A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 1 · Chapter 34
CHAP. XXXIV. Of Chriſts Burial.
HAving diſpatched the Life and Death of Chriſt, now come we to the Burial, wherein there be three grand Remarks in its Antecedents, Concomitants, and Conſequents:
The 1. Remark is; The Antecedents of his Burial, which is the loweſt ſtep in his State of Humiliation: Now Chriſt is dead, 'tis thought expedient he ſhould be buryed, that there might be the Congruity foretold, betwixt the Type (of Jonah in the Whales Belly) and the Antitype, Jeſus in the Bowels of the Earth: As this was Chriſt's loweſt ſtep he took in his Humbled State, ſo it was the turning ſtep towards his Exalted State; for when he had ended the ſhame of his Croſs, and had given up the Ghoſt. now muſt he be Buryed; yet ſhall have an Honourable Burial: Therefore Joſeph of Arimathea, (the Prophet Samuels City. 1 Sam. 1.1. an Honourable Counſeller taketh care that Chriſt (now Crucified) ſhould not be Buried in the common Graves of Executed Malefactors; but to be Intombed in his own Tomb, Matth. 27.57, to 60 Mar 15, 43, to 47. Luke 23.50, to 54. and John 19.38. to the end. All the four Evangelists, do Record this Remarkable Action, though with ſome difference in Circumſtances, yet with none in the Subſtance: One of them calls him a Rich Man, another a Good Man, ſo that 'tis poſſible for a great Man to be good, greatneſs and goodneſs are not Inconſiſtent, though not many Mighty; yet ſome are called in all Ages, to own the good ways of God: Where-ever the free-grace of God cometh no difference is made betwixt the Rich and the Poor, both Plenty and Poverty may be Sanctified to the owner; and as there is room for both in the Kingdom of Grace, ſo there is room for both in the Kingdom of Glory: Chriſt's Parable, Luke 16. tell us, that poor Lazarus ly's lodged in the Boſom of Rich Abraham; the Evangeliſt more ſaith, that this Rich good Man went boldly in to Pilate, and begged the Body of Jeſus, which he durſt not have done, had he not been Good as well as Rich; for he (being a Prieſt; or a Levite, and one of the Council Chamber of the Temple) could not but expect that his Inraged fellow Prieſts, and Privy-Councellours of the Sanhedrim, would pick a quarrel with him; and would at leaſt fleece him of his Wealth, for favouring the Body of him, whom they had Executed as an Heretick and Traitor, if they did not flea his Skin from of his Back, for being a pattern to ſuch a Perſon, they having Threatned Pilate to Article againſt him, for High Treaſon to Caſar, if he ſtill perſiſted to Patronize the Innocency of Jeſus. Therefore this was a bold Act in Joſeph, thus to begg a ſuppoſed Traitors Body, Mark addeth, that Pilate wondred Chriſt ſhould be ſo ſoon dead; and when aſſured by the Centurion, that it was ſo, he granted this Counſellors Requeſt: St. John joyneth Nicodemus with Joſeph; who were both Members of the Eccleſiaſtick Court, and we ma… well ſuppoſe of them both, what St. Luke affirms of the one only, that neither of them had conſented with that Privy Council, to the Condemning of Chriſt. Theſe two Night Diſciples, became bold and publick Patrons of a Dead Jeſus; and Conjoin their helping Hands, to bury the Body Honourably, when all the Day-Diſciples, (excepting John) durſt not ſhew their Heads, but Dwindle away: Theſe two Timorous Proſelites, do now openly declare themſelves to be the Diſciples, even of a Dead Saviour, each of them acted their part, Joſeph begs the Body, takes it down from the Croſs, at the leave of the Chief Magiſtrate, (Such a Friend was our Lord to Magiſtracy, both in his Life and Death: He will have Juſtice ſatisfied, both in his Dying, and when Dead; he will not be taken down without Pilates leave) his part was alſo to wrap up the Body in Linnen Clothes, and to provide a New Sepulchre, (Hewen out of a Rock in his Garden, wherein never any Man lay before