A mystery which the angels desired to look into.: 1 Pet. 1. 11. 12.

The way and mystery was thus.

That as in pleasing the flesh, the eyes, and the minde, Paradise was lost (for so it was) Eve seeing that the forbidden fruit was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, took and did eat, and gave Adam, and he did eat also. And so both they and their whole posterity, according to a Decree of Almighty God, were cast out of Paradise, left without God in a miserable world, subject to labour and sorrow till death seized on them; and then also were without hope of a re∣surrection or second life. But Divine Wisdom out of a bottom∣lesse Fountain of love, ordained that as in pleasing the flesh, the eye, and the minde, Paradise was lost, and consequently all mi∣sery,

wo, and death it self purchased; So in displeasing these three, viz. the flesh, the eye, and the minde, and passing by those fiery Cherubims, suffering death for a good conscience, or at least resigning our self thereunto, Paradise with a second life might be regained. But this when frail man, because he was but flesh, could not do; The Son of God was content to take our flesh upon him, and in this flesh make his own life exemplary for all men, shewing them how they must follow him in way of regra∣dation; that as they had lost Paradise by pleasing the flesh, the eyes, and the minde, by which death had passed upon all; So they should regain it by renouncing them, and following him in a voluntary abased humiliation, to the losse of all worldly things. They that thus overcome, as he overcame, shall go in, and eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God, and live for ever, be with him, live and reign with him for ever and ever. This is that everlasting Gospel or glad tydings preached unto men.

But because for this work the Son of God was to leave his Fa∣thers bosome, and the glory which he had with him in the high∣est heavens, and so descending upon the earth, must take mans frail nature upon him, and in that nature must be abased and a∣bused, suffering hunger, cold, nakednesse, induring ignominy, shame, reproach, and at last dye the most cursed and painfull death, even the death of the Crosse; for this his great humilia∣tion, he obtain'd of his Father, by way of reward, an extraor∣dinary exaltation. It was decreed he should not onely be recei∣ved up into glory, but in the highest heavens sit on the right hand of God Almighty, where all the Angels of God should worship him: And he should be Prince of this his Church, which he had purchased with his own blood, and should have all power put into his hands, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and should be judge of men and An∣gels. Yea moreover it was granted, that for his sake, and for his great humiliation, all his followers should have their sins for∣given them; but the spots and stains thereof must be washed away by the water of affliction. For there are foure things con∣siderable in sin, the act, the guilt, the stain, the scandall: The act is soon over, the guilt remains till removed by repentance, and then though in the Court of heaven atonement be made by Christs blood, as in the case of Davids murther and adultery; yet

the stain and scandall continues, and according to the nature of the offence is washed away by the water of affliction through the Word (a figure of which was the Ark saving of eight persons in the old world by water; and the like figure whereunto doth Ba∣ptisme now save, observed by St. Peter to be both figures.) Now this is performed either by a mortified life, or the afflicting hand of God, or both: As appears by that example of David, also of Miriam her murmuring against Moses, and many that sinned in the wildernesse. And therefore it is, saith St. Paul, that the Lord doth judge and chastise men, that they should not be condemned with the world.

