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
effectuall motiue to the leauing of all sinne from the consideration of Christs death and Passion COnsider O man who hath redeemed thee by what he hath redeemed thee from what and vnto what hee hath redeemed thee Christ Iesus the Sonne of the euerliuing God equall vnto his Father in Maiestie and glorie the Heire of the world Hebr. 1. and the Lord of all things both in Heauen in Earth and vnder the Earth hee it is that hath redeemed thee according vnto the good-will and gracious decree of God his Father He hath redeemed thee by becomming man for thy sake by liuing a base and ignominious life subiect vnto all the infirmities vvhereunto thou art subiect thy sinnes only excepted and dying a shamefull and cursed death 1 Pet. 1.19 pouring out his pretious bloud for thy sake He vvas borne in a stable layd in a manger an abasement vnto which the basest amongst men are not vsually subiect reiected of his owne Ioh. 1.11 Isa 53. despised of the most accounted as a drie and withered branch one in whom there was no forme nothing to be desired laden vvith reproaches broken vvith sorrowes buffeted spit vpon made to drinke gall and vinigar reuiled scourged made a scorne to the beholders Mat. 27.30 c. a spectacle to men and Angels and a wonderment to the world tossed as it were from post to pillar from one iudgement seat to another condemned as a vile and notorious malefactor worse then a theefe murtherer and crucified vpon the Crosse without the gates of the Citie in that loathed Golgotha Heb. 13 1â— where his head vvas crowned with thornes his hands and feet pierced with nayles and his side with a speare so that water bloud gushed forth abundantly and at last when malice enuie had wrought all the wickednesse they could against him layd in the graue dead and buried as one cut off from among the liuing and all this for thy sake Rom. 5.10 euen for thee who wert his enemie a traitour and rebell against him Ephe. 2.3 and a childe of wrath and of the curse heire of perdition and confusion He was made sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 Gal. 3.13 a curse and subiect vnto death for thee that hee might bring thee from sinne from the curse of the law from the wrath of God from death hell and damnation vnto righteousnesse blessednesse grace glory heauen and euerlasting happines in that celestiall kingdome vvhich hee hath purchased and prepared for all his redeemed ones All thiâ— he hath done for thee O wretched and sinnefull man not for any merits or deserts of thine for what was there in thee for which hee should any wayes respect thee Tit. 3.4 but of his owne free grace and of the infinite and vnspeakeable riches of his abundant mercies wherewith hee imbraced thee vvhen he might haue iustly cast thee off for euer as one moâ—â— vnworthy to be beloued of him especially with so great a loue Ephe. 3.19 All this hee hath done for thee and for thy sake onely O therefore vvilt thou be vnmindfull of his wonderfull loue his vnsearchable goodnesse and bountie towards thee and the great and maruailous things which he hath wrought for thee 1 Sam. 12.24 Wilt thou bee so vnthankefull to him Nay wilt thou be so vnkinde so vngratious as to continue still in thy sinnes and so to grieue his spirit and to crucifie him againe Heb. 6.6 For beleeue me so many sinnes as thou willingly committest so many thornes dost thou pleat on his head so many nailes dost thou thrust into his hands so many speares dost thou pierce his side withall and a fearefull thing to consider so oft dost thou imbrue thy wicked hands with his pretious bloud tread it in a prophane maner vnder thy Heb. 10.29 feet so that it may be sayd vnto thee as Peter said vnto the Iewes Thou hast crucified the Lord of life Act. 2.36 3.14.15 thou hast murdered the king of glory the Sonne of the euer liuing God Christ Iesus that iust and holy One and preferred not Barrabas but which is as bad thine owne wicked and sinfull lusts yea Sathan himselfe before thy blessed Sauiour and Redeemer O monstrous ingratitude and treacherie The Angels do blush at it the heauens stand amazed and astonied at it and worthy it is to be lothed and abhorred of all creatures Dost thou so reward the Lord O vaine and foolish man Deut. 32.6 Is this thy kindenesse to thy friend thy thankefulnesse to thy Sauiour Dost thou returne him euill