Seasonable thoughts in Passion-week. By J.S. Stearne, John, 1660-1745. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B10077 of text R184614 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing S5359). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 41 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B10077 80923928 Wing S5359 ESTC R184614 80923928 ocm 80923928 192029 2240870158

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. B10077) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 192029) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books; 1641-1700 ; 2898:17) Seasonable thoughts in Passion-week. By J.S. Stearne, John, 1660-1745. 24 p. Printed by Joseph Ray, on Colledg [sic] Green ..., Dublin, : 1691. In verse, with marginal notes. Reproduction of original in the Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland) Library. eng Jesus Christ -- Passion -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800. English poetry -- 17th century. eebo Seasonable thoughts in Passion Week. By J.S. Stearne, John, 1691 24 6160 5 0 0 0 0 0 8.12 B The rate of 8.12 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2011-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2011-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-11 Sampled and proofread 2011-11 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2012-05 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

SEASONABLE THOUGHTS IN PASSION-WEEK .

By J.S.

1. Cor. 9.22 .

I am made all things to all men , that I may save some .

Dr. Jam. Gardiner . Whoever a true Worshipper wou'd be , Was taught his Duty first by Poesie . Mr. G : Herbert . A Verse may find him , who a Sermon flies , And turn Delight into a Sacrifice .

DVBLIN , Printed by Joseph Ray , on Colledg Green , and are to be sold by the Book sellers in Dublin . 1691.

THE ARGUMENT . a a Joh. 12.23.27 . 1 Pet. 1.20 . Matt. 26.45 . Joh. 17.1 . Acts. 4.28 . Luk. 22.22 . The Hour is come in which God long Design'd His only Son shou'd die to save Mankind ; The Hour in which Heave'n b b Gen. 3.15 . openly Decreed ( On Adam's * * Grego . happy Fall ) the Woman's Seed Shou'd bruise the Serpents Head ; that wondrous Hour Both of the' c c Joh. 10.18 . Almighty's and the d d Luk. 22 53. Devil's Pow'r , Is come : e e Matt. 4. to 11. Luk. 22.3 . the Devil assault's , then vanquish'd lies ; f f Isa. 53.7 . Matt. 26.52 , 53.54 . Phil. 2.7 , 8. God-man Submit's awhile and silent dies ; g g Rom: 6.9 , 10 Revel: 1.18 . But then does an Eternal Conque'rour rise .
SEASONABLE THOUGHTS IN PASSION-WEEK . I. 'T Is strange Chief Priests & Scribes such Fools shou'd be To a a Luk. 22 2. dread Man more than the Divinity ! b b Luk 19.47 , 48 Mar: 11 : 18. With some Pretence they Plot to kill the Heir ; Because they did the' admiring People fear ; Altho' their bloody close Hypocrisy c c Heb. 4.13 . Lay naked unto God's All-seeing Eye . So we , while worldly Int'erest does disswade From sin , unwillingly are honest made : A Childe does more our loosest Thoughts controul Than God , d d Gen. 1.26 , 27 who made and can e e Mat. 10 : 28. destroy the Soul . II. a a Mat. 26 : 15. What will ye give ? Judas , what Question 's this ? b b Matt. 16 : 26. What shou'd man take for everlasting Bliss ? For Toys the Indi'ans give their common Gold ; But Thou , for Thirty Pieces , God hast Sold : Pagans , in such a fond Exchange , may be Judg'd to act wisely , when compar'd with Thee . With Cov'etous Hearts what cannot Silver do ? Christ it buys from them , and gets Heaven too . III. When the worlds Savi'our freely condescend's a a Luk 22.14 . To make mean