before our callings so for this that vvee haue beene guiltie of spirituall adulterie Vse 1 Many will bragge vvhen they are reprooued for the breach of the Sabbath for swearing c. that though their Minister finde fault with them yet they hope they are honest men and women But can they deny that they busie themselues continually about the drosse of this World would they not rather be rich then godly Doe they not esteeme more of a good bargain then of a good Sermon And so for others Doe they not professe that if you take away their vaine pleasures you take away their life And doe not these things argue in them a loue of this vvorld It cannot bee denied and what then will follow but that they are dishonest men and women adulterers and adulteresses as here the holy Ghost tearmeth them And hence commeth it to passe of tentimes that because they are tainted with spirituall adulterie they are by the iust reuenging hand of God giuen vp to corporall adulterie at least they goe vnder the reproch thereof amongst men that so they might bee drawne from that which is more dangerous in the sight of God Further this is to be considered that if men doe follow after but one of their lustes they come vnder this censure as if a woman doe runne after one adulterer onely she is to be condemned as an adulteresse so if a man be not ambitious if yet he be couetous or on the contrary if he be not couetous yet if he bee ambitious or if neither of those vices carie him away yet if hee bee voluptuous that is enough to bring him vnder the blame and shame of a spirituall adulterer so to make him liable to Gods vengeāce Vse 2 Secondly let this instruct vs to be content with a mean estate and to be restrained of those delights and pleasures that others doe enioy for the world is a dangerous and pernitious baite and most men run a whoring after it and the most godly and religious haue a vvanton eye which is too too apt to be looking after the same And therfore as a wise Father if he perceiue his sonne inclined vnto vvntonnesse will withdraw his hand from him and withhold all such things as might be for the nourishing of that sin so dealeth our wise God with vs when hee seeth his children to be addicted to spirituall wantonnesse that they looke after new gawds and vaine fashions and would not onely be commended for their godlinesse but for their coates for their attendants for their buildings for their cattell c. When the Lord I say perceiueth this disposition in them he keepeth them lowe and curbeth their desires which we should account a very great and sweet fauour of God for little doe wee know vvhat wee should otherwise come vnto If a man bee inclining to strong drinke and haue a weake head so that he will quickly bee ouertaken it is a benefit for him to be restrained therefrom now the Lord is wise and seeth the inclination of his children vnto great prosperity but he knoweth withall that they haue but weake braines to beare it and therefore in stead of wealth and ease and credit he sendeth wantes and paines and disgraces which are far better for them Thou that wouldest faine haue more dost thou vse that well that thou hast alreadie If not better creep on the earth with safetie then climbe on high to take a greater fall the Lord knoweth thy need and thy strength better then thy selfe resigne vp thy will vnto him and it shall go well with thee Whosoeuer therfore will be a friend of the world The word in the originall implyeth such a willingnesse as is ioyned with deliberation and consultation so that the meaning is that hee that aduisedly setteth himselfe to bee like the world he is an enemie of God In that is is said Hee that will bee Doct. 8 We are esteemed as we are affected the doctrine is that God esteems of euerie man woman according to their will and affection Abraham is highly commended and rewarded of God for sacrificing his sonne though he did not the worke because Gen. 22. 16 he shewed his readines and willingnes to doe it In that excellent prayer which was made at the dedication of the temple Salomon directed by the holy ghost 2. Chro. 6. 30 offreth vp this suplication in the behalfe of al the church that God would reward euery one as he knew their hearts And Dauid his father guided by the same holy spirit gaue as large allowance to the 200 wearie and faint souldiers that staid at the riuer Besor as to the rest that ventured their liues in the battel and got the prey and victorie And also made this law and ordinance for euer in Israel 1. Sam. 30. 23. 24. 25. Now if Dauid had that care to reward the desire as much as the deed where he had made no promise and was intreated to the contrary by the greatest part of his souldiours and could not performe this work without some losse to him selfe and them who had helped him in the battel then how much more will God accept the desire for the deede hauing promised so to doe 2. Cor. 8. 