THe Apostle in this chapter beginneth to proue our Sauiour Christ to be the onely hie Priest of the new Testament . And because the people of Israel had so great affiance in the Priesthood of Aaron , that they could hardly be drawen away from the deteining of it , thine-king assuredly that vnto that priesthood the law & testimonies of God had bene tied for euer : & not knowing that all the Ceremonies of the law were ordayned vntyl the tyme of reformation , in whyche Christ shoulde appeare and chaunge that Priesthood , to become him selfe vnto vs a Priest of a better Testament , therfore the Apostle first setteth forth the properties of the Priesthood accordyng vnto the law , and after by comparison applieth them vnto Christ , in whom they al shine in a much more excellent sort then before in Aaron , and therefore it cannot be neyther breach nor dishonour vnto the law of God nor the Priesthoode of it , if the shadow & the figure , which was Aaron , shuld now be taken away , & the body & the truth , which is Iesu Christ , shuld be established for euer .

The properties which the Apostle speaketh of , necessarilye appertayning vnto euery Priest , as vnto one that must be a Mediator , are these : that first he shuld be man as we are , as Aaron and hys posteritie were . For neyther Angel , nor Archangel , nor principalities , nor powers can do this woorke , to present flesh and bloud vnto the maiesty of God , when them selues are but Spirites : And therefore Christ , that hee myght be hye Priest , tooke not an Angels nature , but was made of the seede of Abraham , lyke vnto vs , that as there is but one God , so ther might be but one Mediatour betwene God and man , euen the man Christ Iesus , in this respect as able to be hie Priest as Aaron him selfe , beyng as naturally and as truly clothed with our flesh , as Aaron was .

The second propertie of the Priest is , that he should be ordayned , not onely for him selfe to make his own attonement , but also for other men , to accomplishe whatsoeuer was betweene God and them , that where they were before enemies & straungers , they might by hym be reconciled , and haue free accesse vnto the throne of grace , to finde mercy and succour in due tyme . And for thys cause Christ alone is a perfect priest , more excellent than Aaron , who was encombred with his own synnes , to make first reconciliation for them , & therfore could not profit other . And as this was the Priests office to be a Mediator for other , so the meanes he must vse , and the mediation to be wrought in thys worke , was to offer vp giftes and sacrifices for syns : that is , to present vnto God the sacrifice of righteousnes , pure & holye in his sight , in which he myght be pleased , and the sinnes of the people might be taken away . The whych sacrifice , because it must bee so pure , that in it they for whom it was made must be sanctified , and so precious , that it must be a sufficient purchase to redeeme man from al transgression : therfore it could not bee made wyth the bloud of Calues or Goates , which cannot take away synne , nor wyth gold nor siluer , which cannot redeme our Soules , nor with meates and drinkes , which profited not them that were exercised therein , nor in any such carnal rites , for which the Priesthoode of Aaron was ordayned : and therefore an other Priest must make this sacrifice , which cannot be any other then Iesu Christ , who beyng made hye Priest of the good thinges to come , by a greater tabernacle , & a more precious sacrifice , euen by his own bloud hath obtained for vs an euerlasting redemption , and therefore is nowe to be acknowledged our onely Priest , the first Priesthood and the first law being altogether abrogated .

One other property of the Priesthood is , that none thrust in him self beyng not appoynted , nor take vnto him selfe this honour , being not called vnto it . And God euer shewed him selfe a ready reuenger agaynst all such as should defile his Priesthood , to take to them selues the dignity to which they were not apointed . But this calling also was geuen vnto Christ from God hys Father , as before vnto Aaron , both by word and by oth , that no flesh shuld resist it , euen as it is wrytten : The Lord hath sworne , and wyll not repent , thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedech : So that in this behalfe , our sayth must be euer strong , that the calling of Christ is of the Lord , euen as the callyng of Aaron was : and wyth so muche the greater iudgement it shall bee reiected , because it was confirmed wyth an othe .

