Esoptron basilikon. Or A kenning-glasse for a Christian king Taken out of the 19. chapter of the gospell of Saint Iohn, the 5. verse, in the words 3 Behold the man. And treated on by William Thorne, Deane of Chichester, and his Maiesties Hebrew reader in the Vniuersity of Oxford.

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Search the Scriptures . In the 19. Chapter of the Gospell according to S. Iohn , the 5. verse , it is thus written ; And he said vnto them , Beholde the man .

The 19. ch: of the Gospell according to S. Iohn , the 5. verse , the latter part of the 5. verse ; And he said vnto them , Beholde the man .

IN these words of holy writ , which now I read vnto you ( Reuerend , Regarded in Christ Iesus ) It will please you to obserue , and note with me first , The Method . and generally these three principall circumstances . First the person by whom they were vttered : Secondly to whom ; together with the manner thereof : thirdlie of whome , together with the matter . The particulars that occurre ( as many there are ) they shall be touched rather then handled in their place .

The first generall circumstance . First as touching the person by whom they were vttered ; Some argue by God the Father Almightie himselfe , and that it was he that said vnto them ; Behold the man : As if he would haue said ; This man , which you see now standing here in this pittifull plight , from the beginning indeed was God , of the same diuine essence , and substance , as I am ; mine onely sonne , the expresse image of my selfe , being his naturall father ; And yet behold for you men , and for your saluation from your sinnes , I sent him down from heauen to earth ; content ( as you see ) to clad himselfe with the mantle of your mortalitie , insteed of the garment of his owne glorie . For I haue decreed this cup shall not passe away from him , & my decree shal stand : Loe how I haue loued your saluation ; loe how I haue loathed your sinne .

Or it may be probable rather our blessed Sauiour said it of himselfe ; As if he would haue said ; Behold in what place , and what case I am ; a miserable man , a scorne of men , indeed a worme , and no man : Consider it is not for my selfe I suffer this , but for your sakes ; for which to do you good , I wil lay down mine owne soule to : only I desire this fauour at your hands ; crucifie not the sonne of man againe ; let it suffize that I be onely once offered on the crosse for you , Semelimmolatus est , & so forth . De consecrat . Distinct . 2. Can. semel Immolatus est . But the whole current of Interpreters , as also the circumstance of the place expound it especially as spoken by Pilat , of whom also like mention is made in the verse next immediatly going before ; Then Pilat went forth againe , & said vnto them ; Behold I bring him forth vnto you , and so forth : wherevnto may be added the authorities of all translations : In the Syriacke Metaphrase of the new Testament , and according to that in the correctedst copies of the French , and Italian , and Spanish Bibles , as also in some English editions the name of Pilate is praecisely put downe Vemar Lehun Pilatús , Metaphr . Syriac . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , And Pilate said vnto them .

Vnto a a The Second generall circumstance . them ? vnto whome ? For so it followeth in the second circumstance I speake a word , or two , and it shall be but a word , of the persons , or parties , to whom it was vttered ; It was vttered vnto the Iewes . But is God a God of the Iewes onely , and not of the Gentiles also ? Rom. 3.29 . Yes of the Gentiles also : Tros Rutulusue fuat ; all is one . And therefore at that time alike vnto the Iewes , & to the Gentiles both , it was aequally said ; Behold the man . But was Christ then Christ , and is he not now ? Yes Iesus Christ yesterday , and to day , Hebr. 13.8 . & the same for euer . And therfore euen then this was written also for our instruction , and we were the men to whom it was said , Behold the man . Yea this shall be written for the generations to come , Psal. 102.19 . and the children yet vnborne shall behold the man .

Now for the intention of the speaker , and manner of the speach . Origen on Math. 27. Origen vpon that interrogatorie of Pilate , Math : 27. Art thou the King of the Iewes ? Perchance ( saith he ) he asked him deridingly , perchance doubtingly , perchance axiomatically , or affirmatiuely . Rupert : on Ioh. 19. Rupertus the Abbat vpon these very words ; Behold the man : & againe behold your King , Iohn . 19. Let Pilate say ( saith he ) what he wil , let him beare the simpler sort in hand , that al that he doth against Christ , he doth against his will ; But ita locuto non credet Romana seueritas : His inner parts are full of hypocrisie , dissimulation , and mockerie . The English Marginals . Our English Marginals vpon the same , and the like places , harpe much vpon the same string .

First , if that were true , and were reputed for such a treacherie in Pilate ; what shall we recken of some Christians now a dayes ? ☞ How many are there amongst vs ( a shame to speake it ) euen in this noone day of the Gospell , that make a trade of it to play Pilate , hooding themselues with hypocrisie like vnto that Roman , that neuer said , that which he thought , nor neuer thought that which he said .

Secondly , I defend him not in this action : I praesume the very name of Pilate is vngracious , and odious in Christian mens ears . Nay I say farther , the whole processe of this his iudgement was against al iustice . Math. 27.4 Luc. 23.47 . For he condemned him that was innocent and iust : against his owne science & conscience to . For he knew of himselfe , or he had warning els of his wife , Math. 27.19 . & 24. that he should haue nothing to do with that iust man . Against the loue of God , for the feare of man . For he was afraide least otherwise he should not be Caesars friend , Ioh. 19.12 . or at least wise lest Caesar would not be his friend : & rather then so he left to loue Christ .

Panorm : in pract: istis praemissis . Yet be-lye we not the deuill Si diabolus esset in iudicio vt reus ( as it pleaseth that great Canonist to instance ) if the deuil himselfe were summoned to the court for this , or that crime , Quantum ad hoc , a defence might not be denied to the diuell ; how much more may Pilat answear for himself ? For if Pilat of his own inclination had bin so hastie to had done him to death , what needed he to haue vsed any such vaine glosse or praetence ? what to please the Iewes ? but he knew well inough he could not please them better , then by dispatching him out of the way ; what to collude with the almightie ? but he was not ignorant that God neither vseth to deceiue , nor to be deceiued : Lapides , & ligna loquuntur . For it was written on the crosse with a mans pen : & it was written in Hebrew , Chrysost: August . on Iohn the 19. that the Iews then glozing on the law : in Greeke , that the Gentiles then glorying in their wisdom in Latin that the Romans then gouerning the world : that al the world might know that Pilat acknowledged Christ to be Iesus of Naz : King of the Iewes . For so also when the high Priests wold haue controuled him Write not King of the Iewes , Ioh. 19.21.22 but that he said , I am King of the Iewes , Pilate answered ; what I haue written , I haue written . Chrysost: on this place . Ideó enim Pilatus scripsit quod scripsit , quia dominus dixit , quod dixit . I conclude therefore both by these , and other Scriptures , as also by other conferences of my text , that in this place it was Pilates intent to haue mooued commiseration , and to haue set Christ free : And therfore when after the custome of the Iewes hee had scourged him , when hee had suffered the barbarous souldiers to make a foole of him , to clap a purple robe on his backe , to plat a crowne of thornes on his head , to put a reede in his right hand , to spitte on him , to smite him with roddes ; then euen then he praesented him a very spectacle of calamity to to the cruell harted Iewes ; if perhaps by any miseries , by any meanes they might relent , and he said vnto them ; Behold the man ; As if he would haue said , if you be good men haue mercy of this innocent man : August : on this place . or if you bee men take some pittie of a man : Etsi Regem inuidetis ( saith Augustine ) parcite , quia subiectum videtis : and if heretofore you enuyed him , whilst you said he was a king , yet spare him now at length , sith you see him a subiect , nay an abiect man : Feruescit ignominia , frigescat inuidia .

O the ineffable operation of the Almightie , euen in the harts of infidels , Chrysost: all along . that the wife of a Gentile should see in her sleep , which the whole nation of the Iewes could not see being awake : that the Gentiles should be more compassionate to Christ-ward , then the Iews : that Pilate a Pagan should be the first proclaimer of that , which was prophecied so long ago ; Ne corrumpas tituli inscriptionem : that it could not sinke out of his head , but that this man ( a man vnlike inough as they had made him ) must needes be that same Iesus of Nazareth king of the Iewes .

