the blasphemous dreames of their Prophet Mahomet I appeale to the Occidentall what a notorious reuolt hath there been made from their primitiue faith and purity Is' t not euidence sufficient the vniuersall leprosie of Heresie and impurity that hath so ouergrowne the whole body of the Church of Rome that for these many yeeres not one print almost of pristine soundnesse can be espied Is' t not euidence sufficient those infinite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superstitious will worships and traditionall inuentions of men that since the first 600 yeeres haue by the vsurpt authority of the Bishop of Rome preuail'd and gotten head in the Westerne Church Is' t not euidence sufficient those innumerable errours not circumstantiall onely but fundamentall and these expresly or consequentially so at least confirm'd now by their Trent Anathemaes as their resolu'd doctrines and the peremptory Tenents of their Church their Iustification by works Popes supremacy and infallibility merit freewill satisfaction supererogation worship and inuocation of Saints purgatory prayers to and for the dead adoration of the Eucharist Transubstantiation priuate Masses pardons indulgences caetera pecora campi in all which haue they not left their first estate palpably deuiated from plain rule of Scripture and fallen from that first Roman faith and worship taught them once by Paul in his Epistle to Romans whereby that Bethel once how is it become a Bethauen now and that City that was once Faithfull now a Strumpet I spare prolixity in a fact so plaine But doe yee see what issue The Apostasie by Paul foretold then hath already been and so one forerunner of Christs second comming passed must wee not henceforth then look for Christ But 2 With this Paul connexeth our second prognostique Signe 2. the reuelation of Antichrist the head indeed of that forenam'd Apostacy when as 2 Thes 2. 3. that day saith he shall not come except first that man of sinne be reuealed that sonne of perdition Now can we haue him brought plainer vpon the worlds Stage plainer discouered then he is already I meane not in 2 Thes 2. Reu. 13. 17. the Turk to whom the great Antichrists description made by Paul and Iohn are not truly competible I meane not in some indiuiduall Iew of the tribe of Dan of a virgin borne by the Deuils helpe to sit at Ierusalem whom Enoch and Eliah forsooth returning from the terrestriall Paradice must buckle with three yeeres and halfe before Christs Comming Bellarmines Chimera But that Beast that Saint Iohn Bellar. De Rom. Pont. lib. 3. Reu. 13. 11 Reu. 17. saw horn'd like a lambe buttongu'd like a Dragon that purple strumpet and whore of Babylon that monster of Luciferian pride mounted vpon the seauen-headed Beast or seauen-hill'd City the Pope or Reu. 17. 7. 9. 18. Papacy of Rome For I demand who 's the Antichrist if not he that sitting in the Temple of God and seated in his chayre of Pestilence couertly at least opposeth Christ in all his offices and exalteth himselfe aboue all Kings and Emperors that are called gods Who 's the Antichrist if not he that being but a silly man yet claimes all power both in heauen and 2 Thes 2. 4 earth makes lawes of his owne to binde mens consciences and dispenseth when hee lists with the breach of Gods that vsurps authority to forgiue sinnes to put downe Kings and dispose of Kingdomes claymes supremacy Monarchicall ouer the whole earth both in spirituals and temporals as Christs Vicar generall on earth Who 's the Antichrist if not he that sets vp a new sacrifice propitiatory for sinne preferres his Decrees and traditions before Gods written word makes himselfe the infallible Interpreter of holy Scripture and supreme Iudge of controuersies Who 's the Antichrist if not he that mangles Christs Sacraments as hee pleaseth addes new of his owne and maintaines flat idolatry both in the breaden host in the inuocation of the dead and worship of Saints reliques images forbids mariage commands conscientiall abstinence from meates seduceth men by lying miracles and hath 1 Tim. 4. 3. drank himselfe drunke with the blood of the Saints If Iohn Bishop of Constantinople that for a season Ego fidenter dico quisquis se u niversalem Sacerdotem vocat vel vocari desiderat in elatione suâ Antichristum praecurrit Creg Papa l. 6. Ep. 30. de Iohan. Constantinop only claimed the title of Sacerdos universalis vniuersall Bishop was by Pope Gregories confident assertion Praecursor Antichristi the Forerunner of Antichrist then the Bishops of Rome that since Boniface the third haue euer vsed this title are that Antichrist indeed So that we doubt not with him in Aventinus to auerre Papam esse Antichristum that the Petrus Iohan. apud Averâ—inum Pope is Antichrist which Antichrist as he was conceiued euen in the Apostles dayes at what time the mystery of iniquity was working stroue vnto birth 2 Thes 27. for 300 yeeres after by aspired superiority betweene the Patriarchall Sees borne about Constantius reign when that sounded from heauen Seminatum est venenum in Ecclesia poyson is sowne in the Church Platina in ult Siluest Irenaeus lib. 5. cap. 25. Reu. 13. 