state of mans owne person calling and condition calles him by the sight of himselfe to remember his latter end And first the Lord having made man of the dust of the earth Gen. 2.7 and thereupon after his fall shewed him his readines to return to dust Gen. 3.19 Eccl. 12.7 doth yet further call us to consider our frailety by ordaining that this house of clay is to be held upright by a puffe of the ayre continually breathed in and out and that this being stopt the house must presently fall downe Hereby our life hangs as it were loose before us going in and out every moment therefore is it called the breath of life Gen. 2.7 7.15.22 our life being carried in out upon the breath depending upon it And as God tyed life to our body by such a slender weake thread so he calles us oft to mark it think on it to remember our mortall estate by the breath of our nostrils so easily departing Esa 2.22 Psa 146.4 104.29 a An other fraile band of life like unto our breathing is the pulse which ariseth from the heart the arteries or beating veines this by a double motion of contraction dilatation whereby they are drawne in out both for the expelling of noxious fumes through the insensible pores of the flesh for the drawing in of coole ayre to refresh the heart to feed the vitall spirits From the variety of the pulse are taken many signes of health sicknes life death it is the character of our strength or weaknes are we provoked to watchfulnes And as in the necessity of food so in the quality thereof is our corruptible estate made evident unto us Our food before it come into the body is diversly prepared and the principall fruits for nourishment of man comfort of his life as corne wine figges the like are ripened made to grow more abundantly by the dung and excrements of beasts cast upon them Luke 13.8 from the juyce of the dung is the fatnes and sweetnes of the fruits increased And from hence is the strength of our corruptible life hence we may say to corruption Thou art my father As once the meat of the miserable Iewes in their distresse was prepared with dung Ezek. 4.12 13.15 so is our food dayly in the growth of it as it were seasoned baked and concocted with dung The earth accursed for our sinne is brought to this base condition that the fattest increase thereof is from excrements and it yeeldeth fruit unto the mouth of mā from the tayle of the beasts After it is in the body a great part of it by the alteration there is turned into corruption and receyved into divers lothsome sinkes and channels within the body till it be againe expelled By this perishing food Ioh. 6.27 God doth admonish us of our perishing estate shewes unto us that meats are for the belly and the belly for meats that he wlll destroy both it them 1. Cor. 6.13 Thus the staffe of our strength the very pillars of our life do carry in them the remembrance of destruction corruption for our warning c But this is not all Our food is not onely of corruption but we feed even of death it selfe that by the allowance of God Gen. 9.3 in taking away the life of other creatures to maintaine our owne especially in these last times when he hath said unto us of them all Rise kill eat Act. 10.13 Whatsoever is sold in the shābles that eat asking no questiō for conscience sake 1 Cor. 10.25 herein we see death dayly presēted to us set before us on our tables This is seriously to be thought upō as a wonderfull work of God by the death of other creatures our life is preserved our living bodies are sustaind by their dead carcasses in their blood swimmes our life and from their pangs of death spring the pleasures of our life our feasts ordinary food As the savage Cāniballes eat the flesh of men so we eat the flesh of beasts that that which any creature may serve to be a witnesse of for convincing of sinners that doth the Lord declare to be their cry a denunciation of woe from them Habac. 2.11 Iob. 31.38 Iam. 5.2.3 and in like manner that misery which the creature enthralled by sinne doth endure for man that doth the Apostle expressely call their groaning and travelling together in paine vvith us c. Rom. 8.22 These groanes cryes are then especially to sound in our eares while we are eating of them as the Hare newly taken cries in the mouth of the greyhound so should we be affected as if the same cry were made when we eat thereof have their flesh betwixt our teeth The Gentleman that sits at his table above in his dining chamber and was not present in the kitchin or butchery to see the execution the convulsions of death the sprinting gasping of the slaughtered creatures is yet by remembrance to represent the same and to make it present againe in his eating for eating burying of them in our bellies is more then killing of them a further meanes to strike the heart with thought of death procured for the eater Our stupidity blockishnes must needs be very great if we consider not this fearfull wonderfull providence of God and we shall be worse then the beasts themselves if we hearken not unto the call which God by them gives us to awaken us out of our security to make us remember our fraile condition d An other helpe to preserve our fraile bodies is our rayment and apparell which God hath given to cover and defend the body without as food within And from hence we have a double or treble memoriall of Death considering that our apparell was then first given unto us when by our sinne we first came into the state of death not before Gen. 2.25 with c. 3.7 And then when God first gave our garments unto us he tooke them out of Deaths wardrobe they being made with the death of the creatures from whence they were taken God made coates of skinnes for Adam his wife his posterity Gen. 3.21 Heb. 11.37 The skins of the poore creatures were pluckt over their eares torne from their backes to cover the shame of our skinnes to hide the nakednes of our hydes And what was sayd of Ioab in another case are swifter then a post Iob. 9.25 that we ride post as on dromedaries that runne by the way in all hast to their journeyes end And the travell that men have by sea in the most swift ships is mentioned of God to represent the swiftnes of our time that carries us night and day sleeping or waking to the haven of death Iob 9.26 And according to this wisedome of God and his example should men make right use of other trades and their labours therein to set
lover of the world and of these things of the world then is not the love of the Father in him 1. Ioh. 2.15.16 then is he made the enimy of God for his entertainment of these lusts and his amity with them Iam. 4.4 and consequently cannot looke for the fruits of that blessed friendship with God but for such remaineth a fearefull exspectation of judgment death in the day of Gods wrath Therefore men die for ever because they live after the flesh doe not die betimes to these sinfull lusts Rom. 8.13 e As the world so the Devill also by the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life both worketh his chief temptations by the mortifying of those he is cōquered by mens yeelding unto thē he overcommeth devoureth them This appeareth in three most memorable examples of Adam Christ and Antichrist At the temptation of our first parents the Devill used these three baites thereby ensnared them The forbidden tree by his suggestion appeared good for meat Gen. 3.6 to bring them to covetousnes not content with all the other trees of paradise as though there had not bene meat enough for thē without this also it appeared pleasant to the eyes to kindle the lust of false and vaine pleasure in them and by his suggestion it appeared as a tree desirable by which the Devill workes so effectually in him and in others by him are those three forenamed lusts for by these three is Antichrist often described In respect of the lust of the flesh the habitation and denne of Antichrist is a spiriruall Sodom Rev. 11.8 abounding with lusts of monstrous uncleannes the Romish city is compared to a great Harlot the mother of harlots having in her hand a great cup full of abominations filthinesse of her fornication Rev. 17.1.4.5 and living deliciously in pleasures Rev. 18.7 In respect of the lust of the eyes love of riches she is decked with gold precious stone pearles Rev. 17.4 18.16 and for increase maintenance of that wealth her servants ministers through covetousnes and with fained words doe make merchandise of men 2. Pet. 2.3 And as for the pride of life this man of sinne doth exalt himselfe above all that is called God shewes himselfe that he is God 2. Thes 2.4 and hath a mouth speaking great things blasphemies is wondred at worshipped throughout the world Rev. 13.3.4.5 And when he is crossed in any of his lusts then he makes warre with the Saints overcomes them is drunken with their blood Rev. 13.7 17.6 suffers them not to buy or sell that will not receive his marke Rev. 13.17 Hereby it appeares that the spirit of Antichrist and the breath of his life is lust these worldly lusts are as it were the bridle and saddle wherewith Satan rides upon him with the spurres of these lusts he drives him on to commit so great abhominations By lust is the greatest sinne wrought in the world and therefore is every one to be warned hereby to fight continually against these lusts that fight against the soule and make it a slave to Satan 1. Pet. 2.11 They must either mortify these lusts of the old man or els for ever be a spoyle prey unto the old serpent that worketh by them Holy Ghost they are againe taught upon the new consideratiō of this honour done unto them in reverence of this divine guest to proceed unto a further degree care of their mortification to cleanse themselves from all filthines of flesh and spirit to subdue the old man with his lusts affections lest they grieve this Spirit that is come to dwell with them 1. Cor. 6.19.20 2. Cor. 6.16 7.1 Eph. 4.30 a The manner how the Spirit doth mortify sinne is by bringing the sinner unto Christ by him unto the Father As the Father for communicating of life unto men hath sent his Sonne to merit life Ioh. 7.16 3.16 both the Father the Sonne have sent the Holy Spirit for our assurance of that life Ioh. 15.26 so the Spirit againe bringes us both to Christ to the Father and first teacheth us to embrace Christ he testifies of Christ and glorifies him takes of his shewes it unto us Ioh. 16.13.14.15 The manner how the Spirit bringes us unto Christ is by working in us the graces of Faith Hope Love of Christ These are the most sweet breathings of the Holy Ghost by each of these he workes mortification in them that are so brought unto him I. Faith in Christ serves to kill sinne in us many wayes First of all by the death of Christ there is merited for us not onely the pardon of our sinne but also a power of subduing sinne by his death he hath merited the gift of the spirit even of the spirit of sanctification Of this gift we are made partakers by faith which engraffes us into Christ into the fellowship of his death of all the merit thereof Therefore is it sayd that we are planted together with him into the likenes of his death and hereupon we know that the old man is crucifyed with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 6.5.6.7 8. Thus being by faith united to Christ the spirit of mortification as well as the gift of reconciliation is bestowed upon us in this regard should we the more earnestly seek that precious faith which procures so great grace unto us Therefore did Christ beare our sins in his body on the tree that we might become dead unto sinnes 1. Pet. 2.24 that by the merit of his death sinne might be mortifyed in us And hereupon we come to say with the Apostle that we are crucifyed with Christ Gal. 2.20 we may stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free Gal. 5.1 IV. Moreover as our Mortification depends upon that which Christ merited for us so that which Christ by his death obtained for himselfe doth further lead us thereunto For to this end Christ both dyed rose againe that he might be Lord both of the dead living Rom. 14.9 And as we beleeve that he is becom our Lord so we are to beleeve that we are become his servants being bought with a price to wit by his blood therefore are not our owne but his 1. Cor. 6..19.20 7.23 therefore may not doe our owne willes nor follow our owne affections lusts but are to mortify them that we may doe his will Thus the faith of Christs dominion over us purchased by his death doth serve for an help of our mortification while it apprehends that the redeemed of Christ are redeemed from the earth from among men to follow the Lambe being the first fruits unto God to the Lambe Rev. 14.3.4 V. Againe being in part mortifyed contrite for sinne by another act of faith we doe
their latter end continually before their eyes thereby f As labour toyle in the day so sleep rest from labour in the night season is also a necessary help to preserve this mortall life This sleep is a lively image of death For in sleep men ly downe as dead men without sense and motion ceassing from their workes and taking no knowledge of the things that are done by others and therefore the holy Ghost often describeth death by the name of sleep or lying downe to sleepe Genes 47.30 Deuter. 31.16 1. King 2.10 Iob. 3.13 and ch 14.12 Psalm 76.5 Matt. 27.52 Iohn 11.11 Actes 7.60 1. Corinth 11.30 1. Thessal 4.13 By this marvellous work of God in breaking off the course of life and making Sleepe like an Half-death to invade us continually to come upon us like an unresistable Giant every day and to throw us downe and then by his manner of speech in calling death a Sleepe he calleth us by consideration of our sleepe to consider our death by the sight of our bed to remember our grave to looke upon it as a Tombe or Sepulchre every night before we goe into it to labour for reconciliation with God at the end of the day to seeke new sense of his love in Christ as we would doe at the end of our life that so we may lie downe sleep safely Had any man some speciall disease as of the falling sicknes Apoplexie Palsie Lethargie or the like terrible passion whereby at a certaine time of the day he should duely fall downe like a dead man and ly snorting at the gates of death for an houre or two untill the malignant humour were discussed and the force of the fit were over would we not thinke that man warned of God thereby to remember his end 7.8.9 but with the faythfull there is another remembrance of death by occasion of sinnes as comfortable to them as the former is terrible to the wicked For in sight of sinnes that greeve them they call to minde what shall quite free them from those sins and what is that but death Thereupon they set death before their eyes and are taught of God so to doe longing for their redemption and desiring to remoove out of the body which is by death Rom. 8.23 2. Cor. 5.8 And how many wayes then is death propounded unto us which way can we looke on the right hand or on the left before us or behinde us but every way the memorialles of death are before us Transgressions past sins present feares of the wicked desires of the godly all lead to the thought of death and to the remembrance of our latter end h Againe the afflictions sicknesses dangers wherein death is threatned unto men are likewise meanes of death and by them also we are called of God to remember our latter end It pleaseth God for the warning of secure men to bring men to the gates of death before they enter Psal 19.13 and though he bring them back againe yet is this done of God for a memoriall of death God brings men into such extremity that they make full account to die they receive the sentence of death in themselves despaire of life 2. Cor. 1.8.9 and are free among the dead in their owne and others judgement Psal 88.4.5 and this many times they are in deaths often 2. Corint 11.23 and such things God worketh oftentimes that men might renounce the world Iob. 33 22-29 and set their house in order their heart in order to die that being delivered they might then remember what thoughts desires what prayers purposes they had in their soules and recall them often for their preparation against the time of their finall departure out of this world Esa 38.1.15 c. As Iehosaphat having cryed out in the danger of death 2. Chron. 