Fishermen his choicest Friends , How can we without Joy and Wonder see Such kind Complyance of Humility ! It can't disgrace men in the Highest State , The Son of God himself to b b Joh. 12.26 , 13 : 15. Matr. 11 : 29 imitate : Yet Mortals , as they rich and higher grow , With c c Psal. 73.6 . Pro. 13 : 23. Jam. 2.3 . Scornfull Eyes look down on all below : d d Luk. 16.21 , 22. Dogs feed within , but Christi'ans at their Door ; As if we ' had better be Vn-man'd than Poor . e e Pro. 14 20 , 19 4. We value men for what they do possess , f f Act 20.35 . Pro. 12.26 . But God esteems them most for Holiness . IV. a a Matt. 26.47 . A Murd'ering Band , O Judas ! can'st thou Head , And without trembling , b b Matt. 26.20.26 . take the Sacred Bread ? Life's Food , to thee , is into Poyson curst ; Eat it thou may'st ; c c Mat. 27.3 . drink too ; Repent and d d Act. 1.18 . Mat. 27.5 . Burst ; And then in everlasting Burnings Thirst : e e Luk. 16.24 . To Abraham , in vain , for ever pray For one cool Drop , thy Torments to allay . Conscience , ( awake at last ) will make Thee own f f Matt. 27.4 . 'T was I betray'd the Lord , 't was I alone . Damn'd Hypocrite ! who did'st thy Wit employ g g Iob. 1 29. 1. Pet 1.19 . The Spetless Lawb of Ged for to destroy . How did'st thou act two Parts to gain that end , A real Traytor and a seeming Friend ! Yet be Apostle still ; and teach us all How to prevent our own by thy sad Fall ; Lest when we 're rais'd to any higher Place , Our Fall shou'd be expos'd to-more disgrace . Teach us h h Luk. 14.16 , 17. 1 Cor. 5.8 . when Christ invite's us to his Feasts , All way to come , and come i i 1 Cor. 11. 27 , 28 , 29. prepared Guests ; With Souls from Cove'tous Thoughts and Malice free , Still to receive the Holy Mystery . From Thee we learn , when Sin gain 's any Part , Satan takes Courage to assault the Heart : As when the outward Walls are beaten down A Conqu'erour enters and destroy's the Town . V. a a Gen. 22.1 . Almighty God , when he resolv'd to prove And signalize the b b Gal. 3.9 . Faithfull Abra'ham's Love , Oblig'd him ( after all that he had done , ) To c c Gen. 22.2 . offer his belov'd his only Son ; A Son , the sorrow at whose Death might be Great as the d d Gen. 21.6 , 7 , 8. Joy of his Nativity . e e Gen. 22. from 3. to 10. Yet Abra'ham God's , and Isa'ac Abra'ham's , will In that severe Injunction , did fulfill : And when a Savi'our , God from Heaven sent , He prov'd his Love by his own f f Gen. 22.12 Argument . . g g Heb. 11.17 . Abra'ham's Intent'ion was his Sacrifice ; But Christ's can't be receiv'd unless he dies : Yet he thus pay's the duty of a Son , h h Luk. 22.42 . O Father , not my will , but thine be done . True Love does with the hardest Terms comply ; Making us pleas'd to live , and free to die : Christ's Love bore all , untill It overcame A i i Isa. 53.3 , 4. Life of sorrow and a k k Heb. 12.2 . Death of Shame . VI. One Place ( at diff'erent times ) the Scene may be Of great Unhappiness and Felicity : a a Gen. 3. Man , in the Garden , Heaven forfeited ; b b Ioh. 18.1 . Mart. 26.36 . There , to regain it , c c L●k. 22.44 . Act 20.28 God his Blood did shed : d d Mut. 26 37. There , first his Soul with sorrow was opprest ; e e Ioh. 19.41 , 42. There , from his Toils , he in the Grave did rest . In flow'ry Walks then we shou'd meditate On Adam's Sin , and on our Savio'ur's Fate : In them ( tho' we , 2 Kin. 21.15 . with Joseph , cannot have Our Tomb ) we may think daily on our Grave . VII . If deep Concern , to overloaded Eyes , ( Life's great Restorer ) balmy sleep denies , Sure a a Isa. 63.3.5 . God ordain'd none shou'd Christ's Burden