-,
►^trw-
PRINCETON, N. J. "'
Division ....
Section .... :.-.„.. ."TirTTTTy.
S/W/ Number Zl..Z2.f.ij.
COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND .
ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE
I
LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
,
An Hiftorical Narration
O F T H E
LIFE and DEATH
OF O U R
Lord Jefus Chrift.
I N TWO PARTS.
Printed at the Theater in Oxford 1685.
!
A brief account of what is contained
IN THE FIRST PART
of The Hiftory of our V1^ ° L 9
SAVIOURS LIFE.
5 I f~\UR Saviour came about the
V>/ year of the "world 4000,
2 TV ben the Scepter ofjudah was in the
hand of Herod, a f ranger.
3 (S. john Baptift being Jent before
4 an extraordinary per/on both as to his
birth , and manner of living,
f but ejpecially as to his preachings
6 Virtues, actions,
7 andj'ufferings)
8 Our Saviours conception in Galilee,
9 Of a mofi pure and holy Virgin,
1 2 of mean condition,
I 3 efpoufedto an husband,
14 and informed by an Angel of this
great favour intended her by God;
I J whereupon fbe went to vijit her ecu-
fin Elizabeth, mother of the Baptifi,
16 convtrfing with her
I 7 three months.
1 8 Whence foe with feme apprehensions
returned to her husband,
1 9 but he, being a very difcreet, righ-
teous and holy perfon, (whilfi he was
thinking ofdifmijjing her privatly )
10 w as admonijhed by an Angel not to
do it; because that her conception was
by the Holy Ghoft.
21 to whom Jofepb moft readily obeyed,
and continued to cohabit with her
22 at 'Nazareth, till the time of her de-
livery drew neer ; which was
23 to be at Bethlehem,
14 whither an Editfof AuguHut for-
ced them to go ;
1$" and there they were neceffitated to
lodg very meanly,
*7 in a Stable i
2 8 where our Saviour was born ;
29 ( A great exaninition and humilia-
tion of the Son of God'. }
3 1 his parents onely being prefent, and
adoring him.
33 Mean- while an Angel puHified this
birth to. certain She, beards there in the
fieldwatcbing their flockt ;
3 5" and wasfeconded by many more,
3 6 who glorified God for thu birth in 4
fag*
36 {as ill the hoft of Heaven rejoyced
for, and in , it ).
3 8 The Shepbeards immediatly came to
BethUhemto fee and w^rjhip this new-
born child.
3 9 ( Gods great wifdom in thus order'
ing thefe affairs ! )
4 1 The fliepheards relation was a great
confolation to both the Parents;
42 But his Mother, effecially, h.pt this,
and fuch other favours of God, to her
felf, and pondered them in her heart.
43 our Lord was Circumcifed.
4^i t0 95 -A Digrejfi<M concerning cir-
cumcifion, the nature, and eff eels, of it.
5 f , to 6 1 . Of the giving htm the name
Jefus, and his faving his people front
their fins.
61 toy\. The hifiory of the coming of
the Wife men.
7i to 77 Of the prefent at ion of him ill
the Temple,
7 y to 80 whom Simeon took up in his
arms,and openly confeficd,
8 o as did aljo Anna a Frophetefs.
8 1 Which publuk. ttfimonies alarmed
Herod;
it, 82 where'
8 2 wherefore the V arena being returned
to Bethlehem with him,
83 the Angel of the Lord warned Jofeph
to flee -with them into Egypt,
S\to 89 which they did immediailf, and
89 to 94 (whilst Herod out of great fu-
ry flew all the children in Bethlehem,
hoping thereby to have flam eur Lord
himjelj )
94 they arrived fafe in Egypt :
9 5: where they ftaied not lcn%, till
§6, to I do Her od mi fer ably died, and
1 00 Jofeph iv as commanded to return
' into his own countrey.
I 01 Who, hearing that Archelaus reign-
• edinjudea, durfi not go thither, but
retired into Galilee, to his own city
Nazareth.
1 02 Whhhfeems foretold by the Prophets,
1 03 and prefigured bj Samfon.
104 Little written of his life or all ions
there till 3 o years old,
105 Tho he was thtn alfo filled with all
wifdom and knowledg ;
108 onely at It years old he went up to
"Jerusalem ; where he
109 ftaied after his Parents were gone
away :
J 1 1 For, fuppofing him in the company,
they went homeward without him ,
but returning
3 1 3 to Jerufalem, found him among the
Dotlors.
1 1 4 ( Whereat his mother, wondring,de-
manded , why he hadfo ufed his Pa-
rents ? to whom he anfwered, that he
muff be about his Fathers bufinefs:
3 I y which anfwer they feemed not ful-
ly to comprehend, but his mother
116 laid this up in her heart ; ) where
the Dotlors and learned men feemed to
take notice of his great wifdom. After
this be went
ny to Nazareth, with his Parents jv/u
obedient to them, and increafed in wif-
dom; but the entire hiftory of his life
and aclionsfrom this his return to Na-
zareth till his baptifm, u not written
by the Evangelifts ;
3 1 8 yet by feme fajjages inferiptures di-
vers paw culm s may te collected.
126 In that time ferns to have hap'
penedthe death cfS. Jofeph.
irj Our Lrd being jh.rtly to manifeft
himfelf, and enter upon the txercife of
his calling, John Baptift was fenty
whofe mifion and preaching is des-
cribed :
337 our Lord, being to enter upon his mi»
mjtery,went to foh'n to be baptized of
him.
339 thence tmmediatly retiring to pray-
er, the Father gave teftimony to him,
' by a vifible dtfeent of the Holy Ghtfb
in the refemblance of a Dove • and ■ by
an audible voice from heaven :
141 Which 'voice was afterwards feve-
ral times reiterated, and
14.Z himfelf often urgcth it tn his preach-
ing.
1 4 3 But our Lord, in the vehemency of
the fame fpirit newly received, de-
parted tmmediatly into the wildernefs ;
where he remained tn fafting, prayert
and other fpirit ual exercifes ; till
3 jo The Devil came to tempt him,
which he failed not to do divers waiest
till being foiled in all he departed ; and
163 (John continuing his preaching and
openly teftifying of our Saviour )
i6<> our Lord returned out of the wil-
dernefs,
j66fhewcd himfelf unto John ; and
\6y the next day entertained two of
Johns Difciples j one of them, S. An-
drew,
1 <5 8 who brought in his brother Simon,
and
370 fliortly after our Lord himfelf called
S. Philip, and he Natlianael,
172 to whom our Lord forereprefented
his future glory.
373 Our Saviour, going tlience to Ga-
lilee, arrived at Cane,
3 74 ( where he wrought the fir (I mira-
cle of changing Water into wine )
175- thence
176 thence to Capernaum 2.10 and cafi eut an unclean Spirit1
1J7 "with his Mot her ; brethren, and Di* 213 And departing front the Synagogue
fciples, he entred into Simons houfe, and cured
178 feme "whereof alfo were women. his wives mother.
179 Thence he went up to Jerufalem. 2 1 4 Betimes- in the morning he retired
180 Where he fir si clen/ed the Temple, pnvatlyto Prayer,
and afterwards preached to the people. 2 1 5" And leaving Capernaum he went
181 Some of whom defired of him a fign about other cities and towns of Galilee,
for the confirmation of his authority ; *i 7 Going over the Lake he dijcourfei
I g i But he onely told them, that if they with feveral of the Scribes concerning
defiroyed the temple of his body, he following him.
would raife it again in three dates > 22 o Faffing over in the night-time ht
183 Tetfome did believe in him, f aimed a great form.
184 particularly Nicodemus, a Ruler ; 221 And the next morning landed in the
with whom our Lord held a long dip- countrey of the Gadarens ; where ht
courfe. met with two pojjejfed violently with
186. After the Pafchal feafi, cur Lord, Dtviis. Which cafimg out he permit-
not trufiing to the Hierojoly mites, went ted to enter into Swine , and to drown
and preached in the countrey ofjudea, them m the Lake.
187 and ordered his converts to be bap- 225" Upon which the Gadarens being dif-
tizedi pleajed defired him to depart. And
188 Whereupon John withdrew further 216 he immediatly returned into thefinp^
. towards Herods Jurijditlion. 227 and came to Capernaum.
189 Meanwhile there growing a little 2. 18 Where he cured a par aly tick on the
emulation of feme of Johns Difciples, Sabbath-day.
feeing our Lord more followed then 131 'Thence going to the Sea-fide, hecal-
their Mafier, they confulted St. John ; led Mathew, and dined with him t
J 90 before whom John difcourfed giv- 223 jufitfjing that aft ion 5
ing tefiimony to our Lord, 2 3 4 as alfo the not fo frequent fafimg of
19 I which fully Jatisfied them. his own, as of Johns, Difciples.
191 But John himfelf3 boldly reproving 2.27 Then J air us the Ruler of the Sy-
Herod, was by him cafi into Prifon. nagogue intreated him to come and curs-
1 9 y Meanwhile our Lord departed out his daughter ;
of Judea into Galilee 2.38 ( going along with him, he cured
I96 thro Samaria; coming to S) char, the woman touching h;s garment )
iq 7 where fitting by the Well, be dif- 1^.0 and went forward to Janus' s houfp.,.
courfedwith, and converted,a woman, and restored his daughter to life.
and many of the Inhabitants- 241 Returning thence to Capernaum, bf
2,04 Thence after ^ daies (lay, he conti* the way he cured 2 blind men.
nued his journey towards Galilee ^ 242 And at Eafler went up to Jerufalem.
2 05- where he healed the Rulers fan. 243 Where he cured a known Paralytica
206 Then he went to Capernaum, w here lying at the Pool on the Sabbath-day,
preaching with great applaufe 2 4 f 10 the great offence of the Jews.
20 7 he gathered Difciples. Particularly ^46 But our Lord jufiifiedhimfelf,
a o 8 Stmon Peter, Andrew, and the Jens 247 and his Difciples alfo ,for plucking^.
of Zebedee. rubbing, and eating the ears of corn on
409 With whom the next Sabbath he en*» the Sabbath- day j
tred into the Synagogue, and taught, 248 himfelf 'alfo for curing a man wit a
a. withar^
6 o Before whom the Jews laid many
things to his charge.
6 1 But examined by Filate and found
innocent , he
64 was fent to Herod.
68 Who defpifing him returned him to
Pilate ;
69 and Filate endeavoured to fave him,
1 by propofing his releafment ,
7 o a by chaftifing him,
7 1 andfufftringhim to be mocked by the
Soldiers.
7 3 The JtWs urged, that he called him-
felf the Son of God, andlaldother ac-
cufations agatnfi him j
76 till they forced Pilate, yet with great
reluctance,
80 to condemn him to be Crucified ',
8 1 ( a death ftrefhewed by the Prophet st
andchofen by himfelf )
9 o and to commit him to the Soldiers.
9 1 Who led him to execution, much pi-
tied by divers per fans,
9 5- unto Golgotha- Where they offer him
mingled-wine,
9 6 firipped-eff hit garments,
97 Jet a title over his head^
98 and Crucified him',
99 And divided his garments.
100 Meanwhile many of the people, and
one of the theives, mockgdy but divers
pittied,him. Our Lord,havingdifpofed
of his BleJJed Mother,
ioi was ji lent, ivhilft many prodigies
appeared.
I o 3 At lafi he faid Ithirft, and gave
up the Ghofi.
1 04 Thi meaning of t ho fe prodigies,
105* acknowledged by the Centurion>
106 but not by the Jews.
108 Afoldier pierced his fide.
ill Jofeph of Arimathea begged his
I 1 2 body, And buried it.
113 and the Rulers fealed the fione and
Jet a guard.
1 1 4 But notwithfianding he rofe from
the dead, as it was witneffed by the
guards.
11 7 Divers women ignorant of his Re-
furreclion come to theSepulchre,
I I 8 as did Peter and John:
119 our Lord appeared to Mary Mag-
dalen firft,
121 then to the other women,
122 who hafied to tell the Apofiles ;
1 2 3 £fe appeared alfo to S. Peter,
1 24 and to 2 more Difciples going to E-
maus ;
127 and to the body of the Apofiles ;
131 and to them again when Thomas
was prefent ;
1 3 7 again in Galilee when they were a
139 again to James ;
1 4 1 and Lafily to them all at Jerufalem ;
from whence he led them forth to
Mount Olivet, and in their prefence
afcended into heaven.
1.5" o They returned to Jerufalem,
CO
An Hiftorical Narration
OF THE LIFE
O F O U R
LORD JESUS
T A R T. I.
AFTER above two thoufand years of the Worlds age run $• *«
out before the Law ; amd near another two thoufand tin,'
derit; That the world from its beginning might fuc-
ceflively move ftill to more and more perfection, the remainder
of its duration was to be f pent under the Go/pel. Which time alfo,
as for the progrefs of the Gofpel in coaverfion of Nations,
probably mail not furpafs two thoufand years more; and then,af-
ter thefe fix great daiesof the World, the feventh Millenary day
mall be a Sabbath , a day of great reft, peace, and prolperity
unto the Church of God (fee7^ff. 20. 2. comp.19.29.and -]^ev,
20. 7, 10, 11. -Rgm.n. if, 16,29, 31. ) andlaftlv, on the 8 th day,
a refurredfcion from the dead ; and fo time fwallowed up of Eter-
nity. For that this world fhall not arrive to eight thoufand
years appears from the many texts intimating that in our Sa-
viors and the Apoftles daies it had already palled its middle
age. [ See Heb. 1. 2. -9. 26. -flom.13.12. -1 Cor. 7. 29. -1 Pet. 4. 7.
-2 Pet. 3.3. -Phil. 4. s. Eph. 1. 10. -Gal. 4. 4. -1 Jo. 4. 3. -a Theff.
2. 3. comp. 1 Jo. 2. 18.] After the World therefore now was
about 4000 years old i and the Laws, of Nature, and of Mofes^
had fulfilled their periods; the appointed time approached
for the coming of the Promifed Meflias , and promulgation
by Him of the Gofpel.
At which time ( to verify Jacobs prediction ( Gen.^. 10. ) that t-^1
upon the coming of Shilo, the Civil Government and com-
mon-wealth of the Jews was fhortly to expire, and to be
changed into the Spiritual and eternal Kingdom of the Mef-
liah) We find, not only a fubjeclion of the Jewifli fupreme
A Governors
The Hi/lory of the life §.2:
Governors to the Roman Emperors ; and a new enrolment
and tax juft now impofed on that people by Auguftus ( be-
ing fuch a fubmiffion as that Nation had never {looped to
before : therefore ona Judas of Galilee and much people
with him made an infnrrection upon it ( Acl. ?, i7"J°f' Antiq.
\%J. i.e.) ) we find I fay not only fuch a fubjedtion of the Go-
vernors, but alfo the Government, and the Scepter it felf of
the Jews to be now firftput into the hands of a ftranger, He-
rod , by race an Idumean.
A man, who raged amongft Gods people like a Bear and
a Lion, devouring and wafting on every fide. One, who flew
their King [Antigonus]* flew their High Prieft [HircanusJ
his great Friend, and all the cheif Council of the Jews that
fate with him, fave only one manf fee Jofeph. 14. c. 1%. ) extir-
pated the race of the Macchabees, and with them leveral of
his intimate friends ( ie^Jojepb.^. c. 9.) One, who changed
the High Prieft, now of no authority, feven times over in his
reign j depofing fome, killing others , fubftituting in their
roomes whom hepleafed, perfons of little merit , low condi-
tion, that he might be lefs jealous of their power. ( And what
He did toward the High Prieft, the fame alio did his fuc-
ceflbrs in this government: Amongft whom Valerius Gratus,
Pilates PredecefTor, changed the High Prieft in five years five
times Jofeph. Antiq. 18. /. 4. c which might fuffioiently inti-
mate to the Jews the approaching ceffation of that office by the
Aduent of the Eternal High Prieft. ) Again, One, whofe rage
entred even into his own family \ killed his wife moft pailio-
natly loved by him, and his wives mother ■, killed his three eldeft
Sons, ( two of them men of great worth ) as is imagined, cauf-
lefly. One, who, when juft vengeance would fuffer him to
live no longer, imprifoned all the Jewifh Nobility that he could
aflemble together, and ordered , that inftantiy upon his ex-
piring, they mould alfo be flain, to change the Jews fore- feen
rejoycing at his death into a mourning for theirs. Not here
to name that fuperbarbarous Daughter of fo many ('certainly
-Innocent becaufe ) Infants in the coafts of Bethlehem.
At this time therefore, after the moft cruel of Princes, ( to
make him the more acceptable J. was to come to his people
the moft merciful, and mild, and peaceful : eternally to deliver
them from their enemies, and from the hands of all that hated
them (Lu\. 1.71.) When alfo this Ambitious man, much gi-
ven to magnificent itru&ures, being ore-ruled by the Divine
Providence
§.3. of cur Savior Jefus Chrift. 3
Providence, and thinking no other work fo £t to«ternize his
own memory (tee Jofeph. Antiq. if. I. 14.^.) or to oblige to
him for ever the Jewiili nation, had built and prepared anew
Temple, much more fumptuous then the former, as it were for
the more folemn entertainment ofthefuddain coming of this
Lord into his Temple. ( Malac. $. 1.)
And, fix Months before his Conception, firft preceded the g. 3.
conception of another, molt extraordinary, JPerfon j One much
more than a Prophet ( Lu\. 7. z6. ) one prophecied of by the
Prophets ; and called by them Angelus Domini ; of whom the
higheft of the prophets, Eiias, was only a Type. 1. And this **
Perfon was, ordained by God to be the Meflenger, and fore-
runner, and proclaimer to the world of the coming or this
Lord, and of the inftant approach now of the Kingdom ( not
of Earth, but,) of Heaven. 2. Appointed aifo to prepare the 2.
way for this Prince ; tocaufe the levelling, and making ftraight
and plain all places before him ( as is ufually done before great
Princes J: but all this was with reference to -mens fpiritual
condition ( which only is worth fuch a great defign as we here
fpeak of;) as alfo this great Prince, thatwas to come, was a
fpiritual Prince ; and this levelling and making ftraight was
not ment of material Hills and high waies, but of what was
high and ambitious, low and bale, perverfe and crooked, in
mens lives and thoughts before fuch a Lord, as was to be en-
tertained and to rule, not in mens palaces, but in their hearts.
This Perfon therefore was fent to prepare the world, that they
fhould, not with any fecular ftate or external magnificent
(hews, but with pure Souls and reformed manners ( with which
entertainment only this heavenly King was taken ) meet and
receive this moft Holy Prince; and therefore He was ordered
to appear not in feafting, or in glorious array, orinfome rich
andltately Court or populous City or Pallace, but in that moft
rigid failing , and in rough apparel, and in an uncultivated
defert. Thus, was he fent before to baptize and clenfe the
whole Nation, and to purge them from their former fins by
repentance that they might be rendred a people fit to entertain
foHoly a Prince, and capable to receive the large efFufions of
his Spirit.
And fo we find, Mat. 3. 7, the whole Nation, as it were, upon
his appearing and telling them , that One followed, who
brought his Fann in his hand to purge his Floor, and who would
burn the chaff with fire unquenchable ( Mat. 3 . 1 1 , n.j,
A 2 flocking
4 The Hiftory of the Life fy. 4:
flocking unto him ; confeffing fins ( efpecially the meaner peo-
ple, Publicanes, Soldiers, andfuchashadno high opinion of
their own righteoufnefs); and receiving baptifm; and inqui-
ring of him concerning their feveral duty, and amendment
of life. See Lul^. 3.10. f5c. -7.29. And amongothers we find
alfo repairing to this forerunner, out of the remoter parts of
Galilee feveral of thofe, whom our Lord afterward entertain-
ed for his Difciples,- learning as it were their firit rudiments
from thisBaptift; As, Andrew, John, Peter, Philip, Nathanaiel
'jo. i.e. -and not unlikely Matthew alfo amongft other Publi-
cans LttJ^y. 29. Only the Pharifees and Lawyers, much con-
ceited of their own Holinefs, fruftrated the Counfel of God
againft themfelves, and would not come to confeffion to, or
receive baptifm from, Him LuJ^ 7. 30. and as they, firft, re-
fufed John's principles and discipline, fo afterward they pro-
fitted as little under that of the Meffias.
3. 3. Laftly : this Sacred perfon was ordained to proclaim and
bear witnefs of the Meffias, before his face, to ail the people,
fo foon as he mould appear ; and with his finger to point out
unto them his very Perfon. Jo. 1.26. Only, becaufe he came
, fo near, the time of our Lord, no miracles were to be wrought
.by him, left he mould turn menseyes upon him felf from him
that followed Him, to whom thefe were referved as a Royal pre-
rogative; and therefore our Savior enumerated thefe to Johns
Difciples queftioning who he was Mar. 11. 5-, 6. to mew them
that he was the Meffias and a greater Perfon, then their Ma-
iter. SeeMat. 11. ?.
.$» 4- St. John Baptift being defigned tofo high an imployment,
all things ffuitablyj in him were very extraordinary, and
traufcending the common condition of other men. His Pa-
rents were chofen by God, perfons eminently holy, and near
akin to the Mother of the Meffias (Luj^ei.6, 36.) He was con-
ceived miracuioufly (as Ifaac had bin formerly ), when con-
cupiscence andluft was now ceafed in his Parents being very
old, and paft procreation of children, as if he was not to be a
child of the flefh, but of the Spirit. Gal. 4. 29. He was fan&ified
and filled with the Holy Ghoft even in the womb , leaping
there, for joy ('faith S. Luke i.e. 44. v .) three Months before
his Nativity, at the approach of our Saviors prefence, as it
were indicating thus early the Meffias to his Mother, His
conception was firft foretold to his parents by an Angel, and
jthatthe fame Angel Gabriel , who fix Months after annun-
ciated
§. 4» of our Savior Jefus Chrift.
ciated our Lords conception to the blefTed Virgin s and who,
being Angularly admitted into thefecretsof God, and one of
the Angels of fpecial prefence, ( Lu\. 1.19J had long before
thofe times revealed to the greatly beloved Daniel the pun-
ctual time or our Lords coming ( Dan. 9. 21,24. )
The Baptift, thus miraculouflyentred into the world, lived
alfoluch a life here as never any man lived before him j after
his infancy ( as one who was not like other Prophets taken for
Gods iervice from leading a common life, but, from the womb,
fil ed with the Spirit, ) He left his Fathers houfe ( who lived in
a City in the Mountains of Judah ) and retired into the Wil-
dernefs,- was never corrupted with any acquaintance with
men j nor interefled in any affairs of human life; norkarned
at all the finfully-conipliantacts of ordinary fociety i that fo
he might afterward, as an equal ftranger to all, and indepen-
dent on any for the necefTariesof his life, more freely reprehend
the faults of every one, whilft none could tax any in himfelf,
He lived in a remote Defert, where doubtlels he had much con-
verfe with God and holy Angels ; (for, what can we lefs
imagine of him who was fiomthe womb fo Angularly fandti-
fied ? ) Heufednotat all the ordinary food of men at leaft af-
ter his fojourning in the Wildernefs ; neither eating any Bread,
nor drinking any Wine, fo that the Jews feeing fuch abfti-
nence affirmed he was poiTefTed. ScqLu/^. 7. 33. His raiment
rough and Suitable to his diet; and fuch as he might receive
from any dead beaii, for it was but Leather and woven Hair,
Of both which, his diet and his Apparel, our Savior pleafed to
take particular notice to the people, as betokening an extraor-
dinary perfon ; ( Mat. 1 1. 8. -L^k: 7» 3 3- ) from whofe unerring
mouth he received fuch a teftimony, as never any had the
like See Mat.i 1.9,11,14. [where thothe nth verfe there feems,
to intimate, that the leaft of our Saviors difciples or followers
mould be made greater than he j ( 1.) in fo me fort more hap-
py in hearing and feeing our Saviors words and works, in en-
joying clearer manifeftations of the Gofpel , laftly in doing
greater things than he , namely all forts of Miracles by the
power of our Lord j yet might they be", notwithstanding, and
were molt of them, much inferior to him, in the eminency-of
a continued Sanctity from his birth, and the dignity of his
office. Who was chofen to be the firlt Minifter of the Gofpel,
and whofe hallowed Tongue firft fhewed tothe world the per-
form of the Meilias, and whofe Sacred hands baptized Him.]
Elias
6 The Hi/lory of the Life §. 5;
Elias the moft eminent of all the Prophets, as I faid, was his
Type ; who prefigured him in his rough apparel, and iolitary
abode, and iilveftrian fare; living for the moft part in the For-
reftof Mount-Carmel, (as may be gathered from 1 Kjng. 18.
19,42. comp. 2 i(zȣ. 4. 25-. the habitation ofhn fucceflorEli-
fha ■, ) fed by Ravens in folitude ; and drinking of the Brook;
failing be ond all others fave Mofesand Jefus ; typifying in
his paffing thro the divided waters of Jordan the baptifm
there of this his fucceflbr ; Bold in rebuking vice inAhab, as
John in Herod; and perfecuted by Jezebel, as he by Hcrodias.
S- ?• And as the great ELias was the type of John, fo was John
Baptift the moft exprefs and near Pattern and Semplar of the
Meffias, both 'in the courle of his life and in the manner of
his doctrine, ' and in his fufferings and death. Miraculoufly
conceiv'd in one kind as our Savior was in another; and both
foretold by the fame Angel; referved in privacy and folitude
all his younger years ( tho full of the Holy Ghoft ) till about
the 30th year of. his age; then beginning to preach and bap-
tize, as afterward did our Savior : and preaching in the fame
new manner and words; ( comp. Mat. 3. 2. with 4. 17. ) declar-
ing unto them, a Kingdom in Heaven, which the Lord, that
followed him, would confer on the worthy; and the everlaff-
ing torments of Hell-fire, which he would inflidt on the rebelli-
ous ; telling them of a kingdom of God to beereified, not a-
broad, but within them ; and of the Holy Spirit which this
King would baptize them with upon their repentance preach-
ed by Him, freeing them from the thraldom not of the Ro-
mans, but of (in; nor from their fervitude under Herod or Ti-
berius, but under the great Prince of all this lower world, Satan
their fpiritual, and only dangerous enemy; whofe captives and
children, and not Abrahams, they ("unknowingly ) were, till by
this Prmce delivered. This was the great deliverance to come by
Luh 2. 77. Jefus which both Holy Zachary fpake of in his Benedictus ; [ To
giveknowledg of Salvation unto his people by the remiflionof
Mxtt.i.zi. their fins J and the Angel in his meflage to Jofeph telling him
why he mould be called Jefus or Savior, [becaufe he fhoul4
fave his people from their fins. ] Such punifhments and rewards,
liberty and royalty , as the Baptift preached, being the only
that were here worth the fpeakingof, or looking after. Thus
was the Baptift appointed to be the beginner of theGofpel,
.and the firft open promulgator cf this new Spiritual Kingdom.
The Prophets, faith our Savior Mat. n.iflj 13. prophecied, un-
til
§. 6. of our Savior Jefus Chrift. j
til [chn, [(j.^ of fuch a thing to come ] j but, from the daies
of John, the kingdom of heaven began to fufFer violence j
people by troopesuow preffinginto it, and every one Arising
to gain for himfelf a fhare thereof, whilft they crowded in
fuch multitudes to Johns ( Mat. S.f. J and our Saviors bap-
tifms, (Job. 3,26. ) Only John began the publim'ing of this
Gofpel afar off as it were ; not coming into the Temple ,
or the cheif Cities, to preach it,' but Haying a loof off in
the Wildernefs, and near Jordan, leaving thefe honors to
the Lord who followed Him s by whom the Gofpel was
brought ftill nearer, till it vifited atlaft every {mall Town
and Village.
And as John preceded our Savior in his new and Spi- $• s*
ritual doctrine , fo he refembled him muchwhat in his He-
roical vertues. Both in his magnanimity and courage, and in
his manfuetude and clemency, and in his humility and ielf-
denial ( which was never in any man fo great as in our Savior. )
i Ufing the fame boldnefs toward Herod (Lu\. 3. 19, 20, ) as
our Savior afterwards did ( Lu\. 13. 32. ) reproving him for all Like _j. i^
the evil he had done, faith the Evangelift, and particularly
concerning his Wife; not fearing the implacable wrath of a
woman and a Queen, thothis cofthim his life. Again treat-
ing the Scribes, the Pharifees, and Sadduces ('whole manners
he knew by the Spirit and Revelation, not having learnt them
by experience ) at the firft fight, roughly and feverely, as their
incorrigible Kypocrify and malice defervdj reproving them
in the very fame terms as our Savior j comp. Mat. 3.7. -with
23. 39. and calling them Generation of Vipers or Serpents,
('they being the brood of the old Serpent the Devil in the re-
femblance of their manners fee Jo. 8. 44.^ in oppofition to
their boafting of their being Abrahams feed, to whom they
were nothing like in their lives : 2 Meanwhile, toward the fol-
diers, the publicans, and others notorious, but relenting fin-
ners, ufing the fame manfuetude as Chrift, teaching them their
duty for the future, without upbraiding their former faults.
This great Saint, ( not bred in the Court or in ceremonial So-
ciety, but in retirednefs and folitude ) neither reverencing
the fecular porte and ftate of the Pharifee, nor defpifing the
meannefs and low efteemof the Publican. Only in general, the
Baptift feems to perfonate a greater aufterity then our Lord
both in his converfation and his preaching ; preffing mainly the
difcipline of repentance, and threatning much the wrath to
come3
$ The Hiftory cf the Life §. 6*
come,hell-fire,and damnation, to the difobedient,- having fome-
thing more herein of the Spirit of his type Elias ; whereas our
Saviors language was more benign and indulgent publifhing
rem-ffion or" fin, and promifing a Kingdom to the obedient j
ana alio telling his Difciples, that the Spirit of Elias did not
fo v/elL befit them. Yetwereboth our Saviors and Johns di-
fpenfations fuitableto their feafons; the one anfwering to the
beginning of an holy life, the other to the end and confum-
rnation thereof ; the one laying the foundation with threats
and terrors i the other building it up with confoiations and
mercies j the Lord doing the rough part by his fervant, the
gentie and mild by himfelf.
Again, much refembiing our Savior alfo in his great hu-
mility accompanied with fucheminency of Sanctity. He, that
was io tar above the Prophets , yet when the Jews fent to him
and asked hinij whether he was Elias, or whether he was a
Prophet, ( which is to be underftood here as in Mat. \6. 14. the
jews, then, holding a Tmhiyhrma.) He anfwered, No: without
telling them, that he was that typified Elias, which was for to
come ,• or that he was more then a Prophet ; and expreffcd
himfelf meanwhile by the moft diminutive term that could
be thought on j that he was only Vox clamantts, &c. before
a greater Perlon, that was then coming after him. He ftood
exceedingly upon his guard of lowlinefs, and difparaged 'him-
felf upon all occafions, as the Jews and hisDifciplesmagnifyed
him. Being conjectured by them for the Meffias henourifhed
not the miftakefor his own honor; but .( faith the Evangelift
Jo. 1. 20. J he ronfefTed, and denied not, [i. e. to fpeak this truth
againft his own reputation ] but confeffed, that he was not He.
And Jo. 3.28. he takes folemn witneis of fuch his confeffion.
In comparing himfelf with him, he ufeth an expreffion ,
to debaic himfelf beneath the loweft of his fervants ; that he
was not worthy, itooping, to untie the latchet of his fhoe( Mar,
1. 7- ) and [Jo. 3. 31. ) he faith that he being earthly did but
loqui de terra fpeak of the Earth, i. e. low and mean rudiments
( for which S.John ufeth this phrafe fee Jo. 3. v. iz.) in com-
panion of Jefus, who coming from Heaven above fpoke of
the greater iniitenes which he had there heard and feen. He
every where gave place toour Savior; left Bethabara in ]u-
dea , the more publick place of concourfe , for our Saviors
difciples ( fome of whom had formerly bin his ) to baptize in ,•
and retired himfelf North-ward toward Galiiee to Enon near
to
§. j. of our Saviour Jefa Christ. 9
to Salim. ( Jo. 3.23.) He tranfmittedhisDifciples to him (Jo.
i.^S-) andrefign'd his former Auditors, and the multitudes to
his conduct : and when the people , fb foon as they faw his
great Miracles and heard his divine words, now admired and
tiockt after Jefus much more then they did after John; He
rejoiced to hear it with an humble acknowledgment ,• Oportet il-
ium ere/cere me minui : and when his ambitiou?difcip!es made
a complaint to him of it, he anfwered them, that he was but
a waiter 011 this Bridegroome of the Church, and his joy was
fulfilled to ftand filent by, and hear his fvveet colloquies with
his Bride [Jo. 3.29 .)
1 Laftly , after the like vertues and actions to our Sa- § 7.
viors, John alfo run before him in the like fufferings. Per-
fected by the Pharifees , and call'd by them a Demoniack,
as our Savior was, (Lu^. 7.30, 34)-' perfecuted by Herod and
ungratefully imprifoned by him, at the folicitationof his Wife,
whom before he had heard gladly and in many things obeyed
his Holy Counfel Mai\ 6. 20. -and afterward kill'd by him, on-
ly for bearing witnefs unto the truth, a year before our iavior j
fa well-dancing Girle being preferred before this great Pro-
phet); iQ//dwhilft Herods confeience pleaded for him, as Pi-
lat's did for Jefus -, and both were by both out of a bafe fear
deftroyed. i\ill'd atafolemn Feaft in Galilee that was kept
on Herods birth day, as our Savior was at the Pafcal fealt,
none of the many great Guefts there opening their mouth for
him; beheaded in prifon, privatly, and unheard,- condemn d
without witneiTes as Jefus by falfe ones. Put to death by He-
rod partly out of religion too, to keep his oath forfooth, as Je-
ius was by the Jews to preferve their Law. And then his Reve-
rend Head and countenance, which living none beheld without
a religious awe andrefpedt, not committed to a decent Grave
but carried away in triumph , and ferv'd up in a diih at Herods
bloody Table ( who now feared no more his righteous Tongue,) ;
there rejoiced over and made merry with: ( the fate of great
Saints j{ev. n. 10. ) and expofed to thederifion and abufeofhis
malicious enemies ; as alfo our Saviors facred Head and coun-
tenance was treated ( but this when alive ; both by his blindfol-
ders-and his Crowners -hands, ( knocked, fp;t on, peirccd, by
them at pleafure),and laftly as it was expofed to deniion allo(for
many hours ) upon the Crofs. With fuch fufFerings God here
rewards his worthier!: Servants. And thus much being laid in
honour of this great ( I know not whether I may fay ) in fome
B manner
io The HiJIory of the Life §.8,9.
manner the greateft (excepting the B'efTed Virgin) of Saints,
the Baptift. Now let us turn our eyes toward our BlefTed Lord
that followed him.
$• 8- Six months after the conception of the Baptift, the fame glo-
rious Angel Gabriel was fent to an opponte fide of Paleftme
far diltantfrom the country of the Baptift (that the validity
of his teftimony concerning Jefns might not be weakned by
any acquaintance between t ele twoKinfmen ) to Nazareth,
afmall aud contemptible City ( fee Jo. 1.-4.5 .) of Galilee ; by
the Jews a much delpifed Country ( lee Jo. 7. 41' f2- ) a place
the fartheft remote from the Royal City and the Temple, and
from the noble Tribe of Judah, and the Linage of David from
which was expected the Meffias ; and a place of extraordinary
darknefs and ignorance, fas we may gather from Mat. 4. if,
i<5. a people that fat in darknefs, and in the region and fha-
dowof death J; bordering upon, and being it ielf half, Gen-
tile. And this remote ignoble Region Gods wifdom chofe for
the habitation and education of his own Son, and the Lord
of all the Earth. For which country of his our Savior iuftered
much mortification and fcorn all his life from the great ones
of the Jews, faying, that the Meffias could not come from fuch
a place; andwasalfo afterward, by the enemies of Chriftianity
Julian and others, reproachfully, call'd the Galilean. And this
we may imagine done by the Divine Wifdom for many rea-
fons. Firftthat his own Son might here, in all things, re-
prefent to us the greateft humility ; and man might hereafter be
afhamed to be proud and boaft himfelf of the Nobleuels of
his City or Country. And fecondly, that he might here the
better be concealed and live in obfcurity , who was to fuffer
death from finners before his publick exaltation and glory.
3ly. Again; that where more darknefs was, there they might
enjoy the more light, and the efficacy of the Divine Grace
moremanifeft it felf in Mans weaknefs : much of our Saviors
teaching being fpeut amongft thisdull'and ignorant people :
and that, the more to exalt Gods power, from this dark regi-
on, thofeperfons fhould cheifly be taken by our Savior, being
his own Country-men, who mould enlighten the whole world;
4ly. And laftly that, by this Countries confinment upon, and
mixture with, the Gentiles, God might'fhew his Son a com-
mon Savior coming to all, not only the Jew, but us Gentiles.
$. p. Hither was this great Angel fent from God, in his name to
" falute and ill a fpecial manner efpoufe unto Him ( if I may ufe
the
§ io. of our Saviour Jefut Chrift. n
the expreffionof the Prophets. E\ech.\6.-Hof. 2. 19. ) that holy
Virgin Mary a Daughter of David, found out in thisobfcure
corner fo far removed from the Tribe and houfeofher proge-
nitors and kindred} a perfon fingled and chofen out of all
the daughters of Adam of ali generations, curiouily viewed by
his all-iearching eies, whom he thought the raoft worthy to
make the Holy Mother of his only Son and the fecond Eve
to bring falvation to mankind as the firft had caufed their
ruin. Which perfon, fince ihewas thus Angularly gratious in
Gods eies above all mortals that ever were, and deftined to
that high honor, as never any other creature was, to have a
God to be her Son, and cloth himfelf with part of her fub-
Itance, to be nounfhed with her milk, to hang on herBrefts,
and to be carried about in her armes. And fince God makes
all things proportionable and fit for the ends hedefigns them
to i we may juftly imagine her purity and cleannefs from fin,
her graces and perfections in all vertues, to have furpafTed
thofe of the greateit Saints whatever. And, all thofe enamour-
ed praifes which God givethin the Canticles to hisSpoufe the
Church; [' Behold thou art fair my Love, behold thou art
* fair ; thou haft Doves eies —Thou art all fair my Love, there
'is nofpot in thee. --A garden inclofed is my Spoufe,- A fpring
Mhutup; a Fountain fealed j --How fair and how pleafant art
' thou, O Love, for delights,looking forth as the morning, fair as
'the Moon and clear as theSuu,&:c.to£.4.i,7}i2.-7.6.]We may
conceive in a fingular manner to be verified, above all other faith-
ful, in thisBleffed Virgin, the moft high and the moft elevated
amongft all the members of this his Spoufe, the Church. If
therefore the Baptift, who was to be but our Saviors MefTenger,
was, for this office, filled with the Holy Ghoft from the womb
(Lu^. 1. iy ) : Surely fo was flie who was to be his Mother,- and
probably this is the reafon, that when as the Evangelift faith, of
Elizabeth and of Zacharie before their Doxologies and Hymns,
and of Peter and others before their Sermons, that they were
filled with the Holy Ghoft ; yet no where is f uch exprefiion ufed
of thisBleffed Virgin, either before her Magnificat, or on any
other occafion, becaufefhe from her very beginning was fo. $• To>
And then fhe being fuppofed fo fanclified from the womb;
Firft, what holy ftories, feeo\ Greg. Nyfjen. In Natalnn Lo?nini.
may we not believe of the pafTmgof her childhood and yon-
ger years; of her retirements and praiers ; of her moft pure
chaftity, and horror of all carnal luft and Concupifcence; of
B z her
1.
1 2 The Hiftory of the Life §. tim-
ber dedicating her imfpotted Virginity to God and devoting
her felt to his only and perpetual fervice ; of her conftant holy
converfation with him, and ardent love toward him ; likethat
whichaSpoufe hath to her Husband, which love he fawwho
faw hei heart -, or alio who made it there; and fo he, who is
never indebted, return' d his love again to Her; who fince he
was pleafed to (hew the affection and enamorednefs of a husband
to the houfe of Ifrael, tho a very fmful people; in adopting
its children to be his own ( fee E\ecb. 1 6. chap, and Hofz.cbap. )
how much more may we fay that he did fo, to this pure Vir-
gin, of whom by the Holy Ghoft he produced his natural Son ?
Which honour ( fo far furpafling that of theBaptift or of any
other Saint ) many Holy men and Doctors of the Church well
confidering, aflign alfo to her a fandtification yet higher, then
his; fome laying, that fhe(thro the merits of her Son,thro whom
only muft any good defcend on any of Adams children) was ex-
empted from all actual fin ; others that (lie was alfo cleanfed, or
( as others yet further ) preferved, from that pollution and Main
of Original fin, the carnal concupifcence, which inheres in the
reft of Adams pofterity ; and that thus, as,thro Chrift, others are
delivered from the fins they have any way contracted, fo was fhe
preferved from thofe fins which elfe fhe, as a daughter of Adam,
mould have contracted 5 that fo this Spoufe , who was to enter-
tain fuch intimate vifitations of the Holy Spirit, might have no-
thing of the flefh difpleafing in hiseies. And indeed S. Au-
ftin , when fpeaking againft the Pelagians of the Univerfal
guilt of finning, yet reverently puts in this exception con-
cerning this excellent Creature (yet not preferv'd fuch with-
out the help of Grace. ) Excepta Santla Virgine Maria; de
qua,propter honor em Domini ynullampr or fus, cum de peccatis agitur,
habere volo quaff ionem< Inde enim fcimus, quod ei plus gratia col-
latum fuerit advincendum omni ex parte peccatum, qua concipere
acparere meruit eum, quern conjlat nullum kabuijje peccatum.'
$• *'» Secondly, amongft ailother vertucs and perfections and free-
dom from offending God, how eminent may we imagine this
Holy maid efpecially to have bin in that of corporeal and Vir-
ginal purity 1 how free from all carnal lulling ! fince as all fins
are oppofiie to that Holy Spirit with which fhe was filled, fo
this of the flefh oppofit above ailother. (See 1 tor. 6. i<5, 17,
18,19. -iTheff.4.. 4. ,7. -Epb. f. 3. -Exod. 19. 1 j". -1 Sam. 21. 4.
•i Cor. 7. ?, 34.) fo that we may imagine all things of her
( both for her reverence, guard, and vowes, concerning this
vertue )
§. 1 1. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift. 13
vertue ; far transcending thofc which have appeared in other
Holy perfons. As for her Efpoufals to Jofeph ( which feems al-
moit nectfTary to take away the reproach of any daughter of
Ifraeljher remaining ilfulefs and unfruitful and not being given
in marriage ; and yet more, to take away that of a Virgin
that was alio whilft a Virgin, to be a Mother ), it is piouily iup-
pofed to have bin done with her requeft, firit made to Him,
and as willingly granted by him, or the perpetual conferva-
tion of her Virginity. Of the Divine pleafure in which, ( a-
mongft fo great Graces me was from her infancy adorned
with by the Almighty fo paffionatly loved by her J (he might
likewile have fome extraordinary Light and Revelation. For
otherwife her Quejlion to the 'Angel, How fhall this be done
fince I know not a Man ? as S. Aujiin obferves DeS.Virginitate
cap.^. would have had no wonder at all in it, ifthoflie had
not yet, file might foon after have, known a man, the Efpou-
fals alfo to one being already palfed. —Quod profcBo ( iaith
he ) non diceret, nifi Deo virginem (e ante vovijfet. Sed quia hoc
Ifraelitarum mores adhuc recufabant , defponfata efi viro jujto >
non violenter ablaturo [after acquainted firft with fuch vow]
fed potius contra violentos cuflodituro quod ilia jam v over at. And
—Virginitatem Deo dicavit^ cum adhuc quid effet conceptura ne-
fciret, ut in terreno mortalique corpore calejtis vita imitatio ve-
to fieret non pracepto &c, —And —Ip/a quoque Virginitas ejus ideo
gratior i3 acceptior3 quia non earn conceptus Chrijlm viro violaturo
quam conjervaret ipfe prceripuit ; fed priufquam conciperetur^jain
Deo dicatam, de qua nafcereturt elegit. Thus He. Which alfo
from hence is rendred more credible, that upon the /^|gels mef-
fage we find her with great faith and humility very readily
contenting without calling in any fcruples from her late Efpou-
fals to Jofeph; as if one preacquainted with her chaftpurpofes,
Tho the Angels tranfa&ions with her, and hrr Supernatural
Conception ofaSon her modefty and humility thought fit as
yet to conceal from him: me being noted by the Evangelift
to have bin a perfon of great prudence a"d fecrecy Lu\. 1. 29.
-2. 19,5-1. This we may imagine of the BlefTed Virgins Sancti-
fication andDevotement to God from her Infancy. But then,
when there acceded alio to this fanctifoation by the Holy
Spirit dwelling in her heart, the fupervening of the Hr'y Spi-
rit as a Spoufe, whereby was caufed in her theConcention ofc
the holy child Jefus, if her chaiiity were capable of degrees*
how may we conceive it then in the higheft Zenith thereof,
and
1 4 The Hi/lory of the Life §. i2.
and her then to have even an Angelical purity from any fenfe
of carnal Love, or pleafure !
Yet this holy Maid, whom we have feen chofen by God to
be the mother of his fonn , fo rich in her perfections and noble
alfo in her defcent, for me was to be one of Davids race ac-
*• cording to Gods promife unto Him, yet ■, Firft we find her very
mean and low for her condition ; and liker to this her father,
when he kept Sheep, (in which low condition* alfo God made
choice of him ), then when he ruled a Kingdom. Therefore
me afterward made this the cheif fubject of her Magnificat ,
that theHigheft mould pafs by the high, and caft his eye on fuch
a lowlinefs LuJ^ i. 48, f 1, /2, f 3. And, when the Angel, in his
firft falutation, told her, that fhe was replenifhed with Grace,
and Angularly favoured of the Almighty, and ihe the Blefled
among all women, her great modefty and mean efteem of her
felf, and reflection on her fecular poverty, was much ftartled
at fuch fpeech ; and inftead of being exalted to fome vanity
from this fair language, as fome, especially of that weaker
Sex, are apt to be, fhe caft in her mind faith the Evangelift,
'( as being a wife and confiderative foul, Jee Luk. 2.19. ) what
fuch a falutation meant; titles fo high to a perfon fomean;
and thus *ftill more endeared and enamoured the Lord with
her Vermes.
§. 1^ And fecondly j which may feem to make her yet fomewhat
lower, and to take oif fomewhat from the Luftre of her deareft
Jewel, a Virginal purity and integrity, we find her, by the over-
ruling of Gods providence and the negociation and impor-
tunity dlPier friends and parents, already efpoufed and made
fure to an husband ; made fur e to a righteous and holy man in-
deed, but one alfo of a low fortune and a poor Trade j where-
by her condition, as it was for the prefent but mean, fo nei-
ther was it now for the future advancible by a rich or noble
marriage ; fo to make more credible to her the Angels news
of her high advancement Lu\. 1. 28. And'byGods forecafting
providence was it thus ordered -, That, before fhe was with
1. child, flie fhould have a titular husband ; Firft, fo to fheild the
wifdomof God, and the honour of the Virgin, from the ca-
lumnies of men. For better for her to be thought abroad, in
this our Saviours fupernatural conception and birth , not a
pure Virgin, then an Harlot; and better the Son of God to
be thought the fon of a Carpenter, then illegitimate and fpuri-
ous. Yet which titular Father was to be taken away out of fight,
before
2.
§. 1 4. of our Saviour Jefut Chrift. 1 5
before the Son of Gods publication to Ifrael. As may be col-
lected from Jo. 2. 2 , 3 , 12, where no mention of him. Se- 2.
condly fo to provide a fofter-Father. for the new-born Infant,
and one that might do the offices of a husband and Mailer of
a family to the Virgin, when now made a Mother. As like-
wife, thirdly, to hide our Saviours divine Original, from thofe •*•
who were unworthy to know it, who reputed him Jofephs fon
until the accompliihment of his fufferings ; and the better to
conceal him, till his manifeftation, undsr a mean roofe. Mean-
while much humiliation was here both of the moft pure" and
chaftly-devoted Virgin to be thought a wife, and of her di-
vine Son (which flie would take to heart more then her own *~l^f4 ***./* e^/t^y
crofTes ) tobe eiteem^daCarpem^Tf'wich was JBNs-ljUg^jj^Q
(fea^iteii^^^^gji^j^r'iSor coula the perplexed Mother,
\(g£jQj$ui}&» present and fieard this from the unbelieving and
malicious Jews, prudently orfafely declare the contrary.
Now after, the Angel had thus told her in General of her hJAl
happinefs, and her low conceit of her felf flood amazed at his
words j he further opens hismeflage to her, faying, that God
would make her the Mother _of a King, whomfhe fliould call
by the name of Jems, and that he mould be a King eternal
over Gods ifrael, fitting upon the Throne of her Forefather
David, unchanged any more, forever. But here again (lie, in-
ftead of feeding her thoughts upon hers or her fons Great-
nefs, fixed them rather upon her honefty and the juft Guard
of her refolved Virginity; and modeftly enquired how (he,
not knowing a man, could have a child ( for it feemsthat the
Angels ipeech represented fomuch to her, that, Virgin asfhe
was, flie fhould alio be a Mother); whereupon the Angel fur-
ther inftrudts her in the manner thereof; that (He fhould con-
ceive this child not by man, but by God Himfeif, bv the Holy
Ghoft fupervening upon her , and the power of the Higheft
overfhadowing her ; and therefore, that her Son fliould be cal-
led his ; and then, the more to confirm his fpeech, and her
faith, familiarly added, that her Coufin Elizabeth tho not a
Virgin, yet of a long time formerly noted for barren, and
then alfo much overaged for children , was now fix Months
gone of fuch a fupernatural conception. And now, tho many
queftions the Virgin might further have asked fUll, concern-
ing this miracle of miracles f for who can fouir' tke depth
o fo great a myftery ? ) and we fee how wea i; a nd incredulous,
in comparifon of her, the Holy Prieit Zachary was for a birth
of
1 6 The Hifiory of the Life §. 1 5;
of much lefs marveilj ( and therefore the Virgins undifputing
and ready faith is much taken notice of by the HolyGhoft
in the mouth of Elizabeth with a beata annexed to it ; heata
qua crediderit Luj^i. 4J ) ; and tho many fcruples fhe might
have made alfo concerning what the juft Jofeph would think,
and what the world would fay, Yet here her great prudence
flopped all further cunofity and the fuggeftions of fuch low
fears j and fhe meekly acquiefced in Gods good pleafure; an-
fwering the Angels High, Ecce Mater Domini, with her Low,
ecce 'Ancilla Domini-^ &, Fiat mihi [ecundum Verbum tuum :
This her ready faith, andmodeft confent, aud fubmiffive re-
signation of her felf into the hands of God, making and cora-
pleating this divine efpoufal; inftantly upon which followed
the Conception of Jelus; and this Mfriftf be«rmej>©ne, whom
all Generations mould call BlefTed ; BlefTed and honoured
above all the Creatures of God,- as they have done unto this
day.
;• *f- Soon after this, the overjoyed Virgin , having heard from
the Angel that ftrange ftory concerning her Coufin Elizabeth
[called her Coufin, Becaufe tho we find her ftiled LuJ^i. j.a
daughter of Aaron, and is fuppofed to have anAaronite for
her Father,- Yet her Mother is faid to have bin one of the
race of David, and Sifter to the Mother of the BlefTed Virgin.
As it had bin of a long time ufual for the Tribes to inter-
marry, efpecially that of Levi difperfed in Ifrael,- and for
fuch women as had no inheritance. So Jehoiada the High
Pneft married King Ahaziah's filter 2 Cbron. 22. And David
Sauls daughter a Benjamite. ] I fay the BleiTed Virgin having
heard this ftrange and joyful news of her Coufin Elizabeth,
and having this as it were, given her for a fign of the truth of
thefe things which fhould happen to her felf, being now acted
by the Holy Ghoft to do extraordinary matters, and filled
with a courage unufual to a Maid, undertook, all on the fud-
dain, and before any cohabitation with her efpoufed husband
Jofeph, as appears mMatt. 1. 18. a very long .journy to a place
far remote from her own habitation, and Friends, fome 70
or 80 miles, thro fome part of it an hilly and difficult way,
quite crofs Paleftine ( Lul^ 1. 39. ) to give her Coufin Elizabeth
avifit, 'io confer with her about, ipuiuial affairs, to congra-
tulate with her for the great favours ood had done unto her
and to joine with her in nispi'aifes. But chiefly fuch a remote
journey at this tune prefently upon her Conception of our
Lord
§. i$. of our Saviour Jefa Cbrift. 17
Lord feems to be undertaken, and fo long a ftar alfo there, by
the fpecial Divine Providence ; that there might be no cohabi-
tation nor matrimonial correfpondence or commerce with
Joleph her Husband ( therefore the Augelsvifit fecms alfo to
have bin prefently after the Efpoufals ) till fhe was firft appa-
rently with child: which commerce Her great wifdom pur-
pofely declined, that nothing might be feen that might rele 111-
ble any carnal or conjugal fatisfaiftioa. She departing, faith the
Text ( not without fome Mortification to herfelf ) cum fejtina- Lukj i- 3?«
tione. And therefore after fo long allay abroad till (lie began
now to be apparently with child to a curious obferver; at her
return file gave a great jealoufy toHim,not yet acquainted with
this fecret of herfeeming difhonefly abroad,after(as may pioufly
be conceived) fhe had fo religioufly covenanted with him at her
Efpoufals a perpetual coniervation of her Virginity. Where
we may note the great humility of thisperfon, after fo highly
favoured of God, in going meekly fo long a journy to vifit a
perfon now fo much inferior to her felf; but more the humi-
lity of our Saviour, God before all worlds ; wh©, in this his
eftateof exinanition, devifed a way to fiiew his humility, even
already, when he was fcarce form'd in the womb; inputting
his Mother upon fo long a peregrination for his making a vi-
fit to his fervant John ; who, we may imagine, had he had
words as well as motion, would with his leaping for joy have
faluted Jefus, as his Mother did the Virgin, with an ; Vnde hoc
miht, ut veniat Do minus mem, &c. -In her way, or very near it,
was Jerufalemand the Temple ; whither it is raoft probable that
file, foholy a Creature, and now bearing him, who fancifieth
all things, in her womb, went tirft to fay her Magnificat Lhere
unto God; and to exalt him for this exaltation of her; and
early to offer thisfpringing iruit of her womb unto his father.
Especially when we find this her vifit of Elizabeth to have bin
about the foiemn feafiof the PaiTover, for it was about tluee
Months before the Baptifts birth that flie took this journey.
And there will aifo be lefsft;angen:fsin, and more Invitation
to, it; ifwe imagine Joleph, herSprufe, a pious mandoi;btlefs,
afcendiug about that -time to jerufalem to the great Pafchaj
feaft, to have bin acquainted with her purp fe,- and to have
accompanied her fo rar, which was the greateit part of her
way: and fo (lie, after having ftaid there the Paichai Hny-
daies, to have finiffied the reft of her journey in the Company
of Zacharias her Coufin, or fome or his Relatione. But the
C former
1 8 The Hiftory of the Life §.16.
former defign : and privacy, in this journey Teems to me much
more probable ; and a chief motive or it to have bin her ab-
fence and forbearing any converfe with Jofeph till her Gravi-
dation.
S- T^. Safely arrived at her Coufins, God here alfo entertained her
with new teftimonies and confirmations of the Angels former
meffige. For firft fhe found her aged and fterile Coufin, as
the Angel had faid, far gone with child. ' And alio, at her
firft appearance, ( as if the prefence of our Lord and of this
his Holy Mother had brought the Holy Ghoft with them into
that Houfe ( as the Perfons of the Trinity are never feparated )}
the child John, at his Lords approach, began to perform his
homage and adoration to him; as it were, leaping for joy
( faith the Text) in Elizabeths womb; and, probably, he was
now firft fi led by this Lord with the Holy Ghoft. And again ;
the Mother, at the firft words which the Holy Virgin breathed
out to her, was alfo filled with the Holy Ghoft. By whofe in-
ftmct, fhe firft fheweth a moft profound reverence to her (to
teach the following ages their duty ) with an, Vnde hoc mihi>
ut Veniat Mater Domini met ad me ? reverence I fay > tho fhe the
wife of a Sacred Prieft, and an ancient Matron, and Mary a
young maid, and meanly betrothed to a manual Artificer ; and
then,' by the fpirit, fhe repeats a fecond time the Angels words
—Benedicla inter mulieres (being the firft of all Generations
that call'd her BlefTed)- fhe magnifies her ready faith ; Beat*
qua credidit &c. and, by a prophetick infpirement , prevents
her in relating what had happened to her, before herfelfhad
revealed anything thereof; calling her a Mother, thoftillre-
maining as much a Virgin as formerly ; and (going one note
beyond the Angel ) finging a Benedi&us alfo to the new fruit
of her womb ; [ Benediblus partus ventris tui ] ; whilft this cho-
fen veffel meanwhile overflowed with joy, in receiving a fe-
cond Annunciation from the holy Elizabeth. And now what
doth the Virgin do, but, having received thefe Eulogies, im-
mediatly, without fufFermg them to reft in her bofom, or to
fweli her to any elevation of fpirit, offer them unto the Lord >
changeth their Magnificant <mw, to her Magnificat Dominum,
(fecLu{. 1.46. ) turns other's praifing her to her praifing an-
other, the fountain and end of all praife; Ufing lbmewhat
like words as the defolate and humble Hannah, the Mother
of Samuel, and ( both (lie, and her Song, and her Son being a
type of this prefent ftory ) and interweaving with Gods praife
her
§. 1 7,1 8. of our Saviour Jtfws Cbrift* 1 9
her own ('never forgotten) lownefs; and fo extolling more
the favour by the unwonhicefs of the receiver. Then turn-
eth the reft of her Song to a p' "ophetick narration oft.heever-
laiting Kingdom and conqu? if: ofh tSon, and of the Gene-
ral redemption o^ Tfrael ( as appears bv the laft verfe [_ .vho
hath helper his fervantlfraei )) from the ila very of the migh-
ty ones; namely of the Prince of this world, Satan and his
Minifters.
And from this time thefc two holy Perfons accompanied §• i7»
with their two holy Babes, and headed by fuch mi holy Prieft
of God, ceafed not doubtlefs daily to unite and oifer up their
praifes, and joies,and Hallelujahs in full expectation of the
near manifestation of the Kingdom of God; and ro rehearfe
the rich promifes made in the Law and Prophets concerning
theMeffias: fpending the reft of their time in filence, praier,
and contemplation; and without entertaining one another
with much fecular or unnecefTary difcourfe. And here the
Bleifed Virgin abode, by the difpofal of Gods providence, and
the guidance of that little burden me bare, in the company
of thefe Holy and grave perfons (fee Lu\. 1. 6. ) ( fequeftreu.
far from Jofeph her efpoufed husband , that fo there might
feem to pais no carnal compliances between them, nor attempt
to be made upon her fealed Virginity ) till that three Mc itfefi
were ended, near to Elizabeths down-lying, and that che Vir-
gins being with child might now begin to appear,- which once
difcovered, we may fuppofe, would keep Jofeph afterward, be-
ing a juft man, at a fumcient diftance from her.
And uow after fuch careffes of the Almighty to Mary j $• lg.
fuch applaufes firft from the Angel, and then from Elizabeth -,
fince the more beloved any is of God, and the greater Saint,
the more he is to be exercifed with trials, a very heavy crofs is
already prepared for her out of the caufe of her joy ,• whilft
that miftery concerning the Incarnation of our Lord and
concerning the election of this Virgin to be his Mother, which
was fo freely revealed by God to Elizabeth andZachary, yet
was conceald from Jofeph , to exercife him and his chair.
Spoufe firft with many cares and greifs. She being return d
home therefore now difcernably with child, tho others might
ftill look upon her with a good eye, fuppofing her burden from
Jofeph's having accompanied with her ; yet Jofeph, who knew
the contrary, grew, and that not without juft cauie, highly viif-
pleaied thereat, (and lomuch the more, if at their Eipouials
C.2 fae
20 The Hifiory of the Life §.19:
flie had covenanted with him a perpetual Virginity -,) and fo
intended to rid his hands of her, and to put her away. She
could not but oblerve his changed and troubled countenance,
and could not, but guefs aright the caufe thereof For which
fufpe&ed crime it he, being a juft man, mould have proceeded
agamit her according to Law, what means had ihe at all to
mansreltor pro* e her innocence > which al(o her itraying fo far
from home gave them ftill more caufe toqueftion. And not
abiolved, her p imminent was no lels then death; to be carried
before the door of her fathers houfe, and there to be ftoned
to death ( fee Deut. 22. 21. and 24. ) Or, if this could fome way
be avoided j yet fo could not the lofs of her reputation in
the higheft degree^ in being reported diihoneft and an har-
lot.
§. 19. This wasalfo aggravated by the great affection and reve-
~ rence the Virgin bare to her offended husband. Or whom, be-
sides that the Scripture g vesthis teftimony, that he was a juft
and righteous man, thatalfo which we faid before of the blei-
fed Virgin may be in fome fort applied to him ; that he was
certainly araoft eminent Saint, and one chofen by God out
of many thoufands, and with iuitable Graces and perfections
endued, who was to have that tranfcendent honour, above all
other holy men, as to be the third perfon in the family of Je-
fus, and fo often vifited by Angels from God, to direcl him
what he mould do (ittMat. 1. 20. -2. 17, 22 ) ; to bethenur-
fing Father of Gods only Son, and the Guardian of his Infant
exile into a forraign land; tobehisGovernour and Mafterof
his Houfe ; to whom the Son of God fhould be fubjecl: and
ferve, with the ftrict duty of a Son to his Parent in thofe ne-
ceflary offices, and affairs wherein he fhould imploy him : with-
out any medling with other matters we may prefume, for the
major part of his life here on Earth ( except only for fome
three daies fpace ( when twelve years old ) that his zeal was per-
mitted to follow his own fathers bufinefs ). Again, who fhould
have the neareft relation of any upon Earth to the Mother
of God, committed to his care, to undergo for her and her Son
all labours and provide all neceflanes, and defend them from
ail injuries, that a Mother and an Infant in a poor and mean
condition are fubject to. Surely great muft be the perfecti-
ons of his perfon, who was thought worthy to guide fuch a fa-
mily, and evteriourly to govern him that governs the world.
And the dearer he was to the BlefTed Virgin for thefe , the
greater
§. 19. of our Savior Jefus Chrift. 21
greater torment to her muft be his difpleafure j which dif-
pleafure , tho on her part groundlefs, yet had file no likely
means to remove. Should (lie go to him, and tell him the ftory
of what had happened to her ? But then in fo much intimacy
of acquaintance, why had ilie not done this betore, when flie
as yet had no concernment to teU him an untruth ? And, fince it
was fuch a wonder, as was hard to be afTented to or believed
by her when an Angel from Heaven told it to her, as joyful
news j how much more incredible would it feem to him, when
a woman with child by another then her husband , brings it
for her excufe ? and pretends an heavenly vifit and intercourfe
to Veil «. fuppofed Crime? Befides: her great humility and
modefty , her religious filence of Gods lecret and intimate
tranfadtions with her, hindred her, that file knew not as yet
how to reveal to any a thing which tended fo much to her
own praife and honour i ( For fo alfo the Holy Ghoft, notfhe3
had formerly difclofed it to Elizabeth ). Wherein (he remainetli
to all Chriftians an everlafting pattern, in any fuch extraor-
dinary vifits and favours of God, of what is fafeft for them
and more perfect, if not their duty, to do, Safejt I fay to con-
ceal luch favours, for many reafons. ' Becaule, ordinarily,
fuch favours cannot be related without fome vanity and fei£-
conceit. l Becaufe the publifiiing fuch things begets- eftima-
tion amongft men, and this begets pride in the efteemed, and
this pride ruins that for which we are efteemed. ' Becaufe
by it at leaft we feem to others to magnify onrfelves; and fo
indeed lofe our former reputation with them by feeking to
increafe it. 4 Or at leaft feem to difparage others who re-
ceive not the like favours. s Or to difparage Godswifdom in.
reprefenting him more favourable to the more unworthy..
She therefore, in all this ftorm, held her peace; and patiently
endured her beloved [ofephs ftrangenefs to her ; armed (as we:
may pioufly believe ) both with an holy refolution and refig-
nation of her felf tofuifer cheerfully and willingly whatever
human crofTes fuch celeftial Graces and favours fhould draw
after them i.and alfo with an extraordinary confidence in God,,
that he would in due time make known her innocence at
leaft, if not her honour; and own his Son, without cafting the
juftification thereof upon the modefty of a woman. For why
fhould he not defend her whom her obedience to him only had.
expofed to reproach? and why not in this time of need reveal
as much to Jofeph, as he had done, when no fuch exigency, be-
fore to Elizabeth ? Mean-
22 The Hi/lory of the Life §.20,21.
$. 20. Meanwhile Jofeph, being a good man, was not hafty, out
of a fuddainpaflion, to make herapublick example ; but re-
ftrained himlelf for fome time, thinking to do it privily ( per-
haps by concealing the betrothment, or giving her a bill of
divorce upon fome other pretence ), fo as might lefs redound
to her difgracej whole former vertues and perfections now
faded and withered, as hefuppoied, he could not but ftill re-
verence and lament. Yet this his merciful delay ferved
alfo to continue fo much longer both his and her affliction.
At length when the matter was ready to break forth, between
his refolution and the execution thereof, Hac eo cogitante
iaith the text, before the leaft rumour of any fuch fufpition
was divulged, ( that we may fee, as Saints are patient in their
fufFerings, fo God is as perfect and exact in his deliverance )>
the Angel now fteps in, (with the million of whom God could
have prepared Jofeph as well, ( had he pleafed ), before he had
firft feen the Virgins fwelling womb : ) and in the due time
frees them both from their forrows and fears. He therefore,
now the firft time appearing to Jofeph in a Vifionby night,
and courteoufly faluting this mean Artificer with the title of
the Son of David, to mind him of his more particular relation
to theMeflias defcending* from Davids race, reveals to him j
that Maries conception was of the HoiyGhoft, and that (he
mould bring forth a Son that fhould fave his people from their
Mat. 1-2.1. Jins j- and therefore when born, he mould call his name Jesus.
The Angel here, as Zacharie in his Hymn, fignifying, that
his Kingdom was not to be a temporal, but ( which only much
concerned us,) a fpiritual Kingdom; and therefore that he
was to come in a futable d re is, not in pomp and ftate, but in
all felf-denial and humility.
f2i. Jofeph awaked yeilded a ready and undifpnting belief to
thefe things fo incredible and new: and,( faith the Scripture )
prefently did as the Angel had bidden him ; and took the
Blefled Virgin to perpetual cohabitation with him, and fhel-
tered her Honour. And furely this Angel's apparition, and
that which he faid , was now enough to deter Jofeph from
ever approaching this Holy Virgins bed,- and to make him
treat her ever after with that reverence and modefty, which
her Sacred perfon required. As likewife the near neighbour-
hood and prefenceot this holy child muff needs infpire his fan-
I Soul with the fame heavenly love to fingle life, and
With the fame chaiuty, and purity of thoughts, which was in"
his
§.22. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift. 23
hisSpoufe, and which many married perfons, tho much infe-
rior to thefe Saints, have bin endowed with fince, by the pow-
er of the fame Holy Spirit, long cohabiting without touching
one another. Thus therefore we may imagine thefe two lived
together afterward in our Saviours family ; enjoying now a
Spiritual union much more delicious, then any carnal ,• and
doing all conjugal duties for the breeding up of their little In-
fant, without tafting any of the fleflily pleafures thereof. Mean-
while, how many joyes at once ravifht this poor mans heart
at his awaking ( who went to bed loaden with fo much greif ) >
joyes, for the coming of the Meffias whom all men had fo long
expected; for the Virgins innocency andhonour, one fo near-
ly linked to him and loved by him ; for his being chofen, fo
mean a man, amongft all the progeny of David, to be Guar-
dian to Her and her Holy child. How well he was now re-
warded for his difcreet proceeding and patience, in notfeek-
ing prefently publick revenge or fatisfadtion for his fuppos'd
violated Bed; and again, how great confolation the Virgin
now received for her pa ft affrights, fecured for ever under the
protection of an husband from the obloquies of the wicked, I
leave you to meditate byyour-felf, whilft I proceed.
And now this BlefTed couple live fecurely and peaceably to- §. 22<;
gether at Nazareth, providing, as well as their mean condi-
tion to the uttermoft was able, for the conveniences and de-
cency if not the ftate, of the approaching birth of this great
Prince ; Abrahams promifed feed, in whom all Nations mould
be blefTed : and Davids Son, who fliould fit on his Throne for
ever without any fucceffor. And this fmall town of Nazareth,
fo far remote from the Relations of David, feemd alio fpeci-
ally chofen by the Almighty for the more privat birth and
education of his Son: wherein he might belt ly hid and dif-
guifed till' his manifeftation to Ifrael. But meanwhile the
Prophecy, and that a noted one, ( tee Job. 7. 42. ) ftridly re-
quired, that this Son of David fhould be born in no other place,
then Bethleem, the Town of David, where he alfo was burn.
And the very name of this Town [Viz. the houfe of Bread as
alfo Ephrata fruitfulneis or plenty") was alfo of old ordained
with relation to this childs birth there; becaufe the world
fhould thence at the appointed time receive this bread of life;
and God outof it would bring forth him, who fhould feed his
people Ifrael ; as the Evangelift feerns to allude , Mat. %. 6.
And at this very place alfo, or dole by it ( leeG<?«. $r. 19.) the
fair
24 The Hifiory of the Life » §. 23.
fair and beloved Rachel's painful birth, and that in a journey,
( of a Son , who was called her Benoni, but Jacobs Benjamin j
who was Jacobs only Son that was born 10 tnebleffed land or,
Canaan 5 and whom his Father, tho lb dearly beloved, was af-
terward forced to part with, ibr the redeeming of his Brethren
out of their prifon in Egypt) ; was premifed two thouland years
before, for a type of the much-iuifering travel oftheBleifed
Virgin, which mould be in the fame place 3 and for a type ot
this Son which me mould there bring forth,- who was Her Be-
noni alfo ( fee Luk. 2. 3?. ) but his Fathers Ben-jamin. Whom ,
tho he was much dearlier beloved then Jacobs Benjamin, yet
God his Father not importuned unwillingly gave up, but un-
asked freely offered , to fuffer far greater hardfhips then the
other Benjamin was expofed to, for the redemption of his bre-
thren j and for the bringing home of many more Ions unto
this his Father. Whom alfo, after thefe his fufferings as a Ben-
oni, he took and fet at his right hand forever; audio made
him a Ben-jamin. This therefore, and no other place, was
preappointed for the Nativity of this Benjamin, the Anti-type
ot the other. And like wife becaufe the eternal wifdom of God
would have his Son, from ( and I may fay alio in ) the womb,
to undergo the hardelt condition which mortals are fubject
to, and to defcend in his exinanition fo far below other men,
as in his honour and Majeftie he was above them; that in all
things, even infuflerings, as wel as in glory, he might have
the preeminence. Therefore he would not indulge the Mother
lo much reft, nor her Son fo convenient a birth-place, as their
poor houle at Nazareth ,- But he, who had fullered before a
long jonrny, ( forward and backward above one hundred and
forty miles ) into the Mountainous country of J udah, mult now
be carried another near as far, to Bethieem before his Birth.
And this alio ("that we may not think he was remov'd to get
honour by his birth-place), wasbutafmall and poor Town,
and f faving its relation to David and Ghrift) of no greater
account in judea, then Nazareth in Galilee; as appears by the
Prophet ( Micab. f. 2. ) And thou Bethieem, tho little among
the thouiauds of Judah, &c.
§•23* And to bring this about, and that, atfuch a moment of
time, asmmht molt diltreis theie be loved Servants oUiis, God
fendeth not now an Angel to Joieph or JV'ary to ligni.ie to
them to remove thither betimes, before the approach or Win-
ter 3 and ere the Mother by her gravidity might be more unfit;
for
§.24* of our Saviour Jefus Chrifi. 25
for travel, or for providing for themfelves there early a con-
venient lodging: But, according to his boundlefs fore-fight
and providence, he derives the caufeofthis removal as far off
as Rome. That his Son thus early might begin to practice obe-
dience andfubjection, not only to his good pleafure, but to
the beck and command of earthly Princes, he layes his de-
fign in the Vain-glorious Head of an heathen Emperor j that
he mould devife an Edict, fuch as formerly had not bin, that
all the world, the fubjects of his now all peaceful Empire ,
mould be enrolled ,- and amongft the reft, that the Jews fliould
be enrolled, according to their Tribes, in. the Mother-cities
thereof. Arrlongft which Bethleem, tho a poor place, was the
mother City of the Tribe of Judah and of David, as Jerusa-
lem was of Benjamin. And then, that this enrolling at Beth-
leem fhould be juft at fuch a time, as the BlefTed Virgin was
ready to ly down: at which time there fliould be fuch a con-
courfe of people in thisCitty, as that there was no receit at
all for Jefus his Mother in any lodging; which not at any
other time, fave fuch an extraordinary concourfe, could have
happened. And all thefe accidents and cafitalties muft con-
cur together by the certain and unerring guidance of divine
difpenlation , to effect his predeterminate pleafure in every
circumftance.of our Saviours birth. And by fuch cafualties it
is, that God moftly ufeth to effect hispurpoies; that he may
work his works with the more fecrecy and art ( If I may fo
fay ) , the more to try and exercife mans faith and pati-
ence s whilft he feeth not the motion of that divine hand ,
which directs all his affairs: and again that he may mew the
mors hisomnipotency, in making mans freewill to effect his
predeftinations, and contingency to be the mother of neceffity ;
delighting to bring, as good out of* evil, Co certainty out of
uncertainty, and beauty and order out of confufion. Where
alfo we may note , that this Prince Auguftus Celar was, by the
divine providence, inthroned at this time in fuch an Univer-
fal and peaceful Empire • as a type of this greater Prince, that
was to be born in hisdaies. His type,, both iru this fubmiflion
of all the world unto his Scepter in this new enrolment; and
alfo in the Univerfal peace which the world in his daies en-
joyed, ( never any other Prince cr Empire having bin fo great,
nor times fo calmed, betokening the Univerfal and peace ul .
Monarchy of Chrilt .
By this Edict of Auguftus , Jofeph and the BlefTed Virgin §• *4-
D ( when
2 6 The Hi/lory of the Life §t, 2 5 .
( when now ready to ly down ( for had they known of or un-
dertook (boner their Bethleem-iourny , they could not but
have made better provifion there ; ) and, when after her peace
made with her Husband, little dreaming of fuch a new dif-
afterj are fummoned fuddainlv to appear atBethleem. Upon
which injunction their humility preiumed not on any extraor-
dinary protection from the Lather of this greater Prince, that
was with them, to ftay at home ( tho this feemedalmoft ne-
ceflfary in behalf of the Virgin ) but readily obeyed the com-
mando! Cefar. OurSaviour, indefcribing thefad deftru&ion
of the Jews, pitties thofe who were then to make their flight
great with child ,- or in the Winter (Mat. 24.fi?, 20.) yet
this did his own holy Mother fuffer ; and thro fomany difficul-
ties, in the midft of Winter, fo laden as (he was, travell d about
70 Miles journy over many Mountains, to the Town of Beth-
leem ; thefe pious perfons having firft, as we may fuppofe, vifit-
ed the Temple in their way.
§.2?. And being arrived here, where all or mod of the Inhabi-
tants were their kindred, if now an amends were made byfome
good lodging or entertainment for fo tedious a travel, it
were fomething : but ftill new mifhaps purfue them ; and that
Benoni, that as well child, as man, of forrows (Efai. «?3. 3.)
whom (he carried within her, and ( who hid from ths begin-
ning expofed himlelf to his Fathers wrath, as it were a volun-
tary Anathema and a curfe for the fins of men, wherewith he
had charged himfelt ) giveth no releafe to her troubles. For
here the great conflux of people, which was at this time, had
already filled every place, fit for reception, withGuefts j and
tho they went from place to place, from houfe to houle, yet
every where they found arepulfe: perhaps the Virgins great
belly, which reprefented her as a troublefome Gueft, occafion-
ing, infteadof pitty, a more ready denial. Thus early, even
before he was born, may we fay of this King the words of the
Evangelift, that he came unto his own [ his own not only people
but tribe and Kindred ~\ andhis own received him not Jo. i : thus
early may we apply to him, what the Prophets foretold of him,
that he was de/pijed of ?nenand an outcajl of the people, and that
they hid, as it were, their face from him j he looting for Jome to
take pitty but there was none. -Efaj. $-3. 3. -Pfal. 69. 20 : and
•what afterward he laid of Himfelf -, That the Foxes had holes
[ and the beafts of the Fetid had caves and ftalls ] but the Son of
man had not where to lay Ins head j [Unlels happily, by borrowing
to reft it, one of their cribs. ] * In
§.26,27. of our Saviour Jefut Chrift. . 2 7
In all the time that thefe wearied travailers receive! this $. 26.
repulfe, they being fanctified with io near a neighborhood of
the Divinity, we may eafily imagine, how humbly they ador'd
the divine providence, without which a%Sparrow falls not to
ground y and what a calme andfilent resignation they made
or their own wills and wifhes, (andthofenot unholy ones, as
they thought, whilft not eyeing their own conveniences, but
his Sons,) unto the will of God; acquiefcing, without the leaft
murmuring, or whifpering, or diicourfuig thereof, in his good
pleafure j and from minute to minute depending on his pro-
virion. And again we may confider, how fweet and acceptable
toGod was this Sacrifice of their undeje&ed patience; being
valued by him fo far beyond the praifes they would have ren-
dred him in a profperous and defired fuccefs, as this fufTering
is a more hard task, then thankfgiving.
Remfed amongft men, the undererrable time of the Virgins $.27.
down-lying drawing fo near, and night alfo coming on, they
are neceffitated to retire to an outhoufe, a Stable, amongft
the Beafts. Deftitnte, for anything we know, both of light and
fuftenance, and any thing to reft their wearied bodies upon
after fo toilfome a journy fave perhaps a pad of Straw. There
was iuch a place of common receit, on the Eaft fide, without
the Town, made in an hollow Rock ( as ufual for Stables in
that rocky Country) where was a Manger alfo cut outof the
Stone; which place, upon ancient Tradition, hath bin ever
fince honoured by allChriftianity, as the poor Receptacle and
refuge of our Saviours Nativity: which alfo the Shepheards
did fo readily repair to, upon the Angels directing tnem to
a Manger, as a place well known to them. And here in fo
cold, and not tooclean, an harbour, inthedarkand helplefs
Night, without any attendance ufual to labouring women, in
the midft of Winter and fharpeft time of the year, the Vir-
gin fell in travel and brought forth this Kin? of Kings and
Lord of Lords. In the Night I fay ; for when the Angel laid
to the Shepheards the fame night-; [this day is born, Sec] he
meant [this night]: for the Jews begining their day at even,
the day before that night would have bin called by Him
yefterday •, and b:fides 'tis likely, that the jov of Angels halted
to fing their Genethliack, fo foon as the Saviour was born,
which they did that night. And it was thought meet, thn t this
Light, this day-fpring (La^.1.78.) which from on high, vi-
fited us, mould arife, in the darkueis of the Night \ as a type
D z of
28. The Hijlory of the Life §.28,29:
of that spiritual darknefs, which the world lay in at his ap-
pearance.
# iilli Thus receivd into the world, without the hand of a midwife,
upon the bare ground, or perhaps ftrowed with a little Hay or
Straw, this Babe, we may prefume , from his being t»r :i^vx,h, a
man of forrows ( Efai. j- 3. ) and full of tears ( fee Heb. j\ 7. -Luj^.
19.41.-^0.11 ?;.) fella weeping as other Infants do >• but this
not for the paines which that tender age then feels from the
ftraines and cruihings of the parturition, or fudden chilnefsof
an open A.ir,4nor.yet for his cold harbour and Straw-bed ; which
miferies he foreknew and voluntarily chofe, and with a finding
patience underwent; but, for mans fin, the caufe of all our,
and his, mifery ; now beginning his Interceffions for mans of-
fences, and offering theie firft tears for the expiation thereof.
Thus come amongft us poor and naked, his pious Mother,
( whom we may imagine, ( free from Eves curie, ) to have
brought forth without pain him that (lie conceived without fin;
and fo who was enabled prefently to perform the office of a
Nurfe, after that of a Mother J took him up ( Lu\. 2. 7. ) and
caft fuch poor cloths about him, as her fortune, and fo long a
journy afforded ; and inftead of a Cradle, laid her Babe down to
reft in the Manger of the Stable,- being but a cold and hard
pillow for him, if cutout of the Rock, and this Cradle at his
birth not much unlike his grave at his Death.
§• 29- [After this low manner, ( if I may be permitted to ftay a lit-
Digrefs. tie in Contemplation of this great wonder of our Lords Exi-
namtion) to teach haughty man humility, and to confound
his pride, was the Son of God pleafed to enter into the world.
Thus was he born, becaufe thus born he would be: who alone
amongft all Infants foreknew and preelected both the place
and manner of his birth. Thus was he pleafed to be brought
into it amongft beafts, as afterward to be carried out of it
amongft theeves. Thus was the fecond Adam , who might,
had he thought fit, have bin created with the fame preemi-
nences as the firft, in a perfect and flourifhingage, pleafed to
oblige himfelf for his birth unto a woman, and for hislife un-
to the fubjeftion and infirmities of youth and infancy; and
this place was the Paradife, wherein he was put. He-, not an
Adam from the Earth, but the Lord from Heaven. 1 Cor. 1 7.47.
Tor the entertainment of whom, when Salomon with all his
wifdom and wealth had built his golden Temple, yet was he
afhamed that it was fo mean and fo unworthy to receive him."
' Thus
§. 29. of our Saviour Jefus Ckrift. 29
Thus to expiate the former Adams, Ero fimilis Altiffimo Gen.
3. ;. this Jltiffimus became Jim His Homini. Like to man in
everything; io far as to beconceiv'd and born of: a Woman,
becaufehis brethren were fo: That he might fulfil the Spou-
fe's wifli in the Canticles ( c. %.v. i.) 0 that thou wert as my
l?rcther} that fuelled the hrejls of my Mother; to pleafe this Ins
Spoufe, as her brother he was in every thing ; not leaving out,
nor skipping over that. lleeping and unadive age in the womb,
and that loathfome and impotent condition of a new-born In-
fant, of whichfee^fc. i<5. 4. Ihohe was not intended by his
latherto be imployed in our affairs till 30 years of age; yet
Pudorem exordii nojiri non recujavit ('faith S. Hilary ) fed ?ia-
tura iwflrce contumelias tranfeurrit. He fubmitted himfelf to be
imprifoned for fo long a time in io dark and ftrait a cell as a
woraanswomb. Wherein fome obferve that he began his fuf-
ferings much earlier then the reft of the fons of men ■> becaufe,
fuppofed to have from his very firft Conception, from the Uni-
on of the human nature to his Divine perfon, a perfect ufe of
his intellectual faculties and fenfeof thefe his fufferings, when
as God, in thefe firft beginnings of our miferable life, hathfu-
fpended in others the ufe of reafon to hinder the fenfeof
pain. Now after that we once underltand what aclofeimpri-
ibnment that of the womb is, what evil would not we chufe,
rather, then once more undergo it > and what horrour had
Nicodemus thereof, when he thought our Saviour had pre-
ferred it (Jo. 3 )> Yet fo fervent was our Saviours love unto
mankind, that he thought himfelf not fufEciently intimate
and united unto him, unlefs he took up his firft lodging, tho
known to be fo inconvenient , even within his very bowels.
And as this he did at his coming into the world,- fo again,- at
his going out of it, in the myfterious Eucharift he contrived a
way, how his Sacred body might enter again into us, and he
dwell again within us. A" foon alfo as freed from this firft re-
ftraint, he fubmitted Himfelf to have his Hands and Feet„
whofe omnipotent hands had formerly made the Wor-ld, taken
and bound anew with fwathbands, which were at lalt, when
fufEciently grown for it, to be bound with cords, and faftned
with nails. Notto mention yet-another binding, namely that
of his Tongue, to fo long a time of fi ence ; no fmall mifery
tothatfeebie age, which wants moft help, yet can ask none :
but a greater humiliation to the Son of the Almighty, that this
effential Word of God, and Wifdom of his Father, mould
empty
go The Hi/lory of the Life §-3°»
empty it felf into fo long dumbnefs and filence, being already
an agnns. ligatus, & fe obmutefcens & non aperiens os fuum. Who
alfo, after he had the ufe of fpeech, yet underwent fo great
a felf-denial in this Kind, that tho all his words flowed with
wifdom (Grace being poured into his lips Pfal. 45-. 2.) and
were all carefully laid up by his obferving Mother, yet it feemed
good unto him, that his Hiftorians ( four of them ) fliould not
mention one Word that came from this Word, till he was a
years old, and that firftword mentioned by them was a pro-
femon of his zealous obedience to the will of his Father. Lu^.
2. 49. Again, like to man he became fo far as to be made under
the fame Laws with them, ( Gal. 4-4,); not only under the
Moral, but Ceremonial too j which coft his infancy a bloody
Circumcifion : not under Gods, but Cefar's, Laws too, the
punctual obedience to which ('wherein, it were ftrange if a
woman fo great with child might not have bin difpenfed with,
had not God in his fecret wifdom more exacted this fubmiffion
of the child, than the Mother^ coft him fo many afflictions
attending his Nativity. Wherein he delcended far below his
fervant the rigid Baptift , who was born at home with great
refort of congratulating neighbors. And thus early began him-
felf to give a pattern to his followers, in leaving hishoufe, and
his country, and his Father in i'ome fenie, out of whole bo-
fomehe came, and the fociety of Angels, into this place of
Beafb. Here look upon Him now at his very loweft and
weakeft. And how well doth S. Pauls expreflion of his exinani-
tion fuitwithit? That he, who was in the form of God, and
thought it no robbery to be equal with God , yet made him-
felf of no reputation , in taking upon him the condition of
inch a forlorne Infant: And that he, that was fo rich, yet be-
came to fuch a degree poor to make us rich. And how well
now do his own words Mat. 11.29. in this pofture, and in this
age ( the emblem of humility ) especially become Him > Learn
of me for lam me ekjind lowly j and (Matt. 20.28. ) The Son of man
came not to be mimflredunto.
^,j0( And thus it feemed meettohim> whojuftly proportioneth
" all things, the exaltation fuitable to the humiliation, and the
meafure of glory to that of ignominy, ( Phil. 2. 9. -Heb. 2. 9.
-12. '2. ) in his intending to build the exaltation of this man
Jefus higher then all, to lay his humiliation lower then all ;
and this King, being to have not one, but two comings into
this lower world, the latter whereof was to be with exceeding,"
pomp,
t
§. 3 1 . of our Saviour Jefa Chrift. 5 !
pomp, and glory, and attendance, with fhouting and found
or. Trumpet ( 1 The(. 4. i<S.), with the whole Court of Heaven
in all their glory, [LuJ^ 2. z6. ) and all the Chariots of God
( Mat. 24. 30. PJ'al. 104. 3. ) waiting on Him , with his bright
beams itreaming from tneEaft unto the Weft, (Mat. 24. 27. )
Thus it leemed meet to his Father to difpofe the firft coming
in exceeding lownefs and contempt, deiertion and poverty,
that he might appear in one zsnovrj/tmus Hominum, (Ej'ai. J3.
1-) who in the other was to appear, zsprimo-getiitus Dei. And
we find Mofes, that great type of our Lord , in being alfo a
glorious deliverer of Gods people out of their houfe of bon-
dage, and their Lawgiver, treated in his infancy muchwhat
after the lame manner; when he lay amongft Crocodiles a
weeping and forlorne Infant, in a bulrufh cradle, floating in
the flags of Nile, and his poor life ibught-for b\ Pharaoh, as
this Infant's by Herod. Laftly j thus it leemed fit unto Him,
whobeftows not heaven on man for nothing, to difguife his only
Son ( through the belief in whom we can only attain eternal
life) in fomany Veiles, and unlikelyhoods, now laying him
in a Cratch, then hanging him on a Crofs, to advance in us
fo much the more the worth and dignity of our Faith j to which
what praife and thanks would it have bin, to have believed
on him appearing, in Majefty and glory, like a Son of God,
and fuch as we mall fee him in his next Advent, where no of-
fence of the Manger, nor of the Crofs ( Gal. $. n. ) 3 Therefore
itpleafed God, by eclypfing his own Sons honour, to dignify
mans faith, andfo increafe his reward j aslikewifeto difcover
to this faith his infinite power in raifing fuch greatnefs out of
iuch littlenefs, in making all Kings iubmit their Scepters to
fuch a poor born-child ,• and all nations to do him fervice
Vfal. 72. iij nay, above all things, to glory in his fhame and
in his Crofs, and to bui'd a Temple even over this Manger. ~\
The Infant being tjius fwath'd and cradled ; we may fup- §• 3*.
pofe the Holy, Jofeph and Mary, who thro this veil of his pover-
ty yet well dilcerned who he was, and presently fell down and
wormipped this new-born Emanuel ( *"»-ning this privacy aud
folitude, and freedom from the tumuit of the Town, defer-
tion of attendance, andfilence of the night, to an elevation
of their devotion and Chriftmas Vigils) well pleafea to iee
themfelves furrounded, tho with poor yet none but innocent,.
Creatures, and fuch as had never offended their Maker; whiiit
finful man was deem'd unworthy of fuch a ceieltial fociety.
Over-
52 The Hi/lory cf the Life §32,33.
Overjoyed in their firft fight of this divine perfon, thedefire
of all ages; dedicating the whole fervice of their lives to his
conitant attendance, and again, receiving from him thole
fvveet fmiles,- and thofe indearing looks, which the love and
gratitude of one, who tho an Infant mage, yet was then ma-
ture in all wifdom, and who had nothing of a child in him
fave the weaknefs and humility, did think fit to return to fo
great pains, and fo devout adoration. Thus they remained
iolicitous for nothing in fo great extremity ; but faying to
themfelves fome fuch thing as S. Paul, in contemplation of the
riches of the fame Lord {J$om. 8. 32.) God, that hath given us
his only Son, how Jhall he not with him al(o freely give ns all
things?
^ s2g Leaving now thefe holy perfons in the deep andfilent con-
; templation of the myfteries of the Almighty in that God-in-
fant, which lay before them, and exercifing the greatnefs of
their faith in the lownefs of outward appearances j Let us go
forth, and fee what meanwhile occurred in the feilds near ad-
joining.
§. 33. The fame night that our Saviour was born, there happened
to be iome Shepheards, whilftali the reft of the world were at
their eafe and aileep, watching over their flocks, in the fame
plaines, where heretofore David himfelf, the Father of our
Lord, had many a night watched over his : thefe Bethleemites
being his fucceffours in the fame trade and occupation. Which
innocent and fimple manner of life fpent in guarding the molt
harmlefs, and the moft profitable, and the moil fhiftlefs, of
all creatures, not engaged in muchbufinefs, folitary, and leav-
ing the mind free for much contemplation, -was alio that of
the firft Saint , Abel, and of the Patriarchs before David , to
whom the promifes of the Meflias were made. Poor and mean
perfons they were, as we may gather from their imployment,
who elfe would have had a fervant to have watched for them
on fo long nights, info fharp a ieafon. Gods great love, to
man and to the honour of his Son, was pleafed inftantly to
communicate and reveal both to the Jew and to the Gentile(yet
not to all, but to fome chofen witneffesof both )the birth of his
Son, the lame Saviour to all people Lul^. 2. 1 o. that this "Prince
at his firft entrance into the world might receive due adora-
tion and homage from the reprefentatives of them both. He
therefore, for the body 'of the jews, in Ins infinite wildom ,
made election of thele poor Shepheards ,- ( as he did at the
fame
§•3 4' 3 5*3^ of our Saviour Jefws Chrifl. 33
fame time, of the Magi for the body of the Gentiles. )
Hereupon to thefeShepheards defcendeth an Angel (vetted 5* 3r4-
with very great glory and light ( faith the Text, LuJ^z. 9.)
for doing this new-born Prince the honour , in fuch his low
condition ) to tell them the joyful news of the birth of a
Saviour, which was Chnft the Lord. LuJ^z. 11, a Saviour, not
of our bodies, or eftates, from our temporal enemies, for a while,
( unconfiderable falvations j fear not them, that can kill the
body, &c. Mat. 10. 28. ) but of our Souls, from our fins, from
our Ghoftly enemies, from fpiritual wickednefTes in heavenly
places, from Abaddon the Prince of the bottomlefs pit, from
prifons, and chains, and darknefs,and tortures, and deaths,eter-
nal. And the Angel gave them this fign to know him by, that
they mould find him lying in the Manger of a Stable: a
ftrange fign of fo great a Prince,- but yet notfo improper for
fuch a Saviour, who was to reftore the world by humility and
fufferings, as it fell by pride ; and a very diftin&ive figo , fuch
as was common to no other Infant ; and a fign which could
not but encourage thefe poor men to go, and fee , and pay
their duties to him ; where they mould find no repulfe at the
Gates, nor needed fome great Patron to convey them into
his Court, or bedchamber ; the place, the entertainers, and all
other accoutrements about the Babe, being very fuitable to
fuch viiitants.
And prefently after the delivery of this mefTage, there came 5- IS\
down into the Air above them, a great Troupe of the heavenly
Militia, ( who rejoycing when repentance happens to one finner
(LuJ^. ir. 7, 10. ) did now much more, whenfalvation came to
the whole world, ) with great joy, celebrating the new birth
of their Matters ion , the Saviour of men, and the Lord of An-
gels; andfinging his Nativity-fong in the fight, and hearing
of thefe ravifhed Shepheards, that others alio might hear it
from them.
Thefubjecl: and matter of which Song was this: Peace to 5. 3$.
the Earth, under this new-born Prince, not from a Temporal
enemy, bnt from the wrath of the Almighty. Reconciliation
between God and man {'formerly a child of wrath Eph.z. }. )
by this Mediator-Babe God and man. CeiTation of war be-
tween Earth and Heaven, ( the only war which nun had caufe
to dread J Mans former offences againft God being nowcan-
cell'd. And the Angel removed that formerly guarded Para-
ge againft us with a drawn fword ( Gen. 3 . 24. .) thro this only-
E finleis
34 TbeHiftoryoftheLift §.36;
finlefs Infant taking our part, and being Emanuel, God with us.
—Good will towards men 5 yea J>JM* ; Good-will and well-pleaf-
ing; fuch good will to man as God had to this Babe his own
Son; which he exprefTeth elfewhere in juft the fame terme,
JEy %kv£m,m. Mat. 3. 17. fuch well-pleafing in man, as to make
his only Son not an Angel, but a man. —Such peace and Good-
will from God toward men below * and Glory, for it, from men
and Angels, the welwifhers of men, to God on High. [But
yet perhaps another Glory fung by the Angels to God on High,
with reference even to themfelves. For this Babe is faid not
only to be a Head of men (Col. 1. 18. ) but of Angels Col. z. 10.
( from which it follows, that Angels are not only his fubjects,
but alio in fome fenfe his members) and God the Father is
faid, to gather together in one, in Him, all things; not only
whichareon Earth, butalfo which are in Heaven : ( Eph.i.xo.)
and further yet ; to reconcile unto himfelfby this babe ( mak-
ing peace thro the blood of his crofs,) all things whether they
be things on earth, ©r things in heaven {Col. 1.20. J. Even
thofe things in heaven receiving fome benefit, it feems, ftho
we do not well know in particular what) fome further fancl:i-
fication, or illumination , or recommendation to the Deity
thro Him j by whom as thefe Angels were created, fd it is faid
that they were created alfo for Him ( Col. 1. 16. ) and they, as
all the reft of the Creation, are acceptable, and well-pleafing
to God only thro Him, being of themfelves of no value with-
out Him. Befides, the whole Creation being faid (T{om. %.
22.) to groan under fin, the whole Creation may be fuppofed
to be fome way or other releiv d, by this Expiatourof fin. And
(Heb.^.i^.) there is mention of a purifying, even of the hea-
venly Sanctuary, the habitation of thefe BlefTed Angels, by this
Babe ; as if that had bin fome way polluted by the fain Angels
fin, as the Earth by mans. And (2Mj.i?J Tis faid, that as
anew earth, fonew heavens, flial-be made, wherein dwelleth
righteoufnefs; as if the prefent, at lealt the lower regions of them,
retain'd fome contagion of unnghteoufnefs. See y^.ir. i5-.-2f.r.
And ( Eph. 6. 12.) thereis mention of wickednefs , dwelling
now in heavenly places; and ( Job. 1.7.) of that filthy Fiend
Satan, by Gods permiffion, appearing there, after his peram-
bulation thro the earth, in his prefence, amongft the fons of
God. And (l{ev. 12. 10. we read of a war in heaven, between
the good and bad Angels, and of the ejection, from thence, of
the Evil Amgels, by the power of Chnft.' Pardon this excur-
fion:
§ • 3 7 1 3 8 • cf our S avior Jefus Chrift. 3 5
lion: for we can fet no certain bounds to the benefit, which
the whole Creation hath receivd thro this Infant o God. For
whom therefore all the Angels of God; as well as men, are ob-
liged to fing ; Gloria in excelfs Deo. ~\ a
And what the Shepheards heard thefe fing, at the fame time, « ,_
lung all 'the reft of the whole Hoft of Heaven, and went, and
paid their worfhip, and adoration to thechi'd in the Manger,
according to the Edict of the Almighty PjgI 97 7. mentioned
Heb. 1. 6. -Wfjowhen he brought in his Firji-bom into the nwrld,
[aid: And let .all tke Angels of Godivorjhip Him. At;d the Apo-
itle, in defcription of the myftery of the Incarnation 1 Tim. j.
16. after [ God manifested in the rlefh } adds, [feen of Angels]
perhaps with fpecial relation to this folemn vifit, and doxo.-
logy of theirs, at his Nativity. And S.Peter fur her laith 1 Fet,
1. 12. That they even longed to look into this matter, as if
they could not be Satisfied with feeing it, it plea fed them fo well.
Of this honour done to the only begotten of God, at hs Nativi-
ty ,by the Ange]s,how much was made vifible to Jofeph and Ma-
ry in the houfe, befides this that appeared to the Shepheards in
thefeild, we know not -, but meanwhile are bound gratefully to
admire, how free from envy, ( thecaufeof fome of. their fall.)
and how full of love , and benevolence towards man , thefe
more noble Creatures were,- exulting, and praifing God for
this honour done their In feriours, whereby thele miferable crea-
tures when fitting in darknefs , and in the fhadow of death,
eternal objects, together with the fain Angels, of Gods wrath,
were now by this Babe, advanced into their fociety, and made
ions of God, and Heirs of Heaven: nay in fome fenfe advan-
ced above themfelves,- God palling by the fubftanceof An-
gels, Heb. 2. 16. and making this babe, his Son, eternally to
wear the form and fafhion of man rather , becoming fle/b of
hisflejh, and bone of his bone.
When the Angels had fung to the liftening Shepheards this §, 33,
Song, this Troop afcended into heaven again, and went out
of their fight: and the believing Shepheards, not valuing the
harm which might happen to their forfaken flocks, made hail
toward Bethleem, to fee this Lamb of God, fha 1 1 lay, or Shep-
heard oflfrael > ( for by both thele titles he hath delighted to
be filled. Jo. 1. 29. -10. 11. -E^ec. 34.23. ) where the) found the
Babe as defcnbed , and fell down and did their homage to
Him fin a reprefentation of the whole nation of the [ewSjand,
we may prefume, offered iome fmall preientj (as is ulual to
E 2 great
3 6 The Hiftory of the Life §.39:
great Princes by their Subjects,,) and as afterward we read the
Magi did, for the Gentiles ). Whom this Spiritual Prince re-
warded richly for their pains, in fpiritual things; in illumi-
nating their minds, and | enflaming their hearts with a love
and zeal of his glory: for, their fa<th not {tumbling at the
lownefs of hisoutward appearance, his poor lodging, his hard
bed, his courfe fwath, his mean attendance, they departed
praifing and glorifying God that a new Saviour was born to
Ifrael, and divulging abroad the Virion of the Angels and the
wonderful things they had heard and feen concerning this
child ( Luk. 2. 17. ) Thefe poor Shepheards, being choien for
the firft preachers of the coming or the Kindom of God,- (as
afterward were the poor Fifher-men, ) and begetting a great
wonder laith the Evangelift Luk. 2. 18. in the Bethleemites
with their ftory. Yet probable it is, according to the poor and
unknown condition of life, that the fon of God had chofen,
that their wonder by his fecret influence upon them, was fo
reftrained as not to proceed to any farther inquiry after thefe
Holy perfons, and that the child and his Mother receiv'd no
vifits upon it, nor better entertainment and accommodation
there. And this noife that was made, upon the jealoufy raifed
afterward in King Herod, ferved only to involve this Infant-
Prince and his fmall family in much greater perils, and the
peoples prefent admiration was more unfafe to him, then their
former neglect. Nor did the Bethleemites enjoy the Honour
of having this Saviour of Ifrael born aniongft them, without
their bearing alfo his Crofs, and that a heavy one, not long af-
ter it. After this early Predication of the new Meffias the
poor Shepheards return d to their flocks, rejoycing, as for the
mercy fhewed to Ifrael in general, fo for the great favour
done them in particular, that they mould be the firft ( befides
his parents ) thatihould behold the Meffias, and hear the Mu-
fick of Angels; and divulge this good news to the great, and
to the wife ones of this world.
$• 3 9- [ Where I may not pals further without paufing a little to
contemplate the ordinary courfe of Gods wifdom in thismat-
Digrefs. ter por many great men doubtlefs there were, of the tribe
of Judah, at this time, in this City, who probably would have
entertained with joy fuch a revelation, concerning the birth
of the Meffias; who might alfo with their riches have main-
tained, or with their power protected, him:. Yet God did not
think fit, to fend an Angel with this joyful news to any of
them,
§.40. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift. 37
them, but only to the poor Shepheards, from whom the great
and learned ones were to receive it. As likewife, from the ve-
ry conception of this Prince , God had hitherto dealt with
low people; and the honours done to our Saviours perfon and
to his relatives, in the frequent defcent and vifits of Angels
were invifible to the world, and communicable to it only upon
their relations , whom their mean condition made lefs au-
thentick. And we fee, in this infancy of the Gofpel, the truth
of thole fcriptures fulfilled. —Not many mighty, not many world'
ly-wife, not many noble are called. -God hath cbofen the weal^ and
bafe things of this world to confound the mighty. —Blejfed are the
poor for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. —And our Saviours
meffage to the Baptift : Pauper es evangeliyintur , ta the poor the
Gojpel is preached ; as if, as he came poor, fo he came only to
the poor. For which good plea hire of his Father S. Luke chap,
10.21. exprefleth, upon a certain time, a great exultation in
our Saviours fpirit, breaking out into this expreffion j —I tbanJ^
thee, 0 Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth [ and to a free and ab-
folute difpofer of all his favours] that thou hajt hiatbefe things
from the wife and prudent, and revealed them unto Babes : Fven
fo Father, forfoit feemedgood in thy fight. (By which we may
gather, how welcome to his infancy was this vifit of thefe poor,
lent to him by his Father ).
And why luch thing feems good in his fight our weaknefs §• 4°-
may difcover many reafons. 1. Becaufe it is (aid, that he Ix
hateth the proud and giveth Grace and favour to the humble. Now
riches and honour are feldome fevered from pride, and humi-
lity more often accompanieth meannefs and poverty. An hun-
gry Shepheard trembling with cold inanopenfeild, and over-
watched is in a more humble and mortified pofture for re-
ceiving vifits and revelations from heaven, then one that is full
of all good things, well attended, delicatly lodged and taking
his eafe; the elation or demiflion of the mind commonly n-
fing and falling with the indulgences or fufferings of the bo-
dy, and the flow or ebb of our fortunes. But, sly. were all con- 2»
ditions equally diipofed for fuch favours; yet he delights fas
is laid before) tochufethe meaner and weaker Agents for his
inftrumentsin great affairs, the more to (hew his omnipotency^
whilft out o/thefe babes mouths he p erf eels his praife, and by the
feible things of the world confounds the mighty. ^ly. He doth &
this alio, to imploy and heighten the dignity of mens faith in
matters of religion, which, when it believes only what it fees,
or
38 The Hi/lory of the Life §4°.
or is clearly demonftrated to it , nuvft needs be of very little
efteem and reward with God. But great faith is where little
fight or conviction : and where love and the Will have the
greateft hand in the Compofition of it. To fuch believers God
counts himfelf exceedingly indebted,- and wherever our Savi-
our met with any fuch faith in the Gofpel,he fella-magnifying
it very highly , and granted prefently whatever it defired.
—Great is thy Faith, be it unto thee, even as thou wilt. For the
growth therefore of thefe great faiths it is, that God disco-
vers only to a few, and thole of lefs authority, what he would
have to be believd by all, that fo he might reft more engaged
to their fubmiffion, who have the weaker perfwafives or im-
4* pulfestoit. Or, 4ly. Had he no other motive at all thus to
diftribute his favours, yet this he may do, to have the reeurn
of a greater meafure of praife and thanks for them from fuch
receivers. For God receives the greater acknowledgment for
his gifts, the moremean and unworthy the perfons lee them-
felves, to be on whom he bellows them : More when he gives
them to a poor Shepheard, then when to a great Rabbi; which
commonly, whilit they render the one grateful, make the other
y. proud. Butlaftly, the Kingdom of this new born-Prince was
to be quite another and a contrary thing to the Kingdoms of
this world. It was to be afpiritual and a celeftial one j and
fo founded in great humility and mortifications of the flelh,
and of this worlds lulls; founded in denying mens-felves, and
forfaking all things that are dear unto them, and taking up
feveral forts of crofT.S; and thofe that enter into this King-
dom are to be only the poor j poor , one way, or other ,• either
in eftate oratleaft in fpirit : fo that in this Kingdom, where-
in thofe of low degree are exalted "jam. 1. 9. the rich and Ho-
nourable are to be made low, that they may be exalted. ( Let
the rich rejoyce in that he is made low. Jam. 1. 10. ) And in their
affed-tions at leaft to become another thing, then they are in
their fortunes, ( They that rejoyce to be as tho they rejoyceh not j
they that purchase, as tho they pojfejjed not ; they that ufe the
world, as tho they did not ufe it); and tho they be as big as Ca-
mels, yet they muft become as/mall as a thred to get into this
Kingdom Mat. 19. 1 6, 21 , 23 , 24, 26. which only admits the
Jmall things of this world. Which thing, fmce it is fohard to
do, tho poffible , therefore hath voluntary fecular poverty,
ever fince the times of the coming of this Prince, bin had in
fuch. elteern j becaufe the poor only in fpirit, that remain ftill
rich
§. 4 1 '. of our Saviour Jefut Ckritt. 3 9
rich in Fortunes, are forced to bear one heavy Crofs more than
any other poor, (which many of them (ink and miicarry un-
der, and are not able to go through with it ) : namely, the
trouble and anxiety of a prudent difpenfing thofe goods and
revenues, of which God hath made them only his Stewards,
notMafters: andbv pofTeffing, living in a continual Tempta-
tion from, them. Now fince this Kingdom hath fuch an Anti-
pathy to this prefent world j Firft none furely are more fit to i«
entertain, or be entertained by, this King then thofe who
have leaft of it. Like adheres to its like ; andhad the Great
ones bin fent to the Stable to worfhip this Prince lying amongft
their horfes, inftead of the Shepheards, likely their knees would
have bin moreftirle: and they that asked ■, Can fuch a Prince
come out of Galilee or Nazareth? would much more; Can
fuch a Prince come out of a Stable ? and (corning to be fub-
jecl: to one fo far below them would have become Traitors to
Him, as Great Herod was, fooner then Difciples. 2ly. None 2.
fo fit alio to preach fuch a Kingdom to the world as the poor,
and thofe who were not themfelves full of the pofTeflion of
thofe things, the contempt whereof they counfelled to others/]
Now to return to the BlefTed Virgin and her husband. We §• 4Tj
fee how the fame night, that was fo full of flraits, the joyful
Shepheards coming in and relating, fee LuJ^. 2. 19. asanocca-
fion of their coming, their vifion, the mefTage and fong of An-
gels, revives their fpirits, and recreats their affliction. Their
heavinefs endured not all the night, but joy overtook it before
the morning j and the fcandal of the Stable was removed by
the glorious appearance in the feild j whilft the child deipifed.
by earth was magnified by heaven. [And we may obferve
that this great humiliation of the Son of God was every where
mingled with fome ftate -, Jiate beyond all other fons of men.
