The Preface .

ANd first to beginne with the Preface . The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Surely , may be either Vox distinguentis , or asseuerantis , either a word of distinction , or asseueration . A word of distinction , and so the vulgar Translater may seeme to haue taken it ; for he renders it , verè tulit , Hee hath truely borne our infirmities . The Priests , in the time of the Law were said to beare the sinnes of the people , Leuit. 10.17 . But they bare them typically , he truely ; hee bare them , not in figure , but in fact , not in type , but in truth . Againe , hee bare them not imaginariè , imaginarily , and in outward appearance onely , Tertul. aduers . Marc. 4.8 . August . de haeres . ad quodvul . har. 46. as the absurd Manichees and Marcion held ; but as he was a man , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in nature and truth ( as Damascen saith ) so did he beare our infirmities , and carry our sorrowes verè , sicut verus homo , truely , as being truely a man , Aquin. in loc. as Aquinas interprets the word . It was not with our Sauiour , as with the three Children in the third of Daniel , who came forth of the fiery furnace , Dan. 3.17 . not hauing their haire sindged , Plutarch . in vita Coriol . nor their garments changed : But rather , as Coriolanus multas ostenderet cicatrices , could shew many Cicatrices of the wounds receaued in the warres . So our blessed Sauiour could giue the like demonstratiue satisfaction , to the most incredulous Thomas . Ioh. 21.27 . Let them therefore , who talke of an imaginarie Passion , expect an imaginarie Saluation ; We know that our Sauiour bare our infirmities truly .

Againe , the word may be vox asseuerantis , a vehement asseueration . And that , both to stop the mouth of a stubborne Iew , and to strengthen the Faith of an humble Christian . So is the word vsed , Gen. 28.16 . Gen. 28. where Iacob beholding in a vision the Ladder , whose foot stood vpon Earth , and the top reached to Heauen , the Angels ascending , and descending , said comfortably , and confidently , Surely God is in this place . And so , the Prophet Isaiah , beholding by the eye of Prophecie Christ Iesus in his deiected estate ; said no lesse comfortably and confidently , Surely he hath borne our infirmities , and carried our sorrowes . Yea he so speakes of it , as though Christ had done it , when the Prophet spake it ; which was so indeed by way of mysterie : For Christ is the Lambe of God , Reu. 13.8 . slaine from the beginning of the world . But it is rather spoken in a propheticall manner , in regard of future certaintie .

As the Lord was Oculus prophetarum , the eye of the Prophets ; so were the Prophets Os Domini , Luk. 1.70 . the mouth of the Lord : So that whatsoeuer they saw , or said , in their Propheticall Office , must needes be accomplished . We must therefore take heed of Eues incredulitie , Gen. 2.17 . which cleaues close to her posteritie . When the Lord had said to Adam , by way of asseueration ( as the Hebrew phrase imports Moriendo morieris , Gen. 3.3 . thou shalt surely dye , Eue comes in with her addubitation Ne forte moriamur , lest we dye . The Lord will not suffer any word of his Prophets to fall to the ground , and the truth of this Prophesie experience hath manifested , and the blessed Euangelists , the Lords holy Historians , haue recorded for the comfort of the Church to the end of the world .

The Historie .

SO much for the Preface ; Now to the Historie ; wherein may it please you to obserue

1 The Person especially mentioned in the same , in the word He , that is , Christ .

2 His Action ; He hath borne , he hath carried .

3 The burdens he hath borne and carried , they were infirmities , sorrowes .

4 For whom he bare them : they were our infirmities , our sorrowes .

I may say of this Text , as the woman of Samaria spake of Iacobs well , The well is deepe , Ioh. 4.11 . and it hath diuers springs , which must be opened , that we may from thence draw the water of Consolation .

The pronowne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He , The Person especially mentioned . is often silenced and included in the verbe , but is here expressed , as being verie emphaticall . He , either by way of Admiration , or Exception . By way of Admiration ; And it is admirable indeed , if either you consider the dignitie of his Person , or the indignities of his Passion . He that was the Sonne of God , Colos. 2.13 . 1. Cor. 2.8 . yea the Sonne of his Loue , Colos. 1. He that was the Lord of Glorie , 1 Corinth . 2. He to whom the glorious Angels doe homage , Hebrew . 1. Hebr. 1.6 . Hee bare our infirmities , and caried our sorrowes . Well might it haue agreed to his excellent Nature to haue conferred benefits , but to suffer torments , it was strange , admirable . His Person , and Passion , in discourse of humane reason , are verie incompetible .

