A sermon preached before his Maiestie at White-Hall, on the 24. of March last being Easter day, and being also the day of the beginning of His Maiesties most gracious reigne. By the Bishop of Elie His Maiesties almoner.

A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE His Maiestie at White-Hall , on Easter day last . PSAL. 118. verse 22. The Stone , which the Builders refused , the same Stone , is become , ( or made ) the Head of the Corner .

THE Stone , which the Builders refused : saith the Prophet Dauid . This is the Stone , which yee Builders refused : Act. 4. 11. saith the Apostle Peter . And saith it ; of CHRIST our Sauiour , Hic est lapis , He is the Stone . And saith it ; to Caiaphas and the rest , that went for Builders . We know then , who this Stone is , and who these Builders be , to begin with .

And in the very same place , Act. 4. 10. the same Apostle telleth vs further , what is meant by Refused , and what , by made Head of the Corner . Quem vos , whom ye denied and crucified : that was , His refusing . And then , Quem Deus , whom God hath raised againe from the dead ; 〈◊〉 was His making Caput Anguli . Refused , when ● Three dayes agoe . Made Head , When ? This very day : for , Hic est dies , followeth streight , within a verse , Verse 24. This is the Day . Which Day , there is not one of the Fathers , that I haue read , but interpret it of Easter Day .

And so we haue brought the Text , and the Time together . We know , who is the Stone ▪ Christ . Who the Builders : Caiphas and those with him . When refused ? In his Passion . When made Head ? at his Resurrection : that is , this day ▪ which day is therefore , ( at the 27. verse ) said to bee , Constitutus dies solennis : made a solemne Feast day : in condensis , on which the Church to stand thicke and full : vsque ad cornua Altaris ▪ euen vp to the very Corners of the Altar .

This ( I take it ) is a good warrant , for our Church , to make this Psalme , a select choise Psalme , for this Day ; as peculiar and pertinen● to the Feast it selfe . And a good warrant , for vs , so to apply it . It is the Holy Ghosts owne application , by the mouth of S. Peter : we may boldly make it , ours .

But though this be the chiefe sense : yet , is it not , the onely . The chiefe it is : for the Spirit of Prophesie , is in it , which is the testimony of Iesus . Apoc 19. Yet , not the onely : for according to the letter , wee cannot deny , but that originally , it was ment of Dauid . Hee was a Stone too , and in his time refused : yet after , raised by God to the highest place , euen to bee King of his people . The Chaldey Paraphrast , ) ( the oldest we haue ) is enough for this ; thus , hee turneth the verse . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. The Childe , whom the chiefest men oppugned , Hee of all the Sonnes of Ishai , was made Ruler of Israel . A second sense then it hath , of Dauid .

And , by analogie , it will beare a third ; and will sort with Ours , or with any Prince : in like manner banded against , and sought to bee put by , as Hee : and yet , after brought by God , to the same place , that Dauid was . To any such it will well agree , and bee truely verified of him , and rightly applied to him . And , I confesse , I chose it the rather for this third . Because , ( as this yeere falleth out ) vpon one day , ( and Hic est dies , This is the day ) Wee haue in one a memoriall of two benefits ; of our Sauiours exalting , by his Resurrection : and of our Soueraignes exalting , and making Head of this Kingdome . Both , lighting so together , we were ( as mee thought ) so to remember the one , that we left not the other out . And this text , will serue for both . Both , may in one be set before vs : and so wee reioyce and render thankes to God for both : For the Lord Christ ▪ and for the Lords Christ , vnder one .

Three senses then , there are of the Text and ( to do it right ) we to touch them all three . 1. Christ in prophesie . 2. Dauid in History . 3. Our owne in analogie . But will giue Christ the praecedence . Both for his Person , He is Dauid● Lord , and the head of all Head-stones . It is meete , Col. 1. 18. Hee haue primatum in omnibus , Hee 〈◊〉 all things , haue the preheminence : And , for that the trueth of the Text , neuer was so verified in any , as in Him . We may truely say , None euer , so low cast downe : None euer , so high lift vp againe as Hee . Others refused , but none like Him : and their heads exalted , but nothing in comparison of His .1 . First then of Christs , 2. afte● of Dauids briefly ▪ 3. and last , of Our owne .

To apply it to Christ . The Stone , is the ground of all . Two things befall it : two things as contrary as may be .1 . Refused , cast away : 2. then , called for againe , and made Head of 〈◊〉 Building . So , two parts there are , to the eye , 1. The refusing . 2. and the raising : which , are his two estates , His humiliation : and His exaltation .

In either of these , ye may obserue , two degrees . A quibus , and Quousque : By whom , and How farre : By whom refused ? We weigh the word , Aedificantes : Not by men vnskilfull ; but , by workmen , Builders professed : It is , so much the more .

How farre ? We weigh the word , Reprobauerunt . vsque ad reprobari : euen to a reprobation . It is not improbauerunt , disliked , as not fit , for some eminent place : but reprobauerunt , vtterly reprobate , for any place at all .

Againe , exalted , by whom ? The next words are , ● Domino , by God , as good a Builder , nay better , then the best of them ; which makes amends for the former .

And , how farre ? Placed by Him , not in any part of the Building : but , in the part most in the eye , ( the Corner : ) and , in the highest place of it , ( the very Head . )

So , Reiected , and that by the Builders , and to the lowest estate : And from the lowest estate , exalted in Caput Anguli , to the chiefest place of all ; and that , by God himselfe . This for Christ .

