vnder the crosse will boast of his perseuerance in time of aduersity but when one deepe calleth another Psal. 42.7 by the noyse of the water-spâ—uts and all the waues floudâ— of God are gone ouer him then falleth all his courage then is heauen out of his way and the earth is sunke vnder him there is no attention to comfort but hee beginnes to sing Gedeons song with impatiency Iudg. 6.13 Ah my Lord if the Lord bee with vs why then is all this come vpon vs. But the faithfull and Christian heart maketh account that not by prosperitie and wealth but by much aduersitie and many crosses Act. 14.22 he must enter into the Kingdom of heauen therfore if it be well with him he thanketh God for his bountie towards him is no way secure but serueth the Lord in feare reioyceth in trembling Psal. 2.11 And when as it is otherwise with him then hee saith with holy Iob shall wee receiue good at the hand of God anâ— not receiue euill and layeth stedfast hold on the crosse and hath Dauids melodie in his mouth My souleâ— waiteth oâ— the Lord Psal 130. 6.7 more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning I will wait on the Lord for with the Lord is mercy with him is great redemption And if it shall be very heauy yet notwithstanding hee will say with faithfull Paul 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull will not suffâ—r mee to bee tempted aboue that I am able but will euen giue the issue with the tentation that I may bee able to beare it And if flesh and bloud bee timorous and would not willingly vndergoe the crosse yet he beleeueth and is perswaded that neither life nor death Rom. 8.38.39 c. nor any other creature shall beâ— able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for to him that feareth God all things worke togâ—ther for the bâ—st Fourthly the chîldren of this world remembring that death shall separate them from their goods honours wiues children lands and possessions and that they shall goe naked out of this world crie out O death how bitter is thy remembranâ—e to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions Eccl. 41.1 vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things and say with the Emperour Sâ—uerus I haue beene great and now it profiteth nothing but contrarily the Christian Soule doth chuse the good part which shall not bee taken away from it and euery minute iâ— ready to let slip these transitorie things and saith with that holy King Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me thou hast giuen me more ioy of hart Psal. 4 6.7 then they haue had when their wheat and wine did abound The vnprepared Hipâ—crâ—te when hee falleth ficke bethinkes him of nothing else than how his sicknesse came to him what vnâ—holesâ—me foode he had eate by what meanes he got this drunken surfeit Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold or too much heat is vnquiet and impatiâ—nt that such mischance should betide him But the faithfull man knoweth that all the haires of his head are numbred and that the pretious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords speciall pleasure and therefore imputeth all vnto Sin My owne wickednesse hath corrected mee Ierem. 2.19 and my turnings backe haue reproued mee I know therefore and behold it that it is an euill thing and bitter that I haue forsaken the Lord my God and that his feare was not in mee And he beginneth with Paule to say Fâ—r this cause am I weake and sicke 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 for if I would iudge my selfe I should not bee iudged of thee but when I am iudged of thee I am chastised of the Lord because I should not be condemned with the world whereby hee is taught repentance and amendment of Life The Wicked and Infidells doe neuer worke vpon their Soules vntill they be sicke then first begin they to bee holie and before that time all their dayes they haue beene enemies to the Word and Ministerie But now must the Preacher be sent for and with sugred speeches must be entreated for consolation c. But the faithfull Christian is euerie minute in preparation to a blessed death and neuer suffereth himselfe to fall into that condition and behauior of life wherin he would not die and therefore can say with constant magnanimitie Come Lord Iesus my Ioy and Comforter euery houre I attend thee come when thou â—i't I am readie And when neuer so little sicknesse ouertakes him then saith hee with mirth of heart Now let Thou thie Seruant depart in peace 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate whenas he lacketh counsell and helpe in sicknsse hath recourse to Sathan Witches and to vnlawfull meanes and saith most desperately If God will not helpe then helpe Deuill But the Christian beleeuer knoweth that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconuenient meanes and vnderstandeth Sathans policie and craft Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good but that his soule should separate it selfe from the true SAVIOVR Yea 1 Sam. 28.8 hee is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant inuocation on Gods name then to liue vnder protection of Sathan and therefore vseth such meanes as the Lord hath appoynted hee will not tempt the Lord his God he will not seeke after the ministerie of such as God hath not promised a blessing vnto but wil say Mat. 8.2 Here am I Lord Iesus let it be vnto me according to thy will if thou wilt thou canst make me clean but Psal. 40.8 if not Loe here I am thy will be done I desire to do thy good wil O God yea thy lawe is within my heart And to be short the children of this world neuer haue memorie on Gods word for they haue not learned and cannot comfort themselues by their baptisme nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read vnto them with such foolishnesse whereby they may dispossesse the thoughts of death and quiet their hearts but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in gods word diuideth that word of truth puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospell reioyceth in the couenant of mercie in his baptisme seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament wherewith he was fed and refreshed and so obtaineth new trust and ioye from time to time momentanie hee esteemeth but as they are heâ— counteth nothâ—ng of any iâ—y or pleasure but that which is in Christ his redâ—emer that heauenly life and is glad of that blessed houre Sâ—condly how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death for the wicked seeing it by euident experience that he must dye as others do complaineth of mans great miserie and of the shortnesse of this sweet and pleasant life but maketh not preparation
Christians Prayer for a holie life and blessed death Helpe Lord Iesus Christ mee ignorant and vnwise creature earnestly to attend thy Word and redresse my life thereafter that I may keepe that couenant of Grace made with thee in Baptisme Ps. 119.9 and worthily receiue the Holy Communion willingly and patieâ—tly beare the Crosse truely and faithfully liue in my Vocation euer in my heart thanking and praying thee that this my life may be passed ouer in daylie Repentance seruing Thee and my Neighbour truely and so continue constant to my death in sauing Faith in Thee my God and onely Lord and Sauiour to whom with the Father and the Holie spirit three Persons but one God be giuen all honor power and glorie Amen Flesh. Expound vnto mee I pray you these Sixe heads to the end I may rightly vnderstand them and liue according thereunto the time I haue here to remaine Spirit The first poynt of diligent hearing the Word and against Sathans temptations Verie willingly first then I say keepe thee by Gods-word and behaue thy selfe in all thy actions as it directeth Ps. 119. for it is a Lanthorne vnto our Pathes and a Light vnto our Feet so that if wee follow this Light wee may walke without impediment and not stumble but learne especially to distinguish this word aright and marke what difference there is between the Law and the Gospell Gods Law or his Commaundements is a doctrine and word wherein God wills and commaunds vs to be obedient vnto him in heart and whole life that is Ex. 20. Mat. 22. Deut. 6. Leu 9. That wee should loue the Lord our God with our whole heart soule mind strength our neighbor as our selfe which things albeit they are impossible for man eyther to doe or keepe notwithstanding thou shalt daylie meditate and weigh these precepts Rom. 3. to the end thou mayest learn to know the corruption of thy nature and sinne and also they may be a rule after which thou oughtest to lead thy life as a new creature in holie Obidience The Gospell is such a Word and Doctrine wherein God onely of meere mercie giues Remission of sinnes Ioh. 3. and euerlasting Life for all the Prophets witnessed that in his name Euerie one that beleeued should haue Remission of sinnes Act. 10. and therefore neuer suffer this preaching of mercie to depart from thy eyes that thou mayest find comfort against sinne and Sathan his temptations and that in all afflictions vntil death thou mayest commit thy selfe vnto God with ioy but vnderstand deare Soule that Both these doctrines are Gods-word and are deliuered to the Church from the beginning and must both therein continue and neineyâ—her of them is to bee dissolued therefore giue diligent heede to them both that thou mayest rightly diuide them and in time conuenient vse them When thou therfore deare Soule daylie ponderest on the Commaundements and thereof conceiuest how disobedient thou art to Gods will and seest that through Adams trespasse thou art so corrupt that thou canst fulfil not one of the least of them and therefore that thou by sinne deseruest Gods wrath and euerlasting perdition despaire not yet for all this but thanke God for his commaundements that by them thou art brought to acknowledge thy sinnes for this is the dearest and most pretious thing that can bee in this world Christs fauour excepted to know Sinne for Christ and his benefits doe neuer tast vs well vntill wee be brought to the knowledge of our sins and perceiue our selues to be vnder the wrath and fury of the Lord our God But if Satan shall come and greatly heape vp thy sinnes and terrifie thee with the consuming fire of Gods anger with hell and endlesse destruction then strengthen quicken thy selfe with these and such like sentences God so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten sonne Ioh. 3.6 that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life vers 17. God sent not his sonne into the world that hee should condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued Ezek. 33. Verily as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that he turne from his waies and liue I will redeeme thee from the power of the graue Hos. 13.14 I will deliuer thee from death ô death I will be thy death ô ô graue I will bee thy destruction Where sinne aboundeth Rom. 5.20 there grace aboundeth much more This is a true saying 1 Tim. 1.15 and by all meanes to be receiued that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners Resist Sathan with a stedfast faith 1 Pet. 5.9 and he shall depart from thee For these sentences are true and more certaine 1 Pet. 1.25 and sure then heauen and earth his word is truth Ioâ— 17.17 And if Sathan come on the other hand changing himselfe into an Angell of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. lessening sin and Gods wrath perswading that sin is easily forgiuen and Gods rich mercy soone obtained beware beloued Soule thou giue him not eare but remember Gods fearefull and powerfull Law in the which all sins are so greatly taxed and accused that none can be called small and withall remember thy Lord Iesus Christ his passion and meditate thus thereupon Fiâ— on thee lying Sathan I consider how heauie and greeued my Lord Iesus was Matth. 26.38.42 when once he was vnder the curse of the law and satisfied for my sinne and beared his fathers wrath for the same Matth. 27.46 I will therefore heereafter be enimy to all sin keep me from it as from the Diuell himselfe I thank thee ô God who hast once deliuered mee from sinne which is the Diuels snare should I giue my selfe to be intrapped againe in his net our soule is escaped eueÌ„ as a bird out of the snare of a fowler Psal. 124.7.8 the snare is broken we are deliuered our helpe is in the name of the Lord which hath made heauen earth And if Sathan shall cast before thee the course of this world and entise thee to the pleasure thereof call to minde that wee should not fashion our selues like vnto this world but be changed by the renewing of ouâ— minde that wee may proue what that good and acceptable Rom. 12.2 and perfect will of God is take heede deare soule for thou knowest well how bent and prone thy flesh and bloud is to sinne daunt thy selfe by the force of the Law bee not seduced for the way of the world leadeth vnto sinne Luk. 13.24 Doth Sathan contend against thee and alledge that thou art poore and sufferest hunger nakednesse and distresse c. then doe thou say man liueth not by bread onely Matt. 4.4 but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God for thou ô Lord giuest mee more ioy of hart theÌ„ they haue had when