When conceived , a great Angel of prefence is fent before
with the news ofit; -the Virgin going to Elizabeth, Sheinfpired
from heaven falls a-maguifying him and his Mother ; -return'd
to Jofeph, an Angel declares to Him the Holy Conception and
greatnefs of this prince ; -Born in fo mean a roome atBethleem,
Angels appearing in the Air difcover it to the Jews and ling
^Gloria in excel/is to Him, to counterpoile that ignominy in
tnfimis. And a new Star appearing in the heavens at the fame
time manifelb it to the Gentiles. An-d fo hereafter; when
prefented in the Temple, Holy Simeon and Anna proclaim
him. The Infants life confpired - againft by Herod, an Angel
di (covers.
4 o The Hiftory of the Life §. 4 2 .
difcovers the plot; and (afterward ) in Egypt reveals to them
the death of his enemy. Baptized by John, the Holy Ghoit
in the fliape of a Dove comes down and (its on his head. Upon
his failing and humiliation in the Wildernefs, Angels come,
and Minifter unto him. Before his going up to Jerufalem to
fuffer, Mofes and Elias in great glory vilit him. In hisgreateft
agony and faintings in the Garden, an Angel is fent to reftore
ftrength to him. And, to fhew the common intercourfehehad
with Angels, and how he had thefe fubje&s of heaven con-
tinually at his beck and fervice, fee what he faith to Natha-
niel jo. 1. 51. -and to Peter Mat. 26. n. -Laftly, when mur-
thered by the Jews, the Sun lofeth its light, and the earth fo
trembleth, that the Rocks of it rent in peices; when his body
buried, Angels fit at the Head and feet of his Grave. After
fo fliameful a death followed fo glorious a refurredtion, and
afcenfion into Heaven in a bright cloud of Angels. Thus, to
great humiliations- God not only giveth afterward fafterare-
iurredtion, or fo, ) but prefently intermingleth great honours,
and like exaltations,- and hath given an example thereof in
this Head, that the fame might be fecurely expected by the
members.]
<S„42. Now whilft thefe honours were done Mary's BlefTed Infant
from on high, (in which honours of their children, Mothers
ufeto glory more, then in their own ), the Evangel ft, noting
the modeft and filent behaviour of the Virgin, faith, that
whilft all that heard wondred at [and magnified] thefe things,
Jhe kept and pondered them in her heart; LuJ^ 2. 18, 19. took
great notice, without much talk, ftho her glorying in Him
had bin a right glorying, being glorying in the Lord. 1 Cor.
1.31^, covering all thefe things that had happened for the
prefent with great taciturnity and humility, and perhaps not
without fomeprefage of the hatred and envy which her Son
was afterward to fuffer j which things in due time after our
Saviours humiliation, and refurre&ion was pafTed, flie revealed
to the Apoftles and other difciples; from whom this Evange-
lift received them. (Lul^. 1. 1.) Meanwhile we may imagine
how thefe ftrange accidents ftill increafed ( if capable of in-
creafej the filent and reverent deportment both of Jofeph
and Mary toward the child, Jefus ; whilft the little Babe in the
cratch, by the fecret influence of his divine power, guided all
thefe occurrences, and made thefe perfons fo near him to do on-
ly fuch things, as done might be acceptable to Him.
A com-
§.43j44- of our Saviour Jefu* Chrift. 41
A compleat week was now palled over, and the eighth day §-43.
( the number for all perfection ) was now come at which time
the law required Circumcifion of all male children Lev. 12.3.
io to enroll them into the family of Gods Church, and render
them heirs of the Covenant (made with faithful Abraham,)
of redemption, benediction, and an eternal inheritance thro
his feed that was to come, our Lord Chritt. Of which Co-
venant Circumcifion was, from Abrahams time, appointed
in Gods Church, as a Sacrament, and feal ( Gen. 17.). The
BlefTed Virgin therefore, and her moft pious husband, dili-
gently performed to this Holy Babe the folemnities thereof.
Of which folemnity, if we may make (where the Law is filent )
any conjecture of the Ancient, from the modern, rites, the
manner of later times is; that it may be done b; any perfon
even the Father of the Child, ( and we fee Mofes his Sons were
circumcifed by their Mother Exod. 4. 24. ) but yet is ufually
procured to be done by fome perfon well experienced in the
practice thereof; may be done alfo in any place, either more
lolemnly in their School, or Synagogue; or more privatly in
their own houfe. Two of the kindred or near relation, are
as it ware a God-Father, and God-Mother to the Child, the wo-
man bringing the Infant to the place of Circumcifion. —The
mail fitting down and holding it in the Circumcifion ,- after
t 1 1
which, done with a ftone-kniie, fome drying medicines are
applied to the wound, and fo it is bound up, and ufually with-
in two or three daies perfectly healed. During the action the
128 and fome other Pfalms arefung (by which alfo the In-
fants crying is not heard ) an*l a name given to the Child by
Ins Parents appointment. ( SeeLu{. 1. 5-9 .) Laftly fomefeftival
entertainments, and Congratulations are made to the Parents
by their kindred, and friends, as in a time of joy. See Leo Mo-
dena a Jewifh Rabby in his RitusHebraici. Part. 4. cap. 8.
Now, confidering that the BlefTed Virgin, and her husband $' 44-
were meer ftrangers in this place ( The Lord kerning to have
laid to this his Son, for his greater exinanition, ( even before he
was born, ) and to his poor Mother, as he did to Abraham, E-
gredere de terra tua, ($ de cognitione tua, G? ds donio Vatrum
tuorum) removed from allConiolations, or abidance of Kin-
dred, or acquaintance, and their Condition alfo very poor, it
is probable, that our Lords Circumcifion was durable to his
birth- done after the rudelt,and plainer! mannei\and with fmall,
or no attendance -3 fome mean lodging perhaps hired by Jofeph
F in
Gen. 12. r.
42 The Hiftory of the Life $. 44.
in the Town wherein this Ceremony was performed, or alfo
( as fome rather think ) difpatcht in the Stable, or wroti by Jo-
ieph li.mfel . In which Grott alfo , or in fome private hired
room, this Holy Family may be imagined, according to the
higheft rule of perfection, to have fojourned till their depart-
ing into Eg pt, without any fecular acquaintance , in great
Solitude, filence, and Devotion, and exceeding reverence to
the Holy Child Jefus, as the divine Off-fpring. Jofeph by the
gain of his Trade providing necefTaries tor the Virgin, and
the Babe j and treating the Mother alfo, as a confecrated Tem-
ple of the Holy Ghoft, with a moft pure, and chaft honour, and
refpecl:. Jefus meanwhile by his omnipotent influence work-
ing in both their hearts what was acceptable to his Fathers
will to be done unto him : Retraining alfo, by the fame di-
vine oeconomy, the wonder, and devotion both of the Shep-
heards, and other Inhabitants, to whom thefe had told their
difcoveries in fuch a manner j as that all expected rather
what would follow afterward , than curiouuy fearched into
what was tranfacted for the prefent; and fo, as that their great
awe prefumed not fo far astovifit this new-born hope of If-
rael, or to perform any refpecft, or fervice to him, which did
not fuit with that low Condition he had chofen of living poor,
unknown, folitary, and expofed to all hardfhips; in which his
Parents alfo may be thought to have ferved him in great pri-
vacy, and filence, and without talking, or converfing much
, abroad. As alfo the Evangeliit obferves, that whilft the Shep-
heards divulged the wonders of his birth , yet his- holy Mo-
ther kept all private, and pondered them in her heart, as a
much-confidering, filent, woman. Luk^ 2.18, 19. And fo we
may conjecture that the vifits both of the Shepheards, and the
Magi, were both performed by them and received by Mary,
and Jofeph, with fuch a profound reverence, modefty, and fi-
lence, as became a Temple, rather than a Stable: and as was
fuiting to the prefence of fo great a Majefty ; though mean
and weak in his outward appearance ('for this appertained to
his prefent ftate of Humiliation ) yet moft commanding, and
powerful in his divine influence, and energy, on all thoie who
approached him, and whole Converfationhc admitted. For
already his humanity alfo, by the union to it of his divine
perfon, is to be efteemed replenifhed from his firft Conception
with the Holy Ghoft, aud with all wifdom, and not to have, as
the bodily, fo alfo the mental,impptencies, or weakneffes of In-
fancy. This
§-45>4'£« °f our Saviour Jefut Cbrift. 43
This his Circnmcifion therefore teems to have bin perform- §. 4f.
ed as with the greateft reverence, fo privacy, hardlhip, a..d
inaccomodation. And, if the Inftitution, and Signification
of this facred Ceremony be well examined, we fha'lrmd our
Lord here entring upon the ftage of his fufferings with the
performance of one of the greateft acts of humility , and vo-
luntary obedience that his whole life afforded ; and that his
Circumcifion, andhis Crofs, i.e. thefirft, and the !aft act of
his life , were the two greateft abafements, tha. is celeftial,
pure, and unfpotted Perfon defcended-to. In both which
he was content to appear to the world in the Similitude of {in-
fill rlefh, I(om. 8. 3- and to be numbred amongft the Tranf*
greffors, E(ay. ^3. and to bear the penalties of fin , as if he
had bin a {inner. As in that laft aft to be condemned for the
greateft Malefactor, and Blafphemor, and deftroyer of the
law ; fo in this firft to fufFer, as a finful Son of Adam, 'an ex-
piation of that Original Guilt, with which he was never ftain-
ed,- and that not a warning only with water, as it is now in
baptiim; but a (bedding ot his blood. For though Circumci-
fion (then ) was a Sacrament otthe fame Evangelical Cove-
nant, as now Baptifm is, yet was not this expiation ( then J to
be without (bedding of blood, as a type, and figure of what
was to come, till the true blood of our Redemption mould be
fhed upon the Croft, after which now the Ceremony of a inun-
dation only with water fufficeth.
[ To digrefs a little here, the more exactly to weigh thejuft §. 4^,
importment ot this Ceremony, which if you think an imperti-
nency, you may pafson to § ?6. For Circumcifion, and the
obligation which then the people of God had to it, thus the
cafe ftood. Adam being fallen from his original righteouf-
nefs, and io having loft the Grace of God, and being become
unable to obferve his commands, and, by the breach of them,
liable to eternal death, and the lofs of the heavenly inheri-
tance; yet God, in compaffion to him, then promiied a feed,
that fhould bruife the head of that ferpent that leduced him
Gen. 3. 15-. and by whom mould be had redemption, pardon of
former fin, reftorement of Grace and ot the Holy Spirit to keep
Gods commands fofar, as this Covenant of Grace required;
and a new benediction, and introduction into the heavenly in-
heritance, to all the faithful, and children ot the Gofpel And
fo by this promifed feed, and in this faith, and Covenant Evan-
gelical, were all the holy men preceding Abraham, even from
F 2 Adam,
44 The Hiftory of the Life §47.
Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, &c. redeemed, and faved. And
Fathers of the faithful ( alfo before Abraham ) all thefe were
in refpect of their fpiritua pofterity ; and probably had fome
different ceremony from the reft of mankind, by which they
were initiated into this Evangelical Covenant, and conftitut-
ed members of Gods Church j tho Abraham firft, &T'f(fow, bare
this name for his raithinGod Angularly eminent among the
reft; He believing ( as the Apoftle faith T{om. 4. 18.) with his
wife and family in hope even againft hope, firft inrelmquifh-
ing at once his country, and kindred, at Gods bare command,
not knowing ( faith the Apoftle Heb. n. 8. ) when he went out
whither he went; 2ly. and then in believing Gods power to
give him ifluein fuch an old age; and laftly after he had lfTue,
in that moft tranfcendent effect of his faith, the oblation, and
flaughter ofhisonelv Son, in whom were made the promifes.
Tohith therefore more exprefsly, than formerly, God renewed
his promile ( as he did afterward again to David ) that this
promifed feed fhould defcend from him ; in which feed all,
both he, and the reft of his feed, i.e. fo many as were fons of
his faith, even amongft all nations , as well as the Hebrews,
fhould be blejjed\ i. e. mould obtain redemption, remiffion of
former fin, anew fandtification by Godsfpirit, and ability to
obferve his laws; and laftly, the inheritance of the heavenly
Canaan. ( See Ge n. 22.28. compared wit\f Gafat. 3d Chapter .*
which latter may ferve for a comment upon the former. )
3-47. This Covenant God made with Abraham's faith : And then,
for the time preceding the coming of this Seed, even of this
BlefTed Infant Jefus who fhould accomplifh this Redemption,
heinfiituted for a Seal of this Covenant between them ,• and
that as well for all Profelytes of the Gentiles-, as for Abraham's
carnal pofterity, Gen. 17. 12,23. Inftituted, 1 fay, the Circumci-
fion, and cutting-off of the prepuce of that member, in which,,
after mans fall, firft appeared the effect of fin, and the rebel-
lion of thefiefti againft the Spirit. Of which rebellion our firft
Parents, in the beholding it, were fo much afharaed ; which
fliame alfo hath adhered "to all their pofterity. By which
Circumcifion of Abrahams flefh were fignified to Him the very
fame things through this feed then promifed, as are now to
us, bybapnfm, through the feed now exhibited j namely, his
renouncing cutting off, and mortifying the former lulls of the
fl fh, and of fin in his members ; and becoming a reformed and
new Creature to walk thereafter (.by grace conferred through
this
§.4-8,49- of our Saviour JefusChrift. 45
this feed ) in all purity and righteoufnefs: at which time God
therefore alfo as to new Creatures gave to him,and his wife, new
names Gen. 17. changing them from Abram and Sarai, to Abra-
ham and Sarah;
Now in this facred Ceremony, as Cod engaged, on his part §.48.
of the Covenant , redemption from fin, and Grace reftored " '
through the promifed Seed, to Abraham, and to all thole who
were "his lpintualSons, and who walked in the faith of the Gof-
pel, ( I mean, the faith concerning the feed, and the means of
their Salvation ) which faith was preached unto them more
or lefs clearly according to the feveral degrees, in different
ages, of the manifeftation thereof; fo Abraham, and his Sons GV». 17 . 1, 12.
on their part engaged the fincereobfervance of all God^Com-
mandements, fo far as in this Covenant was required of them.
Where alio it came to pafs, ( but by their own fault), that lb
many of Abrahams natural Children as received Circumcifion,
by which they engaged themfelves to the obfervance of Gods
law J and yet were not alfo children of the faith of Abraham
( according to the revelation of redemption through this feed )
by which faith thev 'might become partakers of re million of
their former fin, and of the return of Grace through the fame
feed: fo many I fay were put in a much worfe condition by
their Circumcifion, than they were in formerly; contracting
by this a new obligation to Gods law , without ability ( by
reafon of their want of faith ) to perform it , and without a
partaking of the merit of this feed, whereby to be pardoned
their tranfgreflions againft it. Of which Circumcifion there-
fore maybe faid the fame, which the Apoftle faith of the Pro-
mulgation of the law, in the7thChapt. to the Romans. And
the fame thing, ftill, happens in baptifm to fo many as receive
it without a due faith, and without any donation of Grace;
they making therein a new engagement to the obfervaiiceof
Gods Comma ndements without ability to perform them.
This being the flory of Circumcifion, which was a feal ( we $_• 4\
fee) ofthe Evangelical Covenant made in the promifed feed ,*
and prefuppofed former fin, and Hi rough this ieed effected a
purgation from it ; this eternal Son of God, therefore, who
came from heaven, and who was conceived in the Virgins
womb, not ofthe feed of man, but by the Holy Ghof:, and
who was this very promifed feed that was to redeem Abraham,
and his pofterity, needed not at all to be circumcifed ; both
becauie not guilty of fin i and becanfe himfelf was the redeemer,
and
4 6 The Hiftory of the Life §.50,51,
and feed promifed, from whom Circumcifion received its effi-
cacy. And what greater indignity could happen to his fanCti-
ry, and purity, tnan to be circumcifed in his fleih, who never
knew any riling or rebellion of the flefh ; nor contracted from
our firit Parents any Itain thereof? For though our Lord was,
by the flefh taken of his mother, a Son of Abraham, and Gods
law was very ftrict, that every Male of his pofterity fliould be
circumcifed, or elie cut off Gen. 17. Lev. 12 -, yet, feeing' fuch
a law was prefcribed to Abraham's pofterity with reference to
fin fas alio mod of the laws Ceremonial were) fuch law ex-
tended not to any of Abrahams feed that mould be without
all fin, as our Holy Lord was.
il££l. But though this fpotlefs babe was free from any obligation
to Circumcifion in this re f peel, yet many other reafons , and
motives there were, for which his divine wifdom, chufing fuch
a way as he did for mans redemption, thought meet to under-
go it; asalfo in like manner hereceived, and pafTed through
all the other Sacraments of general obligation , that were
appointed by God his Fath.r in the Church, both old, and
new: the one, as a Son born under the raw, and all its Cere-
monies; the other, as a Father, and founder of the Gofpel,
and all its Rites. As for his Circumcifion then, befides thofe
reafons ordinarily given for it: that he admitted it, to fhew
the truth of his human flefh, againft thofe Herefies. that after-
wards arofe, contending that he had only a fantaftical, and
apparent, or if a true, aceleftial, Body : Again, leaft that, by
not receiving it, he might feem to difallow of Circumcifion, or
alio might appear a breaker of the law, to thole who knew
him not to be pure, and exempt from original fin j likewife,
that thus he might bear the true mark and badge of Abrahams
feed, and not be rejected by them as none of the true Meffias,
on this account ; who was fent in thefirft place to the houfe
of Ifrael, Mat. 10. 6. and a Minifter of Circumcifion Horn. i?.
8- the defect of which furely would have bin a greater accu-
fation, than his Original out of Galilee ; Again, that he might
practice an obedience, an4 conformity for peace-fake, though
in a matter not obliging, as he did afterward in pa ing tri-
bute.A'at. 17. 27. ut non (vandalise mm eos. I fay belides tliefe
reafons fufficient for hisnon-omiifion of that facred Ceremony,
there feem to be others yet more considerable.
§• ?*« For firlt Circumcifion ( as alio baptifm afterward ) was not ad-
1. miniflred only in relation to fins pall, as an expiation thereof,
but
§.52. of our Savior Jefus thrift, 47
but alfo as a door of entrance into the Church, family, and
houlhold of God, and into a new Covenant with God ior the
time to come,- by which, from Abrahams daies till the ac-
complifhment of our redemption, this family was diftinguifhed
from all the reft of the world i and a ftricl pact, and Covenant
pafled between God, and all fuch perfons, for the future,- where-
by they engaged themfelves on their parts to walk fincerely
in his laws, in newnels of life, as his obedient Children, re-
ceiving then as it were a new nature, as we'l as a name : and
God engaged on his part, to be their Father, and protector,
and exceeding great reward in beftowing upon them the inhe-
ritance, and poiTeflion of an heavenly Canaan. Now, as to
iuchfignifications of Circumcifion, and the other Church Sa-
craments, though not as to the real effect of them upon him,
( as the etiect of the Sacrament is alio, by others, many times
had, before the receit thereof) thefe were more compleatly
fulfilled in our Lord, than in any other. For he entredinto
the Church, and houfhold of God, not as a fimple member, but
as the Father, and Head thereof; not as a Son of God by Adop-
tion, but as that true natural Son, and feed, through whole
merits all others entred into this Covenant of Grace. As for
the performance of the Condition of this Covenant, never a'ny
undertook, and walked therein, in fuch perfect obedience, and
new life, and circumcifion of all carnal and rebellious lufts,
as himfelf: Nor ever any received fo high an eternal inheri-
tance from God by vertue of this Covenant obferved, as his Hu-
manity did.
But 2ly, yet further, as Circumcifion hath relation to fin, 1'X2;
fo the humility of our Lordalfo entertained both it, and all 2.
other facred expiations of guilt, in the difguifeof a finner. For
his eternal wildom thought meet, for the more proper, and
fatisfactory deftroying of fin, tocloth himfelf in tbelikenefsof
fin j and to take all the appurtenances, and fliames thereof ,
faveonly the very guilt it felf, which his purity cou'd not ad-
mit,- and, being without fin, to fufftr to the utmoft what to
other finners was due, and to perform to the utmoft, what of
others, as finners, was required. That he might thus as it were
in their ftead give all fatisfaclion to his Fathers juftice in his
fuffenngs, and tc his law.s,in his obedience : to his laws, not only
the Moral firft given toman in innocence j but alio thefCere-
monial prefenbed to finners for remiflion of guilt, in obferving
which Ceremonies they alfo a fecond time failed , and fo thefe
alfo
48 The Hijlory of the Life §..53,54.
alio, as well as the Moral, were a hand-writing againft them Co-
lojf. 2, i^.-Epb. z.16. Thefe therefore he alio undertook, that
by the merit of: his exa£t obferving thefe laws, and fatisfying
his Fathers juftice therein, he might remove alio this fecond
hard, and unfupportable yoke from off their necks Acl. ir. 10.
and purchaie tor them the perfect ipiritual effects thereof. So,
by Chrifts Circumcifion ( faith the Apoftle Col. 2. 14. -Eph. 2.15-.
-Gal. 3. 24, 2f. -Gal. 4. 3,4. 9.) we are circumcifed with the
Circumcifion made without hands, in our putting off the body
of the fins of the rleili [ which cleanfing from carnal 1 nits, is the
Spiritual Grace of the carnal Circumciiion."]
$• f 3- Again, the Miniftry of the Baptift f ucceeding that of the law,
who was fentto finners with a baptifm of repentance, to prepare
them for receiving afterward from our Lord the baptifm of
the Spirit, our Lord hafted now again among other finners to
receive from John this baptifm of repentance, and to fulfil this
rrgbteoufnefs, or duty of finners, as if he had bin a finner too ( to
the wonder of the Baptift, to whom God then revealed him
and his all-fandtity ) : and, after it, he betook himfelf to a long
penance, of folitude in adefert, of rafting, and praier, accom-
panied alio with ftrong temptations from Satan, for fix weeks:
and afterward all his lite long he endured reproaches as a fin-
ner J^om. ir. 3^ and though the Holy one of God, hefeque-
ftred not himfelf from the more publick offenders, but con-
verted freely with them, not out of love to fin, but to the fin-
ners; though it turned much to hisdifefteem, and prejudice,
with thofe who pretended morefanctity among the people.
^ . -Thus he, not only as the lecond Adam defcending from hea-
ven, entred upon the firft Covenant of works Hocfac, & vives,
and fully performed the natural, or moral law , in all the
points thereof ; but alfo as a Son of Adam fain, and taking up-
on him the curie of his fin, though not deriving from him the
guilt ofit, heentred upon the Covenants .of Grace, andexpia-
tions of fin, made with Abraham and the Patriarks; and, in
the ftead of finners, performed exactly all the Ceremonial Law,
as it related to fin; and thus by his perfect obedience became
heir of the Promifes of the eternal inheritance, made firft to
Adam for his works; and then to Abraham for his faith; and
by thefehis merits, whilfthe owed nothing of what he did,
and i uttered, for himfelf, became alfo the purchafer of mercy,
and of remiffion of fin, and of the Spirit, for all other finners
believing in him ; by which Spirit they are aifo enabled to
keep
§•55,56*. of our Saviour Jefut Chrifl. 49
keep the Covenant of Grace, and to inherit the promifes made
to it. J^om. 8. }, 4. -Gal. 3. 14. -4. <J.]
This Djgreffion perhaps not unprofitably made to fliew to them ^ ^t
more clearly the motives or reafons of theCircumcifion, of
our Lord. Now I proceed. Next,- Atthe Circumcifion, as be-
ing the Sacrament of Regeneration, and admiffion into Gods
Covenant, family, and Son-fhip under the law, accordingly
a new name was given to the circumcifed, impofed by the Pa-
rents, or more uiually by the Mother ; See Gen. 4. 1. 2 r. -1 6. 1 1 .
-29. ii.-\Sam.\. 21. -Efai. 7. 14.0 name ,w\\\ch. ordinarily figni-
fyed lomething that related to piety, and Religion, in reviv-
ing the memory offbme former holy Perfon, or thing; in ac-
knowledging fomefpccial favour, or Grace received from the
divine Majefty ,• in devoting the circumcifed to fome virtues
or qualities acceptable to God j or alio, when the name was
impofed by God, or perfons directed by his Spirit, foretelling
the nature, actions and fucceffes of the perfon circumcifed -y
God alio many times by hisfecret providence guiding the Pa-
rents, though knowing nothing, to give fuch names as do cor-
refpond to future events. Hence alfo ( as was faid ) in the firft
inftitution of Circumcifion were two new names given by God
to Abraham and to his wife.
When therefore this Son of God came to be circumcifed, §. f$.n. li
God his Father appointed his name to bejefw, ( or Jefiua as he
was called in the Syriack, the language which the Jews then
ordinarily fpake: [*'"] or [us] being the Greek and Latinc
terminations thereof J i. e. Saviour ; God fignifying this before-
hand by an Angel, firft to his Mother, at his Conception, 5nd
afterward to jofeph her husband upon his firft difcerrning her
to be with Child j'ipecifying then alfo to him the particular
falvation he mould bring to the world, namely Salvation from
theirfins; Mat. 1. 21. repeated again by Zachary, and Sime-
on in their Hymnes. Salvation, faith Zachary, by remiflion of
fin through the bowels of the divin Mercy , to give light to
them that Jit in dar^nejs, and in the Shadow of death, and to
dirett our feet into the way of peace; and light ( faith Simeon^
to the Gentiles, aswell as the Jews. And thus by this Saviour
now fent , God compleated the Covenant of Circumcifion
made with Abraham, and fo for afterward removed this Ce-
remony; atthe firft Circumcifion giving Abram the name of
Abraham, father of the faithful, faith being the Condition re-
quired of us in this Covenant : and in this Circumcifion of our
G Lord
50 The Hiftory of the Life %-S^57«
Lord fending the promifed feed, and giving him the name of
Jems, orSaviour: Salvation being the condition engaged for
on Gods part in this Covenant.
$. s6. n. 2. A name this was compleating all Gods former works and
mercies j and which he iee'ms to have referved, as an -hidden
treafure, for the latter end of the world ; having not revealed
it inexprefsterm (tho he did this in many other names lome
way implying it ) to former ages. So that, as God made him-
felf firft known to his Church, and to the primitive Patriarks
only by his name of nw u**}>{ God omnipotent, but revealed not
himfelf by his name Jehovah ( importing his fole, fimple, eter-
nal, being, and Godflnp ; the one God living for ever, and none
belideshim) till the time of Mofes, when he began to mani-
feft himfelf to his Church, by greater works, and wonders ; in
vengeance upon his Enemies, and deliverances of his people i
and by fulfilling his promifes to their fathers, as who liveth for
ever to make good all his words. ( See Exodus 6. 3. comp. Exod.
3.14.) So he was not known by the name of Jefus, in the ie-
cond perfon of the Trinity incarnated, till now : that this per-
fon came in the flefh to accomplifh andfinifh the Salvation of
the world by his own fufferings and fatisfa&ions; which were
promifed and believed-in indeed before from the beginning,
but which were not exhibited till this time-
§> T7> Several names indeed of this perfon were foretold in. all
ages, and thefe implying Salvation to come to the world by
Him. Pfal.z.z. and frequently elfewhere he was called the
Meffias, or the Anointed, tranflated in the Greek xg^fr. There-
fore Herod when he enquired of the Scribes concerning him
Mat. 2. 4. enquired of him by this name where Chrift, i. e. the
Meffias, or anointed, fhould be born,- and, upon the Baptift
pointingto him, andcalling him, the Son, and the Lamb, of
God, his difcipie Andrew tells Peter, that he had found the
Mejjias, which is, being interpreted, the Chrift ; faith the Text
Jo. 1.41.-4.25-. and our Lord fpeaks of himfelf to the Pharifees
b} the known name of Chrift, asking them, whofe Son Chrift
was to be; when he would have inftructed'them, that he was
Gods Son, as well as Davids s and therefore by David himfelf
called his Lord Mat. 22. 42. Again , Gen. 49. 1 o. ( comp. E^ech.
2 1. 32. ) he is called by Jacob, Silo, or, qui mittcndus eft; the ieed
that was promiied to his Grandfather Abraham to be lent.
Haggaiz. 7. He is called Defideratus, or thedelire of all nati-
ons, veniet dejideratus cunftis Gentibus. Again: Efay. 9.6. It
is
§. 5 8. of our Saviour Jefus Xhrift. 5 1
is faid his name fhould be called, Admirabilis, Conftliarius, Deu/
fortis, Pater futu'ri faculi , Princeps Pacts. Again; J^echar.6.
12. It is faid; *va.-n>\Oriens ( as it is in the Septuagint, and Vul-
gar ) erit nomen ejus fee Zgchar. 3. 8 : a name repeated again
by Zachary the Father ofthe Baptiftinhis Hymn LuJ^. 1.78-
In quibus nos vifitavit Oriens ex alto, —Often alfo is he called
Germen Domini , GermenjuJIitia. See Efai. 4. 2. -1 1 . 1 ; and Jerem.
23. 5. -and 33. 17. It is faid : Hoc eft nomen quod vocabunt
eum j D 0 minus jujtus nofter , or Dominus Jufiitia noftra ; and
there alfo is this new deliverance , wherein he affumes
this name, advanced above that out of Egypt, where he took
the name otjebovab. Exod.6. 3. Efai. 7. 14. It is faid yet more
particularly, that the Virgin his Mother ihould call his name
lmmanuell, that is, a Synonyma with Jefus involving Salvation
to mankind by the Incarnation of God. All thefe are the
names, foretold, of the Lord that mould come to redeem us,
repreienting to us feveral excellencies of this Lord. But no
where is he forecalled by the ordinary name he bare here on
earth, and given him at his Circumcifion , his name Jefus ;
as Jofiah, Cyrus, and fome others have bin ; God, if I may fo
. fay, having provided this beft of names for us, that they be-
fore us fhould not have all perfection,- and having referved the
molt full expreffion , and manifeftation, of his mercies in the
office of this perfon until his coming.
And indeed it feemed neceffary, for the accomplifhing of §. yg.
his fufferings by which he redeemed us, that this his name Jefus
mould not be foretold; as it was^alfo neceffary, that his birth
at Bethleem Davids City foretold, and in its time fulfilled,
fhould be in the performance thereof unknown, and dilguifed
by hisMothersulualaboad in another Town and Country ; and
by his being driven away from thence fhortly after born ( for
fear of a flaughter ) to the place of her former refidence for
his education; and fo he was known only as a Prophet of Na-
zareth, and called by a name unmentioned in the Prophets.
Notwithstanding, thoin no places of- the Old Teftamentit is
foretold that the name of the Mefhah mould be Jefhua or Je-
fus , yet in many places fpeaking of him is this name or fome
derivative thereof as a proper Epithete applied to him. So
tis faid Habbac. 3. 18- Exultabo in Deo Jefu meo. And, in
thofe fentencesfpoken of theMeffiah [Gen. 48. 18. -Salufarc
tuumexpeclabo Domine. -pfal. 98. 2. (repeated Efai- ?2. 10.)
—Viderunt omnes fines terra falut are Dei iiojiri, "Efai. ?6. 1.
G 2 Erope
5 2 The Hi/lory of the Life §• 5 9 •
Trope eft falus mea, utveniat. —Efai. 12. J. Haurietis aquas in
gaudw de fontibut Salvatoris , J fome derivative of this word
Jefhua as Jefhuahah, Jefhuahta, &e. isufcd. Two perfons alio,
that were moft. eminent types of him, were in former times
called by the very fame name. The firftof thefe was the Cap-
tain, that, after a long Captivity in Egypt, conducted his peo-
ple into Canaan the pronv fed Land, and fought all their bat-
tles with their Enemies,- to whom Mofes by a Prophetical Spi-
rit gave this name Jojhua Numb. 13. 16. ( or as it is rendred in
the Greek Jefus; as he is alio ca'lled Act. 7. 47. -and Heb.4. %.)
adding the firft letter of Jehovah to his former name Qjbea%
the type of our Lord Jefus, the Captain of our Salvation. Heb.
2. 10. Fighting our batt]es, and fubduing all our moft Ghoftly
Enemies, and conducting us into the true land of promife.
The fecond was Jo/hua, or Jefus the High Prieft ; that , after
their fecond Captivity at Babylon, conducted the People again
into the land of promife, and rebuilt the Temple of the Lord
formerly demolifhed. Againft whom ( in the virions of the
Prophet Zachary ) cloathed in poor , and filthy Garments ,
Satan before the Lord bringing great Accufation , God re-
bukes him, Satan, for'it; and commands Jofhuahs filthy Gar-
ments to be taken away from him , and him to be clothed
with change of Raiment, and a Miter, and Crown to be fet
upon his head. See %acb. 3. 3. &c. and 6. 11. &c. In both which
places is joined a promife concerning this our Jefus ( called
there by the name of *wtba», or Oriens. Or, as the Hebrew, Ger-
men) who was typified by the other, and who is our everlafting
High.Prieft: —That he Jhould build the Temple of our Lurd, and
Jhould bear the Glory, andjhouldftt, and rule upon hisThrone, and
be a Pnejt upon his Throne, &c.
j# y9# But tho Jefufes thefe two were before him ; and both fent
deliverers of Gods people after a Captivity, and both recondu-
ctors of Gods people into Canaan j yet far fhort they came
of this Jefus, who faved mankind from a far higher flavery,
and of another kind, thanthofe other were, and indeed from
the only Captivity that could make us truly miferable: Viz,
from the Captivity of fin, Satan, and death. Triumphing in
his Crofs, and Refurre&ion, and defcent of the Holy Ghoft,
overthefe three the only terrible enemies of poor mankind,
who before that this Saviour came, fat in chains, and darknefs
and in the Jhadovo of death ; trembling under Gods wrath,
and appointed to eternal torments. .
[ This
§.6o. of our Saviour Jefu6 Chrifl. S3
[ This great Saviour came ( faith the Apoftle. i The/. 1. 10. ) §.6o.
that he might fave us from the wrath to come. * For our falvation
from Satan. By him ( faith the Apoftle Col. 1. 1/.) roe are deli-
veredfrom the porvers of Darknefs .- -And ( i Jo. 3. %.)for this was
he made manifeft, that he might dejtroy the works of the Devil.
-And ( Col. 2. ir. ) He fpoiled Principalities and Powers , a«^
made an open jhew, and fpe'clacle, and triumph over them ([both in
his life, and in a Reiurrection from the death that they had
moft cruelly contriv'd againfthim.] : And fo, for our laving
from (in. Sermo omni acceptione dignns ( faith the Apoftle 1 Tim. 1 ,
1 r.J a comfortable faying beyond all other fayings this ; that
Jefus came into the world to fave Jinners. Efpecially when our
confcienceadds, Quorum ego primus. l Laftly, for thefalvati-
on from death. 0 Death ^iaith the Apoftle 1 Cor.i r.j-j-.) where
is now thy fling? 0 Grave, Where thy victory f Thanks he to God
whogiveth us the viHory over thefe thro our Lord Jefus.
And lor the manner alfo of our Salvation by this Jefus ; much
more mifterious, miraculous, and indearing it was, as to the
delivered, than that of any other Saviour, whatever hath, or
can be. For this Jefus came, fif I may fo fay ) notfo much
with his power to lave us, as with his patience j and conquered ,
not by hisenemies fufferings, but his own. ' To conquer thofe
powerful fpirits he took upon him weak flefli ,• by this ^Cn
they conquered us, and in this flefli he redeemed us. l To con-
quer Death , Himfelf under-went and fuffered Death ( but it
could not hold him. Acl. 2.24.) and by this his death deftroyed
Him, that had the power of death. Heb.2.14.. To fave our lives
he laid down his own j Jo. 10. iy. andhealcd our wounds with his
ownftripes. Efay. 5-3. y. ' So for fin ; He came in. the likenefs of fin~
ful flejb to condemn Jin in the fie Jh Rom. 8. 3. And, to free us from
aCurfe, became hi mj elf a Cur fe for us Gal. 3.13. Such was this
Salvation of this Jefus, and fuch the way of it ; worthy a God.
O BlefTed Jefu ! Oever blefledName! A name and the mifte-
ry thereof hid from ages, and from generations, and now made
manifeft and revealed. What comfort could any other name,
exprefling perhaps the Majefty, or power, or holinefs, or ju-
ftice, or eternity of this Prince, have afforded to a poor guilty
finner, trembling, and defpairing for the judgment to come,
but only this? Or what comfort would this have aforded, if it
had bin only a Jefus from fome temporal Tyranny ? from a
Pharaoh, or a Nabuchadnezzar, or a Cefar; and not a Jefus
from the Devil, or Hell, or the Grave > to which thefe other de-
liverances^
54 The Eiftory of the Life ,§.6i.
liverances , though for a time never fo glorious , would have
left us ftill in bondage, and infear all our lives, after a few
daies to be devoured , and (wallowed up by them for ever.
BlefTed name ! at which allthe Spiritual Apolluons, and de-
ftroyers of mankind, all ipiritual Pangs, and anguiihes of fouls,
all the corporal mefTengers, and arrows of death , are afraid,
and tremble, and from which only pronounced they do lo of-
ten fly away. BlefTed name ! a poor finners only confolation on
his death-bed, whenthe Grave opens her mouth for him, and
thefe fpiritual Foes on every fide invade him , and Hell-fire
eternal burns before him. BlefTed therefore be this name Je-
fus, and exalted above all names ; at which Name let every
knee bow of things in heaven, inearth, and under the earth;
and every tongue confefs this Jefus, Lord, to the Glory of God
the Father. Amen. ]
§. 61. After our Lord thus had received Circumcifion, as a Son of
Abraham, and entered into Gods Covenant; and the name of
Jefus, as ordained the Saviour of the World; and, whilft Jo-
feph and Mary abode ftill at Bethleem, becaufe this City near
to Jerufalem and their own country very remote, expecting
the appointed time of the Purification of the Mother and
prefentment of the Child in the lemple; certain perfons, both
rich, noble and Learned, and probably much addicted to the
ftudy of Aftronomy, being directed by a Scar, came from the
Oriental parts much more famed for wifdom, to adore and do
homage to this new-Born King ,• and to prefcnt him With the
raoft precious things thole Countries afforded, in behalf of the
Gentiles, as the poor andfimple Shepheards, being inftrudted
by an Angel, had done formerly in behalf of the Jews. The
Divine Providence fodifpofing it, that our Lord to the Gen-
tiles, more contemplating the Creature, mould be manifefted
by a Star rather : and the Jew, as acquainted with the true
worfhip of the Creatour, by an Angel. For both Jew and Gen-
tile were now to have an equal fhare, arid a General Union,
in this Prince of Peace. And the event, correfponding exactly
to thefe beginnings, hath (hewed us; that after fome few, for
the moft part poorer, and meaner, and fo humbler, fort of
the jewiih Nation were for the prefent, by our Lord and his
followers, converted to the Faith , reprefented by the Shep-
heards ; the riches and wifdom of the Gentiles hath bin brought
into the obedience of the Gofpel, reprefented by the Magi;
till acompleat harveft ofboth mall be reaped by the Addition
to them of the full Body of the Jews; Now
§.62. of our Saviour Jefa Chrlfl* 5 5
Now the Adoration and doing homage of the Gentiles to §.6zl
this Common Lord of Jew and Gentile was effected on this 0
manner. A new Star, for fome time before our Saviours birth, •
had appeared in the heavens, probably of an extraordinary
fplendor and brightnefs, fuitableto the perfon whom it prog-
nosticated. Which by the Orientals, much given to Aftrolo-
gy, wasioon difcerned -, and raifedinthem agreat devotion
and earneft addrefTes to the Divine Majefty , Creator of the
Univerie, to know, for the prefignification of what ftrange
effecl: he had fent it. Whereupon, probably by fome fuch Re-
velation made to them intheEaft, as they received afterward
in Judea concerning their return Mat. 2. 12; they were allured
of the Birth of this Meffias, or great King, to whom all the
world mould become tributary and fubjecl:. Of which Prince
alio it is likely, in fo general an expectation of the Jews as
then was, that they had heard, or alio read fomething former-
ly. Therefore thefe firft believers of the Gentiles, crediting
all things of this Prince worthy io fupereminent a dignity ,
and being perfons of high condition ( as the Magi in thofe
Countries ordinarily were, if not Princes) made haft to be
amougit the firft, that mould profefs their fube&ion and feal-
ty to Him. And, as the Orientals ufually do not approach
great Perfonages without fome prefent, prepared fome fmall
quantity, portable in a journy, ofthericheft Gifts their Coun-
try was famed for, wherewith to prefent Him. And fo fet-
ting forth upon this divine Indication, either from fome near-
er parts of Chaldeaor of Arabia Felix, which lies fome fixdaies
journy Eaftward from Jerufalem : ( whence alio the Queen of
Sheba, (Arabia alfo being called Ethiopia. Numb. 12. 1.) A type
of them came with the like gifts to vifit King Salomon 1 King.
10.2. ) Within not many daies after our Lords Nativity they ar-
rived in Judeaj probably the Star, that incouraged their jour-
ney, now difappearing, that fo they might repair to the Royal
City in Queft after the place thereof; and fo , by our Lords
fpecial providence be the firft Promulgators of the Birth of the
Meffias, and awaken the iloth of Gods own people to make a
ftricter inquiry after it. And well might the Jews at leaft ,
when our Lord afterward at thirty years of age publickly ap-
peared to them, have reflected on this Star, and thefearchof
thefe Oriental Sagcs,and Herods flaughter,puncl:ually agreeing
with his Nativity. Come hither, and fuppoiing that what was
manifefted to them, ftrangers, about the time, was not con-
cealed
5 6 The Hifiory of the Life §. 6 3 , 64.
cealedto Gods ownpeopie, they made inquiry in the Metro-
polis of the Nation concerning the place, where they might
have accefs to, and adore, Him. For they imagined , that ei-
ther this Prince, the Meffias, might be of the prefeut Royal
Stock; or, if otherwife, was ot fuch a tranfcendentSoreraignty
and defcent, fo favoured from heaven, fuch a King Paramount,
and extending -his fcepter over the whole world , ( according
to the frequent prophecies made of Him ) as other inferior
Kings mould have no envy to, but joy, therein; which conceit
was alio nourifhed in them by Herods profeffing his ready con-
currence in the lame Adoration, fo foon as the place of his Re-
fidence mould be difcovered.
§. 6$, They coming therefore to Jerufalem and making openly
fuch an inquiry, and alio declaring their late beholding of
the Star, that was newly duplayed in the Heavens, asapublick
Herald thereof, Herod Himlell was not a little itartled ; ('for
in thofedaies much difcourfe palled in the world,,) either by
the Jewifh prophecies divulged, and the time prefixed in Da-
niels weeks now expired ; or by the .Sybils, or otherwiie, of the
coming of this Prince of Princes, and the return of a golden
Age, and fome [called the Herodians^ named Herod lor the
perfon. The people alfo were troubled, wondnng at this Re-
lation from ftrangers , confirm' d by fuch a Celeitial MefTen-
ger, at their High Quality, their concernment in a King of
Ifrael, and their boldnafs in confefling Him before Herod ; And
expecting alfo fome great change of affairs fhortly , if their
words and prognostications proved true.
§• &4- Herod, who was a ftrangerKing to this Nation, and that
the very firft, anldumeanby birth, fufficiently fufpitious of a
fupplantation, and therefore intending milchief , became, as
it were to fatisfy thefe Sages, very inquifkive after the place of
this new Prince, the Chrift, his Birth : whom he feemed to reve-
rence as a Perfon fent from Heaven rather for advancing and
dilating San&ity and Religion, than 'or pir filing fecular
Honours. The place therefore of his birth he iln -:tly enquired
after; thatfo, by the Divine providence, both t me and place
might be manifefted and proclaimed as it were to the world;
the one by the Gentiles , the other b the Jews. The chief
Priefts and Scribes are afTembled about it; and readily return
anfwer out of the Prophet Michaj Mic. ?. 2 that Bethleem Davids
City was to be the Place thereof; And thou Bethleem Ephrata
( faith he ) that art a little one in the thouiands of Juda. Out
of
§.^5- cj our Savior Jefus Chrift. 57
of thee mall come forth unto me he that (hall be the Domina-
tor in Ifrael : And his coming forth is from the beginning, from
the daies of Eternity. [ Having an eternal proceffionfrom the
Father, and an Eternal decree of his Meflias-fhip. ] This for
the place. But further, whatever certainty they might have
alio from Daniels weeks, or Gen. 49.10, or other places con-
cerning the Time, it was not fafetor them to pronounce any
thing. Herod therefore, for his better information in this, re-
turns to the Sages i and very fecretly requires of them a pun-
ctual account ofthefirft appearance of the Star, conjecturing
from hence the Age of the Child. Which having learnt, he
defires, that, after they had found this great Prince, they would
111 their return,- give him Intelligence of it , that He alfo
might pay his Duty to this expected Meflias, and Heir of all
Nations. And fo difmiffed them, as the Divine wifdom order-
edit, without joyning to them any further attendance of his
own Court; perhaps, out of a Countenance to flight the mat-
ter, andpafs things with lefs noife ; asalfoleaft any fuch dil-
covery, made by perfonsmore intereffed than thefe Strangers,
might, fome way or other difappoint his Bloody purpofe, or
havegiven fomejealoufy to the parents to have conveyed him
away. ( Tho indeed this his fecrecy defeated his Defign ). Who
was alio glad to fee the Jews fo fupinely careiefsin thisaffair;
who began even at his Birth, tho thus alarm'd and provoked
by the believing Gentiles, to neglect and deny this their Lord ,*
Except only thisftranger Idumean, that was vigilant, how to
difpatch Him.
But the Zealous Sages, unwearied, ftill purfue their Queftj §.6f.
and, being not far gone from Jerufalem, have this their un-
tired diligence rewarded with a new appearance of their cele-
ftial Guide, the Star; filling them with exceeding great joy
Mat. 2. 10. after its former lo long difappearance, ( becaufe
unbelieving Jerufalem was unworthy of fuch a light ) ; and with
as much admiration, that the day-light obfeured not its fplen-
dor. For, Bethleem being not above fix or leven miles diftant
from Jerufalem, 'tis no way imaginable, that thefe, Strangers
in the Country, travelled thither by night. And now the Star
became their Guide, and went before them ; till, they coming
near our Lords fecret Hermitage, the Stable where He lay ,
( which poorer lodging now had its conveniencies, the Enrol-
ment perhaps being not yet finimed, in the better fecuring of
his life,) it defcended lower, and ftood juft over it. Which
H thing,
58 The Hijlory of the Life §.66,67.
thing, as it was necefifary for the tranfaction of thisvifit with
the more privacy, and happily prevented their asking again
the fame queftion at Bethleem, as they did at Jerufalem, which
might have difcovered this Infant tofome, who might have
told Herod: io the Glory and fplendor it call upon this Grot
ferved well to remove any fcandal they might receive from
the poverty of the perfons they found within it. And, pro-
bably, all this pafTed without the unworthy Bethleemite's either
feeing the Star ( like the cloudy pillar in the wildernefs that
was darknefstothe Egyptians, whilft light to the Ifraelites)i m
or taking any notice or the new and ftrange habited Guefts:
Which Bethleemites alio before this, had bin as ftupid to the
Relations of the good Shepheards, as the Hierofoly mites were
but now to thefe Sages.
§. <j<j. The Magi having entred the Grot, what now might feem
mean and vile to them of or inthehoufe was abundantly re-
compenfed in the fanctity and innocency of the perionsihey
fawinit, notlike to other Mortals. And foftrong in faith,
and filled, by their near approach to this Infant God, with his
Holy Spirit, andltruck with a due fear and reverence, and fpi-
ritual difcovery and Revelation of his Majefty, they prefently
fell proftrat on the Ground Mat. 2. 1 1. before the Babe held in
his Mother's Armes ; and after worfhipping for fome time, open-
ed their Treafures, and made their PrelentstoHim, full of fi-
lence and refpect ; and testifying their duty more in their acti-
ons, and humble poftures , than in their words: Behaving
themfelves rather as in a Temple than in a lodging.
$. $7. The Gifts they prefented were Gold , Frankincenfe , and
Mirrhe; the molt precious things of their Country, and ufu-
ally offered to great perfons, ice. Gen. 37. 25*. -and 43. 11. But,
as is obferved, more efpecially proper offerings to this Perlon,
Aurum regi^hiis DeoyMyrrha.morituro:\t being,as of a fragrant
f mell, fo very exficcative, and prefervative from Putrefaction,
and hence much ufed in the embalming of the Dead. Of I
which, mingled with Aloes, another Gum m very odoriferous,
an hundred pound weight was bellowed by Nicodemus on
our Lord at his burial, with which the linnen cloths, wherein
his Body was wrapped, were befmeared. And one of the prin-
cipal Ingredients this was of the Holy ointment appointed
for anointing the Prielts and Sanctuary Exod. 30. 2}. Thy
Garments f mell of Mirrhe, Aloes, andCafJia, faith the Pfalmift
of our Lord. And—A bundle of Mirrhe is my well-beloved unto
me
§.6$,6y. of our Saviour JeftM Chrij!. 59
me faith theSpoufe in the Canticles chap. \.v. ij. ofthe fame
perfon. Such Prefents thefe great Perfons ( for fuch both their
Gifts and their Title of Magi intimate them to be ; This be-
ing a fcience ftudied only by the Nobility in thofe Countries,
and the skill thereof rewarded with the higheft Honours )
brought to this Infant-Prince, as the flrft Tribute of the Gen-
tiles. And fo begun to be fulfilled thofe Prophecies , which
have not as yet received their compleat accomplifnment in
Pfal.71. "Coram lllo procident ALthiopes : & inimici ejus terram
lingent. fyges Tharjis & Infulce munera offer ent3 J{eges Arabum
& Saba dona adducent. Et adorabunt etfrn omnes J^eges ; omnes
Gentes fervient ei. —And in Efai. 60. —Surge, Jlluminare, Jeru-
falem, quia venit lumen tuum. —Et ambulabunt Gentes in lumine
tuot & J^eges infplendore ortus tui. --Inundatio Camelorum ope-
rietTe: Dromedarii Madian (3 Epha : Omnes de Saba venient^
Aurum & Thus defer entes, (3 laudem Deo annunciantes , Ma-
dian and Sheba being in Arabia Felix, Eaft from Jerufalem ;
from which Sheba came the Queen with fuch prefents to Riijig
Salomon, and the Sabeans that took away Jobs Cattel. ]ob. i.ij.
And fo was the title of Ethiopia common alfo to Arabia, as ^um^ t2< £.
well as to the Ethiopia lying Weft of it and further off.
Their gifts accepted with fmiles, after fome further devo- §• 6%-
tions and Contemplation made on their knees, whilft their
hearts were filled and ravifhed with a fupernatural joy, or
perhaps Extafie, they received a fmile and Benediction from
this Omnipotent Babe, and fo retired; Infinitly fatisfied for
the long journey they had taken; and their illuminated Rea-
fon nothing amated, but much edifyed, with the mean acco-
modations they had feen, and the humble entrance of this
Lord ofthe Univerfe into the World to cure its Pride,- and
laftly, ready now to invite Herod, and all the Jewifh Nobility
to the enjoyment of that fpiritual and fublime Happinefs, of
which they had the honour to be the flrft tafters , not to be
found in the Pallaces of Kings.
And now whilft they take their reft that night in the Town, ^ ^9;
and are thinking of communicating to the World, and efpe- ■
cially to the pious King Herod, as they had promifed, the hap-
py fuccefs of their journey, and the celeftial Treaf ure they had
found fit to be removed prefeutly by Him from fo mean a
lodging into the fumptuous Temple, he had newly built for
Him: Behold in their fleep the fame Lord that had thus far
difcovered his Son unto them, further commands, that they
H 2 mould
^° The Hiftory of the Life §. 70,71.
fhouldby no means return to Herod, as waspurpofed ( whole
Counfels were treacherous; but fecrety and fpeedily depart to
their own Country another way : which alio they fuccefsfully
performed.
h 7°- Meanwhile, what great Confolation may we imagine did
the neglected Virgin Mother, and her devout Husband re-
ceive ( next to the enjoyment of our Lord/ in fuch their defo-
late lodging, from the unexpe&ed appearance of thefe Royal
Guefts from aforraign land, conducted to that obfcure place
by a light from Heaven ! from their luddain proftration and
Adoration in their firft approach, asfubje&s alio of this new-
born Prince j and from thofe rich prefents, an opportune fup-
ply of their poverty! What admiration and praiie of the in-
finite bowels of the Divine mercy, when, enlightned with the
Holy Spirit of Jefus, they underftood, by this homage paid
by thefe Gentile-Princes, that this Babe was to be King of and
rule over, not only Ifrael, but the whole earth ! Which thing
alfo they heard afterward from Simeon at his Prefentation
in the Temple-Law*?;* ad T^evelationem gentium, as if he had
known of this meeting and the Star. So God is wont ftill to
mix hardfliips with Favours, and recompence any fufferingsof
his Saints with double Confolations. But in this prefent fa-
tisfadion and repofe, little did they know , that their poor
Babe fo meanly lodged was the talk of all Jerusalem , and
envy of Herod, orforefee the terrible ftorm that would fhortly
arife from thence.
There had bin a Law from the beginning ("as appears from
Abel's offering the firftlings of his Hock, Gen. 4.4.; oforfer-
ingtoGod, as the Creator and Proprietor of all that men pof-
jels, the firft- born of every Creature ; both of Men, to be con-
secrated to his more fpecial fervice and Miniitry in divine
things • and of clean beafts , to be facrificed ; the fat burnt ,
and the fleih of them to be the Priefts Numb. 18.18. and of un-
clean, to be redeemed for a certain price, and this given to the
Priefts Numb. 1%. 1 r, id. and,of the firft-fruits of the Earth and
Trees, to be prefented to the Lord, heaved or waved on the
Altar, and fo to be the Priefts. Again, upon the Lords deli-
vering all the frfi-bornoi Man and Be aft among the Ifraelites
from the hand of hisdeftroying Angel, in the night when he
Oew all thofe of the Egyptians roundabout them, the Lord
alio on this account laid a fecond claim of thefe things to his
own fervice and difpofal.
Thus
71
§.72,73. °f our Saviour Jefus Chrift.
Thus the Miniftry in Holy things by the firft-born of Men,
( except where fome fpecial election was made of another to
the right of primogeniture , as is thought to have bin of Abel,
and was of Ifaac and of Jacob,) continued till the times of
Mofes, and the law-written j when God chofe the Tribe of
Levi See Exod. 19. 22. -24. r. (of which was Moles J in their
ftead, as a reward for their abftaining, (at leaft the moft of them,,)
from Idolatry to the Molten calf-7 and for their adhering to
Mofes, and valiantly at his command taking revenge of this
fin, in palling through the Camp, and Haying all they met-with
brother, friend or foe, that continued then in their prophane
mirth and feafting.
And upon this Election of the Tribe of Levi toMinifterbe- §. 7?
fore the Lord inftead of the firft-born ( Levits alfo were firft ~
offered to our Lord in fuch manner as the firft-born were See
Numb. 8. 11.) yet God ftill retained a prefentation and re-
demption of them. The firft-born of Man then being a Male
was to be brought after a month old , ( that this ceremony
might be accompanied alfo with the purification of the Mo-
ther,) to the Sanctuary, or Temple, and there prefented and
offered by the Prieft unto the Lord in fuch a manner as the
heaved or waved offerings are, by being palled from one hand
to the other, fee Exod. 29.24. and being thus the Lords, was
to be redeemed with five fhekels of filver, the value of ten [hil-
lings orfomewhat more. The Mother alfo, after child-bear-
ing, was to be held unclean (as me was alio when in her flow-
ers See Lev. 12. 2. -15*. 19. ) If it were a Male child, for feven
daies ; or if a Female, twice this time. But, the flux of her biood
not flopping fo foon, was to remain thirty thee daies more
(in all forty daies ) for her purification, before Ihe might come
into the Sanctuary, or the publick afTembiy there; and if it
were a Female the time of Tier purification was doubled, be-
caufe her flux in fuch a birth continued longer. In prelenting-
herfelf here, me was to bring a Lamb, or, if poor, a Turtle
Dove, or Pigeons for an Holocauft ; and Turtle-doves or Pi-
geons for a fin-offering ; fuch offering chiefly relating to the
legal immundicities , or alio to many other fins committed
in the procreation of children, or otherwife, asthefe are true-
ly expiated by the all-meritorious facrifice of our Lord ; the
antitype of all thefe Legal ofierings : as alfo the offering of the
firft-born to God had relation to the only felf-acceptable ob-
lation made to his Father of this firft and only begotten Sow,
Chrift our Lord. The
6 z The Hi/lory of the Life §. 74,75,
§. 74. The Holy Virgin then, with S. Jofeph her husband, punctu-
ally oblerved this law of Purification fas before of Circumci-
fion tho the immaculate Conception and Birth of our Lord
really needed no fuch Ceremony J: And after the time ot the
forty daies were now expired, and now their flrft-born above
a month old, took their journey to [erufalem from Bethleem ,
where they hadlojourned ; and delaied their return to Naza-
reth, till this Holy Ceremony was accomplifhed.
Arrived there, the Holy Virgin, at the time of the morning-
facrifice, carrying her new-born Son to his Fathers houfe, hum-
bly waited in the firft Court ( common for all fort of people,
clean or unclean, Jew or Gentile ) till the two Turtles or Pige-
ons me had brought, according to their mean condition (for
the Lamb, which only renders all other oblations acceptable
to God, was that me carried in her arms, her Son ) were offer-
ed by the Prieft attending there ; the one for her cleanflng, the
other for an Holocauft of Adoration, and thankfgiving to God
for her fafe. delivery, and new-born Son. Which done, flie was
admitted into the inner Court of the Holy Congregation,
which compafTed the Temple and Court of the Priefts : and
where the people beheld the fervice ot the Altar, of burnt-offer-
ings, {landing in this Court, and together with the Prieft at
fuch time offered up their Praiersand Prailes to God. Here
the Prieft received the Holy Child from their hands, and pre-
fented him to the Lord, at or over the Altar, with the ulual
Ceremony.
§' 7S- But we may juftly imagine, that our Lord himfelf, who at
this time had nothing of the infirmity of Child-hood or Infan-
cy in his foul and underftanding, much more completed this
oblation, in now prefenting himfelf, with infinite joy and an
infantine innocency andfimplicity, for the much longed for
Redemption from Satan of poor *man-kind , by his taking
their nature upon him, now become his Brethren ; and freely
devoting himfelf to fulfil his whole will, in all things the Pro-
phets had foretold concerning his great fufferings ; and at
faft the fhedding his blood, and laying down his life on the
Crofs. After this Ceremony was paid the fore-mentioned
price of his Redemption ; and fo the Child returned to his Mo-
ther. For he not defcended from Levi, but of the Tribe of
Judah, had not the happy Lot of Samuel ■, which he and his
Mother would raoft have defired, to attend upon his Father,
and in his houfe, continually from his youth; but was to un-
dergo
§ 66)&7- cf our Saviour fjefws Chrifl* 6$
dergo abroad a thoufand mikriesj and to be educated in ob-
fcurity, in a part of the Countrey half Gentile, and the molt
remote from this houfe , for thirty years j untyl the time mould
come of his manifestation. And thus was he, who came to
redeem us, firft to be redeemed, and bought of his Father,
the proper owner of all things, forouruie, and need of him,
in all thole labours, and iufferings, and merits of his life and
death for us.
On this day was the prophecy of Haggai and Malachy Hag. §. 7<s.
2.7,9. -Malac. j.i. fulfilled and made good; wherein God
promifed, that the desired of all Nations and the Mefjias of the
[new] Covenant , in whom they delighted, and by whom they
ihould have peace, Jhould come to his Temple ,• and thereby the
glory of the latter houfe [that feemed lb contemptible ] Jhould
be greater than the former. Which Temple alio was a litle
before much more lumptuoully rebuilt by Herod, as it were,
for the more folemn reception, and honour of this Lord there-
of; though intended by Herod for his own. Begun to be re-
built by him in the 21 year of his Reign, andinfome Eight
years finifhed , and Dedicated, as to the chief Body of the
houfe: but all the outworks, and buildings not fmifned till
46 years afterwards; ai.d about the time when our Lord, re-
ceiving Baptifm from John, began his predication. See John.
2. 20.
Here, whilft our Lord, as it were, took pofTeffion of his Fa- §. 7?*
thers houfe^ and whilft thefe Ceremonies were performed by
the Prieft ; And the blelTed Virgin and S. Jofeph, who fur-
ther confidered whole Son it was, and to whom offered, were
continuing their devotions and infinit thanks to God for this
new-born Saviour of man-kind, and the honour he had done
the humility of his hand-maid , chofen for his Mother; and
were reflecting alio on the ftrange things fpokcn to them of
this Divine oft-fpring by the Angel Gabriel and others, by S.
Elizabeth, by the Shepheards , and on the Homage of the
Sages ,• there came at the fame inftant into the Temple the
holy old man Simeon, ( uncertain whether a Prieft, but con-
jectured rather none from the Evangelift's filence herein^
who, enlightned by the prophecies and the common expecta-
tion that was in thofe daies ( fee Lu\. 2. 38. J of this new King,
[for this Nation by the Divine Providence had bin detained
ever after the Babylonian Captivity, lefs or more, under the
fervitude of forraign Nations , and of the great} Empires of
^4 the Hi/lory of the Life §78,79.
the world; tocaufeinthem a more ardent defire and depen-
danceupoia the promifed Meffias, for freeing Ifrael, as they
imagined, from Jhe Roman heavy-yoke > but Simeon with more
fpintual eyes expecting it for freeing the world from the fer-
vitude of fin and Satan,] who I fay had, for many years,
longed-after, and prayed-for, the comming of this Meffias'
and the Redemption of all Mankind. For to this devout per-
fon, we may imagine, his feeing the world fo over-run with
fin, and held captive by Satan, caufed much grief, for the
offending of God, and lofs offo many fouls ; and that he of-
ten brake out into the like paffion with the Prophet Efaiah
chap. 62. 1. —For Sioris fa\e I will not bold my peace, and for
Jerufalems fake I will not reft, until the righteoufnefs thereof go
forth as brightnefst andthefalvation thereof as a Lamp that burn-
eth. And verf. 6, 11. --/ will not hold my peace day nor night > I
will give him no reft, till he eftablijh , till he make Jerufalem a
praife in the earth, till the falvation of Sion cometh , and his re-
ward is with him and his recompence before him. And upon
fuch fervent fupplications of his, the Holy Ghoft for his con-
folation revealed unto him ,• that , notwithftanding his old
age and fmall diftancefrom the Grave, yet he mould not dy
before he had fee n the Lord's Chrift. And at this time the
fame Holy Spirit again gave him notice of our Lord's being
then in the Temple, a fmall infant in the arms of a poor
Virgin.
§. 7%. Upon which, coming in thither at this Inftant* with great
Devotion and Humility he took this Divine Child out of his
Mother's Armes, ( being herein a reprefentative of the Church
accepting from God's hands this her Redeemer ) j and, in the
embracing of him filled with the Holy Ghoft, as Elizabeth
was before, Lu\. 1.41 > and lifting up his eies to Heaven joy-
fully fung before the company there aflembled his Nunc di-
mittis fervum tuum in pace [ecundum verbum tuum : blefling God
for the falvation he had prepared, not only for the Jewilh Na-
tion, but all the world j and tor this childs being, as the glory
of Ifrael, fo the light of the Gentiles. This fuddain action and
prophecy of this reverend old Man putting our BlefTed Lady
and S. fofeph into a new joyful wonder after all thofe other
teftimonies concerning the child heard before; and adding
ftill more matter to the Holy Virgins treafure ; out of which
all thefe things came to the knowledg of Pofterity.
$■ 7$. After this he delivered the Holy Infant again to his Mo-
ther.
§. 8o. of our Saviour Jefut Cbritt. 6$
ther. And, in giving, as an old Man if not alfo a Prieft, his
Benediction to the thrice happy-parents ; and, by the revela-
tion of the fame Holy Ghoft, forefeeing alfo the great fuffer-
ings of our Lord that were to follow, and the oppolitions that
would be made to his new Kingdom, ( of which fufferings one
heavy one was then immediatly to break forth) he made his
more particular addrefTes to the Mother of our Lord ('for S-
Jofeph, before thole faddeft times, was to be at reft ) and told
her; That as the child was bofn for the advancement (as he
had already faid ) of many in Gods people Ifrael, fuch as mould
^eild to his Scepter s fo alfo for the fall and utter ruine of
many others, fuch asfliould not believe and acknowledg him,
and thofe fecularly Great ; and that this age mould throughly
dilcover the goodnefs or wickednefs of mens hearts. And that
he mould be let up as a fign to all the world, that mould be
much contradicted and fpoken againft by the great ones there-
of, ( as moreefpecially he was at his death, being lifted up on
high on the- pole of the Crofs, and all the people about him
blalpheming ,• SeePfal. 105.18. After, and lor, which followed
alfo the deltruction of Jerusalem, and the difperfion and Capti-
vity of that Nation until this day ). When alio, as it were, a
iharpfword fliould pierce her Soul out of Maternal compaflion
towards him, whilft me ihould ftand by and behold fuch things
done to theinnocency of the Holy One of God. After which
words, fpoken by him muchwhat in the expreflions of the an-
cient Prophets, See Efay. 8. 14, iy. -42. 6.-49.6.-1*2. 10. -1 i.io.
-6j\ 2. ( as we ufually find thofe later in the new Teftament
to deliver their predictions in the language of the Old, both
coming from the fame Dictator ) and he receiving again from
the Infant the Benediction he bellowed on the parents, he
now joyfully retired waiting and preparing himfelf for his
near approaching death and diflblution from the many infir-
mities of his old age.
No foonerhadhe finifhedhis difcourfe caufing much admi- §.80.
ration in thehearers, but, thatthis hrlt Divine teftimony con-
cerning our Lord now openly given in the Temple might be
celebrated and ratified by two witnefTes, and thofe of both
Sexes fas both were equally concerned in thishapp news ) a
woman alio ofagreatage, Anna a Prophetefs too, detained
in this life, asSimeon was, for her beholding the Lord Chrifl,
came in at the fame time ; and feconded Simeon in the like
Relation concerning this child his being the new-born Mef-
I fias
66 The Hiftory of the Life §.8i.
fiasand Saviour of the world. To which the Holinefsof her
perfon, andfeverity, and fequeftration of her hie from com-
mon converfe, fomewhat like that or the Baptift, added very
much. Whom the Evangelift. thus fets forth} ; hat fhe had
lived in perpetual widowhood from her youth , after only
having feven years enjoyed an husband i and now, aged 84
years, departed not from the Temple; where ( many cham-
bers belonging to it) we may imagine fhe might have fome
little Cell forherfelf, and her neceilary provilion brought to
her thither i and, befideher Devotions, might do fome litcle
fervices more proper for women in affiftance of the Priefts*.
And fome fuch thing, of women ferving and attending on the
Tabernacle, we read in Exod. 38. 8. and again in iSam. 2. 22.
And, after the fettlement of the Gofpel, miTrm.f- is men-
tioned fuch a fequeftration and retirement of widows (liv-
ing together and taken care-of for their maintenance by the
Church) for the peculiar ferviceof God and his Saints. Where
verf. y. itisfaid of thefe alio, that —Dejolate and trujling in
God [ to whom they dedicated their continency and fervice,
for their fubiiftence ] they continued in [implications and praiers
night and day. So, —From the Temple this Holy widow ( faith
the Evangelift depart ed 'not j but jervedGod there with fajlings
and praiers night and day. With fajlings , as this being the belt
prefervative ofchaftity, and preparative for Devotion, by allay-
ing and calming the Spirits and Paflions and mortifying and
taming the flefli. The chief fubjed: of whofe Devotions, as of
Simeons, probably were the Redemption of God s people by his
fending quickly the promifed Meifias, then much fpoken of.
She then at this blefTed fight and the fulfilling of it, fir ft fell
onpraifing and giving thanks to God, and witneffed the fame
things with Simeon ('her coming alfo carnally after him re-
moving the fufpition of any combination ) concerning this
Heavenly child to all there prefent ; nor only to them, but to
all thofe pious people in Jerufalem that reforted to her, and
expected alfo this Redemption, Lu\. 2. 3 8- which, by her emi-
nent fanctity, and her being noted alfo for the gift of Prophecy,
mult make no fmall noife in the City; after the Magi had
fpread this news there before by their folicitous inquifiticn af-
ter this new-born King.
$. 8 r. This that pafTed 10 publickly in the Temple, after King He-
"rods long expectation of the rerun- of the Magi, ( fuppofiug
them perhaps to have travailed further to fee the Country, or
that
§.82. of our Saviour Jtfus Chrift. 6 J
that difappointed of their expectation out of frame they had
fecretly with-drawn themfelves from a publick denfion ) fooa
gave him a new alarm ; and ioquickned his bloody intention
of deftroying the Holy Infant. Meanwhile thefe holy rites
devoutly performed, and fuch praifesand acclamations receiv-
ed at Jerufalem as were before at Bethleem, the Holy Mother
treafuring up all thefe things in her heart, and Holy Simeons
laft words ( bodeing great afflictions ) as well as the firft, return-
ed with her husband S. Jofeph the fame day to Bethleem. [ For
an immediate return of them from Jerulalem to Nazareth,
which fome imagine, feems not fo well to fute with the follow-
ing ft Dry, of their being fent away into Egypt. For at Naza-
reth, they being fo far removed from Bethleem , their ftay
feems to have beenfecure enough-, or their flight from thence
would rather have bin directed North-wards to fome part of
Syria near hand, than Southwards into Egypt; as beating again
the way they came, thro all their Country firft, and flying from
Herod juft the way toward him. ]
To Bethleem then they returned for ordering fome little §• %2-
matters there, oralfo giving their little one fome repofe* but
purpoiing a return to Nazareth, with all convenient ipeed, and
with great appreheufions of the Confolations they mould have
in fhewing to her parents and kindred her new-born Son, and
in providing for his better accomodation , as alfo in the re-
counting to them the many ftrange things of her journey >•
when behold they had no fooner, after a weary journey, fetled
themfelves and the Infant to take fome reft, but that the An-
gel, probably that very night, appeared to Jofeph and com-
manded him immediatly to take the young Child and his Mo-
ther ( for fo it is obferved the Angel in reverence ftiles her v.
i^.andagain v. 20. and not his wife ) and to iecure him by a
fpeedy flight from that place, for that Herod fought immedi-
atly to flay him; and this a flight not to fome neighbouring
Village, or to his own Country Galilee; but, quite contrary,
ftill removed further from home, and friends, into Egypt ; a
country of above 200 miles diftance, through a vaft Defart in a
cold ieafon, with a Child only fix weeks old ( after a weaniome
travel of it and them the day before ) unto a people of another
language ; left alfo uncertain how long their ftay, which was
to be fo long as Herod lived. Where wh^t tolerable entertain-
ment could they expect, when they had received fuch mean
accomodation among their friends and kindred > Such was
I 2 Gods
68 The Hi/lory of the Life f $..83,84.
Gods command to Abraham, andhis obedience Gen. 12. 1. but
he much better provided and attended.
§■ 8 3 . 1 he Holy Man, without replying ordifputing, why not Ga-
lilee thought a place remote enough; or, why not God take
away Herods lite to fave his Sons ; He rofe immediatly and de-
parted by night without any confcious thereof ( their poverty
being free from encombrances ) taking Jefus their treafure
with him ; He and the Mother, to whom he had communica-
ted the Angels meflage , being perfectly refigned and full of
confidence in God , and fhe alio inftead of diflwading, ani-
mating andhaftening him thereto. And the fame refigna-
tion wasalfo in the little lefusto the will of his Father i now
engaged in a greater fufFering than that of the Straw and
Cratch, or yefterdaies travel to Jerufalem ; fmiling upon them
in the midft of their cares concerning him, and already be-
ginning to fulfil the prophecies that were written of him. A
type ot whom was that of Ifrael: called alio Gods firft-born
Exod. 4. 22. and of whom he faith ( Hofe. 1 1. i , when Ifrael was
a child then I loved him, and called my Son out of Egypt ) in
its firft child-hood being by the Divine appointment carried
into Egypt for its Education ; and brought thence with a ftrong
hand alter that Pharaoh was deftroyed, as our Lord was af-
ter Herod; which Fharaoh alfo, as Herod, had appointed
that all the Male-children of Ifrael fo foonasborn mould be
flain, thinking thus to have deftroyed Gods firft-born Ifrael.
r g Our Little Lord rejoyced. alfo at his going now, as it were,
' — to take pofTeflion of his promifed Pfal. 2. 8- inheritance of the
Gentiles, to whom he brought falvation as well as to the Jews.
And as in Bethleem he had already received the Homage of
the Eaft, fo now he went himfelf in perfon to this Southern
Region, to eftablifh his new Kiugdome there, where was at
that time the very throne and feat of Satan; and, which was
the chief Mother of Idolatry and Superltition in the whole
Gentile world, and the Source where the reft of the Weftern
and Northern parts learnt, and whence they derived, it. But
again, which, after this gracious vifit of his, and by his Redemp-
tion its being iubdued to theGofpel, became no lefsexempla-
plarv to the reft of the Chriftian world in an extraordinary
Sanctity and Devotion: all the Defarts alfo thereof being fil-
led with multitudes ofperfons, who having caft-off allfecular
cares, and having all things common, were wholly employ'd
in the Divine fervice and Contemplation. From which the
reft
§.8$, 8 <,87. of our Saviour Jefu* Chrift. 69
reft of Chriftianity derived the firft pattern ( after that exer-
ciied in the A&s Aft. 2.44.) and Rules thereof. And thus
the Divine Majefty, the more fully tofhew himfelf now by his
Son reconciled to the whole world, fenthim fo foon as born
to that Country efpecially, toward which of all others he had
formerly (hewed his greateft wrath and difpleafurej and on
which formerlv he had powred out fo many plagues.
Of this gracious vifitation or. Idolatrous Egypt by our Lord §• 8ft
much is foretold by the Prophet Efay chap. 19. where it is faid,
verf. 1. --That the Lordjhall come thither on a Cloud, l[ in corpore
quafi in nube vectus], and the Idols of Egypt Jh all be moved at
his prejence : and the heart of Egypt Jhall be melted in the midji
of it. And verf. 1 8. —That the Cities thereof Jh all fpeal^ the Lan-
guage of Canaan. [ Of which Cities one mentioned is Heliopo-
lis, in or near which our Lord is fuppoled to have fojourned
there]. And, in that day that there Jhall be an Altar unto the
Lord in the nudjl of the Land of Egypt, and Sacrifices offered and
vorvcs matte to him. In that day, that lj'rael Jhall be the third
with Egypt and Affyria : and a blejjing in the midfi between
them; whom [ all which three] the Lord of hojts Jhall blejs ,
faying , Blejfed be Egypt ?ny people , and Affyria the woi\ of
my hands, and Ifrael. my inheritance. This Blefling, and pitty,
and reconciliation, purchaied by himfelf, this Infant now re-
joyced to carry to them , and to make them capable aUo of
Altars and Sacrifices, before the Gofpel reftrained to Jerufa-
lem.
By our Lords removing alfo thither, and leaving his own §. 8<f,
Country fo early, was prefignified the courfe and progrefs of
the Gofpel; that it mould pafs, firft, to the Body of the Gen-
tiles ; and fo, when their fulnels come-in, return to the whole
Body of the Jews ; when Antichrift, of whom Herod was a type,
mould be firft deftroyed, and then be a third fulfilling of the
prophecy ot Hofea. —Out of Egypt have I called, my Son. For
thefe joyes fet before him, this Royal Infant defpifed this
crofs 10 early laid upon his tender (lioulders j and took fo long
a journey, with as much jubilation in obedience to his Father,
as his Parents, with companion of him.
S. Jofeph, being fummoned for his and the BlefTed Virgins ^ #7#
appearance atBethleem when fhe very great with Child and —
unfit for travelling on foot, probably had procured an AfTe to
carry her thither,- and kept him there till their fhortly-in-
tended return home. And foj by the fervice of this poor beaft,
which
70 The Hi/lory of the Life §.88,89.
which was very ready at hand as lodging in the fame Roome,
this long journey was fome-what eafed : the Holy Virgin riding
thereon and carrying our Lord in her lap, and S. Joieph lead-
ing him, perhaps laden alio with fome tooles proper to his
trade, wherewith he was to get his and their living : and very
opportunely had the Magi prefented them with a little gold to
defray the charges of the way, till fomewhere iettled in Egypt
he might fubiiit by his labours.
§••0^* And now leaving thefe holy travellers on their Avay, making
all poilible fpeed the childs age could fuffer and fuch a beait
perform, andS.Jofeph ufing the greatelt diligence and fide-
lity toward fuch a double treafure he had care of, the Child
and his Mother ; and He and She paffing their time partly in
a reverend filence and Devotions to God, partly in dilcourf-
ing and calling to mind all the wonderful things they had
hitherto heard and feen concerning their litle one, which af-
forded them great confolationsin the treading thole tedious
Defarts; Let us now return to Herod. He feeing the Eaftern
ltrangers had thus deceived him, and being yet more incenf-
ed by reflecting, on thp former Labours of his new-gotten
Kingdom not being of the raceot the Jews; On his vaft ex-
pences on many Sumptuous buildings and efpecially on their
Temple, the more to ingratiate himfelf with that Nation ;
On the Title of the Meffias which fome of his flatterers had
already conferred upon himfelf j and, befides this, being made
very jealous by many former confpiracies, for which he had
alfo already put fome of his own children and wives to death j
much difgufted alfo with the chief Priefts, who, asked by him
where the Mefliah fhould be born, inftead of naming him to
this honour, and difclaiming any other , anfwered , without
ltudying, in Betbleem ; and produced the clear words of the
Prophet concerning it.
§.89. All thefe things I fay rowling in his mind removed from
1 " him all humanity or demur touching his intended ilaughter.
And therefore, without any inquifition firit, that is mentioned,
either to what place or houfe the Magi when come thither re-
paired; Or what Nobility there of Davids race, by having a
Son lately born, was more liable to fuch a fufpition, ( thohad
fuch a queft bin made, Our Lords Stable and Cratch were now
very advantagious to have efcaped fuch a fearch, and none
wasconfcious of the motions ot the Wife-Men, but the Star),
he fenthis fouldiers, all on afuddain, toforround and furprife
the
§.90. of our Saviour Jtfws Chr iff. 71
the Bethleemites when expecting or fearing no fuch thing j
and who, had they fore-known of fuch a body of armed men
coming againit them, ye could not have imagined this to be
intended only againfi fuch per fons as were not yet capable of
being accufed or any fault, and therefore had none provided
for their fafety ; and the ilaughter was yet more cruel being
done , by a multitude of Soldiers every where difperfed ,
as it were all at once. [A cruelty furpaffing all belief, had
not Herod bin the Actor ; famous alfo for the killing of his
own children; and of whom Jofephus relates, not long after
this a like inhumanity, Viz. his defigningthe murther and
Deitruction of all the Jewifli Nobility, of which more here-
after ]. To make alio the furer work , which was but
necefTary againlt a down-right prophecy , he caufed not
only thofe born a litle before the Sages arrival at Jerufa-
lem, but all whatever born within two years before, to be
flain ,- and that not only of thofe born in the Town , but
in the territories or Coafts, of Bethleem , having asked and
learnt from the wife-men, punctually at what time the Star
firft appeared to them. From which we may collect the Star
to have bin obferved and admired by them for fometwo years
before: as Comets ufe to precede for fome time the events
theyfignify; but the certain indication and defign thereof to
have bin only then revealed to them, when the child was al-
ready born.
The cry and lamentation of the poor Bethleemites, and efpe« §. 9o.
cially of the Mothers all fo fuddainly be/eft of their children,
wasfo great; that S.Matthew declares it to have binfpecially
foretold by the Prophet Jeremy in thofe words chap. 31. ir.
—Thus faith the Lord [ which mews alio nothing done in this
bufinefs without his certain providence in it"] A voice was heard
in 'Ramah [ a chief Town of the Tribe of Benjamin Rachels
progeny ~) lamentation and bitter weeping : J{achel [who dyed
and was buried near Bethleem ] weeping for her children , re-
fufed to be comforted for her children , becaufe they were not;
Viz. being carried away from her into captivity ; which was the
firft fulfilling of this prophecy of Jeremy , and which was a
type of this other the more principal accomplimment of it
here. But, there, the Lord preiently comforts her, faying v erf.
16 17; --Refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eiesfrom tears ;
for there is hope in thine end, faith the Lord, that thy children
Jhall come again to their own border and from the land of the
Enemy ;
7 2 The Hifiory of the Life §..91,92,99.
Enemy j and verf. 9. --lam a Father to Ifrael andEphraim is my
firji-born. And afterward, in the lame chapter verf. 22. is a
proraife made to them of the Meflias.
$• 91, And, fo happens it exactly here alfo in the more principal
fulfilling thereof.. This rough beginning of the (laughter of
the Infants at our Lords birth being a type of his that was to
follow: and prefignitving what fhould be done firft "In the
llaughter, in the appointed time, of our Lord himfelf, a perfon
more innocent than thefe Infants, and Gods firft-born • and
again in the llaughter of many innocent Martyrs in the firft
beginning and infancy of Chriftian Religion, by the tyranny
of the Roman Herods • our Mother, the Church, as Rachel, dif-
confolately weeping over them. But this llaughter, as the other
captivity, ended in joy ; and the children came again, and all
thefe defigns were fruftrated, as Herod's was ; and religion ftill
iurvived their wrath and perfections. And, as Rachels Son
born at Bethleem was firft called a Benoni, but afterwards a
Benjamin, fo alfo was this type perfectly fulfilled in our Lords
being made a Benjamin, and fitting at his Fathers right hand
at lalt,. after thus his being at firft a Benoni : and thefe Infants
alfo, that fuffered for him, were for this advanced by the Di-
vine bounty to the eternal rewards of Martyrdome.
§• 92, Yet, in this innocency of the children, there feems to be
lome effect of the Divine Juftice upon the parents : who muft
needs have highly incurred his difpleafure in the great inhu-
manity they had mewed to a poor itranger, one of their own
kindred, ready to lye down, in (hutting her out of their doors;
which, tho they had bin never lo full of guefts, fhould rather
have bin done to fome other of them than to fuch an helplefs
object of their charity. Which fault was yet more aggravated
in flittering her and her new-born Child, for fo long a time
after alfo, to lodg amongft the hearts , ("if our BlefTed Lady
Luk^ 2.1 7- fojourned in the Stable till her purification,) when the Text
alfo faith, that the Shepheards had given them fome notice
of the Dignity of the Child, and his Mother.
r , The cruelty of this Infanticide was fo much noifed every
- - where abroad as it foon came to the ears of Auguftus. —Qui
aim audi [ft t ( faith Macrobius Saturnal. lib. i.) inter pueros,
quos in Syria Herodes flex Judaorum intra bimatum jujjit inter-
fci, fiiiumquoque ejus occifum ; [fome faying that he had then
alfo caufed to be ilain a Son of his own, lately born of a wife
of his that was of the Tribe of Judah] ait, Melius eft Herodis
Forcum
§.94. °f our Saviour Jefa Chrift. 73
Porcum ejje, quam filium. Herod being a Profelite of the Jew-
ilh Religion, and this prohibiting the killing of Swine, or eat-
ing their tiefh, as held a molt unclean beaft. But Augaftus
herein might perhaps alfo reflect, both on the former flaughter
of two fons of his, Arijlobulus and Alexander on fufpition of
a confpiracy againft him ; and on the leave he had lately pro-
cured from the fame Emperor for the killing another of his
ionsAntipater, whom afterward he caufed to be put to death
on the fame account.
Whilftthis bloody Tragedy was acting in Judea, S. Jofcph §.94.:
with his holy charge fafely arrived in Egypt. Where his fb-
journing found the more confolation and friends, by reafon
of the Multitude of the Jewifh Nation, that at this time inha-
bited there, as alfo in Cyrene and the parts beyond it. For
this Nation, according to Gods promife, multiplying exceed-
ingly, were in all times much difperfed abroad ( for which lee
Acts 2. 8.) being placed alfo by the Divine Providence as it
were in the midft of Nations, and at the end of the Mediter-
ranean Sea; from whence all the Weftern Countries received
their firft Colonies, and inhabitants, by reafon of the firft peo-
pling of the world made in the Eaft. Every where alfo, where
the Jews planted themfelves, they had Synagogues : and in
thefe publickly read to them the Books of Moles and the Pro-
phets j by which alfo were begotten amongft other Nations
many Profelites to the Jewes Religion i and fuch was the
Queen of Ethiopia's Eunuch. And this alfo prepared the way
for the eafier ipreading afterward of the Goipel; for where
ever almoftthe Apoltles came, they found Jews ; and fo be-
gan firft their preaching in their Synagogues, and with the
expounding to them of the prophets read to them on the Sab-
baths. And thefe forraign Jews were alfo the better preferv-
ed in the true knowledg and worfhip of God, by the repair of
thofe, atleaft of better quality among them, at the great festi-
vals to Jerufalem, and to the Temple there, fee Aft. 2. r, 9.
&c. But in Egypt, in the parts thereof neareft Paleftine (where-
in, called the land of Goflien, the Ifrae'itesalfo inhabited af-
ter Jacob delcended thither) the Jews at this time more a-
bounded by reafon of a Temple built there by Onias, a fon
of the High Prieft : who with many other Jews fled thither
from the tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes: to' which Temple
the King of Egypt gave all furtherance, the more to ftrength-
en himfelf, by the attraction of many Jqws, againftthe fame
K Tyrant.
74 The Hijiory of the Life §. 95,96.
Tyrant. Where alfo Onias ere&ed an Altar, mis-applying the
prophecy Efay, 19. 19.&C to his own times. And this Temple
was then Handing when our Lord came thither ■, being not de-
ftroyed till Vefpafian's time, and by his command-, a year
after the demolifhing of that atjerufalem, and after it had
ftood above two hundred years.
§• 9f. Flere then fome little habitation was taken by S. Jofeph a-
mong his Compatriots in fome Town near the Confines of Ju-
dea (fome fay, Heliopolis): with his trade fupplying necef-
faries; uncertain how Ihort or how long this his banifhment
might be; and depending on the Angels new order for his re-
turn. Where alfo the lojourning among ftrangers afforded
more time to this Holy Family for their Devotions unto the
Holy Child, and to God his Father. Nor could they want
alfo the exercife of thofe afflictions, which the rage and jealou-
fies of the Devil, in fuch an early march of our Lord into his
chiefeft territory and fortification, were any way permitted to
raifetothem.
§.95. Meanwhile the Divine Juftice and Vengeance upon bloody
Herod flumbred not. Our Lord is by many conjectured not
to have remained fully two vears in Lgvpt before the Angel
brought Jofeph tidingsof his death. Certum eft ( faith Tirinus
Cbron. Sacr.c. 49.) Dominum ibi non hceftjfe toto Biennio. And
—Hanc communem ejjefententiam (3 antiquitus pro vulgar ihabi-
tarn &c. And thus Eufebius Hijt. I. i.c.%. —Statimpoft necatos
infantes, nulla, ne minima quidem, diUtione interpojita divina
ultio ilium, dum adhuc in vivis manebat, exagitavit (2C ; refer-
ring to the Hiftory of Jofephus* And Jofephus, tho he makes
no mention of the flaughtered Infants, ( no more than he doth
of many other eminent occurrances of the Evangelical ftory,
ashe being no friend to Chriftianity, and miftaking Vefpafian
for the true Meffias ), yet could not but obferve the divine hand
in Herods ficknefs and fall : —Supplicia (faith he Antiq. Judai.
I. 17. c. 9. J Deo commijji fceleris expetente , ( tho he miftaking
the fcelus ): And again -Dicebatur (faith he ) ab his, qui bus in-
erat divinandi peritia, dwinitus has pcenas, ob impietatem ejus &
mult a crude liter gejta, depofci. And he thusdefcnbes his hor-
rid difeafe. Ibid. —Ignis quippe leutus inerat, non tantum confla-
grationem in fuperficiem corporis agentem prodens , quantum in-
trinfecus crejcens operabatur incendium. Aviditas quoque inex-
plebihs (emper inerat cibi : nee tamen fatietas unquam rabidis
incitatam faucibusvahbat implere ingluviem. InteJHna internis
ulceribus
^.96. of our Savior Jefus Chrifl. 75
ulceribus tabida putrejcebant , doloribus quoque colt favijjimis
cruciabatur, humor liquidus , ac luridus erga pedes tumidos ober*
rabat. Similis illi quoque & circa pubem erat affliSlio. Sed& ve-
rendaipfa putredine corrupta fcatebant vermibw : fpiritus quo-
que incredibilis eretla lentigo, qua fuerat fatis obfcana diritate
fcetoriSy & anhelitus refpiratione creberrima : contractus quoque
per cuncla membra fubfijl ens vimnoxiam operabatur, qua omnem
tolerantia abjtulerat firmitatem. --He relates alfo his attempt
to have killed himfelf with a knife, had not one, observing it,
iuddainly ftopt his hand.
The iword alfo departed not from his own houfe. For after Sccjofeph.
a former (laughter of his two fons Alexander and Anftobulus ; Antiq. t. lyd
and of feveral of his wives. ( fome of them atleaft innocent ), 2 i6.f-3.-i7,
, r , 1 r ^- c 1 r tronu. i. to
upon ^ealouhes and continual acculations, or one another, tor,,
preparing of poifon and for other confpiracies againft him ,
He, five daies before his death, commanded the llaughter of
his Son Antipater ; And, Antipatevjofepb. Antiq.l. 17. c. 8. alfo
having formerly accufed two other fons of Herod, Archelaus
and Philip, of like treafon againft their Father, in making his
will he alfo paffed-by them, and nominated a younger Son,
Herod Antipas, heir of his Crown. But, after Antipater put to
death, changing his mind again, he refumed Archelaus ; and
lo thefe two brethren Archelaus and Antipas, after his death,
upon his varying wills, contended for the Kingdom. [He
had great misfortunes alfo in his kindred and Relations. He-
rod s brother Pheroras was poifoned ; and his wife, being ac-
cufed of it, made away herfelf. His Father in law , Simon
the High-Prieft, was depofed from his Office. And laftly Jo-
fephus obferves concerning Herod's pofterity, That though Ant-t /l8>
it was very numerous, yet within an hundred years there was
none, or very few, remaining. —Vt innotefcat /faith he ) nihil
prodejfe vel exercitm , aut vim Corporis, vel alia , qua videntur
mortahbus appetenda, fine pietate, qua colitur Deus, intra centum
annorum fpacium prater paucos ( nam admodum plures erant )
cuncla Herodis origo confumpta ejl. Super hac etiam, ad hu-
militatem & modejtiam humanum genus addncitur , cum illius
familia calamitates audierit. Thus He.] Befides fuch cruel-
ties to his wives and children, the fame alfo overflowed to-
ward all the Jewifli Nobility. For when fome Jews , upon
a rumour of his Death had defaced fome of his (as they elteemed
them,prophane ) Ornaments of the Temple, he fo much glo-
ried in, He fummoning all the Jewifli Nobility , ( upon pain
K 2 of
7^ The Hi/lory of the Life §.9 7.
of Death to the abfent ) under fhew of taking their advice for
punilhing fuch an infolency, and then impnfoning all thofe
who came, Ordered, that, at the time of his own expiring, they
alfo fhould be by his Souldiers put to death, the better he faid
to fecure his Kingdom to his pofterity : and that he might
make thofe mourn, who otherwife would have rejoyced, at his
death. But this was not executed, nor did fuch an unheard-of
cruelty furvive in any after him.
$• 97* So miferablely died this Anti-Meffiah ; who how much wi-
ferhad he, and how much happier bin, he and his, if he had
humbly with the Magi fubmitted his Scepter to, and going
with them adored, the new-born Saviour of the world ! One,
who came onely to give to mortals a heavenly Kingdom, and
not to difturb in the leaft any ones temporal Dominion. And
fo alfo how much more happy, as well as pious, had the chief
Priefts and Scribes and the whole Jewifh Nation bin, had they
accompanied him in fuch a Devout Proceffionj and, as they
could readily tell Herod the place of his Birth, fo had taken
notice alfo of the time ! Of which God his Father had given
them fuch an eminent Sigual and Teftimony by the forraign
meffage fent to them of the Magi, and the Sty. But though
their Relation wrought fo far with them ( faith the Text ) as to
trouble Herod and all Jerufalem with him j yet notfo, as to
make them fenfible of this infinite Honour newly done them in
their long expected Meflias's coming. It troubled them, but •
reformed them not, to pay him at leaft the fame homage as
did thofe ftrangers, or to provide him fo much as a lodging,
or a bed. Therefore we read of the eflfecl: of Gods difpleafure
at this time not only falling upon Herod, but on the Jews too.
For not only, about the time of Herods deceafe, died many
other great perfons ( and therefore it is faid Mat. 2.20. They
are dead, who fought the childs life ; Viz. fuch as whom their
having relation to Herodfhe marrv ing the daughter of an High
Prieft ) made zealous of his greatnefs ). And feveral alfo of the
Sanedrim andPharifees wereflain by him forrefufing to fwear
Allegiance to him : and forty perfons burnt alive for defacing
the golden Eagle fet up by Herod before the gate of the Tem-
ple. But immediatly after Herods death happened many re-
bellions of the Jews feeking to regain their liberty, before the
fettlement of Archelaus by Auguftus , and during our Lords
quiet recefs in Egypt, which rebellions were fupprefTed with
great flaughter of them.
For
§-p8?99' of out Saviour Jefm Chrift. 77
For firft , in an Infurre&ion againft Archelaus , about $. 9#«
three thoufand Jews were flain«&t the celebration^pf their
next Pafchal feaft after Herods deceafe. And , in a Re-
bellion, revived again at the Feaft of Pentecoft, the Ro-
man Governour of Syria , for a puniihment of this Fad: ,
caufed two thoufand more of them to be crucified. And Ar-
chelaus going to Rome, there to folicit an eftablimment of: his
Kingfhip from the Emperour, tho the Jews there alio fuppli-
cated againft him for the liberty of their Nation, atleafttobe
freed from any particular King, and to be fubjedted only to the
Roman Prefident of Syria i and alfo, the more to promote their
fute, difplayed before the Emperour and his Court ( the di-
vine hand being in it) all the tyrannical and luxurious life
of Herod his Father, yet their defigns were totally fruftraced;
And lo were Archelaus his too. For -Augu/ius ( faith Jofe-
phus Antiq. I. 17. c. 17. ) Archelaum quidem Regem non pronun-
ciavit j Dimidia vero Judex regionis, qua Herodi tributa reddebat,
Toparcham conjtituit : Spondens el j{egiam quoque dignitatem, fi
laboribus & favor ibus circa femetipjum meritus appareret : But
the iflue concerning him was ; that, after about nine years con-
tinuance in this Dignity, upon a new complaint of the Jews
for his crimes, he was depofed, and banifhed, and his Eftate con-
fifcated by Auguftus j and the like was the fate of his Brother
Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee. And the Jews ftill became
more immediatly fubject to the Roman Yoke.
It is alfo obferved byfome, for the perfect fulfilling of the §. 99."
prophecy of Efay chap, 7. 14, 1 r, 16. ( which is exprefsly apply-
ed to the BlefTed Virgin Mary and our Lord, Mat . 1. 23. J That
as there, before Eiaiahs child ( the type of our Lord, Efai.8.i%„
and born of a Prophetefs and Holy-woman Efai. 8. 4, y, repre-
fenting our BlefTed Lady J was two years old, fo as to difcern
food grateful from ungrateful, or fo as plainly to fpeak my Fa-
ther and my Mother, the two Kings of Samaria and Damascus,
that were enemies to Gods Church, were to be taken away by
the Executioner of the Divine Juftioe the King of AfTyria : fo,
before our Lord came to the fame age, Herod, who was King
of Samaria as well as Judea, and Oboda the King of Damafcus
fome few months before Herod ( fee Joiephus Antiq. 1. \6.c. 1 o.)
were removed by death, and their Kingdomes alfo by Auguftus,
(the King then alfo of AfTyria ) taken away fo as that their po-
fteritydid not fucceed in the fame Title or extent of Power-
The Myftical fignification of all which is3 that the former
King-
7 8 The Hi/lory of the Life §. i oo, t o i .
Kingdom of Satan fhould now be deftroyed, and he caft out
upon th^ coming and Birth t^our Lord.
At this very time alfo One Judas in Galilee, under pretence
of recovering liberty, gathered forces and pillaged the Coun-
try ; againft whom, Varus the Roman Prefect of Syria lent part
of his Army thither, befieged and took Sephoris and fubdued
See Anticj. the Rebels. Jofephus alio mentions many others every where
/, 17. c. iy. railing tumults in the abfence of Archelaus; during all which
frights, and the (word travelling through the coafts of Judea
to revenge their contempt of the new-born Meftiah, the Blef-
fed Virgin with our Lord and S. Jofeph enjoyed in Egypt a
peaceful fecurity.
§. too. Herod in being thus taken away, ( who was the laftKing of
the Nation of the Jews j for Archelaus, as isfaid, was not ad-
mitted to the fame Dignity, nor had the fame extent of Do-
minion , being made by Auguftus Toparcha or chief Gover-
nour of Judea, not Galilee ), all tumults there quieted, and Jo-
feph and Maries country now under anothers command, the
news thereof was brought by the Angel to Jofeph, that he fhould
return into the land of Ifraelwith this Child (that was the
true King thereof ) for that they were dead now that fought
his life. And this return of our Lord we find lively prefigured
in Mofes Exod. 4. 19, a Deliverer alfo of Gods peo-ple and a Type
of our Lord; who, when Pharaoh fas here Herod ), a little be-
fore this deliverance, had taken order for all the Male-chil-
dren of the the Ifraelites to be put to death , miraculoufly
efcaped ; and who afterward for his fafety had fled to Midian :
from whence God commanded him to return unto his peo-
ple, for that they were now dead that fought his life. Where
alfo we may obferve the way by which God ufually delivers
and provides for his Servants when in any ftrait : Viz. not on
a fuddain and in haft and by main ftrength and force ( when
as indeed all things arealwaies univerfally fubject to his pow-
er),- but tacitly and without any difturbance of the courfe
of other human affairs, ajid as it were attending an opportu-
nity by a fecret, but effectual, flection and winding of thefe (not
fo eafiiy difcernable by men J in all things to ferve his de-
figns.
$« ioi« Jofeph alfo retaining Tome dread of Archelaus , one who
had already fhed much blood in quelling an I nfurrecStion of
the Jews, was alfo admonifhed by the Angel Matt. 2. 22. not
to return again to Bethleem, ( tho perhaps he might have had
fome
>
§..io2. of our Saviour Jefm Chrifi. jj
forae thoughts thereof, as imagining it Gods pleafure that
this child mould be educated in- that honourable City of Da-
vid, where he was born, and which was fo near to the Royal
City of Jerufalem ) but rather to his own City Nazareth : where
alio the ftrange occurrences in our Lords birth were utterly
unknown. And indeed this obfcure and rude place in the out-
skirts of the Nation was preordained by the Divine wifdom.
for the place of our Lords Education, as necefTary for the ac-
complishing of hisfufferings, and the redemption of the world
by his Death j that the grofly-unbelieving Jews and obftinate
Pharifes, notwithstanding all the wildom and mighty works
that appeared in him, might be the more blinded , and our
Lord lefs fufpected for what he was. Forfo ftill, fometimes
by good men, it was argued againft him. -Num ex Nazareth
poteft aliquidboni ejje f Jo. 1.46. and Jo. 7. $2. —Scrutare & vide
( faid the High Prieit and Pharifees to Nicodemus ) quia a Ga-
lilea Propheta nonfurget.
Yet S. Matthew A/«£. 2. 23. obferves, Firft that the Prophets $• IQ2,
alfo have given fome prenotice of this his Habitation and Ti- x»
tie chap. 2. 23. —that be Jhould be called aNa^areen: perhaps
alluding to EJai. it. 1. calling him Na\ar. --Flos, fur cuius, or
Germende radice l(ai exurgens : with which agrees 2^ech. 3. 8.
-6. 12. --Behold the Lord, wbofe name is the Branch. Whence
alfo Nazareth is fuppofed to take its Name, the territory there
being obferved to abound exceedingly with variety of odori-
ferous Plants and Flowers, to this day. Of which thus Eugen.
J^ogerus in hisDefcription of the Holy-Land, who lived at Na-
zareth for fome time in an houfe of his Order there. —This City
is well called a Flower : for /might aver ( faith he ) that, having
run through many Realms and viewed many Provinces as well of
Afia as Afhcl^and Europe. I never faw any comparable to this of
Nazareth, for the great number of fair and pleafant Odoriferous
Flowers and Plants; which grow there through all the feafons of
the year. For from the Month of December even to April all the
little Hills, Fields and way -fides are enamel d with (to give you
them in his own language ) Anemones, Calcedoines, 'Ranuncules ,
Narciffus, Cyclamens, d Iris de toutes efpeces de couleurs, de Mo-
ly, de Lavende, Stecas, Ambroife , Serpolet , Mariolene, Origan,
Nepeta, Scordium, and many other little Flowers intermingled with
Trees and Shrubs, that are alwaies green : fo that the fight of the
one and fragrancy of the other, makes it feem an Earthly P~dTzr~
dife; with an air alfo fo well tempered that little ficknefs hap-
pens
80 The. Hi/lory of the Life §.103,104.
pens there. Thus he. This of Na^ar, flos or Surculus, a Name
in the Prophets applyed to our Lord and this City perhaps
having its name from thefe io plentiful about it.
S- T0?- But fome Allufion here alfo maybe made, forthelikenels
of the Sound, to the Na^arites ( tho this word not written with
a Tjade t as our Lords name Na\ar is, but a J^ain r ) being per-
fonsin a fingular manner feparated and devoted to God. And
the famous Nazarite, Judg. 13. r, Sampfonisobferved by the
Fathers, —inortu, in pueritia, nuptiis fuis, Leone y SSapibus, a/l-
ni maxilla, (3 fonte ex ea prognato , Gazjx portis, coma detonfa,
exoculatione , pijtrina , 1'empli D agon ever/tone, & maxime ultra-
nea pupendaque ?norte Chriflum prcefigurajje ,• being a great De-
liverer* of Gods pjoplejand Conquering their Enemies, all alone
without Armies, orArmesj Obtaining the greateft Victory o-
ver them by and at his death ; after their Bonds and fetters tri-
umphantly riling up and carrying away the Gates from their
City ,- by his locks cut becoming weak, his eyes put out, but-
felted and made a common mocking-ftock.but after this aveng-
ing himfelf of ail his enemies ; Out of the dry Jaw-bone iffuing
a fountain, and out of the dead Lyon meat and fweetnefs : Fons
Baptifmatis & regener ationis, Mel redemptions, & Cibut Eucba-
rijiice. Such- a Nazarite, then alfo was our Lord. 2. Belides
this faid of our Lords Name, again the fame Evangelift ob-
ferves, chap. 4. 14, the Prophet Ej ay s plainly foretelling our
Lords refidence in Galilee of the Gentiles, and in the land of ^a-
Ffiy.y. i. hulon, where Na^aritbrvas -, and a great light fpringing up there
to thoje that fate in darkness. This his Habitation then in Ga-
lilee at Nazareth was alio fuificiently foretold, but they not
worthy to uuderftand it.
. Our Lord and his Parents are now arrived and fettled at
* Nazareth. Where, it is conjectured by lome, that the BlefTed
Virgin was an Heirefs, becaufe S. Matthew hath related the
Genealogy of Jofeph her husband to mew hers : when-as, ex-
cept in luch a cafe, it was not neceffary that one fhould match
into tha fame Tribe. And from this again it is collected, that
as their condition (as appears from Jofephs trade,) was not
very rich, fo neither very neceflicous.
How our Lord here fpent his childhood and youth, and in-
deed much the greatett part of his life, fas alfo before of the
Employment of the Baptilt in the Defart, till the thirtieth
year of his age ) very little is expreily mentioned in the icrip-
ture. [And herein me-thinks appears the greatnefs of our
Lords
^. 1 05. of our Saviour Jtfws Chrift. S 1
Lord's humility and defign, to give our ambition and vain-
glory an example of imitating him, that he fhould fo Jittle
value, or alfo ordain/ it j that all thofe admirable vertues of
his, and effects of the Divine wifdom and Grace, that appear-
ed in all his words and adions, and which (faith the Evange-
\\§.Lu\. 2. j-2. ) were fo grateful to thofe with whom he con-
vened, mould during fo long a time be { fave one paffage in
the twelfth year of his age ) utterly loft, if I may fo fay, and
concealed and unknown to the world ; and only manifeft to
his Father above, and the inhabitants Of Heaven. When as, had
it bin his pleafure, there werefo many, that might have de-
livered this ftory from the mouth of his Holy Mother, who
let nothing pais unobferved, but was a faithful treafurer from
his firft infancy, faith S. Luke 2. 19, j- 1, of all me faw and heard
in or concerning him ]. Ivittle, I fay, is exprefly delivered :
But notwithftanding from the confequences of feveral texts
much may be learned.
. To attain then a more perfect Notion and Idea hereof j , «
we are firft to know ; That our Lord from his very birth, as to —
the perfections of his foul, had nothing of a child in him;
but that he was as full of all light and knowledg, of wifdom,
and of all the Graces and powers of the Holy Ghoft, of the
zeal of his Fathers honour, and falvation of man-kind, at his
Nativity, as afterward in the time of his Man-hood, and of
his preaching and working Miracles. — [ In whom were hid all the
treafures of wifdom and knowledg, faith the Apoftle Col. 2. }.
—And) all the fulnefs of the Divinity dwelling bodily, verf. 9. —And
the word was made flejb, full of grate and truth, faith S. John c. 1.
