To fit it for immortal bliss Such thoughts too serious are Himself to every pleasure gives And drowns his soul in lust In all destructive sins he lives 'Till levell'd with the dust Give me O Lord that pious care And that obsequious love That all my actions may declare I seek that place above Where we from sin exempt shall be From sorrow and from tears And where no trouble we shall see Nor be disturb'd with sears Christ Crucified R. F. Behold and see if ever any pain Did match his sorrow who for us was slain Lo God bleeds on the Cross high Heav'n descends In blood to make man and his Maker friends When guilty man lay doom'd Eternally To Death and Hell ev'n God himself could dye And smile upon those wounds that spear that grave Which our Rebellion merited and gave This love exceeds all height yet I confess 'T was God that did it how could it be less Death J. D. Death be nor proud though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful for thou art not so For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not poor death nor yet canst thou kill me From rest and sleep which but thy picture be Much pleasure then from thee much more must flow And soonest our best men with thee do go Rest of their bones and souls delivery Th' art slave to fate chance Kings and desperate men And dost with poyson war and sickness dwell Hard pains or poppy make us sleep as well And better then thy stroke why swell'st thou then One short sleep past we wake Eternally And death shall be no more death thou shalt dye The Resurrection I. D. At the round earth's imagin'd corners blow Your trumpets Angels men arise arise From death you numberless infinities Of souls unto your scatter'd bodies go All whom one floud did and fire shall or'ethrow All whom war death age agues tyrannies Despair law chance hath slain and you whose eyes Shall behold God and never tast death's wo. But let them sleep Lord and me mourn a space For if above all these my sins abound 'T is late to ask abundance of thy Grace When we are there Here on this lowly ground Teach me how to repent for that 's as good As if th' ' adst seal'd my pardon with thy blood The Judgment-Day R. C. Hear'st thou my Soul what serious things The Prophets say the Psalmist sings Of a strict Judge from whose sharp ray The world in flames shall fly away O that fire before whose face Heav'n and Earth shall find no place O those eyes whose angry light Must be the day of that dread night O that trump whose blast shall run An even round with th' circling sun And urge the murm'ring graves to bring Pale Mankind forth to meet their King Horrour of nature Hell and Death When a deep groan shall from beneath Cry out We come we come and all The caves of night answer one call O that book whose leaves so bright Will set the world in severe light O the Judge whose Hand whose Eye None can endure yet none can fly Yet thou giv'st leave dread Lord that we Take shelter from thy self in thee And with the wings of thine own Dove Fly to thy Sceptre of soft love Mercy my Judge mercy I cry With blushing cheek and bleeding eye The conscious colours of my sin Are red without and pale within O let thine own soft bowels pay Thy self and so discharge that day If sin can sigh love can forgive O say the word my soul shall live O when thy last frown shall proclaim The flocks of goats to folds of flame And all thy lost sheep found shall be Let come ye blessed then call me Heaven G. F. Behold this house where man doth now reside The flow'rs pour out their odours in his way To serve him all the creatures take a pride The winds do sweep his chambers ev'ry day And clouds do wash his rooms the ceiling gay Starred alost the gilded knobs imbrave If such a house God to another gave How shine those glitt'ring Courts he for himself will have And if a sullen cloud as sad as night In which the Sun may seem imbodied Depur'd of all his dross we see so white Burning in melted Gold his watry head Or round with Ivory edges silvered What Lustre super-excellent will he Lighten on those that shall his sun-shine see In that all glorious Court in which all glories be If but one Sun with his diffusive fires Can paint the Stars and the whole world with light And joy and life into each heart inspires And ev'ry Saint shall shine in Heaven as bright As doth the Sun in his transcendent might As saith may well believe what truth once sayes What shall so many Suns united Rayes But dazle all the eyes that now in Heav'n we praise Here that bright band that now in triumph shines And that before they were invested thus In earthly bodies carried Heavenly minds Pitch round about a Throne most glorious Their sunny tents and houses luminous All their Eternal day in Songs employing Joying their end without end of their joying While their Almighty Prince destruction is destroying Full but yet never cloy'd with what might whet And dull the keenest