insist here nor hint about the Earth that the very Soyl where Corn grows gives a various Tincture to it and makes some more wholesome than others as may be considered in reference to Grain produced in Mineral Countries Should I amplify about Waters Water it might over-flow a Volume But this Element being truly Terra fluens Earth in Flux is impregnated with the various Salts and Sulfurs that it finds in the bellies of those mountains whence discharg'd and in the Chanels of those Champions where it sports and plays in curious Maeanders and pleasant Turnings And therefore according to its differing imbibitions is sometimes wholsom and often pernicious to humane bodies Schoockius de cerevisia Bochart de animal par 1. p. 292. 2 Kin. 2.19 Untzer p. 967. Willis Henr. de Rochas and hence 't is of great concern in Brewing and all Offices of the Kitchen For instance The Waters about Jericho were naught causing Women to miscarry The Waters among the Alps procure the Kings Evil. The Water of the River Po breeds the Stone Those at Watford in Northamptonshire make men bald at 30 and those at Carleton in Leicestershire induce a wharling in the Throat Veget. de remilit l. 3. c. 2. Juvenal sat 13. v. 161. and generally the stagnant corrupt Waters of Fennes are dangerous by naughty Ferments for the Pestilence Such as are taken up at Fountains are replenish'd with the Atoms of that Earth whence they spring and such as are near great Cities are not so wholesome especially when convey'd home by Leaden Pipes and landed and kept in Cisterns of the same Metal Plin. l. 31. c. 7. Vitruv. Lang. Ep. Albert. de Met. l. 3. c. 4. Majer Symbol p. 494. as Pliny Vitruvius Albertus Magnus Langius Majerus and other of the Learned have observ'd that Griping of the Guts Bloody Fluxes and Kings Evil are tormenting Diseases to such Inhabitants which I could wish were attended by the worthy Citizens of London my dear native City If the Earth and Water minister so many inconveniencies to the prosperous Health of Man Air. how can the Air be free which is always fill'd with Vapours and Steams from both Whence some Solutions may arise to the questions about the various Products of different Winds blowing from the Horizon Why the Nitre of the North makes the Air so bitter and the Sulfur of the South so contagious Why the East so parching and blasting being mixt with mineral Atoms from the Mountains of Germany Hungary and Thrace and in Jewry from the Mine Hills of Arabia though there may be other latent Causes intermixt Are not some places noxious to the Brain by vegetable Fumes as Arbours of Night shade Walks of Walnut and Woods of Box Nay do not many Animals where frequent infect the Air as Naturalists have observed and to name but one for warning sake Arnold It 's noted by Arnoldus out of Avenzoar that the continual usage of Cats is so unwholesome to the Body of Man that it often produces the Phthisick and Consumption of the Lungs And so do many Learned Physicians testifie by experience In Ramsey of Poysons But to hasten Fire it may not be unfit to observe that the Air may be much impaired as to wholesomeness by the very culinary Fires which we use where scarcity of Trees forces many to use dryed Cow-dung Turff Peat Seacoal and Canol instead of Wood. The crude Sulfur Arsenical Fumes that fill the Air of our city are doubtless great causes of the multitudes of Consumptions within those Walls by drawing so constantly those corroding Fumes into the Lungs Not to mention that the very Body may be much molested by Itches and Scabs in sitting by Seacoal Fires Arnold siquis p. 64. b. and the very Meat that 's roasted and Beer warmed by them is not so wholesome Bacon Nat. Hist p. 202. Let the Learned Bacon vouch my fears who affirms that the vapors of Seacoal as well as Charcoal in a close Room hath killed many and stealing in by little and little induces only faintness without any manifest strangling And to this I can attest with great thankfulness for my deliverance being forced to sit in a close Room for a long time in a late Winter and found evident recovery by change of Fuel O what cause have we to magnifie the Name of God for the sweet Air we breath in and to sweeten it more with the Musick of our Praises and that all within us should bless his Holy Name That every Western Wind with its fresh and wholesome Gales should open the Flowers of Thankfulness that every sense and all their Organs that every Nerve should strive to string the Harp of Praise Ps 139.4 not a thought in our Heart or word in our Mouth but should be known to him altogether in the Echoings and Resoundings of his Gloey That our Spiriturl Senses should be ever exercised in making him their lovely Object Heb. 5.14 and his Holy Bosom the Center of all their Songs Shall the Holy Psalmist lead the Quire Praise him all his Angels and all his Hosts Ps 148.1 Praise him Sun and Moon with all the Stars of light The Heaven of Heavens and the Waters above the Heavens The Dragons and all Deeps Fire and Hail Snow and Vapor Stormy Wind fulfilling his Word of command Mountains and all Hills Fruitful Trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Cattel creeping Insects and flying Fowl Kings of the Earth and all People Princes and all Judges Young Men and Maidens Old men and Children Praise ye the Name of the Lord for his Name is alone excellent his Glory is above Earth and Heaven Let every bright Lamp of the Firmament prove a falling Star and worship at his Footstool Let the cold Influences of the Moon wax warm with motion in the Chariot of Praise upon the mighty Waters Let the healing Balsam of the Sun which cherishes the surface of the Earth its Inhabitants from Pole to Pole inflame every living Creature with his Glory Let the Sea roar and the fulness thereof Let every River wash the Pavement of his Temple Ezek. 47.1 and run under the Threshold of his Sanctuary Let the savage Lions hasten and the ravenous Eagles fly to his Altar and pant to expire in its Flames Let all the Spices of India and Arabia perfume the Mansion of his Honour Let all Minerals Rocks and Mountains pour out streams of Oil to attend his Sacrifice Let all the Vines of Lebanon Eschcol and Sibmah thirst to empty their blood-red Liquor for Drink-offerings Let mighty Aetna Vesuvius and Hecla cast up their flaming Bowels upon his Hearth in Zion Isa 31.9 and turn all his Sacrifices into ashes Let his Priests be clothed with Salvation and his Saints sing aloud for joy for the Lord reigneth Let the whole Earth rejoyce and the multitude of Isles be glad thereof Let the Holy Angels answer from Heaven with
tire their Pens to inforce particular Duties That one Topick of Paul suffices us 2 Cor. 5.14 The Love of Christ constraineth me That love which is called by Solomon Cant. 8.6 the Flame of God I shall enlarge no further than a few points from these 3 Springs of consideration Whence we are what we are doing and whether tending 1. We came say some from the red clay in the Valley of Damascus and tend toward the pale earth in the caves of Hebron Nay we crept out of the bosom of nothing are less than nothing and vanity to compare with the Holy one that form'd us Is 40.17 and are able to do nothing without his Aid in whom we live move and have our being Act. 17.28 and shall such nothings be proud of any thing What have we that is not received and what 's received must be returned to the account of the Heavenly Donor in Joy and Praise 2. We are the Pictures of Old Adam drawn to the life by the Pencil of Satan and sin is inspired into us by his venemous breath and inflam'd to lust after every red-cheek'd apple of Sodom proud of every Fig-leaf and jet it about in Aprons made of the skins of Sacrifices sporting in our own shame cast down at the wagging of every Leaf Guilt makes us tremble at every bush Rejoyce not spiritually in any mercies can neither act good nor bear evil stumble at straws and shrink at every silly taunt against God and Holiness quake at the loss of a few shillings for any pure Ordinance or truth of Christ O miserable Man who shall deliver us Had not the Day-spring from on high visited us we had sunk into the bottom of wo and misery 3. We are passing creatures and whether tend all our glittering shows but to dust and rotteness The Scheme and Pageantry of this World it whirls away in a moment and at judgement are stript of all but shame and confusion what should puff us up and blow this bladder of pride which is prickt with the least pin of Divine displeasure and we vanish away Let 's admire and adore free grace that hath opened a way through the blood of sprinkling into the Holy of Holies and always contemplate and apply the magnificent Gift of Righteousness which infinite Love hath consigned to us that Mercy and Truth may follow us all our days Ps 23.6 and we dwell in the House of the Lord for ever CHAP. VII The honourable Duty of Gratitude GOD is the Supreme Lord Paramount of Heaven and Earth and therefore the highest Homage is due to his Name All Rivers spring from and swim into the bosom of the Ocean The Sun-beams reflect from the Earth to the Sun again Fragrant Flowers perfume the sweet Air which opens them All must be received with thanksgiving and being thus sanctified prove double Mercies Every enjoyment must turn to improvement our comforts must be exalted into helps the Viatica and Supports of our Pilgrimage while Travelling with Peace-Offerings towards Zion We must prevent God by early Praise as well as Prayer Ps 57.8 Ps 60.10.119.147 The God of my Mercy shall prevent me sings David and every Child of David must prevent God again with his Songs Jehosaphat delighted God with Instruments of Musick before his Deliverance 1 Chron. 