Luke 23. vers. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. And there followed him a great multitude of people , and of women , which women bewailed and lamented him , &c.

Summe of the Text. THese words are a part of that peerelesse and matchlesse story , concerning the pretious passion of our blessed Sauiour . And whereas both before and after this text , many and sundry reproachfull and painefull things are reported to be done vnto him : Yet this present parcell of scripture doth mention some honourable things that did befall him about his death , as namely , the lamentation of diuers women , and good people , in witnesse of his innocencie , that he died a iust , and good a man , in which behalfe they bewayled him , and not for the cause of his miserie alone : for then they would haue mourned for the two theeues that were crucified with him . Againe the horrible iudgement threatned here by Iesus vnto the Iewes , for putting him so cruelly to death , is an euidence of his vprightnesse , and how deere and beloued hee was vnto God his father , howsoeuer for a time hee did forsake him , that hee might suffer afflictiue things to merit the redemption of mankinde .

Diuision of the Text. This Text is deuided into two generall parts : the first is a report of a lamentation , set forth by three circumstances : first , of the persons that mourned , who were certaine people and women which came after him , euen at the heeles : secondly , of the person for whom ( to wit ) Iesus : thirdly , the measure of their sorrow , which was very great , like to the sorrow of a mother that laments at the funerall of her onely begotten childe , as the Greeke word here vsed doth import funerall sorrow , and as the Prophet Zachary did foretell ; in Chap. 12. ver. 10. of his prophesie , they shall lament him , as one lamenteth for her onely sonne .

The other part of our Text was the euent that followed this mourning ; namely , a graue speech , which our Sauiour vttered by occasion thereof , ver. 28. Which speech is partly prohibitory , Weepe not for me , vers. 28. secondly , exhoriatory , but weepe for your selues ; thirdly , comminatory , threatning not a few or light ones , but an heape of heauy iudgements , declared by the sayings of women that had children , vers. 29. Blessed , &c. and of persons of all sexes and degrees , vers. 30. then shall they begin , &c. Fourthly , confirmatorie , rendring a reason why the Iewes must be so plagued , in an allegorical sentence , wherein Iesus , for his innocencie and good workes which he did , is likened to a greene Tree , which is both fruitfull and vnfit for burning : the Iewes for their wickednesse are compared to a drie tree , which is both barren and meet for burning , these must in no wise escape the fire of Gods vengeance , when his owne Sonne ( a greene tree ) is so sore afflicted .

Interpretation . And there followed him . ] That is , came neere vnto him , euen behind his backe . They bewailed and lamented him , that is , their inward sorrow was so vehement as it brast out into teares , as appeares by vers. 28. What women these were that thus followed & lamented , though not expressed in the Text ; yet probable to haue beene such as had heard his doctrine , of whom reade in Luke 8.2.3 . Iohn 11. 1. 2. and elsewhere . It is the manner at Executions and Funerals of persons of note and name , that many flocke and follow to the place , some out of curiositie to heare and see : some out of compassion to bewaile and lament their case and their losse . So it was here , many followed Christ as enemies , some as friends out of loue , much grieued that a man so innocent and so beneficent , which had done so much good to so many , by his doctrine & miracles , should so vniustly suffer .

First of all , Obseruations . note here how manifold testimonie was giuen to Iesus of his innocencie from all sorts of persons and creatures . Iudas which betrayed him , affirmed him to be an innocent , Matt. 27.4 . Pilate which condemned him , not onely with his mouth , sayd , What euil hath hee done ? Matth. 27.23 . and againe , I finde no fault in him at all , Iohn 19.4 . but by the Ceremonie of washing his hands , publikely protested so much , Matth. 27.24 . His Wife being troubled about Iesus in her dreame , sent her husband this message , Haue thou nothing to doe with that iust man , Matth. 27. 19. The Centurion seeing what hapned , sayd , Of a truth this was the Son of God , Luke 23. Many people and women in our Text by their teares condemne the crueltie of the Priests and Elders , and other Iewes , and iustifie his integritie . Yea , not reasonable , but euen vnsensible creatures , as the Graues which opened , the stones which cleft asunder , the Sun which was Eclipsed , the Ayre darkened , all these ( as with one voyce ) did proclaime him an innocent person .

We read of a certaine Heathen Philosopher , who vpon the strange accidents about the suffering of Iesus , vttered these words , Aut mundi machina dissoluitur , aut Deus naturae patitur .

