and encouragment to those that are wise themselves in the wisdom of Christ or diligently seeking after it and those that are faithfully and diligently endeavouring to improve what wisdom and other furniture they have received from God for the good of others that they might be made wise and righteous in Christ Jesus to go on and hold fast their wisdom and their exercise of it to so good an end Seeing here they have an assurance given them by Jesus Christ and his holy spirit that they that so do shall be glorious with him at the last which may bear them up against all the discouragements they may meet with here in the way as from their being here hid and obscure thrust into corners taken no notice of or made no account of among their Neighbours Yea or from their being here reproached vilified and rendred odious as Christ himself and many of his followers both holy Prophets holy Apostles and other holy men have been in their several Ages No cause from these things to be discouraged but to hold on their way as it is said The righteous also shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Job 17.9 And as it is said by our Saviour Let him that is righteous be righteous still and he that is holy devoted seperated and given up to serve God and Christ in seeking the glory of his name and the good of others let him be holy still And behold I come quickly and will render to every man according as his works shall be Rev. 2.11 12. That is to them that by patient continuance in well doing seek after glory honor immortality eternal life Rom. 2.7 This consideration is oft-times propounded by Christ himself as when he saith He that shall confess me before men him will I confess before my Father in Heaven and before the Angels of God Mat. 10.32 Luke 12.8 And No man that hath left Father or Mother House or Land c. for my sake and the Gospels to serve me and it as well as also to know me and it but he shall receive an hundred fold here in this life and in the world to come eternal life Mark 10.29 30. And so in each of the seven Epistles to the seven Churches in Asia Rev. 2 3. This the Apostles too propounded both to themselves and to others To themselves We believe therefore we speak knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and present us with you For which cause we faint not But though our outward man perish our inward man is renewed day by day For our light afflictions which are but for a moment attending us namely in our seeking after and serving the Lord getting and walking in wisdom Worketh for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things that are seen but at the things that are not seen c. 2 Cor. 4.14 16 17 18. And to others when he saith So run that ye may obtain and every man that striveth for masteries is temperate in all things Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incorruptible c. 1 Cor. 9.24 25. And this is a faithful saying For if we be dead with him we shall also live with him If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2.11 12. Oh what have men often done and indured and with how great patience and unweariedness for a little glory that they might get a name and praise with men and be glorifyed of them and shine as it were in their atchieved glories and renowns Witness that great Alexander that in twelve years space ran over almost all the world with undaunted courage encountring with and vanquishing wondrous difficulties for glory sake And Julius Caesar Pompey and many others But alas What is all the glory of this world in comparison of the glory to be revealed on the Saints of God at the appearance of Jesus Christ of which the Apostle tells us that it 's a weighty and an eternal glory and that he reckoned that all the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with it Rom. 8.18 Surely if the hope of a little uncertain gain carryeth the Merchant Husbandman and other Tradesmen oftentimes through great dangers and unwearied labors and difficulties and the hope of a little honor and glory among men hath often and yet doth carry out soldiers to exceeding great and tedious hazzards what should not the hope of so great glory as this To shine as the brightness of the Firmament and as the Stars for ever and ever carry us out to in travelling for wisdom and for doing good to all we can and all the good we can that we may be instruments of their salvation Seeing we have the promise of God both of his presence and helpfulness with us in all our labors and dangers to assist and strengthen us and of his rewarding our labors also and crowning them in the issue with so great glory and happiness Neither of which promises are ingaged to those others in their adventures but they run at uncertainties and upon only fallible probabilities Vse 8. And Lastly How may what hath been said and considered from this Scripture occasion gladness with sadness to us in respect of this our Deceased Brother Mr. Thomas Moor the occasion of our meeting here and treating on this Text of Scripture than which I could not think there was any in the whole Bible more applicable to him and pertinent to our present business 1. In respect of himself