deeper Purple than thy Sins There is as much Vertue in the Blood of Christ as there can be Venom in thy Sins Tell the Devil O poor Soul That though thy Sins have been against an Infinite God yet there is Infinite Mercy to Answer thy Sins God can easily drown and swallow up all thy Sins in the Ocean of his Mercy When the Tempter Magnifies thy Sins do thou then Magnify thy Saviour and Physician That I am a Sinner it is true but who else doth Christ Save That I am Ungodly it is true but who else doth God Justify Pore not so much upon thy Sins as quite to forget thy Saviour The Devil tells thee of thy Disease do thou tell him of thy Remedy Thou art Miserable by reason of Sin but thou may'st be Happy and Restored again by the Grace of God There is no Misery on this side of Hell and the Grave but God out of his Infinite Free Grace hath appointed some Means proper for the same viz. Hearing and Reading the Word for the Unconverted Prayer and Receiving of the Sacrament for the Weak in Gifts and Graces and Christ unto all in general who will Receive Him by Faith Mat. 11. 28. Let thy Sins be never so great Confess them but Humbly and Brokenly and thou shalt find Mercy David used the Aggravations of his Sins as an Argument with God to Pardon them Pardon my Sins because they are very great SECT IV. Secondly Satan Tempts to Despair by causing the Soul to make a wrong Use of God's Anger God is Angry saith Satan and therefore what wilt thou do Behold how he Looks how he Chides and how he Strikes Dost thou think that he will ever be Reconciled Remedy The only way to give Satan the Fall in this Respect is by Answering him in this wise God may Chide bitterly Look sowerly and Strike heavily even when and where he Loves most dearly And moreover That God is not so Angry but while thy Soul is on this side of Eternity thou may'st Pacify him by what he hath appointed as the Means whereby those who have sin'd against him may now be Reconciled unto him viz. The Sufferings of the Lord Iesus which have satisfied Divine Iustice to the full God is Love and he writes not Injuries in Marble SECT V. Thirdly Satan Tempts to Despair by causing the Soul to study that which it should not viz. God's Secret Will Thou art not Elected sayes the Devil and therefore all thy Praying and Reading and taking Pains with thy Heart will be but in vain Remedy The only way to invalidate Satan's Arguings in this Respect is by considering that he hath no Skill in the Black Book of Reprobation Neither Good nor Evil Angels can look into the Book of God's Decrees Therefore thou canst not for thou needst not Hast thou not the Book of thy Heart look into it and see what is Written therein He that finds the Bible Copied out into his Heart his Nature Transform'd the Byass of his Will turned the Signature and Engravings of the HolyGhost upon him looks not like a Reprobate When you see the Fruits of the Earth spring up you conclude the Sun has been there 'T is hard to climb up into Election but if we find the Fruits of Holiness springing up in our Hearts we may conclude the Sun of Righteoâ—…sness hath Risen there By our Sanctification saith one we must Calculate our Election The Infaâ—…lible Signes of Election in my Opinion should satisfy any one touching his Election Why now Hast thou not the Saving Graces of Faith Love and Repentance What are these but the Infallible Signes of Election Being not unsensible of the Intricacy which attends this Subject of Election and how the Devil puzzles many poor Souls by some Nice Questions resulting there-from Something already I have said of it But I do find much thereof for Substance Elegantly treated by the Elegant Culverwel in his White-Stone the Reading of which did exceedingly refresh my Soul and therefore hoping that it may have the like Effect upon thee I shall here insert it knowing that I cannot mend it my self what-ever others may be able to do The Lines are these That Astrologer sayes he was deservedly Laught at that was so intensly gazing upon the Stars so admiring their Twinkling Beauties as that unawares he tumbled into the Water where-as before if he had been but pleased to look so low as the Water he might have seen the Stars there represented in that Crystal-Glass Such as will needs be prying into Stars that will Ascend up into Heaven and gaze upon Election they do but dazle thine Eyes and sometimes by this are over-whelm'd in the Depths of Satan where-as they might easily see the Stars in the Water they might see Election in Sanctification Now Vocation does plainly and easily appear by that great and eminent Alteration which it brings along with it It is a powerful Call 't is an audible and quick'ning Voice the Voice of the First Trumpet that awakens Men out of the Graves and makes them Happy by having their Part in the First Resurrection great and sudden Alterations they are