vnder the crosse will boast of his perseuerance in time of aduersity but when one deepe calleth another Psal. 42.7 by the noyse of the water-spâ—uts and all the waues floudâ— of God are gone ouer him then falleth all his courage then is heauen out of his way and the earth is sunke vnder him there is no attention to comfort but hee beginnes to sing Gedeons song with impatiency Iudg. 6.13 Ah my Lord if the Lord bee with vs why then is all this come vpon vs. But the faithfull and Christian heart maketh account that not by prosperitie and wealth but by much aduersitie and many crosses Act. 14.22 he must enter into the Kingdom of heauen therfore if it be well with him he thanketh God for his bountie towards him is no way secure but serueth the Lord in feare reioyceth in trembling Psal. 2.11 And when as it is otherwise with him then hee saith with holy Iob shall wee receiue good at the hand of God anâ— not receiue euill and layeth stedfast hold on the crosse and hath Dauids melodie in his mouth My souleâ— waiteth oâ— the Lord Psal 130. 6.7 more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning I will wait on the Lord for with the Lord is mercy with him is great redemption And if it shall be very heauy yet notwithstanding hee will say with faithfull Paul 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull will not suffâ—r mee to bee tempted aboue that I am able but will euen giue the issue with the tentation that I may bee able to beare it And if flesh and bloud bee timorous and would not willingly vndergoe the crosse yet he beleeueth and is perswaded that neither life nor death Rom. 8.38.39 c. nor any other creature shall beâ— able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for to him that feareth God all things worke togâ—ther for the bâ—st Fourthly the chîldren of this world remembring that death shall separate them from their goods honours wiues children lands and possessions and that they shall goe naked out of this world crie out O death how bitter is thy remembranâ—e to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions Eccl. 41.1 vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things and say with the Emperour Sâ—uerus I haue beene great and now it profiteth nothing but contrarily the Christian Soule doth chuse the good part which shall not bee taken away from it and euery minute iâ— ready to let slip these transitorie things and saith with that holy King Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me thou hast giuen me more ioy of hart Psal. 4 6.7 then they haue had when their wheat and wine did abound The vnprepared Hipâ—crâ—te when hee falleth ficke bethinkes him of nothing else than how his sicknesse came to him what vnâ—holesâ—me foode he had eate by what meanes he got this drunken surfeit Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold or too much heat is vnquiet and impatiâ—nt that such mischance should betide him But the faithfull man knoweth that all the haires of his head are numbred and that the pretious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords speciall pleasure and therefore imputeth all vnto Sin My owne wickednesse hath corrected mee Ierem. 2.19 and my turnings backe haue reproued mee I know therefore and behold it that it is an euill thing and bitter that I haue forsaken the Lord my God and that his feare was not in mee And he beginneth with Paule to say Fâ—r this cause am I weake and sicke 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 for if I would iudge my selfe I should not bee iudged of thee but when I am iudged of thee I am chastised of the Lord because I should not be condemned with the world whereby hee is taught repentance and amendment of Life The Wicked and Infidells doe neuer worke vpon their Soules vntill they be sicke then first begin they to bee holie and before that time all their dayes they haue beene enemies to the Word and Ministerie But now must the Preacher be sent for and with sugred speeches must be entreated for consolation c. But the faithfull Christian is euerie minute in preparation to a blessed death and neuer suffereth himselfe to fall into that condition and behauior of life wherin he would not die and therefore can say with constant magnanimitie Come Lord Iesus my Ioy and Comforter euery houre I attend thee come when thou â—i't I am readie And when neuer so little sicknesse ouertakes him then saith hee with mirth of heart Now let Thou thie Seruant depart in peace 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate whenas he lacketh counsell and helpe in sicknsse hath recourse to Sathan Witches and to vnlawfull meanes and saith most desperately If God will not helpe then helpe Deuill But the Christian beleeuer knoweth that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconuenient meanes and vnderstandeth Sathans policie and craft Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good but that his soule should separate it selfe from the true SAVIOVR Yea 1 Sam. 28.8 hee is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant inuocation on Gods name then to liue vnder protection of Sathan and therefore vseth such meanes as the Lord hath appoynted hee will not tempt the Lord his God he will not seeke after the ministerie of such as God hath not promised a blessing vnto but wil say Mat. 8.2 Here am I Lord Iesus let it be vnto me according to thy will if thou wilt thou canst make me clean but Psal. 40.8 if not Loe here I am thy will be done I desire to do thy good wil O God yea thy lawe is within my heart And to be short the children of this world neuer haue memorie on Gods word for they haue not learned and cannot comfort themselues by their baptisme nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read vnto them with such foolishnesse whereby they may dispossesse the thoughts of death and quiet their hearts but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in gods word diuideth that word of truth puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospell reioyceth in the couenant of mercie in his baptisme seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament wherewith he was fed and refreshed and so obtaineth new trust and ioye from time to time momentanie hee esteemeth but as they are heâ— counteth nothâ—ng of any iâ—y or pleasure but that which is in Christ his redâ—emer that heauenly life and is glad of that blessed houre Sâ—condly how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death for the wicked seeing it by euident experience that he must dye as others do complaineth of mans great miserie and of the shortnesse of this sweet and pleasant life but maketh not preparation
