Christs love, and saints sacrifice Preached in a sermon at St. Pauls Crosse, on the 23. of August, 1635. By Iames Conyers, Mr. of Arts of Sydney-Sussex in Cambridge, and minister of Stratford-Bow, in Middlesex.

CHRISTS LOVE , AND SAINTS SACRIFICE . Apoc. cap. 1. vers. 5 , 6. Vnto him that loved us , and washed us from our sinnes in his blood , And made us Kings and Priests vnto God even his Father , to him be glory and Dominion for evermore , Amen .

WEre that Quaere put to In vita Budaei idem narratur de Theodoro Goza . Sphynx Philos. c. 25. mee which once was to Budeus , by Francis the first ; viz. if all the volumes in the world were doomed to the fire , what one would he saue ? as his resolue was , Plutarchs Works ; by reason , they had the impression of all Sciences : Mine , should be , Epistolam Creatoris ad Greg Ep. ●d Furiam . Creaturas , the Epistle of the Creator to the Creature , viz. the sacred Scripture : And therein this Text , a richer Mine than golden Peru affords , the Magazine of all true treasure , Christ a jemme of invaluable price , his love better than Wine ; his blood , one drop whereof more worth than the Luthe . in 2. ad galat. whole world ; two Evangelicall and Angelicall Sacrifices , the one expiatorie for sin , made by Christ on the Altar of the Crosse , who loved us , and washed us in his blood , and made us Kings and Priests unto our God : The other gratulatorie to Christ , Iohn 21. 20. presented by the beloved Disciple , for that act of meere grace : To him be glory and dominion for evermore , Amen .

In the former sacrifice , are offered two parts . Analysis .

1 The Motive thereto . 2 The Manifestation thereof . Expiatory Sacrifice .

The Motive , is love ; wherein , to shun a deniall discourse , I shall confine to these limits :

1 The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that Christ loved us . 2 The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the impulsive cause to love us . 3 The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , how he loved us . 4 The quos , whom , he loved us .

Vnto him that loved us .

The Manifestation of this love , appeares two wayes . 1. In Christs owne Humiliation , ( viz. ) he Christs Humiliation . washed us from our sinnes in his Blood ; where are in-laid these 3. particulars :

1 The Act ; he washed . 2 The Object , us from our sinnes . 3 The Organon , wherewith ; his owne blood .

2. In our Exaltation , in these words ; and Our Exaltation . made us Kings and Priests to God his Father , &c. whereout springs two branches of honour :

The first , is Regall , hee hath crowned us Kings :

The second , is sacerdoticall ; hee hath consecrated us Priests , unto God , even his Father .

In the latter sacrifice , which is Eucharisticall , Eucharisticall Sacrifice . observe , first , the matter expressed , Glory and Dominion : secondly , the Majestie , to whom it is presented ; viz. the Prince of the Kings of the Earth : Thirdly , the manner , pressed two waies : First , in regard of cirumstance of time , beyond all time , for evermore : Secondly , in regard of the Sacrificer , with a good heart , and a very good heart , couched in this word Amen ; Vnto him that loved us , &c. Thus have I taken the Text asunder , and now I must take the parts in their order ; and because they are many , I must but touch , as the Bee the flower , and flie away . The first that Method manuducts me to , is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that our 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Mercy-Master Christ Iesus loved us : this is true , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , in word and deed , a Truth , Tertul. Tanquam radio solis scripta , as ingraven with the Sunne-beame ; behold the manner of the writing : The wretched Iewes play'd the Scribes ; the pens they used , were thornes , and speares , and nayles ; the inke , was purest blood ; the Volume wherein they writ ( and that on both sides ) was the body of all Divinity ; the capitall letters , deepe and wide wounds ; the testimonies , men and Angels ; Brond . in loc. the Seale set to it , was Christs consummatum est , it is finished : whereon , as an impregnable Arch-jewell , I build my faith , and am perswaded , That neither death , nor life , nor Angels , nor principalities , Rom. 8. 38 , 39 nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come , nor height , nor depth , nor any other creature , shall euer be able to separate us from the love of Christ Iesus , who loved us . And thus much , or rather , thus little , on this first point , viz. the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that Christ loved us ; and so we proceed to the second , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , why he loved us . The Ethnicks feigne , their 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Gods and Goddesses for some lovely good , loved certaine Trees ; Iupiter , the Oke , for durance ; Neptune , the Cedar , for stature ; Apollo , the Laurell , for greennesse ; Venus , the Poplar , for whitenesse ; Pallas , the Vine , for fruitfulnesse : but what should move the God of all gods , to love us , wildings in this fooles Paradise ; Trees indeed ; but such as St. Iude mentions , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , corrupt , fruitlesse , twice dead , and plucked up by the rootes . St. Bernard resolves it in three words , Amat quia amat , hee loves because he loves ; the root of love to us , lyeth in himselfe , and by his communicative goodnesse the fruit is ours .

