vs begge of God the heauenly Husbandman to rend vs off by true humbling from the stocke of corruption and to plant vs into Christ Iesus by effectuall beleeuing that at that terrible Iudgement wee all with our poore housholds euerlastingly may be saued And that for Iesus Christ his sake our only Lord and euerlasting Redeemer Amen FINIS A GODLY AND Zealous Prayer O Most glorious God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and in him our Father the Fountaine of all our welfare and the giuer of all grace we thy poore children according to our bounden duty are at this present assembled together before thee in Prayer to offer vp euen from the ground of our hearts the Sacrifice of thanksgiuing for all thy louing mercies and tender kindnesses whatsoeuer bestowed vpon vs. We highly blesse thy Maiesty for electing vs in thy Christ to life eternall before all worlds for creating vs after thine owne most glorious Image in purity and perfection of holinesse for iustifying vs by the perfect obedience of thy Sonne for sanctifying vs by thy holy Spirit and for the hope that thou hast giuen vs of our future glorification with thee heereafter in Heauen We also returne vnto thee all due and possible prayse for preseruing vs hitherto of thine especiall goodnesse and mercy supplying aboundantly all our necessities both in soule and in body and for thy blessing vpon vs and ours keeping vs from diuers dangers that might iustly for our sinnes haue come vpon vs both spirituall and corporall O what shall we render vnto thee for all these thy mercies done vnto vs what are wee that thou shouldst thus respect vs or what are our deseruings that thou shouldst thus esteeme vs To vs O Lord to vs most miserable sinners there nothing belongeth but shame and confusion If thou Lord markest strictly what is done amisse who is able to abide it O how farre doth thy mercy exceed thy iustice O the deepnesse of thy fauours towards vs So vnsearchable are they as no man can expresse them so vn-vtterable as no man can declare them And most mercifull Father wee humbly intreat for thy Christs sake the continuance of these mercies towards vs Blesse vs this day and euer with thy heauenly protection and benediction guide vs by thine owne Spirit into all godlinesse that we may profitably and conscionably walke before thee in our vocations both generall and particular blesse vs in the house and blesse vs in the field blesse vs in the basket and blesse vs in the store blesse vs in our out-goings and in our commings in compasse vs on euery side with thy mercies guard thine Angels round about vs keepe vs from the euill of this world and euery worke of darknesse and sanctifie both our soules and bodies with thy feare to thy seruice that as heretofore we haue serued the Diuell and the world by prophanenesse so euer heereafter redeeming the time wee may apply our selues vnto holinesse To which end we most earnestly craue O heauenly Father the presence of thy Spirit alwayes to direct vs the powerfull preaching of thy Gospell alwayes to instruct vs the holy vse of thy Sacraments alway to confirme vs that all heresie and vngodlinesse remoued farre from vs by these meanes sanctified vnto vs we may glorifie thy holy name by our holy conuersations in this life and bee glorified of thee euerlastingly in the life to come And because by reason of our sinnes in stead of thy mercies we haue deserued thy furious indignation against vs we therefore seriously begge at the throne of thy mercy in the meritorious mediation of Iesus Christ that thou wouldest remoue far from vs and our Land all thy fearefull and heauy iudgements whatsoeuer as famine pestilence sword and the like and giue vs all grace from the King to the beast that we may be truly humbled for all our iniquities that wee repenting vs of our euill which is sinne thou maist be pleased to repent thee of thy euill which is punishment for sinne Heare vs Oblessed Lord God in these our Petitions pardoning our sinnes and granting to vs all our requests with all other thy graces that we stand in need of that may make for thy glory and the sauing of our poore soules at the dismall Day of Iudgement and that for Christ Iesus his sake To whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit three glorious persons but one immortall God wee desire to returne all possible praise power dominion and thanksgiuing this day and euerlasting Amen FINIS Sirs Note John 3. 8. Rom. 9. 15. Math. 3. 9. Iohn 11. 2. Acts 9. 6. Luke 19. 8. What must I doe Note Gal. 3. 24. Rom. 7. 10. Act. 2. 37. Luke 3. 10. Ion. 3. 5. Act. 9 6. Esay 66. 2. Math. 11. 28. Similie 1. Kin. 19. 11. 12. Text. Note Wisd 5. 7. Esay 58. 6. Text. Mat. 20. 21. Luk. 12. 13. Note Math. 6. 33. Exod. 33. 18. Psal 4. 6. Math. 26. 22. Psal 132. 4. Text. Note Similie Psal 25. 10. Cant. 1. 4. Text. Text. Ob. Ans Ezek. 18. 20. Math. 25. 9. Gen. 18. 32. Hab. 2. Text. Text. Faith Iam. 2. 19. Luke 8. 13. 1 Cor. 13. 2. Simile Psal 45. 8. Rom. 5. 1. Rom. 10. 10. Hab. 2. 4. Mark 9. 24. Text. Note Text. Act. 7. 28. Psal 110. 1. Ioh. 20. 28. Mal. 1. 6. Luke 7. 8. Heb. 11. 7. Text. Math. 1. 21. Luke 2. 30. Luke 1. 47. Text. Text. Note Gal. 3. 26. 1. Tim. 4. 8. Rom. 8. 1. 1. Cor. 2. 9.
