But what should I speake of the losse of these toyes and trifles they must part with life it selfe Iob 2.4 Skinne for skinne and all that a man hath will hee giue for his life But all the wealth and riches in the world cannot purchase one houres lease of longer life Death will claime his due an inexorable creditor which when it cannot chuse but breede an horror in the heart of him that lieth a dying so will it fill his soule with direfull griefe to call to minde the vaine attempts of his forepassed life whē they shall sigh for griefe of mind and say within themselues O senselesse we and more then frantick fooles We haue wearied our selues in the way of wickednesse Syracides 5.1.3.7.8.9 and wee haue gone through dangerous waies but we haue not knowne the way of the Lord. What hath our pride profited vs or what profit hath the pomp of our riches brought vnto vs all those things doe passe away like a shadow 2. Cor. 5. and as a post that passeth by At that day will God be knowne of them to be a terrible God and dreadfull Hee will then write bitter things against them Iob 13.26 and make them possesse the sinnes of their youth The conscience will come in then with her bill of accounts and shew many old reckonings and arrerages of sinnes and Satan will shoote foorth many millions of canons of desperation against the sicke besieged soule and lay before his eyes the large bedrole of their sinnes which when the guiltie conscience cannot denie O how it filleth the heart with horror and souseth the dreadfull soule with feare How bitter and lamentable is that parting farewell which they make to their departing soule Aelius Adrianus Animula vagula blandula quae nunc abibis in loca pallidula frigida nudula c. like that of Adrian the Romane Emperour when he was now a dying My darling soule poore soule poore fleeting wandring soule my bodies sometimes best beloued ghest and equall whither art thou now going pale wanne and naked into places vgly dismall full of horror and tribulation Yet happie yea thrice happie were it The wicked haue no peace after death if death were the Catastrophe of the sinners Tragedie and the end of their being might come with the end of their earthly liuing Their soules posting to hell happy were it for them if like to dogges and toads and beasts they might perish and bee no more but loe their chiefest woe is yet to come for when they lie in the graue like sheep Psal 49.14 Iob 19.26 death gnaweth vpon thē whiles wormes destroy their carkase hell fire seaseth vpon their soules and vexeth them with torments What shall I heere recount the sudden dreadfull passage of their soules from the bodie to their doome dragd downe by furious fiends of hell vnto their place of torment 2. Pet. 2.4 Iude 6. where they shall be in euerlasting chaines vnder darknes vnto damnation and to the finall iudgment of the great day At which day good Lord what horror amazement will affright them when the vngodly whose bodies are rotten in the dust of the earth The horror of the wicked at the day of resurrection Matth. 25. shall on a sudden be roused from their deadly sleepe by the Trumpet of an Angell and like guiltie malefactors they shall come foorth of the filthie dungeon of rottennes to appeare at the tribunall for their triall 2. Cor. 5. What a dreadfull day will that bee for those that haue passed their time securely here in this world how will they be amazed at the suddennes of this their rousing vp from the bed of death What a sea of miseries and terrors shall rush vpon them when on a sudden being raised vp Matth. 24.30.31.32.33.34.35.36.37 and apparelled with the same robes of their bodies so long laid vp in the wardrope of the dust they shall heare about their eares so hideous a noyse of Trumpets sound of waters motion of all the elements when they shall see the earth reeling and tottering the hils and dales skipping the Moone darkned 2. Pet. 3.12 the Starres falling downe from heauen the firmament shiuered in peeces and all the world in a flaming fire If Adam Gen. 3.8 after his eating of the forbidden fruite would faine haue hid himself from God walking in the garden at the coole of the day how shall the desperate forlorne sinner then abide the presence of the Iudge 2. Thess 1.7 not walking in the coole of mercie but comming in flaming fire and sitting in his throne of Maiestie Matth. 25.31 Reuel 20.12 when the books shall be opened when not onely they shall be called to account for their grosse and hainous sinnes Matth. 12.36 but shall be compelled to giue account for euery idle word Rom. 2.16 and their verie secret thoughts shall be brought to iudgement 1. Cor. 1. Alas what wil those wise people doe then that now liue in delights and count a christian conuersation foolishnesse What shift will they make in those extremities what will they answere for themselues doubtlesse they shall not be able to answere him one of a thousand Iob 9.3 whither will they then turne themselues Will they hope that the Bill of their Inditement may be lost Reuel 2.23 They haue small hope of that for he who is their Iudge searcheth the heart and reines yea all things are naked and open to his eyes Hope they that their greatnes shall countenance them out Behold he findeth no stedfastnes in the Angels Iob 4.18.19 how much lesse then in them that dwell in houses of clay and whose foundation is in the dust Doe they perswade themselues that they can bribe the Iudge Loe Prou. 11.4 Matth. 