Hence then exclude wee all boasting in our selves , and conclude , sith Christ hath loved us , and hereby is made to us wisdome in the headfaculty of our soules , righteousnesse in the workes of our hands , sanctification in our hearts , redemption Zach. 4. 7. in all parts ; it was of grace , and grace be to it : and thus from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , why he loved us , passe we to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , how he loved us .

Whereon while I muse , I am rapt with amazement ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 for suppose the Heavens as a scrowle of Parchment ; the Vaste Ocean , Inke ; Creatures caelestiall and subcaelestiall Pen-men ; all were unable to unfold this 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , how he loved us : The reason is , his love as himselfe is infinite ; which no finite creature is able fully to comprehend ; yet in a modell we may conceive it is much : so sounds that Trumpet of grace , as if he loved , & overloved : Propter nimium charitatem , so it is rendred in the Ephes. 2. 4. vulgar . Our stupendious Divine , hee speakes for order first : grave Cyprian sayes , Immerito dilexit , 1 Iohn 4. 19. he loved us in mercy , without merit . St. Bernard thus , he loved us , Dulciter , sweetly , he In Cantic . assumed our nature , sapienter , wisely ; he severed sinne and nature , fortiter , strongly : Much waters could not quench love , though never so bitter or so abundant ; nay the more waters , the more love .

Magnes Amoris Amor.

His love should be the magnet of ours : But oh how are we drawn aside ! if we love him , it is but a little , too little , or little or nothing at all , as we should . Will you reade the reason , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Isid. Peleus . Ep. 209. Since the love of Gold grew so hot , the love of Christ hath growne cold : Since Prince Mammon hath triumphed , the Prince of our Salvation hath been underprized . Shall this worlds goods , which in respect of Christ , are meere 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , rubbish ; or the god of this World , which onely loves us , as the Wolfe the Lambe to devoure , have so strong a hand over us , to draw our hearts from the love of our Saviour ? Absit , God forbid : Yet for feare of the worst , open thy eare to Wisdomes voyce ; He that loves not Christ , plus quam se , suos , sua , more than himselfe , his friends , Mat. 10. 37. his meanes , is not worthy of him . If this should not win our love , hearken to S. Pauls thunder , If 1 Cor. 16. 22. any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ , let him bee Anathema : or , if the voyce of consolation may worke on our hearts , know , all things worke togegether for the best unto them that love God : Quae Rom. 8. 28. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ? Armies of Angels , as for Elishaes protection ; Sunne , Moone , and Starres , as for Duke Iosuah and Deboraes conquest ; dumbe creatures , Quid non speremus amantes . for instruction and preservation , Gods rod for caution , his rigide staffe for reverence ; sickenesse as in Ezechias , even sinnes ( by accident meerely ) as in the Publican , for humiliation and salvation : these , as so many matches , may give fire to our chill affections , to inzeale and inflame them with the Love of Christ : but to prove it , is all in all ; the touch-stone hereof is love to Gods materiall Temple , in sincerity to behold the Probatio amoris est exhibitio operi● . faire beauty of the Lord , and to visit his holy Temple , therein to hold up pure hands and hearts for the peace of Sion , and to uphold it prece & pretio , with our prayers , and with our purses , in opposition to the old Massalians , who to the number of their impieties adde contemptum templorum , the disgrace of Cathedrals ; as also to crowne our soules with blessings , for they shall prosper that love it : And let not our love onely rest here , but reach to the mysticall Temple , viz. Christs poore members ; hereby we shall neither want Christs commemoration , nor remuneration : For what if the great Keeper of his Saints here , and the Grand-Iudge of all at Doomes-day , shall conceale Abels martyrdome , Noah his saving a remnant from the Deluge , Abrahams invincible Faith ; Peters , Pauls , Iohns sufferings ; yet of the acts of charity , he will make a rehearsall Sermon , I was an hungred , and ye gave me meat ; Mat. 25. 35. I thirsted , and ye gave me drinke ; I was a stranger , and ye lodged me ; I was naked , and ye clothed me ; I was sick , and yee visited me ; I was in prison , and ye came unto me ; and therefore I will remunerate your bowels of mercie , with , Come yee blessed of my Father , &c. Come

ad me your Savior , that dearely bought you , Venite benedicti . meos , to my Saints and Angels your fellow servants . mea , to all that is mine , joyes , &c.

