and vvound them for so bloudy a crime yea that they reioyce and glory in it many of them and make a sport and pastime of it O horrible impietie Pro. 10.23 and 14.9 How are the consciences of such seared and their hearts hardened yea how like are they vnto Sathan their father who was a murtherer from the beginning Ioh. 8.44 and delights in nothing more then in hunting after the precious life of man and wounding his soule vnto death by entising and drawing him vnto wickednesse O blessed Lord farre be it from me at any time to commit so great a sinne against thee against my neighbour against the life and soule of any vvhich ought alwayes to be most deare vnto me Let me not be a meanes to wound the conscience of my brother by giuing him any iust offence by walking before him in any scandalous course let me neuer be an occasion of death vnto the soule of any by seeking to draw him to the commission of any sinne or to the practise of any kinde of vngodlinesse by any meanes whatsoeuer O farre be this from mee yea O Lord let me be as much afraid of this as much abhorre it as the murthering and destroying of the body of any which is so horrible a sinne that euen the Heathen themselues by the light of nature haue seene and iudged it to be worthy of the sharpest and most cruell death And let me seeke by all meanes rather to saue and preserue the liues and soules of men yea Iam. 5.20 of mine enemies by keeping them as farre as in mee lyeth from sin which is the cause of destruction and by turning their feete out of the waies of death and shewing them the path which leadeth vnto euerlasting life and happinesse and walking therin before them that so we may at length reioyce together Luke 15.9 10. and be made partakers of that glory of thy Saints in the highest heauens Amen What ought to be the maine care of euery one in this life THe Heathen Orator could say that none is so foolish Demosth so sloathfull as to neglect his owne safetie This is true indeed of the safetie of the body He is a monster in nature that doth not seeke by all good meanes the preseruation of it there be but few that may be complained of in this regard But the eternall saluation of the soule who seeth not how little it is regarded of the most how strangely neglected how faintly sought after yea of many scarce thought vpon O folly of follies and desperate sloathfulnesse yea extreame madnesse of men vvho are so sottishly carelesse of that which of all things most nearely concernes them For what would it aduantage them to game the vvhole vvorld Mat. 16.26 and to hazard the losse of their owne soules yea of soule and body for euer O blessed Lord let the counsell of the vvicked seeme foolishnes vnto mee and preserue me and all thine from the same both now and euer Let mee euer be most carefull of that vvhich is most necessary Luk. 10.42 more solicitous of the eternall saluation of my soule then of the safetie and preseruation of this mortall and corruptible body vvhich is shortly to be turned into the dust and made foode for the crawling wormes or baser vermine Aboue all cares let mee be carefull of this to seeke by all means and to vse all diligence to make my Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 that so I may haue comfort in this that I am ordayned to life and shall be preserued by thy mighty power 2 Tim. 4.18 1 Pet. 1.5 vnto that glorious saluation vvhich is prepared to be shewed in the last time vvhen thou shalt be glorified in thy Saints 2 Thes 1.10 and made marueilous in them that beleeue yea that so soone as the earthy house of this tabernacle is dissolued 2 Cor. 5.1 and this vveake and fraile body turned into the earth out of vvhich it vvas taken I shall be receiued into those heauenly habitations those celestiall mansions and be made partaker of that rich that immortall vndefiled and neuer-fading inheritance purchased vnto mee by the bloud of thy Son and reserued for mee in the highest heauens vvhere thou raignest in endlesse and vnspeakable glory blessed for euermore Amen Christians often ill Iudges of themselues and their owne estates THe Children of God who are marked out by GOD himselfe vnto life and saluation are oft-times ill Iudges of themselues they discerne not aright of their owne estate because they measure themselues by an vncertaine and deceiueable rule viz. not by the Word of GOD which is of infallible trueth but by sense and feeling and by present apprehension of things offered vnto their thoughts vvithout due consideration of the wise and gracious dispensation of the Lord in his dealings with his children Sometimes hee filleth their hearts with ioy Psal 30.5.11 Isai 66.11 2 Cor. 1.3.4 1 Pet. 1.6.8 and causeth them to feele the sweetnesse of his diuine and heauenly consolations that so they may haue a taste of his goodnesse yea of the exceeding riches of his grace and mercy wherewith he imbraceth them in Christ Iesus Psal 10.1 13.1 2. 22.1.42.5 119.82.143 1 Pet. 1.6 2 Cor. 6.10 Sometimes againe he seemeth to hide his countenance from them for a while and vvithdraweth those comfortable and glorious feelings vvherewith they vvere before vvonderfully refreshed and wherein their soules reioyced in vnspeakable manner that thus they may be the more humbled in themselues knowing that all is from him and not from themselues and become the more earnest suiters vnto him for the enioying of that Psal 34.4 wherein they see their blessednesse consisteth as also that he might vveyne them the more from this wretched vvorld and cause them to aspire vnto that heauenly life where these comforts shall be alwaies present with them in more excellent manner Psal 16.11 6.8.9 without any intermission or alteration O blessed Lord teach me alwaies to iudge rightly of my estate not according to feeling or the present disposition of my vnsetled minde but according to the rule which thou hast giuen vs in thy vvord which neuer fayleth Though thou dost not alwaies cause me to taste of that heauenly Manna Reuel 2.17 vvherewith sometimes thou dost refresh me though thou dost not alwaies looke vvith a cheerefull face and vvith a smiling countenance vpon me causing thy light to shine in my heart but makest as though thou vvert angrie and much displeased vvith me and gauest no eare to my humble supplications which I powre out in silence before thee yea Psal 22.2 sufferest me to be exercised with many and grieuous temptations and to indure many a hard and doubtful conflict with that deadly enemy and aduersary of mine who thereby seeketh to make a prey of me yet let me alwaies lift vp my heart vnto thee Psal 27.14 Iames 1.2 and
can be named Is it not the Diuell I know thou vvilt and needs must say so For his very name doth affright men and vvhen vvee haue named him vvee thinke that we haue reckoned the worst and the most loathsome hatefull thing that can be yet I tell thee that euen Sathan himselfe that hellish Fiend is not so filthy so loathsome and deformed as sinne is Maruell not at this as though it could not so be but consider throughly of the matter and thou wilt easily perceiue and willingly acknowledge it to be so For vvhat is it that makes the Diuell so much abhorred both of God men and Angels Is it not sinne and sinne onely yes doubtlesse it cannot be denyed For who knowes not that knowes any thing that those damned Spirits euen all the Diuels in hell Iude v. 6. were at the first more glorious excellent louely and amiable Creatures then any mortall man whatsoeuer yea that they were like Starres Angels of light shining and glistering with puritie holinesse and righteousnesse before they vvere stained and defiled vvith the loathsome contagion and infection of sinne and transgression Sinne onely it was that blemished that goodly beautie Sinne onely it was that darkened that vvonderfull brightnesse and that resplendent glory vvherein they vvere at the first created and wherein they should for euer haue continued had they not sinned against the Maiestie of GOD their Creator Sinne onely it vvas that dimmed all their light and damped all their glory the beames vvhereof vvould haue dazeled any mortall eye Sinne onely it vvas that of Citizens of that Royall palace that heauenly Paradise that celestiall Ierusalem 2 Pet. 2.4 the Presence-chamber of the Lord of glory made them wretched bond-slaues and most miserable captiues in that deepe dungeon and darke prison of hell vvhere they are kept in euerlasting chaines of darknesse vnto that great damnation Sin onely it vvas that transformed them into damned Spirits cast them downe from the brightnes of heauenly glory into the darknesse of hellish misery and of bright-shining Starres as it were made them most ougly and loathsome Diuels In briefe Sin and Sinne onely it vvas that made them as loathsome as euer they vvere louely as ougly as euer they vvere amiable as greatly abhorred of God and of all his holy and elect Angels as euer they were loued of them before And were they freed from sinne they vvould become Angels of light glorious creatures Now then if sinne doth make others yea such glorious creatures as the Diuels once were so vile and loathsome yea odious vnto all other creatures oh then how vile and loathsome a thing is sin it selfe Surely so hydeous a monster is this monstrous Monster I know not how to tearme it of Sinne that those vvhose eyes GOD hath once opened that they are able rightly to discerne of the same vvill vnder-goe any torment 1 Ioh. 3.8 any sorrow any punishment whatsoeuer rather then once vvillingly commit the same as wee may see in the examples of many holy Martyrs Heb. 11.35 36.37.38 and godly Professors who haue endured the losse of their goods lands liuings yea and life it selfe and willingly suffered all kinde of tortures and torments that their cruell Aduersaries and bloudy Persecutors could deuise or imagine rather then they vvould be brought to that one sinne of denying the knowne truth or dissembling their profession Notable to this purpose is the saying of that auncient and religious Father that he would wish rather to be torne in pieces with wilde beasts then willingly and vvittingly to commit any sinne And from a more heroicall and diuine spirit Anselme was that speech of him that professed that if hee should haue the choyse eyther to burne in hell fire continually or to sinne any sinne willingly hee vvould rather choose those endlesse vnspeakeable torments then yeeld consent to the other so vile and monstrous did sinne seeme vnto him What should I say more Men would bee much afrayde if the Deuill should appeare vnto them in some shape yea the very naming of him strikes a deepe impression of feare into many But could these once behold sin it selfe which makes the deuill so odious if they could view it as it is indeed they would be wonderfully flaited and affrighted at the very appearance of it it vvould make their hearts to tremble within them and their haire to stand vpright on their heads they would flie from it more then from the most poisonous Serpent or venimous creature in the vvorld yea as much as from the Deuill himselfe They would neuer shake hands with it as they haue done heretofore they would neuer keepe company with it they would neuer be quiet till they were freed from the dominion and slauery of it It would bee euen death vnto them to haue any fellowshippe therewith as no doubt it is to the godly man who because hee seeth he cannot be fully rid of it in this life therefore is constrained often to crie out as one that were stabbed at the heart Woe is me that I remaine in Mesheth Psal 120. and dwell in the tents of Kedar or as one that had the pangs of death vpon him Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death So it is with the religious soule vvhen it is ouerswaied with the corruption of it owne sinfull nature or carried away violently in a sort with the forcible blasts of Sathans temptations Oh so far it is from doing it willingly or from taking ful delight in it that it rather complaines and mournes bitterly though secretly oftentimes for it It gals that man at the very heart for it it is as it were a pricke in his eyes or a thorne in his side yea euery sinne vvhich hee commits when hee once knowes it is as an Awle at his heart it stingeth and woundeth his conscience and maketh him to mourne like a Doue and chatter like a Swallow In a word the very consideration of this that he should commit so filthy a fact and so foule an offence causeth his heart and soule euen to bleed within him Neither hinders it any thing at all which some might bring with some colour for the gaine-saying of this What is sinne so vile and loathsome a thing as you make it How comes it to passe then that it seemes so sweet so amiable and pleasant as it doth vnto the most How commeth it that it allureth enticeth and draweth men vnto it causing them to follow it to loue embrace ioy and delight in it yea to serue obey it with all greedinesse and to spend all their time their strength vvit and vvealth in the seruice of it Can sinne be so vile and deformed a monster and yet bee sought after vvith such great care and diligence and pursued vvith so great delight and cheerefulnesse as if it vvere some excellent pretious thing vvhich might vvell cause all to be enamoured
pleasures profits riches and reuenues of the whole world Behold the base estate and condition which he tooke vpon him for thy sake Behold the shame and reproach which he sustained for thee and for thy sinnes Behold his face whom the Angels Heb. 1.6 those celestiall creatures doe reuerence and adore spitted vpon for thy cause Behold him who is the Authour of blessednesse become accursed for thee that he might free thee from that curse which was due vnto thee Behold him Isa 66.1 whose Throne is in the highest Heauens the Lord of Glory and Maiestie descended downe into the earth and abased to the lowest degree of humiliation becomming as one of no reputation Phil. 2.6.7 Psal 22.6 a worme not a man that so he might exalt thee and raise thee from shame to glory from Hell to Heauen from the depth of miserie and wretchednes to the height of endlesse and euerlasting blessednesse What should I say Behold the Lord of life dying vpon the Crosse that hee might bring thee from death to life and make thee of a childe of wrath and perdition an Heire of glory and Saluation See his Head crowned with thornes his body sweating drops of blood for the anguish that he was in for thy sinnes See the bloud streaming forth out of his side to vvash and cleanse thee from thy wickednesse See the fountaine of his loue his grace and mercie set vvide open vnto thee Zach. 13.1 All these cry loud vnto thee and are as a shrill voyce in thine eares to call thee from thy sinnes and to cause thee vtterly to abandon all thy former vvickednesse euen that vaine conuersation vvherein heeretofore thou delightedst And wilt thou yet continue therin God forbid O heart more harder then the Adamant or flintie Rocke if these things doe not moue thee and cause thee to relent if nothing else will neither remembrance of the vilenesse and loathsomnes of sinne the fearefull and wofull miserie and bondage vvhereunto it bringeth thee the stingings of conscience wherewith it vvoundeth the soule and maketh it to smart grieuously oftentimes vvhen none perceiueth it nor the many iudgements which it exposeth thee vnto both here in this life and much more in the life to come in hel fire for euer If none of these will yet let this this I say euen the due and serious consideration of the great and vvonderfull things that Christ hath done for thee to redeeme thee from thy sinnes and to loose the bonds of thine iniquities 1 Ioh. 3.8 O let this draw thee from the same in a forcible maner yea let his infinite and boundlesse loue and mercie towards thee herein euen breake thy stonie and steely heart and cause it to melt into teares for thy sinnes past to grieue to sorrow to mourne and lament for the same and to purpose and resolue vvith thy selfe neuer willingly to offend him hereafter though thou mightst gaine thereby a thousand worlds Let thy heart be sooner plucked out of thy body then thou drawne from this godly purpose and Christian resolution vvhich vvell becommeth all that are Christs redeemed 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Ioh. 3.9 and vvill bee in thee if thou beest a true Christian indeed and not in vvord and shew onely O blessed Lord and Sauiour when I looke vp vnto thee and consider thy marueilous Loue and Bountie in that great and gracious vvorke of thine in redeeming mee from that miserable estate into vvhich I vvas plunged as vvell as others vnto that glorious condition of thy redeemed ones how thou abasedst thy selfe to become man for my sake to be accursed that thou mightest free me from the curse which I had brought vpon my selfe to dye that so shamefull a death and to be buryed in the earth that thou mightest raise me out of the graue of my sinnes and bring me from sinne death hell and damnation vnto grace life and euerlasting saluation in that blessed and glorious kingdome of thine vvhich thou reseruest for mee in the heauens when I looke vp vnto thee and call to minde how wonderfully thou hast dealt with me in these things and on the other side cast mine eyes vpon the vvhole course of my life past how vile how sinfull it hath beene and view my estate present how many and grieuous the sinnes are vvhereby I haue prouoked thee daily euen since thou calledst mee to the knowledge of that sauing grace of thine my heart faileth vvithin mee I am ashamed and confounded in my selfe that I should haue beene found so vnkinde vnto thee who hast beene so exceeding kinde and gracious vnto me O doe thou cause mee daily more and more to see and bevvaile the greatnesse of my sinne herein and heale my soule in whatsoeuer I haue offended thee O let thy loue thy goodnesse thy grace and bountie in redeeming mee so wretched so vnworthy a Creature by thine owne bloud from so fearefull and vvofull a condition into so blessed and glorious an estate O let it constraine mee to loue thee vnfainedly let it dissolue me into the teares of true and vnfained repentance for all my sinnes and transgressions vvhereby I haue displeased thee my God and Sauiour and let it vvorke in mee a perfect hatred and loathing of all kinde of vngodlines and a continuall desire and endeuour to please thee and to shew forth my thankfulnes vnto thee by walking carefully before thee in all the duties which thou commandest me that so I may be euery day more assured that I am one of that small flocke which thou hast redeemed with thy precious bloud for whom thou hast prouided that glorious Kingdome in the heauens Drawing others vnto any wickednesse a bloudy and fearefull sinne MVrther is abhorred of all men and that most iustly for it is a fearefull and a crying sinne committed Gen. 4.10 nor approued of any but such as haue lost in a manner the very nature of man and become as it were bruite and sauage creatures yea monsters such as are to be driuen out from the company and societie of men and to be depriued of this light which they doe enioy and are no wayes worthy of Deu. 19.13 But yet behold a strange thing and much to be vvondered at to murther the soules of men by drawing them to wickednesse by ill counsell Pro. 18.21 or by corrupt example of life or otherwise is slightly accounted of not had in that detestation among men that the other although as it is more common so it may well be sorted and rancked with it Is not the soule more pretious then the body Mat. 16.26 the life of the soule more vvorthy and farre more to be regarded then the life of the body Why then is not the murthering of this accounted as wicked as haynous as the other why is it not as much abhorred of all men vvhy are not such esteemed rather monsters then men and how is it that their owne consciences doe not accuse
