Holy discoveries and flames. By John Saltmarshe, Mr. of Arts of Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge, and rector of West-Ileslerton in York-shire Saltmarsh, John, d. 1647. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A11378 of text S116513 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 21637). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 192 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 118 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A11378 STC 21637 ESTC S116513 99851729 99851729 17020 2248543506

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A11378) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 17020) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1255:12) Holy discoveries and flames. By John Saltmarshe, Mr. of Arts of Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge, and rector of West-Ileslerton in York-shire Saltmarsh, John, d. 1647. W. F., fl. 1640, engraver. [14], 225, [1] p. : ill. (metal cuts) Printed by R[obert] Y[oung] for P. Nevill in Ivie-lane, London : 1640. Printer's name from STC. With an additional title page, engraved, signed: WF: sculp:. Cf. Folger catalogue, which gives signatures: A-K¹² . Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. eng Jesus Christ -- Biography -- Meditations -- Early works to 1800. A11378 S116513 (STC 21637). civilwar no Holy discoveries and flames. By John Saltmarshe, Mr. of Arts of Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge, and rector of West-Ileslerton in York-shire. Saltmarsh, John 1640 236 32406 25 0 0 0 0 0 8 B The rate of 8 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2005-12 Assigned for keying and markup 2006-01 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-01 Sampled and proofread 2007-01 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

LONDON Printed by R : Y for Phillip Neuill . And are to be sould att his Shopp in Juye Lane att the Signe , of the Gun : 1640 :

HOLY DISCOVERIE AND FLAMES .

By JOHN SALTMARSHE , Mr. of Arts of Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge , and Rector of West-Ileslerton in York-shire .

Open thou my Eyes that I may behold wonderous things out of the Law ,

Psal. 119. 18.

My Heart is enditing a good matter ,

Psal. 55. 1.

LONDON , Printed by R. Y. for P. Neuill in Ivie-lane . 1640.

TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES , PRINCE OF GREAT BRITAIN . Most excellent Sir ,

DRawing my breath every day more happily by the favour I received from Your Royall Father , if my Pen should forget You , it had more Inke then either allegiance , or loyalty , or duty : The Eyes that I here present Your . Highnesse , I confesse durst not looke his Majestie in the Face ; He hath so much of Caesar about Him as strikes me into a non possum ferre fulmen : but Your Selfe , being yet a divine spark and ray from Him , and not ascended Your Meridian of Soveraigntie , is not become so awfull , nor so inaccessible . We may see that Sun in his Rising , whose Beames may at his Noone chide our weake eyes for the attempt : This Sir I speake of You , who is but now in Your East , having Your Noone-point before You , and may You drive on happily to Your glory both in Your Heaven and Kingdome below , and the Kingdome of Heaven above .

And be pleased , Gratious Sir , to let these Eyes here light but a beame of Yours to the holy Scripture , and to ayre but Your Bosome at these Flames , and to suffer these Leafes , thus seeded with divine thoughts , to be a robe of holy Ermins to Your Soule : I lay my selfe and papers at Your Royall feet , and am

A Beadesman for Your Highnesse J. Saltmarshe .
The Eye and Heart .
He that is spirituall discerneth — .
My Heart was hot within me — .

THese are the two onely parts wee have , both for Soule and Body ; our faculty of discerning and affecting , of knowing and loving . And if these two be sanctified , we are complete ; for it is not enough to be holy in our Eye onely , to be enlightned in that Organ ; the single theorie and speculation of goodnesse lights us but to a brighter damnation , and serves onely to gild a little our darke condition : Dives in his Hell had a Heaven , and the joy of it in his Eye ; yet he had not a ray more either of holinesse or blisse . He that is onely a seeing Christian , hath his salvation meerely in perspective ; and such is but Ethiopian holinesse , that hath a bright Eye in a darke body : the Heart then is the part must be affected as well as that ; and this must not be barely enlightned , but enflamed : many Hearts may have sudden illuminations and coruscations of grace , and yet be no more truely holy then they were : the Sun may shoot in at a Casement into a roome , when a cloud or curtaine may put out all the light that is there ; but if he meete with such a place that his beames and light may combine and conspire , you shall soone feele a strong warmth , and an able influence : It is thus with grace in the Hearts of the Saints , the light of it is not saving till it create a heat and holy inflammation in the affections , as well as a radiation ; till it scorch as well as enlighten , Did not our hearts burne within us while hee talked with us , and while he opened to us the Scriptures ? Therefore I present you an Eye & a Heart ; the one for knowledge , the other for affection ; the one in meditation , the o ther in inflammation ; the one seeing and discerning , the other kindling at the sight : for , though I understand all mysteries , and all knowledge , and have not charity , I am nothing , 1. Cor. 3. 2. that is , though I were all Eye , and had not an Heart enflamed , I were not any thing ; yet my Heart cannot want this Eye , for then I should have a zeale , that is , a flame , as the Apostle sayes , but not according to knowledge : Therefore , O my God , let me never rest but with Eyes thus open , and never die but by these flames :

Igne perire tuo clademque authore levari .

THE SCOURGE John 2. 15. And when he had made a scourge of small cords , he drove them all out of the Temple .
Discovery .

I Discover , that in the Church or Temple , a scourge may be made , and made use on ; for , when he had made a scourge , he drove them all out : he made it , and made use on it ; Neither made he it to cast by , but hee put it into the hands of his Disciples ; and when hee gave them the Keyes hee gave them the Scourge too , tied at the same string where the Keyes hung ; that is , he gave them a punitive power , a power of scourging in the Church , and scourging out of the Church ; for he drove them , and drove them out : an excommunicative power , Shall I come to you with a rod ? sayes Saint Paul ; the Apostle had a lash , which hee took from Christs Scourge : Yet I observe , though Christ have a scourge , it is but of small cords , not too coursely spun , nor too much twisted ; but of small cords , that the offendours in the Temple may not bee beat like servants , but whipt like sonnes : of small cords ; where the punishments are easie and calme , the scourge is of our Saviours twisting , of small cords ; and with this they may be driven , and driven out , he drove them all out . If one lash or rebuke will not serve , they may bee scourged out of the Temple . There are degrees for this holy punitive engine ; If hee will not heare thee , tell it to the Church ; and if he heare not the Church , let him be unto thee as a Heathen man and a Publican . This is the power of the scourge to whip , and to whip out of the Temple .

The Winds and the Sea . Math. 8. 26. Why are yee fearfull oh yee of little faith ? Then he arose and rebuked the Winds and the Sea .
Discovery .

I Discover the temper and moderation of Jesus ; Then he arose and rebuked the winde . Even now the Winde blew from himselfe ; Why are yee fearfull , oh yee of little faith ? and this storme of his passion dash'd worse on his Disciples , then that of the Sea : but how soone he takes leave of it , and cleares into a calme ! how soone are the waves of his soule , his affections , smooth'd ! and now a gentle gale of favour blowes upon them : Hee arose and rebuked the windes and the Sea ; yet hee speakes not to the storme and passion of the Sea , till his owne were over : We cannot justly rebuke that passion in another , which we bring in our selves . Christ , from his owne serenity to his Disciples , instructs the Winde and the Sea to a calmnesse ; and the very Elements observe his moderation and temper ; they storm and are quiet at a word : It is the honour of a tempest to set in a calme , and of a Christian storme and passion to cleare into a calmnesse : He rebuked the wind and the sea , he would not suffer the passengers to be wreck and naufrage , nor the Sea to use any immersive or destructive violence : if our passions bee raised a little , and blowne into a storme , we should rebuke them ere they advance to the mischiefe and destruction of any ; bee angry , but sinne not .

The house upon the Rock . Math. 7. 25. And the raine descended , and the flouds came , and the windes blew , and beat upon this house ; but it fell not , because it was founded upon a Rock .
The Flame .

LOrd , how firme is the building which hath thee for a foundation ! How sure ! there is no shaking it , no undermining it , no ruining ; for they that are rooted and built up in thee , are established in faith , Coloss. 2. 7. What a fixation is here ! what an establishment ! who was ever knit unto this foundation and fell ? Iudas fell , Hymenaeus fell , Simon Magus fell , Iulian the Apostate , and many others went back , and walked no more with him , Iohn 6. These were goodly buildings and famous structures , and had many Tarrases and Balconies of devotion , which raised them high and eminent in the Eyes of all : they had a forme of godlinesse , 2. Tim. 3. 5. These Houses were glorious for forme , for appearance , but alas , how are they fallen ! how scattered ! they had no rock for foundation ; and how soone the Winde , the blasts of tentations , how soone the flouds , those waters of tribulation had washt them , and blowne and ruined them ! David and the rest of Gods Saints had their Houses surely built ; The waters , saies he , are come into my soule , and yet his House stood ; They went out from us , but they were not of us ; 1. John 2. 19. Here is the house fallen ; because they were not sure and fast in their foundation , therefore they failed and fell ; that is , they went out . Lord , they that are not built upon thee , how unstable is their edifice ! There is no safety , no security , no trust to any roome in their spirituall house ; their imaginations and high thoughts , which are the galleries and loftie stories of their building , are ever trembling with the height , and ready to fall : how soone doth the power of thy word prevaile , to the casting downe imaginations ! 2. Cor. 10. how soon are the rafters , and roomes , and buttresses , and every contignation cast downe ! for , except the Lord build the house , they labour in vaine that build it , Psal. 127. 1. The building that is so soone overthrowne , was never the Lords handy-worke , but the men themselves were the Masons and Carpenters of their own pieties and devotions . They built their high roomes of pious imaginations , their middle roomes of faith and charity , their low roomes of humility , so slender , that they could resist no raine , no floud , no winde ; therefore they fell , and great was the fall : great was the fall , for they built so high , their roofes and pinnacles so neare to Heaven — . But , Lord , be thou my Carpenter , ( thou wert called the Carpenters sonne ) and build mee my house , and give me timber and graces to joist and siele it : give me windows to my house too , for here we see darkly as through a glasse . 1. Cor. 13. be thou my rock too for foundation , that I may sing with the Psalmist , thou art the rock of my salvation , then I shall stand sure all windes and weathers ; sure against the stormes of all principalities , and powers , and spirituall wickednesse in high places , then I shall be thy House , whose house we are , Hebr. 3. 6. then I am built up a spirituall House , yee are built up a spirituall house , 1. Pet. 2. 5. and my foundation will hold me up , for , the foundation of God standeth sure , 2. Tim. 2. 19. and the Flouds shall not wash mee downe , though they be such Flouds as Davids , which came in unto his soule : no Winde shall blow me , though it be such a blast as blew downe the corners of Jobs house : no Raine shall ruine me , though it raine snares , fire , and brimstone , Psal. 11. 6. for my foundation will keepe mee sure ; for , if foundations should be destroyed , what could the righteous do ? Psal. 11. 3. yet , Lord , if any tile , or outward grace bee blowne from my House , or any of my wals bee dasht , my casements or doores be cast off the hinges ( for those are my doores and passages where my soule can come forth , and look abroad ; and this is all the ruine , all the failing which I shall suffer ) do thou , O Lord , repaire all my decayes and dilapidations ; so shalt thou make me to heare of joy and gladnesse , that the bones , or timber of my house , my stronger graces , which thou hast broken may rejoyce , Psal. 51. 8.

JESUS and JOHN . Math. 3. 13. Then commeth JESUS from Galilee to Jordan to JOHN , to be baptized of him .
Discovery .

I Discover thy remove and addresse , Then commeth JESUS from , &c. Thou leavest Galilee for Jordan ; thou takest ayre in Galilee , and water in Jordan ; thou changest the Element with thy place and businesse : no place is thy Sphere longer then the date of thy Commission for action : where new occasions call , thou makest thy departure , no longer pretence , no longer residence , still obeying the summons of a fresh employment : now thou art for the Sacrament ; thou might'st as easily have passed over this Baptisme as over Jordan ; but thy holy gests for salvation are in order and method : neither wilt thou come about into thy Church , but the next and nearest way , through this little current of Baptisme . Thou stepped'st into the water that we may follow thee : Thou washest to make cleane the water , we , that the water may cleanse us , and here thou employest John , Then commeth he to Jordan to John : this is thy honour to thy Minister , thou wilt not wash unlesse he hold the water , thou wilt not divide John and Jordan .

The Pinacle . Math. 4. 4. And the Divell taketh him up , and set him upon a Pinacle of the Temple .
Discovery .

I Discover , we can no sooner lay our Scene low , for humility , but the Divell hath a lift for us presently : he taketh him up ; Him , even Christ himselfe : now when he can take up him , his shall be sure of an advancement too , hee will bee ever putting us a Pinacle higher then our condition should bee : no place is priviledged , not the holiest , the Temple ; not the highest , the Pinacle , Hee set him upon a Pinacle : the pavement or Iles are the safest ; such as he suffers to be there , have lesse of his violence , and enjoy more quietly their low condition : the battlements and spires in the Church or places of eminencie , are ever dangerous , and when you are carried to such a height in the Church as a Pinacle , it is not amisse to looke downe or about you how you came there .

The Bride-chamber . Math. 9. 15. Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourne so long as the Bridegroome is with them ?
The Flame .

WHat mirth is here now the Bridegroome is with us ! Lord , who can bee sad when thou art present ; every part of my soule is musicall when thou art with me , every nerve , sinew , and string about mee is a Harpstring , a string of harmony , and rejoycing ; now I see in thy presence is fulnesse of ioy , and thou hast made me glad with the joy of thy countenance , Psal. 21. and now I am entered into the joy of my Lord , Math. 25. and shall not I be merry and cheerefull , when they earth , O Lord , and thy hills and lands , ( dull , and stupid , and inanimate clay ) break forth in rejoycings ? Therefore thy servant warbles to thee , Be joyfull in God all yee lands , Psal. 66. and talke of joy yee hills . Who can hold his fingers from his Timbrell or Cymball , when his Saviour is beside him ? he that hath delivered our soules from death , our eyes from teares , and our feete from falling , Psal. 116. 8. who can be sad , that hath his salvation , his reconciliation , his redemption , in the same roome with him ? who can mourne that hath him in presence , who will supply all his necessities ? My God shall supply all your necessities , Phil. 4. 19. who can mourne that hath him who takes care for him ? Cast your care upon him , for he careth for you , 1. Pet. 3. who can mourne that hath one to make peace for all his mutinies , his indispositions , his rebellions ? he hath made peace through the bloud of his Crosse , Col. 1. 20. one to intercede for all his offences ? wee have an Advocate Christ Jeses , and he is the propitiation for our sinnes , 1. John 1. 1 , 2. to give us every good gift ? for , to which of you , if hee aske a fish , will hee give a Scorpion ? or , if hee aske bread , will he give a stone ? who can mourne that hath him to provide a place for him in his glory ? for , in my Fathers house are many Mansions , and I go to prepare a place for you : Awake then Psaltery and Harpe , I my selfe will awake right early ; and let us bee glad and rejoice , for this is the day which the Lord hath made , even this Lord , this Bridegroome , who hath his Wine-seller , and Flaggons , and Grapes , and Gardens , and Perfumes , and Spices , all things for the advancement of mirth : I came into my Garden , I have gathered my Myrrhe , I have drunke my Wine , drinke yee , drinke abundantly , Cant. 5. O beloved : Here is no weeping , no teares , for God is here , and he shall wipe away all teares ; here is nothing but revellings and divine espousals , here is the Bride-chamber , here is the sweet celebration of the spirituall marriage , here are the holy embraces of Christ and the soule , the blessed recumbencies and reposings , the interchange of sacred courtship , Arise my faire one , and let mee kisse thee with the kisses of my mouth ; And , my love is white and ruddy , the fairest among ten thousand : here is no mourning , no lamenting , nothing but love-songs , and sweet epithalamiums , mutuall enjoyments & admirations of each other , Rejoce therefore in the Lord , oh yee righteous , & again , I say , Rejoyce . Phil. 4.

The Synagogue . Mat. 4. 23. And JESUS went about all Galilee , teaching and preaching in their Synagogues .
Discovery .