12. and being able to performe it without any charge to him selfe or hindrance to any other Reason 1 All good and holy desires come from God and therfore he accepts them Phil. 2. 13. and contrary euil desires come from the flesh and Satan and therefore he hates them Our desires are the seeds from which all our wordes and works do spring growe and according to the goodnes or badnes therof al our actions are good or euil The same seruice which if it be done with a perfect heart and willing minde is most pleasing vnto God if it be done grudgingly or hypocritically is abominable in his sight Isai 1. 14. 15. Where there is a true desire there will be a true and earnest endeauour to avoid all lets wherby the work might be hindred and to vse all good meanes whereby it might be effected as appeareth in Abraham who would not suffer his seruants to be present in the place where he purposed to sacrifice his sonne lest they should haue sought to haue staid him therefrom And though hee trauelled three dayes iourney yet because he would preuentall lets and hindrances he carried fire drie wood and a knife with him So then an vnfained heart resteth not onely in wishes but sheweth it selfe in constant indeauours which God beholdeth rewardeth as well as if the worke were brought to perfection Vse 1 First for terror vnto vngodly men howsoeuer they be kept from many sinnes yet seeing their desire was to haue committed them and they are grieued that they cannot doe them and would still be readie to practise them if any occasion or opportunitie were offred therefore all those sinnes shall be charged vpon them and they throughly punished for the same Secondly this is a comfort vnto Gods Saints it is said He that will be a friend to the world maketh himself an enemie to God but as for those that would not be so but are willing to forsake their worldly lusts and mourne for them and desire to keep their harts in the loue and feare of God they make themselues friends to God and he will shewe himselfe fauourable and mercifull to them for euermore So for other sinnes if we find much vnbeleefe but would haue faith if we finde a disposition to pride and enuie but would be humble and reioyce at the prosperitie of others c. the Lord will accept of vs as of faithfull humble and charitable persons So when wee take our selues apart to mourne for our sinnes if we find not that remorse for our iniquities nor that measure of humiliation nor that assurance of reconciliation that should be in vs but rather much deadnesse and distraction yet if our desire in setting vpon that worke were good the Lord will take it in good worth If wee doe Rom. 7. See Mr. Dods Sermon on Isa 1. 19. c. If yee consent to obey c. the euill that we would not and cannot doe the good that wee would it is not we but sinne that dwelleth in vs. Which God will neuer lay vnto our charge but rather comfort our soules as Christ did his Disciples Your spirit is willing but your flesh is weake FINIS
them to his dishonour and to the satisfying of your owne carnall desires Your health to idlenesse and wantonnesse your wealth to pride and excesse this is farre from the Lords meaning And the haynousnesse of this sinne will appeare euidently by the similitude heere vsed Put case a wife should bee alwaies whining for money and larger allowance and would neuer let her husband bee at peace but night and day be at him for the granting of her request and her husband should demand of her what she would doe with it if she should answere I haue an affection to such an adulterer and I haue maintained him thus long would faine haue him to be in his brauerie still vvould this suit please her husband Nay would hee not abhorre both her and her request yet this is the case of all earthly minded men they would faine haue these outward things and what would they doe with them euen spend them vpon their owne lusts and that is to commit spirituall fornication against the Lord in which regard he is so round with them in this place Yee adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the loue of the world is the enmitie of God It is not onely spirituall adulterie but enmitie against God in so much that he concludeth in the words immediatly following Whosoeuer therfore will be a friend of the world that is liue as vvordly men doe for his diet for his apparell for his carriage for his drifts and purposes c. such an one maketh himselfe the enemie of God he is so indeed whatsoeuer he conceiue of Gods loue towards him and therefore will God shew himselfe an enemy toward him The drift wee see of these words is to draw the people of God from those miserable contentions and vexations which were among them which hee doth by rebuking them and that for speciall faults 1. Some inward to wit 1. Their lusting after and