altogether stained and p Ezek. 16. Iob 9.30.31 defiled both in soule and body with the filth and contagion of that originall corruption and pollution which cleaueth fast q Heb. 12.1 vnto him and couereth him as the flesh wherewith he is couered on euery side so that there is no sound part either in soule or body yea nothing but wounds r Isa 1.6 swelling and sores full of corruption Hee seeth that as hee was borne thus sinnefull by nature so that hee hath continued therein euer since he had his being in this vvorld yea that he is become euery day more corrupt s Gen. 6.5 8.21 Iob 15.16 more vile and abhominable his whole life hauing beene nothing else but a multiplying of sinne vpon sinne and transgression vpon transgression by the violating and breaking of the commaundements of God Hee seeth himselfe heereby to bee accursed t Gal. 3.10 Ioh. 3.18 hauing the Law continually thundering out that fearefull sentence against him vvhereby hee stands as a condemned wretch before God subiect to all plagues and v Deut 28.15.16 c. miseries in this life and to euerlasting x Mat. 25.41 Ioh. 5.29 torments both of body and soule in the life to come yea that he is pressed downe by that fearefull condemning sentence of that most iust and righteous law euen to hell-gates and that the dore is ready presently to be opened vpon him y Iob 21.13 Isa 5.14 euen assoone as the messenger vvhich continually attendeth vpon him readie to execute the law of his Creatour and most iust Iudge shall knocke at the same by death that so he may haue entrance into that place of torment prouided for him the congregation of the dead z Pro. 21.16 and damned vvhere he shall receiue the wages a Rom. 6.23 and due deserts of all his sinnes and rebellions against that infinite and glorious Maiestie for euermore Being thus brought to the knowledge and sight of his sinnes and wretched estate by the same and that through the preaching b Rom. 7.7.8.9.10 of the Law whereby it is discouered and made cleere vnto him as in a Glasse hee knoweth vvithall seeing the vvord of God which shall stand for euer hath sealed it c Exek 18.4 Ioh. 8.24 that if hee die in that estate hee must needs perish and be damned eternally vvithout all hope of recouery and therefore is marueilously humbled in himselfe being cast downe vvith the sense and feeling of his owne wretchednes and that vvoful estate into which he is plunged so that although heretofore hee reioyced in it and made a mocke of it d Pro. 14.9 vvhen hee vvas put in remembrance of it by others yet now hee hangeth downe his head with e Rom. 6.21 Ezra 9.6 shame and sorrow like a guiltie and condemned person ready to goe to the place of execution yea he is vvholly possessed with the spirit of bondage f Rom. 8.15 Isa 66.2 which filleth and striketh his soule with much feare anguish and exceeding horror and amazement so that his heart quaketh his conscience is wounded within him and his flesh trembleth for feare g Acts 16.29 9.6 of Gods vvrath and vengeance vvhich euery moment is ready to seize vpon him yea he groaneth vnder h Matt. 11.28 the heauie burthen that lieth vpon him and oppresseth him in most grieuous manner It causeth him to grieue to sigh to sorrow to mourne and lament for the miserie vvhich is come vpon him and to desire i Act. 2.37 16.30 Rom. 7.24 aboue al things in the world to be freed from it to be let loose as it were out of that hell into which in a sort hee findeth himselfe plunged being in his owne apprehension as a forlorne and condemned wretch Being thus broken-hearted thus wounded and humbled vnder the mighty hand of GOD and cast downe vvith the sight and sense of his sinne and of the curse and vvrath of God and all those horrible iudgements of his hanging ouer him for the same feeling himselfe to be as a damned creature dead and lost both confessing it k Luke 15 21. Iob 31.33 39.36.37 Pro. 28.13 and complaining of it vncessantly and seriously bethinking l Luke 15.17 himselfe how hee might if it vvere possible come out of it he heares by the preaching of the Gospell m Luke 2.10 of the meanes how to be deliuered from that so miserable and vvoful estate and condition in which for the present he is inwrapped and to be restored vnto full and perfect happinesse viz. n Isa 53. Matt. 3.15.17 the absolute obedience and satisfaction of CHRIST IESVS the promised Messiah vvho being the Sonne of God deare vnto his Father became Man o Gal. 4.4 Rom. 8.3.4 1 Pet. 2.24 subiect vnto the Law and fully satisfied the iustice of God by taking the p Gal. 3.13 curse vpon him and fulfilling the Law of God and so deliuered the prisoner q Esa 42.7 61.1 Luke 4.18 out of the prison-house and let them that were bond goe free by his death freeing them from sin death and condemnation r Rom. 8.1 3.24 5.19 2 Cor. 5.21 Hebr. 9.26 28. Ioh. 1.29 and restoring them to righteousnesse life and euerlasting saluation and happinesse so that nothing can euer after bee layd vnto their charge Hauing attained to the knowledge of this great and glorious worke of mans redemption vvrought by CHRIST Act. 13.38 1 Ioh. 5.9 and knowing that there is no other meanes to be saued s Acts 4.12 Rom. 8.3 there is bred in him a marueilous desire and vehement longing to be made pertaker of the same a hungring and thirsting t Esa 55.1 Mat. 5.6 after Christ and his righteousnesse and the redemption and saluation purchased by his death and bloudshed euen as a man that were ready to die for thirst v would desire drinke Iudg. 15.18 or a man condemned to die some cruel death would long for a pardon and withal a prizing x Matt. 13.44.46 of it at a high rate far aboue all other things in the vvorld whatsoeuer yea y Phil. 3.8 a base account of all other things in comparison thereof esteeming this the onely treasure on earth that which if hee may obtaine he would thinke himselfe a happy man and can neuer rest satisfied by any meanes till hee finde that hee as well as others hath his portion in it and therefore willingly forsaketh his sweetest sinnes and denieth himselfe * Luk 9.23 that he may obeaine it Heereupon followes faith in Christ in and by vvhom this great benefit is receiued an earnest seeking and suing vnto him for the obtayning of this grace and mercy at his hand that is knowing what the promises of the Gospel are z Matt. 9.13 Reuel 21.6 22.17 Isa 55.1 Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 7.37 how that Christ cals and inuites graciously all that feele the
quake within him for the greatnesse of the horrour thereof Heare O yee foolish yee of stiffe neckes and stony hearts how long vvill you be thus blinded how long shall your owne vvicked hearts deceiue you o Ier. 17.9 how long vvill you suffer your selues to be deluded by Sathan that deadly enemie of yours vvho seekes to make a prey of you for euer how long will you suffer your selues to be so bewitched and inchanted by that enuious p Mat. 13.28 and malicious Spirit that the remembrance of these things should no more moue you no more affect you vvorke no more vpon you then it doth Are you afraid of the first death and doe you not much more feare this second death which of all euils is the most fearefull the most dreadfull yea in comparison of which the other is scarce a shadow of death though a fore-runner of it and a way and entrance vnto it to those that shall perish Doth that astonish you and shall not this much more Are you so secure so stupid so senslesse Assuredly a very strange thing it seemes vnto mee and may well be so esteemed of all that consider of it how prophane gracelesse and vngodly persons when they heare or when they thinke of these things should not be terrified and affrighted with them and drawne with the feare and dread thereof from all their wicked and sinfull courses which heretofore they haue liued in the Swearer from his oathes and blasphemies vvith which hee hath pierced the heauens the Drunkard from his drunkennesse that bruitish and sottish vice the Prophaner of the Sabbath from his prophanations thereof the filthy person from his filthinesse and vncleannesse and shamefull pollutions the couetous Vsurer and Oppressor from their couetousnesse vsury and oppression of their poore Brethren and neighbours among whom God hath placed them to the very q Deut. 5.11 Mat. 26.11 end that they should shew mercy and compassion vnto them and not crueltie and rigour in a word euery impenitent sinner from the sinne and vvickednes wherein they haue heretofore liued and delighted and continued from time to time carelesly securely boldly and presumptuously as if all were well as if there were no cause of feare no such danger imminent or ensuing and ready euery moment to seize vpon them for nothing holds them vp from falling into the depth of that bottomlesse gulfe but onely the small twine-thread of their fading and vncertaine life which is ready to be cut in sunder euery minute euery breathing while O that they were wise r Deut. 32 29. Hosea 14.10 to vnderstand and consider of these things O mercifull LORD who art mighty in power and terrible in thy Iudgements doe thou strike their hearts with the horror of thy wrath and vengeance to come Smite their soules that they may tremble before thee and fall downe groueling vpon the earth in the apprehension of the greatnesse of their miserie that is to come vpon them if they doe not conuert and turne vnto thee Those that will not be drawne with the cords of thy mercy patience and long-sufferance to come vnto thee by true and vnfayned repentance doe thou euen constraine and compell them and driue them forward with that rod of iron euen with the feare of thy most fearefull and yet most iust and righteous Iudgements O doe thou giue them a sight of that dreadfull and vvofull miserie which shall ouer-whelme the wicked for euer Let them haue a right discerning and a true apprehension of it Let them beleeue it and tremble at it and be drawne thereby to turne out of all the wayes of wickednesse vvherein heretofore they haue vvalked being deceiued with the deceitfulnesse of sinne and Sathan let them so feare it that they may preuent it flye from it and be preserued from perishing in that great deluge with the world of the wicked whom thou hast ordained s Rom. 9.22 of old vnto destruction and euerlasting confusion And raise vp the heart of thy seruant both now and alwayes I humbly intreate thee to vnfayned thankefulnesse for that thou hast in some measure touched my hart with the consideration of thy iudgements prepared for the wicked and hast caused the feare and dread of them to be t 2 Pet. 3.15 saluation vnto mee humbling mee thereby and causing mee to stand in awe of thee and to flie from the wrath and vengeance to come vnto the throne of thy grace and mercie in Christ Iesus my Sauiour and Redeemer who hath giuen himselfe to death for mee to free and deliuer mee from that death and hell O doe thou continue still good and gracious vnto me Let thy mercy and vnspeakeable kindnesse so freely vouchsafed vnto mee in thy beloued Sonne be the principall motiue euen to force and constraine mee to hate all sinne and to abandon all iniquitie but let mee also be mindfull of thy dreadfull iudgements to be inflicted yea powred forth vpon them that forget thee v Psal 9.17 and are disobedient x 2 Thes 7.8 vnto thee and to that heauenly voyce of y Heb. 3.7.8 thine whereby thou daily callest them if they had eares to heare or hearts to vnderstand let mee alwayes feare the second death which is the death both of the body and soule more then the first death which is the end of this short and transitorie life and yet let mee liue so as I may not be in a slauish feare of eyther not of the first death because it shall be no death vnto mee but an end of my miserie and wretchednesse vnto which I am and shall be continually subiect as long as I liue in this valley of teares this place of mourning as one in exile and banishment out of his owne Country and a meanes of entrance into life and glory euen of that glory which is endlesse and vnspeakeable Not of the second death because through the riches of thy grace and mercy I am already passed from it z Ioh. 5.24 8.51 Rom. 8.1 Eph. 2.5.6 that so howsoeuer it may shew it selfe vnto me in a dreadfull shape yet it shall neuer haue power ouer me being one of thy redeemed ones to whom death a 1 Cor. 15.57 and Hell it selfe is subiect The blessednesse of the life to come how much to be desired THE life present how sweet doth it seeme vnto men how much desired is it of the most how loth are men to part vvith it what will they not doe that they may preserue it But the life to come how little is it affected of the greater sort how faintly desired how willingly parted with for euery sinfull lust euery fruitlesse vanitie the deceitfull pleasures and transitory profits and commodities of this fading and perishing vvorld Oh the sottishnesse and bruitishnesse of men the vvicked off-spring of prophane Esau a Gen. 25.35 Heb. 12.16 that for a small portion of these temporall things sell away all their hopes vnto that eternall