our selues in the wayes of wickednesse and the light of righteousnesse hath not shined vpon our soules No maruell therefore if the bands of wickednesse bee called heauy and importable burthens Sinne is onus Deo a burthen to God Esay 1. 14. Your sacrifices are a burthen vnto me Sinne is onus Angelis a burthen to the Angels for it sunke them downe from heauen Luke 10. 18. Sinne is onus creaturis a burthen to the creatures for it makes them grone Rom. 8. 22. Sinne is onus hominibus a burthen to men Mine iniquities are gone euer my head and as a weighty burthen too heauy for me to beare Psal 38. 4. Let vs then beware of sinne that made this Iayler roare and cry O what must I doe to be saued For though sinne fawne vpon thee now yet it will in the end pluck out the very throat of thy soule Let vs then flye from sinne as from a stinging serpent and biting Cockatrice for they that doe such things shall neuer see the saluation of God To bee saued THirdly let vs behold the substance and subiect of his fute It is not with Iames to sit by Christ in his glory It is not to haue an inheritance diuided with that worldling in the Gospell It is not for any worldly pompe or honor but it is for saluation What must I doe to be saued The most principall thing that all men should striue for vnder Gods glory is the saluation of their soules First and aboue all things seeke the Kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof and in a subordinate manner the things of this life for what if wee haue all the world and bee damned when wee dye what a miserable condition is this O how Moses beg'd to see the face of the Lord Lord saith he shew me thy glory O how Dauid sued to God for his loue Some craue worldly goods and riches doe imbrace but Lord grant me thy countenance thy fauour and thy grace O how this Iayler cries out heere for saluation O what must I doe to be saued This meets with carelesse and desperate people of the world that worke not out this their saluation with feare and trembling that make not sure their election and calling O better for these neuer to haue beene borne than not to be reborne O how carefull were the Apostles when Christ told them that one of them should betray him they could neither eate nor drinke till they knew themselues freed from that cursed fact Numquid ego Domine Is it l Lord is it l O wee should resolue with Dauid not to suffer our eyes to sleepe nor eye-lids to slumber nor the temples of our head to take any rest till wee haue found the boxe of Election opened vnto vs and the sweete odour of Gods loue shed abroad in our hearts To bee saued IN that this Iayler by the Iudgements of God is drawne neerer to God wee may see the different working of Gods iudgements vpon the Elect and Reprobate the one hardened by them the other humbled the one desperate the other seeking to God for remission and saluation Euen as the Sunne in the Heauens melieth wax but hardeneth clay as the same water saued Israel but drowned Pharao and as the same trumpe in battell incourageth the one side but discourageth the other So the same word and iudgements of God draw neerer to the Lord the elect but harden the hearts of the wicked Cain hardened Manasses humbled Iudas desperate but Paul by Gods iudgements conuerted It makes against such as with Pharac harden their hearts against God by his iudgements vtterly despairing of his mercy for remission Maior est Deipictas quam quaeuis iniquitas Gods mercy is greater then mans misery God is more merciful then man can be sinful if man wil be truly and heartily sorrowfull All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth God hath two feet whereby hee walkes in his wayes the foot of mercy and the foote of iustice If we looke vpon his mercy only ten to one we shall perish by presumption if wee looke vpon his iustice onely ten to one wee shall perish by desperation therefore let vs humbly fall