A Complete Body of Divinity

SERMON CIV.

IT fellows that are pass from the 〈◊〉 ••• tions of Christ's Sp • rnael, to the 〈◊〉 •• s Bidely Death. And through the whole Life of Christ was full of Death. He being a M • n of Serres from his l •• a cy, yet we are now upon the C • sileration of the last tragical part of his Life. And here his i •• ho • tive Bodily Death is obserrable in two things viz. Her Breast, and His Arrog •••• nt 〈◊〉 Trial. The former of these is his Arrest, which may at preseat be come • mplated by us.

THE Son of God in our mie •• was not only to die for us, but he was to die as a Criminal, He fell into the hards of divine Justice, God would proceed against him as 〈◊〉 Offender. And though he fell immediately upon him, in that part of his Death which was Spititual yet in that which was Redily, he made use of Men to be instrumental in it who, though as they were •• luntary Agents in it, they did wickedly, yet, as God made use of them as instruments in executing of the Curse on him, which he had undertaken. they fuinlled his determinate counsel in this astair. Hence that, Act. 2.35. Have being deli •• red by the deter •• inue •• nsel and foreknowledge of God, ye 〈◊〉 taker and by wicked hands have cra ••• ied and •• in. He is therefore first Arrefied, in order to his Trial and Condemnation. And how great and grievous his Sufferings were on this account may now be inquired into; which will help us in the view of the wouderful Love which he hare to us miserable Sinners. The Evangelists do all of them give us the Historical account of this matter, out of which we may, for our instruction gather a few Rom 〈◊〉 ; which I shall list under two heads, 1 How much thereout of his Susteran •• n this p ••• age of his Death? 2. How eminent • y 〈…〉 appeared 16 ni •• in • is 〈◊〉 •• lantary 〈…〉

1. THERE was no sold 〈◊〉 of Du •••• Arrest that Christ under ••• . Not 〈◊〉 that it was the first scene of his b ••••• • ut also in regard to the high i • d •••• very grietous affronts that were 〈◊〉 him in it, and the many ser •••• 〈◊〉 brought upon him: And therefore 〈◊〉 him ever and a non typically brought 〈◊〉 the Old-Te • iament making heavy 〈◊〉 every of these passages, as of such 〈◊〉 were an heart breaking to him. On of 〈◊〉 is • a, Vs • d 69. and see more especi •••• 〈…〉 hepro •••• heart broken mi •• 〈…〉 sales eso • ness: end I broked for 〈…〉 for some 〈◊〉 p • ry, but there was nice; and for 〈◊〉 but I 〈◊〉 and nice. And if we would 〈◊〉 c •• ctive of them, we must look upon Persua that suffered these things, 〈◊〉 with our considering of what thing 〈◊〉 were that he suffered. Now the Pe •••• the Son of God • n our nature and 〈◊〉 a m •• glorious Pers •• age; and we 〈◊〉 that gererons and •• ble Soals, whe astronts and c •• tempes cast upon 〈◊〉 bitterly as, te • , they • rem • re bitter 〈…〉 than Death Itself. T ••• c •• fider of a •••• ig to • le person, of a ••• did low sp •••• dealt with, is c • mmratively but 〈◊〉 1 behold the King and Lord of Glory handled. will be a at consideration 〈◊〉 carry through all his sufferiegs for 〈◊〉 to heighten the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 which be undervent in these s • fferi •• the Apostle pats an emphasi, upon 〈◊〉 2.6, 7. If 〈◊〉 in the •• en of God, 〈◊〉 it not 〈◊〉 to be equil 〈◊〉 God: 〈…〉 himself s •• no reparation, •• ced 〈…〉 the fire of a servant. and ous 〈…〉 •• keness of men. Now we may 〈◊〉 aggrerations of these Sufferings in 〈◊〉 respects.

1. IN respect of Judas that Arch-Tro ••• Bet ••• er of •• m: which made no 〈◊〉 ••• tions to his Sufferings; and that 〈◊〉 circumstances than one, viz.

(1.) THAT suth an • ne as Judas • word the •• ng ••• er in such a design a 〈◊〉 Jut • s, whom Christ had so much 〈◊〉 and advanced, wh • m He had privi •••• be taken into his Family, had preter ••• to the Apostleship, had made him p ••• his secrets, had acquainted him wi •• Gospel-miracles, had advanced him to 〈◊〉 Ambassador of the glad ridings of 〈◊〉 and sent him forth to Preach the Go ••• Salvation, and empowered him to 〈◊〉 Devils, and work many miracles in hi ••• and betrufied him to beSteward in hi •••• And that after all this was done for 〈◊〉 should betrary him, sell him, and deli •• into the hands of his enemies, and 〈◊〉 the head of such a noun. We have the mist making bitter complaint, and 〈◊〉 aggravating of this, in the person of •• phel. Psal. 55.12, &c. And this is referred in Psal. 109.4. And 41.9. Yea mine 〈◊〉 miliar friend in where I true •• ed, which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bried. •• th • st up his • eel g ••• st 〈◊〉 ••• ch is applied to this by Christ himself, 〈◊〉 13.13.

(2.) THAT he did this •••• nterily. The 〈◊〉 to it •• ose from himself. Ja • es in •• d knew of the i • reterate malice which 〈◊〉 Priests and Elders hare against Christ, 〈◊〉 they did not prepose any soilicirations him, to draw him ever to them, in a con ••• ty against his Lord, but he offered him ••• Seedy unto them, and made the first ••• s • l it a bargain with them about it. 1.26.12, 15. Had he been drawn into 〈◊〉 Temptation, of great offers, and im ••••• ty, it had not been so much, though 〈◊〉 also had been horri • le ingratitude: but 〈◊〉 notwithstanding all the O ••• gentions laid 〈◊〉 him by the peculiar t •• u •• of his 〈◊〉 , be •• ll go and contrive 〈◊〉 his own 〈◊〉 how he might betray a Person, whom his own Conference, he knew to be inno •• , into the 〈◊〉 of murderers; for this • her wa • ds upon refi •• tion, con •• fied Mat. • 3.4. T ••• added to Christ grief; and this t • e that 〈◊〉 in the person of 〈◊〉 , ••• kes his •••• plain • , Psal. 1 • .7, 8. 〈…〉 , and 〈◊〉 usher 〈…〉 and vanity. 〈◊〉 it th • 〈◊〉 of the villages: 〈◊〉 secret places dothing murder the inn • cent: •••• es are pr •••• set against the poor.

(3.) THE co • temp •••• s Pr •• than be set 〈◊〉 . He •• t only bi •• lie sold the Lord of 〈◊〉 , but he also set a very low, and inte ••• •• l • e upon Him when he sold Him; it 〈◊〉 thirty p •• ces, Mat. 26.15. This was the 〈◊〉 that was put upon the Lord Jesus 〈◊〉 , and that by J •• as, who had seen and 〈◊〉 so m •• h of •• s transcendent excel 〈◊〉 : and i •• with w • at refi 〈7 letters〉 our Sa ••• himself speaks of it in the pr • ph •• y, 〈◊〉 11.12, 1 • . and I se • d 〈◊〉 th •• , if ye 〈◊〉 good give 〈◊〉 my fri • e; and if not for •• : so they w •• ghed for my 〈…〉 pie •• of 〈◊〉 . And the Lord 〈…〉 C •• st 〈◊〉 the p • tter: a g • d • y pr ••• t •• t 〈…〉 at • f that: And I to • k 〈…〉 , and 〈◊〉 them to the 〈◊〉 in 〈…〉 Lord. He was fold for next to notl • i • gese thirty 〈◊〉 were in pr •• b • bilityld 〈…〉 , •• else which was a •••• o • d anty Co •• in use •••• ng them, and according to which, • all • s under a Talent, were wont to be rated, 〈◊〉 the • r shekels were of two sorts, there 〈◊〉 the common shekel • , which we • ghed two 〈◊〉 , and the shekel of the Sanctuary, ••• ch was twice as much as the other; if suppose they were the former, it was 〈◊〉 seven shillings & six pence; if the lat ••• three pounds fifteen shillings, of English 〈◊〉 . And we shall find that this just 〈◊〉 was in the Law to be reckoned as the 〈◊〉 of a slave, E • od. 21.32. If the on shall 〈◊〉 • an servant, or a • ai •• servant, he shall •••• to their master thirty shekels of silver, the on shall he stoned. So that in this 〈◊〉 the great Rede • ner of mankind, was reputed as a Va • let, and his Lite was sold, as a disregardable thing. And how vile an igrominy was herein cast upon him?

(4.) THE •• se hyprocrisy that he pr •• ised in betraying of Christ. He was to bring them to him, and to give them a sign, by which they might not be mistaken, and seize another instead of him; and the way in which he is to be discovered, is by a traiterous kiss. A pretence to the greatest friendship, must be a cloak to cover the falsehood which he used. It was horrid and hellish policy, that they must have such a guide as Judas, to lead them the way, who knew his resorts, and where to find him out; who also knew his person, so that they might be sure not to be mistaken in the dark: And it was a cunning deceit, that he should come as a friend to detain him, lest otherwise they might be suspected, and He make his escape in the night. Christ also took special notice of this, and thereupon upbraids him with it. Luk. 22.28. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And of this passage the Psalmist complains, as a Type of Christ. Psal. 55.20, 21. He hath put serth his hands against such as be at peace with • im: he hath 〈◊〉 his covenant. The words of his mouth were s ••• there then butter, but war was in bi •• eart: his words were s • ster them oil, yet • o •• e they drawn swords.

2. IN respect of the Chief Priests, and Rulers of the People, this also greatly added to the reproach of Christ's Sufferings. This assault that was made upon him, when he was Arrested, was •• t done only by their countenance of, or connivance at it, which yet had been a vile affront offered him, but it was by warrant and authority from them. See, Joh. 18.3. Judas then having received a hand of men, and • f •••• ers from the chief Pries • s and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons. If it had been only a popular tumult and fury, arising and deriving merely from the rabble, though it had been troublesome, yet it had not been so ignomini • us, but when all this was done by Order and Warrant granted from those who were in chief Authority, and so was authorized by them; this I • flected all the disgrace upon Christ that could • e & rendered him in account or esteem of the Law, a man guilty of some horrible Crime, and not worthy to live or draw his breath among men. It did give men to suspect and believe, that he was to be accounted the worst of men; He was in this very act of theirs, declared to be one reputed as a public enemy both to Church and State, as a notorious and intolerable disturber of them both: for both Civil and Ecclesiastical Powers sig •• ed the Warrant, and commissioned Judas and his Accomplices to seize him after this manner; and they were such also as prefessed themselves to be the people of God, and carried our with an earnest zeal for his Glory.

3. THE manner of his being A •• sied, 〈◊〉 the actions accompanying of it; represented Him as one looked upon as a Thief, and a great Malefactor, and one that was unworthy to live: And hence, there was not only the greatest violence used in this act, but it was performed after the most disgraceful manner; as will appear in several passages attending of it, viz.

(1.) THE Quality and Number of the Company that came at Attendants and Ass ••• ants in it. They are said to be a great multitude, Mat. 26.47. It is true, there were Officers, and a hand of men, Joh. 18.3. Yea, there were Chief Priests, and Captains of the Temple, and Elders, as, Luk. 22.52. whose coming was not to put any respect on him in this seizure, but to show their own inveterate malice; but there were gathered together all the rabble, and raskally multitude, filling of the streets with tumult and uproar, as they were wont to do, when an Officer goes to hale some drunkard, or debauched person before the Magistrate. He was set upon by the very seam of the City, and this is very intolerable conrumely in man's account. And we have Christ represented in David, as taking an affectionate notice of it, Psal. 22.12, 13. Many bulls have compass! me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their months, as a ravening, and a rearing •• ion. Psal. 69.12. They that sit in the gate, speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. And the more, because they were such whom he had shewn so much kindness unto. Hence that moan, Psal. 35.11, &c.

(2.) THE Time when they chose to come and seize him; it was late at night: And thereupon they come with Lanterns and Torches, to make the greater rout, and greater discovery of their spleen against him, Joh. 18.3. Thieves are wont to wake and do their pranks in the Night time, and to lie hid all the Day, lest they should be seen & taken. Herein therefore they acted as those that were in pursuit of some Felon or seditious Person. And so also our Savior resents this action, and accordingly expostulates with them about it, Mat. 26 55. Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me?

(3.) THE Provision that they come furnished with, for the taking and securing of him: they went armed with swords and staves. Mat. 26.44. Likely, the band of men came in their military equipage, but the rabble that were gathered up in their going, everyone snatching up something that he found next at hand, to appear in the more hostile way against him, as though he had been are that went about to raise some insurrection, or make a tumult or riot among the People: they go as provided against a common enemy. And this also is part of Christ's expostulation, Mat. 26.55.

(4.) THEIR Dealing with him in this seizure, was also full of violence and insolence,

For,

[1.] THEY all sell upon him at once, 〈◊〉 with many hands they lay hold of him. M •• 26.5 • . They resolve to make sore of 〈◊〉 possible. They were afraid lest by any 〈◊〉 he should escape away from them, 〈◊〉 upon him as a dangerous person, and th ••• fore they rudely clap in, and beset him 〈◊〉 as so many bees, encompassing him on 〈◊〉 hands, as a company of ravening woe •• es 〈◊〉 had gotten their prey in their paws. And of this also we have that complaint, P ••• 22.16. For dogs have compassed me, the 〈…〉 of the wicked have exc •• sed me; they 〈◊〉 my hands and my feet.

