a Requiem while perhaps immediatly their Soul may be taken from them Some put off the day of Death and many run to another extream and hasten their Death by sensuality and look upon it as fatality and so grow careless Some are so swelled with the World that they can not here mementâ— fili but the old World Sodom Belshazer the Rich Glutton Herâ—â— Annanias and Saphira and others are Beacoâ— to thee to guard against precipices aâ—â— learn thee to be considerate practically tâ— think upon thy latter End And yet further this practical knowledgâ— of Death is very useful to advance practical Religion 1 st Guarding against security and surprise 2ly Stirring up men to plie their work in time well 3ly To dissarm of its Sting and dreadour 4ly To prepare us for our decease Fitst This practical knowledge of Death saves us from the greatest of evils and that is security and surprise in a matter of such a consequence as passing to our final Doom Security is the great Temptation And it produceth most dierful effects as the Old World and Wordly men set forth by Christ in the case of Dives doth declare It layes the hold open to the enemy and takes the man off the Stage of time ere he hath done any good in it Sudden destruction follows such as cry Peace It hath made tall Cedars fall But to be awake and to be armed let 〈◊〉 not fix our Repose upon Earth wheâ— it cannot be had for the Voice 〈◊〉 GOD sayeth Arise this is not thy Râ—â— And to be thus prepared delivers us froâ— the dreadour of Death For how dreadful is Death to the Man at ease said thâ— son of Sirah 2ly The practical knowledge of Death cannot but make any Serious Man to plye his Work in time it will not suffer him to delay and put off Our Life is but a Vapour and very uncertain and therefore we should do our Work now or never we should neither boast of to morrow nor putt of till to morrow but do the Work of the Day Accidents and Incident troubles and diseases may soon lay us by by the blast of the Wrath of GOD For all men are but Grass c. Isa 40. 6. 3ly To dissarm Death of its sting and dreadour the most of men live under the bondage of the fear of Death the most of their time And certainly to have the practical knowledge of it would make the consideration of Death to be easie and familiar to us When we can say with Job I know that thou will bring me to death And Death gathers a great and venomous sting if we labour not to reâ— move sin and interest our selves in the Death of Christ and then we may triumph with St. Paul O death where is thy â—ting 4ly This practical Knowledge serves to prepare us for our death and to make us ready to render up our Soul that we may expire in the Arms of Christ and with old Simeon have Christ in our Arms and therefore desire to depart in Peace And this practical Knowledge serves much to make us lead a good Life which is the only way to a happy Death Let this then learn all Christians especially Gospel Ministers to study this practical Knowledge of Death App which made St. Chrysostome say Offeramus DEO voluntarie quod â—ro debito debemur reddere give that freely to GOD which we owe in Debt to Him Ministers of the Gospel should be mortified their Life should preach Mortification they have a great account to make at Death and therefore by their Well doing should undo it There are no men who have more need of Wisdom than they and it is the greatest Wisdom to consider our Latter End 2ly The favourable Representations the Apostle here gives of Death a puttiâ—â— off or laying down this Tabernacle Where observe That Death is not dreadful to the Godly Natuâ—â— Doct 2d may shrink but Faith prevaâ—â—â— Death is but a long sleep the Grave a doâ—â— mitory it is but a taking up of our Tent and a passing to our Fathers House leaveing our Pilgrimage to possess our Inheritance Death is very kindly to a well resolved Christian it puts our Body in a Chamber gives us a Covert from the storm Isa 26. 20. In which state of Separation we have no more sense to feel than the Dust we ly amongst the irksomeness is only in our Apprehension It is the common fate of all Mortals We cannot tell how we did grow in the Womb much less how we shall rot in the Grave The Body was an Instrument of sin it must be corrupted and in a manner refined in the Grave to rise incorruptible at the Resurrection Let us then pay the debt of nature freely willingly and with a sort of Holy Faith concur with GOD and lay down our Tabernacle with Joy and render up our Soul with Delight that having our Work done and our Loiâ—s girt up we may moâ—nt Nebo with Moses and flee to Heaven with Elijah 3dly Come I now to consider how the Lord did show this Apostle of his Death Some makes this refer to the time of his Death some to the manner of it as John 21. 16. Thou shalt follow me hereafter c. saith Christ to him I shall not be very positive in determining providing that this one general be observed that the Term of our Life is uncertain we know we must die but when how or where is only known to God there is no Oracle but that of God which can clear us and Horoscops as they are too daring in medling with the secret things of God as they are dangerous so are they frequently â—aâ—al and leaves the Curious Enquirer as Wise as he was Yet it may be observed That some Favorites have much more of Doct. 3d. GODS Mind in this matter than the generality of Men. We find Moses and Aâ—râ—n and the famous 〈…〉 theâ—â— Pass from their Master and did ly down and die and the Sons of the Prophets knew and said to Elisha Knowest thou not that God will take away thy Master this day And God doth wonderfully insinâ—ate his Will in this by Dreams and Visions in thâ— Night O then labour to do thy work and then thou has no more adoe but to die Die daily and this will fit thee for thy daâ—â— and since thou knows not the hour watâ—â— till thou get thy dying Call Sermon V. Of the Endeavours Faithful Ministers have to make their Labours useful to People after their Decease and to fix such Monuments as may serve after Generationsâ— Ver. 15. Moreover c. O Fall the Offices and Works in the World the Work of the Ministry is most for Eternity it 's all Divine it came from Heaven and tends thither so that a Gospel Minister according to his Measure may say with St. Paul I received it not from Man It 's the Eternal Word which they Preach the Sonls to whom they Preach are Immortal and the Result of
Christ in thy armâ— but in thy heart The Prayer LORD Help thy servant and all such 〈◊〉 thou art pleased to bless with a long life 〈◊〉 attain unto that pitch of puritie and preparatiâ—â— as may make us ripe Fruit to GOD that 〈◊〉 may come to the Grave in Good old age aâ—â— Shock of Corn in full maturity give us by tâ—â— Grace under the Burden of old age that 〈◊〉 may be unburdened of the body of sin and deaâ—â— that after all the travels of our life We may râ—â— our Ark under the Pavilion of Thy Eternâ—â— Majesty Amen STAGE Second OF The Quatuor Norissima or feur Last things and how Man is to improve himself in the Consideration of thâ—se § 1. IT is a great Mercy while we last and enduâ—e that the last things be minded For the longest Day will come to an Even and these last things are so new that they never change except that the last Enemy Death will be destroâ—ed 1 Cor 15. 26. It suits well then with a Christian to be well setled as to these Tria sunt omnia said some of the Philosophers but four things are necessary sayeth the Scripture and it is the Vnum Nâ—â—ssarium The one thing needfull to know theâ—e practically for what more certain than Dâ—ath What moâ—e searching than Judgement Wâ—aâ— more dreadfull than Hell And what mâ—re comfortable than Heaven Take then a View of them for thy Christian prâ—fiâ— Of Death § 2. All the World spâ—ak of Death but I know not by what a pleasant yet aâ—e unhappy Charm few seriously lay it to heart Betwixt our Birth our Deaâ—â— there is but a thought or an instant it 〈◊〉 happy then to awake and go to the Houseâ— mourning and see the end of all things Ecc. 7. 〈◊〉 All things dye Empires and Kingdoâ— decay the four Monarchies are out of Dâ—â— The whole Creation groaneth Rom 8. 