20.21 Faith must tune an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Psalm of Victory before the Triumph Praise is the ingenious Mother of future mercies As the Virgin Mary sang at Hebron before the birth of her Son at Bethlehem Luk. 1.46 O Heavenly Contention between Mercy and Duty The Eye of Man has a Musclè which Anatomists call the Levator to help him to look up to Heaven A grateful Muscle Unthankful persons cut out that excellent Organ and corrupt the Chrystalline humour of their memories by tears and poring too much downward upon their Afflictions Many mens mercies through ill digestion ferment into Bane and Poyson Zwelser Append. ad Animadvers Fol. 1667. p. 67. As the learned Zwelfer late Physician to the Emperour Leopold tells us of a Noble German almost slain by the powders of Pearl Coral and other Cordial Species that which should have cherisht his Spirits wrought towards a dry Consumption Many like Jesurun wax fat with mercies and grow lean in praises and kick with that strength which mercy gives them and trample on those bowels that rowl towards them like great mens stomachs surcharged with dainty viands grow sick and squeezy over-eat their appetite and confound concoction with various mixtures of flesh fish luxurious Sauces then complain of splenetick fumes and flushes Like Israel quarrel at Quails and make light at Manna while qualms and maukish flegm and bitter choller flings up from their Hearts Ungrateful persons are the Grave of mercies and often cast up their rotten matter It 's an Argument of a vitious stomach to turn wholesome food into sower humours Borrichus de Aegypt p. 282. Fol. 14. p. 239. Hermes after wine took a grain of Mastick or Frankincense to hinder its coagulation into Tartar And Arnoldns orders Bdellium to be taken with Scammony to preserve the bowels from Ulcers After Kindnesses we should take in Medicines against Ingratitude There be many black instances of this base and degenerous Temper Aristotle hath many a sinister bend in his Infamous Scutcheon pourtrayed by Borrichius but for three most memorable in betraying Stagira his Native City in scorning at Plato his excellent Tutor and for dipping his finger in a design of poysoning Alexander his munificent Prince Another was that of the lean and pale Brutus Sueton. in Caesar c. 92. Plut. to whom being found among the bloody Conspiratours in the Senate-house Caesar replyed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What thou among them What thou my Son Being deemed his natural Off spring by Servilia the Sister of Cato A third may be that Nobleman Wigandus in praefat ad Herb. Borussiae who being near death by a dangerous bleeding at nose was cured with the bloud red Burnet by a German Doctor but denyed him his Reward because the Herb was found neer his own Palace Were not others of a more noble genius it might shrink beneficence into a Mushrome and blast the Flower of Love with a nitrous East Wind into the Dust Such wretches are like the beastly Capraemulgi in Aelian Aelian de animal l. c. 39. that suck the poor Goats and by their venemous mouths shrivel and dry up their Udders that they never give milk more Impudence is the Fruit of Ingratitude and genders to all manner of lewdness Gratitude is a high piece of justice and feasts the owner with a joyful Conscience A thankful and cheerful person walk together and is a grand Ornament to his profession The three Graces tread their measures before his door in Crowns of Myrtle Chartarius Imag. Deorum p. 336. They were formed by Ancient Statuaries in shape of naked
corner above all the good will of him who dwelt in the bush of Horeb defend all your flourishing Mercies from flames of wrath and like that marching Pillar of Fire conduct you to that City above whose builder and maker is God where your feet may tread that malleable pavement of transparent Gold Rev. 21.18 and your thirst after righteousness quencht with the Living Water of the Well of Jacob Joh. 4.14 that Water of Paradise which issues from the Throne of God Rev. 22.1 and be replenisht with those 12 sorts of Fruits which hang upon the Trees of Life and drink abundantly with the beloved Spouse of Christ Song 5.1 of the spiced Wine of the Kingdom in the presence of the Father and his Holy Angels at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Samuel Lee Febr. 8. 1676. Triumph of Mercy A TREATISE OF Preventing secret and sudden Mercies CHAP. I. The Beneficence of God the Spring and Source of preventing Mercies THE infinite goodness of God bestows more Mercies upon us in the method of prevention then of answer to particular Prayers We enjoy most things before we ask and oftentimes more excellent in kind and more abundant in measure then we ask The Lord began thus with Man at the first Creation when there was none as yet to know his mind Rom. 11.35 or sit in Council with him He framed the stupendious and glorious Fabrick of the Universe Job 26.7 By his Wisdom he stretched out the North upon the empty place and hung the Circle of the Earth upon nothing He thrust up its Glebe into aspiring Mountains Isa 40.22 fashioning their Concave Heads for Springs their Bowels for a Matrix to Minerals and their external Convexities and Declivities for beautiful Prospects He commanded some Portions to subside into humble Valleys and to be extended into Champain Plains He clothed its surface with stately Cedars shady Palms and Sea travelling Pines with all the Fruitful Medicinal and Sweet-sented Groves Balsamick Shrubs and wholesom Herbs graceful and various in curious Flowers wherewith the lovely Meadows laugh and sing at the return of their shining Psal 19.5 Bridegroom in his vernal Progress He spread its native Landscapes with that green Carpet of Grass woven by the hands of the blew Nitre of the Air and the yellow Sulphur of the Earth into that delectable Colour which salutes the eye of Man with so grateful a pleasance when painted upon its inward Vestment or Coat the Retina He enjoyned the Ocean to compass and embrace the habitation of Man to minister Rain to the Bottles of Heaven and Liquor to the bubling Fountains when strained through the Veins of the Earth And lastly for support to Ships for Navigation and Commerce 'T was the work of his Hand to interweave the Fertile Vales with Chrystal Streams in their sporting Meanders Psal 104.10 curing the fat Pastures of anxiety about Summer droughts relieving the chafed and sweltring Air with cooler Vapours and indulging to the neighbour Villages easie conveyance and many delicious pleasures Neither was his Divine Bounty withheld from the dark Caverns of the Earth replenish'd with his hid Treasures Those deep and gloomy Regions being impregnated with various Salts with subterraneous Steams and Juices to give origin and food to Metalline Concretes for the service of Manual Arts and for the cure of the more obstinate Diseases in the bodies of Animals shortly to be formed out of the same congenial Earth Then his Curious Pencil embroiders the Land with rare variety of living Creatures and his Voice inspires the healthful Air with Vocal Musick from the winged Choristers that sing among the Branches Psal 104.12 whose warbling notes are not more pleasant to the Ear then their painted Feathers beautiful to the Eye of Man His Hand furnishes the liquid Seas with numerous Passengers who Sail under water fearing neither storms nor stifling At length having establisht the Heavens by his Wisdom he casts a glittering Canopy over all his Sublunary works admirably garnisht with spangling Stars glorious for Lustre harmonious for Motion and powerful in Influence Lo these are part of his ways Job 26.14 but how little portion is heard of him We are in deep darkness to what 's visible The essence of a small pebble gravels our stupid understandings the Eye of our Reason is so blunt that it cannot pierce into the shape or Emerald Colour of the growing Green-sword How much less able to Anatomize the Entrails of the Earth of some thousand miles Diameter Who can account for the Sand's being a bound to the Ocean though the Waves toss themselves yet they cannot prevail though they roar Jer. 5.22 yet cannot go over it Who can solve the flux of the Sea either by the Moon or the Earths motion Lydeat Spagnet Enchir. philos c. 20. l. 12. c. 22. l. 13. c. 15. Austin confess l. 13. c. 32. Or who so hardy to dive to the top of the under-wave Mountains or set their foot on the ridge of those hidden Ararats What Philosopher ever fathom'd the Air and all its Meteors in his Arms or formed a genuine conception of that liquid Aether wherein the Stars do swim or of those waters above the Heavens Gen. 1.7 Psal 148. 4. What Telescopes those curious Spectacles of our late Astronomers ever pierced into that Saphire pavement beyond their Convex Exod. 24.10 Ezek. 1.26 Eph. 4.10 the Place of the Blessed and the Seat of our Lords Glorified Body where Angels and Saints stand trumpeting his Praises through voluminous stations of Eternity who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in Working Isa 28.29 Whose Infinite Power and Goodness having finish'd his six days wonders and prevented the wishes of Man by these excellent preparations for him last of all forms the Head of the visible Creation and exalts him into the Chair of Dominion over all this capacious Theatre antedates his most ample desires rarifies his Heart with sacred wonder and installs him for High Priest of the whole Creation to offer their Tribute to worship adore and love him and to sing his Praises But oh heedless Man being fix'd upon the Pinacle of the Temple of Honour was soon inchanted by a vertiginous blast of the subtile Serpent Jer. 17.13 and forgat his Sovereign the Fountain of Living Waters and falling headlong drank deep of the muddy Cistern invenomed by his poison and became like the Beasts that perish But being sensible of his shame and confounded at his base disloyalty and afraid of Gods awful Majesty fled into the Woods to hide his distrustful Countenance yet found no shelter for his guilty Conscience Justice might now have pursued him with the flaming Sword of Cherubims but preventing Mercy steps into the close and shady Thickets and proffers a Covenant of Grace to the amazement of Angels and admiration of them that believe A Covenant flowing from the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1.5