[2.] THEY hind him. Joh. 18.12. They counted they could not ma • e too s •• e of 〈◊〉 and thought it not enough they had hi • 〈◊〉 their hands, and had so strongly g ••• d • him with so many armed men, but must 〈◊〉 put gins and manicles upon him: wherein also they treated him as a Robber, o ••••• away Slave. It was contrary to the 〈◊〉 yea and looked upon as a casting the 〈◊〉 disgrace that could be upon a man, to 〈◊〉 him; and for that reason it was a thing that free men were exempted from by law 〈◊〉 custom, before such time as they had been 〈◊〉 and condemned. Act. 22.25. And is 〈◊〉 bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the ••• turion that stand by, It is lawful for you to so ••• a man that is a Roman, & uncondemned? It 〈◊〉 therefore an act of great contempt & des ••• , and carried with it horrible indignity.

4. IT also added greatly to his affliction, and was a piece of Death is him, that 〈…〉 juncture his Disciples forsook him and s •• d 〈◊〉 , M •• . 26.56. It is true, at the first one of 〈◊〉 began to show his great zeal, and ••••• tantly drew his Sword; and began 〈◊〉 about him; but very quickly his spirit 〈◊〉 fainted, and mis • gave him; and all of 〈◊〉 one after another deserted him: he 〈◊〉 exposed to scorn, and rage, and abuse 〈◊〉 his deadly haters. And there is not so 〈◊〉 as one appears to own his cause, or stand 〈◊〉 for him; so that whiles his enemies •••• vents itself against him, all his friends 〈◊〉 run away, and he is deserted, to beard himself alone; herein they discovered 〈◊〉 fear and cowardice, in that the de •• f 〈◊〉 be seen to take his part, yea, and this shame too; as is pointed unto, Isai. 〈…〉 He is despised and rejected of men, a 〈◊〉 sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and 〈◊〉 as it were our faces from him; he was des ••• and we esteemed him not. Christ was 〈◊〉 exposed to suffer all manner of igno •••• and abuse; and none of his friends 〈◊〉 acknowledge him, but reckon it both ••• rous and reproachful for them so to do: 〈◊〉 that he was here at once, both persecantly his enemies, and deserted by his friends: 〈◊〉 it was no little part of the bitterness of 〈◊〉 cup, and augmentation of his sorrow, the they thus dealt by him. Hence he is 〈◊〉 moans himself, Psal. 69.8. I am b •••••• 〈◊〉 stranger unto my brethren, and an alien 〈◊〉 others children. And Psal. 80.20. And 〈◊〉 88. act. 38.11.

WE ay observe 〈◊〉 eminently his Love dis •• vered itself in that be 〈…〉 all this. Here two things,

HE was voluntary in it. Whatsoever •• lence was used against him, yet he 〈◊〉 exposed himself to it. For,

(1.) IT is certain, that be could with greatest 〈◊〉 have escaped out of their lands He 〈◊〉 often done it before, when his time 〈◊〉 not come. He could have avoided the 〈◊〉 ; he knew that Judas knew it, and 〈◊〉 come hither after him. He had the ••• tage of the Night to make a secret re •••• , had he had a mind to it: nay be could 〈◊〉 tailed them to the ground with a word, 〈◊〉 as threw them there: in which he 〈◊〉 specimen of what he was able to have 〈◊〉 Job. 18.6.

(2.) IF he had needed them, all the Angels 〈◊〉 a his command. And he could have 〈◊〉 them in to his help: and one of them 〈◊〉 been more than enough to have dealt 〈◊〉 all that rabble; whereas for a word 〈◊〉 , he could have called in were than 〈◊〉 •• gi •• s. Mat. 26. • 3. All God's Angels 〈…〉 ; the Heavenly Host acknowledge 〈◊〉 be their Lord, and they worship him.

(3.) HE restrained his Dis • a • les from help ••• , and reb • ked him who •• tempted it. 〈◊〉 26.52. And he gives the reason why 〈◊〉 so, ver. • 4. because nothing which the 〈◊〉 had revealed, and God had there ••• ••• ised for his people, should be in the 〈◊〉 withstood by him. He was engaged to 〈◊〉 fathers will, and resolved to do it 〈◊〉 .

HE • en • out to them, and readily re •••• 〈◊〉 up into their hands, 〈…〉 what 〈◊〉 with him. He stood still, he made 〈◊〉 at all. Job. 1 • .4. J • sus there •••• 〈◊〉 all things that should 〈◊〉 up 〈…〉 f • rth, and said unto them, 〈…〉 . Though he told them of the •• sin, 〈◊〉 ••• ied how vilely and •• pt • nch • ully 〈◊〉 •••• ied to him, without any reason, yet 〈◊〉 stands them not, but suffers them to 〈◊〉 on, bind, and carry him away, and 〈◊〉 and to him, whatsoever they saw 〈◊〉 . And what greater evidence could he 〈◊〉 of his voluntariness and readiness in it? 〈◊〉 this voluntariness of his, he express • ed 〈◊〉 •• dersal Love to us. Which that we 〈◊〉 understand, we may endeavor to get 〈◊〉 •• ght conception of these things. The 〈◊〉 labor under great mistakes, when 〈◊〉 this History. When they observe ••••• ts that were offered to our Lord 〈◊〉 a Christ, and all the abuses and wrongs, 〈◊〉 he suffered from them, who was an 〈◊〉 Person, and a great Benefaction who 〈◊〉 their diseases, and relieved their 〈◊〉 and went up and down doing good, 〈◊〉 b • wels relent, and the • p • ty Christ, 〈◊〉 are f • ll of anger at this cruel, in human, •••• eful people, and charge them high: and now they think they have shown their zeal for, and love to Christ in •• icie • t • y: whereas these are but carnal affections flowing from carnal conceptions 〈◊〉 things. But let us observe, that though the wickedn •• ss of these instruments appeared in all this yet Infinite Wisdom, and Severeign Providence ordered it all for the bringing about of our recovery from Hell, and deliverance from Condemnation. Here then observe,

• (1.) THAT God's E ••• , together with the rest of Mankind, were f • llen under G ••• , and so exposed to the righteous Judgment of God. In this condition Christ found all his, when he came into the world on their account. Isai. 1 • .6. All we like story have 〈…〉 astray: we have turned every 〈◊〉 to his 〈…〉 , and the Lord herb 〈…〉 him the iniquity of as all. Sin is a Transgression of the Law, which hath den •••• ed a curse against all that are found breakers of it. By sin therefore, all Adam progeny are becomme men of Death. The Law condemns them, and they are 〈◊〉 guilty, Rom. • .12.
• (2.) HENCE 〈…〉 trial and 〈◊〉 , they are 〈…〉 , and dragged before God. Tr •••• . For God's J • d • meant is orderly. He first tries, before he condemn. He did so by Adam, and 〈◊〉 , and the ••• pen • , before he past their doom upon them. Gen. 3. So that God's Elect, being Sinners, were in danger of being laid held of, and fast bound as pris ••• ers of Justice, to answer as Criminals, at the great Bar.
• (3.) IN •• is Warrent, they were chargeable with all manner • f the v • lest 〈…〉 . There is no kind of sin, but they have it 〈◊〉 their nature Original Sin is a body of Death, to which belong all the members: Nay, there is scarce any sin to be named, but s •• e of Christ's redeemed, have actually, and scandalously fallen into. I am sure, when the Apostle reckons up a number of the m • st bateful, he finds some of his converted Co • iath • ans, to have been under the guilt of them, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11 〈…〉 that the • nrighte ••• scall 〈◊〉 the kingdom 〈…〉 deceived neither 〈…〉 , nor • id l • ters, 〈…〉 themselves 〈…〉 , nor 〈…〉 ex •••• er • s 〈…〉 inherit the kingdom of God And such were 〈…〉 , but ye 〈…〉 are 〈…〉 None of the 〈…〉 , and by the Spirit of our God.
• (4.) HENCE they deserved to 〈…〉 Warrant served 〈…〉 , and is 〈…〉 with the greated 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 . It was 〈◊〉 to tha • their due, to be purs •• d as 〈…〉 , and 〈…〉 P •• s • 〈◊〉 and the 〈…〉 and staves, and tumult, and to be dragged to 〈◊〉 , as a company of runaway slaves: shame and consus ••• of 〈…〉 to them. Pa • . 9.8.
• (5.) THE Lord Jesus Christ, 〈…〉 S ••• ty, 〈…〉 be •• 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 . This was one part of our griess, which if we be delivered from, he must undergo in our name. Isai. 53.4. For, though he was innocent in himself, and deserved none of this treatment from men, yet, being in our place, all that guilt which was before ours, now became his, and was translated on him; and if we go free he must undergo it. 2 Cor. 5.21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might he made the rightcousness of God in him.
• (6.) HENCE, not meetly man's unrighteousness, but mainly God's rightcousness is to be eyed in this. Christ must not only die, but it must be in a legal process. He must not be violently cut off, but in form and course of Law; and though men covered their malice with pretences of equity, yet God in infinite Wisdom ordered it, that one might die, and the whole nation of God's Elect escape This made him to resign himself, not because men • oodlly desired his Death, but because God righteously appointed it. Therefore he submitted to be numbered with Transgressors, Isai. 53.12.

USE. LABOUR we then, to see ourselves in this Glass, and look upon Christ as Suffering our part in this Tragedy. And how vile should this render us in our own eyes, and how admirably lovely should it make Jesus Christ unto us? When we look upon Him in our thoughts under this horrible disgrace, it should make Him appear honorable and adorable to us. Think then in your reflection upon this story; I was the cursed Caitiff, that deserved to be laid hands upon, and to be made a very scorn of men, to have been pursued with hue and cry, laden with chains and fetters, and brought forth to be made a spectacle of scorn and disdain: but behold, the Son of God, in pity and tender compassion to me, though he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, willingly offered himself to the contempt, and resigned himself uo to have his precious hands manacled, and feet fettered; to have a vile rout fall upon him in fury, and bring him to the bar, that I might be justisyed, and my Soul set at liberty. What insuperable Love was this, that would endure to be betrayed by Judas, sold as a Slave, laid hold on by wicked hands, forsaken of his friends, and led in triumph by his vilest enemies? And let all that have believed in him, take encouragement from hence, to answer their own Consciences, when they give them trouble, and acknowledge all the freedom you have from the fears of divine arrest, to this humbled Savior, who thus underwent it is your stead.

SERMON CV.

II. WE proceed to the Consideration of the other part of Christ's Inchoative Bodily Death, viz. His Arraignment and Trail. And here we are to observe, that Chris •• twice arraigned and tried: Once before 〈◊〉 Ecclesiastical Council, and after that before the Civil Magistrate, both of these 〈◊〉 •• rically recorded by the Evangelists, 〈◊〉 of them there was a great deal of 〈◊〉 Disgrace, and Death, that our Savi •••• derwent. We may therefore tabe a 〈◊〉 view of them severally.

1. In his Arraignment and Try •• 〈◊〉 the Ecclesiastical Council. Observe,

• (1.) THEIR insolent manner of 〈◊〉 him from the Garden by the place of 〈…〉 . HE was led away by the rabble, Mat. 〈◊〉 He is there brought bound, John 18.12. 〈◊〉 they dealt by him, as by the most dang •• Malefactor. To see the King of Glory •• ed, and manacled, and led through 〈…〉 with the hours and cries, and 〈◊〉 noise of a rout of misereants, wi • h 〈◊〉 greatest scorn and triumph, barking as 〈◊〉 like so many Dogs, and gaping upon 〈◊〉 like so many evening Wolves, must 〈◊〉 bitter to him.
• (2.) HIS standing thus bound before 〈◊〉 Council, as a Criminal, there to be acc •••• the highest, and most capital Crimes 〈◊〉 Malice and Cruelty could devise against 〈◊〉 John 18.14. And that innocence itselt 〈◊〉 be thus disgraced, that he who 〈◊〉 harm, must be in the condition of the 〈◊〉 nocent, stand to be charged with the 〈◊〉 villainies, and have things cast upon 〈◊〉 the blackest die, must needs cut him 〈…〉 very heart.
• (3.) THE manner of the process 〈…〉 Council with him. And here let it in 〈◊〉 be observed, that they had already co •••• and concluded upon his Death. Th •• 〈◊〉 unanimously resolved, whether by 〈…〉 wrong, to take away his precious life; 〈◊〉 so they use a legal process against 〈…〉 other than as a cover for their mali •• 〈◊〉 cloak of their wickedness. And that 〈◊〉 Death may have the greatest ignominy 〈◊〉 tend it, that was possible, they will 〈◊〉 it about by open violence, but in a 〈◊〉 pretended Justice: that he might 〈…〉 thought to die a Sacrifice to private 〈◊〉 but be taken from the Earth as one not 〈◊〉 to live. Which thing, thought it exp 〈7 letters〉 height of their malice, yet was orde •••• infinite wisdom to be for our Justification 〈◊〉 Salvation. Christ must die by the 〈…〉 Justice, because we had deserved to die, 〈◊〉 Jews will not kill him, but in a form 〈◊〉 because they would make his Death as •• minious as possible. But let us pursue 〈◊〉 in the particulars, and we shall see 〈◊〉 •• ventive their spite was, to find out 〈◊〉 get something against him, for which to •• demn him. And here are three steps 〈◊〉 took,

1. THEY begin with Examination. Job. 〈◊〉 19, to 23. And herein they dealt injustice and illegally with him. Examination 〈◊〉 be proper upon an accusation, in order 〈…〉 indictment, but first to arraign a person, and 〈◊〉 to seek for the matter of it, is base: 〈◊〉 now charges are to be made, and not 〈◊〉 laid for men. In this Examination •• erve.

