109 110. the same before insisted upon 111 112. invective 113 114. frequently of hell and damnation 115 116. erroneous and hereticall 117. that wherewith his hearers are already acquainted 118 unprofitable and not tending to edification 119. from the persons reproving it such as have little to doe 120. such as are herein most faulty ibid. The Contents of the 6. Chap. To avoid Church-sleeping wee must before wee come to Church take notice of gods goodnesse in affording his Word 122. consider for what cause and to what end we goe to Church ibid. observe our naturall constitution 123. labour for a true hatred and detestation of this sin 124. hunger after the Word 125. where wee have the meanes prescribed wherby to attain hereunto 126 resolve to attend unto the Word and make conscience therof 127. use the creatures sparingly 128. consider whither we are a going c. 129. pray for the Preacher our selves and the Word ibid. An objection answered 130. When we come to Church we must in generall take heed to our affections 131. get our eyes anointed with eye-salve and our eares opened ibid. bee possessed with Gods feare 132 133. be perswaded of the benefit we may get by the Word read or preached 134. call to minde that there will bee store of witnesses to rise up against us if we shall thus sinne 135. In particular in hearing wee must use attention 136. intention 137. retention 138. devotion ibid. subjection ibid. discretion 139. meanes to performe those in five particulars 139 140 141. After we are come from Church we must use examination 142. meditation 143. repetition ibid. conference 144. practise ibid. The Contents of the 7. Chap. The application of the fore-going discourse for reprehension and that both of Preacher in two particulars 145. and people in seven particulars 146 147 148 149 150 151 152. for exhortation unto Preachers 153 154. unto people 155 156 157 158 159 160. Errata FOr ceased read ceaseth pag. 10. l. 7. f. either eithers 20.25 f. appointed applyed 46.6 add evidenced 63.9 put out it 84.24 for good r burt 98.5 f. their there 103.28 adde so 110.13 f. wistest wiltst 115.18 f. 6 read 5.141.27 f. cut call 152.14 THE DROVSIE DISEASE Or An Alarme to awake Church-sleepers CHAP. I. The severall kindes of sleepe and what-kinde is here treated of SLeepe as it is referred to man is used in Scripture The several kindes of sleepe either properly or figuratively Properly The proper acception thereof for that naturall rest which God hath appointed for the continuing and moistening of naturall heat the refreshing of the wearied spirits the quickening and strengthening of the weake members and the preservation of wearied Nature It is occasioned by vapours and fumes rising from the stomack to the head Whence it commeth where through coldnesse of the braine they become congealed and so stop the conduits and wayes of the senses that they become unable to execute their office and may seeme for a time to be tied and bound up which is therefore not without cause tearmed of some Arist de som vig. The bond of the senses Hereof the Lord is the Author even the Father of lights The Author thereof Iam. 1.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Mat. 5.45 from whom every good gift and every perfect gift commeth downe who as hee maketh his Sunne to rise on the evill and on the good and sendeth raine on the just and on the unjust equally communicated this blessing to good and bad yet is it not more common then necessarie for It helpeth and perfecteth digestion How needfull it is recovereth strength refresheth the body reviveth the mind pacifieth anger driveth away sorrow and bringeth the whole man to good state and temperature according to that of the Poet Thou rest of things Somne quies rerum placidissime Somne Deorum c. Ovid. metant lib. 11. Translated by Mr. G. Sandys most meeke of all the Gods O sleepe the peace of mindes from whose abods Care ever flies restoring the decay Of toyle-tir'd limbs to labour-burdening day Yea as without this man could not consist for There is no creature that can alwayes last Quod care◠alternâ requie durabile non est Ovid Epist 4. Which wholly of his sleepe is dispossest So for the fruition thereof hee hath in a manner no lesse time allotted unto him then for the workes of his calling for this craveth the night Psal 104.23 as those the day yea as it is used or rather abused Pars humanae melior vitae Senec. it is the better part of mans life during the continuance whereof which is at the least the one halfe of mans life there is no difference betweene masters and servants kings and beggers Dimidio vitae nihil differunt foelices ab infoelicibus Eras Chil. Craesus and Codrus as well those as these entertaining the same or rather with a kind of willing unwillingnesse nill they will they subjecting themselves hereunto Hereof another Poet speaking to and of