vertuous Life It signifies not nothing with the many to be remembred when they are gone Therefore is this Trust wont to be committed to Marbles and Monumental Stones Some have been so wise to prefer a remembrance among them that were so from their having liv'd to some valuable purpose When Rome abounded with Statues and Memorative Oblisks Cato forbad any to be set up for him because he said he had rather it should be askt why had he not one than why he had What a balmy Memory will one Generation leave to another when the savour of the Knowledge of Christ shall be diffused in every place 2 Cor. 2.14 and every thing be counted as dross and dung that is in any competition with the excellency of that Knowledge when that shall overflow the World and one Age praise his Mighty Works and proclaim his Power and Greatness to the next And the Branches of Religious Families whether sooner or later transplanted shall leave an odour when they are cut off that shall demonstrate their nearer Vnion with the true Vine or speak their relation to the Tree of Life whose Leaves are for the healing of the Nations even those that were deciduous and have dropt off may without straining a borrow'd expression signifie somewhat towards this purpose 4. From both the mention'd Subjects Good Parents may learn to do God and their Redeemer all the service they can and have opportunity for in their own time without reckoning too much upon what shall be done by a well-educated hopeful Son after they are gone unless the like dispensation could be pleaded unto that which God gave to David to reserve the Building of the Temple to his Son Solomon which without as express a revelation no Man can pretend The Great Keeper of these Keys may cross such purposes and without excusing the Father dismiss the Son first But his Judgments are a great deep too deep for our Line And his Mercy is in the Heavens Psal. 36. extending from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his Righteousness unto Childrens Children Psal. 103. FINIS BOOKS Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns the lower End of Cheapside near Mercers-Chapel Books Written by the Reverend Mr. J. Howe OF Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of foreknowing things to come Of Charity in reference to other Mens sins The Redeemer's Tears wept over lost Soulâ— in a Treatise on Luke 19.41 42. With an Appendix wherein somewhat is occasionally discoursed concerning the Sin against the Holy Ghost and how God is said to will the Salvation of them that perish A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry Whether or no we truly love God A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late Wife of Hen. Sampson Dr. of Physick who died Nov. 24. 1689. The Carnality of Religious Contention In two Sermons preach'd at the Merchants Lecture in Broadstreet A Calm and Sober Enquiry concerning the possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity relating to the Calm and Sober Enquiry upon the same Subject A View oâ— that Part of the late Considerations addrest to H. H. about the Trinity Which concerns the Sober Enquiry on that Subject A Sermon preach'd on the late Day of Thanksgiving Decemb. 2. 1697. To which is prefix'd Dr. Bates's Congratulatory Speech to the King A Sermon for Reformation of Manners Books Written by J. Flavel THE Fountain of Life opened or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatorial Glory Containing Forty Two Sermons on various Texts Wherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun carried on and finished by his Covenant Transaction Mysterious Incarnation Solemn Call and Dedication Blessed Offices Deep Abasement and Supereminent Advancement A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original Excellent and Immortal Nature of the Soul are opened its Love and Inclination to the Body with the Necessity of its Separation from it considered and improved The Existence Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immâ—diately after Death assâ—rted discussed and variously applied Diverse knotty and difficult Questions about departed Souls both Philosophical and Theological stated and determined The Method of Grace in bringing Home the Eternal Redemption contriv'd by the Father and accomplish'd by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect being the second Part of Gospel Redemption The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated All the Methods of Providence in our Course of Life open'd with Directions how to apply and improve them Navigation spiritualiz'd Oâ— A New Compass for Seamen Consisting of Thirty Two Points of pleasant Observations profiâ—able Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. Two Treatises the first of Fear the second the Righteous Man's Refuge in the evil Day A Saint indeed The great Work of a Christian A Touchstone of Sincerity Or Signs of Grace and Symptoms of Hypocrisie being the second Part of the Saint indeed A Token for Mourners Or Boundaries for Sorrow for the Death of Friends Husbandry spiritualiz'd Or The Heavenly Use of Earthly Things FINIS Job 1.1 Psal. 84.11 Hierom. Job 29.1 2 3 4 5. †Ostendunt terris hunc tantùm fata nec ultra esse siâ—unt †And here it may suffice to take notice that Greek Writers Poets Philosophers Historians and other Writers that have made only occasional mention of this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or of the words next akin to it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lexicographers that have purposely given an account of it from Greek Authors that must be supposed best to understand the use of words in their own Tongue generally such as have not been engaged in a Controversie that obliges men usually to torture words to their own sense or to serve the Hypothesis which they had espoused have been remote from confining this or the cognate words to that narrow sense as only to signifie a place or state of torment for bad men but understood it as comprehending also a state of Felicity for the pious and good For such as have been concern'd in interpreting this or other like words with reference to the known and famous Controversie which I need not mention their Judgments must weigh according to the reputation they are of with the Reader The Greeks no doubt best understood their own Language And among them can we think that Homer in the beginning of his 1. Il. when he speaks of the many brave Souls of his Hero's those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Wâ—r he is describing sent into the invisible Regions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he ever dreamt they were all promiscuously dispatcht away to