by repentance therevnto but fretteth against God inueigheth against his iustice because man hath but a short time giuen him to liue Now the true Christian touched with the daily examples of humane infirmitie and corruption groaneth because of that our first fall lamenteth for his sinnes and wickednesse for the which the diuine punishment ceaseth not vpon vs Lam. 3.22.23.24.41.5 6. lifteth vp his heart with his hands vnto God in the Heauens who heareth his voyce and hideth not his eare at his breathing and crye 57. who draweth neere in the day that hee calleth vpon him and sayâ—h feare not the Lord I say who pleadeth the cause of his Soule who redeemeth his life and will say I will beare the wrath of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he pleade my cause and execute iudgement for mee Mich. 7.9 Hee will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteoâ—snesse O Lord thou art wise and thy word is truth Yea Psal. 119. he attributeth the true honour vnto God for hee doth all things iustly and well and so prepareth himselfe euery houre of the day to a blessed departure Againe the Hypocrite when his heart meditateth on death is afraid for the terrible visage and countenance thereof for flesh and bloud can doe no lesse for death is our enemie and killeth vs all but the hopefull christian openeth the eyes of faith looketh vpon death not according to the Law but according to the Gospell comforts him in his Lord Iesus Christ Ioh. 11.11 who hath changed the bitternes of death and made it a sweet sleepe and beleeueth constantly that hee shall not dye but quietly rest vn-the Lord shall awake him vp by the shout of the Arch-angell and trumpet of God The wretched Hypocrite when hee considereth how that death shall after a most fearefull manner apprehend him and make him an ill fauâ—ured Corps which must be hidden from the eyes and cast in the bosome of the cold Earth Then beginneth hee to sorrow and weepe his courage is gone and can doe no more than king Xâ—rxes who hearing mention made of Earth did say Missahaec faciamus Hie. in polyh neque tristiis rerum mentionem faciamus cum iucunda in manibus habeamus Away with these things for they are sorrowfull and let vs to our iollitie and mirth But the religious Christian proceedeth plus vltra a great way further bidds feare adue looketh through the terrour of death and corruption of the graue he passeth not for the hoâ—rible dissolution of his bodie neyther that he shall be corrupt and rot in the earth for he seeth a great deale further how in the last day he shal come forth beautifull and pleasant and be made like the glorious bodie of his Sauiour Ieâ—us Christ. Besides this the Wicked and Prophane bethinkes him selfe on his death and considereth that once he must die and that he cannot chuse and here hâ—s wits faile him and in this exâ—gent and strait he knoweth not whether to turne him to what way he should betake him only he hoysteth vp courage plucketh vp a good heart that â—f it were once done and tâ—at debt payd â—o nature then were it ouer But the godlie Sâ—ule lifteneth not to temporary magnanimitie neâ—ither relieth on the flâ—shly courage and arme but vpon the consolation of the holie spirit which dwelleth in him which hee hath tasted by true faith Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding which also wil keep his hart and mind though Iesus Christ to eternall Life Besides the Infidell when he feeles death comming is at his wits end hath no counsel that is no faith no hope yea no certayne word to anchor vpon no confidence to rest on how hee may depart from hence but is râ—plenished with feare and raging tumult within himselfe neuer casteth his eyes on the great Almightie God But on the contrarie the righteous Christian hath fraught himselfe with faith and hope Rom. 8.73 and with vnspeakeable groanes waiting for the adoption to wit the redemptâ—on of our boâ—ies to the which he ioineth the true word of God which cannot deceiue giueth it place and roome in his heart and saith powerfully and gladly Ioh. 8.12 Thou Lord Iesus art the light of the world he that followeth Thee and keepeth thy Word shall not walke in darknesse but haue the light of Life Now againe the Wicked dissembling and counterfeit Christian when he is vndâ—r the power of death complaineth that he is forsaken all his friends kinsmen and brethren doo stand from him and none will helpe But the sparke of Faith in the religious mans heart saith Lord whom haue I in heauen but Thee Ps. 73.25.26 and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides Thee although my flesh and my heart fayle God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer for he knoweth that God giueth onely helpe from â—rouble Ps. 60.11 for vaine is the helpe of Man Through God I shall do valiantly for he it is that shall tread downe my enemies for hee builds and God onely and that if hee bee with him nothing can be against him for he hath the holie Trinitie dwelling in his heart and manie holie Angells at his sicke bed attending for his Soule and abiding to carrie it into Abrahams bâ—sâ—me Now when the Infidell doth heare that his Soule is immortall that after this life there shall be another wherein the blessed of the Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for them from the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 and that the wicked shall goe into euerlasting punishment then he trembleth quaketh and would wish it were vnâ—rue and desireth that he might neuer rise againe for his misbeleeuing heart doth instruct him that if it be so he is eternally â—ondemned and thereâ—fore he wisheth that he had neuer beene borne But the true childe of God reioycâ—th from his very heart that there is another life prepared for him Rom. 5.9 and he shall be saued from the wrath to come and therefore sighes to be dissolued Phil. 1.2 3. and to be with Christ which is far better and that this wretched life might be shortly cut off that the eternall and euerlasting mâ—ght beginne Rom. 5.15 for his expectation is constant and sure wherby he is assured of a better life to come vnto the which hee was redeemeed By such and sundry more Aâ—titheses and oppositions may bee easily seene the difference betwixt both the life and death of the faithfull and Infidell and therefore wee should daily and hourely consider and neuer be contented vntill then that wee haue Iesus Christ our Redeemer Sauiour dwelling in vs by a true and liuely faith accounting him our greatest treasure goods placing all our ioy and comfort in him and that with diligent prayer and constant meditation by faith power of the holy spirit we may euer loue that â—ternal life aboue this
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his