very Discernable Now here 's a most notorious and signal Change made Old things are past away and all things are become New Here 's a Change from Death to Life from Darkness to Light and what more Discernable than this A Living Man may know that he is Alive and that without any further Proof or Demonstration what-ever the Scepticks Old or New would perswade us to the contrary Will you not allow a Man to be certain that he Lives till a Iury of Life and Death hath past upon him Could not the Blind Man in the Gospel think you perceive when his Eyes were opened Could he not easily tell that now he could see and discern Variety of Objects or must he only conjecture that he sees and guess at a Sun-Beam Must he still at Noon-day go groping in Uncertainties And is there not an easie and sure Difference between those thick Veils and Shadows of the Night between those Dark and AEthiopick Looks and the Virgin-Blushes of the Morning those Beautiful Eye-lids of the Day The Smilings and Flow'rings out of Light much more the Advancement of Light to its Zenith and Noon-day-Glory And why then cannot an Intellectual Eye discern as well that now it sees that now it looks upon God with an Eye of Love with an Eye of Faith with an Eye of Confidence and that now God looks upon him with an Eye of Tenderness and Compassion with an Eye of Grace and Favour with an Eye of Delight and Approbation Who but an Anaxagoras will go about to perswade a Man to disbelieve his Eyes And if a Corporal Eye deserve such Credit why may not a Spiritual Eye then expect as much Say not then in thine Heart Who shall Ascend into Heaven to bring down Assurance from Above Who shall Unclasp the Book of
may kâ—…ow his Election by his Effectual Calling * It is altogether Irregular Anomalous for the Soul to pry into Election 'T is dangerous to tread on the highest Round first †Vocation Comments upon Election God's Decrees that were set from Everlasting do bud and blossom bring forth Fruit in time The Book was written before the Foundation of the World were laid but it was not Publisht till God himself gave it an Imprimatur The Letter was Dated from Eternity the Superscription was Writ in time in Vocation Now you know though the Letter be Writ first yet the Superscription is Read first by him that receives the Letter 'T was decreed from Eternity that Decrees should be known in time And the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Fulness of Time is the Time when God's Decrees are fulfilled When the Decrees of God are Ripe then he lets the Soul tast them and then they are Sweetest Then thou perceivest that thou art a Vessel of Honour when God puts thee upon an Honourable Employment That Fountain of Love which ran under-ground from Everlasting bubbles and flows to thee in time That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that was in Election becomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Vocation †We deserve nothing but Hell so that what we have and enjoy is through a Precious Redeemer †Cruciger on his Death-Bed prayed thus Invoco te Domine languidâ imbecillâ fide sed fide tamen Lord I call upon thee with a weak and languishing Faith but yet with a Faith * What is said of the Natural Serpent may be said of Satan that Old Spiritual Serpent Nunquam nisi moriens producitur in longum He is never seen at his full Length till Dying ‖ Death is like the Pillar of Cloud It hath a dark Side to a Sinner but it hath a Light Side to a Believer * Death like a Snake may Hiss and Wind about the Body but the Sting is pulled out †Death is not Mors Hominis but Mors Peccati not the Death of Man but the Death of his Sin * Filia devorabit Matrem ‖ Ultimus morborum medicus Mors. †Nemo ante funera felix Solon * St. Chrysostom admires the Bravery of the Apostle's Spirit ‖ Mr. Cases Mount-Pisgah * Faith's Triumph over the Fears of Death pag. 71. †The Christians Defence against the Fears of Death pag. 375. cap. 20. ‖ The Devil if permitted can hurt both Soul and Body * The Devil hurts the Body how and after what manner †The Devil hurts the Soul how and after what manner ‖ The Devil is a Potent Enemy * Est autem horum i. e. malorum Angelorum quoque numerus magnus sed in Scriptura non definitus Piscat in Calvin Institut pag. 20. ‖ In summa triplicitur possunt nocere supra nos intra nos circa nos Supra nos tempestates procellas ciendo fulgura tonitrua ejamlaudo fragores horrendos edendo nubes cogendo Intra nos sensus internos externos voluntemque movendo impellendo sive id fiat ex parte organi sive ex parte objecti turbando humores loco motivam impellendo vitio rum somites subministrando Circa nos loco movendo bono nostra edes concutere convellere fluviorum cursus alveos mutare pascua noxiis succis imbuere fructus mutare excutere pecudes morbis afficere Alsted Syst. Theolog. Deduct 2. †Though I should Dye with thee yet will I not Deny thee Matth. 