Words in Season, Title page 1 – Text 2

Words in Season · Title page 1 – Text 2

THE EMBALMING OF A Dead Cauſe: OR, Chriſt's kind acceptance of ſincere (though weak) attempts, to preſerve a ſweet ſavour upon his Concerns in the World, under thoſe many deaths he is pleaſed to draw on them, until their promiſed Reſurrection.

Heb. 12.22. But ye are come to Mount Sion, and unto the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels.

Gen. 50.26. So Joſeph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a Coffin in Egypt.

Iſa. 26.19. Thy dead men ſhall live, together with my dead body ſhall they ariſe. Awake and ſing ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the Earth ſhall caſt out the dead.

Job 14.14. If a man die, ſhall he live again? All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Printed in the Year. 1668.

p. 109THE EMBALMING OF A DEAD CAUSE.

Mark. 14.8.

She hath done what ſhe could: ſhe is come aforehand to anoint my Body to the burying.

THeſe words are part of Chriſts own Vindication of, and Apology for a very acceptable work of an Holy Woman, which nevertheleſs, through their great miſtake, came under a very ſevere cenſure at the hands of the very Diſciples of Chriſt themſelves, Mat. 26.6. who taking knowledge only of ſo much therein, as occured to their ſenſe and carnal reaſon; admitted thereby not a little diſquiet on their own ſpirits (they had indignation, verſ. 4. they murmured, verſ. 5.) and reflected much trouble upon hers, verſ. 6. Even ſuch high-raiſed and Heavenly actions of Saints, as have the moſt choiceſt eſteem and acceptance with the Lord, may yet meet with very undue repreſentations, and procure p. 110very ſtrange reflections from the hands of others truly dear to Chriſt. It ſhould therefore be no greater ſtrange thing to us to be judged by mans judgement, its well we ſtand or fall to another Maſter.

But ſo well was the integrity of her ſpirit, and the noble principles, and ſprings of this action known to Chriſt, and approved by him, that himſelf undertakes her defence (when perhaps her trouble at their hard meaſure, might ſtop her own mouth) and appears to plead her cauſe not only ſo far as to give a preſent check to their raſh concluſion, and a teſtimony to the goodneſs and acceptableneſs of her work: but withal takes order by an unalterable appointment for perpetuating the praiſe thereof, verſ. 9. That where ever the Goſpel of Grace ſhould be Preached throughout the world, this that ſhe had done ſhould be declared for a Memorial of her. Chriſtians under cloudy cenſures loſe nothing at laſt by leaving their cenſured ſelves and actings, to be vindicated by the Lord, to whom their integrity is known, and their cauſe committed, Micah 7.9, 10.

Where ever the Doctrine of the Grace of Chriſt ſhould be proclaimed, this ſhould be produced as a lively inſtance, pattern, and example, to illuſtrate and confirm the power and prevalency thereof, in that it is of power to beget on ſo contemptible a weak veſſel as this poor Woman was, ſuch exceeding largeneſs, nobility, and ingenuity of ſpirit, as was beyond what the gallanteſt principles or endeavours of meer Man could arrive unto; and yet when the memorial hereof was to be mentioned, when the Goſpel ſhould be Preached either p. 111to Nations abroad, or Generations to come, the principal intendment was not meerly to affix a mark of honour upon this individual perſon, or this ſingle act (for her very name is hid both here, verſ. 3 and in Mat. 26.6, 7.) but to commend and advance the value of the principles and motives ſhe went upon, to the encouragement and admonition of us, and others, upon whom the ends of the World are come, 1 Cor. 10.11. Rom. 15.4. I purpoſe not to mention, or ſtay upon the profitable deductions and inferences that would commend themſelves from the coherence of the words, or matter round about them, intending but a preſent brief Comment on them.

In the words firſt read, we have a double Character of her noble ſpirit ſet forth.

Firſt, In the extent of her act, She hath done what ſhe could.

Secondly, In the intent of it, She is come aforehand to anoint my body, &c.

She hath done what ſh… could] The word doth not meerly ſignifie that ſhe had ſtretched her ſelf to the utmoſt bounds of her eſtate and ability that way, to purchaſe ſo coſtly a confection as this was: for the greatneſs of the coſt manifeſted it ſelf to their offence, and it could no way mitigate their diſquiet, to tell them how much ſhe had expended in that reſpect; but hereby I underſtand Chriſt would have them know that a certain raiſedneſs and greatneſs of ſpirit had acted her to the utmoſt, beyond the ordinary ſphere of Beleevers, to deviſe and practiſe liberal notable things, ſo that ſhe was not capable of being reſtrained and circumſcribed within a narrow compaſs, ſhe did what p. 110duplicate page p. 111duplicate page p. 112ſhe could, for ſhe could not but do what ſhe did.

She is come afore-hand to anoint.] By what impulſe, or inſtinct of ſpirit, or with what diſtinct and evidence her underſtanding was aſſiſted to receive the Doctrine of, and to make proviſion for the Funeral of her Lord, is not expreſly mentioned. This is evident, that the Diſciples generally were very dark, nay averſe to notions of this kind, their expectations being very earthly & carnal, of being advanced with him, to ſome external Pomp and Glory, which his Death and Burial (ſo ſuddenly) was inconſiſtent with, by reaſon of their weakneſs and readineſs to be offended, wherein the Lord was very tender of propounding the Doctrine, and diſtilling the Notions of his Death among them, whilſt he was with them, John. 16.4. And what he delivered of this kind was hardly regarded or remembred till afterward, John 2.22. & 12.16. Luke 24.8. But this good Woman had early impreſſions made upon her heart of this bleſſed Truth, Sh… …as afore-hand, not only with the diſpenſation it ſelf, but alſo with the moſt forward of the Diſciples themſelves, expecting it, and preparing for it.

To anoint my Body to the burying.] This was the manner of the Jewes to bury, John 19.40. eſpecially where a reverend and honourable eſtimation, or ſingular affection were to be expreſſed. What might be extraordinary in her eye will hereafter be ſpoken to; only, towards the drawing this act of hers into a way of improvement for common uſe, it may not be amiſs to conſider the body of Chriſt, not only litterally, as was immediately intended in her act, but in a figurative acceptation, as other p. 113Scriptures may help, and warrant to conſider it, and our concerns about it. Thus, ſometimes by the Body of Chriſt is intended his Church and People, conſidered in their capacity of conflicting with many deaths and dangers, wherein they need, and depend upon him for aid and influence as their Head, 1 Cor. 12.27. Coloſ. 1.18, 24. Eph. 1.23. The Body of Chriſt may alſo be applied to ſignifie ſometimes the whole Oeconomy, or adminiſtrations of the concerns of Chriſt in the World, for the peculiar good of his Church, eſpecially with reſpect to the Inſtitutions of the Goſpel, according as the Legal Inſtitutions, Ordinances, and Adminiſtrations of Moſes are called the body of Moſes, Jude verſ. 9. compared with Zech. 3.2. (where the conteſt was about the reſtitution of the Ordinances of the Lord, according to the Moſaical Inſtitution after the captivity) I ſay as the adminiſtrations of the Law, are called the body of Moſes, about which Satan had a conteſt then, ſo may (by juſt analogy) the Inſtitutions of the Goſpel, be called the body of Chriſt, againſt which Satan hath not only many conflicts with them that are anointed, and honoured to be a Royal Prieſthood, but in the infinite Wiſdom of God, and for the bringing about, and perfecting of his deſigns with greater glory, he hath deſigned manifeſt deaths and burials thereunto, that his Reſurrection-Power may be the more fully manifeſted, Hoſ. 6.12. Iſa. 26.19. Rev. 11 9, 10 11. Unto this his Body myſtically and figuratively conſidered, there being ſuch promiſes of a Reſurrection, there is alſo a ſpiritual embalming to be performed to it, compleat to the capacities of the Lords dear Children, all eſſayes and p. 114offers hereunto in ſuch …argeneſs of heart, and preventing forwardneſs as was found in this Handmaid, have a very ſingular reſentment and acceptance with the Lord, as ſhall hereafter be ſhewed, the which I hope may be treated of, and applied to our caſe, without ſtretching the Metaphor beyond the bounds of Scripture allowance, or digreſſing from the Spirits intendment concerning us in this place.

The words thus opened, afford us this Obſervation;

Doct. That the Lord highly prizeth all vigorous attempts of his weakeſt Children, to preſerve a ſweet ſavour on the concerns of Jeſus Chriſt, when they are expoſed to death and burial.

All Nations where the Goſpel comes, muſt expreſly take notice (for a pattern to all that ſhall believe) what a value and eſtemation Chriſt had of, and an apology for a cenſured act of a glorious ſoul, laid out early and nobly upon what concerned him, when under a ſentence of death and burial, by the wiſe appointment of God (though to be executed by the hands of wicked men) ſo that if it might not be preſerved from rage and ſcorn, yet ſhould from ſtench and an evil ſavour, as much as lay in her, till its hoped-for Reſurrection ſhould ſet it above either what ſhe could do for it, or the enemies againſt it; may we therefore in our capacities learn that leſſon, Go and do likewiſe, Luke 10.37. In handling this Point I ſhall not confine my ſelf to any other method, than will offer it ſelf in conſidering this lively inſtance and pattern to Believers in the Text; what was the peculiar excellency of her act indiſcernable to good men p. 115that were ſtanders by, and wherein the acceptableneſs lay, and thence by way of proportion where the cogent reaſon and influence of it lyes, reſpecting us at this day.

Firſt, Then we may conſider the inward ſprings and motives of her action that lay hid from ordinary obſervation, upon which her ſpirit was raiſed, and her endeavours extended to this degree mentioned in the Text.

Secondly, We may conſider the effect of theſe lively and ennobling principles, manifeſting its ſelf in the dimentions of her activity, or how it was ſaid of her, She did what ſhe could.

Thirdly, The buſineſs or affair it ſelf, about which ſhe was converſant; a very thankleſs office in the thoughts of thoſe that were lookers on, though they were the Diſciples of Chriſt, and men honourable in many other reſpects above her.

Fourthly, The eſtimation and acceptance that it finds with Chriſt, notwithſtanding the hard meaſure, and ſevere cenſures at the hands of men.

I ſhall only ſpeak of all theſe in her, ſo, as is immediately applicable to our own caſe as we go along.

Firſt, As for the firſt of theſe; namely, The hidden principles and ſprings of motion that were open to the Eyes of Chriſt with whom ſhe had to do, though miſtaken and miſs-judged by thoſe ſpectators. Not to enlarge in that variety as the matter will bear, there are theſe two that offer themſelves by Chriſts diſcovery to our view and learning, as being needful indeed to all generous and noble actions that are wrought.

p. 1161. There lay at the bottom of her act, a lively faith, ſtrong and operative in this very matter; not only in receiving the diſcoveries of the death and burial of her Lord, whereunto the Diſciples were ſo generally unacquainted, but alſo the aſſurance of his ſpeedy Reſurrection, not only in the hints that himſelf had given of it, but alſo from the teſtimony that the Spirit had long ſince born, Pſa. 16.10. that he ſhould not ſee corruption in the grave, his early witneſs whereunto we have, John. 2.19. ſpeaking of the Temple of his body, verſ. 20. he ſaith, Deſtroy this Temple, and in three dayes I will raiſe it up again: Till he was riſen from the dead, this was not underſtood, or at leaſt not regarded and remembred (verſ. 22.) by the Diſciples; only ſuch and ſo great, apprehenſive and active, was the Faith of this good Woman, that ſhe receives the Doctrine of the Death and Burial, and quick Reſurrection from the Grave, of her dear Lord, and accordingly put her ſelf to this great Coſt, to ſignifie her complyance with the Promiſe, that he ſhould be buried, but not ſubjected to that corruption and putrefaction that attends that ſtate and condition of all others. We reade of the ſame Mary, Joh. 11.2. in conjunction with her Siſter Martha, that when they were concerned in the burial of their Brother Lazarus, though there was no want but rather a ſuperabundance of love to him, living and dying: Chriſt loved him, Joh. 11.35, 36. The Diſciples loved him, for they could be content to go and die with him, verſ. 16. His Siſters loved him to ſome exceſs, verſ. 31. and yet becauſe they had no expectation of his Reſurrection till the general Reſurrection, verſ. 24. they p. 117yielded him up to corruption, Joh. 17.13, 14. ſo that when he had been dead four dayes, they concluded by this time he ſtinketh, verſ. 39. plainly ſhewing, that having not any faith, or fore-ſight of his return to life again ſo ſpeedily, they were at no coſt to embalm or perfume him againſt the ſtench of the Grave: but touching him whom God would raiſe up from the Grave not to ſee corruption, (wherein he tranſcended David who wrote that Pſalm, who having ſerved his generation, by the Will of God fell aſleep, was laid to his Fathers, and ſaw corruption) Acts 13.34, to the 37. Acts 2.24. to the 32. So true and ſtrong was her Faith herein, that ſhe deals not with him as with Lazarus, but afore-hand anoints him; and after he was in the Grave, again prepares another Confection of choice Embalm to perfect what might be lacking in the former, Luke 23.56. Mark 16.1. by which we may perceive that Faith (and ſuch as was not found in Iſrael ordinarily) lay at the bottom, and contributed aid and influence to all theſe great acts, and to this particularly wherein ſhe did what ſhe could for Chriſt. In juſt proportion hereunto, and on the ſame reaſon, is there need of Faith unfeigned, even Faith of the operation of God, to ingage ſouls to ſhew the like reſpect to the dying Cauſe, Intereſt, and Concernments of Jeſus Chriſt. Other men (and they alſo good men in the main) generally give it over, when ſuch diſtreſs and dying pangs come on it, till Chriſt come in the clouds of Glory, eſpecially where the grounds of their carnal and creaturely expectations of its revival do periſh and fail; none have ſuch engagements on them to lay out themſelves in preparing proper p. 118imbalm for it, (of which mention is made hereafter) but they who have upon Goſpel, and unmixed principles, an inſight into, and a fore-ſight of the deſign of God to give it an effectual reviving and Reſurrection. The Faith then of this Reſurrection is the needful principle to enlarge ſouls in ſuch a caſe to do what they can for Chriſt's ſake.

