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
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
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.
him to be that which he hath declared and reuealed himselfe to be and bound himselfe by promise Exod. 34.6.7 Mal. 3.17 to shew himselfe to be vnto his whom he hath chosen vnto himselfe and vpon vvhom his delight is set yea it were to derogate from his glory seeing he will be glorified as well in the acknowledgement of his goodnesse and mercy towards his children that feare him Pro. 8.31 as of his iustice and seueritie towards the vvicked and vngodly that know him not Blessed Lord and gracious Father thou knowest the desire of my heart Psa 119.40 thou seest vvith how many weaknesses and infirmities I am compassed about continually how many lets and hinderances are cast before me in the way of godlinesse which leadeth vnto life and saluation thou discernest perfectly vvhat I am made of Psa 103.14 how fraile and feeble my nature is euen as the dust or as the withering hay into what forme and mould I am cast yea that I am nothing without thee and thy quickening and strenthening grace ready to sinne against thee euery houre euery moment O be thou mercifull vnto me spare me as thou hast promised as a Father doth his little ones in vvhom hee delighteth Pardon my sinnes heale my infirmities accept my weake and imperfect endeuours giue me a continuall supply of thy heauenly grace and a greater measure of strength and abilitie to walke before thee vvith a perfect heart and to serue thee with chearefulnesse and alacritie and in truth and sinceritie all my dayes vntill I come at length vnto that perfection both of grace and glory whereof I shall be made partaker in thy Kingdome for euer Amen Good Motions EVery good motion arising at any time in the heart of any one is the voyce of God himselfe Isay 30.21 speaking inwardly vnto the soule and conscience of man and therefore neuer to be lightly accounted of much lesse to be smothered or wilfully resisted and gainsaid for that is a most fearefull thing Ierem. 6.16 18.12 euen rebellion against God and the voyce of his spirit vvhich speaketh in them and vnto them but alwaies diligently to be harkened vnto and by all meanes to be imbraced and cherished that so it may become effectuall and not die and vanish away without fruit or profit to the hardening of the heart and the making of it the more vncapable of grace and goodnesse the ordinary and most fearefull iudgement which the Lord vsually bringeth vpon men for so great a wickednesse Rom. 1.28 Psal 106.15 81.12.13 1 Thes 5.19 Good Lord suffer mee not at any time to quench thy spirit to resist that heauenly voyce of thine speaking vnto me according vnto thy word least thou giue me ouer to hardnesse of heart Cant. 5.2 but whensoeuer thou doest knocke at the doore of my heart and soule Reue. 3.20 let me be ready presently to open vnto thee and to giue thee the best entertainment that I can by yeelding my selfe euery-waies pliable and flexible vnto thee vvhensoeuer thou doest inspire me with any good motion or holy desire grant that I may vse all meanes whereby the same may be quickened and increased that so thine owne worke may daily be more and more perfected in me Yeelding to the wicked motions and desires of the heart THe vaine and wicked desires of the heart can neuer be satisfied yea Isa 57.20 the more that any doth feed them the more insatiable shall he find them He can neuer be filled neuer haue enough of them Who seeth not this most clearly in the couetous the voluptuous the ambitious yea in all such as giue the reines vnto their owne sinfull and inordinate affections It is as it were a fire in their bones which will neuer be quenched till the fewell which ministreth continually new matter vnto it be quite taken away It is as it were the flame of hell kindled by Sathan himselfe to the scorching of the conscience which is drowned in these earthly these sinful these sensuall delights It is like a greedy worme which continually lies gnawing vpon the soule and in time will eate out the very heart intrals if the euil be not timely preuented O blessed Lord withdraw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more from these lying and deceitfull vanities which can neuer yeeld me any true contentment but rather be a cause of torment and vexation vnto me robbing me not onely of thy grace but of my peace also seeing my minde can neuer bee satisfied with them And grant that the desires of my heart may be set wholly vpon thee who art the fountaine of all goodnesse of all true blisse and happinesse that so I may be satisfied and replenished with the plentifulnesse and abundant riches of thy grace and heauenly blessings Rom. 2.10 Gal. 6.6 and haue thy peace and mercy resting vpon me and abiding vvith me all my daies Amen How fearefull a thing it is for a man to be left vnto himselfe and to his owne desires THere can no greater euill befall any man in this world then to be left vnto himselfe Psal 81.12 Isai 1.5 63.17 vnto his owne will and waies and to the corrupt desires and affections which are most pleasing to his wicked heart and vnsanctified nature Of all iudgements which the Lord doth suffer to come vpon men in this life it is the greatest and most dangerous though thorow the marueilous blindnesse and sottishnesse that is in men least eyther discerned or feared of the most Better were it for them by any meanes to be restrained from those things which their corrupt nature is prone vnto yea better were it for them to bee held downe continually with some painefull sicknesse and grieuous disease or to be laid fast vp in close prison all their liues long and to endure the greatest outward misery that can be vnto their dying houre O blessed Lord giue me not ouer vnto the waies of mine owne heart an insensible but of all iudgements the most fearefull leaue me not vnto my selfe suffer me not at any time to wander and goe astray from thee by following those things which are good in mine owne eyes and pleasing vnto carnall and corrupt reason O let me neuer fall into so great an euill but be thou mercifull vnto me to order and dispose all my affections to guide and gouerne me with thy spirit and to direct my steppes according vnto the rule of thy holy and blessed word that so being kept and preserued by thee from those sinnes vvhereunto of my selfe I am prone and inclinable and established in euery good vvay and vvorke I may glorifie theein my life and find ioy and comfort in my death and after death liue and raigne with thee eternally in fulnesse of all glory and happinesse through the merits of Christ my Sauiour The many differences betweene a naturall and a spirituall man one that is truely sanctified VVHat difference
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
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
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
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
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
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