The humiliation of the Sonne of God by his becomming the Son of man, by taking the forme of a servant, and by his sufferings under Pontius Pilat, &c. Or The eighth book of commentaries vpon the Apostles Creed: continued by Thomas Jackson Dr. in Divinitie, chaplaine to his Majestie in ordinarie, and president of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford. Divided into foure sections.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the betraying of our Saviour, of his apprehension, and dismission of his Disciples: And how they were foretold or prefigured in the old Testament.

1 OF the sweet Harmony betweene the institution, occasion, and cele∣bration of the legall Passeover, and the continuation of the Lords Sup∣per or Sacrament of his body and blood instituted in lieu or rather in remembrance of the accomplishing of it; I have in other me∣ditations

delivered my minde at large. And if if it shall please the Lord God to grant mee life and health; what I have either uttered in Ser∣mons, or otherwayes conceived concerning this Argument, shall be communicated to this Church wherein I live, (if not to others) in the Article of the Catholique Church, which did beginne to bee on earth from our Saviours resurrection, or from his ascension into heaven and descending of the Holy Ghost. At the accomplishment of the Legall Passeover by the institution of the grand mystery or Sacrament prefigured by it; our Lord and Saviour was betrayed by his un∣faithfull friend and servant Iudas, yet by his pro∣dition consecrated to bee that Lamb of GOD, which the Paschall Lamb did prefigure; that Lamb of God, which was to take away the sinnes of the world, of which sinnes the annuall offering of the Paschall Lamb, or other legall Sacrifices whatsoever, were but anniversary commemora∣tions, or remembrances that sinne did still reigne thorowout the world. The treason of Iudas was expresly foretold, (and perhaps prefigured by treason practised against the Psalmist) Psal. 41.9. Yea, mine owne familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eate of my bread, hath lift up his heele against mee. By whom, or upon what occasion soever, this Psalme was composed, certaine it is, the Psalmist according to the literall and histori∣call sense did act his owne part with sensible fee∣ling of present infirmities, which did mystically prefigure more just occasions, which the promi∣sed

Messias should have to take up the same com∣plaint. Iudas did eate of his bread: did swallow the very soppe, which was prepared for himselfe at that very time, when by the instigation of the Devill, hee resolved to betray him. So that this Psalme (as hath been observed before) was ful∣filled in CHRIST both according to the mysti∣call, and the most punctuall exquisite literall sense. So was that other complaint, whether of the same Psalmist, or of some other; For it is not an open enemy that hath done mee this dishonour: for then I could have borne it. Neither was it mine ad∣versarie that did magnifie himselfe against mee: for then peradventure I would have hid my selfe from him. But it was even thou my companion, my guide, and mine owne familiar friend. We took sweet coun∣sell together: and walked in the house of God as friends, Psalm. 55.12, 13, &c. Iudas had often ac∣companied our Saviour whilst hee taught in the Temple, but especially at this last feast of the Passeover, wherein hee did for foure dayes toge∣ther frequent the Temple, from morning till evening, disputing with the learned, and cate∣chising the vulgar and ignorant. And our Savi∣our to notifie this Prophecie to be exactly fulfil∣led by Iudas, saluteth him in the name of a friend, while he comes to betray him.

2. His treachery against his friendly and lo∣ving Lord, was much the fouler, by reason of the long communion with him both at table and at sacred offices. This treachery was expresly foreshadowed by Achitophels treason against

David; of whom it is probable, the former com∣plaints were literally meant. Both the treasons were abominably wicked, but Ahitophels more generous, Iudas most basely wicked: for hee had no provocation to meditate revenge upon his Master, who had never done him, nor any living soule wrong, but went about doing good to all, and healing all that sought to him for help, though possessed with Devills. But this kind of healing, Iudas did not seeke, but rather through entertainment of greedy and covetous projects, did invite the Devill to enter into his heart, at that very time, wherein the doore of saving health and entrance into the kingdome of hea∣ven was to bee set open to all. Ahitophel had some pretence, or provocation to revenge him∣selfe upon his Master, by reason of the indigni∣tie done unto his family, and staining of his blood by David, in defiling his neere kinswoman or Neece, Bathsheba. Yet was Ahitophels malice towards Davids person more bitter: for hee sought his life, and resolved to wreak his foehood upon him in the highest degree; and had atchie∣ved his purpose, so Absalom would have hearkned so well to his second advise, as he did to his first. His first advise, which was full of revengefull retaliation for Davids folly with Bathsheba, wee have recorded the 2. of Samuel 16.20. Then said Absalom to Ahitophel, Give counsell among you what we shall doe. And Ahitophel said unto Absalom, Goe in unto thy fathers concubines, which hee hath left to keepe the house, and all Israel shall heare, that thou