Vse 1. This serueth to the confutation and confounding of these wicked Iewes , which thought , and still do thinke that Christ suffered as an euill doer , a seducer , or seditious person , whereas his death had not taken away sinne from others , if any sinne had beene in himselfe . It became vs to haue a Sauiour , separate from sinners , holy , vndefiled , &c. Hebr. 7.26 .

Secondly , here is matter of comfort for all such as see and feele their owne iniquities with godly sorrow , being humbled for them , and displeased with them because they are sinnes , the offences of a iust GOD , and the causes of the death of an immaculate Lambe : let such reioyce and be glad , because Christ hauing no sinnes of his owne to suffer for ; therefore it must needs be he came to saue such sinners , the iust to die for the vniust , to seeke vp that which is lost .

Secondly , 2 Obseruation . learne here our Christian dutie , which is to mourne , and bee touched with heauinesse for the death of godly persons ; as the Israelites mourned for Iacob , a right good man : and afterwards for Mosesan vpright Maiestrate and singular Prophet , Deut. vlt. Also , the Iewes lamented sore for zealous Iosiah , that restorer of Religion , keeping a yearely remembrance of his death , see Lam. 1. ver. 2. When Stephen the protomartyr , a man full of Fayth and the holy Ghost , dyed , there was great lamentation made for him , Act. 8.2 . and Paul hauing said to the Christians at Melitum , that they should see his face no more , they fell vpon his necke and weptsore , Act. 20.38 . There be diuers reasons why we ought to bee affected with sorrow , when righteous persons are taken from vs . First , Gods Commandement . 1 Thessal . 4.13 . Eccles. 7.4 . Secondly , the example of holy men , and of Iesus , weeping at the death of Lazarus , Iohn 11.35 . Thirdly , because the world is continued and spared for the sake of good men , Gen. 18. If ten righteous men had beene found in Sodome , God had not punished it . To Paul , Act. 27.24 . God gaue all the liues of those which were in the Ship with him . Certainely , the iust by their prayers stand in the gap , and doe stay and hold backe many iudgements that they breake not out and fall downe vpon the heads of the wicked .

Againe , the taking away of good men is commonly the fore-runner of some calamitie . Gen. 19. When Lot was out of Sodome then came downe fire from heauen to consume them . And after the death of Iosiah , Gods people were carried captiues into a strange Land . Esay 57.1 . Esay saith generally , that righteous persons are remoued hence , that they may not see the euill to come . Gal. 2. At a word , godly persons be the props and pillers of Church and Common-wealth .

The meditation of this doctrine will help vs : Vse 1. First , to make better account of good men , to whom wee are so much beholden ; that we haue them in singular loue , Mat. 10. honouring a Prophet and a righteous man , because they be such .

Secondly , 2. Vse hath 3 branches this checketh three sorts of persons . First , those which hate the iust ( as Cain hated Abel ; ) and thinke them to be the troublers of the world ( as Achab falsly thought of Elias ; ) accusing them as enemies to Kings and States , ( as CHRIST and his Apostles were iudged of ; ) putting them to death as euill doers ( as Antipas was , Reu. 3. ) Secondly those which being shamelesly wicked , doe reioyce at the fall of good men , esteeming it a great benefit to be without them , as they in the Psalme , cheered themselues with Dauids sickenesse , saying , There , there , so would wee have it : hee is downe , and shall neuer rise againe . Or , as the Iewes triumphed when they had nayled IESVS to the Crosse , and that hee had giuen vp the Ghost . Thirdly , such as through senselesse blockishnesse are without all feeling of sorrow when God strikes at such famous Lampes ( as this lying before vs ) which long gaue shine vnto the world by his wholesome doctrine and good life .

Vse 3. Lastly , it must prouoke vs all in such cases to be touched in heart , working our selues to grieue at such Iudgements when they happen , that wee be not found hardened , like those of whom Esay complaineth , that when mercifull men were taken from the Church , they did not consider it in their heart , they regarded not that God deliuered them from future euill , Esay 57.1 . Thus much of the first generall part , The lamentation made for Iesus .