I Discover , that JESUS begins now to be more free of himselfe , He went about : before he was in the Desart , hee then went out ; now he went about , he went out and about , and thus inlarges himselfe to his time and businesse ; he begins in private at Bethlehem , he goes on in publike to Galilee ; he went , and went about , he was active and stirring in what he had to do : employment should ever quicken us ; motion suits businesse better than a chaire and cushion : hee went , and , about all Galilee ; Galilee , a place neglected and disdained of the Jewes : how the estimations of God and man differ ! how unequally their respects are directed ! about all Galilee , that no part may complaine of neglect ; and in Galilee hee teaches and preaches , hee keepes close to his businesse , teaching and preaching : Hee wastes not his houres in other diversions , in impertinencies , or vaine disports , but teaches and preaches ; and in their Synagogues , places appropriated and dedicated to that service .

Galilee . Math. 4. 25. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee .
Discovery .

HEre I discover the vertue and power of Christs preaching and miracles ; there followed him , even there where he had preached , there where he had healed and cured , and that from Galilee ; great multitudes from Galilee . When JESUS or his Word prevailes with us , wee shall soone leave our Galilees , our worldly places and circumstances ; wee shall leave Galilee , and go after JESUS ; that is neither Citie , nor Countrey , nor kindred , nor acquaintance , shall be able to keep us from following : we shall go as this multitude , for a multitude followed him ; and now we shall not go wrong if wee follow the multitude , so long as they follow thus , and follow him here in the Text , even JESUS ; yet it is something strange to see a multitude following him , for the way after JESUS is strait , and few there be that finde it , and his flock is little , feare not little flock , and yet a multitude are following ; but , as many followed him , so certainly they followed him many wayes , the track where JESUS had gone could not suffer many upon it , but some took other tracts , though all in pretence of following ; and what though a multitude ? many are called and few chosen .

The Physician . Math. 9. 12. The whole neede not a Physician , but they that are sick .
The Flame .

LOrd , I have a sick soule , a distempered soule , a languishing soule ; the spirits and faculties of it faint and droope for want of thy Influence , of thy grace , of thy sacred visits ; thou did'st hide thy face and I was troubled , Psal. 30. troubled till I laid downe with trouble , and watered my couch ; the trouble weighed upon my spirit , till I was weary and heavie laden : the spirit of a man may beare his infirmities , but a wounded Spirit who can beare ? who can beare it , and not lie downe under the burden ? Lord , I have a sick soul , sick unto death , for , while I live after the flesh I die , Rom. 8. 13. and now that I am in so deepe and desperate distemper of spirit , restore and renew me againe ; thou turnest man to destruction , and thou saiest , Come againe yee children of men : say thou unto my soule , Returne , and that voice will quicken me againe , and raise me to life , that I may say with the Apostle , as dying , and yet behold I live , 2. Cor. 6. 9. Lord , how many are my spirituall diseases ! Lay thy hand upon the pulse of my soule , the affections and passions which beat so violently for want of thee : as the Hart panteth after the water brookes , so panteth my heart after thee , O God , Psal. 42. looke , O Lord , upon the water of my Soule ; thou hast a Bottle , even a holy Urinall , put my teares into thy Viall , Psal. 56. looke upon the complexion of my Soule , how pale and wan ! having a forme or colour of godlinesse , but denying the power , 2. Tim. 3. Lord , I acknowledge I have a sick soul , and many are the diseases therof . I have now a spirituall vertigo or turning in my Soule , a giddinesse , which makes mee unstable in all my wayes ; a double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes , Jam. 1. 8. Anon I shall have a spirituall convulsion or a shrinking back of the sinewes of my Soule , of the vertues and graces of it , and then I am nothing so devout , so religious as I was ; Sometime I shall have a spirituall Fever , then I am all in a hot fit of piety , and then , Master , I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest ; and yet soone after I coole againe , and then , Lord , let me first go bid them farewell that are at my house ; Lord , to these diseases I have spirituall sores and ulcers too , sometime my sin ulcerates at the Intellectuall part , and then all my apprehensions and meditations are vaine and impious ; sometime at my Will , and then all my inclinations , and addresses , and motions are sinfull ; sometimes at my Memory , and then all my remembrances and recapitulations are of the vices , and follies , and lusts I have beene guilty of and cherish'd ; Lord , thou seest now my sick soule , give it a restlesnesse till it repose in thee , and rest , with thy blessed Apostle , in thy bosome ; Lord , now I am sick , make all my bed in my sicknesse , Psal. 41. 3. thou that dispersest thy saving health among all Nations , Psal. 67. thou that healest the broken-hearted , thou that sayest , I wound and heale , Deut. 32 , heale my wounds with thine , and binde up my broken and scattered parts , my thoughts and discomposed affections ; and I will praise thee , and say , Thou art the God of my health and my salvation , Psal. 28.

The Mountain . Math. 5. 1. And seeing the multitude , hee went up into a Mountain .
Discovery .

I Discover here Christs retiring from the multitude ; for seeing the multitude , he went up ; it is good not to be alwayes too publike and popular , nor too much for the multitude : Christ seeing them went ; his foresight of them was a visuall admonition for his retirement : it is safe taking warning at our eyes ; he that from his window can see a danger , will not stay there and shut the casements upon it , but seeke either to prevent or avoid the inconvenience ; An hastie proceeding or inadvertencie , may ingage you in a societie you would not : seeing , he went ; he escapes at the first discovery : it is an happinesse when your perspective can informe your feet , and when they keepe pace with the motions of your eye : hee is no wiseman that removes not when occasions are free and open ; tedious considerations may arrest you into such a delay , that you cannot acquit your selfe at your owne pleasure ; seeing , he went , and went up : it is well when your escape is with advantage , when you can stand above the prease of a danger , and the reach of it ; he went up , and into a Mountain : it is not fit to be alwayes upon the plains and flats with the multitude , but if we be risen with Christ , to seeke those things that are above .

The Sitting . Math. 5. 1. And when he was set , his Disciples came unto him .
Discovery .

I Discover , that Christ is not alwayes in motion ; he hath his comma's and periods in his journey , his Innes to call and refresh at , When he was set . This When , is the time he sat downe in , he reposed in ; and where should he sit but out of sight of the multitude , when hee went up from them ? it is not so convenient to take your repasts too openly : be publike in nothing but your office and employment : in that which 〈◊〉 your selfe do not summon too many eyes , nor in that which concernes many , too few : When he was set , this was the time and place of his residence ; hee was set , and where but on a Mountain ? he walkes not on the Mountain but sits ; the higher your place and preferment is , the lesse you should move , the more you should sit ; that is , the more firme and staid you should be : too much change and motion bring you into the guilt of uncertaintie , and that into the opinion of lightnesse : When he was set ; this sitting sets a lustre of gravitie and stately composure upon him ; and now is he fittest for Disciples , now that he sits : do not move too much when you are teaching and instructing , for that is to be carried to and fro with every winde of doctrine , especially when you are teaching upon a Mountain and height , when the point or position is high and steepe .

The Bottles . Math. 9. 7. Neither do men put new wine into old Bottles .
The Flame .

LOrd , I will bee any thing for thy sake , thou did'st so varie thy selfe , and become so many things for mine ; for my sake thou wert a Vine , a tree for every one to pull away and ravish thy Grapes , I am the Vine , John 15. thou wert a way , I am the way , John 14. a path for every one , every uncleane foot to walk and trample on ; thou wert a doore for every unquiet hand to knock at , and disturbe , and cast off the hinges , I am the doore , John 10. thou wert a Lamb , behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world : thou wert a Sheepheard , a man of a low and homely condition , I am the good Sheepheard . Lord , I am not able to trace thee through all thy forms , through every thing thou hast beene for me , and should not I be a Bottle for thy sake ? Thy servant Paul was a Vessell , even a chosen Vessell , Act. 9. Thy servant David was meaner then he , even a broken Vessell , I am become like a broken Vessell , Psal. 31. And indeed all of us are Vessels , some Vessels of honour , and some of dishonour , Rom. 9. Lord , then I will be thy Bottle , the Vessell for thy bloud , thy Wine ; preserve me , Lord , now , that I am thy Bottle from cracks , and flawes , and bruises , that the graces and vertues which thou dost poure into me , may not spill not runne forth , that I may not complaine with thy servant , thou hast made me an empty Vessell , Jerem. 51. Now , that I am thy Bottle , fill mee , O Lord , with solide vertues , that I bee not puft up with flatulent and vaine humours , and windy imaginations ; for they that are thus puft up , will soone burst , even they that are puft up with a fleshly minde , Wisd. 4. and they that are thus tympanied , and vainely full , thou wilt send them empty away , Luke 1. Lord , now that I am thy Bottle , keepe me ever open and cleare for receiving , that no worldly nor sensuall filth dawbe mee up and stop my passage , that thy word and graces may have a free infusion and accesse into my soule ; now , that I am thy Bottle , keep me cleane and handsome , that no dusty vice nor dregge and lees of sinne and corruption staine me , and render me vncleane , lest thy graces receive a taint or sowernesse ; Fill me , O Lord , thou that fillest all things living with plenteousnesse , till my Bottle , like Davids cup , overflow and run over , Psal. 23. so that I may powre back my selfe to thee againe , and make good the Psalmists advice by powring out before thee , Psal. 62. but , Lord , the liquor that thou powrest forth , is so heavenly & spirituall , and hath such a spirit within it that is alwayes working & aspiring out of my Bottle , my body , that my body is ready to break , and be dissolved ; I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ . Lord , it is not for a weake Bottle , an old and crazie one , such as mine is ( for we have this treasure in vessels of earth , and this earth , this clay , of which my Bottle is made , will faile , and moulder , and crumble into dust , ) to keepe-in the spirit of thy heavenly liquour , thy graces ; therefore what part of my Bottle is old and fraile , make it new ; thou that sitt'st upon the throne , and saist , Behold I make all things new , Revel. 21. give me a new heart , Ezech. 36. that I may be in Christ a new creature , 2. Cor. 5. and that my old things being passed away , all things may become new , 2. Cor. 5. 17.

The sad Countenance . Matth. 6. 16. When you fast , be not as the Hypocrites , of a sad countenance .
Discovery .

I Discover , there is a time for fasting , When yee fast : a Christian must have a Calendar to himselfe , and his Lent must be oftner then once a yeere : the weekes of his life must be interlined with Ember dayes ; When yee fast , the Shambles and Slaughter-house must bee shut up , and the kitchen doores and cupboards of provision lock'd ; this is to deny your appetite , not to cater for your stomack , that your steames of flesh and bloud may be lesse , and more subtile ; that the rayes of grace may shoot more cleerely into you , that your soule bee not too much befogged and benighted with the vapours and mists of your food : When yee fast . A fasting you must take for granted , it must not be alwaies Holiday and Easter with you , you must have your Goodfrydayes and Eves of mortification , for these are the Doores & Porches to mortification ; if you will be there , you must go in here , when you fast . To fast , is to use such a diet as will make you a leane man , and a fat Christian ; and as you grow so much lesse in bulke of humanity , you advance so much more in your stature of Divinitie ; yet in your fast take a caution with you , that it may not bee a fast and loose ; bee not of a sad countenance ; that is , let your face fast while your stomack banquets : fast not more to another then your selfe : it is a vaine delusion to be a Christian in the forehead onely ; 't is not the sack-cloth and ashes God lookes at , unlesse there be a holy sparke in the ashes , and a soule to the sack-cloth as well as a body ; a power of godlinesse as well as a forme .

The Stature . Matth. 6. 27. Which of you by taking thought can adde one cubit vnto his stature ?
Discovery .

I Discover here the inabilitie and weaknesse of man : this question Christ askes , Which of you ? puts all out of question ; even none of you : You Princes of the earth , which of you ? you Pharisees and Doctors , which of you ? Can adde ? of your selves , of your owne power , or ability , either by taking more to what you have , or by taking thought , or taking paines ? all your taking thus is but a mistaking , and all your additions and augmentations are but substractions , and diminutions , and depredations ; Thus , while we take thought for adding and increasing , our souls & statures of grace go back and decline , decline even with too much thoughtfulnesse of adding , for , as wee adde and accumulate with our owne hands , God fillips our height downe : the afflictions , and tribulations , and misfortunes he sends , pull downe our statures , and impaire our cubits ; for I finde a stature every where , some are lower in degree , some higher ; there are statures Ecclesiasticall , and statures Politicall and Civill ; there were in the Church Evangelists , Doctors , Apostles , Disciples , and among the Apostles , Peter and John , one cubite higher then the rest : In the State some are rich , some poore , some Princes , some Magistrates , some vassals , and all these labour in taking thought , ( which is the labour of the Soule ) and all to adde to and advance their stature , to attain to a cubite higher , to be greater , and richer , and wiser , and more honourable . These are the cubits , but if these cubits be of our owne adding , they prove vaine , nothing : The two sons of Zebedee were taking thought how to adde a cubit , Suffer us , say they , that one may sit on thy right hand , and another on thy left , in thy Kingdome ; but , which of them could adde ? you know not what yee aske , sayes Christ . The Disciples were taking thought for a cubit too , they were busie who should bee greatest , but Christ takes them down a cubit lower , Let him that is greatest among you , be as the least : thus we take thought for adding a cubit , but , in Christs question , Which of you can adde ?

The comming downe . Matth. 8. 1. When he came downe from the Mountaine , great multitudes followed him .
Discovery .

I Discover , Christ came downe as well as ascended : hee came downe ; downe from his Godhead into man-hood , downe from Heaven to Earth , downe from a blessed retinue of Angels to a naked , and bare , and poore attendance ; from a Lord to the forme of a servnt , from dominion to obedience , from exaltation to humiliation . He came downe from the Mountain ; he keeps not alwayes the same height , but remits and appeares lesse , and lets himselfe downe a peg lower , and now in his discent becomes more familiar , more accessible : he came downe , and now hee comes neere to the multitude , and the multitude came neere to him , the multitude followed him ; followed him , You see , though he came downe , yet hee came downe so as the multitude followed him : his humble and lowly behaviour hath such an awfull reverence , as puts them behinde , they followed him ; followed him in submssion and acknowledgement to his authority ; followed him , they durst not in any arrogance precede or go before him ; followed him , in a loyalty to his progresse , in applause of his way , for they followed him , in approbation of his steps ; they followed him , they durst not go haile fellow well met with him , upon equall tearms , either of congruitie or condignitie .

The strait gate . Matth. 7. 13. Enter yee in at the strait gate : for wide is the gate , and broad is the way , that leadeth to destruction , &c.
The Flame .

LOrd , here are two wayes , the one a way of declination , the other of exaltation ; the one a broad , a wide , a loose way , a way wherein a soule may be too free , too licentious , too too straying and excursive ; the other a narrow way , a strait way , a way to keepe in and hedge in a Christian passenger ; such a way as will make him gather up his passions , and gird up his affections , that they bee not excessive nor exorbitant , nor too breaking forth into any by-paths or secret tracts of impietie , nor into the broad and open way of wickednesse : Lord , how easie is it to go in this broad way ! what freedome , what liberty , what room for disport is here ! what associating & hearding is here ! what trooping every one will have a foot in this way : If I would set forward to any lust , or ambition , or covetousnesse , or any other worldly designe , this way will lead me to it , but ; Lord . I wil think on my wayes and turne , Psal. 119. 59. and , I will take heede to my wayes , for here is not onely a wide way to scatter and unloose my selfe in , but a steepe way , and descending way ; and if I once slide down this precipice , the returne is painfull , and the recoverie desperate : but I will go stand in the wayes , and see , &c. Ierem. 6. 16. and though the way be smooth , and plaine , and easie , and pleasant ; the way of the world , though it be strowne with flowers and roses , and spread with carpets of plush , for the pleasure and ease of my feet , yet I will instruct them back unto thy strait way . O Lord , though thy way be gravell'd , and causied , and uneven , yet I will go in thy paths , for they lead to a new and living ▪ way , Hebr. 10. 20. though they bee strait , that is , strict , and severe , and pinching , and binde my behaviours to thee , yet I will on ; though they be toilesome in their ascent , so that I slip back and fall , and decline in my advancements forward , yet I will not go from thy wayes , for the Lord is my helper , ( Hebr. 13. 7 ) and he will give grace to helpe in time of need , ( Heb. 4. 16. ) therefore into this strait gate will I enter , Bee open yee everlasting gates , that an heire of glory may come in : I will enter , though I reach but into the Portal , for I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of my God , then dwell in the Tents of ungodlinesse ; Psal. 84. 10. therefore , O Lord , if any darknesse or clouds of ignorance or impiety would cast their shadow upon me in thy wayes , to muffle or benight me , direct my paths , Prov. 3. 6. for thou art the God of light , and in thee is no darknesse , 1. Iohn . 1. 5.