Againe , He by way of exception , that is , He and none but He. He , who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by himselfe , Heb. 1.3 . hath purged our sinnes . Aug. de temp. Hom. 108. He , Qui sordes omnium solus posset abluere , who himselfe alone was able to wash away all our sinnes , saith S. Austin . He alone entred the lists , and vndertooke the combate against Satan , as Dauid did against Goliah , when all the Israelites were meere spectators , and to him belongs the glory of the victory . Sueton. in vita Aug. Caesar . When Augustus Caesar desired two Consuls to bee ioyned with him in Office , the Senate denied it , as holding it a sufficient diminution of his dignitie , that one should be ioyned in the Consulship with him , that was so worthy . And surely it must needs derogate from our Sauiours dignitie , that any one should be his copartner in the worke of our redemption . He trode the wine presse alone ; Isa. 63.3 . and there is no other name giuen vnder heauen , by which we must be saued . Act 4.12 . And so I come from the person to his actions .

His Actions .

THe word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , he hath borne , is a word of a large extent : Yet hath it two speciall significations , which fitly agree with these actions of our Sauiour .

1. It signifies in humeros tollere , to take vp a burden vpon ones shoulders ; and so is it vsed in the 12. of Ezechiel ; Now what this burden is , the Prophet Dauid shewes , when he complaines , in the 38. Psalme , Psal. 38 4. My sinnes are gone ouer my head , and are as a heauy burden , too heauy for me to beare . And so the septuagint translate it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He carried our sinnes . This burden of our sinnes did our Sauiour beare vpon the crosse , Thom. Aquin. Vt vas noster by way of imputation as our suretie , and the burden of punishment , due to our sinnes , formaliter in his person actually . According to that in the first Epistle of Peter , the second chapter , Who , his owne selfe , 1. Pet. 2.24 . bare our sinnes , in his owne body , on the tree . Therefore Chrysostom hath obserued , Chrys. in loc. that the Prophet saith not , Curauit , but portauit , Not , he cured , but caried , Yea tooke them to himselfe : As if a Phisition , forth of his cure , and for the cure of his patient , should take the disease vpon himselfe . So , tulit in se , vt a nobis tolleret , he tooke them vpon himselfe , that he might take them from vs .

Againe , the word signifies auferre to take away ; And so it is vsed in the 32. Psal. 32.5 . Psalme . For whereas our translations haue it , Thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne , it is in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou tookest away the punishment of my sinne . And so the word agrees very fitly to our blessed Sauiour : for his pertulit , was an abstulit , Tertull adv. Marc. 4.10 . as Tertullian interprets it , in his fourth booke against Marcion . Christ , when hee bare our sinnes , tooke them away , According to that in the second to the Colossians , Coloss. 2.14 . He tooke away the hand writing that was against vs , and nailed it on his crosse . The bond of obedience , which Adam had forfeited as S. Ambrose saith , Ambros . de Sacrament . lib. 5. cap. 4. Christ discharged by his actiue and passiue obedience , and so cancelled it on the Crosse . Therefore Iohn Baptist , pointing at our Sauiour , might very well say , Be hold the Lambe of God , Ioh. 1.19 . that taketh away the sinnes of the world .

The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , he hath carried , Albeit in the English it differs not from the other , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hee hath borne , yet doth it in the Hebrew : For the one signifies Onus ipsum tollere ; the other , Onus impositum goe stare ; as a learned linguist distinguisheth them ; Pagim . that is , to take vp a burden , & to beare a burden imposed , and so both words may be well applyed to our Sauiour Christ . For , tulit , he tooke vpon him the burden voluntarily ; Hieron . in Esai. 53. Crucem sustinuit voluntate , non necessitate , His death on the Crosse was voluntary , not of necessitie : according to his words in the tenth of Iohn , Ioh 10.18 . No man taketh my life from me , but I lay it downe for my sheepe . And portauit , he carried the burden imposed , as it is in the sixt verse of this chapter : The Lord hath laid vpon him the iniquitie of vs all . Thus , as Saint Paul saith , Rom. 8.32 . God gaue Christ for vs , Rom. Gal. 2.20 . 8. And , Christ also gaue himselfe for vs , Gal. 2. So may it be said , that God laid the burthen vpon Christ , and that Christ also tooke vp the burden . For here mercy and truth met together : Psal. 85.10 . God exacting our debt as a strict creditor , and Christ discharging it as a cheerefull Redeemer . And so saith S. Bernard , Bern. panos . Hebd . ser. 4. Christus inuita passivam habuit actionem , in morte passionem activam sustinuit . As Christ had a passiue action in his life ; so had he an actiue passion in his death , it was voluntary .

