Iudas and innumerable moe knew this Historie whereof they were presidents and actours but never one of them voide of fault shall bee saved Heb. 11.6 yea it hade beene more tolerable to them never to haue seene nor heard of Christ Iohn 8 24. which maketh them the more inexcuseable For if hee bad not come and declared his Fathers will Mat. 11.21 they would haue had some clocke to pretend but now they haue none Remember all thy life-time is short Iam. 4.14 and insufficient for the true knowledge of this so high a mysterie of salvation which cannot be accordingly â—o the worth thereof expressed by any mortall and neither canst thou be fully ravished in admiration heereof It is not the saving vse of this Tragicall historie often to speake of it or with teares and lamentations Iohn 14. Luc. 23. or such humane feeling and sense to bewaile that the most righteous Sonne of God should haue vndergone such cruell and vndeserved punishmentes a most shamefull death it selfe much lesse to fall out in bitter imprecations and spitefull cursings against Pilate or Iudas remnant which contriued this innocent Lambes death but it should pearse deeper in thine heart and soule that his grace assisting draw and moue thee to earnest repentance 2. Cor. 10. not to be repented of patience in affliction thankfulnesse and brotherlie loue to abhorre and detest sinne for which our Saviour was so tormented never to dispare since for thy sake hee hath given him out of the deepe and gulfe of his love who was his enemie but seeing whilst thou was a sinner Rom. 5.8 Christ died for thee much more beeing now justified by his Blood shall thou bee saved from wrath through him For thou mayest bee perswaded that if when thou was a foe was reconcealed to God by the death of his Son Rom. 8.32 much more beeing reconcealed shalt thou bee saued by his Life for bee that gaue thee his Sonne will not hee giue thee all things also Especiallie during the time of thy life carie a thankfull heart to thy Redeemer that for maintainance and defence of his glorie Act. 21. â— thou would suffer all calamitie and miserie whatsoeuer yea death it selfe thus if it were possible to make a requitall to him But alwayes which is most acceptable in his sight by true faith establish thy confidence that after all the distresses of this wretched world are finished thy Redeemer shall stand the last on the earth Iob. 1 25.26 and though after thy skinne wormes destroy thy bodie yet shalt thou see GOD in thy flesh whom thou thy selfe shall see and thy eyes shall behold and none other for thee and so enjoye eternall felicitie with thy Christ in the Heavens who shall bee All in All. THE FIRST STEPPE in this Ladder to ascend are of thinges which went before his Crosse HERE consider my Soule how hee was betrayed by Iudas with a kisse Mat. 26.48 Whose delight was to be with the children of men Pro. 8.31 Accused of the Iewes who is the Iudge of the World Condemned vnder Pilate who would all to be saued 1. Tim. 2.4 and come to the knowledge of Trueth Crucified between two malefactors who is among the middest and in the middest of two or three gathered in his Name his Soule sore troubled Luc. 2.25 who is the consolation of his owne secrete ones his heart grieved who is the joye and mirth of his Elect Psal 66.1 his Bodie tormented with the nailing of his blessed Hands and Feete who created the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 32 18. Psal 110 1. and these bee the workes of his hands whose enemies shall bee made his foote-stoole With the pearcing of his gracious side which yeelded streames of Iordan-like blood Mat. 26.28 and water to cleanse our leprosie whereof one drop was sufficient satisfaction for infinite worlds be reason of the personall vnion of the Deitie therewith 1. Pet. 1.12 The bespitting and beating of that Face on which the Angels of the Heaven take pleasure to behold So the Son of God the Lord of glorie the Prince of peace was hainouslie ignominiouslie and cruellie entreated of miserable miscreants so hee which knew no sinne was made a sacrifice for sinne 2. Cor. 5.21 that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God through him The Devill the prince of this world albeit a Lyar Iohn 8.44 a man-slayer from the beginning came and found in him nothing Iohn 8.46 yea who could rebuke him of sinne Now if the vaile of the Temple of senslesse stones was rent if the Earth did tremble which of it selfe was so firmelie sounded Psal 104.4 that it could not bee moued to condole the manifestatioun of that strange passion and hard Rockes raue asunder which thunder-boltes and Earthquakes could not divide If these creatures I say voyde of reason and sense expressed their sorrow reverence and obedience thus to their Creator Phil. 2.8 who had emptied and abased himselfe so to bee handled by the children of darknesse how can it be but thou my Soule who did the same and for whome it was done should bee much affected and feelinglie take to heart these vndeserved favours purchased for thee thy Bowells
Rom. 12 13. Mat. 11 25. Luc. 10.21 Iohn 7.4.46.49 1. Cor. 13.2 The Lord did bide those thinges from the wise and learned and reveiled them to Babes They were blind leaders of the blind learning profiteth not vnlesse it bee accompanied with Humilitie and Love Thus seeing they see not and groping they finde nothing Act. 17.17 The Athenian Philosophers Epicures and stoicks Act. 2.13 most of al withstood Paul The religious of everie Nation vnder heauen mocked Peter The Syrenians Act. 6.12 they of AlexaÌ„dria desputed with Steven and falslie accused him And finally the whole Iewish nation at Ierusalem 〈◊〉 little handful only excepted which did not dreame of 〈◊〉 spirituall Kingdome combined to conclude his death as was fore-spoken The people raged Psal 2. 1. the kinges of thâ— earth band themselues and the Princes are assembled togetheâ— against the Lord and againsâ— his Christ Destitute of aâ— Consolation Col. 1.16 in so much a the Creator of the Armeis oâ— Angels had neede of one oâ— them Heb. 2.7 Luc. 22.43 Luc. 16.22 O! but One frâ—â— Heaven to comfort him so greatlie was hee forsaken of hiâ— Father for our sinnes Neither yet shall the Angels leave thee in the like houre of death and necessitie of helpe if thou trust in him which alwayes beholde the face of his Father in Heaven Mat 18.10 By which Christ evidentlie declared it was no jest nor collusion betwixt his Father him but that in deed in truth he was terriblie astonished and agast Mat. 26.37 while his Bloode did so copiouslie runne from him but his Father was highlie offended Psal 6. 1. and greatly inraged at our sinnes for hee is a GOD Psal 11.5 that loveth righteousnesse but the wicked and him that loueth iniquitie doth his Soule hate Wherefore Christ was wounded for our transgressions Esay 53.7 hee was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him though hee had done no wickednesse neither was there fraude in his mouth Despise not thou deare Soule those who at the feare of Death are most dejected humbled and stupefied neither yet judge those to haue the better cause who yeelde themselves foolishlie and too boldlie to Death But bee thou taught to bee god-lie afrayed of the separation of the Soule Luc. 12.40 from the Body and ever as Death were instant to foresee the same and learne to die which followeth thee at the heeles as the shaddow doeth the Body LORD Psal 90.12 teach vs to number our dayes and apply our hearts to wisedome For the meditation of Death is greatest Philosophie Remember my Soule thine ende and thou wilt not sinne for euer and the more the outwarde man decay be thou renewed strengthened in the inner-man And heere the first and second Adam doe meete for the first in the Garden made a beginning of our miserie Gen. 3.2 and the second builded the ground of his Passion for our Redemption in the Garden 2. Cor. 5.18 That is I say that amongst greatest pleasures meditate of thy mortalitie There Christ was taken and bound Iohn 18.2 the place was knowne to Iudas because Christe would not shunne the occasion of our deliverance but hee would not haue him to know the person with whom hee was to eate the Passover by name least he should had sought meanes to prevent the same which hee could not because his houre was not come The second Step to ascend by SEcoundlie thou mayest conceive poore Soule that thy Spouse suffering was exceeding great when beeing sorrowfull and grieuouslie troubled hee said Mar. 14.34 My Soule is heavie even vnto death Hee that said vnto his servant in the Prison Act. 23.11 Bee of good courage now is afrayed of his imminent passion beeing like to vs in soule and bodie and infirmities Heb. 4.15 and all thinges Sinne excepted As God hath said I am the Life and restoreth the dead to life exhorting his Disciples Iohn 5.25 not to feare them that can kill the bodie but not harme the soule as God I say howe can hee bee afrayed to whome the Sainctes doe sing The Lord is with mee Psal 117.6 therefore I will not feare what man can doe vnto mee The humane nature was borne to suffer and to bee partaker of all our afflictions that hee might communicate solide constancie of his power to vs for vnto the world hee came as a rich Marchant traffecting with vs that of his fulnesse wee might all receiue Iohn 1.16 taking ours by a marveilous translation Col. 1.13 and exchange Iam. 1.5 Mat. 26.53 and giving his most liberallie and reproached no man giuing I say for shame Honour Salvation for Dolour for Death Life and though hee might command moe than twelue Legions of Angels to aide him hee had rather receiue our feare than exercise his owne power yea it aggreged his griefe Mat. 26.24.31 Iohn 13.1 Iudas treason the scandall of the Apostles whom hee loved to the end rejection of the Iewes Esay 48.4 for whome hee had done so much And the fearfull destruction of Ierusalem on which there was not to bee left a stone vpon a stone Mat. 23.38 So that hee had forewarned the mourners thereof Luc. 23.28 weepe not for mee but weepe for your sevels sayeth hee and your children When thy Loue beloved Soule was transfigured on mount Tabor Mat. 17.2 his face shined as the Sunne but now he is despised and esteemed nothing both pale and wan for there was no bewtie in him now who before was fairer Esay 53.2.3 than the Chrildren of men but now despised Psal 45.2 and rejected of men A man full of sorrowes and bad experience of infirmities that by sufferinges hee might learne obedience And he who taught his Disciples to pray for vs and for himselfe Iohn 16.26 Heb. 7.25 9.24 practised the same lesson by blessing prayer by his owne mouth not once in that short moment of time but thrice according to the weight of that imminent necessitie O Father Mat. 26.39 if it bee possible let this Cuppe passe from mee meaning his bitter passion and the dregges of the vialles of Gods wrath not that hee was vnwilling to drinke therof for hee went alwayes about his Fathers bussinesse Mat. 3.15 and it was meate for him to doe his Fathers will submitting himselfe that hee might fulfill all righteousnes But these earnest speeches declared the heavie burthen of sinne which lay on him the painful griefe which hee endured the greatest tormentes and terrors which hee sustained for thee vnthankefull Soule and his Elect. The Soule of thy Bride-groome was from Heaven Mat. 1.20 heavenlie never bespotted and defyled with any vncleannesse 1. Pet. 1.19 Act. 2.27 but pure without corruption Notwithstanding that it was sadde and touched with the feare of Death for thee which hath deserved the same 1. Pet.
