Thirdly , the reasons , by illustration in the instances , Hee hath made the deafe to heare , the blind to see , &c.

The Summe of which inference to the immediate premises , I take to bee this : In speaking , living and miracles doing , He hath done all things well .

Herein two principall parts commend themselves to your consideration .

The Agent being Christ Iesus , not onely Man but God , of whom also our best ascertained knowledge is but a posteriore per effectus , and not a priori per causas , I will first propound the Action , and therby inferre the Agent to bee vnmatchaable .

In the Action .

1. The Matter . He hath done all things .

2. The Manner . Hath done all things wel .

The Matter for which the multitude blazed his honour was 2. fold his words and his works . His words both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so deepe , so profound , the greatest Elephant may swimme , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so perspicuous and shallow that lambs may wade . His workes in this place specially intended Are Conversationis et Conservationis .

Of Conversation , for hee lived Agnus sine macula , Lilium sine spina , Homo sine culpa ; and of Conservation , or Restauration , by Miracles ; he made the deafe to heare , the dumbe to speake , &c.

Christ in all his doctrine with a superlative reach of wisedome , transcending all humane science , is neither as that Graecian Heraclitus who left his learning in a cloud of obscurity , invisible ; nor as that fordid Messian whose fatty phrase ( as Tully termes it ) made his speech vnsauory ; but in one and the same word he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so sweetly matching profoundnes and plainnesse , ut habeat in publico vnde par vulos nutriat , et servat in secreto vnde mentes sublimum admiratione suspendat , that outward perspicuity may bee milke for babes , and inward mystery may be meate for the maturest and ripest wits . Therefore Saint Augustine in his Epistle to Ierome , preferreth the worthines of the Gospell before the Graecian principles , and saith well and wittily , that Incomparabiliter pulchrior est veritas Christianorum quam Helena Graecorum . Arts and Sciences are but the birth of Mans braine , but here is the Kings daughter the Lady of learning , at whose becke the greatest and foundest Axiomes of humane wisedome must bow chusing rather to beleeve then dispute , where divine precepts grounded upon the Rocke Christ Iesus surpasses all humane knowledge with a 3. fold excellency , Verity , Vnity , Efficacy . Christ is not onely true , but truth it selfe ; without fraud either active that he should deceive , or passive that he should be deceived , therfore in contemplation worthy , worthie the Gospell . The Gospell of Christ being the most absolute Lesbian rule whereby we must square out all our actions , that wee , as He , may doe all things well . According to that of Saint Ambrose , Omne verum est à Spiritu sancto , for this vna veritas is both formalis , effectiva , exemplaris . Formally true in its Efficient , from which all Truth floweth ; exemplary which must be our imitation in which steps , whosoever will not erre must walke . Philosophers may slatter themselves , but all that they find is losse . It was Saint Pauls resolution , I account all the world as dung ; having like Owles a glimmering in the night of Nature , but beetle-blind in the day-light of Grace ; trusting more to their conjecturall notions , then to the infalible evidence of the Spirit of Truth .

The Ethnicks are in Vmbra , the Iewes in nube , the Christians onely in luce , per verbum effusum et infusum , outwardly preached and inwardly inspired , so that of the word of Christ , as the only divine Philosopher I may conclude quod falsum est philosophicum non est . The next is so affined to this that it followes of force , if his word bee true then is it one . Verum et unum convertuntur . Vna est dilecta mea . God is not as man who affects variety to pleasure , more then unity to profit , himselfe being the beginning of Essence , Iam. 1.17 . and his word and knowledge are both unchangeable , for with him there is no shaddow of alteration .

