A Golden Chain

In the •light of the disciples we may consider two things: the time, and the quality of the persons. The time was at the apprehension of our Lord & Saviour. And this came to pass not without the special providence of God: that it might be known, that Christ had no helper or fellow in the accomplishment of the work of our redemption: & that, whereas we for our sins deserved to be forsaken of all creatures, he being our pledge and surety might be forsaken ⟨p. 310⟩for us. As for the quality of the persons that fly, they were the chosen disciples of Christ, such as had believed in him, confessed him, and preached in his name. And this serveth to teach us that God will otherwhiles forsake his own children and servants and leave them to themselves in some part, that they may feel their wants and miseries, & their weakness in themselves, and by that means be humbled throughly, and be touched with an hungering desire after Christ. As a mother sets down her child and hides her self, suffering it to cry, fall, and break the face, not because she hates it, but that she may teach it to depend upon her, and love her: so god giveth grace to his children, & yet again sometime he doth in part withdraw it from them, & then they fail in their duties sundry ways: and this he doth to make them ashamed of themselves, and to cause them to put all their confidence out of themselves in the merits of Christ.

In the •light of the disciples we may consider two things: the time, and the qualitie of the persons. The time was at the apprehension of our Lord & Sauiour. And this came to passe not without the speciall prouidence of God: that it might be known, that Christ had no helper or fellow in the accōplishment of the work of our redēption: & that, wheras we for our sinnes deserued to be forsaken of all creatures, he being our pledge and surety might be forsaken ⟨p. 310⟩for vs. As for the qualitie of the persons that flie, they were the chosen disciples of Christ, such as had beleeued in him, confessed him, and preached in his name. And this serueth to teach vs that God will otherwhiles forsake his owne children and seruants and leaue them to themselues in some part, that they may feele their wants and miseries, & their weakenesse in themselues, and by that meanes be humbled throughly, and be touched with an hungring desire after Christ. As a mother sets down her child and hides her selfe, suffering it to crie, fall, and breake the face, not becanse shee hates it, but that shee may teach it to depend vpon her, and loue her: so god giueth grace to his children, & yet againe sometime he doth in part withdrawe it from them, & then they faile in their duties sundrie waies: and this he doth to make them ashamed of themselues, and to cause them to put all their confidence out of themselues in the merits of Christ.