1. THE things about which he was Examined, 〈◊〉 His Disciples, and His Doctrine, ver. 19. 〈◊〉 Disciples; thinking to make an argument 〈◊〉 charring him with Sedition, for gathering 〈◊〉 , and being followed by numbers, if he designed to make a change in the Go •• ament: and his Doctrine, thinking to 〈◊〉 him guilty to Heresy, in bringing up •• ew Doctrine, contrary to, and subversive 〈◊〉 the Tradition of the Fldors: and thus 〈◊〉 would have made him as innovator 〈◊〉 schismatic, both in Church and Com •••• wealth.

OUR Savior's reply to this Examination. 〈◊〉 which he wholly waves an answer to the 〈◊〉 , and for the latter, he refers them to 〈◊〉 public teaching. He had taught openly, 〈◊〉 if they could convince him of anything •• etical, let them allege it. By which •• wes he alleged against their illegal pro •• eding, and how injurious it is to seek to •••• gle men in words, where there is no 〈◊〉 of Charge against them.

THE abuse offered him upon this Answer, 〈◊〉 his own defense of it. ver. 22, 23. And when 〈◊〉 thus spoken, one of the officers which 〈…〉 stroke Jesus with the palm of his hand, 〈…〉 •• answeresi thou the high Priest so? Jesus 〈◊〉 him, If I have spoken evil bear witness 〈◊〉 the • vil: but if well, why s •• test thou me? 〈◊〉 abuse was great; it was high injustice 〈…〉 Rulers suffered it: and it was un ••• dy dealing with Christ, and very re ••• full. Hence the Scripture takes par ••••• notice of it, Mich. 5.1. They shall 〈◊〉 the Judge of Israel upon the cheek. For 〈◊〉 of God to be basely stricken in the 〈◊〉 of the Council, by a sordid fellow, a •• emptible Officer; was a grievous thing, •• lagant was his patience, that he did but •••• lie reprove him.

FROM Examination, they proceed to that 〈◊〉 was more orderly; though' they manage ••• egularly as the former, and that was 〈◊〉 Testimony against him. The legality •• his proceeding was, that by God's Ap ••• meant, all matters depending in Judge •••• , were to be determined by sufficient •• mefies, Dour. 19.15. But we may see how •••• thlly they carried on this business in 〈◊〉 ••• ner of their procedure. And here ••• ve.

1. THE right order of legal proceeding is, 〈◊〉 allege, and then to prove. There is no 〈◊〉 • reigning a man, till there be some Crime charge him withal; and then it is to be ••••• ed against him: Whereas they call 〈◊〉 forth, set him bound before them and 〈◊〉 s •• k something against him by Examination and when that fails, make an outcry, if 〈◊〉 body could say ought against the Prisoner •• he bar. So that he is first arraigned, and 〈◊〉 a reason for it is sought for. Mat. 26.59.

2. THEY not only sought for witnesses; but false witnesses; ibid. And how malicious and wicked was this? God had commarded in his law, that the Judge should carefully detect and punish false witnesses, whereas these sought for Knights of the Post, encouraged; and possibly feed them to speak lies against their own Consciences.

3. WHEN they could find none that would fairly bear, they are not so content, but seek further, ver. 60. Though many false witnesses came, yet sound they none. It intends not, that no false witnesses did appear, but none so testified against him, that with any face, they might accept of it, or judge their Evidence sufficient against him. Partly because they were but single; partly because where there were more, they manisestly disagreed in the most material points of their evidence, and they were desirous to carry all as fair as might be.

4. WHEN no witnesses of the people could agree, two of his Judges give a false testimony against him. Mark 14.57, 58. It was had to tempt others, but worse to add the debauching of their own Consciences. And in this there was falsehood: Compare, Joh. 2.19. Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple; and in three days I will raise it up. And disagreement, Mar. 14.58. We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. And yet the high Priest, who was Prince of that Council, puts Christ upon his defense, as if the Evidence had been good; ver. 60. And the high Priest stood up in the mids, and asked Jesus, saying, Ansewerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? And what was this but oppresting the innocent?

5. NOW let us observe our Savior's Deportment. He bears all that they say, and is silent, returns never a word to all their calumnies • , but is dumb. This was foretold, Psal. 38.12; 13, 14. They also that seek after my life, lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long; But I as a deaf man beard not, and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Now its needless to seek what reasons of prudence Christ had to hold his peace, as because he knew in their Consciences he was innocent, and that it would be to no purpose to plead, where they were already resolved: the true reason was, because he stood now to suffer for sinners, on whom lay the guilt of all the sin, that they were able to charge him withal, and being now at God's bar, where he was guilty by imputation; he therefore pleads not. We have the reason, in Isai. 53.6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

3. WHEN this second project failed, they go to a third, which they doubted not of: And that was, the high Priest's Adjuration, Mat. 26.6 • . But Jesus held his peace. And the high Priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us, whether thou be the Christ the Son of God. And this is that which is wont to be called the Oath Ex Oj •• cio. And this was not done for their own conviction and satissaction, but to find matter against him. How far such an Oath may be imposed, I dispute not. To be sure, when a Prisoner is at the bar, and the witness cannot make the fact evident, much more when no fact can be produced against him, now to put him upon an Oath and a Curse, to declare against himself, contradicts the very light of nature. Had the Priest done this for his light and teaching, it had not been so much, but to do it, for to lay a share for the innocent, was abominable. Here observe.

1. THE Question itself; Whether He were the Christ the Son of God? The Jews acknowledged, both that Christ should come, and that he should be the Son of God, and were now in expectation of him, and so the Question looks fair and laudable: but bad intentions spoil things that are materially good.

2. THE manner of propounding it: with the greatest solemnity. And coming from such a person, it had highest authority. The word, I adjure thee, is as much as, I charge thee upon thy Oath, as in the presence of God and as thou wouldest not be accursed, to speak the truth.

3. OUR Savior answers directly to it, and comments upon it: Mat. 26.64. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man suiting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. q.d. I am the Christ, and though you believe it not now, yet you shall be experimentally convinced of it ere long. Why he answered to this, and not to the other Question, was, because this was the very truth, that he came into the world, to bear witness unto; as he after told Pilate. And it was God's singular Providence, that the very thing which they found him guilty for, was the great Gospel truth on which man's Salvation depends. So that Christ died a Martyr to men, when he was made by God an offering for sin. But thus we see, that their malice ceased not, till they had wrought their desire, and gained what they sought for. And thus far we have this process in his Trial.

4. WE have an account of his Condemnation before this Court. Mat. 26 65, 66. Then the high Priest rent his clothes, saying, he hath spoken blasphemy what further need have we of witnesses? behold now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He it guilty of death. And that in an orderly and solemn process.

1. THE high Priest, who was Chief Judge of this Court, declares his resentment of Christ's Answer. And that,

• (1.) IN Gestures: the most solemn, and to Christ the most disgraceful: He rent his Clothes A solemnity frequently used among those Eastern Nations, upon two accounts; to express extraordinary grief, or to testify hi ••• indignation at something that is said or done, usually on the heating of some exe •••• blasphemy. And the end of doing it, 〈…〉 stir up the indignation of others, and 〈◊〉 the person most odious and abomirable. It was now lawful for the high Priest to do it on the first account; what he might do 〈◊〉 the latter, is not expressed in Scripture: 〈◊〉 for such a person so to do, was the gre ••• ignominy that he could cast.
• (2.) IN Words: Where, first as a Judge 〈◊〉 declares his opinion, and declares it blasp ••• a capital Crime, and that for which a 〈◊〉 was, by their law, to die. And we are 〈◊〉 observe, that which he calls blasphemy, is his saying, that he was Christ; which was 〈◊〉 blasphemy in their esteem, if he were Christ; • aiphas did not doubt, hut that he who was Christ, was the Son of God. And the • he calls for the suffrages of the rest of the Council, or asks their concurrence of 〈◊〉 with him.

2. THE Council with one accord, was 〈◊〉 guiley, ver. 66. And this was the fur ••• they could proceed, the power of Life and Death being taken away by the Romans: but thus they prepare him for a farther 〈◊〉 and Sentence; and vote a concurrence 〈◊〉 prosecute him to Death. And how g •••• t Suffering was this? For him who had done no sin, to be voted a chief Sinner, by such it pretended to the grearest sanctity? For the Son of God to be voted a blasphemer ag ••• God, and that by the Priests and Elders of the then visible Church?

5. WE may observe what was conse ••• upon this Condemnation. Mat. 26.67, 68. 〈◊〉 did they spit in his face, and buffeted him, and others smote him with the pa •• es of their 〈◊〉 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who it be that smote thee? Where there was a ••• ble indignity put upon him, viz. Cracby, and Mockery. Cruelty, they buffer and s ••• him with their Hands, and Mockery was i • terwoven into the whole; yea, the M ••• ry itself was great Cruelty, as it was ••••• ed against such an one; the vilest of 〈◊〉 could not be more vilely affronted and ••••• ed. They spit in his Face, even the very •• lers and Judges; a very uncivil part of 〈◊〉 in Authority; it was a custom to exp ••• Contempt and Abhorrence. Numb. 12. •• They buffered him, i. e. smote him with their double fists: and the servants did this. 〈◊〉 14.65. And no wonder when their 〈◊〉 set them an example. Thus was ous •••• ous Redeemer abused, knocked up and dom, and every base fellow get a blow at bat Yea, not thus content, they also blind fold 〈◊〉 &c. Thus they make a scoff at his Prophet cal Office; thou Christ: q.d. Thou that wouldest persuade us that thou art Christ, the Son of God, and thou that wouldest 〈◊〉 thyself a Prophet, tell us, &c. As if the •• creed Office of a Prophet were of no be ••• use than to serve the plays, and sarca ••• •••• ltations of a company of rakehells. And yet to all this we find him not making any reply but he hare it with admirable patience, though his holy Soul deeply resented it. Hence that complaint, Isai. 50.6. I gave my 〈◊〉 to the smutters, and 〈…〉 to them that pack off the burn I mix 〈…〉 and spiting. And how much of Death was 〈◊〉 all this? An ing ••• cus mind, that roads or heats it, cannot but say, that the Lord of Life was barbarously dealt with. But this is not enough: There are some lessons that we are to learn hence also. Every syllable & circumstance of Christ's Sufferings hath a peculiar respect to every Believer. And there are these three Lessons here to be learnt.

1. WE should learn to see our own faces in the God. We are taught out men: by Christ's miseries. When we are amazed at the Providence that suffered all these indignities to be • ffered to the Son of God, then see how necessary it was for us, and what our son deserved. When we see Him bound, and let Prisoner, to be tried for his life, think, it was because we were Prisoners of Justice, servered with chains of Guilt, to be dragged to God's Tribunal When we see a while 〈◊〉 • ll setting upon Him resolving his Death, remember, we were children of death, and deserved to have the whole Creation, implacably set to ruin us. When we see Him smitten for speaking in his own vindication, consider how we were bereit of any plea for ourselves at God's bar. When we observe what multitudes came in to accuse Him, rembember, we had made the whole Creation witnesses of our sins; and every creature we ever had to do with, is able to testify against us. When we see Him dumb to all that was abusively imputed to him, think, it was because he knew that I, in whose place be stood, was guilty; and he bare the charge of my sins, that they might not fall upon me to my condemnation. When we see Him 〈◊〉 guilty in the Church, and charged with blasphemy, think, we had sin'd against the Covenant of God, and had been blasphemers of his Name. When we consider how the sigh Priest rent his Garments, consider, how excerable and abominable out sin was. When we observe all the abuses that followed, let it put us in mind how we deserve to be made the ignominy and contempt of the whole Creation.

2. LET us view the great Love of God and Christ's to us in this affair. Had he not born incomparable Love to wretched sinners, he had never stooped to this. The Man Christ was deeply sensible of affronts and injuries: experie • cing not only the rage of men, but also the wrath of God in all this. God himself putting Him to shame and disgrace; and yet his Love to us carried him through it, with invincible patience. Those setters that manacled him those affronts and contumelies that were cast upon him, those bruises and won, d •• and sprittings inde •• 〈…〉 , should all make him lord tim •• 〈…〉 to us: and that which ma •• 〈…〉 him. should reader him 〈◊〉 .

3. LET they nespro we 〈…〉 us to a none thereoffaire 〈…〉 taken could it 〈◊〉 . We may 〈…〉 , that we deserved them, when He who is worth ten thousand of us, deserred 〈◊〉 of them. Remenaires that, as it puts a glory into our Surserings, when they are for 〈◊〉 . so it cannot but put life into our because and make us with all alacrity endare all that can come in that way, to think that it is not Him, who for nor sakes, exdured ail the contradiction of sinners, are to be must vi • ely hardled by the worse;t of men.

6. WE may here take borice of one chiervabie passage attending 〈◊〉 this Arreig •• 〈◊〉 . and Trail of Christ, and which added 〈◊〉 to his Sufferiags, viz. Peter's deman of have: which is taken notice of by all the Evargefists; and sets before us a very awful example of sinful intimity in the best. And bere briefly observe.

1. HOW much Peter had to have hope inrefrace this sall. He was without double a gadly man. He had fath, Luk. 21.31. Christ had called him to Discipreship, and A •• ilesh 〈◊〉 by which he had highly honored 〈◊〉 . He had made an evnine at prosc •• oc of Christ and was the most forward of the Disciples in it. Mat. 16.16. Ye • , he had more apparent Testimonies of his endeared lore and fidelity to his Lord, when many went away; yea he professed, Job. 8.69. And we believe and are sure that thou 〈◊〉 that Christ the Son of the li •• ng God. When the must tude • irefied Him, he drew his Sweed in His dure 〈◊〉 . J • h. 18.10. Yea, when the rest 〈◊〉 , he could not leave, but followed Christ at a distan • . 〈◊〉 see the event. Mar. 20.50. But Peter 〈…〉 afer •• y unto the high Priests pal •• e and went in, end sat with the servants to see the end. He had also been sufficiently forewarned of this very sin, both in general: ver. 21. and in particular, ver. 24. Which should have put him on avoiding the Temptation, and yet, when it comes to the shock he s • w •• nded.

