Commentary on 2 Peter, Commentary on 2 Peter volume 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 16

Commentary on 2 Peter · Commentary on 2 Peter volume 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 16

p. 288VERSE 16. For wee have not followed cunningly deviſed fables, when we made knowen unto you the power and comming of our LORD IESUS CHRIST, but were eye-witneſſes of his Majestie.

THe Apoſtle proceeds to another argument, why theſe things ſhould be fixed in their hearts: becauſe they know that their labour is ſpent upon a certaine thing. What ſhould more animate our conſtancie, than the infallibilitie of proſperous ſucceſſe in our calling! If the Divinitie we preach, were built upon the fenniſh and hollow grounds of humane fancies. Wherein men ſhew more wantonneſſe than wit, more wit than learning, more learning than conſcience. Or if it were like ſome oracles of the heathen Idols which were aliquo modo vera, nullo … do certa; true ſome way, certaine no way: if the event did not anſwer the prediction, they would make the prediction anſwer the event. Or like the ſpurious, e… cene, and baſtardly equivocations of our Ieſuites: who have a tricke to ſweare and not to ſweare, to lie and not to lie: and ſo are Saints and no Saints, holy in appearance, divells in exiſtence. But we preach that which is indubiae fidei, which the faithfull doe feele on earth, and the unfaithfull ſhall feele in hell. The former find here, the truth of Gods mercies, the other ſhall find there, the truth of his Iuſtice. We bring no fables, but things knowen to us, and made knowen by us. That the LORD IESUS did c…e in the fleſh, dwelt with us in the fleſh, ſuffered for us on p. 299the Croſſe, roſe againe from death. That he came not in weakneſſe, but in power; with ſignes and great wonders: to the terrour of the bad, to the comfort of the good, confirmation of the weake, conviction of the proud, admiration of all. Neither received we this by tradition or heare-ſay, but were eye-witneſſes of it: That which wee have ſeene and heard, we declare unto you. Therefore receive us, beleeve us; yea, receive …he truth, beleeve the truth, the ſound doctrine of Chriſt.

For method …n tractation, con…ider three principall paſſages: A

Diſclaiming of all fabulous mixtures with the ſacred Truth. We followed not cunningly deviſed fables.

Proclaiming of the vertue and Excellencie of Chriſt. When we made knowne to you his power and comming.

Teſtifying of this, and that from the ſureſt witneſſe: Ab oculato teſtimonio; We were eye-witneſſes of his Majestie.

Theſe be the generall and doctrinall roots; there are ſome ſub-diſtinguiſhed branches, which we referre to their owne places.

We have not followed cunningly deviſed fables.] This is the thing he removes and diſclaimes: foreign. Arte compoſitas fabulas, according to Eraſmus. Calvine …ayes, it intends Subtile artificium. But becauſe foreign doth not onelyonly ſignifie a Fable, but alſo Orationem, a Rhetoricall diſcourſe: the Apoſtle condemnes both poeticall fictions, and oratorie eloquence: the Sophiſtry of Logicke, the painting of Rheto…icke, and the meretricious figments of poetry; when they ſhall ſtand in competition with Divinitie, and preſume of their owne power to helpe a ſoule to Ieſus Chriſt. The embroidered orations of the one, and the gaudy tinctures of the other, are all out Fables. To omit thoſe that regarded rather Sonum than Senſum; the cadence of …anguage, rather than the ſubſtance of reaſon; the very beſt did but fabulize.

For the Philoſophers, Coloſſ. 2.8. Beware leſt any man ſpoile you through Philoſo…hie and vaine deceit. Firſt, it taught devilliſh things, as Magicke, Conjurings, a great …art of Iudiciall Aſtrologie among the Pagans. This foreign, a fable. Secondly, …t taught doctrines; of the Eternity of the world, of the mortalitie of ſoules, of a Purgatory-fire out of Plato, of the Stoicall fate; all which diametrally oppoſe the …ruth: all were fables. Thirdly, it taught principles, which in themſelves, and their …wne nature are true; but in Divinitie falſe. Such were theſe maximes; Ex nihilo …ihil fit; Of nothing can be made nothing: this is true in ſecond cauſes, but in reſpect of Gods omnipotence in the creation, a fable. For God can conſtitute ſomething of …othing, and reduce ſomething to nothing, at his pleaſure. So it is ſaid; A privatio…e ad habitum non datur regreſſus; There is no returning from the privation to the ha…ite. This is true Phyſicè, naturally: but if it be referred to the Reſurrection, it is Fabula mendax; a lying fable. That a virgin remaining ſtill a virgin, cannot conceive; … true in the ordinary courſe of nature; but to deny this to be once done by the ſu…ernaturall worke of God, is a Fable. Even the beſt of them in their moſt ſerious …iſquiſition of heavenly things, were but as hounds, ſwift of foot, but ill of ſent. They …unted an object ſtrongly, but tooke the wrong courſe; ſo ſpent their mouthes and …ourſes in vaine. Like wandring Empiricks, which make great oſtentation of Cures …rawne out in pictures and tables: but hee that comes to trie their skill, hath not a worſe diſeaſe belonging to him, than the Phyſitian. If Seneca had had grace to his wit, he had beene the wonder of men. This praiſe he deſerveth and hath; never any Philoſopher wrote more divinely: he hath not loſt his commendation, but he loſt his …opes. Certainly, as a worthy Divine ſaid; If I had no other Miſtreſſe than Nature, would wiſh no other Maſter than Seneca. But neither Athens nor Rome could teach his doctrine, but Ieruſalem. In the end of his book De Tranq. he allows drunkenneſſe: his was a fable, fit neither for Philoſopher to preſcribe, nor honeſt man to practice.

For the Poets, their writings were but Fables. Innumerable ſuch: whole bookes …f Metamorphoſes; it is all one, whole bookes of Fables. They did but fabulize an …piſh imitation of Gods truth. Muſt Abraham ſacrifice his ſonne to the GOD of …eaven? Agamemnon muſt ſacrifice his daughter to the Prince of darkneſſe. A Ram p. 290redeemes Iſaac, ſo a Hinde redeemes Iphigenia: this was a cunningly deviſed fable. Noahs Floud ſhall be quitted with Deucalions Deluge. For our Noah they have a Ianus, for our Sampſon an Hercules; for our Babel-builders, ſuch as lay Pelion upon Oſſa, Giants. If Lots wife bee turned to a Pillar, their Niobe is metamorphoſed to a Stone. Let God hiſtorifie his Ionas, Herodotus will ſay more of his Arion. But ſaith Saint Auguſtine, we may juſtly ſuſpect, that the Greeke tale of the one, mean… the Hebrew truth of the other. The Devill ſtrives to be Gods Ape. If theooPſal. 18.13.Ps 18:13 Lord thunders from heaven, haile-ſtones and coales of fire: the Red Dragon alſo maketh fire to come downe from heaven in the ſight of men, Revel. 13.13. God delivered his truth; Satan had his imitating fables, to ſeduce and divert mens mindes from the ſubſtantiall truth, to enervate the credit of goodneſſe, and to amaze mens hearts with the counterfeits. Their writings were fabulous; they held it as their Patent with Painters, Quidlibet audendi aequam poteſtatem; an equall power to faine any thing. Some were ſcurrilous and obſcene, moſt of them impious and prophane. They durſt make their gods murderers, whore-maſters, malicious, contentions, unjuſt, cruell. And Ovid confeſſeth; Ignoſcite faſſo, Sollicitor nullos eſſe putare deos.

But if all theſe were fables, and Peter diſclaimes them in delivering the truth of the Goſpell; why then doe Preachers make uſe of them in Divinitie? I anſwer. There is a difference betwixt the venome in a materiall, and the wholeſome vertue. Saint Paul that condemned the one, often uſed the other: there may be honey in a nettle. As in the Law of a beautifull woman (Deut. 21.11.) that was a captive: he that deſired her for his wife, was firſt to ſhave her head, and pare her nailes. Humane learning is the Grecians Helena, full of admirable beautie: but muſt not be admitted into the Divinity Schooles, till her head be ſhaved, and her nailes pared. But from her take her abominable figments; ſhave and pare off what is dead, idolatrous, voluptuous, fabulous, thoſe ſuperfluous excretions of ſinne; of a Moabite make her an Iſraelite, and then accompany with her: ſhe ſhall bring forth faire children to the Lord of Hoſts. As Hoſea tooke Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, a wife of whoredomes; who yet bare him Iezrael, the Seed of God, Hoſ. 1.4. They were adverſaries to the truth: their ingenie was great, their induſtry greater, but againſt the truth, Aug. Therefore cut off Goliahs head with his owne ſword, Hieron. The Word of God is the Bread of life, humane inventions but for gloſſe and ornament; hanging gold and jewels upon our apparell, as the Iſraelites did on their garments. Ab illis inginua animi delectatio, ab his ſanitas & vita petitur. Thoſe like the Aliptae, may put blood in our face, and mend our colour: this is the nouriſhment that maintaines our life. Without this, all that growes in the greene fields of Philoſophie is but Toxic…, banefull: mors in olla, there is death in it; the Word of God is that Salt of Eliſha, that ſweetens the broth. The wood of the Croſſe is that wood of life, which relliſheth the Marah of Gentile-learning. Ierome was buffetted by an Angell, for ſtudying Heathen Authors too much: and Saint Iohn had a booke of this given him to ſwallo… downe. Yet I would not have men to raile downe arts, and uſe them as the King of Ammon did Davids meſſengers; to grub their beards, yea, their very chins. As if the captive woman were to be ſlaine, not ſhorne: as if Hagar ſtood Abraham in no ſtaed for procreation, and all learning were but coozenage. Though they happily can reach to the top of preferment, and never climbe by the ſtaires: ſeeme Giants in Divinity, while they profeſſe warre to Philoſophie; yet I would not have them teach their nurſe to ſucke. It is blaſphemous to preach fables, for truth: but it is not honeſt… condemne all learning for fables. Moſes rod was a common rod, yet it wrought great miracles. It is the rod that does the miracle, yet Moſes muſt be learned to handle it.