Honours interminable to all dimensions , blessed of my Father , before you were borne , and blessed that ever yee were borne : inherit by my grace , not your merit , no lesse than a Kingdome , no other than a heavenly Kingdome , prepared for you before all time , purchased for you in the fulnesse of time , and shall bee yours in possession when there shall be no more time . Thus in a short compasse of time , I come unto the last stage , viz. Quos whom Christ loved .

[ Vs ] Vnto him that loved us .

Divine History perpetuates the memorable affection of Ionathan to David , how his soule was knit unto his soule , And hee loved him as his owne 1 Sam. 18. soule ; thereto was no little inducement , for David was Ionathans Fathers beloved servant , his owne faithfull friend , a wise and valiant Captaine , and all Israel loved him . Humane story Val. Max. l. 4. cap. 8. survives of Orestillo , when her life went from her , Pla●tius at the instant became her second for a buriall , in memoriall wherof was erected a Monument at Tarentum , called , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Lovers Monument : These wee must know were deare and neere , an espoused paire : but for Christ to set his love on us , every way unworthy Rom. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hos. 2. 19. to be beloved , 1. weake , 2. godlesse , 3. sinners , 4. enemies , yea traytors to him and our owne soules , though once espoused by a Ring of Love , in-laid with the pearles of his Spirit , yet by reason of spirituall adultery , divorced ; and for all this , to love us ! this is much , Greater love than this Isa. 59. 2. Iohn 15. 13 hath no man , than to lay downe his life for his friend ; yet ( under correction ) To majorem habuisti charitatem Domine ; dilexti non existentes , imò resistentes ; greater , sweet Saviour , was thy love : thou lovedst us when wee were nothing , yea worse than nothing , sworne enemies to thy life . In meditation whereof that inscription upon Senacheribs Tombe , I may apply to Christ , and the Christians use , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . whosoever Herodot . thou art , make Christ thy spectacle , learne of him to love thine enemies : this is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Luke . 6. 35. that spirituall wisdome which adopts thee Gods child : hereto 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , natures instinct workes , all being 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of one blood : now never man hated his owne flesh ; this is the Royall Acts 17. 26. command , I say to you , Love your enemies : and Mat. 5. 44 Christ himselfe herein is , exemplum fine exemplo , a matchlesse mirrour of benevolence and beneficence towards his enemies , in that he loved us . It is storyed of Alexander the Monarch , that he Edicte vetuit , de quis se praeter Apelle pingeret , aut alius Lysippo Horat. Epist. 2. would have no man draw his Picture , save Apelles , or engrave it , save Lysippus ; the best Artists , both for theorie and practice . No Artist in Christendome can draw the most high GOD , better to the life , than in the lines of his owne life to blaze the true orientall colours of love towards his enemies , after the example of the ingraven forme of his person , that loved us ; which words ere I depart from , me thinks ecchoes so sweetly in the eare of my soule , and in thine ( except deafenesse or deadnesse , have made a forcible entrie ) that Miriams Timbrels , Asaphs Trumpet , Davids Anthemes , Salomons Epithalamions , sound nothing so sweetly ; the ground Rom. 5. 10 is sound ; for if when we were enemies , we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne , much more being reconciled , we shall be saved by his life : which brings me to the second general part , the life of his love , in ample manifestation . 2 Generall part of the 1 Sacrifice . Quest.

He washed us in his blood from our sinnes .

Hee ? Christ the Sonne of the living God , Lord of Men and Angels , majesty in excelsis in the highest , to become humility , in profundis , in the lowest ! did this become him ? was not this a servile act , viz. to wash us , a staine to his honourable person ?

