The first Exposition .

THe first that occurres vnto me ( and for the Authors antiquitie first to be discussed ) is i i Origen . tract. 30. in Matth. Origens , who hath sensed the bodie to be the Church ; the Eagles the Doctors ; the gathering together , sensus , and consensus ; the harmonie , vnitie , and consent in points of faith . And to that in k k Matth. 24 28. Matthew , this is very probable : where Christ premonisheth his Disciples ; Take heed that no man deceiue you , vers. 4. Many shall come in my name , saying , I am Christ , and shall deceiue many , vers. 5. Many false Prophets shall arise , and deceiue many , vers. 11. Then our Lord prescribes rules how to auoyd them : If any man shall say , Loe here is Christ , or there is Christ , beleeue it not , vers. 23. If they shall say , Ecce in deserto ; behold he is in the desart , Goe not forth : behold he is in the secret chambers ; beleeue it not , vers. 26. Then hee demonstrates as it were with a finger , where he is , that is , where the Eagles are : marke their flight , it guides you to the light : for vbicunque fuerit corpus , &c.

Secretae Scripturae rectè Solitudines appellantur : Scripture secretly expounded is a secret wildernesse . Basilides ( saith Origen ) tells me Christ is here : Marcion , he is in the secret chambers : Valentinus , behold he is in the desart : and bring Scripture with solitarie expositions to confirme their singular opinions . But I beleeue them not , s s Sed nos illis cre●ere non debemus , nec exire à prima , & ecclesiastica traditione , nec aliter credere ; nisi quemadmodia Ecclesiae tradiderunt nobis . Origen : vt supra , & tract. 29. sub fine . and repaire for the Catholike veritie to the Church , where the pasturing Eagles are .

No Scripture ( saith t t 2 Pet. 1.20 . S. Peter ) is of a priuate interpretation ; which is to be vnderstood , not ratione personae , but ratione modi : A priuate man may expound , but not in a priuate manner ; by stamping new expositions vpon holy writ , diuers ab Ecclesiae consortio u u Quicunque extra hanc domum agnum comederit profanus est : Si quis in arca Noe non fuerit , peribit regnante diluvio . Hieron . epist. ad Damas . pap . . It is profane to eat the Paschall Lambe out of this house ; to gather the flowers of interpretation without the limits of the Churches garden . If any Father , or Doctor , shall broach any solitarie exposition against the Torrent of the Church ; we reiect it ; x x Noverint Catholi● se cum Ecclesia Doctores recipe e , non cum Doctorio is ●cclesia fidem se deserere debere . Vincent . Lyr. contra Nov●t . c 23. it being the property of the faithfull , to receiue the Eagles with the body ; the Doctors with the Church ; and not to forsake the faith of the Church with the Doctors .

Ex personis probamus fidem , an ex fide personas ? Doth the faith depend vpon the persons ; or the credit of the persons vpon the faith ? We ought therefore to embrace , what the Church holdeth ; The Church to hold , what the Apostles haue deliuered ; The Apostles hauing deliuered , what Christ taught ; who taught nothing but what he receiued of the Father ; as y y Quod E●clesia ab Apostol●s , Apostoli a Christo , Christus a Deo accepit , sine dubio tenendum . Tertull. praescript . advers. haereses . Tertullian iustly prescribes .

Origen himselfe , whose house was * * Vincent . Lyr. vt supra . illustrata martyrio , famous for martyrdome , himselfe adorned totius doctrinae magnificentia , with all the magnificence of learning ; yet when hee began to set on foot priuate Tenets , and Glosses : z z Origenes in acre dom●num gloria pro daemonibus impudenti crucifigit mendacio . Bernard . ser. 54. in Cant. As , that the paines of the damned should not be eternall ; and that Christ should be crucified in the ayre againe for the deuils ; as he was on earth for man ; herein we reiect this Eagle , because hee was not gathered to the body .

Vincent . ●yr . Tertullian a worthy Ancient , famous for his Apologies for the Christians ; for his writings for the Christian faith ; whom S. Cyprian reuerently esteemed as his master ; Da magistram . yet when this Eagle began to doate in his old age vpon the dreames of Montanus , and his associates ; who held themselues equall to the Apostles in diuine reuelations ; we say ; Hic magister non tenetur ; and herein reiect this Eagle , as gone out from the body .

But when the lightning shall shine from the East vnto the West , when the West and Easterne Eagles , the Doctors of the Greeke , and Latine Church shall meet in one harmonicall center of agreement ; as they did in the foure first Generall Councels ; we thinke it more then common insolencie to dissent from them : But when the lightning hath shone in the West , and darknesse vpon the face of the East : and when the Westerne Eagles shall decline from the Church , wee leaue those , and cleaue to them that are gathered to the bodie .

S. Hierome in his time complaines to Damasus , how the a a Hieron ad Damas . pap . testatia vasa , vel lignea . Non vastitas Elementi liquentis , & interiacens longitud● terrarum &c. Nunc in Occidente Sol Iustitiae oritur , in Oriente Lucifer ille , qui ceciderit , posuit thronum suum . Idem vt supra . Eagles of the East had degenerated : nothing but weeds , sowre grapes , thornes , and thistles growing in their garden : therefore hee had his recourse to the Sunne , that then shone in the Westerne Church : not the depth of the seas , not the length of the earth , could separate him from this light , for sayes he , Wheresoeuer the body is , thither will the Eagles be gathered together .

But as his complaint was of the corruption of the East ; we iustly resume it , bewayling the now declined estate of the Westerne Church : That the Eagle of Rome , the Patriarke of the Occidentall Church , hath taken her flight from her body ; lamentably musing with the Prophet ; How is the faithfull Citie become a harlot . Rome , ancient Rome , b b L●tius praesideres religione divina , quam dominatione terrena . Leo in Natal . Apostolorum Petri , & Pauli , ser. 1. famoused more for thy religion , then conquests : sacked thou art of thy pretious margarite of faith , and veritie : That thy Pope is c c Reverendiss . Episcopus Winton . in respons. Apol. pro Iuramento Fidelitatis contra Bellar. alius à Christo , another from Christ , we doubt not : But if alius ab Antichristo , another from Antichrist , we deseruedly call it into question .

The like complaint make we of the inferiour Eagles of Rome , of their new deuised expositions to vphold their drooping , and dying cause : To instance but in one , ( who is in stead of all ) Cardinall Bellarmine , who hath translated Christ into the Pope : That Stone , that corner Stone , that pretious corner Stone , and sure found●tion , which d d ●say 28.16 . Esay the Prophet foretold : and e e 1 Pet. 2.6 . Peter the Eagle applyed vnto Christ , f f Jn Histrionica sua praes●t●o●● affix in ●●o●●e l●b . de Rom Pont●f . Bellarmine hath squared it for the Pope : He can conuert omnes into solos : Christ saith of the Chalice , g g Matth. 26.27 . Drinke you all of this ; that is , ( saith hee ) h h Clarissimè patet verba illa ad s●los Apost●lo● pertinere . Bellar. de Sacram. Euchar . lib. 4. c. 25. §. Re●●at●igit●r . the Priests alone : and manducationem in Monarchiam ; i i Acts 10.13 . Peter kill and eat , ergo Peter was Head of the Church : Therefore wee reiect this , and such Eagles ; because they haue not kept them to the body .

And hereby we descry the Brownists , and Separatists to be no Eagles : those erring starres that haue no fixed motion in the Churches orbe ; who in stead of reso●ting to the body , doe cut off themselues from vs by a schismaticall rent .

k k Expos. in Matth 24. S. Chrysostome obserueth , that our Sauiour saith not , exite ; but nolite credere : goe you out ; but beleeue them not : But like an expert Captaine , prohibites all excursions from the Churches bounds , nolite exire , goe not out : Beleeue them not , auoid heresie : Goe not out , take heed of schisme : Say our Church be deformed , yet shee is not infectious : Say the chaffe is mingled with the wheat ; Do we for the chaffes-sake forsake the threshing floore of the Lord ? Saint l l Greg pastoral . part. 3. admonit . 23. Gregory notes , that our Lord in the Gospell ioynes salt , and peace together ; * * Mark . 9.50 . Haue salt with your selues , and peace one with another : Sal sinc pace , non virtutis est donum , sed damnationis argumentum . Let your salt of doctrine season the Church with a peacefull vnion : for the one without the other , is not virtuous , but vitious .

But most of all that Father , Bishop , Martyr , S. Cyprian , in th●t admirable Treatise of his , De vnitate Ecclesiae , h●th battered this forlorne error : m m Hanc vnitatem qui non tenet , tenere se fidem credit ? Solis multi radij , sed lumen vnum . Rami arboris multi , sed robur vnum : de fonte vno rivi plurimi defluunt , numerositas licet diffusa videatur , vnitas tamen seruatur in origine . Cypr. de vnit . Ecclesiae nu. 4. The vnitie of the Church he that holdeth not , doth he thinke he holdeth the faith ? Many beames issue from the Sunne , yet but one Sunne : diuers Riuers streame from the fountaine , yet but one head : many branches arise from one root , yet but one tree ; breake off a branch , fractus germinare non potest , it withereth , it dyeth : separate a Riuer from the fountaine , praecisus arescet , it dryeth vp : and so no hauing of God for our Father , vnlesse we take the Church for our Mother .

