in the garden besides and being strictly charged upon pain of death not to taste of it The just and good Law of God was a blameless occasion of mans sin as it did forbid an act in it self indifferent that it could not bee done without sin The Law and Sin as well as the Law and Obedience work together though in a distinct manner for of Obedience the Law is a principal cause but of sin an accidental as working besides his own scope and main drift which is to savour nothing but life and also as a contrary to sin The Lord in his wise providence did work in the fall of man as the Law by accident was occasion of it but hee is not the author of his sin hee did not constrain him to offend not withhold from him any grace that by Covenant or otherwise hee was bound to give him The principal inward cause of this transgression was the will of man freely turning from the Commandement of God which hee might and ought to have obeyed but would not and willingly hearkening to the suggestion of Satan which hee should have resisted but did not The sin of man was the eating of the forbidden fruit not absolutely considered in it self but in respect of the Commandement and charge whereby God had severely forbidden the tasting of the fruit of that tree and had threatned punishment to them that should transgress In evil actions no end can properly bee assigned for the end is of a good thing and to be desired But Satan in that temptation aimed at the dishonour of God and the damnation of Man Man being deceived by the old Serpent proposed this end to himself but obtained it not that hee might satisfie his superiour affection to the Image of God and his inferiour to the fruit of the tree The Lord who bringeth light out of darkness out of his infinite wisdome did order this evil to the setting forth of his mercy and justice and the utter confusion of Satan contrary to his purpose and intendment In this their disobedience wee may observe these degrees The impression of the suggestion obscuration of their thoughts concerning the excellency of God forgetfulness of what was done before and what God commanded doubting of the truth of God tickling of ambition whereby the woman affected great power dignity credit to the flatteries and allurements of Satan and familiarity with him and inclination of will to the forbidden fruit First This was the first sin committed by man in it self most hainous the fountain of all other evils both of sin and punishment Many things do shew the greatness of this sin 1 It was the transgression of that precept which God had given for the trial of mans obedience and so was an absolute denial of subjection and renouncing of obedience As the performance of it had been an open profession of submission and due obedience It was not a breach of some particular Commandement but an universal denial of all the branches of obedience 2 It was intollerable that man being inriched with so many graces priviledges and blessings should presently forget God being so much indebted and bound unto him in love for his inestimable favours 3 Amongst so many trees in the Garden it was easie for man to forbear the pursute of one and being made after the Image of God hee might have resisted the temptation of Satan Wherefore to suffer himself to bee drawn away in that manner was an hainous offence 4 This sin was committed in Paradise where the tree of life stood in their sight and God had manifested himself unto them familiarly In respect of God the Law the Offender this sin was hateful and notorious Secondly This sin was not the proper sin of our first Parents but the common sin of all their posterity who were in their loins when they did offend and afterwards by natural propagation descended from them for they did represent all mankind which was propagated from them as the root Thirdly The effects of this sin stayed not in the first authors of it but spread and stretched themselves over all mankind For if they whose Parents are infected with any disease their children do possess it by inheritance how is it possible that our first Parents being deprived of the Image of God wee their posterity should spring of them perfect and without maim For the beginnings of all things are all that in power which doth spring from those beginnings for the virtue that is in the beginnings is communicated to the things which receive beginning from them Like egg like bird what is in the root will bee in the branches and the vice or fault that is in the beginning is common to the thing begun The punishment of this sin doth degenerate into sin As the want of holiness and proneness to evil is not only a judgement inflicted for sin but it is sin and the cause of sin One sin begets another and the second is an effect of the former both properly and accidentally The effects of this first sin are bitterness it self to wit in respect of mankind in general wrath blame guilt deprivation of Gods Image corruption of nature spiritual bondage subjection to death temporal and eternal God is offended in that his Commandement is despised to the derogation of his soveraignty sin is vile and naught deserving blame man is guilty and tied to punishment whence issueth griping of conscience fear of the angry Judge and dread of punishment The loss of original Justice followed the act of sin in whose room succeeded corruption of the whole man in every power and faculty Thus the liberty of man was turned into miserable servitude and hee became bondslave to sin-revenging justice as his principal Lord to the Devil and his Angels and to the power of his accusing and condemning conscience as the Lords Ministers Moreover the natural man hath no spiritual liberty to do any thing spiritually good as hee did before sin entred but is led as a slave by lusts by passions by objects which please him So that hee is in a brutish bondage And death entred into the world by sin Rom. 5.12 and is gone over all men for as much as all men have sinned In respect of Adam and Eve the effects are common to both or particular to either 1 The common are sense of nakedness shame fear of the angry Judge slight and desire to hide themselves from the presence of the Lord ejection out of Paradise into the cursed Earth and stopping the way that they might not enter to eat of the tree of life 2 The particular effects in respect of Adam are that the Earth is accursed to bring forth briars and thorns that he should till the ground in labour and eat his bread in the sweat of his brows till hee return unto the dust The woman was sentenced to conceive and bring forth in forrow and to bee in painful subjection to her husband Satan intended the dishonour
