with them In which Parable consider foure things Foure parts of the Text. 1. What is this kingdome of heauen 2. What is this pearle and the goodnesse of it 3. Who is this Merchant man 4. What are his actions namely three 1. He seeketh good pearles 2. Hee findeth a pearle of great price 3. Hee sold all to buy it For the first By the kingdome of heauen What the kingdome of heauen is not is not meant the blessed estate of the Church triumphant in heauen as in Matth. 5.10 Yours is the kingdome of heauen Nor the Church militant and visible as in Matth. 13.47 which is like a net cast into the Sea Nor the time of grace vnder Christ exhibited to preach in his owne person Mat. 3.3 For the kingdome of God is at hand Nor the estate of grace wherin the elect be iustified by faith and are lead forward by grace toward the kingdome of heauen as Matth. 13.51 The kingdome of heauen is like a graine of mustard seed Nor the kingdome of power by which God in heauen as a King gouerneth all the world and euery particular creature in it What it is But by it is meant the preaching publishing of the Gospell called here 1. A Kingdome 2. A Kingdome of Heauen A Kingdome 1. Why a kingdome 3. Reasons for three reasons 1. Because the doctrine of the Gospell bringeth vs to Christ that he as a King may reigne in vs hence it is called the Gospell of the kingdome Matt. 4.23 2. Because it is a powerfull meanes ordained by God to pull vs out of the kingdome of darknesse and translate vs to the kingdome of his deare Sonne Coloss 1.13 and the Apostle calleth it the power of God to saluation Rom. 1.16 3. Because God hath set it apart not only to erect vp the kingdome of God within vs which standeth in inward righteousnesse peace of conscience the ioy of the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 but also to leade vs thorow to the participation of that kingdome of glory reserued in heauen for vs. Secondly of heauen Why of heauen 1. Because of distinction from earthly kingdomes it preacheth Christ a King but withall that his kingdome is not of this world hee ruleth not after a temporall manner but sitteth as King in the spirits of his subiects and ruleth the conscience and holdeth vp this scepter of his kingdome in the hearts of men so as this kingdome is heauenly and spirituall 2. For exaltation and aduancement lifting it vp aboue al that earthly kingdomes can afford for worth and excellencie and so to stirre vp our affections and pull our eyes toward it the very name of it should rauish vs and commend the priuileges of the Gospell vnto vs. 3. For admonition and caution that the subiects of this kingdome should receiue their lawes from heauen and contemning earth earthly things should aspire meditate and frame themselues to heauenly conuersation this very title of the Gospell should be of power to lift vs aboue the earth Now what is meant by this pearle What is meant by the Pearle By the pearle is meant 1. The happy estate of grace here 2. The happy estate of glory hereafter Of which latter see Reuel 21.21 the foundations of the new Ierusalem were garnished with all manner of pretious stones Iasper Saphir Chalcedon and the twelue gates were twelue pearles c. But here it signifieth the happy estate of grace in which wee are still seeking and purchasing the pearle and the good things of the Gospell as namely the glad tidings of it the offer of Christ with his merits the gift of faith iustification sanctification Good things of the Gospell resemble a Pearle in fiue things sanctification and these are called a pearle for sundry reasons 1. For the value and worth of them 1. In value and worth which passe all other treasures in excellencie and estimation As siluer is beyond brasse and gold beyond siluer so pearls are beyond gold and the good things of the Gospell beyond the most precious pearles so saith Salomon Pro. 3.14 15. The merchandise of wisdome is better than the merchandise of siluer the reuenue of it is better than that of gold it is more pretiou than pearles and all thou canst desire are not comparable to it What a world of wealth both spirituall and heauenly is manifested by the Gospell which exhibiteth Christ in whom are al treasures of grace and glory What a rich store-house is Christ himselfe the least drop of whose bloud was more precious than al the world How precious are all his merits and plentifull for redemption What a good thing and precious grace is faith which storeth a man with all the good things of heauen How precious is the doctrine of saluation which must not be cast to swine as Matt. 7.6 Well doth our Sauiour therefore call this a pearl of great price for the most precious pearles in regard oâ— these good things oâ— the Gospell are but dust and clay 2. 2. In rarenesse For the rarenesse Pearles are not so common as pibles nor in the hands of common and ordinary men but fit for Princes great personages common men know them not nor the price nor the vse of them Euen so the good things of the Gospell are not known or obuious to euery one but hidden mysteries vnknowne to the most part of the world and a wisdome reuealed to Babes And as Pearles are easily contemned of vnskilfull persons who are ignorant of their price and vse so the mysteries of the Gospell offer them to the Gentiles they esteeme them foolishnesse 1 Cor. 1.23 to the Iewes they are as a scandall Christ crucified is the very scorne of the world onely a few beleeuers aduanced to be Kings and Priests to God Reu. 1.5 know the price of this commoditie and lay out for it 3. 3. For hidden vertue In regard of the hidden vertue and secret excellencie of them The body and quantitie of a Pearle is small but the vertue and power of it great so the Gospell seemeth small and contemptible Rom. 1.16 but it is the power of God to saluation and faith in the Gospell draweth vertue from Christ to open blinde eyes to cure all spirituall diseases to raise from death in sinne to driue away deuils and breake the force of temptation all the Pearles betwixt heauen earth haue not such power onely faith as small as a graine of mustard seed draweth vertue from Christ and grace though it bee neuer so little if sound it is of power to open blinde eyes and to carry the Saints along vnto their saluation 4. In regard of their excellent qualities Foure qualities of a rich Pearle as puritie and cleerenesse 1. Brightnesse 2. Famnesse 3. Greatnesse 4. Roundnesse and orient brightnesse so the law of the Lord is pure Psal 19. The doctrine of grace for the brightnesse and perspicuitie of it is as