16.16 riches auaile not in the day of wrath and what shall a man giue for a recompence of his soule Doe they hope vpon a Psalme of mercie or a pardon There was a time indeed when that was offered vnto them if with repentant mindes they would haue accepted of the same but now there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin Heb. 10.26.27 but a fearfull looking for of iudgement which shall deuoure the aduersaries Good Lord then what will the wretched sinner doe at that most dolefull day what shift will he make He shall euen drie vp for very feare Matth. 24. Hee shall seeke death and death shall flie from him Reuel 6.15.16 He shall crie to the hils to fall vpon him and to the mountaines to couer him But all in vaine for there shall hee stand a desperate forlorne caitise wretch vntill he receiue that dreadfull and irreuocable sentence Matth. 25.41 Goe thou cursed wretch into euerlasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his angels Which finall sentence once pronounced The endlesse miserie of the wicked after the day of iudgement me thinks my heart doth quake to thinke
damned of his owne selfe and being senselesse of his sinne is giuen ouer to a reprobate sense Rom. 1.24 and being past feeling Ephes 4.19 giue themselues ouer to worke all vncleannes euen with greedinesse being alreadie within the iawes of hell before they bee awares And well I wote that when such sleepie soules shall awake and wake they shal securely now although they sleepe that then their horror shall be the greater farre like wilde beasts which though so long as they lie asleepe seeme tame and gentle yet being roused vp are fierce and wrathfull In the meane Sinners Gods enemies albeit in outward shew they may seeme ioyfull yet let them know their case is fearfull for if the wrath of an earthlie King bee raging how dreadful then must needs be their estate who are professed enemies to the King of Heauen Isai 26.11 Surely he hateth all those that worke iniquity Psal 5.6 and both the wicked man and his wickednes are in hatred with him Psal 14. Prou. 15.9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Isai 1. Psal 50. Hee cannot abide nor permit the sinner to praise him to pray vnto him or to take his couenant in his mouth no maruell then if at the last day hee shew such rigor vnto them who in this life are so extreamly hated and detested of him Gods threatnings against sinners What peace then can they haue that haue the Lord of hosts to be their enemie Psal 10. God shall raine snares of fire vpon sinners brimstone with tempestuous windes shall be the portion of their cuppe the Lord shall breake their teeth in their mouthes Psal 57.6.9.10 and shoote foorth his arrowes and destroy them Hee shall carrie them away as a whirle winde in his wrath and wash his feete in the blood of the vngodlie He will powre out his wrath vpon them and fulfill all his anger in them Ezech. 7.8.9.10 Hee will iudge them according to their waies and lay vpon them all their abominations neither shall his eye spare them neither will he haue pitie on them and they shall know that hee is the Lord that smiteth them Cursed be they in the towne and cursed in the field cursed in the fruite of their bodie Deut. 28.16.17.18 and cursed in the fruite of their land the increase of their kine and in the flocks of their sheepe cursed when they come in and cursed when they goe out cursed in their bodies and cursed in their soules Now then let them boast while they will of their prosperitie The beginning of hell here in this life to the wicked and let such as are like vnto them flatter them in their follie though they seeme with Capernaum to be lifted vp to heauen Matth. 11.23 yet behold alreadie they are in the confines of hell though they haue a name of mightinesse yet indeed they are in the lowest estate of abiectnes Though they may seeme the only men that liue yet they are but dead whiles heere they liue 1. Tim. 5.6 Though worldlings do admire them Rom. 6.16 yet are they but the Lords laughing stockes Sinnes slaues and Satans drudges Poore woodcocks are they ensnared in Satans springs 2. Tim. 2.26 Rom. 9.22 vessels of wrath ordained for the Diuels blacke kitchin alreadie treading the waies of darknesse Prou. 4.19 Exod. 3. the prince of darknesse taske mē in the works of wickednesse yea they dwell alreadie in the land of darknesse and in the shadow of death Psal 107.10 being fast bound in miserie and iron Psal 37.8 when Gods children are satisfied with the dainties of his house Luke 15.16 they feed on husks of sinne and draffe of beastly life when the soules of the Saints are temples of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 6.15 Reuel 18.2 their soules be nests of Scorpions dungeons of Diuels Reuel 21.27 when Gods children haue their names registred in the booke of life their names are engrossed in the book of perdition being alreadie in the power of the Diuell and his angels 1. Tim. 5.6 subiect to sinne and all temptations dead in trespasses and sins whiles in their bodies they bee aliue and when they die hauing this death the earnest penie of the second death For certainly The dolefull estate of the wicked in the day of death The reioycing of the wicked is but short and the ioy of hypocrites is but a moment though his excellencie mount vp to the heauen his head reach vnto the clouds Iob 20.5.6.7.8.9 yet shall hee perish for euer like his dung and they which haue seene him shall say Where is he He shall flee away as a dreame and shall passe away as a vision in the night Goe he shall there is no remedie Iob 10.22 into the land of darknesse and shadow of death into a land I say darke as darknesse it self and into the shadow of death where is none order but the light is there