18.31 was bound to remember that very cry and disposition of his heart afterward so forasmuch as there is almost no man which hath not seene the face of Death and his dart shaken against him in being pale withered and wrinckled the shadow of death sitting upon their eye-lids and some in divers degrees betwixt both and especially in the sight of friends long absent and changed in that time we are called to thinke how the fashion of this world passeth away As the face so the stature of man growing up as a plant according to the divers measures and degrees of his growth appointed of God Psalm 144. 12. Luk. 1.80 and 2.52 is another testimony of his changeable estate even from the childe of a span long unto those that have their full growth Lam. 2.20 Though some be of low stature as Zaccheus Luke 19.3 and some againe higher then the common sort by the head as was Saul 1. Sam. 10.23.24 yet even in these compared with themselves the proportion of their growth is an evidence of their age to such as know them Though men being come to their full stature stand at a stay and loose not their stature by such degrees as they attained unto it in their youth yet many times we see in experience that crooked old age bowing downe their heads more more to the earthward they doe hereby after a sort loose their stature by degrees grow into the ground againe And thus the wheele of mans age visibly sensibly turning about according to the variation of his stature is another admonition to remember the latter end approching k Beside the face stature the Lord hath set sundry other markes upon the bodies of young and old for memorials of their time passing away at the changes of their age The younger people have the time of love described of God by divers markes and tokens thereof Ezech. 16.7.8 but especially old age hath the tokens of neere-approching death imprinted upon them whereby they are warned of God to prepare for it The decay of strength the decay of sense the decay of health are all forerunners of death and summon them to their end Through decay of strength the armes and hands the keepers of the house beginne to tremble Ecclesi 12.3 and the legges that are as pillars thereof do bow themselves and the help of a staffe as a third legge to rest on is sought of the aged person Zach. 8.4 and with that woodden legge at every step he goes he strikes upon the earth raps at the gate of the grave untill it be opened unto him By this weaknes death comes puts his manicles upon their hands his shackels upon their legges for remembrance of their end This weaknes is further signifyed by the ceassing of the grinders in the mill Eccles 12.3 both the upper the nether milstone which are called the life of man Deut. 24.6 These teeth fayling life begins to fayle From this weaknes the doores of the lips are shut without the sound of the grinding is low the voyce hoarse and so whether the old persons worke with
Six speciall degrees of mortification 1. In severall passions of the minde troubled at the apprehension of sinne 2. In resisting refraining of sinfull actions 3. of wicked purposes 4. tickling desires 5. wandring imaginations 6. habituall concupiscence b The sayd acts of mortification like so many battels in our spirituall warfare as many parts of that contrition which is acceptable unto God hath the promises c The example of David mortifying sinne in each of the particulars afore named d The chiefe evils of sinne that are to be mortifyed The lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life e By these Satan workes his temptations by the mortifying of these he is conquered as it is shewed in the examples of Adam f Christ g Antichrist HAving heard of the love of God which is the spring of life of the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ who is the way unto that life it remaines that we seeke the communion of the H. Spirit as the conclusion of our comfort for the assurance of that life 2. Cor. 13.14 Hereby we know that we have fellowship with God that he abideth in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1. Ioh. 3.24 shall be comforted Matt. 5.4 II. After this followes an other degree of Mortification whereby the faithfull according to the measure of grace given doe turne from the practise of sinne which they have bewayled They doe not live any longer therein Rom. 6.2 they cease to doe evill Esa 1.16 and eschew evill Iob 1.1.8 they forsake their owne wayes and courses and breake of their sinnes Esa 55.7 and refraine their feet from every evill way Psalm 119.101 By this resisting of wicked actions men are sayd to mortify or kill the deeds of the body and thereupon is life promised unto them Rom. 8.13 They therefore that love life everlasting must every day die this death also in casting off the workes of darkenes Though it be a death to the flesh to leave them yet must this death also be undergone els is there no hope of life no assurance that God dwelleth in us by his Spirit III. An other death of the old man is when not onely the outward act of sinne but the will and purpose of sinning is mortifyed The will of the flesh and the will of man is noted as a thing opposite to God and his Spirit procuring his wrath making men the children of wrath Ioh. 1.13 Eph. 2.3 1. Pet. 4. 2.3 and many that want the power to performe many evils doe not yet want the will thereunto and therefore this will is to be mortifyed If he that had no staine in his will could yet say unto his Father Not as I vvill but as thou vvilt Not my will but thy will be done Matt. 26.39 Luk. 22.42 and againe I seek not mine owne will but the will of him that sent me Iohn 5.30 6.38 how much more should we make it our dayly exercise to break our owne corrupt willes to cast away our owne purposes and to wait on God all the day long saying and praying continually Not my will but thy will be done At the first act of Pauls conversion so soone as Christ was made knowne unto him we see this mortification of his will which he renounced resigning himselfe to the will of God sayd Lord vvhat vvilt thou that I doe Act. 9.6 When the will is thus mortifyed though men doe sometimes the things that they would not yet then is this comfort afforded it is no more they that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in them Rom. 7 15.16.17.19-20 It shall not be imputed unto them IV. Besides this it comes to passe many times that when the will is subdued restrained from some evill yet the affections are not mortifyed though a sinner in the purpose of his will will not consent to the practise of some evill yet the heart is tickled with delight therein and could wish it were lawfull and it is a paine unto them that they may not consent to seek it This evill concupiscence lust of the heart these affections of the flesh are distinctly condemned we are commanded to mortify to avoyd such inordinate passions even as they are lusts though consent of the will be not with them Gal. 5.24 Coll. 3.5 Rom. 7.5 Exo. 20.17 In the killing abandoning of these lusts the faithfull endure many deathes from day to day the acts of Mortification are multiplyed according to the strength of the spirit ministred unto them V. Againe the minde of man is dayly annoyed pestred with evill thoughts wandring imaginations arising partly from the flesh partly from the suggestion of Satan and these though they neither be delighted in nor approoved of yet the very entertainment of them and their residence in the minde though for a short while doth pollute the soule with sinne For God requireth the whole soule and the whole minde with all the strength thereof Deut. 6.5 Luk. 10.27 he requireth a pure heart free from all stragling conceits Matt. 5.8 Our eyes should ever be towards the Lord his glory Psal 25.15 Lots wife for looking backward was smitten of God and turned into a pillar of salt Gen. 19.17.26 though more evill might be in her minde yet that very look alone being forbidden of God made her culpable and so for a side look unto vanity when the eye of the minde rolles up and downe we become guilty of condemnation These idle thoughts take up the place in the soule even the seat wherein God should sit and while they keepe out the thought of God though but for a moment they are in that respect condemnable And therefore these motions of the minde are to be resisted repelled mortifyed As Abraham hushed away the foules that came downe upon his sacrifice Gen. 15.11 so are these flying thoughts to be dispelled and driven away from our mindes God requireth that the wicked should forsake his imaginations Esa 55.7 God would have his children to cast downe imaginations and to bring every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ 2. Cor. 10.5 which cannot fully and perfectly be done without this mortification of them By mortification of them the heart is purged then the promise of mercy multiplyed Iam. 4.8 VI. Lastly the faithfull doe yet in a further degree die unto sinne when as that habituall concupiscence which is the seedplot and root of all other sinnes is mortifyed and subdued within them For besides all the motions affections and other fruits of sinne before noted there is in man a corrupt disposition whereby he is enclined to all evill This disposition pronenes to sinne considered apart from the fruits thereof is condemned in the Scripture is called the old man the body of sin the law of sin the law of the members Rom. 6.6 Eph. 4.22 Col. 3.2 Rom. 7.23 it is called the flesh which lusteth against the spirit
pa. 413 Meditations of Death THE FIRST PART Of the remembrance of Death CHAP. I. How God calleth men to remember Death How God is sayd to wish the efficacy of this wish a Three Songs of Moses the arguments of them to reach men their end b in Paradise man called to remember death before in after the fall c The dayes of man shortened by halves at foure severall times d Why since Moses his time they continue at a stay e The multitude of violent untimely deaths in the old world the middle world this last age of the world O That they were wise that they understood this that they would consider their latter end Deu. 32.29 O what love and tender mercies doth the blessed God declare in this affectionate speech concerning miserable man Though to speake properly God be without affections passions for whatsorver he willes in heaven or in earth that he doth that he hath Psal 115.3 1. Chro. 29. 11. he needs not wish for any thing he wants yet to shew us what we most waÌ„t what we should chiefly wish for what most pleaseth him in us he speakes as men according to their sense capacity He useth a passionate phrase of longing wishing which in propriety of speech agrees not with the Deity to shew there is an unspeakable matter in it which proper words cannot expresse to our understanding and therefore stooping downe unto us and as it were putting on our humanity speakes after the manner of men propoundes his wish to shew thereby what is principally to be wished for and what men would desire if they had the minde of God Looke what respect God shewes for the keeping of all his Commandements by wishing men had a heart to observe them alwayes Deut. 5.29 such respect he sheweth by the like wish expresseth for the remembrance of their latter end as being the way meanes to bring them to a more diligent observation of them all He sayth not simply Oh that they would thinke on their end but withall he sheweth their wisedome happines if they hearken by wishing that they vvere wise to doe it And by such an argument of comming to be accounted wise in the sight of God men he labours to draw his people even unto all obedience Deut. 4.6.7.8 Neither is the Lord content to speake once but doubling trebling his words with a loud voyce he calles them to be wise to understand to consider as if he had sayd be wise be wise be wise remember remember remember your latter end As the sheet was thrise let downe from heaven to shew the vision more plainly to imprint it more deeply in the minde of Peter Act. 10 16. so is the call of God inculcate upon Israel in this place Neither is the act onely but the object of this consideration is likewise repeated and poynted at by the finger of God with a double demonstrative even this their latter end a Three speciall Songs were written by Moses the man of God The maine argument of each of them is a remembrance of the latter end The first at the red sea entring into the wildernes shewes the latter end of their enemies both from whence they came Pharaoh the Egyptians perishing in the waters to whome they went the Canaanites others melting away for feare with the latter end of Jsrael to be planted in the mountaine of Gods inheritance Exod. 15. 1-20 And this triumphant Song was heard againe from heaven sung by them that had got the victory of the beast whereunto the remembrance of our end may bring us also to rejoyce among theÌ„ that have the harpes of God Rev. 15.1.2.3 The second Song shewes the vaine estate of all the shortnes of this present life how they hasten to their end that all might number their dayes apply their hearts to wisedome Psal 90. This is probably supposed to have bene written when Israel being come to the borders of Canaan for their murmuring were turned back againe into the wildernes till their carcasses were fallen their dayes consumed by the wrath of God Numb 13. 14. This third last was Moses Swan-song spoken written that selfe same day that he was commanded to goe up dye in the mount Nebo for his farewell when he had one foot in the wildernes an other in heaven Deu. 32.48.49 â—0 and is by many arguments commended unto us both before it was set downe Deut. 31 14-30 and in the preface Chap. 32.1.2 and after at the conclusion of it vers 46.47 And yet above all the sentences of this Song this streyne especially that calles us to the remembrance of our latter end is commeÌ„ded unto us by the most earnest wish of God himself And therefore if either the wish of God and such a wish as is made for keeping all the commandemeÌ„ts together or if the finding of true wisedome or if so many repetitions like so many knockes of the Lord upon our breast be of any regard in our eyes let us hereby conceive our owne blindenes negligence in this poynt let us awaken at this loud call and double treble our care in the remembrance of our latter end to finde that comfort which the Lord sees is to be gotten thereby b If we had no other call such a divine wish might suffice to make us remember our end And what godly heart would not answer to this call say Lord it is enough I will never ceasse to thinke of my end Yet the Lord sees it is not enough and therefore besides this his wish he calles againe an hundred wayes by his word his workes his ordinances proclaimes this lesson Remember your latter end And first of all Man was called of God even in paradise to remember his end before the fall Death was set before his eyes in the Tree of Death as well as life in the Tree of life Gen. 2.17 The first day he was called to thinke on the last day So soone as sinne was forbidden death was shewed before it was to keepe from sinne the tree of death was a visible frontlet hung before the eyes of man to preserve him in the feare of God Jf in the state of innocency a law of mortality was made and a memoriall of death was needfull before it came how much more in the state of corruption when death is come into the world walkes on every side have we need now to remember it to watch In the fall while Evah yet stood she resisted the temptation by remembring of the death that was threatned Gen. 3.3 but when the serpent insisted removed the remeÌ„braÌ„ce of death out of her minde then she fell The voyce of the serpent was Ye shall not surely dye vers 4. they remembred not their latter end came downe wonderfully So the very fall it selfe being on this manner serves for an other Call to