art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee, be strong. So they spread Ab∣salom a tent upon the top of the house, and Absalom went in unto his fathers concubines, in sight of all Israell. Moreover Ahitophel said to Absalom, Let mee now chuse out twelve thousand men, and I will arise, and pursue after David this night. And I will come upon him, while hee is weary, and weake handed; and I will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee, and I will smite the King one∣ly. And I will bring backe all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest, is as if all returned: so all the people shall bee in peace. And the saying plea∣sed Absalom well, and all the Elders of Israel for a while. But after Ahitophel saw this his second and more deadly project, defeated by the con∣trary counsell of Hushai; hee gave his enterprise and himselfe for lost: and in deepe melancholy (yet willing to set his house in order) went im∣mediatly, and hanged himselfe. Iudas in like maner, after the chiefe Priests, and Elders had dashed his plot, which was onely to gaine some money, and their favour for his gratefull service without any desire of blood; did cast away the hire of his treason, and himselfe with it. But of his casting downe the money in the Temple, and the maner of his fearefull end, there will bee fit∣ter occasion to say somewhat * 1.1 hereafter.

3. David after he had been assuredly informed of Absaloms conspiracy against him, forsooke Je∣rusalem: and he, and all his traine or necessary attendance went on their bare feet, with their

heads covered and weeping, over the brooke Ki∣dron, and along the mount of Olives, 2. Sam. 15.23, 30. And thus the Sonne of David a little after hee saw Iudas resolved to betray him, or rather af∣ter it pleased him to take notice of the Conspi∣racie against him, betweene Iudas and the chiefe Priests and Elders, marched the same way with a lesser traine, accompanied onely with his Dis∣ciples, but with more full assurance of their de∣liverance from present danger, then Davids great traine had: because hee caried the true Ark of the Lord in his breast, whose type or shadow, David being uncertaine or doubtfull of the event, sent back againe to Jerusalem with the Priests that did wait upon it. Yet he himselfe went over the brook Kidron with a sadder heart, then Da∣vid his father had done. David, and his traine, though much greater, and better able to resist the violence of the Pursuer, then his traine was; marched further in that night wherein they fled from Absalom, then the mount of Olives. The Sonne of David took up his station in a garden, neere about the mount of Olives, and there ex∣pected the encounter of the Arch-Ahitophel (which had vanquisht the first Adam in a garden) now attended with a greater hoast of infernall Associates, then Ahitophel did require of Absalom for the surprisall of David, and his traine, about the same place or not farre beyond it, 2. Sam. 17.

4. When I behold my Saviour in that heavie plight and dejected posture, described by the Evangelist, prostrating himselfe on his knees and

face to the earth, yet sending out these ejaculati∣ons unto heaven; Father if it bee possible, let this Cup passe from mee. Me thinks I see the exquisite accomplishment of the Psalmists complaint, cha∣ractering his owne wofull case for the present, yet by way of prophecie or prefiguration of more just cause, which the promised Messias should have of uttering the like complaint, who was, as hee saw to partake more deeply of his grievances and afflictions, though not of his pas∣sion or impatience in them. For this Sonne of Righteousnesse, was willing to suffer with all submission to his heavenly Fathers will, whatso∣ever any of his forerunning shadows had suffe∣red, either immediatly from the hand of God, or by the violence of men; and to suffer them without any token of grudging or impatience. The complaint of the Psalmist, who did fore∣shadow the dejected estate of the Sonne of God, in that houre of temptation, wee have set downe, Psalme 38.14. My sinnes are gone over my head, and they are like a sore burden too heavy for mee to beare. But the heavy burden, not of the Psal∣mists sinnes alone, but of the sinnes of the world, were now laid upon the Sonne of man in the garden, and did deject him to the ground. But how patiently soever he did beare or fall downe under this burden; yet he stood in need of com∣fort from heaven, as his forerunners in farre lesse anguish had done. And if wee would take St. Lukes relation of the Angels comming to sup∣port and comfort him in this his weaknesse, into