26. 34. * Fox Act. and Mon. †Si vis esse securus semper time ‖ Blessed Bilney tried his Finger by himself in the Candle before his whole Body in the Flames at the Stake * Pre-apprehension is the Mother of Prevention †Selâ—…-Examination is a Root which bears Self-Knowledge and at the Top of it grows Assurance which is Apex Fidei The Highest Nature of Faith ‖ Quid est diu vivere nisi diu torqueri Aug. †Life is interlarded with Trouble Watson * Believers should alwayes keep their Recumbence upon the Goodness and Mercy of God †Mundus turbatur amatur * Mittamus preces cordis legatos Cypr. Matth. 6. 13. 2 Cor. 12. 8. Deduct 3. Heb. 2. 18. Deduct 4. ‖ This is Jacob's Staff in the Hand of Faith with which we may Walk cheerfully to the Mount of God What will satisfy or give content if this will not Watson in Loc. †Temptations stir up the Paternal Compassions in God to them who are Tempted Idem Deduct 5. * Pride was the first Sin that ever Reigned Deduct 6. †Venit Diabolus subvenit Christus ‖ God is above the Devil should be every Tempted Soul ' s Motto Deduct 7. * We are kept by the Power of God thro Faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. Deduct 8. †Nullae ibi insidiae Daemonum Bern. Deduct 9. Quest. Answ. Vide Sedgwick's Military Discipline pag. 27 c. * Doubtless as that Systole and Dyastole of which the Anatomists speak are to the Heart so the Affections are to the Will the Openings the Contractings of it †Oculus meus depraedatus est animam meam ‖ Do as Mariners when they know of a Rock that will split them they go not near it * One Traitor within the Castle may do more Hurt than a Multitude of Enemies without Holy Policarp in the time of the Fourth Persecution when he was Commanded but to Swear One Oath made this Answer Four-score six Years have I served God all this while he never hurt me How then can I speak Evil of so good a Lord and Master who hath thus long preserved me I am a Christian and cannot Swear Let Heathens and Infidels Swear if they will I cannot do it were it to the Saving of my Life Not able also is that Instance of Marcus Arethusius †Haeret mihi semper in animo tua Lex ne unquam ab illa declinem qua in re te offendam Simeon de Muis. ‖ Gladius dicitur Sermo Divinus quia sicut gladius carnes praecidit sic Sermo Divinus concupiscentias carnales Chrysoft hom 8. in Matth. * Vide Capel on Tentation pag. 97 98 99 100 101 102 103. * Believers when they are Tempted should plead as Christ their Saviour Scriptum est It is Written †Mitttamus preces cordis Legatos Cypr. ‖ Dei sacrificium Diaboli flagellum Christiani subsidium ‖ What the Key is to the Watch that Prayer is to Religion It winds it up and sets it going †Prayer is the Guard to secure the Fort Royal of the Heart Prayer is the Porter to keep the Door of the Lips And Prayer is the Strong Hilt which defendeth the Hands ‖ Prayer is like the Ring which Queen Elizabeth gave to the Earl of Essex bidding him If he were in any Distress send that Ring to her she would Help him †Mr.
TO THE Religious Worthy Mr. IOSEPH HOLDEN OF LONDON Gent. And my much Esteemed Friend Dear Honored Sir THE Dedication of Books unto Persons of Worth and Interest Service and Honor though often abused to Vain Flattery is of Antient Use and oft-times doth Secure the same from the Euroclydons of a Censorious Age And therefore the Custom is not to be Despised especially considering that one of the Pen-men of Holy Scripture hath Hallowed it by his Practice who Inscribeth his Gospel and his Acts to Theophilus a Person both Eminent in Religion and Dignify'd with Birth and Place which ever since has been Imitated by the Best and Wisest of Men in all Ages So that I shall use no further Apology on this Account But the Reasons why I Address my Self to You in this manner and Prefix your Name to this Work are many a few whereof may not be needless here to Insert viz. Your eximious Piety Faithfulness and Zeal towards God your laudable Love towards and Tenderness of all under what Names of Discrimination so-ever that have but aliquid Christi in them which is rare now a-days Sir I speak my Conscience That this is as an Orient Pearl shining in your Breast and in which lies much of your Eminency viz. Unfeigned Love to the Brethren which is one of those Excellent Things that accompany Salvation And that your Love is Unfeigned appears from the Spirituality and the Universality of it Your Love is Spiritual because it is a Love for the Image of God that is stamped on the Creature In the next place It is Universal in that it extends to all Saints as Saints how-ever Distinguished among us and not making this or that Difference in Judgment a Difference in Affection which too oft-times is Saintship is the Ground of your Love and where-ever you Espy it you Like it Love it and Admire it though their Errors may be many so