and founded in the mystical Union of the Son of God with the Nature of Man in the promised Seed and establisht upon better promises Hence issued that Living Fountain of all that beneficence that comforts his chosen Flock in the state of Grace and beautifies their Souls in Glory CHAP. II. The Government of the World administred by preventing Providences and Mercies THe most Wise and Holy God having finish'd all in number weight and measure and adjusted all the proportions of Heaven and Earth in his Sacred Balance that not the least Atom of dust in the Mountains or Drop in the Ocean or Vapour in the Air but came out of his accurate Scales and setled in their due place by his arbitrement Neither is his Infinite Wisdom more radiant and magnificent in the composure of the vast circumference of the Celestial Bodies then admirably curious and stupendious in those minute and numerous Creatures which by reason of their smalness fly the sight of man Insomuch that the Majesty of God is most illustrious and conspicuous in those lesser Beings which the world never understood till he blessed it with the rare invention of Microscopes By which we are assisted to contemplate his Glory while sitting under he shadow of a Plant that grows it a canker'd Rose leaf Hook Micrograph p. 124. as well as of he tallest Cedar May not admiration be inflamed to view the quick and voluble motion of those Eels that swim up and down in their little Sea of a drop of Vinegar more then when Mariners from their Ships gaze at the tumblings of Whales in he Atlantick Ocean Or when we consider the fineness of those Spirits that agitate the Nerves of Mites or of those supposable Creatures that may draw their origin from the corruption of those little bodies or creep among their hairs while yet alive As Mites in Spiders Power p. 19. Or when we view by the aid of those discovering Glasses the 8 Eyes in a Spider or the 24 Teeth in the mouth of an Ant as black as Ebony as well as those vast Ivory Tusks in the head of the generous Elephant Or when we delight our Eyes in the rare textures of vivid marbling colours in the flowers of Eye-bright Panzies or the chequer'd Fritillary as well as the prophetical varieties in the Rainbow We may well cry out with Pliny while he descants on the great voice of a Gnat flying about in a Summers Evening Rerum natura nusquam magis quam in minimis tota sit Plin. l. 11. c. 2. That the great God of Nature is never more admirable then in framing the least of Beings But howsoever unspeakably and unimaginably glorious his Divine Providence shines in the management and government of all his works It is yet most admirable in his preventing goodness to the sinful sons of Adam and much more to his own chosen Inheritance As to Man in general he makes his Sun to rise every morning upon the unjust and his Moon to fill her Orb with light upon the Turkish Crescent Psal 65.11 His paths in the Clouds drop fatness upon the fields of bloody Tyrants and his Ocean is open and sweet Western Gales often swell he Sails of rambling and roving Pirates The Earth is full of his goodness Psal 119.64 He spread and fill'd the Tables of Heliogabalus with his hidden Treasures No Inhabitant but is laden with his benefits however abused to their luxury pride and wantonness His Mercies are over all his Works He makes the out-goings of the Morning Psal 65.8 121.8 and Evening to sing He preserves the goings out and comings in of the Children of Men. All the operations and influences of second causes are primarily ascribed to him Psal 139.15 The formation of our bodies when curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth was of his secret texture The race of the Sun the bright appearance of Venus like the Moon and the nimble motions of Mercury and the 4 Planets dancing their measures about Jupiter and all the Ordinances of Heaven they are his he sets the dominion of them in the Earth He binds up the sweet influences of the Pleiades in April Job 38.33 and looseth the frosty bands of Orion in November when he pleases he is the Father of the Rain and the pearly drops of Dew he hath begotten them from the Morning Womb. Amos 5.8 He calleth for the waters of the Sea and poureth them out upon the face of the Earth the Lord is his Name He sends the turbulent and tempestuons winds out of the hollow of his Hand Psal 104.32 He looketh on the Earth and it trembleth he toucheth the Hills and they smoak he shook lately the Cities of Ragusa and Rimini into ruines He cast up out of the bowels of Aetna the late dreadful River of sulphureous flames to run six miles breadth by the City Catania into the Sea He kindles the Lightnings in the Regions of the Air and they answer to him Job 38.35 here we are 'T is the voice of his Thunder that breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon and makes Mount Sirion to skip like a young Unicorn Psal 29.5 6. Whatever he pleaseth that he doth in Heaven and Earth Psal 135.6 in the Seas and in all deep places He causeth Grass to grow for the Cattle Psal 104.14 c. and Herbs for the service of Man the Wine to rejoyce his Spirits the Oyl to make strengthen his heart He gives life his face to shine and Bread to strengthen his heart He gives life and food to all Creatures they wait upon him to receive their meat in due season he opens his Hand every morning the Fowls of the Heaven fly to his feet and are filled with good The Gardiner may plant and his servant may water but 't is God that gives increase to the stature of Vegetables their Verdure their Flowers and Fruits 1 Chron. 3.6 Mat. 6.28 He clothes the Tulips of Persia those Lillies of the Plains of Shushan with more Royal Attire then Solomons As to the Church in special he often and mercifully prevents the fears of his people How graciously he dealt with Jacob in the case of Laban Gen. 31.24 commanding him in the night not to speak roughly to his servant from good to bad and made the face of Esau to shine upon him as the face of God Gen. 33.10 In the time of Famine he planted a Corn-field in the bottom of a barrel of meal for Elijah and an Olive-yard in a cruse for the Widow of Sarepta and opened as it were the Windows of Heaven in the time of Elisha and poured out Corn among the poor in the streets of Samaria Such stupendious Mercies which the ungrateful world calls hap and fortune are the sudden and sweet dispensations of his Heavenly and Holy Providence He is pleased out of his munificent bounty to prevent our expectations with sudden and surprizing benefits
to amuse yea amaze us under the sense of Divine Goodness and to draw our Hearts with the silken cords of love It 's his favour that drops the inclinations of affection into the hearts and tempers the reciprocal tides in the breasts of such whom he ordains for conjugal relation His Eye guided out-cast Hagar to a shrub in Paran Gen. 24.39 40 58. 29.11 and rather then her son should perish for thirst an Angel must point out a Well to slake her sorrow Wonderful are the instances both in sacred and civil Story in discovery of means ordering of method guiding of accidents to the prevention of dangers and preservation of life and the sudden issuing of sudden distresses No less admirable are many quick and stupendious deliverances out of Dungeons and Prisons to great and famous Advancements and by providences to us occasional and accidental flow high and exalted manifestations of God to his Church and people Not to be curious in ranking under distinct heads give leave to mention a few mixt Examples in various kinds Pharaohs Daughter coming occasionally to the Rivers side Exo. 2.6 had compassion on little Moses weeping in his Cradle of Bulrushes Her heart wept over the tears of Moses she brought him up like a Prince in Egypt to be Prince of Israel Thus God makes his enemies to foster their own Supplanters and to build up their own destroyers After this the Humanity of Moses to the Daughters of Jethro in watering their Sheep advanced him to be Son in Law to the Prince of Midian A poor Captive Maiden in the Land of Syria by a few words was the occasion of the cure of Naamans Leprosie both in soul and body And another finding favour in the eyes of the great King of Persia was the occasion of delivering the Jews from destruction in 127 Provinces and the Reading of that Kingdoms Chronicles opened a door to Mordecai's Glory and Haman's Infamy Joseph and Daniel arrived to unexpected Preferment by exposition of Princes Dreams whereby the Church of God was strangely preserved and at length delivered from Exile Simeon and Anna coming into the Temple at an instant of Providence met with the Lords Anointed and saw his Salvation Many of the choicest Mercies fall under this head The first and primary Mercy to the World the Protevangelium the preaching of the Gospel to Adam by God himself transcended the thoughts and imaginations of our fallen Parents The sending of the Messiah's Sceptre out of Zion among the Gentile Idolaters who sought him not and the Conversion of whole Nations to the Obedience of his Spiritual Law was performed by preventing Grace to the whole world and the particular turnings of Rebellious Souls to God are often managed by secret instincts Austin would needs sail over Sea to Rome against the prayers and tears and fears of his holy Mother She dreaded his being corrupted by the debauchery of Rome but God sent him to Milan to be converted by Ambrose and as he speaks sweetly of Gods denial of her prayers as to his journey Confes 1. â— c. 8. Sed tu alte consulens exaudiens cardinem desiderii ejus non curasti quod tunc petebat ut in me faceres quod semper petebat But thou in wise counsel didst regard the hinge on which her desires turned didst reject her present prayer to give in the effect of her constant petitions Many times such who run from the means of their own Salvation fall into the happy snares of Divine Mercy and such who are naturally unwilling to be saved Austin praevenisti ut vellem the secret Wisdom of Providence allures to become a willing people in the day of his Power Should I enlarge upon the many rare cases of special preventing Mercies this Discourse would run over the banks of Volumes Famous is the Instance of that man whose Horse in a dark night wafted him over a Plank laid upon the breach of Rochester Bridge and the next day coming to see the place of his strange deliverance sunk into the deep waters of Amazement and died away Great Salvation did the Lord work also for a Friend of mine M. Charles Morton who riding in the night along the High Way at Menegizy Cliffs in Cornwall which was fallen down into the Sea at a vast depth might have perish'd inevitably had not a man suddenly stept out of his door at his passing by and prevented the mischief More admirable the safe fall of a Butcher upon his Sheep from the Cliff at Dover Castle as the Inhabitants report How did an impulse upon Mr. Dods Spirit to visit a Friend two miles off in the night prevent the Self-murder of that person by a Halter who was esteemed truly gracious but overwhelmed by direful tentations How did an unexpected Fog prevent a second Battel between the English and Dutch in the late Wars And the like happened in the days of King Edward the Confessor upon the Navies addressing to fight How admirably have many persons been cured preserved delivered by sudden accidents Memorable is that story in Tilingius of one who being cured of a Dropsie by the poison of a Toad designed for his destruction became the Publisher of that Specifick Some by Falls into Rivers have been cured of Madness others by sudden frights restored to the use of their Limbs and others by Shipwreck have escaped Piracy And which is distinct as to relief unexpected in deep poverty that of Accesilaus is remarkable who caused a Bag of Money to be conveyed under the pillow of a sick Friend modestly hiding his poverty that he might find it rather then receive it And others that have let fall Money into the laps of persons from a window as if it fell from Heaven As to preventing Mercy in reference to prayer â— 65.24 Sometime before we call God is pleased to answer When the Heart is but a tuning he discovers the Lesson and turns it into a Song of praise Ps 32.5 When David was under resolutions of Confession God actually forgave the iniquity of his sin Gen. 24.15 45. Before Eliezer had done speaking in the case of Isaac out comes Rebecca with the answer of prayer When Hezekiah was praying and weeping 2 Kings 20.5 Turn again says the Lord to Isaiah and tell the Captain of my people I will heal thee And Gabriel told beloved Daniel Dan. 9.20 21 23. that at the beginning of his Supplication he was commanded to fly more swiftly down to Daniel then his prayer could fly up to Heaven So ready is our gracious Father to smell a savour of rest when the Incense of prayer is but newly kindled CHAP. III. The Numerousness of Preventing Mercies THE glittering Stars of Heaven the drops of the briny Ocean and the Sands upon the winding Shores the Dusts of the Earth and the Atoms that swim in the Sun-beams are not so numerous as these excellent Mercies Archimedes could write a Treatise