craving Appetite Where never Sun did rise nor ever set But one Eternal day and endless light Gives time to those whose time is infinite Speaking with thought obtaining without see Beholding him whom never eye could see And magnifying him that cannot greater be How can such joy as this want words to speak And yet what words can speak such joy as this Far from the world that might their quiet break Here the glad souls the face of beauty kiss Pour'd out in pleasure on their beds of bliss And drunk with Nectar-Torrents ever hold Their eyes on him whose Graces manifold The more they do behold the more they would behold Happiness F. Q. I love and have some cause to love the earth She is my Makers creature therefore good She is my Mother for she gave me birth She is my tender Nurse she gives me food But what 's a creature Lord compar'd with thee Or what 's my Mother or my Nurse to me I love the Air her dainty sweets refresh My drooping soul and to new sweets invite me Her shrill-mouth'd quire sustain me with their flesh And with their Polyphonian notes delight me But what 's the air or all the sweets that she Can bless my Soul withal compar'd to thee I love the Sea she is my fellow-creature My careful Purveyor she provides me store She walls me round she makes my diet greater She wasts my treasure from a forreign shore But Lord of Oceans when compar'd with thee What is the Ocean or her wealth to me To Heaven's high City I direct my Journey Whose spangled Suburbs entertain mine eye Mine eye by contemplations great attorney Transcends the Crystal pavement of the Sky But what is Heav'n great God compar'd to thee Without thy presence Heav'n's no Heaven to me Without thy presence earth gives no refection Without thy presence sea affords no treasure Without thy presence air 's a rank infection Without thy presence Heav'n it self 's no pleasure If nor possest if not enjoy'd in thee What 's earth or sea or air or Heav'n to me The highest honours that the world can boast Are Subjects far too low for my desire The brightest beams of Glory are at most But dying sparkles of thy living fire The proudest flames that earth can kindle be But nightly Glow-worms if compar'd to thee Without thy presence wealth are bags of cares Wisdom but folly joy disquiet sadness Friendship is treason and delights are snares Pleasures but pain and mirth but pleasant madness Without thee Lord things be not what they be Nor have they being when compar'd with thee In having all things and not thee what have I Not having thee what have my labours got Let me enjoy but thee what farther crave I And having thee alone what have I not I wish nor Sea nor Land nor would I be Possest of Heav'n Heav'n unpossest of thee FINIS
had straight forward gone To endless death but thou dost pull And turn us round to look on one VVhom if we were not very dull VVe could not choose but look on still Since there is no place so alone The which he doth not fill Sundayes the Pillars are On which Heaven's Palace arched lies The other dayes fill up the spare And hollow room with vanities They are the fruitful Beds and Borders In God's rich Garden that is bare VVhich parts their ranks and orders The Sundayes of man's Life Threaded together on time's string Make bracelets to adorn the wife Of the Eternal Glorious King On Sunday Heaven's Gate stands ope Blessings are plentiful and rife More plentiful than hope This day my Saviour rose And did inclose this Light for his That as each Beast his Manger knowes Man might not of his Fodder miss Christ hath took in this piece of ground And made a Garden there for those VVho want Herbs for their wound The Rest of our Creation Our great Redeemer did remove VVith the same shake which at his Passion Did earth and all things with it move As Sampson bore the doors away Christ's hands though nailed wrought our Salvation And did unhinge that day The brightness of that day VVe sullied by our foul offence VVherefore that Robe we cast away Having a new at his expence VVhose Drops of Blood paid the full price That was required to make us gay And fit for Paradise Thou art a day of Mirth And where the week dayes trail on ground Thy Flight is higher as thy Birth O let me take thee at the bound Leaping with thee from seven to seven Till that we both being toss'd from Earth Fly hand in hand to Heaven The Church G. S. in Psal 84. O how amiable are Thy abodes great God of war Happy men who spend their dayes In thy Courts there sing thy praise Happy who on thee depend Thine their way and thou their end One day in thy Courts alone Far exceeds a Million In thy house contemn'd and poor I had rather keep a door Than with wicked men possess All that they call happiness O thou Shield of our defence O thou Sun whose influence Sweetly glides into our hearts Thou who all to thine imparts Happy O thrice happy he VVho alone depends on thee The Young Man's Mirth