CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. Observe the wisdom and prudence of Christ when danger was come, because then it was not his hour; Sometimes he departed secretly, and went from place to place to avoid the malice of his enemies, yea, his father and mother fled with him while a child to escape death, This teacheth us, That it is our duty to preserve our selves from ruin, when we have not a call or obligation thereunto; So the Prophets in Jezebels time were hid by many in a cave, and those Noble Worthies recorded by the Apostle that fled and hid themselves in caves and mountains, they are said to do it by faith; It was not sinful fear but faith, so that we are diligently to consider when it is our call, our duty, when God requireth of us, as the time and hour of our affliction, that we must lose ⟨p. 21⟩all for him, and in this we must not consult with flesh and blood; for that saith as Peter to Christ, Master, save thy self, who had that severe Rebuke, Get thee behind me Satan. Then on the other side, when the time of Christs sufferings did come, every thing brought it about; A Judas, a Disciple of his own he betrayeth him, and all his adversaries do easily insult over him, and then he doth not as before depart out of the way, no, but though be knew he was to suffer at Jerusalem, yet he set his face to go thither, and though he could have commanded Legions of Angels to have rescued him, and we read that those who come to surprise him fell down immediately being stricken with his Majesty, yet he will not deliver himself; No, though his enemies did with so much scorn bid him save himself, which teacheth us, that when the hour of our afflictions is come, when God manifestly discovers it must be the time of our trouble, that then we do with all patience and cheerfulness resign our selves into his hands.

2. Observe the wisedom and prudence of Christ when danger was come, because then it was not his hour; Sometimes he departed secretly, and went from place to place to avoid the malice of his enemies, yea, his father and mother fled with him while a childe to escape death, This teacheth us, That it is our duty to preserve our selves from ruine, when we have not a call or obligation thereunto; So the Prophets in Jezabels time were hid by many in a cave, and those Noble Worthies recorded by the Apostle that fled and hid themselves in caves and mountains, they are said to do it by faith; It was not sinfull fear but faith, so that we are diligently to consider when it is our call, our duty, when God requireth of us, as the time and hour of our affliction, that we must lose