And Dauid is a Stone , and so is Ours , and so is euery good Prince , Lapis Israel , ( as Iacob in his Testament calleth them . Gen. 49. 24 ) And Builders there bee , such as by office should , but many times do not their office , no more then Caiphas heere . Reprobauerunt is , when they deuise to put Him by , Psal. 62. 4. whom God would exalt : And Factus Caput , when God , for all that , doth them right , & brings them to their place , the Throne Royall . As , This was the day , when God so brought Dauid , ( as appeareth by the 24. verse : ) And Hic est dies , This is the day , when hee brought His Maiestie to bee Head of this Kingdome . O● these in their order .

The Stone that the Builders refused , &c.

THe estate of mankinde , as they are in Societie , either or Church or Kingdome , is , in diuers termes set forth to vs in Scripture : Sometimes of a Flocke : sometimes of Husbandry : otherwhile , of a Building . Yee are his flocke , diuers times in the Psalmes . 1. Cor. 3. 9. You are Gods Husbandry , You are Gods building , both in one verse ▪ Now , the Style of this Text , runnes in termes of this last , of Building , or Architecture . For heere are Builders , and heere is Stone , and a Coine or Corner , and a Top or Turret ouer it .

Of this Spirituall Building , we all are Stones : and ( which is strange ) we all are Builders too : To be built , and to build , both Stones ; in regard of them whom God hath set ouer vs ; who are to frame vs , and we so to suffer them . Builders , in regard of our selues first : then , such as are committed to vs , by bond , either of duty , or charity ; Euery one , beeing ( as St. Chrysostome saith well ) de subditâ sibi plebe , quasi domum Deo struere ; of those vnder his charge , to make God an house . As Stones ; it is said to vs , by S. Peter , 2. Pet. 1. 5 Super aedificamini , Bee yee built vp , or framed . As Builders ; it is said to vs , first , by St. Iude , lud. 20 Build your selues in your most Holy faith . Then , by St. Paul , Edifie yee , or build ye one an other . Be built ; 1. The. 5. 11 by obedience & conformity : Build your selues , by encrease in vertue and good workes : Build one an other , by good example , and wholesome exhortation . The short is . This is to bee our study , all : if wee be , but our selues , euery one in himselfe , and of himselfe , to build God an Oratory ; If we haue an Houshold , of them , to build him a Chappell . If a larger circuit , then a Church . If a Country or Kingdome , then a Basilica , or Metropolitan Church : which is properly , the Princes Building .

This in the Text ( the builders heere were in hand with ) was a Basilica : for it was the frame of the Iewes Gouernment : but , is applied , to all States in generall . For Iury was the Scene or Stage , whereon the errors or vertues of all Gouernments , were represented , to all posterity .

Foure words there be in the Text. 1. Aedificantes , Builders . 2. Lapis , Stone . 3. Angulus , a Corner , and 4. Caput , the Head . From the first word Aedificantes ; this wee haue : That States would not bee , as Tents : set vp , and taken downe , and remouable . They would bee buildings ; to stand steddie and fixed . Nothing so opposite vnto a State , as not to stand .

2. From the second , Lapis : that , this building would be , not of clay and wood , or ( as wee call them ) Paper walles : but , Stone-worke , as strong , as defensible , as little subiect to concussion , or cumbustion , as might be .

3. From the two parts specified ; first , Anguli : This Stone-worke , is not a wall , forthright , to part in sunder , or to keepe out : but , it consists of diuerse sides : those sides meete in one Angle : where if they meet , and knit well : all the better will the building be .

4. Caput . And they will knit the better , if they haue a good Head . For , where they meet , no place so much in danger of weather going in , and making the sides flie off , if it want a Couering . A head it would haue , to couer it : It is a speciall defence , and besides , it is a Soueraigne beauty , to the whole building .

And that Head , would not be of plaister , to crumble away : or of wood , to warp or rot , with the weather : or of lead , to bow or bend , and to cracke : but of Stone , and the principallest Stone , that could be . The chiefe part it is , the head : the chief care , & consultation would be , what Stone meet for that place : for indeed , it is all , in all .

That : is the consultation here . Here is Christ , The first sense , Christ . what say you to him ? He is a Stone . 2. a building Stone . 3. a Corner Stone . 4. a Headstone . A stone . So the Prophets terme Him . Dan. 2. 34. Zachar. 3. 9. Esay 28. 16. And so the Apostles , Peter , Acts. 4. 11. Paul , 1. Cor. 10. 4. 1. In his birth : Daniels stone , cut forth without hands . 2. Dan. 2. 34 In his passion : Zacharies stone , Zach. 3. 9 grauen , and cut full of eyes all ouer . 3. In his Resurrection : Esays stone , layde in Sion , Esay 28. 16 Qui crediderit non confundetur , Hee that beleeueth in him then , shall not bee confounded , saith Saint Peter , 1. Pet. 2. 6. Hic est lapis . He is the Stone of our faith , saith St. Peter , Acts 4. 11 Lapis erat Christus . And Petra erat Christus , saith St. Paul . 1. Cor. 10. 4 Hee is the Stone of our Sacraments , the water of our Baptisme and of ou● Spirituall drinke : both issue from him . A Ston : first , for his nature , of the earth as Stones are , out of Abrahams Quarry ( saith Esay ) to shew his Humanity . And , out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the very lowest parts of the earth ( saith the Apostle ; Esay 51. 1 ) to shew his Humility . Ephe. 4. 9. Indeede nothing so subiect to contempt , to be troden on , to be spurned aside , as it . And such was his condition , Vermis , non homo , Psal. 22. 6 and , Lapis , non homo . A Worme , or a stone , and no man .