To put this Question out of doubt , or the Resp. doubt out of question , no whit : for herein first was the complement of that Prophesie in a good sense , The elder shall serve the younger . Further , it Gen. 25. 23. was of such absolute necessity , that Peters case being ours , except he had washed us , we had had no part with him . But to cleere the scruple , Iohn 13. 8. it is illustrated thus ; A Peere of the Realme Ruff. in Symb. beholding a poore child wel-nigh choaked in the mud , and to save him , if some slime should adhere to him , it were no dishonour , rather an honour , to doe so good a dayes worke , as to save a soule : semblablie that true Noble-Man , Christ Iesus , beholding with the eye of grace our silly soule plunged in the puddle of sinne , albeit our slimy sinnes stucke to him , to plucke us out and save us , it did not impaire his honour , yea rather set it off with a fairer lustre . And by this act he reades us a Lecture of humility . If I then your Lord and Master , have washed your feet , Ioh. 13. 14 , 15 ye ought also to wash one anothers feet ; for I have given you an example that ye should doe , even as I have done : How may this be ? Saint Cyprian is our Schoole-master , Quoties igitur , &c. D● Ablutione pedum . as often , as we perswade those which are under spirituall Pharoahs slavery , to get them out of Aegypt ; mourne , with those that mourne ; burne with those that are offended ; are infirme , with those that are infirme : that Aquin. in Cor. 2. 11. is , as Aquinas interprets , for him that is infirme in the Faith , Dolemus in cordibus nostris sicut de nobis , lament for them as for our selves ; so often wash we the feet of our Brethren . And when this thy Saviours humility comes fresh into thy memory , that he whose Throne is Mount-heaven , footstoole the Earth , whom all the inhabitants of the Earth , and all the Angels of Heaven must worship ; that he would stoope to wash thee : Stoope Gallant and learne of him to be lowly , so to be , it is a good argument thou art well loaden with grace ; for as branches of Trees , and eares of Corne , the better they are loaden , stoop neerer the earth ; and the best refined Gold , goes downe in the ballance : so the more fruitfull and Quo sanctior hoc humilior Ambros . precious a Soule is , the more it lowers it selfe , and the higher in Gods eye it shall bee exalted .

Obiectum . And thus from Christs Act , we descend to the Object , what hee washed , and from what ; Vs from our sinnes .

Which words argue , 1 sinnes condition , it is pollution ; so Zacharias brands it , uncleanenesse ; 13. 1. Atramentum Evae . Amb. 26. therefore Ezekiel compares it to scum , 22. 18. Hosea to a rising leprosie ; S. Iude , to a spot ; S. Ambrose to a blacke cloud : Vna nubecula peccatricis totam fere obscuravit Ecclesiam . Res est Ep. ad virg. lapsam . foetida , saith Origen , a spawne of an uncleane spirit ; which unlesse washed away in the laver of Christs purifying blood , and a flood of cordiall repentance , will in fine associate with a Cage of uncleane Birds . Therefore minde we Apostolicall counsell ; touch not , taste not , handle not ; for as Syracides speakes , hee that washeth himselfe because of a dead body , and toucheth it Eccles. 34. 26. againe , what availes his washing ? And as his washing proves sinne its nature , so it unmaskes all the sonnes of men , that albeit in their originall they were like to the house of Iacob ; wherein Amb. de fug . seculi c. 4. no image of impiety , no spot of pollution , but all as cleere as Chrystall ; yet since the prevarication all as Labans Lambes are speckled and spotted , A capite ad calcem , from top to toe .

Let Abraham , the father of the faithfull ; Isa. 1. 6. Aaron , on whose bonnet was holinesse to the Lord ; Amb. a pol. Daniel . Antequam noscamur maculamur . David , the Lords Darling ; Iob , whose crowne is Iustice ; Paul , that vessell of mercy ; Peter the mouth of the Apostles ; those devout Women , that were Apostolae Apostolis , even Mary-Iesus , the mirrour of the Saints , speake freely ; and they will unanimously confesse to their own shame , they were great sinners ; yet to the praise of Gods grace , his Sonne washed them from their sinnes .

Object . But in thus saying , they may say to me as the widdow of Sarepta to Elias , Am I come to bring their sinnes to remembrance ?

I have no delight to rake in dead mens graves , Resp. or set their frailties on the Stage , but so farre to confirme from them this truth ; in many things Amb. non solum docentes sed errantes instruunt we sinne all , and that if we fall as they did , wee may beare our selves upon the wings of mercy , to obtaine as they have ; or make their faults , as markes at Sea , to steere our course wisely , lest wee-runne on these Rockes , and so sinke Barke and Goods .