they be not Fundamental and Approved Your Faith is enough to Justify this before God and your Good Works enough to Justify it before Men Of your Good Works many poor Souls besides God Angels and your own Conscience are Witnesses of Among whom I may well be accounted one who am able to attest the Largness of your Heart unto poor Christians and the Filling-up that Relation in which you stand viz. Your Succouring me in my Tempted Condition your Fervent Prayers Set and Occasional Solemn and Sudden that were made with and for me your gracious Words feeling Expressions pious Discourses wholsom Admonitions divine Cordials simpathizing Epistles And lastly which Crowned all was your incouraging and forwarding me in that Holy Work and Function where-unto God has called me of which I must have despaired as to all secundary Causes and outward Instruments assisting of me had not God stir'd up your Heart towards me on the Fore-sight of what I am now through Divine Providence arrived unto In a word You believed for me what I could not believe for my self So that my present State is an Effect of your Faith and a Fruit of your Hope and Labor which I desire may be to the Glory of God the Good of Immortal Souls and the Fulfilling of your Expectations which I know are High concerning me And well they may because of Expence that I have put you to Besides Your owning of me against the furious Onset of some prejudiced * Persons whose Names I shall conceal for the Glory of God's Sake and their own Reputation that would have parted between Friend and Friend by whispering in your Ears things of me unbecoming them of their Place to say especially considering me to be a Brother though the Younger One and the Unworthiest of all Yet none of these Things could byass your Unbyassed Disposition towards me and by vertue of that Spirit of Discerning which God has given you was more able to Judg of me than they And therefore they could not come to a Person with whom their Tales could be more unwelcom than with you Whence it is that notwithstanding those Jealousies which they would have fomented you have continued your Favor hither-to unto me This together with many other of your Favours which to enumerate I know would but disgust you have obliged me to this unfeigned Expression of my Gratitude and Service in what I may or can especially for your constant Countenance your undeserved Bounty and your propitious Acceptance of my poor fore-past Labors So that if you will but accept of this Plain and Unpolished Discourse also it will be an Additional Favor unto all the former My Confidence beloved Sir is in your Self and not in any thing of my Stile here that may merit an Admission into the Cabinet of your more serious Thoughts Matter and Method being both plain Only this I can say for my Book The Things contained in it are Weighty and High though the Expressions are Plain and Familiar And I know not of any thing here handled but I first tried it by the Touchstone of the Word and could Seal to it by my own Experience So that what comes to the View of your Eye will I question not but be approved Some Rhetorical Flourishes that some much use are here wanting yet I am almost confident that it will prove Acceptable unto you that be my Friend and whose Property all along has been to wink at small Faults This Book I hope though it is not set out as some are may be useful to Christians of all sorts and sizes viz. Babes Little Children Young Men and Fathers and I suppose the Unconverted may find something here-in to Chew also When I Preached these things it was not without good Acceptation and Success as I have not a little Cause to presume The Happiness of Believers and the Unhappiness of Unbelievers is here opened The Nature of True Saving Faith is handled Iustification by Faith hinted The Potency of Christ's Intercession on the Behalf of the Elect Believers Perseverance Satan's Wiles Discovered Together with many other Useful Things All very Material Practical and Soul-searching Now these Good Sir do I Present unto you not that you needed them For I question not but that you have Treasured up every Thing that may be of Excellency in this Book long before my Time that am but of Yester-day My Desire is only as in part I have said already to express what I would if I could And more-over To let you see something that God has done for me and that your Endeavours have not been in vain 〈◊〉 the Lord. What is here was intended you sooner but some Emergent Occasions intervening prevented Besides my Design was â—…o have buried it in Oblivion â—…ut only that some that were Friends to it Revived it If this â—…ittle Spark may give Light or Heat to any Heart I shall have my desire What now remains ever Honored Sir but that God may Prosper you in all your lawful Undertakings That