for good and hatred for his good-will Because he hath abounded in loue and kindnesse towards thee wilt thou abound in sinne and wickednesse against him O be not so hard-hearted O deale not so impiously so vngraciously so treacherously with thy best friend thy beloued Sauiour who hath magnified the riches of his grace so wonderfully towards thee as that if thou hadst a thousand tongues thou couldst not fully expresse the same nor yeeld him sufficient praise and thankefulnesse for it Or if thou hadst many thousands of yeeres to liue vpon the earth and shouldst employ them all in his seruice with the greatest diligence and most carefull endeauour that could be yet all were too little for him Returne therfore returne O thou who hast beene deceiued heretofore by thine own wicked hart deluded by Satan thy most malitious and deadly enemie who is euer seeking thy destruction and vtter ouerthrow Returne at length behold thy louing Sauiour yet stretching out his hands ready to receiue thee and to imbrace thee with the armes of his mercie and tender compassion Pro. 1.24 Hee calleth thee Isa 55.1 Ioh. 7.37 and cryeth aloud vnto thee why dost thou flye from him vvhy doest thou not cast away thy sins and come vnto him whiles the acceptable time of grace saluation lasteth 2 Cor. 6.2 Behold hee stands knocking at the doore of thy heart by the motions of his Spirit and by the voice of his word calling vnto thee Cant. 5.2 Reue. 3.20 that thou wouldest open vnto him that so he might enter in to thee and dwel with thee and make thee partaker of all the riches and treasures of his heauenly graces and of eternall life and saluation Behold him yet offering himselfe vnto thee yea Pro. 9.5 sending forth his messengers daily perswading thee effectually to leaue those husks and draffe which the Swine of this world delight to fill themselues withall Luk. 15.16 and inuiting thee most gratiously to come and sit with him at his table and to eate of the finest fare in his Fathers house that heauenly Manna vvhich none know but they that haue tasted of it and which when they haue once throughly tasted of and felt the sweetnesse of it they will not part with it againe for all the sweetest delicates with which the wicked glut themselues till they surfet dangerously no not for all the
pleasures profits riches and reuenues of the whole world Behold the base estate and condition which he tooke vpon him for thy sake Behold the shame and reproach which he sustained for thee and for thy sinnes Behold his face whom the Angels Heb. 1.6 those celestiall creatures doe reuerence and adore spitted vpon for thy cause Behold him who is the Authour of blessednesse become accursed for thee that he might free thee from that curse which was due vnto thee Behold him Isa 66.1 whose Throne is in the highest Heauens the Lord of Glory and Maiestie descended downe into the earth and abased to the lowest degree of humiliation becomming as one of no reputation Phil. 2.6.7 Psal 22.6 a worme not a man that so he might exalt thee and raise thee from shame to glory from Hell to Heauen from the depth of miserie and wretchednes to the height of endlesse and euerlasting blessednesse What should I say Behold the Lord of life dying vpon the Crosse that hee might bring thee from death to life and make thee of a childe of wrath and perdition an Heire of glory and Saluation See his Head crowned with thornes his body sweating drops of blood for the anguish that he was in for thy sinnes See the bloud streaming forth out of his side to vvash and cleanse thee from thy wickednesse See the fountaine of his loue his grace and mercie set vvide open vnto thee Zach. 13.1 All these cry loud vnto thee and are as a shrill voyce in thine eares to call thee from thy sinnes and to cause thee vtterly to abandon all thy former vvickednesse euen that vaine conuersation vvherein heeretofore thou delightedst And wilt thou yet continue therin God forbid O heart more harder then the Adamant or flintie Rocke if these things doe not moue thee and cause thee to relent if nothing else will neither remembrance of the vilenesse and loathsomnes of sinne the fearefull and wofull miserie and bondage vvhereunto it bringeth thee the stingings of conscience wherewith it vvoundeth the soule and maketh it to smart grieuously oftentimes vvhen none perceiueth it nor the many iudgements which it exposeth