wonderful Language and call aloud for admirable and joyful returns Lessons sung to Shoshannims the seven-string'd Instruments of Adoration and Honour Let 's hear the ravishing Musick in these seven succeeding Chapters that may be cordial to the very Hearts of Angels 1. Of the excellency of Love under the fense of Mercies 2. The Honourable Duty of Gratitude 3. The Exaltation of the Divine Name for his Munificence 4. The Anatomy and Vnbowelling of Secret Mercies 5. The Ingenuous meltings for sudden Sins 6. The softning Leniment of sudden Sorrows 7. The Contemplation of the permanent Mercies in Heaven I shall begin with the First and treat it as the Subject of this Chapter what an excellent Frame of Spirit is kindled by the sense of Mercies The most noble and generous love is that which streams from Heaven to ingratiate the hearts of Enemies by Springs of munificence to sweeten the tartest and sowrest tempers to break Flints upon Pillows to melt adamantine hearts in the warm blood of affection to lead Lyons in Chains of Gold and tame Hyrcanian Tygers into Doves Masculine and Heroick Love changes the frame and alters the constitution and texture of hostile Hearts Suspicion Suspicions which is the very Bane and Poyson of Love is by this Art fermented into a brisk volatile and balsamick Liquor To stand upon the Guard and watch to eye and try is but a feminine and childish trifling to subdue others by kindness is God-like to melt the Rocks of Caucasus by flames from Heaven Weak and low-statur'd Love insists upon the catch and so becomes touchy and waspish puts forth its captious sting at every buzz of false Flatterers and Backbiters Noble Love is like the Ointment of the right hand Pr. 27.16 which bewrays it self like a soft River of Oyl that runs down speedily in a direct Chanel of inclination into the Ocean of enjoyment He that can command his Love when attracted by the Magnetick Influence of genuine Friendship has but little true love under his Obedience Suspicion and Distrust grows upon the Root of a weak Love Generous and Noble Spirits had rather be deceived than distrust True Love is not easily provoked and thinks no evil 1 Cor. 15.5 it beareth believeth hopeth and endureth all things To lay heavy load upon sudden conjectures is to tread upon quick sands and walk among the Irish Bogs Such a Friend did not so courteously salute me in the street did not invite me among others brake off his speech abruptly lookt not so pleasantly and turn'd suddenly out of my company Suspicion blinds the understanding and is a Cloud that an evil temper turn'd upon the Sun of affection It cast Eve out of Paradise and leads fretful persons into desarts full of Bryars and Thorns It mischieves the owner and presents to himself a Cup to drink up his own Poyson Pro. 5.22 That Person is held with the cords of sin and may complain with Eve The Serpent within hath deceived me When Men can out-wit the Devil in Policy and be too strong for Divine Justice then they may walk in the shades of this Fools Paradise Men never gain by the ill bargain of Suspicion but at last their very thoughts will upbraid them with weakness and folly Deaw not long Arguments from the slender twine-thread of Suspicion We need a Dove-like simplicity and a benign estimate of every Accident Words misplac'd must not hurry our raw conjectures into Passions It 's the sign of an evil temper to construe the worst when a fair Gloss may be more sweetly truly and decently given Believe nothing but what 's manifest use both your ears and your heart too before you whet your tongue and when suggestions once appear to be vain chide your too frequent credulity Be not hasty to conceive an injury lest you bring forth a lye the frequency of self-rebuke through experience will pare away sudden reflections Let not little touches and small scratches set you in a flame of anger Because your drink is not warm enough or your servant slow or the Table totters a little at Meat or the Door is not presently shut to be in a scurvy Feaver of wrath betrays dirty blood and sordid spirits within Because a Flea or a Fly troubles you or a pot falls or a pipkin boyls over or a glass broken or children make a noise or a thing is misplac'd or ancient people cough or as Myndyrides because the roses in his bed were a little doubled to be in a rage shews a proud weak and effeminate Spirit deserves the rebukes of silence on deserting their company as unfit for humane converse Some persons have Souls good for little but to salt their bodies and exercise the graces of others and are alive by providence for increase of wisdom patience and pardoning mercy in their Alliances Like Vermine subtile to do mischief and whet mens fancies to devise traps and gins to catch them spend their days in trifles to spin perishing Webs catch Flies and spit their Venom Let 's turn our eyes from miserable deplorable forlorn Creatures to him whose Throne is in the Heavens and counts it a condescending humility to behold the Angels Ps 113.6 All his works praise him Ps 145.10 and his Saints bless him Le ts set out the glory of his Excellency and admire the operation of his hands with heart and tongue We are too like the poor Disciples that wondered at the Marble-buildings of the Temple Mark 13.2 are these things fit for a Saints wonder Le ts adorn our time by comparing Precepts with Providence The rule of his Wisdom with its product and issue and narrowly espy how God glorifies every Attribute in the management of Heaven and Earth Providence comments on the Text of Prudence and delights in Mercy and Love as the Issue of his own glorious Bowels What stirred up Divine Wisdom to plot the mutual kissings of Righteousness and Peace together but rowling bowels of compassion towards perishing man when Angels fell from Heaven without recovery yet according to the Multitude of his tender Mercies Wombs full of Mercies hath blotted out our transgressions Ps 51.1 Hebr. Let us be inflamed with Love to God that sweetly provides for our bodies out of his Store house from the Air and Woods from Seas and Rivers from Hills and Plains not only for necessity but delight and ornament withholding nothing from us that 's good for grace or glory But the Master-piece the Top the Flower of love shines forth in the beauty of Gospel-Mercy Le ts dwell in the Temple of Meditation upon the infinite Love of God in Christ till our hearts he enlarged and amplified with flames of affection service and praise when Divine Love is the Fountain of ours we shall need no other arguments of bounty to Saints than the sweet apprehension of his Love to us We need no motives from Plato Tully or Seneca who range up and down the Mountains of Fancy and
Virgins chearful and smiling upon each other to teach that kindnesses must flow without fraud with a candid Rom. 12.8 simple and delightful spirit Yea Holy Page recommends it when done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with singleness of heart with a generous frame casting no squint-eye or nourishing any base aim either to elevate the crest of pride or debase others into servile offices And this deportment ingenerâ—tes a sweet temper in the Hearts of Receivers Love is the Cement of the Universe and humanity is twisted into unity by kindness and concord Vertuous Heathens numbred the graces among their Deities noting it for a Species of Sacrilege not to return Favours with an aimiable Gratitude The Dispenser of Love should have a slippery memory but the Recipient should engrave it on Pillars of Marble and Pyramids of Brass The Giver should shut his Eyes when he opens his Hand Dissimulation without blame to chear an unknown person or to hide his knowledge Prov. 19.17 such a one lends to the Lord and makes Heaven his Debtor and surely there is Treasure enough to requite him while he that accepts gratefully makes God his Pay-master by Prayer If by giving we expect returns we fit like Publicans at the Receipt of Custom and give to our selves what we pay to others Self-love is never truly magnificent To pour out benefits upon persons unknown or unable to return shews delight in bounty and the pleasure of Love to see such walk at liberty whose Iron bands we have unloosed incognito A liberal man deviseth liberal things like a Prince Is 32.8 and seeks out Objects to exercise friendship that so great a Grace may never lye idle A brave Spirit judges he receives the kindness which he bestows as M. Antony said Whatever I give that I have The Europaeans purchase whole Territories with a few Beads Knives and Hammers of the naked Indians much more happy who gain an Eternal Inheritance by a few Penies Such a one bestows himself whose Coyn comes warm from the Mint of his Heart and shall be melted into a Crown of Life He that seeks a debtor does but drive a Trade hearkens to the promise because of payment He gives proudly and worships his own ambition and sacrifices to the Drag of Covetousness He deals a Loaf but full of Grits to break the teeth and a Scorpion instead of Fish to sting the Stomach Be kind to such as are hoising sail to the Indies and send precious Cordials to such as swelter under incurable maladies or those that hold out their needy hands in a dusky even Scatter your morsels to them that come from far in a Pilgrims Habit and a transient Staff Heb. 13.2 and so entertain Angels at unawares 'T is the ready way to find Treasure Trove to enjoy plentiful Crops rain'd down from Heaven and Ships blest into the Ports from Storms and Pyrats Others spend their unsanctified returns in vanities while the bowels of Saints almost cleave to their Backs and the next year their credit sinks at Land and their ships at Sea or find the way to the French Harbors while others sail in safe by the breath of Prayer We may stand in need of the meanest before the Sun shines again from the Northern Tropick and those that