now shine so clearely so comfortably vpon vs in the face of Christ Iesus our Lord seeing that we being holden vnder sinne and Sathan and sitting in the shadow of death vvere neuer able in any wise by any meanes whatsoeuer procured by our selues or others Angels or any creature else to haue recouered our selues but should haue lyen rotting in that vvoful and damnable estate and so haue perished eternally if God of his meere loue had not vouchsafed speciall grace and fauour vnto vs and that vvhen vve were his enemies Rom. 5.10 Isay 49.9 Luke 1.79 and freed and redeemed vs from that miserable bondage and thraldome yea from the power of darknesse euen death and destruction it selfe and translated vs into that glorious libertie of his Saints in light and this by no smal or ordinarie meanes 1 Pet. 1.18 but by the shedding of the precious blood of Christ his deare son our blessed Sauiour who loued vs and according to the determinate counsell and decree of God gaue himselfe to be crucified slaine for vs euen for vs that had dealt most treacherously and rebelliously against him made our selues altogether vnworthy of the least mercy and fauour of his O mercifull God heauenly father giue me to see vvhat and how great this benefit is which I haue receiued from thee in and through thy Christ Let me euer be mindfull of it and vnfainedly thankefull vnto thee for it yea as this bountifull and inestimable goodnesse of thine towards me so sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie a creature as I am and haue beene deserueth all praise so let mee indeuour by al meanes to set forth and to publish the same vnto the glory of thy grace whereby in the riches of thy loue through thy beloued thou hast done so great and wonderfull things for me for which I can neuer be sufficiently thankefull nor returne that praise which is most due vnto thee Oh that thou wouldest draw me yet neerer vnto thee cause me euen to melt in loue towards thee my God and Sauiour and with heart voyce and life to magnifie and extoll thy name yea to giue vp my selfe both body and soule and all that is within me vnto thy seruice and to the aduancement of thy glory both now and euer Amen Thankefulnesse to God for all his fauours towards vs especially that wonderfull loue of his in our redemption IF GOD had giuen vs nothing but our being wee ought to be stirred vp with the remembrance of that alone to be thankeful vnto him and to acknowledge his mercie and goodnesse towards vs herein But now seeing that hee maketh vs Lords of all these senselesse and vnreasonable creatures Psal 8.6 whereas hee might haue made vs bruitish and voyd of sense and reason like vnto them 21. for wee were all made of the same common matter vvith them and were in his hands as the clay in the hand of the potter to bee wrought to what forme and fashion it pleased him the Creatour of all things 42. seeing he hath preferred vs before all these visible creatures making them to serue vs whereas he might haue subiected vs vnto them and in euery creature both in heauen and earth doth sparkle towards vs his loue with innumerable benefits yea which is the summe of all in Christ vpon the Crosse casts forth the flame of perfect charitie and of his infinite vnspeakeable mercie and kindnesse towards vs sure our hearts are frozen and euen dead within vs if vvee be not moued to loue him with an entire and vnfained loue How should vvee bee affected vvith these things O blessed LORD touch my heart with a true and liuely sense and feeling of the riches of that endlesse incomprehensible loue of thine towards me inlarge this narrow heart of mine that I may be able in some measure with all thy Saints to comprehend the bredth Eph. 3.18.19 length depth and height of that wonderfull and vnspeakeale kindnes of thine towards me in thy Christ which passeth all knowledge Inflame my affections with the meditation thereof and let mee be constrained thereby to loue thee with all my heart with all my soule with all my strength euer to acknowledge thy free grace and marueilous goodnes towards me and for the same to sing prayses vnto thee continually who onely art worthy to be praised and magnified now and for euer Amen Who are the redeemed of Christ THey that are Christs are led by the spirit of Christ that dwels in them rules them Rom. 8.9.14 gouernes sanctifies them thorowout It freeth them from the law of sinne and death and causeth them to liue the life of grace and holinesse Rom. 8.2 they are crucified with Christ in regard of their corrupt and fleshly nature and the sinnefull lusts and affections thereof Gal. 2.19 5.24 1 Cor. 3.16.17 2 Cor. 6.16 so that they liue not now as they did before but Christ liueth in them maketh them a mansion and a holy temple fitted and prepared for the blessed and glorious God to rest and to abide in for euermore This is a truth that the Scriptures of God haue sealed and therefore cannot be denied or once doubted of except we will giue the lie vnto the spirit of truth it selfe who hath spoken it Whose then are they that are led altogether by the spirit of the vvorld euen that vvicked spirit that worketh in the hearts of the children of disobedience by the spirit of enuie Ephes 2.2 maliciousnesse vncleannesse prophanenesse c. walking after their owne lusts following the sway of their owne corrupt and sinnefull nature and delighting in fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the minde resisting the spirit of grace and rebelling against Christ Luk. 19.14 and that light which hee hath reuealed vnto them in his word so that they will not haue him to rule ouer them Surely Luk. 19.14 1 Ioh. 3.8.10 they are exceeding blinde and marueilous full of selfe-loue and vaine presumption if they can thinke that they are Christs redeemed by his bloud and iustified by his grace nay if they can once imagine themselues to be otherwise then of Satan the god of this world such as if they continue in that estate wherein they are he will cause to be slaine before his face Luk. 19.27 Rom. 8.13 when hee shall appeare in the brightnesse of his glorie yea Psal 2.9 2 Thes 1.8 Matt. 25.46 bruise and crush them in pieces as it vvere with a rod of yron and cast them into hell where they shall be kept for euer in chaines of darkenesse with the rest of those damned spirits because they haue taken part with Sathan against Christ and shewed themselues to be enemies to him in refusing to beleeue obey his blessed Gospell Let not therefore their owne hearts which are very deceitful nor Sathan who hath beene a lyar a murtherer from the beginning deceiue delude
62.4 so farre as he may make vse of them and receiue some benefit by them the spirituall man doth loue and that entirely and vnfainedly euen his greatest enemies Psal 35.13.14 Mat. 5.44 Acts. 7.60 2. Sam. 16.11 2. Cor. 11.30 Phil. 4.12 2 Cor. 12.10 Acts. 5.41 those that seeke his hurt and are most malitiously bent against him The naturall man is greatly afraid of contempt disgrace and ignominie he cannot with patience indure to be reuiled or abased by any meanes the spirituall man willingly vnder-goeth this yea he reioyceth when he is thus humbled he accounteth it a matter of great ioy that he hath this honour vouchsafed vnto him to suffer rebuke for Christ and for righteousnesse sake he esteemeth more of it then of all the treasures of the world Heb. 11.26 hath more ioy whiles he suffereth then others whiles they wrong him or if he be any waies grieued it is not for his owne sake so much as for theirs who are his enemies vniustly and speake euill of him falsely to the dishonour of God and the great hurt of their owne soules The naturall man is neuer throughly content when his estate is best Num. 11.6 Psal 78.18 but seekes causes of discontentment where there are none the spirituall man is alwaies content euen when his estate is at the worst or at least he desireth 2 Cor. 4.8 Phil. 4.11 and endeauoureth to be so The naturall man seeketh for praise and estimation amongst men to be in account and reputation aboue that which he deserueth and to be honoured and applauded of the world 1 Sam. 15.30 Ester 5.9 the spirituall man aymeth in all things at this especially that whatsouer becomes of him or howsoeuer it fareth with him God may be glorified by him that he may receiue that praise and honour which is due vnto his name 1. Thes 2.6 Phil. 1.20 2 Cor. 6.8 though himselfe suffers the greatest disgrace and be exposed to the greatest ignominie and dishonour that may be The naturall man esteemeth death his greatest enemy the very remembrance of it is exceeding bitter vnto him he thinks as it is indeed that he loseth all when that comes the spiritual man iudgeth it to be no losse no hurt but great gaine and aduantage to him Phil. 1.21 and therefore feares it not as an enemy though in it selfe an enemy and somewhat fearefull to him till he looketh wishly on it and with other eyes then those of flesh and nature but addresseth himselfe willingly to entertaine it as a welcome guest Luk. 2.29 a meanes of much good vnto him He desires to be dislodged and to be with Christ his Sauiour and saith often with Dauid Psal 42.2 when shall I come and appeare before the presence of my God when shall I behold his face in glory and be satisfied with the plenty of his house and commonly the nearer he is vnto death the greater tast and feeling hath he of the life to come The naturall man liues by sense Iude. 10. and beleeues nothing but that he can see reason for or bring vvithin the compasse of his braine the spirituall man liues by faith beleeuing things that are farre aboue the reach of sense and naturall reason Gala. 2.20 which the worldling wonders that he can beleeue and trust to So great is the difference betweene a naturall and spirituall man euen whiles they liue together in this world yea more then hath beene yet set forth vnto vs. O heauenly father weaken I humbly pray thee and diminish the power of corrupt nature daily more and more in me and vouchsafe vnto me such a plentifull increase of thy grace that I may in euery thing see a manifest difference in my estate and in the whole conuersation of my life from that which is in those that are altogether carnall and vnregenerate yea that I may finde such an inward change and alteration in me such holy motions and desires and such sanctified affections as are in none but in those that are renewed by thy grace and become truely spirituall hauing the liuely impression of thine owne image which sinne had before exceedingly defaced that thus I may not onely haue more full assurance of the certaintie of my election and saluation hauing that seale of thy spirit apparantly set vpon me which is proper to thy elect chosen but also may be euery day better inabled to passe the rest of my time vvhich I am to liue in this sinnefull world more to thy glory then I haue done heretofore euen as it becommeth him whom in thy infinit mercy thou hast translated from the state of nature into the state of grace from the power of darkenesse into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne to whom with thee O Father and thy blessed Spirit be all prayse and thankesgiuing both now and euermore Amen Exhortations and Reproofes THey that doe not as occasion serueth and according to their places and calling mutually exhort rebuke and admonish one another they haue forgotten what charge the Lord hath layd vpon them Mat. 18.15 Heb. 3.13 they neglect those necessarie duties which the lawes of friendship and charitie require of them Leuit. 19.17 Pro. 27.5.6 They are regardlesse of the good estate of their neighbors for what more wholesome what more profitable then a seasonable exhortation admonition or reprehension It is as pretious balme of a very soueraigne nature for the curing of internall and spirituall maladies of great vse and necessitie for being blinde in our imperfections how needfull is it for vs to borrow our friends eyes and to lend them ours that so wee may aduise admonish and correct each the other to the mutuall good one of another Nay that I say no more they that are sparing or altogether carelesse of this dutie they are or at least seeme to be either enuious or else quite voyd of all compassion towards their poore brethren and those amongst whom they liue and conuerse vnwilling to doe so much for them as one that hath any good nature in him would doe for the bruite beasts Exod. 23.4.5 For vvho would not as the law of God also enioyneth take vp the beast euen of his enemie vvhen it went astray and vvere ready to perish Pro 12.10 and yet they cruell friends and mercilesse men will not seeke to reforme and to saue the soule of their friends yea Iam. 5.19.20 of their brethren vvhen it wanders out of the way of life and saluation and is in perill for want of their helping hand of imminent destruction and vtter confusion Farre be this from me O Lord forgiue me my former desert and want of the due performance of this so necessary and so profitable a dutie which thou commaundest and euen Nature it selfe calleth for at my hands and make mee more carefull for the time to come of the discharge thereof in a wholesome and seasonable maner O let not that
bloudy voice of Caine once proceed out of my mouth or the least thoght of it once lodge in my breast Am I my brothers keeper Gen. 4.9 O let not the bowels of compassion euer be so wanting in mee that I should as farre as in mee lieth suffer any of thine to perish through the neglect of that dutie vnto which thou hast so straitly bound mee but let mee alwayes bee ready with all wisedome and Christian affection both to exhort and admonish others Pro. 15.31 Heb. 13.22 and to be rebuked and reclaimed my selfe whensoeuer I shall wander and goe astray from thee and from thy wayes A Preseruatiue needfull in these corrupt and infectious times THey that liue in a bad ayre or infectious places will be carefull to prouide themselues of preseruatiues that so they may not receiue that hu t thereby which otherwise cannot bee well auoyded What poyson is so infectious as sinne vvhat ayre so corrupt and dangerous as the example of the wicked and prophane multitude and what age more contagious then this in which wee liue wherein vertue is become odious yea as a thing monstrous amongst many Zach. 3.8 pietie accounted simplicitie and foolishnesse a reproach and disgrace vnto men so that the most are halfe ashamed of the very profession of it and vice and vngodlinesse aduanced and much made of as though it were a speciall grace and ornament vnto those that haue put it vpon them How trulie may we say with the Wise-man in this regard Eccle. 6.7 I haue seene seruants on horseback Princes walking as seruants on the ground bruitishnes and base seruile courses extolled and set in great excellencie and the most princely and heroicall vertues and graces of the minde debased and troden vnder the feet of the vile and contemptible Assuredly Iob. 30.8.9 1 Ioh. 5.19 the world lieth in vvickednes the very dregs and sinke of former times is falne into this last and worst age the venime whereof spreads it selfe daily more and more to the corrupting of others How needfull therefore is it for euery one in such infectious places and in so contagious an aire to get the best preseruatiues whereby they may bee kept from that poysonous steame with which most are corrupted and vvhich in the end will proue deadly if it bee not timely preuented O LORD seeing it cannot be auoyded but that I must liue for a time in this present euill world Ier. 9.2 vvhere vertue and true godlinesse is contemned and vice and wickednes gets the vpper hand the examples vnto goodnesse so rare vnto vngodlinesse so many abounding euery where seeing there be so many occasions to infect and poyson my soule and to draw me from that simplicitie godly purenesse which thou requirest Psa 51.6 2 Cor. 1.12 O giue mee grace by all meanes to prouide my selfe against the danger of this euill by vvalking wisely and circumspectly yea Eph. 5.15 do thou so preserue mee vvith thy grace that I may neuer be corrupted as others are nor fall from my vprightnesse and sinceritie but carefully auoiding all occasions of sinne as the very bane of my soule be free from those deadly diseases into which others fall without recouery and so die and perish in them Delight in sinne what folly it is I Can neuer maruell enough to see the extreame folly of the most who finde so much sweetnesse Iob 20.12 13 and take so great pleasure delight in those things which they know will be as bitter in the end as gall and wormewood nay as death it selfe Pro. 20.17 Iere. 2.19 Eccl. 7.10 Poyson though it be sweet yet because it is deadly is carefully auoyded but sinne which is the bane of the soule how greedily is it swallowed Rom. 6.23 because it is pleasant to the taste Lord suffer me not to eate of the dainties of the wicked lest I perish with them but cause thou my soule to loathe and abhorre them that so I may liue for euer Amen How dangerous it is to take liberty vnto ones selfe in any one sinne HEe that giueth himselfe libertie in any one sinne is as one that lifteth vp the sluces or breaketh vp the damme 2 Sam. 11.2.4.15 Matth. 26.70.71.72 euen flouds will ouer-flow and ouer-runne him many great and dangerous waters will breake in vpon him and ouer-whelme him if hee looke not to it in time Good Lord suffer me not vvillingly to yeeld vnto any sinne at any time but grant that I may be carefull alwaies to stoppe it at the beginning least it get a head and preuaile against me yea doe thou make vp the manifold breaches of my soule least I be drowned in perdition and perish with the world of the vngodly Another ONe rotten member vvill hazzard the whole body if it be not in time cut off and so the danger thereby preuented This is true in the body much more in the soule one sinne will bring death and destruction both of body and soule Ezek. 18.31 if there be not a timely preuention Lord if my right eye cause mee to offend Mat. 5.29.30 let mee not spare but pluck it out and if my right hand cause me to offend let mee not delay to cut it off and to cast it from mee Let no sinne bee so deare vnto mee as that I should be loath to be ridde of it yea not willing to cut it cleane off from mee though with painefulnesse rather then thereby to perish euerlastingly Custome in sinne how dangerous it is AS hard is it to plucke vp a tree by the rootes as to cause him to leaue his sinne Ier. 13.23 who hath a long time beene accustomed vnto it Experience euery where giueth too euident proofe of this in the vncleane person the drunkard the couetous worldling c. The longer that any hath continued in any sinfull course the more is he daily rooted and setled in it and with the more difficultie drawne from it vnto goodnesse His minde becommeth euery day more blind his conscience more seared his heart more hardened his vvill more crooked his affections more disordered and himselfe faster tyed and bound Act. 8.23 as it were vvith many cords and chaines vnto his iniquitie so that it is impossible for him to be loosed and to be pulled out of the snare of Sathan 2 Tim. 2.26 except the LORD vouchsafe an extraordinarie grace and worke as it vvere a miracle vpon him So dangerous a thing is custome and continuance in any sin in any kinde of wickednes O Lord although through weaknesse and frailety I fall daily into sinne Eccl. 7.22 1 Ioh. 1.8 and cannot doe other-wise yet let mee neuer lye or continue in the same but seeke presently to recouer my selfe and to arise speedily out of it that so howsoeuer I am subiect vnto many sinnes yet not one of them may at any time haue power and dominion ouer me Another SEest thou how it is