bear , ( That none the Glory of his Death might share ) Since all your Grief had not suffici'ent Powe'r , To b b Matt. 26.38.40 , 45. keep your Eyes a wake for him one Hour . The Hour is come ; his Soul'● , with Grief opprest ; Sleep on Disciples now , and take your Rest . VIII . To servent Pray'er how great an Enemy Are Crowds of Busi'ness and of Company ! Well , therefore , are we ' instructed what to do By our Lord's a a Matt. 6 6. Doctrine and his b b Luk. 22.42 . Practice too : When thou wou'd'st Pray , from all the world be gone , And in thy Closet meet thy God alone ; Who number 's c c Psal. 56.8 . Isa. 38.5 . ev'ry Tear and ev'ry secret d d Psal. 38.9.102.20 . Groan . IX . See , how the Lord of Life Prepare's to die ; a a Luk. 22.44 . Earnestly Praying in an Agony : When sufferings approach by slow degrees , 'T is the best way to meet them on our Knees . Sinners can't shew too deep Humility , b b Psal. 95.6 . Intreating , for Assistance , the most High : In greatest Troubles God might be obey'd ; And they bear well that Humbly beg his Aid . But sad's their State under God's heavy Hand Who are too proud to Fall , too weak to Stand : His angry Storms , their Stubborn Hearts confound ; But nobly spare what lie's upon the Ground . X. a a Mat. 26 47. Joh. 18.3 . In vain , O Judas ! does thy Treason bring Souldi'ers to lead thy Lord to Suffering : b b Luk. 2.15 . That heave'nly Host which did attend his Birth c c Mat. 26.53 . He might command , for his Life-Guard on Earth : d d Mat. 16.21 . But He will suffer ; and have no Defence More hurtfull to thee than his e e Mat. 27.4 . Innocence : Weaker than f f Jud. 15 14. Samson's all thy Cords wou'd prove , Were He not held by stronger g g Hos. 11.4 . Bands of Love . XI . Cowardly Wretch ! 'midst all thy a a Mat. 26 47. Staves and Swords , How dost thou b b Joh. 18.6 . tremble at thy Master's Words ! A guilty Soul , like Adam's , make's thee fear , When thou , c c Gen. 3.8 , 9 , 10. God's Voice , dost in the Garden hear . XII . Osten does Satan ( by a wicked Heart ) To the worst use , the best of things pervert : a a Mat. 26.48 . Mar. 14 44. That same is He , take him whom I shall kiss ; No sign Apostate ! coud'st thou choose but This ? Doubly at once , thy Soul does guilty prove ; Traytor to God , and Traytor unto Love . Did'st thou resolve to make all sure , by This Most sacred Pledge of Mankind's chastest Bliss ? The less suspici'on it does still create , With signs of Love , to ruin those we hate : The wit of Woman Agrippina prov'd , In pois'oning Claudius with the Meat he lov'd : And , Henry the 7th Emperour . next to Judas . Rome her Monk may boast , Who Murder'd Henry with the very Host . XIII . a a Mat. 26.36 , 56. Is this the boasted kindness to your Friend ! Is this remaining faithful to the End ! b b Pro. 17.17 . Love is most helpfull in Adversity ; a a Sam. 16.17 . They shou'd not name it that forsake and flie . Must we believe then such Professors ran ? c c Jer. 17.9 . What more deceitful than the Heart of Man ! False World ! on thee no more will I depend ; No more expect in thee a constant Friend : Trusting to thee is leaning on a Reed , That let 's us sink down in our greatest need . XIV . Dear Lord ! one need not any a a Matt. 26.68 Prophet be To tell the Man that Smote and wounded Thee ; b b Isa. 53.4 , 5. Thy Soul was griev'd thy Body bruis'd by me . For me did'st Thou put on Mortality , And , for ungrateful me , did'st Bleed and c c Rom: 5.8 . die . XV. What braver Resolution cou'd He make a a Luk: 22 33. Than , for his God , the world for to forsake ? Lord , may we alway thus prepared be To go to Prison and to Death with Thee ; 'T is Glorious dying in such Company ; b b Rom: 8 17. 