2.22 24. all which were fastned on his shoulders and hee did beare them who never displeased God nor offended man and of whom his verie enemies did confesse He had done all thinges well yet did the Lorde broke him and made him subject to infirmities Esay 53.10 and layd vpon him the iniquities of vs all And what griefe thinkest thou was hee in when hee sweate so powerfully and prayed so ferventlie No doubt he felt the vnsupportable weight of thy sinne Mat. 11.28 the fierce wrath of God against it Rom. 2.8 the justice of the righteous God requiring due punishment for it 1. Thess 1.10 the killing power of the Law Rom. 5.12 pronuncing condemnation to it the strong force of Death Rom. 7.11 the Stipend and reward addebted to it the tyrannie of Sathan Iohn 8.34 insulting on thee for it the infinite and eternall tormentes of Hell 1. Pet. 2.19 just desert to it which no tongue can expresse 1. Pet. 3.19 Mat. 24.41 Mat. 13.42 nor heart conceiue where the worme dieth not and the fire not quenched where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth This I say made thy sweete Saviour in anguish of spirit so to bemone himselfe Iohn 3.16 yet to show that God so loved the world that bee gave his onely begotten Sonne for it And that bee came hither to save sinners Ioh. 12.47 for whom hee was contented to die Hee yeelded his wil to Gods saying neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt THE THIRD STEP to ascend by THirdlie this did aggravate his miseries that hee was betrayed by his familiar friend whom he trusted Psal 44.9 which did eate of his bread his own Purse-master Iohn 13.12 whose feete hee had washed and that with a kisse speaking as the custome of this worlde is peaâ—eablie with his mouth Ier. 9.8 but in his heart bee layed waite for his neighbour Psal 28.3 Bee thou not drawne away poore Soule with the wicked Psal 120.2 and with the workers of iniquitie which speakes friendlie to their neighbours Psal 105. 17.18 when malice is in their heart Deliver my Soule O Lord from the lying lippes and from a deceitfull tongue So did Ioab kill Amasa 2. Sam. 20.4 Iudg. 16.20 and Cain slewe Abel Sampson is betrayed by Philistimes so Ioseph was solde for a slaue they helde his feete in stockes vntill his appointed time came and the counsell of the Lord had tryed him Hypocriticall was thy salutation O sonne of perdition Sayest thou Haile Master Thy Master Iudas whom thou wast bound to defend But what will not the hungrie desire of money doe by it hee lost Christ Col. 3.5 hee lost his Soule hee lost Heauen Iohn 3.36 and damned himselfe The Traitor had a fit end hee hanged himselfe but that was not all hee hanges in Hell perpetuallie for it 2. Thess 1.6.7 Iudg. 1.7 Gen. 9.6 as hee deserved so is hee served for blood will have blood for had hee repented truely he had not put hands in himselfe the word was in his mouthe but the thing was not in his heart Such is the force of conscience setting before him the hainousnesse of his fact the grievousnes of GODS vvrath judgement without mercie and hells fire without redemption For an evill conscience is a Witnesse a Summonder a Iudge a Tormenter a Prison of sinners What thing more grieuous thaÌ„ day and night to cary about such a one a man may avoide all thinges but his owne heart for whither soeuer he goeth it goeth with him either to accuse or excuse Rom. 2.15 The testimonie of a good conscience is a continuall feast which maketh a man alvvayes merrie 1. Tim. 1 19. The putting avvay of a good conscience maketh ship-vvracke of Faith Endevour therefore O my Soule to haue a cleare Conscience towardes GOD and towardes man For if thy heart condemne thee God is greater than thine hearte and knoweth all thinges But if thine heart condemne thee not then hast thou boldnesse towards him and whatsoeuer thou seekest in faith shall thou receiue from him A sicke conscience can no Physician in the world cure but that heavenlie Physician Iesus 1. Tim. 6.10 Thou seest the desire of money is the roote of all mischiefe they who are poysoned therwith doe erre from the Faith Pro. 27.20 these pierce themselves through with many sorrowes they fall into tentations into snares into manie foolish and noysome lustes which drowne men in perdition and destruction which is too evident in this miserable creature Iudas But thou my Soule flie thou those thinges Tim. 6.11.12 and follow after righteousnesse godlinesse faith love patience meeknesse laying hold on eternall Life wherevnto thou art called Thus there is no griefe to that of thy minde no losse to that of life no feare to that of destruction so there is no enemie to a covetous and a dissembling friend no treachrie to that which one of a mans own may practise Iudas was amongst the Apostles by externall vocation but not of them by inwarde sanctification as Christ often foretold them that twelue hee had chosen Iohn 6.70 and one of them was a devill Where the Lordes mercie is evident and thy prodigious malice manifest neither did the faith and firmitie of the Apostles fall by reason of this Traitours defection for what though some did not belieue Rom. 3.3.4 shall their vnbeliefe make the promises of GOD without effect God forbid Let GOD bee true and all men lyears Hee departed from Christ the rest did abide vnto the end they that continued Luc. 23.28 shall bee saved He went to the chiefe Priestes hee might haue knowne Psal 1.1 That blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the wicked And Iacob in the spirite of prophesie saw this Tragedie and abhorred the Actors Simeon and Levi Gen. 49.5.6 brethren in evill the instruments of crueltie are in their habitations vnto their secrets let not my soule come my glorie bee not thou joyned with their assemblies for in their wrath they slew the man Christ and in their selfe-will they digged downe a wall Hee vvent I say not called or sent for or seduced by his Lordes enemies but vvillingly offered himselfe the sinne is more tolerable that hath a preceeding cause Adam was deceiued by the Serpent but the Devill hatched and brotched these venemous contagions of himself and in himselfe No man motioned this businesse to him hee intruded himselfe separating himselfe in soule and bodie from his Master It is good to haue the heart established by grace Heb. 13.9 and alwayes to cleaue vnto the Lord. Hee would recompense the losse hee had by the pouring out of Maries box of Oyntment but hee came short Neither seeketh he a certain summe as to gain much by the bargane but as selling a vyle slaue or base thing referreth the price to themselves what they would giue
neither calleth he Christ his Master or Lord but I shall deliver Him as a contemptible creature neither inquyreth of the quarrell what they wil doe with him for his minde was onely on the money And heere remember my Soule that for a small price hee betrayed the Worde which was in the beginning which Word was GOD. Iohn 1.1 Hast thou receiued earthly or temporall goodes to expell from thy soule thy Saviour or by Brybrie and Symonie perverted Iâ—stice and the word of Trueth that was in thee betimes repent many sinnes dost thou commit for the thirst of gold desire of Preferment and Ambition climming to Promotion He sought the world forsooke heaven but found none of them Cast from thee therefore 2. Cor. 4.2 cloakes of sinne and shame and walke not in craftinesse neither handle the word of God deceitfullie but in declaration of the Trueth Approue thy selfe to euerie mans conscience Iudas sold his Redemer and hanged himselfe lost his grace and justlie for no man can keepe that which hee hath sold Woe vnto them Iud. 11. that are cast away by the deceite of Balaams wages This wretch could not be moued by his Masters humilitie good-will and curtesie to repentance albeit that milde Lambe sitting at Table with him had giuen him a savory and well-tasted morsell which bee had dipped in the platter and reached with his owne hand to signifie that hee would feed and benefite his very known enemie and also to giue evident demonstration that not of infirmitie but moste willinglie hee did lay down his life for man-kinde THE FOVRTH STEP in the Soules ascension by heauenlie contemplation FOurthlie consider diligently with thy selfe my Soule how naughtily thy Christ was esteemed when the Iudge Pontius Pilate preferred an arrant Male-factour Mat. 27.16 a notable prisoner Barabbas to him who is the Image of the invisible GOD the first borne of everie creature Col. 1.15.18 hee is before all thinges and in him all thinges consist hee is the bead of the body of the Church hee is the beginning and first borne of the dead that in all things bee might haue the preheminence and good reason it were so for hee is the brightnesse of his Glorie and the ingraued forme of his Father Heb. 1.3 and beareth vp all things by his mightie Word Now is hee that Stone casten aside of the builders and vilipended of all men yet is become the head of the Corner Psal 118.22 A Stone I say tryed and most precious so that Esay 28.16 whosoever shall fall on this Stone hee shall be broken Mat. 21.44 and on whomsoever it shall fall it will grinde him to powder And notwithstanding this timorous Iudge knewe that for envie they bad delivered him Mat. 27.18 and though his wife sent vnto him vpon the Iudgement seat to haue nothing to doe with that just man and though he found by his owne sentence no cause of death in him bee tooke water and washed his handes saying I am innocent of the blood of this Iust man And albeit that Christe himselfe our Lord and Saviour vnder Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession for this cause was hee borne and for this came hee into the world Iohn 18.37 that hee should beare witnesse vnto the Trueth Yet I say for all these things the multitude of the Iewes denyed the holie One and the Iust and desired a murtherer to bee given to them Act. 3.14 and killed the LORD of Life O what villanie and indignitie is this But consider O thou my Soule that Iesus of Nâ—zareth a man approued of God amongst them with great workes Act. 2.22.23 and wonders and signes which God did by him in the midst of them as they themselues also knew him I say did they take by the hands of the wicked being delivered by the determinat couâ—sell and fore-knowledge of GOD and haue crucified and slaine him Doest thou condemne this base and vyle contempte of the Sonne of God consider that through Ignorance they did it 1. Cor. 2.8 as also their Governours for had they knowne they would not haue crucified the Lord of glorie But alas poore Soule how often doest thou not prefer a mans life but any foolishe toye and vanishing shade of thy Lust and filthy pleasure to thy Redeemer For in euery sinne thou doest commit thou hast a secret discourse in judgement and a corrupt reason of election what shall bee rejected or imbraced avoyded or excepted And thou such is thy vainitie doest make thy idle concupiscence not so heavie as a feather to proponderat and weigh downe in the wrongous false ballance of thy fantasie the Loue Feare and Obedience that thou oughtest to Christ But these thinges Ignorant Soule that thou supposest bee vantage vnto thee Phil. 3.7.8 the same count losse for Christs sake yea doubtlesse thinke all thinges but losse for the excelling knowledge sake of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whom counpt all things losse and judge them to bee dongue Iohn 12.32 that thou mayst winne Christ who doeth draw all men to himselfe And shall this Ignorance excuse them no truelie for ignoraÌ„ce in those that would not vnderstaÌ„d without doubt is a sinne Ignorance in those that could not vnderstand is a punishment for sinne But thou my Soule after thou hast escaped from the filthinesse of the world 2. Pet. 20.21 through the knowledge of the Lorde and of thy Saviour Iesus Christ if thou bee yet intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with thee than the beginning for it had beene better for thee not to haue knowne the way of righteousnesse than after thou hast knowne it to turne from the holy commandement given vnto thee for the servant that knoweth the will of his Master and doeth it not shall bee beaten with many stripes yea hee that neither knoweth nor doeth shall bee beaten with few Iam. 4.17 Luc. 1.77 alwayes shall be beaten but to him that knoweth and doeth it not 2. Pet. 3.18 to him it is sinne For Christ giueth vs grace to grow in this knowledge But before thou come poore Soule to a deeper contemplation of this Step foresaid consider how our Saviour entered into this conflict with Sinne and the Wrath of God due thereto which was when hee had discharged the dutie to them who were committed vnto him instructed them and commended them to God TheÌ„ was it a seasonable time in Peace Rest and Securitie with a good conscience to lay downe his life this should bee especiallie meditated of thee my Soule And so went hee on to the Mount Iohn 18.2 which place was well knowne to Iudas so voluntarie was his sacrifice for wee should not haue reaped benefite by it vnlesse willinglie and with such a readinesse to pleasour his Father and satisfie Gods anger hee had died as man nor Angell cannot expresse Then to Iudas againe bee was familiare and acquainted with Christe