The great Faith . Matth. 8. 10. When JESUS heard it , he marvelled , and said unto them that followed him , Verily I say unto you , I have not found so great faith , no not in Israel .
Discovery .

I Discover , how punctuall and eminent JESUS is in his laudatives and applauses , hee marvelled ; hee that had all the graces in more excellent measure and manner , yet marvelled at the grace of the Centurion : neither was this admiration of his , this marvelling of his to himselfe , in his owne bosome , under his owne roofe , but to others ; he marvelled and said : the more deserts and parts are taken notice on , and published , the more they are encouraged and raised . Commendation blowes a spirit into the artery of desert , the marvellings & sayings are the gratious aires which fan them , and make them shed brighter and clearer ; yet what he said was not to the party he commended , but to those that followed ; he would not speak too much in the face of desert ; he knew the modesty of vertue and grace , how soone it would decline , and disacknowledge , and summon the bloud into the face to bespeak his silence ; therefore he said , not to the Centurion , but to them that followed him , Verily I say unto you .

PETERS house , Matth. 8. 14 , 15. Now when JESUS was come into PETERS house , hee saw his wives mother laid , and sick of a Feaver . And he touched her hand , &c.
Discovery .

I Discover , Christ stayes not in ceremonies , and complements , but lookes how his businesse and necessitie cals , and there he applies ; hee came into Peters house , and there he takes no time with Peter , but his mother , who lay sick of a Fever ; he diverts not to curiosities or impertinencies , to view his house or roomes , though perhaps but homely neither ; or to examine the building or furniture , but straight to his wives mother who lay sick ; her infirmity made suit for sanation , and hee comes to her without any more interjections and pauses ; we should not bee too lingring in exigencies and dispatches . And because his comming without healing had beene but a complement , a promise from his demeanour and no redresse , he therefore touched her hand ; her hand , the onely part she layes hold with , her onely part shee applyes with , her part shee labours with , the onely Organ of practice and employment about her ; and this having a touch and vertue from JESUS , must needs bee holier in the actions after ; hee touched her hand . JESUS gives us but a touch on our hands here below , hereafter hee will take us by the hand , and lead us in the way everlasting , Psal. 139. 24.

The Mote . Matth. 6. 3. How wilt thou say to thy brother , Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye , and behold , a beame is in thine owne ?
The Flame .

O God , how curious are we in the infirmities of others ! how officious ! how industrious with our eyes to discerne , with our hands to touch , with our tongues to publish ; O that we should be such intelligencers to others , and such strangers at home ! so busie abroad , and sedentarie at home ! that wee should light our Tapers for others faults and infirmities , and put them out for our owne ! such curious Forreigners , and such incurious Domesticks ! with what partiall eyes do we looke on our selves , so willing to over-look what is amisse ! what mercifull Courts and Consistories do we keepe for our owne offences , and what severe censures and examinations for others ! how deceitfull are our glasses ! The blemishes and spots which are in our selves shed a shadow upon our neighbours , and makes us beleeve they are in them ; how many are the blots and moles in our bodies , and yet how pure and cleare are all our owne representations ! and thus we seeme to be religious , and deceive our owne hearts , and our religion is in vaine , Iam. 1. 26. Oh , my God , how ancient is this errour ! how common ! every religion , and heresie , and schisme , and professor hath a finger for the eye of his neighbour ; for every way of man is right in his owne eyes , Prov. 21. 2. and there is a generation that are pure in their owne eyes , Prov. 30. 12. this generation is our generation , and of this generation one passeth and another commeth . How direct ! how forward are our eye beames ! how single ! how intent ! how percussive which shoote and beate full upon the eyes of others ! never comming back , nor doubling , nor reflecting upon our owne weaknesses and offences ; how diffusive , and shedding , and spreading is this little light in our bodies ! how freely disbursed upon other objects , and how darke at home ! how dull to its owne Organ ! and , if the light that is in me be darknesse , how great is that darknesse ! Math. 6. 22. how inquisitive , how finely sighted are wee , even to a mote or atome in another ! Lord , cleare up my sight with some eyebright water of contrition , that I may see my owne beames , my owne motes , and turne back my eyes upon my owne offences , Turne thou them , O Lord , and they shall be turned , Ier. 31. 18.

The Scribe . Matth. 8. 19 , 20. And a certaine Scribe came and said , Master , I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest . And JESUS said unto him , The Foxes have holes , &c.
Discovery .

I Discover , Christ declines these hastie resolutions , Master , I will follow thee , and abates the pace of them with a deniall ; JESUS said unto him , The foxes have holes ; they that give themselves over so unadvisedly to an adherence , are not to bee entertained at the same rate they run into your service : they that will follow as this Scribe , wheresoever you go , are too Catholike and generall reteiners , and follow the person more then the parts : Wheresoever thou goest ; a thou shalt be followed more then that , thou that teachest more then that which thou teachest ; wheresoever betrayes too unbounded and regardlesse an humour ; and , like rash young maids , they betroth their opinions at the first courtship : they are better in their resolutions that follow where , and not wheresoever ; that follow where they have warrant and authority for their motion , and that follow howsoever , not wheresoever ; howsoever the world go with them , though Affliction or Tribulation meete them in the way , yet they will follow howsoever ; but these that will follow wheresoever , are not to be quire cashier'd , but moderately brought on , by holding their reine so much faster as they would break the more hotly after you : JESUS said not unto him , Thou shalt not follow , but hee said unto him , The Faxes have holes , declining his hast and propension after him .

The turne . Matth. 19. 22. JESUS turned him about , and when hee saw her , hee said , Daughter , be of good comfort .
Discovery

I Discover here how JESUS animares and cherishes a timorous spirit ; the woman turnes behinde him , and hee turnes about , and presents her the face and presence shee avoyded , and hee calls her on with his lips , as he cast her off with his countenance ; thus one part of Christ becomes a spokesman for another , and are by course Advocates and Mediatours to each other ; for , he turned about and saw her , and said , Daughter ; had he turned and not said , it had been worse with her , for , a silent aspect had disabled her more ; had he onely turned and seene her , and not said , an expectation of his dislike or approbation , or some such two-fac'd passion had perplexed her ; but he saw , and said , he opened his mouth and behaviour at once , and they both speake , and speake her fairly , Daughter : JESUS had a caracter of power in his visage , and she turned from it ▪ therefore hee turned to her : see the mercie of GOD that vyes turne ▪ for turne with us , turnes after us when we turne from him ; and a turne of him thus is able to wheele us about , and then a gracious reply too will make us turne further and stay more firmely in our aspects toward him ; be of good comfort ; this he said , and to one that was turned away too ; I see then , where he findes his presence hath a due influence , he will rather abate then advance , and raise then deject , and will not triumph in his Soveraigntie and Empire over the spirits of a weaker .

On the just , and on the unjust . Matth. 5. 45. He maketh his Sunne to rise upon the just and on the unjust .
The Flame .

LOrd , how gratious art thou to shine upon that soule that shootes thee no glance , no ray ! to make a Sun to enlighten her who sits thus in darknesse and in the shadow of death ! how dull and stupid is every part and Organ about mee ! how fixt and unmoveable , even as the earth it lookes upon ! no aversation , no turning back from earth , no erection , no lifting up from this part of the world , no soaring above , no advancement of eyes , of heart , to the heaven from whence this light shootes and irradiates , which enriches and adornes all this Globe . Lord , how worthily mightest thou withdraw this Sunne from us , that withdraw thus from thee ! A cloud , a shadow , a visage of night , a retinue of blacknesse and darknesse , were fitter and more sutable to us , then thy Sunne , and this light , seeing our soules are so unthankfull , so regardlesse , so supine . How justly , O Lord , maist ▪ thou complaine , I have called , but yee refused , I have stretched out my hands , and no man regarded , Prov. 1. 24. thou callest us in every ray which beates upon us , thou stretchest out thy hand in every beame which sparkles from thy heaven , for the heavens are the worke of thy hands , Hebr. 1. 20. but why art thou so mercifull to let thy creature look upon that creature which will not looke upon thee , nor acknowledge thee ? but this is thy mercie , and , the earth is full of this mercie ; even this earth of ours which beares thy owne Image and impression : O Lord , in this Sunne thou lightest me up so much knowledge , as to see that thy common blessings are no cognizance , no distinction , no priviledge , but are shared equally with the evill and the good , the just and unjust : I see by this light thou art liberall in thy temporall disbursments and worldly expences there , where thou meanest to be frugall in thy eternall ; and dost dispense with brightnesse thy meaner favours , when thou intendest a darknesse in thy after rewards .

JESUS and the Publicans . Matth. 9. 10. And as JESUS sate at meat , behold , many Publicans and sinners came and sate downe with him .
Discovery .

I Discover a double respect , one on the Disciples part , another on JESUS part ; on the Disciple's part to entertain him , and with a meale ; that his dish as well as his roofe should receive him , that his very table and meat should taste the better for him : and on JESUS part , he sate at meat ; as JESUS sate at meat : hee came and sate downe at the meale provided him ; he will accept from a Disciple verie homely fare , any thing from a Disciple will take with him ; neither does hee nicely or proudly refuse the board that was spread for him , nor in a stately affectation disappoint the fare provided him : and now he sate , as though hee would compose himselfe to a posture should do the table of his Disciple some honour ; some respects are to be done to your adherents and retinue , especially at a time of publike notice ; for then to make use of their roofe or table , then a comming in , or sitting at meat is an honour as well in the eye of others as their owne : here was a confluence where he sate ; now behold many Publicans , &c. Publicans and sinners came and sate downe , men debauched and notorious ; yet they came and sate downe , neither did Christ forbid them the board , nor their host the Disciple ; here is no rising on JESUS part when the Publicans sit downe : And as JESUS sate at meat , behold many Publicans came and sate down ; these common exchanges and enterludes should passe without distaste and offence : their stomacks are too squeasie in religion which heave and are provoked upon every civill intercourse with the men of the world ; a Publican makes not the meat worse , so JESUS be at the table : they sate down all , yet wee heare no reproaches nor exprobrations from JESUS cast into their sawce , we heare no table rebukes , though the name of Publican gave occasion enough , they sate and ate together ; it is unseasonable when your sawce is too sowre for your meat , when your behaviours are too tart for your guests .

The Minstrels . Matth. 9. 23 , 24. And when JESUS came into the Rulers house , and saw the Minstrels , and the people making a noise , He said unto them , Giue place , &c.
Discovery .

I Discover here , Jesus his even and impartiall demeanour ; he came into the Rulers house , neither transported with the Ruler nor his house , nor awed with the authority or state of either ; neither of these can silence him in a just occasion , nor can the Minstrels or company play or tune Jesus into any consort or consent to their doings , nor any allowance of their Revels : hee said , Give place ; he makes not a noise to out-sound the Minstrels , nor will have his tune of reformation lowder then the offendours ; his checks and rebukes makes softer and stiller musick ; and if the house bee a Rulers , his ayres shall not sound of violence , Go out , but Give place , an increpation as full of mildnesse as syllables : Give place ; indeed every Minstrell and worldly strain should give place to JESUS ; carnall musick must leave the roome to spirituall : Give place , one place cannot be for JESUS and the Minstrell ; and most commonly where JESUS is , the musick is put out of doores ; Yee now therefore have sorrow , but I will see you againe , and your hearts shall rejoyce , and your joy shall no man take from you . Joh. 16. 22.

Labourers few . Matth. 9. 37. The Harvest is plenteous , but the Labourers are few .
The Flame .

LOrd , thou hast an Harvest I see ; indeed , I heare of the seede , the pretious seede thou hast sowne in the world , and some of it fell by the way side , and some upon stonie places , and some among thorns , Mat. 13. 4 , 5. I hear of thy seed time , a wet & watry seed time ; but , they that sow in teares shall reap in joy , and he that goeth on his way weeping , bearing forth pretious seed , shal doubtlesse come again with joy , and bring his sheaves with him : thy seede , O Lord , must be moistned and steep'd in showres of penitence and contrition , Blessed are they that mourne , Matth. 5. I heare of thy Plough too , and , hee that putteth his hand to this Plough , and looketh back , is not fit for this Kingdome ; and , Hee that plougheth should plough in hope : I heare of thy sowing too , we have sowne unto you spirituall things , 1. Cor. 9. 11. I heare of thy ground too , thy severall tempers of earth , the stonie ground that would receive no seede , the thornie ground that choaked the seede it received , the high ground that lay open to all dangers and pillage , and of thy good ground that heareth thy word and understandeth it , and beareth forth good fruit , some an hundred fold , some thirtie , some sixtie , Matth. 13. I heare of thy dung and manure too , till I shall digge about it and dung it , Matth. 10. 3. I heare of the rares and poples too , the heresies and schismes which grow up with thy holy stalkes and eares of corne ; for , the enemie came and sowed tares among the wheat : I heare of thy reapers too , the reapers are the Angels , Matth. 13. 39. and of thy fickles , the reaping engins , thrust in thy sickle and reap , Rev. 14. and of thy sheaves too , gather the tares , and binde them in bundles , Matth. 13. 30. and of thy barnes , gather the wheat into my barne , Matth. 13. of thy gleanings too , he that gathereth not with mee , scattereth : thus is thy Harvest ripened and accommodated ; but this Harvest of thine is great , and the Autumne in thy Calendar long , Lord , how long ! Those that petition thee to fall on worke with thy Harvest , and to crowne thy last day with autumnall joyes and triumphs , say , Thy Harvest is great ; for there are none of us but wee belong to thy Harvest , we are either corne or tares , we either cumber or advantage the ground we are in : thy labourers are few , few that labour ; some have too many fields to looke at , too many acres for their Plough , that while they labour in one field , their other degenerates into weedes and tares ; some have but a small pittance , over which the holy Ghost hath made them Overseers , and yet they bestirre themselves little , and are very late and backward in their husbandry : the labourers are few ; how many , O Lord , maist thou finde in the market place with those thou rebuked'st , Why stand yee here idle ? the labourers are few still : where are the watchings , fastings , and travellings , and toylings , and warnings , and repetitions , and continuations of paines ? in labours often , in watchings , in fastings , never ceasing to warne every one night and day with teares , 2. Cor. 6. this was the toyle and travell of some of thy labourers : And , Lord , Disciples , and other holy Saints , and Adherents , and Fathers , and Martyrs , and Professours , were labourers ; yet there are but few , considering the extent and latitude of the fields of thy Church and the world ; Lord , thou hast given mee a field , even a goodly heritage , give me a spirit toilsome and active , finewes and members indefatigable , that I may labour with my owne hands , and drive the Plough my selfe , and sow the seede , and then happie shall I be ; for so is hee whom his Lord , when he commeth , shall finde so doing .

Beleeve yee ? Matth. 9. 28 , 29. And JESUS saith unto them , Beleeve yee that I am able to do this ? and they say , Yea Lord . Then hee touched their eyes .
Discovery .

Beleeve yee ?

I Discover , that JESUS will not meete the heat of their importunity with the heat of a favour , ( this were to enflame them into a fevour of solliciting citing and obtaining ) but hee retards and puts their expectations about with enquiries , and conditions , and delayes ; and with these hee ripens his grant and favours , and raises their rate and market , when a hastie bestowing spoyles the estimate of the favour , and lessens the authority of him that bestowes it . JESUS saith unto them , Beleeve yee ? This interrogatorie takes up a time , first they must have time to beleeve , and to know they beleeve , ere they can informe another ; and then the grant is conditionated with their beliefe , so that their hopes are yet but to a halfe part ; Beleeve ye ? if JESUS may bee sure of their beliefe , they may bee sure of a favour ; it is safe bestowing thus , a preamble of information does well , to bestow one grace upon the knowledge of another ; they said , Yea Lord ; then he touched their eyes .

JESUS went about . Matth. 9. 34 , 35. But the Pharisees said , He casteth out Divels through the Prince of Divels . But JESUS went about all their Cities and Villages .
Discovery .