immoderate desiring of earthly things 2. Their enuie that others should speede better then themselues 2. Some outward viz. brawling and strife about which he spends many words because almost all their life was spent therein From both which he terrifies them by the ill effects First that they got nothing Secondly that they endangered their owne soules in making themselues adulterers adulteresses and so enemies to God and God to them And thus much for the meaning and order of the words Vers 1. From whence are warres and contentions among you namely that are professors In that he doth so sharpely take them vp for their mutuall discord and dissension the generall doctrine is that Doct. 1 Strife a great sinne It is a most horrible sinne and shame for Christians to liue in strife and contention and to breake out into brawling and passion Reason 1 First the causes are verie bad one of which the Apostle pointeth at where he saith Whereas there is among you enuying and strife and diuisions are yee not carnall and walke as men 1 Cor. 3. 3 as if he should haue said when you are male content and passionate and euer falling out one with another doe you thinke that this is from faith and not from the flesh yes surely it is euen from the flesh for where there is bitter strife and enuying in the heart all the wisdome that such are led by is earthly sensuall and diuellish and this may be Iam. 3. 14. 15 Reason 2 the second reason why contention is such a grieuous sin namely Because those that are therunto giuen are led not onely by soil a guide as there owne sensuall wisdome that was neuer taught them by God and his word but farther they are guided by Sathan for the Apostle saith Iames 3 their wisdome is diuellish now if it be a foule shame to be led by sense as a beast what is it to be led by Satan as his vassal Reason 3 Another cause of this sinne is giuen by Salomon where hee saith Prou. 13. 10. Onely through pride man maketh contention So much hautinesse as there is in the heart so much discontentment are men subiect vnto if others wrong them indeed they cannot beare it if it be but in their conceit all is one they will chafe and fret at it and all this proceeds hence that they thinke better of themselues then either God or men doe or then in truth there is any iust cause why any should doe The effects 2 Secondly as the causes of this sinne are ill so are the effects sutable Iam. 3. 16. for where there is enuying and strife there is sedition and all manner of euill workes In what heart or in what house soeuer those vices reigne the Lord seeth and men may euidently perceiue that there are euil thoughts euill words euill practises of all kinds for there the diuell and sinne beare sway and fill the places with all manner of pollutions Effect 2 Further as contention puls on all euill so it hinders all good it makes the parties that they cannot pray for in all our requests to God wee must lift vp pure hands without wrath c. they cannot heare because good hearers 1. Tim. 2. 8 must be slow to wrath and receiue the word with meeknesse Iam. 1. 19. As for the Lords supper they cannot be meet partakers of it because it is a Sacrament of loue and if wee would bee forgiuen we must forgiue in a word they are vnfit for euery good worke for the wrath of man accomplisheth not the righteousnesse Iam. 1. 20. of God Lastly this is it which ruinates both persons and families for an house diuided against it selfe cannot stand Nay Luke 11. 17. a kingdome be it neuer so mightie diuided against it selfe shall be desolate And if this be a sure thing that where brethren dwell together in vnitie God hath appointed his Psal 133. 1. 3. blessing and life for euermore then it is as certaine on the other side that where men liue in continuall strife there God hath appointed his curse and death for euermore Vse 1 First for the reproofe of them that spend a great part of their time in fretting and quarrelling because things goe not so well as they would haue them Some there are indeed that when they fall to open brawles go by the worse because they are ouer-matched and therefore they will sit and mope in a corner but vnto such Iames speaketh saying Sigh not one against another So that there are sighers Iam. 5. 9 as well as chiders and both condemned by the word Sigh one for another wee may as if a friend or a child of ours haue sinned it is an happie thing if we can weepe in secret for them but wee must not sigh one against another no more then we may chafe one against another Wee must not when wee are alone muse of the vnkindnesse of such and such and so grow to bitter thoughts against them that is a wofull thing and will