His Burdens .

NOw to the burdens he beare , and carried , they were infirmities and sorrowes .

The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , infirmities , signifies any corporall paine or anguish , proceeding from some part that is smitten or hurt . As in the tenth verse it is said , Mich. 6.13 . The Lord would breake , or bruise him , to make him subiect to infirmities : and in the sixt of Michea , I will make thee sicke with smiting .

Thus our Sauiours body was subiect Laesioni , & sensui laesionis , both to outward violence , and to the sense of it . Though not respectu primae causae , Aquin. par. 3. quae. 15 : art. 5. yet propinquae , as the Schooleman saith ; Not in respect of sin inherent , but in respect of the principles of nature . For he voluntarily tooke such a body as was subiect to hurt , and consequently to paine .

The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports some sensible sorrow , or anguish of the soule . As his body was subiect to corporall afflictions , Tulit corporis sensus , & animi affectus . Leo de passione serm. 7. Hier. in Loc. so was his soule to sorrowfull affections . And so S. Hierome distinguisheth these words , Corpus habuit flagellatum , animum verè doluisse , &c. As his body was scourged , so his soule was grieued ; and this griefe was exceeding great . Euen a sword of sorrow did pierce through his soule , as Simeon spake of the blessed virgin in the second of Saint Luke . Therfore he is called , Vir dolorum , A man of sorrowes : Verse 3. of this chapter . which Hebrew phrase , imports extreame sorrow , like that , vir sanguinum , a bloody man : 2. Sam. 16.8 . and surely his sorrow was exceeding great , as his mournefull speech doth manifest , My soule is very sorrowfull , Mark . 14.34 . euen to the death . Therefore the ancient fathers haue applyed to him Ierusalems mournefull complaint , in the first of the Lamentations of Ieremy . Lam. 1.12 . Was there euer sorrow like my sorrow ? Ierusalems sorrow might be such , in her apprehension , as could not be matched ; but our Sauiours was such , in the truth of comparison , as could not be paralleld . The Euangelists doe expresse this anguish of our Sauiours soule , by diuers pressing words ; Math. 26.38 . as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be sorrowfull , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be grieuously troubled : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be sore amazed . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . His sorrow was an immediate stroke vpon the soule , according to the etymon of the word . It is said in the tenth verse , that God strooke him , and so did the Iewes , they strooke his body in malice towards him , God strooke his soule in mercy towards vs . Iob complaines in his sixt chapter . Iob 6.4 . The terrors of the Lord doe set themselues in aray against me . And so doth our Sauiour in the fourteenth of Marke , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Mar. 14.34 . My soule is inuironed with sorrow on euery side .

Such was the sorrow of our Sauiour , it was an immediate passion of the soule . As his soule did suffer , by way of sympathy , when his body was tormented ; so did his body , when his soule was wounded . For when he sweat droppes of blood , no hand of externall violence came neere him , it was the anguish of soule , that cast him into that bloody sweat . And this was necessary : For as S. Augustin saith , Totus homo perijt , & totus saluatore indiguit ; As Adam sinned both in body and soule , so he needed a Sauiour both of body and soule : which that Christ might be , it was necessary that he should suffer both in bodie and soule . And as the soule of Adam sinned by immediate action , so the soule of Christ suffered by an immediate passion . Yea as the soule was the first agent in the transgression ; so is it here the first patient in the affliction . For the first act of this Tragedie was in the garden of Gethsemane , and there did that anguish seaze vpon his soule , before the speare or nailes , or thornes did touch him .

And whence proceeded this sorrow and anguish , but from the immediate hand of God that strooke him ? Otherwise it were strange , that our Sauiour should be brought into this extreamitie . Is it credible , as S. Austin saith , August . in Psal. 93. Vt Paulus servus exultet , Christus Imperator tristis sit , that Paul the seruant should triumph , & Christ the Lord should bee troubled in sustaining of torments , were it not , that both the hand of God and man was vpon him ? Now , how farre this stroke of God , and sorrow of our Sauiour proceeded , it is beyond the apprehension of men , yea , the contemplation of Angels . It grieues my soule to see how some doe extenuate , others doe aggrauate it . It shall be our modesty not to attempt the gaging of it , our happinesse , that we neuer feele it .

