then die Spirit Heb. 9.27 Yes it is appointed all shall die and after this life bee summoned to their appearance for iudgement A meditation of the soule that wee shall but once die temporally Heare then O my soule if death shall goe ouer all Eccl. thou shalt not escape to day this man to morrow or soone must thou It is not said nor determined that thou shouldest die twice but once If that it were permitted wee should twice die then if one had not well and godly disposed himselfe the first time hee died hee might reforme himselfe at the second essay Oh but not so if thou die il once from this world thou shalt be carried to euerlasting anguish and woe A praier to God that hee would seriously put into our hearts that the time of our death is vncertaine O Lord my God instruct mee that I may deeply and seriously consider I must depart and that my life hath sure and limited bounds and I must be gathered to my fathers Gen. 25. Gen 49. Num. 20. Psal. 39.5 for behold my dayes are but an handbreadth in respect of thee and my age is nothing in regard of thee surely euery man in his best estate is altogether vanitie for what man liueth and shall not see death Psal. 90.48 shall he deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue My God Psal 90.12 teach mee so to number my dayes that I may applie my heart vnto wisdome wherby I may learne the manner and way to die the death of the righteous and blessed in the Lord my God to whom be rendred all thankes power and glory Amen Flesh. Hath not God manifested vnto vs the houre of death that wee conueniently might prepare vs thereunto Spirit There are foure things my soule most vncertaine concerning death which euery Christian daily and hourely should earnestly meditate vpon mortis tempus locus status modus for not only is the houre and point of death hid from vs but also wee doe not know in what place by what meanes and occasions by what sicknesse or manner death shall separate vs from hence A praier for a blessed departure O holy and wise God thy thoughts are not as our thoughts Isa. 55.8 neither our wayes as thy wayes Vers. 9. but as the heauens are higher than the earth so are thy wayes higher than our wayes and thy thoughts than our thoughts grant that in a full purpose of cleannesse of heart I may walke here before thy face and depart in blessed time of death with sure confidence that nothing can betide mee Rom 8. but what shall be good and profitable vnto mee Grant this good Father for the gratious mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Flesh. Seeing then these foure things are of so great moment how may I rightly and duly consider of them Spirit After this manner The time for the first Thou doest not know deare soule in what day moneth or yeere God will â—all thee from this world whether it shall happen in the day or in the night euen or morne God might easily haue reuealed the same Eccl. 38. if it had beene his heauenly will but it is of his diuine prouidence and great goodnesse that hee hath not so done Meditation on the sirst the time Behold my soule we wretched creatures are so corrupt by sinne and are so inamoured with this world that if the day of our death were reuealed vnto vs neuer should we thinke on God feare him or call vpâ—n his name neuer be stirred vp to repentance vntill at the very instant time it were appointed wee should die then would man first applie himselfe to learne repentance but come short thereof therefore it is not hurtfull but very gainfull and necessary that wee should be ignorant of the houre of our death A praier of mans vanitie O my God make mee consider how altogether man is vanitie Psal. 39.5 who passeth so swiftly away truly man borne of a woman liues but a short time and that full of vnquietnesse he commeth forth like a flower and is câ—t downe like the grasse hee slieth also as a shadow and continueth not his dayes are determined the number of his moneths are with thee thou hast appointed him bounds which hee cannot passe And now my God thou who of thy great wisedome hast hid from mee the day of the dissolution of this my tabernacle of clay 1 Cor. 5.1 helpe mee that I neuer let passe any time without true repentance and seeing thou hast hid from mee the time of my departure vouchsafe on me thy mercy and grace that I may so bestow my whole life that night and day Psal. 6. yea euery houre and twinckling of an eye I may be in a Christian preparation and readinesse to die the death of the godly through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Meditation on the second the place For the second The place thou knowest not in what place thou shalt end thy dayes whether in thine owne house or in a strangers in thy bed or in the field The sand-glasse of our life continually runneth out and no man knoweth no man is certified when it hath done running so death is euer present and followes vs at our heeles and ouertaketh taketh vs wheresoeuer it findeth vs it attendeth vs euery where for as the lightning commeth out of the East Mat. 24.27 and shineth euen vnto the West so shall also the comming of the Son of man be If thou therefore be a faithfull and wise seruant Luk. 12.42 in euery houre thou wouldest expect it that when thy Lord commeth hee may finde thee so doing Praier that wee may ioifully meet death O my God make mee euer and continually vnderstand that I am a poore mortall creature who can in no place preserue my selfe from death seeing it continually waiteth in all places and lurketh for me make me meet it euermore circumspectly with a ioifull and glad heart Grant this most mercifull God for thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ his sake Amen Meditation vpon the third thy state or behauiour As for the third Thy state what thou canst not tell O my soule in what state or behauiour the Lord thy God shal finde thee whether sleeping or awake merry or sad in worldly or spirituall exercise quiet or angry or howsoeuer otherwise distempered giue therefore diligent heed my soule that thou neuer bee in such case wherein willingly thou wouldest not die for death neuer loseth opportunitie neither is neglectful to take aduantage and thou knowest well what couenant thou hast with death Eccl. 14. yea moreouer deare soule as the Lord shall finde thee so will hee iudge thee hereafter A short praier to forsake the world Keepe me Lord Iesus from drowsines idlenes and slumbering in sinne that I liue not inconsiderately Luk. 19. as the vngodly which haue no hope 1 Thess. 4. but that
CROWN OF LIFE Containing the 〈◊〉 betwixt the Flesh and the â—pirit with Meditations and Pâ—â—ers in time of afflictions directing 〈◊〉 liue christianly and die blessedly ALSO A comfortable and heauenly Dialogue betweene CHRIST and the SOVLE Written to comfort the afflicted consciences of all those that groanâ—â— vnder the burthen of tâ—eir sinnes REVEL 2.10 Be thou faithful vnto the death and I 〈◊〉 giue thee the crowne oâ— life LONDON Printed by E G. for Iohn Marriâ—â— and are to be sold at his 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 laâ—e in Flâ—et streeâ— TO THE MOST Royall and renowned MAIESTY of the high-borne Princesse ANNA of DENMARKE by the grace of God Queene of Great Brittaine France and Ireland c. Imperiall and incomparable MAIESTY THE holy Ghost teacheth vs godlines most forcibly by the breuitie of our life naming it a vapour grasse Iam. 4.14 1 Pet. 1.24 Esay 4.6 a span long yea it may abide any extenuation in the world Psa. 144.4 as to be called a bubble a sleepe a shadow and the holy men of God come so farre as that they compare it to a thought whereof there may be vnspeakeable thousands in one day yea in an houre Psal. 90.9 King Dauid saith Behold thou hast made my daies as a hand bredth Psal. 39.5 and my age is nothing in respect of thee surely euery man in his best estate is altogether vanitie And another Kiâ—g My habitation is departed and remooued like a sheepheards Tent Esay 38.12 I haue cut off like a Weauer my life And thus it is euident that mans life for its speedie motion in her short way is as swift as a Weauers shittle Ps. 103.16 and passeth as the wind The swiftest thing in nature for motion the Sun may stand still Iosh. 10 13 but mans life doth not stay For euen when the Sunne stoode still a dayes iourney mans life went forward Wise Salomon called it vaine and not contented therewith seemed to correct himselfe and called it vanity it selfe Psal. 62 9. But Dauid his Father goeth farther and saith Man is lighter then vanity being layd in a balâ—ance We so fond we are increase our count of daies as the euill seruant did Mat. 24.50 But his Master came in a day when hee looked not for him so did the foolish Virgins It is good not to beguile our selues in computation but to be taught to number our dayes which is a verie rare Arithmetique If there were worlds in possession of them that are departed they would gladly giue them vs for one day or houre which wee so little esteeme of Besides death often taketh violently from vs the time to come yea from them which are most deare to God Rachiell dyed in childe-bed Elie brake his necke the Prophet was killed by a Lyon 1 Sa 4.18 1 King 13.24 Iob 1.18.19 2 King 23.29 2 Kin. 39.6 Iobs children in their banqueting strucke dead Iosiah kild by Pharaoh Necho Isbosheth slept at noone but was slaine before he awoke c. Neither hath any Liuer surer charter of his life vnlesse he could haue a lease of it as Ezekiah in some sort had of his by Esaiah wherein hee had very ill successe Thus we ought to apply our hearts vnto wisedome perswading ourselues that death is within a minute that it will easily dispatch that which no Law Prince or Punishment could doe and if we would euery day thinke wee draw our last breath wee should prepare vs and repaire to the word and goe boldly to the throane of grace Heb. 4.16 that there wee may receaue mercie and finde grace to helpe in time of need knowing that it is a greater benefit to be a liuing Dog Eccles. 9.4 then a dead Lyon For while that we liue there is space for repentance but after death there is none And this Christ alloweth as a high poynt of wisedome in Marie in that shee haâ— made so fit a choise of her times in bestowing them on such a thing as should not be taken from her Luc. 10.42 And here in this little Treatise I shew that those times we bestowe on Gods worship shall not end with the number of our dayes but shall haue their abiding fruite for euer and shall last as long as God himselfe shall endure The which here I commend to your Maiesties gracious acceptance hauing an eye to the matter rather then to the manner 1 Cor. 1. for I would be seene in the simplicity of the Gospell and euidence of the spirit that the power thereof may appeare And now vnto him that is able to keepe you that you fall not and to preseâ—t you faultlesse before the presence of glory with ioy that is to God onely wise our Sauiour be glorie and Maiestie and dominion and power both now and euermore Amen Your Maiesties most humble and loyall remembâ—ancer at the throâ—e of grace Barthâ—l Robertson To the Christian READER MY purpose gentle Reader in the frame of this Booke is by short questions to quicken and put edge on thy vnderstanding and by meditations to make the doctrine thine owne which thou must haunt frequently by chewing the cud and so by the holy Ghost applying the doctrine more particularly to thy selfe which thing no other although neuer so effectuall a Preacher can do so fitly because each of vs is most priuie to his owne estate For that knowledge by hearing reading whilest that it swimmeth in the braine but is not setled in the affections by meditation is but a vanishing knowledge And by prayer the grâ—ces of God are moystened which cannot bee drie so long as thou resortest to Christ by feruent supplications These three thou mayest vse in the day time but exercise praier and meditation assoone as thou awakest in the night ioyning thereunto the examination of thy heart for then is the soule as it were at home Which in the day time had wandred abroad And so to reade and not to meditate is vnfruitfull to meditate and not to read is dangerous for errors and to reade and meditate without prayer is hurtfull For without prayer our mindes shall be driuen from the things vnder our meditation to roue wander after other matters whither our own corruption and Satan is about to lead vs. Wherefore beloued Reader I haue according to the measure of grâ—ce giuen vnto me conioyned them three for thy benefit for in hearing with others and reading with our selues we thinke we haue to deale but with men but by prayer and meditation which is the very life and strength of reading we call our selues to account before gods iudgement seate for that we reade or heare laying our hearts naked before God accusing our selues confessing our sinnes crauing forgiuenâ—sse for them acknowledging his mercie which wee haue receaued begging the continuance of the gift and so as by these means good â—ffections are bred so by the same we are carried to practise gâ—dlines in our selues And the Lord blesse