sleepe Thou charme to all our cares Tuque ô domitor somne malorum requies animi c. Senec. Her fur act 4. translated by Master G. Sandys that art Of human life the better part Wing'd issue of a peacefull mother Of rigid death the elder brother Father of things the life of port The dayes repose and nights consort To Kings and vassals equall free The labour-tir'd refresht by thee Who man whom death doth terrifie Inur'st continually to die This is either ordinary The kindes of sleepe properly taken Sleepe when lawfull or extraordinary Ordinary lawfull or unlawfull Lawfull when 1. Seasonable as in the night implied in that of the Psalmist Man goeth forth to his worke Psal 104 23 1 Thess 5.7 and to his labour untill the evening And in that of the Apostle They that sleepe sleepe in the night So in the time of weaknesse sicknesse and such other bodily infirmities whether it be by day or night 2. Moderate Not so short as that thereupon our health is endangered or so long as that thereby we are hindered from the duties of our Calling 3. Sanctified by prayer without which no creature of God is to be received 1 Tim. 4.4 5. 4. Occasioned by the works of our Calling Eccles 5.12 5. Our soules are awake in the meditation of heavenly things Isa 26.9 Gen. 28.12 Cant. 5.2 as it was with Iacob and the Spouse in the Canticles if that may bee understood of bodily rest 6. Wee are therby the more fitted for the workes of our calling When unlawfull Vnlawfull when 1. Vnseasonable as at prayer and the preaching of the Word Col. 4.2 Iam. 1.19 for wee are to watch in the one and be swift to heare the other 2. Jmmoderate as the sluggards in the Proverbs Prov. 6.10 Yet a little sleepe a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleepe 3. No blessing of God
either of joy or paine neither being affected with the miseries of others to mourne with them nor with their prosperity to rejoyce with them but having their eyes bound up from seeing their eares from hearing as their other senses from the execution of their severall functions are wholly ignorant of things done about them so is it with those that are dead To this purpose Job Job 3.12 13. Why did the knees prevent me or why the breasts that I should sucke for now should I have lyen still and beene quiet I should have slept then had I beene at rest And Isaiah tells us Isa 63.16 that now Abraham is ignorant of us and Israel doth not acknowledge us Hence it is Iob 7.2 that as a servant earnestly desireth the shadow and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his worke so not a few doe daily gape for death that thereby they may bee freed from their troubles It is now enough O Lord 1 King 19.4 said Elijah take away my life for I am no better then my fathers Jonah 4.3 Take J beseech thee my life from me said Jonah for it is better for me to die then to live And in those dayes saith 8. John Rev. 9.6 namely when unto the locusts that came out of the bottomlesse pit power was given to torment those men which have not the seale of God on their foreheads shall men seeke death and shall not find it and shall desire to die and death shall flye from them Agreeable hereunto is that of Philo Anton. Max. ser de somno Aelian lib. 2. who being asked what sleepe was answered The image of death and rest of the senses and that of Gorgias who being very aged and seeling deadly sleepe or death to creepe on him unto a friend who asked him how hee did answered Bras lib. 6. cap. 8. Sleepe now beginneth to commend me unto his brother and that of Epaminondas who having slaine one of the watch whom hee found sleeping thus justified his fact Such a one as I found him saith he I have left him Eustat ad Hom. Ibid. Tertull. de anima Chrys ad pop an t homil 5. Arist lib. 19. de animal To this purpose is it that of some sleepe and death are said to bee brethren or cousin-Germans Sleepe Deaths looking-glasse death a sleepe longer then usuall yea sleepe a kind of middle thing betweene death and life 2. Sleepe as it is common to all men and cannot bee driven away or avoided of any how sparing soever or well-spenders of time Heb. 9.27 Rom. 5.12 Psal 89.48 so it is appointed unto him once to die Death passeth upon all men and what man is he that shall not see death 3. Sleepe though usually it commeth by degrees as after labour meat wearinesse watching and the like yet doth it often steale on men at unawares So death though usually 1 King 13.24 and by course of nature it followeth sicknesse as the forerunner thereof yet seazeth it often on men both good and bad on the very sudden Act. 5.5.10 So did in on the man of God that came unto Bethel so on Ananias and Sapphira Luk. 12.19.20 Then said God unto the rich man Thou foole this night shall thy soule be required of thee when he had said unto his soule Soule thou hast much goods laid up for many yeares take thine ease eate drinke and