Text. But Iesus turned backe to them . ] Here beginneth the second generall part , to wit , the Speech or Sermon of Iesus , occasioned by this Lamentation . And ere wee come to examine the particulars , I commend this Lesson , as to all Christians , yet more specially to the Ministers of Christ , that they attend their Calling to the vtmost , being prompt to instruct , reproue , and admonish , as long as they may . See how Iesus being set in great affliction , neare to a cruell death , led betweene Souldiers , bound with cords , yet remembreth his vocation : and being sent of God into the world , with commandement from his Father , to teach his will , to call men to repentance , hee accordingly , euen to the last period of his life , warneth the Iewes of their sinne , and threatneth Gods iudgements for the same ; and as a Prophet fore-telleth their misery .

Thus did Ieremie when the King and Princes , by the malice of the Priests , had cast him into prison , yet euen then hee causeth Baruch to write his Prophesies , and to reade them to the people . Also Paul being prisoner at Rome , Act. 28. 31. yet euen there hee taught the kingdome of God by mouth to such as came to him ; and remembring Gods Word was vnbound , wrote many diuine Epistles , as that to Galat. Ephes. Philip. Collos. 2 to Timothy , &c. to the great edification of Gods Church present and future . The Martyres in Q. Maries dayes , Ridly , Bradford , Rogers , &c. being barred from preaching Christ out of the Pulpit , yet from the prison-house wrote many godly Letters to the Brethren .

First , these examples serue to condemne such as in health , prosperitie , and libertie , doe grosly forget and foreslow the worke of their Calling , whose end must be like vnto his that buryed his Talent in the earth , He was bound , &c.

Secondly , they must be as a spur in the sides of good Ministers , to quicken them to continue to walke in the worke of their Calling , so long , and so farre as they can , knowing that there will be an end , and their labour in the Lord shall not be in vaine .

Text. Interpret . And said , weepe not for mee , but &c. ] This which is here translated ( for mee , and for your selues , ) in the originall it is read , vpon me , and vpon your selues , that is to say , weepe not for my sake , but for your owne cause , which prohibition , is not so to be vnderstood , as if Iesus had simply disallowed their weeping for him , but in some respect onely : for these that wept for him were ignorant of the true cause of his death , which they ascribed vnto his owne infirmitie , and to the violence of his enemies , as if he had beene compelled to dye , and could not haue resisted their rage : whereas none did take away from him his life , Ioh. 10.18 he laid it downe of himselfe , partly out of the great loue that hee bare to mankinde , and partly to declare the obedience toward his heauenly Father , who had appointed to redeeme the world by the death of his Sonne , Rom. 5. 8. Philip. 2.8 . Christ therefore worthily blamed these Mourners , weeping for him , as for one enforced to dye against his will , for hee dyed most voluntarily , suffering death because hee would , not as one that could not auoid it , hauing Legions of Angels at commandement . Mat. 26.53 .

Againe , this particle ( not ) is found in Scripture to signifie not alwayes an absolute , but a comparatiue denyall sometimes , as in Hosea , Chap. 6. 6. I will haue Mercy , not Sacrifice ; that is , I desire Mercy rather then Sacrifice . Likewise , in Psalme 51.16.17 . 1 Cor. 1.17 . Ephes. 6.12 . and often else-where : so it is here , ( not for me , but for your selues ) that is , more , and rather for your selues then for me , who shall reape no losse and damage , but much gaine by my death , after which I shall rise againe , and ascend into heauen , and there raigne in glory for euer : but vnto you , the Iewes , my death shall not be the end , but the beginning of sorrows ; therefore mourne for the horrible Iudgements hanging ouer your owne heads , and weepe not on my behalfe , whose death is to my selfe both aduantage and aduancement .

Obseruat . Hence wee may learne how hard a thing it is , euen for the godly , to keepe a measure eyther ( in ioy and gladnesse ) or in sorrow and heauinesse : but eyther wee shall weepe more then we should , or lesse , or for what cause wee ought not ; so weake and vnable wee are to gouerne our passions . Vse . Therefore we ought to watch , and pray to God to moderate them by his good Spirit .

Exo. 32.19 If Moses , that man of God ; and Paul , that chosen vessell ; Act. 15.39 with Barnabas , that Sonne of Comfort , were foyled by their passions : Iob 3.3.4.5 . if Iob and Iacob so much yeelded to heauinesse , as the one cursed his birth-day , Gen. 35.37 and the other refused to be comforted , what cause haue others ( farre inferiour to them in graces ) to mistrust their owne frailetie , and to flye to the throne of Grace , both for pardon of all excesse in affections , and for power to stay them in compasse for time to come ?