The last propertie in this comparison is , that the hye Priest of the law should haue an inward compassion towarde them that were ignorant and were deceyued : in which perfect knot of vnfayned loue , hys ministery was accepted of God , and his sacrifices receyued and accompted holy . And lest he should cast from him this brotherly affection , God printed in his owne body the infirmities of hys brethren , that accordyng to the measure of grace which he had receued , he might in dede be moued with hys brothers harmes , as with hys owne : So that he dyd not withdrawe hym selfe from the seruice of the Sanctuary , but put on the holy garmentes , was anoynted with the holy oyle , bare the names of his brethren before the Lord , presented their sacrifices , abstained from wine & strong drynke , mourned not for his friendes that were departed , taught diligently the people , praied for their transgressions , and bare the burden of hys people , as God had layd it vpon him .

But yet thys propertie exceeded more in Christ then in all the tribe of Leuie , and the bowels of all compassion wer more large within him ; then the vtmost braunches of it in any other creature . And this the Apostle noteth in thys place whyche now we haue in hand , in which we may see as in a most lyuely glas , the perfect beutye of all excellent loue . The thinges they were not lyght , nor the sorowes small , nor the sighinges few in number , nor the prayers faynt , nor the anguish of spirite litle , nor the death easy , by which he hath sealed it vnto vs , that hee had compassion on his people , but as the Apostle sayth : In the dayes of his flesh , while he was here clothed in mortalitie , lyke vnto one of vs , to the ende he might be faithfull for our sakes , he did offer vp praiers & supplications , with strong crying and teares vnto hym that was able to saue hym from death , and was also heard in the things which he feared . And being him selfe the sonne , yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered , and being consecrate , was made the authour of eternall saluation to them that obey hym .

These wordes my deare brethren , we haue now in hand , to search & examine what the spirit teacheth vs , so much the more carefully to be harkned vnto of vs , how much the more plainly it setteth foorth vnto vs the great loue & compassion that Christ beareth toward vs . Two thinges especially here the Apostle testifieth : First the sufferinges of our sauiour Christ , & then the benefite that we enioy by the same , according as hys sufferinges were onely for our sake . His sufferinges what they were , & how great sorow oppressed hym , he sheweth by those effectes which his sorowes brought forth , that is , praiers , supplications , cryinges , teares , feare , and anguish of spirite , whych things waited euer vpon him , euen to the accomplishing of all his passions , whych was the death of hys crosse . The fruite that we do reape of those afflictions whych he suffered , is the saluation of our soules & eternall life , if we wyl obey him .

In thys description of hys sufferinges , though the thynges are set forth which were commen and vsuall vnto him al his life , yet it appeareth especially the Apostle meaneth that greatest conflict of sorow which he had a litle before his passion , described by the Euangelistes , in all similitude like vnto this which the Apostle here declareth . For as it is here said : he made praiers , noting by the word that they were many in number : so it appeareth in the Gospell , that beside other praiers , three tymes he repeated thys one : ●●th 26 Father , if it be possible , let this cup passe from me . And as it is sayd , he made supplications , humblyng hym selfe low vnder the hand of hys Father : so it is said in the Gospel , that then he kneeled downe , fell vpon his face , and so prayed vnto God. Luk 41. And as the cause of his praiers is here mencioned , to be deliuered from death : so the words of his praier in the Gospel are lyke : Father , if it be possible , let thys cup passe from me : meanyng the death of his crosse to which he was condemned . And as here is mencioned his great and lowd crying : so there the Euangelist sayth , he cryed out with a lowde voyce : My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? And like as here is said , he praied with weeping teates : so there is witnessed , that he was sorowful and greuously troubled , that his soule was heauy euen vnto death , & that in a great agonye hys sweate was lyke vnto drops of bloud . A wofull kynde of weeping , but such was his compassion , that we might haue sure hope . And as here is said , he was deliuered from his feate : so at that tyme when all hys spirites were troubled , the Angell came from heauen to bryng him comfort .