serious consideration; we may have a briefe, yet a most true and punctuall Commentary upon that Prophecie, Psalme 8. Thou hast made him for a little while, lower than the Angels, to wit, as he was the Sonne of man: though never ceasing to be the Sonne of God. For the most valiant Ge∣nerall that is, which stands in need of Support or helpe from his meanest Souldier, is for the time being, lower then hee is, which lends him his hand, or helps him up being throwen downe or prostrate. Now this our chiefe Leaders Agony, and the time betweene his apprehension and his death, was the onely time that little while, where∣of the Psalmist speakes, wherein CHRIST JESUS, as man, was made lower then the An∣gels, lower then the ordinary sonnes of men. For hee was, as another Psalmist in his Person complaines, a worme, and no man. But immedi∣ately after this bitter Agony, the strength and vi∣gour of the Sonne of righteousnesse, which for a time was eclipsed or overcast with a bloody sweat, did breake forth afresh, and though in the night time, did no lesse dazell and astonish the armed band, which came with Iudas to ap∣prehend him, then the light which shone at mid∣day did S. Paul, when he was armed with autho∣rity to attach his Followers. For immediatly af∣ter, that Cup which he prayed against, was pas∣sed from him; Hee knowing all things (saith St. Iohn) that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them that came to apprehend him, Whom seeke yee? They answered him, Iesus of Nazareth.

Iesus saith unto them, I am hee. And Iudas also which betrayed him, stood with them. Assoone then, as hee had said unto them, I am hee, they went back∣ward, and fell to the ground. Then asked hee them againe, Whom seeke yee? And they said, Iesus of Nazareth. Iesus answered, I have told you, that I am hee. If therefore, yee seek me, let these goe their way. That the saying might be fulfilled which hee spake, Of them which thou gavest mee, I have lost none, Joh. 18, 4, 5, 6, &c. Here was a true docu∣ment both of his royall and spirituall power: of his royall power, in that hee could command them to forbeare any violence towards his Dis∣ciples; yea not to oppose violence offered unto one of their company. For Simon Peter (as St. Iohn saith) having a sword, drew it, and cut off one of the servants of the high Priests right eare: the servants name was Malchus, 10, 11. verses &c. St. Luke recordeth, that hee touched his eare and healed him: so farre was he from all desire of re∣venge upon his enemies. This was an act of his power spirituall: so was that likewise in prote∣cting his Disciples from danger, as well of soule, as of body. For as S. Iohn (to my apprehension) intimates, if they had been put unto the same fiery triall, unto which hee himselfe was expo∣sed, they had denied him and their former faith. Therefore hee commanded his Apprehenders to let them goe their way, that the saying might be fulfilled which he spake (some few houres before,) Of them which thou gavest me, have I lost none, John 18.10. So he had said, Iohn 17.11. And now I am

no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee Holy Father, keepe through thine owne Name, those whom thou hast given me; that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy Name: those that thou gavest mee I kept, and none of them is lost, but the sonne of per∣dition. Either Iudas was never one of them, whom his Father had given him, or at least, at this time, had given himselfe to his Father the Devill.

5 But as one, and the same prophecy, may be often filled by events much distant in time: so may divers prophecies, much distant for time, be ac∣complisht in one and the same event, in the same point of time; as in this dismission of JESUS his Disciples, both his owne praediction (as Saint Iohn tells us) was fulfilled, and another prophecy like∣wise, as we may gather from S. Mark, or rather from our Saviours exposition recorded by the Evangelist Mark 14. Iesus saith unto them, All yee shall be offended because of me this night. For it is writ∣ten, I will smite the Shepheard, and the sheepe shall be scattered. This smiting of the Shepheard, was a∣mongst other prophecies, both foretold, and pre∣figured, (as is probable) by the death of Iosiah: unto which most referr that of Ieremiah, Lamen. 4.20. The breath of our nose-thrills, the Anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits; of whom, we said, under his shadow, we shall live among the heathen. Some there are, which referr this complaint, unto the Captivity of Zedekiah, but not so pertinently or considerately, as most other of their meditations

or observations would occasion the Reader to expect. For the Prophet Ieremiah, did never con∣ceive such hope of Zedekiah or Iehoiakim, as the deepe straine of this particular threne or throb doth import. No sonne of good Iosiah, was either in life or death, such a type of the Lords promi∣sed Annointed, as himself had beene. From the houre of his death, untill the return of his people from Babylonish Captivity, Jerusalem and Judah did not see one joyfull day: the light of Gods Countenance did not shine upon them, as the history of the Old Testament, especially of the Bookes of Kings and Chronicles do sufficiently testifie. Nor did this Nation from the day of our Saviours death, enjoy one quiet or secure day: not one houre, wherein there either was not ap∣parent danger, or some secret breeding of new calamities: nor shall they enjoy any, till it please him whom they crucified, to restore them againe to the land of their Inheritance, from which they are scattered: or at least, to their spirituall state, from which they are fallen.