thee vnto both here in this life and much more in the life to come in hel fire for euer If none of these will yet let this this I say euen the due and serious consideration of the great and vvonderfull things that Christ hath done for thee to redeeme thee from thy sinnes and to loose the bonds of thine iniquities 1 Ioh. 3.8 O let this draw thee from the same in a forcible maner yea let his infinite and boundlesse loue and mercie towards thee herein euen breake thy stonie and steely heart and cause it to melt into teares for thy sinnes past to grieue to sorrow to mourne and lament for the same and to purpose and resolue vvith thy selfe neuer willingly to offend him hereafter though thou mightst gaine thereby a thousand worlds Let thy heart be sooner plucked out of thy body then thou drawne from this godly purpose and Christian resolution vvhich vvell becommeth all that are Christs redeemed 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Ioh. 3.9 and vvill bee in thee if thou beest a true Christian indeed and not in vvord and shew onely O blessed Lord and Sauiour when I looke vp vnto thee and consider thy marueilous Loue and Bountie in that great and gracious vvorke of thine in redeeming mee from that miserable estate into vvhich I vvas plunged as vvell as others vnto that glorious condition of thy redeemed ones how thou abasedst thy selfe to become man for my sake to be accursed that thou mightest free me from the curse which I had brought vpon my selfe to dye that so shamefull a death and to be buryed in the earth that thou mightest raise me out of the graue of my sinnes and bring me from sinne death hell and damnation vnto grace life and euerlasting saluation in that blessed and glorious kingdome of thine vvhich thou reseruest for mee in the heauens when I looke vp vnto thee and call to minde how wonderfully thou hast dealt with me in these things and on the other side cast mine eyes vpon the vvhole course of my life past how vile how sinfull it hath beene and view my estate present how many and grieuous the sinnes are vvhereby I haue prouoked thee daily euen since thou calledst mee to the knowledge of that sauing grace of thine my heart faileth vvithin mee I am ashamed and confounded in my selfe that I should haue beene found so vnkinde vnto thee who hast beene so exceeding kinde and gracious vnto me O doe thou cause mee daily more and more to see and bevvaile the greatnesse of my sinne herein and heale my soule in whatsoeuer I haue offended thee O let thy loue thy goodnesse thy grace and bountie in redeeming mee so wretched so vnworthy a Creature by thine owne bloud from so fearefull and vvofull a condition into so blessed and glorious an estate O let it constraine mee to loue thee vnfainedly let it dissolue me into the teares of true and vnfained repentance for all my sinnes and transgressions vvhereby I haue displeased thee my God and Sauiour and let it vvorke in mee a perfect hatred and loathing of all kinde of vngodlines and a continuall desire and endeuour to please thee and to shew forth my thankfulnes vnto thee by walking carefully before thee in all the duties which thou commandest me that so I may be euery day more assured that I am one of that small flocke which thou hast redeemed with thy precious bloud for whom thou hast prouided that glorious Kingdome in the heauens Drawing others vnto any wickednesse a bloudy and fearefull sinne MVrther is abhorred of all men and that most iustly for it is a fearefull and a crying sinne committed Gen. 4.10 nor approued of any but such as haue lost in a manner the very nature of man and become as it were bruite and sauage creatures yea monsters such as are to be driuen out from the company and societie of men and to be depriued of this light which they doe enioy and are no wayes worthy of Deu. 19.13 But yet behold a strange thing and much to be vvondered at to murther the soules of men by drawing them to wickednesse by ill counsell Pro. 18.21 or by corrupt example of life or otherwise is slightly accounted of not had in that detestation among men that the other although as it is more common so it may well be sorted and rancked with it Is not the soule more pretious then the body Mat. 16.26 the life of the soule more vvorthy and farre more to be regarded then the life of the body Why then is not the murthering of this accounted as wicked as haynous as the other why is it not as much abhorred of all men vvhy are not such esteemed rather monsters then men and how is it that their owne consciences doe not accuse