comfort my selfe in thee continually knowing assuredly that thou art present vvith me when thou seemest to be farthest absent from me that thy gracious hand sustaineth and vpholdeth me Psal 34.18 Gen. 42.7 45.1 and that thou louest me dearely when thou seemest to deale most roughly vvith me and that thou vvilt neuer leaue me till thou hast through many changes brought me through the vvildernesse of this world to the possession of that heauenly Canaan vvhere after I haue been exercised heere for a while for the triall and increase of thy graces in me I shall be satisfied vvith the pleasures of thy house Rom. 5.3.4 Iames 1.3.4 and drinke the vvaters of comfort out of the vvell of saluation yea vvhen I shall see thee face to face continually and reioyce vvith that ioy before thee which shall neuer haue any change nor can euer be taken away from me Sathans pollicie in making the faithfull to distrust God in his promises SAthan when he cannot otherwise preuaile with the children of God seeketh to cast many doubts into them of Gods mercy goodnesse and truth in the performance of those rich and gracious promises vvhich he hath made vnto them 2 Cor. 2.7 11. and to disquiet their consciences with restlesse feares that so seeing hee can by no meanes depriue them of that glory and happines which hereafter they shall enioy for euer in the heauens yet he may bereaue them of those inward spirituall comforts and heauenly refreshings wherwith their soules should bee cherished their hearts strengthened 2 Cor. 5.6.7 and their liues vpholden vvhiles they continue here as pilgrims strangers vpon earth absent from the Lord and in hope and expectation only of the fulnesse of that glory and blessednesse which hereafter they should haue the fruition and possession of for euer O mercifull and gracious Lord stablish my heart I beseech thee vvith thy grace Iohn 8.44 Let me neuer giue eare to Sathan that lying spirit who enuies at that blessed estate vvhereunto in the riches of thy vnspeakable mercies thou hast freely called me but let me beleeue thee who art the God of trueth and faithfulnesse and rest vpon thy word and promises which abide sure and stedfast for euermore 1. Pet. 1.25 when all other things faile and come to nothing Farre be it from me that I should receiue the witnesse of man vvho is subiect to error and deceit and not much more giue credit vnto that inward testimony which thou who neuer deceiuedst any that trusted in thee 1 Iohn 5.9 scalest vnto my soule and conscience by the effectuall working and operation of thy holy and blessed spirit yea hauing receiued so many pledges of thy loue so many and so cleare euidences of thy goodnesse thy trueth thy power and thy wonderful prouidence which worketh in all things so that they that are dimme-sighted may behold the but same a farre off let me shake off all infidelity vnfaithfulnes and rest euer assured of thy mercie that so my life may be comfortable my death ioyfull yea in life and death I may be satisfied vvith the sweetnesse of thy grace and so at length be filled with the riches of thy glory in that heauenly kingdome of thine which thou hast promised vnto me Dispaire or distrust of Gods promises a great sinne TO doubt of Gods promises to dispaire of his mercies is a grieuous sin and a most hainous offence in the eyes of God For therby men rob God of his glory Rom. 4.20 they doe him great iniurie making his infinite mercy lesse then their sinnes Psal 51.1 103.11.12 108.4 whereas the multitude of his mercies are as a bottomlesse depth able to swallow vp the greatest offences that are committed against him if they be truely repented of yea Act. 3.19 1 Ioh. 5.10 they call his truth and faithfulnesse into question Isai 57.15 16. Math. 11.28 and make him a lyar seeing he hath promised forgiuenesse to all those that being truely humbled sue vnto him for mercy Lo such is their faithlesnesse they vvill not beleeue him of his word who is the God of trueth nor giue credit to the trueth vvhich he who neuer failed any hath sealed Exod 34 6 Ierem. 10.10 Deut. 7.9 Iosh 21.45 whereas they will credit a man who may deceiue them No doubt ought once to bee made thereof of those vvho know vvhat God is Num. 23.19 2 Cor. 1.20 and how firme and stable all his promises are or if any doubt shall arise from the corruption of that euill and vnbeleeuing heart which is in man Heb. 3.12 Luk. 9.41 or the suggestion of Sathan who being a maine enemy as to all grace so especially that of faith which is as it were the life and the anchor of the soule seeketh continually to cast many doubts and vaine feares into the minde it is not to be yeelded vnto by any meanes Psal 42.11 Iames 4.7 Mat. 8.26 but to be checked presently resisted and driuen backe as it were vvith strong hand knowing that the testmony of the Lord is true more certainty in it then in the warrant of any mortall man yea then in all the writings Euidences Seales Indentures and witnesses which al the men in the world can afford vs. O Lord make me now and alwaies such as to whom thy promises belong and hauing wrought this gracious vvorke of thine in me strengthen my faith that I may haue full assurance and confidence in thee through thy Christ and apply vnto my selfe all those gracious promises vvhich thou hast made vnto me in thy word vvhich shall stand for euer O keepe mee from doubting of thy trueth and faithfulnesse at any time Ier. 17.13 Heb. 10.38.39 least it displease thee and cause thee to vvithdraw thy selfe from mee The small number of them that shall be saued THat there are but few that shal be saued many damned is a truth which the word of God hath sealed yea which Christ who is the trueth it selfe with his owne mouth hath ratified vnto vs Mat. 7.13 Luk. 13.24 calling the way to life a strait gate and narrow way which is found but of a few but the way to death and destruction a wide gate and broad way in vvhich most vvalke VVhat neede we other proofe How can vve once doubt of it How dare we euer call it into question or enter into dspute of it But because many through Sathans suggestion and the peruersnes of their owne wicked disposition are hard of beleefe euen of those things vvhich in Scripture are most cleare and euident vnto vs Loe therefore a plaine demonstration of it that so if thou beest so faithlesse that thou wilt not beleeue it with thy heart thou mayest see it in a sort with thine eyes and confesse it with thy mouth when thou art so manifestly conuinced of it To calculate therefore as it were the number of those that walke in this narrow way to
in his wayes but scorning and hating them that seek to bring them to a holy submission vnto him Psal 1.1 Prou. 1.22 29. and to his blessed ordinances Some againe though not so bad as they yet bad enough seeme to make some profession outwardly and would be called and accounted Christians and yet liue like Heathen Pagans Turks Infidels if not worse hauing their liues stained very fouly with many enormious crimes yea such whereof the very Heathen vvould haue beene ashamed and which cause the sacrilegious Turks and Mahometans to blaspheme our religion to scorn our most holy profession in disdainful maner It were infinite to reckon them vp Rom. 1.29 fornications adulteries murthers vsury oppression pride maliciousnesse and many such like cursed fruits which neuer sprung from that Religion which those that practise them vniustly make profession of Others againe make indeede a goodly shew and a glorious profession 2 Tim. 3.5 hauing the forme of godlinesse but denying the truth and the power thereof viz. all glozing hipocrites and counterfeite dissemblers with whom the Church of God hath beene alwayes pestered to the wounding and disgracing of true Professors Mat. 23.14 their condemnation is the greater Thus if wee goe thorow all sorts of those that are outwardly called yea amongst vvhom the true Religion wherein saluation onely is to be found is entertayned vvee shall see that euen the number among them that shall be saued is but small Mat. 7.21 Not euery one that saith Lord Lord not euery one that is an outward professor shall enter into the kingdome of Glory Now then if the number euen of Christians and professors who haue the way of life and saluation plainely described before their eyes and called vpon daily to walke therein yea encouraged vvith many and forcible reasons and allurements to set forward therein with all speede that may be if the number of them that are saued is but small as it is so cleare a truth that none neede once to doubt of it nay cannot except hee vvill gaine-say him vvho is the Truth it selfe vvhat then I beseech you is their number in comparison of the whole vvorld which is so vvide and spacious and of so large extent that it makes them that haue any discerning of it to vvonder at it Sure they are but euen a handfull to speake of Luk. 12.32 a little flocke as the shaking of an Oliue tree Isay 24.13 or as the grapes when the Vintage is ended The number vvhen it is cast vp vvill be gathered into a short summe Rom. 9.28 In a vvord as there are more Nettles then Roses more Weeds then Flowers more Brambles then Vines more Earth and baser Mettall then pure Gold or Siluer so the number of them that shall be damned is farre greater then of those that shall be saued and made partakers of the blessednesse of the Saints in glory Oh therefore how great is the securitie of the most that goe on so boldly in their wicked and vngodly courses neuer thinking of this narrow way to life How is it that they are so carelesse of their estate seeing so few shall be saued so many damned How hath Sathan bewitched and besotted them that though they heare and know these things yet they dare presume to goe forward in that broad way because they see so many vvalking in it more blinde then blinde Balaam Numb 22.23 that saw lesse then his Asse or if not as blinde yet as desperate rushing forward to their owne destruction when God causeth though not his Angell yet his Ministers and Messengers vvho are also called his Angels to stand in that broad way Reu. 2. vvith the drawne sword of his threatning sentence Rom. 8.13 to turne them out of it that they perish not vvith the multitude and to inforce them in a manner to take the narrow vvay vvhich is before them telling them oft that the number of them that shall be saued is but small in regard of them that shall be damned eternally How should this terrifie them how should it amaze them yea how should it awaken all of vs and quicken vs in the way which leadeth to life and saluation making vs to walke wisely and circumspectly Eph. 5.15 not once daring to set our foote in the wrong vvay If wee were assured that all in the world should be saued except some one how ought euery one to looke about and to prouide so that hee might not be that one how much more behooueth it vs now to bestirre our selues whiles this soundeth in our eares that the fewest shall be saued the most damned If we vvere to goe ouer some high or steepe mountaine where there were a narrow bridge or a strait passage and that very slippery and dangerous insomuch that we saw the greatest part of them that went before vs for want of heedfulnesse and sure footing tumbling downe in fearfull manner among the craggy rockes vnto the bottome of that deepe gulfe that was vnder them to their present and irrecouerable destruction how carefull would wee be except wee were desperate and mad-men to looke with all diligence to our footing that we slip not and to take the surest course that possibly vvee could How much greater care and diligence should wee vse in seeking to goe forward in the safest manner that may bee in this straite passage to life especially seeing that so many thousands doe miscarry therein and that the danger of missing it is tenne thousand times more then the falling from the toppe of an high mountaine into a deep valley that being onely the beating out of the braines or the bruising of the body to a temporall destruction this the vtter ruine and confusion both of body and soule for euer Or if wee were to passe thorow a field or a high-way wherein many theeues lye lurking on euery side so that few escaped vvith their liues would we not be much afraid of the imminent danger and therefore seeke to prouide for our safetie in our iourney as much as possibly wee might Doubtlesse wee would Well then being now all of vs to passe thorow the vast Wildernesse of this sinfull and dangerous world wherin the Diuels euen many thousands of damned Spirits our most cruell and malitious enemies and deadly aduersaries the very Cut-throates of our soules who alwayes seeke by all meanes to worke our destruction lye continually in waite for vs as it vvere so many troopes in secret ambushment against vs so that few escape eternall death and damnation and come to life and saluation ought not we much more to be afraid and to bee carefull by all meanes to escape that great danger and to come vnto that exceeding glory Haue wee any cause to be carelesse and secure as the most are Is it meete that vve should giue ouer our selues to our vaine pleasures and sinfull courses eating drinking playing sporting as those in the dayes of Noah Luk. 17.26
27.28 and of Lot did when their destruction was at hand and euen drowne our selues in such dangerous loosenesse and securitie as the most doe whiles our enemies cut our throates 1 Thes 5.6 Is it meete I speake to them that are of any vvisedome or vnderstanding to discerne vvhat I say is it meete that vve should be thus vaine thus negligent thus desperate euen vvith the vvicked of the vvorld letting goe the hope of life and plunging our selues into the depth of euerlasting confusion and condemnation in so vvretched a manner O consider of this all yee that forget God and casting away the meanes of grace vvhich hee offereth runne on headlong in a violent manner as you are led yea driuen by Sathan vnto your own destruction Thinke of this What doe you O men blinded and deluded by that deceiuer vvho as he hath beene alwayes a murtherer so now seeketh to murther your soules yea Ioh. 8.44 soules and bodies for euer Will you still suffer your selues to be mislead by him Will you needes barre your selues out of heauen yea out of all hope of heauen and happinesse Will you needs for the sweetnesse of a fewe transitorie pleasures profits and delights depriue your selues of so great glory those full and euer-flowing streames of all heauenly pleasures and delights which if I had the tongue of men and Angels 1 Cor. 2.9 I were not able fully to expresse Will you needs be so foolish and vnwise as for the obtayning of these fading perishing things in a sinnefull manner to cast away your selues for euer Will you needs set vpon your selues the brand of eternall perdition the notes and markes of a reprobate so that they that see you may say Loe there goes one that walkes in the broad way to hell and destruction Or do you thinke that walking and continuing in that broad way it is possible for you euer to be saued and to enter with that smal number into that glorious kingdom Ioh. 3.3 or to escape that fearefull pit of endlesse confusion O be not so secure so foolish and vnwise in that which so greatly so nearly concernes you O bee not so great enemies to your owne soules so cruell and mercilesse to your selues Doe not so desperatly depriue your selues of so great glory and happinesse in comparison of which all the things of this world pleasures Matt. 16.26 profits honours and whatsoeuer else is most highly accounted of in the world are but draffe drosse dongue dreams and fancies vaine and transitory things not worth the speaking of Doe not so vnwisely doe not I beseech you in the feare of the Lord and in the bowels of Christ Iesus cast away your soules in such a carelesse manner vvhich he came to saue with his pretious bloud yea and sweat drops of water and bloud that hee might redeeme the same 2 Cor. 5.20 Christ Iesus himselfe intreateth and beseecheth you in the mouthes and by the meanes of his owne Ministers in and by whom hee speaketh to you to leaue the broad way Luk. 13.24 2 Pet. 1.10 Phil. 2.12 vvherein you walke and to striue to enter in at the narrow gate to giue all diligence to make your calling and election sure to work out your saluation vvith feare and trembling O therefore heare his voice whiles it is time and let not Sathan stoppe your eares and delude and bewitch you as hee hath done heretofore and as hee doth the greatest part of the vvorld to their vtter ruine and euerlasting confusion both of body and soule Oh his sleights and pollicies how many and how treacherous they are O let him not keepe you any longer from vvalking in this narrow way to life and cause you to walke on in that broad and crooked way the end and issues whereof howsoeuer they seeme pleasing to you Pro. 12.15 14.12 are death and endlesse vvoe and miserie If the feare of loosing heauen happinesse which the enioying of all the things of this vvorld cannot recompense will not moue you let the danger of falling into hell and damnation amaze you and cause you to stand at a stay and to goe no further in so fearefull a way but speedily to recall yourselues and to turne out of it The very bruit beast will not runne into a deepe pit or any danger which it seeth before it in the way wherin it should goe but vvill turne aside vvith Balaams Asse and seeke by all meanes to escape and auoyd it and vvill you be more vnwise then the brute and vnreasonable creature taking rather the way of death and destruction then the way of life and saluation If you will needs be so brutish and senselesse and vvill by no meanes be reclaimed go on as those who are destitute of vnderstanding and all true spirituall vvisedome and fulfill the measure of your vvickednesse till you perish in it and complaine vvhen it is too late of your great folly in making so bad a choise and following so vnwise and dangerous a course though you vvere often forwarned of the wretched end of it But Lord though others be so carelesse and secure yet let it not be so vvith any of thine let them shake off all slothfulnesse and negligence in so weightie a matter as concernes thy glory and their owne euerlasting either wealth or vvoe yea let them neuer be at quiet neuer at rest till they know certainely and vpon good euidence that they are picked and sholed out of that great number that shall perish and be damned for euer to be of that little flocke that shall liue with thee eternally And make me truely thankefull I humbly pray thee for this gracious worke of thine towards me O mercifull Lord how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast vouchsafed vnto me herein in that it hath pleased thee in the riches of thy grace through Christ to make me one of that small number for vvhom thou hast prepared a kingdome that thou hast caused me to vvalke in the narrow way which leadeth to life and saluation vvhen as thou sufferest the most to runne on headlong in that broad and crooked vvay which leadeth to death euerlasting destruction What am I or vvhat is there in me more then in others that perish that thou shouldest shew this fauour vnto me more then vnto them It is onely thy loue and thy vndeserued kindnesse which it hath pleased thee of thy bountie and goodnesse in thy Christ to vouchsafe vnto me O let me neuer be vnmindful of the same But let the oft and serious consideration thereof draw my heart and all my affections vnto thee causing yea euen constrayning me to loue thee entirely and vnfainedly aboue all things to feare thee to stand in a holy awe and reuerence of thee continually and to seeke by all meanes to glorifie thee And let me neuer be discouraged vvith the straitnesse of the passage or the many difficulties which I shall meet with
