Sinnelesse sorrow for the dead a comfortable sermon, preached at the funerall of Mr. Iohn Moyle, of Buckwell, in the countie of Kent, Esquire, the sixt of Ianuarie, 1614 / by Thomas Iackson, Batchelor in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods word, at Wye in Kent.

THE TESTIMONIE , Giuen to M. Iohn Moyle , at his Funerall , Ianuarie 6 , 1614.

Howsoeuer 〈◊〉 neuer erring wisedome 〈…〉 , nothing 〈…〉 Iohn the Baptist a a Matth 11. 〈◊〉 . , the Centurion , b b Matth. 8. 10. and others c c Iohn 1. 4● ; yet is it freest from 〈…〉 errour for 〈◊〉 who are but of yesterday , and know not what shall be tomorrow , in 〈◊〉 the dead ; the periode and compl●●n●●● of whose dayes , wee have seene expired , and the 〈◊〉 as well discharged as 〈…〉 neither the praiser , can be moued with flattery , nor the praised , with vaine-glory d d Quando , nee 〈◊〉 mo●●t adulatio ; 〈…〉 August . being perpetually seperate , from sight , hearing , and report : praise the Marriner when he ariueth ; the Souldier when he triumpheth : and Man when hee is dead e e Dicique ; beatus , ante obitum nemo . . Whom , generally to fauour , ( if for no other cause , yet for that they haue led the way vnto vs , f f Tantum quia pre●●sserunt . Calcanda semel via lethi , &c. Ho●. 1 Carm. 28 and obtained prioritie in eternitie ; ) is the rule of Nature g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . But to entombe them with amplest praises . whose liues haue beene vertuous and honourable ; and to set vp the lampe of vertue , that it may shine in the house of God , when Death hath put out the light of life ; is the rule of Religion ; and warranted both by best Examples in holy Scripture , ( thus did Dauid commend Abner , h h 2 Sam. 3. 34 and Ionathan : i i 2 Sam 1. vlt. Elishah , Eliah k k 2 Kings 2. 12. ? and the Apostle those worthie Saints , whom the world was vnworthie of l l Heb. 11. ●8 . : ) and by the practise of the Church in all ages .

How am I bound then , by a three-fold dutie , viz. 1 to God . 2. to him ; 3. to you , to speake somewhat of the sanctified life , and blessed death of this Religious Gentleman , ●ow to be ●●erred ? To God for all his gifts we 〈◊〉 thankfulnesse m m Psal. 216. 16. and what greater thankefulnesse , then to be telling of his goodnesse to vs or others ? so that in speaking of Gods gifts vnto him , wee doe in our soules blesse God for him n n 〈…〉 Hier.

Secondly , as it ought to be the greatest care of the liuing to doe well ; so is it the dutie of the 〈◊〉 to speake well , that , so farre as lieth in vs ) the dead , may pertake in the blessing promised , the righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance o o Pro 10 7. Psal. 112. 6. ; for which purpose , our blessed Sauiour said , Wheresoeuer the Gospell should be preached , throughout all the world , the good worke of the woman , bestowing the boxe of costly oyntment vpon his head , should be spoken of , for a memoriall of her p p Matth. 26. 1● . Yea , I wish that my congue were as the Pen of a readie Scribe to en●●re his vertues q q Psal. 45. 1. that both he might pertake in that blessing which Alexander pronounced at the toombe of Achilles ; Happie Achilles , that being dead , hast such a Trumpeter of thy praise , as Homer was r r O 〈…〉 , cui mertuo 〈◊〉 Praeco , &c. : and I , in that blessing , which Naomi pronounced of Boaz , blessed be hee of the Lord , for he ceaseth not to doe good , to the liuing , and to the dead s s Ruth 2. 20. .

Thirdly to you , that ye may know what to imitate , which is the maine vse of the Commemoration of the vertuous liues of the godly ; that they may be patternes to them that liue , their very toombes , in their kinde , speaking as Abels blood , t t Gen. 4. 10. Walke , as ye haue had vs for Examples .

A Gentleman worshipfully borne ; and accordingly he liued , and well added , to the worth , and wealth , of his house and family . Matched , to a vertuous Gentlewoman , a right branch of a worshipfull , religious , and fruitfull tree v v The daughter of M. Robert Honnywood Esquire , some●●●● of 〈◊〉 in Kent ▪ 〈…〉 Essex 〈…〉 ; Graund-child of a most godly Matrone , who ( yet liuing ) hath seene of her children , and childrens children , to the number of two hundred and threescore at least , which doe yeerely encrease , with the encreasings of God . A Mary by name x x Mary Honny●●●● . , a Mary by choyse , and a Mary by condition , for the Lord hath dealt very bitterly with her y y 〈…〉 . By whom hee hath had , an houshold like a flocke of sheepe z z 〈…〉 ; his Table beset with mary sweet children , like Oliue branches round about a a 〈…〉 .

