THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE OR Life in its derivation from CHRIST In a SERMON Preached at the Funeral of that honoured Lady the Lady JANE READE The relict of Sir JOHN READE Sometimes whil'st he lived of Sorangle in Lincolnshire Knight By Edmund Pinchbeck B. D. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Revel 20.6 With thee it the Well of life and in thy light shall we see light Psal 36.9 London Printed by T. R. E. M. for Humfâ—ey Tuckey at the black-spread Eagle in Fleet street over against St. Dunstans Church 1652. To the Worshipful THOMAS READE Esquire AND M rs BRIDGET READE his right vertuous wife eldest daughter and one of the Co-heirs of the Right-Worshipful Sir CHARLES CROFTS of Bardwell in Suffolk Knight GOd in his providence and goodnesse hath so ordered the holy Scriptures so adapted them to all sorts and conditions of people so fitted them for us according to our several wits our several capacities and apprehensions that every one whosoever with due and requisite preparation addresses himselfe to the search of the same may receive benefit by them Here is strong meat for the best stomack and milke for the tenderest babe here are depths according to Gregories resemblance where the Elephant may swim and shallowest foards where the lamb may wade without danger of drowning here are some things closed and sealed up that a Daniel cannot understand Dan. 12.8 some thing againe so obvious and manifest like Habakkuks vision that he that runnes may read From this extent and fulnesse of the holy Scriptures me thinks I hear resounding that of the Prophet Isaiah Ho every one that thirsteth come to the waters If God hath thus prepared them for the general good of all thus furnished them to give satisfaction to all the thirsty desires of our soules is it not equal that every one without exception should take notice of them challenge his interest in them improve them to the intended good of his soul God brooks not our ignorance in them if God have written unto Ephraim the great things of the Law and then ungrateful fair such a favour if he so neglect them that they be counted as strange things Ephraim shall hear tell of it God by way of complaint will charge it against him as you see Hosea 8.12 But now from the perfection of the holy Scriptures you may easily discerne the imperfection of this ensuing Sermon for although it be derived from the Scriptures and for the substance and matter of it be wholly terminated in the same yet herein it degenerates and becomes unlike them in that it affoards no depths for Elephants nor strong meat for stronger Christians no entertainment for men of higher endowments As Job brings in the creatures returning their answers concerning the place of wisdome The depth saith It is not in me the sea saith It is not in me Job 28.14 so if you should enquire here for these arcane hidden sublimities into which Eagle-ey'd ingenuity especially delights to pry this poore piece would answer accordingly that none of these mysterious subtilties are found within the barren region of these incult lines And therefore not to prejudice sharper wits more exercised in the things of God but to leave them to the height of their wonted speculations lest after they have read it over they finde cause to complaine with him in the Comoedy Pol ego oleum operam perdidi I have lost no lesse then my time and labour about it If it were in my power to make choice of my Readers I would admit none but such as could dispense with that which the Apostle calls milk wholesome but common and ordinary food and that drest up after a plain countrey-fashion As for your selfe worthy Sir to whom in the first place it stands directed although there be no Adamant nothing of worth in it to attract your acceptance yet I know you cannot but affoard it a courteous entertainment if in these respects you be pleased to reflect upon it as first how it was preached at the funeral of your dear mother that honoured Lady the Lady Anne Reade Or secondly how according to your love to the Lord Jesus it stands imprest with the image and superscription of Christ bearing that name in chiefe which is as Bernard exalts it as honey in the mouth musick in the ear Jubilee in the heart that name which is all fragrant and odoriferous as an oyntment poured forth Cant. 1.1 that sole and only name that imports salvatton Acts 4.12 Or Lastly being a discourse of that happy life we derive from our blessed Saviour how it may fortifie and strengthen your hopes against that fear wherein the hope of the wicked faileth Prov. 11.7 even the fear of the King of feares death As for the publication of it had not the importunity of some whose desires were equivalent to commands whose requests brook no denial overcome mine aversenesse I had never adventured to tender such a poor mite to the publike treasury such worthlesse goats-haire to the service of the Tabernacle For according to the unexpected suddennesse of the occasion as it was hastily formed not having the happinesse of these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those second revising considerations to which all things accurate and polite are beholden It was put off in an ordinary vulgar habite without all requisite polish that might make it fit for open view But now sith it must abroad to visit the world and I