F. Q. * Eccl. 11.9 Young man Rejoyce what jolly mirth is here Let thy heart chear thee what delicious chear In thy Young dayes thy cares will relish sweeter Walk thy own wayes thy cares will pass the fleeter Please thine own heart carve where it likes thee best Delight thine Eyes and be a joyful Guest But know withall the day will come whereon Thy Judge will doom thee for the deeds th' hast done O what a Feast O what a reckoning 's here Thy cates are sweet the shot 's extreamly dear Grace G. H. My Stock lies dead and no increase Doth my dull Husbandry improve O let thy Graces without cease Drop from above If still the Sun should hide his Face Thy house would but a Dungeon prove Thy works nights Captives O let Grace Drop from above The Dew doth every Morning fall And shall the Dew out-strip thy Dove The Dew for which Grass cannot call Drop from above Death is still working like a Mole And digs my Grave at each remove Let Grace work too and on my Soul Drop from above Sin is still hammering my heart Unto a hardness vold of love Let suppling Grace to cross his Art Drop from above O come for thou dost know the way Or if to me thou wilt not move Remove me where I need not say Drop from above Contentment R. S. I dwell in Grace's Court Enricht with Virtue 's rights Faith guides my wit Love leads my will Hope all my mind's delights In lowly vales I mount To pleasure's highest pitch My honest meanness Honour brings My poor Estate is rich My Conscience is my Crown Contented thoughts my rest My heart is happy in it self My Bliss is in my Breast Enough I reckon wealth A mean the surest Lot That lies too high for base contempt Too low for envies shot My wishes are but few All easie to fulfil I make the limits of my power The bounds unto my will I feel no care of Coin VVell-doing is my wealth My mind to me an Empire is VVhile Grace affordeth health Prosperity F. Q. Take heed thou prosperous sinner how thou liv'st In sin and thriv'st Thou that dost flourish in thy heaps of Gold And Sums untold Thou that hadst never reason to complain Of Cross or Pain VVhose unafflicted Conscience never found Nor check nor wound Believe it Prosper thy deceitful lease Affords thee neither wealth nor joy nor peace Thy Golden heaps are nothing but the price Of Paradise Thy flatt'ring pleasures and thy aery joyes But painted toyes Thy peaceful Conscience is but like a dog Ty'd in a clog Believe it Prosper thy deceitful Lease Allows thee neither wealth nor joy nor peace Thy heaps of Gold will stand thee in no steed At greatest need Thy empty pleasure will convert thy laughter To groans hereafter Thy silent Conscience when inlarg'd will roar And rage the more Believe it Prosper thy deceitful lease Affords thee neither wealth nor joy nor peace Paradise G. H. I bless thee Lord because I GROW Among thy trees which in a ROW To thee both Fruit and Order OW What open Force or hidden CHARM Can blast my Fruit or bring me HARM While the inclosure is thine ARM. Inclose me still for fear I START Be to me rather sharp and TART Then let me want thy hand and ART When thou dost greater Judgments SPARE And with thy knife but prune and PARE Ev'n fruitful trees more fruitful ARE. Such sharpness showes the sweetest FREND Such cuttings rather heal then REND And such beginnings touch their END Several sins F. Q. Drunkenness It is a Thief that oft before his face Steals man away and layes a beast in 's place Cross sin It is a show'r which e're we can get in And find a shelter wets us to the skin Sin of Infirmity Is like the falling of an April-show'r 'T is often rain and sun-shine in an hour Sin of Custom Is a long show'r beginning withthe light Oft-times continuing till the dead of night Sin of Ignorance It is a hideous mist that wets amain Though it appears not in the form of rain Crying sin It is a sudden show'r that tears in sunder The cope of Heaven and alway comes with thunder Sin of Delight Is like a feather'd show'r of snow not felt But soaks to th' very skin when e're it melt Sin of Presumption Does like a show'r of hail both wet and wound With sudden death or strikes us to the ground The sin of Sins It is a sulph'rous show'r like that which fell On Sodom strikes and strikes to th' pit of Hell Lord let thy saving Grace thy servants shrow'd Till we arrive where