For whom Christ bare these burdens .

WE are in the next place to consider , for whom our Sauiour bare these infirmities , and sorrowes , and the affix 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ours doth appropriate them ; they were our infirmities , our sorrowes ; they were ours by way of appropriation , though his by way of imputation . Peccat Aemylius , Rutilius plectitur , Wee sinned , and hee was punished ; We as sheepe went astray , Esay 53.6 , 7. hee as a sheepe was brought to the slaughter . Doles , domine , non tua , sed mea vulnera , O blessed Lord , saith S. Ambrose , they were not thy wounds , Ambr. de fide lib. 2. cap 3. 2 Cor. 5.23 . but mine , that caused thy anguish . He knew no sin , saith the Apostle , neither was there guile found in his mouth , Esay 53.9 . saith the Prophet . Maxim . Taur . Quadra . ser. 1. Eum nullum maculauit delictum , He was free from the least blot of sinne , figured in the Lambe without spot , Exod. 12.5 . And therfore he might boldly make that challenge to the faces of his greatest aduersaries , Iohn 8.46 . Which of you can rebuke mee of sinne ? Such was the innocency of our Sauiour , Ab omnibus accepit testimonium , Iren. lib. 4. ca. 14. Luke 23.46 . as Iraeneus saith , that he had the testimonies of all men , of all sorts .

The Heauens were darkned , as being abashed to behold the Lord of glory so abased . Mat. 27.51 . The earth trembled , as being afraid to beare those miscreants , by whom innocency should indure such iniury . God from heauen proclaimed more then once , Mat. 3.17 . & 17.5 . This is my welbeloued Sonne , in whom I am well pleased . Infinite are the passages where men of all sorts doe publish and applaud his innocency . The Angell Gabriel spake thus of him to the blessed Virgin , That holy thing that shall be borne of thee , Luke 1.35 . shall be called the Sonne of God . The Deuils thus confessed him , Marke 1.24 . I know thee who thou art , euen the holy one of God . Isay 53.11 . 1 Iohn 2.2 . His friends , as Isaiah the Prophet , and S. Iohn the Euangelist doe stile him , the iust , the righteous . His foes indeuoured by all the engines , that wit or malice deuise , to fasten some accusation vpon him , but in vaine . Mat. 26.60 . His acquaintance did iustifie him : for so S. Peter , who was well acquainted with innocency , obiected to the Iewes , You haue denied the holy one , Acts 3.14 . & the iust . Strangers did acquite him , as Pilates wife in her monitory message , Mat. 27.19 . Haue nothing to doe with that iust man : and Pilate himselfe professed freely , Luke 23.4 . I finde no fault in this man .

Thus our blessed Sauiour had all the testimonies of his innocency , that heauen or earth , God or man , Angels or Diuels , friends or foes , acquaintance or strangers , could yeeld . So that these infirmities and sorrowes were ours ; They were ours , yet his too ; ours , as I said , by way of appropriation , his by way of imputation , and expiation , as it is in the 8. verse of this Chapter , Fulgent . ad Thrasimund . lib. 3. For the transgression of my people was hee smitten . Quoniam peccata non habuit propria , portare dignatus est aliena . He that had no sinnes of his owne , vouchsafed to beare the sinnes of others , saith Fulgentius . It was necessary that our Sauiour Christ should be free from sinne : for had he beene a sinner , he could not haue beene a Sauiour . But now , He that knew no sinne , being made sinne for vs , we thereby are made the righteousnesse of God in him , Infirmitas & mortalitas recepta sunt ad supplicium vt impenderentur ad precium . Leo de Resur . ser. 2. 1 Pet. 3.18 . 2 Cor. 5.23 . As our infirmities were his punishment , so are they our payment . My righteous seruant , saith the Lord , shall iustifie many , verse 11. and therefore iustified , because righteous . According to that of S. Peter , Christ suffered for vs , the iust for the vniust , that he might bring vs to God . That hee might so bring vs to God , that wee might in this life be partakers of his grace , and of eternall glory in the life to come . Marchants vse to share in their paines , their gaines , their losses ; but behold , Christ hath taken the paines , sate downe by the losse , and yeeld ; vs the gaine , the benefit .