I Discover here , that Christ suffers not himselfe to bee over-borne with a calumnie ; he lets it not have all the talke and sits still , no , the Pharisees said , and JESUS went about ; JESUS retires not for their saying , but went about ; their censure shuts not the doore on him , but hee walkes abroad ; and the more publike the calumnie walkes , the lesse private walkes he : The Pharises said , he casteth out Divels through the Prince of Divels : But JESUS went about : If the calumnie sunne it selfe , so will hee ; if it take up its Inne at every house , hee forbeares neither Citie nor Village ; for , he went about all their Cities and Villages ; innocencie will out-face an infamie , and dare it abroad , and challenge it even on its owne borders .

The Grape-gathering . Matth. 7. 16. Do men gather Grapes of Thorns ? or Figges of Thistles ?
The Flame .

LOrd , as my root and sap is , so will my fruit be ; if that be noble , my fruit cannot bee degenerous : thou art the Vine , the wounded Vine , the bleeding Vine , the Vine which wrapt about the tree of thy crosse , the Vine of whose sacred liquor , we all drinke , the Vine which drops , Sacramentally , into all our cups ; if I bee graffed in thee , in thy stock , I know my Grapes will bee good , my fruit will be excellent ; then I shall bud and blossome , and grow ripe in graces ; then I shall flourish in thy vineyard ; then I shall not bee affraid when thou and thy spouse aire your selves abroad , when you goe up early to the vineyards , and see if the vines flourish , and if the tender grapes appeare , Cant. 7. 12. then I will not feare when thou dost cast downe the hedges or wals of thy vineyards , for thou wilt fence me , and gather the rubbish from me , and make a wine-presse beside mee ; then I shall not bee affraid when thou commest for thy fruit , for I shall be better then the vine in thy Prophet ; thou lookedst that it should bring forth grapes , and behold it brought forth wilde grapes , Isa. 5. 4. How was thy holy expectation ( bee it spoken in a holy sense ) deluded with this Vine , as once with a Figge-tree here below ! thou camest for fruit , but found'st nothing but leaves and greene promises : Lord , therefore , now that I am in thy vineyard , dig about mee , and rend up my ground with the good engines of afflictions , and prune mee , and take away such outward circumstances as hinder my flourishing ; doe any thing to mee , O Lord , that I may bring forth fruit , that I may not deceive the lookers on , the gatherers of my fruit ; else I shall bee fit onely for the axe and fire : for , every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen downe and cast into the fire , Matth. 3. 10. else I shall become a thorne or brier ; a thorne againe to my Saviours temples , I shall wound him againe , and crucifie him again ; for such crucifie to themselves againe the Son of God , and make a mocke of him . Heb. 6. 6. I shall become a thistle , ful of prickles , by which I shall create anger and griefe to thy holy Spirit , that comes to rest in my leaves , grieving the holy Spirit of God , whereby I am sealed unto the day of redemption , Ephes. 4. 30.

He gave power . Matth. 10. 1. And when hee had called unto him his twelve Disciples , hee gave them power .
Discovery .

I Discover , JESUS conferr'd not his power till hee had called them unto him ; Hee called them first ere they came ; they step not to him rashly for their office , but stay a call , a summons : it is good to have a ●all first for comming to JESUS , as well as for going from him : Hee called his Disciples ; yet , it may be , they might advance so farre forward , as to give his eye notice they waited : Such deportments are but wise alarms to awake the disposition of another towards us , and in such advancements wee but make signes for remembrancers : but now he called them unto him ; he will see them nigh him , that he may see them better . He called them , and that unto himselfe : in weighty deputations hee trusts only to his own examinations and judgement : While they were from him , he gave no such power ; hee knew not their fitnesse , their power to receive , and therefore hee gave no power till he called them unto him . It is good to have those neere you , upon whom you derive any place or authority ; and to be so speedy in your election ( though not hasty ) that you may overtake their sollicite : first call them , and then call them neer you ; He called them unto him , and gave them power .

To teach and preach . Matth. 11. 1. When JESUS had made an end of commanding his twelve Disciples , hee departed thence to teach and to preach in their Synagogues .
Discovery .

I Discover , JESUS here made an end of commanding , but not of teaching ; When hee had made an end of commanding , hee departed to teach , &c. and thus he even now obeyes himselfe , and puts a hand to the doing of his owne commands : he shews hee is lesse imperious then instructive ; Hee made an end of commanding ; his authority hath clauses , and inter-stices , and periods ; his teaching and preaching none : Hee made an end of commanding ; but , Hee departed to teach and preach ; and hee sends his Disciples out , but sits not still himselfe ; he imployes not these holy Curates , to bee idle himselfe ; he layes not the holy burden so upon them , that hee leaves his owne shoulders bare ; hee knowes hee cannot officiate so close by a proxie , as to appropriate their paines to himselfe : Having done his commanding , hee departed ; not from his office , but nearer it , to teach and preach : neither departed he from his commanding , for his commands were to teach and preach : This is the holy method and order ; the Disciple must teach before his Master ; JESUS did not much til his Disciples were dispatch'd before him ; the Disciple must bee there first , to cause all to bee made ready for JESUS , to see the soules or houses bee swept and garnished for him ; the Disciples must come first , they must ring the Bell ere JESUS come to Church , they must reade Service ere hee begin Sermon : you shall seldome have JESUS till you have had his Disciple ; hee will still have some preparations and preambles to his arrivall .

The Light . Matth. 5. 14. Yee are the light of the world .
The Flame .

O GOD , the whole world is in darknesse , thy Sunne which thou createdst to rule the day , weares even a Cipresse of dulnesse and mortality about it ; all these lower lights are but faint and weake , and in eclipse to the light of thy Word ; Thy Word is a lamp unto my feete , and a light unto my pathes . Thy lower light of Creation shewes me onely the broad pathes of the world , and den waies of man , neither can I walke directly in their trod to thee ; I can only darkly understand by the things that are made , even thy eternall power and God-head : But thou hast said , My wayes are not your wayes : Lord , let thy word light mee into thy wayes , those wayes which lay unrevealed , undiscovered , untract , even a new and living way . Lead mee , O Lord , into the way which thy Sonne Christ Jesus led , who called upon all to follow him ; Follow mee , I am the way : and whose Apostle called too , Be ye followers of me , as I am of Christ : This way I see by the lights ( which thou hast given us to carry the holy Torch and Taper of thy Word ) thy Apostles , and Disciples , and Ministers : Now I am in the way , I see ; for I discerne here the prints , and seales , and impression of my Saviours feet ; hee hath gone before , and purpled this way , and sported this way with drops of his blessed wounds ; this way thou hast gone , and this way thy Saints and Martyrs have gone too ; I see it all so crimsoned with sufferings , and so scattered with worldly accommodations , which thy servants have left behind them in following thee ; some have left houses , and kindred , and friends , and all for following thee : and this , I am sure , is the way ; these that are the lights of the world have shewed me all ; and now I am right if I hold on , and decline not these lights : scatter such rayes as may keepe mee from by-pathes and errors , and heresies , and schismes ; this way then will I take , and I will take heede to my wayes . And now , O Lord , that I enioy these lights , they seem to me sparkles and beams from thee who dwellest in a light which none can approach unto ; they seeme pawnes of that eternall and glorious light wherewith I shall bee tissued and embossed at my reigning with thee ; and now I enioy these lights , neither is thy wisdome , nor knowledge unsearchable , nor thy waies past finding out : Keep mee , O Lord , that I lose nor these lights , and be carried aside with foolish and false lights , and vain meteors : How I doe comfort my selfe by these lights ! how I doe sunne and warme my selfe by these lights and radiations ! Yee are the lights , such lights as disperse influence and vertuous brightnesse upon my soule ; yee are the lights , oh shoote out your beames then , and shine as you were made to enlighten ; yee are the lights , to shine about , not to heate , and enflame , and set all on fire in the Church , to kindle all into combustion : no , gentle warmths , and masculine heates , which lighten only to regenerate , and refine , and purge , and cleare up all mists and clouds which would muffle and benight us .

JOHN in prison . Matth. 11. 2 , 4. Now when John had heard in the prison the workes of Christ , he sent two of his Disciples : Jesus answered and said unto them , Goe and shew John again these things , &c.
Discovery ,

I Discover here , that the very prison shall ring of the fame of Christ ; no place so close and obscure where Christ cannot shoot himselfe in : When John had heard in the prison ; no confinement , or walls , or barres can keepe out Christ , and his Gospel and comforts : JOHN heard of him in prison ; every prison will open as freely to Christ as John's ; though the doores be shut , it matters not , Christ , wee know , came among his own when the doores were shut , and spake peace . But now , John sends his Disciples to Christ : wee can never bee so close , and imprisoned , but wee may dispatch a Disciple to Christ , a good thought or meditation : but John sent two ; it is not good sending single to Christ ; as many thoughts and prayers , as many such Disciples as we can , and as will , goe together : John sent here his Disciples to him ; John would have them so much his , that they may be Christs too ; John would teach them to adhere to Christ , for Christ is alwayes at liberty to doe them good ; when John , when a Disciple or Apostle may be shut up , Christ cannot ; hee hath that about him , and within him , which sheds it selfe through every place , and makes all closets and prisons , high-wayes , and streets open passages . And now that Christ heares John is imprisoned , and expects his answer , hee sayes , Goe and shew John againe these things : yet John needed to have sent no Disciples to Christ to informe him ; Christ knew both John , and his imprisonment , and was able to supply him without notice ; however , Christ admits of it , and approves it too . Though wee know Christs omniscience and omnipresence , that he knowes all , and sees all , yet it is good to overtake and prevent his sending , to bee at him first ; Christ may know , and yet take no notice , till wee give it him first , till we begin to him ; and now that John hath sent , Goe and shew John , sayes hee , these things : hee quickly dispatches them , Goe and shew ; though Christ be at libertie , and John in prison , yet he gives John resolution betimes : wee should never bee arrogant in the priviledges or liberties we enioy above others . John sends his ▪ Disciples to him , to know whether hee were the Christ ; and most think John knew him before ; yet he sends his Disciples , it seemes , for their information : It is a pretty secret of instructing , to steale knowledge and information upon others in our owne names .

Greater and least . Matth. 11. 11. There hath not risen a greater then John the Baptist : notwithstanding , hee that is least in the Kingdome of heaven , is greater then he .
Discovery .

I Discover here , JESUS complyes not with the time and circumstance ; though John suffer from Herod , hee shall not suffer from Jesus ; he will honour his imprisonment , and wreath a garland of due praise about his fetters : There hath not risen a greater then John ; John is greater in Jesus opinion , though lesser in Herods : The lessening of desert by common reputation , should never bribe our voice from a just applause ; yet , though Jesus applaud him for greater , hee addeth then he ; hee that is least in the Kingdome of heaven : Christ loves so to magnifie his , that they may not be much worse for it ; and to stile them great so , as they shall not bee much greater in their owne opinion : Hee that is least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater ; if earth will not lessen John , heaven shall ; Christ will none of his lights here below to shine without a shadow ; Christs landatives are never so full and affirmative , but they are interlined with something that is negative : There hath not risen a greater , and yet , he that is least is greater : How Christ at once commends and detracts ! in deed , too much applauding and praising is neither safe for you nor the party ; I have said , Ye are gods , what an advancement is here from Gods own mouth ! I have said , yet the same mouth shuts up with this , Yee shall die like men : it is good applauding so , that you may still take downe a greater with a greater then hee ; There hath not risen a greater , yet , hee that is least is greater then hee .

The right eye and right hand . Matth. 5. 29 , 30. If thy right eye offend thee , pluck it out , and cast it from thee : And if thy right hand offend thee , cut it off , and cast it from thee .
The Flame .

O Lord , it is thy holy advice not to feare them that can kill the body : Why should I feare the mortification of any part thereof , as mine eye or my hand ? the evulsion or abscission of either ? why should I feare to bee thus my owne holy executioner ? I know , O God , thy principle is true , Never man yet hated his owne flesh , but nourisheth and cherisheth it ; yet this flesh that I thus dismember and disavow , is none of my flesh ; these members were made the members of unrighteousnesse , these parts were alienated and divorced from me , I had put them away for their spirituall adultery , and fornication , and rebellion ; there was a law in these members which warred against the law of my minde : and by this cutting off these parts , I have escaped , and am redeemed from this law , from the condemnation of this law . This eye , O God , was that casement which was alwaies open to iniquity , and inviting every tentation in ; and thus was I forced to shut up this window , and cast down this casement , and make a covenant , that they should not looke : this eye would never stay at home , but wander and bee impounded abroad , every vaine object took it away : this eye was never satisfied with seeing ; this eye was one of those that were adulterate , eyes full of adulterie , this eye was one of those which had lust in it , the lust of the eyes : this eye was one of those that had a covenant made with it , I made a covenant with mine eyes ; but alas , no covenant , nor any such sacred barre could keep it shut , but it would out , like Dinah , and gaze and parley so long with every toy and vanity , till it returned ravished and deflowred : this was that eye that had no feare of God before it , there was no feare of God before his eyes ; and therefore I have parted with this eye , because it parted my God and mee ; I have turned this eye out of service , and I will have no more of this eye-service ; I have cast this eye upon earth , because it would never look towards heaven ; I have pull'd it out , because it pull'd my soule from the fast hold and recumbency I had on my God and Saviour ; I have slaine the beames of it , for they were ever shooting back , and wounding my soule ; I have broke the glasse and chrystall of it , for it would shew mee nothing but vaine shadowes and formes : And my hand , O Lord , is as guilty too , therefore I have cut it off too , for this eye lighted it into wicked actions and attempts ; now may the eye say to the hand , I have no need of thee . O Lord , I will not keep this hand ; Thou wilt have us have pure hands , lifting up pure hands , 1 Tim. 2. 8. thou wilt have us to wash our hands , I will therefore wash my hands , saies David , in innocencie , Psal. 26. 6. thou wilt have us to cleanse our hands , Cleanse your hands , yee sinners , James 4. This hand , O God , I could never keep pure ; I have washed it , but it defiled it selfe again ; I cleansed it , but it polluted it selfe againe : therefore , O thou , whose hands have made me , & fashioned me , left the reward of my hands should be given me , I have given it away . Thou chargest mee in thy word not to shut my hand upon the poore , and this hand would never open , never be free and loose to any such holy expansion ; thou layd'st a charge on mee not to with-hold good when it lies in the power of my hand to doe it , and this hand would never part from the good , nor dispense the good which was in the power of it ; therefore I have cut off this hand , lest it should divide betwixt me and my Saviour , me and my heaven , me and my glory ; and I have only one hand , and one eye left unextinguish'd , un-cut off ; and with this one eye I looke up to thee , looke downe upon mee againe , for the eye of the Lord is upon them that feare him : and with one hand I endeavour to thee , and reach to thee ; let thy hand take hold of it , Father , into thy hands I commend it ; pull mee up unto thee by this hand , and let thine eyes , which runne to and fro in the earth , enlighten this eye of mine , and create more beames and rayes in mine : and for this eye and hand that is cut off and cast from me , Though they bee sowne in corruption , they shall rise in incorruption ; though sown in dishonour , they shall rise in glory ; for , though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day , 2 Cor. 4. 16.

DAVID an hungry . Matth. 12. 2 , 3. But when the Pharisees saw it , they said unto him , Thy Disciples doe that which is not lawfull . But he said unto them , Have yee not read what David did when he was an hungry ?
Discovery .

I Discover , Christ is readie to untie his owne knots , and to open his owne locks , and to pull up those pales and fences at one time , which he set down at another ; but it is alwaies for such as are necessitated to such a way , and fall by an unavoydable chance upon such a passage : Thy Disciples doe that which is not lawfull . But hee said , Have yee not read what David did when hee was an hungry ? though it were not lawfull for David to eate holy bread , yet David , when hee was an hungrie , had leave and assent : The Sabbath was once to be punctually kept , and the grinding an eare in your hands was as much as the grinding of your selfe came to , as much as a stoning came to ; yet now his Disciples plucke the eares of corne and rub them , and no fault , but they were an hungry ; their necessity put their hand to the corne , and they pluck off no guilt , nor reap any penalty with the ear : if their hands transgress'd now , Christs hands shall seale them a pardon ; hee that made the law , and the guilt , can easily lay his charge upon both , to winke at you , and with his warrant , a Disciple may straine curtesie with a Sabbath , and David with the shew-bread .