cannot withhold it not to dismisse it without a benediction let it go and prosper a little sparke blown up amidst drie fewel such as is apt and fit for combustion easily kindles and breakes forth into a flame so a weake word if stirred up by his Spirit of whom it was said Did not our hearts burn within us whilest he talked with us may warme affection inflame zeal effect something that is good in an honest heart If therefore your selfe your vertuous wife your deserving sisters Mistris Anne Ogle Mistris Judith Robinson Mistris Martha Empson whom I ever honoured for their piety and goodnesse or any other of your faire flourishing family who for the diseased Ladies sake may peradventure be pleased to take notice of it or any other of Gods people any where belonging to the household of God may in the influence of it the Spirit of God working by it receive any furtherance in the wayes of God and hereby gaine any nearer communion with the fountaine of life our blessed Saviour my desired end is accomplished Thus with the tender of all unfeigned respect and herein I cannot but remember him as interessed in the same whom mine obliged thoughts suffer not to forget your dear Father in law Sir Charles Crofts mine honoured friend together with the very good Lady the Lady Crofts his prudent vertuous and duly respected wife I shall ever petition the Father of mercies that your Tabernacle may be peacefull
your cup overflowing your wayes prosperous your children gracious your dayes many your death comfortable your salvation sure and that through him that loved us and gave himselfe for us Christ our Lord To whom be glory for ever Amen Your servant in the Lord EDMUND PINCHBECK The Fountaine of Life or Life in its derivation from CHRIST PROV 8.35 Who so findeth me findeth life AS the faithfull devout soul admires the beauty and perfection of her beloved sets her highest estimate upon him makes him her sole and only glory and in strong desires of communion with him is so inflamed in her affections that she becomes even sick of Love Cant. 2.5 So she preferres the knowledge of him that excellent knowledge as the Apostle cals it Phil. 3.8 above all the knowledge in the world she counts that knowledge not only her deepest learning but highest happinesse upon earth even her eternal life as Christ himselfe stiles it John 17.3 How resolute the Apostle advances this knowledge unwilling to exchange it for any other you fee by that in the 1 Cor. 2.2 I determined not to know any thing among you c. The Corinthians affected learning many of them addicted themselves to the study of arts and sciences and were such good proficients in the same that Tully calls Corinth Lumeu totius Graeciae the eye and light of all Greece But what was all this Corinthian learning the Apostle being Judge to the glad tidings of salvation what was all their Ethicks Politicks their Philosophical depths Rhetorical straines Poetical devices to that great mystery of godlinesse God manifest in the flesh the Apostle sees such an emptinesse in mans wisdome precisely considered in it selfe that he will not own it but rejects it as altogether unworthy to stand in competition with the deep things of God As St. Austin professes of himselfe that it abated the heat of his love to Tullies Hortensius a book whereof he was formerly much enamoured only upon this ground as himselfe makes the relation because in that book the name of Christ was not to be found So for all the people of God he that hath ever rightly tasted the honey and honey-comb of Evangelical sweetnesse can never terminate his desires never rest fully satisfied in any contentment how pleasing to flesh and blood or glorious soever it be in the eye of the world that relates not to Christ is not perfumed with the odours of his merits is not inscribed with that holy and reverend name Jesus Hence it is that the Sunne-clothed woman Rev. 12.1 the embleme of the whole Church is said to have the Moon under her foot but upon her head a crown of twelve starres as for the world all the inferiour things of this life which for their inconstant mutability are as the Moone she lightly regards But as for the Doctrine of the Gospel that divine light made known to the world by those great Luminaries those bright shining starres in the right hand of Christ the twelve Apostles that she prizes as a crowne of glory that she highly exalts so honours that all other things are as nothing to her in comparison of it And this the saints do not from a precipitate rashnesse but from all deliberation and advice I count all things but losse c. Phil. 3.8 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the place before quoted 1 Cor. 2.2 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here are words of censure and judgement I determined I count as if the Apostle should say I see good reason why I should magnifie this knowledge I have good ground for it why I should purchase it with the losse of all things But why is it so desirable what do the people of God discerne in it to be so inamoured on it In a word it only availes to make wise unto salvation 2. Tim. 3.15 It was paradventure a rash censure which was put upon Aristotle that great Master and Prince of Philosophers Vae tibi Aristoteles laudaris ubi non es damnaris ubi es Wo to thee Aristotle that art admired where thou art not but