2. WHAT were the leading temptations or 〈◊〉 : but falling into this sin. He • ad an • vereaning opinion of himself, trusting in his own saith, and co • tiding in his need purposes, and supposing himself more reso ••• then any of his fellows, ver. 33. Peter og •• wered and said unto him, though all men shall be essended because of thee, yet with I never be offended. Yea, he pursisted in this 〈…〉 , notwithstanding the kind warn 〈…〉 him by Christ, ver 3 • .37. Jesus 〈…〉 I say unto thee, that this 〈…〉 crow, thou shall done met •• re. 〈…〉 him, 〈◊〉 . If middle with thee 〈…〉 deny thee. 〈◊〉 I know the 〈…〉 I have counted the 〈◊〉 , and can 〈…〉 undergo it. And to this 〈…〉 in drawing his 〈…〉 the company, without any order or command, thinking thus to pursue his former resolution; wherehy he exposed himself to the greater danger afterwards. And after this, he very ind • sorcerly follows into the very Palace, and thrust himself among the crowd of Christ's bitters eremics, where he had all reason to expect to meet with the most opprobrious and scurrulous l •• guage; and on any suspicion of him, to be affronted not a little, in this concourse of so many, who were maliciously set against Christ, and all his followers.

3. THE immediate provecations offered him, on which this sin foll •• ed, viz his being questioned by some, about the relation he have to Christ, as being one of his disciples and followers. The instruments of it are set forth; the two first are said to be maids, Mat. 26.69, 71. The third was the Company that stood by, ver. 72. though begun by a kinsman of Malchus, Joh. 18.26. The matter of the tempration was, they spake reproachfully of Jesus, and there were none to speak for him, a • d he lo • k'd to be laughed to scorn it he should take his part, a • d so is ashamed of his Master. He might also be afraid of being called in question for resisting of lawful Anthority, and making or a riot in drawing of his Sword.

4. Tuk a ma •• self, with the aggravations of 〈◊〉 . And they are especially two; viz. the • erations of it: he did it thrice following. v • a, as often as the temptation was offered, so often be acted in it. And all this was contrary to his knowledge, and therefore his conscience was stunned: And then the gradations of it: he rose higher & higher every time; be rose from the positive to the superiative; first a bare denial, and then he proceeds to an Oath, and finally to cursing and swearing.

5. HIS Repentance is also recorded: And that both as to the occasions leading; two whereof are recorded. viz. the Cook's arriving; which was a remembrancer to him of Christ's prediction; and then there was a gracious Cook, which Christ cast upon him, which reached his Soul, and set home the conviction. Luk: 27.61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Power: and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, him be had said unto him, Before the cook crow thou shalt every we thrice. And the event. Now be is led to a soaking repentance; he bethinks himself, and gce; forth from the 〈◊〉 , and bitterly bewails his folly.

NOW this Circumstance was no little addition to the Suffering of our Savior; His heart was with Peter, as once Elisha's was with Gebazi. And it must needs increase his affliction, that Peter should by his denial, show himself ashamed of him; that so dear a Disciple should abjure him, and at such a time, and in such a place, where he gave occasion to his bitter adversaries to cast so much the more contempt upon him, by throwing in his dish, that even his own Disciples & Followers were ashamed of him, and refused to own him. And this he complains of, Psal. 38.11. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from 〈◊〉 sore: and my kinsmen stand afar off. And from this Example of Peter we may learn,

• 1. THAT inberent Grace will not secure 〈◊〉 from falling under temptation, unless we 〈◊〉 the assisting Grace of Christ added unto it.
• 2. THAT carnal confidence, w • fully exp ••••• the • est of god's people, to falling into some 〈◊〉 . It makes them bold and daring, and pre •••• tuo •• , and unwatchful, &c.
• 3. THAT if good men begin to fall, they 〈◊〉 fall a great way. One step leads to another; one sin pusheth us on to the next. What need then of watchfulness?
• 4. THAT Christ is a great sufferer, by the scend alous sins of his own. It is more repen •• full to him, for a Peter to deny him, than 〈◊〉 others to blaspheme him.
• 5. THAT Christ hath a pity for his 〈…〉 when they do by their sins dishonor and grace him. He could not but give Peter a look, and it was a tender one.
• 6. THAT the apostacies of God's Children Cost them bitter sorrow. Christ brings the • out of them, by soaking repentance. When therefore he gives that, it is a token of his savor to them.

SERMON CVI.

2. IT follows to take an Account of 〈◊〉 Arraignment and Trial before the 〈◊〉 Magistrate. Where He was also Judged 〈◊〉 Condemned.

IT was now a time when the Jews 〈…〉 the power of Life and Death in their 〈◊〉 hands, but being under the Jurisdition of the Romens, they were neceshtated to 〈◊〉 all matters Capital, before the Gove •••• whom the Roman Emperor had set over th •• . The Sanbedrim therefore, who now re •••• but a shadow of their ancient Power, 〈◊〉 proceeded against Him, so far as the Li ••• left them did extend, in voting of 〈◊〉 Blasphemet, and consequently a Man 〈◊〉 ought to die by their Law, they rest not 〈◊〉 , but set their malice on woe • k to contri •• and effect his Death; and what they could 〈◊〉 do by themselves, they conclude to 〈◊〉 about by Palate, who was then their Go •• nour. And having thus determined, they forthwith put in execution. And this 〈◊〉 properly his second Arraignment. For, although the Jews could not condemn 〈◊〉 formally, yet they could indict those of their own Nation, and bri • g them before the Chr ••• Tribunal, and prosecute them there; which was a liberty granted them, to increase their bondage; hereby affording the larger advantage to help to the ruin one of another. We may here first take notice of the Arraignment, and then of the Trial.

1. TOUCHING His Arraignment briefly observe,

• 1. THE True when it was: It was as soon ever it was morning. Mat. 15.1. It was late 〈◊〉 the Night when they had finished their 〈◊〉 process, and presently, as soon as it was 〈◊〉 , they fall to work again. Malice is ••• y, and restless till it hath wreaked its venge upon the subjects of it. It breaks •• as sleep, till they have gotten their desires ••• wered.
• 2. THE Persons engaged in it: the Chief ••• ests and Elders of the People. Math. 27.1. ••• e who were peculiarly concerned to have •••• i • red themselves with Scripture predictions, and observed the fulfilment of them, 〈◊〉 which they might have discerned that he • as the Christ, and have directed the people 〈◊〉 Hi • . And needs must the Cause of Christ • e is a suffering Condition, when those who should be Pillars, endeavor to undermine it.
• 3. THEIR Unanimity in it: All were combined. Math. 27.1. It is true, Joseph of Ari ••••• , and Nicodemus, were not consenters i • this act, and possibly they did on purpose a • sent from this meeting, knowing the reso •• tion of the rest: but all that were there, which were the Body of the Council, were as we man. And it is lamentable to see, that their is more agreement between wicked 〈◊〉 , in their designs against God and Christ, 〈◊〉 among God's own People in the managing of the Affairs of Christ's Kingdom. Unity 〈◊〉 , is no sure sign that men have the Truth 〈◊〉 their side.
• 4. THEIR deliberation in this business: They 〈◊〉 Counsel. Mat. 27.1. There is this difference between Anger and Malice; Anger being a sudden motion, grows cold upon second thoughts, whereas malice useth deliberation, and •• thers strength by consulting, and this ••••• ed their wickedness, in that it was 〈◊〉 d ••• ted, and consulted act of theirs.
• 5. THE thing deliberated: How to put Jesus 〈◊〉 D •• h. ibid. They had before concluded 〈◊〉 be ought, and now resolve that he shall bye; and accordingly they lay their heads •• there to bring it about. Thus men's wickedness is oftentimes improved to further and s • ve to the accomplishment of God's holy •••• ses. One world cannot hold Christ and 〈◊〉 men, to dwell quietly together.
• 6. THE result of this Consultation put in 〈◊〉 . Their actions declare, what it was they deliberated about. The sum is they 〈◊〉 Christ to Pilate to be judged as a Male •••• . And there are three passages observed 〈◊〉 this. Mat. 27.1, 2. When the morning 〈…〉 , all the chief Priests and Elders of the 〈◊〉 took council against Jesus to put him to 〈◊〉 . And when they had bound him they led him 〈◊〉 , and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the 〈◊〉 .

  (1.) THEY bound Him. Whether they 〈◊〉 him from his former bonds, in which he 〈◊〉 been brought before them, during his Examination, and till they had voted Him •••• y, or whether they added more shackles is his former, as they were wont to lade notorious Criminals with chains; to be • u • e, they endeavored to throw all t ••• gnominy on him they could, and make him a subject of greatest reproach; for they were reputed, not only Melefactors, but Villains too, that were bound.

  (2.) THEY led Him away. In all likelihood, still followed with the rout and rabble of the scum of the People, together with the insolent Officers and Soldiers of the hand, whereby they added to his disgrace, heaping upon him reproach upon reproach, giving envy its full scope, which never knows when it hath insulted enough.

  (3.) THEY delivered him to Ponti • s P ••• the Governor • ie. They put him upon h •• T •••• resigning him up to his power as a peri ••• 〈◊〉 a prisoner, and by them found gu ••••• 〈◊〉 ••• tal Crimes, demanding of him 〈…〉 ••• tense of Death upon him as 〈…〉 Law was worthy of Death 〈…〉 that prediction of his con •••••• 〈…〉 accomplished, Mat. 20.16, 19. 〈…〉 to Jerusalem, and the Son of men 〈…〉 unto the chief Priests, and unto 〈…〉 they shall condemn him to death. 〈…〉 deliver him to the Gentiles, to mock & 〈…〉 and to crucify him. And herein all ••• 〈…〉 pursued the work of Redemption, in 〈…〉 he was engaged. This was one piece of 〈◊〉 Death which he suffered for us. And if we would make a right improvement of it, we must so consider it. We stood guilty before the Judgment Seat of God, being there found heinous transgressors. He therefore must occupy our place, and suffer that shame, disgrace, and sorrow, which was our due, in order to our being delivered from that ignominious Trial, we were in danger of. Every Tribunal of God's appointment, is God's ••• bunal; and Christ was here arraigned at God's Judgment Seat, and they were used as instruments in executing of his appointed Judgment on his Son. They did it falsely, but He righteously. Christ, our Surety, stood guilty before him, of our fins, which were made his by imputation. Let Sinners then, under the humbling sense of their guilt, look hither with hope. And Believers, when the thoughts of their sins terrify them, strengthen their Faith in this: Look upon Jesus standing at God's Bar, in your room. It is the advice, Heb. 12.3. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

• 7. WE may here observe one notable Circumstance attending this Arraignment, viz. Jadas's Repentance. It hath pleased the Holy Ghost to insert this passage in this part of the History, Math. 27.3, &c We have formerly observed how this Traitor, treacherously betrayed his Master into the hands of his blood-thirsty enemies. And it was meet that we should have an account of his 〈◊〉 •• d, that he may stand to the 〈◊〉 and for a warning to such as have made a plausible pro • ea ••• , to be ware how they pr • ve •• lsto in • b •• ray the Interest they have espoused. There had •• en two of Gr ••• s •• sup • es that had been • m ••• tly instrumental •• agr ••• ting 〈◊〉 S •• r 〈◊〉 Peter and Ju ••• ; the fall and 〈◊〉 • e •• very of the former, we gl • rced at in the last Discourse. We may now take •••• ce of the others • uint. In the •• e we have an instance of God's rich Grace; in the other of his righteous Severity. A few Rem •• ks here may be profitable.

1. IT is asserted, that Jude's Repented, Mat. 27. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 w •• d signifies to be per •• e •• d and trouble a • a thing d ••• ; and is sometimes died! I true Conversion, sometimes for 〈◊〉 Repentance. 2. that which is at most but 〈◊〉 it amount • to so much, that the man is sorry for what he hath done, and tormented in his spirit about it, and b • tterly w • shed he had never do • e i • .

2. WE have the Re •• nt • n 〈◊〉 self described. Partly, by the occasion of it when • e s •• &c. It seems, he diligently a •••• ded the Process, and observed the Issue, from which • e gathered the grounds of his penitence Divine, hence think, that • u • es 〈◊〉 not b •• ray his Lord of Malice, but m •• r Covetousness. 〈…〉 l • ttle money by him, and that yet he would m ••• his own escape as he 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 known 〈…〉 do, when ••• ght for; b • t 〈…〉 it to tall out otherwise, and that the Co •••• had co • dem • ed him, and were purs •• ng his L •• e, which he saw like to g • for • t, • is • ent smi • es him, and tells him what a wretch he had been: Partly, by the s • veral 〈◊〉 of it; where we have both his 〈◊〉 , he was b • ke • in his heart filled with 〈…〉 s • rrow, inwardly condemned himself for his baseness, as is inti ••• ted 〈◊〉 the word. be repented: and his C • nse •••• , which is very full ve • . 4. I have sinned, in that I have betrayed the in •• cent H •• d. He not only acknowledged himself to be a sinner, but particularly confesseth this great Crime, that he had been a leading Instrument in expo • ing an innocent Person as ••• ent, in which he avouched Christ's 〈◊〉 , and by it aggravates his own 〈…〉 and his R ••• titution. ver 〈◊〉 . Then Jude's which • ad betrayed 〈◊〉 , when h • saw that be 〈◊〉 condemned, repented himself, and • r •• ght ag •• n •• e th •• ty ••• ces of 〈◊〉 to the 〈…〉 and •••• ers. Tho' his master sin was C ••• ous • ess, and he loved his m •• cy as his l •• e, yet • e cannot keep the wages of his in • quity, •• t must return them back to those that hited him his Conscience cannot digest. b • t must vomit up his ill ••••• en ••• s • ls.