Of whom I may truly say , ( after these twenty yeeres inward familiarity with him ; ) so sweet and peaceable a natured man b b 〈…〉 , so sound and zealous a Christian ; so sure and faithfull a friend , amongst many thousands , is not to be found . A diligent frequenter of the publicke Exercises of Religion , a carefull worshipper of God , and sanctifier of his 〈◊〉 , it was but one se●●enth night before he died , when 〈◊〉 with vs in Gods worship . hee did b●●re his part in the Psalme c c 〈…〉 , which we sung , with an extraordinarie courage and 〈◊〉 as if with the Swanne hee would end his dayes with a Song d d 〈…〉 , which ministred no small comfort to mee ( and others that noted it ) that for one whole yeere and an halfe , hauing beene visited in himselfe and his family , with such exceeding sicknesse , yet he could so sweetly comfort himselfe in God : whereunto wee may adde his daily exercises of reading and prayer with his family . And as was his profession , so was his practise , though hee liued not without sinne , yet without reproofe g g Luke 1. 6. Sine . quarels , non sine , peccato . August . , hee kept himselfe vnspotted of the world h h Iam. 1. ●● . : a Father , more like then a friend to the poore ; a setled good house-keeper , and euer open-handed in any good cause , as free in Charitie , as euer in Dutie : humble in prosperitie , patient in aduersitie ; sober in his health , comfortable in his sicknesse , and most blessed in his death ; though but a young man for yeeres , yet long hath he wayted for his change , and daily exercised himselfe in the meditation of mortalitie ; hauing his Iestament alwayes readie , and , as occasion serued , renewed ; so that though sicknesse came sodainly , he was prepared , his house set in order , and himselfe free to prepare for God , to whom with much peace and meekenesse , hee resigned his spirit . And as hee liued with much loue , so is he dead with as great lamentation ; the Church of God , the Common-wealth , the Parish , his family , and specially the poore , sustayning great losse ; but what doe I speake of losse , seeing his gaine doth counteruaile the same an hundred fold ? wee haue lost but a man , he hath sound God ; we haue lost a friend , he hath found his Sauiour ; wee haue lost his Neighbourhood , hee hath found the fellowship of innumerable Angels and Saints : we haue lost the help of his prayers and purse , Counsell and countenance ; but hee hath found the blessednesse of heauen , which all Gods people loue and long for , in the fruition whereof wee leaue him for euer and euer . Amen .

And to speake a word or twaine of this his good Seruant * * Iohn Cooke . , who in Ruths resolution , hath liued , is dead , and shall be buried with his Master k k Ruth . 1. 16. . Aman in his place worthie of great commendation , and a rare patterne for men of his ranke to looke vpon ; an honest , harmelesse , carefull , willing , diligent and faithfull seruant : I cannot but note vnto you , the good prouidence of God , that no seruice performed by any other , being comparably acceptable to his good Master , in his sicknesse and weakenesse ; God was pleased euen extraordinarily to raise him from the gate of death , to attend his Master . To the closing of his eyes , which seruice ended , that he should haue a relapse , and in two dayes also end his life . I may say of them both , as Dauid did of Saul and Ionathan , they were louely and pleasant in their liues , and in their death they were not diuided l l 2 Sam. 1. 23. ; onely this difference , he that in life time often rode before , is now carried after : but now no more as Master and man , for in this path there is no difference m m Hac , par d●uitibus , pauper egenus erit . Maximinianus . ; in Golgotha no difference , betwixt that skull which wore the Crowne , and that which bore the Tankard : all fellow-heires of the same inheritance ; but one kingdome , yet all raigne ; though degrees of glory , yet all haue more then enough , none enuie them that haue more , none disdaine them that haue lesse . In which blessed fellowship , wee leaue them for euer . Now let vs come to the Text.

