in all riches reioyced in k Psal 119.14 Is it not pure l Psal 19.7 is it not perfect sure and sound durable and delightfull most holy and most necessarie Doth it not conuert or returne the soule m Psal 19.7 being in a swoune ouercome with the present maladie or miserie and make it come againe Doth it not quicken n Psal 19.50 is it not the life o Deut. 32.47 euen The word of life p Act. 5.20 liue wee by bread q Mat. 4.4 or thereby Is it not the seed and food of life milke r 1 Cor. 3.2 and strong meat Doth it not vanquish the wicked one Å¿ 1 Io. 2.14 bruize his head and him vnder foot Is it not a sword t Pro. 30.5 to wound his scalpe and a shield u Ephes 6.16 to quench all his fierie darts Doth it not reioyce the heart x Psal 19.7 8. make wise the simple enlighten the eyes enrich the poore y Colos 3.16 sanctifie euerie creature z 1 Tim 4.5 keepe from sinne a Psal 119.11 heale the diseased b Psal 107.20 and comfort the afflicted This the report from Heauen of the Word which is settled for euer c Psal 119. in Heauen But a voyce is heard in the lower Ramah's the myrie place d Ezek. 47.11 and marishes giuen to salt and not healed by the riuers of waters which flow from the Sanctuarie Giue vs for our comfort the honours of the world the treasures of the earth the pleasures of this life potent friends and le ts continue in our sinnes This our comfort and these Oh what comfort in these against the word or without the word with All that is in they world 1. What comfort in the honors of the world Honores mundi tumores mundi Eucher the honors of the world the tumors thereof tumors and burthens not of God not of God the word of God not with them Consider what is said in Iob. 10.35 Gods they or Infidels rather vnto whom the word commeth not How can they beleeue which receiue honour one of another e Io. 5.44 and seeke not the honour that commeth from God only in the comming of the word How doe they beleeue which loue the praise of men f Io. 12.43 more than the praise of God How doe they beleeue that haue not nor hold forth g Phil. 2.16 the word of life This the Beraeans had the Pharisies that Who best yet glorious they are and honoured wee see but know wee not that their glorie is their shame h Phil. 3.19 their excellencie their ignominie and their end obscuritie Ierome not amisse to his rising and aspiring friend Hier. ep 14. cap. 14. It s safer to stand on the firme earth than to sit high on a rotten scaffold Vanitie of vanities vanitie of vanities what else is all the honour of the world 2. What comfort without the Word in the treasures of the earth The treasures of the earth melting snow-balls i Iob 38.22 Greg. in loc swift flying k Pro. 23.5 Eagles vncertaine l 1 Tim. 6.17 deceitfull m Mat. 13.12 strong Cities razed and high towers demolished in a moment Idols scandals n Ezek. 7.19 stumbling blocks of iniquitie leaders into temptations foolish and hurtfull lusts They that will be rich o 1 Tim. 6.9 fall fouly They that trust in their wealth and boast themselues in the multitude of their riches p Psal 49.6 7 8 11 12 13. none of them can by any meanes redeeme his brother nor giue to God a ransome for his soule neither for their owne Their inward thought is folly as their way and howbeit their posteritie may approue their sayings as their doings as men wise according to the flesh yet brutish they are and like the beasts which perish Their riches shall choke them for they choke the good seed of the Word q Mat. 13.22 or swallowed downe they shall vomit them vp againe r Iob. 20.15 18. God shall cast them out of their bellies Verily verily this egestion will be wofull and full of deadly paines Therfore Goe to now yee rich men Å¿ Iam. 5.1 2 3. weepe and howle for the miseries which shall come vpon you your riches are corrupted your gold and siluer is cankered and the rust of them shall bee a witnesse against you and eat your flesh as it were fire yee heape treasure together for the last dayes * Rom. 2.5 yea yee treasure vp wrath vnto your selues against the day of wrath Faithfull but fearefull is the saying of Iesus Christ in Matth. 