There is yet one little spring more to be opened , which hath not fallen into the streame of our translation . Chrys. in Rom. hom. 31. Si aurifusorum pueri , &c. If Goldfiners diligently seeke and gather together the least parcels of gold , I see no reason why we should neglect the least particle in this golden sentence . Here is the affix am , those , and the accent Athnah , which , as Grammarians say , Lift vp the syllable . doth attollere syllabam , teaching vs , that in the consideration of our Sauiours sufferings , we should raise vp our meditations to the highest pitch . Hee bare those our infirmities ; those , which were exceeding pressing ; those , which no tongue is able to expresse ; for , Hic omnis lingua silet , Barn . de quad . debit . Euery tongue must be mute , as Bernard saith . Those , which all the men , and Angels , in heauen , and earth , were not able to beare ; those , which his humane nature could neuer haue sustained , had it not beene supported by his diuine power . Max. Taur . Patitur vt homo , vincit vt Deus , though he suffer as man , he conquers as being God .

How , when , and where Christ bare these infirmities and sorrowes .

HItherto wee haue opened the springs ; now we will consider the streames .

In Histories , the vbi , quando , quomodo , are very remarkable circumstances . Therefore wee will briefly obserue how , where , and when our Sauiour bare our infirmities , and carried our sorrowes , in three especiall passages , that is , in his birth , life , and death . In his incarnation , his passion , his compassion .

1. 1. In his Incarnation . Phil. 2.7 . In his incarnation , hee was exceedingly debased . Hee that was equall to God , made himselfe of no reputation , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hee emptied himselfe , as it were , of his excellent glory , when hee tooke vpon him our humane condition . Heb. 2.16 . Hee in no sort tooke on him the nature of Angels , saith the Apostle , neither tooke hee the excellent estate of Adam . Hee tooke not vpon him the glorious estate of the Angels , for then , where had beene our greatest comfort ? He tooke not the excellent state of Adam , for then , where had beene his abundant loue ? But as S. Bern. in Epiph. ser. 1. Bernard saith , Suscipiendo miseriam , ostendit misericordiam , In taking our miserable condition , he doth manifest his mercy and compassion . He was made like vnto vs in all things , except sinne , Heb. 4.15 . And that indeed is iustly excepted ; for , Assumpsit carnem , August . in Psal. 142. Rom. 8.3 . non iniquitatem , though hee tooke the similitude of sinnefull flesh , yet hee tooke not the sinne of the flesh . As Physitions , by correcting their ingrediences , doe take away their malignant quality , and make the medicine healthfull : So the Holy Ghost in the conception of Christ , did vtterly take away the aduentitious iniquity , & sanctifie the naturall infirmities , that no euill might cleaue vnto them .

Christ was subiect to infirmities both of body and soule : Not to euery particular infirmitie , as agues , aches , gouts and the like : For such comming ex mala temperie , vel intemperantia , either by distemper , or an ill temperature , he was not subiect to them . He bare the naturall infirmities , not the personall . As Chrysostome saith , Quae communem naturam invaserant , those that are incident to the common nature of mankinde , those he tooke . He was hungry , for so we reade Matth. 4. thirstie , Iohn 19. sleepie , Matth. 8. wearie , Iohn 4. In his soule he was subiect to feare , Math. 26. Marke 35. anger , sorrow and the like ; He was abased in his kinred , some of them being sinners , adulterers , gentiles . Whereupon S. Chrysostome cries out , O admirabilem natiuitatem , O admirable natiuitie .

At the time of his birth , he had a stable , in stead of a stately Palace ; a manger , in stead of a cradle ; the company of beasts , in stead of humane and Angelicall attendance : So was he parvulus aetate , & paupertate , Augustin . little both in age and estate . Luk. 2.21 . In his infancy he was subiect to that painfull Sacrament of Circumcision , and pursued from place to place by the hand of persecution . Math. 2.13 . His whole life was dedicated to paines and pouerty . The open field was his house , the ground his bed , broyled fish his dyet ; his iournies were laborious , his attendants men of meane qualitie . Thus did he beare our infirmities in his Incarnation .

2. Againe , 2. In his compassion . Cyprian de Lapsis . in his tender compassion he carried our sorrowes . For , as S. Cyprian saith , Maeroris pondera participat , &c. He that hath compassion on another , partakes in the burden of his sorrow . So did the Apostle when he said , Who is weake , 2. Cor. 11.23 and I am not weake ? who is offended and I burne not ? And thus did our Sauiour , in commiserating both the corporall , and spirituall infirmities of men . Those that wanted food , and were ready to faint , he pittied : those that were oppressed with sicknesse , Marke 8.1 . or possessed with euill spirits he condoled : Math. 8. When he saw people as sheepe without a shepheard , He had compassion on them . Math. 9.

