Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

this was the manner of the Jews, to eat their meat lying down,¹ and Leaning on their Elbows; or if many eat together, leaning in the bosoms of one another; thus at the Passover it is said that there was leaning on Jesus bosom one of his disciples whom Jesus loved; And in this posture Jesus sitting or lying at meat, Mary had the convenience to weep on his feet, which he had cast behind his fellow; and O how she weeps a main! the Tears so Trickle, that she begins to wash Christs feet; she not only waters them,² but washes them; that which Jeremiah wished, Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a Fountain of Tears! Mary fulfils; for her head is waters, and her eyes are fountains; Rivers of Tears run down her eyes; O she had pierced Christ with her sins, and now she weeps over him whom she had pierced; crying out as we may imagine, O my sins! and O my Christ! O foul sins! and O sweet Jesus! 5. She wipes his feet with the Hairs of her Head; her hair added to her beauty, sometimes in curling rings, or in seemly sheds, she made it a snare for men; but now she consecrates it to her Lord, and makes it a Towel to wipe Christs feet withal: O here's a worthy fruit of serious repentance, ⟨p. 191⟩the Apostle calls it an holy revenge. 6. She kissed his feet; ³in token of her new choice, and new love, and new affection; her kisses had formerly been to wantons, but now she bestows them on the feet of Christ. 7. She anointed them with ointment; which expression was so great an ecstasy of love, and sorrow, and adoration, that to anoint the feet of the greatest Monarch was long unknown, and in all the pomps of Roman prodigality, it was never used till Otho taught it Nero. When Simon observed this sinner so busy in the expresses of her Religion, he thought within himself that Christ was no Prophet, that he did not know her to be a sinner; for although the Jews Religion did permit harlots to live, and to enjoy the privileges of the Nation, save that their oblations were refused; yet the Pharisees who pretended to a greater degree of sanctity than others, would not admit them to civil usages, or to the benefits of ordinary society: and hence Simon made an objection within himself, which Jesus knowing (for he understood his thoughts as well as words) first he makes her Apology, and then his own;