The crucified Jesus, or, A full account of the nature, end, design and benefits of the sacrament of the Lords Supper with necessary directions, prayers, praises and meditations to be used by persons who come to the Holy Communion / by Anthony Horneck ...

The Preceding Considerations reduced to Practice.

I. GOD, Jer. 18. 2. doth very fitly compare him∣self to a Potter, who, by the motion of his Wheel, and the activity of his Hand, gives the Clay what form and shape he pleases; and the reason, why he makes use of that similitude, is, because himself form∣ed Man of the Clay of the Earth; and from hence it's very easie to infer, that if we suffered our selves to be managed by his powerful hand, as easily, as the Clay doth by the Potters, we might become most beautiful Vessels. Nothing in Nature resists the Will of God. The Heavens readily conform to his pleasure, and all the Stars move and shine by his Order and Appointment; the whole Creation doth exactly and punctually submit to his Law, and Night and Day do not make a false step, in obeying the Constitutions of the great Architect; if they should, what confusion would the whole Uni∣verse fall into? So our Will, if it suffer it self to be en∣tirely Govern'd by the Divine, every Member, and every part in this little World, Man, wou'd move in ex∣cellent harmony; their motions wou'd be circular and orderly, for nothing causes greater confusion in the Frame, than when we are loth to leave our selves to his Conduct. This is the way to arm our selves against all danger. This abates their force, and enfeebles their vi∣olence when they come. This checks our needless Curiosity; and while we enquire, for what reasons God sends such things upon us, this one, answers all Objecti∣ons; It is the Will of God.

II. We see here by what standard we are to measure Christian perfection, even by this Self-resignation of our Wills to God's Will. The more we advance in this, the more perfect we are; and though an absolute perfecti∣on is not to be obtained in this life, yet to come as near

that absolute Conformity and Self-resignation, which shall be in Heaven, as we can, is counted Christian Perfecti∣on, even on this side Heaven. It was therefore wisely said by Alphonso King of Arragon, when one of his Fa∣miliars ask'd him, Who it was, that he counted the hap∣piest Man? His Answer was; Him, who receives all things, whether sad or pleasant, as coming from a kind and wise Fa∣ther's hand, with an even mind. And we are told of a Man, that had the Power of Miracles conferr'd upon him, and being ask'd of his Friend, How he came by that Power? He Said, He knew not, except God should like one thing in him, which was, that he was never lifted up by Prosperity, nor cast down by Adversity, and whatever happen'd to him, still he look'd higher, to the Origin and Spring from whence it came, and that ever day he made it his business, to desire nothing but what God desires, and all his Prayers tended that way, that God's Will might be entirely fulfilled and accom∣plished in him. Even the Heathen Philosophers placed Per∣fection in following God, i. e. in a chearful submission to every thing that God would have done; and therefore, we have a notable address of the Heathen Epictetus to his great Creator, an address fit to be imitated by every Christian.* 1.1 Great God, (saith he) use me hence∣forward according to thy pleasure. I am altoge∣ther of thy mind. It is indifferent to me, how thou dealest with me. I refuse nothing, if thou seest it good for me. Lead me where thou thinkest it convenient. Cloath me in what Garment thou pleasest, whether it be whole or torn, either shall be welcome: Whether thou wilt have me bear the Office of a Magistrate, or lead a private Life; whether thou wilt have me stay in mine own Country, or let me be driven into exile; whether thou wilt have me rich or poor; In all this, by my equanimity, I will justifie thee before Men. This Prayer from the mouth of an Heathen, is astonishing, and the rather, because we see few Christians arrive to this Self-resignation, that have far greater helps; and had we no express Command for this Self-resignation in the Bible, yet that general Precept, of considering and

doing whatever things are true, and just, and honest, and lovely, and of a good report, would oblige us to imitate the very Heathen Philosophers, in so lovely and reasonable a Duty. But we need not have recourse to this general hint, the express Precepts and Examples, that tend to the inforcement of this admirable qualifica∣tion, are so many, that there is no room left for Excu∣ses and Evasions. Whether the story of the Lady of Soncino be true, I know not, but the Moral intended by it, is agreeable enough to the word of God. The Story saith, That being, in a Vision, carried up to view the various Mansions of Glory, She saw some Holy Soul mingled with the Quire of Seraphims, and the highest Order of Angels, and demanding, who they were, An∣swer was made her, That they were persons, who here on Earth did entirely resign their Wills to the Will of God: A thing so rational, that, in omitting it, we con∣demn our selves; for the sick Man leaves himself entire∣ly to the Conduct of his Physitian; an oppressed Per∣son, to the wisdom and discretion of his Advocate; and the Blind, to the guidance of his Dog; and therefore, it must be strange obstinacy, not to resign our selves to the Conduct of a most wise God; who orders our Af∣fairs far better, and with far greater advantage to us, than we do, or can do our selves. The more tracta∣ble any instrument is, the more perfect it is: If a Pain∣ter were to draw the Picture of an Emperor, and the Pencil in his Hand should resist the motions of his Fin∣gers, make no stroaks, and be dull to any impressions, form no line, and cast no colour, or should warp, and flinch to the left hand, when he would direct it to the right, it would be worth nothing, for its greatest per∣fection lies, in yielding to the hand that manages it, and in expressing all the strokes the Workman doth intend to make. We are instruments in the hand of God, which he hath made on purpose to serve him in the pro∣moting of his Glory, and therefore are obliged to suffer our selves to be handled by him, and to leave our selves entirely to his power to turn and wind us, and to im∣ploy

us in such things as he thinks convenient, without any resistance. The natural desire of Mankind, is, to arrive to Peace and Rest, but the generality take very preposterous ways to obtain it, when they involve them∣selves in a thousand anxious Cares and Troubles, which, instead of conducting them to that end, drive them far∣ther and farther off; whence it comes to pass, that though they desire it, yet their desires are never accom∣plish'd. But this Self-resignation to the Will of God, is the proper means, and he that lets his own Will dye, and makes God's Will to live in him, comes safely to the City of Peace and Rest. All our Inquietude rises from our resisting the Will of God, from hence flow all the tempests that molests us, and while we are loth to do what God would have us do, and unwilling to suffer what he will have us suffer, it cannot be otherwise, but that Peace must be a stranger to our Breasts. What∣ever happens in the World, is nothing but the accom∣plishment of God's Designs; and the Soul, that would always have that done what God will have done, can wonder at nothing that happens to her, for it is her Will, as well as God's Will. However, if we are loth to re∣sign our selves to his Will, we have reason to fear his Anger; and if we resist his Will, or are unwilling to submit to it, he will do his Will upon us, whether we will or no. If we chearfully submit, he will treat us as his Children; if not, he will use us as his Slaves: And therefore, the advice of Eliphaz, Job 22. 21, 22. is the safest Rule we can follow. Acquaint now thy self with him, and be at peace, thereby good shall come unto thee. Re∣ceive, I pray thee, the Law from his Mouth, and lay up his Words in thy Heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put Iniquity far from thy Taber∣nacle; yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of Silver, i. e. as much content as if thou hadst plenty of Silver, for then shalt thou have thy delight in the Al∣mighty, and shalt lift up thy Face to God. Thou shalt make thy Prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy Vows, thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be esta∣blished unto thee, and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Arrian Epict. l. 2. c. 16.