bee a hard reckoning for vs at length for as Iames addeth the Iudge is at the doore and the Assises will be fearefull for all such persons If thy cause be good and thy conscience good God is at hand to right all thy wrongs but when men giue themselues to fretting and bitter discontentment it is as much in effect as if they should say that God is no equall Iudge and therefore they cannot rest satisfied with his gouernment yet are they ready enough in their distempered fits to prophane the name of God by calling him to be iudge in their causes as Sarah did when her maid despised her God be iudge between me and thee saith she to her husband but if the Lord had come she would haue been the loser Gen. 16. 5 For God being a most righteous Iudge would haue examined both parties and then who would haue been found in the greater fault Abraham tooke Hagar but who was the cause of it was not Sarah the greatest complainers and exclaimers are vsually most faulty themselues and therfore let christians be ashamed to be so clamorous contentious vpon euery occasion for to bee so vnpeaceable amongst men sheweth that there is little acquaintance with the God of peace therefore let vs rather goe from our owne right and yeeld a little then be still falling out with our neighbours better it is to lose some of our outward commodities then to lose our inward and outward peace Obiection But why should I so abase my selfe as to yeeld vnto him Answer Nay why should you be so base minded as to yeeld vnto the diuell for whosoeuer giueth place vnto anger and wrath giueth place vnto the diuell Most abominable Ephe. 4. 26. 27 therefore is that falling out which is amongst professors though there be many things amisse in a familie yet if there be mutuall loue and compassion and tender heartednes crosses are made much easier and burdens much lighter then else they would be whereas if there be brawles in the familie euery light affliction is made heauie what a disgrace therefore is it for the subiects of the Prince of peace to be at such variance among themselues It is for dogges and swine to be barking and biting one at another but to see Sheepe or Lambes tearing one another all the world would wonder at it If then we professe that Christ is our shepheard and wee his sheepe how can wee with any comfort looke him in the face when wee so farre differ from the nature and properties of his sheepe in eating vp our owne heartes with griefes and ministring continuall vexation vnto others and biting and deuouring one another But heere will some obiections be made for as euery one is more guiltie so will he haue more colours to hide his corruptions from the view of the world Some will grant that they are often discontented indeed but they haue reason so to be Let vs heare their reasons then Obiection One is that they are prouoked Answer But who can prouoke a sheepe to bark and bite true Christian loue is not prouoked so that it is not the prouocation without but want of true loue with in and abundance 1. Cor. 13. 5 of selfe loue that causeth you to be so passionate Obiection But who can chuse but be angry at sinne that is it that mooueth me Answer But see whether this faire shew doe not proceed from foule hypocrisie and the Lord open our eyes that we may see it Your anger you say is from hatred of sinne well let vs examine the matter a little First doe you hate your owne sinnes and haue they caused you as often to breake your sleepe as the iniuries of Anger against sinne how discerned others Nay that way they must needes confesse they are more sparing that then is nothing else but plaine dissimulation to pretend griefe for anothers sinne when you haue little or none for your owne Secondly such as grieue for the faults of any and are desirous to reforme them will vse a good discreet order in dealing with the parties obseruing all circumstances for that ende As namely first the circumstāce of time that they will not presently vpon the cōmitting of the offence flie in their faces in the view of all the standers by seeking to disgrace them to the vttermost but wil waite the fittest opportunitie when with most benefit and least blemish to the party they may help him against corruption Secondly as euery sin is greater so they will be more incensed against it and herein doth the hypocrisie of many appear that they will bee more mooued at soome small offence wherein they themselues are touched then at a farre greater matter that nothing concernes their credit or commoditie though it do neuer so much concerne Gods glorie Such may go masked vnder the vail of hypocrisie but God will discouer their false pretences in the end neither let them euer looke for comfort in the time of sicknesse or of death from such kind of zeale against sinne Indeed there is a corruption in all and we are too sensible of iniuries but the godly doe condemne it in themselues are neuer content till they can be more troubled at sinnes whereby God is dishonoured then at infirmities and iniuries whereby they themselues are wronged Thirdly if any be displeased at sinne he wil vse all good remedies for the healing thereof he will reproue and admonish and exhort and all from a louing and mercifull heart yea hee will ioyne vnto these heartie prayer for a blessing vpon his indeauours This we see in Moses hee was verie angrie against the sin of the Israelites in making the golden calfe and shewed his iust anger in executing iudgement vpon the ring leaders in that hainous offence but withall we must note that he was neuer more feruent in praier for them then at that time Those therefore that Exod. 32. 