serving of him according to his will be afraied of his justice vvhereby hee will surelie punish the wicked Place thine hope in his eternall mercie bottomlesse grace and euerlasting glorie The third and last Steppe of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by contemplation of Christs entrance there ANd now Pilgrime Soule wilt thou aspire vpward yea let mee heare Lord thy loving kindnesse in the morning for in Thee is my trust Psal 143.8.9 Show mee the way that I should walke in for I lift vp mine heart vnto thee Deliver me from mine enemies for I hide me with Thee Remember mee with the favour of thy people Psal 106.4.5 Visite mee with thy Salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the joye of thy people glorie with thine Inheritance Poure cleane water vpon mee make mee cleane from my filthinesse Ezek. 36.36.37 Giue me a new heart and a newe spirit Take away that stonie heart out of my bodie and put in an heart of flesh that I may walke in thy Statutes and keep thy Iudgements For thou art the Poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.4 with fiue porches vvithin the vvhich vvhosoeuer steppeth in and doth cast the anker of Faith in the depth of thy wounds shâ—ll be made whole of whatsoeuer disease hee hath But alace whosoeuer washeth himselfe because of a dead bodie Eccl. 34.26 toucheth it againe what availeth his washing for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy Kingdome Such as doe returne with the Dogge to his vomit beleeue but for a season Pro. 26.11 and in the day of temptation goe away But I sorrowfull Soule as the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters Luc. 8.13 Psal 42.1 so doe I pant after thee O God ascended But woe is mee sinne is a sicknesse incurable which none can forgiue but thou O Christ Luc. 5.21 who putteth away iniquitie for thine owne sake Luc. 7.48 and will not remember sinnes For this purpose will I weake Soule make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel Esay 43.25 2. Chro. 29 1â— that hee may turne away his face from me and now will sorrowe that I doe not feele my selfe so much sorrowfull for the weight filthinesse multitude of my sins whose number doth passe the sand in the Sea-shore and doe beare mee downe as a heavy burden are growne over mine head With Peter not of infirmitie once and againe but infinite times haue I denyed Thee With Iudas I euen I haue betrayed Thee Heb. 6.10 With Iewes Gentiles I crucified Thee often haue I renewed thy wounds trode thy precious blood vnder foote vvith my louers hath my soule gone a whooring notwithstanding of that promise of marriage in my Baptisme vvhereinto I vvas betroathed vnto thee confirmed in thy blessed Supper ratified on the Crosse in thy blood to bee solemnized in thy glorie vvhereof I received the first fruites and earnest of the spirit Now alas doe I know and behold that it is a bitter and an evill thing to haue forsaken thee my God Ier. 2.19 and that thy feare was not in mee And these displeasures haue I O my Christ because I dearlie loue thee although there were no hell nor punishment at all I doe acknowledge all the tormentes of the world can not satisfie for the least imagination of the thought of mans heart Gen. 6.5 which is onely evill conâ—inually yea my righteousnesse if any I haue vvhich is the beautie and flowre of all that is best in mee is as a fiâ—thie clout But tâ—ou promisedst in trueth â—sâ—y 64.6 wilt performe in mercie that thou wilt not the death of a Sinner but whensoeuer hee shall repent bee shall liue Lord accept of the desires groanes of my heart Heare my cryes and vveeping forgiue my frailtie wipe awaye the filth and corruption of my soule furnish mee strength and spirituall courage against the life of sinne so pregnant and powerfull vvithin mee Inflame mine affections zealouslie to bee disposed to thy glory graÌ„t Perseverance Loue Hope and all Christian vertues vnto my last breath for I resolve by thy grace O my God to walke in thy vvayes the rest of my dayes I haue to spend lameÌ„ting for by past offences promise to shunne all occasions of evill hereafter O of how short continuance is this life Esay 40.7 endles is the eternitie in that life to come Iob. 2.7 plentifull is that reward Wisd 2.3.4.21 it is momeÌ„tary that pleasureth euerlasting that annoyeth yet as the Lordes greatnesse is so is his mercie Rom. 8.28 And therfore doe I account that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall bee showne 2. Cor. 4.17.18 for the light affliction which is but a moment causeth a farre more excellent and an eternall weight of glorie The thinges which are seene are temporall Gal. 3. 1. but the things which are not seene are eternall I know troubled Soule it beboued Christ whom thou didst see suffer and so enter into his glorie Luc. 24.26 in thy Place to take state and possession that wher hee is thou mayst be also for he hath married thee vnto himselfe for ever â—os 2.19 yea hee did marrie thee in righteousnes and judgements and in mercie and in compassion he hath euen married thee in faith fulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. â—ant 2. 16. Therefore thy beloued is thine and thou art his it is the voyce of thy welbeloued that knocketh saying OpeÌ„ to me my Doue my Sister â—ant 5.2 my Loue my well-beloved for mine head is full of dew and my lockes are wet with the drops of the night Say not deceitfull Soule to thy Christ Goe and come againe â—ro 3.28 and to morow I will giue thee if thou now haue it Remember the portion thou shalt haue vvith him in wed-locke who hath acquired vnto thee by his Poverie a Kingdome by his sorowes thy joy by his travles thy rest by his shame thy glorie by his Death thy life vvho vvould buy a match at such a deare and costlie rate Returne therefore disobedient Soule vnto the Lord hee will not let his wrath fall vpon thee for hee is mercifull Lam. 3.12 and will not keepe his anger And who is great like vnto him who takâ—th away iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercie pleaseth him hee will turne againe Micah 17.18.19 and haue compassion yea hee will subdue thy iâ—iquitie and cast all thy sins in the bottome of the Sea For thy Christ did come into this world to finish the wickednes Dan. 9.24 to seale vp the sinnes and to reconceale the iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Rev. 3.20 And novv behold poore Soule he standeth at the doore
brasen Serpent which Moses lifted vp in the Wildernesse I am stinged with the fyrie Serpent of sinne I looke for health in Christ lifted vp at thy right hand Poore sicke creatures gotte health to their bodies at the poole of Siloam Iohn 9.3 I looke for health to my soule at Silo in Christ my Saviour Come Lord Iesus Isai 61. 1. thou that deliverest the prisoner and openest the eyes of the blinde Deliver my soule from the bondage of sinne anoint mee with thy eye salve Come as the sweete Samaritane and poure of thine Oyle into my wounded spirit Come my onelie Comforter leade mee to thy cellars Cant. 2.5 refresh mee with thy flagons comfort mee with thine apples Come the Husband of my soule furnish out of thy Ward-robe a garment to cloath my inward nakednesse Come Light of the World Iohn 1.9 bring light to my soule plunged in palpable darknesse Streatch foorth thy wings O my Soule mount above vpon the chariot of spirituall meditations Delite thy selfe in the memories of the joyes to bee revealed the like whereof the eye never sawe the eare never heard 1. Cor. 2.9 neither ever entred in the heart of man to vnerstand Abide not still in Babell neither long for the flesh pots of Aegypt Sighe to the Lord vntill thou bee delivered out of the prison-house of this bodie Phil. 1.23 and so bee with Him which is best of all And to this purpose my gratious Lord sanctifie my rest this night when the bodie sleepeth Psal 11. let the Spirit watch Bee thou ever in my minde and let thy word bee the matter of my meditation Keepe mee out of the hands of that roaring Lyon 1. Pet. 5.8 who greedilie hunteth for my soule let him get no vantage of mee in the night who tempteth mee continuallie in the day Let my thoughts and visions bee pure and holie being set on thee on thy heavenly kingdome Let my last