2dly. There was alſo in the bottom of this famous cenſured act of hers, fervent love in its lively operation; which is a large and defuſive principle actuating ſouls upon very noble and unparallel'd exploits: its power and tendency to do ſo, commends its ſelf in that ample character and deſcription the Apoſtle gives of it, 1 Cor. 13. throughout. We have a very particular account of this principle brought forth to evidence by our Lord himſelf in an act of like coſt and ſignification in the beginning of her way of following Jeſus Chriſt, Luk. 7.47. ſhe there v. 37. brings an Alabaſter box of Oyntment, and with it anoints his feet (having as the chap. ſhews) waſhed them with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. This perfume, though it filled the houſe with its odour, yet was little underſtood, in its ſpring and principle, by them that ſate by; but Jeſus diſcovers it, verſ. 47. Much was forgiven her, therefore ſhe loved much; there was much love in her ſoul on work, and hence ſhe layes out her ſelf much upon her Lord; the love of Chriſt conſtrains her, and this, though it was to work ſo early, yet was not ſoon expended, but rather increaſed more and more; neither was it clouded, or abated by the expectation of an approaching death and funeral, but herein alſo puts p. 119out its ſelf, doth what it could towards his burial. Love makes her follow Chriſt not only in life but in death alſo, at his death to ſee the utmoſt of him, and do the utmoſt for him; compare Luke 23.27, 28, 55, 56. chap. 24.1. & Joh. 19.25. chap. 20.1. & Mark 15.40, 41, 47. you may perceive how Love led them from place to place, where Hazard might ſeem to way-lay them, and how unſatisfied they were with what others did tending this way: It was not the fine linnen Joſeph of Arimathea bought; it was not the newneſs of the Sepulchre hewed out of a Rock, in which never man lay, but fitted (it ſeems) for himſelf, Mat. 27.59, 60. nay, it was not the coſtly bed of Spices that Nicodemas laid him in, John 19.29, 40. could ſatisfie them, but there muſt be more Spices bought to this end, Mat. 16.1. Love is ſtrong as Death, all the ſubſtance of a mans houſe will be contemned in the purſuit of it, Cant. 8.6, 7. In like manner will it be where a ſoul or people have, from the love of Chriſt ſhed abroad in their hearts, a ſutable reflexion on the things of Chriſt, they being ſo apprehenſive of, and enamoured with the unalterable beauty of them, as theſe deaths and burials they meet withal do not alter the complexion of them, or abate of that dear love and ſtreaming affection to them; where it dieth they will die, and there will they be buried, nothing but death, nay death it ſelf will not be able to ſeparate 'twixt it and them, Ruth 1.16, 17. their own lives will not be dear to them for its ſake, Phil. 2.30. Acts 15.26. chap. 20.24. Rev. 12.11.

Secondly, But let us proceed to conſider the Effect of theſe noble and innobling Principles of p. 120Faith and Love in this affait in the Text; and alſo in the like on the Children of God at this day, where the work of Faith and Love with Power are produced; this commends it ſelf in the extent of ſuch acts as are performed, ſhe did what ſhe could; the commendable latitude of her ſpirit and endeavour, is a qualification well worthy a little enquiry, When may a ſoul be ſaid to have done what he could? This and the like expreſſions, when they are applyed to ſet forth the Lords acceptance of a ſouls inlarged endeavours after, or for himſelf, do not ſignifie ſuch a perfection of intention, or act as denotes perfection, which is not capable of increaſe or addition. The choiceſt Saints in their higheſt ſervices and attainments this way, have found cauſe to cry out when they have done all that they could (at the beſt rate) yet they are unprofitable ſervants, Luke 17.20. here is no place for Pride; boaſting is excluded by the Law of Faith, Rom. 3.27.

The expreſſion it ſelf, however applied here to the commendation of this good Woman, yet implies ſome degrees of imperfection, and ſuppoſes the act in ſome reſpects to be ſhort of abſolute compleatneſs; As for Inſtance,

1. Firſt, Though ſhe did, and a Chriſtian in his higheſt endeavours may have done what he could, yet may it be very ſhort of having done what he ſhould; there lies a very vaſt diſproportion moſt times betwixt the perfection of the Law, and the utmoſt attainments of our act, ſuch as may hide pride from us. The Law of the Lord is perfect, Pſal. 19.7. The Law is holy, and the Commandment holy, just, and good, Rom, 7, 12. The Law is ſpiritual, p. 121verſ. 14. Indeed the Holy God, who is perfection it ſelf, can require nothing leſs than perfection for ſutable converſe with himſelf, Mat. 5.48. Now between this perfect rule, and our imperfect act, what proportion can there be? I am carnal, ſold under ſin, our unſpeakable mercy lies in the new and living way of Gods own appointing, to preſent our ſelves and ſervices without ſpot, and without blemiſh to himſelf; not through the works of Righteouſneſs that we have wrought, but according to his own mercy and grace, whereby he makes us accepted in the Beloved.

2. Secondly, Though ſhe did, and a Chriſtian may be ſaid to do what he could; yet may there be, and many times there is a great ſhortneſs of doing what he would; as there is a diſproportion betwixt the Act and Law of which a poor Saint often complains; So is there betwixt his heart and hand, or (as Chriſt tenderly excuſeth it in his Diſciples) betwixt a Spirit that is willing, and the Fleſh that is weak, Mat. 26.41. This is that the Apoſtle in the perſon of a poor Child of God complains, Gal. 5.17. We cannot do the things we would. And Rom. 7.15. to the 21. he finds a Law, that when he would do good, evil is preſent. Here now is a Chriſtians caſe, and the comfort concerning his act, when in all his apprehended ſhortneſs he finds a true gracious principle that delights in the Law of God, and preſſeth after a perfect union with, and a ſimilitude to it, groaning under, and conflicting to his utmoſt, with the contradictions of his infirm ſelf: where this is indeed and in truth obvious to the ſearching eye of Chriſt, he puts that bleſſed conſtruction on it, as to his Diſciples, p. 122the Spirit indeed is willing, &c. and the Spirit teſtifieth, 2 Cor. 8.12. That if there be firſt a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. We ſerve not an hard Maſter that requires impoſſibilities, or expects beyond what he hath inabled for. He was judged a wicked and ſlothful Servant who had formed up that dreadful apprehenſion of a ſevere and cruel Maſter, that reaped where he did not ſow, and gathered where he did not ſtraw, Mat. 25.24, 26. We have a very choice character of the diſpoſition of the Lord toward the off-ſpring of a willing mind, Mark 12.42. to the end; a Widow caſt into the treaſury two mites, that make a farthing; a very ſmall and inconſiderable thing for the bulk of it, but being the product of a noble mind, and being extended to all that ever ſhe had, ſhe had done all what ſhe could, and this hath more acceptable entertainment and high commendation, than the many rich, who caſt in much of their abundance; they might have (comparatively to her) narrow ſpirits, though they had larger Purſſes. Hence was the commendation of the Churches of Macedonia, 2 Cor. 8.2, 3. The deep poverty was matched with abounding riches of liberality, and then to their power, and beyond their power, they were willing of their own ſelevs, and that was on this principle, verſ. 5. Firſt they gave their own ſelves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. Souls yielded up to the Lord are the only generous ſpirits. The greatneſs of Davids joy, 1 Chron. 29.14, 17, 18. was not ſo much for the greatneſs of the gift, but the willingneſs and uprightneſs of the heart (his own and others) that drew them out to do what they could p. 123for the Houſe of God. But a little more particularly to attempt the reſolution of this enquiry, When a ſoul may be ſaid to do what he can for Chriſt?

1. Firſt, We only then do what we can, when our ſpirits are bending and preſſing toward an abundance and increaſe of act, according as we find the concernments of Chriſt about which we are converſant, requires or needs it, when as we ſee the diſtreſs of it increaſe, there grows upon us daily the care of theſe concerns, as we ſee the dayes are evil, wicked men worſe and worſe, and good men faint and weary, we then lay about us: What excellent thing do we, can we do, what do we more than others? Its the guiſe of many Profeſſors, when they ſee Chriſts things go to the Wall (as we ſay) then to ſtudy Prudence and Wiſdom, things good in themſelves and in their place, but what do they ſignifie here but a meer politick contrivance how to preſerve themſelves by an abatement of their zeal, a temperament and qualification of the height and ſtrickneſs of their Profeſſion, the diſpoſition of ſuch tends this way, they will do as little as they can for Chriſt; They hope they may be ſaved if they meet not ſo often, nor ſo publick, nor ſo many as formerly, until at length their prudence will be to leave Chriſt alone, and repair to, and care for their own things. Nay it will be well if it turn not them aſide to their crooked wayes, where God hath threatned to lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Oh! where are thoſe ſtirrings of ſpirit, when we ſee a City, a Nation wholly given to Idolatry, ingageing the more publick, frequent, and fervent appearing p. 124on Gods behalf, Acts 17.16. That would have entred into the Theatre had he been ſuffered, Acts 19.13, 31. That when the Decree is ſigned, of death without mercy, yet will keep on, not only Moral but Inſtituted Worſhip, to the utmoſt as aforetime, Dan. 6.10. Raſhneſs is not here pleaded for, but a zeal of God according to knowledge, and an holy fervency of ſpirit, ſerving the Lord, rejoycing in Hope, patient in Tribulation, continuing inſtant in Prayer, not forſaking the aſſembling our ſelves, though the manner of ſome be ſo; but exhort one another daily while it is day, provoking to Love and good Works, and that ſo much the more as we ſee the dayes be evil, and that day approacheth.

2. Secondly, We then do what we can when we make it our care and buſineſs to get our ſpirits and frames in all we do, raiſed on more noble principles than formerly; Goſpel-principles are not revealed to us, or improved by us to their height at firſt; The Righteouſneſs of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, Rom. 1.17. Who walk by it from ſtrength to ſtrength, Pſal. 84.7. And are changed from glory to Glory, 2 Cor. 3.18. They that reſt in, and truſt to former Attainments and Experiences, will find them ſhort of furniſhing for new ſervices of Sufferings: We have need, in theſe thorny and rocky paths, to have our ſhoos of iron and braſs, and as the day is, ſo ſhould our ſtrength be, Deut. 33.25. We have need not only to prefer that requeſt, Lord help our unbelief; but alſo, Lord increaſe our Faith.

3. Thirdly, We do what we can then, when we improve our utmoſt intereſt in others; Saints p. 125and Sinners do ingage them to do what they can for Chriſt, when the diſtreſs is publick and extended to others generally; it ſhould not ſatisfie our ſpirits, to narrow up our care and endeavour within the compaſs of our own things. It was a ſad complaint, All ſeek their own, Phil. 2.21. Ye ſhall be ſcattered every one to his own, Joh. 16.32. This good Woman in the Text doth not ſatisfie her ſelf, to make preparation for the embalming her dear Lord, but ſhe is ſtill found accompanying and ingaging others with her, Luke 23.55, 56. & chap. 24.10. Our forwardneſs and zeal, as was theirs of Macedonia, which provoked very many, 2 Cor. 9.2. Alas! we are debtors to others, both Saints and Sinners, Rom. 1.14, 15. And we ſhould do as much as lies in us, to get them engaged to Chriſt as debtors to him, chap. 8.12. Oh! did the worth and need of ſouls preſs more upon us, we ſhould not be ſo private ſpirited as we ſeem to be, in reſpect of the diſperſing the knowledge of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, but ſhould be more ready and leſs afraid to ſuffer all things for the Elects ſake, that they (be they converted, or unconverted) may alſo obtain the Salvation which is in Chriſt Jeſus with eternal Glory, 2 Tim. 2.10. Oh! ſtrive and ſtudy to do then what you can for Chriſt.