Doubtlesse as Pilate wrote this inscription , or title in the Crosse with his owne hand writing : so was it written afore also in the heart of Pilate , though hee wist not when , euen by the finger of that truth her selfe , Ioh. 18.38 . of whom he asked her , what she was ? And I am perswaded it shall be easier for Pilate in the day of doome , then for those peremptorie Iewes ; for they Maius pecatum habent . Ioh. 19.11 . Nay I pray God Pilate doe not rise in iudgement with many of vs Christians , and condemne vs then iustly , as then hee did Christ vniustly : for hee certainely would willingly not haue condemned him : but we day by day , like those reprobate Iewes , doe wilfully crye , as they did vnto Pilate , Ioh: 19.15 . so we to our sins , crucifie him , crucifie him .

The third generall circumstance . Thirdly to leaue the persons by whom , and to whom it was spoken , together with the manner of speaking ; the person of whome it was spoken , was Christ ; the matter was this , Beholde the man . And first , Beholde . The first diuision of the third generall circumstance the first distinction . Which word in holy Scripture hath diuers and sundry significations : but I encomber not your eares with vnnecessary notes . Onely I content you with this alone obseruation of S. Bernard ; Bernard on Math. 19. Behold we haue forsaken all &c. 27. Whensoeuer you read this word Behold , marke then ( saith he ) there alwayes ensueth some important matter : t is one way or other a watchworde to a wonder . Behold a virgin shall conceiue , & being forth a sonne , Pele . Esa. 7. & 9. and you shal call his name Admirable , or Wonderfull , Esay . 7. & the .9 . The first diuision of the third generall circumstance : the second distinction . Irenaeus contr: Haer: Epiphan in panario . August : adquod vult : all along . Eusebius Cyrill euery where .

Secondly behold a man , not a God only as Simon , and Cerdon , and Marcion maintaine ; but a man ; Not an aethereall man , passing through with a trice , through the wombe of the woman , as Valentine , and Bardisan , and their pew fellowes haue plaide ; but a man indeede . Not without assumption of humaine flesh subsisting as Eutyches excepts ; Not without a reasonable soule assisting , as Apollinaris auoucheth : Cic de nat: deor. 1. Not as the Epicure would haue it , Non corpus , sed quasi corpus , Not as hauing a body , but as it were a body : Non sanguis , sed quasi sanguis , not a soule , but as it were a soule : Not a phantasticall body , nor a kinde of spiritall blood , but a true , naturall , and substantiall body , Creedes Nicen : Athanas . and blood : flesh of her flesh , and bone of her bone : Very God of very God , and very man , of very man , consubstantiall to God his father , as touching his diuinity , & consubstantiall to Mary his mother as touching his inhumanation , or humanitie .

Theodoret Cyrens : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : out of the rest of the fathers at large . Or is it possible , ( thinke we ) that it was his passible humanity , that raised Lazarus from the dead ? or that it was his impassible diuinitie that lamented Lazarus when he was dead ? or that it was his humane pouerty , that with fiue Barley loaues , and a few fishes fed so many thousand ? or that it was his rich omnipotencie that fedde on a Fig-tree ? or that it was the aeternall and incorporeall worde , which in that strange agony swet water , & bloud ? whose very soule was heauy vnto death ? that in the houre of his death , and horror of his heart , cryed Eli , Eli , my God , my God ? No , no , that was the sonne of Mary , and as hee was the sonne of Mary , as say Gelasius , and Gregory ; or that it was his mortall , and massie body that wrought miracles ? cast out diuells ? cured all men of their maladies ? came in at the doore , when the doore was shut ? walked vpon waters as vpon drye land ? cui venti , tempestatesquè obsecundârunt , commaunding the winds peace , and the Seas bee still ? In a worde , that sustained the world with his word ? No verylie , this coulde not bee but the very sonne of the lyuing God . Not God onely : for then he could not haue suffered that ; Not man onely : for then hee coulde not haue doone this . Not God by himselfe , and man by himselfe , as the Quaternionists cauill ; C. de summa Trinit: Nos tradetes . Damascen of the Orthodox faith . professing indeede the blessed Virgin to be Chrisostocos the mother of Christ the man , but not Theotocos the mother of Christ a God : Not Christ ( I say ) Alius & alius two persons in an vnquoth nature : Vincent : contr: Haer. c. 19. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Athansius in his Creed Greg : Naz : euery where . but Aliud & aliud ( as Vincent speakes ) two natures in one person : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 God and man , homo-deus , & Deus-homo , as the schoolemen teach .

Of which his holy hypostasis , and extraordinary vnion very praegnant are those notable paradoxes of Abulensis , Alphons : Thostat : Abulensis in his Paradoxes . as he termes them ; as that Christ is a Lyon which was seene , and which was not seene ; which was heard , and which was not heard ; which was knowne , and which was not knowne : as that he was a lambe vberatus , & non vberatus , that was shorne , and yet came not before the shearer : that bleated and yet did not open his mouth , that dyed , and yet did not dye : As that he was a Serpent and an Eagle , that saw and did not see , that heard , and did not heare ; that mooued , and did not mooue ; that came againe to the place , from which they neuer went ; that rested , and yet did not rest , that were renewed , and yet were not renewed , that reioyced , and yet did not reioyce : for looke what hee did as man , the same hee did not as God .

But I haue strayed somewhat from my text , The second diuision of the third general circumstance the first distinction . and haue soared with the Eagle into heauen to seeke Christ there , whom S. Iohn shewes me vpon earth here : Behold the man .

Behold , I say , and behold him vnder two formes . First in his owne shape : then in thine owne . In his owne behold his Maiesty : In thine owne his miserie . In his Maiesty behold the man : Instit: de iur . Nat. Gent. & ciuil . § Sed ius . Not a man but the man . When I say the lawes of Solon or Draco ( said the most sacred Iustinian ) thinke then I say the ciuill law of the Athenians : but if I say the ciuill law & ad no name of any nation , thinke then I say , the ciuill lawe of the Romans ; as when we say the Poet , and adde no name Subanditur apud Graecos egregius Homerus , apud nos Virgilius . I alter him on litle , & apply it to my text ; When I say the lawes of Iustinian , it is a cleare case I say the ciuill lawe of the Romans : but if I say the lawe , Thorah . Hieron : in prologo galealo . Deutr. 4.8 . and adde no name , know then I say the lawe of God . For what Nation is so great ( saith your Lord ) that hath ordinances and lawes so righteous , as all this lawe which I set before you this day ? So likewise when I say Esaias the Prophet , or Elias the man of God , it is plaine , I say Esai , or Eli : But if I say a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Deutr. 18.15 . Ioh. 6.14 . the prophet , or he that b b Shiloh . Gen. 49.10 . is to come , or c c Ioh. 19.5 . the man , and adde no name , knowe then I say Christ . For such an emphasis oft times and strength of signification doth the Greeke article import , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as d d Epiphan. in panar : libr. 1. Tom. 1. contr: Samarit : Haer. 9. Epiphanius obserues ; and that it so doth in this place the Syriacke interpretation doth well accord . Ho gabhro . Behold the man ; Metaphr : Syriac . Diog : Laert : in Diogenes the Cynicke . not a man , but the man . Not such a man , as the Philosopher would not see , when he said I would see men , and not Pigmees ; nor such a man as hee saw againe , and would not speake with , saying , O verè phrygiae neque enim phryges . Hom: virg. I would speake with Men , and not with Beastes ; nor such a man , as a Captaine saide he saw many , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Women , and no men , but such a man , as there are not many such : Homo perpaucorum hominum : nay such a one as besides himselfe , there was neuer any such ; Verè vir , Cic. Tusc. 3 as from whome all virtue deriueth her name : a worthy man , an excellent man , not such a man amongst a thousand : Quem sese ore ferens ? Virg: AEneid . 4. quam forti pectore et armis ? Crede equidem ( nec vana fides ) genus esse deorum . Degeneres animos timor arguit . —