louing thee inwardly in heart soule and manifesting my loue towards thee by the fruits effects of it in my life and conuersation I may euerie day haue more full assurance of thy especiall loue towards me and comfortable experience of the riches of thy grace and mercy sealed vnto my soule conscience yea I may see by the fruits and pledges of thy loue that thou louest me and delightest in me and wilt cause thy gracious countenance to shine vpon me all my daies yea that thou wilt refresh my soule in the midst of my troubles and cause my fainting spirits to reuiue within me when death shal be ready to seize vpon me and assoone as death shall put an end to this fraile and sinfull life wilt stretch forth thy hand to imbrace me with thy armes and to translate me immediatly by the ministery of thy Angels h Luk. 16.22 into that blessed and glorious kingdome of thine where I shall enioy thy presence see thee face to face and haue the bright beams of thy louing countenance shining alwaies most clearely and comfortably vpon me to thy endlesse praise and glorie and my vnspeakable felicitie and happinesse for euermore and all this through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Sonne my onely Sauiour and Redeemer in whom it hath pleased thee graciously to respect me and to whom with thee O Father and the spirit of grace and loue three persons and one most glorious God be all praise dominion and thanksgiuing from this time forth and for euer Amen Loue of the children of God IT is impossible to loue God and to hate his image to loue Christ who is the head and to hate Christians who are his members Nay the more that any one loues the one the more must he of necessitie loue the other and the more his affection increaseth toward God the more also it will increase towards those that are the children of God resembling him in their measure in the inward graces and vertues of their mindes puritie righteousnesse holinesse and the rest of those diuine a Mat. 5.43 perfections wherein he hath set himselfe as a patterne and president to be imitated and followed of them He loues them intirely and vnfainedly because hee seeth that he is nearely tied vnto them by many and strait bonds as being members b 1 Cor. 12.27 of one bodie children of one father c Math. 5.45 Ephe. 4.6 brethren d Mat. 12 50 Heb. 2.12 of one Saâ—â—our fed e 1 Cor. 10 17. at one table where they haue mutuall communion and fellowship in one f 1 Cor. 12.13 Ephes 4.4 and the same spirit nourished with the same meat in the word and Sacrament liuing together in one and the same familie which is the visible Church g Heb. 11.31 1 Pet. 2.11 stangers togither in this world and trauelling as pilgrimes towards the same countrey that heauenly Canaan h 2 Tim. 4 7. souldiours fighting together vnder the same banner the profession of the same faith i Ephe. 4.5 and against the same common enemie the deadly enemie of all mankinde Sathan and his complices and confederates partakers of the same grace of Gods holy and sanctifying spirit and ioynt-heires with Christ of the same glory reserued for them and all the Saints in the highest heauens Being so nearely allied and so straitly vnited mutually each to other by so many bands so many Obligations how can it be but that they should loue one another with an entire and Christian affection in truth and sincerity without vanity and flatterie Shamelesse k Iohn 4.20 lyars therefore they are who glory in word that they are of God and yet shew forth by their deeds that they haue no loue to his children but hate and despise them or at least make little reckoning of them If there were nothing else this were enough to conuince them that they are not yet admitted into this fellowship called to this brotherhood but remaine still as they were bred and borne Ioh. 8.44 1 Ioh. 3.27 the bastardly brood of Sathan vnto whom and to his impes they are ioyned in the same league of friendship and familiaritie m Pro. 29.27 1 Pet. 4.4 hating and iniurying them who vvill not be n Gen. 49.5 brethren with them in iniquitie and vanitie O Lord knit my heart daily more vnto thee in an vnfained loue of thee my God who hast loued me so dearely and in an entire and Christian loue and affection vnto thy children to whom thou hast linked and fastened me with so many bonds let me loue them not in tongue or in vvord onely o Iohn 3.18 but in deed and in truth as it becommeth me and manifest my loue towards them in seeking by all meanes to the vttermost of my strength and power to procure their good euery way yea the more that they doe appeare to be thine the more thy graces doe shine in them the more let my loue and affection increase towards them the more let me seeke to doe them good Hereby shall I haue a certaine proofe and a sure euidence that I loue thee vnfainedly seeing I loue thine for thy sake yea hereby my heart shall assure me before thee that I p 1 Ioh. 3.19 am in the truth I shall haue a comfortable assurance that I am one of thine one of that small number of thy adopted chosen children indued with thy grace and heire together with all thy Saintes of the riches of that glory which thou reseruest for them in that heauenly kingdom which thou hast purchased so vs by the death of thy onely Sonne and our alone Sauiour in whom thou hast graciously accepted vs and to whom with thee and thy blessed spirit of grace and comfort be all praise and glory both now and euer Amen How the hatred of the world is to be esteemed of the godly IF the world hate vs what marueile is it seeing that it a Ioh. 15.88 hated and persecuted him to the death by whom the world was made b Heb. 1.2 and who is the Lord of the world and all things therein euen Christ Iesus our blessed Sauiour Shall he that is the king of glory be content for our sakes to indure the crosse and to be c Psal 24.7 crowned with shame and dishonour d Mat. 27.29 and shall we sinfull wretches wormes of the earth shall we be vnwilling to haue shame and reproch fastened vpon vs for his sake yea rather how ought wee to account it our e Mat. 5.10 11. 1 Pet. 3.14 blessednesse when men reuile vs disgrace vs and say all manner of euill against vs for his sake falsly how ought we to reioyce and be glad vvhen vvee suffer such things at the hands of the world vvhich alwayes hath and euer will be in irreconciliable enmitie and in flat opposition vnto Christ our blessed Lord and Sauiour vvho vvilleth vs to follow
aduersitie like a cold winter pincheth men they complaine much of the hardnesse and extremitie thereof and would gladly bee altogether freed of them forthwith thinking that because they are for the present grieuous therefore they are no waies profitable but onely hurtfull vnto them but afterwards when they are ouer and the rigor and sharpnesse thereof changed into a temperate and warmer spring if they be such as God loueth and as indeuour to make the best vse of his dealings with them then they finde that they haue gained much and receiued no small benefit by them euen that they haue caused the sweet a Heb. 12.11 and quiet fruits of righteousnes of peace and true ioy to budde and to sprout forth in them more then euer otherwise they would haue done to giue them good hope that they shall haue a ioyfull and a more plentifull haruest so that they cannot but in the comfortable experience of the truth thereof say with that holy b Psal 119 71 seruant of God whom the Lord exercised much with his chastisements c Heb. 12.6 because he loued him much that it is good for them that they were afflicted O Lord giue me grace to indure thy fatherly corrections patiently and willingly yea to blesse thee and to be truely thankefull vnto thee for them seeing thou bringest them vpon me in loue for my good euen that being pinched with the extremity therof for a while I might thereby be the better rooted in grace and godlinesse and hauing receiued increase of spirituall sappe and moysture bring forth euer after more abundantly the blessed fruit of faith of hope and true holinesse to the glory of thy name and to the peace and vnspeakeable ioy of mine owne soule and conscience Another to the same effect SEe the Husbandman how great paines he taketh in tilling in sowing and in manuring his ground and how long he d Iam. 5.7 waiteth expecting the former and the later raine hoping howsoeuer for the present he seeth no fruit of his labour yet that at length euen in the due time and season he shall be recompenced with a large croppe and with a plentifull haruest Thus it is with vs that are the children of God This life is our seed-time our haruest in the life to come What though now for a vvhile how little a while e Heb. 10.37 we sow in teares yet are we not to faint but to trust in those gracious promises vvhich the Lord hath made to vs and to rest in hope with patience f Pro. 14.26 being assured that hereafter vvee shall reape in ioy g Psal 126 5 euen the fruits of righteousnesse and holinesse to our endlesse glory and happinesse O mercifull Lord doe thou teach me patiently to wait h Psal 37.1 for the accomplishment of those rich and sweet promises which thou hast made vnto me and vvith full confidence to depend vpon thee alwaies in all things I haue heard once and twise yea oftentimes of the patience of thy Saints i 2 Cor. 6.7 Iames 5.10.11 Heb. 11.36 37 in their miseries and distresse and what end and issue thou gauest vnto them how exceeding gracious thou shewedst thy selfe vnto them after thou hadst for a vvhile tried and afflicted them and found them faithfull and constant Lord let their example be alwaies before mine eyes that so following their steppes in faith in patience and long sufferance in all those afflictions wherewith it shall seeme good to thee vvho knowest what is best for me to trie and exercise me for a season I may bee blessed k Iob. 5.17 and receiue vvith them the l Pro. 16.10 Lamen 3.25.26 Iam. 1.12 Hebr. 11.38.39 promise vvherein I know thou vvilt not fayle me nor any of thine that withdraw not themselues from thee IIII. From the goodnesse of God in deliring his children out of them INto what depthes of miserie a Psal 69.1.2 34.4.19 hast thou brought me O Lord and drawen me out of them againe in thy due time euen in my greatest feares Thou hast shewed thy selfe exceeding gracious vnto mee causing the light b Psal 112.4 97.11 Iob. 33.28 Psal 94.19 of thy countenance to shine vpon me and to refresh me euen vvhen I trembled to see that fearefull darkenesse vvhich vvas readie to ouerwhelme me did thy light thy grace and thy fauour breake forth and inlighten me aboue that I could eyther expect or desire Thou hast suffered me to fall into many and deepe * Ps 88.15 16 2 Cor. 1.8.9 waters wherein I feared that I should sinke and rise no more but thou hast caused me to swim out of them again * 2 Cor. 7.6 thy hand hath drawne me out of those deepe and raging vvaters which did euen runne ouer my soule thou hast deliuered mee and giuen me a ioyfull issue out of all my temptations euen those whereby that cruell enemie and malicious aduersarie thought to haue preuailed most against me and to haue drowned me in eternall perdition O let my Soule neuer cease to sing prayses vnto thee who art my Sauiour and deliuerer Let mee euer giue that glory vnto thy name O my God which is due vnto thee and let me continually in all my necessities in all my distresses tryals and temptations depend wholly and only vpon thee who art my Redeemer in whom I trust and from whom alone commeth saluation Thou hast deliuered my soule from a great death thou hast broken the net wherein I was taken so that I escaped in my greatest danger thou dost deliuer c Psal 34.19 me euery houre euery moment in thee I trust that thou wilt d 2 Cor. 1 10. Iob 5.19 hereafter deliuer mee yea this I know that thou wilt suffer no euill to come vnto mee e Psal 91.10.15.16 but wilt free mee therefrom yea saue me and bring me to glory and happinesse V. From the end and issue of them in that they are the way to Heauen THe children of Israel could not come to Canaan that promised Land which flowed vvith Milke and Honie but they must first passe thorow a desolate a Exod. 16 17.1.3 Num. 14.1.2 21.6 and a dangerous wildernesse where they were exercised vvith many trials and afflictions being sometimes in perill of death by those flying and fiery Serpents sometimes in feare and hazzard of their liues and ready to haue perished with thirst otherwise And in like manner it is with all the children of God his chosen Israel They deceiue b Act. 14.22 Rom. 8.17 themselues if they looke to come vnto that celestiall and heauenly Canaan and to receiue the inheritance vvhich the Lord hath promised them in so good and pleasant a Land before they haue passed thorow the troublesome wildernesse of this euill world where they shall bee c 2 Tim. 3.12 exercised with many trials sundry kind of afflictions Lord sith this is the way to happinesse since by
braued it out most for a while in mirth and iollitie with-holding themselues from nothing which their eyes desired nor with-drawing their hearts from any worldly ioy and carnall or sensuall delight haue not long after when they could by no meanes driue away that euill Spirit which so much vexed disquieted and tormented them burst out into fearefull vvords of extreame despayre yea and some of them being vveary of their liues and feeling the Flames of Hell in their soules Achitophell o 2 Sam. 17 23 Mat. 27.5 or Iudas-like laid violent hands vpon themselues and in a most vnnaturall manner became as it vvere their owne executioners O LORD GOD keepe my soule I beseech thee from taking any delight in the sinnefull pleasures of the wicked p Iob 21.16 let them not be sweet vnto my mouth nor pleasant vnto my taste lest I feele the bitternesse thereof in the end yea rather let mee lothe them and delight in those things which are pleasing vnto thee my GOD that so in my greatest sorrowes I may haue much inward ioy and finde comfort when as outwardly I taste of nothing but misery and affliction The carnall and wicked man wakened out of his sleepe ALthough many vvho now lye steeping in the brine of this world and euen soaking in their sinnes liue for the present at least in outward appearance a E 1 cles 8.11 11.9 Luk. 12.19 as merry and iocund as any thinking all is well vvith them and so be at rest and quiet vvithin themselues whiles they are setled vpon their dregs yet when GOD shall once let loose the cord of their consciences and giue them a sight of their sinnes and the multitude and haynousnesse thereof and setting them all in order b Psa 50.21 before them write sharpe and bitter things against them for the same then they shall quickly finde a strange alteration within them c Rom. 7.9 10. They shall startle as men sodainely awaked out of a dreame hauing most fearefull apprehensions dreadfull obiects presented vnto their mindes which will make them to shiuer and tremble with great perplexitie and amazement Their day shall be turned into night their light into darkenesse their mirth into mourning their ioy into heauinesse their greatest solace into extreame woe and misery All their sweetest pleasures wherein they were wont to bathe and refresh themselues shall become painefull and bitter vnto them their chiefest delights yrkesome and most vnpleasant so that their soule shall refuse all comfort yea they shall be troubled dismayed amazed terrified and affrighted exceedingly vvith the view of the huge masse of their vile and abhominable sinnes vvhich though now they be hid from their eyes yet then in most ougly manner shall lie before their faces in open sight euen the sinnes of their youth the sinnes of their age the sinnes which they haue committed alone in secret which the eye of none vvas witnesse of and vvhich they haue committed eyther with others or openly in the presence of others euen all their most grieuous and haynous impieties which euer heeretofore haue escaped them and vvhereby from time to time they haue prouoked the Maiestie of the most high shamefully defiled and dishonoured themselues and many waies grieued and displeased others Then hell and destruction shall shew themselues vnto