18. Christened as I may say it by Irenaeus with the Beasts numerall name Lateinos whose Church hath beene called the Latine Church and whose Liturgy yet is Latine all So in Boniface the third was hee set vp in his throne when still'd by that parricide Phocas Emperour Episcopus Oecumenicus Occumenicall or vniuersall Bishop but then especially more openly reuealed then in his flourishing prime when afterwards out of the Empires ruines or at least translation encreased with secular dominion possessed with both the swords decreed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the infallible In Concil Lateran An. 1516. and vnerring Iudge of all controuersies from whom no appeale and superior to all generall Councels So then Antichrist is reuealed our second prognostique of our Sauiours second comming Who as hee hath beene mortally wounded since Luthers time by the sincere preaching of the Gospell so the Lord we trust will go on daily more and more to consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy vtterly with the brightnesse of his comming which 2 Thes 2. 8. whether the Lord be now about to doe conjectures are not improbable only I referre vnto your secret thoughts what God is acting by the hand of Sweden 3 The wonderfull reuining of the Gospell in most Signe 3. parts of the Christian world I meane not here that preaching of the Gospell whereof our Sauiour speaks Mat. 24. 14. that the Gospell should be preached in all the world and then should the end come conceiued by some both Protestants and Papists an vndoubted praeludium of Christs comming to iudgement that saith Chrysostome was fulfilled in the Chrysost in Mat. 24. Apostles dayes through whose Ministery the Gospell was come into all the then inhabited world and Col. 1. 6. then came the
Luk. 21. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 looke vp lift vp our heads for ioy as knowing the day of our consummate redemption hereby drawes nigh Goe let Haman alone with his Court-preferments Belshazzar make merry with his magnificent Hest 3. 1. Dan. 5. 1. 1 Sam. 25. 2. feasts let Nabal alone gladding himselfe with his wealthy in comes Christ when but once appearing in his glory brings thee other aduancements then in the Courts of Princes other dainties then at great mens tables other riches then in the chests of worldlings that soule-sweetning peace that passeth all vnderstanding that enrauishing ioy that is vnspeakable and full of glory Come what is' t that Phil. 4. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 8. should hinder then from swallowing downe this doctrine of our Sauiours neerenesse to iudgement as the sweetest cordiall that was euer taken But let mee ad to your thoughts Is not the day approaching when no sooner shall Christ that stands now at the doore step in to iudgement but that your mortality shall be quite swallowed vp of life and your soules and bodies 2 Cor. 5. 4. set fully free from all sinne and suffering from all feare of hell of Satan and losse of Gods loue shall with Iubiles and songs of triumph from the Throne of iudgement bee vsher'd along through the clouds into the great Kings orient Presence chamber of sweet eternity where once set O the golden paue ments that your feet shall walke on the beauteous obiects that your eyes shall feed on the sweetest harmonies that your eares shall heare and be enamour'd on the fulnesse of content that your soules shall ioy in the heauenly companies with whom locking arme in arme you shall follow the Lamb where ere he goes O those palmes of victory that shall be put in your hands those rich massy Diadems that shall be set on your heads those long white roabes of purity that shall bee put on your bodies O those Christall streames of vndefiled pleasure that your soules shall swim in running sweetly-fresh along the banks of eternity from out that inexhaust fountaine of life and beauty the neuer-too-much-admired Trinity Come can you heare of this and your hearts not be enlarged with ioy or your mouthes with songs at the vndoubted tidings of Christs instant neernesse when the happy fruition of all these priuiledges with thousands more shall be fully exhibited Peter enrauished said T is good to be here when hee saw but Mat. 17. 4. a glimpse what will you say when at Christs appearing you shall haue the full view nay and fruition too of all his glory But now for generall instruction thirdly Since Christ's so neere euen at the doore let me aduise with Vse 3. Amos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prepare to meet thy God O Israel High time to looke about when the enemy Amos 4. 12. stands at gate and for malefactors to study or prepare their answer when the Iudge is ready to sit You haue been praemoniti forewarn'd bee now praemuniti forearm'd too like wise virgines with your lamps trimmed your loynes girt your lights burning to watch and await his comming Once thus That day cannot bee farre and like a thiefe in the night it will comesuddenly which if it preuent our preparation actum est we are vndone for euer Come then in all humble boldnesse in my masters name I Reu. 16. 