pestered with unsavoury thoughts desires and delights of folly vanity and much other naughtiness that they think it utterly impossible to bring them to any better point and no wonder if they neglect this duty of Meditation the understanding of the best setled Christian is dim his memory feeble his affections so overlaid with sin that without much striving hee cannot mount aloft nor run swiftly in the way of Gods Commandments So ponderous is the flesh that presseth down that unless wee labour the thing with our hearts the word will not stick fast nor work kindly nor our affections rise to any good purposes would wee thrive in grace and raise our desires and delight in heavenly things wee must breathe our selves well in Meditation Thirdly Would you have examples for the warrant of this necessary practice Naturally wee desire not to go alone nor travel in a way which none hath trodden before us wee may truly affirm all godly men have meditated and the most holy have most abounded in Meditation This the Holy Ghost reporteth of Isaac the Patriarch a Gen. 24.63 That hee went out into the field towards the evening to meditate which had not been so commendable if hee had not used so to do being such holy duties should bee often used herein following his Father Abraham who was the friend of God and very familiar with him b Gen. 5.22 Enoch in his whole life walked with God and had much talk and communion with him David promised to c Psa 119.48 Psal 119.148 meditate on the statutes of the Lord. And what hee vowed that hee did perform Mine eyes prevent the morning watch to meditate on thy word His life was a life of sorrow before hee came to the Kingdome Saul hunted him like a Partridge after hee was incumbred with wars abroad and the disobedience and rebellion of his sons at home what time could hee take to commune with God how could hee quiet his heart or bring it into order when others slept his eyes were waking and his heart was musing upon God his word and works his reins did teach him in the night season What point of divinity can bee learned without Meditation not one for as none can say that it is his own work which his own hands hath not made So none can count any point of divinity his own which he hath not wrought by the Meditation of his own heart Amongst Christians who have excelled such as have been most frequent and earnest in this exercise of holy Soliloquies pressing their hearts to the love of God and solacing themselves in the remembrance of his love Even as much odds as is betwixt a young scholar that can onely say his part and patter over his rules by rote and a learned School-master that by long practice and experience hath the use thereof or as there is between a cunning Artificer that can make his own work and an ignorant Shop-keeper that only sells the same such or more is the difference between the Christian that meditates Psal 119.97 98 99. and him that meditateth not David attained to more wisdome than the Antient his teachers his enemies it was by meditation of the Law of God Fourthly The Lord by his Prophet complaineth of the neglect of this duty Jer. 8.6 None saith what have I done Fifthly Meditation putteth life and strength into all other duties and parts of Gods worship When Nehemiah heard of the affliction of his brethren and the ruine of Jerusalem hee entred into a deep and earnest consideration of Gods judgements and of the causes thereof which were the sins of the people that thereby hee might bee the more fit to humble himself by prayer and fasting before the Lord a Neh. 1.2 7. When Peter came to himself and knew where hee was and from what hee was delivered and by whom then hee began with all thankfulness to muse on the great danger hee had escaped and of the author and instrument of his deliverance b Act. 12.11 Paul beholding the superstition of the Athenians and finding an Altar which was dedicated to the unknown God began to pity the blindness and ignorance of the people and to meditate how hee might take occasion from the inscription to win them to God c Act. 17.23 Quest Who are bound to use this exercise Answ This exercise doth appertain to all persons professing Christianity d Deut. 6.6 8. and howsoever all men have not equal education learning strength of memory stayedness of mind sharpness of wit and invention variety of reading opportunity of time and place c. yet is no man to bee freed from it There is none so simple or busie of so high place or base condition of so short memory or quick capacity such a babe in Christ or so strong a Christian that can exempt himself from this duty unless hee purpose to live unprofitably to others uncomfortably in himself and disobedient against God e Josh 1.8 Joshua was a valiant Captain a mighty Governour one alwaies busied in the wars of God yet must hee meditate in the Law a Psa 119.15 48 72. Who shall pluck out his neck when such a man must bear the yoak what must an holy man a King a Warrier notwithstanding his holiness dignity troubles have the word of God to dwell in him and bee his Counsellour what shift canst thou finde to excuse thy self in the neglect of it when neither worldly honour nor weight of business nor strength of body nor courage of mind nor variety of incumbrances nor multitude of distractions shall be held as plea sufficient art thou a Father of many children and so pleadest the great charge that lieth upon thy hand hear what the Lord saith Deut. 6.6 11.18 And these words which I command thee shall bee in thy heart The more thou hast to care for the more need hast thou to acquaint thy self with the Law of God that thou mayest teach and pray for them that depend upon thee Thou art Young and lusty it is good for thee to bee wise aforehand and to remember the Lord for thou must give account how thou hast spent thy daies thou must answer for the sins of youth b Eccl. 12.1 Call to mind what counsel a good Father gives to his Son a Father that advised in love a godly Father who by experience knew that his admonition was wholesome a Father moved by divine inspiration in that which hee spake My Son forget not thy Fathers instructions Binde them continually upon thine heart c Prov. 6.20 21. What better treasure canst thou lay up in thy breast what safer direction canst thou follow The word of life is a precious and sweet liquor fit to season the green vessel a sure guide to lead us in the darkness of this world Wilt thou pretend poverty to excuse omission of this duty Oh fool and blind dost thou not consider and if thou bee oppressed