the Dedication of this Book unto your Name also yet so impetuous were my inward Inclinations hereâ—…nto and such solid Reasons I also â—…ad for it as that I could not get â—…ver the same for my Life Whence 〈◊〉 choosed rather to run the Hazzard of your Acceptation than to expâ—… my self unto the Imputation of Iâ—… gratitude which of all Offenceâ—… was esteemed by Queen Elizabetâ—… the most Unpardonable as being Vice most Hateful before God aâ—… Man and which Heathens have even blushed to own I humbly theâ—… fore beg your Favorable Perusal aâ—… Acceptance of this Tractate seâ—…ing no less than a Threefold Cord which is not easily broken viz. Affinity Friendship and Affection have bound me so fast as that could not do any otherwise than 〈◊〉 make this Open Acknowledgement I should have ever been Imprisoâ—… ed in my Mind had I suffered youâ—… Unmerited Kindnesses to have been Buried in Oblivion which certainly cannot well be now because Scripta litera manet what iâ—… Written is Permanent and Acknowledgment is the least any one can 〈◊〉 for a Favor and no more is this â—…erefore I pray you Sir give me â—…ve to tell you That I freshly bear 〈◊〉 Mind the Mercies of God toâ—…ds you which are Various for their â—…umber Divers for their Kind â—…rious for their Methods and Amaâ—…g for their Circumstances I â—…shly bear in Mind your Familiar â—…olloquies with me in Private 〈◊〉 the end that I might Praise God your Behalf Admire the Methods Prouidence and Depend on God 〈◊〉 the Diligent Use of Means for â—…e Supplies of this Life So that I â—…st needs say The Story of your â—…ife which oft-times you have Read â—…to me to the Praise of your Conâ—…escension be it spoken has affordâ—… me not only Excellent Contemâ—…lation when I have been in your Comâ—…y but also in my Solitudes which compels me to say and I hoâ—… you will not be Offended you were 〈◊〉 Unworthy to be in the Role of thoâ—… whose Names I use in Page 13â—… c. of this Book as Famous 〈◊〉 Good Works which should I hâ—… done it would I know have pâ—… ved the greatest Offence that eâ—… was offered unto you And therefoâ—… that which I dare not prove here 〈◊〉 an Induction of Particulars 〈◊〉 there is a Certain Place that doâ—… and which will Register your Naâ—… beyond a Tomb-stone Besides Your Benign Influenâ—… on She that is my Nearest Relâ—… tion together with her Sister 〈◊〉 their Two Brothers that now 〈◊〉 Dead that were also Cared by yâ—… when Orphans Provided for 〈◊〉 wisely Educated by you and in 〈◊〉 Things shewed your Self an Indulgâ—… Father and Mother as well as a Lâ—…ving Uncle in the Place of the â—…eceased by whom they were Comâ—…itted to you in Tender Compassions â—…d of whom you have Discharged your â—…lf in Faithfulness Lastly Let me not forget your â—…illing Parting with and ready Giving â—…to me your Kinswoman in Marâ—…age which next to God I must 〈◊〉 You in it For I must acknowâ—…dge if Love and Contentation â—…ders a Wedded Life Happy I â—…ve them as much as any Man But lest my Affection kindled by 〈◊〉 Meditation on your Goodness 〈◊〉 Many and to my Self in particuâ—… should dilâ—…te it self too far and 〈◊〉 displease you I shall only say 〈◊〉 Though the Dispenser of Love â—…ould have a Slippery Memory 〈◊〉 the Recipient should Engrave it 〈◊〉 Pillars of Marble and Pyramids of Brass I never could endure 〈◊〉 Praise God for it to let old Kindnesses sleep and alwayes did esteem it a Shameful and Unthankful Part continually to Crave and never tâ—… Give And glad therefore I am tâ—… snatch this Occasion of Testifying my Duty and Affection unto you Anâ—… since I cannot find any thing to Present unto you by way of Retributionâ—… as AEshines said to Socrates Thâ—… One Thing which I have I givâ—… unto you even My Self to be yoâ—… Servant Sollicitor in the Couâ—… of Heaven which I know you 〈◊〉 Esteem beyond the Dedication of Book For you are One that carâ—… not to have your Name blaz'd 〈◊〉 broad I speak my Conscience yâ—… hate it which I could easily make to apâ—… pear in sundry Signal Instances weâ—… it Convenient Your Humility Good Sir Comâ—…ands me to Conceal and Fetters me 〈◊〉 the Limits of fewer Lines than you â—…eserve therefore what you will not â—…ave in Paper shall lie Warm in my Breast Wherefore my Honored Sir that 〈◊〉 may draw to a Close Seeing it â—…as Pleas'd Almighty God the Soâ—…ereign Disposer of Life and Death in whose Hands yours and all our Times are as yet to continue you in â—…he Land of the Living when many â—…f your Dear Near Relations have â—…een taken away and Are not I beâ—…eech you give me leave if you do not â—…ve it I must take it to Pray for â—…he long Continuance of this Mercy â—…hat your Dayes may still be prolonged on Earth and that you may Arrive at 〈◊〉 far greater Age than at present you â—…re Arrived at But it 's probable you â—…ay be Impatient to be gone hence partly from the Infirmities and Pains that attend Old Age and your Weariness of the World and the fore-sighâ—… of Calamities impending on this Nation and partly from the Longings oâ—… your Soul to be with Christ Bâ—… pray Sir if God has more Generation-Work for you to do patiently and quietly Wait all the Dayes of your appointed Time till your Change shall come Heaven will be thâ— same many Years hence that now it isâ—… and the longer you are kept out of it upon the Doing God's Work the bettâ—… it will be to you at last 'T is one 〈◊〉 the Highest Degree of Grace a Saint can Arrive unto in this Life to Long for Heaven and yet in order to Service to be willing for a Time to bâ— kept out of Heaven This was the Heighth of Paul's Grace and the Excellency of his Spirit Phil. 1. 