death and became obedient to admit such pain feare and astonishment of death to come ouer his body which was wiâ—hout sinne it sâ—eweth vs that his humane nature had no pleasure to die yea and himselfe saith I haue a baptisme to bee baptâ—zed with Luk. 12. â—0 and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Prayer against the feare of Death I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast not created mee to death but to life and hast implanted a loue in mine heart to liue I request thee from the bottome of my heart teach mee to vnderstand that death ruleâ—h ouer all because of sinne and ouercometh me grant by thy holy spirit that so oft as death shall assault me I may be enemie to iniquitie and euer flie and efchew sinne as death it selfe helpe me ô Lord that in true faith I may hold me fast by thee for thou art life it selfe Ioh. 11.25 and so may freely and boldly say I shall taste of death although I were dead but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Psal. 118.17 Grant I may beleeue from my heart that by Thee the Prince of life I may be deliuered from eternall death and attaine vnto that euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne Amen Flesh. But there are yet some that earnestly craue to die and long for it Spirit Yes truely but it is to be vnderstood that there are twâ— kindes of men which desire to die The Infidell prophane vngodly often wish to die and that of impatiency because of the great misery wherewith God punisheth them for their sinnes for seeing they are without the knowledge of God and without faith they are not participant of the crosse of Christ but despaire in impatiency grudge against God wish themselues not onely to die but also often times lay violent hands on themselues as Iudah Saul and Achitophel did purposing to put an end thereby to their sorrow and misery but then is it that first they begin to haue proofe of their wickednesse sweet heauenly Father keepe vs from hence But the children of God the more they grow in knowledge and increase in faith and loue of Christ the more they are weary of this wretched world and long for that eternall rest and haue Pauls wish in their hearts I desire to depart and to bee with Christ Phil. 1.23 yea our Sauiour commandeth vs Matt. 6.13 that we should daily craue to bee deliuered from euill for therein not onely doe we pray for deliuerance from transitory distresses of soule or bodie but we aske from our heart that God would either put an end to this sinnefull and wicked world or else come in a blessed time and pull vs from hence to euerlasting rest and quietnesse A Prayer for patience in trouble Now helpe mee Lord Iesus Christ that I in the abundance of my crosses may rightly order my selfe and learne of thee how I should beare the waight of my yoke Mat. 11.30 preserue mee that I neuer craue my death through impatiency much lesse that euer I shorten the dayes of my life which thou hast giuen bee but grant that euermore day by day I may learne to know thee to establish and confirme my faith and the longer I shall liue the more dearly to loue thee to the end I may learne to contemne this world and to long after that heauenly world which thou hast made to stand in the conquest of Christ by his bloud To whom with thee and thy holy spirit one blessed God I render praise and and glory now and euer Amen Flesh. May a man with a good conscience pray for a long life Spirit Vnto this question S. Paul answereth for Christ should alwaies be magnified in our bodies whether it be by Life or by Death Phil. 1 20.2â—.22.23.24 for to mee to liue saith he is Christ and to me to dye is gayne but if I liue in the Flesh this is the fruit of my labour yet what I shall chuse I wote not for I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you and hauing this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and ioy of Faith A meditation of the Soule tossed in the troublesome waues of this life Here mayest thou perceiue beloued Soule that Paule was tossed with two diuers opinions and thoughts he longed for rest and counted it best esteemed it also good that hee should abide in the flesh longer and beleeued that God would spare him that in his ministerie hee might further serue both God and Man yet in both these had this only before his eyes that Christ should be magnified in his bodye whether it were by life or by death So doth also the king Ezekiah 2. King 20.1.2.6 to whom the Prophet Amos denounced death but he turned his face vnto the Wall and prayed vnto the Lord who added vnto his daies fifteene yeares And so was also Paule greatly joyed for his brother and companion in labour and fellow-souldier Epaphroditus who was sicke Phil. 2.25.27 neere vnto death but God had mercie on him and not on him onely but on meâ— also saith Paule least I should haue sorrow vpon sorrow Follow these examples and thou shalt not goe amisse for if thou canst be necessarie vnto God and thy neighbour it is conuenient thou shouldest craue a long and sound life that thou mayest bee a profitable vessel of mercie and chosen to good actions Neuertheles submit thee alwayes to his will and be readie euerie day to be dissolued for time is but lent thee A Prayer for Health and Gods blessings on our Labours Euerlasting Almightie God thou art my Life and Length of my daies my time is in thy hands for in Thee wee liue and mooue and haue our being Act. 17.28 I thank thee from the ground of my heart that thou hasâ— to this present houre suâ—stayned mee and giuen me a healthfull life and good vnderstanding thaâ— in my calling I mighâ— serue thee my God and my neighbour O God thou seest and knowest mâ— heart that I am willinâ— and verie desirous faithâ—fully and truely to walkâ— forward in my vocation and trade and that I haue no wicked purpose noâ— false pretence in my hart I humbly therefore entreat if it shall stand with thy praise and glorie and my owne saluation that thou wouldest prolong my daies and conduct me by thy holy spirit that I may learn to know thee more fully and serue my neighbour more intirely yet if it bee not thy pleasure and that thou knowest it to be better for mee take mee hence vnto thy selfe when thou wilt for I wholely renounce mine owne will and submit me to thy good wil and pleasure Graunt this vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. What shall moue
we must be saued To him giue all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10.43 that through his name whosoeuer belieueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes Where sinne aboundeth Rom. 5.20 grace aboundeth much more If God be for vs Rom 8.31 who can be against vs. Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall he not with him giue vs all things who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that iustifieth who is hee that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen againe who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs. I am perswaded that neither death nor life Rom. 8.38 nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come c. Rom. 11.32 God hath concluded all in vnbeliefe that hee might haue mercie vpon all Rom. 14.7 None of vs liueth to himselfe and no man dieth to himselfe for whither we liue wee liue vnto the Lord or whether we die we dye vnto the Lord whither wee liue therefore or die we are the Lords 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all dye euen so in Christ shall all bee made aliue 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull who will not suffer you to bee tempted aboue that you are able but with the temptation also will make away to escape that you may be able to beare it Phil. 1.20 â—1 â—â— 23 Christ shall be magnified in my bodie whether it bee by life or by death for to me to liue is Christ and to die is gaine but if I liue in the flesh this is the fruite of of my labour but what I shall chuse I wot not for I am in a straight betwixt two hauing a desire to bee with Christ which is farre better Our conuersation is in heauen Phil. 3.20 from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ. This is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 and worthy all acceptation that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners of whom I am chiefe I am readie now to bee offered 2 Tim. 4.6 and the time of my departure is at hand I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith Henceforth there is layd vp for me a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous iudge shal giue me at that day and not vnto me onely but vnto them also which loue his appearing 1 Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith lay holde of eternall life whereunto thou art also called I know whome I haue beleeued 2 Tim 1.12 for I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day We are kept by the powre of God through faith vnto saluation 1 Pet. 1.15 ready to be reuealed in the last time The bloud of Iesus Christ Gods Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 In this was manifested the loue of God towards vs because that God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that wee may liue throgh him here in his loue not that wee loued God but that hee loued vs and sent his Sonne to be the propitiation for our sinnes Here haue wee no continuing Citie Heb. 13 14 but wee seeke one to come As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten Reuel 3.19 Bee thou faithfull vnto death Reuel 2.10 and I will giue thee a crowne of life To him that ouercommeth will I graunt to sit with mee in my throne Reuel 3 21 â—uen as I also â—â—ercame and am set down with my father in his throne Reu. 12.11 And they ouercame him by the bloud of the Lambe and by the word of their testimonie and they loued not their liues vnto death Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Reu. 14.13 yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labours and their workes do follow them Meditations of the Soule Of these and many other comfortable speeches and sentences deare Soule choose and select some which best may comfort thee Make them as familiar vnto thee as the Lords prayer and as some vse to prouide theiâ— winding sheet some yeres before they die against the time there shall be occasion of it that their bodies may bee enfolded therein Euen so picke thou out some remarkeable sentences and learne to vnderstand them to the ende that in time of death thou mayst wrappe thy soule therein for at that time it happeneth that the vnderstanding is mightily lessened the memorie taken away long Sermons cannot bee heard Mat. 4 4. Deut. 8.3 there is no attention giuen to perswation nor Rhetoricall allurements but one comfortable word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God reioyceth gladdeth nourisheth refresheth the heart life and soule But time is too short to learne these things when thou art on thy death bed And therefore acquaint thy selfe diligentlie with Sermons and preachings reading and meditating on Gods word that thou mayest haue these spirituall weapons in the houre of thy greatest combate Make diligent vse of thy going to Church and euerie time see thou learne that wherof thou wast ignorant before so shalt thou encrease in the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Christ corroborate thy faith kindle thy loue augment thy hope and be prouident against that greatest and last assault of Sathan A Praier for a diligent and stedfast faith in Gods word O Lord Iesus Christ open my heart by thy holy spirit that I may giue place to thy word ponder thâ—reon and weigh it diligently and make it familier vnto my soule and not be as a vessel that is crackt and can holde no liquor Hâ—b 2.1 Illuminate my vnderstanâ—ding and confirme my memorie that I may euer call thy ioyfull comfort to minde and bee that good portion of ground which in an honest and good heart may heare and keepe thy word and bring forth fruite with patience vnto the end grant this O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake to whom be all glorie and honour Amen Flesh. What else is behoouefull to comfort the sicke on his bed Spirit I haue set downe euery where prayers for thee which thou mayest vse as occasion serueth and the disposition of thy sicknes requires but the most speciall is the Lords prayer which heere also thou shouldest remember saying Our Father which c. sundry Prayers and Meditions mayest thou haue out of the learned and godly Fathers as Augustine and Bernard and out of holy latter Writers as also out of the booke of Psalmes in the which thou mayest vse these most frequently O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger c. Psal. 8. The Lord is my Sheepheard c. 23. Vnto thee ô Lord doe I lift vp my Soule c 25. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiueâ— 32. As the Hart panteth after the water brookes
cum gâ—miâ—u fugit indignata sub vmbras And therefore there is nothing contained in their records but miserie and complaint of the shortnesse of life as that Totum quod est homo miseria that is All that a man is is nothing but wretchednesse King Xerxes beholding his armie and seeing the number and considering their man-hoode and courage wept bitterly that after an hundred yeares there should none of them be lâ—ft aliue And great Aristotle Omnium â—erribilium terribilissimum est mors That death of all terrible and dreadfull things was the most terrible and powerfull Sundrie of them haue sought and busied themselues for a remedie against the feare and terrour of death but could not come farther then to make it familier vnto them as it is indeed that they might meete it when it approached As Seneca saith De nat quaest Effice mortem tibi cogitatione familiarem vt si ita sors tulerit possâ—s illâ—â—buiam ire that is Make thy selfe aâ—quainted with death that when it commeth thou mayest meate it Hence is it that the Aegiptâ—â—ns custome was in banqueting and greatest mirth to cause the image of death to be borne with this inscription In hunâ— intuens Herod in enter bibe fis animo hilari post mortem enim talis eâ—is that is Loe heere drinke and beâ— glad and remember alwayes that death shall make thee like this picture And this was all theâ— preparation to a foreseene death And so Agag the King of the Amalekites when Samuell was to cut him in peeces said 1 Sam. 15.32 truely the bitternesse of death is past as if he would say I must once dye rather now then another time it must once bee done and then it is gone The secure Soule at her last time grudgeth and fretteth both against God and Heauen for after her vtmost endeauours and trauell she can come no farther then this Ego tentaâ—us rebus omnibus nihil inuenio in quo quiescam After all my manifolde tryals and searches I cannot finde any one â—hing whereon to rest and repose my selfe And when she perceaueth the certaintie of death she breakes out into these words O te dementem oblitum fragilitatis tâ—ae Sen. de â—â—tur quaest si nunc timeas mortem cum toâ—at Foole hast thou not remembred thy weaknes that now thou art affraid of death when it thundrâ—th And as concerning eternall life Plato Cicero and others vex and greeue themselues for they acknowledge that mans Soule is immortall but yet neuer dreamed of the resurrection of the body Yea and Cicero ioyeth in this that once hee should come to the assembly of Soules but whither he did not know O praeclarum diem Cic. de sen. â—â—m ad illum animarum concilium coetumque proprâ—ficiscar cum eâ— hac turba colluuione deâ—edam That is O happy day in the which I shall take my way to the assemblie and conuent of Soules shall depart from this vile and mischeeuous world And seeing they lacked faith the earnest of the spirit and hope and constant confidence in God they held â—hemselues vp with foolish magnanimitie full of distrust and doubt For that excellâ—nt Romane Oratour could speake of the immortality of the Soule but farther light knowledge had he not Quod si hic erro quod hominum animas immortales esse credo libenter erro Cic. de sâ—n non mihi hunc errorem quo delector dum viuo ex torqueri volo That is If in this poynt Ierre because I beleeue the immortalitie of the Soule I am an heretike with all my hart the which â—rroneous opinion so long as I breathe no man shall be able to root out of mine heart or constrain me to forsake And farther did no Ethicke come neither had more prepaparation and resolution against deaths approaching euen as the Hypocrites and Infidels in these our dayes which haue no faith in Iesus Christ our Redeemer And therefore all these wicked and profane creatures must vnderstand that their condemnation shall bee the greater in the last day then those Ethick Philosophers for they haue a greater occasion and more ample matter by the light which now shineth abroad by the Gospell yet they will not rectifie their liues by true repentance conformable thereto And therefore they haue their noluerunt for so saith Christ Matth. 10.14.15 whosouer shall not receiue you nor heare your words when ye depart out of that house or that city shake off the dust of your feet Truely I say vnto you it shall bee easier for them of the land of Sodome and Gomorrha in the day of iudgdement then for that Citie He that hath eares to heare let him heare Reu 2.11 And therefore aboue all things we must consider of the difference betweene a Christian mans life and conuersation hauing faith and repentance and the life of the Infidell Hypocrite and Vngodly to the end we may feele and sensibly apprehend Gods eternall and euerlasting mercy bestowed vpon vs Christians that we may I say seriously and earnestly meditate night day vpon the goodnesse and fauour of our God in this specialty shewed vnto vs. Psal. 1. As for the first the Hypocrite hath no familiarity with God nor sight of heauen but vseth the precious gifts of God after the same manner as doth the swine the akornes vnder the tree being neuer mindefull that there is a God iâ— heauen nor giuing him thankes for his temporall food health welfare and felicitie much lesse meditating vpon that eternall food but he taketh his pleasure and fleshlydelight remaining on the earth yea true it is that vnreasonable beasts haue a better life then such a reasonable creature although hee be created according to Gods similitude But contrarily the Christian faithfull and hopefull acknowledgeth God his Creator reioyceth in him vseth all his gifts with thankefulnesse loueth God which hath done all things so wisely wonderously well vseth himselfe in those both night day commeth to the Lord his God and brayeth after eternall life Secondly the Infidell it may bee hath heard that God will punish an vngodly and wicked life with a wretched and miserable death Yet neuer giueth place to penitency and contrition vnâ—till death liueth still in sinne yet can say with the Pharisie I thanke thee O my God I am not like thâ— man Luk. 18 1â— an extortioner vniust adulterer or euen as this Publican and therefore it may bee concludeth hee shall haue eternall happines because of his outward politicall demeanour although hee hath not faith in Christ the art to die aright neither hearty repentance nor anie testimony of redemption no sweet hope that God will accept of him much lesse is he exercised in the preseruation of faith and a good conscience to the end 1 Tim. 1. 19. The Hypocrite while hee is in good temporary estate will brag of Chrisâ—ianitie will bee a teacher of others to learne patience