Let not Novatian a Separatist boast of his morall gifts , and rectitude of faith , which otherwise may be in him : Christianus non est , qui in Ecclesia Christi non inest : He is no Christian , that is not in the Church of Christ : He may giue all his goods to the poore , and his body to be burned , yet * * Non erit illa fidei corona , sed poena perfidia . Idab . nu. 12. occidi potest , coronari non potest : If he die without the Churches limits , killed he may be , crowned with martyrdome he cannot be . Hitherto Cyprian . Certes this sequestration sheweth them to be no Eagles , who are not gathered to the body . All this while haue I fought vnder Origens banner ; I leaue him now , and proceed to the second exposition .

The second Exposition .

ANd that s of n n Hi●●on . Comme 〈◊〉 in Matth. Hierome , and o o T●e 〈◊〉 . in l●c . 〈◊〉 homi●us proper no● mortius est in casam positas . Matth 24. Iob ●9 . 2● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whi●h s●●nti●s to●●●● 〈◊〉 ●●l . Theophylact , who conceiue by the bodie to be meant Christ suffering , and dead vpon the Crosse : by the Eagles the Saints , whose garments are washed in the blood of the Lambe : and by the gathering together , the efficacie of his passions : Wheresoeuer the dead body is , as S. Matthew hath it ; and in Iob , Wheresoeuer the wounded , or slaine is ; which reading Th●ophylact keepeth , not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; to which also p p Hae●●●●tia 〈…〉 similitud● c●●●ris ●●●u●●m●●a . Bez● ann. l. ● 1 C●●a●er . Beza doth assent , not the body , but the carcasse , to which the Eagles are gathered .

Holy Scripture proclaymeth that Christ suffered , that Christ died for vs vpon the Crosse : witnesse the q q lib. 1● . 3● . Tormentors , that abstained from breaking of his leggs , because he was dead already ; witnesse Ioseph of r r Matt● . 27.58 . Arimathea , that petitioned to Pilate for his body , wownde it in linnen cloathes , laid it in a graue , which was signed with the common signet , where it abode three dayes till the resurrection : witnesse himselfe , he bowed his head , s s Iob. 19 30. ( saith the Scripture ) and gaue vp the Ghost : He bowed himselfe , whom the Crucifiers could not bowe ; and gaue vp the Ghost , gaue it vnto his Father , who gaue it vnto him . Quod amittitur necessarium est , Ambrose . quod emittitur voluntarium : In amission the act is necessarie , in emission voluntary : Quis ita dormit quando voluerit , sicut Iesus mortuus est quando voluit ? Who could euer fall asleepe so when he would ; as Christ died when he would ? t t Aug. tract. 119. in Iohan. Quis ita vestem deponit , quando voluerit , sicut Iesus mortuus est quando voluit ? Who euer laid aside his garment so , when hee would , as Christ stript himselfe out of his flesh , when he had a will so to doe ? Quis ita cum voluerit abijt , quomodo Christus cùm voluerit , obijt ? Who so willingly departed any whither , as Christ out of this world , when he saw his time ? according to that prediction of Esay , Oblatus est , quia voluit : whereof S. Bernard giues the reason ; Ipse oblatio , & offerens ; He was the Priest , and the Host ; the sacrifice and the Sacrificer : Natus est , and datus est , passus est , and mortuus est : no reason of his birth , and death , but his charity that made him will ; his will answerable to his charitie .

In the u u Psal. 40.8 . 40 Psalme : Sacrifice , and burnt offering thou wouldst not haue , but a body hast thou ordayned me : which latter clause though it answer not the Originall ; yet the * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Septuagint so translate it ; the Apostle to the x x Heb. 10 5. Hebrewes so quotes it ; and y y Aug. enarrat . in Psal. 39. S. Augustine so reads it .

A body hast thou ordayned me : a true body , not a phantasticall , as Manicheus ; a terrestriall , not a celestiall body , against Valentinus ; a body that might really suffer , and not appeare to suffer , against Hilary ; Lib. 10. de Trin. a body like vnto our body , because the Host of our redemption was to be , & nostri generis socia , & nostrae contaminationis aliena , sayes a a Ser. 3. in Nat. Domini . Leo ; like vnto vs in nature , for whom he suffered ; vnlike vnto vs in sinfull nature , for which he suffered .

The Deity was impatible ; no passion , no sorrow , no griefe , could fasten vpon the Godhead : the sting of death could not pierce the diuine substance : God could not suffer , could not be wounded , could not be nayled to the Crosse , could not dye ; b b Cum mortis aculeum non possit accipere natura Deitatis ; suscepit tamen nascendo , &c. Leo ser. 8. de Passione . therefore suscepit ex nobis , quod possit offerre pro nobis ; He tooke that of vs , that hee might offer for vs : a body capable of the Crosse , of the passions vpon the Crosse , of the death of the Crosse .

He tooke it , and he offered it , like vnto the Moone , acceptam refero , all the light receiued from the Sunne by reflection , shee communicates vnto vs inferiour creatures : Verbum caro factum est , the Word was made flesh , there he tooke it ; and that fl●sh w●nt the way of all fl●sh , for hee died ; and so offered a body , that might , and did suffer ; a body that might and did dye vpon the Crosse : His natiuitie was praeludium passionis , a passage to his passion : Borne hee was , that hee might liue ; liue that he might worke ; worke that he might suffer ; suffer that he might die ; die that we might liue , and be borne againe : and so came he from heauen to the wombe , from the wombe to the Cratch , from the Cratch to the Crosse , from the Crosse to the graue : And thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was turned into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; a body into a dead body , He died for vs .

And though by death Christs body was without soule ; yet not without God . Vnio naturarum indissolubilis . The soule for a time was parted from the body ; The Godhead neuer was distracted either from soule or body : The dissolution was in one of the natures , not of the natures : for if the natures had beene diuided , there had beene a double subsistence ; and so by consequence a double person , which was the Heresie of Nestorius : The Godhead is wedded to the Humanitie without all possibilitie of diuorce : Our Sauiours soule in his Agonie , felt not the presence of the Godhead ; yet non soluit vnionem , though subtraxit visionem ; Leo. the vision was eclipsed , the diuine vnion was not dissolued : The bodie in the graue enioyes not the soule ; yet though the soule departed , the vnion was not parted : The passion of Christ ( saith S. Austen ) was the sleepe of his Diuinitie : and by the like proportion may I say , The death of Christ was the sleep of his Humanitie : yet here s the difference ; In the passion , the Humanitie was forsaken of the Deity , but apparently ; the body of the soule really : Life was separated , yet the Hypostasis remained . So great is the vnion betwixt God , and man , Vt nec supplicio possit dirimi , nec morte distingui ; Leo. That neither death , nor passions could breake it asunder .

The Schoolemen obserue , that there is Vnum per vnitatem , and vnum per vnionem , The Father and the Sonne are one by consubstantiall vnitie : God and man are one by Hypostaticall vnion ; In the Father , and the Son there is alius , & alius , not aliud , and aliud , a personall difference , but a naturall vnity : In Christ there is aliud , and aliud , not alius , and alius , a naturall distinction , but a personall vnion . The Godhead in one act assumed the Manhood both soule , and body , and as vna est assumptio , so vna est vnio , the vnion is but one ; by vertue whereof he is vnited to soule , and body . For a demonstration hereof , Bonauenture c c Bonav in 3. Sent. dist. 21. obserues in that vnion three things ; 1. Actio vnibilis ; 2. passio vnibilis ; and 3. relatio vnibilis : the first is whereby God assumed man ; so the Word was made flesh : the second , whereby the humanity subsisteth in the Deity : the third , as there is a double relation had to soule , and body : So Christ is vnited by one act , but yet by a double relation to soule , and body : double in power , in the assumption of the humanity : double in act , in the dissolution of the humane nature .

Thus we see the body without a soule by death , but not without the Godhead : disiointed , not disunited : dissolued in nature , not diuorced in person : So we haue seene the body made a carkas , let vs now see the collection , the gathering together .

Foure things in Christ to vs are very obseruant : 1. his calling ; 2. his inuiting ; 3. his gathering ; 4. and his drawing of vs : For the first he saith , d d Mat. 8.28 . Venite ad me , &c. Come vnto me all ye that are weary , and heauy laden , &c. For the second ; e e Luke 14.17 . He sent his seruant at supper time , to inuite the guests , &c. For the third , f f Mat. 23.37 . Ierusalem , Ierusalem , how often would I haue gathered thee together , &c. And for the fourth , g g Iohn 12.32 . If I be lifted vp , will draw all after me . Oh the peruersnesse of man ! Christ calleth ; we stop our eares at the voyce of this celestiall Charmer : he inuiteth , but we make excuses : hee would gather vs , but wee would not : yet when these will not serue , ( O rare mercy ! ) he draweth ; Trahit inuitos , B●rn . & facit voluntarios : He draweth vs vnwilling , that he might make vs willing to be gathered .