we have undoubted cause and ground from this Text of great comfort and gladness as being thence perswaded that it is and shall be well with him though dead in the body and brought hither to be Interred no doubt but he shall arise among the just and such as shall have this Scripture fulfilled upon them for that he was a wise man and indued with a great portion of Divine wisdom and Heavenly understanding all that knew him and his parts and gifts and way of life may testifie and his many pious and religious Treatises both in Print and Manuscript left behind him will witness for him Indeed He had not University Learning to furnish him or to know himself by but what He had was the more immediately or remarkably from God in and by a diligent Study and practise of the holy Scriptures and their good instructions and converse with Godly persons to which from his youth God by his Grace excited and stirred him up and in which he mightily assisted and blessed him And indeed God hath not tyed himself nor us up to the Universities for their Learning for his giving or our receiving Heavenly wisdom But wherever men apply their hearts unto it and mind its instructions in those means of attaining it that he affords them and walking in what He gives wait
the victory but lust and passion â—…nd appetite but the wise man in whom â—…dgment is brought forth into truth and hath â—…e victory he firmly and fixedly chuseth 〈◊〉 bâ—…st things and rejects the worse And wise man is known more by his choise â—…an by his voice other men wicked men â—…d fools may say well but they will not â—…use to themselves judgment or the thing at is good they lay not hold on eternal 〈◊〉 and the instruction that leads to it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chuse that tends to and will end 〈◊〉 their destruction hating wisdome and â—…ving death Prov. 8.36 But the wise man â—…th other wise And then from this proâ—…eds also or with it follows 4. A seasonable and diligent endeavour â—â—r the good that he chuses and minds â—…d that is to be chosen by him I say 〈◊〉 A seasonable endeavour for the Wise â—…ns heart discernes both time and judgment Eccles 8.5 both the time when and thâ—… way and manner how to attain his end Hâ—… takes hold of time by the foretop The wiâ—… Son gathers in the Summer while there 〈◊〉 both good to be gathered and convenieâ—… season for gathering it He redeemes the timâ—… or opportunity and doth not suffer it to bâ—… gotten from him or kept from his improvâ—…ment as fools do Ephes 5.16 The fooâ—… or son that causeth shame sleeps in the Haâ—… vest time when other men that are wise aâ—… at work and taking care to provide againâ—… the winter Prov. 10.5 For the fool discernâ—… not the time or season Luc. 12.56 Hâ—… knows not the time of his visitation and theâ—… fore lets it slip Luk. 19.41 43. The Stoâ—… in the heaven the Turtle Crane and Swallâ—… are wiser than he for they know their 〈◊〉 pointed times and observe the time of thâ—… coming but the foolish man knows not the juâ—…ment of the Lord however much he boaâ—… of wit and parts and wisdome 〈◊〉 cause the Word of the Lord is rejected by his and there is no true wisdome in him Jer. 8.7 with 5.3 4. And great is the misery of mâ—… in this respect that they know not the tiâ—… and judgment that appertains to every coâ—… cernment and so are snared in ane vil timâ—… when it falls suddenly upon them as fishes thâ—… are taken in an evil net and as birds that aâ—… taken in a snare and they are not aware of it â—…cles 8.5 6. and 9.12 Matt. 24.48 49 â—… 51. The fool is a sluggard and folds his â—…nds together to sleep and cries yet a little â—…p yet a little slumber till his time and opâ—…rtunity for getting good be gone till â—…verty come upon him like one that travaileth â—…d want like an armed man Prov. 6.10 11. â—…t the wise man knows and lays hold of â—…e opportune time which is accounted a â—…int of highest prudence In tempore venire â—…nd so it may be said in tempore facienda â—…cere omnium rerum est primum to come in â—…ne or to do things in season especially â—…ose great things of the Souls eternal welâ—…re is the chiefest thing of all For how â—…d is it and will be to overslip that time â—…d then to begin to seek and knock for â—…trance when the door is shut and men â—…ced to stand without and hear it said â—…om within to them Depart from me I â—…ow you not ye workers of iniquity what â—…eart can conceive or tongue express but â—…rely it will be most dismally and dreadfully â—…d as our Saviour signifies when he saith â—…here shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth â—…uk 13.25 26 27 28. As it is also signiâ—…ed by Him in the Parable of the Virgins â—…here the foolish Virgins neglecting the â—…oper time of furnishing their vessels with Oyl and then setting on it when too latâ—… and not before found no entrance with thâ—… Bridegroom but were excluded Mat. 25 〈◊〉 9 10 11 12. But these that are truly wisâ—… they know and lay hold on the opportunity and therein also use 2. A diligent endeavour in the right aâ—… best ways to attain their purpose for knowing the worth of the heavenly commoditieâ—… and the uncertainty of the