altogether stained and p Ezek. 16. Iob 9.30.31 defiled both in soule and body with the filth and contagion of that originall corruption and pollution which cleaueth fast q Heb. 12.1 vnto him and couereth him as the flesh wherewith he is couered on euery side so that there is no sound part either in soule or body yea nothing but wounds r Isa 1.6 swelling and sores full of corruption Hee seeth that as hee was borne thus sinnefull by nature so that hee hath continued therein euer since he had his being in this vvorld yea that he is become euery day more corrupt s Gen. 6.5 8.21 Iob 15.16 more vile and abhominable his whole life hauing beene nothing else but a multiplying of sinne vpon sinne and transgression vpon transgression by the violating and breaking of the commaundements of God Hee seeth himselfe heereby to bee accursed t Gal. 3.10 Ioh. 3.18 hauing the Law continually thundering out that fearefull sentence against him vvhereby hee stands as a condemned wretch before God subiect to all plagues and v Deut 28.15.16 c. miseries in this life and to euerlasting x Mat. 25.41 Ioh. 5.29 torments both of body and soule in the life to come yea that he is pressed downe by that fearefull condemning sentence of that most iust and righteous law euen to hell-gates and that the dore is ready presently to be opened vpon him y Iob 21.13 Isa 5.14 euen assoone as the messenger vvhich continually attendeth vpon him readie to execute the law of his Creatour and most iust Iudge shall knocke at the same by death that so he may haue entrance into that place of torment prouided for him the congregation of the dead z Pro. 21.16 and damned vvhere he shall receiue the wages a Rom. 6.23 and due deserts of all his sinnes and rebellions against that infinite and glorious Maiestie for euermore Being thus brought to the knowledge and sight of his sinnes and wretched estate by the same and that through the preaching b Rom. 7.7.8.9.10 of the Law whereby it is discouered and made cleere vnto him as in a Glasse hee knoweth vvithall seeing the vvord of God which shall stand for euer hath sealed it c Exek 18.4 Ioh. 8.24 that if hee die in that estate hee must needs perish and be damned eternally vvithout all hope of recouery and therefore is marueilously humbled in himselfe being cast downe vvith the sense and feeling of his owne wretchednes and that vvoful estate into which he is plunged so that although heretofore hee reioyced in it and made a mocke of it d Pro. 14.9 vvhen hee vvas put in remembrance of it by others yet now hee hangeth downe his head with e Rom. 6.21 Ezra 9.6 shame and sorrow like a guiltie and condemned person ready to goe to the place of execution yea he is vvholly possessed with the spirit of bondage f Rom. 8.15 Isa 66.2 which filleth and striketh his soule with much feare anguish and exceeding horror and amazement so that his heart quaketh his conscience is wounded within him and his flesh trembleth for feare g Acts 16.29 9.6 of Gods vvrath and vengeance vvhich euery moment is ready to seize vpon him yea he groaneth vnder h Matt. 11.28 the heauie burthen that lieth vpon him and oppresseth him in most grieuous manner It causeth him to grieue to sigh to sorrow to mourne and lament for the miserie vvhich is come vpon him and to desire i Act. 2.37 16.30 Rom. 7.24 aboue al things in the world to be freed from it to be let loose as it were out of that hell into which in a sort hee findeth himselfe plunged being in his owne apprehension as a forlorne and condemned wretch Being thus broken-hearted thus wounded and humbled vnder the mighty hand of GOD and cast downe vvith the sight and sense of his sinne and of the curse and vvrath of God and all those horrible iudgements of his hanging ouer him for the same feeling himselfe to be as a damned creature dead and lost both confessing it k Luke 15 21. Iob 31.33 39.36.37 Pro. 28.13 and complaining of it vncessantly and seriously bethinking l Luke 15.17 himselfe how hee might if it vvere possible come out of it he heares by the preaching of the Gospell m Luke 2.10 of the meanes how to be deliuered from that so miserable and vvoful estate and condition in which for the present he is inwrapped and to