These similitudes they are all so agreable , that it is euident the Apostle respected especially aboue other , this part of his passion , in which hys perfect loue and vnchaungeable affection towarde vs , shined in most fulnes of beuty , in that it was so feruent and so deepely rooted , that neither feare , nor trembling , nor anye anguishe of spirite coulde make it shake , nor the force of death , nor any bloudy sweates could pull it out of his bowels .

In this one sentence ( dearely beloued ) ther is more for vs to learne , then either eye hath seene , or eare hath heard , or all fleshe in this lyfe shall attayne vnto . It is the deapth of the gloryous Gospell , which the Angels do desire to behold . But to note vnto you somethings in which our faith maye be strengthened , we haue to learn by the example of our sauiour Christ in this place , that in all temptacions we should approche vnto our God , and make our complaintes vnto him , who is onely able & ready for to helpe vs . He hath not forgot hys promise that he hath made of old : Cal vpon me in the day of thy trouble , Psa. ●… and I wyll delyuer thee . He is a place of refuge , and of sure defence , a strong tower against al assaultes . The ryghteous man that shal hasten vnto him , he shal be surely saued . The author and finisher of our fayth , he is gone before vs : we shall be surelye partakers of the same mercy . It skilleth not how great our temptacions ar into whych we are fallen , nor how many in number , the Lord wyll deliuer vs out of all . It skilleth not howe manye one sins are , nor how great in our eyes , that haue procured out troubles , the Lord wyl scatter them as the cloudes from the heauens , and they shal not turne away his louing countenance from vs . Let vs looke on thys paterne Iesus Christ that is set before vs . It would crush our flesh in peeces , to beare with hym the wayght of his afflictions , from which he was deliuered : and it woulde make our teares to bee as drops of bloude , to be partakers of so great anguish of spirit as he sustained , and yet it was not so great , but the comfort of the Angell sent from hys Father , was much greater : So that by praier he obtained a most excellent victory , & hath brused the Serpentes head , & broken all his force . And why shuld we then bee discouraged ? If our syns be as crimosin , or if they be red lyke scarlet , yet they are the syns of our own bodies : but not ours onely , but also the synnes of the world , they rested all vpon Christ our Sauiour , and yet he prayed for delyuerance , and hath obtained : and therfore we may say with boldnes : Forgeue vs our trespasses . If the loue of Christ were so great to beare the syns of vs all , and of them euery one hath gotten forgeuenes , how shuld not we that ar laden with our own syns lift vp our heads into great assurance of hope , and heare with ioy fulnes the word of promise : I wyll bee mercyfull to their vnryghteousnes , Heb ●… and I wil remember their syns and their iniquities no more .

And what though our afflictions are exceeding many , that the whole head be sicke , and the whole hart be heauy : that from the sole of our foote vnto our heades there bee nothyng whole in our bodies , but al woundes and swellings , and sores full of corruption , yet all this is nothing vnto his passions , by whole stripes wee are healed . And these troubles are nothing vnto his mighty cryinges , who was compassed about for our sakes with feares and horrours , til his sweate was as drops of bloud , and hys bones brused in hys fleshe . Then let the whyps and scourges of our chasticement be greuous , and let vs yet bee beaten ( if the wyll of God so be ) with Scorpions , Christ in great compassion suffering wyth our infirmities ▪ hath borne yet a more heauy waight of iniquities , & hath bene deliuered . So that if we obey , we are partakers of his mercies , & we haue ful perswasion , that neither death nor lyfe , nor Angels , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come , nor height , nor deapth , nor anye other euent are shal be able to seperate vs from the loue of God , which is in Christ Iesus our Lord . Yea , & greater boldnes then this if it be possible to dwel within vs , the Apostle here hath offered it in Christ Iesu . If all the syns were vpon hym , and all sorowes in his flesh , and yet from them al God hath heard his praiers , why should we not be sure that our syns & sorowes they shall be done away ? Why shuld we not be sure that God him self hath appointed vnto al that mourne in Syon ( as the Prophet saith ) to geue vnto them beutye for ashes , the oyle of ioy for mournyng , the garment of gladnes , for the spirite of heauynes ? Let vs therefore be bold dearely beloued , for he was wounded for our transgressions , & broken for our iniquities , the chasticement of our peace was vpon him . These prayers are ours , these supplications for vs , auailable for moe synnes then we are able to commit . This is our victory that shall ouercome the world , euen our fayth . In all miseries and multitudes of woe , we are not sonken so deepe in sorow as he that for our sakes made prayers and supplications , wyth strong cryinges and with teares , and was delyuered from his feare .