JESUS knew , and withdrew . Matth. 12. 14 , 15. Then the Pharisees went out , and held a councell against him . But when Jesus knew it , he withdrew himselfe .
Discovery .

I Discover , how Jesus withdrew himselfe from the conspiracie of his enemies ; the Pharisees went out , and he retires in ; they withdraw to a consultation against him , and he withdrawes from the danger of it ; they hold a Councell against him , and he holds a Councell for himselfe , and advises with his breast for escape ; it is happie when our advices keep time with our enemies : But when Jesus knew ; hee doth not long deliberate upon the danger , one may even think themselves into a danger while they are thinking to avoid it ; when Jesus knew , hee withdrew : it is well when wee can so providently make our head and our feet meet , that is , put our knowledge into practice .

Treasures . Matth. 6. 20. But lay up for your selves treasures in heaven .
The Flame .

MY God , I see thou wilt have us rich , spiritually rich ; thou hast given me a talent , a treasure , and thou expectest an improvement ; thou didst chide him that put it not forward to the banke , I see thou wilt have us thrifty : Lay up for your selves , thou wilt not have our stock , our talent idle , but busie for increase , for accumulation ; thou would'st have us wealthy , for to such thou givest more , and more freely , To him that hath shall be given ; thou thy selfe , O Lord , art rich , according to the riches of thy grace ; thou hast a treasure of grace : and again , according to his riches in glory , thou hast a treasure of glory too : and againe , the unsearchable riches of Christ ; thy wealth , O Lord , thy treasure is so vaste , it is even unsearchable , it exceeds thy Apostle , that holy Artists Arithmetick : therefore , O my God , give me this holy feate and felicity of thriving in the spirituall commerce and trading ; give me a banke and exchequer full of graces : The diligent hand maketh rich ; O quicken my hand , and create a new spirit within every joint ; blesse unto mee the spirituall meanes thou hast given me , encrease every grace unto me , that I may treasure up grace against the day of glory and grace , and commit , and trust all my wealth to the house and heavenly mansion provided for me by thy Sonne ; In my Fathers house are many mansions : and , I go to prepare a place for you : and , Wee have a house not made with hands , eternall in the heavens ; this mansion , this house , O God , shall bee my exchequer ; thy Son , and thy holy Spirit , and Angels shall receive such spirituall wealth , such graces as I purse up below , and lay all up for me there , that I may say , I know whom I have beleeved : and they are able to keepe what I have committed to them : And now , Lord , into thy hands I commend my spirit , with all this treasure that belongs unto it , with all those graces and vertues thou hast given it , and which I have acquired and improved : here is that pearle , for the gaining whereof the Merchant in the Gospel sold all he had ; I have gained so much treasure as I have obtained this Pearle ; here are chaines of Rubies too , which thou , O Saviour , didst scatter from thy wounds , but I have thredded them upon sighes which I have twisted , and upon my heart strings ; besides many other bright and flaming jewels and graces , many Diamonds , and Carbuncles , and Jaspers , and Saphirs of sanctification ; and with these are necessities supplied , even through the riches and glory of Jesus Christ . I give these , O Lord , for , freely I have received , and freely I give ; and , What have I that I have not received ? but I give all back unto thee , for I know , It is more blessed to give then to receive : and thus I lay up my treasure in heaven ; every penny and bagge I disburse to thy Saints here below is imp'd with wings and feathers , and is gone into heaven before mee , and is gloriously trans-figured into spirituall coyne ; and thus my riches take wing and flie away , flie away that they may bee a stock for me there : and Lord , how rich am I now ! rich even with all thy wealth ; not a grace , not a merit of thy blessed Sonnes , but it is all mine ; not a pearle of water from his side , nor a rubie of bloud , nor a diamond of his eye beames , but is mine ; for hee is made unto us wisedome , and righteousnesse , and sanctification , and redemption , 1 Cor. 1. 30.

A signe . Matth. 12. 38 , 39. Master , wee would see a signe of thee . And he answered , An evilland adulterous generation seeketh after a signe .
Discovery .

I Discover , no faire compellation or language can win Christ to allow their curiosity , not though they say , Master , we would see ; we should not be bribed with a title to any vanity , nor our selves easily won to betray goodnesse , and to make our selves servants to the humours of any that intitle us Master : for , to call us Master , with an intent only to satisfie their own curiosity , is but to honour us , that they may the better embase us ; to set us at liberty , that they may sooner confine us . A signe is that they require , and are denied ; Christ had beene prodigall of these , however it came he was now frugall ; there was no want on Christs part , hee was both able and willing , and gave signes , his cures and miracles were all signes ; sure then the want was on the Pharisees part , a want of a sober faith and assent , or else a curiosity or delicacy , or other vaine intent was in the businesse ; Therefore he answered , An evill and adulterous generation &c. his deniall is plausible and affable , though to the Pharisees ; hee rebukes their request by the person of another , and informs their generation by another generation that was evill and adulterous , An evill and adulterous generation .

The Gift . Matth. 5. 23. If thou bringest thy gift to the Altar , and there , &c.
The Flame .

LOrd , there is no approaching to thy Altar , but with a pure and cleane soule ; I will wash in innocencie , and so will I compasse thy Altar , saies David : David knew that nothing but innocency was fit for thy Altar ; therefore , rather then come to it uncleane , hee will wash and rinse off his iniquity . I know , Lord , while I come to thy Altar either in wrath , or rancour , or emulation , I am short of the innocencie I should bring ; I know while I have either any malice or hatefull seede in my bosome , sprouting into contention , or any other mischievous designe against my brother , I am not fit for thy Altar , I am no right sacrifice , no sutable oblation ; I must cast away my gall , with all such offall , that I may bee laid on thy Altar ; that is the part which sheds an impuration and defilement over all my parts , makes mee an abomination in thy sight , embitters me , and renders me distastfull and unsavoury ; and how cleane soever thy Altar be , how holy , how unspotted , yet to me it is nothing so , to them that are defiled , nothing is pure ; and , Wee have an Altar of which they have no right to eat , they that kindle unhallowed combustions and stirres in stead of the pure flames of pietie , and devotion , and charitie : O Lord , thy Altar is the onely holy engine of reconciliation , of redemption ; the onely sanctuary of peace , the conservatory and table of divine favours : here did thy Priests effect all the gracious intercessions and sacrifices , here did they appease thy indignation , and perswade thy judgements ; and here did thy blessed Sonne , who was a Priest for ever , offer himselfe , Who by the eternall Spirit offered himselfe ; here was all the effusions , and sanguinary embrewments , and slayings , and carvings , all in figure of redemption , all in shadow of good things to come : therefore , O Lord , how can I staine or purple my soule with malice , or envie , or wrath ! for so often as I offend in these , I act but a more fine a subtle slaughter ; hee that hath but look'd after a woman , hath committed adultery with her in his heart ; so hee that hath but look'd with a wrathfull eye or thought after his brother , hath slaine him in his heart : Lord , therefore let thy holy Spirit that holy Dove which is so active in holy billings and affections of charity , nest in my soule , and warm my soule into ardent and fervent loves and desires ; for hereby thou hast told us that wee are thy Disciples , if wee love one another : Lord , let thy love bee shed abroad in my heart , that my heart may shed and disperse it into my other parts ; into my feet , that I may goe to my adversary and forgive him ; and into my armes and hands , that I may give unto him , if hee hunger , that I may feed him , if he hirst , that I may give him drinke ; into my tongue , that I may appease with soft answers and apologies , his passion towards me ; that I may speake friendly and fairely to him , for , if we love one another , God dwelleth in us .

Stand without . Matth. 12. 47 , 48. Then one said unto him , Behold , thy mother and thy brethren stand without , desiring to speake with thee . But he answered and said , Who is my mother ? and who are my brethren ?
Discovery .

I Discover now , that Jesus is upon businesse , and in the heat of his function , nothing can turn his face or regard out of the way ; a behold cannot so arrest his eye-beames , not though the relation of a mother or a brother put to their hands ; Who is my mother ? hee declines his duty and respect , and all relations must bee question'd of their title and interest ; Who is my mother ? and who are my brethren ? such relations are but now the pauses and interjections to dispatches and employments , and break off that continuity which is exacted in businesse of an high and holy nature ; Who is my mother ? and who are my brethren ? hee demands as though hee would decline his knowledge ; indeede , in weighty Commissions wee should put mother and brethren to the distance of strangers , and open our veines for consanguinity and respects to run out a while , and leave our bloud and spirits , Thy mother and thy brethren stand without , and without must they stand a time ; it is not fit to admit respects into the same roome with employments .

A Prophet without honour . Matth. 13. 57 , 58. And they were offended in him . But JESUS said unto them , A Prophet is not without honor save in his owne Countrey . And hee did not many mighty works there .
Discovery .

I Discover , Jesus passeth not over some kindes of contempt with silence , but replies in defence of his reputation ; sometimes a silence shewes but a faint and short-winded spirit , that dares not breathe in the face of his adversary . They were offended : But Jesus said ; he will have his say with them , and his saying shall be to repell their offence by defence of himselfe : A Prophet is not without honour save in his owne countrey ; hee will not seeme guilty of a neglect by a desert of his own , but theirs ; a christian spirit should never stoop to the contempt of any so far , as to comply with it in any assent , either by dejection or cowardize : And now Jesus departs , for hee did not many mighty works there ; some workes hee did , and those mighty , but not many mighty ; he would not take off his penne quite , because that his adversary liked not the copy , Rumpatur quisquis rumpitur invidia ; he did not many there , for his stay would seem to have courted too much an approbation or respect from his enemies ; and all such pretended delaies is to set up a boothe for retailing that ware you want a shop for .

And buried it . Matth. 14. 12 , 13. And his Disciples came and tooke up the body and buried it , and went and told Jesus . When Jesus heard of it , he departed thence into a desart place apart .
Discovery .

I Discover the Disciples care to the memorie of their friend , They tooke the body and buried it ; they will not suffer his body unburied : it is not fit to keep the corrupted part of a friend bare or naked ; bee it a calumnie or crime , lay it under the sod with him , let your memory bee a grave to your friends corruptions and weaknesses , and embalme no part but his best for posterity . Now after they had buried him , they told Jesus ; they are not too hastie in sad relations ; they buried him , and told it after ; funerall stories alwaies arrive soon enough , it is not seasonable to imp their wings with our feathers of haste : And now that Jesus heares , hee departs , When Jesus heard of it , hee departed ; hee will not stay by ill newes , those are but melancholy itches which delight in frications and chafings , and stay to be rubb'd with more accents of sorrow : they are too soft affections which love even to sit and thaw at a woe or mis-fortune : Jesus departed , and whither ? but apart ; he departed into a desart place apart . At the newes of death hee separates from company , wisely practising his part of separation , ere his course be to act it : to goe apart at the newes of mortality , is a ceremony sutes well ; such a departure answers in proportion to the departure of your friend , and shewes how neare you adventure for his sake to comply with mortality .

He sent the multitude away . Matth. 14. 22. And Jesus constrained his Disciples to get into a ship , and to goe before him , while he sent the multitude away .
Discovery .

I Discover , how observant and decently ceremonious Jesus is ; a multitude are met for his sake , and hee leaves not his owne to dismisse them , but leaves his owne and dismisses them , and sends those away while he sent the multitude ; he leaves them not abruptly , but , in good manners , dissolves them ; sends them away , a phrase which sounds of a milde dispatch ; they were strangers to him , and therefore he sends them away , but constrained his Disciples , makes bolder with his owne ; And Jesus constrained his Disciples : hee sends them away , the multitude , not with any neglect or disdaine ; in this phrase of sending , hee pretends rather an interest to their returne ; for an affable dismission sheds such an engagement upon the people , as keepes them still there while they seeme to depart .

The Sonne of God . Matth. 14. 33 , 34. Then they that were in the ship came & worshipped , saying , Of a truth thou art the Sonne of God . And when they were gone over , they came into the land of Genesaret .
Discovery .

I Discover , how silent Jesus is now that they worship and applaud him , here is not a word of his reply : they call him the Sonne of God , but I reade no answer hee makes ; for the verse that followes is impertinent to this , And when they were gone over , &c. I observe , hee refuses not the worship nor sacred applause done him , nor takes much notice , nor prides himselfe in it : in just and due applauses , it is a wrong to your merit to denie them , and such modesty does but whisper to your goodnesse to betray it : I know , to assume and raise your selfe to the trumpet of another is arrogance , and the spirits are too light that are so soone rarified and advanced ; hee is no wise Musician that will make one in the consort of his owne commendation .

The hem of the garment . Matth. 14. 36. And they besought him that they might touch the hem of his garment ; and as many as touched were made perfectly whole .
Discovery .

I Discover , that Jesus denies them not the honour they desire ; their petition reaches no nearer him then his garments , nor higher then his hem : it is an honourable courtesie to bee free in such light respects , which are an honour for others to obtaine , and no dishonour nor prejudice for you to give ; to let downe your garment , where the hem will satisfie .

Transgresse . Matth. 15. 2 , 3. Why doe thy Disciples transgresse the tradition of the Elders ? Hee answered and said unto them , Why doe you also transgresse the commandement of God ?
Discovery .

I Discover , how Christ vies question for question , and rebuke for rebuke ; Why doe thy Disciples transgresse , say the Pharisees ? and he said , Why doe you transgresse ? sometimes the quality of your adversary may be such , that it wil be better to racket him his ball of reproach back , then to let it rest with you ; and oftentimes one question is best silenced by another ; Christ silences the Pharisees Why do thy Disciples transgresse , with a Why doe you also transgresse ? and , their tradition of the Elders , with the Commandements of God .

Not away fasting . Matth. 15. 32. Jesus called his Disciples unto him , and said , Because they continued now with mee three daies , and have nothing to eate , I will not send them away fasting .
Discovery .

I Discover , how fairely Jesus intreats these that visit him , and accompany him ; and because hee would have his welcome as generall as generous , hee called his Disciples unto him , they must take notice hee intends his affability exemplary and imitable ; and in this entertainment he spreads a table to posterity , and commends a modell and copy of hospitalitie to the world , for hee gives his company that continue with him a positive repast in this negative resolution of I will not send them away fasting .

The Disciples to the multitude . Matth. 15. 36. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes , and gave thankes , and brake them , and gave to his Disciples , and his Disciples to the multitude .
Discovery .

I Discover here Christs order , and care , and demeanour at his bountifull distribution ; hee tooke the loaves and fishes ; but ere hee tooke them to give , hee gave thankes ; hee gave first to God that had given to him , he carves out a tribute to him , before hee carves to the multitude ; and tribute to God enables him better to distribute : in such a giving there is nothing given away ; to give thankes thus , is to say grace after Christ : now , hee brake , and gave to his Disciples : here is no newes of his own eating , what hee takes or breakes is to give away ; the care of his guests takes place of himselfe ; hee brake , and gave to his Disciples , not to the multitude ; though he be prodigall of his fare , yet not of himselfe ; he serves not out himselfe with his loaves and fishes ; hee gave to his Disciples , hee preserves his owne honour at the table , and what he does to the multitude , is by his servants , the Disciples ; hee gave to his Disciples , and the Disciples to the multitude .

Get thee behind me . Matth. 16. 22 , 23. Then PETER tooke him , and began to rebuke him , &c. But he turned , and said unto him , Get thee behind me , Satan , thou art an offence unto me .
Discovery .

I Discover , how tender Jesus is of his honour and authority , and how sensible of checks from his inferiours , or any thing that may impaire or detract ; Peter rebuked him , and he rebuked Peter with advantage , Satan ; & , thou art an offence unto mee : it is wisedome to let your servant know his distance , for phrase and behaviour , and not to suffer him too neere you in either ; by how much hee is lesse a servant , by so much you waste from Lord and Master ; Get thee behinde mee , is a good phrase to tell him both his place and your owne ; and the Livery fits best when the servant is behinde , and the Master before ; Get thee behind : it seemes Peter was advancing a little too forward , what a check shall those have , who will even step before and beside him in his office of mediation ! Get thee behinde me , will bee his language , know your place ; your place is but the place of a servant , and an unprofitable servant ; your place is but the place of a creature , mine of a Lord and Creator , Get thee behind me ; your place is a place of guilt , of unworthinesse ; mine of merit , of satisfaction .