be restored vnto full and perfect happinesse viz. n Isa 53. Matt. 3.15.17 the absolute obedience and satisfaction of CHRIST IESVS the promised Messiah vvho being the Sonne of God deare vnto his Father became Man o Gal. 4.4 Rom. 8.3.4 1 Pet. 2.24 subiect vnto the Law and fully satisfied the iustice of God by taking the p Gal. 3.13 curse vpon him and fulfilling the Law of God and so deliuered the prisoner q Esa 42.7 61.1 Luke 4.18 out of the prison-house and let them that were bond goe free by his death freeing them from sin death and condemnation r Rom. 8.1 3.24 5.19 2 Cor. 5.21 Hebr. 9.26 28. Ioh. 1.29 and restoring them to righteousnesse life and euerlasting saluation and happinesse so that nothing can euer after bee layd vnto their charge Hauing attained to the knowledge of this great and glorious worke of mans redemption vvrought by CHRIST Act. 13.38 1 Ioh. 5.9 and knowing that there is no other meanes to be saued s Acts 4.12 Rom. 8.3 there is bred in him a marueilous desire and vehement longing to be made pertaker of the same a hungring and thirsting t Esa 55.1 Mat. 5.6 after Christ and his righteousnesse and the redemption and saluation purchased by his death and bloudshed euen as a man that were ready to die for thirst v would desire drinke Iudg. 15.18 or a man condemned to die some cruel death would long for a pardon and withal a prizing x Matt. 13.44.46 of it at a high rate far aboue all other things in the vvorld whatsoeuer yea y Phil. 3.8 a base account of all other things in comparison thereof esteeming this the onely treasure on earth that which if hee may obtaine he would thinke himselfe a happy man and can neuer rest satisfied by any meanes till hee finde that hee as well as others hath his portion in it and therefore willingly forsaketh his sweetest sinnes and denieth himselfe * Luk 9.23 that he may obeaine it Heereupon followes faith in Christ in and by vvhom this great benefit is receiued an earnest seeking and suing vnto him for the obtayning of this grace and mercy at his hand that is knowing what the promises of the Gospel are z Matt. 9.13 Reuel 21.6 22.17 Isa 55.1 Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 7.37 how that Christ cals and inuites graciously all that feele the
3.13.14 and treasures farre aboue Siluer Gold Pearle or whatsoeuer else the world can afford vnto them and the continuall hope and expectation of that future and promised glory h Ephes 1.18 which maketh their soules to i 1 Pet. 1.3 blesse thee vncessantly who art so rich in grace k Eph. 2.7 and mercy towards them besides those many other priuiledges vvhich thou hast vouchsafed them concerning their temporall life and outward estate viz. Protection of Angels those glorious Ministers which thou sendest forth to be Attendants l Psal 91.11 Heb. 11.14 on them Promise of thy especiall Prouidence m 2 Chron. 2.5.8 4.10 Heb. 11.13.5 ouer them and a n Mat. 6.26 32.3 7.11 continuall and fatherly care for them from whence necessarily followeth a remouall o Rom. 8.28 of all euill from them and a supply of all good p Psal 23.1 84.11 euen of all outward and earthly blessings vnto them which thou in thy wisedome seest to be conuenient or necessary for them for their comfortable and safer passage through the Wildernesse of this world till they come to that promised rest that heauenly Canaan that thus hauing mine eyes enlightened to behold those things which thy word so clearely teacheth and my heart rightly seasoned with the serious consideration of them I may daily be drawne nearer vnto thee with that sweetnesse which I finde in thee in comparison of which all other things are bitter and distastfull to such as haue true vnderstanding and their senses rightly exercised q Heb. 5.14 to discerne betweene good and euill The frequent meditation of Death how necessary HE that hath Death alwayes before his eyes will neuer haue his thoughts set vpon any thing vvhich is base sordide and seruile or desire any thing in this vvorld excessiuely and inordinately This will make him to haue a very meane esteeme of all these earthly vanities this will cause him with an equall minde to vse prosperitie and aduersitie a Psal 90.12 and to be rightly disposed in either being neither too much lifted vp vvith the one nor too much cast downe vvith the other considering how short and momentarie eyther the benefit and pleasure which is