downe and kisse both of his feete that in respect of his mercy wee may keepe hope and in respect of his iustice wee may keepe awe reuerence and feare If therefore the Diuell tempts thee to presumption look what thou art in thy selfe vile wretched miserable and thou shalt neuer presume if hee tempts thee to desparation looke what thou art or maist be in Christ Iesus spotlesse holy glorious then thou shalt neuer despaire Thus the Church of Christ did I am blacke O yee daughters of Ierusalem yet comely as the curteines of Salomon How could shee bee black and beautifull black in her selfe and beautifull in Christ Iesus Thus plainly haue I vnfolded the first part of my text the Iaylers misery the second part is ministred mercy by Paul and Sylas and as plainly by Gods assistance I purpose to passe thorow that for I had rather pleasure your hearts then please your heads worthy is your science but I feare me farre short comes your conscience giue me leaue then to bestow my labour where there is most need and I pray God as meane an instrument as I am I may be a meane to further you all in the way of Gods Kingdome And they said Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ thou shalt be saued and thy house BEfore I come to the particulars of their answere I must needs commend the wisdome and discretion of these Preachers they minister a fit salue to this poore mans sore they put oyle to vineger mercy to iudgement Gospell to Law an excellent temper for health euerlasting Had they preached the Law and denounced Gods curses against him they had sunke him downe to hell by despaire but perceiuing him ready to bee swallowed vp of damnation by the casting-net of the Gospell they saue his soule from sinking A good president for all Gods ministers that they bee carefull wisely discreetly and rightly to breake the Bread of life to the people Wee must preach the Gospell to languishing soules and the Law to presumptuous otherwise wee shall sooner damne then saue by our preaching To this poore Iayler in the very iawes of Hell and mouth of damnation Paul and Sylas tender Christ Iesus for his recouery and saluation And thy house I Must here resolue a doubt before I come to this heauenly resolution Some may obiect and say What shall the Iaylers faith redeeme his family if the master beleeueth shall the houshold be saued It may seeme so by the words of the text Beleene thou and thy house shall be saued To answer this heere is something implyed that is not expressed Beleeue on the Lord Iesus Christ thou shalt bee saued and thy houshold that is they beleeuing with thee As if
Commons but when Christ came to the house and home of his heart proued bountifull and liberall insomuch that halfe of his goods hee gaue to the poore and if any man could proue that hee had wronged him a penny he would make him quadruple restitution So this Iayler before his conuersion an insidell prophane and hard-hearted member but the Lord hauing taken him to taske and trembling him by the spirit of bondage now hee reuerenceth Gods Ministers now hee humbly sues vnto them for counsell and instruction saying Sirs Renerend Sirs what must I doe to be saued And thus must wee all be changed beloued in the Lord from darkenesse to light or elâ— hell and damnation must bee our portion to drinke The Lord then worke this excellent change in our hearts the Lord create in vs all a new heart and renew a right spirit within vs the Lord take away our stony hearts and giue vs hearts of flesh the Lord renew vs in our minds and iudgements wills and affections words and actions turne vs O Lord and wee shall be turned conuert vs thus O God and then and neuer before then shall we bee conuerted Thus much for the first word Sirs The second orderly to be considered is the occasion of this his earnest enquiry for saluation and that was his humiliation by the Law in these words What must I doe I that am the childe of wrath and sonne of perdition I that am leprous lothsome and out of measure sinfull I that haue the wrath of God sensibly vpon my soule for my sinnes I that know no way out of this my feare and misery O what must poore lamentable damnable I doe to bee faued Whence wee note the power office and property of the Law that it is as we reade Galathians 3. 