thy word doe I hope My Soule wayteth for thee O Lord more than they which watch for the morning if it be thy pleasure O Redeemer and profitable and necessarie for my selfe that I should liue be preserued from death and destruction because that I may liue hereafter a godly holie and Christian life to my last end but if it shall not be thy will to prolong my dayes but that I must depart out of this world theÌ„ come Lord Iesus Christ my Redeemer receiue my soule into thy hands and giue me place and possession in Paradise in Abrahams bosome with the blessed Angells and all Saints Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I should vse the ordinarie meanes of Physicke in time of sicknesse Spirit Fourthly thou mayest conueniently vse ordinarie meanes and physicke then giue place to the physitian for the Lord hath created him Let him not goe from thee for thou hast need of him but beware that thou haue not recourse vnto the Physitian before thou come vnto the Lord for so did King Asa â— Chr. 16.12 when hee was diseased in his Feet therefore the Lord gaue no blessing vnto his Physicke and so he dyed But especially take heed that you vse no forbidden means and aske not counsell of Witches or those which doe helpe by the meanes of the Deuill through the abuse of Gods holie name 2 Kin. 1.6 for so did King Ahaziah consult with the Idoll of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether he should recouer of his disease Is it because there is not a God of Israell that thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron therefore thou shalt not come off from that bedd on which thou art gone vp but shalt surely dye Be circumspect also and seeke out the best practised and skilfullest Physitians for mans bodie is the pretious creature of God and should be honoured and no wayes neglected Another Prayer for the Sicke I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ true Physitian of my soule that thou hast cured my heart and clensed it from sinne by that heauenlie medicine from aboue I earnestly intreat thee who hast made all things that thou wouldest blesse these outward helpes and meanes which thou hast ordayned Mat. 8.2 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee whole and by these ayds restore mee to health but if thou wilt not those cannot helpe mee Loe here I am doe with mee according to thy will and pleasure so that euer respect bee had to thy glorie my weale and saluation Graunt these blessings vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy sonnes sake in whose name I pray vnto thee saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. Flesh. Shew mee how I may obtayne the gift of Patience in the time of sicknesse Spirit Fiftly deare Soule see thou alwayes lay hold on patience and request the Lord that he would preseâ—ue thee from impatiencie O how pretious a thing is patience to trust alwaies in the Lords help for it is of the Lords mercie that wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 because his compassions fayle not they are new euerie morning great is his faithfulnesse for faith and patience cannot bee disseuered Heb. 6.12 Be not therfore slothfull but bee a follower of them who through faith and patience inherit the promiâ—e â—o if we rejoyce in the hope of the glorie of God weâ— must also glorie in tribulations knowing that tribulations worke patience and patience Experience Rom. 5.2.3 4.5 and experience Hope anâ— hope maketh not ashamed Behold and immitate thy Sauiour Iesus Christ Pet. 2.21.24 who hath left vs an example that we should follow hiâ— steps who his owne selfâ— bâ—re our sinnâ—s in his own bodie on the tree and euer committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously so must wee take all â—hings patiently for this is acceptable with God and in this must wee â—esemble euen our young ones who when their headakes come and make their mâ—anes to their mothers layes downe their heads in their mothers laps and crie for helpe euen so do thou my deere Soule make thou thy lamentation before the Lord cast thy burthen vpon him and hee shall sustaine thee Euening and Morning Ps. 55.22 vers 17. and Noone pray and crie aloud and let him heare thy voyce and exspect him with patience And aboue all things flie impatience for it destroyeth and corrupteth all Christian vertues it offendeth God our Lord it hindereth letteth praier and maketh vs the longer that it holds the more vehement we are so as Patience is a pretious and powerfull hearbe so Impatiencie is venimous and poyson to the heart The Sicke persons prayer for patience Take from mee Lord Iesus that noysome offence of impatiencie keep mee that it neuer haue dominion ouer mee least I make the crosse thereby heauier but plant Christian patience in my heart that I may continually attend thy blessed time and leisure for thy time is the right and thy season the true season Indeed truely make mee continually be stedfast in Hope and put my whole confidence in thâ—e 1. Cor. 10 1â— for thou art true and wilt suffer none to be tempted aboue his strength And this I intreate thee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. Shew mee some comforts if sicknâ—sse continue long with mee that so I may not despaire in Gods mercie Spirit Sixtly deare Soule if thy sicknesse abide longer time than thy expectation was thinke not that the lord hath forgot thee but vnderstand that in the greatest crosses thou art dearest vnto him Ps. 55.19 but the wicked because they haue no changes therefore they feare not God But as for thee no more than a mother can forget her child can hee forget thee Esa. 49.15.16 for behold he hath graueÌ„ thee vpon the palmes of his hands yea the sicker the child is the greater is the mothers loue and the more diligently watchfully doth she attend and so doth the Lord with thee speakes he not consolation in thy heart and saith Art thou not my deare Sonne and beloued child Ier. 31.20 I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore with louing kindnesse haue I drawne thee thy Soule shall be as a watered Garden 12. and thou shalt not sorrow any more at all I will satiate thy Soule with fatnesse 14. and thou shalt bee satisfied with goodnes saith the Lord and therefore the Lord is mercifull and gratious slow to anger and plenteous in mercie Ps. 103.8 9 10.11.13 he will not alwayes chide neyther will hee keepe his anger for euer Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities for as the heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him like as a Father pittieth his children so the Lord hath pittie of them that feare him Loe deare Soule thy Father nor mother haue such pittie towards thee as thy Sauior and therefore thou oughtest to
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his
euerie man generally that willingly he may giue himselfe to dye Spirit Obedience wherein we are obliged vnto God for of him wee haue our Life and God may rightly clayme the same agayne of vs no man of himselfe came here into the world and no man can stay longer than it pleaseth him for it is hee that turneth man to destrction Psal. 90.3 and saith Returne yee Children of Men. A Meditation of the Soule for obedience to Gods Will. But beware deare Soule least when thy time is come thou dye against thy will and fret against God say not I am constrayned I would rather liue so doe the Infidells which build onely vpon this miserable life and it fareth so with them as Christ saith Ioh. 12.25 He that loueth his life shall loose it and hee that hateth his life in this world shall keepe it vnto eternall life therfore shew thy selfe obedient to liue as long as hee will and dye when it is his pleasure Let nothing detayne thee nor hinder thee of all that are in the world and thou must reckon this life and all the sufferings of this preâ—sent time Rom. 8.18 are not worthie to bee compared to the future Coelestiall glorie which shall bee reuealed in vs. A Prayer for obedience vnto the will of Christ and willingly to forsake this world O Lord Iesus Christ thou who wast so resolute and ready to thy passion and so obedient vnto death euen the death of the crosse and didst say Phil. 2.8 father not as I will but as thou wilt I request thee my Redeemer giue me a submissiue heart that when the day of my dissolution shall approach I may willingly condiscend to thy will for thou knowest my infirmity and that flesh and bloud is afraid to vndergo it Lord bow mee to thy word and conduct mee in thy footsteps that I may euer commit my selfe and my life vnto thy trust my Lord and God and most comfortable Redeemer thou art God and all that thou doest is good thou neuer didst disappoint any that put their hope in thee heere I am Lord in thy mercifull hand If I liue I liue vnto thee If I die Rom. 14.8 I die to thee whether wee liue or die wee are the Lords For I know and am assured Vers. 9. that to this end Christ both died reuiued that he might be Lord both of the dead and liuing In whose name I pray vnto thee as hee hath taught Our Father c. Flesh. It is yet notwithstanding pleasant to bee in the world for beautifull is this earth which wee see who would not rather abide heere then depart Spirit All the children of the world sing that song but deare Soule be not thou conformed to this world say not this is the course and custome of the world but remember that the course of the world tendeth to hell but wee are the children of the faithfull and looke for a life which the Lord will giue vnto them that abide constantly in faith before him But as for the world the Scripture determineth of it and saith that the whole world lyes in wickednesse Ioh. 5.19 and therefore commandeth that wee should not loue the world nor the things that are in the world 1 Ioh. 2.15 16.17 for if any man loue the world the loue of the father is not in him for all that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life is not of the father but of the world and the world passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for euer And againe striue to enter in at the narrow gate for wide is the gate Matt. 7.13.14 broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there bee which goe in thereat because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth vnto life and few there bee that finde it Now mayst thou cleerly see and as in a glasse what the course of the world is and whither it tendeth and marke how wide and farre off it goeth from the way of life Pray therefore vnto the Lord thy God that hee would translate thee from the way of the world and place thy feet in the gate of life that thou mayest be transformed by the renuing of thy minde that thou mayest prooue what is that good Rom. 12.2 that acceptable and perfit will of God A Prayer to bee kept in the way of life Now Lord Iesus Christ open thou mine eyes and teach my hart that I may accept this true aduertisement and rectifie my selfe according thereto Alas thou knowest my God how altogether my heart hangs vpon this world how easily it suffereth it selfe to bee miscarried from that â—ure way of life and Saâ—â—an rests not but kindletâ— lust and concupiscence in my heart and ministreth one opportunity after another to sinne and pursueth me on euery side to the end he may deuoure my soule O my Sauiour enlighten mine eyes that I may find thy way lead me by thy holy spirit that I goe not amisse confirme my hart by the power of faith that I may abide stedfastly in thy knowen truth that neither sweet nor sowre Matt. 7.33 miserie nor death disseuer me therefrom yea thogh life were therefore to bee lost that I may rather chuse to be diuided into 1000. parts then giue ouer Lord hepe me that I may ouercom and keep the victorie O God help mee manfully to wrestle that in death and life I may continue with thee for euermore Amen Flesh. It may so bee yet it is very hard when one hath goods and money enough and swims in honour and beautie liues in pleasure and mirth that hee should forsake all these things and part from them Spirit Yes truely it is hard to the children of this world who are enclosed in their owne fat Psal. 17.10.14 and haue their portion heere in this life and whose belly God hath filled with his hid treasure for so saith hee elsewhere O death how bitter is the remembrance of thee Eccl. 41.1 to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things Yea vnto him that is yet able to receiue meat But it is farre otherwise with the children of God for although they haue many of his blessings and goods and many are exalted to glorious places and great honours and haue the benefit of the ground in ioy and pleasure Esay 1 19. yet doe they not make an Idoll thereof Psal 6â— 10 and if riches encrease they doe not set their hearts thereupon but thank God vse the same aright for they know they are but worldly goods which are current heere onely before this world but not before God and vncessantly meditates on his most pure word what helpeth it any man if hee possesseth all the goods in the