time of their coâ—…tinuance in a capacity of seeking and geâ—…ting them for they know and mind thâ—… in the grave and state of death to which thâ—… are going there is no work or devise no wisâ—… dome or knowledg Eccles 9.10 and thâ—… their Life is but a vapour that appears a littâ—… while and is gone and vanisheth away so 〈◊〉 there is no boasting of the morrow none knowing what will be on the morrow or what a dâ—… will bring forth Jam. 4.14 Prov. 27.1 and knowing also the exceeding folly aâ—… misery of failing of and loosing them the therefore give diligence while they haâ—… time With the Spider or Stellio they taâ—… hold with their hands and therefore are in 〈◊〉 Kings Pallaces Prov. 30.28 they labour fâ—… the meat that perisheth not but endures to eveâ—… lasting life John 6.27 they so run as thâ—… may obtain beating down the body and bringing it into subjection to the spirit 1 Cor. â—… 24.27 They give diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end and to make their calling and election sure or firm Heb. 6.11 12. 2 Pet. 1.10 They hear counsel and receive instruction that they may be wise in the latter end Prov. 19.20 They fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6.12 they ask they seek they knock Matthew 7.7 8. They buy the truth and will not sell it parting with whatever must be let go that they may obtain it Prov. 23.23 They think nothing so good or excellent or so worthy their affecting and retaining as that for the sake thereof the truth of God and Christ and the infinite benefits of it the knowledg of Christ Jesus and the winning of him should be neglected and waved Phil. 3.7 8 9. They therefore put away whatever will not consist with their obtaining and retaining those better matters like the wise man that hath found a field wherein he knows there is a treasure hid they dig and search till they meet with and obtain Gods Kingdom and his righteousness and like the Wise Merchant that seeking goodly Pearles found a Pearl of great price and sold all he had the goodliest too to buy that pearl of great price and worth Mat. 13.44 45 46. They cut off right hand or foot where they offend and pluck out the right eye and cast them away too rather than to loose the Kingdome of Heaven and fall into Hell fire where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Mark 9.44 45-48 They receive Gods words and lay up his commandements within them receive not only informations for their knowing things but Gods and Christs commands in things to be done also so as they incline their ear to wisdom and apply their hearts to understanding yea they cry for or after knowledg and lift up their voice for understanding they
foresight of dangers with a prudent provident care to prevent them and this also because his Eyes are in his Head and he makes use of them to look before him even to what is yet to come And he hath so good a fight through the spirit of wisedome given him in and through the faith of Christ and shewing him things to come as that he sees things afar off and what others see not even the end of ways and events and issues of courses good or evil before they be come upon men He sees the effects in the causes and the fruit in the root and in the nature of the stock and juice it springs from whereas the fooâ—… and evil man seeth not things till they bâ—… come or just upon them for he wants thâ—… eye of Faith or which the Faith or Gospeâ—… of Christ received gives and he hath noâ—… or uses not that heavenly prospective-glasâ—… which makes evident things not otherwise seen and shews the things that are far of in their true magnitude as if they werâ—… near hand thus it s said The prudent maâ—… foreseeth the evil and hideth himself the spirâ—… tually wise and good man seeth it before 〈◊〉 be come into other mens sight or view oâ—… before it be upon him and he seeth thâ—… place of refuge where he may be safe from it and escape its dint and thither betake himself and there hides himself that 〈◊〉 find him not out He knows that in Chriâ—… Jesus there is salvation and deliveranâ—… from all that is evil and may hurt him froâ—… the World or Devil and that in repentinâ—… if gone astray from him returning to anâ—… believing on him and obeying his Worâ—… and Doctrine and abiding therein hâ—… shall not perish under whatever may happen to or in the world but he shall havâ—… everlasting life and therefore he betake himself to him his counsels and instructâ—…ons and follows them trusting to hâ—… Promises and so he is safe and hidden but the simple pass on and are punished they transgress and go beyond the bounds God hath set them they abide not in the Doctrine of Christ to believe and obey that and seeing no evil come upon them nor any appearance of it they go on on on in their deceitful ways till the sad issue of them come upon them they cry peace peace hoping for and promising themselves safety and security till punishment befals them till sudden destruction comes upon them as Travail upon a Woman with Child and they shall not escape it Prov. 22.3 27.12 1 Thes 5.2 3. But the Wise with the prudent and provident Ant they foresee a Winter before â—…t be arrived while yet the Summer and Harvest last and the Sun shines warm upon them and they provide against it come provide their meat in the Summer and gather their food in the Harvest Prov. 6.7 8. 