at euery occasion and minute I may bee ready to take my leaue of this world and raigne with thee my Lord and Sauiour eternally in the world to come Amen Meditation of the fourth the manner Concerning the fourth thou art ignorant deare soule by what kinde of disease the Lord will call thee from hence whether it shall happen by pestilence maladie in the head ague c. by shipwracke or fire and it may bee God hath appointed thee to be ouertaken by robbers wilde beasts or some such casualtie yea O soule many neuer intend repentance in all the time and space they haue health and prosperitie vntill some languishment and sicknes seize vpon them but who knoweth whether at any time hee shall haue sicknesse and leisure together Haue wee not daily examples how many decease by palsie by sword and sudden death through sundry other maladies of body and before they were euer sicke or diseased or that God suffered them to haue the benefit of their bed and rest A praier to forsake the world and follow Christ. O God how foolish are wee miserable and fond creatures how smal heed and attention giue wee to daily occurrences The fowle is an vnreasonable creature yet when it seeth another to bee killed beside it shee presently swingeth and flieth away and when it spieth a man to bend his bow aime at it there is no longer staying but quickly conueieth it selfe thither where it may bee secure and safe Euen so O soule death breakes in all places many mens hearts and they do fall on euery side then feare O soule and flie from sinne to righteousnesse from hell to heauen from this damnable and deceitfull world to Iesus Christ that then thou maist boldly say Now shoot death when thou wilt for although thou bereaue mee of this transitorie and momentanie life Heb. 13. yet by a strong and constant faith I possesse the kingdome of heauen which shall giue mee infinitely more then thou canst take from mee Meditation of the soule not to delay repentance Delay not O soule thy repentance vntil thou be sicke Eccl. 12. but worke thy conuersion euen now with-all diligence put not off from day to day thy amendment of life neither continue in wickednesse vntill deaths vncertaine houre approach A praier when first we fall sicke O Iesus Christ my Redeemer preserue me from a painfull sicknesse violent and hastie death ouertake mee not in my sinnes and suffer mee not to die without repentance and giue vnto mee if it be thy pleasure a quiet and patient departure that without great paine and griefe I may in my right wits attaine a blessed end confessing thy most holy name vntill the last gaspe and so to commend my soule and spirit with my whole heart carefully into thy mercifull hands my most gratious and louing Sauiour and Redeemer to whom with God the Father and the holy spirit be rendred from the bottome of my heart all honour power might maiestie and dominion now and for euer Amen CHAP. II. Wherein is comprehended the true and right art to die well and first of Christian repentance Flesh. BEcause wee neuer are vnpursued by death it is very needfull therefore that both Young and Old Great and Small Rich and Poore should learne the art of dying blessedly Spirit Yes truely daily examples may teach vs so for consider thy neighbour like as he is dead so shalt thou bee yesterday was his this day for thee Eccl 38. to day a King to morrow dead yea ô Soule death is like a Mower Eccl. 10. which walkes in a greene meadowe cutting with his Sithe all he commeth at and maketh no account whether it be grasse thistle or rose neither considereth hee how old how beautifull or how pretious the hearbes bee there are none too strong for him none too young no castle for height nor bulwarke for securitie can hold him backe he wil not be corrupted with siluer and gold yea if it were possible that thou couldest giue him the whole kingdomes and riches of the world hee would not hold off a minute to abide thy time nor waite a moment for the performance of thy pleasure and will now this should be our daily meditation diligently to marke and carefully learne the day both to liue in Gods feare and dye in his faour The young mans prayer O my God how is man verely as nothing how goeth all beautie away as a shadowe and wretched man knoweth not whether he shall dye old or young neither can any by his riches strength and powre Ps. 144.4 deliuer himselfe or his brother helpe mee my God that from my youth vpward I may constantly giue heed to walke vpright in my wayes Ps. 119.1.9 according to thy word gouerne me by thy holie Spirit that my heart goe not a whoring from thee that my youth neuer puffe mee vppe to bragge thereof Ps. 73.27 and that I put not my trust in health strength honour riches or beautie graunt that I may in my inward mind heare the end of all which is to serue thee and keepe thy commaundements Eccles. 22.13.14 for this is the whole duetie of man for thou wilt bring euerie man vnto iudgement with euery secret thing whether it bee good or euill Lord write this same in my heart and giue me thy grace not onely to vnderstand the same but also to rectifie my life and conuersation thereby vnto my last end and graunt that I may die vnto sin and liue vnto righteousnesse to the glorie of thy holy name through Iesus Christ my sauiour Amen Flesh. How may I then prepare my selfe to die blessedly Spirit The right preparation to a happy death is in the cōstant leading of a Christian and righteous life A Meditation of the Soule for earnest repentance Wouldst thou then dye blessedly beloued Soule make earnest and serious repentance and continue stedfast therin to thy last for God accepteth well conuersion from sin Wis. 12. Ma◠24. and who so abideth to the end he shall be saued A Prayer for speedie Repentance Praysed bee thou my God who hast no pleasure in our death and destruction but rather that wee should turne from our sinfull waies and liue Ezek. 18. Ezek. 33. helpe me Lord Iesus that I delay not my conuersion to thee and shift not ouer my repentance from day to day for thou hast promised me thy mercie but that I might deferre my repentance vntil the morrow second or third day thou hast not promised vouchsafe therefore thy mercie on mee this verie day Ps 95. Tit. 3. that I may redeeme the time lost by an earnest repentance and not bee taken in my sins and trespasses the day following graunt this for the glorie of thy blessed name through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauior Amen Flesh. What is then true and Christian repentance Spirit Repentance is nothing else then that a man rise from his sinne and turne with all his
heart vnto God which consisteth in these three heads 1 That a man acknowledge his sinne and be sorrowfull and grieued for it from his verie hart 2 That he despaire not by reason of his sinne but beleeue in Iesus Christ who hath payed and satisfied for him and reioyce greatly therein 3 That hee witnesse his faith by a dayly and new obedience both to God and Man A Prayer for Repentance O Lord my God I know that of my owne nâ—ture and power I cannot obtayne repentance neither beleeue ô my Lord Iesus Chrisâ— I beseech thee waken my heart by thy holie spirit Eccl. 1. and grant my conuersion be not hypocriticall and counterfait nor my saith false and deceitfull but vpright and from my heart and may shew it selfe in true fruits vnto the end Mat. 13. heare mee gratious God I beseech thee that so I may attaine life euerlasting through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Flesh. Declare the three points of true repentance and make me vnderstand how I should daily behaue mee in obseruing of them Spirit The first is A knowledgement and sorrowing for sinne for without them thy faith is hypocrisie and not pure therefore learne to know thy sinnes and Gods wrath due vnto them and lament hartily for them A Prayer bewayling the corruption of nature O Lord Iesus how afraid is my heart when I remember the day I shall die my God how sorrowfull and troubled is my Soule when I bethink me of the fearefull day of Doome I may not haue graunted mee an houres respit from death and I know not what moment thou wilt call mee before thy righteous iudgement seat too little haue I been afraid for my sinnes Oh how am I astonished before thy presence for loe my God thy commaundements are before mine eyes yea written in my conscience and I know they are the rule square of euerlasting equitie whereby I should haue beene taught thy holy obedience vnder payne of losse of Saluation but O wretched corruption alas the miserable confusion and perturbation of all my sences affections and powres alas that great euil that hath ouerwhelmed vs by Adams fal my heart alas can no wayes condiscend to the performing of thy will Meditation of the Soule vpon the acknowledgment of Sinne. Ps. 51. Truly I confesse and feele in my selfe that I was borne of my mother in that hereditary wickednesse the whole head is sicke Esa. 1. the whole heart is troubled from toppe to toe there is no health in mee but I am altogether corrupted through Sinne dwelling in mee Rom. 5. fie on thee Sathan thou murderer of mankind how wretched hast thou made mee thou hast darkened my vnderstanding made my will peruerse and backward and my hart altogether obstinate and disobedient A Prayer for confession of our sinnes O my God I know and confesse that in mee Rom. 7. Esay 1. that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good but it is full of sinfull sores and biles and if I had not at any time committed any trespasse yet am I the childe of wrath by that originall pollution for the which I might and should bee eternally condemned banished from thy countanance but alas not onely this originall sinne hath borne sway in mee but also I haue from my youth despised all thy iudgements Psal. 25 7. and commandements which I haue not kept Ephes. 2.1 neither could such is the deadnesse of my nature in sinne but I haue trespassed against both the greatest and the least of them terribly and fearfully in my sinfull minde and thoughts sinnefull words and deedes in commission and omission against thee my good Lord and God and against my neighbour I knew and yet doe that no sinne is so small no transgression so meane Gen. 6. yea no imagination of my heart so little but merits eternall death and condemnation and woe is me there are yet so many sinnes I doe not remember committed in my infancie and greater agâ— which I neuer esteemed sinnes but rather good workes Psal. 19.12 oh who can vnderstand clâ—â—se 〈◊〉 from my secret faults all these will bee laid before my face in their owne colours o how blacke and will destroy mee vnawares as a thunderbolt What shall I do whither shall I flie from thy presence Psal. 139.7 if thou contend with me there is nothing but condemnation for me ô my soule thou vnfruitfull tree Matth. 3. ô drie stocke thou deseruest to be hewen downe and cast in vnquenchable fire O prodigall and forlorne sonne Luk. 15. why hast thou thus gone from thy good father and eaten huskes with swine tumbling and wallowing in all kinde of filthie and stincking sinnes what answer canst thou giue at the last day for thy whole life time Matt. 12. yea for the least idle word O wicked and hypocriticall seruant thou owest tenne thousand pound Matt. 18. and many vnspeakable thousand times hast thou sinned against the Lord thy God ô thou vnrighteous husband-man Luk. 16. how shamelesly hast thou consumed and wasted the gifts of thy minde and abused thy precious heart and vnderstanding cursed are thou Deut. 27. for thou hast not kept all that is written in the Law Woe is me miserable creature what haue I done ô how wickedly haue I done ô thou wrath of the most high fall not vpon mee ô thou rage of the most mighty Psal. 6.1 who can endure thee ô misery ô wretchednesse ô thou vncleane sinnefull and euill sauoured soule I am weary and loathsome to my selfe that I haue become so abominable to my God yea my God I am not worthy to be called thy creature nor that I should walke vpon the ground and it were no wonder if the earth should open her selfe vnder mee and swallow mee vp so that I should goe liuing downe to hell ô lament and greeue thee miserable soule ô weepe and crie thou wicked creature yea if it be possible let bloudy teares fall for thy sinne sorrow thou with thy whole power and strength ô woe to thee thou hard-heart can no feare nor dread waken thee vp from thy dead sleepe cannot the Lords lighted torch of indignation fright thee wilt thou drinke all the cup yea the dreggs of his furie Vp beloued Soule vp addresse thee to a better life least thou be ouertaken in thy sinnes behold the Lords day is at thy dore Luk. 21. and commeth vpon thee as a theefe in the night loe death snatcheth at thee and thou knowest not how soone hee shall apprehend thee therefore speake and I will not keepe silence I acknowledge confesse before my God all that is in my heart O that I had water enough in my head Ierem. 9. that mine eies were fountaines of waters that night and day I might weepe for my sins yea cause my bed euerie night to swim and water my couch with my teares ô thou deare soule lament shed thy