of it by chance too but when and as it happens This is worse than Paganish Blindness for besides what from their Poets the vulgar have been made to believe concerning the three fatal Sisters to whom they ascribed no less than Deity concern'd in measuring every ones Life The grave discourses which some of them have writ concerning Providence and its extent to the lesser intermediate concerns of Life much more to that their final great concern of Death will be a standing Testimony against the too-prevailing Christian Scepticism they ought to excuse the Soloecism who make it of this wretched Age But such among us as will allow themselves the liberty to think want not opportunity and means by which they may be assur'd that not an imaginary but real Deity is immediately and constantly concern'd in measuring our Time in this World What an awful thought is this And it leads to a 2 Inference That it is a great thing to die The Son of God the Redeemer of man hath an immediate presidency over this affair He signalizes himself by it who could not suppose he should be magnified by a trifle We slightly say such a one is Dead Consider the matter in it self and 't is great A reasonable Soul hath chang'd States an intelligent Spirit is gone out of our world The life of a Gnat a Fly those little Automata or self moving things how admirable a production is it It becomes no man to despise what no man can imitate We praise the Pencil that well describes the external figure of such an Animalculum such a little Creature but the internal vital self moving power and the motion itself what Art can express But an humane life how important a thing is it T was one of Plato's thanksgivings that God had made him a man How careful a guard hath God set over every mans life fencing it by the severest Law If any man shed mans blood by man shall his blood be shed and how weighty is the annexed reason For in the image of God he made man This then highly greatens this matter He therefore reserves it wholly to himself as one of his peculiarities to dispose of such a life I am he that kills and makes alive We find it One of his high titles The God of the Spirits of all flesh He had what was much greater to glory in that he was The Father of spirits indefinitely spoken When he hath all the heavenly Regions the spacious Hades Peopled with such Inhabitants whose dwelling is not with flesh and for vast multitudes of them that never was that yet looking down into this little world of ours this minute spot of his creation and observing that here were Spirits dwelling in flesh he should please to be sâ—ylâ—d also the God of those Spirits signifies this to be with him too an appropriate glory a glory which he will not communicate farther then he communicates Godhead And that he held it a divine right to measure the time unto each of them of their abode in flesh determine when they shall dislodge This cannot be thought on-aright without a becoming most profound reverence of him on this account How sharp a rebuke is given to that haughty Prince The God in whose hands thy breath is hast thou not glorified That would prepare the way and we should be easily led on were we once come to think with reverence to think also with pleasure of this case that our life and every breath we draw is under such a Divine Superintendency The H. Psalmist speaks of it with high complacency as the matter of his Song that he had a God presiding over his life So he tells us he would have each 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 composed not more of Night and Day than of Prayer and Praise directed to God under this notion as the God of his life Psal. 42.8 And he speaks it not grudgingly but as the ground of his trust and boast Psal. 31.14 15. I trusted in thee O Lord I â—aid thou art my God my times are in thy hand That this Key is in the hand of the Great Emmanuel God with us will be thought on with frequency when it is thought on with delight 3. Our Life on Earth is under the constant strict observation of our Lord Christ. He waits when to turn the Key and shut it up Thro' the whole of that time which by deferring he measures out to us we are under his Eye as in a state of probation He takes continual notice how we acquit our selves For his turning the Key at last is a judicial act therefore supposes diligent observation and proceeds upon it He that hath this Key is also said in the next Chapter verse 18. to have Eyes like a flame of fire with these he observes what he hath against one or another ver 20. And with most indulgent patience gives a space of Repentance ver 21. and notes it down if any then repent not as we there also find Did secure Sinners consider this how he beholds them with a flame in his Eye and the Key in his hand would they dare still to trifle If they did apprehend how he in this posture stands over them in all their vain dalliances idle impertinencies bold adventures insolent attempts against his Laws and Goverâ—ment presumptuous affronts of his high Authority Yea or but in their drowsie slumbrings their lingering delays their neglects of offered Grace Did they consider what notice he takes how they demean themselves under every Sermon they hear in every Prayer wherein they are to joyn with others or which perhaps for customs sake they put up alone by themselves How theiâ— hearts are mov'd or unmov'd by every repeâ—ted Call that is given them to turn to God get their Peace made by application of their Redeemer's reconciling Blood In what Agonies would they be what pangs of trembling would they feel within themselves lest the Key should turn before their great work be done 4. Whatsoever ill designs by this observation he discovers 't is easie to him to prevent One turn of this Key of Death besides the many other ways that are obvious to him disappoints them all and in that day all their thoughts perish 'T is not therefore from inadvertency indifferency or impotency but deep counsel that they are permitted to be driven on so far He that sitteth in the Heavens laughs and he knows their day is coming He can turn this Key when he will 5. His Power as to every ones Death cannot be avoided or withstood The act of this Key is definitive and ends the business No man hath power over the Spirit to retain the Spirit nor hath he power in Death Eccles. 8.8 'T is in vain to struggle when the Key is turn'd the Power of the Keys where it is supremely lodg'd is absolutely decisive and their Effect permanent and irrevocable That Soul therefore for whose Exit the Key is turned must thereupon then