30.25 They know that though no Wild-Beast be yet upon them yet many such there are many evil spirits and evil men full of Craft Power and Cruelty and that they are not 〈◊〉 themselves able to encounter with them and make their party good against them they being a feeble folk in themselves and therefore preparing against the worst they with the Conies make their houses and habitatiâ—…ns in the rock they make the Lord their refuge the most High their habitation Pro. 30.26 Ps 91.9 They know that though the light be sweet its a pleasant thing for the eye to see the Sun yet the time of darkness will come too and that though a man may live many days rejoice in them all yet the days of darkness will or may be many because all that cometh is vanity and therefore they remember God their Creator in the days of their youth or choise before the evil days come and those years draw neer in which they shall say they have no pleaâ—…ure in them Eccles 11.7 8. 12.1 knowing and minding that in the world the followers of Christ must have tribulation and are lyable to many tryals and temptations and that they are often and may be so to themselves deep and heavy and of long continuance They with the wise Virgins are careful to furnish their Vessels with Oyle before they give rest to their Souls that so if long tryals come upon them and Christ defer his coming to help and deliver them figured out in the Parable by the Bridegrooms staying till midnight yet their Lamps may burn and shine and not go out that is they mind the word of God and knowledge of Christ and treasure it up within them laying up in store a good foundation therein against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life They meditate the Law and Doctrine of the Lord day and night and walk therein that they may have such hope and trust in the Lord as to be made like the tree planted by the waters side and that spreads out her roots by the Rivers that is not careful in the year of drought sees not or is not hurt by any evil nor ceases from bearing fruit c. Mat. 25.1 4 7 10. Jer. 17.7 8. and so they lay up knowledge and keep it within them Prov. 10.14 14.33 22.18 and yet so as they make use of it too to shine as Lamps by it and give light to others and so there is in them also 7. A right use making of their knowledg as it is said the lips of the righteous feed many Pro. 10.21 the tongue of the righteous useth knowledge aright Prov. 15.2 for as they keep knowledge Prov. 5.2 so they disperse it too Prov. 15.7 and so they use it not for pride and ostentation to puff up themselves with it or do hurt by it to others as fools sinners do increasing therethrough their own guilt punishment but to do good to instruct others so they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teachers as the Margin reads it or such as make others wise that is are Instruments of it in the hand of God As it is also said The wise in heart they thai with the hart believe the Gospel unto righteousness shall be â—…alled prudent and the sweetness of the lips â—…ncreaseth learning with the mouth confession is made to salvation For understanding is a well spring of life both to himself and others to him that hath it Whereas the instruction of fools is folly The heart of the wise teacheth or maketh wise his mouth and addeth learning to his lips Pleasant words are as honey comb sweet to the soul and health to the bones of them namely that hear and duly receive them Prov. 16.21 22 23 24. Rom. 10.10 and so we may take in here that other reading The Teachers or Instructers shall shine c. but then we must couple in the former reading with it and understand it of such Teachers as are also themselves wise in the points spoken to and explicated such as do first hear and obey
Jerusalem such sorrowâ—… seen â—…t for the want of such O then to some â—…eat harm by such mens death doth use to come While of their good instructions when thâ—… liâ—… And of their good examples they 'r deprivâ—… 〈◊〉 And profit of their often fervent pray'r O what a harm'ts to some who can declaâ—… Another Anagr. Thomas Moore O home a storm or Thomas Moore O home to arms WHen God's about upon the world bâ—… A storm of wrath some sad destructive thâ—… Because of their refusals of his grace While his good words find in their hearts pâ—â— O then it is his often wont to take Home to himself those who do conscieâ—… Sin to avoid and follow what is good So Noah God took home before the Floâ—… Into an Ark of safety and just Lot To Zoar that with Sodom he might noâ—… By fire and brimstone be from heaven stâ—… So good Josiah from a people void Of goodnes he by death did first take hoâ—… Before on Judah his fierce wrath did coâ—… And on Jerusalem the like we find In Jeroboams child when God did mind Upon his wicked house ruine to bring He took him first by death cause some gâ—… thing â—…him was found yea oft men merciful Isa 57.1 〈◊〉 love from harms approaching doth he pull â—…herefore we a storm suspect may when â—…e