thought this night and my first thought to morrow bee of thee that so my spirit being ever with the Lord while I am absent in the bodie in thine owne time both bodie and spirit may rest with thee for ever through Iesus who hath prepared that rest Amen Morning meditation of the second Day LET thy servant O Lord haue accesse this morning vnto the throne of thy grace Lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon mee Oh Lord I come as emptie of grace to thy Majestie at this time as I had neâ—er received grace It grieveth mee O LORD to bee so â—rodigall of thy spirituall blesâ—inges Thou gavest mee O Lord some faith some measure of divine light some feelâ—ing some assurance of thy favour which bred such joy and peace into my soule as passed all naturall vnderstanding but in stead of these infidelitie darknesse and senselesse doubtings are stolne in into my soule O Lord Hos 13.9 my destruction commeth of my selfe but my deliverance commeth of thee The prodigall childe Luc. 15.17 when hee had wasted all hee had no other refuge but returne to his father O Lord where shall I go now in my greatest distresse to whom shall I make my mone I will returne vnto thee my loving Father I know thy treasure cannot bee emptied I do confesse I haue sinned against Heaven and against Earth and against thee Luke 15 21.22 and is no more worthie to bee called thy sonne As thou opened the eyes of Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and made her see a Well of water so Lord open the eye of my soule that I may see that fountaine of Life from whence my soule may receiue the waters of true consolation Father send downe that lightening Spirit of thine to renew my faith my feellings and my assurance seeing I am content to forsake all things to enjoy thee and counts all things doung in respect of thee I confesse O Lord that these desertions are just punishments of my negligence in thy service I take no such paines to entertaine thy Spirit as I should doe I watch not so narrowlie over my heart as I ought I labour not so painfullie to mortifie and subdue my sinfull affections Col. 3.5 as becommeth my Christian calling Show mee O thou whom my soule loveth Cant. 1.6 where thou feedest where thou lyest at noone Psal 23. leade mee to thy pasture put in thine hand at the hole of the doore of my soule Cant. 5.4 and my heart shall bee affectionat towards thee Many times O Lord by doing of evill Rom. 7.19 and by leaving of the good vndone haue I grieved thy Spirit yea allace I doe what in mee lyeth to quench the Spirit Ephes 4.30 but O Lord 1. Thess 5.19 thou knowest that I am grieved in grieving thee I am displeased with my selfe for displeasing thee I know O Lord it is some great sinne that hath moved thee to punish mee with these desertions Lord open mine eyes that I may see it Lord open mine heart that I may repent for it I am content O Lord to quite anie thing to enjoy thee If thou looke blytlilie vpon mee I care not who frowne vpon mee Ah Lord that sinne which is not thy creature should so mightilie prevaile against thy creatures I sinne Lord but with a wrestling there is indeed a lawe in my members rebelling against the law of my spirit Rom. 7 13. the evill I would not doe that I doe the good I would faine doe I doe it not I take thy Majestie to witnesse Lord it is my hearts desire that the flesh and powers of corruption be weakened that the Spirit and renewed part of my soule bee strengthened There was long warres betwixt the house of Saul 2 Sam. 3. 1. and the house of David but in end the house of David was strengthened and the house of Saul weakened O Lord weaken the power of my corruption and strengthen the power of the grace of God in mee Ismael and Isaac will not aggree in one familie Gen. 21.10 there can bee no agreement betwixt the flesh and the Spirit Lord crucifie the slesh with the lusts thereof quicken the Spirit that my inner man may grow Thou knowest O Lord that I am crossed mightilie by the remnants of the olde man When my soule woulde mount vp vpon the wings of prayer to the Heaven I am borne downe to the Earth When I resolve to go forward into a good course I am drawne backward by the cords of a corrupt nature If Iehoshua found fault with the people of God that they were slow in marching forward towards earthlie Canaan how may Iesus finde fault with mee hee brought mee indeede out of spirituall Aegypt but slowlie make I forward to heavenlie Canaan O Lord thou that sent thy Angell to Eliah 1. Kiâ— 19. when hee was sleeping vnder the juniper tree and commanded him to arise and eate for hee had a longe journey to goe Send
downe thy Spirit to put vpon my soule that I may awake out of the deep sleep of vnrighteousnesse take the staffe of God in mine hand and never to looke backe with Lots wife Gen. 26. but ever to haue my face towards the new Ierusalem that in the end I may say with thy servant Paul 2. Tâ— 4. â— I haue runne a good race I haue foughten a good fight from this time foorth is the Crowne laid vp for mee Leade mee thorow the snares of this day See my feete vpon a rocke Psal 2. and order my goingâ— Furnish me with wisdome that I may go in and out wiselie before thy people set a watch before my lippes Psal and the doore of my speech let all my speeches bee seasoned with grace and tend to edifieing Let my heart ever be with thee what ever I bee doing beneath And finallie as thou led thy servant Moses vnto mount Pisga and did let him see Canaan a farre off Deut. 34. 1 let my soule delite to walke vpon the mountaine of heavenlie meditations looking a farre off to that heavenlie Canaan while in thine owne good time thou bring mee through the waters of Iordan even through death it self and enter me into that rest Now to my blessed Lord the purchaser of this rest with the Father who from all eternity appointed the same the holie Spirit who daylie confirmeth me in the hope of it bee praise for ever 3 Eph. 1.13 Amen Evening meditation of the second Day O LORD let that same Spirit which indyted thy holy Word whereby thou speakes to my Soule indyte my prayers Rom. 8.26 whereby my soule speaketh to thee thou knowest the voyce of thine owne Spirit but the voyce of a stranger thou wilt not heare I continue my complaint to thy Majestie still lamenting this ignorance and yet remaineth into the mind notwithstanding I am ever endevouring to know thee Who can take thee vp who is such an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit thou dwellest into a light 1. Iohn 4.12 wherevnno man can haue accesse No man can take thee vp by naturall light 1. Cor. 2.14 for the naturall man knoweth not the things that are of God they are foolishnesse vnto him I crave therefore such a measure of that vncreated light even the light of thy Spirit as may breed into the mind a continuall reverence of thee bring the heart to an holie obedience to thee and make all my affections and actions directlie to tend to thy glorie True it is O LORD now and then I haue enjoyed sensiblie this light but ever after humiliation and fervent prayer I am become colde in prayer I seek thee not with that hunger and thirst as I should doe and this maketh my feellings not so frequent Lord stirre vp my spirit that I may seeke thee continuallie with that holie zeale and fervencie that becommeth mee Indeede O LORD these desertions are â—earefull and terrible to fall vnto thy Children Truelie I am most certaine that greater deadnesse darknesse and senselesnesse can not fall vnto a reprobat If the memorie of by past experiences did not comfort me these fearfull desertions wold mak me faint fall a back Lord let not thy servant bee tempted aboue his strength 1. Cor. 10.13 Returne O Lord deliver my soule Psal 119.8 save mee for thy mercies sake forsake mee not over long And if it shall please thee O Lord to hold mee vnder the bitter sense of those fearefull desertions for a time for my further humiliation let this ever bee my greatest griefe that I misse thy presence Teach mee to seeke vncessantlie vntill I finde thee to knocke vntill thou open to call vntill thou answere Psal 39.7 What waite I for O Lord Is not mine hope even in thee Yea let the hope I haue to enjoye thee and thy presence for ever make mee to possesse my soule