22. Tâ—â— Universe is but an Universal hospital 〈◊〉 Grave a common Mother where the greâ—â—est Potentats lay down their power aâ—â— crowns and all Mankind put of their glâ—ry for Dust we are and to Dust must we retâ—â—â— All have sinned all must dye ss 3. I shall only mention this commâ—â— Theme that it may be practically iâ—proved by a short discourse of Deaâ—â— anâ— a right preparation for it ss 4. First in discoursing of Deaâ—â— thou art to consider what it is 2ly 〈◊〉 it is 3ly How it is 4ly When it is 〈◊〉 Its sting and strength 6ly The victory â—ver ss 5. What it is Altho there be nothiâ—â— more obvious than Death yet would 〈◊〉 require one from the dead to inform tâ—â— World of it but Abel yâ—t speaketh aâ—â— CHRIST cryes by his Word and Spiriâ— that Death is the Term of thy Temporaâ— â—ife the dissolution of thy earthly Taâ—ernacle and a separation of the Soul â—om the Body It is a long sleep it makes strange Change upon Man it turns the 〈◊〉 House to Rubbish it sets thee off â—e Stage of time to the darker Regions â—f the dead it layeth strength Beauty â—ortune and all the commodities of life â—n the dust it destroyes Nature and thô its Conquest be but over Dust yet this King â—f Terrors Reigneth till the Resurrection § 6. 2ly Why it is All have sinned all â—ust die In the day thou eatest thereof thou shall â—urely die By one Man sin entered into the World and Death by sin The Vltimus Conatus and â—last effort of Death is to dissolve nature Soul and Bodie must sunder The Body sleep and be Refined in the Dust till the last Trump § 7. 3ly How it is The way and manner of Death is dark it comes either by nature or by accident It hovers over our heads like an Eagle in the Air It is like a ship in the Sea whose footsteps are not known It lurks as a Serpent under the Herb And the more hidden the more dangerous it kills us as a Basalisk when we see it not It kills many with pleasure as it hath been observed Plures pereunt Gâ—â— qvam Gladio It besets us before and behiâ—â— so that it is good to have our Witsâ— bout us § 8. 4ly When it is In the beginningâ— progress and end of our Race When 〈◊〉 ver thou begins to Live thou Dies anâ— thy Breath is within thy Nostirles And Death hath smitten the Cedar anâ— the Grass the Good and Bad the Ridâ— and Poor in divers manners and very unâ— expectedly to many it comes as a Thiâ—â— by Night and taketh our earthly house by surprize and although in geneâ—al thâ— Term of our Life be dâ—tâ—rmin'd by GOD Job 7. 1 Yet are there so many incident Tryals and exercises that Man being â—eft to the freedom of his own will by unluâ—kie adventures makes his own Diet of Dying tho so sore against his will when it comes so the wicked is said to die before their time and in the midst of their dayes § 9 5ly The strength and sting of Death Death hath a great strength for no man can see it and live and that which imbiâ—ters it is sin If thou therefore inortifie sin thou plays upon the hole of the Aâ—p and needs not feaâ— the Sting of the Sâ—â—pent It is only sin that makes Death dreadfull for it poisons its dart and makes it bitter to the Uâ—sanctified But CHRISTs Death sweetens all its Acerbities to the Godly and makes them say with Our Saviour The Cup that is given us of GOD shall we not Drink § 10. 6ly The victory over it There is no Cure of Death But in the Prince of Life if we â—ie with Him we shall Live with him We live in our Head and it is he that can say O Death Iâ—e be thy Death There is no Herb on Earth that can cure Death but there is a Tree of Life in Heaven and to such as apply this arigâ—t Death is but a passage to Life and because Christ Lives such shall Live also Secondly THE CONSIDERATION OF DEATH REDVCED TO PRACTICE § 11. It is Excelently well observed by Dr. Taylor that the Scripture acquaints us with one only Way to Die well which is to Live well Which generally holds of all them that have the Use of Reason and of the Means of Grace so that Instance of the Convert Theif doth rather extol the wonderful Love and Merit of our Dying Lord than give any exception against the general Rule For alâ—â—hough such as have lived bad lives may dye with a sort of Peace Yet tâ—â— is no peace sayeth my GOD to the wicked aâ—â— it is only the Upright and the Perfect Maâ— Whose latter end is Peace But This new Lifeâ— not to be measured by dayly Excursioâ— of Temptation but from an habituâ—â— Course of sincere Obedience Since righâ— preparation for death consists in a Holâ— Life and a dayly dying to sin and 〈◊〉 Life being but a Vapour as St. James sayeth It is sad to let it Evaporate in sin and follyâ— It is good then
to keep Memento mori in the Vade-mecum of our Mind that we may be ready to render up our Soul unto the Hands of a Faithful Creatour ss 12. 2ly Thou must be willing to die Death is indeed Irksome to Nature buâ— when thou considerest it as a passage to thy Fathers house it is pleasant thou must be so willing as to submit to GOD and resign thy Life to His Will for GODS Will is still Good and gâ—ided with excellent â—udgment whether thou Nill or Will thy times are in His band Consult not therefore Flesh and Blood but Faith and chearfully drink of that Cup that all before us have tasted which is sweetened by the death of Christ and better to die willingly than to live in â—pposition to GODS Will say therefore with old Eli the Will of the LORD be done And if it be well principled thy willingness will come up the leâ—gth of a desire to die not of a pievish discontent with Joâ—â—h But with an Apostollick and Heavenly Spirit to desire to depart and be with Christ which is best of all Let not therefore the dreadour of death hinder thy desire since GOD is with thee to give thee a safe passage Death simply cannot case thee but it is dying in the LORD that makes thee Blesseâ— It is gooâ— then to have a well dected Mind and Soul For there are such attractives in the Recompence of Reward the Crown of Righteousness and of being ever with thâ— LORD As may make thee desire to be uncloathed that mortality may be swallowed up in Life 2 Cor 5. 4. I â—issintangle therefore thy self of Worldly Letts that thy Soul may as naturally tend to Heaven as the sparks flee upward ss 13. 3 lâ— Mâ—ke Death familiar to thee for many put off the Evil Day and leave the thoughts of Death to â—ick and Dying Persons but thou should be more prudent walk every day as it were thy Last Day and frequent thoughts of it will make it to be no strange nor sad thing to die Frâ—quent use makes the habit Easie and 〈◊〉 well prepared Christian will say my heâ—â— s fixed § 14 4ly If any doubts fears arise whiâ—â— may be incident to Christians when â—heâ— come seriously to look upon Eternity 〈◊〉 dark passage of death leading thereuntâ— thy death can make thee dâ—ubt of nothinâ— but what state it will put thee into but Givâ— no place to doubt since it is certain 〈◊〉 thou Relie on Christ thou art securâ— Thou must not consult the disorders 〈◊〉 thy life but the well ordered covenanâ— Are thy sins many GOD hath a multitude of mercies are they great he caâ—â— pardon them because they are great hast thou Backslidings He can heaâ— thy Backsliding Hast thou dâ—fficulties Light can clear thee art thou tempted He can Succour thee Art thou dijected He can comfort thee So whatever by thy case if thou come to Him upon the terms of the Gospel thou mayest be Satisfied in his love Iâ— death be the King of terrors CHRIST is the King of comforts Thou needs not fear in fâ—tifaucibus in the jaws of Death If 〈◊〉 be iâ— Gremio Dei in the Bâ—some of GOD let the dart of Death â—trick the shield of Faâ—th will resist its force All Mortals before you have suffered â—eath even Children and the Weaker Sex and it is a sillie thing to dread that which is conquered can do nothing to a Christian but loose him from Bondage There is nothing dreadfull in Deaâ—h but to fall into the hands of an Angry GOD and if your pasillanimous Mind makes thee flee Death it follows thee Get thy Heart and conscience in a right frame then and then thou has nothing to do but to ly dâ—wn and slâ—ep â—et thy faith and hope on work and By a heavenly Spirit lahour with Samson to destroy GODS Enemies Colect thy powers to render up thy Soul with comfort and that same GOD who has made Martyres Rejoice in their tortoures may make thâ—e sing as a Swan in death and Triumph with St. Paul O Death where is thy Sting 1 Cor. 15. 