2 Tim: 2.12 . For if we Suffer we shall Reign with Thee . XVI . A Woman may be Satan's Instrument ; But Man is weakest when he gives Consent . When we behold a a Mat : 26.69 . Luk: 22.54 , 55 , 56 , 57. Peter's inglori'ous Fall , ( Urg'd by a Damsel in the High-Priest's Hall , ) We see how vainly Man presum's to stand , When Heaven deny's him a supporting Hand ; But when this does impow'r the smallest Stone , b b 1 Sam: 17.45 , 49. A bold Goliath is , by It , ore'thrown . c c Eph: 6.11 , 12 , 18. 'T is Prayer , not d d 1 Sam: 17.8 , 9 , 10. Boasting , that must arm the Soul , And bravely Satan's fierce Assaults controul . Thoughts of our selves too great , of others small , Are oft forerunners of a dismal Fall . Big things we talk when Danger 's not in view ; But , as it shew's it sell , our Fears renew . How stoutly some take Castles in the Air , Who poorly , at one real Siege , despair . But when , Presumpti'on meets an overthrow , By Peter's Fall his Courage was improv'd ; Who more deny'd his Lord ? and who more e e Joh: 21.15 . 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. lov'd ? XVII . We often promise to our selves great Joy a a Matt: 27 , 3 , 4 , 5. In things that most our inward Peace destroy : Some seeming Pleasure Judas might obtain ; b b 1 Tim: 6.9 . But see the Bloody end of Bloody Gain ! Soon is his Mony grown so troublesome , He cast's it down ; and does at once become A witness , Judge , and Executioner ; And a base Death to ' uneasy Life prefer . So Judas clos'd his Treache'rous Villany ; And so all Traytors do deserve to die . On this unhappy wretch think all such Men , As , for this World , wou'd sell their Lord agen : The lightest ill-got Riches will appear A Load to heavy for their Souls to bear . XVIII . a a Mat : 4. to 11. 2 Cor: 2.11 . By what delightful way 's does Satan win Our full consent to any damning Sin ! But when the b b Heb: 11.25 . Joh 20.5 . short-liv'd Joys of Sin are past , To c c Rom: 6.21 . Dan. 12.2 . shame he leaves our guilty Souls at last . We vainly throw the fault on d d Gen: 3.13 , Him and e e Gen: 3.12 . Men ; f f Mat : 7.4 . Jam. 1.14 . Both rightly charge it on our selves agen . g g Lam : 3.29 . Eze: 14.10 . And since we' are wicked by our own Consent 'T is just that we shou'd bear the Punishment . XIX . No wonder that Chief-Priests and Scribes are bent a a Luk: 23 10 So vehemently 'gainst the Innocent . b b Joh. 8.44 . Like Children they their Father imitate , c c Gen: 3. to 7. Who ruin'd Man in his most perfect state . The Devil most endeavours to destroy , d d Matt: 3.16 , 17. Matt. 4.1 . When we , Gods choicest Blessings , do enjoy . e e Matt. 27.18 . Envy 's that Canker-worm which still devour's The ripest Fruit and feed's on fairest Flowers . XX. How pow'rfull are the Charms of wordly Gain ! a a Joh. 19.13 , 16. I● reconcile's Men unto ev'ry Reign : A Monarch's Favour make's them Sentence give Against the Just , and let the Guilty live . They freely vio'late the most sacred Thing . Condemn eve'n God , rather than b b 2 King : 5.1 , 18. lose the King . If only such base methods recommend , No honest Christian can be Caesar's Friend . XXI . Pilate , what Folly is 't to a a Matt. 27.24 . wash , and then b b — 26. Deliver up thy Lord to bloody Men ? c c 1 Joh: 1.7 . Thy Soul might have been cleansed by his Blood , d d Mat. 27.11 . Had'st thou clear'd him , when he before thee stood : e e Joh: 19.12 , 13 , 16. But tim'rous Judge ! now thou do'st wash in vain , Seas can't wipe off thy Soul , so deep a Stain . XXII . a a Mat. 27.25 . His Blood on Vs , and on our Children rest ; What Tongue has a more heavy Curse exprest ? No Blood of Man was e're so loud before ; b b Luk. 19.43 , 44. Rom: 11.20 , 21 , 22. Plagues it has call'd , and still it calls for more . Unhappy Men ! beyond Redress undone ! Without c c Col. 1.14 . Heb. 9.12 , 22. Christ's Blood there 's no Remission . For you , Salvation what can now procure , Who have done all to make Damnati'on sure , Turning to Poison Heaven's onely Cure ? XXIII . How chearful , Simon , shou'd thy Looks appear a a Luk. 23.26 . When , with thy Savi'our , thou the Cross dost bear ? Afflicti'ons surely can't too heavy be When God himself does share the Load with Thee ; Suff'rings are lighten'd by good Company . XXIV . Complain not Simon , of a Load so light ; Our Lord a a Luk. 22.44 . Sweat Blood under a greater weight : To b b Joh. 19.17 . Matt. 27.32 . carry on the Cross , but Part of th' way Is all the Burden Souldiers on thee lay ; But till our Lord thro' Life's last Scene has gone , Our heavi'er Sins God makes him c c Isa. 53.4 . bear d d Isa. 63.3 , 5. alone . XXV . a a 2 Sam. 1.24 . If Isra'els Daughter's mourn'd their mighty Saul , b b 1 Sam. 31.3 , 4. 2 Cor. 5.14 , 15. ( Who by Himself more than his Foes did fall ) How shou'd we weep for him who Di'd for All. c c Jer. 9.1 . Psal. 38.18 . O let our Eyes with pen'itent Tears or'eflow , For all those Sins which brought him down so low ; From Heav'n to E●rth , then to the Grave and Hell ; d d Matt. 26.38 . Filling his Soul with Grief unspeakable . e e Tit. 1.16 . Since e'vry Sinner does his Lord deny , f f Luk. 22.62 . With peter too let all weep bitterly . Such as neglect the present g g 2 Cor. 6.2 . Graci'ous State , Shall be condemn'd to foolish h h Heb: 12.17 . Esau's Fate , Seeking the Blessing when it was too late . i i Matt. 5.4 . Jam 4.9 . What Lents of Mourning then shou'd Sinners keep , k k Luk. 13.28 . That they in Hell , in vain , may never weep . XXVI . a a Luk 23.33 . Joh. 19.17 . See , how the Cross ascend's Mount Calvary ; In this All great Ones of the Earth may see That , in their Height , secure they shou'd not grow ; Since Troubles reach the High as well as low . XXVII . How long , O Lord , have I neglected Thee ! How long slipt ev'ry opportunity ! Yet now at last incline me to embrace The tender offers of thy saving Grace : And when I must lay down Mortality , In thy great Mercy a a Luk. 23.32 , 40 , 42 , 43. Lord remember me : In that sad moment comfortably say , Thy Soul shall be in Paradice to day , But oh ! how can I hope for to One Of that bright Throng , which shall surround thy Throne , When thou , dread Judge , hast that great sentence given , Which shall divide mankind 'twixt Hell & Heav'en ? What share in Bliss can one expect to have , Who has not joyn'd with Heaven himself to save ? I see my Sins in srightful Order set , As they shall stand when all the world are met . When awak'd Consci'ence open's wide the Book , I ( cover'd all with shame ) at ev'ry Look , Behold ( as well as Tears will let me see , ) In each full Page , my own Iniquity . I see fair written with a Faithful Pen , Sins against God , my self and other Men ; And then my Tears more strongly stream agen . Good God! how Mise'rable will be my Fate Unless thy Mercy , as my Sins , be great ? Beyond all sad Examples is my Fall ; Thou hast my Soul in Sin out done them all ; Yet think upon the pardon'd Prodigal : When he on bended knees confess'd his Sin , With Joy and Feasting he was taken in : May I then ease my labou'ring Heart once more With this soft Thought , that Mercy may restore A thing so lost and so undone as I ; So , ev'ry way , involv'd in Misery : Mercy ! the Antidote against despair : Mercy ! the peni'tent Sinner's constant Pray'r : Mercy ! the grateful Song of all the Bless'd , Who now , thr'o Mercy , are of Heaven possess'd . XXVIII . How strangely , Lord , do thy great Suffe'rings make Inani'mate a a Met. 27.51 . Rocks 'to rend and Earth to quake ! Yet it 's more strange the Jews shou'd not repent ; Their b b Eze. 11.19.36 , 26. Hearts of harder stone will not relent . XXIX . Has the a a 1 Thes 4.16 . 