the moth Iob 4.19 even their beauty consumes away like the moth Psa 39.11 the moth of consumptiō eates them up Esa 50.9 51.8 Hos 5.12 As the Lord rides upō the Cherubims flyes abroad upō the wings of the winde so upon the wings of the moth used for his service made his Embassadour to deliver unto man a message of his mortality that he might remember his end l Thus doe all kinde of creatures made for man serve to warne him of his vanity And it is not simply the mere volubility of the heavens instability of the earth that give us this warning but this whole globe of heaven earth is created givē unto us of God for a Watch or Clock whereby we might learne to number our times our passing away in them The severall lights of the firmament are ordained of God for signes for seasons for dayes for yeares Gen. 1.14 The Sunne by his height motion doth plainely declare the time of the day being looked on to that end by the variation of his shadow in the degrees of the diall as in that of Ahaz Esa 38.8 doth more exactly distinguish determine the houres unto us Yea the window in every mans house stāding against the Sunne serves for a diall to shew the houre of the day more or lesse and to them that are abroad in the streets or field in the sunne-shine evē the shadow of their owne persons the stature of their owne body serving for the gnomon of a diall doth shew the difference of houres according to the variety of the shadow stretched out declining in divers degrees Ier. 6.4 Men that have bene a while intent unto their work eftsoones looke up see the declining of the shadow the sight of this declination is as the sound of a voyce unto them saying The Time passeth The end draweth on Man walketh in a shadow sleeth away as a shadow Iob 14.2 Psa 109.23 and so giveth him occasion to try himselfe his wayes what good he hath bene doing that while And as plainely doe the starres also by sundry wayes declare the houre of the night unto us and teach us the same lessons Neither doe the lights of heaven declare unto us the houres of the day night onely in regard of their diurnall motions but the planets by an other oblique motion entring into the signes of the Zodiak successively finishing that course some in a moneth some in a yeare of the superiour planets the highest in thirty yeares the next in twelve the next in two yeares do hereby very plainly distinguish both the moneths of the yeare the yeares of longer periods of time for which we have no proper names As the Greeks of old had their Olympiads with other reckonings and as the Prophets described their stories not onely from the raigne of their Kings after one reckoning but from many different poynts termes of time in respect of Gods judgments or mercies or mens defection or repentance Exod. 12.41.1 Kin. 6.1 Ier. 25.1 Ezek. 1.1 4.5 Amos. 1.1 Hag. 2.18.19 so the Lord in his unsearchable wisedome hath given unto us many heavenly dialles instruments of numbring our dayes all of them witnesses how our time passeth and God calleth us by so many that if one or two signes would not prevaile with us yet more might Exo. 4.9 one comming into our sight after another teaching us to examine our selves our estate both for shorter longer times to be prepared for the worke of God as the Angels for an houre a day a yeare Rev. 9.15 But that which is yet more wonderfull these coelestial bodies doe not onely declare signe out the times unto us but they alter change the times make the seasons to differ one from another As the cartwheeles on the earth where they goe leave a track or furrow behinde thē so the wheeles of these planets stars in their conversions make a deep impression upon the earth according to the diversity of their motions and some of them bring the spring some the summer some autumne some duely draw on winter as with bands cords Iob. 38.31.32 9.9 This their operation is manifested in great variety in such manner that thereby they produce many new reall dialles upon the earth And from hence in divers flowers we have a plaine distinction of the houres in the day while some still turne their face unto the Sunne from the rising to the setting as Heliotropium or Turnsol some declare the approch of the evening by shutting their flowers before as the Daysies Marigold Dandelion others some are so strangely affected that they shew it to be high noone by closing up themselves just at that time as we see dayly in the flower that is called Goates-beard or the starre of Ierusalem Others againe distinguish the moneths of the yeare some springing flourishing in one moneth some in others successively in order as we see in the Primerose Violet Rose Gilloflower others which follow even unto the winter moneths Thus the plāts of the earth together with the planets of heaven become monitors of the time passing away Neither is this to be observed in the plants onely but in the sensitive creatures also the fowles fishes fourefooted beasts the birds shew us the time of the day some sing at a certaine houre of the night before day Mar 13.35 some little birds at the day-break Eccl. 12.4 some at noone some nightbirds in the evening They distinguish also the times of the yeare sometimes revived sometimes drooping and decaying againe in great variety They know the times of their comming and going some in one moneth and some in another as the Stork the Turtle the Crane and the Swallow Iere. 8.7 and the fishes likewise have their appointed seasons as is dayly observed by the fishmongers All these shall rise up in judgement against them that know not the acceptable time nor learn to redeeme it though the Lord call them so many wayes and shew them the time passing by so many devises CHAP. III. Monitors of Death in about a mans ovvne selfe His Breath a Pulse b Dayly food the necessity preparation of it in the earth c by the death of the creatures d Apparell the originall matter necessity of it e Labour in generall sundry vocations in particular f Sleep a lively image of death g Sinne the cause of death feared of some desired of others h Extreme dangers threatning death i Age the changes thereof manifested by the face stature k Old age described by the decay of strength l of sense m and of health HItherto we have heard the call of God sounded out unto us in and by other creatures by heaven and earth and the things therein that were made for man now we are to consider how God comes neerer unto man and from the
their hands or walke with their feet or eate with their teeth or speake with their lips the memoriall of death is in each of these set before them And as in the outward parts of the body so the like weaknes decay of strength is to be observed in the inward parts and as a cause of that which is in the outward The silver coards of the sinewes which carry the faculty of sense motion from the head in old age are loosed Eccles 12.6 that cable of the marrow in the backbone which was wont so firmely to hold stay the fraile barke of our body tossed with so many motions and by those many conjugations of nerves like so many paire of oares on each side did row the gally up and downe begins now to dissolve The head which is the golden bowle wherein is emboxed the brayne that ministers that faculty of sense motion through age is broken becomes crazie The many pitchers of the veines which carry the nourishing blood from the well of the liver unto each part of the body become like unto broken vessels And the wheele of the arteries which by the reciprocall motions pulses doe convey the vitall spirits from the cisterne of the heart into the furthest coasts of the little world for the quickening of the whole flesh even to the toes fingers ends through languishing age begins to turne returne slowly weakely And all these faint operations are so many memorials of death and doe plainely portend the approch of our latter end every one of them admonisheth us to watch Againe from this weaknes decay of strength both in the outward and inward parts ariseth an other memoriall of death to be seene in that which is esteemed no taste what he eates or what he drinkes 2. Sam. 19.35 old Isaac by his touch cannot feele the difference betwixt the hands of his son the skinne of a beast Gen. 27.16.21.22.23 old David is covered with clothes feeles no heat 1. Kings 1.1 concupiscence departs Eccle. 11.5 Abishag the faire virgin lies in his bosome he knowes her not 1. Kin. 1.4 Yea the inward senses beginne to faile also memory decayes the understanding is diminished old men some times in their decrepite age come to be little children againe not able to discerne betwixt good evill 2. Sam. 19.35 How inexcusable are they that live securely thinke not of death whereof they have so many warnings before hand m With decay of strength sense comes the decay of health Old age is many times a continuall sicknes when the dayes of man are multiplyed they are but labour sorrow even the strength of them Psa 90.10 Then is the time when the evill dayes approch and the yeares of which man sayth I have no pleasure in them Eccle. 12.1 Then is the light of Sunne Moone starres obscured and then the clouds returne after the raine one infirmity after another v. 2. Through decay of naturall heat ariseth indigestion crudity of stomack thereupon follow rheumes catarrhes and from thence comes ach in the bones manifold paines diseases whereby the Lord as with an yron pen writeth our lesson engraveth this sentence deep in our flesh bones Remember your latter end approaching In all the paines of old age the finger of God nippeth pincheth men to make them think of his call prepare for death upon God shewes that then he exspects a speciall act of humiliation when at our end he visites us with such paines that we are to mourne for sinnes committed in the world before we depart out of it when he sends such sorrow unto us at that time especially Then are we called to stirre up the grace of God within us and to rayse up our spirits with all love reverence to meet the Lord that we may receyve his blessing and enter into his gates with joy into his courts with thanksgiving a Againe this paine prevayling at the approch of death causeth men to ly downe to fall flat along upon their beds Iob. 33.19 Act. 5.15 and to let all the affaires of the world alone with the works of their calling Through infirmity of the body God forceth them to stoope calleth them to remember their frailety their end as if he should command them to couch downe before him and require them to prostrate their soules at his footstoole in seeking his favour mercy in Chirst even as their bodies are prostrate by his hand This very position of the body represents unto us how the grasse withers the flower falls and admonisheth us in our soules to worship fall downe before the Lord our maker and by faith to enforce our bodies also leaning on our staffe to worship upon the beds head Heb. 11.21 Gen. 47.31 and 48.2 that he may straightway lift us up for ever As Iacob bowed himselfe to the ground seven times at the approch of his brother Esaw Gen. 33.3 so the Lord himselfe by sicknes thrusts us downe seven times we are often up downe we lift up our selves but cannot hold up our heads God teacheth us there by to come submissively creeping into his presence humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt us 1. Pet. 5.6 b An other warning to thinke of the end at hand is that distast of meat and want of appetite in sick persons when their life abhorreth bread their soule dainty meat Iob. 33.20 When the staffe of bread failes the stay of naturall life is withdrawne then God calles the sick persons to remember their end to double their care for eternal life to seeke the hidden manna unknowne unregarded of the world Rev. 2.17 to feed upon the bread of God which commeth downe for their end This yron sleep is a black cloud of death a night-shade a particular darkenes of which in its measure is verifyed that more generall saying of our Saviour The night comes when no man can work Ioh. 9.4 and therefore while there is light liberty of minde in the time of health the end is to be remembred provided for before the houres of oppression doe come upon the minde e Sometimes in sicknes though sleep oppresse not there is a kinde of raving distraction caused by phrensie or melancholy or other distemperatures which doth overwhelme the minde as Nebuchadnezzars once was by the stroke of God Dan. 4. so that it is unfit to thinke of death or to seeke any comfort against the danger thereof And frō hence therefore it doth likewise appeare how unwise they are that deferre the time of their repentance unto the time of death when it is uncertaine whether they shall be masters of their owne wits naturall understanding not to speake of supernaturall grace which is further above the reach of man yet necessary to salvation f Sometimes the very vehemency extremity of paine