their soules and a dreadfull and horrible feare take hold of them yea the sound of feare d Iob. 15.21 shall be continually in their eares and great astonishment in their hearts so that they shall be readie to quake at the shaking of euery leafe and to tremble at the hearing of euery sodaine noyse as that prophane and heathen Emperour who was so terrified vvith euery thunder-clap that he sought for corners to hide himselfe when he heard it comming and to flie vvhen none pursueth them e Pro. 28.1 but onely that euill and guilty conscience of theirs which being raised vp like a fierce and raging Lion which hath beene a long time a sleepe and is now sodainly awakened by the dreadfull hand of Gods iustice will neuer leaue following and pursuing them till it hath brought them to their most deserued punishment euen to finall desperation in this vvorld and to eternall perdition in that vhich is to come where they shal drinke of the cup Iob. 5.27 euen of the bitter cup of the fiercenesse of the vvrath of the Lord for euermore O mercifull God let mee neuer lye carelesly and securely in my sinnes let me not at any time delight in any of them let me not blesse or sooth my selfe in the least of them but let me be alwaies carefull to keepe my selfe pure and vnspotted of them that so I may not onely auoid those terrours and that wofull misery vvhich shall surely come vpon all the wicked and vngodly eyther in the time of their life or in the houre of their death or else in the day of iudgement and after for euermore but also that I may haue that peace of a good and quiet conscience vvhich may alwaies rest and abide with me and be a comfort and refreshing vnto me both in life and in death and in the day of thy comming euen that blessed appearance of thy Sonne vvhich all thy Saints daily expect and long for Worldlinesse a fearefull signe of one destitute of the true loue of God SEest thou any that is very eagerly set vpon any vvorldly thing pleasure profit honour or whatsoeuer else it be thou maiest assure thy selfe that whiles he is so much addicted vnto these earthly things the loue of God is very small or not at all a 1 Ioh. 2.15 in him He that loues God vnfainedly sincerely and entirely as he ought cannot as long as that loue of his abideth in him be greatly affected vnto any other thing nor haue an excessiue desire and longing after the fading vanities of this world for God will wholly possesse his soule and satisfie him abundantly so that he shall find contentment in him b Psal 73.25 Psal 119.57 Lamen 3.24 howsoeuer it fare otherwaies vvith him Blessed Lord kindle in me daily more and more I humbly beseech thee a sincere and vnfained loue of thy Maiestie who hast alwaies shewed thy selfe so exceedingly gracious vnto me doe thou euen inflame this cold and frozen heart of mine that so louing thee with that truth and earnestnesse of affection which ought to be in me and hauing my desires alwayes towards thee the loue and desire of these vaine and earthly things may be daily abated and diminished vvithin me yea I may banish farre from me all loue vvhich is not in thee and for thee vnto whom onely I am to giue my heart with all the affections thereof and that absolutely vvholly and entirely The folly of the Worldling ALL would condemne him for a foolish and vnwise man that would not exchange siluer for gold Psal 107.43 lead and baser mettall for pearles and precious stones And yet loe
the ioyfull light of that glorious Kingdome nor enioy so fully the desired presence of his Creator and his blessed Sauiour f Iohn 12.26 and Redeemer after whom his soule longeth g Can. 1.14 Phil. 3.23 Lord when it pleaseth thee ease mee of these bonds deliuer mee out of this Prison and set mee at libertie among thy Saints in glory that I may behold the brightnesse of thy face and enioy that promised saluation the very hope and expectation vvhereof is the stay and comfort of my life in this bondage of sinne and misery vnto vvhich I am daily subiect Come Lord h Reuel 22 17 Iesus come quickly Amen Christians in this world are vnknowne men THe life of the Children of God whiles they liue in this world is hid a Col. 3.3 with Christ in God They are not knowne b 1 Iohn 3. to the world being masked and shrowded vnder the vayle of c Rom. 8.3 weake sinful flesh Their naturall life and outward estate is not different from others All things come alike to all d Eccles 9. Their Persons are exposed to contempt disgrace e Iob 30.8.9.10 reproach and many iniuries which the proud and disdainfull world who are not worthy of them f 1 Cor. 4.9.10.11 Heb. 11.38 doe continually most vniustly offer vnto them delighting euen to sport themselues of them Their bodies are subiect to much miserie g 2 Cor. 4.7.8.9 10. and 11.6 to ignominie and basenesse and for the most part to more sicknesses weakenesses and infirmities then others and in the end to death h Gen. 3.19 Heb. 9.27 as vvell as others They dye like other men and are couered with the same mould taking vp their lodgings vvith the rest of the sonnes of Adam in the dust and in the chambers of darkenesse i Iob 10.21.22 17.13.14 hauing Corruption for their Father and the Worme for their Mother and Sister The spirituall life also of their Soules wherein all their glory k Psal 45.13 in this life consisteth the redemption of their bodies l Rom. 8.23 Phil. 3.21 being wholly reserued for the estate after this life euen the day of the generall and glorious resurrection as it is not discerned of the world so many times of themselues neyther but very dimmely and when it is in best estate it is but weake m 2 Cor. 12 9. Psal 119.4 and needes the quickning grace of Gods Spirit for the increasing and confirming of it Blessed Lord hasten that glorious appearance of thine that so this vayle being remoued I may be fully restored vnto that promised light and liberty which my soule longeth after and liue in thy sight for euer receiuing from thee continually that accomplishment of grace and glory which thou hast reserued for me in thy Kingdome Sabbath day the religious obseruation of it how necessary IT is not the Law of Man but the vnchangeable decree and ordinance of GOD himselfe the chiefe Law-giuer that the Sabbath-day which in the Apostles dayes * Acts 20.4.5.6.7 1 Cor. 16.1.2 and of the Apostles themselues a Olim certè priscis illis hominibus in summo precio Sabbathum fuit quam quidem solennitatem Dominus in Diem Dominicum transtulit Athan. Hom. de Semente Sabbathum est signum vt sciatur dies Creationis Idem in Mat. 11. Aug. Epist ad Ianuar. 119. cap. 13. Idem lib. 22. de Ciuitate Dei cap. 30. Chrisost in Genes 2. Homil. 18. Hieron contra Pelag. lib. 3. Beza in Apocalyps 1.10 Spiritu sancto procul dubio illud Apostolis dictante pro prioris seculi Sabbatho siue die septimo assumptus suit dies huius mundi primus in quo c. Vide Fulke Rhem. Test in eund loc Sect. 6. Iun. praelect in Gen. 2.3 P. Mart. in Gen. 2. Bulling in Rom. 4.5 Zanch. de operibus Dei lib. 1. cap. 1. no doubt by authoritie from CHRIST and by the direction of his Spirit b Iohn 14.26 Acts 1.3 1 Cor. 11.23 guiding them therein as in all other truth was changed and called the Lords-day should be religiously obserued of all euen to the comming of Christ Hee giues vs a speciall watch-word of remembrance to stirre vp all to the greater care and diligence hereof c Exod. 8.20 Remember the Sabbath-day to keepe it holy as if in no vvise hee would haue this forgotten at any time or slightly regarded as it is of the most This alone hath a Preface prefixed and both the affirmatiue and negatiue part expressed the like to be found in no other Commandement as if fore-seeing what libertie men vvould take vnto themselues herein he would of purpose set bounds on euery side to fence and to keepe vs continually within compasse of this Law Hee doth not onely command vs but also perswade and yeelds a reason yea many and forcible reasons and motiues whereby as with so many cords wee might bee drawne vnto this dutie from his owne example and practise from his hallowing of it to a holy vse from the equitie of the obseruation of it since that hee hath giuen vs the other sixe dayes to our selues and taken this one onely to himselfe as his owne due which by no meanes hee vvould haue vvith-held from him They therefore that make little or no conscience of the due and diligent obseruation of this day by absenting themselues from the publique assemblies or by neglecting priuate duties prayer reading conference meditation examination of things heard in the publique Ministerie d Acts 17.11 much more they that openly prophane it by spending it eyther idly or wickedly in excessiue drinking gaming or other vnlawfull courses whatsoeuer outwardly they professe in word yet assuredly they are such as haue forgotten the Lord they refuse to follow him they transgresse his law and violate his holy ordinance which he hath appointed for their owne welfare if they could see it They remoue the ancient bounds within which he hath inclosed them vvhich who so doth shall be accursed e Deut. 27.17 yea though they were but the bounds and limits which men had established They cast away his yoke a note of the sonnes of Belial f Deut. 13.13 They sinne grieuously very dangerously They are enemies to their owne good friends to Sathan yea they are falne into the very snare of the Deuill who both in the infancie and prime-age of the Church and euer since when he could not roote out the whole Christian faith which spread it selfe into so many nations laboured mightily the subuersion and ouerthrow of this maine prop and pillar thereof by raising vp men of hereticall mindes who some through the pretended colour of Christian libertie others by the aspersion and false imputation of Iewish superstition and bondage and I know not what haue by this meanes gone about to open a wide dore to Atheisme licentiousnesse prophanenesse and so by little and little in an insensible manner
that finde a fleshy and a melting heart and soule vvithin their breasts whose consciences are bruised with the sight and remorse of their sinnes vvhereby they haue displeased him vvho hath beene so kinde and so gracious a God and Father vnto them that haue a sonne-like * Heb. 12.28 and a reuerent feare of his displeasure and of his correcting hand that grieue sorrow and complaine oft and much for that they can be no more touched for their sinnes nor finde that cheerefulnesse d Psa 119 4â— Heb. 13 1â— and delight in the duties of his seruice which he requireth that are very fearefull and scrupulous of doing any thing whereby he might be offended or his lawes violated yea is it not euen a strange and vnknowne language as it vvere vnto the most â—o talke vnto them of a broken and contrite heart They thanke God they feele all vvell vvithin them they haue not such sicke and queasie stomackes as they see some haue nor would willingly be troubled with their maladies They feele it indeed complaine much if sickenesse pouerty shame or any such like outward euils seize vpon them but their hearts neuer bleed vvithin them their consciences neuer strike them vvith the sight or feare either of sinne or of the punishment of it e Gal. 3.10 Rom. 8.13 Ephe. 5.5.6 threatned vnto them from an angry and wrathfull God before whose face they neuer learned yet to tremble Yea through custome and continuance in sinne they haue quite lost the sence of sinne f Ephes 4.18.19 and are become so hardened that they neuer see nor sorrow nor mourne for it nor for the iudgements hanging ouer them for the same There is a brawne and thicke skinne as it were drawne ouer their hearts they are altogether seared and obdurate Nothing can moue them or at least make any deepe impression into them piercing into their hearts and wounding their soules They know not what it is to be g Act. 2.37 pricked for sinne or to bee pressed and harrowed with the rake of Gods iust iudgements h Psal 6. 32.38 but go on carelesly securely and presumptuously in the wicked wayes and vngodly courses which they haue taken vnto themselues and sing peace vnto their soules i Luke 12.19 1 Thes 5.3 A fearefull estate if men could see it and yet the most farre gone in it Not one amongst many that complaineth of it Not one scarce amongst a thousand that to his owne saluation findeth himselfe healed cured of it hauing his stony and flinty heart turned into a fleshy heart into mourning and lamenting spirits grieuing for sinne aboue all things and longing for the assurance of the pardon of it and the comfortable presence of God and the riches of his sanctifying grace desiring still to be more satisfied and replenished with those pure waters * Ezek. 47. of life and grace vvhich flow from his sanctuary O LORD giue me not ouer at any time I humbly pray thee vnto that fearefull euill k Psa 81.12 which thou sufferest in wrath to fall vpon the wicked those who are reprobates and vtterly forsaken of thee O doe thou more and more soften and mollifie my heart Take this stony heart of mine quite from me and giue mee a tender and a melting heart vvhich may bleed at the least blow with vvhich thou strikest mee with the least pricke of thy law when it threatneth me and cause mee to mourne for my sinnes especially because they haue beene so displeasing vnto thee my God who hast beene so kinde and so gracious vnto mee Let my minde be bruised rather with the taste and feeling of thy mercies then with the terrour of thy iudgements but let mee by both be brought alwayes to walke humbly and reuerently before thee desirous in all things to please thee and afraid in any thing willingly to offend thee and thirsting vnfainedly after a greater measure of thy heauenly graces that so thou maist looke graciously vpon mee both now and alwayes and delight in doing mee good according vnto thy promise vvherein is my comfort Wee ought to be more affected with spirituall miseries then with bodily IF men be in some bodily distresse sickenesse pouertie or any other outward calamitie vvhich lyeth heauie vpon them they sigh and euen groane in themselues and seeke by all meanes to be released from the same But though their Soules be in great misery and wretchednes a Reu. 3.17 poore blinde naked yea sicke vnto the death and exposed vnto many and those most fearefull Iudgements both in this life and much more in the life to come they complaine not they are no wayes troubled they sigh not they sorrow not they seeke not to be recouered out of that wofull estate condition wherein they are Oh how hath Sathan blinded their eyes how hath hee wholly possessed them with a Spirit of slumber b Rom. 11.8 that they should be so miserable and yet see not their misery nor haue any sense and feeling of their greatest euils For did they but see the misery they are in if they did but know how heauy a burthen lyeth vpon them which if it be not remoued in time will presse them downe to hell they would then fill euery place they came in with their plaints and mournings they would sigh sob and groane in spirit and neuer be at quiet c Acts 16.29.30 neuer at rest in themselues till they saw themselues freed from the same O mercifull LORD as thou hast shewed thy selfe exceeding gracious vnto mee in shewing me my miserie and bringing me out of it so I humbly beseech thee to d A s 26.18 open their eyes which are yet closed vp and couered with that fearefull darknes which Sinne and Sathan hath brought vpon them that they may see their estate and touch their hearts euen of as many of them as thou hast ordayned to life that seeing it and bewayling it they may labour to come out of it And keepe thy Seruant both now and alwayes from that blindnesse of minde and deadnesse of heart which of all euils are the most fearefull and such as thou sufferest to fall vpon the reprobate and those that shall perish for euer Let mee grieue more for the decay of thy graces the want of the comfortable sense and feeling of thy loue and fauour and the miseries vnto which my soule is subiect through sinne then for sickenesse of body losse of goods pouertie or any other outward calamitie whatsoeuer which may at any time befall me The conuersion of others is to be sought for HE is of a malignant nature that hauing wandered out of the way with the rest of his company and beene thereby together with them in great perill and danger and afterwards finding the right way walketh therein alone and letteth the rest goe on to their destruction So it is with those that being through the grace and goodnesse of