But thou arte beautifull my loue as Tirzah , A Salomonicall description of the Maiesty of Christ , as vnited , and communicating with his Church Cant. throughout : Dan: 7. and 10. Apoc: 1. & 19. Ch. Vultum habens venerabilem , &c. Ludolph : in prologo de vita Christi . comely as Hierusalem , terrible as an armie of banners : Thine head is an head of many crownes of gold , thy bush purple , thy lockes curled : Thy haire of thine head like a flocke of goates looking downe from Gilead : Thy temples within thy lockes as a peece of a Pomegranate : Thy face as the lightning , shining as the Sunne shineth in his strength : Thy nose as Lebanon , thy countenance excellent as the Cedars ; Thine eyes as the Doues ; O turne awaye thine eyes from mee , for they ouercome mee ; Thou hast washed them with milke in the Riuers of Heshbon : Thy cheekes as the Rose , as a bedde of Spices , and sweete flowers : Thy lippes as the Lillies , as a thred of Scarlet , dropping Hony : Thy mouth as sweete things ; O kisse mee with the kisses of thy mouth , thy loue is sweeter then Wine ; Hony , and Milke are vnder thy tongue : Thy teeth like a flocke of sheepe going vp from washing : Thy necke as the Tower of Dauid , a thousand Shieldes , and Targets hang thereon : Thy bodie like a Chrysolite , and thy stature as a Palme tree : Thy breastes as two young roes on the Mountaines of Bether : Thy bellie like White Iuory couered with Saphites : Thy nauell as a round Cuppe full of Grace , and running ouer : Thy loynes are girt about with a girdle of Golde , of the Golde of Vphaz : I haue compared thee ô my loue to the troupe of Horses in the charets of Pharaoh : Thine armes like polished brasse thrice purified in the Furnace ; thine handes as the ringes of Golde set about with Tharshish : On thy thigh a name enwritten , the King of Kinges and Lorde of Lordes , and the Ioyntes of thy thighes as Iewels : Thy legges as Pillars of Marble set vpon sockets of pure Gold : Isaiah . 52. Nahum . 1. Rom. 10. Ps. 45. Hebr: 1. thy feete , O how beautifull are the goings of the feete of thee , that bringest glad tidings of peace ? Thy whole Christ annointed with oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes : All thy garments of flesh , redolent with Myrrhe , Aloes , and Cassia out of the Iuory Pallaces : whiles the King is at his repast , my spiknard giues the smell thereof : my whole welbeloued is as a bundle of Myrrhe vnto me , as a cluster of Camphire in the vines of Engedi .

— Quem non , vt caetera desint , Forma mouere potest ? certè mea pectora mouit .

O that thou wert as my brother , sucking the breasts of my mother , Cant: 8.1.1.12 . that I might finde thee within , and kisse thee with the lippes of deuotion , and embrace thee with the armes of loue : thou shouldest lie betweene my breasts .

I might seeme here much to mistrust your wisdomes , if I misdoubted at all , lest in this description of Christ you might mistake my meaning , and take him in such materiall sorte , as the wordes doe sound : But I speake vnto you that haue a more spirituall vnderstanding , and that can iudge of more then I can say . Onely this I say , and it standes with good reason to , and the Scriptures of God doe not gainesay ; but that the a a The complexion of Christ white , and ruddie . Cant 5.10 . Fronte habens cum facie sine ruga●● sine macula ; quamrubor moderatus venustauit ex Annal: Roman : Ludolph : in prologo de vita Christi . complexion of this man might be all white and well-coloured , as being of a more tender and delicate flesh then we are : but that the symmetrie and lineaments of his body might be of a more better and aequall proportion ; as it is written ; he encreased in wisedome , and stature and grace , and fauour with God , and man : Luc. 2.52 . Gratior et gratiosior as Zanchie notes . Zanch : vpon that place . But it is another beauty that I now speake of , and aboue all the beauty of the Kings sonne is all glorious within : within , I saye , there within are those most peerelesse , and matchlesse virtues and beauties , which neuer yet , nor Dauid , nor Daniel , nor Salomon , nor Iohn Baptist , nor any tongues of men , nor Angelles coulde sufficiently adumbrate , or expresse . Returne then , Cant: 6.12.3.11 . returne O Shulamite returne : returne I saye returne , and behoulde my wellbeloued , behoulde my Louer ( O Daughters of Hierusalem . ) This is that King Salomon with his Crowne , wherewith his mother Crowned him in the daye of his marriage , euen in the day of his Maiesty .

The second diuision of the third generall circumstance the second distinction . Hitherto haue you beheld ( deere Christian brethren ) and more hereafter you may beholde this most worthy man , of what Maiesty and Excellencie hee was in himselfe : Meane while beholde a little of what Misery and Vility hee is in thy selfe . Diog. Laert : in Diogenes the Cynick . Diogenes Laertius reportes of Diogenes the Cynicke , that hee taxed sometimes , ( and in his conceite verye prettylie to ) certayne vaine gloryous Sophisters , supposing that wisedome consisted in words ; and hee taxed them vnder this stile , that they were thrise men , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Thrisemen for thrise-miserable : if euer any one man were thrise a man , that is thrise miserable , poore Iesus was that man .

Ezechias as it is storyed in the second of Chronicles , 2. Chron: 29 5.16 . when the Temple of the Lorde was prophaned by certayne wicked persons , hee commaunded that first the Temple shoulde bee purified , and that then the filth thereof shoulde bee conueyed into the Ryuer Cedron . We were ( beloued ) that spirituall , and liuelye Temple prophaned by Diuels , possessed by euill spirits , euen our owne infinite euils , and diuelish sinnes : Christ was that cleere riuer Cedron , sustaining the beautie of heauen with his streames : Into this heauenly Cedron then were all the pollutions of our earthly man cast . Christ was the Priest that purged vs : the font and bason that dipped vs : the water and Hysop that washed vs : the pure fine linnen towell receauing the filth of our feet into it owne selfe , and wiping vs cleane ; In so much that now we are strong , and he is weake : we are cleane , and he is foule : we are white and rud-colloured , and he hath neither forme nor beautie : we acquitted from sinne , and he arraigned for sinne : we blessed , and he cursed : we repriued , and himselfe hanged on the tree : we were all this for him , Isaiah . 53.4 Matt: 8.17 1. Pet. 2.24 , &c. and he was all that for vs . Verè languores nostros ipse tulit . But of his passion anon : Insomuch that the Church her-selfe stands amazed at this so suddaine & strange alteration ; and therfore as if he had bene growne out of knowledge , she demaunds this quaestion ; Who is this , Isaiah . 63.1 Apoc. 19.13 who is this that commeth from Edom , with redde garments from Bezrah ? wherefore doest thou ( O Lord ) weare garments all be spotted , and died with blood , like vnto them that stampe Grapes in the Wine presse ? this is very strange ( me thinkes ) to see the sonne of God in the shape of a sinner , the God of glorie apparelled with ignominy , life her selfe put to death . Isaiah . 28.21 . — Heu quantum mutatus ab illo Hectore ? His workes ( as Esay had good reason to say ) are very strange , and farre vnlike himselfe .

