A Golden Chain

The fourth thing to be considered in Christs apprehension, is their binding of him.¹ In which action of theirs we are to observe first of all the circumstance of time, when this binding was. When our Saviour Christ had said unto them, I am he, they being astonished fell to the ground: and with all, when Peter had smitten off Malchus ear with his sword, Christ healed the same miraculously. Yet after all this, though they had seen his wonderful power both in word and deed, they proceed in malice against him; and lay hands on him, and bind him as a malefactor. In this we note what a fearful sin hardness of heart is: the danger whereof appeareth in this, that if a man be overtaken with it, there is nothing that can stay or daunt him in his wicked proceedings: no not the powerful words and deeds of Christ himself. And indeed among Gods judgements there is none more fearful then this: and yet (how fearful soever it be) it is a rise sin amongst us in these our days. For it is very evident by common experience, that the more men are taught the doctrine of the law, and of the Gospel, the more hard and senseless are their hearts: like unto the stithy; which, the more it is beaten upon with iron hammer, the harder it is. And again, it is hard to find men that sorrow for their sins, and feel the want of Christ: which argueth the exceeding deadness of spirit• And let us be resolved that it is a most terrible judgement of God, the rather to be feared, because it is like a pleasant sleep, into which when a man is fallen, he feels neither pain nor grief. And therefore we for our parts must look unto it with fear and trembling, least it take such hold of us, that we be past all hope of recovery.

The fourth thing to be considered in Christs apprehension, is their binding of him.¹ In which action of theirs we are to obserue first of al the circumstance of time, when this binding was. When our Sauiour Christ had said vnto them, I am he, they being astonished fell to the ground: and with all, when Peter had smitten off Malchus eare with his sworde, Christ healed the same miraculously. Yet after all this, though they had seene his wonderfull power both in word and deede, they proceede in malice against him; and lay handes on him, and bind him as a malefactour. In this wee note what a fearefull sinne hardnesse of heart is: the danger whereof appeareth in this, that if a man be ouertaken with it, there is nothing that can stay or daunt him in his wicked proceedings: no not the powerfull words and deedes of Christ himselfe. And indeede among Gods iudgements there is none more feareful then this: and yet (how feareful soeuer it be) it is a rise sinne amongst vs in these our daies. For it is very euident by common experience, that the more men are taught the doctrine of the lawe, and of the Gospell, the more harde and senslesse are their hearts: like vnto the stithie; which, the more it is beaten vpon with yron hammer, the harder it is. And againe, it is hard to find men that sorrowe for their sinnes, and feele the want of Christ: which argueth the exceeding deadnes of spirit And let vs be resolued that it is a most terrible iudgement of God, the rather to be feared, because it is like a pleasant sleepe, into which when a man is fallen, he feeles neither paine nor griefe. And therefore we for our parts must looke vnto it with feare and trembling, least it take such hold of vs, that we be past all hope of recouerie.