with the greater patience in the middest of all these feares And now O Lord in this absence from thee albeit the body be here on earth Phil. 3.20 let my conversation ever bee in heaven Giue me grace this night to examine my heart vpon my bed Teach thou my reines in the night Psal 4.4 let mee lye down in thy peace and rest vnder the shadow of thy protection Psal 4.9 Let my bed remember mee of the grave and my rising againe of the last resurrection Make â—ee alwayes wâ—tchfull and suffer not Oyle to bee inlacking to my lampe Mat. 25.8 When my Lord shall come grant I may meet h m with joy ever bee with him in heaven whom my soul hatâ— sought on earth Amen Morning meditation of the third Day O LORD my God if I had eyes to see the miserie of this time wherein I doe live I could take vp both the vniversall defection of the whole world and the particular desolation of my owne soule then would mine eyes bee a fountaine of teares Thy servant David powred out rivers of teares Psal 119.136 when hee did see the wicked not keepe thy Law 2. Pet. 2.8 Lots heart was vexed within him when hee saw the iniquitie of Sodome but alaace Lord I am not so sensible these things are hidde from mee therefore I pray thee remove this vaile that overshaddoweth my soule Act. 9.18 Make the skales to fall from mine eyes that I may take vp those decayes into a clearer light from the Priest to the people Hos 4.9 all haue a part in this defection Where is that wonted zeale to thy glorie Who are they who in singlenesse of heart seeke thee All doe seeke their owne thinges Phil 2.21 but few the things which are Christs Religion which should overrule mens wayes are made a coverture to vice and sinne O Lord demaske them and let them appeare who turne the trueth of GOD into a lie and laboure to cover vngodlinesse with a cloâ—ke of an holie profession Mat. 2.12.13 Take the scourge into thine hand and purge thy Temple put to the door those buyers and sellers who make the house of God a denne of theeves and touch mine heart with a livelie feeling of my particular defects I confesse O Lord I haue fallen from my first love from my former zeale Revel 2.4 from my former care and diligence in thy service Where is the melting hearte the mourning eye the painfull diligence night and day at home and abroad to seek thy face Where I was wont to pray with delite with libertie and with teares now I wearie of prayer I finde no inwarde libertie no softnesse of heart I come vnto thee with a senselesse heart I depart from thee with as senselesse a heart Where my heart was wont to bee pricked at the hearing of thy Worde Act. 2. â— where I was wont to depart from Sermons with great comfort now I finde my selfe neither casten downe nor raised vp Thy Word O Lord worketh not
vpon my heart as it was wont to doe this is one token that my spirituall Life is weakened therefore as thou hast breathed in my nostrels Gen. 2.7 the breath of a naturall life breath vpon my soule Cant. 4.16 that I may finde the motions of a spirituall Life Call vpon my soule out of the grave of sinne Iohn 12.43.44 as thou called Lazarus his bodie out of the grave Let me find a quickening vertue flowing from thy livelie Spirit to quicken my dead spirit Lord teach mee to redeeme these losses and grant I may ever count it my greatest losse to lose the signes of thy presence Suffer not mine heart to bee oppressed with the thornie cares of this life Luc. 8. but learne mee to cast my care vpon the Lord. What ever I bee doing in these worldlie things 1. Cor. 7.29.30 let mee so doe them as I were not doing them Giue me that dexteritie to discharge such a duetie in mine earthlie calling as may ever agree with mine heavenlie calling Furnish mee with wisedome that I may walke wiselie even towards them that are without 1. Thess 1â— Make my life a patterne of godlinesse that where ever I come or goe I may smell of Iesus Christ Giue mee grace to bee carefull not onlie of mine owne soule but of the soules of all them of whom I haue anie charge that so thy glorie ever beeing before mine eyes thou mayest glorifie mee one day through Iesus Christ my Saviour who fitteth at thy right hand Amen Evening Meditation of the third Day O LORD I never prease to draw nere vnto thee but that Evill one draweth neere to mee If Iehoshua come in before the LORD Zach. 3.1 Satan will bee at his right hand to resist him hee troubleth and distracteth my minde with Armies of vnrulie cogitations It is my greatest difficultie O Lord at anie time to get a free minde to serve thee Exod. 5.3 When Israel desired to goe to the Wildernesse and sacrifice to the Lorde Pharaoh doubled their burdens so doth Satan double his tentations vpon me when I would goe out of my self to serve thee What am I poore weak creature that I should resist such mightie spirituall powers O Lord 1. Cor. 12.9 it is thy battell I fight and thy grace is sufficient for mee Thy people when they builded the wall of Ierusalem Neh. 4.17 they did hold their weapons in the one hand and builded with the other hand Lord furnishe mee with a double portion of thy Spirit that I may resist Satan with the one hand and draw neere to thee with the other O Lord I am come to thine Holinesse to repent my sins Ah Lorde my sinnes are great but my repentance is slender Lord giue me that repentance which thou gavest vnto Peter hee sinned grievouslie but repented earnestlie yea hee weeped bitterlie O Lord hast not thou the keyes of David which openeth Rev. 3.7 and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Open mine heart that I may make such a repentance as â—ought to doe Thou didst keepe Ionas that hee drowned not Thou O Lorde diddest streatch foorth thine helping hand and keeped Peter Mat. 14.31 that hee did not sinke when hee did walke on the waters Lord streatch foorth thine helping hand let not thy servant sinke into the sea of sinne O Lord thou prepared an Arke for thine owne Noah and the Whales bellie for thine owne Ionas Lord if I shall get my foot once within the Arke I shall bee safe Iesus Christ is mine Arke let me be found in him then shall there be no condemnation to mee Rom. 8.1 my sinnes indeed are great O Lord but shall I ballance the sinnes of a finite creature with the mercies of the infinite Creator Psal 25.9 Nay Lorde all thy wayes are mercie and trueth to these that feare thee I haue nothing to lay betweene mee and Hell but thy vndeserved mercie O Lord my God thou art a strength vnto the poore a refuge against the tempest and a shadow against the heat Who so dwelleth in the secret of the most Hie Psal 91. 1. shall abyde in the shadow of the Almightie I will say vnto the Lord O my hope Psal 42.10 and my fortresse hee is my God in him will I trust Confirme my soule O Lorde in the certaintie of this perswasion Strengthen also the arme of thy feeble and weake servant that I may fight with the greater courage against that spirituall Gohab Let mee not depart from thee at this time without some spirituall comfort Thou wouldst not suffer the multitude Mat. 14.19 that waited vpon thee three dayes in the Wildernesse to depart vntill they were refreshed Lorde refresh my soule with some crummes of grace falling from thy Table When Ionathan was wearie 1. Sam. 14.28 and put foorth his rodde and tasted of the honie his dimme eyes received sight and his feeble bodie was strengthened O Lord Luc. 8.46 if I shall touch Iesus by the rodde of faith my dimme eyes shall receive sight and my feeble soule new strength O my Lord am not I seeking this strenth of thee to bruise the head of the old Serpent Gen. 3.15 a sworne enemie to thy Kingdome Denie not armour to thine owne weake souldiour that in the power of thy might I may subdue that great dragon Sinne that it may bee borne downe and Iesus his throne may bee set vp in the secret corner of mine heart Sanctifie my rest this night in such sort that when this wearied bodie hath received its bodilie refreshment I maye rise by thy grace to morrow to doe thee better service in Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the fourth Day THY sacrifices O Lord Psâ—â— 5.17 are a contrite a broken heart I come to thy Altar but I want the sacrifice O Lord who vouchsafedst a sacrifice vpon Abraham Gen. 22.13 vouchsafe a sacrifice vpon me I would wish mine heart could bee dissolved in bitter teares but such is my present hardnesse that neither can I repent as I should neither is mine heart so softened as it should bee EZek. 11.19 It is thy praise O Lord to take the stonie heart away and to giue an heart of flesh Lord I haue a stonie heart rent it O Lord take it away and giue mee a soft heart that I may make such a repentance as my great offences require Lord there is no contentment to my soule but either when thou humblest mee with a sense of sinne or raisest mee vp with a sense of mercie rather than I bee senselesse let mee be sensible of my sinne that in the bitternesse of my heart I may bewaile it Teach mee now to mourne with thy children 2. Thess 1.7 that I may rejoyce in the day of their rejoysing Cherish O Lord those litle sparkles of grace which in thy great mercie thou hast kindled in my soule Increase my faith