55. § 15 6ly To pray for a happy death Labour to die well and iâ— it be the LORD's will deprecate any thing extraordinary in thy Death except an extraordinary Repentance and a heavenly frame of Spirit Thou shouldest submit to the time and mannâ—r of thy Death but with all beg a comfortable demission to depart in peace and since there are thousand accidents incident to thy lifâ— and many have been taken off the Stagâ— by surprize and in the act of sin thoâ— art to pray for a happie Death and composed mind in dying and think it nâ— unsuitable to Deprecate a sudden Death takâ— Sanctuary in GOD that in the uncertanties of this World thou mayest be secure Labour to Kill this Pasisisk with the Eyâ— of Faith Dayly die to sin and cleay to Christ pay the debt of nature with pleasure Lay down thy Body to a Grave perfumed with CHRIST's Burial and commit thy soul to a faithful Creatour and Blessed Redeemer Prayer in order to Death O LORD Gâ—D of Life and Death Thoâ— only hast the empire over Death O Prince of Life who was once dead and art now alive Give me to live for Thee and in Thee and I shall not die but sleep Thy Love caâ— keep my Soul warm in the dark Valley of Death save me from the bondage of the fear of Death and the sting of it and then I may harmlesly like a Child play on the hole of the Asp Fill me with Light and Spiritual Life and deliver me from â—â—y thing that may make Death irksom that I may lay up store in my best circumstances against the power of it Save me from procuring my Death by the ill Government of my Life save me from all Misdemeanour that may procure a violent Death Deliver me from sudden Death if it be Thy Holy Will and let me not he surprized by my last Enemy Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit perfect Thy Grace in me that I may attain to the end of the Vpright and perfect Man to die in Peace Amen The Second last Thing JUDGEMEMT § 1. AFter Death the Judgement The belief of a Judgement is an Article of our â—reed and a great principle of our Religion Death and Judgement are both decreed Heathens have believed it and Nill they Will they Conscience asserts it and the worst of Men in Crosses and about their dying have had apprehensions of Judgement and such as have stiffled convictions have now within them fatal and fearful Convulsions for as GOD is so is He just and will bring all things to Judgement and tho Sentence be not prâ—sently execute here Yet there remains 〈◊〉 Judgement Concerning which letâ— it 〈◊〉 first enquired as to the Truth of it 〈◊〉 The time of its Commencement 3ly The Judge 4ly the Process And 5ly Thâ— Sentence § 2. First That there is a Judgement to come
fully made up in the perpetual festival which they shall enjoy in their Fathers house where we hope Luther and Calvin and their biguit adherents Having keept the main of Religion are now agreed And all the debates about Modus Rei the manner of our LORDS presence in the Eucharist are now settled and saâ—iâ—fied in the Celestial Communion Where all debates anent the outward policy of the Church shall evanish When we come to a continual Doxologie of the Trine-Une GOD anâ— aâ—tain unto the General Assemly of the first-born where also we hope that Papists who have walked suitably to fundamentals of Religion yet through the Unhappiness of their Birth and Education have been under a sort of invincible Ignorance shall join with the Protestant Where also we do charitably hâ—pe that many who are without aâ—d have answered their Light in Morality and have implicitly closed with the Mercy of GOD which takes in all the methods of its communication may come to share of the deepth of that Mercy which is the very Nature of GOD And that Tremendous Justice which rendereth to every man according to his Works and impartiaâ—â— Judgeth such as are under and such as aâ—â— without Law And particulary we hoâ—â— that all the private Contests among Fam 〈…〉 lys and Relations which have floweâ—â— from humour weakness temptations and incumberances of the World shall all be gone when the warm Flame of the infinite Love of GOD shall fill their Hearts § 15. Away with all biguit adherance to a Sect or Party since neither Papisâ— nor Protestanism Parity nor Prelacy will save us if we be not real Christians We ought indeed to search all things and hold what is best but withall we should not so much lean to our own understanding but follow after Charity that Ephraim no more vex Israel but all be joyned in one faith to the LORD § 16. Away with all fears of the frowns of providence for there is a wise disposer Away with all vexation about the troubles of Revolutions since we hope to be Citizens of a Continuing City that hath a Foundation Let us labour to vanquish the World by Faith and be still doing good and we need not fear what man can do ss 17. Adiâ—w all Relatives and Acquaintances We leave you to the â—race and Guidance of God Farewel Sun â—nd Mâ—on and that glâ—riâ—us Canopy of â—he Firmament bespangled with dividâ—d Lights For we hope to Live above â—he Clouds in our Fathers House where there is no need of the Sun because the Son of Righteoâ—sness is there we leave all the flowers and pleasures of an earthly paradise to feed upon the Tree of Life And last of all farewell beloved Body the Spirit and Voice of our Beloved sayes come we must gird up the loins of our Mind we leave thee to the dust but we hope to return-again for tho thou hast been corrupted by sin yet now sanctified by the Blessed Body of CHRIST we lay thee down as precious dust to be refined in the bowels of the Earth Our Souls can not be fully perfect without Thee therefor go to thy Dormitory and sleeping house till the last Trump sound and then shall we be made perfect in Soul and Body and be ever with the LORD The Devotion Suitable ANd now what clogs and fetters thee O my Soul thou sees what sin and the world can do linger not but arise for thisâ—â— not thy Rest look to the recompence of reward with Moses think upon the calmnâ—â— of a better life in the tâ—mpests of this fight the Good fight of Faith and GOD will give thee the Crown of Life Prepare for Judgâ—mâ—nt and Eternity for the Judge is aâ— the Door The Prayer LORD make up my wants and Remove what is superfluous in me adorn me with the Weâ—ing Garment and deck my soul that through thy Grace I may be able to enter in Courage Courage O my Soul for CHRISTS mercy and Grace iâ— before thee let not Death be Irksome to thee but LORD grant me the Wish that I have long breathed for to Die in peace and lay down my Tabernacle with joy and render up my Soul to GOD with delight I have seen an end of all perfection in the short span of my life I have seen the Glory of the World pass away like a Scroll there 's nothing certain but in Thee all flesh is Grass but thy word endureth for ever I have seen Riches flee away with the Wings of the morning and strength and vigour turn to weakness but Thou O LORD art the only sure portion of thy People I count all things loss for thee I have none in Heaven but thee and none is there on Earth that I desire beside Thee I aquiesce in thee as my Repose for ever Thou art all my bless and happiness for ever Amen The End AN APPENDIX The Pastoral legacy and latter will of a Gospel Minister to his flock in some Sermous upon 2 Pet Chap. 1. from v 12. to the middle of 16. Preached from the 2 Sunday of April to the 4th Sunday of June 1693. To the Reader Courtious Reader COnsidering the weakness and uncertainty of my life being under often Infirmities some years bygon to which I humbly submit and kisses the hand that smites me considering also the uncertainty of the times not knowing how soon I may be turned out I did resolve to leave this Valedictarie behind me for the good of my flock and of any that shall pursue it which I dedicatâ— to the glorie of GOD and the Edification of the Church and to my Reverend Brethren of the Ministrie Moses took hie leave of Israel and left directions after him Deut. 1. 