Indignation against the two . Matt. 20. 24 , 25. And when the ten heard it , they were moved with indignation against the two brethren . But Jesus called them unto him .
Discovery .

I Discover , that Jesus will not tolerate a quarrell unpacified , especially among Disciples ; Jesus called them that had indignation , to him ; if Peters sword be drawne , hee 'll command it back into the sheath ere he goe ; he called them , hee takes notice of their difference , hee will not leave it to its selfe and to them ; the decision would bee speedy , lest there bee too great a prevailing , for the ten were moved against the two ; he knew there is danger in trusting a contention too long with the parties , though they be Disciples of the Church : the ten were moved against the two ; the lesser and fewer ever suffer from the more and mightier , the two from the ten : and how soone were the ten moved before the two ! an harmony is easier preserved among few then many , among two then ten ; the two are brethren , they keep the unity and fraternity still whole , when the ten are in indignation ; the ten were moved , more will ever bee at a businesse of indignation rather then peace .

The poore widow . Matth. 12. 43. And hee saw the rich men casting in their gifts into the treasury . And he saw also a poore widow .
Discovery .

I Discover , how observant Jesus is , hee takes notice from the rich to the poore ; he saw the rich men , and hee saw also the poore widow ; the poore is equally in his eye with the rich , and she is rich enough , in that notice he tooke of her ; the rayes of his eye set as high a rate upon her as them ; nay , higher , they seeme to beate full upon her , and but to glide upon them in their passage ; hee saw the rich men , and hee saw also a poore widow ; He saw also , as though hee saw over them unto her , and tooke the rich but by way of perspective to look on the poor , and by this art of survey to advance his commiseration by the comparison and inequality : neither did hee looke so much on them as rich and poore , but how they disposed and dispensed their wealth and poverty , and how they cast in their gifts and mites : hee saw the rich men casting in , and hee saw also a poore widow casting in ; though in possessing , the rich have odds of the poore , yet in disbursing , the widowes mites are as plurall as their gifts .

Weep for your selves . Luke 23. 28. But JESUS turning unto them , said , Daughters of Jerusalem , Weep not for mee , but for your selves , and for your children ,
The Flame .

O God! this is thy Son Jesus his respect to those that mourne with him ; Jesus turning unto them , he would not decline any pitie that followes him , but turnes to it , meets it , and seems to cherish a lamentation with declining it : Weepe not for mee ; a sad disswasion hath a secret to entreat a tear , and privately to broach the eye which it is busie to stop ; Weep not , but weep ; as hee closes the eye with one hand , he opens it with another ; and when hee would not bee too much obliged for a compassion , engages themselves and theirs , and thus casts in his owne sad score into their reckoning : Weepe not for mee , but for your selves , and for your children , and their teares shall discharge both griefes . O God! this was a modest and thrifty part to get thy sorrow wept for by the teares of another : thus one sad object that is publicke , shall have the honour of the lamentation , when many private have more right in it .

Jesus held his peace . Matth. 26. 63 , 64. But Jesus held his peace . And the high Priest answered and said unto him , I adjure thee by the living God , that thou tell us whether thou bee the Christ , the Son of God , or no . Jesus saith unto him , &c.
Discovery .

I Discover Jesus his silence , he held his peace : hee would not easily answer nor vie to every common reproach ; too much exceptions tendernesse betraies a cause more ; for where are the replies more violent then with the guilty ? Hee held his peace ; a tardy and slow defence hath ever more grace with it then a rash and violent : and now that the high Priest adjured him againe , Jesus saith unto him ; wee count them but sleight bells which chime at the first pull , and a weake lock that opens at the first turne ; Jesus held his peace , this was his grave silence which would not chime nor open till the high Priest put more strength to ; I adjure thee by the living God , and then , Jesus saith unto him .

The Flesh weake . Matth. 26. 40 , 41. Hee commeth unto the Disciples , and findeth them asleepe , and saith unto Peter , What , could ye not watch with me one hour ? Watch and pray , that yee enter not into temptation ; the spirit indeed is willing , but the flesh is weake .
The Flame .

LORD , how calm a check thy Sonne uses to a weake offendor ! for finding an offence of infirmity , he chides and excuses it at once ; Could yee not watch with mee ? the spirit indeed is willing , but the flesh is weake : O Saviour , who can watch with thee ! for thou art such a keeper of Israel as neither slumbers nor sleepes ; Could yee not watch with mee ? Indeed , O my God , wee could not , thou hast the odds of us at watching , thou hast an eye of Divinity alwayes open , The eyes of the Lord runne to and fro ; we have such clay about us , as incrassates and duls our faculties ; thy clay , O God , is refined and glorified , and is farre more pure and subtle then ours ; yet , O Saviour , thou excusest it , the flesh is weak ; and in this hee modestly repeates their neglect , not urging a duty for his owne sake , but their owne advantage ; Watch and pray , that ye enter not into temptation : Watch , that ye enter nor ; too much notice of neglect or offence done to your selfe , sounds in anothers eare too harshly of a selfe esteeme ; therefore to avoid that , hee wisely makes their owne neglect their danger ; and holds them the Looking-glasse so , that their owne reflection may be more then his , That ye enter not into temptation .

Not on this fashion . Mark . 2. 12. And they were all amazed and glorified God , saying . We never saw it on this fashion .
Discovery .

I Discover , nothing will sooner ▪ create an amazement and admiration , then an action out of the rode , or high-way of working ; They were all amazed ; and why ? they never saw it on this fashion ; had it been on this fashion , they had not been so amazed : The way to be eminent and famous , is to doe something not on this fashion , to bee something excentrick and incongruous in your attempt : Men alwaies turne after him , who turns the wheels of their expectation a new way .

In the hinder part of the Ship . Matth. 12. 47 , 48. And hee was in the hinder part of the Ship asleep on a pillow .
The Flame .

MY God , thy Sonne is not very forward in any place ; here hee was in the hinder part ; every posture of Christ is instructive ; now , that hee is in a storme , hee keeps behinde , and will not advance in a time of danger ; let the rash and hasty be in the fore-part , hee stayes in the hinder : neither is this backwardnesse more his wisdome then his vertue ; for this hinder part is but his Hierogliphick of Humility , and still you shall have him behinde in any place or societie , : it is a duty hee gives in charge , Love not the uppermost roomes , and , he that humbleth himselfe shall be exalted . But now , it is strange , that hee should bee asleep in the Ship , yet hee sleeps now in allegory ; to bee in a Ship , is no more but to goe at the morien of another ; and to bee thus swayed sometimes , is discreet obedience ; in the time of a storme , or dangerous commotion , it is good being asleepe ; that is , as little active as you can , as far from being a party ; when the tyde of others grows violent , it is dangerous sailing with them , it is better ( like thee , O Saviour ) to lie still , and bee carried with the motion , then to helpe with your owne ; for then you are the more patient , by how much the lesse agent : to bee asleepe in the ship then , is to take no notice at the storme or combustion , not to comply with it , but wisely to winke at an unavoidable danger or trouble ; yet , if it move or jog you , and will not suffer you to sleepe , get to your pillow however , to a place as soft & secure as you may , and as far retired from any doing as you can , unlesse you have the power and authority to rise up with Christ , and rebuke it into a calme .

Immediately . Mark . 5. 2. And when hee was come out of the Ship , immediately there met him .
Discovery .

I Discover , by that time Christ came here , there came one to meet him , immediately there met him ; immediately , hee gave him no time to escape ; Christs holy offers and opportunities must be taken , and the more immediately the better ; the closer and neerer you stick to the opportunity , the sooner and surer is Christ yours : Immediately , then , when Christ came out : When hee was come out ; Christ hath his times of comming out , that is , of revealing and shewing himselfe to a soule , and then it is good meeting him , and taking him in his early dawnings , and holy discoveries of himselfe to the soule : When hee was come out , immediately there met him ; there should bee a meeting on our parts then , as well as Christs , a holy preparation and endeavour is a rising up , a stepping forward , a making towards Christ , a meeting him , There met him ; and where did hee meet him , but when hee was come out of the Ship ? it is good taking Christ at his first landing with you , at his first comming upon your borders or coasts ; when you heare him preached , or when your heart and affections are touched with him , and a little affected with his Gospel , then hee is landed on your shore ; your senses and affections are the coasts and borders of your soule , and there take him , and meet him ; Immediately there met him .

The Daughter dead . Mark . 5. 35. Thy Daughter is dead , Why troublest thou the Master any further ?
Discovery .

I Discover , how soon a carnall hope would give over , how soon it despaires , Thy Daughter is dead , and why troublest thou any further ? as though all were at an end with the Daughter , all life , and spirit , and expectation , and importunity : such faint spirits must ever have some principle , some pulse or motion in a businesse to encourage them on : if shee bee dead once , they die too ; such looke not at Christ , at his power , at his life and word , but at the Daughter that is dead ; they consider not how Christ is alive , and how soon he may blow a spirit into her arteries , and a soule into her body , and a sparke into her ashes ; but the coldnesse in the body , and emptinesse in the artery , and incineration in the ashes ; every sleep is to them a death , every obstruction a destruction , every decay a ruine irreparable , every dissolution an annihilation , prayers and holy importunities are vaine troubles , and hopelesse endeavours , and redresse of impossibilities , Why troublest thou the Master any further ? how soone a weake suggestion stops all the wheels , and retards the businesse , and amazes the proceeding ! how soon they are taken off with any period or clause ! Why troublest thou any further ? not any further probability or likelyhood , not any further trouble or endeavour with them : how easily is a carnall reason convinced ! how strong an Argument can nature make ! how soon is her word taken , thy Daughter is dead !

Thy sword into his place . Matth. 26. 52. Then said Jesus , Put up againe thy sword into his place .
The Flame .

O my God , even a Disciple to thy Jesus may draw his weapon in as much hast as another ; his passions may bee as soone unsheathed in defence of his Master ; hee is but cold that hath not so much heat as to be angry in Jesus cause , nor so much courage as to weare a sword in his behalf ; that is , hath something of power and authority about him : yet Jesus bids , Put up againe thy sword ; none of his shall have a sword drawn against the sword of authority ; if that be out , his Disciple shall have command to put up againe ; a private weapon must not clash against a publick , neither be drawne , or at least appeare : Put up thy sword , that is , let there be even no shew of resistance ; and , Put it up into his place , not into theirs , not into the place of the Magistrate or Authority ; sheath it not there , that is not his place , but theirs , the Kings , the Princes , and Governors : it is to bee feared , if the Disciples have their swords out , they doe not heare when Christ calls to Peter , in the name of the rest , Put up thy sword againe into his place .

Pray yonder . Matth. 26. 36 , 37. And saith unto the Disciples , Sit yee here while I goe and pray yonder . And he taketh with him Peter , and the two sons of Zebedee .
Discovery .

I Discover , that Jesus teaches a decorum to his Disciples at Prayer , Sit yee here ; hee places them , and orderly , Sit yee here : doe not leane here , or use any irreverent gesture , but , Sit yee here ; and not while I pray here neither , but , while I pray yonder : thus he wisely distinguishes his duty and theirs ; if they sit here , he will pray yonder ; they must keep a decent distance while he officiates ; they must bee here , and he yonder , not both here . or both yonder ▪ but as though here he had appointed seats for them ▪ and yonder a pew for himselfe ; and , sit yee , while I goe , that is , quiet , settle , compose your thoughts & passions , stay them from wandering and straying ; Sit yee , that is , put your selves in a firme posture , use your preparation while I use mine ; Sit yee while I goe , that is , my spirit , my soule hath a journey to take , yet , beyond yours ▪ as far as a prayer : Sit ye while I go and pray ; and , sit yee while I goe , as though here should bee the Congregation , and yonder the Minister ; Sit ye while I goe , while I move in the services , while I , I your Master , and Minister , and Bishop of your soules ▪ while I goe : And hee goes not alone neither , hee will have his holy assistants and co-adjutors , as a grace and honour to the prayer and service , though they do little ; and they shall not goe after him to this holy businesse neither , but with him , as it were beside him at the holy imployment , And hee taketh with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee .

The Place . Matth. 28. 6. Come , see the place where the Lord lay .
The Flame .

O My God , the very place where Jesus hath beene is good and gracefull to look at , Come see the place ; the very place hath so much worth in it as will deserve a Come and see ; Come , it is a good motion and setting forward to Religion ; to come where Christ hath been , to see the place of him , where he was either preach'd , or taught , or died , or buried : Christ hath more places then one ; every soule that hath had Christ a day , or a night , or a moneth , or a yeere , that hath had a forme of godlinesse and Christianity , hath for that time been the place or tombe where the Lord lay , where hee so journed ; and , come and see how empty the place is without him ▪ how unfurnish'd now hee is gone ! and in Apostacies or fallings away you may see the place where the Lord lay ; for such soules are but his tombes for the time , places where hee dies , where his graces , and vertue , and power perish , and these were places where the Lord lay ; for he never stood here , never sate here in these soules ; their godlinesse was never in so firm and stout a posture ; but , he lay , the posture hee was in was a faint , a feeble , a declining , a disable posture .

Jesus met them . Matth. 28. 9. And as they went to tell his Disciples , Jesus met them .
Discovery .

I Discover , they that go upon Jesus businesse shall bee sure of his company sooner or later ; if not at their setting forward , yet ere they come to their journies end : as they went Jesus met them , them that were seekers and followers of him , them that had a longing and desire after him , he met them ; but it was in their journey , in their going , in their employment about him , as they went : If Jesus meet any , it shall bee such as are going and stirring towards him , for then he 'll meet them , save them a labour in their holy pursuit after him ; hee 'll meete them , and by this motion enable them more to go and follow him ; he seldome meets any that stand or sit , but rather meetes with them in a check or rebuke , as with those in the parable , Why stand ye here idle ?

He saw and glorified . Luke 23. 47. Now when the Centurion saw what was done , he glorified God , saying , Certainly this was a righteous man .
Discovery .

I Discover , how deliberately the Centurion censures , with what caution ; hee first saw what was done , then , Certainely , &c. while all was a doing , hee said nothing , he forbore till he saw how the wonder would prove , and then hee said , Certainly : the best verdict is that which is given after cleer testimonies ; halfe premisses allow but halfe conclusions ; there can be no saying Certainly , till there bee a seeing what is done , and now the Centurion saw , he glorified God , saying ; where there is a seeing , there will bee a saying too ; if we open our eyes upon the works of God , wee should open our mouthes too ; wee should say as wel as see , He glorified God , saying : but first there was a seeing , before there was a saying ; our eyes should bee the Tapors to light us in our admirations and praises below ; but in wonders above , I will say as certainly , though I never saw ; We walke by faith and not by sight .

Tell his Disciples . Mark . 16. 7. But go your way , tell his Disciples and Peter , that hee goeth before you into Galilee .
The Flame .

O My God! thy Angel dismisses them , now that Jesus is not there ; hee will not suffer them to stay in a place where hee is not , goe your way ; now that Jesus is gone , goe you too : there is no staying too long by Jesus his toombe : we may be there , that is , wee may die with him , or be buried with him , therefore saies Paul , Wee are buried with him by Baptisme unto his death : but then wee must not linger too long at the grave ; not laying againe ( as the Apostle sayes ) the foundation of repentance from dead works , but wee must away after to Galilee , Let us go on to perfection : And as Christ was raised from the dead , so we also should walke in newnesse of life : for , hee goeth before you into Galilee ; hee goeth before you , a good incouragement for us to follow after ; it is good having JESUS before us , in our eye ; wee shall runne more cheerefully the race that is set before us , while wee may looke at JESUS , the Authour and Finisher of our Faith : neither is it enough for us to follow him alone , but wee must take others along with us , Tell his Disciples ; and if there be any way that Jesus goes , any track or path , whether by Galilee , or any other way or mystery of godlinesse , wee must call upon others , and take them , tell his Disciples that hee goeth before you into Galilee ; and if there bee any one in particular , that stands in need of a speciall intimation , tell even him , tell his Disciples and Peter .