as darknesse Heb. 9. Eccles 3.19 And albeit this is the condition of the iust as well as the vniust and as the one dieth so must the other die and returne vnto the dust yet good Lord how great a difference is there betweene the righteous and the wicked at the day of death Mark the vpright man Psal 37.37 and behold the iust for the end of that mā is peace when ghastly death approcheth with her inexorable destinie then doe they lift vp their heads Luke 21.28 for that their redemptin̄ draweth nigh from the labours and toyles of this world Psal 40.1.3 Blessed then are they that feare the Lord the Lord wil strengthen them vpon their bed of sorrow and make their bed in their sicknes So that with holie Hilarion they then begin to cheere vp their soule Hieron in vita Hilarion Exito anima mea exito c. Goe out my soule goe out thou needest not feare thus long thou hast serued Christ why shoul dest thou now bee afraid to goe to him But for the wicked and vngodly man as there is no peace to him during the whole course of his life so shall hee finde least peace at the houre of death O Death how bitter is the remembrance Eccles 41. of thee to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions how irksome shall it bee to an vnrepentant sinner when hee shall see Death it selfe standing before his face to arrest him and approching vnto him with this incultable doome Thou soule Luke 12.19 this night I must take away thy soule from thee and then whose shall these thy pleasures and thy profits be A wofull anguish must thē needs possesse his heart when hee must part from all his earthly ioyes pleasures commodities which he hath trauelled for with the hazard of his soule and finde no profit in them but that hee hath trauelled for the winde Eccles 5.15
plentifull rewarder of them that seeke him they finde his yoke not cumbersome but easie Matth. 12.29 and his burthen not heauie but light 2. Pet. 1.8 so that they are neither idle nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of the Lord 1. Tim. 5.10 but ready and prepared to euery good worke when they haue tasted once of the good word of God Heb. 6.5 and of the powers of the world to come Iohn 4.34 O then it is meate and drinke to them to do their fathers will Psalm 119.110 the precepts of the Lord are the very ioy of their heart Deut. 12.18 so that they cannot chuse but reioice before the Lord in all that they set their hands vnto And albeit by reason of that remainder of sinne and rebellion of nature The godly though much troubled vvith rebellion yet vvith comfort proceed in the course of godlinesse which still sticketh to the ribs euen of Gods dearest children the flesh in them is oftentimes rebellious against the spirit so that the good things which they would doe oft times they leaue vndone Rom. 7.18.19 and doe the euill things which they would not do so that for grief hereof they break foorth into this complaint O wretched men that we are Vers 24. who shall deliuer vs from this bodie of death yet they shall haue this word of comfort frō their God 2. Cor. 12.9 my grace is sufficient for you though they sinne yet they haue an aduocate with the Father 1. Ioh. 2.2 Iesus Christ the righteous Ierem. 8.4 who is the propitiatiō for their sinnes though they fall yet they shall rise againe Luke 22.31.32 though that Satan desire to sift them like wheate yet they shall not faile though all the infernall power seeke their ouerthrow Matth. 16.18 yet the gates of hell shall not preuaile against them Sweet helpes for the godly to grow in faith and godlinesse What should I here speake of the sweetnesse of those gratious helps which God doth giue vnto his children to make them grow in faith and godlinesse his holie word to instruct them his diuine inspirations to illighten them his sweete Sacraments to nourish them his often checks of conscience to recall them his fatherly chastisements to reclaime them which though they be gall and wormewood to the wicked yet are sweete and gainfull to those that feare our Lord. What a benefit is it by prayer to come vnto our God for whatsoeuer we haue need that is good for vs and may obtaine it How comfortable is it to reade and to reuolue the booke of comfort Psal 1 2.3 Psal 1.9 How heauenly a thing is it to be rapt vp as it were into heauen with heauenly meditations to vse Christian cōference Psal 119. part 2 with our lips alwaies to be declaring the iudgements of the Lord and to bee speaking of the testimonies of our God when we sit in our house or walk in our way when wee lie downe Deut. 11.19 and when we rise vp O what a pleasure passing pleasure is this to haue the word of God dwell in vs plenteously in all wisdome Coloss 3.16 teaching and admonishing our selues mutually in Psalmes hymnes and spirituall songs singing and making melodie to the Lord in our hearts and to enioy the blessed communion of Saints which none but Saints do vnderstād what it meaneth none but the elect cā enioy Glorious things are spoken of thee The priuiledges of the faithfull Psalm 87.3 thou citie of God O how goodly are thy tents O Iacob and thine habitations O Israel As the vallies are they stretched forth as gardens by the riuers side as the Aloe trees which the Lord hath planted Numb 24.5.6 and as the cedars besides the waters Why The secret of the Lord is reuealed to them that feare him Gods secrets reuealed to his children Psalm 25.14 and his couenant to giue them vnderstanding Seemeth it a small thing vnto you They are Gods seruants O ye seruants of the euerliuing God to be admitted to the priuy chamber of the King of heauen and to be of his