But here it may be requiſite (ere we go further) to remove out of the way ſome of theſe deceits of Satan, whereby it is uſual with him, to wrap many poor ſouls in their ſelf-pleaſing, but indeed to their detriment and undoing. How frequently doth it occur to our obſervation, That it is the pretention of many Profeſſors who ſeek their eaſe in Sion, as well as of prophane perſons, that though they do p. 126but little in the great & momentous matters of Eternity, yet they do what they can, they ſay; and if God accept the will for the deed, what need ſo much clamour to preſs them further? God is merciful, and why ſhould we be ſo over-ſtrict? will we have men do more than they can do? To free the Scripture from ſuch corrupt gloſſes, and forewarn and deliver our ſelves from ſuch inſnaring temptations to eaſe and ſlumber, let us conſider, That there are divers luſts of a very narrowing debaſing tendency, within the Circles of which Satan attempts to bring poor ſouls in ſuch dayes as theſe, and then ſhrinks and ſhrivels them upon all quarters, that they can do no excellent thing for Chriſt: Its a pitiful, its a dreadful thing to think to excuſe our want of activity for God, upon the account of the ſtraits that ſuch temptations and iniquities lead us into; this is to cover with a covering that is not of the Spirit, that they may add ſin to ſin, which hath a woe pronounced on it, Iſa. 30.1. chap. 28.20.

1. Firſt, Satan doth endeavour what he can, to debaſe Souls, by filling them with carnal and unbelieving diſcouragements; this exceedingly diſableth them from attempting any thing that is excellent. Its but little ſuch a one can do; and its a pitiful account he can give of having done what he could; beſides the common diſcouragement that ariſeth from the perſecution at the hands of wicked and ungodly men, the nature and tendency of which diſcouragement is frequently ſpoken unto (and I ſhall here paſs by.) There are ſundry that are apt to ariſe from good men themſelves, in thoſe cenſures, and miſs-judgings that forward p. 127ſouls meet frequently in the way; and indeed they wound very deep: Had it been an enemy I could have born it, but it was thou, a man, my friend, and my familiar, &c. this cut deep. To apply only to what is in the Text, it was in the opening of the Context noted, that this grand work of hers that had ſuch an eminent commendation from Chriſt himſelf, as ſpringing from more Faith and Love than ordinary, fell yet under ſuch ſevere judging of the Diſciples themſelves, that it put the ſoul of this good woman into no ſmall trouble, Mark 14.6. Let her alone, why trouble you her? If we note a few of the offences they had at her, and objected againſt her; and by comparing them, we ſhall find that they have an exact ſimilitude to the Cavils at this day, ſtarted againſt the zealous Saints; under which it may quiet us to conſider that they are no new, and therefore ſhould be no ſtrange thing to us.

Cavil 1. There was no prudence uſed in this act, this ſeems to lye at the bottom of their ſenſe: wiſe men would not have done like this fooliſh Woman thought they, and at this they had indignation within themſelves, verſ. 4. and murmured againſt her; they were in a very pettiſh and impatient fit, as if they had ſaid, theſe unpreſidential actings will make a great noiſe to little profit, and at length ſpoyl all our prudential reaſonings. But now when they are improved, without due regard to the great intereſt of Chriſt, which ought to be laid and cared for in the firſt place; they prove great offences, not only to hinder ſuch contrivers themſelves, but to obſtruct others who were following Chriſt, and would be induced to follow p. 128him, in more faithfulneſs, courage, and ſimplicity.

2dly. A breach of the law of Charity was pretended, the ſaving what ſhe had for her ſelf, the providing for the Poor, the ſupplying the Bag that Chriſt and his Diſciples lived upon, are ſuppoſed to be damnified and neglected hereby; Mercy ſhould have been preferred before zealous Sacrifice, &c. This is a uſual Objection, but there is more of Judas in it, than many that are offended by it are aware of, John 12.6. Charity to bodies is pretended and advanced hereby frequently, above Love to Chriſt, and Charity to poor ſouls; they may ſtarve and die for want of a word of Life rather than ſuch loſſes muſt be ſuffered, ſuch hazzards run, ſuch coſt expended.

3dly. The thing was let run at waſte, was another Objection: Chriſt had no need of it, he was ſweet without it, and it was early enough for his funeral; her love was known without ſuch coſtly characters. Is not this a common way of reaſoning? Cannot the Goſpel be preached, the Cauſe of Chriſt ſecured, the Profeſſion of Chriſt upheld, unleſs you, ſuch poor weak ones as you, muſt make a noiſe, and run your ſelves and others upon ruine? you will be brought to beggary, your families ruined, then who muſt maintain you? Chriſt is in Glory, the everlaſting Goſpel will be preached in due time, in the midſt of Heaven the Elect will be called, and we that are Chriſts ſhall go to Glory, though you never make ſuch a-do. This is uſual, and apt to diſcourage; yet ought indeed to ſignifie little with gracious ſouls, who know that God doth ſet them for the defence of the Goſpel, p. 129as a pillar and ground of Truth, being his witneſſes againſt an adulterous generation, before whom ſhould they be aſhamed to profeſs him; the ſtones will cry out, and Chriſt would be aſhamed of them before his Father, and the holy Angels; but in this their faithful teſtimony, though friends ſcorn them, Job 16.20. yet by Prayer and Supplication, committing themſelves, and the pleading their cauſe to God, he will in due time plead their cauſe, and take up the controverſie as he did this poor Womans, when they that have judged them ſhall be aſhamed: This then is the firſt caution, Take heed that your hearts be not diſquieted by ſuch weakning diſcouragements from without, or within, leſt you be weary and faint in your minds, and thereby become diſabled from doing excellent things; think not that God will own and accept the reſult of ſuch wind-ſhaken-minds, and put this mark of favour on it, She did what ſhe could.

2. Secondly, Another ſinful Circle, within which Satan endeavours to conjure the ſpirits of many Profeſſors, and therein narroweth and ſtraitneth them from any capacity to do what they might for Chriſt, is becauſe, the buſineſs, and ſpirit of the world, buſieth them with Martha's lot in many things, and then they think they have as good excuſe for their neglects as had ſhe, that doing as much as nothing, it muſt paſs, becauſe they do what they could. This is very lamentable, though frequently ſpoken to; it remains the guiſe of many Profeſſors, You know my buſineſs, what a deal of work I have, ſaith one: What a deal of care and deſtraction I have, ſaith another: Juſt as p. 130they that were bidden to the Wedding-Supper; one had bought a Farm, and he muſt go and ſee it; another had bought a yoke of Oxen, and he muſt go and try them; another had married a Wife, and therefore he cannot come; all deſire, Pray have me excuſed; all begin to make excuſe with one conſent, Luke 14.18. You may reade one word, and ſee how badly ſuch excuſes will ſtand in the day of Chriſt, when not one of thoſe that were bidden, ſhall taſte of the Supper, v. 24. Oh! when mens hands are ſo full of buſineſs, and that moſt times greedily and unneceſſarily ſought after and purſued, that they cannot come; or at leaſt their hearts ſo over-charged with the cares and pleaſures of it, that they cannot come to any purpoſe; what doth this portend, but ſome ſwift ſtroak at hand on ſuch a fooliſh people, to make up that lamentation? Jer. 9.

3. Thirdly, A third advantage Satan gets on many, by which he incloſeth them within their ſpiritual benumedneſs, That they can do very little for God, and yet pleaſe themſelves, is the old uſual complaint (and that not without cauſe, though moſt times without ſenſe) of a bad dead cold heart; when this ſeems to be the Religion of people, and that, from whence they get, or would get, not only excuſe for their ſhortneſs, but a ſuppoſition that they are very humble, tender, ingenious, watchful, experimental, becauſe they are ſo able and apt to tell of, and mourn over bad hearts; but hardly have I ever obſerved a people ſo inclinable to the deepeſt hypocriſie, and palpable neglect of any ſpiritual means to make them better; but as the door turns upon the hinges, ſo do they upon ſuch p. 131complaints, till what they artificially complain of at firſt, ſpring up at length as a Leproſie in their foreheads, to be ſeen and read of all men.

4. Fourthly, Another ſinful boundary wherein Satan wraps many, and diſableth them from doing any thing excellent for Chriſt (and then they think it well enough, if they do what they can within their compaſs) is, The offence of Spirit that is apt to grow either at the ways or people of Chriſt, becauſe of the imperfection, they eſpie or ſuppoſe to be found in them: But, bleſſed is he that is not offended in Chriſt, Mat. 11.6. Such diſtemper is dangerous, eſpecially in ſuch a dark ſtate of things, wherein that word ſeems verified, Mat. 26.31. This night ſhall ye be offended becauſe of me: When Profeſſors are apt on all hands to ſtagger and fall into ſin, providences frown, opportunities of ſerving God cannot be come at without apparent hazard; ſpirits of people grow froward, apt to catch at advantages, glad to find excuſes, for departure from Relation to one another, hard to be reconciled; this is a bad ſeaſon for ſouls apt to ſtumble at the ſtumbling-ſtone: It begins with this, I am not free to meet, pray with, hear, joyn with ſuch a one (although all acts of Chriſtian duty for removing offence are neglected) and at length it appears, that of whom one is overcome, of him he is brought into bondage. Oh! ſtudy to preſerve the unity of the ſpirit in the bond of peace; Great peace have ſuch as love the Law of Chriſt, and nothing ſhall offend them.

5. Fifthly, To name no more at preſent, Satan gets hold on many, by pleaſing them under a ſlothful, ſinful abuſe of this notion, We can do nothing, p. 132without we have help from the Lord: The which way of reckoning, as it is moſt commonly abuſed, hath this ſignification, All the idle neglects of Profeſſors ſhall be as much (as they durſt for modeſty expreſs themſelves) fathered upon God. As the firſt way of Satan to cover the mans iniquity, was, The Woman that thou gaveſt to be with me, ſhe gave me, &c. as if he had ſaid, Hadſt thou not given me a Woman, I had not ſinned: the evil lies at leaſt between us; but from all ſuch excuſes, God will be clear when he is judged.

This may ſerve as a taſte, That its not every I can do no more, will ſerve the turn to excuſe us, much leſs obtain for us this bleſſed Teſtimony Chriſt gave of this Woman, She hath done what ſhe could, ſhe hath come aforehand to anoint my Body to the burial. You may do more than you do all of you; nay, all things conſidered, muſt do more than this perfuming-work, of which I ſhall ſpeak a little more particularly to ſhew its ſpecial nature, when I have firſt offered a few Conſiderations, ſhewing what engagements do lie on us, to do what we can for Chriſt, eſpecially in this buſineſs of begetting a good ſavour on his things, in this day, when they are expoſed, as much as may be, to ſtinking.

1. Firſt, We are concerned to do what we can for Chriſt in this reſpect, becauſe Chriſt hath done what he can to put a ſweet ſavour upon us, when we ſtank to purpoſe; and doth not ingenuity require that we put the queſtion the Prophet did, 2 Kings 4.13. Thou haſt been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? Or, as the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 116.12. What ſhall I render to the Lord for all p. 133his benefits? eſpecially when he looks for nothing but our returning on his Name, the reflection of the ſweet ſavour that he hath beſtowed on us; let's but conſider, what great things (of this kind) he hath done for us, 1 Sam. 12.24. What were we when he caſt a look of Love upon us? Our navel was not cut, nor waſhed in water at all, not ſalted at all, nor ſwadled at all; caſt out in the open field in our bloud, to the loathing of our perſon, troden under in bloud, &c. Ezek. 16.4, 5, 6. The ſtench of a ſoul in ſuch a plight, may be read Pſal. 38.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Well, to take away this evil ſavour, What hath Chriſt done in his Oblation? Eph. 5.2. Gave himſelf an offering and a ſacrifice to God for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour. What doth he by conſtant Interceſſion? Rev. 8.2, 3. ſtands with much Incenſe to offer up the perſons and ſervices of Saints, with acceptation, as a cloud of perfume aſcending up before God out of his hand. All the offerings under the Law, both on the Brazen Altar for Sacrifice, and on the Golden Altar of Incenſe, are only figurative of what Chriſt doth this way; of all which its ſo frequently ſignified, Its an offering made by fire, of a ſweet ſavour before the Lord. What doth he by beſtowing his Spirit in the work of regeneration, but anoint with precious oyntment, Ezek. 16.9, 10, &c. Or, as was the manner of Kings to prepare for their intimate Communion, Eſth. 2.12. What is the diſplaying his Name, but an oyntment poured out, Cant. 1.3. What are his Appearances, ſmelling of Myrrhe, Aloes, and Caſſia, Pſal. 45.8. and all to make us glad? Are not the kiſſes of his lips for that end perfumed, to that end, to convey to us a ſavour of them, p. 134Cant. 5.13. What, I ſay, doth all this ſpeak, and ſignifie, if not an obligation that we ſhould be a ſweet ſavour to him, and leave a ſavour of him in every place, in ſuch eſpecially, as wherein his Name is or may be defamed, 2 Cor. 2.14, 15, 16. Oh! let our garments be alwayes white, let our head and heart want no oyntment, to pour out as there is occaſion, liberally and bountifully, when in any ſenſe (as was ſaid of the Colt, Mark 11.3.) the Lord hath need of it.