I am now speaking of his gathering together , and see with what passion , and compassion hee speakes to Ierusalem : Ierusalem , Mat. 23.37 . and O Ierusalem , I would gather ; and how often would I gather thee ; gather thee as a Hen , and as a Hen her Chickens ; her Chickens vnder her wings : The damnable obstinacy of the Citizens that did refuse it .

See how opposite Christ is vnto Sathan : Christ he gathereth , the deuill disperseth : Christ gathereth as a Hen , the deuill disperseth as a Lyon ; Christ vnder his wings , the deuill within his jawes .

The Prophet Dauids prayer was , h h Psal. 17. Protect me vnder the shadow of thy wings : then were Christs wings displayed , when his armes were stretched out vpon the Crosse ; then were his armes , and body open to embrace thee ; opened indeed , by the nailes , by the speare , by the thornes ; and so he did both cor , and brachia , and latus aperire , saith i i In Lucam 14. cap. Stella : opened all for thee , that heauen might be opened to thee ; see the gathering together .

The Eagles then , the Saints must , and doe resort to this body , and let it be our practice , to resort vnto it , by a commemoration of his death , by an application of his merits .

Let vs remember him who hath remembred , and thus remembred vs , as to call , to inuite vs , to draw , and to gather vs together . Domine quid est homo ? Lord what is man ? that thou shouldest thus remember him ? Man , forlorne man : man , rebellious man : man , sinfull man : And , homo , quid est Deus ? Man , what is the Lord ? that hee should remember thee : the Lord that made thee , re-made thee : the Lord that gaue thee life , died for thee , &c. It was Opus sine exemplo , gratia sine merito , donum sine pretio , charitas sine modo , saies mellisluent Bernard : A worke not to be sampled , grace not to be merited , a gift not to be prised , charity not to bee measured : While the first Adam k k Dormit Adam vt fiat Eua● , moritur Christu vt fiat Ecclesia . Aug. slept in the garden , Eue was framed : while the second Adam slept in the graue , the Church was formed : when the body was a carkas , were the Eagles gathered together .

Let vs gather together his merits to vs , to make them efficacious ; Iesu esto mihi Iesus . That Iesus would be to vs a Iesus . This it is to build our nests in the clefts of the Rocke : The Rocke is Christ , the clefts are the wounds of Christ : to build our nests , is by interesting our selues through faith in his merits : Vt ille l l August . sit salus in te , qui suscepit vulnera propter te : That he might be a plaister , an Antidote to thee , that was wounded for thee : and remember , m m Leo. Non itur ad Christum , nisi per Christum : no flying to Christ but by Christ : therefore he saith , n n Iohn 14.6 . I am the way , the life , and the truth . I am the way which leadeth to the truth ; I am the truth that promise life ; I am the life which I lay downe for the life of the world : Clamat errantibus , Ego sum via ; clamat dubitantibus , Ego sum veritas : clamat lacescentibus , Ego sum vita : Bernard . Christ is the way for vs to walke , truth vs to direct , life vs to refresh .

These things considered , let vs take our Eagles wings , that we may be safe vnder the protection of his wings ; and flye vnto the body : So where the body is , shall the Eagles be gathered together : And thus much for the second exposition .

The third Exposition .

THe third generall Exposition , Chrysost. Theoph. St●lla . Ferus . Maldonat . expos. in Loc. & Mat. 24. wherein the major part of Interpreters agree . That in these words an adumbration of the last iudgement is contained : For in the precedent verse , Christ speakes of the o o Verse 30. day , and that day and his day , when p p Verse 31. the Sonne shall be reuealed . And compares it q q Verse 37. to Noahs time , the old world , and the flood ; To r r Verse 40. Lots time , Sodom , fire , and brimstone : & tels vs , how some shall be acquitted , and others condemned ; Two men labouring in the field ; the one shall be receiued , the other refused : s s V●●e 41. Two women grinding at a mill , the one shall be accepted , the other reiected : And then shuts vp all with this Epiphonema ; Vbicunque faerit corpus , &c. and so here is vbicunque for vbi , corpus for Christus , Aquilae for animae ; nothing expressed , yet all prefigured : an answer that needs an answer : a resolution that needs an explication : with a , Lord shew vs this parable : Wheresoeuer the body shall be , &c. there is the Cortex , the husk : but wheresoeuer Christ shall be , &c. there is the Medulla , the sap . The body then is Christ the Iudge , the Eagles are the Saints , the gathering together is the generall Iudgement : This is the Center , whereunto the Circumference of my meditations is to be gathered together .

1 Iu●● . The body is Christ , Christ is the Iudge : as humiliauit scipsum , to dye for man , to be iudged by man ; so exaltauit cum Deus , to iudge his Iudges : and so is fulfilled that of the Apostle , The stone which the builders not onely improbauerunt , but reprobauerunt , not disliked , but vtterly refused , is become the head stone in the corner .

In the t t Iohn 5.22 . fifth of Iohn , the Father iudgeth no man , but hath committed all iudgement to the Sonne : the Father hath surrendred , and resigned all iudgement into the hands of his Sonne : And therefore hee saith , The Father iudgeth no man , but the Sonne . Before it seemed by Christs words the Father did , what the Sonne doth not ; the Father loueth the Sonne , and sheweth him all things that he doth : tanquam Pater faciebat , & Filius videbat , ( saith Augustine ) as if the Father were the Worker , the Sonne the Spectator : there I beheld Patrem facientem , Filium expectantem : the Father the doer , the Son the looker on : here I see Patrem vacantem , Filium iudicantem : the Father at leasure , in vacation ; the Sonne iudging in a full Court , u u Quid hoc est paulo ante putabamus facere aliquid Patrem , quod non facit Filius . Aug. tract. 21. in Ioan. ( Lord ) thou art the profound word of the Father , I am shallow man , & vnderstand thee not : ( Blessed Sauiour ) I heare thee speaking of thy selfe ; I iudge no man , there is another that seeketh , & iudgeth : ille quaerit iniurias tuas , ille iudicat de iniuriis tuis ; who so meet to seeke after thy wrongs , and to iudge them that haue wronged thee , as thy Father ? How can it bee then that the Father iudgeth no man , but hath committed all iudgement to the Sonne ? turbamur hic , turbati desudemus , desudantes purgemur : we are troubled here , being troubled , we sweat to enucleate the mystery , and in descrying thereof we are purged . All iudgement is therefore giuen to the Son , not that the Father will cease to iudge : But because Pater occultus erit , Filius manifestus : The Father shall iudge , but not be seene to iudge ; the Sonne shall iudge , and be seene to iudge : because he shall iudge in the habit of a man .

* * Act. 10 42. Him , saith the Apostle , hath God ordained to be Iudge of the quick , & dead : where you may see his commission , & his circuit : his commission , deriued from the King of Kings : Constitutus à Deo : him hath God ordained : his circuit , the largest that euer was ; Iudge of quicke and dead : that is , of the iust , and vniust : so Lyranus . Of the immortall soules , and mortall bodies , so Ruffinus . Of the dead before , and of those that are found aliue at the resurrection ; 1 Cor. 15. for we shall not all die , but shall be changed ; so Caietan . Large it must then needs bee , that is extended vnto all .

We see then by this time , what we are to answer to that Question discussed in the Schooles : If Christ in forma humana , shall iudge the world : out of doubt hee shall come againe in the same manner , that he went from vs into heauen : x x Acts 1.11 . Veniet , & sic veniet , wi●h a body , with the same bodie , the s●me body , with the same skarres : as Chrysostome teacheth .

He hath giuen all iudgement vnto the Sonne : the Father could not giue it to the Sonne as God , which was his owne by nature ; neither could Christ receiue that , which as God he neuer wanted : y y Datum ●tem● Patre 〈◊〉 iudi●iumait , 〈◊〉 quia potestatem ●anc● , se na●ra no● habeat , sed per ●spen● tronem v● homo Cyril in Ioan. l●b. 2. cap 140. But the Father hath giuen , and th● Sonne receiued as man : as man shall hee come in the Clouds ; as man shall he sit vpon the throne ; as man sh●ll he denounce the sentence ; as man shall he be seene of all : the Godhead shall bee perspicuous to the godly onely : But Christ as man , shall lye open to all mens eyes ; to the faithfull , to the vnfaithfull , confusis , & confisis , to the confessors , to the crucifiers : according to that of the Prophet , z z Zach. 12.10 . They shall looke on him whom they haue pierced .