inioyed by this b 1 Cor. 7.29 Heb. 11.25 or the paine which is feared by that will be This will be a bridle to curbe and restrayne him from all things that are vnlawfull and to make him vse those things which are lawfull if rightly vsed with more moderation and with lesse excesse wherein many doe much offend which I am perswaded they would not doe if they once acquainted themselues with this wholesome and necessary Meditation whereunto many are meere strangers yea enemies c Isa 28.19 Amos 6.3 they cannot abide to heare of it or to call it to remembrance nay they shew themselues to be afraid to thinke on it deliberately euen then when it puts it selfe vpon them as being that whereby they suppose they are brought to meete their greatest enemy in the face whom they most dread and flye from and the sight of whom though a farre off they imagine would be very hurtfull and dangerous vnto them damping them in their resolued courses d Lu. 12.19 and scaring them from those sinnefull and pleasing vanities wherein they now delight themselues in excessiue manner O blessed LORD as Death is alwayes euery where present and imminent ready continually to seize vpon me so grant that I may haue mine eyes open to see it standing neare vnto mee and that I may continually present the serious meditation thereof vnto my minde and all my thoughts that thereby I may be brought to suffer the greatest miseries vvhich shall befall mee in this world patiently quietly and contentedly knowing that they will come quickly to an end e Heb. 10.37 and to make the right vse of prosperitie if it shall please thee to send it not being too much addicted to the profits pleasures and delights of this beguilefull and deceiueable world Especially let me with the due meditation hereof be wholly with drawne from the loue and liking the affecting and desiring of all those things which are vile and sinfull seeing the remembrance of these in death will be bitter the sting painefull the smart grieuous and intollerable The resurrection of the good and bad in the last day how different it shall be OH how glorious will the day of the Resurrection be how comfortable to the godly how terrible to the wicked The godly they shall rise by the mighty power of Christ their Sauiour a 1 Cor. 6.14 Hee who is the Head b Eph. 5 23 being raised all they being his c 1 Cor. 6.15 Members and vnited vnto him in a mysticall manner d 1 Cor. 15 13.20.23 c. 1 Thes 4.14 shall be raised with him in their appointed time by reason of that vnion which is betweene him and them But the wicked they shall rise by the terrible and dreadfull e Iohn 5.28.29 1 Cor. 15.52 voyce of Christ their Iudge summoning them to make their appearance before him that sentence may be pronounced against them like as when a Malefactor is brought out of the Iayle to the Barre that hee may receiue his deserued doome and be hastened to his execution Againe the godly they shall come out of their graues wherein they haue beene a long time held as prisoners and captiues vnder death f 1 Cor. 15 54.55 they shall come forth with great ioy and triumph looking vp vnto their blessed Sauiour whom they haue so long expected and desired g Rom. 8.23 Luke 21.28 Reu. 22.20 Oh what a comfort and refreshing h Act. 3.19 shall this be vnto them who can expresse it But the wicked on the contrary they shall start vp like men scared and sodainely affrighted waking out of some fearefull dreame but it shal be no dreame As soone as they beginne to looke out of their graues they shall behold the heauens on a flaming i 2 Thes 1.8 2 Pet. 3.12 fire round about them and Christ as a mighty GOD and a most seuere and dreadfull Iudge with a fiery eye and a frowning countenance looking downe vpon them from aboue euen out of that great Throne k Mat. 25.31 which shall haue streames of fire issuing out from it on euery side l Dan. 7.9.10 so that they shall be amazed and euen at their wits end m Mat. 24.30 at the very appearance of him and wish with all their harts that the very hils and Mountaines would fall vpon them and n Reu. 6.16 couer them from his presence and from the fiercenesse of his wrath which shall seize vpon them in most o Luke 19.27 fearfull manner Furthermore that it may yet appeare how great a difference there shall be betweene them in that day the godly shall rise in a glorious manner being made incorruptible p 1 Cor. 15