a Sacrament of our New Birth and the Lord's Supper of our spiritual Nourishment and growth in Grace Q. How oft must we receive these Sacraments A. Baptism but once the Lord's Supper often for we can be but once born but must be oft fed Q. What must we consider in the Sacraments A. The outward Signs the Things thereby signify'd and the spiritual Benefits thereof Q. VVhat is the outward Sign in Baptism A. Water Joh. 3.23 Acts 8.36 38. Ezek. 36.25 26. Q. VVhat doth the VVater in Baptism signify A. The renewing Grace and purifying Virtue of the Spirit of God Q. What doth the washing of the Body with water signifie A. Acts 22.16 The cleansing of the Soul from Sin Q. VVhat is the Spiritual Benefit of Baptism A. A Regeneration Joh. 3.5 or a New Birth Q. VVhat mean you by Regeneration or the New Birth A. A Change of our Nature Tit. 3.5 1 Cor. 6.11 which being depraved by Sin is therein renew'd by the Spirit of God Q. How is Baptism to be administred and by whom A. Mat. 28.19 By the Ministers of Christ in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. VVho are to be Baptiz'd A. Acts 2.38 39. Converts to the Christian Religion and the Children of Christians Q. To what are we bound by our Baptism A. Rom. 6.3 13. To forsake our Sins believe in Christ and lead our Lives according to the Laws of God and Rules of the Gospel Q. Wherein stands the Lord's Supper and how is it to be celebrated A. Mat. 26.26 27. Luk. 22.19 20. In a solemn blessing breaking and cating of Bread and Drinking of Wine with Thanksgiving in Remembrance of Christ Q. VVhat is the Intent and Meaning of this A. 1 Cor. 11.28 The setting forth of the Death and sufferings of Christ whose Body was broken on the Cross and his Bloud shed for our Sins Q. VVhat are the outward Signs in the Lord's Supper A. Bread and Wine Mat. 26.26 27.28 Q. What do this signifie A. The Body and Bloud of Christ Q. Hath Jesus Christ a true Body A. Yes Phil. 3.21 the same Body which was crucified on Earth is glorified in Heaven Q. Luk 22.19 20. 24.39 Is the Bread in the Sacrament the very Body of Christ and the Wine his Bloud A. No they are but the signs of his Body and Bloud and Pledges of the Benefits we receive thereby 1 Cor. 10.16 Q. What doth the breaking of the Bread signifie 1 Cor. 11.24 Gal. 3.1 A. The breaking of Christ's Body in his Crucifixion Q. What doth the Minister's giving the Bread and Wine to the Communicants represent A. Christ's giving himself Luk. 22 19. with the Benefits of his Body and Bloud to Believers Q. VVhat doth the receiving eating and drunking signifie A. Our receiving and applying of Christ Joh. 5.12 6.48 58. and his Benefits to our selves by Faith Q. What are the Benefits of this Holy Supper A. Mat. 26.28 Remission of Sins and Ratification of the New Testament Q. What mean you by the New Testament A. Heb. 8.6 9.15 16. The Covenant of Grace under the Evangelical Administration which is now establisht as the last Will and Testament of Jefus Christ whereby he hath bequeath'd unto us an eternal Inheritance Q. What follows upon the Ratification of it A. Heb. 8.8 9.10 An assured Right to all the Blessings of the Covenant with a renewed Obligation to Obedience for herein Christ gives himself with all the Benefits of his Death to me and I give my self up to serve him all the Daies of my life Q. How must you receive this Sacrament A. Heb. 12.22 29. With great Reverence and Devotion in Remembrance of Christ crucified who is herein lively set forth before mine eies 1 Cor. 11.24 25. Gal. 3.1 as broken bleeding dying on the Cross Q. But that you may be meet to receive it and partake of the Benefits thereof what must you do A. I must examine my self 1 Cor. 11.28 concerning my spiritual State Q. Herein what must you chiefly inquire after A Whether I consent to the Covenant of Grace lead my life according to the Law of God and obey the Commands of the Gospel Q. Jer. 31.33 with Heb 8.10 What is the Tenour of the Covenant of Grace A. I will be their God and they shall be my people Q. What does the Law of God require of you A. Exod. 20.2 3 8 12. To acknowledge the true God and worship him alone as God to fanctifie the Sabbath and honour my Parents Q. And what does it forbid A. Idolatry Exod. 20.4 5 7 13 17. and Abuse of God's Name Murder Adultery Thest Lying and coveting what is another man's Q. What does God in the Gospel require of you A. Mark 1.15 1 Joh. 3.23 2 Pet. 1.7 Repentance and Faith Brotherly Love and Charity Q. In examining your self concerning these Evangelical Graces what must you inquire A. 2 Cor. 7.10 11. Whether I am heartily sorry for all my sins and stedfastly resolved to lead a new Life Gal 3.21 22. Rom. 15.12 Acts 16.31 1 Pet. 1.22 4.8 whether I stedfastly believe the Promises of the Gospel and put my whole Trust in Christ for my Salvation whether I unfeignedly love the Children of God as my Brethren in Christ and am in Charity with all men Q. But wherein must you exercise this Charity A. Mat. 5.44 6.14 15. Rom. 12.20 21. Epb. 4.28 Gal. 6.10 In loving mine Enemies in forgiving of Wrongs in doing Good against Evil in releiving according to my Ability them that are in want and doing Good as I have opportunity to all men Q. But why are these Graces of Faith and Brotherly Love and Charity especially required for the right receiving of the Lord's Supper A. Mat. 26.28 Luk. 24.47 Mat. 18.34 6.14 Because the Bloud of Christ is therein exhibited for the Remission of Sins and without Repentance there is no Remission and if we do not