Stood by the Crosse . John 19. 25. Now there stood by the Crosse of Jesus , his mother , and his mothers Sister .
Discovery .

I Discover , those that have any relation to Jesus will be sure to be neere his Crosse , yet Jesus and the Crosse must bee together , or else you shall have none of them there : if the Crosse be there and not Jesus , you shall neither see mother , nor mothers sister ; those that stand by the Crosse when Jesus is not there , are some whom their superstition have brought thither , not their religion . Now there stood by the Crosse ; they passe not by it in a dis-regard , but take it for a thing they may stand by ; that is , they come under the shadow and patronage of it : I see it was enough for these here , the mother , and the mothers sister , to stand by the Crosse ; they were crucified in the standing by it ; but for us , we must goe neerer it , be nayled to it , For they that are Christs have crucified the flesh , with the affections and lusts .

Philip , and Andrew , and Jesus . John 12. 21 , 22. The same came therefore to Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee , and desired him , saying , Sir , we would see Jesus Philip commeth and telleth Andrew : and againe , Andrew and Philip told Jesus .
Discovery .

I Discover here , a desire in the lay and ignorant to see Jesus ; saying , Sir , wee would see Jesus : their course and addresse for it was this , The same came therefore to Philip ; the way to know Jesus , or his Gospel , or graces , is by Philip ; if you would see Jesus , come to an Apostle , to a Philip ; the same came therefore to Philip ; therefore , even for that cause , for seeing Jesus : it is not for us to have Jesus in our eares , but our eyes too ; to heare of him , but to see him ; to have a spirituall knowledge of him , That I may know him , ( sayes Saint Paul ) and the power of his resurrection : and in their addresse to Philip for the knowledge of Jesus I discover their reverend opinion of an Apostle , saying , Sir ; an Apostle or Minister hath so much power about him , as to perswade them into a Sir that seek him ; and those that would see Jesus , that desire and long after the sight and knowledge of him , will alwayes give a faire respect to Philip , even , Sir , we would see : thus they come to Philip , they step not sawcily to Jesus himself , but they make use of Philip ; Philip must be their expositor , and commentator , and director to Jesus ; not like those who step to Jesus first , and leave Philip and all hee can doe ; they will not bee beholden to the Church , they 'll find out Jesus themselves : yet I see Philip shewes them not Jesus at the first , or by himselfe , but he 'll take Andrews opinion with him , Philip commeth and telleth Andrew ; in the businesse of seeing Jesus , or any thing of his , it is good having more eies along with us then our owne ; an harmony and consent does well , and Andrew may further us ; neither does Philip or Andrew make any such report of Jesus as may stay them from seeing ; no , it were not enough for them to see Jesus in Philip or Andrew , but in himselfe ; they must not rest in Authority , neither in Philip nor Andrew , nor make them their period for seeing , that they may say with the Samaritans , Now wee beleeve , not because of your saying , but because we have seen him our selves .

Little of stature . Luke 19. 3. And hee sought to see Jesus , who hee was , and could not for the prease , because he was little of stature .
Discovery .

I Discover , how many things put themselves betwixt us and Jesus : though our desire be to see him , yet there will either be a prease to hinder us , a crowd , a constipation of vaine thoughts , and worldly solicitations , which will interpose and eclipse the clearenesse of Jesus to us ; Hee sought to see Jesus , but could not for the prease , or else our owne stature will be a disadvantage in our indeavour and seeking ; hee sought , but could not see , for hee was little of stature ; though our lownesse or dis-proportion may hinder us , yet our soules must have a raising , an elevation to see him ; they must bee a little divined and deified , a little glorified in inchoation ; they must bee taller , and more divinely lofty for Jesus ; He was little of stature , and therefore could not ; our statures of nature are but low , but dwarfish , shadowes cast at noone , neither can wee with our Inch take measure of his Infinitie ; our Reason is too short to make a perspective for seeing Jesus ; it is but little of stature , grace must advance it higher , and give as much faith as will make a holy perspective ; for , Faith is the evidence of things unseene : And this prease will still bee in our way to Jesus too , he could not for the prease ; if wee would see Jesus , it were good acquitting ourselves of the multitude , and getting cleere of the prease of the world ; for many are thronging about Christ , Many are called , but few chosen .

Washed their feet . John 13. 12. After he had washed their feet , and was set down , he said unto them , Know yee what I have done unto you ?
The Flame .

O My God , how full of meaning and mystery every action of Jesus is ! and , how inquisitive Jesus is to give us notice ! Know ye what I have done ? and how dull a carnall eye is in discerning ! hee had washed , but not their eyes ; and therefore as yet they saw nothing in it ; hee had washed their feete , but not their head , and therefore as yet they understood as little : he said unto them , Know ye ? hee would as it were catechize their ignorance into some knowledge , and warily convey them a resolution in a question , Know ye what I have done ? what an excellent Syntaxis is here ! Christs very washing is Grammaticall and instructive ; every thing of Christs may affoord us something worth our studying ▪ his very towell hath a lesson in the folds of it , of cleansing and sanctifying ; his water flowes with instruction in the falling and trilling , and drops documents of humility at the feet of his Disciples : O Saviour ! me thinks thou art dispatching many things here , thou art handling their feet both into vertue and knowledge , as though they should observe , that their feete did the best in thy hands , walk'd evenest , and plainest , and surest , with least error when thou hast the guiding of them : and now thou art washing their feet , thou intimatest a filth and corruption in our parts of practice and conversation , that wee cannot stir in the waies of the world , but something will stick to us , that we shall still need thy water and to well , while we walke here ; and that wee shall never be so clean and pure Disciples , but wee shall still have a foot or a toe for washing .

They besought him . Luke 7. 4 , 5. And when they came to Jesus , they besought him , saying , hee was worthy for whom he should doe this . For hee hath loved our Nation , and built us a Synagogue .
Discovery .

I Discover , what an interest and obligation publick favours lay upon those they concerne ! how many here come to Jesus in the Centurions behalfe ! They came to Jesus ; they , even they who had a common interest in the courtesie he did , He loved our Nation , and built us a Synagogue , and for this love to their Nation , they returne him love againe , for , they came to Jesus for him ; and for his building a Synagogue , they build him a good reputation saying , that hee was worthy ; and why ? because hee loved our Nation : if you would gaine a people you must doe something that is popular ; nothing wins a Nation so as a Nationall favour , and to doe this , you must raise your courtesie a story or two higher then the ordinary heighth ; hee built us a Synagogue , you must build something , that is , doe something of eminency , of notice , of duration , that may towre , and may continue above a private favour : you must build , that is , lay things together , reconcile , and cement , and unite ; and such structures of friendship and charity are such Synagogues as would be built both in civill and holy societies .

The Tabernacle . Luke 9. 33. Peter said unto Jesus , Master , it is good for us to bee here , let us make three Tabernacles , one for 〈…〉 Moses and one for Elias , not knowing what he said .
Discovery .

I Discover , as soone as any thing below pleases us , how soone wee would bee building , providing for residence : Peter is but a little advanced and enlightned , and now no place will serve him but here , It is good for us to bee here , here in this mount , here , where we see such a glory , such brightnesse or rayment , but yet in all this , not knowing what hee said : Oh the vanity of a carnall sense ! how is Peters eye ravish'd with these that appeare , with Moses , and Elias , and their bright apparition ! he sees their lustre , and must needs make them Tabernacles ; it is dangerous to have the glory of the creature too much in your eye , lest you admire it , and advance it too much : Let us make three Tabernacles , one for Thee , one for Moses , and one for Elias ; how is Peter transported , to reckon Moses and Elias with Jesus ! one for Thee , and one for Moses , and one for Elias ; what an errour was this in Peter to set up Moses and Elias Tabernacles with Jesus , on the same Mount and height with him ! to honour a saint or creature with the Creator ! yet in all this , not knowing what hee said ; for had hee understood himselfe , sure here would have beene no such building , no such making of Tabernacles .

Hee set his face . Luke 9. 51. He stedfastly set his face to goe to Jerusalem .
Discovery .

I Discover here a firme resolution in Jesus ; if hee look towards a place or purpose in earnest , hee goes on for it , and turnes not back on his way ; Hee see his face to goe ; his very looks and face shall steere him , and his countenance shall bee set , that his feet may goe the more firmely , hee set his face : those that are unstable in their wayes , have their faces running and stirring , not well set , not stedfastly ; and they that goe back and Apostate in their resolutions and purposes , never had their faces stedfastly set : He stedfastly set his face , and whither , but for Jerusalem , a place hee was to suffer and die at ? In necessities and occasions which we cannot avoide , it is good to set our face , and stedfastly to conforme and confirme our resolutions : never a Martyr nor holy Saint in their suffering , or way to the heavenly Jerusalem , but they had this holy feat of setting their face , and stedfastly to go ; for no man looking back is fit for the Kingdome .

The Loaves . John 6. 26. Yee seek me , not because ye saw the miracles , but because ye did eat of the loaves .
The Flame .

O My God! it is not enough to seeke Christ , to take paines after him ▪ but to consider our ends and de●●res ; wee may seek him , and yee not seeke him ; even in our bu●●est inquisition , Ye seek me not , sayes Christ here to those that even then iought him ; Yee seek mee , and seek mee not as yee ought , not because , but because : if it be a temporall want sends us after him ; wee seeke him not because , but because of that supply , because yee did eat of the loaves ; the loaves is the dole wee follow him for , therefore in all adherences and addressings to him , see that there bee no loaves in the way , see that it be not his provision more then himselfe ; yet , Lord , now let me follow thee for thy loaves , and not because of thy miracles , for thou art now more prodigall of thy bread then thy wonders , and more to be sought for in it then them , thy bread is thy body now : Lord , let us alwaies finde these loaves on thy Table , and then wee will seeke thee , not because of thy miracles , but because wee eate of thy loaves ; not of thy miracles in the loaves , for thou art not in thy bread by any miracle of Transubstantiation , but signification and Sacramentall relation : I am the bread of life which came downe from heaven ; and thus wee will seeke thee not because , but because ; not because of any miracle , but because we eat of thy loaves ; yet if these loaves were not kneaded up with any spirituall leaven , if there were no Sacrament here , it were good seeking thee , though but because of these loaves ; thou canst winne us with thy earthly fare to the heavenly , with thy temporall to thy spirituall ; thou canst bair thy trap of christianity with a loafe , and catch us by the soules at such a time of releefe .

Whom say the people . Luke 9. 18. And he asked them , saying , Whom say the people that I am ?
Discovery .

I Discover that Jesus desires to heare from his Disciples the censures and opinions of others ; he asked them , Whom say the people ? he askes them of the people , he speakes to the multitude through a few , as one that looks on a large object through a small Lattice or Casement : you may often take a measure of the peoples opinions better by anothers line then your own ; he asked them , them that were often abroad and conversant , he asked them , Whom say the people that I am ? if you would heare your owne report , lay your eare to their mouth , theirs , who are your Creatures and Disciples , or Intelligencers : reports and censures are the best heard ; as Imagery is seene , at a distance ; Whom say the people ; it is not the say or voyce of a few that should move us , but what say the people ? or Whom say the people ? their censure would be sought and enquired after ; it is good hearing what we are as well to others as our selves ; the multitude are such a Chrystall as wee may dresse our conversation and actions by , Whom say the people that I am ? not what or whom are any of the people , not what is this man or that ; such enquirie is over our owne threshold , and out of our owne doores , and is very curious and impertinent , Christs is more domestick and homeward , Whom say the people that I am ?

Some say ELIAS . Luke 9. 19. They answering , said , JOHN the Baptist : but some say , ELIAS : others say , that one of the old Prophets is risen againe .
Discovery .

I Discover how diverse are the opinions that waite upon any famous or publike partie ; some say John , some Elias : like an optick glasse held before the Sunne , whose beames by shooting in make many various colours , they that sunne and ayre their good parts abroad , shall alwayes be thus variegated , and parti-coloured by opinions and censures , which strike upon them ▪ a John , and an Elias , and an old Prophet . What a retraction in opinions here ! how diverse is the medium or judgement which people look thorough ! how broken the forme and figure appeares into one and another , into a John , or Elias ; in one opinion or a few perhaps he is onely a John , onely an Elias , or onely a Christ ; as in one intire Chrystall , there is but one face or whole proportion : but if this one be shivered , how many appeares ! if it be some say , or others say , then the glasse is shivered , the people are broken and in parts , the refractions are as diverse as themselves , then a John Baptist , or Elias , or an old Prophet ; yet is not Christ put by his doings , by the sayings of any ; though some say , and others say , he keepes himself Christ still ; they cannot talke him either from himselfe or businesse ; neither by saying he is this or that can they say him into an Elias , or John Baptist , or an old Prophet : it is no matter how many and diverse the opinions be about us , so we continue one and the same ; if Christ be Christ , it is no matter who say hee is either John or Elias .

Forbid him not . Mark 9. 38 , 39. Master , we saw one casting out Divels in thy name , and wee forbad him , because he followeth not with us , And JESUS said , Forbid him not .
The Flame .

O God , this is the errour of thy Disciples judgement : they forbid , whom thy Christ allowes : how soone had thy Disciples set up their Consistorie , and dispatched their Inhibitions , wee forbad him ! one would thinke hee might very well have gone for a Disciple , so long as hee was in Christs name , and wore his cognisance , but we forbad him ; wee to whom thou gave Apostleship & power ; we at whose girdle thou tied the keyes , wee forbad , and why ? because he followed not with us , with us ; they must have him , with themselves as well as Christ , and then all 's well ; had he followed Christ and followed with them , they had not forbad him ▪ but , he followed not with us : out errour is , we still put in for a share with Jesus , wee must be followed in something as well as Christ ; every one of us , say as ▪ Saint Paul , Be yee followers of me , &c. we have either some opinion , or some doctrine , or something we would have followed as well as Christ : he followed not with us , that is , in our company , in our faction , that way that we followed Christ , therefore wee forbad him : but Christ saies forbid him not , for he that is not against us is with us , not against us in any fundament all truth , or principle , is with us in the maine : he that is ours in the roote , may be allowed his owne in a leafe or circumstance : therefore , forbid him not , no , Christ had not need go lesse in any , the harvest is great , and what then ? notwithstanding every way , whether in pretence or in truth , Christ is preached . Phil. 1. 18.

As JOHN also . Luke 11 , 1. One of his Disciples said unto him , Lord teach us to pray , as JOHN also taught his Disciples .
Discovery .

I Discover that even the Disciples stood need of a document for prayer , Lord teach us ; though God gave them free and full graces , which could be fluent and largely dis-sheve●●● in devotions , yet , Lord teach us ; one would thinke God had taught them sufficiently in joyning his spirit with theirs , his grace to their nature , his holy affections to theirs , yet , Lord teach us : wee must have another , a second rule , and modell for our devotions ; the spirit , though of a Disciple , may be too devoutly licentious and too holy a libertine and out-law , unlesse there be a law , a rule to straiten it ; the girdle of a liturgie does well , to buckle in our holy passions and affections , which would bee a little too fluent and scatter'd in themselves : it is good going to God , as Saint Paul went to Jerusalem , behold I go bound in spirit , therefore Lord teach us , that is , let us have a forme of prayer ; this is no new request , no teach us as John also taught ; there have beene still some teaching , some formes of prayer both before Christ , and now should be after him too ; John was at this ere Christ came , John was teaching , and dispersing copies and formes to his Disciples ; as John also taught his Disciples .

Your lights burning . Luke 12. 35. Let your loynes bee girded , and your lights burning .
Discovery .

I Discover there must bee a holy girding and trussing up for heaven , let your loynes be girded ; if any affection or passion hang loose about you , let those that have most of the loine in them , that is , those that are most carnall and fleshly , gird them up ; let your loynes be girded , that is , close and strait bound and gathered to you , let them be girded ; they may bee tied or slackly and loosely pinn'd up , that is , your affections may pretend well , be good and morall , or sleightly religious for a time ; but when they are so slenderly tied , they may soone fall loose about you againe , let them be girded ▪ and no more ; and yet not too strait neither , lest they crist and gird into Christian stoicisme , or too much austerity : and let your lights be burning too ; the light of reason , and that of grace , and that of nature , or what other tapour your God hath lighted you up ; let them be burning , that is , full of heat and light ; not onely shining , but burning , that is , not onely in shew and profession , but burning , sparkling with true heat ; not casting any false flames , but true spirituall fire ; burning , that is , dispensing as well a vigour and influence upon others as your selfe , that you may kindle your neighbours fuell and set his holy affections on fire too , let your lights be burning .