him, a Tomb that Joſeph had prepared for himſelf; but willingly Reſigns it up to his Lord and Maſter, who ſhould, (from good Manners) be firſt ſerved before the Servant; and who within three Days after, Reſigned it up to the lending Landlord, no greater loſs have they that lend to the Lord, the Borrower, Prov. 19.17. as well as the Lender of Mercy, he borrows only of us, what he firſt lends us, and what we willingly lend to God, he more willingly repays again with Intereſt. as Joſeph had his own New Sepulchre, (lent to the Lord for three days only) Reſtored to him again with Advantage▪ for Chriſt's Body (lying that little time in it) did Marvelouſly Perfume, Conſecrate, and Sanctifie it for the better Reception of his own Body, againſt the time of his laying it down: As it was Joſeph's part to prepare the Tomb for the Body, ſo it was Nicodemus's part to prepare moſt precious Spices, for Embalming the Body, the ſame was done by the good Women likewiſe, for further Imbalming him, when their Sabbath was over, all teſtifying their Love to their Lord, but in that very preparation, they all ſhewed how little Faith and Hope they had concerning ſpeedy Reſurrection, though he had oft foretold it to them.
The 2. Remark is; The Concomitants of Chriſt's Burial, (after the Antecedents and Preparatory Actions) every Circumſtance whereof, Denominates it a very Honourable Burial.
As 1. The Perſons Imployed in Interring the Crucified Body of Chriſt, were two Honourable Perſons, ſome ſuppoſe, they were (for their Eminency of Prudence, Piety, and Juſtice, &c.) called to be of Council by Pontius Pilate, the proconſul of the Country of Judea, beſides their Memberſhip of Dignity in the Jewiſh Sanhedrin…, who yet conſented not to that Curſed Vote therein; Namely, [He is guilty of Death] Matth. 26.66. He was not buryed by the hands of thoſe Scoundrels that Crucified him, as probably the two Thieves were.
2. The place where his Body was Buried, was an Honourable place; for he was not Buried in a Dunghil, (as ſome Sordid Perſecutors and Tyrants have been) nor among the Carcaſſes of Executed Malefactors in Calvary, but in a Garden, (the beſt and moſt Honourable of places) John 19.41. As the firſt Adam had ſinned, and did fall in a Garden, (even in a Paradiſe) the Garden of God: So the Second Adam will be buried in a Garden, even in the Garden of an Holy and Juſt Man, Joſeph, that the place of Chriſt's burial might bear a proportion to the place of Adam's Fall: The place of Chriſt's Burial, was the place of his Reſurrection alſo; and ſo, as all in Adam did fall in a Garden: So all in Chriſt Roſe again in a Garden.
3. The Tomb it ſelf, was an Honourable Tomb, not only for its Situation in a Garden incloſed, (ſo not expoſed to Annoyances by Hogs, Dogs, &c.) but alſo for its own Honourable Excellencies in Sundry particulars, as 1. For its Newneſs, all New things are commonly Honoured, and accounted excellent things, Iſa. 48.6. Hence New Wine▪ the New Song the New Spirit, and the New Jeruſalem, are all in Scripture. Phraſe, Deemed deſirable, and Delectable things. 2. For its firmneſs, it was hewn out of a Rock, ſo not eaſily obvious to any kind of Annuiſances: Here is a Rock, within a Rock; which is called a Munition of Rocks for defence, Iſa. 33.16. This Rock, (buried in a Rocky Tomb) was Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.4. who is called the Rock of Ages. Iſa. 26.4. yet lay but a little time within this Rock; the Rock-Creator, could not be long contained in this Rock Created: 3. For it is Virginity, it was a Virgin-Tomb, never had any Man laid in it: Divine Wiſdom ordered it thus, that Humane Folly ſhould have no occaſion to imagine any Cheat in our Lords Reſurrection; Chriſt's Grave, was not like the Grave of Eliſha, wherein another Man was buried beſide his Body, 2 Kin. 13.20. For in this, never any Man before was laid, Luke 23.50.53. & John 