scrape in dunghills and rake for Nails in Chapels may ride in pomp upon Velvet Sadles before twelve Moons be wained The Old Man of Winchester found it by experience being cast into the depth of poverty by one whom he had opprest in youth Haman may climb the Tree of Justice though planted for Mordecay and blind Sampson may see well enough to pull down a Play-house upon 2000 Philistins Who knows what evil may thunder upon the Earth and where the Bolt may hit A scoffing Noble was trod to death in the Gate of Samaria 2 K. 7.29 who had mock'd a Prophet and jeered at the Windows of Heaven but a day before Cast your Bread upon the sliding waters Eccl. 11.1 which though swallowed in the Sea return through the Caverns of the Earth into the same River after many days A prudent man foresees the evil and flies into the Temple of Charity and there meditates upon both fortunes He reaps at present the plentiful crops of Peace in the Champain of a good Conscience and makes a continual Feast to himself upon the dones let fall to others He that gives to Princes and rich Equalls Prov. 22.16 may come to poverty by out-vying Such as expect returns are like Merchants in the Port Physicians in Cities and Victuallers is in Camps and such as sun their Fancies in the Usurers Walks They are Traffickers and not Benefactors and are often out-witted by Expert Sophisters who are wonderful officious in hopes of gain Like Crows that fit kawing upon an old stump watch dying Cattel with much ceremony and with fawning flatteries hop about them till they pick out their Eyes But whatever be the frame of the Givers Spirit the Receiver must not pry too narrowly into the Patrons Conscience but make his kindness the seed-plot of renown Happy are those Noble Souls who so give as to stir up a sweet memorial before God and man The amiable frame of the Giver out shines the Gift it self and cherishes Gratitude in the leanest Soil Praise is comely for Saints Ps 33.1 2 Sam. 24.23 Mat. 5.45 especially when men with Ornan give like Princes when Jebusites act like Israelites or like God himself whose Sun warms the House of the Evil and his Rain pours down upon the Field of the Wicked It becomes us to let God hear from us when we hear from him and all his Mercies to turn into Sacrifices A thankful Spirit is like a Musical Echo in the Star-chamber of Heaven Man must not only be a Concha but a Canalis Bernard not a Shell to retain but a Chanel to derive mercies Like marble Basons at Fountains when full run over to others and water the parched Plains Our Corn-fields must grow for the Poor and the Levite Deut. 12.18 19.14.27 29.16.11 14. as well as to swell our barns and cram our Garners that others hearts and faces may shine with the Oil of Joy and Thankfulness both to God and us That like the cheared Lark when enlivened by morning warmth mounts up with singing out of our sight towards the Suns Chariot and thanks him with a Sonnet and makes him rejoyce to run his Race We should learn his Lesson and praise the Fountain of Israels mercies at the dawning day Scruple not to leave the Rosy-finger'd Morn abed in Tithonus Arms. Leave the Sun a Sluggard sweating in the watry Embraces of the Eastern Ocean We need not the glittering Lamp of Venus to find out the Palace or knock at the Gate of Heaven The blessing of former the sense of present and the hope of future Mercies should all inflame us Our Souls from experienced observations of former Mercies like expert Astronomers
and a Worm sent to gnaw at the Root of their Substance Many blustering Storms split carnal hopes that in broken planks of mercy they may recover the port of happiness The Paths of Mercy are wonderfully intricate that we may study and learn to discry the windings of Providence God led his people by a right or straight way says David but in a very crooked and winding way according to the Stations set down by Moses Ps 107.7 The cloudy Pillar gave them many a weary turn to chastize their crooked hearts Their Journey took them up 40 years which might have been performed in passing over but 92 Miles from the Border of Egypt to the Southern City of Canaan For Pelusium or Sin in the Land of Sinim the last City of Aegypt was distant but 92 Miles from Rhinocurura or Nahalmizraim Is 27.12 the first City of Canaan on the brook in the South of Simeons Tribe called the River of Aegypt in Scripture as appears by the Itinerary of Antonine the Emperour which at 10 Miles a day considering so vast a multitude makes but 9 days journey to arrive at the Land of Promise Yet in what vast wandrings to and fro in that howling Wilderness did they rowl about Four several times they were commanded to turn about First Exod. 14.2 Numb 33.7 Numb 14.25 Deut. 1.40 Deut. 2.3 Numb 14.34 from Etham to Pihahiroth Secondly from Mount Horeb to the Mount of the Amorites Thirdly from Zinkadesh by the Amorite Mountains quite back again to the Red Sea And Fourthly from the Red Sea northward again besides other Special Turns according to the various Stations in the Wilderness to bear their Iniquities and know Gods Breach of Promise which though failing to them that believed not and so first brake with him yet was fulfilled to a tittle with their Children whom the murmuring Fathers had consigned to be a prey in the Desert The posterity of those Repiners were taught better manners by the Briars and Thorns of Sinai We never carve well for our selves when we snuff at the portion cut out to us by the Hand of God The way to our old Lovers is hedg'd up with merciful thorns to turn us into the right way to the new Jerusalem Austin Confes l. 9. c. 9. Austin says of his Mother Monica She had learn'd the Lesson of a Vertuous Wife not to resist her offended Husband Non tantùm factor sed nè verbo quidem Not by an unseemly word much less in carriages How much more obsequious behaviour owe we to the Father of our Spirits that we may live in his love and to that Heavenly Husband of all gracious and meek Souls to gain his delight in our persons by resembling himself Then out of seeming discouragements we may draw real and experienced comforts Is 12.3 and out of the deep Wells of trouble the Waters of Salvation and Joy As the Woman of Canaan by our Lords calling her a Dog to try her Faith proved her self to be one of the lost Sheep of the true Israel which he came down to find We must behave and quiet our selves like weaned Children under all Ps 131.2 the tossings and tumblings of their Mothers Holy contentation and lowliness of Spirit must hush all the proud whimperings of our minds in the hour of Trial till we become like little Children if we would enter the Kingdom of Heaven Jacob served for a Wife Hos 12.12 and for a Wife kept Sheep in Aram says the Prophet though by an unkind brother was frighted thither and by an hard Uncle was hurried back by untoward Children forced from Shechem and by a threatning famine compelled into Aegypt and all to this end that God might nourish the People of Shem in the Land of Ham to prepare them for the Milk and Honey of the Land of Canaan at that time the possession of Ham's Posterity God glorifies many an Attribute in one single Mercy and teaches us to pry into every one and to gaze upon the Lustre and Tapestry-work of all his Mercies Though God is never the holier or wiser more powerful or just by our glorifying his Name Joh 25.6 yet 't is our duty and his tribute our homage and his condescending savour to accept it The 3 glorious persons did glorifie each other before all worlds and do still The Son was always rejoycing before the Father Prov. 8.30 The Son prays Father glorifie thy Name and a Voice from Heaven answers Joh. 12.28 I have both glorified it and Will glorifie it again And the Son prays Joh. 17.5 That the Father would glorifie him with that Glory which he had with him before the World was And speaking of the Holy Spirit he saith He shall glorifie me Joh. 16.14 yet he is pleased to set forth his Name that we should ascribe the Honour due to it Ps 29.2 Ps 50.23 He that offers praise glorifies him To this end ought we to observe what wisdom shines in contrivement what power in management against all opposition and what mercy in finishing and landing such a Favour in our Bosoms So that when we little dream such an Affair can come to pass it suddenly surprizes us with admiration and astonishment by unspeakable Mazes and winding Labyrinths without our trouble that as we now stand still and see his Salvation so we may all our lives sit still and solace our Spirits with the curious Embroidery of Divine Providence We may say as Naomy to Ruth about Boaz Ruth 3.18 Sit still for the man will not be at rest till he finish the thing this day Resignation of our concerns to the Wisdom of God should cure all anxious and querulous thoughts about Events and Issues If God design such a Mercy all the Powers on Earth cannot hinder it and if it be against his secret Will all the Princes on Earth cannot further it Yea if never so near to attainment yet a trifling surmise shall blast it Follow the conduct of Providence by the Lamp of the Word and this Ariadnes's Thread will lead through all secret and dark turnings into the pleasant Fields of Enjoyment This consideration as it should stay our Spirits in reference to all outward Mercies so more especially as to eternal Where Election hath pitch'd an eye of Love the Hand of Mercy will certainly guide to Heaven If an elect Vessel could be imagined to be in the centre of the Earth the very Bowels of the Earth should open and a Golden Chain of Mercy be let down to draw up that Soul into the Centre of Heaven I knew a Holy man Mr. Christopher Hewling who living in a profane Village in the Forest of Dean had a Godly Minister sent thither on purpose to convert him as that Reverend person profest himself For he was there but a little time I think about a year and as soon as my Friend was converted the profane people rose up against his Ministry and chased him