3. OBSERVE the 〈◊〉 comfort he receive from • he P ••• sts and ••• ers. They by Of 〈◊〉 were obliged to ofter relief to dis ••••• Consciences, to have compassion on the • 〈◊〉 give them counsels and a couragement •• but th •• 〈◊〉 him, and leave him who •• up to his 〈◊〉 , not r • g •• ding what 〈◊〉 • ame of 〈◊〉 , when he had served their 〈◊〉 in this affairs, ver. 4. And they said, wh • n is the 〈…〉 th •• t that.

4. HERE is his Tragical end. ver. 5. 〈…〉 the • i •• es of silver in the 〈◊〉 and d • perted and went and hanged himself. 〈◊〉 better so seized him, that in despair of God's mercy, and under the insupportable 〈◊〉 of an accusing and condemning Conscience 〈◊〉 can no •••• ger live, but to case himself of 〈◊〉 present disquiet, he rids himself of his 〈◊〉 , and dispatenes himself out of the World.

5. AN account is given of God's over 〈◊〉 Providence, ordering the disp • sal of the restored Money, in b • ying the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was done by them deliberately, 〈◊〉 yet is accomplished exactly, according to 〈◊〉 had been prop •• si • d, Zech. 11.13. And 〈◊〉 by became a further evidence that Ch •••• 〈◊〉 the Me •••• . And from this circumsta ••• may observe,

• (1) THAT there may be a str ••• •••• tance • n men, and yet not saving. Jude's was very formal and distinct. There is 〈◊〉 said of it then of Pe • er 's; but the event 〈◊〉 us what it really was; 〈◊〉 all be per •••• 〈◊〉 h • s iniquity. Men had need then 〈◊〉 • ow they place their confidence on their •• pe • tances: See not only that you have •• pented, so did Jude's; but that it be 〈◊〉 •• pentance unto life.
• (2) LEARN he ce •• instance, ho •• 〈◊〉 fie cheats men. Jude's thought it a 〈…〉 to g • t a little money, by betraying 〈…〉 not doubting but he would secure 〈◊〉 well enough; but by this means be 〈◊〉 guilty of betraying the Glorious 〈◊〉 into the hands of wicked m • n, which 〈◊〉 in his Death. How fearful the • 〈…〉 be of Si • ? Let it look never so 〈◊〉 and innocent, it hath a sting in it. We may 〈◊〉 the entrance into it, but little know 〈◊〉 it will lead.
• (3.) IF men, to get gain, will do 〈◊〉 to their own Consciences, they will 〈◊〉 later, lay violent hands on them. They 〈◊〉 swallow, but shall never digest, the 〈◊〉 of wickedness. Judas had a strong 〈◊〉 , &c. Beware then how you give way, 〈◊〉 the cravings of your greedy minds, after the 〈◊〉 of sin, they will be bitterness in the 〈◊〉 .
• (2.) MEN in trouble of Conscience, 〈◊〉 ne • d beware whom they apply to for 〈◊〉 Had Jud • s, instead of, &c. gone to Jesus 〈◊〉 fallen down, confessed, &c it might have 〈◊〉 well with him: but he went to h • s ••••• plices, who mook & insult. And let 〈…〉 solemn warning by his Example.
• (5.) God, when He sees meet, makes 〈◊〉 men, their own Executioners. He 〈◊〉 be lo • se Conscience so far, as to make the 〈◊〉 an i • toll • rabble burden, and push men 〈◊〉 that unnatural sin, of laying violent han • themselves; and this should make us 〈◊〉 of secret sins.
• (6.) God useth s • me to their own instruction, to be instrumental in bringing 〈◊〉 the Salvation of other. Thus was J •• being an instrument in Christ's Death. And learn we hence to adore the Sovereignty of God, and his distinguishing mercy, by computing the instance of Peter and Jud • s; and the more admire his love to us. But this 〈◊〉 suffice for this recessary digression.

2. PROCEED we 〈◊〉 the Trial or Process 〈◊〉 him. We have now the Lord of Glory standing before man's Tribunal: And for the Judge of the whole World to stand a Pr ••• er at the Ba • , before an Heathen Ruler, 〈◊〉 needs be a great suffering. And though 〈◊〉 for a while treated him more civilly th •• the High Priest had done, yet afterwards be did • is part in it too.

HERE then, I shall not observe all the ••••• stances recorded in this affair, but only such as are most proper to the present p •• pose, as preparatory to his Death, that followed upon it. Consider then,

1. HIS Ex ••• ination about his State and 〈◊〉 . Mat. •• .11. And Jesus stood before in gover • our; and the gover • o • r asked him, 〈◊〉 , Art then the king of the Jews? And Jesus s •• d 〈◊〉 him. Thou sa • est And this was to make way for what followed. And that which is here specially to be noticed, is Christ's freedom, and read • ness, upon demand, 〈◊〉 the great Truth which he came into the World to hear witness unto, viz. His 〈◊〉 , or that he was the predicted Sa •••• , though' he knew it would expose him. This we observed, he plumply owned, upon the High Priests adjuration; and now when 〈◊〉 inquires about it, he confesseth it • and 〈◊〉 this refers that, 1 Tim. 6.13. Christ Jesus, •••••• re P •• tins Palate witnessed a good cons •••• . King of the Jews was one of the 〈◊〉 put upon the great Redeemer in Pro •••••• Scripture; the Jews expected their •• ng; and Christ was he; which he denies 〈…〉 asserts. They counted it Treason, 〈◊〉 12. Whosoever maketh himself a king, 〈◊〉 against Caesar. But he matters not 〈◊〉 that. He was called to make this con ••••• ; and when the Glory of God calls for 〈…〉 ••• lks it not. And if we would ap •••• ourselves his Disciples, learn we herein 〈◊〉 him, by a readiness to confess him 〈◊〉 be our only King and Savior, when 〈◊〉 to it, whatsoever it may cost us for so 〈◊〉 : this is the meaning of that, 1 Pet. 3.18.

2. THE Trial itself following upon this Ex •••••• . In which we may observe a three ••• object, with their several deportments, 〈…〉 Jews his Accusers, Pilate the Judge, 〈◊〉 Jesus the Prisoner at the Bat.

1. CONCERNING the Jews his Accusers, th • se were of two ranks, the Chief Priests and 〈◊〉 , and the Multitude.

• (1.) CHEIF Priests & Elders. And that which is in sum laid to their Charge, is in, 〈◊〉 . 12. They accused him. i. e. They laid 〈◊〉 Crimes to his charge, and offered to made them good against him. What they 〈◊〉 , the several Evangelists give us light to understand; the sum is in, Luk. 23.2. And they began to accuse him, saying, w •• f and this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Ces • r, saying, that be himself is Christ a king. He who never did any evil in all his life, is here charged to be the most faulty. The Crimes objected are refe • rible to two heads, 1. Sedition: as if he had been a disturber of the State, going about to withdraw men from their Civil Obedience to Caesar, and raise tumults among them, by advising them to refuse to pay their dues. 2. Treason: accusing him for affecting the Kingdom, and endeavoring to usurp the power over the People; whence they urge him to be Caesars enemy, and for that reason, neither Justice not Safety, could suffer him to live. Joh. 19.12. The Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesars friend. Thus malicious spirits can make a vice of innocence, and put a gloss of wickedness upon the most harmless words and actions. And this was a sore affliction and provocation, which Christ takes notice of, Psal. 56.5, 6. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evi • . They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps when they wait for my soul. Let us not then wonder, if sometimes the most harmless and sincere actions of ours are bespattered, and men seek to calumniate us without reason; remember, Christ who was perfectly holy & blameless met with this; well then may we, who are imperfect in all we do.
• (2.) THE Multitude: who acted by their Leaders, and take their measures from them, joining with them in the great design of taking away his Life. And that especially in three things,
  • [1.] IN their preferring Barabbas before Him, The history is plain, both as to the custom of releasing a chief Malefactor at the Peoples desire: and as to the character of Bara • bas; who, and what he was, not seditious only; but a murderer too; him they chose on the Elders persuasion. Mat. 27.20, 21. But the chief Priest & Elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas. Yea, and so persist as to refuse him, Joh. 18.40. Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Bar • bbas. So impetuous is prejudice, to prefer the worst of men before the most innocent. Maligned Piety is more criminal, and persecuted more violently by ungodly men, than the worst of Immoralities. Think it not strange then to meet such entertainment in the world.
  • [2.] IN their demanding of Christ to be Crucifyed, and implacably pursuing that demand. Mat. 27.22, 23. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath be done? But they cried out the more, saying. Let him be crucified. Joh. 196, 7. When the chief Priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucifi • 〈…〉 , them. Take ye him, and cra •• fe him: for I •• nd 〈◊〉 fault in him. The Jews answered and said. We have a law, and by our law he ought to the. How industriously did Pilate endeavor to still their rage; but the more did the fury of it increase, till it grew to a tumult. The worlds hatred against Christ and his Cause, is as implacable, as it is unreas • nable. There is no pleading with men, w • en their spirits are thus up. And such measures may God's Children expect at the worlds hands, when they get an advantage; but it is enough, out precious Redeemer bare it for us! Let us then do so for Him.
  • [3.] IN the •• rri • le imprecation which they ••• red against themselves. Mat. 〈…〉 . Then answered 〈…〉 • erpit and said. 〈…〉 on 〈◊〉 , and on •• r 〈◊〉 . Exp. 〈◊〉 , not only themselves, but their p • steti • r with them, to the direful vengeance of Heaven, so that they might but accomplish the Hoody desig; they had on f • ot; which curse they have now more than sixteen hundred years suffered under: in which, they have been a contempt to the world, and exposed to all barbarous usage almost wherever they come; and also held under a doleful •• stinacy, in rejecting the only Savior to their eternal ruin; and it is not removed to this day. Hatred grown into malice, matters not what mischief it brings upon itself, so it may wreak its rove go on those whom it is set against! Learn the • , how little a wicked World is to be trusted. The • that can rai •• themselves to undo others, are dangerous to be consided in. And let it be he • e of served, that the People d • d all this at the instigation of the Rulers, and Elders. M •• . 27.20. Job. 19.6. Men in high places of Power, have a great influence to persuade the Subjects either to good or evil. Miserable then must be the condition of that People whose Leaders are corrupt, and bend themselves against Christ and his Interest.

2. REFERRING to Pilate the Judge: We have him prese • ted as using of many endeavors, to stop the fury, and divert the rage of Christ's enemies, and defend his innocence against their accusations, and after attempts used that way to no purpose, professing his Conscience to justify him, and more peculiarly in these two passages, viz. His bringing him forth after scourging, as I spectacle of pity, to have moved their compassion towards him, Joh. 19. begin Then Palate therefore took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, li • il king of the Jews: and they smote him with their hands. P •• ate therefore went f • rth aga • n, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no sault in him. Then came Jesus forth wearing the crown of thorns, & the purple robe: and Palate saith unto them, Behold the man. And in that solemn and formal protestation, before he proceeded 〈◊〉 the Sentence, Mat. 27. • 〈…〉 th •• be cr • i • pr ••• l 〈◊〉 but that rather a 〈◊〉 was made, 〈…〉 and •••• od his b • nds before the 〈…〉 ••• ing, I am 〈◊〉 of the blood of this just 〈◊〉 see ye to it. Piety and Encerity 〈…〉 gain a better testimony from a meet 〈◊〉 than from the highest Pretenders to 〈◊〉 And observe. Christ must not die 〈…〉 justilyed by his Judge; because be 〈◊〉 suffer the just for the 〈◊〉 just.

3. RESPECTING Jesus the Pris •••• 〈◊〉 makes no reply for, or defense of 〈◊〉 against all the ciamorous accasat ••• 〈◊〉 against him, nor seeks to justify 〈◊〉 whereas nothing was more easy for him have done than this; and had be 〈…〉 a pers •• all account, he ought to have 〈◊〉 so then, in this he acted as our Med ••• 〈◊〉 i • not to be imitated by us. He 〈…〉 Surety for Sinners, and was to have 〈…〉 sins thrown upon him; this 〈◊〉 dumb. This very silence wonderfully 〈◊〉 his Love to his Redeemed: and he 〈◊〉 that we might plead; had he pleaded, 〈◊〉 had been no plea left for us; but 〈◊〉 may fill our mouths with argumen •• 〈◊〉 aloud for mercy.

3. WE may finally observe the 〈◊〉 t • e 〈…〉 , in the End of his Tri •• . 〈◊〉 observe,

• 1. THE gr • and of it. Mat. 2 • .24. Prime sem that be could prev •• l 〈…〉 rather a 〈◊〉 was mad • . He is 〈…〉 born by importunity. A natural 〈…〉 soon tired in resisting pre •••• 〈…〉 Beware then of trusting to our selve ••• own purposes.
• 2. THE Condemnation itself. Mat. 〈◊〉 Then rele ••• d be Barabbas unto them 〈◊〉 be had s • arged Jesus, be des •• ered 〈◊〉 cr • c • s •• d. Where observe,
  • (1) HIS Condemnation is in 〈…〉 Barabbass •• largement. And wh •• •• ind guty could be offered to Christ, 〈◊〉 such an one as Barabbas must 〈◊〉 ••• tition with, and be preferred before 〈◊〉
  • (2.) THAT before be was condema • 〈◊〉 cruelly scourged. Pilate did this 〈…〉 &c. However as it was unjust so 〈…〉 o •• , whom he judged innocent, so 〈◊〉 great piece of Death, both painful. 〈◊〉 preachful; it was a public 〈◊〉 on him, in the Judgment-Hall, and 〈◊〉 Reman Laws only to be inflicted 〈◊〉 Varle's. And the pain of it was 〈◊〉 or dear to any that know what the 〈◊〉 scourging means, in which every ••• szin and flesh from the bones.
  • (3.) THAT after all this be was 〈◊〉 be Cru •• syed. i. e. Pilate passed a ••• tense upon him, in which he decl ••• ••• used, and sound guilty, and 〈…〉 for this to die upon the Cross: and •• vered over into the hands of his Ex •••• to handle him with all ludibrious and usages. Thus we have followed 〈◊〉 from are C • a •• to 〈…〉 , till me fi • d him •••••• ed to die in 〈◊〉 , yea sentenced to that which was the must vile a • d accursed D •• th of all, and h • e •• tly s • bmitting him 〈◊〉 all this. And what • oth it speak to us

1. LET 〈…〉 their 〈◊〉 Deem 〈…〉 . If the • e things were d •• e in the 〈◊〉 tree. &c. If God thus condemn • ed sin i • his own S •• , where shall •• ose that are s ••• d Sinners at l • st appear • It loudly calls Somers to Repe ••• ce.