19.41. Hereupon Theophylact Noteth, no Momus might cavil at Chriſt's Reſurrection, as though ſome other body, that had been buried therein, had riſen out of it; but now no other body could riſe out of this Virgin-Tomb. As our Lord before his Birth, lay in a Virgin Womb, ſo after his Death, he lay in a Virgin-Tomb; and he is accordingly found formed, and liveth in a Virgin-Heart; Paul ſaith, he Travell'd in Birth, till Chriſt were formed in the Hearts of the Galatians, Gal. 4.19. And he tells them, it was not he that lived, but Chriſt lived in him, Gal. 2.20. and ſuch as have Chriſt Formed, and living in them, are called Virgins, Cant. 1.3. Revel. 14.4. Such Souls as love Chriſt with a Pure, Chaſt, Virgin-Love, are the right lovers, and True followers of the Lamb. 4. The manner of his Burial was Honourable alſo: It was not a Clandeſtine private Interrment, done by ſtealth; but managed with Solemnity, both by Famous Men, and by Famous Women, whoſe praiſe is in the Goſpel: Here was the pompa Mortis, the Honourable Attendence of Mourners; theſe good Women. (named by the Evangeliſt) manifeſted their love to our Lord, in their laſt Office of Love, by looking on to behold where he was laid; becauſe they could do no more in Aſſiſting the Burial, Matth. 27.55, 61. Luke 23.55, &c. Love to Chriſt, fears no colours, no inconveniencies, as the Men were not aſhamed of this Service to Chriſt, in taking care of Chriſt's Crucified Body; ſo, nor did theſe Women think it a ſhame to lend their laſt look of love to their Crucified Lord; for which Fervent and Zealous Affections, they are accordingly Dignified by God, with a Divine Record thereof in the Goſpel: As our Lord hath many Witneſſes of his Death, Pilate himſelf, was ſatisfied therein by the Centurion, inſomuch, that no Room was left for doubting the Reality of his Death: So had he ſome, (ſo many as were ſufficient) Witneſſes of the Truth of his Burial; and 'tis a wonder, that while Chriſt was Warring with the Devil, (who had the power of Death here, Hebr. 2.14.) and with Death, (which had now brought our Redeemer into its own Den) even weak Women are called forth to be Witneſſes; and are indeed, Marſhal'd in the Forefront of this Teſtimony, Chriſt Teſtifying hereby, that he was minded▪ to confound his ſtrongeſt Enemies, by the weakeſt means; and that himſelf would ſhortly make a glorious Triumph over both Death and the Devil, in Riſing again.
Thus where True love to Chriſt is, (whether in Men or in Women) ſuch will not ſhrink from Chriſt; no, not when he is Crucified, theſe True lovers of him, ſtick cloſe to him, even when he is Dead, …ove will creep to Chriſt, when it cannot go: Though theſe weak Women could not roll the great Stone to the Door of the Sepulchre, (which was the work of a ſtrong Man, Matth. 27.60.) no more than they could roll it away from the Sepulchers Mouth, (which was likewiſe the work of a ſtrong Angel, Matth. 28.2.) Theſe Women ſaid among themſelves, [who ſhall roll us away, the ſtone from the Door of the Sepulchre] Mar. 16.3. This Obſtruction of their Imbalming his Body, they found removed by an higher Hand, ver. 4. Though (I ſay) they could not do either the one or the other; yet do they ſit by, and look on as Witneſſes, that our Redeemer was now ſhut up in the very Den of Death; and that if he Roſe again, he muſt conquer Death in his own Den, our Lord is content to lie in this Den till the third Day: Yet will not this Lord of Life, lie under the power of Death, beyond thirty ſix Hours; and ſo long was the day, wherein the Sun ſtood ſtill in the days of Joſhuah, Joſh. 10. As that Joſhuah had that one long day, ſo this Joſhua or Jeſus had this one long Night, it was onelyonly one Night, lengthened out to the length of that longeſt Day; though it be called by Chriſt himſelf, the ſpace of three Days, and three Nights, Matth. 