Christ by election before the world was made Rom. 5.1 Wee are iustified by a livelie Faith the obedience of the sonne of God Rom. 5.16 being imputed vnto vs wee are sanctified through the Spirit 1. Pet. 1.2.22 Iohn 15.3 our soules are purified in obeying the Trueth Wee walke not after the flesh when wee resist covetous cogitations Rom. 8. 1. ambitious desires voluptuous thoughts envious conceits Gal. 5.19.22 malitious purposes or whatsoever else corrupt of olde Adam Wee walke after the Spirit when wee imbrace love wee follow peace and holinesse show longe suffering gentlenesse meekenesse temperance crucifieing the fleshe with the affections and lusts thereof to such as are in Christ there is no condemnation 5. The fifth Fruite wee haue of Christ his Passion is the Wrath of God is pacified Col. 3.6 for as they which obeye not the Sonne shall not see Life but the wâ—ath of God abydeth on them so they which beleeve in the Sonne haue everlasting Life reserved in Heaven for them 1. Pet. 1.4.5 which by the power of God are kept to salvation for his sak God pardoned all our offences and our sinnes and our iniquities will he remember no more Ier. 31 33 34. but will put his Lawes in our mindes and write them in our hearts and will bee our God Esay 42. 1. and wee shall bee his people Mat. 3 17. for hee is his beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who is also our Advocate with the Father if we sinne 1 Iohn 2.1 even Iesus Christ the lust 6. The sixt benefite of Christ his passion is Victorie over Sathan for where sinne is purged Gen. 3.15 and remitted and not imputed where the malediction of the Lawe is abrogated Eph. 2.14 where the second Death is abolished where the wraith of GOD is pacified there the Devill hath nought For Christ by death destroyed him that had power of death Heb. 2.14 that is the Devill that hee might deliver all them which for feare of Death were all their lifetime subiect to bondage For this purpose appeareth the sonne of God 1. Iohn 3.8 that hee might lowse the workes of the Devill wherefore though Sathan bee yet suffered to tempt the children of God yet shal hee neuer bâ—e able to draw them awaye from the state of Salvation because Iohn 18.28 God is saithfull and will not suffer his to bee tâ—mpted aboue their strength but shall in the middest of their tentation make a way that they may bee able to beare it 7. The seventh benefite is Victorie over Death and our freedome from the feare thereof for hee sayeth I will redeeme them from the power of the grave Hos 13.14 I will deliver them from death O Death I will bee thy death O graue I will bee thy destruction Death 1. Cor. 15.55.56 where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie the sting of Death is Sinne and strength of sinne is the Law But thankes be to God who hath given vs victory through the Lord Iesus Christ Now â—y the meanes of the death of Christ death is nothing else but a sweet passage way to eternall life to the faithfull Iohn 8.51 for if any man keepe his word hee shall never see death Let vs therefore couragiouslie follow our Châ—staine the Lord Iesus Christ who as hee did not perish in Death so shall hee not suffer vs to perish neither he is the God of the living Mat. 22.32 and not of the dead that is which cease to be For this is his Fathers will which hath sent him that of all which hee had given him hee shoulde lose none but raise them vp againe at the latter Daye for the things which the eye hath not seene Cor. 2.2 neither eare heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that love Him And finallie besides these singulare benefites by Christs Passion Rom. 5.2 wee haue the same peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding Heb. 2.18 and accesse to this grace wherein wee stande by the mediation of Christ and after this wretched life entrance to behold the glorious and blessed Trinitie in Glorie Maiestie and Eternitie AND now Gentle Reader that wee may make heavenlie and spirituall vse of his sufferings First diligentlie weigh what person in the Deitie did suffer Seâ—ondlie what hee did suffer Thirdlie why hee did suffer And lastlie what our Meâ—iatour requyreth at our hands The Apostle sâ—yeth 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ suffered once for vs that is the Sonne of God and the virgine Marie Iohn 1.14 That Worde which was made fleshe and dwelt amongst vs and wee saw sayeth heeâ— the glorie ther of as the glorie of the onelie begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and trueth And so confesseth Peter Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Sonne of the living God whiâ—h was â—e whoÌ„ when the fulnes of time was come Gal. 4.4 GOD sent foorth made of a woman and made vnder the Law Iohn 7.14 for his name is Immanuel being a child borne to vs and a Sâ—nne given vs Esay 9.6 whose governement is vpon his shoulder whose name is wonderfull Eph. 3.9.10 Counsellour to the mightie God everlasting Father the Prince of peace But we should rather adore the Hypostaticall vnion and Incarnation of the sonne of God than searche it by our shallow braines anxiouslie for the minde and vnderstanding of man cannot reach to it much lesse can it bee expressed by tongue yea and the verie Angells admired 1. Tim. 3.16 that the eternall sonne of God that did take the shape of a servant Phil. 2.7.8 and willinglie yeelded himselfe to the ignominious death of the Crosse But why was thy Mediator both God and man If hee had beene man onelie hee could not haue satisfied the Iustice of God so should our Redemption haue beene vnperfyte and not sufficient for he suffered in that nature 1. Pet. 4. 1. that could suffer that is the flesh Yet because of that strait vnion of both the natures in Christ wee may convenientlie say God to haue beene dead and crucified for the sonne of man and purchased his Church Act. 20.28 by his owne Bloode Now then because thy Mediator is God hee can free thee from death and Hell 1. Tim. 2.5 and because hee is man bone of thy bone and fleshe of thy fleshe hee is sensible of thy miserie for wee haue not a high Priest Heb. 4.15 which can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all thinges tempted in like sort yet without sinne goe therefore boldly vnto the throne of grace that thâ—u mayest finde mercie and receiue grace to helpe in time of neede But why did God perfyte this great worke of our Redemption from Sinne by the death of his Son not by other meanes besides that it pleased God to declare his