doth trouble disturbe the minde and disables it that it cannot orderly quietly dispose it selfe unto godly comfortable meditations but being overcome with impatiēce frets murmures is tossed up downe without fruit Therefore are these extremities of anguish compared to a cup of intoxicating wine making men as it were drunken with greefe Esa 51.17 21.22 Lam 4.21 and even mad with woe sorrow that they know not what to doe Deut. 28.34 Ier. 25.16 Eccles 7.7 And what folly is it then for men to be unprepared through forgetfulnes of their latter end to remaine drunken with security all their life till they be drowned in a gulfe of misery Perplexity extreme anguish may justly come as a snare upon them that abuse their present peace ease promising themselves liberty power to dispatch all that is needfull for their salvation in one moment of their last distresse g And commonly when death approcheth our adversary the devill that prince of darknes that hath gone about as a roaring lyon watching to devoure us at all opportunities before doth thē especially rage knowing that his time is short Rev. 12. 12. and withall seekes to take advantage by the present infirmitie of the sick persons insinuating himselfe into each of the former troubles adding fearfull dreames to their slumbers strong fancies to their distraction aggravating their paines with divers terrours Experience shewes what great temptatiōs many have undergone upon their death-bed And therfore the consideratiō of this last great combat should warne every one betimes to arme thēselves to gather strēgth every day against the last day to furnish thēselves with grace to seek truth righteousnes faith patience store of comfortable promises out of the word of God layd up in their hearts kept in readines to nourish themselves in hope to watch pray uncessantly that having concluded this last combat obtained the victory they may then be translated from a state militant to a state triumphant for ever h THese forewarnings are such as serve chiefly for the instruction of those that feele them on whose persons they are inflicted but beside these forewarnings the dead leave unto the living many after-warnings of their mortality which admonish the succeeding generation that they must follow their praedecessours And here first of all observe how it is ordered by divine providence that in death the soule body be separated one from the other In this separation the Soule is carried away invisibly no man knoweth how nor whither No humane sense cā discerne the spirit of man ascending Ecc. 3.21 The Lord in his unsearchable counsell would have the opening of the gates of the second world to be kept secret close from us If godly parents should see the soules of their children carried away to destruction in the clawes of an hellish dragon crying unto them with a lamentable and desperate voyce what horrour woe would this be unto them to make their dayes more uncomfortable so lōg as they should live on earth God in great mercy conceales it from them If wicked ungodly men should see their children or companions soules haled away by evill spirits after they were separated frō their bodies withall should heare thē shrike cry curse their cōpany what a stroke of terrour might this be unto them but God in justice hides these things from thē will not satisfy the curiosity of profane men that despise his Gospell and the means of life revealed therein This secret manner of translating the separated soules in carrying some close prisoners to Hell and transporting others in covered wagons invisible chariots unto Glory serves to warne and admonish us by the very forme thereof so much the more to remember the other evident monuments of our frailety When secret things are restrayned to the Lord the things revealed are immediately thereupon the more enforced upon us to observe the same Deut. 29.29 When the Spirit recordes how some persons men or angels have vanished out of the sight of those they had spoken withall we are to observe how they were occasioned thereby to thinke the more of that which they had seene heard from such and not to prye into that which was withdrawne from them Luke 24.31.32 Act. 8.39 Iudg. 6.21.22 c. Yea the Lord appointed that they should not be suffered to live which went about to talke with the dead soule or to rayse the spirits Levit. 20.27 1. Sam. 28.8 9. c. But by all this we are so much the more led to observe the common visible memorials of mortality shewed unto us in them that die before us i It is further to be observed that when the spirit is carried away presently to God that gave it yet the body remains behinde returnes to dust from whence it came Eccles 12.7 If God by death had taken away both the soule the body together at the same time if it had pleased God to take away all men as Henoch Elias were Heb. 11.5 Gen. 5.24 2. Kin. 2.11.17 or to bury all men so as Moses was Deut. 34.6 namely so that their bodies should be seene no more among men yet even then there were cause enough to remember that wonderfull great finall translation but now seing every man departing this life leaves a peece of himselfe among his friends on earth yea the one halfe of his person and that halfe which is the visible part even the body that was best knowne among men the Lord by this fragment of man that is left gives us occasion to thinke what is done with the rest and to keepe in memory the death past to prepare us for death to come As Elias ascending to heaven let his mantle fall for a remembrance so much care for our bodies as we doe for the soules according to this example of God who shewes more love respect to the soules taking them first into his heavenly Kingdome glory when as he suffers the body so long a time after to lodge in dishonour to remaine in the pit of corruption 1. Cor. 15.43 l The sequestration of the body from the place where the soule is and the corruption of it being separate are memorialles wrought immediately by Gods owne hand beside these there are other after-warnings of death effected by the providence of God mediately by the services of men that seeke the honour of the dead comfort of the living For honour of the dead holy men of old have shewed great care to provide sepulchers tombes monuments for them Such were the cave of Machpelah purchased by Abraham Gen. 40.30.31 and 23. the pillar on Rachels grave that Iaakob set up Gen. 35.20 that continued so many generations to Samuels time 1. Sam. 10.2 the title on the sepulcher of the man of God that prophesied of Iosias 2. Kin. 23.17.18 the sepulcher of David that continued twise fourteene generations from David to
to Adam to see how he would name them Ge. 2.19.20 so might Adam shew them to his childrē according to the wisedome given him at the first cōferre againe of their natures the reason of their names with those his childrē created in the same image of God with him taught of God that he might rejoyce in them also as they with him Though Solomon spake of trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssope on the wal also of beasts fouls creeping things fishes was wiser thē all the philosophers in the degenerate corrupt world 1. Kin. 4 29-34 yet was his wisedome but ignorance in comparison of that primitive estate the wisedome given to Adam at the first After this a multitude of other pleasures they might have returned loaden with blessings filled with comfort as much as their heart could hold And if at any time Adam Evah would in like manner have gone abroad on progresse to have visited their children what comfort should this have bene unto their children to have entertained that most royall honourable person above all others that right Catholick King or universal Monarch father of the whole world with Evah their Queene-mother therefore to have bene reverenced loved obeyed by all How would they have receyved him as an angel of God to the unspeakable joy both of him them mutually m And as the glory of this communion might thus be observed in the persons allyed in a right line both descendēt ascendent so also in the collaterall line extended on each side both farre neere to brethren sisters an hundred other degrees of kinred further off among all which if man had continued in his estate wherein the Lord placed him there should then have bene a most loving pleasant conversation more then can be imagined It had bene as easy for these to have travelled a thousand miles to embrace their friends as it is now for us to goe one small dayes-journey While there was no evill of sinne there should have bene no evill of paine or trouble in any of their labours And besides in the state of innocency great help comfort should have bene afforded unto man by the service of other creatures as hath bene shewed before Even in this corrupt degenerate estate of man beast all kinde 2. Cor. 6.18 behold my spouse my wife my bride Ioh. 3.29 Rev. 19.7 21.2 All the speciall bands of love union whether in the root of marriage or in the branches of kinred whether in the degrees ascending descending or any way extending themselves either in the right line or in the side line they are all found in Christ all meet together are combined in him He alone the new Adam is instead of all the fathers mothers brethren or sisters sonnes or daughters the comfort of all more fruits of love then all the kinred of the old world could have afforded unto us is to be enjoyed in the kingdome of Christ And looke how Christ esteemes of his elect so shall they be esteemed loved of all others there where his word requiring it must needs be performed Ioh. 13.34 15.12.13 And therefore looke how many Saints Angels there be in heaven so many sweet fountaines of loving communion there be for every soule to drinke at farre passing all the love of friends ever tasted in the lower world From every one shall flow rivers of water of life Ioh. 7.38 Christ Iesus being the headspring of all for then shall that all the rest of his promises be fullfilled in the highest degree It is matter of more joy even now to sit at the table of the Lord to receive the Sacrament of the New Testament then it was to pluck apples from the tree of life in paradise greater benefits are sealed even Christ is herein exhibited unto us a gift more excellent then all those that were confirmed unto Adam by the tree of life but then especially shall the difference appeare when the faythfull shall partake in the marriage supper of the Lambe in heaven when they shall be brought before the Lord the ancient of dayes the everlasting God before whom Adam though alive at this day should be as a child of yesterday a thousand yeares being but as one day in his sight when they shall heare him speake tell of his eternall love of us before the world in his decrees of election and predestination so often poynted at in Scripture and the like precious thoughts of his grace to us ward this shall be the fullnes of joy infinitely exceeding all the supposed delights of the old world As for the pleasant journeys motions we may not thinke that the godly shall be there as in a prison together in heavenly places in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.6 CHAP. VII Hovv God calleth men to remember the latter end of Reprobates The fearfulnes greevousnes of the second death set forth by a The deserving cause Sinne which is especially aggravated by the wisedome authority goodnes other attributes of God b The inflicting cause the wrath of God from which the whole misery all the circumstances of the second death have their denominations c compared unto fire yet different from common fire unquenchable most piercing largely extending it selfe taking hold on the greatest in the world d This fire the fiercenes of it made plaine by the observation of sundry fires already kindled in the bowels of the earth in vegetative sensitive creatures in the body of man in the aire firmament in the angels e but chiefly in the course of Gods just indignation against sinners seriously to be considered of all that desire to escape it f The effects dolefull cryes lamentations of the tormented of the Devils themselves yea even of our blessed Saviour in his sufferings g Particular manifestations of Gods wrath against particular sinnes transgressions of every commandement both of the first second table THe end of all flesh hath bene represented unto us of God by a basket of summer fruit ripe for the harvest ready to be gathered The blessed end of the godly hath bene shewed in the basket of good figs very good there remaines yet the basket of rotten figs very naught to be marked of us for that sight is also propounded unto us of God he calles us to remember the end of the wicked thereby whiles that basket was in vision also set before the Temple of the Lord. Ier. 24.1 It is an hideous fearefull sight to opē the graves where the greene carcases of dead men doe lye to behold the grieslines lothsomnes of death in them and who doth not flie from it But much more horrour it is to looke upon the dead soules in Hell their torment lothsome estate being an hundred times more worse to be endured then the sight of any rotten carcasses in the grave Yet
are we called of God to remember same offences of striking or cursing committed against others were not so though some childrē might happily have as much wisedome as their father mother yet their authority alone being despised brought such woe Now the authority of God the heavenly father over his creature being infinitely greater then the authority of any earthly father over his children the contempt thereof doth accordingly procure an infinite woe unto those that disobey God that reject his Law make their owne lust their law prefer the doing of their owne vile wills before the obedience of his holy heavenly will So in like manner the infinite evill of sinne appeareth distinctly in this that it is committed against the infinite goodnes mercy of God There are in creatures manifold degrees of love kindnes the love of one doth an hundred times exceed the love of some other both in tendernes of affection in multitude of benefits And in such case the treachery of such as deale falsely wickedly against their cheefest friends becomes an hundredfold greater evill then the sin of some others Now the Lord is love it selfe 1. Ioh. 4.8.16 herein is love not that we love God but that he loved us vers 10. his grace the gifts of his eternall free grace doe infinitely exceed all other love he gave himselfe to be our God portion his Sonne to be our ransome And therefore to sin against this high immeasurable grace to contēne this love to love that which is vanitie of vanities more then God doth make the sin of such to be out of measure sinfull deserveth an infinite hatred misery to ensue thereupon And thus the greevousnes of sinne is to be considered conceived in respect of the other divine attributes whereby we may see as it were ten infinites in one behold many windowes of contemplation opened before us through which we may have a huge vast prospect of the endles unsearchable woe of sinne that is to be felt in the second death Though there be many other aggravations of sinne yet this so farre exceeds the rest as if they all were nothing in comparison of this therefore doth the Spirit often urge this consideration upon men saying to the sinners Ye have lyed not unto men but unto God Act. 5.4 he that despiseth despiseth not man but God vvho hath also given us his holy Spirit 1. Thes and it containes more then a world of bookes can expresse c This fierce wrath of God is often in Scripture compared unto burning devouring fire Deut. 32.22 Ier. 15.14 17.4 Ezek. 21.31 22.21 36.5 Zeph. 1.18 accordingly is the tormēt in hell described unto us by the name of hellfire Matt. 5.22 18.9 The smarting paine caused by fire is well knowne by the common use thereof among us And yet above the nature of common fire which is made for the comfort of man to cheere him to make him laugh Esa 44.16 this dolefull fire of hell is propounded unto us of God by many strange descriptions It is a fire not like unto ours that may be quenched but an unquenchable fire Esa 66.24 Mark 9.44 Rev. 14.11 an everlasting fire Matt. 18.8 25.41 which so burnes the wicked as that it doth not consume them but keeps them alive in death that they may burne for ever and ever It is a fire that will not onely burne stones melt yron brasse but a subtile piercing fire that burnes even the spirits soules of men being a fire prepared for the devill his angels which are spirits Matt. 25.41 Rev. 20.10 and therefore farre more terrible then our fire by which tyrants burne the bodies