The Sophiſtrie of Heretickes is another diſclaimed Fable: for whatſoever contradicts the truth, is a fable. The Devill ſped ſo ſucceſſefully in diſputing with our mother Eve in her eſtate of innocence, that he doubts not to prevaile over her … cent children. I ſpeake not here of the Iewes Talmud, a bundle of moſt fabulous and ridiculous lyes, too vile for a Chriſtian eare. Nor of the Turkiſh Alcoran, a fa… p. 291of fooliſh impoſſibilities: as the ſtories of Angell Adriels death, Seraphuels Trumpet, Gabriels Bridge, Horroth and Marroths hanging, the Moones deſcending into Mahomets ſleeve: the Littour wherein he ſaw GOD carried by eight Angels: their ſwiniſh Purgatory: Fables fit for none but beaſts or mad-men. The Papiſts have innumerable volumes of Fables, Legends which they equall to the ſacred Hiſtory. That Saint Francis carried a thouſand out of Purgatory with him to Heaven, when he went thither. That Saint Dunſtane held the Devill by the noſe with a paire of pincers. That Saint Anthony, when a Toad was ſerved to his table, and a Text cited by his Hoſt; Eat of every thing that is ſet before thee: he preſently with the ſigne of the Croſſe turned it into a Capon ready roaſted. That Frier Andrew ſhould make roaſted birds flie away by the ſame conjuration. I ſpeake not of their monſtrous miracles, and ſhameleſſe wonders; their very Doctrine is fabulous. That CHRISTS body ſhould be locally circumſcribed in heaven, yet wholly preſent in ten thouſand places at once on the earth; this is a Fable againſt the fundamentall truth of his Humanitie. That there is a Purgatory, is a Fable, (and that a cunning one) againſt the truth of CHRISTS ſufficient ſatisfaction. Their Schoole-men have invented a doctrine of Fables, cunningly deviſed: and the Friers had crochets enow, but the Ieſuits put downe all. As the Inſtruments of battery which the Ancients uſed in the warres, were more able to ruine and demoliſh than our new inventions; but were not ſo maniable, and apt for tranſportation. So the arguments of the Friers and Schoole-men of the Romiſh Church, had as much force againſt the truth, as the ſubtilties of the Ieſuites: but theſe are apter for conveyance and inſinuation, than thoſe cloiſturall Monkes. For there are ſome poiſons that will not worke, except they be ejaculated from the live creature that poſſeſſeth them: his perſonall malignity muſt concurre to it. For this purpoſe theſe Vbiquitaries have the advantage. For otherwiſe as Rhetorick is like the hand open, and Logicke like the hand ſhut. So the Frier is an open Ieſuite, and the Ieſuite a cloſe Frier. Or, as gallopping is but a lofty amble, and ambling a ſoft gallop: ſo the Frier flies …ut in larger fields, and the Ieſuite like a cunning waggoner, turnes in a narrower compaſſe. They are ſuch as will diſtinguiſh of any truth, till they extinguiſh all truth. They ſay, there is an Idolatry which is bad, and an Idolatry which is good. Hoc in Grammar and Logick demonſtrates this thing: yet in Chriſts Word, Hoc eſt corpus …neum, it demonſtrates nothing. All their poſitions are like that ſwiniſh breakfaſt; many diſhes made ex Sue manſueto, of a tame Sow. No marvell, when a Pope him…elfe called all Chriſtianity a Fable, Quantum nobis profuerit iſta de Chriſto fabula!

Aſtrologers are other fabuliſts: who gather out of the conjunction of Planets, …nd poſition of Starres; the ruines of publike weales, and misfortunes of private families. If Sol be in oppoſition to Mercury, then the Lawyers ſhall have a bad Terme. If Mars meet with Venus, great cuſtome is promiſed to the Stewes. As if …hey were Bawdes to the celeſtiall bodies; Doctors to caſt the water of the heavens, …nd knew of what diſeaſe they were fick. In a common Almanack, the Prognoſtica…or out of his deepe judgement ſayes, that ſuch a day ſhall be ſomething differing …rom indifferent. What weather is that? Be it hot or cold, wet or drie, faire or foule; it …t ſtill ſomething differing from indifferent. Aſtrologie at the beſt is but conjecturall, …t the worſt coozenning and diabolicall. Baſil cals it occupatiſsimam vanitatem, a moſt …uſie vanitie. Conſervam creaturam adverſus Creatorem ſeditiosè concitat, Naz. It pro…okes the creature againſt the Creator. Themſelves laugh at thoſe, who, vel adeunt …el audiunt, either goe to them, or heare them. They ſmile how they fill their eares with Fables, their owne purſes with moneys. Bion condemned them that profeſſed to now Piſces in Zodiaco, the Fiſhes in the Zodiack: yet did not ſee nantes in oceano, the …iſhes that ſwim in the ſea- The events have fooled them: Manfridus told Ordelaphus Prince, that he ſhould have a long and happy life; ye he was both married and bu…ied the ſame yeare. Henry 7. in deriſion of Star-gazers, asked one who had prophe…ied of his death; What ſhall betide me this Chriſtmas? the prophet anſwered, he p. 292could not tell. Then what ſhall become of thy ſelfe this Chriſtmas? he ſtill anſwered, I cannot tell. Then I know more than thou, ſaith the King: for I know thou ſhalt preſently be ſent to priſon for a jugling companion. How they have beene extremely troubled about this laſt Comet! whether it threaten Spaine or England; or the riſing of new Sects: whether it portend Warre, or Plague, or Famine: whether to Princes, or to people; as if God had made them his Secretaries? Particular conjectures are but Fables: God knowes what he hath to doe. And if this did premonſtrate a rod to ſcourge us, let us like Niniveh repent, and pacifie the LORDS wrath before the blow comes. Let us beſeech him, Talem nobis aevertere peſtem: and the Starre ſhall leave behinde it, not a curſe, but a bleſſing, to all thoſe that ſincerely love and obey the Truth.

For uſe of this point to our ſelves; let us turne our mindes from Fables to ſerve the living God. The world indeed is too much addicted to fables. Mic. 2.11. If a man walking in the ſpirit of falſhood doe lie; he ſhall even be the prophet of this people. If a man tell you that the keeping of the Sabbath is but a ceremoniall office, this is a Fable; yet you embrace it. If another tell you, that all dues belonging to the Church are arbitrary: that no Tithes are requirable, but a Benevolence; this is a cunningly deviſed fable: yet received with that impudent precipice of judgement, that it is given out bravely, there is not a Miniſter in England can diſprove it. Alas, what arguments ſhould poore Miniſters give, when the plaine Text of that GOD who ſhall judge them, is deſpiſed! Let GOD and man ſay what they will; they have extorted our meanes, and they will keepe it. Let it be told you, that you ſhall never give account of your unjuſt and uſurious gaines, though you never make reſtitution; this is a monſtrous Fable, yet readily beleeved and admitted. For the Stage-fables, how lawfull or unlawfull they be, I will not here determine: he that goes to ſee a Play, intends not to ſee a Truth, but a Fable: a morall preſented to his eye, that ſhould convey ſome profitable document to his heart. But that ſome ſhould ſay, they can learne more good at a Play, than at a Sermon; this is a wretched blaſphemie, able to rot out the tongue of a Chriſtian. The true purpoſe of Poems and Fables, is both Delectare & prodeſſe, to refreſh the minde with delight, and to be… ter it with profit. When one accuſed the Comicall Poet, that he brought a lewde and deboiſh'd Ruffian on the Stage, and ſo gave bad example to young men. Hee anſwered; True, I brought ſuch a man on, but I hang'd him before he went off: and ſo gave good example to young men. Saint Auguſtine doth exceedingly condemne the ſtage of the Heathens; and upon good cauſe, for it was bloudy; the Actors ſlaying and butchering one another. So as Abner ſaid to Ioab, 2 Sam. 2.14. Let the young men ariſe, and play before us. He called it Playing, when every one thruſt his ſword in his fellowes ſide. For them that ſeeke to defend it thus: becauſe Cities are populous, and where are many men, are many lewd men: if their time were not ſpent ſo, it would be ſpent worſe. As when the Tyrant objected to the Player his ſawcineſſe, that he durſt perſonally tax men on the ſtage; he made him this anſwer; Be content for while the people laugh at our foolery, they never mind your villany. But this is no good argument, to excuſe ſin by ſin: to prevent an evil not allowable, by allowing an evil that is preventable. In a word, that w^ch makes a man evill, is his own evill mind.