be merry 4. Sleepe is proper to the body not the soule Cord vigilamus etiam cùm corpore dormimus Aug. de verb. dom Ser. 22. Isa 26.19 for even then are we to be awake in soule when wee sleepe in body so dieth man in respect of his body not his soule Though the body rests and dwells in the dust of the earth yet doth not the soule so rest The dust that is the body returneth to the earth Eccles 12.7 as it was and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it Anima quieti nunquam succedit Tertul. de anima yea if the soule doe yea if the soule doe not now sleepe whilst it is in the prison of the body much lesse shall it being freed therefrom As the soules of the godly are carried into heaven Luk 16 22. so are the soules of the ungodly into hell eithers bodyes in the meane time remaining in their graves Hist Florent lib. 7. As Cofimo the Florentine to some Rebels that sent him word they slept not answered that hee beleeved the same because their sleepe was taken from them So may it be affirmed of mens soules that as here they cannot sleepe so hereafter they cannot die 5. Sleepe though it bee of longer continuance with some then with others yet lasteth it not alwayes with any even the sluggard being at the length awaked or awaking therefrom so death must at the last restore her dead how long soeverthey have beene under the power and in the possession thereof 1 Cor. 15.52 For the trumpet shall sound saith the Apostle and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed Agreeable hereunto is the of S Iohn Rev. 20.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them The difference between them in these Wherin they differ 1. Though such as are asleep may of shall awake yet doth not their awaking prove alike comfortable for Pharaohs Butler was restored and his Baker hanged according to Iosephs interpretation of their dreames So both the ungodly and the godly die yet doth not either death prove advantagious Ioh. 5.28 The houre is comming in the which all that are in the graves shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of man and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of damnation Saith our Saviour himselfe All the ten virgins which slumbered as well the wise as the foolish arose Mat. 25.7.10.12 but the wise onely went in with the Bridegroome unto the mariage the others being excluded Depart from me ye cuâ—sed Mat. 25.34.41 shall it be said unto the wicked on the day of judgement but unto the godly Come yee blessed of my Father 1 Cor. 15.56 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys ad Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aâ—â—est Unto these death is not as death as having the sting thereof removed which is sinne but as a sweet sleep unto those it is otherwise even of fearfull things the most fearfull Those lose but these gaine thereby a palace for a prison rest for labour liberty for bondage God for men the company of Angels for the company of sinners and finally heaven for earth 2. As sleepe proveth unto many fatall wherein they die and from which they never rise so unto the ungodly the death of the body is a forerunner of that second death the death both of
body and soule under which they shall lye world without end But it is not so unto Gods children Thereby is put an end unto all their miseries Rev. 14.13 for they rest from their labours neither doe they hunger any more or thirst any more and all teares are wiped from their eyes Thereby are they freed from all sorts of sinnes Rom. 6.7 for hee that is dead is freed from sinne thereby from the being of sinne from the infection of sinne from the guilt of sinne from temptations unto sinne from the authority dominion and rule of sinne from the imputation of sinne from the reward or dangerous effect and consequents of sinne and that wholly fully perpetually Thereby from all sorts of crosses Thereby from all sorts of feares Thereby from all sorts of cares In a word thereby freed from all sorts of evill past present and to come Psa 57 1â— They lie downe in sure and certaine hope of resurrection to eternall life I Cor. 15.42 43 44. Their bodyes are sowne in corruption but raised in incorruption sowne in dishonour but raised in glory sowne in weaknesse but raised in power sowne naturall bodyes as many goe heavily to bed but raised spirituall bodyes when through the glorious beames of the Sunne of righteousnesse shining on them they shall fully recollect both their spirits and strength in all which respects that of Salomon may bee applyed unto them that Their day of death is better then the day wherein they were borne 3. As every one is not alike willing to sleepe especially such as are unusually terrified by dreames so neither are all alike willing to die The godly wait for death Iob 7.14 All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait saith Iob till my change