And this much I thought good to declare vnto you , The third diuision of the third generall circumstance the first distinction . as touching the man , first in his owne person , then in our owne ; Each of them by way of exposition ; vt hominem scias , that we might know him to be a man . Now againe by way of exhortation , Behold the man . And that the eye of our faith may haue some certaine obiect , wheron to fixe and setle it selfe ; Behold him first in his life and actions ; Secondly in his death and passion ; Thirdly in his session at the right hand of God his father , & intercession . In the actions of his life behold him with a zealous , yet sober eye of imitation ; In his death and passion , behold him with the eye of Sympathie and compassion ; In his session , and intercession , beholde him with the eye of affiance and consolation . First in his life and actions : a a Omnis Christi Actio , &c. The actions of Christ ( say the Fathers in generall ) are a Christians imitations : * * August : The summe of Christian Religion ( saith Augustine ) is to imitate Christ : Christ himselfe I inscribe c c A Kenning-Glasse for a Christian . The Imitation of Christ . W : Th: Ludolph de vita Iesu Christi . part : 1.16 . A Kenning-Glasse for a Christian ; Speculum vitae Christianae . A warrant of this inscription I haue , first out of Gods owne mouth ; d d Exod. 25.9.40 . Acts. 7.44 . Hebr. 8.5 . Matth: 17.5 . Matt: 11.29 . Iohn . 13 15. Hebr: 12.1.2.3 . Inspice et fac : See , looke , and do according to the mirrour I shewed thee in the mount : Behold this is my welbeloued sonne , in whom I am well pleased , Hunc audite , heare him . Secondly of Christ himselfe , Discite a me , looke vpon mee , learne of mee : I haue giuen you ( saith he ) an example . Thirdly the Apostles all exhort ; Aspicite , looke , consider Christ , how he endured the Crosse : runne with patience the race , which is set afore you : Looke vpon Iesus the author and finisher of your faith . Art thou then ( O man of God ) affected zealouslie to be a Christian indeed ? August : de vitae Christiana . Bernard in his Sentences . no longer to vsurpe the name of a Christian ? Loe heere then a Kenning-Glasse to thy hand ; Behold this man ; marke well the face of his life ; compare , and compose the countenance of thy conuersation accordingly . Art thou then ( for example and instance ) art thou ambitious , and proude ? pompous ? insolent ? of much attendance ? Looke vpon him , and wonder at thy selfe Rex fieri noluit . August : Hee refused to bee a King , or his whole traine and retinue was one poore man , and a weake woman , Ioseph and Mary , — ijdem parentquè iubentque . Hast thou with Lucifer said in thine hart ? I will ascend into heauen , Isaiah . 14.13 . and exalt my throne aboue the starres of God : I will enthronize my selfe vpon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the North : I will be like the most high . Looke vpon him and wonder at thy selfe : Psal: 88.3 . My soule ( saith he ) drawes neere vnto hell : I am in the midst of you , as the meanest of you : Psal: 22.6 . a man and no God : a worme and no man : Psal: 131.1.2 . mine hart not haughtie : mine eyes not loftie : I am in my selfe as a wayned childe : Lord who is like vnto thee ? Hast thou with Anti-christ , and Atheists , and many false Christes aduanced thy selfe an aduersary against all that is God ? 2. Thess: 2.4 . Hast thou sate as God , in the temple of God , vaunting thy selfe that thou wert God ? Philip. 2.6.7 . Looke vpon him and wonder at thy selfe : he , when he was in the forme of God , aequall with God , humbled himselfe in the habite of man vnto the death , euen the death , of the Crosse : Gaue vnto Caesar , Matth: 22.21 . On Iob. 41. Greg. moral : 34.21 . that which was Caesars , and vnto God that which was Gods , and this he did , Vt superbum non esse hominem doceret humilis Deus . Art thou auaritious and couetous ? ioyning house to house , Isaiah . 5.8 . and land to land ? still gaping after Gold , Ecclesiasticus 31.8 . and heaping vp money & treasures ? Looke vpon him : Pauper esse voluit , August : he would needs be a poore man : he neither had , nor would haue any such thing : nor siluer , nor gold : nor house , nor land : Math: 8.20 not an hole to hide his head in ▪ Godlinesse was vnto him great riches . Art thou luxurious , and lecherous ? a glutton ? a drunkard ? feasting and feeding thy selfe without feare ? ouercome by thy body ? Iud: 12. Ecclesiasticus 47.19 . and bowing thy loynes vnto women ? Looke vpon him : his hunger , Math: 4 : his thirst , Iohn 4 : his onely meate , and drinke , Iohn 4.34 . to doe the will of his father which is in heauen : his Father knew no woman : his Mother was a Virgin : himselfe abhorred generation of man . Iob. 41.10.11 . Art thou as the Leuiathan in Iob ? thy mouth as fire , thy nostrils as the smoake ? in ire ? in enuie ? reuenging thine enemies ? repining at thy friends ? still breathing out threatnings , and slaughters ? Looke vpon him , and wonder at thy selfe : Isaiah . 53.7 As a Lambe before the shearer , he opened not his mouth ; he enuied none : Math: 5.22 pittied all he that is angrie with his brother ( saith he ) is culpable of Iudgement .

In fine , art thou deuoted to delicacie ? Amos. 6.4 . set vpon slouth ? lying vpon Beds of Iuorie ? and stretching thy selfe vpon thy bed ? Looke vpon him and wonder at thy selfe : hee walked the world ouer : from cittie to cittie : from one region to another : he preached : he prayed : he iourneyed , and was wearie in his iourneyes : I will say all at once , W : Th : de Camp : De Regia via Sancta crucis . Tota vita Christi crux est ; and inconsequent it were , that vnder Christ our head of thornes we Christians should pamper so delicate bodyes . Thou seest now ( good Christian ) I am sure , with how manye foule and ougly spottes of mortall sinne thy soule is stained . The office and end of a Kenning-glasse ( thou maist well conceiue ) consistes not so much in Kenning the deformities of the face , as in correcting them . Hee that fansifieth himselfe cured with hearing a Physician talke onely , is like one of those idle hearers , whome Saint Iames admonished , Iames 1 : 22. that they shoulde be Doers also , and not hearers onelye , deceauing themselues : and he that imagineth hee hath done away the spirituall spottes of his face with behoulding them in this looking-glasse onelye , is like that man in Saint Iames , Iames 1.23.24 . that behelde his naturall face in a Glasse , and considered himselfe , & went his way , and forgot immediately , Dion : Carth. in Speculo Amatorum mundi . what one he was : non sic impij , non sic itur ad astra : away , away with such vaine speculations : examine rather the matter aright : Iames 1 : 25. looke well in this perfect law of liberty : runne from Christ to thy selfe , Isaiah . 1.16 . Apoc. 7.14 . and againe from thy selfe to Christ : Washe thee : make thee cleane : Wash white thy stole , nay thy soule & body in the blood of the Lambe . Greg : Speculasū ( saith Gregory ) in quibus animae sanctae semper aspiciunt . The face of Christ is a glasse which the Saints of God do view , and reuiew , that when ought in themselues is amisse , they may reforme it . Compare then the pride thou seest in thine owne face with Christes humility : thy couetousnesse with his contentednes : thy luxury , and prodigality in meates and drinkes with his parsimony , and chastitie : thine anger with his amiablenesse : thine enuy with his innocence : thy lazinesse , with his labours : thy vices with his virtues : compare them I say , and conforme thee : that in opposition to that vayle one Moses face thou maist also say , 2. Cor. 3.18 I see in a glasse the glory of God with open face , and am conformed and transformed into the same image from glory to glory . Chrysost: Etenim ad hoc vtile est nobis speculum , et facilem facit transpositionem