constanter surer and better righteousnesse which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed vnto thee Philip. 3. and is that Righteousnesse which God onely accepteth of Sathan moreouer by Adams sinne hath blotted and defaced Gods Image in thee and deadly wounded thee in all thy powres and operations and left thee lying halfe dead Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remayning in thee to satisfie Gods will and therefore shouldest die â—ternally but on the contrarie Iesus hath not onely clothed thee with his owne righteousnesse Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10 healed thy soares and wounds by his stripes and death begot thee againe by the holie spirit and imprinted his image of new but also he will at the last day cleare thy mortall bodie and make it like to his glorious bodie To be short Sathans course was to take all thy gifts and heauenly ornaments from thee and throw thee head-long to euerlasting perdition but Iesus Christ opposed himselfe and ayded thee in such wayes that not onely hee tooke this flesh and bloud vpon him satisfied for thee made attonement for thee reconciled thee with his Father obtayned eternall remission for thee gaue thee his righteousnesse his holie spirit and euerlasting life but also he promoted thee to bee accounted righteous holie Gods child Gods heyre his brother his cousin his bride and bed-fellow heyre the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinitie Now mayest thou say deare Soule Omnia benefecit Mar. 7. He hath done al things well and therefore ô Lord thy name be praysed and glorified for euer euer ô my God how gratiously hast thou comforted me how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsie and drooping Soule how sweete is thy consolation wherfore now I am quiet and setled in mind and will say truly thou art that mercifull Gate and Ladder to eternall Life Ioh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way Veretie and Life no man commeth vnto the Father but by thee thou art the Way and there is Saluation in no other Act. 4. for there is no other name giuen vnto man vnder heauen in the which wee shall be saued but in thy name Thou ar the Truth for he that abideth not in thy learning hath not God but he that abides in thy learning hath both the Father and the Sonne Thou art Life for hee that beleeueth in thee hath eternall Life but he that beleeueth not in thee shall not see Life but Gods wrath shall abide on him The Sinners prayer to relie on God O Iesus Christ Ioh. 1. who art that right and heauenlie doore without whom none can come to the Father graunt that by a true and constant faith I may euer depend and relie vpon thee by thee mount vp to heauen and there be possessor of that euerlasting inheritaÌ„ce of glorie prepared by thy Son my Lord and Sauiour in whose name I call vpon thee saying as hee himselfe hath taught mee Our Father which art in heauen c. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled vnto the Father and iustified before him by Faith and in my hope alreadie blessed may I doe what I will vntill the day of death Spirit No by no meanes beloued Soule for if true Faith be in thy heart Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holie spirit thou must think for other wise for the regenerate delighteth in a new life attentiuely watcheth that hee fal not into sinne and is grieued in his heart for his owne and other mens vngodlinesse Pro. 24.16 abhorreth and hateth sinne eagerly and if the faithfull man be miscarried and seduced by Sathan or fall by inborne and naturall infirmitie hee daylye repenteth and comforteth himselfe in Iesus Christ whose seede abideth in him therefore there is no condemnation to him Rom. 8.1 seeing by the hand of Faith hee alwayes apprehendeth Iesus Christ and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance which declareth it selfe in a iust sober godlie life and conuersation both to God and man in thankefulnesse and loue so mayest thou daylie exercise thy selfe in forme following A most excellent Prayer for all times to be vsed I thanke thee my God heauenly father for creating me according to thy similitude and likenesse Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sinne and therby became the childe of wrath thou didst bestow and freely giue thy well-beloued sonne to bee my redeemer what shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psa. 116.12 gouern me by thy holy spirit that I may take pleasure in thy Law for in vaine serueth man thee Matt. 15. by mens lawes and traditions grant that I doe no more liue after the flesh Rom. 8. but after the spirit so that I may fight that good fight alwayes keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. teach mee euer to bee of the minde that Iesus Christ my Lord was of who hath left me an example that I should walke in his foot-steps Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. Ioh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Sathan and not fashion my selfe like to this wicked and euill world for her course tends to destruction giue mee thy grace that I may euer crucifie my sinnefull flesh mortifie and daunt the sinnefull lusts and concupiscences thereof that I may daily die to sinne and exercise my selfe in all goodnesse and vertue 1 Cor. 9. helpe me my Lord euer to feare thee from my heart to loue thee with all my power Deut. 6. and with all my strength that all my ioy and pleasure may be in thee Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creatour and bee found faithfull manfull couragious in seeking thy glory 1 King 19. and in all humility euer call on thee I may desire thy word more then gold yea more then fine gold and bee obedient to thy commandements Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward Ezek. 19. ô Lord Iesus Christ enflame my heart with thy loue Psal. 73.25 that I may esteeme thee aboue the greatest treasure and that I may consider what it is to loue this wretched world bow my heart to thee my redeemer that I may repute this earth and the glory thereof to bee as it is indeede nothing and that I may long and groane for that eternall Kingdome to come ô Lord keepe me from immoderate sollicitude and care for worldly sustenance and cause mee neuer giue trust to this temporary life Grant vnto mee ô my redeemer stedfast patience vnder the crosse of all afflictions constant magnanimity fortitude and faith in all tentations and that in the crosses of this life I despaire not grant gracious father that I may humble my selfe in greatest prosperity encline my heart to godlinesse and make my will conformable to thy
cum gâ—miâ—u fugit indignata sub vmbras And therefore there is nothing contained in their records but miserie and complaint of the shortnesse of life as that Totum quod est homo miseria that is All that a man is is nothing but wretchednesse King Xerxes beholding his armie and seeing the number and considering their man-hoode and courage wept bitterly that after an hundred yeares there should none of them be lâ—ft aliue And great Aristotle Omnium â—erribilium terribilissimum est mors That death of all terrible and dreadfull things was the most terrible and powerfull Sundrie of them haue sought and busied themselues for a remedie against the feare and terrour of death but could not come farther then to make it familier vnto them as it is indeed that they might meete it when it approached As Seneca saith De nat quaest Effice mortem tibi cogitatione familiarem vt si ita sors tulerit possâ—s illâ—â—buiam ire that is Make thy selfe aâ—quainted with death that when it commeth thou mayest meate it Hence is it that the Aegiptâ—â—ns custome was in banqueting and greatest mirth to cause the image of death to be borne with this inscription In hunâ— intuens Herod in enter bibe fis animo hilari post mortem enim talis eâ—is that is Loe heere drinke and beâ— glad and remember alwayes that death shall make thee like this picture And this was all theâ— preparation to a foreseene death And so Agag the King of the Amalekites when Samuell was to cut him in peeces said 1 Sam. 15.32 truely the bitternesse of death is past as if he would say I must once dye rather now then another time it must once bee done and then it is gone The secure Soule at her last time grudgeth and fretteth both against God and Heauen for after her vtmost endeauours and trauell she can come no farther then this Ego tentaâ—us rebus omnibus nihil inuenio in quo quiescam After all my manifolde tryals and searches I cannot finde any one â—hing whereon to rest and repose my selfe And when she perceaueth the certaintie of death she breakes out into these words O te dementem oblitum fragilitatis tâ—ae Sen. de â—â—tur quaest si nunc timeas mortem cum toâ—at Foole hast thou not remembred thy weaknes that now thou art affraid of death when it thundrâ—th And as concerning eternall life Plato Cicero and others vex and greeue themselues for they acknowledge that mans Soule is immortall but yet neuer dreamed of the resurrection of the body Yea and Cicero ioyeth in this that once hee should come to the assembly of Soules but whither he did not know O praeclarum diem Cic. de sen. â—â—m ad illum animarum concilium coetumque proprâ—ficiscar cum eâ— hac turba colluuione deâ—edam That is O happy day in the which I shall take my way to the assemblie and conuent of Soules shall depart from this vile and mischeeuous world And seeing they lacked faith the earnest of the spirit and hope and constant confidence in God they held â—hemselues vp with foolish magnanimitie full of distrust and doubt For that excellâ—nt Romane Oratour could speake of the immortality of the Soule but farther light knowledge had he not Quod si hic erro quod hominum animas immortales esse credo libenter erro Cic. de sâ—n non mihi hunc errorem quo delector dum viuo ex torqueri volo That is If in this poynt Ierre because I beleeue the immortalitie of the Soule I am an heretike with all my hart the which â—rroneous opinion so long as I breathe no man shall be able to root out of mine heart or constrain me to forsake And farther did no Ethicke come neither had more prepaparation and resolution against deaths approaching euen as the Hypocrites and Infidels in these our dayes which haue no faith in Iesus Christ our Redeemer And therefore all these wicked and profane creatures must vnderstand that their condemnation shall bee the greater in the last day then those Ethick Philosophers for they haue a greater occasion and more ample matter by the light which now shineth abroad by the Gospell yet they will not rectifie their liues by true repentance conformable thereto And therefore they haue their noluerunt for so saith Christ Matth. 