12.40. whereas it was but two Nights, and one whole Day, and two ſmall parts of two more; therefore the words of Chriſt, in comparing his time of being Buried, to the time of Jonah's lying in the Whales Belly, muſt be taken Synecdochically, the part for the whole, according to the known Dialect of the Jewiſh Nation in both their Talmuds, wherein any part of the Day, is Reckoned for the whole thereof: But here the Malice of the Kill-Chriſt's, is highly Remarkable; for they club'd their Wits, not only one with another, but even with the Devil himſelf, how to protract thoſe Thirty ſix Hours, to laſt ſo long as the World laſted, even until the General Reſurrection; in purſuance of which Project they did not think the Sepulchre ſure enough, with the great Stone that Joſeph had, (out of upright loving kindneſs) Rolled to the Mouth of it: But ſtill they are Diſquieted with him, as while living all along, ſo now when dead alſo: They can never ſecure themſelves from the Torturing Fears of their own Guilty Conſciences, the chief Prieſts and Phariſees are yet afraid, that a Crucified Chriſt, would prove a Conquerour over them; and therefore do they Aſſemble together, and make an Humble Addreſs to Pilate, that he might command a Guard to watch the Sepulchre, and to ſet his Imperial Seal upon the great Stone, Matth. 27.62, 63, &c. leaſt the Diſciples of that deceiver, (as they Blaſphemouſly call'd him) ſhould come by Night, and ſteal him away, &c. Thus with that utmoſt craft, which the Devil (their Maſter) could teach them; they indeavour as carefully as they could, to obſcure the glory of Chriſt, by ſecuring the Sepulchre; and thereby thinking to ſecure Chriſt, and keep him faſt in the Grave: Venerable Bede de locis Sanctis, cap. 2. ſaith, that thoſe Malitious Monſters of Mankind, did bind the Tomb of Chriſt's Body, with ſtrong Grapples and Labels of Iron, on purpoſe to croſs the Tales, (as he ſaith) and diſappoint the unchangeable Decrees of the divine Determined Counſel: But mark how God here overſhoots the Devil in his own Bow, Gods Providence, makes uſe of thoſe Enemies Malice, to make the matter of our Lord's Burial and Reſurrection, much more Conſpicuous and Manifeſt to all Men; for the more their crafty Counſel and carefullneſs, was to keep Chriſt under the Earth, and to prevent his Reſurrection, by their politick proviſions; all this did but render our Lord's Reſurrection the more Divine and Glorious, becauſe it was accompliſhed Maugre the Malice of Men and Devils: They can expect no good Succeſs, that dare fight againſt God: Thus have we an account of our Lords Body, how it was held faſter in the Grave by the Divine Decree, than by all thoſe Humane, (yea Helliſh) Devices before mentioned; it muſt not lie ſo long Buried, as theſe Miſcreant Men would have it, which they deſigned to be for ever; no, it muſt lie no longer than the moſt Wiſe God would have it, according as it was foretold in his Holy Scriptures: God ordained that Chriſt's Body ſhould lie Buried until the Third Day, leaſt his Adverſaries ſhould object in their Cavilling and Malicious manner, that he had not been really dead; yet ſhall it not lie there until the fourth Day, leaſt his Diſciples Faith ſhould flag and founder, through his too long abſence from them, which he had told them often, ſhould be but for a little time; and beſides this, the word ſaith, that God would not ſuffer his Holy one to ſee Corruption, Pſal. 16.10. & Acts 13.35. He muſt not ſtink as Lazarus did, at the fourth Day:
The next Inquiry is; where was Chriſt's Soul all this time, that his Body was buried in the Grave? The Romaniſts Anſwer, That Chriſt's Soul went down to Preach unto thoſe Souls in Purgatory, from their miſtaking that Text, [by the which he alſo went, and Preached unto the Spirits that are in Priſon,] 1 Pet. 3.19. as alſo that Article of the Creed, [He Deſcended into Hell,] both theſe Errours may briefly be thus corrected.