2. LET a 〈◊〉 gather 〈…〉 .

3. LET 〈…〉 these 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 upon them, c •• erfully to serve Christ, 〈…〉 suf • er for 〈◊〉 when c •• el, tr • at, 〈◊〉 support themselves from s ••• ming, by • at 〈◊〉 us 〈◊〉 . Heb. 12.3.

4. LET the 〈◊〉 of G • dfather 〈◊〉 of Cons ••••• from be ••• . Christ's C •• demanson is a gr • med of 〈◊〉 Comfort. And let all such • s are •• titled to Christ's Redemption by which in him. Pro • gly argue to 〈◊〉 selves, that poor C • ndem •• nion is pass ever, and 〈◊〉 h •• ceforth be o •• culation brought 〈…〉 • eat agai • st y • u; beca • le the Son of God in our •• tu • e • hath 〈…〉 it for us; our 〈◊〉 was co • dere • ed 〈◊〉 • in, that so we m • gatble 〈◊〉 forever righte •• s in him.

SERMON CVII.

WE have c •• sidered the I • ch • ation of Christ's Death both Spiritual and Co • p •• l, we 〈◊〉 now to proceed to the Perfect ••• Consummation of it. And this is to 〈◊〉 ••• ved in his Cruc • fixion, and the Con ••• ts of it; or all that followed from 〈◊〉 passing the Sentence on Him, till he 〈◊〉 up his Spirit on the Cross.

• nd here observe,

THERE were some things that went before 〈◊〉 •••• cifition. Account whereof see par •••• lie, Mark 15.10, 10 22. The Pretorian 〈◊〉 , which waited upon, and were a 〈◊〉 , to me Gover •• ur, were used also •• e • ecution on capital Offenders and though' 〈◊〉 respects, the R • mins were a civil 〈◊〉 , yet they had one very b • tharous 〈◊〉 viz. That such Persons as were con ••• d to the Cross, were also lest to the 〈◊〉 of the Soldiers, to show them what In •••• they pleased: this Liberty did these wa • s Jesas Christ: and, as it is were not 〈◊〉 to take away His Li • e by the igno ••• s Cross, they kill Him before Hand 〈◊〉 •• atumely, and opprobr • ous Carriage; ••• ating Him as a Mock King, clothed •••• ple Robe, & wearing a th •• ny Crown, ••• inful and ludibrious: they bow to 〈◊〉 Scorn, and mix pretended Honors, 〈◊〉 manifold Abuses, bowing the knee, and 〈◊〉 shiting him on the Head; spitting on him, and he • 〈…〉 this 〈…〉 his and 〈…〉 which yet he 〈◊〉 with 〈…〉

2. THE Cra ••• 〈…〉 come • ta •• of it. Ot 〈…〉 present only gather 〈…〉 Passig •• , in 〈…〉 both 〈…〉 ••• red. Here 〈…〉 .

• (1.) THE 〈…〉 Cross, was a Tr •• or P • st, with a 〈…〉 a •• er to t •• to 〈…〉 was fast • ed, and on wh •• he was n •••• , and made to ha • g till he 〈◊〉 by a • ll 〈◊〉 Death. And 〈◊〉 was us • d after the 〈◊〉 Manner. Being there 〈◊〉 brought to 〈◊〉 Place appointed, v • z. 〈…〉 •• tical Place, and •• lie intimati • g that 〈◊〉 died to restore dead Sinners to Eternal Life; here they treated Him after this Manner.

  [1.] THEY • sered Him to drink. Wi • e 〈…〉 Myrth ( Mer •• 〈…〉 He refused it. The a ring this drink was in fa •• ur to the P •• s • n suffering, that it m • ght intoxicate him and so abate the Sease of the intolerable Pain, which that sort of Death was arrended withal. Christ therefore would not drink it, being appointed to bear our Grie • s for us, I • ai. 53. 〈◊〉 . The Lord ba • h le • d on him the iniquity of us • il.

  [2.] HE this 〈◊〉 naked before the whole Multitude. For his Garments were taken from Him, and divided, and cast lots for by the Soldiers, whiles he was hanging on the Cross, Mark 13.24. And this was the custom in crucifying, to put the more disgrace on the Person by the wing him st •• k naked; this Christ bare, because we, by S • n, had made ourselves naked.

  [3.] THEY la • d his Body on the Cr • s • ; and na • ling his Feet to the Tree, they •• erched his Hands on the C •• ss- • ar, and nailed them fast to that. This also belonged to the manner of Crucifying. And of this we have him complaining, Psal. 22.16. They pierced my hands and my seat. Hence that, Joh. 20.25. But he said unto them, Ex • ept I shall see in his hands the print of the na • ls, and put my singer into the print of the nails, and thrust my ••• nd into his si •• , I will not be here. And thus is he cruelly fait •• d to his sorrows, because use deserved to be staired down under the wrath of God.

  [4.] BEING thus saith • ed, he is i • st •• upon the Cross into the Air, where it is let • all into a Socket, and so is he lest hanging. This was typed by the Br •• en Se • pen • , Joh 3.14, 15. The first Adam sinned by eating the fruit of a Tree, and the Second Adam explates this Guilt on a Tree, 1 Pet. 2.24. He suffered in the Air; partly because it was the Devils Kingdom, that Satan might have all po •• ble advantage against him, and yet be conquered by him; this hour is therefore called the power of darkness, Luk. 22.53. Partly, to be made a spectacle of shame & disgrace to the World. Here observe.

• (2.) THE shame and misery that he suffered in this kind of Death.

  [1.] THE shame was very great. Though he despised it for our sakes, Heb. 12.2. It was a very shameful thing to be stripped naked in the fight of all sorts of spectators, and a multitude of lookers on. And the very kind of Death that he suffered, was a very cursed, & shameful thing. Gal. 3.13. Cursed is everyone that bangeth on a trec. Hence that, Heb. 13.13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Hinging was in the repute of men, the most villanous sort of Death; and that on the Cross, of all hanging was the most ig • ominious. Shameful it was also, in the co • comitants of it, specially, in that he suffered between two Thieves, as though be had been the greatest Thief of all. Thus was be numbered with Transgressors. Mar. 15.27, 28. And it added to his shame, that such Varlets as these joined in railing at him, ver. 32. Shameful it was in the many reviling tau its and opprobrious carriages towards him on all hands whiles he was asive on the Cross; almost everyone casting gall and wormwood into his Cup, to make it so much the more bitter; they that passed by, ver. 29, 30. the chief Priests, Scribes, & Thieves themselves, ver. 31, 32. Thus was that verified, Psal. 69. And 22.7, 8. Yea, they that gave him vinegar and gall, ( ver. 36.) added a taunt to it, of which he complains, Psal. 69.21. They gave me also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

  [2.] THE misery was also great. It was a torment that he suffered: for having the most noble temper of Body, and exquisite Seases, he was, more then other men, liable to suffering: and the Death of the Cross is very torturing; for, the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, having the greatest concourse of the nerves, which are the instruments of the sense of feeling, being pierced with great nails, by which they were broken, could not but be in extreme pain. It is probable also that the Crown of Thorns remained on his Head, which by the force of the Cross, must add to his wounds, & bruises, besides the whole weight of his Body hanging on those nails, and suffering both a violent concussion by the force, &c. and a continued extension upon them, made it a rack, by stretching all his nerves and sinews to the uttermost; and because none of his vitals were wounded, but abode sound, it was by this very pain that he was to die a lingering Death: so that his continuance on the Cross added to his tortures, which was at least three hours. All which while, the Sun also withdrawing its light, and leaving him in darkness, added to the horror of it, ver. 33, 34. Thus of the Crucifixion itself.

2. NOW let us observe in it, How Christ suffered both the first and second Death in their perfection.

1. HE suffered the perfection of the second Death: and this was whiles he was alive on the Cross. For, me formerly observed, that the Order was inverted in Christ, be being to finish the work of Redemption in his •• dily Death. It was on the Cross, and 〈◊〉 after he was taken from it, that he was made a curse for us. It was there that he drank the dregs of the Cup of divine Fury, it was the •• he finished his Satisfaction. Joh. 19.30. When Jes •• therefore had received the vinegar, be said, 〈◊〉 is finished: & he bowed his head & gave up the gh ••• His Soul no sooner left his Body, but it w •• to Parad • se, Luk 23.43. And we cannot with reason conceive, that while his Soul was happy and glorified, there remained any Satisfaction to be made. Here then he wrestled with the wrath of an angry God, encount • ed the powers of darkness. All those three 〈◊〉 of darkness was Christ wrestling with the wrath of his Father, and suffered the p ••• s of Hell for us.

NOW he suffered the perfection of the second Death,

• (1.) IN the punishment of Loss. This is shadowed to us, partly in the three 〈◊〉 darkness, ver. 33. Herein the Sun was ••• culously eclipsed, and denied him its 〈◊〉 , and no creature comfort, was in the l • st afforded him to refresh himself which: partly in that mournful expression of his, 〈◊〉 . 34. showing that he suffered a total pri •• ion of the se se of his Fathers love, and the sweetness of it, for the reality of it, be 〈◊〉 not; His Everlasting Love never ceased, but the comforting applications of it, were 〈◊〉 suspended. For the God of all Glory, the Fountain of Lite & Light forsook hi • , 〈◊〉 from whom all Consolation comes, depa ••• from him. The Man Christ was a ••• ture forsaken. God the Father his 〈◊〉 face away from him, deprived him of 〈◊〉 beatifical Vision, drew in the light of 〈◊〉 Countenance from his Soul. Psal. 13. 〈…〉 long wilt thou forget me (O Lord) forever 〈◊〉 long wilt thou hids thy face from me? 〈◊〉 God would not send any message of con ••• unto him. In the Garden an Angels is 〈◊〉 strengthen him, ( Luk. 22.43.) but no • 〈◊〉 whole Creation stand off in a deadly 〈◊〉 and there was none to comfort him. P ••• 20. Yea, God hid himself from him, & the •• he sought him, he could not find him, thought he cried he would not be entreated, Psal. 1, 2. God left him, and all comfort dep ••• from him.
• (2.) IN the punishment of Sense. He was 〈◊〉 only forsaken, but accursed, i. e. filled 〈◊〉 the apprehension of all the bitterness of 〈◊〉 wrath, Gol. 3.13. He grappled with S ••• Luk. 23.53. The Devils had now power 〈◊〉 vent their malice upon him. Now was that great battle fought, Col. 2.14, 15. How the Devil would have driven him to despair. 〈◊〉 22.8. And he strove with the imme ••• wrath of God; He was smitten by him, 〈◊〉 53.4. He caused a confluence of miser ••• 〈◊〉 settle upon him. He was made a Curse in the Abstract, Gal. 3.13. Was in the very de ••• of woes and miseries, Psal. 69. begin. 〈◊〉 was a Death of sorrow, and not of sin; but his sorrow; were inconceivably great.

2. Now follows the perfection of this Bodily Death: In which two things are observable, viz. the Death itself, and the Dominion of •• over him.

1. HIS Bodily Death its self is expressed, in, Luk. 29.46. And when Jesus had cried with a 〈◊〉 wice, he said, Father, into thy hands I command my spirit: and having said thus, be gave up the ghost. Where,

(1.) HE commended his Soul into his Fathers ••• ls. After this manner he died, and therein testified the free resignation of himself unto Death, or a voluntary willing Dying: that it was no fear nor terror to him to die. The phrase is ferch'd from, Psal. 31.5. Into thy hand! commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth. By God's •••• s, understand his mighty power and protection: And this resignation intimates, that he died in full assurance of being received into Heaven, yea, that his Soul should •• rth with go to Glory; not to descend to •• ell, to show himself to the Damned, and triumph over the infernal Spirits, but go into his Fathers Bosom.