of the mind bee not diminished Although for want of proof wee count all afflictions hard yet when wee have experience of the fruit and benefit that comes by them confidence in God will make them easie if our cause bee good Wee shall never want somewhat to exercise us sin or trouble we shall have neither is it unprofitable for us to the end wee may bee ever in the combate for our life is a warfare Fifthly Wee seldome keep unlawful commodities or rejoyce too much in lawful but the Lord doth cross us in them The things of this world are too sweet and pleasant to our corrupt taste but the Lord doth season them with bitterness vain liberties breed much sorrow and unchearfulness Sixthly The most vexations in our life become annoyances unto us through our own fault in that wee either prevent them not when wee may or bear them not as wee ought or make not use of them as wee might do Seventhly When matters of more importance than our salvation come into place let us bee occupied with more fervency in them than in that but not before Prov. 3.14 The practice of godliness is a rich and gainful trade but if it bee not well followed it will bring no great profit Eighthly To have a willing mind to bee well occupied and matter about which wee may and time to bestow therein and freedome from lets therefrom is an estate to bee much made of and yet for the most part they which have most outward incouragements cannot tell what to do with them Ninthly Whatsoever measure of graces wee have gotten yet it is certain that God hath much more than wee can think of if those bee the matters which we have in greatest price but being set light by and the means neglected which preserve them they dye That is a good state when wee have not onely joy in heavenly things at the first hearing of them but increasing in joy as our knowledge and experience increaseth and when wee are not onely delighted in the present duties of Gods service but also as joyful to think of them that are to come accounting that the more they bee the better they are The flesh is apt to take the smallest occasions that may bee to favour it self but our study must bee to increase in goodness and to delight more in walking with God in a Christian course Tenthly Love of the world makes death terrible and surfetting in pleasure lulleth us asleep Seeing it pleaseth the Lord to let us know that wee have this precious liberty all the day long to bee with him to enjoy his presence by Faith and solace our selves in bold affiance in him and that for all good things and to bee free from the fear terrour and anguish which haunteth the ungodly It were pity wee should for some deceivable folly deprive our selves of such happiness and peace as hee alloweth us even here to be partakers of Eleventhly The more sure thou art of Gods favour by Faith Mat. 15.27 the more humble thou art also One special point of profiting is to know our own vileness and misery better daily that so wee may come to know the inestimable bounty of God the better and what wee are beholding to him for as receiving increase from him multiplied pardons of sin and daily increase of grace Twelfthly They are worthy of great punishment who set light by the plenty of grace the crumms whereof Gods hungry servants do set great store by Look what care conscience zeal love and reverent estimation of good things thou hadst when first thou embracedst the Gospel the same at least retain and bee sure thou keepest still afterwards The more knowledge that thou hast take heed thou beest not more secure for thus it is with many at this day who therefore do smart for it wee shall not injoy the grace we had at first except wee bee as careful now to keep it as wee were then to come by it Thirteenthly When wee are afflicted and the wicked spared our estate seems to them most vile when wee are both in prosperity they seem more happy when they and wee bee both afflicted then they account our estate happier than their own but especially when they bee afflicted Exod. 14.25 and wee spared Wee may not assign the Lord in what place and state in what condition and company we should live but as strangers wait on him even as the handmaid on her Mistress for whatsoever hee will allow us wee are ready most commonly to bee called away by death before wee have learned how to live Fourteenthly Keep down carnal liberty and the spiritual liberty shall bee great rest on God and it shall make thee overcome the hardest things If thou wilt finde Christ sweet thou must ever finde sin bitter Fear ever to offend God and thou a Psal 32.7 91.11 needest not to fear any other peril No good thing abideth long with us in its strength and beauty without new quickning When wee feel any weariness in a godly course by what occasions or weighty dealings soever it bee the Devil hath met with us therefore wee must speedily take shame and sorrow and turn unto the Lord. Fifteenthly Wee must remember to serve and walk with God Psa 90.12 by daies not by weeks and months onely A great difference there is betwixt the observing and viewing of our life from day to day and the doing of it by fits now and then in the one wee are safe chearful and fruitful in the other rash offensive and often unquiet for it walking in fear and with little comfort Sixteenthly As husbandmen wait for their fruit so should wee for that which wee pray and hope for and that would make us joyful when wee obtain it If a man can rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner Luke 15.6 then is hee the friend of Christ Seventeenthly It is a folly yea a madness to bee heavy to the death for any earthly thing when yet a man desireth nothing more than life They who can neglect and set meanly by a little vain glory and credit with men may gain and injoy much peace with God All our life ought to bee a providing for a good end and a keeping away of woe which cometh by sin fear not the pain of death for God can make it easie or tollerable Eighteenthly The flesh would fain please it self in some unlawful liberty when we have pleased God in some duties but a wise man will keep him well while hee is well Nineteenthly Where there is wilfulness in sinning there is great difficulty in relenting and also no power nor boldness in beleeving many beginning well in godliness have fainted and quailed or been justly reproached before their end that others may the more fear their own weakness where new knowledge is not sought there is the less savour in the old and when men make not good use of the old the seeking of the new is