from our Hearts for give them that have trespassed against us which is an Act of Christian Charity God will not forgive our Trespasses against him And lastly nothing can be more necessary than brotherly Love in the Lord's Supper which is a Feast of Loves and the Communion of Saints 1 Cor. 10.17 Gen. 43.16 wherein as the Brethren of Joseph with him we feast with our Elder Brother Jesus Q. When you have thus examin'd your self concerning your spiritual State what must you further do that you may rightly receive this Holy Supper A. 1 Pet. 5 6. I must cast my self down before God and with Sorrow in my Heart 1 Joh. 1.9 make an humble Confession of my Sins and earnestly implore Mercy in the free pardon of them in the Bloud of my Saviour 1 Thess 3.10 I must bewail my weaknesses and wants and earnestly
strengthening and refreshing of our Souls by Communion with Christ in the Graces and Comforts of his Spirit Q. Why was this Sacrament instituted A. To shew forth the Death of Christ Q. How must we receive it A. In Remembrance of him Q. But that you may receive it aright what must you do A. Examine my self whether I live in any Sin Q. Why so A. Because if I live in any known Sin I shall be an unworthy Receiver Q. What is the Sin and Danger of unworthy Receiving A. He that receiveth unworthily is guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord and eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself Q. What must you then do A. Repent of my Sins and resolve to lead a new Life Q. But with what Graces must you be furnisht that you may be fit to come to the Lord's Table A. With Faith in Christ brotherly Love and Charity Q. Wherein must you specially shew this Charity A. In loving mine Enemies doing good to them that hate me and forgiving them that wrong me Q. If you rightly receive this Blessed Sacrament what Benefit shall you have thereby A. God will seal up to me the Pardon of my Sins and the Salvation of my Soul Q. But how must you demean your self after you have received A. I must carefully keep my selt from every known Sin and be diligent in every good Duty Q. What will be the Issue of this Holy-Course A I shall at length see my Saviour in Heaven and for ever live and reign with him in Glory Joh. 14.5 If ye love me keep my Commandments Self-Examination Directed by way of Example wherein The Qualification of a Worthy Communicant is disclosed by the Answer of a good Conscience to some Necessary Inquiries The Apostle's Precept 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a mau EXAMIN himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. The Christians Practice IHAVE now an Opportuni-of receiving the Blessed Sacrament of the LORD'S SUPPER I cannot neglect it without the Guilt of a great Sin the Breach of Christ's Command Luk. 22.10 who hath said This do in Remembrance of me yea the Contempt of Christ crucifid who therein offers himself freely with all the Benefits of his Body and Bloud to my Soul and the Resusal of the Renewall of my Covenant with God whereby as I am bound to a Holy Obedience so I am assured of everlasting Blessednefs And yet if I receive it unworthily I shall be guilty of the body and Bloud of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.27.29 and eat and drink to my self Judgment and become liable to Damnation Yet I know the neglect of my Duty is no way to escape this Danger But the way both to escape the Danger and to enjoy the Benefit is to Examine my self 1 Cor. 11 28. and so to come to the Lord's Table This then with the Help of God will I do I will here set my self as before God and as in his sight and Presence examine my self as he hath commanded Now the Lord direct and assist me in this Work that I may so know the State of my own Soul as that I may rightly dispose my self for the receiving of the Blessed Sacrament of Christ's Holy Supper and the Participation of the inestimable Benefits of his Body and Bloud This Holy Supper 1 Cor. 11.25 I know is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace or New Testament which is ratifi'd in the Bloud of my Saviour Now if I rightly receive this Sacrament I must heartily consent to this Covenant the Tenour whereof is this Jer. 30.22 Heb. 8.10 Ye sahll be my People and I will be your God Now Q. Examination of 1 Consent to the Covenant Psal 42. 11. 