A Stone will endure much sorrow , nothing more . And , who did euer suffer like Him ? or in his suffering , who more patient , or still , or stone-like , then He ?

But the chiefe vertue of a Stone is : that it is firme and sure ; And so is He. Ye may trust Him , yee may build on Him . Hee will not fayle you . What yee lay on Him , Psalm. 40. 3 is sure . Dauid may haue sure footing , Exo. 17. 12 and rest his feet . Moses , his hands . ●●cob , Gen. 28. 11 his head , on this Stone . This , is it hee hat●● his denomination from . Hee that trusts in him ▪ nothing , Mat. 16. 18 not the gates of hell , shall preuaile against him . Trustines , with non confundetur , the chiefe vertue of a Stone : of Christ : and of those , that are Headstones by , and vnder him .

But , there are Stone , that lye scattered , that will neither head well , nor bed well , ( as they say ) not meet , to build withall : meet , for nothing but to hurle , and to doe hurt with . But Christ is a Stone , to doe good with , to build with , Lapis ad aedificationem . And , He loueth not to scatter , or be by himselfe , Prou. 8. 31. His delight is , to be with the Sonnes of men : and to grow with them , into one frame of building .

A Cornerstone . Of al the places in the building , that one speciall place , liketh Him : where the sides meet , there He is . To ioyne together , to make two one , Ephes. 2. 14. He loueth it aboue all , stretching Himselfe , to both walles , that both may rest on Him .

And lastly , Lapis primarius , a Headstone . For , there he should be ; there , is his right place , and it will neuer be well with the Building , till He be in that place ; till Christ be 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Caput , in omni procuratione , The highest and chiefest end of all . This he is , and in the end , This he will be : if not by Men , yet by God .

But now , we haue to doe with Men : and we are to put it to voices , their voices , with whom he liued , what they thinke of Christ , for Caput Anguli . It is returned , Quem reprobauerunt : He is refused . Luke 19. 14. Will yee heare it , from themselues ? Nolumus hunc regnare , Wee will not haue him King ; not in that place ; no Head , in any wise .

But à quibus , Who were these ? These were foolish people , Iere. 5. 4. that knew not the vertue or value of a Stone : no heed to be taken what they cry . We will get vs , Iere. 5. 5. with Ieremie , to men of skill ; that know , what Stone is for euery place , professed builders , by their trade : But these also , were no better conceited of Him , then the other : for , doe any of the Rulers make any account of him ? Ioh. 7. 48. As who say , None of them neither , The very Builders refuse him too .

Wel , we wil make the best of it : It may be , not for the Head : But , there be more places then that : if not allow him there , yet hee may be in some else . Improbauerunt , it may be , but not reprobauerunt : disalowed , but not cast aside quite . We aske then , how farre ? Will ye put him vp the second time , and ( to see the Quousque , in kinde ) will ye put vp Barabbas with him ? No● hunc . Iohn 18. 40. sed Barabbam . So it went : That was their verdict . Now , by this time it is reprobauerunt , ( as flat as may be ) a refuse indeed , and that with a foule indignitie .

But these , were but the vulgar , againe . What say the Builders to this ? He , or them , that tooke himselfe for a very Vitruui●s , such a workman , as he said , all the rest vnderstood nothing at all , the Master-builder Caiphas , Ioh. 11. 49. 50. he was flat , Expedit , It was expedient he should die ; be cast aside into the heap of rubbish , be put out of the building , cleane . That , is his doome .

Now , lay these two together . To be refused , is not so much ; it may be , it is of such , as are ignorant . But , to be refused of Builders , and those the chiefe , is much ; for , they are presumed to be skilfull . Againe , to be disliked for the chiefe place , not so much ; if not for that , he may bee for another : But , to be vtterly reprobate , ( that is , ) not refused , for the Head , nor refused for the Corner , but refused simply for any roome at all : not in the tappe , nay not in the bottome ; not in the Corner , nay not in any ranke of 〈◊〉 Building : that , is as much as may be . And this , was Christs lot .

Yet this was all but in words , nothing was done to him ; But there is , a reprobation , in deed , ●nd that is yet far worse . And to that , they proceeded , euen to actuall matters , to reall reproba●ion . Before they cast him aside , ( this poore Stone , ) they hackt and they hewed it , and mangled it pitiously , they shewed their mali●● euen in that , Zach. 3. 9. too . Celauerunt Sculptur am ei●s ▪ saith the Prophet , their tooles walked on him , they graued him , and cut him with a witnesse , and made him full of eyes , on euery side . Wh●● skilled that ? What disgrace , or what sorrow is done , to a Stone , the Stone feeles it not . The cry , of Non hunc , or the edge of the grauing toole , affect it nothing . True : But he was Lapis viu●s , a liuing Stone , ( as Peter calleth him , 1. Pet. 2. 5. ) a Stone that had life ; life and sense , and 〈◊〉 all : Felt his grauing , the edge and point both ▪ felt his despising , the scorne , and malice both ▪ ( of the twaine ; this the more , ) but both he 〈◊〉 ▪ When they made furrowes on his backe , Psal. 129. 3. with th● scourges : Matth. 27. 29. when they platted the Crowne 〈◊〉 Thornes , and made it ●it close to his head ; 〈…〉 digged his hands , Psal. 22. 16. and feet , he felt all . 〈◊〉 endured it patiently , tanquam lapis : but he 〈◊〉 it sensibly , tanquam viuus . Had quicke sense , 〈◊〉 his paine in grauing : had liuely apprehensio● of his contempt in refusing .