But to conclude, you will ſay, that we are here forbidden to uſe Fables in the Pulpit; and taught barely to preach CHRISTS power and comming in the evidence of this Spirit. Beloved, I would to God your hearts were ſo ſanctified, that your eares need not be delighted: and that we could ſave your ſoules without pleaſing your ſenſes. But to what purpoſe doe wee interpoſe a Fable? To make you beleeve that it is literally true? No, but to worke an impreſſion of the morall uſe into your hearts. If we tell you that Aeſops Dog loſt the ſubſtance, by catching a the ſhadow; you apprehend our meaning, that men loſe God by catching at Ma… mon. Or, that the fly on the chariot-wheele gave out that ſhe made all that glorious duſt; you know we meane, that a vain-glorious man brags more than does. When p. 293Iotham told the Shechemites, Iudg. 9. of the confederacie of the trees to chuſe them a King, which the Bramble accepted: they underſtood him of Abimelech, and their …o kindneſſe to Ierubbaal. Theſe fables then have their uſe, by a neere and familiar way to derive inſtruction to the heart. Profanalegimus, Sacríſque interteximus; With the holy things they become holy. When God gave that great deliverance to Iſrael, from Pharaoh and his Hoſt by dividing the Red-ſea; he commanded a Song to be made of it, Exod. 15. knowing that when they had forgot both Law and Prophe…ie, yet they would ſtill keepe the Song in memory. So when you forget the better doctrine, you are helped to recall it by the Parable.

Receive not thoſe then, that would caſt away all learning as a Fable. Some there …re that purely pretend themſelves, to preach nothing but Chriſt crucified: and …heſe men have not ſtucke to boaſt, that all the flowre of the Land is of their boul…ing: wee are ſo full of Latine, of Fathers, of Poets, that there is nothing in us but …ranne. What, is all theirs? New Palaemons, to crie, Nobiſcum natae, nobiſcum peritu…ae litera? Muſt all wiſdome die with Iobs friends? Hath Philip gotten ſo much, that …e hath left nothing for Alexander to conquer? Have theſe mowers carried all into …heir barne, and not left us ſo much as the gleanings after their full carts? Can the Amnons of the people eat no cakes, but ſuch as are of Thamars baking? It is the mad merchant that cries from the Key, All the ſhips are mine. They ſpeake of us, as the people did of Saul; Is Saul among the Prophets? Alas, we may then ſay with Peter; We have fiſhed all night, and caught nothing. But certainly God hath abundance of Spirit, and gives not all to one man. But ſaying aſide pride, prejudice, ſcorne, malice; …et us all labour to turne mens ſoules to Chriſt; and doe you with a good conſcience …eare us: that Gods Name may be honoured, our office diſcharged, your underſtan…ings enlightned, and all our ſoules everlaſtingly ſaved, in the day of our Lord Ieſus.

When we made knowne unto you the power and comming of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.] This is the Proclaiming, wherein are conſiderable two things; The manifeſtation it …elfe; We made knowne to you.] And the things manifeſted; foreign; the Power …nd the Preſence of Chriſt.

We made knowne to you.] The Apoſtles did not hide the myſteries of ſalvation: …evealed to them, Rom. 16.25. The revelation of the myſtery, which was kept ſecret ſince …he world began; is now made manifeſt, and according to the commandement of the everla…ting God, is made knowne to all nations for the obedience of faith. Not that it was ut…erly unknowne before: for it were ſtrange to thinke, that the Prophets knew not of …hat Meſſias they fore-told: but the light of it was not ſo cleare and manifeſt. Chriſt …efore his comming was knowne to many, but obſcurely: after his comming hee was knowne Pluribus & clariùs, to more, and more clearely; after his Aſcenſion, to …et a farre greater number, and more manifeſtly; he ſhall be knowne in heaven face …o face, Epheſ. 3.5. In other ages he was not made knowne to the ſonnes of men, As he is …ow, in the ſame manner and meaſure, as he is now revealed. They ſaw thorow a veile, …o us the cutten is drawne. Tunc patuit Iudaeo, latuit mundo: jam patet mundo, latet In…aeo; Then the Iewes knew him, and the world was ignorant of him: now the Iewes …re ignorant of him, and the whole world acknowledgeth him. The cleareneſſe …s greater, Ex Christo miſſo, that it was Ex Christo promiſſo. The Sunne of Righte…uſneſſe did then caſt up ſome beames; now it is more glorious, as riding in the midſt of heaven. Pſal. 19.5. Comming as a Bridegroome out of his chamber, and rejoy…ng like a ſtrong man to run his courſe. And nothing is hid from the heat thereof: No…hing? Yes, uncharitableneſſe, that lives under the frigid Zone, Ice that cannot be …hawed; an hard heart, nothing but hell-fire can melt it. Affected Ignorance wil…lly hides it ſelfe from it. Ioh. 3.19. Light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe …etter, becauſe their deeds are evill. Oderunt crucem pendentis, oderunt lucem ſplenden…. The world hates both the Croſſe of him that ſuffereth, and the Light of him …hat ſhineth. Their mindes being blinded by the God of this world, that the light of the …lorious Goſpell of Chriſt ſhould not ſhine unto them, 2 Cor. 4.4. But, If it be hid, it is hid to p. 294them that are loſt, verſ. 3. Such are the muffled Papiſts, that love like Owles, onelyonly to keepe a whooting in the darke. Iohn 7.39. The Holy Ghoſt was not yet given to the Apoſtles, becauſe Ieſus was not yet glorified. The Apoſtles had the Spirit before; but Non Taliter, nec tantum; Not after the ſame manner, nor in the ſame meaſure. But he that winked at the former times of ignorance, now commandeth all men every where to repent, Act. 17.30. This is the tenour of the new Covenant, Hebr. 8.11. I will write my Lawes in their hearts: and they ſhall not teach one another, ſaying; Know the Lord: For all ſhall know mee from the leaſt to the greateſt. As light, ſo the participation of Gods light is communicative: his will muſt be knowne on earth, that it may be done on earth: as it is knowne and done in heaven. Before, God was well knowne in Iury, and his Name was great in Iſrael; but the Heathen had not the knowledge of his Lawes; much leſſe of this Goſpell, of his Chriſt. But now his way is knowne upon earth, and his ſaving health among all nations, Pſal. 67.2.

This doctrine makes to the conviction of them, that conceale the way of the Lord. Rom. 1.18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven againſt them, that withhold the truth in unrighteouſneſſe. Here the Romiſh Prieſts have cauſe to tremble; that play at blind-mans-buffe with the people; ſmite them, and bid them prophecie who did it. Our Saviour denounceth a Woe unto them, that ſhut up the kingdome of heaven againſt men, Matth. 23.13. The Romiſts thinke it their beſt policie, that the blinded Laity might not ſee their impoſtures. They reſolve, Woe unto us if the people ſhould know it: but indeed woe unto them, becauſe the people doe not know it. Like Iugglers, if they did not caſt a miſt before mens eyes, their trickes would be nothing worth.

This reproves them alſo, that content themſelves with their ignorance, and never labour for knowledge. Wee dare take you to record, that wee are pure from your bloud: becauſe we have not ſhunned to declare unto you the counſell of God, Act. 20.26. But we may ſay of you, as it is ſaid of the miſer, when hee is moved to give almes; you cannot heare on that eare. We have told you the wickedneſſe of profeſt Vſury, made knowne Gods will in that point: we have told you the neceſſity of reſtitution, reproved the exceſſſe of drinke,2 Tim. 2 19.2 Tim 2:19 of apparell: we urge that holy duty; If any man ca… on the Name of Chriſt, let him depart from iniquity: that if you doe not amend your lives, Chriſt will not ſave your ſoules: yet theſe thing you will not know. How often have you beene told; Make you friends of your unrighteous Mammon: you will not know it. You will make a friend of it, not make Chriſt your friend by it. Amicus Chriſtus, amicus Chriſtianus, ſed magis amicus mundus; You ſay, Chriſt is your friend, and the Chriſtian is your friend, but the world is your beſt friend. As the evill ſpirit ſaid, Act. 19.15. Ieſus I know, and Paul I know; but who are yee? So your whole life ſpeakes; Money we know, lands we know, ſecurity we know, commodity we… know; but for Chriſt and his poore members; Who are yee? The world is the God they worſhip. As the popiſh dolt boaſted of his picture of Saint Francis, curiouſly painted in his Cloſſet; They talke of the Rood at Rome, and our Lady of Loretto, and Catherine of Sienna, and Iames at Compostella; but I have a picture at home worth ten of them. So the worldling heares us preach of Chriſt, his precious merits, grievous paſſion, gracious redemption, glorious reward; but ſtill his Cloſſet-picture he thinkes better of than all theſe. Thus we can but preach it, and y… heare it, onelyonly God muſt give you hearts to know it. Pray and beſeech the God of knowledge, to give you the knowledge of God, in the wayes of ſalvation.