world lose his own soule or what shall a man giue in exchange for his soule Mark 8.36 37. euen so doe thou place not thy heart on thy riches if God doe promote thee to dignitie be thou humble behold the examples of the Patriarches Abraham Isaak Iacob Ioseph Dauid Daniel c. Yea and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ himselfe Pet. 2.21 and follow thou their steps esteeme euer Iesus Christ thy best and cheefest goods so shalt thou alwayes easily forgoe thy earthly treasure A Prayer against the pleasures of this world Helpe mee Lord Iesus Christ that I may vse the pleasures and riches of this world as a pilgrim which shall passe to morrow for surely euerie man walketh in a vaine shew hee is disquieted in vaine hee heapeth vp riches and knoweth not who shall gather them and now Lord what wait I for my hope is in thee deliuer mee from all my transgressions Psa. 39.7.8 let my heart desire no more then my daily bread to my susteÌ„tatioÌ„ cause me to be contented keepe me that Mammon be not my Master and that I place not my confidence in any transitory thing for it will hinder mee in the time of death but help mee my God that I may rightly chuse that good part which shall not be taken away from mee Luk 10.42 which is thee my God my Redeemer and Sauiour that all my ioy and pleasure may bee in thee Grant that I may be rich in my soule honourable in faith ioyfull in thee so shall I haue enough both heere and in the world to come that I may willingly leaue this world and gladly without any impediment be carried by thy Angells into Abrahams bosome to rest for euer Amen Flesh. It is notwithstanding great griefe that the Wife shall forsake her married Husband and the Husband his Wife and Children who haue liued so long together in pouertie and distresse and now being in pâ—osperity and joy in their Callings and Trade shall now be sâ—perated Spirit These are fleshly and incredulous thoughts by the which Sathan often disquieteth the heart of man so that there is great paynes to be taken before man will be rightly aduised For we haue experience of many men grudging against God as though he did doe them great vnrighteousnesse because hee maketh them so soone die and leaue the pleasures of this Life especially when they haue all their affaires to dispose and put the matters of all their life time in order So did that noble Romane GAIVS MARIVS who although hee had beene Consull seuen times in Rome and was seuentie yeares of age yet fretted against his FORTVNA which was his Goddesse protesting in bitter exclamations that there was great wrong offered him before that all his dessignements had beene accomplished and brought to passe But the faithfull Children of God doe farre otherwise for they know they are not the God or Makers of their friends neyther can prouide for them but that they are Stewards and Seruants appoynted vnder God Luk. 16.2 so long as it pleaseth him And man in these his dayes layes hold on eternitie but God hath so prouided for them that one time or other hee wil call them to giue an account of their Stewardship and may no longer be Stewards And so he himselfe will be both Father and Tutour as hee often nameth himselfe in the Scripture Ps. 68.5 Defender of the Widow and Father of the fatherlesse euen God in his holie habitation And so both scripture and daylie experience teach vs that many Widowes are in better case after their Husbands death and manie Husbands in better condition of Life after their Wiues death and Children often better prouided and cared for their Parents beeing out of this world than if they liued or than they could haue done for them if they should haue liued longer The Lord deceiueâ—h not Ps. 120 3. he neither sleepes nor slumbers that keepeth thee make the Lord thy Keeper and to bee thy shade vpon thy right hand for hee respecteth euerie one that calleth vpon his name and will neuer bee accused of ouersight of the godlies weale and saluation For although he be high aboue all Nations Ps. 113.46 and his glorie aboue the Heauens yet hee humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaueÌ„ and in earth Yea deare Soule therefore causeth hee manie Widowes and Fatherlesse-Children that he in them may magnifie his goodnesse And therfore this is a sure ground to build vpon that hee will in such wayes haue care foresight for them if they will acknowledge him and accept him for their Father yea neuer a one of them shall haue occasion in the last day to complayne of his prouidence ouer them and defence of them for it is hee onely that rayseth vp the Poore out of the dust Ps. 113.6.7 and lifteth the needie out of the dung-hill that he might set them with Princes euen with the Princes of his people yea it is he onely who setteth the Poore on high from affliction and maketh them families like a flocke Ps. 107.41 Settle thee therfore hereupon for this is Gods vndoubted truth The dying mans Prayer bequeathing all his charge vnto the hands of GOD. O Lord my God thou who hast appoynted mee to bee a steward and seruant vnder thee and hast commanded mee to vnderstand my duty I haue through thy mercy beene about my businesse in all infirmity and weaknesse of body yet with care and diligence kept my conscience and saued me from infidelitie now seeing I can beare charge no longer but am diseased and tied to my bed I render vnto thee that my charge and stâ—wardship it may bee thou wilt dispose of it to another who may better administrate then I. And if I shall liue let it bee a Chriâ—stian and godly life that I with far greater diligence then heeretofore may vnderstand my selfe but if it shall so be that I here end my dayes let it bee a sauing and blessed conclusion of my life Heere am I and commit bequeath and deliuer all whatsoeuer I haue vnto thee great and small be thou father mother and defender vnto them O thou Iudge of widdowes and helper of the fatherlesse thou knowest misery and pouerty well the poore committeth himselfe vnto thee Psa. 10.14 thou art the support of the fatherlesse yea Lord it is thou who hast care ouer them and thinkest vpon them Now therfore sweet Christ enter into thine owne roome and function Psa. 44.18 for I giue it ouer deliuering them to thy maintenance and my soule to thy merciâ— withhold not thy tender mercy from mee ô Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue mee Lord Iesus Christ Psa. 40.11 thou didst ordaine a prouisor for thy deare mother Mary raise vp also to my sorrowfull wife Ioh. 9.26 27. kind hearted and honest men which may haue attention to her and whom she may trust in her
faithfull and godly affaires yea and as thy mother was left a widdow so wast thou also fatherlesse for Ioseph liued not long with thee therefore thou knowest both estates yea what is hid from thee ô thou searcher of hearts yea ô Lord Iesus thou becamest fatherlesse for all the poore orphans sakes I deliuer vnto thee now my fatherlesse children there receiue thou them it may well be that both I they shall praise and thanke thee therfore vpon that last day Blesse and replenish their hearts with true godlinesse their bodies with soundnesse according to thy will their life with Christian education and grant them whatsoeuer may comfort them in this world or in the world to come Satiate them with a long life and shew them thy saluation ô thou horne of my saluation Thou gouernest thy children maruellously Psal. 91.16 thou teachest and rulest them euermore they know thy voice and follow it grant them patience and mercie that they neuer separate themselues from thee and neuer desist from obedience and true loue to thee and their neighbours vntill thou shalt receiue them into those eternall and euerlasting habitations to be with my Sauiour in heauen for euermore Luk. 16.9 Amen CHAP. VI. Declaring how a Christian man shall willingly giue himselfe to die ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end Flesh. I Pray you shew mee how I may quiet the feare of death to the end I may willingly adayes which speech iâ— had of death Tush saâ— they a stout heart will ouercome death A Meditation of the Soulâ— against the feare of Death But deare Soule these are nothing else but fleshly and miserable cogitations for our owne courage shall neuer carrie coÌ„fort to the hart nor hope of eternall life For these wicked mens hearts are notwithstanding replenished with perplexitie and griefe for they know not to whom they should come to render their Soules O but the children of God haue a farre more forcible and pithie physicke against the feare of death yea a notable secret reuealed vnto them from aboue which is in true faith and cheerefull confidence in our Lord Iesus Christ which whosoeuer hath and thereby shall lay hold on him hath a preseruatiue and antidote against all the terrors and feares of death And why wilt thou O my Soule be afraid of death knowest thou whose thou art and what thou art thou art â—arth and must returne to earth but Iesus Christ is thy Life Col. 3.3 why mistrustest thou Death is thy Life knowest thou whither thou shalt goe Col. 3 3. Iohn 14.6 Behold Christ is the Way and Ladder to Heauen attend therefore thou must and kisse his Sonne and thou shalt not perish from the way Ps. 2.12 for blessed are they that put their trust in him for hauing him thou hast all things and without him all other things are naught The Sick-mans prayer and faith in Christ. Yea my Lord Iesus Christ thou diedst for my sinnes thou hast reconciled mee with thy father thou hast ouerthrowne death and meriâ—ted eternall life for them that constantly beleeue and hold out vnto the end Now therefore there ariseth mirth and joy in my heart and rest and peace and I count nothing of death for by thee Iesus Christ I haue remission of all my sinnes and am pure and righteous before God O he is a good mercifull father vnto mee I am his deare child and heauenlie heyre and now Lord Iesus I am thine own peculiar whom thou hast redeemed not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but with thy precious bloud as of a lambe without blemish and without spot And hast deliuered mee from hell yea I am thy brother and fellow heire and all that thou hast is mine yea I am thy beloued deere bride thy pleasure and thy joy thy treasure which thou hast dearely bought I am likewise the temple and habitation of thy holie spirit by whom I am sealed vnto the day of redemption yea Lord Iesus thou hast so reconciled and vnited mee that I am Bone of thy Bone and Flesh of thy Flesh yea all thy creatures should rather come to naught thaÌ„ that I should bee seperated from thy loue what then can death worke vpon mee surely nothing else but that I may more nearely approach vnto thee my God Therefore respect I not death but haue life in my thoughts and mind and speake of nothing else but life for Christ is vnto mee both in life and death againe yea I will sing and say with faithfull Iob Iob. 19.25.26.27 I know that my Redeemer liueth and that he shall stand at the later day vpon the earth and though after my skinne be perished wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see thee whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not an others Though my raynes bee consumed within mee Lord Iesus Christ thou knowest that I both beleeue in thee and by my faith remaine with thee eternally yea and I also know that I beleeue in thee and feele the sweetenesse of my faith taste of euerlasting life in my heart Thou art mine and I am thine and I am possessor of all that thou hast as life with euerlasting peace and joy what account I then these transitorie things Hauing thee I haue all things I could wish both earthly and heauenly A way with this temporall pleasure and beautie of this life and all other fading and perishing things for thou Lord Iesus art my comfort alone my goods and wealth my honour delight and euerlasting riches I haue trusted in thy mercie my heart shall rejoyce in thy Saluation O how dearely loue I thee Ps. 13.5 Ps. 18.1 Ps. 28.7 ô Lord my strength ô Lord my rocke my sheild the horne of my saluation and strong defence Such faith such loue burneth in my heart to thee Lord Iesus the which hath so possessed mee and incouraged mee that I am affraid neither of death nor distresse for I am sure that death it selfe and all things shall worke together for my best Now come Lord when thou wilt come I say I am certainely and surely persuaded that in thee and by thee I shall haue life and euerlasting contentment then come Lord Iesus â—hoâ— true God conclude this life destroy thou the last enemie which is death place me in my fathers inheritance whereof I haue thy bloud sprinckled on my heart an vndoubted pawne I am far from home heere and a forrâ—iner in a strange countrey take me home to mine owne that there I may sit at thy table with Abraham Isaak and Iacob that as Iohn enclined on thy bosome at the last Supper so I may rest my wearied soule on thee my God for euer Amen Flesh. I haue truely conceiued comfort and and life in mine heart if I could constantly keepe it but I am afraid my faith will decay in time of triall Spirit Thou hast thine owne
Grant ô God that my soule may liue and raigne with thee eternally Amen Flesh. Thou sayest well yet I see when men are in the agony of death their eyes turne in their heads they become blackish and they sweat for paine Spirit That is not onely to be spied in the children of this world who depart with out repentance but euen in the verie faithfull and Saints of God for so the sinnefull and deadly body must feele the sting of death and vndergoe the the punishment and waâ—ges of sinne and although wee see in the children of God such anguish and smart it is nought for so they easily ouercome all the miseries and bitternesse thereof for the comfort of Iesus Christ is so great that he is insteede of all things vnto them and that name Iesus so sweet that it consumeth all the acrimonie and bitternesse in death and causeth the faithfull in the verie period of death to taste euerlasting ioy and saluation A prayer to Christ to keepe vs from a troublesome death Lord Iesus Christ thou who tasted st the bitter vinegar of death vpon the Crosse due vnto my sin and hast greatly complained and bemoaned thy selfe and in the daies of thy flesh didst offer vp prayers and supplications Heb. 5.7 with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue thee from death and wast heard in that thou fearedst I beseech thee keepe me from a troublesome and paine full death Fill my heart with liuely faith and a rich hope that I be not greatly affraid of death nor terrified for the sting thereof O Iesus let thy deare and sweet name neuer depart from my heart and memorie vnto my last breth that I giue vp the Ghost and commit my soule vnto thee to rest for euermore Amen Flesh. Is there no kinde of phisicke then a man may vse that hee should not taste the sharpe sting of death Spirit Yes verely Ioh. 8.51 for so the Lord thy redeemer hath said Verily verily I say vnto thee if a man keepe my saying hee shall neuer see death Thou must then learne rightly to applie this phisicke which is Iesus Christs word not the word of Moses which is Gods law nor mans word diuels or witches but the mercifull preaching of the Gospell in the which hee promiseth vnto all belieuers remission of sins righteousnesse which is accepted before God the holie spirits consolation and life eternall And this is the word which the Lord giueth to the hearts of the Saints the which vpholdeth them and whereon they relye both in life and death and finde Christ and consolation therein with the which they are so detained and comprehended that they taste not the bitternes of death because of that sweetnes that is in his promise and comfort that is