Nor did God give the Spirit by meafure unto him Jo. 3. 74. All
which texts muftbe verifyed at the Union of his man-hood to
the Divinity, futabletothe fupreme Dignity thereof : which
Union was at his Conception. Nor is there anyreafon for a
temporary fufpenfionof thefe, as of iome perfections of the
Body,in order to our Redemption, but rather of the contrary. ~\
And that the increafe in them, which S. Luke fpeaks of, chap. 2,
was only of the more manifeftation of the effects thereof, in
the progrefs of his Age,- as alfo fufficiently appears in that,
without any the leaft former application of him to learn-
ing orftudies, or folitude of life, like theBaptifts, when the
facred number of twelve years of his childhood were corn-
pleated, ingoing, as ufually, with his parents to the folemn
feaft , he fecretly quitted his parents -3 and, entring into the
L Temple ,
$2 ' The Hiftory of the Life §.106,107.
Luk.z.4.647. Temple, fate him down in the midfi of the DoUors, difputing, and
ashing them quefiions, and aflonijhingthem, faith the Text, voith
his u nderfianding and a nfwers.
S- io<*v This then laid as a foundation; 2ly. We ought to conceive ;
That he wasfubject to none of thofe infirmities of mind ufu-
al to children, levity and inconftancy, love of play and be-
ing delighted with toyes, peevifhnefs againft Superiors and thofe
who take moft care of them , longing and defiring things
hurtful, and procuring them when with-held by crying, foolilh
and filly prattle &c , or alio any other, which, though in-
volving no fin in them, yet are the effects of want of knowledg
and experience; but that all was contrary in him, Sweetnefs,
modefty, gravity, ferioufnefs, quiet, repofed, ever well pleafed,
obfervantand obliging of thofe to whom was committed his
Education. And Here we may alfo the more admire in fo
great perfections of his Soul his divine patience, for our fakes,
of fo many debilities and infirmities of the Body for fo long
a time enduring them, when he perfectly apprehended, and
was fenfible-of them all j and when hindred by them from
fpeaking or acting things futable to hisunderftanding. As we
may imagine what an affliction it would be for a perfon, that
is already in his man-hood, and of a wife, active, nature, fpi-
ritand judgment, to return to be impnfoned for feveral years
in fuchan impotent body, as to be fwathed, cradled, mute;
and for all conveniencies or neceffities wholly .difpoled-of by
another that knows not his mind.
|; J07. jly. Such a perfection, and, if I may fo fay, man-hood of
our Lords Soul, and intellect being fuppofed in his infancy,
and fo much vacancy from any ferious external employments
as accompanies child-hood ,• we may imagine our Lord to
have palTed thofe his firft daies continually in praier ( which
alfo infers filence and Recollection ), and in Interceffions to
his Father for Man's falvation, and the bufinefs he came for
into the world, ^Whichalfo may be inferred from this, That,
when at 50 years of age, he had entred on his Office of preach-
ing, and that his day-time was taken up with other bufinefs,
and great throngs of people,who for their fpiritual and corporal
neceffities continually flocked to him , yet He ufed then to
rife on nights, and retire into fome folitary place, and there
fpend part or fometimes the whole night in Praier. See Mark*
1. $<;.-LuJ^. y. 16.-6. 12.
Till then that our Lords growth was capable of corporal
Labours,
§,ioS. of our Saviour J efws Chrifl. 85
Labours, we may juftly account his time at Nazareth fpent
much- what like that of S. John Baptift, oralfo his own 40 daies
iojourning in the Defart : and that all this while he became
a fervent Mediator for us , now by his taking our flefh be-
come his Brethren -, and negociated our bufinefs fo much more
with God when hindred by his age for doing it yet with men.
And his Father, who was alwaies well pleafedinhim, accepted
hisfervice, in this time of nonage and fequeftratioii from hu-
man affairs, as more immediatly devoted to himfelf. And
if mankind is fuppofed to receive much benefit from the Prai-
ersand Devotions of thofe Holy Hermits, who , without any
.converfation with men, apply theinfelves wholly to thefe ; like
Mofesinthe Mount, praying whilft their brethren are fighting
here with Satan and a thoufand temptations i how much more
ftrength and fuccourmay we be thought to receive from thofe
infinitely-meritorious interceflions of our Lord in that his fi-
leut infancy > VVhofe outward deportment alio in this time ,
correlponding with his mind, muft needs beget great reve-
rence towards him: and the like Devotion and filence in the
Blefled Virgin and S. Jofeph, that daily beheld it; and the
oeconomy of'trjis little family much exceed that of the ftricl:-
eft Monafticks. Both thefe perfons being, before our Lords
Nativity, highly enriched with the Graces of the Holy Spi-
rit-, andalfo, by f o near accefstohis perfon, receiving daily
new influences and recruits thereof from him, who was full of
'Grace and Truth, (as the beloved Evangelift defcribes him
Jo. 1. 14, i'<j ) ; and of whole fulnefs we all receive, Grace after
Grace ; and ail for, and from, this fountain of Grace.
In fuch filence, and Devotion, and converfation with Hea- §. i0gj
veu, our Lord feems to have fpent his time till now he had
run out 12. years of his Age, when happened a very ftrange
accident concerning him. It was a law, that all Males
mould appear at the place which the Lord ihould chufe for
his Refidence, in his Sanctuary or Temple there, three times
in the year, at the three folemn feafts: and that then none
mould appear empty, or without an offering,- i.e. offerings of
thankfgiving as God had profpered them, to honour the Lord
with their fubftance and firft fruits of their increafe ; See Exod.
23- iy> 17. -34.20. ~Deut. 16. 17.-Prov.-i,. 9. But women and
children were difpenced-with ; and the males are faid to be
obliged thereto only from twenty years old, to fixty, or fifty.
But at the great- Pafcal feaft it was ufual, from ancient times,
L z for
84 The Hijiory of the Life §.1.09.
for the women and their children, as well as men, to go thi-
ther, as appears by iSam. 1.3,4. And fo S. Luke iaith of the
Holy Virgin and herhusband S. Jofeph, that they went to Je-
rusalem every year at the Pafchal feaft ,• and we may prefume,
took with them the Holy child Jefus after able to travel fo
far: whom, confideringwhoHe was, and on fnch account how
dear to them, it would have bin a great affliction to have left
behind them ; and to have relinquifht the Lord himfelf, as it
were, to go to his houfe. And, there miffing our Lord, when
twelve years old , and hoping to find him gone before with
Lome of their kindred, argues, that not to have bin his firft
journey. In which alfo they would have bin more folicitous*
of his not ftraying from them : and their feeking him alfo in the
Temple feems to have proceeded from lome observation made
by them of his former inclinations, and practices there, at thefe
Feafts.
$.109. Now then, when Jefus had compleated the facred Number
of the twelfth year of his age, ( All Gods works being exactly
meafuredwith a certain number of time; among which, the
numbers of 12 and of 7 are very frequent in Scripture) going
up with his Parents, as ufually, to this Feaft; it was the Di-
vine pleafure, after the Eaftern Magi their having already
proclaimed the birth of Him at Jerusalem; and theDo£tors
of the Jews alfo, by Herod's afTembling and confulting them,
being then forced to take notice of it ; now again after ioyears.
more paffed, to manifeft his Son to Ifrael, and to. the molt
learned thereof, and to ihew as it were a ray and glympfe of
his celeftial Original, and his Divine wifdom and Graces in an
age as yet no way capable of acquiring thefe by ffudies or
Human Art, iffobethey would now by comparing the Mefli-
as his Nativity, and confidering the tranfcendent knowledg,
that made them all aftonifhed, appearing inthischild, dilcern
this Divine perfon, and yeild him a due obedience and Ado-
ration. Which appearance alfo was made, When Archelaus, He-
rod's Son, that Ruled in Judea, and that might be dreaded as
heir of his Fathers malice alio to the new Meffias, was before
this (fuppofing our Lords fray in Egypt not above two "years,
and Herod's reign according to Jofephus Be Bell, 'judaic, lib.
2. cap.6. only nine ) ejected out of his Government by Auguftus,
and banifhed to Vienna in France; and a Roman Prefident
fubftituted in his place.
After therefore the Feaft was now ended and the multitudes
return-
§. 1 1 o . of our Saviour Jefws Ckritt. 8 5
returning homeward; Oar Lord in obedience to the will of
his Father in Heaven, on a fuddain with-drew himfelf from
his Parents* hereon earth, without giving them any notice of
hispurpofej which, made known to them, might to their hu-
man reafon have ieemed fomewhat extravagant, and peri-
lous, and fo have received fome obftruclion from their great
folicitude for his fafety. Wherein He hath alfo mewed to us
how little any Relations of Kindred, many times great lets of
Piety, are to be regarded, when any way hindring our fer-
vice of God ; Of which difengagement from Kindred he alfo
gave us examples afterward upon feveral occafions. He there-
fore immediatly returned to the Temple , ( carried hither
with the fame zeal and fervour of the Holy Spirit as when af-
terward he repaired into the Defart^, and there abode for the
three daies next enfuing.
In the Temple, about the Court of the people, were certain §. noj
Porches orExedraes, or Chambers, called alfo Gazophylacia
for the Goods and Treafure of the Temple re po fed in them j
fuch Roomes were belonging to the Priefb, fee Jer.^s. 2. -4.
36. 12,26; andinthefe the Doctors of the Law, aflemblingat
certain times or Hours of the day, expounded the Mofaick
law to the people, and inftructed the youth, fuch as applyed
themfelves to learning ; difputed alfo among themfelves, and
ftated the hard queftions and difficulties therein. Who alio,
befide the Temple, ufed Synagogues ; and had likewife., befide
thefe, many Scfjooles inftituted for the famepurpofe. Of which
Schooles , and Synagogues , there are faid to have bin in Je-
rufalem 480. Sigon.ius lib. 2. cap. %. So Ac~l. 19. ^ is menti-
oned S. Paul's reafoning or Reaching at Ephefus in the Schoole
of one Tyrannus i Aft.2\. 12, He pleads his not having dif-
puted with any in the Temple: Acl.6.9, are mentioned thole
of the Synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians , &c. difputing
withStephenj Jerem. chap. ^6. 10, Baruch isfaid to have read
the words of Jeremiah ( himfelf being in reftraint ) in the
houfe of the Lord in Ga\ophilacio Gamarw Scribce in vejhbulo
fuperiori, inintroitu porta nova domus Domini , audiente omni
populo, which perhaps was done out of fome eminenter place
in the roome to the people ftanding in the Court; See alfo
Jer. 26. 10, 11. So our Lord, John 8,20, is faid to have preached
to the people in the Temple in Gazophylacio; and another
time in Torticu Salomonis. Jo. 10. 23. In thefe places alio,
where the Doctors taught their Schollars or the people, were
fome
26 The Hijlory cf the Life §.i i r.
fome Chaires placed for themfelves, and fome lower feats or
Mats fpread on the floore for their Schollars, or Auditors. So
S.Paul faith, Act. 12. > that he was taught at the feet of Gama-
liel according to the perfect manner of the law of the Fa-
thers.
$.iii. In this Conference of the Doctors then the Holy Child Je-
fus prefented himfelf on the third day after his with-drawing
from his parents ( for it is not likely that he appeared in this
affembly more then once , which would have caufed fome
greater inquiry after him, contrary to the predefigned privacy
and obfcurity of his Education ) after he had fpent the two
former daies ( as is faid of Anna ) in the Temple in praier and
falling, and fo as when he was in the Defart; or, at fome times, in
going forth, and in humility begging from other's charity,
what was necefTary for his fuftenance. Here then the Text
faith our young Lord fate in the midft of them fthey being
placed in a femi-circle ) among other perfons perhaps not
much elder, who were then prelent, and fate at their feet to
hear and learn. Here our Lord attentivejy hearkned to their
difcourfes and in things difficult or not fufficiently explained,
M asked them ( as perhaps other their Schollars did ) with a mo-
deity becoming his age, his qiieftions s but then, fome of thefe
Mat 3.1 z-. at ieaft being fuchasthey could not well refolve (like thofe
afterward, whether Johns Baptilm was from Heaven or of Men ?
and How David called Chrift his Lord, the Lord being his Son? )
He, to give them fome light, fo much as his Father permitted,
whatperfon He was, and to (hew them manifeftly in thofe im-
mature years that his wifdom was from above , and that he
asked fuch things not for his own but their learning, He ( be-
ing that Eternal wifdom that compofed thofe laws, and rn-
fpired thofe prophecies which they expounded ) gave them al-
fo the folutions to thofequeftions wherein they were deficient.
He fate ( faith the Text ) in the midft of them, not only hearing
but askifig them -Quejlions ; And not this only ( which Schol-
lars ufually do), but giving anfwers alio ; anfwers probably
not only to their Queftions, but to his own, when they could
not refolve them ; and fuch anfwers, as that all that heard him
were ajloriijhcd ( faith the Text ) at his underjta?iding. All which
fliews Something very extraordinary and divine in this his ap-
pearance. Where alfo, Himfelf guiding thele difcourfes, as
He did, when He went up into the Chair at Nazareth, the
opening of the Books at fuch a place as fpake of Himfelf, we
may
^.i 12. of cur Savior Jefus Chrift. 8 7
may imagine the fubject was fome thing conceming*,Wie Re-
velation and coming of the Meffiasj whole gracious fpeeches
there delivered, as with the modeity of a Child, fo with the gra-
vity and authority of a Law-giver fent from Heaven ; and ,
now alio, not as the Scribes, but with ftrange force and in-
ward conviction to his Auditors, filled them and the others his
hearers with ftrange admiration. "And this admiration pro-
bably would have produced a further inquiry after him, had
not, in the height of fuch their aftonifhment , the entrance
in of fuch mean people, as his parents, conduced on the other
fide to abate their great efteem of hjin, and ferved to draw a.
veil over the faces of fuch either lazy fearchers, or already en-
vious Rivals, that they could not diicern him. When as the
meannefs of his Education fhould have rather increafed a dili-
gent queft after him, the more they faw no human way of his
attaining either fuch fcience, or Spirit and Confidence.
But leaving him here thus employed in lis qua fuere Patris, §. 112.
let us return to the fad Mother and her Husband ; who, per- *
ceiving the Holy Child ftrayed from them at their going out
of the City, and after fome fearch there-about not finding him,
imagined him to have bin gone a little before in the company -
of fome of their friends and Kindred, and fo made the more haft,
for this, out of Town 5 and went fo much the fafter from the
place where he was to overtake him upon the way. After hav-
ing finifhedthus in a longing expectation their firftdaies jour-
ney homeward, and not having found the Child at night fas
they had hoped ) among their friends, they fell now, efpeci-
ally his tender Mother, into no fmall folicitude and jealoufie
concerning him. Now came into their minds the firft noife
and difcovery of him, raife%by the Shepheards, and afterward
much more by the Magi ; and then again S.Simeons and An-
nas proclaiming him in the Temple',- the Hereditary malice
of Herod's family and Party, and, who ever governed, his not
enduring a Rival : the fecret intelligence and Spies that might:
have bin fet upon him and them j and fome difcovery of his
removal into Galilee ; their own negligence in not more care-
fully attending on him and all his motions, whom God had fo
honoured and entrulted with the Guardianfhip of his Son;
and perhaps their fault in carrying him to jerufalem, when as
the law difpenfed with his age as yet for performing this Holy
Ceremony. Such thoughts as thefe might much afflict them,
befides fuch their love and affection to his molt amiable perfou,
and
88 The Hiftory of the Life §. 1 13.
and obliging behaviour, as could not with any patience en-
dure him to be out of their fight. In that iad night, what a-
bundance of tears may we imagine, especially his Holy Mo-
ther, to have powred forth, fo that (lie had great reafon to re-
prelent this her forrow to her Son as foon as (he regained him.
"Tour Father and I have fought you forrorvtng. How may we ima-
gine thisdefolate Virgin no& to have lamented like the Spou(e
in the Canticles chap. 3. 1, 2. &c : which alfo in a fpecial man-
ner was the Type of her, as one above all other Spouies the dear-
eft to her Beloved for ever. —Guiafivi quern dilexit anima mea ;
qucefivi ilium, (3 non inveni. Surrexi & circuivi Civitatem ^er vi-
cos G? plateas quajivi quern dilexit anima mea j quctfivi & non
invent. All this grief meanwhile was well known to, ajid fore-
feen by, her Son amidlt his Devotions in the Temple. But
thefe afflictions are the things which exceedingly endear the
Saints to God, and perfect in them his love; and therefore he
is fo liberal inbeitowing thefe upon them.
§. 113. The next morning they return back with fpeed toward Jeru-
falem; and at night repairing to their former lodging, neither
there it feems heard they any thing of him ( which argues, for
t this time of his abfence his pernoctation in the Temple ), and
fo they mud pafs this fecond night alio in great defolation.
On the third day morning, conjecturing perhaps by his for-
mer practice, the place of his affections, they repaired to the
Temple, and there happily they found him : this forrow and
joy being a Type of that they were for the like time to fuffer
at his Death ■, anda after three daies, of their recovery of him
again in a joyful Refurrection.
And here, faith the Evangelift, they found him, fitting in the
midftof the Doctors, I fuppofeintne manner before related;
( unlefs this his fitting amonjg them and alfo his propofing Quejli-
ohs to them may be thought to argue his taking fome authority
upon him as an extraordinary EmbafTadour fent to them from
God • where the molt apparent maturity of his Celeftial wif-
dom abundantly fupplied the defect of his age.) At this fight
his Parents alfo were amazed faith the Text : For as it repaired
their joy, fo it could not but caufe in them alfo great admi-
ration,-that he, who had hitherto ob(erved fo much humility
and filence, and privacy at home among ihtfimple people there,
mould now on a fuddain difclofe fo much fpint, and confidence,
wifdom , and Eloquence, abroad among the moft learned,
fought out by him for that purpofe.
Our
§ 1 1 4,1 1 5 . of our Saviour Jefm Chri/l. 89
Our Lord, upon their prefcnce dutifully rifing and coming $. 1 1 4«
to them, and taking this occafion to withdraw himfelf from
that admiring Aflembly, his Mother, in whom this fight had
made ftill greater impreffionsof Reverence toward him, ask-
ed him, not to blame his action at all, but rather to be inform-
ed ofthereafbn of it, asalfo lovingly to condole her paft for-
rows forthelofs of him, why he had done i o to theni? Fili,
quidfeciJH nobis , fie f telling him, that fhe and his Father had
undergone a great deal of care and grief in feeking for him.
Where we may note her modeft including all me faith of his
action, that caufed her fo much pain, in one monofyllable
{.fie ]. To whom he anfwered, ( as unconcerned in any human
relations, and pleading no other thing than obedience to his
Father for his excufe, as he frequently doth elfe-where, See
John 2. 4. -Mat. 12.48 ) that they might have fpared fuch their
iolicitude,- that he was to mind and attend the bufinefs for
which, that his Father had fent him. Which early fervour of
his, for yielding in all things exact obedience to the will of hisf
Father, calls to mind what in the like cafe he faid afterwards,
Jo. 4. 34, inanfwer to his Difciples, —that it was his meat to do
the will of his Father ; and, Jo. p. 4. —That he mujt rvorkjhe works
of him that fent him ; zn6.,Jo. 14. 3 r, --That, as the Father gave
him commandment, fo he did ; and, Jo. 18. —That for this caufe
he came into the world, to hear witne/s to the Truth. Which now1
firft, when yet a child, he did in the mi.dft of the Great Doctors
by his Fathers fpecial appointment and order i and of the
Holy Spirit and wifdom wherewith he wasreplenifhed, if per-
haps now they would take any notice of this their Median : by
feeing the Holy Spirit and wifdom wherewith his immature
years were replenished, and by comparing his prefent age with
the time of his Nativity ; which God formerly made known to
them by the Magi : whereas they carelefly then neglected thofe
homages to him, which Strangers performed.
The Holy Virgin and S. Jofeph did not as yet well under- gltfm
Hand what our Lord meant by fuch an anfwer. They knew
well what he rrreant by his Father , but not by his bufinefs :
Thofe things in particular which our Lord was to do and iuf-
fer, in this his Miflion from God, for the Redemption of man-
kind being not as yet difcovered to them. Asirtdeedno Saint
was ever lo great, to whom God hath manifefted all hismyfte-
ries and Counfels ; but this is done by certain Degrees, that all
may depend herein wholly on his goodpleafure. Neither is
M the
90 The Hiftory of the Life §.116,117.
the ignorance of thefe things any fault in this BlefTed Mother of
laLut2-i^- our Lord. Of whofe perfections thus Cardinal Tolet; -Licet
magnam gratia & fidei copiam acceperit in Conceptione jua , G?
quando filimn concepit; tamen G? fide (3 gratia ac Santlitate in-
dies augebatur. And --Pojpint, faith he, multa myjieria igno-
rari , abfque ulla culpa j Of which Myfteries aifo he obferves,
that --Scepe datur major a agnofcere G? non minor a, inbis, quanon
propria virtute,fed divina gratia ajjequimur j ut Jic oftenderetur
omnia accepta ejfe a Deo ex gratia & benevolentia.
§• ntf* Meanwhile the Holy Virgin, whofe great Reverence toward
our Lordhindrcd any further inquiry into the meaning of his
words, or making any further reply, let none of his words fall
to the ground, but carefully treafured them up in her heart.
From whom 'tis likely the Relatersof thefe paifages to S.Luke
received them , becaufe this Evangelift makes ieveral times
particular mention of the diligence of the Mother of our Lord
in keeping fuch an exact account. So our Lord returned with
his Parents to Nazareth ; He, after this publick manifeftation
of himfelf, and great applaufe, continuing ftill the fame obe-
dience to them in ail things : and they obferving him ftill with
a greater degree of Admiration and Devotion.
In all which paflages it feems ftrange, that thefe Doctors,
after fuch a Vifit, and light given them of the extraordinary
quality of his perfon , mould take no further notice of, nor
make any further inquiry after, him: nor yield him any fu-
table entertainment. -But perhaps the coming-in of fuch mean
people, there appearing as his parents, might ferve in fome
manner to abate their efteem of him, and to draw a veil over
the face of fuch lazy inquirers, or alfo already envious rivals
( in theby-ftanding people's much admiring his difcoveries of
their ignorance ) that they could not difcern him. When-as in-
deed his mean parentage, if known to them , mould rather
have caufed a more diligent inquifition, the more they law no
human meanseither info young an age of his attaining fuch
fcience ; or, in a mean education, fuch confidence. But this
unworthy Generation was to be, as enlightenedfin fome things,
fo blinded in others ; that what was decreed might be done
unto Him.
$• ii7. Of the life and convcrfation of our Lord from the 12th to
the 30th year of his Age, the appointed time of" the third, and
yet more lolemn, manifeftation to Ifracl we find only thisfhort
account given by S.Luke ( who yet was more punctual than
the
§.n8. of our Saviour Jefus Chrlft. 91
the other Evangelifts in relating the pafTages of our Lords
Nonaged, that he was fubjedt, to his parents: and that he in-
creafed in wifdom and ftature, and in favour with God and
Man; that is, withthofe few, with whom he had fome fami-
liar acquaintance ; and elfe-where, that he affifted Jofeph his
reputed Father in his Trade and manual Emploiments. And
from this our Lord's permitting thatfo much of theftory of
his life ( inwhofe both words and actions, to thofe who were
witneflfes thereof, muft needs appear infinite wifdom, and fa n-
ctity, and charity ) mould be fo unknown to the world, we may
learn the little account we ought to make of our own fame or
Reputation therein j and to content our felves, as our Lord,
herein did, with the approbation and acceptance which our
good works or Virtues, if we have any, find with God, and the
everliving and only right-judging world of his the innumera-
ble Angels and Saints that are abovei For He only hath true
Glory and Honour, not whom men, but whom the Lord valu-
eth, and efteerneth; and Tantur qui/que , only , quantus apud
Deum.
Butyetfrom fome pafTages in Scripture fome other things * ri^
concerning our Lord's life and Converfationin this time may
rationally be collected. For firit, it may be gathered from
S. Lukes words chap. 2. 44, where his parents, miffingour Lord,
are faid to have fought him among their Kinsfolks and ac-
quaintance, that as in the time of his manifeftation and preach-
ing, hisconverfation was free and common with all forts and
conditions of men, fo that in his youth, as to thofe who had
any nearerrelation or neighbourhood to him, he carried him-
felf with much familiarity and affability: for he, being in no
peril of temptation or contagion of fin, what needed he the
relief of a more Uriel: folitude ? ( when the cafe is much other-
wife with any of us). Again, from S.Lukes faying, as, chap.
2. verf. 40, that he. waxed ftrong in Spirit, and was filled with
Grace and wifdom; fo, verf. 72, that he increafed in favour
with God and man [i. e. as he grew elder, he more and more
did things acceptable both to God and men. --Non quod (an*
Hior aut gratior ( faith Cardinal Tolet ) progrejfu temp or is fae-
rie, fed quod, pro atatis incremento, perfeftioribus gratia &fan-
Bitatts operibus incubuerit ; or \_fapientiora verba & opera pro-
ferret apud , or coram Deo & hominibus ; as the Sun, alwaies
equally full of light and heat, yet is faid to increafe them as
it dravveth nearer to us and we more partake them] I fay
M 2 from
9 2 The Hiflory of the Life §. 1 1 p.
from verf. ?2 compared with verf.4.7. that in the 12th year
of his age the Doctors and people in the Temple were aftonifh-
ed at his underftandi g andanfwers, may be gathered s that
during this time of his minority in his words and actions he
difcovered and lent forth continually many raies or his infi-
nite prudence, Sanctity and charity; not only before his Mo-
ther and S. Jofeoh, but among his other Kindred and familiar
acquaintance . and, that for this he was exceedingly loved and
admired by them, and they clearly faw concerning him, as it
is faidoftheBaptift Lu\. \.66. that the hand of the Lord vocis
with him. Out of which great admiration of him, we findthofe
called his Brethren to have followed him afterwards as well as
his Mother. But yet, from Matt. 1 3. ^4. &c. and Lu\. 4. 16. 6 c.
italfo appears, that he caft fuch a veil over thefe his divine
Excellencies, and was fo referved in his Converfation, that no
great reputation or fame of him was fpread abroad, not fo
much as in his own City. And hence the moft of them won-
dred afterwards at the firft appearance of thefe Divine Graces
in his preaching at Nazareth; they excepting, though not a-
gainft any delinquency or deficiency in his manners, yet the
meannefs of his condition ( the common object of contempt )
and his illiterate Education.
§. 119. z\y. From the words his Mother fpake to him privatly at
2. the Marriage atCana in Galilee ('where alfo our BlefTed La-
dy fhewed her charity and pitty to her poor friends or alfo kinl-
folks ) upon their wanting Wine, which words imply her de-
• lire that our Lord fhould furnilh them therewith; and, upon
his demur, yet her fpeaking alfo to the fervants to do what-
soever he mould bid them, it may be rationally collected ,• that
he had done privatly many miracles before-time in his vouth
in fome domeftick neceffities in the like manner; or, alfo in
fome matters belonging to his Trade. Tho this miracle in Ca-
na may notwithftanding ftiil be faid the firft, i. e. publiekone,
done by him after his beginning, when Baptized, tomanifeft
himfelf unto the world, (unlefs here we will lay the Blefled
Virgin had fome particular Revelation beforehand of this
firft miracle of her Son ). Nor may fuch Domeftick Miracles in
his youth be thought to anticipate the time appointed by his
Father for fhewing fuch works, any more , then his difputes
andanfwersto the Doctors at 12 years old the coriftituted fea-
fon of his Publi;k preaching. The anfwer alfo then made to
his Mother, that his time was not yet come, perhaps is not to
be
§.120. of our Saviour Jef us Chrift. 93
be taken fo in general, that his time of doing any Miracles
was not yet come, which was already commenced upon his
Baptifm ; but rather, that his time of doing that miracle was
not yet fully feafonable, till the failing of the wine more ap-
peared; or not now feafonable to doit in fuch a publick man-
ner as fhe expected our Lord, to fhew who he was, mould have
done it before all the Guefts ( fee the like expreffion Jo. 7. 6.
about our Lords going up to the feaft. ) For our Lord thought
fit to doit more privatl) , none knowing thereof but the Ser-
vants; upon which alio, perhaps intimated to her, it was, that
fhe lpaketothem to do what he appointed. But however, if
this be here underitood of publick Miracles, it oppofeth not
his doing themprivady, and within his own family even from
and in his Infancy upon neceffary occafionsv
3I). From other Texts itfufficiently appears, that after our $. I20;
Lord was of aconipetent growth, he aflifted with his own cor- ~ ■
poral labour his parents Domeftick neceffities, and wrought
at his reputed-Fathers trade, with fo me reluctance, we may
conceive, of his Parent's inclinations, and their greater admi-
ration oiluchan humiliation, confideringhisperfon: but this
inclination checked with a moft exact observance of him in
whatsoever hefeemed addicted to. I fay this fufflciently ap-
pears from the words Mat- 13. 5T, f6. and Mar\. 6. 1 ; where ,
(upon our Lords entring upon his office, and after fome time
coming alfo to his own Town Nazareth, with a train of his
Difciplesand a great fame of his Miracles following him, there
to preach theGofpel among his Kindred and acquaintance^,
it isfaid, the Citizens wondred whence he fhould have that
wifdom, andknowledg, andthofe mighty works, confidering
his mean education and Kindred among them, ftiling him
there the Carpentfs Son ; and, in ' .Marke plainly, Maries Son j
and himfelf called the Carpenter (for before that time it feems
S. Jofeph was deceafedj. Wherein we fee it was his Fathers
good pleafure, the more to mew Our Lords wifdom and know-
ledg, to defcend from above and to be infufed by him that fent
him, that he mould neither be fent to the famous School in Je-
rufalem for teaching and learning the Law, as S. Paul was Act.
22. 3 ,• nor to any of thofe Synagogues mentioned AH. 6. 9 i
Nor educated in the Temple among the Priefts, as Holy Sa-
muel was, being from a child dedicated to the Lord ; nor fhould
retire into theDefart for Solitude and Contemplation, as the
Baptift, (Lives furely our Lord, if indulging his own will,
would
94 The Hijlory of the Life §.121.
would much fooner have chofenj but in this his ftate of Exina-
nition mould defcend far below John, and take on him not the
form of: an Hermit or Contemplatift, but of a Servant and a
poor Apprentice to an ordinary Trade -, and herein mould earn
his own victual?, and fervejhis neighbours alio as any' had ufe
ofhim, for the greateft part or his life. And as it was appoint-
ed, that at i2 years of age, before fuch Divine knowledg could
be acquired by Induftry, he fliould make an admirable difco-
very thereof among the Doctors in the Temple, tho this was
then, ungratefully or aifo euvioufly, not taken any notice of
by them j fo it was ordained alio, that all his )outh mould be
ipeut in this laborious handicraft. Whereby it might be moil
evident, he ftood in no need of human Arts or Sciences, and
alio he might give the world an example, after fo great an hu-
miliation ofhis, being Gods only Son, notto difdain to lerve
out neighbour in the loweft manual offices, in any neceilities
concerning his Body, or alio Eftate, as well as Spirituals but
whereby allohe might the better difguile and hide the Digni-
ty of his perlon tillhehaddefcended vet further to the loweft
ftep of his Humiliation, and accompliihedhis Paflion on the
Crols.
For we find this education and mechanick trade of his to
have bin a mam icandal, and, ( after that his admirable do-
ctrine and works had given an occafion of his being more en-
quired after ) to have bin Ipread all abroad and well known
not only at Nazareth or in Galilee, but at Jerufalem: For Jo,
7. ij. in the third year ofhis pr^aching,as he taught in the Tem-
ple it is laid ; the Jews marvelled and faid, —How knoweth this
man Utters or learning having never learned. [From which alio
may be gathered that in his Sermons, like to that dilcourfe
ofhis in going to Emaus, were mixed many profound and con-
vincing Expolitions of the Law and Prophets, and fuch as were
not attainable by others, if at all, without much ftudy there-
in. ] To whom our Lords anfwer in the nextverfe giving this
reafonj Viz. that they might know that his doctrine was not
his [ acquired, by any his induftry or- Art ] but his that fent him.
[Learnt and revealed from above and brought out of the bo-
iomeof his Father Jo. l. 18.] And his very kindred, from this
mean exercife ofhis youth, when afterward he began to open
and dilcover the hidden trealures of his wifdom , not believ-
ing on him laith the Text y«. 7. S. asked him, why, if he was
fuch as he -made himfelf, heftaid amongftthem in Galilee,
and
§. 121.
§. 1 2 2 ,12 3. 0/ 0«r Saviour Jcfws drift. 9 5
and went not into Judea to fhew him'feli there among the
Learned j when indeed our Lords ulual abode in Galilee was
for the fafetyof his Life, Thus our Lords Carpenterfhip was
made no fmall mortification to him.
But yet this is imagined fuch Carpentors work as was exer- $#I22;
cifed at home; Some think that of a Wheel-wnght, and making ' '
Ploughs, and Yokes, and other inftruments of husbandry for
the fervice of his Neighbors. (Aratra conficiens &Juga bourn faith
S. Juftin Martyr ContraTrypbonem, a very ancient Father) ; this
futing much better wirh the retirement and Devotions of fa
Holy a family, and a'fo with the privacy of our Lord's educa-
tion, than feeking here and there work abroad in other men's
houfes. And this trade it isprobable our Lord followed for
fome time after Jofephs deceafe by thofe words in S.Marke.
—Is not this the Carpenter, the Son of Mary ; andfo, a little af-
ter our Lords Baptifm, mention is made of hs Mother only,
none of Jofeph; as Jo. 2.1. -Matt.iz. 47 ,• It; feeming good to
the Divine wiidom to leave our Lord, for fome time before
his manifeftation, without any reputed Father here on Earth,
whofe true Father was in Heaven.
Thus our Lord, the fecond Adam, eat his Bread for many
years in the fweat of his browes, fubie£ting himfelf herein to
the curfe laid upon the firft his finning fore-father in a Trade
requiring much ftrength and force. A^d his Trade an Emblem
(if happily an houfe-wrighrjof his rebuilding that houfe of God,,
which the other former had deftroyed.
4-ly. It may further be gathered from the many hardfhips §. I2^
fuflered even in our Lords tender Infancy, his being born in a -
poor Stable, carried away presently after in. fo weak an age
fome hundreds of miles into a ftrange Country } and again
brought back from thence j as alfo from what is prophetically
faid of him by David, In Labonbm a juventute, mca i A<2a_in k
from his many times profefling that he came not to do his own
will, but the will of his Father ( where his o\ya will denyetjin-
timates natural inclinations different from his Fathers appoint-
ment? concerning him, but yet^exactly fubjeclied thereto ),.and
that he came not to be minillred to, but to minifter » and, when
he had fo many attendants, that his' behaviour amongft them.
was as of one that fer-ved, and as one that waited on, and pro-
vided for them, whilft they fate at Table, See. -Luke 22. 27. ;fpo-
ken upon occafion or their ftnying among themlelves for -Ho-
nour i and about that time, aifo his walking their feet, and
laflly y.
9 6 The Hiftory of the Life §. 124.
laflly, from the Apoftle's expreilion, that he took orf him the
form, not of a man only, but afervant; From all thefe I fay
we may well argue, that his youth was not paffed without ma-
ny mortifications and hardfhips, fuch as poverty, and handy-
labour affords, many great felt-denials, an exact obedience of
his child-hood to his Superiours according to the rlelh , fuch as
a wife man fuffers-, whole duty obligeth him to thefervice and
fometimes undifcreet commands, though in things lawful, of
a perfon of much lefs understanding; unlefs we may rather
think, that the Holy Spirit by him guided his Parents in all
thofe commands, whereto it required his obedience.
M24. And among fuch his mortifications this feems no fmall one ,•
that, co: fidering who he was, the word and wifdom of God,
and by whom God formerly made the world, he fhould have a
law of filencefor fo long a time impofed upon him, as to any
function as yet of hisminiftry ordifcovery of his wifdom, even
when there was* in his feeing the great follies of the world, oc-
cafion, mall I fay ? dr rather a great neceffity thereof. Nay, in
the Sabbaths when all frequented the Synagogues ( which
were in every City, and there the law and Prophets read to the
people, Aft. 13.27.) and among others his moft devout Pa-
rents together with himfelf, that, after hisforementioned di-
fpute with the Doctors at jerufalem, and after he was now ar-
rived to mans eftate, from 20 years old tilt 3o, he fhould pa-
tiently ftand there among the reft in the quality of a mean
labourer, and this, the Law-giver himfelf, in (ilence hear the
expofitions of it \\ not alwaies free from errour, by others ; which
rendered his fellowGitizens fo aftbnifht, when afterward he,
who had binfo long* an Auditor with them, now (hewed him-
felf a Doctor. A ftupendious Humility and Obedience this,
fo long practifed, in loSovefaign a dignity : and an hard \z{'
fon for thofe to imitate, Who have parts'. To our Lord there-
fore, ftooping by Obedience to fuch a condition, feems prin-
cipally to be applied that complaint of the Pfalmift Pfalm.
38. "Pofui ori meo cufiodiafri, cum conjijforet peccator adverjum
me. Obmutui & humiliatus-fum, &Jilui a bonis f fermonibus ] &
dolor metis renovatus ejt. Concaluit cormeum intra me: &?'nme-
diiatione mea exardef'cet igftir, whilft he, whom a fire of Zeal for
his Fathers glory, and for the falvation of mankind continually
burnt and confumed, (See Jo.2.17 ), Converfed among the
ignorant, and finners, without being permitted either to in-
ftruct the one, or reprove the other j whilft he, who, to ufe
the
§.125,126. of our Saviour J efus Cbrift. p?
the expreifion ofElihu Job. 32, was full of words and his belly
as new Wine without vent, and thatbreaketh new Veffels ; was
fo long to be dumb and as one that heareth not, and in whofe
mouth are no reproofs ; No difcourfes I fay, faving fuch, as did
not tranfcend the appearance of his exteriour condition and
manner of Education and emploiment ; and fuch converfation,
as in a private life gave good example to his few acquaintance
and friends, remaining fo many years ( even whilit repairing
in the State of his man-hood to Jerufalem and the Temple,
and the great AfTemblies of the Nation at the publick feafts,) as
it were a Candle hid under a Bufliel, and not fuffered to diffufe
its light, walking in this moft difficult obedience, for fo many
years, to the good plealure of his heavenly Father: as alio the
iame obedience practifed the like filence whilft he fuffered lo
many falfe accufations before his Paffion.
And the Nazarens rude and uncivil entertainment of him, $• I2f-
when vifiting them afterward, and his Brethren and kindred
their not believing on him, fhew well how much he had in his
youth ecclipfed and made himfelf of no accountamong them,
at leaft thofe that were not more intimately acquainted.
Wherein he gave the world a great leflbn and example of tram-
pling underfoot any vain honour and Reputation, fave that
with God and the Citizens of Heaven. But indeed had our
Lord fooner manifefted himfelf to Ifrael, fuppofe even from
his youth, we may conjecture fuch effecl: thereof, either that
the glory of his wifdom and mighty works, with the envy of
the Great ones accompanying thefe, would have haftened his
Death and brought it fo much fooner : Or luch his Excellen-
cies and Dignity of his perfon, in a long time of Converfation
with them better known to the Nation, would have daunted
his enemies and prevented his Death, and deprived the world
of the precious Benefits thereof; and we may fay his Father
waspleafed that he mould befo long concealed to us, that he
might dye for us.
In this time of our Lords living at Nazareth, and before §. 126.
the 30th year of his age, isfuppofed to have happened the death
of S. Jofeph, there being no more mention made of him, as
of his Mother, and our Lord's Brethren, after our Lords pub-
lick appearance either at the Marriage in Cana, or elfe- where.
Itfeeming good unto his heavenly Majefty, that after his Ma-
nifeftation, though a Mother did, yet no Father real or reput-
ed mould, appear 3 that God might be the more looked-on as
N his
98 TbeHiftoryoftheLife §.127,128.
his Father, who alfo was profeffedby him to befo; no other
being in fight, nor receiving any honour as luch. Therefore
alfo is our Lord in St. Mark (probably after Jofephs de-
ceafe) himfelf called the Carpenter, and the Son of Mary.
But when ever S. Jofephs Death happened, doubtlefs it was un-
dergone with great Refignation, and content , and after our
Lord's having firft made known his heavenly Father's good
pleafure both to him and his Mother ; in which, all three moft
affedtionatety acquiefced, though Joleph by his Death in fome
fenfe was to leave andlofehis moft beloved Jefus, Viz. as to
the prefence of his Humanity, wherein his Saints by death do
now enjoy him.
s. 127. Nowthat, after fo profound an Annihilation and latitancy
of our Lord in fo mean a fortune and obicure place, the time
drew near of his manifeftation to Ifrael, ( being God at laft
defcended upon earth to reveal to men the whole Will of his
Father and all the Secrets of HeavenJ. A great perfon, and one
fanctified from the womb ; and —^uo non major inter natos mu-
lierum (as our Lord faith of him; was lent fome time before
to proclaim to the world the near approach and appearance
of this heavenly Prince, for begetting a greater reverence in
them to his perfon ; And alfo to prepare all men by a due
Confeffionof, and repentance and doing penance for, their
fins, and correction and amendment of their evil lives (which
is called the levelling Hills and filling Valleys, and making
the high waies ftreight) and laftly, by their being purified by
Baptifm, for a more worthy and Honourable reception of this
great Lord, whole Kingdom was not temporal but Spiritual;
that fo nothing in his Subjects at his coming might difguft or
difpleafe him. And laftly, was fent, after his making fuch a pro-
clamation of him beforehand, to {hew alfo and demonftrate
with the finger his very perfon to them, for removing all pof-
fible miftake, or juft excufe.
§. 128. The miraculous Nativity of this Forerunner of Chrift in the
"old age of his Parents, foretold by the fame Angelas was our
Lords, and his being full of the Holy Ghoft from his very firft
Being i his leaping and rejoicing at the prefence of our Lord
when he alfo yet in his Mothers womb, and their acquaintance
only before they were born ,• after his infancy, his leaving his
Fathers houfe, and retiring into the Defart and folitude; his
rigid dyet , raiment , and habitation in fome grot there ; his
non-converfation with men , and fo neither corrupted with
their
^.i 29. of our S avior Jefus Chrifl. 9 9
their manners, nor diffracted at all with human affairs, and
the Holy Spirit fupplyingto him all that knowledg of mens
perions that was neceflary to his high employments ,• the ma-
ny refemblances he had to Elias, and alio to our Lord, in his
doctrine and in his Heroical Virtues, and efpecially in his ftu-
pendious' humility, and fufferings, thefe things I (ay have bin
partly defcribed before §, 4. &c in the Relation of the Baptifts
Nativity, where the mquifitive Reader may review them.
To this great perfon therefore as yet in the Defart, being §. 129,
about 30 years of age ( the appointed age under thelaw Numb.
4. 3, 23 . for the Priefts and Levits to enter upon the exercife of
their functions ) and half a year elder than our Lord, as who
was to be his forerunner and to appear abroad looner, came
the word of the Lord ; that he mould now leave his folicitude,
and enter upon the Office for which he had bin thus prepared,
and which emploiment doubtlefs he had much expected and
longed for.
Upon which John came forth not immediatly to Jerufalera,
or into the Cities of Judea ( this honour being left for our Lord
himfelf, and the Kingdom of Heaven being to approach ftill
nearer by certain degrees) but into the out-skirts of the De-
fart of Judea, and from thence removing to Bethabara, ( where
alfo our Lord fo jour ned for fometime a little before hisPaf-
lion, Jo. 10. 40. ) beyond Jordan, near to the great Road from
the Eaft for palling over the River into Judea: by which way
thelfraelites, when they came out of Egypt, walking through
Jordan ( a type ofBaptifm, as alfo their palling through the
red Sea) entred into the Holy Land; and by which way they
were afterwards carried away Captives from it to Babylon,-
where alfo Elias, the type of John, after palling this Jordan,
was taken up in a fiery Chariot. Here then John in his Spirit
began to appear again, and to proclaim fas it were at a diftance
and afar off) the fpeedy coming of the Jew's Meffiah, and of his
Kingdom, and to fulfil the Vox clamantis indeferto fpoken of
in the Prophets. Some conjecture alfo the beginning of Johns
thus proclaiming our Lord to have bin in September, or the
feafts of Trompets, which was the beginning of the Civil year
of the Jews Lev. 23. z^'.-zs. 9. and this fameyear alfo to have
bin a year of Jubile, which well agrees with Efay. 61. 2. ~Vt
pradicarem annum placabilem Domini, and in which year of Ju-
bile alfo was a greater concourfe of people from allFonaign
parts : but the various computations of the age of the world ren-
ders this thing very uncertain. N 2 , Now
ioo The Hiftory of the Life §.130,131.
§■ 130. Now then the Baptift began, for a due preparing of the Na-
tion for the reception of io great and Holy a Prince, to ex-
hort the people to a Confeffion and repentance of their fins,
and the receiving Baptifm to that effect ( which he had orders
from him that lent him to confer on all fuch as were peni-
tent) andtoafpeedy reformation of their lives; for that now
ftiortly allflefli mould fee the lalvation of God; and for that
this Lord would come with his Fannin his hand, and would
throughly purge hisfloore, gathering the Wheat into his Gar-
ner, but burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire; and be-
caufe that now the Axe fliould be laid to the root of the Trees,
and fuch as brought not forth good fruit fhould be hewn down
and caft into the fire. Which things delivered with fuch an
authority and gravity put his Auditors into a great confter-
nation and fright, and fuddainly alarmed the whole Nation;
and efpecially the Hierofolymites, being at no great diftance
from the place of his preaching, and much frequenting him.
Whofe wonder alfo was encreafed by his appearance in iuch a
defolate pl*ace,and not coming into their Cities.And his ftrange
Kabit ofhair-cloth, and being tyed with a leather-Girdle, like
Eliah and feveral of the ancient Prophets Efay 20*2. 2l(jng.
1. 8. Z^ech. 13. 4. and his ftrange abftinence, not eating any
bread, nor drinking Wine, nor needing at ail any human
fupplies for his food : one part of his diet being a kind of
Locuft or Grafhopper, to be found every where upon the grals
(and which it feems was a Fare fometimesof the poorer fort,
in a cafe of neceffity eaten by them either raw or boyl'd, or
alfo faked and dried, mentioned in Levit. 11. 22. and allowed
there for a clean food,) ; and another part ( when thefe Locufts
not to be had ) wild honey, fuch as the wood-bees wrought in
the hollow parts of Trees, plentiful in this Country See 1 Sam.
14.25 ; and his abftinence fuch, as the Pharifees concluded fu-
pernatural,and fo effected by his being poffefTed with a Devihhis
lodging alio the hard ground in Tome Cave or Grot ; By which
things this Preacher of Penance appeared alfo the greateftiTtf-
ample thereof, that as yet the world ever faw. Thefe things
I fay ftill advanced their great efteem and admiration of him,
and gave greater weight and credit to his words; the Phari-
fees orientation of rafting being quite eclypfed by it. •
< I3I# To this alfo may be added his difcovering the fecrets of their
- ' hearts that came to him, anddifcerning their feveral fins and
Mat. 3. 7. deIinquencies,tho having no knoyvledg of, or converfation with
them.
§. 1 3 2. of our Saviour Jefus Chri/l> i o i
them. The Counfels and advices he gave them high and fub-
lime, and like unto thofe of our Lord. As, among others, that
given to the people for the larger extent of their charity, that
he that had two Coats mould impart to them that had none,
and lo alio mould do for Bread and Meat. Thefe his Coun-
fels rightly alfo fitted to every ones condition, whilft for the
amendment of theif manners each one defired to learn from
him thefeveral Duties of their calling ( the things belonging
to which he knew not by experience but the Holy Spirit ■ ) His
admitting f contrary to the Pharifees ) all perfons with an equal
maniuetude and affability- and not keeping more diftance
from thole efteemed greater Sinners, Publicans, or Soldiers,*
this reprehending the greateft with all freedom and without
fear before all the people ; and receiving the humble, though
great offenders, without expoftulation or reproach. All thefe
wrought in the people an Opinion of theBaptift, that he was
fome eminent Prophet, or alio the Mejfias, though himfelf fuf-
ficiently difclaimed it.
Upon this fame, To this new burning and fhining Light ( as £\r 3 2°
our Lord fides him ) a great conflux was made , after fome
time, out of the whole Nation , not only out of the nearer
parts of Judea , but alfo of Galilee. From which Countrey,
among others we find Peter and Andrew his brother intermit-
ting their fifhing and reforting to him,- as alfo Philip and Na-
thanael, Galileans. We find alfo, ^&r 19.3, fome Brethren
living at Ephefus, and Apollo of Alexandria, to have received
Johns Baptifm, which argues alfo a refort to him from for-
raign parts : unlefs we imagine an authority of Baptizing ei-
ther commitedby him to, or at leaft affumed by, lome of his
more eminent Difciples. Hither alio came the Publicans, and
the Soldiers, and thole that were efteemed the moft notorious
finners to hear his Sermons made of Repentance, and remif-
fion of fin, which feemed to concern fuch perfons moft. Thefe
therefore, terrified with his words, made humble confeflions
of their former fins to him Mat. 3. 6, Mar^. 1. y. ( as thofe
other Converts in the Ads did to S. Paul Ails 19.18^; promifed
amendment of their lives, were baptized by him in order there-
to : Laftly, asked his advice and directions concerning their
Duty in their feveral Vocations and Employments, where the
Gentlenefs and tendernefs, wherewith he treats the Soldiers a*nd
the Publicans ( yet the inftruments of fuftaining the Roman
Power ) is very notable • not bidding them prefently to defert,
or
i o 2 The Hi/lory of the Life §.133,134.
or change their Profeffion, or propofing to them any high per-
fections, as he did to forae others ; but admonifhing them ac-
cording to their prefent capacity, of avoiding thoi'e faults to
which their employments more tempted them: the Soldier
to do no violence to any, nor fallly accufe them to make way
for plunder j but to be content with that gain their wages af-
forded them ; and the Publicans, that they fhould not enhance
the Taxes upon the People, nor require more than was ap-
pointed them: inftru&ing them firft in acts of Juftice, and do-
ing no wrong to their Neighbour, whilft he exhorted others to
acts alfo of charity.
§. 133. And laftly, hither alfo came the learned and highly-efteerri-
ed Scribes and Pharifees. Many of them, as appears by what
our Lord faith Lu}^ 7, 3 o. ( though perhaps not all ) moved with
curiofityto fee and obferve the itrangely habited perfon, and
not with compunction for their fins ('as othersj, or the believing
what he was, or f aid ; no more than they did afterward our
Lord himfelf ; to verify our Lords fpeech. — Pauper es evangeli-
\antur. Thefe bearing a fhow of fanctity, and accordingly re-
verenced among the people, fo foon as the Baptift beheld, fee-
ing and knowing all their interiour by the Holy Spirit, he en-
tertained not them with the fame manfuetude and indulgence
as the poor Publicans and Soldiers, as the one appearing to
him interiorly clothed with humility and Contrition, the other
with Pride and Hypocrify; but prefently fell into a fharp re-
prehenfion of them before all the people ( knowing this the
proper way, if any, for their cure ) : calling them a generation
of Serpents ('which was alio our Lords language afterwards )
denouncing to them the NoviJJima the great wrath to come;
and fuchfruitlefs Trees, and chaff their being caft into an un-
quenchable fire,unlefs a fpeedy repentance for their fins and re-
formation of their manners prevented it. And feeing them,
from the approaching Meffiah he foretold, expecting much
contrary to what he faid at his coming, ( as heirs of the pro-
mifes made to their Father Abraham ), all Glory, and profpe-
rity,and Dominion, over the Gentiles,he fore-fignified to them,
by ufing a fimilitude from the Rocks and Stones that lay a-
bouthim, that God, upon their incredulity and impenitency
abandoning them, could raife unto Abraham another feed,
i. e. out of the yet ltony-hearted and unbelieving Gentiles. As
indeed not long after he did.
§. 134- The Baptift thus had for fome time executed his Office, and
made
§.I35,13^# of our Saviour Jefus Ckrift. ] 103
made a preparatory commencement of the Gofpeh accord-
ing as our Lord faith (Mat. n. i^.) —that the Law and the
Prophets were till John ; but that from his dates the Kingdom of
Heaven, or of the Gofpd, fujfered violence [ i. e. whilft whole mul-
titudes and crowds of people. Soldiers, Publicans, Sinners, came
flocking into it]. Though indeed the Apoftles of our Lord,
confummating the preaching of this Evangelium , with the
Holy Ghoft descending on the people , baptized with it by
them, and doing of all forts of Miracles in confirmation of
what they divulged , far tranfcended the beginnings of the
Baptift; and|fothe leaft of them, in this refpect, was greater
than he, asourLordlaith, Matt. 11. n. John then was a pro-
dromus preaching fo, as our Lord afterward, the Kingdom of
Heaven at hand, and judgment and wrath to come on the im-
penitent and unbelieving. Confeflion, repentance, and fo re-
million of fin ( not by Johns Baptifm, this being only with wa-
ter and tobeconfummated in the other) but by the Baptifm
of him that was to come after him, who mould baptize them
with the Holy Ghoft, Jo. 1. and who was the Lamb of God that
mould takeaway the fins of the world, and in whom they were
to believe Ait. 19.4.
Whereby it appears:that there was an obligation alfo remain- §. z ^ ^a
ing on all who poffibly could procure it,after Johns Baptifm, of
receiving Chrifts, which effected a perfect regeneration by con-
ferring the Holy Ghoft ; and that whatever affiftance alfo of
the Holy Ghoft may be fuppofed in thofe predifpofitions to
this perfect regeneration effected by the fame Spirit , as in
Confeflion of fins, repentance and bringing forth the fruits
thereof, and believing on the Meffias; which things were caufed J*** I<*% 45
in the people by Johns preaching, this alfo we have from the
power and virtue only of him that was to come after him. And
that thofe true penitents, who died under Johns baptifm only,
and without our Lords, became partakers of the Holy Spirit
and of falvation, in the lame manner as all the righteous de-
ceafed under the Law, i.e. through the merits of Chnft; in
their uling the typical Ceremonies relating thereto whatever
they were, accordingto the divine appointment.
John therefore told them, that our Lord, who came after, g. 1 *6>
not he, mould baptize them with this Holy Ghoft } and St.
Luke adds baptize them alio with fire. Where fire may be taken
in a double ienfe, either for the fire of the Holy Spirit , ele-
gantly oppofedby John to his water 5 or ( as fome rather un-
derftand
104 The Hifiory of the Life §. 137.
derftandit) the fire of the Divine wrath. For S. John's Spirit
had iomeof that of Eiias, and the context feemeth to favour
this fenfe: for there it follows Lut>. 3.17. whofe fan is in his
hand and the chaff he will burn with fire, the one or the other
baptifm fhew that of the Holy Ghoji or of fire was to be receiv-
ed by every one. Thus, after John had began firlt the preach-
ing of the Gofpel and ufing the new Ceremony thereof, Bap-
tiim, but deferred all the power and virtue thereof to Chriit,
that was then at hand. And great multitudes from all parts
were now gathered unto him, and a very great number ( as ap-
pears by the expreffion Luj^. 3.21.) at leait of the common fort
were baptized by him: and were in great expectation what
would be the end of thefe things, fince he plainly and often
told them that himfelf was not this Chrift, nor fhewed he any
miracle at all, hereby the more to exalt himfelf.
$• I37> After that thefe Preparations were made, and Our Lord now
alfo had compleated the thirtieth year of his age; at which
age the Priefts (as hath bin faid ) and Levits were admitted
to adminifter in the Sanctuary Numb.^. 3, 23 5 and at which
age his Father David was inftalled in the Kingdom of Ifrael,
and Jofeph advanced to the government of Egypt, Types of
our Lord -, Now was the full time come that he Ihould throw
off his longdifguife and manifeft himfelf ; And herein mould
firif. receive, in publick before John and all the people, a Com-
mijjion from his Father fpeaking to the world from Heaven, and
a Solemn Vnction to his Office from the Holy Ghofl.
He then, to whom alfo and to his Holy Mother, all thefe
S*V; things done by John were related by their neighbours, that he
might fulfil all righteoufnefs, and fhew obedience to all ordi-
nances inftituted by his Father ( Johns Baptifm being from
heaven and not of men, as he argues againft thePharifees Mat.
21.25.) as alfo that he might give good example to other Ga-
lileans (for which, fee what he did Mat. 17. zj.-utnonj'canda-
li-^emus eos in doing anything that lookedlike difobedience ),
not many daies after 30 years old, went up, as many others, from
Galilee, and humbly prefented himfelf among the other mul-
titude to receive Baptifm from John as & penitent, fo habited,
fo mortified with gtief and confufion; remembring the bur-
den he had taken upon him ( for our fakes ) of the fins of the
whole world, and compleating theConfeffion and Contrition
of all thofe poor finners, that flood with hm defirous of the
fame Abfolution, and among the reit even thofe of the Baptift
himfelf. " The
§. 1 3 8 ,13$. of our Saviour Jefut Chrift. 105
The place of our Lords Baptifm probably from John 1. 28.
was Befhabara : viz. where, the waters being divided, the peo-
ple of Ifrael palled over Jordan with Jofhua into the land of
promife j and whither our Lord alfo coming out of the Defart
returned to John. Anditfeemsby S. Lukes words, -in which chap. 3.21,
all the people were baptised &c, that there was a great conflux
of people to John at that very time; For indeed one end of
Johns baptizing was, that our Lord mould be made manifeft
to Ifrael Jo. 1.31.
The Baptift, tho living in the fame houfe for three Months §. i$8L
with him before they were born, had never before feen thisfa-
cred perfon, whom he wasfent toproclame ( the Divine Pro-
vidence, for avoiding any fufpition of fraud, or compact, fo
ordering, that they mould be educated in two remote and op-
poiite corners of Paleftine ) j yet prefently upon his appear-
ance by the Spirit knew him to beChrift our Lord. [ForS.
John's -Non noveramtfc. Jo. i. 33. ( as S. Chryfoftome and o-
thers ) is to be underftood more largely : Viz. of the time before
our Lords coming from Galilee, and before the folemnity of
the Baptifm j in which folemnity, becaufethe moft evident te-
ftimony was the Holy Ghofts defcent and fitting upon our
Lord, therefore it is inftanced in by the Baptift i as if he had
faid, I knew him not at all formerly, till the time when he
came to be baptized, and the Holy Ghoft in the fhape of a
Dovevifible to all fate upon his Head. The Baptift, then, pre-
fently knew him; and, much aftonifhed at his great humility
in offering himfelf to receive this Baptifm offinners, with a
like humility proftrated himfelf before him ; and telling him,
that himfelf had need to be baptized of him, defired to be ex-
cufed from fo great a prefumption, whofe Ihoos-latchet he had
formerly told the people Jo. 1. 27, he was not worthy to untie.
But our Lord now no way difp uifing or concealing himfelf to
John, with a word that (0 he ought to fulfil all righteoufnefs, re-
moved his fear and fcruple ; and fo in all humble obedience to
his good pleafure John performed this Office to him.
Our Holy Lord,fo foon as he afcended out of the water,with- $.jr 39^
out any entertaining himfelf with his Colin and fervant the
Baptift, though this was their firft interview, immediatly put
himfelf, upon the banck of Jordan, in the pofture of praier :
wherein we may prefume he offered himfelf ( according to his
words in the Pfalme ; — Lo I come, as in the volume of this book
it is written of me, to do thy will O my God ) to all thole hard
O fervices
106 The Hijlory of the Lift §.140,141.
fervices and fufferings for the redemption of mankind, which his
heavenly Father expected from him: as we find he did a little
<x0 beforehis paffion 70,12.17, defiringhim to glorify his name
fat which time alio his Father (pake to him, being in great de-
flation, from heaven in the hearing ofall the people. ) Whilft
our Lord was thus praying} and the Baptijt, who had had a pre-
indication from God that he fliouid diicernhis Son by the vi-
able defcent upon him, at his Baptifm, of the Holy Ghoft ,■ and
alfo thepeople ( who could not but obferve the extraordinary
reverence S.John gave to him, or alio fome of them hear his
words) had fixed their eies upon him j Behold, the Heavens were
opened : and firft defcended from them, with a ftream of light,
the Holy Ghoft in the appearance of a Dove (the innocency
and harmlefs fimplicity of which gaullels, peaceful and mourn-
ing creature Our Lord recommends Mat. 10. i<5 ; and feveral
qualities in it obferved to refemble thofe of the Holy Spirit
are mentioned by the Apoftle Gal. f. 22. -1 Cor. 1 3. 4. ) which
ftreaming Dovereftedor fate upon him, as was prefignified by
God to John, and probably remained fo according to Jo. 1. 53,
till halting toward the Defart he was carried out of their
fight.
$• T4°- This appearance again was feconded with a Voice from the
opened heaven, and from the Divine Ma jefty there, declaring
to the world This perfon to be his beloved Son, in whom he
-was well pleafed. The words, as alfo the defcent of the Holy
Spirit upon him, are pre-rela ted in the Prophet Efay 42. 1. and
cited alio by the Evangelift Mat. 12.18 ; and do reveal to the
world this joyful news, as if he had faid ; This is my Son, the
long expected Meffias, the new and perfect Legiflator, that de-
clares all my will , that is the Compleatment of all the Pro-
phecies, the only Mediator between me and finners j the Re-
deemer and Reconciler of the world unto me, and my meek
Lamb that takes away the fins thereof,- the only, Holy and
Eternal, High Prieft ,• Laftly, the King and Lord of the Uni-
verfe. In whom nothing at all difpleafeth me; and in whom
I have bin pleafed from all F.ternity ; and except in whom none
other pleafeth me; and in whom all others may pleafe raej
but, unlefs through him, I cannot love fiuful man, concerning
Gen. 6. 6. whom the time was that it repented me at heart that I had
made him,- but which grief this my Son hath removed and a-
gain reconciled all things to me.
§• i4I» The fame, with which words, were fpoken a fecond time
in
§.142. of our Saviour Jefu* Chrift. 107
in the Holy Mount out of a bright cloud nearer hand, when
this perfon, our Lord, appeared alfo in great beauty and Maje-
fty, and likehimfelf, -that this was his beloved Son, in whom he _ _
was well ^leafed. And this then added to it, that [ after Moles ' 1 7'
and Elias, the law and the Prophets, vanilhed ] they Ihould in
the laft place hear him : for which purpole, viz. their hearing
and obeying this Lord, alfo was this voice made unto the peo-
ple here at Jordan. Again, a third time, when the fame our
Lord, a little before hisPaffion, was in great defolation and
defired to be delivered from the approaching paines of death
Jo. 12. 27. but then afterwards refigning his natural will, as in
the Garden, prayed that his Father would not (pare him but
glorifie his name, (Viz. in our Lords palling through all thole
bitter fufferings preappointed for him j) his Heavenly Father
himfelf vouchsafed with a voice from heaven to anlwer his
Praierj telling him, he would glorifie his name yet again, Viz.
in the admirable Relurrection and Afcenlion of his Son, as he
had done already, viz. in his glorious Miracles ; where alio our
Lord told the people concern i ng this voice from heaven, that it
came not for his lake orfatisfaclion, who alwaies knew his Fa-
thers will concerning, and Love to, him, and the glory he had,
and ever was to enjoy, with, and from him ,• not for his fake I
fay but for theirs, that they, acknowledging this glorv, the Fa-
ther both had and would bellow upon his Son, fhoultl accord-
ingly honour and obey him. As alio now at his Baptifm., the
vifible defcent of the Holy Ghoft was for the peoples-fake,
that they might hereby know that he ( who was full of the Ho- -
ly Ghoft as much before as after this vifible defcent thereof )
had it in his power, by baptifm, to confer on others.
Often therefore alfo doth he mind the people, for their ad- §. 142J
mittance and believing on him, of this his Fathers bearing
witnefs to himjOf his Fathers fending him;and Sanctify ing himj
fee John 8. i8,5"4. -5.32,37. -10.36. which relates, as to his Fathers
teftimony of him by Miracles, fo doubtlefs to this fignal one
received before the beginning of his Miniftry at his Baptifm,
and to hisSanctificationat this time by the vifible appearance
of the Holy Ghoft fitting on him. And this very manifestation
thus ofour Lord to Ifrael the Baptift names, as one of the ends
of his own coming and Baptizing Jo. 1. 31. And moft congru-
ous alfo it feems, that, our Lord's Iuftitutioh of conferring
Baptifm for ever being in the name of the BlefTed Trinicy, Fa-
ther, Son, and Holy Ghoft, all thefe fhould firft after this
O z 'manner
i o 8 The Hiflory of the Life §. 1 4 3 , 1 4,4..
manner manifeft themtelvesin hisowiiBaptifm. Which Vn-
clion of his with the Spirit, foretold by Eiaias chap. 6i. i. our
Lordalfo in his Sermon LuJ^. 4. ig. openly applies to himfelf.*
And this was the firft Scripture, he as it were ca(ual!y opened at,
to explain it to his own country men at Nazareth.
$. 143. After this Teftimony given to God the Son, by God the Fa-
ther, and God the Holy Ghoft, at his Baptiim, in the midft
of the admiration and expectation of John , and the people
beholding him; our Lord, in the Vehemency of the fame Spi-
rit, which, alwaies remaining in him in the fame plenitude,
and not given by meafure, yet acted more or lefs in his Huma-
nity as occafion was offered, fuddainly departed out of their
fight, and went fpeedily toward the Defart, from whence John
formerly appeared, lmmediatly ( faith S. Mark ) the Spirit drave
him into the Wildernefs. And fuch Rapts of the Holy Spirit
have bin formerly feen, in Elias ('fee 1 King. 18. 12. -2 King. 2.
Act, %. 39. 1^.j andothers, with an elevation of their bodies alio into the
Air; tho probably not fo here, of our Lords.
By wildernefs alfo is here meant the raoft defolate, invi-
ous and unfrequented recefles thereof. Where were the dens,
& latebrx of wild beafts for their fafety ( for the Evangelift
faith, he was there with the wild beafts ; whence we may conje-
cture, John Baptift's Defart alfo to have bin fuch; however
fome would mitigate it ). Where alfo, we may lay, is the molt
ordinary dwelling and haunt here on Earth of evil Spirits; not
fo much by their choice ( though in fome refpect they hate the
places frequented by men, and where is fome greater appear-
ance of Devotion, and of Gods fervice, and worfhipj as from
their Condemnation and the Divine reftraint; See, Mat. 12.4?,
the evil Spirit, when having loft his pofTeffion of the man, his
walking in drie, or barren, and defolate places; and *Mar%. r.
3, their haunting the Tombs ,• and, Efai. 1 3. 21. and 34. 14, the
Satyrs daucingin fuch places; and, Apocal. 18. 2, Defolate Ba-
bylon becoming the Habitation of Devils. To which may be
added the experience of Hermits, that inhabiting De farts are
more molefted with them ; and here alfo our Lord met and
had his chief combat, with the Devil.
§• '44« Into this folitude then our Lord retired, after his being
anointed with the Holy Ghoft, and now fhortly to enter upon
his Miniftrv ; retired, as we fee with great fervency of Spirit,
to fulfil his Fathers will, i.e. the forefeen great Mortifications
he was there to undergo no way remitting but advancing this
holy impetuofity. And
§.145- of our Saviour Jeftts Chrilt. 109
And here he remained and feparated himfelf, during forty
daies. [ This being the round number ufed for 7. fixes of daies,
or. 6. multiplied 7. times, and a number in Scripture molt fre-
quently prefcribed by God, according to his Creation of the
world in fix dates, for the difpatch of any great work, labour,
or fufferings. Of which may be given very many inftances, if
this would not too much divert the Reader. See Gen. 7.4. 17.
-E^ec. 4. 6. -Jonah. 3. 4. -Gen. 6. }. thrice forty years. -Deut. 8.2.
-Gen, is- 13. ten times 40. -Judg. 13. 1. Jpoc.2»i. and about fo
many months was the time of our Lords preaching. See be-
fore §. ] For this time then, he fequeltred himfelf to be va-
cant (without admitting the diffraction of any human con-
verfe or fecular bufinefs ; and with thofe advantages , that
bodily faffing gives to the operations of the Soul) for fuppli-
cation and praier* for the folemn preparation for that high
fervice and minijtry he was now entring upon, and defigned-to -%
and again for the making a more folemn oblation of himfelf to
his Father, as to the molt voluntary undertaking of all thofe
hardfhips and fufferings that were fet before him, and that were
defired by him, in all thefe the more to glorifie his name. Now
though our Lord for fuch a more intimate converfation with
God, and perfect Contemplation, needed not to ufe fuch ex-
teriour means as retirement and abftinence from food , and
difmiffion from other Emploiments, by reafon of the iuper-
natural perfections, which from his Deity and plenitude of the
Spirit were infufed and refunded into his human Nature ; Yet,
as Suarez obferves. —Per cognitionem anima naturalem tionpo- in^.Thm a.
terat fine fpeciali miraculo multa Jimul perfetle confiderare i ne- ^«».D^. s§?.
que per operationem pbantafia fimul comitari operationem intelle-
ctus, fi circa res varias omninoque diver/as verjaretur. For that
naturally one action hinders another, atleaftasto the higheft
intention of it: which hindrance might alfo be in our Lord,fo
farashis Divinity pleafed toleavein his humanity alio thefe
finlefs infirmities- as arefemblanceof the conftitution of other
men.
We read of a like thing done by our Lord afterward. That, $.14.;
before the folemn election of thofe perfons,who were to be cho- "
fen by him forthe-prornulgation of the Gofpel through the
world, after his departure hence, that he retired alone into a fo»
litary Mountain the evening beforehand there continued all night
m prater Luj^. 6. i2i As alfo, when he was in Capernaum, be-
ing much followed, and prefTed upon by the people, he is faid
to
no The Hiftory of the Life §. 146.
to have made ufe of the folitude of the night, and to have rifen
a great while afore day, and to go into a folitary place to his
praiers. MarJ{. 1. 37. and faid Lu\. j. 16. to have withdrawn
himfelf into the Deiart for performing this duty. But how-
ever this be ftated, concerning the advantage our Lords Devo-
tions might receive from Solitude, doubtlels one principal end
of this his forty daies, and all his other, retirements afterwards,
was, that he might give us an example herein, and ihew us the
great neceffity of folitude, falling, and withdrawing from fe-
cular affairs, lor our enjoying a nearer conrerfation with God,
and our overcoming of Temptations, and efpecially, for our
better Preparation in the undertaking any weightier affairs:
fuchasisin the firft place the Miniftry, and predication of the
Gofpel.And another end feems to be this alfo ; that He, who, as
other Teachers lent from God, muftneceflarily fpend the moil
of his time in an active life and common converfation ^ yet
might alfo in thele his practices and efpecially this his for fo
long a time inhabiting the Defart,allow alfo, and countenance,
and recommend ( to thofe that have more need of, and are
more difpofed to it ) the other life, that is more addicted to fo-
litude, faffing, continual praier, and contemplation. In the
fame manner then, as ourLord is faid to have paffed that whole
night before the Election of his Apoftles, and the other times
of his repairing to Mountains and Defarts, Viz. in praier and
contemplation, fo may we rationally imagine him to have
fpent thefe forty daies, and nights ; and his falling, in fo great
a fufpenfion of his natnral faculties, to have bin an individual
companion thereof.
§. 1 ±6. 1° which forty daies faft and Devotion, Mofes, as a type, had
preceded him, once and again ; both firft in his receiving the
ExoJ. 24.. »8. Law from God, which he was to communicate to the children
-3428. oflfrael, asourLord now was thzGofpel; and,afecond time, in
his making interceffion for the people, and obtaining their
pardon. [ Concerning which he faith Deut. p.i%. -That he fell
down before the Lord, as at the firjl, forty daies and forty nights ,
without eating bread, or drinking water ; becaufe of all their fins
which they fnned ; and that the Lord hearkned unto him : ~] And, in
his then being admitted alfo, upon his earneftfupplication, to
fee Gods glory Exod. 33-18. -34. f. and as alfo, according to
this action of Mofes before, we may fuppofe our BlefTed Lord
to have thus alfo proftrated himfelf before his Father in thefe
forty daies, and forty nights, for the fins of the world i and to
have
§.i47iH8' of our Saviour J tfm Chrift, in
have offered himfelf, as Moies, to be made a curfe for our fake?,
fee G#/. 5.13. and £xo^. 32. 32. compare Z)£&£. 9. 2<5 -3 and foto
obtain pardon for all true believers. Ofwhom alfothe Goat
fent into the Delart laden with the peoples fins was, herein, a
type. And as this type Mofes in the Law, fo another preceded
in the Prophets; in Elias their Head, his failing forty daies,
in the fame defart and Mountain, as Mofes ; and He there hav-
ing alfo the Vifion of, and extraordinary communion with,
God. As alfo our Lord's humanity, afterward in the Holy
Mount, was admitted to behold his Fathers Glory, in a bright
cloud defcending upon the Hill, and to partake of the fplen-
dours thereof ; and alfo thefetwoMen, Mofes, and Elias, re-
prefenting the Law and Prophets, were there prefent to do him
Homage, in whom both the fe were to becompleated. Such
exact refemblance were the Law and Prophets to have with the
Gofpel.
The fimilitude alfo here is not to bepafTed by j which our §• J47>
Lordsbeing here firft conducted by his FatryfcHnto the De-
lart, before his beginning to take his pofTeffion of the inheri-
tance both of the Jew and Gentile promifed him by his Fa- r
ther, hath to that former divine conduct of the I/rae/ites, firft °J ' 2* S'
into the Wildernefs , after our Lord alfo, as they, had bin cal-
led out of Egypt, Mat. i. and the correfpondence alfo which
his forty daies abode there hath to their forty years. Yet in
this much unlike,- that he, in this Defart being prefTed alfo
with the fame neceflities as they, I mean as to hunger and thirft
after fo long a faft, and upon it by the Devil much urged to the
like offending of God j Viz. not by not waiting his good time ;
Yet he flood, where they fell : and with ail patience contrary
to them ( though having Miracles in his own power ) attend-
ed the time of the Divine good pleafure for his relief ; and here
alfo He, receiving at length the fupply of his hunger from An-
gels fent to him, maybefaid infome fenfe, as they, to have
bin fed with their food.
This then was another end of our Lords withdrawing into §. 14%,
this defolate place; that he might be there tempted of the
Devil, faithS. Matthew chap. 4.1, and fulfil his Fathers good
pleafure, in his being expofed alfo, like unto us, unto the en-
counters and ftrangely-rude treatments of the enemy of man-
kind, Satan. ( For who hath bin in his temptations fo rudely
handled and carried about by him as our Lord was ? ) and that
he might thus be, as the Apoftle obferves //<?£. 2. 17. -4. iy. a
more
H2 The Hiftory of the Life §. 149,1 50.
more merciful High Prieft to fuccour andafliftus in thofe our
temptations, the like to which he had experimentally fuffer-
ed himfelf •, and again, that He might alto in his falling, foii-
tude, and praier, mew to us the anues by which we alfo may
obtain the Victory over this Tempter. It was alfo melt con-
gruous, that the fecond Adam fhould undergo the fame com-
bat with him, as the firft who was foiled in it, and ruined by it ;
that fo he might recover mankind alter the fame way as he
was undone j and having firft mattered this ftrong man, who
could find nothing in him Jo. 14. 3 o. no pride of life, no difobe-
dience, no luftof the eyes or of the flefli, he might proceed to
ipoil his houle, and his goods, and the long pofleffion he had
gotten of wretched mankind : as indeed our Lord did triumph
over him in his following Life, Death, and Refurrection.
§. 149. Tothefe I may add yet another reafon of our Lords with-
drawing himfelt from John and the people ; namely to qualify
and leffen the great and fuddain fame that might be of him
(which alfo wa^one for our example) from that publick te-
ftunony they law given by the other perfons of the Trinity,
the Father, and the HolyGhofi (as alio in the reft of his life he
ufed frequent concealments of himfelf, and enjoyned others
filence for the non- preventing his future fuffenugs,) that fo
his fix weeks abfence and non-appearance might a little remit
the former expectation, and the Baptifts immediatly fending
all men after him, whole manifeftation was only to be difco-
veredby certain degrees, and therefore, when returning from
the Defart, his ftay with the Baptift, much proclaiming him ,
was only for two or three daies.
§. ifo. After his forty daies abode in this defolate place, proftrated,
as Mofes in his Faft, before the Divine Majefty in praiers and
interceflions, and fuch Contemplations of God as his types Mo-
fes and Elias had formerly enjoyed, and probably accompanied,
as they, with a fufpenfionof his natural faculties, and a perpe-
tual faft, our Lord began, when fuch his Devotions were end-
ed, and nature returned to its ordinary functions, to be vehe-
mently an hungred.
The Devil, even the Prince of them, as may appear from
Matt.zy.^i.-Apoc. 12. 9. who hajd narrowly watched Him hi-
therto, and looked upon him with fuch an envious eye, as he
did on our firft parents in their Innocency (but could not
attack him whilft in praier ) when this was ended, and he law
alfofo great an hunger topinclj pur Lord ( which our firft pa-
rents
§. 1 5 o. o/owr Saviour Jefus Chrift. . i i-t?
rents had not when he prevailed with them to eat forbidden
meats, ) had entertained hence fome hopes of prevailing upon
his infirm humanity, as he did on theirs 5 viz. not to wait for
his Fathers Provifion for him in due time of fuch food as was
neceffary, but with a power of Miracles prefently in an extra-
ordinary manner, after fuch a meritorious Act of forty daies
faff,, tofupply himfelfwithit. In which Temptation aifo he
hoped to make fome advantage in reminding him of the dig-
nity of his perfon, and fuggeftingunto him that he was the
Son of God. Efpecially at this time, the honour done him lately
Hot only by the Baptift, but from God himfelf, both the Father
and the Holy Ghoft from heaven; and now alfo the great
Change of his life, entring upon the office of the Meffias, might
feem to have elevated his thoughts, and ambitions above the
temper of his former meanly entertained condition. For tho
the Devil had heard thofe glorious words pronounced from
Heaven but* lately at hisBaptilm; and in his ranging every
where for prey, probably was well acquainted alfo with all the
former miraculous paffages of his life, lead alfo hitherto with-
out all fin,- and with all the prophecies concerning our Lord,
( if we fee how readily he afterwards quotes Scripture to him,
and hoV, in his firft aocofting of him, he preffed his being the
Son of God : ) yet fince our Lord was alfo clothed with our infirm
nefh, he might not io perfectly difcern the Hypojlatical Union
of fuch his lately aflumed Humanity with the Deity, nor how
far it might be inverted or affifted therewith, and its weaknefs
receive influences from it.
For this General enemy of mankind faw this his human na-
ture clothed with all the infirmities ( as here in fuffering hun-
garj and paflions or affections of it. Whereby his flefh, or fen-
fitive appetite, as that of others, did naturally defire things de-
lectable to it; as meat, drink, reft, fleep , &c. [But yet
thefe defires were alwaies fuch as were perfectly iubjected
to the guidance of right reafon , and wholly ordered and
moderated by it ; and fuch wherein he had hitherto never
finned ('though it is mod likely, that Satan had not forborn
before to tempt him, as others, to fome exorbitancy therein,
even from his child-hood ) ; and again were fuch wherein he
wasalfo, by reafon of the Hypoftatical Union ofthis nature to
the Deity, and perfect fanctification thereof by it, utterly im-
peccable ( though this not known to the Devil.,) Our Lord,
faith the Apoftle, not only felt our infirmities, but -was in all Heb.^jf*
P points
1 14 The Hi/lory of the Lift §.151,15 2.
points tempted li\e as we are, [ i. e. by external objects occurring
and inviting his nature to the ufe or them] but without Jin j this
fenfitive nature was ever fo overruled by realon, as never by
theleaft confentof his will, to proceed to any excefs beyond
the bounds let by the Divine Commands. -Poterat quidem anu
ma Chrijii ( faith S. Thomas 3. §.1 r. Jrt. 4. ) rejijtere pajjioni-
bus, ut ei non fupervetiirent, prajertim virtute divina : Jed pro-
pria voluntate Je pajjionibus fubjiciebat. And —In nobis qnan-
doque hujujmodi motus nonjijiunt in appetitu jenfitivo, Jed tra-
hunt rationem j quodin Chrijio non fuit : quia motus natur all ter
humana carni convenientes, fie ex ejus difpojitione, in appetitu.
jenfitivo manebant, quod ratio t ex his, nulla modo impediebaturfa-
cere^qua conveniebant. ]
t 1j>It Therefore, from this his liability to paffions, and the new
" change of his life, Satan conjectured a fair opportunity for be-
getting in his humanity, (in his former life hitherto fo poorly
treated,,) fome Elation of mind, and vain oftentation of its
tranfcendent dignity and prefent advancement. Or, luppo-
fing Satan knew fuch an Union of this his humanity to the
Deity, as that our Lord could not poflibly commit theleaft
fin, and that his prefent temptations were but in vain, (as all
his former had bin ), yet was his malice to him fo extream, as
it could not let him reft, fo far as God permitted; and he re-
joyced to give him fome moleftation, though with a greater
mifchief to himfelf j a quality we oblerve alio in the Devil's
children, malicious men,- who do not forbear to afflict their
neighbors, in their own fuffering much greater dammage.
f if 2, He then, asfoonas God had relaxed his chain, invades our
Lord: and probably appears to him in fome comely and Glo-
rious fhape, as we may conjecture from his laft temptation*
wherein he defires adoration from him; Or, as lome think to
be more futable to the place, mewed himfelf in the habit of
fome religious Hermite ; -Or, perhaps not difguifing at all who
he was ( which alfo was well known to our Lord,) fubtilly de-
iired fome evidence of the fupereminent Dignity of our Lords
perfon, as it were for his ownfatisraction, and that he might
know his due fubjection to him. His requeit therefore was,
that if he were the very Son ot God, as he was iarely proclaimed
from heaven to be,- he would, for the honour alfo of his human
nature hitherto fo meanly treated, now fhew an act of his Di-
vine omnipotency ; and taking fome pitty of its prefent necef-
fities command thofe Stones, that lay before him, to become
fo
§ . 1 5 3 , t $ 4. of our S avior Jefus Chrifl. 11 5
fo many loaves of bread ; efpecially lince in that defart place
he could expect no other ordinary fupply; f As indeed long
ago, in the like neceffity, the lame Lord out of the ftony Rock
in the Defart brought forth water ). And the more kind a ad
harmlefs the requeft herefeemed to be, the more dangerous
the temptation. Whilft hereby the Devil hoped to allure him,
for the glorifying of his humanity, to (hew fome fuperfluous
and vain-glorious act or his power, ( as he mingled, with our firft
parents taking the forbidden fruit, a vain ambition of know-
ing good and evil^j and to make fome breach or his former
refignation, and obedience in this his ftate of humiliation to
his heavenly Father ; as the impatient Ifraelites alfo in the De-
fart, when pinched with hungar, prefently became clamorous
againft Moles ; and would not attend Gods good time and
leafure, for making provifion for their wants.
Our BlefTed Lord, ftanding upon his Guard, and acting all §.1?$.
things according to the prefent defignof his coming into the
world, Viz. to do entirely and only his Fathers good will and
plealure through whatever fufFeringSj though he might here
with his molt Soveraign authority have, prefently, banilhed Sa-
tan from his prefence, as he did at the laft, and have difmift
himwithfome fharp reproof ; Yettogive us herein an exam-
ple; he chofc rather toanfwerhim ("though inch an one) in
the Spirit of meeknefsj and ( according to what S. Michael the
Arch-Angel did Jude 9, or, our Lord not indulging himfelf fo
much ) not medlingwith the perfon of the tempter, chofe
to reply to the Temptation. And here alio he preferred to
frame all his three replies out of the word of God. A direction
which the Apoftle hath left us, [ Take, faith he, the/word of the
Spirit t which is the word of God ] as for the moll powerful way
of repelling this evil Fiend by our fhewing to him Gods com-
mand contrary to his fuggeftions. As alfo our Grandmother
Eve, when yet in innocency, at firft anfwered Satan tempting
herG*«. 3.3, That me had a command fsom God to the con-
trary. This well : but fhe flood not firm to it.
To this firft Satanical temptation therefore, that he mould $. if a,
prefently with an extraordinary hand make the Stones about
him bread, to fatisfie the hungar of fuch a Supreme Lord, and
one fo dear to God j he, as it were, reflecting on the former mif-
carriage of Gods people, when an hundred and thirjty in the
Wildernefs, in their prefumptuoufly demanding a Miracle be-
fore its time, returneth to this Tempter thofe words of Mofes
P 2 in
u6 ThtHifloryoftkLife §-x55-
in Deut. 8. 3 . ( fpoken by Mofes concerning the Manna $ given
to them fo miraculoufly from heaven ) telling Satan it was writ-
ten there. —That Manjhal/ not live by bread alone, but by every
•word that proceedetb out of the mouth of God. The context there
runs thus. -He humbled thee, and Jujfered thee to hunger, and
fed thee with Manna [which thou knevoefl not); that he might
make thee \tiow that Man lives not by bread only, but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Intimating, that we
are, for any our wants, with patience to depend on the Divine
providence and provifion; who is all-fufficient and able with
a word to fupply our neceffities, as he did that of his people in
theDefart with Manna : as alio that his meat, and drink, and
life was the obferving his Father's word and command, and
the yielding a punctual obedience thereto : As if our Lord had
faid hereto Satan, what elfewhere to his Difciples, Jo. 4., 32,
34. —I have meat to eat that thou knowtft not of. My meat is to
do *fo/w7/ofhimthatfentme. But laftly, what need of a Mi-
racle here, where he could as he pleafed fatisfie his hungar by
otherordinary means; either by feeding on Johns food in the
Defartathand j or, by fpecdily quitting the defart, receive it
elfewhere ? Yet this our good Lord, who would not here, at
fuch a perfon's requeft, relieve his own forty-daies-faft with a
Miracle, did afterward , out of companion, and alfo to mew
thee who he was, with a Miracle fupply the peoples fait, though
fuffered only for a day or two Ma^. if. 32. Thus the Devils
temptation, inftead of elevating our Lord to fome pride, ( by
which himfelf fell ) or curiofity infhewtng vain-glorious and
fuperrluous wonders, or fenfuality in lufting after food, produ-
ced in him only an act of humble fubmiffion, obedience, and
refignation to his Fathers good pleafure and Orders.
5- iff* The Devil finding no entrance of Pride, or felf-exaltation
into our Lords humanity this way, prefently devifed another :
(Our Lords hungar being alio thus longer continued until all
his temptations were 4inifhed), and removes our Lord, out of
this privacy and melancholick recefs, into a place of greater
State, magnificence, and refort ; and io taking him up, faith the
Text, carried him fpeedily out of the Defart into Jerufalem.
Which taking him upy the Preface to the temptation following,
is to be reckoned alfo no fmall temptation, and trial of our
Lords humility, and annihilation ; tofufFer himfelf to be hug-
ged upon the moulders, or embraced in the arms, or touched
with the pawes of fuch an horrid and accurfed Beaft, as our
Lorda
§• 1 5 ^57. Gfour Saviour Jefu* Chri/l- 1 1 j
Lord, in whatever external Ihape, knew him to be. For the
tranfportation fceras to be literally underilood and real, not
repreientative only in a Vifion. Which Vifion would either
imply that our Lord's humanity mull be fo far impofed-upon
and deceived by Satan, as to think it real; or, if thistranipor-
tation known to our Lord to be only a fhew, rauft much weaken
the Temptation.
Brought hither, he carries him ftreight to his Fathers houfe, $.*/£„
the Holy Temple fumptuoufly built by Herod ; and lets him
on the very higheft place thereof, one of the Pinacles, we may
imagine,of the Porticus or tower, which was railed higher than
the reft oftheFabrick, and which faced the Courts. Here Sa-
tan, fuppofing the place might fome way alio lublimate our
Lord his thoughts, ( if it did not work the other way upon him,
that his danger of falling might beget fome fear in him, and
diffidence towards God ) j Here 1 lay he minds him again of
his being filled the Son of God; and that if he was f o , he
would Ihew to him, and perhaps to all the people that flood
in the Courts, fiffuch his ltation wasvilibleto them) who he
was: and would by an act of his power provide for his fafety in
fecurely calling himfelf down from thence, and relying on the
lupport of his Servants the Angels, waiting there to catch him,,
an hand he had much rather fall into, than thofe of Satan ,-
Efpecially, when from this fummity,\vhere he was placed, there
were no Hairs or other paflable defcent. And becaufe alfo it
appeared by our Lords lalt anfwer, that he made his Fathers
word his Rule, Satan now alfo produced Scripture ( as he ufu-
allydoth to thole he deceives, butmifapplied, that God had
given his Angels charge concerning him, and that in their
hands they mould bear him up, &c. which place, it not particu-
larly meant of him alone, yet,f poken in General of all Gods Ser-
vants, mull alfo be truely extended to his Son.
Our Lord ftiil remaining fixt upon the bafisof his humility, g y^7o
and no way moved upon the profpedt and glory of this City, or "
advance alio of his own, foon meekly returned him a fecond an-
fwer out of the Scriptures i out of the Law too as the former £
and out of the fame book of it, prohibiting fuch a facl: upon
anyfuch Motive or promife j the text being corrupted by the
Devil, as to the true fence and due circumftances thereof- tel-
ling him, that it was written, that we may not tempt the Lord
our God. The Text is found in Deut.6.i6. and the inftance there
made is, not to tempt him as in lylaflahj where the Ifraelites
fuflering
i iS The HiJIory of the Life §-15^159-
iuffering fome thirft, had not the patience of expecting the
time wherein God thought fit to relieve them, but irreverently
and ungratefully expoftulated with, and importuned Mofesfor
a Miracle in their fupply for drink, after they had but now feen
that Miracle tor i'upplying them bread, in the former Chapter.
So patient and refigned our Lord remained ftillin the place
and pofture as Saian had fet and held him in ( for he, who was
permitted to place him there, had not the power to caft him
down thence, io to try what would be the iflue of it ) till he
confounded thought of changing the Scene again , and, like
Balak, of trying his experiments upon him in another place,
and in a contrary manner.
§• ifg' Having therefore now attacked our meek Lord in two of
the three ordinary and moft effective forts of temptations, as
S.John reckons them, Coneupifcentia carnis as to eating, which
meat was rendredmore alluring by extreme hungar ; andjw-
perbia vita, fome vain glory, or Honour, when io mounted
on the top of a Pinnacle of one of the ftatelieft buildings of the
world, by there mewing himfelf fupported and born up by An-
gels in the Air ; he now thought of affaulting him with the third,
Coneupifcentia Oculorum, and wealth and Coveteoufnels j that
that Temptation might not be omitted toward our Lord, with
which we are moft frequently over-thrown j and by which
wealth and honour once admitted, he could atleaftfooner work
his ruine j thefe inftruments of his temptation being alfo great
tempters.
I . - Now laying afide therefore the glorious fuggeftions to our
- Lord of his being the Son of God, as in the two former; Satan
begins now to treat him not as Gods, but as the Carpenter's Son ;
and to take more upon him, and magnifie himfelf inftead of
our Lord, and to fee if he could trample upon our Lords humi-
lity, in whom he could not beget any pride. So taking him from
thePinacle, and from the prolpecT: of Jerufalem, he tranf ported
him to yet a greater and ftatelier height, the top of a very high
Mountain, as if to a place where himfelf was Prince and Lord of
all j and there makes a Scheme and representation unto him
of the great and fpaciousKingdomes of the Earth; and of all
the Glory and beauty, as it were, fet forth and fpread before him
in a large Map, and (hewed too all at once ( as it were in a mo-
ment faith S. Luke ) as all lying at his his feet, the more to
furprrze him. Then tells him, that all thefe arehis,and to whom-
foever he pleafeth he can give them, ( and the profperity and
flounfliing
§. 1 6 1 ,i 6 2. of our Saviour Jtfu* Cirift. 1 1 9
nourifliing of the wicked for a time in this world feem'd to
make good his words) that therefore, if he would but bow his
knee, and give him the honour due to fuch a Patron and Bene-
factor j All mould be our Lords, and he prefently poflefled of
them. Whence our Lord might fee, that, for all the high titles
that might be given him, he had been in the world but poorly
treated hitherto, in being advanced no higher than a Carpen-
ter.
It is likely that Satan fet forth this laft Temptation with §.161,
many more words ; and (hewed the many honours he had for-
merly bellowed upon his true Servants i Hoping alio, that the
fight and view of fuch worldly Pouipe might much work upon
fucha Novice, and one fo meanly educated. As our firft Pa-
rents, that fell, were taken with the glofs and beauty of the for-
bidden fruit Gen. 3.6. and as the Ifraelites, brought out of the
Deiart into the land of Canaan, were by the plenty thereof
Deut.3z. 15*. drawn away from God. --IncraJJktm, impinguatus,
dilatatm, dereliquitDeum Faftorem (uum. But very imprudent
and no lefs filly was fuch a propofal of his to our Lord, and full
of Pride and lies. Whenas indeed himfelf was a miierable
Bankrupt, and prifoner tied up in chains, not able to help a
poor witch, for all her, no* only worlhip of, but Contracts and
giving her Soul to him, to a fingle farthing; nor to take his
lodging in a filthy Swine, without an extraordinary leave and
permiffion : and, when as moft contrary, he, to whom he fpake*
was the very perfon, to whom all thefe things were given by the
Father, and who was the true Lord and heir of all. And there-
fore Satan in this third afTault faith nothing of his Son-JJjip ;
and having all things in heaven, earth, and under earth, to
adore andfubmit to him as fuch, will they, nill they, even Sa-
tan himfelf. And this perhaps was one way, how Satan hoped
his Temptation might faften upon our Lord, if he could, thus
at leaft, provoke him unfeafonably, at this time, to the challeng-
ing of thefe things to himfelf; andfofome little ftain of often-
tatibn, and vain glory might poflibly run along and mingle
with it.
But our meek Lord replies no fuch thing to him, takes no §. 16%.
notice of his fhameful lies ; nor the cheat of his deluding ap-
pearances,- but, after he had fhevved the higheft deteftation
of his endeavouring to rob his Father of his due worlhip, and
of taking this to himfelf, in thofe words fpoken to him, Get
thee hence Satan, ('as if his laft impudent, andblafphemouspro^
i2o 7 be Hi/lory of the Life §.163.
pofal had clearly difcovered to him who he was) he With the
iame fpiricof meekuefs, as before, anfwers him a third time out
of the Scripture, and the Law; that we are commanded to
worfhip the Lord our God, and him only to ferve 3 and in what
ever condition we are placed of poverty and want, may do no
prohibited thing to make our felves rich, great, or Honoura-
ble. Which if indeed we would, \etby this way we cannot
make our felves fo. AndtheDevil, fo oft as he faith this, doth
but lye to us.
Thus our Lord floutly repelled the laft temptation alio, the
luft of the eyes ( the furprifal of which muft be greater too in fo
barren a Del art ). And fo this being the uttermoft bait he had,
with which to have caught our Lord, and not able to difobey
our Lords words , Get thee hence Satan ( by the power of which
words our Lord at laft manifefted that , which he was not
pleafed to ihew at Satans requeft, Viz. that he was the Son of
God) this evil Angel departed. And now after the temptation,
( as ufually, ) follows a Confolation ; ( as alfo ( before ) the great
Honour done our Lord at his Baptifm was ftreight purfued
with a great humiliation ) and for the verifying of our Lords
moft patient and meek anfwer, that man lives and fubfifts, not
by bread alone, but every word that proceeds from God ; God
fent his good Angels to mini fter food to this his Son, as alfo he
had before in the Defart fupplied with the bread of Angels
cheanhungred Israelites, tho their murmuring and impatience
did not fo well deferve it ; and as afterwards he lent by an An-
gel, in a defart place, provifion to Elijah.
$l_l£il Meanwhile, theBaptift continuing all this time his preach-
ing and Baptizing, and reiterating in our Lords abfence, the
Meffias his being already come into the world; and upon it
fuch a multitude of men flocking to him, the Chief Council of
the Jews troubled at his high and reiterated Eulogium con-
cerning the Meffias, and alfo grown envious of his great Fame,
fent fome Delegates, who were of the Seel: of the Pharifes, to
examine from him by what authority He in fuch a ftrange
guife and Habit, allumed fuch a publick Office of preaching
and gathering Difciples to him, and by a new erected Baptifm
admitted them, as it were, into a new Seel: of Religion. Who
coming to himqueftioned, firft whether h« pretended himfelf to
be the Meffias, of whom he fpoke fo much, and whom that Na-
tion had folongexpecled $ ready, if he had affirmed it, to have
required fomeCeleftial evidence and figa thereof from him, as
they
§.164- of our Saviour Jefws Chrifi. 121
they did afterward from our Lord. To this he anfwered with
much afTeveration Jo. 1. if, to remove fuchan abhorred mi-
ftake from them, and from the people ( who alfo much debat-
ed in their hearts, faith S. Luke chap. 3 . 1 <j. whether he was the
Chriftor not). That he was not He, but only his fore-runner
and MefTenger. This denyed by him ; they asked him thenj
whether he was Elias, whom, being only tranflated hence, and
yet alive, they expected according to the prophecy of Mala-
chy, to return to them in the latter daies before the Advent of
theMeffias: which alfo denyed by him, (For indeed he was
not that perfon of Elias, which they meant,- and, who moft
probably, according to that prophecy, will return before out
Lord's fecond coming for a new Converfionof that Nation to
the acknowledgment ofChrift); Then asked they him, whe-
ther he was fome one of the Prophets returned again to life5
according to that fancy Mat. 16. 14. -Mar\. 6. 16 ; or, ( as o-
thers more probably underftand it ) whether he was that Pro-
phet fpoken of, and promifed by Mofes Detit. 18. 17, 18, that
mould appear like to him; and fo the people charged by him
with molt Ariel: Obedience to all he mould lay unto them.
Which Prophet indeed was the Meffias, and this laft but the fame
Queftion with the firft j but the Jews are faid to have imagin-
ed this Prophet lhould be a Companion of the Meffias, or his
chief Minifter. This again denyed: and he further impor-
tuned to declare himfelf what he was, He told them he was
neither Elias fpoken of by Malachy ; nor the Prophet fpoken
of by Mofes j but— The Voice of one crying or proclaiming in the
Defart, fpoken of by Efaiah, that they Jbould prepare the way fox
this their Meffias, and make his paths ftraight; and fo for this,
that he preached repentance and amendment of life, for their
more worthily entertaining him.
Upon this they queftioned him again, why being fuch an in- f i^4«
feriour Preco and MefTenger, and none of thofe perfons named,
he took upon him to inftitute fuch a new Ceremony, and
Baptize? Of which new Ceremony of Baptifm for remiffion
fin, to be ufedat the ccming of the Meffias, they had heard
fomething in the Prophets E^ek^ 36. zr, 2.6. -^jch. 13. 1, 2.
To which he anfwered; that his Baptizing alfo was only
a Preparatory Baptifm with water unto repentance, not
that folemn one which was to follow, that fhould enter the Peo-
ple into the Kingdom of Grace, and lhould be with the Holy
Ghofti and conferred by the Meffias himfelf, whom he pro-
Q^ claimed
122 The Hiftory of the Life %.i 65,1 66.
claimed now come. Of whom he proceeded further to tell
them, and all the people ; 1 hat though he came after him, yet
he was before him [even from all Eternity 3 the latchet of
whofe fhoe he was not worthy to unloofe ; that he was the only
Jo. 1. if. begotten Son of God, that came out of the bofome of his Fa-
ther, ( there knowing all his fecrets, and of whom he only had
alio alwaies a clear vifion and fruition ), to declare to the world
all his will i That, as the law, and myfiical Figures and Types
came by Mofes, fo Grace, and Truth by him ; and that all men
received what Graces they had from his fulnefs [though in-
deed it is fomewhat uncertain whether here the latter part of
this difcourfe be not rather the Evangelifts than the Baptifts ;
yet fee the Baptifts like difcourfe^. 3. $1. ] Laftly, that he was
already come, and even then ftanding among them. [Or that
but a little before (Viz. at the time of hisBaptifm ) ftanding
among them, ] though they knew him not.
$. 16 ?. For our Lord was returned again from the wildernefsto the
place where John baptized, there firft to chufe fome Dilciples
to attend him out of thofe prepared by John, and fo to enter
on his Office j wherein John for a time alfo was to affifthim,
till a reftraint mould be put thereto by his imprifonment. And
thus the Divine Providence ordered things, that by thisEm-
balTy of the Sanedrim Johns teftification of the prefent ap-
pearance of the Meflias fhould be immediatly notifyed to the
chief Rulers of the People. Though the MefTengers were fo
ftupid and full of unbelief, that they, otherwiie fo inquifitive,
touching this matter of greateft concernment, I mean the pre-
fenceof the Meffias, made no farther fearch at all, nor took
any notice of it ('which indeed had they profecuted, it might
have occafioned their queftioning and perfecntingof our Lord
out of the due feafon appointed for it ; ) but departed the
fame day to Jerufalem, being not above miles diftant from
Jordan, to relate the Baptifts anfwer to thofe who lent them.
§. j 66. The next day, after thefe MefTengers were gone, our Lord
appeared and fhewed himfelf to John , probably ftanding at
fome good diftance, and mingling himfelf among the people
that came to hear his Sermons : Upon the fight of whom, John,
after a due Adoration performed, and replemfhed with joy
( fuch we may imagine, as when at our Lords former approach
when not yet born, hefprang in his Mothers womb, and again,
as when he faid to his Difciples that the Bridegrooms friend re-
joyced to fee and heat the Bridegrooms voice John. 3. 29. )
Contem-
I. j?<S.
§.1^7. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift. 123
Contemplating alio the divine Meeknefs, and Modefty, but
mixt with Majefty, that appeared in his countenance, fell on
proclaiming to the people that flood about him : Behold ye
the Lamb of God that taheth away the fins of the world., this is
that Sacred perfon, I told you yefterday, that doth fo far tran-
fcend me, the Lord of his Church. Nor had I known him, but
that in my baptizing, God fent and revealed him tome, and
alfo manifefted him, as to me, to the people by the Holy Ghoft
in the fhapeof a Dove fitting upon him: and I faw, and now
bear record, that this is the Son ofGod&c.
Upon which fpeeches concerning him, remaining at fome s> ^
diftance, tis probable, that our Lord, intending the difclofing
of himfelf only by certain degrees , without any nearer ap-
proaches to John, prefently left him, and the multitude, ( ad-
miring, but not yet following, him) and retired himfelf, (where
God his Father had provided him an entertainment J till the
next day toward evening. When, as two of Johns frequent
Auditors and Difciples were (landing with him, which Difci-
ples our Lord meant to receive into his own fervice, he again,
on a fuddain Jbewed himfelf. Whom John beholding as he^
walked at a diftance, iterated his former teftimony concerning^
him. And joyfully faid to them, that there went the Lamb of
God, whom and not him, the world was to adore and follow.
So that hisv two Difciples (one of which was Andrew Simon
Peters Brother, the other not named by John, is fuppofed to be
himfelf i especially fince he fo punctually relates the Circum-
flancesas if himfelf prefentj much moved herewith, and per-
haps alfo exprefly directed by the Baptifl to apply themfelves
to this mofl Holy Mafler fo much excelling him, with much re-
verence flraight made toward, and filently followed our Lord :
not presuming as yet to fay any thing to him, but obfervinghis
motions, that they might not lofe him ; and this perhaps might
be, becaufe the day before, upon Johns like Encomiums, he
had fuddainly with-drawn himfelf from the People. Our Lord
looking back upon them , asked them , whom or what they
fought for? they calling him Rabbi, a Title given to no ordi-
nary perfon Mat. 23. 7, defired to know his lodging, and where
they might repair to him ( it wanting then only two hours of
night ) fince they had heard from the Baptifl fuch a Teftimony
of the fupreme dignity of his perfon, and were by him refer-
red to his conduct. He courteoufly invited them to it: and
there they (laid with him the fhort remainder of the day, where,
O* br
124 The Hiftory of the Life §.168,169,170.
by his heavenly Difcourfe to them ( we may imagine fuch as to
Nicodemus ) concerning the Kingdomeof God, and his com e-
ing into the world for the Redemption of man, they were ex-
ceedingly confirmed in the belter, of John's teftimony; and.
had their hearts ennamed by his difcourfesin fuch a manner,
asthofe that went with him to Emaus; as may be gathered
from Andrew's language afterward to his Brother Peter "jo.
1.41.
$. 168. The next morning, or perhaps the fame night, Andrew re-
pairing to his Brother Simon Peter ('For it feems their extra-
ordinary piety, as alfo it feems a fpecial Divine Providence,
had brought both of them from their fiming-trade for a time
to hear and follow the Baptift) told him the joyful news of
their having found the Meffias, upon their Matters the Baptifts
indication of him, and the familiar entertainment they had
received from him. Simon ( with his wonted fervour ) pre-
fently defired to be brought to him. Our Lord, at the firft fight
of him, toincreafe his faith, called him by his name, and told
him whofefon hcwas j and alfo then prophecied the fore-feen
good pleafure of God his Father concerning him; that he mould
be called Cephas, and mould be the principal Foundation-ftone
of his Church ; as our Lord more at large expounded it unto
him afterward in Mat. i5. 18.
§• I(*9- Here were now three Difciples gathered to our Lord, fuffici-
ently confirmed in their belief from his manifefting to them
his knowledg of every thing concerning them, the like to
which they had not feen in the Baptift. This day probably
fpent in inftru&ing thefe Neophyts, the next morning our Lord,
to check a little for the prefent the fpreading of his Fame,
(this Sun of righteoufnefs being fometime to mine forth, and
then again to be veiled ,• and, fo by degrees to difcover his glo-
ries as not to hinder his fufferings, which were alfo to be fulfil-
led ) and to leave John a more free Teftimony of him in his
abfence, purpofed to withdraw himfelf for a while from fo great
a conflux of People, and from thefe parts fo near Jerufalem,
intoGalilee, for theconfolation of his Holy Mother and kin-
dred after a long abfence; and whither alio the domeftick af-
fairs of his newly admitted Difciples, Galileans as well as he,
made them moft ready to accompany him. Who alfo had
already learnt either from 'himfelf or the Baptift his Name,Pa-
rents,Education, at Nazareth,Scc.