The power and comming of our Lord.] This concernes the matter manifeſted: wherein the Apoſtle intends the Summe of the Goſpell, and the full ſalvation that is given us by Chriſt, in whom are all the treaſures of bleſſedneſſe. Of this he makes two diſtinct parts. Firſt, that Chriſt came in the fleſh, ſuffered for our ſinnes, and roſe againe for our Iuſtification. Secondly, the vertue and efficacie of this in our hearts, when we manifeſt the fruit of it in our well living, and well beleeving. He… came to ſuffer for our offences, to deliver us from Satan, Death, and Hell; to reconcile p. 295us to God, to conſecrate us holy Temples of himſelfe, and to give us everlaſting life. Now when we feele theſe gracious effects wrought in us, killing luſt, quickning goodneſſe, conforming us to obedience, and confirming us in faithfulneſſe; this is to be benefited by the power and comming of our Lord Ieſus. Iuſtus venit …ad peccatores, ut ex peccatoribus faceret juſtos: humilis venit ad ſuperbos, ut ex ſuperbis faceret humiles, Ambr. He that is righteous came to ſinners, that he might make ſinners, righteous; he that was humble came to the proud, that of proud he might make them humble. Here obſerve many things.

Firſt, that the Comming of CHRIST was in Power, Eſa. 64.1. Oh that thou wouldeſt rent the heavens, and come downe; that the mounntaines might flow at thy preſence. Alas, how could this be when as he came in ſuch baſeneſſe! Eſa. 53.2. He hath …o forme nor comelineſſe, and when we ſhall ſee him, there is no beautie that we ſhould deſire him. Therefore when hee came unto his owne, his owne received him not, Iohn 1.11. His Palace was a ſtable, his Courtiers beaſts, his chaire of ſtate a man… ger, his royall robes a few ragges. No bells ring, no bonefires proclaime his birth through the popular ſtreetes: no great Ladies came to viſite his mother. In ſtead of thundering in the clouds, he lyes crying in the cloutes▪ for beating downe his enemies, he is glad to flee from their faces into Aegipt. Where was then his glorious Power, or how appeared his majeſtie? Yes, his comming was in great Power: for if all the divels in hell could have hindred it, he had beene ſtayed. Yea for this he came, …o diſſolve the workes of the devill. If our ſinnes could have letted it: yea, they rather brought him. De caelo traxerunt non merita noſtra, ſed peccata, Aug. It was not our merites, but our ſinnes, that drew him from heaven. The tyrannie of Herod, and that butcherly Inquiſition bloudied in the deaths of ſo many Infant Martyrs, could not croſſe it. Pſal. 2. The Kings of the earth conſpire, and take counſell together but nec artes nec martes, neither their power nor policie could withſtand it. Neither was the glory of Chriſt wanting, though it conveyed it ſelfe in a leſſe publike for me. He had a famous Harbinger to goe before him, and to prepare his way; Iohn the Baptiſt, than whom there roſe not a greater, among them that were borne of women. His bonefire was in heaven, a Starre directing the wiſemen to him. The bells that rung for joy, were armies of Angells; an heavenly hoſt praiſing God, Luk. 2.13. His Palace heaven, his regall Throne mans conſcience, his robes his owne merites, richly adorning us: there was majeſtie in his humility. Thus came the Lord of life to the children of death. Non liberatum fuiſſet humanum genus, niſi Sermo Dei dignatus eſſe humanus, Aug. Mankind had not beene redeemed, unleſſe the word of God had beene hominified. If we ſay that he hath humanity in him, that receives a man into his houſe; Quàm humanus ille qui ſuſcipit hominem in ſeipſum; how full of humanity is he, that receives manhood unto himſelfe! His comming was like a Lambe in meekeneſſe, yet he triumphed like a Lion in powerfulneſſe; leading captivitie captive, and free…ng all his children from eternall bondage.

Secondly, obſerve that the Goſpell is no weake thing, but comes in Power: for CHRIST. Comming hath yet further Latitude. He came once unto men, he comes ſtill into men: that was in the fleſh, this is in the Spirit. The Law indeed did more amaze the conſcience, and was delivered with greater terror, that it made Moſes himſelfe quake and feare. (Now if there was ſuch thundring at the Law giving, what would have beene at the Law breaking?) The Law came with more terror, but the Goſpell comes with more Power. For that could not turne his heart that bare it in his hand: but the Goſpell is able to change the man. It is the power of God unto ſalvation, Rom. 1.16. The Law may ſet before us our wretched eſtate by ſin, but there leaves us deſperate: it diſcovers our diſeaſe, preſcribes no cure: it doth expreſſe ſinne, but cannot ſuppreſſe ſinne. It is the glory and bleeding ſpectacle of Ieſus crucified in the Goſpel, that heales the ſoule. 1 Cor. 1.18. The preaching of the Croſſe unto us that are ſaved, is the power of God. If there be no feeling of that Power, there are no ſparkes of ſalvation yet kindled. Peters Sermon tooke little effect, till p. 296he came to this point. Act. 2.36. The ſame Ieſus whom yee have crucified, hath God made both Lord and Chriſt. Cum audiverunt hoc. Ver: 37. When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts; What ſhall we doe? Paul and Silas might have given the Iailo… good words, faire intreaties, and the moſt valid argument of all, monies, yet all this could not keepe them from the dungeon. But when the Power of God had ſhaken the foundation of the priſon, and Paul began to preach Ieſus; then he was baptiſed, rejoyced, and beleeved in God with all his houſe, Act. 16. Let men come with oratory and the entiſing words of mans wiſedome; thoſe flouds doe but beat upon ſurd rockes: but ifqq1 Cor. 2.5.1 Cor 2:5 in the power of God, this ſhall turne thoſe rockes into ſoft and fleſhy hearts. Let the naturaliſt with all his eloquence, diſſwade the covetous worldling from his greedineſſe; alas, one ounce of Gold waighes downe all his reaſons. Offer to ſtay a furious man from anger with arguments, he hath not the patience to heare them. Could the Poet detaine the laſcivious from his harlot, though he tell him that ſhe is a quicke-ſand to ſwallow him alive? alas, one ſmile from her is ſtronger with him than all reaſon. But now come with the Goſpell, and urge them with the heart-bloud of IESUS CHRIST, ſhed to ſave their ſoules from hell, and to ſatisfie for their ſinnes. This is that powerfull pleading which makes good men confeſſe their hearts to burne within them: and bad men, even an Agrippa to ſay; I am almoſt perſwaded to be a Chriſtian, Act. 26.28.

Thirdly, collect wee hence, that the word of God hath more power than all mens edicts. Men in their writings are at much coſt in adorning their ſtile, and reducing their words to number, waight and meaſure; interlacing many rhetoricall figures to beget attention. But on the contrary, the Scriptures in a plaine ſimplicitie, accommodates it ſelfe to the capacity of the weakeſt. Yet under this ſimplicitie is included a ſtrange majeſtie, and gravity of ſpeech. As great Princes in their Edicts uſe no figures to their ſubjects, but plainely and breefely ſet downe their commands: ſo God abſolutely impoſeth his will without debating the matter. Yet in perſwading, moving affection, and poſing the deepeſt apprehenſion, they have a Power beyond all writings. Read the firſt Chapter of Eſays Prophecie, and compare it with the beſt Oration of Tully. Read the Hiſtorie of Ioſeph, and confer it with any tale of Aeneas. Read the acts of David, and waigh them with the wonders of Tamberlaine. Read the Goſpell, which is the Hiſtorie of the life and death of Chriſt; and you will thinke the ſaddeſt ſtories of any humane pens meere counterfeits to it. Let the Scripturall Pſalmes and Hymns be balanced with the moſt accurate and patheticall poems; alas, when theſe vaniſh with their aire, thoſe ſhall raviſh the eare, and withall take the conſcience. Ioſephus was a man admired for eloquence, yet how he halts in his imitation! concerning Abrahams ſacrificing of his ſonne Iſaac, he makes a large rhetoricall diſcourſe:Gen. 22.Gen 22 the Scripture is briefe and plain. Take now thy ſon, thine only ſon Iſaac, whom thou loveſt: He tooke him, and the wood of the burnt offering, land laid on his ſonne, as Chriſt bore his owne Croſſe. Behold, ſaith the child, the fire and wood: but where is a Lambe for a burnt offering. The Father anſwers, My ſon, God will provide himſelfe a Lambe. There be two lines able to wring teares from the Reader, whereas Ioſephus with his ample illuſtration moves nothing. It is recorded of one Theodectes, who would have brought ſome of the Bible into a Pagan tragedie, that he was ſtricken blind, till falling to repentance he was reſtored.