As 1. That cannot be the Senſe of the Apoſtle Peter's Sentence, for the Relative, [by the which] can have no Antecedent, but [the Spirit,] ver. 18. whereby he was quickened; now the Spirit there cannot ſignifie the Soul of Chriſt, unleſs we will affirm, that he was quickened, and Raiſed out of the Grave, by the Vertue and Power of his own Soul, which ought not to be affirmed: But we muſt ſay, this was done by the Efficacy of his Divine Nature, which is call'd [the Spirit] in this place, and in that, 1 Tim. 3.16. [Juſtified in the Spirit,] that is, the power of the Godhead did ſo manifeſt it ſelf Marvelouſly in that weak fleſh of Chriſt, that though he became a weak Mortal Man; yet the Vertue of his Divine Nature, (whereby he Raiſed himſelf from the Dead) did ſo convincingly ſhine forth, as to make all the World believe, that he was, and is God: And thus that Apoſtle muſt be underſtood, that though Chriſt was not preſent in the Old World, with his Corporal preſence, as he was at his Incarnation in the New World; yet was he preſent with thoſe Antediluvians, in his Divine Nature, (which is both ever, and every where) whereby he Spirited Noah, to be a Preacher of Righteouſneſs, unto the Diſobedient of that Day, who becauſe of their Diſobedience to Chriſts call at that time. (ſent by the Spirit to call them to Repentance) were then Drowned in that Univerſal Deluge, and now Impriſoned in that Everlaſting Priſon of Hell, where they lie confined till the Day of Judgment; and then their drowned Bodies ſhall be brought to their damned Souls, to receive the full recompenſe of their Rebellion againſt God, that as Soul and Body ſinned together ſo they muſt ſuffer together for ever more.
As to the 2d Errour or Cavil grounded upon the Article of Faith, [He deſcended into Hell] muſt be thus corrected: The word Sheol which ſignifies Hell, is largely Interpreted for the Grave alſo, therefore that phraſe [Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell] Pſal. 16.10. is read [in the Grave] in the Old Tranſlation: And Sheol is read [the Grave] in the New Tranſlation, Gen. 37.35. [I will go down into Sheol or the Grave unto my Son,] ſaith Jacob concerning Joſeph▪ who was too good a young Man to go down to Hell, and who was not gone down̄ to the Grave neither, in Jacob's Sentiments, for he conceited ſome Evil Beaſt had devoured his Body, ver. 33. Therefore by Sheol, Jacob muſt mean the State of the Dead, wherein He thought Joſeph to be, and neither in the Grave nor in Hell. And thus 'tis ſaid of Jeſus (who is Joſeph our Brother) that He deſcended into the Deep, Rom. 10.7. which is there explained by its Antitheſis [to bring him from the Dead,] and 'tis ſaid of him, that He deſcended into the lower parts of the Earth, Epheſ. 4.9. Yea Chriſt ſaith of himſelf that he muſt lie ſome time in the Heart of the Earth (which David calls, in Pſal. 139.15. His Mothers Belly, as the Earth is the Grand Mother of all Living and Dying) Mat. 12.40. but 'tis no where ſaid in Scripture, that Chriſt's Soul Deſcended into Hell, which is the place of the Damned, but the contrary is Aſſerted even by our Saviour himſelf, that, the ſame day wherein he Died, the Soul of the Penitent Thief ſhould be with his Soul in Paradiſe, Luke 23.43. So that Chriſt's deſcending to [Hades] can admit of no other meaning, than of his going down into the State of Death, and his Body lying under the Power of Death till the Third Day.
The 3d Remark is. The Conſequences and Effects of Chriſt's Burial, which are all exceeding comfortable to us.