The seconde poynt that we haue here to learn in this example of our Sauiour Christ , is to knowe vnto whom we should make our prayers in the day of trouble , which the Apostle testifieth in these words : that Christ made his prayers vnto hym that was able to saue him from death . A rule to be kept of vs in all maner of our peticions and supplications whatsoeuer , to make them knowen vnto him that can graunt our request , that is , vnto God . Thys rule was kept of the Church of God from the begynning . When men were once turned from their Idoles , ●…n 4.26 then in all their prayers they began to call vpon the name of the Lord . And God him self at no time doth more sharplye reproue hys people , then when they woulde aske of those that had no power to helpe them . This lesson that poore Leaper so defiled in flesh , had yet humblye learned , and wyth a pure hart hee prayed accordingly : Lord , if thou wylt thou canst make me whole . Ma●… 14. Vpon thys foundation our sauiour Christ hath built vp all the prayers of his true Disciples , adding it as a special clause vnto the prayer that he taught them : For thine is the kingdome , Ma●… 10. the power , and the glorye , for euer and euer . Amen .

Then let vs learne , so manye as wyl pray in spirit , to make our praiers vnto hym alone , who is able to saue vs . It is the sacrifice of the new Testament that he hath appoynted vs , that we should offer vp vnto him and not vnto other , the fruit of our lyps , which may confesse his name . And because this doctrine hath ben troden downe vnder feete , and defited by the man of syn wyth all spiritual vncleanes , I beseche you adde vnto this , one reason or two more , that you may answer the aduersary , & be able to stand in the day of euill . When our sauiour Christ was purposed to teache his Disciples a true forme of prayer , & a perfect paterne vnto which they must frame their peticions ( or it is vnpossible they shuld be accepted ) he teacheth them that their begynning must be from hence : Our Father whych art in heauen . What blessyng so euer wee woulde haue , or from what plague so euer we would bee delyuered , hee alone must be the person of whom we craue , to whom thys name & callyng doth belong : Our Father whych art in heauen . If thys name bee none of his , hee is no Patrone to bee called on : or if we wyll needes call vpon him , we geue hym thys name whether it bee his or no. Christ is our good warrant , who hath made this the beginning of al christian praier : Our Father whych art in heauen . Therfore the Idolaters of all ages , that haue made them selues Saintes to pray vnto , according to the number of their prayers , so they haue multiplied their Idoles , & the Chyldren of God , to whom they haue sacrificed , they shall wytnes agaynst them in the day of Christ . And you my deare brethren , agaynst all your enemies defend thus the holynes of your praier , that you know no other waye of speakyng , then as you are taught : Our Father . Adde yet vnto this one reason more , which you learne of S. Paul , and I doubt not but you shall be well established in this present truth .