And these very two words , ( in the Text ● Lapidem , and Reprobauerunt , set out vnto 〈◊〉 both parts of his Passion fully ; As if , hee 〈◊〉 beene Stone , so layd they on him : As if hee had beene a Reprobate , so powred they all disgrace vpon him . And , euen as a Stone he was in his Passion . For , as the Stones giue against the weather : so , was there not to bee seene vpon him , a bloody sweat ? Luke 22. 44. Did he not giue ( as it were ) of himselfe , against the tempest came ? And when it came , was it not so strange , ( euen that , which this liuing Stone suffered ; ) as the dead Stones , that had no life , as if they had had life , and compassion of his case rent in sunder with it ? Matth. 27. 51. Lapidem then , is true .

And , for reprobauerunt , that is , as true . For how could they haue entreated a reprobate , worse then they entreated Him ? In his thirst , Iohn 19. 29. In his prayer , In the very pangs of death , what words of scorne and spitefull opprobrie ? Matth. 27. 47 , 49. what deeds of malice and wretched indignitie ? Of himselfe , it is said , ( and by way of exaggeration , ) Hee humbled himselfe to death , Phil. 2. 8. the death of the Crosse : of them , it may be no lesse , Reprobauerunt ad mortem , mortem Crucis , they reiected Him to death , the death of Reprobates , the death , whereunto a Curse is annexed , the death of the Crosse. And , neuer gaue Him ouer , till they brought him , Matth. 27. 60. Lapis ad lapidem , into a graue of Stone , and rolled a Stone vpon him , and there left him . And thus much , for Lapis quem reprobauerunt .

It is the Feast of the Passeouer ; We now , passe ouer , to His other estate ; His Exaltation , ad Caput Anguli . Were it not strange , the stone should be rolled away , and this Stone should be digged vp againe , and set vp in the Antes , the place most conspicuous , ( that is ) made a Corner-stone : and that , in the very top , the highest part of all , ( that is ) made a head-stone ? Were not this , a strange Passeouer , from death , to life ; from lowest reprobation , to highest approbation ; from basest reproach , to greatest glory ?

But , seeing builders ( we see ) may be deceiued , and that in Capite , ( as we finde here ) and that , though Caiphas be one of them ; and a stone may haue wrong ; would it not be well , we called to scrutinie againe ? Is there any builder yet left , before whom , we may bring the matter ? Yes , Hebr. 3. 4. there is . Euery house is built of some 〈◊〉 ( saith the Apostle ) but hee that is the Builder of all , is GOD . Hee that set vp , this great vaulted worke , of Heauen ouer our heads : that layed the Corner-stone of the earth ; Iob 38. 6. Hee is a builder . Psal. 104. 3. But he that layeth his Chamber-beames in the waters ; Et appendit terram super nihilum , Iob 26. 7. hangs this great Masse no man knowes vpon what : He that beginneth at the top , and builds downwards , Heauen first , and then Earth : ( as hee did ) hee passeth all ours , hee is a skilfull builder indeed . Is hee of the same minde ? Offer Christ to His probation . He will reprobare reprobantes , condemne them , that so refused Him : And all wil turne , 1. Pet. 2. 4. quite contrary : Saint Peter saith it . Hee was 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 reprobate with men , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , chosen of God : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing worth , with them , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 pretious , with him : Meete to bee in the building ; Nay no building , meet to be , without him . And in the building , if any part more obiect to the sight , then other : there . And in that , if any place , higher then an other : there . In aedificio , Angulo aedificij , Capite Anguli . In the building , the Corner of the building , the head of the Corner : ( that is ) in the highest place , of the chiefest part of all . This , hee thought him , and as hee thought him , so he made him : and made him so this day , the day of His Resurrection . Whom they cast downe , God lift vp , from the graue : whom they vilified , he glorified , glorified and made him Caput Anguli , The head of the Corner .

How of the Corner ? Anguli . The Corner , is the place , where two walles meet : and there bee many two's , in this Building . The two walles of Nations , Iewes and Gentiles : The two , of Conditions , bond and Free : The two , of Sexe , Male and Female : the great two ( which this day we celebrate , ) of the Quicke and the Dead : aboue all , the greatest two of all , Heauen and Earth .

The two first meet in Him : There was a partition , but Hee downe with it : Et fecit vtraq●● vnum . Ephes. 2. 14. So that , there is neither 〈◊〉 nor Greeke , Gal. 3. 28. neither bond nor Free , neither Male●● Female , but all one in Christ Iesus : Yea , the Quick● and the Dead , both liue to Him . And all these , so many Combinations , as in the Center , meet in Him : and Hee in the middest of all , drawes all , and knits all , in one holy Faith ; one blessed hope of his Comming ; one mutuall vnfained loue , towards each other . Ex te Angulus , well said Zacharie . Zach. 10. 4

And as Vnitie , Caput . is in the Angle ; so Order , is vnder the Head , As al , one , in Him ; so He is Head of all . Head of the lewes , Iesus , in their tongue : Head of the Gentiles , Christ in their tongue : Head of the Church : a a Col. 1. 18. Head of all Principality and b b Col. 2. 10. Power . Therefore this day , Christ that died , rose againe , that He might be Lord , both of Quicke and Dead , Rom. 14. 9 And of the great Angle of all , Mat. 28. 18 consisting of Heauen and Earth ; for all Power was giuen him in heauen and earth , and Hee made Head of both .