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 casten them to the lowest hell for hee is the Lord that searcheth the hearte and reines Thus they bound him they play thy part sinfull Soule as Dalilia in behalfe Iudg. 16.5 of the Philistims bound Sampson and thus did David confesse in our name Behold Lord Psal 116.16 for I am thy servant I am thy servant and the sonne of thine hand-maide thou hast broken my bones Wee should not raile on the Iewes but detaste our sinnes which bounde our Sauiour Wee were allas bound by the setters of sin and death to loose our bonds and bring vs out of captivitie Was hee thus intreated his captivitie was our libertie his ignâ—minie is our glorie his voluntarie infirmitie is Gods power to our salvation Thus we are saued through the Blood of the Covenant â—ach 9.11 Hee hath loosed the Prisoners out of the Pit wherein there was no water Psal 124.7 our soule hath escaped euen as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler the snare is broken and wee are delivered our helpe is in the Name of the Lord that made heaven and earth who delivered vs I say from the power of darknesse Col. 1.13 and translated vs in the Kingdome of his Sonne and glorious libertie of his adopted inheritance When thou poore Soule feeles thy selfe fast tyed with the snares of thy sins haste thee to Christ who biddeth all come that are wearie and laden Mat. 11.28 that hee may râ—lieue them And this deliverance from sinne Sathan hath hee sealed vp vnto vs by his holy Sacraments as vndoubted pledge earnest thereof Hee that shall beleeue and be baptized Mar. 16.16 shall be saved As the other This is the Blood of the New-Testament that is shed for many Mat. 26.28 for the remission of Sinnes And therefore carefullie shouldst thou beware of Sinne that beeing made free from it Rom. 6.18 thou be the servant of Righteousnesse for as Sampson often bound Iudg. 16.22 at last was made a mocke to the of Philistims so beeing loosed from the cordes and grinnes of sinne must not serue our own concupiscence but liue the life of God least wee bee bound hand and foote Mat. 22.13 and cast out into vtter darknesse But heere deare Soule meditate to learne Patience whereof thou hast much need Heb. 10.36 that after thou hast done the will of God thou mayst receiue the promise for if wrongouslie thou bee committed or bound or if the Lord to daunt and chastise thy corrupt nature suffer the bonds of sicknesse povertie or other whatsoever adversitie to bee laid on thee Christe knoweth and hath felt the same himself and hath learned to remember them that are in bonds Heb. 13. â— as though he were bound with them and them that are in affliction as if bee were afflicted in the bodie And if it come to passe as alas thou often dost cast fetters of sinne of thine owne accord vpon thy selfe giue not over nor despare but then most of all direct the eye of Faith to beholde Christ that was bound Zach. 12. who doeth sanctifie thy captivie and satisfieth for all thy sinnes by his captivitie Indeed the binding of him made all his Disciples to flie oblivious of the oath that they made at the entrie to the Garden for besides that Christ had truelie foretold them they would all leaue him so was it not in mans power to presever in goodnesse wee are so weake to resist and easie to fall The faithfull must goe out of themselves and judge themselves as â—roken vessels for as the sting of the smallest pinne doth make the wind in a blowne bladder to burst out so the least temptation will overthrow the strongest Champion if wee bee not guarded with mercy and vpholden by the Lord. Deseâ—tion is dangerous thinke modestlie therefore of thy selfe yea bee that thinkes he standeth 1. Cor. 10.12 beware least bee fall The Disciples did flee I say Christ had no helper nor support in this businesse that all the glorie praise thereof might be his Esay 6.33 who did tread the winepresse alone neither is there salvation in any other Act. 4.12 neither is there any name given vnder Heaven amongst men by which we must bee saved And as the first Adam merited by his rebellion that all the creatures should fall from his obedience yea and to make insurrection against him so it behoued our Suretie and Cautioner to bee left of all that by his obedience all our debt being payed we might bee receiued in favour and with all the Sainctes to be made free Denisanes and Citizens in Heaven He then that loosed Lazarus foure dayes dead from the bonds of death Iohn 11.39 and Peter froÌ„ the yron bondes in prison and them that dwell in darkenesse and in the shadow of death being bound in miserie and yrons so that bee broke the gates of Brasse Psal 107.10.13 burst the bars of yron asunder could he not loose himself for the loue hee caried to thee hee would not for he knew that God would raise him vp Act. 1.24 and loose the sorrowes of death because it was impossible that bee shoulde bee holden of it Act. 8.28 for they did nothing but whatsoever thine holie hand O Lord and thy counsell had determined before to be done But thou O God verilie hydest thy selfe Esay 45.15 O Saviour of Israel Say thou therefore my Soule I greatlie rejoyce in the Lord and my soule shall bee joyfull in my God Esay 61.10 for bee hath cloathed mee with the garments of saluation and covered me with the robe of righteousnesse hee hath decked me like a Bride-groome and as a Bride tyeth her selfe with her Iewels For thy Christ is to preach good tydings vnto thee Esay 61.4 to bind vp the broken hearted to preach libertie to the captiues and to them that are bound the opening of the prison But before thou passe the Garden and his bondes meditate the resemblance of the first and second Adam the first was accompanied with Eua Gen. 3.22 the second alone left of all his owne for Adam did not alone sin but Christ alone payed the price of our redemption The first Adam beeing thrust out that hee should not haue regresse a firie sword was appointed to stay him from entrie but our second Adam was smitten yet Paradice opened To what purpose should the Garden bee keeped when the Tree of Life which is Iesus Christ that giueth immortalie is caried from the Garden Now is there no more the wrath of God but Reconciliation no Vengeance but Mercie no Hatred but Loue with this Tree of Life which is made a Sacrifice for vs purchased to vs all THE THIRD STEP of the ascension of the Soule by meditation of those things which were done in the house of Annas Father in Law to Caiaphas Mat. 26. ANd now here sicke Soule consider wel Christs presentatioÌ„ Iohn
18. Luc. 2â— examinatioun boxing and answere to that wicked fact Ioseph lib. 28. antiq cap. 8. Valerius Gratus deposed this Annas and planted in his place Ismael the sonne Fabius who is thereafter rejected and Annas his son substitute But the yeere after Symon the son of Canuthus is promoted to that dignitie Miserable was the condition in these times those thinges which should be done by the holie Ghost in the warrand of his Word Exod. 29.29 were traversed by Symonie such was the greedines and pride of the Romane Precuratours a presage of their fall which is to bee feared where the like had place also This Annas house apparantlie was in the way they came And they woulde gratifie him to see this miserable spectacle the most mischieuous fact that euer was done in the world the crucifying of the GOD of Glorie Woe vnto them that deliteth to see the bondes of Christ in his servants From thence hee is caried to his greatest enemie Iohn 11.49 that gaue counsell that one should die for the people it is a prophesie whose tongue was guyded by the Lord as Balaams was Men would haue their Counsell put in execution and before it faile they had rather hang themselves as Aâ—hitophell did 2. Sam. 17.23 O remember my Soule many servantes to humour their masters doe villanous factes 1. Sam. 22.9.10 Manie Doegs now adayes who to hunt their Superiours favoures will not spare the life of foure score and fyue Priestes Cajaphas minde was to cut by all meanes Christ off but God moste wise in his eternall decree found it most expedient that Christ shuld die for thee else wee should all haue beene lost Gal. 3.28 All I say for there is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female but all are one in Christ Iesus Yea God shall never bee destitute of his owne glory for if men would suppresse it God would draw it out of verie dumbe beastes Num. 22 2â— Luc. 19.40 as hee did out of Balaams Asse yea make verie stones to speake The Iudges therefore in great hate doe meete by day which if they had done for decerning of a good cause and just it had beene worthie of praise and commendation Esay 59.7.8 But their foote ranne to euill and they make haste to shedde innocent blood Their thoughtes are wicked thoughtes desolation and destruction is in their pathes the way of peace they knowe not and there is none equitie in their goinges they haue made them crooked pathes whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace Psal 82.6 Iudges that delayes the righteous cause and prorogates it from time to time hath cause to bee affrayed seeing they are Vicars to God Rom. 13.1 to minister justice indifferentlie to all But heere deare Soule consider this high Priestes negligence slouth should hee not haue knowne those thinges which were done and spoken in his owne Church O! but the malitious fellow sought the occasion if possiblie he could of binding on Christs backe the crime of Heresie and Sedition But our Saviour appealed to his Auditours whose judgement hee is not affraied of beeing a paterne heere to Preachers of the Gospell not to be like dumbe Dogges Mar. 16.15 But to preach the Evangell to everie creature neither to bee affrayed of their sincere dispensation of the word but to render an accompt of the hope that is in them Mar. 16.15 And thus the servant of the high Priest voyd of all humanitie gaue Christ a boxe to showe his loyaltie to his master But trueth breeds hatred Ieremias Mica hath proved the same before Light is noysome to sore eyes Such master and such servants Hos 4.9 such Priests such people and good reason it is for like in sinne like in punishment But heere a notable image of flatterers Christ is accused of Treason and beaten besids because he had so answered the hic Priest Great mens courtes are full of Caterpillars which are Mothes to destroye the best constant Common-wealth Hee that rebuketh a man Pro. 28.13 shall finde more favour at the length than bee that flattereth with his tong for why a man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steppes Pro. 29.5 But good King David served the Amalakite 2. Sam. 1.15.16 hypocrite and flatterer otherwise Neither is tâ—is to be passed that as the maliciousnes of the servant was inexcuseable so the Prieste was to bee blamed also for the servants fault redundeth to the master Baanaâ— and Rechab which did slay Ishbosheth the sonne of Saul 2. Sam. 4.7 David commanded them to bee slaine and therefore all in place and authoritie should obserue that Princelie counsell of King Dauid Psal 101.8 to cut off all the workers of iniquitie bee times from the house of the Lord. But heere the patience and long suffering of the Sonne of God passeth all commendation by his power he did not punish this sinfull servant Psal 103.10 but delayeth looking for amendement and is not moued to vengeance Far be it from thee my Soule thou abuse his patience not one blow but a number hast thou giuen him when thou purse west him in his members grieuouslie Act. 9.5 Rom. 2.24 and blasphemest his holie Name denying thy Christ for bellie and favour Philip. 3.19 contradicting his word and dissembling the trueth but hee that boldlie shall put hand in the members of Christ 2. King 13.4 let him but thinke what became of Ieroboam And yet just defence with meeknesse is tolerable so did Paul tell Ananias who gaue commandemeÌ„t to beat him Act. 24.10 Indeed captiues should not be hardlie entertained for the Iayler vsed great humilitie and favour to Ioseph Gen. 39. And nowe deare Soule behold Christs innocencie hee spake nothing in secret wherof he culd be chaleÌ„ged indeed he did not cast pearls before Swine Mat. 7.6 the substance of his Doctrine was ever one both to the people and to the disciples But after divers manner of his passion he taught and admonished his Apostles of the ruine of Ierusalem Luc. 18. Luc. 22. and mysteries of the kingdome of God and sundrie passages at the supper which the world was not capable of that it might bee fulfilled which was said I haue not spoken in secret Esay 65.2.3 neither in a place of darknesse in the earth And againe I haue spread out mine handes all the daye vnto a rebellious people which walketh in a way which was not goood even after their owne imaginations a people that provoketh mee euer vnto my face But thou vile creature shuld thy Creator who hath made thee of the dust of the earth by grace receiue a blow Servants when they are made free-men doe receiue such a stroke to enjoye libertie But thou my Soule remember thy Saviour giueth his cheeke to him that smiteth him Lam. 3.30 be is