[ And Iesus wept * * Iohn 11. 35. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . . ]

FOr three principall respects , haue I chosen this Text , before others ▪ with Gods assistance , and your wonted Christian patience , at this time to speake of . First , because vnto profitable hearing , the remembrance of the Text is specially required ; the remembrance whereof , doth necessarily draw on the remembrance of such things , as naturally arising , haue thence beene deliuered . Now I dare entrust the weakest memorie of all , in this congregation , with this Text , being so short , yea the shortest verse in all the Bible ; so that here needeth no adding of line to line , or precept to precept o o Esay . 28. 11. ; one bare reading will cause so sufficient an impression in the memorie , that I hope if many yeeres hence any one should be demanded , what was our Text this day , he or she will readily answere . [ Iesus . ]

Secondly , as it is short , so it is fet ; mourning in feasting , and mirth in fasting agree not ; it is sfit that Occasion and Matter , Theame and Time , should accord ; as Christ at Iacobs Well p p ● Iohn 4. 13. did speake of the heauenly water ; and from feeding the body with loaues and fishes , 〈◊〉 of the heauenly Manna & bread of 〈◊〉 . Now , q q Iohn 6. 26. if houses of sicknesse , be houses of mourning r r Eccles. 7. 4. ; times of dying , times of 〈◊〉 s s Eccles. ●● 5. ; and places of burying , places of weeping s s Gen. ●● . ●● . , how fit is it for me to entreate of mourning and weeping , seeing we come from an house of great and long continued sicknesse ? Our friend Lazarus is dead and we are come to the place of 〈◊〉 ▪ [ Iesus wept . ]

Thirdly ; as it is short and fit , so it containeth very profitable matter , for if it be the greatest perfection of a Christian , to gouerne his affections and passions aright ; and the best haue been soyled , and bewrayed their weakenesse herein : either weeping or reioycing ; on such 〈◊〉 or in such manner , or to such ends , as they should not ; how profitable will it be , to direct this great mourning , to a true meane ? which I can not possibly better doe ▪ then by proposing the sinlesse Sorrow of our blessed Sauiour , vpon a like occasion , Lazarus is dead , and Iesus wept . Wouldest thou then ▪ not sinne in weeping , looke vpon Christ , who wept and sinned not : yet if any in passion breake their bounds , let the words of my Text procure a charitable excuse ; for euen [ Iesus wept . ] When Christ was borne , there was much singing and mirth , olde father Simeon , he sung ; Luk. ● . 28. Zach●rishe sung x x Luk 1. ●8 . , Marie shee sung ; y y Luk. 1. 46. and the Babe in Elizabeths wombe , did spring for ioy z z Luk. 1. 41. ; yea , the Angels of heauen sung a a Luk. 2. 13. but Christ his ministrie , and specially his death were mournfull times , and of much weeping , some in passion ; others in compassion . Christ he wept b b I Heb. ● . 7. and the Disciples they wept c c M●● . 〈…〉 . ; the daughters of Ierusalem they wept d d Luk. 23. 27. yea time Sunne put on Sackcloth and that wept e e Luk. 23. 15. ; the Temple rent in ●ayle , and that wept f f Luk. 23 15. ; yea the crie of the Creatures was heard so farre ▪ that the Heathen Philosopher said , either the 〈…〉 nature 〈…〉 or the world would 〈…〉 g g 〈◊〉 Deus 〈…〉 dissolu●●●r . ▪ but I am to speak onely of Iesus his sorrow ; [ Iesus wept . ]

Christ and Lazarus , Mary and Martha two men , and two women ; two sisters ; and a brother ; three sinners , and their Sauiour : these that had so long loued , & liued together ; and many a time and often feasted & godlily reioyced together , haue now their mirth turned into mourning ; and singing into sighing . Lazarus is dead , and Christ is absent , his sisters weepe ; the Iewes come to comfort them , and they weepe ; when they vnderstand that Iesus is comming , Martha she runneth to meete him , & saluteth him with words of bitter complaint , Lord , if thou hadst beene heere , my brother had not beene dead : No sooner had hee with words of consolation , shut the sluces and flood-gates of her teares , but Mary shee commeth and breaketh out into the same words of dolefull complaint , Lord , if thou hadst beene here , my brother had not beene dead : the Iewes , they weepe . and Christ he wept ; the sluces are broken vp againe , as if all should be drowned with a deluge of teares : or at least here were another Hadra-drimmon for Lazarus ▪ as was for Iosuth . Zach. 12. 11. Wee see then , though wee be neuer so neere or deere vnto Christ , yet we may not looke to be exempt from mournfull occasions : nay , Iudgement beginneth at Gods owne house i i 1 Pet 4 1● . ; it is enough that Christ weepeth with us . who in the end shall wipe all teares from our eyes k k Reu. 7. 17. ▪ where as the wieked being forsaken of God , shall weepe and gnash their teeth for euer l l Matth. 22. 13. Diuision . .