counsell To be the Chancellor Treasurer or Secretary to an earthly prince wee see it a matter of great state and much respected honour but what is that to this honor which the very poorest and meanest of Gods seruants are aduanced vnto to bee the seruants vnto the King of Kings Lord of Lords thē which title the Angels themselues haue no greater Heb. 1.14 and which the greatest part of the mightiest Kings and Emperours could neuer attaine vnto But what doe I speake of seruants They are Christs friends Christ himselfe setteth foorth your estate to be yet more glorious when hee saith I haue not called you seruāts Ioh. 15.15 but friends to whom I haue communicated my secrets and minde vnto which a seruant is not commonly admitted Rom. 8.17 And if this bee not yet enough behold your God hath adopted you to be his sonnes and heires yea fellowe heires with Christ himselfe then which what greater priuiledge what greater prerogatiue can there be Heare I pray you O ye citizens of heauen may it possibly seeme a small thing to be a people separated vnto God himselfe from the multitude of men Exod. 19.5 to be the most pretious of all the earth to him though all the earth be his Is it a small thing to be a chosen generation 1. Pet. 2.9 a royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people See and with thankfull harts acknowledge this your priuiledge That you are come to the mount Sion the citie of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem and to the companie of innumerable Angels Heb. 12.22 23 24. and to the congregation of the first borne which are writtē in heauen and to God the iudge of all and to the spirits of iust and perfect mē and to Iesus the mediatour of the new Testament Heb. 12.24 and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then the blood of Abel Cheere vp then your drooping spirits and take heart at this your happinesse howsoeuer the children of Belial speake euill of you and yee are esteemed as the filth of the world 1. Cor. 4.13 and as the offcouring of all things vnto this day For howsoeuer Ismael scoffe at Isaac Gen. 21.9 and the children of the bond-woman persecute the children of the free woman Galat. 4.29 Ieremy Psal i.e. smiting them with their tongue and shooting out their arrowes against them euen bitter words yet wel I wot in the midst of their bitter agonies when the worme of conscience gnaweth on their soules in those daies shall tenne men take hold out of all languages of the nations Zach 8.23 euen take hold of the skirt of him that is a Christian and say Wee would goe with you for wee haue heard that God is with you Yea the Lord
so vile a subiect as the world shall I be staied from the noble seruice of my God for the loue of any earthly vanities No no all these I will trample vnder feete and reckon of them no better then they are And now my soule mount vp aloft vnto the place where all thy treasure lieth I will lift vp mine eyes to the hils from whence commeth all my help Psal 120. Luke 17.37 Eagle like will I soare aloft where my soules food is and fixe my thoughts on none but Christ he is the center from whence all my cogitations are drawne and the circle to which they tend let the Marthaes of this world comber thēselues about many things ful well I know there is but vnum necessarium Luke 10.41.42 one necessarie thing God graunt mee with Mary to chuse the better part As for other pleasures I count them but bitter sweetes in regard of the ioyes of heauen where is fulnes of pleasures for euermore As for other riches Ephes 1.18 I count them all trash in respect of the glorious riches of the inheritance of Saints all other honour I esteeme as base in respect of my glorious calling in Christ Iesus all other nobilitie I count obscure in respect of new birth and regeneration by the holy Ghost Iohn 44. all other beautie I esteeme but foule Psal 84. in respect of the beautie of Bethel which is made by Christ Iesus without spot or wrinkle all other buildings I deeme as ruines in respect of that building which is not made with hands 2. Cor. 5.1 but eternal in the heauens Matth. 10.37 Father and mother sister and brother sonne and daughter must needes giue place to the loue of Iesus or else I were not worthie of him my Sauiour Let others reioyce in their wit and policie my reioycing shall be the testimonie of a good conscience that in simplicitie and godly purenes and not in fleshlie wisedome but by the grace of God I haue had my conuersation in the world 2. Cor. 1.12 Let others be puft vp with knowledge of humane Arts and Sciences yet I esteeme no knowledge to the knowledge of Christ Iesus and him crucified 2. Cor. 2.2 by which knowledge I may be able to comprehend with all Saints Ephes 3.18.19 what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge Stoope downe all earthly happines to this in regard wherof all other gaines are but losses all other priuiledges are but trifles yea doubtlesse I think all things but losse for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lord Philip. 3.8 for whō I haue counted all things losse and doe iudge them to be dung that I may winne Christ and might be found in him O sweete Iesu how great and innumerable be the gaines which I finde in thee Psal 42.1 As the Hart braieth for the riuers of water so panteth my soule after thee O Christ my Lord my God my Sauiour and my Redeemer Psalme Whō haue I in heauen but thee and who is there on earth that I desire in comparison of thee Cantic 1.2 Thy name is as an ointment powred out Isai 9.6 therefore the virgins loue thee Thy name is Wonderfull Counsellor the mightie God the euerlasting Father the Prince of Peace Reuel 1.5.8 Thou art that faithfull witnesse that Prince of the Kings of the earth that Alpha and Omega the first and the last which hast the key of Dauid Reuel 2.7 and openest and no man shutteth Reuel 1.18 and shuttest and no man openeth yea the very keyes of hell and of death Heb. 13.8 Iesus Christ yesterday and to day the same for euer O thou whom my soule loueth Christ the true gaine Philip. 