Now then : will ye lay these together ? there can come to a stone , no greater dignity , then , there to bee ( in the Head . ) To any stone ; but it is much increased , by that Circumstance , that it is not onely , Lapis , ( barely : ) but , Lapis quem reprobauerunt , that now is there in the Head : Not any stone , but a stone so refused ( as we heard ) for such a stone , there to bee ; from that Terminus à quo , to come to this Terminus ad quem , from so base an estate , there to bee ; that is a great encrease to it . And thirdly , by such a person , a Builder so matchlesse , there to bee : that is yet a degree higher : and this triplicity exalteth much his Exaltation . That by God , and not Gods suffering , but his doing : and that , factum mirabile , his wonderfull doing , it came to pas●e . As indeed , wonderfull it is to see , that which all the world now ●eeth : Christ , that for the present , was so strangely deiected : since , to bee so exceedingly glorified : So many knees to bow to Him , Phil. 2. 9. 10 11. so many tongues to confesse Him , His Name to be aboue all Names , heauen and earth to bee full of the Maiesty of his glory .

Now , from these two words , Caput , Anguli : that which we learne morally , is : to make much of the two Vertues , commended to vs , in these two words : Virtus Anguli , and Anguli sub Capite .

First , the vertue of two walles vnited in one Angle , that is , Vnity . For Christ will not bee Caput Maceriae , of a Partie wall , but of an Angle ioyned . Hee is not of their spirit , that so they may be Head , care not , though it be of neuer so broken a wall .

Secondly , not euery Vnitie , but Vnitas ordinata , that hath , or is vnder a Head . For it is not , Cuiusuis Anguli , but Anguli cui Caput : not of euery Angle , but of an Angle , the vnity whereof , is neither in the tayle , nor in the sides , but in the head : That is , commendeth to vs , as Vnitie against Diuision , so Order against Confusion . They that can bee content to corner well , but would bee Acephali , Head-lesse , haue no head , please him not : no more doe they , that would ioine , but would bee Polycephali , haue a Consistory of heads , many heads : as many as the Beast of Babylon . For sure it is , and Angle can haue no more heads but one . To loue an Angle well , but an Angle that hath a head , and but one head . To loue a head well , but a head , not of a single wall , but of an Angle . Bothe these , & both to be regarded . Zach. 11. 7. 10. 14 They bee Zacharies two staues , bands , & beauty , which vphold all gouernment ; breake one , and the other will not long be , vnbroken . The head without Vnity : Vnity without the head : either without other will not long hold .

Both then : but especially vnitie , for that commeth in heere , no● necessarily , as doth the head : but extraordinarily . And therefore extraordinary regard , to be had of it . For I was thinking , why hee should heere in this second part , say that Hee was made head of the Corner : Why should it not suffice , to haue said , factus est Caput , and no more ? Or if more , factus est Caput Aedificij ? to haue said , Hee was made the head : at least wise , made the Head of the whole Building . Why must Anguli be added ? What needed any mention of the Corner ? no occasion was giuen , no mention was made of it , in his Refusing : The word head , would haue serued ●ully , to haue set His Exaltation ●oorth . Some matter then there was , that this word must come in . And sure , no other , but to shew , Christ● speciall delight and loue of that place . At his rising , Ioh. 20. 19 this day , Stetit in medio : and heere he is come to his place againe : for Stetit in medio , and Caput Anguli , come both to one . Therefore , that like loue , like speciall regard , bee had by vs , of that place , and of the vertue of that place , ( vnitie : ) that it be sought and preserued carefully , that the sides flie not off , the well knitting whereof , is the very strength , of the whole Building .

By Bede , it is rendered , as a reason , why the Iewish builders refused our Sauiour Christ , fo● the head place , Quia in vno pariete , stare amabant . They could endure no Corner ; they must stand alone , vpon their owne single wall ; be of themselues , not ioyne with Gentile , or Samaritane . And Christ they endured not , because they thought , i● hee had beene head , hee would haue inclined that way . Ioh. 10. 16 Alias oues oportet me adducere . Alias , they could not abide . But sure , a purpose there must be alias oues adducendi , of bringing in others : of ioyning a corner , or else we doe not facere secundùm exemplar , Heb. 5. 8 build not according to Christs patterne ; our fashion of Fabrique , is not like his . They that thinke , to make Christ head of a Single wall , are deceiued : it will not be : They that say , So the head , all is well , it skils not for the Corner , erre too . Hee is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Corner-stone first , and then 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a headstone after . And they that had rather , be a Front in a wall , then in a meaner place sub Lapide Angulari : And they , that stand vpon their owne partition , and will not endure to heare of any ioyning , care not what become of Angulus , if it were stroken out : Phil. 2. 5. the same minde , is not i● them , in neither of them , which was in Christ Iesus . His minde we see . He looks to the Angle , as to the head ; and to the head , as to the Angle . And they build best , Luc. 7 35. that build likest him , Wisedome is iustified of all her Children .

And last ; the due●y of the whole Second part , and so , this dayes du●ty , is this . When the head-stone is brought foorth , and reared , ( as to day it was , ) we are to prosecute it , Verse 25. 26. with Hosanna , and Benedictus qui venit , ( as it straightway followeth in the Psalme ) with acclamation of , Grace , Grace vnto it . Zach. 4. 7. For so , ( saith the Prophet ) Lapis primarius , would be layd , with reioycing . Reioycing : as in His regard , that hath obteined his due : so , euen in the buildings , that hath got such a head ; such , and so gracious a head , as could endure , thus to be refused by them : and yet , admit , yea euen those that so refused him , ( if the fault be not in themselues ) to be Stones in his building , for all that : and to be members of the Body , whereof He is the head .