filled full with reproaches and hath giuen his backe vnto the smitters and his cheeke to the nippers Esay 50.7 neither hid be his face from shame and spitting that thou mayst bee admonished of the greatnesse of thy sin and weight of Gods anger thou didst merite for thy sinnes in everlasting punishments in Hell So didst thou not O Lambe of God resist euill Mat. 3.39 but whosoeuer did smite thee on thy right cheek didst turne to him the other also euer beaten while life did laste thee By thy shame bloody blew-face bewtifull doe wee appeare who were deformed in sin Nowe it restes His examination and processe thereof to bee discussed Woe is mee poor Soule that not onely false recordes witnesses for wicked endes but that the Princes Elders should haue admitted suborned coÌ„stituted them without respect to the law of God Act. 6. 11. So Steven had proofe thereof God will never suffer his followers in this Ier. 7.4.5.6.7 to be destitute of comfort Mat. 7.21 For wee should not haue Christ in our mouth but doe the will of him that sent him else all boasting of the Temple of God is to no effect for what hath the wicked adoe to declare his ordinances Psal 50.16 17. or take his Covenant in their mouth seeing they hate to bee reformed and doe cast his words behind them But what did these false witnesses they could doe no other than to mixe Trueth with Falset or interprete against the minde of the speaker right done or thinges spoken falslie Our Saviour had said Destroy this Temple Iohn 2.19 and in three dayes I will raise it vp againe But they said I can destroy this Temple he meaning of his bodie they of the materiall temple Christ said I will raise it vp againe they said hee would build it Great are the offences deare Soule which false witnesses commit against God Exod. 20. whose commandement they wilfully break against the Son who is Trueth it selfe against the holy Ghost whose habitation they defile with lies For the mouth that lieth killeth the Soule yea and offendeth against the Iudge who beleeueth them and against their neighbour who falleth in the hazard of his life and goods as of Naboth 1. King 21.9 And therefore Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord but they that deale truely are his delight Pro. 12.22 and reason for false witnesses shall not bee vâ—punished Pro. 19.9 and bee that speaketh lies shall perish And therefore deare Soule come never in custome hereof for both spirituall corporall punishments abideth them For he that slandereth not with his tongue nor doeth evill to his neighbour nor receiueth a false report against his neighbour Psal 15.2.3 shal rest in the Lords Mountaine And therefore speake trueth in the heart for when inquisition shall bee made and thy witnesse bee found false Deut. 19.19 shall bee done vnto thee as thou thoughtest to doe vnto thy brother Therefore my Soule eschew the thing that is euill and bee not ashamed to say the truth for thy life Accept no person against thine own conscience that thou bee not confounded to thy owne decay Eccl. 4.33 Heere then hee admits al while the witnesse proue nothing but appointeth as Darius did in favours of his Nobles Dan. 6.16 our Daniel to be casten in the Den of Lyons Now what is Christ thy Saviours part in all this businesse he holds his peace First to accomplish the prophesie Esay 53.7 next a graue example of patience If the Iudge doe thee wronge thou art no better than Christ was commit thy cause vnto God Psal 146.7 which executeth justice for the oppressed looseth the prisoners Trueth may bee hid but not overcome iniquitie may floorish for a time but can not bee permanent His innocencie also heere appeares which behoued to be that we might be made the righteousnes of God by him 2. Cor. 5.21 And these things he suffered the night-tyde that the licentious in a soft bed wheÌ„ his head Prince and King did suffer these thinges by night should earnestlie regard them I see Annas doth not loose our Saviour which of compassion did loose the Daughter of Abraham whom SathaÌ„ bound many yeeres Sampson by vertue of the haire of his heade could burst the bonds of strange womeÌ„ but Christ after so many miracles wonders and powers done by him willinglie gaue himself bound to releiue our bondes Our Saviour being asked if hee was Messias not onelie confessed but told he should come in judgement in visible forme at which the high Priest rent his rayment and accused the most Innocent of blasphemie I pray thee why doest thou adjure the Sonne of GOD it was not to find out trueth but occasion of death if any could bee such as was in Achab who ajured Micha the sonne of Iemlie whom he presentlie committed to fetters The sleeping of the Conscience is common both to the wicked and to the godlie and it should bee diligentlie attended vnto that it may be tymouslie wakened for the longer the Conscience lyeth in sinne the bitterer and harder the wakening will bee David did lye a yeare in this stuÌ„ber and after adulterie 2. Sam. 11 4. committed murther yet the Lord in mercie wakened him Ready is it to bee lulled asleepe and of all judgements a sleeping conscience is the greatest happie is hee that finds him reconceiled to his God a wakening conscience will tell thee when thou hast done euill that thou mayst haue displeasure repent wheÌ„ thou hast don well thou mayst haue joy through Iesus Christ Rom. 2.19 of whom wee haue our sufficiencie and without whom wee cannot thinke a good thought What is it then that he asketh of Christe is it concerning his Doctrine and his Disciples he did not point out any particular because hee had many to laye to his charge his dittay should haue beene made before hee was taken How should the high Priest bene ignorant that Christ was both Messias and the Son of God for hee saw his marveilous workes which testified of him he saw the Prophesies onelie fulfilled in his person Yet our Saviour did with his mouth confesse freely that he was the Sonne of the liuing God Heb. 4.15 which is the greatest coÌ„fort that euer can befal any soule that he hath the Sonne of the liuing God his Mediatour Priest and King and companion in all his calamities And shall not such a mightie King revenge the injuries done to his members Truely he will not onely take the defence of theÌ„ in this world but draw them as his own flesh bones to himselfe for hee is gone to prepare a place for them Iohn 14.3 and will come againe and receiue them to himselfe that where hee is they may bee also For what can bee more comfortable my Soule thaÌ„ to remember wee haue such an omnipotent and everlasting King not onely night day to
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
Gal. 3.22 that the promise of faith by Iesus Christ should bee giuen to them that beleeue Wherefore my Soule be not affrayed by him thou hast accesse to the Throne of Grace neither sicknesse nor calamitie shall bereaue vs of comfort Hee was preseÌ„ted to the Barre of Gods Iustice that wee should remember our Absolution from it therefore boldlie mayst thou say Psal 42.11 Why art thou cast down my soule and why art thou this disquieted within me waite on God for I will yet giue him thankes be is my present hope my God The superstition hypocrisie of the Iewes is verie clear they would not enter into Pilates house least they should bee debarred from eating of the Passeouer Numb 9.10 according to the Law giuen against the vncleane they indeede were affraid to bee polluted in this strangers Iudge his consistoriall place yet were not ashamed to shed the blood of their innocent countrie-man they will not be defyled with the dwelling place of Pilat but never examine the pollution of their own sins in their heart They left the weightier matters of the Law Mat. 23.23 as Iudgement mercie and fidelitie which are rare in such false seditious people for they could pretend no excuse wherfore the Lord did reject and forsake them seeing of their owne mouth that they did coÌ„fesse they had no power of death and life but their authoritie was devolved in the Romanes hands For the Scepter shall not depart from Iuda nor a Law-giuer from betweene his feete Gen. 49.10 vntill Shiloh come and the people shall bee gathered together vnto him but God in his righteous judgement hath given theÌ„ the spirit of slumbering eyes that they should not see Rom. 11.8 eares that they should not heare to this day But was it not lawfull to kill a man for blasphemie Lev. 24. Lev. 20. Numb 25. Lev. 26. for adulterie for profanation of the Sabboth day for murther for Idolatrie Deut. 21. and for wilfull disobedience to Parents yea Deut. 17. and for neglect not due reverence to the high Priest yea Iohn 18.31 and did they not stone Steven to death But this was that the word of Iesus should bee fulfilled signifying by what death bee should die Besides this they accused Christ of sedition vproare they might stone burne kill strangle but to crucifie they had no power for the very Nations did worship idolatrouslie stones and timber but Christs forwarning culd not be but accoÌ„plished Mat. 20.19 they shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucifie him Thus Christs enemies are meanes and instruments to manifest Gods Trueth and to perfect mans Salvation The covetousnes of Iudas procured remission to all beleeuers so the rage of the Pharisees and deceit of Sathan did serue to the glorie of God For all things worke for the best Rom. 8.27 to them that feare him Now Pilat inquireth what they had to object against him they attribute so much to their justice and authoritie that there needed no more inquisition but to rest on their Conscience yet by reason of his place hee would haue a Processe which is that Christ subverted the people denyed tribute to be giuen to Caesar and to make himselfe a King which Pilat in their minde could not abide O! but what sinne is it my Soule to make Pilat the communalitie gâ—iltie of Christs death a lesse sinne it had beene if they had killed him privatelie but to cause a Iudge against conscience by the testomonie of false witnes to decree or intise ignorant men by bud and promises to offend is the greater sin For Christ never meaned of an earthlie dignitie heere For when Iesus perceiued that they would come and make him a King hee departed againe vnto a mountaine Iohn 6.15 himselfe alone Neither did he euer denye tribute to be giueÌ„ to Caesar but directed to giue to Caesar Mat. 22.21 thinges which are Casars and giue vnto God these things which are Gods Remember heere poore Soule that all these more than false calumnies were spewed out against him that not onelie hee might satisfie the Iustice of God but also signifie that his Churche should euer bee exposed to hatred and envye Achab called Elias 1. King 18.17 the troubler of Israel If they were of the world the world would loue them Iohn 8. and yet they are in the world wherefore hee prayeth to his Father not to take them out of the worlâ— but to keepe them from euill Iohn 17. for he hath made vs vnto his Father Kings and Priestes whom bee hath gathered out of everie Tongue Tribe and Nation Rev. 5.10 Heere therefore poore Soule great is thy comfort not onelie against false accusations of the wicked but also against Sathans impudent reproaches whereby he ceaseth not night and day to accuse the Saiâ—ctes before their God whom they doe ouercome by the blood of the Lambe Rev. 12.10.11 and by the word of their testimonie and they loued not their liues vnto the death So by his bondes wee are delivered from the bondage of sin death and hell by his mockings wee are made honourable in the sight of God and by his accusation wee are fred from all guiltinesse Thus hee hath made our sins to be his that hee might make his righteousnesse ours An euill turne can not be done but by euill meanes The Iewes haue heere their parte and so hadde Herod but the sinne of Pilat is laide vpon the Iewes and hee may forethinke that euer hee was Governour of Iudea In conscience he was perswaded of Christs innocencie and their calumnie but hee was intangled in his Iudgement so deepe that he could not free himselfe Such a thing is it to satisfie the appetit of wicked men In Pilats deeds words many excelleÌ„t vertues which are rare to be fouÌ„d in Iudges doe appeare as the great moderation of his minde being supreame Magistrate to whom belonged honour The Iewes woulde not superstitiouslie come in to him hee maketh the trauell and went out to them A Magistrate should be such a one to others Pro. 19 1â— as he would wish others to bee to him if hee were a private man The Kinges wrath is like the roaring of a Lyon but his favour is like the dew vpon the grasse To this his civile Iustice in searching the trueth is eminent rash judgements are dangerous and therefore wil not coÌ„demne Christ vntill he heare him Gen. 39.16.20 Pothiphar did otherwise to Ioseph And therfore now he entred vnto Christ with whom softlie moderatelie and friendlie he reasons not with disdainfull speechs as did the Iewes for it was not grieuous vnto him to bow downe his eare vnto the poore Eccl. 4.8 Being therfore demanded if he was a King our Saviour denyes not but a spirituall King It was not nowe time to teach and play the Doctor to Pilat for that part was ended