damn'd where thou art But I wish it prove not oft too true amongst men of highest endowments what Austin speaking by Anthony the hermite was once a fraid of for his own particular Indocti rapiunt coelum c. The unlearned take heaven by violence whilest we with all our learning such learning are tumbling down to hell Yea it matters not what a mans qualifications be suppose there were a man as was spoken by one Berengarius that did know all knowables were wiser then he that was wiser then all the children of the East 1. King 4. were able to fathom the depths of all secrets comprehend the mysterie of all arts and sciences what then did he not amidst all these his intellectual treasures discern the unsearchable riches of Christ as the Apostle calls them Eph. 3.8 did he not know him the knowledge of whom is our Justification Isaiah 35.11 he would still for all this be found to abide in darknesse still to remaine a poore miserable forlorn man But why do I make such a preface premise such a commendation of this super-excellent evangelical knowledge but that I might ingratiate my text and gaine your attention to the same for what is the substance and burthen of it but Christ Christ in his relation to the Church Christ as the aime and scope of our endeavours Christ as the fountaine of life the Author of our happinesse Now as the starre did the wise men of old if it bring us into the sight and vision of our blessed Saviour deserves it not to be heeded and observed accordingly Oh that it had some Apollos some golden-mouthed Chrysostome whose tongue might be as the pen of a ready writer every way furnisht to a full discovery of the same then like Peter at the transfiguration of Christ upon the mount you would think it good to be here good through my text like that grate or lattice the spouse speaks of Cant. 2.9 to behold him that is so faire and ruddy Cant. 5.10 fairer then then sonnes of men Psal 45.2 even the expresse image and brightnesse of his Fathers glory Heb. 1.3 Now for the answerable correspondency it beares to the present occasion In times of heavinesse and dejection when the heart is perplexed and troubled when the sould to speake in Jeremies phrase is fill'd with bitternesse and made drunk with worme-wood what more seasonable then words of comfort and consolation according to that of Solomon Heavinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoop but a good word maketh it glad Prov. 12.25 Now for funeral heavinesse when the mourners go abroad in the streets for such sorrows as these that so deeply afflict us for the present what words more comfortable more cordial and refreshful then a doctrine of life of such a life as knows no death as triumphs over death as can expostulate with death in the words of the
Apostle O death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victory such a life there is to be had in Christ and such a life my my text tenders He that findeth me findeth life The intent and scope of my text is to impresse upon us the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ the argument is from the utility and benefit of it that which brings an happy and blessed life the life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter such a life as my text speaks of deserves by all meanes possible with all intention and diligence to be sought after and inquired into but such is the Lord Jevus Christ In the words you have first the fountaine of our happinesse Me Secondly the benefit derived from the same and that 's Life Thirdly the imployment of a Christian about these blessed objects and that 's finding Lastly the party interessed in the same and that is set down indefinitely and without limitation who That is any one of what estate and condition soeve he be For the first Whoso findeth me Me who is it that makes us so happy and blessed if found by us The holy Spirit describes him by diverse characters and properties in the precedent verses as first by his name and title and that is wisdome the Hebrew word in Prov. 1.20 and Prov. 9.1 and so in some other places of this book is found in the plural number to note that this wisdome is the perfection of wisdome him in whom all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge are hid as the Apostle describes him Col. 2.3 Secondly by his zeal that he beares to the good of the sonnes of men this wisdome stands and calls and cryes and puts forth her voice there 's her importunity by the wayes places of the paths tops of the high places the gates entry into the city the coming in of the doores there 's her vigilancy circumspection laying hold of opportunities and why doth wisdome take all this paines the end she aimeth at is to make us spiritually wise because we are simple and foolish she would have us to understand wisdome and be of an understanding heart vers 1.2 3 4 5. Thirdly from the excellency of her doctrine Give eare and I will speak c. verse 6. There may be frowardnesse perversenesse wickednesse in the doctrine of men but there 's nothing but verity truth sincerity righteousnesse in the doctrine of Christ the doctrines of men may be vaine fruitlesse but this is of highest concernment do you tell of silver and gold c all things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her from the 6 verse to the 12. Fourthly from her effects and consequents where wisdome is