perform this duty but hee may finde some place to do it in either in the field with Isaac Gen. 24.63 Dan. 6.10 or in the house with Daniel or at least if they bee hindered all the day long in his a Psa 6.7 4.4 bed with David Quest What time must bee set apart for the performance of this duty Answ First The Lords day is the fittest time in the week for the performance of this exercise but though it must not bee omitted on that day yet it must not bee put off till that day Secondly Some time convenient must bee set apart for this duty every day and that must bee observed constantly as much as wee can for by that means wee shall bee better enabled to finish this work with better success Thirdly No part nor hour of the day is absolutely necessary to bee kept neither is a man so strictly bound to observe the time which hee hath chosen as fit and seasonable that hee should charge himself in conscience to bee guilty of sin if upon occasion hee change it unto some other Order in all good duties is a cause of constancy and constant order is a notable means of continuance Fourthly As for the fittest hour in the day a mans own experience must instruct him and his occasions direct him whether to take the golden hours of the morning when being awakened and refreshed by sweet sleep and quiet rest hee shall finde himself free and fit to meditate upon some heavenly matter as Jacob did or the evening Gen. 28.16 when hee hath ended his labours which was the time that a Gen. 24.63 Isaac took or the midst of the day which was b Act. 10.9 Peters time or any other part and hour of the day c Psa 55.12 David and d Dan. 6.10 Daniel used three times a day to pray and meditate Fifthly The most quiet and free times if strength and wakefulness will give leave are the morning evening and night season which were the times approved among the Heathen who for the better imprinting of any thing in memory give this counsel which common experience doth confirm to think seriously upon it in the evening before they sleep and to call it again to minde in the morning when they awake Oh how sweet it is to awake with God in the morning and to salute him with our first thoughts How safe and profitable to prevent unsavoury thoughts and wicked projects by lodging up in our soul some holy matter worthy our chief employment Psa 88.13 119 48 Psa 5.3 Psal 63.1 Job 1.5 and to prepare the heart to walk with God before wee enter into the world Hee that makes himself well ready every morning shall pass the rest of the day with much ease and great comfort It is much with what liquor the heart is first seasoned if it be well prepared with some heavenly Meditation before the cares of this life take up the room it will be kept in better order in all businesses occasions accidents whatsoever How fit is it when wee have tasted of the blessings of the day that wee should render unto God the fruit not of the lips but of the heart and come into his presence from whom wee have received so many favours What more expedient than that wee should commend our selves into the hands of God with confidence and make our accounts even being to lye down in his fear What more excellent recreation after tedious labour than to recount the mercies of the Lord his fatherly protection the dangers wee escaped what service wee owe to God for all the tokens of his love and what cause wee have to bee humbled for all our sins Of the night David saith a Psa 16.7 My reins shall teach mee in the night season God used to speak to his servants in the * Psa 119.55 Psa 63.6 Job 4.13 night by dreams and visions When wee are freed from cares and incumberances compassed about with darkness that outward objects apprehended by the eye cannot draw the mind away when all things are quiet and still then what greater solace or sweet refreshing can bee found than to lift up the heart to Heaven But these times may bee commended as fit not urged as absolutely necessary Sixthly Every man must set apart some time for this duty but they the most that have most leisure and opportunity Meditation is an affirmative duty which must bee taken in hand when the Lord calleth thereunto and putteth it upon us by affording us means and season Quest What say you to them that pretend multitude of worldly businesse to excuse the omission and neglect of this exercise Answ It is their sin that they will thus set God against himself as though hee should command them to do that which hindereth them from another duty commanded God hath appointed unto us our several standings in our general and personal callings they are both of him and the duties belonging to them both will excellently stand together if the Commandements of God bee not contrary Nay rather wee should think that following of the world to bee too much which is not ordered and moderated by due consideration how far and in what manner wee should deal in the world so as not to bee hindered from holiness by it but even to practise holiness in our earthly affairs If wee bee rich wee have the less cause to bee holden from Meditation by wordly cares If poor wee have the more need of this duty to moderate our care that it exceed not nor carry us to unbeleef What example soever wee have of the contrary in the multitude of worldlings among whom wee live yet wee must know though others will not that wee are not set here in our places to do as loose and wretched servants who when they go to Market neglect their Masters business and mis-spend their time Quest What course must bee holden to redeem time out of the world for Meditation Answ First Walk so on earth as that thy chief delight bee in Heaven still use this world as a Pilgrim doth his cloak Love will finde somewhat to do they that delight in the world will make business in the world as children invent matter of play But if Christ bee our beloved and our treasure in Heaven nothing can hold our hearts from him Secondly Order the affairs of this life wisely that every thing may have its fit time and season wee have sufficient allowance for the dispatch of all our labours if wee take the opportunity and manage both work and means with discretion If thy heart bee upright fear not Eccl. 10.10 God will teach thee how to walk To the man that is good in his sight God giveth wisdome knowledge and joy Thirdly Spend not much time either in consulting privately with thy self or by talking in company with others about that whereof there is no use or which may bee done and ended in