Object . But here may be obtruded a Dilemma : if Christs Spouse be all faire , then there is no spot , so needes no washing ; if any spot , how is she all faire , as Salomon speakes ; withall is not this Cant. 4 7. derogatorie from Christs plenary satisfaction ?

For resolution of the former part , wee are to Resp. consider the Spouse , the body of Saints ; first , in regard of imputative holinesse , thus spotlesse , Ecclesia nigra quia ex peccatoribus , decora ex fide● Sacramento Ambros . and more orient than the Sunne : Secondly , in their inherent holinesse ; thus as the Moone , part blacke , part bright : And for the latter part of the Argument , grant the Churches pollution , it imperfects not Christs lotion ; to instance : He that comes forth of the Bathe , is cleane washed , but trampling slimie earth , the soles of his feet contract some sully : yet therein for his defilement the Bathe is unblameable : after the same manner we cleansed in that beatifying fountaine of Christs blood open for Iudah and Ierusalem to wash in for sinne and uncleannesse ; may not Zach. 13. 1. if the feet of our soules , viz. our affections , walking on this sinfull soyle , licke up some defiling dust , that we stand afterwards need of washing , impute to this holy Bathe any imperfection ; and hereupon is it according to our Saviours saying , He that is washed , needeth not save to wash his feet . Iohn 13. 10.

Avaunt then vaine Catharist , that vaunts thy Consect . selfe cleare of all tincture of sinne : Elisha was of another minde , witnesse his words , What is man Iob 25. 14 , 15 , 16. that he should bee cleane ? and he that is borne of a Woman , that he should be just ? behold hee found no stedfastnesse in his Saints ; Yea the Heavens are uncleane in his sight ; how much more is man abhominable and filthy which drinketh iniquitie like water .

Therefore to that selfe-beseeming pure generation , I say no more , but as the Emperour said to that Arch-Puritan , Acesius , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Theod. Histor. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , set thou the Ladder , and goe alone to Heaven ; but for my own part , with the Leper I confesse I am uncleane , and with the wings of devotion , faith and prayer , hie me to the mercy-seat ; and in the Publicans posture , crie , Lord be mercifull to me a sinner : and to conclude this with that Exhortation of the Apostle , Clense 2 Cor. 7. 1. your selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and the spirit ; not from the great Beames , but the least Motes ; not that the World may see on the outside , but that thou knowst in the inside , even all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit , for into the new Ierusalem enters no uncleane thing . Apoc. 21. 27.

But you will say unto me , wherewithall may we be made cleane ?

To which I answer : First , flumine , by Eye-water teares , for sinnes distilled thorow the lymbecke of a contrite Soule , which doe not only A●● quod defendi non potest , ●●●ui potest . wash , but as a sponge , wipe out . Secondly , flamine , with the Holy Ghost ; which , as fire , scoures of rust-eating sinnes from the face of the Soule ; and for this shall every one pray with the Church , Come Holy Ghost . Thirdly , sanguine , by blood ; not mysticall , as the blood of Martyrs ; nor typicall , as was the blood of Goates , but the naturall and most precious blood of Christ , which clenseth from all sinne ; and this is that wherewith 1 Ioh. 1. 7. he washed us ; the third branch of the second generall part , viz. the Organon , of our purification . Organon .

And washed us in his Blood .

In washing us with his Blood , his love , life , blood , is shed abroad in our hearts , that it was not cold , but warme as blood , nor drye , for with his blood he washed us ; nor little , it was not gutta , sed unda ; not a drop , but a flood wherewith he washed us : This was prophesied by good old Iacob , of Christ , under the name of Iudah , hee Gen. 49 11. should wash his garment in Wine , and his Cloake in the blood of the Grape : what other meaning , but that Christs Body , the vestment of his soule , should be all over bloody ? This was prefigured by the red Cow , whose blood was to be sprinkled Numb. 19. seven times before the Tabernacle ; so our Saviours seven times effused upon the Tabernacle of his Body ; First , In his Circumcision : Secondly , in Pilates Hall , stript and whipt till blood came : Thirdly , in the Garden sweat teares of blood : Fourthly , in his spineall coronation : Fifthly , in his crucifixion : Sixthly , in piercing his hands and feet with nayles : and Seventhly , at the last , to be sure to take away life , the Souldier thrust a Speare into the filme of his heart , whence streamed Columb . dere Anat. ● . 7. water and blood in abundance ; whereupon the Element trembled , Rockes rent asunder , the Heavens covered the face of the Earth with darkenesse , as with a sable Canopie , vaile his bloody nakednesse .