1 Cor. 15.52 . Arch-Angel's Trump call'd up the Dead , That many Saints forsake their quiet Bed ? 'T is sure too soon ; but , when their Savi'our dies , As if they wou'd make way for Him , b b Mat. 27.52 , they rise . Graves Open , as if ev'ry one wou'd have Their Lord choose It , for his embalmed Grave : And by their Bodies rising now in Haste , c c 1 Thes. 4.13 14.15 , 16. Joh. 6.20 . They shew what He will do for all at last . XXX . Is the World still a place of Grief and Pain , To which the Saints do thus come back again ? It seems It is ; they make so short a stay ; Just a a Mat. 27.53 . see their Friends and hasten then away : ( As if they came onely to let us know b b Rom: 8.10 . Rev. 6.9 , 10 , 11. Souls live above , whilst Bodies c c 1 Thes. 4.14.15 . sleep below : ) So rising Waves advance unto the Shore , Salute , run back , and then are seen no more . XXXI . When , ( from a a Luk. 1.48 . A Blessed Mother's b b — 1.35 . hallow'd Womb , ) The infant Savi'our of the World was come , Heav'n , with a c c — 2.9 . Glori'ous new created Ray , Made Night more fair and chearful than the day : But , when he di'd , the d d — 23.44 , 45. Sun withdrew his Light , And day became more dismal than the Night . XXXII . Let no Man wonder at the Mourning Sun , ( As if the work of Nature were undone , ) When Its great God , a a Matt. 27.46 . the Brightness of his Face , Vail's from his dearest Son in his disgrace . Never before has he forsaken been ; Fclipse so full of wonder ne'r was seen . Kind Savio'ur ! that wou'd bear so strange a Night , That we might live in an b b Joh. 8.12 . Col 1.12 . eternal Light ; Enjoying still the c c 1 Cor: 13.14 . Rev. 21.23 , 24. Mat : 5.8 . Beatific Sight . XXXIII . a a Joh. 19.25 . Luk. 23 27 , 49. With flowing Eyes well might the Mother see Her guiltless Son hang on the b b Deut. 21.22 , 23. Gal. 3.13 . Cursed Tree ; From Her alone he took Mortality . Had her too watchful Eyes but lost their sight , When c c Mar. 15.33 . the whole Earth was overspread with Night , The burden of her Grief had been more light . If David when he saw his Absalem d d 2 Sam. 18.9 , 10.14.15 , 33. 2 Sam. 19.4 . To the sad close of a Rebellion come , Did all his Joys and Royal Robes lay by , And freely vent his Grief in Secresie ; What Tongue of Man can speak ? what Pen can write This Mothers e e Luk 2.35 . great concern at such a sight ? Yet Grief may guess how by f f Joh. 19.25 . the Cross she stood , Shedding her Tears as fast as Christ shed Blood : Lamenting thus , art thou for ever gone ? O sweetest Jesus ! O my Son , my Son ! Against the Jews she cou'd not but complain , Are all his Wonders , all his Cares in vain ? Did he in Love , g g Luk. 19.41 , 42. weep for your future state , And does your Malice still fresh Grief create ? Wilt thou , unfortunate Jerusalem ! So kind a Lord to greater Pains condemn ? But unto you his Grief in vain I tell ; The very h h Mat. 27.52 , 53. dead are grown more sensible . Yet cease at last ; surely the worst is done : O my dear Savio'ur ! O my Son , my Son ! XXXIV . See from the Cross how she attends his Herse ! At ev'ry step new Grief her Heart does pierce . And yet no weak distrust in her appear's ; The Christi'an's Hope ore'come's the Mother's Fears . a a Mar. 16.10 . Luk: 23.55 . She weep's ; look's on him lying dead like men ; Shee look's upon him , and she weep's agen . Yet she believ's a Joyful Morn will come , When rising like a God , he shall deceive the Tomb : So drooping Flow'ers , set in the ground in Rain , With greater Glory soon spring up again . XXXV . a a Joh. 19.39 , 40. 