come yea Iob 14.14 with the Apostle desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.23 Heb. 9.27 and to bee with Christ But the ungodly whose consciences tell them that after death commeth judgement Act. 24.25 doe with Foelix tremble at the very mentioning thereof yet how loath soever to undergoe it what paines or charges soever they are at when they feele it or feare it approaching to remove it and put it off doe most of them even willingly as it were through intemperancie incontincencie carking cares and such like courses bring it upon themselves 4. As through sleepe they that are in misery are fitted and enabled to undergoe more misery and they that are in a good condition become capable of more happinesse so through death are the ungodly as it were fitted for hell the godly for heaven those for unconceivable misery these for unspeakable happinesse Take we it in this Treatise in its proper signification Sleepe how taken in this Treatise but for such a sleepe as is altogether unlawfull howsoever ordinarie and common for then to sleepe when wee ought to bee swist to heare and then to bee drowsie when it concernes us to be most vigilant as at the preaching of the word and prayer who will not judge the same unreasonable and so neither lawfull nor warrantable Be this then this unreasonable unlawfull unwarrantable kind of sleepe or rather sleeping evill sleeping at Church this inordinate ordinary bodily drousinesse I say whereby the Word read or preached becommeth wholly ineffectuall and no blessing from God but rather an undoubted curse can bee expected thereupon the subject of this discourse CHAP. II. How convenient and necessary it is to handle this Argument NEither needs any to wonder that this should bee medled withall Reasons shewing the utility and necessary of this Treatise or conceive him to have little to doe unlesse to keepe himselfe awake which busieth himselfe about such a sleepy subject These with the like warrantable reasons will questionlesse justifie our proceeding 1. Because this is by most no otherwise if at all medled withall then by a bare cursory speaking against it and that not of set purpose but occasionally upon the view of some one or other sleeping yea and that but in generall tearmes which how fruitlesse and ineffectuall it proveth to reclaime any there-from daily experience sheweth As therefore for the subduing of other vices Isa 28.10 there must bee both Precept upon precept and lyne upon lyne so must there be for the subduing of this 2. Because there are so many which offend herein and yet thinke that either they have not at all or but a little offended Those standing upon their justification These going about to excuse their practise Such had need to bee wrought on brought on to see the greatnesse of this sinne Gen. 19.20 and that as Lot of Zoar they may not conceit that it is but a little one Before those must the evils hereof bee laid open Reasons disswading from the same be propounded as in like manner their severall objections to the contrary plainly and solidly dissolved 3. Because there are so many which being customarily addicted hereunto yet exceedingly desirous and willing to leave the same are notwithstanding wholly ignorant how to effect it Those must bee made acquainted as well with the Causes hereof as Remedies how to be rid of the same 4. Because there are but a few which doe truly take notice of the danger ensuing hereby or consider the wrongs occasioned through the same The ignorant therefore and carelesse are to bee shewed that hereby they wrong the blessed Trinitie hereby are stumbling blocks unto others which through their evill example in this kind prove no leste wicked then themselves Hereby the Word becommeth ineffectuall and the Ministers thereof discouraged yea that this is one maine cause why they doe so long continue in their sinnes to the griefe and hurt of their ownesoules 5. Because this sinne cannot be so well met withall by speaking against it as by writing For if a Minister should in his Sermon when an occasion is presented unto him as when is there not inveigh against the same hee might haply through weaknesse or want of memory forget himselfe neither bee able againe without much adoe to come to his matter or rather be forced by new objects of drowsinesse to renew his reproofes and continually to goe on in that argument yea though there were no feare of such destruction yet in as much as a Minister is not to nominate any of his auditors in particular Neither haply if it were lawfull for him to name them knoweth hee his Auditors by name though hee should observe them to bee asleepe his reproofes must bee generall which as in other things who doth not almost put from himself as if they did not at-all concerne him or the Minister therein had no ayme at him Mat. 26.21 Our Saviour having informed his Disciples in generall tearmes not particularizing the name of any that one of them should betray him Verse 25. Indas thereupon who indeed was the villaine the man aymed at could say notwithstanding Is it I Master so doe too too many in