2dly. Its but reaſonable we ſhould do what we can to bring up a ſweet ſavour upon the things of Chriſt, if we call to remembrance, What coſt and pains we have been at, (to repreſent that ſavoury, which is pollution, and rottenneſs it ſelf, I mean) to beautifie and accommodate any ſtinking luſt; unto which we were bound, though in ſo doing, we laboured in the very fire, and wearied our ſelves for very vanity, Habak. 2.13. For who can bring up a clean ſweet ſavour on that which is ſo unclean? Shall we beſtow ſuch endeavour to perfume a dunghil luſt? and ſhall not we much more lay out our ſelves now upon things that are of an excellent nature, on whom God hath determined to beſtow ſuch weights of Glory? ſee the diſpoſition and drudgery of a poor ſinner in ſeeking to keep up a part at a diſtance from God, Iſa. 59.9, 10. Thou wenteſt to the King with oyntment, and didſt increaſe thy perfumes, and didſt ſend thy meſſengers far off, and didſt debaſe thy ſelf, even to Hell; thou art wearied in the greatneſs of thy way, yet ſaidſt thou not, There is no hope, &c. What Oyntments, what Perfumes, what Coſt, what Trouble was there expended by this poor wretch, to bring about his intereſt in a p. 135way agreeable to his own luſt, and wretched heart of apoſtaſie, debaſing its ſelf, even to Hell? and ſhall we be ſo loath to lay our ſelves out to the utmoſt in ſuch oyntments and perfumes, as are on ſo bleſſed an object, and to ſo advantagious an end as is now propoſed? Shall the whoriſh Woman, Prov. 7.17, 18. perfume her Bed with Myrrhe, Aloes, and Cynamon, to ſatisfie and fill her ſelf and her luſt with greater content; and are we ſo loth to prepare ſuch a bed for our Lord's concerns till the day break and the ſhadows flye away. Oh! lets learn, that as we have yielded our members ſervants to uncleanneſs and to iniquity; even ſo now let us yield our ſelves ſervants to Righteouſneſs and to Holineſs: Rom. 6.9. What fruits had we in theſe things, whereof we are now aſhamed?

3dly. We ſhould do all we can to raiſe a ſweet ſavour, for that the adverſaries of Chriſt do all they can to beget a ſtench upon the things of which we ſpeak; they do what they can to make them as the filth of the world, and off-ſcouring of all things to this day; the Dung-carts of the world, into which every one throws the dirt and excrement that they caſt out of their doors, 1 Cor. 4.13. If the Witneſſes of Chriſt be ſlain, their dead bodies are not ſuffered to be put into graves, but lie in the ſtreets of the great City, Rev. 11.8, 9. Pſal. 79.1, 2, 3, 4. Pſal. 141.7. Ezek. 24.7. And why thus left above ground; but that (as Iſa. 34.3) their ſlain being caſt out, their ſtink may come out of their carkaſſes. Shall the enemies of Truth do what they can againſt the Truth, as Pilate gave a charge, Ye have a Watch, make it as ſure as you can, Mat. 27.65. p. 136Were they at ſuch charge to debauch Judas, to debauch the Souldiers that watcht the Sepulchre? and all to make the intereſt of a dead Chriſt abhorred among men; and ſhall we not do what we can to cover, if not recover it? Should the men of Jabeſh adventure ſo deſperately to reſcue the dead bodies of Saul, and of his ſons, from the reproach of the Philiſtines, and be at ſuch coſt to prepare a royal burning and burying for them? 1 Sam. 31.12, 13. compared with 2 Chron. 16.14. Shall the dead body of ſuch an enemy of the Lord's intereſt (as he was againſt David) be ſo honourably reſcued from the reproach of the Heathen? Shall not we do what we can for ſuch an inteteſt as Chriſts is, when it is thus reproached, and expoſed to ſcorn and contempt?

4thly. God hath furniſhed us (the weakeſt and pooreſt amongſt us that are his) to do much that ſhall be very effectual and acceptable, this way, and to this end; diſcouragements then ſhould not hinder us from doing what we can to preſerve a a ſweet Name and ſavour to Chriſt. Many cry out, Alas! what can I do? what have I to bring, poor creature! were I as able as gifted, as well qualified and furniſhed to Preach, Pray, Diſcourſe, Diſpute as others, I might attempt ſomething. This reaſon is not right; its not Gifts but Graces (as I ſhall ſhew you hereafter) that ſend forth the moſt precious ſavour: and there may be an abounding of the latter of theſe in ſouls, to whom the former is denied. Nor doth the vertue of the embalm indeed lie ſo much in the aboundance of act, as of acceptation; ſhe that caſt in what ſhe had, and therein did what ſhe could, though it were in p. 137value but two mites, yet it was accounted in vertue more than two millions: The love of ſuch a poor ſoul to Chriſt is ſeen in a little token, and then the eſtimation of it you may reade, Cant. 4.10. How fair is thy love, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe! how much better is thy love than wine! and the ſmell of thine oyntments, than all ſpices! If true love be in the compoſition, the ſmell of ſuch an oyntment, it is unparallel'd in Chriſts account. Goats-hair had its acceptance on and value from this conſideration, Exod. 25.2, 4. and Women ſpinning it, whoſe ſpirits ſtirred them, Exod. 35.26.

5thly. We ſhould do as much as we can for Chriſt, becauſe its a time and hour of temptation, wherein many Profeſſors (if not moſt) do as little as they can for ſhame, through the fear of what the after reckoning may coſt them more than the ſpices; Many are willing to be at much coſt to feaſt Chriſt when his intereſt is riſing, who have nothing to beſtow at his funeral; nay, its well if ſuch as cleave to Chriſt now, can paſs without the ſharpeſt cenſure from their very hands from whom better things might be expected. Such a one is a ſinner, Luke 7.29. Such a one is a waſter, Mark 14.3. are the ordinary thanks we muſt look to meet with from them that have been great pretenders to Chriſt. There is few Joſephs, few Nicodemases, that were but ſecret Diſciples, when all was well, who yet boldly witneſs againſt the condemning of Chriſt, Luke 23.51. boldly own and deſire him, when condemned, Mark 15.43. richly embalm and intombe him, Joh. 19.38, 39, 40, 41. Since it is ſo rare to find ſecret Profeſſors in proſperous times, grow bold aſſerters of him in adverſe p. 138times; but on the conarary, moſt are offended at ſuch night-ſeaſons; forſake him and flee every one to his own and leave him alone, Mat. 26.31. Joh. 16.32. It ſo much the more concerns us, if the love of Chriſt conſtrain us to appear the more ſtreniouſly for him, and lay out our ſelves upon him.

6thly. We ſhould do all we can for Chriſt, becauſe God expects much from us this way, as the very end for which he hath raiſed us up, and brought us hither; he gives us this denomination, Ye are the Salt of the Earth, Mat. 5.13. Salt is good; its nature, uſe, and tendancy, is to preſerve from putrifaction and ſtench, things otherwiſe liable thereunto: if we loſe our ſaltneſs, our aptitude to preſerve a ſweet ſavour in our ſelves, and that whereabout we are eminently concerned, we are good for nothing, not good for the Earth, not good for the Dung-hill, but to be caſt out and troden under foot of men. Profeſſors that are unſavoury, nay, that are not ſavoury, and engaged to ſavour others in ſtinking times, they are, or are like to become the worſt of men. Our Intereſt is to preſs up to that character, 2 Cor. 2.14. A people by whom God maketh manifeſt the ſavour of his knowledge in every place, being unto God a ſweet ſavour of Chriſt in them that are ſaved, and in them that periſh. He that ſavoured of the things of men, more than things of God, 'twas an offence to Chriſt, Mat. 16.23. Its good to be as well what, as where God looks for a man to be, eſpecially in perilous times.

p. 139This might ſerve to have been ſpoken to the Second general Head, propoſed to conſideration, in opening the Doctrine, how it might be ſaid, She did what ſhe could.

Thirdly, We proceed then to the Third thing, repreſented to our conſideration in this inſtance, namely, The buſineſs or affair it ſelf, about which ſhe was imployed; The which ſpiritually imitated and followed by us, is ſo much our concernment; She came aforehand to anoint his Body to the burying. Of her act in the ſtrict acceptation of it, and its application to the body of Chriſt's fleſh, that was then expreſly anointed by her, I ſhall not now ſpeak; the rather, becauſe (as ſuch) it is exalted at the Fathers right hand, not only far above the Grave (Death hath no more dominion over him) but alſo above any poſſibility of being reached by any offers or attempts of ours, to add to the glory or ſavour of it. But he hath a Body alwayes with us, as I hinted in the explication of the terms, adequated, and expoſed to ſuch endeavours of ours, as is my principal deſign to promote. This ſeems not obſcurely hinted at, and intended in the verſe before the Text, at leaſt we may allude to it for illuſtration, You have the Poor with you alwayes, and whenſoever you will, you may do them good; but me ye have not alwayes. Thus, though the Heavens do and muſt contain the Body of Chriſt up in Glory, yet he hath myſtically and figuratively a Body of poor Saints alwayes with us upon the Earth; he hath a poor Cauſe and Intereſt, wherein he doth for glorious ends imba…que them; This is expoſed to the compaſſion and bounty of thoſe who would be thought his Friends, eſpecially under p. 140theſe many deaths and burials, wherein an ill ſavour is frequently attending it; its a good work wrought on it, and ſuch as Chriſt takes exceeding kindly as done unto himſelf, Mat. 25.40. When any proper attempts are made to preſerve this, from the bad ſavour that is incident to ſuch a ſtate of things, and uſually attends it.

Toward the better underſtanding therefore what properly concerns us in this caſe, as far as we may transfer it to our ſelves in this figure (not to ſpeak at large of the Body, Intereſt, or Concerns of Chriſt, expoſed to thoſe deaths, and propoſed to thoſe embalmings of ours, of which, and of this crucified ſtate of it, we have had when occaſion to treat) it ſhall ſuffice that we diſtinctly conſider theſe Two things.

1. Firſt, What kind of ill ſavour is it, which this Body, Cauſe, and Intereſt of Chriſt is incident unto, and lyable to contract under the deaths and burials that muſt by the will of God attend it.

2. Secondly, What is the nature and compoſition of that Anointing or Embalming, which is proper to reſiſt a ſtench and putrifaction of ſuch a ſtate of things, in contributing whereunto Chriſt expects from us, that we ſhould do what we can?

1. As to the firſt of theſe, thus; We may conſider the things of Chriſt which fall under our preſent diſquiſition, either in an abſtract notion as they are purely his things, and ſtand in a true and inſeparable union with him, and relating to him by vertue of the everlaſting Covenant, and the promiſes thereof, wherein they are given and aſcertained to him, beyond any poſſi…ility of failure or miſcarriage; or elſe we may conſider p. 141them more comprehenſively, as they are cloathed and circumſtantiated with divers additaments that are of a lower nature and allay, yet ſo involved and complicated by the wiſe diſpoſal of divine providence, as tends in a direct obſervance, to accompliſh and bring about the deſigns thereof: in this reſpect many things which ſeem to ſtand related in a way of preſent ſerviceableneſs to Chriſts intereſt, may, and will ſuffer ſuch conſumption as their own nature is liable unto; but in the former ſenſe, the things of Jeſus Chriſt that are propoſed to the care and ſeeking of the Saints, Phil. 2.21. are by the power and vertue of the ſaid covenant, ſecured from any detriment tending to annihilation; but though deaths do often attend them, yet ſo ſtrong and effectual is their relation to Jeſus Chriſt, that becauſe he liveth, they ſhall live alſo; nay, though they die, they ſhall live again, Joh. 11.25. Exceeding conſolatory is that word, Iſa. 26.19. Thy dead men ſhall live, together with my dead body ſhall they ariſe. The poor Saints were crying out before under the manifeſt diſappointments, and miſcarriage of all their ſtrong cryes and travel, verſ. 14. They are dead, they ſhall not live; they are deceaſed, they ſhall not riſe, &c. But God would have his faithful ones know, that ſuch is the vertue of their relation to Chriſt as his dead body, that ſuch a Reſurrection is aſcertained to them, as ſhall not only deliver them from the power of the grave, Pſal. 49.15. but manifeſt that their very death was gain and advantage to them, Phil. 1.21. Their grave, a chamber of retirement, and bed of reſt, Iſa. 57.2. till ſome blaſt of indignation be overpaſt, Dan. 12.13. It was indeed the diſtinguiſhing p. 142honour of the Captain of our Salvation, that in his conteſt with death and the grave, he ſaw no corruption, Acts 2.25. to the 31. chap. 13.34. to the 37. In all things he hath the preheminence of David, to whom this Word of God came, Pſal. 16.11. (who doubtleſs ſucked much conſolation from it) it is ſignified he ſaw corruption in this ſence, that what of him is corruptible is ſubjected to that way of refining; Its ſown in corruption, but ſhall be raiſed in incorruption: His better and noble part being preſerved in an excellent way of living to God, Luke 20.37, 38. his fleſh alſo reſts in Hope. The corruption then, or any ill ſavour that may ariſe upon the intereſt of Chriſt thus conſidered, is not ſuch as tends to annihilation or utter diſſolution, the everlaſting purpoſes, covenant, and faithfulneſs of God with Chriſt, ſecures it in a ſtate of Hope; neither doth this only and ſingly refer to the final Reſurrection of the whole in a way of compleat glory at the laſt day (which was Martha's narrowing miſtake about Lazarus, Joh. 11.24.) but ſhall be manifeſtly verified in ſuch eminent appearances of God, to get himſelf a glorious Name antecedently to that conſummating Glory, as ſhall anſwer and accompliſh a ſyſtem of bleſſed Promiſes, and promiſes of the Glory of the latter dayes, that ſhall be raiſed in the ruine of Babylon, and Reſurrection of the Witneſſes of Chriſt, tending to prepare his people, for his glorious appearing, as a Bride adorned to meet the Bridegroom.