He is that good Samaritan , that had compassion on the wounded man , Luke 10. powred wine , and oyle into his wounds , and bound them vp : And therefore was he sent , Luke 4.18 . that he should heale the broken hearted . If a man should see a Chirurgion making a plaister of his owne blood , for the curing of his patient , hee could not but wonder at it . And is not our Sauiours compassion admirable , Augustin . Qui ex proprio , & pretioso sanguine , Who of his owne pretious blood made a plaster to cure the wounds of our soules ? Sueton. in vita Vespas . Suetonius writes of that good Emperour Vespasian , Iustis etiam supplicijs illachrymauit , & ingemuit : He was so compassionate a Prince , that hee was wont to sigh and weepe , euen for them that were condignly punished . Diuers stories doe mention many famous in this kinde . But what is all the compassion of men , yea of Saints and Angels , but gutta pusilla , Chrysost. a little drop of water , to the maine Ocean of our Sauiours compassion ? He was troubled in the spirit for treacherous Iudas ; Iohn 13.21 . Luke 19.4 . Rom. 5.8 . Luke 23.34 . wept for carelesse Ierusalem , shed his blood for his enemies , prayed for his cruell persecutors .

Lastly , 3 3 In his Passion . as our Sauiour did beare our infirmities , and carry our sorrowes in his compassion , so especially in his Passion . What step did he take , what word did he speake , what place came he to , where he left not Vestigia dolorum , like the print of the nailes in his hands and feete ? When , in the garden of Gethsemane , Math. 26.38 . he desired the Disciples to watch with him , he bare our infirmities , Mark . 14.34 . and when he complained , that his soule was heauy vnto the death , hee carried our sorrowes . When he prayed , Math. 26 39. Father if it be possible let this cuppe passe , August . in Psal. 100. ( Quid illa vox nisi sonus infirmitatis nostrae ? ) then he bare our infirmities , and when he had neede of an Angel to comfort him , Luke 22 43. he carried our sorrowes . When he was bound , and so led to Annas and Caiphas , hee bare our infirmities , and when he spake to Iudas in that mournefull manner , Iohn 18.12 . betrayest thou the Sonne of man with a kisse , Luke 12.48 . he carried our sorrowes . When the souldiers strooke him with their reedes , Math. 27.30 . and scourged him with their rods , he bare our infirmities , Marke 14.64 . and when he was charged with blasphemie , which his soule abhorred , he carried our sorrowes . When Pilate , shewing him in that pittifull plight , said ; Iohn 19.5 . Ecce homo , Behold the man , he bare our infirmities , and when he heard that fearefull execration of the Iewes , His blood be vpon vs , Math. 27.25 . and vpon our children , he carried our sorrowes . But if we follow him to Mount Caluary , there shall we see this prophecy most liuely accomplished . When his hands and his feet were pierced with the nailes , his side with the speare , & his head with the crowne of thornes ; when the crosse was his bed , the crowne of thornes his pillow , gall and vineger his meate and drinke , scoffes and rayling his musicke , he bare our infirmities ; and when like a forlorne man , forsaken , as it were , of God and man , he cryed out , My God , my God , Math. 27.46 . why hast thou forsaken me ? he both bare our infirmities , and carried our sorrowes . Here , his passion , and compassion met together , when his head hanged downe to kisse vs , His armes stretched out to embrace vs , His blood gushed out to wash vs , His soule and body were offered vp in sacrifice for vs . Bernard . in Cant. Serm. 61. Per vulnera patebant viscera , here through His side wounded with the speare , you might behold His bowels of compassion wounded with loue .

Application .

AN ingenuous reader cannot goe ouer some rare and admirable story , but it will worke his affections , in one kinde or another . Behold , the world neuer yeelded such a memorable and admirable story as this ; It must needs be therefore our stupendious dulnesse , if it doe not affect vs .