tribunall seat of God to receiue what wee haue done in this flesh good or badde The verie Romanes Lysias Faelix Festus had a conscience of the innocencie of Paul who had onelie the light of Nature but they had light by the word yet the malice of their hearts put out that illumination corruption blotted it Whence it coÌ„meth of Gods just judgment that all conscience is scraped out and they became like beastes fell into a Reprobate sense What euer was the Iews part or Herods or Pilates the Lord had his decree therein will haue his onely begotten Son to die for the sinnes of the world But look to the Lords dispensation hee will haue the Iudge protesting his innocencie hee will haue the hearts of the accusers hardned to sue after Christes blood for if their coÌ„science had bin wakened it had not beene so Consider here my Soule how willingly Christ came vnto his passion not that he did smite crucifie himself but that he did not gainst and the wickednesse of the Iewes nor approuing their impiety but wisely disponing the benefit that should redowned thereby One and the same was the passion of Christ but the actions intentions in God the Iewes farre different and diverse but euen amongst the Iewes and Governours was there lesser greater sins in this action He that delivered thee vnto me Iohn 19.11 hath the greater sinne yet thou Pilate art sinfull in this businesse also all sinnes are not alike as all the glorie is not alike 1. Cor. 15.41 for one star differeth from another in glorie In my Fathers house said hee there are many dwelling places Iohn 14.2 Now then Pilate beleeued hee had done amisse as he did in deede when hee had scourged the Sonne of God hee knew nothing but vvhat nature furnished him yet his conscience within him did tell him powerfullie that be ought to feare and honour God This naturall spunck of light is left to bridle man from sinne but it will not hold vs Rom. 2.14 beeing so weake in the feare of God yet if it had beene taken away wee should be more miserable than the brutish beastes Psal 49.20 Trust neuer to nature but striue to acquire grace by the holie Spirit Luc. 11.13 who ouercoÌ„meth the caÌ„ker of the hart This Pilate hath glances and glimmerings of ChristiaÌ„ vertues but they evanished WheÌ„ the Lord giueth light Iohn 1.4 boweth the heart establishing grace in it and grace abiding with thee thou art not farre from the Kingdome of heaven but is happie blessed in deede Now Pilate in anger beginneth directlie against Christ whom oftimes before he had pronounced innocent because hee had not answered him with insolent bragging glorying of the power that he had aboue him falling out in blasphemie against God his hart being never truely renewed Act. 8.23 nor hauing any feare reverence to Iesus but being ful of the gall of bitternesse claimed vnto himselfe an absolute power which God hath not giuen neither to man nor Angel Rom. 13.1 for it is proper to himself but a power restrained limited by Gods Law Naturall men in high places hauing power froÌ„ God without sanctification Tit. 3.3 are but mad men as here he protesteth that Iesus was innocent and now that he had power to doe with him what hee pleased which is in effect to be a murtherer for what else is hee who will take the life from an Innocent pride in his heart made his mouth so foolish 1. Pet. 5.5 The proud dishonour the Majestie of God therefore caused hee his lips to speake to his shame to accuse himselfe but woe vnto them Esay 5.21 that call euil good and good euill The Magistrate is the ordinance of God indeede Rom. 1.3.4 to punish the guiltie 1. Pet. 2.13.14 and maintaine the righteous as Christ sayeth Thou shouldest haue no power Psal 82.6 vnlesse it were giuen thee from aboue But because Pro. 8.15 Kings doe reigne by God they should therefore vse their power accord ng to his will And happie are Iudges if they follow the direction of Iâ—hosaphat King of Iuda 2. Chro. 19 6. who said to the Iudges whom he had set ouer his Cities Take heede what ye doe for ye execute not the judgements of man but of God and hee will bee in the cause of judgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you take heede and doe it for there is none iniquity with the Lord our God neither respect of persons nor receiuing of rewards And although Tyrants and wicked men as Pilate was haue power from aboue yet the wise God can vse it to the glorie of his Name as he did by the hand of Nabuchodonazar King of Babel Ier. 27.6.7 his servant And heere Pilate deceiueth himselfe beleeuing hee had his power of Caesar only Christ did holde his peace before but now wil speak in defence of his Fathers honour and make him vnderstand albeit he was in his haÌ„ds yet he was in Gods hands also without whose speciall dispensation nothing can bee done 1. Sam. 14.45 as is evident in Saul and Ionathan for it was not in Sauls hands to kill him howsoeuer he had giuen out sentence against him Hee ordained that Agag should liue 1. Sam. 15.33 but Samuell killed him For Gods eternall decree and power over-ruleth all which while men wil not acknowledge Dan. 4.29 they become like beasts God wil never denude himselfe of his owne power Esay 10.15 for what was Ashur but an Axe or a Saw in the hand of the Sawer or a rod and staffe which should not exalt it selfe as if were no wood But O Ashur Esay 10.5 the rod of my wrath I will send him to a dissembling Nation I will giue him a charge against the people of my wrath Neither is it amisse that wicked men should haue power to hurt to try the patience of the godlie and punish the iniquitie of the wicked But heere is thy comfort my Soule that Tyrantes doe not according to their pleasure perverse wil rage against the Saintes but when and how far it pleaseth God by speciall permission and yeelding grant to them for the Lord hath put a bounds vnto them which they can not exceed for while they abuse their power to tyrannie Exod. 14.28 the higher they ascend the nearer destruction they are For they are rods Act. 12.23 which when the wrath of God doeth relent and our punishmentes are ended shal be burnt with euerlasting fire as in Pharaoh and Herod is evident Christ submitteth him to the power which hee acknowlegded Pilate to haue of God and so should subjectes not so much looke to men as to God who hath armed them vvith that power which is the ground of our obedience to Magistrates when wee see Gods providence to over-rule all things for they are but
Vicegerents and Leiu-tenants of God and to bee obeyed by heartie subjection of their people For he that resisteth the Power resisteth the ordinance of God 1. Pet 2.13 and shall receiue to themselves judgement And now Pilate is not offended at his answere nor provoked to revenge vpon Christ but taketh a course how hee might put him to libertie And yet there is some spuncke of Iustice lying vnder the corrupt ashes of feare and dread our in Pilates heart wherfore the Iewes giueth an peremptorie instance If thou deliver him thou art not Caesars friend Before they laide the cryme of treason to Iesus charge Now they devolue that accusation against Pilate who studied to keepe a good conscience tovvardes the Innocent Iesus But the tentation growes the more for it is impossible to keepe a good conscience without temptation either inwardlie or outwardlie For Pilate must either lose his good conscience or his life for hee is challenged of treason but alace hee savv no better life than this present life for Caesar was his god That natural conscience of his vvas not vnderpropped and supported by Faith vvith better and higher things than these of this vvorld Rev. 3.11 Hee shall bee crowned that perseuereth to the end for whosoeuer will saue his life shall lose it and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake shall finde it Mat. 16.26.27 For what shall it profite a man though hee should winne the whole Worlde if hee lose his owne soule Happie is the man that hath his conscience strengthened vvith faith in Iesus Christ and hath a sight of heaven of God That man onlie shall stand in temptation against the Devill and the vvorld This assault was so vehemēt that hee beginneth by little litle to lose his conscience for he is astonished bringeth foorth Iesus crowned to the people sitteth down in his Tribunal vvhere he beginneth to shrink decline from justifying Christs innocencie vvhere he had a privy battell betvvixt the spuncke of his conscience the malice of his heart Hee had a doubt in his heart and did not first pronounce the sentence but said Beholde your King This strife of conscience albeit it bee once dumbe yet will it come againe and will fasten it selfe in thy soule that it can not bee shaken off Pilate by this concludes al that ever he can or would doe for Christ whē hee hath sought all the shiftes hee could he would say alas this is a silly King who wold think that euer he wold seek a Kingdome much lesse this of Caesars But all will not availe Christ must goe to the tree to please his Father and end willinglie the great worke of our Salvation Lev. 19.15 But the Iudges should not doe vnjustly in judgement thou shalt not favour the person of the poore nor honour the person of the mightie but thou shall judge thy neighbour justlie But woe bee to him which justifieth the wicked for a reward Esay 5.23 and taketh away the righteousnesse of the righteous from him It was verie true as Pilate said that hee was their King and promised Messias of whom all the Prophetes did beare witnesse so doth the Lord direct the speeches of his enemies to the glorie of his Name for as in an armie diverse are the intentions designes of the Souldiers some for spoile riches some for glorie and promotion some for hatred and revenge yet all doe fight for their Prince and for victorie so did both good evill wills of men serve Gods purpose whose decree can by no meanes bee illuded And seeing him at the decay swerving from conscience they multiplied the tentation and spake no more modestlie but vvith forcible exclamations cryed Away with him away with him crucifie him crucifie him It is diligentlie to bee observed poore Soule to keep a strong watch over thy conscience for if Sathan once get thy cōscience in a weake case he benummeth stupifieth thee besiedging thee with double triple temptations making thee like an Horse Mule Psal 32.9 that hath no vnderstanding or like a deafe Adder that will not beare the voyce of the inchanter much like these idolaters who burnt their children and when they wept they caused Timbrelles to sound that they might not heare their lamentable out cryes Great was this blindnesse and malice of the Iewes yea vnremeidable for the worse worse is their mindes kindled in spyte against Christ by how much more testimonies of his innocencie are exhibited euen as clay is hardned at the heate of the Sunne And truelie if thou wilt not slatter thy selfe poore Soule thou vvilt confesse thine own contumacie to bee as great because the brightnes of the Evangel doth shine to thee Luc. 1.79 As a owle at the light of the Sunne so art thou blinded in perfecting the works of darknesse And what else is the greatest part of vs all but hypocrites hauing Iesus in our mouth but serving wickednes against the known Trueth Iohn 8.34 Rom. 4.20 2. Pet. 2.19 approaching to him with our lips but our hearts are farre from him But this is worthie of admiration that these hardened Iewes rather will obey the cōmandement of Caesar than be the servants of Iesus Christ They say wee haue none other King but Caesar Woe to them that renounce such a King Hee and Caesar might both haue beene their King But loued the Iewes Caesar No but pretended his authoritie to kill the Iudges consciences and to crucifie Christ They that loue not God will never loue their King nor the Church Easie was this yock which the Iewes did cast off thē Mat. 11.30 vvhich their posteritie feeles this day Let vs not therfore beeing taught by their example withdraw our selves from his obedience for if God spared not the naturall branches thinkest thou that hee will spare the wilde Oliue Deut. 32.15.29 O Israel thou hast forsaken God who made thee and regarded not the strong God of thy salvation Oh! that they had beene wise then they would vnderstand this they would consider their latter end my people haue done two euill things they left mee the fountaine of liuing water Ierem. 2. and digged vnto themselves broken cisternes which cā hold none And to ridde and transferre the burden from Pilate they laid it vpon themselves and their posterities For malice joyned with ignorance is euer temerarious the blinder the man is the more rashlie will hee endanger himselfe they had the light of Nature and the Light that came dovvne from heaven his Word which they contraveined as Steven vpbraided them Yee alway resist the holie Ghoste Act. 7.51 as did your fathers so doe you for they killed the Lord Iesus and their owne Prophets and haue persecuted the Apostles and God they please not 1. Thess 2.14.15.16 and are contrarie to all men and forbid to preach vnto the Gentiles that they may fulfill their sinnes alwayes For the vvrath of