6 That the forementioned lamentation or threne, did in the literall and historicall sense re∣ferre unto the untimely death of good Iosiah; that the calamities which ensued upon his death, did typically portend just matter of greater sorrow for the death of the Lords Anointed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 [the Messias:] that one place of the Prophet Zachariah (to omit others) perswades me: They shall mourne for him, as one who mourneth for his onely sonne, and shall be in bitternesse for him, as one that is in bitter∣nesse

for his first borne. In that day shall there be a great mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo. Zachar. 12.10, 11. &c. For in the valley of Megiddo, Iosiah was slaine, as it is recorded, 2 Chron. 35.22, 23. And all Ierusalem, and Iudah mourned for Iosiah, and Ieremiah lamented for Iosiah, and all the singing men, and the singing women spake of Iosiah in their Lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and behold they are writ∣ten in the Lamentations. This disaster occasioned, by his owne oversight or forwardnesse to fight with Necho, befel Iosiah, after he had wrought that remarkable reformation in the house of the Lord, and after hee had celebrated the Passeover, with such solemnity, as had not been seen before in Je∣rusalem, nor after. It was the eminency of Iosiah his zeale and fidelity, in setting forth that solem∣nity and other services of God, which occasioned this people, even the Prophets first to conceive, that they should prosper under his shadow, and after these hopes had failed, to lament his death in such passionate expressions, as the faithfull a∣mongst his people, even our Saviours Disciples did his death. But we trusted, that it had beene he, who should have redeemed Israel. Luke 24.20. The extremity of sorrow upon our Saviours death, foreshadowed by the Lamentations for Iosiahs losse, was fulfilled pro illâ vice, in that compuncti∣on of heart and spirit, in Saint Peters Auditors, Acts 2.37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren, what shall we

doe? But the full accomplishment of those mourn∣full Lamentations for our Saviours death, whe∣ther foreshadowed or foretold or inchoated, whe∣ther in the Old Testament, or in the New; is not to be expected before the conversion of the Jews, which will not be publick or Nationall, untill they seriously and publiquely repent them of their owne sinnes, and of the sinnes of their fore∣fathers, for putting the Lord of life and King of glory, to a bitter and shamefull death. Nor is the Nation of the Jews onely, but all the kinreds of the Earth to bewaile him and repent: for all were causes of his death. Behold he commeth (saith Saint Iohn) with clouds; and every eye shall see him: and they also which pierced him: and all kinreds of the earth shall waile because of him. Rev. 1.7.

7 A fitter Subject for meditations, to make either a private Christian truely wise, or wise men (especially Governors, whether Ecclesiasticall or civill) truly Christian; I could not commend unto the one, or other, (though bound so to doe upon my deathbed,) then the sacred historie, concer∣ning the estate of Judah, from the death of good Iosiah, to the end of the Babylonish Captivitie; and the history of Iosephus and others, who have decipherd the estate of the Jews, since they put the Lord of life to death. This parallel betweene Jerusalems two progresses to her first and second destruction, was the maine theame of my first mi∣nisterial meditations, the contents wherof would bee too laborious to collect, and their expressi∣ons too long to bee interserted in this Treatise.

To returne therefore to the former path, from which I have somewhat, though not impertinent∣ly digressed.

8 Of that glory of Christ, which shall be re∣vealed, when every eye shall see him, when they that crucified and pierced his body, shall mourne after such a manner, as Zacharie and St. Iohn in the places forecited import: Hee himselfe in the houres of his greatest humiliation (immediately after his agony in the garden, and (as I take it) be∣fore Iudas did deliver him up to the high Priest and Officers) did exhibite some rayes or glimpses by striking the Armed band, which came to attach him, backwards downe to the ground, with the sole words or breath of his mouth. And again by the deliverance of his followers from such rage and tyranny, as they practiced against him, that the words of the Prophets (not their projects) and his exposition of their meaning might be ful∣filled, I will smite the Shepheard, and the sheep shall be scattered. This prophecy wee have Zachar. 13.7. The accomplishment of this prophecy, was in part exemplified by the scattering of his Apostles and Disciples, upon his apprehension and death. And so were the words immediately following in the Prophet, punctually verified and really ex∣emplified, in recollecting them again after his Re∣surrection, and the feast of Pentecost next ensu∣ing. The full accomplishment of the prophecy, as it concerns the scattering of the flock or sheep was not publiquely declared or exemplified be∣fore the destruction of the second Temple, and

dispersing of the Jewish Nation. The other parts of the same prophecy, must be afterwards accom∣plisht in the conversion of the Jews.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chap. 26.