in his word For Christ is in his word and the word carrieth Christ and his power he who wil haue the Lord must haue his word and hee who hath the Lord himselfe the sweetnesse of his grace and comfort shall neuer see death thâ—t is shall neuer be agashed or tast the smart of death and so the Lord himselfe expoundeth it Verily Mat. 6.28 verily I say vnto you there be some staÌ„ding here which shal not taste of death till they see the Son of man comming in his kingdome And again Luk. 9.27 But I tell you of a truth there be some standing here which shal not tast of death vntill they see the kiâ—gdome of God that is they build vpon his true word taste Christ and his comfort in the word yea they winde themselues in the word as a dead corpes is wrapped in his winding sheete and so it commeth to passe they feele Christ and his mercie in his word and thereby taste in their hearts euerlasting life O thou pretious pleasant and excellent doctrine which art certaine and cannot deceiue What would you haue more O deare Soule and for what stayest thou Rom. 3.4 Receaue that heauenly doctrine in thy heart vse it well keepe it daily yea euerie moment Behold how bosting and bragging the world is hauing found phisicke for an ague tooth-ach or for the eyes how costly and prâ—tiously doe they esteeme it How much more should wee glorie in this our redeemer Heauenly and diuine phisicke which hath taken away death the father ouer all sicknesses Thou needest not inquire of the trial proofe hereof behold the examples of the faithfull which haue vsed this phisicke and by the benefit thereof haue felt no griefe in their vnspeakeable paines as Saint Stephen Act. 7.56.59 Who being full of the holy Ghost and faith in Iesus Christ looked vp steadfastly into heauen and saw the glorie of God and Iesus standing on the right hand of God they stoned him calling vpon God and saying Lord Iesus receaue my spirit And Paul hauing this preseruing phisicke durst daily bragge against death I desire to depart and to bee with Christ. So did Ignatius and so Policarpus and S t. Laurance with S t. Vincentius and infinite numbers of others A prayer of the Christians stedfast hope of Heauen O Lord Iesus Christ thou hast the words of eternall life Ioh. 6.68 how doth my soule thirst and long after thy consolation yea my redeemer He that meditates on thy word diligentlie he hath that true heauenlie phisicke which shall neuer faile in time of death but fetteth it selfe against the gates of Hell O Lord Iesus feede my hungrie heart with thy word and ouer-sprinkle mee altogether and at all times with thy comfort for thy worde and thy truth abideth for euer therefore shall I by the meanes of faith in thy word be preserued for eeuer for hee that belieueth thy word belieueth in thee and hee that keepeth thy word hath thee and hee who hath thee hath eternall life and hee who hath life neither can nor shall taste of eternall death for thou art the resurrection and the life Ioh. 11.25 he thâ—t belieueth in thee though he were dead yet shall he liue and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in thee shall neuer die Beleeuest thou this my soule yea Lord Iesus thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee and haue thee in mine heart and that I do comfort me in thy word rest and repose my selfe therupon therefore am I certaine that I am one of those which shall neuer see death taste his bitternesse or feele his sting Grant me this Lord Iesus Christ for thy true holy words sake For vnto thee doe I commit both soule and body helpe mee therefore euen for Iesus Christ his sake to whom bee giuen all glory and honour now and euer Amen CHAP. VIII CompreheÌ„ding remarkable sentences of Scripture with some earnest praiers to be powred out for them that are in present perill of death as also how they should behaue themselues that are present with the sicke person Flesh. I Pray thee rehearse some sentences of Gods holy Word wherewith I may comfort my
tossed with the troublesome waues of this life p. 230 A prayer for health and Gods blessing on our labours p. 232 4 What may moue a man willingly to dye p. 234 A prayer for obedience vnto the will of God and willingly denie himselfe p. 237 5 How a man shall keepe his heart constant against the pleasant course of this World p. 239 A prayer to be kept in the way of life p. 242 6 By what meanes a man may comfort himselfe when hâ—e shaâ—â— leauâ— Wife Children Friends c. in miserie pouertie and distresse p. 249 The dying-mans prayer bequeathing all his charge into the hands of God p 255 CHAP. VI. DEclaring how a Christian shall willingly giue himselfe to dye ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end 1 How the faithfull Soule shall pacifie the terrours of death and willingly wiâ—h ioy commit himselfe vnto Death p 260 A meditation of the soule againsâ— the sorrowes of Death p. 263 The Sickemans prayer and faith in Christ. p. 265 2 How the faithfull heart shall comfâ—rt himselfe that hee with patience shall abide constant to the end p. 272 A meditation of the Soule of faith in Christs promises p. 274 The Sick-mans prayer and comfort in Christ. p. 277 3 How the Christian may beâ— comforted when the strengâ—h of his faith beginneth to wauer and doubteth whether he be one of the elect to saluation or not p. 27â— A meditation of the great comfort the children of God haue in this world p 282 A prayer for stedfast faith in Christ. p. 290 CHAP. VII COntayning spirituall consolations and instructions that eyther the Soule or conscience of man now readie to die can obiect 1 Consolations against the horrible shape of death p. 294 A prayer against Death p. 296 2 Comfort against that fearesull name of death graue rottennesse and corruption p. 297 A prayer against the terrours of the graue p. 300 3 Comfort against the taste of Death p 301 A prayer for the meâ—cies of Christ. pag. 306 4 Consolations against groaning and sighing at the last agonie of Death p. 307 A prayer to Christ to keepe vs from a troublesome death p. 309 5 Heauenly and experimentall phisick against the bitternesse and sting of death p. 310 A prayer of the Christians stedfast hope of heauen p. 316 CHAP. VIII COmprehending remarâ—able sentences of Scripture with some earnest prayers to bee powred out for them that are in present perill of death as also how they shold behaue themselues that are present with the sicke person 1 Containing comfortable speeches and sentences of holie Scripture which may bee vsed to the sicke or those in perill of Death p. 319 A meditation of the Soule 336 A prayer for a diligent and stedfast faith in Gods word 339 2 Some short and compendious ayds the Sicke-man may haue in his mouth at the verie time of death p. 340 3 What should bee their dueties which stand by the sick or dead person who haue alreadie ioyned theyr Prayers with him pag. 343 A prayer for those that are about the partie departed 345 CHAP. IX DEclaring where the immortall Soule goeth after death the râ—surrection of the bodie the ioyes of eternall Liâ—e and contrariwise the paynes which the Vngodlie shall haue in their destruction 1 Whether the godlie Soule and in what estate it is after death pag. 348 A meditation of the soules departure and blessednesse after death pag. 352 The Christians most earnest praier to leaue this World and to bee with Christ his Sauiour p. 355 2 If the blessed soule long for the resurrection of the bodie that they may be vnited and glorified both together p. 358 A prayer of the faithfull Soule for her dissolution p. 362 3 Of the resurrection from the dead p. 365 A meditation of the Soule on the resurrection p 367 4 Of eternall Life and euerlasting blessednesse p. 372 A prayer for the ioyes of heauen pag. 385 5 A consideration of the paynes of Hell and condemnation of the Vngodlie pag 384 A prayer for a safe deliuerance from the paynes of Hell and to liue with Christ for euer pag. 290 The Soules Request or a Dialogue betwixt Christ and the Soule Fol. 1. Sig. A. AN ADMONITION to the Christian Reader declaring the difference betwixt the reprobate and true Christian in their life and death and likewise of the vse and benefit of this Booke IT is true deare Brother that all the worde of God compriseth nought else but that wee should liue as his children according vnto his word and dye Christs brethren and faithfull seruants Now therfore I haue compiled the most spirituall doctrine first of a christian life and secondly of a blessed death Of the which the man that saw God had his greatest regard Lord saith he Psal. 90.12 teach me to number my daies that I may apply my heart vnto wisedome So did also another Eccles. 7 3â— Whatâ—oeuer thou takest in hand râ—mâ—mber thy end and thou shalâ— nâ—uer do amisse For what is a christian life but a continuall meditation on Gods fauour a life in true repentance exercised in faith keeping of a good conscience so it cannot go astray and that a man should neuer suffer himselfe to be in such euill state wherein he might not bee blessed yea and happily dye What is it then to dye blessedly Euen this when a Christian not onely considâ—reth that hee is mortall and neuer free from death but also is resolued that hee must depart hence and that he shall bee inheritour of euerlasting saluation This is that high Science and Arte which Moses speakeâ—h of which is not elsewhere to bee had but in Gods word As if he should haue said Teach vs to remâ—mber that we shall dye to the end wee may bee wise that by thy holy Spirit and grace and practise of thy holy word wee may so liue that wee may haue life euerlasting This holy Art to dye aright was neuer knowen by Phylosophers and as yet is hid from all those that know not Iesus Christ the Redeemer Indeed Cicero gessed at it Orat. pro. Publ. Quin. where hee saith Vita turpis ne morti quidâ—m hoâ—estae locum relinquit that is An honest life goeth before an honourable deâ—th Yet there is an vnspeakeabâ—e difference Inter vâ—â—am honestam Christianam mortem honestâ—m Christianam seue saluâ—arem that is Betweene an honourable life and a Christian life betweene an honourable death and a Christian and sauing death Augustus Caesar desired euery day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to wit that he might dye well but hee vnderstood not by what meanes only he hunted for name fame and renown and euen so it was with the rest of the Ethickes and Heathens they knew that they should dye but neuer apprehended the christian vertues faith and â—ope but onely infirmitie corruption and distresse and so departed as hee speaketh of Turâ—us Virg. Aen. Vitaque
then die Spirit Heb. 9.27 Yes it is appointed all shall die and after this life bee summoned to their appearance for iudgement A meditation of the soule that wee shall but once die temporally Heare then O my soule if death shall goe ouer all Eccl. thou shalt not escape to day this man to morrow or soone must thou It is not said nor determined that thou shouldest die twice but once If that it were permitted wee should twice die then if one had not well and godly disposed himselfe the first time hee died hee might reforme himselfe at the second essay Oh but not so if thou die il once from this world thou shalt be carried to euerlasting anguish and woe A praier to God that hee would seriously put into our hearts that the time of our death is vncertaine O Lord my God instruct mee that I may deeply and seriously consider I must depart and that my life hath sure and limited bounds and I must be gathered to my fathers Gen. 25. Gen 49. Num. 20. Psal. 39.5 for behold my dayes are but an handbreadth in respect of thee and my age is nothing in regard of thee surely euery man in his best estate is altogether vanitie for what man liueth and shall not see death Psal. 90.48 shall he deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue My God Psal 90.12 teach mee so to number my dayes that I may applie my heart vnto wisdome wherby I may learne the manner and way to die the death of the righteous and blessed in the Lord my God to whom be rendred all thankes power and glory Amen Flesh. Hath not God manifested vnto vs the houre of death that wee conueniently might prepare vs thereunto Spirit There are foure things my soule most vncertaine concerning death which euery Christian daily and hourely should earnestly meditate vpon mortis tempus locus status modus for not only is the houre and point of death hid from vs but also wee doe not know in what place by what meanes and occasions by what sicknesse or manner death shall separate vs from hence A praier for a blessed departure O holy and wise God thy thoughts are not as our thoughts Isa. 55.8 neither our wayes as thy wayes Vers. 9. but as the heauens are higher than the earth so are thy wayes higher than our wayes and thy thoughts than our thoughts grant that in a full purpose of cleannesse of heart I may walke here before thy face and depart in blessed time of death with sure confidence that nothing can betide mee Rom 8. but what shall be good and profitable vnto mee Grant this good Father for the gratious mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Flesh. Seeing then these foure things are of so great moment how may I rightly and duly consider of them Spirit After this manner The time for the first Thou doest not know deare soule in what day moneth or yeere God will â—all thee from this world whether it shall happen in the day or in the night euen or morne God might easily haue reuealed the same Eccl. 38. if it had beene his heauenly will but it is of his diuine prouidence and great goodnesse that hee hath not so done Meditation on the sirst the time Behold my soule we wretched creatures are so corrupt by sinne and are so inamoured with this world that if the day of our death were reuealed vnto vs neuer should we thinke on God feare him or call vpâ—n his name neuer be stirred vp to repentance vntill at the very instant time it were appointed wee should die then would man first applie himselfe to learne repentance but come short thereof therefore it is not hurtfull but very gainfull and necessary that wee should be ignorant of the houre of our death A praier of mans vanitie O my God make mee consider how altogether man is vanitie Psal. 39.5 who passeth so swiftly away truly man borne of a woman liues but a short time and that full of vnquietnesse he commeth forth like a flower and is câ—t downe like the grasse hee slieth also as a shadow and continueth not his dayes are determined the number of his moneths are with thee thou hast appointed him bounds which hee cannot passe And now my God thou who of thy great wisedome hast hid from mee the day of the dissolution of this my tabernacle of clay 1 Cor. 5.1 helpe mee that I neuer let passe any time without true repentance and seeing thou hast hid from mee the time of my departure vouchsafe on me thy mercy and grace that I may so bestow my whole life that night and day Psal. 6. yea euery houre and twinckling of an eye I may be in a Christian preparation and readinesse to die the death of the godly through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Meditation on the second the place For the second The place thou knowest not in what place thou shalt end thy dayes whether in thine owne house or in a strangers in thy bed or in the field The sand-glasse of our life continually runneth out and no man knoweth no man is certified when it hath done running so death is euer present and followes vs at our heeles and ouertaketh taketh vs wheresoeuer it findeth vs it attendeth vs euery where for as the lightning commeth out of the East Mat. 24.27 and shineth euen vnto the West so shall also the comming of the Son of man be If thou therefore be a faithfull and wise seruant Luk. 12.42 in euery houre thou wouldest expect it that when thy Lord commeth hee may finde thee so doing Praier that wee may ioifully meet death O my God make mee euer and continually vnderstand that I am a poore mortall creature who can in no place preserue my selfe from death seeing it continually waiteth in all places and lurketh for me make me meet it euermore circumspectly with a ioifull and glad heart Grant this most mercifull God for thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ his sake Amen Meditation vpon the third thy state or behauiour As for the third Thy state what thou canst not tell O my soule in what state or behauiour the Lord thy God shal finde thee whether sleeping or awake merry or sad in worldly or spirituall exercise quiet or angry or howsoeuer otherwise distempered giue therefore diligent heed my soule that thou neuer bee in such case wherein willingly thou wouldest not die for death neuer loseth opportunitie neither is neglectful to take aduantage and thou knowest well what couenant thou hast with death Eccl. 14. yea moreouer deare soule as the Lord shall finde thee so will hee iudge thee hereafter A short praier to forsake the world Keepe me Lord Iesus from drowsines idlenes and slumbering in sinne that I liue not inconsiderately Luk. 19. as the vngodly which haue no hope 1 Thess. 4. but that