15. challenge all your resolutions to the speedy practise of these specialties 1 Preaduertency Make Christs comming the continuall subiect of your watching thoughts bee euer musing on 't in time â—â—orehand 〈…〉 minus visa eminùs dangers forethought are better escaped and Cities are safest when still imagining the enemy at hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said a Father of the meditation Chrysost of iudgement it preuents its danger as foresight of a pit the falling into it Set yee then Saint Ieromes Bell to each your eares let that bee alwayes pealing in your sleepy thoughts a Surgite mortui venite ad judicium arise ye dead and come to iudgement It kept him waking so it may do you 2 Selfe-inspection Officers if but comming to search many hye home to see if any thing bee there like to be found vpon them that is not fitting Should we not doe so here The Iudge of all the world is euen now at hand to search and take view of all our wayes Goe speed you home then into your selues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lay each your hearts vpon your waies Take the candle of Gods word goe instantly Hag. 1. 7. looke into the closets of each your consciences search euery corner of your hearts turne and tosse vp all the out roomes of your liues see if any sinne lic lurking there indulg'd allow'd cherished pride hypocrisie lust drunkennesse bribery oppression couetousnesse No looking the Iudge in face with comfort where none of Gods but the deuils goods shall be found vpon you 3 Humiliation He that would not then suffer for sinne must now sorrow for sinne Goe turne your heads into waters and your eyes into fountaines of teares 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Chrysostome Before the Thrones be set vp set vp Threnes or lamentations for your sinnes both of hearts and liues Goe humble your selues for the pride of your hearts away with the spoiles of the poore out of your houses mourne in secret for your oppressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be reuenged of your lusts in sackcloth and ashes let your eyes runne downe with teares and your eye-lids gush downe with water that haue erred through wine and through strong drinke haue beene out of the way With the Israelites lament after Isa 28. 7. 1 Sam. 7. 2. the Lord sue out for peace ere the decree come forth seeke reconcilement while he 's yet in the way enter resolutions couenants of finall farewels euen to the very darlings of your bosomes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus preuent the Iudge his comming Nay slack no time Too late to sue for peace when the battell 's begun to stand wiping out blots and blurs when the bils must be taken or think vpon weeding when Christs sickle shall be in a reaping 4 Adherence to Christ crucified Chicken how hasten they when the Kite is comming vnder the wings of the Hen and Doues to the clefts of the rocks when the Eagle's in sight So runne you by faith vnto Christ your Sauiour that desire to speed well before Christ the Iudge Doe thus in a word Let your humbled soules groaning vnder the heartpinching burdens of all your sinnes deuolue and throw themselues into the meritorious armes of your indulgent Sauiour bleeding for you on his crosse with wrestling Iacob enclaspe this Angell of the New Gen. 32. couenant let not go til you haue got his blessing Send out your faith like some Noahs Doue to returne you Gen. 8. 11. tidings by the Oliue leafe of inward peace whether the waters of Gods wrath bee all exhal'd and dryed
vp by him the Sunne of righteousnesse with good Iehosaphat what ere troopes bee comming say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet our eyes are vpon thee Christ in the Gospell is Gods present to penitent sinners make faith your hand to reach out and take him Christ is that brazen Serpent lift vp for healing let faith bee the eye of your sin-bitten soules to looke vp vnto him Christ is a rock your faith must hide you in its clefts Christ is the branch your faith must lodge you vnder its shadow He 's a Vine your faith must insert you into its stock No condemnation to them that are thus by faith in Christ come when he will but passage rather from death to life 5 Moderation T was Christs owne caueat Take heed to your selues lest at any time your hearts be ouer-charg'd Luk. 21. 34. with surfetting and drunkennesse and cares of this life and so that day come vpon you vnawares Goe then lure off the eager and greedy Vultures of your immoderate appetites from the carions of fleshly contents pluck off your horse-leech affections from the breasts of the world pin vp diet your insatiable desires from glutting on these things below thrust through the loynes of your earthly-distracting cares crucifie strangle your delights in the bewitching pleasures and profits of this life Full stomackes dispose to sleepe doe not fit for watching and woe be to you if Christ step in and take you napping 6 Sanctity You must now walke with God that would then sit with Christ now sow in the spirit Gal 6. 