Then secondly , as God , hath : so we to make him , head . Actually , wee cannot , he is made to our hands : but , in account wee may : Giuing him , the highest place in all our respects ; Magnifying his Name , and his Word , aboue all things : his Word , Psal. 138. 2. making it our chiefe ground : his Name , and the Glory of it ; making it , our chiefe end . That other considerations cary vs not away , as these builders here it did , of Venient Romani , Ioh. 11. 48. or , I wot not what ; but that euer , ( as the Heathen Lawyer said ) it be , Potior ratio , quae facit pro Religione , the best ●eason , that maketh best for Religion , and for the good of the Body of this head ( that is , ) the peace of His Church . And this , for , Lapis erat Christus .

But , The second sense ▪ Dauid . Lapis erat Dauid , is likewise true . Therefore , that we doe King Dauid no wrong , let vs shew , how it fits him too : but briefly , because , this , is not His day . Dauid was a Stone . The Iewes say , it was his nic-name , or name of disgrace ; that , in scorne they called him so . For that , all his credit ( forsooth ) came , by casting a Stone , and hitting Goliah , by chance , right in the forehead : and so , they thwited him with that name . They gaue it him , in scorne : but he bare it , in earnest . For sure , much sorrow he endured : had , that propertie of a Stone . And nothing could remoue him , or make him shrinke , from his Trust in God , or from his Allegiance to Saul his liege lord : that qualitie also .

And , refused he was : not as Christ , we must not looke for that , neither in him , nor in any . God forbid , that any , euer should be so refused , as hee . As Christ : none , but Christ . No : but yet , in his degree refused he was , though . A hard time he had , and many hard termes , and hard vsages he endured , for many yeeres together ; pursued , and followed , and should haue bene no head , nay , should haue had no head , if He had bene gotten .

Refused , and by whom ? Euen by Saul , all his life time : 2. Sam. 2. 8. and when Saul was dead , Abner refused him , and set vp another against him . And when he was out of his Country , 1. Sam. 29 ▪ 4. in Gath , refused there too , 1. Sam. 17. 28. by the Princes of Achis . And euen at home , by his own brethren , & fathers house . Yea Samuel himselfe , 1. Sam. 16. 6. had giuen it away , ( the Head-place ) from him , to Eliab , and so refused him ; but , for God . And these , went then , for the chiefe builders in Israel , at that time . So , the builders refused him .

But , after all this , all this notwithstanding , this Stone became the head , ( that is ) Dauid got the Crowne , and was King at last . For , ( head ) is the Kings Name . So doeth Samuel call the King . 1. Sam. 15. 17. So doeth Esay cap. 7. 4. So doeth Hose. 1. 11. But especially , so Daniel in expresse termes , Chap. 2. 38. Tu es Caput aureum , speaking to the King , Thou art the head of gold .

Head , and of the Corner : that is ( as some interpret it ) of Iuda , and Israel ; But that is thought somewhat hard . For those two , were not two Kingdomes , nor euer so reckoned , till Roboams time . And , what if Dauid , had not happened to haue bene first King of one Tribe , and after , of all ; should hee haue lost this name then ? Should he not haue bene 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ? Shal no King be Caput Anguli , if he haue but one entire kingdome ? Shall not Salomon as well as Dauid ? No question but he shall .

The better part therefore thinke good , to giue it that sense , which neuer failes in any State : and which sundry times yee shall finde pointed at by Dauid himselfe , as in the a a Vers. 9. 10 12. 115. before , and in the b b Ver. 19 135. after . Yea euen heere in c c Ver. 2. 3 this Psalme at the beginning , Dom●●s Israel , and Domus Aaron , the house of Israel , and the house of Aaron ; that is , the two estates , Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall , which make the maine Angle , in euery Gouernment . God himselfe hath seuered them , and made these , two : but to meete in one ; not one to maligne and consume the other . And , the happie combining of these two , is the strength of the Head , and the strength of the whole Building . If it beare but vpon one of them , it will certainely decay . It did so in Sauls time : He little regarded the Arke , and lesse the Priests . Dauid saw Sauls error , and in his Psalme ( where hee singeth ▪ Psalm. 75. 3 Ne perdas , to a Common-wealth ) promiseth to haue equall care of both pillars , and to vphold them both .

The first Booke of Chronicles , is sufficient to prooue , and perswade any , hee dealt in both , as chiefe ouer both . Not by right of Priest●hood , for none hee had . And that of his Prophesie , is as cold . Others also did the like , Asa , Iosaphat , Ezekias , Iosias , that were no Prophets , nor euer so accounted .

In the Law , ( it is Philo's note ) both Tables meete in the fifth Commandement , ( which is , the Crowne Commandement , ) as it were in an Angle ; which Commandement , is placed ( saith he ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 as it were in the middle or confines of both tables , that of Religion ; and this other of Iustice Ciuill : That , with the right arme , the Prince may support that , and with the left , this , and so vphold both ; Mat. 21. 42 And in the Gospell , Christ applyeth this very verse , to himselfe , as heire of the Vineyard . Heire hee was not , but as King , not as Priest ; Hee could not ; for of that Tribe hee was not borne but was called to it , Heb. 7. 13. 14. as was Aaron .

Since then , here we finde both , and that Dauid was both , it is no error ( I trust ) to call a King , Caput Anguli ; no more is it , to call him Lapidem primarium , or angularem , choose yee whether . The Persian ( by the light of nature ) called the King Ahashuerosh ( that is ) Soueraigne head . The Graecian ( by the same light ) called the King , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the base or Corner-stone of his People .