Christ as God , a a Tolle●ex of in Ioan. ● . animad●ers . 20. iudgeth with the Father in common ; as man , alone : some workes there be which Christ doth in carne , and yet cooperateth with the Father : Some workes which he doth per carnem , wherein he worketh alone , and the Father by him : as we say truly Maries Sonne created the world , Christ in carne created the world , but not per carnem , by the flesh . So Christ in the flesh , raised Lazarus ; but not by the flesh . So Christ suffered by the flesh , ( for the Deity could not be touched with passion ) but triumphed in the flesh : So the Father and He as one God shall iudge together in the flesh ; but not by the flesh : in which respect as man he shall iudge alone .

b b Part. 3. q. ●6 . a●tic . 2. Aquinas giues three reasons for it .

First , for the conueniency , most sutable to man , to be iudged by man .

Secondly , for the equitie : Good reason Christ should iudge man , who for man , was iudged by man : Sedebit Iudex , qui stetit sub Iudice , Augustine . damnabit reos , qui falso factus est reus : There shall he sit to iudge , who stood here to be iudged ; & condemne the guilty , who falsly was accused to be guilty .

Thirdly , because good , and bad are to be iudged : Now the wicked were not to behold the Godhead , in the presence whereof there is fulnesse of ioy ; therefore was Christ to iudge as man .

This question in Schooles begets another , viz. whether , this iudiciall power were giuen to Christ , as man , freely , or purchased by his merits ? The Schoole-men answer , that it was giuen to him , gratia capitis , by the grace of personall vnion : For when God assumed man , he infused into the Humane nature all those graces the Humanitie was capable of ; and yet they say it was merited by him too . He humbled himselfe to the lowest ; therefore God hath exalted him to the highest . 〈…〉 What hindreth ( saith Tho. Aquin●● but that one and the same thing may be due by a double title ; of gift , and purchase ? Christ on earth was both viator , and comprehe●sor : extra●er●num , and in termino ; abroad and yet at home : therefore being in a meritorious estate , and his merits of an infinite value what was it that hee could not m●rit ? d d 〈…〉 Bonaue●ture makes a twofold merit : 1. Whereby a thing is due which was not due before . 2. Whereby it is due more wayes then it was before . The praemium substantiale , though it were giuen him by grace , and so due : yet he might purchase it by his merits , and so make it more wayes due then it was before .

Thus we see all things plead for Christ to be the Iudge : It belongs vnto him essentially , as God : personally , as giuen from the Father : and meritoriously , whereby Christ , by vertue of his merits may deseruedly claime it . So haue wee seene the body , Christ the Iudge : I proceed to th●●●gles , the parties to be iudged .

By 〈◊〉 Eagl●s are meant the Saints : And of those Saints there is a fourefold exposition related by * * 〈…〉 Maldonatus .

The first is the blessed Soules , which en●oy Christ now in heauen , of whom S. Iohn speaketh , * * 〈…〉 15. ●0 . They follow the Lambe whither-soeuer he goeth . The Lambe is the body : The following is the gathering together : These are they , that haue washed their robes , and made them white in the blood of the Lambe ; hee that sitteth on the throne dwelleth among●● them , and the lambe shall feed them for euermore in the midst of the throne : Their P●stor the Lambe : The place of pasture , in the midst of the throne .

The second , the Saints that then shall be found aliue at the R●surrection : Sancti 〈…〉 . g g 1 Th● 4 17. Then we which are aliue , and remaine , shall be caught ●p together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the ayre , and so shall we be euer with the Lord . And againe ; h h 1 C●● . 15.5 . We shall not all sleepe , but shall be changed in a moment , in the twinckling of an eye . Hereupon many of the i i 〈…〉 10. 〈◊〉 42. Ancient haue thought , that some at that day shall passe without death to life ; though Dauid say , Lord , who is that man , that shall not see death ? Shall he deliuer himselfe from the power of the graue ? And the Apostle tells vs , that it is a statute agreed vpon in the Parliament of heauen ; Heb. ●● . Statutum est omnibus mori , all to die , and so to iudgement . But S. Paul seemeth to determine this doubt ; though a sleepe shall not be , yet a change shall be in stead of sleeping : Shall not sleep ; that is , so long as others that haue lyon long buried ; so * * 〈◊〉 men . & A●selm . in 1. Cor. 15. Occumenius . ●tà dormitio breuissi●na , non tamen nulla ; so * * 〈◊〉 men . & A●selm . in 1. Cor. 15. Anselmus ; Shall not all sleepe , that is , continually , but shall be awaked , so * * 〈…〉 . Lorinus ; to meet in the clouds the Lord of glory .

The third is of the attendance of the Angels , Saints , and Martyrs , vpon the Lord of glory . Sa●●● v●●rtes 〈◊〉 Do●●●●● m m Matth. 25 31. Then shall you see the Sonne of man come in glory , and the holy Angels with him , in the clouds , in maiestie , and great glory . For qualis Rex , talis praeparatio Regis , sayes the Author of the imperfect perfect worke vpon Matthew : and Dignitate domini honorata sit conditio serui ; The glory of the Iudge shall be eminent in his followers , and the Saints shall be glorified in attending vpon the Lord of glory . Of this saith the Apostle , n n C●●●s . 3.4 . When Christ who is our life shall appeare , then shall we appeare also with him in glory .

The fourth , that by the Eagles are meant all the Saints , Sanct●● g●●ere . from the first day of the world till the last day : o o Heb. 11 . 2● . for they without vs shall not be made perfect . These elect Eagles shall come from the foure quarters of the world , and shall sit downe with the Patriarkes in the kingdome of heauen .

Thus we see all agree , that by the Eagles are meant the Saints only : therefore he saith not the Vultures , or such foule Fowles , though it be their property likewise ; but the Eagles are gathered : In them to note the regalitie of the Saints . And this the p p 〈…〉 o●d . 〈…〉 . Glosse obserueth ; duo quaerentibus vnum respondet ; of the two labourers in the field , the Disciples demand , where the one , and the other shall be : Christ he answers for his , that they shall be gathered ; and leaues them to vnderstand what shall become of them which are none of his ; they shall be reiected .

T is true , the Eagles doe not rise alone , but they shall be gathered alone . The Vultures shall appeare , the wicked shall arise , but to condemnation . Damnable is that Rabbinicall conceit ; that none shall rise , but those that shall be saued . And the wicked by this corporall death shall be vtterly extinct in soule , and body ; grounding themselues vpon those mistaken words of the q q Psal. 1.5 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à radice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to ●●e or stand . Psalme , The wicked shall not rise in iudgement : non , quod non resurgant ; sed quod in iudicio non resurgant : he saith not , that the wicked shall not rise ; but in iudgement they shall not rise , saith r r Hieron . in Psal ● . S. Hierome : they sh●ll not s s Cyri●l . Hierus . Is●g . rise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith Cyrill of Hierusalem : As Felons , whose fact being euident , are placed at the barre ; not so much to be conuicted as to be condemned : Their sins , their conscience , &c. shall so accuse , that the Lord Iudge will not make any great inquisition to find out their fault , but presently proceede to sentence .

t t Greg. Moral . in Iob. lib. 26. S. Gregory obserues , that of the wicked and the godly , the Eagles and the Vultures , there shall be a fourefold manner of proceeding in iudgement .

First of the wicked : Quidam iudicantur , & pereunt ; some are iudged , and condemned , perish by iudgement : such as haue drawne neere vnto God with their lips ; but are farre from him in their hearts : u u Idem ibid. Professionem fidei retinentes , opera professionis non habentes : Holding a profession of the faith , but not works of that prof●ssion . These mens cause shall be heard , I was hungry , but you fed me not , &c. Such men shall be weighed in the scales , and shall be found to be light ; shall perish in iudgement .

Secondly , of the wicked : Quidam non iudicantur , & pereunt : Are not iudged , and condemned ; perish without iudgement : Notorious sinners , that would not be curbed vpon any termes : Of them the Apostle speaketh , * * 〈◊〉 . 2.12 . As many as haue sinned without the Law , shall perish without the Law . x x Greg● supra . Neque enim necesse est lege perimi , qui lege nunquam potuit teneri : No necessitie that the lawlesse liuer should be tryed by a l●w ; as his life knew no law , so his death shall be without law ; shall perish without iudgement .

Thirdly , of the godly , whereof Quidam iudicantur , & regnant , are iudged , and quitted , saued by iudgement . Secular men that vse the world , are often foyled in the world , and recouer by repentance . Their cause is heard ; Esuriu● , & ded●stis mihi ; I was hungry , and you fed me &c and the sentence pronounced for them ; Come yee blessed of my Father , &c.

Fourthly , of the godly , Quidam non iudicantur , & regnant are not iudged and raigne , saued without iudgement . Saints that haue transcended ordinarie holinesse , hauing abstained from things lawfull , because not expedient ; that they might be the more at liberty to serue the Lord . Such were the Apostles : y y 〈◊〉 . 1 ●8 . Peter to Christ ; Ecce reliquimus omnia ; Behold we haue left all , and followed thee : Christ to Peter ; You ( ●o many as haue thus followed mee ) shall sit vpon twelue Thrones , and iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel . Thus wee see the Saints shall not rise alone , but shall be saued alone : The Eagles onely to the body shall be gathered together .