at euery occasion and minute I may bee ready to take my leaue of this world and raigne with thee my Lord and Sauiour eternally in the world to come Amen Meditation of the fourth the manner Concerning the fourth thou art ignorant deare soule by what kinde of disease the Lord will call thee from hence whether it shall happen by pestilence maladie in the head ague c. by shipwracke or fire and it may bee God hath appointed thee to be ouertaken by robbers wilde beasts or some such casualtie yea O soule many neuer intend repentance in all the time and space they haue health and prosperitie vntill some languishment and sicknes seize vpon them but who knoweth whether at any time hee shall haue sicknesse and leisure together Haue wee not daily examples how many decease by palsie by sword and sudden death through sundry other maladies of body and before they were euer sicke or diseased or that God suffered them to haue the benefit of their bed and rest A praier to forsake the world and follow Christ. O God how foolish are wee miserable and fond creatures how smal heed and attention giue wee to daily occurrences The fowle is an vnreasonable creature yet when it seeth another to bee killed beside it shee presently swingeth and flieth away and when it spieth a man to bend his bow aime at it there is no longer staying but quickly conueieth it selfe thither where it may bee secure and safe Euen so O soule death breakes in all places many mens hearts and they do fall on euery side then feare O soule and flie from sinne to righteousnesse from hell to heauen from this damnable and deceitfull world to Iesus Christ that then thou maist boldly say Now shoot death when thou wilt for although thou bereaue mee of this transitorie and momentanie life Heb. 13. yet by a strong and constant faith I possesse the kingdome of heauen which shall giue mee infinitely more then thou canst take from mee Meditation of the soule not to delay repentance Delay not O soule thy repentance vntil thou be sicke Eccl. 12. but worke thy conuersion euen now with-all diligence put not off from day to day thy amendment of life neither continue in wickednesse vntill deaths vncertaine houre approach A praier when first we fall sicke O Iesus Christ my Redeemer preserue me from a painfull sicknesse violent and hastie death ouertake mee not in my sinnes and suffer mee not to die without repentance and giue vnto mee if it be thy pleasure a quiet and patient departure that without great paine and griefe I may in my right wits attaine a blessed end confessing thy most holy name vntill the last gaspe and so to commend my soule and spirit with my whole heart carefully into thy mercifull hands my most gratious and louing Sauiour and Redeemer to whom with God the Father and the holy spirit be rendred from the bottome of my heart all honour power might maiestie and dominion now and for euer Amen CHAP. II. Wherein is comprehended the true and right art to die well and first of Christian repentance Flesh. BEcause wee neuer are vnpursued by death it is very needfull therefore that both Young and Old Great and Small Rich and Poore should learne the art of dying blessedly Spirit Yes truely daily examples may teach vs so for consider thy neighbour like as he is dead so shalt thou bee yesterday was his this day for thee Eccl 38. to day a King to morrow dead yea ô Soule death is like a Mower Eccl. 10. which walkes in a greene meadowe cutting with his Sithe all he commeth at and maketh no account whether it be grasse thistle or rose neither considereth hee how old how beautifull or how pretious the hearbes bee there are none too strong for him none too young no castle for height nor bulwarke for securitie can hold him backe he wil not be corrupted with siluer and gold yea if it were possible that thou couldest giue him the whole kingdomes and riches of the world hee would not hold off a minute to abide thy time nor waite a moment for the performance of thy pleasure and will now this should be our daily meditation diligently to marke and carefully learne the day both to liue in Gods feare and dye in his faour The young mans prayer O my God how is man verely as nothing how goeth all beautie away as a shadowe and wretched man knoweth not whether he shall dye old or young neither can any by his riches strength and powre Ps. 144.4 deliuer himselfe or his brother helpe mee my God that from my youth vpward I may constantly giue heed to walke vpright in my wayes Ps. 119.1.9 according to thy word gouerne me by thy holie Spirit that my heart goe not a whoring from thee that my youth neuer puffe mee vppe to bragge thereof Ps. 73.27 and that I put not my trust in health strength honour riches or beautie graunt that I may in my inward mind heare the end of all which is to serue thee and keepe thy commaundements Eccles. 22.13.14 for this is the whole duetie of man for thou wilt bring euerie man vnto iudgement with euery secret thing whether it bee good or euill Lord write this same in my heart and giue me thy grace not onely to vnderstand the same but also to rectifie my life and conuersation thereby vnto my last end and graunt that I may die vnto sin and liue vnto righteousnesse to the glorie of thy holy name through Iesus Christ my sauiour Amen Flesh. How may I then prepare my selfe to die blessedly Spirit The right preparation to a happy death is in the cōstant leading of a Christian and righteous life A Meditation of the Soule for earnest repentance Wouldst thou then dye blessedly beloued Soule make earnest and serious repentance and continue stedfast therin to thy last for God accepteth well conuersion from sin Wis. 12. Ma◠24. and who so abideth to the end he shall be saued A Prayer for speedie Repentance Praysed bee thou my God who hast no pleasure in our death and destruction but rather that wee should turne from our sinfull waies and liue Ezek. 18. Ezek. 33. helpe me Lord Iesus that I delay not my conuersion to thee and shift not ouer my repentance from day to day for thou hast promised me thy mercie but that I might deferre my repentance vntil the morrow second or third day thou hast not promised vouchsafe therefore thy mercie on mee this verie day Ps 95. Tit. 3. that I may redeeme the time lost by an earnest repentance and not bee taken in my sins and trespasses the day following graunt this for the glorie of thy blessed name through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauior Amen Flesh. What is then true and Christian repentance Spirit Repentance is nothing else then that a man rise from his sinne and turne with all his
teares as a well cease not neither leaue off for the Almighty is angry for thy sinnes Lam. 2. pardon them ô Lord I beseâ—ch thee and grant that when I shall sleepe in death my bodie may rest temporally and my soule may liue with thee eternally for Iesus c. Flesh. Shall man then in such sorrow doubt and despaire for his sinnes Spirit No God forbid but he should embrace the second part of Christian repentance which is faith in our Lord Iesus Christ who hath satisfied for our sinnes and reconciled vs to God his heauenly father Rom. 5. in this case raise vp encourage thy selfe learne comfort after this manner ô most louing Iesus Christ thou most sweet Sauiour and Redeemer how heauy is my hart how sad is my Soule in my brest Ps. 43.5 Esa. 38. My God thou hast broken all my bones like a Lyon I beseech thee that thou wouldest not despise my contrite and broken hart my Redeemer Ps. 51.17 giue mee thy mercifull hand and draw mee out of this heauinesse and suffer me not to sinke and perish of too much sorrow O my God I thanke thee thou hast touched my heart in making mee vnderstand my sinnes and giuing mee thy mercie to bewaile theÌ„ vnfainedly O I am become godly sorrowfull not to my hurt for godly sorrow worketh Saluation 2. Cor. not to be sorrowed for where else might I haue found comfort for my disquieted Soule of what other shold I haue found rest for my broken heart but of thee onely ô most dearely beloued Sauiour for thou camest into the world to saue miserable sinners 1. Tim. 1. therefore is thy name Iesus Mat 1. to saue thy people from all their sinnes Here am I ô Sauiour although a verie great yet a Penitent sinner Loe I heare thy comfortable voyce Mat. 11. Come vnto mee all yee that are laden and we aried I will refresh you Bâ—hold my God I come and bring with mee a sorrowfull broken Ps. 51.17 and contrite heart O reuiue my dead soule O heale my sinfulâ— wounded conscience O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world take from mee my sinne Ps. 51.9 and the guilt thereof and forgiue all mine iniquities Thou art my Redeemer and the onely sacrifice by which God thy Father and I am reâ—conciled Ioh. 3. for as Moyses exalted the Serpent in the wildernesse so wast thou exalted on the Crosse to the end that I and all that beleeue in thee should not perish but haue euerlasting Life Mar. 9. I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe yea Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee Ioh. 21. albeit with a weake faith neuerthelesse by the same little small faith I put all my trust and confidence in thee and beleeue doubt not I beleeue and know well that all my bitter and grieuous sinnes are surely and verely satisfied for and remitted by thy bloud and death I know and beleeue I am assured and persuaded ô my Redeemer that thy pure conception cleanseth my sinfull conception thy vndefiled birth purgeth my vncleane birth thy holie life sanctifieth my sinfull life thy humiliation is my exaltation thy hellish sorrowes are my heauenly comforts thy bonds are my freedome thy contempt is my honour thy sores are my salue the expulsion of thee is the in-bringing of mee thy smart and payne is the ioy of my Soule thy desert is my Redemption thy passion and death is a sacrifice for all my sinnes thy obedience is satisfaction for all my wickednesse thy descending into hell is my deliuerance from the Deuill power and force of hell Rom. 4. thy resurrectiâ—on is my righteousnesse and thy ascending into heauen is a seale and assurance that I am heire of eternall Life and that through Thee I haue alreadie right title and possesion of the kingdome of heauen Yea Lord Iesus all these hast thou merited for me giuen and bestowed them freely vpon mee and thy heauenly Father accepts of them and accounts them to mee in such maner as if I had deserued all the same in my owne proper person and as if euerie faithfull ones Redemption had beene purchased by himselfe Mat. 9. bee joyfull therfore comfort thee thy sinnes are forgiuen and thou reighteous before God thou hast a mercifull Father in heauen thou art heire of eternall Life thou hast the earnest of thy inheritance in thy heart which beares witnesse vnto thy spirit that thou art the Sonnâ— yof God Who will craue ought here is Christ that hath payed and satisfied for thee Who will accuse thee Rom. here is God that pronounceth thee Iust and Holie Meditation of the Soule of faith in Christ. Doest thou meditate on that hurt thou incurredst by the first fall doth that corruption deriued vnto thee from Adam grieue thee O giue thankes and praise to the Lords name for thou hast obtayned more in Iesus Christ thy Redeemer than thou hast lost in Adam the trespasser ô miracle of all miracles who can comprehend such things bee glad ô my soule and consider narrowly what thou losest in the first what was gotten in the second Adam againe Behold how Sathan is disappointed of his purpose for hee minded to draw thee altogether and finally from God and to draw thee in the pit of Gods euerlasting displeasure but contrarywise Christ thy Lord hath not onely reconciled thee with thy father quenched his wrath and anger and purchased mercy to thee but also hath aduanced thee to such vnspeakable promotion Heb. 2. that thou art become Gods kinsman for he hath taken thy flesh bloud vpon him thou couldest neuer haue come to higher promotion and preferment vnlesse thou hadest beene euen God himselfe And Sathan bethought him to driue thee out of the garden of Paradise and so bereaue thee of the companie and societie of the holy Angels but quite contrarie Christ thy Sauiour not only brings thee to that healie Paradise and eternall life but exalteth thee aboue all Angels and maketh thee most honourable in that he took not the Angels but mans nature vpon him Heb 2. Sathan also intended to take from thee the food of life and it so happened for the Lord God excluded man by reason of his transgression that he should not eat of the tree of life in Paradise Gen. 3. but now Christ is that nourishment Ioh. 6. and tree of life farre more excellent and good then that first which extends and dilateth his boughes and branches whereby wee come vp to heauen hideth vs vnder him feedeth vs of him and wee are satiate and shall haue vnder his shadow quietnesse and rest for euermore Againe Sathan would haue carried thee from thy righteousnesse cast thee deepely downe into sinne spoyled thee of thy originall justice wherein without sinne thou wert first created to Gods similitude but on the other side Christ thy Lord freely giueth thee a