Shall I adde this ? This word ( Stone ) which is heere affirmed , of Dauid , in this verse : is , in the new Testament fiue seuerall times , turned by the Syrian Translator , Cepha : thrice in the three a a Matt. 21. 42 Mar. 12. 10 Luke 20. 17 Gospels : once in the b b Acts. 4. 11 Acts : and once in c c 1. Pet. 2. 7 Saint Peter . So that hee did not thinke it strange , to ●all King Dauid Cephas . So Cepha , as wel said of Dauid , as of Peter . And d d 2. Sam. 5. 2 1. Chro. 11 Zach. 4. 10 Tu pasces , as well said ●o Dauid , as Pasce to Peter . And Zorobabel hath ●n his hand , the Line , as well a Iosua the high ●riest , towards the building of the Temple . The ●hing , the duety it selfe , and the bounds of it , let vs ●ay foorth and agree of , as we can : but sure , the Name , is not to bee stood on ; it cannot bee de●ied Him .

ANd now to our selues : The third sense . His Maiesty to whom , as This is the day which the Lord hath made , touching Christ , and his Resurrection ; so is it , likewise , the day , that he hath made the second time , by making ●●n it , his Maiestie head of this Kingdome , the ve●y Name whereof , hath affinitie , and carieth an ●llusion to the terme , Anguli , in the sound of it .

And , neither were your Maiestie , without your part of refusing , in a kinde : but did partici●ate , somewhat of it , with Dauid , though in a ●esse degree . Good and firme and sure , though your Right were as any Stone ; yet allegations were studied , to subiect it to question , yea , to re●using . For , did no body euer see , a proiect drawen , wherein some other stone was marked out , to haue beene caput Anguli ? Yes , it is 〈◊〉 knowen , T●les were raised , and set on foot , 〈◊〉 Bookes written , to that end .

And , they tooke them selues for no mean● workemen , that were the deuisers of them : tha● both at home and abroad , contriued it anoth●● way : and plotted , to haue put You by , and 〈◊〉 haue had some other Head-stone , of their owne hewing out , in your roome .

Yea , to make your case , yet more like 〈◊〉 Christs case : euen the High Priest , he that clai●meth Caiphas place , He and his crue , had the●● hands in it . We may no lesse truly , say to them , then St. Peter did to Caiphas ; Quem vos , Wh●● yee would haue cast aside , if yee might haue 〈◊〉 your willes . And to that end , had your fir●● Breues ready drawen , and sent abroad ; and others , in a readinesse , to second them .

Yet for all their Breues , and Buls ; this 〈◊〉 is the Head , for all that . Factus , made he is , and ▪ made by God : For à Domino , Gods doing it wa●● euidently , that after so much plotting , so many yeeres together ; at the very time , God bow●● the harts , of so many thousands , as it had be●● the heart of one man , to agree in one : as th●● all that foresaw it , thought it had not bee●● 〈◊〉 ; and all that saw it confessed it admirable ; and all men said , Psal. 64. 9. This hath God done : for they saw euidently , It was his worke .

The head , You were then made : and head , not of One Angle , as You were before ( for Caput Anguli , I hold a King to be , though he haue but one Kingdome ) but Caput Trianguli , Head now of three , euen of a whole Triangle . So their titles were dashed , their plots disappointed , and all their deuises , Esa. 29. 16. as the Potters clay . Yours it was of right , and God hath brought You to it : So it is ; and our eyes doe see it , and our hearts ioy in it , and our tongues blesse God for it ; and here we are , this day , with all praise and thankes to acknowledge it , that so it is . It is a part of this Dayes duetie , that so we should acknowledge it , and giue him thankes for it , that brought it to passe .

And , may I not further , put you in minde , of another making yet ? And it is not impertinent neither : to this day , especially . For , after the first making or placing : looke , how many after attempts are made , to vnmake or displace the Head-stone againe ; so many times , as it is heaued at , to that ende ; and those attempts defeated : so many new placings , so many new makings , are wee to reckon of 〈◊〉 was made Head , not onely when Soul , and ●●ner sought to put Him downe , and were put downe themselues ; which was , before he came to the Crowne : but , euen after he had it , & had worne it long , when Absalon and Sheba refused Him ( being their head , ) & cried , a a 2. Sam. 20. 1. No part in Dauid , and so , sought to set him besids the Throne ▪

And builders there wanted not in that designe , Absalon had b b 15. 31. Achitophel , and c c 9. 30. Amasa ▪ two as principall Master-builders , as then were any . When God brought Dauid backe to his Seat againe , and deliuered Him from them , that sought to remooue Him from it : He did as good , as place Him in it , anew . Dauid himselfe saith so , before ( at the 13. Verse . ) Hee 〈◊〉 shrewdly lifted at , and ready to turne ouer : but God stayed him , and set him right , in his Seate again● . And in very deed , the Verse next before ( the 21. ) where he saith , God had heard him , and was become his deliuerer , make the writers to thinke ▪ this Psalme was endited rather for this Second ▪ then for His first placing .

Now , a like Second making , we may well remember : and we cannot doe it better , then vpon this day . This day ( as we shall see ) hath an interest in it . That , since Your setting in the Seat of this Kingdome , Some there were , builders one would haue taken them to be , if hee had seene them , with their tooles in their hands , as if they had bene to haue layed some foundation ; where their meaning was , to vndermine ; and to cast downe foundations and all : yea to haue made a right Stone of you , and blowne you vp among the Stones , you , and yours , without any more adoe .