All this notwithstanding some other Anthropolatrae there are ( as the Emperour in his Code recordes of Nestorius ) that commit Idolatry with men , C. de Summa Trinit: Nos rendentes . C. de Haeret : & Manich damnato . Qui cunque . that make mirrours of men : some of themselues , and some of others . Of themselues ; such are they , that Narcissus like are in loue with themselues , Actes . 36.37 . Origen in his first booke against Celsus . Ioseph : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : 20.2 Euseb. 2.14 Theudas amongst the Iews , Iudas amongst the Galilaeans , Dositheus amongst the Samarians , each of them professing himselfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , some miraculous man at least , and the last perswading himselfe to be Christ : such was Demetrius the sonne of Demetrius , 1. Mach. 10 72. go aske ( saide he to Ionathas ) and learne who I am . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Quam pulchrum est digito monstrari , & dicier hic est ? & such a one I suppose he was , strouting vp and downe , & gazing on himselfe ; Is not this great Babel , Dan. 4.27 . that I haue built for the house of my kingdome , and for the honour of my maiestie ? such and such like men are as those glasses of women , Isaiah 3.23 by which the daughters of Sion decked themselues , fraile , & fickle . Would God our Ladies of England , after the example of those auncient matrons of Israell , could be content to correct their Glasses by Christ our Glasse , and to consecrate them to the making of the Lauer of Gods Tabernacle . Exod: 38.8 Onkelus . & Kimchi . Matthias Illyricus . Some others make others Glasses to them selues , they commit ( as I saide ) Idolatrie with men : such a wicked Idolatresse was that wretched woman of Samaria , Iohn 4.12 . saying vnto Christ ; art thou greater then our father Iacob ? Such were the Iewes ; Iohn . 8.53 . art thou greater then our father Abraham ? whom makest thou thy selfe ? Such were some of the Pharisies ; be thou his disciple , Iohn . 9.28 . the disciple of Christ , if thou wilt , as for vs , we are Moses disciples : And I am of Paule , 1. Corinth. 1 : 12. I am of Apollos , I am of Cephas : I am of the rule of S. Francis , I am of the order of S. Dominick , the Canons of their liues must be the rules for mine : — O i. mitatores stultum pecus . Good Christ what is it not thou that hast the wordes of aeternall life abiding with thee ? Iohn 6.68 . then whither doe wee runne from thee ? Is it not thou that art the way ? Iohn 14.6 . Then why do we not walke in thee ? Is it not thou that art the trueth ? then why do we not beleeue in thee ? Is it not thou that art the life ? Ambr : then why do we not liue in thee . Omnia habemus in Christo ( saith Ambrose ) and Christ is all in all vnto vs . If thou feare death , he is life : if thou flie darkenesse , he is light : if thou affect heauen , he is the way : he is the way inuiolable the truth infallible , the life euerlasting . And neyther yet doe I condemne here any due aestimation , or Imitation of Saints , Nay I commend it rather , and charge you to ; a a The imatation of Saints . Hebr. 13.7 . Chrysost: Ludolph : de vita Christi part : 1. c. 66 Imitamini fidem ducum vestrorum , Imitate the Saints of God . Speculum est , & spirituale , So many Saints ( saith Chrysostome ) so many Seeing-Glasses hath a Christian : c c Isaiah . 51.2 . consider Abraham your father , and Sarah that bare you : d d Rom. 4.12 . walke in the steps of their faith : e e Iames. 5.10 . Take ( my brethren ) the Prophets for an ensample : f f 1. Mach : 2.51 . Call to remembrance ( my sonnes ) what actes our Fathers did in their times , so shall yee receiue great honor , and an euerlasting name : you haue read the g g Iames 5.11 . long patience of Iob , and haue heard what end the Lord made . The way ( some say ) to prouoke Elephants to fight , 1. Math: 6.34 . is to shew them the bloud of Grapes , and Mulberies : The blood of so many Saints , of Patriarches , Prophets , Apostles , Martyrs , confessors , Virgins , Men , Women , children , what recreant would it not whet vnto battaile ? 1. Corinth : 4.9 . Ecce factisumus spectaculum ( saith one of the Apostles in the name of all ) we are made as so many spectacles , and gazing stockes vnto the world , and to the Angels , and to men . Th: a Campis de exemplis Sanctorum patrum . Terent : in Adelph . Intuere sanctorum , and so foorth . See , ( saith another ) the examples of the Saints : Denique inspicere tanquam in speculum vitas hominum iubeo . And this to what end ? or why were these things then related of them ? Rom. 4.23 . &c. Rom. 15.4 . or why doe I now repeate them to you ? Surely not for them but for vs , that we also through patience , Chrysost: Greg : Collect . Saint Michael , & all Angels all Saints day . and consolation of the Scriptures might haue hope , and so directing our liues according to their good ensamples , may finally attaine also those Palmes , and crownes of life , for which they combatted vnto death . Imitate then on Gods name the Saints of God , but this must thou do , A limitation of the Imitation of Saints . Th: Aquinas on the 15. of the Romanes . 1. Cor. 11 : 1 August : in ps. : 39. Hieron . not at all times , nor in all things : imitate me ( saith Saint Paule ) as I imitate Christ , so far & no farther . For doth he not imitate Christ , heers himselfe , Iste in eclesia ordo est , this ( saith Saint Augustine ) is the institution of the Church : virtutes imitamur , non vitia . To particularize a while . Thou maiest imitate now the obedience of Abraham , thou maiest not his sacrifice : that was then commendable in him , that were now damnable in thee . Thou maiest imitate the profoundnesse of Moses , the eloquence of Aaron ; thou maiest not their incredulitie : thou maiest imitate the ardent faith , and zeale of Dauid , thou maiest not his adulterie , and murther : thou maiest the profession of Peter , thou maiest not his deniall with an oath : Thou maist the patience of Paul , thou maiest not his persecution : thou mayest the amiable qualities of the other Apostles , thou mayest not their ambition : In short the Saints of God are Seeing-Glasses , I say , and men may see some thing in them but it is but in part and vncertainely , 1. Cor. 13.12 . as through a Glasse obscurely : there are in their seuerall legends and liues certaine beauties ( I grant ) and splendors of life , but they are but here and there , and there are spots too .

But this Kenning-Glasse of a Christian that I commend , the one Analysis alone of Christ his life , In splendoribus Sanctorum ante Luciferum &c. ps: 110.3 . wisd. 7.26 Hebr: 1 : 3. Coloss 1.15 . is absolutely perfect in it selfe , pure , cleare , spotlesse , the splendour of Saints , the lustre of the euerlasting light , the vndefiled mirrour of the maiestie of God the influence of the Almightie , and Image of his goodnesse . Good Saint Bernard compares this Mirrour of Man-kinde vnto that fascicle , or flower of Myrrhe amiddest the breasts of the spouse , Cant. 1.12 . Bern : in Cant. Serm. 43. Serm: 47. and intertexeth his comparison thus : Here is a flower and a Glasse , Flos virginitas , flos martyrium , flos actio bona , A Flower of the Chamber , A Flower of the Garden , A Flower of the Field : Hee is a Flower of the Chamber , Speculum et exemplum , An example and Glasse of all bountye , and goodnesse ; he is a flower of the garden , Virgo virga virgine generatus , euen Iesus of Nazereth , Netzar . Isaiah . 11.1 the flower of Iesse : he is a flower of the field , a Martyr , the crowne of Martyrs , the forme of Martyrs . Vtrunque ( imo omnia ) es mihi domine Iesu , et speculum patiendi et praemium patientis . Here maiest thou reade at once the Innocence of Abel , the righteousnesse of Noah , the obedience of Abraham , the chastitie of Ioseph , the mildenesse of Moses , the feruence of Phinees , the strength of Sampson , the wisdome of Salomon , the deuotion of Dauid , the diet of Daniel , the patience of Iob , the pietie of Tobie , the humilitie of Ioseph , and Mary : hee was truly faythfull in heart without fayning : humble without hypocrisie : sober without sowernesse : wife as a Serpent : innocent as a Doue : stout as a Lion : meeke as a Lambe : what shall I more say ? Here maiest thou haue all that which all they haue , and here maiest thou haue that , which all they put them all together , and they had it not . If any man require more in speciall to reade of this argument , I reporte him to Ludolphus of the life of Iesus Christ , to Thomas of Campis of the imitation of Christ , or rather with S. Augustine to the foure Euangelistes . August : Ludolph : in prologo . For that no man ( saith he ) can so throughly informe vs of the life , & manners of Christ , as the Gospell of Christ . I for my part must on with my text , and passe ouer in a word , which eftsoones I proposed , namely a sobrietie in the imitation of Christ . As we are zealous , so must we be sober : As therefore in the imitation of Saints , thou maiest imitate them ( I said ) but that nor at all times , nor in all things : so , and much more so , we may , nay we must , imitate a a A limitation of the imitation of Christ . Christ , & that at all times , but not in all things . b b De consecrat : dist. 2. Liquido apparet in Glossa . Non omnis Christi actio nostra est lectio . Euery action of Christ is not an imitation for a Christian . c c August : S●nt . Imitatores Christi esse debemus , we must imitate Christ , but we must imitate him in his mercies , The English Chronicles . we may not in his myracles : we may not as Bladud a Brittaine Prince and founder of the hotte Bathes ( as they say ) make vs waxen wings , and flie in the winde , vnlesse we will breake our neckes , as he did ; yet Christ flyeth , Ps. 18.10 . and commeth flying on the wings of the winde : we may not take vpon vs to rayse the dead , to turne water into Wine , as prophane Necromancers , and iuglers doe , yet Christ said , Exi Lazare , come foorth Lazarus , Iohn . 11.43 Iohn . 2.7.8 . and transubstantiated water into Wine in Canah of Galilee : wee may not goe about as the God of Norweighe did , Iohn Wier de ietuniis Comment . The Golden legend . as Saint Mary the Aegyptian , as Pharaoh and his host , to walke on the waues , to tread the pathes of the sea , to do all , that Christ could do , as God . For most true it is in this , which in another sense , Iohn . 8.21 . whither I goe ( sayd Iesus to the Iewes ) thither you cannot come ; and Christ vnto Peter , whither I goe , Iohn : 13.36 thou canst not followe me . Eccles: 2 : 12. Quid est enim homo vt sequi possit regem factorem suum , August : de verbis domini : August : in Ps: 90. as it is in the vulgar Latine translation . He saith not ( saith Augustine ) thou canst not be my disciple , thou canst not follow me , except thou create a new world , or walke on the seas , or make the blinde to see , the halt to go , the deafe to heare , the dead to ryse againe . For these are myracles vnimitable for vs , and as it appeares in that reply of Christ to Saint Iohns disciples , Math: 11.4.5 . Luc: 7 : 22.23 . he reserues them as peculiar to himselfe . Quid ergo est ? what it is then that the eye of thine imitation must aime at in Christ ? Christ tels thee himselfe , Math: 11.29 : discite a me ( saith he ) quia mitis sum ; learne of me for I am humble & meeke be ye , as I am : be yee holy , Leuit: 11.44 . 1. Iohn . 2.3.6 . for I am holy : walke as I haue walked : keepe my commandements : loue one another : hereby shal al men know , Iohn : 13.34.35 . August . on the 90. Psalm. Theodor : de virt: Act. that ye are my disciples . Quod factus est propter te , hoc in Christo debes attendere , vt imiteris eum : Loue and hate that , which Christ loued , and hated , as hee was God , and thou doost imitate Christ , as much as a man may imitate God : do that which Christ did , as he was man , and thou dost imitate Christ , as a Christian ought . Magnus esse vis ? August de verbis domini . a minimo incipe ? ambula per hominem , et peruenies ad Deum . To knit vp this point , what blessed Bernards conceite was of his fascicle of Myrrhe , the same is mine of this my glasse , this was that mirrour of man , which the virgin Mary carried in her wombe , the spouse betweene her breasts , Simeon in his armes , Zachary in his hand , Iohn in his bosome , Ioseph dalied with on his knees . 2. Cor: 4 : 10 O that all we , that are Christians , would do the like , Ezeche . 9.6 Galat. 6.17 Bern : in Cant: Serm: 21. that we would manifest in our bodies the life of Iesus : that wee would marke our foreheads with the marke of Christ : that we would erect his image in our harts aut nasentis , O si Iesus Crucifixus in Cor nostrum veniret . W. Th. a Camp : De Imit : Christi . L. 1. C. 25. aut lactentis , aut docentis , euen from his cradle to the crosse : that we would alwaies contemplate this Kenning-glasse , Christ , and his crosse : that we would carry him in our bosome , and lay him amidst our breasts , Bernard in Cant: Serm: 43. and haue him alwayes afore our eyes , non retro in humeris , sed ante prae oculis .