In these three Verses , vers . the 34. 35. and 36. we haue foure speakers ; Christ asketh a question , ( Where haue yee laid him ? ) Mary and Martha giue answere , as with one mouth , ( Lord , come and see . ) The Euangelist reporteth his passion , [ Iesus wept , ] And the Iewes passe their censure thereon , ( loe how he loued him ! )

[ Iesus wept . ] As the Souldiers that marched after Ioab , stood still and wondred at that they saw , so may wee well stand still and wonder at that we heare . What ? Doth the sonne of God , who was from all eternitie with his Father , as his delight , continually reioycing before him m m Pro. 8 30. ; he that was annoynted with the oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellowes n n Psal. 45. 7. ; hee , who when he went to his passion , would not suffer the daughters of Ierusalem to weepe for him o o Lu. 23. 28. ; he that was sent , by his Ministerie , to comfort them that mourned in Zyon , and to giue them oyle of ioy for mourning p p Esay . 61. 3. ; hee that in the end , shall wipe away all teares from the eyes of his children q q Esay . 25. 8. ; doth hee weepe ? yes indeede , and fit that now he should so doe , that being 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and his workes , theandricall , diuinely humane r r Doct. Field . Of the Church , lib. 5. cap. 13. pag. 38. ; in this great miracle of the raising of Lazarus , both this Diuinitie , and humanitie , by infallible demonstrations , might be seene s s Commode , futuro miraculo praemissae sunt lachrymae , vt infirmitas carnis , diuinae virtuti coniungeretur . Mald. : he commanded Lazarus , being foure dayes dead , to come forth ; this was the voyce of diuine Maiestie ; but he wept for Lazarus , and this was a passion of true humanitie t t Propriae sunt hominis lachrymae ; vita verò , verae vitae est . Greg. Nys . ; that so , if diuine Maiestie feare vs , humane infirmitie may encourage vs : if humane infirmitie doe offend vs ; diuine Maiestie may comfort vs : and wee both loue and reuerence our blessed Emmanuell v v Esay 7. 14. , God with vs . The like we may obserue in other his miracles : as man , he spat on the ground ; as God , with clay , hee made him that was borne blinde to see x x Iohn 9. 6. ; as man , hee fell on sleepe in the ship ; as God , he rebuked the winde and seas , and they obeyed him y y Matth. 8. 25. . but first , Manhood , and then Godhead ; first weakenesse , and then power ; first Humilitie , and then Maiestie doe appeare ; he first spitteth , and then annointeth , first sleepeth , and then rebuketh ; first weepeth , and commandeth .

[ Iesus wept . ]

Amongst all the blessings which God gaue vnto man by Creation ; there were principally two which were as the perfection of his happinesse , Viz. Ioy and Life ; or a ioyfull life z z Three-fold state of man , cap. 7. sect. 1. pag. 339. . The one ad esse , the other ad bene esse ; without life no ioy , for it is an affection of the liuing ; and without ioy , no life , but a neuer-dying death . But man by sinne pulling vp the flood-gate , hath let in a Sea of miserie , and specially those two maine euils , viz. Sorrow , and death : or , a sorrowing death . The childe is borne with teares , and many times dyeth before it be borne to liue . But as the Garment breedeth the Moath which eateth it ; and the Tree the Worme that consumeth it x x Vt Tinea ex ligno nata ipsum consumet Lact. de ira Dei . cap. 13. : so , Sinne bred Sorrow and Death , and Sorrow and Death destroy Sinne. . To her that in godly sorrow washed Christs feete with teares , was pronounced , Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee y y Luke 7. 48. ; and hee that is dead , is freed from sinne z z Rom 6. 7. . It was said to Adam , Sinne and dye a a Gen. 2. 17. : but to all his Children in Christ , Dye , and cease to sinne . Christ came to take away sinne b b Iohn 1. 29. , and that hee might vtterly destroy it : first , hee weepeth ; and then , hee dyeth , and pronounceth , It is finished . God reconciled , Heauen opened , Sinne abolished , and Death for euer destroyed .