(2.) HE gave up the Ghost. He could by his power have drawn our his Life a great deal longer; nay, he died sooner than was ordinary or expected. Pilate wondered at it, Mar. 15.44. Christ was not meetly passive, 〈◊〉 active too, in his very dying; He died by his own free and voluntary consent, Job. 10.18. He resigned himself to the natural causes of Death. Concerning which observe,

1. THAT it was a real Death that Christ •••• red. He truly died. For,

• (1.) HIS Humanity was deprived of all its ••• ses. These are the instruments of the ••••• able Soul, by which it acts the Body, and in which it communicates itself thereto; these were dissipated: and this was typed by the taking down the Tabernacle, Num. 10.17.
• (2) All his Bodily Organs totally ceased from their Operations. His merciful Hands •••• d not; His compassionate Eyes were do ••• ; His attentive Ears were stopped; His 〈◊〉 that were wont to travel for the good of Sinners, were shackled with the fetters of Death; His gracious Tongue was now tied, and his sweet Lips were now shut up.
• (3.) HE was deprived of all the Excellency of Life, which the presence of the Soul with the Body is wont to give. He lost all his Bodily length, nor could he move himself; but is when by others, and laid in his Grave, Mat. 17.59, 60. And when Joseph had taken the body, he •• opped it in a clean linen cloth. And ••• d it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn 〈◊〉 in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed. He lost thee glorious beauty and majesty of his Countance that was wont to appear in it, and become an Object of astonishment to the be ••• lers. Isai. 52.14. His Body was deprived of honor, and filled with shame. A dead Body is an ignominious •• ectacle, being spectacle of the dismal effects of • in. 1 Cor. 15.4 • . It is s • an in dis • on ••• . He was deprived of all the comforts, and good things of this Life; of •• od & raiment, 〈◊〉 pleasures and delights. He was out oft, Dan. 9.26. 〈◊〉 from Life itself and all the enjoyments of it.

THAT it was a most miserable Death. And that,

• (1). BECAUSE it was a part of the punishment of our sins: For this also is contai • ed in the threatening, Gen. 2.17. Thou shall surely die. Though it be n •• all. And to die for sin, or be a reputed Sinner, is a misery, Christ was out off as a Malefactor, by the Judgment of God, and the stroke of divine revenge. Isai. 53.8.
• (2.) IT was a separation of the union of his blessed Soul and Body. These two intimates, which were made to dwell together, were now parted asunder. And Death it selt is a very bitter thing to nature, because, by the snapping asunder of this union, the communion of these integrating parts of man is dissolved.
• (3.) HE retained his Understanding & Sense in their vigor, to the moment of his Death. The other that were Crucifyed, lost their senses by degrees, their Spirits failed, and the apprehension of their pain abated; whereas his was on the increase; as appears by his loud cry at last, Matth. 27.50. which very thing convinced the Centurion, Mat. 15.39. And when the Centurion which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
• (4). HE was out off by a violent and cruel Death, in the midst of his days. When all his senses were most vigorous & active. The Sacrifices were many of them, to be of the first Year: Christ died about the middle of that which is called the Age of a Man, when there was no decay in any of his natural powers. There were indeed glorious Concomitants of this Death, that were evident tokens of the excellency of his Person, and efficacy of his Sufferings. The veil of the, Temple was rent; to show that he opened a living way to God. Heb. 10.20. And that the Ceremonies were abolished. The Earth quaked, and Rocks rent; to testify his Majesty and Divinity; and how dreadful he should be to a wicked World. The Graves opened, and the B • d •• s of Saints rose; to show that by his Death he had procured a glorious Resurrection for his Redeemed. But still, his Death itself, by which he made way for all those benefits, was therefore miserable, that it might procure these Everlasting Mercies for us.

2. CONCERNING the Dominion of this B • dly Death over him: Of which our Catechism saith, that He continued under the power of Death for a time; and our Creed, that He descended into Hell; being dead and buried: And the Scripture informs us of his being dead three days; His Body being in the Grave, and his Soul in a state of Separation. This we may call a Complement of his Death, or an Adjunct to it, being the utmost bound of his Humiliation. Here observe,

• 1. THAT the continuation of Christ's Death, was not properly a punishment, or a part of his Satisfaction for Sin. For of that he said, It is finished, when he gave up the Ghost, and his Soul went to Heaven; but it was, as it were, a Conclusion of his state of Humiliation, or a stately Adjunct of it: And had he risen the next hour Satisfaction had been fully made.
• 2. That the grounds of his abiding in a state of Death so long, might be, (besides the Sovereign pleasure of God)

  (1.) Tho show that he submitted to the Power and Authority of Death: That he did voluntarily give himself up to bear our Punishment. And,

  (2.) To make it appear, that he was indeed Dead: That it was no fictitious Death that he underwent, that it was not only a deliquium, or fainting of his spirits. There have been many that have lain in a swoon for many hours, so that by-standers supposed them to be really dead, till afterwards they recovered again. And it was needful that he should give proof of his being deal, because it is by his Death that we live.

  (3.) THAT Death might triumph over Him. For though the was to gain a victory upon Death, 1 Cor. 15.55,& c. Yet it was by dying, and Death was first to lead him as a Conqueror; and wherein could it more apparently triumph, then by holding him for some space of time in the Grave? Hence,

• 3. HIS Body mean while lay in the Grave. He was put ito a Tomb. It was the Roman cestom to burn their dead Bodies, and gather up their Ashes, and put them in an Urn; but he was butied after the manner of the Jews, who embalmed their Bodies, and put them in Sepulchers: And this is all we are to understand by that expression in the Creed, He descended into Hell. The word Sheol, signifies both the Grave and Hell. And that, Acts 2.31. That his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption: is translated from, Psal. 16.10. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption. Where this word is useds, and intends, that his Soul was not left in a state of Separation; and that his Body did not lie so long as to putrefy in the Grave. And touching his Burial, we have an account given of it, in the Prophecy, Isai. 53.9. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.
• 4. HIS Soul was all this time in a state of separation from his Body. These two Companions were kept seveted each from the other; which was Death's triumph over him: and this was at least a suspension of his perfect felicity, and an appendix of his state of Humiliation: For his Body, which was the Tabernacle of this our High Priest, was at present unserviceable to those 〈◊〉 Operations of his in it: His Soul also w •••• his Body to dwell in, and so the felicity of it, was so far incomplear, one part of his Humanity being parted from the other: yet it is not necessary to annumerate it to his Punishment for Satisfaction properly: He was blessed from the instant of his Death, though his sacred Body could not, for the while se • sibly partake in that felicity. Thus was his Body kept for a season in the Grave, that he might sanctify the Grave to all his Redeemed, and make it less formidable.

TOUCHING the Adjuncts of Christ's ••• rial, much need not be said. Three Passages are remarkable,

• 1. He was laid in a Tomb. Partly to fulfil the Prophecy, Isai. 53.9. Partly to signify the manner of his Sepulture: His Body was not corrupted or wasted, but kept whose and eatire, Psal 16.10.
• 2. IN a new Tomb. Mat. 27.60. One in which none had had been before buried. Luk 13.53. Divine Providence wisely ordered this, to prevent all Objections that might else have been made, that none might have any pretence to say, that it was not this individual Body, but some other that was raised.
• 3 THE Priests and Pharisees secared his Tomb, that none might open the Grave without their knowledge. Mat. 27.62, &c. And hereby the Providence of God, wisely ordered it, that what they did to prevent forgery, should be a very convincing Argument to prove the certainty of his Resurrection to the Worlds end; so making their malice serve to his Glory.

USE. 1. THE Consideration of these things, may serve to convince us of the groat evil and danger there is in Sin. It may be too ma • y, and particularly Young Ones, think it a small and trifling matter to transgress the holy Law of God; and can with a g ••• deal of Liberty, and without remorse co ••• Sin: But it you would be persuaded well to ponder the present Subject, here is 〈◊〉 which will help to make you think otherwise Let secure Sinners go to Golgoths, see, and seriously meditate on what Christ Suffered, and remember, all that was for Sin; and then say, whether you can maintain 〈◊〉 former thoughts of it. Here you may find heart-breaking and melting Confiderations of it, and such as may well set the • to •••• Sinner on trembling. Do not take your ••• sure by the seeming pleasure, that Sin 〈◊〉 affords you, but rate it according to Christ's Sufferings for it, and there you will see that is is bitterness in the latter end. View 〈◊〉 bearing his Cross, stripped of his Vesture, and made naked; see his sacred Hands & Feet 〈◊〉 with nails, His blessed Body hanging on the Tree, made a Spectacle of shame and sorrow. Hear Him groaning under his misery, and look upon him as relinquished or forsi •• one, the God of Glory turning away his face from him, refusing him any comfort, and letting the whole weight of Divine fury • ill upon him: See infinite wrath possessing him, and the damned Devils seizing and afflicting him; the Sun hiding up its light from him, and Men flouting and reviling of him; God all the while, looking as if he had no regard for him. And then say, all this was on the account of sin, because the iniquity of his people was laid upon him. Yea, follow Him, till you see him breathing out his Soul, and becoming a Dead Man under all: And then think, What am I doing whiles I am pursuing m •• e iniquity with greediness: And one would think, this should never suffer you to entertain one kind thought for the least Sin anymore. What Christ suffered, witnesseth what you also must undergo, and what will certainly be your portion, if you repent not. And remember, what he himself hath given you to chew upon when he was going to these Sufferings, Luk. 23 30, 31. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the b • lls, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

USE. II. LET every Believer here see, what ••• son you have to admire and be astonished at the Love of Christ in Redeeming you. Of all the Wonders that ever were heard of, this is the most Wonderful of all; that ever the Eternally Beloved Son of God, should take upon Him to undergo all this shame and sorrow, which exceeds the utmost of our Conception, that he might expiare •• e Guilt of our Sins, and so ransom a •• deliver poo • self destroyed Sinners, from ••••• all ••• irnetion; and let all that have had this • edemption applied to them, be often e •••• min • of their Affections unto Christ, by reflecting upon it. Follow him from the Garden to his Cross, and commorate upon every passage as you go, and see how many • raus • endent Expressions of heart-alluring Love you shall find therein; and be sure you stand still when you come to Golgotha, and make particular remarks upon those uncountable Sorrows, which he there underwent; what his Body, and especially what his Soul endured. Look upon this bloody Saviout, and see him undergoing, not only the Rage of Men, and Fury of Devils, but the Wrath of God too, and the Punishments of Hell, to the wounding of his Soul, and making it an Offering for Sin, and all this in your Room and Place, and then say, what Love is comparable to his? This ruddy Savior herein appears altogether lovely; lose your Hearts in this Contemplation, and look yourselves into Raptures: Meditate, till you find yourselves transported, and your Affections all on a Blaze, making you, in a cheerful readiness to do, yea, to die for him, when called to it.

SERMON CVIII.

WE have been taking a View of the first Part of Christ's Redemption, consisting in His Humiliation, in which he made Satisfaction to the Law and Justice, in his life and Death. We proceed now to the second Part of it, which is His Exaltation. This is wont to be called a Part of Redemptions; not because there was anything now to 〈◊〉 in point of Payment for us, for that was completely done in the former; but because in it, not only did the Lord Jesus 〈◊〉 high Advancement in his Person, with respect to his Human Nature, but also because therein he did accomplish some nece ••• ry Circumstances of out Redemption, which will be taken notice of in the Sequel.

THAT we may take a more full & distinct account of this great Article in the Christian Religion, and wherein so much of the comfort of God's Children is concerned, I shall in the first place speak to it more generally, and then proceed to lay it out in the several parts of it.

IN the general Consideration of it we may observe,

• 1. The Order.
• 2. The Necessity.
• 3. The Nature of it.

I. TOUCHING the Order of Christ's Exaltation; two things,

• 1. IT was upon, and after his finishing his work of Redemption. This order the Apostle takes notice of, Phil. 2 7, 8, 9. And the History of the four Evangelists confirms it: He was first Humbled, and then Exalted; first brought down into the dust, and made as low and contemptible as the curse of the Law, armed with Divine Justice, could make him; and then he was taken from the Pit, and Prison, and set above Principalities and Powers.
• 2. IT was when, in & by his Humiliation he had wrought out complete Redemption for us. For this end he was humbled, and this was the resultancy of it. It was as our Surety that he fell into the hands of revenging Juftice, and was made a prey unto Death, and therefore he could not be set free from these bonds till he had made full Satisfaction for us. The Exaltation of Christ as He was out Redeemer, was the Reward of his great Work; it must therefore first be finished and perfected by him, before he could receive the Recompence. And that work could not be completed, till the whole price of Redemption was paid to the last farthing, Mat. 5.18. For verily I say unto you, Tili heaven & earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the 〈◊〉 , till all be fulfilled. But now, He hath fully accomplished it; and his Father remembers the promise he had made unto him, and most gloriously exalts him; He exalts him above all Exaltation, & every conceivable Excellency; as the word in Phil. 2.9. intimates. And we have a parallel expression in Act. 2.33. The word signifies heightened and extolled. He was lifted up to the highest pinnacle of honor and dignity. And this is it which Christ himself made his demands of, upon his finishing of his work, in that Prayer of his, Joh. 17.4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the ••• k which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

II. AS to the Necessary of His Exaltation, or why it was requisite that Christ, after he had humbled himself, should be thus Exalted: There are these grounds of it,

• 1. FROM the Covenant Agreement, or Contract that passed between God the Father and Son about it. His Father promised him, that if he would suffer and sarisfy for Man, he should have a glorious Recompence, Isai. 53.10. That if he would drink of the torrent in the way, he should lift up his head on high, Psal. 110. ult. And the Man Christ had an eye to this in all his Sufferings, and bore up his Spirits from sinking under them, by the consideration of it, and his confident expectation to receive it. Heb. 12.2. As God the Father engaged his Son to die, and it was therefore needful that he should die, that he might do his part in this Everlasting Covenant, so he engaged to him a Crown of Glory for dying, and it was as requisite that he should bestow it upon him.
• 2. FROM the reference which Christ had, in his state of Humiliation, to the Law of Justice. He was in it, a Surety for his People; and it was on the account of his being under that Obligation, that Justice had ariested him as on Offender, charging on him the guilt of all our sins, and made a demand at his hands of full Payment and Satisfaction, resolving not to let him go, till it had received it in full. When therefore he had answered all that could righteously be claimed of him, and Justice had received from him to the utmost of what is required; when it had triumphed over him with the greatest state, and could not require anything further of him, it was all reason that he should receive an acquittance from it, and be honourably discharged: that it might as manifestly appear, that he had Satisfyed, as that he had before made himself a Debtor. And 〈◊〉 that which is intended, in that reason 〈◊〉 the Apostle giveth for it, in Act. 2.24. 〈◊〉 God hath raised up, having loosed the 〈…〉 death: because it was not possible that he 〈◊〉 he bolden of it.
• 3. IT was also needful for the help of 〈◊〉 Faith of the Children of God. The reason 〈◊〉 we believe in Christ for Justification, 〈◊〉 Salvation, is because he did, in his Satisfaction, and Merit, procure for us, Pardon and P •••• Our hope of Life is founded upon his D •••• : and the Exaltation of Christ is the very 〈◊〉 why we believe on his Death: It is because he once was dead, and now lives; was 〈◊〉 in the power of Justice to recover its own of him, and is now set at liberty. And therefore when he recommends himself to 〈◊〉 Faith of his People, he doth it on such a consideration, Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, 〈◊〉 was dead: and behold, I am alive for 〈◊〉 Amen, and have the keys of hell and of 〈◊〉 And but for this Exaltation of his, we 〈◊〉 never have known that his Sacrifice was accepted, and his Father well pleased in i • but when we see the Glory that he is adva ••• to by his Father, this puts all out of do ••• , and our Faith is helped to triumph on the consideration of it. Rom. 8.34.