11 are so far moued that they cannot speake vnto the offenders in giuing them good louing aduice nor speake for them vnto God in putting vp hearty and earnest requests such I say may be assured that their anger is not the zeale of the spirit but the heate of the flesh which they can haue no comfort in but must be humbled for it leaue it Vse 2 A second vse of this is for instruction that if euer vvee looke for peace with God and comfort in our soules and good estimation among Gods children then let vs take heed as of other sinnes so of this sinne of passion and distemper Do men deale with vs as with enemies let vs loue them Do they wrong vs let vs pray for them Doe they Mat. 5. 44 speak euill of vs let vs speak the best of them to them for that is Christ his counsell hereby shall men knovv that we are his Disciples if we loue one another Iohn 13. 35. whereas otherwise they may suspect vs to bee hypocrites if we
hate one another And further hereby shall we assure our harts before God that we are of the truth and that we do pertaine to his family this euery Christian that hath any acquaintance with 1. Iohn 3. 19 his own heart will confesse that when hee is most mercifull and most ready to put vp iniuries indignities then he hath most comfortable assurance of his own saluation and can most cheerefully looke vp vnto God in Christ as one that hath interest in him Quest But how may a man become thus peaceable and quiet it must needs be acknowledged that contention is a foule sinne an horrible shame but how may I master my violent passions and become more mild and calme Answer The Lord telleth you hovv to vanquish and kill this corruption and one meanes is Remedies against anger Tit. 3. 2. 3 1 Often to examine your own heart the Apostle willeth men to shew all meekenesse toward all men Obiection But might some say I am of an hastie nature ready to bee prouoked and therfore I cannot indure such iniuries as men offer me Answer But remember what you haue said and done against others especially against God and that wil abate the pride of your heart Haue not you beene vnwise disobedient and liuing in malitiousnesse and enuie hatefull and hating others In which regard the wise mans counsell is that a man Eccl. 7. 23. 24 should not take notice of euery fault of his seruant but passe by many and why because euery mans soule can tell him though men cannot charge him that he hath commited the like or greater faults against God or men which if we could well consider mens vnkindnesses would seeme nothing in our eyes for when our owne sinnes lye heauie others vvrongs lye light and when we feele not the weight of sinne in any good measure euery trifling offence of men seemes an hainous crime vnto vs. A second helpe against wrathfull passions is to be assured of the remission of our sinnes Bee yee curteous one to another saith the Apostle and tender hearted So I will will some say so long as they vse mee well but if they deale otherwise and begin to doe me wrong they shall heare of it whosoeuer they bee Oh deale not so saith Paul But forgiue one another euen as God for Christ his sake Ephe. 4. vlt. forgaue you Seeing the Lord hath sent his sonne and the sonne hath giuen his blood and the holy Ghost hath sprinkled the same vpon your hearts for the washing away of all your iniquities stand not with men for small pettie iniuries but forgiue and forget them and assuredly whosoeuer hath the comfortable feeling of the pardon of his sinnes cannot but doe so When Steuen saw Christ sitting at the right hand of God in heauen and was assured that he had saued him from his sinnes and that he should forthwith goe vnto him he could kneele downe and with all meekenesse pray for his most bitter enemies that were then stoning of him neither weere they so mad against him to do him hurt as he was earnest with God for them to procure their good The third and last remedie is to denie carnall reason for that is anill guide that leadeth vs out of the way Euer marke this in reuengeful persons when they are reproued for their spitefull and malicious dealing their answere is had I not cause had I not reason to do as I haue done no none at all for what sound reason can there bee against Gods reason who saith Reuenge not c. for vengeance is mine