Secondly I exhort ; The third diuision of the third generall circumstance the second distinction . Innocent . de sacro Altaris mysterio . Libr. 5. C : 9 Math. 26.28 . Marck . 14.33.34 . Behold the man in his death & passion . They that discourse of the passion of Christ digest it vsually into a triple passion : the first they terme his propassion the second , and that most properly , his passion , the third his compassion : his propassion was in his soule , his passion in his body , his compassion in his harte . Of his propassion he protesteth himselfe ; My soule is very heauy , euen vnto death : Of his compassion he praieth for them that crucified him , Father forgiue them , Luc. 23.24 . they know not what they doe : Of his passion he proclaimes ; O vos omnes , Thron : 1 : 12. O homo vide , quae pro te patior . Bernard . Oh all yee that passe by the way , behold and see , if euer any passion were like this of mine ? Of this passion I intreate . And here I shall request all the sonnes of Adam to lift vp the eyes of their compassion yet a little higher and to beholde the man . Come forth ô yee daughters of Sion , Cant. 3 : 11. and beholde your King , Brethren if wee bee men ( except we be Iewes or Saracens ) behold we the man ; Which the sunne for our sinnes was ashamed to beholde ; the Daughters of Hierusalem wept out their eyes to beholde ; the dead corpses in the graues resumed their eyes to behold . Behold I say ( O Christian soule ) behold and say Quis ego , et quis tu Domine ? Who art thou , and who am I O Lorde ? O what hart doth not riue and rent in sunder ? What hardnesse is not mollified ? What eyes doe not streame with teares beholding such a lamentable and dolefull sight as this is . I see my Iesus all of a gore blood , all his senses , The expansion of Christ one the crosse expressed out of scriptures & holy fathers . and faculties of bodye and soule , his partes and whole sorelye smitten ; I see that Angelicke head , at whose presence the very powers of heauen weare wont to tremble , all to bee preaned and prickt through with thornes : I see that Diuine face that was fairer then the children of men , now defaced , and defiled with the spittle of the Iewes ; I see those Christall eyes , once clearer then the Sunne beames , now blood-shed , and cast ouer with the darkenesse of death ; his eares once accustomed to the hymnes of Angelles , must now giue eare to the exclamations of Diuelles ; his mouth once full of Butter and Hony to eate , is now full of Gall and viniger to drinke ; his feete fastened with Nayles to the Crosse , and yet his verye soote-stoole , is holye : his handes and armes all spreade , and distreined on the Crosse , and yet they framed and fashioned the Heauens : his whole Man all torne , and wounded with lashes and Whippes : his side broacht through with a Launce ; and his hart bloode gushing out on euery side . Et quid plura ? From the soale of his foote to the crowne of his head he reserued nothing entire , Ioh. 19.26 . The pathos of the blessed Virgin . saue onely his tongue therewith to pray for them , that persecuted him , and commend his Mother vnto his disciple ; Woman beholde thy sonne . O how may we conceaue ? how did the hart of that blessed Mother and Virgin Mary , throb and beate then within her breast ; O how much rather had she , her bodie should haue gone from her soule , then her sonne and sauiour gone out of her sight ? O how willingly would she haue eaten the afell gall , which her sonne did eate , and dranke the sower vineger , Luc. 24.26 . which her sonne did drinke ? and giuen vp the ghost which her sonne gaue vp , saue that he must needes die for the sinnes of the world ? Prouerb . 31.1 . O my sonne , and O the sonne of my wombe , and O the sonne of my desires , O my sonne Lemuel , O my sonne Salomon ; finally I cannot expresse . Then sinfull man that I am , A patheticall exclamation of a paenitent sinner . who shall deliuer mee from this body of sinne ? It is my sinne ( I see ) it is my sinne that slew my Sauiour vpon the crosse : my pride the thornes that pricked him : my gay-garments , & gue-gawes the purple that mocked him : mine hypocrisie the Ceremonies that blinde-folded him , I was that subtile Scribe , and proude Pharisee that entrapped him : that couetous Iudas that betrayed him : that enuyous Iewe that accused him : that irresolute man-pleasing Pilate that condemned him : that bloudy executioner that hanged him ; and yet alas I am euen now ready still , still , to crucifie my Christ againe .

Out of this triple passion of Christ wee Christians are to learne a three-foulde lesson , a lesson of propassion , A three-fold lesson very necesry for all Christians . of passion , and of compassion . In our propassion wee may meditate in this manner , and it is in a manner a compassion of Christ ; Alacke , Alacke The sonne of God hath bene crucified for mee ( miserable sinner as I am ) once afore , and why doe I thus with sinne vpon sinne daylie , Hebr. 6 : 6. and hourelye Crucifie him againe , and make a mocke of him ? O why should I not rather Crucifie the world vnto my selfe , Galat: 6.14 Rom: 6.6 . Ambrose de vnica poenitent : Dan. 9.4.5.7.9 . and my selfe vnto the worlde ? O why doe I thus Luxuriate in the bloode of Christ ? O Lord God I haue sinned , I haue sinned : Righteousnesse and compassion is thine ( O Christ ) and mine is open shame , and confusion : Lament: 1.16 . Lament: 2.11.3 : 48. For these thinges I weepe : Mine eyes daye and night cast out riuers of teares : My Bowels swell : my liuer is powred vpon the earth ; Lament. 3.41 And now I lift vp mine heart and handes vnto thee ( O King of Heauen ) O Lorde heere , Dan: 9.19 . O Lord forgiue : O Lorde consider , and doe it : Haue mercie vpon mee for thine owne sake , euen for thy name sake ( my God and my Christ ) for thy name is called vpon me .