It is written of Heraclitus , a Philosopher of Ephesus , that hee continually wept , but Democritus of Athens , continually laughed , at the fading ioyes and follies of their times c c Sen. lib. de tranquil . vitae . Lact. lib. 2. cap. 2. . Our blessed Sauiour , the Prince of all diuine Philosophers , is said to haue often wept , but we reade not in all his Story , that hee once laughed d d Obseruandum autem , quod fleuisse quidem legitur aliquoties , nunquam autem visisse , Ferus in locum . . And truely no maruell , for if the Wise-man haue giuen his iudgement aright , I haue said of laughter it is madde e e Eccles. 2. 2. : and the sage Ethnicke , Laughter is an argument of great leuitie f f Risus leuitatis argumentum . Sebast in 3. plat. de rep. . and another makes it the badge of a foole g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Ridet fatuus . : if by conference of Scriptures with Experience , wee shall seldome or neuer reade or obserue , that any laugh , but it is eyther in folly , or at folly : if the Prouerbe hence grew , to call that which is foolish ridiculous h h Dij boni , qu●m ridiculosum habemus Consulem ▪ Cato Vticens . ex Plut. : if a man cannot endure to be laughed at , and the Scriptures haue branded it for a kinde of cruell persecution i i Gen. 21. 9. Gal. 4. 29. : if the Scriptures so often commaund weeping , but neuer laughing : if lastly , to laughter be threatned a woe , and to weeping be promised a reward k k Luk. 6. 21. 25 ; how should hee laugh that is Wisedome it selfe , l l Prou. 8. 12. , and in whom , the treasures of Wisedome and Knowledge are hid m m Col. 2. 3. ? By whose example wee are taught , in this world ( which ( as Dauid calleth it ) is a vale of teares n n Psal. 84. 6. in Me●●re . ) to looke for no sound or enduring ioy , but continuall occasions of sorrow and mourning .

Wee doe specially reade , that our Sauiour did thrice weepe . First , when he came to Ieee lorusalem , and fore-saw the misery thereof , hee wept , and said , O Ierusalem , if thou hadst knowne , at the least , in this thy day , those things which belong to thy peace , but now are they hid from thine eyes o o Luke 19. 42. ! Secondly , now when Lazarus was dead , as my Text saith , [ Iesus wept . ] Thirdly , when he prayed , for the Apostle saith , Hee put vp his Prayers and Supplications , with strong crying and teares p p Heb. 5. 7. Doct. . Whose example teacheth vs when to weepe , viz.

First , when eyther with our eyes wee see , or with our mindes fore-see , the miserie , ruine , or desolation , of any Kingdome , Country , Citie , Towne , or Familie ; and specially , of such Places and Persons , where , and by whom the great Name of GOD is called vpon , we ought to take it to heart , and , in token of inward griefe , to breake out into teares is no effeminatenesse ( as the Ethnicke hath censured it q q Nihil vìro turpius muliebri fletu . Natta de immortal . animae . lib. 1. , ) but an argument of a milde and melting heart r r 2. Chron. 34. 27. , and warranted by best Examples . Thus did Ieremy lament the desolation of Ierusalem , Oh that mine head were full of water , and mine eyes a fountaine of teares , that I might weepe day and night for the slaine of the Daughters of my people s s Ier. 9. 1. !

Secondly , for the deaths of our friends , and specially , if they were righteous ones , by whose death the church of God hath sustained losse : wherof more anone .

Thirdly , in our prayers : the Prayer of a righteous man auayleth much if it be feruent t t Iames 5. 16. . What greater feruencie then that which is testified by vnfaigned teares ? Teares ( as an auncient Father saith , ) are the blood of the soule , and wine of Angels v v Lachrymae poenitentium , sunt vinum Angelorum . Bern. sup. Cantic . , which flowing from the Wine-presse of an oppressed and bruized spirit , are more forcible with God then all the Eloquence and Rethoricke in the world x x 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cypr. Annah , when shee prayed , wept sore , and God gaue her a Sonne y y 1 Sam. 1. 10. . And when God sent a Message to King Ezekiah , by the hands of the Prophet Esay , that hee should set his house in an order , for hee should dye , and should not liue , hee turned his face to the wall , and presently dispatched Embassadours to Heauen ( euen his teares z z Mittit legatos , lachrymas Cyp. lib. 2. epist. 7. ) to pray for life ▪ which no sooner appeared , but were graciously heard , the Lord sent him word , that hee had seene his teares , and would adde to his dayes , fifteene yeeres a a Esay . 38. 5. , Dauid saith , God hath heard the voyce of my weeping b b Psal. 6. 8. . The obseruation of which phrase , made a Learned man c c D. Plaif . Serm. at Spittle Meane in mourning . pag. 19. demaund this question ; What , haue teare , tongues , trow we ? and answereth , that the cloud-cleauing Thunder of the Almightie , doth not make so roaring a noyse in the eares of man , as our teares doe in the eares of the God of mercy d d Oratio Deum lenit ; sed lachyma cogit . Ier. in Esaiam . . And truely no maruell , for euen with man , whose mercies are cruell , the Poet said true , that sometimes teares are waightie words e e Interdum lachrymae pondera v●●i● habent . Ouid. de Pont. lib. 3. Eleg. 1. .