And that this should be the condition of Gods children, was long ago plainly prefigured by Noahs Ark floating upon the roar∣ing floods; by Moses burning bush, by the Israelites passing tho∣row the Red sea; by the taking of the Ark of God, by the uncir∣cumcised Philistines, by the three Children walking up & down in the fiery fornace. Again, under the Gospel, by John baptizing the people in Jordan; By St. Peters ship tossed to and fro with a winde which was contrary; and by the Dragons persecuting the woman in the wildernesse. It was so in the time of the Law. Mo∣ses no sooner born, but layed in the flags by the river side. Joseph sold into Aegypt. David, a man of sorrows. The Children of Is∣rael no sooner from under Pharaohs hard bondage, but they are in the wildernesse where they must wander fourty yeers. It were too long to run through all their miseries, besides their two cap∣tivities. Yet all this they hoped would end when Messiah came, then they expected Halcyon dayes. But it's no better yet, for since the dayes of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven suffer∣eth violence, and onely the violent take it by force. His Disciples indeed thought that he would have restored the Kingdom to Is∣rael, but he tels them they were deceived in looking for a king∣dom here. They that would be his followers, must carry a Crosse upon their shoulders, and not a Crown upon their heads, unlesse of thorns. And when he sent out his twelve Apostles, and that a large journey, to preach the Gospel over all the world; He doth not provide them with as much as necessaries, but plainly bids them, Luke 10.4. carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: provide nei∣ther gold, nor silver, nor brasse. A hard Chapter! yet to teach it them the better, he would give them an example. Nay (with re∣verence be it spoken) he must do it. It behoved him, Hebr. 2. it be∣hoved

him to suffer, and so to enter into glory; And it behoveth us as much. He calleth us indeed to a kingdom, but it is upon condition of suffering. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. There is no promise otherwise. A thing so well known to the Primitive Christians, that St. Paul tels the Thessalonians, yea your selves know we are appointed to suffer; God hath predestinated us thereunto. For whom be foreknew, he also did predestinate to be conform∣ed to the image of his Son. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: he called to sufferings, 1 Pet. 2.21.3.9. For even here∣unto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an ex∣ample, that we should follow his steps. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, saith our Lord, shall find it. And therefore if any man will be my disciple, and come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his crosse daily, and follow me. This is our Lords doctrine left to his Church; and as St. Paul saith, his members must fill up that which is behinde, of the afflictions of his flesh for his bodies sake which is his Church: and those that so do are his friends. I say unto you my friends, fear not them which kill the body. And again, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Hence∣forth I call you not servants, but friends: such an one was Abra∣ham, who in temptations and extremities trusted in God, which was counted or imputed unto him for righteousnesse, and he was called the friend of God. So are all those that follow Abrahams steps, friends of God, if ye do what Christ commands, leave this world with the pleasures thereof.

If any desired to be helped to tranquillity, as Zebedees Chil∣dren did, he tels them that they must drink of his Cup, that bit∣ter Cup of his passion: Matth 26.39. and be baptized with his Baptisme. Every one must be salted with fire, which doubtlesse is all one with to be baptized with fire. Matth 3.11. And this may be the meaning of that place, 1 Cor. 3.15. He shall be saved; yet so as by fire: which by some is applyed to Purgatory. But affliction is the true Purgatory. This is that Refiners fire, and fullers sope purifying the sons of Levi, Mal. 3.2, 3. which is so terrible, that at the first sight the Prophet asketh the question, Who can abide the day of his coming? or who shall stand when he appeareth? Who will follow him, and suffer the Crosse, the losse of all to come to a kingdom? This is that spirit of judgement, and spirit of burning that washeth away the filth of the daughter of Sion, and purgeth away the blood of Jerusalem from the midst of her. This is that

cleansing fanne by which the floore shall be throughly purged. Therefore it is, that those that are arrayed in white robes are said to come out of great tribulation, washing their robes in the blood of the Lambe. And whatsoever good thing is condu∣cible or helpfull to any, that they may the better follow Christ in this his humiliation, and thereby be regenerated, and made one with him and his Father, he promiseth to grant them, yea in this way, and for this end onely (not for mens lusts) but to sit them for heaven, ask what ye will, saith our Lord, and ye shall have it. In this condition or state of affliction, the Just lives by his faith, relying on God, and waiting the performance of his promise. As it is written, he that beleeves makes not haste, goes not out of Gods presence from this or that trouble; but with ho∣ly Job waits the Lords leisure, going from trouble to trouble, from faith to faith, from strength to strength, as Israel did, from one station to another, through the wildernesse to Canaan, a type of our journey through the desert of this world, towards our heavenly Canaan. Though the youth faint, and are weary, and the young men utterly fail, yet they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall run, and not be weary, they shall walke, and not faint. For in this path doth Gods power keep the Christi∣an through faith (who in all extremities relyes upon him) to that Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, which is the one∣ly thing he waiteth for. In the interim though he passe through the wa∣ters God will be with him; and thorow the rivers, they shall not overflow him. When he walketh through the fire he shall not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon him. No weapon that is formed against him shall prosper; for strong is the Lord that keepeth him; Not the outward man from destruction, that's decreed, and in due time must be destroyed; but the inward man, and welfare of it. He that touch∣eth that, toucheth the apple of Gods eye.