2.22 24. all which were fastned on his shoulders and hee did beare them who never displeased God nor offended man and of whom his verie enemies did confesse He had done all thinges well yet did the Lorde broke him and made him subject to infirmities Esay 53.10 and layd vpon him the iniquities of vs all And what griefe thinkest thou was hee in when hee sweate so powerfully and prayed so ferventlie No doubt he felt the vnsupportable weight of thy sinne Mat. 11.28 the fierce wrath of God against it Rom. 2.8 the justice of the righteous God requiring due punishment for it 1. Thess 1.10 the killing power of the Law Rom. 5.12 pronuncing condemnation to it the strong force of Death Rom. 7.11 the Stipend and reward addebted to it the tyrannie of Sathan Iohn 8.34 insulting on thee for it the infinite and eternall tormentes of Hell 1. Pet. 2.19 just desert to it which no tongue can expresse 1. Pet. 3.19 Mat. 24.41 Mat. 13.42 nor heart conceiue where the worme dieth not and the fire not quenched where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth This I say made thy sweete Saviour in anguish of spirit so to bemone himselfe Iohn 3.16 yet to show that God so loved the world that bee gave his onely begotten Sonne for it And that bee came hither to save sinners Ioh. 12.47 for whom hee was contented to die Hee yeelded his wil to Gods saying neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt THE THIRD STEP to ascend by THirdlie this did aggravate his miseries that hee was betrayed by his familiar friend whom he trusted Psal 44.9 which did eate of his bread his own Purse-master Iohn 13.12 whose feete hee had washed and that with a kisse speaking as the custome of this worlde is peaâ—eablie with his mouth Ier. 9.8 but in his heart bee layed waite for his neighbour Psal 28.3 Bee thou not drawne away poore Soule with the wicked Psal 120.2 and with the workers of iniquitie which speakes friendlie to their neighbours Psal 105. 17.18 when malice is in their heart Deliver my Soule O Lord from the lying lippes and from a deceitfull tongue So did Ioab kill Amasa 2. Sam. 20.4 Iudg. 16.20 and Cain slewe Abel Sampson is betrayed by Philistimes so Ioseph was solde for a slaue they helde his feete in stockes vntill his appointed time came and the counsell of the Lord had tryed him Hypocriticall was thy salutation O sonne of perdition Sayest thou Haile Master Thy Master Iudas whom thou wast bound to defend But what will not the hungrie desire of money doe by it hee lost Christ Col. 3.5 hee lost his Soule hee lost Heauen Iohn 3.36 and damned himselfe The Traitor had a fit end hee hanged himselfe but that was not all hee hanges in Hell perpetuallie for it 2. Thess 1.6.7 Iudg. 1.7 Gen. 9.6 as hee deserved so is hee served for blood will have blood for had hee repented truely he had not put hands in himselfe the word was in his mouthe but the thing was not in his heart Such is the force of conscience setting before him the hainousnesse of his fact the grievousnes of GODS vvrath judgement without mercie and hells fire without redemption For an evill conscience is a Witnesse a Summonder a Iudge a Tormenter a Prison of sinners What thing more grieuous thaÌ„ day and night to cary about such a one a man may avoide all thinges but his owne heart for whither soeuer he goeth it goeth with him either to accuse or excuse Rom. 2.15 The testimonie of a good conscience is a continuall feast which maketh a man alvvayes merrie 1. Tim. 1 19. The putting avvay of a good conscience maketh ship-vvracke of Faith Endevour therefore O my Soule to haue a cleare Conscience towardes GOD and towardes man For if thy heart condemne thee God is greater than thine hearte and knoweth all thinges But if thine heart condemne thee not then hast thou boldnesse towards him and whatsoeuer thou seekest in faith shall thou receiue from him A sicke conscience can no Physician in the world cure but that heavenlie Physician Iesus 1. Tim. 6.10 Thou seest the desire of money is the roote of all mischiefe they who are poysoned therwith doe erre from the Faith Pro. 27.20 these pierce themselves through with many sorrowes they fall into tentations into snares into manie foolish and noysome lustes which drowne men in perdition and destruction which is too evident in this miserable creature Iudas But thou my Soule flie thou those thinges Tim. 6.11.12 and follow after righteousnesse godlinesse faith love patience meeknesse laying hold on eternall Life wherevnto thou art called Thus there is no griefe to that of thy minde no losse to that of life no feare to that of destruction so there is no enemie to a covetous and a dissembling friend no treachrie to that which one of a mans own may practise Iudas was amongst the Apostles by externall vocation but not of them by inwarde sanctification as Christ often foretold them that twelue hee had chosen Iohn 6.70 and one of them was a devill Where the Lordes mercie is evident and thy prodigious malice manifest neither did the faith and firmitie of the Apostles fall by reason of this Traitours defection for what though some did not belieue Rom. 3.3.4 shall their vnbeliefe make the promises of GOD without effect God forbid Let GOD bee true and all men lyears Hee departed from Christ the rest did abide vnto the end they that continued Luc. 23.28 shall bee saved He went to the chiefe Priestes hee might haue knowne Psal 1.1 That blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the wicked And Iacob in the spirite of prophesie saw this Tragedie and abhorred the Actors Simeon and Levi Gen. 49.5.6 brethren in evill the instruments of crueltie are in their habitations vnto their secrets let not my soule come my glorie bee not thou joyned with their assemblies for in their wrath they slew the man Christ and in their selfe-will they digged downe a wall Hee vvent I say not called or sent for or seduced by his Lordes enemies but vvillingly offered himselfe the sinne is more tolerable that hath a preceeding cause Adam was deceiued by the Serpent but the Devill hatched and brotched these venemous contagions of himself and in himselfe No man motioned this businesse to him hee intruded himselfe separating himselfe in soule and bodie from his Master It is good to haue the heart established by grace Heb. 13.9 and alwayes to cleaue vnto the Lord. Hee would recompense the losse hee had by the pouring out of Maries box of Oyntment but hee came short Neither seeketh he a certain summe as to gain much by the bargane but as selling a vyle slaue or base thing referreth the price to themselves what they would giue
sinning whose breath is in their nose-thirles and whose helpe is vaine They would not acknowledg that it beloÌ„ged to them surelie both they and their posterity feele the smarte of that Innocent Blood Which men though they know the Law of God how that they which committe such things are worthie of death yet not onelie doe they sinne Rom. 1.32 but also favour them that doe them For to sin by himselfe or by another is all one and he that consenteth is accessâ—â—ie to the fact But heere is their great blindnesse that they did not revoke and retreat their sentence hearing his innocencie justie by the traitor confessed In no ways speake thou against the word of Trueth my Soule but bee ashamed of the lyes of thine ignorance striue for the Trueth vnto death Eccl. 4.25.28 and defend Iustice for thy life and the Lord God shall sight for thee against thine enimies But hardest of all is that rough answere that Iudas receiued they ministred no comfort vnto him but increased the flamme of despare that was kindled in the heart of him The weak haue ye not strengthned EZek. 34.4 as he complaineth justly of them the sicke ye haue not healed neither haue ye bund vp the broken nor broght againe that which was dryven away neither haue yee sought that which was lost but with cruelty rigor haue ye ruled them But the good Sbepherd never resteth but goeth after that which was lost while he find it Luc. 15.4.6 and maketh his rejoycing the compensation of his trauell He did cast the money in the Temple from him which was so deere vnto him that for it hee post-poned the life of his Master Now he became so execrable that he gained nothing of it but a conscience burnt with an hote yron evill acquired goods shall neuer benefite the possessor nor the posteritie 1. King 21.16 Achab beleeued all was well when by violence and fraud hee had obtained Naboths Vine-yard which hee lost with his life and the favour of God most of all For what availeth it to gaine the whole world Mat. 16.26 and losse his soule And what fruit haue they then in those thinges Rom. 6. 