'T is kind , tho' needless , to embalm God's Son , b b Act. 13.35 , 37. Whose Body cannot see Corrupti'on . Death , can't destroy One who , from death , can save ; And being Buri'd , He perfume's the Grave . Yet to our Savio'ur such Offici'ous Love , Sweeter than all your Spice , shall ever prove . XXXVI . Spend not , ye Jealous Priests ! a a Matt: 27. from 62●0 End your care in vain , b b Mar. 8.31 , 10 , 34. After three days , the Christ shall rise again . Your wit can't finde , nor can your Malice have Bonds more secure , or stronger than the Grave : Death c c Act 2 24. can't hold him , and can Man 's powe'r defer One moment's rising from the Sepulchre ? His Pow'r on d d Mar. 5.41 , 42. Luk. 7.12.14 , 15 , — 8 , 55. Joh. 11.39 , 43 , 44. other Bodies you have known , Shall he do more for them than for his Own ? Cease then your vain Attempt ; 't will only prove Your Watch and Malice e e Cant. 8.6 . weaker than his Love : His Love that brought him from a Glori'ous State , To Joh. 10.17.18 . lay his Body down and then translate . XXXVII . In vain a a Mat : 17.64 . ( lest any shou'd their Master steal ) b b — 66. Upon the Stone you set both Watch and Seal ; c c — 51 , 52. Both Graves and Rocks were open'd yesterday , To morrow will not One Tomb-stone give way ? XXXVIII . a a Jer. 23.29 . Heb. 4.12 . Strong is the working , b b Isa. 1.18 . great the change of Grace ; A defil'd Soul it makes an holy Place : Our Magdalen , since God her Heart had turn'd , With most refined flames has ever burn'd : c c Luk. 7.37 . Idols on Earth enjoy'd too long her Love ; From that bless'd Hour 't was set on things above . All d d Luk. 8.7 . Devi'ls dislodg'd , as a more worthy Guest , The e e Luk. 7.44 . 44 , 45 , 46 , 47. Lord she gladly took into her Breast . f f Luk. 7.38 . She wept and wash'd his Feet with joyful Tears , Bowing her Head to wipe them with her Hairs ; Then , having kiss'd She did anoint his Feet ; With such kind Gratitude did his free Pardon meet ! g g Luk. 8.1 , 2 , 3. Living , he prov'd all day her Soul's delight , And entertain'd her waking Thoughts at Night . Nor , with his Life , cou'd her Affecti'on end , It make's her on his h h Mat. 27.55 , 56. Cross and i i Luk. 23.55 . Grave attend . Tho' night and Labour summon all to Sleep , Love does her melting Eye-lids waking keep : Her Body no refreshing Slumber know's , As if she too did watch her Lord's Repose . To her how tedi'ous is the Mournful Night ! No colder Reg'ion long 's so much for Light , As her benighted Soul for dawning Day : And tho' the Sun be early on his way , It seem's too long for his Approach to stay . Thr'o the k k Joh: 20.1 . dark Cold ( fearing the least neglect ) Love , that had l l Luk: 24 , 1. fill'd her hands , her feet does well direct . We see by This , and wonder when we see , How generous and bold true Love can be . Cou'd David enter on Life's Stage agen , He m m 2 Sam: 1.26 . 