AN ALARME TO AWAKE Church-Sleepers Describing the Causes discovering the Dangers prescribing Remedies for this Drowsie Disease Publisped perused amended for the benefit of all those that are either infected herewith or in danger so to bee MATH 26.40 What could yee not watch with mee one houre LONDON Printed for Matthew Symmons in Gold-smiths Alley in Red-crosse-street 1644. To the carefull and conscionable hearer of Gods Word comfort in the meditation of these Scriptures BLessed is the man that heareth me Prov. 8.34 watching daily at my gates watching at the posts of my doores The eare that heareth the reproofe of life abideth among the wise Prov. 16.31 To him will I looke that is poore Esa 66.2 and of a contrite heart and trembleth at my Word Blessed are your eyes Matth. 13.16 for they see and your eares for they heare Vnto you that heare Mar. 4.24 shall more be given Verily 〈◊〉 ◠24 verily I say unto you He that heareth my Word and beleeveth on him that sent mee hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life He that is of God Joh. 8.47 heareth Gods Word My sheepe heare my voyce Jo. 10.27 and I know them and they follow me Faith commeth by hearing Ro. 10.17 and hearing by the Word of God Receive with meeknesse the engrafted Word Iam. 1.21 which is able to save your soules Who so looketh into the perfect law of liberty Iam. 1.25 and continueth therin he being not a for getfull hearer but a doer of the worke this man shall be blessed in his deede As new-borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 that yee may grow thereby Behold I stand at the doore Rev. 3.20 and knocke If any man heare my voyce and open the doore I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me To the drowsie sluggard watchfulnesse upon the perusall of these Scriptures BVt my people would not hearken unto my voyce Psal 81.11 and Israel would none of me So I gave them up unto their owne hearts lust 12. and they walked in ther owne counsels Because I have called Pro 1 24 25 26 27 28. and yee have refused c. I also will laugh at your calamity c. How long wilt thou sleepe Prov. 6.9 O sluggard when wilt thou arise out of thy sleepe This is a rebellious people Isa 30.9 lying children children that will not heare the Law of the Lord. What meanest thou Ionah 1.6 O sleeper This peoples heart is waxed grosse Mat. 13 15 and their eares are dull of hearing c. He that rejecteth me Ioh. 12.48 and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day And there sate in a window a certaine young man named Eutychus Act. 10.9 being fallen into a deep sleepe and as Paul was long preaching he sunke downe with sleepe and fell downe from the third loft and was taken up dead Awake thou that sleepest Eph. 5.14 and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light To the carelesse hearer hearing eares Keepe thy foot when thou goest to the house of God Eccl. 5.1 and bee more ready to heare then to give the sacrifice of fooles Watch and pray Mat. 26.41 that yee enter not into temptation Take heed what you heare Mar. 4 24. Not the hearers of the Law Rom. 2.13 are just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified To day if you will heare his voyce harden not your hearts Heb. 3.7 Be ye doers of the word Jam. 1.22 and not hearers onely deceiving your owne soules A Table of the severall Chapters of this Treatise and matters contained therein The Contents of the 1. Chap. SLeepe properly taken what it is pag. 1. Whence it commeth 2. the Authour thereof ibid. How needfull it is 3 4. Ordinary when lawfull 5. when unlawfull 6. Extrordinary occasions through meanes naturall 7. supernaturall 8. Sleepe figuratively taken in respect of the godly 9 10. in respect of the ungodly and that as well for sinne considered both in generall 11. where divers resemblances are set down between sleepe and sinne 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. and in particular 19. as the effects of sinne 20. in respect of the godly and ungodly joyntly considered 21. wherein the death of the godly and ungodly agree 21 22 23 24 25 26. wherein they differ 27 28 29 30 31. Sleepe how taken in this Treatise 32. The Contents of the 2. Chapter Eight Reasons shewing and proving the utility and necessity of this Treatise 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42. The Contents of the 3. Chap. The causes of Church-sleeping from Satan who bringeth the same to passe sixe severall wayes 43 44 45. from our selves through floathfulnesse 46 carelesnesse 47. intemperancie ibid. and 48. hatred of the Preacher 49. dis-esteeme of the Word read or preached 49 50 Disobedience unto the admonitions