I will requite it saith the Lord. It is his office which he hath appropriated vnto himselfe and they are intruders yea traitors that will goe about to thrust God out of his iudgment seat And therefore let not the diuell delude vs with this conceite that wee haue reason for our brawling and quarrelling for the best that can be said for it is this that it is beastly and fleshly reason such as the Lord esteemeth folly and frensie and enmitie against his maiestie Rom. 8. which will bring with it death and destruction of body and soule if we yeeld vnto it and be led by it Are they not hence euen of your lusts Here he sheweth the fountaine of all their discontentments namely their own vntamed affections whatsoeuer occasions there may be that is the true cause as the reason why a Lyon rageth and roreth is not that any creature disquieteth him and raiseth him vp for then a sheep being stirred should roar too but that his naturall inclination draweth him thereunto Doct. 2 Lust in the heart the cause of contention The Doctrine hence to bee gathered is this that Our owne distempered lusts are the cause of all our strife and contention with others They make vs vnquiet in our selues and so cause vs to disquiet them that are about vs. Therefore it is said that fleshly lusts doe fight against our 1. Pet. 2. 11 soules they cause a continuall warre within a man which inward combat with ones selfe sheweth it selfe oftentimes in outward iarring with men Christ Iesus had as great wrongs as euer man in this world had yet was he neuer in any passion or distemper and why because he was quite voide of carnall affections Before his conuersion Paul was very boistrous and full of rage but after that hee had spent the heat of his anger vpon his owne great sinnes he that had beene very froward became very meeke and was able with patience to vndergo imprisonment whipping stoning reuiling with any the like indignities wee neuer heare this from him what shall I beare this a man of my education of my learning of my gifts shall I endure to liue in the stocks hungrie and cold and full of paines c. No no these thoughts were farre from Paul he was content to suffer any thing yea to lay downe his life for the name of the Lord Iesus and that because his lusts were subdued and the venome thereof remoued Let euery Christian looke backe vnto his disposition before his calling and who is there but shall find that hee was full of enuie hastie and testie and ready to bee prouoked but since his conuersion hee may say to the glorie of God that he can beare that which hee could not before and get out of that passion in a few houres that was wont to hang vpon him many moneths and as he growes more in grace so shall it be better with him still Vse 1 So often therefore as wee breake forth into any distempered speeches or actions let vs know that wee haue a summons from God to take notice of our vnrulie affections What haue you forgotten your selfe are you more wearie of your life then of your sinne then there is somewhat within to bee conquered and brought vnder and that should bring you vpon your knees to become a suter vnto God Lord I see by the fruits that lust is
the loue of such trifles but how say you to enuie doth not that worke vpon you sometimes doth not others health others estimation others aduancement make you as it were sicke now and then indeed that they cannot wel deny then you must needs confesse that you are infected with lust If Rahel had not beene led with an eager desire of children she would neuer haue enuied her sister for bearing of children and therefore those haue a sure testimony of a sound pure heart that can be content with their owne corne and wine and oyle and that resolue vvith themselues So I may haue peace with God and with mine owne conscience I will neuer trouble my selfe much what others haue Let God keepe me from sinne while I liue from hell when I die and I shall doe well enough haue great cause to reioyce in God and to be thankfull for my portion Obiection But heere Gods deare children may obiect saying I finde a loue vnto my credit and commoditie and ease still Answer So wee shall as long as wee carie flesh about vvith vs and the more pure the heart is the sooner and better will it spie blemishes in it selfe but if we can keepe our selues from enuying at others wealth and credit c. it is an infallible mark that the loue of earthly things doth not rule and raigne in vs. Yee fight and warre and get nothing because yee aske not They might thinke doth not God carie a hard hand against vs sith wee desire so much and haue so little no saith the Apostle you rather carrie an ill heart towards him for you vse all meanes of procuring your own miserie but no meanes at all of obtaining Gods mercie and therefore Yee get nothing because ye aske not Which is one principall meanes of pulling downe Gods blessings vpon his seruants Doct. 5 Prayer is the best meanes of promotion Doctrine Prayer is the best meanes to bee prouided of all things needefull for this life and the life to come God is a good housholder and if his children would receiue good things from him they must not fall together by the eares nor grow to brawling and contending one with another for that is the next way to make their Father scourge them all But they must betake themselues to prayer and become humble and earnest suters vnto their Father which is both the easiest and the surest course God Reason 1 hath promised that if we aske we shall obtaine Mat. 7. 