8. that would then reape life now write vp the fayre characters of good works in the bookes of your consciences that would haue them fayrely legible at the day of account to your euerlasting comfort Goe on then like wise Merchants emproue your stockes of grace adorne your high calling with all sauing fruitfulnes in well doing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith an Ancient out-run your sinnes as Iohn did Peter to Chrysost Ioh. 20. 4. our Sauiours Sepulchre by an vnwearied coursing on in the paths of piety to God mercy and loue to your brethren Cals not the Apostle eternall life the crowne of righteousnesse righteousnesse must then 2 Tim 4 8. precede where the crown must follow and if according to our works iudgment shall at last be executed Rom. 2. 6. Mat. 3 10. that Axe be sure will spare no tree that beares bad fruit 7 Time makes me let goe a seuenth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Colos 4. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continued assiduity in prayer that which keepes in the fire of habituall graces and enliuens desires of Christs second comming 8 Faithfull attendance on each your places that 's the eighth and last Schoole boyes when but hearing their Master's comming how hye they to their places and ply their bookes lest taken tardy and stands it not vs in hand now that Christ stands at the doore with the strayned nerues of our best industry and faithfulnesse to be doing in our places those especially wherein God hath set vs for speciall aduancement of his glory Account must bee giuen vp of Luc. 16. 2. Mat. 25. 19. Mat. 24 46. each our Stewardships the employment of each our talents must be most strictly look't into Blessed O blessed then shall that seruant bee whom when his Master commeth he shall finde so doing ¶ Goe on then first yee sonnes of Levi who haue submitted your shoulders to the great work of preparing soules for the iudgment of the great day goe on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as good workmen that shall not need at that day to be ashamed approue both your selues and 2 Tim 2. 15. 1 Cor 4. 2. Heb. 13. 17. Zach. 11. 7. doctrine to God and your peoples consciences 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they that must giue account Take to you Zacharies two staues Beauty Bands Mercy and Iudgement and feed your slocks Preach the word Be instant in it in season and out of season that is as the Syriaque 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bezabno wadlo zabno seem 2 Tim. 4. 2. to sound it as well when the people will not abide to heare it as when they will Let your Bels bee heard in your sound of doctrine your Pomegranates seene in your patternes of godlinesse Beloued our Lord and Master is now returning after his long absence and stands at the doore His reward is with him either a crowne incorruptible Reu 22. 12. for our faithfull labours in his Vineyard or fullvials of wrath to bring vpon our heads the blood of all those soules that through our insufficiency Ezek. 33. 6. lasinesse scandalousnesse haue miscarried perished Go on you Heroes you Ancients of the people our worthy Magistrates that haue taken the sword into your hands and the gouernment vpon your shoulders vnhood your eyes to the sight of sinne vnsheath your swords and hew it in peeces do valiantly as Gods Vicegerents in your Masters cause not fearing the face of sinne or men Know this Your places al with your exact accounts of them must be giuen vp before Christ the Iudge that 's now at the doore and ere long will enter And here giue leaue a little to be speake you Reuerend and our Learned Worthies whom clad in Scarlet Maiesty the supreme Iudge of men hath plac't as Iudges on his politicall bench of iudicature What Iehosaphat to his let mee to you our Iudges 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 take heed what ye doe T is not for man but 2 Chron. 19 6. for the Lord ye iudge whom be sure you haue presentem inspectorem futurum Iudicem your present be holder and future Iudge Set continue then his feare before your eyes Take to you Heroiquespirits and rise vp stoutly against the monsters of this age drunkennesse whoredome murders blasphemies Sabbath libertinisme filching swearing Stand you in the streame a little stop you the current of the time Bee like this great Iudge your Master 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom intuition neither of persons may sway nor of gifts corrupt Let iudg ment runne downe as water that 's free for any and righteousnesse as Amos 5. 24. Eph. 6. 9. a mighty riuer that feares no colours I le adde but this what Paul to Masters in behalfe of seruants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euen you haue a Iudge in heauen too before whose iudgement ere long your selues must stand as doe others here before yours And you our worthy Iustices let me bespeak you too Go on I beseech you to make good your noble Titles by your practice Doing Iustice We yeeld you your honourable stile Custodes utriusque Tabuae But Isa 56. 1. seeke the promovall of Gods honour then aduance his worship in whose roome you be and before whose dreadfull Throne your selues must appeare ere long Encourage vertue looke big on vice set the point of your swords at the breasts of those