of martyrs but cannot burne their soules Mat. 10.28 For the greatnes of it it is a bottomlesse pit Rev. 9.1.2 deep large Esa 30.33 a lake or sea of fire Rev. 20.14.15 for the names of lake or sea are sometimes in Scripture indifferently put one for another Matt. 8.24 with Luk. 8.23 and this burning sea is withall called a lake of brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 which makes the fire to burne more cruelly to choake strangle such as are plunged into this lake And for the forme of it it is sometimes compared to an oven or furnace of fire Mal. 4.1 Mat. 13.42.50 in which the fire being kept close strait may be made seven times more hote fierce then it was before Dan. 3.19 To make this fire yet more abhominable it is compared unto Tophet Esa 30.33 where children were burnt in horrible lothsome manner being sacrificed unto devils Ier. 7.31 with Psa 106.37 so more horrible would it be to see the soules sacrificed in Hell-fire Were there now but a witch to be burned at a stake how many thousands would flock together to behold the sight how many would loose a dayes work be content to misse their dinners rather then to misse the sight of it But if it were to see a King or an Emperour burnt to see a Pope or a Cardinall which having burnt many martyrs should at length have their owne flesh burnt with fire how many farre and neere would run and ride and spare no cost or labour to become spectatours of such a judgment how long how often how earnestly would men talke of it afterwards And yet this fire of the second death is for such by faith we see it faith makes us spectatours thereof if we beleeve the Scriptures which shew us how Tophet is prepared for kings Esa 30.33 how the beast and the false prophet the Popes are to be cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 and with them the multitude of their idolaters and other abhominable persons Rev. 21.8 And how are men bewitched that they forget this latter end of sinners that they more regard the light and momentany judgments of men then the eternall and severe judgments of the everlasting God This lake of fire is so forgotten and contemned of many which stand dayly at the brink of the pit ready to sinke downe into it for their sinnes as if that fire were already quenched yea the very common knowledge and confession thereof by all sorts hath quenched the thought of it and extinguished the memory and mencion of it with many as if it were so well knowne that it needed no more to be spoken of And for this cause are many tumbled into it overwhelmed in the depth of it before they be aware of it d The power of Gods wrath in kindling this fire may further be perceived if we behold the great variety of strange fires which God in his works of creation providence hath already kindled and set before us to shew what he is able to doe In the bowels of the earth below the Lord hath as it were sowne the seeds of fire in the divers minerals thereof as in the
ourselves with zeale of the Lord to drive away that lukewarmnes of our soules that is so abhominable in the sight of God Rev. 3.16 The Apostle teacheth us to make this use of the aforesaid considerations for the change of our conversatiō unto all holines godly life 2. Pet. 3.11 And from hence may we learne patience in suffering as well as obedience in doing the will of God as the Spirit teacheth us if the Lord be at hand if the end of all things be at hand such an end why should not our patient minde our moderation and sobriety be made knowne unto all upon all occasions Phil. 4.5 1. Pet. 4.7 Though injuries be done vnto us great dayly in extraordinary manner both unchristian inhumane dealing yet seing the comming of the Lord draweth nigh the Iudge is at the doore at the threshold and entrance of our house and there is but a step betwixt us him but an inch of time betwixt our sufferings and his judgement therefore he requireth of us that we be patient establish our hearts in him Iam. 5.8.9 Have we other losses troubles in the world whether we winne or loose it skilles not much whether we purchase buy with increase of gaine or whether we sell for necessity whether we be rich or poore it is no great matter seing the earth all the works thereof are in a moment to be burnt up 2. Pet. 3.10 seing the end hasteneth the world passeth away let not the buyer rejoyce nor the seller mourne Ezek. 7.12 All the happines of man stands in being delivered from this everlasting fire kindled by the fierce wrath of God against sinne We have enough may well be content while we have our soule saved as a prey from this great destruction f If yet we be dull of hearing cannot see the dreadfulnes of this death in the causes thereof the sinne of man deserving it the wrath of God inflicting it if yet we desire a plainer evidence thereof let us then looke upon the effects thereof consider how the smart of this second death shall make the children of hell to crye waile take up eternall lamentations without any measure or end By the effects of sorrow Ieremy thus describeth the affliction of Ierusalē in her captivity that of a princesse being become a desolate widow she did weep sore in the night that her teares were on her cheekes that they rā downe as a river night day the apple of her eye never ceassing that her elders her infāts young men virgines did mourne together that the priests prophets did sigh their eyes being dimmed fayling with teares their bowels troubled their liver powred thus roare faint in themselves under this burden of sorrow how can any men or Giants that are but flesh undergoe the same When the Lord shall pleade against the proud covetous cause his wrath to smoake against hypocrites dissemblers against profane men drunkards adulterers malicious men how can their heart endure or their hands be strong Ezek. 22.14 Though they were as stout as the devils they shall be crushed broken together with them Now many skorners make a mock of religion now the epicures make a sport of sinne now the obstinate persons despise admonition hate to be reformed they set their faces as Adamants in their obstinacy But though their bones were brasse their strength of stones their heart as hard as the nether milstone yet shall they be ground to peeces with this wrath of God that grindes the very Devils to powder makes them to howle yell before him Above all other the most terrible effect of Gods wrath was that which was shewed upon Christ Iesus the Lord of men angels when as he being become our surety bearing our sins did groane under the burden when he cryed out with strong cryes teares Heb. 5.7 when in the trouble of his soule with great astonishment feare he sayd What shall I say Ioh. 12.27 as if he had felt a sorrow not to be uttered when in the sense of Gods anger due unto us he not onely cryed day night but even with words of roaring Psa 22.1.2 finally uttered the most sorrowfull voyce that ever sounded in the world My God My God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27.46 If all the dolefull complaints lamentations of all miserable men were layd together upon the ballance they would be found lighter then this complaint of Christ because the iniquities of us all were layd together upon him Esa 53.6 he bore the curse of them Gal. 3.13 If we could see into the bowels of Hell or could lay our eare to any low vault to heare the howling of the spirits in that prison yet no wofull voyce ought to moove us so much as these cryes of our Saviour in his agony No weeping gnashing of teeth by those reprobates can so expresse the power fiercenes of Gods wrath as this weeping and sorrowfull teares of the in the second commandement the Lord threatens such a change that they shall be most ashamed of that which they adored shall cast their Idoles to the Moles to the Bats Esa 2.20 creatures that love darknes the one for place living under the earth the other for time comming abroad in the night The Idolaters shall wish their idoles were hidden in utter darknes for ever But as Moses once despited the Idolaters by burning their Idoll grinding it to powder strowing it on the waters making them drinke thereof to their further shame Exod. 32.20 so shall the Lord force the Idolaters by remorsefull remembrance evermore to drinke the powder of their images of their owne inventions The Lord through a secret antipathy of nature doth sometimes worke such a strange terrour in some men as experience shewes that at the sight of some creatures or dishes of meat set before them on the table though the creatures be good in themselves lawfull for use to other men comfortable yet these men quake tremble sit astonished with gastly countenances full of perplexity anguish gaping sweating at the sight their haire standing upright on their head their spirits appalled not able to speake a word nor to stirre out of their place but like men confounded remaine bound in the chaines of amazement as terribly affrighted as was Belshazzar when he saw the palme of a hand writing his destruction upon the wall Dan. 5.5.6 And hereby we may conceive the power of Gods wrath for the torment of idolaters by representing unto their mindes those unlawfull images which they worshipped to their eternall affright and horrour The Lord knoweth how to engrave all the sinnes of men with the point of a diamond upon the table of their heart for their vexation woe and so in speciall to pourtray their images idoles upon the broad plate
the outward borders of the holy land teturne we to the inward parts these on both sides of the river Iordan On this side above many other places Ierusalem the city of the great king offers it selfe to our consideration which though it were a type of heavē Gal. 4.26 Heb. 12.22 yet round about it there were signes set of the fearfull judgmēts of God of the last end of the wicked And first of all by the entry of the East-gate they had the vallie of Hinnom the high places of Tophet therein as it were a visible Hell Ier. 19.2 with Iosh 15.8 They there burned their children in the fire unto Baal Moloch with great impiety against God and cruelty to hornes their hoofes their haire well might that lake be this same pit As by the descent of an Angel into the poole of Bethesda those that first entred after the stirring of the waters were made whole of what disease soever they had Ioh. 5.4 so no wonder if after the stirring of these waters in Gadara by a legion of uncleane spirits together they were made unwholesome caused disease to those that drank thereof So often as men beheld or thought upon this devilish lake they had a spectacle of Hell before them they tooke the name of God in vaine if they did not learne hereby to watch fight against the wicked spirits to seeke the helpe of Christ that conquers them not to love their swine more then Christ nor to become as swine by wallowing in the mire of sinne 2. Pet. 2.22 left they also by the Devils should be carryed headlong into the lake of brimstone prepared for those that hearkē not unto the call of God e These were the markes tokens given to the Iewes but the Iewes themselves are given for signes warnings unto us for whē these many other memorials of the latter end were givē unto the Iewes despised of them then at last they themselves by the righteous judgment of God were made as signes and wonders unto the beleeving Gentiles called into their place to this day they remaine as memorials of Hell under the power of darknes their hearts being hardened their eyes darkened and covered with the spirit of slumber Rom. 11.7.8.10 Their state of rejection wherein they presently are is described in such phrase as the estate of those in Hell they are now in utter darknes while they are without Christ if they knew the misery of their estate then should they weep gnash their teeth Matt. 8.12 In this hell of utter darknes have they continued now these sixteen hundred yeares are scattered abroad among all nations for a warning unto them So often as we meet these obdurate Iewes in our streets consider how they are broken off from their olive the kingdome of God being taken from them given to others Matt. 21.43 so often are we to be mooved with compassion to thē as if they did weep howle before us as we are to pray for the day of their visitation so are we to worke the whole earth turning round about it continually even as the first flaming sword was about the garden of God in Eden This middle Zone though in comparison of Tophet it be an heaven yet in respect of other temperate Zones inhabited by us it is in many things like unto Hell As Hell is described by the burning heat that is therein Esa 30.33 Matt. 25.41 so in this Torrid Zone men are grievously afflicted tormented with heat men dwelling there under the Aequinoctiall line the climates on each side neere the same the Sunne burnes them by day and the beames thereof beating directly upon their heads doe strike them with a vehement heat round about the world even from the East unto the Westerne India in Aethiopia betwixt them both insomuch that some of them curse the Sunne every morning that it riseth As Hell is described by the blaknes of darknes that is there reserved for reprobates 2. Pet. 2.17 black being the colour of sorrow feare Psa 38.6 in the orig which make all faces to gather blacknes Ioel. 2.6 so under the hote Zone there dwell the black Moores the Aethiopians or burnt-faces as the word which the holy Ghost useth for them doth signify Act. 8.27 Their bodies visages are blacker then a coale some have bene frighted at the fight of them as if they had come out of Hell As in Hell men are under the vexation of the Devill that is called the prince of darknes Eph. 6.12 hath the power of death Heb. 2.14 so it is generally testifyed that the Indians both East West the Guineans betweene both in this hote Zone doe both worship the Devill that often appeares personally unto them are often beaten tormented by the immediate hand of the Devill in those visible apparitions with many other vexations to their unspeakable misery therefore in this regard there is not so much a shadow of Hell as a very Hell it selfe a kingdome of darknes As the state of those in Hell is described by a worme that torments them never dyeth Esa 66.24 Mark 9.44.46.48 so those that live in this Torrid Zone in Guinea have often ordinarily a worme of strange incredible length that breedeth in their flesh as those that travell thither have both seene and felt and in their flesh have brought home apparitions are imagined to ascend up out of the earth 1. Sam. 28.13 even so a man that should see these all-black naked impes come swarming up out of their holes from under ground each of them both at mouth nostrils breathing out the smoake of that Indian herb which is a part of their ordinary dyet it were no wonder if he thought the picture of Hell to be before him In fine as many for Māmon or riches doe sell themselves and loose their soules goe downe to Hell for ever 1. Kin. 21.20 even so many for the love of that treasure that is to be found in this hote Zone are content to adventure their lives in travelling thither in this journey there be multitudes that from time to time doe loose their mortall temporary lives and so in this regard also there is some consimilitude betwixt these two places And now if we doe well observe this strange work of God we shall therein perceive how unsearchable his judgements are his wayes past finding out in permitting this forlorne people that are so black in their bodies more black in their soules through their worship of the Devill to lye so long enthralled under the dominion of Satan that for so great a compasse round about the whole earth under the Aequinoctiall circle Seing the Lord hath made this visible Hell like a broad black belt or girdle to environ the very heart middle of the world how ought this to warne all the inhabitants