Its not ſuch a rottenneſs, or ſtinking, as Martha concluded Lazarus to be, which would conſume and eat him out, not be prevented, reſiſted, and cured till the Heavens be no more, Job 14.12. p. 143There is hope in its end, Jer. 31.17. 1 Theſ. 4.13. Though the Lord ſhew us great and ſore troubles, he will quicken us again, and bring us up again from the depths of the Earth, Pſal. 71.20. Though we walk in the midst of troubles, yet he will revive us, Pſal. 138.7. The mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it, thoſe precious Promiſes are of mighty efficacy to embalm it. Nevertheleſs there is an ill ſavour on ſeveral accounts, that is apt to be brought upon this body, or intereſt of Chriſt, at ſuch times, under ſuch deaths as we ſpeak of, againſt which the embalm we treat of, is to be prepared; As namely,

1. There is a ſtinke apt to betide it, the occaſion of which is meerly from without, ariſing from the rotten and corrupt diſpoſition of ſuch as are inſtrumental in bringing ſuch deaths upon it, who uſually account it their intereſt to expoſe it to all the ignominy and contempt imaginable, that in the abomination thereof, a foundation may be laid for the excuſing and commending themſelves, in delivering the world from ſuch a loathſome burthen. Thus they did with the green Tree, and no marvel if they do ſo with the dry. When they had in deſign to put the Lord of Glory to an open ſhame; what artifices had they to load him with all manner of ignominy both before and at his death, foretold by a ſpirit of propheſie, Pſal. 22.6, 7, 8. exactly fulfilled, Mat. 27. He was ſcourged, verſ. 26. Stripped, verſ. 28. Mocked, verſ. 29. Spit upon; his head ſmitten, verſ. 30. Scoffed, and led to be Crucified, verſ. 31. Scornfully inſcribed, verſ. 37. Reviled by them that paſſed by, wagging their heads, verſ. 39. Mocked by the Chief Prieſts, Elders, and Scribes, verſ. 41. Had the ſame cast in the teeth by p. 144by the theeves, verſ. 44. Reproached with his God, his Truſt, his King-ſhip, his Doctrine, his Prayers, as with a ſword in his bones thus they aſſailed him: Oh! how irkſome was the ſtench, that the ſpitting and diſgorging of a filthy generation upon him drew him under in this dying diſpenſation! And as they have done to him in his own perſon (who hid not his face from ſhame and ſpitting) ſo do they to thoſe that go forth to him without the Camp, bearing his reproach; They are made a ſpectacle to the World, to Angels, and to Men; Fools, weak, deſpiſed, hunger, thirſt, naked, buffetted, pilgrims, reviled, perſecuted, defamed, made the filth of the world, and off-ſcouring of all things to this day, 1 Cor. 4.9. to 13. The word notes the**Mr. Burroughs Moſes Choice. filth ſcraped off ſhooes; or from the pavement, or the dung-cart that goes through the City, into which every one brings his filth and caſts in. Every one had ſome filth to caſt upon Paul, and the reſt of the Apoſtles. So it was Jer. 15.10. This ſtench had need to be provided againſt by ſuch as would have his Name be as a precious Oyntment. Divers miſtake the right way of performing this, ſuppoſing that the beſt way of reſiſting this, is by repelling and retorting it with the ſame meaſure into their faces who lay it on. Chriſts method of imbalming is quite otherwiſe, namely, by bearing it with all patience, meekneſs, and holy reſignedneſs of the judgment to God, who knows how to make their own tongues to fall upon themſelves, and their violent dealing upon their own pates. We have the high Inſtance and Example of Chriſt himſelf, 1 Pet. 2, 23. Who when he was p. 145reviled, reviled not again; when he ſuffered, he threatned not, but committed himſelf to him that judgeth righteouſly, Iſa. 5.6. Mat. 26.67. Iſa. 53.7. So did they who followed his ſteps, 1 Cor. 4.12. Praying for the worſt of our Enemies, Mat. 5.44. Acts 7.60. and over-comming evil with good, Rom. 12.19, 20, 21. tender, bearing in our boſome theſe rereproaches, Pſal. 89.50, 51. to be affected deeply with them, and melt under them, Pſal. 69.7, 9, 19, 20. Pſal. 120.3, 4. Zeph. 3.18. and quietly to wait on God, till he role it away, is what concerns us in this matter; and happy are we if herein we lay out our ſelves to do what we can for Chriſt.

2dly. There is an ill ſavour frequently contracted, upon occaſion of the corrupt fleſh that adheres to many Profeſſors of it, and pretended friends; their unſteady walking, and manifeſt back-ſliding do procure a ſtinking ſavour to the whole, eſpecially in ſuch a ſeaſon as we are ſpeaking of; The Name of God is blaſphemed among the Gentiles, by means of ſuch, Rom. 2.24. Tit. 2.5. great occaſion is given to the enemies of the Lord to blaſpheme, 2 Sam. 12.14. It was not a ſmall matter of ill report that doubtleſs was raiſed at this dark time whereof the Text ſpeaks. If you ſuppoſe the enemies to ſcorn at this rate,

What is become of your King?

Why, he is hanged for a Traytor and Blaſphemer. And,

What is become of the Deacon of that new-gathered Church, that was intruſted with the treaſure?

Why, he ſold himſelf to the Devil for thirty pieces of ſilver, betrayed his Maſter, and then hang'd himſelf, falling headlong, and then all his p. 146bowels guſhed out; and this is known to all the dwellers at Jeruſalem, Acts 1.19.

What became of Peter, the moſt forward, zealous, Ring-leader of the Company?

Why he, after he had drawn his Sword and ſhed blood, forſook his Maſter, and by and by denied him, once and again, and the third time; nay, curſed and ſwore that he never knew him.

What became of the reſt of his Diſciples in that tryal?

Why, after that they had promiſed, That though they ſhould die with him, they would never deny him, Mat. 26.39. No ſooner was he beſet, but they all forſook and fled, and ſcattered every one to his own, and left him alone, John 16.32. Theſe ſore provocations of ſcorn and blaſphemy, falling in together with the dark adminiſtration it ſelf of Chriſt's Death, might well occaſion this out-cry (as Jacob ſaid to his Sons, Gen. 34.30.) You have troubled me, and made me to ſtink amongſt the Inhabitants of the Land, amongst the Canaanites and Perizzites; O…, as the Iſraelites to Moſes (though by them ill applyed, Exod. 5.21.) You have made our ſavour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his Servants, to put a Sword into their hands to ſlay us. Such falls of Profeſſors, as they, draw on themſelves wounds, that ſtink and are corrupted, Pſa. 38.3, 5, 7. So do they cauſe the whole way of truth to be evil ſpoken of, 2 Pet. 2.2. this is a lamentation. Now againſt this putrifaction, it much concerns the Saints to lay out themſelves to do what they can, ſhewing all good fidelity for the adorning and perfuming the Goſpel of God in all things, Titus 2.10. Having a converſation (tranſcendantly) p. 147honeſt among the Gentiles; that whereas they ſpeak evil of them as evil-doers, they may by their good works which they ſhall behold, glorifie God, &c. 1 Pet. 2.12. Phil. 2.15, 16, Mat. 5.15, 16. Titus 2.8. Rom. 14.16.

3dly. There is an uncouth ſavour apt to ariſe from the very diſpenſation it ſelf, though we ſhould conſider it unclothed, and freed from the former naſty circumſtances. Mortality in any reſpect is unpleaſant; diſſolution is not deſireable: The Saints that deſire to depart, do not deſire to be unclothed (as ſuch) Phil. 1.23. 2 Cor. 5.4. Every ſuch death is a ſowing in ſome diſhonour, weakneſs, the corruption alſo, 1 Cor. 15.42, 43. This is a ſtartling to Nature, Sence, and Reaſon. In the Concerns of Chriſt, whereof we ſpeak, there is no ſuch death beſides it, but ſome thing ſuffers loſs, its unclothed of ſome ſeeming beauty, although in the iſſue it be to make for a more real and ſubſtantial glory; every ſentence of death hath ſome reſemblance to the King of Terrors, Job 18.14. This contracts paleneſs upon the faces of Friends themſelves, Jer. 30.6, 7. ſwooning, fainting fits are apt to ſeize them, who (with Joſeph) weep over and kiſs ſuch corps, Gen. 50.1, 2. Imbalmings are needful to reſiſt ſuch ſadnings; ſo Prov. 27.9. Oyntment and Perfume rejoyce the heart, ſo doth the ſweetneſs of a man's Friend by hearty counſel. Chriſts Sepulchre was a Grave, though hewen out of a Rock; and imbalming was requiſite, though never man lay there before, Joh. 14.39, &c. eſpecially ſeeing weeping Viſiters deſired acceſs, not only unto, but into the Sepulchre, Mark 16.5. Joh. 20.6, 8. The Grave or Cave of p. 148Lazarus fetched groans and tears from Christ himſelf, becauſe he loved him, though he was come to raiſe him, Joh. 11.33, 35, 38. The aptneſs of the choiceſt Saints to faint, ſwoon, and quail at the Grave of that Intereſt (whoſe Reſurrection yet they frequently expect) calls for cordial confections, liberally prepared for ſuch funerals.

Secondly, Proceed we to the Second branch under this general Head, and that is, To take knowledge what is the Nature of this compoſition of Imbalm, that is proper to withſtand the ſaid ill-ſavour in the ſeveral reſpects of it, about which alſo conſider we,—

1. Firſt, Some general Properties or Qualities that are principally to be heeded in this Preparation.

2. Secondly, The ſpecial Ingredients that muſt concur to make up the Compoſition of it.

The former of theſe I ſhall propound under the Obſervation and Improvement of two or three words, in her caſe in the text, which may direct our care in this buſineſs.

1. That which we bring to the Lord on the preſent intendment, muſt bear proportion to hers in this quality. Hers was (and ſo muſt ours be) very Pure Oyntment. The word Spiknard, the margent reads Pure-nard; ſome think it ſhould be tranſlated, Ʋpright and Perfect Nard: They taking the word foreign to be derived from foreign, and ſo ſignifie faithful, proper, pure, and unmixed Nard, it being liable to be adulterated, vitiated, and corrupted. By due proportion whereunto, all endeavours p. 149of ours, muſt have this principally heeded, that ſimplicity, integrity, and true ſincerity do truly qualifie whatever of this kind be attempted, which directs us as wel that al the ingredients be unfeigned and anſwerable to the pure ſtandard without hypocriſie; as alſo that there be nothing admitted, which is of a forreign allay, which will prove of a corrupting nature to all the reſt. We read that in the Levitical adminiſtration, there was both an holy Oyntment, and an holy Perfume, for the ſpecial uſe of the Tabernacle, to be compounded by ſpecial direction, according to the Art of the Apothecary, Exod. 30.23, 24, 25, 34, 35, 36. The Spices, Doſe, Confection, and Application of it muſt be ſtrictly ordered by the ſtandard of the Sanctuary, under penalty of death on the leaſt corruption or deviation: The which pointing unto Goſpel-things, I might ſhew particularly, requires all manner of care, that what we bring before the Lord for a ſweet ſavour, do fully anſwer the pattern for ſimplicity and godly ſincerity; a little evil elſe, will ſpoyl much good; Dead Flyes (ſaith the Wiſeman, Eccleſ. 10.1.) cauſe the Oyntment of the Apothecary to ſend forth a ſtinking ſavour; ſo doth a little Folly him that is in repute for Wiſdom and Honour. They have need of clean hands, and a pure heart, that doth approach with ſuch intendments. What manner of perſons ought they to be in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs? If they loſe their ſavour, wherewith ſhall they be ſweetned?