III. LET us now make a general Enquiry 〈◊〉 the Nature of this Exaltation of his. For 〈◊〉 full understanding whereof, let us take account of this Description of it: It is that gl •••• Triumph which our Lord Jusus Christ made, 〈◊〉 his and our Enemies, after he had gained a p •• fect Conquest of them. It was a custom among the Romans, to bestow a Triumph upon their Generals, who had completed any War, in bringing into entire subjection any People, with whom they had been in hostility; wherein they were made to ride through the City in a Chariot, attended on by the 〈◊〉 Nobility and Senate, Crowned with L •••• Garlands, and the chief of their Captives being carried before them in Chains; the whole City mean while clapping their hands, and in the shouts applauding them; and 〈◊〉 attended to the Capitol, where they hungry the Trophies of their Victory, to be kept 〈◊〉 remembrance of it. To this custom the Spi ••• of God alludes, in speaking of Christ's ••• tation, Col. 2.15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them ap •••• triumphing over them in it. The Exaltation of Christ was not the Victory if self, for that he accomplished on his Cross, but it was the Triumph follwing upon it: it was d declaration and manifestation of the Victory, 〈◊〉 the Description observe,

1. SOMETHING of the Victory itself which he hath obtained. And here we may 〈◊〉 notice of,

• 1. THE Subject on which it was gotten, 〈◊〉 His and our Enemies. Now we had by 〈◊〉 procured, and incensed against us, these 〈◊〉 Enemies,

  (1.) THE Law. And this is out great ••• •••• y, inasmuch as we had made it to be so 〈…〉 Sin, on account whereof, it had a ter ••• quarrel against us, as being Covenant ••• kers. And hence being armed with 〈◊〉 Revenge, it pursues us to Death, be •• mortally incensed against us.

  (2) DEATH: As it is envenomed by Sin, 〈◊〉 fiery Serpent putting forth its deadly 〈◊〉 , beating the nature of a Punishment. 〈◊〉 it is the very penalty threatened, Gen. 2.17. And it is both bodily and spiritual. 〈◊〉 called an Enemy, 1 Cor. 15.26. The 〈◊〉 •••• y that shall be destroyed is death.

  (3.) SATAN: As he bears the denomination of a Jailor, and Executioner, into whose 〈◊〉 the finning creature is delivered up, 〈…〉 , by the righteous Judgment of God: 〈◊〉 is therefore said to rule over such, Eph. 22 & 6.12.

  (4) THE World: As it is an Instrument in the hand of Satan, to hold the Sinner 〈◊〉 , and keep him at a distance from God, by its blandishments and snares. We therefore 〈◊〉 of a Victory over the World, 1 Job 5.4.

• 2. THE Manner ho • Christ overcame these. 〈◊〉 this was done after a diverse manner, ••• ding to the different Consideration on which these are our Enemies. And here,

  (1.) HE overcame the Law by obeying and s •••• ying it. By his active and passive Obe •••• he gat a Victory upon it; and that 〈◊〉 by making it a Friend, which we had 〈◊〉 our Enemy; by fulfilling of the Righ •••• ess which it required of us, and bearing the penalty which it had devoted us unto; 〈…〉 •• opped its mouth, He delivered us 〈◊〉 •• e dominion of it, Rom. 6.14. For sin 〈…〉 have dominion over you: for ye are not 〈…〉 law, but under grace. By being made 〈◊〉 for us, he so redeemed us from the •••• f the Law that was out against us. 〈◊〉 • 3. He stood between, &c.

  (2) HE overcame Death by suffering it for 〈…〉 , Death being armed by the Law, and 〈◊〉 its power by Sin, according to 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 could be no otherwise reconciled to 〈◊〉 by his tasting of it in our room. He •••• we by bearing the punishment of sin, and •••• aining the wrath of God for fin, took 〈◊〉 the sting of Death, and turned it into a 〈…〉 his People, according to ver. 54.

  (3) HE overcame Satan, by spoiling him of 〈◊〉 ••• cipality, and taking of his Prey out of 〈…〉 He came upon him by force, a •• ••• k him Captive, Col. 2.15. dispossess'd 〈◊〉 ••• g man, Mat. 12.28, 29. And this he 〈…〉 his Death, Heb. 2.14.

  (4) He overcame the World, by making all unto serve for the Good of his People. There 〈◊〉 a Curse fallen upon the creature, Gen. 〈◊〉 And everything here was become to 〈◊〉 a sear and a trap; but Christ by dying 〈…〉 that Curse, and hath made both Pr ••• ry and Adversity to serve them that a • ••• called, and turn to their real advantage. Joh. 16.33. and Rom. 8.28.

2. WE may consider the Excellency of this ••••• y, in two things,

• 1. IT is the greatest Victory that was ever beard of. This will appear, if we confider the Subject of it, or what he overcame. There is the World, which neither Alexander, nor any of the fame is Conquerors, who raised the Monarchies, could ever accomplish. But this Christ did, and by virtue of his Conquest, hath enabled his People also so to do. 1 Joh. 5.4, 5. For whatsoever is born of G • d, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our saith. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? And there is the God of this World, so is the Devil called, 2 Cor. 4.4. These powers of darkness which are insuperable by man; but he hath trampled upon them; yea and bruised them under the feet of his People. Rom. 16.20. And there is the Empire of Death, that great Conqueror, which leads the whole World captive, and triumphs over the whole progeny of fallen man; He hath the dominion over it, Rev. 1.18. And have the keys of bell & of death. And he helps his people to make that triumphant challenge, 1 Cor. 15.55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? And there is the strength of the Law, which no created power is able to cope withal; but he hath divested it of the Curse, so far as respects his Redeemed ones; so that by ve • tue hereof, they are free from it. Rom 8.2. For the law of the Spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin & death.
• 2. IT was the most perfect Conquest. Though those Enemies were great and strong, yet he gained an entire Victory, so that they are not only disarmed, but are so scattered, that they shall never recover their power and force again, so as to get the Victory over his People. He hath broken Satan's head, Gen. 3.15. His plot, with respect to the chosen of God, is • tterly dashed. Death hath now no more dominion over him. Rom. 6.9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more, death bath no more dominion over him. And therefore it cannot hurt his. The Law is fully pacifyed, and his People are forever free from the Curses of it, Rom. 8.1. And the World is at his Command, and he possesseth it in the right of his Victory, Psal. 2.8. This was his Victory, which though gotten on the Cross, yet was gloriously manifested in his Exaltation. Psal. 68.1.

2. NOW let us consider the Triumph itself which followed on his Victory; Which is properly his Exaltation. For, though Christ triumphed on his Cross, as in a field of Conquest, he therefore died with that exclamation. Joh. 19.30. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. q. d. The Business is accomplished, the Enemies are vanquished, the Redemption of God's Elect is completely obtained: Yet the open show of it was reserved for his Exalvation, in which he rode into the Great City not made with hands, in a Triumphal Chariot, leading Captivity Captice; which is pointed to Psal. 60.18. Compare, Eph. 4.8.

And here,

1. FOR the matter of his Triumph, it was exceeding Glorious. For he is advanced to the most illustrious D • guity. It is therefore called, His glory, Luk. 24.26. And that is surpassing all the Golory, which either the Angels enjoy, or just Men made perfect are privileged withal. See, Phil. 2.4. Psal. 48.7. Which Glory may be discovered in two things.

• (1.) NEGATIVE; Or, that which he laid aside in his Advancement to it. He put off that Form of a Servant, that abject & debased Condition in which he appeared, during his state of Humiliation, and whiles he was doing the work of it. He put off that Mortality, he laid aside all those Infirmities, which for the time he took upon him. These were proper for him whiles he was answering the Law for us, and bearing the Wrath of God in our stead. But now he laid them aside forever; and His next Appearance will be after another manner. According to Heb. 9.28.
• (2.) POSITIVE; He took upon him the highest p •• sections, and the most transcendent Heavenly Glories. In which observe,

  [1.] AS to his Divine Nature. it was only declarative. The Person of Christ is the Son of God, and so God. Now the Divine Nature enjoys itself everlastingly, in fullness of perfection, which can never be augmented. The Divine Nature of Christ was never abased and so could not be in itself exalted; although He who is God, was in his other Nature humbled, and after that glorified. His Divinity indeed was eclipsed as to the knowledge of men, and there were but few that saw it, or believed that he who was under such a debasement was indeed the Son of God, and King of Israel, Isai. 52.14.53.2, 3. But now it was declared most excellently, and he was made to appear, to be the Eternal Son of God, Rom. 1.4.

  [2.] AS to his Human Nature, this was the proper Subject in which his Humiliation was acted. Gal. 4.4, 5. This therefore was that on which the Exaltation was nextly bestowed: though still , • it was not merely the Nature, but the Person in this Nature, which received it. But yet it was his Humanity, that did really exchange an abject state, for a glorified one. Concerning which in general observe,

  1. HIS Human Nature received all the Perfections, that a created Nature was capable of, in the highest degree. In his Soul there was he perfection of Grace in act & exercise, with the most complete satisfaction: and his Body was glorified as his Soul. Hence the glory of the Bodies of the Saints, is said to be after the similitude of his, Phil. 3.20. He is advanced to the most elevated degree of happiness; about which we have been speaking. Psal. 16. ult. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

  2. THIS Glory of his is Eternal & Unchangeable. He is now set down in it, and 〈◊〉 upon it. His Debasement was but sor • 〈◊〉 while, and it was over, but his Ex ••••• 〈◊〉 for perpetuity. His Death held him 〈◊〉 while, but his Life is endless. Rev. 1.1 • . 〈◊〉 7.25. — He ever siveth to make In •••••• for them.

  3. BUT yet, both his Body and Soul 〈◊〉 their own Nature and Essential Proper ••• 〈◊〉 Humanity of Christ, is, and forever 〈◊〉 a Humanity, nor doth it in this Glory 〈◊〉 any of the Divine Properties. Luk, 〈◊〉 Behold my hands and my sect, that it is 〈◊〉 sell; handle me, and see, for a spirit 〈◊〉 s •• sh and bones, at ye see me have. 〈◊〉 a strain too high, who, to set forth th • ••• nity put upon the Man Christ, will 〈◊〉 Body to participate in any of those 〈◊〉 ons, which the Divinity only is cap •• 〈◊〉 particularly, that of Ubiquity, on which 〈◊〉 D • ctrines of Trans -and Consubstacti ••••• 〈◊〉 f ••• nded. The Man Christ is of that 〈◊〉 who hath all these Perfections, which 〈◊〉 surpassing honor put upon our Nat ••• 〈◊〉 these are not transfused into it.

2. AS to the form of his Triumph: 〈◊〉 either,

• (1.) EXTERNAL; Acommpanied 〈◊〉 Trophies and Monuments of his 〈◊〉 with honorable Titles, and glorio •• 〈◊〉 m • ums, and testimonies of the highest 〈◊〉 Col. 2.15. And having spoiled pri •• 〈◊〉 and powers, he made a show of them op •• 〈◊〉 umphing over them in it. These are 〈◊〉 in the Scriptures, and shall remain 〈◊〉 his Praise so long as this World shall 〈◊〉 Psal. 72.17. His Name is prec •• 〈◊〉 honorable in the esteem both of 〈◊〉 Angels. Phil. 2.10, 11. He hath super 〈◊〉 Honor put upon him; and the 〈◊〉 of Creatures do adore him, Hob. 2.7.9. 〈◊〉
• (2.) INTERNAL: Which consi ••• 〈◊〉 entire satisfaction, which the M •• 〈◊〉 takes, in the Glorious Reward w ••• 〈◊〉 Father hath bestowed upon him. 〈◊〉 doth or shall the whole intelligent 〈◊〉 admit and stand astonished at the 〈◊〉 ••• vable Excellency of it; but the M •• 〈◊〉 himself is filled with it, rejoiceth & 〈◊〉 in it forever. It is that, the for •• 〈◊〉 whereof did so ravish him, that it 〈◊〉 him with abundant resolution, th ••• 〈◊〉 the hard things that he met with in 〈◊〉 to it. Heb. 12.2. Yea, when he was 〈◊〉 upon the Tragedy of his Last Suffe •• 〈◊〉 gave him inward joy, Psal. 16.10, 〈◊〉 doubtless, now he is invested with, 〈◊〉 full possession of it, he takes up c ••• 〈◊〉 satisfied in it. So that the heart of 〈◊〉 Christ in Heaven boasts itself, and 〈◊〉