1 Sam. 18.1 . wou'd not praise so much the Love of Men ; His Jonathan's out done by Magdalen . And since love come's with n n Mar: 16.1 , 2. Spices and with Speed , Tho' her rais'd Lord can no embalming need , He rate 's her Will as highly as the Deed. o o Luk: 7.13 . Her preci'ous Spikenard he did once receive ; Now 't is enough she did designe to give . Lovers , like p p Gen: 29 , 20 , 30. Jacob , purchase their delights with many toilsome days and restless nights ; Yet think it great Reward for all they 've past , To ' enjoy the Object of their Love at last : But q q Pro: 13 , 14. disappointment of their Hopes and care , Sink's Sorrow down into a damn'd Dispair . How pleas'd had our great female Convert been , Cou'd she her Lord , tho' in the Tomb , have seen : But r r Joh: 20.12.13 . Grief or'ewhelm's her at an empty Grave ; Missing that Lord who all her sins s s Luk: 7.4 . forgave . In vain she asks t t Joh: 20.25 . where her dear Lord was Laid ; More by her Looks than all her words she said . Her Tears with most perswasive Rheto'rick show The'im pat'ient longing of her heart , to know Where she the u u Joh: 20 , 15. pious Present might bestow . But w w Joh: 20 , 16. hearing Christ , it cannot be exprest , What mighty Passi'ons strove within her Breast , Tokens of great Respect they Both conser ; x x Joh: 20.16 . She wellcome's Him to Life ; He honour's Her . y y Matt. 28.9 . Joh: 20.17 . 2 Kings 4.17 . His Feet with hasty Eagerness She kist ; z z Matt. 28.10 . Joh: 20.17 . Mark 16.9 . And He makes her the first Evangelist . a a Joh: 20.18 . This Office she perform'd and with her Love Still follow'd him unto the Seats above . When ( Conqu'erour like , ) b b Eph: 4 8. He ' Ascended up on high And Captive bravely led Captivity , The Best , tho' last , half of her days was giv'en To him ; on Earth she still convers'd with Heav'en . 'T is Gratitude unto that c c Ro: 14.8 . God to live , Who does our many d d Isa. 1.18 . scarlet Sins forgive . XXXIX . How wonderfully did our Savi'our come , From a a Luk: 23 53. Death's and from b b Matt. 1.23 , 25. a Womans sealed Womb ! Of Mary He was born to c c Psal. 22.6 , 7 , 8. Isa: 53 , 3. Heb: 12 1. Phil: 2 8 , 9. Grief and Scorn ; But , from the Dead , to Joy and Honour born . d d 1 Cor. 15.20 . Col. 1.18 . First-born He was too for our Happiness , e e Rom: 11.16 . Lev. 23.10 . As the first-Fruits succeeding Crops did bless . 'T was fit so great a Person shou'd obtain , To Virgin-Places , f f Joh. 19.41.42 . where no Man had lain . XXXX . Of Angels , as of Men , sure Christ is Lord ; Such constant service they to him afford : a a Luk. 2.14 . Glory to God on high , and Peace on Earth , Was their sweet Anthem at his wondrous Birth . b b 1 Pet. 4.11 . 1 Cor. 10.31 . Heb. 12.14 . ( The same great ends may all our Acti'ons have , Untill our borrow'd Dust c c Ecl. 12.7 . return's to th' Grave . ) No sooner was his Glori'ous Combate past , But , from above , d d Mat. 4.11 . they to his Aid did haste . ( e e Heb. 1.14 . Psal. 91.13 . Such powe'rful Guards his members still desend , While with the Prince of Darkness they contend . ) When with an heavy load of Sin and Grief , f f Luk. 22 43. He sunk , one swiftly flew to his Relief . And when our Lord ( after his g g Mat. 12.40 . three days sleep , No longer his cold Bed of death wou'd keep , But ) was resolv'd h h Mat. 28.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. to rise at th' dawn of Day , Another came and roll'd the Stone away : Like lightning bright his Countenance did grow ; And all his Raiment was as white as snow : At his descending well might Souldi'ers shake , When th' Earth It self , on which they stood , did Quake . So pale they grew , one might have thought them then , Not the Grave's Keepers , but Its Guests , dead Men : And when he saw the mighty work was done , He sate in Triumph on the Conquer'd Stone . FINIS .