1.21 my only gaine Christ Iesus thou art to mee both in life and death aduantage In life for thus I liue and yet not I but Christ liueth in mee In this life and in that I now liue in the flesh I liue by faith in the sonne of God Galat. 2.20 who hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me So that here what expert Arithmetician can reckon vp my gaines euen in this life receiued by him Remission of sins Ephes 1.7 By him I haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenes of my sinnes according to his rich grace Imputation of his obedience for our iustification He is made vnto vs of God wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and his full perfect and alsufficient obedience is made a gaine to me sillie simple vile and sinful creature by imputation By him we haue accesse through faith vnto his grace Accesse to God Rom. 5.2 wherein we stand and reioyce vnder the hope of the glorie of God Adoption Rom. 8.15 By him I am adopted to be the childe of God yea heire of happinesse and eternall blisse By him I doe recouer backe againe that right and title to his creatures Right vnto the creatures Ephes 2.15 which was lost by Adam By him the curses of this life are turned into blessings Afflictions good Rom. 8.26 for all things worke together for the best to them that are in him And what shall I say more All that we haue wee haue in him who is made all in all vnto vs hee hath taken our pawne and left vs his seale he hath taken vpon himself our sinnes Ephes 2.16 Reuel 1.6 and inuested vs with his merits he hath made vs Kings and Priests vnto God and euen in this life hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of his spirit Matth. 28. with a full assurance that hee will neuer faile vs. But if in this life only wee had hope in Christ Christ is ourgain in death 1. Cor. 15.19 we were of al men the most miserable Blessed be he the author of our blessednesse who as he is our gaine in life so is he also our gaine in death in as much as he hath taken away the sting of death and hath changed the condition of it by making it of the gate of hell the priuie portall of eternall life O death 1. Cor. 15.55.56.57 where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie the sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the law but thankes be vnto God that hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ Yea after death in him doth rest our chiefest gaine for then shall we finde the vertue of his resurrection in raising vp our dusty bodies into flesh again which neuer shall corrupt who shall change our vile bodie Philip. 3.21 that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the mightie working whereby hee is able to subdue all things to himselfe And euen then when all other gaines shall proue mens losses he to his will proue the onely gaine For what shall it profit a man to win
himselfe of no reputation and take vpon him the forme of a seruant Galat. 4. to make vs that were children of the bondwoman to be heires Rom. 8.17 euen the heires of God and fellow heires with himselfe that hee in whom was the fulnes of riches Ephes 2.7 2. Cor. 8.9 Ioh. 6.35 should become poore that hee might inrich vs that hee who was the bread of life should suffer hunger to feed vs Luke 4.2 Deut. 18.15 that hee who was the fountaine of liuing waters should suffer thirst to satisfie vs that hee who was the light of the world Ioh. 4.7 Ioh. 7.37.38 Iohn 8.12 Iohn 11.9 1. Cor. 1.22 should liue obscurely to illighten vs that he who was the power of God should be tempted that he might strengthen vs that he who was the life of the world Matth. 4.1 Iob. 1.4 should die that he might quickē vs that he who himselfe was innocent Galat. 3.13 should sustaine the curse of the law that he might deliuer vs Isai 53.5.9.10.11 and be wounded to heale vs and bee broken for vs to stop vp our breach Who can heere but acknowledge the infinitenes of his snspeakeable loue who can chuse but say with Paul O the deepnes of the riches both of the wisedome and mercie of God Rom. 11.33 how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out Who can chuse but say with Dauid O Lord Psal 8.4 what is man that thou art so mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him Who can but with the Church in the Canticles confesse that his name is a pretious ointment powred out Cantic 1.2 because of the sweete sauour whereof our hearts must needes bee allured to loue him and admire him Especially if wee but meditate vpon that neuer sufficiently admired loue of his Came into the world Gen. 1. who being the God of Nature to free vs from the corruptiō of our nature Rom. 7.5 took vpon himself our nature came into the world to saue vs from the destruction of the world me thinkes this one thing might bee sufficient to woe and winne our loue to him when wee consider that he who had his seate aboue the Heauen of Heauens Psal 148.4 should vouchsafe to come downe and dwell vpon the earth his footstoole Isai 66.1 that he might draw vs after him to heauen that hee who was equall to the Father Philip. 