Verse 29. For behold , the dayes will come , when they shall say , &c.

THese be words of Propheticall commination , Text. or threatning prediction , fore-telling the most grieuous and great tribulations , which are noted and set forth by the speeches of Mothers , in respect of their Children , for whom they should be so distressed and perplexed , as to doe contrary to custome and reason . For , Children and the fruit of the wombe are a reward and heritage of God ; both for an ornament to their Parents , as Oliue branches set about their Table , Psal. 128.4 . And for their adiument and defence , being as sharp arrowes drawne out of a quiuer , wherewith the enemy in the gate is repelled : therefore such were accustomed to be held happy , which had their quiuer full of them , Psal. 127.4.5 . Contrariwise , barrennesse , among the Iewes , was wont to be accounted a malediction . Gen. 30.1 . Whence it came that Rachel did so take on with Iacob for a childe , when shee was barren , Gen. 30. Gen. 16.1.2 . And that Sarah did so much couet a childe , as shee gaue her Maid Agar to Abraham , to wipe away the infamy of sterilitie . Hannah likewise 1 Sam. 1.7 . wept and mourned vnder this curse of an vnfruitfull wombe : yet loe , such vnheard of and intollerable calamities should light vpon the Iewes , for murthering Christ their Sauiour , as childing and fruitfull women should pronounce them happy which were childlesse , and reckon it their greatest vnhappinesse to haue Sons and Daughters : and that for these considerations ; partly because when those euill and wofull times should come , mothers should be grieued not so much for themselues , as for their Children , whose harmes vse to moue the bowels of tender mothers very greatly : no compassions to the compassions of a mother toward her distressed babes , 1 Kings 3. 26. Partly , for that ( a thing horible to thinke of , more direfull to act it ) many mothers through rage of hunger , occasioned by famine in time of the Seige , should be forced to broyle and eate their owne children for food , to saue their liues with the death of their sweet infants , as it hapned by Iosephus report .

Lastly , Children would be a great hinderance and clogge ( as it were ) at the heeles of their Parents , to stay their flight , by which they otherwise might haue preserued themselues , as some did . Wherevpon , our Sauiour vttereth ( Mat. 24. ) a woe to such women as should be with childe , or giue sucke in those dayes . The cause of all these terrible Iudgements were , amongst other sinnes of the Iewes , as their infidelitie , hypocrisie , contempt of the word , hardnesse of heart , yet especially the extreame sauage vnthankefulnesse , and barbarous crueltie in putting causlesse to a shamefull death the innocent man Iesus : hauing had Prophets and iust men sent vnto them , some they reuiled , others they beat and ill entreated , God at last sending his owne and onely Sonne , him they cast out of the Vineyard and slew : therefore the Lord of the Vineyard waxed hot with indignation , and whetting his sword , came against those Husband-men in his fierce wrath , and destroyed them with a woderfull destruction , some fortie yeeres after the Passion of our Lord : for the which Christ admonisheth these people that bewayled him , telling them they had greater reason to lament their owne heauie case , and the affliction of their Children , then to weepe for his cause .

1. Obser. From hence wee haue sundry things for our instruction and admonition : First of all , we may hereby discouer the errour of such men , Manichees . as though there were two Gods , one of the olde Testament , and another of the new : and that the God of the new Testament , of the twaine was the milder , whereas there is but one onely God , and the same alwayes like to himselfe , God is euer but one , both for nature and for will : as extreamely hating and punishing sin now vnder the Gospell , as he was wont to doe vnder the Law ; nay , more extreamly , because now hee hath afforded greater grace , and afforded more meanes against sinne . All the olde Testament cannot yeeld an example of such seueritie in punishing sinne as here is threatned touching the destruction of Ierusalem and downe-fall of the Iewes . No sorrow was like their sorrow , nor no plague was like vnto their plague .

Therefore let all men greatly feare the diuine Iustice , Vse . and he warned to take heed how they offend and prouoke it .