32. So did Solomon Eccl. 12. 8. And He that is greater than Solomon our Blessed Lord had his farewell Sermon John chap 14 15 16 Saint Paul Acts 20 29. And. St. Peter here So I desire to leave my Flock with some Advertisement and monument of my care for them Sermon I. Containing the Compact Chain of our Holy Religion exactlie knitting the Priviledges and Properties of a Christian together in one link in the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wherefore I Shall leave it to such as write upon the whole Epistle to vendicate it from the false Aspersion of some who denyed it to be Canonical of whom Eus speaks in his Church history 3 Book 25. Chap Which indeed was very unjust since the Epistle savoâ—rs of its Author and the genious of Christianity So that its like whoever they were that refused it to be Canonick could not bâ—â— be among the number of those false Prophers mentioned by this Apostle Chap 2 d Vers 1. Or of â—hese scoffers of whom he writes Chap 3 d Verse 1. Neither shall I insist upon the design and scope of this Epistle since it is so clearly manifest to any that â—eads it mentioning the great priviledges and properties of a Christian and a preserv â—ive against false Prophers and
teipsum know thy self The Heathens Lesson is very fit for a Christian The benefit of Sâ— Acquaintance tends much to right Discretion and the Government of our Lifeâ— Which makes many invert that of Sâ— Paul I know nothing by my self for want of reflection they can curse swearâ— lie and work abomination and theirâ— heart never smites them So they are lefâ— to themselves and put under the saddâ—â— plague of getting success in sin Better 〈◊〉 have the Way hedged with Thorns leaâ—â— thou run to ruine and labour so to guidâ— thy self that thy Heart condemn thee not and to exercise thy self with St. Paul to have 〈◊〉 Conscience void of Offence towards GOD and Man § 12. Many other things may be aded as rashness 〈…〉 and following vain customs 〈…〉 into a calling and course of life 〈◊〉 with no Deliberation but meerly from fondness and folly drive like Jehn in the pursuit of their carnal love and enter into a married staâ—e so rashly and indiscreetly that thev may have leasure eneugh after to regrate and so youth runs himself into inextricable difficulties But quod faciendum semel deliberandum diu And he should engage in this warefare with good advice but of the most of these I may have occasion to speak to after this § 13. And so I come to the second thing to wit The directions and motives for his recoverie and the ordering this state of Age. 1. As long as Man climbs to the top of the Wheel and Ascends to the hight of his Temporary Horizon he should take leasure to look back on his bygone life and view well that he act contrary Good to these evils fore-mentioned that he be Considerate Knowing tender hearted busie in good Exercise rhat his Conscience be awak'd himself humble even cloathed with humility which layes a good foundation for the Reception of Grace in his after Age that he learn to change Vain thoughtsâ— into Deliberation and Passions to rule them by a quiet Mind peaceable by patience and Moderation and the sooner he listens to the Call of GOD it will be easier for him that with great Aug he be alarmed with that of the Apostle Rom 13. 11. It is 〈◊〉 time to awake out of sleep Memory may decay in old Age. But Youth must remember hear Children the instruction of Wisdom Prov 6. 7. And since some aâ—â— snatched away in their younger yeaâ— some sin away and some play away their time Youth should not think iâ— too soon to be serious since posibly hâ— may not live till he think it time to bâ— serious § 14. It is Good for youth that is ready to stare upon rarities to take Wisdom from the example of such as miscarry least he himself become an Example and all sad accidents to others should make us listen to that of Solomon Follow the way of good men Better to be A monument of mercy than of wrath He must impartially correctâ— the errors of his bygon life and not be sparing in his own case to cry out with Judah against the Harlot and yet be the man himself that is defiled Gen. 38. 24. He must consider how he hath carried in all relations what sentiments he had of Religion what was his Temptation inclination humour and phansie what was his gift and what little good he hath done And if he Consider well he may acknowledge that he hath not obeyed the voice of his Teachers and that his Religion hath but Come by fiâ—s and that Possibly he hath harboured and does harbour some predominant sin and if he were serious he would find out the Dalilah that hath possessed his heart and know where the strength of his sin lyes and pray with the Psalmist LORD who knows his errors Psal 19. 12. § 15 It is high time then to smite thy thigh and knock thy breast and to be humble for thy bygon errors which thou may know to be a sincere repentance for them that if thou were placed in the former circumstances thou wouldst not react these follies And that thou doest not relish them with wonted affection And since they have not ruin'd thee show thy zeal revenge against these thy former Idols keep no reserve least thy Religion be Partial and Unpleasant look back with grief and redeem it with Duty sell not thy time for nought be no more beguild with toyes look back with Repentance and before thee with Prudence § 19. It is more then time also to consider thy Baptismal Engagement Whereby thou art sworn to GOD gets his mark and his Cognizance of Christianity Thou must renunce sin and Sataâ— GOD can make thy Baptism Effectual but 't is by Faith Repentance and Obedience that it works in the Adult Thoâ— must give the Answer of a good Consciencâ— 1 Pet. 3. 21. to thy Baptism as St. Peter speakâ— thou must wash in the Laver of Regeneration till it produce the new Creature Anâ— draw Vertue as a living Member from thy Blessed Head § 16. Who is now wise to consider these things look how the LORD trains thee in his Providence from Childhood to Youth GOD may bring thee homâ— with the voice of the Rod look theâ— what Influence Providence hath upon thy Younger heart if it be humbled and 〈◊〉 to receive the Blessings of Religion § 17. And yet more particularly to direct this ingoverned Age that needs solidity to keep it from Reeling 〈◊〉 the Scripture teacheth thee 1 to remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth It is a part and a great part that layes the foundation of practical principles Memento 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vere memento Mori both to remember how to live and how to die And 2ly the Scripture bids thee flee youthfull lusts 2 Tim 2 2 1 What these lusts are thou reads not there but certainly youth hath its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper lusts the vice of their age of their nature person and Nation Yet if thou look to the contrary Vertues which the Apostle there commends as Righteousness Grace Faith Love c. Thou shalt find Injustice Ambition Animosity Carnality Vnruliness Facileness Broils Tumults Contests and Duels that produceth dearfull deaths all which are against Charity which the Apostle there commends bnt thou must follow after Faith Love and Peace Secondly Shun idleness and evil Company beware of the Tavern and Stew If sinners entice thee consent thou not It is a Token that GOD hath called thee If thou choice a Right Calling It is time for thee now to think how to live Every minute of our short day has its Work Consider then well what Work thou puts thy Hand to and what Calling by the Advice of these that are Wiser than thy self may through GOD's Blessiing serve thee in this World and not Impede thy general Calling as a Christian Let thy Calling not be insnaring but approved propone not so much Gain as Contentedness And as I hinted before Oeteris paribus the Holy