dealing so vnkindly yea so rebelliously with him who hath shewed himselfe once yea often and that many waies so kinde and gracious vnto them Oh it should euen inforce them to come e Ier. 3.22 vnto him presently without all delayes it should winne their hearts and cause them to refuse his grace no longer to stand out no more against him but to bow and bend themselues vvholly to his will in all things and to desire by all meanes to recompence their former vnkindnesse and exceeding ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards him vvith so much the greater care and conscionable indeuour to walke humbly dutifully and thankfully before him in time to come studying how to please him and to returne glory vnto him This effect it should haue in all of vs. How sottish therefore are those that thereby become the more obdurate f Rom. 2.7 and hard-hearted vvho the more kinde and gracious the Lord is in bearing with them for their sinnes past doe become the more vnkinde and rebellious against him not onely continuing in their former sinnes and wickednesse but also adding thereunto new and greater sinnes daily and so growing euery day worse and worse the more that hee extendeth his goodnesse and patience towards them O faithlesse and stiffe-necked people men of stubborne and rebellious hearts and eares Doe you so reward g Deut. 32 6 the Lord for his great mercy towards you when you were altogether vnworthy of it yea deserued nothing but that the viols of his wrath and furie should be powred out vpon you Is this your kindnesse to your God vvho hath so exceeded in his grace and bounty toward you Is this your dutifulnesse your loyaltie your requitall of his fatherly compassions ouer you Doe you so answere him O how fearefull yea monstrous a thing is this that men should be made worse by the goodnesse of God how miserable are they that will make the mercies of God an occasion of their owne miserie and how ingratefull are they who the more kinde the Lord is towards them shew themselues the more wicked and rebellious against him We would blush and be ashamed to deale so with men and shall wee deale so with the euer-liuing and most glorious God that great God of the whole world who made vs when we were not and is able presently to cast vs both body and soule into hell-fire there to bee tormented for euermore Farre be it from me O Lord so highly to offend thy maiestie O let me neuer abuse the riches of thy bountie and patience least thereby I heape vp vnto my selfe wrath against the day of wrath and vengeance but let thy long-sufferance be saluation h 2 Pet. 3.15 vnto me euen a meanes to mollifie my heart to draw me daily nearer vnto thee and to cause me to walke more humbly dutifully obediently before thee yea as thou striuest continually by thy spirit to winne me vnto thee and euen to ouercome me with thy gracious and mercifull dealing towards me so let me striue and endeauour with all my strength and with all the powers of my soule and bodie to returne all thankefulnesse vnto thee and to testifie the vnfained thankefulnesse of my heart by entire and constant obedience vnto all thy lawes and commaundements and the more thy kindnes is inlarged towards me the more let me increase in loue and dutifulnesse vnto thee than thus I may at length see that promised saluation of thine in the hope and expectation vvhereof I doe and vvill rest continually A looking Glasse whereby to see what our estate is whether we be true Conuerts or no. THere be many that thinke they are conuerted vvhen indeed they are not a Prou. 12.15 14.12 but lye still in the state of sinne of death and of condemnation So b Ier. 17.9 deceitfull is the heart of man and so guilefull that arch-enemie of mankind Sathan who in a malicious and vnsatiable manner hunteth c Iob. 1.7 1 Pet. 5.8 continually after the liues and soules of men that oft times hee bleareth the eyes of men and deludeth them with counterfait semblances with vaine imaginations and shadowes of things that are not that so hee may cause them to rest carelesly and securely in that fearefull dangerous estate wherin they are till in the end he maketh a prey of them so that none is able to deliuer them out of his hands or to plucke them out of his iawes It is good therefore for euery one to take sure triall of himselfe d Lam. 3.40 2 Cor. 13.5 and to see that he standeth vpon firme e 1 Cor. 10 12 ground lest otherwise he perish vnawares and fall downe sodainely into the pit of euerlasting destruction vvhen he thought he vvas farre off from it and finde himselfe in the depth of hell vvhen as before hee dreamed of no such matter but deemed himselfe to be in as good estate as any though now too late hee bewaileth euen with f Luke 16.24 Hebr. 11.42 teares his great folly and marueilous securitie vvhich hath brought him to that place of vvoe and torment which hee thought not of till hee found himselfe in it and out of which hee cannot now recouer himselfe g Luke 16.26 though he had a thousand vvorlds to giue for his ransome Lest therefore thou beest as others haue beene vvho now grone in hell for it beguiled by the deceitfulnesse of thine owne corrupt heart and the subtilties and illusions of Sathan h 2 Cor. 2.11 vvho seekes nothing but thy ruine and vtter ouerthrow looke diligently into this Glasse which out of the Word of GOD I set before thee whereby if thou hast not a mist before thine eyes thou mayest rightly discerne vvhether thou art yet a true Conuert or no or else lyest still rotting and putrefying in the corrupt estate of nature not hauing as yet the worke of grace vvrought in thee howsoeuer heretofore thou hast flattered thine owne soule and thought that the vvay wherein thou vvalkest was right when as the end and issue of it is death and destruction i Prou. 16.25 First therefore vvhere true repentance is and vnfained conuersion there is a true knowledge k Psal 51.3 sight of a mans sinnefull estate and the wretchednesse and miserie vvhereinto he is plunged a knowledge of the sinne vvherein hee was conceiued l Psa 51.5 and borne viz. the sinne of Adam imputed m Rom. 5.12.18 to him as his owne and his owne inherent n Rom. 7.24 and inbred corruption together with his many and grieuous actuall transgressions of the most holy and righteous lawes and Commandements of GOD for vvhich the curse of God hath seized vpon him so that he is the o Eph. 2.3 childe of wrath and perdition Hee seeth himselfe of himselfe to be most wretched and miserable being assoone as hee came into this vvorld as a most loathsome leper in the eyes of God
to turne my feete g Pro. 4.14 from their pathes and to walke before thee in truth and sinceritie and in singlenesse of heart that so whereas they shall euer be wretched and miserable I may haue assurance that I am and shall be blessed both now and euer Amen The godly life the onely happie life ALL things in this life are vaine a Eccle. 1.8.14 and come to nothing riches health beautie strength glorie or whatsoeuer the heart of man can desire or which might seeme to promise vnto men the greatest felicitie happines VVho is so blinde that seeth not how fading and transitorie they are euen those that are of the greatest perfection and excellencie aboue others They haue an end and passe away as if they had neuer beene b Eccle. 1.11 Psal 119.96 But the feare of the Lord indureth for euer c Psal 19.9 Psal 112. True Religion and Godlinesse they abide with vs in life and in death and for euer This is as the tree of life in the Paradise of God vvhich giueth life d Pro. 12.28 22.4 19.23 happinesse to them that delight not onely to tast but also to feede and fill themselues with it This is as it were a cleare fountaine of liuing waters e Ioh. 4.14 vvhich spring vp to euerlasting life and glory in the kingdome of God It crownes a man vvith many graces f Prou. 10 27 Deut 28.3 c. Psal 1.19 and blessings heere and hereafter vvill giue him enterance into the fulnesse and perfection of all blessednesse when all other things shal appeare to be as they are vaine shadowes dreames and fancies that shall satisfie the soule with the abundance and accomplishment of all glorie and happinesse Oh then how great is the folly of those that seeke more after these fading g 1 Cor. 7.31 1. Ioh. 2.27 and perishing things then after that which is farre to be preferred before them that labour more to be h Psal 4.6 rich healthfull strong honourable c. then to be truly religious men fearing God and such as delight to walke conscionably before him in his wayes that striue more to abound in the pleasures profits and preferments of this world which are but as smoke and soone vanish away i Psal 49.17.18.19.20 leauing the owner of them neuer a vvhit the better then in grace and godlinesse which hath the promises of blessednesse both in this life * 1 Tim. 4.8 and in the life to come O LORD indue mee daily more and more with that wisedome which is from aboue discouer vnto me yet more and more the vanitie of all things here below Let me consider how * Psa 82.7 146.3.4 Iob 21.33 Princes the greatest men die and how their fauour and honour fadeth with them let me consider how one generation goeth and k Eccl. 1.4 another commeth and how euen those things which are of greatest perfection * Psal 119.96 and in greatest account amongst men perish come to an end quickly though insensibly to them especially that haue not eyes to discerne the course of them And on the other side cleere my dimmed sight by the cleere shine of thy grace and blessed Spirit that I may behold how great the reward of true Religion and godlinesse is what perfect and constant yea euerlasting blessednesse there is in walking vprightly before thee in the vvayes which thou hast prescribed vnto me that so making a choise of the better part * Luke 10.42 I may be truly blessed of thee both in life and death and for euermore The godly life is the onely comfortable and contented life MAny are afrayd to be religious for feare they should loose the comfort content which before they enioyed in their sinful vanities l Eccl. 11.9 lead a more heauy a dumpish discomfortable life wanting those sweet morsels with vvhich they were wont to glut themselues till they surfetted on them O vain man that so fondly imaginest that thou shalt finde comfort and happinesse vvhere it is not to be found m Eccle. 1.14 and that thou shouldest depriue thy selfe of it by taking that course wherby thou only mightst attaine vnto it n Eccl. 12.13 Why dost thou suffer thine owne heart thus to deceiue thee yea Sathan with his sleights o 2 Cor. 2.11 thus to beguile and delude thee causing thee to follow after shadowes and to let goe the substance euen that onely vvhich can make thee happy thy life comfortable and full of desired sweetnesse whereas now for want of it thou languishest in vaine hopes restles pursuite of that which is elsewhere to be found then thou dreamest yea euen by those very meanes by vvhich thou fearest thou shouldest depriue thy selfe of it Know at length thine errour and learne to get true vnderstanding and a right discerning of those things which concerne thy * Luk. 19.42 peace happinesse The godly life onely it is vvhich is the truly comfortable and contented life If thou wilt not beleeue the Saints of God p Psal 4.4 Rom 5.1 1 Pet. 1. Phil. 11.12 who speake out of their owne experience q Ioh. 3.11 euen those things which they haue felt and tasted of through the Spirit of grace vvhich dwels in them hauing had proofe also of both estates euen that wherein thou who art yet a carnall and vnregenerate man now art as also of that wherin through the mercy of God they now stand being sanctified and regenerate by the Spirit of God and such as vvould not returne to their former estate wherin thou liuest nor exchange theâ—r present comforts for their former â—aâ—ities though they might haue I say not with Balaam r Num. 12.28 a house full of Gold and Siluer but the whole world yea tenne thousand worlds if it might be If thou wilt not I say beleeue these vvho notwithstanding ought to be credited being well acquainted with those things vvhich they testifie yet beleeue God himselfe vvho hath sayd and sealed it in those diuine Oracles for a certaine and vndoubted truth vvhich none except hee vvill proclaime himselfe to bee a profest Atheist one vvhich denies God and his Word which is of infallible truth dare euer denie or once call into question in any sort viz. that the life of the wicked is nothing but vanitie and s Eccles 1. miserie they being like a restlesse and raging Sea t Isa 57.20 vvhich casts out mire and dirt continually their fearâ—s and sorrowes v Iob 15.21 being many and the euils x Psal 32.10 vvhich attend vpon them infinite the godly on the other side ful of comfort heauenly solace peace y Prou. 24 20. Rom. 5.1.14.17 Psal 97.11 Pro. 15.15 Phil. 4.4 ioy and much sweetnesse such as none know nor can conceiue of but they that haue tasted of it z 1 Pet. 2.3 and which after they haue once tasted
42.43.44.49 spirituall heauenly full of beautie and excellencie farre aboue that wee are able to conceiue or thinke their bodies which haue lyen in the dust and beene subiect to much basenesse q Iohn 11.39 Iob 10.21 22. 17.14.16 and loathsomnesse being now euen like vnto the glorious body of Christ r 1 Cor. 15 49. Phil. 3.21 1 Iohn 3.2 himselfe vnto whom then they shall be made conformable shining as the Starres s Dan. 12.3 yea as the t Mat. 13.45 Sunne in brightnesse for euer and euer The wicked on the other side shall rise in a most base and ignominious manner euen to shame and perpetuall contempt v Dan. 12.2 They that haue had the greatest beautie and excellencie here being not inferiour to proud and aspiring Absolon like vnto vvhom in all Israel there was not any for goodly feature from the sole of the foote vnto the crowne of the head there being no x 2 Sam. 14 25. blemish in him shall there be abhorred of GOD y Isa 66.24 and of all his Saints and Angels There can be no greater deformitie then that wherewith their bodies shall then be couered that they may be loathed of all yea of their owne selues being altogether disfigured with the vgly Image of Sathan so that they shall not be able to lift vp their heads for shame but stand like z Gen. 4.6 Caine or worse with flaited hellish and deiected countenances euen confounded in themselues and wishing that they were cast presently into the darkest corner of Hell where they might not behold themselues much lesse eyther see or be seene of others especially of those bright eyes of that glorious Iudge who is so * Hab. 1.13 pure that he cannot behold euill without great detestation Oh who is able to conceiue the shame and confusion with which they shall then euen wholly be ouerwhelmed And finally whereas the godly shall bee made partakers of euerlasting life a Ioh 5.29 Rom. 2.7 and happinesse in the highest heauens they shall bee deliuered vp to euerlasting death and condemnation b Mat. 25.46 Psal 11.6 Reue. 21.8 in the lowest part of hell where they shall be tortured with endlesse and vnspeakeable torments for euermore being banished for euer from the blessed and comfortable c 2 Thes 1 9 presence of the Lord. Gracious Lord teach me daily more seriously to consider vvith my selfe of the great difference that shall be betweene thy children and those that are seruants to Sathan and corruption Seeing that the one shall be raised vp in the last day to that ioy glory and happinesse which is vnspeakeable the other to end lesse wretchednesse and miserie O therefore let me be stirred vp to endeauour my selfe to haue alwaies a cleare conscience towards d Act. 24 15 16 thee and towards men and to abound euery day more and more in the works which thou hast appointed e 1 Cor. 15 58 knowing that my labour shall not be in vaine in thee And neuer let me enuie f Psal 37.1 at the flourishing estate and vaine supposed felicitie of the wicked in this world seeing the day is comming and hasteneth on a pace g 1. Pet. 4.7 wherein they shall bee cloathed with shame and dishonour and cast out of thy presence for euermore receiuing according to that which they haue done in their bodies g 1. Pet. 4.7 and eating the fruit of their owne vvaies h 2 Cor. 5.10 which they shall finde to be more bitter then death it selfe i Isai 3.9.11 howsoeuer now the remembrance of these things by reason of their ignorance k 1 Pet. 3.5 blockishnesse and cursed infidelity doth little or nothing at all affect or moue them The second death how exceeding fearefull and dreadfull it is MANY eye the first death much and are flaited and almost affrighted at the sight yea at the thought of it it striketh a feare and a terror into them But they looke but seldome and scarce with halfe an eye vpon the second death a Reue. 21 8 which begins where the other ends and is farre more dreadfull to all those that haue a right discerning and true apprehension of it Alas that is nothing to this no more to be compared to it then a little sparke to a great flame or a small droppe of water to the whole wide and vast Ocean For the first is of the bodie onely the second both of the body and soule b Math. 10 28 The one for a short time the other without all end of time of as long continuance as eternity c Math. 25 41.46 it selfe The one oft-times not so grieuous as the fits and pangs of many diseases the other more dolorous and painefull then all the sicknesses and diseases in the world though they were all laid together vpon one man In briefe the one is finite and such as many haue sustained d 1 Sam. 15.32 with vndanted courage and resolution the other infinite and vnsupportable not able to be borne or indured of any creature without hellish miserie Wilt thou behold the gastly face of this dreadfull enemy yet more clearely and fully discouered vnto thee Heare then hearken and beleeue that which the word of GOD which shall indure for euer e 1 Pet. 1.25 hath sealed and which all must beleeue that will not shew themselues to be no better then the heathen and infidels In this second death first there is a separation of the soule yea of the whole men both soule and bodie from the gracious presence f 2 Thes 1.1 of that glorious God without whom there can be no true blessednesse an vtter separation and banishment from him g Math. 7.23 13.41 25.41 and from that ioyfull and comfortable societie and fellowship of all his elect Saints and Angels a finall depriuation of all hope of entrance into that heauenly Canaan that new and celestiall Ierusalem the Citie of the euerliuing God of which so glorious things are spoken and the losse wherof will not lesse vexe torment the soule of the damned as that ancient and golden-mouthed Father not vainely supposed then all the paines and tortures of hell Chrysost Be sides this there shall be paines and torments vnspeakeable vnsufferable such as may dampe the stoutest champion and the most yron-hearted wretch in the world if he shall but enter once into a serious through consideration of them if eyther he regard the place of torment vvhere that wofull miserie is to be indured the pangs and tortures themselues the company with whom they are to remaine in the suffering and induring of them Or lastly the time which they shall indure them Euery one of them is enough to strike a terrour into a man and to make his heart to quake to thinke of them i Esai 14.9 34.9.10 Reue. 1.18 20.13.14 1 First the place is no other then that