and reproofes of the Word 51. shamelesnesse ibid. inconsideratenesse 52. want of Gods feare 53. custome and willingnesse 54. From others both Preachers in sundry particulars 55. and people both through commission 56 and omission 57. The Contents of the 4. Chap. Arguments against Church-sleeping from God in five particulars 59 60 61 62. from the Word in respect of its dignity diversly evidenced 63 64 65 66. necessity 67. utility 68 69 70 71 72. from the Preacher in five particulars 73 from the Congregation in two particulars ibid. and 74. from the place of meeting in foure particulars ibid. and 75. from the end of comming 76. from the time in fixe particulars 77. from Satan in foure particulars 78 79 80. from our selves in nine particulars ibid. and 81 82 83 84. from sleepe ibid from sleepers in ten particulars 85 86 87. The Contents of the 5. Chap. Objections for Church-sleeping answered being taken from the sinne it selfe as that it 's no great sinne 88 89 90. it's ordinary and usuall 91 92. it 's not hurtfull to others 93. it 's not so bad as some others committed at Church by them that are awake ibid. it 's not done of set purpose 94. it 's there but a napping 95. from the persons committing it such as are accustomed hereunto 95 are old and weake 96. watch on the other dayes of the weeke and labour hardly 97 98. rose that day very early 99. have far to Church sit far from the Pulpit c. 100. thinke they may get up at another time or at home what they then lose 101 102. of the precifest sort 103. from the Preacher alledged to be no Scholar 104 105 106. to live scandalously 107. to have done his Neighbour wrong ibid. to continue long in his Sermons 108. from the matter delivered alledged to bee not worth the hearing
so with the dogge returning to our vomite holding downe our heads and leaning them on our elbowes as on pillowes pulling our hats over our eyes lest wee should see an unreverent thing in Gods house and stopping our eares as it were lest the noise or voyce of the Preacher should awake us or hinder us from our sleepe doe not wee willingly bring the same upon us and doth not this willingnesse occasion the same Sect. 3. Others Preachers From Preachers 1. When they doe not at any time or upon any occasion reprove this sinne or disswade their Auditors from the same 2. When they take no paines in their ministrie neither study to any purpose for what they doe deliver 3. When they doe either preach their owne inventions Ezek 22.28 mens traditions or lies and errours in the name of the Lord. 4. When they doe not sute and fit their doctrine to the capacitie of their hearers 5. When they doe not what in them lyes to bring their people unto a love and liking of the Word 6. When they continue too long in their Sermons 7. When they lead a scandalous life walke inordinatly and their conversation is such as becommeth not the Gospel of Christ like unto those of whom the Prophet makes mention His watchmen are blinde Isa 56.10 they are all ignorant they are all dumbe dogs they cannot barke sleeping lying downe loving to slumber yea they are greedy dogges which can never have enough and they are shepheards which cannot understand they all looke to their owne way every one for gaine from his quarter c. and of whom the Apostle All seeke their owne Phil. 2.21 not the things which are Iesus Christs Phil. 3.18 And againe many walke of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the crosse of Christ Verse 19. whose end is destruction whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things 1 Sam. 2.17 Through the sinne of Eli his sonnes men abhorred the sacrifice of the Lord So by reason of the cariage of such Pastors their ministry becommeth odious and loathsome and not a few even of the best sleepe thereat People From people through Commission both by doing and leaving undone Doing namely by giving themselves over hereunto whereby they become stumbling-blocks unto others inviting them as it were to follow their course and as readily to embrace sleepe as themselves doe Leaving undone Omission namely to awake those whom they shall observe to be asleepe Hereby doe they wrong both themselves and them that sleepe as who by letting them alone communicate with them in their sinne and so shall bee punished for their sleeping they themselves in the meane time being awake CHAP. IIII. Reasons disswading from Church-sleeping they are of divers sorts and may be reduced into these eleven The 1. may be taken from God The 2. from The word of God The 3. from The Preacher The 4. from The Congregation The 5. Arguments against Church-sleeping from from The place of meeting The 6. from The end of comming The 7. from The time The 8. from Satan The 9. from Our selves The 10. from Sleepe The 11. from Sleepers at Church Sect. 1. God The Father Sonne God Holy Ghost 1. In respect of his absolute precept