S- '7°' Setting forth this day for his journey, our Lord cafthis eies
upon
§.170. of our S avior Jefus Chrift. \ 2 5
upon Philip, a Galilean alfo,and fellow-Townfman of Peter and
Andrew ( perhaps then found in their company as a familiar
acquaintance, and with whom they had already entertained
fomedifcourfe concerning Jefus j otherwife Philip could not
have bin fo punctual in that which he faid to Nathaniel. ) Our
Lord feeing his faith and interiour inclinations, prefently cal-
led and admitted him into the Society; who was afterward a
chief perfon among the Apoftles; by whom the devout ftran-
gers that came to Jerufalera to worfhip Jo. 12. 20. made their
addreffes to our Lord. He prefently ( fet ail on fire,) to carry
it more forward went to feek out Nathaniel, an intimate friend
of his, and it feems alfo a man of letters. Who is probably con-
jectured from hisearly calling here, and from Jo. 21. 1, 14. to
have bin one of our Lords twelve Apoftles, called Bartholomew,
fo as Simon Peter is Bar-Jona : in which Roll of them he is ftill
coupled to Philip. See 2. Part.§. whom efpying alone under a
fig-tree ( perhaps at his Devotions ) he called him to him, and
told him theMeffias, thatMofes and the Prophets had fpoken
fomuch of, was come into the world, and that this perfon was
Jefus ofNazareththefonof Jofeph. For thus much he and the
reft had learnt concerning our Lord's fecular condition. Na-
thaniel ( as the more learned commonly are lefs credulous )
put a check to Philips forwardnefs, efpecially when naming
Mofesand the Prophets to him j telling him that furely there
was no Prophet, that foretold the Meflias fhould come out of
Nazareth ('which thing indeed was a great blind not only to
Nathaniel here, but generally to thelearned Jews that they
would not believe Jefus the Chrift ; and fo darkned in this,
proceeded ro fulfil the other prophecies in working his death. )
Philip, without farther difpute, bid him but approach to him,
and he would be abundantly fatisfied. So foon as our Lord be-
held him, he manifefted tc him his exact knowledg ('whom he
faw wavering in faith ) of all the former courfe of his life • and
that he faw him and what he was doing when alone under the
Fig-tree before Philip called him. To this omnifcience of our
Lord, Nathaniel now ( as' Simon Peter a little before ) aftonifh-
ed thereat, yeilds up himfelf and contemning his fcruple about
Nazareth, made a moft noble ConfefTion of our Lord ( doubt-
lefs from the fame Spirit of God in him ), as S. Peter did after-
ward Mat.16. chap, faying ; Rabbi thou art the Son of God [ for
fo the Baptift alfo before had feveral times ftiled him ] thou art
the King of Ifrael,that hath bin fo long expected by this Nation,
Our
i26 The Hi/lory cf the Life §.171,172.
$. 17*- Our Lord, upon, Nathaniels mentioning hisKinguiip,anfwer-
ed- that they fhould hereafter fee much greater Confirmation of
this their faith j and that the time mould be, when they mould
behold the Heavens opened , and Angels afcending and dc-
fcending upon the Son of man, ( for fo our Lord ufually,outof
humility mail I lay, or rather a ftroug love to his Creature
man, ftiledhimfelt ') afcending and defcending upon him, as
he being alwaies in Heaven as well as on Earth, and the iole
Mediator between Earth and Heaven, who alfo only had traf-
fick with Heaven, and knew all his Fathers fecrets there i and
again, when they fhould fee infinite numbers of them attend-
ing on him in his appearing at the laft day, in the full Glory of
that his Kingdom, which Nathaniel now confefled ; alluding
in all this to the Honour that was done to their fore-father Ja-
cob, after his lying in the field alone fo defolate and forfaken.
As alfo but a little before when our Lord was in the Defart, the
Angels had defcended and miniftred unto him. In the fame
manner after this, when his [udges asked concerning his being
the Son of God, he anfwered them, that hereafter they mould
fee the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven £i. e,
Mat. 16. Clouds of Angels flying and waving about him.] And elfewhere,
64. fome of his followers wondring at his fpeech of his feeding
Jo. 6. 51, them with bread which came down from Heaven: What ana
62* if ( faith he ) ye (hall fee the Son of manafcend up [ into Hea-
ven ] where he was before > And fo his young Schollar Nico-
demus wondring at his Sermon of mans being born again of
thefpirir, he tells him of things of greater wonder ; Viz. of the
Jo. 3. 9, 44. Son of Mans afcending up into Heaven again as he had de-
fcended from Heaven, and alfo was then in Heaven,
§- 172. Thus our Lord often reprefented to his Difciples and others
his future Glory, his Refurrection, Afcenfion, Coming in great
Majefty to Judgment, and that their faith in him might not
languiih rrom the mean appearance of things prefent. And
alfo this fuddain and relolute Confeflion of Nathaniel, who but
now difputed the matter, muft needs be a great corroboration
and conlolation to the four former Difciples gathered to our
Lord. All thele five, being perfons of much zeal and piety ( tho
moftof them not wealthy ), had left their daily imployments
and trade for a feafon to come, and hear the Sermons of John,
& receive, as his penitents, baptifm from himj and fome of them
at leaft were admitted into fome more familiar acquaintance
with him i and by this had more notice of our Lord 3 and God,
looking
§.173 51 74* °f ° ur Saviour Jefut Christ. 127
looking upon fuch their fiucerity, conferred on them the ho-
nour atter thus prepared by John, to be the firft Dilciples and
Attendants on his Son.
Inthis our Lord s journey into Galilee, he arrived at Cana, $. 173-
Nathaniels Town, not far diftant from Nazareth, and about
a daies journey from Capernaum, as may be gathered from Jo.
4.47. compared with verf. 5-2. which Cana alio our Lord took
in his way in the fecond journey he made from Jerufalem into
Galilee. See John 4. 46. Now lo it fell out , that on tins day he
came thither was folemnized a Marriage, and hither alfo were
affembled our Lords Mother and his Brethren, invited to this
wedding ( probably or fome of their near kindred ), the care
our Lords Mother had concerning the Wine, and her colloquy
with the Servants, fhewing ihe had fome particular intereit
therein. Hither therefore our Lord coming with his new cho-
fenDifciples, they were alfo invited to the marriage. And all
this feems punctually fo ordered by the Divine Providence, that
whereas our Lord had led his former life fo obfcurely j Now
the dignity of his Perfon, and Million from Heaven, and his Fa-
ther there, might be manifefted, in the firft place, to thele his
nearer Relations according to the flefh s for the rectifying any
their former mifapprehenfions , and their believing on this
common Saviour, and being made partakers of lo great a joy ;
and that alfo his inauguration into, and entrance upon his Of-
fice, might be celebrated with a feftival ; and this marriage
fignify that which he was one day to confummate with his
Spoufe the Church : and therefore is he very Emphatically by
the Baptift ftiled the Bridegroome, on whom himfelf attended.
Jo. 3. 29. that, whereas John came with rafting, he might en-
ter upon his Office with a feaft, and the children of the Bride-
chamber rejoyce with him ; therefore alfo his Miracle here was
corresponding , changing water and penance into Wine and
mirth, anfwerable to Johns baptizing with water, and he with
the Holy Spirit.
To give an occafion to our Lord"s firft Miracle, whereby in §• *7 4~
this publick meeting, he was tomanifeft who he was, whether
by the multitude of Guefts more than were expected (among
which was our Lord and his company ) or by fome other difap-
pointment ( for there being a Governor of the feaft befides the
Bridegroom, and a good attendance of Servants, and Wine
fupplyed in lo great a quantity for the Guefts, are figns that
that the Married were no very poor or mean perfons ) it hap-
pened
l\
128 The Hlftory of the Life §. 1 74,
pened fo, that at the end of the feaft there wanted Wine.
Our Lords Mother perceiving it, and folicitous of their cre-
dit to whom ine had io near relation, prefently told our Lord
of it, expecting he fhould relieve them herein, ( either from his
doing formerly (ome fuch domeftick and private miracles up-
on fome necemty in his youth at Nazareth, or from the Holy
Virgins having lome prerevelation concerning this future fact.
By our Lords reply we may conjecture, that this was fpoken by
his Mother before fome of his Difciples or Kindred, and per-
haps in themidft of fome Difcourfe, when as our Blefled Lady
imagined fome urgent neceflity thereof. Hereupon our Lord
for their Edification returned this anfwer to her. What is it
to me, and thee, woman, in this matter ? my Hour or time is not
yet. Signifying his already well fore-knowing by his omni-
fcience this want of wine, and the due time of fupplying it; and
that he was not to befvveyedinhis actions by any human re-
lations or refpects how near foever, but muft act all things on-
ly according to the will of his Heavenly Father. And thus
frequently he takes occafion to Vindicate his Divinity and hea-
venly Original, to beget early in his followers a right appre-
henfion of his perfon and authority, and omnilcient conduct.
Some fuch aniwer as here he gives alfo to his Kindred Jo. 7.6.
when they minding him of going up to Jerufalem at the feaft,
and (hewing his ftrange works there : faying, my time is not yet
come. So after his dilputing with the Doctors, he anfwered
his Mother, when (he told him, that they had fought himfor-
rowing, why did they fo, fince he was to follow his Fathers bufi-
nels > Thus raifing them to itill higher thoughts concerning
him. And we fee, for fulfilling the end of his coming into the
world, what adiftance he kept alfo from hisCofinthe Baptift.
And it may be obferved alfo, that upon all occafions he (hewed
laying-alkie any indulgence, or carnal refpects, or indearments
for his kindred, and a perfect abstraction from any inordinate
affection to them, (fee that place Mat. 12.48. ) for our exam-
ple j feeing how many are drawn to offend God, and loofe their
own Souls to humour, to gratify, to provide for, to enrich fuch
their near Relations. But this anfwer here our Lord ieems to
have returned to his Holy Mother thus before company, chiefly
bee a ufe he intended to perform this Miracle with all privacy
afterward, when difengaged of this attendance, and we may
fuppoie him to have delivered it with, fuch a fubmiflin of his
voice, and fafliion of his countenance, as (hewed him noway
difpleafed
§-i75,I7^» of our S avicur Jefut Chrift . 129
difpleafed with her requeft. And the BlefTed Virgin, thereby
well a fibred of the facl:, and thatheanfweredher with a dila-
tion only, not a denyal, halted to the fervants, and bad them
do what ever he commanded themj this her great faith well
preparing the way to Inch a great work, which prefently begat
lo many more believers on him.
There were Handing fix large water-pots of Stone, contain- §.17^
ing ( as the M<rf«7« is computed ) lome twenty Gallons a peice, ~"
that was prepared for the Guefts wafhing their hands, and pu-
rifying themfelves from any uncleannefs, they might have un-
wittingly contracted ( for, Mark^ 7<\- unlets the Jews warn firft
they eat not ,) as alfo for thecleanfing of Pots, Cups, and other
veffels jf if perhaps ufed by perfons unclean ). Thefe water-pots
thus made ufe of, and thereby partly emptied, Our Lord, after
fome time, retired from the company, and commanded the
fervantsto fill thefe Pots brim full of water } who, by this pour-
ing in the water lo immediatly before, could witnefs, that there
was no deceitful artifice uled in the bufinefs. Our Lord, with-
out touching the Pots, or ufing any other Ceremony, bad them
draw out and carry to theGovernour ( itQEccluf. Sz. 1, 2.) of the
feaft ; who tailing it, prefently called the Bridegroome , and
asked, whence came that excellent Wine, and why not it fpent
firft, a meaner fort being good enough for thofe who perhaps
would ufe it to excels : the Bridegroom being as ignorant as the
Governour, and fothe Servants examined concerning it, all
was difcovered, and Our Lord generally magnified j their be-
holding alfo the great quantity of it much increafing their
wonder. As our Lords Miracles alwaies fuper-exceeded necef-
fity, and in the Miracles of the Loaves and Fifties he would
have great plenty to be left. And fo alfo he gave extraordinary
ftrength and vigor to the infirm hereftored to carry away the
beds they lay on, to leap and dance, tominifter unto him &c.
Upon the fight of this his firft publick Miracle, the belief in
Him, asthetrueMeffiasthe Son of God, was much confirmed
in his new gathered Difciples , and many others. And the
matter of it, the wine he miraculoufly beftowed on them at this
feaft, an Emblem of the Holy Spirit, they (hould afterward re-
ceive at another, and at his laft parting from them: which
fpirit alfo then feemed to the people to have tranfported them
«ven as new wine.
After this ( faith the Text ) our Lord removed from hence, §• *76-
not to Nazareth though near, AlarJ^jS.4.. where he knew his
R former
130 The Hiftory of the Life §.176.
former mean and obfcure Education would much prejudice
their faith in him, as the Meffias ; and To his vifit bring a great-
er guilt on them, ( in which Act he mewed alfo, how little he
was fweyed with any human affections, ufually adhering much
to the place of our Education, and where men moft defire ap-
plaufe): But to Capernaum, the Metropolis and chief Town
in Galilee forpublick relort and Traffick j therefore faid by
our Lord Matt, n. 23. exalted to Heaven for its building,
wealth, and profperity ; fituate in the Borders of Zabulon and
Nephthali, Mat.\. 13. on the Eaft fide of the entrance of Jor-
dan into the Lake of Genefareth, or Tiberias, or Sea of Galilee,
as it isvarioufly called, being near 20 miles in length, and 6
miles broad. The water and the fifh of which Lake is much ex-
tolled by Jofephus, who very well knew thele places, De Bello
Judaico lib. 3. cap.i8.(See Rogier de Terre Saincte, faying much
what the fame lib. i.cap. 9. ) —Lacus Genefar {'faith he ) qua'
draginta fladiis in latitudine patens, centumque inlongitudine, a-
quce dulcis ejt atque potabilis. Palujiri enim crajjitudine tenuio-
res babet latices : (3 undique in littora ac arenas dejinens, purus
eft, ac prater hoc, temperatus ad bauriendum ; 6? fiuvio quidem five
fonte lenior ejl, femper autem frigidior , quam lacus diffufio pati-
tur, manet : (ejttvijquejio&ibus ejus a quce fub\divo perflate, id enim
fdcere indigents maris ejl , nequaquam aflibus cedunt. Varia
autem funt in eo pi fcium genera ab alterms loci pifcibus tarn Ja-
pore , quam fpecie difcreta ; mediufque fiuvio Jordane fecatur.
Thusalfohefpeaksof the coaft adjoyning to it. —Ad Genefar
vero lacum ejujdem nominis terra prcetenditur , natura Jimul £2?
pulchritudine admi/abilis. Nullum enim ip/a pro ubertate fui
negat arbujlum , totamque plantis conjevere cultures. Celi vero
temperies etiam diver fu aptijjima ejl. . Vaas fatft d caricas , [me
mtermijjione, decern menfibus fuggerit, cateros verofruclus anni
jpatio fenefcentes. Namprceter aeris lenitatem, &fofite quoque
trrigatur uberrima, qui Capernaum ab indigents apellatur. From
which fpringorftream this City it feems cookies name. This
Lake is encompafTed with the Tribes of Gad and Manafles on
the Eaft, and with thofeof Iflachar, Zabulon,aud Naphthali on
the Weft j the Country thereabout very populous , and the
Towns frequent, by reafon of the great fertility of the foil. De-
capolisnear to it, Coraizin at two miles diftance on the eaft
fide of Jordan on one fide of it, and Bethfaida on the other,
Cities near adjoyning: then the City Magdala, then Tiberias.
This City being lately repaired and adorned by Herod the Te-
trarch,
§.177* of our Saviour Jtfus. Chrift* 131
trach, and in honour of Tiberius the Emperor, this name gi-
ven to it j asalfoBethfaida was much adorned by Philip, his
brother, and called Julia. Laftly, Handing very conveniently
for our Lords making his voyages upon the Lake to feveral pla-
ces for his preaching. Moft remote aifo from Jeruf alem, and it
feems alfo from the Court of Herod, and fo lefs capable of di-
fturbancefrom thence.
He went down hither ( faith the Text Jo. 2. 12. ) he, and his J. X77.
Mother, and his Brethren, and hisDifciples. And our Lord
pitched on this City for the ordinary place of his refidence ; it
feems alfo that his Mother and Brethren changed their for-
mer habitation at Nazareth, and dwelt here.
The names of thefe his Brethren, Mat. 13, r r. arefaid to be
James, andjofes, and Simon, and Judas , befides Sifters there
alfo mentioned ,• and thefe are thought to be the fons of Alpheus See Kegefip-
( fuppofed brother to S. Jofeph, and ellewhere called Cleophas J £7/j*A j!T.
and of Mary his wife. See Matt. 10. 3. compared with Matt. 10,26.
27, T6. called Mary Mother of James, Mat. 27.56. Mar\. 16. 1.
and called Mary of Cleophas, i.e, as fome fuppofe, wife of
Cleophas Jo. 19.2 r. and called there Sifter to the BlefTed Vir-
gin, i. e, a near Kinfwoman. Unlefs we will fuppofe her to be
wife of Alpheus, brother to S. Jofeph, and Father of our Lords
brethren, and daughter to Cleophas a perfon diftincl: from Al-
pheus, and Brother to Joachim, the BlefTed Virgins Father, or
to her Mother Anna. But if C'eophasbe fuppofed Brother to
S. Jofeph, then Alpheus may be brother to the BlefTed Virgins
Father or Mother, and thus our Lords brethren will be his
nearer Kindred. Salome alfo, wife toZebedee, is fuppofed a
daughter of Alpheus, and fo her fons, James and John, our
Lords Kinfmen. I fay thefe brethren of our Lord feem to
have removed their habitation to Capernaum j For they made
not only this journey with him thither, but here we find them
again Mat. 12. 47. compare 13. 1. -and Marl^. 3.20, 21, 31.
comp. 2. 1, 13. -and 3. 1, 7. where the Synagogue is that in Ca-
pernaum. And it feems their fo folicitous looking after our
Lord Mat. 12.46. was for his taking fome refection, the im-
portunity and preffing of the multitude difturbing the due
times of his repair, Mark. 3.20. and excluding his neareft friends
from him, and his zeal alfo of inftrutting the p-ople, and
bringing them into the Kingdom of Heaven, whom hecompaf-
fionately beheld, Matt. 9. 36. as Sheep having no Shepherd,
(which zeal fome of his unbelieving Kindred thought mingled
R 2. with
132 The Hiftory of the Life §-l7%>
with fome excefs, Mtfr^.3.21.) making himnegle&his fufte-
nance, and the care of his Body. Here it was alfo, Jo. 7-3. as
appears by the context, that his Brethren, perhaps having alfo
fome little touch of ambition, fpaketohim, that he would go
and (hew himfelf rather in Judea ; fome of them having as yet
fome diftruft of his Meffiasfhip, and high pretences, when they
law him keep fo much in Galilee, ( though this neceffary for
prolonginghis life, tillthetime was come of his being offered
up, ) and far from Jerufalem, and the Higheft Court of the
Nation there, as alfo from the Court ofHerod. It is molt pro-
bable alfo, that thefe his Brethren attended on him in moft of
his peragrations and excurfions through the other Cities and
Towns of Galilee, and elfewhere : they and our Lords Mother
are mentioned, ./#?. 1. 14. among the attendants of our Lord
at his Afcencion; and if they had not bin part of his ordinary
Train and Auditors, he would not have called two of them,
Viz. James and Jade, to have bin of the number of the twelve.
And it appears that our Lord had many, as it were, conftant
followers of him foefides the twelve, by thofe 70, that befides
the 12, were fent abroad by him, by two, and two, to preach
theGofpel, Lu\. 10. 1; and by what S- Peter faith ^f. 1.21.
§. 178. As for his Holy Mother alfo, we cannot think but that (he
■ preferred the hearing of his Sermons, the beholding of his won-
derful works, and the confolation of his ordinary Converfa-
tion, beyond all other things of this world; ( but by which alfo
ilie became a great fellow-mfferer in all the affronts and re-
proaches given him in the moft of his life time, as well as at his
death. ) For we find many other women alfo, as well as men,
that were his ufual followers, and every where provided necef-
faries for him and his Apoftles. ( As alfo afterward fome of the
"Apoftles, in their Peregrinations, had the attendance of women
for providing them neceffaries, fee 1 Cor. 9. jt ) And fuch of
thefe,as wererich,miniftred to him alfo of their fubftance. -Ma-
M«t. 27 yj", ny women were there [ by the Crofs J faith S. Matthew, which
followed Jefus from Galilee, miniftring unto him.A.mong which*
faith he, wasMary Magdalen, Mary the mother of James and
Jofes [ our Lords Brethren, and fo (he the wife of Alpheus; ] And
the Mother of Zebedees children [Salome.] The fame is faid by
S. Luke 23. j-J". -24. 10. he adding there Joanna the wife of He-
rods Steward. And chap.%. 1,2,3. tne fame Evangelift faith,
that as our Lord went throughout every City and Village preach-
ing&c. the twelve were with him, and certain women, Mary called
Magda-
^.i 79. ' of our Saviour Jef us Chrifl. 133
Magdalen, Joanna, Sufanna, and many others , which miniflred
to him of their fubjiance. And we find Salome's requeft to our
Lord, for her two Sons, was not made at Capernaum, but fome
where upon the way, inhislaft journey to Jerufalem, wherein
flie, with many other women, waited on him as hath bin faid.
SecMat. 20. 20. comp. -17. 29. So that I may fay our Lord had
an Holy Court of pious men and women, following and attend-
ing on him, in molt of his travels. Among thefe therefore was
our Lords BlefTed Mother, and fhe moft diligent in the fame
offices, and contributing alfo the little fhe had, to the common
charges; or, fuppofmg fhe had nothing, was, by the other more
wealthy, fupplyed with necefTaries, as our Lord was. Yet I fay
not this of a perpetual, but of a frequent, attendance; whilft:
they fometimes alio were abfent, and ordered other necefTary
affairs : but then the refidence of our BlefTed Lady feems to be
not at Nazareth, but at Capernaum, whither our Lord made
frequent returns from his journeys about the Country. —As for
the Nazaren's words, Mat. 1?. ;6. — HisSifters are they not all
with us? This may be faid only of his Sifters exclufively, to his
Mother or Brethren; or may be underftood of their ordinary
former abode there.
Our Lords ftaying at Capernaum was not long, the great fo- < x T'
lemn Pafchal feaft of the Jews now approaching. He is com- "
manly (aid, to have received Baptifm from John, January the
fixth : after which, having fpent fix weeks in the wildernefs, and
fome time afterward with theBaptift, in collecting fome Difci-
pies, and then making fome little ftay at Cana with his kin-
dred, and the Pafchal Feaft being celebrated at the full Moon-
in March, accordingly, our Lords abode in this City was not
above a fortnight, or three weeks. In which time is no men-
tion of any publick Predication of his ; the entrance upon
which perhaps was intended to be rather at Jerufalem, and ia
his Fathers houfe ; there meanwhile employed in more private
Difcourfes, and inftru&ions of his Difciples and others. Though
his Miracle done at Cana, having fo many witneffes, mull needs
be much talked of there, and the Dignity of his perfon> and
the Baptifts Teftimony of him, by his Difciples communicated
to many others, and the fame thereof alfo gone before him- to
Jerufalem.
At the great Feaft of the Pafch he went up thither, accom-
paniedwith his Difciples j as for the obfervanceofthe Feaft, (o
there folemnly to begin his Office5. and the bufinefs on which
hilt
i 34 The Hiftory of the Life §. 1 80.
his Father fent him, in his Fathers houfe, now in the conflux
thither of the whole Nation j which the Baptift, his Forerun-
ner, was appointed to doonly afar off, in the skirts of the wil-
dernefs. All this arcording to the prophecy of Malachy, chap.
3. 1,2. Behold I fend my Angel and he JJj 'all prepare the way be-
fore my face. And forthwith the Dominator, whom you feeh^ and
the Angel of the Teftament, whom you defire, Jhall come to his Tem-
ple. And who Jhall be able to abide the day of his Advent , and
whoJhalljta?id to fee him ? For he is as it were purging fire, and as
the Herbe of Fullers &c.
$• l8o< Entring then into the Temple, and feeing it prophaned,
( though this was only in fome part of the outer Court there-
of J with Oxen and Sheep and Doves, brought thither to be
fold for Sacrifices, the place defiled with their Dung, and di-
fturbed with their lowing ,• and God alio offended with the or-
dinary frauds and lying, that ufed to be in bargaining; Bankers
alio having brought in their Tables and Baggs hither for
changing of forraign Coyne, in a place appointed tor lilent De-
votions and Praier, and for the Pnefts reading to, and inftrudt-
ing, the People; perhaps alio a greater value fet on this Cattel
from the fan&ity of the place, and their being there, as it were
already fet afide for Sacrifice ; our Lord feized with a great zeal,
for this difhonouring of his Fathers houfe, firftwent about to
purge it of thefe,and making a wnip of fmall cords, perhaps fuch
as was there ufed about this merchandife, with this he drives out
the Oxen and Sheep,and their fellers,and commanded the other
to remove their Doves, with aMajefty none of them durft to
gainfay or oppofe, but fled away from him. The Bankers alio for
haft leaving their money, which he fas if this in luch place
were more offenfive than the reft, ) poured out, and threw down
their Tables ; telling them all that they were not to make his
Fathers houfe ( herein declaring himfelf fo be the Son of God,)
an houfe of Merchandice. But there feems more to be myfti-
cally fignified in this action j Viz. Our Lord the Truth, and the
reality, now come into the world ; and his driving out of Gods
worfhip all the former Types and Figures of him, all the Legal.
Sacrifices and Ceremonies ; as alio inftead of the material Tem-
ple, letting up the living Temple of his own Body, now to be
ian&ified and filled with the refidence therein of the Holy
Ghoft. Gods dwelling in the Manual Temple being alio a
type of the Deity, dwelling in our Lords Humanity. See Col.
In
§.i8l. of our Saviour Jefus Chrlft. 135
la doing this, he was attended with his Difciples ( calling to §. 1 8 1,
mind that faying of the Pfalinift, -The z^eal of thine boufe hath
eaten me up j ) and with a multitude of People, beholding this
action, and wondring at fo ftrange a Courage, and attempt,and
the fuccefs. One of the greateft miracles faith S. Jerome, In
Mat. 2.1. 12. &c. that ever our Lord did, and which muft needs
raife great expectation in the people, what things would fol-
low fuch a beginning. And there appears an extraordinary
hand of Gods providence and protection in it, that our Lord
mould fuffer no moleftation for the damages thofe perfons
muft fuffer hereby, orftopbythe Gardsof the Temple, at fuch
great Feafts very vigilant ; and how equitable foeverthe fact,
yet being Cenfurable, in that it did not appear done by the or-
dinary hand of authority. No fooner was this done alfo, bur
that the perfons thus ejected by him had foon acquainted the
publick Officers and Magiftrates with the fact, and this, joyned
with the Teftimony of John concerning our Lord, and the
fame that was already fpread abroad of him, laid the Founda-
tion of that jealoufy, andhate, toward him, envying the great-
nefs of any, befides themlelves, which at laft ended in their
killing him.
The Court of the Temple thus cleanfed, our Lord began
thereinto preach to the people the Gofpel, and fo declare his
authority, and Miffion from God, and to do Miracles, that
fufnciently attefted the truth of his words. And among thefe
his Auditors was Nicodemus , a chief Magiftrat among the
Jews, and a Pharifee, who, prefently upon fight of fuch mira-
cles, became his Convert. But thofe other among them that
already envied, and had conceived a prejudice againft him ,
through very hardheartednefs, not fatisfied with what ftrange
things they faw,defired,upon fo high pretenfions of his,he would
fhew them fome fign ( i. e, from heaven, ) to confirm them ( the
Jews require a fign faith S. Paul 1 Cor, 1.22.) as they did often af-
terward i notwithstanding the Miracles they beheld at the fame
time wrought by him;which miracles our Lord,on the contrary,
ufed to plead, as a fufficient teftimony from God, of the truth
of thele things he delivered. Our Lord, though he might
now ( as elfewhere ) have urged to them the Signs, i. e, the mi=
racles they already faw done, yet here took occafion prefently
to declare to them, but fomewhat parabolicaily and obfcurelyj,
as their perverfnefs well deferred, that great and moft admi-
rable of all his works, that he would perform for the falvation
136 TheHifioryoftheLife §.182.
of the world, (fee Rom. 1.4.-^$. 2. $6.) namely, the railing
up again of his lacred Body from the Dead, after they had {lain
him. By which Refurre&ion of our Lord, He and his Father
confirmed to the world, the truth of hisperfon and doctrine ;
and he alfo mewed the firft Experiment in himfelf, of what he
promifed to us.
$.182. This further fign therefore he then promifed them, not fa-
' tisfied with his miracles, ufing only thefe few words. —Deftroy
ye this Temple and in three daies Ivoillraife it up; Speaking of his
Body ( faith the Evangelift ) which he might well call a Tem-
ple, fince the Deity inhabited it. See Col. 2. 9. as alfo S. Paul
calls the Saints Bodies the Temples of the Holy Ghoft. They
were already Tempters and Hypocrites requefting a (ign of him,
not to fee one, but ( he who for orientation did nothing not
giving them one) to decry himj and he knowing their thoughts
anfwered them accordingly with a Parabolical fpeech, exceed-
ing their underftanding not worthy to be plainlier dealt with.
Mat. 13. 10, 11. And thtfS'-at the firft, in this fpeech our Lord
laid a Foundation as it were (feeing how they would mifcon-
ftrue his words ) for his future paffion. So afterward at Caper-
naum, when he had done before them fuch miracles as the peo-
ple ( faith the Text ) were amazed at, being impudently asked
by the cavilling Pharifees that he would Inew them fome fign,
he anfwerd them to the fame purpofe, that there fhould be no
fign given to that evil Generation, but that of Jonah his being
three daies and three nights in the Whales belly, and after-
ward coming forth from it -t Now foretelling them of the great
defign of his Death and Refurre&ion. In Galilee again, after
the Miracle of the Loaves Jo. 6. they defired alfo at that very
time ( moftunreafonabiy ) a further fign from him, and urged
that Mofes had given them Manna from Heaven, and there
alfo in like manner our Lord prefently told them of his Death,
and his feeding them with his Flefh and Blood, and then of
their having everlafting life by it, and his railing them up at
thelaftday : thingsat which fomeof them alfo then took great
offence. So here alfo they, whether mifconftruing his words,
as if -he had faid, firft that he would deftroy their Temple,
( for this at his Death they urged againft him, and the falfe
witnefs Mark,. 14. 5. to fpeak home, interpofeth, that he faid he
would deftroy the Temple made with hands , and in three daies
raifc up another made without hands) and then that he in
three daies would build it again; a Temple that they faid was
forty
§.183,184. of our Saviour Jefut Chrlft. ' 137
forty fix years in building, in the one made him impious, in the
other ridiculous ^ and fo turned his mention of this his great-
eft work for the lalvation of mankind into a great fcorn and
flighting of him, and into the caufe of a quarel againft him ,-
till at laft they contrived his Death ) the destroying of the Tem-
ple he here {peaks of J and brought thefe his words againft him
tojuftifyit; andfoHe, in railing up again this Temple of his
Deity thus deftroyed, exhibited to the World this great Sign,
which at this beginning of his preaching, he engaged here.
This was the fuccefs or our Lords firft Sermon, and appear-
ance amongft them, as to the Pharilees, and their followers,
already much degufted with him, and filled with envy.
Yet many others there were, that feeing his Miracles be- $. 183.
lieved on him, at leaft that he wasfome great Prophet, fent
from God, among whom was Nicodemus. But our Lord, (la ith
the Evangelift, ) did not commit himfelfunto them,- admit-
ting them not into his familiar fociety, nor relied on their fi-
delity ; tor he knew well what was in them, and that feveral of
them would fall away, and efpecially in his laft tryal, molt un-
worthily defert him. Therefore, our Lord ufually, when at Je-
rufalem, after his publick teaching them in the Temple, and
hisdaies work there done, withdrew himfeif, and had no pri-
vate meetings and conferences ,• as he faid at his tryal, that in
fecrethehad faid nothing j and many times at night, remov-
ed, with his Difciples, out of the City j neither, though feve-
ral in the Country are mentioned, do we hear of our Lords
admitting any entertainments in the City , though we may
prefume, he wanted not fome Invitations. And all this was
but necefTary, for deferring the Confpiracies of his enemies, till
the due time of his ofFering-up appointed by his Father.
Our Lord continuing his publick teaching in the Temple, $. 1^4.
and doing Miracles, during the Palchal feaft, Nicodemus, a
Pharifee, a ruler of the Jews, as he is ftiled here, verf. 1. One
of the Sanedrim , and a perfon ftudied in the law, (for our
Lord, chap. 3. verf. 10. ftiles him, a Mafter in Ifrael, fhewing
alfo herein to him, that he knew who he was ; and on that ac-
count, blames his ignorance \) being already a Convert, (as it
is faid, Jo. 12.42. many other among the chief Rulers, wereaf-
terward, but timorous to confefs him ;-) came privatly to our
Lord, by night, for fear of lofing his Reputation with his fellow-
Rulers (which (hews a great envy and hatred toward our Lord,
already kindled in them i ) to be farther inftrucled of him, in
S the
13* The Hiftory of the Life ^.184.
the matters of the Kingdom of God, and life eternal,- confef-
fing to him, that his Miracles had convinced him, that he was
an extraordinary Teacher, fent from God. Our Lord very
courteouflv received him, and in a few words manifefted to him
fully who himfelf was, and the whole fubftance of the Gofpel.
At the firft, he began to acquaint him with the firft Founda-
tion of the Chriftian Religion, Regeneration: which at the be-
ginning he p opofed fomewhat obfcurely, perhaps to humble
Nicodemus his too much conceit of his ownknowledgj telling
him, that to enter into the Kingdom of God, one muft necef-
farily be born again; ( which word, """^tranflated here, again,
fignifies alfo, from above ) which Nicodemus much wondring
at, and /peaking ofentring again into our Mothers womb, our
Lord gracioufly explained it to him ; that he muft be born a-
gain, not of a woman, or the flefh, which would produce no-
thing but flefh, but of water, the external Ceremony appoint-
ed by God to be ufed in the new birth, fignifying a being
cleanfed and purifyedfrom former fin, and oftbt Spirit, which
might render a man fpiritual and enabled therewith to bring
forth good works ,• which fpirit infpires as it pleafeth, i Cor. 12.
4. -MarJ^. 4.27. unperceived by fenfe, and being as the wind,
of which we know not whence^ or whither it goes, but by its
effects do difcern the prefence thereof : and then gently re fleet-
ed on Nicodemus his ignorance, ' fo to render him more do-
cible and humble, ) that he, being a Matter in Ifrael, mould
know nothing of this. [For this Holy Spirit, and our Renova-
tion by it, is frequently fpoken of in the Old Teftament, and
fo alfo many types of Baptifm, and of the Sacraments of the
new Teftament, found there. See P/al. jo. 12,15, 14, 9- -142.
10, 11. -E^ec. 11. 36. -1 Cor. 10. 2, 3, 4.] Further told him, that
thefe things, he now fpake to him, were the loweft matters : but
that there was much higher, that he came to reveal to man-
kind from Heaven, and from God his Father. For that he
was the only begotten Son of God, defcended from Heaven,
and again afcendeth thither, and which alfo [according to his
Divinity,] remains alwaies there; who fpake nothing but what
he knew, and had feenwith the Father. See the like verf.^z.
and Jo. 8. 38. -r. 19,30. Becaufe God fo loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that men might not pe-
rifh, but have everiafting life j i. e, fo many as believed in him:
and that as Mofes lifted up the Serpentin the Wildernefs, fo
he was to be lifted up. See the like Jo. 8.28. [So acquainting
him
§. 1 8 5 ,1 8 6. of our Saviour Jefut Cbriff. 139
him.but obfcurely,with his death & fufFerings.]Thatwhofoever,
ftung with fin, beheld and believed on him might not perifh ;
but that thole, whofo did not believe on him, were already
condemned by occalion of his preaching to them, [ not for
their former fins, which he came to take away, but] for their
disbelief i See Jo. 9. 39. -12. 47, 48. [without which belief in
him, noforgivenefs of Sin. ] That he was the Light, that was
come into the world, avoided only by thofe whole works were
evil, audio who feared the dilcoveryof them by it, and there- .
fore made fuch oppofition to him. But that he, that did truth,
would come to it, as not fearing the manifefting of his deeds
by it.
Allthefe things he gratioufly revealed to Nicodemusj which, till*
delivered with his accuftomedMaiefty and Power, mutt needs
elevate Nicodemus into the higheft admiration and reverence
ofhisperfon, love and gratitude towards his mercy, and fami-
liar condefcendence (efpecially having already feen his mighty
Deeds confirming his words,) who henceforth continued his
faithful, though fecret, Difciple j and in the Council, when our
Lord was fpoken againft,^. 7. ft. defired they would but hear
him, what he might lay for himfelf: thinking that thus them-
felves might be as much taken with him, as was their Officers
in Jo. 7.45. and himfelf here. This of our Lords gratious dif-
courfe with Nicodemus : but whether all that is faid in S. John
chap. 1. from verf.io. to the 22. be our Lords words, or part
thereof, from verf. 16. be S, Johns dilating upon them, is un-
certain. And the like happens in many other difcourfes, found
in the Evangelift, much refembling one another.
ThePafchai feait ended, our Lord not trufting himfelf to §• T8<*«
the Hierololymites, Jo. 2.24. fwhere thePharifees, that had al- Jo. 1.24..
ready conceived fo much hatred againft him , in feeing his
boldnefs and fpirit far be) ond the Baptifts, and the great con-
courfe of the People to hear him, had fo much power and fol-
lowers,) departed thence, and went into the Country, and the
other Cities of Judea, where he was alfo followed by very great
multitudes, as appears Jo. 3. 27. and preached to them, we
may pfefume, fuch things as before to Nicodemus, concerning
repentance, and the wafhing away their former fins by Bap-
tilm, and their Regeneration of the Spirit ; concerning his Paf-
fion, and Million from God his Father, and belief in him for
remiflion of fin ; All which he confirmed alfo every where with
charitable miracles among them, in ejecting Devils, and heal-
S 2 ing
i4° TheHiftory of ' the Life §.187.
ing their Infirmities ( which miracles theBaptiftdid not,) ; there-
fore his Brethren afterward Jo. 7. 3. making mention of the Di-
fciples and followers he had in Judea, adviie his return to them,
and the fhewing his mighty works among them.
*' * 7* Herealfo he caufed iuch as were his Penitents (for he and
his alfo in the firft place preached Repentance, as well as John,
See Mar \. 1. iy.-d. 12. LuJ^. 10.13. -Att.%.\%.) and Converts
to be baptized, probabl ' many of them together, in places
convenient; to be baptized by his Difciples, faith S.John ;him-
felf not baptizing, except thofe his Difciples , that baptized
TLpift. 108. others, or iome one of them toadminifter irto the reft. For as
S. Auftin, he, that defcended to the Humility of warning their
feet, would much more totheminiftring ofbaptifm: but yet
if the Apofte, faith he, was fent to preach, not baptize ; much
more might our Lord, bulled in greater affairs, in teaching
and relieving the peoples neceffities, delegate this inferior of-
fice to his Apoftles, as a thing which was to be continued after
his departure, in the fucceffion of them to the end of the world :
whereas we do not find that the Baptift committed or propa-
gated this Office to any of his Difciples, but continued it only
himfelf till it utterly ceafed, after that our Lord became more
publickly known, at the time of Johns imprifonment, which
followed fhortly after. For Johns Baptifm was only prepara-
tory to thatofour Lords; hisfignifying remiffion and cleanf-
ing from former fins through faith in him that came after him
Aa. 19.4. Our Lords conferred an ability alfo toliveholily
for the future, by giving the Holy Spirit and planting Gods
Grace in the Baptized for newnefsof life i and bringing forth
good works. Though thofe extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit
alfo was not as yet conferred, as were after our Lords Afcen-
tion, and fending down the Holy Ghoft at Pentecoft hi all its
miraculous andStupendious operations and effects; Of which
effects it is that the Evangeliit fpeaks, when he faith chap. 7.
$9. That the Spirit was not yet given, becaufe that Jefus was
not yet glorified. Such a difference therefore being between
John's and our Lords Baptifm S. Johns hundred not; bye that
thofe baptized by him came and received it afterward from
our Lord, by the hands of his Difciples : as we fee S. Paul, meet-
ing at Ephefus with fome that had received Johns Baptifm,
yet rebaptized them in the name of the Lord jefus, Aci. ^9. r.
and it cannot be thought, but that many of thofe thou-fa-ds of
Penitents , Att. 2. 41. -and 4. 4. that were Baptized by the Apo-
ftles, had received it formerly from John. The
§.188,189. of our Savior Jefus Chrift. 141
The Baptift alfo, to give way to our Lord, fo foon as he be- $.188.
gan to make his peragrations in the Country and Cities of Ju-
dea, had removed farther off toward Galilee ; and fo nearer
alio to the Court of Herod ; He having often changed his fta-
tion, to communicate his Min (try, during his time appointed,
more freely to feveral parts of the Nation. Who at the firft
preached on the Weft or hither fide of Jordan, in the wilder-
nefsof Judea, '.vie re he had formerly fpent his life, not very
remote from his Fathers houfe ; after removed to Bethabara
beyond Jordan, in Peraea, belonging toHerods Jurifdiction,
where our Lord was baptized by him : Hence alfo departed fur-
ther from Jerufalem, f left as I faid to our Lord, ) and from
thePhanfees his great Enemies, into the more Northern parts j
baptizing now not in Jordan, butinEnon, upon the coaftsof
Galilee, not far from Jordan, and where was a River flowing
into it. Whence probably King Herod alfo, hearing of his
Fame, fentforhim, heard his Sermons, and confulted him al-
io in his Affairs. But of this more hereafter.
Whilft our Lord thus preached in Judea, and John in the $.189^
Borders of Galilee, the felf fame Doctrine and Gofpel ( Re-
pentance, and the Kingdom of Heaven, and Salvation brought
into the world by the Son of God, Jefus, to whom John bare
witnefs as fuch j; and whilft both were frequented by much
people, but our Lord by many more than John, as for other
reafons his great Majefty and authority in Teaching, his Mira-
cles ofall forts, fo for Johns fending and referring all men to
Jefus, and Johns Baptifm alfo relating to his, for compleating
it j Satan upon this begun to ftirupfome emulation and con-
troverfy between their followers ; and alfo concerning the di-
gnity of their perfons ( as appears by John's anfwerto themj,
which was to be preferred: the Difciples of John having a zeal
for their Mafterftrangeh fevere, and mortified in his diet, ap-
parel, fafh, retreats, and one from whom our Lord alfo re-
ceived his Baptifm, and yet feeing a much greater concourfe
of people after our Lord , one more free and popular in his
Converfation, and many more receiving Baptifm from him,
than from John ; and on the other fide, our Lords followers
among the Jews, juftly, and that from the Baptifts own mouth
and frequent confeilion, preferring both the Baptifm and Per-
fon of Jefus. This then doubtlefs was fome ground of their
Conteft ; but fome think there might be fome difputation alfo,
between the Difciples of John and of the Ph&rijees, concerning
the
i4 2 The Hi/lory of the Life §.190.
the Virtue of the former Mofaical Purification and cleanfing:
viz. whether thofe not equal,or much preferrable,with this new
Rite introduced by the Baptift, and afterward continued by
Jefus. Hence S. John's Difciples came to him, and told him
complainmgly, that the perfon who came to him for baptifm,
and 10 whom his commendation and teftimony had procured
fo much reputation, for which they thought he mould have had
the more refpeft for John, fell on Baptizing alio and gather-
ing Difciples; and that all people repaired unto him, they
meanwhile making no mention alio of his miracles.
$• 190' To whom the humble Baptift, as one over-joyed to hear
this news, to allay their murmurings, anfwers on this manner ,
and took thisoccafion to make them a Sermon on this iubjecl:,
the laft of his that theGofpel mentions: wherein he firft told
them; that no man could advance himfelf any higher, than
Jo. ip„ 1 1. ke ka j recejve(j favours from above to be j that they themfelves
could witnels the witnefs which he had alwaies born to our
Lord; and how he taught that himfelf was not the Chrift, but
one fent before to make way for him , as a paranymphus to
go before him; that this indeed was the true Bridegroome of
the Church, and himielf only the Bridegroomes friend, who
rejoyceth in feeing the Bridegroomes carefling of his Bride,
and in hearing all the fweet and gracious words he fpeaks.to
her, and in her amoroufly gathering and adhering to, and
panting after him ,• and that in this now his joy was compleat-
ed; That himfelf Was to decreafe, and ceafe this his office after
a little time, but not fo the other ,• but his Kingdom to be di-
lated, and encreafed more and more; that he being an earth-
ly man could of himfelf fpeak only low and earthly things to
them; but that this was the Son of God, to whom his Father
gave not the Spirit by meafure as toothers Col. 2. 3. -1. 19. 1 Cor.
1 2. 11 . -1 Pet. 4. 10. -Jo. s. 19, 20, Jo. -Jpoc. 1. 1. but that he
perfectly knew all his Fathers fecrets; and was now defcended
from him, and from Heaven, to reveal to the world what he
17*5.10. had there heard and ieen ; and that whofoever believed his
words only fet his leal to the truths of God : but yet that ma-
ny were fo hard-hearted as not to receive his Teftimony ; fi-
nally that God loveth this his Son, and hath given all things,
efpecially touching mans falvation, into his hands ; and that
the whole world being finners, and lying under the wrath of
God, he came hither, that fo many as believed on him fhould
not periili, but have remiffion of their fin , and eternal life,
^.i 91.1 92,193. of cur Saviour Jefa Chrift- 143
Jo. 17. 2, 3- but for thofe who did not fo, the wrath of God ftill Gal 3- I0-
remained upon them.
Much mitigated and lenifyed with this Sermon, fomewhat $• 19I-
contrary to their expectation, Johns Difciples acquiefced in
their Matters Teftimoayj Nor had any more contention in
this matter. But yet after this, fome fcruples and controverfy
we find, madebythem, concerning our Lords Difciples, their
non-obierving iomefolemn times or hours of fading, as they,
and thole reputed the holyeft perfous among the Jews , the
Pharifees, lid : ( they not knowing that our Lord, the Bride-
groomes Gracious prei'enceand Virtue, lupplied to thefe his
attendants all proficience in fpiritual matters, without the ufu-
al preparations and helps belonging thereto). By which we
lee how prone men are, even in ipintual things, to partiality,
and fiding, and factions, effects or fome relicks of felf-love, in
thofe who feem moft perfect. And laftly, John, after he was
imprifbned, thought fit-to lend lome of them to our Lord him-
, felf, to fee, and fo report to the reft, his great works, for the
more confirming their faith of his being the Meffias.
The Baptiit meanwhile, a burning and mining light, as our $. 192.
Lord calls him, continued his preaching in the coaft of Galilee,
not to draw men from, but to fend them in falter, to the Saviour
of the world. Nor had he long remained in thofe parts nearer the
Refidence of Herod, but that He, being though an Idumean
by hisdefcent, yet a Profelite of the Jews Religion; and hear-
ing of his fame, efteemed by all the people as a Prophet, either Mat.ix %d.
came to his Sermons in the place where John taught and Bap- -14, j.
tized; or, which is more probable, lent for him to his Court.
Of whom the Evangelift further faith, (Mar\.6.*o.) that he
feared John, knowing him to be ajuft and Holy man, and
that he heard him gladly, and did many things according to
his advice and directions.
Now Herod, having bin very faulty in his manners and Go- ^ IO$a
vernment, (forour Lord calls him aFox, and at laft he was i~-
for his crimes ejected out of it by theEmperour, and died in
Banifhment, ) the Baptift having acceis to him, and being a
preacher of penance, and doubtlels illuminated by the Holy
Spirit to know thofe affairs and faults of his, with which his
Education in the Defart could have bin little acquainted, free-
ly reproved him for his many evil deeds; and among other
for his taking his Brother Phiiipswife, contrary to Gods ex°
prefs command, Levtt, 18* itf, >zo, z\. and that whether his
« Brother
Anuq. Judaic
i. 18 c. 10.
i 44 The Hi/lory of the Life §-194.
Brother were alive, or deceafed, for that his Brother had had a
child by her, the Daughter that danced fo well before Herod.
And in this thing Herod was ftili the more guilty, becaufe he
had already a former wife , the Daughter of Aretas King
of Arabia, whom in his falling in love with Herodias, upon a
new compact made with her, he put away , and fo provoked
Aretas, in revenge of his Daughter, to make war upon him ,
wherein he was defervedly very unfortunate ; Jofephus imputes
thecaufe of fuch his ill fuccefs, chiefly to his llaughter of the
Baptift; but however this war happened very opportunely, for
affording Herod lefs leafure to look after the motions of our
Lord, or giving any difturbance to them.
But, returning to theBaptifts reproof, we find by the words
in the Text, -It is not lawful for thee, &c. that this was not fpo-
ken of Herod in his ablence , but made to himfelf, whether
publickly or in private, or the one after the other, both being
lawful according to feveral circumftances ( and the former
fometimes neceflary \Tim. 1, 20. ) is uncertain.
1. 194. This reproof of Herod for marrying her foon came to the
ears of Herodias ; who perceiving Herods good inclinations
to John, and his obfequisufnefs, in feveral matters, to follow
his Admonitions, from which (he might have fome fears of her
being removed from his bed, and io the troubles of the war
alio with Aretas declined, was fill d with an implacable wrath
and hatred againft the Baptift. Who coming in the Spirit of
Elias, and fhewing the fame zeal for obfervance of Gods laws
to Herod, as the other to Ahab, found a like perfecution from
her, as Elias from Jezabel: when as the two Husbands were
more indulgent. Herod, overcome with her importunity and
the power ihe had over Him, fent his officers, and took John
M*tt. 14. 3. and bound him, ( faith S. Matthew ) and caft him into prifon.
For which impriionment he wanted not a more fpecious pre-
tence of fearing from the concourfe of people made to him,
fome {edition and tumults • to which the Pharifees alio were
not wanting to give their affiftance, in reprefenting John the
Author of a new Seel:, and acting without, and againft, autho-
rity ; which though this crafty man knew to be envy in them,
yet he made ufe of this colour to cover the true Caufe of this
imprifonment; and therefore this realon thereof is given by
Anthi JuMci: Jolephus. -Vcritus f faith he ) cum ad audiendum eum quamplu-
rima multitudo concurreret, ne forte, doilrina e]ustyerjua-fione,pa-
pulia fuo regno difcederent,&c. and our Lord alfo intimates the
Pharifees
§.i95» of our Saviour Jefws Chrift. 145
PharifeesandGovernoursof the Jews, to have had a hand in
this reftraint Mat. 17.12. where he faith, that they knew him
not, butdidto him whatever they lifted, asthey mould after-
ward do tohimfelf. Thus call in prifon, Herodias, not ap-
pealed or fecured herewith, next iolicits Herod alfo for the
lpeedy taking away his life j but both the fear of the people,
efteeming John a Prophet, and his own reverence of him, as
yet with-held him from it. For which caufe alfo in prifon, he
laying the blame thereof upon his wife, indulged him fo much
liberty, as to have fome converfe with his friends j and his Di- .
fciples, there to come to, and attend upon, him ,• and fo nei-
ther here ( as alfo afterwards. Paul) was he an ufelefs fervant
to our Lord.
Leaving the Baptift, nowaPrifoner, and an end putto his §. ipf.
publick preaching, after that our Lord was fufficiently mani- "
reftedto the people of Ifrael, and begun to be affifted in his
work by other new Difciples, let us return to our Lord. He
had now continued preaching and baptizing in Judea, after
the Pafchal Feaft, for about fome e'ight Months ,• for when re-
moving hence he came into Samaria, itisfaid, Jo. 4. Jr. that
it wanted but foure months to the next harveft ; and fo to the
next Pasch, which Feaft was celebrated at the beginning of the
harveft j at which time was offered afheaf of the firft fruits of
their Corn, ( Lev. 23. io.-Deut. \6. 9. ) as at Pentecoft the firft
loaf of bread after Harveft gotten in between thefe twofeafts.
In this time our Lord converting to the Gofpel, and faith in
him as the Saviour of the world, andfo baptizing by his Difci-
ples, fuch multitudes of people, far beyond the actings of John,
and this fo near to Jerufalem, had already alarm d the Pha-
rifees and rulers of the Jews , and more and more incenfed
their wrath againft him i who could not reft from deviling fome
way for his death orraftraint, efpecially after they had bin fo
fuccesfui againft the Baptift ; and we find afterward in Jo. 7. 1.
thereafon more plainly given of our Lords refiding no more
in Judea, but in Galilee ; becaufe the Jews, he, thefechiefGo-
vernoursand Leaders of them, fought already to kill him. By
which we fee alfo, that our Lord formoftofhis time, after he
appeared once, went in great danger of his life (for in flying
from the Pharifees in Judea, in Galilee alio there was an He-
rod ). Therefore Our Lord, faith S. John, knowing the Pha-^,. 4. ,'.
rifees had heard of his making and baptizing more difciples
than John, and having heard alfo the feverity ufed toward the Matt.4. 12.
• T Baptift,
i\6 TbtHiftoryoftheLife §.196.
Baptift, purpofed to leave Judea, and return into Galilee, fo
to decline, for the prefent, the evil defigns of the Phaniees a
gainft him; and alio to carry the light of the Gof pel into thofe
remoter places where it had not yet appeared , and where
John was interrupted in his Miniftery. For though Herod
lived in the fame quarters, yet was he, by the Divine provi-
dence, fo diverted by other affairs, and efpecially the new dif-
fentions between him and Aretas, and his mind alio fo much
afflicted with the unjuft imprifonment of John, asthathehad
little inclination toperfecute any more Prophets; and when
at laft, after his murthering of John, our Lords fame from eve-
ry fide founded in his ears, his guilt prefently imagined him
Johnreviv'd; and fo rendred him lefs inquifitive after mat-
ters that would little redound to his Honour.
5. 1 $><?. Our Lord, thus removing with his Difciples out of Judea into
Galilee, came, in his way hither, to a City of Samaria, fitu-
ate in Mount Ephraim, called Sychar, but the fame with the
Ancient Schechem, orSychem, of which fee Gf«. 33. 18. &c. the
place, where Jacob, returning into Paleftine from Laban, pur-
chafed a field of the Children of Hamor,Fatherto Sechem, that
afterward defloured Dinah ; and there firft erected an Altar,
probably on Mount Garizim or Ebal, ( fincc Altars ufed to be
erected on the molt eminent places and neareft to Heaven )
being two tops of the fame Hill, near one another ; where alfo,
viz. on Mount Ebal, God commanded the Israelites, that foon
after their entrance into Canaan, they fhould erect an Altar,
See Deut. 27, 4. &c. -'and Jojb. 8. 30. &c. and alfo fhould fet up
fome great Stones, on which plaiftered over fhould be written
the law; and alfo on thefe two tops of the Hill, one ore againft
another, that there fhould be folemnly pronounced by theLe-
vites, the Benedittions and Qirfes , the people faying, A men.
( Which twelve Curies are there fet down, the matter of Bene-
dictions being fuppofed to be the ohferving the Contrary to
thefe Maledictions, of which fee more in Deut. 28. J Here-
abouts alfo, and perhaps in the fame place, Abraham at his firft
entrance into Canaan, upon Gods appearing to him in that
place, built an Altar, fee Gen. 12. 6, 7. At this place alfo Jofhua
afTembled Ifrael before his Death, and made a Covenant with
them before the Lord &c. Secjejb. 24. 1, 2.6. And this Hill Ga-
rizim was fo near to this City, that jotham is faid, from the top
or fide of it, to have fpoken to the Sychemites Judg. 9.7. and
the Samaritan woman calls it this Hill Jo. 4. 20. as a place very .
■ near
§.197* of our Saviour J efu* Chrift. j^y
near to her. This City alfo was the firft place, as it were fof a
preludiura, takenpofTeflionofby armes, by the feed of Abra-
ham, the Sons of Jacob, in revenge for dishonouring their Si-
iter. Of which lee what Jacob faith Gen. ^2. zz. Afterward
being deftroyed by Abiineleck, Judg.^.^f. itwasreedifyed by
Jeroboam, and made his regal feat, and lb it was ( faith Jo fe- Antiq.i.*\.
phusj inSanballatstime, a Gentile Gove.rnoi.ir of Samaria , euP-7-8«
under Darius. Whofe daughter being married to ManafTes a
SonoftheHighPrieft, and he for it ejected out of the Prieft-
hood, Sanballet, calling him into Samaria, ( by Alexander the
Gteat s leave, who had then conquered thofe Provinces, ) buiJt
a Temple for the wormipof the God of Ifrael, on Mount Ga-
rizim, in emulation of that of Jerufalem ( in the rebuilding of
which the Samaritans before had offered their concurrence, but
was rejected, E'tja \. 2, 3 .J wherein ManafTes his Son-in-law
mould officiate. This was done lbme three hundred years before
our Lords Incarnation, which occafioned a Schifm between the
Samaritans and the Jews, like to that former of Jeroboam , •
Pare of thefe Samaritans being Israelites j and many Jews alio,
when obnoxious to the Laws, or for fome other fecular advan-
tages, removing thither out of Judea. After which times alfo
another Anti-Temple (about one hundred and fifty years be-
fore our Lords coming ) was erected in Egypt, for the Jews fly-
ing together with Onias, a Son of the High Prieft, whenasper-
fecuted by Antiochus Epiphanes: which Temple perifhed , as
alfo the other near the time of the deftruction of that in Jeru-
falem ; and both thefe forraign Temples feem preludiums of
Godsworlhip, fhortly to be made common to the whole world.
This is premifed for the better underftandingof what follows.
Near to this City Sychem, and this Mount, was a Well dig- $• ^97-
ged by Jacob, and then made ufe of by the City. And here our
.Lord, travelling on foot, and wearied with his mornings jour-
ney (it. being now about noon) and the heat of the day, fat
down on the fide of the Well to reft himfelf (it, as a place of re-
fort, likely having fome Trees and fliade about it) whilft the
Difcipies went into the Town to buy fome meat for his and
their dinner. For the Jews had no commerce orconverlation
with the Samaritans, ( when abfoluteneceillty did not require
it, as this of travellers buying victuals of them ) fo as to eat, and
drink, and lodg with them, being accounted by them Schiima-
ticks and unclean ; which caufed alio the fame enmity againlt,
and feparation of the Samaritans,at leaftfome of them, from the
T 2 • jews,
14^ TheHiftoryoftheLife §-.198,199.
Jews, feeLa^. 9. ;3- the other Samaritans feem herein more
remifs, ieeverf. /<5. Whilft our Lord was here left alone, a Sa-
maritan woman came thitherout of the City to draw water.
This happened alio to be a woman, that had had already five
husbands, either all already deceafed, or me by divorce fepa-
rated from them ; for in latter times, women alfo ufed to pro-
cure divorces from^ their husbands, and that now lived incon-
tinently with one not married to her.
§. 198. Our Lord, thirfty with his journey, and defiringto entertain
fome further fpiritual difcourfe with her, concerning the fal-
vation of this poor wretch, requefted of her fome water to
drink,- upon which fhe fomewhatwondring,askedhim why he,
as appearing by his habit and perhaps his fpeech, a Jew, would
receive water from her, and out of her vefTel, being a Samari-
tan, and one alfo itfeems, that for all the impurity of her life,
was a Zelot of the Samaritan Religion, and way or Gods wor-
ship, and of their feparation from the Jews. Here-upon our
Lord , moved with compaffion , took occafion to preach the
newGofpel, and to reveil himfelf to her; and turning the men-
tion of water with a Metaphor, and to enter without force or
abruption into pious difcourfe, ( as ufually, and as we find he
doth by and by concerning meat, and again concerning har-
veft, ) told her, that he wasaperfon,from whom (he might ex-
pect a greater curtefy ; and that if fhe had well known the Gift
of God, and who he was, (he would have begged water of him
rather, the true water quenching all thirft, and in the receiv-
ing of it a Well continually abounding, i.e, fpringing up in all
fpiritual Graces, to everlafting life conferred by it. Our Lord,
here /peaking, as formerly, in his difcourfe with Nicodemus,
of the Gift of the Holy Spirit, which he came to beftow upon the
world, and which his Death procured of the Father ; which be-
ing conferred in our regeneration by the water of baptifm
cures all hunger and thirft after earthly things, and fully fatis-
fies and beatifies the Soul. Confiderjo. 7. 38, 39. -6. 3 ;. -Efai,
44-3-
$. 199. The woman faying Hie mould be glad to receive fuch water ;.
Our Lord, the more to encreafe her faith in him, bad her to
call her husband, as if it were meet that he alfo with his wife
mould fhare thereof- thus taking occafion todifcover to her his
knowledg of all her former life and condition, and for the pre-
fent,ofher living in fecret concubinage. She hereby difcern-
ing him to be a Prophet, and perhaps to divert him from fpeak-
iug
^.2oo,2oi. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift, 149
ingmore of her husband, prefently begun to confult him con-
cerning Religion : who in the prefent divifion were in the right i
the Samaritans, or the Jews: and where God was more accep-
tably worfhipped, in Mount Garizim ( where the Patriarchs,
Abraham and Jacob, and afterward Jofhua, by Gods appoint-
ment, and their fore-fathers, that came out of Egypt, built an
Altar, and offered Sacrifices as hath binfaid^ or at Jerufa-
lem, a place of a latter confecration and fanctity ; the Sama-
ritans alforejedting any teftimonies produced out of the Pro-
phets againft them; and fee the vehement conteft and difpute
of the Samaritans and Jews, that had bin before this in Alex-
andria, before Ptolemeus Philometer made Judge in a caufe
Jofepb. Ant. 1. 13. c 4.
Our Lord, Rafter he had firft told her that the Samaritans, $.200.
not Jews, for the time paft were peccant and fchifmatical — '
herein, and the right way offalvation tobe among the Jews,
and fo alio the Salvation through the Gofpel firft to be com-
municated to them) proceeds to inftruct her concerning the
times of the Gofpel now at hand, wherein all fuch former Di-
vifions and factions concerning the place of worfhip mould be
taken away : that God was a Spirit, not addicted or confined
to Place, nor taken with corporeal things and external Cere-
monies, ( but only as thefe were types andprefigurationsof fpi-
ritual things to come, and of his real fervice by and through -
Chrift ;) but that he expected thofe now, who mould worfhip
him, in what place foever, in ipirit and in truth ; intimating
here the abrogation from henceforth of the former legal wor-
fhip and Ceremonies, which was accordingly eftablifhed by the
Apoftles, Act. ir. (a thing that at this time the Samaritans
would more willingly hear of than the Jews. ) And he
fpeaks alfo here to her of worfhipping not God in general, but
the Father, [ the true worfhippers will worfhip the Father] For
that all worfhip of God now was to be through Chrift his Son,
and by fuch as were alfo made his Sons through Chrift. Wor-
fhipping God aifo-z'n Spirit feems to be the worfhip of him in
and by the Holy Spirit, given through Chrift, according to thofe
expreflions of our Lord to Nicodemus before, that which is Jo. $.*,
born of the Spirit, is Spirit, and Mat. 22.43. —David in Spirit
called him Lord. —And of S. Paul --whom I ferve in the Spirit:
T\om. 1. 9, -and Rom. 8. 14. thofe, who are led by the Spirit %
and verf. 9 . —Ye are not in the fiejh but in the Spirit.
The woman, upon our Lords faying the Hour cometh, &c. §• ^qt.
reply ed,
1 50 The Hiftory of the Life §.202.
replyed, that fhe believed when the Meffias mould come, he
would declare all Gods pleafure concerning his worfhip, and
remove all the prefent differences. Our Lord told her that him-
felfwas theMeilias. She hearing this, and much tranlported
with his former difcourfe, ( whole words were with authority,
and fetting hearts on fire, ) and bidden alfo by him to call her
husband, carelefly leaving her water-pot behind her, ran pre-
fently into the City, ( which alio was the intent of our Lords
talking with her, Viz. to communicate the Gofpel alfotothefe
firlt fruits or the Samaritans who were half Israelites, and Mid-
lings, between the Jews and Gentiles J And told them that
furely the Meffias was come, and was in the field, or at leaft
fbme great Prophet, that had told her all things that ever (lie
had done : upon which the men of the City alfo halted and
came forth unto him.
?« 202> Meanwhile his Difciples were returned from the Town with
provilion* for dinner, and as they came near, perceiving his fa-
miliar .difcourfing with the Samaritan woman, wondred not a
little at it, from the ftrangenefs they knew was between the Jew
and Samaritan ; and perhaps from the little converfe our Lord
had formerly ufed withwemen, efpeciallyfo alone ; and com-
monly his difcourfe only of the kingdom of God and fpiritual
matters, which to a Samaritan feemed impertinent, and fuch
* a one little capable thereof. But Handing in great reverence
durft not ask him concerning it; but> when (lie was now gone
away, invited him to take his dinner. To which (well know-
ing this their wonder, and fo intimating to them what he had
bin doing , ) he told them ( transferring the difcourfe to higher
matters, as he did that with the woman concerning her wa-
ter, j that he had meat to eat that they knew not of; that it
was his meat to do the will of him that fent him, and in all pla-
ces to finifii his work toward thole, to whom he was fent. Signi-
fying to them that he was alfo among others to intend the con-
verlion and lalvation of thefe poor and defpifed Samaritans,and
of that foelifh people in Sychem, as they are called, Ecclefias. j-o.
26 ; that whereas they reckoned yet fbwer months unto harveft,
there appeared a great harveft every where to be gotten in ( as
it were prenoting to them the conflux that would be made to
him prefently out of this City J; that the feilds were white al-
ready, and the world prepared for the reapers j (the lame Meta-
phor he ufed again afterwards when in Galiiee great multitudes
tiocked unto him Mat. 9. 37. forry the labourers in this harveft
were
§.203. of our Saviour Jefut Chrift. 151
were fo few ) ; He proceeded alfo to tell them, that they were
chofen to be the reapers thereof, and to enter upon the former
labours, and tillage of the Prophets, and to gather much fruit
tobeftored up in life eternal: where alio both the former fow-
ers, and they the latter reapers, mould at lair, receive their full
wages, and rejoyce together in thofe Heavenly Treafuries.
Bythistime the woman wasreturned out of the City, and a §. 203.
multitude of people with herto fee our Lord, the Prophet (lie
told them of, and to hear his further difcourfes concerning
their Religion. To whom our Lord in great compailion hav-
ing preached, as he did formerly in Judea , the Gofpcl and
Kingdom of heaven, and remiffion of fins through belief in
him, the Saviour of the world, with fuch his fpeeches he fo
opened their hearts, ( for thefe were a part of thefe fields he
fpoke of, that were already white unto harveft, ) that the men
overjoyed gratefully told the woman, that they had now re-
ceived much more fatisfaction from our Lord himfelf,than from
her relation concerning him ; and fo much importuned him for ■
a longer ftay with them : where having fpent two daies more
for their confirmation inthe faith, he thought fit to depart,
left by fuch his longer converfation with them, fome fcandal
might be given to the Jews. Among whom alio, as being the
former Church of God, theGofpel was in the firft place to be
published : and therefore in lending his Difciples abroad, he
commanded them not to enter into any Towns of the Samari-
tans: though himfelf was pleafed inpaffing as it were to reap
this firft fruits thereof. As alfo elfewhere he healed and con-
verted to believe in him fome other Gentiles, and not Ifrae^
lites, Mat. if. 26. -8.10. whom he faw extraordinarily pre-
pared thereto. And it is*very obfervable ( for a further convi-
ction of the ingrateful obftinacy of the Jews,) that this poor
defpifed people were the firft of his Auditors we read of, that
(after his firft called Difciples,) without alfo any Miracles of
his mewed among them, made fuch a noble confeffion of him,
faying, -We hriowthat this is indeed the Chrifl, and the Saviour of
the world. Which converfion of the Samaritans our Lord
perfected fome three or four v ears after, as our Lord v/asnow
afcended into heaven, by fending his Apoftles thither, before
their Spreading further to the Gentiles. See Ati. %. ? ,6. At
which time alfo we find the fame credulity and alacrity in
this peop'e, as is here. -And the people ( faith the Text, ) with one
accord, gave heed unto thofe things which Philip /pake -, as com-
monly
1 52 The Hi/lory of the Life §.204,205,206.
monly thofe more grofly erring are (boner convinced thereof,
and reduced to truth.
5.204. After two daies ftay in this place Our Lord went on his
journey for Galilee ,• and returned to Cana, where he had for-
merly done the Miracle of changing the water into Wine ; the
Fame of which, as alio the Galileans in their going to the Pa-
ichal feaft, there having feen the great miracles he had alfo
done at that time in Jerufalem, made this people to enter-
tain and welcome him with very great applaufe and concourfe,
and much better prepared for receiving his Heavenly doctrine
andcounfels; the chief bufinefs for which he defcended from
heaven. And (by the Divine providence fo ordering itj that
our Lord alfo might be the more welcome and fecure among
the Capernaites in particular, where he defigned his chief Re-
fidence, it then fo happened that the Son of a Noble man,
and Royal Officer in Capernaum fell fick, and his life at laft
utterly defpaired of. Whereupon his Father, hearing of our
• Lords miracles, and of his return into thofe quarters, hailed
to Cana, and there humbly befought him, that he would vouch-
fafe to come down fpeedily to Capernaum, and heal his Son ,
who lay at the point of Death : which alfo afforded our Lord an
occafion of declining Nazareth ('where he knew his former
mean education, would render the function of his office lefs
beneficial ); and the miracle might make alfo his return to
Capernaum much more acceptable and defired.
§. 205-. Our Lord making fome delay, and reprehending his Audi-
" tors, that without miracles they were fo flow to believe , the
Hoble-man again importuned him to make fome haft before
his Son was dead. Whereupon he prefently difmifTed him with
this anfwer, that his Son lived; fignifying to him, that he
would heal him as well without going to him. Which thing,
as he believed, fo he found moft true, when taking leave of our
Lord and departing prefently upon it , meeting his Servants
the next day, he perceived from them his Son's perfect reco-
very, punctually at the time our Lord fpoke thefe words; and
foheand his whole family were converted to the faith of the
Gofpel, fome imagining him to 'have bin Cufa an Officer of
Herod's-, and Sufanna, that afterward followed our Lord, and
miniftred to his necefhties, Luj^. 8. 3, to have alfo bin his
wife.
$.206. Our Lord after fome time leaving Cana, came to Caperna-
um, where he made his moft ordinary refidence. Of the fi-
tuation
§.2 o 6. of our Saviour Jefus Cbrift. 153
tuation of which, and the great conflux of people thither, the
frequency of Cities in thofe parts, by reafon of the extra-
ordinary fruitfulnefs of the foil ( fome of that part called De-
capolis from the many cities there ) the convenience of paf-
ilngany whither upon the Lake, and the remotenefs from Je»
rufal«m, and from the moleftation of the Pharifees, and chief
Priefts, things well ferving our Lords defigns; Of allthefel fay
fee before §. §. 101, 102.
Here, faith the Evangelift, Mar\. 1. 14. and every where as
he pafTed along the Country, our Lord began to preach the
Gofpel of the Kingdom of God , telling them that the
promifedtimeof the coming of their Meffias was now fulfilled,
and this Kingdom at hand, that therefore they , mould repent
and believe his Gofpel. Anditfeemsy©. 4. 45-. that this meaner
and ruder people of Galilee received him now at the firlt with
much more honour and attention to his doctrine than theju-
deans, attracted alio therto by his miracles. Here his Difci-
ples, Peter and the reft, returned home; and not as yet invited to
acloler attendance, asalfo for the better providing for the ne-
ceflities of their families, betook themf elves to their former
trade of filhi ng : and meanwhile our Lord, by his Miracles and
healing their fick, brought in daily greater flocks of people to
hear his Sermons; this latter being his chief defign for falva-
tion of their fouls, as the other theirs, for releiving their corpo-
ral neceffitie?. And his fame was fuddainly fpread all abroad
throughout all Syria, faith S. Matthew; and there followed
him great multitudes from the other parts of Galilee he had
pafTed through; and from Decapolis lying moft of it more
North; and from the Eaft fide of Jordan, and the Lake; and
from Judea, and Jerufalem more South ; in fine, from all Quar-
ters round about. So that it was necefTary our Lord mould re-
coiled: to himfelf the Difciples he had formerly called ; and
add fome more to them; that fliould depart no more from
him, but give a perpetual attendance on his affairs, and afhil
him in his predications, after they rhemfelves had full, as his
conftant Auditors, received from him all necefTary inltructions
therein. He alfohad now an intention, for fome time, of leav-
ing Capernaum, and making aperagration throughout Galilee
asto the places not already vifued ; and alter this, of eroding
the Sea of Galilee, and paffiug to fome remoter parts; being
afterthis to prefent himfelf at Jerufalem in the Pafchal feaft,
now not far off. In which travels the attendance of his Difctr
U pies
154 The Hipry of the Life §.207,208.
pies was neceffary to Him. Which circuit alfo he began in the
entrance of the week following.
f 207. Asour Lord therefore was walking one day by the fide of
the Lake , and much preffed by the multitude that followed
him, crowding to hear the gracious words that came from
him, Simon Peter, and his brother, and the two fons ofZebe-
dee, ( who were their partners and had bin fiming all the for-
mer night but caught nothing,) had there, as he patted, drawn
their Ships to the more j and were warning, drying , and re-
pairing their Nets. Our Lord therefore entred into Simons
Boat aiid defired him to put off a little from the winding of
the Land, that from thence he might with more convenience
finimhis difcourfe to the people. After which ended, to re-
ward Simon for this courteiy, as alfo to prefignify firft to him
and his fellows, in their catching of fifli, the miraculous fuc-
cefs hereafter of their catching of men, he bid Simon to launch
out into the deep, and let down his Net for a draught. Simon
telling our Lord, that their former night-labour, more feafon-
able for that purpofe, had caught nothing, ) et in confidence of
good fuccefs, did as our Lord commanded, and prefently fo
great a number of fifli were inclofed that the Net broke ( which
accident alfo was a type of the ruptures by Schifm and Here-
fies which mould afterwards happen alfo in the Church, and
in Simon and the reft their catching of men) whereupon he
called for help from their partners James and John, that were
in the other fhipi both the Ships being loaden therewith, fo
as they were near to finking ( this alfo fignifying, that the pu-
rity of the Chriftian Religion mould be much endamaged by
the multitudes of bad, as well as good, entring into the exter-
nal profeffion thereof. ) And, as elfewhere, he likens the King-
dom of Heaven or Gofpel to a Net, catching fifh of all forts,
but many of thefe afterward caft away Mat. 13. 47.
*. 208. In all this our Lord feems to have done a particular honour
to Simon Peter. To whom it was that he fpake firft to thruft
out his Ship a little from the land, and to let down his Net for
a draughts by him, that this great draught of fifhes were caught, .
and others called in to help j to him, that the promife was firft
made of his catching men; and the pojtbxc copies homines faid
to Peter fingly here, as the pafce oves was after our Lords re-
furrection. He alfo much aftonifhed hereat, falling down at
our Lordsfeet, acknowledged himlelf unworthy fo great a fa-
vour; or, that our Lord mould vouchfafe hisprefenceor con-
verfation
§.209. efour Saviour Jefus Chrift. \ 5 5
verfation to fofinful a perfon. And this profound humility
and reverence of his made way for our Lords further bounty
and kindnefs ; and himfelf ftill taken nearer unto him the far-
ther diftance he imagined he ought to keep from him; bid-
ding him not to be afraid ( for the Majefty of our Lord, from
fome extraordinary difcovery from God Peter had thereof,
fuch as that in Mat. 16.17. when he was enlightened by God
the Father to know his Son, had ftrangely daunted him ) for
that he would have him from henceforth wholly to quit his
former employment, and conftantly to be with, and attend on»
him and his miniftry, for that he would make him now a fiflier
of men, together with the reft of his companions and partner*
Andrew, James, and John. All whom upon this gracious in-
vitation immediatlv quitted their Boats and Nets , and the
great draught of fifh he had but now beftowed upon them ,
leaving alfo the care of their fervants unto Zebedee the Father
of James, and John, and fo followed our Lord now without any
more departure from him as before j Tranfported with this ho-
nour he did them,mean fifhermen,when alfo they faw the whole
world, and even the great ones thereof, fo admiring and run-
ning after him. They left all { faith Janfenius ) -Non ut nul-
lam amplius cumfuis haberent confuetudinem ; Jed quod nulla am'
phm eis ejjetrerumfuarum cura, nullaque poflejjio , omnibus qucs
habebant reliftis potejlati propinquorum. And we may gather
fromS. Peters words to our Lord Mat. 19*27, that they left all
in fome fuch manner, as the fad rich young man; being advifed
to it, refufed j and by our Lords reward promifed there to them,
we may alfo gather the generofity of this their fact.
With them then he returned into Capernaum, and thereon $.109,
the next Sabbath day, according to his cuftome wherever he
was, ieeLuJ^e 4. Si. he entred into the Synagogue, and there
taught the people. [ In which Synagogues ( or Jewifli Churches )
built in all places, even in Jerufalem, were exercifed ; firft, the
Reading of Mofes and the Prophets AUs 1 7.2 1 . - Lu\. 4.16. Then
an expounding of them and Sermons of exhortation by the
learned, thePriefts, Scribes, Lawyers, &c. See ^.13. 14, if,
16. Lu^. 20: -1 for-.14.31. Inthefealfo were ufed Praier, Hymns,
and Pfalms ("fome entkeled pro Sabbato) Collections alfo for
the poor. Only no facrificing, fave at the Temple in Jerufa-
lem. J Here as our Lord taught, the people, faith the Evange-
lift, were aftonifhed at his doctrine , fur that his words were Mark
with power, and he taught them as one that had authority, and Luk.±.<z.
U 2 not
1.22,
1 5 6 The Hi/lory of the Life §.210.
not as the Scribes; authority, both internally with more fatis-
faction, and conviction, and power over mens fpirits by the
Holy Ghoft at the lame time working in their underftandings
and hearts, enlightening, fubduing, enflaming, and letting
them on fire; and externally alfo with more afTurance, and
affeveration Ame7i Amen dico vobis. -Qui habet aures audiendi
audi at. -Quoclfcimmloquimur ■, telling them who fent him ; and
ftrengthening fuch teftimony with miracles and doing thefe
alfb commandingly and with authority; with authority com-
manding the evil Spirits faith the Evangelift MarJ^. i. 27. ~Lu\.
4. 36. Increpans, rebuking the difeafes, the Seas, the Winds, all
done with great Majefty. This teaching with authority is in
theGofpel frequently noted of our Lord Mat. 7. 29, after his
long Sermon in the Mountain. This made the HighPriefts
Officers in hearing him fay, Never man fpake like this man; and
the woman in his Sermon cry out, -Blejjedis the womb that bare
thee: and the brethren going to Emaus, reflect afterwards up-
on it, that whilft he fpake their hearts burned within them.
And the men of Nazareth, that had fo much prejudice againft
him there meanly, and illiteratly educated, LuJ(. 4. 22. are faid
to have wondred at the words of grace that proceeded out of his
mouth. And many times his Adverfaries were fo amated with
Pf*l. 45-. 2. his fpeeches, that they would not reply one word to him. All
this according to the prophecy ; —Diffusa eft Gratia tn labiis
tuis ; and Efay. 49. 2. —Os meum quafigladim acutus. And this
Power and Spirit he communicated alio to his Apoftles; whence
5. Paul 1 Cor. 2. 4, —My preaching was in demofiftration of the Spi-
rit , a?id of power. And 1 The/'. 1. 5. our Gofpel came to you
in power and in the Holy Gkoft, and in much afTurance : and
Chap. 2. iy. fo he directs Titus. —Lotfuere, exhortare, argue cum omni impe-
rio. Now if the Holy Spirit fuch in the fervants, what was it in
the Lord >
As he was fpeaking thus in the Synagogue to the people, a
$' 2T0' man that was poffeft with an unclean Spirit, ( all Devils being
ordinarily called thus, becuife delighting in all impurity,
therefore they defired rather to enter into Swine J ftanding
amongftthem ( all poffefled, not being continually agitated,
or molefted by the evil Spirits, but by fits, perhaps when the
difpofition of the Body, the humours at fuch times do alfo con-
cur with it. ) The Devil that was within him, either not able
to endure the prefence of our Lord, or alfo having received
fome fecret command already fromhim (as thofe Marias '•? >%•)
to
§.2 1 1. ef our Saviour Jefws Chrift. j$j
to quit his prey, or terrified with his words fpeaking of the de-
ftrudtionot the Kingdom of Satan, cryedout defiring that he
would let him, or them, alone, and not deftroy them ffome-
times (peaking in the lingular number, and fometimesin the
plural ) : the like requeft to which we find elfe where Mat. 8.29.
and Lu^. 8. 3 1. and Mar\. $• 10. where in Matthew the Devils
• befeech him that he would not torment them before their
time- and in Luke, that he would not fend them into the A-
byfle j and in Mark, that not fend them out of the country.
We find alfo feveral other pafTages in Scripture, that may fur-
ther explicate the prefent condition of thefe miferable and
curfed creatures unto us. As their being faid by S.Peter, and *Ptt. 1.4.
S.Judetobe refervedin chains under darknefs -3 or, as S.Peter, 7ude6-\
to be caft down to hell, unto, or until the judgment of the
great day j and S. Pauls calling Satan the Prince of the power E^%2. 2. -6:
of the Air, and thefe evil Spirits thcRuIersof the darknefs of n.
this [lower] world ; and Satan being laid that He goeth about
here feeking whom he may [be permitted to] devour. 1 Pet.
f. 8. ( and the like is faid in Job 1. 7. ) and the evil Spirit caft
out otaman, his being faid to walk in dry and defart places,
and fo finds no reft there Mat. 12.45-. till permitted to return
to his former lodging, by new finning, better prepared for him j
their crowding alfo fo many of them ( as they get leave) into
oneperfon, and fo much more mifchevous there thanafingle
one could have bin, ( as we hear of feven caft out of Mary Mag-
dalen, and of the Spirit returning with feven more worfe and
fiercer thanhimlelfi and of a Legion in the furious Gadarenj
and we have them anfwering our Lord fometimes in the lin-
gular, fometimes in the plural number) by what is fpokea
u4poc. 20. 3. Of a clofer imprifonment of Satan, and fo of his
Regiment of evil fpirits that mall be before the worlds end, than
is yet for the prefent.
Now I fay by all thefe well confidered it feems, firfb, That §.211.
the evil Angels fuffer not fuch torments now , as they mall ' fc
hereafter when they fliall be judged at the laft day by our Lord,
and alfo by his Saints. 1 Cor. 6. 3. -Apoc. 20. 10. compare 3. 7.
And 2ly, that, Though they are caft down to hell, or the inner
bowels of the earth full of darknefs, as their proper Prifon, and
place of prefent fufrerings , whither alfo the fouls of wicked
men defcend , and are tormented with them ; yet both they
and the chief Prince of them, are permitted by God to come
forth of this lower prifon upon the earth, fuch of them and
for
i 5 3 The Hiftory of the Life §.2 1 2 .
for fuch duration of time, audextenfion of place, as the Di-
vine Majefty pleafeth, for the greater exerciie and trial of the
jufthere; and for the afflicting and executing of Gods juftice
on the obftinatly wicked, foraetimes even to the pofleffing,
and inhabiting them, even many of thefe evil Spirits in one
man. After the fame manner as the good Angels delcend from
heaven, their place of Bills, for the Protection of the juft, and
regular government oi this lower world againft the malice of
thefe malign Spirits. Which evagation of evil Spirits, and
their inhabiting here a lels darknefs, andefpecially the hurt
they can do to any men, feems, by fome of the former expreffi-
ons, to afford fome folace to them, and to be an accidentary
diminution of their prefent pains. Yet again, the abfence of
good Angels from the Court of Heaven, and the glorious ap-
pearance of Gods Majefty there, when they fent hither, is re-
compenfed with the joy they have in doing Gods will, and fuc-
couring his Servants here below, fo the relaxation the Devils
have from their low imprifonment feems counterpoifed in their
alcent with the gnawing grief they have here by reafon of
their malice its being lo frequently defeated, and the good
Angels and alio Holy men ruling over them, and Gods con-
tinually bringing his greater good and Glory out of their evils,
and by their punifhment, after the laft day, to be increafed ac-
cording to the evil alfo they have done on earth.
As for fouls departed hence, the return of them hither out
ofthofe places of joy, and repofe above, or of torment below
wherein they are received till the laft day, is much more un-
certain, elpecially concerning the damned. And the fre-
quent apparitions that are made here of Saints departed ; or,
if any fuch have bin, of fome fouls that are in hell, all thefe
may be reprefented by the miniftery of Angels, good, or evil.
Pardon thisdigrefTion. Now to goon.
§.2i2. The Devil, thus fupplicating our Lord not to deftroy them
adds further, that he well knew him who he was, the holy one
of God : (as the Devils did frequently at other times, See MarT^
3. 11. where they alfo fell down before and worshipped him ,
and Z.z^.4.41. the Devils, faith the Evangelift, came out of
many, crying out, and faying, Thou art Chriff. the Son of God,
for they ( faith he ) knew that he was Chrift. See alfo AUs 1 6.
17, 18. ) He being either made to fpeak this truth out of con-
ftramt and againft his will, or out of flattery, hoping fo to find
forae favour from him, who was neither able to carry his prey
away,
§ 2I3* °f GU? Saviour Jefus Chrift. 159
away, orhimfelf to quit the place. Our Lord firft commands
him lilence, (aselfewhere LuJ^^. 41. and as alfo the Apoftles
Jfts\6. 18.) not accepting any fuch teftimony from the Fa-
ther of lies ( which Author alio might render it fufpicious, and
therefore fpeak it, that it might not be believed ) and charged
him alfo to leave the perfon. Soroaringout again amain, as
if dreading thofe greater fufferings to which he was remitted,
or at leaft the lots of his prey, he threw down the perfon in the
midft of the people, and fo left him without any further hurt.
This is the firft Devil that is mentioned to have bin caft out
by our Lord ( as {till greater works by degrees are (hewed by
him ) and the firft Confeflion made by them of his perfon, and
of their iubjection to him: upon which the people much ad-
miring cryed out, what virtue and power hath this man, that
the Devils ftreight obey his commands ?
After this our Lord, departing from the Synagogue with his {• 2T*»
four Diiciples, entred into thehoufe of Simon Peter at noon , '
there to take his dinner. SeeLu%. 14. 1. where it feems was his
ordinary abode when in Capernaum. Here Simon Peters wives
mother layfickof a Feavor ( probably feizing on her but the
night before, otherwife our Lord would have bin importuned
for her fooner ) whom he prefently healed with only touching
her with his hand and rebuking, and commanding the feavor
to depart from her : who prefently arofe, and helped to provide
neceflaries for them. For the reft of the day being the Sab-
bath, he was free from the multitude till the evening after fun
ftt. But then, faith St. Mark, all the City were gathered about
the door; bringing their lick to be cured, as alio feveral poi-
feiTed with Devils, whom trembling and confefling him, as the
former had done in the Synagogue, that he was Chrift the Son
of God, he prefently filenccd them, both as unwilling to borrow
any teftimony from fuch vile and deteftable wights , and as
theieunieaionablenow difcovering the Dignity of his perfon,
which tended to the prevention of his fufTering?, and contradi-
ctions he was to undergo ; as alio propofing himfelt in a pat-
tern to us of modefty, and humility ,in not permitting any thing
to our own praife to be faid in our prefence.
All people thus flocking after him, the next morning, for - „
preventing the like concourfe , and likewife for preparing - — *2
himfelf for his intended journey and circuit about Galilee^ he
arofe a great while before day, and before the Difciples were
awake, or aware of it, and departed into a lolitary place, and
there
i 6 o The Eiftory of the Life §. 2 1 5 .
there betook himfelf topra, er : probably giving thanks here
to God his Father for the gracious benefits afforded to man-
kind by his miniftery , and petitioning for his Auditors their
bringing forth worthy fruits thereof,and alio for the future like
fuccefs thereof in thole other parts of Galilee, of which he now
intended a vifitation. And here in fuchhis retiring into foli-
tude, and that by night ( a time not encombred with other
employments) giving us alio an example how we may belt
perform our devotions without diffraction, by night-watching
and retirements, S- Peter and the other Dilciples, when rifen
and miffing him in the houfe, went out after him, and having
found, told him that all men fought for him. And by this
time alfo the people had difcovered where he was, and fo im-
portuned him for a longer itay, and that he would not depart
iofoon from their City. Butheanfwered them, that he mult
preach the Kingdom of God alfo to other Cities and people, for
therefore was he fent.
§. 2 ir. S° leaving Capernaum for a time, Our Lord departed to
preach the Kingdom of God in the other Cities and Towns of
lower Galilee, doing this efpecially in their Synagogues on the
Sabbaths. And then after his Sermons, and cures applyed to
their fouls, ordinarily healing their lick, and freeing the pol-
felTed, attended meanwhile with his Difciples, and followed
by great multitudes of people, and by feveral of the Scribes
and Pharifees, fome as his Converts, others as (pies upon his
wordsand actionsj their envy toward him increafing with his
fame, andapplaufe.
As for the following Hiftory of our Lords Travels , Sermons ,
and Miracles in Galilee j ( which are more fully related by the
three firft Evangelifts ) there feems a great uncertainty as to
the time and place of feveral of them ; thefe all endeavoring
brief relations, and chiefly intending the matter, but not the
Order, as a thing of lefs confequence. Nor is the contexture
of thefe ftories in the Harmonifts, ( though gathered by them
with a moft diligent and fcrupulous obfervation of the circum-
ftances,) and of any necefiary connection, expreffedin anyone
of the Evangelilts ;yet fo evident, or agreeing with one another,
as that there doth not remain probable arguments of ranging
feveral of them otherwife. Therefore 1 Jhall, without much
folicitude or anxiety in a matter, which feems by no induftry
clearly decidable nor an errour therein much damagable ,
chule to follow that Method wherein the moft of them do con-
fent, and have already pitched on. Our
§. 2 1 6, 2 1 7. o/o#r Saviour Jefus Cbrifl.
Our Lord then, in this his travelling through thefe Cities
and Coafts bordering on the weft fide or the Lake, having made
himfelf fo publickly known, was by the concourfe of people
ftill increafing forced frequently to change his place; and at
laft, faith the Evangelift, abfent himfelf from the Cities and
repair into folitudes, and defarts : where company, if not
wholly prevented, yet was fomewhat leffened ; and fo he might
communicate his doctrine and mighty works more freely to
new Auditors j which exceffive concourfe of people we may .
imagine he avoided upon many other reafons,- not only for
procuring hereby fome time of necelTary reft both to himfelf
and his Difciples, but alfo for the not giving any jealoufy to
Herod, and for preventing any difturbance from his Officers ;
for declining thefufpition of altering popularity andapplaufe;
and for remedying the inconveniences fuch great multitudes
of men, women, and children, remote from Cities, might fuf-
fer for want ofprovifions.
After fome time thus fpent in Galilee, for the further fpread- < ll?:
ing ftill of his new Gofpel, he gave order to his Difciples to
pais over to the other fide of the Sea of Galilee Mat. 8.18. Up-
on which a Scribe came to him, and offered his fervice to at-
tend upon him whitherfoever he went ; his intentions herein
are not mentioned ; but by our Lords anfwer it may be fu 'peck-
ed, that upon feeing fuch wonderful works of our Lord, and
fuch a fame of,and concourfe to,him, he hoped (like Simon Ma-
gus J the purchafe of fome great reputation, or gain to himfelf
alfo thereby. Our Lord the better to inform him of the hard-
fhip, and poverty of fuch a fervice, told him s that the Foxes
C perhaps intimating therein the cunning and wife men of this
world ] had provided themfelves holes, and the wandring birds
nefts where to repofe,and retire themfelves; but the Son of man
had not where to lay his head. For our Lord had no houfe, no
poffeffions of his own, even in Capernaum was only a fojourner
in a nothers houfe, probably Peters: and in his travels and pera-
grationsitfeemsbv A/ar^.1.4;. took up his lodgings on nights
fub dio in defart places ; His great fame alfo and conflux of peo-
ple to him hindring, faith the Evangelift, that he could no
more openly enter into the Cities. Which delarts in any re-
miflionof bufinefs, and vacancy from the crowds of people, he
made ufeoffor praier Lu^.16. So [Mar 1^6. 4.6.) ac night af-
ter he had miraculoully fed fuch a multitude, he went higher
into the Mountain, and there taking up his lodging (and it
X feems
i*2 The ffijlory offhe Life §.218.
feemsby what happened to his Difciples in a very tempeftuous
night] continued iu praier till the fourth watch, or the third
hour in the morning. And again Mat. if. 32. he is faid to have
remained three daies together in adefart Mountain, and ma-
ny thoufands with him, among which many women alfo and
children, whom it feems much tranfported with his difcourfes,
and having taken little care of themfelves, he miraculoufly
ted, that they might not be famimed. And the like was his
practice at Gethfemane, at the foot of Mount Olivet, at the
times when he preached in Jerufalem. Yet lurely fuch hard-
fhips our Lord underwent, not neceffitated thereto, either for
want of friends, and benefactors, who had obliged fo many
with his miracles, or alfo of an inheritance ( though this fmallj
from his parentage; but fuch poverty and dereliction of all
things he rather chole,for a fingle attendance, without any other
folicitudes, orembarrafments whatever on the Gof pel, becaufe
the labourer he knew, at leaft from the Divine provifion, could
not want his falary , viz. neceflaries ; and alfo for a recommen-
dation of the like condition toothers that defired to be more
perfect. And fome fuch thing we fee he propofed to the young
rich man upon the account of attaining perfection Mat. 19.21.
with which anfwers of our Lord, it is probable the Scribe here
fas that young man) difheartned , cooled-in , and receded
from his former purpofe, and pretentions.
§.218. Upon this free offer ofthe Scribe S. Matthew infers another,
" and S. Luke a third, ( though perhaps not all occurring at the
fame time ) of two other perfons who offered their confiant at-
tendance upon our Lord, either freely on their own accord ,
or alfo by him invited to it, only requefted his leave to dif-
patch onebufinefs firit, and this in order thereto; the one of
them the burying of his Father; news being fuppoled to have
come then luddainly to him of his death, a matter feemingly
of great piety, and capable alfo of no long retardment, or de-
lay ( though fome other Commentators, think that his Father
being aged, and near hisGrave, the Difci pie defired to be dif-
penced with till after his death J The other defired hisper-
miffion only firft to fhew the civility to his friends and kindred
athomeof bidding them Adieu ; a thing of lefs ftay or demur
than the other. Yet our lord to fhew us the great importance
of immediatly profecuting good purpofes, and efpecially the
things belonging to the Kingdom of God ; and the nothingnefs
of, and danger of temptation by, fuch fecular diverfions, and
Ceremo-
§>.2 19,220. of our Saviour Jef us Chr iff. 163
Ceremonies, franckly denies both thefe feeming (mall and rea-
sonable requefts. Anlwering them in Parables or Metaphc rs.
Totheonehe laid; let the Dead bury their Dead, mewing §.219.
whatefteem our Lord had of the men or this world, viz. as of
dead in it fas on the other fide, the \poftle makes God* Saints
dead to it ) and intimating the noblenefsor this mans piefent
calling in refpecl: of his former fad condition, and of thole oiCo lofS-2-
his Relations, dead to God and fpirituai things ; and that
there was enow of them to do thisomce to hi^ Fattier iard that
the employment, he was graciouily in\ ited to, was not to bury
but raiie the Dead to newneis of lite. To the other ; that who-
fo puts his hands once to the Plow and looketh back, is not fit
for the Kingdom of God , for if the Plow- man looks back but
for a minute, his plow cannot go right. Signifying, in both
hisanfwers, great intentivenefs and diligence without any di-
ffractions, required in profecuting that only buftnefs, our Sal-
vation i and efpecially fuch as are imployed in the procuring
alio the falvation of others ; and feeing much better then they
the harm to their new good relolutions that might be incurred
by thefe impediments i that the one in burying his Father,
would next be ingaged about fettling the inheritance too -, and
the other by his kindred difheartned in hisprefent good pur-
poles ; and allured by fome other baits from further purluing
them. Which anfwers of our Lord call to mind the LelTon
elfewhere tohisDilciples Matt. 6. Quarite regnum Dei, reliqua
adjicientur, and to Martha, concerning unum nee ejfarium, and
his Admonition Lu\. 17. 31. --non defcendat indomum tollere
vaj'a fua, --{£ memores ejtote uxoris Lot, and S. Pauls practices, Phil.}. 15.
—Qua retro funt oblivifcens, adpnora contendo.
When our Lord was entered into the Ship, and, for the more §■ 220.
convenience, out of it preached to the multitude that follow-
ed him ftill until the evening ; he, without returning to Caper-
naum, or taking fomerepofe, appointed his Difciples to diimifs
the people, and (laying ftill in the (hip, bad them prefently to
pafsoverto the other fide of the Lake; perhaps having fome
great companion of the miferable Demoniacks that were there.
But there being feveral other fmall imps in the Port, fome o-
thers alio entred into them and ftill accompanied him. In
their failing thither-ward there detcended a great ftorra of
wind upon the Lake, whilft our Lord , wearied with his daies
fervice, or rather to tr. the faith of his Difcip-es, was retired
into the hinder part of thelhip, and there lay a ileep upon a
X 2 pillow j
1 64 The Hiftory of the Life §.221.
pillow; when by the waves beating into the Ship, and it alrea-
dy feemihg full of" wafer, and ready to fink, the Difciples, ex-
ceedingly affrighted; having forborn hitherto to difturb our
Lords reft, fnddainly awaked him, laying, Matter, Mailer, fave
ns, we perifli. Whereupon he ftreight rebuked the Wind, and
the Sea, faying, Peace be ftill ; and then blamed them not for
repairing tohiminthis their danger, but for their great fear,
and want of faith, as he doth very frequently: want of faith
in God j who expects a confidence in him (which alio cannot
be without fome degree of love of him ) not only in the juft
and his Servants, but alfo in finners ( among whom alfo the
juft ought to reckon themfelves ) a confidence futable to the
moft vigilant Divine providence , extended not only to the
good, but to all the Creation. Whilft he is, as exceeding faith-
ful to the righteous, fo exceeding merciful alfo to finners,
when they make their humble addrefTes to him ,• and this alfo
is a great honour to his mercy, that finners alfo believe in it j
and this faith alfo in them is a very effectual means of receiv-
ing fuch his mercies. But our Lord might much more blame
their want of faith in him, after that they had now acknow-
ledged him the Son of God, and feen io many of his former
Miracles.
After his rebuking the winds and Sea, followed immediatly
a great calm, and a very great wonder and aftonifhment, and
fear, and reverence of him (timuerunt timore magno ) both in
the Difciples, and thofe in the other Ships accompanying him
( partakers wemayfuppofe bothot the fame danger, and de-
liverance )j this being the firft miracle they had feen of this
kind,
f. 22i, Our Lord, the next morning landed in the Country of the
' Gadarens or Gergfeans, a region given by Mofes to the tribe
of Reuben, Dan, and half thatofManaffes , probably now in-
habited partly by Ifraelites ('thecaufe of our Lords going thi-
ther ) partly by Gentiles j as may be gathered by fuch ftore of
fwine nourimed there, to be fold to the Gentiles, Roman Sol-
diars and others; which feems by the mi f chief happening to.
thefe iwine, to have bin afautin thofe ofthejewiih Nation,
and to have fo many waies difpleafed our Lord.
Upon his arrival prelcntly two pofTefTed and ftrangely dif-
fracted, with fome torn rags about them , came running to-
wards him (which if they had not of themfelves none could
have brought them to him ) and fell at his feet, and worlhipped
him.
^.222. of our S avior Jefus Chrift. 165
him. Both of them hideous fpectacles, but one much fiercer
than the other, who tore all his cloths, and day and night
making grievous outcries cut his fiefTi with fharp (tones, and
who having bin often bound with chains, when the fits came
on him brake them in pieces, nor could he be fhut up in any
houfe j but both of them ranged m the Mountain, and among
the Tombes ( which were placed out of the cities, and com-
monly digged in fome rocky places, fee 2lQngm-z'$. 16. ) places
of greater horrour fought out by the Devil in which thefe men
lay, and were fo outrageous againft any they met with, as none
durft pais by that way. Yet fo foon as our Lord was landed,
they came iubmilTively to him (for the Devils loon perceived
hisprefence, andhad had already fome intimation from him
of their departing and releafing thofe milerable creatures; )
And firft, like the former pofleiTed perfoninthe Synagogue,
conferring who he was , and pleading they molefted not, nor
gave any affronts to, him, they befought and then adjured him
by God ( by whofe eternal laws their extreme fufferings were
yet deterred) that he would not prefently fend them away into
the Abyfie, nor torment them before the time ( of which fee
before $.210. ) nor yet expel them out of thatcountry; thefe
having by Gods permiffion perhaps certain regions and circuits
of their ranging afTigned to them, wherein they are with all
diligence to ferve their Prince, the God of this world, as the
Apottles flile him , and being perhaps more addicted to the
places wherein they have done much mifchief.
Our Lord, the more to difcover, what a condition and crowd §, 222.
of them were gotten into one of thefe miferable wretches,
( which alio caufed fuch a ftrength and fury in him beyond or-
dinary Demoniacks no way to be mattered ) and to mew what
a palace they efteemed fuch a lodging, and whatfoiace,the mif-
chief they can do in and to it when ever permitted, asked this
unclean Spirit, what was his name : the evil Spirit, for the great
multitude of them gotten into this hold, and perhaps for mov-
ing the more his compaffion to them being fo many, expreffed
it by the word Legion; a military term fas thefe evil Spirits
fer\e a perpetual warfare againft man ) which hath bin ufed;
by the Pvomans in feveral times for a various number, but ordi-
narily for many thoufands. From which may be gathered
what an infinite multitude of fain Angels there be, and which
coait up and down, in theie lower Regions out of envy, feeking
the perdition of men s As likewife, what a ftndt guard and pro-
tection
1 6£ The Hi/lory of the Life §-223«
tediou God hath over us, that the malice of fo many thoulands
of them mould be confined to, and imprifoned as it were in, one
perfon -, and laftly, from which is manifefted the great Maje-
ity and power of our Lord not only overfingle, but whole ar-
mies and Legions of them, fupplicating at his feet, and flatter-
ing him with his Titles.
$.223. Now there being higher in the Mountain, and not far ofFan
herd of about two thouiand Swine feeding, the Devils there-
fore bef ought our Lord, the rather hoping to obtain fuch their
requeft of a Jew, that they might enter at leaft into the Swine j
Unclean Spirits into thefe unclean Beafts ; which our Lord per-
mitting they carried the fwine down a precipice from the hill,
and drowned them all in the Lake. Wherein thefe evil Spi-
rits prefently betrayed their malice, endeavoring by this to in-
cenfe the Gadarens and the owner? of the lwine , ( doubt-
lefs no fmall number ofperfonsj againft our Lord ( as indeed
it happened ),• though by this means they prefently difpoiTefTed
themfelvcs of that harbour, and lodging for which they fo ear-
neft-ly importuned our L©rd. Which (hews alfointhe poiTef-
fion of men their greateft confolaticn to be doing the more
hurt to them and others- and that, if permitted, they would
have as foon difpatched the two poffefTed as they did the fwine,
though to their own dammage, and their incurring perhaps
fome of thofe greater fufferings they fo much deprecated.
Meanwhile our Lord (who well foreknew what would be the
iflue ) yet for many good reafons might permit the fact, firft
hereby to fhew more manifeftly what a number of Devils were
ejected out of the man, by their diflodgingf none being indulg-
ed to have more than one) into fuch a number of fwine; and
what a prefervation thus the whole country received from our
Lord. 2ly. Again, hereby to make a tryal of the virtue of the
Gadarens, whether for the freedom, and redemption of thofe
miferable objects of their pitty, their brethren and fellow-citi-
zens out of the cruel handsoffo many Devils, they would re-
fign and take chearfully the lofs of fome of the molt unclean,
and unneceflary of their goods : which lofs the owners oi them, .
being fo many, to any fingle perfon might not be great ; as alio
to fhew us how much the faving of another man is to be valued
beyond thatof our own eftate. ily. Perhaps alio fince thefe
creatures are unprofitable anyway fave for food, and this pro-
jLevh 7.1T. halted the Jews, to punim thus a fault in .the owners of them,
D*ut. u\X - if IfraeliteSi nounlhing luch numbers of them, which were only
fa 1 able
§.224-,22$. of our Saviour Jefa Cbrift. I^>7
faleable to ftrangers, and negle&ing provifions more ferviceable
to their own people, or Country : Or, if thefe fwine kept by
forraignersonly, to punifh the affront, and contempt thus of-
fered to the Jewiih Nation, and their laws, in a country rightly
belonging to their pofTeffion. 4ly. Laftly to fhew the perpe-
tual mifchiefs, and damages thefe evil Spirits could, and would
do even to anyr thing belonging to us, if they were not reftrain-
ed by the divine goodnefs.
Thefe and many other good ends might be of fuch a permif- §> a?4»
Hon. But this accident, according to the rudenefs of that peo-
ple, had a much contrary effe6t. For the fwine-keepers, halt-
ing into the Town, and declaring our Lords arrival there, and
what had happened to the two miferable pofleffed men, alfo
what to the fwine, the inhabitants prefently upon it, before our
Lord entred into their city, wentforth to prevent him. And
though they could not but have heard of our Lords many mi-
racles wrought elfewhere , and many among themfelves had
need of the like mercies, and though the lofs of their goods
was noway valuable to the falvation both of their fouls, and
bodies by this gracious vifit of the Meflias, had no fence of fuch
happinefs i But inftead of returning our Lord thanks for the
poor mens delivery out of fuch a flavcry, beheld by them now
fober, and clothed, and magnifying our Lord , and humbly
fitting at his feet, inftead of fitting down with them, and hear-
ing his Divine words or bringing their fick to him, and invit-
ing him, and his Difciples into their City, being much offend-
ed with what had paffed , and dreading rather what might
happen upon fuch another difpofTeflion to the reft of their
goods, intreated our Lord to leave their coafts j as if the Devils
after leaving the fwine had feized upon them.
But meanwhile, by fuch a notable circumftance of the lofs , 2 -
of the fwine, the fame of our Lords miracle on the pofTefTed,
and foveraignty over fuch an army of devils, v/asrendred much
greater. And from hence alfo may be obferved , that God
many times in this world fbutalwaies for the more advan=
cing our falvation hereafter ) doth not his favours fo gratis >
that they fhall be qualified on our fide with no other CrofTes,
by which price as it were we may feem to purchafe them of
him, though the one be unconfiderable in refpect of the other..
There mult be here ufually fome tarantella jovned with the
hello. And thefe people, by the undifcreet impatience of a
fmall damage with which our Lord made the tryal of them,.
loi!
i68 The Hi/lory of the Life §.226,227.
loft anunvaluable treafure and reward for it, viz. the light of
the Gofpei (that now came to vifit them ) and the reicue of
their whole country from the fpiritual Haver/ of Satan.
§■ a6. OurmeekLord to this uncivil, and ingrateful carriage and
treatment of the Gadarens fwhofe City as Jolephus faith, De
Bell. Judaic, y. c. 3. was the chief Metropolis of that whole
country, and who were the only people, that whilft all the world
courted and run after him, defired to be rid of him,} making
no reply, and being not departed far from the Ship that
brought him, returned into it, not receiving for himfelt' or his
poor Difciples the leaft hofpitality or refrefhment from them i
and, as he had faid alittle before to the Scribe,not having there,
whereto lay his Head. Only the man that was difpofTefTed
of the Legion (cured we fee in foul as well as body) followed
ftill after him ; and when they took (hipping, defired he might
go with them, perhaps having fome fears left left behind, the
Devils expell'd lhould refeize upon him. But it was our Lords
pleafure that he mould rather abide in his own Country, that
had ieen his former mifery * and He, who elfewhere forbad
others to fpeak of the cures, and mercies fhewed them, yet com-
mands him there to publiih the miracle he had wrought and
proclame how great things God ( to whom our Lord here for
our example afcribes his good actions ) had done for him, and
had had companion on him , to publiih it I fay in a place
where they were fo little fenfibleof it. Nor did our Lord that
we read of ever return to this place again ; obferving that lef-
fon he gave to his Difciples, not to caft pearls before fwine j
nor force the Gofpei and religion, and as it were endeavour to
break open the dores of mens understandings upon them -, that
teaching being moltwhat without fuccels that is not willingly
received. Unlefs we may imagine this repulfecame from the Di-
vine Providence, that this ealtern fide of the Lake, hall-Gent ile
(as the great number of their fwine alio' intimates ) lhould not
as yet be enlightened with the Gofpei fas neither the Samari-
tans ) till it firft amply preached to the main body of the 12
Tribes.