of Gods wonderful Mercies in wonderful straits should stay and erect the Spirit in hope of future deliverance The Lion and the Bear comforted David against Goliah 1 Sam. 17.34 Receits of former sudden Mercies may obviate our present Sorrows and heal the breaches of sudden Afflictions especially when we consider them as Tryals of Patience Whetstones of Fortitude and Preparations for Service Every Storm escaped adds to the prudent Mariner dexterous skill to work his Vessel in succeeding Tempests The Memory of Evasion in the Adriatick Sea fortifies his Spirit to hope a better issue in the Atlantick Ocean Virgil. O passigraviora dabit Deus his quoque finem We have born greater brunts and God may give a happy event to these 'T is truest of a Saint all whose Storms do but hasten him to and land him in Heaven at last Mean while all his sufferings are Heavenly Gifts Phil. 1.29 and all his troubles are sanctified in order to a Halcyon Calm If God smites 't is with a healing hand Hos 6.1 and when he casts down he revives us again It 's said by Arnoldus that famous Physician of Villa Nova near Barcelone Arnold f. 305. b. de simpl c. 426. that an Incision with a Golden Knife never swells And Serapion asserts that Cauteries made with Gold raise no bladders and are quicklier cured The most cutting afflictions do but let out heart corruptions and the Instrument it self brings a present cure When God brings his People out of the Furnace the dross is lost in fumes or in the Cople and their persons come out shining like pure Gold and God will say of them It is my Golden people refined by the fire of affliction Zech. 13.9 Poterius p. Boyle of Colours p. 413 and 415. They are like the Bononian Stone that after calcination in the fire shines in the darkest night Or like that wonderful Diamond mentioned by the honourable Mr. Boyle which being briskly rubb'd would send forth a glimmering light almost like a Glow-worm The Graces of Saints are never more resplendent than in times of adversity and their succeeding growth is most apparent Husbandmen say that Thunder showers make Grass to grow that we may almost see it by the sulfureous Rain and the Sunshine following it shoots amain Let 's beware of a lowring Spirit when clouds of affliction gather Ps 65.11 which drop fatness into the Soul Those Sinners are most healthful that have many Aprils and the ground most fertile that drinks in the later as well as former rain Let afflicted persons remember that continual Sunshine scorches a Land into barrenness and many a good Soul looses much of its verdure and greenness by fair weather and that our Heavenly Father always takes his Rod into the hand of Love and when he whips his dear Children 't is with Twigs cut from the Balsam-Tree of Judaea though it smart and wheal yet it quickly cures If the North wind blow boisterous and bleak it makes a Saint to keep his Garments close that men see not his shame Rev. 16.15 and besides it may turn in a moment Numerous instances occur of sudden troubles and of as sudden escapes Every Church and Nation every Age and Person ring aloud these changes Some hints of happy Evasions in deplored cases in Physick may succour hope in like Distresses A Patient having taken a Decoction of Liquorish Arnold f. 343. b. c. vomits it with a fright but upon search the unwash'd strainer was found to have been newly used with Hellebor and the scare was over Another having drunk up a decoction of Maiden-hair vomited very terribly To satisfie the Physician upon strict inquiry where 't was gathered the Attendents found the Carkase of a Toad just by the place where it grew A third had almost lost his Eyes by an Ointment administred to preserve them received answer that the Preparer had powdered much Verdegreese the day before part whereof was casually mixt with it A fourth labouring under a Flux and no Medicine prevailing the Physician found out he used Water from a Cistern newly plaistered The last to be named was deep in a Hectick and lay in a new whited Chamber and grew worse till removed To warn Physician and Patients to be careful what persons they imploy in preparing Medicines and what Ingredients they use and what Circumstances may attend Upon such twine threads hangs the Life of Man and by directing providence many sudden and notable escapes 'T is related of one so struck with fear in a Dream Arnold f. 28. b. that his Hair turn'd gray Of another under the Duke of Alva's Tyranny as I remember who was all white in one night under fear of Execution And another being Lame at worship in a Church the Popish Soldiers rushing in to murder forgetting his Crutches ran away and his Spirits being briskly agitated by the fright received the perfect use of his Limbs Sudden unexpected deliverances drop down from Heaven When Daniel was letting down into the Den the Angel flew down faster and stopt the Lions Mouths before the Prophet came to the bottom Sometimes Holy Persons are not presently and fully delivered yet meet with sustaining help Our blessed Saviour though not delivered from the Cross and its Issue till the Resurrection yet while he fainted under its weight in the dolorous way met providentially with Simon of Cyrene to aid him and inward support to strengthen his Spirits O happy Simon How often might Christ from Heaven help him afterward to bear his Cross upon Earth To the upright rises light in darkness a beam in obscurity Ps 112.4 Is 58.10 Gen. 22.13 Suddenly like the Vision in a mountain of Thickets and Brambles When Abraham's Knife was up the Angel's Arm came down and ventures the gashing of his hand to save the cutting of Isaac's Throat Jeremy is cast into a miry Dungeon by some of the Courtiers Jâ—r 38.10 another Courtier as suddenly helps him out Jonah in a stormy Sea was cast into a Whales Belly and by a sudden storm in the Whales stomach was cast out upon dry Land Exod. 14.10.15.1 The Children of Israel stood crying and roaring upon one shore and in a few hours were dancing and singing upon the other shore of the Red Sea 1 Sam. 30.4 David weeps at Ziglag till he could weep no more and then tires himself after Amaleck overtakes overcomes overturns and gets such a noble Spoil that he who even now was but a needy Captain of a few Outlaws sends rich presents to his Friends taken from the Lords Enemies So that he who had spent his tears in Sorrow finds a new rivulet of tears streaming for joy Ps 30.11 Thou hast turned our morning into dancing and we became like men that dream Ps 126.2 When thou turnedst our captivity in Negeb the barren sandy Desert in the South of Judah The Churches State in this life is mixt Rev.
12.1 while under the Moon 't is changeable but when clothed with the Sun in John's Vision she will be iâ—lustrious and tread the Moon under her Feet The Church has a time to sing the Song of the Lamb more melodiously than the Song of Moses Rev. 15.3 Moses his Song was a mixt Song there were Amorites to conquer after the Egyptians were sunk in the Mighty Waters After songs of deliverance come the bitter waters of Marah and new Elegies The Church sings that Song upon Earth but this Song of the Lamb in Heaven where no more troubles The Church in Apostolical times had a Sea of Glass as clear as Chrystal Rev. 4.6 wherein to see their faces and wash their spots 15.2.21.1 In Antichristian times of persecution a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire They enjoyed pure worship but attended with fiery tryals But in her Heavenly state there shall be Sea no more A State of perfection needs no more washings for communion in glory Here God wisely mingles comforts and crosses to keep us in a holy awe of sin and to encourage us in spiritual Services We contract much dust and soyl from worldly company and need washing and purging every day whereby to save our selves from this untoward Generation Act. 2.40 Israel had lain among the pots in Egypt and needed scouring in the Wilderness that the Thorns of Sinai might fetch the Onions of Egypt out of their squeazy stomachs Nay Gods people enjoy not only successive but temporary mixtures For in the midst of sorrows arises spiritual joy to support and quicken and in times of prosperiry are exercised with spiritual sins and heart-sorrows to humble and keep them steddy Nabal and Haman like other wicked wretches were either all joy or all sorrow and by turns overwhelm'd with both 1 Sam. 25.36 their hearts were as light as a feather or else sunk like lead Let 's beware when fatned with mercies lest we kick with Jesurun and when were are brought to the salt waters of Marah lest our imbittered Spirits fret against the Holy One of Israel while we proclaim our anger against instruments let 's take care that our clamours reach not the ear of God himself Men often mask their impatience at God under colour of shooting at others miscarriages We may grieve under afflictions and carry our sins by prayer to Heaven for pardon and our troubles to the Mercy-seat for relief I poured out my complaint before him Ps 142.2 says David I shewed before him my trouble Mourn we may Ezek. 7.16 Is 51.20 Songs 2.14 but murmur and mutter we must not Mourn like Doves without Gall in the Clefts of the Rock but not toss the Horn and roar like wilde Bulls in the Net full of the fury of the Lord. When we have mourned meekly and patiently for sin Mic. 7.9 and born the Indignation of the Lord we may look up for mercy till he plead our cause and execute judgment for us and say fiducially God's our God which is often the last stroke upon Davids Harp Does God chuse us for his Is 48.10 and chuse us in the Furnace of Affliction and refine us but not with Silver non quasi argentum not as if we were pure Silver already before refinement but in the midst of our dross and faeculency to make us bright for Temple-service then let us take him for our gracious and watchful Refiner and reflect his Love back again to Heaven Chuse him before all the Angels in Heaven and the sweetest familiars on Earth Ps 73.25 and then all afflictions will work kindly when the Fire of Love and the Fire of Affliction melt the Soul together and as the flaming beams of the Sun extinguish our Kitchin Fires so the heat of Divine Love will damp and put out the sense and smart of all and the most fiery trials here below Let but a Saint recollect his thoughts that there 's excellent reason why God afflicts and as the waters cannot Song 8.6 so neither the fires out burn the vehement flames of Divine Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called by the Wise Man the Flame of God Succurrat non tantùm quid patiamur sed quid fecerimur Senec. Ira. l. 2. p. 33. Remember what we have done as well as suffer said the Spanish Moralist Compare our merits and sufferings and then our unworthiness and mercies together and we have little reason to complain since there is less reason why we should draw a breath in the Land of the Living Lam. 3.39 Mercies flow from the innate Bowels of God Judgment is his strange work Is 28.21 Kindness flows from the Divine Essence more naturally than streams from a Fountain or beams from the Sun but sin and affliction is rooted in us Justifie God in all and that will extinguish murmurs 1 Cor. 11.30 Sometimes there 's a particular cause for affliction which though many times latent is always just Let 's search and try our ways Lam. 3.40 and turn unto the Lord. Ask the inward Viceroy and he 'll tell thee As Clocks strike clearest in stormy times so does Conscience in the hour of Judgment though we top and clog it never so much in the fair weather of prosperity Wouldest thou know the plain truth hearken what thy heart condemns and smites for in the hearing of a searching Sermon sometimes Affliction it self points at its relative sin Adonibezek deprived of his Thumbs Judg. 1.7 could tell upon his fingers the 140 Royal Thumbs which he had cut off Is a dear Relation taken consider thy sins both in it and toward it Si res angusta domi If poverty pinch remember abused plenty and careless expences Does God withdraw his shining face it may be thou hast grieved his Spirit and therefore he grieves thine most righteously Hast thou cooled and quenched his Heavenly Motion wonder not if he stop his ear at thy cries and at length leave thee to coolness and deadness of heart Rev. 3.16 Thou art lukewarm in his cause Grumble not at Laodiceas Portion to be spew'd out of his mouth Art thou puff'd up with parts which are but gifts Gods not thine repine not if others prick thy swoln Bladder with the pin of infamy Want of pity and relief to thy Brother reaps just unkindness in time of straits Censorious persons must run the gauntlet patiently and a lashing Tongue needs a Launcet to let out its Salt and fiery Bloud or may be prickt with Pins as Fulvia dealt by Cicero Cassius l. 47. p. 331. d. Angry persons often meet with sturdy matches as good at fifty cuffs as themselves It 's usual for men to be measured by their own bushel and for froward affronts to meet with divine requital unless for sins of daily infirmity sudden tentations and disorderly provocations from others Then to mourn watch and pray is a Saints Armour and go to Heaven with Elthu Job 34.33
