The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

When he entered upon his public Ministry, he is no sooner ascended the Stage, but all the Devils in Hell appear against him, and he is forced to fight hand to hand with them for forty days together, and when they left him, they did not take their leave, but departed only for a season, Luk. 4.13. His whole life was a living death. How poor was he, when he was fain to work a miracle to pay his Tax! The Foxes had holes, and the Birds of the Air had Nests, but the Son of man had not where to lay his head, though he were heir of all things, ⟨p. 288⟩Mat. 8.20. What did he suffer in his name, when the worst words in the mouths of the Jews were thought not bad enough for him? He is called the Carpenters Son, a Glutton, a Drunkard, a Blasphemer, a friend of Publicans and sinners, a Samaritan, a Devil, nay the Prince of Devils. What hunger, and thirst, and weariness did he undergo? He that feeds others with his own flesh, had many an hungry belly. He that gave others that water of which whosoever drinketh shall thirst no more, had his own veins sucking and paining him for thirst. He that is himself the only Ark for the weary Dove to fly too for rest, did himself take many a wearisome step, and travail many a tiresome journey. Well might the Prophet call him, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs, though he had suffered no more then what is already written, but all this was but the beginning of his sorrows. The dregs of the cup were at the bottom. Doubtless many an aching heart had he (as a Woman with Child) beforehand when he thought of the bitter pangs, sharp throws, and hard labour, which he was to suffer at the close of his life. O Friend, Remember this Son of David and all his troubles; but to come to his end which is specially represented in this Ordinance; I will take him in the Garden, where he felt more then I can write or think. Consider his body there, it was all over in a gore blood; Ah what suffered he when he did sweat clods of blood. To sweat blood is against nature, much more in a cold season, most of all when he was full of fear and terror, then the ⟨p. 289⟩blood retreats to the heart to guard it, and to be guarded by it.

When he entred upon his publique Ministry, he is no sooner ascended the Stage, but all the Divels in Hell appear against him, and he is forced to fight hand to hand with them for forty days together, and when they left him, they did not take their leave, but departed onely for a season,