It is not amisse in the next place , to consider , wherein the Eagles doe resemble the Saints ; and that 's in fiue properties ensuing z z Gorr●n . expos. in locum , & Matth. ●4 . .

The first is : The Eagles moolt off their old feathers , and so become bald : The Saints of God doe so plucke off their sinfull feath rs from the soule , that they become bald like vnto the Eagle : They crucifie the old man with the lusts ; weed out sinne by the roots . The Prophet Micah exhorting the people to repentance , bids them a a Micah 1. vlt. to inlarge their baldnesse like the Eagle : Mary Magdalen did more then cast her feathers , when shee conuerted her eyes , her haire , her lips , feathers of wantonnesse , into pledges of Repentance : Her eyes that allured in my , distild riuers of teares : Her haire that insnared many , serues her for a Towell to wipe her Sauiours feet : Her lips which had inticed many , serues her to kisse , & not cease to kisse the same feet , her teares had washt , her haire had wip'd : And so , Quot oblectamenta , tot holocausta , saith Gregory : The baits to vanitie , are conuerted into Holocausts of Repentance .

The second resemblance is in the new birth ; b b Psal. 103.5 Who reneweth thy youth like vnto the Eagle . Re●o●at one novi homin●● The E●gles breake their bills vpon a stone , and so are renewed in their age : The rocke is Christ , vpon whom the Saints breake their hearts by repentance , and so in their soules are renewed . Paul had c●st his bill , and feathers too , when he said , c c Galath 2.20 Now I liue not , but it is Christ that liueth in me . Extinctus fuit saeuus persecutor ; & viuere cepit pius Praedicator , saith d d Homil. super Si quis vult venire , &c. Gregory . The sword is turned to the word , persecuting into preaching ; and he that breathed out threatnings against the men of God , breathes out Gods threatnings against the men of this world : and so was renewed like vnto the Eagle .

The third is in the clearenesse of vision : The Eagles can looke vpon the Sunne : V●●●o is la●●tate . 〈…〉 The pure in heart can see God : but the light shineth in darknesse , and the darknesse comprehendeth it not . Our Lord * * 〈…〉 pronounceth the Disciples eyes to be h●pp● , Bl●●●ed are the ●yes that se● the things that you see , &c. A speciall prerogatiue that hath beene d●n●●d to Kings , and Kings desiring to see : to Prophets , and many Prophets , which hau● not seene them . f f 〈…〉 Beat●●on quia diuites , &c. Blessed , not because you are rich , you are great , you are mighty : but because you haue seene ; haue seene Adam and his lost by sinne ; Adam and his recou●red by Christ ; haue seene God become your Sauiour ; and shall see your Sauiour come to iudgement .

The fourth resemblance is in their lofty flight : g g 〈◊〉 39.27 . Doth not the Eagle mount vp , 〈…〉 . and make her n●●● on high , saith Iob. So is it with the S●ints , as their conuersation , so their contemplation is as high as heauen : Humble hearts , yet lofty thoughts , that reach the skies . h h 〈◊〉 . 5. de 〈…〉 . S. Bernard obserues , that in the glasse of contemplation there are three steps to the diuine vision : 1. Ascensus : 2. Excessus : 3. Raptus : The first naturall , whereby the Philosophers in the Glasse of the Creatures haue ascended to the knowledge of one Creator . The second of grace , whereby the faithfull in the glasse of the Scriptures , know God as their Creator , and Redeemer . The third of glory , when the Saints shall see him face to face , as Paul that was caught into the third heauens , and there heard words not to be expressed . Prima visio optat : Secunda odorat : Tertia gustat . The vision of nature wisheth for that of grace : That of grace doth but salute that of glory : But in that of glory shall we see and taste how gratious the Lord is .

The last resemblance is in the secrecy of the way : One of those things which the Wise-man admired , was i i Prou. 30.19 . the way of the Eagle in the ayre : V●e occultatione . See them flie we may ; discerne their way we cannot . The Saints , their good workes are seene of men , but their intention , with what minde they doe them , is not discerned . k k Greg moral . in Iob , lib. 8. c. 127. S. Gregory notes , that our Sauiour saith ; Let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good workes , &c. yet he addeth againe , Take heed that you doe not righteousnesse to be seene of men ; which he reconcileth , sic opus fiat in publico , vt intentio maneat in secreto : Let your good workes shine , but not your intention . Seeke not your owne glory ; but that the spectators may glorifie your Father which is in heauen . Thus haue we viewed these fainted Ea-Nothing letteth but that now we may passe to the gathering together .

In the vnfolded parable of the Sower , the reapers are the Angels , Matth. 13. which shall gather the wheat into his garner , that is , the elect into his kingdome ; and in another place , the l l Matth. 24.31 . Elect shall be gathered from the foure corners of the world : The world , the corners , the vtmost coasts thereof shall be searched , that the Saints may be collected . The Eagle of a most swift slight , this gathering shall be speedy ; In a moment , in the tw●nckling of an eye , at the last trumpe . And the Apostle , m m 1 Thess. 4. vlt. Raptemur in nubibus , we shall be caught together in the clouds : as the lightning that cutteth the Hemisphaere from the East to the West in a moment ; so shall the comming of the Iudge be , such shall the gathering together of the Eagles be .

Here by the way , I may not scatter , what n n Elector●●● e●t co● r●ga●● , p●o●●m●●●●di●e ●ast Math 24. Ferus hath gathered : How the godly are said in holy Scripture to be gathered , and the wicked to be dispersed . Gather thy Saints together , ( saith the Prophet . ) o o Psal. 68.1 . Let God arise , and his enemies shall be dispersed , saith the same Prophet . The wicked are as chaffe which the winde shall scatter . Psal. 1. The godly are as the Eagles which shall be gathered together : The memory of the wicked is likened vnto ashes , because of their dispersion : but the iust shall be had in perpetuall remembrance .

But the place . The place is that the Disciples most desired to know , in which they are least resolued ; no set place set downe where these Assises shall be holden , but generally intimated , Vbicunque &c.

p p Hilar. in Mat. 24. Canon . 25. S. Hilaries opinion is ; That he shall there iudge the world , where he suffered for the world . Illic claritatis adventus expectabitur &c : Most fit that his glory should be there splendent ; where it was most dazled with ignominie : where hee dyed as a malefactor , thereto iudge malefactors : where the Crosse was , there the Tribunall to be . Therefore he saith , Where the dead body is , there shall be this gathering , this assembly .

The Schoole-men generally affirme , That the place shall be the valley of Iehoshaphat , grounding themselues vpon that of Ioel ; q q Ioel 3.2 . I will gather all nations together , and will bring them downe into the valley of Iehoshaphat , will plead their cause &c. And r r Ribera comentar●n Ioel. cap. 3. Ribera is so vehement for this opinion , that he demands , Qua fronte ? With what a face any can reiect it ? It being so sutable to the letter , that * * Nihil fere certum , aut exploratum habebimus in Scripturis . we shall haue no certainty in the Scripture , if we forsake it .

That there is such a valley knowne by that name , on the Nor●h-side of Hierusalem , and at the foot of Mount Oliuet , Historians relate . But why it hath that denomination , seeing Iehosaphat was not there buried , but in the Citie of Dauid , none of them declar● .

s s Supplem. 4. p●rt q 88 art. 4. Res ondeo , dicendum , non potest multum per certitudinem sciri , sed probabiliter potest colligi ex Scripturis . Caluin . & Gualter . in Ioel. Aquinas after he had said what the Iesuite out of him hath repeated , and somewhat more ; yet doth not certainly determine , but probably coniecture that to be the place .

And with Riberaes leaue , it is more consonant to the literall sense ; That God will deliuer his people from the hands of the Assyrians , to whom they were now captiuated : And that hee might comfort them the more , he doth allude to that miraculous victorie t t 2 Chron. 20. that God gaue to Iehosaphat . For listen Ribera , as the Lord did then cause a ciuill discord , and mutinie to arise in the Enemies campe , wherein the children of Ammon destroyed those of Mount Seir , therefore the place was called the valley of Beracah , or blessing : So is the Lord able to deliuer you out of the Assyrian yoke , and to gather you from among the Nations .

Therefore whether Christ shall iudge in the ayre , or on the earth , in Mount Caluary , or in the Valley of I●hosaphat , we place it inter scita Scholae , to be discussed in School●s , not inter articulos fidei , to be imbraced as an Article of our beleefe .

The circumstance of the place , where , m●kes me call to minde the time when the day of iudgement shall be , which is ●s much or more vncertaine then the former , so sealed vp , that u u Math 24 . 3● . of that day , and houre knoweth no man , no not the Ang●ls ( saith our Lord ) but my Father onely : It transcendeth the knowl●dge of man : It transcendeth the knowledge of Angels ; and ( as it seemeth by Saint Mark● of the Sonne too ; who addes , * * Mark . 13.32 . not the Sonne , but the Father . Of man there is no maruaile , who is ignorant of many things he is bound to know : Neither is there any great scruple of th● Angels ; for though they see him that seeth all things , yet in him they doe not see all things , but thos● obiects that concurre to their Beatitude ; as the x x Non 〈◊〉 ad intel●●●● 〈…〉 alia , 〈…〉 14 〈…〉 Schoole-men haue bounded that * * 〈…〉 too too large spe●ch of Gregory .