First , who can consider these things without admiration ? Here is that , which may make both Saints and Angels to wonder , that one , who in his humane nature was descended of the blood royall of Iuda , and in his diuine , was Lord of heauen and earth , should be thus deiected & abased , and for whom ? Pro vernaculo , imò pro vermiculo . Bernard . de quadrup . debito . For vs , who were the bond-slaues of sinne and Satan , wormes and no men . Psal. 8. What is man O Lord that thou art so mindfull of him , or the Sonne of man that thou shouldest so regard him ? Math. 8.21 . They that saw our Sauiours miracles , wondred , saying , Math. 8.21 . Who is this , that both windes and sea obey him ? But there was no such cause to wonder at his actions of power : But rather , that he , Math. 28.18 . who had all power giuen him in heauen and earth , should be subiect to weakenesse ; and that by his infirmities and sorrowes , he should obtaine a glorious victory , it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , beyond admiration .

Againe , this story must needs yeeld comfort to a Christian heart . For he bare these infirmities , and carried these sorrowes for our sake , for our good ; as it followeth in the next verse ; He was wounded for our transgressions , he was bruised for our iniquities , the chastisement of our peace was vpon him , and by his stripes we are healed . Some write of the Pelican , that , her yong ones being dead , she bathes them in her blood , and so restores them to life . How true that is , I know not : but sure I am , that as S. Hierome saith , Christus suo vulnere nostra vulnera curauit . Christs wounds haue cured ours . For so saith the Prophet , Verse 5. By his stripes we are healed ; his infirmities and weakenesse are our strength ; his sorrowes our ioy , our comfort . He that bare our infirmities , and carried our sorrowes , pitties vs , when infirmities or sorrowes doe seaze vpon vs . Cyprian Epi. 9. Luctatur in nobis , he wrestles for vs , with vs , in vs . He takes to heart the afflictions of his Church , and , as though he were wounded thorow her sides , he cries out , Saul , Saul , Act. 9.4 . why persecutest thou me ? He is sensible of our afflictions ; Heb. 4.15 . For we haue not a high Priest , which cannot he touched with feeling of our infirmities ; He might say , Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco . For so saith the Apostle , In that Christ himselfe hath suffered , being tempted , he is able to succour them that are tempted , Hebr. 2.18 .

Againe , who can read this Storie without indignation towards the Iewes , the cruell Actors in this dolefull Tragedie ? He shed teares of pittie for them : they like pittilesse wretches shed his precious blood . He turned their water into wine : they turned his wine into gall and vineger . He had an Ignosce for them : Forgiue them Bern. Ser. 4. Hebd panos . they a Crucisige for him . He gaue health to their sicke , life to their dead they , in stead of requitall , took away his life , and put him to death . May not I say in the Prophets wordes , Ier. 2.12 . O ye heauens be astonied at this , be affraide and vtterly confounded ?

Againe , who can read this Storie of our Sauiours passion , without compassion towards him ? Zach. 12.10 . They shall looke vpon him , whom they haue pierced , and they shall lament for him , saith the Prophet . Can a man behold , or heare , that his honourable friend hath been buffited , scourged , and put to extreme tortures for his sake , and not be touched with compassion ? Luke 10.31 . Shall we be like the Priest , and the Leuite , that passed by the wounded man without pittie ? Shall we say with those wretches , concerning the shedding of our Sauiours innocent blood , Mat. 27.4 . Quid ad nos , What is that to vs ? Then may he verie iustly take vp that expostulation , in the Lamentations of Ieremie , Lam. 1.12 . Haue you no regard all you that passe by the way ? Behold , was there euer sorrow like my sorrow ?

Thus farre , euen a meere naturall man may be mooued , and affected with this Storie ; he may be stirred vp to admiration , entertaine consolation , be moued to indignation , touched with compassion , & when he hath done all this , he hath but viewed the couer of the Booke . There are other effects , which the meditation of this Storie must worke vpon our affections , and in our actions .

1 This dolefull Storie must strike our hearts with compunction , without which we cannot haue sound consolation . When the tender hearted women of Ierusalem bewailed and lamented our Sauiour , as he went to be crucified , he said vnto them , Daughters of Ierusalem , Luk. 23.28 . weepe not for me , but weepe for your selues , and for your children . So should we bewaile our sinfull condition , the cause of our Sauiours infirmities and sorrowes . Luk. 23.48 . With should , with those good people that saw his passion , Luk. 18.13 . strike our breasts , and say with the Publican , God be mercifull to me a sinner . Chrysost. de Passio . Hom. 5. For In spinis illis eum peccata nostra pungebant , Our sinnes did pierce him in the Crowne of Thornes ; and is it not reason , that our hearts should be pierced with remorse for our sinnes ?