10.14.15 whosouer shall not receiue you nor heare your words when ye depart out of that house or that city shake off the dust of your feet Truely I say vnto you it shall bee easier for them of the land of Sodome and Gomorrha in the day of iudgdement then for that Citie He that hath eares to heare let him heare Reu 2.11 And therefore aboue all things we must consider of the difference betweene a Christian mans life and conuersation hauing faith and repentance and the life of the Infidell Hypocrite and Vngodly to the end we may feele and sensibly apprehend Gods eternall and euerlasting mercy bestowed vpon vs Christians that we may I say seriously and earnestly meditate night day vpon the goodnesse and fauour of our God in this specialty shewed vnto vs. Psal. 1. As for the first the Hypocrite hath no familiarity with God nor sight of heauen but vseth the precious gifts of God after the same manner as doth the swine the akornes vnder the tree being neuer mindefull that there is a God iâ— heauen nor giuing him thankes for his temporall food health welfare and felicitie much lesse meditating vpon that eternall food but he taketh his pleasure and fleshlydelight remaining on the earth yea true it is that vnreasonable beasts haue a better life then such a reasonable creature although hee be created according to Gods similitude But contrarily the Christian faithfull and hopefull acknowledgeth God his Creator reioyceth in him vseth all his gifts with thankefulnesse loueth God which hath done all things so wisely wonderously well vseth himselfe in those both night day commeth to the Lord his God and brayeth after eternall life Secondly the Infidell it may bee hath heard that God will punish an vngodly and wicked life with a wretched and miserable death Yet neuer giueth place to penitency and contrition vnâ—till death liueth still in sinne yet can say with the Pharisie I thanke thee O my God I am not like thâ— man Luk. 18 1â— an extortioner vniust adulterer or euen as this Publican and therefore it may bee concludeth hee shall haue eternall happines because of his outward politicall demeanour although hee hath not faith in Christ the art to die aright neither hearty repentance nor anie testimony of redemption no sweet hope that God will accept of him much lesse is he exercised in the preseruation of faith and a good conscience to the end 1 Tim. 1. 19. The Hypocrite while hee is in good temporary estate will brag of Chrisâ—ianitie will bee a teacher of others to learne patience
vnder the crosse will boast of his perseuerance in time of aduersity but when one deepe calleth another Psal. 42.7 by the noyse of the water-spâ—uts and all the waues floudâ— of God are gone ouer him then falleth all his courage then is heauen out of his way and the earth is sunke vnder him there is no attention to comfort but hee beginnes to sing Gedeons song with impatiency Iudg. 6.13 Ah my Lord if the Lord bee with vs why then is all this come vpon vs. But the faithfull and Christian heart maketh account that not by prosperitie and wealth but by much aduersitie and many crosses Act. 14.22 he must enter into the Kingdom of heauen therfore if it be well with him he thanketh God for his bountie towards him is no way secure but serueth the Lord in feare reioyceth in trembling Psal. 2.11 And when as it is otherwise with him then hee saith with holy Iob shall wee receiue good at the hand of God anâ— not receiue euill and layeth stedfast hold on the crosse and hath Dauids melodie in his mouth My souleâ— waiteth oâ— the Lord Psal 130. 6.7 more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning I will wait on the Lord for with the Lord is mercy with him is great redemption And if it shall be very heauy yet notwithstanding hee will say with faithfull Paul 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull will not suffâ—r mee to bee tempted aboue that I am able but will euen giue the issue with the tentation that I may bee able to beare it And if flesh and bloud bee timorous and would not willingly vndergoe the crosse yet he beleeueth and is perswaded that neither life nor death Rom. 8.38.39 c. nor any other creature shall beâ— able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for to him that feareth God all things worke togâ—ther for the bâ—st Fourthly the chîldren of this world remembring that death shall separate them from their goods honours wiues children lands and possessions and that they shall goe naked out of this world crie out O death how bitter is thy remembranâ—e to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions Eccl. 41.1 vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things and say with the Emperour Sâ—uerus I haue beene great and now it profiteth nothing but contrarily the Christian Soule doth chuse the good part which shall not bee taken away from it and euery minute iâ— ready to let slip these transitorie things and saith with that holy King Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me thou hast giuen me more ioy of hart Psal. 4 6.7 then they haue had when their wheat and wine did abound The vnprepared Hipâ—crâ—te when hee falleth ficke bethinkes him of nothing else than how his sicknesse came to him what vnâ—holesâ—me foode he had eate by what meanes he got this drunken surfeit Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold or too much heat is vnquiet and impatiâ—nt that such mischance should betide him But the faithfull man knoweth that all the haires of his head are numbred and that the pretious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords speciall pleasure and therefore imputeth all vnto Sin My owne wickednesse hath corrected mee Ierem. 2.19 and my turnings backe haue reproued mee I know therefore and behold it that it is an euill thing and bitter that I haue forsaken the Lord my God and that his feare was not in mee And he beginneth with Paule to say Fâ—r this cause am I weake and sicke 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 for if I would iudge my selfe I should not bee iudged of thee but when I am iudged of thee I am chastised of the Lord because I should not be condemned with the world whereby hee is taught repentance and amendment of Life The Wicked and Infidells doe neuer worke vpon their Soules vntill they be sicke then first begin they to bee holie and before that time all their dayes they haue beene enemies to the Word and Ministerie But now must the Preacher be sent for and with sugred speeches must be entreated for consolation c. But the faithfull Christian is euerie minute in preparation to a blessed death and neuer suffereth himselfe to fall into that condition and behauior of life wherin he would not die and therefore can say with constant magnanimitie Come Lord Iesus my Ioy and Comforter euery houre I attend thee come when thou â—i't I am readie And when neuer so little sicknesse ouertakes him then saith hee with mirth of heart Now let Thou thie Seruant depart in peace 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate whenas he lacketh counsell and helpe in sicknsse hath recourse to Sathan Witches and to vnlawfull meanes and saith most desperately If God will not helpe then helpe Deuill But the Christian beleeuer knoweth that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconuenient meanes and vnderstandeth Sathans policie and craft Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good but that his soule should separate it selfe from the true SAVIOVR Yea 1 Sam. 28.8 hee is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant inuocation on Gods name then to liue vnder protection of Sathan and therefore vseth such meanes as the Lord hath appoynted hee will not tempt the Lord his God he will not seeke after the ministerie of such as God hath not promised a blessing vnto but wil say Mat. 8.2 Here am I Lord Iesus let it be vnto me according to thy will if thou wilt thou canst make me clean but Psal. 40.8 if not Loe here I am thy will be done I desire to do thy good wil O God yea thy lawe is within my heart And to be short the children of this world neuer haue memorie on Gods word for they haue not learned and cannot comfort themselues by their baptisme nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read vnto them with such foolishnesse whereby they may dispossesse the thoughts of death and quiet their hearts but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in gods word diuideth that word of truth puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospell reioyceth in the couenant of mercie in his baptisme seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament wherewith he was fed and refreshed and so obtaineth new trust and ioye from time to time momentanie hee esteemeth but as they are heâ— counteth nothâ—ng of any iâ—y or pleasure but that which is in Christ his redâ—emer that heauenly life and is glad of that blessed houre Sâ—condly how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death for the wicked seeing it by euident experience that he must dye as others do complaineth of mans great miserie and of the shortnesse of this sweet and pleasant life but maketh not preparation
by repentance therevnto but fretteth against God inueigheth against his iustice because man hath but a short time giuen him to liue Now the true Christian touched with the daily examples of humane infirmitie and corruption groaneth because of that our first fall lamenteth for his sinnes and wickednesse for the which the diuine punishment ceaseth not vpon vs Lam. 3.22.23.24.41.5 6. lifteth vp his heart with his hands vnto God in the Heauens who heareth his voyce and hideth not his eare at his breathing and crye 57. who draweth neere in the day that hee calleth vpon him and sayâ—h feare not the Lord I say who pleadeth the cause of his Soule who redeemeth his life and will say I will beare the wrath of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he pleade my cause and execute iudgement for mee Mich. 7.9 Hee will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteoâ—snesse O Lord thou art wise and thy word is truth Yea Psal. 119. he attributeth the true honour vnto God for hee doth all things iustly and well and so prepareth himselfe euery houre of the day to a blessed departure Againe the Hypocrite when his heart meditateth on death is afraid for the terrible visage and countenance thereof for flesh and bloud can doe no lesse for death is our enemie and killeth vs all but the hopefull christian openeth the eyes of faith looketh vpon death not according to the Law but according to the Gospell comforts him in his Lord Iesus Christ Ioh. 11.11 who hath changed the bitternes of death and made it a sweet sleepe and beleeueth constantly that hee shall not dye but quietly rest vn-the Lord shall awake him vp by the shout of the Arch-angell and trumpet of God The wretched Hypocrite when hee considereth how that death shall after a most fearefull manner apprehend him and make him an ill fauâ—ured Corps which must be hidden from the eyes and cast in the bosome of the cold Earth Then beginneth hee to sorrow and weepe his courage is gone and can doe no more than king Xâ—rxes who hearing mention made of Earth did say Missahaec faciamus Hie. in polyh neque tristiis rerum mentionem faciamus cum iucunda in manibus habeamus Away with these things for they are sorrowfull and let vs to our iollitie and mirth But the religious Christian proceedeth plus vltra a great way further bidds feare adue looketh through the terrour of death and corruption of the graue he passeth not for the hoâ—rible dissolution of his bodie neyther that he shall be corrupt and rot in the earth for he seeth a great deale further how in the last day he shal come forth beautifull and pleasant and be made like the glorious bodie of his Sauiour Ieâ—us Christ. Besides this the Wicked and Prophane bethinkes him selfe on his death and considereth that once he must die and that he cannot chuse and here hâ—s wits faile him and in this exâ—gent and strait he knoweth not whether to turne him to what way he should betake him only he hoysteth vp courage plucketh vp a good heart that â—f it were once done and tâ—at debt payd