37.26 1. Do I heartily take God for my God and am I really willing to be one of his People Am I really willing to renounce all my Lusts and Sins and to love serve honour and obey God all the daies of my Life and do I rest satisfi'd in Him as my God and my Portion for ever A. O Lord my God! I have grievously sinned against Thee I have forgotten Thee Daies without Number Jer. 2.32 but now I return to Thee and here most seriously and heartily give my self up to Thee both Body and Soul to be Thine for ever I desire not to live a Day longer than I may serve and glorifie Thee I heartily rejoyce that Thou art pleased to give thy self to me Jer. 32.40 by an everlasting Covenant to be my God and Portion my Shield and exceeding great Reward Gen. 15.1 I thankfully take Thee to be my God and I rest fully satisfied in Thee as the chief est Good and my onely Happiness For whom have I in Heaven O God! but Thee Psal 73.25 And there is none upon Earth that I desire besides Thee But alas I am a guilty Sinner But having now a happy Opportunity of getting the Pardon of all my Sins seal'd to me in the Bloud of my Saviour I am resolv'd to review the Actions of my Life Lam. 3.40 and to make a diligent Search for the Discovery of my Sins that upon my penitent Confession of them I may obtain a gracious Pardon according to God's faithfull Promise who hath said He that cooereth his Sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and for saketh them Prov. 23.13 shall have Mercy Q. 2 Sin 2. What then are the Sins I am guilty of before God If I was sure I should not live to see the Light of another Day what Sin would make me affraid to die What Good have I omitted that I might and ought to have done What Evil have I committed Wherein have I transgress'd and offended God the Great Governour and Just Judge of the whole World in whose Hand my Life is Ah Lord How many are mine Iniquities and my Sins Joh. 13.23 Oh that God would make me to know my Transgressions and shew me my Sins And then as for these Enemies of my Soul Oh that as the Egyptians in the Red Sea they might be all destroy'd by my Saviour's Exod. 14.13 that henceforth I might see them again no more for ever For the finding of them out in Order to this End I will now make a diligent Enquiry And for the Discovery of my Transgressions I will lay the Law of God even the Ten Commandments before me and consider whether I have led my Life according to God's Law or not GOD hath said in his LAW Exod. 20.2 3 4 c. I am the LORD thy God c. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Thou shalt not make unto Thee any graven Image c. See Exod. 20. 1 17. Now 1. The Breach of 1. Commandment 1 Joh. 2.15 16. Have I so taken God for my God as to love and honour Him above all Have I not loved the World and the Things of the World Riches and Honours Pleasures and worldly Delights
have told a Lye shall not be believed when he speaks Truth God for one Lye struck Ananias and Sapphira with sudden death Act. 5.1 10. And yet the greatest punishment of Lying remains in Hell Rev. 22.15 For whosoever loveth or maketh a Lye shall be shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 8.44 Lying is the Devil's sin and subjects man to his punishment Rev. 21.8 For All Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second death Lye not to excuse a Fault What will it avail you to seem innocent before men if you become doubly guilty before God To escape a rebuke from man will you venture to incur the wrath of God What folly is it for one to avoid the pricking of a Pin to run upon the point of a Sword Though God do not punish the fault are you sure he will pardon the Lye To presume is the way to perish Know God will not pardon it except you repent And what desperate Folly is it for a man to do that which he knowes before he shall either certainly repent or must Eternally perish Lye not for gain It s a woful gain which is acquired by the loss of God's favour and an immortal Soul Lye not at all He that tells a Lye strikes at God and stabs his own Soul When Lying shall mourn in Hell Truth shall fit triumphant in Heaven IV. Shun swearing and cursing as much as you do Hell and Damnation For if you become guilty of the sin Mat. 5.34 37. how can you escape the punishment Swear not at all saith our Saviour but let your Communication be yea yea nay nay Yea saith the Apostle Above all things Jam. 5.12 my Brethren swear not neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest ye fall into condemnation For most certain it is Exod. 20.7 God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Curse none of God's creatures least God curse you It s the Character of a wicked wretch Psal 10.7.109.17 His mouth is full of cursing as he loved cursing saith the Divine Prophet so let it come unto him as he delighted not in Blessing so let it be far from him How dreadful will the State of Swearers and Cursers be when Christ Jesus the Judge of the world shall say to them Mat. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Let not your words then swell with the poyson of Oaths or Curses He that shoots these impoison'd arrowes up towards Heaven shall at length find they will fall down on his own head I saw saith St. John Rev. 16.13 three unclean Spirits like frogs come out of the Mouth of the false Prophet Surely an Oath or a Curse coming out of the Mouth of a Christian is as monstrous as if you should see a Toad coming out of the Mouth of a man If the Spirit of God be in the heart how can the Language of Hell fall from the lips V. Provoke not any to Anger and be not your self soon or long Angry A man in Anger is as a House on fire If a fire be kindled in a house you should endeavour to quench it but when there is none it s a great wickedness to kindle it He is a very mischievous Fool that sets his own house on fire When Anger is join'd with desire of revenge the house is set on fire of Hell Matt. 5.21.22 Rash Anger is a degree of Murder And therefore though provoked by an injury Be not hasty in thy Spirit to be angry Eccl. 7.9 for Anger resteth in the Bosom of Eools Anger in excess opens a door to the Devil where some evil there that is a just cause of anger Eph. 4.26 is done Be ye Angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Devil He that lies down to sleep in his Anger hath the Devil for his Bed-fellow Consider there is none can so much provoke you to anger as you daily provoke God If he who is so great bear with you how much more ought you to bear with others If you become a Fire-brand on earth take heed least God make you one in Hell Know nothing does better become a Christian than the meekness and gentleness of Christ Put on therefore as the Elect of God Col. 3.12.13 Holy and Beloved Bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering Forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye VI. Flee youthful Lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 and endeavour to preserve a chast mind in a pure Body Defile not that Body with Lust which was washt with Christ's Blood in Baptism Know your Body is the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 c. which was consecrated by Baptism to his Holy Service Now 3.17 if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy Now the body of man is not left defil'd by fleshly lusts then the Temple of God by being turn'd into a loathsome stie for filthy swine As he therefore who hath call'd you to the Profession of Christianity is Holy 1 Pet. 1.15 so be ye Holy and pure both in Body and Mind For this is the will of God 1 Thes 4.3.4 5 7. even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication that everyone of you should know how to possess his Vessel his * 1 Sam. 21.5 Body the Vessel of his Soul and for his Food in Sanctification and Honour not in the Lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God for God hath not call'd us unto Vncleanness but unto Holiness If Saints 1 Joh. 3.2 ye are the Sons of God the Brethren of Christ and Heirs of Heaven Rom. 8.17 Col. 3.4 And when Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Now every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 keepeth himself chast even as he is †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chast and pure The happiness of such chast and pure persons in the presence of God in Heaven was represented to St. John in Vision I looked Rev. 14.1 5. saith he and lo a Lamb the Lord Jesus Christ stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred Fourty and Four Thousand having his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads And I heard a voice from Heaven as the voice of many waters and as the voice of a great Thunder and I heard the voice of Harpers harping upon their Harps and they sung as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders the Angels and Saints in Heaven and no man
could learn that Song but the Hundred and Fourty and Four Thousand which were Redeemed from the Earth These are they which were not defiled with women for they are Virgins these are they which follow the Lamb which way soever he goeth these were Redeemed from among men being the first Fruits unto God and to the Lamb And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the Throne of God Now if you desire to share in the happiness of this Virgins-Company in Heaven you must endeavour to prefer an immaculate purity here on earth To this end keep a strict guard upon your Senses Open not your ears to impure Speeches nor suffer your eyes to behold vanity For whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5.28 saith our Blessed Saviour For the prevention of this danger saith Holy Job Job 31.1 I made a Covenant with mine eyes why then should I think upon a Maid Wanton looks as flashes of Lightning and wanton Thoughts as sparks of Fire often kindle those Flames of Lust wherein both the Body and Soul is offer'd up as a Holocaust to Satan And therefore saith our Saviour Mat. 5.29 if thy right eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee for it is profitable for thee that one of thy Members should perish and not that thy whole Body should be cast into Hell But especially shun the company of a wanton woman which is as a Murtheress that lies in wait for the life of a man Prov. 7.13 18 21 22 23. Such was the Harlot of which Solomon speaks who caught the young man