of Hony though little Water The French though Papists exprest their affections with briny Tears and beating their famish'd Trunks with loud cries Mon Dicu mon Dicu My God My God Cleanness of Teeth sharpned their Appetites to the Bread of Life At length they kept a Solemn day of Prayer when every day was a continual Fast Duty ended a Lad from the Topmast-head descried a Vessel and Heaven sent a benign Gale which soon brought them together She proved a Bermudas Merchant to their excessive joy which took in Mr. Leverton with his English supplyed the Rochellers wants and so they parted Upon conference the chief Person in the Ship being the Governour of Bermudas tells Mr. Leverton that that their Ship came newly from England and at her arrival fell in between two Rocks To get her off they took out their Guns and heavy Wares The next Tide rises with a violent Storm while most of the Seamen were ashore and hurries them among the liquid Flouds where the French found them on purpose to bring deliverance at the end of prayer After that a fair Gale conducts them safely to Bermudas where they who had embraced the Throne of Grace in their absence with Holy Hands now embrace their Friends with happy Arms and entertain them joyfully who had been both carried out and brought in by Prayer Here we have a French Calm at Sea awakened into a Breeze for a Haven Enjoyment and an English Calm in Haven rouzed into a Storm for Sea-adventures and both excited by Prayer The French have a storm within the Ship though a calm without and the English have a storm without to bring to the former a calm within O the vehement power of Prayer that raises storms quells the boysterous Waves at pleasure Here 's a Ship full of Provision hurried out to the Main to fetch famish'd Orators to the Harbour of Plenty What manner of Man is this Mark 4.41 said the Disciples of our Lord that the Winds and the Sea obey him O invincible Faith O Soveraign and Imperial Prayer that commandest both Calms and Storms Master carest thou not that we perish Mark 4.38 cries Prayer Christ delights to be awakened by his Holy Spouse and lays Storms asleep Christ always sails in the Ship of Prayer and though this Pilot be asleep yet he steers safely he sees the hidden Rocks and secret Shelves and needs no Star nor Compass He knows the Mystery of Longitude and wants no Tables of the four Planets attending Jupiter or the Spots of the Moon or Minute Watches to give the Distance of the first Meridian But who can measure the Length of his Love to the Church Eph. 3.18 or fathom the Depths of his Wisdom in manifestations of his Love He fins the Sails of the Churches Ship with prosperous Gales to bring her into safe Chambers He turns Calms into Storms to obey his Churches cries Ps 107.29 and raises the Waves of the Sea to invert the Psalmist that Saints are glad because of a Storm to bring them to a calm Haven O happy Storms that drive the Saylant Church to Heaven O happy Heaven that enjoys a perpetual an everlasting Calm CHAP. XII The Centemplation Mount or the Permanent Mercies of Heaven MOSES and XERXES took a view of their puissant Armies the first from a Mountain in the Plains of Moab Deut. 3.25 the other in the Plains of Abydus One rejoyced to see the Land of Canaan and the goodly Range of Lebanon extending 40 Miles in length which Israel was now ready to possess The other wept that his burthensom bulk of Barbarous Nations within a 100 Herod l. 7. p. 401. years would raise so many heaps of Bones or tumuli slightly turft over where on Death might stand and blow his Trumpet of Triumph Saints have but Jordans Valley to pass through into Eternal Joys while others wasting their precious time in vaine designs suddenly slip into eternal wo. Saints militant after many a sharp Combat enter victoriously into Paradise And although some may encounter with Fainting Drooping Qualms yea it may be set in a Cloud yet what an extasie of spirit will surprize them who after many Labyrinths and Mazes of trouble unexpectedly enter the ravishing Glories of Heaven The best may labour under fears and tears but one hour there makes amends for all When these Mists will be scattered in that Radiant Morning and all Tears wash'd away in those Rivers of Pleasure which run through the Streets of New Jerusalem Here the Inhabitants of the Earth build plant travel sail and fight upon an Atom The whole World is but an invisible point to the external Convex of Heaven and all its Inhabitants like the small Dust of the Balance Is 40.15 or a drop perishing from the Bucket nay less than nothing less than vanity The smallest Atom that rejoyces in the Sun Beams at a Chamber Window far transcends the whole Globe of Earth and Water if a Man were imagined to stand in one of the fixed Stars it could not be discern'd by the most curious Glasses nay if one stood in the Sun this circumference of about 21000 Miles could not be discovered For if the Sun be about 167 times bigger than this Earth Gassend è Ptol. in Epicur p. 784. as some Astronomers have determined while others enlarge the Suns Diameter to to much vaster extension and yet appears to us not to exceed 32 Minutes of such a Degree whereof 360 measures the Circumambient Line of the Ecliptick being its Race round about the Heavens Then the Earth must needs shrink into the visibility of a few seconds or less Nay more some have conceived by calculation that the whole Orb of the Earth's supposed motion about the Sun who is very probably the Centre of that Planetary Vortex as the Cartesians call it wherein we subsist is but a point to the Systeme or Sphear of the fixed Stars and that if the Earth all its annexed Beings were utterly annihilated it would not be wanted as being comparatively so insiderable a Particle of the Universe Plutarch de placitis l. 2. c. 13. Heraclides and the Pithagoreans held every Star to be a World What a smoak and smother do miserable Mortals raise about a petty Kingdom when Geometrical proportion may prove a Molehill to be vastly more considerable to the earth than the Earth is to the Empyraean Circumference then may an Ant shine upon a straw a more glorious Emperour than we imagine If then the inferiour Pavement of Heaven if the out Offices of the starry Chambers be so magnificent what 's the Chamber of Presence that are those Supercelestial spaces Mat. 13.43 where the Saints shall shine like so many Suns in the Kingdom of their infinitely Blessed Father Let 's a little contemplate the glorious State of the Saints after the Resurrection as far as we with sobriety and submission in this our Valley-state may inquire into those deep
deriving all her nocturnal beauty from the Sun Eâ—e 1.14 so must Saints shine by the comeliness of Christ And as a Gracious Husband labours to change his Spouse into his own Image and likeness by kindnesses precepts and example that he may take the more delight in her person Ps 45.10 So does our spiritual Solomon change the hew of his Egyptian Queen to deem of things and persons as her Lord and Husband judges and frames her Spirit to delight in doing his Will and Pleasure and take the highest solace in obedience to enjoy a heavenly freedom mixt mith aimiable and joyful reverence He roots out of her heart all changeable affections worldly fancies and hankering longings after the fond fashions of Shechem Gen. 34.1 and all carnal inclinations to the Daughters of Canaans Linage and all the beggerly humours of the besotted world and to pass by with a Holy scorn all the pitiful Pageantry of this perishing and fading life and rise to a mean estimate of the Baubles and trifles that inchant a carnal Heart At length she arrives to a noble and generous judgment counting all but dung and dross that she may win Christ As her Prince of life was crucified by the World for her Redemption so she begins to be crucified to it in token of conformity to him and at length becomes all glorious within She takes down the Pendants of folly Ps 45.13 and hangs all her Jewels within Her Pearls and Diamonds are the gracious Sermons and dying Prayers of her Holy Lord they hang at her ears Songs 1.13 they lye between her Breasts all night Her clothing is of the Gold of Ophir made with Needlework of divers colours Judg. 5.30 twined by the Daughters of the New Jerusalem The 12 precious Stones in the breast-plate of Aaron are upon her Heart She is Holy like him and goes about doing good with the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit with a Crown of Carbuncles of flaming love to Christ upon her Head and thus reflecting the Glory of Christ here is preparing and fitting for fuller visions and brighter reflections of Glory hereafter Here 's nothing but noise and confusion in the dust and smoak of folly This World is like the Sea in Habakuk Hab. 1.14 where the great Fish swallow the small storms and pirats rocks and sands shipwrecks and new furprizing dangers every moment Let 's long and pack up for our best and sweetest home looking upon every secret Mercy every joyful income of the Spirit as so many earnests of glory as so many bent tokens put in hand to secure Heaven Let 's draw off and wean our affections from sublunary vanishing Vapors which perish in