2dly. What we bring on this deſign, muſt bear proportion to hers in this, Her Spicknard was very precious. Which expreſſion ſignifieth as well the inward vertue and excellency of it, as the rich p. 150price, coſt and value of it. It might (ſaid the Diſciples) have been ſold (and ſuch things ſeldom yield what they coſt) for three hundred pence; which likely was the Roman penny, by computation about ſeven pence half-penny of ours, that amounts to about 9l. — 7s.—6d. ſterlin. So great a value to be expended at one daſh on Chriſt, by a Woman; that ſeems to have been not one of the richeſt neither; being ſo highly commended, and propounded as an exemplary inſtance to us, ſhews that what we bring of this kind, muſt be in the ſight of God of great price (as a gracious frame of Spirit in his children is ſaid to be) even that hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, 1 Pet. 3.4. In this alſo it is ſignificant, that the external coſt and detriment, that ſuch vigorous attempts may bring upon us, ought not to be drawn into the reckoning, as worthy to be named or counted dear to our ſelves, ſo we may bring him Honour, bear up his Name, ſerve our Generation, finiſh our Teſtimony, and hereby raiſe him a ſweet ſavour in the midſt of an adulterous age, where we are brought forth. The debate and reſolution between two generous ſpirits (David and Araunah) about offering up a ſweet ſavour to the Lord, is very teaching, 2 Sam. 24.24. I will ſurely buy it of thee for a price; neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth coſt me nothing. Such as profeſs a perſwaſion of the neceſſity toward this confection, of a rich acceſs of the precious things of Heaven, ſuch as precious Bloud (1 Pet. 1.19.) of a precious Chriſt (1 Pet. 2.7.) apprehended by precious Faith (2 Pet. 1.1.) through precious Promiſes (verſ. 4.) in a precious Word (1 Sam. 3.1.) p. 151anſwering to thoſe precious things of Heaven, &c. Deut. 33.13. to 16. Such I ſay as acknowledge a neceſſity of theſe, are much overſeen, to ſtick at, and ſtand upon things of a lower value, ſuch as, Father, Mother, Wife, Children, Brethren, Siſters, own Life, Luke 14.26, to 33. Mat. 10.37, 38, 39. Mark 10.28, 29, 30. as though they were too coſtly or precious to be laid down upon this honourable account, if the Lord have need of them.

3dly. The Oyntment ſhe brought, is in this reſpect teaching to us, That the Application of it was very Manifeſt, Liberal, and Diffuſive; She did not only open, pierce, and give ſome vent to it ſparingly and gradually, but brake the Box, pouring it out upon his head. It beſpeaks the buſineſs performed with ſuch good will, ſo throughly and effectually, as intended neither ſecreſie nor reſervation, as his head and all his other parts were filled with the Oyntment (anſwering that Scripture, Pſal. 133.2.) ſo was the whole houſe intentionally filled with odour of it, John 12.3. — Chriſt is principally honoured with our affairs of this kind, when we appear moſt openly and communicatively in ſending forth the ſavour, and ſhewing forth the vertues of him that hath called us out of darkneſs into his marvellous Light, 1 Pet. 2.9. The excellency of this compoſition is beſt diſcerned, in its conteſt with, and conqueſt over oppoſition, then ſmelling moſt, when cenſured, cruſhed, bruiſed moſt; holding forth the Word of Life as Lights in the World, Phil. 2.15, 16. to make all men ſee what is the fellowſhip of the Myſtery, Eph. 3.9. We only then anſwer the ends and expectation of p. 152Chriſt, now preſſed after, when (though in cenſuring perilous dayes) we do in our ſeveral places and capacities, do what we can, by a publick Teſtimony, bear witneſs to every Truth and Vertue of his, and ſuch eſpecially as are moſt eminently ſtriven againſt, by the wickedneſs of the dayes and places we live in.

We come now to ſpeak to the ſpecial Ingredients of the Confection which is only competent to preſerve a ſweet ſavour to Chriſt's dying Intereſt, about which, for the encouragement and direction of the meaneſt Saint, to do what they can, this muſt be conſidered, That all of them that are a ſweet ſavour unto God, they are the Spices and Powders of the Merchants, Cant. 6.1. Mark. 16.1. brought from far, and to be bought at Goſpel-prices, Rev. 3.18. I counſel thee to buy of me, &c. That which is of our own growth, Phil. 3.8, 9. begged or borrowed, Mat. 25.9. will not ſerve the turn. This, though very precious, yet they that have a mind to trade in it, may have great penyworths, Iſa. 55.1, 2, 3. Nor is it the leſs acceptable to the Lord, or thankworthy, that they bring it with this acknowledgement, 1 Chron. 29.14, 15, 16. What am I, and what is this people, that we ſhould be able to offer ſo willingly? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee; all this ſtore that we have prepared cometh of thy hand, and all is thine own. — Moreover, this ſhould be an encouragement to the pooreſt, weakeſt Believer, That though ſpiritual gifts of deep knowledge and utterance, may do much towards the raiſing, and repute, to a dying cauſe; Yet have the graces of the Spirit, ſhining in the hearts and converſation of a poor Believer, an p. 153eſtimation of a greater price in the ſight of God, and a real and direct tendency to glorifie the Name of God in a ſtanding way, when the high and renowned gifts of Propheſie may fail, and Tongues ceaſe, and Knowledge vaniſh away, 1 Cor. 13. to the end. The truth of which we have verified in our dayes, and may yet further, That the great, learned, famed men, who would be thought the only Bulwarks and Champions for the Truth and Cauſe, have ſhrunk from it, and their Names rot and ſtunk, whileſt a few poor deſpiſed Saints that own themſelves nothing, and have no might, have yet been preſerved, to abide with Chriſt in his temptations; and having obtained a little ſtrength, do not deny his Name. Thus hath it been in all Ages, Not many Wiſe, &c. But God hath choſen the fooliſh things, &c. And I thank thee Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth (ſaith Chriſt) that thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and haſt revealed them unto babes; even ſo Father, &c. But more particularly;

1. In all ſuch Confections, there is indeſpenſibly neceſſary, A lively Faith of the operation of God, without which it is impoſſible to pleaſe him, Heb. 11.6. Rom. 14.23. This contributes ſtrength, ſavour, and duration to all other ingredients (as they ſay Ambergreeſe doth to all Perfumes) is in the front of all others, 2 Pet. 1.5. And though it be precious (v. 1.) yet muſt have vertue ſtill diligently added to it. By Faith Joſeph when he died made mention of the departure of the Children of Iſrael, & gave commandment concerning his bones, Heb. 11.22. Many are the excellent exploits recorded by Moſes, performed by Joſeph's Faith; yet the Spirit ſingles this one out p. 154doubtleſs for its exemplary eminency) to abide upon this Goſpel-File, that his Faith at dying (though the Light of Iſrael were for the time ſeemingly put out with him) had ſuch a ſingular regard to the aſſurance of the Promiſe of deliverance, that on the ſingle evidence thereof he gave commandment touching his bones. What Commandment? namely, the ſame he had given touching his Fathers bones, Gen. 50.2. That they ſhould be embalmed, the better to comport and be in fellowſhip with the deſign of the Promiſe, in the truth of which he had ſo much confidence, as he was contented his bones ſhould be kept (though imbalmed) above ground, and not repoſed to their proper reſt, till his people alſo ſhould be brought to reſt in the Land of Promiſe; his Faith preferred a Cave in Canaan, before a Pyramid in Egypt; and would be preſerved by an embalming, wherein Faith had the principal hand, Gen. 50.24, 25, 26. Jacobs bones muſt alſo be embalmed upon the credit of that precious Promiſe, Gen. 46.4. I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will ſurely bring thee up again. Jacobs bones muſt be brought ſweet to Canaan, to ſhew the precious compliances of Faith with Promiſes, ſeemingly dead and broken to Sence and Reaſon.

2. There is neceſſary in ſuch embalming, Love and the fruits of it. Of theſe two, ſomething was ſpoken above, as being principal agents in doing what we can. This conſtrains the ſoul to do excellent things, 2 Cor. 5.14. beareth, indureth, acteth, layeth out unſpeakably, 1 Cor. 13.7, 8. Cant. 8.6, 7. Work of Faith, and labour of Love are joyned together, 1 Theſ. 1.3. thinks it can never do enough p. 155for Chriſt, and for poor ſouls (chap. 28.) this cauſeeth an odour of a ſweet ſmell, a ſacrifice acceptable and well-pleaſing to God, Phil. 4.8.

3. A Third Ingredient that admirably accompanies the other (as one of the three principal Spices, Exod. 30.23.) is the patience of Hope, 1 Theſ. 1.3. 1 Cor. 13.13. This is choicely fitted for ſuch a Grave, till ſuch a Reſurrection, Acts 26.6, 7. Job 14.7, 14. It's of an exceeding ſweetneſs (1 John 3.3.) and comforting tendancy, Rom. 12.12. It ſweetens a ſtinking priſon, Zech. 9.11, 12. Acts 28.20. a ſtinking grave, Pſal. 16.9. it maketh not aſhamed, Rom. 5.5. becauſe of the precious love of Chriſt ſhed abroad, &c.

4. Without Holineſs there can be no ſuch ſweetneſs as is preſſed after, Thou wilt not ſuffer thy holy One to ſee corruption. Saintſhip both in its truth, and manifeſtation, is indiſpenſibly required hereunto; A cleanſing our ſelves by the power of Promiſes from all filthineſs both of fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting holineſs in fear of God. To ſpeak properly, Holineſs is a compoſition of all the Graces of a Saint in a joynt concurrence; and is the very complexion of the new-creature, as Holineſs is the Nature of God, and reſpects all his glorious attributes, and perfections. In propoſing this therefore, I ſpeak the whole of a Chriſtians Concerns in this buſineſs, Be ye clean who bear the veſſels of the Lord. Under this then is intended all the fruits of the Spirit innumerated, Gal. 5.22, 23. 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7, 8. and elſewhere plentifully deſcribed, and exhorted to.—

5. I ſhall therefore only add, That a ſpirit of nobility, and Zeal for God, not liable to be proſtituted to p. 156the love or fear of creatures, is moſt eminently requiſite to compleat a ſweet ſavour to the ſcorned things of Chriſt. A ſhrinking private low ſpirit, very much diſhonours ſo great a Leader and Commander, as Chriſt hath been unto us; A moſt lively example is in the caſe before us, — Theſe poor Women were ſo far carried above their fears, that in the face of danger in a time of fears, though in the morning while it was yet dark, they made their approaches to the Sepulchre to perfume it, though it might be judged both unſeaſonable, uncivil, and unſafe for Women to come ſo near an armed Guard (eſpecially if Souldiers were then as they are now) ſet on purpoſe, to prevent the conſequences of ſuch twylight approaches, Mat. 27.63, 64, 65, 66. And let looſe to all manner of incivilities without controul, chap. 27.27. to 31. Such a Spirit becomes us; not aſhamed, not afraid of the Teſtimony of our Lord, nor of his Priſoners, but ready to be offered up, as partakers of the Afflictions of the Goſpel according to the power of God: For we have not received the ſpirit of Fear, but of Power, of Love, and of a ſound mind, 2 Tim. 1.7, 8.

Theſe vertues of Jeſus Chriſt in their conjunction, fixation, and exerciſe, in the ſpirit and walkings of Saints, are the Oyntments and Ornaments in the ſight of God and Men of great price; neither ſhould the weakeſt Saint be diſcouraged, to bring forth what they have of this kind, to the common deſign; and treaſury Chriſt puts a value on it, and then we ſhould not hold back more than is meet. Which leads me to the Fourth general Conſideration propounded for opening the main Doctrine, namely, —

p. 157Fourthly, How are we to conceive of Chriſt's Acceptance of what is done of this kind by us?

We ſee the Text ſpeaks it, directly, and fully in the caſe of this cenſured, hard-thought-of poor Woman; and if we can find the diſpoſition and temper of his heart to be the ſame in our caſe, it may prove a great encouragement and engagement to do what we can for Christ, whether men be pleaſed or diſpleaſed at it: All I ſhall do here, is to ſhew (1) That Chriſt accepts kindly and well pleaſedly, ſuch offers to raiſe a ſweet ſavour. And then (2) How he ſignifies this his Acceptance.