There were principally three things , which concurred to make Christ weep , and so much to increase his sorrow , that if he had beene but meere man , as he was true man f f Si meras homo , vt verus homo . , hee had doubtlesse beene foyled of his passion , as many holy men of God haue beene : viz. 1. the death of Lazarus ; 2. the sorrow of his Sisters . 3. the miserie of the Iewes . Somesay that Christ wept not for Lazarus at all ; for he knew that hee would by and by raise him againe g g Quomodo fleret cum , quem continuò suscitare vellet . Theod. Herac. , as he told his Disciples before , Lazarus is dead , and I am glad for your sakes , that I was not there , that yee may beleeue * * Iohn 11. 15. . 2. Others hold that he wept for Lazarus , not because hee was dead , but that for the glory of God , hee was to raise him againe ; and so bring him , from rest and happinesse , to labour and misery h h A loco requetis , ad locum laboris & miseriae . Isid. in Graec. Cat. . And indeed , whereas there are but three places of residence for Gods Elect : 1. the Wombe : 2. the Earth : 3. Heauen . The second doth not so farre exceede the first , in libertie and comfort ; as the third exceedeth the second , in all true happinesse ; as then , it were a miserable thing ( if it could possibly be put in execution ) for a man to leaue the comfort of this life , and be imprisoned in his mothers wombe ; so , a thousand times more miserable were it for a soule to leaue the vnconceiueable ioyes of heauen , and to be imprisoned in the loathsome dungeon of the body againe : and therefore little did the Rich-man know what hee begged , when hee would haue had Lazarus to haue left Abrahams bosome , and to haue gone to his Fathers house i i Luke 16. 27. . But I hold it more probable , that as the godly weepe for the death of others , absolutely considering it ; whereas Circumstances considered they should rather reioyce , as Christ said to his Disciples , being full of sorrow to heare of his death , If yee loued mee yee would rather reioyce , because I goe to the Father . So , Christ , absolutely , and without circumstances considering his death k k Mortem amìcì & sibi chari , absolutè considerauit , & lachrymatos est . Toll . in locum . annot. 10. col . 944. , ( wept for him ) which thing both the Context , and the construction thereof doe proue l l Iudaei in hac re non pessum auctores . Mald. Doct. .

And this Circumstance teacheth vs , that it is lawfull to take to heart , and euen to sorrow and weepe for the death of deare friends , and godly persons ; so did the Israelires bewayle the death of that good Patriarke Iacob m m Gen. 50. 11. . And afterwards for thirtie dayes together did they weepe for that singular Prophet Moses n n Deut. vul . 8. : and all Iudah and Ierusalem so lamented the death of their zealous King Iosiah o o 2 Chron. 35. : that euer after it became a Prouerbe , The mourning of Hada-drimmon in the valley of Megiddo p p Zach. 12. 11. : great lamentation was made for the death of Steuen q q Acts 8. 2. : and when Paul tolde the Christians they should see his face no more , they sell on his necke and wept sore r r Acts 20. 37. .

Which Examples of the best , doe condemne both ( as an extreame on the one side ) that Stoicall 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , with all the degrees of it , as first , 1 Vse . not to be moued with their death : which thing God long since reproued by his Prophet , The righteous perish , and mercifull men are taken away , and no man considereth it in heart s s Esay 57. 1. , but more , all shamelesse reioycing , at the fall of good men , as those that sent gifts one to another , when the holy witnesses of Christ were slaine t t Reu. 11. 10. . Secondly , and also that faithlesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 2 vse . and excessiue mourning , as an extreame on the other side : and directeth all Christians to the true 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 v v Aret prob . loc. 155. de luctu pro defunctis . pag. 495. , mourning for the dead , but not as the Heathen which haue no hope x x 1 Thes. 4. 13. 2. .

A second concurring occasion , was the sorrow of Mary and Martha , whom hee so dearely loued : so saith the Text , when Iesus saw Mary weepe , and the Iewes also weepe that came with her , he groaned in the spirit y y Iohn 11. 33 Propter lachrymas Mariae Amb. lib 2 de poenit cap 7. Chris Hom. 26 : and truly , Nature hath so prouided , that teares beget teares ; and the sight of those that weepe in passion , prouoketh others to weepe in compassion z z Natura ita com●aralum est , vt ex conspectu 〈…〉 . .