beene in Ver. 37. and prickt their hearts They had plowed and sown in teares before they reapt in ioy and truly to say what both Scripture and true experience yeeldeth t is a granted maxime with me that that peace and ioy whereby is hatched in vs the beginning of heauen here euen that peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding and that ioy that is vnspeakable and full of glory are in all Gods elect Adult the Phil. 4. 7. 1 Pet 18. vndoubted consequents propinque at least of this initiall sorrow for sinne and without this antecedent all seeming ioy and peace in true esteem but bastards Now tell then is there no need of plowing where such a crop is lookt for O yes but t is God must doe it may some obiect Obiect the arme of our owne strength is not sufficient for this kinde of plowing True but will hee that made thee without thee saue thee without thee or are wee as stocks without Solut. all obedientiall capability that Gods beginning and working by vs as instruments should exclude all voluntary though actiu'd agency in vs or what must Gods sole efficiency be a plea for our sluggishnesse No Nos operamur sayes Austin t is wee that work so here t is we that must plow quanquam Deus in nobis operetur operari though God doth worke all this our worke both in and by vs. And Isa 26 12. since we be simply passiue only in the first not in the vlteriour instants and acts of this spirituall plowing shall we with Solomons sluggard hide our hands of endeauour in our bosomes and looke when this haruest Pro. 19. 24. will drop into our mouthes sleeping Well then vnite all together that hath beene said and returne word on what equity the doctrine standeth That euery Christian had need turne Plowman But we hasten now to some vse of all And 1 For Information Must euery Christian become Vse 1. a Plowman deale with his heart by humbling it as Plowmen with their ground in fallowing the truth then of two principles will bee from hence apparant the one whereof Speculatiue the other Practique 1 The Speculatiue this doctrinall Aphorisme That the ordinary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or preparatiue to true and sound Evangelicall conuersion is by hauing our hearts first humbled and broken vp by the Law We must first haue this Plow to break the clods of our hard hearts before the seed of the Gospell will take kindly As the needle makes way for the thred so here must the Law for the Gospell and the Gospell comforts not soundly where the Law hath not first humbled throughly So that t is a wonder with mee what our Antinomists meane by their reiecting of the morall Law as needlesse now For iudge with me doth not he giue most glory to Christs fulnesse by beleeuing that hath felt most emptinesse in himselfe But this the Law occasions while pressing exact obedience it discouers our inability shewing what we should doe but cannot performe Is any priuiledged with the remission of sinnes but hee that is truly touched with sorrow for sinne And can any be truly sorry for what hee knowes not of But this knowledge of sin is by the Law Who can so feelingly Rom. 3. 20. hunger after Christ as he that most sees what need he hath of him Who will bid sweeter welcome to the promises of pardon and eternall life then hee that hath felt himselfe a condemned man or in a most damnable estate by nature Who will so sweetly ioy in the appeased countenance of God his reconciled father in Christ as hee that hath first apprehended him as angry Iudge in Adam But to all this serues the Law when from this effect t is call'd sometimes a killing letter sometimes the ministration of death 2 Cor. 3. 6 7 9. and condemnation In a word what makes vs more capable of grace then that which most humbles what more humbles then that which strips vs of all matter of pride now what doth this initially I meane more then the Law while it layes open all our spirituall nakednesse and as a Schoolemaster whips vs out of our selues thus leading vs to Christ Gal. 3. 24. The Gospell that brings vs the alone exhilerating cordials and soueraigne physick of our soules but the Law prepares our stomachs 2 The Practique viz. this morall verity That God will haue none of his be idlers turne Plowmen rather then doe nothing Adam in Paradice liues Gen. 2. 15. Gen. 9. 20. 1 Reg. 19. 19. not idle he delues his Eden Noah becomes an Husbandman and plants a Vineyard Elisha he goes to plow and we that haue such barren fields within vs haue good cause I thinke to be doing too T is not for nothing it seemes that we are so often called on to bee sometimes labourers in the Lords Vineyard Mat. 20. 1. Iud. 20. Eph. 6. Mar. 13. 37. Mat 20. 