All th● doubt , all the scruple , and difficultie lyeth in Christ , how he should be said not to know the day of iudgement : Some haue thought this clause ( neque filius ) to haue beene crowded into the Text by the Arrians , and Agnoaetae .

y y Lib. 8. Epist. 42 S. Gregory ad Eulogium layeth downe three expositions of the Fathers .

The first is , that it is not to be referred to Christ the head , but vnto vs the body ; as in the Scripture by reason of the mysticall vnion things are ; viz. Whatsoeuer you doe vnto these , you doe it vnto me . So it will be , Christ knew it not in his members , that is , the Church knew it not . But this is iustly discarded by z z Bellar. lib. 5. de anima Christi . cap. 5. Bellarmine : for if Christ had not knowne it but in his members ; why doth hee adde no man , no not the Angels ; seeing men , and Angels are members of the mysticall body .

Secondly , he knew it not , because he hath not made vs to know it : As God said to Abraham ; a a Gen. 22.12 . Now I know thou fearest me ; that is , I haue made thee , and all that know thee , for to know it : As we say , now the Sunne shineth clearely , now it is darkned : not that euer claritie is separated from the body of the Sunne ; but that sometimes his light , and beames are withdrawne from vs . So we say , it is a ioyfull , or sorrowfull day : not in it selfe , but because it is to vs either ioyfull , or sorrowfull . So our Sauiour knew not th●s day , because he hath not made vs to know it .

Thirdly , Christ knew this day in natura humanitatis , but not ex natura humanitatis : The man-Christ knew it ; but not as man : in ipsa , but not ex ipsa ; in the manhood , but not by the manhood ; but speciall priuiledge of reuelation .

The b b 〈…〉 4. q. 1. 〈◊〉 4. 〈…〉 . Schoole-men tell vs of a twofold knowledge in Christ ; in verbo , and in genere proprio : The first , whereby he seeth all things in the eternall Word : The second , whereby he seeth them in themselues : And this againe is twofold ; either infused , or acquisite : His infused knowledge was powred into his manhood in the act of his conception , when all knowledge the finite creature could be capabl● of , was granted vnto him , wh●reby he discerned all things . But besides this , he had an acquisite , and experimentall knowledge ; whereby experience acquainted him with many things that practically he knew not before . And in this respect ( if in any ) may he be said not to know the day of iudgement .

●●●●nst Vbiq 〈◊〉 One thing more occurres vnto mee : Christ saith not , Vbique corpus ; but Vbicunque ; not that his body is euery where , but wheresoeuer : As he tooke on him the nature of man , so that nature was finite , had all the properties of a created natur● ; therefore had an vbi , was contained within the limits , the superficies , and bounds of place . Therefore locall motions are ascribed vnto him in the Scripture ; where he is said to descend , and ascend , and goe vnto the Father . And after his resurrection ; Surrexit , non est hic ; He is risen he is not here ; therefore he is not euery where .

The monstrous and new sprung error of Vbiquitie ( as c c 〈…〉 carnal cap. 12 Bellarmine excellently obserueth ) euerteth all the Articles of our Creed , that we beleeue touching the manhood of our Sauiour : of his conception , how could he be contained within the straites of blessed Maries wombe , if hee be in all places ? how was he nayled to the Crosse , if euery where ? how wrapped in linnen cloathes ? how intombed in a Sepulchre ? if his body be so spacious that it knoweth no limits , how ascended he into heauen ? and d d Acts 3 . 2● . how doe the heauens containe him ? if hee bee not contained in any compasse .

It is true , we acknowledge a Communication of properties , and that not Rationall , but Reall ; yet not of the natures , but personall vnion ; not inherently in the natur●s , but personally in the person of the Sonne of God : So wee say that Christ is euery where , and that the Virgins Sonne created the world , not by the propriety of natures , but by the communication of properties : as e e Non per proprietatem naturarum , sed p●r communicationem proprietatum . L●b . 3. Sent. di●● . 22. ● . 2. Al●d est diuinitatem communica● humanitati , aliud inhabitare . Bellar. lib. 3. de Incar . Christi . cap. 16. Bonauenture acutely . Neither are we ignorant of that of the Apostle , In him dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily : yet it is one thing to dwell , and another thing to bee communicated : because of a mans dwelling in a house , the house cannot bee said to goe , to speake , &c. but the man dwelling in the house : so not the body euery where , but the Godhead dwelling in the body .

There is a being of Essence , and a being of Subsistence : the Essence of the Humanity is finite , because a creature . But the being of subsistence hauing none of it owne , because it subsisteth in the person of the Sonne of God is infinit ; so the finite humanity doth infinitely subsist in the Godhead ; and in a sense may be sayd to bee euery where : This with Zanchy doe I conceiue to be the mind of some of the Germane Diuines , and especially that learned Chemnitius f f 〈…〉 .

Christs body then is locally in one place , but personally in al places , Salua vtriusque naturae proprietate , saith the great Councell g g 〈…〉 of Calcedon , it hath his vbi , not vbique , not euery where , but wheresoeuer : so saith my Text ; Vbicunque fuerit corpus , &c. Wheresoeuer the body is , thither will the Eagles be gathered together .

Thus haue I now done with the absolute , and Theoreticall explications of this Text : passe I now vnto those more respectiue , and passionate applications , wherein I shall implore for Heauens assistance , and your patience for the continuance thereof .

Obser . 1 The Eagles are gathered to the dead body , but for food : Christ , saith * * 〈…〉 Comment. 〈◊〉 Gorran , is the prey of Eagles : The Eagle ( saith Iob h h lib 6 3● . ) seeketh her prey , her eyes behold it afarre off , her young ones also sucke the blood ; and where the slaine is , there is he . The immaculate Body that was slaine , the precious blood that was spilt , the Eagles and the young ones , the fa●thfull , and the faithfull branches , doe eate the one , sucke the other , and are refreshed .

In the i i Io● ●6 . 35 . sixt of Iohn , I am ( saith Christ ) the bread of life , he that commeth vnto me shall neuer hunger , and hee that beleeueth on mee shall neuer thirst . The Iewes did eate of that food , the like to which no Nation did euer eate ; yet they loathed this spirituall Manna , the like to which they neuer tasted . This bread ( saith k k Aug. tract. 26. in Ioan. S. Augustine ) is the bread of righteousnesse : and accordingly doth our Sauiour speak , Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse : and to come home to Christ , this righteousnesse is Christ , l l 1 Cor. 1.30 . who is made vnto vs righteousnesse , saith the Apostle : And this righteousnesse is Manna from Heauen , Quam dat Deus , non quam sibi facit homo ; Aug. which God giueth , not which man doeth . This bread then is Righteousnesse ; this Righteousnesse is Christ ; this Christ is the Body ; this Body is a dead Body ; on which the holy Eagles feed , and are refreshed .

If m m Ioh. 6 51. any man shall eate of this bread , he shall liue for euer : the bread that I will giue is my flesh , which I giue for the life of the world . If any man eate of it ; not qui premit dente , but qui credit mente ; not orally by the body , but mentally by faith ; the efficacy of it , he shall liue for euer .

The woman n n Ioh. 4. of Samaria , when Christ told her of the water , that hee would giue , which should so quench her thirst , that she should neuer thirst againe : Lord ( saith she ) giue me of this water that I neuer thirst : She had but a carnall conceit . Let vs lift vp our soules , our hearts , our affections , our all , to feed on this bread of life . Christ saith , non in solo pane , &c. Mat. 4. Man liueth not by bread alone , but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God . Diues fared delicately , but his soule was starued ; one drop of the water of grace would haue yeelded more comfort to his tormented soule , then all the variety wherewith here he was satiated . How many of vs glut the body with pompous fare , and in the interim suffer the soule to perish for want of spirituall food . Oh suffer not your soules , your selues to perish : here is refreshing , Aug vt s●p●● . Qui vult viuere , habet vbi viuat , habet vnde viuat : Hee that would see , and liue many good dayes ; he hath where he might liue , wherewith he might liue . Labour ( saith our Lord ) not for the meat which perisheth , but for the meat which perisheth not . Sic homo laboret in terra , vt postea regnet in Coelo : Oh man so labour in this world , that thou maist liue in the world to come : Behold a Creator become a Redeemer ; a Redeemer tooke a body ; that body made a dead body , for the Saints to feed on , and bee refreshed .