And this Circumstance teacheth vs , the practise of that Christian vertue , which the Apostle prescribeth . viz. Be ye of like affection one to another : reioyce with them that reioyce and weepe with them that a a Rom. 12. 10. weepe ▪ Is there that Simpathie and fellow-feeling in the members of the naturall body , that if one member be honoured , all the rest reioyce with it : if it be hurt all doe suffer with it ; that if the elbow receiue a rappe euen the fingers ends will tingle ? and is there not much more such fellow-feeling in the misticall members of Christ ? assuredly , such as are either senselesse of the miseries and afflictions of Gods people , as those that the Prophet complayned of , Did drinke their wine in 〈◊〉 and annoint them●elues with the best 〈…〉 , but were not sory for the afflictions of Ioseph b b Amos 6. 6. and as it is noted of Aha●●●erash and Haman , They sit drinking , when the Citie of Sushan 〈◊〉 in great perplexity : c c H●s● . 3 vlt. or that ( more wickedly ) reioyce therein , as the children of Edom , who in the day of Ierusalem , cryed , Downe with it , Downe with it , euen to the ground ; d d Psal. 137. 7. doe fearefully shew themselues to be rotten and dead members , and are neere to a heauy iudgment : As God threatned Ashur the rod of his wrath ; I will visit the fruit of the proud heart of the King of Ashur , and his glorious & proud lookes c c Esay 10. 12. For as God is a God of mercie , and neuer but with griefe correcteth his Children . f f Esay 1. 4. 5. so cannot hee endure that ●ay should adde affliction to affliction , by 〈◊〉 ouer his Children , being vnder his rodde , but rather condole and compassionate them , as Christ did here ; Mary and Martha wept , the Iewes wept , and when Christ saw it ( hee wept . )

Thirdly , Christ fore-saw the miserie of the Iewes , g g Fleuit propter Iudaeorum infidelitatem . Hill. in Psal. 68. Epiph. in Anchorato . that they would be so farre from belieuing this Miracle , and glorifying God , that ( as hereby more hardned ) they would seeke to kill him & Lazarus , h h Iohn 12. 10. and therefore as at another time , hee mourned for the hardnesse of their hearts , i i Mat. 3. 5. so now hee weepeth for it . ( Iesus wept . ) And this Circumstance teacheth vs to take to heart , Doct. and to mourne for the sinnes of others , as Dauid , whose eyes yeelded riuers of water when hee saw men transgresse the Commaundements of God . k k Psal. 119. 136 Oh shall wee weepe to see a friend at the point of death , or to heare that his soule is departed for a season , and his bodie dead ? and shall wee not much more mourne that men should bee strangers to the life of God , through the ignorance which is in them ? l l Eph. 4. 18. Oh yee melting and tender-hearted ones of God , mourne for them that continue in sinne , the Symptome of a neuer-dying death

Now , Applic. forasmuch as it hath pleased God ( euen of late ) to take away by death many good and mercifull men , excellent members in the Church and Common-wealth ; and bring great affliction and miserie vpon diuers persons , families , and Countries ; by death of friends , famine , fire , invndations of Waters and Seas : and yet sinne and wickednesse raigne and abound euery where ; it is high time for all Gods people to imitate the Example of their head ; and to put in practise the Counsell of the Apostle , Sorrow and weepe , let your laughter be turned into mourning , and your ioy into heauinesse m m Iam. ●● . ; least continuing in that reproued sinne , the Lord of Hoasts did call vnto mourning and weeping , baldnesse and girding with sackcloth , but behold ioy and gladnesse n n Esay 22. 1● . , &c. Wee pull on our selues , the execution of that fearefull doome threatned , I will turne your Feasts into mourning , and all your Songs into lamentation , and I will bring sackeloth on all loynes , and baldnesse vpon euery head , and I will make it as the mourning of an onely Sonne , and the end thereof as a bitter day o o Amos 8. 10. .

Now the ends of Christ his weeping come to be considered ( wherewith I wil conclude ) and they are principally these two . viz. First , 1. Doct. to shew vs the truth of his humane nature , in that hee had not onely the substance of soule and bodie , with flesh and bones , which a spirit hath not p p Luk. 24. 39. ; but also the infirmities of both , ( so farre as they were generall and blamelesse q q M ▪ Perk. on the Creed . ) as in the body , hanger r r Matth 4. 2. , thirst s s Iohn 19. 28. , wearisomnesse t t Iohn 4. 6. , &c. and in the soule , sorrow u u Matth 26. 38. , and ignorance x x Mark 13. 32. of somethings y y Merae priuationis , non prauae dispositionis . .