not bee without love But ah wretch that I am I finde mine affection is weak toward God strong to vanity Those wee love do wee not love to bee present with them If they bee absent do wee not think long till they return again Are wee not grieved to hear them wronged by word or deed whom wee esteem dearly of are wee not desirous to give them content doth it not cut us if wee do them any harm Are wee not with them in thought though absent in body glad of a letter that comes from them is not the messenger welcome that can bring us tidings of their welfare But I finde little joy in coming publickly or privately into Gods house or presence I think little of him and that but overly I speak little to him and that not without weariness and distraction Nay I am like those children who can play abroad all the day long and never care to look unto their Parents When did my heart long to return home and to bee with Christ Though God through sundry troubles do even smoak mee out of this world yet I will not come away in mine affection When I see Gods name blasphemed and all wickedness committed do mine eyes gush out with tears or do not I offend daily and pass it over taking too light penance of my self It is irksome to mee to do his will I do not long for his presence nor bewail his absence I do not study to please him in all things nor can I rejoyce in the prosperity of his Saints when I my self am in misery and distress I cannot prize his favour am not cheared with his promises do not delight in his statutes above all things His Word is his Letter sent unto mee but I am not glad and diligent with care and conscience to read it vanity hath stollen away my heart and the transitory bewitching pleasures of the world which cannot profit have taken up my thoughts This hath been mine impudent behaviour against thee my God which I cannot with any words of indignation sufficiently discover If a woman should bee dead in the nest when her husband were before her but should bee affectionate to every stranger if shee should not care how long shee were absent from him but think her self best while they were asunder if shee cared little how her loving husband were offended casting that at her heels which hee takes to heart were not this shameless behaviour in her And shall I not bee ashamed to shew no more love to thee to whom my soul is married in Christ Oh my soul what canst thou finde in the world why thou dost affect it it hath bred much vexation and sorrow thou hast been crossed and molested with it the more thou lovest it the greater trouble discontentment thou findest therein and wilt thou still take pleasure in thy pain what canst thou not finde in God and that above all thought and conceit why thou shouldest intirely cleave unto him what occasion couldest thou finde at any time to draw thy affection from him wilt thou leave the fatness and marrow that is in the house of God to feed upon the refuse and scraps that this world affords Ah wretch that I am who shall deliver mee from this bondage of sin I am full of uncharitable and false love I can love my self I have affection enough to the things of this world to the gifts of God and those the meanest more than to the giver as harlots to rings gold bracelets more than to the sender But I have not power to raise my soul to the love of God in Christ here my affections lye dead and will not mount aloft Oh that the love of God did possess my reins in such sort that in thought I might bee still with him rejoyce in his presence and walk before him in dutiful obedience Oh that my heart did burn with love that is strong as death hot as coals of Juniper that hath a vehement flame that no waters can quench no floods can drown no allurements can draw aside Why art thou so dead Oh my soul why dost thou not lift up thy self to the love of God whom hast thou in Heaven but him and who in earth is to bee desired in comparison of him for whom dost thou reserve thy prime affection for the world sin vanity Oh adulteress knowest thou not that the amity of the world is enmity with God thou hast gone astray and deeply defiled thy self with the love of sin return now unto the Lord and embrace him with most intire and dear affection what thou hast bestowed upon the world pleasure lusts carnal delights to thy great discomfort now set it wholly upon things above that it may finde rest and comfort Oh Lord I beseech thee who art only able to purge my heart of all filthy prophane love and to fill it with the pure love of thy holy Majesty this is thy promise I will circumcise your hearts and make you love mee with all your hearts therefore I am bold to make this prayer and will confidently wait upon thee for this mercy Quest How should a man proceed to meditate on the Fall of our first Parents Answ Hee must consider the subject causes and end of that act aimed at but not obtained the degrees properties and effects of it By the Fall of our first Parents wee understand the first sin of Adam and Eve whereby they transgressed the Commandement of God in eating the forbidden fruit this is fitly so called because as an heavy body falling upon some hard and sharp rock is greatly bruised and hurt so man after hee had received so many and great gifts from God sinning wickedly against his express charge and commandement did grievously wound himself The subject of this transgression was our first Parents Adam and Eve made after the Image of God perfect in stature of body and strength of mind enriched with excellent prerogatives of liberty and dominion planted in a garden of delights that they might dress it and keep it favoured of God and admitted into near fellowship with him The principal outward cause of mans disobedience was Satan the Prince of darkness that old murtherer who being fallen from God and shut up under condemnation did with incredible fury and malice seek the dishonour of God and the destruction of mankind This envious one spying his opportunity set upon the woman as the fitter to be made his prey when shee was alone and by his subtilty beguiled her The Serpent the most subtil of beasts which the Lord had made was the instrument that hee used to seduce the woman and the woman her self being first in the transgression was made the willing instrument of her husbands destruction The quality of the fruit as it was good for meat and pleasant to the eye was by accident a cause that moved them to eat which yet they might and ought to have forborn having liberty to eat of all the trees