their wheat and wine did abound Psal. 4.7 and these words cannot deceiue thee Psal. 89.33 for he will not falâ—ifie his truth Vpbraideth hee thee that thou art wretched sicke and desolate c though I bee mayst thou say poore and needy Psal. 40.17 the Lord thinketh on mee therfore if I can haue but thee my God I account of nothing in heauen and in earth suppose my flesh faile and my heart Psal 73.25 thou God art the strength of my heart and my portion for euer relie ô my soule all thy life time heereon for hee will not alter the thing that hath gone out of his lips Psal. 89.34 If the diuell doth affright thee with death gainstand him with a stout and faithfull heart and say thy dead men shall liue Esay 26.19 euen with my body shall they liue awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead And so I beleeue the remission of my sinnes resurrection of my body and life euerlasting this is verily true and hereon I repose my selfe for heauen and earth shall passe away Luk. 16.17 but his word shall not fall so that all they that leane to the word shut themselues in the word shall with the word and in the word endure for euer A Prayer to the same effect Lord Iesus Christ King of euerlasting Triumph helpe that I may continually haue thy Law and Gospel before mine eyes and rule all my Thoughts Words and Deeds according to them teach mee by thy holy Spirit at euerie occasion to put them in practise that in thy Law I may perceiue my Sinne and Vildnesse with true comfort in my hart that in all miserie and griefe I may haue these sweete speeches in fresh memorie that they may bee my weapons and aâ—mour To kill my Foe Pro. 30.5 and my Sheild and defence aâ—gainst the Deuill Psal. 23.4 thy rodde and staffe to hold mee vppe my food and refreshing in alâ— trouble and anguish grant I may wholly betake mee to thy Word both sleepe and rise therewith that I may liue and die according to thy Word and if at any time my heart through weakenesse shall distrust assist mee then O Lord that I neuer despaire for neyther thou nor thy Word will deceiue mee I know and doe beleeue it O eternaâ— true God that thou wilt keepe thy Word â—herefore shall I be preserued I beleeue and know thou canst not lye therefore sâ—all I not bee deceiued and although that my heart shall doubt and denie yet art thou constant in thy promise because thou art greater than our hearts and knowest all things therefore shall I neuer be confouÌ„ded 1 Ioh. 3.20 because I put my trust in thee Psal. 25.2 To thee O God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost bee all honour dominion power and glorie now and for euer world with out end Amen Flesh. What is the second point that concerneth Christian life The second poynt Baptisme Spirit Secondly deare Soule meditate daily in thy baptisme and let it comfort thee because God thy Lord in it hath purged thee receiued thee to be his child and in it sealeth with thee that mercifull couenant that he will be thy gracicious God and father and thou shalt be his deare Son and heire yea ô my soule thy Lord Iesus in thy holy baptisme hath called thee by thy name 1 Pet. 3. Esay 62. Ier. 14. Esay 45. before thou knewest him and hath giuen thee a new name that thou shouldest bee called a Christian to witnesse that thou wert brother to Christ and fellow-heire Rom. 8. that thou shalt enioy and bee paticipant with him of all whatsoeuer hee hath bought and merited by his bloud as of remission of sinnes righteousnesse and eternall life Meditation of thy Baptisme Therfore so often as thou shalt heare or recite the Creed I beleeue in God c. I beleeue in Iesus Christ c. I beleeue in the holy Ghost c. heere is thy surmounting consolation that thou art in the number of those of whom it is sayd he that beleeueth and is baptized Mark 16.16 shall bee saued and heereby art separated from Turks Iewes Atheists and all Infidels and other vngodly persons of whom it is said but hee that will not beleeue shall be damned and finally in thy baptisme thou obligest thy selfe not to liue after the flesh Rom 8.12 Luk 1.75 to fulfill the lusts and desires thereof but to serue the liuing God in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of thy life Tit. 2.12 according to his pleasure Prayer for a new life and faith in Christ. I thanke thee my good Lord Iesus Christ for this thy vnspeakable goodnesse in that thou hast not onely taken mee aliue out of the wombe but when I was dead in sinne made me be baptized Psal. 22.9 Ephes. 2.1 and thereby enrolledst and registeredst mee in thy mercifull couenant band didst regenerate me by thy holy spirit Eph. 2.12.13 accept mee to be thy sonne and inheritor of blessednesse 1 Pet. 3.21 not that I loued thee first but thou louedst mee before I was ô my Redeemer Tit. 5.5 how can I render thankes for all thy benefits towards mee I will take the cup of saluation and call vpon thee Psal. 116.12 I beseech thee therefore vphold mee by thy holy spirit that I may stand stedfast in this couenant of grace whereunto I haue had this accesse reioycing vnder the hope of the glory of God comforting my soule therewith confirme my faith that I may cleaue vnto thee alwayes and abhorre and detest Infidelitie and Atheisme seruing thee zealously in the spirit in whatsoeuer calling or condition of life I shall liue yea my God seeing through baptisme I am dead vnto sinne and borne againe Rom. 6.4 grant me thy grace that I may walke in newnesse of life that my conuersion and giuing my members as weapons of righteousnesse vnto God may beare record before thee and men that I haue reciued that Sacrament to my weale and saluation conduct mee safely through this wearisome valley of misery neuer leaue mee vntill thou hast brought me to thy fathers Kingdome which is those riches and treasures thou hast promised mee in my baptisme and thereof assured me and sealed vp the same in my heart by thy spirit giuen vnto me Grant me gracious father forgiuenesse of all my sins that so I may walke before thee in true repeÌ„tance and amendment of life that so I may liue in thy feare and die thy faithfull seruant Amen Flesh. Shew me the third means whereby a Christian life is maintained The third poynt the Lords Supper Spirit Thirdly deare soule repaire diligently and of ten to the Lords Sâ—pper for that is the table the Lord hath prepared for his regenerate children that is the food wherwith hee strengtheneth and refrâ—sheth his new purged
ones for so saith the Redeemer Take eat this is my body Matth. 26.16 Mar. 14.22 Luk. 22.19 Cor. 11.24 which is giuen for you to the remission of sins and againe Take and eat all hereof this cup is the new Testament in my bloud which is shed for you Meditation of the Soule for the receiuing of the Communion Now heare my Soule what delicates the Lord thy Sauiour presenteth before thee in this his table truely not bare and naked bread and wine but his body and bloud for the bread which wee breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ and the cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 therefore beleeue I and know that my Lord Iesus Christ both God and Man according to his institution is present to my Soule giues his body and bloud to bee eaten and drunke spiritually by a true and liuely faith wrought in me by his holy spirit and applying the merits and benefits of his death vnto mee the manner and way being best knowen vnto himselfe yea Lord Iesus thou thy selfe art here my host and I thy guest heere come I poore creature out of the wicked wildernes of this world fraught with trouble and misery and bring with mee an hungry thirsty and languishing yet a faithfull heart reuiue me my Lord Iesus by this thy table and strengthen mee by this nourishment that I may bee satiate and safe Approach heereunto my Soule to strengthen thy faith and quicken thy heart Ioh. 20.27 and bee not longer faithlesse but faithfull beâ—hold the Lord thy Redeemer assureth thee as with a true token and pawne that thou of meere grace and mercy art appoynted heire of all his blessings and hee imputes vnto thee whatsoeuer he hath procured by the sacrifice of his body and bloud to wit the forgiuenesse of all thy sinnes Rom. 4.8 that righteousnesse which is accepted before God and eternall life all these shall aâ— certainely be thine as if thou in thine own person hadst hung vpon the crosse and there merited them yea and he witnesseth heereby that thou for his sake art counted before God as righteous holy and as beloued as Christ himselfe is and moreouer by the same Sacrament through the holy Spirit he giueth himself vnto thee Reu. 3.20 to dwell with thee and sup with thee neuer to depart froÌ„ thee but worke a new life ioy light yea Lord Iesus so am I in thee Ioh. 17.23 Eph. 5.30 and thou in mee and I will sticke vnto thee my Redeemer as a liuing member to a liuing body as a bride vnto her bridegroome for I am a member of thy body Ioh. 15.4 of thy blood and bones yea I am in thee as the branch is in the vine and as a bough receiueth continuall sap vertue from the trees roote so doe I draw comfort life and quickening from thee and so by a true faith both in soule and body abide in thee and thou in mee by thy holy spirit that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor nor things present nor things to come nor hight nor depth nor any other creature can separate me from thy loue A prayer when thou hast receiued the Communion Praised bee thou O God my Sauiour for thy fatherly care ouer me for preparing this heauenly banquet for me whereby I may quench the appetite of my hungry soule and mittigate the thirst of my heart so that now by this meanes I depart emboldened and established in grace and faith will follow thee my Redeemer with courage Heb. 13.9 will abide constantly with thee and remayne in perseuerance with thee through thy spirit vnto the last gaspe Amen Meditation of receiuing the holie Communion Thou hast said Doe this in my remembrance O my God how holie is the memorie of that how inwardly am I comforted therewith for by this sacrament I call to minde many other Festiual daies and times for in thy Table I remember thy Natiuitie for it testifieth vnto mee that thou in verie deed hast taken my human nature vpon thee and art farre neerer joyned vnto mee than vnto the Angells for thou in no sort tookedst vpon thee the Angells nature but thou tookest the seed of Abraham it likewise represeÌ„teth vnto mee that thou art the true Sacrifice for sinnes and therefore doe I eate the right Pasouer 1. Cor. 5.7 euen Christ which is sacrificed for mee as also I beleeue and trust seeing I am thy member and that thou art risen from the dead and liuest so shall I also so that thou wilt not leaue my Soule in Graue neyther shall death haue power ouer mee but I shall rise and sing vnto the Lord in the land of the liuing and possesse that place where thou my head Iesus Christ liuest world without end And all these things are engrafted and sealed in mee by thy holie Spirit of Promise 1. Eph. 13.14 which is the earnest of my Inheritance for the redemption of that libertie purchased vnto the prayse of his glorie whereby also peace and joy is kindled in my hart for I receiue the spirit of adoption whereby I crie Abba Father the same Spirit bearing witnesse to my Spirit Rom. 8.15 16. that I am the Sonne of God And not onely that but I participate the whole Trenitie the Father Sonne and Holie-Spirit who come vnto mee Ioh. 14.23 and dwell with mee so life euerlasting shall be bestowed vpon mee after this transitorie where I shall continually behold my Lord my God face to face and finally I haue here an vnion and fellowshippe with all the Saints for as hee sayd He that eateth my flesh Ioh. 6.56 and drinketh my bloud abideth in mee and I in him so hath hee sayde also that they all may bee one as thou O Father art in mee and I in thee euen that they may be also one in vs for we that are many are one bread and one bodie because wee are all partakers of one bread how joyfull am I of this heauenlie companie how glad am I of thy Saints to whose number thou hast adopted mee for the which I giue thee thankes honour and prayse for euermore Besides this it is written as oft as you eate of this Bread and drinke of this Cup ye declare the Lords death vntill his comming againe wherein deare Soule I am rauished to the contemplation of the Third-heauen with Paule whereof this thy last Supper is as it were an entry and beginning for in thy Fathers Kingdome I shall sit downe with Abraham Isaack and Iacob and there feed vpon Thee the Bread of Life eternally and therefore sigh I from the bottome of my heart saying euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly my Redeemer and tarrie not and therefore I am taught to powre out hartie thanksgiuings for all thy blessings wherewith thou hast blessed mee in heauenly things in
our good for we rest from our labors and enioy happinesse because the righteous mans Soule is in Gods hands Wisd. 3.1 and there shall no torment touch it And Christ himselfe professeth that hee will come againe and receiue vs vnto himselfe Ioh. 14.3 that where he is there we may be also Hearken therefore and learne what it is to dye for it is nothing else than a passage and home going to rest yea the death of the faithfull is Christs taking of them vnto himselfe A Prayer against Death O Lord Iesus Christ thou eternall true Light inlighten my heart that as a new creature I may looke vpon Death with new eyes and not esteeme it for a hurter of mee but for a messenger by whom thou callest mee from this wretched world and translatst me to the kingdome of thy Sonne from this valley of darkenesse Euen so Come Lord Iesus with that Chariot of Elias and take mee from hence Now let thy Seruant depart in peace Luk 2.29 who longeth for quietnesse rest through Iesus Christ my onely sauiour Amen Flesh. Yet Death is verie terrible cold and euill fauored wee become stiffe and so must rot in our graues Spirit That is also a punishment which God inflicts on the bodie for sinne but the children of God look not to the present shew and shape of Death but looke further off consider how pleasaunt how soone how beautifull how cleare and honourable their bodies shall rise vp at the last day and corruption shal put on incorruption 1 Cor. 15.53 this mortallitie shall put on immortallitie Then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp in victorie and by this the holie man Iob comforted himselfe for he knew that his Redeemer liued and that he should rayse him vp from the earth O how beautifull shall our bodies bee there is no starre in heauen shall be so cleere neuer shined the Sunne or the Moon so perfectly as when the Lord shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working Phil. 3.21 whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe for wee are the Lords wheat â— Cor. 15.37 Ioh. 12.24 sowen in his ground which shall rise againe and beare euerlasting fruit So also is the resurrection of the dead it is sowen in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowen in dishonor it is raised in glory it is sowen in weaknesse it is raised in power it is sowen a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body there is a naturall body and there is a spirituall body A Prayer against the terror of the graue Strengthen mee ô my Lord Iesus Christ that I bee not amazed at the fearefull sight of dead members nor when I thinke vpon the rottennesse in the graue and that I shall turne to dust and ashes but helpe mee that in a ioyfull hope I may behold the beauty and cleerenesse which shall not onely bee in my soule but euen manifest in my body that I may bee encouraged thereby gladly to meet thee when euer thou shalt please to call mee to that spirituall wedding from this life vnto life eternall through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Flesh. It is very terrible neuerthelesse to taste of death yeâ— to be put in that darke hole in the graue couered with earth full of rottennesse and corruption Spirit That feare ariseth of the sense of sinne for death is our enimy and God created man to bee immortall and made him to be an image of his eternity neuertheles Wis. 2.23.24 throgh the enuy of the Diuell death came into the world and heâ—rein is a figure representing the deâ—sert of sin for the breach of Gods Law in that wee not onely die temporally heere but must eternally perish be thrust downe in to the darke dungeon of hell and there bee ouerspred with the flames of perpetuall fire with the riuers of brimstone if that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had not come to our redemption And of this comes that terrour and hangs on vs vntill wee come to the graue Euen as a man that had been pluckt out of a great fire or out of some deepe and dangerous water so oft as hee thinkes vpon it hee is afraid so is it with vs wee are greatly astonished and amazed when wee bethinke vs on that miserie wherein wee should haue beene destroyed had not the death of Iesus come betweene by whom our attonement is made with the Father But yet all the children of God should lâ—â—rne a new language and attend how the holy Gospell speaketh heereof for it calleth the death of the faithfull a sleepe and their graues chambers to sleepe in for as Iesus Christ hath taken the punishment of death from vs and suffered the paines of hell fulfilled Gods righteousnesse and procured eternall life for vs so the holy Spirit in his Gospell doth take away the harsh and hard names of death and doth comfort the Lords Elect with a new tongue Esa. 26.20 as when he saith Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doores abouâ— thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation passe ouer And in another place Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall wake some to shame euerlasting contempt and some to euerlasting life And againe our friend Lazaruâ— sleepeth Ioh. 11.11 but I goe that I may awake him out of sleepe Also the childe is not dead Matth. 