Secondly , 2. Obser. wee may obserue the force and poyson of sinne , when it is continued in , impenitently : it is able to turne the nature of things , & to change blessings into cursings , and comforts into plagues and confusions . What greater earthly blessings , then the fruit of the wombe ? Children are called a treasure giuen from God : Gold and Siluer cannot purchase it : Kings and Princes haue desired to haue them , and could not , yet through sinne these impenitent Iewes were brought to this passe , through their wickednesse I say , as that they accounted their Children accurst , and their greatest miserie the fruit of their wombe . Wonder not at this , for seeing obstinacy in sinne can make God of a Father to be a Iudge ; Christ of a Sauiour , and corner-stone to support to be a stone of offence to stumble at ; the Gospell of the sauour of life to be a sauour of death ; the Sacraments , to be a Iudgement and not a nourishment : if in spirituall things Sinne haue this power to alter their propertie , what maruell though in worldly things it can preuaile so farre as to cause that to be occasion of euill which was ordayned for our good and welfare ; as our Table to be our snare , our riches to become thornes to choake , our Children to be our vnhappinesse and woe ?

Vse . Let all obstinate sinners which liue in the seruice of sinne , and notwithstanding all admonitions from Gods Word , Works , and Spirit , and from their owne conscience also , yet hate to be reformed , let such take knowledge of this doctrine , and lay it to heart , and hasten to be reclaimed ; else let them feare least an houre come when those things which are now a delight to them , as their wiues , children , siluer , gold , houses , lands , meat , drinke ; yea , the very creatures of God , which be so comfortable , as Sunne , Moone , Starres , doe through their stubbornesse in sinne proue bitternesse to them , euen as bitter as gall and wormewood : so as it be grieuous vnto them to looke vpon these good things ; and to thinke that euer they enjoyed them , be as heauy to them as death . This God can bring to passe , that men shall curse their parents , their birth-day , their benefits , themselues , and all . For if God did such strange things vnto the Iewes his chosen and peculiar people , Exod 19. his treasure , whom hee tooke out of all nations to be his owne , to whom he made such great promises , and gaue so many and notable priuiledges , the Law , the Couenant the seruice of God , the Adoption , the Arke of the testimonie , ( visible token of his presence . ) If Ierusalem the Citie of the great King , where was the Temple , the Altar , the Sacrifices , the Priest-hood , and where God sayd , he would for euer rest and dwell ; yet for impenitency in their sinne were made desolate , and not onely depriued of Gods protection , but contrary to the order set in nature , had all their blessings accursed : then wee the Inhabitants in England , howsoeuer wee be blessed with many prerogatiues & fauours , the word of God , the Ministery , the Sacraments , good Lawes , and Maiestrates , long and great Peace , and Plenty , yet if wee will not turne from our pride , couetousnes , ambition , vncleannesse , and other sins , which are too ripe and rife amongst vs , wee may looke when God should bring the like confusion among vs , and make vs to be a prouerbe , a reproach and pointing of the finger vnto al our neighbour nations , as he did the Israelites before vs . Are we better then they ? should God change the course of his Iustice for our sakes ?

3 3 Obseruation . Furthermore , if the iust God haue such sharpe and terrible vengeance to powre out against vnrepentant sinners in this world , ( where there is a time of patience and mercy ; ) Oh how horrible and intollerable torments may the wicked ( which goe on in their iniquities ) expect to suffer in the world to come , when iudgement shal be executed without mercy , and where the fury of Gods wrath ( like a consuming fire ) shall breake forth in all extremity , for the full and perfect punishment of sinners , who shall be bitten and vexed with the euer-gnawing worme of a guiltie conscience , and burned in a fire of hot indignation that neuer shall go out ! All good things being taken away , nothing but euill shall be present : let this be as an Iron rod to driue sinners vnto speedy and serious repentance , and amendement of life .

Moreouer , 4 4 Obseruation . of all other sinnes which wee ought to repent of , namely , and especially , of crueltie , and of crueltie against the Lord Iesus . This was the crime ( among many others ) which principally prouoked God against his owne people and Citie , euen for that they crucified the Lord of glory , and put to death that iust One , after they had rayled , and spitted on him , and beaten , and shamefully entreated him ; howbeit , this sinne of crueltie against Iesus , I doubt it is little thought on , or mistrusted to be amongst vs , ( because Iesus is long since gone from vs ) whereas there be sundry wayes how men may now , How many wayes Christ may bee killed . & doe often fall into it . For euen they which let slip out of minde the bloodshed of Iesus , and forgetting they were once purged by it from their old sinnes , doe liue securely and presumptuously in a sinnefull course , being worldly and prophane ; what else doe they but ( what lyeth in them ) cause Iesus to bleed afresh , and againe crucifie him , making voyd the force and fruit of his passion to themselues ?