â—o nature then were it ouer But the godlie Sâ—ule lifteneth not to temporary magnanimitie neâ—ither relieth on the flâ—shly courage and arme but vpon the consolation of the holie spirit which dwelleth in him which hee hath tasted by true faith Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding which also wil keep his hart and mind though Iesus Christ to eternall Life Besides the Infidell when he feeles death comming is at his wits end hath no counsel that is no faith no hope yea no certayne word to anchor vpon no confidence to rest on how hee may depart from hence but is râ—plenished with feare and raging tumult within himselfe neuer casteth his eyes on the great Almightie God But on the contrarie the righteous Christian hath fraught himselfe with faith and hope Rom. 8.73 and with vnspeakeable groanes waiting for the adoption to wit the redemptâ—on of our boâ—ies to the which he ioineth the true word of God which cannot deceiue giueth it place and roome in his heart and saith powerfully and gladly Ioh. 8.12 Thou Lord Iesus art the light of the world he that followeth Thee and keepeth thy Word shall not walke in darknesse but haue the light of Life Now againe the Wicked dissembling and counterfeit Christian when he is vndâ—r the power of death complaineth that he is forsaken all his friends kinsmen and brethren doo stand from him and none will helpe But the sparke of Faith in the religious mans heart saith Lord whom haue I in heauen but Thee Ps. 73.25.26 and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides Thee although my flesh and my heart fayle God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer for he knoweth that God giueth onely helpe from â—rouble Ps. 60.11 for vaine is the helpe of Man Through God I shall do valiantly for he it is that shall tread downe my enemies for hee builds and God onely and that if hee bee with him nothing can be against him for he hath the holie Trinitie dwelling in his heart and manie holie Angells at his sicke bed attending for his Soule and abiding to carrie it into Abrahams bâ—sâ—me Now when the Infidell doth heare that his Soule is immortall that after this life there shall be another wherein the blessed of the Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for them from the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 and that the wicked shall goe into euerlasting punishment then he trembleth quaketh and would wish it were vnâ—rue and desireth that he might neuer rise againe for his misbeleeuing heart doth instruct him that if it be so he is eternally â—ondemned and thereâ—fore he wisheth that he had neuer beene borne But the true childe of God reioycâ—th from his very heart that there is another life prepared for him Rom. 5.9 and he shall be saued from the wrath to come and therefore sighes to be dissolued Phil. 1.2 3. and to be with Christ which is far better and that this wretched life might be shortly cut off that the eternall and euerlasting mâ—ght beginne Rom. 5.15 for his expectation is constant and sure wherby he is assured of a better life to come vnto the which hee was redeemeed By such and sundry more Aâ—titheses and oppositions may bee easily seene the difference betwixt both the life and death of the faithfull and Infidell and therefore wee should daily and hourely consider and neuer be contented vntill then that wee haue Iesus Christ our Redeemer Sauiour dwelling in vs by a true and liuely faith accounting him our greatest treasure goods placing all our ioy and comfort in him and that with diligent prayer and constant meditation by faith power of the holy spirit we may euer loue that â—ternal life aboue this
Thess 5.17 while wee are heere call vpon the Lord in all thy actions seek for help and counsel of him in all thy redresse and sorrow feare God hope in him beleeue in him and stay for his comming so shall mercie and grace blessings and life compasse thee euerie where round about for nonâ— euer was ashamed that put their trust in him Rom. 10.10.11 or yet that had called rightly on his name Ps. 145.18.19 for the Lord is neere vnto all them that call vpon him to all that call vpon him in truth hee will fulfill the desire of them that feare him hee also will heare their crie and will saue them A most comfortable Prayer to God for receiuing and accepting our Prayers I thanke thee my Lord and my God for these thy vnspeakable benefits that thou hast not onely commaunded vs to call vpon thy name in all distresse but of thy fatherly loue and kindnesse hast giuen vs to vnderstaÌ„d that thou willingly wilt heare and graunt in conuenient season whatsoeuer is good and profitable eyther to the soule or bodie I beseech thee my good God powre out on me thy holie spirit Zach. 12.10 that Spirit of Prayer Grace and Supplications that I may delight and take pleasure in calling on thee and euery day bow the knee of my heart before thee my Father who art the right father ouer all thy children in Heauen and in Earth Helpe mee daylie to apâ—proach more and more vnto thee with all confidence and trust on the name of Iesus Christ my Lord that I may call on him as a good child doth on his beloued father Graunt I may lift vp holy hands without wrath and doubting that all my Prayers yea the meanest thought of my heart is certainely heard of thee Lend me patience whensoeuer my helpe is delayed Hab. 2.3 for I cannot prescribe vnto thee time or maner though thou tarrie I may waite for thee because thou wilt surely come and wilt not tarrie Heb. 10.38 that I doe not slide backe but still liue by faith Let mee haue thy Grace whereby I may serue thee acceptably Heb. 12.28 with reuerence and godly feare for the Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him Ps. 147.11 in those that hope in his mercie gouerne mee my God and make mee remember by thy holie spirit daylie to bethinke mee of my mortallitie that I may euer bee in readinesse and may pray at euerie occasion from my heart for a blessed seperation from this world graunt this mercifull father for Iesus Christs sake in whose blessed name we call on thee saying Our Father c. CHAP. IIII. Containeth how a Christian man should behaue himselfe when God sends sicknesse vpon him Flesh. How then shall a Christian man behaue himselfe when God shall visit him with sicknesse Spirit Thou knowest not deare Soule whether God will visit thee by sicknesse or suddainely withoâ—â— bodily disease call thee hence The faithfull Soule should euer remeÌ„ber the vncertainetie of death Therefore often haue I aduertised thee that thou shouldest not delay repentance till thou beest sicke but daylie call on God yea the selfesame time thou art in bodily health stand stedfastly in the faith and good preparation wherein thou needest not stand in feare of safetie thinke vpon that rich foolish drunken Naball how hastily the Lord smote him that heâ— died Sam. 25.38 Remember that rich man who denied to Lazarus the crums which fell from his Table how short Luk. 16.22 his being here was Forget not that wretched wealthie man of whom it is sayd Thou Foole this night thy Soule shall bee required of Thee then whose shall all those things be which thou hast prouided Luk. 12. â—0 And what should I say more wee are daylie taught by euident eye-sight that innumerable numbers dye before euer they be diseased truly before God thou art of no better account than other nor knowest thou what chance he will permit to ouertake thee but if it shall so happen the Lord should call thee from hence by bodily sicknesse and cast thee downe on thy bed thou mayest thus learne to dispose of thy selfe 1 Learne to know the causes of thy sicknesse which is sinne 2 Seeke remission of thy sinnes and reconciliation with God 3 Pray to God for a gratious departure and cause the congregation to pray for thee 4 Contemne not the ordinarie menanes and physicke so thou canst haue the opportunitie of it 5 If thy sicknesse continue striue to be patient and beware of impatiencie 6 Haue euer this full assurence in thy heart that thou in thy greatest malladie and weakenesse art Gods deare child 7 If Sathan assault thee resist him by Faith so will he depart from thee 8 If thy time and houre be come giue theâ— ouer vnto Gods will and pleasure 9 If the Lord shall restore thee to thy health agayne bee thankefull euen from thy heart vnto his gratious Maiestie for thy recouerie A Prayâ—r against sudden death Preserue mee O Lord Iesus Christ if it bee thy will from a sudden death suffer me not to dye in my sinnes but that I may dâ—y and night bethinke mee on the hour of my death euer prepared in a sauing repentance in strong faith and stedfast hope that I may blessedly sleepe from hence when it shall please thee but if so be thou do not call mee by bodily infirmitie here am I in all lowlinesse before thee for I know thou art so mercifull and good that thou dost suffer nothing to betide mee but which shall be good and sauing for mee Graunt me but this that I may alwayes bee in readinesse as a good patient that both sicknesse and death may redound to thy glorie And this I craue at thy hands for Iesus Christs sake and in his name I call on thee saying Our Father c. Flesh. Now open vnto mee those nine fâ—resayd heads that I may bee taught how to vse my selfe in my sicknesse Spirit First remember well that as death is the wages of sinne so likewise are all sicknesses Gods punishments whereby hee brings vs to him when wee haue gone astray by sinne Doe not O soule as the couetous and vngodly and Inâ—idells doe who when they are â—icke beginne to wrastle and lament therefore that their costs are spent and they cannot haue health to earne more or else they begin to meditate how it happened them whether they haue Eat any vnwholsome Meats or Drunke any hurtfull Drinkes or if by other means their maladie hath taken them But remember what the Prophet saith Ier. 2.19 Thine owne Wickednesse shall correct thee and thy back-sliding shall reproue thee Know therefore and see that it is an euill thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my feare is not in in thee saith the Lord of Hostes and therefore he who sinnes against his maker shall fall into the hands of his flesh A Meditation of
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his
death and became obedient to admit such pain feare and astonishment of death to come ouer his body which was wiâ—hout sinne it sâ—eweth vs that his humane nature had no pleasure to die yea and himselfe saith I haue a baptisme to bee baptâ—zed with Luk. 12. â—0 and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Prayer against the feare of Death I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast not created mee to death but to life and hast implanted a loue in mine heart to liue I request thee from the bottome of my heart teach mee to vnderstand that death ruleâ—h ouer all because of sinne and ouercometh me grant by thy holy spirit that so oft as death shall assault me I may be enemie to iniquitie and euer flie and efchew sinne as death it selfe helpe me ô Lord that in true faith I may hold me fast by thee for thou art life it selfe Ioh. 11.25 and so may freely and boldly say I shall taste of death although I were dead but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Psal. 118.17 Grant I may beleeue from my heart that by Thee the Prince of life I may be deliuered from eternall death and attaine vnto that euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne Amen Flesh. But there are yet some that earnestly craue to die and long for it Spirit Yes truely but it is to be vnderstood that there are twâ— kindes of men which desire to die The Infidell prophane vngodly often wish to die and that of impatiency because of the great misery wherewith God punisheth them for their sinnes for seeing they are without the knowledge of God and without faith they are not participant of the crosse of Christ but despaire in impatiency grudge against God wish themselues not onely to die but also often times lay violent hands on themselues as Iudah Saul and Achitophel did purposing to put an end thereby to their sorrow and misery but then is it that first they begin to haue proofe of their wickednesse sweet heauenly Father keepe vs from hence But the children of God the more they grow