And , Master builders they had amongst them , ( so they wil needs be accounted ) that encouraged their hearts , and strengthened their hands , to the worke . And that , they might do , there was no Seale to hinder it : But disclose it , that they might not , for feare of breaking a Seale : there was a Seale for that . And thus did they aedificare ad gehennam : edifie their followers to Helward , to set them forward and a a Acts. 1. 25. send them to their owne place . That Day , which God ●●ndid that wretched designe , and brought their mischiefe vpon their owne heads , That Day , did GOD make you Caput trianguli , the second time . That Day , that He brought you backe ( if not from death it selfe , yet ) from deaths doore , from the very gates of destruction , That Day , was a very Easter day to You , though it were in Nouember . Heb. 11. 19. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 after a sort , a very Resurrection : as very a resurrection , as Isaacks was , which the Apostle there speaketh of : That Day , the destroying Angel , ( I am sure ) past ouer You , and so , it was truely the Feast of the Passeouer . Fit therefore to be remembred this day , Hic est Dies , This is the day of the Passeouer , This is Easter day , the day of the Resurrection .

But , to returne to the first making of all . By the true course of the yeere , this Moneth being the very Moneth , this day being the very day , of that , of the first laying this Head-stone : Wee are , ( as before in Christo Domino , so againe here ) in Christo Domini , to prosecute it with Dauids cry of Hosanna , and Benedictus : and with Zacharies acclamation , of Grace , Grace vnto it , euen to this Head-stone . Grace , in His eyes that so made you : And againe , Grace , in their eyes and hearts to whom hee so made you : But aboue all , the Grace of all Graces , that you may make him euer your 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , your stone of a a 1. Sam. 7. 12. chiefe trust , and your b b 20. 19. marke of highest regard in al● your Counsels and purposes , that so made you : And , seeke to reduce the disiecta latera , the sides and walles flyen off , of this great Building ( for which the world it selfe was built ) His Church ; and reduce them to one Angle : the greatest seruice , that can bee done him , on earth .

And so : he that , this day made You the Head : so make You , and so keepe You long , and many dayes . Hee that refused , them that refused You , ( refused them , with reprobation , ) still may he so doe , toties quoties , to their continual co●fusion ; That , the Head ouer the Triangle ; and the Triangle vnder the Head , may many yeeres stand fast , and flourish ; in all peace , plenty and prosperity , health , honour , and happinesse . And , after all : Hee that hath crowned You heere , with two Crownes , already ; crowned You also with the third , of Glory , and Immortali●ie , in his Heauenly Kingdome ▪

I haue now done . Onely I would moue one thi●g , and it shall agree well , with that hath bene said of the Corner-stone : and it shall serue to further our duety of thankes , and be a good closing vp of the whole . Many waies , was Christ our blessed Sauiour a Corner-stone : among others , especially in this , saith St. Hieron . Quando agnum , cum pane coniunxit , ●iniens vnum , inchoans alterum , vtrumque perficiens in semetipso . One chiefe Corner point of his , was : when hee ioyned , the Lambe of the Passeouer , and the Bread of the Eucharist : ending the one , and beginning the other , recapitulating both Lambe and bread into himself : making that Sacrament ( by the very institution of it ) to bee , as it were , the very Corner-stone of both the Testaments .

No act then , more fit for this Feast , ( the Feast of the Passeouer , ) then , that act , which is it selfe the passage ouer , from the old Testament to the new . No way better , to expresse our thankes , for this Corner-stone , then by the holy Eucharist , which it selfe is , the Cornerstone , of the Law , and the Gospell .

And , there is in it a perfect representation of the substance , of this verse and Text , set before our eies : wherein , two poore Elements of no great value in themselues , but , that they might well bee refused : are exalted by God , to the estate of a Diuine Mysterie , euen of the highest Mysterie in the Church of Christ .

And , a kinde of resurrection there is in them , and therefore fit for the day of the Resurrection , ( as euer in Christs Church , Easter day , hath pleaded a speciall propertie in them ) Sowen , as it were , 1. Cor. 15. 43. in weakenes and dishonor : and ( after they be consecrated , ) rysing againe , in honor & power .

And that , a great honour and power : not only to represent , but to exhibite that it representeth ; nor to set before vs , or remember vs of ; but euen to serue vs for a Corner-stone : first , vniting vs to Christ the Head , whereby wee grow into one frame of Building , into one body mysticall , with Him . And againe , vniting vs also , as liuing stones , or liuely members , omnes in idipsum , one to another , & altogether in one , by mutuall loue and charitie . Ioh. 6. 56 Qui comedit de hoc Pane , & bibit de hoc Calice , manet in me , & ego in illo . Hee that eateth of this Bread , and drinketh of this Cup , abideth in me , and I in him . There is our Corner with Him . 1. Cor. 10. 17. And againe , Vnum corpus omnes sumus , qui de vno Pane participamus . All we , that partake one Bread , or Cup , growe all , into one Body mysticall . There is our Corner , either with other . By the same meanes , expressing our thankes for it , and by the same , possessing our selues of it ; sealing vp both waies our duty to GOD , for making CHRIST the LORD , our greatest and chiefest : and for making his Anointed this day , vnder him , either in their seuerall degrees , our 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 our chiefe , or head Corner-stone . For which , together with all other his benefits , but specially , as the time calleth to vs , for these two , [ Christs rysing ] and [ Our Soueraignes raysing to his Royall place , ] render we , as we are bound , to GOD the FATHER , &c.