of God and destruction of mankind by that temptation but it turned to his confusion and overthrow The seed of the woman hath bruised the Serpents head his power is crushed and his devices frustrated Nor did the instrument of the Devil escape unpunished the Serpent is accursed above all the beasts of the earth most wretched and ashamed to appear abroad hee is adjudged to creep upon his belly with pain to eat the dust for meat a grievous diet And the Lord hath put enmity betwixt him and the woman All sin especially prophanation and contempt of the Sacrament is like to this of our first Parents in some sort but this was the first sin the fountain of all sin the sin of man and his posterity for Adam received and lost integrity both for himself and us Quest How are these things to bee applied unto the heart Answ Wee must work our heart to humiliation stir up our selves earnestly to seek help and deliverance and acknowledge the justice of God in correcting and his incomprehensible mercy in vouchsafing means of recovery unto man How is man fallen from his first dignity and good estate hee was created holy and happy furnished with grace and set in place of high renown Thou Lord didst crown him with glory and honour and gavest him a patent for his posterity that they should live in blessedness before thee But wo is mee what alteration do I finde Man hath sinned and God is displeased Man that was the beauty of the world the beloved of God is now the map of misery the object of divine revenging justice His mind is besotted his conscience unquiet his will and affection poisoned with sin fear dread horrour and trembling possesseth his reins his body is naked deformed subject to annoyance of heat cold distemper many waies The Free-man of God the Lord of the creatures is brought into most miserable and sore bondage unto Satan sin his own conscience who can comprehend the miseries of this life whereunto hee lyes open No words can describe the spiritual plagues that are seized upon the soul already nor the dreadful torments that are prepared for him in hell for evermore Oh my soul enter into thy self consider and bewail thy natural estate thou art exposed to suffer a thousand evils to wearisome vanity in every thing yea through fear of death the upshot of evils thou art in bondage all thy dayes while in that state thou abidest Pharaoh did never put Israel to such hard service as the Devil putteth thee to while thou art under his power Thou art sick filthy naked crooked fallen from the love of God more odious in his eyes than the stink or filthy savour of a dead corps in the nostrils of man exposed to the torments of Hell shut up under the curse of the Law abidest under wrath How do men of the world take on when they have lost a great friend upon whom all their hopes depended when they bee cast from the top of honour into the gulf of misery poverty and disgrace weep oh my soul and pour out tears in secret for thou hast lost thy glory art spoiled of thy ornaments and hast provoked the Lord to anger by thy inventions The brute beasts take it as a grievous thing to bee insnared and taken and wilt thou laugh in the midst of bondage and count it liberty to bee a slave of Satan Death is terrible and wilt not thou fear Hell which followeth after it as a desert of thy transgression Ah miserable man and the more miserable that thou art senseless of thy misery yet now that I know my disease I will seek for remedy The sick person will take bitter pills to recover health the bondman desires liberty the captive freedome the condemned a pardon My present case is very wretched and in no case to be rested in Nature teacheth all creatures to shroud themselves from dangers or being in distress to seek help without delay much more am I to bee moved with mine estate who am subject to eternal death which hath already seized upon mee in a spiritual death of soul and mortality or dying state of the body wee will meet a disease betime labouring to rid our selves of it if any thing threaten our name and estate wee will indeavour quickly to free the one and the other But whither shall I fly for succour where shall I finde the Physician that is able to cure and redeem mee from the tyranny of Satan Set mee free from the fear of Hell I am even at my wits end not knowing which way to turn Oh Lord I am utterly destitute of all means to help my self it is not in my power to satisfie thy justice overcome death or deliver my soul out of the hands of the Devil I cannot think a good thought I know not nor of my self can know the way of Life or means of my recovery Blessed God as of thine infinite mercy thou hast ordeined so I pray thee reveal unto mee the way how I may escape eternal death deserved by my sin and bee made partaker of everlasting happiness through thy special grace Righteous art thou oh Lord and just are thy judgements I know that in very faithfulness thou hast afflicted mee and that I have deserved much more than ever I felt from thee Thou mightest have cast mee for ever out of thy presence and given mee my portion with the Devil and his Angels But loe thou dost correct mee in measure for my good to purge mee from sin and bring mee unto repentance that I might bee saved Oh my God I will magnifie thy name for thou hast redeemed my soul from death my darling from the power of the doggs This mercy was not shewed to the Angels Creatures more excellent than man Should one redeem us from the state of villanage or ransome us from the Gallows wee would think wee could not bee thankful enough But Lord thou hast redeemed mee from revenging Justice from the power of the Devil holding mee under the curse from the power of conscience justly condemning mee from the power of sin commanding as King How great is thy mercy towards mee I am not able to comprehend it As my sin and misery hath abounded thy mercy hath abounded much more Quest Let us now hear what order is to bee observed in Meditation of sin Answ Wee must call to minde and discourse with our selves of the causes ends properties and effects and kinds of sin what is contrary unto it what like and what unlike O my soul what is sin wherewith thou art beset and stained yea miserably besotted since the fall of Adam what is it but the privation of Gods Image and corruption of the soul an aberration from the rule of perfection an evil disposition of the subject turning aside from the path of life and swarving from the mark and end that all should aim at God is the fountain of all good things the giver of every good and