continue the later in Duties in the Evening saying we ought not to make that Day shorter than other Days Though he was very intent on his Studies yet on Saturdays he always broke them off at Noon and spent the Afternoon in reading Divinity and preparing himself for the Lords Day He was always constant in his secret Duties and suffered nothing to hinder him from the performing of them Before he expired he spoke with great assurance of his Future happiness and hopes of meeting his Relations in Glory Thus far goes that Account His Sickness was short When hearing of it I went to visit him I was met in an Ante-chamber by his ingenious dear Brother to whom it is no reproach to be second to him and who it is to be hoped will be at least truly so making him though a fair Example yet not a Standard who hath for divers years been most intimately conjunct and conversant with him known his way his Spirit his manner of Life his purity And may be led on and excited thereby wherein he hath observed him to excel others to endeavour not to come short but if it were possible to excel him remembring he is to be the next solace of his Parents hope of his Family and resort of his Country if God shall vouchsafe to continue him in succeeding time From him I had little expectation of finding his Sick Brother in a conversable condition the malignity of his Feaver having before seized his head and very much disordered his intellectuals but going in I was much surprized to find it so far otherwise He presently knew me his understanding that served him for little else faiâ—ed him not in the concernments of Religion and of his Soul There was not an improper or misplac't word tho' the case could not admit of interchanging many that came from him Concerning the substance of the Gospel of Christ as it could be shortly summed up to him he said he had no doubt and his transactions with Christ himself accepting him resigning and entrusting himself absolutely and entirely to him and God in him were so explicite distinct clear as could leave no place of doubt concerning him He profest his concurrence to such requests as were put up to God concerning him and the next Morning slept quietly in the Lord. Nor now will it be unfit to shut up the Discourse with some few suitable Reflections upon this double Subject The Text and This Providence taken together 1. How happy is it when this Power of our Great Redeemer and Lord mention'd in the Text and a preparation with chearful willingness dutifully to comport with it concur and meet together as they have done in this instance Our Lord hath shewn his Power He asserted it in the Text. In this Instance he used it giving an open Testimony that he takes it to belong to him to make such translations from one World to another whensoever he judges it a fit season Nor is solicitous whether men acknowledge his right so to do or no or what Censures they will pass upon what he hath done He doth his own work and leaves men to their own talk or mutterings or wonder or amusement at it as they will So it becomes Sovereign Power to do establish't upon the most unquestionable foundations exercis'd according to the wisest and most righteous Measures He hath used his own right and satisfied himself in the use of it He thought not himself concern'd to advise with any of us about it who as his Counsellor should instruct him Isa. 40.13 Rom. 11. v. 34. He owes so much to himself to act as unaccountable to no one nor liable to any ones controll Here is most rightful resistless Power justly and kindly us'd on the one hand And on the other how placid how calm a resignation Here was no striving no crying no reluctant motion no querulous repining voice Nothing but peaceful filial submission a willingness to obey the Summons given This was an happy accord the willingness of this departing Soul proceeding not from stupidity but trust in him who kept these Keys and such preparedness for removal as the Gospel requir'd O happy Souls that finding the Key is turning and opening the door for them are willing to go forth upon such terms as knowing whom they have believed c. And that neither principalities or powers life or death c. can ever separate them from the Love of God in Christ Jesus their Lord. Life they find hath not separated whereof was the greater danger and Death is so far from making this separation that it shall compleat their Vnion with the blessed God in Christ and lay them infolded in the everlasting Embraces of Divine Love Happy they that can hereupon welcome Death and say Now Lord lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace that before only desired leave to die and have now obtained it that are with certainty of the Issue at the point of becoming compleat Victors over the last Enemy and are ready to enter upon their Triumph and take up their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Death is swallowed up in Victory O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy Victory Thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Happy Soul here will be a speedy end of all thy griefs and sorrows they will be presently swallow'd up in an absolute plenitude and fulness of Joy There is already an end put to thy tormenting cares and fears for what Object can remain to thee of a rational fear when once upon grounds such as shake not under thee thou art reconcil'd to Death This is the most glorious sort of Victory viz. by reconciliation For so thou hast conquered not the Enemy only but the Enmity it self by which he was so Death is become thy Friend and so no longer to be feared nor is there any thing else from whence thou art to fear hurt For Death was thy last Enemy even this bodily Death The whole Region beyond it is to one in thy case clear and serene when to others is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever There are no terrible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no formidable consequences no reserves of misery no treasures of wrath to be feared by thee To one in thy condition may that without hesitation be apply'd nihil metuit qui optat mori He fears nothing who desires to die What is the product of some mens infidelity is the genuine product of their faith From so contrary Causes may proceed the same Effect The Effect a willingness to die or a bold adventure upon Death is the same but only in respect of the general kind with great differences in the special kind according to the difference and contrariety of the Causes whereof they discernibly tast and savour With Infidels it is a negative dead stupid partial willingness or but a non-aversion and in a lower and much diminished degree Or if some present