to Families of good Accounr And talk much of his Labours and losses When possibly he hath either hid his Talent in idleness or profusly spent it in superfluities Not but that a vertuous Man may come to misfortnne but many misguide their Fortune and make themselves unfortunate Which ordinarly is attended with want of the Exercise of Religion And such a Man whatever be his pretences in 〈◊〉 evil sense he cares not for to Morâ—â— what ever be his descent he carries 〈◊〉 Character of one useless in his generatiâ—â— that hath not made Right use of Mâ—â—mon to fit him to serve GOD nor coâ—â—fortable to himself and useful to his â—â—neration But the other who has walkâ—â— in a solid way as to Religion and frugâ—â—ly in his Calling he is known in 〈◊〉 Streets as a vertuous and honest Man 〈◊〉 poor Bless him He is a Boaz or a Jo◠〈◊〉 his Generation His Children honoâ—â— him his house shines and all the Coâ—â—trey about him respect him 2. Thâ—â— the proper time of your labour and diâ—â—gence and if thou do well now thou shâ—â— have more ease and eat the fruit of tâ—â— labour hereafter and as it will prove tâ—â— solid engagment with GOD and that tâ—â— work is both well founded and thâ—â— vertue advanced hitherto So if thâ—â— miscarry in this Period it is to 〈◊〉 feared thou will not do well hereafter Except thou vainly think to recover thy loss by late Repentance and do thy work when thou cannot do any Leave not thy bussiness to a peradventure 〈◊〉 upon the Rock which cannot be moved make sure your interest Spiritual and â—ecular not by Dreams but by vertue since this is the high time for your bussiness thou may be shortly put Ab agendo And as the well doer now eats the Fruit of his labour hath his family in a right frame and his Children round about his table Psal 28. 3. So hath he a nearer Prospect of Heaven and if he hath any thing of the generous Spirit of Caleb and Joshua he may get a tast of the first fruites of the promised land and a Viaticum to carry him through his declining age and shall find one grape of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer and by experience Know that Religion and vertue as it hath praise in the work so giveth joy in the end The Prayer LORD there is much of my course run out tho it be not finished and when I look back I find that I have lived under the shaddow of death I have sleeped too long in the morning and slumbered in the Noon of my Age and even have been lasie in the afternoon I desire to awake CHRIST be my life and light I have been dreaming through the dulness of my flesh and sense Alas this clod of flesh hath almost smuthred me and made me slugish But in Thee O LORD I can only thrive LORD give me Grace to do my best in time and wait till Thâ— loose my fetters not that I through Dispondencâ— would go out of the World but wait thy leisuâ—â— and be kept from the evil of the World and 〈◊〉 as well as I can for Eternity Amen COURSE Second The Contents An Application to Persons of Higher and Meâ—â— Stations with an declaration what the prâ—â— duties of each of these are beside the comâ—â— instances of Religion with means and motiâ—â— sâ—â—retly twisted in with the several discourâ—◠§ 1. ALthough this Treatise hathâ—â— yet had the Utterance to â—â—ress Persons but only to mention and pâ—â—pose the evils and the duties of the byâ—â— Stages of our Life leaving it to Men all Ranks if they shall peruse 〈◊〉 to make application themselves Yet hope it shall not be judged impertinâ—â— ere I leave this pregnant stage of our liin all humility to adress four ranks â— Men. 1. The Nobilitie and persons of Qualiâ—â— 2ly The Gentry 3ly The Clergy 4ly 〈◊〉 Commons First The Nobility § 2. If it may be pertinent to interrupt â—our honours I would adventure to speak in behalf of GOD and your splendour to show you in this Map how Religion doth illuminate your Sphere to make you as St. Luke calls Theophilus Most excellent for it is not unknown to you that you are under a higher Elevation than a great many about you And that it is so with you by the disposition of Providence who might have infused your Soul in an Embrio of your meanest vassels and Tennants But the LORD hath brought you to this Earth with more splendor and made you personages of honour and quality to get respect and deference from others yet there is no respect of persons with God your high places puts you in a greater Arreer and makes you lyable to the searching Eye of the Almighty and the more you have received from GOD above others you have the more to account for to Him and your Coronet will be rather a blemish than a Ray of honour if your eminency be nor fixed on the Rock and your life set your place and tho your elevated sâ—tion hath put you above many for did aâ—â— sore Employes yet are ye the more oâ— noxious to snares and Temptations foâ— ye guide not well your hearts will sâ—â—â— with pride and ambition and your heâ—â— plod your ruin and your hands becoâ—â— heavy to oppress altho that you be put 〈◊〉 a higher Sphere yet your difficulties to 〈◊〉 truly Religious may be stronger for 〈◊〉 many mighty not many noble are called sayeâ—â— St. Paul 1 Gor. 1 26. Which is 〈◊〉 written to seclude you but to make yoâ— circumspect and that according to 〈◊〉 Prophet You be taught not to glory 〈◊〉 your power seing that the subtile eneâ—â— that assailed the first Man and King 〈◊〉 Mankind will not â—ease to pursue yoâ— over whom by reason of your fallen Nâ—â— ture he hath greater advantage that 〈◊〉 the frogs in Aegypt entered Pharaohs Chamber the serpent may slily slide into yourâ— and defile your well garnished Room and craul into your decked bed and diâ— vide 'twixt you and your honorable Coâ—â— sort and put your family out of Frame § 3. With this Advertisement Reâ— member that as GOD hath made you great He expects great things from youâ— â—d ye will felicifie your high place by â—inning with Rayes of Religion which â—hall further particular â—iâ—e in a fourfold â—espect First Your personal Capacity â—y Your Domestick demeanure 3ly How 〈◊〉 behave in your Religion as to the Ministers â—d Institutions of Christ 4ly As to the Counâ—ey and Common Wealth whereof you are Peers â—d Patriots .. First Your Persenal Capacity § 4. Beside â—ll unquestionable Duties â—ncumbent to Christians of all Ranks it 〈◊〉 particularly required of you to be emiâ—ent in some peculiar personal Properties Abraham shined in his Faith and Obediâ—nce Isaac in his Contemplations Jacob â—n his Power with GOD Moses in his Meekness Joseph in his Chastity Job in â—is Righteousness and Honesty Joshuah in his Courage Caleh in his Generous
7. Fifthly How thou art Resolved to encountâ—â— the Trâ—als of this Period § 6. The longer man lives he is 〈◊〉 more subject to infirmities and becaâ—â—â— of our rudeness and many Indisposiâ—ioâ— we are subject to the Rod and Discipliâ—â— of the Holy JESUS Man in the beginniâ—â— of his Life is much inconcerned in 〈◊〉 Youth like a Bullock unacquainted wiâ—â— the Yoak and in his after life he haâ—â— need to be keept under by Fatherly Chastilement and so is subject to personal domestick and publick Tryals Bâ—â— he hath this for an Antidote that the Spirit of GOD in the Word representâ— these Tryals very favourably as instances of Fatherly Love and Mercy Heb 12. 6 Whom I love I chastice sayeth the LORD Kev 3. 19. And count it all Joâ— when ye fall into divers tempâ—ations sayeth St. James Jam 1. 2. It is the great Concern then of a Christian to hear the voice of the Rod To let patience have its perfect Work Jam 1. 4. To be of a contented â—ind to guard against Melancholyâ— Desâ—ondency to kiss the Rod to humble â—nder the Mighty Hand of GOD and to â—mprove the Rod as well as the Word â—or the purpoles of Religion 〈◊〉 But now in â—is declining Age he enters into broken â—aters and therefore should have a well â—uilt Ark and Cast his Anchor within â—he Vail Which in all the Tâ—ssings and Troubles of this Period remains sure and stedfast Heb 5. 4. He must arm with paâ—ience and have his Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph 6. 15. that so through Faith and patience he then may inherit the promises Heb 6. 