perfect gift but sin was not created by him can receive no approbation from him God cannot possibly sin for hee may work besides his rule who may sin But Gods Rule is his most just and wise will which hee cannot but work after no more than hee can deny his own nature God cannot bee the author of sin in and with his creature as hee is of every good word and work for that which the creature doth God being the author and principal worker of it hee must inform the manner of it by his Commandement and work it in him by his Spirit But it is impossible for the creature to sin in working after that which is commanded him of God God cannot so far will sin as to approve it for good in it self it hath no proportion to his nature It is such a thing as hee cannot bee author of in the creature nor yet the creature work while it keepeth communion with him wherefore God cannot allow it as good in it self The Lord perswadeth to obedience threatneth the sinner commandeth the practice of holiness punisheth the disobedient Hee is just and holy in himself in all his waies and cannot bee tainted with the least spot or blemish Jam. 1.13 Thou oh God temptest no man as thou canst not bee tempted of evil and if it bee not of God it cannot bee good for hee is the absolute original goodness from whom cometh every good by participation The cause of sin is some voluntary agent that worketh besides Rule and comes short in goodness required Sin it self is an aberration the subordinate and deficient cause of sin is Satan or man himself revolted from God Satan soliciteth the flesh inticeth the will consenteth and so sin is finished The Devil was made an Angel of light but hee abode not in the truth and being fallen from Heaven ceaseth not to draw others into the same perdition God made man righteous but hee found out many inventions this is the cause but what is the end of sin Of evil there is no end for that is never good No gain to bee gotten by that which is naught and vile the poisoned stalk can bear no wholesome fruit Satan in tempting aimeth at mans perdition Man in sinning intendeth the satisfaction of his lusts The Lord doth by his providence order it to the glory of his name but of sin properly there is no end to the sinner God takes occasion by sin to give the promise of the Mediatour Hee can use sin for a punishment Rom. 1.24 for the exercising of his children No speech from Shimei but sinful reviling speech was Davids exercise but yet the goodness that cometh by sin is not of nor through it by nature but from the infinite wisdome of God who knoweth how to work good out of evil Let us somewhat inquire into the properties of this poison every sin is mortal in its own nature it deserveth and bringeth death endless and easeless of soul and body for it is a turning aside from God who is the life of the soul it is a breach of his Law an offence against his infinite Majesty If a man sin against the Majesty of an earthly Prince hee is punished with temporary death or perpetual imprisonment if hee could bee supposed to live alwaies hee should lye in for ever How much more deservedly am I subject to eternal death who have sinned against an eternal God Every sin in its own nature is accompanied with final impenitency Hee that sinneth once can never cease to sin by any natural power sin is a running leprosie that cannot bee stayed the soul that is once distempered must go amiss for ever if it bee not rectified by supernatural power It is of grace that sin is pardoned it is of supernatural power that any soul is set free from the power and tyranny of it For being once enthralled by voluntary submission wee cannot after draw back and work deliverance Sin is of a soiling nature and defileth all it toucheth Every good work and holy ordinance To the unclean all things are unclean The Word Prayer Sacraments Alms every thing is polluted by that touch Corrupt qualities are more apt to hurt than sound to heal one rotten sheep may infect the whole flock but cannot bee cured by them One filthy ragg stained with the plague may infect a whole pack but the clean garment cannot purifie it If a common garment touch holy flesh the garment is not sanctified but the flesh polluted The prayer of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. Sin mixed with Gods ordinances is like poison mingled with wholesome meat that corrupteth it for our use and nourishment Mark and consider well the effects of sin O my soul the waters of this fountain are bitter the fruits of this tree unsavoury They that sow iniquity shall reap vanity and they that follow vanity forsake mercy Affliction pursueth sinners and shall overtake them to their cost without question the wages of sin is death Look as it is with men if they turn themselves from this aspectable light they are forthwith environed with darkness So man turning away by his sin from God the Father of lights from whence every good gift cometh hee cannot but bee forthwith in outward and inward darkness By reason of sin the soul is dead in ignorance and lust So that they have in them a seed apt to bring forth every sin Our bodies have mortality as a worm corrupting them our conditions are exposed to a thousand vanities and wearisome courses and these are the beginnings of evil Despair darkness fear horrour and shame are the companions of sin disgrace sickness poverty loss of goods the best fruit it beareth Hast thou lost any blessing sin hath robbed thee of it dost thou want any good thing sin keepeth thee from it art thou annoyed with evil thy perdition is of thy self sin sets man at odds with God the Law his own conscience all creatures and with himself Oh what a drudge is man made to his lusts by sin what confusion vexation bitterness doth lodge in the heart continually Look into the world and see what desolations it hath made How are the mighty slain and glorious Kingdomes laid on heaps Is not sin the cause of all disorders wars confusions bloodsheds famines and pestilences that ever were in the world The sorrows of this life are many and grievous but nothing comparable to spiritual and eternal miseries that sin bringeth with it Oh that thou didst behold how miserably the soul is mangled defaced wounded imprisoned by it the light of nature terrour of conscience power of grace is not able to set forth or comprehend the desert and fruit of sin for the full wrath of God which shall bee executed upon the ungodly exceedeth all that can bee imagined If the wicked prosper for a time sin turneth their blessings into curses The Table and by proportion the wealth strength and honour of the wicked are dangerous