Secondly , all distrustfull persons which haue wauering mindes , and doubt through vnbeliefe ( and though Christ haue suffered for sinne , and be risen , and gone vp into Heauen , yet still doe aske how they shall escape death and bee saued ) what else is this but to call Iesus backe againe vnto the Crosse , to bring Christ downe from above ? Rom. 10.6 .

Moreouer , they which doe in cruell manner oppresse Christians , spoyling them wrongfully in goods , libertie or life ; is not this to persecute Christ in his members ? As it is written , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou mee ? Act. 9.4 .

And what other thing doe they then but kill Christ through vnmercifulnes , which doe not feed him when hee is an hungred , & doe not harbour him when he is harbourlesse , and doe not cloath him when he is naked ? We know that they which doe not these things to the least of Christs , they doe it not to himselfe , Matth. 25. It is truely sayd of an auncient writer , Si non pauisti occidists : for the Apostle Iames writeth , Chap. 5. of the couetous rich men , that they doe kill the iust by withdrawing their wages from them ( whereupon they should liue , ) also we perceiue by the words of Christ in the Gospell , that not to saue life ( when we may ) is to destroy and to take away life : and the truth is , it is a like cruel , vtterly to quench ones life by violence , or by hardnesse of heart , to keepe away that from him whereby hee should preserue life .

But I will shew you a greater cruelty then all this , committed against Christ in his members , by false prophets , by negligent teachers , and blinde guides , which put the precious soules of Christians in danger to perish euerlastingly , eyther by teaching corrupt doctrine , or no doctrine ; eyther by sowing heresies , or not by sowing the seed of the word : as an vnfaithfull steward doth starue the family by not giuing euery one their portion of meat : so are they soule murderers which deny vnto Gods people their appointed food of the word . Ezekiel , Chap. 13. ver. 18. sayth of false prophets , that they doe hunt the soules of the people ( as a wilde beast doth hunt the poore Lambe to kill him . ) It is the sentence of our Sauiour CHRIST , Iohn 10. that hirelings doe loue the fleece and lucre better then the soules of the flocke , doe come to kill and to destroy . Finally , it is expresly written in the Prouerbs , that there the people doe perish where vision or preaching faileth . There is no crueltie to the soule-crueltie , which first or last wil call down for wrath vpon the heads of those which are guilty of it . If Abels bloud cryed to God for vengeance , how much more will the bloud of soules doe it ?

In the first of Daniel , when Daniel and the other children of the Iewes , desired to be fed with pulse , and not with meate which came from the Kings table , the Eunuch which kept them answered that he durst not . For ( saith he ) if your faces be not well liked when the King shall looke vpon you , he will take away my head from me . I doe not say vnto Idoll-Shepheards and dumbe dogges , ( through whose negligence or ignorance , the soules of the people haue leanenesse entred into their soules , and looke with euill fauoured countenances ) that God will strike their heads from their shoulders , but this I dare say & auouch , that without true repentance he will cast both their boydes and soules into hel ; and with the euill steward in the Gospell , who said in his heart , my Master will deferre his comming , and so fall to beating his fellow-seruants , they shall be cut in pieces , and their portion shall be giuen them with Hipocrits , and at the last they shall be burned with fire and brimstone . O therefore that euill and sloathfull Ministers would consider this in time , and lay it neere vnto their heart and repent of their cruelty past , and hence forth carrie more mercifull hearts towards the inheritance of Christ , yeerning and pittying the spirituall necessities of Christ his sheepe , after his owne example , Matthew 9. 36.

Lastly , it is greatly to be wished , that all vniust and Sacriligious persons , and Patrons , who are the direct and effectuall occasions of plunging many soules , into endlesse perditions , by wrongfully detaining the hyers of Gods labourers , by which meanes the Church of Christ is pestered with foolish Ministers , and blinde Shepherds , that God I say , would giue them better mindes , and change their bloudy hearts into pittifull hearts , to take compassion on their brethren , which doe by heapes runne vnto destruction . For Christ Iesus will not for euer put it vp , to be so cruelly dealt with in his people , which be deere and precious to him as the apple of his eye . Text.