see him home to take such godly men this our friend deceased was whose name â—…epresented in this Anagram 〈◊〉 well we may cry out O Home when we â—…orm approaching nigh upon us see â—…k Papists cry to Protestants O Home 〈◊〉 the lap of Mother Church to Rome â—…f some storm were sodainly to fall â—…hich would at unawares destroy us all 〈◊〉 God himself doth on the contrary â—…haste you home to Zion loudly cry 〈◊〉 she 's our Mother thence that divine law â—…herefrom we first our heavenly breath did draw 〈◊〉 oh at how great distance live all they â—…m thence who to Romes city go astray â—…sk the way to Zion that way let â—…r faces and not towards Rome be set â—…ence we did first proceed inquire the way 〈◊〉 which to that pure truth return we may 〈◊〉 saith and practise which from thence did come â—…ither to shun a storm O haste we home â—…cutting whirlwind thence we 'r told on all â—…he heads of wicked men with pain will fall Jer. 30.23 O home to God ye sinners therefore fly That ye may shun approaching misery For why that dreadful storm doth stronâ—… sâ—… Of fire and brimstone even of death Hâ—… O might this voice throughout these Islaâ—… riâ—… And reach from meanest beggar to the Kâ—… All to repentance all excite before A storm of wrath the judgment of whâ—… Upon us fall lest Death and Hell oretake And do for ever miserable make us O England home to God thou heavily Hast sinn'd against his holy Majesty Thou divers sad blasts hast already felt Wars Pestilence decay of Trade have dâ—… Within thy borders besides divers mo Dismal presages of ensuing wo If thou repent'st not yet thou worse oâ—… grâ—… O home lest thee a storm quite overthrow Patience may stay Gods hand a while 〈◊〉 If thou sin on ' stroy thee at length He wâ—… O London home the heavens on thee dofroâ—… Both pestilence and fire have brought 〈◊〉 doâ—… And yet thou liftst thy head aloft again Though all thy filthiness doth still remaiâ—… Unpurged from thee nay is' t not increast 〈◊〉 home to God make haste repent thee lest 〈◊〉 sad a storm from heaven upon thee blow 〈◊〉 may thy stately buildings quite o'rthrow â—…is name to thee O Home the rather calls â—…ecause it lies interr'd within thy wall 〈◊〉 Home ye servants of the Lord who ere â—…e stragling in this world and seeking there 〈◊〉 satiate your souls a storm will break â—…our hopes in pieces if you don't betake â—…ou home to God cleave to him more fast 〈◊〉 home a storm is threatned a strong blast 〈◊〉 home to arms to stand upon your guard 〈◊〉 on Gods armour lest ye be quite mard â—…st to Gods anger ye expose you so 〈◊〉 to your selves to cause exceeding wo. 〈◊〉 let us all attend the heavenly charms â—…f our dear Saviour Home to his Arms â—…etake us quickly So we safe shall be â—…om all that 's evil and destruction flee Jo. Horne Thomas Moore Anagr. O arm those mo LOrd thou hast weakned now our strength It will be proved so 〈◊〉 we return not now at length For help where shall we go 〈◊〉 thou go'st further on to break Our companies what will Become of such as yet are weak And very ignorant still Even for thy Name those are increast With many a bitter foe And many helpers now are ceast With thy strength Arm those mo Thou saist if our iniquities We do acknowledg so As that we clear thy contraries In walking as our foe Thou wilt remember for us then Thy mercies great of old And plant us as thou diddest when Thou broughtst us to thy fold We have as did our Fathers-fore Prov'd plants degenerate And like thy Vine such grapes we bore As thou couldst not but hate Lord purge us for thy holy Name From every bitter root Break us not further for the same In mercy do not do 't O magnifie it in this way Though we have grieved thee And with thy Children Lord we pray Let us still numbred be O arm those-mo who are most try'd They need thy help chiefly With fresh strength let them be supply'd Thy Word now verifie O arm those mo who weak are made By taking such away Be thou O Lord their present aid And in their stead a stay O arm those mo who yet have space To gather strength and to go on That they may now go mend their pace And hold out till their race be run Arm us all mo for to persist Till we thy will have fully done That at the last we may be blest Even when thou sendst again thy Son F. Brigge An Elogy upon the Death of Mr. Tho. Moore Sen. by the same OUr former cry may be renew'd For God renewed hath his stroke We are not more increast but few'd With greater breach He hath us broke O pass it not with lightness o're Though this was gather'd in his season There is not such another Moore Then to lament we have great reason The ancient and the honourable Do fail they are remov'd away Is not our case then deplorable When none but babes to be our stay And i' st not almost come to this O Lord how have we thee offended In whom iniquity none is But all thy ways to be commended Thou righteous art thy judgments true Yet give us leave with thee to plead Oh execute not what is due Thy heavy wrath we well may dread Wilt thou this way encourage such As with their tongue think to prevail While thou afflictest very much The poor that ready are to quail With taunts men ready are to fright Or with their