Laſtly, the invincible power of the Goſpell is manifeſted in throwing downe thoſe bulwarkes raiſed againſt it. When the waters of life began firſt to flow, what ſtrong floud-gates, rampires, and dammes, were ſet to ſtop their ſourſe. All the learning, power, and policie of men, with the helpe of infernall ſpirits were bent againſt it. Demoſthenes and Tertullus for eloquence, Solon againſt Solomon, Plato againſt Moſes, Ariſtotle againſt Paul, Alexander and Ceſar againſt CHRIST: but whatſoever contenders oppoſed the truth, they diſcovered the invaliditie of their arguments, with the confuſion of their owne perſons. Chriſt ſent a few fiſhermen to the ſea of this world, with the nettes of faith; and they incloſed multitudes of p. 297…iſhes, of all ſorts and ſiſes; tantò mirabiliores, quantò rariores, even Kings and Philo…ophers themſelves, Aug. He ſent not kings and Philoſophers to perſwade fiſhermen; but fiſhermen to convert Philoſophers and kings. They that had no autho…ity to countenance them, no friends to ſide them, no oratory to ſecond them, no …iches to maintaine them: yet went abroad preaching the diſdained Goſpell of the …rucified Ieſus. And even when the kings of the earth did ſet themſelues againſt the Lord, …nd againſt his Chriſt: yet even then God did give him the heathen for his inheritance, …nd the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſsion. Pſal. 2.8. Emperors and Monarchs …ave throwen downe their Scepters at the feet of the Lambe, as therrRevel. 4.10.Rev 4:10 Elders caſt …owne their Crownes before the Throne; embracing the faith, and yeelding to the Sove…aigne ſupremacie of IESUS CHRIST. Then was that Prophecie fulfilled. Eſa. …1.6. The Wolfe ſhall dwell with the Lambe, the kid with the Lyon, and a little child ſhall …ad them. Nero and Domitian ſtudy ſtrange deathes, to afflict the Saints, and to …ppreſſe the Goſpell: yet the Church groanes and growes, bleeds and battens: eve…y drop of bloud that ends one Chriſtian, begets a thouſand. Thoſe men who at …he firſt, Timebant in verbis, poſtea gaudebant in verberibus; trembled at threatning words, afterwards embraced killing ſwords, for the teſtimonie of Ieſus. You had …nce ten Apoſtles flying, one denying, yet afterwards all rejoycing, to ſuffer for …im that ſuffered for them. Ioh. 16.8. When the Spirit is come, he will convince the …orld of ſinne, of righteouſneſſe, and of judgement. How ſhall he convince it? not …mmediately by himſelfe, but mediately by his Apoſtles, and Miniſters; who otherwiſe durſt never have beene ſo bold. Neither was this a Perſonall promiſe, but re…ll to the Church, unto the end of the world. Now if this had beene a cunning fable, …ome tale of Iupiter or Apollo, it could never have effected ſuch a content of conſci…nce, in forſaking of lands, liberties, wives, lives; in expoſing us to calumnies, calamities, torments. Tell a Turke, the worſhipper of a Mahomet, concerning riches, …onours, and carnall ſatisfactions that come to him by his Prophet; this pleaſeth …is fleſh and bloud. But tell him of perſecution, anguiſh, contempt, and death, which …is profeſſion muſt call him to; he will none of that for any Idols ſake. Yet preach CHRIST to the conſcience, the value of the price he payed to redeeme us: and then …et a thouſand dangers ſtand in our way; priſon, hunger, tyrants, torments, deaths, di…els; we run through them all with patience, and overcome them with confidence. In …heſe latter times, when the deluge of Popery overflowed; all pietie was drowned, …itie and merciemercy loſt, the Woman fled into the wilderneſſe, Antichriſt in his higheſt …uffe, Kings kiſſing his feete; when it was death to thinke of reſtoring the light. Yet …gainſt al clamours of Friers, excommunications of Popes, execrations of his Prieſts …ppoſitions of Princes by ſword and fire: the Truth was delivered from the jawes of …rror, ſet in a white chaire of chryſtall ſincerity, and moſt powerfully lodged in a bed …f peace. Where ſhe reacheth forth to us her milken hand, guiding us to thoſe …verlaſting doores, whereinto hereſie and darkeneſſe ſhall never enter. O may this Sun ſhine to us, and our children after us, ſo long as the ſun and moone in heaven en…ureth! Amen.

To apply all to our ſelves; The power and comming of CHRIST, …s the kingdome of CHRIST: let us all pray; that this Power may come …n our hearts: LORD, let thy Kingdome come. Now what wee pray with …urlippes, wee muſt endevour with ourlives. Shall wee deſire the removall of all …indrances to this kingdome, and moſt of all hinder it our ſelves? If wee obſcure …hat glory, which we apprecate our owne tongues and hearts, and the tongues and …earts of all under heaven, ſhall riſe up in witneſſe againſt us. He that makes ſuch a …eeming prayer, and retaines ſuch a ſinning deſire, doth begge conſuming vengeance …n himſelfe. Tremble at this yee wicked; you may as well ſpit upon CHRIST, …s come to Church and ſay, Thy kingdome come; and yet actually uphold the kingdome of the devill. Let us take heed of withſtanding the comming of this Power: CHRIST preached to the Iewes, they would not receive him. Behold; their houſe p. 298is left unto them deſolate. Noah preached to the old world: Lot to Sodome: Gildas to the Brittaines; they deſpiſed it; their land was deſtroyed, and given to others. Iohn wickleffe was raiſed up to this office, himſelfe was burnt, and his bookes: what followed? they ſlew the next king, ſet up three uſurpers, the nobility was butchered, the land havocked. The contempt of this Power hath brought on infallible deſolation.

What this ſinne may worke upon us, onelyonly the Lord knowes, and knowes to prevent. Comets may threaten, and rumors of warres ſound in our eares: none of theſe deſtroy us, but our owne ſins. Let us not hurt our ſelves, none ſhall hurt us. I… we be falſe to God, let us not blame others for being falſe to us. It was Chriſts complaint over that apoſtate Citie, O Ieruſalem, thou that killeſt the Prophets, and ſto… them which are ſent unto thee! Matth. 23.37.Matt 23:37If we retaine their ſinnes, there remaine for us their plagues. We uſe to arraigne and judge our prophets, whoſe Miniſtery is to arraigne and judge us, that we may not be judged of the Lord. The Iewes killed their Teachers, doe not we ſo when we withhold their life bloud from them, and ſtand … juſtifie it? Is it not all one, to cut a mans throate, and to take away the ſuſtenance wherby he lives, and without which he muſt needs famiſh? Certainely, of both it is the greater merciemercy, or (at leaſt) the leſſe crueltie, to diſpatch him quickly. It is their worke to mortifie and kill our ſins, and ſhall we kill them? that our ſins may live? Oh there is a curſed devill that bewitcheth us! God that ſuffers this, meanes thereby to ſuffer this lands deſtruction. There were not (let not envie here me) ſo flouriſhing a Church under heaven, if this ſin of Sacriledge were taken from it. But this effect hath followed it; that the profeſſion of the Goſpell in many places comes upon the ſtage, to helpe to make up the play, and to miniſter matter of mirth. And the Law doth dominere over the Goſpell, as Pilate ſate to Iudge IESUS. If this land ſhould ever come to the danger of deſtroying, (which God avert) thoſe deriders of the poore Miniſterie will run into holes, that have already buried their talents from ever doing good. And then the poore clergies prayers will prevaile more for mercies, than all their proud arrogated glories. But alas, how ſhould Chriſt come in power to helpe us, whom we have rejected comming in power to convert us! Do… he come now, and we will not know him; and can we hope he will come then when we call him? Open your hearts, all yee that feare the Lord, and let him in. As it is his owne promiſe; Behold I come quickly: ſo it is the Churches prayer, Come Lord Ieſus, come quickly. Wickedneſſe is powerfull, the devill is powerfull, covetouſneſſe is powerfull, luſt is powerfull: and hath the Goſpell of Chriſt loſt the powerfulneſſe? No, if it have not power to convert us, it will have power to confound us. If Chriſt be not ſuffered to come unto us, he will not be hindred from comming againſt us. Oh let us come unto him, that he may come unto us: ſubject we our hearts and lives to the obedience of his Goſpell; that we may he found holy and blameleſſe at the ſecond comming of the Lord Ieſus. It ſhall be powerfull then, when the heavens ſhall paſſe away with a noiſe, and the elements ſhall melt with heate, and the earth with her workes ſhall be burnt up. Let us now honour him when he come i… grace, that he may honour us when he comes in glory.

And were eye-witneſſes of his Majeſtie. This is the teſtification. Our Saviour intending that the Apoſtles ſhould lay the foundation of his Church; upon that Corner-ſtone whereupon themſelves and we all are built; he furniſhed them with all fit proviſion for it. He declared his will to their eares, preſented his workes to their eyes, fixed his truth in their hearts; and ſent them not to publiſh riddles and paradoxes and fabulous reports; but reall and actuall things which they had ſeene and heard. So might they from infallible experience give a well grounded teſtimonie. The Summe is this; Chriſt made himſelfe manifeſt to them, that they might manifeſt him to us. He let them ſee, that they might teach us to beleeve. The things which I have received of my Father, I have made knowne unto you. They muſt needs be ſcribes well fitted for the kingdome of heaven; when ſuch a Maſter read unto them the oracles of Truth. He that is the life of the Goſpell, taught the Goſpell p. 299of life. It did not hold, that he muſt needs be a good ſcholer, that had Socrates …o his Maſter. But he muſt be a good Diſciple, that hath Ieſus Chriſt for his Tutor. …e are not reporters, but witneſſes: not eare-witneſſes, but eye-witneſſes: not only of …is Humilitie, but of his majeſtie.