Therefore Varroes threefold theologie whereof Augustine makes mention in lib. 6. de civitrte dei , Fabulosa ad Theatrum , naturalis ad mundum , et Civilis ad Vrbem , vainly divided , argues but a lying vanity , departing from the vnity of perfection to the multiplicity of confusion : but in the words of Christ are no idle Platonicall Ideas , Pythagorean dreames , or naturall conclusions , but supernaturall revelations , and that not ad urbem , but ad orbem , nam bonum est diffusivum . And yet the sound and voyce of the Turtle , that goes through the world , agrees in one vni-sound of the truth ; nam multa candelabra sed lux vna , saith Hugo de Arca No● . One Sunne of truth whose beames are fired in all nations , verbae innumerabilia , et vnicum tantum verbum omne . This verum unum & vnicum verbum , is ( saith mellefluous Bernard ) non loquax sed efficax , non sonans sed penetrans , in sound little in substance great and admirable : not word in the eare , but sword in the heart to wound the soules of men with a love of their God . And that with a threefold grace ; surpassing the grace of humane discourse in that it is deliciosum ad saporem , solidum ad nutrimentum , efficax ad medicinam : to the taste delicious as the Manna of Angels , and hony of Canaan for nutrition sollid , esca animae , panis sapientiae , for medicine excellent , omnes viciosos sanare , bonos adjuvare to the sicke soule a restorative consolation , to the sound a preservative instruction . The Gospell cures what nature mis-guides , the efluence of the word , with the influence of the Spirit leades Christs Sheepe from the night of Error to the light of the Truth , from the thrall of sinne to the throne of Grace ; for Christ hath not only as Moses and men , a chaire on Earth , but a throne in heaven , and power ouer all people : hee speakes and speedes , making his word to the Elect , the savour of life unto life , to draw his Saints from Earth to heaven , from the world to God , a mundo sensibili ad mundum intelligibilem , therfore the people admiring his wisedome bare record to his word that in his dispute and discourse , He had done all things well . He was not like the Dove with silver wings and feathers of Gold , that brought into the Arke of the Church , nothing but a leafe in her mouth , but like the true spies of Canaan , with clusters of Grapes , plenty and abundance of substantiall doctrine to give men a taste how pleasant the Lord is , and how pleasant the land is that floweth with milke and honey . Thus admirable was that sweet singer of Israel , that came in humility with a fishers phrase to fish for soules , favus distillans labijs eius , summa gratia summa eloquentia , with fulnes of grace , full of grace were his lips and riches of Eloquence , for never man spake like him , moving the multitude like clouds of witnesses to confesse vnto the world , that he was Vere propheta Iohn . 7.40 . deceit and guile were not found in his mouth , and veritas prophetica in whom all the promises of God by the prophets were yea and Amen , 1 Cor. 1.20 . and ipsa veritas ipse Propheta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioh. 14.6 . Not onely as Moses a Prophet among his Brethren , Deut. 18.17 . or as Isaiah a prophet , or as David a Prince and a prophet , not onely as Iohn Baptist the greatest among the sonnes of men , Mat. 11. but by the multitude of the sonnes of men , confessed to be the sacred Sonne of God , the Prince of Prophets , the inspirer of men and Angels ; to whose omniscience the people and multitude ascribed the honour of Omnipotence , to doe all , and of essentiall goodnesse to doe all thing well . Fecit omnia bene &c.

And thus from the wisedome of his words let us come to the power of his workes , Conversando , et conservando , consisting in his owne conversation , and others Preservation .

The providence divine ordained three meanes to open unto men the way of truth .

Verbum praecepto , Christum exemplo , Spiritum sanctum inspiratione ; the Word to speake , the Spirit to perswade , and Christ himselfe to lead to the way of life . And this Saint Augustine sayes upon the first Psalme , venit non stetit in via peccatorum he came but stood not in the way of sinners : for he was a Lilly , not inter spinas , sed spinas non habens , quia peccatum non focit , Iacobs lambes were spotted , but he only immaculate . The Lambe of God came without sinne , to take away the sins of the world . In terris visus est vt esset exemplo , in coelos levatus est ut esset patrocinio ; hic informat ad vitam illic invitat ad gloriam , saith Saint Bern. sup. natal . Sanct● Victoris . He dwelt amongst men by exemplary president of perfection , to lead his Saints Militant ; he ascended the heavens to crowne his Saints victorious in the Church Triumphant . That he neuer stayned his honour with sinne Aquinas assignes a threefold demonstration .

First the end for which hee became Flesh ; to satisfie the wrath of God for the sin of Man .

Secondly to proue the verity of his humane nature , and

Thirdly , that every action of his should be our instruction . If hee had beene a Sinner , he could not have beene a Saviour of others , no not of himselfe , for the soule that should have sinned should have dyed , Ezek. 18.24 . Nor should his trangression have proved his humane nature , but natures corruption , sinne being not created of God , but suggested by the devill : And last of all how should his life have beene a light unto our feet , and a lanthorne unto our pathes , if his workes had beene the workes of darkenesse ? and therefore came he not infected with Original , and lived vnblemished with actuall sinne , in all conversation according to Law . First that he might approve , a●● withall fulfill it , and end it . Secondl● to take from the Iewes all occasion of o●loquie . Lastly , to enlarge the soules 〈◊〉 his servants from the curse denounced 〈◊〉 gainst offenders ; that they which belee●ved might be received into the adoption o● sonnes and be made heires of God through Christ , Gal. 4.5 . Who is all-sufficien● for a great worke , so excellent , requiring an emminent agent , and the highest perfection not comparativè as man , but absolutè as God ? Onely hee in whom the wisedome of the Father and the fulnes of the Godhead dwelleth bodily . Hee , that one and the same with Ens primum absolute perfectum , containing all perfections , uncreated formally , and created eminently and effectually ; having all naturall , morrall and Transcedent sufficiency above all the sonnes of men : so that his soule could not be defiled with sin by reason of a three fold supportance .

First the fulnes of grace , as the God of grace and goodnes .

Secondly the consummation of glory , as the King of glory .

Thirdly the Vnity of the Vnion of the Deity and humanity in one person .