§. 227. From hence our Lord returned to Capernaum his ufual re-
treat, and to hisaccuftomed lodging there, probably the houfc
of S. Peter ( and perhaps, they for this expecting cuitomc from
him and Peter, he ordered him to pay it ) : the report of his re-
turn fpread abroad, a multitude 01 people (fo many faith the
Evangehit as there was no roome to receive them even about
the
§228,229. of our Saviour Jef m Chrift. 169
the door,) gathered to him to hear his Sermons, and to bring
to him their lick j among which multitude were many great
perfons, Phariiees, and Doctors of the Law, come from Judea
as well as Galilee. In the houfe, then, he taught the people;
and healed all the fickthat could get to him, the Phariiees and
Doclors, as perfons of more note, there fitting by him ; aud nar-
rowly oblerving all his words, and actions.
A mong other fick brought thither was a Paraly tick; fo infirm, §'^1l
as that four men were hired to bear him in his bed. But,
when come to the houfe, there was no pollibility of palling
through luch a crowd with luch a carriage. Upon this both
the lick man and his bearers ( mod confident of our Lords com-
panion and help, could they devife any accefsto him ) boldly
attempted to uncover the roof of the houfe, thence to let him
down in the bed by cords into the Room where our Lord was.
From which we may gather, that it was a mean, and low build-
ing, and having no upper ftories, and the covering, or tiling
of it in their flat roofs more ealilv removable without danger
to thole underneath in the houfe. For certainly in their ex-
pecting lo great a favour, thele men were very cautious of giv-
ing any offence, nor this thing done by them without the own-
ers leave, and perm illion. The lick man, his being thus con-
veyed before our Lord in his Couch from the top of the houfe,
was a fight very pleafing to him; taken with this their extra-
ordinary faith making luch a ftrange attempt, and relying alio
on his clemency, andgoodnefs, where they had caufe rather
to have expected his great difplealure and refentment for the
houfe broken up over his Head, for the incivility and dammage
to his Holt, ( of Peter no rich man ), and the disturbance, or alio
fright of the great perfons then about him. A Itrong faith cafts
away many fcruples.
Our Lord (faith the Text ) feeing their faith, not only of g. 220.
the lick man, but of his porters, ( as he ufed to relieve one for Mark. z.5.
the faith and prayers of another, as for the Cananean womans
faith, he cured her daughter ; and for the Centurions faith, his
Servant; and for one mans lake gives alfo grace, and faith to
another; which grace and faith given renders him capable
alfo of further favours) firft applied himfelf to the cure of his
greateft neceflity,and infirmity, though lels in fight, that of the
Soul; gracioully calling him his Son, and bidding him to-be
oigoodchear, for that his fins were forgiven him.
In which action he intended alio ; firft, to inftrucl: us that all
Y our
170
The Hiftory of the Life §.230.
our corporal fufferings come becauie of Tin ( fee Jo. $. 14. what
our Lord {aid to another impotent man that he fhould fin no
more leaftfomethingworfe happened;, though not thefe in-
Aided on all finners, nor alwaies chiefly for our fins ( iecjo. 9.
3. ) nor on every one proportionally according to their fin,
that we may judge none raflily. 2ly. Again, tofhewus that
thefanity of our fouls is much more important, and valuable
than that of the body ; and what ought chiefly to be fought by
us from him. 3IV. Laftly, tomanireft that he was fent from
God the Saviour of mankind, and came with authority from
liis Father to remit the fins thereof ; as Zachary, and the Angel
to jofeph, and the Baptift, had foretold of him. But yet we
may obfervehere a certain modefty ufed by our Lord in his ex -
preffion, faying, not remitto, but remittuntur tibi, which might
have bin underftood in fuch a fence, as the Prophet Nathan's to
David 2 Sam. 12. 13. remittuntur i. e, a Domino ; But, notwith-
ftanding, thefe words heard by the Scribes, and Pharifees, that
fate by, gave them great offence, this appearing to them no
lefs than blafphemy, and the making him (elf God.
§. i3o. Our Lord in his fpirit ("faith St. Mark) perceiving their
c^i>.z. 8. thoughts, and what they reafoned within themfelves; though
as overawed by the peoples efteem of him, thatthey forbear as
yet openly to accule him thereof, prefently replyed to thefe
their cogitations ( which might have bin another indication
to them of his Deity, none fave God alfo knowing thoughts )
and declared to .them, that the Son of man ffor fo he humbly
itiles himfelf) had received from his Father fuch power here
on earth in behalf of mankind, as to forgive the fins thereof :
and which power alfo he afterward delegated to other men
his Apoftles, and their fucceffours, fee John 20. and they alfo
practifing it mperfona Chrijii z Cor. 2. 10. -Jam. jr. 14. to this in-
deed, the curing of thefe difeafes of the Soul, not thole of the
Body, and the remiflion of mens fins,- and the purchafing
thereof byhisblood, being the principal bufinefs of his coming
into this world. And that they might be afcertained of this, he
told them alfo that he had received the power of doing that,
in atteftation of that, which would feem to them a much har-
der matter, than the faying to this man that his fins were for-
given him, (in which they had no means to know the truth of
his words ) namely of making this Paralitick, that lay before
them, found and well, and himfelf to carry away the bed on
which others brought him hither. . Which at our Lords com-
mand
<^. 23 1. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift- 171
mand was done accordingly ; the man paffing thus through
the multitude wonderfully aftonifhed at it, and going through
the Itreets glorifying God : this carriage of his couch brought
thither by four men b€ing an undeniable indication of the per-
fection of his Cure.
Hence our Lord removed to the Sea fide, as he did frequent- $. 2 3 1.
ly, where was more air and room forlucha conflux of people.
As he patted along, a rich Publican, called Matthew, was fitting
fomewhere near the Haven at the receit of Cuftome from
the mips arriving there. Now the Office of a Publican, ferving
for the fupport of the Roman authority over the Jews, was
therefore very odious to them; by the Publicans renting alio the
Roman Cuftomes was often occasioned (for improvement of
their purchafes ) theexa&ing more than their dues ; ( therefore
were they forbid it by the Baptiit as a common fault among
them). Likewife by reafon of much money palling through their
hands, they pradti fed Ufury. For thefe things they were joy n-
ed with publick finners, or alfo heathen; and their fociety
much avoided ; which caufed our Lords expreflion, in fignifying
the withdrawing our (elves from the Society or converfation
of an incorrigible neighbour Mat. 18. 17. Let him be unto
thee as an heathen man , and a 'Publican Notwithftanding
this, our Lord before the Pharifees and multitude that fol-
lowed him, flops at this rich Publican's OrUce ; and in the midit
of his Accounts calls him to leave all and yeild a continual at-
tendance on his perfon : and indeed not only to have the ho-
nour of an Apoftle, but of being one of the four Evangelifts,
that afterwards writ his life; and S.Matthew alfo did this the
firlt and more copiouily than the others , reduced afterward
into a fhort compendium by S. Mark.
This action of our Lord was beheld by the people, and efpe-
cialy by the Pharifees, with great aftonifhment ; that he who
pretended to fo much fancfity mould make choice of fuch a
icandalous fervant ; but no lels, that his words mould have iuch
a fuddain influence upon one fo much immerled in the world,
and at that very time fo attent on his accounts j for faith St.
Luke, he prefently left all, rofe up, and followed him. But *■»*•*• *8.
the Glory and wiidom of our Lord was exceedingly fet forth
in this pafTage : whereby he firft fhewed them again what he
had laid before, that he had power to forgive fins, and what he
laid to them afterwards, that he came not to call the righteous
but finners to repentance ; that by the example of his own hu-
Y 2 mility,
172 " TheHiftoryoftheLife §.232,233.
mility, condefcendence, and mercy to the moft defpifed con-
ditions, endeavouring to abate the Pharifees pride, and encou-
rage, like the Baptift before him, all penitents in what ever
ftateof life, to apply themfelves to him j*not breaking a bruifed
reed, orextiuguilhingthe fmokingflax : but above all, where-
by he (hewed that he did not find, but make fit for hisfervice,
thofe whom he admitted to it; and acted all things with a
great Majefty over mens fpirits, like a God and himfelf: this
operation upon the mind of the Publican in the midft of his
bufinefs being a greater miracle than that done but now upon
the Body of the Paralytick.
Ms2- St. Matthew much overjoyed, and fo his fellow-Publicans,
with this fingular favour done him, ftreight quitted his Bank,
and the fame day invited our Lord and his Difciples to his
houfe, and there made him a great feaft, faith S. Luke, ( though
S.Matthew himfelf pafTeth over the matter more flightly, only
with a fattum ejt cum occubaret in domo, without an ( ipjitis ) : and
foa!fo when he names himfelf, he adds Publican and Matthew
the Publican chap. 10. 3 J which Feaft alfoferved for a fare-
wel entertainment to his friends and former acquaintance, a
many of which were Publicans: and foalfothefe fate down at
the Table and eat with our Lord, and his Disciples; in which
matter of eating and drinking, the Jews efpecially ufed the
greateft caution of any defilement, and therefore the Pharifees
refufed the invitement, or to mix with fuch a Society. And
now their difpl^afure, growing to the height, began to break
into words, which before was fmothered in their thoughts.
M33. They then after this entertainment queftion, yet not with
our Lord himfelf, but his Difciples ; firft why they, and efpeci-
ally theirMafter,aman offomuchSan&ity, did fo familiarly
converfe, and eat, and drink, with Publicans and finners; [By
finners meaning the common fort of people not fo ftrict in
their lives, nor wary for their converfation , nor diligent in
their purifications, nor frequent in their fafts, and Devotions ,
nor ftrict in their tithes, and other feverities as the Pharifees
were ; therefore reckoned by them unclean, befides thole who
JLuk 7. 19. were fcandalous for other faults. Upon which account the Pha-
rifee elfewhere wonders that our Lord would iufler Mary Mag-
dalen to touch him ; and from his companying with fuch
liberty they afperfed him as a glutton and a wine-bibber. ]
Our Lord overhearing them, or oth.erwife knowing their
words then, as their thoughts before, firft anfwered them , as
ufually,
§.234^ 3 5 • °f our Saviour Jefut Cirif?. 1 73
ufually, in a Parable : that they that are found and whole need
not the company of the Phyfitian,* but they that are fick. And
thus he juftified luch his converfation upon the account of his
being a Phyfitian, and fent not to call the righteous but nnners
to repentance ( io his difciples were exculed as being there not
for theirs but his company ). But otherwile doubtlefs, for thefe,
that are not fpiritual Ph\fitians but themfelves alfo fick, luch
company ought molt carefully to be declined 1 tor. 6.10. 2 The/,
3.14. all fin being very contagious, and alio, by our withdraw-
ing from it, to be difcouraged. This account given for him-
felf; He alfo, knowing the Pharifees great defect herein, zea-
lous in their (hew of lervice toward God, but failing in their
charity, and mercy toward their neighbour, bids them learn
better the meaning of that faying in Qiee. --1 will have mercy c/:ap $ 6
and not Sacrifice, God preferring mercy to our Brethren before
Sacrifice to himfelf. By which mod prudent anfwer of his
thofe poor penitents, that furrounded our Lord, received much
confolation, and the Hypocritical Pharifees an inward convi-
ction and confulion.
Silenced here they proceed again to queftion our Lord, and $;. 234>
to expofe him to fome publick fhame, in a matter they fuppofed
yet much lefs defenfible ; in which alio to make their party the
ftronger,they joyned with them the difciples of John the Baptift,
notwithstanding the great difefteem they had both of him and
his followers. Now thefe difciples alfo had an emulation of the
great fame of our Lord, and alfo had learnt of their Matter
the frequent practice of faffing, and had alfo received from
him certain forms, and directions for prayer,fee JLz^.u.i.as our
Lords difciples afterwards did from him; and from the erant
jejunantes Mar\. 2. 18. fome think this was one of their fading
daies. Thefe therefore, rather chofen to be the fpeakers, more
to aggravate the matter from the rules and prefcriptions of the
Baptift, one to much commended by our Lord, applyed them-
felves now to our Lord himfelf ; but questioned him only con-
cerning his difciples, as before they asked the difciples concern-
ing him. And it was at a very feafonable time too, when they
both came but now from a feaft: their demand was why, when-
as both they and the Pharifees ufed frequent fafts, his Di'ciples
did not fo, but did eat and drink; thinking hereby to force him
either to condemn rafting, or his own followers for omitting
it.
Our Lord, neither difcouraging the Difciples of John, nor §^2Ul
prejudicing
174- * The Hifiory of 'the Life §-23^.
prejudicing his Order ; nor as yet discovering the Pharifees Hy-
pocrify in their fafting, which he well knew ( fee Mat. 6. 16.)
anfwers them again in a Parabolical manner ; firft, that the
children of the bride-chamber could not mourn and faft whilft
the Bridegroom was with them, in a time of joy and a ready
fupply from him all-powerful of all their requefts and defires,-
but that the daies would come, when the Bridgrome mould be
taken from them, and then they mould faft in thofe daies:
Faft, and alfo make praiersin fuch a Superlative degree, as that
thofe of theBaptifts difciples and of the Pharifees were no way
to be compared to what hath bin pracfiied fince in the Church
of Chrift. And amone the Chriftian fafts our Lord alfo is
thought here to have had a fpecial regard to the folemnizance
of Lent, which the Church mould obferve for everj fpecially
relating to this Bridgroome at that time his being taken away
from her by a moft cruel death. But after this reafon of his
difciples not mourning and fafting for the prefent, the joyful
prefenceof theMeffias, Our Lord adds another, but this alfo
delivered in Parable ; viz. that a new piece of cloth was not to
be Sowed on an old garment, left the rent Should thereby be
made worfe : nor new wine poured into old bottles, left fo they
fliould beburft and the wine fpiltj intimating, that for the pre-
fent, before their renovation by the Holy Spirit, his Difciples
were not as yet fo capable of receiving or practising the fbricSt-
nefs and Severity of the Evangelical Counfels ;but by the rigour
of them, if now unfeafonably applyed, fome of them might ra-
ther be difcouraged and apt to fait away from their new pro-
feflion : as alfo he told his difciples, a little before his paflion ,
that he had many things to fay to them, which as yet at that
time they could not bear^o. i6> i2-
§• 2,36. This was faid by our Lord without the leaft difparagement
fas the Pharifees expected,) orrather with the great advance-
ment of fafting ; compared here to new .cloth, and new wine:
and without any difplaying to the people the Pharifees Hypo-
critical fafts j leaft this Duty might feem to have bin any way
afperfed by his mentioning the misbehaviour of the perfons.
Neither doth he prejudice the faftings of the Difciples of John ;
who had now bin under a longer diicipline than our Lords,-
and io were capable of higher undertakings. But yet fo far as
their pravers or failings were acceptable to God, fo far were
theie performed by the renovation of the Samefpiritin them,
which was alfo in their Mafter theBaptiftj and which Spirit
flowed
§.237?238« °f our Saviour Jtfm Chrift. 175
flowed originally from our Lord the fountain thereof; and
which from this Lord was daily to be increafed in them, as in
his new difciples. As for the difciples practice of falling after
the Bridgroom's departure, fee Ail. i3. 3. -17. 22. -27. 21.-2 Cor.
6. r. -11.27. 1 Cor. 7. j. -y.ult. And in all times from the be-
ginning, where was an abfence of the Bridgroorne and any ad-
verfity, or diftrefs, failing joyned with prayer was repaired to
as a remedy; publick, \Ffdras l.n.-^udith. 4.8.-2^0/2.10.3.
-'Jonah. 3. r. -Efter. 4. i<5 : Private, 2 Sam. 12. 6. 1 King. 21. 17.
-Dan. 9, 3. -10. 3. &c
This difcourfe and Apology of our Lord for his Difciples was $-237,
interrupted by Jairus, one of the Rulers of the Synagogue at
Capernaum,- who had one only daughter, about twelve years
old, and nowentring upon the flower of her age, lying at the
point of death. He came therefore in haft and fell down at
our Lords feet, and befought him that he would vouchfafe to
cometohis houfe, andlayhis hands upon her that me might
be healed. The divine Providence thus fupporting our Lords
authority, by other great perfons, fas this Ruler here, and before
the Regulus or noble man of Capernaum, and afterward the
Centurion) obliged by our Lords favours to them, againit the
envy and malice of the Pharilees.
Our Ldrd, though he could prefently with a word, and with-
out a journey, have cured his daughter as he had done before
the noblemans Son; yet gratioully bearing with the infirmity of
the Rulers faith/ who thought his coming to her, and impo-
fing his hands upon her neceffary to her recovery ) and alfo the
more to oblige him, and heighten the miracle by the account
which afterward happened, went along with him together with
his difciples, and a crowd of people toward his houfe.
In his palling along, a certain woman that had fuffered a flux §. 2 7 8 .,
of her blood during twelve years, and fpent ail her means on
the Phyfitians without remedy, notable for the preis to get to
prefer her requeft to our Lord, or perhaps not daring to ap-
pear and make known her malady to him ( which rendred her
unclean, and fo all thofe whom me touched,) laid toherfelf,
that -if flie could but come behind and fecretly touch the Mutt9 ,
fringe, or hem of his garment, file mould be cured. For the
fringe, foitwas, that God would have his own people diftin-
guimed from the reft of the world, as in their flelh by circum-
cifion, fo externally and vifibly by his appointing upon the bor-
der of their garment round about to be worn a blew or Hea-
ven
ij6 The Hi/lory of the Life §-239«
ven and Sky- coloured ruban ( which the Pharifees loved alfo
to have broader than ordinary ) ; to the end ( iaith the Text
Numb, i y. 3 9 . ) that they looking upon it ( both their own and
that ofanothers ) fhould remember all Gods commandments,
to do them: and not leek after [ the lulls of ] their own hearts,
and eves. Some therefore think die womans devotion directed
more particularly to the hem of our Lords veft as counted more
facred. Ot which fee what is (aid ^acbar. 8. 23. But the other
Evangelifts exprefs it more generally of her touching any part
of his clothes; which her delire as foon as the woman had at-
tained, flie perceived her blood prefently flopped. So that af-
terward, when this thing better known in their bringing to our
Lord Mat. 14. 35-, 3d. very many fick, they befought him, for
laving more trouble that they might only touch the Hem of
his garment, and fo many as did it were cured. This woman,
then according to her faith, coming behind him, and touching
fecretly his cloths, had immediatly her blood flopped : Only in
this deficient, that ihe thought this might happen without his
knowledg.
§• a?9* Our Lord, to manifeft this womans great faith, and the ef-
fect: thereof, and to propofeit to the imitation of others; and
particularly to ftrengthen that of the Rulers ((landing by )
much inferiour to hers ; Laft'y, tofhew himfelf omnifcient of
all that paiTed, and that God might not loie the due glory
thereof, fuddainly turning about, a>ked who it was that had
touched him? Whereupon, whilll the Difciples excufed the mat-
ter from the preffing of the multitude, the woman knowing
what was done in her, fearing and trembling, faith the Text,
prefented her folf and fell down proftrate before him and con-
refTed the fad:. Our Lord on the other fide much comforting
her, recommending to the people the greatnels of her faith,
tiifl. 7. /. h- c. ami impLlting to it her cure. Lufebius relates this woman to
have bin an inhabitantof Cefarea Philippi, and therein grati-
tude before her door to have erected a brazen ftatue of our
Lord, and another of hers proftrate at his feet: and that under
our Lords ftatue grew an unknown kind of herb, which when
fo high as that it touched our Lords veil, reaching to his a-nk'es,
was medicinable and cured any difeafe. This Statue Eufebius
faith he had the curiofity to go to the city, and there faw :
which Zozomen faith was afterward caufed to broken by Ju-
lian the Apoftate, and his own placed mftead thereof. But
this by lightening to have bin cut in the middle, and the upper
part
§.240,241. of our Saviour Jefas Chrift. 177
part thrown down to the ground. —Ex quo quidem tempore,
faith he, ad hodiemum diem atra, tanquam fulminis iilut ambufta
manet.
During this our Lords flay about the woman, and Jairus ftill §. 240.
attending on him, a fad meflage came to him that his daugh-
ter was already departed, fo that our Lord needed not to be
troubled any further : who, though he had done many wonder-
ful cures or feveral kinds, yet is not related hitherto to have
manifefted his power in raifing any from the dead. Our Lord
comforted the much-dejected Ruler, bidding him not to be af-
fraid, only believe ,• and went on his journey.
Come to the Houfe all was found full of lamentation, the
minftreis and folsemn Mourners according to the cuftome of
the Jews See Jer. 9. 1 7.-2 Chron. Jr. ».y. were called thither, and
by their doleful Notes and Voices (according to the defign of
thefe )' excited the grief of all thofe friends and acquaintance,
that came to lament with the Parents of the decealed. Our
1 .ord commanded their filence, and flighted the matter, to do
this great miracle with the more privacy, fotheleis, as yet, to
provoke the envy and perfecution of the Phariiees, asalfo to
be a pattern herein to us of avoiding applaufe. He excluded
all ochers,and took only into the roome the parents of the Dam-
fel, and three of the Difciples (a competent number forwit-
neffesjj and taking the decealed maid by the hand bid her
arife ; which fhe prefently did ( her foul returning to her ) and
walked before themj Our Lord, tofhew the cure perfect, bid-
ding them to give her fomefood: the parents and Difciples
muft needs be much aftoniRied hereat. This being for the Ru-
lers honour, and rewarding of his patience, the firftof the only
three perfons our Lord railed from the dead during his whole
life time. And therefore this, as the firft, done with more fe-
crecy j the railing of the widows Son more openly, and of La-
zarus again more publickly than that. And his power herein
alio was manifefted by feveraf degrees. Firft, this maid was
railed not long after deceafed, and whilft yet lying in her bed:
but the widows Son when already carried forth to be buried;
And laftly Lazarus, after his having bin buried, and lain four
daies in his Grave. The Parents then being enjoy ned iecrecy,
but no way perfwaded thereto, thinking it a part of their gra-
titude to divulge it, Our Lord departed toward his own lodg-
ing in Capernaum.
In the way two blind men followed him, defiring reftorement §■ 24T
Z of
178 The Hijlory of the Life ^.24.2,243-
of theirfight, and ftiling him theSon ofDavid; i.e, the pro-
mifed Son to whom the Kingdom of David mould be reftored
( fee LuJ^. 1. 32. and fee the like of other blind men Mat. 12.
23. aud Mark^ 10.47, 5-2. ) which was an act of great faith in
them. Our Lord took no notice of them in publick, but when
come into the houfe he firft, to try and ftrengthen their faith ,
asked them whether they believed that he was able to do fuch
a thing : and then touching their eyes with his hands imputed
the cure to their faith ; enjoyning them alio fecrecy but in vain
to men fo overjoyed. As thefe cured blind men went out
from our Lord, they brought to him one pofTefled with a De-
vil, that rendred him dumb, and fpeechlefs. Which Devil be-
ing caft out, the dumb prefently had his fpeech reftored to him ;
the people wondring and praifing God, the Phaniees raging
and blafpheming, and divulging among the people ( when
their mouths were ftopt as to his other miracles) that for his
ejecting Devils, he did it by the power of the Prince of the De-
Tils ( with whom he was in league ) over the reft his Subjects :
perhaps by them now at firft in our Lords abfence, but after-
ward in his prefence too s where we fliall alfo meet with our
Lords anfwer to it.
§. 242. After our Lords refidence for fome four months at Caper-
naum, and elfewhere in Galilee, as appears by Jo. 4. 35-, 42. and
his vifiting all the Cities and Villages thereof, teaching in their
Synagogues, preaching the Gofpel, healing their lick, and do-
ing many miracles, among which was the railing of the Ru-
lers young daughter deceafed to life ; the next Pafchal feaft
of the Jews now approached being the fecond of thofe feafts
1 ucceeding his baptifm, and he now in the thirty fecond year
of his age. For the Celebration whereof our Lord together
with his Difciples went up to Jerufalem : whofe words and acti-
ons there are delivered to us by S.John, writing after the reft
of the Evangelifts,and fupplyinjMiiany things omitted by them:
who declareth chiefly thefe hi? words and actions tranfacted
in Galilee, the place or our Lords ordinary refidence for de-
clining the fury of the Pharjfees, and Rulers of the Jews, till the
appointed time of his Death was at hand.
§.243. Here then S.John firft relates a Miracle done at Jerufalem
by our Lord upon a much-known Paralytick : Done on the Sab-
bath day ; and further the man bid by him to take up his bed
and walk, contrary ( as it feemedj to their law forbidding them
the doing any work Exod.io, 10.. and particularly bearing of
any
§.244- of our Savior Jefus Chrift. 179
any burdens Jer. 17. 21, 22 ,• which thing, when difcovered by
the great ones amongthejews to havebindone by our Lord,
fo highly enraged them, faith the Text, as inftead of magnify-
ing him for fo great and charitable a Miracle, they not only
perfecuted, but thought to flay, him, for caufing fuch a breach
of the Sabbath Jo. j. 16. The Story is this. Near the Sheep-or
beaft-Gate, and not far from the Temple was a great pool,
faid to have bin made firft by Solomon, where the Sacrifices
were to be wafhed, and made clean before they were carried
into the Temple. This pool ferving for fuch an Holy ufe, an
Angel of God at certain times, but uncertain when, or how
often , or whether more ufually at the feafts, defcended and
moved or troubled, and muddied, or ruffled the waters thereof.
After which motion difcerned, the firft perfon any way infirm
of his limbs, lame, blind, withered, paralytical, See that could
get into the water, was immediatly and perfectly cured : ('which
curing of one only fhews it to proceed from a peculiar divine
difpenfation, and not any natural caufe ■■, and this becaufe ra-
rity recommends and fets a great value on Gods works, as we
fee our Lord alio, of many infirm, that then lay here, cured only
one,>. In the five porches thereof, built for this purpofe, and
the place therefore called Bethefda, i. e. Domus mifericordia ,
lay a multitude of infirm people, waiting for the troubling of the
water. Among thefe was a poor man lying on a bed, that had
laboured under his infirmity thirty-eight years, inveterate, and
incurable, who alfo had lain there a long time , by reafon of his
poverty having no help, and ftill prevented by others ftepping
into the moved water before him.
Our Lord, vifiting this Hofpital ( if I may fo call it J on the g. 244.
Sabbath, made choice of this man on whom to (hew his mercy
( reftrained here, in order to his pafTion, from fuch univerfal
benefactions ashe wrought in Galilee,) both as being a greater
object of charity, and his long infirmity well known abroad;
and as one having a bed, the carrying away of which bed on
the Sabbath, he knew would give the Jews much occafion of
inquiring after him that commanded it ; and by which he
might fhew to them more publickly his authority, and com-
miffion, and whence he was, and that he was both Mafter of the
moft veteran and incurable difeafec, and Lord alfo of the Sab-
bath. After his having asked him firft ( to excite his faith and
expectation ) whether he hadadefire to be cured; and heard
his doleful complaint, who hoped it only from the waters, he
Z 2 bad
JJeOT. 2 1 /f., j .
80 The Hijlory of the Life §.245,246.
bad him prefently take up his bed and walk. Upon which the
impotent man was inltantly cured, and carrying his bed on
the Sabbath, was prefently queftioned by the Jews ( probably
thefe inquirers being either the Pharifees, great zelots'or the
Sabbath, or feme or their Difciples ) for the breach of t in k>
doing j who anfwered them, that he was bid to do 10 by the
perfon that cured him. ButourLorJ, there bci.ig a throng of
people in the place, he prefently conveyed himfelf away, and
returned into the Temple. All which occulioned the cure to
be more taken notice of, and the perfon looked after that had
done it ; nor could the poor man give any account of him. But
a little after he repairing alfo to the Temple, probably there
to render more iolemn thanks to God for his cure, O ir Lord
nowdifcovers himfelfto him, and minding him or the mercy
he had received, exhorted him to amendment ot life, lealt a
worfe thing yet fhould happen unto him [«i die ira if not in
this, yet after this, life.]
*' f ^! The man, after he had paid his due adoration and thanks,
hafted to the former bufy enquirers aiter the Author of his cure,
and told them it was Jefus; doubtlefs thinking he mould ad-
vance his honour and efteem with them thereby. But it hap-
pened much otherwife, for inftead of this, they fought his
death; for his own breaking, in doing this cure, and caufing
the other man alio to break, the Sabbath. Our Lord then que-
ftioned by them concerning it as he was often for the like,
and made them great variety of anfwers and defences for
it, by wh'ch they were ftill file need J at this time aniwers
them as abfolute Lord of the Sabbath, that he was to do
the works for which God his Father had fent him ( among
which was reftoring the lame, giving fight to the blind &c.
Mat. n. ?.) whether this were on Sabbath , or week daies,
or whoever mould luffer fcanda thereat. Buthisanfwer now
again was made by them worfe than his fault; collecting
hence an higher accufation for destroying him, becaule ('faith
Je. j. 18. the Text) he not only hath broken the Sababth, but fa id alfo
that God was his Father, and made himfelf equal with God,
('which equality had the jews mifcollected from our Lords
words, as the Arrians (ay they did, probably our Lord, or the
Evangel iff, would have reflected on it. )
?• ?4<f. But our Lord well knowing his time notyetcome of being
delivered into their hands, with the fame undaunted courage
and infinite charity and zeal after their falvation, proiecuted
his
^.246. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift, 181
his fo mer difcourfe, and took this opportunity to declare to
them plainly and fully who he was; his Union and intimacy
with God his Father, and why he was Tent by and from him into
the world : and with what authority and power : that all might
provide for their Salvation by the believing in, and the ho-
nouring of, him, as they did the Father. See his Sermon made
to them Jo. r. The chiet Contents whereof were theie. That
in nothing he fought his own will [our Lord haviig the fame
natural affections as other men, butthefein all things fub;ecl>
ed to the Divine good pleafure and dtfpofal "j but the will of his
Father. That he did nothing of hunielf but what he law his
Father do, and that as he heard of him fo he judged : that all
judgment alio was by the Father committed into his hands,-
(fee the like Mat. n. 27. -Jo. 3. 3 r. ) and the power of doing
whatever the Father doth. That every one, who heard his
words and believed that God had lent him, mould not come
into condemnation [.i.e. for his former (ins now remitted in
him], but was pafTed from death to life [fpeaking of death and
life lpiritual and eternal, and of their regeneration thereto
by the Spirit, See 1J0. 3. 14.3 that they who marvelled now
fo much at the prelent works he did, namely in curing of dif-
eafes, &c. mould yet hereafter fee far greater from him ; name-
ly, upon the hearing of his voice [ by the Archangel ] all that
are iu their graves coming forth, and receiving from him their
final doome i the good to the reiurrecliion of life, the evil to
the refurre&ion o damnation [the like thingsof his hereafter
coming in the clouds, &c. he told to them before his paffion
AJat. 26.64. and to Nathanael Jo.i.j\. Angels waiting upon
him, and going hither and thither as he lent them } that there-
fore it was the Fathers pleafure, that all mould believe in, and
do honour unto, the Son as they did to the Father ; whofe words
and actions were the fame, and they law and heard God the
Father in the Son.
And concerning his being luch a perfon, and the words he
fpake to them Truth, that they had an abundant teftimony
( though considering his perfon, his own was fumcie-nt Jo. 8. 14,
16.) Firll from his Father, ' both that which he gave them ~"77
from heaven concerning him at his Baptiim [ the like to which
was done twice afterwards at our lords tranfiguration before
three witn ffes Mat. 17. r. which is mentioned again by S. Pe-
ter, 2 Tpif. 1. 16; 17. and at his folemn entrance into jerufalem
before his pailion i Gcd the Father then from heaven fpeaking
to
2.
i $2 ' TheH'ifioryoftheLife §.246.
to him, Jo. 12. 20, 23. perhaps for a teftimony alfo to the Greeks,
orGentiles ffee Jo. 7. 3$-. ) who then firft, admitted by the A-
poftles,* came toworfhip, and to make their humble addrefles,
to him: which forefignifyed falvationto be fhortly after com-
municated to them by his now approaching death. ] And a-
again2ly. that teftimony which his Father gave to him in the
Miracles which he wrought by him, which teftimony he fre-
quently urgeth, SqqJo. 10.25-, 38. -if. 24. 2ly. A Teftimony
from John the Baptift ( though having that of God he needed,
not that of men ) which John was fent before him amongft them
as a burning and Ihining light, till the time he was to be eclip-
fed, andfilenced- and they, iome of them at leaft, were wil-
ling for a feafon to rejoyce in his light. 3 ly. Teftimony alfo from
the Scriptures, in which they thought were contained the way
to eternal life, which Scriptures had they duly iearched they
might have found them abundantly witueffing of him. Laftly,
teftimony from their lawgiver Mofes,in whom they had fo much
confidence: who alfo fpake clearly of him Jo. 1.45-. Deut.i%.
1 5-. 1 8. where, upon petitioning that they might not hear again
the voice of God, nor fee that terrible fire &c , he tells them
that God would raife them up a Prophet like unto him, and
would put his own words into his mouth, &c. and to him they
mould hearken ; whofe words would fufficiently accufe unto
God his Father their infidelity, though our Lord Ihould hold his
peace. But that notwithstanding fuchwitnels, and evidences
they would not believe, becaule they had not the love of God
in them ; nor ( as our Lord did ) fought the honour that only
cometh from him, through whatever worldly diiefteem ; but
was envious, ambitious, ( which mews he fpake chiefly to the
Pharifees and their Difciples, fee Mat. 23. %.) an^ intended
only the advancement of their own honour with men, [which
they faw our Lords eclypfed ]. They fought to juftifie them-
ielves before men, faith S. Luke, \6. ir. and they did their works
fihat they might have glory of men, Mat. 6. 2. and they loved
thepraife of men, faith S. John, more than the praife of God.
Jo. 12. 42. and this ruined their faith, founded on humility
and obedience, & fanila jtultitia ut (apieiis fiat i Cor 3. 18. that
therefore, whilft now they thus reje&ed him (who coming in'
great humility, ipake all things unto them in the name of God
his Father, and no way magnifyed himfeif, nor fought, as they,
his own Glory Jo. 7. 18. -8- ?o. ) by Gods juit judgment upon
them, they mould hereafter be given up t© follow others, who
came
£. 247. of our Saviour Jefzts Chrifi- 183
came to them in their own name, many feducers and falfe Pro-
phets, neither by true miracles , or other teftimony (hewing
their Commiffion from God, as he did. Which things were
eminently fulfilled, by this nation prone to follow thofe who
pretended themlelves Prophets, not long after our Lords afcent
into heaven; by many Heads of their factions provoking the
Roman Armies, and the deflru&ion of the Nation following
upon it.
Our T ord^ Sermon being ended, occafioned by the Jews ac- §- 2-4.7.
cufing him, firft for a bi each of the Sabbath, in his curing the
Paralvtick; and then again of Blafphemy, in the defence he
made for hinifelf; In which difcourfe of his, they ( and /aid
only truth in it , J laid he made hi mfelf equal with God: A new
Controveriy concerning the Sabbath happened again not long
after, on this manner.
On the firlt Sabbath fucceedingthe Pafchalfeaft [as S.Lukes
word c/^7?po^<i>73> is commonly underftood, in reckoning in the
feven Sabbaths till Pentecoft, from the fecond day of the Pa-
fchal-feaft ]. On this, or fome other fo called, Our Lord with
hisdifciples, perhaps in his removal now towards Galilee, af-
ter the teaft ended, ( or, as fome think, in his going from Mount
Olivet through the vale to Jerufalem ; ) palled through fome
corn-fields; probably in going to fome Synagogue, there to
inftrucl: the people, as was his ordinary practice on the Sabbath;
and as may be conjectured from the multitude of people that:
followed him, and among them fome Pharifees, who quitted
him not, watching moft narrowly all his waies , words, and
actions, for materials of accufation againft him. Now fome
fhorter journeys on the Sabbath were not difallowed , becaufe
of repairing to the publick places of Gods fervice, when at
fomediftance from mens habitations. In this field, the Difci-
ples, or fome of them at leaft, being much an hungred, began,
as they paffed, to pluck the eares of corn, and fo rubbing them
in their hands, to eat it; a thing indulged by the law to any
travellers, through their Neighbours corn. Dent. 23. 25-. and
a thing commonly done, had it not bin on the Sabbath; and
fo this labour done in it, Viz. of rubbing the eares in their
hands. For it feems on other Feftival daies, befides the feventh.
day of the week, ( which feftivals were alfo called Sabbaths See
Lev. 23. 11, 15-. 24, 32. ) though in thefe alfo they v/ere prohi-
bited the doing of any fervile work, yet the'' might then do
any thing" relating to preparing their diet, lee Exod. 11. 16. But
on
1 34 The Hifiory of the Life §-247.
on the feventh day they were prohibited any work whatever.
See Levit. 2 j. 7. comp. 3. even in order alfo to their daily food,
as to making any fire for dreffing it, &c Exod. 3J.3. Though
this again could not be fo ftrictly underftood, as that no mo-
tion might be ufed on that day in order to our diet, as the car-
rying or letting it on a Table , the cutting of it into pieces, or
putting it in their mouths. And'the Difciples food here feems
to be a provifion ready-drefled,there only remaining their pick-
ing it out of the ear to put it in their Mouths. The Phanfees,
ftreight obferving this their rubbing of the eares, inftead of
any Compaffion toward the poor difciples, who endured much
hardfhip, both as to diet and lodging, in this ambulatory life
of the Lord they waited on, fell on quarrelling again at their
breach herein of the Sabbath, and hereof made their complaint
to our Lord.
To whom he anfwered , but out of the Scriptures , feverai
things, all intimating that thefezelots were too itridt and fcru-
pulous in this matter. Hereprefented to them then, that Da-
vid, in a kind of neceffity, was excufed in eating of the Propofi-
tion Bread, and prohibited to any fave the Priefts : That the
Priefts in the Temple on the Sabbath-daies, for the neceflary
performance of their office, profaned the Sabbath, Viz. in the
work of repairing the fire on the Altar, killing and preparing
the Sacrifices, &c. and were blamelefshereini whence the Jewiih
proverb, that -In Temp I '0 non ejt Sabbathum : which Temple if
it excufed them, that there was here one greater than the Tem-
ple, the attendance on whom, and the wanting of other necef-
lary provifion, might excufe the Difciples in this fact. That
himlelf was Lord and Author alfo of the Sabbath, fas alfo of
the whole law ) and a Judg of the true obfervance or breach
thereof j ( our Lord taking occafion every where to let them
know who he was , that fo they mighc believe iu, and have fal-
vation by, him ). And that the Sabbath being made for the
benefit of man, the reft thereof was not extended to deprive
him of any neceflaries. And befides thefe, he prefTed them
again with that place in Hofee -I will have mercy and nor Sacri-
fice. —Herein upbraiding their hypocritical pretences offacri-
fice , religious ceremonies, and the worfhip of God, to difcoun-
tenance works of mercy and charity j which on this day, as to
others, fo much more may be performed to our felves ; and this
in particular of repairing our bodies therein with neceflary fu-
ftenance : that therefore if they had well known wha*t that fay-
ing
§,248. of our Saviour Jefus Chrift. 185
ing meant, they would not have condemned the guiltlefs. Thus
our Lord, where his urging mifericordiam volo non facrificium,
and Davids, and thePriefts tad: in a cafe of neceffity, argues
his difciples , though tis probable in a morning ( as his own
hungring was iV/<z£. 21. 18.) much pinched with hunger; and
that in this ambulatory and Pilgrim life, they made many
poor meals and mifled many j and fo their Matter too ^And
that the fame happened to them for lodging. And therefore
he forewarned the Scribe that would attend on him. Mat. 8.
19. what he mull expect.
To this Quarrel concerning the Sabbath, the Evangelift adds j. 243.
another, happening on another Sabbath, perhaps the next.
Our Lord now returned into Galilee, and probably to Caper-
naum, went, as ufually, into their Synague and taught. Now
there flood before him a man that had his right hand withered.
And the Pharifees obferving it, and nothing bettered by our
Lords late anfwer to them, watched him, whether he would
heal him on the Sabbath , that they might have ( faith the
Text ) (till more accufation againfthim. Our Lord perceiv-
ing their wicked thoughts, having firft called forth the perlon,
andfet himinthemidftof the AfTembly, asan object of great
pity, before he cured him j and that he might do it, as it were,
with their good leave and confent, or with the more fhame
and confufion to them, asked them what they thought of it ;
whether it was lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil,
to fave life or to deftroy it ( there being no medium between
bene & male facere, in any neceffity of our neighbour ; the non-
releiving of which , if in our power, is a fin ) ; to which they
being filent, not only to let him go forward in his purpofe, but
becaufe they knew not what fafely to anfwer: he demanded
further, who among them having one Sheep fain into a pit ,
would not ftreight go , lay hold of ft , and pull it out on the
the Sabbath : and then how much a man better than a (heep ,
and a greater charity this, where lefs our own intereft? And
thus ( faith the Text ) when he had looked round about on
them wich anger, being grieved for the hardnefs of their hearts:
upon his only bidding the man ftretch forth his hand-, and his
doing fo, ir was reftored whole as the other. Where it feems
lomewhat hard to find a breach of the Sabbath, as to any cor-
poral work. Our Lord held his hands ftill, touched him not,
only fpake to him •• the man ftretched out his hand j and who
doth not this on the Sabbath without guilt ? yet it appears they
A a were3
1 86 TheHiftoryoftheLife §-249.
were, though filenced, not fatisfied, but rather more filled with
madnefs.
$• 249« So that they went prefently upon it, andjoyned themfelves
with the Herodians: whom we find alfo Mat. 22. 16. combin-
ing with the Pharifees, and queftioning our Lord about the law-
ful nefs of paying tribute. And in Mar\. 8. ir. Our Lord
warns his Difciples to be-ware of the leaven of the Pharifees and
of/mW, i.e. of the Herodians, where S. Mat. c. i<5. 6. faith of
the leaven of the Pharifees and of the Saducees. It feems then
they were a loofer and more prophane Sect, much what of the
Saducee-opinions , much more addi&ed to, and complying
with, Herod, and the prefent Roman Government, than the
Pharifees were, and fo fufflciently odious to them : but yet
thefe, as fiding with the Secular ftate, able to do more mifchief,
and fo they were made ufe of by the Pharifees in the perfec-
tion of our Lord. With thefe then the Pharifees conf ulted how
they might deftroy our Lord, and that prefently, as appears
by hisfuddain removal out of that place, which ( probably )
was Capernaum. From whence he went ( as he ufed ) to the Sea
of Tiberias, giving order to his difciples, that a fmali fhip mould
wait upon him, fo to avoid the prelsot the people, and more
commodioufly to teach them out of the fhip. For an infinite
multitude of them from all Quarters, from the coafts of Tyre
andSidon, and of the other fide of Jordan, and from Idumea,
as well as Judea, and Galilee, followed him what way ever he
moved. Partly for hearing his moft admirable and ravifhing
difcourfes, and prudent anfwers, partly for having their fick
cured by him; cured without fuffering any repulfe or delay j
and alldifeafeswhatever equally remedied, and no more ne-
cefTary for it than only the touching of him. Which thing alfo
c a ufed the greater prefs upon him, and forced him to the help
of a fhip. As for the pofTefTed, the unclean Spirits prefently fell
down and adored, and with loud cryes confefTed him to be the
Son of God, though rebuked by him for it and filenced.
Where S. Matthew, who beheld thefe things, in writing his
Gofpel, takes occafion to fet forth the meeknefs, charity, pati-.
tience, humility, and complyance of our Lords companionate
carriage towards every ones infirmity, in the words of the Pro-
El°y 42!*- phet Efay foretold concerning him. -Behold my Servant, whom
I have chof'en ; my beloved in whom my Soul delight eth. I will put
my Spirit upon him, and he /ball Jhew judgment to the Gentiles.
Hejhall not contend [ or ufe rigor or.violence in his Office ] , nor
[ impe-
§250,251. cf our Saviour Jtfm Chrift, \%J
[imperioufly command and] cry out ,♦ norfoall any man hear
his voice [ aloud ] in theflreets-. A bruifed reedjhall he not break^%
and the jmoahing flax Jhall he not extinguish [but treats his infi-
nite fupplicants with incredible tendernefs and meeknefs, and
againithisas weak adverfaries no way fhews hispower],a«277[by
his own patience and fufferings ], he fend forth judgment unto vt-
clory [and perfectly eftablifh righteoufnefs in the earth], and
in his name the Gentiles t received* to mercy y Jhall alfo trujl, [ and
believe and become Subjects to his Scepter. ]
In thofe daies, not long after our Lords retutn into Galilee, $. 2 r o.
from the fecond Pafchal feaft, and about a year of his preach-
ing ( being in all about three years and an half ; Or half a week
of years) now run out j and as fome conjecture, now about the
time of Pentecoft, [at which time alfo God promulgated his
law on Mount Sinai to the children oflfrael, ( as appears in Ex-
od. i$>. 1. and n. compared with chap. 12. 18. from the 14th day
of the firft Month to the 3d day of the 3d Month being juft ra
daies ) and at which very time alfo our Lord afterward lent
his Holy Spirit upon his Apoftles, enabling them to keep the
law formerly delivered] j and laftiy, when now alfo our Lord
faw the multitudes that flowed to him from all Quarters, ftill
greatly increafing, and more labourers necelTary for fo great
an harveft : at this time I fay, and on fuch a neceffity, our Lord
thought fit to make a Solemn Election, out of the number of his
Difciples and followers, of 12 perfons, according to the num-
ber of the 12 Tribes, to whom they were to be fent ; that they
might affift him in his Miniftry, and whom after fome time of
their inftructioa, he might difperfe abroad to preach the new
Kingdom of the Gofpel concerning him in the feveral Cities
of that Nation; and (for giving the more authority to their
Doctrine ) to cure all difeafes and eject Devils ; but this not in
theirs but in his Name, that fo all might believe in this their
new Saviour and obey his Doctrine and Commands.
On the Night therefore preceding this his Election, when M/tf
in the Evening the people, with whom he fpent the day, were
departed to take their reft, he retired into a Mountain fproba-
bly not far diftant from Capernaum, for in the context Mark,
chap. 3 . Lu^. 6. chap, we find our Lord, after his departing from
their Synagogue, by the Lake, teaching the peop'eout o! a (hip,
becauie they thronged him immediatly before thisj And there
is an high hill a few miles diftant from Capernaum , weft ward,
towards Bethfaida , delcribed in Eugene Rogiers TerreSanUe
A a a Lib,
188 The Hi/lory of the Life §.251.
Lib. 1. chap. 10. that is called to this day Mons Beatitudinum:
On the top of which was anciently built a Church, the ruines
whereof ltill remain. We' find alfo in Mar\. 1.3;. mention
of a Defert not far from Capernaum, into which our Lord re-
tired for prayer ; and fo from thence went into Galilee: and
againZ-2z^.9. 10. Such a defert, near toBethfaida, whither he
retired with his Difciples returned from their preaching, and
where alfo he fed the five thoufand, with five loaves and two
fifties j and alfo where he is (aid to have bin alone praying, LuJ^.
9.18. which feems to be the defert wherein was this Mountain.
And Rogier in his Terre Santle L.i.c.io. faith the Oriental Chri-
itians conceive the fame Defert, to have bin the place of our
Lords miracle of the five loaves, viz. fome where between Beth-
faida and Tiberias. And indeed many texts feem to confirm
it, not eafily explained otherwife. ForLa^.9. 10. It isfaid to
be a Defert near Bethfaida. -John. 6. 23. Tiberias to have bin
near to the place j and Boats to come from thence that carried
away the people, perceiving our Lord gone thence, to Caper-
naum. 'Mat. 14. 13. The people faid to have followed him from
the cities on foot, i.e. by fetching a compafs whither he was
departed by fhip -Jo. 6. 14. Our Lords return to have bin firft
to Capernaum, and after paffingto Genezareth Mat. 14-34.
which is called a transfretation, becaufe made over a great Bay
of the Lake, though not croffing it. As for the 30 furlongs,
mentioned Jo. d.19. thefe may be underftood of their rowing
to and fro againft a contrary wind. The latter feeding
alfo of the four thoufand, Mat. ij-. 21. feems to have bin in
the fame defert : the place being faid to be near the Sea of Ga-
lilee, at his return from the Coafts of Tyre and Sidon j he, not
taking fhip firft, but going thereinto a Mountain Mat. \j. 29.
And in the fame mountain feems to have bin our Lords Trans-
figuration, if we well compare the Context, and our Lords mo-
tions before and after it. His being in the Town of Cefarefl.
Philippi, or Decapolis (lying North of the inferior Galilee,
fee Mar\. 7. 20. -7. 3 1. -Mat. 4. 2 r. ) a little before, and return-
ing to Capernaum after it. (See Mark. 8. 22,27.-9.2,30,.
-Mat. 17. 22, 24. ) and the multitudes and Scribes there follow-
ing and attending on him, as ufually, about Capernaum, Mar\.
9. 14. well confidering thefe, I fay, Our Lords Transfiguration
feems to have bin alio in this Mountain. And this from our
Lords fo much frequenting it, as well as from his glory mani-
fted there, to have bin called by S. Peter the Holy Mount : which
hill
§.252. of our Saviour Jefut ChriH. 189
hill alio (landing in the midft the chief habitation of his Gali-
lean Difciples and Converts, feems alfo to be the appointed
place of his apparition to them after- his Refurrection.
In this Mountain, faith the Evangelift, before the Election §. 25-2.
ofhis twelve Apoftles, our Lord continued all night in prayer,
leaving herein to us an example of our like preparation by
much prayer, before actions of any great conlequence. The
matter ot his prayer, not expreffed, may partly be gathered
from that moft paffionate one he made for theie Apoltles alfo
a little before his paflion, for the confervation of them after
his departure, fet down John. 17. and from that at the fame
time made for the Head of them S. Peter, that his faith might
not fail. Recommending thefe much to his Fatherly Bene-
diction, who were to be the twelve Foundations, whereon his
new Church was to be built for perpetuity, maugre all the
Gates of Hell, Eph. 2. 20. -Mat. 16. 18. who were to be the fait,
for feafoning and preferving eternally from corruption the pu-
trifyed world, ever fince Adams fall, and the Tapers to en-
lighten it, fitting hitherto in the darknefsof Heathenifm, and
vain and uncertain Philofophy ; who were to fufFer all the world
over fuch hardfhips and perfections, and at laft moft cruel
death, for his Name ; and who were to have their twelve Names
written on the twelve Foundations of the Golden Celeftial Je-
rufalem, Jpoc. 21. Namely, praying that thefe might be lur-
nifhed and fortifyed with all Graces worthy fo high a Profeffion :
but alfo herewith a moft admirable refignation of our Lord to ^
his Fathers good pleafure, in the election of Judas lfcariot,
and in the entrufting him afterward with the common purfe
ofhis maintenance, and chanties; which Judas, however at
the time ofhis Election he might feem in a capacity fcr fuch
office, preferrable before others; yet our Lord, then well fore-
knew his future ill correfpondence with it, and it feems from
our Lords words , Jo. <s. 70. that a whole year before our
Lords paflion, and this fervants betraying of him, he had then
much of the Devil in him, ( unlefs theie words be to be under-
stood prophetically, and relating to his future Treafon ). And
for-as-much as thefe his twelve Apoftles arc a type of his Church,
this example of a Judas a thief and traytor foundamong them,
and yet fo patiently admitted and tolerated by our Lord, fhews
that it is not to be expected, or exacted that his Church here on
earth, as to the external members thereof, fhould ever be in a
better condition; but Tares mingled with the Wheat in this
jfield,
i^o The Eiftory of the Life §• 2 5 3,2 54.
field, and bad fifh with the good in this Net. And it is a note
ofS.Auftin De Liv.Deiltb. 18.^.49. ( making much againft
the Puritan Donatifts. —Habet ( faith he J inter eos unum [Ju-
dam ] ; quo malo uteris bene, & pajjionis fuce difpojitum impleret, &
ecclejice fuce , tolerandorum malarum, praberet exemplum.
(.--2 ft- The Morning come, he calleth up to him his difcipies, who
" it feems attended near hand and took their reft the night be-
fore at the foot of the Hill, and out of them ( being a great
number, Lu\. 5. 17. that were his moreconftant followers and
Auditors : out of which number alfo he is faid after this to
have made a fecond election of 70 or 6 times 12 LuJf. 10. 1.
anfwerableto the 70 chofen by Mofes for his afliftance, Numb.
11. 16. ) He chofe 12 perfons, according to the number of the
12 Tribe of Ifrael, that they mould continually wait on him,
hear all things he taught, and bear witnefs afterward to the
world of whatever pafled j and whom he might fend abroad
as he thought fit, farter firft well inftrudted by him for it ) by
two and two together, to preach the Gofpel as the harveft ftill
encreafed, to whom alfo for this reafon he gave the name of
Apoftles.Thefe were allGalileans,andfiveof them his Kinfmen,
viz. i. and 2. James and John fonsto Salome ( according to the
common opinion, daughter to Alpheus or Cleophas, brother to
Jofeph ) and 3ly. James the lefs ; the 4th. Simon of Cana (one
of James his brothers, being called Simon j and our Lord hav-
ing kindred at Cana; on which account was the invitation of
hisMother to the marriage there, and therefore isthisSimon
of Cana conjectured to be one of the Brothers, and a Kin (man
of our Lords. ) And the jth Judas Thadeus, James, Simon, and
Judas being fuppofed ions of Alpheus, or Cleophas and of Ma-
ry his wife, ( ftiled therefore a Sifter to our Lords Mother, Jo.
19.1^. becaufe her husband was brother to Jofeph ) and bro-
ther of Salome, and called our Lords brethren. Which Bre-
thren it feems, from our Lords firft coming from the Baptift to
Cana in Galilee, did together with his Holy Mother, never
part from him. See before §. 1 77.
f. 25-4^ The particular calling of 7ofthefe 12. i.e. to our Lords at-
tendance, though now firft to their Apoftlefhip, hath bin men-
tioned before in the Gofpels ; Namely, of Peter and Andrew,
James and John, Philip and Bartholomew ( for him I take for
Nathanael) thefe called in Jo. 1. and Matthew: to whom we,
add alfo his three Brethren, James, Judas, and Simon, his con-
stant followers, and companions from his firft rcfidcnce in Ca-
pernaum.
§. 2 5 $ • tfo ur Saviour Jefa Chrift. 191
pernaum. So that there remain only two, Thomas, and Judas
Ifcariot, of the time of vvhofe beginning to be his Auditors and
Difciples we are uncertain.
Among thefe, to Simon Bar-jona he gave the priviledg to §>_*??*
bethefirft and chief leader and Prefident of this Sacred Col-
ledg. Foretelling at the very firft light of him Jo. 1 . 42. ( as fore-
knowing his Fathers good pleafure herein, and the particular
Revelation he would honour him with, Mat. 16.17. as alfo fore-
feeing his extraordinary Love towards himfelf, though not he,
but his Brother Andrew, was his firft follower, and James and
John were his Kinfmen ) foretelling I fay this his pre-election j
and then changing his name ( which alfo he now reiterates
Lul^. 6. 14. ) into Cephas, a Stone or Foundation, the meaning
of which he expounds, Mat. id. 18. to him alfo in a more par-
ticular manner, Ibid. v.19. committing the keyesof the Church,
and more fpecially praying Lu\. 22. 32. for the not failing of
his faith. The two next Dilciples, that were moft intimate with
him, were James and John, the Sons of Zebedee, whom he
fur-named Boanerges, fons of Thunder or Thunderers, pro-
bably from an extraordinary Valour appearing in their Spirit,
ftriking terrour into their Auditors. Which mettal and forth-
putting beyond others perhaps was difcerned by their Mother,
when that confident requeft was prefented by her, or alfo by
them, to our Lord, concerning their fitting next to himfelf in
his Kingdom jsand whenalfo asked whether for fliaring with
him in his honours they were able firft to undergo his fufferings,
they returned that confident anfwer, we are able. And indeed
one of them was he that firft drank of our Lords cup,and i ufJered
Martyrdom the firft of all the Apofties, which feems to have
happened from his great forwardnefs, and fervid zeal in his
Sermons, againft the murtherers of our Lord. Something alfo
of S.John's (butjuft) feverity towards Hereticks and Seducers,
and refractory, feems to appear in his 2 Epijt.v. 9.10. -and 3d.
v. 10. -and inour Lords Epiltles, penned by him, jlpoc. 2. and
3. chapters. And his confident behaviour in the High Priefts
Pallace, preffing in there after our Lord, and introducing Pete^
then more timorous, (hews him a perfon of much fpirit and cou-
rage. Laftly, that fpeech of thefe two brothers Lul^ 9. 5-4. where
faith he, —When James and John faro this ', they /aid, Lordveilt thotA
that rve command fire to come down from heaven, and confume
tbem.as Elias did: and in the fame place,z>. 49 .Johns halty forbid-
ding one, that caft out Devils in our Lords name, to forbear it
192 The. Hi/lory of the Life §.256.
for the future, fhewsfuch appellation of Boanerges not given
by our Lords omniprefcience without iuft ground. And indeed
an extraordinary valour and height of fpirit appears in all thefc
three Difciples, chofen for a nearer attendance on our Savi-
our, which valour alfo S.Peter, the third of them , manifefted
on many occafions. To thele three our Lord gave honorary
Names, to none of the reft.
§. 2r£. The order wherein they are ranked by the feveral Evange-
lifts, is much what the lame, Simon Peter alwaies retaining
the firft place, and our Lords three Kinfmen being put laft ,
except Judas Ifcariot. And among them, there being two hav-
ing the name of James and of Simon, and of Judas, for diftin-
ctionfake, the latter James is called Jacobus Alphei ( as isfup-
pofed brother to S. Joieph ) viz. his Son j and Mar\. ir. 40. cal-
led James the lefs, fontoMary ( i. e. Alpheus, or Cleophas his
wife, Jo. 19. 25- • ) who is faid therefore to be our Lords Mothers
fitter. So the latter Simon is called the Cananite, orCana-
nean, or of Cana, it feems from his living there formerly, which
Hebrew word, fignifying zeal in the Greek, he was alfo called
Zelotes. See Mat. 10. 4. and Lu\. <j. 7. Jude alfo, the brother of
James, is called Thaddeus, Mar\. 3. iS.andLebbeus, Mat. 10.
3. ('for variety of names to the fame perfon was very ufual
with the Jews ) fo Matthew had another name of Levi : and
Thomas is called alio Didimus, this Greek word fignifying the
fame as the Hebrew Thomas, viz. Geminus. As for Judas Ifca-
riot, he is thought to be called fo from the Town where he was
born. Butlffachar, fignifying Merces ( fee Gen. 30. 18.) feems
alfo in this fenfe a name very proper to him.
After the Election of thefe twelve, out of the turba difcipulo-
rum, all the reft of his Difciples, who were alfo ( as appears in
theHiftory of the Gofpel,) to ftay with him yet for fome time,
to be better inftrudted before their Million abroad -, and the
multitudes alfo now again gathered. about him, he preached
unto them that famous Sermon in the Mount , delivered in
Mat. .fth. <5th. and 7th. Chapters, and in Lul^. 6. 20. containing
allthemoft high, and noble precepts andCounfels of Chriftia-
nity, and his newGofpel, which it is faid the people heard with
much admiration and aftonifhment, Mat. 7. 29. far tranfcend-
ing allthofe of former Philofophy j or alfo many of thofe ex-
preuy and explicitly delivered in the former Law of Mofes;
and thefe new Evangelical Commandements, given as I have
laid, much what at the fame time as the law before was, and
as
§.2 57* °f our Savior Jefus Chrift. 193
as the Holy Spirit was to be, viz. about Pentecoft, and in a
Mountain alfo, as was the Law : and this his Sermon alfo vin-
dicating the Law to a tittle, and being a moft perfect Expofition
of it, which was then in many things much mifunderftood,and
the true fenfe thereof much relaxed.
This his fpeech he directed more chiefly to his new chofen
Apoftles, to whom fome part of it, and especially the begin-
ing, is more particularly applyed. Firft acquainting them ,
in what things for the prefent confifteth their true felicity,
much contrary to the imagination and defigns of the world ;
and prearming them to the Hardfhips and fuffermgsto be met
with in their Office ; from" which they were not therefore to
withdraw or defift, they being the light and fait of the world,
and a City fet on an Hill, but were publickly to appear againft
all oppofition, efpecially giving every where good example j
exhorting them to dependance, as to all temporal neceffities,
without taking thought for them, on the Divine providence.
Then in the next place, expounding to them, but fo alfo to all
the multitude, the true fenfe of the law, much contrary to the
then ordinary GlofTes of the Pharifees ; and which law, milefs
his Difciples kept, and oblerved better than the other, they
fhouid not enter into the Kingdom of heaven : which law alio
he told them he came not to deftroy or to relax ( as he was tra-
duced ) but to fulfil, and vindicate even to the leaft tittle there-
of. Laftly, He inftructs them in their behaviour, and in the
right performance of the three great Chriftian Duties of Praier,
Almes, and Falling.
Concerning Beatitude, thus he teacheth them , that as to §_. 2^7.
this prefent life ; It confifted, ' In Poverty ; poverty either out- 1.
wardly , in their Eftate and temporal fortunes, or at leaft in
Spirit, and without having joy and confolation in wealth and
riches poffeiTed ; which hath made many having in the reaping
no benefit, to quit alfo the trouble, of them, and to make his Di-
fciples,and other Auditors happy in this way tend thofe Coun-
iels of his following in Mat. c. 6. n. 19, 24. &c to the end, and
-chap. 7. 11. The Beatitude of which poor he declares to be their
enjoying hereafter a Kingdom in heaven. - Again confifted 2I
in weeping and mourning for the prefent ( a beatitude oppof-
ed to feniual pleafures and delights , as poverty is to riches )
the frequent occafion of which mourning, in this world, our
Lord fhews in his Relation of the eighth Beatitude ; becaufe
men good and virtuous, and lovers of him, the world willcer-
B b tainly
194 The -Hiflory of the Life $.258.
tainly hate, and a thoufand waies moleft them; and fofor the
Job. 16, 20. prc fent:. _ Mundus gaudebit ( faith our Lord ) vos ant em contri-
Jtabimini. And Omnis di/ciplina ( with which God exercifeth
here his Servants ) inprafenti quidem ( faith the Apoftle ) videtur
Heb. 12, ir. non ejje gaudii, Jedmccroris and laftly, All being finners it muft
be a continued penitential forrow here, that fhall attain Blils
hereafter. Now the felicity of thefe prefent mourners is pro-
3. mifed hereafter to be perpetual Confolations. ^ly. Confut-
ed in Afe/?^*?/}, humility, and lowlinefs of mind, a lure com-
panionof poverty and mourning. To which meeknefs apper-
tain thofe lefTons and Counfels of our Lord, following in Mat.
chap. /. fromverf. 21. to 27. and from verfi%. to the end of
thatchapter, and chap. 6. 12. 14. -and f/;«/>.7.i.the obfervance
ofthefe Counfels being an effecl: of lowlinefs of heart. And
as the reward in the other Beatitudes is laid to be the Kingdom
of heaven, fo of this the inheritance of the earth, alluding to
Pfalm. 3 6. 1 1. —Manfueti hareditabunt terram ; perhaps, partly *
becaufe the good things thereof are feldom gotten, or at lealt
not long preferved, or quietly pofTefTed, by turbulent, conten-
tious and litigious fpiiits. But the ultimate and eternal inhe-
ritance of thefe meek fouls, is the new Heaven and Earth ipo-
£t ken of jipoc. 21. 1, 2. to which this promife relates. 4.1y. Con-
rifted in hungring and thirfting after, and purfuing with our
whole defign, the Kingdom of God , righteoufnefsand Holi-
nefs. LefTons and advices tending to the which happinefs are
thofe following chap. 6. 19.&C. and from verf. 24. to the end of
the Chapter, and chap. 7. 1 1. But yet by the woe in S. Luke, that
is oppofed to this BlefTed here, --Woe untoyeu that are full, for
ye Jhall hunger and thirft ; this beatitude ( like the former )
feems to include alio a great temperance and abftinence, and
the not fatiating themfelves with, or having any thirft after,
fecular pleafures and contents j Thefe two hungers, after earth-
ly, and after heavenly things, not confifting well together. For
which fee what our Lord faith Mat. 6. 24, 53 • Now to this pre-
fent hunger and thirft, the felicity promiied hereafter is a full
fatiety of all good things.
§• zf%. From thefe our Lord paffeth to the Beatitudes attainable
here in our behaviour toward our Neighbours, and placeth
the fifth Beatitude in (hewing allmercifulnels, charity, and
compaffion toward them, in all their ueceflities ; further ex-
plained in his LefTons following in chap, f. 44.-6. 12, 14. -7- *,
12. viz. in performing fuch mercy to them, as we in our needs
would
§.259,260, of our Saviour Jefus Chrift. 195
would defire from them, freely forgiving ( without wrath and
expoitulating which is a degree of revenge all their faults and
trefpaffes toward us. Nay even loving them when they hate
us,- bleffing when theycurfeus; doing good to them when
they evil to us. The reward of which our mercy to others is
promifed hereafter Gods like mercy to us, in pardoning all our
trefpafTes againft him, that excludes us from his friendfhip and
from Glory.
The fixth Beatitude conflfteth in cleannefs and purity, not §.25-9.
only of our actions, abftaining from any wicked deeds againft
our Neighbour, but alfo in heart (oppofed to the Pharifees
munditia carnis ) abftaining from Luft, and concupifcence, and
irregular paffions there towards him, explained in thefe fol-
lowing Leflbns in his Sermon, cbap.f.iy, ( obfervingthe little
commandments ) again verf. 22, 28, 29. -chap. 6.22. -7. 1,2, 21.
Keeping not only our hands from killing, but hearts from any
paffion of anger againft our neighbour; notonlyfrom com-
mitting adultery or fornication with, but lufting after, a wo-
man j not only from accufing our neighbour falily, but mak-
ing any finifter judgment in our hearts of him; wherefore
think ye evil in your hearts, laid our Lord to the Pharifees,
Mat, 9. 5,4. when they faid none of him ? And out of the heart
proceed the things which defile us, Mat. iy.18, 19. For out of
the heart ( faith he ) proceed fbecaufe in the heart they are
tranfadted ) murthers, adulteries, fornications , thefts , falfe-
witneis, blafphemies ; and out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth fpeaketh ; and how can ye being evil fpeak good
things Mat. 12. 34. and there begining every evil and good
work. And therefore it is on this part that God chiefly cafts
his eye, 1 Sam. 16. 7. and there fees the breaches of both tables,
and the beauty or deformity of the foul. And the happinefs .
promifed hereafter to fuch purity of heart is their eternal fee-
ing and beholding of God, according to 4poc. 22. 4. ( for with-
out fuch purity none may fee him Heb. 12. 14. -Jpoc. 21.27. )
And an extraordinary fruition, and fenfe of his Divine prefence
in fuch pure hearts alfo, here in this prefent life Jo. 14. 23 .
The feventh is placed in the zeal on all occalions of making e 2^0;
and preferving peace amongft all: firft negociating the peace
of all men with God, which was the Apoftles employment 2 Cor.
?• 10. to reconcile men to God, and especially our own peace
with him; keeping all quiet, and in due fubordination within
ourfelves, in the obedience of the flelh and inferiour appetites
Bb 2 to
xy6 The Hifiory of the Life §.261,262.
to the Spirit. 2ly. Again procuring by all means the peace of
men among themfelves ; where either they have given us, or we
them, any offence, endeavouring a ipeedy reconcilement ; con-
tributing here even fo far as not to refift the evil received from
them j patiently to put-up quarrels, and endure affronts, fuffer
wrong from, rather than go to law with, them 1 Cor. 6. 7. Tak-.
ing all things laid or done in good part, and the beft fenfe. See
1 Cor. 7. if. -JRom. 12. 18. the likelyeft waies furely to gain every
ones peace with us; and laftly making them alio friends, as
much as we can, one with another, as Chriftcame down from
heaven, andfhedhis blood, to make us friends with God. Col.
1.20. See this peace-making explained in his lefTons following
Mat. r.24,2f,39.&c. And the happinels promifed tofuch peace-
makers is : that they mall be fpecially called the children of
God, ( repeated Mat. f.^f. and lee Eph.%. 32. and r. 1 .J of God,
who is the great peace-lover and-maker reconciling, though by
the death of his only Son, the world to himfelf Col. 1. 20. ani
doing good continually even to theunjuftand unthankful Mat.
5\4r. and that as his children they fhall be made Heirs of all
things, Jpac. 21. 7.
§.161. Laftly, The eight Beatitude is placed after allfuch peace-
keeping with, and making between, others in fuffering (through
the envy and malice of the world toward all good people) ma-
ny perfecutions and hardfhips, Defamations and reproaches for
Gods and for righteoufnefs fake. To which perfecuted and
fufferers the happinefs promifed hereafter is an exceeding great
and Prophet-like Reward beyond others in the Kingdom of
Heaven Mat. r. 12.
§>z62. Thefe are our Lords BlefTed ones, viz. thofe living here for
theprefentin many fecular fufferings, mortifications and re-
ftraints. For mch are : poverty ; and * mourning ; and 3 the not
thirfting or longing after any earthly contents or fatisfactions,
but after righteoufnefs ; 4 Humility and meeknefs and pardon-
ing all offences ; 5 Charity and dtftributing what wecanfpare
to others neceffities j 6 putting up wrongs, and keeping peace
with, and alfo making peace amongft, all men to the uttcrmoft;
7Not as much as indulging our felves the liberty of thinking any
evil,, or harbouring any unlawful lull or dilpleafure in our heart
againft our Neighbour j And laftly, 8 in andforour doingweli
fuffering evil. Not that happinefs lies in thefe things ; for no fuf-
fering for the prefent is joyous but grievous Heb. 12. 11. but that
for thefe it is promifed us hereafter -, our then receiving mercy,
and
§.26%, 2 6^, of our S aviour Jefus Cbrift . 197
and being fatiated and filled, our poffeffing the Kingdom of
Heaven, inheriting the new Earth Apoc.21. 1,2. Our feeing God,
and being made his Tons and heirs of all things Apoc. 21. 7. and
efpecially the perfecuted and fufferers here receiving an ex-
ceeding great reward there beyond all others.
After the eight Beatitudes, on the other fide ( in S.Luke chap. §. 263.
tf.22.jOur Lord pronounceth four woes: J To the rich here; 2 To
the full i 3 To the merry and rejoycing, + To the by-all-well-
fpoken of, honoured, and applauded, Viz. to fuch as would
place their happinefs, and feek their content, and take out their
good things here on earth. Woe unto you, faith he, becaufe ye
have already received your Confolation, and becaufe hereafter
fhall follow to you poverty, and hunger, and thirft, and eternal
mourning, and ignominy: as we know was faidand happened
to the rich man Lu^i6} 24, 27.
Such therefore being the true woes, and the other the true §. 264.
Beatitudes, of this prelentlife, our Lord continued his fpeech
to them, that all mould endeavour to be rich in heavenly trea-
fures, there alwaies preserved and laid up iafely for them i not
labouring for earthly fo foon confumed or eaflly taken from
them. And that where every ones treafureis, there will alfo
his heart and affections be. And therefore thefe their affections
notfet on heaven ( where they ought alwaies to have bin ) if
their treafures be on earth: and that according as thefe affe-
ctions are rightly or otherwife difpofed, fo will all their affairs
go well or inifcarry, as the eye-fight bad the whole Body walkes
indarknefs. That there is no iervin^ two Contrary Matters^
but that in fatisfying one they muft difpleafe the other. There-
fore that they mould lay afide all careful thought for the things
of this world i for their life, what they mould eat or drink to
f uftain it : or for their Body, with what they mould cloth it : for
that all their care was not able to add one cubit to their ftature,
nor ( as elfe-where he faith ) to make one hair white or black :
and if they were not able to do that which was leaft, why
mould they take thought for the greater ( Lu^. 12. 2.6. ) which
is ftill lefs in their power. That the life it felf was much more Mat, <f, it,
than meat with which it was nourifhed, and the Body than ray-
ment with which it was covered : and that if thefe were not
madeby, but freely bellowed on, them, that he that gave them
that which was more would give them alfo what was lefsj and
being fo bountiful, as to give that which was much more valu-
able, would in like manner beftow in their neceffity that which
was-
1 98 TheHiftorycftheLife §-2^5.
was much lefs considerable, viz. food for the one, and clothing
for the other ; which a Ifo they fa w he did to his other creatures,
much inferiour to themfelves, without any folicitude of theirs :
food to the fouls of the Air without their (owing or reaping ;
and apparel to the flowers of the field even with more pure,
lively, and refplendent colours than that of Solomon when in
all his glory:and this without their carding or fpinning is done to
the flowers, that though fo fhining to day are to morrow to be
cut down and caft into the Oven : as alfo ellewhere he tells
them, that not fo much as a Sparrow ( that five of them are iold
for two farthings) is forgotten before his Father, nor falls to the
ground without his taking notice of it ; and that they were of
more value to him than many Sparrows; and the very hairs of
Mat. 10.28. of their head ail numbred by him. That their heavenly Fa-
-Luk.iz.C-j. ther, to whom they had now through him the Son, acquired fo
near a relation, well kuew before all their want, and as being
fuch would provide for them : that fuch lower cares took up the
thoughts of worldlings, but that theirs ought toberaifed to
higher matters, feeking and purfuing after the Kingdom of God
and the righteoufnefs and holinefs thereof ; and that all thefe
other neceffitiesfhould be ( unfought for ) fufficiently fupplyed ,-
that therefore to day they fhould not be diffracting their
thoughts concerning to morrow, for that the provifions of to
day were trouble enough.
§. 2d j*. That the attendance on thofe higher matters were worthy of
their whole intention ; fince the way here, that leads to eternal
deftruction, was indeed very wide and broad, and fo very many
took that courfe, but that leading to eternal life ftreit and
narrow, and few that found it. And that whatever they thought
of the righteoufnefs of the Scribes and Pharifees, efteemed Jo
ftrict a feci: among them ; yet if th,eir righteoufnefs was no bet-
ter than theirs, their fouls would perilh, and they fall fliort of
Heaven. And that he came not ( as he was traduced ) with his
new Gofpel to deftroy or take away the former law of Mofes,
but to fulfil it in all things; Firif for all the Ceremonies and
types thereof, that they mould have in him a perfect completi-
on, as to the Realities a nfwering to and prefigured, and figrii-
fyedby, them, and ail the predictions and prophecies therein
be fulfill'd to every tittle- that the Body of heaven and earth
was after a certain time to vamfh and pafs away, but not fo one
letter of Gods word. Again, that' for the moral commande-
aaents and precepts of the Law, much lei's came he to give any
relaxation
§266. of our Saviour Jefut Chrift. 199
relaxation to mens former obedience thereto, but to exact the
obfervance of them to the lead iota ( having procured for them
from his Father the Holy Spirit for enabling them alfo to fuch
obfervance) and that he, who did not endeavour tokeepthofe
that were flighted and accounted the leafl of thefe Commande-
ments, ( fome ofwhichbe mentions below verj. 22, 28, 34,3 9.
not being angry, not lulling in our heart , not fwearing at ail,
&c. not rendringevil for evil, &c. ) as well as thole thought
greater, could not reach Heaven or eternal happinefs. In pro-
lecution of which our Lord began to expound to them the true
moaning and juft extent of feveralof thefe Laws corrupted by
the former glofies of the Pharifees and human Tradition.
That the precept of not killing or committing murder ex-
tended not only to not taking away our Neighbours life, but
to any reproaching or vilifying them by words, as calling him
filly, or a fool (which laid without caufe, and in malice, to-
ward him, incurrethnot the fentence of a Civil Judg to fome
corporal punifliment, or alfo death( in thefe lefTer Courts in the
feveral Cities,or that greater at [eruialem ), but even of damna-
tion to hell-fire,) j again, extendeth alfo to any anger or dis-
affection againfthim in our heart. Therefore that before they
brought any Sacrifice, offering, or gift, or made any addrefles
to God concerning themfelves, or implored his pardon of their
faults, or any his fa v ours to them, they fhould call to remem-
brance, if there were any difpleafure or difguft between them
and their neighbour ; and fiiould prefently procure a reconci-
liation with him, efpecially if fuch neighbour have any juft
quarrel againft them on the former account ; that thus they,
might wifely prevent their neighbours complaints to God the
Supreme Judg of all. Whofe exact juftice, upon fuch wrong
done, would certainly call them into priion, and before any
releafment requireof them the uttermoft farthing, if the1* vers
not diligent thus before hand, and whilft they have opportu-
nity in this life, to make their composition and peace wirh him.
Our Lord having laid this, in expofition of the tuft Command- §. 16 6*
ment,proceeds to the fecond, of committing Adulter the moll
natural, impetuous and troublefome of our paflions being thefe
two, Anger and Lull j the one from an excels of hate towards
another, the other of Love. After the bridling of the one, he
now prefcnbes that of the other; and to this purpofe tells
them, that this precept alfo of not committing adultery, ex-
tended not only to not actually lying with our neighbors wife,
but
200 The Hiftory of the Life §.267.
but not to fo much as looking on her, or any other woman ( not
our own wife) with any luftful thoughtsjfor that all fuch perlons
were guilty of committing adultery already with fuch perfons
in their heart. And therefore,that if even our right eye, or right
hand fhould be the instrument or tempter to offend God in luch
a manner, it were better (if we could procure no other reme-
dy of committing fuch fin without doing this J even to pluck
out this, though our right, eye, orcutoffour right hand, than
to fin againft God, and fo have not this eye or hand only loft,
but our whole Body caft for iuch offence into eternal flames.
Intimaring atleaftour cutting-off the obferved occafions of fin,
even though thele feem as precious and dear unto us as our eye
or right hand.
That alfo in marriage they were religioufly to obferve fuch
an Holy Contract, and patiently bear this great Yoke, when
not well and difcreetly engaged, without expecting any relief
or indulgementof afeparation or divorce afterward (contrary
to the great liberty they had taken herein ) except in the cafe
of Fornication. And in fuch cafe alfo that the parties might
not upon this prefently clap up new marriages better futing
with their new affections and amours, but were to live conti-
nently andfingle ( for God gives ability J in fuch a feparation.
Mat. 19. 10. Things which faid by our Lord elfewhere the Dilciples fo
check d at, that they concluded it was better to forbear mar-
riage if having fo ftreit obligations upon it.
§^267. From this he proceeds to fome liberties and indulgments,
they practifed contrary to the intention of the Divine Law, in
their converfation with their neighbourjefpecially in a cuftome
of oaths and other aggravating afTeverations, moftly coming
from an evil root in their difcourfes and treatings 5 which is con-
trary to the fimplicity and moderation that ought to be in their
words, and reverence towards God and his creatures in rela-
tion to him that ought to be obferved in their Oath. In
which matter he inftructs them, that the precept concerning
an oath Lev. 19. 12. and Deut.6.i$. Viz. that they fhould not
forfwear themfelves, and mould perform unto the Lord their
Oaths did not allow them a liberty to f wearing alfo whenever
they fpake a truth ; {wearing, either by God himfelf, or by any
of his Creatures. Orfecure them that fwearing alio by fome
of Gods creatures fatleaft fuch as by fome Confecration had
not a more fpecial relation to him as the Sacrifice, the Gold of
the Temple, &c. ) fignifyed nothing and had no guilt in it (ac-
cording
§.268. efour Saviour Jefus Chrifl- 2 o r
cording to their falfe GlofTes, thinking reverence in ufing
Oaths was only confined to the name of God, and to his name,
not as to fwearing, but only falfe- (wearing by it. ) Bat that, h,at ^1(^
( excepting where necefTity and matters of great confequeuce
required it ) in which cafe we find Gods greateft Saints for ad-
vancing truth to have ufed \tHeb. 6. 16.) And an end of all
ftrifes among men, faith the Apoftle, is an Oath) their ordi-
nary communication, and difcourfe, and dealing with their
Neighbour, was to be without any fwearing at alii either by
God himfelf, (whofe name they were at no time to take in
vain -,) Or by any or his Creatures, over the leaft or which, even
an hair, they had no power to make it white or black; and all
which they ought to reverence for the relation they have to
him, who at the firft made them, and alwaies replenishes and
dwelleth in them. But that their ordinary communication
mould be plain and fimple ( and without endeavouring with
any fuch atteftations, or artifice to add weight to their words )
Yea, Yea: Nay, Nay; as our Lords Amen, Amen, their affer-
tion only being reiterated where lefs credited; for that what
was more than this came of Evil, i.e. fome irreverence toward
Godinhimfelf, or in his Creatures; and again, ofevil either
others having more jealouly of the truth of our words than they
ought, which in them is malice, or from our own defiring to
add more weight to our words than the matter requires, which
in us is a faulty ambition. See this Leflbn of our Lord repeated
again by St. James chap. $. 12. —Above all things, my Brethren,
[wear not ,&c. leaft ye fall into condemnation. Swear not, as
for the former reafons, fo alfo for the furer avoiding perjury,
a great and dangerous fin ,• a (in, not only as other fins, inherit-
ing, but alfo mocking, Gods vengeance.
Having (aid this, of the reverence we ought to bear towards ^ 26%.
God, and alfo all his creatures in matter of Oaths,- and of the
fimplicity, and innocency, and moderation, that ought to be
of our words in all our Converfation ; and the prudent art of
avoiding perjury by not fwearing at all, he proceeds to fome
other precepts, regarding our carriage to our neighbour, that
was alfo much misinterpreted by the Pharifees, and tranfgreffed
in Common practice.
Thatherein, whereas it hath bin faid formerly Exod. 21. 24.
-Deut. 19. 19, 21. An eye for an eye, and a tofth for a tooth;
they mould not take any fuch revenge, or call forjuftice and
fa tisf action for the injuries or lofTes, done to them ; but if they
C c would
202 The Hiftory of the Life §.269.
would be perfect, remit and pardc i them : and to any evil done
them make norefiftance; atleaftin imaller wrongs, and da-
mages ( a cuffon the ear, lofing a coat, going a mile or two,
bearing opprobrious words,&c.) or where the publick good was
not concerned, or their own abfolnte neceflities. That if any-
one mould fmite them on the one cheek, they mould, out of the
amity they bear him, and love to peace, rather turn the other,
than make a quarrel and ftrike again. [And the fame, beha-
viour here feems to be commended by our Lord in words,
which is in actions; that in opprobrious language, difcourfes ,
•difputes, we mould not make to them any replyes, where thefe
probably effecllefs,- and which may rather offend, than edify j
exprefTed in this Sermon, in his warning us not to call our pre-
cious things before thofe, who for them will only be more en-
raged againfl, and fooner fall upon us : and a lefTon himfelf fo
eminently pra&ifed before his paffion. -Propter te fufiinui op-
Aa. S. 32. Pr°brium 'pfal.6%.7. -And -Like a Lamb dumb before bisjhcarer.~\
—So if one takes away their cloakjhey jhouldgive him their coat
alfo ; forc't to go a mile in anothers employments > go* with them
twain. So any taking away by violence their goods, not require
them again of him ;at lealt when they can any way fpare them,
rather than break friendihip, or make a quarrel tor any of
thefe things, or go to law. That alfo they fhould freely lend to
every one, not only friends, or kindred, that would borrow, tho
Deut2 j he not able to repay it ; andgiveto him that asked ( fuppofed
6U' *" neceffitousj though he never able to repay it.
•~6^' All thefe LefTons, I fay, our Lord propoled, though not as (in
all cafes) a Chriftiansduty, yet as a Chnftians greater perfecti-
on; and this way far more beneficial to us than pra&ifing the
Contrary, though ihe Contrary may be done withoutany guilt :
whilft thus we preferve a firm peace and tranquillity in our
mind by a little fuffering, when refiftance and contention hard-
ly can be without fome degree of hatred toward our brother,
and defire of revenge. Again, thus many times we gain over
our brother, Mat. 18. 15-. and convert him to us,- and receive
voluntarily from him, by fuch our condefcention, that amends,
which. we could not by contending ; atleaft we are recom peri-
fed abundantly by God for what we have, with fuch an holy
intention, fuffered from them ; Laftly all thefe are Heroical
practifes of Humility, and do fiiew a true contempt of thefe
temporal things ( not thought worthy our ftrife ), and a defire
'" " rij pt in Conformity to our Lord,- aud therefore
fuch
§.270. of our Saviour Jefus Cbrift. 203
fuch things, by a right eye, are looked upon as favours to be
embraced, when ever offered.
In the fame matter alfo our Lord prefTeth further, that they c ,-0;
mould not only patiently, and without any revindication fuf- "
fer evil from men; but alfo inwardly love thofe who did it to
them, and again .out of this Love, do all good to thofe from
whom they received fuch evil. That indeed it had bin laid
among them formerly, that they fliould love their Neighbour,
and hate their enemy : ( See Lu\. 10. 29, the Lawyer harping
upon it, who, to juftify himfelf in this point, asked, who was
his Neighbeur, and our Lord, to inftruct him herein, initanced
in one profeffed enemy fhewmg mercy on another, a Samari-
tan on a Jew. ) And perhaps the Pharifees and people were
induced to fuch a perfwafion from Gods commanding them
to cut off the Nations, who were by him fentenced to fuch a
deftruction ; that the feverity thereof might be a warning to
themfelves if in like manner offending. But herein the Iirae-
lites indeed were only Executioners of Divine juftice and ex-
prefs Commands; and without doubt ought to have done, this
thing with all pitty, and without any hate toward the fe mife-
rables, or any men whatever, or any other of Gods creatures ;
who are all to be loved for his fake. And the law plainly
taught, and the Saints under it praclifed, the contrary to this.
Pharifaical corruption : See Exod. 23.4. -Job. 31. 29. -P/al 7.4*
-3;-. 14. -Prov. 24. 17.-2$". 21. quoted by S.Paul jR0m.12.-I/tbine
enemy hunger , give him bread, doubtlefs in the firft place to
gain our enemy to us, as Mat. 1%. iy. though if not gamed the
lflue would be heaping more wrath upon him : but this contrary
to our intention. Our Lord therefore informs them, that their
enemies alfo, without any diilinclion, were to be reckoned
amongft their Neighbours, and fo they were alfo to love them
as themfelves; do good to thofe that hated them; blefs thofe
that curled ('which thing was punctually pra&ifed afterwards
by thele his difciples. —Beingreviiedwe ble/s, being defamed roe
intreat, being perfecuted wejujfer it, and re/ijl not, i Cor. 4. 12,
13.J and that they fliould pray for thofe that defpitefully nfe
and perfecute them ( as our Lord did on the Crofs, and St. Ste-
phen in his iapidation ). For that if they loved only the lovers
of them; did good, gave, orient inony to thofe returning to
them again the like favours ; what extraordinary thanks or re-
ward could they expecl: from God, for this, ulual amongft the
worft of men, Publicans and Heathens ? but for doing this to
C c 2 others
204 The Hi/lory of the Life §.271,272.
others ( where nature fo much relucts) their reward fhould be
great, and they truely the children of the mofthigh, and much
refembling him herein ; who every day makes his Sun to rife
upon, and his raine to defcend for, the unjuft, and his enemies j
and is kind unto the unthankful and evil; and is the great re-
conciler of,and peace-makes in, the world: and of peace-makers
he faid before that they (hall fpecially be called his children.
$• 27r- Laftly, for thefe matters he gave them this general rule, that
all things, not that others fhould do, but that they would that
others mould do to them, that they fhould do toothers. For
this was the fumm of what the laws enjoy ned as to our Neigh-
bour. Further, to enforce this, he alfo afTured them, that tho
they were not to do to others what others in any kind of evil
did to them; Yet that whatever they did to others, the fame
mould be done again to them : and as they meted in their be-
haviour and carriage to others in good or evil, in forgiving and
giving to them, or in fmiting, or robbing them, it mould be
meafured to them again ( Gods juftice taking great care of it,
as he did before, being complained-to of the mans paying the
laft farthing ) an exact meafure, full, preffed down, and fhaken
together, and running over : and this done to them by others,
Gods inftruments therein, though they fawnocaufe to expect
or fear it from the fameperfons, to whom themfelveshad for-
merly done good, or harm: that therefore on this account,
they fhould alfo forbear judging , cenfuring , or condemning
others, that themfelves might not be fo. And that they fhould
rather endeavour to fee the greater faults in themfelves, than
blame the fmaller of their Neighbours ; and to caft the beam
out of their own eye, before they pick the motes out of other
mens; that otherwife in their attempting to rectify, lead and
guide others, whilft themfelves alfo are blinded, the end thereof
will only be their falling both into the pit.
§. 272. Our Lord, having thus expounded the. true extent of feveral
precepts, efpecially if they would obferve them in fuch a de-
gree, as might attain Chriftian perfection (which precepts were
formerly much mif-underftood ) proceeds further to inftruct
them in themannerof their performance in general of their
good works, and of thofe three great Chriftian Duties ■, the firft
relating to God, the fecond to our Neighbour, the third to
ourfelves; Prayer, Almes, and Fatting, or mortification and
fubduingof the flefli to the Spirit: oftheir performing thefe
fo, as that they might be acceptable to , and rewardable with,
God
§.2~3t274» of our Saviour Jefa Christ. . 20$
God ( whilft the Pharifees in,all the(e , doing them with a
wrong intention, loft but their labour and charge). [ Reward-
able lfay, For as in Almes and charities to our neighbour God
hath engaged to pay to us again, and that prefled down, what
ever good we do to others ; So in Prayer he looks upon us as
much honouring him thereby ; and in failing, as fuffering
fomething for his fake, in order to better ferving him by fub-
duingof theflefhi and fo alfo for thefe in his great bounty pro-
vides a reward. But in all thefe our Lord law the vain-glori-
ous Pharifees to loofe their recompence with God, by doing
them to be feen of men ,- . s by their founding a Trumpet for
gathering together the poor, when they had almes to bellow
fas is faid alio to be done indiftributing the poors Tithes);
and as their Handing in the market-place, to perform their De-
votions, fuppofed to be made there, for Gods rewarding their
Benefactors, and for averting his judgments from the people,
&c. By this device gaining much chanties from filly women;
and by their hanging down their heads, and looking pittifully,
when they faft upon like occafions. But our Lord told his, that
thefe duties, to be recompenced by God, were to befocleanfed
from all applaufe from men, as that in the diftributing of their
Almes, if it were poffible, the left hand mould not know what
the right was doing: and that in failing, they mould rather
difguife it by warning their face and anointing their Head : and
in their prayer, that they mould betake themfeives to their
Clofet, and fhut the door after them : for that thus the more
they endeavoured to h ide their work, the more would God ,
that feeth all fecret things, manifeft it in a publick rewarding
thereof. ■
That alfo in their prayers, they mould not ufe many vain $. 27*.
repetitions, like the heathen, out of any diffidence in God ; as
if he knew, or underflood not their wants before they asked
him; orwasaverfe, or carelefs in relieving them before with
many words perfwaded thereto. For that if they, fo evil na-
tured, rejected not the prayers of their children, but give all
things neceiTary or good for them, how much more would the
infinite goodneisand kindnefsof their Heavenly Father do the
fame >
Thus our Lord endeavours to arm them with much faith
and confidence in their devotions: knowing how necefTary this
is to the good fuqcefs of their prayers, and to fortify them a-
gainil all diftruft, either of his divine omnifcience, or paternal
• companion.
$. 274.
2o o The Hiftory of the Life §-27!v
companion, [ But here we muft not forget, that the fame our
Lord elfewhere much recommends affiduity and importunity
in prayer, as ni ceflary to excite thole holy affections in us which
may render us more capable of his Favours. Upon this ac-
pift.izi. c@Unt} St.Auftine, in his Epiftle to the religious Lady Proba5
giving her directions concerning her prayer, exhorteth her ef-
pecially to the fpending of much time therein, inftancing for
it in the importunate widdow, and neighbour Lu\. 18. com-
mended by our Lord. -For that ( i&'\X.\\\\e. ) there a nobler effett
will follow , where a more fervent affeUion goes before; And,
-That fuch i??iportunity and -per fever ante is ncceffary ; that our
defre, faith, hope, may not injome manner grow cold. For nei-
ther ( faith hej is praying long time, as fome imagine, to pray
with much fpeaking. Much difcourfe is one thing, a continued
affection another. For it is written of our Lord himfelf, that
he continued all night in prayer ; and that he prayed longer,
or more vehemently : where what did he but give us an exam-
Luk. 6.12. p]Cj £rC Thus he commending to us not many words, but much
affection : praying long, and faying little.]
For their praier alfo he prefcribed them that form, full of
Spirit, but {paring in words, Our Father Z3c. where in the firft
place, we give and offer up all Glory to this celeflial Father* de-
filing that every where , and in all things his name may be
Sanctified, his Kingdom come, and his will be done. Then we
petition for our felves, viz. for the fupply of our daily necefTaries ;
tor the pardon and re million of our former fins and offences a-
gainftGod (but for the obtaining of this, engaging alfo the
remiilion of other menstrefpaffes againft us ; without which, he
tells us no pardon was to be expected of any from Gcfd, he fn>
deed remitting us pounds, for our remitting pcucej; then, for
the future, his delivering us from any temptations, that may
hereafter induce us to offend him ; and from any evil, punifli-
ment, or milery deferved by our former having offended him.
Only for one of thefe Petitions, the obtaining pardon of
our offences againll him , he layes one burden upon us ,
namely our engaging the remiilion of other mens trefpalTes
againft us, and that fo full as we defire his towards us: with-
out doing which he tells us no pardon is to be expected from
Him.
§. 27 f. This of the contents of our Lords Sermon, asitfeems, rclat-
ing more generally to all. Another part of his fpeech he ap-
plyed more particularly to his Dtfciples : telling them that they
were
&. 2 7 6. 0/ ou r Saviour Jefus thrift, 207
were the Salt of the earth, which he had provided for feafoning
the iufipidnefs and unfavorinefs thereot towards God, and for
preferving it eternally from corruption : and that thev were the
Jightorthe world, for iiluitrating its darknefs : And laftly, a
City or Society, in which all the world were to be jovned and
collected, and to become Subjects and members thereof, and
one Body or Corporation, one Faith, one Spirit &c, being there-
in^/;. 4. 4. that therefore they were to provide, that this Salt
mould not become unfavory or infipid : for then, wherewith
could that, which is to feafon all others, be feafoned it felf j
And that this light fliould not be put under a bufhel ; nor this
their City hid as it were in a vale, or fuch which fliould not be
eminently difcoveredj for then, how could the world know
where to ;oyn themfelves to the communion thereof.
Laftly, thatalfo their light and their doctrine were to be
accompanied with their good works ; that people might fee the
one as well as tjje other ; ( though fuch good works not done
tobefeen of men; nor that themfelves, but their heavenly Fa-
ther, working fuch Sanctification in them, might be glorified
thereby 2 Cor. 8. 21. -Rom. 12. 17- ) Their example, and practif-
ing of their doctrine, being much the more difficult, and this
much more effectually converting others, than teaching doth
1 Pet. 2. 12. -3. 16. And that at the Iaft dav, many of them
fliould' come unto him, faying, Lord, Lord, and telling what
great matters their preaching and prophecyinginhisname had
effected ; yet fliould thev be rejected on this account, that their
works were evil. And that every tree thus bringing forth ill
fruit, fhouldfurely be cut down and caft into the fire.
He told them likewife, ( and herein alfo gave a precaution to $• 2?6'
the people ) that there fliould arife among them many falfe Pro-
phets and Teachers ; who mould come in fneep's clothing, and
counterfeit much Sanctity, and ufe much fair language, &c. lC u
but yet within were very wolves; and that there was one fure 13.
teftby which they might know them, Viz. by the fruits they
bare; for that as the tree was bad or good, fo would the fruit
certainly be.
[ Which rule our Lord feems to have given them upon a dou-
ble account : Both becaufe truth and goodnefs, or Holinefs pro-
ceed from the fame Holy Spirit within us, the fountain of
bothj and are eternally linked together: and fo errour and
vice. So that ( all things truely weighed/1 no true doctrine can
evei end to an evil life, nor errour to a good : and Holinefs,
alwaies
2o8 TheHiftory of the Life §. 276.
alwaies fuffers, not gains, J?y a lye. Therefore alfo are truth
and iniquity frequently oppo fed -1 Cor. 13. 6. -Rom. 2. 8. -1. 18.
So that no mans wickednefs can be the effect or confequent of
any truth he holds : though who holds the truth may ftill be
wicked, from another principle in him. That therefore thus
true and falfe teachers may be known by the fruit of their do-
ctrines 111 their Auditors ; if thefe tend to the infufiug into them
higher degrees of all kinds of piety and charity ; Or, on the
contrary do intufe any leeds of impiety, injuftice, uncharita-
blenels, fenfual liberty, uncleannels, or fedition , and difobe-
dience to Dignities and Superiors. This as to the fruit of their
doctrines. But fecondlv, becaufe as to their perfons, the root
in iuch falfe teachers alwaies is evil; i.e. their affections and
intentions are perverted, which perverfe affections at laft ma-
nifeft themfelves in their lives arid practices ; thefe either for
iecular ends, teaching doctrines not believed, and known by
them to be falfe, purpofely to deceive, which ends and hypo-
crify will certainly difcover themfelves in their works ; or tho
the dodf rines taught are alfo believed by them, yet there are
lome vicious inclinations refpecting fecular intereits, which do
induce fuch a beleif ( efpecially where they depart from the
Traditions of the Church, and former Superiours ) : and fuch
fecular intercftswill appear in their works, and manners; and
the heart, bad in one thing, will be fo in another. Therefore
the Apoftles do defcribe frequently fuch falfe teachers, as viti-
ousin their lives, and (educing with their fair fpeeches fwhen
' jn their fheeps clothing) SeeJ{om. 16. 17, \%.-Phil. 3.19. -2 Cor.
1 1. 3, 1 3. -1 Tim. 4. 2. -Tit. 3. 11. -a Pet. 2. 3, 10. &c. in which
texts they are reprefented as —Sibi placetites, gloria Jitientes ,
ajjentatores, invidi, maledici S3 obtreilatores^ ventri dediti , Juis
teniporalibus commodis & avaritice Jervientes [ G? /hum negocium
agentes [ fome way or other 3 ) non veritati : noting them
ipecially, as covetous, fenfual, f peaking ill of Dignities. But
here note, that by falfe Prophets are chiefly meant thofe who
know their doctrines to be falfe; and intend to deceive and
teach in Hypocrify, and live in difobedience to a Superiour
Church-authority. Otherwife fomegood man may teach an
errour; and fome bad, truth. But as thefe have or want the
Grace of God in their heart, and have their will and affections
fincereor corrupt, fo will their fruit moftly be good, or bad;
and among other things their teachings and inftructions will
have a relifh thereof.
After
§.276. of our S avior Jefus Chrifl. 2 0 <
After this our Lord concluded his whole Sermon thus; that
the Foundation of Happinefs was their good works : and their
not-hearing, or teaching, but doing, what he taught : which
was laying the Foundation upon a fure rock, fo that no ftorms
mould /hake the building raifed upon it. But that the Hearer
of his words,and not practicer,was like a fool building his houfe
on fand. Upon which a time would be, when the raines fhould
come, and the winds blow, and the floods arife, and the ftorms
beat vehemently upon it; and the fall thereof mould be very-
great and terrible. And thus ends our Lords great and famous
Predication intheMount, to his Apoftles, and to all the Peo-
ple-, who, faith the Evangelift, were much aftoniftied as at his
doctrine, fo at the manner of his delivery thereof ; For he fpake
to them all thefe things with a kind of Majeftical Authority,
and not as the Scribes.
D d AN
( 211 )
An Hiftorical Narration
OF THE LIFE
OF OUR
LORD JESUS
PART. II.
Beginning after the prayer recorded Joh. 1 7.
REAT was the prefent malice of the Devil, in this . r<
hour of trouble approaching , againft the reft of his - — -
poorDifciples, togainpofTeffion of them alfo,ashehad
already of Judas, Jo. 13.27. and Satan had defired, Lz^. 22.31,
32. &c. concerning them, as he did concerning Job; That
God ( who keeps a continual reftraint upon this hater of man-
kind, not only for his hurting us after fin, but alfo for his tempt-
ing usuntoit) wouldbut now let him have the fifting of them
a little, after all the great works they had feen done by this
their Matter, and all the gracious words they had heard from
him, to try their fidelity to him. Our Lord therefore, fore-
feeing the great temptation, that at this time they alfo (by
his Fathers permiflion to thefe Powers of Darknefs ) were to un-
dergo, and how greivoufly they might otherwife mifcarry in
it, interceded to his Father for them ; and in efpecial manner
for Peter, their cheif, and Leader ( whofe forwardnefs, he faw
would expofe him to fo much more tryal, and danger that his
faith, however ihaken in this dorm, yet might not utterly fail ;
and that, in his deficiency to confefshim, he might not alfo
ceafe to believe in him; and that, fpeedily recovering of his
laple, he might alfo be an inftrumcnt of confirming the reft.
Whilft our dear Lord continued thus, partly comforting his §. 2.
fad Difciples, and partly recommending them unto his Fa-
ther, and petitioning him for their perfeverance in the faith of
Dd 2 him
212 ; The Hijiory of the Life of §.3.
him in this great time of tryal ; Meanwhile Judas v/as depart-
ed, before, out of this holy Society, either, upon the violent in-
ftigation of Satan, that he fhould not omit the prefent fair op-
portunity to perform his Treafon,- or alio perhaps, becaufe he
was difgufted that our Lord mould difcover before the com-
pany ( though this done out of great compaffion to him, if he
would yet perhaps repent of it) his purpofe of adting that,
which yet he had already proceeded in fo far, as to have agreed
with the Jews on the very price of his Matters liberty, if not life ;
or alfo becaufe, after his filly fancy, that he had carried his
matter fo fecretly, as that our Lord knew nothing thereof, he
now perceived by our Lords open difcourfe of this treafon j and
alfo his direcl: anfwer to his impudent queftion ,• Mafler is it I?
( whereby he expected to have bin cleared together with the
reft ) that his plot was already known ; and, without much haft,
would have bin prevented ; and fo both the reward thereof,
and his credit be loft. Judas, I fay, thus having left the com-
pany, was gone in all haft to the cheif Preifts, and Pharifees,
to give them notice of this opportunity,- both of the time ; in
the fetting of the Evening, and covert of the N^ght; and place,
whither he prefumed, according to his cuftome , our Lord
would refort (a private Garden remote from the City ) his At-
tendantsvery few; onely Eleven perfons ; the folemn Feftival
of the next night not affording the fame conveniency of a nu-
merous company to apprehend him i and, if this deferred till
after the Feaft, that he would fuddainly retire again out of the
way, as he had done twice formerly.
*' ?' The High Preift, and the Councel in. their AfTembly called
together (Jo. 11.47. ) upon our Lord's raifingof Lazarus from
the dead not long before this, and fuch a multitude of people
converted to him by it, had formerly concluded upon appre-
hending and putting him to death: left the Romans mould
make a quarrel upon^it, and queftion the whole Nation for a
confpiracy agaiuft the Empire, and fetting up a King of their
own : and had given a ftrict charge, Jo. n. r/. That, if any man
knew where he was, he fhould fliew it, that they might take
him. Which made our Lord alfo to forbear appearing in pub-
lick, and to abfent him felf from the City Jo. n. 5-4. till hisen-
tring in triumph thither upon Palme Sunday, when was the
time preappointed for offering up himfelf for the fins of the
world. But now, after his publick appearance again in fuch a
manner, and fuch new acclamations given to him, they were
by
§.4j5* our Saviour Jefus Chrifi. Parc.n. 213
by this ftill more enraged and confirmed in their purpofe. And
it feems from Mat. 26. 3. compared with verf. ?7. and from
Lu^.22.4. That upon Judas his repairing unto the High Priefts
Palace (or alfo before j they were met again, and in ierious con-
iultation how they might apprehend him before the Feaft ,
left done in the time of the Feaft it mould raifefome tumult :
3s alfo that thus might be prevented the peoples concourfe to
him in the Feaft time. And all this they did out of zeal to the
fafety of the ftate in mew, but out of rneer malice and envy
to him in truth. And for this Judas his arrival was no unwel-
come accident ; with whom alfo they fent fome of the Councel,
together with the Tribune and Soldiers for his apprehenfion ,
and meanwhile attended the fuccefs feeZ-a^. 22-/2.
And now \ery bufy Judas, and the Officers, are in gathering §. 4,
furficient forces to apprehend him j which confifted, partly of
the Roman Soldiers, or cohort with their Tribune, guarding
the Temple at theie great Feftivals, and concourfe ot the peo-
ple, for preferving the publick peace (whichGuard the Ro-
man Governour it feems permitted the Sanhedrim to make ufe
of, fecMat.27.6s.J0. 18.12.JAnd partly ofthe Jews own Officers
and Serjeants, called <&?»™, Minifiri, of whom we find frequent
mention;fee5fo.7.^2,4r.-i8.5Ji2,*2.-i9.5.-M«r^.i4.5r.^^.r.2 2,
25. Together with their Commander fee AH. 4.1,^,24. and partly
ofthe fervants and other adherents ofthe cheifPriefts and Pha-
rifees ; with whom alfo, as is faid, were fome Zelots ofthe cheif
Priefts, and Elders themielves LuJ^ 22. f2 ; in all, a great multi-
tude , fome armed with Iwords, and other weapons i fome alio
with ftaves,or clubs,as the haft ofthe bufinefs would permit; they
having not above an hour or two's warning. Who carried alio
with them lome Lanthorns, and Torches, becaufe of the dark-
nefs ofthe night , it feems, extraordinary ■, fuitable to this great
work of the Prince of Darknefs ( for this was the time of the full
Moon ) unlefs We will fay,thefe lights were to make a more nar-
row fearch (if need were ) in the grots, or other Garden-houies„
This Garden, where they expected to find their Prey, was $. y-
fituate beyond the brook Cedron; on the Afcent of the Mount
of Olives, not altogether fo remote as Bethany i (which alfo
flood on the fide at the foot of the fame hill ) and probably be-
longed to Lazarus, or fome other Difcipleof Jefus, whither oar
Lord was wont to retire, at night, with his twelve Diiciplesfee
Jo. 8.1,2. (as he had formerly done alfo at the Feaft of Taber-
nacles ) partly, for his fecurity, the Jews now more vehemently
feekmg
2 r 4 The Hiftory of the Life of §. 5-.
feeking his life, tee Jo. 7. So. -8. 5-9. -10. 39. and partly, for his
Prayers, and Devotions, being private, and difengaged of thofe
crowds of people, with which he was environed on the day
time in the City, and Temple -, and fometimes here (as other
times in Bethany) it feems, he with hisDifciples took all the
night-repofe they had (otherwife Judas his Troops would not
have come, io late, with Torch-light to have fought him here)#:
It being night already, as S.John faith Jo. 13. Jo. when Judas
left our Lord. Nor would he have bin fo confident, or have
informed them that there they fliould find him, if his Nights
lodging was in Bethany ( which being about a mile further was
lomewhat too remote from the City ) or el/ewhere. And it
feems alfo hisDifciples expected no other lodging in their be-
taking therafelves there to their reft. See below §. And per-
haps from hence it was (though called Bethany, becaufe not
far from it, feeL?^ 24. ^o. compared with^S?. 1. 12. ) That our
Lord returned in the morning fo hungry, that he went, as he
paffed, to get fome figs. Arid from thence again very early in
the morning Lul^. 21. 37. 38. he returned to teach the people
intheTemple, the whole body of the Nation, as it were, being
then at Jerufalem ; whither alio ( faith the Evangelift ) the peo-
ple came early to hear him. See for thefe things Jo. 18.1,2. Lu\.