We were witneſſes.] But Non eget teſtimonio hominis, Ioh. 5.34. I receive not te…imonie from man. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: the way to the truth, the …ruth of the way, the life of both, of all: therefore a ſufficient teſtimonie to himſelfe. Yet he ſaith, Ioh. 5.31. If I beare witneſſe of my ſelfe, my witneſſe is not true. And of …he contrary. Ioh. 8.14. Though I beare witneſſe of my ſelfe, my witneſſe is true. Theſe …wo places ſeeme at the firſt view, contradictory. But are eaſily reconciled: in the …ormer, CHRIST did accommodate himſelfe to the capacitie of the hearers, who …cknowledged nothing more in him then Humanitie: in the other, he ſets forth his Divinitie, and diſcovers another nature in his owne Perſon: that howſoever they …ight vilipend the teſtimonie of the one, yet were convinced by the teſtimonie of …e other. But this anſwere ſeems not to ſatisfie; for CHRIST as he was man, was …ithout error, and could not give a falſe teſtimonie how then could he ſay, My …itneſſe is not true? I anſwer; My witneſſe is not true, that is, it is not effectuall, nor …ould be accepted as true by the Iewes, though it was moſt certainely true. Though … be true ſecundum rem, according to the matter teſtified: yet not true ſecundum accep…tionem, according to their acception. To the other it is objected, My witneſſe is …ue: that according to the Law no mans witneſſe is accepted for himſelfe. And, Pro. …7.2. Let another man praiſe thee, and not thine owne mouth. But CHRIST is the …ght of the world: now the light doth not onelyonly helpe us to ſee other things, but al…o to diſcerne it ſelfe. But further, if CHRIST receives not teſtimony for man, why …oth he admit of Iohns witneſſes? Ioh. 5.33. Yee ſent unto Iohn, and he bare witneſſe …nto the truth. Iohn did not intrude himſelfe into this office, but the Iewes required …im to it; Yee ſent unto Iohn. This appeares, Ioh. 1.19. This is the Record of Iohn, …hen the Iewes ſent unto him to aske him, who art thou? now Chriſt admitted of Iohns …eſtimonie for their ſakes; as he declares himſelfe; That yee might be ſaved. I re…eive not mans witneſſe, Propter indigentiam meam, for any need that I have of it: …d recolo propter ſalutem veſtram, I ſuffer it for your ſalvation, that you might be in…uced through a witneſſe of your owne chuſing to beleeve on me. I receive not the …itneſſe of man, as it is meerely mans, and of no further authoritie than fleſh and …loud: but as it is inſpired by God, I entertaine it.

Our bleſſed Saviour accepted of many witneſſes, which I will but touch, …s being not in the center, but not out of the circumference of this argument.

1 God the Father. Ioh. 5.37. The Father himſelfe which ſent me hath borne wit…eſſe of me. The ſubſtance of his teſtimonie was delivered in an audible voice; This … my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed.

2 Iohn the Baptiſt. Ioh. 1.8. He was not that light, but he was ſent to beare witneſſe …f that light. The Teſtimonie of Iohn was Inducens, perſwading: but the teſtimonie …f the Father compellens, prevailing.

3 The workes of Chriſt. Ioh. 5.36. The workes that I doe, beare witneſſe of me. This is Teſtimonium majus Iohanne; a greater witneſſe than Iohns; againſt this wit…eſſe there is an exception: if Chriſt might be knowen ſufficiently by his workes to …e the Meſſias: the ſame teſtimonie might be given to the Apoſtles, who wrought …s great miracles. It is anſwered, that Chriſt when he wrought theſe workes de…lared himſelfe to be the Meſſias: the Apoſtles when they wrought them, declared …hemſelves not to be Chriſt, but the ſervants of Chriſt: and that they effected all …nely through his name and vertue. When the diſciples of Iohn came to Chriſt to …e ſatisfied, whether he were he that ſhould come or no; he refers them to no o…her teſtimonie but his workes. Luk. 7.22. Goe and tell Iohn: what things you have …ene and heard: that the blind ſee, the lame walke, &c. Magnum magna decent: he proves his goodneſſe by his good workes. It was this that preferred Corazin and p. 300Bethſaida before Tire and Sidon in torments: becauſe mighty workes were done among them, and they repented not, Matth. 11.21. Opera virtutis, mighty workes. Luk. 24.19. He is called a Prophet mighty, not only in words, but in deeds. Neither were the Iewes only convinced, with a Nunqnam locutus eſt homo ſicut iſte, Ioh. 7.46. Never … ſpake like this man. But alſo with a Nunquam operatus eſt homo, ſicut iſte; never man di… like his man; We never ſaw it on this faſhion, Ioh. 7.31. Will Chriſt when he comes, … more miracles than this man hath done? Ioh 9.32. Since the world began the like was never heard before. What is inferred on it? Ver. 33. If this man were not of God, he could doe nothing.

4 The Scriptures, Ioh. 5.39. Secarch the Scriptures, and they are they that testifie of me. All or them, like ſo many Mathematicall lines meeting at that one comes. Every page, like a Iohn Baptiſt, pointing us to the Lambe of God that takes away the ſin of the world. Nil ferè continet verbum Domini, niſi verbum Dominum. The word of the Lord containes almoſt nothing elſe, but the Lord, that is the word. Act. 10.43. To him give all the Prophets witneſſe. They by predictions and figures, the Apoſtles by demonſtration, and truth. The firſt, of theſe Teſtimonies was pronounced, the ſecond, inſpired, the third, exhibited, the laſt, written.

5 Angels; they witneſſed his conception, Luk. 1.31. His nativitie, Luk. 2.10. His Majeſtie. Matth. 4.11. The Angels came and miniſtred unto him. His Reſurrection, Luk. 24.5. His Aſcenſion, Act. 1.10.

6 The creatures; In his nativitie a Starre, a burning Lampe ſet in the heavens: Lucifer ante ſolem; a day-ſtarre before the ſunne. In his life, the winds and the ſea anſwer his commands, Matth. 8.27. What manner of man is this, that even the wi… and the ſeas obey him! The ſunne was darkened at his death, the veile of the Temple rent, the earth did quake, the ſtones clove; and the graves were opened. At his birth the heavens did witneſſe that he was come downe to earth: at his Reſurrection, the earth did witneſſe that he was ready to goe up to heaven. The ſea was his path to walke on, the cloudes his charriot to ride on.

7 His very enemies: neither Pilate nor Herod could find fault in him, Luk. 23.15. Ye have brought this man to me, I have examined him, but can find no fault i… him; No, nor yet Herod. Pilates wife juſtfies him to her husband. Matth. 27.19. H… thou nothing to doe with that juſt man. They that came to enſnare him, depar… … mending him. You have, Matth. 22. Phariſes, Sadduces, Lawyers; all appoſing him, all convinced, and aſtoniſhed at his Doctrine. The Centurion at his death acknowledgeth; Truely this is the Sonne of God. The very divells acknowledge him, Mark. 1.24. I know thee who thou art, even the holy one of God, Act. 19.15. Ieſus I know. O powerfull Chriſt, that couldeſt Ex ore inimicorum, out of the mouth of thy profeſt enemies derive thy praiſe? How ſhould thy friends, bought with thy precious bloud, glorifie thee: when thy very enemies thus honour thee! Deu. 32.15. Their Rocke is not as our Rocke, Luk. 4.22.Luke 4:22even our enemies themſelves being Iudges. Even the Iews that crucified him, and All bare him witneſſe, and wondered at his gracious words.

8 Laſtly, the Apoſtles were eſpecially deſigned for this Teſtimonie, Ioh. 15.27. Yee ſhall beare witneſſe, becauſe yee have beene with me from the beginning. There are twelve Apoſtles, a whole Iury of theſe witneſſes: and when one of them apoſta… by tranſgreſſion, and the roome was void, they caſt lots to ſupply the place with a new witneſſe, Act. 1.22. One muſt be ordained to be a witneſſe with us of his Reſurrection. There were twelve Patriarchs in the old Teſtament, twelve Apoſtles in the new. Salomons twelve Officers, 1 King. 4.7. Moſes his twelve Pillars, Exod. 24.4. The twelve cakes of Shewbread, Levit. 24.5. The twelve ſtones in A… Pectorall. The twelve ſtones that Ioſhua tooke out of Iordan, The twelve Spies, the twelve Tribes, the twelve Starres. Revel. 12. The twelve foundations, twelve g…s, twelve Angells, Revel. 21.14. The wall of the Citie had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apoſtles. Theſe twelve were to lay the foundation of the Church. Eph. 2.20. Wee are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles p. 301Ieſus Chriſt, himſelfe, being the chiefe corner-ſtone. We are built on them; they and we …ll Ieſus Chriſt. But were there no more than twelve of theſe eſpeciall witneſſes? What ſay you to Paul and Barnabas; were not they Apoſtles? were not they wit…eſſes? Yes, they are both called Apoſtles and Witneſſes, Act. 14.4. Part held with the …poſtles: now at that time in Iconium were no Apoſtles, but Paul and Barnabas; …erefore they were. Verſ. 3. God gave Teſtimony to the Word of his grace by them in …gnes and wonders: therefore they were Witneſſes, 1 Cor. 9.1. Am I not an Apoſtle? …ith Paul. Yea, 2 Cor. 11. They are Apoſtles; Nonne ego plus? I am more. Hee is …lled the Apoſtle: when we ſpeake of an Apoſtle, and diſtinguiſh him not by name, …e commonly meane Saint Paul. But he calls himſelfe Abortive, 1 Cor. 15.8. One …rne out of due time. One is ſaid to be abortive three wayes. Firſt, either Extra …mpus debitum, when he comes not in the due and expected time. Secondly, when …e is forced from the wombe of the mother. Thirdly, when he comes not to full …erfection. Paul may be ſaid abortive two wayes, not the later:1 Cor. 15.10. 2 Cor. 11.5.1 Cor 15:102 Cor 11:5 for hee laboured …ore abundantly than they all. Ingenuouſly he confeſſeth, that he was not a whit behind …e very chiefeſt of the Apoſtles. There is a three-fold difference betwixt the reſt of the Apoſtles, and S. Paul. 1. The Twelve for twelve years preached only to the twelve Tribes of Iſrael: Paul went preſently after his calling to the Gentiles. 2. The Twelve …ivided the world amongſt them, Paul took the whole world for his Pariſh. 3. The …eſt were called (all but Matthias) à Chriſto mortali, by Chriſt in his mortality; Paul Chriſto immortali, by Chriſt in his immortality. The reſt, by Chriſt humbled: …aul, by Chriſt glorified. Though this difference be in their Apoſtleſhip, there is …o difference in their Teſtimony: they all witneſſed the ſame LORD IESUS.