27. but sleepeth and there arose many that slept and so in infinite more places Heere hast thou then thy death changed into a soft sleep and thy graue vnto a warme bed When thou diest thou art said to goe to sleepe because he that betaketh himselfe to his rest is in expectation that the next day after he shall rise and when they beat the earth of the graue with the shouell it iâ— called to shut the dore and when we rot in the earth wâ—e are sayd to rest and to hide vs vntill wrath passe ouer our soules A Praier for the mercies of Christ. O Lord God holy Spirit take thou my heart and replenish it with the comfortable mercies of our Lord Iesus Christ teach me to put due difference betwixt the Law Gospell abolish terror and feare for death and learne me that new language of Canaan that I heare it not onely with mine eares but pronounce it by my mouth that I may beleeue and in experience prooue that when the time of my dissolution shall draw neere I shall not die but sweetly sleep vntill it shall please thee by thine Arch-angell and trumpet of God to awake and raise me vp and so do I lie downe now Lord Iesus in thine armes as a childe in the mothers lap and commit my soule vnto thee and sleep as long a time as it pleaseth thee
Soule at the very poynt of death Spirit First euery Christian must diligently learne to comfort himselfe by reciting the articles of our faith which is the compend and summe of all doctrine and comfortable speeches but especially hee must learne the three last articles I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes resurrection of the body and life euerlasting So the faithfull soule must apply the whole articles to himselfe in particular and so appropriate them vnto himselfe as if there were none in the world but hee alone which should haue benefit thereby Thereto the Lord hath appointed the Sacraments to confirme that our faith as faithfull and true seales and mercifull tokens whlch hee hath appointed to these articles Here thou maiest apprehend thy holy baptisme wherein thou hast receiued and concluded with God an euerlasting and inuiolable band and couenant of mercy and so art washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ Next maist thou comfort thee by the holy Supper because thou as the Son of God art nourished and refreshed at thy Fathers Table and thereby assured that thou art a true member of Christ a righteous heire to whatsoeuer Christ with the sacrifice of his body and bloud hath merited Besides these things â—hou mayest cause to bee â—ead or sayd these or such â—ike sentences of the Scripture The seede of the woman shall bruize the head of the Serpent Gen 3.15 and the Serpent shall bruize his heeles 1 Ioh. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Diuell Esa. 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with songs and euerlasting ioy vpon their heads they shall obtain ioy gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead body they shall arise awake and sing yee all that dwell in the dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead Come my people enter thou into thy chambers Vers. 20. and shut thy doores about thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation bee passed ouer Naked came I out of my mothers wombe Iob 19·25 and naked shall I returne thither the Lord gaue and the Lord hath taken away blessed bee the name of the Lord. I know that my Redeemer liueth Vers. 26. and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not a stranger Is not Ephraim my deere sonne Ier. 31.20 is hee not my pleasant childe for since I spake against him I doe earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely haue mercy vpon him saith the Lord. So verily as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that hee should turne from his euill way and liue I will ransome them from the power of the graue Hos. 13.14 I will redeeme them from death ô death I will be thy plagues ô graue I will bee thy destruction As the Hart panteth after the water brookes Psal. 42.1 so panteth my soule after thee ô God My soule thirsteth for God for the liuing God 2. when shal I come appeare before God Why art thou cast downe ô my Soule 5. why art thou disquieted within mee hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the helpe of his countenance Whom haue I in heauen but thee Psa. 73.25 and there is none vpon the earth that I desire beside thee My flesh and mine heart 26. faileth but God is the strength of mine heart and my portion for euer Wisd. 3.1 The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them 2. In the sight of the wise they seemed to die and their departure was taken for misery 3. and their going from vs to bee vtter destruction but they are in peace Hee that endureth to the end Mat. 24.13 shall be safe Mat. 11.28 Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest Behold the Lambe of God Ioh. 1.29 which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ioh. 3.16 God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Verily verily I say vnto you Ioh. 5.24 hee that heareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent mee hath euerlasting life and shall not come into iudgement but hath passed from death to life I am the bread of life Ioh. 6.35 he that commeth to mee shall neuer hunger and hee that beleeueth on mee shall neuer thirst All that the Father giueth mee shall come to mee vers 37. and him that commeth vnto me I will in in no wise cast out And this is the will of him that sent me vers 40. that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeueth on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Vers 47. Verily verily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth on mee hath euerlasting life Ioh. 8.12 I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darknesse but shall haue the light of life Vers. 51· Verily verily I say vnto you if a man keep my saying he shall neuer see death My sheep heare my voice and I know them Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and they follow mee and I giue vnto them eternall life And they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hands My father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my fathers hands I and my father am one I am the resurrection vnto life Ioh. 11.25 he that beleeueth in mee though hee were dead yet shall I liue In my fathers house are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 if it were not so I would haue tolde you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you 3. I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there you may be also I am the way the truth 6. and the life no man commeth vnto the father but by mee Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent verse 24 Father I will that they also whome thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may beholde my glorie which thou hast giuen me for thou loueâ—st mee before the foundation of the world Neither is there saluation in any other Acts 4.12 for there is none other name vnder heauen giuen among men wherby
giue vp the dead which were in it death and hell deliuer vp the dead which were in them and the soule in a moment shall returne to the dead body thereof 1 Thes. 4.17 and come liuing before the Lord. Then wee which are aliue and remaine shall be caught vp together with them in the clouds to meete the Lord in the ayre where he shall separate them one from another Math. 25.32.33.34.41 as a sheepheard diuideth the sheepe from the Goates and hee shall set the sheepe on his right hand the Goates on the left theÌ„ shall he say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherite the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world then shall hee say vnto them on his left hand Depart from me yee cursed into euer lasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels and these shall go away into euerlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall A Meditation of the Soule on the resurrection Now deare Soule thou mayest meditate not only heereupon which is the vndoubted truth of God but for thy farther certification thou mayest ponder on these following poynts Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead bodie shall they arise awake and 〈◊〉 ye that dwel in the dust Mat. 22.31 As touching the resurrection of the dead haue yee not read that which was spoken vnto yee by God saying I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaak and the God of Iacob God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake Dan. 12.2 some to euerlasting life and some to shame and euerlasting contempt I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob 19.25 and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God 26. whom I shall see and mine eyes shall behold and not another for me Verily verily Ioh. 5.25 I say vnto you the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God and they that heare shall liue c. Now mayest thou diligently marke deare soule how easie it is vnto the Lord to raise the dead Ioh. 17. for it will done by a word as wee may see when hee raised the widdowes son of Naim which was dead he onely said Young man Luk. 7.14.15 I say vnto thee arise and he that was dead sate vp and began to speake So raised he the Ruler of the Synagogueâ— daughter in Capernaum saying Talithacumi which is being interpreted Mar. 5.41 Damosell I say vnto thee arise and after this same manner also did he to Lazarus in Bethania who had now laâ—en foure dayes in the graue for hee cried with a lowd voyce Lazarus come forth and hee that was dead came foorth bound hand and feet with graue-cloths See now beloued Soule although to the eyes of man it appeared to bee impossible yet with the Lord our God nothing is impossible Luk 1.37 For as a mother knoweth well in what chamber or bed shee hath laid her childe to sleepe and thither commeth in the morning awakes and taketh it vp euen so the Lord our God knoweth where our bodies do sleep which were his own temples and habitations vnto whom it shall bee farre more easie to make vs aliue then to a mother to waken her sleeping child Besides this wee haue our Lord Iesus Christ the head of his Church not onely that hee should bee an example vnto vs but also that hee should goe before vs as the beginning of our resurrection for hee died for our sins lay in the graue the third day rose againe for our iustification 1 Cor. 15.16 Rom 4.25 Ioh. 4.19 and therefore with lowd voyce sayeth vnto vs all because I liue yee shall liue also Flesh. Shall then eternall life be such as cannot bee comprehended by man nor vnderstood in this world Spirit Yes truely thou sayest well Of the ioyes of heauen for so it is that the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him Eternall God what peace what ioy what glory what pleasant being shall they haue who would not daily meditate heereupon but who would not wilâ—lingly enioy the same who would not willingly speake and commune heereof but rather who would not feeâ—e and possesse the same oh if there were any that could teach vs the glory hereof wherof our narrow heart and shallow soule is not capable of how would we be glad to heare and ioyfully long for it Certainely deare Soule if neither Esaias that excellent Prophet nor the Apostle Paul Esay 64.4 who was rauished into the third heauens and saw things vnutterable could not declare the meanest iot of it but heâ—â— him dumb then may the glory peace and ioy be there exceeding great yet notwithstanding the holy Scripture portryeth in some places by notable sentences and speeches the supereminent goodnesse thereof so farre as our tenuity can comprise 1 Ioh. 3.2 Beloued now are we the sonnes of God and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but wee know that when he shall appeare we shall bee like him for wee shall see him as he is Then shall the righteous shine foorth Iob 19. Mat. 13.43 as the Sunne in the kingdom of their father Dan. 12.3 And they that bee wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starres for euer and euer And GOD shall bee all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 And we shal euer be with the Lord. 1. Thes. 4.17 Who shal change our vile bodie Phil. 3.21 that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie For in the resurrection they neyther marrie nor are giuen in marriage Mat. 22.30 but are as the Angells of God in Heauen And I Iohn saw the holie Citie Rev. 21.2.3 4 5. new Hierusalem come downe from God out of Heauen prepared as a bride and adorned for her husband and I heard a great voyce out of heauen saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwel with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall bee with them and bee their God and God shall wipe away al teres from their eyes and there shall bee no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more payne for the former things are passed away And he that sate vpon the Throne sayde Behold I make all things new c. Reu. 21.22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almightie and the Lambe are the Temple of it 23. And the Citie hath no need of the Sunne nor of the Moone to shine in it for