21. 37, 38. Marj^. 11. ir, 12, 19*, 20. well compared. This he
had done now for feveral daies together ; after his humble tri-
umphal entrance into Jerufalem riding on a little Aflfe-colt on
Palme-funday. All theday fhewing himfelfinthe Temple to
all the Nation affembled at this great Feaft, and teaching them
publickly , and ufing now greater authority than ordinarily
there Mat. 21. 12. LuhK 19. 45-; healing alfo there, the corpo-
rally difeafed, that were brought unto him Mat. 21.14; and af-
terward retiring to this garden, or to Bethany, every night.
From whence one of theie mornings, as he was travailing to-
wards the City, being an hungred, he went to gather fome fruit
on a fig-tree in his way j and finding none thereon, to mew to
hisDifciples the great power of a ltrong faith in God that is
joynedwith purity of life Mat. 11. 2f, he curled it ;and,asthey
paffed by it the next morning following, the Difciplcs law it
withered away. Probably, in this Garden alfo it was; that, as he,
and his Difciples were fitting, in one of thefe daycs, after his
coming from the Temple, on Mount Olivet, and beholding the
Temple over againlf. them, and theflately ftrudlure thereof ;
lie made to them privatly there, now before his approaching
death,
§ 6\ our Saviour Jefut Chrift. Part.n. 2 1 ?
death, and departure from them, that large prediclion of the
final deitruction of it, and of Jerufalem,&c. Mat. 2^.3. Marj^.
13. i, 2, 3. fet down Mat. 24. -Mar\. 1 3. -and hu\. 21. After he
had fpoken of it formerly weeping when he entred into the
City in his humble Triumph on Palm-Sunday Ln\. 19.41. and
again in his Sermon in the Temple Mat. 23. 37. Aud our Lords
Afcent into heaven alfo upon Mount Olivet feems to have bin
fomewhere hereabouts: For, it is faid LuJ^. 24. yo. That our
Saviour, at the time of his Afcenfion; led his Difciples forth
%as Hf b» W*e [ not to be taken ftrictly, as if he carried them thi-
ther]. Now Bethany was almoft fifteen furlongs, that is, al-
moil two miles from Jerufalem, on the fide of Mount Olivet Jo.
11. 18. Andhis Afcent is faid ( Acl. 1. 12.) to have bin upon
MountOlivet, which was a Sabbaths-daies journey from Jeru-
falem,- which Sabbath daies journey is ordinarily accounted
feven or eight furlongs ( i. e. ) about a mile. Now, his afcent,
being not in the village of Bethany, where can we more pro-
bably conjecture it to be, than in or nigh to this Garden, the
former uiual place of his privat refort with his Difciples : That,
asGrotius obferves,- Qui locus fubmijjionis ijiim tejtis fucrat, idem
ejjet & Gloria : That, where he had his Agony, there he fhould
begin his Glory. Again, the vally between this place and Je-
rulalem being called the vally of Jehofaphat,where it is thought
the laft judgment mail be; 'tis probable, that, here alfo, on
that day our Lord will defcend in Glor^, where he was with fo
much unjuft violence apprehended, and bound, and carryed
away to judgment.
This then was the place where Judas and his Troops intend- $. #.
ed to furprize him. Our Lord alio chufing rather to be taken
in this place of retirement at his prayers j than, in his Inne, at
a Feaft. For, our Lord well knew this defign of Judas, and all
his preparations; and therefore could eafily have difappoint-
ed it by withdrawing hiinfelf elfewhere, ash? had done twice
formerly, becaufe his hour was then not fully come. Yet, as
before, when he faw this wicked Servant, an reclaim able by any
kindnefs, he had refignedly, and fearlefly bid him, that, what
he was refolved to do, he fhould doit asipeediiy as he could ;
fo now, thirfting extreamly to accomplilii his Father's Will,
the Prophecies that were made of him, and the full Redemp-
tion of mankind out of the hands of that mortal Enemy, who
had thus alfo even how carried away his own Servant, he now
rifeth up, leaves thehoufe,and marcheth over the Brook Cedron,
through
2\ 6 The Hijlory of the Life of §.7.
through the vally of Jehofaphat, ftraight towards the place ,
where he knew he fhould be looked-for j chearfully refolved to
meet his approaching fufferings, and prefenting this Lamb in
that piece of ground , where he knew thefe Butchers would
look for it, to hurry it to the flaughter. Such Refolution he
fhewed, when he took his leave of Galilee half a year before
C LuJ^. 9.5-1. Dum complerentur dies ajjumptionis ejus, ipjefaciem
fuam firmavit, utiretinjerufalem). And f uch an order of fi-
nifhing this his paffion he difcovered , in that Ipeech ( upon
mention of this his Baptifm in fweat, and blood Lul^. \2.s0.)
Baptifmo babeo bapti^ari & quomodo coartlor, donee perficiatur ;
and difcovered but now at the Table again: laying, Defiderio
defideravi £sV. Lu\. 22. 1 f.
3. 7. HisDifciples followed him fad, and difmayed; yet hitherto
well refolved not to quit their Mailer ; two of them armed with
Swords, one of which was S. Peter. Our Lord by the way gent-
ly told them; That they all, that night, mould be offended in
him ( not expreffing their future fault in its worft terms ); i.e.
Ihould take offence at fuch things, as they mould fee happen
unto him; and fo forfake him, whom they had formerly con-
ieffed for the Son of God. For that now the time foretold was
come, that he the Shepheard mould be f mitten, and the Sheep bs
jcattered; making ufe here of prophecies, and his fathers good
pleafure declared therein, as aconfolation and an unviolable
prefcription in all thefe forrowful events. And, after this
prediction of their mifcarriage, inftead of reproaching, he
comforts, them, and bids them take heart again, for that he
had, like a careful Shepherad, prayed for them to his Father j
and there fhould be no final revolt in them; nor their faith in
himfuffer more than a fliort Eclipfe : and that, after his Re-
furrection, he would render himfelf before them in their own
Countrey, Galilee : and that there, after his fufferings were paft,
they fhould with great gladnefs again enjoy his prefence. [ Ga-
lilee being the place both where he had moft Difciples , and
where was moft privacy for its remotenefs from Jerufalem;
( the divine Wifdom having Decreed, for leaving the more re-
ward to faith, that his appearance mould not be to all the peo-
ple, or Nation, that faw him dy ); and therefore a certain
Mountain therein Mat. 26. 52. -28. 7. ( probably, that ofhis
Transfiguration, which St. Peter calls the Holy Mount zPet.i.
18. ) was appointed by him, and probably alfo the Particular
time fet, when and where he would make the moft publick Ma-
nifeftation
§.8. GurSaviourJefmChrin.Vzn.n. 217
nifeftationof his Refurrection ; which his Father's good plea-
lure admitted .* where alfo above five hundred of his Difciples
aflembled together had at once this beatifical Vifion 1 Cor. if.
6.~\ To return.
To this the Difciples, more looking upon their prefent love §. 8.
and affection to their dear Mailer, than confidering their hu-
man infirmity, when his divine Society or his fortifying grace
is never fo little fufpended ; or alfo already being fain into Sa-
tans temptation, elevating our abilities by Grace into nref ump-
tion ( which is the ufual forerunner of every fall), returned an
hafly and confident Anfwer, ( againfl the infallible Word and
prophecy of their Mafter ) that they would never forfake him '.
viz. That,, as they had abode withhim hitherto in his tempta-
tions; twice followed him of late when he fled for his fafety,
and when he returned to his dangers, ( when alio one of them
Jo. 1 1. 16. that was afterward as backward in his faith as any,
refolutely faid ; Let us alfo go, that we may dy with him ) fo
they would ftill be faithful and conllant to him. But efpeci-
ally Peter, as more affectionatly loving our Lord, fo more for-
ward in exprefling it, now alfo carrying one of the two Swords,
faid; That though all the reft mould poflibly withdraw them-
felves, and he ftand alone, yet he would never leave him ; would
go with htm into prifon, and to death ■, would dye with him and
for him : To whole confidence our meek Saviour replyedonely
to this purpofe; That, though it wafnow already night, yet
before the Cock-crow of the very next morning, he, that was
fo forward now to dye for him, Jhould not once, but thrice, deny
him. And indeed amongft others at the queftioning of a filly
Maid he did not onely fay, but fwear and curfe, not onely that
he was none of his followers or company; but that he not fo
much as knew him. APaflage very punctually related by all the
Evangelifts, though Peters friends: That this example might
remain for ever upon Regifter, to fhew the world what the
beft of men, what the very chief of the Apoftlesof God is, when
in an hour of temptation, God's fupporting grace is, for never
fo little time, withdrawn from him : that the higheft Saints,
to keep themfelves from falling, might learn to walk in pro-
found humility and perpetual fear of falling; and might alfo
learn to companionate the falls they daily fee of their weaker
Brethren, and to bear with them their burdens Gal. 6.2,1. whilft
(as the Apoftle) if any man whatever thinketh himfelf to be
fomething (except only our Lord, who flood in his tempta-
E e tion, .
2 1 8 The Hiftory of the Life of §. 9.
tion, and by his ftanding we alfo ftaad) when he is nothing,
he deceiveth himfelf. Yet, after this which was laid by our
Lord to Peter, we find that Peter replyed again more vehe-
mently: That, if he mould dye with him, he would not deny
him in any -wife il/ar^. 14.31.
§. 9. Thus he pafTed through the vally of Jehofaphat, the vally
ofjudgment, as fome think it fhalbe, and over the Brook Ce-
dron ; an Emblem of the torrent of Gods wrath, of which he
was now to drink to the full Pfal. 110. and fo came to the gar-
den, a Garden of forrows • to expiate herein what the firft Adam
had trefpaffed in a garden of pleafure. Of which Paflage of
our Lord, David in fome manner ieems to have bin a Type ;
whenhepaffed over the fame brook toward Mount Olivet, fly-
ing from the face of his ungrateful fon Abfalon confpiring
againfthim, and feeking his life, fez 2 Sam. ij. 2}. Where alfo
he worfhipped, wept, and prayed, verf. 30. 32. And was heard,
and delivered from death, but not fo our Lord : Where Ittai
alfo his friend verf. 21. promifed ( like St. Peter and the Apoftlesj
to live and dye with him, but was more faithful and itedfaft
herein than St. Peter was: And where Hufhai another friend
verf. 34. departed from him to the adverfe party, that fate in
Concil aga'inft him, as alfo Judas did, but it was to betray
them, not him. Here arrived, this careful Shepheard , feeing
this great ftorm now ready to fall, firft thinks on the fafety of
thofe poorflieep, whom*his father had committed to him: and
feeing greater danger toward their fouls from Satan ( who was
now permitted to invade both them, and their Mailer with
all his powers of darknefs ; and who had gotten one fheep from
him already by his wiles: not by any defecl: of this vigilant
Paftor Jo. 17.12. but by his own naughtinefs, and Gods permif-
fion ) than toward their bodyes from their Fellow-Difciple, and
his Troops, our Lord fets no fentinels, nor provides no defence
againft thefe corporal Enemies: but, the better to prepare his
Difciples forthetryal and fufferings approaching, fo foon as
entred into the Garden, ftraitly chargeth them not to fleep
that night, but to fpend it in watching and prayer, that they
might not fall into, or at leaft in, their, Temptation. Thus
leaving eight of his Difciples fwho perhaps might have bin apt
to take fome offence at the fight ot his Agonies) to their devo-
tions, near the entrance of the Garden; and forefeeinghis own
great defolation of fpirit approaching, he takes thofe three
of them more efpecially loved, -and familiarly treated by him,
■ 1
§. i o, 1 1 . our Saviour Jefa Chrift. Part. II. 219
and conducts them to the further part of the Garden : that
thofe, whom he had formerly ( as it were to forearme their fairh
againft this hour ) taken apart into Mount Tabor, to behold
his Glory, might now be Spectators alfo of this his great Eclipfe,
and exinanition.
And thus far all things being managed with moft divine ^ XOa
calmnefs, readinefs, and courage j now the combat begins not — '
onely with his followers, but himfelf. Righteous Job (yet not
altogether iinlefs ) was delivered into the hands of Satan and
Powers of Darknefs, but with a Refervation of his life : But this
Righteous and finfree Perfon was delivered into the hands of
that Enemy of Mankind, andor'his cruel Inftruments, lifeand
all. Abraham was ftrongly exercifed and tempted by God
concerning the lols of his onely Son: but in fine his fonslite
was preferved, and there was a commutation of the Sacrifice.
Ifaac the Type proceeded fo far as the carrying of his Wood ,
but efcaped the being burnt upon it. But now,the bowels of God
his Father ( for the yearning of his bowels upon us ) had no
compaffion on this righteous Job, ftript firft of all he had, even
to his innermoft vefture, nor on this onely Son, the Ring and
heir of Heaven and Earth ; but dy he muft, and the manner
thereof to be committed to the malitious contrivance of the
Enemy of God and man.
And, in his entrance thereto, firft begins a fpiritual combat §. n.
far more fharp and defolate than thofe corporal ones that fol-
lowed. (As in all afflictions commonly the firft afTault is the
moft grievous, and leaft fupportable. ) Where we are to ima-
gine, thatnotonly a natural fear of Death feized on our Lord
by the fufpending of other thoughts and confiderations that
might counterpoife it ; but alfo a moft extraordinary and fuper-
natural defolation and terror was brought upon his Spirit j and
that thofe divine confolations, which God fometimes with-
draws from his Saints, (which hath left them in very great per-
plexity, heartlefnefs and aridity, whereof they alfo make fad
complaints as of even the greateftof mortal fufferings) the
fame, but in a much higher Degree, were now by God, or by
our Lord himfelf, withheld from his human nature, or from
his lower-felt here in the Garden. For, had our Lord wanted
thefe fpiritual pangs, and thefe anguifhes of his foul, he had
wanted one of the greateft ( if not the very greateft ) fufferings
of mankind : befides which inward Anguilh, what external
temptations alio our Lords human Nature might fuSer from
Ee z Satan
220 The Hijlory of the Life of §.12,13.
Satan now in the greateft Relaxation alfo, that ever was, ofthe
power of darknefsLa^. 22. si- -^0.14.30.-12.31. irnmediatly
Forerunning the great conqueft over it, we know not.
§.12. Now therefore it pleafed the divine Majefty, to the End that
his Son might pafs through all our temptations and forrows,
and fuffer all manner of funerings, fuch as are innocent, for,
and before us \Tentatus per omnia , ut pojjit compati infirmita-
tibus nojhris\. Heb. 4. if. As alfo for our encouragement in the
like j It pleafed him, I fay, now fo far to fufpend from the hu-
manity of our Lord the influences of the Divinity, and fo far
to withdraw and Eclipfe the confolations ofthe holy Spirit; as
that it is to be prefumed by his unparallelled Agony , that
never any of his Followers have or can fuffer the like without
falling away from his innocence ; for, through his ftrength it
is that all they are valiant, or do perfevere. And we fee, when
fome drops onely of the fame ftorm fell on the Difciples, how
foon they fhrunk under them : not onely like us, then, he was
in all our innocent infirmities, even thofe of the foul and natu-
ral affections thereof, as well as thofe of the body and fenfes
thereof, but far beyond us. That in all things, even inhuman
miferies, and in thofe miferies alfo, fpiritualdefolations, fofar
as innocent, he might have the preeminence : and that out of
the depth of this his humiliation mightbe railed a greater ex-
altation: and that alio, how much greater in him the natural
fear, andhorrour of deathfeemed to be, fo much more his love
to us might be demonftrated, that notwithstanding for us he
would fochearfully undergo it all. And, whereas hi"s Divinity
could fo eafily have hindered, or mattered and diverted any
fuch tender apprehenfion and fenfe of greif in the lower facul-
ties, ( which he doth alfo not unfrequently in his Martyrs ; the
joyesof their fpirit and fuperior part, drowning and intercept^
ing the Greif and Paines ofthe inferiour, whilit the intenfivenefs
of the foul to oneactdifenablethitasto all other ) yet he, to
march before us in all our greifs, voluntarily admitted alfo our
forrows and anxieties offpirit to the higheft Degree ; that might
include no Rebellion in it againft the fubjeclion due to Realon,
and to God.
$:_£1l Which Greif of his, upon another ground alfo, became the
more advanced, by reafonof his divine prelcienceof all future
Events. Whilft all thole torments alfo, which his innocent flefli
was to undergo, now prefented themfelves in their proper ( i. e .)
in a moft bloody, malitious, cruel, fliape, ftood and palled be-
fore
§. i4» our Saviour Jefus Chrift. Part. n. 221
fore his all-fo re feeing eyes ( of which no other fufFerer ever had
fuch a fore-fight, as himlelfj. At this fight therefore, being al-
ready a Spectator in Spirit of whatever he was to act or feel in
hisperfon, Hisflelh began to have horror, and a fupernatural
fear of death, and a mortal fadnefs and amazement to feize
upon him. Mat. 26. 17. MarJ^.14.. 33. He began ww$uf$ui:9 ks*«-
QurSdt, *<hpmm fay the Evangelifts , ccspit pavere, & tadere , as
the vulgar renders it. And now theinferiour faculties of his foul,
as it were, rofe up to plead for the prefervingof the life and li-
berty of an onely fon from his fathers knife; of fuch a Son, as
had never once offended his Majefty in all his life in any thing
little or great ; Nor by any fin of his forfeited thefe : efpecially
when it may be prefumed 5 That that world alfo, which had
finned, might many other waies have found a redemption,
from the contrivance of the divine Wifdom rather than by his
only Son's fuiferings: or, if onely by thefe ,- yet furely all the
worlds guilt might have bin abundantly expiated by all thofe
(ufferings, and (traits, and annihilations of his Glorv undergon
formerly ; or alio ( if blood be necefTary for remiffion ) by his
blood flied for it already in his Circumcifion, or alio here in the
Garden.
To which quick fenfe of his own fufferings and cruel Death, §. ja
fome imagine, were added many other fad representations con- *
cerning others; fuch as thefe.His forefight,that notwithftanding
all his iufferings, the moft part of mankind, by their own wilful-
nefs and impenitency,fliould be nothing benefited by them; the
approaching temporal and fpiritual defolation, for fo long a
time, of his own Nation the Jews ; and the Apoftacy alfo of fo
many Nations in later times from the faith, after rooted a°
mong them,; the miferies of Judas his Difciple, which troubled
him not a little at the fupper^o. 13. 21. Mat. 26. 26. and heavy
wrath of God that would purfue his Enemies cruelty and inju-
ftice, not knowing what they did; which alfo troubled him
whenon theCrols. On another fide the great fufferings which
fo many Martyrs and Confeflors fiiould undergo for his fake,
whofe torments his infinite love of them made his own ; the
fcaudal and Defolation alfo of his poor Difciplesj and Peters
iterated denial of fuch a Mafter 5 The afflictions of his dear Mo-
ther, a Spectator of fuch cruelties to her innocentSon, andfo
highly meriting from all the Nation. All which, and much
more, prefenting it felf to him, whofe omnifcience fuffered no
human infelicities to be hid from him3 (truck to the heart k>
paliionatc
222 The Hiftory of the Life of §-*5»
paffionate a Lover of all Mankind, and one who had defcended
io low to make them happy, now that he had fufpended all
thofe orher thoughts and confederations which might eafily
counterpoife and weigh down thefe.
|. i5"« In this difconfolation voluntarily affumed by him for our
fakes and example, he reveals his prefent Anguifh and diftrefs
to his three dearly beloved Servants, tells them that his Soul was
forrowful even to the death ; and delires them, but for one hour
{ for fo long hefaw it was to the arrival there, of his mortal
Enemies,) to watch with him. And then leeking further pri-
vacy, aud leaving themalfo,as formerly the other eight,to their
devotions and prayers, as it were a fecond Guard or Watch be-
hind him, he retires yet further from them about the diftance
of a ftonescaft. And here we may look upon him as the for-
lorn , and accurfed Goat ffor he was made a curfe for us
faith the Apoftle Gal. 3. 13.J that was turned away into the
Wildernefs, going into this foiitude with all the fins of all the
world, by the hands of all the congregation of mankind from
the beginning thereof, laid upon his head; and all the venge-
ance of his Fathers wrath due unto them as it were now puriu-
inghim fat the greatnefs of which wrath we may well Guefs
by the Eternity and extremity of thofe torments which are in-
flicted by it on thofe, who deprive themfelves of their fhare in
the fufferings of this Lamb of God ). Under the weight then
of this heavy burden freely undertaken by him for love of us>
and our eternal fafety, he falls down on his knees, and prayes
on this manner. Abba, Father (Mat. 26. peircing words like
thofe oflfaacG^ra. 22.7. from fo innocent aperfon, andalfoan
onely Son going to the flaughter ) If it be pojfible, as all tlfin^s
are pojjibk unto thee, Marj^. 14. 3d. let this cup pafs from me. And
thus far, as he being true man, Nature for felf-prefervation
prefents to God its own innocent and harmlefs defires, and in-
clinations; but then, as alfo being a moft faithful Subject and
iervant, obedient in all things to the will of God, proceeds
further in another Note; Neverthelefs , Not what I will, but
what thou wilt. And herein confifted his innocency ; not in
wanting thefe natural defires of felf-prefervation, for this would
take away all merit of obedience; but in fubmitting them.
Suclj defires of nature being fiuful, notwherever they are, but
onely where they rule, contrary to what a Superiour power, ex-
terior or interior, commandeth, or requircth of them. And
co inftruct us, that no man ought to take fuch defires arifing
in
§. i 6. our Saviour Jefut Ckrift. Part.II. 223
in him ( fo long as the perfon thus concludes them in Not what
I will ) to be fin, the Sou of God alfo, for our confolation, fhew-
eth them in himfelf. And from him we may alfo learn, that
he, as we, dayly had, and underwent all thole other harmlefs
appetites and inclinations of Nature, refpecting food, reft, ap-
parrel, lodging, fociety and other delights of the fenfes ■, and
that, in the confining of thefe within their due limits, in obe-
dience to his Fathers commands, confifted the merit of his in-
nocency : never any one of thefe appetites, throughout all his
lifer though from time to time motioning their natural con-
tents, yet having bin for once any way exorbitant, or tranf-
grcfledthe bounds his Father, and his God had prefcribed it.
Therefore we find that two or three daies before, as he was §. id».
in the Temple, upon the like natural fenfe of Death, he made
the like prayer [letdown by St. John chap 12. as it were in lieu
of this in the Garden, which that Evangelift wholly omits, who,
it feems, writ his Gofpel ( upon occafion of fome Hereticks fa
early denying our LordsDivinity ) chiefly to Regifter therein
thofe dilcourfes, and works of our Lord, which more manifeft-
ed to the world his Divinity, than thofe difcovering his human
infirmities ]. In the Temple, then, certain devout Gentiles, by
the divine providence nowdefiring to be brought to him, and
to be made acquainted with him, as it were, already fuing to
be admitted into his fold, which thing was only hindred by his
death not as yet accomplifhed, our Lord took great notice of
it: and upon this occafion foretelling the coming in of the Gen-
tiles, and how, afToon as he was once lifted up upon the Crofs ,-
aflbon as this ftandard was ere&ed, and he difplayed upon it,
he mould draw all the world unto him. Upon the mention of
that cruel death he there alfo let fall this expreffion to them
Jo. 12. 27. Now is my foul troubled, and what Jball I/ay ? And
there alio firft he makes his requeft, as a man fenfible of mifery ;.
Father, fave me from this hour ; but then, as a Son, and a Ser-
vant perfectly obedient, he, with his Superior reafon and the
Spirit, reftrains thefe fenfitive defires in their true bounds, in
laying to himfelf again : But for this caufe came I unto this hour :
and then adds an Acl: of Resignation : Father Glorify thy name
\_ i. e. in any fufferings of mine whatfoever, which may be for
the enlarging of thy Glory, even to the Gentiles, and to all
the world]. At which time alfo, after his prayer his Father an-
fwered him with a voice from heaven, which the People called
an Angel's fpeaking to him Jo,iz, 29, as here hefent anAugel
• ' SLOB
224 The Hiftory of the Life of §. 1 6,
to him ; to fliew that he alwaies heareth and accepteth pray-
ers, joined with fuch a Refignation, from all his Ions. See Jo.
12. 30. -ii. 42. So again, at the, Table, in looking upon the
horrid defign of his own Servant againft him, read in his heart,
it is faid by the fameEvangelift ; that he was troubled in Spi-
rit chap. 15. 21. But ftraight his abfolute Refignation to his Fa-
thers will appears in his permiffion of Satan to enter, and a£t
further againft him in that malitious Saul; and in his faying
then,- That thou dojl, do quickly. So, in his laft fufferings on
the Crofs, wherein he feems to have undergone a fee ond Defo-
lation of Spirit j when he beganthofe words of the 21 Pfalm,
compofed by his Father David touching his Paffion, -My God,
My God, rvhyhafttbouforfakenme? This alfo was then accom-
panied with a moft placid Refignation of himfelf into his Fa-
thers hand that finote him, laying, prefently after thele words,
-Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. But to return. This
Requeft, and perfect Refignation being offered together, ( that
Model that mould be of all our prayers alio ) he returns, in
tins his Agony, to receive the folace of the company of his
three deareft Diiciples, left not far behind him j as alfo, like
an ever-careful fhepheard, tolooktohis fheep, and fo afford
them his company, and afiiftance, in this hour of their tempta-
tion as well as his. And behold he finds them, being ftupified
with forrow LuJ^. 22. 45-. and amazement, at fuch a fight of his
forrow, and amazement, and for the fad prefage he had made
to them of his approaching death ( Peter and all) fallen alleep.
Our Lord ftraight awakening them, asks Peter ('who had but
now made fuch great promifes of going to Prifon, and dying
with him) how it chauced, that he and his Followers could
not, for fo little a time as he had now to fpend with them, even
for one hour, fo much as watch a little with him > And this for
his own fake too, to Ipend it in prayer to be delivered from that
great temptation, that was coming, efpecially on Peter. But
this meek Lord, what with one word he queftioned, prefently
with another he excufeth; in faying, with much companion
for them ; The Spirit indeed is willing, but the Flejh is roeah^ ( Up-
on which Flefli of theirs, not onely their greif, but Satan pro-
bably at this time, was permitted to have fome influence, in
thisnrft degree of their defertion ol our Lord). Where alfo
by his mentioning the weaknefs, and infirmity of their Flefii
( which he now alfo» felt extraordinarily. in himfelf, but without
fin ) he excites them alfo to a ftronger vigilancy over it. Then
repeating
§ 1 6". our Saviour Jefu* Chrift. Part.n. 225
repeating again to them the. fame charge of watching to praier
in this dreadful hour of temptation, which he gave them before,
He departs again to a certain diftance, forepreft with that
great weight that lay upon him; and on his knees made a fe-
cond time the fame requeft with an earneftnefs of Praier Lu%.
22. 24. increafing according to his Agony $ when alfo his inno-
cent words conclude again in the fame manner ; —Not my
wilt, My Father, but thine be done. And as S.Matthew gives his
laft words Mat. 26. 42. If this Cup may not pafs from me, except
1 drin^it, Thy will be done. Then riling up, and adding no
more words after thefe, as it were hereby reftraining his inno-
cent delires of felf-prefervation from being too importunate,
and (hewing his per feci: relignation alfo in the fhortnefs of his
Requeft, he vilits again ( agitated ftill to and fro with his un-
parallelled forrowj his three molt trufted Friends,- and finds
them fallen afleep again j fpeaks to them ; and now receives
from them no anfwer; For, faith the Evangelift, their eyes were
heavy, neither wijt they what to anjwer him thereunto ; like t9
thole three Comforters of Job, who fate down by him, but in
a deep lilence. Thus folitary, and deftitute of any Compa-
nion in his iorrow, not anfwered by his Father, nor his Friends,
here thofe complaints of the Pialmift are verifyed, which he
fpake of him in this his ftate of Defolation Pfal. 141. voce fu*
ad Dominum clamavit, vocefua adDominum deprecatus eft. Ejfu-
dit in confpeblu ejus orationem fua,n, (3 tribulationem fuam ante
tpfum pronunciavit, indeficiendo ex fe fpiritum fuum ante ipfum
qui cognovit f emit as fuas [retlas']. Confiderabat ad dextram,
& videbat, & non erat qui cognofceretfe : Periit fuga ab illo, &
non erat qui requirat animam ejus [ qui follicitus ejfet de vita ejus
fervanda~\. Yet, knowing this for a time of his treading the
Wine-prels all alone, Bfay.61.7,. he again ftraight withdraws
himfelf from them ; and as the floods of his Anguilh grew ftill
higher, who drank a larger cup of Defolation than ever any
other man did, according to his greater capacity to receive it,
and greater caufe ( the fins of the whole world, paft and to
come) of undertaking it; He returns a third time, in the con-
tinuance ftill of the heavy hand of his Father upon his fpotlefs
Innocency : who flood now over him, as it were, with a knife in
his hand ready to flay his only Son, to fave the life offome
inconfiderable wretches,- He returns, I fay, a third time to
the ordinary remedy of affli&ed perfons. And now fal ing
proftrate on his face, he befeecheth him, yet once more, on the
F f fame
2 2 6 The Hiftory of the Life of §. 1 7,1 8.
fame manner; butftill concluding with the fame perfect obe-
dience, and refignation ; rendred lo much more precious to the
Divine Majefty, by how much the natural motions or his Hu-
manity were more intenie to the contrary: faying again: 0
My Father, not my will, but thine be dune. In all this leaving
rous a perfecl: pattern ofour behaviour in Prayer when diftrei-
fed,- both of perfeverance, in demanding what we have need
of, and of refignation, to, acquiefce in what God pleafeth to
grant.
§. 17. And now that we may underftand how terrible this Spiritual
combat was; and how great this Defolation, and defertion,
being now come to its height, befides his ftrong cries, and tears,
mentioned by the Apoftle, though not by the Evangelifts ;
Heh. j,7. .-[When, faith he, in the dates of his Flejh he had offered up pray-
ers, and [applications with Jlrong crying, and tears unto him that
was abletofave him from death , he was heard, &c.~] I fay, be-
sides thefe, his whole body, though in a very cold Evening ( for
they made a fire in the High Priefts Hall Mark. 14. ^4. ) poured
out a Sweat; and this no ordinary Sweat, of a Dewy, tenuious,
and aqueous matter, but a thick, vifcous, and clammy Sweat;
fuch only as is feen to happen in great agonies, and in the
Pangs of death. But yet his Iweat beyond this too ; for it was
( faith the Evangelift ) as it were great drops of blood ; the pores
of his body, bytheftrange prefTure of his Spirit from within,
opening and. enlarging themfelves, and letting out the grofler
part alfo of that fubftance running in his Veiues; and this in
iuch quantity, as the drops fell on the ground where he lay;
whether true blood, or fome other glutinous humor clotted like
it, who can tell? But a ltrange, and miraculous Sweat it was;
and a miraculous caufe it mufthave, and fuch as no other Son
of forrow hath tryed the like. And ( could we now go no fur-
ther ) what world can there be fo numerous, or its (ins fo great,
that the only Son of God might not end his Paflion here ; and
offer only this, as over-fufficient to redeem it; and thus pay
the due fufferings, in fuch an afflictive Deprecation of his fuf-
ferings ?
§• *$• And now" in this extremity God his Father heareth him,
andfendeth help. But this ( futable to the prefent itateof his
humiliation ) notimmediaty ; but by the Inffrumency of one
of thofe creatures, to whom our Lord had formerly given, and
at this inftant alfo fuftained, their very life, and being; who
now comes to fuftain his, and adminifter ftrength to it, ior {till
more
§.i8. our Saviour J ef us Chrift. Part.ii. 227
more fufferings before its difTolution. When methinks in great
confufion, this his VafTal prefaceth to him in fome fuch man-
ner, ashisfervant John did at his Baptifm j Lord, I live, and
move , and have my being by thee , and muji my Lord thus be
Jtrengthnedby me > To whom this anfwer feems to be returned :
J Permit it to be Jo now; For thus it is meet to fulfil all fufferings ',
and to give my Servants an Example of difdaining help from none
of Gods Creatures, though in Dignity never fo inferior to them.
This Angel then (fome think the chiefeft, S. Michael ; fome
S.Gabriel; named Gods ftrength, and the MefTenger formerly
of our Lord's Incarnation,) appears from Heaven ftrengthen-
ing him ; ftrength ening him corporally ; that his fufferings might
not end here, where it feems Nature was brought to the ut-
moft of her paffibility, and was diffolving herlelf in a mortal
Sweat ; and ftrengthning him fpiritually, in the Miniftery of
of thofe Motives, and confolations externally to him, which
internally he himfelf withheld from his lower felf,- probably,
reprefenting to him, the infinite Glory to God, and benefit to
men, and Exaltation to himfelf, The fulfilling of Prophecies,
and of the will of his Eternal Father, the refcuin^ of mankind
from everlafting deftruction, according to his Father's precon-
ftitution, His approaching Refurredtion , and entrance into
Glory ; that fhould arife from accomplifhingthe reft of his ap-
pointed fufferings; Our Lord vouchfafing now to receive, as
it were, by the reflection of an Angel the vivificating found of
hisown words that werefpoken but two or three daies before,
in the Temple, with much rejoycing in his future Paflion, when
hefaid Jo. 12.23. &c. -Now the time is come, when the Son of man
Jhould be glorified. -And except a corn of tVh eat fall into the ground,
and dy , it abideth alone -, but if it dy , it briiigeth forth much
fruit; -And -Father Glorify thy name. —Now /ball the Prince of
this world be caft forth. And I; if 1 be lifted up from the earth ,
will draw all men unto me. —And if any manferve me, let him
take up his Crofs and follow me ; and where lam, there alfo Jh all
he be. Thus then ferenely contemplating his Crofs, for the joy
let before him, he defpifed the fhame thereof ■, that afterwari
he might fit down at the right hand of the Throne of God,
and his Servants by him. By fuch minifterial applications from
the Angel, of that which the Angel originally derived from
himfelf, his great anguifh of foul was affwaged : and exauditus
eft pro reverentia fua : and his companionate Father al'orded
him now in due time a Deliverance, though not from his fore- „
Ft 2 defigned
2*8 The Hi/lory of the Life of §'x9»
cfefigned fufferings, yet from hisprefent fears, from thepre-
fent amazement, & tcedium, and mortal contriftation, he was
ieizedwithj reftoring his mind to its former ferenity, and cou-
rage.
$• *9- Thrice our Lord iterated this his requeft ( the firft compleat
Plurality of number arguing fome importunity ) and fo thrice
did his fervant Paul afterwards iterate his, for Deliverance
from another temptation:the Practice of them both being fuch,
as our Lord had before prefcribe.d to his Difciples in the parable
of the importunate Widdow, and neceffitous Neighbor. Thrice
both prayed, and both Denyed, as to the firft matter and in-
tent of their Prayer, concluded in the Sacrifice of their own will
unto Gods, and in a holy Refignation much more meritori-
ous, and beneficial to them, than had bin the granting of their
firft requeft. Inftead of which both received another Grant
much better, viz. of the divine confolations and joy in their
fufferings, which they petitioned to have had removed -, S. Paul
by our Lord 2 Cor. 12. 9. fpeaking to him j our Lord by an An-
gel fpeaking to him Lu\. 22. 43. Heb. y. 7. And thus both their
prayers were heard, as all thofe of all Saints, rightly made with
the claufe of Refignation, alwaiesare. And God ever upon
fuch Prayers ftraight gives fome new thing to the fuppliant ;
either fome new thing without him, or fome new thing within
him : either Grants externally the thing prayed for, or chang-
eth internally ( for he is omnipotent ) the defire of the perfon
praying for it. Thus he, who perfectly refigns his own Will to
God's, hathatlaft his own will, becaufe it isGods; and God's
will now fofar his, that, to grant him his former Will, would
be a thing againft his will : and giving to him his paft, would
be but a denial of his prefent, defires. And far better and more
fatisfying feems this change of our mind within us, than of the
world, orits affairs without us. ( Wherein a lfo Gods* courfe is
many times unalterable by our Prayers). Forour mind to us is
all in all, and not the things without us. Joy, and (orrow, Pain,
andpleafure, lodghere, and the heavenly Phyfitian works the
fhorter cure, when we come to him for fome eafe, in applying
his medicines to the foul it felf j and in altering , and with his
Cordials ftrengthning, and fupporting it,than in altering exter-
nal things for its fatisfa&ion. And when we beg thefe things
to content it, he doth not deceive us if he give the fame content
to it without them, or alfo in the contrary to them : and it
feems to come all to one, either to receive, or poftefs a thing,
or
§.2o» our Saviour Je fits Chrift. Part. II. iij
or not at all to want or defire it j or alio, now to defire to want
it. And S. Paul, after our Lord's fpeaking to him, and his new
Grace given him, was as much fatisfyed and tranfported, and
took as much pleaiure in his infirmities, which he would have
had removed , and in the chorne fticking in his Flefh, as if he
had had it, athisrequeft, pulled out. Efpecially if this alfo be
put into the Scale, That God, in denying any prefent Good
wiflied for, prefents alwaies to us the pofTeffion of a future good
('much more valuable ) in the fame kind j and indeed denyes
this prefent good in order to our attaining this future ; and alfo,
for the prefent, feeds the mind, in its inftant prefTures, with
moil ftrong hopes thereof, and confolations therein. And thus
it is declared of our Lord himfelf in this matter Heb.iz.z. -That
for the Joy that was fet before him he endured the Crofs.
After then, that our Lord had paid thefeduesto the proper §. 2ot
inclinations of his human nature, and pafTed through and ex-
perienced, all the innocent fears, languifhings, and alfo the fpi-
ritual aridities thereof j that fo he might be a more companio-
nate High Prieft, and IntercefTor for his brethren, labouring
in the like forrow j as alfo that he might the more encourage
them, perceiving him in all fuch furrerings to have trod the
way before them ; And laftly, That he might teach them there-
in behaviour in fuch fufferings, repairing to earned Prayer, and
the iflue thereof, a certain return of confolations ■, Behold, on a
fuddain all his anxieties vanifh, and his contriftated humanity
now retains its former chearfulnefs, and fecurity, and thirft for
fufferings. Seeing therefore his Enemies now not far off, his
reioiute courage longing after theCrofs, and follicitous alfo
for theiafety of hisdifmayed fheep, thought it not meet, that
this Band fhould feekforhim, or mould find him hid, or with-
drawn into fome remote corner of the Garden; or that they
mould firft furprize, or fall upon his fleeping Difciples, whom
he endeavoured to preferve fafe from their fury j But rather to
meet the Enemy, and voluntarily to offer him felf into their
bloody hands, fo providing alfo for his fearful companions a
better opportunity to efcape. With this refolution he rifeth.
from the Ground, and coming to his fecond Guard, the three
ielected Difciples, whom he found again a fleep, after he had
fmilingly faid unto them, that now was a time indeed to take
their reft i Hebidsthem rife, and go along with him, for the
Betrayer,he told them of, and the forces conducted by him, were
now at hand i and the fame he faid, when he came to the other
Eight. Bj.
230 The Hiftory of the Life of §. 2 r .
§. 21. By this time was the armed multitude come in fight, and Ju-
das, our Lords fervant ( who had covenanted for, Mat. 26. ir.
but not yet received, his bloody wages) marching at fome di-
ftance before them,- the better todifcover our Lord, and give
them notice, with his falutation andkiffing of him, which was
He. Whom our raoft meek Lord ( though well he knew his de-
fign ) admitted not only to his prefence, but alfo embraces, and
to a kifs ; not onely to leave us an Example of his infinite ineek-
nefs, and how we alio ought to love our Enemies ; but to fhew
his perfect obedience to the will of his Father in this firft taft
of his bitter cup. And fo in a moft mild manner filling him
Friend, asked him for what purpofe he came. By this, as it
were fore-pitying his great Damnation, to reduce him now at
leaftto fome reflection upon his bloody Treafon, and proftrate
himfelf at his feet to beg pardon. And then ( he being filent )
fpake yet more plainly to him, the reft of the Difciples itand-
ingby ; Judas betrayejt thou the Son of man f ( i. e. The Son.
or. God to fave thee become the Son of man, by which name,
to exprefs the ftate of his humiliation, our Lord ufually ibled
himfelf) to death, with this deareft expreffion of love to him :
Tu unanimis mens & notus meus -, Who but now, fimul mecutn
dulces capiebas cibos •, and but this day ; in domo Domini ambula-
vimus cum confenfu ; as the fad Pfalmift, in Spirit forefeeing this
Tragedy, aggravates it. After which faid fand this Satan-
pofTefTed miserable creature no way relenting ) our Lord moves
forward towards the Band that was coming on to apprehend
him, his Difciples following; And, asking them firft with great
Majefty, whom they fought for there, and they anfwenng, for
Jefus of Nazareth, upon his fpeaking twowords: Egofum, as
if it had bin the terrible name Jehovah, or Egofum in Exodus,
they all recoiled, as if repulfed with fome mattering force, and
fell flat upon their backs before him j fo that he and his com-
pany might not only have gone from them, but marched over
them, if they had pleafed. In which action he fheweth to them
and to the world his All-Powerful Godhead ; and that oblatus
Efai- tt- 7.- eji ( as the Prophet ) quia ipfe voluit ; and that not by their
force, but his own meer good pleafure, it was, that he would
be taken, bound, and led away by them ; as alfo ufed this adt
of his power, as a means to reduce them to their duty, and pre-
vent their Guilt ; and make them, next, to turn to another pro-
ftration forward, in a due reverence and honour to his Sacred
it* 7- 32, dfi . perfon -, moved with the like Spirit, as thole were, who came
formerly
§.22. our Saviour Jefus Chrift. Part. n. 231
formerly to apprehend him in the Temple. But they, after a
while, by his permiffion recovering their ttrength, made toward
him a fecond time -, perhaps thinking their former fall an effecl:
of his Magick, or black Art, able to procure a Blaft to throw
them down, but not to hold them there; and full ignorant that
they role again, onely by the ttrength he inrufed. Again, he
asked them the fame Queftion j And, anfwered by them as be-
fore; he, next, layes a powerful command on them ( which
though afTaulted by his Followers, they punctually obeyed ) j
That, feeing he was the man they fought, they fhould difmifs,
and not touch, the reft of his company ; myftically fhewing
thereby, hisfufFeringsto be our ranfome; and his apprehend-
ing, our freedom ,• He, in the yeilding up of himfelf, yet taking
moft tender compaflion ( as S. John obferves ) of his poor fheep ; y0. 17. ii.
That , though they might be fcattered , yet none of thole ,
whom his Father had given him , might be loft, by falling in-
to that ftorm which he well faw, ( now all the Powers of Hell
were let loofe) that none could withftandbut himfelf; and that
Satans lifting them at that time would have turned to the ruin
of their Faith ; and all of them bin, if not as Judas, Betrayers,
yet Denversof him. For, if Peter, when at free liberty, and
only asked the queftion by a Maid, did fo ; what may we ima-
gine would he, or the reft have done, under Reftraint and tor-
tures >
Yet the Difciples well acquainted with this his omnipotency §. 22,
onfeveral occafions, and ftrongly animated alfo by ieeing the
former fudden Proftration of his Enemies, had fo much cou-
rage as to draw, and ask him leave, to ufe the few Swords they
had in his defence j and Peter had fnch an hafty Valour alfo
( according to his ufual zeal, and late prociife to our Lord ) as,
without expecting an anfwer, he made a blow at one o the High
Priefts fervants f one of the forwardeft of the company to lay
hands on our Lord, upon his Matters mitigations ) thinking to
have cleft his head in funder with it. But our merciful Lord
diverted it onely to the lopping off one of his ears, which had
too facilely received his Matters wicked commands ; and then
prefently, compaffionating this mifchance; defired permiffion
of his Enemies thus far as to touch him, and let it on again.
Thus returning good for evil,- and preventing the accufation
of any reflftance or harm clone by him, or his, to the Minifters
of publickjuftice; as alfo, in this, demonftrating his love and
charity to thefe his Enemies, as he had before his power over
them. After
232 TheHifloryoftheLifeof §.23,24,25.
x 2i After which turning back towards Peter, he bad him to put
up his Sword ; telling him thofe that ufed it ( i. e. without a
juft Commiffion) as he then did, and efpecially againft the or-
dinary Minifters ofthefecular Powers, and of Juftice ( as thofe
Gen. 9.6. fentthen to apprehend him were) fhould incur the old Lex
talionis mentioned in Gene/is, and perifh by the Sword. Adding
alfo, that he needed not his, nor any others, defence; having
at his command more than twelve Legions of Angels ( and, had
he pleafed to have opened theirs, as he did the Servant of Eli-
fha his eyes, they might have feen all thefe celeftial Armies now
environing him j but what needed this, when they law the late
powerful effect of his breath only, in the pronouncing of two
words, enough, had he pleafed , to have unmade the whole
world, as alfb it was made only with a word ). After which, he
concluded his fpeech with thofe gracious words, full of pati-
ence, humility, and refignation (after his ufual manner ) to the
good pleafure of his Father : The cup, that my Father hath gi-
ven, or appointed me, Jhall not I 'drinkj And, it I now make fuch
a refcue, how Jhall that, which is written of me , be fulfilled? Tak-
ing care that not one fyllableof his Fathers good pleafure, de-
clared in the former Scriptures concerning him, fhou'.d fall to
theground ; and accepting thefe his fufferings, with all willing
fubmiffion, not as from the hands of the Enemies, but of his
Father.
$. a 4. After this addreffing his Speech to the chief Priefts and Cap-
tains of the Temple and Elders, that were come to apprehend
him, Lu\. 22. 72. he expoftulateth with them ; thereby to re-
duce them to fome remorfe of their fact, why they came againft
him thus by night , as againft a Theif, and a Robber, and
one that fought concealment, who indeed was not a Deftroyer,
but the Saviour, of mankind j and who converted amongft
p3 them all the day publickly in the Temple; at what time they
*** had nothing to fay to him. Then prefently as it were recalling
himfelf from this arguing with ungrateful men, and refuming
the fweet contemplation of the divine preordination: But,
Luk. 2295:3. faith he, This u your hour. Intimating that, only by the divine
Difpenfation , and his own full conlent to it, the Powers of
Darknefs were now let loofe upon him ; and thefe their wicked
Inftruments licenfed to act in a time futable to their defigns.
§\ 2 5". So our meek Lord patiently yeilded himfelf into their hands;
who took and bound him, their firft Dejectment and fears now
ferving only to increafe their prefent nercenefs, and rougher
ufage
PIT
§. 2 6,17* cur Saviour Jefus Ckrif}. Pare. n. 233
ufageofhim, as imputing their former proftration to a feat of
hisMagick or black Art, able to play fome pretty pranks, but
too weak to do them any real miicheif or affront. Bat, indeed,
this only Son Ifaac was bound by his Father, not them j in obe-
dience to whom, and thirft after the Redemption of mankind
by it, this Lamb of God offered himfelf to be Sacrificed on the
Altar of the Crols the next morning, and thus freely yeildedup
his liberty into the hands of finners.
With this rough ufage of theirs the Difciples much difmayed S* 2<*'
and terrified, now forgetting their refolute promifes formerly
made him, all fled away for their fafety, at leaft to a compe-
tent diftance from thefe Troops. And that prediction of our „ j(J
Lord, but fome hours before, was fulfilled -ve nit hora, ut dijper-
gamim unufquifque ad propria, & mefolum relinquatis. Onely
a young man, lodging in fome houfe adjoining ; that, awaked
with the noife, arofe out of his bed, and throwing a flieet looie-
ly about him, came forth to fee what fuch tumult meant, had
the courage to follow our Lord, and fo was laid hold on by
them j who leaving his fheet in their hands efcaped away nak-
ed i a lively prereprefentation of our Lords eicape from them
(after their ftrippiug him of his Garments ) that was to be three
dayes after, at his Refurre&ion , leaving his Syndon behind
him.
Now it mud needs be very late and drawing toward Mid- §.27.
night ; confidering it was already night when Judas went forth
from Supper to gather his body together Jo. 13.30. After which
followed our Lords long Farewel Sermon made to his Difciples
Jo. 13. si.&c. to the chap. 17. and Prayer for them after it ; Jo.
1 7. his journey to the Garden about a mile off; his prayers and
Agony there, and his Difciples there falling a fleep; and all the
Circumftances of his Apprehenfion ; ^nd the young mans riling
out of his bed. The night, it feems, though the Moon then at
the full, was much overcaft and dark, futable to the work. Thus
bound they joyfully led away our Lord, through the valley, into
the City , now filent and' quiet : and carried him firft to the
houfe of Annas, probably in the way to Caiphashis Pallace,
and he a great Encouragerofthedefign ; and lome think that
Judas there received his reward ; his treafon having now given
them full PofTeffion of his Mafter. Annas alfo, though fome
years before depofed from the office of High Prieft by the Ro-
man Governour, who in thofe daiesdifpofed of it yearly, as
ieemstobe implyed by thofe words*: Jo.11.49. C*iphas being
G g High
234 The Hi/lory of the Life of §.28.
High Priefi that fame year, and Lu\. 3. 2. Annas and Caiphas be-
ing the High Priefts [ i. e. by turns ] j or after what time he pleaf-
ed, yetftill retained the title, Lu\. 3. 1 j and ftillhad forae fpe-
Cial intereft and fway in it, from Caiphas's marrying his Daugh-
ter; and from his having a fon alfo, Eleazer, that had born
the fame office before Jofeph. Antiq.Jud. lib. 18. cap. 3. Who was
alfo a cheif Member of the Council then met in Caiphass Pal-
lace, and likely was called on to accompany them thither.
The officers alfo might have had order to Houfe our Lord af-
foon as they could, for prevention of any tumult or refiftance.
$• 28* None appearing, without any longer ftay made there, Our
Lord in the filent night was conveyed to Caiphas his Pallace ;
where ( as hath bin faid ) the Council, the High Priefts ( thofe
being alwaies after filled fo, who at any time bore that office,
frequently changed ) Scribes and Elders Mari^. 14.73. afTembled
together, expected them. Our Lord being fet before them,
the High Prieft, inftead of producing a charge againft him,
and hearing his Defence and A, nfwer to it, fell on Queftioning
him about his Doctrine, and his Followers, ('whom, as they
had faid elfewhere, Mat. 22. 16. they knew free to fpeak truth;
and, as to this,regarding, or fearing no mans PerfonJ to fee what
he would confefs ; and, if confefling anything liable to their
ceii fare, thence to draw up an Indictment ; when as indeed this
feemed very great oppreffion, to apprehend, bind, make a man
a Prifoner, and bring him before the barr of Juftice, there to
gain from him fomething, for which to queition him. Our
Lord, having many times before bin thus examined by them
or their order, who he was, whofenthim, what authority he
had, &c. anfwered them briefly s That, both for Doctrine and
Difciples, they had feen who thefe, and heard what that, was,-
( and indeed if the latter, Jiis Doctrine, good, the more Difci-
ples the better ),- That he had taught publickly in the Temple,
and in their Synagogues, and in private laid nothing, but what
abroad. That therefore, it he were any way faulty in lowing
Errors, or plotting fedition, they might have enough to bear
witnefsofit, andupon their legal tcftimony, proceed to con-
demn, or acquit him; and therefore that they fhould not ask
him, but ask them that heard his words, and faw his actions ;
even amongft which were many of themfelves, that then fate
on the Bench, or ftood before it: and amongft thefe the very
Officers, fent formerly by a them to apprehend him. Who in-
deed throughly convinced of his -lnnocency and Sanctity, had
returned
§.29,30i3r* ourSaviourJeffrsChrift.Yatt.il. 235
returned to them with a Never Man fpake like that man. j. 29.
Our Lord thus, by a prudent declining any new account of
himfelf ( whom his great thirft tody for mankind made little
follicitousto plead for his life) much difappointed the High
Priefts expectation,- and breifly thus referring his caufe, as was
juft, to the teftimony of others ; one of the officers, which flood
by him, (truck him over the face in the prefence of ail the
Court for anfwering the High Prieft in that manner. To whom
our Lord ( whole patience here none can rightly ineafurewho
doth not well confiderhis perfon and power ) meekly replyed ;
That, if he anfwered well , there was no caufe he mould be
ltrucken for it-, or, if ill, not ftrucken by him, who was only to
bear witnefs of the evil, and leave the vindication of it to the
Judge. Thus when he fufFe red (as S.Peter obferves 1 Pet. 2.
33. ) hethreatned not ; and we may imagine, with great cha-
rity faid this to reduce that poor Wretch to a fence of his fault :
And it is a wonder, that herein thofe Judges, or fome of the
AnefTors, did not prevent our Lord in the cenfure and caitiga-
tion of fuch a wicked and impudent act.
Our Lord having thus appealed to witnefTes and the teftimo- §, ^Q.
nyof his Auditors concerning his Doctrine and converfation ; '
Thefe were at that time of the night, not prepared, but look-
ed for. And many they found, but, as it ordinarily happens
in lyes, their witneflings did not agree well together, nor in-
ferred the Crimes to be Capital. Thefe, Handing up in the
Court, fpake vehemently againft our Lord ; and as faft as they
fpake contradicted one another, anddeftroyed each others te-
ftimony. Defecerutitfcrutantesfcrutinio; CJ mentita ejtiniqui-
tasfibi; as the Pfalmift. Our meek Lord continuing all the
time with moil profound filence ; enduring, as the Apoftle ob-
ferves , iuch contradictions of finners, unprovoked anfl as it
were unconcerned, to the great wonder of the Council, where
occurred fuch advantagesof clearing his caufe and Innocency.
At the iaft two appeared ( fome think, by the ajfurge bant in §. }i;
S. Mark, chap. 14. that they were alio two of the AfTefFors ) that
pitched both upon the fame matter ; and this bearing the fhew
of an high Crimination j histhreatning to deftroy and demo-
lish their Temple j which alio they reproach'd him with when
he hung upon the Crofs, Mat. 27. 40. at the very time when in-
deed they themfelves were difTolving the Temple he fpake of.
But thefe alio, in reciting of his words, varyed, asfrcm the
truth of what our Lord faid, fo from one another. One tefti-
Gg2 fyed,
236 The Hiftory of the Life of §.32^
fyed , that he (aid absolutely he would deftroy it : Dejhuam ;
Mar\. 14.5-8. The other, that he could, or was able to deftroy
it, in the fpace of three dayes. ( Pojjum dejtruere Mat. 26. 61. )
Whereas his words were, neither dejlruam nor pojjum dejtruere ,
but Solvite , Deftroy ye ( as now indeed they were about it, and
his excitabo not long after to follow it ). One witnefled in gene-
ral, That he laid, he would deftroy the Temple i but then, he
might mean iome other Temple ; as indeed he did, the Temple
of his Body : but the other, that he laid he would deftroy the
Temple made with hands, that very Temple of Jerufalem ; and
that, in three daies alfo, he would undertake to build it up
again [recedificabo) ; whereas his own words., fpeakingof the
Refurrection of the Temple ofhisbody, was excitabo. Thus
they urged againft him things that he \neronot P/dlm. 34- i*«
and laid to his charge things that he never meant. But , then,,
his faying, he was able to dejlroyit, feemsonly a vaunting and
vain-glorious fpeech, not deferving death or bonds: and, if he
faid further, that he would do it, this argued only a malitious
intention where no poffibility of acting. Words they were
alio fpoken fome years before , without attempting any fuch
thing in the leaft afterwards : Nay one of his valianteft acts,
and wherein he molt fhewed his power was quite .contrary to
it, the cleanfing of the fame Temple from any profanation of it,
in the leaft manner, even in the outward Courts thereof: of
which there wanted not WitnefTes many, who fuffered by it.
But, making the worft we can of his faying j yet, when the Wit-
nefTes added the following words alio, that within other three
daies again he would rebuild it, the one I hope, if they held
him f uch a Miracle- worker, would make amends for the other ;
and f ure he would not after pulling down rebuild it, but to build
it better,- and his good intention in reedifying it, may bal-
lance, if notdifprove, a bad one in demolifhing it. But, alas,
thefe words ("now in the fcarcity of any other folid accufation
io aggravated,) were before, at the time he (pake them, even
according to the Jews understanding them, only flighted as a
a vain brag, and not thought liable to bear an action : they then
replying to him, that he fpake impoflibilities ; for that a Tem-
ple, that had been before forty fix years in building, could not
by one perfon fo fpeedily be pulled down or reedifyed. Jo.
2. 20.
§.$2] Though this was the greateft matter, thefe WitnefTes in the
Court had to fay againft our Lord, the H'gfiPrieft well f aw the
flightncw
§.33* our Saviour Jefus Chriff. Part. 11. 237
flightnefsofit ; and therefore, though here the only alleadged,
not a word wasfaid of it ( for fhame; before the Roman Go-
vemour Pilat, which would but too apparently have betrayed
their empty and caufelefs malice. . But our Lord, all this while
that fuch things were tumultuoufly objected, remaining recol-
lected, andfilent, the Judge feeming well iatisfied with what
was laid to his charge, and obferving our Lords refolute filence,
flood up; and asked him, whether he did not hear what they
urged againft him ? why he anfwered them not ? and what he
had to lay for himfelf againft fuch mighty accufations? As if
he had forgot that, for the laft words he (pake for himfelf, he
fuffered him to'be ftrucken over the face.
But our Lord, thus provoked to fpeak and plead for himfelf, ?• ??»
continued ftill filent ; and that for many good reafons. Firft
iilent, becaule the witnefs, contradicting and deftroyingits fel^
needed no further confutation by him. Silent, outot the higheft
Prudence and Pity to his Accufers and Judges, where he fore*
knew his fpeaking could have no good Effect upon their ma-
lice, but rather ferved'toincreafe their Guilt. Silent again, to
fhew the perfect moderation and Mattery of his Paffions, and a
raoft entire Refignation to his Fathers will, to leave us an exam-
ple herein, faith S. Peter, 1 Pet. 2.23. Tradens fe Judicanti ilium
f/zy^.Silent upon higher grounds yet 1 P et. 2.2 ^.Heb.y. 2%. Now
were laid on him all our iniquities, Efay. si'f- Now was he,
who knew no fin, made fin and made a curfe for us, becaufe
out of infinite love he would be fo ; 0 hiatus eft, quia ipfe voluit.
Now he prefented himfelf before Gods juftice in our ftead, and
who were moft notorioufly guilty of whatsoever he was accufed,
Whether blafpheming, Dettroying Gods Temples, or whatever
elfe, and had all reafon toftand fpeechlefs,- — Languor es nojtros
('faith the Prophet) ipfe tulit , S3 dolor es noftros ipfe portavit •
quafileprojus, & percujfus a Deo, & bumiliatus , vulneratus prop-
ter iniquitates nojlras : attritus propter feeler a nojlra j difciplina
pads noflra fuper eum : ficut ovis ad. occifiotiem duila ; & quafi
uignus coram tondente fe ( the (hearers fti ipping him not only of
his clothes, but his life) obmutefcens, & nonaperiens os fuum s
quern, propter fcelus popuh jut, per cujjit Dens : As the Prophet at
large defcribes there his condition Efay. f$. And fo we ought to
imagine him now putting himfelf in our ftead before the Tri-
bunal of his Eternal Father: and, without juftifying himfelf at
all, fpeaking to him, with a love far tranfeending that of Da-
vid 2 Sam, 24. 17, Though I have never finned nor done wick-
edly
238 TheHiftoryoftheLifeof §.34.
edly before thee, yet, for what thefemy Brethren have done,
let thine hand, I pray thee be not againit them, but againft me.
And fo filent and without any Defence of himielf, for what
could he fay for us, or in our Defence, but only contels our
guilt? offering himfelf to Gods vindicative Juftice for all our
Biafphemies, Treafons, and affronts, done to this divine Maiefty
everfmce that of Adam's; and, amongft therelt, even for their
fins alio, that thus unjuftly persecuted him, with the lame De-
precation for them now, as on the Crofs. Dimitte Mis Pater :
Non enimfciunt, quidfaciunt Lu^z^-SA- Laftly filent, obediently
to fulfil what all the Prophecies had fo punctually foretold of
him. For at this time it was,that all thole doleful complaints
occurring in the Plalmesandelfewhere, concerning his inno-
cence, andfuffering mute, and not replying, were exactly and
■pja . 3+. 11 perfectly verified. —Surrexerunt Tejies iniqui ; quiz ignorabam
p/i/ 38.1.9, tnterrogabant me, -Po/ui ori meo cujlodiam, cum conjijieret Picca-
%rd 37. i3. tor adverfum me. -Opprobrium infipienti dedijli me. -Andobmutui
(3 non aperui os meum, quia tufecijii. -Qui inquirebant mala mi-
hi locuti funt vanitatesy & dolos &c. Ego'autem tanquamfurdus
non audiebam , & ficut mutus non aperiens os fuum. And -Fa-
Musfum //cut homo nonaudiens, & non habens inorejuo redargu-
tionej, Ego in jlagella paratus fum, ?3 dolor meus in confpeclti meo.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam [That of the whole world taken
upon me ] annu?itiaboy & cogitabo pro peccato meo [ i.e. meorum. ~\
§0 34. This lilence as the High Prieft much wondred at, fo he little
imagined the reafon of it, feeing the great advantages he had
of a Reply. And, convinced already without his Plea, of the
vanity and contradi&ion of the accufation, devifeth another
way that might lucceed better, and being the main matter
upon the ftage, that had bin many times, undoubtedly, heard
from him ; and which, either affirmed or denyed, rauft equally
ruin him; And, that he might noway be defeated by his li-
lence, he folemnly adjures him by the living God (a cuftome
amongft the Jews in their Courts, where wanting fome other
Evidence, fee 1 Kings 8. 3 1. 52. Numb. r.19. 1 TheJJ\ f. 2.7. ) to de-
clare then openly, whether indeed he was the Menus, and the
Son of God. Whichif he now denyed, having before profef-
'fed it, he might pafs for a grand Impoftor, and Deceiver for-
merly; or, if he confelfed it, with the Court it amounted to
Mafphemy, and the punifhment thereof Death ; and which the
divine Wifdom then fo ordered; That, what our Lord had fo
often declared in his life and confirmed with Miracles;he might
alfo
§-35'3^# our Saviour Jefa Cbrijl. Vzit.ii. 239
a lfo witnefs before all the world at his Death, and feal this great
truth with his blood for the greater confirming of true Believ-
ers, and greater conviction of all Oppolers at the day of Judg-
ment.
Thus therefore our Lord prefently confefTed openly what §• ?f.
he was, without thofe qualifications,with which formerly he was
wont fometimes to veil it, thereby not to prevent or antici-
pate his fufferings : His anfwer, there, Thou Jay eft that I am,
being amongft the Jews a modeft wav of Afifeveration concern-
ing a thing that includes fome felf-dignity or commendation.
Thou fayeit that I am, being as much, as, thou fayeft that which
lam. Seethe fame, language ufed by our Lord before to Ju-
das Mat. 26. 2J-. and the High Prieft his renting his clothes for
Blafphemy {hews our Lords Anfwer to hi underftood as a cleat
confeflion. Therefore S. Mark puts inftead of it more breifly,
lam. And it may be here obferved, that, when as he laid the
fame thing often in his life time, and they upon it had charged
him with blafphemy j and fo went about to ftone, and kill, him
fee Jo. r. 18-^0. 10. 32. &c. He there confuted them, and flop-
ped their mouths by many proofs, that this was no falfhood or
blafphemy ; viz. by hisfo many miraculous works ; by the Te-
ftimony of the Holy Baptift; by the immediate teftimony of his
Father from heaven ; laftly, by the infallible Scriptures, calling
thofe Gods to whom God had given fome extraordinary com-
iniffion or authority ; whereas himfelf had received beyond
them fuch a Plenitude of Sa notification, appearing bytheDe-
fcentoftheHoly Ghoft upon him at hisBaptifm, by the Purity
ofhislife, and Doctrine, and mighty works,- fee Jo. r. 20, 21,
33, 37. the 10. 33, 37: yet here, at their crying Blafphemy, he
repeats no fuch defence, notwithstanding all the Nation could
witnefs the truth of it ; but retireth again to his former filencea
as loath to difappoint their purpofe now his hour was come.
Only in great pity and charity to his impious oppreflbrs, and §. ^6.
to remove the fcandal taken at that which ought to be infi-
nitely admired, his prefent vcluntarily-aflumed humiliation,
he modeftly tells them, that, although thefe titles, he owned,
might feem fomewhat difTutable to his prefent low condition ;
yet one day their eyes mould behold this now fo mean a Son of
man exalted to fit on the right hand of Power, as David had
foretold of the MefEas: Pfal. 109. 1. [which Meifias his fitting
on the right hand of Power, and fo being Davids Lord, the Pha-
rifei'flfcould not reconcile with the Meffias being alfo Davids
Son,
240 The Hi/lory of the Life of §.3 7.
Son, whenour Lord asked them this queftion Mat. 22.44. No
more than they could new his bonds with it] and that they
mould alfo fee him come in the clouds of heaven, as Daniel had
foretold of the Meflias, Dan. 7.13. to judg the world, and even
them his then Judges. Of which he had alfo in his preaching
told his auditory many times before ; fee Mat. 16. 27. Where
advifing them not to mind the gain of this world, but to favc
their poor Souls in the next, he tells them that the Son of man
( for io he ftiles himfelf alfo there ) Jhall come in the glory of his
Father [which fhewed him the Son to another, higher than
man] with bis Angels ; and then reward every one according to
bis works. And this his premonition, here given to his unjull
fudges, mail again bear witnefsagainft them in that his day of
Judgment ; when, faith the Prophet Zachary chap. 12. -Afpicient
zn eum quern trans fix erunt. And Ecce venit in nubibus, (3 vide bit
eumomnis oculus, z3 qui eum pupugeruntt faith S. John Apoc. i. 7.
Nay, a-modo, faith S. Matthew chap. 26. 64. very fuddenly, with-
in three daies after his faying this, they fhould fee the beginning
of this his Exaltation and Glory. -He being exalted by the right
bandofGod, ( faith S. Peter Ads 2. 3 3. after his Refurre&ion, and
Afcenfion ) hathjhewed forth this ye now fee, and hear. In which
Ipeech of our Lord, thus Handing at the bar, we may obferve
chat his fingular modefty was accompanied with a great free-
dom, Authority, and Majefty. Nor had their treatment any
way daunted him, or remitted the refolution, and courage,
belonging to an innocent perlon, to the dignity of his office ,
and tothenecellary confeffion of truth, as appears in his whole
carriage,- at his apprehenfion ; — Are ye come out as agaiiijt a
Tbeif&c. 1 fate with you teaching in the Temple, (3c. And here,
at his appearance before the High Priefts and Jewifh Courts ;
Askejt thou me f ashjthem that heard me : And afterwards before
the Roman Governor : fay eft thou this ofthyfelf (3c. And, for this
caufe come Unto theworld(3c. And every one that is of the Truth
beareth my voice. And, Thou coiildejl have no Power againft me,
Jo. 19. n. but what is given thee from above.
§. 37. But this forewarning them of his Exaltation and judgment
to come, which fhould have ftruckfome fear into them, fand
in which his Servant S. Paul had better fuccefs Acls 24.. 27. )
their malice made alfo ill ufe of; and improved it fo much
more to compleat his blaiphemy ; And prefently the High
Prielt fell a rending his clothes ; ( as it was the manner in fuch
a cafe, to rend their veft before, with both their hands,^rom
the
§•3 8. cur Saviour Jtfut Chrift. Part. n. 241
the neck to the middle ) and faid, there was now no more need
of witnefles, ( who well knew, how little they befteaded him ) ;
that he had fufficiently condemned himfelf. The reft alfo of
his AffefTors charged him wich blafphemy ( themfelves, in this,
blafpheming ) j and that for this he merited death ; and fo de-
livered him into the cuftody of the High Priefts Officers till the
morning, which now approached, it being now after Cock-
crow ; and railed the Court. See Lujl>. 22.26. Mat. 27. i.Or, if
fomeof our Lords Judges may be thought to have fate in con-
futation the reft of that night j yet our Lord was removed
from before them, and remitted to the Officers cuftody till a
fuller AtTembly of the next morning fliould determine their fur-
ther proceedings.
Our Lord thus left in the Officers hands, let us now return 5. jg.
and fee what becomes of his poor Difciples. It was faid, that
after the Sword drawn, and MalchushisEare cut off, and our
Lord apprehended and bound, all of them fled: but St. Peter,
and another Difciple, by the advantage of the darknefs of the
night, followed the Troop at fomediftance [which other Di-
fciple feems tobeS. John, becaufe he relates the matter lo pun-
ctually, and conceals the name, asheufeth when fpeaking of
himfelf. As for that Difciples being known to the High Prieft,
I conceive he might be fo without the High Prieft himfelf ('but
onely fome ofhis Family ) having familiar acquaintance with
him; or without the High Preift's knowing any thing of his Di-
fciplefhip to Jefus,- or alfo, with his conniveance at it, our
Lords Difciples having as yet given the High Preift not the leaft
offence: and this alfo makes it the more probable, that Ze-
bedeehis father feems to have bin, according to his condition,
awealthvman, as may be gathered from his wifes (perhaps af-
ter her husbands deceafe ) being one that accompanied Mary
Magdalen, and the wife of Herodes Steward, wealth', perfons
alfo, whom God had provided for this purpofe, in miniftring
to our Lord s neceffities in his travels out of their fubftance ; as
alfo after his death in providing coftly fpices for embalming
him; See Mat. 27.rr.f6. compare Lu\. 8.2. 3. And this alfo
might be fome reafon of her confident requeft Mat. 20. 20. of
having her two fons more highly preferred in our Lords King-
dom ; andlaftly, of our Lords recommending his mother to
John, as for other reafons, fo becaufe he was better able to pro-
vide for her; and perhaps, as having alfo an houfe in Jerufaleni
Jo. 19 .27. —but be this as it will].
H h Thofe
242 The Eiftory of the Life of §-39.
§.39. Thofe two Difciples followed our Lord to the High Prieft's
gate. And the other D'Tciple prefled alfo into the Pailace with
our Lord and the Guard Jo. 18. if; but Peter, perhaps more
timorous for the Exploit he had done in the Garden, ftayeth
without till his companion, fpeaking to a woman the Portrefs,
brought him in, which made her preiume him a Galilean. Pe-
ter, thusentred, prefumed not to go up into the Court where
the Council (ate on the trial of our Lord, as probably the other
Difcipledid; but ftayed below amongft the fervants and offi-
cers at the fire in the Hall or Court ot the Pailace, Mat. 26. <S9.
Mark. i^. 66. warming himfelf, and expecting what would be
the end, Mat. 26. s%. When the Maid-feivant, the Portrefs, re-
membring who brought in Peter, and probably the difcourfeof
the company then being of our Lords apprehenfion, and Fol-
lowers, faid unto Peter before them all: Art not Thou alio one
of this mans Difciples Jo. 1%. 17? Peter much amated hereat
denyed it; and faid he was none of his Difciples, he knew no
fuchman, nor underftood what flie faid ; and after, taking an
opportunity, withdrew himfelf from them into the Porch, per-
haps, intending to have gone clear away ; but, the gate being
fhut, he thought it not beft to difcover his fears, but return a-
gain into the Hall and former company; where doubtlefs he
heard talk of the fevere proceedings againft our Lord ** ***
Court. Meanwhile, he being abfent in the Porch, the Cock
crew, and gave him a fair warning of his fault; but his trou-
bled thoughts took no notice of it. There he had not ftaied
long but another Maid faid of him to the ftanders-by , that he
was one of the company that was with Jelus. But he denyed
with an oath Mat. 26. 72. the fecond time, that he knew him.
Near upon an hour after this, fome others of the company a-
gain began to compafs and queftion him faying ; That lurely
he was one of them, for his fpeech alio bewrayed him for a Ga-
lilean. And, whichwastheworftof all, one of the High Prieft's
iervants a kinfman of his whole ear Peter had cut off, prefTed
him yet clofer, faying, did not I fee thee in the Garden with him f
Here, having caufe to fear, his aflaulting the High Pnefts fer-
vant and making refiftance to Authority might alio come
into Examination, ftill in more dittra&ion he began ( faith St.
Matthew ) execrari & jurare, that he knew not the man; and
prefently the Cock crew again. And upon it our Lord by this
time, after the Court was rifen, being brought down by the Of-
ficers into the Hall, looked back ajad gave a glance upon Peter.
Upon
§.40,41. our Saviour JefusChri ft. Part.n. 243
Upon which, our Lord s words alfocame into his remcm- §■ 40.
brance, that, before the Cock crew twice, he would thrice de- "
ny him. And as faft as he could getting out of the Pallace v/ith
the crowd, after the Affembly diiiolvcd, he now had liberty to
eafe his wounded mind; and fo fell a weeping bitterly ; both
for his great fault, though, not of betraying, as Judas, yet of
denying and forelwearing fuch a Matter; and for his great pre-
f uinption, in fo rafhly promifing what he faw, when lett to him-
felf, andjeius taken from him, he was not able to perform^
Nowalfo came frefli into his mind, on the other fide, the great
love and affection his Lord had {hewed to him and the reft, in
his fare-well-Sermon to them, and Prayer for them ; in his tel-
ling them of the prefent danger, and requefting them to watch
and pray , when alfo, careleily neglecting him in his terrible
Agony they fell faft a lleep i again in his freely meeting the
Troops and delivering up himfelf to procure their dif million, left
fome ill mould happen to them ,• his own rafli venturing into the
Court, where few bring away the innocency they carried thi-
ther, and the ftate and over-awing of great perfons, and the
flattery of them by Inferiors corrupts mens manners; his be-
ing daunted (who before fo ftoutly drew his Sword againft an
Army ) with the queftioning not of a Court, or the Magistrate,
but only by a filly maid-iervant ; his not only denying his
Lord, but fixing it too with curfes and oaths ; his taking no
warning, nor thinking of our Lord's admonition, when, as it
were on purpofe, being gone apart, he fo diftinctly heard the
firft Cock-crow; nor when, the laft, had not his dear Matter
turned himfelf about and caftan Eye upon him. But then the
infinite Graces and love and fweetnefs he difcovered in that
look ( all which upbraided his unkindnefs ) ; the pofture he left
that innocent Lamb of God in, forrounded with, and ready to
be torn in peices by, fo many Wolves; and alfo his leaving him
fo, and hailing to lave himfelf: all thefe, we mav preiume,
fogalled and wounded him, as that, had not the High Priefts
Gate bin fliut upon him, he v/ould now have reentred to recant
there publickly his former act, and run through all hazards
whatever with his dear Lord. But the divine Providence had
appointed this, for one of our Lords fufferings, the clear defer-
tion of all his Followers, and that he fhould tread the Wine-
prefs alone.
Yet fomething may be faid on the other fide in the lefTening $-__4£j
of the lapfe of this prime Apoftle. That his love and courage
H h 2 feems
.244 The Eifiory of the Life of §. 41.
feems to be greater than m oft of the reft j in his following his
Mafter to his trial, and venturing into the High Priefts Pailace,
when it was he that juft before had cut-off the ear of his fer-
vant. Inhisdenyal, its being without any great fcandal, not
inpublick, but to fome idle people ftanding about afire, and
medhng with a matter of no concernment to them. In that it
was done uponafuddain furprifal, not done with premedita-
tion, or put to any formal Trial of his fidelity; and where per-
haps hazarding alfo the reputation of the other Difciple that
brought him in might run in his mind, and much more his
being queftioned for Malchus. And, as it feemed a fliame to
deny our Lord at the accufation only of a poor Maid-fervant,
fo it might feem a thing of no great conlequenceto confefs
him before fuch a mean perfon. But, which is moft to be not-
ed, he denyed not that Jefus was the Meffias, or the Son of
God, he renounced no part of his faith; no fuch thing was he
asked ; nor , if put to it, would he ever have denyed it : but he
denyed only his knowledg of, or acquaintance with, fuch a
perfon. Laftly, the Fall of this great Apoftle God permitted,
befides for the aggravation of our Lords fufferings, by his cheif-
eft Difciple denying, as another of them betraying, him> for
many other good ends : As, to beget a perfect humility in him,
a little before too confident of himfelf; to (hew us, what frail
things we are, the belt of us, when our Lord leaves us a little to
our 1 elves, and hath not his eye upon us : To comfort poor fin-
ners in their great mifcarriages, fince the greateft Saints, as Da-
vid, and Peter, have had their falls : To mew the infinitnefsof
Gods mercy to Penitents in his pardoning fuch great offences ;
and that to perfons moft obliged to him, and from whom he
had reafon to expect the greateft fidelity : Laftly, to teach Pe-
ter the cheif Pallor of his fheep the more compaffion to finners,
in reflecting on his own infirmities and faults ; and to bear
with thole who are tempted and fall, in as much as himfelf
flood not, when he was fo.
$• 42- What became of the other Difciple no mention is made. Tis
probable, that, better acquainted with the houfe he went up in-
to the Court, and was prefent at our Lords trial, and feeing
the fevere proceedings againft him, after the Council rofe ,
quitted the Pallace with the reft, where he faw was no fafe
ftaying any longer for any friends of Jefus : when alfo he might
take Peter, prefently after his third mifadventure there, along
with him.
Now,
§.4^44* cur Saviour J e fits Chrift. Part.II. 245-
Now, to return unto our BlefTed Lord committed to the cu- §, 43.
ftody of the High-Priefts Officers and Servants until the morn-
ing, and the reafTembly of the Council in the lame place, in a
fuller body. Thele Officers one would think, fince the time
that being fent to apprehend him they returned to their Ma-
tters with a Nunquamjic locutus ejl homo, ficut hie homo, mould
now have treated him with fome ordinary civility, efpecially
no final fentence being yet pafledupon him ; and the Judges
being to reexamine his caufe the next morning. The ear alfo
our Lord reftored but two or three hours before to Malchus,
and his reprehending Peter for his cutting it off, might not
have bin 10 loon forgotten by them. But indeed now was the
Power of Satan and of Darknefs, and his chain never fo much
loofened as at this time, before the approaching ruin of his
kingdom ; who therefore ceafed not by all thole his Inftru-
ments to acl: his utmoft malice, nor to fuffer our Lord to reft one
minute.
The Minifters therefore having as yet no order for the exe- c .,
cuting of any higher corporal punifliment , and becaufe our
Lord alfo was to proceed gradatim through all forts of fuffer-
ings, inftead of indulging him or themfelves any repofe (in
which our Lords fervantS. Peter was more civilly ufed Acls 12.
6. ) after their watching all the fore-part of the night, compafs
him about in a ring ; and, notwithstanding his modeft filence
noway provoking them, fall on abufing him both with their
tongues and hands, as far as was permitted. They fpit on his
face ( being the greateft note of ignominy and difgrace that
was amongft the Jews fee Deut. 2?. 9. where the man was to be
ufed fo, that would not raife up feed to his brother ; -And they-
abhor me ('faith Job) in his typical complaint. Chap. 3o. 10.
they forbear not to fpit in my face ) when his tyed hands alfo
could not cleanfe it. They fmote him alfo on the face with
thepalmesof their hands: They punched and thumped him
with their fifts : and, by the Prophecies, EJay ro. 6. it feems-
they alfo plucked offhis hair ; being not tondtnteshuX vellentes
of this meek Lamb. Thefe Jews alfo treated him this night
as&Mock^MeJJias -3 as the next day the Gentiles abuled him as a
Moc/^I\ing ,• and, after their cruelty wearied, in this way, and
his rare faculty in Prophecying coming into their mind, they
remembred a Boys-play tothispurpole, and got a cloath and
blindfolded him' ( whereof the Philiftines abufing blind Samp-
fon was a Type) and fall on beating him afrefhthus hood-
winked, .
246* The Hiftory of the Life of §.45,46.
winked, that he being the Meflias, and the Chrift, and the great
Prophet that was to come into the world, mould now ib hood-
ed prophecy, and tell them who it was that fmote him.
§. 4r. Cruel, andcaufelefs malice! for which of his fweet words or
mighty works ( as he once faid to you Jo. 10. 32. ) who left hea-
ven to fave you, and in whom you never law fault, and who
went about every where doing good ; for which of thefe do you
thus treat him ? And how could the bleffed Angels, at leaft
that waited on our Lord, have the patience to f utter fuch vile
wretches, and the dregs of the people, toftrike, and fpit on
their Creator the Lord of Heaven and Earth > but that they
well knew it was the pleafure of their great Matter out of his in-
finite charity to l'uffer this even for the falvation of thole his
Tormentors ■> and to receive thefe blows for the fatisfaction of
their fault that gave them. All this while our meek Lord flood
filent, nor was a Reproof found in his mouth: but tothofe that
ftruck him on the one cheek he turned the other -, and received
without reply fuch derifions , ("corns and contradiction of fi li-
ners, of which St. Luke intimates, that the Evangelifh men-
tioned only fome part. ,-Etalta mult a ( faith he ) blafpbeman-
tes dicebant in eum, Lu\. 22. 6y. and they that could not hold
their hands offhim before the Judge, what would they not do
to him left to their Guard ?
$• 4<*« Of all this ufagef as David in Spirit had before drawn it up)
this only Son of God makes in the ears of his Father this in-
nocent complaint : —Nequeiniquitas mea , neque peccatum me-
um, Domine ■, Jine iniquitate cucurri & direxi -igne me examina-
jii, & noneft invent a inme iniquitas Pial. y8. 5*. Non locutum ejt
os meum opera bominum : & propter verba labiorum tuorum cu-
ftodivivias duras. -Plal. \6.\. Jer. 11. 19. Ego quafi Agnus man-
fuetus qui portatur adviUimam ; (3 non cognovi quia cogitaverunt
f'uper me con/ilia, dicentes j mittamus lignum inpanem ejus, & era-
damns eum de terra viventium. -]er. 12.7. l^eliqui domum meam,
dimiji hcereditatem meam ; & de'di dileilam ant mam meam, in
manu inimicorum ejus ; & faHa ejt mihi hareditas mea quaji Leo
infylva GV. -Plal. 68. 8, 9, 21. Propter tefujtinui opprobrium, opc-
ruit confufio faciem meam —failus extranens fratribus meis [to
my own People, and to my own Followers, affrighted at my
troubles] £S> Peregrinus fiitis matris mea — opprobria, exprobran-
tiumtibi [ in all thy merciful defigns for their falvation] ceci-
derunt juper me. —Su(Hnui qui fimul contrijtaretur, & nonfuit: G?
qui confolaretur & non invent &c. — Pfal. 108. i.&c. Os peccatoris
Jiiper
§.47>4-8. cur Saviour Jefut Chrift. Part.ii. /' 247
fuper me aper turn eft, & Jermonibus odii circumdederunt me: &?
expugnaverunt me gratis. Pro eo ut diligerent me 3 detrahebant
mihi. —Etpof'uerunt adverfumme mala pro bonis: G? odium pro
dileclione mea j nonjunt recordati miferzcordiam,fedperfecuti funt
kominem inopem, U mendicum, ($ mortificaverunt compunUum cor-
de [fuperadded affliction to affliction] s Ego autempro eis orabam.
All thele things alio were particularly foretold of the Meffias
by the Prophets. —Dens aperuit illi aurem [faith the Prophet §. 47.
Ufaycbap. ro. f, 6. to become obedient in all things to the ex-
tremity] Non contradixit : retro non abiit : corpus fuum dedit
percutientibus, &genaifuas vellentibus : & feci em fuam non aver ~
tit ab increpantibus, G? confpuentibus in eum. --It virga ( faith the
Prophet Micba f. 1.) percuttent maxillam Judicis ljrael -(§ de-
dit percutienti (e maxillam, G? Jaturatus eft opprobriis, fay the la-
mentations of the Prophet Jeremy .Lam. 3. 30. And -faclus oppro-
brium bominum, '& abjeclioplebis, (faith Pfal. 21 .) and with thefe
inlolenciesfo disfigured the Prophet Elay chap. 5-3.2. ©V. de-
fcribes him, that —Nonerat fyecies ei , neque decor: that vi-
d.runt eum j & non erat ajpeUus ut deftderarent eum. And
again , — GUiafi abfeonditus vultus ejus G? defpeUus 3- unde ?icc
reputavimus eum. Thus the Prophets. And whatever they
faid, his obedience was refolved to go through with it , and
make it good, without a contradixit or a retro abiit : and there-
fore he foretold alio to his Difciples feveral times Mat. 16. 2 r*
-20. 19. Luj^. 18. 31. a little before his laft return to Jerufalem;
that all things fpokenby the Prophets of his fufferings muft be
accomplifhed even to this now acted, his being mocked, fpight-
fully intreated and fpit upon : and that they mould do unto
him as they had done unto the Baptift, what ever things they
would Mat. 17. 12. ii. And, at his apprehenfion, hislaff. words
to Peter were, after his having told him that he could procure
of his Father more than twelve Legions of Angels to his refcue,
But ('faith he ) How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that
thus it muft be? Thus all this night, under thefe barbarous
Guards, whilit they were acting cruelties, he was fulfilling Pro*,
phecies.
And well had it bin, if our Lord's I ufFerings had ended thus i $. 4 ,3 ,
or, that they had carried him hence immediatly to Execu-
tion. But thefe are but the Prologue to much greater cruelties
before the final taking away his life, and the Jews their not
having power ( as now the divine Wifdom had prepared things )
of infilling death fervedto double our Lords torments j be-
caulc>
43 The Hiftory of the Life of §-49 •
caufe, as the Jews and the Gentiles were to have an equal fhare
in the benefit of his fufferings and his death, fo were they to
have in the inflicting of them j that, as on the one fide all re-
ceive the mercy of being faved by his blood, fo on the other
none ihould be treed from the guilt of fhedding it.
49. This barbarous treatment of the Jewilli Guard lafted till the
morning ,• when very early, affoon as it was day ( faith the Evan-
gelift Lit\. 22.66. ) the Council met again j and, as appears by
St. Matthew chap. 27. 1. and Mar\. 15*. 1. in a much fuller bcdy,
than over night. The Antients of the people, the chief Priefts,
and the Scribes, and the whole Council ( fay they ) conlulted to-
gether againft Jefus. And, probably, Nicodemusand Jofeph
of Arirnathea were there alfo j who, St. Luke faith Mark^ 1/. 1.
compared with thezCkron. 30.2. and Acls ^.21.-23. j-o. confent-
ed not to the Council and deed of them: God having referved
thele here to reprefent to the reft their injuftice j as alfo to be-
ftowonour Lord fo murthered an honourable funeral. Our
Lord being already precondemned by them overnight, the
chief defign of their confult now was how to put him to death
by the Roman Governour, who had the fole power thereof:
this being taken from the Jews notlong before Jo. 18. 32. fo
that theftoniagof S. Stephen feems rather to proceed from a
popular Tumult, than a legal courfe of Juftice. But, had the
Jews now bin pofTeft: of thss power, our Lords fufferings ha<i
bin much abbndged : for, fo he had binftoned to Death for
Blafphemy, as is intimated by S. John chap. 18. 31, 32. fee Le-
vit. 24. 1 6. which death would both have prevented all the cru-
elties afterwards inflicted on him by Pilat, and the Roman Sol-
diers; and had bin fpeedily difpatcht; it being neither fo do-
lorous and painful, nor of fo protracted a duration j norfofo-
lemn, a*idconfpicuous, andexpofed tofhame andopprobry, as
that oi the Crc;s was: and fo alfo all thofefweet fpeeches, he
made upon it. had bin loft. There was a fort of death, the
hanging of the Delinquent on a Tree, inflicted by the Jews
fometimes under the law upon the fpecial Divine command;
and it was the only death, that was folemnlyaccurfed by God :
(itcDeut. 21.22,2}.) who commanded, when the crime was
fuch as incenit his wrath againft the whole Nation, whereof
the Delinquent was a Member, that for the diverting this from
them th yfhould take fuch perfon and hang him upon a Tree
before the face of the Sun •• and after this take down and bury
this accurfed Corps before night, that the land might not be
defiled
§5°o5 r • our Saviour Jefu* Chrift. Part.n. 249
defiled therewith. For this fee Numb. 2 r. 4. -Jojb. 10.16. 2 Sam,
21.6. Our Lords death then being appointed, and offered to
Gods Juftice for the Expiation of all even the moft horrid
crimes of the whole world, Jew and Gentile, ever fince the fall
of Adam, he voluntarily became fuch acurfe for us, and was
to undergo this iolemnly accurfed death j to be fuf pended on a
Tree before the Sun, and taken down, and buried before the
Evening i as the Apoftle hath obferved Gal. 3. 13. and cites
the place in Deuteronomie for God's pronouncing this particu-
lar death accurfed.
This then being the particular way of our Lord's fuffering .
death f which the Jews now, in noway at all, could inflict) the — "
Execution of it was left to the Gentile, who more ufed Cruci-
fixion : that fo both Jew, and Gentile, whofe fins were equally
expiated by it, might have a joint concurrence in contriving
it.
Though Pilats fentence for our Lords Execution was now $# ^r<
the main thing wanting and fought for, yet, for fatisfaction of
the Counfellorsablent the night before, and that all the Je-
wifh conliftory might have an equal hand in his condemnation
and blood, Our Lord is called again before them. And, without
producing any acculation or witnefs to confirm and make it
good, here again they require him to tell them whether he
was the Chrift. To whom our Lord ( (hewing his prefcience of
their thoughts ) replies, that, whatever he teftified, they would
not believe j Nor, if he argued the cafe with them (as he had
many times formerly done , it&Mat. 21. 24, -22. 4 j- .-John r.3^.
convincing them from the teftimony of the Prophets, of John
Baptift, of his Father from heaven, of his miraculous works )
would they anfwer him ; Nor, upon the truth faid, difmifs him
( their diftemper lying not indeed in their underftanding, but
in their will ) : But, however, that they mould one day find true,
what the Scriptures had foretold of him, that this Son of man,
that flood before them now fo despicable, and vilifyed, fliould
hereafter fit on the right hand of the power of God. Upon which
fpeech, they collecting plainly, from this Exaltation fpoken in
Scripture of the Son of God, that he made himfelffo, the que-
stion was put again to him, now by them all, faith the Text, Ln\.
22. 70. which was over night only by the High Preiil ; whether,
then, he was the Son of God > And the fame anfwer was return-
ed to it now alfo the fecond time. Whereupon all pronounced
the fame fentence as was given over night j and concluded,
I i that .
250 TheHifioryoftheLifecf §.52,53.
that there needed no further witnefTes againft a Perfon fuffici-
ently condemned from his own mouth.
§. fz. Upon this they commanded, that he fhould be bound again,
Mat. 27. 2. for, whilft he ftoqd before the Council, his bonds
wereloofed, according to the cuftome,^ 22.30. and fo with-
out delay led him av/ay to the Roman Governour Pilat, to re-
queft that by his authority the fentence of Death, which his
crimes had deferve'd, might fpeedily be executed before the
great Feaft commenced ; or any Infurre&ion of the populacy
to his refcue, famed for a Prophet. Though indeed they want-
ed not other motives of deferring this proceeding fas alfo af-
terward Herod did concerning Peter Atts 12. 4.) fince they
could not fo well then prefent him in Pilats Court, nor enter
into it for fear of defiling themfelves, by touching perfons un-
clean, who were that night to eat the Pafchal Lamb. And
again, mould the perfons executed have hung upon the Gibbet
lo long as was needful, info lingring a torment, for the finifh-
ing of their life, they had continued upon it, fome of them per-
haps, till the next day, which would have bin a great Propha-
nation of their higheft Feaft; but malice is impatient.
^ *%• In this confult alfo they prepared many other ftrong accufa-
tions, that might be more fpecious and current with the Go-
vernour, and the Roman Soldiery, than thofe meerly touching
their Law and Religion; fuch as thefe : that ( befides his blal-
phemy, and making himfelf the Son of God, capital by their
law; his threatning to deftroy their Temple; his breaking the
Sabbath and juftifymg it ; his letting himielf above Moles, and
the Law, and former Traditions; and endeavouring to abo-
iifh them &c. ) he was alfo highly delinquent againft the Ro-
mon-ftateand theEmperour: had gotten a great multitude of
Followers and Difciples, and raifed Tumults and Seditions a-
mongft the people, frequently follewed by many thoulandsof
them; whom alfo he feafted ; and who had a purpofe alfo to
make him their King; calling him ( that was born and bred
not in the Tribe of Juda, but in the outskirts of Galilee ) the Son
of David.That his afTumed title of the Mcffias includes alfo that
of a King ; that he refilled to pay tribute to Cefar: that, hav-
ing skill in the black art, he deceived the common fort with ma-
ny miracles; and caft out Devils alfo with the Devils confent.
That, for his ends, though pro felling great Sanctity, he kept
company with prophane and lewd people: lived nioftwhat in
the out-skirts of the countrey, remote from Jcrufalem the place
of
§. 54? 5 $• our Saviour Jefu* Chrift. Part.IJ. 2 $ 1
of Juftice, and from the Prefidents refidence, who might ob-
ferve and curb his Infolencies. Thefe crimes, I lay, and the
like, for we may imagine there was nothing in our Lord's acti-
ons capable of an illleniefasmofta&ions of great perfons are )
that the Devil now loofed did not mggeft to the High-Preift s
malice. And the Evangelifts Mat. 27. 13,14- Mar%. iy.4, j\
fay, that they accufed him of many things, info much as the
Governourqueftioned our Lord, continuing in a conftant fi-
lence, whether he did not hear how many things they witnef-
led againfthim.
Whilftfuch accufations were defigned, before the Council g. ^4.
arofe, comes in Judas, now as much tormented in his confci-
fcience, as he was over-night pleafed in his fin ; to whom then
by Satan were prefented many plaufible imaginations to induce
him to fo foul an Adr. As that he fhould remain undifcovered;
therefore went he at fomediftance before the band, and, as a
fervant, did reverence to his Matter: that our Lord could fu f-
fer nothing by what he gained, but at pleafure, as formerly,
could withdraw himfelf, andefcapej therefore fome think, he
bad them look that they held him faft: or, that in any trial his
innocency, and doing all things well, whom none could truely
accufe of any fin, would eafily free him : or, if finding fome in-
jufticein the Court, .the people atleaftio taken with his Ser-
mons and miracles, would quick'yrefcue him. So the Devil
at firfl by diminishing the fault enticeth men to commit it : but,
when done, by as much aggravating it to their fight, ftrives to
ufher in a fecond and greater fin, Defpair, and to {hut the door
to pardon. God, before fin, is reprefented by him all mercy ;
after it, all Juftice : and contrary to this worketh the Holy Spi-
rit; deterring us before by Gods purity, and Juftice, from fo
vileana&i but, after it, inviting to repentance and reforma-
tion.
He, then, having heard, or perhaps feen, how far they had §. ??.
proceeded againft his innocent Mailer, fentenced him to dy,
and were now carrying him away to Pilat to procure the Exe-
cution ; now too late repenting himfelf of his horrid facf,
brought back to them the money he had received of them but
a few hours before ,• and told them, he had grieveouily finned
in betting innocent blood. Which was thus ordained by
divine Providence, after the oppofition made before by thole
two upright Councilors Jofeph and Nicodemus, that thefe his
Judges might alio reflect on their own crime, by Judas his con-
I i 2 ieffing
252 The Hiftory of the Life of §-5^5 7*
felling his, in their condemning that innocent blood, he had
betrayed. But they, regardleflv, bidding him to look to his
own faults himfelf •, andasking what hi? infidelity to his Mafter
was to them, haftily repelled him from before them. What is
that to its? fay they Mat. 27. 4. Yesfurely, fomething 'tis to
you ; for befides that you Preifts are the Phyfitians of fick fouls,
to whom poor finners repair for your Spiritual Counfel, and
making their attonement and reconciliation with the offend-
ed God, you may remember, that you are the perfons that hir-
ed this poor Wretch to commit this finful Act: or, if he did
well in it, your charity flood engaged to pacify and allure there-
in his troubled confcience.
§■ f6. Judas, receiving no confolation or thanks from them, nor
feeing any hopes of their relenting, or difmiffing his Mafter,
and they rejecting alfo the mony which he would now have bin
glad to have refunded for his Matters ranfome, he presently
went and threw his poor recompence of his wickednefs in the
Temple, where their Officers might find and difpofe of it j and
io went and hanged himfelf, to get out of his prelent pain: (thus
dying the accurfed death before ipoken of ) notable any lon-
ger to endure the goads and pangs of his confcience, letting be-
fore him the innocency of our Lord, the dignity of his perfon,
his love and affection to him, in great humility warning his feet,
but laft night at Supper, fo requited; all our Lord's iweet Ser-
mons, and charitable actions, unworthy of fuch a treafon ; laft-
ly, the divine vengeance ; and thofe laft words of our Lord con-
cerning him at Supper, Mat. 26. 24. Filius quidemhominu tra-
detur, jedvce hominiilli : bonum erat Mi, ft non ejfet natus homo,
ille&c ■, for the Devil, we may imagine, fuggefted whatever
might more fwell his Defpair. Here was a. molt bitter Com-
punction for his fin • repentance and confeffion ; and that pub-
lick i laftly reftitution ; and all too little, for him, who had
done fuch defpight to the Spirit of Grace, and was now fallen
into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10*29, 30. and a fear-
ful expectation of Judgment and fiery indignation : Cap. 10. 27 :
which fpirit now having abandoned him , all fuch his re-
lenting could not be found, fincere, or acceptable to God ; but
like that ofEfau; not finding place of a [right ] Repentance,
though fought carefully with tears Heb. 12. 17- ♦
5. S7' After his having thus made away himfelf, the divine ven-
geance alfo purfued him further, which feems to be pointed-at
by the Pfalmift, Pfal, 108. 18. IntretMaledicliofiut aqua in in-
teriora
§.58. our Saviour Jefut Chili- Part. 11. 253
teriora ejus. For his body, thus hungup, burft in peices, and
his bowels, fo void of companion to the perfecuted Innocent,
were ejected and emptied out of his body ; full of. ftench, and
corruption, and molt noifome to all that approached and be-
held it. Which ftrange and fad accident alio could not but be
prefently diffamed and fpread abroad ; and might have bin a
iecond warning to thofe others Actors in this Murther, fo to
prevent that unparallelled Judgment that fhortly after follow-
ed upon the whole Nation j in which a!fo by jofephus this is
noted as one of the greateft Roman torments ufed towards
thofe poor Jews, who fled to them for mercy, that the Soldiers
frequently ripped up their bowels for fwallowed Gold.
His money, thrown down in the Temple, afterwards the §. y ga
cheif Preifts took up, for noncelfe might touch things dedicat-
ed. And, becaufe it-was the price of blood, ( though them-
ielves were the Purchafers of it ) their devotion thought not fit
to put it into the Treafury of Holy things there; God having
prohibited lefs fcandals than this to be brought into the Tem-
ple ; Deut.21.Ji. and not permitting David, becaufe a flied-
der of blood, though fuch as ought to be fpilt, to have a hand
in building it: they refolved therefore to difpofe of it fome
other way ; and the divine Wildom fo ordered it, that they
mould lay it out upon land, a known peice of ground, that, ever
after called the field of Blood, might perpetuate the memory
of their wicked fact. This ground they defigned for a burying
place for ftrangers, fuchProfelytesofthe Gentiles as much re-
torted to their lolemn feafts f their buryals generally being out
of the City): a type of Chrifts blood benefitting thofe ftran-
gers, whilft they that ihed it loft their fhare in it, Nee introierunt
in requiem ejus-, and a type of the Gentiles now admitted, by the
Purchafe of that blood, to be joined, and to take their ever-
lafting reft and repole with his former people, the Church of
the Jews. All thele particulars we have, punctually foretold
by the Prophet Zachary,^c. u. 12, 1 3. both the juftfumm of
the price thirty Jbekels or pieces of 'Jilver j and the vilenefs of it
exaggerated ; being the value of a Servant, in cafe his Mafter
was any way deprived of him Exod. 21. 32; and the projeclion of
this money in the Temple; and the d?fpoJ/ng of it to a Potters.
( yet had not thele learned men, that fulfilled it, light to dii-
cover itj. To a Potter, i. e. one that traded in vile and cheap
ware, which (hewed the fumm fit for a very mean purchafe.
The field, it feems by the price of it, was fome neglected place
perhaps
254 The Hijlory of the Life of §.59,60.
perhaps where potfherdswere caftout,as Monteteflaceo atl(pme ,•
or, where clay was digged for pot- making ; and it was ever
after by the people called the field of blood, for' a Witnefs againft
the cruel purchafers ; but alfo, asitfeems by St. Peters words
jfits \t upon this account, that Judas chofe the lame piece of
ground, wherein to make away himfelf, and where his bowels
and blood,by the divine Juftice poured out before our Lords,be-
came fuch a loathfome and offenfive fpe&acle to the beholders.
Now, to return to the HighPriefts. They, and the Scribes,
$j_£9. and the Elders, the whole Multitude of them faith S.Luke Lul^
2}. 1. not fpending much time in confutation concerning a
matter long before refolved, betimes in the morning. Jo. 18.28.
led away our Lord, thus condemned and bound, to the Roman
Prefident's Pallace, and delivered him up into the hands of the
■ Romans. And fo were they themfelves afterwards for it, the
whole Nation, led into captivity by Titus ; their City deftroy-
ed , a thing fadly forefeen, and deplored by our Lord in his
Palm-Sunday Triumph, when, as from Mount Olivet he be-
held the City,he wept over it LuJ^ 19. 4i,- and again, in the Holy
week of his Paffion, when in the Temple he told them their
houfe was now left unto them defolate Mat. 23. 3 8 ; and again,
when he fate on the Mount Olivet over againft the profpect of
the Temple Mat.i\.\.f3c. with his Difciples;and laftly,ashe went
to Execution and faw the people weeping for him. As thecheif
Priefts in this fuddaintranfmittingof our Lord to Pilat, {hew-
ed the great zeal they had ofhis fpeedy difpatch : fo this Eve
of the great feaft of the PafTover feems alio to be one of the utu-
al daies, if not of the tryal, yet of the Execution, of Malefa-
ctors ( thus made more Exemplary at the time of fo great a con-
fluence of People hither ). Becaufe we find others then executed
befides our Lord j and becaufe it is faidtobe the cuftome, in
honour of this great Feaft, for the Roman Governourat this
Seffionsto releafeoneot the Perfons condemned to the Jews:
who, asthey had loft the power of putting any to death, fo of
pardoning or releafing any from it.
Our Lord brought hither was committed to the Roman
§. 60." Guards, and carried by them to the Pratorium or Court of
Judgment. But the High Priefts and Antients of the Jews en-
tred not in with him, becaufe this Evening they were*- to eat
the Pafch j not performed by them in its proper time as it was by
our Lord, becaufe the Pafchal-Feaft-day happening this year to
fall on the day before the Sabbath, was by a former cuftome
transferred
§6 1. our Saviour JefaCbri/l. Part.n. 255
transferred to it. Now, the eating of the Pafchal Lamb was
prohibited to all that were any way unclean. Numb.g. ii; and
the Jews held the touching of any Gentile ( whom they efteem-
ed unclean, as not being cleanfed at all from their pollutions
according to Levit. y. 3. and if. 1. &c. ) to render them foj he,
who touched any thing unclean, becoming unclean Lev, $.2.
Tor this caufe they ftayed without ; and it happened alfo op-
portunely for their better prevailing with, and perfwading, the
people by and by, that they mould faveBarabbas rather than
Jeius ; the one a true railer of Sedition, and the other falfly ac-
cufedofit.
This impediment of their entring into the Pallace, and there
preferring their accufation againfl the Prifoner made them
alfo hope from Pilat rather a Confirmation of their fen- c ^Ti
tence and an order for his execution, than a reexamination
of his caufe i and that his guilt in fuch an extraordinary cafe
mould be taken upon their word. But God would not fuffer
their Iniulticefo to be huddled up: nor yet Pilat 5 who, it feems,
had more intelligence of their proceedings then they imagined
(for a Roman Tribune and Cohort were alfo employed in our
Lords apprehenfionjo. 18. 12. ) and doubtlefshad heard much
of the fame of Jefus , and had a vigilant Eye upon his motions,
and on theconcourfe of the people made to hear him, but with-
out discovering any harm in his actions; and alfo who knew
( faith the Text ) that [not for any capital crimes of his, but]
for meer envy, no fmall Guilt of theirs, they had delivered
him. He therefore, feeing the Prifoner ftand before him with-
out his Accufers, rifeth from the bench, and unexpectedly goes
forth to them, andaskesthem what accufation they brought
againfl him: who now anfwered him alfo in general ; that, if
he were not a Malefactor, they would not have fenthim to him.
Pilat, fomewhat moved with fuch their declining his further
examination of the matter, defires them then, fince they had
found him fuch, they would refumethe matter into their own
hands, andfinim the work they had begun, and punifh the De-
linquent themfelves, according to his demerit. Upon which,
they replyed , That his crimes were fuch as deferved death, a
that in the molt fevere and exemplary manner -3 which it was
not permitted to them to inflict: andfo, when thus urged to.
it, began to accufe him to the Governour of fuch things as they
imagined might be of moft weight with him and the Roman-
Militia 3 prefiing in particular, hisforbidding to give Tribute
to,
256 The Hijlory of the Life of §.62.
to Cefar; and faying that he himfelf was Chrift a King. An
accufation, in the ience they intended it, and as it might any
way intrench upon Cefars rights, veryfalfe. For, as tor Tri-
bute, he had both actually before paid it, when demanded of
him, to Cefar, Mat. 17. 26. and alfo being asked by them ('the
Pharifees joined with the Herodians Mat. 22. 16. ) the quefti-
on about the lawfulnefs of it, but two or three daies before his
apprehenfion, on purpofe ( faith the Evangelift £7/^.20.21. )
that they might take hold or his words, that fo they might de-
liver him into the power of the Roman-Governour, he affirmed
it, and utterly iilenced them with that divinely prudent anfwer
of his, J^eddite qua funt Cafaris Cafari , £? qua junt Dei Deo,
that they mould give to Cefar Cefars Coine. And, as for his
Meffias-or Kingfhip, he had confelTed it indeed j but that his
fitting upon his Throne fliould be not here, but in Heaven, ad
dexter am Patris -, and the Glory of it not prefent, but hereaf-
ter, Quando veniet cum nubibas. The like account whereof he
gave afterward to Pilat ; and alfo defafto,w\\en the Multitude
purpofed to have made him King: Jo. 6. if. he had declined
it, and prefently withdrew hinifelf ; andelfewhere, in a con-
traverfy between two Brothers about dividing Lu%. u. 14. a
pieceofland, herefufedtobean Arbitrator: and fent his Di-
lciples about the countrey without carrying apenyof money,
or fo much as a ftaff Mat. .10. 10. i.e. wherewith to defend
themfelves, or offend others; taught them continually Pati-
ence and non-refiftance , if ftruck on the one cheek to turn the
other, the fundamental way of the propagation of his King-
dom. In his late apprehenfion he commanded Peter to put
up his Sword, and forbad the ufeofit againft authority -, and
prefently repaired the hurt he had done with it. —All which
fulfils that fo often repeated of our Lord in the Vhlms, -Oderunt
me gratis, without any caufe. —Et qua ignorabam, interrogabant
me.