19.23 A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of Heauen A difficultie noted not an impossibilitie for after the Ordinarie Glosse a Gable i. vntwisted a Camell also Deposito onere flexis genibus may goe thorow that strait gate in the wals of Hierusalem which for the narrownesse thereof was called Foramen acus or the Needles eye But wealth a strong City in conceit and an high Tower as it is the rich mans that is not rich towards God Prou. 18.11 and Luk. 12.21 compared the impossibilitie may be auouched and auerred 3. What comfort in the pleasures of this life the pleasures of this life flashes of lightning Fulgurations Plutarch Simul orientes morientes arising and dying together As the fashion of the world â—mpia dolore voluptas they passe away and followeth heauinesse f Pro. 14.13 cast out into vtter darknesse what weeping what howling what gnashing with the teeth Dead while they liue they that liue in pleasure g 1 Tim. 5.6 Ye haue liued in pleasure h Iam. 5.5 and been wanton an apt reproofe Awake to righteousnesse i 1 Cor. 15.34 good counsell Moses his patterne good k Heb. 11.25 Barzilla's resolution godly l 2 Sam. 19.35 the Preachers censure of mirth and laughter iust m Eccl. 2.2 carnall pleasure the high way to Hell going down to the chambers of death n Pro. 8.27 Had here in the depths of hell what is to bee had Aske Abraham or thinke on his answer o Luk. 16.25 Trâ—hit sua quemque voluptas bought with griefe yet how many drawen away thereby and inticed As hee that loueth siluer so is he that loueth pleasure Semper voluptas samem sui habet transacta non satial Hieron neuer satisfied not euer edified on the most holy faith The voluptuous of the word heard bring no fruit to perfection p Luk. 8.14 Was Salomon a Cynicke in his old age Faithfull is his saying and worthy of all acceptation Sorrow is better than laughter q Eccles 7.3 4. for by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth 4. What comfort in carnall friends Friends as the reeds of Aegypt or as reeds in the wind shaken vnstable as the vnrighteous Mammon No friend this for a friend loueth at all times r Pro. 17.17 cap. 18.24 and in aduersitie most A brother rather
them in pouerty what 's their pouerty He with them in persecution what 's their persecution much aduantage and euery way much What protection from the Lord what propagation of the Gospell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what recompence of reward without persecution With persecution in this life an hundred sold shall be receiued * Mar. 10.30 in what but in the presence of the Lord and the efficacie of his grace which is equiualent yea an hundred fold more excellent than the losse I know not what better sense can be giuen or how otherwise that reading is to bee vnderstood Had he said that after the cessation of persecution peace shall bee and wealth c. plaine it had beene but he saith with persecution in the time thereof a man shall receiue an hundred fold and that is as plaine to them that haue the witnesse in themselues In few to shut vp the whole matter Marke the man that shrinketh vnder the hand of God and behold him that maketh the Lord his Committee that prayeth being afflicted that waiteth patiently carrying the Lords leasure and satisfied with the presence of his grace as sufficient endureth to the end for the end of that man is peace k Psal 37.37 Vse 4 4. For the instauration of them l â—am 3 15 16 17. That giue willingly their cheekes to him that smiteth them that are filled with bitternesse and made drunken with wormewood couered with ashes and their teeth broken as with grauell stones their soule remoued far off from peace and prosperitie forgotten * Scriptura vâ—cat bonos fâ—umentum malos paleam eritur ventus c. Fonsec Sabb. ante Dom. Quad. For good men the Scripture calleth wheat the euill chaffe ariseth a great wind of persecution or commeth from the wildernesse some terrible Blast of other sore affliction to dissociate the good and the euill to segregate the pretious from the vile and as wheat from the chaffe to separate true Israelites in whom no guile is from potsheards couered with siluer drosse * Temporizers hypocrites Are the Heauens now blacke with clouds and winds doe the winds blow be the times boysterous the dayes euill the world troublous The Lord is about to purge his floore and will purge it thorowly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 m Mat. 3.12 the wheat he will gather into his garner but the chaffe hee will scatter yea burne it with vnquenchable fire After a fierie triall professours may be fewer but shall be better farre n Conjectae ecclesia in catinum excocta igne afflictionum minor quidem euadit sed pâ—â—ior Amand. polan in Dan. 11.35 Necessarie therefore as schismes o 1 Cor. 11.19 and spurres that they which are approued might bee made manifest and the slothfull in businesse more feruent in spirit seruing the Lord. But after Theodoret Affliction is the Hostorie or * Strickle Stichel of God in the hand of his Iustice with which he striketh off in his chosen vessels the sins that against Iustice his mercie cannot beare The gracious Lord saith hee vsing a balance and a measure Theod. Eccles hist lib. 5. cap. 1. composed of Iustice and Mercie striketh off here by his Iustice the faults which are aboue weight and measure Is any among you afflicted let the afflicted among you looke vnto the Lord who doth it for