Remembrance properly,1 is the return of the mind to an object, about which it hath been formerly conversant. And it may so return to a thing it hath conversed with before, two ways; speculatively, and transiently; or affectingly, and permanently. A speculative remembrance, is only to call to mind the history of such a person, and his sufferings. That Christ was once put to death in the flesh. An affectionate remembrance is when we so call Christ and his death to our minds, as to feel the powerful impressions thereof upon our hearts. Thus, Matth. 26.75. Peter remembered the words of the Lord, and went out, and wept bitterly. His very heart was melted with that remembrance; his bowels were pained, he could not hold, but went out, and wept abundantly. Thus Joseph when he saw his brother Benjamin, whose sight refreshed the memory of former days, and endearments, was greatly affected, Gen. 43.29, 30. And he lift up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mothers Son; and said, is this your younger brother of whom ye spake to me? and he said God be gracious unto thee my Son. And Joseph made haste, for his bowels did yearn upon his brother, and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his Chamber and wept there. Such a remembrance of Christ, is that which is here intended. This is indeed a gracious remembrance of Christ, the former hath nothing of grace in it. The time shall come, when Judas that betrayed him; and the Jews, that pierced him, shall historically remember what was done, Rev. 1.7. Behold he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him; and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth, shall wail because of him. They I say Judas shall remember, this is he whom I perfidiously betrayed. Pilate shall remember, this is he whom I sentenced to be hanged on the tree, though I was convinced of his innocency. Then the Soldiers shall remember, this is that Face we spit upon, that head we crowned with thorns: Lo this is he whose side we pierced, whose hands and Feet we once nailed to the Cross. But this remembrance will be their torment, not their benefit. It is not therefore a bare historical speculative; but a gracious, affectionate, impressive remembrance of Christ, that is here intended: and such a remembrance of Christ, supposes and includes.
Remembrance properly,1 is the return of the mind to an object, about which it hath been formerly conversant. And it may so return to a thing it hath conversed with before, two waies; speculatively, and transciently; or affectingly, and permanently. A speculative remembrance, is only to call to mind the history of such a person, and his sufferings. That Christ was once put to death in the flesh. An affectionate remembrance is when we so call Christ and his death to our minds, as to feel the powerful impressions thereof upon our hearts. Thus, Matth. 26.75. Peter remembred the words of the Lord, and went out, and wept bitterly. His very heart was melted with that remembrance; his bowels were pained, he could not hold, but went out, and wept abundantly. Thus Ioseph when he saw his brother Benjamin, whose sight refreshed the memory of former daies, and endearments, was greatly affected, Gen. 43.29, 30. And he lift up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mothers Son; and said, is this your younger brother of whom ye spake to me? and he said God be gracious unto thee my Son. And Joseph made haste, for his bowels did yearn upon his brother, and he sought where to weep; and he entred into his Chamber and wept there. Such a remembrance of Christ, is that which is here intended. This is indeed a gratious remembrance of Christ, the former hath nothing of grace in it. The time shall come, when Iudas that betrayed him; and the Iews, that pierced him, shall hystorically remember what was done, Rev. 1.7. Behold he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him; and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth, shall wail because of him. They I say Iudas shall remember, this is he whom I perfidiously betrayed. Pilate shall remember, this is he whom I sentensed to be hanged on the tree, though I was convinced of his innocency. Then the Souldiers shall remember, this is that Face we spet upon, that head we crowned with thorns: Lo this is he whose side we pierced, whose hands and Feet we once nailed to the Cross. But this remembrance will be their torment, not their benefit. It is not therefore a bare hystorical speculative; but a gratious, affectionate, impressive remembrance of Christ, that is here intended: and such a remembrance of Christ, supposes and includes.
- 1Orbae memoria, est vis redintegratrix, sive recollectrix earum imaginum, quae antea quidem memoriae adhaeserunt; posteo verò evan•runt: appellatur uno nomine reminiscentia. Keckerman: Syet. Phys. lib. 4. cap. 6. page (mihi) 534.