Obser . 2 This property of resorting to the carkas , ●s communicated to the Rauens , and others ; yet none named but the Eagles : The Eagle o o Amb. ●● . expos. ●●lo . al●a petit , humilia de●clinquit : A p p ●a●●●●●us conco●● . cap 123. pa● . 84. Princely bird , of a piercing sight , a swift , and lofty flight : vnderstanding the Saints ; who are Kings ouer their affections ; rule their passions ; contemne the world ; and mount aloft after heauenly things .

Learne of the Eagle two things : first , to contemne the world , H●●● 〈…〉 . she is euer mounting vpwards , and sets light by the things that are below : She neuer condescendeth to any of these inferiour things , but when necessity compels , not when superfluity lures her : Iust so is it with the Saints of God , that vse this world as if they vsed it not : wherewith to supply their necessary wants , and no farther .

Such Eagles were , Zacheus , that left his extortion , Matthew his toll-gathering , Peter all : Nec invtilis commutatio omnia relinquere proco qui supra omnia , saith blessed q q Ber. de●am . super E●ce reliq●●mus &c. Bernard . A happy change to leaue all , for him who is worth more then all : for what fruit , or profit is there in coueting those things that will away . Quae etsi non deserant , deserenda sunt ; saith r r Leo ser. 5. in Ep●p● . Dom. Leo. Say they leaue not vs , yet we must take our leaue of them .

The Eagles catch not at flyes ; the Saints catch not at the flies of this world , that flie away , and leaue nothing behinde them , but remorse of conscience ; Quod tangit , the thing that did touch them with pleasure passeth : Quod angit , the sting that pricks them still remayneth . How much doe many , that would be accounted Eagles , degenerate from these celestiall Eagles , that are so grafted , so linked to the world ; so screwed , so glewed to their riches : When they are awake , they sigh how to come by riches ; when they are a-sleepe , they dreame how to preserue them securely : And so nec vigiliae laetae , nec somnus securus , saith Saint s s Hom. de mis: & duabus Viduts . Chrysostome ; neither quiet when they are awake , nor well at ease when they are a sleepe .

Contemne , contemne this world : If riches increase , set not thy heart vpon them : t t Praefat. affix . lib. de Consid. ad Eugen. S. Bernard hoped of his scholler Eugenius , ( though he were aduanced from a poore Monke to be Bishop of Rome : ) that In se facta est mutatio , non de se : In that change , he was not changed . The Saints though their estates be changed , yet they are not changed : Their desire is not to be rich vnto this world , but vnto God . He is truly rich that aboundeth more in mercy , then in substance : In giuing , then in taking : In commending his riches to heauen , C●●●sost . vt supr. rather then to this world . Qui ad hoc viuit vt operetur , ad hoc operatur , vt in aeteruum viuere mereatur : That liueth to worke , worketh to merit ; merit , that he might liue for euer . Hitherto Chrysostome . And hitherto of the first propertie , wherein we are to imitate the Eagles .

Le●rne secondly of them a Sursum corda , to mount with the Eagles . The spirituall man hath his eleuations , whereby he is eleuated aboue himselfe : so Dauid , u u 〈◊〉 5.1 . P a. 12 1. I lift my heart vnto thee : and in another place , I haue lifted vp mine eyes vnto the mountaines : Some lift vp their eyes without their hearts , as the Pharisie , that drew neere with his lips , &c. Others , their hearts without their eyes , as Annah , that prayed in her heart , without any vocall sound : Some lift vp their hearts , hands , and eyes , inward integrity , and outward profession ; of whom the Apostle speaketh , * * 〈…〉 our conuersation is in heauen . And vere clati , quorum conuersatio in coelis , saies Gregorie . Such a one was S. Paul ; In terra positus , à terra extraneus : Liued here , yet a stranger while he liued here . The Saints liue here , but haue their conuersation in heauen : Corpore ambulamus in terra , corde habitamus in coelo , saies x x 〈…〉 . Anselme : Their bodies here , their hearts in heauen ; such is their eleuation .

The Saints as they haue their elevation , so haue they their ascensions . Esay inuites vs to it : Esay 2. Come let vs ascend into the Mountaine of the Lord . And y y Ps●l. 15.1 . Dauid demandeth , Lord who shall ascend into thy holy Mountaine , or who shall dwell in thy holy hill ? Heauen is a hill ; therefore we must climbe : Heauen is a mountaine ; therefore we must ascend . Faith , and good workes , prayer , and giuing of almes ascend ; Let my prayer be directed into thy sight as the Incense : And to Cornelius , Thy prayer , and thy almes-deeds haue ascended , or come vp before me .

We are grafted ( saith z z Rom. ● . the Apostle ) into the similitude of his resurrection : So by the same Analogie , are we inserted into the likenesse of his Ascension : ( * * Preached on Sunday next aft●r Ascension day . The F●ast of the Ascension st●ll bleeds in our mindes . ) Let vs therefore erect the eyes of our hearts to that height , whither Christ is ascended . It is the Apostles own Reason ; a a Col●ss. 3 1. Seeke those things that a●e aboue , where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God : Thither direct your thoughts , whither Christ is ascended : Ad aeterna praedectos , peritura non occup●nt : Let not momentary affaires possesse your soules , that from eternitie are elected to eternitie : Let not deceitfull snares make vs slacke our pace : And those vanities , and sinnes , that may seeme faire and profitable to intice vs : Non amplect●nda nequiter , sed transcunda sunt fortiter , ( saith b b V●●m v●ritati● 〈…〉 sall●●● ill●●h●e non ●●●●dent & 〈◊〉 fidel●b●s haec ●●mp ra●●●●●●●ra●●ur , vt p●re ●●●●ri se in hac valle mundi ●●●●ant : in qua etiamsi quaedam commoda blandi●ntur , non ampl●ilenda nequiter , sed transeunda sunt fortiter . Leo ser. 2. de ascens . Dom. Leo : ) Let vs not wickedly embrace th●m , but valiantly let them goe : c c Heb. 12.1 . Let vs lay aside euery weight , and sin that doth so easily beset vs , and runne with patience the race that is set before vs . Let vs shake off the fetters of sinne from the feet of our affections ; the dust of vanity from our wings , and flie vnto the Lord like vnto the Eagles .

In the third place : Let vs gather all the powers of our soule together , to call to minde this gathering together . A generall assembly , the greatest Assises that euer were holden , where and when all of vs must make our personall appearance : for we must all appeare before the tribunall throne , 2 Co●. 5.10 . saith the Apostle , 2 Cor. 5. When the Lord of heauen shall send forth his processe , no Non est inuentus , shall be then returned ; no appearing by Attourney ; no pleading by an Aduocate ; but corpus cum cousa shall be then produced .

This mysterie was reuealed vnto S. Iohn : d d Re● . 20.12 . And I saw all both great , and small , stand before the Throne , and the bookes were opened , &c. Though neuer so great , yet they shall appeare before this great one ; neither shall the smal ones be excluded : Great in grace , great in dignity , great in worldly preferment , great in sinnes , howsoeuer great : Small in the worlds eye , small in humble thoughts , how small soeuer , they shall appeare . No exemption , no exception , no priuiledge , all within the compasse of the Lords Iurisdiction , all of vs owe suit and seruice to this Court : For we must all appeare .

And there wee must be accountable for the things we doe here in the body . The workes that we now doe shall giue in euidence ; if good , for vs ; if bad , they speake against vs . The tree shall be knowne , and iudged by his fruit ; and as it now falleth , so it lyeth . No adding to what we haue not done ; no retracting that we haue done : Too late to goe buy oyle when the Bridegroome is come ; or to get a wedding garment , when we haue set footing within the wedding house ; no place for teares , no time for repentance : Poenitebit , sed frustra poenitebit ; The wicked shall be pensiue , but their repentance comes too late .

Call to minde our incorruptible Iudge , who will not be imbraced with gifts , allured by fauours , withdrawne by promises , deceiued by ignorance ; to whom all things are naked . Say not ( saith Bernard ) the walls are round about vs , we will sinne : Esto quod nemo te videat , non tamen nullus ; Be it that no man see thee , yet he seeth thee , who is both testis , and Index : e e Chrysost. lib. 1. de prouidentia Dei . Neque enim tunc ouina pellis lupum ; Our sheep-skins shall not then couer our wooluish affections : Neque sepulchri dealbatio internam coinquinationem ; nor the outward painting , our inward rottenesse ; f f 1 Cor. 4.5 . for then the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse , and will make manifest the counsels of the heart .

Consider also , that our case is life , and death , and that not temporall , but eternall ; all is at the stake : If the sentence make for vs , then are we most happy ; if against vs , most miserable . In the sentence of consolation , g g Math. 25.34 . euery word hath his efficacie of comfort : there s a louing call , Come ye ; a diuine blessing , Come yee blessed ; a fatherly affection , Come yee blessed of my Father ; a retribution of reward , receiue yee ; an assignment of a kingdome , Receiue you the kingdome ; a preparation of glory , prepared for you ; eternall predestination , from the beginning of the world : I haue chosen you from the beginning of the world , therefore haue prepared you glory : haue prepared glory , therefore haue assigned you a kingdome : haue assigned you a kingdome , for you are my sonnes , and I am your Father : I am your Father , therefore you are blessed : you are blessed , therefore come yee : What a Iubilee of ioy will this cause in their blessed hearts ? They cannot but say within themselues , Thy word , O Lord , is sweeter vnto vs , then the honie , or the honie combe .