It is noted to be the innative vertue of blood in its kinde ; 1. To mollifie : 2. To purifie : 3. To preserve alive : 4. To revive the dead .

For the first , So it is storyed of the Goat , that albeit the Adamant in its owne nature bee inflexible and infrangible , yet steeped in Goats blood , it becomes pliable and tender : But more efficacious is the impreciable vertue of Christs Blood , that being sprinkled on the heart , by the hand of Faith , it intenders it though harder than the hardest Adamant : This rent Rockes , and made stones relent ; this wrought one of the Theeves on the Crosse , as soft as Waxe , to receive the gracious impression of the Spirit , to beleeve in a crucified Christ , and in the merit of that his Blood , bubbling before his eyes , to be with him in Paradise .

Blood purifies spots , and purges over-spreading maladies ; therefore the Persian Magi ( as Nicephorus relates ) counselled Constantine the Lib. 7. c. 33. great , being smitten with a loathsome Leprosie , for his cure , to bathe himselfe in the blood of Innocents ( it savours Iesuiticall advise ) let the credit of the Story stand , ad placitum ; but this is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , worthy of all acceptation , that Christs innocent Blood expiates our guilt , and heales all manner of spirituall Leprosie . Ioh. 1. 1.

Blood preserves alive ; therefore Physitians prescribe the blood of a Dove , a soveraigne against diseases in the eye and the braine . Galen gives it against the bruises , called Hyposphagmata , which 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . presents every thing to the eye , red . And Iul. Alex. commends it dropped on the corners of Lib. 4. salubrium . the braine , called , Pia & Dura Mater , in the wounds of the head , to helpe to hold in life : So pretious was the blood of Christ , a harmelesse Dove that dropped on our eyes , whereas before all we could see were 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , goare blood , by reason of our bloody sinnes ; now wee behold as in a Glasse , salvation before our eyes : And whereas in our head ( Adam ) we had received a deadly wound ; by a Balme , made of this Blood , and laid to it , we are alive unto God .

Blood hath revived the dead ; As the Story of the Pelican goes for currant , her brood being stung to death by the brood of the Serpent , by distilling her blood on her owne brood , they have beene restored to life : So Christ our true Pelican , when by our serpentine firy-stinging sinnes , we were stung to death , by the vertue of his blood effused on our soules wee are quickned and raised to life , to the praise of his glory . But there is one maine and memorable difference betwixt this Blood and all others : The blood of man or beast may give snow-white a scarlet tincture , but never die scarlet , snow-white : but this and this onely , by mercy and miracle , makes scarlet Soules as white as snow . In Salomon thus that Elder moved the question , and made the answer to our Evangelist , What are they that Apoc. 7. 13 , 14. are arrayed in long white robes , and whence came they ? These are they which came out of great tribulation , and have washed their long Robes , and have made their long robes white in the Blood of the Lambe .

Now , that Christ washed us with his blood : Hence , a choake Peare to the Manichees , who deny the truth of Christs-humanity ; to the Marcionites , who averre he had a phantasticall Body ; to Apelles , who conceived hee had a Sydereall substance : He that runnes , may read printed in blood , the truth of his Manhood : For as Alexander the great , however the popular sort deified him , yet having got a clap with an Arrow , said , ye stile me Iupiters Sonne , as if immortall , Sed hoc vulnus clamat me esse hominem , this blood that issues from the wound , proves me in the issue a man : So may I say of our Saviour , though myriads of Angels and Saints acclaime he is God , ergo , immortall , and a crue of Hereticks , disclaime him to be a man ; yet the streames of blood following the arrow of death that strucke him , make good , he was perfect man , of a reasonable soule , and humane flesh subsisting : but this their heresie wee passe : for there must bee 1 Cor. 11. 9. heresies ; and in holy admiration , ponder in the chambers of our hearts , the immense love of the Father , and of the Sonne ; of the Father , that hee would give his Sonne to shed his blood , and dye the execrable death of the Crosse for the sonnes of men , Ab aeterno genitum , begotten before all eternitie .