As 1ſt, Our Lord was Buried, as well as Died, to make a more compleat Conqueſt over Death. As he had Conquered that Adverſary in the open Field upon the Croſs (in giving up the Ghoſt at his own good will as above, and not at the ill will of commanding Death) ſo now he purſues Vanquiſhed Death into its own Den, and its Retreating Fortreſs, and there becomes Death to Death it ſelf, ſtrangles and unſtings it upon its own Dunghill, and looſing, yea breaking the bonds of it, 1 Cor. 15.55. Acts 2.24, 27, 31. & 13.29, 30, &c. Sampſon's Victory was the Greater, that he ſuffered his Enemies to bind him: So was our Saviour's, who ſuffered himſelf to be bound with the Chains of Death, and to be laid in its Strongeſt Hold, in the very Houſe and Cabin of Death, Job 17.13. and then conquers it.
2dly, That he might deſtroy him who had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil, Heb. 2.14. as Satan is the Author of Sin, ſo, in that reſpect he is ſaid to have the Power over Death, for Sin brought in Death, and Death is the Wages of Sin: Hence doth the Tempter Tempt Mortals the more to Sin, that he may exerciſe his Power over Death the more among them; but Chriſt in the Grave (as it were) cuts the Devil's Throat with his own Weapon Death, and that in Death's own Den, both Death and the Devil loſt their Dominion, Rom. 6.9.
3dly, As in reſpect of both Death and Devil, ſo in reſpect of Sin alſo: Our Saviour was Buried that our Sin might be Buried with him, only with this difference, He hath his Burial for three days only, and then had his Reſurrection out of his Grave, but he makes ſuch a Burial of our Sin in his own Grave, as ſhall be for ever, without any Reſurrection at all thereof. That Sin which is once buried in Chriſt's Grave, ſhall never riſe again, either, (1.) To be remembred before God any more, Iſa 43.25. Heb. 8.12. Or, (2.) To Reign over us any more, Rom. 6.14. with 5.21, &c. As Sin is then ſo fully remitted by God, as no more to be remembred, and as if it had never been committed againſt God. So Sin loſeth not only its Damning, but alſo its Domineering Power, in the Grave of Chriſt. God caſts Sin into the deep Sepulchre of our ſweet Saviour, and into the depths of the Sea, Mic. 7.18. ſo as it ſhall never be buoyed up again, either to Damn or Domineer, if not to defile us.
Inferences hence are, 1ſt, As Chriſt broke not down from the Croſs (though his Murtherers wiſhed him to do ſo) but ſtaid there till he had compleated his Redemption-Work, and till Joſeph and Nicodemus took him down: So he was content to continue in the Tomb, till God raiſed him thence, Acts 13.30. which teacheth that Chriſtians ought not to Break Priſons, but wait there till the time that their Word come as good Joſeph did, Pſal. 105.18, 19. and as did this Good Jeſus, who ſaith to us; [I am Joſeph your Brother,] Gen. 45.4. and whom we caſt into the Grave, as they did him into the Pit, out of which Joſeph ſcrambled not, but was paſſive till taken out, &c.
The 2d Inference is, As Chriſt literal (our Redeeming Lord) will not always lye buried, but only till the third Day, and then Roſe again: So Chriſt Myſtical (his Redeemed Church) ſhall not alway be buried, but after two Days ſhe ſhall be revived, and the third day God will raiſe her up, and ſhe ſhall live in his ſight, Hoſ. 6.2, 3. The Graves ſhall be opened, Ezek. 37.12. ſhe ſhall not alway lie among the Pots, Pſal. 68.13.
The 3d Inference is, Chriſt's going into the Grave hath Perfumed, Sanctified and Conſecrated the Grave to all the Godly. That place of Stench and Rottenneſs; Mat. 23.27. is turned into a ſweet Bed for ſleeping peaceably in till the Reſurrection, Iſa. 57.2. We may not fear to go down, where our beſt friend's footſteps are before us. The worſt of the Saints ſufferings is to be buried, they can go no lower, &c. Chriſt hath by his burial made it a Portal to Eternal Life at the laſt day, by his paſſing through it, as we are buried with him by Baptiſm, Rom. 6.4. as his Death kills Sin; ſo his Burial buries it: Therefore the Baptized ſhould die to Sin, and live to God, ver. 2, 6, 9. & 2 Cor. 5.15. not rooting Sin out of the Grave to make a ſtench again, as Carcaſes Infect the Country, &c.