Ve● . 4● . And in the sentence of condemnation , euery word striketh dead vnto the heart : First a separation from God , Goe yee : a malediction , Goe yee cursed : a prison , Goe yee cursed into : the sharpnes of the paine , Goe yee cursed into fire : The durance of the same , into eternall fire : the grim societie , with the deuill and his angels . This is durus sermo , a hard speech , who can endure it ? No repealing of this sentence , no appealing from this Iudge ▪ Now the Lambe speakes in mercy , who will not heare it ? Then the Lyon shall roare in iustice , who will not feare it ?

Remember this , remember thine end , and thou wilt not sinne . Dauid made Gods iudgements his obiect , his eyes were neuer off them ; h h Psal. 18.22 . all his iudgements are in my sight : And Solomon the sonne trode his fathers footsteps ; i i ●●●●s . 3.17 . I said in my heart , God shall iudge the righteous , and the wicked : So all the Saints with S. Hierome , seeme to heare alwayes the trump to sound , with arise yee dead , and come to iudgement .

Here is a memento for all ; great , and small shall arise ; great , and small are to remember it : to both of which I am a debtor , and now with Gods permission my debt I will discharge .

First , you whom the Lord hath made great , 1. To great ones . An exhortation to the Iudges . by communicating a parcell of his Regiment , looke vpon him who is vnto you , author , & exemplum : he that did erect you , is a patterne to direct you : your authority is great , your place eminent , your charge is great , and let me speake it with your fauour , your account shall bee great .

Cum crescunt dona , crescunt rationes donorum : Greg. when our talents are enlarged , our account is increased : the beasts and such vnreasonable creatures , non iudicantur , quia non iudicant : Ber. They are not iudged , because they cannot iudge : it is not so with man , whom he hath indowed with reason to discerne , and so made euery priuate man a priuate Iudge : much lesse with those whom hee hath set apart to be Iudges . S. Bernard to k k Lib. 1. de Consid. Eugenius Papa , Blanditur cathedra ? sonat tibi officium , non otium : doth the chaire flatter thee ? it cals to mind thy duty , not idlenes . What though thou art seated in an eminent place , where thou ouerlookest all ? Enim vero prospectus iste procinctum parit , non somnium : it tels thee thou hadst need to looke about thee ; what place left for retired thoughts , where causes , and cases ; non leges , sed lites ; Solicitudes , and vexations of minds , and spirits are still before you : Et finis horum quid nisi aranearum telae ?

Vt supra . The same Father demands of the same man , when art thou free ? Vbi tutus ? Vbi tuus ? where art thou safe ? where art thou thy selfe ? Are not you alwaies possessed with cares , troubles , tumults : whither will you turne you from them ; l l Cicero pro Archia Poe●a . pernoctant vobiscum , peregrinantur , rusticantur : day , and night , at home and abroad , they euer attend you : Certainly to a man that soberly considereth these things , Your Honours are rather to be pittied , then enuied . And he rather commiserateth your daily incumbrances ; then repineth at your splendent dignities .

My Reuerend Lords , though these cares continually beat at your doores , yet let contemplation of spirituall things modestly prompt you ; That withdrawing your selues from the sea of worldly affaires , you may with the Israelites m m Exod. 14.13 . stand still vpon the shoare , and see the saluation of the Lord .

St. Agustine spends a noble Chapter n n lib. 10 de ciuitate Dei , cap. 9. of a noble worke wholly vpon this subiect : Though many are tyed so to attend worldly affaires , that in neglect thereof , they should neglect their duty to Prince , and Countrey ; yet none are so to bee oppressed with businesse , as to forget their duty to God . He is not worthy to bee a Bishop qui praeesse dilexerit , non prodesse : that loueth more to command , then to be commodious . He is not worthy to be a Iudge , that loueth more the praeheminence of his place , then to doe good in his place . Wherefore Ocium sanctum quaerit charitas veritatis : Loue of heauens truth desires a holy leisure : Negotium iustum suscipit necessitas charitatis : necessity of earths charity vndertakes iust affaires . So carry your selues betwixt contemplation , and action , Vt nec subtrahatur ista suauitas , nec opprimat illa necessitas : that the necessity of your actions doe not eclipse the sweetnesse of your meditations ; nor your meditations cause you to slacke your iust occasions .

Giue me leaue to commend vnto your thoughts two things : The first , the greatnesse of your authority , as God hath lent you part of his power , so part of his title ; o o Psal. 82. I haue said you are gods : and hee hath an eye after you , for it is in the same Psalme , He iudgeth in the midst of gods ; or in the middle he iudgeth the gods , as * * Hieron . expos. Psal. 81. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hierome reades it , and the Originall Hebrew will beare it : Awake then ye men of God , that are placed in the presence of God : how dares corruption approach , bribery draw neere , peruerting of iustice enter into the presence of the all-seeing eye ? thinke on this ; The Lord doth behold your actions .

The 2. thing to be remembred is , that you haue this treasure in earthen vessels : A strange , and true Epithite , you are mortall gods : Be not puffed vp with your high authority , and title : you shall dye like men , you shall rise like men , you shall giue an account like men , you shall bee iudged like men ; your now ouer-seer shall be then your Iudge ; and who is present at your actions , shall sentence you accordingly : Remember ; you amongst these Eagles shall be gathered together .

Secondly to the small , to all : remember that of Saint Peter , p p 1. Pet. 3.10 . When the heauens shall passe away with a great noise , the elements shall melt with feruent heat , and the earth burne vp : what manner of men ought you to be in holy conuersation and godlinesse ? Suppose now you should see ( as God knoweth how soone you shall see ) the heauens to vanish with a great noise ; The Elements with feruent heat to be dissolued , and the earth in a fierie flame : Tell mee , what holy thoughts , and chast conuersation would then possesse you . Saint q q A●●●arrat . i● Psal. 49. Augustine expounding those words of the Psalme , Our God shall come , fire shall goe before him , and in his presence a mighty tempest . Doth ( saith he ) the fire , and tempest fright vs ? let vs be changed , and there is no cause of feare : ignem palea timet , auro quid facit ? The Chaffe of sinne shall be consumed , the gold of piety shall be refined : stipulas ad te congeris ? veniet ignis . Why heapest thou to thy selfe combustible matter ? Cast away thy sin , the fire hath not whereon to burne , wherewith to worke .

T is very obseruable Christ neuer treats of this subiect , but he addes a speciall caueat ; In Saint Mathew hee concludeth with the good , r r Math. 24 45. and bad seruant , the one expecteth his Masters comming , and is blessed ; Th' other , smites his fellows , eates , and drinkes with the drunken , and is accursed . And in this Chapter , Remember s s Luk. 17.32 . Lots wife , desist not in doing good , lest in looking backe to Sodome . Thou art intercepted ; thy affections metamorphosed ; and thou neuer turne from Sodom .

Forget not the sodainnesse of his comming , as a thiefe in the night , nothing more vnexpected ; as the Lightning , nothing more swift ; as the twinckling of an eye , nothing more speedy . t t Luk. 17.26 . As it was in the daies of Noah , so shall it be in the daies of the sonne of man . Noahs time , and ours alike in sinne , alike in eating , drinking , alike in chambering , and wantonnesse : The Preachers tongue would be defiled , Christian eares would be offended , at the nomination of those things that are done in secret . The face of the world in Noahs time was growne so filthy with sin , that the Lord was constrained to wash it with a flood : The drosse of sinne in our time doth so abound , that it must be purified with fire ; And as then the vnexpected flood came and swept them all away , so the vnlooked for fire shall come when many least dreame thereof .

Noahs Fabricke was a reall Sermon , therefore Saint Peter stiles him the Righteous Preacher : How many Noahs , Math. 3. and Iohn the Baptists cry vnto vs , Now is the axe laid &c. Me thinkes I heare the sons of Lamech scoffing at Noah , and his Arke , saying , what meaneth this fellow to saile on drie land : yet they could not laugh him out of his faith : we daily heare the scoffes of the insensible wicked at religious exercises ; but Woe vnto you that laugh now , for you shall howle , and lament . Me thinkes I see the sonnes of Lamech , how they came wading to the Arke middle-deepe , crauing admittance , but were denied ; Methinkes I foresee the Hic-scorners of this age , knocking at Heauen gate , crauing an entrance , but are repelled ; with a Depart from me ye workers of iniquity .

Is then the houre so sodaine ? and nigh at hand ? what meaneth sinne thus to flourish ? still gluttonie , still carnality , sensuality still , still pride , still vsury , oppression , grinding of the poore ; still all , and more then all : I say no more , but with Iohn the Baptist , Repent , and amend , for the kingdome of God is at hand , When these Eagles shall be gathered together .