there is prudence counsel strength exaltation preferment support of thrones decrees of justice righteousnesse holinesse riches durable riches honour from the 12. verse to the 22. Fifthly from he eternity before his works of old depths fountaines hills mountaines heavens clouds c. from verse 22. to the 30. Sixtly from Gods delight and complacency in her I was brought up with him c. verse 30. Lastly from the delight this wisdome takes amongst the sonnes of men verse 31. From all which in the union of them you may gather what Majesty resides in the words of my text here 's no lesse then perfection it selfe the uncreated wisdome of God the Lord Jesus Christ From when we may note the all-sufficiency of our blessed Saviour ¶ How the Lord Jesus the Lord of life whom we professe upon whom we depend for salvation is a Saviour every way furnisht for the accomplishment of our happinesse He that hath such wisdome zeal doctrine endowments eternity acceptance with God love to the sonnes of men must needs prevaile in what he undertakes How Christ is qualified for the salvation of his people you may gather by that in Col. 1.19 It pleased the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fulnesse in the latitude of it to pardon sinne heal infirmities sanctifie corrupt natures infuse spiritual endowments justifie sinners conferre everlasting happinesse are high works the least of them argues of stock of infinite mercy infinite grace infinite holinesse infinite righteousnesse now for the accomplishment of all these here was all fulnesse here was no gift no grace no requisite abilities withheld from him no here was the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 yea what Christ was you see by the stile and titles the Prophet Isaiah gives Isaiah 9.6 wonderful counsellour mighty God everlasting Father c. are we lost in Adam he 's wonderful to restore us wonderful that is supra humanum captum above mans thought or apprehension of his power are we destitute of heavenly wisdome have we not the knowledge of holy things he 's the counsellour to advise are we infirme and weak to withstand the spiritual enemies of our soules he is the mighty God to save us are we poor and indigent he is an everlasting Father to provide for us are we liable to afflictions and troubles he is the Prince of peace to quiet us not only to speak peace but to command peace to our soules To this purpose how full and effectual is that description which the same Prophet makes of Christ as he stands in reference to the Church as the spiritual house and building of God Isaiah 8.16 Bebold I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone a sure foundation c. As for the meaning of the words in general the Prophet intimates and that from God himselfe what a blessing God had ordeined in Christ for the good of the Church what a good foundation is to the structure and building erect upon it such is Christ to the spiritual Sion so he supports her so upholds her so beares her up that the believer rightly founded upon him shall not make haste in a desperate comfortlesse way as if he were flying from the face of a pursuing prevailing destroying enemy where there were no help none to deliver so the Apostles render it He shall not be ashamed saith St. Paul Rom. 9. ult He shall not be confounded saith St. Peter 1 Pet. 2.6 And what a benefit this is the Prophet shews by the note of attention he sets upon it Behold I lay as if he should say This is no ordinary common worke but of highest consequence and concernment Now for the explication and better expression of this resemblance the Prophet delivers himselfe with variety of choice words adding one metaphorical terme to another for the deeper impression whereof it will not be lost labour I suppose especially considering they all tend to the point in hand to examine each particular by it self The first we meet with is a foundation-stone Behold I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone a stone in the holy Scripture is a frequent embleme of Christ and it implies many mysteries Daniel calls him a stone cut out of
perfect liberty perfect charity would you have her to know God as we are known to see him face to face Quicquid desiberabitur ibi aderit quicquid aderit perfectum erit whatsoever our desires can extend unto shall be present and that in perfection Lastly an eternal and immutable abode in our happinesse In thy presence is the fulnesse of joy and pleasures for evermore there are many and comfortable blessings to be had in this world but then as Solomon speaks of riches they betake themselves to their wings and fly away as Eagles there is an uncertainty an instability attends them had you the strength of Sampson the time will come when the keepers of the house shall tremble and strong men bow themselves had you the wisdome of Solomon the time of dotage is before you a time when all your thoughts must perish had you the baeuty of Absolom the time will come when the painted dust of the complexion must be corrupted into the putrifactive dust of the grave but be interested in this happinesse and eternity goes along with you in will abâ—de with you more millions of years then there are piles of grasse upon the face of the earth or drops of water in the ocean even whilest God is God And thus as Moses from the top of Nebo had some view of the