23 24 25. For I am in a Strait betwixt Two having a Desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Nevertheless â—…o abide in the Flesh is more needful for you And having this Confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you All for your Furtherance and Joy of Faith Seneca has an Excellent Saying to this Purpose It argues a Noble Generous Mind for one to be willing for the Sake of another to Return to Life again And now Sir to hold you no longer in the Porch which I know unto you is tedious I invite you into the House and that you would be pleased to observe a Candid Eye what is contained herein what of Good shall be in it Esteem it God's and what of the Contrary shall be in it know it to be my own I do confess I fear lest it may tast too much of the Distractions of thâ—… Times Yet I am Confident there arâ—… Truths in this Book that call for 〈◊〉
Bernhard Thou shalt find more in the Woods than in a Corner Stones and Trees will Teach thee what thou shalt not have from Learned Doctors I shall Conclude with Iob Chap. 12. Vers. 7 8. Ask now the Beasts and they shall Teach thee and the Fowls of the Air and they shall Tell thee Or speak to the Earth and it shall Teach thee and the Fishes of the Sea shall Declare unto thee That is saith Neat and Accurate Mr. Caryl The Creatures Teach us when we think of them They Teach us though not Formally yet Virtually They Answer and Resolve the Question put to them though not Explicitely to the Ear yet Convincingly to the Conscience So then we Ask the Creatures when we Diligently Consider them when we search out the Perfections and Vertues that God hath put into or stampt upon them To set our Mind thus upon the Creature is to Discourse with the Creature The Questions which Man asks of a Beast are only his own Meditations Again The Creatures Teach us when we in Meditation make out Collections and draw down a Demonstration of the Power VVisdom and Goodness of God in making them or of the Frailty of Man in needing them Such Conclusions and Inferences are the Teachings of the Creatures FINIS Books Printed for and Sold by Benj. Harris at the Stationers-Arms at the East-End of the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil THE Accomplisht Ladies Delight in Preserving Physick Beautifying and Cookery The Second Edition with Large Additions Price 2s War with the Devil Or The Young-Man's Conflict with the Power of Darkness Discovering the Corruption and Vanity of Youth the Horrible Nature of Sin In a Dialogue between an Old Apostate and a Young Professor The Fifth Impression Price 1s The Second Part of the War with the Devil The Grand Impostor Discovered Or The Quakers Doctrine weighed in the Ballance and found wanting A Poem by way of Dialogue wherein their Chief and most concerning Principles are laid down and by the Authority of God's Holy Word thereby Refuted Price 1s Animae Astrologiae Or A Guide to Astrologers with a New Table of the Fixed Stars Rectifyed for several Years to come and divers other Illustrations By W. Lilly Student in Astrology Price 1s 6d Summonds to the Grave Or A Timely Preparation for Death Demonstrated in a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of Iohn â—…rcost With Two Elegies there-unto prefixt By the Author of War with the Devil Price 8d The History of the Young Converted Gallant Or Directions for the Reading of of that Divine Poem War with the Devil Shewing the Readers thereof how to Read the same Poem right in these four Respects c. First In reference to the Substance or History thereof Secondly In reference to the Intent or Mystery thereof Thirdly In reference to the Consequent Doctrine thereof Fourthly In reference to the Practical Application thereof Compiled in a Poem By Iohn Mason â—…tleman of Fordham in Cambridge shire Price 1s The Beauty Vigour and Strength of Youth be-spoke for God In a Sermon lately Preached to Young Men from the Twelfth of Ecclesiastes on Verse the First By Thomas Powel Minister of the Gospel Price 6d Blessed Rest for the Burdened Sinner Or The only Center of the Soul Wherein is Discovered First Who he is that Invites and calls Sinners to this Rest. Secondly The Incouragement to come unto him for Rest. Thirdly Many Obstructions and Impediments which keeps back Sinners with their Unreasonableness answered Fourthly The Rest that every one shall have that comes unto Christ. Delivered in several Sermons from Matthew the 11. 