freeman for evermore Those Saviours were meer men but Christ our Redeemer is God and Man They delivered their people by force of arms but Christ by his death first payed the price of our Redemption and then God by his great power rescued us from the hands of the Devil They brought their Redeemed into an earthly Canaan but Christ our Redeemer hath prepared for us an heavenly Inheritance They saved them that were oppressed and evil-intreated against their wills but Christ set us free who had voluntarily sold our selves into the state of slavery Quest How are these things to bee applied unto the heart Answ Upon consideration of these things wee must stir up our selves to seek the knowledge of Christ Jesus fly unto him with sound affiance rejoyce in God and sing praises to his name Oh my soul is deliverance from spiritual thraldome to bee found in Jesus Christ then enquire after him and seek to know him with gladness The Name Jesus is sweet honey in the mouth melody in the ear a Jubile in the heart What a servant were hee that knew not his Masters Name is not hee unworthy the benefit of Redemption that will not vouchsafe to enquire who hath paid his Ransome Oh my soul fly unto Christ in whom thou shalt finde deliverance from all spiritual thraldome God hath made Christ an Adam Head Root Store-house in whom are treasured all those good things which from him are communicated unto us Wee love to thrust amongst them with whom wee may finde benefit and profit Seek this above all that thou mayest bee by Faith in Christ Should Bankrupts hear of any that should answer their creditors for them they would quickly resort to him how much more shouldest thou resort to this Mediatour and Surety who will answer the debt of those that come unto him by Faith seek to bee ingrafted into him strive by Faith to grow up in him for the more nearly wee are united with any thing the more wee partake of the virtue and operation of it Those that are nearest the fire partake in the heat of it more than those that are further removed Thou seest men seek to bee made one person in law to bee most nearly joyned to such as may bring them in wealth Oh my soul why dost thou not seek more earnestly by a spiritual marriage to become one with him in whom is every good blessing Behold hee sueth unto thee not that hee might bee enriched by thee for thou hast nothing to give hee stands in need of nothing but that hee might answer thy debt set thee at liberty adorn thee with grace and endow thee with eternal life O my soul what great cause hast thou to love the Lord and rejoyce in his mercy God hath given his Son to dye for us before we asked it Christ hath when wee could not through our gracelesness once ask him fulfilled all Righteousness and discharged us from the danger of sin Wee take it as love in men if spoken to they will do small matters for us Hee that will bear a blow for us in our behalf bee bound for us in great summs of mony specially hee that will lye by it for our good But how much more art thou to acknowledge this grace of Christ who hath been thy Surety paid for thy deliverance not silver or gold but his precious blood The insensible creatures are called upon to rejoyce for the Redemption of Gods people when they were redeemed from Babel the joy did put them into an extrasie they knew not whether they were asleep or awake But this spiritual Redemption doth as far out-strip that temporal freedome as Heaven is above the Earth or hell worse than the house of bondage Sing unto the Lord oh my soul make a joyful noise unto the God of thy salvation What cause hast thou to praise him who hath visited and redeemed thee with such a Redemption Thou mayest remember the day when thou wast in thraldome to the burning wrath of God and stoodest under the condemnation of the Law when it was death to bee held to the duties of godliness in which is the exercise of true freedome and sin did hold thee so fast that though thou sawest the mischief of it and proposedst sometimes a new course yet thou couldest not return to it as before when this lust and that passion did tyrannize over thee and fears of conscience and death did hold thee in thraldome But now the Lord hath looked upon thee in mercy his wrath is appeased the Law is answered Satan is cast down and thou art received into special favour to walk with him Oh Lord I am ashamed that I should bee so senseless at the remembrance of this unspeakable love so forgetful of this undeserved kindness move the scales from mine eyes I pray thee and take the veil from my heart which will not let mee rejoyce in so excellent mercy Quest Shew how wee must proceed in Meditation on the Resurrection of Christ Ans Wee must consider the Subject Antecedents Causes End Time Place and things that happened with it the effects properties and consequents what is like and what unlike My soul desires to think upon the Resurrection of Christ in which I may behold the reconciled face of God Dear Father direct my mind rightly to conceive of this high mystery to the glory of thy Name and the comfort of my soul To rise from the sleep of sin is to leave or desist from evil Hee that is fallen prostrate ariseth when he gathers up himself Hee that layeth himself down to rest ariseth when hee is raised from sleep Hee that is dead ariseth when the soul is knit to the body The Resurrection of Christ is the first degree of his exaltation wherein the soul being united again to his body hee was raised up to spiritual and immortal life It is a motion partly natural partly supernatural Natural in respect of the subject bound and means For Christ rose so out of the grave that hee is said to bee there no more and he rose by means proper to a natural body that being removed which might seem to hinder Nor was this Resurrection in a moment but in certain succession of time which is required to every natural motion Nevertheless this motion is supernatural in respect of the cause efficient and the end The Divine Nature of Christ could not suffer nor dye nor rise again but hee was raised to life in respect of that nature that died for our sins or in respect of the body which for a time was separated from the soul and laid in the grave This was prefigured by types foretold by the Prophets of the Old Testament and most clearly spoken to his Disciples by our Saviour himself signifying unto them that the Son of Man must suffer at Jerusalem and bee buried and the third day rise again The principal cause of the Resurrection was the Divine Nature most strictly united with the Humanity In