deepe prison h Deut. 32 22 Pro. 7.27 and darke dungeon of Gods wrath appointed for the execution of his dreadfull vengeance vpon all the children of disobedience vvho vvould not know him nor what should be their happinesse that darke and dismall place that burning lake that fiery furnace i Mat. 13.15 and bottomlesse gulfe of deepe despaire the pit of hell that Tophet prepared of old for them large and deepe according to that k Isai 30.50 propheticall description thereof in briefe a place of vnspeakeable horrour and terrour worse then the most stinking prison or the most loathsome dungeon in the world there is no comparison the sight yea the very thought of it were enough to flait a man The darknesse of Egypt was fearefull and full of amazement and astonishment yet nothing to this The paines and torments there to be indured are shadowed out vnto vs in Scripture by l Psal 11.6 Mat. 13.42 25.41 fire and brimstone storme and tempest the worme that neuer dieth m Esai 66.24 Mark 9.46 chaines of darkenesse n 2 Pet. 2 4 Iudde 1 Mat. 8.12 22.13 and blacknesse of darkenesse All fearefull and dismall names and yet but semblances it may be and shadowes of those more grieuous tortures and that dreadful and hellish miserie vvhich then shall be powred out both vpon their bodies and vpon their soules and all the seuerall parts and members thereof in vnspeakeable and most wofull manner Tribulation o Rom. 2.9 anguish and great astonishment shal seize vpon euery one of them and wholly possesse them yea swallow them vp as it vvere with open mouth They shall haue a hell without them and a hell also within them euen their owne guiltie and disquieted consciences vvhich like a worme p Mark 9.44 shall continually lye gnawing vpon their soules vvith the remembrance of their fearefull sinnes past the great blessednes glory which through their folly they haue depriued themselues of and the extreame woe and miserie into which they are plunged yea their consciences shall vvound them in most fearefull manner the nips and pangs thereof shall be vvorse then the bitings of the venemous Cockatrice or the stingings of the poisonous Scorpion yea vvorse then death it selfe VVee see how that euen in this life when the Lord sometimes doth but suffer that worme to beginne to nible q Pro. 18.14 Esa 57.20.21 at the soules and consciences of vvicked men and cause them but as it vvere a farre off to behold the flashings of hell fire vvith which afterwards they shall be tormented for euer that euen this vvhich is but the beginning and forerunner of their sorrowes doth make them to rore out nay driue some of them to make away themselues eyther by hanging their owne selues as that great politician r 2 Sam. 17 23. Achitophel and that couetous and treacherous s Matt. 27.5 Iudas did or by drowning themselues or cutting their owne throats as others haue done as vvee haue knowne by wofull experience Oh then how vvofull and how grieuous shall it bee vnto them vvhen that worme of conscience shall continually lye fretting vpon them and biting in sunder as it vvere their very heart-strings nay gnawing in most fearefull manner vpon the most inward tenderest parts of their soules vvhiles they shal lye frying in the fiery flames being scorched on euery side with the fury of Gods wrathfull indignation which then shall be kindled against them and burne to the bottome of hell Then doubtles they shall desire to die but death shall flie far from them They shall curse and banne themselues and those that were companions with them in wickednesse by whose meanes a greater measure of wrath is powred out vpon them they shall cry out against their former sottishnesse and securitie that they had no more care to keepe themselues from comming into that place of torment t Luk. 16.28.29 though they were so oft admonished and forewarned of it by others who had more pittie of them then themselues O the remembrance hereof it will cut their hearts it will pierce their soules it will cause them to curse themselues and the day and houre wherein they were borne the time wherin they forsooke GOD and gaue themselues ouer to the seruice of sinne and Satan yea it will cause and constraine them to crie shame vpon themselues and their folly and madnesse in suffering themselues to be so deluded so deceiued through the deceitfulnesse of their crafty and deadly enemies who now when it is too late they see in all those pleasing courses wherewith they delighted them sought nothing but their vtter ruine and ouerthrow Neuer did v Iob 3. Iob in that weakenesse and extremitie of his curse the day of his birth as they then vvill the day of their birth and entrance into the world nay as they shall the time wherein they liued in the world and wherein they gaue themselues to the seruice and slauery of sinne and Sathan who hath now rewarded them x Rom. 6.23 to the full as they were oft before told that he should except they looked to themselues in time and shaking off all societie and fellowship with him returned vvillingly speedily and vnfainedly vnto the Lord. O the depth of miserie vvhich then shall come vpon them Their countenances shall waxe pale and wanne their hearts faile them and their soules euen rend in pieces vvith horror and amazement whiles they shall lie howling crying and shriking and in vaine powring out their mournefull complaints Woe woe is vs y Esa 33.14 Who is able to dwell with this deuouring fire Who is able to indure these fearefull burnings But to leade thee on yet further to the viewing of their companions with whom they shall abide in that place in those torments Their company what shall it bee None but hellish ghosts and damned creatures like themselues who as it were so many furies and barking hell-hounds appearing each to other in dreadfull apparition shall send forth such fearefull and hideous noises such horrible outcries such yellings and rorings as shall make that hollow vault that infernall prison to shake and their hearts to tremble within them yea euen to breake in sunder vvith the most dreadfull apprehension of their hellish miserie If the very appearance but of one of those damned spirits as we haue heard of some is sufficient to affright a man and to scare him out of his wits Oh then how fearefull how wofull will their estate be when they shall be thrust into the company of Sathan and constrained to dwell remaine and to lodge as it were with him and the rest of that hellish crue and viperous brood euen all the Deuils reprobate and forlorne wretches the number of whom cannot be numbred z Mar. 5.9 To this adde the time how long they shall indure such wofull miserie in that place of torment euen for euer a fearefull word for euer
as whether the Saints in glory shall know one another the father the sonne the mother the daughter one neighbour another or one friend the other c. So much onely I will say hauing ground for it out of the Scriptures that no manner of knowledge shall bee wanting vnto them which may make for the increase of their happines neyther shall the knowledge of this be wanting vnto them if it will make them the more happy But to proceede Their Wils also shall be perfectly sanctified so that they shall will onely that which is good that which God willeth and not possibly be once moued or inclined vnto that which is euill that which GOD willeth not They shall not onely haue a will not to sinne but also an impossibilitie of willing that which is sinfull otherwise then it was with Adam in his greatest perfection Their Affections shall bee rightly ordered and tempered yea in an excellent frame and harmony without any vnpleasing discord They shall onely affect that loue that ioy and delight in that which is pleasing and acceptable vnto God and making most for his glory and so much the more ioy and delight in it as they shall know it to be more pleasing and delightsome vnto him Yea they shall haue that measure of holinesse infused into them both into their Wils and Affections and all the faculties of their soules that they shall be holy according vnto the capablenesse of their nature euen as God himselfe is holy pure as hee is pure righteous as hee is righteous For then is the time and not before as some foolish Heretiques haue fondly dreamed when the Church that glorious Spouse of Christ and euery member thereof shall be without spot or wrinckle k Eph. 5.27 without staine or blemish as it becommeth the vndefiled Spouse of that heauenly Bridegroome the Lambes wife l Reu. 19.7 Their soules shall be so purified so purged with those cleane waters which flow out of the Sanctuarie that they shall not onely be free from all sinne but which is more not so much as once subiect to the least sinne nor any fit subiect for sinne to worke vpon They shall be pure and Angelicall In briefe they shall shine most gloriously glistering with all heauenly graces of the diuine Spirit for they shall be made partakers of the diuine nature m 2 Pet. 1.4 in more full manner not that the diuine essence shall be infused into them but that those diuine and heauenly qualities of wisedome glory righteousnesse holinesse puritie c. wherein the Image of God consisteth shall bee communicated vnto them in plentifull and abundant manner so that if their bodies as the Truth it selfe hath said shall shine as the Sunne then their Soules shall shine no doubt farre more gloriously O how excellent shall the brightnesse thereof be who is able to conceiue it Blessed are they that shall be partakers of it Thus the Saints shall be glorious in their bodies glorious in their soules yea both in body and in soule they shall bee clothed as it vvere vvith long white n Reu. 3.4.5 7.13 robes of glory and dignitie hauing Palmes in their hands in signe of victory and triumph ouer Sinne Sathan Death Hell and Damnation and Crownes on their heads in signe of royaltie sitting also with Christ Iesus in his throne o Reu. 3.21 euen as he sitteth with his Father in his throne They shall liue like kings yea raigne and triumph like Emperours hauing conquered the World p 1 Ioh. 5.4.5 and the Prince of the World q Iohn 12.31 Sathan and his infernall host r 1 Cor. 15.55.57 Rom. 16.20 Keu 20.13 There shall be glory without measure in the presence of that glorious God yea all the glory of the most glorious things in the world is nothing vnto it All the pompe royaltie and magnificence of all the most Princely Potentates and mightie Monarchs in the whole earth with all their glorious glittering shew though euery one of them were as glorious yea more glorious then Salomon was when he was at the height of his glory were nothing vnto that glory but euen as dust no more to be compared to it then brasse to the finest Siluer or Copper to the purest Gold To be briefe for words cannot expresse these things to the full Paul when being rapt into the third heauens hee had a view thereof said that hee saw things s 2 Cor. 12.4 that cannot be vttered where that great Apostle is silent who can speake To be briefe therefore so glorious shall their estate then be that in an holy admiration they shall euen wonder at it for indeede marueilous and wonderfull it shall be farre aboue that which they expected whiles they lay crawling like Wormes vpon this lower earth and had their habitation in these baser cottages these houses of clay yea as Luther that hammer of Antichrist said of Abel so it may be said and shall be verified of euery one of them They shall be in better estate and condition then if they had the possession of a thousand worlds with all the riches and glory thereof And hence to leade thee on yet further with mee for I am as one in a Maze I know not where to get out such varietie offereth it selfe on euery hand in this diuine Meditation for the minde that is heauenly affected to exercise it selfe in Hence I say from the fruition and apprehension of the greatnesse of that glory and happinesse of theirs shall arise and spring forth vnto them and in them abundance of peace and ioy They shall be filled and replenished vvith true peace and vvith spirituall and heauenly ioy euen that ioy vvhich shall rauish their hearts and soules They shall liue a heauenly and an Angelicall life singing and reioycing hauing that new song continually in their mouthes which they with the rest of that celestiall quire euen all those blessed Angels and glorious spirits shal continually sound forth Haleluiah praise and glory and wisedome and thankes and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen They shall haue fulnesse of ioy in the presence of God and be euen satisfied with those pleasures of his right hand for euermore a Psal 16.11 yea all pleasures and delights which this world can afford are but vaine shadowes smoake trifles for children and babes yea no pleasures no delights in comparison of those sweet pleasures delights wherewith the Saints shall be refreshed in that glorious Kingdome They shall feed daily vpon that Manna b Reuel 2.17 of diuine and heauenly consolation and all spirituall comforts which the heart of man can desire nay more then the heart of man can thinke of They shall drinke downe the cup of saluation and gladnesse c Isai 12.3 and draw waters of life out of the riuer of his pleasures vvhich shall flow forth abundantly vnto them Then they shall indeed tast d Tim.
so excellent and so much to be desired that men euen such as looke to haue a share therein as vvell as others are so little affected with it so loth and vnwilling to leaue this poore and wretched life of theirs to attaine vnto it Blush and be ashamed of this you that haue any assurance indeed of that glorious and euerlasting life that you should once be so much ouertaken as to be vnwilling to depart out of this world to go vnto the other which is so much r Eccles 7.3 Phil. 1.23 better to make exchange of Brasse for fine Siluer of Copper and baser Mettals for the purest and most refined gold in a word of a miserable and sinnefull and vncertaine life for that most blessed incorruptible and immortall life reserued for the Saints in the highest heauens O the marueilous infidelitie of ours if it be thus with vs What should I say A wonderfull thing vndoubtedly it is that any one that hath any vnderstanding to know these things any measure of Faith to beleeue them should be so carnall so earthly so sensuall s 1 Cor. 15 19 as to regard this wretched life here vpon earth more then that blessed life in those heauenly and glorious mansions Whom should not the consideration of it alienate estrange from this vvorld withdraw their affections from it and weane altogether from the sinnefull and inordinate loue of it and cause them as it were with Eagles wings to soare aloft in the oft and serious contemplation of that blessed and glorious estate and in the earnest and ardent desire to be made pertaker of it being taken from Earth to Heauen from vanitie and miserie to that endlesse and vnspeakeable felicitie and happinesse O blessed LORD forgiue mee my dulnesse in this regard strengthen my faith and hope and affect my heart I humbly pray thee more and more daily with an vnfained desire and longing after that celestiall and heauenly life Let me not be glewed to this world nor to any thing in this world which is but vanitie dreames and fancies but hauing mine eyes opened to see what the riches of the glorious inheritance of thy Saints is let me sigh breath after the same vncessantly as thy seruants haue done t Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 5.24.8 Phil. 1.23 and long continually for the time when with these eyes of mine I shall see the felicitie of thy chosen and reioyce vvith the ioy of thy people in that blessed and glorious kingdome vvhich thou hast promised vnto mee and wilt in due time giue vnto mee for thy mercies sake in thy welbeloued in whom it hath pleased thee to imbrace me before all worlds Let mee reioyce alwayes in all my afflictions wherewith thou shalt exercise me vnder the hope of that glory v Rom. 5.2 8.18 Iam. 1.2 Heb. 10.37 with which shortly thou wilt crowne me for euer and esteeme the best things of this earth as dung in comparison of it and all the glory of this world but as withering grasse Let me be willing alwayes x Isa 40.6.7 1 Pet. 1.24 at thy cal to depart hence hauing before layd a sure foundation and indeuoured to keepe faith and a good conscience in all things yea reioyce vnfainedly when thou shalt send thy messengers those heauenly Ministers to take me into their armes * 2 Tim. 4 7.8 and to conuey mee into those celestiall mansions there to liue and raigne with thee and all thine elect and chosen ones in that glory which shall haue no end and that onely through the merits and mediation of thy Sonne my blessed Lord and Sauiour to whom with thee and the Spirit of life and grace be all praise and glory both now and euermore Amen FINIS DEVT. 30.19 I haue set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore chuse life Soli Deo gloria Faults escaped Page 11. line 13. of read in p. 16. l. 22. goodly r. godly p. 17. l. 9. holy r. holily p. 32. l. 15. what r. most p. 85. l. 9. desert r. defect p. 122. l. 22. sinnes r. sinners p. 150. l. 7. after neither adde the. p. 176. l. him r. them The rest are of lesser moment