Nothing fo terrible toman as the fight of hisGanes. Vpon the Saturdayafter lerera.t7. r3. lob. r ;. Jerels. 22. And inpoint of Iuftice, let not thebeameof the ballancelean afide, norhis fan- cieouerfwayhim,nor any feare ofgreatmens difpleafure terrifie him. Gratiows andrighteous is. theLord, therefore will heteachftnners in thenay. The Lordashe is Tweet andgratious, fo is he vpright and iuft ; and therefore it is fit that a Iudge fhould not onely knowthe Law, but fhouldallo fincerely execute the Law, not interpretingthe fameaccording to his ownepleafure , but according to reafon and equitie. Withbisfinger hewroteon theground . All that comment vpon thisplace , do agree in this, That he wrote in thismanner,andwhyhedid it : And firft ofall, Saint Hierome faith, That heewroteon the ground thefins of thofe that had accufed this Adultrefle: Accordingro that of Ieremie,They that departfrom theefhadbe written in theearth ; their names Tall not bec regiftred in thebooke ofLife : wherewithhe left themconfounded andafhamed, and did prooue therebyvnto them, thatthey hadneither any zeale to the Law, norany delire toobferue thefame. Thiswas ablazoning forth of the honourandglo- tieofour Sauiour Chrift,beyond that of the Romans ; herewas aparcerefäbie Hit tothe purpofe ; and a debellarefáperbos with a witnefle. And whereas the Scribesand Pharifees let vpon him in this their pride and brauerie,when they fawtheir own finnesfet downe before their eyes (which:to a Sinner.isa terrible andmolt fearefull fight)they let fall their plumes, and hung downe their heads forflame, being fobafely deieéted, asnonecould bemore. Iwilllayalltby abbe- minationsbefore thee ; O, thisis afad and heauiefpthacle, What humane eyecan indure to beholdthem:' efpeciallywhenGodfhal raifevp our oldfinnes,which we thought had beene forgotten and buried in the pit ofobliuion. O , how true is that of Ieremie, andhowpat toour prefent purpofe, Theyoke ofmy tranf- ,grefionsis boundvponhis band , they are wrappedandcome vpabout my necke. My heauiefines are continuallybefore his eyes,as he that tietha thing to his hand fora remembrance ;the horrour whereofhathmademy ftrength to fall. What adifmall thing is it, to fee thofe my wickedneffes which I thought had beene quite out of his remembrance, andthat he had cart them behindhis backe,to be brought before myface,and heto hold the beadrollofthem inhis handwritten ingreat capitall letters,Circumuolutefunt inmanudue, likeapieceof corke vnder aclewof thred. Efaypaints forth certain impudent and fliameleffe Sinners, andprefently anonafter faith,Their defiruc`lionis writtendown, and when!fie my time will f eakethereof. O howdoth Tobèomplaine hereof, Thouwritefifbitter things againflme, andmakefi meto pof theiniquities ofmyyouth. He calls thefe bitterthings, the finnes of his youth. Saint Chryfofiomefaith, Thatbee borro- wed this metaphor from aIudge, who takes thepenneinhis hand for topro- nounce fentence, letting downethe offences of theDelinquent. And therfore lob faith, I fee that thou lookeftnarrowly vntomy paths, as though thou woul- deft pronounce fentenceagainft mee. And therefore SaintHierome faith , That Chriftwrote on the ground. Andas a Iudge expofetha Butcher to publique fhame, byhanginghis falleweights abouthis necke ; fo thou, ôLord, hauing readie written in thyhand the yoke ofmytranfgreflions, thouexpofefi mee to fhame,by wrapping them about mynecke. Saint LArrosbrefe fayth, that ourfauiourwrote that which Teremy prophecied ofIeceniah,Terre,terra, f ribebus virus abdicator, 0 Eartb,earth, write theftmen de- jIitute,&c. And inone ofhisEpiftles he fayth, Thoufeel} amoat in thyneigh- bours eye,but not thebrame that is inthine owne. A late Commentator bath thisnotehereupon,That ourSaviorwrotedownethefinnes ofthisAdultereffe, that
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