12. By Iohn Hopwood Preacher of the Gospel * Luk. 1. Act. 1. 3. †So much I conceive is intimated in that Form of Address 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Term which is wont to be given to Persons of Honor as Acts 24. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Acts 26. 5. In both Places we render Noble ‖ No Man can Love Grace in another Mans Heart but he that has Grace in his own * Faith and Good Works go â—…gether â—…ough not in the Act of â—…stifying †A Simpathizing Friend as one sayes is like a Dry House in a Wet Day ‖ Some two or three Ministers that violently assail'd my Book Entituled The Young Mans Conflict w th Victory over the Devil by Faith c. Reporting that it was Fictitious which Sir next unto God and my own Conscience you your self can bear witness unto the Truth thereof being an Eye-witness of me when I was under the Workings of the greatest part that I declare there If my Method and Stile being dark and obscure and unbeseeming the Matter declared in that Book has offended any I am sorry and would not have done it had I not in my Iudgment deem'd it most In-offensive How-ever â— hear of Good that it has done and that almost Daily * A Sermon Preached by me on Psalm 22. v. 1. †One Old piece of Gold is worth a thousand New Counters so one Old Truth of God is more worth than a thousand New Errors ‖ T is not the Knowing of Truth nor the Hearing of Truth nor the Commending of Truth nor the Talking of Truth but the Indwelling of Truth in your Soul that will keep your Judgment Chast and Sound * Deus est summum bonum omne bonum in summo †Dr. Manton in Jam. Cap. 1. 21. ‖ Omnia siperdas animam servarâ—… memento †JesusChrist has purchased a Salvation that is possible necessary rare near everlasting * Here the New Man is mingled with the Old ‖ Spiritual Desertions many a gracious Soul in his Life time is exercised with †Grace that dwells in such a Soul a Soul that dwells in such a Body a Man that dwells among such variety of Business Companies and Temptations cannot but be under much Variableness and Alterations * Our Faith is mixt with Unbelief our Humility is stainâ—…d with Pride ‖ God's Church is now rented w th Schisms eclipsed with Error oppress'd with Trouble †And now may be added also The Church of God in England that is at this Day in great Affliction * Ingratus qui beneficium accepisse se negat quod accepit ingratus qui id dissimulat rursum ingratus qui non reddit at omnium ingratissimus est qui oblitus est ‖ The Mercies of God in number are as the glittering Stars of the Firmament the Drops of the Briny Ocean the Sands upon the Winding Shores the Dusts of the Earth the Atoms thâ—… swim in the Sun-Beams are not so numerous as them †Which I understood from others before I did from you * You may Sir draw Comfort from Jam. 1. ult Pure Religion undefiled before God and the Father is this To Visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Afflictions c. ‖ The Giver should shut his Eyes when he opens his Hands †Humility should be every Christian's Upper-Garment * 〈◊〉
Life that is Sealed and turn thee to thy Name or who shall bring thee a Certificate that it is Written there Behold it is nigh thee even in thine Heart The Work of Grace there the Law Written on the Tables of thine Heart by the Finger of the Spirit is the Exemplification and Counterpane of that Decree The safest Way the best Way the only Way to make sure of Election is first to make sure of thy Vocation SECT VI. Fourthly Satan Tempts to Despair by causing the Soul to pore too much upon its own Unworthiness You are Unworthy saith Satan of the least Crumb of Bread or of the least Drop of Water and how canst thou therefore think of expecting any Good from the Hands of God Remedy The only way to stop Satan's Mouth in this Respect is by Assenting thus far That I am Unworthy it is true and that I do not deserve a Crumb of Bread or Drop of Water it is alike true And yet I do not erre if I say I am Unworthy and yet Worthy I deserve Nothing and yet Merit what I Have Unworthy and yet Worthy like the Spouse in the Canticles Black and yet Comely Black in Her Self and yet Comely in Her Beloved SECT VII Fifthly Satan Tempts to Despair by suggesting to the Soul that no Man's Faith is so Weak as his Behold how Weak Imperfect Staggering and Trembling it is Remedy What of all that may the Soul Reply A little Faith is ‖ Faith as a Sparkle of Fire is Fire Faith though weak yet it will Entitle us unto Christ. A Child's Hand can receive a Pearl as well as the Hand of a Gyant Out of this little Grain of Mustard-Seed Heaven will