Well did Simeon prophesie by the holy Ghost , that Christ should be for a signe that should be spoken against z z Luk. 2. 34. , for euen in the infancie of the Church , there did arise foure maine heretickes , VIZ. Arrius denying his Deitie ; Apollinarius , maiming his humanitie ; Nestorius , renting his Vnion ; and E●●yches confounding his essentiall proprieties : which foure Heretickes and Heresies , were condemned by foure Auncient generall Councils , in soure significant Aduerbs . The Councill of Nice , August . de Haeres . cap. 49. 55. 91. 92. Zanch. de Incarnat . lib. 2. cap. 1. defined against Arius , that Christ is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , truly God : the Councill of Constantinople , against Apollinarius , that hee was 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , perfectly man ; the Councill of Ephesus against Nestorius , that he is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Doct. Hook . Eccles polit. lib. 5. sect. 54. pag. 116 last impresi . indiuisibly one person ; and the Councill of Calcedon against Eutyches ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , vnconfoundedly , retaining the proprieties of both natures : and as euill manners , cause good lawes : so these & such like heresies , haue both caused most renowmed Councils , and procured most excellent Confessions of the Christian faith ; and specially ( as an Antidote against the poyson of the former heresies , ) that short , but most pithie confession of the Emperour Iustinian : The word was not changed into flesh , nor flesh into the word , but one in both ; and both in one : not one of his Father , and another of his Mother ; but one way of his Father before the beginning : and another way of his Mother , in the end of the world a a Nec verbum in carnem nec caro in verbum , mutata est ; sed vtrumque in vno , et vnus in vtr●que est ; non alter ex patre , alter ex matre ; sed aliter ex patre . &c. Iustin Imperat. ad Ioannem 2 Papam , tempore . Concil. Tolet. .

The learned Auncients also skirmishing with the said Apollinarists , and Marcionites , Manichies , and such as haue denied the truth both of Christ his humanitie and actions ; haue ( amongst others ) discharged this Arrow against the faces of them , alledging his teares , as an Argument of true humanitie b b Lachrymae , sunt reri corpores humores . Gu●l● . hem. l. 109. , and not of distrust c c Natur● , 〈◊〉 diffidenti● testes Barn . Serm. 26. in Cantie . .

Secondly , this sheweth the sweetnesse of Christ , 2. Doct. his Mediation and Redemption : in that our Redeemer is not a stranger to our Nature , but ( as GOD promised , ) the womans seede d d Gen. 3. 15. , and seede of Abraham e e Gen. 22. 18. ; so hath hee performed it , in sending his Sonne made of a Woman f f Gal. 4. 4. , a true man , like vnto vs in all things , ( except sinne g g Heb. 4. 15. . Oh , this was Iacobs comfort on his death-bed , that one wrapped in the Tunicle should come h h Gen. 49. 10. Shil. Shiliah . Secundae eius Tremell . : and Iobs comfort , that though hee should dye , and all his life wayted when his change should come ; yet his redeeming Kinsman ( for so the word signifieth ) liued i i Iob. 19. 25. Goel . Ruth . 4. 14. Sic Pet. Galat. de occultis . lib. 4. cap. 4. ▪ Who is a mercifull and faithfull high Priest in things concerning God , who hath felt in his owne soule and body , the manifold straitning passions and perplexities that we feele in our seuerall afflictions , hath ( as it were ) his bowels yearning towards vs ; and though now exalted into glory , yet his compassion towards his poore members on earth is no whit diminished , as k k M. Perk , on Creed , Treat . of Incarnat . himselfe witnessed from Heauen , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me l l Acts 9. 4. Vse ? Let vs then embrace this sweet Sauiour , whom GOD hath sent into the world , compassed with a cloud of witnesses , that all men may beleeue : and specially with the fore-going of that Excellent Herauld , and Trumpeter m m Iubilie , of Iobel , a Trumpet ; ●eron , de interpret . nom . Kerch . Heb. Concord . 1673 Buxt. Heb. Epit. 334. Bab on Leuit. pag 202 of the blessed Iubilie , the Baptist ; who went before his face to prepare his wayes , and to alter the state of Faith n n Fides in aduentu ipsius non erat destruenda , sed solum status eius mutandus , vt quem venturum credebant venisse crederent . Toll , in Iohan. annot. 46. by preaching the doctrine of Repentance , that is , they should not beleeue in one to come , but in him that was already come o o Acts 19. 4. ; whom hee pointed out with the finger vnto them p p Iohn 1. 29. .

Oh goe wee euer with boldnesse , to his sweet throne of Grace q q Heb. 4. vlt. : seeke wee to that Physitian , who hath beene sicke of the same disease himselfe : loe we him , that hath shed teares for vs ; loue how he loued vs : yea , that shed his blood , and gaue himselfe for vs r r Gal. 2. 20. ! Oh how he loued vs indeede ! To him that so loued vs , and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud , and made vs Kings and Priests vnto God , euen his Father , to him I say be glory and dominion for euermore s s Reu. 1. 5. . Amen .

FINIS .