and command to attend and give eare unto his Word Heare instruction and be wise Prov. 8.33 Eccles 5.1 and refuse it not Keepe thy foot when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to heare Math. 11.15 then to give the sacrifice of fooles Hee that hath eares to heare let him heare Iam. 1.19 let every man be swift to heare 2. In respect of the gracious promises which hee hath made unto them which are hearers indeed Pro. 8.34 Pro. 15.31 Ioh. 5.24 Blessed is the man that heareth me The eare that heareth the reproofe of life abideth among the wise Hee that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods word 3. In respect of his presence about us and with us the knowledge which hee hath of us and notice which hee taketh though of us unperceived whether wee wake or sleepe Prov. 5.21 The wayes of a man are before the eyes of the Lord saith the wise man and he pondereth all his paths Yea not his wayes alone those which are most conspicuous but the secret motions of the mind and the inward intentions of his heart Heb. 4.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are all naked and opened as the inwards of a beast that is cut up and quartered as the originall word signifieth unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe And is God present in the Church so fearfull and glorious a majestie of so sharpe sight and deepe understanding who dares sleepe at Church Pro. 5.20.21 As hereby Salomon disswadeth from lewd and licentious courses Iob 34.23 22 and hereby Elihu deterreth men from wicked practises so by the same may wee be withdrawne from Church-sleeping 4. In respect that it is God which speaketh unto us in his Word So thought the Thessalonians Thes 2.13 When yee received the word of God which ye heard of us saith S. Paul yee received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that beleeve Would a subject sleepe in the presence of his Prince advising him for his good threatening him for some evill committed by him offering him preferment for the performance of this or that noble enterprize and the like hee would not Care feare hope joy would keepe him awake And will any sleepe whilst God offereth promiseth rewardeth threateneth instructeth and the like 1 Sam. 3.9 â—â— When Samuel was instructed by Eli that it was the Lord which spake to him sleepe did then depart from his eyes So should not we sleepe if we would but perswade our selves of Gods presence 5. In respect of his power Rom. 15.4 not onely to blesse his Word that it may bee profitable unto us 2 Tim. 3.16 for comfort for doctrine for reproofe for correction and for instruction in righteousnesse whereof out of his love towards us and willingnesse to doe us good hee is most desirous and without whose blessing though Paul plant 1 Cor. 3.6 and Apollos water it bringeth not increase but in justice to inflict grievous judgements on them which doe not or wil not heare judgements I say both corporall as on Eutichus and spirituall Act. 20.9 as on the contemners of wisdome Prov. 1.24 25 c. And those obstinate ones of whom the Lord speaketh to his Prophet Isa 6.10 Make the heart of this people fat and make their eares heavy and
shut their eyes lest they see with their eyes and heare with their eares and understand with their heart and convert and be healed Sect. 2. The Word of God The Word it s 1. In respect of its dignitie Dignity evidenced by its which is from the Author thereof the Nature thereof the Matter therein contained together with the Antiquity and perpetuity of the same may be cleerely evidenced The Author thereof Author God which is therefore tearmed Gods wayes Psal 25.5 29.9 33.6 Isa 2.3 26.19 Luk. 11.49 Heb. 4.12 Luk. 1.70 the speach of Gods glory the breath of Gods mouth Gods paths the dew of the Lord the wisdome of God the sword of the Spirit As hee spake of old by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have beene since the world began So doth hee now speake by his Ministers whom as his Ambassadors hee hath raised up in their roomes The Nature thereof The nature thereof both as it is in it selfe and as it is unto us As it is in it selfe As it is in it selfe Psal 19.7 Psa 1â—9 160 it is perfect eternall immortall most pure and precious A most true right certaine infallible simple faithfull absolute sincere unspotted and undeniable Word alwayes constant one and the same for ever wherein there is no errour no falshood no defect no imperfection As it is unto us As it is unto us It is wine to comfort us bread to feed us drinke to quench ourthirst fire to purge us an hammer to beate upon our hardned hearts a staffe to uphold us a treasure to inrich us a lant horne to direct us a guide to conduct us a weapon to defend us seed to beget us meate for men milke for babes Yea as the Sunne is to the world so is it to us the light of our lives and the life of our soules The