Of the former, take but one teſtimony, Cant. 4.12, to 16. Thy Plants (ſaith Chriſt to his Church) are an Orchard of Pomegranates with pleaſant fruits, Camphire with Spikenard, and Saffron, Calamus, and Cinamom, with all trees of Frankincenſe, Myrrhe, and Aloes, with all the chief Spices, &c. Awake, O North Wind, and blow O South, that the Spices thereof may flow out. That by thoſe ſeveral ſweet-ſmelling Spices, are intended the Graces of the Spirit, I think is ordinarily concluded. The ſcope of this Scripture, is to draw forth the ſmell of theſe upon the conſideration of the value that Chriſt puts upon them, and the acceptation he hath of them, even then when poor ſouls are under ſome ſtraitning Providences, too much incloſed, ſhut up and ſealed; To prevent which privateneſs of ſpirit, and to draw forth this fragrant perfume to more advantage, the North-wind, and South-wind, are called to meet, in their oppoſition, upon the Garden; ſignifying, perhaps, that commotion and diſquiet ſtate of things, where ſuch contrary blaſts have their violent conteſts, Dan. 7.2. by means p. 158whereof, though the Garden may ſeem to ſuffe… ſome ſpoyl and loſs, yet it's to the heart of Chriſt, that his Spicknard, and other Plants, through theſe bruiſings and ſhakings, ſhould ſend forth the ſmell thereof: However this ſeems evident, That whatever private, low, and undervaluing thoughts the poor Saints have of their own attainments, becauſe they are but Plants yet, not tall Trees, as the Cedars of Labanon that God hath planted; yet Chriſt hath his eye upon their ſpiritual Nature and Original, they are all Slips of that Branch of Renown, are ſweeter and more acceptable in his account, than (through their humility) they ſeem to be in theirs; we yet know not the high value he puts upon the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the Saints, Eph. 1.18. and to have them in exerciſe, eſpecially on ſo ſolemn occaſion as this is; why it is the joy and rejoycing of his heart. The heart of Chriſt in point of this acceptance may be read in Davids on an occaſion, which hath ſome reſemblance, at leaſt might be uſed to illuſtrate this, and that is, in his expreſſing himſelf thankfully to the men of Jabeſh-Gilead, for the Funeral-love they had ſhewed to one, who had been the Lords Anointed, 2 Sam. 2.5, 6. Bleſſed be ye of the Lord, that you have ſhewed this kindneſs to your Lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him; and now the Lord ſhew kindneſs and truth unto you; and I alſo will requite your kindneſs becauſe ye have done this thing.

The bleſſing he gives them, ſhews his acceptance to the uttermoſt, the occaſion thus; There was a day when the men of Jabeſh-Gilead, were in unſpeakable diſtreſs by means of the hard terms offered them by Nahaſh the Ammonite, 1 Sam. 11. p. 1591, 2. they could have their peace upon no other terms than by eſpouſing an irreparable mark of reproach and infamy on themſelves, and all Iſrael; and in this nick of extremity, Saul puts his life in his hand, and reſcues them ſeaſonably, and wrought a very great deliverance. This kindneſs of Saul to them, they were never in a capacity to requite, till the day that the body of their Lord, and inſtrumental Saviour, was hanged on the Wall of a Gariſon of the Philiſtines, as a mark of like reproach and ignominy on the whole Intereſt of God. In ſuch a day of death and danger, when the body of their Lord, and his dear Children, is hung a ſtinking in the face of the Sun; now is a time to prove and improve the kindneſs, and ingenuity of their ſpirits toward their Lord and Iſrael, by putting their lives in their hands, and doing what they could to fetch him off from, and give a check to that reproach of the enemies of the Lord on his Name and Intereſt. They attempt it, they ſucceed, and bring off theſe dead bodies, and (mark it) they came to Jabeſh and burnt them there, and took their bones and buried them, and faſted ſeven dayes, 1 Sam. 31.11, 12, 13. They not only buried, but burnt them there, which was the manner of Royal Funerals: compare it with 2 Chron. 16.14. They laid Aſa in a bed which was filled with ſweet odours, and divers kind of ſpices, prepared by the Apothecaries art, and they made a very great burning for him: See Jer. 34.5. With the burnings of thy Fathers, the former Kings which were before thee, ſo ſhall they burn odours for thee. This perfumed Royal Funeral you ſee hath acceptance and recompence with David. And ſhall Jeſus Chriſt, who laid down his p. 160life to take away the curſe and reproach from us, and hath ſet us free from wrath to come (which we can never requite) now call for a proof of our kindneſs, and thankfulneſs, by doing what we can to reſcue the honour of his Name and Intereſt that is now expoſed to contempt, and to beſtow a more perfuming funeral on it, and lamentation over it, than without danger we durſt do; and ſhall we ſtand upon the hazard and coſt of it, and in ſo doing ſhall not we loſe the bleſſing of David, The Lord ſhew kindneſs and truth unto you.

Nay, ſhall not the men of Jabeſh-Gilead riſe up in judgement, who did what they could to cover the ſhame, and recover the honour of a wicked Prince, who fell for his iniquity, as if he had never been anointed; and ſhall we refuſe, or come ſhort of perfuming this ſervice to the King of Glory, who is put to an open ſhame in his Name and People; God forbid. —This honourable act will find acceptable reſentment and recompence from Chriſt as that did from David, and as kindneſs to the dead hath alwayes done on ingenious ſpirits: Ruth 1.8. & 2.20. Bleſſed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindneſs to the living and the dead. But let us ſee how Chriſt doth manifeſt this his acceptance of ſuch attempts.

1. Chriſt is ready to ſhew forth his acceptance of this kindneſs, by his being ſo willingly ingaged to plead the cauſe, and vindicate the innocency and integrity of ſuch a People as do what they can for him; many are the ill inſtructions at home, and the ignominies abroad that will be raiſed upon ſuch an account; But of this we may have aſſurance, he ſtands ingaged to make good that word, p. 1611 Sam. 2.30. Them that honour me, I will honour; and they that deſpiſe me, ſhall be lightly eſteemed. As Chriſt ſtood not upon his own vindication, when his Father's honour was in his eye; but he committed his cauſe to him, who effectually hath brought it about; So ſhould not we ſtand upon our own vindication, when the Name of Chriſt lies at the ſtake. See Pſal. 35.5, 6. Commit thy way to the Lord, &c. And he ſhall bring forth thy Righteouſneſs as the light, and thy Judgement as the noon-day. We ſee how effectual he doth it in the Text, concerning this poor Woman in all her ignominies, and hard ſpeeches that ſhe met withal; and no leſs will he ſhew it at this day, to be the high title of his honour, Thus ſaith thy Lord, the Lord, and thy God, who pleadeth the cauſe of his people, Iſa. 51.22. He will thorowly plead their cauſe, Jer. 50.34. and execute Judgement for them, bring them forth to the light, and their eyes ſhall behold thy Righteouſneſs, Micah 7.9. Marvellous have been the Lord's wayes and methods of aſſerting the integrity of his people, from the midſt of the clouds of ignominy.

2. Chriſt ſheweth his acceptance by ordering the iſſues of all the proviſion that a people makes for his Name and Glory, that it proves the directeſt proviſion they can poſſible make for themſelves and their beſt intereſt, The liberal man deviſeth liberal things, and by liberal things ſhall he ſtand, Iſa. 32.8. That courſe w^ch the generality of people conclude according to rules of Providence is the way to ruine them, proves the moſt effectual means to eſtabliſh them: of this Pſal. 112. gives a full teſtimony. The good man, is there brought in p. 162gracious, full of compaſſion, ſhewing favour, and lending, diſperſing, giving to the Poor; and yet in all reſpects, making the fulleſt proviſion for his own beſt bleſſedneſs in ſo doing. That of Chriſt is the Paradox to prudent Profeſſors in perilous times, which they can by no means reſolve, He that will ſave his life ſhall loſe it, and he that will loſe his life ſhall ſave it. How evidently is this made good in the good Name of perſons? Men have generally reaſoned, that to cleave to ſuch a Profeſſion, or Teſtimony, or People, hath been the high-way to be diſgraced for ever; whereas the Lord hath manifeſtly built up the Houſes of ſuch (as its ſaid of the Midwives Houſes in Egypt.) We reade in the firſt and laſt verſes ſave one of Heb. 11. concerning the Worthies, That by Faith they obtained a good report, though they received not the Promiſe. It was matter of reproach to them, that they ſhould imbrace and cleave to certain Promiſes from generation to generation, owning them as their Intereſt, which yet brought not forth in their day, the great things they teſtified of, and profeſſed that as Pilgrimes and Strangers they waited for; they made this their buſineſs, to raiſe a good report, and preſerve a ſweet ſavour upon the Promiſes, which yet brought not forth as they expected they ſhould; but yet this they got by it, the Promiſes left a good report on them, Their Names (by means thereof) were as precious Oyntment, Eccleſ. 7.1. for that their converſation were as precious Oyntment to the Name of God. —

Chriſt ſhews his acceptance of ſuch, by making known to ſuch the moſt early diſcoveries of his further breaking forth of Glory beyond any other. p. 163So it was in the caſe of the Text, they that were at this early coſtly proviſion of Imbalm, had the firſt Knowledg, Evidence, and Joy of the Reſurrection of Chriſt from the dead; and muſt be the firſt meſſengers of the bleſſed Tydings thereof, John 20.1, 14. to 18. Luke 24.10. Mark 16.9, 10. They had not the firſt manifeſtation of it who were men of the greateſt parts, imployment, or eſteem. Nothing is more obvious to frequent experience, then the preventing Grace of Chriſt, at leaſt in keeping the ſpirits of ſuch ſweet, quick, lively; and if any fore-taſtes of approaching Glory be going, ſuch overcommers ſhall have the morning-ſtar, Rev. 2.28.

Chriſt's acceptance is frequently ſignified this way; They who do what they can to raiſe a ſweet ſavour on the concerns of Chriſt, ſhall be rendred the moſt uſeful, bleſſed, and a bleſſing of any others in their generations; The bleſſings of the ſouls and bodies of them that were ready to periſh ſhall come upon ſuch, Job. 29.13. They ſhall be as dew frow the Lord, and as the ſhowers upon the graſs, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the ſons of men, Micah. 5.7. Their love to Christ, laying out its ſelf for him thus, is likened to the Oyntment on the head of Aaron, and the dew of Hermon and Sion; for there the Lord commanded the bleſſing, Pſal. 133. The Families, Neighbours, Fellow-members of ſuch ſhall riſe and call ſuch bleſſed, Prov. 31.28. Ezek. 34.26. The diſtinguiſhing mark of acceptation is reſerved by Christ, till the day of recompence, which haſtneth greatly, in the w^ch not the value of a cup of cold water hath been given on this ſweetning deſign, but ſhall have its eminent reward. Upon p. 164that enquiry of the poor Diſciples, Mat. 19.27. Behold, we have forſaken [All] and have followed thee, what ſhall we have therefore? It was a great [All] a few Fiſhing-Nets and Boats, and the like poor things; Yea, but it was their [All] they had done, and were undone, as far as they could for Christ; and what remaineth to them? Truly they having followed Christ in the Regeneration (or as Luke 22.28.) continued with him in his Temptations, he appoints to them a Kingdom as the Father appointed him, They must eat and drink with him in his Kingdom, ſitting on Thrones and judging the Tribes of Iſrael; and every one that hath forſaken Brothers, or Houſes, or Fathers, &c. ſhall receive an hundred fold, &c.

From the words, a few things more tending to a cloſer Application of the whole, ſhall ſerve for a cloſe.

Ʋſe 1. This might be improved by way of Information thus; If Christ do put ſuch a real high value upon all attempts that are levelled toward this deſign, to preſerve a ſweet ſavour on his concerns, when they are by the world expoſed to ſtinking. Then

1. May we gather how the heart of Christ ſtands aſpecting ſuch as do what they can to render him and the things of his Name and Glory odious, by laying contempt and reproach upon it what in them lyeth; ſurely it will be a bad day for ſuch when he ſhall plead with them, and vindicate the quarrel of his abuſed Name and Intereſt: If they that honour him ſhall be thus honoured, then they who deſpiſe him ſhall be lightly eſteemed, 1 Sam. 2.20. It's worth conſideration, what requitals p. 165in kind Chtiſt hath in ſtore for ſuch indignities done to him, what funerals he hath reſerved for ſuch enemies; See Iſa. 14.9, 11, 18, 19, 20. Hell from beneath is moved at thy coming. —Thy pompe is brought down to the grave, and the noiſe of thy viols; the worm is ſpread under thee, and the worms cover thee.—They that ſee thee ſhall narrowly look upon thee, &c. All the Kings of the Nations, all of them lie in glory, every one in their own houſe, but thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, as the rayment of thoſe that are ſlain, thruſt thorow with a ſword. — As a carkaſs troden under foot, thou ſhalt not be joyned with them in burial, becauſe thou haſt deſtroyed thy Land, and ſlain thy people: the ſeed of evil-doers ſhall never be renowned. — An Inſtance like unto this of the Lord's ſeverity to ſuch as have provoked him, and abuſed his Glory, we have, Jer. 16.4. They ſhall die of a grievous death, they ſhall not be lamented, neither ſhall they be buried, but they ſhall be as dung upon the face of the Earth. Theſe are ſome of the Lord's wayes, that he can take, and many times doth with ſuch as are not tender of his Glory: Conſi…er this ye that forget God, &c. The funerals of Jez…bel, that dreadful enemy to the Lord's Prophets and People, may be a warning to ſuch Perſecuters.