12. Sixthly If all Delayes be defeated and thou be now intent on thy Work § 7. 'T is dangerous to delay till now yet the Nature of Man is prone to pro 〈…〉 and put off till to morrow but if thy Work be undone thâ—â— will be undone for ever There are many wants and defects indeed for which thou hast an All sufficient Help to recover thee yet must thou be dilligent in the â—use of the Means and GOD that prevents with free Grace can cure it to His Glory Seventhly What is thy Stock and Store in Grace and Vertue § 8. A Vertuous Man brings his Work to some fine and thou should have provision against evil dayes found well upon a Rock that will stand out the storm Labour to be Rich in Faith and good Works and to have fresh Oyl for thy Lamps and the Weddlng Garment neatly wrought Thy Heart and House in order that Tryals and Death do not surprise thee and the cry be at midnight Matth 25. 6. when thou art Sleeping and sudden destruction come when thou sayes Peace And after this serious Recollection thou must ponder aright Secondly What now remains to be done § 1. EVEN the Work that GOD hath given thee to do Look then to thy great bussiness Proficiency and wherein thou are short double thy diligence See that thou has First The methods of thy Life ordered unto Salvation 2ly Thy Progress and middle Work betwixt Youth and declining Age And then how you are prepared to enter the Vltima or the last things It is clear then thou should be now serious and seek first the Kingdom of GOD with all Seeking and persevering Constancy Be faithfull unto Death and the LORD will give thee the Crown of Life § 2. But particularly there are three things ought to be done 1 st That thy house and Affairs be in as good Order as possible 2ly that you may work out the work of your own salvation And 3ly that you Give all dilligence to make sure your Calling and Election § 3. First that thy house and affairs be in as good order as possible To manage thy Earthly concern with Discretion that thou may leave to thy Issue a good example and a 〈◊〉 the portion which GOD hath 〈◊〉 thee with a Blessing Least through thy Neglect thou render those behind thee destitute and despicable without a settled calling and course of vertue And if through incident accidents thou has been hurt in thy Estate GOD can make any remnant be like the Widows Cruse for thee and thine If thou improve dispensations to the best And to all that desire to thrive I cannot but Recommend a discreet Charity The merciful man disperseth and gives to the poor lends to GOD And his seed shall be well behind him as in Psal 37. and 112 But thy great work is 2ly to work out the work of thy own salvation Phil 2. 1. That thou put on the copstone as well as lay the foundation that thou perfect thy Faith and Repentance Charity and other Graces to have thy soul â—rim'd with the Wedding Garment and thy Lamps full of Oyle till the cry come Behold the Bride Groom cometh That thou fight that fight of Faith that so upon good Ground thou may expect the Crown of Righteousness that will be given all those who love Christs appearing 3ly That thou give all diligence to make thy Callling and Election sure which is not obtained by listening to humour and instinct but by that diligence that becomes a Christian in the exercise of faith And good works for it is not by the Revolving the leavs of destinie but by a diligent search of the Book of GOD and by a life suitable thereunto that thou canst secure thy peace and thy soul for there is no peace layeth my GOD to the wicked A Continuation of this STAGE From 50 to 70. and to the uttermost extent of Mans Life § 1. ALtho many fall ere they arrive to this stage of Life Yet since GOD hath given it and does give it to some to teach the length thou art seriously to consider thy Duty and how thou may improve it to the best which through Grace may be done If 1. thou labour to arrive at any pitch of Wisdom 2. If thou be well resolved to encounter and endure incident personal afflictions 3ly What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and Man 4. If through CHRIST helping thee thou labours to perfection 5. If thou be running thy Race in the good fight of Faith 6ly If thou be buâ—ie now in ripening thy self for Heaven 7ly If thou dayly prepare for Death and have thy Soul fixed upon wing to flee to yonder Regions where CHRIST is And last of all to consider the means and motives to advance these § 〈◊〉 First If now thou hast arrived â—o any pitch of Wisdom The Apostle James Gives a full direction as to this Who is a wise Man among you let him shew forth by a good Conversation with Meekness Wisdom For as the Fear of GOD is beginning of Wiâ—dom so it compleats Wisdom forseeth and is provident Fâ—â—rageth with vain confidence Wisdâ—â— makes thee a wise Virgine to provide 〈◊〉 in thy Lamps it directeth and clearâ— your affairs it puts thy house and Soul order and it keeps a clear account by good conscience since
is the Faith of the Church the hope of the Just the comfort of the aflicted and the great Crise and Result of of mortal Life Which will determine all the Intriges of Providence and destribute Rewards and Punishments according to their Works Theâ—e is a principâ—e and facultie in every Man which makes him accountable to GOD. This as it is an Article of our Creed so the Scripture fully determines it Ecc. 12 14. Matt 25. Acts 17. 30. 2 Cor 5. 10. GOD will be publickly manifested in His Hâ—liness and Justice the Equity and Reasonableness of His Laws and severity against sin Who will not acquite thy guilty And the monuments of Grace will sâ—e their Demerit had not the Merit of Christ prevented the punâ—shment Fixe then this Truth in thine heart and constantly apprehend â—â—th an Ancient Father that thou hearest 〈◊〉 Sâ—uâ—dâ—ngs of the last Trump with â—he Voice of GOD Arise Dead and come te Judgement § 3. 2ly That this Judgement in a part commenceth immediatly after Death is assâ—rted by the Apostle Heb 9. 27. The Saints of old have â—nherited the Promises The Convert Thief immediately after was judged and entered Paradise and the rich Glutton got his Doom and after his death was set to the place of Torment But the open visible and general Assize of the whole World is delayed to the time of the Restitution of all things When and where Soul and Body Good bad Young and Old without Law and under Law will be judged According to their Works and tho in the Apostles times some were â—hanatick said that the Resurrection was past some Atheitical scoffers as St. Peter sayeth Impioâ—sly Ragâ—ing and â—corning where is the promiss of his coming not knowing that God worketh hitherto hath great patience in whose Eternal View a Thousand years are but as one day yet when his works is done all the World will be judged which day and Hour GOD hath keept secret in his Eternal Council 〈◊〉 good and holy ends And there somethings yet unaccomplished before 〈◊〉 end to wit the full conversion of the Jeâ— Rom. 11. 26 and the discoverie of 〈◊〉 declension of the Christian Church 〈◊〉 exposing of that man of sin and son Perdition The pure Gospel becom 〈◊〉 divive and the Christian Church be muâ— liberated from the great Corruption 〈◊〉 manners and worship according to 〈◊〉 Primitive Patern When these shall comeâ— pass and not till then shall the end 〈◊〉 In the mean time let us pâ—ssess our selâ— with the Belief of This truth that all 〈◊〉 nerations shall be judged before the Tâ—â—bunal of the Soveraign Judge ss 4. 3ly The Judge GOD hath coâ—mitted all Judgement to the Son Aâ—â— hath appointed a day in which he will Judge 〈◊〉 world in Righteousness by him Acts. 17. 3â— We must all appear before the judgement sea◠〈◊〉 CHRIST 2 â—or 5. 10. When the Son 〈◊〉 Man shal appear in his Glory Matt. 25. 