6. sometimes builders sometimes souldiers watchmen sometimes and here plowmen because no place in the market of this world for standing all day idle Beloued wee carry that about vs in our breasts that would easily silence all idlers complaints on want of worke when as the poorest begger that hath not one foot of ground besides if hee hath but an heart hath enough if he be willing to work to keepe him out of idlenesse all his lifelong But what meane I by lighting this dimme candle of Information in such intelligent roomes where tapers burne I le blow it out and light one rather vp in the closets of your consciences by a second vse and that of 2 Examination And here let me make bold to intreat Vse 2. you euery one that heares mee speaking but to turne aside a little with mee into the same closets your soules and consciences and there make search how it stands with you about the point propounded Two questions would be here demanded 1 For thy profession whether a spirituall Plowman yea or no 2 For thy practice in this profession what thou dost herein whether thy heart bee actually thus broken vp or no For the first Whether such a Plowman as the 1 holy Ghost meaneth in my Text. This will bee thus euidenced 1 By the Tooles Artificers in Lacedemonia if the Marks of a spirituall Plowman story faile me not were distinguisht when they went the streets by tooles seuerally peculiar to each Handicraft the Smith by his Hammer the Taylor by his Sheares the Carpenter by his Rule the Plowman by his Goad or Paddle-staffe So here thy profession will be discern'd by thy tooles if a Plowman by thy Goad or Paddle-staffe that is by thy conscience thy practique acquaintance with the word fasting selfe-examination prayer resolutions against sinne exercises of humiliation mortification and the like instruments of spirituall plowing Now thus Wouldst thou goe for a good Plowman a good and true honest Christian where bee thy tooles and what
be they what carriest a good tender conscience about thee mak'st conscience in all thy courses art stored with reall knowledge in the word of God mak'st vse of prayer both in Church and family meditation fasting selfe-searching often renewed resolutions against thy sins and such like badges of this thy Christian occupation I yeeld thee for thy profession one of the Lords Plowmen But if on contrary a stranger to these or which is more an enemy thou may'st be any thing else besides but what thou shouldst be 2 By the subiect matter of thy imployments If we see a fellow come when a man will with boots or shooes in his hand either cutting sowing or mending them wee 'l say sure this mans a Shoomaker or one alwayes either making righting handling or holding Plowes or Plow-stuffe wee 'l say such a man 's a Plowman So here Wouldst thou haue me say thou art a spirituall Plowman Let mee see the thing and matter whereabout thou art busied most what is' t this the consideration of thy wayes the crossing of thy lusts the conquering of thy passions the weakning of thy corruptions the mortifying of thy bosome and beloued sinnes Is' t tender of mercy and compassion to the poore Saints Is' t acts of spirituall improuement as hearing reading pondring conference prayer Is' t priuate thoughtfulnesse how in such and such things thou may'st keepe a good conscience and not sinne against God Truly I cannot deeme thee but such a Plowman as my Text meaneth and the Lord would haue thee But if on contrary instead of these the things thou art most taken vp in bee company-keeping drinking whoring gaming cozening scoffing Sabbath breaking roaring swaggering ruffianising go thou mayst for an impure carnalist or Swineheard as thou art but for a spirituall Plowman or true-professed Christian certainly yet thou art none 3 By thy continued customarinesse in exercises pertaining to thy profession Wee deigne not him the name of a Plowman that hath held the Sool but once or twice or neuer turned vp but a furrow or two but him that makes plowing his vsuall practice So thee here a spirituall Plowman not if thou dost but seldome lay Gods word to heart but seldome visit Gods house but seldome take thy heart to taske break'st off but some lusts kil'st but some sinnes and those lesse beloued ones perhaps and there gin'st ouer But if this taske of spirituall plowing bee euen euery dayes work customary at least renewed often as the trade thy spirituall life 's maintaind by 4 By thine appetite If thou hast a Plowmans stomach You know the prouerbe on one that eates heartily that he feeds like a Plowman implying in them a greater appetite then in others ordinarily which well may be because of their speedier digestion through cold and labour So here obserue thine appetite Hast an hungry appetite after the Manna from heauen the Word and Sacraments Canst when this food is set before thee feed hungrily euen on the courser morsels threatnings and iudgements as well as the finer bits the promises and comforts Can'st swallow them downe greedily hide them in thy heart and be ready to looke for more when that is downe Certainly as thou hast the stomach so take the name too of a spirituall Plowman But if