Obj. But what, may some say, needs all this? may we not live merrily, avoid trouble as much as we can, and yet go to heaven in the end?

Aas. I answer. We read of some indeed that become old, and are mighty in power, Job 21. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Their Bull genders, and Cow calveth: they send out their little ones like flocks, and their children dance, are brought up to Musick, for they take the timbrel and the harp, and raj yee at the sound of the Organ; But they are wicked, ver. 7. and in a moment go down

to hell. ver. 13. O my soul, come not thou into their secrets, into their as∣semblies, mine honour, be not thou united. For these are men that have their portions in this life, whose bellies God fils with the hid treasures thereof. But it's better to go into the house of mourn∣ing, then into the house of feasting. Sorrow is better then laugh∣ter, for by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made bet∣ter; and merrier. And the wise man saith, there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh: but the laughing time comes last. So said A∣braham to Dives, Remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evill things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. As both of them, so all of us have allotted from the hand of Gods providence bad and good things, tor∣ments and comforts: they that sowe in joy, shall reap in tears; and they that sowe in tears, shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtlesse come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him. Those that weep may be comforted, and those that are persecuted may leap for joy; for Christ hath pro∣nounced them thrice blessed, Luk. 6. whilest those that are full, and laugh, and of whom the world speaketh well, have as many woes. Wo unto you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation. Wo unto you that are full, for ye shall hunger. Wo unto you that laugh now: for ye shall mourn and weep. Luk. 6.24, 25.

Hence it comes to passe, that the true Christian, whose eyes God hath opened to see these things, laugheth at calamities, and mocketh when fear cometh, and desolation like a whirlwinde. For he (namely, the inward man) is in that Dothan about which are horses of fire, and chariots of fire compassing. Although there should be no meat in fields, flocks in folds, nor herds in stalls, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, saith Habbakkuk, I will joy in the God of my salvation. For the Lord God is my strength, he will make my feet like hindes feet, and I shall walk upon my high places. And such as suffer for righteousnesse are counted worthy of the kingdom, which the Father hath prepared for those that love him. Therefore the Apostles rejoyced over the Thessalonians for their faith in persecutions, and tribulations that they endured, which is (saith he) a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom for which ye also suffer; see∣ing it's a righteous thing to recompence tribulation on them that trouble us, and to them who are troubled rest with us. As for the Apostle himself, who knew the truth of these things, his whole study was the do∣ctrine

of the Crosse; he desired to know nothing else but Jesus Christ, and him crucified: God forbid, saith he, that I should glory in any thing, save in the crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. And in this he glorieth, that he twice in one Chap. makes an apologie, as fearing lest men should think him a fool for boasting so much: 2 Cor. 11.1.16. And then begins: I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. In Da∣mascus, &c. In stripes above measure, in prisons frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I fourty stripes save one, thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwrack. A night and a day I have been in the deep: in journeying often, in perils of waters, in pe∣rill of robbers, in perils by mine own Countreymen, and in perils by the heathen: in perils in the City, in the wildernesse, in the sea, in perils a∣mongst false brethren, in wearinesse, in painfulnesse, in hunger and thirst, in fasting oft, in cold and nakednesse. And besides those things that are without, that which cometh on me daily, the care of all the Churches. And if I must needs glory, I will glory in the things which concern mine infir∣mities. For when I am weak, then am I strong; the more I en∣dure, the more Christ inables me. And saith the Apostle in ano∣ther place, by this we bear in our bodies the dying of our Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortall bodies. Thus the Lord tryeth the righteous, but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul bateth. For whom he loveth, he chastneth, even as a Fa∣ther the son, in whom he delighteth. For gold is tryed in the fire; and acceptable men in the furnace of Affliction. What man is so foo∣lish as rather to desire gold mingled with drosse, than to have it passe the fire? Thus God served Jerusalem, Zach. 13.9. He tels the people he will bring them through the fire, and refine them as sil∣ver is refined, and will try them as gold is tryed. Then shall they call on his Name, and he will hear them: he will say, It is my peo∣ple; and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Thus was our Fa∣ther Abraham tryed, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God: Thus Isaac, thus Jacob, thus Moses, and all who pleased God, by many tribulations became faithfull. That having a little been chastised, they might be greatly re∣warded.