their good euen to strike off with the hand of his Iustice or that rod in his hand on them the sinnes which in them surpoise the sealed balance and surpasse the marked measure of his mercie Moreouer know yee not that in the lowest condition is found the best successe Had not Iacob Ioseph Dauid in the winter of their affliction the spring of the soule Is not Gaius his prosperitie which is of the soule better than that of fooles which is not p Pro. 23.5 or is nothing in Salomons iudgement but extreme vanitie and vexation of spirit or an euident token of perdition and destruction As the greatest tentation is to feele no tentation so the greatest affliction not to be afflicted An argument of infirmitie not of maturitie of infancie not of manhood The promises of outward beauties to the Church of the Iewes were confined to the nonage thereof grown vpto some height what promises of great things Duo â—d te attrahunt Dei oculos c. Fon. sec vbi sup Two things there be that draw the eyes of God vnto men Humble and prompt obedience Pressure and persecution Of that Abraham of this an instance Israel in Aegypt An heart trembling at the word of God a contrite and humble spirit doth the like Suffering doth a man tremble at the word The Lord looketh to him Isa 66.3 Is hee of a contrite and humble spirit the high and loftie one that inhabiteth eternitie dwelleth with him to reuiue his spirit and to reuiue his heart Isa 57.15 Deadnesse a sore euill and dulnesse the graue of many graces after some ioyes conceiued afflict sometimes the Chosen generation q 1 Pet 2.3 CAVSES either sorrow or excessiue care or obliquitie in the vse of the meanes giuen of God to strengthen the soule in the houre of tentation or temporarie desertion or else the commission of some sin or the omission of some good dutie or else some other subtill deuice of the Deuill but CVRATIONS or Remedies none better know I than feare and trembling contrition and humilitie for from such the Lord is not far but at hand to reuiue them and wearie with labouring vnder the heauie crosse to giue them happie rest For a small moment he forsaketh but with great mercie he gathereth r Isa 54.5 6 7 8. In a little wrath he hideth his face for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse he hath mercie on them that â—s a wife of youtâ— are betrothed vnto him Å¿ Hos 2.19 20. in righteousnesse and in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies Haue I made a step out of the way Suppose it was to call on a friend ☜ The externall sufferings are not so grieuous as the internall are and without the internall the externall are not effectuall vnto sound humiliation Therefore expedient both both also light and but for a moment The sufferings of the present time t Rom. 8.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 styled and a kinde of leuitie u 2 Cor. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that passeth as it commeth in the twinckling of an eye or staying all night the accidentall mourning Rico prateriens leuitas Bez. ioy commeth in the morning x Psal 30.5 A reioycing is created y Isa 65.18 yea appointed vnto them that mourne in Sion z Isa 61.3 beautie giuen for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heauinesse power for faintnesse strength for weaknesse a Isa 40.29 the humbled lifted vp b Iam. 4.10 the ruined places builded
a rare friend one that sticks fast as cemented or glued V. Cartwright in loc I haue considered that in Prou. 18.24 but all are not viri amicoruÌ„ nor haue vim amicabilem As friendlinesse is shewed so is it to be shewed but as it is sound so lieth the opinion The colours of friendship not laid in the oyle of the word a false varnish it vanisheth as the tale that is told Wherefore what the Holy Ghost hath of worldly wealth might be said of worldly friendship Hee that trusteth therein shall fall Å¿ Pro. 11.28 Besides a curse is denounced t Ier. 17.5 6. Cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme and whose heart departeth from the Lord for hee shall bee like the heath in the desart like the parched places in the wildernesse like a salt land and not inhabited Therefore the sweet Psalmist of Israel said u Psal 146.3 4. Put not your trust in Princes nor in the sonne of man in whom there is no helpe his breath goeth forth he returneth to his earth in that verie day his thoughts perish But Wolsey's confession might x Quod Regi potius quam Deo studuisset placere Scultet Aâ— be made of many Many seeke the friendship of great men more than the fauour of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ * 2 Tim. 3.5.15.25 Istos auersemur From such turne away 5. What comfort to be had in sinnes Miserable comforters these and causes of confusion Dalilah's in conceit in