thine appetite bee so cloyd and glutted with other dainties the profits and pleasures of this life that thou hast no relish this way If thy corrupt and queasie stomach be so nice and dainty that t is ready to rise at euery crosse word vnable to digest strong meat or the tarter dishes of Gods threatnings and iudgements against thy sinnes truly there is none can thinke thee a Plowman by thy stomach 5 Lastly by thy skill and knowledge in the Art He that would be a Plowman must haue knowledge in three things incident to that profession 1 In driuing the Oxen. 2 In ordering the tackling 3 In holding the Sool So here Try For thy driuing first Know'st how by thy Goad of conscience to prick vp all the powers of thy soule as Minde Memory Will Affections to do their ioynt and seuerall parts for the drawing of the word into the ground of thy heart not putting thy Vnderstanding on running too fast by quicknesse of apprehension in meane while suffering thy Affections to legge but slowly and coldly after For ordering thy tackling know'st how to order thy prayers resolutions vowes selfe-examinations fastings exercises of humiliation or canst with discreetnesse right them when ere defectiue for matter manner circumstances For thy holding the Sool canst hold the doctrine of the Law in thy heart so steddily and strongly that it come not vp or rise out of thy heart till got to lands end gone through its worke know'st when to plow deepe when more shallow in thy heart as deeper in thine inueterate grounded and habituall lusts more shallow perhaps in new-come sinnes know'st how to ouerturne the furrowes and clods of thy earthly and fleshly desires that they fall not back in againe Try hast skill in these things hast competent knowledge this way In my poore iudgement a sufficient Plowman But if on contrary this Practique skill be wanting what ere thy Notionall be whether in Diuinity Law Physick Philosophy or Tongues thou art yet no complete but halfe a Plowman Thus farre for thy profession whether a spirituall Plowman yea or no. Now for thy practice secondly triall must bee 2 made what thou hast done as a spirituall Plowman vnto the ground of thy heart In a word whether that heart of thine be fallowed and broken vp or no. Finde that out by these Land-marks following 1 The reall feeling of the Law stirring in thy heart The earth had it but sensitiue life it would certainly feele the piercing cutting and stirring of the Plow when it so rips and rends its entrals Howeuer yet this truth 's vndoubted in conscientiall Diuinity that if the Law bee stirring in the heart or hath by its woūding terrifying humbling power made any rips or breaches in it it will surely feele For albeit a child of God in some swound of spirituall desertion may be much on the mending hand and vnder the healing plaisters of the Gospell and not sensibly feele the same yet reall humblednesse vnder the Law or this broken-heartenesse that cannot be without some reflectiue feeling because things distastfull to sense are by nature more easily impressiue then things pleasing as of sicknesse wee are more sensible then of health Thus then Try Hast euer really felt the terrors of the Law stirring and working to sound purpose vpon thy corruptions hast euer felt the pils of its threatnings like Physick in thy stomach make thy heart to wamble hast euer felt how thy secret vilenesses discouered to thine eyes haue made the reds of thy conscience rise hast euer felt how the enforcement thereof both in the publique ministery and in thy secret musings hath cast thy retired thoughts vpon serious selfe-enquiry and debatement
proficiency in a godly life thy corruptions may the more throughly bee mortified die rot and wither before the euill dayes come and the yeares draw nigh when thou shalt say I haue no pleasure in them Eccl. 1◠1◠Lect. 1. Secondly Let thy acquainrance with these praecognita be seconded with this seauen-fold practice 1 As a Plow must not be drawne along vpon the surface or top of the earth but bee immitted or put into the very bowels of it so here see that the word doe not tickle thine eares onely a little or in at one eare and out at t'other but with Dauid hide and cause it to enter into thy very heart 2 As a Plow when put into the earth must not there stand still but bee put on working So here The word or Law in thy heart must not lie idle but be actiue like good Physick for thy soule must bee made to stirre and work vpon thy conscience will affections 3 As a Plow though in the earth and stirring yet must be guided and applyed to and fro by the Plowmans hand So here The word in thy heart held by thy Memory must bee guided by thy Vnderstanding and by thy conscience applied this way and that way this iudgement against this sinne that against that this promise to this act of obedience that to that this rule of direction to this practice that to that c. 4 As a Plowman is not wont to stop and turne at halfe way his furrowes but goes through to lands end ere he turnes againe So here in fallowing of thy heart thou must not break vp the