A declaration of the true manner of knowing Christ crucified

think also that thou in the self same manner art bound and tied with the chains of thine own sins, and that by nature thy will, affections, and whole spirit is tied and chained to the will of the devil, so as thou canst do nothing but that which he willeth: lastly, think and believe that the bonds of Christ serve to purchase thy liberty from hell, death and damnation. When thou hearest that he was brought before Annas and Caiaphas, think it was meet, that thy surety and pledge who was to suffer the condemnation ⟨p. 33⟩due unto thee, should by the high priest as by the mouth of God, be condemned: and wonder at this, that the very coessential & eternal son of God, even the very sovereign judge of the world, stands to be judged, and that by wicked men; persuading thy self that this so great confusion comes of thy sins. Whereupon being further amazed at thy fearful estate, humble thy self in dust and ashes, and pray God so to soften thy stony heart, that thou mayest turn to him, and by true faith lay hold on Christ, who hath thus exceedingly abased himself, that his ignominy may be thy glory, and his arraignment thy perfect absolution. When thou readest that Barabbas the murderer, was preferred before Christ, though he exceeded both men and angels in holiness; think it was to manifest his innocency, and that thy very sins pulled upon him this shameful reproach; and in that for thy cause he was esteemed worse then Barabbas, think of thy self as a most heinous and wretched sinner, and (as Paul saith) the head of all sinners. When thou readest that he was openly and judicially condemned to the cursed death of the cross, consider what is the wrath and fury of God against sin, and what is his great and infinite mercy to sinners: and in this ⟨p. 34⟩spectacle look upon thy self, and with groans of heart cry out, and say, O good God, What settest thou hear before mine eyes? I, even I have sinned, I am guilty and worthy of damnation. Whence comes this change, that thy blessed son is in my room, but of thy unspeakable mercy? Wretch that I am, how have I forgotten my self, and thee also my God? O son of God, how long hast thou abased thy self for me?

thinke also that thou in the selfe same manner art bounde and tyed with the chaines of thine owne sinnes, and that by nature thy will, affections, and whole spirit is tyed and chained to the will of the deuill, so as thou canst doe nothing but that which he willeth: lastly, thinke and beleeue that the bondes of Christ serue to purchase thy liberty from hell, death and damnation. When thou hearest that hee was brought before Annas and Caiaphas, thinke it was meete, that thy surety and pledge who was to suffer the condemnation