effect also deceiuing the heart destroying the soule Blesse a man may himselfe in his owne heart saying I shall haue peace though I walk in the imagination of mine own heart to adde drunkennes to thirst y Deut. 20.19 But There is no peace to the wicked saith my God z Isa 51. â—1 At the doore of the sinner lieth his sinne y Gen. 4.7 Peccatum i. â—ana peccati quae quasi caâ—it aut Cerberus cubâ—ns fores peccati obsidet tanquam peccati vindex Corn. de lap in loc as a ban-dog to plucke out his throat and to teare him in peeces none being to deliuer Who should the Lord Nay he is not chosen nor hath beene serued but sinne preferred let him goe that and cry vnto that which hee hath chosen and to that which hee hath serued This was once the answer of the Lord and this I will deliuer no more z Iudg. 10.13 14. who then should should the Minister of the Lord By what meanes the Ministerie contemned * 2 Cor. 5.18 which is committed to him visit he may a man sicke with sin vnto death yet not saue him from the death which reigneth by sinne in his mortall members pray for him he may but according to that of Ambrose to Theodosius * Si dignus non sum qui a te audiar nec etiam dignus qui pro te a Deo exâ—udiar If he will not heare the Minister speaking from God how shall God heare the Minister speaking for him O consider this all yee that comfort your selues in your sinnes following inconsiderately the multitude that doe euill after these of pleasure dayes of mourning will come and euill daies yea yeares wherein wee shall say Wee haue no pleasure in them a Eccles 12.1 nor any comfort from the time that is past What comfort from the time that is past of this life the lusts of men followed and thwarted the will of God b 1 Pet. 4.2 What comfort in those things whereof shame is the glorie and destruction the end e Phil. 3.19 What 's the end of rioting drunkennessâ— couetousnesse voluptuousnesse idlenesse vnrulinesse vncleannesse vngodlinesse or what 's the glorie What fruit had in these things d Rom. 6.21 or what comfort to be had e Isa 5.3 Iudge I pray you betweene God and the vines which bring forth wilde grapes Art thou ô man an Ephraimite f Isa 28.1 a drunkard I meane like those of Ephraim risest thou vp early in the morning that thou maiest follow strong drinke and continuest thou vntill night till wine pursue thee Art thou mightie to drinke wine and a man of strength to mingle strong drinke g Isa 5.11 22. Woe and woe I finde yea woes vpon woes in the Scriptures against thee h Hab. 2.15 but except thou repent no comfort finde I for thee in the Oracles of God Art thou a couetous person a louer of earthly things more than of heauenly is thy heart set on thy riches increasing is thy desire inlarged as Hell i Hab. 2.5 can it not bee satisfied Thou shalt neuer be satisfied with that which thou couerest thou consultest by coueting an euill couetousnesse to thy house shame to thy house thou sinnest against thine owne soule k Hab. 2.9 10. Thou art an Idolater and abhorred of the Lord These things I finde in the Scriptures against thee but except thou repent No comfort finde I in the Oracles of God Art thou a swearer swearest thou in thine ordinarie communication Thou takest the name of thy God in vaine Leuit. 24.11 Nakab defigens trans figens V. Trem. thou smitest him on the face Moses saith more Thou piercest him thou strikest him thorow Hee that blasphemeth traiecteth him whom hee blasphemeth and as the lying or backe-biting tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it l Pro. 26.28 so the swearing tongue the Lord. Thou champest the bloud of God betweene thy teeth ô barbarous Caniball Thou diggest vp his wounds ô damnable exulteration Thou exposest him to shame ô impudent Miscreant Thou art not guiltlesse m Exod. 20.7 but cursing cursed The curse is vpon thee and entred into thy house The long flying roll n Zech. 5.2.5 houereth ouer thee yea the vengeance of Heauen to cast thee downe into the damnation of Hell These things I finde in the Scriptures against thee but except thou repent No comfort finde I for thee in the Oracles of God Art thou a Sabbath-breaker seekest thou on the holy day of God and findest thou thine owne pleasure speakest thou thine owne words o Isa 58.13 and doest thou on that day thine owne works Thou dishonourest God p Rom. 2.23 thou pollutest his worship q Ezek. 22.8 thou prouokest the eyes of his glorie r Isa 3.8 thou breakest his Law thou makest it void Å¿ Psal 119.126 2 Chron. 19.2 A minori admaius Ior. 17.27 Therefore wrath is vpon thee from before the Lord The fuell of iudgement lieth in thy gate and thou puttest to the fire which shal when God will kindle where it lyeth These things I finde in the Scriptures against thee but except thou repent No comfort