3â—â— And in this he Exerciseth his mediâ—torial Kingdom which will continue tâ—â— the last Enemie be distroyed which 〈◊〉 Death He declined to be a Judge on â—arth but came to be Judged and it is â—ighly reasonable that he who was unâ—ustly judged should judge the World in Righteousness Then shall they who have â—earced him by their sins mourn and â—owl But His afflicted people shall lift up â—heir head and say This is the Day that â—he LORD hath made Blessed is He who comâ—th to save us For our LORD and Kingâ—o whom the Godly have submited in â—heir time whose Scepter Cross they wilâ—ingly have born is now come to deliver â—hem He that bore our sins on His own Body on the Tree He that is a Compaâ—sionate High Priest He that is the King of Peace is now come to Judge them according to the Gospel of Peace and His easie Yoak which they did take upon them and walkt under What then shall such expect but Love and Peace and Pity from their LORD King and Brother Who is much Meeker than Moses more Loving than David and more Merciful than Man can be Whereas it shall be a great dreadour to the wicked to behold this Meek LAMB roaâ— like a Lyon against them § 5. 4ly The Process We cannot coneeive how soon and yet how exactly this-shall be done since every ones Conscience is in the place of a Thousand Witnesses and the Judge needeth no Information nor farther probation Every one then will be Judged according to that Law which was Given them to walk by And such as are under the Gospel shall be Judged by the Law of libertie Jam 1. 25. And the Issue will be whether they have obeyed or disobeyed the Gospel and walked suitably thereunto and answered the opurtunities they have enjoyed above oâ— thers to make them Christians indeed And fit for the Kingdom of GOD. ss 6. 5ly The Sentence will be accord to thy works tho thou be justified by Faith and saved by Grace yet the LORD will reward according to thy works For to the true Christian there is a wonderful mitigation of the Rigor of the Law by the easie terms of the Gospel and such shal receive sentence according to that Infinite Love revealed therein then shal the great sheepherd appear in Glorie yet probably with the Honourable marks of the Cross that all who have gloried in Hiâ— Cross may rejoice such as have stumbled at â—t hang their heads The Sentence shall decide in favours of Believers and all who have Closed with the conditions of the Gospel and Obeâ—ed the Faith 1. 5. Which is the great specifick of Christanity Such may appear before him with his marks upon them of Faith Mortification and Self-denyal c. And that in their time they have born Testimony against a sinful Generation they shall receive that favourable sentence Come ye Blessed c. The Prayer O Soveraign Judge prepare me for Death and Judgement It is much my comfort that thou art Judge Competent and Compassionate Thou wilt not acquite the Guilty yet Thou delights in mercy and there is forgiveness with Thee that Thou may be feared LORD give me my discharge in time for Who can condemn CHRIST has dyed I make my humble application to the Mercies of Thy Infinite Bowels the Merit of Thy Death the worth of thy Blood and the Power of Thy Intercession I have many Accusers am convict But LORD say to me that thou will not condemn me Thou knows all the Intrigs of my Soul What I cannot clear LORD do Thou cancell I make Mercy my claim Thy Merit my Trust and Thy Righteousnesâ— my Justification Give me the White stone to refresh my Soul till Thou grant me the Crown oâ— Righteousness at Thy Appearing Amen The Third Last Thing HELL 1. TO treat of Hell is a sad Subject Tophet should have a Beacoâ— set over it that Passangers may be aware Let us then consider 1 The Certainty of a future punishment of the Wicked in another World and
Soul I choise thy Statutes as my Heritage in the Land of my pilgrimage and Thy Salvation as my Inheritance for ever Give me victory over the World by Faith and grant me Peace Patience and Perseverance to the End Amen Sixthly Devotion for Old Age on Saturday O Ancient of Dayes who remains still in that prime of purest Light and Glory look upon me whom Thou hast preserved in all the periods of life in great mercy Visit me in this my groaning stage with Thy Salvation Let all the errors of my Youth and by gone Age be done away that I may have no burden from my former life now support me when old age hath overtaken me Blessed be God that I have escaped sad Accidents and the hurtful effects of any miss-government of my Life Grant I may now be taken up with Heavenly Exercise and contemplations that I may Receive Dimission with Christ not only in my Arms but in my Heart Renew my inner-man day by day that tho my Limbs be weak my Faith Hope and Charity may be strong And grant me a house with Thee 2 Cor. 5. 1. When my Earthly House shall fall I entered into the World with a groan and nature of necessity must groan being Burthened But Lord exhileraâ—e my Spirit that I may leave the World with great Joy that the day of my Redemption draweth near and may be Refreshed in the Suburbs of Heaven with the Joyful Musick of the Saints that so I may sing in Death and triumph over the Grave through JESUS CHRIST the Prince of life my LORD and life my strength and Redeemer Amen Devotion in order to the Eternal Sabbath On Sunday or the Christians LORDS Day O Lord of Sabbaoth I Bless thee that has brought me out of the toils of the World to rest with thy self Lord take me up to some mouâ—t to â—ee thy Glory where I may erect a Tabernacle not for Earth but Heaven Quicken me with the Life of CHRIST to seek those things above and if I look back to the World it is not for love to it but to see it's vanity I admire the works of Creation and providence and the portract of the little World to show the praise of GOD But I cannot get words nor thoughts to expatiat tiat on the work of our Redemption by Thy Son Nor capacity to Comprehend the height deepth breadth and length of thy love in him But I desire so love him with all my heart and above all the World I behold him now Rising from a Sea of Blood with the Glory of all his conquest LORD put me in the Spirit on this day to Relish the sweet influences of the Holy Ghost that I may be fitted foâ— the Eternal Sabbath where all duties and longing shall be turned into rewards and enjoyments and thy Name be Celebrated with Everlasting wonder Hymns Hallelujahs World without end Amen AND in Regard that Evangelical work of Praise and Singing of Psalms is a special Part of Devotion cease not in thy Pilgrimage and Solitudes to Sing And if you restrict your selves to David's Psalms For your Birth and Child-hood Sing Psalm 51. From the Beginning and the 71. Psalm from Verse 5. For your Youth Psalm 25. And Psalm 109 from Verse 9. For your â—iper Years and your Family the 101 Psalm and Psalm 144 at the End For your Old Age Psalm 71 9 and 18 Verses and if the Church thought fit ye may also make use in your Devotion other Scripture Psalms The Song of Israel on the Banks of the Red-Sea â—he Song of Simeon Zacharias and the Blessed Virgin and the Songs in the 1 5. and 7. Chapters of the Revelation And particularly the Doxologie which hath been of constant use in the Christian Church and is no other but an ascribing of sempeternal Praise to the Ever Blessed Trinity Which tho the Leprous Church of Rome use yet is it Clean to the Pure and it is very sad that it should be controverted in the Militant Church since it will be sung for ever in the Triumphant And since the Mysterious but Salutary Doctrine of the Trinity was contradicted by the Arians in Old and some of that same Gang under another Name of Late there is still occasion for the using of it And to distinguish the Modest and Regular Christian from such as in vade it by Opposition for to commend their Beloved Sect it is not amiss to rise up in token of a more immediat Address and closing with the custom of the Church wherein we should not be contentious And if â—ou please in your Private Devotion to Sing after this manner 1. MY heart is fix'd my â—eart is fix'd now will I sing and praise I 'le praise the Lord with songs unmix'd and still Thy Glorie raise 2. Now Haâ—elujah's shall extoll the Lord God of my praise And still in praises Thee enroll and laud and never cease 3. My little Harp is tun'd to laud my Lord my God my Love With Heavenlie Queer Thy Name applaud Thy Glories all approve 4. All Songs below â—ad not the Clief to raise