eyes sometimes set upon our heads as witnesses and pledges of the glorious kingdome to be enjoyed hereafter In Baptisme is represented both the washing away of our sinnes Act. 2.38 our fellowship with the holy Trinity whose names are put upon us Matt. 28.19 The names of the Father Sonne H. Ghost are set like three pearles shining in our crowne of glory set upon our heads Esa 28.5 In the Supper of the Lord being called unto his Table to the participation of the body blood of Christ we are thereby set together in heavenly places with him Eph. 2 6. like olive plants round about his Table as a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord Esa 62.3 even a crowne about our head Christ in the middes of his Church As the children of Israel in the wildernes to guide support them in the way were led by a pillar of cloud fed with manna water out of the rock so by a like favour for the same spirituall use hath Christ our King given us the Sacraments of the new Testament 1. Cor. 10.1.2.3.4 therefore looke what joy comfort the most faithfull in Jsrael had when they saw the cloud of the Tabernacle going before them such joy comfort ought we to be filled withall at the administration of Baptisme and looke with what joy and thankfulnes they went forth to gather Manna with as great ought we to be affected in going to the Table of the Lord giving thankes unto Christ for such a staffe of comfort to quicken strengthen us in our journey way unto the Kingdome of Heaven f But for a further view of this unspeakable grace comfort exhibited in these three offices of Christ we are to looke upon the dignity of his person whereupon depends the vertue power 33.15.16 When for sinne the Lord threatned a departure of this presence yet offered to send an Angel with them to destroy their enimies Exod. 33.2.3 that would not content him no presence of prophets or angels would serve the turne without this divine presence united to the Tabernacle for their guidance And even so according to this type when the word was made flesh he dwelt among us as in a Tabernacle as the word signifyes Ioh. 1.14 escenose His body was the true Tabernacle which the Lord pight and not man Heb. 8.2 In him dwelt all the fulnes of the Godhead bodily Coll. 2.9 Out of this Tabernacle he spake Heb. 1.1 and wrought miracles Matt. 4.23 Act. 10.38 and remooved up and downe and conversing among men led his sheep in the way of life Ioh. 10.27.28 No man nor angel had bene sufficient for this worke but he being very God as well as man bearing up all things by his mighty word Heb. 1.3 caries along his sheep unresistably and safely unto the glory exspected He is Lord of all and at his right hand we may see all his blessed angels attending to whom he hath given charge to watch over his sheep in this way and to carry them in their hands that they dash not their feet against a stone Psal 91.11.12 At his left hand he hath the Devill his angels in a chaine and bindes them at his pleasure Rev. 20.1.2 2. Pet. 2.4 so that they cannot hurt a swine or any uncleane beast without his permission Matth. 8.31 and much lesse can they hurt them that are washed in his blood and he having given commandement to prepare the way of his people to cast up an high way to gather out the stones and to remoove the stumbling blockes Esa 62.10 57.14 they shall goe in the way of life as Israel marched out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14.8 a dog shall not moove his tongue against them Exod. 11.7 further then is for their good Rom. 8.28 and in due season they shall come to the Lord the wel-spring of all glory life comfort in heaven g The comfort which ariseth from this consideration of Christ is marvellous great for all the faithfull and in speciall for afflicted consciēces that desire to be established and confirmed in faith for t out of his fullnesse Thus the soules that come dayly to Christ as their Prophet may dayly be refreshed by him h If any through weaknes of faith cannot lay hold on the promises of God touching the pardon of sinne and the free gift of salvation set before us let them bring these promises to the ground of them even to Christ applying them first to Christ then to themselves for in him all the promises of God are Yea and in him they are Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 not onely in their owne nature truth but also in respect of our apprehension He that cannot assent unto the promise looking on the promise onely may better assent sooner beleeve when he lookes on Christ the ground of the promise for example God promiseth unto the repentant that their crimson skarlet sinnes shall be taken away and they made white as snow wooll Esa 1.18 now the troubled soule that cannot say Yea to this promise by particular application let the same looke upon the sacrifice of Christ bearing their sins satisfying the justice of God behold his blood powred out to wash them so they shall sooner conceive apprehend their sins to be done away and their soules to be cleansed and made white as snow There is a promise that where sinne abounds there grace aboundeth much more Rom. 5.20 The perplexed consciences that faine would but cannot say Amen unto this promise by applying it unto themselves let the same looke upon Christ and behold the dignity of his person his deity divine majesty being the brightnes of glory the character or engraven forme of his Fathers person his equall and his fellow Heb. 1.3 Phil. 2.6 Zach. 13.7 when they see his eternall Godhead and almighty power to whom nothing is hard or impossible withal consider how he stoops downe to help and puts his hand to this work to give worth price unto the sacrifice for sinne to make the blood of redemptiō more precious meritorious to redeeme the vilest sinners then shall they more easily receive the promise of abundant grace with more faith say Amen unto it There is a promise that God will be mercifull to the sinnes of his people Heb. 8.12 receive them with everlasting kindenes Esa 54.8 pity thē as a father merit of life to justify us v. 54. the spirit of life for our sanctification Rom. 8.10 the crowne of life for our glorification Rev. 2.10 He is all in all Coll. 3.11 and therefore we are to be nothing in ourselves but all in him and wholly renouncing ourselves our owne righteousnes we are to cast ourselves altogether upon him for the hope of eternall life To him be praise for ever Amen CHAP. III. Of Mortification or the death of sinne The nature necessity thereof in generall a
and therefore is to be crucifyed as well as the lusts and affections thereof Gal. 5.17.24 This is that hatefull and poysonous Cockatrice egge to be crushed before serpents creep out of it The godly therefore knowing this their owne corrupt disposition must labour to have it changed and weakened dayly within them and to this end they are to watch their heart with all diligence Prover 4.23 and even before they feele any stirring or motion of the flesh to be exercising of themselves in all godlines and in all holy meditations and prayer to keepe under their rebellious nature and by the help of the Spirit to bring it into subjection 1. Corint 9.27 to binde the very stumpe of this tree with an yron band of mortification that the forbidden fruits doe not bud forth b The life of a Christian in this world is a continuall warfare in which they fight the battailes of the Lord every day and houre 2. Cor. 10.4 1. Tim. 6.12 These spirituall combates according to the actes and degrees before named are six in speciall First they conquer the Adamantine Rock Zach. 7.12 when their hard hearts are softened to againe by the banishment of wandring thoughts motions most of all broken whē the sinfull disposition of the flesh is broken mortifyed All these contritions breakings are so many pleasant sacrifices of sweet odour unto God to them that undergoe so many deathes he hath made many precious promises that he will revive the spirit of the humble give life unto the contrite ones that he who is high excellent inhabiting eternity on high will dwell here below with him that is lowly that he whose name is the Holy One will dwell with the contrite sinner Esa 57.15 66.1.2 and therefore if the presence conversation of God with us be of any regard with us if the glory life that God gives be of any account in our eyes let us give ourselves dayly to these workes of mortification that by these foregoing deathes we may be made ready to leave this world may in the end finde him with comfort come before him that is the well of life c For the illustration of this poynt to omit others consider we the example of David alone how he was exercised in all these acts of contrition thereby dyed unto sinne The divers degrees of mortification were so many steppes of the staires by which he descended into the death of sinne dying as it were a severall death upon each one of them 1. After knowledge conviction of sinne committed as for the numbring of the people his heart smote him for it 2. Sam. 24.10 and that was a blow or stroak of mortification which the spirit gave unto the flesh he mourned exceedingly and in a revengefull indignation against his owne sinne was content desired that the hand of God might be against him against his fathers house that he might beare the smart of his owne transgression vers 17. this was a death of sinne in him And so it was also with the sinne he conmitted in the matter of Vrias for which his bones were broken Psal 51.8 and for which he made himselfe a publick example by the confession of his sinne making a dolefull song thereof to the shaming of himselfe warning of others The title of Psal 51.11 David went a step lower when he mortifyed resisted the act of sinne though occasion opportunity of revenge was given unto him though counsell was given him by others to that If I say I vvill judge thus Behold I should offend against the generation of thy children vers 15. VI. Lastly David came downe to the lowest step of the staires when in the mortification of his sinne he stroke upon the root thereof by bewailing his originall corruption seeking to subdue that sinfull disposition received from his parents while he complaineth Behold I vvas borne in iniquity in sinne hath my mother conceived me Psalm 51.5 This old nature he labours to mortify when he desires to be renewed in the spirit of his minde vers 10. for as the Apostle reasoned in respect of the covenant Heb. 8.13 in that he mentioneth a new estate he desires the abolishing decay of the old Thus true mortification never ceaseth till it bring men from by the hatred of actual sinnes to finde out the original the cause mother of all by which all men together are become unprofitable filthy Psal 53.3 vvith Rom. 3.12 that they may kill crucifye the same This mortification of the old man is also comprehended in that speech of David when he saith I kept me from mine iniquity Psal 18.23 for though it be true that he kept himselfe from his wickednes from his sinne that dwelt in him by bewailing sins already committed by resisting the present actions by breaking his will by renouncing his affections by casting downe his imaginations yet in speciall manner he kept himselfe from his wickednes by mortifying his very disposition to evill while he laboured to change his nature to have a new disposition created within him These are the deathes that David dyed these are the deathes to be undergone of all that would not dye eternally This dayly dying unto sinne by so many lesser deathes is a maine preparative unto the great day of our translation out of this world which ought evermore to be remembred of us d After the actes of mortification the divers degrees thereof it is expedient that we consider the speciall enimies or evills of sinne that are to be mortifyed These the holy Ghost informes us to be the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life 1. Ioh. 2.16 that is to say voluptuousnes covetousnes ambition or vaine-glory To these three may be reduced the principall workes of the flesh or old man considering that for these and from these doe arise the contentions hatred envy lying slandering manifold other iniquities Iam. 4.1.2 which are therefore noted described as companions waiting upon the forenamed lusts which are the three seditious captaines leaders unto all mischiefe Gal. 5.19.20.21 Col. 3.5.8.9 Eph. 5.22.31 These lusts are the root of all evill not onely of all wrong injustice cruell dealing towards men but of all irreligion impiety against God The cares of this world the deceitfulnes of riches the lusts of other things as the pleasures of this life choke the word of God make it unfruitfull Mark 4.19 Luk. 8.14 the fruits of holines righteousnes are blasted and destroyed thereby And some through these lusts have erred from the faith being insnared with foolish and absurd conceits noysome also and hurtfull in respect of all graces weakned by them piercing the heart with present sorrowes and finally casting men into eternall destruction and perdition 1. Tim. 6.9.10 These are of the world not of God and if any man be a