and kist him and with an impudent face said unto him come let us take our fill of love until the Morning let us solace our selves with Loves With her much fair Speech she caused him to yield with the flattering of her Lips she forced him He goeth after her straight way as an Ox goeth to the slaughter or as a Fool to the correction of the Stocks Till a dart strike through his Liver as a Bird hasteth to the snare and knoweth not that it is for his Life Carefully shun therefore all occasions of falling into the company of such a woman Take the Counsel of Solomon Prov. 5.8 7.27 Remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the door of her house For her house is the way to Hell going down to the Chambers of death VII Shun Revelling and Drunkenness These are sins so inconsistent with the Christian Religion which oblige all that embrace it to Temperance and Sobriety that whosoever gives himself up to Revelling and Drunkenness does in effect renounce his Christianity And he is certainly a desperate wretch who for a little sensual pleasure will quit all his hopes of Heaven and sell the joyes of Paradise He that lives in these sins travels in the common Road to Hell Lasciviousness 1 Pet. 4.3 Lusts Excess of Wine Revellings Banquetings and abominable Idolatries were the sins of the Gentiles before their Conversion to Christianity How unworthy is it of a Christian to stain the Glory of his Holy Profession with the guilt of the sins and vices of Heathens Christians know there is a day appointed Act. 17.31 wherein they must give an account to God for the time they have spent in the world and for all the Actions of their lives And therefore saith our Saviour Luk. 21.34 Take heed to your selves least at any time your hearts be overcharged with Surfetting and Drunkenness and cares of this Life so that day come upon you unawares Surfetting and drunkenness breed diseases in mens Bodies and shorten their Lives The punishment is here linkt to the sin whereas Temperance and Sobriety are a fair and pleasant path to Heaven by Surfetting and Drunkenness men take the foulest way that they may make the shortest journey to Hell Drunkenness is a vile debasement to a man No person that has but the heart of a Man would suffer himself to be so vilely abused and debased by another as by Drunkenness he abuses and debases himself A Sober Servant is to be preferred before a drunken Son A drunken Servant is no better than a very Beast In Drunkenness a man commits two or three sins in one For he at once abuses God's Blessings and his own Body and dishonours and wrongs any to whom he owes Service and Obedience which having transformed himself into a brute beast a raging Bedlam or a sensless stock he is not capable to perform How woful is it that he that is call'd to be a Christian should cease to be a man And how just is it that God should cut him off in his sin and cast him into Hell who has made himself uncapable to answer the end of his Calling as a Christian yea of his Being as a man Know you were born in a Night of darkness a state of ignorance and sin but by institution in the Mysteries of the Christian Religion you may perceive the dawning of a day of Light a State of Knowledge and Salvation by Jesus Christ Let the Apostle's Exhortation then prevail with you for a suitable demeanour Rom. 13.12 13.14 The night saith he is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the Armour of Light Let us walk honestly as in the day not in Rioting and Drunkenness not in Chambering and Wantonness not in Strife and Envying But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not Provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof VIII Avoid ill Company The keeping of ill Company hath been the utter undoing of many Young men For while they have been carried on hereby in an idle licentious course of life they have destroy'd themselves Bodies and Souls for ever He that once engages himself in that society of sinners which is as the Corporation of Hell shall hardly ever recover so much freedom and honour as to become a Citizen of Heaven Happy is the man then that carefully keeps himself from evil Company yea this is the man who is pronounced Blessed by an Oracle of God Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Counsel of the ungodly Psal 1.1 nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful And therefore David to clear his Integrity thus makes his Profession Psal 26.4 5. I have not sate with vain persons neither will I go in with Dissemblers I have hated the Congregation of evil doers and will not sit with the wicked But Psal 119.63 I am a Companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy Precepts Man 's a sociable Creature and mutual converse is the delight and sweetness of Humane Life But then it greatly concerns us to make choice of good company For Prov. 13.20 he that walketh with wise men