Thee thus in ault They were sincere but not the chief as those which GOD exalt Second Hymne 1. I Wear the Crown Christ still renown I reign and He 's Supream I am extol'd to praise my King and glorie in His Name 2. I am as well as heart can wish mâ— Soul is all in bless With Joy and Peace Rests and Relish the sweets I now express 3. I see my God my Christ my joy all mysteries are gone Nothing now but Love I know and melodie Divine 4. The Tree of Life maâ—tains my life never to die again O Death in time thou art so rife but here thy strength is vain 5. I live I love I much delight I â—raise and never cease I see and feeâ— with Soul and Sp'riâ— I m all in Light and Bless 6 What can I â—ake For I have all my God is here with me And I with him perpetual my Christ and God to see 7. Here without doubt I 'le glorie give to Father Son and Spirit I 'le praise my God and not deprive frâ—m his just Right and Merit 8. From the first Minute to Ages all I will â—ssert â—â—y Golre In melodies sempiternal to Triâ—e Vne evermore Third Hymne 1. O Sp'rit of Light tune now my sp'rit with Heaven fill my heart And give me seâ—se of that great Light that I may act my part 2. With all the Host and Heav'nlie Queer that never ceass to cry Thrice holie Lord and Thee admire in Peace and Rest and Joy 3 My Soul my Heart my Sp'rit my Powers all joyn to Praise Thy Name My GOD my Life my Hope my Help I 'le praise Thy Mercies Fame 4 Thy Help in need hath made me Glad Thy Grace was still my claim And fresh Supplie hath me releiv'd I magnifie Thy Name 5. I 'le Praise I 'le â—ing I 'le Hope and Joy in Thy great Grace so Good I
Scoffâ—rs at Religion So I come to the Text in thâ—se vereses which contain aâ— Application of the preceeding Doctriâ—e conecting the Privilidges Properties of a Christian in the particle Six Wherefore Quamobrem upon which account c. 2ly The Apostles care to inculcat the Truth upon the people to whom he writes 3ly The Sence the Apostle hath of improving the Opportunitie in doing so as long as he is in this Tabernacle 4ly The practical Knowledge of Death and Resolution with it 5ly His provident and frugal care to store his people with the Knowledge of the Gospel which they may improve after his decease so the Spiritual Paâ—â—â—tlayes up for his Children against the time to comâ— When he is gone 6ly The baâ—e and sure Foundation of Gospel Truth Verse 16. The First Clearly discovereth to us this Truth that the Christian who Doct pretenâ—â— to the highest Priviledges of his holy Religion must be accomplished with the true ppoperties thereof 'T is a special Art to advance practical Religion twist together the Christian priviledges and properties Our Crown and Our Claim Profession and Practice Promise and Precept Justification and Sanctification Glory and Duty The Race and the Prize and Labour and Rest The Gospel Net must be well knit and we must follow the line and threed of Duty Ouâ— Salvation is linked in a Chain there is a Corner Stone that knits the Building from the Foundation to the Top Rom 8 26. There must be the Prima Media Vltima We must begin proceed and perfect our Work for non progredi est Regredi To stand in our Religion hinders our Race We must add to our Faith Vertue for Faith without Works is Dead This is not only the Doctrine of St. Peter here and formerly Chap. 1. 5. 6. 7. But of St. James Chap. 2. And they both writing to the Jews had need to press this for that People spleeted upon the Rock of their Priviledges to whom St. Paul gives a Check Rom. 2 1. He is not a Jew that is one outwardly but he is a Jew that is one inwardly For a great part of the visible Church tests much here and are ready to say LORD LORD when they do not the works that he Commands them And so become partial in their Religion and leave the half of it unpractised they can take Christ for a Saviour but not a Sanctiâ—er And follow Him for Lâ—avs but nâ—t for duty and labour they can cry The Temple of the LORD Jer. 7. 4. But study not the new Creature They may keep the ordinances but not observe their designe and can be hired to help to build an Aâ—k but not to enter it 2ly All desiâ—e to be happy but all take not the Râ—ght way to happiness they leap after the â—nd but stand in the way and neglect the means that promove the end whereas true blessedness comes only to the Vndefilea in the way Psal 119. 1. And the Psalmist Jâ—â—ns justification and Sanctification together in order to Blessedness Psal 32. 1. Sin cannot enter Heaven no more a sinner but we must ascend the Mount and carry nothing with us that is defiled We must be meet for the inheritance for without holiness none shall see GOD Elijah's Charioâ— could not carry a wicked Ahab to Glory And the best must be with Elijah Purged by fire ere they enter the splendors of Glory GOD hath a Furnace to purge us a plummat to square us we must be pure and Refined ere we can dwell with everlasting burnings and tho we be not Justified by works Rom. 4. 6 4. Yeâ— must we be Judged according to our works For tho GOD justifieth the ungâ—dly Yet he only saves the Right 〈…〉 3ly Wherefore let us observe the scope of this Dying Apostle and learn App to make our Holy Religion practical foâ— by so doing we shall not only make ouâ— Calling and Election sure But hereby an entrance shall be made unto us unto the Kingdome of our â—ORD JEâ—US Christ And that we may be Glad to make this improvement the more Chearfully let us consider that this tends most 1. To the Glory of GOD. 2ly The Reputation of Religion 3ly To our own Good and the benefite of others 4ly It assureth our interest in Glory much more than all the instincts Enthusiasms and Raptures men can be affected with 1. This tends most to the Glory of GOD Our good works should be â—o solid and visible that they may show forth the Glory of GOD the light of Grace shines more and more unto the perfect day till it be more Radiâ—nt in Glory GOD's Glory iâ— the great end of our Religion and a Right conversation Glorifies him and tends to our salvation Psal 50. 23. Holiness pâ—oclaims the Honour of the thrise Holy Holy Holy GOD And GOD delights more in it than in Hecatombs of sacrifices We need not say with Moses LORD show me thy Glory for Holiness iâ— the very Ray and Beam of the Glory of GOD and the Divine Emanaâ—ion of that Light and life that is in GOD The Holy Person is the only Fruit bearing Tree and a holy Life givâ—s GOD the Glory discovers Heaven and perfects the Beleiver For without Holiness no â—â—â—an can see GOD. 2ly As Nothing disparageth Our Religion more than Hypocrisie so nothing advanceth its Reputation more than a well Qualified Christian for if once Practicall Religion did exert its Native Power and Qualitie it would commend it self as thâ— product of GOD it would appear a Wonder it would make the soâ—s of Men say with Pharaoh's Magicians This is the finger of GOD it would give us a more noble Spirit than the World Iâ— would make us the fiâ—st born of GOD and pattake of the Divine Nature it would make the Men of the World as St. Paul sayes in another case fall upon their face and say GOD is in it of a Truth it would appear no phantasm or contrivance to ammuse the World And would make the Truly Godly Religion as their bage and Cognizance and make Men say that this is the Work of GOD it would make us like CHRIST to be pure as He is pure it would appear to be no Superstition flowing from fear but it would appear a Lively Amiable and lovely Thing and attract Mens hearts it would make the Hypocrisie cast off his Mask the prâ—fane put off shame and the Formalist seck after substance and the Power of Godliness it would make Men Saints and turn Angels and be so excellent as to delight others Psal 16 2 And in fine make them elect and precious as their faith is 3ly This will also afford â—olid meat and the Kernal of Religion to refresh us it will be to us a Tree of Life and hidden Manna and more refreshing than the Nectaer and Ambrosia of the heathen Gods and when Christ is formed in us then have we Light Life and Comfort Then shall we eat the Kernal of Religion when the shell is