Spirit by faith bringes us unto Christ for the mortification of sinne it followes that we consider how the same is done by Hope also through the assured exspectation of the glory that is to come Christ is our Hope the Hope of glory 1. Tim. 1.1 Col. 1.27 And frō this Hope there ariseth a double act of mortification by two especiall graces of Sobriety Patience that are exercised therein Sobriety is an act of mortification which consists in the subduing of inordinate joy delight of all earthly pleasures honours and profits wherewith so many are as it were drunken overcome By looking for that blessed Hope the glorious appearing of the great God our Saviour Iesus Christ we are taught to deny ungodlines worldly lusts to live soberly and temperately in the moderate use of all outward comforts Tit. 2.12.13 The godly doe know that when the Lord shall appeare in glory they shall be made like unto him when they shall see him as he is And every one that hath this Hope in him purifyeth himselfe as he is pure 1. Ioh. 3.2.3 This purification of the soule from uncleane pleasures and lusts is the mortification of them As a greater light doth obscure dimme the lesse both the starres in the firmament the candles lighted on earth below doe cease to shine when the light of the radiant Sunne doth arise upō them so all the brightest lampes of worldly pleasure are as it were extinguished suffer with joy the spoyling of their goods knowing in themselves that they have in heaven a better an enduring substance Heb. 10.34 e After the consideration of Faith Hope it remaines that we proceed to the third grace of Love whereby the holy Spirit doth worke a further mortification in the elect And first of all by the love of Christ men are brought to the love of death having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 This desire of death cannot be in a man untill he be dead unto the world untill the love of the things that are in the world be dissolved within him Vntill a man be content to depart from all other vanities he cannot desire to goe unto Christ And therefore ought the godly to labour to finde in thēselves this desire of being translated out of the world to be with Christ that thereby they may finde more assurance of their mortification We see how the tender fervent love of some friends makes them willing desirous to die with their friēds doth after a sort mortifye the world unto them Iacob having lost Ioseph refused to be comforted resolved to goe downe mourning into the grave unto his sonne Gen. 37.35 fearing the losse of Benjamin both he others thought he should die with him his life being bound up in his sonnes life Gen. 42.38 44.22.30.31 It is recorded by divers historians touching the barbarous Indians in some parts both of the East the West some Black-Moores in Guinea in the midst betwixt them both that many of the subjects doe willingly die with their kings and many women with their husbands that the Prince being drowned many of the people have willingly drowned themselves with him that some men give their wives some their childrē some their servāts to be buried alive in the grave with their king to serve him in another world that some women doe cheerfully by the encouragement of their friends cast themselves into the fire wherein according to their manner of burial in some places the dead bodies of their husbands are consumed together If these so wickedly and resolutely leave this world before they be called and blindly cast away their lives for the love of a wretched creature what shame is it unto Christians if the love of their glorious prince heavenly bridegroome doe not mortify them declared it remaineth yet to be shewed how the Spirit having brought us to Christ doth bring us thereby to the eternall Father for in Christ through the Spirit we have accesse or entrance to the Father Eph. 2.18 and are reconciled to God saved and not onely so but we also joy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 5.11 And then all the attributes that are in God absolutely considered besides the other comforts to be had by them doe in speciall serve for our mortification by the Spirit of Christ teaching us the right life of them God is light 1. Ioh. 1.5 and all his glorious attributes are so many divine beames of light whereof every one of thē by shining upon us doth further our mortificatiō The eye of Gods infinite wisedome looking downe upon us may well strike us with shame of our vaine behaviour and forgetfulnes of God and make us mourne as Peter when at his third denyall Christ turned and looked upon him Luk. 22.61.62 And therefore are wicked mē the further from mortification because they say in their hearts Tush God seeth not Psal 10.11 Iob 22.14 the eye of man restraines them more then the eye of God Iob 24.15.17 The sight of Gods infinite power may well cast us downe and make us seeme lesse then grashoppers in our owne eyes when Israelites were so stricken with the sight of the mighty and tall Anakims Num. 13.33 His infinite goodnes mercy communicated with us should affect us more then Davids did Mephibosheth cause us rather to say What are we that the Lord should looke upon such dead dogs as we are 2. Sam. 9.8 His infinite wrath against sin before which the mountaines quake and melt Nah. 1.5.6 may well strike us with godly sorrow for the same sins which in the reprobate are punished with unrecoverable destruction though they be pardoned in us The incomprehensible majesty glorious beauty of his face cannot be looked upon by living men Exod. 33.20 some sparkles thereof appearing have brought men to the feare of death Iud. 13.22 His unmeasurable eternity being duely thought upō may well mortify the love of this transitory world that passeth away 1. Cor. 7.31 he alone being unchangeable abiding for ever the same Iam. 1.17 Psa 102.26.27 His unconceivable ubiquity or presence in every place may well serve for an hedge or wall of mortification to keepe us in awe of him in the denyall of ourselves for him seeing we can goe no whither from his spirit presence Psa 139.7 c. And thus all the rest of his attributes being reverently thought upon may serve to subdue the vanity of our mindes worke a death of sin within us by the help of his Holy Spirit By this meanes we may be prepared for our latter end to leave this world with comfort The Heremites Anachoretes that shut up themselves in walles or wildernesses doe every day with their owne hāds digge with their fingers scratch rake up the mouldes making their owne grave aforehand lying downe therein doe not in
so right a manner thinke of their end as those that thus doe mortify their sins making their owne spirituall meditations the graves wherein to bury their lusts CHAP. V. Of the outward meanes of Mortification The ordinances the workes of God a The primary ordinances the Word Prayer Sacraments Discipline b The secondary ordinances Fasting Watching c Ordinances of a third degree Vowes c Covenants d The Sacraments Sacrifices of the old Testament e Legall purifications there was more pollution by the touching of an uncleane or dead man then by the touch of any uncleane beast in seven respects f The Law of the Nazarite g The workes of Creation both in generall particular h The workes of Providence all the good that is done for us or performed by us i all the evils either of sinne committed by ourselves or others k or of punishment suffered by our selves or others l The due consideration of Death serves to mortify all kindes of lust THe Spirit of God working inwardly is the principall meanes of our mortification yet ordinarily he chooseth those times for this his work when as we observe the outward meanes which he hath appoynted to this purpose These meanes are either the use of his ordinances or the consideration of his workes The primary ordinances of God whereby the Spirit killes sinne are his Word Prayer Sacraments Discipline that he hath appoynted These are the weapons of our warfare not carnall but mighty through God to cast downe strong holds 2. Cor. 10.4 a His Word is the Hammer of Mortification that breakes the stony heart makes it contrite Ier. 23.29 As he himselfe is so is his word lively mighty in operation sharper then any two-edged sword that pierceth deep cuts the soule spirit Heb. 4.12.13 and hewes the old man in pieces as Samuel once hewed king Agag in pieces before the Lord. 1. Sam. 15.33 This sword of the Spirit is to be taken into the hands of every Christian that would obtaine the victory over the world Eph. 6.17 This word is to be heard publickely to be read privately to be meditated upon continually out of it a store of divine sentences commandements promises and threatnings is to be gathered kept in readines Col. 3.16 according to every mans necessity and speciall temptations so to be applyed against the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life for the mortification thereof These divine testimonies words of God are like so many sharp nayles Eccl. 12.11 to be fastened into the hands and feet of the old man that so he may be crucifyed As it was the honour of Iael she was blessed above women because she put her hand to the nayle and her right hand ro the hammer and smote Sisera and stroke through his temples till the enimy of Gods people was slayne Iudg. 5.24.26.27 so shall they be blessed above other men and women that having furnished themselves with store of divine oracles doe then put their hands to the nayles hammer of the Spirit so strike downe every lust sinful motion as soone as it beginnes to lift up the head and to stirre within them by applying the counsell of God against the same By Prayer the spirit of mortification is obtained both when it is desired by petition according to the precept promise Luk. 11.13 Matt. 26.41 as also by the very act exercise of prayer though this grace in particular be not desired but other things in as much as the very comming into Gods presence and the very presenting of the soule before him doth strike downe proud thoughts set the soule in a way of mortification Gen. 18.27 Psa 59 2-7 The Sacraments being due ly administred and received serve also in speciall manner to mortifye the old man In Baptisme there is as it were a grave of mortification when being baptised into the death of Christ we are buryed with him by baptisme Rom. 6.3.4 Col. 2.12 1. Cor. 15.29 The reverent and due meditation of this ordinance the beholding of the administration thereof is more effectuall for the mortifying of sinne then travelling to Ierusalem to behold the sepulcher of Christ as many have done In the Supper of the Lord the body and blood of Christ is so lively represented unto us that with Thomas we doe put our fingers into the hands and side of Christ into the print of the nayles speare Ioh. 20.27 in the due consideration thereof we cannot but crucifye our owne flesh with the affections and lustes In the exercise of Discipline by admonitions rebukes for sin the heart is humbled and broken Psal 69.20 with Zech. 13.6 and the censures are administred for the destruction of the flesh shaming of the offendour 1. Cor. 5.5 2. Thess 3.14 that by such meanes he might be truely mortifyed They serve also for the mortifying and humbling of the persons by whom they are administred giving them just cause of mourning bewayling both their owne others miseries by reason of sinne 1. Cor. 3.2 2. Cor. 7.8 and 12.21 even as under the Law he that did that which tended to the cleansing of others became uncleane himselfe Num. 19.7.8.10.21 b The secondary ordinances of God are such meanes of mortification as serve to help further us in the use of the former as namely Fasting Watching that we may be better prepared to pray to meditate to heare the word to receive the Sacraments to performe other religious dueties By fasting we understand either abstinence from meat altogether for a shorter time as in David others 2. Sam. 1.12 3.35 or abstinence from pleasant meat for a longer time as in Daniel Dan. 10.2.3 vvith vers 11.12.13 The use of both is to humble the soule that it may be better fitted for the exercise of mortification to this end are we called thereunto of God Ioel 2.12 and for the same purpose are the examples of the Saints that have bene frequent therein commended unto us in Scripture Dan. 9.3 Psa 35.13 69.10 2. Cor. 11.27 either to cast off their sins or themselves to be cast out of the Church they say in that covenant conditionally as Ionas sayd when he offered himselfe to be cast into the sea Ion. 1.12 binding themselves at their entrance into the Church either to beware of offences disturbing the peace thereof or to yeeld unto those courses whereby themselves deserve to be troubled d Having considered the ordinances of the New Testament the subordinate helpes whereby we are furthered in the exercise of mortification let us now see what may be observed to this purpose from the ordinances of the old Testamēt Though the practise of them cease in the ceremony yet not the meditation of thē nor the practise of those dueties which are signifyed by the ceremonies And all of them in speciall manner preach mortification unto us and call us
the servants of my Lord 1. Sam. 25.41 David himselfe of his marriage with Sauls daughter Seemeth it to you to be a light thing to be a kings sonne in law seeing that I am a poore man and lightly esteemed 1. Sam. 18.23 then what may we say of our exaltation and of the divine benefits bestowed upon us All the mercies and blessings which we receive from God if we compare them with our sinfull nature are like so many coales of mortification coales of indignatiō heaped on our heads Rom. 12.20 and therefore doth God let us know how good he hath bene unto us even when we were his enimies that by that meanes we might be mortifyed and burne in just hatred and indignation against ourselves Rom. 5.10 with 2. Sam. 12.7.8 Esa 5.1.2 Deut. 32 6-15 And in summe even the least good done to us should make us thinke how little we are and ever lesse then the least of Gods mercies farre unworthy of them Gen. 32.10 so take occasion thereby of being humbled before the Lord. As all the good that by divine providence is done to us so all the good done by us should ever give us occasion of further mortification of abasing ourselves in the sight of God Thus it was with David in his free offerings for the Temple 1. Chron. 29.14 Solomon when the Temple was built 1. Kin. 8.27 Such is the greatnes of the Lord above our works that in respect of the infinite reward we may say as Barzillai to David Thy servant will goe a little way with the King why should the King recompense it me with such a reward 2. Sam. 19.36 All that we have and doe for God is of his owne that he hath first given us 1. Chron. 29.14.16 these gifts of his in our best use of them in the best workes we doe are still so polluted that we have ever cause to acknowledge with shame the filthines of our righteousnesses Esa 64.6 Phi. 3.8.9 ever have a gracious respect unto them that sigh cry for the abominations committed by other men Ezek. 9.4 This was observed by Lot 2. Pet. 2.7.8 by Moses Exod. 32 19-32 Num. 16.4 and others with him Num. 14.5.6 by David Psal 119.136.139.158 by Ezra chap. 9.2.3 by Nehemiah ch 13.7.8 by Paul Rom. 9.1.2.3 2. Cor. 11.29 12.21 by Christ Iesus Mark 3.5 Luk. 19.41.42 And the contrary is made a signe of a wicked man no man is truely greeved for his owne sinne that is not touched with greefe for the sins of others for seeing God is dishonoured our neighbour wounded thereby it must needes be a signe that such have neither love of God nor pity of their neighbour Ier. 36.23.24.25 Prov. 14.9 k Thus doe the evils of sinne call for greefe and sorrow besides these the evils of punishment the afflictions calamities tribulations in the world doe also lead unto mortification Thereby God breakes the pride of man withdraweth him from his evill course Iob 33.16.17 by his chastisements God humbles the heart of men makes them submit unto his yoke Ier. 31.18.19 thē is the case most miserable when they are least regarded Prov. 27.22 Men are warned of God to mortify sin not onely by greater afflictions but even by the lesser sort also for there are two kindes of them a light touch a heavy hand Esa 9.1 There is a wonderfull variety in Gods dealings this way sometimes the touch is so easy gentle that it is scarse felt men are scarse able to say whether there be a paine in it or no they have such light aches of the head the belly the bones such small reproches and losses that they are hardly sensible of them As a loving mothersmites her child sometimes so softly gently that it doth not appeare whether she be angry or not even so doth our most loving God deale oftentimes with his children Iob 33.14.15 with ch 7.14 Mat. 10.30 but though the stroke be most milde gentle yet they that are wise will make use of it Prov. 17.10 Though there be an hundred degrees of difference in Gods visitations some of them like a fillop onely or a lifting up of the hand yet no stroke a striking but yet no smart or easy to be borne as it were with a rod of rushes yet all of them are a push or thrusting with the finger for our admonition and at every such thrusting or pinching we are called unto the acts of pride of life Looke upon death see how it layes the heads of the proudest men in the world they that were before as starres the sonnes of the morning have then the wormes spread under thē over them become like broken vessels in the land of oblivion Esa 14.11.12 What availeth it to be praysed a while by the stinking breath of flatterers when afterwards their names shall rotte among men Pro. 10.7 like those bones of the great mē in Israel that should be for dung upon the face of the earth Ier. 8.1.2 or if they be praysed by men after their death in their writings chronicles what will this profit them when their sins are written with a pen of iron with the point of a diamond Ier. 17.1 when those bookes shall be opened in the secōd death Rev. 20.12 what though their sepulchers be paynted covered with golden letters when at the second death their soules shall be cast into the bottomlesse pit into the oven of hell where the proud they that doe wickedly shall be burned up consumed Mal. 4.1 CHAP. VI. Touching Vivification or quickening of the new man The nature necessity thereof in generall a Six degrees of vivification 1. A new disposition or habit of quickening grace 2. Motions of spirituall life in the understanding judgment memory 3. Affections of love joy desire c. 4. Renewing of the will 5. Workes of righteousnes true holines 6. Ioyful thanksgiving in the apprehension of all the former graces of life b The inward meanes of vivification The Spirit of God bringing us unto Christ working in us the graces of Faith Hope Love c The outward meanes The primary ordinances the Word Prayer Sacraments Discipline d The secondary a holy Feast and a holy Watch e Ordinances of a third degree Vowes and Covenants f The workes of Creation Providence FRom the Mortification of the old man come we now to the Vivification of the new man It is not possible that these two can be severed if any man be in Christ he must be a new creature 2. Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 borne againe of the Spirit by this new birth made partaker of a new spirituall life Ioh. 3.3.5 The Lord that is rich in mercy through his great love wherewith he loveth his elect quickeneth them together in Christ Eph. 2.4.5 The feeling of this new life is a preparative unto death and a preservative against all the terrours thereof and