$.62'. Pilat, upon this their accufation, returned into the Prato-
rium, where he had left our Lord in thecultody of the Roman-
Guards, and, calling him before him, asked him whether he
was the King of the Jews, meaning thatMeiTias, or Chrift, or
King that the Jews had io long expected : perhaps becaufe that
his Accufers had told him, that our Lord had before them
openly, himfelf, confelTed it. Our Lord, though well know-
ing what had palTed without, yet to reduce the Governour the
more to retkcl: on his own observation, and experience, and
on
§.^3^4* cur Saviour Jefut Chritt. Vm.n. 257
on the malice and envy of his Adverfaries well known to him,
defired ( doubtlefs with a great appearance oi gravity and Ma-
jefty ) to know whether he asked inch a Queftion or himfelf,
and from any jealouly our Lord s lite and actions had raifed in
him of his afpirmg to the Crown or iudaj or whether he had it
from the relation of others viz. the High-Priefb, the envious
opprefTors of his innocencyand merits as the Prefulents own
conscience witnelTed unto him. The Gover iour replyed ,• that
he, a Roman, underftood none of thole matters, ab >ut his
Meflias-andKingmipj but that it was his own Ration that ac-
cufedhimof it, and had delivered him as a perfon wry crimi-
nous, and deferving death. Then our Lord, to inform him
further of the truth, anfwered that the Kingdom heonl- own-
ed was not a Kingdom of this World, nor fuch as did difturb
any Prince's temporal Rights , as di 1 furficiently appear, tiiathe
had no Subjects to fight for him, orrdcue his pefiort from his
Enemies and perfecutors. You are King then, laiJ Pilar. Our
Lord anfwered, he was ; and that he was lent into the world
to bear witnels of the truth ( which himlelf was ) ; and that this
was a Spiritual Kingfhip over hearts , there to rule over and de-
ftroy all Error j and that all thofe who were the Ions or Truth
would hear and obey his Doctrine, and become his Sul jects.
The Governour asked him , what was that Truth he ipake of,
and wherein he laboured to render all men his Schollars and
Subjects: and, having no mind to engage anv further difcourfe
about matters, as he luppofed, of the jewifh Religion, debated
between our Lord and their High Priefts, he role luddenly jroin
the bench and went forth the (econd time to the jews, taking
our Lord -with him, and told them, that he found no fauit ac
all in the man.
This much enraged them, and made them redouble their $. <$->.
acculations ; to all which our Lord, ascalme as they were fu-
rious, anfwered not a word. Whereupon Pilar wondring asked
Jelus, whether he heard not how. many things they witne'flVd
againfthim? But neither to Pilat anlwered he a word, which
( faith the Evangelift Mat. 27. 14. ) made the Governour won-
der exceedingly, as both knowing hisinnocency, and himfelf
countenancing it.
Amongft other things they informed the Governour, that §. £4.
he had gone every where railing Sedition amongft the people,
beginning in Galilee firft, the out- skirts of the countrey ; and fo
coming up with Multitudes and Tumults even to Jerufalem ,■
.* Kk [perhaps
258 The Hiftory of the Life of §. ^4«
[ perhaps relating to his laft triumphal entrance into the City
.five daies before on Palm-Simctay, Pauper 6 humilis , riding
upon a poor young colt of an Afle without a Saddle, and weep-
ing as he went along; and a great part of his applaufe, the
Hofannas of the children]. Now Galilee was a place noted
formerly for feveral rebellions. See Jtts 5. 37, 3 8. how one
Theudas appeared there that made himfelf a Prophet, and pre-
tended he could do miracles, and drew much people after him
( mentioned but mis- timed by Jofephus Antiq. Judaic. lib. 20. cap.
y.J-3 and,afterhim, Judasof Galilee about the birth of our Sa-
viour in the time of the enrolment under Cyrenius Lu\. 2. 2.
which Judas alfo oppofed the paying of taxes or tribute to the
Romans : Both which Rebels and all their Followers were difli-
pated and deftroyed. After thefe alfo it feems fome Galileans
within a few years before had fo highly offended Pilat in his
government, that, when they came up to Jerufalem at the fo-
lemn Feaft to offer Sacrifice, he caufed them to be put to death ;
and that in fome cruel, fuddain, and unexpected manner, it
mould feem by the expreffion in the Text Lu\. 1$. 1 '• and , by
their relating it to our Lord, fome think they might be fome
relicks of Judas his Sect that denyed tribute to Celar ( for
which reafon alfo fome made mention of them to our Lord to
hear his judgment of their opinion ) and that made at Jerufa-
lem fome oppofition in the Feaft to the Sacrificing for the
fafety and profperity of the Emperour. And Pilat is noted
both by Philo Judeus De legatione adCaium and Jofephus to have
bin pervicaci & duro ingenio, and very uncompliant with the
Jews; and who at laft, complained-ofby the Nation to Vttel-
lius, then a Superior Prefect of Syria, for a {laughter made upon
the Galileans, was fent by him to Cefar to give an account
thereof; and fo deprived of his government and confined.
The Jews mention therefore hereofCalilee feems to have con-
duced much to their purpofe. But, when this was fuggefted
to Pilat, he made another ufe of it 5 and though Herod and he
were now at enmity between themfelves , perhaps for Pilat s
cruelty mewed to the Galileans forementioned : yet refoived
to fend to him thePrifoner, who was born, as was commonly
imagined, his Subject ( Galilee being under Herods jurifdiction)
and" lived moftof his time in his territories ; as being defirous
to rid his hands of this bufinefs with as little difpleafure to
the Jews as might be, and to devolve the odium of it upon
Herod, now come up to the Feaft; and, becaule Herod being
r • well
.§.65,66. our Saviour Jefut Chrift. Part. ir. 259
well acquainted with the fews law and Religion ( which alfo
he profelt ) might better difcover the Jufticeof the quarrel the
Jews hadagainfthim about his Meffiasfhip, and the Truth he
laid he came to>promulgate ; and would perhaps protect him, as
his Subject, againft the High Priefh malice. Thus Satan, to
whom God gave leave to perfecute his only Son, not excepting
his life as he did Job's, hurried our Lord as it were in Triumph,
to prolong his iufferings , before inflicting the laft, of death ,
from one great perfon to anocher, to make him the more pub»
lick object offcorn and contempt j and, that all might have
an hand in his afflictions and torments, the Court ofGalilee, as
well as that of Judea : foretold by David Pfal. 2. Principes con-
venerunt in unum , adverjus Chrijium tuum ; and obferved by
S.Petery#?j-4. 27.
Herod, having never feen our Lord, but heard much of his e $ym
fame aqfl of his miracles, rejoiced much on this occafion, hop-
ingtohave feen him now, for his greater reputation, or at
leaft the faving of his life, do lome notable miracle before
him ; which John the Baptift never did. Here , upon our
Lords appearance, he fell on questioning him about many
things of which he had the curiofity to be informed : we may »
imagine about his Doctrine, hisDefcent, his preteufion to his
Meffiasfhip, what evidence he could give of fuch a pretended
extraordinary Million from God &c. And perhaps any one
Miracle done by our Lord would have defeated the perfec-
tions of the Jews, confirmed the reputation of his being an ex-
traordinary Prophet , and procured his liberty. For Herod
alfo had the Baptift in great efteem, and was drawn both to
his imprifonment, by the importunity of a woman that be-
witched him with her love; and to his death, by a rath promife
which after much afflicted him.
But our Lord, refigned to his Fathers known will concern- §.66.
ing him ; and thirfting for the falvation of the world by his fuf-
ferings and death, and the accomplifhment of all the Prophe-
cies made of him formerly by the Holy Ghoft ; and juftly refuf-
ing alfo, projicere fanBum canibus^ or to fatisfy the curiofitv of
fo wicked a perfon polluted with Inceft and Murder, flood fi-
lent before him, initead of rendring him, by fome obfequious
aniwer, his Friend and Patron. But filent he was with that
meek and humble countenance and carriage, as that Herod
rather took him for a fimple perfon and a fool, and not an-
fwering the report he heard of him, than for any dangerous
K k 2 confmrator
2^0 The Eiflory of the Lift of §.66.
confpiratoragainftthe State. Meanwhile the High Priefts and
Scribes had purfuedhim thither; and, before Herod and his
Coart,reiterated the,accufations,which, before Pilat; by Herods
killing of the Baptift}: that gave teftimony of our Lord, hav-
ing fome hopes of his doing the fame to him : all which unjuft
flanders our Lord heard and entertained with a profound fi-
lence, and without any defence of his Innocency. But Herod
little regarded their clamours, as one who had well bin inform-
ed of our Lord's actions, and integrity ; and, being a crafty
Fox ( as our Lord once filled him ) had formerly watched him
very marrowly : and his |ealoufy, a"S the Pharifee truely in-
formed our Lord, wanted only fome fairoccafion to have de-
ftroyed him. But his generally doing all manner of good, and
giving heavenly counfel, without Wealth, without Arms,,
preaching only humility and patience , working alfo great
cures, ejecting Devils &c.( our Lords Apology for himfglf when
the Pharifee told him, Herod would kill him ) , as alio fending
his Difciples abroad without any weapon tor their defence ,.
were things this Tyrant could not make criminous. But, from
fuch his filence, conceiving him without wit to anfwerfor him-
felf; andtofhew he had no'jealoufy of his Crown from fuch a
poor Rival, thought fit only to make fport with him, and treat
him as a Fool and a Mock King; for his Kingfhip was the thing
his Accufersmoft prefTed. And (o after he himfelf, relenting
his (ilence, had mewed fome fcorn and neglect of him, he gave
order to his men of war to array this their new King according
to his dignity in a white Garment, the Ornament of Priefts and
Princes, fome old caft-ofFRobe taken out of his wardrobe: and,
after much jeering and flighting of him, and fome Giuoco di
Mano's doubtleL mixed, the like ufage to that received over-
night from the High Priefts Officers, he returned him in this
drefs to Pilat, with his Guards commanded to wait upon his
Majefty; and the people deriding and hooting at him as he
paffed, according to the Prophecy concerning him Pfalm.21. 8.
Omnes videntes me de rife runt me: locutifunt labiisi & mover unt
caput. But Herod by this drefs fufficiently fignifyed his mind
to Pilat, that his perfon was rather an object of fcorn or pity,
then of his Juftice; which no doubt gave little fatisfaction to
the cruel Higft Priefts, in whom neither Pilat's nor Herods ab-
solving him, nor yet the admirable meeknefs of our Lord (who,
they well knew, wanted not words to defend his Innocency,-
and who by his filence feemed to confpire with them againft
himfelf,
§.67^8. our Saviour JefusChrift. Part.II. 261
himfelf, and to long for his Crofs before it was brought him)
cou!d work any relentmcnt, or reflection on their Guilt.
Meanwhile, this civility of Pilat ihewen to Herod, in a place §• 67*
where the Judicature belonged to himfelf, was kindly accept-
ed i and repaired their broken friend flvp : and Herod alio thus
became an Acceflary and party in the unjuft proceedings a-
gainft the common Saviour. This friendfhip alio of theirs my-
itically fignitied our Lords reconciling, and the union to God,
both of Jew and Gentile in the benefits of his fufferiugs and
death. ~-Ipfe emm ejt pax nojira, qui fecit utraque unum. Eph.
2.14. And the white Garment, wherein he was arrayed in de-
rifiou, was truly a f\ mbol of his pureft Innocency ; and a veft-
ment luting to his Sacerdotal, as well as Regal, office. And as
for Herod, his unjuft Judge, he, as alfo Pilat, by the divine Ju-
ftice, was ejected from his Government, and dyed miferably in
Exile and difgrace.
ThePrifoner thus returned, treated more like a Fool than a * g%
Criminal, and his mock-Robe pulled off, Pilat calling together —
again the cheif Priefts, and the Rulers, and the People alfo
LuJ^. 25.13, who at this time had a cuftome by the common
fuffrage to free 'a Prifouer , and fetting him before them, told
them, that, whereas they had brought him to him as a feditious
perion, and a Perverterof the people, he, upon due examina- •
tion of him before them, could clear no fuch thing; That he
had alfo fenthim to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee, and rul-
ing where this man moft converft, and where he was faid to have
done moft of his works ; and , that neither had Herod done
any thing to him worthy of death: that therefore he would
chaftife him, perhaps guilty of fome fmaller imprudences and
exceffes otundifcreet zeal in his former behaviour; and fo re-
leafehim. And, in fpeaking thus of releafing, he put them in
mind of the cuftome at this great Feaft, of his releafing fnch a
Prffoner to them (but probably, of fuch whom he thought fie
to nominate.) as they mould demand; which alfo the people
that ftood about as readily called fori>^.2?. 18. compared
with Marj^. iy. 8. And it is faid to have bin a cuftome firft infti-
tuted as a grateful remembrance of their freedome at that time
from the Egyptian bondage; ufed long before their fubjectioii
to the Romans- and fo indulged ftill after it. Or perhaps ra-
ther fome later favour of the Roman Governours allowed
them, after the power of condemning or pardoning any capi-
tal offender taken from them. So the Governour upon this
account
J?
262 The Hi/lory of the Life of §'69,70.
account motioned to them, that is, to the people, whom he
knew better affected to our Lord, the releafeoi Jeius.
§. 69, Now, there was another Prifoner a perfon well known who
was in bonds for really committing that, of which our Lord
was falfly accufed, viz. thecaufing an Iniurrection among the
people, and in it alfo committing Murther. So, either iome
other making mention of this Barabbas , to be releafed ; or
Pilat fin whole power was the propolal of the perfons, left to
their choice) he fulfilling the Prophecies Efay 5-3. cum feeler a-
tis deputatus eft, matched the chiefeft offender he could find
with Jefus, to determine the peoples election on him rather.
And it feems the people were not lb ill inclined toward our
Lord, as rather to free theMurtherer ,• but the cheif Priefts, and
great ones ufing their authority and perfwafions with the mul-
■ titude, and perhaps representing our Lords pretended blaf-
phemies, and deftroyingthe Law of Mofes&c. as much more
hainous, and perilous to the Nation, than the other mans
Guilt, at laft prevailed with them. And thole who cried Ho-
janna to our Lord, men, women, and children, and fpread their
garments in the wav, but five daies before, are now as loud for
the Releafe of Barabbas before him. Jfrvay with this man, cry'
they LuJ>. 23. 18. and releaie to us Barabbas. And Pilat, much
diipleafed. at it, asking them, what then they would have done
with Jefus ('whom this Heathen by a particular divine inftinct
called alfo the Chrift and their ^'«£, becaufe indeed he was fo)
all the people, now, engage themfelves alio in the like guilt,
as the High Priefts, and Elders before ; and publickly renounce
our Lord, meekly Handing before them, for the Chrift, or their
King ; and cry out alfo againfthim, Crucifie him, Crucifie him :
not only demanding Juftice, but impudently prescribing to the
Judge the manner of his punifhment ; and that the cruelleft
could be named. And when alfo, before all the people, the
Governour now the third time declared that he could find" no
fault at all in him; they a fecond time redouble their cla-
mours, and cryed out more exceedingly ( faith the Text MarJ{.
iy. 14. ) Crucifie him, Crucifie him.
£. 7o. The Governour now at a great ftand, who before had meri-
tioned the chaftifingof him, and was now defeated of his de-
fign concerning Barabbas, feeing, no way but one poffible to
fave his life, viz. to fatisfy their malice to fome degree with
fome lelfer torments inflicted on him, prefently gave order for
icourging him j which alfo the more ieverely it was done, the
more
§.71. ' cur Saviour Jefut Ckrift.Yzrt.W. 263
more neceflary, he fuppofed, in the iflue it would be, for pre-
ferring him from fuch an horrid death. The Roman manner
of fcourging ofFendors is faid to be this, To ftrip the perfon
naked, and tyehimby his hands and feet to a pillar with his
face towards it j and fo be.at hira with a whip made with cords,
or thongs of leather, that wound much worfe then rods. A
very fore and ignominious torment it was, and therefore no
citizen of Rome whatfoever , or any having this priviledge,
might be fo punifned. See Acls id. 37, 22, 1 j. —Factum ejl vin-
cire civem Romanum, fcelus verberare, prope Parricidum necare a-
quiddicam in crucem toliere f faith Cicero in Verrem orat. $.
Our Lord was committed by Pilat to the Roman Soldiers, §. 71*
for executing this punilhment j who took him into the Prato-
rium Mat. 27.27. Jo. 19.4. or atrium Prcetorii, faith St. Mark
chap. 17. kj. And, to do this and the reft of their pranks the
morefolemnly, after they had feen the fport Herods men had
made with this Jewifh Prince, and perhaps fome of them that
alfo of the High Pneft's officers over-night, and not meeting
with fuch a jocuiary object every day, they aflemble the whole
Cohort confifting of fome hundreds to come and perform their
homage to him ,• fome of them looking on-, whilft others acted,
By whofe.obfequioufnefs, as fervants ufe to go beyond" their
Lord's Commiffion, we may imagine his ftripes were laid on
without any regret, or' common humanity , in fuch a multi-
tude of military Spectators ; till he, being rendred all in a gore
blood, excepting only his face and head, was made a fit fpe-
ctacle to mew to thole Adamantine-hearted Jews. And in-
deed, if what we owed in this kind was undertaken to be paid
by him ('as it was, and that without his fpeaking a word to de-
cline it) we may hence meafure the greatnefs of his fufFerings
from that of our demerits. Multa flagella Peccatoris, faiththe
Pfalmift j and our Lord pronounced, as it were againft himfelf \
—That our knowing his Fathers Will, and notdoing it, deferves
many ftripes j which at lait came to that , That he himfelf
muft defray for us. And thus alio were all the Prophecies
fulfilled by him to the uttermoft, which the Scriptures long be-
fore had delivered. Pjal. 34. 1 $. Adverfumme Utatifunt& con-
venerunt : congregata junt fuper me flagella , & ignoravi \_ for
whatcaufe ]. Subfannaverunt me fubfannatione -.frenduerunt fu~
per me dentibus fuis : Quern tti percufjijli , perf'ecutifunt, & fuper
doloremvulnerum meorum addiderunt Pfal. 6% ; and again Pfah
37. 18. Ego in flagella paratm fum, (2 dolor mens [my ftripes]
m
2^4 The Hiftory of the Life of §-72*
in confpecl.u meo Jemper : And the reafoti follows, —Qupniam ini-
quitatem meam \_i.e. meorum , taken on me] annuntiabo , (3
covitabo pro peccato meo. Andagain Plal. 128. 3. -Supra dor (urn
meum fabricaverunt peccatores : prolongaverunt iniquitatem ju-
am. Or, as the Hebrew, —fupra dorfum meum araverunt aran-
tes, prolongaverunt Julcumjuum. For doubtlefs his back was
itrangcly furrowed and plowed-up. And now was that chiefly
verified Ejay 5-3. 2.&C. Non eftjpecies ei> neque decor: & vidi-
mus eum, ©■ non erat afpeclus. -Languor es noftro* ipje tulit, O
dolores noftros ipfe portavit : Et nos putavimns eum quajl lepro-
Jum [with his broken skin] &percujpim a Deo & kumiliatum.
Ipfe autem vulneratus eft propter ini quit at s noftras , attritns eft
propter jcelera nofira : Lijciplinapacis noftrce juper eum, & livore
ejus fanati fumus. --And after —Propter (celuspopuli mei per-
cujjieum. And of this alfo particularly he ieveral times foretold
his Difciples; faying that his own People ihould deliver him
to the Gentiles, to mock, and to lcourge, and to cruciry him.
Mat. 20. 19. Alar/^. 10. 34.
§. 72. After this, to fulfil the illudehdum, as well as fiagellandum ,
our Lord foretold ; and to prepare him further tor the ihew
their Mafter intended, they thought fit 10 drefs him like a King,
as Herod had done before them; and lo pulling oil his gar-
ments again now cleaving to his icanfyed back, ( if perhaps
thefe were at all put on after his whipping ) they arrayed him
with an old-cart purple cloke,- and, wanting yet a Crown tor
this King, they took a bunch of thorns, and platting them to-
gether made a wreath thereof, and prefTcd it about h,s Tem-
ples; whereby his Sacred face and head alio ( hitherto blood-
free ) became of the like dye with the reft ot h.s body, pierced
every where with the (pikes or the thorns [of which Sacred
head now compafTed with a bunch ot thoriies ^ when God laved
Abrahams only Son, vet fo lovrd the world as not to fave his
own) the head of the Ram, which lo Abraham tookand offer-
ed for him, all entangled and wrapped in thornes, leems to be
a lively type.] Then, for a Scepter alfo lutable to his Crown ,
they took a reed, and gave it him in his right hand- l his done,
for his Inauguration, they fell on their knees and woi [flipped
him , faying, Ave T(ex Judaorunn God lave the Kingol the
Jews. And then, that their merriment and mockery mightnot
end without ftrokes, they rofe off their knees, and fell a beating
him with their fills; and, fpitting in his face, mingled their
excrements with his blood: andtookihe reed outoihis hand,
and
.
§•73- cur Saviour JefaChri/f. Part.n. 265
and laid him over the head with it, and fo nailed his Crown
cioier to his Temples. And, by this time Pilat calling for him,
they put the reed again into his right hand, which he meekly
held io as they placed it; and io brought him forth all im-
brewed in blood, head, race, and body, with his Robe, Crown,
and reeden Scepter ; and prefenting him on the Gallery, or
Terrace-walk, before all the Jew«, Pilat faid Jo. 19.4; 1 bring
him forth to you again, that ye may know that I find no fault in him,
[ being thus ill treated by Pilat, not for his, but their, crimes ;
io to have mitigated their cruelty and malice] Ecce Homo; as
if he had faid to them : fee this rueful fpedfcacle of fuffering In-
nocency: and at length have ye fome companion. Is not
herepunifhment too much already inflicted, where none de-
ferved? But the v, the cheif Priefts, and officers efpecially, af-
foon as they faw him in this pickle ( faith the Evangelift Jo.
19.6.) renewed their former clamour, Crucifige, Cructfige. The
Governour replyed: Take ye him and crucifie him, if you can
be fo unjuft : for I cannot do it, finding no fault in him. The
Jews, feeing Pilat fo refolutely ftill clearing our Lord, as to
that accufation of theirs, which they thought would molt take
with the Romans, Sedition &c. retreat again to his blafphemy,
and his crimes againft their Law, ( whereof the Roman Presi-
dent wholly ignorant could not fo well difcern his, or their,
Guilt ) faying; that they had a Law, accordingto which their
Jufticehad proceeded againft him ; and that by this Law he
ought to dye on a higher account than Rebellion-againft Prin-
ces; feeing he made himfelf the Son of God , and becarhe-
thereby guilty of die higheft blafphemy againft-God^himfelf,
which in their Law was punilhed with death. [ But, were it fo,
this will not bear out or warrant their Crucifig$}ov demanding the
death of the Grots]. -
Pilat, hearing that he made himfelf the Son of God, and 5.73,
perhaps comparing it with what was reported of his Miracles, ~~
and with the words alfo he had heard a little before from him
ftanding at the Bar, that he was a King ; but his kingdom not
of this world s and that he came into it to teach men Truth
&c ; began to be feized with a religious fear (to the great con-
fufion and fhame of our Lord's own people) that there might
be fome fuch thing indeed j and fo to reflecl: alfo on his fcourg-
ing of him, and the danger, if he fhould proceed further to
Crucifie him. For his own Religion alfo had Inch opinions in
it i That the Gods fometimes do defcend from heaven , and
L 1 take
2^ TheHifioryoftheLifeof §.7^;
take on them the fhapes of men, fee ABs 14. 1 1. &c ; And they
alfo imagine fome inferiour Semideos begotten by the Gods of
women. And perhaps thefe fabler had their firft original from
fome miftaken paiTages of the Sacred ftory of God's fome-
times .affuming ahuraan fhape, anddifcourfing with the Patri-
archs i and from the Prophecies, concerning the Son of God to
be born of a woman. To which may be added the extraordi-
nary Gravity,. Modefty, Fortitude, Conftancy, Prudence, and
holy reiervation, fo great unconcernednefs and neglect, as it
were, of what they, laid ordidtohim, which he had obferved
in our Lord, as qneftrangeh elevated above all human paffi-
pns, and infirmities. Startled, I fay, with this fear, and reflect-
ing on his former ill treatment of fuch a perlon, he returns a-
gain from the Jews into the Pratoriurn -y and there queftions
our Lord a-new, whence he was ? i. e. whether of an human, or
divine, race? by this queftion giving our Lord occafion, as He-
rod before, to let forth and juftly maguity himlelf ; the former,
as to his divine power, in fhewing fome Miracle ; and this lar>
ter, as to his divine Nature, in declaring his deicent. But our
Lord, before him, as before the other, flood mute andfilent;
not willing to admit the leafl: detre&ation or declining of his
fufferings, or the leaft endeavours contrary to his Fathers good
pleafure; well knowing alfo of Pilat, as of the Jew5/tfiat --/
reJpo7ideret,,non dimitteret ; and laftly, having before anlwered
-him fufficiently to this queftion, when he told him that he was
a King, but not of this lower world ; that he descended to
teach men the Truth of God. Nor were thofe many divine
works of his concealed from the.Gbvernours knowledg, which
evidenced an extraordinary Muffion of him from God.
$-74* The Governour, difpleafed at.this filence , after fo much
kindnefs, as he thought) fhewed him ; and fo contrarv alfo to Jhis
own intereft, in neglecting all lawful obfervanceof a Perlon
that had him abfolutiy in his power, and ftudied to releafe
him, asked him ; why he did not.anfwer him, in whofe free
power he knew it was ( whether this juftlv , or uniuftly ^either
to crucify, or acquit him > ( but indeed PiLats profefTmg it here
inhispower to releafe him, whom he alwaies confefled an in-
nocent perlon, aggravates his guilt, that followed, in condem-
ning him J. Our Lord here, notdelerting the vindication of
the dignity of his perfon and Million (formerly declared both
to the Jews, and to the Roman Governour ) and referring theie
his fufferings, and death wholly to the will of his Father, not
the
1
4> 7 5 • our Saviour Jefm Chrifl, Part.n. i6y
the power of man ( as alio he did at hisapprehenfion, when he
told the Jews, this was their hour ) made a charitable breach
of his former filence ; to check the Governours vaunting of his
Power, where he fhewed fo much injujtice ; telling him, with
a very great gravity and majefty in his words, and carrying
himfelfas the very perion Pilat feared he was, that he could
have no power at all againft him, except it had bin given him
from above,- therefore thofe, who delivered him (an inno-
cent perfon j thro malice to him [invefted from above with
iuchapower] had the greater fin. In thefe few words repre-
fenting to Pilats paffion and heat, that all this was done by the
permiffion and good pleafure of his Father;to which,not man's,
he yeilded this meek obedience ( as he told the Jews before at
hisyeilding himfelf to them in the Garden). That he had no
power over any perfon whatever, but what a Superiour power,
who would call him to account, permitted ; and, again, no juft
power over any perfon innocent, as to the condemning or cru-
cifying of fuch an one; but yet much more , no power over
him, who was the Son of God, and King over all the world. ( a
thing he mentioned alfo to Peter, when they called on him for
Tribute Mat. 1 7. 24) But yet, that, though he offended in what
he did to him, he was through his ignorance, though not of
his innocency, yet of his perion, much more exculable herein
than thofe others, who delivered him to him : who, both againft
10 many infallible evidences he had given them, denyed. him
to be fuch a perfon , and with fo many falfe criminations
brought him to him as a capital offender, and abufed the pow-
er of the lawful Magiftrate to ferve their malice; thus repre-
senting to him, both the Jews guilt, and his own ; though with-
al he modeftly excufed his fault, as much the lefs.
.Our Lord's thus humbling the Governours high language S- 7f*
with minding him of a Superiour Authority, to which he was
accountable; and of his fin in fuch proceedings, and compli-
ances againft an innocent perfon, yet thefe qualified with an
acknowledgment of the Jews guilt much greater than his j the
prudence alfo and gravity of his Anfwer, remitting nothing of
his appearance to be fuch a perfon as Pilat dreaded him to be
( whofe words were not like other men's, but as they entred
the ear, pierced alfo the Soul ) continued fti'l the Governours
fears, or rather increafed them : fothatftill he was more in-
duced to procure his releafment. For which purpofe he went
forth and propofed it once more to the Jews*, when atlaft they
LI z brake
*68 The Hi/lory of the Life of §.76*
brake out into that fpeech, which quite fubdued this timorous
Judge; and now begat in him another quite contrary fear,
which drove out the former •, the bale fear of dif pleafmg Cefar,
or perhaps alio loftng his place, expelling that noble and juft
oneof fhedding the blood of an innocent perfon, andof cruci-
fying the Son of God. And, as he feared offending Cefar ,
wheuhe had no juft caufe thereof, ('For all Religions, andMa-
giftrats, deiirethe prote&ion of innocency i )fo he afterwards
iutfered that which he feared ; being, upon the fame jews com-
plaint, ejected by Cefar for cruelty, who here feared offending
him by being too indulgent and merciful. They cryed out
unto him therefore ; that, if he dilmift that man, he was no
friend of Cefar's : for furely he , who io pretended himfelf a
King of their Nation, fpake and a&ed againft Cefar's title, and
Right.
§. 7<S. Upon this, he caufed our Lord to be brought forth out of the
Tratorium ('where he had left him, as perceiving that the fight
of him did but more enrage them) and fo, fitting down on
the Judgment-Seat ( which, it feemsby what St. John faith, was
in an open Gallery on high, confpicuous to all the people J to
pafs his final fentence upon him, a fuddain meffage came to
him from his wife (fee Mat. 27. 19. jedente Mo pro tribunali)
dehorting him from having any thing to do with that Juft man.
This great Lady ( whofe name Nicephorus Lib. i.cap.$o. faith
was Procula, and whom the Greek Church honour as a Con-
vert of our Lord's ) doubtlefs had heard the report of our
Lord's Miracles; of his late folemn entrance into Jerufalem
( at which' all the city was generally moved, faith the Text J*
of his apprehenflon , condemnation by the Jews, and at laft
remiffion to Pilats Tribunal, and had her thoughts much trou-
bled in his behalf 3 as that Sex ufeth to be more teuder and com-
panionate, and averfe to fuch cruelties. Upon which , that
morning, lhehad alio a dream or vifionthat much affrighted
her, perhaps of her Husbands being acceffary to his death, and
J of the Tragical end he mould incur after Inch an impious fad,
ejectment out of his government, baniihment,and at lait milk-
ing away himfelf, like to that of Judas, as Hiftones do relate
the Event: and upon this lent fuch a relolute meffage to him
inthemidft of fo publick action, and in the light of all the
Jews. In all which God fliewed an extraordinary favour to
Pilat, though not fignified to hisowa perlon, yet to another
the nearlieit related to him, and molt prevalent with him, to
have
§. 77->7%J9* our Savi°ur ]efa Chrift' Part.H. 2 69
have prevented his guilt, and kept his hands from being cm-
brued, at leaft, in this divine, and Sacred blood, which were af-
terward wafhed in vain. And this mefTage, which fhe fent, ei-
ther being audibly delivered in the Jews prefenceto Pilat, or
at leait, preiently fpread amongft them by Pilats Courtiers »
another admonition this leems to have been alfo to the cruel
Jews, after that of Judas.
Th.s mefTage alio, perhaps delivered with many more Cir- §. 77<%
cumltancesfhewing fome thing extraordinary in it, made it
feems nolmall impreffion upon her husband, as appears by his
fb ioiemnly warning his hands prefently after. Therefore pro-
ducing our Lord, and letting him once more before them in
his former drefs, he made a new application to them j and, as
before he had iaid to them Ecce Homo : reprefentingour Lord
at his loweft ( ta which he humbled himfelf meerly for our
fakes ) thus inviting their compaffion, fo now by the fpecial di-
vine Providence directing him ( as Caiphas before ) he chang-
ed his Note, and faid, Ecce J^ex vefter : as it were [demanding
their fubjeclion ; alluding in this to the Robe, Crown, and Scep-
ter, with which he appeared before them: as, in his former, to
the miferable fcourging and ftripes. Pilat in all probability be-
ing really perfwaded, upon the feveral motives forementionedj
that he was their Meffias, and their King, in that fenfe our
Lordconfeftit j and therefore heperflfted afterwards in mak-
ing his title on the Crofs exactly fuch, notwithstanding their
importuning him for the alteration of it.
Upon this fecond light of him, they all fet up a new clamour; ^ 7%t
Tolle, Tolle , Crucifige. And he again iterateth to them our ~
Lords MeflSas-and King-fhip , faying ; what muft I take and
Crucifie \ our King ? Here the cheifPriefts, like good faithful
loyal Roman Subjects, cryed out, they had no King, but Cefar.
And this their renouncing him fo formally and exprefsly for
their King or Meffias, fo often inculcated to them by Pilat>
and of which they had had fo many infallible proofs, exceed-
ingly aggravates their guilt, and will doubtlefs rife up againfl
them at the great day of Judgment. Neither, though alwaies
the; have expected, have they had, a King of theirown, but
ferved under rorraign Princes, ever fince to this day.
Laftly, the Governour, feeing no good to be done upon them, §a j^„
but rather ( iaith the Text ) a tumult to be made, thinking he ~"
bad fufhcientlv done- his part, in fo often protefting before
them fus Judgment of our Lords innocency; and looking on
himfell
27° The Eiftory of the Life of §«79-
himfelf, as not faulty in this matter, becaufe they much more ;
iee Deut .21 .6 . called for water and wafhed his hands in thefisht
or all the Jews, telling them he was innocent of the blood of
that J uft perfon ( ufing the lame Epithete concerning him as his
wife before, ) and that they fhould look to it : God herein alio
warning them by him of the lad confequence thereof. But
indeed, as to the Governour's act, this was but afoolifli fancy,
that the warning thus of his hands could any way cleanfe his
confciencej or his profefling the perfons innocency any way
compeufate his delivering him up to death, and not rather the
confeffing it double the iniquity of his injuftice; proceeding
from a cowardly fear of Cefar, and a fordid compliance with
the Jews. To this, their rage and fury (even all the people,
faith the Evangelift, not the High Priefts alone ) returned that
, fearful imprecation; His blood be upon us and upon our children ,•
which blood accordingly came upon them , and upon their
children, at the fet time after feven fixes of years, i. e. forty
years fas alfo Nineve was threatned after forty daies ) and
that, fuch vengeance, as never fell on any Nation fince the
Creation j nor the like ever read in any other ftory. One of their
own Nation, that was prefent in the action, writing it exactly.
Where, amongft other their fufferings, he relates, Jojeph. de
Bello Judaic, lib. 6. cap. >i 2. when, prefTed with famine great
Multitudes of them fled out of the .City to the Romans for
fomereleif, —J^omanos Milites illo.s verberalos, & modi's omni-
bus excruciates contra murumcruci diver fis modis jujjixijje iray &
odio, & ludibrii cauf'a ; donee propter multitudinem quam cepjjjent,
jamfpacium crucibm deerat, & corporibus cruces : and this mi-
fery brought upon them, when at this great Feftival the whole
body, of the Nation, as it were, was gathered together in Jeru-
falem j and fo was encpmpafled andfhut up there by the Ro-
mans. See Eufeb. Ecclefiajl. Hiji. lib. 3 . cap. y. and Jofeph. de Bell.
Judaic, lib. 7. cap. 17. Ab omnibus regionibus ad A^ymorum diem
faftiim congregati bello fubito circumfuji funt ($c. Thus they de-
voted themfelves here to God's Juftice, and thus it happened
to them. But their words taken in abetter fenfe, and as the
divine goodnefs and pity ispleafedto interpret them, for all
Penitents, are a Prayer piouily offered not only by them, but
. the whole world, tohisoffended Majefty ; tobefaved through
thefprinkling upon them of the blood of Jefus. Our Lord's
blood alio crying to God from the Earth* not as that of Abel,
or any other juft Perfons filed by the impious, for vengeance,
but
§.8 0,8 1. our Saviour JefusChrift. Vart.U. 271
but for Mercy. Nor hath the whole world any falvation or
fhelter, but from his blood being upon it, audits children for
everj who alio all had a hand, both Jew and Gentile, in of-
fering it: and in this fenfe God alfo will admit this prayer to .
be fulfilled, ( ieeJ^om.u .) but in the laft place, upon this moft
miferable Nation.
The Governour, after having thus waffied his hands, fate & g0,
down again, and gave the final fentence upon our Lord ; re- "
leafed to them their precious choice, Barabbas; and commit-
ted Jejus to the Centurion and his Soldiers to be crucified ac-
cording to their requeft,
Now, this death on the Crois, which our Lord was fenten- §• <*»
ced to, and the Jews with fo great clamour called for, as it was
often foretold exprefsly by our Lord ['fee Mat. 20. ip. -Jo. 18.
52. and other-while called by him his Exaltation Jo. 12. }2.
Audi, if I be exalted from the earth will draw all men unto me
fgnifying flaiththe Evangelift ) what death hejhould die: and
by the context, verf. 34. it appears, the people well underftood
his language : And again Jo. 8.28. -When ye have ( faith he )
exalted the Son of man-, thenjhallye \mw^ that I am he : ] So was-
it forelignified by manyexpreffions in the Old Teftainent. See
■Pfal. 21. 17. The Council of the malignant hath befieged me-
they have digged my hands and my feet : they have numbred
[in that racking polture] all my bones ; they have oeheld and
confidered me [every limb of me ftretched out before them; }
and then fpeaking of his being flript of hiscloaths. —They have-
divided my garments amongfi them, and upon my Vefture they cajb
lots. -To which (tripping of him alfo that exprefiion feems
chiefly to relate, where he faith Pfal. 6-%.$. -That Confufion co-
vered hu face*. SccJ^achary 13. <5. ( where the Prophet mentions
this fmitingofhis Paftor, and the man that clave to him, and
io fcattering of his fheepj verf. 7. fpeaking thus of his being
treated by his neareft relations as a fa He Prophet ; that he mail
be asked : What are thefe wounds in the midji of thy hands f and
he fhall anfwer, with thefe was Iwoundedin the houfe of my friends^
To which wounds alfo is applied that loving exprefiion E/dy
49. id. —Ego tamen non oblivifcar tui ; inmanibus meis defcripfi
te ■, I have engraven thee upon thepalmes of my hands. See
Zjch. 12.10. where fpeaking of the converiion of the Jews in the
latter times ; and the great lorrow they fnall then have for their
crucifying their ^Jeflias, the Prophet faith — Et adfpicient ad me
quern confixerunf. © plangent eum planffu quafi unigenitum &c
272 The Hi/lory of the Life of §. S2.
See Jer. n. 19. —Ego quaji agnus manfuetus, quiportatur ad
viftimam-y cogitaverunt fuper meconjiha dicentes ; mittamus lig-
num inpanem ejus [_ for his bread ] (3 eradamus eum de terra vi-
ventium. To it likewife feems to relate E/ay 52. l$. —Ecce in-
teliigit Jervus mens > -exaltabitur & eleva'jitur , (3 jublimis erit
valde : For it follows : Sicut objlupuerunt fuper te multiy (3 inglo-
rius erit inter viros afpeclus ejus,. Z3 forma ejus inter filios bomi-
num [liketo^r/C2. of the next chaptd] —Ifte afperget gentes
multas. -And Efay 11. 12. —Et levabit Jignumin nationes. Con-
cerning his thirft alio in the violent and fervorous heat of fuch
lingnng pains, fee P/al. 21. 16. --Aruit tanquam tejta virtus mea,
(3 lingua mea adbajitfaucibus meis. —And Pfal. 68-22. ~T)ed.runt
in e/cam meamfel y & infiti mea potaverunt me aceto.
Typified alfo this death or the Crofs was by many inftruments
or the peoples prefervation in the OldTeftament : By the Tree
of life, provided to remedy the mikhiefs done by the Tree of
Good and Evil: by the blood of the Lamb fprinkled upon the
pofts of the door, that the deftroying Angel feeing it might
pafs-over Gods people: by Moles his Rod fmiting the Rock,
and bringing out of it a fountain of water for refefhing the
people: By the Brafen Serpent lifted up on high, and faftned
to a pole, curing all, that looked upon it, of the other fiery
Serpents bitings ; which our Lord alio mentions as a Type of
his own Elevation, and drawing the eies of all upon him Jo. 12,
32. Jo. 3.14. Sicut Moyfes exaltavitferpentem in defer to > it a ex-
altari oportet filium kominis, ut omnis qui credit in ipfum £ looks
upon him with the eie of faith] nen per eat: By the Expanfion
of Moles his Armes and Hands on high made in the Mount for
the conqueft of Amalek : which pofture of his alfo by others
help was continued for feveral hours ; and being any way al-
tered, changed prefently the fortune of the battel .* ByEliashis
lying with armes ftretched out upon the Child, to raife him
again to life: By marking with the letter Thau the form of a
crofs, the foreheads of thofe that were to be faved from the
flaughter of the fix deftroying Angels E^ecb. 9. 4. Laftly, by
Abraham's only Son Ilaac carrying the wood,upon which he was
afterwards laid, and deltined to be Sacrificed. But God was
more favourable and kind to Abraharrl, if I may fo fay, than
tohimlelf.
5. 8a. And, as this manner of death was often" forefignified and ty-
pified in the Old Teftament j lo doth it feem, before all other,
to have bin cholen by the Divine Counfel, and our Lords de-
lignment
^.83. curSavlourJefusCbrift.V2itt.il. 273
lignment ( who as he voluntarily fuffered for us, fo what death
hepieafedj for many fpecial reafons. Firft, becaufe his fuf-
fering being to fave us, and we by our fins having incurred the
curie of God, and fo he for us taking this curie upon himfelf ,
this was that fpecial death which had Gods curfe annexed to -
it; Deut. 21. 23. when upon fome grievous crime, God required
the Malefactor to be hanged up upon a Tree before the Sun ,
and as it were openly in his fight ; to be hanged up, as unworthy
to touch or tread upon the Sanctified land, and not to be dit-
patched in a moment,as by ftoning,or fome other fpeedy death}
but there faftned to remain till near the going down of the Sun ;
and then taken and buried, that the land might not be defiled
by his being above ground 5 See Deut. 21. 23. as hath bin 1 aid Gal. 3, 13.
already. §.
Secondly, becaufe our fins deferved the utmoft torments, §. 83.
and even thefe eternal ; and, our Lord in this cafe undertak-
ing the fatisfaction of Gods Juftice forthem, this death by cru-
cifying was chofen, as being of all thofe ordinarily inflicted
on Malefactors the molt dolorous and tedious: being only a
wounding or piercing of exterior parts, the hands, and feet,
that approach not the principal or vital members, the Head, or
Hearts and fo preferving an integrity of fenfe. Nor was any
great effufionof the blood caufed by fuch wounds, fo to ex-
hauft the fpirits : for the nailes ftill rilled the holes they made :
but, on the other fide, this piercing being made in the mod ner-
vous parts, which Nerves are the Organs of fenfe, produced a
molt acute pain ; and fo the perfon was left in this pofture, faft-
ned hand and foot on the rack, abandoned to the Lowles, or to
Famine, if a fever, caufed by thefe extream torments, did not
difpatch himfooner: the body ufually remaining in fuch tor-
ment, for many hours, if not daies. Our Lord hung fo for
three hours, before he expired, in aMiraculous patience, refig-
nation, and filence ( all the words he fpake fcarce taking up
three or four minuts ofit): and, when this time was run out,
the Roman Governour wondred, if he was dead fo foon : and
both the other Malefactors were then ftill alive. Therefore
theApoftle fpeaking of this our Lords death puts fuch an Em-
phafis upon it, —That he was obedient: to the death , even to this
death of the Crofs. By the greatnefs of his fufferings, therefore,
our Lord would have us learn the true weight and heinouf-
nefsand defertofourfins; the cancelling of which coft himlo
dear. As alio fuch exquifite pains both he and God his Father
M m chofe,
274 The Hiftory of the Life of §.84,8$.
chofe, to fhew their great love to man, and his falvation : and,
if there were noabfoJuteneceffity for the Son of Gods fatisfa.-
dfcori for us by fuch exquifite torments, the leait prick ot vvhofe
finger would have bin a ranfomefor a thoufand worlds, yet
furelj , the more he iu.ered for us, the more he fliewed he lov-
edus; and, the lefs of his pains were nee flar for any (ansfa-
(ftion, the more thefe fo greivous demo nitrate the greatneisof
his affection,
1; 84- Thirdly, fuch an horrid and lingring death was chofen by
our Lord to remain for ever an example, and pattern, and con-
folation, to all his followers in their lufierings again for him ,-
fo often as they call to mind that he endured firftfar greater
for them j and that God doth not treat us, fervants and finners,
fofeverely, as he did his innocent and only Son ; and that we
might be afliamed ofour tergiverfation, or impatience ot any
fmallfufFenngs, having feen his refignation, and alacrity and
voluntarily undertaking for us of fo much greater. .
§. %?. fourthly, fetting now afide the extream torments thereof,
~ .. this death feems to be chofen in many other regards. For,
next, by it this Evangelical Sacrifice hath a nearer rejemblance
to all thofe former made under the Law, that were only T pes
of it. 2{e/emb/ance, In our Lords being laid and ipread, when
they faftned him with nails, on the wood of the Cro(s, to be
confumed on it by degrees j fo, thofe Sacrifices laid on the
v wood of the Altar i but this, on the Crofs, during much longer
beforeitwas confumed, the heat of which torture alio forced a
fitio from our Lord. So faith S. Peter, i M 2. 24, Ipfepectata
7iojlra pertulit in corpore fuo [up er lignum. And S. Paul, Epb. ?.z.
Trad/dit j . ipjutn pro nobis oblationem & hojHam Deo in odorcm
fuavitatis. , gam, in our Lords being elevated and lifted up
toward Heaven : as thofe alio were on an Altar railed up in
Salomons Temple ten cubits high, 2 Cbron. 4. and afcended by
fteps; and the Sacrifice alio upon this Altar was elevated, or
heaved up again, and waved before the Lord in the hands of
thePrieit,- and the Altar of the oblation of incenfe was made
alio of wood.
Again, this death feems the moft convenient alfo for the
pouring out of the blood o; this Sacrifice ■, even the whole Mafs
o. it gathered to the heart, in a great ftream, at the foot of the
Crofs ( as the Prielt did to that of the legal Sacrifice at the foot
ot the Altar ) as it were all at once, by the Soldiers lance, in-
ftead of the Priefts knife : but this not till fuch tedious and ling-
ring
§. 8 6, 8 7* our Saviour Jefiv; ChriH. Part. n. 2 7 $
ring torments for feveral hours firlt endured ; whereas the legal
wasprelently difpatched out of its pain; and lav a long time
indeed to be coniumed on the Altar, but after it was firft de-
prived of life and fenfe. This death moft convenient alfo for
this Lamb of God fulfilling the type of thePafchal Lamb j and
the prophecies whereby God fignified that he would not have
a bone of his only Son to be broken , nor his body any way
mangled, or divided any further, than four holes made in his
hands and feet, and a wound in his fide i whilft meanwhile his
Itripping, and then his long and (corching pains, fuffe red from
the fire of Gods wrath againft our fins, falling all upon him ,
which he endured on the Crofs, anfwers to that Lambs beirg
rirft flayed, and then whole and entire ftretched out at length j
and, by degrees, rofted by fire. Thus then this Evangelical
Sacrifice, in this manner of the offering thereof, moft re fe Ta-
bled the legal.
Fifthly, this death on the Crofs was a death moft vifible to §. §5.
all, and publickly expofed ; in which could be uled no perio-
nating fraud or concealment ; the body nailed up on high, .
naked to be furveyed by the eyes of whatever Spectators for
many hours, nay examined, and difcourfed with, fo that there
could be here no pretention of a delufion , or cheat. And if,
notwithstanding this, fo many Hereticks even in the Apoftles
daies, thinking this too great a difparagement to the Son of
God, have denied the reality thereof, what would they have
done, had our Lord luffered in fome other manner lefs con-
ipicuous >
- Sixthly, a death, of thofe that are violent, the moft conve- §. 87*
nient and proper for thofe pious and charitable words and acti-
ons, that were to be performed at his death ; In his making
his Will, as it were, and difpofing of his afflicted Mother, his
great care, to the provifion ot his belt beloved Difciple; In tefti-
fying his free forgivenefsof his Enemies, Revilers, and Tor-
turers, by his Praying to his Father alfo, for their pardon j In
receiving to Mercy, at the fame time, by the vertue of that his
death on the Crofs, the penitent Robber, a fymbol of his do-
ing the fame to all finners whatever, that fhould at any time
repair to him forfalvation through thofe fufferings: In mani-
fefting his patience, obedience, andloveto God ; calling him
Father in the midit, of that fevere handling of him j and meek-
ly refigning his dying Spirit into his hands. Laftly, in his dy-
ing before the other two ; and lending out a loud voioe at his
M m 2, expiring s
2j6 The Hiflory of the Life of §.88,89,90^
expiring ; which fhewed his Divinity ; and that he gave up his
life not upon any conftraint of torments ; but voluntarily, and
when he pleafed.
$• 88. Seventhly, This manner of death, by the lifting up of the
body iii it towards heaven, feems very fignificative, that we
now, after, and in imitation of it, mould exalt and remove our
eyes and affections henceforth iromthe Earth towards Hea-
ven: Therefore our Lord gives it this honourable name of his
Exaltation, —And I ( faith he ) if I be exalted from the Earth,
will draw all unto me Jo. 12. 32. And the Apoftle calls it his tri-
umph, having taken out of the way the Decree, that was con-
trary to us, hefaftriedit to hisCrofs; and having defpoiled the
principalities and potentates, triumphed over them in it. CoL
2. ir. Soalfo, in the nailing and fixing of the fleih of our Lord
totheCrofs, fignificative of the mortifying and crucifying of
the flefh, and its lufts ; that is required of us in imitation of our
Lord ,• fo, difenabling ittoftir hand or foot, as it were, any
more to the breach of Gods commands; and fignifying our
now dying to fin, as he for it : and this death of the Crofs is of-
ten, thus, alluded to by the Apoftle.
§. 89. Eightly and Laftly ; the pofture of this death carryed in it
a lively Reprefentation of his love to mankind, with his arms
ftretched out, as it were, to embrace and receive all thofe who
would come to him; and his head declining to ki is them.
Having made this Digreflion upon the Jewesfo often vehe-
ment demanding, andatlaft Pilats con lent to, our Lord's Cru-
cifixion, to (lie w the multiplicity of the divine wifdom in the
choice of this manner of death, rather than any other : Ipro-
ceednowin the relation oftheftory, after Pilats having coni^
mitted to the Roman Guards the execution thereof.
r 9*>* The time now, after Pilats four or five returns into the Pra-
torium, and Exits to the Jews, whiift he endeavoured by all
means to have preferved our Lords life ; i.e. fo far as his own
fafety with Cefar, and his reputation wnh the Jews, would per-
mit; and after our Lords being fen t to, and returned from,
Herod; and the foldiers fcourging and drcfling him fo, as to
be made a fitter object, of the hard-hearted Jews pity, drew well
towards Noon, Jo. 19.14. Lu\. 23. 44. about the fixth hour,
faith St. John, and St. Luke,- though called as yet the third
hour by St. Mark, becaufe the fixth hardly yet begun. The
fcorfing Soldiers, then, feizing onour Lord, after fome further
abufes (which, both in words and actions, by Satans mitiga-
tion
• §.9X- our Saviour JefusChrifl. Pait.IL 277
tion were committed both in the way, and at the place of Exe-
cution ; as we may gather from the very Theif, in the midft
of his torments, not tempering himfelf from reviling of him
with the reft) ftript our Lord of his Purple, and put on him his
own garments, whofe prize fhortly they were to be; and fo
making allfpeed laid a crofs already prepared upon his torn
fhoulders : and fo led away this only Ifaac of God, carrying the
wood of his Sacrifice upon his back.
And, to fulfil a fecond time, after his being coupled with ^__9r«
Barabbas, the Prophet Efays, cum feeler ax it's reputatus eft, Efay.
/3- 12. and that there might be fome greater appearance of
Juftice, and our Lord mingled with company whom the peo-
ple might think like himfelf, there were two notable Thieves,
on either hand one, joined with him, and haled along to their
Execution: but thefe alio ; or one of them at leaft, railing at
him even when fufFering with him : and fuch companions he
was to have of hisgreifs, as otfered him no folace therein. And
indeed, it we confider the perfon he now took on him, what
Malefactor or crimes fo great, as could match him, or his?
for he carried on his fhoulders all the fins of the whole world,
prefent, and paft, and to come, and even thofe too of thefe
Malefactors- and fo alio this Anathema, as the chief, was cru-
cified in the midft; and the reafon in the Prophet of his cum
fceleratis reputatus feems very appofite, —quia & ipfe peccata
multorumtulit. Graced with this company, and laden with
an heavy Crofs, the long beam thereof being probably more
than twice the length of a man ; for his body was to be ftretch-
ed at its full length upon it j and to be exalted to fuch a con-
venient height, as might render him a fpectacle to all the mul-
titude ; and defatto fohigh it was, that the Soldier to pierce
his fide ufed not his Sword, but his Lance; and, to give him
drink they tyed a fpunge to the end of a long reed, and fo
reached it to his mouth ; It was alio to carry a Title over his.
head, and to be faftnedin the ground ; and the crofs Beam of it
alio was to equal the breadth of his bodv and length of his arms;
I fay, thus laden, he made a painful, but molt chearful, march
• under it through a good part of the City; ( the Governburs
Palace being near the Temple on the Eaft fide of it; and Cal-
vary the place of Execution at the North- Weft fide thereof ) till,
when coming without the Gate, he "fa in ted away under it; hb
body being now grown very feeble, and his fpirits exhaufted ,
by reafon of his cruel fcourging, and other bafe ufage of tha
thr
8 The Hiftory of the Life cf §.92.
three Guards of Officers, Caiphas's, Herod's,and Pilats, hehad
palled through j and of his being kept all night without the
leaftileep, orrepofe, or refrefhmeut, or his former temperance
having any fuperfluous humors to feed on.
Becaufe our Lord alone was unable to bear it any further,and
it was an ignominious thing to carry or touch the instrument of
the Execution of a Malefactor, whence the word Furcifer was a
common name of reproach, by chance a poor man, that came
then out of the countrey, one Simon a ftranger; of Cyrene in
Africk, where was then a great Colony of the Jews, Act. 2. 10.
-6. y.Jofepb. de Excid. Hierof. I. 7. c. 38. meeting them, the Sol-
diers laid hold on him, and forced him to bear our Lord's Crols
after him, either the whole, or theheavieft end thereof: whofe
ions, Alexander and Rufus, are particularly named by the Evan-
gelift, Mar\. 15-. %i. which ihews, that they were not only Con-
verts to the Chriftian Faith, but perfonsof fome note amougit
the Primitive Chriftians( lee Ail s 19.^. -Roma?is 16. 13.it thofe
the fame ). And it is to be presumed that our Lord rewarded
this fervice done him to their Father alfo in making him a
Member of the Church and of his Kingdom; and that he was
laved by the Holy Crofs he bore ; who thus had the honour even
inthetrueft fenie to take up the crofs, and follow our Lord,
and to partake of his reproach and ignominy. But the divine
Counfel ordained this accident thus fignificative alio of a
greater matter ; viz. That our Lord would not bear his crofs
alone, but that ail his Followers for ever were to bear their
parts of it.
J. 92. Whilft our Lord paffed along in this folemn Proceffion to his
offering up; the divine Majefty provided, thatamidftfo many
ftony-hearted Jews that thirlted after his blood (wherewith
the Pfahnift P/al. 21. 13* 17. defcribes him compaiTed about
with fo many ravenous Dogs, and fierce Bulls ) there fhould not
want thofe, that accompanied fuch Sufferings with their tears,
and lamented and deplored thefe pittilefs and undeserved cru-
elties, for a teftimony again ft the others, as before, Jofeph and
Nicodemus , and Pilats wife, and Judas alfo, when too late,
were. Many perfons there were of the more devout and com-
panionate Sex, and more fecure from the fold iers affronts, that
followed and lamented him L.ul^.21. 27. So holy and innocent
a pcrfon, from whom they had heard lb many charming Ser-
mons, and in whom feen fuch mighty works. Among whom
we may imagine were thofe Galilean Women, that in his for-
mer
§•93* our Saviour J ef us Chrift. Part.n. 279
mer life time had waited on and miniftred unto him, and his
beloved Mary and Martha: All whole exceeding affection to
our Lord, doubdefs, had fo conquered their fears, as to run
th i the 1 wherever they could have a fight of him, of \\ horn they
were likely fo loon to be totall-, deprived.
Thefe, probably, before had ftood with the reft of the peo- §.93.
pie in the common Pja%%a before 'Pilats Tribunal; and there
law and heard all that fad Tragedy that had'pafled between
our Lords own people perfeCuting, and the ttranger-Gover-
vour defending, him : whoi'e miferable ufage, there, ft ill heighte-
ned their love and Companion, and in them added to all the
former endearments othim- as it did, in the people, to their
rage and fury. Efpecially amongft thefe the Blelled Virgin,
his afflicted Mother, who could not be abfent from him in life,,
or death, where ihe could have any accefs, and who, here, moft -
diligently obferved all her Son laid, or did, or that was done
to him; as the Evangeiift faith Lu\. 2.19. flie formerly did
thole even in his minority and childhood ; Ihe, I fay, eipeci-
allv, maybe fuppoled to be wounded at the heart, not only
when file' ftood by the Crofs, but, during all this time, with thofe
Sword-points of. moft pungent Grief ( which Simeon foretold
her of) hi her and the reft of her Friends hearing their away
with this fellow ; and their crucifixes, and their acclamations for
Bar abbas, before the Son of God. And the fight ot him fo ufed,
when Pilat cried Ecce Homo, and again Ecce J{ex Ve(ler, that
had no operation ot pity upon the hard-hearted Jews, I may fay
had too much on them. But that we are to believe his Holy
Mother, as being full of Grace, and of the Holy Ghoft, to have
bin indued with a moft perfect patience, and reiignation, and
filence; and her carriage alfo to have bin an edifying pattern
to the reft. "Thus was our Lord, in all thofe his former fufler-
ings, beheld and lamented by his Friends; But, now after his
Condemnation, and the Jew's cruelty according to the divine
Will fatisfied, the tide in the people alio began to turn -• and
thefe of our Lords former acquaintance to have man; Co- opi-
nions of their Grief i and fuch a mind began to repoffefs lome
of them at leaft, as the v had had when but two daies before
they heard and admired him in the Temple ; and as they had .
on Palm-Sunday ; fcid thofe alfo of the peop'e,,who «li this
while retained tjm fame affection towaid him, fus fafety now
defpairedof, began more to fhew it. And thus a great multi-
tude attended our Lord his death and Funeral fail of bitter la-
mentations
2 So The Hiftory ofthe Life of §«93»
mentation ; though amongft thefe the more or more open in
their grief were thole ofthe female Sex.
On whom our Lord lifting up his all-bloody and disfigured
Countenance, in great comiieration not of himfelf, fuftering
nothing but what he pleafed, but of them, being iufinitly af-
flicted tor the fins of his own people ( to whom he came in fuch
love, and they received him not, but were now calling him the
only Son and heir out of his Vineyard, and killing him : ) and
for the unparalleiled judgments of God, that he law now ap-
proaching upon them for this fact, brake out into that paflio-
nate and prophetick fpeech : ye Daughters of Jerufalem, weep
not for me, but for your f elves and your children: telling them,
the daies were now at hand, if their tears, at lead of their own
particulars, prevented them not, wherein they mould blels the
barren, that never had any children prepared for fuch a mife-
ry ;. wherein they mould wifli the Mountains to fall on them,
and the Hills to cover and bury them deep from the face ofthe
Ho/, io 8. divine vengeance, defcending from above on that people. For,
jj 2 io, ip. if t]le flames ofGods wrath meerly fortheir fakes and fins brake
cut now in inch a manner upon him, a Tree alwaies green,
and tlourifhing, and fruitful, and no way deferving or qualified
with any cumbuilible matter, for them to feed on ; what would
this fire do ( where their impenitence fhould make them un-
worthy of his blood to quench it) upon their dry, dead, fruit-
lefs, wood; ferviceable for nothing elfe, and fo well prepared
for it? The conlideration of which had but a few daies before
drawn tears alfo from himfelf ; when the Evangelift faith, he,
in the mid ft of his triumph from Mount Olivet, beholding the
City, wept over it, faying with fobbs interrupting his fpeech,
If that thou badft know?i, even thouy at leaft, in this thy day &c.
Luk. 19.41. This then our Lord in pity to them 4aid, to pro-
cure the application oftheirtears not to hisfuherings, but ra-
ther to the caufe of them ■> to their own fins, and the fins of
their people; asdoubtlefs, from his powerful words, many of
them afterwards did apply themfelves and found mercy, ob-
. taining falvation by his blood, within the arms of the Church ;
and fo, when the time came, fled from the face of that fire,
and efcaped in the time of that deftru&ion j when the Romans,
the fame Iniiruments the jews employed to confume this
G reen-wood, were uled afterwards by God to %ui\ the dry. For
it is obferved, that thofe jews of thechriitianWofeffion, warn-
ed from our Lords prediction , by their retiring betimes out
of
§•94-5 9 5 • our Saviour Jefws Chrift. Part.n. 2 8 1
of the City and out of Judea, were generally preferved.
Thus this Anathema for us was conveyed out of the Holy §. 5,4.
City, or that fhould have bin fo, as an accurled thing; for as ~
the devoted Goat, laden with the iniquities of the children of
Iirael, was carried out ol the Holy Camp Lev. 16. 10; and the
bodies of thofe bealts, which were offered for expiation of fins,
and whofe blood was carried bv the Hish Prieft'berore God in-
h *■ ^
e Sanctuary, were burnt alfo without the Camp, ( It is the
Apoltle's obfervation Heb. 13. 11, 12, 13 ) ; fo was it to be here
in the prototype s whofe Blood was afterward carried into the
Heavenly Sanctuary, to make an atonement tor the world,
and was carried thither b himfelf, the Pneft , as well as the
Sacrifice; none elfe worthy, or Sufficient, for either of thefe.
There they brought him to a rocky Hill on the North-Weft
fide of the City, where, it feems, Executions were ufuallv made,
by the Hebrew name of it Golgotha Signifying a skull, per-
haps, from fome bones of the Malefactors lying fcattered upon
it, where the rock affordeth little conveniency for covering
them. Here, in the foft ftone of the rock were digged leveral
holes, wherein to put the crolTes ; Three fuch are there feen at
this day about Eighteen inches deep ( faith Eugen. Upger.La
ferre SainUe lib. r. cap. 14. ) and nine the Diameter ; and the di-
ftance one from another near two yards ; and, between woof
thefe, a rent or cleft in the rock from the one fide of the Hill
to the other ( which hill runs length-way Northward,) about a
Palmebreath: but the profundity of it, he faith, not discover-
able. And on this fame Hill probably it was, that Abraham
was appointed by God to offer up his only Son Ifaac. For it Gw,2li 2:
was to be upon a certain Hill, that God would fhew him in ter-
ra Morice , or vtfionis, as the land thereabouts was called; of
which Hill* that of Calvary was one: God having placed his
own people and his true worffup in the middle of the Nations
round about E\ec. r. ;. and again Jerufalem in the middle of
this.
Arrived now at the place of his fuffering ; it-isfaid to have $. 9 7.
bin the cuftome of the Jews, from the piecept given them,
Prov. 31.5. ( but fo was it alfo of the Romans from a natural
compaflion,) to .tender to perfons condemned, before the un-
dergoing their torments, fome comforting and ftrengthning
drink; and that ordinarilv mingled with fome aromatical in-
gredients, that had a itupifying quality, and one ot theie to be
Myrrhe.
N n To
2$ 2 The Hiftory of the Life of §«9^-
To obferve the cuftome therefore, and, as it were, to prepare
and ftrengthenour Lord for the great fufferiugs that were to
follow, who was almoft fpent by thofe endured already, and
who but now fainted under his Crofs, they brought him (orae
of this compounded wine j but their malice firft mingled it
with gall: changing this cup, which common pity provided
for the confolation and refreshment of poor condemned per-
ions, into a Naufeating and bitternes not to be endured. A
circumftanceof their barbarous treatment of him, not neg-
lected to be taken notice by the Pfalmiftin the delcription of
hisfufferings: —Dederuntinefcam meant fel&c. Pfal.<S8. 21. for
it was giv^n to him whatever was deferved by us: of whom the
Prophet Jer. 8. 14. Potum dedit nobis aquamfellis , peccavimus
gnim Domino.
Our Lord, though he well knew their inhuman compofition
of this cup, yet to avoid the fhewing any offence or paflion,
tailed it, andconfolated himfelf in calling to mind the pro-
phecy of it j but, here left to his liberty, would not drink it;
though no doubt he then laboured with very great thirft, if we
confider all his former ufage, the time of the year, theclimat,
the crowd about him, no fuftenance fiuce that which hefaid
mould be his laftcup at the Pafchal Supper,- at which time
doubtlefs a cup of cold water would have bin a great refrefh-
ment to him, but none offered it to him. He would not drinkjt,
as no way ferving for that end for which he needed it, the
quenching of thirft ; but rather the contrary ; and again, as not
admitting any artificial means of accelerating his death, or
ftupifyiug hisfenfes ( iffuch a vertue this drink had): for he
knew how great our debt in this kind to his offended Father
was; and defiringto pay it to the uttermoft, would accept no-
thing that might any way lighten, or mitigate it.
$• 96. After this they halting to his Execution, the Centurion with
the reft of the Cohort (landing by as a Guard,four of the mean-
eft of the Soldiers, to whom this bafe imployment might be a
little beneficial, ftript our Lord of all his clothes whatever ,
which fell to their mare, onely putting a fmall cloth over thofe
parts which for decency were to be covered, and leaving him
his Crown of Thornes; the points of which, w.e may imagine,
as fo many weapons flicking in the wounds, and never drawn
outwhilft he lived after thruft into them, caufed a perpetual
torture from the time of his mock-coronation, till his giving up
theGhoft. Thus made naked, and the wounds whichhe had
received
§97* our Saviour Jefut Chrift. Part.n. 283
received but an hour or two before expofed to the cold air, and
made raw again by their pulling away his clothes, that flick-
ing to them ferved him tor a plaifter, they fpread him upon
the wood of the Crofs, and racking his arms to their utmoftex-
tentwith greatfpikesof Iron driven through the pahnesof. his
hands, faftned them to the crofs-piece thereof : and fo alio his
feet, ftretched out, and put one upon the other, with one fpike
driven through them, faftned them to the long beam of the
Crofs ; whilft our Lord without reluctancy permits X them
—facere etiam in fe qucecunque voluerunt Mat. 1.7. 12 j yeilding
his body, and ftretching out his Limbs fo, as they required :
cum pater etur non comminabatur, fed tradebat judieanti j'e injujle
1 Pet. 2. 23. faithS. Peter : and meanwhile, amidft thofe fharp
pains he mult needs feel in thofe molt nervous and fenfib'e
parts, afflicted himfelf for their fins; and, compaffionating their
condition, as he did before in the way that of the Daughters of
ferufalem, he prayed for them to his Heavenly Father; and
pleaded to him their ignorance of what a perfon he was. Pray-
ed for them ; not only for thofe Soldiers, who fo cruelly tortured
him, but for ail whofoever, Jew or Gentile, that had their hands
in his death, faying aloud thofe words which might have melt-
ed down fuch ftony- hearts, -Father , forgive them , for they
know not what they do. Which admirable Pattern of this meek
Lamb of God, who had no gall in him, being fet to all his Fol-
lowers in whatever their fuiferings, the Prophet Efay in his
prophetick Hiftory of hfm chap. 5-}. 12. lets not pafs unmenti-
oned, where he faith ; --Jdeo dijpertiam ei plurimos , £? fortium
dividet fpalia 5 pro eo, quodtradidit in mortem animam fuam, (3
cum feeler atu reputatus eft", fi> peccata multorum [ even of thofe
fcelerati~] tulit, & proTranfgrejforibus rogavit. Whofe prayer
alfo was heard by his Father, not only for the more fimple, but
even for the moft culpably ignorant, fo they were penitent, a
great company of the Priefts alfo afterward becoming obedi-
ent to the Faith. All. 6. And, among others, St. Paul, a great
Perfecutor of our Lord in his Members, faith, he obtained mer-
cy 1 Tim. 1. i3 : Quia nefciens fecit. And S. Peter Acl. 3. invites
the People and their Rulers to repentance for this fad: upon this
account, for that, if they had known who he was, they would
never have done it. And a great relenting and change of mind
was found afterward in many of thofe that ftood by him in
thefe fufferings; feeing the ftrange things thereof, not onely
among the People, but the Roman Soldiers, and their Com-
N n 2 rnander
284 TheHifloryoftheLifeof §-97-
mander, the Centurion; whom the Goipel defcribes beating
their breads, greatly fearing and glorifying God, and confel-
fing him, not only a righteous man, but the Son of God. All
effects doubtieis of this our Lord's prayer on the Crofs.
$• 97- Next, by Pilars order, and according to the cuftome of the
Romans, was faftned alfo to the Crois over our Lord's head a
Title, in great and legible Letters, of the accufation or crime
for which he fuffered ; which Title, that it might be under-
ftood, in that great confluence of ftrangers to this Feaft, by all
that lookedon.it, the Governour ('which was very extraordi-
nary) caufed to be written in the three moft universal lan-
guages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: and it was this; Jefus of
Nazareth the King of the Jews. Many came thither (faith
St. John ) it being fo nigh the City (for now this Sacred Hill
of Calvary is taken into \t) and reading this Title thus ex-
posed in fo many tongues, the chief Friefts much refentedit;
which in plain terms affirmed Jef us to be their King, and made
them the Betrayers and Crucifiers of him. Which Kingfhip.ot
his, it is moll probable from what hath bin faid, that Pilat ve-
rily believed in f uch a fenfe as our Lord had challenged it, and
as he had often confirmed it with Miracles of all forts, not un-
known to Pilat ; and fo indeed held them guilty of his blood,,
whilft he thought himfelf, by his open Declaration, to have
fufficiently cleanfed his hands of it. They therefore haft to
Pilat to procure an alteration of the Title ,• not to run that he
■was, but that he faid he was, their King. From whom they re-
ceived only thisfullen Anfwer, \\\2.lwhat he had written he had
written, that what he had written, mould ftand fo. It being
the Divine pleafure, that without any of their falfe glofTes it
fhould now be publifhed to their fhame who he was ; and how
unjuftly betrayed by them ; viz. the King of Heavens only Son,
Jefur, their Saviour fent with theGofpel of everlafting happi-
nefs and peace, to reign over them for ever, and by them thus
deferred and rejected, tortured, and made away. But Pilat
alfo perhaps might reflect on the loyal fervice herein he might
be thought to have done to the Roman ftatc, in a Nation noted
for rebellion, by his executing their Prince of the race of Da-
vid. And befides, had he corrected the Title to their mind,
namely, that he faid he was fo, confidering in what manner our
Lord both faid it and menaged it, not intermedling at all with
terrene'powers, he had but the more divulged his own inju-
ftice, in taking away his life only for his faying fo. But, what
motives
§.98,99* cmSaviourJefutCbriJi.Vart.ll. 285
motives foever Pilat had of this, he feems guided herein, as Car-
phas in his prophecying , by the Divine hand, that this title
might be prefented by this High Prieft of the new covenant be-
fore the Lord, as was that on Aarons Miter -, Sanftum Domino
Exod.28. 36, 38. whilfthe thus bare the iniquity of the people,
and dyed for them; and Pilat in fome fenfe was thus the firit
Apoftle declaring to the world his Sacred perion.
All thus prepared, and our Lords naked body thus fa fine d , °§. pg.-
the Soldiers railed up him and the Crofs together, and fanned
the foot of it in the hole provided in the Rock. And thus was
this only Son of God, and moft innocent Lamb, like the Serpent
in the Wildernefs, lifted up upon a pole 5 that, as the peoples
lives were faved by beholding the Serpent, fo, what {inner fo-
ever fhould with the Eye of faith look on him thus lifted up,
fhould not perifh, but have eternal life; as once, comparing
himfelf to this Serpent, he faid to Nicodemus. Jo. $. 14,1?.
Thus, out of too much love to us, though equal with God, he
defcended from his Throne above, and emptied hirufelf; be-
came a fervant, orflave fo far, as tobeobedient to the death,
even this death accurfed : and, ftepping in between the Divine
vengeance and us, was voluntarily thus made an Anathema
andCurfein our ftead, and hanged up before the Lord, and
before the Sun; taking the malediction and the handwriting of
the Decree, that was gone forth againft us, away ; and fa fi-
ning it with himfelf unto the Crols, as the Apoftle writes in coL a>H>rf-
contemplation of our Lords paffion : a thing that, when preach-
ed, was a Humbling block to the jews, and foolilhnefs to the
Gentiles ; and a thing ftrangely incredible, at firit, to the Hea-
then alfo now, whom the Churche s Mifiioners endeavour to
convert to Chnftianity.
Our Lord thus fecured, the four Soldiers,, his Executioners, §-99-
went to divide the poor fpoil they had taken from him, his
Garments, which God his Fathermight now behold, as Jacob
that of his dearly loved Jofeph, all befmeared, not with a coun-
terfeit, as Jofephs was, but his own, blood j whilft he fo alfo
hung by them cruelly murdered. His Garment, we may ima-
gine, was fuch as the meaner people of Galilee and his Difci-
ples wore. An outer loofe garment having at the bottom four
skirts; ieeDeut. 22. 12 ', and a coat clofertohis body; and, it
feems, his was made a knit one, all in one piece, as Waft-cotes
ufe to be; perhaps the work^of his poor Mother, the Blefled Vir-
gin, for fecuring him the more againft cold ; who often lodged
abroad
286 The Hiflory of the Life of §. i o o .
abroad a-nights, not having where elfe to lay his head. Whe-
ther our Lord hadanylinnen under this dole cote, either co-
vering his whole body, or at leaft the fecret parts \ or, whether
this knit coat was next his body and another coat over it, is
iomewhat uncertain.
His outer garment made of four pieces the Soldiers divided
into four parts, to fhare it equally ; but the coat, not dividable
without fpoiling it, they cart lots for ; and io fulfilled that pro-
phecy Pfal. 21. 19. very punctually, as to all the circumftances
• of onr Lords fufferings, —They divided my garments and on my
vejture cajl Lets. Thus our Lord law his poor goods, all he
had, feized on, and diftributed before his face* but, as God
would not fuffer them to break a bone of him , fo neither
to tear his coat : a Type of his Church , which will never
admit any Schifm ; and they, that offer to tear it, ceafe to be
$. ioo. ofit.
Whilft our patient Lord hung thus before them languifhing
in his mortal torments, one of which was the perfect enjoy-
ment, in this manner of deaiii, ofhisfenfes, hearing, and fee-
ing all the fad things that paffed about him, the Evangelilts
relate, how by the Devils inftigation all manner of perfons,
when no other cruelty remained unexecuted, fell on railing
and infulting over him j and (hot out their arrows againft him,
»thus fet up as a mark for them, even bitter words, and with thele
afflicted him, whom God had thus wounded: fulfilling herein
. punctually the many prophecies in thePfalmsand elfewhere
foretelling this; So —omnes ( faith the mourning Pfalmiftj vi-
dentes me deriferunt me : locuti Junt labiis, & moverunt caput ,
aperuerunt juper me os fuum, Jicut Leo rapiens & rugiens ,• fubfan-
naverunt me jubfannatione j frenduerunt fuper me dentibus fuis ,
dilatavermit fuper me ; dixerunt Euge, Euge. —Pfal. <S8. 2J". Sufli-
nui, quifimul contrijtaretur, & nonfuit : & qui confolaretur, & non
invent Plal. 108. 2. Locuti junt a dverfum me lingua dolofa, G?
fermonibus odii circumdederunt me : and fo Pfal. 30.14. Audivi
vituperationem multorum commorantiumin circuitu. Et ego f alius
Jum opprobrium Mis : viderunt me., & moverunt capita fua. Where
alfo their very words Mat. 27. 43. —He truj/ed in God, Let him
deliver him now, if he will have him, for he (aid, lam the Son of
God, are fet down Pfal. 21. 9. Speravitin Domino, eripiat eum;
falvum faciat eum, quoniamvult eum. And fo Pfal. 3. 3. Rfulti
dicunt anima mere, non eftfalus ipfi in Deo ejus : and fo in Wifdom
chap. 2. 16, Gloriatur patrcm je habere Deum, videamus ergo Ji
fermones
§.ioo. cur Saviour Jefut drift . Part. ri. 287
fermones illim vert /int. —Si enim efi verus filim Dei, fufcipiet il-
ium, & liberal 'it ilium de manibm contrariorum. Contumelia G?
tormento interrogemus eum, & probemus paticntiam Mins. Morte
turpijjima condemnemus eum : erit enim ei refpeilus [_ apuA Deum ]
ex Jermonibus fuis [i. e. ifwe may believe his words ]. Thus the
Holy Ghoft forefaw and foretold thefe. their Blafphemies ; and,
whilft fuch ungrateful treatment added to his anguifh, the ful-
filling thefe proprieties yeilded him great conlolation. Thus
was he exclamed on by all manner of people ; fuftiauit quijimul
contrijtaretur, (3 nonfuit : by the cheit Pnefts, and Scribes, and
Elders ( faith the Evangelift ) ; who, not fatiate.d with their for-
mer cruelties, itleems, came hither alfo to fee him dy ; by the
common people ; by the Roman Soldiers ; acting here the fe-
cond part of that they had done in the Pr/etorium to this their
mock-king; by the PafTengerson the high way ,- ourLord be-
ing crucified near the road, that paffed to Shiloh and Gibeon :
Laftly, by the very Thief, in the mid ft of his like torments t by
all thefe jeering at his pretenfions of being Chrift, and the King
of Ifrael, ( taking Pilats fuperfcription alfo for a mock) at his
making himielf the Son of God, and his conftant faith and truft
in him j and that, iince he had fo near a relation to God, they
would fain fee now, if his God would deliver him; jeering at
his former good works and Miracles ; and that, fince he was fo
bountiful ofthem toward others, they would fain fee him now
do one upon himfelf; unpin his nails, and defcend from the
Crofs ; at his vain boafting to deftroy the Temple, and rebuild
it in three dales ( for it feems this, for want of worfe, was fpread
amongft all the People, for his great crime; for it was the paf-
fengersonthe high- way that twitted him with it, whilft in-
deed they themfelves were now acting that thing he foretold
of, their deftroying the Sacred Temple of his Body ) ; that now
therefore he mould repair his own mines : Ah, thou that defirey-
ejl theTemple and buildefiit in three dales &c. jeering at his be-
ing Jefm the Saviour of the world ; that now therefore he mould
fhew it, and fave himfelf. Such were their fcoffings : fomewhat
likeSatans former jeers in the Defert ( whofe alfo thefe were j
That, fince he was Gods Son, he fhouid make the Stones there
Bread, and he fhouid throw himfelf down from the pinnacle,,
to be held up by Angels &c; and fuch as thofe, wherewith he
ufually afHi&s the Members of Chrift when on their death-bed ;.
reprefenting , in thofe their prefent fufferings , their former
hope and Faith in God as vain. The Thief alio hanging by
him;
2 8 8 The Hiftory of the Life of §. i oo.
him, inthemidftof his own like torments, could not foj-bear,
now defpairing of the hopes he had of deliverance by him, fa-
mous tor Miracles, but feil alfoon mocking him, and asking
him, if he were the Chriit-, why he did not iavehimfelf, and
them? But the penitent Malefactor on the other hand, whofe
heart God had touched, amidit iomany blaiphemies, to Glo-
rify and conrels our Lord, feeing his filence, fell -on rebuking
Ins Fellow ; and asked him, if he at leaft, whilft others, at liber-
ty, laid what they plealed, had no more tear of God, efpecially
being himlelf in the fame fad condemnation, and jultly, for his
• wicked deeds, and io near his End, than to fall on railing up-
on an innocent and juftperion, that had done nothing amiis;
inftead of acknowledging and confeiling his own Guilt > And,
this laid to his Fellow Their, he with a (trong faith beleiving
our Lord to be indeed what he was, -the Chnft, the Son of God,
the Saviour of the world, theKingof Iirael, began to make
his humble AddrefTes to him; and defired that he would re-
member him when he came into his Kingdom. A lhipendious
faith, and divinely inspired, now, when he law our Lord upon
the very loweft ftep ot his humiliation; now, when faith per-
haps failed his very Apoftles. Yet there wanted not alio fome
external excitements, that might partly raife iuch a devotion
in him to our BlelTed Lord: as, perhaps the great tame of his
former Sanctity, and Miracles; and alio many circumftances ,
which hebeheld, of his paflion,- hisdivine patience and meek-
nefs; his companionate and prophetick Ipeeches to the women
of Jerufalem, which lamented him ; his praying for his ene-
mies, when they nailed him to his Crofs,- his admirable (ilence
to lo many unjuft reproaches, and particularly to that of his '
fellow-thief. To whom our Lord gracioully promiied , and
that with an Amen, that he fruuild be remembred ,- and that
very day be with him, his Lord, in the hea-venly Paradife, ap-
pointed for the reception ot all blefled Souls till the Rekimp-
tion of their bodies ; applying the merits of this his paflion to
that poor Wretch, which firit humbly acknowledged his own
fins and demerits, in laying,- avdive ind edjujily ; and then, con-
felling our Lord's innocency, and perional dignity, implored
his mercy. And thus was the faving of this believing Thief
the fir It fruits, as it were, of the infinite benefits to mankind of
thefe our Lords lurferings ,■ and the early pledg of that eternal
mercy, which all penitent finners mould receive from him to
the worlds end.
All
§.ioo. our Saviour JeJ "ws Chrift. Part.n.
All this while ftood, firft at a greater diftance, then nearer
the Crofs, as their fears, or the Soldiers fiercenefs, or the crowds
of people, grewlefs, the Holy Virgin the fad Mother of our
Lord x and the Women, our Lords former Attendants, that
accompanied her ; among whom was Mary Magdalen , and
Mary of Cleophas our BlefTed Lady's fifter-in-Iaw, her husband
being brother, or elfe ihe fitter, to Jofeph ; which Mary was the
Mother alio or James the lefs, and Joles, and Simon, and Ju-
das, that were called our Lords Brethren,- i.e. nearKinfmen,
by the relation they had to Jofeph. For, if this Mary had bin
the BlefTed Virgin's own filler, her Name would not have bin
alio Mary ; this being not ufual,or convenient to call two filters,
undiftinguifhable, by the fame Name. There was alfo prelent
Salome, John's Mother, and others;, and John likewife our
Lords beloved Diiciple (whofe confidence above the reft we law
in the High Priefts Palace ) was there with them j but, likely,
none other of the Eleven, at leaft lo near ; affraid of being ap-
prehended , if they mould have appeared ; and perhaps John
more prefuminghere, as in the Palace, becaufe known to the
High Prieft. Here then ftood the fad Mother of our Lord, be-
holding and hearing all that was done to, andfaid againft, her
Son ; with the like patience and refignation, as he fuffered it :
and ready with Abraham, for the love of God, to have offered
him up her felf, had he commanded it. Here (lie and the reft
heard alfo that admirable confeffion of our Lord by the peni-
tent Thief, and our Lord's gracious anfwer to him, which muft
needs be a great confolation to them. After which Anfwer,
our Lord, looking down upon his Mother, and compaffionating
her condition, as well as Grief, /pake to her firft, and calling
hztWaman, perhaps for preventing thofe affronts, to which her
near relation to him, hated of all, ifithadbin known, made
her liable, recommended'John his beloved Difciple to her love
and affection, inftead of himfelf, as one that thence forward
would perform the duty andobfervanceto her of a Son; and
then fpeaking to John, recommended to him the care, and
providing for her ("now aged about fifty, and a defolace wi-
dow, Joleph being formerly dead, and now alfo heronly Son
taken fromher) as his Mother, he being a fingle perfon, and
Virgin, as fhe; and havingno Wife or family of his own to
take care of, as many others had; and by reafon of his wealthy
parents (out of which wealth alfo Johns mother formerly made
provifion many times for our Lord ) having the command
Oo qf
290 The Hi/lory of the Life of §. 1 o 1 , 1 0 2#
of fo much maintenance as was neceflary for their decent f ub-
fiftance.
Which recommendation of our BlefTed Lady to John fhews,
that, notwithstanding the mention we find of her filter and
four of our Lords Brethren, yet that they were not of fo near a
Relation, as that our Lords Mother, after the death of Jofeph,
had any family of her own ; orthefehad any conftant habita-
tion with her, foasthatfhe might rather have bin committed
to their care and provifion in her now declining age.
§. 101. Our Lord, having thus made his -Will, and difpofed of his
onely charge his dear Mother, whom St. John took to himfelf,
and ferved with all fidelity, and fuppliedwith all neceffaries
till her death, fpake not at all after this for near the fpace of
three hours, from about the fixth till the ninth hour, a little be-
fore he gave up the Ghoft ; but, continuing in filence , and
prayer, and his countenance lift up towards heaven, went on
finifhingthat Sacrifice which was to be the redemption of the
world : confuming and melting away in the flames of Gods
wrath toward finners ; now, in its effects, feizing on him in their
ftead, for all the offences of all mankind that had or mould be.
When, as he grew nearer to his end, the Sun, now at midday
fee Amos 8.9. and when not capable of any natural Ecclipfe; the
Moon being now at the full, and at its greateft diftance from
it, began tobedarkned, and to lofe its light ; this nobleft body
of the Creation fympathizing, as it were, with its Lord, and co-
vering its face atiuchahorrid Spectacle*, and indicating to the
hard-hearted Spectators the true Sun of righteoufnels, and that
true Light, that enlightneth every one that cometh into this
world, to be now fetting, and its glory ecclipfed fo far, as the
malice of the Prince of Darknefs and his Inftruments could ef-
fect it: and intimating now alfo the cheif reign of the power
of darknefs permitted by God to the Prince thereof.
f, 102. All things were now full of terrour and amazement, and
— mens hearts with fear began now to melt and relent, and their
former taunts and merriments to be changed into a deep fi-
lence, and expectation what would be the IfTue , fufpecting
more miraculous things to follow j when, about the ninth hour,
or three of the clock in the afternoon, the folemn time of of-
fering up the Evening Sacrifice, our Lord when now feeming to
be quite fpent, and near his expiration, cried out with aloud
and ftrong voice, and fuch as was not ufual-to fuch a manner of
death (exhaufting all their fpiritsand ftrength before taking
away
I . •
1
§.102. cur Saviour Jefut Chrift. Part. n. 291
away their life ) to fhew, that he laid his life down, not com-
pelled, but when he pleafed, though without fhortning the time
of the fufferings belonging to that cruel death ; and to teftify
alfo, againft Hereticks, the Reality oi his fufferings, faying with
great force, that all the multitude heard him, thofe firft words
of the Pialm penned by the Holy Ghoft for a Defcription of his
Paflion, Eloi, Eloi, lamma SabbaBhani f My God My God why hafi
thou forjaken me f expreffing the laft pangs of death now ap-
proaching, and the inexplicable torments and anguifhof Body
and Soul due to our fins that now lay upon him : which he calls
his (ins in the following part of this verfe of that mourning
Pfalm f longe afalute mea verba deliUorum meorum ] and which
fin of ours made this patient Lamb of God; after three hours
filence, fo break out into this complaint under them: where
more greivous than the corporal fufferings was the interior an-
guifhof Spirit; in his Divinity its fufpendingfrom his Humanity
all thofe confolations, which might any way relieve its forrows,
and with which hisServants in their greatelf iufferings are ufu-
allyrefrefhed. This, like to that his Agony in the Garden; but
now without an Angel; where the Apoftles mention ( Heb.j.7.)
of our Lord, in the dates of his flejb offering up to God prayer and
fupplications with ftrong cryes and with tears, may well be un-
derftood, as of the tears, and prayers, and ftrong cryes, made
and flied in the Garden, fo of thefe now iterated on the Crofs:
for the weight of Gods wrath, lying on our fins which he aflum-
ed, is inexplicable.
Theie words of that prophetick Pfalm might have hint-
ed to the learned High Priefts and Elders, that the Tra-
gedy of this Pfalm was juft now acted, and lively exprelfed in
every part of it: and they thofe miferable Wretches by whofe
perfections this prophecy was fulfilled -, and fo might have be-
gotten fome compunction in them. But, either they, fo blind-
ed as not to underftand thofe words, or the other common-
people at leaft miftaking them, nor knowing them for the be-
ginning of the Pfalm, and hearing them pronounced with fuch
a loud voice, thought, from thefimilitudeofthe word Eloi twice
repeated, that our Lord called upon Elias; that he would not
forfakehim in this his mifery, but come to help him. For, it
was the common belief that Elias was yet alive in his body, and
was to return among them to rectify all things before the com-
ing of the Meffias ; the darkning of the Sun alfo filled them full
of wonder, and expectation of fome other ftrange things ; their
O02 hearts
292 The Hi/lory of the Life of §. 1 03.
hearts alfo now being fomewhat mollified and beginning to en-
tertain another opinion of our Lord, than not long before.
3- T°3* After this our Lord, entring into his laft Agony, laid, Itbirfi;
as if it were to accomplifli the drinking up the laft dregs and
portion that remained of the cup of Gods wrath againft fin-
nersj remembring the words that follow in the fame prophe-
tick Tfalm verf. 16. Aruit tanquamtejia virtus mea, & lingua
mea adhcefitfaucibusmeis: & inpulverem mortis &c. and Plalm.
6%. 22. potaverunt me aceto. And, there being a vefTel of vine-
gar or fmall four Wine, with which mingled with water the
Soldiers and common people ufed to quench their thirft, one of
the By-ftanders, running and drenching a f ponge in it, put this
upon the top of a long reed, and fo applied it to our Lords
mouth (the darknefs now diminifhing ) to refrefh him, and
prolong his life a little, in expectation of what perhaps Elias
would do for him ; whether he would come at laft, and take
his Fellow-prophet down from the Crofs. After our Lord had
received the Vinegar, which was as it were the laft dregs of the
bitter cup, prepared for him by hisheavenly Father to drink,
hefaidthofe precious words fo fullofconfolation to poor fin-
ners, conjummatum eji ; that all was finifhed ; a Pajfiones conjum-
mavinowj as he faid ane/w confummavi, before he entred on
hispaffionyo.17. All the prophecies being now fulfilled, the
Sacrifice offered, and the Ranfome of mankind from Gods wrath,
and the Prince of Darknefs, and from eternal Death, fully paid.
And fo with another loud and ftrong voice like the former, re-
commending his now departing Spirit into the hands of his ce-
leftial Father, in the words again of the pfalmift, changing
Domine there into Pater, and exhibiting this as the laft act of
his dutiful fubmiffion to all his Will, he pronounced thofe laft
words of his on the Crofs: Inmanus tuas Pater commendo fpiri-
tum meum Pfal.30. And fo meekly bowing down his head ('which
perhaps hitherto was held erected towards heaven in prayer
fee Heb. j. y.) gave up the Ghoftj not when the torments of
death forced it away, but when he pleafed, feeing all now ful-
filled, voluntarily to regive it: Shewing, in his ftrong out-cries,
his miraculous power and ftrength to have kept it longer in be-
ing ; about the ninth hour, the time of offering up the Evening
Sacrifice, and in the end of the fixth day of the week, as en-
tring into his Sabboathof reft. The two Malefactors that fuf-
fered with him being both yet alive ,• not that our Lord any way
abbreviated for himfelf the torments of this cruel death, but
that
^.I04« our Saviour JefusChrift. Part. II. 293
that the barbarous ufage of him all that day and the night pre-
cedent without any fuftenance, refrefhment, or repofe, and the
lofs of fo much blood under his coronation, and fcourging,
had fo debilitated and exhaufted him ( which was alfo feen in
his fainting under the Crols ) that thele his laft torments on the
Crofs mull needs have a ipeedier period, unlefs he mould have
continued his life by miracle.
All the paflionsof our Lord thus at laft come to an End, and §. 104.
his bloody Sacrifice for our redemption fiuifhed, the Sun, which
feemed this while to have fympathized with his fufferings, be-
gan to recover its ftrength ; and now the infernal powers of
darknefs, their hour expired, to quake, and tremble, and with
them the Earth alfo to make in fuch a manner, that the Rocks
were rent afunder with it ; and particularly that of Mount Cal-
vary, where our Lord fuffered, cleft aiunder fome two or three
foot from the hole wherein our Lords Crofs was faftned, from
one (ideof the Hiil to the other, to be feen at this day,- gaping
about an hand breath ; and the depth of it not to be founded.
Yet theinfinit mercy andlong-furfering of God, who, to fhew
hisdifpleafure, rent the rocks, forbare to take prefent venge-
ance on the Murderers of our Lord, giving them longer time to
repent; as fome of them alfo did. The veil of the Temple al-
fo, remote from this place and ftanding at the other fide of
the City, was rent in two, faith the Evangelift, from the top to
the bottom. Which veil divided the Sativum Sanfforum, where
was the Ark, the fymbol of Gods prefence, from the outer Tem-
ple j and into which the High Prieft entred only once every
year, carrying in thither the blood of the Sacrifice to fprinkle
it before the Ark on the folemn day of Expiation. The rent-
ing of which Veil, at this time, was very fignificative of the ef-
fects of our Lords paflion :
1. To (hew now an end and confummation, andfo Abolifh-
ment of all the former Typical Ceremonies of the Mofaical
Law ; this new High Prieft fucceeding and abrogating now the
former Aaronical Priefthood ; who , having offered the only
pleafing Sacrifice toGod on the Altar of the Crofs, wastoenter
with the blood of it into the celeftial SanHum Sanftorum, and
there, with it fprinkled before God's Throne, to make an at-
onement for the fins of the whole world. Who ( faith the Apo-
flle much profecuting this matter in his Epiftle to the Hebrews )
took away the flrft covenant, that he might eftablifh another
following: and dedicated to us a new and living way of accefs
CO
294 The Hiflory of the Life of §.105.
to the throne of Grace, and entrance into the Holy of Holies,
through the veil [ or his Deity] that is, his Flejh $ which veil
alio was rent on the Crois, the members or the body rent firft,
and at Iaft his foul alfo rent from the Body. And chap. $>. n.
tic. Who ( faith he ) an High Prieft of good things to come, by
the Holy Ghoft offered himfelf unfpotted to God, and fo by
[ or through ] a more ample and more perfect Tabernacle not
made with hands [i. e. the Heavens verf. 24.] nor by [or
with] the blood of Goats, or Calves, but by his own blood en-
tred into the Holies, eternal redemption being thus found and
effected.
2. Again; tofhew, that the Partition was now taken away
between Jew and Gentile ; and his fervice no longer confined
to his Temple at Jerufalem ; but that it was to be every where
equally accepted of him, and his Church tobefpread over the
whole world, and a general and free accefs admitted for all
people to God the Father, and to the Divinity, through this
veil of our Lords humanity : —Neither Jew nor Greeks faith the
Apoftle, Gal. 3.28. neither bondnor free&c. now; Butall onein
Chrift. Wherefore our Lord foretold to the Samaritan woman
(^0.4.) That the time was coming, when they mould neither
in that Mount of Samaria, the Temple of Garizim, nor yet at
Jerufalem, rrorjbip the Fathers but the true worfhippers mould
worfhip him [ every where, not with carnal Sacrifices any more,
but] in fpirit and in truth.
3. Tofignify, that God was now departed from the Jews,
and left the place of his former refidence amongft them; (as
alfo Jofephus faith, that a little before the deftrudtion of the
City a voice was heard in the Temple, Eamus hinc ) • becaufe
they had forfaken his laws, refufed theGofpd, and crucifyed
his Son, for which this Garment of the Temple was alfo rent, as
in a time of Mourning.
£. joy. Whilft thefe things happened, the Roman Centurion, that
ftood over againlt the Crois of our Lord, and commanded the
Guards which watched him , having learnt before both from
their mocking, and from his accufationin the Court, that he
made himfelf the Son of God, and hearing from him fuch a
loud and ftrongCry at his giving up the Ghoft, and confider-
ingthedarknedSun, the Earth-quake that followed it, and the
Luk. 2347. renting the very rock he ftood upon, furprized with great fear,
in the midftof thefe hard-hearted Spectators, Glorified God,
faith St. Luke ; and faid, that certainly, this ivas a righteous man :
Nay
^.io 6. eur Saviour JefusChriJf.Tart.il. 295
Nay farther, confefled, that furely he was the Son of God ( as he
had, in his arraignment, confefled himfelf to be): and the
Guards alfo that attended t-ere, foreaffraid, made the fame
confeffion with their Commander, faith another Evangelift;^, 17-
that truly he was the Son of God. The common people alfo, that
came together to this fight, filled with terror, and their hearts
accufing them i~>r what they had either done or confented to,
not making their heads at him, as they had done a few hours
before in derifion, but fmiting their breafb, went away mourn- Mat 27. 39
ing and forrowful, as they came full of jeers and merriment.
Our Lord's bleffed Mother, and the other Galilean women, $• t0^-
his former Attendants, and St. John, flood there ftill by him j
though not having fo much as his dead body in their power,
nor knowing how to recover it out of the hands of Juftice ; but
waiting 0/ the Divine providence and good pleafure concern-
ing it. To whom it was fome confolation, to fee his heavenly
Majefty fhew himfelf by thefe firange accidents fo fenfible of
the cruel execution of his only Son ; and to hear, after that of
the penitent Malefactor, the confeffion of our Lords Deity
come from thofe (trangers, the Roman Centurion and Soldi-
ers i and to behold the peoples refentmentat lalt of their for-
mer cruelties done to him j though now too late for the prefer-
vationof his life.
Meanwhile,of the repentance and relenting of the Governors
of the Jews we hear nothing j who, probably, in feeing thefe
wonders, faidof thefe at his death, as they had of thofe in his
life j that all came from the Devil ; That this darknefs, Earth-
quake, and renting the Rocks, were effects of the rage of Sa-
tan, thus deprived bv their Juftice of his prime Minifter and
Inftrument for overthrowing of their law: or elfe, that they
were expreffions of the Divine difpleafure againft fuch an 1m-
poftorandBlafphemer : as almoft all prodigies and ftrange ac-
cidents receive a double and contrary interpretation, as the
perfonwifheth their prognostication ( and fo predictions hin-
der not events, though, after thefe, they manifeft the divine
predifpofal of them): wherein alfo they were the more con-
firmed by that high afront, that feemed to be done to his Di-
vine Majefty in the renting of the Sacred Veil that covered his
Sacred prefence in the Temple. For otherwife, if this man
had bin io dear and nearly related to God, why did he not ra-
ther lave his life ? And, if thefe things were done by his power,
why not he rather by it unfaften his nails, and defcend from the
crofs } Thete
296 The Hi/lory of the Life of §.107,108.
$. 107. Thefe Governors therefore nothing difmayed, and, as reli-
gious obfervers in every thing of their law, halted to Pilat to
requeft him for the taking down of the Malefactors from the
Crofs afToon as might be ; left their hanging longer might pol-
lute that great high Feftival that approached, which began
overnight at the Vefpers of the former day. On which day
alio, being the Sabbath, they might not be taken down ,- which
alfo was defired, according to what God had exprefly com-
manded in Deuteronomy, chap. 21. 23. that the body ihould
not remain all night upon the Tree: but that they mould in
any wife bury it that day ( for he that is hanged is accurfed of
God ) that the land might not be defiled ;* Thus the Text.
They belought him, therefore, that, though fome of them not
yet dead , they might by all means be taken down, having
their legs firft broken to hinder, if any ftrength yet left in them,
their efcape from the Guards; well knowing alfo, that their
cheifeft prize, our Lord, was made fure, and dead already: the
mangling of whofe body alfo thus, though no torment, yet
might be a further difgrace. The Roman Governour at their
requeft prefently fending fuch order to the Soldiers of break-
ing the Malefactors legs, and taking them away, they executed
it upon the two Thieves, who they law as yet have fome life in
them ; but, when they came to our Lord already deceafed ,
they forbarethis; becauie indeed it was his Fathers good plea-
fure that his body fliould not be mangled, nor a bone of him
broken,- which was alfo punctually obferved in the rolled "Pa-
fchalLamb, the Type of him. This thing was done, faith St.
Jo. 19-16. John, that the Scripture might be fulfilled ; A bone of him jh all
Exod. 1246. not be hroj^n j to which end alfo his death was haftened ; inflict-
ed on the others in whom they perceived fome life.
§• 108. Thus our Lord s Body, in which were to remain the fears of
his Paflion, being not disfigured by any bone broken, only one
of the Soldiers wantonly with his Lance pierced his fide; from
the opening of which guflit out a ftream of blood ( greater
doubtlefs then what the piercing of a dead body could natu-
rally fend forth) falling down, and poured out, as that of the
Sacrifices was, at the foot of this Altar, on which this Lamb of
God was laid. Our Lord by this precious ftream warning away
all our filthinefs ; and this his blood fpilt, not as Abels calling
aloud for vengeance, but pardon. Of which what can we
imagine lefs, than that it was, though invifibly, received and
recollected by the Angels 5 aud fo afterwards prelented by
our
^. 1 09,1 io. our Saviour Jefut Chri/l. Part.n. 297
our afcendingLord in the Sativum Sanctorum, not made with
hands, above, when heentred into it before the Throne of God
his Father : whereby the Celeftials themfelves are faid to be pu-
rified and prepared for our Lords Pontifical fervice of Inter-
ceffion for us there Heb.9.2 3 .-which /printing of the blood ofjefus
upon us ( faith St. Peter 1 Pet. 1.2.) SanBifieth us with hit fpirit.
And we are now eome to the Mediator of the new Tejlament, and to
the fprinkfing of blood, that fpea^s better things than that of A-
bels, faithS. Paul. HeK 12.24. and. by which blood we alfo have
confidence of entring into the Sanclum Sanclorum ; now with our
prayers, hereafter with our perions. Heb.io. 19.
Together with this ftream of blood gufhed out alfo another §. 109^
very Miraculous ftream of water ; diftin&from it : for other-
wile, by reafon of the ftrong tincture of blood, this water could
not have bindifcerned, if mingled with it. A Type of which
was Mofes his fmiting the rock, and the water gufhing out,
whereof the Apoftle alfo fpeaking faith, the roch^was Chrifl
1 Tor. 10.4. And thefe two, the water and blood, lively repre-
fentedthe two Sacraments, left by our Lord to the Church for
the cleanfing of fin, and commemoration of his death ; the
Sacrament of Baptifm, and of theEuchanft. And thus, asout
of Adams fide, when lying a fleep, was formed his Wife Eve- fo
by the water and blood ifluing out of Chrifts, lying in the ileep
of his death, was formed in thefe two Sacraments his Spoule
the Church: regenerated in the one by Chrifts Spirit; and nou-
rifhed in the other with his grace, redeemed' by the fhedding of
blood i and cleanfed by the water.
St. John, a fpe&ator all this while and diligent obferver of §. no.
all that patted, takes great notice of this with thefe words con-
cerning it, —Andhe that faw it bare record, and knoweth that he
faith truet that we might believe. By which he faith, the Pro-
phecies were fulfilled, that the Executioners mould pierce his
Sacred body, butnot break a bone ; and faith, that this water,
and blood, in the two Sacraments, and the plentiful effufion,
that was not long after accompliih'd at Pentecoft, of the Holy
Ghojl, and which alfo continues to the end of the world, beget-
ting and nourifliing children to God, joined with them, are
the three WitnefTes that here on Earth give teftimony continu-
ally of this redemption: which the fame Evangelift, that faw
this, profecutes alfo thus in one of his Epift'es, ijo.f.6,%. This is
he that came by water and blood, Jefus Chriit : not in wat r only,
but in water and blood s and\_ in thefe ] it is the Spirit that tcftfy-
P p etb,
298 The Hiftory of the Life of §. 1 1 1 .
eth, that Chrijl is the Truth. For there be three that give tefimony in
Earth, the Spirit^ ater, a/id Blood; Thus S. John. Meanwhile, ab-
ltradting from this contemplation, we may imagine what aru-
f ul Spectacle this was to our BJeiTed Lady and the women with
her, ia beholding fuch barbarous cruelty ufed to her Son, even
after his death , and his mod precious blood fo fpilt on the
ground.
§. in. Whilft thefe things palled, Jofeph of Arimathca, a noble
Senator, and one of the great Council of the Sanedrim, a good
man and a juft ( faith S. Luke chap. 2 3 . fo. of him ) one who had
notconfented to their Counfel and doings, but expected the
Kingdom of God j formerly a Difciple aliootour Lord, but
fecretly, as alfo was another great man, Nicodemus, for fear of
the Jews j their eftates, and their Efteem, left either mould be
loft, making them more timorous: this Nobleman, refiding
conftantly in Jerufalem and rich, had in a garden of his,clofe by
the place of our Lord's execution, newly caufed to be hewed
out of the foft rock of the hill a Monument or Sepulcher for
himfeif: but ordained by the divine predeiignment for the in-
terring of our Lord's body near hand, fothat all things might
the better ferve for the evidence of his eniuing Refurre&ion.
He therefore, though fo timorous before, and who had now
alfoafpecial reafon of not touching or coming near a dead
corps, becaufe of eating the Pafchal Lamb at even, prohibited
to any unclean, ( as thofe were to be for feven daies that touch-'
ed a dead body Numb. 19. 14.) yet, probably, much animated
both by our Lords patient and innocent fufferings \ and, be-
fides his former Doctrine and Miracles, the many figns hefaw
now from Heaven and Earth of the tranfcendent dignity of his
perfon, and that he was what he believed him to be; having
heard alfo of the order oftheperfons executed their being pre-
fently taken down, or perhaps being one of them alio that
procured it, boldly, faith the Text, went in to Pilat to beg our
Lord's Body of him, though well forefeeing he muft incur a
great hatred from the cheif of the Jews his acquaintance here-
in. Pilat, after he had called the Centurion, and certainly in-
formed himfeif of his being already dead, and no defign here-
in of faving his life, freely gratified him with it, and com-
manded it fhould be delivered him; not prohibiting him a de-
cent Burial, whom he had alwaies efteemed an innocent per-
fon.
' That Jofeph might not undergo this fad office alone with-
out
§.H2. cur Saviour Jefut Chrift.Vm. u. 299
out a companion, and for the greater honour of our Lords fu-
neral, the time of whofe humiliation was now expired with his
death ; Nicodemus, another great perfon, one that had for-
merly by night converfed with our Lord, and alfo in the Coun-
cil fpoken in his defence John 7. ?i ; and probably more fami-
liarly acquainted with Jofeph, by reafon of their condifciple-
fhip, joined with him in this lervice : mutually encouraging one
another againft the Priefts and Elders of the Jews, who muft
needs be much difpleafed with this fa<5t, as upbraiding them
with theMurther, if notof theMeffias, ora Prophet, yet, ofa
juft perfon. Jofeph therefore fuddenly prepared fine linnen
for a Syndon, and Nicodemus a great quantity of Spices, ('about
an hundred pound weight, faith the Text ) and (0 coming to
Calvary by the Governours authority, took down the naked
body from the Crofs, and, removing it into Jofeph's Garden
clofe by, probably there performed to it all the ufual Ceremo-
nies before burial; warning his ftripes and wounds; and clean-
ing it from all thofe indignities, the malitious Jews and Sol-
diers had done to it } anointing it with fweet Oyles, and wrap-
ping it in the linnen filled with the fpices and fweet odours ,
and binding a Napkin about his head ( ufed for hindring the
falling of the Jaws,); all, to make good that in the Prophet
Efay 11. 10. Et erit Sepulchrum ejus rrloriofum. In which office
we may imagine thefe great perfons were affifted, as with their
Servants, fowith the help of the blefTed Mother of our Lord,
and S.John, ( more punctually relating this ftory than the reltj
who, we may not think, left our Lord after expired ; but wait-
ed ftill in the fame place, to obferve how God would difpofe of
his Sacred Body ; and no doubt were much comforted in fee-
ing that authority committed into the hands of thofe honou-
rable perfons, our Lords Devotes, and formerly known to them
as fuch.