We know al and do confesse , that we are able to doo no good thing of our selues , but all our sufficiencie is of God : we are not able so much as to thinke a good thought . Yea , the very wisedome of the flesh is enmitie vnto all ryghteousnes : so true it is that the Prophet sayth : Euerye man is a beast in his own understanding . And how much lesse then are wee able to offer vp vnto God that most precious sacrifice of praier and thankes geuyng , to make it acceptable in his sight , if we consult with our own flesh and bloud , & after the wyl of man so make our praiers vnto God ? We must needes acknowledge our own infirmities , and confesse with S. Paule , that we knowe not what to praye as we ought , but it is the spirite of God that maketh request for the Saintes , accordyng to the wyl of God : and in thys holy spirit alone we must pray , if we loke for the mercy of our Lord Iesu Christ to eternall life . The spirit that beareth rule in our hart , he must teache vs althinges , or els we can doo nothing that God aloweth . Now the voyce of this spirite that alwayes soundeth within vs , it speaketh not thus , either Sancta Maria , or Sancta dei genitrix , neyther S. Paule praye for vs , nor S. Peter pray for vs . These are but the spicinges of the dronken cups of Rome , the soundes of words which the spirites of errours haue blowen . But the holy spirit of God , that teacheth vs how to pray , it crieth thus in our hartes , Abba , Pater , Our Father whych art in heauen . As Christ hym selfe hath beene our scoolemaister of no other prayer , so the spirite that he hath geuen vs , it knoweth no other sound , but Abba Father : these are the beginninges of our praiers . If we speake not vnto hym , to whom doo wee bow our knees ? If we wyll make the spirite subiect to any other , let vs take hede that we greue not the holy spirite of God , 〈◊〉 . 4.30 by which we be sealed agaynst the day of redemption . Thus much I haue added to the example of our sauiour Christ , who made his prayers to his Father , who alone could deliuer him , that he might the more assuredly be bold to abide in his steps .

It followeth in the text : with great cryinges , and wyth teares . Here we haue to note in what measure our sauiour Christ was afflicted , euen so far , that he cried out in this bitternes of hys soule . This the Euangelistes do expresse in moe woordes , testifiyng of him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that he was greatly afraid , all together astonished , euen fainting for great anguish of mynde , and full pensiue sorowes . For his father had broken him with one breaking vpon an other : so he kyndled hys wrath against him , and accompted hym as one of his enemies . The heauy hand of God was so greeuous vpon hym , that it brused his verye bones , and rent his raines asunder , hee coulde finde no health in his flesh , but was wounded vnto death as without recouerye . The Euangelist hym selfe beareth witnes of this miserye , addyng vnto hys lowde crying thys sound of wordes : My God , my God why hast thou forsaken me ? Thys sorow , because it was not as waged with wordes , he cried out alowd , & because in silence he could finde no case , his face was wrinckled wyth weeping , and the shadowe of death was vpon his eyes . For what griefe coulde be lyke vnto this ? Or what condemnation coulde be so heauye ? when there was no wyckednes in his handes , and when hys prayer was pure , when he was the brightnes of glory , and the sunne of ryghteousnes that shined in the worlde : yet as it were to see hys daies at an end , and his enterprises broken , his carefull thoughtes to bee so deepe grauen in his brest , that they chaunged euen the daye into nyght vnto him , and all light that approched in to darknes , thys was a sorrowe aboue all sorrowes . When his excellencie was such aboue all creatures , that the world was not worthye to geue him breath , yet he to bee made a woorme , and not a man , a shame of men , and the contempt of the people , all that saw hym to haue him in derision , and to shut vp hys lyfe in shame and reproches , so vnworthy a reward of so precious a seruaunt : how could it but shake all his bones out of ioynt , and make hys hart to melt in the myddest of his bowels ? How could his strength not be dryed vp like a potshard , and his toung not cleaue vnto the iawes of his mouth ? Who hath bene euer so full of wo , & who hath bene brought so low into the dust of death ? His vertues wer vnspeakeable , and righteous aboue all measure : yet was he accompted among the wicked . His temperancie in perfect beutye , & his appetites bridled with all holye moderation : yet they sayd of him , behold a glutton and a drinker of wyne . His behauiour honest , without al reproofe and his conuersation vnspotted : yet they sclaundred hym as a friende of Publicans and synners , and reported him as a companion of theeues . He loued the law of his father wyth such fulnes of desire , that he would not suffer one iote , nor one title vnaccomplished : and yet they accused him as an enemye vnto Moyses , a breaker of the law , a subuerter of the Temple , and a teacher of newe doctrines , such as were not of God . He harkened vnto his Father in all humility , & loued him with al hys hart , and with al his soule , so that he was obedient vnto hym vnto death , yea euen the death of the crosse : yet they sayd of him presumptuously that he blasphemed , and robbed God of hys honor . He was an enemy of Satan euen vnto death , and by death ouer came hym that brought death into the world , he hated him with so perfect hatred , and held stedfast the enmitie that was betwene them , vntyl he had spoyled his principalities and powers , and triumphed ouer them in an euerlasting victorye : yet horribly they reproched him by the naine of Belzebub , sayd he had a deuill , and by the power of Satan hee wrought all hys miracles . O the depth of all abominations , and the bottomles pyt of al vncleanes . Who could once haue thought so lothsom a sincke to haue bene couered in the hart of man ? O God , ryghteous in iudgement , and true in word , is this it that the Prophet hath tolde before , that the thoughtes of manye hartes should be made open ? Then create we beseche thee , Luke ●… 38. new hartes within vs , and take not thy holy spirite for euer from vs .