vengeance But this mylde Lambe of God Heb. 12.24 the Mediator of the new Covenant his blood speaketh better thinges than those Hee regarded not the injurie shame and paine hee was in and forgotte not to haue pittie on them that cruelly tormented him Hee suffered together with them of whom he did suffer hee cured them that wounded him and procured life for them that killed him And therefore by this his prayer full of Majestie Hee was heard in that which he feared for he is his beloved Sonne Mat. 17.5 in whom hee is well pleased But heere diligentlie consider what was the companie he was crucified with for hee came not to saue the just Mat. 9.13 but sinners an example whereof he manifested in sauing of one of the Theeues touched with repentance wherof his faith confession gaue notice So is hee on the Crosse as if hee were in that great Daye of judgment giuing out sētence of salvation to the Elect and condemnation to the Reprobate Perillous is it to delay Repentance and to promise our selves securitie to the last day It is a fooilsh thing to neglect the maters that concerneth eternity in glory or pain imbrace the changable occasions of this world which is all put in evil The priviledge of a few is not a lavv to all yet where vndoubted signes of Gods grace goodnesse doeth appeare there may Christian charitie interprete vnfained repentance to follow for there is neither measure nor tyme can bee appointed to the Lordes mercie For what day soeuer a Sinner shall repent hee shall liue EZek. 18.22 not die As this Malefactor did confesse Christs immortality in that hee desired to bee remembred when hee came to his Kingdome who had takē the life of others before The Lord being tyed to the Crosse hands and feete and nothing free but Heart and Tongue which hee gaue to that Penitent who by the bear beleeued to righteousnesse and by the tongue confessed to saluation Rom. 10. By Faith he did see that Christ should reigne whom he did see die vvith him By Hope he looked for an entrie to his Kingdome by Loue defended the innocencie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ against the reproach of his fellow Great is this his Faith Who had taught him had hee seene miracles who had bene kept in prison either of giving sight to the blind or raising of the dead yet he confessed him to be an euerlasting King who was companion to him in punishmēt despising the present paine praying for things to come requiring rather to be exemed from eternall judgement thā delivered frō tēporall punishment sorrowing and longing for that that hee hoped for thā feele that that he suffred In Christs extreamities hee beleeued in him and was not ashamed to haue the Iewes witnesses of his Faith vvho railed on Christ in the midst of all the scandals and reproaches of the people and now when Christ was in his weakest most miserable estate vvhat didst thou see sinfull convert to aske heere for a Kingdome thou hadst onlie before thine eyes the Crosse and the Nailes O! but the crosse is the ensigne of a Kingdome and it is the duetie of a King even to expone his life for his Subjectes As the good shep-heard doeth his Soule for his sheepe Ioh. 10.11 Gen. 17.1 Gen. 18.3 Abraham beleeved but taught from heaven and by the Angels which came vnto to him Esay 6.1 And Esaias but hee saw the Lord sitting vpon his Throne and lifted vp and the lower parts thereof filled the Temple Ezekiel beleeued but hee saw the Lord vpon the Cherubines Ezek. 1.4 and so did the other Prophetes but after diuerse manners God spake Heb. 1.1 Moses beleeved but the Lord spake vnto him out of the burning Bush but none of these occasions did this penitent haue but saw no Majestie of glorie but equality of paine hee saw him tormented but worshipped him as if he had beene in glorie hee saw him on the Crosse but praised his Saviour as if hee hadde sitten in the heavens hee saw him cōdemned yet acknowledged him to bee a free and absolute King and wold not shrinke but died in that profession in spyte of all the the argumentes that Sathan could object or flesh and blood vrge in the contrarie Truelie Faith is the gift of God Eph. 2.8.9 that no man should boast himselfe Therefore should wee pray Lord increase our Faith So where Sin aboundeth Grace super-aboundeth The Lord is more ample in his grace than hee in his prayer hee gaue more than hee could seeke Hee sought to bee remembred when hee came into his Kingdome but the Lord promised that this day hee should be with him in Paradise O the great goodnes of God! vnspeakeable is thy fauour towardes them whome thou lovest Thou as the bright Sun hast made thy hote beames to shine vpon our soules therby to draw vs to the Knowledge of Thee and to warme our heartes that wee may loue Thee Expell this darknesse O Lord wherewith our heartes is replenished and thaw by the heate of thy mercie the frozen condition of our soules that they may melt considering that euerlasting and vnsearchable favour thou hast borne towards mankind The third Step in the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven c. ONelie Iohn and some vvomen in great cōstancie did attēd Christ on the crosse Whose grace was sufficient for them 2. Cor. 2.9 whose power is made perfect through weaknesse in whose infirmities the power of Christ is showne who tooke pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions anguish for Christs sake For when they were weake then were they made strong That is true friendship which is founded in God whose knot is Christ they that bee touched with the sense of the miserie of his members shal neuer lacke that is good Marie the Virgine Marie Cleophas Marie Magdalene accōpanied were inspectors of this lamentable spectacle his owne Mother he called Iohn whom hee ever loued his Mother he honoured wold haue her provided for for he knew it spoken by Simeon that the sworde should passe through her Soule Luc. 2.35 and with the eye of mercie did see her wrestling with such calamities He especially of singulare favour looked on her because shee loued mee Psal 91.14.15 therefore will I deliver her because shee hath knowne my Name So did David fugitiue from the face of Saul commend his parents to the King of Gath. But the obedience promptitude and alacritie of Iohn in receiuing his Mother declareth the willing heart of a Disciple to accomplish the minde of his Master so he acquited loue for loue Nothing is comparable to the sense of the loue of God in the heart of man If it had beene no more than natural love Marie wold neuer haue followed her Sonne to such a vile death if shee had not belieued that that Death shuld
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
that hee found himselfe deserted but in him are we takē vp saued Martyrs and witnesses of the trueth haue suffered great and grievous tormentes but divine consolation from aboue did aboundantlie shine in their soules the part which tyrantes could not kill nor touch looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of their faith who for the joy that was sett before him indured the Crosse Heb. 12.2 and despised the shame and mocking of them that stood by who turned his holie word in scornefull jest as though hee had called for Elias Christs Soule now beeing burnt vp with the wrath of God for Sinne Psal 69.22 and all the moisture of his body dryed vp with the same yet did hee not quensh his thirst vntill the wrath of his Father was satisfied Iohn 19.28 the infinite wrath of God thirsted after the blood of the mediator bearing our sins Mat. 11.2.8 Esay 12.3 was not quenshed till the Blood of the Mediator was dryed vp But blessed bee Iesus that had a spirituall thirst pleasure to obey his Father to the death Esay 55.1 to saue thy soule from hell and yet in bitter malice and scorne they tooke a watersponge and putt it to his mouth on a reede The wrath of his Father was begun to bee mitigated yet the wrath of the Iewes could not be asswaged for when hee was liuing they raged against him when hee was dead they persecut him when hee vvas in glorie they would shame him The Lord seeketh but chastismēt the wicked seeke overthrow of bodie and soule if it were possible For Evahs sweet Apple Christ must drink this bit er liquor both thy bread drinke must bee boght with the blood of Iesus To them who are sanctified all things are sanctified If thou bee not found in him thou shall bee accused as a violent possessour of what-soeuer thou hast Now thou dost heare him daylie in his members calling vpon thee I hunger I thirst Mat. 25.35 but thou convertest Gods good creatures to the fulfilling of thy lust rather bereaueth the servants of Christ that that they haue than vouchsafe anie thing on thē Christ after he had drunken cryed out in the audience of them al It is finished the work of Redemption is ended the ransome is payed to buy heaven conquere life which is the first vvorke and to put vs in possession of it which hee began at his Resurrection shall continue till his comming againe declared that no mā did take his life from him but layde it downe Iohn 10.17.18 and would tak it vp againe for he was not a cōmon man but God also to keepe his life or put it out at his pleasure Hee might haue liued lōger by the strength of Nature for the other two out-liued him and were not dead till they came and broke their legges And now when he yeelded vp the Spirit he had a divine power aboue Nature which put out the life saying Father into thine handes Psal 31.5 I commend my Spirit vvhile his Soule was loused from his bodie vvith joye Which sweete death hee did communicate vnto his Martyres Act. 7.59 as Steven all his members Consider heere vveake Soule that Christ hath purchast vnto thee the great benefite of Adoption Iohn 20 1◠For thy Brother Christ hath made his Father thy Father therfore vvil haue a Fatherly care of thee for euer For vvho is more faithfull 1. Pet. 4. 19. than our Father to vvhō vve commend our soules vvhich doe not perish but are kept by him 1. Cor. 15.21.22 while they bee joyned to the bodie at the resurrection are receiued vvhen vvee depart this life in his Armes vvho will not suffer them to be taken from his hands but vvill surelie keepe them in peace Be thou therefore carefull of thy Soule at al times but speciallie at the houre of separation for then the devil is busie to devour thee For be knoweth his time to bee short the gulfe of hell open to swallow thee vp If Iesus who had no sin be so careful for his Soule how carefull shuldst thou be who is nothing else but a masse of sinne yea he cryed so loud that the Earth quaked againe and the Temple raue asunder now to declare his Power and Victorie to terrifie the Iewes of whom hee is so mishantly handled and to bring if it were possible that stubborn people to Faith and Repentance Now hath the Doue gone out of the Arke which wil returne with an Oliue branch in signe of peace The Deludge is the wrath of God for Sinne the Arke is Christs Bodie the Doue his Soule At his Resurrection how great joye peace and comfort doeth hee purchase to man-kinde Rom. 4.25 For as he dyed for our sinnes so rose he for our righteousnesse Thē yeelded delivered hee his Spirit which was not taken from him against his vvill For hee hanging on the Crosse did make all the creatures quake and tremble Great was his humilitie beeing made obedient to his Father vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse of the vvhich thou may learne the exceeding greatnesse of his Majestie who euen then whē hee was exalted from the earth did draw all things vnto himself for where a Testament is there must bee the death of him that made the Testament Heb. 9.16 for the Testament is confirmed when men are dead for it is yet of no force as long as hee that made it is aliue So behoued this Testament leauing such an inheritance to his Saintes in that exceeding great glorie bee ratified by the blood of the Testator which is the ground of thy Salvation His death is thine honour the assurance of thy life is the assurance of his death his ignominie and shame is thy Glorie Now haue we heard of the Passion and death of Christ novv shall wee touch briefelie the thinges vvhich followed thereafter The fift Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. THere fell out immediatly foure things of the which two did teach the people The other two the quaking of the earth renting of the Rockes did threaten destruction for no man to take all excuses away shall perish without advertisemēt The first of these the vaile of the Temple is rēt after the darkening of the Sun in Christes greatest humiliation The Father gaue greatest tokens of his Glorie who is the Lord of Life for dumbe senselesse creatures did shame the Iews and glorified their Maker The Temple was divided in two For the Priest went alwayes into the first Tabernacle and accomplished his office Heb. 9.6.7.8 but into the second went the high Priest alone once everie year not without blood which hee offered for himselfe and ignorances of the people Betwixt these was a faire vvall overgilt with fine gold vpon the which hang a glorious Tapestrie wroght curiously which did hide the Sanctuarie