21. whereof they are now ashamed for the end of these thinges are death But terrible was his execution for when hee had throwen downe himselfe head-longs hee burst asunder in the middes Act. 1.18 and all his bowels gushed out how great destruction doth abide them that serve the vncleane spirit this was not an evasion by death from Gods judgement but a more short compendious way therto Let not Sathan by his deceit allure thee neither for feare of Ignominie as hee did Saul or with loathsomnesse of thy life to such abominable practises But alace many now adayes doe harden their hearts at wholesome exhortation whereby they make the Lord to cut the threed of this life adjudge them vnto eternall death besids that many by drinking and gluttonie doeth shorten their dayes And doth not whoredome vitious venery procure sudden death What can bee said of Avarice and Covetousnesse which whiles it thirsts for the blood of others they are pearsed by that vnrighteâ—us MaÌ„mon whereby they are â—beacked and killed And what shal be thought of those who provoke the single combat thinketh it a great indignitie vnlesse they kill not themselves or their neighbour Lord grant everie moment while wee enjoye this life wee may consecraâ—e it to the glorie of the Giuer that wee may bee readie at all occasions to giue an account of our times speÌ„t here that we may say with Simeon Now let thy servant depart in peace Luâ— 2.29 according to thy word for my eyes haue seene my salvation Then learne heere my Soule by this his desperation the nature of sinne for before it bee perfected it maketh men drunke but being put in executioÌ„ the pleasure is extinguished the conscience remaineth heavier than Leed which vnlesse the Lord prevent maye dryue thee to despaire For the deceitfulnesse of sinne and delite thereof for a season maketh men so brutish that they can not decerne betwixt good and evill yea causeth them beleuee they are most blessed in greatest sinnes And therfore my Soule resist the Devill and hee will flee from thee whilst thou dost not resist the custome of sinning it brings necessitie vpon thee for it hardneth the senses that they caÌ„not clearlie see it blindeth the vnderstanding lest punishment should terrifie it fettereth the heart to make filthie thinges pleasant it weakeneth the strength that beeing overcome they succumbe The sicknes of their Soule is much more sensible than the diseases of the bodie There is no greater dolour than the wound of the conscience for sin nor any greater burden than the heavie weight of our vile transgressions Heere Sathan is a great politician for he changeth himselfe into an Angel of light while hee lessens our sins extenuateth theÌ„ intysing meÌ„ to fall But when the deede is done like lightening hee shineth in meÌ„ casting his sins suddenlie before him at the which thunderbolt he is benummed stupified feeling the bitter pangues of an euill conscience and doth so cast him downe with this great stroke that hee who before gloried in sinne now thinks himselfe secluded from mercie and salvation Lord hide thy face from my sinnes Psal 51.9 10.11 and put away all mine iniquities creat in mee â— cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within mee Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirite from mee But diligentlie perpend Peters and Iudas repentance by comparing them together that thou mayst vnderstand deare Soule in what state their iniquity was coÌ„mitted Their falls heavily wounded their coÌ„sciences doubtlesse for Peter not onelie denyed Christ but bound himselfe to cursings if hee had known him which was a sin almost to death And the other Iudas did commit an haynous trespasse worthy of everlasting condemnation but Peters was of frailtie of the flesh and feare of death But Iudas was of set purpose and of destinate malice did atempt that detestable fact And Peters againe not in a cause of it selfe so much blameable but of immoderate timeritie conjoyned therewith And to Iudas desperat malice was an insatiable greedinesse annexed but the forgetfulnesse of the word of God was the fountaine of both their falls It concerneth vs euer to pray the liuing God to giue vs ears to hear to lay vp in our hearts his promises threatnings to strengtheÌ„ vs or beat down our pride to say Esay 50.5 The Lord hath opened my eare I was not rebellious neither turned I back But as their fall was so was not their repentance both were Apostles both had woundes of conscience and frighted with the sting therof but Iudas gaue such place to the overburdeÌ„ing streÌ„gth thereof that hee despared of Gods mercie But Peter belieued that Christ is the reconciliation of our sins 1.
the ends of the earth for his possession Psal 1.8.9 whom hee shall crush with a Scepter of yron and breake them in pieces like a Poters vessel In all these things Christ is innocent and so declared foure times by Pilate otherwayes hee could neuer haue justified vs nor yet could our Faith rest in him But it is wonderfull that the Lord wrought so with this reprobate Pilate before he put the decrâ—e of reprobation in execution inviting him to Repentance and suffering with long suffering the Vessel of wrath prepared to destruction but he according to his heart Rom. 2.4 that could not repent heapes vp vengeance against the day of the revelation of the just wrath of God And that nothing should be left of vnspeakeable disdaine and rigorous dealing with Christ they spitted in his Face on which the verie Angels delited to behold according to the prophesie which went before of him Esay 5.6 I hid not my face from shame and spitting and making a knee they saluted him as King they said truelie but it was not an earthlie but an heavenlie Kingdome Now deare Soule consider the estate of Christes Kingdome in this world It is not accompanied with Pleasures or Power or Strengtâ— of man but replenished with Thornes labours and dangers For whosoeuer will follow mee let him forsake himselfe Mat. 16.24 take vp his crosse and follow me Confirme therefore thine heart that thou mayest continue in thy faith for thou must goe throgh many afflictions ere thou enter into the Kingdome of God Act. 14.22 Wherefore these illusions and mockings of Christ doe strengthen vs against the wounds of Conscience all the bitter sorrowes of this life for his stripes are the plasters Esay 53.5 whereby our soules are cured and healed Adam fell from his innocencie for which Christe was â—â—ladde with Purple and was crowned with Thornes that hee might plat on the heads of the faithfull an eternall Crowne of Glorie Thus apparelled as a most miserable spectacle is hee brought foorth to the Iewes if possible hee might moue them to commiseration saying Behold the man Would euer such a despised creature vsurpe a Kingdome What thinke yee of him now so miserablie casten downe as yee see Hee is a man like vnto your selfe and not a beast He is your flesh your Brother Iohn 1.11 why are yee so cruellie bent against him Can not your hearts be inclined to pittie Vnto verie brutish creatures one would show more rueth and none would doe so muche outrage For a good man will haue pittie on his owne beast but the mercies of the wicked are cruell Well did the Prophet foresee this Who is this that commeth from Edom with red garmentes from Bozrah hee is glorious in his apparell and walketh in his great strength I speak in righteousnes and mightie to saue Wherefore is thine apparell red and thy garments like him that treadeth the wine-presse I haue troden the wine-presse alone and of all the people Esay 63.1.2.3 there was none with mee my blood is sprinkled vpon my garmentes and hath stained all my rayment Let vs therefore bee ashamed of sin wheÌ„ we looke vpon this face of Christ but especiallie detest Pride since the Sonne of God did so humble himselfe beneath all men Phil. 2.5.6.7.8 that hee might mount vs into the heauens But such is that more than barbarous crueltie of the Iewes yet not onlie are they not touched with any sense of mercie but becomme to bee more fierce raging against Christ and therfore put they in a new false delation That bee made himselfe the Sonne of God hee professed indeede Mat. 3.17 and that truelie that he was the Son of God for the voyce from heauen did testifie it but Veritie beside such stiffenecked people had no place therefore condemned him to die But O Iew if it bee the law against blasphemies that thou accusest the Saviour of the world of Deut. 13.13.14 why should hee not bee rather stoned to death why doest thou make the Law of God a courting to thy knauerie should it be thy pleasure and not Gods will to