temporal Canaan so from these and the like meditations you may apprehend some glimpse of this promised land the filicity of the saints in the land of the living But as Solomons Royalty and State was but in part related to the Queen of Sheha so the least punctillio of this glorious condition hath scarce been discovered O that in the thoughts of it we might ever after be enamoured on it ever after order our lives and conversations to the attainment of it Now as all this relates to Christ as the meritorious cause of the same we may hence learn with what love what delight what stirring affections we ought to devote our selves to the entertainment of our blessed Saviour If the rich glutton Luk. 16.19 from the extremity of his hellish torments was so desirous of a drop of water to coole the tip of his tongue what would he have given for a full and plenary delivery from that accursed place had he apprehended any possibility through the merits of him that hath the keyes of hell and of death in whom there is no condemnation that he might have been translated from that miserable condition into a state of blisse such a life as this would he think you have slighted such a redeemer or rather in full admiration of him having now by that fire and brimstone those unspeakable torments experimentally learn'd the worth of salvation in the absence of it would he not have endeavoured by all meanes possible to have gain'd some interest in him But alas there was no such redemption now to be expected for the outworking of his salvation he had an opportune fitting time allowed him whil'st he was on earth but now being in hell there is an invincible gulfe fixt between him and Heaven such a separation as shall divide and keep him off from all happinesse and that which is a confounding heart-breaking word for all eternity Now if the grace of Christ be of that concernment to the attainment wherof the time of this life is the sole and only allotted season why then consider and be wise for thy self whilest thou hast existence and being in this land of the living thine inhabitation in Sion whilst wisdomes gates are set open to thee her invitations so importunate with thee let it be thy greatest care to improve these faire opportunities to the good of thy soul to accept those proffers of grace and in due time to lay hold on him that is thine advocate thine hope thy peace thy sole and only Saviour otherwise it shall come to passe that thou shalt lament over thy forlorne soule as Christ did once over unhappy Jerusalem O that thou hadst known the things that belong unto thy peace Luk. 19.42 And here to remove such obstacles as the wisdome of the flesh that wisdome that is enmity against God Rom. 8.17 foolishnesse with God 1 Cor. 3.19 death Rom. 8.6 may cast in thy way to impede and hinder thee in thy way and progresse to Christ say wherein dost thou take exception at the name and profession of Christ Art thou not in the first place offended at the alteration and change he requires in his converts because they be all new creatures men of another fashion bidding adieu to their former vanities true it is as he is the King of saints holy and immaculate in himselfe so he expects holinesse in all his followers they that are his must crucifie the flesh with the corruptions and lusts of it And doth not this go hard with corrupt nature that takes no content but in the pleasures of sinne This it was that troubled St. Austin at the time of his conversion Dimittésne nos ab hoc momento non erimus tecum ultra in aeternum what wilt thou speaking under the name of his former sensual delights and pleasures wilt thou cashiere and abandon us for ever shall we even at this instant take our leaves of thee and be with thee no more for ever But how comes it to passe of at thou art so besotted so bewitched with the basenesse of sinne which is nought but filthinesse 2 Cor. 7.1 nought but abomination Prov. 15.9 so filthy so abominable that it makes us a derision to our neighbours Lam. 1.8 an abomination to the Saints Prov. 29 ult an abhorring to all flesh Esa 66.24 yea to God himselfe Psal 11.6 the locusts Rev. 9.8 had the faces of men and haire as the haire of women but the teeth of lions and tailes of scorpions herein see the picture and embleme of thy sinnes how lovely soever they seem in their appearance thou shalt finde to thine intolerable anguish they have lions teeth to torment thine offended polluted conscience and the scorpions tayles to wound and sting thee to death Had Amasa known that Joab had come to murther him he would have kept a further distance from him notwithstanding all his faire salutes and fawning complements why behold every sinne how insinuating soever is a murtherer and comes to slay thee and therefore instead of that fatall unhappy way of sinne learn to know the way of holinesse where no lion nor ravenous beast shall be found Isaiah 35.9 Or in the second place art thou troubled at the condition of his Kingdome because it is not of this world John 18.36 because the profession of his name exposes to every mans hatred Matth. 10.22 because a godly life such a life as he requires is liable to persecution 2 Tim. 3.12 Cyrus King of Persia to gain followers to his party made a proclamation as Plutarch tells us that whosoever would follow him to the warres if he were a footman he should be made a