furrowes of thy lusts at halues mortifying one halfe but cherishing t'other But when thou takest a furrow a sinne in hand go through stitch with it see the yonder end of that sinne before thou turne back from pursuing it 5 As a Plowman turnes vp his furrowes in order not confusedly by heapes or all together but orderly one after another So here thy sinnes must bee throwne vp not by confused heapes in grosse onely as saying we are all sinners as if that were enough but by distinct and particular acknowledgement of them that their distinct filthinesse espied may better further humiliation 6 As the Plow goes vnhappily to worke then when the Oxen either are vnequally matcht or draw not ioyntly together So here in this spirituall plowing the Word in thy heart works ineffectually when the vnderstanding and preiudicate opinion when the will and sensuall appetite bee yokt like an Oxe and an Asse together or when the vnderstanding drawes one way and the will another the affections a third Heed must be had then that in their proper places they follow each the other The vnderstanding foremost hauing apprehended the word of truth let the will desire the affections embrace the memory keep and the outward man conforming execute 7 As the Plowman in plowing makes vse of his Paddle-staffe wherewith he rids and digs off stroyl that choaks the Culter So here take thy Paddle-staffe in hand daily examination and often renewed selfe-inspection and bee euer and anon digging off herewith the stroyl of insinuating hypocrisie and greedinesse vpon worldly profit that will bee euer hanging and sticking on and choak and dull the edge of the word that it shall neither pierce nor cut Thus for thy practice Now thirdly let me but suggest a fourefold Resolution Lect. 3. that must attend this practice and this Vse is ended 1 Be painfull Beloued plowing is no easie taske It requires the strayned nerues of your best industry Rebellious lusts are not so easily mastered nor vnruly passions tamed Corruptions are not pluckt out of their warme beds with a wet finger multa tulit fecitg there must bee much tugging and toyling in the often reiterated acts of humiliation vs'd about these stony rotten and deceitfull hearts of ours before they 'll be throughly fitted for sound fruitfulnesse in sauing grace Resolue then to bee painfull or neuer take plow in hand 2 Be early at it T is not the least of a Plowmans prayses to be an early riser His Oxen you know must be fed early and prepar'd for labour his work must be begun early lest late setting out in the morning cast him behinde hand all day after So here resolue to arise and to be doing early Let minde and memory timely while yet in the morning of thy yonger dayes be plyed with the food of knowledge and other spirituall prouision Set out a plowing while others are yet sleeping in their security and sinnes No small comfort t will be to haue thy work aforehand Delayes till the day of thine age bee declining will bring forth scarce halfe the work perhaps hazard the whole wages 3 Be intentiue Do what thou hast to do herein with all thy might As a Plowman if hee minde not Eccl. 9. 10. earnestly what he hath in hand but goes on gaping and gazing about the Plow miscarries either it leaps vp out of the earth or runnes awry either goes too deep or else too shallow So here hauing once put thy hand to this plow thou must hoc agere minde thy worke not look back No glancing with Lots Luk. 9. 42. Gen. 19. 26. wise of the eyes of thy affections backe vpon the world thy profits preferments sinfull pleasures delights pastimes T is a work that will need the intention of the whole man a work wherein heedlesse and needlesse excursions of the minde about the superfluities of this life breed vsually such distractions as will make the word either ho vp againe and vanish out of thy heart or but work impertinenly confusedly coldly 4 Be constant Hold out this practice to thy end Neuer giue ouer the trade Man saith the Psalmist or a Plowman if you will goeth forth to his work Ps 104. 23 and to his labour vntill the euening So here vntill the very euening of thy old age nay the darke night of death must thou bee busie plowing thy heart No halfe holidayes to be kept at this taske to leaue work at noones For vpon what termes is the promise of reaping made not if we plow but for a spurt or so and grow weary of well-doing but in due season we shall reap if we faint not And here 's the difference Gal. 6. 9. betweene temporall and vs spirituall plowmen They can plow but till seed time but we must keep plowing vntill haruest ¶ Brethren I know not how farre I haue entrencht vpon your patience in regard of time I beseech you vouchsafe me but a Plowmans liberty who of a whole close if hee hath but one or two short ridges more to plow though it bee time to leaue worke and he be lookt for home yet is easily dispenst with for so small a peece rather then to come away and leaue so little vndone So here I haue but one little short ridge one short vse more and my whole dayes work is ended Wherefore suffer now 5