2.7.8 should humble himselfe to bee a seruant that he might purchase for vs the right of sonnes that hee which was God Iohn 1.1.2 should not disdaine to become that which wee are that hee might make vs partaker of that place where he now is The meditation of which in generall though it bee enough to adde wings to the minde that is most dull and worke an impression in the soule that is most voide of sense yet if we take a further suruey in the particulars therof and note the vnkinde entertainment of him so kind a guest vnlesse our heart were an heart of flint it can not chuse but melt For ah alas he was in the world Ioh. 1.11.12 and the world was made by him and the world knew him not he came vnto his owne and his owne receiued him not The Bethlemits Luke 2.7 amongst whom he was borne would not affoord him houseroome Luke 4.29 but such as their oxen and asses were wont to lodge in The Nazarites his countrimen by education driue him out of their citie to the top of an hill to throw him thēce downe headlong And we yea all of vs Isai 53. for whose sakes he came into the world what gaue wee him but the heauie burthen of our sinnes for his welcome His entrance into the world was obscure his being heere dolorous his departure hēce ignominious The place of his birth little Bethleem Mich. 5.2 one of the least of the many thousands of Iudah Matth. 2.6 the chamber where hee was borne but a stable the cradle in which hee was laid but a manger the swadling bands wherein his sacred bodie was wrapt Luke 2.16 but homelie ragges the parties that first came to greete him but sillie shepheards All things in the natiuitie of him so great a one euen below the lowest degree of meanes Thus grew he vp as a branch and as a roote out of a drie ground Isai 53.2.3 hauing neither forme nor beauty whē men did see him that they should desire him Despised was he and reiected of all men a man full of sorrowes and one that had experience of our infirmities No sooner was hee borne Matth. 2.16 but Herod fought to destroy him no sooner was he baptized Matth. 5.1 but the Diuell set vpon him to tempt him no sooner was hee in his publique preaching Matth. 15.40 Matth. 9.34 Luke 6.7 but the Pharisies enuy him the Sadduces accuse him the Scribes slander him the common people scorne him Matth. 13.55 the high Priests send their officers to intrap him Ioh. 7.45 his owne Disciple spareth not to betray him Marth 26.48 Matth. 26.60 false witnesses are suborned to belie him and tost he is from Pilate to Herod Luk. 23.7.8 and from Herod back againe to Pilate to mock him and make sport of him Matth. 27.28.32.35 neither did they leaue vntill that after much buffeting torturing and tormenting by a cruell death they had made away with him So cold an entertainment found he in this world to shew that his kingdome was not of this world He had no legions of men or angels to bee his guard no chariots nor horsemen to be his pompe no palace to bee his court He wore no crowne but that of thornes no Scepter but that of Reed no throne but that of his crosse In his life time not hauing so much as a foxes hole to couch in at his death not hauing a shroud but what was left him to bee wrapt in nor a tombe but what was borrowed to be buried in What shall I here recount his grieuous paines and direfull maladies which while he was in the world hee sustained heere My soule gush out with teares of blood whiles thou doest call to minde the sorrow of his soule when in Gethsemane his soule was heauie euen to the death Matth. 26.36.37 38. when though an Angell from heauen appeared to comfort him yet his agonie was so bitter that his sweate was like drops of blood trickling downe to the ground Luk. 22.43.44 O let mine head be full of water and mine eyes a fountaine of teares Ierem. 9.1 that I may weepe day and night for the afflictions which he endured who was afflicted for my sinnes Matth. 26.49 when I call to mind those dismall daies wherein my Sauiours owne seruant did betray him with a kisse Vers 55. and the High Priests catchpoles came foorth with clubs and staues and
Vers 8. He spred his skirts ouer vs and couered our filthines and made a league and couenant with vs when we were sinners he came to saue vs Rom. 5.7 when we were his enemies hee came to seeke vs when we were yet of no strength he died for vs. Wherein as we cannot but acknowledge the riches of his vnspeakable loue who loued vs before wee were and followed vs with his loue when we were his enemies so may it well assure vs of his perpetuall loue and fauour towards vs. Rom. 5.8.9.10 For seeing that whiles wee were yet sinners Christ died for vs much more then being now iustified by his blood shall we be saued from wrath through him If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his sonne much more being reconciled wee shall be saued by him What then though the bedroule of our sins reach vp to the clouds and vice attracting vapors doe ouershadow my soule as innumerable as Atomes what though our rebellious nature will not be kept in as we desire and Satan pleade full sore to bring our hearts to desperation heere heere our endlesse comfort is Isai 1.18 be our sinnes as crimson they shall be made as white as snow though they bee of a skarlet engrained die they shall be made as white as wooll For this is the Anchor on which assuredly we may repose our trust This is a true saying and worthie by all meanes to be receiued that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners But if in generall only this my comfort were Whereof I am chiefe that there was a Iesus Christ that hee came into the world and that his comming was to saue and yet not feele the assurance of my part and portion in it cold comfort God wot would this be to my soule small matter for me to reioyce Nay blessed be the author of my peace I can apply it to my self Ephes 3.12 for I haue boldnes and confidence by faith in him to put my finger into his side with Thomas Ioh. 20.28 and to say My God my Lord to call him my Iesus my Christ and to relie wholly by faith vpon this Son of God who hath loued me Galat. 