behold the glory of all his angels to tast of the pleasures of his right hand If David prayed so often and so earnestly that he might enjoy the presence of God in his earthly sanctuary to behold the beauty of his ordinances there Psa 27.4 and 42.1.2 84.1 c. how much more ought we to pray constantly for our entrance into his heavenly sanctuary to enjoy the glory that 5.7 Lev. 5.16 Every man therefore that would have comfort in death peace in his conscience at his latter end must labour according to his utmost power to make cleare with the world by restitution satisfaction for wrong done for debts undischarged for fraudulent bargaines overreaching of his neigbour for any other injuries by word or deed against the person or credit of his neighbour He that would finde his soule reconciled to God must labour betimes without delay to see himself reconciled with men III. As there is a needfull Reconciliation so there is a holy zealous Revenge necessary to be sought before death that men may die with more comfort Neither let it seeme strange that seeking of revēge should be reckoned among the speciall preparatives unto death Though to take the sword for carnall revenge to satisfy the private lust of the flesh be oft forbidden of God Rev. 13.10 Mat. 26.52 Rom. 12.19.20 Pro. 25.21.22 24.17.18 20.22 yet is there a just glorious revenge of sin commanded of God both upon others upon ourselves Moses a little before his death is commanded to avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites that then he might be gathered unto his people Num. 31.1.2 One of his last workes was to be a work of revenge that being done he was to die with more comfort The remembrance of that revenge wrought by Phinehas could not but comfort him at his last houre Num. 25.11.12.13 Saul therefore had extreme anguish discomfort in death for not executing a revenge upon Amalek as it was told him of the Devill because he would not learne it of God 1. Sam. 28 15-20 with ch 15 1-35 David on his death-bed could not die quietly till he had cōmēded that work of revenge unto his son upon Ioab Shimei which himself had deferred omitted in his life time 1. Kin. 2 1-9 And all Magistrates having the sword committed unto them of God shall die with more comfort when according to their power they have so used it besides common justice have on some special occasions manifested some speciall zeale for the suppressing rooting out of the maine evils raigning in their times They that have the sword of the Spirit committed unto them of God are to have revenge in readines against all disobedience by admonitions rebukes spirituall censures of sin thē Now I know that thou lovest me because thou hast not spared thy wealth from me c. And therefore besides dayly common workes of mercy the H. Ghost commēds unto us some extraordinary workes of mercy upon speciall occasion either of mercy received by us or afflictiō layd upō others Whē the kingdome of heavē was opened after the ascension of Christ the Spirit powred out many converted spiritual joy abounded the comfort thereof produced extraordinary fruits of love as when Ioses or Barnabas others that had lāds houses sold thē distributed to the poore Act. 4 34-37 such gifts could not be givē every day yet though it were done but ōce in their life the cōfort thereof might well last so long as they lived Zacheus that in the day of his joyfull conversion calling stood forth gave at once the half of his goods to the poore though he could not every week make such distributions yet the comfort of that one act approoved accepted of Christ as a fruit of his faith token of his salvation could not but be a perpetuall consolation to be thought on even to death For earthly blessings received speciall offerings were to be made at solēne times appointed of God such were the feast in Abib of the first fruits of barly harvest the feast of weeks of the first fruits of wheat harvest the feast of tabernacles or of gathering in the fruits of the land in the end of the yeare Exo. 23.16 34.22 Lev. 23. to teach us that new blessings call for new expressions of thankfulnes that we may honour God with our substance and with the first fruits of all our increase Prov. 3.9 And as upon occasion of speciall comforts we are to be mooved unto the workes of mercy so also at the consideration of the speciall afflictions and wants of others In the time after the captivity when the necessity was great and the bondage heavy upon the Iewes then did godly Nehemias forbeare to take the bread of the Governour the stipend of former rulers and shewed extraordinary love compassiō in which he comforts himselfe praying the Lord to think upon him for good according to all the kindnes that he had done for his people Nehem. 5 14-18.19 When with extreme need there appeare in persons lively tokens of faith and godlines thē especially should take place the counsel of Iohn Baptist that we should abridge ourselves of our food raymēt rather thē see others want Luk. 3.10.11 Such good workes cannot but follow the godly to the grave and minister comfort at the last Rev. 14.13 Act. 9.36.39 It is a shame unto the disciples of Christ that so many and great purgatory-gifts have proceeded frō the false faith of merit-mongers when the faith of his most glorious Gospel doth not work the like in true beleevers a shame that an idle dreame servile feare of imagined purgatory should doe more then the assured and certaine persuasion of the love of God in Christ V. With the work of mercy is to be joyned the work of humility meeknes as a speciall preparative for a comfortable death translation out of this world For as with those that are translated out of this world into heaven there is no respect of persons poore Lazarus is carried first in the bosome of an Angell and then in the bosome of Abraham the Father of the faithfull Luk. 16.22 so those that would beginne a heavenly life here in the end with comfort be translated are in like māner to make themselves equall with them of lower estate Rom. 12.16 to converse with the poore to cary them in their bosome not onely to give a few pence of silver but to powre out their heart and their love unto them Esa 58.10 This was prophesyed of as a fruit of Christs kingdome Esa 11.6.7.8 such correspondence with the poore Christ commends unto us with promise of a large recompence Luk. 14.12.13.14 We are to walk by faith not by sight 2. Cor. 5.7 now by faith we see the Angels ministring unto them who shall be heires of salvation Heb. 1. l. Rev. 22.9 therefore
if we performe the like offices of love respect unto the poore servants of Christ we shal be fitter to goe with comfort into the society of Angels They that thus goe out of the world beforehand by leaving the fashions thereof become childrē againe shall have a more comfortable entrance into the kingdome of heaven Matt. 18.3 As new borne babes here on earth are first taken up by one then by another are delivered from one friends armes to another every one striving to have them in their armes to kisse them so the souls that are borne into heaven are translated by death first into the bosome of Angels carying thē then into the bosome of Abraham the Saints receiving them every one imbracing them with kisses of heavenly love above all into the bosome of the Lord of glory there to be satisfyed with his love in fulnesse of joy for evermore Esa 40.11 Psal 16. l. VI. Another work whereby men are prepared to die with comfort is the visitatiō of the sick others that are in misery For the promise is that he that considers the poore or visits the afflicted shall himself be preserved and delivered in time of trouble the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing he wil make all his bed in his sicknes Psal 41.1.2.3 By visiting the sick men both minister comfort unto others receive comfort themselves First they give comfort and minister a blessing unto those that are in distresse Thus to visit the fatherlesse the widowes in their affliction is pure religion undefiled before God and the Father Iam. 1.27 Onesiphorus is commēded for this Paul prayes heartily for him because he sought him out when he was in prison refreshed him ministred many things unto him 2. Tim. 1.16.17.18 Iob noteth the excellency of this whē he joineth him that cōforteth the mourners with a king even in the army when he useth greatest authority Iob 29.25 Whatsoever is done unto the least member of Christ in this kinde he takes it as done unto himself therefore such shall be remembred honoured by him at the last day Matt. 25 34-40 Secondly by visiting those that stand in need of comfort men doe also receive instruction comfort unto themselves Eccl. 7.2.3.4 2. Kin. 13.14.15 c. Though we may not inquire at the dead Deut. 18.11 yet at the dying we may learne many wholesome lessons as of repentance from their complaints of their sins bewailed of faith from their joyfull professions of their hope the examples of their constancy and of our owne mortality frailety from their strength languishing their pale countenances their dimme eyes their faltering tongue their ratling throat their panting heart their short breaths their painfull convulsions the last pangs sneckes of death all the symptomes of death are so many warnings unto the living to watch and prepare for their end Whosoever would be well prepared for death let them often repaire to such mourning houses let them so visit others in these cases that withall they see learne themselves that which God doth there so plainely teach them That which Elias sayd unto Elisha whē he had prayed for a double portion of his spirit If thou see me when I am taken from thee it shall be so unto thee 2. Kin. 2.9.10 may in some measure in another respect be sayd unto us whē seeing others taken away that very act with the circumstances of their departure is a meanes to increase the spirit in us yea to double our care comfort in looking for our end VII Lastly it is also a work preparatory unto death to have our testament Wil in readines that we need not be troubled therewith at last When the message of death was sent unto Hezekias he was called upon to set his house in order Esa 38.1 Abraham was carefull to settle the affaires of his house and family before his death as appeares by his disposing of Isaak in marriage Gen. 24.1.2 c. his giving gifts to the sonnes of Keturah his second wife sending them away Gen. 25.6 But the cheef part of testaments legacies are godly exhortations charges and blessings which parents give unto their children This was Isaaks care long before his death though he forgot the oracle that had assigned the blessing unto the younger Gen. 27 1-4 Isaak was then an hundred yeares old Gen. 25.26 with ch 26.34 he lived in all an hundred fourscore yeares Gen. 35.28 so that his testament his blessing was givē fourescore yeares before he dyed Iacob gave speciall charges blessings unto his sonnes before he died Gen. 47.29 48. 49. ch Thus did Moses with the children of Israel Deut. 33.1 c. and Ioshua Iosh 23. 24. ch Thus David also in a solemne assembly exhorteth the people especially his sonne Solomon to feare the Lord encourageth him unto the work that was to be done after him 1. Chron. 28.1.8.9.10 Solomon had also received instructions from his mother to the same purpose which he himself hath recorded Prov. 31. ch In speciall the more to affect children friends by exhortations promises and comforts I would commend unto fathers friends the example of Elijah the Prophet who in his life time made a writing which he procured to be delivered unto Iehoram after his death 2. Chron. 21 12-15 with 2. King 3.11 thus there may still be a prophesying after death though not by way of foretelling things to come yet by charges admonitions consolations which being left with executours or speciall friends together with other devises noted in the Scriptures together with the grounds thereof their faith hope love Simeon rejoyceth at the approch of his end Luk. 2.29.30 where we may observe the reasons before named mooving him thereunto his faith in having seen the salvation of the Lord which was grounded upō the word of promise produced peace of conscience his hope when he calleth death a departing or loosing frō bonds for it is the same word that elswhere signifyes to loose or release a prisoner Mat. 27.15.17 his love of God when he calles himself his servant Paul also had a desire to depart upon these three grounds his hope Phil. 1.23 his faith love 2. Tim. 4 6.7.8 And as these so other faithfull servants of Christ have also for the same causes earnestly desired to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord. 2. Cor. 5.1.2.8 2. Tim. 4.8 with Rev. 22.20.17 a Yet for the better understanding of this poynt somewhat must be further cōsidered to prevent a double danger both of some that seeme not to feare death of others that confesse they feare it The first sort are those that despise their life cast it away without being calld of God These deny the Lordship of Christ because that as no man should live to himself so none should die to himself but to the