His Sonne ? Psal. 2. 7.

Omnis creaturae primogenitum , the first begotten of every creature ; Vnigenitum his onely begotten Col. 1. 16. Ioh. 1. 18. Mat. 3. ult. Esa 42. 1. Sonne ; Dilectum , his beloved Sonne ; and as speakes that Seraphicall Prophet , Electum Animae suae , such a sonne in whom his soule delighted ; and for us Caytiffes not worthy the least crum of his mercy . And no lesse admirable is the love of Gods dearely beloved Sonne , to powre out his soule unto death for us and our salvation .

It is storied of Cyrus , King of Persia , having Zenop. lib. 3. taken Tygranes , King of Armenia , with his Queene , captives ; on a time he moved Tygranes , what he would give for his Queenes ransome ; to whom he replyed , That had hee what he once had , viz. his Crowne and Kingdome , hee would freely give it for her freedome , and if that were too little , he would purchase it with the price of his blood ; which love to his Spouse , Cyrus observing , presently reinvested them to their pristine liberties and honours : Wherupon Tygranes spake unto his Queene : Cyrus is a most 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . noble Prince ; the Queene made answer , My affections were only bent on him that would have spent his dearest blood for me : a fortiori , should we , espoused unto Christ , the Prince of the Kings of the Earth , fixe our hearts on him , that not onely resolved our freedome from Persian , but infernall thraldome , and purchased it with his precious Blood . To winde up in a word , here every eye may see whereon to rest his Soule , that it may be saved in that great and notable day ; not on his owne righteousnesse , that is imperfect ; nor Saints oyle , that is not sufficient for themselves ; nor the Popish incruentall Masse , a Masse of horrible impieties ; no Popes pardon , or , Aqua benedicta of theirs , to which they ascribe rare , incredible , both spirituall and corporall effects ; whereby they bewitch silly soules , to inrich themselves , and all not worth a bit of bread , but solely in the blessed blood of that immaculate Lambe , Christ Iesus .

Herein to our most precious soules is , salus oblata , salvation freely offered ; herein , by our most precious faith , is salus recepta , salvation imbraced ; in this faith , by the impresse of the Spirit , is salus obsignata , salvation sealed ; and hereby is the end of our faith , salus consummata , our salvation finished ; and while we sojourne in these terrene Tabernacles , the foundation of our glory , the rise and perfection is in and from this blood ; whereby wee are made Kings and Priests unto our God . And this is the second branch wherein Christs love is manifested .

Hee hath crowned us Kings , and consecrated us Priests to God and his Father .

Artaxerxes honoured Nehemiah much , to Kings . advance him to bee his Cup-bearer ; and Saul David , to make him his Sonne in law , but to make us Kings , lesse than none save God alone , what could be more ? but what manner of Kings ? Rex sol● deo minor . not politicall , but spirituall ; Et bene ( saith S. Gregory ) quia praelati cunctis motibus carnis , &c. Moral . 36. c. 21. as reigning over our corrupt affections ; curbing luxury ; tempering intemperate avarice , humbling hautinesse of spirit , and extinguishing the fire of fury : Will you a little more at large behold the majestie of as many as are truely made Kings ?

Their unction is not oyle , but holy blood .

Their Diademe is not 12. stones , but 12. s●ars . Apoc. 12. 1.

The Sword is the Word of God .

The Scepter is the power of his Spirit .

The Globe , the World , all things are theirs .

Their Royall Robes , the syndone of Christs 1 Cor. 3. 22. Righteousnesse .

Their Princely Pallaces , White-Hall , Gods Sanctuary , and Non-such the new Ierusalem ; the Esquires of their bodies , a heavenly guard , even 10000. of Angels ; their dyet is of the best , the inconsumptible body and the blood of Christ ; and hee that made them kings , is the King of Kings .