Of our passion we may ponder in this sense with our selues : 1. Pet: 1.21 Quaestionlesse hereunto are we called . For Christ also suffred for vs , leauing vs an ensample that wee should also suffer for him . Caedi Christianorum est , ( saide an holye man ) caedere Pilati et Caiphae : Our Sauiour Christ hath drunke to vs already , if wee will bee Christians wee must all pledge him in the same cuppe . Iohn . 13.15 Luc: 9.23 . Isaiah . 50.6 W: Th : à Campis de Regia via sanctae crucis . I haue giuen you ( saith hee ) an example : Tolle crucem , et sequere me : I haue giuen my backe to the smiters , my cheekes to the nippers , my face as a flint against spitting , and shame : And the Disciple ( you know ) is not aboue his Maister . Math. 10.24 . If therefore you are my Disciples ? Take vp my Crosse and followe mee . Luc. 9.2.3 . D.D. Carth Amator : Mundi : Speculum . Dionysius the Carthusian in his treatise intitled a Looking-Glasse for the louers of this world hath an excellent saying to this praesent purpose ; Nemo potest venire de festo ad festum .

No man ( saith hee ) may haue his feast here and his feast there to . If we will raigne there , we must suffer here . 2. Tim. 2.12.3 . Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good Souldier of Christ Iesus .

But as wee must suffer , so must we suffer ( if the will of God be so ) so as hee did ; 1. Pet. 3.17 Better it is we suffer for wel-doing , then for euill doing . Mori volo ( saith Hegesippus ) in his 3. booke , and 17. Hegesipp : de bello Iudaico . l. 3. c. 17. Chapt. sed vt Hebraeus : I am content to suffer but as a Martyr , not as a murtherer , or a theife : I am content to be a doore-barred to death , Doroth : de Prophet : Apost: Septuagint : &c. but as Amos was : to be sawen in peeces , but as Esay was : to bee stoned , but as Ieremye was : to bee cast to the Lyons , but as Daniel : to the Sworde , but as Paule : to the Crosse , but as Christ : I would dye , but as an Hebrew , and like a Christian , and for Christe , and so come when thou wilt , Salua sancta crux .

Of our compassion wee may resolue in like Christian sort , and this wee extend to our crucifiers , Iud. 9 : and exemplyfie thus ; The Archangell Michael , when hee disputed about the body of Moses with the Diuell himselfe , durst not intreate him with any cursed language , but saide ; The Lorde rebuke thee Sathan : How is it then that wee against our bretheren are so bloudylie bent , to take the staffe indeede out of Gods owne hand , Vengeance is mine . Rom. 12.19 . Act: 7.60 : and for euery trifle to crie ; Reuenge ? The Protomartyr Saint Stephen , when the Iewes stoned him to death kneeled downe , and prayed ; Lorde laie not this sinne to their charge : how is it then that wee cannot learne this lesson of him , Math: 5.44 Collect on S. Stephens day . to loue our enimies , to praye for our persecutors ? The Archangell of all Angelles , and Martyr of Martyrs , our Lorde and Maister Iesus Christ himselfe , when hee was reuiled , 2. Pet. 2 : 23 hee reuiled not againe , 2. Pet. the 2 23. when he suffered , be threatned not againe , but committed it to him , Luc. 23.34 . that iudgeth righteously , eyther praying ; father forgiue them , they know not what they doe : Zach: 3.2 . Iud. 9. or saying at most ; The Lorde rebuke thee Sathan , euen the Lorde , that , hath chosen Hierusalem , rebuke thee : How is it then , Coloss: 3.12.13 . that , as the elect of God , holye , and like Christians , wee put not on these bowelles of compassion , of long suffering , of mercies , of kindenesse , of meekenesse , forbearing one another , and forgiuing one another , if any man hath a quarrell to another ? euen as Christ hath doone , euen soe doe wee . The third diuision of the third generall circumstance the third & last distinction . O Compasse mee ( sweete Iesus ) with this thy compassion .

Thirdly I willed you to beholde him in his Session , and intercession , and that with the eye of affiance and consolation . Numbr . 21.9 . In the one & twentith of Numbers , when as the people of Israel were stung to death for their sinnes with fiery Serpents , It is written that Moses by the commaundement of God erected a Serpent of Brasse for a signe ; and when a Serpent had bitten a man , then he looked vp to the Serpent of Brasse , and liued .

The signification , or moral of which mystery , Saint Iohn in his Gospell and thirde Chapter : dooth plainely set downe . Iohn : 3.14.15 . As Moses lift vp the Serpent ( saith he ) in the Wildernesse : euen so must the sonne of man be lift vp , that whosoeuer beholdeth him and beleeueth on him , doe not perish , but haue life euerlasting .

Suppose then whole generations of Vipers , all the fierye Serpentes of thy sinnes enuyron thee on euerye side : the canker of couetousnesse frette thee : the flame of concupiscence burne thee , the prickles of pride stinge thee to death ; straight wayes for thy comfort , thou knowest what thou hast to doe : make vp by the wing of faith , to that sanctified serpent Christ Iesus , and thou art saued : the signe of that serpent wil easilie breake this serpents head .

Now I beseech you brethren by the mercifulnesse of God , attend now vnto this which I shall say vnto you , and embrace I pray you this Doctrine of consolation , A Demonstration of the saluation of Gods Elect. with a right hand as I entend it you . We read oft-times in the volume of this booke , a certaine challenge as it were sent downe from that righteous iudge vnto all the inhabitants of the earth ; If any man durst stand in iudgement with him . Now therefore ( O inhabitants of Ierusalem ) and men of Iudah , Isaiah . 5.3 . iudge I pray you ( saith he ) betweene me and my vineyard ; for I will be tryed by your selues . Iob. 16.21 . O Lord , Oh if a man might plead with God , O Lord thou art I know a seuere , yet righteous iudge , I know , thou knowest my very heart & reines ; yet ( if so it seeme good in thine eyes ) I , as sinfull a man , as I am , euen I am content to enter into iudgment with thee ; Yea in the name of Christ Iesus I waxe confident and bold , let all the diuels in hell accuse me ; all their Angels beare true or false witnesse against mee ; mine owne conscience condemne me ; thine owne selfe , secundum allegata et probata , proceede in iudgement against me ; Only let me be weighed but in a iust ballance , Iob. 31.6 . and I will iustifie my selfe before thee , and yet will neuer appeale from thee ; I will be tryed by thine owne selfe . Isay . 50.8 . Iob. 33.6 . For let me see who will contend in Gods steed with me ? Let vs stand together : who is mine aduersarie ? let him come neere to me , what can he lay to my charge ? A matter of haughtinesse perchance , or an high looke ? I confesse that , and more toe : But Ecce homo , Behold this man ; And so I haue recompenced that with the humilitie of my Iesus . Some reuelling perchance , or some riot ? I grant that too But Ecce homo : Behold this man : and so I haue salued that sore with the sobrietie of my Sauiour . A murder it may bee ? or a robbery , or something worse ? be it as bad , as bad may be , my prayer and plea shall alway be the same , Domine Iesu responde pro me , O my Lord Iesus answer for me , and Ecce homo , behold this man : And why did he die the death but for this : Méshichca . Ps. 84.9 . O looke vpon the face of thy Christ . Turbatur conscientia , Bernard : in Cant. Serm: 61. non perturbatur , quia vulnerum domini recordabor ; O hide me in the holes of thy wounds .

I dispute not of the torment & paine of his passion , whether solie in bodie , or partly in soule ; it is the infinite merit and price of his passion , in respect of the person or subiect that suffered which I speake of ; Euery drop of his blood sufficient to had redeemed ten thousand worlds ; then whereat shall we prize the Ocean thereof ? Quod libet finitum ( they say ) Quantumcunque magnum , Alphons : Thostat : Abulens : paradox : 5.45 in infinitum exceditur ab eo , quod est infinitum : Whatsoeuer is finite ( of what quantitie soeuer it be ) compare it with that which is infinite , and it is alwayes exceeded infinitely . Collect then all thy sinnes , whereof thou hast , or maiest be guiltie , from the day of thy birth to the houre of thy death , thy sinnes originall and actuall , thy sinnes in thought , worde , and worke : and not thine owne onely , but mine , and thine , and the sinnes of all men vpon the face of the earth : and not of men onely but of Angelles too : Lucifer I meane and all his fellow Angelles , that fell from heauen : and not of them onely , but of Beelzebub himselfe and all the damned diuels in hell .