2.20 and giuen himself for me yea euen for me G.W. the meanest poorest vilest vnworthiest of all Gods children the greatest and most miserable sinner in the world Rom. 7.18 For I know that in me in this my sinfull wretched flesh dwelleth no good thing from the sole of my foot vnto my head Isai 1.6 there is nothing whole but wounds and swellings and sores full of corruption In sinne was I conceiued Psal 51.4 in sin was I borne sin seased vpon my childhood and hath lackied my life vnto this my youthfull age and the longer I liue the surer foothold getteth foule sin in my bosome and setleth the contagion in my soule How huge a masse of sinne lieth in me hidden from mine eyes which take possession on me and I poore I neuer tooke notice of them These O these that I see before mine eyes by looking into the bottomlesse gulfe of my sins appeare as many as the stars in the skie or drops of water in the Ocean sea When I looke vpon my selfe I am ashamed of my selfe me thinkes the heauens ouer me cast a dire aspect vpon me and the albearing earth groneth vnder the sinfull burthen of me me thinkes the Sunne is ashamed of me and the palefaced Moone lookes wanne vpon me and the airie clouds doe mourne for me I cannot chuse but wonder how in so little a substance as my soule should be so great a sinke of sin Of this sure I am I know none so sinfull as my selfe neither haue I any reason to imagine how any can be a greater sinner then my selfe yet why should I despaire I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob 19.25 and hee liueth to bee my Redeemer Though my sins were more hee could pardon them though they were a thousand times greater then they be he hath satisfied for them Be they black vgly his blood hath washed them Be they great and many hee hath paid the ransome for them Be they heauie waightie he hath mercie in store for them Heere then will I cast my anchor and pull downe the sailes of feare to harbour in this safest hauen let the flesh say despaire and the world say relent and the Diuell seek to cut the cable of my hope yet my footing is sure I know on whom I fixe my hope euen on Christ Iesus yesterday and to day the same for euermore FINIS THE MOVRNERS Lamentation Or THE BEWAILING OF the miseries of our times with Gods fearefull iudgements to be expected for the same TO THE WORSHIPfull my Christian neighbour and most religious hearer Mistris Amie Long. WHen the Lord in a vision would shew to the Prophet Ezechiel the destruction of the Citie Ierusalem he is brought in by the same Prophet speaking thus vnto one of his Agents herein Goe through the midst of the Citie Ezech. 9.4 euen through the midst of Ierusalem and set a marke vpon the foreheads of them that mourne and crie for all the abominations that bee done in the middest thereof Doubtlesse many such mourners are there in our Ierusalem whose teares are put in Gods bottle and for whose sake the Lord yet spares this our Israel the Lord encrease the number of them For God knoweth we had need call one an other to mourning and take vp continuall lamentation for who seeth not how rotten ripe the sins of this land are Amos 5.16 and how deep all estates of the same are setled vpon the lees of their transgressions And who can chuse but feare that there is a day of wrath Zephan 1.15 of trouble and heauines of woe and horror neere approching For mine own part what deepe impression the meditatiō hereof maketh in mine heart he knoweth which knoweth the secrets of all mens hearts One of my priuat contemplations which I haue communed with my owne heart in silence Psal 4.4 I heere make publique by communicating them to you and others To you especially because I know you to be one of the mourners in Sion as hauing had experience of your zeale to Gods house loue to his word and hatred to the common corruptions euer since you came to be partaker of the vnworthie labours of my ministry The Lord encrease that good worke which long since he hath begun in you This little Enchiridion if you please you may binde vp in the volume of your daily meditatiōs Thus to mourne is neither hurtfull to our selues nor offensiue to our Church We may be merrie in the Lord and yet without lightnes sad and heauie in heart for our own sins and the corruptions of our times yet without dumpishnes If we forget Ierusalem let our right hand forget to play Psal 137.5.6 if we