in knowledge and increase in faith and loue of Christ the more they are weary of this wretched world and long for that eternall rest and haue Pauls wish in their hearts I desire to depart and to bee with Christ Phil. 1.23 yea our Sauiour commandeth vs Matt. 6.13 that we should daily craue to bee deliuered from euill for therein not onely doe we pray for deliuerance from transitory distresses of soule or bodie but we aske from our heart that God would either put an end to this sinnefull and wicked world or else come in a blessed time and pull vs from hence to euerlasting rest and quietnesse A Prayer for patience in trouble Now helpe mee Lord Iesus Christ that I in the abundance of my crosses may rightly order my selfe and learne of thee how I should beare the waight of my yoke Mat. 11.30 preserue mee that I neuer craue my death through impatiency much lesse that euer I shorten the dayes of my life which thou hast giuen bee but grant that euermore day by day I may learne to know thee to establish and confirme my faith and the longer I shall liue the more dearly to loue thee to the end I may learne to contemne this world and to long after that heauenly world which thou hast made to stand in the conquest of Christ by his bloud To whom with thee and thy holy spirit one blessed God I render praise and and glory now and euer Amen Flesh. May a man with a good conscience pray for a long life Spirit Vnto this question S. Paul answereth for Christ should alwaies be magnified in our bodies whether it be by Life or by Death Phil. 1 20.2â—.22.23.24 for to mee to liue saith he is Christ and to me to dye is gayne but if I liue in the Flesh this is the fruit of my labour yet what I shall chuse I wote not for I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you and hauing this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and ioy of Faith A meditation of the Soule tossed in the troublesome waues of this life Here mayest thou perceiue beloued Soule that Paule was tossed with two diuers opinions and thoughts he longed for rest and counted it best esteemed it also good that hee should abide in the flesh longer and beleeued that God would spare him that in his ministerie hee might further serue both God and Man yet in both these had this only before his eyes that Christ should be magnified in his bodye whether it were by life or by death So doth also the king Ezekiah 2. King 20.1.2.6 to whom the Prophet Amos denounced death but he turned his face vnto the Wall and prayed vnto the Lord who added vnto his daies fifteene yeares And so was also Paule greatly joyed for his brother and companion in labour and fellow-souldier Epaphroditus who was sicke Phil. 2.25.27 neere vnto death but God had mercie on him and not on him onely but on meâ— also saith Paule least I should haue sorrow vpon sorrow Follow these examples and thou shalt not goe amisse for if thou canst be necessarie vnto God and thy neighbour it is conuenient thou shouldest craue a long and sound life that thou mayest bee a profitable vessel of mercie and chosen to good actions Neuertheles submit thee alwayes to his will and be readie euerie day to be dissolued for time is but lent thee A Prayer for Health and Gods blessings on our Labours Euerlasting Almightie God thou art my Life and Length of my daies my time is in thy hands for in Thee wee liue and mooue and haue our being Act. 17.28 I thank thee from the ground of my heart that thou hasâ— to this present houre suâ—stayned mee and giuen me a healthfull life and good vnderstanding thaâ— in my calling I mighâ— serue thee my God and my neighbour O God thou seest and knowest mâ— heart that I am willinâ— and verie desirous faithâ—fully and truely to walkâ— forward in my vocation and trade and that I haue no wicked purpose noâ— false pretence in my hart I humbly therefore entreat if it shall stand with thy praise and glorie and my owne saluation that thou wouldest prolong my daies and conduct me by thy holy spirit that I may learn to know thee more fully and serue my neighbour more intirely yet if it bee not thy pleasure and that thou knowest it to be better for mee take mee hence vnto thy selfe when thou wilt for I wholely renounce mine owne will and submit me to thy good wil and pleasure Graunt this vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. What shall moue
faithfull and godly affaires yea and as thy mother was left a widdow so wast thou also fatherlesse for Ioseph liued not long with thee therefore thou knowest both estates yea what is hid from thee ô thou searcher of hearts yea ô Lord Iesus thou becamest fatherlesse for all the poore orphans sakes I deliuer vnto thee now my fatherlesse children there receiue thou them it may well be that both I they shall praise and thanke thee therfore vpon that last day Blesse and replenish their hearts with true godlinesse their bodies with soundnesse according to thy will their life with Christian education and grant them whatsoeuer may comfort them in this world or in the world to come Satiate them with a long life and shew them thy saluation ô thou horne of my saluation Thou gouernest thy children maruellously Psal. 91.16 thou teachest and rulest them euermore they know thy voice and follow it grant them patience and mercie that they neuer separate themselues from thee and neuer desist from obedience and true loue to thee and their neighbours vntill thou shalt receiue them into those eternall and euerlasting habitations to be with my Sauiour in heauen for euermore Luk. 16.9 Amen CHAP. VI. Declaring how a Christian man shall willingly giue himselfe to die ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end Flesh. I Pray you shew mee how I may quiet the feare of death to the end I may willingly adayes which speech iâ— had of death Tush saâ— they a stout heart will ouercome death A Meditation of the Soulâ— against the feare of Death But deare Soule these are nothing else but fleshly and miserable cogitations for our owne courage shall neuer carrie coÌ„fort to the hart nor hope of eternall life For these wicked mens hearts are notwithstanding replenished with perplexitie and griefe for they know not to whom they should come to render their Soules O but the children of God haue a farre more forcible and pithie physicke against the feare of death yea a notable secret reuealed vnto them from aboue which is in true faith and cheerefull confidence in our Lord Iesus Christ which whosoeuer hath and thereby shall lay hold on him hath a preseruatiue and antidote against all the terrors and feares of death And why wilt thou O my Soule be afraid of death knowest thou whose thou art and what thou art thou art â—arth and must returne to earth but Iesus Christ is thy Life Col. 3.3 why mistrustest thou Death is thy Life knowest thou whither thou shalt goe Col. 3 3. Iohn 14.6 Behold Christ is the Way and Ladder to Heauen attend therefore thou must and kisse his Sonne and thou shalt not perish from the way Ps. 2.12 for blessed are they that put their trust in him for hauing him thou hast all things and without him all other things are naught The Sick-mans prayer and faith in Christ. Yea my Lord Iesus Christ thou diedst for my sinnes thou hast reconciled mee with thy father thou hast ouerthrowne death and meriâ—ted eternall life for them that constantly beleeue and hold out vnto the end Now therefore there ariseth mirth and joy in my heart and rest and peace and I count nothing of death for by thee Iesus Christ I haue remission of all my sinnes and am pure and righteous before God O he is a good mercifull father vnto mee I am his deare child and heauenlie heyre and now Lord Iesus I am thine own peculiar whom thou hast redeemed not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but with thy precious bloud as of a lambe without blemish and without spot And hast deliuered mee from hell yea I am thy brother and fellow heire and all that thou hast is mine yea I am thy beloued deere bride thy pleasure and thy joy thy treasure which thou hast dearely bought I am likewise the temple and habitation of thy holie spirit by whom I am sealed vnto the day of redemption yea Lord Iesus thou hast so reconciled and vnited mee that I am Bone of thy Bone and Flesh of thy Flesh yea all thy creatures should rather come to naught thaÌ„ that I should bee seperated from thy loue what then can death worke vpon mee surely nothing else but that I may more nearely approach vnto thee my God Therefore respect I not death but haue life in my thoughts and mind and speake of nothing else but life for Christ is vnto mee both in life and death againe yea I will sing and say with faithfull Iob Iob. 19.25.26.27 I know that my Redeemer liueth and that he shall stand at the later day vpon the earth and though after my skinne be perished wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see thee whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not an others Though my raynes bee consumed within mee Lord Iesus Christ thou knowest that I both beleeue in thee and by my faith remaine with thee eternally yea and I also know that I beleeue in thee and feele the sweetenesse of my faith taste of euerlasting life in my heart Thou art mine and I am thine and I am possessor of all that thou hast as life with euerlasting peace and joy what account I then these transitorie things Hauing thee I haue all things I could wish both earthly and heauenly A way with this temporall pleasure and beautie of this life and all other fading and perishing things for thou Lord Iesus art my comfort alone my goods and wealth my honour delight and euerlasting riches I haue trusted in thy mercie my heart shall rejoyce in thy Saluation O how dearely loue I thee Ps. 13.5 Ps. 18.1 Ps. 28.7 ô Lord my strength ô Lord my rocke my sheild the horne of my saluation and strong defence Such faith such loue burneth in my heart to thee Lord Iesus the which hath so possessed mee and incouraged mee that I am affraid neither of death nor distresse for I am sure that death it selfe and all things shall worke together for my best Now come Lord when thou wilt come I say I am certainely and surely persuaded that in thee and by thee I shall haue life and euerlasting contentment then come Lord Iesus â—hoâ— true God conclude this life destroy thou the last enemie which is death place me in my fathers inheritance whereof I haue thy bloud sprinckled on my heart an vndoubted pawne I am far from home heere and a forrâ—iner in a strange countrey take me home to mine owne that there I may sit at thy table with Abraham Isaak and Iacob that as Iohn enclined on thy bosome at the last Supper so I may rest my wearied soule on thee my God for euer Amen Flesh. I haue truely conceiued comfort and and life in mine heart if I could constantly keepe it but I am afraid my faith will decay in time of triall Spirit Thou hast thine owne