as by a courtaine from â—he sight of the people and Priests But at Christs suffering these shadows were taken away no more vse of that Vaile Whereby the holie Ghoste signifieeth this that the way into the boliest of all was not yet opened whilest as yet the first Tabernacle was standing this earthlie vaile rave asunder at the voyce of the Lord. But the Iewes mindes are hardened for vntill this day remaineth the covering vntaken away 2. Cor. 3. 15 for the Vaile is laid over their hearts but when their heartes shall bee turned to the Lord the Vaile shall bee taken away So hard and evill it is to doe against the knowledge and conscience wherof coÌ„meth a reprobate sense which is past all-feeling that sooner a stone shall heare thaÌ„ they will obey They were admonished of the subversioÌ„ of the Temple and of their Citie and that there was no difference now betwixt Iew nor Gentile Gal. 3.28 but the partition wall beeing demolished they had â—like communion by faith in Iesus Christ Act. 10.34 The Earth also did tremble whilst the Soule of the Lord separated from his Bodie threatening to swallow them vp Num. 16.32 as it had done to other rebellious obstinate before which were not worthie that the earth shouldst beare but either to receiue them in her mouth to consume them or else to spew them out according to the Lordes commination in his Law Lev. 20.22 Thus the Earth did preach groane Rom. 8.22 and travell in pain but they hardened their neckes and would no returne to bee healed It quaked the foundations of the Mountaines moued shooke Psal 18.7 because bee was angrie at their obduration And should not the Land tremble for this and euerie one mourne that dwelleth therein Amos. 8.8 The Mountaines also did cleaue to fall on them which would not suffer the dishonour of their Maker but they were nothing moued with it so much were they voyde of light in their soule A mighty strong wind rent the Mountains and broke the Rockes before the Lord but this people 1. King 9. 11. neither by the word of God by natural sense or creatures voyd of reason will be taught no even then vvhen the Dead did rise for the Graues did ly open from three a clocke afternoone about which time the Lord gaue vp the ghost all that day all that night the nixt day the nixt night till that day in the morning that the Lord did rise by vertue of whose resurectioÌ„ Hos 13.14 the Saints arose and went into the Citie lowsing the bandes of the Graue 1. Co. 15.54.55 by his death but their hearts could not be opened But it behoueth vs all to compeare before his Tribunall Seate to receiue what we haue done in the bodie 2. Cor. 5.10 Rom. 14.10 good or evill The Saintes I say arose for his glorious resurrection belonged onelie to them vvhich beeing sanctified in Christ did die in the Lord and they all shall goe into that holy Citie Dan. 12.25 even that Ierusalem Gal. 4.26 the Mother of vs all which is aboue to abide with Christ for euer 1. Thess 4.6 The senselesse creatures the Saintes departed the Gentiles Centurion and Officers did all testifie of Christ everie one in their owne degre but the Pharises Scribes and Elders vvere no whit moued For this Centurion confessed of a suretie that this man was just And such as before lacked the feare of God feared greatlie saying Truelie this man is the Sonne of God the poore multitud which cried Crucifie him went smiting their breasts but the Priests wer not touched neither by worde nor vvorke they had judgment and vnderstanding had read the Prophetes yet repined against the holâ—e Ghost Act. 7.51 and against their conscience opponing themselves to the knowne trueth The Centurion was rather prickt in his soule as the Iewes were at Peters Sermon and Christ is glorified of him Act. 2.37 when hee appeared to be quite forgotten and gotte moe friendes in his death than in his life for this precious Sacrifice hanging on the Crosse did cast such a sweete smell on the earth that they wâ—o vvere his enemies went away mourning beating their breastes Luc. 18.13 testifying their dolour resolving that if God wold deale with them in his judgement Psal 143.2 they were worthy of eternal damnation Neither were women ashamed to beare record of the Loue and Faith they had to the Lord Iesus for some stood so neare that hee did speak to them froÌ„ the crosse and they heard him and wheÌ„ he was dead Luc. 23.59 they would not depart froÌ„ him their hearts were so linked with him he who is a sweete perfume incense in the nose thirles of the Father is a fragrant odour and smell vnto them For moe of them followed Christ to the Crosse than men which were favourers of him did minister to him on their own charges Christs innocencie made them not to shrink but constantly to fight vnto the end against al temptations 2. Tim. 4.7.8 that they may receiue the Crowne They vvere fed vvith that Bread of Life that came out of his mouth 1. Tim. 5.17.18 and they communicated vnto him freely liberallie that which they had Christ was poore 2. Cor. 8.9 to mak vs rich Iohn and Peter had not a farthing to giue the Creple Act. 3.6 and Paul wrought vvith his hands for his bread Act. 18.3 That that thou can not doe to Christ in his owne person 1. Cor. 4.10 11. doe to his members But this is remarkable that these vvomen haue the honour to be ey witnesses of the death and resurrection of Iesus Christe Deu. 15. 11 and themselves to bee preachers of it to the Apostles Esay 51.7 and to haue the names of some of them to bee registrated perpetuallie to their everlasting praise yea and to bee written in heaven eternallie for so it falls out often that the weaker and simpler the sex bee the more spiritually it is disposed and affectionated to heavenlie thinges for if any man seeme to bee wise in this world 1. Cor. 3.18 let him bee a foole that hee may bee wise Novv the taking down of his Bodie from the Crosse commeth by a request made by his enemies to Pilate Deut. 21.23 That there shuld not be a breach of the Law for these that were hanged They straine a gnat Mat. 23.23 and swallow a camel they were spoilde of all power they can neither put on nor tak off the crosse slaues were they which wold not acknowledge the true King of Glorie vvho would haue made theÌ„ free And this petition they sought not for any pittie they had on him but the Lord so appointed it Exod. 12.46 that hee should not lacke even the support of his foes yet it lay not in their hands
to breake one bone of him 1. Cor. 5.7 for he is our Passeover who sacrificed for vs died was peirced with a lance yet his Legges was not broken His members may be tossed with many calamities but shall not bee utterlie forsaken for many bee the troubles of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all Psal 34.19.20 The Lord would haue manie witnesses of his death the executioners the Souldier with his speare and the testimonye that the creatures gaue For without shedding of blood and death there had beene no remission of sins for vs They vvere enemies to the Crosse of Iesus Christ yet did they record the truth for our well Neither did this Souldier alone but mâ—nie moe now doe pierce his side Rom. 6.9 whilest he sitteth at the right haÌ„d of the Fâ—ther by mocking and contemning him in his word Mal. 3.8 Zach. 2.8 defrauding him of the meanes of his glorie Act. 9.4 for hee that toucheth his Saintes toucheth the apple of his eye as it was spoken of Paul persecuting him And this was done to confirme Gods power Zach. 12.10 and providence forespoken by the Prophet vvhich vvhich they did accomplish of meere ignorance Therefore out of his heart came Blood and Water Blood for the finest cleanest is about the heart and Water by the which liquor the heate of the heart is cooled and refreshed for as yet the Body was warme No man can liue when his heart blood is shed which is the seat of Life This signifieth a power flowing from his death to the remission of sinnes 1. Iohn 6.6 washing of our foule nature which tvvo great blessinges are represented vnto vs in two Sacraments of Baptisme the Lordes Supper Num. 20. 11. for as Moses while hee smote the Rocke water did come foorth to refresh the people So Blood and Water did gush out at Christs side for the benefite of the vvhole vvorld which is that Laver 1. Cor. 10.4 wherein our soules are purged from their inward spottes 1. Iohn 1.7 For as in Egypt when the first begotten was killed so many as had the posts of their doores marked with the blood were free so by this Lambes Blood that bringeth salvation to the world Heb. 9.13 are wee delivered by Faith from destruction that wee may serue him in righteousnes and holines And not presume to be so bold Tit. 2. 11 as by our profane life to tread his Blood vnder foote Nowe heere is a place for thee at his verie heart deare Soule where thou mayst creepe in and rest thee for as out of the side Eue was taken while Adam did sleepe so now is hee cleanseing and purifying his Church by redemption regeneration in this time of his death The fift Degree and first Steppe of the ascension of the Soule vnto Heaven by meditation of the buriall of our Lord Iesus Christ NOwe hath his verie enemies procured at Pilate that hee should bee taken from the Crosse Iohn 19.31 That blessed Corps beeing layde on the ground Ioseph a rich just godlie Disciple of Christ boldlie begged the dead Corps at the hands of Pilat that as his death was notable so should his buriall be also his glorious resurrection bee made famous Hee was not taken from the Crosse without leaue of the Magistrate nor buryed with out the same as he vvas not condemned but by the Magistrate that thou mighâ—st be fullie fred from all points of the Iustice of Gods wrath for sinne For if this power had beene in the Iewes hands they wold haue opponed themselves to heape more shame and ignominy vpon him but the Lord will haue a noble man and a notable faire place appointed to this worke that the honour of the Son and his glorie should beginne at the buriall which was shamefull in it selfe and that hee should bee instrument 1 Pet. 3.7 who shuld be hiere with him of that Kingdome of glorie and of that life All the glorie of this world pertaineth to the faithfull howsoeuer they apeare to haue least part thereof Ioseph is called to this great honour 1. Cor. 1.26 which is rare to be seene in men of like conditioÌ„ for the Lord in his death was more mightie theÌ„ in his life For when the corne of wheat lyeth in the ground and dieth as Christ foretold of the power of his death it fructifieth Iohn 12.24 and bringeth foorth much fruite for where euer the dead Carcase is thither doe the Eagles resort Of the which number this Counsellour was who looked for the Kingdome of God and there is no mention of such another great man but Nicodemus Iohn 7.50 who opponed himself to the death of Christ in the counsel for God hath his own in everie part 2. King 19 10. Rom. 11.4 of whom hee vvill bee served albeit he durst not for feare of the Iewes openlie professe â—say 42.3 yet the Lord will not breake the bruised reede nor quensh the smoaking flaxe To the supplication of Ioseph Pilat yeelded but wondred that Christ was so seene dead whose miracles was so many the shortnesse of his life vpon the Crosse floorishing time of his age which was thirtie three yeares and some od months which imported that the death of Iesus was extraordinarie Iohn 10.17 who onelie had power to lay it downe Ioseph therefore bought a fine linnen cloath to wrappe the Bodie of Iesus in and Nicodemus an hundreth pound weight of a mixture of Myrrhe Aloes The wisedome the learning and the riches of these men were cast at Christs feete vvhereof they counâ—ed much of before they had a sight of Iesus nowe they counted all but dongue Phil. 1. They felt a sweet savour and odour comming to them froÌ„ his death therfore would they meete it with a sweet savour But there needed no odours to preserue it beeing filled with the presence of God Wherefore with one concord coÌ„stantlie they accomplished his buriall after the custome of the Iewes that is honourablie Act. 9.37 for never was a more honourable Man than Christ and all these vvere ceremonies the rest of their washings were figurs of him to come vvho is the earnest of our resurrection For he shall raise all these which doe sleepe in monuments In a newe graue therefore hewen out of a stone by Ioseph to his owne vse was hee laide in a Garden neare by Ierusalem that Christs buriall might be the more honourable in how much as he was aboue all the kinges of the world separated from sinners and made higher than the heavens The Father had his loving care of him albeit he appeared to haue forsaken him on the Crosse Hee is buried in another mans Sepulchre for hee died for the sins and salvation of others that hee might sanctifie our burials by comming vnto them and from them to ascend to the heavens But remember poore Soule it
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