The Body, thus decently and fumptuoufly accommodated, J. 112,
was prefently carried by this fmall train of Mourners, and laid
in the new hewn Sepulcher near at hand ; a place, as conveni-
ent for the future events of our Lords Refurrection , fo a Mo-
nument durable and not fubject to ruin, as other the nobleft
Sepulchers ordinarily are. For what more permanent: than a
Cave made in a Rock ? but fuch ( as alfo the place wherein he
firftlay, when he came into the world, the Ma ager ) that might
continue to all pofterity, and fuch as remains to this day, and is
continually vifited by a great confluence of devout Clinicians:
Pp z be;ng
; 300 The Hiftory of the Life of §.119.
being only fix footfquare, and eight foot high, and the en-
trance into it on the Baft-fide about three foot high, and three
foot three inches broad. On the right fide of which Sepnlcher
from the entrance the Sacred body of our Lord was placed,
fee Mar{. 1 6. j. compared Jo. 20. 12, with his head toward the
Weft. After this the door or mouth of the Cave was (hut up,
and fenced with a ma fly piece of rock cut out for the purpofe;
not to be removed but by the help of many hands; to hinder
any violation of the Sepulcher, or Body ; or robbing itofthofe
coftly ijnrien and f pices, that mould be beftowed upon it. Such
a cave it was, where Lazarus was buried, Jo. 1 t. 38, ?i, 41. with
a great Stone rolled upon the entrance into it ,• which our Lord
then commanded to be removed; and our Lords railing of
him, a lively type of the fame thing he would fhortly after
perform in railing himfelf. Meanwhile, thole women, our
Lords former Difciples and Attendants, that affifted not in this
action, keeping fome diftance, perhaps inrefpecl of thele ho-
nourable perfons, with whom they had no acquaintance, ob-
ferved all that was done ; where their Lord was laid , and how
the Sepulcher made fall: and, it being now too late, becaufe
night approached, they intended, after the Sabbath ended, to
exprefs their lad love and affe&ion totherdear Lord alfo, in
bringing fome more fweet odours and fpices for preferving
and perfuming of his Sacred body, and the narrow roorae ,
where it lay ,• more to fhew the honour and devotion they bare
to it, and once more to behold, to touch, andkifsthofe moft
holy Relicks, than that there was now need of any more fuch
colt.
$1*13. Thus our fo cruelly murthered Lord was now at reft: whilft
his glorious Soul, meanwhile, that was never lep'a rated from
the Deity, and now attended on with multitudes of Angels,
defcended into Hell, and the loweft parts of the Earth, and of
his Kingdom; and there triumphed over the Powers of Dark-
nefs, conquered, as to their former Tyranny over man, and
over the lower part of this world, by his late death: and deli-
vered alio thence fuch imprifoned Souls, as were capable of the
mercy and favours of his Paflion : according to that of the Pro-
phet <Zjc. 9. ii. —Tu quo que in [anguine tefiamenti tui emifijli
vinUos tuos de lacu, in quo non eft aqua ; and lo with them entred
intoParadife, the place of joy and Repofe for all happy fouls,
till the relurrecfion of their bodies,- where he was adored by
them as the Author of their Salvation and endtefs felicity ; and,
amongft
§ ii3. our Saviour Jtfm Chrift. Part.n. 301
amongft the reft, by the Soul of his late Fellow- fufrjprer ( though
upon a juft account ) the penitent Theif; and fo this its beatifi-
cal prelencethey there injoyed, till the appointed time of its
return to exalt alfo his crucified body to the (late of glory.
Thus, I fay, our fo cruelly murthered Lord was now at relt, but
not fo the confciences of the Pharifees and High Priefts. Whole
feeing theie two noble perfons Jofeph ami Niccdemus, thro
fom-ich popular hate, tohave fo honourably interred his Body,
gave them a great jealoufy ; and the predictions alfo about his
nfing again the third dav much difturbed them. Though, a
thing, which was quite forgotten by our Lords Difciples and.
Followers, who, one would think, had moftcaufeto have re-
membred it, and which he had fo often told them of; and
they had, upon hearing it from him, alfo difputed among it
themfelves, what mould be meant by it, as they delcended from
the holy Mount, after our Lord s Transfiguration: and, after
this again, were by him minded of it but the night before his
palTion, as they went along to the Garden; he telling them
then alfo, that, when rifen, he would go before them into Ga-
lilee Mat. z6. 32. I fay this, forgotten by them, yet now very
much troubled and difquieted the thoughts of the High Pricfts.
They could now call to mind, how, when they asked him a
fign once and again Mat. 12. 58. 16. 4. he alleged to them that
of Jonah ;and that the Son of man, as Jonah in the Whales bel-
ly,mould lye three daies in the heart of the earth, and fo be call
up again, and the jaws of Death not be able to detain him ; And
his faying, that, if they deftroyed the Temple, meaning his
Body, after three daies he would raife it up; which fpeech of
his, though before they made it (: mifconitrued by them ) an
Article to condemn him, yet now they could apprehend in an-
other, and its right, fenfe ; and might thereby have condemned
themlelves : Now alio perhaps the words of our Lord fnokeu
withfo much Majefty before them at his arraignment rin in
their mind, that they ihould fnortly fee him fitting on the right
hand of Power: and laftly, the obfequious refpects, they law
given to his body by thole two eminent perfons, they conceiv-
ed, might arife from fome fuch hopes; and were performed
from fome fuch expectation. Remembrmg therefore thefe
predictions, and perhaps not free from all fears of fuch an event,
after having beheld fuch wonderful things at, and before, his
death, they thought it meet, atleaft to prevent any cheat, in
the bufineis j and to hinder that his Difciples might not, up.
fuch
302 The Hiftory of the Life of §..1 1 3.
fuchrumouc of his riling again, to deceive the credulous peo-
ple, remove fecretly his body, and fo mew the empty Sepulcher,
and fuborn iome to fay they had feenhim&c > though indeed
no reafonthey had to fufpecl: any fuch thing, but rather that
his Difciples, if rinding his words falfe, would at leaft recant
their former error, and confefs him an Impoftorand a faife
Prophet. Therefore they. halted again to Pilat, for all that it
was the Sabbath, it being late over night before they were in-
formed of his folemn and fumptuous Burial, and relating to
him thefe predictions, and the bad confequence that might be
of them, importuned him that there might be fet a watch be-
fore the Sepulcher till the third day: and, as if jealous alfo of
the corruption of the Watch, that the Sepulcher might be Seal-
ed, befides. But why this leal ? becaule, if the body were taken
away, theremuftbe a breach of the leal, and fb this theft dis-
covered? But lo would there be a breach of it, if the body rifen
again. For, how could they imagine, that that power which
railed the body, might or would not alfo throw open the door
tor its paflage ? But this Seal ferved well, meanwhile, to lave it
from the pillage of the Soldiers, and to guard it from the
Guards. Some Antients fay, that the ftone was by them faft-
ned to the Sepulcher with iron. Thefe things were done ac-
cordingly by themfelves, the Governour leaving this wholly to
their own ordering -, and doubtlefs much wondring at thele
their extravagant jealoufies and fears. So, to the Monument
they go, fet this Guard, and feal the ftone, and this with no re-
gret that it was on the Sabbath ; of the breach of which , but
by better works furely than thele, they had fo often, fo heavily,
acculedour good Lord. But all this their diligence by the
Divine providence was turned quite contrary to their intents;
and rendred our Lords Refurre&ion much more clear and evi-
dent, whilft this very Guard were the firit witnefTes of it; and
that to the High Priefts themfelves; and quite took away the
pretence, which elfe they might not only have reported, but
verily believed, ofhis Difciples carrying away his body. Which
witnefs of the Watch doubtlels confirmed the faith of many ,
who would not givefo ealy credit to the Difciples Teftimony of
it; and was a means of converting lome of the High Priefts
alio. And their testifying likewife our Lords prediction of it
before Pilat ftill added more to the truth and reputation of this
Event. Of all which Daniels being call into the den of Lyons,
and the entrance iuto it being fealed by his Enemies, that no
fraud
§.i 14. our Saviour Jefus Chriji. Part. II. 303
fraud might be ufed in his deliverance out of it, feeras to have
bin a prereprefentation and type.
The Sabbath, the day of reft, thus paiTed over, the time was $.114=
come, that the grave, the belly of the Whale that had {wallow-
ed him, could detain our Lords body no longer, nor the fealed
Sepulcher or Guards hinder his Refurrection, according to his
many predictions ; early iu the morning of the third day.thatis,
after the fix daies wherein the world was created and the feventh,
wherein was to be its reft ; trie -ight day, or the firft day of the
new Creation of all things j the day, wherein, after a week of
daies compleated, all things (hall be perfected in the general
Refurrection that (hall be. A day advanced ever fince this act
into the folemn Feftival of Chriftiansin an eternal memory
of the joy of this day. Early on this day our Lor d refumed, and
clothed with immortality, that moft Sacred body of his that
had before fo highly merited it by palling through fomany
cruel torments. Here alfo great Multitudes of Angels attend-
ed on this our Lord in their white andfhining Robes, as may
be gathered by their frequent apparitions within and without
the Sepulcher, and the women's difcription of them. And, fince
a multitude of the heavenly Hoft appeared praifing God at our
Lords Nativity, and the beginning of his Humiliation, we can-
not imagine lefs folemnitiesat the beginning of his Exalta-
tion and triumph j whom alfo we had found before waiting on
him, at his former conqueft over Satan with prayer and fad-
ing in the Defert. And, if they fhew their Joy at the conver-
fionof a (inner, how much more now did they at the Redemp-
tion of the world ? And by thefe, or by our Lord, at his riling ,
and for a clear argument alfo of it, the linnen clothes wherein
our Lord lay ( the only prey which a Robber would have look-
ed after J were decently folded up, and the Napkin about his
head, as if taken off after them, laid in a diverfe place from
the reft.
At the fame time, as before at our Lords death, happened a
terrible Earthquake. And an Angel of great Majefty, his coun-
tenance like lightning, faith the Evangelift, and his raiment
white as Snow, was feen by the aftonifhed Guards to defcend
and roll away the (tone, fo to expofe the open Sepulcher to eve-
ry ones view, after our Lords glorious Body had already pafTed
through it, when yet fhut up and fealed. The All-glorious An-
gel, when he had done this, fitting down upon the ftone that
he had rolled away, as if he would now be the fole Guarder of
that
3 ©4 The Hiftory of the Life of ^ §. 1 1 5 .
that place. So terrible was this fight, asalfo the Earthquake,
that the Soldiers ( though they fell not into a lleep, as they af-
terward reported, yetj fell into afwoon, and became for a
while, faith the Evangeliit, as dead men Mat, 28. 4. After fome
time recovering a little itrength, and feeing the Sepulcher
thrown open, the body gone, and only the linnen clothes and
lpices wrapt up and left behind ( which though it had bin much
tor their mtereft, or excuie, inraifinga report of its being fto-
len away, as well as profit to have taken, and their neceflity but
two daies before had fhared his former garments ) yet they
durft not touch, but from the Angel's prefence fpeedily fled
away: and in a great fright fome of them came to the chief
Piiefts and related all that had hapned ; our Lords Body gone,
the Sepulcher empty, the linnens and fpices left behind, ( touch
them he that durft) the terrible apparition of the Angel, with
an Earthquake, breaking their feal and rolling away the ftone,
and there flaying and fitting upon it.
f, irr. The chief Pnefts, not a little concern'd in this news of our
Lords being revived ( to which alio his Predictions now added
fome credit) who had their hands. already embrewed in his
blood, now repent their late diligence to prevent it, whereby
the very Soldiers could witnefs it againft them •, and prefently
alfembled all the Ancients of the Jew?; before whom, on this
occalion, the Guards relate the like things: the Divine Provi-
dence thus effecting a great divulging of it, and that byfuch
Witnefles as they could not but believe. The remit of this con-
sultation was, that a large fumm of mony (probably taken
out of the fame Church-Treafury as alio Judas his was ) fhould
be given to them, to report; that in the night, whilft they were
alleep, our Lords Difciples came and ftole away his Body. And,
becaufe the negligence of thefe Guards confefling themffclves
to deep, when they mould have watched, > if coming to the
Governours ears, was highly punifhable ; the chief Priefts en-
gaged alio, that in any fuch accident they would latisfy the
Governour, and fecure them : confidering well, if they could
not fmother and hide the truth in this matter, the publick odi-
um and lofs of reputation, which they mould incur both with
the People and the Governour, in their profecuting fo vehe-
mently, againft the inclinations of both thefe, the death ( to
fay no more ) of fo juft and innocent a perfon. Thus one fin,
to jultify it felf, where no repentance, engageth us on another,
and itill makes the finners condition more defperate. Thus
were
^.i 1 6. our Saviour Jefus Chrift* Part.II. 305
were the wily taken in their own craftinefs j and, by tkeir fet-
ting the Watch, thofe truths are now declared, both to the
people and themfelves, not by the Followers of our Lord, but
their own Officers and Servants, which otherwife they might
with fome fhew of a good confcience have disbeleived and en-
deavoured to fupprefs ; but now acted purely againft it"
Thisof the Soldiers flying from the Sepulcher, and teftify- §. ri6.
ing in the City our Lords Refurrection : but, befides thefe, were
alio fome other extraordinary witnefTes thereof. For, in the
great Earthquake, aud at the fame time as our Lords , were
other Sepulchers and graves about the city opened; and out of
them alio, by vertue, and in honour, of our Lords Riling, came
forth the revived Bodies of many other formerly deceaied
Saints. That, as his triumphant Soul entring into the inner-
moft bowels of the Earth brought a multitude of other over-
joyed Souls attendants upon it from thence, fo his glorified
Body mould not remain alone, but have alio a great train of
other glorified Bodies, whom he thought meet, to wait upon
him, and with it afcend to Heaven. Who, to fhew his conqueft
not only over his own ,but our, death ; and to confirm to us alio
our refurrection by vertue of his, were together with him the
Primitive dormientium : and thzprimogeniti ex mortuis, in whom
the divine Wifdom thought fit then to forefhew what is to be
performed, and made good to the reft of the bodyes of all his
Saints now lying in their duft, at the great day. And fome of
thefe Saints alfo, in thefe their new reftored bodyes, came into
the Holy City, faith the Evangelift ( ftiling it fo, as if no w fan-
edified with their prefence, and in alluding to the celeftial Je-
rufalem, of which thefe glorified bodyes were now to be eternal
Inhabitants,) and there thefe alfo appeared to many, faith the
Text, according as the Divine providence difpofed, teftifying
to them the Refurrection of our Lord, and further confirming
it with their own ; and foprefently difappeared again. Now,
what glorified perfons thefe mould be, whether fome holy men,
or alfoDifciples of our Lord, that were lately before dece a fed ,
as the Baptift, S. Simt on, Anna, Zachary, S. Jofeph ; or others,
whofe Sepulchers were near the City and well known, and now
viewed to be opened and empty by fuch as remembred their
interment, appearing to fuch, to whom their perfons were for-
merly well known ; or alfo, whether raoft of the more eminent
former Patriarchs, and Prophets, that had lain now fo long a
time in the duft, and whom our Lord would gratify with a more
Q^q early
%o6 The Hi/lory of the Life of § . 1 1 7.
early Refurrection, we not knowing how far his favours now
at this his entrance into his glory might be extended ('though
what S.Peter faith of David -^#.2.34. leemsforaewhat to wea-
ken fuch an opinion ) ■> here, I (ay, it would be too curious to
inquire further into fuch a matter hidden from us: to whom
feveral tilings of the Oeconomy of the next world, for certain
reafonsof the Divine Wifdom, are as yet but very fparingly
revealed.
§ jj- Amidft thefe extraordinary difcourfes of our revived Lord
by the Guards, and by the Saints rifen with him; the Galilean
women, who on the Eve of the Sabbath had obferved where his
Body was laid, and knew nothing of the Guards that were fet
there the next day, and having now prepared a more choice
compofition of fpices and odours, than the former haft of his
burial would permit to Nicodemus, in which women alfo ufed
to be better skilled, rofe up very early in the Morning to go to
the Sepulcher, there to vifit his precious Body, and pay this laft
office of their duty and love unto it. Thefe were Mary Mag-
dalen, and Mary our BlefTed Ladyes lifter- in-law, and mother
of our Lords Brethren, Salome the mother of James and John,
Joanna the Wife of Herods Steward, and fome others befides.
But no mention is there of our Lords Mother the BlefTed Virgin
amongft them ; and the reafon why fhe , who had a much
greater love to, and grief for, herSon, than any other, yetwas
not f o active as they in expreffing it feems to be;either that John,
to whofe prudent care fhe was committed , had reftrained her
return to the Sepulcher, fo to put fome bounds to her grief,
and that this might not add forrow to forrow ; or rather becaufe
both the faith of his Refurrecl:ion,before it came to pafs, was ne-
ver diminifhed or ecclipfed in her (who alfo full o't Grace laid
up in her heart all our words, and well remembred what others
forgot ) ; and alfo becaufe moft probably our Lords confolation
of her, fo foon as he was rifen, was not at ail deferred ■> but that
by his immediat apparition to her he afforded her an early
recompence of her former fuffering thofe fword-points of for-
row at his Crofs,and alfo of the faith, which in her alone wither-
ed notat thattime, as in the reft. Though our Lord, mean-
while, did not think fit to ufe her, having fo near a relation
to his perfon, for a witnefs to others of his return to life : which,
fhe alfo might thenunderftand from him, was tobedilcovered
by certain degrees, for the greater trial of his Difciples, and
evidence of the ia&s andfo, whilft others went to and fro, me
remained3
§.118. our Saviour J refusChrift. Part. II. 307
remained, after this beatifical fight, all this morning in the po-
fture of fo great a Mourner retired, continuing in a rapture of
joy and unceiTant praifes and thankfgivings to God. For none
can here rationally imagine, that our Lord, who vouchfafed to
honour Mary Magdalens love and tears, and S. Peters primacy
and extraordinary affection to him, with a gratious fight of him
before the other men or women, omitted this to his own Mo-
ther, more loving, and beloved by, him.
The molt Holy Virgin thus retired, and the other women as MjjL:
yet bufy in ordering their Provifions, Mary Magdalen more
regardlefs, as formerly Lu\. 10. 42. of fuch by-bufineiles, more
fervorous and impatient in her affection to be with what was
yet left her of our Lord, whom only the devout obfervation of
the Sabbath could have reftrained from the Sepulchetfo long,
ranbefore the reft, whilftit wasyetdark ( faith S.John) with
a valour more than a womans to this place, there rather to ex-
pect and ftay for her company. For, this, S. Johns particular
itory of her, as alfo our Lords appearing to her alone before
the other ( mentioned alfo by S. Mark Mar\. 16. 9. He appear-
ed firft to Mary Magdalen ) feyas to intimate. But here lome of
the Evangelifts writing things more compendioufly, in which
others are more copious , and fome, with more , others with
fewer, circumftances ; and fo, for perfons alfo, fome mentioning
more than other do ( wherein yet is no contradiction ) j whilft
I give the fubitance of what thefe Sacred Hiftorians have deli-
vered, I defire your pardon, if I do not or cannot punctually
obfervethe order of everything done in this fo fmali a time,
and yet fo very full of various occurrences: fince, as S.Jerome
on Mat. 28. obferves particularly of thefe women, there feems
to have bin feveral excurfions to, and returns from, the Sepul-
cher made by them ; and perhaps not of all of them together.
—Crebro abeunt ( faith he ^ & recurrunt; (3 non patiuntur a Se-
pulcro Domini diu abefle aut longius.
Mary Magdalen,then,coming thither thus alone,when the fol-
diers were already fled away,of whom fhe knew nothing,faw the
great ftone rolled from the Sepulcher and our Lords body taken
thence: at which furprized with great wonder and grief, fhe ran
back into the city,to the houfe where S.Peter abode with S.John
and the BlefTed Mother of our Lord ( probably all the Difciples Sgg Jnk %.
not lodging together ) to tell them the fadNc v$} that the Mo- 9,12,14.
nument was thrown open, and no body there. Thefe two , the
chief of the fociety, and between whom feems to have bin a
Qq 2 more
3o 8 The Hiftory of the Life of §.118.
more particular friendfliip, who aHo had before entred toge-
ther into the High Prieits Palace, hearing thecoaft alfo was
clear, went with all fpeed to the place, the better to inform
themfelves andtherelt concerning this matter. John much
younger and outrunning Peter came fooneft to the Monument j
where he Hooped down and looked into it, and there faw the
linnen cloths^ but proceeded no further till Peter alfo was ar-
rived, who prefently according to his ufual forwardnefs went
into the cave, and. S. John after him, and oblerved the linnen
cloths decently wrapped-up, and the napkin, as if taken off
his head after them, laid in a place by it fell: and now they be-
gan (which alfo his night-cloths thus put off, and the linnen
not taken away in haft with the Body, but fo orderly folded
up, might hint unto them ) to have the firft thoughts of that
which our Lord had fo often foretold them , his Re fur re Hi o?i :
but yet much checked in it, becaufe that,it fo ri(en, he fhould no
where fhew himfelf,to his raoft Holy Mother, to them, or others,
who had lo near a relation to him j and fo they flayed not long
here, where was no more to be feen, for fear of danger; but
returned haftily to their compaju^much wondring, iaith St.
Luke, at that which was to comeropafs. Our Lord making
tryal of the Faith oi thefe two Pillars of theApoftles, without
either any manifeftation of himfeif, or Apparition of an An-
gel.
But Mary, ftill thinking the Body taken away and removed
fome where not far off, and defirous tobeftow their prepara-
tions upon it, and for this expecting her companions, ftaid ftill
behind at the Sepulcher weeping: and, as fhe was ftooping
down and looking again into it, perhaps upon her difcerning
fome extraordinary light there , fhe faw two Angels arrayed
in white and fhining Garments well fating to that joyful fo-
lemnity ; and fitting there, as if they gave lome particular re-
verence to the place that Sacred Body had touched, one at
the head, and the other at the feet, where the Body of our
Lord had lain »• that part of the rock where the Body was
placed being left fomewhat higher than the reft of the floor ;
who asking why (he wept fo much ( in a time indeed of fo great
joy ) fhe, not muchfurprifed, told them, becaufe fome perfon
had done violence to the dead, and carried away the body of
her dear Lord, to which fhe came to perform her laft fervice
and duty : and, before fhe received any anfwer from them, per-
haps feeing fome alteration in their gefture upon our Lords
approach,
^,i i9- our Saviour J efu* Chri ft. Part.n. 309
approach, or hearing fome noife of his fteps behind her ; fhe
luddenly turneth her felf about, and feeing a man, whom by
his habit or inftruments fhe took to be the Gardiner of that
place (who alfo queftioned her what file looked for there, and
why fhe wept,) and fancying he might, perhaps, have thrown
out the Body of a criminous perfon, executed by Juftice from
fuch a coftly Tomb, prepared for his own Matters body , and
fuddainlycaft there without his order, fhe requefted to know
where eliehebad difpofed of it, and fhe would carry it away
(for her love boggled at nothing ) and none mould be further
molefted by it.
Our Lord, as it were overcome with pitty, and fuch paffio- §. 119,
nate expreffions, could refrain no longer ; but fuddainly chang- ~*~
ing his appearance, and fhewing himfelf to her in his own
likenefs, gratioully called her by her name Mary, whereat ra-
vifhed. with joy and anfwering him %abboni, fhe fell proftrate
to adore him, and kifs his feet. But our Lord, to per feci: her
yet too terrene affections, and render them more celeftial, for-
bids her prefent embraces, or touching him, and fignifies to
her things moft unexpected, of his fhortly departing hence,,
and afcending to his Father; andfo commands her, without
any longer ftay, to haft prefently to his Brethren (for fo he now
ftileshisDifciplesJ and to tell them, that, his Remrrction ac-
complished, he was very fhortly toafcend not only to his Fa-
ther, and God, but now alfo theirs, through the merit of his
Paflion that had reconciled the loft world to God : but yet dif-
joining thefe, and faying; my Father and your Father, becaufe
God theirs only derivatively from being his. Signifying to
her, that there was no time yet of fruition and embraces, but
more bufinefs to be done by him, for her, and for mankind 5
viz. his Afcent to his eternal Father, where he was to make an
atonement with his blood in the celeftial Sanctuary, and pre-
pare an entrance alfo for them in thither : where fhould be the
proper time of a beatifical enjoyment , kiifes, and embraces
forever; and where he was alfo to procure of his Father the
Million of the Holy Ghoft, not to dwell here only with, but in,
them; and, by enriching them with ail heavenly Graces and
Gifts, prepare them for that heavenly kingdom. Thus our
Lord, fo foon as rifen, purfuing rather the perfection of his
iervants than their prefent content, began to remove out of
their minds the conceit of any terreftrial Scepter, and advance
their thoughts to a celeftial Throne and the knowledg of fur*
ihfi*
3io The Hiftory of the Life of §. 1 2 0.
ther myfteries. Of which Afcenfion and Glorification of his, as
a thing of the greateft coniequence and weight, he had alfo
ipoken often to them before, but efpecially before his paflion.
See John. 1. yi. -3. 13. -13. 3 3. -14. 2, 28. -16. y, 17, 16, 28. -17. f.
and having faidthe former words to her, he, much contrary to
her expectation, f'uddainly difappeared : leaving her, as over-
joyed with his return from Death, fo anew afflicted with his ab-
le nee.
§. 120. Which difappearance, ( and fo appearing in feveral fhapes )
" asitmuft bean effect of his divine power, either by an alte-
ration of the object, or only of the fenfes, ( foritisfaid of the
Difciples travelling to Emaus, that their eyes were held, fo that
they knew him not ) fo how far all glorified Bodyes have fuch
things in their power, it is not eafy to determine, being in their
Refurrection, as the Apoftle faith, made Spiritual j i.e. refem-
bling in many things Spirits : as, in their agility and fubtility,
impaflibility, immortality, and fplendor or clarity, for which
ieeMat. 13. 43. -1 Cor. if. 41, 43, 49. called Glory Phil. 3. 21.
'ljo.^.x. [ yet of which Clarity it was neceffary that our Lord
in thefe his apparitions fliould diveft himfelf , that he might
fhew himfelf to his Difciples to have the fame Body wherein
he fuffered, and that he might familiarly converfe with them,
and negotiate the bufinefs he had yet here to finifh on Earth.
But this Hate of Glory in him was prereprefented to fome per-
fons felected out of them (who were after his Refurrection to
declare it to the reft ) Mat. 17.9. before his fufferings , at his
Transfiguration in the Holy Mount, Mat. 17. when his face is
faid to have mined like the Sun ore. But fuch alfo, after his Re-
furrection, he appeared to Stephen ; whofe face fhone, like that
of Mofes, from the reflection Acl. 6. if. compared with 7. ff.
and again to S.Paul in the way to Damafcus, ./#?. 9,10. fo that
the Glory quite took away his fight]. Refembling fpirits alfo,
in patting how foon, and whither, they pleafe j without any gra-
vity, or retardment, or impediment of folid bodyes interpofed,
we may imagine according to the fwiftnefs of a Sun-beam, or
of our thoughts; with which we render our felves in our imagi-
nation prefent in places moft remote, and acting there what
we pleafe.
Mary, as commanded, halted to the main Body of the Difci-
ples, that remained together ; and told them this joyful news, as
they mourned and wept, faith S. M&rkcbap. 16. 10, 11. But
they ( faith he, aggravating their great incredulity and difcon-
folation )
^ 1 21. cur Saviour Jefws Chrift. Part.ii. 311
folationjwhen they had heard that hewas alive,andihad bin feen
of her, yet believed not; and foflie halted again toward the
Sepulcher to meet with our Lord again, or at leaft the women
her companions.
Meanwhile the other Galilean women alfo were arrived f ixr.
therewith great ftore of' fpices prepared; much foilicitous by
the way how they fliould remove the ftone from the Sepulcher ;
( fuch men as were our Lords Friends not daring to appear, or
herein to affift them ) : and feeing the great Stone, that trou-
bled them fo much, rolled away, prefently went into it : where
theyfaw the body gone, and an Angel, in the form of a yong
man clothed with a long mining robe, fitting, as Mary's Angel
did, on the right fide of the Sepulcher where our Lord had
lain,- at which fight being much affrighted, he bid them take
courage,- he knew whom they fought, our Lord that was cru-
cified, but that he was not there, they faw the place empty ,
but was rifen again, as he had often told them ('which now they
wellremembred,) when he was with them in Galilee ; that they
fhould prefently carry this joyful news to the Difciples, and to
Peter particularly named as thechiefeftofthem, and the moft
refpe&ed by our Lord ; and perhaps, as wasfaid before, he and
John not lodging with the reft,- telling them that after fuch a
time they fliould depart into their own Countrey, Galileejwhere
was the greateft frequency of his Difciples and Followers, and
moft liberty for their meeting together from the difturbance of
the Jews, and there in fuch a Mountain, apart, and at fuch
time aflembled, they fhould all together fee him, and enjoy the
confolation of hisprefence. The holy women, filled with great
fear and joy, to whom alfo, by this, Mary Magdalen had join-
ed her felf and related her happy adventures, alfo halted with
this fecond meffage to the difconfolate Difciples ; who dared
not to ftir abroad, or fee themfelves how things were. And
upon the way, as they were going, our Lord fuddainly appear-
ed to them alfo,- faying, All bail to them too: Before whom
they prefently fell down, and took hold of his feet and adored
him. A thing, which to Mary, when all alone, he would not
permit, but here indulged, perhaps that this might the more
confirm to them, as alfo to the Difciples to whom they carried
the news, the reality of hisperfon. And fo, them alfo he pre-
fently difmifTed to go and tell his Brethren, as he ftiled them,
that hewas rifen j and in Galilee they fliould all have a full view
of him ; and vaniflied again out of their fight.
Come
3 i 2 The Hiftory of the Life of §.12 2.
$.122. Come to the Difciples, their uieflhge was alfo entertained
with the fame obftinate incredulity, as Mary Magdalen's, and
perhaps alfo St. Peter and St. Johns Relations. For, St. John
iaith ofhimfelf, that, when he came to theSepulcher, ana fa w
how things were there, he believed. But the reft oi the Difci-
ples would credit nothing ; as forrow is loth to be deceived, left
inch deceit difcovered mould redouble it ; and this perhaps
becaufe the reports brought them were only of fuddain appa-
ritions, and thefe prefently vanifhing again -though they touch-
ed him, not able to detain him : which they might take either
for the deluiionoffome fpirits ( for fuch things they could not
imagine of a folid body ) or elfe ftrong imaginations of the
fancy, advanced by our Lords former predictions, and by a
longing expectation: efpecially, this thing hapning only to the
women j and firft to her that was moft tranfported with love;
and alfo they prefuming that our Lord, if truly rilen, would
have honoured his holy Mother ( of whole vifit to her, or Pe-
ter, they as yet knew nothing) or them, fooner with his pre-
fence, than thefe others : or rather would have returned in a
more publick manner, manifefting himfelf to all the world;
as now being Death-free, and fo above all the effects of his
Enemies malice ; and would have entred upon the adminiftra-
tion of hiskingdom , for (uch a thingran in their mind, and
fuch thing they were harping upon AEk. 1. 6. Whilft, on the other
fide, our Lord this while afforded his prefence toothers, and
withheld it from them ; to try and giveoccafion to the greater
operation of their faith fa thing in us ever moft highly prized
and valued by him ) as who had bin more particularly inftruct-
ed by him concerning this reviving, than others,- and mould
have needed lefs conviction for the perfwafion of it ( and yet
in this outdone by the High Priefts, who much fufpected it J :
and therefore at St. Peter and Johns repairing to the Sepulcher,
no Angels appeared; nor was the meftage there delivered by
an Angel to the Difciples, but women. But this was done al-
fo, to fhew them their great weaknefs and hardnefs of heart,
which alfo in his next apparition in the Evening he objected to
them; and had a good effect for prefervingin them the great-
er humility, without which no perfon can be gracious to him:
the courage of thefe women meanwhile well deferving thole
manifeftations of our Lord, of which their fears were unwor-
thy. But indeed the Divine providence alfo feems thus to
havedifpofed things, that their Teftiniony, who were to pub-
liih
4.123. cur Saviour Jefut Chrift. Part. n. .313
lifh to all the world the Gcfpel of oar Lords Refurrecbon-,
might be rendred the more credible from the great averfenefs
and difficulty themfelves had at firft to admit, or believe it 5 as
alfo S. Thomas his (landing out and trying further experiments,
after all the reft convinced, ferved for the fame ends. This
alfo much more illuftrated the wonderful operations of the de-
scent of the Holy Ghoft upon them, that was fhortly after ob-
tained of his Father by our Lords Afcention, fhewmg aii their
fpiritual ftrength and courage to have bin from its efficacy.
.Who, though now full of fears and incredulity thef hid them-
felves, and defpaired, as it were, of the Divine Omuipotency
andGoodnefs, then proclaimed to all the world the Ma^nalia
Dei, and feared neither Prifons nor death for the Teftimonv
of Jefus ; --Quales DoUores SanUce Ecclejite ante adveritnim hunts
Sp.i+itus fuerint, fcirnus ; tfpojt adventum illius, cujus fvrtituditm
faclifunt, tonjpicimm ,• faith S- Gregory.
The fame day alfo, before any other of the Apoftles, our $. 1*3 «
Lord appeared to S. Peter, at fome time when alone. An Ap- Luk. 24,34..'
parition mentioned by St. Paul, and St. Luke ; fome think it 1 Cor- 15> S-
might be at his returfi from the Sepulcher, whilft John as fwif-
ter on foot wasthen alfo gone before him, to tell the-Difciples
the ftrange and joyful news. For hedoubtlefs, together with
John, had much argued the cafe; as knowing the Soldiers re-
port of the Difciples a fable ; and that Enemies in fpoiiing the
Tomb would in the chief place have taken the linnen and fpi-
ces; and friends not have ftript the Body of them : and, from
this alfo, had called to mind the predictions of our Lord, and_
afthe Scriptures, concerning his riling again, intimated by-Sf.
John chap. 20. 9. and fo returned full of joy, faith, and hopes
to fee and reeiroy him. $ut this appearance to Peter fe^m^ to
have bin later, being not known to the reft, ( whom this Apo-
ftle would immediatly have acquainted with it) when the wo-
men brought the lame news j nor yet, when Cleophas and his
companion took their journey to Emaus, who Knew nothing
of it. To this Apoftle our:Lord fir.ft appeared -^both; as being
the chief .of them, by whom he would hav^e the relt-c'dnfirmed
in this faith, before he further manifested hi mf elf to them \ and
alfo, as being one that more exceedingly loved him, fee John
2x. rr. 'audio more paffionatly lamented the Vb'fe-neean-d iofs
of him; ( as'' he alio, appeared to Mary Magdalen, before the
other women ) ; And alfo to H'im, as one more 93 -je<fted a-ftddif-
coniolate for folate and cowardly a denial of him j at winch
R r alio
1 "
3 1 4 The Hi/lory of the Life of §. 1 2 4.
alio he might think our Lord, having taken fome great Dif-
pleafure , withheld that gracious fight and fruition of him
from him, which he vouchsafed to the women: for which de-
nial, fo foon as our Lord waspleafed to comfort his grief with
this molt beatifying fight, we may imagine he ftraight fell down
at his feet, and with many tears begg'd pardon. And fo, after
our Lords fuddain departure ( who, now glorified, entertained
no long converfation with Mortals ) he halted to the reft of the
Society to confirm bis Brethren herein, as one of the greateft Au-
thority with them ; and the firftman, that our Lord made
choice of to preach iho,^ Rejurreclion to them. But feveral of
them ftill,(to force,as it were, our Lord to a more open and pub-
lick difcovery of himfelf , and not to entertain a joy nattily,
which, defeated again, would fo much more dejecl: them ) re-
mained incredulous both after the teftimony of Mary, and of
the women, and of Peter ( fee Mark,. 16. 13 .) nor at firft did
they believe, when he bimfelf appeared to them. For the ap-
parition of fpiritsran ftill in their mind, iecLu\. 24. 37. and
not feeing (as too much of feeming human reafon ufually
darkens faith) why our Lord, if rifen and having conquered
Death,, mould thus appear and difappear ( a fign the Apparition
had no reality in it,) and mould not come along with Peter to
them; andfhew himfelf either to his friends, or alfo to all the
reft of the Jews, to confolate the one, and confound the other ;
elfe who would credit a report of him rifen, that was not forth-
coming, or to be feen ?
$• I24- The fame day two of the company ( in which were feveral
other Difciples and Followers of our Lord, befides the eleven
Apoftles, confulting concerning the prefent affairs J expecting
no better news, went in the afternoon about fome bufineis
into the Country, to a Village calred Emaus, lying Weft ward
fome feven or eight miles from Jerufalem, and not in the road
towards Galilee. Oneof thefe was Cleophas, who was thought
to be Brother to Jofeph, and fo our Lords Uncle, and his wife
to be Mary of Cleophas Jo. 19. ar, who is alfo called there
fifter to the blelTed Mother of our Lord, and who was one of the
women that ftood with the BlelTed Virgin by the Crofs, and
that this morning had vifited the Sepulcher and brought the
good news from thence, who was alio the Mother of James,
Jude, Jofes , and Simon or Simeon. [ All which were called
our Lords Brethren, and who probably all lived in the fame fa-
mily, at leaft after the death of Jofeph the BlelTed Vjrgins
Husband,
§.125. our Saviour Jef us ChriSt. Vaxt.u. 3 15;
Husband, and lived at Capernaum after our Lords refidence
there ( fee John chap. 2.22. Lu\. 8. 19, 20. -Mat. 12.46- ) of which
fons of Cleophas and this Mary, two, James and Jude, were
chofen Apoftles : James, in relation to the other Apoftle James,
the Son of Zebedee, being called James the his( Mar{.if. 40. )
and Jude, in the recital of the Apoftles names Lut^6. 16. -Jude 1.
called his Brother ( fo that thofe texts Mark. 3. 21. and John 7.
3, f. are to be underftoodof his kindred or friends more re-
mote, or with exception at leaft tothefejr only James there
being called the fon of Alpheus, Alpheus is imagined to denote
the lame perlonwith Cleophas: or, if this be not admitted,
we muftftile this Mary, not wile, but Daughter, of Cleophas -,
and Alpheus to be Jolephs Brother, and her husband. This Cleo-
phas or Alpheus then, we fee, had a near Relation to our Lord,
two of his fons being Apoftles, James and Jude; and two of
them afterwards Biihops of [erufalem, James firft, and, after his
Martyrdom, his Brother Simeon ].
He and his companion difcourfing by the way of the things §. i2r.
of which their hearts were full, the merits of our Lord, the In-
jultice and cruelty of the Jews, and the defeatment of all their
hopes by his death, our Lord, in the difguife of aTraveller,over-
took them; and feeing them much dejected chearfully asked
them what they were talking of, that rend red them fo difcon-
lolateandfad ; upon which familiarity Cleophas, thinking he
could be no ftranger to what hadhapned, nor to our Lords
well known merits, fell on deploring to him his cruel fuffer-
ings, and all their hopes cut offby his death j who had thought,
he, a Prophet fo mighty in word and deed, mould have bin
the perfon that would have redeemed llrael : Moreover, that
this was the third day afteiL his fufferings; on which formerly
hadbinfome fpeech ofhiTrifing again ; that fome women of
theirs alfo, going early to his Sepulcher, there found not his Bo-
dy ; and alfo faid they had feen a Vifion of Angels, that told
them he was alive: and that fome of their men alfo, repairing
thither, found what they faid true concerning the empty Se-
pulcher,- but no tidings or appearance to them of our Lord at
all. Whereupon our companionate Lord, reprelenting him-
felf alfo as aDifciple and great Admirer of jefus, freely and
with a certain authority mewed them, in running through the
Books ofMofes and the Prophets, that thofe fufferings of the
Meffias and of his Death, things which foftartled them, were
neceffary before his entring into his Glory , and were every
R r 2 where
3*6 7 he Hiflory of the Life of §.1 25.
where prefignified and foretold in the Scriptures. Here he
fhewed them, how all the legal Sacrifices were only Types of
the killing and Oblation of the Meflias, and expiation of fin
by his blood. Here he remembred them, of the reprefentation
or this only Son of God hi; being' offered up* by his Father, by
Abraham's offering of his only Ion Ifaac : of the roafting of
thePafchal Lamb, his Type, without a bone of him being bro- ^
♦ ken: Of Moles his fmiting of the rock, and lo water guihing
out of it: of his nailing a brazen Serpent on a Pole, that all
who looked with faith upon it might be healed fas our Lord
alfo came in Jimilitudine peccati) : ofAaronsdry and withered
Rod. afterwards rebudding and flourifhing : of Jonah lying
three daies in the Whales belly and afterwards call; up: now
alfo he expounded to them Daniels weeks, remembred them
ofHofea's chap. 6.3. —vivificavit nos poft duas dies, in die t$rtia
fu/citabit nosi and of Davids Pfal. if. 10. -Non dabis Sanclum
tuum videre corruptionem. -And tie torrente in via bib et propter e a
exaltabit caput. -Of Zachary's chap. 13. 6, 7. Qua funt plaice ijlce
in medio manuum tuarum : and his Percutiam Pajforcm, & di/per-
gentur oves. Thefe, and all the forementioned defcriptions of
his paflion, especially in the Prophet Efay chap. 5. 7). and in the
Pf.21. and <58.he fet before them;and many more in thefe Books,
than mans weak apprehenfions hath bin able to dilcover ; the
whole Hiftory and Prophecies of the Old Teftament principally
prefiguring and reprefenting the great My ftery of the falvation
of mankind, that was in the latter daies to be wrought by the
Son of God. Thefe things our Lord dilcourfed, continuing
his Speech till they were now arrived at the Village where their
bufinefs called them j whilft their hearts were all on fire in hear-
ing what he laid, according to that j^the PfaImift,P/'.i8.ij'.7g«*-
tum eloquium tuum &c. Our Lord, rrraking as though he would
have gone further, gave them occafion to fhew their hofpita-
lity ; and fo, importuned by them to ftay and eat with them,
or alfo to flay all night, the day being near an end, and they
infinitly longing after more of his converfation and difcourfe,
he yeilded to their requeft,- and fo fitting down at Table he took
the bread, bleiTed, brake, and gave it them, fuddainly appear-
ing to them in his ownlikenelsj or alfo performing this Cere-
mony in fome lingular manner of benediction, as was formerly
hiscuftome, wellknownat leaft toCleophas, Jofephs Brother,
ufed to the fame table. Or, becaufe we may imagine our Lords
actions done in the molt perfect manner, in this breaking of
bread
§. 1 2 6,t 2 7. c«r Saviour Jefus Chrifl. Part.11. 3 1,7
bread celebrating with them the memorial of his Paffion ( after
his long diicourle thereof ) in the holy Euchariitj fometimes
expreifed by breaking of bread, fee AUs-%o. 7. -2.4(5. after he
had rirlt fufhciently inftrudted them in this great Miftery ;
wherein he now, when perfonally departing, yet would conti-
nue a miraculous prefence of himfelf to his Church to the end
of the world. After which given them, and their holpitality
thus amply rewarded, upon eating it, their eyes alfo were no
longer held, but that they clearly difcerraed with great reve-
rence his Sacred Majelty now in his own form and likenefs, and
knew him $ and after this he iuddainly departed out of their
fight. •
The two Difciples, ravifhed with what they had feen and §> 12&*
heard, yet, by our Lords fuddain withdrawing himfelf, their
joy not unmixed with lome fadnefs, prefently returned back
that Evening to Jerufalem, and told the company there aflem-
bled all that had hapned ( their being two together rendriug
their teftimony more credible ) where they found the Difciples
alio relating our Lords appearance to Peter. They reported
alfo to them his Sermon, and the types in the law, and the Pro-
phets, prefignifying fuch his iufferings before his entrance into
his Kingdom: notwithftanding which, though many of them
were much perfwaded, yet fome others ( faith St. Mark chap.
15.13 Jftill remained incredulous : probably, arguing from our
Lord's prefently vanifhing both from the women, and from St.
Peter, and laft from thefetwoatEmaus, that it was fome Spi-
rit only appearing in his likenefs ; For the lame conceit they
had alio by and by when our Lord appeared to themielves Lu\.
24.37.
After fo many meflage^nd ocular WitnefTes of his Refur- j. 12T,
reckon, fent to them for t^trial oftheir faith, and all by fome
ofthemftill difcredited, now late at night, as they were after
Supper fitting and debating thefe things, and fome ltfeems itiii
contradicting, the doors being faft (hut for fcar of the Jews,
who alfo had fpread a report of them, that they had floln away
our Lords Body, our Lord himfelf fuddainly appeared in the
midft. of them j at which they wereathrfL much affrighted j
thinking him fomenight-walking-Spirit, knowing the doors to
be firmly bolted, and perceiving him defcending, rather then
entringin, among them. But our Gracious Lord foon allayed
this aitonifhment , faluting them with a Pax vobis , the uiual
and Antientfalutationof the Jews; butthis^^of hisextraor-
dinarys
3 1 8 The Eiftory of the Life of §. 1 2 7.
dinary, and not fcut Mundus Jo. 14. 27. working in the Soul the
effect, whilft he fpake with his mouth the words. Then, mildly
reprehended them, that they had remained fo obftinatly in-
credulous to the Eye-witnefTes that came to them, in a matter
alfo fo often foretold them, nor yet believed their own eyes at
prefent, but took him for a Spirit : then proceeded to dilcover
and mew them the fears of the wounds he had received in his
hands, feet, and fide s thofe noble fears which his glorified Body
in heaven ftill retains, eternal Witnefles of his love to man-
kind, and with which he will appear at his fecond coming, for
the greater confufion of his Enemies ; when, faith S. John Apo.
i.7} th*ey mall look on him whom they have pierced ; and whole
tender of mercy, after it, they alfo rejected. He bad them
alfo to feel and handle his true flefhand bones different from
Spirits; therefore faith the Apoftle, not only —Qupdaudivimus,
quod vidimus, but, manus nojira contreftaverunt de verbo vitce.
Then, what only remained for their fatisfaction, whillt the ex-
cefs of their Joy and wonder ftill fufpended their full affent
and belief, he called for meat, and eat alio before tl^em of
that poor fare, which they were provided of, though in this
great Feaft, and to which our Lord alfo had bin moft accu-
ftom d,a pieceof a broildfifh,andof an hony-comb,the oneplen-
tiful in the woods of this countrey, and the other a common
food among Fifhermen ; perhaps the relicks of their Supper but
now ended. Of which after he had eaten, he gave to them
the remainder, faith the vulgar in S. Luke chap. 24. 43. Et cum
manducafiet coram eis , fumens reliquias dedit eis. To partake
of what he Sanctified, and that they might fay they had eat
and drunk with him, as alfo thofe at Fmaus. See AU. 1 . 4. After
he had thus eaten before them, andby all thefe waies fatisfied
them ( excepting only Thomas ablWt ) of the truth and reality
of that, the Teft imony of which they were to fpread abroad
through all the world, and for which afterwards to lay down
their lives,- he made muchwhat to them the fame Sermon or
Difcourfe, as to the twoDifciples that went toEmaus; inftruct-
ing them in what they were afterwards to inftruct the Jews and
all other Nations i expounding to them the Law and the Pro-
phets; fliewing them the many predictions concerning the Mef-
fias his Sufferings, Refurrection, and fo entrance into his Glo-
ry ( a many of which they mentioned afterward in their Ser-
mons in the Acts ) opening their understandings to underftand
the Scriptures.
After-
§.128,129. our Saviour JefusChrift.V2.Kt.iX. 519
Afterward, more particularly addrefling him felf to his Apo- §. 128,
ftles, he told them, in this and feveral other apparitions made
to them before his Afcenfion, that he was very fhortly to go
into Heaven to his Father, and leave them here behind himj
That all power both in Heaven and Earth was given to him;
that therefore by this his Authority he alfo feut them to preach
the Gofpel to all Nations, and witnefs to them the things they
had feen and heard from him, but beginning their predication
fir ft at Jerufalem and to Gods former people the Jews: That
they fhould preach to them repentance and remiffion of fin thro
his name, and alfo the obiervation of all thofe things which
he had commanded them: And that they fhould alfo Baptize
them In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghoft ;
inftrudting them, that who fo believed in him and were bap-
tized ( which was the Sacrament inftituted for wafhing away
their fins, for conferring on them the Spirit of regeneration,
and for initiating them into his Church ) fhould be laved ; and
the unbelieving damned: And that great figns alfo fhould fol-
low them that believed, and were of the Chriftian profeflion ;
which figns mould bear witnefs to the truth of their faith and
Religion: That in his name they fhould fpeak ftrange languages,
cure the lick, caft out Devils, and have a fpecial command
overall the powers of the Enemy (as they are called LuJ^xo,
1 9-)in taking up or treading on Serpents, or inhapningtodrink
any poifon, not to receive any hurt from them. Not that all
Believers fhould do fuch Miracles, but that thefe fhould ftill re-
main in the Church or Congregation of true Believers, Tefti-
monies and Evidences of Gods lpecial favours to, and prefence
with, them.
At laft he proceeded to their folemn Ordination: wherein, f- *29»
after he had pronounced a drcond Pax vobis , and a ficut mifit
me Pater, (3 ego mittovos, He breathed upon them with his
raoft Sacred mouth, and faid theie words , ufed ever (ince by
them and their SuccefTors in the ordination of others . — 'Receive
ye the Holy Ghoft, whofe fins ye JIj all forgive [ i. e. by Baptifm, or
for thofe committed afterwards, by Abfolution, upon confef-
fion and repentance or penance] they are forgiven them j and
vohofe fins ye Jball retain [ i. e. by not baptizing, or absolving;
or further binding with Church-ceniures the impenitent, and
obftinat] they are retained; And fo folemnly promifed to be
with them and their SuccefTors, with his power and protection,
till the end of the world, and the ti me of his return to judg it.
Thi£
~z6 TheHiflorycftheLifeof §.130,131.
§. 130. Thisfaid, he difappeared alio to them, as he had done ieve-
ral times already to the other ( which caufed'in them, now, lefs
wonder at the former) leaving their hearts replenifhed with
great confolation. After this, done on the fecond day of the
Feaft and the firft of his Refurrection, he abiented him f elf from
them till the Eighth, when that folemn Feftivals Octave was
fully ended, and the people were upon their return to their own
countreyes and habitations. Where, for this time, our Lords
glorious Perion was, together with thDfe other Saints whofe
Bodyes were raifed with him, till his Afcenfion, would be too
much curiofity to inquire. It feems, he was pleafed to obferve
the fixed laws of the Divine wifdom for Souls or Perfons alrea-
dy tranflated to the next life -, viz. to have no more familiar or
long-during converfe with thofe of this ( for fo neither did Ell-
as andMoies make any long flay with our Lord in the Holy
Mount. ) As for other good ends, fo perhaps for this, the greater
merit of our faith, here, concerning the life, and affairs, of the
world to come. '
f. 13 1. S. Thomas, one of the eleven, was abfent when our Lord thus
appeared ; where fome imagine, from the fear he formerly be-
wrayed John it. f. that he might not be as yet returned to the
Society fince their difperfion on Thurfday night at our Lords
apprehenfion,- and fo might not have heard, as the reft, of our
Lord's former appearings, at all to the women and to Peter &c :
He, whether the fame night, or afterwards, being come to
them, and informed of their having feen our Lord, yer, for a
greater manifeftation (till of our Lords Refurrection, and for
begetting in this Apoftle more humility, continued in the fame
incredulity as to their relations, ( though io many )as they had
done to the other ; likely, perfwactalby the Circumftances, of
his appearing in the night, coming through Doors fhut, and
making fcarfe any fray at all with perfons to whom he had for-
merly fhewed fo much affection, but fuddainly vanifhing again,
that it might be fome airy fpirit fubject in his motions to the
order of a Superior power. And, though they related to him
alfo their having feen his fears, and touched his body, (or at
leaft invited to do it ) yet he fancied that this Was not done to
purpofe, but ought to be better examined ; and, that, if he had
bin there, he would have thruft his hand into the Gafli in our
Lords fide, and his fingers into the holes made by the nails &c :-
Notwithstanding that this perion, bt'fides his hearing our Lords
many predictions to them of his Refurrection, was prefent
with
§ 13 2. our Saviour Jefu* Chrifl. Part.ii. 3 2 1
with the reft at our Lords railing from death, after laid upon
the Bier, thewiddows fon at Nairn ; and again, at his railing
of Lazarus out of his Sepulcher, when he had lain longer time
there , than our Lord, had done. But this too-much lufpici-
ous and defpondent inclination of his had appeared alfo feyeral
times formerly (that we may fee,' what materials our Lords
Grace wrought upon, and not to be difcouragedj: as, in thole
words of his at our perfecuted Lords return into Judea for the
raifing of Lazarus i Jo. if. 16. He then prefently refolving that
there our Lord, and they mult lofe their lives ; and in his words
SLg3.ia.J0hn 14.5-. where, our Lord telling his Difciples of his de-
parture fhortly, and that they knew the place and the way whi*
therhewent, Thomas dejectedly replied, that they knew not
whither he went, and how could they know the way thither >
To whom our Lord anlwered : that his Journey was a Return
to Heaven to his Father whence he came, and-that He himfelf,
believed-in, was the way thither. Yet, after the defcent and
renovation of the Holy Spirit, this Apoftle efpecially was made
choiceofto be a moll eminent AfTertor of the fame Refurre-
clion, and Propagator of the Gofpel throughout India, and
the remoteft Nations of the Eaft, fulfilling our Lords words
Atls 1. 8. -Et ufque ad ultimum terra \ and there at laft laid
down his life for it.
Our Lord then on the eighth day of his Refurrection fob- §. 172I
ferving punctually the fame day of the week as before, thus to
recommend the folemnity thereof to all Pofterity : for which
it hath ever fince been lolemnly honoured alfo in the Church,
and called the Lords Day, fee Apoc. 1. ) when this great Feftival
was now concluded, and the Difciples were all together again
at Even, whom perhaps bufinefs in the day time had divided,
purpofing now their return into Galilee ; and Thomas now
with them, being alfo a Galilean (where we find him afterwards
going on filhing with St. Peter and others ) ,- our Lord, I fay,
about the fame time of night, and the doors flint, as before ,
appeared again in the midftof them : and, after his ufual fain*
tation Pax vebis, He, according to his zeal John 17. 12. Quos
dediflimihi, cujiodivi ; & nemo ex eis periit , particularly addref-
fed his fpeechto St. Thomas; and when, fhewing his omnifci-
ence, he had repeated to him the incredulous words fpoken
by him in his a,blence, with a moft gracious condescendence to
his weaknels, invited him to'exa mine his body freely ; to piit
his finger hardily in the holes of the Nails, and his hand into
Sf the
322 The Hiftory of the Life of §-133.
the larger wound made in his fide, andatlaft become a true
Beleiver ; and joine his Teftimony thereof to the world with
die reft of hisApoftles. St. Thomas, doubtless, upon fuchan
appearance, and fpeech to him, much confounded, and being
already fufficiently perfwaded and convinced of his error and
fault, needed now no further experiment for the confirmation
of his Faith, had not our Lord prefled him to it. After which,
as it were elevated into another extreme, he cried out My Lord,
my God-, and, acknowledging more than thefe fears evidenced
to him, not only the Refurrectionof his true body, but the Di-
vinity of his Perfon, which effected it, equalled that con feflion
of the higheft Apoftle. Mat. 16. 16. Upon which our Lord,
gently reprehending fuch an obftinat and refolute unbelief, as
had formerly lodged in him, uttered thofe gracious and com-
fortable words for all thofe, that, by reafon of his fuddain re-
moval from the Earth, could not have St. Thomas his lot to
fee, feel, or touch him, that he indeed believed becaufe he had
feen him 5 but Blefled they, who have notfeenand yet have
believed -3 leaving this Benediction on the greater virtue of
their faith for ever j who in latter times, not having the like
Evidence, mould neverthelefs perfevere in the like faith and ad-
herence to him. In the conftitution of which faith a pious af-
fection of the will is indeed a principal ingredient ( according
to Quo d v alumus f agile credimvs )-j and that which Godmoftva-
luethand rewardeth.
?• r*3* Thus our good Lord, in condefcenfion to our weaknefs, and
for laying a foundation of the Chriftian Faith the freer from
all contradiction and difpute,was pleated to retain the breaches
of his fufferings ftiil in his glorified body „• and to fuffer one of
his dear Difciples to fall into fuchagrofs and obftinate incre-
dulity, as the fearching of thefe only could cure. And thefe
honourable marks, received in that infernal and bloody war
with the powers of Darknefs, are ftill retained by him at this
day; with thefe he appeared before the Throne , Jgnm tan-
quam occifus ( faith S. John Jpocal. 5. 6. )and with thofe he will
appear in Majefty at his fecond coming to judgment j for the
greater confounding of thofe Beholders who inflicted them,
and of all the wicked, when he then reprefents to them the
greatthings he fuffer ed to have laved them. See Zach. 12. 10.
and 13. tf. compared with Jpoc.\,7, Behold he cometh with
Clouds, (faith St. John; and every eye fhall lee him, and they
that pierced him, and they (hall bewail themfelves upon Flim :
and
§.i34» our Saviour Jefus Chrift. Part.II. 323
and thofe his fears he now fittingat Gods right hand, perpetu-
ally fhewstohis heavenly Father for mitigating his wrath to
finners : and thefe himlelf alio daily looks upon, to mind him
how much our falvation coft him, and fo the more to perfect,
preferve, and take care of, fo dear a purchafe. For which
gracious oftentation of them they fee m alfo to have bin placed
in the mod vifible parts of his body j fo that he cannot now
ftretch forth an hand, or move a foot, without mewing thefe
holy Relicks of his infinire love to mankind : Therefore are
they fo quickly obferved by the Prophet Qua/iint plaga ijice in Zach. 13. 6.
medio manuum tuarum > Thefe alfo remain to be hereafter to
all his Saints in the beholding of thefe plag<e, quibus plagatus eft
( as he anfwers in the Prophet ) in domo eorum qui diligebant eum,
wherewith he was wounded in the houle of his friends ( or who
had reafon to befo^) an eternal incentive of their love and gra^
titude toward him ; as alfo, now the meditation of them an ex-
citiveof a penitent grief in us for our fins that caufedthem;
as the fame Prophet foretold chap. 12. 10. alluded toby St.
John jijpicient in eum quern confixerunt, (3 plangent eum planBu,
quafi fuper unigenitum ; (3 dole bunt [up er eum, ut dolerifolet in
morte primogeniti [ the onlv begotten Son of God, flain for us]:
Magnus plants us Jicut planblus Adadremmon in campo Mageddon ;
i.e. like the mourning for the pious Jofiah, the great Darling,
and laft good King, of [udah ; fliortly after which the Nation
of the Jews was delivered up into captivity, as it was alfo, after
our Saviour flain. Yet here we may not imagine, that thefe
piercings of our Lords Flefh, that now ftill remain unclofed,
are any Deformity to thatSacred Body, but rather are repre-
fented therein withfome extraordinary fplendor and beauty,
and become a lingular ornament to it.
Thefe fears then were thus peruled by St. Thomas; and, af- ^ l7^t
ter fuch his confeflion and Doxology, he honoured with the — ■"
fame Commiffion forpublilhing thisGofpelto the world, as the
other Apoftles had bin that day fevennight. After which our
Lord appointed a certain day and place in Galilee (ice Mat.
28. 16.) when he would, yet more publickly, fhew and manifeft
his Refurrection from death; not only to them now well con-
firmed therein, but alfo to the reft of his Difciples and Con-
verts, raoft numerous in that Couotrey of his moft frequent
refidence and preaching 3 and, where alfo fuch a concourfe of
them might be with the leaft noife, or notice of the State. And
fo the Pafchal Feaft ended, the Apoftles, as alio our Lords
Sf 2 Mother
."3 2'4 7^e Hiflory of the Life of §'135,136.
Mother and the o h c Galilean women, that had waited on
him, returned with great joy to their ordinary abodes, there
expecting the time of this happ. rev i fit ; and publifhing (to
all his Followers efpecially ) t 1 glad news ot the revivification
of our lord, and at what time and place they, alfo, might be
made eye witnefTes thereof.
5.135-, Though the Apoftle.-. had already received a Commiffion
from our Lord, or publifhing the Gofpel and our Lords Relur-
rection, and kingdom, to the Jew and Gentile , of Baptizing
them&c; yet were they not to enter upon this office till they
were endued with further Gifts, from on high, to be procured
for them by our Lords Alcenfion. In expectation therefore of
thefe things, and of his reappearance to them in Galilee, ma-
ny of them continued together, as alfo our Lords Holy Mother,
probably in Capernaum the place of our Lords former ordi-
nary abode, at S. Peter's, or alfoZebedee's, houfe; and fpend-
ing their time there, as afterwards at Jerusalem, Aft. 1. 14. in
Praier, and Praifes,and holy difcourfe ; and frequented by many
others, that had bin former Difciples and Admirers of our Lord;
to whom privratly they communicated his Refurredtion, and
confirmed them in the faith.
After not many daies, St. Peter, whom the reft much obferv-
ed and complyed with, mentioned one evening to thole with
him hispurpofeto go out on fifhing ( for which the calmneis
anddarknefs of the night, whereby the fifh are lefs frighted
with their Nets, as the belt feaion ) ufed before by them fee
Lui^f.f. fome think, becaule oui Lords apparitions were ulu-
ally on the firft day of the week, his Refurredtion day, that this
was the Evening after the Sabbath was ended, and when they
had bin two or three daies in Galilee. This employment St.
Peter might undertake for the prefent ( but without all thoughts
doubtlefs of any continuance of it) not to ieem void of bufi-
nefs, orafhamed of his former Trade; as alfo, to make fome
better provifion for their necefTary fuftenance. The Difciples,
that were prefent, confented alfo to go with him; probably,
all or moft of them alfo formerly Fifhermen. The Perfons
were Zebedees twofons, James and John. ( Between the latter
of which and St. Peter was a more intimate affection,, and they
feldom parted from one another. ) Thomas, Nathanael, and
two others not named 3 fome conjecture thefe might be St. An-
drew, Peter's Brother : and St.Philip his Fellow-townfman. And
Nathanael here, fwho is not mentioned by this name but only
by
§.i3^« our Saviour Jef us Chrift. Part.ii. 325
by St. John, being a Galilean, a familiar acquaintance of Phi-
lips, and called at the lame time with him, and who then made
inch an early and noble confeffion of our Lord Jo. 1. 49. ac-
knowledging him the Son of God and King of lfrael •, and then
alfo declared by our Lord fofincere and upright a Perfon, and
here alio joined with them , by the name of Difciples here Jo.
21.14. being meant Apoftles ) is fuppofed to have bin one of
the twelve, and in the other Evangelift called by his Fathers
name Bar-Tholomew, as Peter Bar-Jona; which Barthole-
mew, in reciting of the Apoftles names, is alio joined and pla-
ced next to Philip, Mat, 10. 3. and MarJ^ 3. 18- The Ship and
Nets, they ufed, probably were thofe which in their former con-
ftant attendance on our Lord, were left to the management
of their near Relations, and friends, old Zebedee and his Ser-
vants j and perhaps St. Peters Wife, and his Mother, for their
better lively-hood, by fome hired fervants ftill continued the
trade. Which Ships, or Barnes, alio, wereon feveral occafions
made ufe of by our Lord, whilft he paffed to and fro, upon the
the Lake to the Regions and Towns adjoining.
ThefePerfons then being many of the chief of the Apoftles,
ievenofthem in all, which is a number much celebrated in
Scripture, went out together on riming,- and that they might
be the better prepared for the next mornings Miracle, all that
night, though labouring hard, caught not a Hill j asitalfohap-
ned to Peter before, at our Lords flrlt calling him from his trade,
Lu\.j. y.&cj and he might imagine this a punifhment of his
return to it, now fo long deferted, when defigned for another
employment. The next morning our Lord (landing on the
more, but unknown, in his former loving, and familiar way cal-
ling them children, asked them if they had any meat, as if he
would have bought fome fifh of them : to whom they anfwering
they had none, he directed them to caft their Net on the right
fide of the fhip and they mould find fome ; which they very ob-
fequioufly did; perhaps fufpecting fomething concerning the
Perfon by his language of calling them children [he making
choice of this deareft term of love and aifei5tion, rather than
others of fubjection, and frequently uiing it. See Mark^ 10. 24.
children, how hard is it, and John 13. 33. little children, yet a
while lam with you &c : which word alio the Apof:i:s uied to
their Difciples, and Converts 2 Cor. 6. 13. Gal. 4. 19.] perhaps
alfo they calling to miu^ the former Miracle our Lord had
wrought in this kr>d. ..j.zt they had laboured lo another whole
uighE
326 The Hiflory of the Life of §.13 6\
night and caught nothing. This was no fooner done, but they
perceived their Met fo ponderous with the fifties it had enclos-
ed, that, notable to lift it up into the fhip, they were forced
to drag it along toward the fhore. Upon which St. John faid
to Peter, that certainly it was our Lord, either by his quicker
fight better difcerning him; or from this great Miracle per-
fwaded thereof. Peter, according to his wonted fervour and
courage, and moved by an extraordinary love he bare to our
Lord, impatient of the flow motion of the Ship, dragging gent-
ly the laden Net, girding only clofe to him his Fifhers coat
without further apparelling himfelf, threw himfelf into the
Sea, it being not far to the fhore. ( Methinks this action fome-
what relembling thefe two Difciple's behaviour at our Lords
Sepulcher, where John firft difcovered, and Peter firft entrcd )
where, after his having adored our Lord, and the others now
arrived, he went up again into the Boat to help them to land
the Net, full of great fifties, in number one hundred fifty three,
yet without the leaft breach of the Net.
The former ftory of the Apoftles fifhing, at their firft call to
follow Chrift, and fo to become Fifhers of men, and the Mira-
cle then done by our Lord, varying in feveral Circumftances
from this, gave occafion to St. Auftin in Joban. TraU. 122.
( knowing no caf ualty to be in our Lords Works, but al I as Para-
bles, figmficative, and predefigned with an infinite wifdom ,
more than we can for the prefent difcover ) to conjecture thefe
twofifhings to reprefent the twoftatesof the Church, before,
and after, the Refurrection, when all thing? will be perfected.
In the firft therefore he obferves ; That the Difciples were bid-
den by our Lord, then in the Ship together with them, to caft
their Nets ; but not fo particularly, on the right fide of the ftiip ;
That the fifh caught were fome great, fome fmall ; not drawn
to the land, but taken into the (hip; that by the Multitude of
them the Net was broken ; and by their weight thefhip in ha-
zard to be funk ; no certain number of them taken •, no feaft or
entertainment of the Fiftiermen after their toil: But in this
latter, Our Lord is ftandingon, and calling to them from, the
fhore j the Apoftles being feven, that is, a compleat number,
are bidden to caft their Net, and all the fifh are taken, on the
right lide of thefhip; thefe a certain number; all great ones;
drawn to land ; no Net broken, or {hip hazarded finking by
them, no tempeft riling, as formerly, in St. Peters palling thro
the Sea toour Lord; All things now made ready before hand
here
§.13 6*. our Saviour Jefus Cbrift. Part. n. 327
here by our Lord for the Apoftles Entertainment, and they nere
feafted by him, and eating of the fruit of their labours "&c :
The firft of thefe therefore feeming more generally to repre-
sent, in the prefent Sea of this world, the gathering of Nati-
ons, by the Net of the Preachers of the Gofpel, into the external
profeffion of the Chriftian Faith $ where fome alfo break thefe
Nets and are loit;and by their factions alfo hazard the Church,
the Ship that carries them &c. But the latter feeming to repre-
fent, at the end of the world, when our Lord is on the more, the
collection of the Elect, the children of the right hand ; where-
of there is a certain number •, none loft out of the Net ; all great
and confiderable j the number of which alfo expreft viz. 173.
( which number as St. Auftin obferves is the fumm of a compu-
tation of all the numbers from 1 . to 1 7 : and, as S. Gregory, the
productof 17. multiplied by 9. or 3 times 3.) contains in it
iomemyftical Signification j which, whether relating to thefe-
veral Nations, or to the molt eminent Saints, converted by
them, or to fome other thing, remains to be manifefted here-
after; where it is obferved, that the number of people of the
Nations, that were found in Ifrael in Salomons daies, and by
him made Labourers in the building of the Temple, came to
ij"3« thoufand fee zCbron. 2. 17. notreckoning the Fraction.
Laftly, after all, follows our Lords entertaining thefe his Ser-
vants with eternal Joyes and Feftivals prepared by him for
them. See fuch a fifhing alluded to by our Lord, Mat. 1^.47,
in his comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a Net &c ; which
at laft is drawn to more, and the good gathered into VefTels, but
the bad caft away ; And fee fuch an Entertainment mentioned
Mat. 12. 37. The Lord of the Feajt minijiring to his Guejis, Mat,,
26. 29. -8. 11. Jipoc. 19. 9.
Aflbon as landed, they all faw clearly it was our Lord, but
in great reverence and fear, perhaps his appearance being alfo
more full ofMajefty than formerly, durffc not ask him any cu-
rious queftions, who he was, where he abode, from whence he
came thither, concerning his ftay with them, his kingdom. &c.
There alfo they faw a fire already kindled on the fhore, and
fifh of our Lords own providing laid thereon, and bread, all
things miraculoufly prepared for their entertainment, without
any neceflity of their provifion or afliftance : and that our
Lord could feaft them from his own ftore ; and called to them
from the more to fupply their wants, not his. But alfo he bad
them to bring fome of thefifh they had taken, thatthey might
partake
328 The Hiftory of the Life of §..137.
partake of their own labours, and he alfo receive an Entertain-
ment from them: (o after his ufual Benediction he took the
bread and fifh, and divided and diftributed thefe unto them,
fitting with him in very great reverence and filence. And, of
this taking their repaft with him, or that on the night after
hisRefurrdtion, itfeemsto be, that St. Peter fpeaks to Corne-
lius and his company,^?. io. 41. That they did cat and drinkjvith
him after he rojefrom the dead.
§. 137. After Dinner, and our Lord's thus, by a Miracle, feeding of
them, as it was his ufual manner to transfer the Difcourfe to
fpiritual matters flee Jo. 4. 10. -6. 27.-7. 37.-8- 34, 38. -9. S. )
he began to fpeak of their feeding his fheep ( as alfo, after their
former great and miraculous draught of fillies Lu\. 5-, he dif-
courfeth of their catching of men,) : and here he addreffed his
fpeech alfo particularly to Simon Peter ( as he did after the
other miraculous draught LuJ^ ?. 10. Simon, fear not sfrom hence-
forth thou Jh alt catch men, and frequently elfewhere; fee Lu\.
22. 31, 32. -Mat. 26. 40. ) Simon Peter being both the cheif of
them , and alfo one, who now had ihewed an extraordinary
love and devotion to him, when, being as yet hardly dilcovered
by him, he threw himfelf into the Sea, not minding his fifh, for
haft to come to him.
Him, then, he kindly befpake on this manner. Simon Bar-
Jona loveft thou me more than thefe ? As thou haft often Mari^.
14. 30, 31, Lu\. 22. 53. and now particularly by this laft action
of thine made great profeffion of it. To whom theApoftlemo-
deftly anfwered ■, parting by any companion with others, That
our Lord well knew, he loved him. If thou doft, faith he, now
I the chief Paftor am quitting this world, and leaving them to
others, feed my Lambs ; thefe little ones, who as yet are but
Neophytes in , and newly acquainted with, the Chriftian
Faith ; our Lord fhewing herein the bowels of his affection not
only to the twelve, but alfo thofe others formerly inftructed by
him ; And §tot redemptifunt pretio magno. ' 1 Cor. 6. 20.
Now, to St. Peter our Lord commits here more particularly
the feeding of them, becaufe he was ordained by God his Fa-
ther to be the chief and prime Paftor of them, under Chrift;
And therefore elfewhere , at the firft fight of him ( no doubt
from the divine ordination) he gave him the name of Cephas,
Stone, or Foundation Jo. 1. 42 i though Andrew the firft called,
and, fomefay, the Elder Brother. And again, upon the Ca-
tholick Confeflion he made, by God the Fathers revealing it
to
§.137* our Saviour JejusChrift.V2Xt.il. 329
to him Mat. 16. 17. of our Lords Divine perfon, he further ex-
pounded the reafon of this name, that upon this Cephas he
would build his Church. And again, at his Paffion, Satan be-
ing permitted by God to tempt our Lords Difciples, he made
fome particular interceflion for the not failing of S. Peters Faith
in fuch temptation: ('For, though Satan, laying his clofeft fiege
to this cheit Apoftle, he failed in his confeffion of: our Lord,
out of fear ( which was a great fault ), yet not in his heart, out
of any infidelity >• and hisconverfion from this fault immedi-
atly followed with bitter weeping,). And, as, here, heenjoines
him the feeding of his fheep ; fo, there alfo, he recommends to
him the confirmation of this faith in the other his Fellow-
fhepheards of thefe fheep,- —Tuconverfusconfirmafratres. And,
to this fpecial Commiffion here given to Peter over our Lords
Flock, S. Paul feems to relateGa/. 2. 7. where he faith, that the
Apoftles faw the Gofpel of the Circumcifion committed to Pe-
ter, which we fee it was in this place; our Lord then having
no flieep or flock, when he faid this to Peter, fave the Circum-
cifion (in which refpecl: alfo our Lordhimfelf isftiled by the
Apoftle, fignifying his flrft employments, Mat. 2?. 24. the Mi-
nifter of the Circumcifion J{om. 1 j. 9 . ) and God alfo more emi-
nently wrought by St. Peter, than by the reft, the great figns
and wonders in converting of the Circumcifion, as appears in
the Acts ; as he did by S.Paul, more than by any other, for the
converfion of Gentiles. Tho, for the Gentiles alfo, the honour
of the firft converfion of them was given toS. Peter ; fee Atls 10.
34. -if. 7. And, as S. Paul had an extraordinary Miffion from
thrift Atts 9. 11. So had he one from the Church of Antioch i^'\h\
and, both his Baptifm and Miffion from the Miniftry ofthofe,
who received this Power from the Colledge of the Apoftles, of
which Peter was the Head.
Our Lord, to make this charge effect the deeper impreffion
on Peter, andallhisSucceffors, ceafed not thus; but repeated
it j asking him again and again ( only omitting the flrft com-
parifon ) till Peter was grieved, Jo.xi. 17. andafhamed, whe-
ther he loved him ; and, upon the fame Anfwerofhis, appeal-
ing to our Lords omnifcience, made now three times (from
whom our Lord may feem to require this trinal confeffion to
expiate and reverfe his former trinal Denyal ) he thrice iterated
to him the fame charge,that in the abfence of himfelf he fhould
return this love to his little ones; whom he fometimes called
Lambs, fometimes Sheep, to fhew. all in his fold, old or young
T t committed
33° The Hi/lory of the Life of §.138.
committed to his government, and that all, ftrong or weak-
lings, have need of the Paito.s feeding them, and were fubjected
to him.
After our Lord had ihus inftruded this chief Servant and
Steward of his houfliold, Peter, what he fhould do, he began to
preacquaint him alfo with what he fhould fuffer, for h'tn, the
more to pre- arm him for future Events ■ and that, nothing hap-
ning unexpected, or that was not known to be by the divine
Providence predefigned ; fuch things might afterwards lefs fur-
prifehim; and that the conceit of a prelent fecular Kingdom
of our Lord, and their advancement in his Court, might be re-
moved out of his mind. He then began to tell him, with a
double ferious Amen pronounced before it; That, as in his yon-
ger age he had gone whither, and done what, he pleafed, fo
hereafter in his old age he muft expect a change: That, as he
muft undertake great labours for his lake, fo undergo great af-
Mat.i6.tf. fljftions, and be made like unto his Mafter he fo loved, as in
his preaching of, fo inhisfuffenngs for, the truth; and fulfil
thepromifehehad once engaged of dying, if not with, yet for,
him: That one day ( ashimfelfhad done ) he muft ftretch out
his hands, and another gird him, and carry him away whither
he would not, to Prifon and totheCrofs; fignifying to him
that he fhould glorify God his Father by Martyrdom, and the
Croft, ashimfelt had done. Which accordingly happened in
the thirteenth . ear of Nero, after he had diligently fed Christ's
fheep, after this ( tranjiens univerja, vifiting all places Ails 9. 3 2.)
for thirty five years.
$.138. And foour Lord riling up, and faying to Peter (chiefly in-
tended in a myftical fenfe) follow me i. e. my example, in
undergoing fuch Events as he haddifcovered to him with all
valour, alacrity, and conftancy, he walked on the fhore, Peter
at a nearer diftance attending him. Who turning him about,
and feeing John coming after them, probably, fomewhat be-
fore or falter than the reft, prefuming on the love our Lord bare
to him -, to whom alfo Peter, as well as our Lord, had an extra-
ordinary affection, he took the boldnefs, having heard hisown
doom, to inquire of his al-knowing Matter concerning this his
dear friend, what the Divine good pleafure had ordeined alfo
touching him. To whom our Lord, repreffing the Apoftlescu-
riofity, returned fomewhat a dubious Aniwer : That, if he would
have John tarry till his coming, this nothing concerned him;
but that he fhould prepare himfelf to follow him in that way
of
§.139,14°* ourSaviourJefu6Chrift.VM.il. 331
of death and fuffering as himfelf had trod before him. See Jo.
13.36- Now, Johnsftay till our Lords coming being capable
or feveral fenfes; viz. either our Lords laft coming to the gene-
ral Judgment, in thofe times imagined not far off; or his com-
ing in that (ignal Judgment of his upon the Jewifh Nation at
the destruction of Jerufalem, which St. John only out-lived ; or
his coming, when he calleth and removethhis Servants away
from hence by natural death ; ordinarily in Scripture-language
called his coming, lee Mat. 24.42,46, yo. Jpoc. 2. 24. -3.^. this
laft, we may imagine from the Event, was our Lords mean-
ing: though the Difciples, either hearing theie words from our
Lord, or related to them by St. Peter, from hence gathered,
that John, our Lords Favorite, mould not dye, but remain till
his fecond coming, then commonly thought near at hand : to
which imagination of theirs, as alio of others following, 'St.
Johns long life and fome miraculous deliverances, gave Itill
more ftrength ; who died not till fixty feven years after this was
fpoken by our Lord, and remained alive almoit thirty }Tears
after the Deftruction of Jerufalem.
This opinion St. John, now much aged, when he writ this his
Gofpel endeavoured to remove , telling them, our Lord had
exprefly faid no fuch thing: but left our Lords words any fur-
ther unexpounded ; as not feeming any way to decline or wave
his own Martyrdom, which doubtlefshe much thirfted for, and
had in fome manner already undergone, and outlived it; be-Tertu/l fa
ing, in Domitians perfecution of the Chriftians, fent by the ^r* «■//>/.
Proconful of Afia, as a chief Herefiarch, to Rome; and there caft '**• $6'
into a vefTel of fcalding Oil to have taken away his life, but was
miraculoufly preferved to make good our Lords words, and fo
banifhedinto Patmos : from whence returned, he writ his Go-
fpel; fhortly after which our Lord came to call him away in a
natural and peaceable death, when above ninety years old.
After thefe occurrences befides the Sea of Galilee ( related §. 139^
by S. John in aPoft-fcript chap 21. after he hadfinifhed his Go-
fpel, Chap. 20. One Motive ot which Poftfcript perhaps was the
re&ifying a miftake in fome of the Difciples concerning our
Lords Prophecy of his ftayiug till he came; Our Lord fud-
dainly difappeared; leaving them in a longing expectation of
hisreturn to them, and a more publick manil'eftation ot him-
felf in Galilee at the time and place preappointed.
At which time a great Multitude of our Lords Converts in §• I4°-
Galilee, having notice of it from the Apoftles, were gathered
T t 2 together
33 2 The Wifiory of the Life of §.140.
together (this being ftippofed the Apparition St. Paul fpeaks
of i Cor. 1 j. when he faith, he was Teen of above rive hundred
Brethren at once) in a certain Mountain of Galilee, imagined
the fame upon which he was transfigured; and where Mofes
and Elias appeared to him, and which was by St. Peter called
the Holy Mount. This Mount is by many thought to be Mount
Tabor, a moil beautiful Hill, exactly round, and afcenfible only
on one fide, notfofteep as the others, and having a Plain for
about half a mile Diameter at the top: which hill our Lord,
living fo near it, fituate about fome three or four miles from
Nazareth, perhaps had lometimes frequented in his youth.
Butitfeems rather to be another Mountain nearer to Caper-
oaum (the place of his ordinary Refidence in Galilee J where
alio a-nights he frequented Prayer ; called his twelve Apoftles ;
delivered the Beatitudes j miraculouily fed the Multitudes Mat.
ir.29. and which was more convenient for the affembling of
his Converts i of which fee what is laid before. §.25-1. P. 1.
And fuch a place our Lord ieems to have chofen for the
greater Eminency , Solitude and Privacy thereof, free from
Buildings, High-waies, orPafTengers ; he purpofing no gene-
ral manifeftation of himfelf to the jews, or to the World ; but
only to fome chofen Witnefles, that fome contradiction might
add the more virtue to theChriftian Faith. Plere then were
ailembled, with many others, the eleven Apoftles with the Mo-
ther of our Lord, and doubtlefs the other Galilean women,
who carried the firft me flage both from the Angel, and after-
wards from our Lord himfelf to the Apoftles,of his meeting them
in this place. To whom our Lord firft fhewed himfelf at
iome diftance from them ; upon which they prefently fell down
and adored him Mat. 28. 17. but fome of them, faith the Evan-
geliff, funlefs he intimates here the doubt, not that was then,
but had bin formerly ) viz. not of the Eleven, but of the com-
pany, had fome doubt, whether it was he, i.e. at the firft: yet
which, by his nearer approach and difcourfe with them, was
prefently after removed.
Our Lord then approaching told them; that the time of his
Exinanition being now finiihed , all Power (the exercife of
which was fufpended before, fee Mat. n. 27. -Jo. 3. it.) was
given to him by his Father, in Heaven and in Earth: and,
upon this, he renewed his charge unto his Apoftles; that they
fhould go forth, in his name, and by his authority, and pro-
claim him Lord of all ; and deliver his Lavys and Commande-
ments
§.i4roT42, our Saviour Jefa Chrift'Yzxl.u. 333
merits taught to them, not only to the Jews, bat all other Na-
tions: that they fhould baptize Believers in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft ; declaring to them that luch as
believed and were baptized mould be laved, but the unbeliev-
ing damned: then further promifing them, That he, though
corporally departing, yet in his Grace and Holy Spirit, would
remain with, andaflift, them and their Succeflbrs to the end of
the world : that he alio gave them Authority over all the Power
of the Enemy of mankind; and in his name to do all forts of
wonderful works ; repeating here again what he had formerly
faid to them in his firit Apparition at Jerufalem ; which fee be-
fore Sedt. 127. P.n.
Laftly, commanding them to bid an Adieu to their country,
and return to Jerufalem, in which place they were firft to be-
gin their work. Where they mould alio, after a fewdaies, re-
enjoy hisprefence, and take their laft leave of him ; his fo of-
ten-foretold Afceniion into Heaven to his Celeftial Father being
now at hand i and neceffary, as for hisownGlory, fo for the
further promoting with him the bufinefs of their's , and the
world's, falvation.
After this publick manifeftation of our Lords Refurrecti- §■ *4*>
on made not only to the Apoftles, but to the general Body
of his former Converts, and Believers, moft dwelling in Ga-
lilee, foni* (faith the Apoftle \Cor. ir. 7. ) afterward our
Lord appeared fingly to St. James (i.e. our Lord's Brother,
fhortly after made Bifhop of Jerufalem ) perhaps out of a fingu-
larhonourto him, or alio for negotiating fomething with him
relating to his office j whofe conftantrefidence was to be at je-
rufalem, and who was a Perfon of fpecial Eminency among
the Apoftles: as appears, Gal. 1.19.-2. 9. and ABs is. 13, 19.
But the word timm, ufed by the Apoftle, perhaps may not fignify
afterward in that Text (as denoting aPoftenority of time to
the appearance in Galilee,) But only befides, as it is ufed by
him, 1 Cor. 12. 28. and the apparition to James be rather in
fome part of the day of his Refurrection ( fee St. Jerome de vi-
ris lllujl. in Jacobo ); between whom, as being a Domeltick in
the fame family, and our Lord, palled a more intimate fami-
liarity ; and from his appearance to James we may alio- much,
more prefume of his frequent particular apparitions to the Blef-
led Virgin his Mother, though, none mentioned.
Forty daies was the time predefigned of our Lord's ftavupon 5; >_l
Earth for the manifeftation of his Refurrevtion, and for :he
preparing
334 ^e H'lftory of the Life of §.14.2.
preparing of his Apoftles for their future employment of pro-
pagating theGofpeland advancing the Kingdom ofChriftin
mens hearts over all the world. A number frequently obferv-
ed in Scripture for the accomplifhing of any great work, made
up oijix ( the number of the daies God fpent in creating the
world,) (even times multiplied: ( as the number of 7. is a num-
ber of perfection and reft, after the finifhing fuch a work, an-
fwering to the 7th day, the Sabbath ) only in 42. the laft two
are ufually cut on* to make it a round number. So, Gen. 7. 4.
in the flood the rain defcended for forty daies i and, after the
abating of it, Noah flayed forty daies ; and opened the win-
dow of the Ark Gen. 8.<5- For thrice forty years God had pati-
ence with the old world before hedeitroyed it with the flood. Ten
times forty years the children of Ifrael were to fojourn in E-
gypt. Forty two Generations were to pafs between the com-
ing of the Meffias and the promife made to Abraham thereof :
of which forty two generation?, two fevens were to run out be-
fore the Kingdom of David-, and two fevens again in this
Kingdom before the captivity : and two fevens till the coming
of Chnft. See Mat. 1. \7.Alis 7. 23. Mofes, when forty years
old, vifited his Brethren, and would have undertaken their pro-
tection ; and i bid. v erf. 30. after forty years more was lent by
God to them for this purpofe. Again, forty daies he ftayed in
the Mount for receiving the Law : and for this time was conti-
nued his fall s asalfo that of Elias, and of our Lord. During
forty daies were the perfons deputed to view the land of Ca-
naan Numb. 13.25-. and during forty years were the children
of Ifrael appointed to do penance, and bear their Iniquity for
the Evil account given of it, and murmuring concerning it.
Nu?nb. 14. 33, 34. Forty daies were allowed to the Niuevites
for a time of Repentance, before their City was to be deftroyed.
Forty daies, after the womans bearing of a Male child, and
twice forty daies after a Female, were to be ac com plifned be-
fore their coming into, or prefenting their Son in, the Sanctu-
ary. In the Judges we find, whether reft, or troubles, given to
the land of Ifrael ordinarily for the fpace of forty years. The
Prophet Ezekiel E^eJ^. 4.. },6. is appointed to do penance by
lying on his fide for forty daies, for fo many years of Gods pa-
tient fuffcring the iniquities of Judah : and for fo many years
again God forbare the wickednefs of the Jewifli Nation after
their crucifying our Lord, and perfecuting Chriftianity, until
the deflruction of Jerufalem. And forty two Months, 1. ele-
ven
^.i43ti44j- our Saviour Jef us Cbrift.VmM. 335
ven fixes of Months is the time prefcribed for the duration of
Antichrft, and the laft great affliction of Gods Church. This,
to (lie w, that all Gods works are pondered before hand, and
contrived in a certain number, weight, and ineafure ; and the
precedent works exad: patterns of the fucceeding ; and nothing
here carnally hapning; efpecially the numbers o"f fix and feven
have bin very myftical and Sacred, ever fince the work of the
creation in fix, and reft on the feventh day.
Before this time then was expired, the Eleven Apoftles and $-_i4?»
fome other Difciples alfo, and the Galilean women with the
Blefled Mother of our Lord, and his Brethren, were now re-
turned to Jerusalem; and there remained together, probably,
in the place where our Lord had celebrated his laft Supper ; and
which our Lord had firft made choice of (in thehoufeof fome
wealthier Difciple, when he fent Peter and John to provide
thePafchal FealtJ for the more commodious tranfacting of all
theie affairs. And there our Lord the laft time fhewed himfelf
unto them ; and, having dilcourfed feveral things concerning
the Kingdom of God, and their publifhing and proclaiming to
all Nations the univerfal power and Glory that was now given
by God to him, hepromifed, before their going abroad in his
fervice, to endue them alfo, fpeedily after his Aicending, with
power from on high, by fending upon them the promife of his
Father he had io often told them of: which you may fee pro-
mifed ofoldinJoe/2. 28. ('cited foritby St. Peter Ails 2. 17* )
-%acb. 12. 10. -E\ec. $6. 26. Telling them that John baptized
only with water; but that they, not many daies thence, fhould
be baptized with the fire, fee Mat. 3. it. or flame of the Holy
Ghoft : forfo in the likenefs of a flame atPentecoft it defcend-
ed, and was poured forth upon them; and fo charging -the m
that they mould remove no more from Jerufalem till this tiling
was accomplished.
The Difciples ( hearing our Lord fpeak of things pertaining §. 144.
to his kingdom ' AB. r. 3. as alfo before 111 Galilee, that all power ~
was given to him in Heaven and Earth, of their receiving pow-
er alfo from on high, and a charge not to depart as yet from
the Royal City, joined perhaps with what he had formerly
faid unto them of their fitting on twelve Thrones, &c ; things
not then underftood fo fpirituaily by them as they ought, bun
they, imagining fome temporal dominion of the Jews now to
be reftored in our Lord to the race of David, over all other
Nations, like to that of Solomon ( the quite contrary to which
followed
33^ TheHifioryoftheLifeof ' §.14$.
followed fhortly after; namely, their utter mine) 5 A thing
that ran in the mind of thefe twoDifciples alfo that went to
Emaus; Lul^ 24. 21. ) prefently asked our Lord, whether now
the time was come of his reftoring the Kingdom to Ifrael <
This they inquired, notwithftanding our Lord had fo often
told them the^contrary, and informed them, that his Kingdom
was not of this world 5 and that, as it had treated him their
Matter, fo fhould it them, the fervants ; that they mould be per-
fected, banifhed, killed, for his names fake, and for the Gof-
pei preached by them. Our Lord therefore, not too much to
contriftate them, and knowing them not well prepared as yet
for the communicating of fuch fecrets, in which by the Defcent
of the Holy Spirit, he more fully inftrudted them afterwards;
and at how greata diftance hisKingdom was in fuch a fenfe as
they meant it, when the Twelve were to fit upon twelve thrones,
did with great prudence and as much meeknefs and fupporting
of their infirmities, return them only this Aniwer: That it was
not for them to know the times or the feafons, which his Fa-
ther had put in his own power ; muchwhat fo as he had anfwer-
edtothe Mother of James and John, concerning who iliould
fit at his right hand, —Dabitur Mis, quibus paratum eft a Patre
meo Mat. 20.2}. and to Peter, inquifitive concerning John,
—Sieum volo manere &c , quid ad, te \? [And indeed there are
many futurities with which it is better that our human weak-
nefsbenot preacquainted : as perhaps fit, here, that hope de-
ferred might not too much contriftate them, for the Difciples
as yet to be ignorant of fuch a long revolution of many ages
as was to be before the day of Doome ; and our Lords return to
take pofTeffion of his kingdoms or before that profperous and
Hourilhing condition of his Church, which, was at laft to pre-
cede hisKingdom. Which coming of his in Glory, many, as
appears by St. Paul zThe[% 2. 1,2. 2 Pet. 3. 4, 9. ('perhaps by
underftanding Mat. 24. 54. -and 1 Thef.4.. 17. ) expected even
in the Apoiflesdaies; and the great terror in thofe, that heard
St. Peters firft Sermon in the Acls, fhews, that they then appre-
hended it not far off]. But {'faith he) ye fhall receive power
after this Holy Ghoft promifed is come upon you j and fhall be
witneffes unto me, and preach this my kingdom boldly to all
the Nations of the world,
f *4f. After fuch difcourfespaftin that large tenaculum at Jerufa-
lem, the time of his return to his Father being fully come, he
led them firft out of the City, through the plain, about a mile
in
§.i45* cur Saviour Jefu* Cbri/t. ?art. n. 537
in breadth, as far as Bethany, that was at Che foot of the Mount
of Olives j his Friends of that place making alfo part of his
Train , and fo afcended to the top of the Mount of Olives.
But we may imagine this their proceffion out of the city was
by his miraculous power in fuch a manner ordered, as that
neither himfelf was feen by others, fave them, at leaft in a
known fhape, nor fo great a company, perhaps by dividing
themlelves, much noted.
Arrived at the top of the Hill, he lift up his hands ( which
mewed inthemidftof them the dear marks of his fuffering for
them,) towards heaven ( from whence all Bleffing comes, and
therefore this an ufual gefture in all Invocation and Prayer J
and gave them his Benediction, after his redemption of man,
as God the Father alfo did after his Creation Gen. 1.28. And,
as Aaron, the former legal High Prieft, according to the Divine
command Numb. 6. 23. isfaid Levit. 9. 22. to hare lift up his
hands toward the people, and blefTed them, before his going
into the Sanctuary ; when alfo the fire, defcending afterward
from the Lord upon the Sacrifice, typified theDeicent of the
Holy Ghoft. And fo, faith the Evangeiift, he was parted from
them, and afcended flowly and by degrees, fo as they might
keep their eyes upon him, and difcern his Motion, till at fome
height a Cloud received him out of their fight, to put an End
to their further gazing after him. Thus our Lord, who was
clothed with fo much Splendor and glory at his Transfigura-
tion, and who had Mofes and Elias waiting upon him, and a
bright Cloud of rays compaffing himfelf and his Difciples, and
who, when he was afterwards feen by St. Paul^?/ 22. d, 11. ap- A^s^-6-
peared in fuch a glory at Noon-day tranfcending that of the
Sun, that the light thereof ftruck him blind -, yet now, entring
upon the real poffeffionof this glory, admitted no alteration
at all in his external appearance, or in any vifible attendance
of Angels or Saints, or fiery charet and horfes to conduct him,
as Elias, or Cloud, till elevated to fome conflderable diftance :
perhaps to remove from his Difciples and the world, to whom
- they weretoteftify it, anyfcrupleof the reality of this Afcent,
without having their eyes dazled with light, or that fuch ele-
vation might feem to have bin performed by the affiftance of
others, and not by his own power and virtue ; as alfo to de-
tain them for the prefent rather in the meditation o£h'\$ Paf-
fion, than of his Glory ; which was not fully to be revealed to Mor-
tals till his return.
U u But,
33g The Hifioryofthe Life of §.146,147.
$« i4<*« But, had our Lord been pleafed to have opened their eyes,
as Eliflia obtained for his fervant in the Mount, how great
would they have feen the folemnity of this day Jo. 17. 4,5?
Concerning which he had a little before his Paffion befought
his Father; that, now he had with all fidelity glorified him on
Earth, and finifhed the work here on Earth He had appointed
him to do, He would glorifie him, i.e. his Humanity alfo, in
which he had finifhed it, though extreamly difficult to fiefh and
blood, with that Glory which in his Divinity he alfo alwaics
had had with him before the world was; which Petition was
alfo then ratifyed by God the Father with a voice from Hea-
ven^. 12. 8. And now was the time come of accomplifhingit j
and the time of his taking pofTeflion of thofe Joyes, which
being fet before him ( faith the Apoftle Heb.12.2.) he endured
tbeCrofsy anddefpifed the Jfjame, and is now Jet down at the right
bandoi- the Throne of God.
$. 147. Now then we mayprefume, that all the Court and Militia
of Heaven defcended to meet this his Sacred Humanity in the
Ayre -, and that it was exalted above the Heavens to the
Throne prepared for it with great Jubilation and Triumph, #
cum voce tuba, as the Pfalmift ; with which Humanity the Earth
only had hitherto bin beatified, ( bonaj/fua no (fet ) and the
Father had received all his praife,and worfhip, and iervice from
it at a great diftance from the place of his refidence. And,
if fas the Apoftle Heb. 1. ) when his Son came into this lower
world, and appeared in all the infirmities of our flefh, God
faid, let all the Angels rvorjkip him; much more did he now
command it at this his Exit, after fo many fufferings paffed
through, and victories obteined , and exadt obedience in all
things performed , and the moft fevere prophecies fulfilled 1
How overjoyed muft thofe Citizens above be, and with them
all the Spirits of the Patriarchs and Prophets, and the Church
of the firft-born, and of juft men confummated, that, in thofe
Celeftial habitations, now they mould for ever poffefs their
dear Lord, the Author of all their happinefs, and behold for
ever his infinit Majefty and beauty ! And amongft thefe efpe-
cially thofe predigmficd Souls, whoever they were, that were
felec1:ed by him, and revefted with the robes of their glorified
Bodyes, to accompany and wait upon him, as the firft-fruits of
the Refurre&ion, and of his conqueft over death. With what
Joy and Triumph ( to exprefs it in thofe ravilhments , with
which the Apoftle fpeaks of him ) was this only Son, and the
brightnefs
§ H 8. our Saviour Jefut Chrijl. Part.il. 339
brightnefs of Gods glory, and exprefs [ and vifible ] Image of
the Perfonof the Invifible God, Heb. 1.3. compared with CcL
1. iy. thefirft born of every Creature , and the firft-born again
from the Dead, that in all things he might have the preeini-
nency who was appointed by God Heir of all things, and by
whom all things were created, that are in Heaven and in Earth,
vifible and invifible, whether they be Thrones, or Dominions,
or Principalities, or Powers, [viz. all the Angels, as well as
men. ] AH things created by him and for him, and by the word
of whofe Power all things [ afterward alfo do ftill] confift and
are upheld, Col. 1. 17, compared Heb. r. j. after he had by hma-
felf purged our fins, and made peace through the blood of his
Crols Col. r. 20. Heb. 1. 30. and God had by him reconciled all
things untohimfelF, and by him collected all things in one;
by him, whether things in Heaven, or things on Earth Col.i. 20.
[ thofe perfons already received into glory there, and thofe
yet in their warfare here; here, both of the Jew and the Gentile,
all united in him the Head of all Eph. 1.10,22. With what Joy
and Triumph, I fay, was thismoft Sacred perfon, Gods only
Son, bearing in thither his, our, humanity, this day firft receiv-
ed into his Armes, and welcomed by God the Father 1 With
what folemnicy did this Eternal High Pneft, when he had firft
through the Eternal Spirit offered himfelf without fault to
God (Heb. 9. 14. ) Enter into the Heavenly Sanctuary, the
Gates thereof fet open, whereof the Earthly was a Pattern, there
to appear in the prefence of God his Father for us his Bre-
thren ,• and with what iolemnity did he with the precious blood
of his Sacrifice, dedicate and purify the heavenly things them-
felves ( Heb. 9. 23 .) and fofet himfelf down on the right hand
of the Throne of the Majefty in thefe Heavens, far above all
Principalities, and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every
name that is named not only in this world, but in that alfo
which is to come ! made Head over all things to his Church j
and expecting there till his Enemies [wicked men and unbe-
lievers, Antichrift, Satan, Death] be made his Footftool (Eph.
1. 21. 2].&c.Heb. 10. 13. -2. 9J
Our BlefTed Lady and the Difciples, and the reft of this holy §. I4g.
company, beholding this, fell down and adored, faith the Evan-
gelift Lu\. 24. 5-2. with theirlyes fixed upon him as he afcended:
when two men appeared ftanding by them in glorious and
mining Veftments; two of our Lords Train, whom he left be-
hind fas alfo he had done before at his Resurrection Luf^ 24. r.
U u 2 John
34° The Hi/lory of the Life cf §*i 49-
John 20. i2. ) to entertain them with a newMefTagej and divert
them from this partly joyful, partly forrowful fight, as they
thought of our Lords honour, or of their own lofs; who asked
them, why they looked fo i .tently and wifhfully after him, for
that they mould not be deprived for ever of this their Lord s
but ( as he had often told them ) the fame Jefus, that was now
thus taken up from them into Heaven , mould thence defcend
again in the fame manner as he afcended: thus the Angels
briefly for their prefent confolation. But this his fecond ap-
pearance and return to this world isdefcribed elfewhere much
more particularly, and that it fhallbe in the greateft Majefty
and glory: cum nubibus , as this his afcent, but with afhout,
and the voice of the Arch-Angel, and found of Trumpet; and
his brightnefs mining from the Eaft unto the Weft ; with all his
mighty Angels attending on him, and he bringing all the Saints
that were in foretimes decea fed with him, and thofe then liv-
ing alfo meeting him in theAyre; and that he then fitting
on the Throne of his Majefty, all the Nations of the Earth ,
that are then or ever were, mall appear before him ; and that
then in flaming fire he mail take revenge on all thofe, who have
not obeyed him, who (hall be punifhed with everlafting deftru-
&ion from his prefence, and from the glory of his power ; and
then alfo that he fhall be glorified in [and together with] all
his Saints; whom, after having made their peace with his Fa-
ther, and by this preafcent prepared a place for them, at this
his fecond coming ( according to his promife Jo. 14. 3. J he will
receive unto himielf,that where he is there may they be allo,and
remain with him Partakers of his glory for ever. For thus the
Scriptures have defcribed his coming again, fee Mat. 24. 27*
30, $i.-2r.3i.-zTbef. 1. 8, 9, lo.-iThef^.. *6-&c: of which ma-
jefty and coming of his to judgment he charitably had told
the High Prieft and his other Judges ; and forewarned them of
what would follow when he was arraigned before, and fo cru-
elly treated by, them, Mat. 26. 6. 4. --Hereafter jh all ye fee the
Son of Man ft tin v on the right hand of Power , and coming in the
Clouds of Heaven.
§. 149. And, in this very place alfo, where he afcended, it is thought,
his Defcent fhall be. For , fince in fome particular place it
muftbe, what more likely and more proper place for this Tri-
umph and glory of our Lord, than that of his fuflerings and
ignominies ? and where all thofe perfonsly interred thatexer-
cifed iuch cruelties on him j whofe eyes alfo, as he told them,
fliall
§.150. guy Saviour J efu* Chri ft, Part.H. 341
lhall then behold him, whom they pierced, Apoc. 1. 7, Again,
than this place which is the very Navel or middle of the great
Continent of the inhabited world? This place is conjedured
to be fpoken of in the laft chapter of "Joel •> where it is laid, that
the Lord will come down with his mighty ones verfe n. an-
iwerable to J^achar. 14. r. and will gather all Nations, and bring
them down into the Valley of Jehofaphatt^r/* 2. and there he
will fit to judg all the Heathen round about. This Valley be-
tween Jerufalem and Mount Olivet ( which was the common
Caemitery ol the Hierofol unites, and where alfo was Gehenna and
Topheth ) is fa id to be called by this name, becaule there was
erected a Triumphal Arch and Pyramid after Jehofaphats won*
derful victory over the Ammonites &c. but perhaps called alfo
by this name here in the Prophet, becaufe Jehojapbat lignifies
Judicium Domini yarned alfo here the Valley of Concifion or De-
cifion ve rfe 14. and feeming toaliude to the valley of Berachah
or Benediction zChron. 20,26. where Jehofaphat and the Peo-
ple affembled to give thanks to God for his miraculous victory,
without fight, over all the Nations round about. But God's
being faid alfo to roar out of Sion, verfe 16. mews this valley to
be near to it. SuchaDefcentof our Lord alfo is fpoken of in
the laft chapter of Zechariah. ■, where, verfe 3.4. j. it is faid, the
Lord fhall come and all his Saints [ i. e. holy Angels ] with him *
and (hall fight againft the Nations,- and that his feet (hall ftand
in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerufa-
lem, aud before the forefaid Valley of Jeholaphat on the Eaft.
Which Mountain, it is faid, (hall be e'eft with a terrible Earth-
quake compared to that in the time of Uzziah, to make then
thro it as it were a plain and level way for the concourfe of the
multitudes thither. See JZ^acfmr. 14. 4, r. -Joel 3. n, 12,14. which
chapters in Zachary and Joel, though they do feem primarily
to relate to Apoc. 19. ii.&c. compared with Apoc. 16. 14,1 6. and
-14.16, 19. our Lord's coming to judgment upon the Beaft, and
falfe Prophet, and their numerous Army, which was followed
with aTnoufand years reign of the Saints, or profperous and
flourifning condition of the Church, fee Joel 3. 17,18, 20, 21.
~^ack 14. 9, 10, 1 1. (3c. yet may they have a fecond comp'etion
in the coming of our Lord to the Judgment alfo of Gog and
Magog, Apoc. 20. 9. agreeable to Ezechiel chap. 39. and a third
in the final Judgment of the whole world.
Hearing fuch things from thofe two glorious Meffengers,who §. 1 JS«>.
prefently difappeared,they were filled with great Joy. Acts 1.12,
J°y3
542 The Hiflory of the Lift,isfc §..150.
Joy, as well for his' incomparable Glory conferred by God the
leather on this his only Son, who was crucified through weaknefs
2 Cor. 13. 4. but was now exalted by the Power of God ,• as a!fo
for his promifed Return to take them for ever untohimfelfj^.
14.3. Perhaps apprehending alfo this his return much more
fpeedy than indeed it was to be. So, leaving the Mount, they
return to Jerufalem j where firft having choien by lot another
Apoftle to coin pleat the number of twelve Witneflfes, the Apo-
itles, with the Mother of our Lord, and the women that accom-
panied her, and our Lord's Brethren, and many others ( tor
their number was about one hundred and twenty lee Aclsi.ii,
-14, if. J continued with one accord in the large upper roome,
mentioned before, in prayer and fupplication till Pcntecoft, the
time appointed and expected, for the Defcent of the Holy
Ghoft upon them ; which our Lord promifed to procure of his
Father upon his arrival into his prefence; where now he is our
Jo. i?, 13. Precurfor, our Eternal High Pneft, our Advocate and Intercef-
jLj > *°' for : and where may he reign in Glory at Gods right hand, King
i?0w.8,53. ofKings, and Lord of Lords, till all his Enemicsbe made his
Footftool. Amen. TuautemDomi?ieJcfu) Qui fedes ad dexte-
ram Dei Patris, miferere Nobis.
FINIS.
SUPPLENDA.
PAg. T22. line 7,2. not above twenty miles, pag. 125. //w. 15. fee Part. II. Sf#. 136.
A pag. 214. //'». 14.. fee below Sift. $.
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