Lord Iesus Christ an Almighty promiser and powerfull performer vnto thee for saith he all the father giueth me Ioh. 6.37.38.39.40 shall come to mee and him that commeth vnto mee I will in no wise cast out for I came downe from heauen not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me and this is the fathers will which hath sent mee that of all which he hath giuen mee I should lose nothing but should raise it vp againe at the last day and this is the will of him that sent mee that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeuâ—th on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Heare then deare Soule what comfortable speeches these are out of the mouth of Verity it selfe Wouldest thou haue more to glad thine heart and stirre thy courage Heare the Lord him selfe witnessing who cannot lie thy faith sâ—all not decay thou shalt not bee lost but abide constant to the lad end And againe I haue prayed for thee Luk 22.13 that thy faith faile not for my sheepe heare my voyce and I know them saith hee and they follow mee Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand my father which gaue them me is greater thaÌ„ all no man is able to pluck theÌ„ out of my father hand I and my father am one And againe Mary hathchosen the good part Luk. 10.42 which shall not bee taken away from her A Meditation of the soule of faith in Christs promises How could the Lord giue vnto thee greater security thou hast his promise that he by the power of his holy Spirit shall giue his word for thee thy faith shal not decay and will not his father heare him when he prayed for Peter and for thee that thou shouuldest not be pluckt out of his or his Fathers hand and that the good part in thine heart should not bee reft from thee Now therefore art thou sure both of eternall life and of thy constancy and perseuerance thereunto and that thou through his mercie mayest stedfastly abide vnto the end hee will not leaue thee and thou shalt not leaue him yea thou shalt apprehend him oâ—â—hom thou art apprehended Therefore bee of courage and comfort thy selfe and say with Paul I know whom I haue beleeued 2 Tim. 1.12 and am perswaded that hâ—e is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day And in another place I am perswaded that neiâ—ther death nor life nor Angels nor principaliâ—ies nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature shall bee able to separate vs from the loue oâ— God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. The sicke mans Prayer and comfort in Christ. O Lord Iesus Christ Thou alone art my eternall Portion and Part which I haue chosen and am certaine that euen when mine heart shall breake it shall not bee taken from mee ô Thou Almighty Redemer who can doubt of thee ô Thou powerfull Sheepheard who shall pluck me out of thy hands ô Thou louing Sauiour 1 Ioh. 4.8 who art loue it selfe who will separate me from thy loue Thou hast kindled and raised in mine heart already a taste of the sweetnesse of the euerlasting habitations and thou hast made me haue experieÌ„ce therof by many and ioyfull deliuerances Yea Lord I perceiue the witnesse of thy holy Spirit in mine heart which witnesseth vnto my spirit that I am the childe of God and so fellow-heire with thee thou art the vine and I am a branch in thee thou art the tree of life and I am engrafted in thee thou art the Bride-groome and I the Bride wedded vnto Thee made one with thee and ioyned with thee by an euerlasting indissoluable couenant that neither the Diuell or distresse shall weaken crosse or infirmity loose and breake for euer For I am betrothed vnto Thee in righteousnesse Hos. 2.19.20 in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies yea I am betrothed vnto Thee in faithfulnesse and I doe know thee my Lord. O how burneth my heart to thee Psal. 42 2. O when shall I come and appeare before thee my God in heauen there to liue with thee for euer Amen Flesh. What shall the Christian doe when hee shall not finde such assurance of faith but great imbecillity coldnesse and drowzinesse oftentimes doubting whether he be one of the Elect or not Spirit Hee should not suffer such doubtings and weaknesses to lodge in his hart but remember that the Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence Matth. 11.12 and is gotten by force and the violent take it by force yea thou shouldst bee mindefull of the Apostles admonition 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee saith he in remembrance that thou stirre vp the gift of God which is in thee and he will comfort thee with these words A bruized reede wil he not breake Esay 42.3 and the smoaking flax shall he not quench and hee shall reuiue thy soule by that comfortable promise be not afraid onely beleeue Matt. 9 29. thy faith shall make thee safe for according to thy faith it shall bee vnto thee And therefore be of good cheere Matt. 9.2 thy sinnes be forgiuen thee For daily experience doth teach that the more one resorts to the word of God and pondereth vpon the comfortable sentences of the Scripture in his minde he obtaineth the greater comfort in his heart but especially when he meditates vpon this heauenly summons and citation of the Lord Mat. 11.28 Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest A Meditation of the great comfort the children of God haue in this world O perceiue deere soule how mercifully and louingly the Lord cals vpon thee how he gathereth thee euen as a hen gathers her chickens vnder her wings Matth. 23.37 or as a good sheepheard goeth after that which is lost Luk. 15.4.5.6 vntill hee finde it and when hee hath found it hee layeth it on his shoulders reioycing and when hee commeth home hee calleth together his friends and his neighbours saying vnto them rejoyce with mee for I haue found the sheepe which was lost Consider therefore that thou art euen one of these who are wearied and burthened to whom the Lords Proclamation belongeth and therefore wheere hee saith Seeke my face continually answer thou in thy heart and say I will seeke thy face continually Thus the Lord will looke vnto him that is poore Esay 66..2 and of a contrite Spirit trembleth at this word Knowest thou not deare Soule that the Lord receiues him that is weake in faith For a weake faith is a true faith when as it wrastleth striues and leaues not off but sticketh vnto the word wherein in the promise is contayned And therefore is it well sayd by Luther In
our good for we rest from our labors and enioy happinesse because the righteous mans Soule is in Gods hands Wisd. 3.1 and there shall no torment touch it And Christ himselfe professeth that hee will come againe and receiue vs vnto himselfe Ioh. 14.3 that where he is there we may be also Hearken therefore and learne what it is to dye for it is nothing else than a passage and home going to rest yea the death of the faithfull is Christs taking of them vnto himselfe A Prayer against Death O Lord Iesus Christ thou eternall true Light inlighten my heart that as a new creature I may looke vpon Death with new eyes and not esteeme it for a hurter of mee but for a messenger by whom thou callest mee from this wretched world and translatst me to the kingdome of thy Sonne from this valley of darkenesse Euen so Come Lord Iesus with that Chariot of Elias and take mee from hence Now let thy Seruant depart in peace Luk 2.29 who longeth for quietnesse rest through Iesus Christ my onely sauiour Amen Flesh. Yet Death is verie terrible cold and euill fauored wee become stiffe and so must rot in our graues Spirit That is also a punishment which God inflicts on the bodie for sinne but the children of God look not to the present shew and shape of Death but looke further off consider how pleasaunt how soone how beautifull how cleare and honourable their bodies shall rise vp at the last day and corruption shal put on incorruption 1 Cor. 15.53 this mortallitie shall put on immortallitie Then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp in victorie and by this the holie man Iob comforted himselfe for he knew that his Redeemer liued and that he should rayse him vp from the earth O how beautifull shall our bodies bee there is no starre in heauen shall be so cleere neuer shined the Sunne or the Moon so perfectly as when the Lord shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working Phil. 3.21 whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe for wee are the Lords wheat â— Cor. 15.37 Ioh. 12.24 sowen in his ground which shall rise againe and beare euerlasting fruit So also is the resurrection of the dead it is sowen in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowen in dishonor it is raised in glory it is sowen in weaknesse it is raised in power it is sowen a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body there is a naturall body and there is a spirituall body A Prayer against the terror of the graue Strengthen mee ô my Lord Iesus Christ that I bee not amazed at the fearefull sight of dead members nor when I thinke vpon the rottennesse in the graue and that I shall turne to dust and ashes but helpe mee that in a ioyfull hope I may behold the beauty and cleerenesse which shall not onely bee in my soule but euen manifest in my body that I may bee encouraged thereby gladly to meet thee when euer thou shalt please to call mee to that spirituall wedding from this life vnto life eternall through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Flesh. It is very terrible neuerthelesse to taste of death yeâ— to be put in that darke hole in the graue couered with earth full of rottennesse and corruption Spirit That feare ariseth of the sense of sinne for death is our enimy and God created man to bee immortall and made him to be an image of his eternity neuertheles Wis. 2.23.24 throgh the enuy of the Diuell death came into the world and heâ—rein is a figure representing the deâ—sert of sin for the breach of Gods Law in that wee not onely die temporally heere but must eternally perish be thrust downe in to the darke dungeon of hell and there bee ouerspred with the flames of perpetuall fire with the riuers of brimstone if that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had not come to our redemption And of this comes that terrour and hangs on vs vntill wee come to the graue Euen as a man that had been pluckt out of a great fire or out of some deepe and dangerous water so oft as hee thinkes vpon it hee is afraid so is it with vs wee are greatly astonished and amazed when wee bethinke vs on that miserie wherein wee should haue beene destroyed had not the death of Iesus come betweene by whom our attonement is made with the Father But yet all the children of God should lâ—â—rne a new language and attend how the holy Gospell speaketh heereof for it calleth the death of the faithfull a sleepe and their graues chambers to sleepe in for as Iesus Christ hath taken the punishment of death from vs and suffered the paines of hell fulfilled Gods righteousnesse and procured eternall life for vs so the holy Spirit in his Gospell doth take away the harsh and hard names of death and doth comfort the Lords Elect with a new tongue Esa. 26.20 as when he saith Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doores abouâ— thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation passe ouer And in another place Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall wake some to shame euerlasting contempt and some to euerlasting life And againe our friend Lazaruâ— sleepeth Ioh. 11.11 but I goe that I may awake him out of sleepe Also the childe is not dead Matth. 27. but sleepeth and there arose many that slept and so in infinite more places Heere hast thou then thy death changed into a soft sleep and thy graue vnto a warme bed When thou diest thou art said to goe to sleepe because he that betaketh himselfe to his rest is in expectation that the next day after he shall rise and when they beat the earth of the graue with the shouell it iâ— called to shut the dore and when we rot in the earth wâ—e are sayd to rest and to hide vs vntill wrath passe ouer our soules A Praier for the mercies of Christ. O Lord God holy Spirit take thou my heart and replenish it with the comfortable mercies of our Lord Iesus Christ teach me to put due difference betwixt the Law Gospell abolish terror and feare for death and learne me that new language of Canaan that I heare it not onely with mine eares but pronounce it by my mouth that I may beleeue and in experience prooue that when the time of my dissolution shall draw neere I shall not die but sweetly sleep vntill it shall please thee by thine Arch-angell and trumpet of God to awake and raise me vp and so do I lie downe now Lord Iesus in thine armes as a childe in the mothers lap and commit my soule vnto thee and sleep as long a time as it pleaseth thee