And you dearelye beloued , if these were the causes that Christ had to complaine , then thinke not that hys cryinges were aboue his sorow , to see so nere vnto his hart , euen in his own person , innocency blamed , vertue defaced , ryghteousnes troden downe , holines prophaned , loue despised , glory contemned , honour reuiled , all goodnes shamed , faith onpugned , and lyfe wounded to death . How could he yet abstain from strong crying and teares , when the malice of Satan had gotten so great a conquest ? If iust Lot , dwelling among the Sodomites , and seing and hearing such a wicked people , 2 Pet ●… vexed from day to day his righteous soule with their vngodly dedes : what shal we thinke of Christ liuing in such a generation ? But O my brethren , beloued of the Lord , open the eyes of your fayth , and you shal see these thynges they were but the begynnings of sorow . What shal we think was his grief of minde for the Iewes his brethren , that wer thus poured out vnto wickednes ? How did hys great loue boyle in sorowes of hart , to see their destruction ? If Moses , when he beheld the anger of God against his people , in great compassion of their miseries , praied earnestly vnto the Lord : 〈◊〉 32.33 Forgeue them O God , or rase me out of the booke that thou hast wrytten : If Ieremye in foreseing the captiuitie of Ierusalem , had so great griefe that he cried out : O that my head wer ful of waters , 〈◊〉 9.2 . & myne eyes a fountayne of teares , that I might weepe day and nyght for the slain of the daughter of my people : If Esay in like aboundance of loue bewayled his brethren that woulde needes perish , wyth these words of complaynt : Esa. 2●● Turne away from me , I wyll weepe bitterly , labour not to comfort me , because my people perish : If Paule that most excellent Apostle , hauyng receiued but his portion of the great loue of Christ , called God to witnes , that he spake the truth , Rom ●… howe he had great heauynes and continuall sorowe of hart for hys brethren , and that for their sakes him selfe wished to be separate from Iesu Christ : what maner of teares shall wee thinke were those which Christ him selfe poured our when he wept ouer Ierusalem ? Luk. ●… what sorow of mynde , which then interrupted hys speeches , & made them vnperfect ? How deepe was that angry griefe printed in his bowels , when he beheld the blindnes of his people , and was sorowful for them ? Mark ●… What maner of affliction was it , that in the middest of so great reproches and mockes could neuer bee chaunged , but prayed stil : Father , forgeue them , ●●ke 23. they know not what they do ? If it bee greeuous vnto vs to lose the thing that is most deare vnto vs in thys earthlye tabernacle , howe much more did this sorrowe pearce euen through the bowels of our sauiour Christ , to see man taken from him vnto destruction , for whose sake hee would so willynglye sacrifice vp his lyfe ? This is an other spectacle in which we may behold hys great dolour and anguish , to knowe the paynes hee endured , and the causes of his mighty cryinges .