Beloved Brethren , wee see our honourable calling ; let dogges returne to their vomit ; Hogs of Epicurus Heards , wallow in their obscene Aliud Sceptrum , aliud plectrum . pleasures ; Kites feed on caerrion ; Beasts live like Beasts ; yet our calling calls upon us to live like men , the chiefe of men , Kings , and Christian Kings . What therefore was Iosuahs injunction , ought to be ours , in theory & practice , viz. the exercise of pure Religion , to meditate in the Booke of the Law day and night , to observe , and Iosu. 1. 8. doe according to all the Law , not to turne from it to the right hand , nor to the left , that wee Deut. 17. 19. may prosper wheresoever we goe . It is recorded in Ecclesiasticall History of Philadelphus , King of Aegypt , however hee had two hundred thousand volumes in his Library , yet hee sent the keeper of his Library , Demetrius , to the Iewes , to have the Booke of the Law , and the Translators , which we call the Septuagint . Such was his love to the Law : We need not send farre , or spend much to have the Booke of the Law and the Gospel in our owne houses , in Gods houses they are read and orthodoxally expounded every day , and if the best of desires be not thereto , to know and to doe , we are not worthy the name of Christians , much lesse the honour of Kings : but if wee shall make the profession and the practice of sincere Religion , our joy , our glory , and our crowne , and be found so doing , Kings we are here by grace , and shall reigne with the King of Kings hereafter in eternall glory : And thus I leave this , and take hold on the last branch of our honour , He hath consecrated us Priests to God and the Father .

Amongst the Heathen , one man sometime was both King and Priest ; Rex idem hominum Virg. Phoebique sacerdos . St. Peter combines both together , Ye are a royall Priesthood . St. Ambrose is 1 Pet. 2. 9. In Luc. c. 22. plaine , Omnes filii Ecclesiae sacerdotes sunt , all the true children of the Church are Priests , spiritually Priests ; whereof Clemens Alexandrinus renders this reason , Quia eorum caput Christus est Rex & Sacerdos , because Christ their head is both King and Priest . Then Priests wee are : therefore it behoves us to adorne our holy Profession , as Priests , to be filled with knowledge , not of the most so much , as of the best ; to send up the Heraulds of our soules to the Mercy-seat , for our selves and others , that we may be healed , to purifie our selves when we approach the Temple ; and to be holy in all manner of conversation : what other thing in Moses Law , did that his Act Levit. 8. 24. typifie , to put blood on the Priests eare , the thumbe of the right hand , and the great toe of the right foot , than that to spirituall Priests , the doore of knowledge , and the instruments of action , should be sanctified , and being sanctified , forget not to sacrifice , Cum sale , cum igne , cum thure , with discretion , fervor of love , prayer : subdue Arrogance ; then we offer to the Lord a Calfe ; Orig. 9. Ep. ad Rom overcome wee anger , then wee offer a Ramme ; quell we concupiscence , that is to offer a Goat ; restraine we wandring imagination , then wee offer Pigeons . In three words to conclude all ; let us all offer , the Philosophers three kindes of goods , 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , our externall goods , doling Ethic. l. 1. c. 8. almes to the needy ; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased . I , but thou hast it not to offer ; yes sure , not so poore , but thou hast a sacrifice , Si Zachei divitias non habes , si desint tibi duo minuta , Remig. &c , if thou hast not Zache his store , not so much as the widowes mites , no not a cup of cold water ; offer to thy God , thy good will , and God takes it well , according to that , Coronat Deus intus Voluntatem , ubi non invenit facultatem . 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 August . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the goods of our bodies ; so the Apostle Rom. 12. 1. supplicates the Romanes : how this may be , golden mouthed Chrysostome instructs elegantly , Let thy eye behold no evill , or no evill hold thy eye : Hom 20. in Ep. ad Rom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , so thy eye is a sacrifice : thy tongue speak no evill , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and it is an oblation , thy hand act no evill , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and it is become a burnt Offering ; so order all other parts in Gods service , and so they are made Gods sacrifices : Lastly , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the goods of our minde , Prayers perfumed with faith , incensed with zeale to make them as incense , daily and duly presented by the hands of Christ Iesus , to that God which heareth prayers , and to close with our God in praises , and praise him for all his mercies , from the morning of our youth , to the mid-day of our strength ; even to the evening of our dayes , till our Sunne set , that when the Sonne of righteousnesse shall appeare , we may beare with Cherubins and Seraphins a part in their heavenly Hallelujah , world without end .

Now to the God of Love ; the Spirit of grace , that moves us to love ; and the Son of Gods Love , Who loved us , and washed us in his Blood , and made us Kings and Priests unto our God ; a Trinity in Vnity , and an Vnitie in Trinitie , be ascribed Glory and Dominion , for evermore , Amen .

FINIS .