This Witneſsing was one of the Apoſtles prime excellencies and privileges above …thers. The firſt privilege was their Miſſion, which was immediately from Chriſt …imſelfe, I ſend you: whereas we are ſent from him mediately by others. The ſe…ond, was their Commiſſion; Preach and Baptize, &c. They were ſent to plant the Church, whereas we build upon their foundation. The third, was their Authority, …h. 20.22. Chriſt breathed on them, and ſaid, Receive yee the Holy Ghoſt. There was number of ceremonies to make up a Leviticall Prieſt; anointings, waſhings, &c. …ut to make up an Evangelicall Prieſt, Chriſt only breathed on them: thus in a great …eaſure they received the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 2.3. There ſate upon them cloven tongues, …ke as of fire. Such a fire was kindled on that day of Pentecoſt, that the whole world …ath beene the warmer for it ever ſince. Therefore Chryſoſtome calls the Apoſtleſhip, ſpirituall Conſulſhip, which was the greateſt office in the Roman Government. …he laſt privilege is their Teſtimony, and Election to this teſtimony.Act. 10.41.Acts 10:41 God raiſed up Chriſt, and ſhewed him openly; Not to all the people, but to us Witneſſes, choſen before … God. The Lord ſent them forth ad teſtificandum, to beare witneſſe of Chriſt.

In witneſſes there are three things eſpecially required: 1. That they be Bonae …mae, of good report and repute: for a bad and vicious life enervates their teſtimony. …ut theſe were holy men: he that ſent them to give teſtimony, did not deny them …nctimony, Ioh. 17.17. Sanctifie them through thy truth. Nihil eſt puero teſte certius, …idor. No witneſſe is ſurer than a childs: when he is come to thoſe yeeres to under…and, and not to thoſe yeeres to diſſemble. Thus doth God Ex ore lactantium, out of …hildrens mouths magnifie his owne praiſe. The witneſſes were not children in un…erſtanding, but in ſimplicity and innocence of heart. They might be reproved, they …ould never be diſproved. 2. That they be Oculati teſtes, Eye-witneſſes: ſo were theſe, we ſhall heare. 3. That they be Concordes, foreign, to agree in their Teſtimony. …alſe witneſſes are eaſily found out, by being examined ſunderly; unleſſe they have …nningly digeſted their tale; and then their miſchiefe is more pernicious. But theſe …itneſſes, when they were diſperſed over the face of the earth, did Vnum ſentire, …um dicere, minde one thing, and ſpeake one thing: they delivered the ſame, wrote …e ſame, wrought the ſame, witneſſed the ſame truth even with their blouds. There…re were in all points Idonei teſtes, ſufficient witneſſes.

p. 302This Apoſtolicall Teſtimony was not without ſome oppoſition: for there were others that came in the name of CHRIST, who had nothing to doe with him. Simon Magus bewitched not onelyonly the Samaritans, but alſo the Romans. Claudius ſet up a brazen Image on Tyber bridge, with this blaſphemous Inſcriptions To Simon the great god. But while hee ſailed in the aire Remigio daemonum, hee fell downe to the earth, and burſt his necke. One Manes, admired of the Perſians, tooke twelve men, whom he called his Apoſtles, and ſtiled himſelfe the Comforter of Iſrael. But undertaking to recover the Kings ſonne, who was dangerouſly ſicke, and failing in the cure, he had his skinne pulled over his eares. A Romiſh Doctor, called the Oracle of India, gave out that he was more holy than the Apoſtles, yea, than the Angels: yea, that God made him a proffer of hypoſtaticall union, and aſſumption into the fellowſhip of the Deitie; but the modeſt man refuſed it. That he was the worlds Redeemer, quoad efficaciam, in reſpect of efficacie; as Chriſt performed it, quoad ſufficientiam, in reſpect of ſufficiencie. Horrid and unpardonable blaſphemie! So one Poſtill, a Ieſuite, under the name of mother Iane, printed a booke called the Victory of women: Maintaining, that as CHRIST redeemed the ſuperiour world, Man: ſo mother Iane ſaved the inferiour world, Woman. Here Saint Pauls Prophecie was fulfilled, 2 Theſſ. 2.11. For this cauſe GOD ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſion, that they ſhould beleeve a lye: that they all might bee damned who beleeved not the truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe. They would none of Chriſt, let them welcome Antichriſt. Iohn 5.43. I am come in my Fathers Name, and ye receive me not: if another ſhall come in his owne name, him will ye receive. He that will not beleeve theſe witneſſes, ſhall everlaſtingly periſh.

For as, Seeing wee are compaſſed about with ſo great a cloud of witneſſes, let us beleeve, 1 Iohn 5.7. There are three that beare record in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt; and theſe three are one. The Father bare witneſſe to CHRIST, at his Baptiſme, Matth. 3.17. at his Tranſfiguration, Matth. 17.5. at a manifeſt and glorious Revelation, Iohn 12.28. There came a voyce from heaven, &c. The HOLY GHOST bare witneſſe to CHRIST, in deſcending firſt upon himſelfe, Iohn 1.32. then upon his Apoſtles, Acts 2.4. making them alſo to beare witneſſe, Iohn. 15.26. Both hee ſhall teſtifie of mee, and make you teſtifie of mee. The WORD bare record of himſelfe, Iohn 10.25. When the Iewes put him to it; If thou bee CHRIST, tell us plainely: Hee anſwered, I have told you▪ When Iohns Diſciples asked him; Art thou hee that ſhould come? Hee witneſſed, I am hee. Matth. 14.62. When the high Prieſt queſtioned him; Art thou the CHRIST, the Sonne of the Bleſſed? IESUS ſaid; I am, Thus he witneſſe to the blinde man whom they had excommunicated, Ioh. 9.37. Who is the Sonne of God? It is he that talkes with thee; I am he. This he teſtified to Paul, Act. 9.5. I am IESUS whom thou perſecuteſt. And theſe three are one; Non tantum in teſtimonio, ſed … eſſentia; Not onelyonly in their witneſſe, but in their eſſence, Ardens. There be three th… beare witneſſe in earth; the Spirit, and the Water, and the Bloud: and theſe three agree to one. The Spirit of God, or of man inſpired with that Spirit, applying to his comfort the water and bloud that came out of Chriſts ſide. Water being a ſigne of o… Sanctification, Bloud of our Iuſtification. Theſe three are one, ſaith Auguſtine, I… myſterio, non in natura; Not in nature, but in myſtery: they agree in one Teſtimony. Si qua in aquâ gratia, non ex natura fluminis, ſed ex praeſentia Flaminis; The vertue that is in the water, is not of the water, but of the Spirit. Thus if in the mouth of t… three witneſſes every word be eſtabliſhed; How ſtrong ſhould be our faith, that is confirmed with ſo many and ſo great witneſſes? The intent of all is that wee ſhould beleeve, Iohn 19.35. Hee that ſaw it, bare record, and his record is true, that yee mig… beleeve. Not to give credit to all theſe witneſſes, is (ſo farre as in us lyeth) … make GOD loſe his purpoſe. Therefore theſe ſhall either witneſſe to us, or … day witneſſe againſt us.