Collect ( I say ) all these three worlds of sinne into one head , as they fable that hellish Dog had three heads on one necke ; nay were it possible that heauen , earth , hell , and all , might be put in the one ballance , and the alone merit of Christ his passion might be poised in the other , they should all appeare in comparison of it , but as a drop of water to the seas , as the earth , to the heauens , as a very nothing to to the whole world . The summe of all is this ; the mercies of Christ , and merits of his passion are in multitude innumerable , in magnitude immeasurable , euery way vnvaluable and infinite .

One the other side , the sinnes of men , though to the vnderstanding of man they may seeme infinite : yet indeed , and in the apprehension of God they are all finite both in number and measure . Well then Christ hath suffered once for all ; 1. Pet. 3.18 the iust for the vniust : hee hath payed the price of our sinnes , Coloss. 2.14 & why should we be sued in the lawe ? He , my suretie , hath cancelled the hand writing on the crosse , he hath made full satisfaction already , & why should I , the debter , make restitution againe ? It is against all lawe , and reason in the worlde , ciuill , Canon , common law and common sense too , that there should be two adaequate penalties inflicted for one , F. de Reg: iur : l : bona fides . Innocent : de sacro Altaris mysterio . 4.41 . and the same fault . Bona fides non patitur , vt bis idem exigatur . There is no such iniquitie with men , and shall wee say there is more vnrighteousnesse with God ? God forbid . The conclusion of the whole with Application . Rom. 8.1 . Rom. 8.33.34.35 . Iesus adest , totum bonum est . De familiari amicitia Iesu . W. Th: à campis . Quia ergo Iustus iniustè punitus est , Iniustus iustè sum liberatus .

My conclusion is then , there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus . It is my Iesus that iustifieth mee , and who is he that can condemne me ? It is my Christ that dyed for me , or rather that is risen againe , and hath his session at the right hand of God , and maketh Intercession for mee ; and who shall seperate mee from the loue of Christ ? 2. Tim. 2.19 . In a word the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale ; The Lord knoweth who are his ; and ( as it is aeternally continued in this indissolluble chaine ) Whom once he knoweth , Rom. 8.29.30.31 . &c. he also praedestinateth , and whom he praedestinateth he calleth , and whom he calleth he iustifyeth , and whom he iustifieth he glorifieth .

What shall I then saye to these things ? If God bee on my side , who can bee agaynst mee ? Hee hath giuen his owne onely sonne for mee , and how can hee not giue with him all other things vnto mee ?

As I saide afore , so say I nowe againe . The foundation of God remaineth sure , and hath this seale : The Lord knoweth who are his . 2. Tim. 2.19 Yea I know ( and I hope to praesume thus of the grace of God is not pride in mee , but faith ) I my selfe knowe that my redeemer liueth , and that Christ is mine , Iob. 19.25 . Vsurpo mihi ex visceri bus Iesu mei : Bern : in Cant: Serm: 61 : and that the Righteousnesse of Iesus is my Righteousnesse , and therefore if Christ bee saued , ( which who dares doubt ? ) I hope I am as sure I shall be saued with him , as that I am in this place . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. Rom : 8.38.39 . Yea verily I am perswaded ( and it is the spirite of God , that telles mee so within ) that neither life , nor death , nor Angels , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things praesent , nor things to come , nor persecution , nor famine , nor plague , nor Spaniard , nor Pope , nor Diuell , nor any other creature , nor all the world shall euer seperate me from the loue of God , which is in Christ Iesus our Lord .

This is my doctrine of consolation , this my demonstration of faith : Agaynst this the gates of Hell shall neuer praeuaile , and the gates of Heauen cannot stand shut .

One little more yet of your patience , and I will onely commend this one history vnto your good remembrance , and so recommende you vnto God . The story is of Pilate . It is registred by Mathew of Westminster and others , that when Pilate was conuented before Tiberius Caesar , The golden legend in the passion of Christ . for that he had done to death this innocent man , hee put on the coate of Christ , which was ( as you reade ) without seame ; At the sight whereof the Emperour , who was otherwise much incensed , arose vnto him , saluted him , and euerye wayes kindely entreated him . Anon , when Pilate againe with his good leaue was departed , Tiberius againe was enraged more then euer before : he swears if euer he tooke him againe Quòd filius mortis esset , there should be but one way with him , and sends out a fresh his Pursyuantes for him . Pilate againe returnes vnto him : Tiberius eftsoones insteed of what he would doe , falles to embracing of him , and had not the powre to speake as much as one hard word to him . All that were there did wonder at it , and Tiberius himselfe did wonder at it ; and if it bee true , I wonder at it too ; and so may all you . But the legend it selfe saies this is no gospell ; yet marke mine Application . We haue all , euen the very best of vs all , we haue all plaied Pilate , we haue crucified , and crucified againe the Lord Iesus ; the time wil come , when we must come to account for this ; not as Pilate did , before Tiberius Caesar an earthly Emperour , but before the King of Kings , Apoc. 19.16 . and Lord of Lords , the God of heauen and earth : we shall be able then , as of our selues , to answeare no more for our selues , then Pilate was then , not one for a thousand . What remaineth then , but that againe we play Pilate ? But that wee put on vpon vs the coate of Christ ? It will be that at the sight thereof that iust God , who is angrie with vs , will be well pleased with him , and for him with vs . If I may but touch his vestture onely , nay if I may but touch the outmost fillet or hem of his vesture , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , said the woman then sicke of our Now-disease I shall be safe . Matth. 9.20.21 . Then raigned the bloudy flux in England . But it is giuen vnto vs , not to touch his vesture onely , but to handle it , and take holde of the whole cloath to ; and not that onely , but to put on to , Rom: 13.14 Galat. 3.27 . Eph. 4.24 . &c: Qui amplectitur Iesum , firmabitur in aeternum . W : Th : à Camp : De Amore Iesu . Isaiah . 43.2 not the coate , but Christ , to be inuested in him , in corporate , and infleshed in him , imbossomed in him , euen to dwell in his bosome , as hee dwelleth in the bosome of his father Gremioque in Iasonis haerens Per freta longa ferar , nihil illum amplexa verebor . I , my soule , shall paste with thee through the waters of destruction , and they shall not drowne me : through the fire of Gods iudgement , and it shall not burne mee : I will feare no euill for thou art with me . Ps. 23.5 . Tephillah le Thoren . Nowe I pray God giue me grace , that when this soule of mine shall returne to God , that gaue it , it may couragiouslye mount vp out of this earthly tabernacle , and take holde of this ancker of hope , with the same resolution , and confidence , as I now preach it vnto you . The English letanis . And I beseech thee ( sweete Iesus ) euen by thine Agonie and bloodie sweat , by thy crosse and passion , by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension , and Session and intercession at the right hand of God , when in that dreadfull day of Iudgement , he shall preasse me with this , or this , or this enormitie , that then thou wouldest praesent thy selfe vnto thine angrie father , in such fresh and bleeding wise , as thou wert on the crosse , and pleade for me , Isaiah . 43. ● and say , Father , Ecce Homo : Beholde I am the man : I haue redeemed him : I haue answered for him : He is mine , Amen , Apoc. 22.20 . Attah Tagnanch . Ps. 38.15 . Luc. 23.46 . Euen so come Lord Iesus : It is thou , it is thou that hast answered for me O Lord my Christ . Father into thy hands I commend my spirit . A Christians expiration . Acts. 7.59 . Num. 6.24.25 . &c. Lorde Iesus receiue my soule .

The Lord blesse vs , and keepe vs : the Lord make his face shine vpon vs , and be mercifull vnto vs : and lift vp his countenance vpon vs , and send vs peace .

● . Corinth : ●3 . 13 . The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ , and the loue of God , and the communion of the holy Ghost , be with vs all euermore . Amen .