But thys also dearelye beloued , though it were exceding , yet it was not all , no it was but a taste of griefe in comparison of the rest . Behold if you can , his person here , and see the residue , and so you shal know the loue of God . His griefe was exceding , to see all vertue & godlynes so troden vnderfeete : and it was yet more infinite to beholde Satan to preuayle against man , to his euerlasting condemnation . No creature could euer beare such a perct image of a man of sorow . But the height and depth of all miseries , it was yet behinde : the synne that he hated , hee must take it vpon his owne body , and beare the wrath of his Father that was poured out agaynst it . This is the fulnes of all payne that compassed him round about , whych no toung is able to vtter , and no hart can conceaue . This anger of hys father it burned in him , euen vnto the botome of hel , of the which anger the Prophet speaketh : Nahum . Who can stande before hys wrath , or who can abide the fearcenes of his wrath ? His wrath is poured out lyke fyre , and the rockes are broken before him . When the Prophet was not able to conceaue the waight of his anger , and his voyce cleaued vnto hys mouth when hee went about to vtter it , the hardest of all creatures hee tooke for example , that the hard rocke did cleaue asunder at the sound of his words : And as is sayd in an other place , suche a voyce as maketh the forlorne wildernes to tremble : 〈◊〉 . 29.8 . A voyce so ful of terrour in the eares and hartes of the wicked , that the sunne shal be darkned at the sound of it , & the Moone shall not geue her lyght , the Stars of the heauen shal fal away , and the powers of heauen shall bee shaken . No creature at all shal yeld his seruice vnto them , the elementes of the world shall seeme to melt away .

This state of misery Christ entred into , and soonke down deepe in this confusion , and who can expresse his sorow ? Beyng full of goodnes , he had the reward of euyl : Full of obedience , he was punished as wycked : Ful of faith , yet had the reward of a synner : Inheritour of al thinges , & Lord of all : yet nothing at all to do him duty : The King of Kings , and Lord of Lordes , yet made an outcast and abiect of the people : The ruler of all , and God of glory , yet compassed wyth shame and great confusion : The author of lyfe , yet wrapped in the chaines of eternall death : The onel●● begotten of his Father , & hys best beloued , yet cast off as a straunger , and chasticed as an enemy : The brightnes of glorye , & the beutye of the h●ghest heauens , yet crucified in dishonour , and throwne downe into hel . O picture of perfect wretchednes , and image of miserie : how iust cause found he to cry out alowde : My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? Hys whole body and nature like vnto vs , altogether broken with the reward of syn : his soule poured out into all calamitie : the wrath of his father and condemnation resting vpon him . How truly may we here say and confesse the article of our faith : He descended into hell ? How liuely do we see it performed that the Prophet speaketh of : The snares of death compassed me , and the paynes of hel tooke hold vpon me : 〈◊〉 9.3 I found trouble and sorow . This was the compassion that hee had toward vs , by which he suffred with our infirmities more then Aaron , or all the Priestes of the lawe could possibly haue done for vs . If we could possibly consider dearly beloued as we shuld , we wold gladly embrace him as the hie Priest for euer of the new testament : & when we shal be made of one fashion with hym thorow some measure of his afflictions to feele the waight of our own syns , then we shall confesse what cause he had of complayning , & how dearely he hath bought the honour of the hye Priest & Mediatour . The Lord lighten the eyes of our mynde , that with open countenance we may behold hym , who for our sakes endured suche a death of the crosse : We should not then neede many exhortations , the remembraunce of the latter end would keepe vs safe from syn . But let vs now see what the Apostle further teacheth vs , & whyle our sauiour Christ is in these great extremities , what fruit of well doing he hath learned by it .