24. A notable Schoolemaster to send vs to Christ it sends vs to Christ non aliciendo sed compellendo not by alluring but by compelling The Law is a killing letter When the commandement came I dyed saith Paul it killeth by shewing vs and making vs feele the damnability of our sinnes some by the Law killed to destruction as Caine Esau Iudas and such as wholly despaire others killed to saluation as Paul and such as by their despaire are driuen vnto Christ The property of the Law is to humble and quake vs for our sinnes it sheweth vs our sinne and ministreth wrath vnto our soules This humiliation standeth in two Confession Attrition The first brings shame the second horror shame from sinnes filthinesse horror from sinnes fearefulnesse This doth the Law being knowne and applyed as a Centinel it bewrayeth the enemy and makes vs flye vnto Christ Thus were they humbled that heard Peter in the Acts they were wounded in conscience and pricked in heart before they cried out Men and brethren what must we doe Thus the Law wrought vpon them that heard Iohn before they cryed out What must wee doe then And so Nineueh being first humbled sought vnto God and Paul first trembled then said What shall I doe Lord And heere a poore Iayler in the sorrow of his soule cryeth out for saluation Sirs what must I doe to be saued so that the Law prepares vs to Christ It is most certaine that saluation belongeth to none but the humble To whom will I looke saith the Lord euen to him that is of a contrite heart and trembleth at my words yea the refreshing is promised to none but the laden for we must go through the hell of a wounded conscience before wee shall taste of the heauenly refreshing Merchants waxe must leach in a candle before it can take a stampe or impression the terror of sinne must languish our soules before wee can come to blessed remission The comming of God into the soules of his chosen is notably resembled by his appearance to Eliah First there came a mighty strong winde that rent the mountaines and brake the rockes but the Lord was not in the winde after the winde came an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake after the earthquake came fire but the Lord was not in the fire at last came there a still and soft voyce So the Lord appeareth to his redeemed ones first by the winde of his wrath breaking their hearts then by the earth-quake of his anger shaking their soules then by the fire of his displeasure smoking their consciences but in the end by the still voyce of his mercy hee refresheth their soules This poore Iayler had an earth-quake in his conscience as an earthquake in his Castle before euer hee perceiued his election and saluation There is an old saying Wee must goe by the gates of Hell to Heauen but I say more We must after a sort be in Hell before euer we can bee capable of Heauen that is in the hell of an ashamed affrighted and confounded conscience before euer the Lord will say vnto our soules that he is our redemption If humiliation by the Law precedes the saluation of the Gospell then they are not conuerted that more or lesse were neuer humbled Secondly they that are troubled and amazed at their sinnes let them not be disparaged so farre they are in this their hell from Hell as hereby they are composed and fitted for Heauen for wee must be lost before we can be found wee must bee condemned before we can be saued Thirdly let not humbled consciences rest here but passe on still till they haue found the spirit of bondage become the spirit of adoption to their soules And this counsell I giue all troubled soules for sinne Let them come to the Temple Let them impart their griefe to some friend or Minister Let them conferre with them that haue beene in the like case Let them know that they must be thus sicke before Christ will euer heale them Let them build vpon Gods mercy promised to such Let them pray that God in his good time would minister refreshing What must I doe AGaine heere wee may note the miserable mischiefe and cursed condition of sinne how burthensome and irksome it is to the soule it ministreth nothing but horror and hell to our soules The seruice of sinne is farre worse then the slauery of Egypt The bondage of Egypt was of the body onely this of sinne is both of soule and body In the bondage of Egypt they serued men in this sinne and Satan In the first they had a sense of their bondage and desired liberty in the second they thinke themselues free and despise deliuerance In the first the misery was but temporall in the second eternall In outward bondage men may help themselues by running away by intreaty by ransome in the the second they lye still till Gods mercy deliuer them A wofull thing it is to abide in the estate of sinne yea the damned themselues confesse that the way of sinne is a wearisome way to bee walked in Wee haue wearied