be obeyed Wherfore Pilat hearing this recent accusation against the Son of God asketh him not of his Country for he knew him to bee a Galilean but of his pedegrie parentage and descent fearing he had takeÌ„ his beginning from some of the gods of the Gentiles as Saturn Iupiter or Mars therefore should haue incurred their wrath and hatred be cause he had made Christ to be whipped For such were the fabulous foolish ignorances of the GeÌ„tiles that they made vnto themselues demi-gods or semi-goddes or children of the goddes as Bacchus to come from Iupiter Herculas to haue hadde his beginning from them This was it that made them of Listra Act. 14.11.12 wheÌ„ Paul Barnabas curing an impotent in his feete which was a creple from his mothers wombe to say Gods are come downe in the likenesse of men and they called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Act. 14.12 Mercurius And therefore hee imagined gods to be avengers of these who disdained their progenie as Pentheus was â—eÌ„t because he despised Bacchus And now my Soule consider of these Iewes How doe yee say wee are wise Ier. 8.8 and the Lawe of the Lord is with vs should ye not haue searched Luc. 24.43 who and from whom Christ was when he called himselfe the Son of God Tit. 1.2 if bee had lyed which he could not why doe yee not punish him and if he spake the trueth why doe yee not worship him why doe ye not search your Scriptures Tit. 1.2 which testifie of him why doe yee not produce his workes to Pilate that it may appeare if hee bee the Sonne of God Why speakee ye not of him Iohn 11. 12. that was foure dayes dead and restored to life where is that widowes onely son the Prince of the Synagogues daughter Mat. 9.25 why doe yee not declare the way and meanes these miracles were perfected If thou beleeuâ—st not him beleeue his workes that hee doeth Iohn 1.14 told not hee that the word should bee made flesh was it not forespoken Behold a Virgine shall conceiue and beare a Sonne and they shall cal his Name Immanuel Esay 7.14 Can this Name agree to any but to him that is both God and Man And yet forsooth came shouting to an Heathen man Act. 14.16 that knew no Scripture and saw Iesus onely a man said they who hath made himselfe the Son of God Indeed he respected his false gods more thaÌ„ the true and onelie God 1. Cor. 8.6 he was more affrayed of his acounts in the administration of the Common-weale and Presidencie of Iudea to bee rendered to the Romane Emperour than of that great charge shall bee preciselie exacted of him in that day Esay 2.19 26.11 wheÌ„ we shall all bee presented before the
Vicegerents and Leiu-tenants of God and to bee obeyed by heartie subjection of their people For he that resisteth the Power resisteth the ordinance of God 1. Pet 2.13 and shall receiue to themselves judgement And now Pilate is not offended at his answere nor provoked to revenge vpon Christ but taketh a course how hee might put him to libertie And yet there is some spuncke of Iustice lying vnder the corrupt ashes of feare and dread our in Pilates heart wherfore the Iewes giueth an peremptorie instance If thou deliver him thou art not Caesars friend Before they laide the cryme of treason to Iesus charge Now they devolue that accusation against Pilate who studied to keepe a good conscience tovvardes the Innocent Iesus But the tentation growes the more for it is impossible to keepe a good conscience without temptation either inwardlie or outwardlie For Pilate must either lose his good conscience or his life for hee is challenged of treason but alace hee savv no better life than this present life for Caesar was his god That natural conscience of his vvas not vnderpropped and supported by Faith vvith better and higher things than these of this vvorld Rev. 3.11 Hee shall bee crowned that perseuereth to the end for whosoeuer will saue his life shall lose it and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake shall finde it Mat. 16.26.27 For what shall it profite a man though hee should winne the whole Worlde if hee lose his owne soule Happie is the man that hath his conscience strengthened vvith faith in Iesus Christ and hath a sight of heaven of God That man onlie shall stand in temptation against the Devill and the vvorld This assault was so vehemēt that hee beginneth by little litle to lose his conscience for he is astonished bringeth foorth Iesus crowned to the people sitteth down in his Tribunal vvhere he beginneth to shrink decline from justifying Christs innocencie vvhere he had a privy battell betvvixt the spuncke of his conscience the malice of his heart Hee had a doubt in his heart and did not first pronounce the sentence but said Beholde your King This strife of conscience albeit it bee once dumbe yet will it come againe and will fasten it selfe in thy soule that it can not bee shaken off Pilate by this concludes al that ever he can or would doe for Christ whē hee hath sought all the shiftes hee could he would say alas this is a silly King who wold think that euer he wold seek a Kingdome much lesse this of Caesars But all will not availe Christ must goe to the tree to please his Father and end willinglie the great worke of our Salvation Lev. 19.15 But the Iudges should not doe vnjustly in judgement thou shalt not favour the person of the poore nor honour the person of the mightie but thou shall judge thy neighbour justlie But woe bee to him which justifieth the wicked for a reward Esay 5.23 and taketh away the righteousnesse of the righteous from him It was verie true as Pilate said that hee was their King and promised Messias of whom all the Prophetes did beare witnesse so doth the Lord direct the speeches of his enemies to the glorie of his Name for as in an armie diverse are the intentions designes of the Souldiers some for spoile riches some for glorie and promotion some for hatred and revenge yet all doe fight for their Prince and for victorie so did both good evill wills of men serve Gods purpose whose decree can by no meanes bee illuded And seeing him at the decay swerving from conscience they multiplied the tentation and spake no more modestlie but vvith forcible exclamations cryed Away with him away with him crucifie him crucifie him It is diligentlie to bee observed poore Soule to keep a strong watch over thy conscience for if Sathan once get thy cōscience in a weake case he benummeth stupifieth thee besiedging thee with double triple temptations making thee like an Horse Mule Psal 32.9 that hath no vnderstanding or like a deafe Adder that will not beare the voyce of the inchanter much like these idolaters who burnt their children and when they wept they caused Timbrelles to sound that they might not heare their lamentable out cryes Great was this blindnesse and malice of the Iewes yea vnremeidable for the worse worse is their mindes kindled in spyte against Christ by how much more testimonies of his innocencie are exhibited euen as clay is hardned at the heate of the Sunne And truelie if thou wilt not slatter thy selfe poore Soule thou vvilt confesse thine own contumacie to bee as great because the brightnes of the Evangel doth shine to thee Luc. 1.79 As a owle at the light of the Sunne so art thou blinded in perfecting the works of darknesse And what else is the greatest part of vs all but hypocrites hauing Iesus in our mouth but serving wickednes against the known Trueth Iohn 8.34 Rom. 4.20 2. Pet. 2.19 approaching to him with our lips but our hearts are farre from him But this is worthie of admiration that these hardened Iewes rather will obey the cōmandement of Caesar than be the servants of Iesus Christ They say wee haue none other King but Caesar Woe to them that renounce such a King Hee and Caesar might both haue beene their King But loued the Iewes Caesar No but pretended his authoritie to kill the Iudges consciences and to crucifie Christ They that loue not God will never loue their King nor the Church Easie was this yock which the Iewes did cast off thē Mat. 11.30 vvhich their posteritie feeles this day Let vs not therfore beeing taught by their example withdraw our selves from his obedience for if God spared not the naturall branches thinkest thou that hee will spare the wilde Oliue Deut. 32.15.29 O Israel thou hast forsaken God who made thee and regarded not the strong God of thy salvation Oh! that they had beene wise then they would vnderstand this they would consider their latter end my people haue done two euill things they left mee the fountaine of liuing water Ierem. 2. and digged vnto themselves broken cisternes which cā hold none And to ridde and transferre the burden from Pilate they laid it vpon themselves and their posterities For malice joyned with ignorance is euer temerarious the blinder the man is the more rashlie will hee endanger himselfe they had the light of Nature and the Light that came dovvne from heaven his Word which they contraveined as Steven vpbraided them Yee alway resist the holie Ghoste Act. 7.51 as did your fathers so doe you for they killed the Lord Iesus and their owne Prophets and haue persecuted the Apostles and God they please not 1. Thess 2.14.15.16 and are contrarie to all men and forbid to preach vnto the Gentiles that they may fulfill their sinnes alwayes For the vvrath of