Thus is made known unto us the mystery of Godlinesse, which the Apostle saith is great; and without controversie it is the my∣stery which in other Ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed to Gods holy Apostles and Prophets

by his Spirit, that they might preach the unsearchable riches of Christ obtained by the Crosse; of which the ancient Prophets en∣quired, and searched diligently; who prophesied of the grace that should come, searching what, and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie, which testified be∣forehand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow: which things the Angels defire to look into. A figure of which were the two Cherubims with their wings lifted up, but their face looking one towards another, and toward the Mercy seat; which mystery being revealed to the holy Apostles by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and by them manifested un∣to the Angels, may minister some ground why the Angels admit∣ted of adoration in the Old Testament, Numb. 22.31, 32. Jos. 5.14. and refused it in the New. Rev. 19.10. and 22.10.

Thus doth it manifestly appear, that there is no other way to be saved but by the Crosse of Christ, to conform our selves to his sufferings, to follow him in his abased humiliation; that so we may be like him in his exaltation. For as he was, so are we in this present evill world. This he hath taught us both by his doctrine and life. And surely had there been any other way, he would have shewed it us. And let us consider though the forbidden fruit might be reall to Adam, yet unto us as it hath an influence, upon these three, viz. the flesh, the eyes, the minde, it is a figure answering thereunto. St. James esteemes the wisdom & strength layed out upon these, to be earthly, sensuall, divellish. Of the same speaks St. John, saying, Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And our Lord dyed to deliver us from this present evill world: from which S. James saith, he that is religious keeps himself unspotted.

Every offence that in this world is committed, is either for a beastly pleasure, a trifling commodity, or for some vain estima∣tion with man. And as in a glasse face answers face, so do these three kinds of transgressions to those three qualities of the for∣bidden fruit: Gen. 3. And therefore it is that the Christian in Ba∣ptisme promises to renounce these three, the world, the flesh, and the devill, and to follow our Lord under the Crosse; the perfor∣mance of which through Christ is that which saveth, called by the Apostle not the washing away the silth of the flesh, but the an∣swer of a good conscience. And this is that spirituall and fiery