Matter therein contained The matter therein contained such as may give content unto all the same so farre exceeding all other subjects as the Creator whose workes and will it principally setteth forth doth the creatures It revealeth unto us the blessed Trinitie It maketh knowne unto us Christ and him crucified It pointeth out unto us the vertue of his death and resurrection It setteth forth the excellencies of a better life which for the present are wholly hid from the ungodly and but in part revealed unto the godly Doth any loath it for its plainnesse It is milke for babes Eccles 11.10 It is pleasant affording unto each Christian heart more sweetnesse then is in the honey and the honey combe It is upright as being voide of errour It is a word of truth pure wheat without chaffe pure gold without drosse It is a word of wisdome whereby alone we become wise It is as a goad whereby being pricked whilst wee sleepe in sinne wee doe thereupon awake It is as a naile whereby indeed wee are fastened and confirmed Is any delighted with history Rener Clivis Script prophecies parables lawes morall judiciall and Ceremoniall Geographie Cosmographie Astronomie Arithmeticke Logicke Rhetoricke Musicke and what soever else Yea who so longeth after newes from heave aboue from the earth beneath from the waters which are under the earth Newes of wars peace plenty famine and thâ— like Hereby may hee in eaâ—â— receive satisfaction The Antiquitie and perpeâ—â— tuitie thereof The Antiquity and perpetuity thereof As it yet coâ—tinueth so hath it done eveâ— from the very beginning anâ— even the Word written is moâ— ancient of greater antiquitâ— then all other writings now eâ—tant in the world 2. In respect of its necessitie which may appeare by considering Necessity from first the estate wherein we are 2. The estate wherein we should be 3. The estate of such as are altogether deprived thereof The estate wherein naturally wee are The estate wherein we are dead in trespasses and sinne wanderers from God â—reyes unto the divell poore â—nd blind unregenerate polluâ—ed with sinne both in soule and â—ody stony-hearted unfruitâ—ull and barren guilty of death â—nd damnation c. It is not â—hen needfull a trumpet to awake us a guide to conduct us 〈◊〉 buckler to shield us a treasure â—o enrich us eye-salve to anoint â—s seed to beget us a fountaine â—o wash us raine both to molâ—ifie us and make us fruitfull The estate wherein we should â—e Alive unto God The estate wherein we should be the soulâ—iers and servants of Christ â—emples of the holy Ghost â—ruitfull in good workes and the like and hereunto doe we attaine through Gods word The estate of such as are altogether deprived therof The estate of such as are without it wretched and miserable No judgement greater then famine no famine so grievous as this of the Word 3. In respect of its utilitie which may â—appeare Amos 8.12 It s utility appearing by 1. By the similitudes whereby it is expressed 2. By the effects which are thereby produced 3. By the duties which are thereto of us required 4. By the meaneâ— which for the suppressing and hindering thereof have beene at all times by Satan and his instruments used The similitudes whereby it is expressed are divers Similitudes as Manna bread water light a rod of strength wine fire silver a precious stone a new garment a banner a sharp sword a glasse a staffe c. This being no lesse or rather much more profitable for the soule then those and the like for the body The effects which are thereby produced effects are such as concerne either this or the life to come This. It clenseth us It inlighteneth us It regenerateth us It changeth us It makes us fruitfull It maketh us wise to Salvation It gladdeth our hearts with spirituall joy It â—egetteth faith in us Wee are hereby informed of the duties which wee owe one towards â—nother It tells the Magistrate â—ow hee should rule who else â—night be either too severe or â—oo milde Eras apophth lib. 4. milde As Machetes appealed from Philip asleepe for whilst his cause was pleading â—e was asleepe to Philip awake so sendeth it them from â—heir ungodly government unâ—â— that which is lawfull It tels â—udges Act. 24.26 that with Festus they â—ust not looke for bribes It â—ls Subjects that with Sheba 2 Sam. 20.21 â—ey must not be rebellious It â—s husbands Col. 3.19 that they must love their wives and not be bitter to them It tells wives that they must not be taunting Peninnaes painted Jezabels whorish Dalilaes scolding Zipporaes It informes Ministers to be instant in preaching the Word in season 2 Tim. 4.2 and out of season It tells Lawyers how and for whom they are to plead 1 Thes 4.6 It directs the Merchanâ— and tradesman how to buâ— and sell c. Now if it werâ— not for the Word would any of those performe their duties â—nay Cic. de fato by it as Socrates from hiâ— naturall constitution