Eye-witneſſes.] One eye-witneſſe is better than many eare-witneſſe. They p. 303ſpake not by tradition, or what curious relaters have buzzed in credulous eares: but oppoſe their owne knowledge againſt all fabulous reports; Vidimus, we have ſeene.ſſ1 Ioh. 1.1.1 John 1:1 That which we have heard, and ſeene with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life. That which was from the beginning: Not of …ate dayes, no new ſprung up noveltie. Which we have heard, immediately ſpeaking in the world, as well as mediately ſpeaking in his Word. He ſpake to our Fathers by the mouth of all his Prophets from the beginning: but in our dayes, by his owne mouth: our eares have heard his Sermons. Which we have ſeen with our eyes: Behold him working miracles, raiſing the dead, caſting out devils. Which wee have looked upon; not having onelyonly a glimpſe of him, but intentively looked upon him: as Iohn pointed to him with the finger, Behold the Lambe of GOD. Our hands have handled his precious body, both before his death, and after his Reſurrection. Doubtfull Thomas would not beleeve, and that Ex profeſſo; till he ſaw the prints of his nailes, and thruſt his hand into his ſide; and then hee cries, My LORD, and my GOD. Handled of the Word of life: How can this bee? Though this being very GOD of very GOD, is neither viſible nor palpable: yet in reſpect of the perſonall union of the two Natures in him, wee ſay againe; That which we have heard, ſeene, and handled. The Apoſtle Saint Iohn doth eſpecially of all the reſt preſſe this point; 1 Iohn 5.10. Iohn 20.31. Iohn 21.24. This is that beloved Apoſtle, Evangeliſt, Martyr, all. Saint Peter was an Apoſtle, not an Evangeliſt. Saint Marke an Evangeliſt, not an Apoſtle. Saint Matthew both an Apo…tle, and an Evangeliſt, not a Prophet. Saint Augustine a Doctor, not a Martyr. Saint Laurence a Martyr, not a Doctor: but Saint Iohn was all theſe, Dyez. Pontan. In his Epiſtles an Apoſtle, in his Revelations a Prophet, in his Goſpell an Evange…iſt, in his faith a Confeſſour, in his preaching a Doctor, in his chaſtity a Virgin, in his readineſſe to die for CHRIST a Martyr? ſuffering for him under the Croſſe, whom he ſaw ſuffering for him on the Croſſe. This is the Diſciple, that hath teſtifie …heſe things, and we know that his Teſtimony is true. Saint Paul doth alſo earneſtly …rge it, 1 Cor. 15.5. He was ſeene of Cephas, then of the Twelve: he was ſeene of above …ve hundred brethren at once: he was ſeene of Iames, ſeene of all the Apoſtles; and laſt of …ll ſeene of mee. And Saint Peter here confirmes it; Wee were eye-witneſſes of his Majestie. Now as Aristotle ſaid; If Timotheus had not beene, we had not had …o much ſweet muſicke: but if Phrynis (Timotheus his maſter) had not beene, wee …ad not had Timotheus. So, if theſe Apoſtles, Iohn, Peter, and Paul had not beene, …e might have wanted ſuch witneſſes: but if IESUS their Maſter had not beene, we had wanted ſuch Apoſtles. They ſaw with their eyes, we heare with our eares, …ORD grant us all to beleeve with our hearts, the Majeſtie of IESUS CHRIST. So it followes.

Of his Majeſtie.] The Apoſtles ſaw not with ſuch eyes as the world. The world ſaw neither for me nor comelineſſe, nor any thing deſireable in him, Eſay 53.2. The Apoſtles ſaw his Majeſtie. The world ſaw him as a dejected, rejected man; …h. 19.5. Behold the man: the man loden with ſorrowes, and overwhelmed with mi…eries. The Apoſtles ſaw him white and ruddie, of the pureſt complexion, the chiefeſt …mong ten thouſand, Cant. 5.10. Whiter than the Lilies of the valleyes, redder than …e Roſes of Sharon. Were our eyes opened, to behold the incomparable vertues of …ur bleſſed Saviour; as Plato ſaid of Vertue; he would raviſh our ſoules with an un…xpreſſible love. He is a ſpirituall, Intellectuall Sphere, whoſe circumference is eve… where, his Center no where. His Majeſty is infinitely puiſſant, the chiefeſt of ten …ouſand. The Iewes have a Pradition, that the Meſsias appeared to them at the …d ſea, like a man of warre, delivering them from the Aegyptians. For this they …d a Song, Exo. 15.3. The Lord is a man of war. It is prophecied of him, Eſay 53.12. … he ſhall divide the ſpoile with the ſtrong. His Majeſty is infinitely great, his mercy is …finitely ſweet. Cujus aſpectu diſpellu…tur tenebrae, cujus effectu liberantur animae; His …okes diſpell all dar…neſſe, his power delivers our ſoules. Come now, and behold him p. 304with the Crowne wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his eſpouſals, in the day of the gladneſſe of his heart, Cant. 3.11. There is no peace but from him, no life but by him, no bliſſe but through him, no comfort but for him, no joy but in him; O bleſſed eyes that ſee the Lord Ieſus.

How, when, where, and wherein, the Apoſtles were Eye-witneſſes of his Majeſtie, the enſuing verſes chalenge to inſtance. OnelyOnly learne we now, to make CHRIST the Object of all our eyes. Our carnall eyes cannot now ſee him: we muſt wait for that day, when with theſe our eyes in our very fleſh we ſhall behold him, Iob 19.27. Our ſpirituall, intellectuall, faithfull eyes may now ſee him. As the Iſraelites, when they were ſtung with thoſe firy Serpents, looked upon the Bre… Serpent, and were healed. So we that are ſtung with our ſinnes, muſt looke upon the Sonne of man lifted up to his Croſſe, that we may not periſh, but have life everlaſting, Iohn 3.14. No contemplation of him, no benediction from him. As Peter ſaid to the Creeple, Act. 3.4. Looke on us: and he gave heed to them, expecting to receive ſomething of them. So we muſt looke ſtedfaſtly on Chriſt, or ſhall receive no almes of comfort. Behold him in faith, that God may behold thee in him, 2 King. 2.10. When Elias was to be taken up, Eliſha begged of him, that a double portion of his Spirit might bee upon him: hee anſwered, Thou haſt asked a hard thing; nevertheleſſe, If thou ſee me, when I am taken away from thee, it ſhall be ſo unto thee: but if not, it ſhall not be ſo. A ſinner doth deſire of Chriſt, to be made a Saint, and to have his holy Spirit put upon him: Chriſt anſwers, Thou haſt asked a hard thing; nevertheleſſe, if thou canſt ſee me with the eye of Faith, thou ſhalt have thy requeſt, thou ſhalt be ſaved.

But before wee come to behold his Majeſtie let us firſt looke upon his miſery. Let our meditations follow him, from his agony in the garden, all the way of his Paſſion, by the tract of his Bloud, till we finde him dead on the Croſſe. Behold the ſcourge fetching bloud from his ſides, the thornes harrowing his ſacred head, his life-bloud iſſuing out by the wounds of the nailes. And as if all that were too little, a ſouldier opening his ſide with a ſpeare after his death, and broaching out bloud and water, Lament. 1.12. Is it nothing to you, all yee that paſſe by? Behold and ſee, if there be any ſorrow like unto my ſorrow. Sorrow is a thing of that nature, it calls for beholding: and humanitie cannot chuſe but yeeld an ocular pitie. Every good eye will turne it ſelfe, and looke upon them that are in diſtreſſe. Thoſe two mercileſſe men, Luke 10. that went by the wounded man; though they helped him not, yet before they paſſed, they looked upon him as he lay. Our Saviour being advanced on the Chariot of his Croſſe, unleſſe we purpoſely turne away our eyes, wee muſt needs be eye-witneſſes of his ſorrow. Looke upon IESUS, the Founder and Finiſher of our faith, Hebr. 12.2. Thinke of the torments he ſuffered, of the mercies he proffered, of the ſacrifice he offered: and then, as there was never griefe like his griefe; ſo there was never love like his love. When the Iewes beheld Chriſt weeping for Lazarus, they ſaid, Behold, how hee loved him! Ioh. 11.36. When wee ſee CHRIST bleeding, weeping ſtreames of bloud for us, we may well ſay; Behold, how he loved us!

Wee cannot now with Zaccheus, ſee his face, yet we may behold his merciemercy. We cannot with the ſicke woman, touch his hemme, yet we may touch him. We cannot heare Verbum Dominum; we may ſtill heare Verbum Domini. We cannot behold him dying on the Croſſe, yet wee may contemplate the efficacie of his Croſſe, and the price of his ſacrifice. His Bloud is like the widowes oyle, … King. 4. Enough to pay all our debts, and to ſpare, for our ſelves to live upon be…i…. Luke 10.23. Bleſſed are the eyes which ſee the things that yee ſee. Bleſſed eyes, … with faith and love ſee the LORD IESUS. Iohn 8.56. Your Father Abraham … joyced to ſee my day: he ſay it, and was glad. Hee ſaw it in hope, we ſee it in faith. H… ſaw it and rejoyced: who can behold, the day of CHRIST, that is, the day of ſalvation and not rejoyce? Indeed we are naturally borne blinde, how then ſhall … p. 305…me to ſee? Ioh. 9.19 OnelyOnly IESUS muſt open our eyes, that we may ſee him…fe. Ioh. 20.29. Thomas, becauſe thou haſt ſeene me, thou haſt beleeved. Bleſſed are …ey that have not ſeene, and yet hauehave beleeved. Tantò magis beati in credendo, quantò mi…s expediti in videndo; Our faith ſhall have ſo much the more commendation, as our …es have beene permitted the leſſe viſion. It is held by Divines a principall part of …r glory in heaven, to ſee IESUS CHRIST. They that are in the Courts of …inces, behold gorgeous apparell: at rich mens tables, we ſee coſtly delicates: on …e ſea men ſee ſtrange wonders: on the land, glorious Palaces: yet Peribit viſus & …ſum; the eyes ſhall be ſtopped with duſt, and the objects burnt with fire. The …oſt bleſſed ſight, is to ſee God in peace: though we loſe all the ſpectacles on earth, …dò videamus te, Lord Ieſus let us ſee thee to our eternall comfort. Bleſſe us, O Fa…er of lights, with that everlaſting viſion, where no clouds nor darkneſſe ſhall hin…r our ſpeculation. O may we ſpend that eternitie never to be ſpent, in the joyfull …ght and peacefull enjoying, of Thee our Maker, thy Son our Saviour, and that ho… Spirit our Comforter; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.