Baptisme of Christ, namely, a Baptisme into his death; unto which whosoever subscribes, stands ingaged to a crucifixion, and daily death for a good conscience; and is in jeopardy to dye eve∣ry houre. As it is written, if the dead rise not, why are we bapti∣zed for the dead? and why stand we in jeopardy every houre? I protest, saith the Apostle, by our rejoycing which I have in Christ Jesus I dye daily: therefore it is that the Lord Christ to the bap∣tized is a Captain, a Leader; and every such that hath resigned up himself to be his Souldier, and to follow the Lambe where-ever he goeth, this his skilfull Captain will lead through crook∣ed paths, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him by discipline; but after will comfort him, and shew him secrets. Therefore saith the Apostle, After ye have suffered a while, he shall sta∣blish, strengthen, settle you. This is the Lords way to save the sons of men. And as Eiihu said, these things God worketh thrice, yea of∣ten with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlight∣ned with the light of the living. That man whom God intends to dignifie, he visits every morning, and tryes him every moment, and chastiseth him for his profit, that so he may be made parta∣ker of Gods holinesse; indeed be regenerated, made one with the Father, and the Son, as our Lord said, Verily, ye which have fol∣lowed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, ye shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the Tribes of Israel. Every one that hath forsaken houses, or bre∣thren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Names sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inberit everlasting life. This in our Lords opinion is the very means of mans regeneration, namely, a patient following him through all afflictions, to be as a lambe dumbe before the shea∣rers; to lay the body as the ground, and as the street to them that passe over; patiently bearing reproaches, and drinking down scorning like water; to give the back to the smiters, the face to the spitters, and the checks to them that pluck off the hair. But this doctrine to flesh and blood seems strange, that the Scrip∣ture saith, Lord, who hath beleeved our report? To the Jews it is a stumbling block, to the Greeks foolishnesse: but to the Chri∣stian beleever it is the power of God to salvation. For by means of the Crosse, the Christian is made like his Master, fitted for hea∣ven, and perfected as he was perfected; and he that endureth most for him in this life, that comes neerest to him in suilerings, shall

come neerest to him in glory in the next. Therfore let us not think afflictions (when God sendeth them) so strange a thing, but ra∣ther with holy Job in secret (admiring that God should take such care for to make us partakers of his holinesse) say, Lord what is man that thou shouldst dignifie him? that thou shouldst set thy heart upon him? that thou shou'dst visit him every morning, and try him every moment? But Lord, what may be thought of those men that take up the sword against the Cresse? Those that have caused so great effu∣sion of Christian blood for liberty, yea liberty to the flesh, which must be crucified, that so they mayserve God as themselves please; and that without any trouble in this world. How are these igno∣rant, and also Enemies of the Crosse of Christ?

The holy Apostle wept to think that there should be any such among Christians; telling the Philippians that such made their belly their God, their glory their shame, earthly minded men, their end was destruction. Alas, alas! what shall become of those among Christians, that for this end, because they may not have liberty, speak evill of Dignities, and despise Dominions, follow∣ing the foot-steps of Cain, Corab, Dathan, and Abiram, and will not be warned by their judgements? Which examples as standing Pillars of Salt remain to all generations. Wo is them, wo is them, for them in especiall, saith St. Jude, is reserved blacknesse, and darknesse for ever. Jude 8.13.

Did the blessed Trinity in their wisdom finde out this onely means for the restauration of lost mankinde? Did the holy Apostles rejoyce in it? the Angels admire it? the universall Church imbrace it? and do we fight to make it void? The very thoughts thereof cause my knees to tremble, my lips to quiver, and rotten∣nesse to enter into my bones. For God with vengeance will come with thousands of his Saints, as Enoch prophesied, to execute judgement on all belly gods that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, and of all their hard speeches which un∣godly sinners have spoken against him.

These, saith that Apostle, are those that separate themselves, sensuall, not having the Spirit. O Lord what have we done? that thou shouldst suffer us to stray, and in knowing times to be so strangely deluded.

By what degrees of sins have we ascended to such unmatch∣able wickednesse. O! the Christian Religion how it is disgraced! Cut off thy hair, O Christian, and cast it from thee, and take up

a lamentation in all thy publick places, and say:

O Lord, if it be possible open our eyes, and remove this bitter Gall, forgive this great iniquitie. When Israel had sinned in making the golden Calf, thou shewedst mercy upon thousands. To Manasses which caused Jerusalem to swim with innocent blood, and had no works of righteousnesse. Thou declaredst thy great mercy in pardoning him. Thou restoredst Israel from cap∣tivity, which had lived like beasts. The Thief upon the Crosse had nothing but sins to present thee with, yet thou pardonest him, for thou art a God of mercy, art call'd mercifull, and de∣lightest in mercy, and hast treasures of goodnesse layed up for them that have none for themselves. O Lord hear, and consider. Look not upon the sins of thy people, but look on thy Sanctuary and worship which lyeth waste. Defer not to help for thy Names sake, for thy honour sake. In pitie for thy Christs sake look up∣on our miseries, for there is no healing nor help left, and we grow worse and worse. Our sins increasing are grown up unto the hea∣vens. We have committed this great evill, and that Jesuitically by blood; we think to build our nests on high above the stars, that so in this world we may escape the Crosse of our Lord, and be free from the power of evill. But, O Lord, in so doing we have refused our own health, the waters of Shiloh, and put from our selves that holy Cup of Salvation, of which our Lord himself drank, and himself with his own blood tempered and seasoned for such as will be his Disciples. O Lord in judgement remem∣ber mercy, and bring us once again to that ancient old good way, that walking therein we may find rest to our souls. Amen.

Notes

• Rom. 8.3.
• Rev. 2.7.
• Heb. 2.5.10.
• Heb. 1.6.
• 2 Sam. 12.
• Ephes. 5.9. & 26. 1 Pet. 3.20, 21
• Gen. 7. Exod. 3.2; Exod. 14 29. 1 Sam. 14. Dan. 3. Ioh 3.6. Matth. 14.24.
• Rev. 12. Exod 2.3.
• Gen. 37.26. Isa 53.4. Exod. 13.
• Matth. 11.12.
• Act. 1.6.
• Luk. 10 13.
• Matth. 10.10.
• Luk. 14.26.
• 2 Tim. 2.12.
• 1 Thes. 3.3.
• Rom 8.30.
• Matth. 10.30. Mat. 16 24, 25 Luk. 29.23, 24. Luk. 14.16.27 Ioh. 12.15.
• Col. 1.24. Luk 12.4.
• Ioh. 15.14.
• Iam. 2.23.
• Rom. 5.3.
• Mar. 10.39.
• Mar. 9.49.
• Isa 4.4 Matt ••.12. Rev. 7 14.
• Matt. 18 19.
• Matt 21.22. Iam. 4 ••. Hab 2.4.
• Isa. 28 16.
• Psal. 84.7.
• Isa. 40.30.
• 1 Pet. 1.5.
• Isa. 43.2.
• Isa. 54.17.
• 2 Cor. 4.16. Zach. 2.8.
• Gen. 49.
• Eccle. 3.
• Eccl. 3.4.
• Luk 16.25.
• Psal. 126.5, 6.
• Luk 6.24, 25.
• Pro. 1.26.
• 2 King 6.13.17,
• Hab 3.17, 18.
• Rev. 3.4.
• 2 Thes 1.5.
• Gal. 6.14.
• 2 Cor. 12.8.9, 10.10 30.
• 2 Cor 4 11.
• Psal. 11.5. Pro. 3.12. Eccl. 2.5.
• Indich 8.22, 23, 24. Iam. 2.23.
• Wisd 3.5.
• 1 Tim 3 1.
• 1 Ioh 4.7.
• 1 Ioh 2.15, 16
• Gal 1.4.
• Iam. ••.27.
• 1 Cor. 15.
• Ecclu 4.11 18.
• 1 Pet. 5 10.
• Iob 23.
• Iob 7. Hebr. 12.
• Isa 51.2, 3. Ps 1 44. Iob 34.7. Isa. 50.6.
• 1 Cor. 1 23.
• Hab. 2.10. and 5.9.
• Hab 1.••0 59.
• Job 7.17, 11.
• Heb. 12.10.
• Iesuites and heady Secta∣ri••s.
• Phil. 3.19.
• Iude 19.
• Ier 7.29.
• Ier. 7.29.
• Deu••. 19.18. Act 1.23.
• Exod. 23. 2 King 11.16.
• 2 Esds 8.29, 30
• Ier. 3.12. Exod. 34.
• Hab. 2.9.
• Isa. 56.
• Ier. 6.16.