7. Obiection But some might say I am a sinner compassed with many infirmities and frailties and how then can I looke for hearing at his hands Answer Why saies Christ if you that are euill can giue good things vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Luk. 11. 10. 12. 12. 13 Father c. Though you see faults in your children and there be the like in your selues yet you can bee liberall towards them how much more will God shewe himselfe gratious to his children being goodnesse it selfe and able to make his children as good as he would haue them to be The prodigall sonne may be a paterne of Gods fauourable dealing in this behalfe For when hee had lost his wealth his peace his credit and all hauing drowned himselfe in vile and abominable lusts what had hee wherewith to helpe himselfe euen the vnfained requests of an humble and penitent hart which neuer can want happie successe when they are presented to a mercifull and gratious father what his successe was wee may reade at large Luk. 15. Hence commeth that exhortation of the Apostle In nothing bee carefull but in all things let your requests bee Phil. 4. 6 made knowne vnto God c. Obiection But I haue many debts to pay and many burthens to beare and what good will prayer do me in these straits Answer Very great good for if you can lay open your heart before Answer God in prayer and thanksgiuing the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding such as a naturall man cannot conceiue nor a regenerate man till hee haue felt it shall keepe your hartes and mindes in Christ Iesus that is in a blessed communion with him that look what Christ hath you shall be surâ—â—o haue haue you no power in your selfe you shall haue it in Christ Haue you no wealth in your house Christ hath enough for you in his hand but all our woe comes from this that we lose our communion with him for want of faithfull and feruent prayer Vse 1 For the reproofe of our great negligence vnbeleefe and coldnesse in prayer thence it is that wee haue manie wants because we want the spirit of prayer and seeke vnto other helpes rather then vnto our heauenly Father If children should runne from their parents to seruants and still be crying and complaining to them their parents would not endure it and if such children should bee still bewailing their case that neuer any were in such miserie as they none would pitie them haue they not a good and a rich father would men say that would haue them to seeke vnto him for reliefe and maintenance and cannot endure that they should seeke vnto others If it be thus with naturall parents how much more is it with our heauenly Father who is farre more ready to heare and helpe then the nearest friends in the world For when they will not afford vs reliefe hee will and when they are vnkind hee will shewe himselfe most kind vnto vs and therefore haue we vnkindnesse from men that wee might draw neare to God himselfe and goe from those broken Cesternes which can hold no water to the fountaine of liuing waters where we may drinke freelie without restraint and haue all our wants abundantly supplied Vse 2 This is for instruction that if we would speed well wee should vse the meanes of speeding well for if we be plentifull in prayer we shall be plentifull in comfort according Iohn 16. 24 to that of our Sauiour Aske that your ioy may be full Vse 3 Thirdly here is matter of comfort for those that are able to powre out their soules before God in prayer though there bee neuer so many stormes of sorrow they shall bee sufficiently sheltred in the middest of all It is a grosse conceit for men to thinke Alas my case is hard I haue no friends no money no abilitie to labour in my vocation c. But haue you the spirit of prayer If you haue you are in an happie estate for if wee would consider of things aright who is in hard case but hee that hath an hard heart And who is in good case but hee that hath a good conscience and a heart full of good meditations which hee is euer and anon readie to poure out in Gods presence They that set not their friends nor themselues on worke so much as they set their faith aworke they are the blessed people they may assure themselues that God will not faile