Grant ô God that my soule may liue and raigne with thee eternally Amen Flesh. Thou sayest well yet I see when men are in the agony of death their eyes turne in their heads they become blackish and they sweat for paine Spirit That is not onely to be spied in the children of this world who depart with out repentance but euen in the verie faithfull and Saints of God for so the sinnefull and deadly body must feele the sting of death and vndergoe the the punishment and waâ—ges of sinne and although wee see in the children of God such anguish and smart it is nought for so they easily ouercome all the miseries and bitternesse thereof for the comfort of Iesus Christ is so great that he is insteede of all things vnto them and that name Iesus so sweet that it consumeth all the acrimonie and bitternesse in death and causeth the faithfull in the verie period of death to taste euerlasting ioy and saluation A prayer to Christ to keepe vs from a troublesome death Lord Iesus Christ thou who tasted st the bitter vinegar of death vpon the Crosse due vnto my sin and hast greatly complained and bemoaned thy selfe and in the daies of thy flesh didst offer vp prayers and supplications Heb. 5.7 with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue thee from death and wast heard in that thou fearedst I beseech thee keepe me from a troublesome and paine full death Fill my heart with liuely faith and a rich hope that I be not greatly affraid of death nor terrified for the sting thereof O Iesus let thy deare and sweet name neuer depart from my heart and memorie vnto my last breth that I giue vp the Ghost and commit my soule vnto thee to rest for euermore Amen Flesh. Is there no kinde of phisicke then a man may vse that hee should not taste the sharpe sting of death Spirit Yes verely Ioh. 8.51 for so the Lord thy redeemer hath said Verily verily I say vnto thee if a man keepe my saying hee shall neuer see death Thou must then learne rightly to applie this phisicke which is Iesus Christs word not the word of Moses which is Gods law nor mans word diuels or witches but the mercifull preaching of the Gospell in the which hee promiseth vnto all belieuers remission of sins righteousnesse which is accepted before God the holie spirits consolation and life eternall And this is the word which the Lord giueth to the hearts of the Saints the which vpholdeth them and whereon they relye both in life and death and finde Christ and consolation therein with the which they are so detained and comprehended that they taste not the bitternes of death because of that sweetnes that is in his promise and comfort that is in his word For Christ is in his word and the word carrieth Christ and his power he who wil haue the Lord must haue his word and hee who hath the Lord himselfe the sweetnesse of his grace and comfort shall neuer see death thâ—t is shall neuer be agashed or tast the smart of death and so the Lord himselfe expoundeth it Verily Mat. 6.28 verily I say vnto you there be some staÌ„ding here which shal not taste of death till they see the Son of man comming in his kingdome And again Luk. 9.27 But I tell you of a truth there be some standing here which shal not tast of death vntill they see the kiâ—gdome of God that is they build vpon his true word taste Christ and his comfort in the word yea they winde themselues in the word as a dead corpes is wrapped in his winding sheete and so it commeth to passe they feele Christ and his mercie in his word and thereby taste in their hearts euerlasting life O thou pretious pleasant and excellent doctrine which art certaine and cannot deceiue What would you haue more O deare Soule and for what stayest thou Rom. 3.4 Receaue that heauenly doctrine in thy heart vse it well keepe it daily yea euerie moment Behold how bosting and bragging the world is hauing found phisicke for an ague tooth-ach or for the eyes how costly and prâ—tiously doe they esteeme it How much more should wee glorie in this our redeemer Heauenly and diuine phisicke which hath taken away death the father ouer all sicknesses Thou needest not inquire of the trial proofe hereof behold the examples of the faithfull which haue vsed this phisicke and by the benefit thereof haue felt no griefe in their vnspeakeable paines as Saint Stephen Act. 7.56.59 Who being full of the holy Ghost and faith in Iesus Christ looked vp steadfastly into heauen and saw the glorie of God and Iesus standing on the right hand of God they stoned him calling vpon God and saying Lord Iesus receaue my spirit And Paul hauing this preseruing phisicke durst daily bragge against death I desire to depart and to bee with Christ. So did Ignatius and so Policarpus and S t. Laurance with S t. Vincentius and infinite numbers of others A prayer of the Christians stedfast hope of Heauen O Lord Iesus Christ thou hast the words of eternall life Ioh. 6.68 how doth my soule thirst and long after thy consolation yea my redeemer He that meditates on thy word diligentlie he hath that true heauenlie phisicke which shall neuer faile in time of death but fetteth it selfe against the gates of Hell O Lord Iesus feede my hungrie heart with thy word and ouer-sprinkle mee altogether and at all times with thy comfort for thy worde and thy truth abideth for euer therefore shall I by the meanes of faith in thy word be preserued for eeuer for hee that belieueth thy word belieueth in thee and hee that keepeth thy word hath thee and hee who hath thee hath eternall life and hee who hath life neither can nor shall taste of eternall death for thou art the resurrection and the life Ioh. 11.25 he thâ—t belieueth in thee though he were dead yet shall he liue and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in thee shall neuer die Beleeuest thou this my soule yea Lord Iesus thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee and haue thee in mine heart and that I do comfort me in thy word rest and repose my selfe therupon therefore am I certaine that I am one of those which shall neuer see death taste his bitternesse or feele his sting Grant me this Lord Iesus Christ for thy true holy words sake For vnto thee doe I commit both soule and body helpe mee therefore euen for Iesus Christ his sake to whom bee giuen all glory and honour now and euer Amen CHAP. VIII CompreheÌ„ding remarkable sentences of Scripture with some earnest praiers to be powred out for them that are in present perill of death as also how they should behaue themselues that are present with the sicke person Flesh. I Pray thee rehearse some sentences of Gods holy Word wherewith I may comfort my
the Glorie of God did enlighten it and the Lambe is the light thereof 24. And the Nations of them which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth doe bring their glorie and honour to it And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day â—5 for there shall be no night there And they need no candle neyther the light of the Sun Reu. 22.5 for the Lord giueth them light and they shall shine for euer and euer These words beloued Soule are short but replenished with vnspeakable comfort and although the Scripture had beene more large herein yet our weake and infirme hearts are such and our vnderstanding so small that wee could not comprehend it and therefore the holie Spirit by these speeches openeth but a little windowe through the which wee may see a little glance to the end wee may know what wee should beleeue and hope for and what to comfort and reioyce vs withall But when we shall come thither and possesse such ioy and such gladnesse then shall wee say one to another as old Elizabeth sayde vnto the Virgin Marie Luk. 1.45 O blessed art thou that beleeuest for there is a performance of those thingâ— which were told thee of the Lord. O eternall Life O pleasant Life O perpetuall Ioy and Peace O euerlasting Hierusalem Citie of the holie God O how pretious how beautifull art thou vnto mee thy pulchritude surmounts there is no blemish in thee My heart longeth for thee yea for Hierusalem my Mother For Hierusalem my natiue Land and for thee Iesus Christ thou which art hid there my Life Lord and euerlasting Sheepheard O holie Life O blessed Life which the Lord hath prepared for them that loue him in the which shall be no death for man shall see God face to face for our hearts shall be superaboundantly satiate with the food of Life Oh the oftner I thinke vpon thee the sweeter thou appearest vnto mee O how well wilt thou be my Soule when thou shalt bee loosed from this earthly body and so passe in freedomevnto heauen how welcome shalt thou bee how kindly shalt thou be receyued thou shalt come to great rest and securitie thou needest not stand in feare of any foe or deaâ—h Thou shalt euermore beholde the face of thy God and Redeemer Ps. 45.2 the beaâ—tifullest among the childreÌ„ of men hearest thou not him my Soule calling on thee Song 2.20 Rise vp my loue my fayre one and come away for loe the Winter is past the rayne is ouer and gone Arise my Loue my fayre one and come away Come vnto mee my Elect I haue pleasure in thy beautie come and reioyce before my face with the Angells whose societie I haue promised thee Come out of all thy distresses and feares and enter into thy Fathers rest O reioyce my Soule and be glad thou beautifull daughter for the King hath pleasure in thee O thou sweet Life shew me thy Ports and thy gates â—hy walls and thy manifolde Mansions Reu. 21. â—8 19 Thy Walls are of pretious stones and thy gates are costly Pearle and the â—treet of the Citie is pure â—old as it were transpaâ—ent glasse in the which is sung perpetually a Halleluiah thy light is God the God of light the Son of Righteousnessâ— neuer goâ—th downe in thee There is a feast and banquet where all wearied Pilgrims refresh themselues Ioh. 17.24 O how pleasant is the harmonie which shal be heard there O then shall I find the accomplishment of that promise Father I will that these that thou hast giuen mee should be with me where I am that they may behold the glorie which thou hast giuen mee for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world A Prayer for the ioyes of Heauen O thou Fountayne of Life O springing Well of all comfort when shall I drinke aboundantly of that Water of Life which is thy consolation when shall I appeare before thy ioyefull countenaunce when O LORD shall I see that day of saluation Ps. 118.24 wherin I may reioyce and be glad O how light cleare and ioyfull shall that day be wherein there shall be no euening Math. 25. Enter my soule into thy fathers rest where I shall haue that holy Triâ—nitie one euerlasting God in three persons Come my light and Redeemer and deliuer my soule from from this miserable prison O euerlasting peace Phil. 1.4 which passeth all vnderstanding wherein the holy ones soule doth repose it selfe there is that eternall life which is to know God our Lord and to see God face to face happie are they for euer which are disburdened of this cumbersome and miserable life and are come to that heauenly eternall and ioyfull life to liue with Christ for euer Amen Flesh. What shall then become of the reprobate and vngodly Spirit They shall enter both soule and bodie into euerlasting paine Of the paines of Hell for as the ioy of the godly cannot be expressed so neither can the paines of the wicked and condemned bee shewed for there is such poenarum multiplicitas acerbitas â—eternitas that is first the paine of the condemned shall bee so great and manifold that none can declare it for they shall be cast into vtter darknesse Mat. 22.13 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth They shall be tormented in the flame Luk. 16.24 The Lord shall raine vpon them snares fire and brimstone and a horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup their wormes shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Esay 66.24 and they shall bee an abhorring vnto all the people A Meditation of the soule on the paines of hell Behold with these and such like phrases the Scripture giueth vs to vnderstand that vnspeakeable and vnconceiueable miserie the wicked shall come to with that grieuous societie of the diuel who shall ioye in tormenting them which the religious should often meditate vpon Secondly there shall be Poenarum acerbitas for that their paine shall bee so bitter and hard that the condemned cannot endure and yet they must needes suffer it eternally for they shal seeke death Revel 9.6 and shall not finde it and shal desire to dye and death shall slie from them for there shall be neither life nor death but betwixt life and death shall they bee tormented for euermore Euen as a red hot coldron vpon a flaming furnace so shal they be in fire vnspeakeably tormented and abide in such case for all eternitie Thirdly Poenarum aeternitas for their manifolde and bitter torments shall at no time come to an end for so it is said they shall goe to euerlasting paine Mat. 25. for were it of a long continuance and so haue an end would bee some comfort in their expectation but eternitie is endlesse Esa. 34.89 for it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the streames shall bee turned into pitch which