The 4th Inference is, Learn hence the force of ſincere Love to our Lord, Joſeph and Nicodemus, though Rich Rulers both, yet diſdain not to ſoil and foil their hands with the Blood that came out of Chriſt's Wounds: They took him down from the Croſs, &c. with their own hands, and not by the hands of their Servants: Love expels all ſqueamiſh Niceneſs, to climb a Tree is Boys Work, yet Zaccheus thinks it no ſhame, from love to look on Chriſt. Luk. 19.4. Thus weak and Timorous Diſciples may have ſtrong Affections to Chriſt, which may laſt longer than theſe of the ſtronger, now Judas had betrayed him, Peter had denied him, and all the other open Diſciples were run away ſave John, who yet durſt not ſo openly own a Crucified Chriſt, yet theſe two Night-Birds ſtick to him under the greateſt Diſgrace in the open Day-light, which ſhews weak Brethren may not be deſpiſed, Rom. 14.4. They may ſtand, when thoſe of greater Abilities may fall, &c.
The 5th Inference is. Learn hence to bury all our Sins in the Grave of Chriſt, which we will not do till they be dead, Col. 3.1. Rom. 8.13. break its Legs, the Thieves were ſo, then bury it and hate it, as loathſome Corps, bury thy dead out of thy ſight though loved before, as Abraham did Sarah, and when buried caſt Mould on it, that the Devil may not come to put life into it again, and make thy end worſe than thy beginning. We read in that famous Burial of that Wicked Gog, that there were Searchers appointed to go thorough the Land, who where they found any Dead Mens Bones, were to ſtick up a Stick or a Stone (for a mark that ſome were ſcattered there) whereby the Buriers were informed to find them, and ſo come to bury them, Ezek. 39.13, 14. ſo ought we to do, our Conſciences are the Searchers which muſt find out our Sins. that are as Dead Mens Bones (the Relicks of the Crucified Body of Sin) and when we have found them, we muſt ſet a mark upon them, and never be at eaſe within till they be buried, and when we have put them into the Grave, we muſt ſet a ſeal upon the Sepulchre, that they may remain therein till they ſee corruption, and conſume away to nothing, much leſs may we open the Grave our ſelves, and ſtir up our old ſtinking ſins, that have perhaps been longer buried than was Lazarus (who ſtank at four days end) this will Poiſon the Air all about, both in the Country of the Churches and of our own Conſciences; Therefore as Chriſt was buried, that we might have power to bury Sin, ſo by the power of his burial we ſhould keep ſin down from riſing again.
The 6th Inference is, Chriſt's Love to us is ſtill farther commended, conſidering how poor he made himſelf to make us rich, 2 Cor. 8.9. ſo poor in his Life, at his Birth, he was born in another Man's Houſe, in Preaching he Preached in another Man's Ship, in Praying, he Prayed in another Man's Garden, at Meal-times women Miniſtred unto him, moſtly eating in other Mens Dwellings, in Riding (which was but once) he Rode upon another Man's Aſs, and now for his Burial, he is Buried in another ther Man's Grave. So that though Chriſt was the Creator and right Owner of All Things, yet doth he ſo Exouthenize and ſtrip himſelf for us, as to have nothing peculiar to him but his Croſs, which none would touch or take from him; Was ever love like his? This Sanctifies Poverty to us, &c. His Grave was Rich Joſeph's, Iſa. 539. Behold how he loved us, he borrows our Nature to be born, live, die, and be buried for us, as the Wife leaves all for her Husband, goes to Priſon with him for love, &c.