recouered for they will not be wrapped Ierem. 8.22 Isai 1.6 nor bound vp nor mollified with oile This people hath an vnfaithfull and rebellious heart they are departed and gone Ierem. 5.23.24.25 They say not in their heart Let vs now feare the Lord our God that giueth raine both early and late in due season and reserueth vnto vs the appointed weekes of the haruest yea our iniquities haue sometimes turned away many of these things and our sins haue hindred good things from vs Slight regard of Gods iudgements Isai 1.3 The oxe knoweth his owner and the asse his masters crib but our Israel will not know this people will not vnderstand Thou hast stricken them O Lord but they haue not sorrowed Thou hast consumed them Ierem. 5.3 Hardnes of hart but they haue refused to receiue correction they haue made their faces harder then a stone and haue refused to returne yea they haue made a couenant with death and with hell are at agreement saying Isai 28.15 Though a scourge run ouer and passe through it shall not come to vs for we haue made falsehood our refuge and vnder vanitie are we hid This thou seest O Lord and canst thou suffer it or shall not thy soule be auenged on such a nation as this Ierem. 5 9. When as for swearing blaspheming Swearing and blaspheming from the names of sins they are now shrouded vnder the habit of ingenuitie and valour Exod. 20.5 and he is counted a Precifian that maketh a conscience of an oath Iam. 2.6 when the very aire is polluted with blasphemous speeches and euery little child as if their tungs were set on fire of hell can rent and teare thy sacred body Christ and the whole land groane vnder othes Ierem. 23.10 canst thou see it Lord and suffer it that what thou condemnest for so capitall a crime men should count it for a glorious vertue Sabbath breaking When thy Sabbaths Lord whose sanctification thou enioynest so straitly Gen. 2.23 Exod. 20.11 Heb. 4.4 and giuest vs a memorandum so seriously to make it our delight and to consecrate it Isai 58.13 as glorious vnto thee are not onely now polluted with fearefull prophanation but also called into irreligious question when there is almost no wickednesse which is not especially committed vpon this day Bucer in Psal 92 it being peruerted from the seruice of the Lord to the pleasures of the flesh Muscul in praecept 4. and from the honour of the great and high God to the rites of Bacchus and Venus and so made the Diuels high holiday with many Wilt not thou for this kindle a fire in the gates of our Zion and shall it not deuoure the palaces of Ierusalem When whoredome and adulterie are esteemed as trickes of youth and vsurie consenage Adulterie and whoredome and oppression as things indifferent when the adulteries of men are written in their foreheads and the whoredome of women betweene their breasts Ierem. 8.12 when they are not ashamed that doe commit these things neither can bee brought to any shame but though thou feedest them to the full Ierem. 5.7.8.9 yet they commit adulterie and assemble themselues by companies in the harlots houses and rise vp in the morning like fed horses euery man neighing after his neighbours wife When whoredomes prodromus or pandar Pride doth so taint and infect all degrees Pride and the vanitie of all other natiōs is little enough to make vp the measure of an English follie When the daughters of Zion are haughtie Isai 3.19 and walke with stretched out neckes and wandring eyes Rom. 1.27 and men effeminate to fashion themselues according to the world onely Rom. 12.1 Rom. 13.4 making it their onely thought to fulfill the lusts of the flesh When the stone crieth out of the wall Couetousnes Hab. 2.11 and the beame out of the timber answereth it against the common practise of those that ioyne house to house and lay field to field Isai 5.8 till there be no place for the poore that they may bee placed by themselues in the midst of the earth when euery one hunteth his brother with a net Mich. 7.2 Hab. 1.16 and sacrifice to their yearne and to their net and as a cage is full of birds Ierem. 5.27 so are their houses full of deceit by which they are become great and waxen rich When the fat buls of Baashan gore the sheepe of the flocke Oppression Psal 22.12 and the rich men swallow vp the poore that they may make the needie of the land to faile and the sellers make the Ephah small Amos 8.4.5.6 and the Shekel great and falsifie the waights by deceit that they may buy the poore for siluer and the needie for shooes Is it not then time for thee O God to whom vengeance belongeth to shew thy self Psal 94.1.2 Arise thou indge of the world and reward the proud after their deseruing Psal 10.16 for the poore committeth himselfe vnto thee who art the helper of the fatherlesse and needie When Court and Countrie swarmes with desperat hacksters braules Crueltie and quarrelling with whom rapine enuie malice and murther are but veniall sinnes which yet like Abels blood from out of the earth doe crie vnto the Lord Gen. 4.10 When men rise vp early to follow drunkennes Drunkennes and continue till night vntil the wine doe inflame them Isai 5.11 and reckon it a point of valour to bee mightie to drink wine strong to powre in strong drinke Vers 22. And Sodoms trinitie of master sinnes pride Ezech. 16.40 Idlenes fulnes of bread and abundance of idlenes abound in vs there being so many millions that liue inordinately amongst vs 2. Thess 3.11 and so many walking the sluggards pace of whom the heauenly Apostle Paul hath told vs oftē Philip. 3.18.19 yea and told vs weeping that they are enemies to the crosse of Christ whose end is damnation whose god is their bellie whose glorie is their shame which minde earthly things Vnfaithfulnes When there is no trust to be reposed in a friend Mich. 7.5 nor cōfidence in a counseller and the doores of a mans mouth had neede bee locked vp from her that lieth in his bosome whē the whole land like a bowle is ouerswaied by the strong bias of iniquitie Nothing but sin and bends without opposition to black corruption when there is no care of truth Hosea 4.1.2 nor mercie nor knowledge of God in the land but by lying and swearing and killing and stealing and whoring men breake out and blood toucheth blood Can there be a God and he not see can he see and not punish these so vile abominations No no It agreeth with the equitie of Gods instice to punish these sins thou art a God of pure eyes and canst not endure the sight of euill Thou art