the very use Carnal persons in their heights have but a wordly Heaven and Saints while here in their lowest depths by the Sunshine of divine Favour have a sweet portion of Heaven here upon Earth Oh what a Heaven shall they have in Heaven it self Here though sometimes deep in the mire of affliction yet when conscience sings 't is fair above head still travelling towards Zion Since our natures are chang'd like a Cion or Graft inserted into the Vine of the Church we shall in due time be transplanted to Paradise Strengthen assurance by perseverance and both by the promises to each and mix prayer with Praises Our Harps must always sound while our Sacrifice burns on the Altar Every day adds to the treasury of evidence Like laborious Bees increase your stock from the flowers of Scripture and the Honey of Assurance will sweeten every Prayer and cheer persevering grace and enliven the strings of praise till we come with Harps in our hands well tuned to the Gate of Heaven Let our chaste Souls be a Garden enclos'd to Christ Our eyes ears Song 4.12 affections seal'd and shut up from worldly communion Hearken O Daughter Ps 45.10 11. and forget thine Egyptian people and thy Fathers house in Zoan So shall the King of Glory greatly desire to see and enjoy thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him Some Passages to be inserted in page 26. which through a casualty did happen to be misplaced AS that Person in Bisseter Market who having a piece of Bread in his Mouth and turning suddenly to answer a question while the Bread was swallowing was immediately choack'd and though he survived about two or three days yet no remedy prevailed Remarkable was that providence of a poor Taylor at Reading choak'd with a bit of Mutton having wish'd it to himself as he was eating if he had stoln the Stockings whereof he was accused Which story is set down in the Register of one of the Parishes of that Town A sudden accident also besell Colonel Rossiter endeavouring to crack a Plum-stone as I am informed brake a Tooth and thereby lost his Life I would not let pass two or three stories more of signal providences as to sudden accidents There lived some time since in Grassechurch-street LONDON a Vintner Mr. Fowler by name who playing with his little Child abed received a scratch of a Pin First it rankled and cost him a Hundred Pounds-under design of cure but at length his Arm was cut off and shortly after lost his life There hapned also a notable memorial of Divine providence upon a Child in Bishops-gate Parish where sometime the good hand of God was pleased to use my poor labours in the honourable service of the Ministry This little Child looking up through a wooden case to a ponderous Jack-weight in that very moment the Weight drop'd down and kill'd it I have also received intelligence of a Person worthy of credit that a Woman having a very fair Hand molested by a Wart and submitting to the skill of a Chirurgeon at Thomas Hospital in Southwark in order to cure But the sore place began to be angry at the improper Medicines and Festers and shortly receives from his hand the cure of all her Diseases To end with a comfortable story My good Friend Mr. Ch. Morton then at Sea and yielding to the advice of a Ship-Chirurgeon to lay the Lapis Infernalis to eat down a Wart his Arm swelled very dangerously but the Lord delivered him So true is that saying of Paracelsus That the greatest Wounds may issue prosperously and little Scratches may end disastrously since the Keys of Life and Death are in the Hand of God FINIS Books printed toy and are to be sold by John Hancock at the Sign of the three Bibles in Popes Head Alley in Cornhill TWelve Books lately published by Mr. Tho. Brooks late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New Fish-street 1. Precious Remedies against Satans Devices or Salve for Believers and Vnbelievers Sores being a Companion for those that are in Christ or out of Christ 2. Heaven on Earth Or a serious Discourse touching a Well-grounded Assurance of Mans Everlasting Happiness 3. The Vnsearchable Riches of Christ held forth in 22 Sermons 4. Apples
their Silver Trumpets Glory be to God in the Highest peace upon Earth and good will to Man whose grand imployment should be to study discern and applaud the Infinite Love of God in all his Mercies which in a few words shall close this Period 1. When we taste some sweetness and relish the goodness of God in every Mercy which is that Divine Symploce on David's Harp or an elegant Complication of two figures the Anaphora and Epistrophe together O give thanks to the Lord Ps 136.1 for he is good his Mercy endureth for ever That as the Name of God in our native Tongue is from good so our Souls should spell the nature of his goodness and every passage of his Providence 2. When Mercies return down to us upon the wings of Ejaculations sent up to Heaven when enlargements of heart follow straits in prayer What Divine Benefits shine out suddenly like Stars in a dark night 3. Then mercies come in love when they flow in by sucking at the Breast of a Promise for hence we know that God is in covenant with us For then the Spirit seals our interest when he who penn'd the Promise writes it in our Heart when he that breaths them warms us by them 4. When we feel supporting strength in a dark night when ready to faint feel sudden Cordials when trouble is nigh and God is nigher When the Heart fails and God enlivens Ps 73.26 A Saint may perceive it by the suddenness sweetness soul-calming quietness of a word within consonant to the word without and encourages a Saint to carry every new Emergency upon the memory of former experience in a Chariot of Love to Heaven That no sudden accident knocks at the Door of our Hearts or Houses but we as suddenly knock at the Gate of Heaven If any tentation new motion or weighty affair surprize us at unawares we instantly carry it through the Roof of our Closets into Heaven then our Spirits are in a holy calm as gracious Rebekah found it Gen. 25.22 Prov. 15.24 knowing that the sudden desires as well as the set Prayers of the Righteous shall be granted And now it 's high time to conclude this Chapter with God its whole Scope being to recount some portions of his manifold mercies and to adore him for all his bounteous beneficence to us who is the only first Spring and principal Mover and Conducter of all the Kindnesses we receive from Men being his Instruments Servants and Ordinances CHAP. IX The Anatomy of Mercies FOR the Higher Advancement of Divine Goodness in all our Enjoyments and to learn that excellent Lesson of Godly Contentment in all Estates it were expedient to peruse consider and unbowel every mercy that comes down from Heaven We have little reason to expect any when we remember our inability to merit unskilfulness to improve our ingratitude in slender returns of the least Benefits wherewith we are laden every day It 's meer free grace that showers down Kindnesses upon our barren murmuring and repining Spirits Did we but refresh our memories with the many thousands better than us who are yet below us Ps 37.1 we should never fret at the prosperity of the wicked that are above us In what a pleasant Paradise might our thoughts expatiate did we beautifie our Meditation with the prospect of the Flowry Medows interwoven with Chrystal streams and the gentle rising Hills crowned with lovely Groves more delicious than those of Woodstock when we contemplate the various numbers curious methods amazing circumstances the unexpected ends and surprizing designs in the Lawnes and close Walks of Mercy When we pore upon sins pry too curiously into afflictions grieve too smartly for imbitterments by Relations and toyle our Spirits with the losses and crosses of this Life we disquiet our selves in vaine and are too subject to mutter at every little disappointment and inconvenience We augment our troubles prolong our miseries and run upon the brink of danger to charge a Gracious God foolishly Let us then turn our eyes into the Anatomy-School of Mercies and cut open the Inwards and spend a diligent view on the curious Situations and various turnings and smaller Arteries of every Divine Favour and holding up hands with Holy Jacob Gen. 32.10 proclaim our unworthiness of the least of mercies and while we are musing what might comparatively be esteem'd the least as that we have a Being and Life and draw one Breath of Air the Original conducts us into his Courts with praise and gratefulness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Katonti I am lessened in mine own eyes before every mercy the least of which should humble and lay us low in the sight of God What am I and what is my Fathers House that the great God should cause to great faithfulness and truth to shine before us and lighten our Path to Glory The School of Salerne writes of the Body of Man Ex tricentenis decies sex quinquéque venis That it consists of 365 Veins one for each day of the Year To be sure there is not one particular Mercy but yields matter of Contemplation all the days of our Life We should cut open the Root climb the Branches smell the Flowers and taste the Fruit of Divine Love in every Mercy O rare Imployment when we ride or walk or sit or lye waking in the Night Ps 77.5 to ruminate in the days of Ancient times run over the state of the Church from Genesis to the Revelations and compare our case with any of the Saints of old and work our hearts into praises as David often begins his Psalms with mournful Elegies and concludes with joyful Extasies As the Ancient Church sprang in Aegypt past through Paran to Sinai and at length sat under their Vines in Canaan So every Saint enters his life with a Tragedy but ends in Heaven The first curiosity of each mercy lies hid in the Texture of a minute seed which though exceeding small yet by the influence of Heaven ferments and swells into a mighty Cedar Who would think that the spreading Oaks of Bashan should sleep under the shadow of a small Acorn and the sweet-sented Trees of Lebanon in a petty Berry What vast Crocodiles of Nile break Shell from a small Egg What Rivers of Fire the first little sparks of Sulfur do kindle from the bowels of Aetna What little distaste at first overthrow mighty Empires at last and what great Estates and Dominions start out of little casualties The grand Ottoman Empire arose first out of the Flight of Mahomet and Darius by the neighing of a Horse rode into the Throne of Persia One glance upon a poor captive Maid brought Esther to a Kingdom Haman to the Gallows and Israel to deliverance David brought Cheeses to the Army perhaps in the same Bag wherein he carried stones to fling into the Fore-Head of Goliah and in the same brought back his Head to Saul Nay Saul himself when seeking of Asses