to come I doe refuse the deceitfull pleasures of this world and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God than enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season Reioyce thou one of that flocke on whom it hath pleased the Father to giue a Kingdome Thou art my good Shepheard who feedeth mee with thy owne Blood that I may liue by thy life For they that liue by the infected and poysoned blood of olde Adam only are more miserable than beastes Prepare O Lord in me loue and repentance make mee cleane and purifie mine heart by Faith the onely receptacle and mansion of thy presence to receiue such a pretious Guest Put on mee the wedding Garment sith thou deare Husband Iesus will ioyne vnite thy selfe to mee never heereafter on thy part to bee dissevered make mee beware of Hypocrisie and couÌ„terfaite dealing in approaching with my body but my heart farre off betraying thee againe with a Iudas kisse The pure the contreâ—te and broken heart for the sence of Sinne laden and wearie are here invited by thee who wil not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flaxe such are eased and find rest to their soules And because none oblation pleaseth thee without reconciliation with my Brother I make an attonement with him forget and forgiue him as I hope to be forgiven for his sake who hath come vnder the poore roofe of my soule by participation of his bodie on earth beginning alreadie a life in mee in heaven for whom haue I there but thee whom can I desire on earth beside thee The Israelites did eate that Manna and died but they that eate this heavenlie food shall never perish But after thou hast guided me by thy counsell wil receiue me to glorie Adams forbidden tree procured death but by thee is everlasting life agreeing heaven with earth Men with Angels as it is the fulnes of Ioy to behold thy Face feele thy presence so let my soule haue a liuelie feeling of comfort in my Christ with a growing strength in grace and in the saving knowledge of thee my God and not to losse a good conscience for the trash of this world and as thou willes me to remember thy Sonnes death O Fâ—ther bee thou as thou hast promised and wilt performe mindfull of mee in the riches of thy mercie to the ending of my life in Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee praise and honour for now and euer So bee it A Prayer and Thankesgiuing afâ—er the receiuing of the holy Supper of our LORD O LORD GOD Father Almightie I yeelde thee heartie thankes for thine inestimable loue and favour towards mee miserable Sinner not onely for that I haue my being moving and living in thee and from thee but also because it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie to redeeme me from eternall damnation wherein I was cast by reason of transgressions and that by the Blood of thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that I might liue with thee in that thy Kingdome in the Heaveâ—s Let not the effusion thereof be in value towards mee but still feede and nourish my soule by participation of the Body of thy Son Christ Iesus as an effectuall pawnde earnest of that glory which shall follow And now what shall I render vnto thee for all thy spirituall and temporall blessinges thou hast vouchsafed on mee And what doth the Lord my God require of me but to feare thee to walke in all thy wayes and to loue thee and serue thee with all mine heart and with all my soule Command mee Lord what thou wilt and doe in mee that thou commandest The most detestable vice is ingratitude and greater honour can be giuen to none than to bee called the Childe of God Thou hast the Son of thy delight with whom thou mightst haue contented thy selfe and hast thou not the holy Angels which doe readily thy will yet it hath pleased thee to adopt man-kinde O suffer me not holy Father to degenerate from thee and to turne to my former nature Giue me an vnderstanding heart to doe thy will and preserue mee as the apple of thine eye Remoue my sins which are as a clowde betwixt thee and mee O my God which art my light my life and salvation albeit I find in my selfe great temptations and grievous assaultes of Sathan the flesh and the world Thogh thou euen thou my deare God wold kill mee yet will I trust in thee for I know thou canst reviue me and when thou woundest canst heale mee Grant I never doubt of thy promises through vnbeliefe but beeing confirmed in Faith giue glorie to thee as fully perswaded that thou that promisest art also able to doe it For it is the greatest punishment that can befall man to forsake thy word and admonitions not to relye on thy promises but harden the heart by obstinacy and rebellion Take not thy Spirit from me but fasten mine heart to thee Show mee the light of thy countenance that I wander not from thee and sleepe in sinne but I may gather in this last age of the world Manna for that great and everlasting Sabbath in the Heavens that Ierusalem aboue the Citie of the living God where I shall find peace and rest for ever hauing accesse and entrie to that light of Glorie which hath broken and overthrowne the kingdome of Sathan For I know as thou strengthenest and fortifiest thy secreâ— ones thou redoublest their temptations Oâ— but hard is the combate when thou striuâ—â— against vs and seemest to bee our adversariâ—â— for how should dust and ashes stand beforâ— thee Strengthen guide me by thy might that encouraged by thy promises I may conquere and bee conpassed with ioyfull deliverances Great infirmitie and weakenesse doth remaine in mee I am full of vexation and anguish of minde but let mee never yeelde noâ— waxe faint but sustained and vpholded by thy grace and power that bâ—eing pressed I bee not oppressed but rise againe as the Palme tree For as the seede dead and rotten in the earth bringeth foorth greater aboundance so tribulation is the seed of the Church Assist me therfore by thy heavenly grace to try how much more precious the tryall of my Faith is than gold which bringeth so great a glorie when thou shalt change my teares into ioye my mourning into mirth my sorrow into solace my death into life Make my delite to bee always in thy word which being eternall can make mee also eternall I choose it to be my Treasure that mine heart may be alwayes therein for he that will liue must needes know thee hee that will reigne must needs serue thee that he wil haue ioy of heart must needes praise thee for thou art that Ladder by which Angels come downe to vs and wâ—â— ascend vp to Heaven to them Thou art the Way the Veritie and Life no man commeth to the Father but by Thee Quicken â—â—e therefore in thy Blood that I may bee of the number of thy Children and true member of the bodie of thy Church and never forget this Covenant I haue now bouÌ„d vp with thee who hath giuen mee that Inheritance by thy Will and Testament wherof this holy Supper is a true pledge Nowe hence foorth I am fullie deliberated to obey willinglie thy Statutes and persevere ioyefullie vnto the death and suffer crosses patiently sith thou my Saviour art my life To thee therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost Triniâ—â—e in Vnitie bee all praise and glorie and honour for nowe and euer Amen