What others received secundum similitudinem , he had secundum essentiam , say the Schoolemen . Men by participation , he by possession ; men receiving , Christ containing the fulnes of grace plenitudinem numerositatis et perfectionis , in number without number , perfection without limitation or measure ; and therfore his grace by conjuction the eternall word , exceeded all the endowments conferred upon man , with a threefold eminency .

First the habits of Vertues inward .

Secondly the transcient actions outward .

Thirdly the effect consequent , in infinite mercy purchasing life for all , though all had deserved death . Here then Sinne in no sort could enter , for his words , his works himself and his soule , were full of Grace , and intus existens prohibet alienum his righteousnes could never be eclipsed where the Deity displaying in his holy conversation , his glorious beames , did shine and breake through the clouds of his humanity , that all might see light , to the right way of Salvation , by following his steps , who is the Way , the truth , and the life . Ioh. 14.6 .

Saint Bernard smelling the sweet savour of his Saviours garments , the garment of Salvation , and robes of his perfect righteousnesse ; the odour of his name smelling like a field whom the Lord hath blessed : he compareth him to a slourishing Vine , deckt with the beauty of the best flowers . Viola humilitatis , Lilie castigatis , Rosa passionis & charitatis .

His humility suted to the Violet , respectu modicae saturae , situs humilis , dulcis odoris : his low stature in the state of a servant , his humble seate , on his footstoole upon earth , though hee was the King of glory , whose throne is above the Heavens , and his name a sweet odour , nam oleum effusum nomen ejus .

His chastity , referred to the Lilly , in that it is alba , splendida , tractabilis : his whitenesse , purity , and alacrity to do● good ; his cleerenesse , amiable in countenance , intuens omnes fronte serena , his meeknesse tractable , as the Lilly palpable .

But of all that Rosie-red of his bloudy passion , which gave unto the world that sweet savour of Salvation , in which with the rarest clause , hee concluded all with an action of observation , admiration , and imitation : nam perdidat animam ne perdiderit obedientiam , he lost his life to save his obedience , approving himselfe the spotlesse Lambe of God , both in his ingresse to the World , conceived of a Virgin by the power of the holy Ghost : In his progresse in this World , the beames of his holinesse dazeling with amazement the eyes of the beholders : and in his egresse out of this World , though hee were condemned with a jury of Iewes , ( a Iewish jury ) as a malefactour ; yet both Pilates unanswerable interrogation at his death , What evill hath he don ? and the peoples affirmative testimony of his innocency in his life ; concludes that he both in his life and death , was the Lord of life , the everliving God , the anchor and authour of all our wel-fare .

Because he hath done all things well ; let therefore all the flockes of Iacob follow the great and good Shepherd of their soules . Viam precepto docentem , exemplo ducentem , if the way be long by precept , he hath made it short by example ; and therfore sayth Lactantius , si precipientem sequ● non poteris , sequere antecedentem , so trace him in his foot-steps , that thou mayest follow him into the coelestiall Paradise of Heaven , where he himselfe is gone before to prepare a Mansion for thee .

Let thy life be like the Kings Daughter glorious within , with a good intention , and faire without , with the beauty of holines , in heavenly conversation ; light thy lamp , prepare thy selfe by addressing thy soule in marriage garments , the robes of righteousnesse , to meet the ( nay thy ) Bridegroom Christ Iesus in the clouds , by walking as himselfe , hath left himselfe for an example , whose praise is in the Gospell , non plausu vanitatis , sed judicio veritatis , non precario , sed merito ; for fecit omnia benè .

All time , and tongue would fayle mee , if I should seeme to tell all , for hee hath done all , he hath done all things well . I will therefore passe with the time , from his workes of imitation , to his wonders , which out of the depth of admiration , in this multitude drew commendation . He hath done all things well , for he hath made the deafe to heare , and the dumbe to speake , which are opera conservationis & restaurationis .

Christ Iesus the Wonderfull , filling the world with his Wonders , made his miracles to the diseased and possessed a restauration , to shew himselfe that great Phisitian that came downe from heaven ( sayth Augustine ) and that good Samaritane to cure our maladies . To the dead , vivification , to shew himselfe the resurrection and the life . To all , the confirmation of his Word , and manifestation of his Deitie , and humanity .

In the precedent miracle in this Chapter mentioned , when he put his finger into the deafe mans eare , and restored him to his hearing ; there was digitus Deitatis & digitus humanitatis , the one by touching , shewing his reall humanity ; the other by effectuall working , his All-sufficient Divinitie .

The humane nature was but the efficient instrument , the Divine , the effectuall Agent , una succubuit injuriis , altera fulgebat miraculis , the malady was cured by the one , the miracle shewed by the other ; both working together miraculously ; not onely mira , things strange to the vulgar apprehension , but miracula , farre surmounting the power of mans hand , both in the matter , and manner .