to come I doe refuse the deceitfull pleasures of this world and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God than enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season Reioyce thou one of that flocke on whom it hath pleased the Father to giue a Kingdome Thou art my good Shepheard who feedeth mee with thy owne Blood that I may liue by thy life For they that liue by the infected and poysoned blood of olde Adam only are more miserable than beastes Prepare O Lord in me loue and repentance make mee cleane and purifie mine heart by Faith the onely receptacle and mansion of thy presence to receiue such a pretious Guest Put on mee the wedding Garment sith thou deare Husband Iesus will ioyne vnite thy selfe to mee never heereafter on thy part to bee dissevered make mee beware of Hypocrisie and couÌ„terfaite dealing in approaching with my body but my heart farre off betraying thee againe with a Iudas kisse The pure the contreâ—te and broken heart for the sence of Sinne laden and wearie are here invited by thee who wil not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flaxe such are eased and find rest to their soules And because none oblation pleaseth thee without reconciliation with my Brother I make an attonement with him forget and forgiue him as I hope to be forgiven for his sake who hath come vnder the poore roofe of my soule by participation of his bodie on earth beginning alreadie a life in mee in heaven for whom haue I there but thee whom can I desire on earth beside thee The Israelites did eate that Manna and died but they that eate this heavenlie food shall never perish But after thou hast guided me by thy counsell wil receiue me to glorie Adams forbidden tree procured death but by thee is everlasting life agreeing heaven with earth Men with Angels as it is the fulnes of Ioy to behold thy Face feele thy presence so let my soule haue a liuelie feeling of comfort in my Christ with a growing strength in grace and in the saving knowledge of thee my God and not to losse a good conscience for the trash of this world and as thou willes me to remember thy Sonnes death O Fâ—ther bee thou as thou hast promised and wilt performe mindfull of mee in the riches of thy mercie to the ending of my life in Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee praise and honour for now and euer So bee it A Prayer and Thankesgiuing afâ—er the receiuing of the holy Supper of our LORD O LORD GOD Father Almightie I yeelde thee heartie thankes for thine inestimable loue and favour towards mee miserable Sinner not onely for that I haue my being moving and living in thee and from thee but also because it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie to redeeme me from eternall damnation wherein I was cast by reason of transgressions and that by the Blood of thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that I might liue with thee in that thy Kingdome in the Heaveâ—s Let not the effusion thereof be in value towards mee but still feede and nourish my soule by participation of the Body of thy Son Christ Iesus as an effectuall pawnde earnest of that glory which shall follow And now what shall I render vnto thee for all thy spirituall and temporall blessinges thou hast vouchsafed on mee And what doth the Lord my God require of me but to feare thee to walke in all thy wayes and to loue thee and serue thee with all mine heart and with all my soule Command mee Lord what thou wilt and doe in mee that thou commandest The most detestable vice is ingratitude and greater honour can be giuen to none than to bee called the Childe of God Thou hast the Son of thy delight with whom thou mightst haue contented thy selfe and hast thou not the holy Angels which doe readily thy will yet it hath pleased thee to adopt man-kinde O suffer me not holy Father to degenerate from thee and to turne to my former nature Giue me an vnderstanding heart to doe thy will and preserue mee as the apple of thine eye Remoue my sins which are as a clowde betwixt thee and mee O my God which art my light my life and salvation albeit I find in my selfe great temptations and grievous assaultes of Sathan the flesh and the world Thogh thou euen thou my deare God wold kill mee yet will I trust in thee for I know thou canst reviue me and when thou woundest canst heale mee Grant I never doubt of thy promises through vnbeliefe but beeing confirmed in Faith giue glorie to thee as fully perswaded that thou that promisest art also able to doe it For it is the greatest punishment that can befall man to forsake thy word and admonitions not to relye on thy promises but harden the heart by obstinacy and rebellion Take not thy Spirit from me but fasten mine heart to thee Show mee the light of thy countenance that I wander not from thee and sleepe in sinne but I may gather in this last age of the world Manna for that great and everlasting Sabbath in the Heavens that Ierusalem aboue the Citie of the living God where I shall find peace and rest for ever hauing accesse and entrie to that light of Glorie which hath broken and overthrowne the kingdome of Sathan For I know as thou strengthenest and fortifiest thy secreâ— ones thou redoublest their temptations Oâ— but hard is the combate when thou striuâ—â— against vs and seemest to bee our adversariâ—â— for how should dust and ashes stand beforâ— thee Strengthen guide me by thy might that encouraged by thy promises I may conquere and bee conpassed with ioyfull deliverances Great infirmitie and weakenesse doth remaine in mee I am full of vexation and anguish of minde but let mee never yeelde noâ— waxe faint but sustained and vpholded by thy grace and power that bâ—eing pressed I bee not oppressed but rise againe as the Palme tree For as the seede dead and rotten in the earth bringeth foorth greater aboundance so tribulation is the seed of the Church Assist me therfore by thy heavenly grace to try how much more precious the tryall of my Faith is than gold which bringeth so great a glorie when thou shalt change my teares into ioye my mourning into mirth my sorrow into solace my death into life Make my delite to bee always in thy word which being eternall can make mee also eternall I choose it to be my Treasure that mine heart may be alwayes therein for he that will liue must needes know thee hee that will reigne must needs serue thee that he wil haue ioy of heart must needes praise thee for thou art that Ladder by which Angels come downe to vs and wâ—â— ascend vp to Heaven to them Thou art the Way the Veritie and Life no man commeth to the Father but by Thee Quicken â—â—e therefore in thy Blood that I may bee of the number of thy Children and true member of the bodie of thy Church and never forget this Covenant I haue now bouÌ„d vp with thee who hath giuen mee that Inheritance by thy Will and Testament wherof this holy Supper is a true pledge Nowe hence foorth I am fullie deliberated to obey willinglie thy Statutes and persevere ioyefullie vnto the death and suffer crosses patiently sith thou my Saviour art my life To thee therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost Triniâ—â—e in Vnitie bee all praise and glorie and honour for nowe and euer Amen
maye quake thy Reason bee astonished thy Vnderstanding amazed to thinke of it and so may thy Tongue to speake of it Yet may thou sorrowfull Soule rejoyce in Christ crucified Gal. 6.14 which is the onely true object of all thy solide Ioye for by vertue of his painefull Passion 1. Cor. 1.30 thine hudge ransome is payed thy running wounds are healed perfite and absolute satisfaction for all thy sinnes made The first Death converted to Life the seconde valiantlie conquered the reid Dragon Sathan 1. Pet. 5.8 that Lyon goeth about to devour thee couragiouslie subdued Rev. 20.14 Hell that gapeth for thee overcom Col. 2.14 that Obligation that was against thee cancelled sinning sinne and that sinne that hangeth so fast on Heb. 12. 1. killed thy justly offended God pacified and thou with strong cords of love and everlasting mercie betrothed and reconcealed to him Hos 2.19 And now to call to memory wretched Soule these actions which went before his Crosse mayest thou not thinke that his suffrings were exceiding great when he did sweate blood Luc. 2.7 Hee spent his Bloode in his circumcisiâ—â— in our behalfe before and now in mount Oliues beeing in an agonie kneeling downe devotelie Luc. 22 44. and praying most earnestlie drops of Blood doeth burst through his sacred Bodie It is an vsuall thing for man in anguish to sweate but to sweate bloode and that in such quantitie and aboundance that it should trickle from him vpon the grouÌ„d is a strange thinge and an vnaccustomable thing and only proper to such an eminent personage whose Griefe was vnspeakeable and Paine vntolerable And did he thus shed drops of blood for thy sinne poore Soule and canst thou not nor wilt thou not shed teares for the same thou canst bewaile and mourne for vanishing and deceiuing toyes of this earth but for thy trespasses thy eyes are dryed and shoote vp Ob that mine head were a well of water Ier. 9.1 and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that thou mayest bewaile thy blindnesse forgetfulnesse and vngratitude And truelie it was not without cause that this terrible pâ—ssion did so sease vpon him for the matter which hee had in hand Col. 1.22 was weigh ie 2. Pet. 3.13 Eph. 6.12 Eph. 2.2 the worke which hee had to accomplishe was great the conflict strong the enemies mightie Luc. 4.13 their assaultes many the worke was mans eternall redemption the battell was with detestable Sinne destroying Death devouring Sathan insatiable Hell accusing Law and with the consuming Wrath of God and would not deare Soule these enemies so manie in number so mightie in power so terrible to behold make a man to feare to tremble to sweate Truelie if Christe had beene meere man onelie hee could not haue encountred with them for hee should haue succumbed vnder the burden of his owne sinne much lesse should haue releaved others But beeing very GOD and very Man Iesus Chrâ—ste the Iust 1. Iohn 2â— hee did fight them all overcame them all led captiue all Eph. 4.8 and hath triumphed over them all it cost them all their liues for ever and h m drops of blood with strong crying and teares Heb. 5.7 What say I droppes of bloode costed him no more yes yes that which was dearest vnto him his verie Life which could not bee taken from him but laid it downe for thee Mat. 20.28 and hath the power to take it again according to his Fathers commandement But now thou seest him crowned with Glory and Honour which is made a little inferior to the Angels through the suffring of death Heb 2.9 that by Gods grace he might taste Death for all men Hee is that stronger man that entred in the strong mans house spoyled all that he had and this and much more hee did Mat. 18. 11. before hee could bring vnder so mightie enemies as man had and so accomplish so painfull a worke as Redemption is Rom. 4.10 and pacifie so great a Person as is the most hie Almightie everlasting God O my Soule diligentlie remember often cal to mind the heauenlie droppes of that inesteemable Blood which he shed for thy sake thy soule vile sinnes for thee vnworthy soule and salvation 1. Iohn â— 19. Eph. 5.5 â—sal â— Rom. 8.3 Loue him for it dearelie thanke him for it earnestlie serue him in humilitie obedience and simplicity And that thou mayst receiue deeper impression of his blood marke heere diligentlie my Soule to how many severall respects and diverse ends hee had in this worke For first Rom. 8.32 GOD the Father delivered him who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death It was bee that smote the Sheepe-Heard Zach. 13. and the Sheepe was scattered For the sinnes of his people hee smote him I say Esay 53. for the Lord had laide vpon him the iniquitie of vs all And it behoued him to drinke of the cup that the Father had giuen him but what shall I say they persecute him whom they haue smitten Psal 69.26 and they adde vnto the sorrowes of them whom thou hast wounded As Iudas who said What will yee giue mee Mat. 28.15 and I will deliver him vnto you not assisting or cooperating to Gods will but perfecting his owne maliciousnesse as did the rest The Iewes also tooke him Iohn 18 13. and bound him and ledde him away vnto Annas Pilate also delivered him to bee crucified at their owne will Yea Iohn 19 16. Sathan had a enterest heerein who from the his Nativitie persued him euen to his Baptisme Mat. 4. where he hand to hand combated him but got the foyle and now hath entered in Iudas O! Eph. 5.2 but most of all deare Christ thou gauest thy selfe to death for the loue of thy Church for thou loued thy Church and gaue thy selfe for it Truelie Psal 1â— 3. thou mightest haue said The snares of Death compassed mee and the grieues of the Graue caught mee I haue found trouble and sorrow Psal 22. many young Bulles haue compassed mee mighty Bulles of Basan haue closed mee about they gape vpon mee with their mouthes as a ramping and roaring Lyon Dogges haue compassed mee and the assemblie of the wicked haue inclosed mee The chiefe Priestes who should haue defeÌ„ded the Shepe-Heard Bishop of our Soules 1. Pet. 2.25 1. Cor. 8.2.3 who pretended knowledge in whose handes were the Oracles of God most of all both privatlie and publicklie did procure his Death For Envy corrupted the whole masse of their learning They knew where Christ should bee borne Mat. 2.4 they had ofttimes disputed with him after that Iohn had testified of him Iohn 1.19 hee himselfe confessed and denyed not that hee was the Son of God Luc. 22.67.69.70 yet they never pretermitted no opportunitie while they had his life It is good to vnderstand according to sobrietie