grow In this Smoking Flax there 's a Divine Spark Though the Smoke of Doubts and Temptations muffle it up in Obscurity it will break out at last into Flames of Love and Ioy. Our Imperfect Faith will entitle us unto a Perfect Righteousness SECT VIII Sixthly Satan Tempts to Despair by making the Soul to infer Evil from Adversity Thou art Poor and Indigent Beggarly and Despicable saith Satan In Answer unto which I would refer the Reader unto Pag. 66 67. where this is Answered fully SECT IX Seventhly Satan Tempts to Despair by causing the Soul to think much on the Sharpness of Death Thou Gloriest now saith Satan but ere long thy Condition shall be changed Thou Rejoycest but yet know that still thou art a Dying Creature It is not thy Faith Love and Hope that can shroud thee from Death which is the King of Terrors That Universal Monarch which hath made even the Strongest and Stoutest to stoop unto him Remedy What though Death may the Believing Soul say is stiled The King of Terrors yet if I am a Child of God it can do me no hurt 'T is an Enemy I know to the Mortal Part but a Friend to the Spiritual The Bee by Stinging looseth its Sting so Death while it Stung Christ on the Cross hath quite lost its Sting to a Believer Death is the Gate of Life It puts off our Rags and gives us Change of Rayment All the Hurt it can do us is to put us into a better Condition The Devil therefore is a Liar in saying That it is not our Faith Love and Hope that will Exempt us from Death Whereas we know well enough that though we shall not be freed from Death yet by having Faith in Iesus Christ we shall be freed from that which renders Death so Formidable viz. its Sting Death's Pale Face looks Ruddy in the Blood of Sprinkling Death will free us from all Corporal and Spiritual Maladies It is our Best and Last Physician It will Cure the Aching Head and the Unbelieving Heart Sin was the Mid-wife that brought Death into the World and Death shall be the Grave to Bury Sin Why then should we be unwilling to Die seeing Death gives us a Receipt of Ease from Infirmities and Weaknesses from all Aches and Pains Griefs and Gripings Distempers and Diseases both of Body and Soul Here Sin will keep House whether we will or no Evil Thoughts are continually arising out of our Hearts as Sparks out of a Furnace When we would Pray the Heart is as a Viol out of Tune When we would like a Bird flie up to Heaven upon the Wing of Meditation our Corruption like a String tied to the Leg pulls us down again But after Death we shall be Proud no more grieve the Spirit no more Come hither therefore Oh ye Trembling Souls who through the Fears of Death have all your Life-time been subject to Bondage Set your Feet upon the Neck of this King of Terrors Assume that Triumphant Challenge of the Apostle Oh Death where is thy Sting Oh Grave where is thy Victory 1 Cor. 15. 25. The Glimmering Presence of God with a Believer here below may Conquer the Fear of Death But how much more methinks should the Consideration of the full Enjoyment of him after Death Faith gives us a Propriety in Heaven and Death gives us a Possession in Heaven Death is only a Dirty Lane saith one through which the Saint passeth to a Kingdom to a great Kingdom to a glorious Kingdom to a quiet Kingdom to an unshaken Kingdom to a durable Kingdom to a lasting Kingdom yea to an Everlasting Kingdom Death is a dark short Way through which the Saints pass to the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb. Ever with the Lord saith an Eminent Divine This puts Lillies and Roses into the Gastly Face of Death and makes the King of Terrors to out-shine Solomon in all his Glory A few Lines that Comforted me once in the same Case I will adventure here to Transcribe out of that Little Useful Treatise of Reverend Mr. Wadsworth my Spiritual Father viz. Oh! when Death draws near do not startle Cry not out as one undone as if when thou Diest thou must needs totally Perish But rather then lift up thy Head and Triumphantly proclaim to the Standers by Now doth the Day the Hour the Moment of thy Redemption draw nigh Now art thou drawing near thy Home Heaven is within Sight and its Melody almost within Hearing Thy Lord hath the Curtain in his Hand ready to draw it to shew thee all that Glory that hitherto he hath been but telling thee of and give thee a Possession of all that which hitherto thou hast enjoyed only in Hopes and Title What dost thou fear and shrug and tremble at my Soul Thou peevish froward Creature Shall thy Father tell thee thou must go Sleep and lay his Commands upon thee to lie down in Peace Shall thy dear Lord and Saviour stand by perswading thee so to do and by the Sweet and Glorious Promises of Eternal Life and Living with him in the Heavens allure thee quietly to obey thy Father and Himself to go to Rest Shall he sing thee a Lullaby of his own falling Asleep and