2dly. It alſo lets us underſtand with what little ſavour he do…h and will regard thoſe who have been pretenders to him in the dayes of Proſperity; but in Adverſity, and under the paſſions and reproaches that …ttend the Goſpel, they hide their faces as it were from him; nay, are ready to deal with him, as the Phariſ…es are condemned for doing, Mat. 23.29, to the end. Who built the Tombs p. 166of the Prophets, and garniſht the Sepulchres of the Righteous, and yet eſpouſe and walk in the very ſpirit of thoſ that ſlew them; ſee their doom, and downfal in the ſame place.

3dly. It alſo ſhews how little thank-worthy they will be in the day of Christ, and how much 'tis to their loſs of their comfort now, and will be of their reward then, who think every thing too much, that they either actually lay out, or put in hazard for the Name-ſake of Christ. If a good wiſh indeed will do it, or the bleſſing mentioned, James 2.15, 16. would be accepted, that (poſſibly) might be ſpared; but as for any thing that is coſtly, or dangerous, that cannot be adventured, It's an hard ſaying, who can bear it? Of ſuch will not Chriſt ſay, They that are aſhamed of me and my Word, before this evil and adulterous generation, of them ſhall the Son of man be aſhamed, when he appears in his Glory, and in the Glory of his Father and of all his Holy Angels?

Uſe 2. But I rather proceed to offer a few things, that may tend to direct and ingage in this matter. And here (firſt) ſome Cautions to prevent miſtakes and miſcarriages, in the Preparation and Application of this Imbalm; and (then) a few Directions, and I ſhall conclude.

Caution 1. Take heed that you continue not in ſuch a ſtate, and carry ſuch corruption about you, as will render you utterly incapable of doing any other than raiſing a ſtench on the things of Christ. Whatever you have to do about them, the purity of this Confection is ſuch as the leaſt evil owned and allowed, will diffuſe its malignity through it to the vitiating the whole, and rendring it of none p. 167effect: A little ſuch leaven will ſowre the whole lump; Dead Flyes cauſe the Oyntment of the Apothecary to ſtink, ſo doth a little folly, &c. This is notably illuſtrated in the caſe put, Hagg. 2.11, 14. where is ſhewed that there is much more force and malignity in a little evil to corrupt much good, then there is in much Religious Service of ſuch a People, to leave an impreſſion of goodneſs on things otherwiſe void of it. Look to it that you be very clean who bear the veſſels of the Lord in this Service, leſt you defile this undertaking for the Lord: clean hands and a pure heart are indiſpenſibly requiſites in this affair.

Caution 2. Take heed according to what Rules, Inſtructions, or Diſpenſatory you compound this Imbalm. I hinted before how exactly careful God was in the Compoſition both of the Oyl and Pouder that were to perfume his Tabernacle, Exod. 30.23, &c. No leſs is he jealous of the preſent things under conſideration, Take we heed therefore of falſe Rules, and Principles, as namely;

1. Take heed how you admit of humane Wiſdom and Prudence, the conſultings of fleſh and blood, to dictate and give rules in theſe matters. It is very fruitful in multiplying inventions, evaſions, expedients, diſtinctions, which indeed have a ſhew of Wiſdom, but its frequent that the Serpents ſubtilty is foiſted in, in the place of the ſimplicity of Christ; to call any man Maſter in this matter, is very dangerous.

2. Take heed you miſtake not by ſeeking the Cheapest inſtead of the Chiefest way of this Perfuming. It's indeed our wiſdom and underſtanding p. 168to ſet down afore-hand and caſt the coſt, Luke 14.28, 31, &c. leſt having begun, you be not able to finiſh; but then it muſt be brought to this iſſue, verſ. 33. Whoſoever he be that forſaketh not all that ever he hath, he cannot be my Diſciple. Nothing leſs than all one hath, even his whole Living, every thing on this ſide Heaven muſt be made up in the account (if the Lord hath need of it) to be laid out on it.

Caution 3. Admit not Cuſtome, common Fame, nor common Fear to be your Counſellours: Theſe and the like Cautions muſt be perſued.

But I had rather Conclude with a few Counſels:

1. If you do any thing excellent for Chriſt, do it early: So did this good Woman, both in the Text and at the Sepulchre. Many ſtay their hands from works of this kind, till they ſee what others, who are accounted more eminent, will do; they think it imprudent, and to ſavour of raſhneſs and ſingularity to be preſidential and exemplary: but this will one day be found the excellency of Chriſtian activity in works of this nature, That they tarry not for men, nor wait for the ſons of men, Micha 5.7. We may in this caſe allude to that paſſage, 2 Sam. 19.12. Ye are my Brethren, ye are my Bone and my Fleſh, wherefore are ye then the laſt to bring back the King? Many are ſo late and lingring in works that concern Chriſt's Glory of this kind, putting it off from one time to another, till their ſpirits ſink to the work, and the things themſelves (as was ſaid of Lazarus) ſtink in their noſtrils.

p. 1692dly. Conſider the Royal Extract, Deſcent, and Original of this Cauſe and Intereſt, the Imbalming of which with theſe ſweet Odours you are exhorted to. It's the off-ſpring of a King, of a great King. The Wiſe men were liberal in preſenting him with Frankincenſe and Myrrhe whom they underſtood to be King of the Jewes, though laid in a manger, Mat. 2.11. — And Jehu had ſo much generoſity, when he had done the judgements of God upon Jezebel; as to give order, 2 Kings 9.34. Go, ſee now this curſed Woman, and bury her; for ſhe is a Kings Daughter. Shall a curſed Woman have a becoming burial, becauſe ſhe is a Kings Daughter, and ſhall not the bleſſed Cauſe of the King of Kings be better reſpected? though it be thrown to dogs, and be meat for them, it deſerves better for his ſake to whom it ſtands related in Royal Progeny. He that (as was ſaid) was judged by the Wiſe men of the Eaſt worthy of a preſent of Frankincenſe, Gold, and Myrrhe at his birth, being born King of the Jewes, and of a coſtly bed of Spices by honourable counſel at his funeral, being Crucified as King of the Jewes, deſerves upon the ſame account an honourable treatment, when any of his things come under clouds and ſuſpition by the men of the times. Some Kings indeed were ſo evil, as debarred them from Royal Funerals, Jer. 22.18, 19. 2 Chron. 21.19, 20. But Christ deſerves better uſuage. If you would have your hearts ingaged to this honourable work, lay to heart the merit of it at your hands. 'Tis both nearly related to you, and hath done unſpeakable worthy things for you, while it was in its flouriſhing capacity and condition. It's very near and natural p. 170to you that are Saints; as David ſaid, Ye are my Brethren, ye are my bones and my fleſh: It is the very Womb wherein we were warmed, and brough… forth in that ſtate of Saint-ſhip under the profeſſion whereof we ſtand. Of Sion it ſhall be ſaid, This and that man was born in her: Reciprocations of love to ſuch Relations, and of endeavours if it were poſſible to requite them, 1 Tim. 5.4. would engage to do our utmoſt at their Funeral, as Joſeph imbalmed his Father, who tendered him dearly, and lamented his ſuppoſed death exceedingly, Gen. 37.34, 35. So would a Mothers Grave (becauſe a Mothers) be extraordinarily bewayled, Pſal. 35.14. Many that bury an only Child, or firſt-born, will ſpare no coſt about it: This (ſay they) is all the Portion I have to pay it. What was ſaid of the men of Jabeſh, might here be repeated; they thought they could do no leſs to the remembrance of a Father in Iſrael, who had done ſo well for them; or the Exhortations to the Daughters of Iſrael, to weep over him who clothed them in Scarlet, with other delights; who put on Ornaments of Gold …pon thei… Apparel, 1 Sam. 1.24. much more in a …piri…ual ſenſe hath this Intereſt of Christ deſerved at your hands. Oh! be not ungrateful at ſu… an opportunity as this, you may never have the like …o expreſs yo…r ingenuity, if you elapſe this.

4thly. Preſs af…er larger participations of a Royal Spirit, if you would do any excellent thing at this Funeral. Where there are any ſparks of true Nobility, they will vent themſelves this way, whereas ſpirits of a baſe and ſordid complexion will ſhrink in ſuch a time of coſt and hazard as this. It p. 171was a brave ſpirit in Araunah, when there was a …ebate betwixt David and him about the price of …he Sacrifice, that was to be offered up for a ſweet …avour in an infectious naſty ſeaſon, As a King, gave he to the King, 2 Sam. 24.23. 'Twas hard to diſcern by their ſpirits (if external badges had not …een there to diſtinguiſh them) which of them had moſt of the ſpirit of a King in him. Such large…eſs of heart is exceeding proper and honourable …n the caſe before us. A little laid out in the power of this Principle will be highly enhanſed in the value of it. It was a notable Inſtance, and evidence that Riſpah (though but the Concubine of Saul) retained ſome tincture of a Royal mind, that when the ſeven men of the off-ſpring of Saul, were executed at the inſtance of the Gibeonites, with that reproachful and curſed death; yet ſhe from her noble diſpoſition, and generous reſpect to that Royal off-ſpring, doth what ſhe could to keep them from thoſe corrupting caſualties that are apt to attend carkaſſes, expoſed as they were in the open air, to be a prey to the Birds by day, and the Beaſts by night; her ſack-cloth was accepted as a noble pavillion, & ſpoken well of at Court, till a more noble Funeral was provided for them, 2 Sam. 21.9, to 14. Chriſtians, if you are (as you profeſs) made Kings and Prieſts to God, a Royal Prieſthood, then you have another, a nobler ſpirit than have others; it concerneth and becometh you to ſtir up and improve on things that are moſt excellent. It's not for Kings (Oh Believers!) It's not for Kings and Princes to do leſs than the nobleſt things. To open their mouth for the dumb in the Cauſe of all ſuch (as on this account) are p. 172appointed to deſtruction; Open thy mouth, judge righteouſly, and plead the cauſe of the poor and needy.

5thly. Know for your encouragement, That though Chriſt expecteth you ſhould do what you can to imbalm his Intereſt, yet the ſoveraign vertue of that, which indeed doth and muſt preſerve it from rotting and ſtinking, depends upon the Lord's own proviſion and preparation: Though your good will be accepted, and your work ſhall be rewarded, yet it's freedom from corruption flowes from the abſolute dominion he hath over the Grave where he lieth, and the purpoſe and ingagement that he hath made known in the New Covenant to give it a Reſurrection. It's no ſmall encouragement therefore to know, and be inſured that we are workers together with Chriſt in this deſign, which muſt needs be ſucceeded with a good iſſue and therefore it's good adventuring thereupon.

6thly. Laſtly, Reſolve upon this, That if you live not long enough to ſee its Reſurrection, yet you will be laid in the ſame Grave with it; where it dieth you will die, and there you will be buried; The Spices then prepared and laid in to imbalm it, will alſo perfume you. The laſt Teſtimony of Friendlineſs the old Prophet could ſhew to the young Prophet (1 Kings 13.28, 29, 30, 31.) was to take up his dead ca…kaſs, though a Lion had ſlain him and ſtood by, lay him in his own Sepulchre, and give this charge, When I am dead, then bury me in the Sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried, lay my bones beſides his bones. Joſeph laies the body of Chriſt in his own new Tomb, Mat. 27.60. Abraham and Sarah, Iſaac and Rebeka, Jacob and Leah, and Joſeph alſo covet to be laid together, Gen. 49. p. 17329, 31. A Cave in Canaan, where they muſt be laid in the Faith of Promiſes, which is more deſireable than the chiefeſt Royal Sepulchres in Canaan, Gen. 23.6. chap. 49.29. chap. 50.25, 26. It was nobly reſolved in Ittai the Gittite, 2 Sam. 15.21. Surely in what place my Lord the King ſhall be, whether in death or life, there alſo will thy Servant be. Such bleſſed Reſolutions raiſed on true Principles, Rev. 12.11. Acts 15.26. chap. 20.24. chap. 21.13. have their acceptation now, and ſhall not miſs of an early Reſurrection in due time, 2 Kings 13.21. Dan. 11.13. Iſa. 26.19.

FINIS.