Followed a farre off . Matth. 26. 58. But PETER followed him a farre off .
Discovery .

I Discover that Christ hath still some in a society that will follow , but Peter followed : Peter will not give over , hee will go how ever the world go ; yet though Peter bee the onely Disciple that followes him the danger and miserie of the season takes him much off in his following ; for , though he followed , yet he followed but a farre off , and this pace and distance a farre off keepes him from a totall declination and forsaking : let us keepe us following then however ; though we follow but a far off , yet let us walk in sight of Jesus , that our eye lose him not quite , neither the world and affaires of it interpose themselves fully , and eclipse all : but Peter followed , and , at this time of suffering , Peter before all the rest ; this was in presage and omen , because hee was to follow him in the like suffering ; and hee followed a farre off , which falling so farre behinde , was a preamble to a further distance , even that of deniall .

Drie places . Matth. 11. 24. When the uncleane Spirit is gone out of a man , hee walketh through drie places , seeking rest , and finding none , he saith I will returne unto my house whence I came out .
Discovery .

I Discover the Diveil will not alwayes bee tempting , and suggesting , and working , but he will have his times of going out ; when the uncleane Spirit is gone out ; there is no man but he shall have his Vacation as well as Terme-time , and that time shall be a season of cleanliness and morall neatness with him ; when the uncleane Spirit is gone out : hee that kept the roomes of the soule sluttish and foule is gone out , hath quit the place , and now his progresse is restlesse and unquiet , for being gone out , he walketh ; ●●i● he is busie seeking new house-roome , new lodgings , but the places are not for him , they are too drie ; therefore he walkes through , hee makes no stay nor residence , and why ? the places or soules are drie ; drie , that is enflamed , and heared with grace and holy affections ; as the Hart thirsteth after the water brookes , so thirsteth the soule after thee , O God : the places are thirstie and adust , and scorch'd with heat and pierie ; and these are too drie for him , they must have more of the f●nne and carnall quag-mire , if hee stay or take up his Inne , else he walkes through ; through , indeed , for they will not let him rest , nor hover , nor retard with a temptation , seeking rest but findes none ; the graces in the place where he walkes are busie to dispatch and expell him , so that he walkes through , and then back to those soules againe that were his ; I will returne to my house , saies he ; my house , those that give themselves more freely to his suggestions , and uncleane inspirations are his indeed , he hath more interest and ingagement there ; my house , for hee takes up and furnishes their roomes , their hearts and thoughts , with lusts and iniquiries , which are the onely furniture and stuste hee brings .

JESUS before them . Mark . 10. 32. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem , and JESUS went before them , and they were amazed , and as they followed , they were afraid .
Discovery .

I Discover 't is good being in the way to Jerusalem , And they were in the way ; so long as wee are in the way , we are all upon the ascent and going up , as they were in the way going up ; so long as we are in the way , every step we take is nearer heaven then other : these in the way here were going up to Jerusalem ; the Jerusalem wee go to is above too , situated on high , and everie pace thither should bee loftier and more advancing then other ; set your affections on things above , Colos. 3. 2. and these that are in this way to Jerusalem , they shall bee sure of Jesus before them , for , our High Priest is passed into heaven , even Jesus the Sonne of God , Hebr. 4. 14. it is safe going there where Jesus is gone before , and wee may trace him indeed by his bloud into heaven ; besides he scatter'd such graces and vertues as he went , that the way is become more pleasant and easie : this it is then to have Jesus , as they had him here , before ; but it is dangerous putting forward before Jesus ; they that would be at heaven at once , in a rapture , and would take post and spurre away in a good motion , would bee at Jerusalem before Jesus ; for his pace wee know was soft , and grave , and serious , and continued ; he rid thither on an Asse , and then his haste could not bee great : yet though we take Jesus here , as these tooke him before , yet we shall be amazed and afraid , as we follow after ; and they were amazed , and as they followed they were afraid ; there are many things which come in our way as wee are following Jesus , many things to amaze us , the eternall generation , the word was with God , &c. the incarnation , the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee ; these and other divine Mysteries will amaze us , and then the afflictions , and tribulations , and sufferings in the way after him will make us afraid , for we must be crucified to the world , and the world to us ; and we must forsake our selves , and take up our Crosse and follow him .

A Judge and a Divider Luke 12. 14. And he said unto him , Man , who made me a Judge , or Divider over you ?
The Flame .

O My God! how thy Son declines secular judicature and imployment ; Man , who made me a Judge ? and thus with a question hee declines from himselfe a thing in question , Who made me a Judge , or a Divider over you ? none had more reason to judge , one would thinke , for men , then hee that made man● and was both God and man , and shall keepe the last Session , and bee the great Commissioner for God Almighty ; hee that shall have his tribunall , and so many Apostles or sacred Justices of Peace beside him ; yet , Man , who hath made me a Judge ? one would thinke he that had made him God and Man , would allow him to be Judge over men , to keepe an Assise , where ere hee come , for all controversies and divisions ; yet , Who hath made me a Divider ? Indeed , O Saviour , thou art no Divider , but a Reconciler , and Compounder ; thou knit'st together heaven & earth , when they parted ; thou tiedst God and Man on one knot , and a surer then before , in thy holy hypostasis and reconciliation ; they do ill then to make thee a Divider , though it be onely in some temporall difference , for thou disclaims that too ; thou wilt not set up a Session and civill tribunall so neere to thy Consistorie ; thou wert God for another Court , thou hast appointed other gods for these , Princes , and Judges , and Magistrates , I have said yee are gods ; yee , for such businesse ; I , for more holy employment , for the law was given by Moses , but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ . John 1. 17.

The greatest the least . Mark 9. 34. For , by the way they had disputed among themselves who should be greatest .
Discovery .

FOr , by the way , &c. and I discover they were quite by the way now ; who should bee greatest ? this is no way for a Disciple of Christ , to dispute for Primacie , the Kings of the Nations exercise Dominion ; who shall be greatest then , is a question for them , for their ambitions , for their dominations ; but the Disciples honour is like their profession , is quite crosse to theirs , to be least with them is to be greatest ; who shall be least then ? humility and lowlinesse are the spirituall honours and greatnesse , and every such declination is an Apostles advancement and greatnesse ; yet there is an honour too for a Disciple and a double honour , saies the Apostle ; there is a Lordship and Mastership too , the very spirits were subject unto them , and their power in the keyes , is a power over every spirit too , whose sins ye retein they are reteined , &c. And here must needs be a greatnesse which hath influence so farre as to the soules and spirits ; and there is another greatnesse too , of title and compellation , some Apostles , some Evangelists , and some Doctors , &c. some Overseers , looke to the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers ; and some Angels of the Church , to the Angel of the Church in Pergama , and to the Angel of the Church in Sardis : and Paul invests and inables Timothy thus , These things command and teach ; a Disciple may command then as well as teach , may bee as well Imperative as Indicative .

Whose shooe-latchet . John 1. 27. Whose shooes latchet I am not worthy to un-loose .
Discovery .

I Discover , that Christs shooe was his Gospel , therefore saies he , Over Edom will I cast out my shooe ; and this shooe , the Gospel , is fit for his feete ; and the lowest part of him , his humanity is his feete , for with that his God-head stood and walk'd upon earth , and therefore happie was that sinner that could kisse his feete , and wipe them with her haires , and wash them with her teares , when his shooes , his Gospel , was on . And now how beautifull are the feete of him that brings glad-tidings ! for upon these was his Gospel drawne , that holy shooe , which was onely made for his Last ; no other can fit it , but him , but his graces and mysteries ; and yet these shooes have a latchet , the holy language , and parables , and phrases tie on , and fasten these shooes ; and these latchets are only for Prophets , and Apostles , and Ministers to un-loose ; every rude hand and un-hollowed finger must not touch these latchets , nor these shooes : I am not worthy , saies John ; if John was not worthy , nor good enough for this service of unloosing , and interpreting , and expounding , what are we ? to preach or teach , is no more but to un-loose a latchet of the shooe , the Gospel , to un-loose ; it is an un-loosing then , an untying the knot : there must be no breaking , nor cutting , no violent pulling off of the shooe , that is , no giddy , no hastie , no inconsiderate expounding , but an unloosing the latchet , a carefull , and sober , and gentle hand must be used , such a hand as will un-loose .

He saith unto him . John 1. 41. He first findeth his owne Brother SIMON , and saith unto him , We have found the Messias .
The Flame .

O My God , how carefull are thy Disciples ! how busie to communicate and informe ! he findeth his Brother , and saith unto him : This is Christian industrie to seeke our Brothren till we finde them , he findeth his Brother ; if our Brother be out of the way of Christianity , and in any by-way , or any darke way , or way of ignorance , let us finde him out , he findeth his Brother ; and finding him , it is not enough to see him , or passe by him , but we must tell him if we see more , or know more then hee , or if wee have found more , he saith unto him , We have found the Messiah ; as soone here as hee found him , he tels him they had found the Messiah ; if we finde the Messiah or any thing of the Messiahs , any grace or mystery revealed , let us say , Wee have found , for it is not enough to finde , but to say , Wee have found , to publish and reveale it to another . The woman that had found her groat , called in all about her , and told them ; and he that had found his sheep , and his sonne , Rejoyce with mee , saies he .

Scire tuum nihil est , nisi te scire hoc sciat alter .
Those men . John 6. 14. Then those men , when they had seene the miracle that Jesus did , said , This is of a truth that Prophet .
Discovery .

I Discover how soone any thing of wonder strikes the true beleevers into devotion , and protestation ; when they had seene the miracle , they said , This is of a truth that Prophet ; when they had seene , they said : Wee must have a sight before wee will say any thing ; and of a truth , before wee will affirme any thing , or avouch any thing . Our eyes are the only sense of credit and employment with us , and they must be spoken to first , when they had seene the miracle , our Saviour bespeakes their sight , and that will soone make report of it to their judgement and affections , and winne him a partie soone in a soule ; if he get but the eyes to consent , the other parts will be easily perswaded , when they had seene the miracle , they said : and then the parties that see are observable , if they bee as they were here , those men , there is more hopes ; those men when they had seene : now those men were people of meane ranke and fashion , and when they had seene , they said , This is that Prophet ; but the richer , and greater ; and wiser men , the Pharisees and Scribes , they saw the signes and miracles , but no better for the fight , they said not This is that Prophet , but he is a Samaritane , and hath a Divell .

Willingly received him . John 6. 21. Then they willingly received him into the Ship , and immediatly the Ship was at the land whither they went .
Discovery .

I Discover that having Jesus , wee have our desires , and with dispatch too ; for , having received him , the Ship was immediately at the land whither they went ; immediately , without any crosse winde or wave of impediment ; if we be then embarqued upon the Sea , that is , engaged or tossed in any worldly affaire or trouble , let us make all haste we can to receive Jesus , and we shall be at land immediately ; and the Ship was immediately at the land : yet many receive Jesus into their Ship or fraile barque of their souls , and meete with many a high Sea and rough storme , which keep them from whither they would go , but then they receive him not as these ; here , they willingly received him : there must bee a willing receiving , a free-hearted open receiving ; neither must we receive him so much for our selves , and our present redresse and successe , as for himselfe ; many receive him , and willingly too , but their owne need , and extremity , or desire prompts them , and then they receive not him , him as pure Christ , as only Redeemer , but him as a present Fautour , or Deliverer ; and such willingnesse may bee rather a remora , and retard then facilitate .

To make him a King . John 6. 15. When JESUS therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a King , he departed againe &c.
The Flame .

O My God , wilt thou accept of no Crownes here below ? no Scepters ? indeed their Crownes are but of thornes here , and their Scepters of reeds : how many wounds do these Crownes make ! who ever wore an Empire or Kingdome about his temples , and complain'd not of the scratching , and tearing , and rending , and bleeding ? and cried not out with the Shunamite , my head my head ? Such , O Lord , are the troubles and distractions of State : who ever held a Scepter and complain'd not of the weaknesse ? how like a reed it would shake at every winde and aire of trouble or commotion ? and therefore did'st thou depart when they came and would make the a King ; or else wert thou so low and humble , that thou would'st not suffer thy head nor thy hand to be guilt with soverainty ? was this thy exinanition ? O my God , give the same humility to thine , that as thou wert God , and came downinto man ; wert Lord of all , and took upon thee the forme of a servant ; so we may make it our highest pinacle to bee lowest , our throne to bee on a foot-stoole , our greatest honour to bee serviceable to others ; for I am among you as he that serveth , and that all may know they are but men within , in their composition and principles , and onely endorsed with the superscription of gods , I have said yee are gods , but yee shall die like men ; and that all may know their Kingdome is not altogether of this world .

A Kingdome divided . Matth. 12. 25. Every Kingdome divided against it selfe is brought to desolation .
Discovery .

I Discover , that division is the way to desolation : Divide and rule then is no Aphorisme here ; discord does well in any musick , but the musick of Soveraignty : whatsoever the Kingdome then or Empire bee that wee have , let us keepe it from being divided : nothing spoiles our Kingdome of nature so much as factious humours , and distempers , and bruisings , and breakings ; for these set up unwholsome stares , and infect , and corrupt the good Provinces and Shires of our flesh and bloud ; and by this wee are soone brought to desolution : or , if our Kingdome be a Kingdome of grace that wee have , let us keepe it from being divided ; nothings brings this Kingdome to desolation sooner then a law in the members warring against the law of the minde ; for in every Kingdome there should bee a continuity , and concatenation , and consolidation , and where the Kingdome is divided , there must needs be a dissolution and parting of the parts continued , and a breaking and rupture of the links , the lawes , and firme combination ; and now all is divided , and there are so many flawes and chinkes , that any thing may flow in : division is the leekes of the Kingdome , and where these are open , there may soon spring in a tide which may drowne all .

Nation against Nation . Mark . 13. 8. For Nation shall rise against Nation , and Kingdome against Kingdome , and there shall bee Earthquakes in divers places .
The Flame .

LOrd , what combustion ! what commotion is here ! Nation against Nation , and Kingdome against Kingdome ; Spokest thou this onely to Judea and Jerusalem , or hath not thy speech a latitude and influence into our times ? are not our Nations within the territories of this Nation ? are not our Kingdomes within the liberties of this Kingdome here ? Nation against Nation and Kingdome against Kingdome ? even now , thy words were a Kingdome against it selfe , and now it is one Kingdmoe a gainst another : Lord , now I see thy word fulfilled , I am not come to send peace , but the sword ; but how does this suit with thee the God of peace ? Peace was sung at thy Nativity , on earth peace ; and peace was thy onely blessing , peace be unto you ; from whence then , O my God , is this war ? is it not enough that wee have warre in our selves , and fight against principalities and powers , and spirituall wickednesse , but we must call new forces , and set up new standards , and above our Sheild of Faith and Helmet of Salvation , and Brest-plate of Righteousnesse put on other armour ; Must it be Nation against Nation , and Kingdome against Kingdome ? O thou that art the God of peace , from whence is this Nation against Nation and Kingdome against Kingdome ? from whence come these warres and fightings ? come they not hence , even of your lusts ? Jam. 4. 1. your lusts and desires are inordinate , irregular , and exorbitant , and they cause these Earth-quakes in divers places ; our feares and tremblings are these Earth-quakes , when not onely the earth wee tread on shakes , but the earth we are . Our opinions , and waverings , and giddie motions are the cause of these quakings , for , we are tossed to and fro with every winde of doctrine : We , our earth , our selves do shake with a winde and vapour of faction , and sedition , that is got into our veines and arteryes , but the foundation of God standeth sure , 2 Tim. 2. 19. and , O God , fixe us and settle us upon thy foundation , and give our Nations and Kingdomes peace , thou that made peace through the blood of thy Crosse , and let the peace of God rule in our hearts , that we may pray for the peace of Jerusalem .

FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A11378e-860