It is not the weeping ouer a Crucifixe , that Christ requires at our hands , but rather that we be crucified with him , as the Apostle speakes , Gal. 2.20 . that is , as he interprets himselfe , Gal. 5.24 . that we crucifie the affections of the flesh , with the lustes thereof . Prote Dei filius ingulatus est , Orig. Hom. 2. in Leuit. & iterum te peccare delectat ? The Son of God was wounded for thee , and canst thou yet delight in sinne ? He hath borne a heauie burthen of infirmities , and sorrowes , and shall we load him with new burthens ? God forbid . For what were this , but with the Souldier to strike him to the heart , and , as much as in vs lies , Heb. 6. to crucifie him againe ? The serious meditation of Christs passion , if we be not gracelesse , will be a restraint of sinne .

2 Againe , as the Storie calls for our compunction , August . de Pastore . cap. 5. so doth it for our sanctification . Haec omnia ille pro te , tu nihil pro illo , saith Saint Augustin ? Hath Christ done , and indured all this for thee , and wilt thou doe nothing for him ? This were odious ingratitude . Take my yoke vpon you , saith Christ , Mat. 11. And it is verie reasonable , that as he hath taken the yoke and burthen of punishment from our shoulders , so we should willingly carie the burthen of obedience ; especially if we consider the difference of these burthens . Ours laid vpon him was verie ponderous , yea so heauie it was , that it made him sweat vnder it . His is light as it is in the 11 of Mathew , Mat. 11.33 . Yea , Psal. 119.32 . so light , that a man , whose heart is sanctified , may runne vnder it . And wee must take vp Christs burthen willingly , & beare it cheerfully , as he did ours . That we may say with him , Psal. 40.7 . In the volume of thy booke it is written of me , that I should doe thy will , I will doe it with all my heart .

3. Againe , if it please God to lay vpon vs the burden of infirmities , sorrowes , sicknesse , this may teach vs patience . Barn . paru . ser. serm. 11. Prius bibit potionem , quàm parauit suis . Christ hath begun to vs in the cup of sorrows , and shall we think much to pledge him ? His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , his patience in his passion must bee our instruction . And indeed , when we are oppressed with sorrow , smitten with paine , or cast vpon the bed of our sicknesse , what meditation comparable to this , to lighten the burden of infirmities , and sorrowes , and to sweeten the bitternesse of paine and anguish ? Did my blessed Sauiour , who was holy and innocent , indure such intollerable torments for my sake ? And shall I repine , or be impatient , when it pleaseth God to afflict me ? What are my greatest afflictions to the paines of his passion ? The time will come when paines or sicknesse are vpon vs , that we shall need this Cordiall , it shall be our happinesse to haue it in a readinesse .

To conclude , hath Christ borne our infirmities , and carried our sorrowes ? This must presse vpon vs the Apostles exhortation , Gal. 6.2 . Beare yee one anothers burthens . For Christ is to vs both speculum patiendi , Bernard . & compatiendi , a looking-glasse and spectacle of Patience & compassion . If we cannot cure , yet we should condole the miseries and infirmities of others . 1. Sam. 15.35 . Thus did Samuel bemoane the reiection of Saul . Thus did S. Paul bewaile the casting away of Rom. 9.2 . the Iewes . And when he saw some walking in the way of damnation , Phil. 3.18 . hee could not speake of it without teares . Colos. 3.12 . So let vs ( as the Apostle exhorts ) put on the bowels of compassion ; that so we may shew our selues liuely members of our mercifull head Christ Iesus .

Thus , if the meditation of our Sauiours bearing our infirmities and sorrowes , doe worke in vs the grace of compunction , of sanctification , of obedience , patience , and compassion ; then haue wee read it , heard it effectually : and we shall one day reape the fruit thereof most comfortably , when Christ shall returne , Non in infirmitate , sed in gloria & maiestate . Bern. de Aduent . Ser. 6. not subiect to infirmities and sorrows , but cloathed with maiesty and glory , and shall giue vs possession of that blessed habitation , where all teares shall be wiped from our eyes , Reuel. 21.4 . and wee in stead of sorrow and infirmity , shall enioy eternall ioy and felicity . Which the Lord for his mercies sake , and for our Sauiours sake grant vs ; to whom with the Holy Ghost , all honour and glory , maiesty and dominion , be rendred and ascribed for euermore . Amen .