Two Treatises THE PEARLE OF the GOSPELL AND THE PILGRIMS PROFESSION To which is added A Glasse for Gentlewomen to dresse themselues by By Thomas Taylor Preacher of Gods Word to the Towne of Reding LONDON Printed by I. H. for Iohn Bartlet at the gilt Cup in Cheape-side 1625. THE PEARLE of the Gospell OR Jewell Euangelicall 1. Diligently sought 2. Ioyfully found 3. Dearly bought by the wise Merchant Infolded in Christs Parable AND Vnfolded by the Application OF THOMAS TAYLOR Preacher of Gods Word to the Towne of REDING LONDON Printed by I. H. for Iohn Bartlet at the gilt Cup in Cheape-side 1625. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL Mris Elizabeth Backus Wife to Mr. Samuel Backus Esquire and Iustice of Peace And to her three vertuous and religious daughters Mris Mary Standen wife to Mr. Standen Esquire and Iustice of the Peace Mris Flower Backus wife of Mr. Iohn Backus Esquire and Mris Elizabeth Bellingham wife to Mr. Richard Bellingham Esquire Grace and Peace from the Fountains Right Worshipfull PEarles are small in quantitie but great in their hidden qualitie and smaller often in the weight than in their worth such an one is this which I haue presented vnto you as a token of my due respect and vnfained loue to your selfe and the Church in your familie Pearles from earth fit not common persons but this from heauen belongeth to all who meane to partake in the common saluation As this Pearle is yours in the common right of Saints so this offer of its is yours by a second and more peculiar right as who first helped it out of the darke into this light Your earnest and often desires of some of the written notes of this Treatise drew from me a promise the thought of the paiment whereof was my first thought of this publication And now this Pearle being yours weare it as your chiefe ornament the price of which raiseth your owne price and reckoning in the eyes of God and good men Pro. 30.10 aboue the Carbuncles and Rubies Other ornaments seuered from this are but beautifull vanities The largest reuenues the richest estates the most ample treasures the costliest cabinets filled with pearles and precious stones sets the person wanting this pearle in no higher reckoning than common flints or other contemptible stones Isa 40.15 with him to whom the Nations are but as the drop of a bucket or as the dust of a balance So of all naturall endowments wee may compare them as Salomon doth beautie to a ring of Gold which outwardly commendeth the wearer But the iewell of this ring is this pearle of the Gospell or the life of the Gospell in the life of the Gospeller Let this Iewell be lost once or missing the ring may be gilded and glistering without but the touchstone and triall will finde that it was neuer gold 3 Ioh. 4. And because I know that you haue no greater ioy than to see your children walke in the truth I am assured you will gladly afford them an equall share with you in this so precious a commoditie and therefore haue I taken them into this dedication Psal 127.5 Blessed are you that haue your quiuer full of such louely arrowes Of the vertuous woman is said Her children praise her Prou. 31.28 Were this a verball praise of the mouth children might seeme testes è sinu and the spreaders of the partiall praises of their mother but this is an actuall and solid commendation and vnsuspected when the shining vertues of the feare of God sobrietie and modest conuersation of children proclaime the grace pietie and care of the mothers education Among that rich store of earthly comforts with which God hath beset you you haue none comparably gracefull to this if you except your sweet societie with your graue and religious husband And now to you three daughters worthy of such a Mother When I call to remembrance the vnfained faith which dwelt and yet dwelleth in your Grand-mother whose reuerend old age is crowned with an ancient and honorable profession and practise of holy religion aboue any I know in these parts and in your deare mother and am assured it dwelleth in you also I could not but put you in remembrance to stirre vp the gift of God that is in you And exhort you as you haue happily begun to hold on in the way of grace and see that your works bee more at last than at first God hath aduanced you into the fellowship of religious and compleat Gentlemen your husbands to faire estates and portions in this world but especially to a sure expectation hereafter by meanes of your inseparable coniunction to your Head and Husband Iesus Christ. You must now aduance him who hath thus aduanced you and loue him for himselfe who hath loued you in his Sonne and hold euery new sense of mercy a new spurre and prouocation vnto dutie In the way and pace in which you goe I must acknowledge I passe and slip an opportunitie by passing ouer in silence so many commendable parts in you all Prou. 31.30 which make you worthy to bee praised among women fearing God But my praises can lift you no higher than your owne vertues doe whose diligent paines in gaining knowledge of holy things conscionable practise of sound religion charitable refreshing of the poore members of Christ and whose humble sober wise modest and louely carriage especially in these loose dayes are as so many tongues and mouthes and pens without mine to publish your due praises and knowing that you will be better pleased that I turne my praises into praiers for your progresse and prosperitie in the good way I shall endeuour to supplie that want this way heartily commending you to the power of his grace who only can further enrich you with the pearle of the Gospell who also giue you with the new yeere new supplies of all holy graces till the new man be compleat in Iesus Christ in whom I rest Your Worships to be vsed for your furtherance in the faith THO. TAYLOR THE PEARLE OF the Gospell MATTH 13.45 The Kingdome of Heauen is like vnto a Merchant man that seeketh good pearles Who hauing sound a pearle of great price went and sold all that he had and bought it OVr Lord Iesus comming from the bosome of the Father to reueale the mysterie hid from the beginning of the world spent the whole time of his ministerie in discouering to the Church the excellencie the vtilitie and the necessitie of that blessed and sauing truth the daughter of eternitie without which the whole world had lien in perpetuall death and darknesse This parable among many The scope of this Parable and aboue many manifests that how base soeuer and vile the things of God seeme to naturall men yet there is such worth vertue price and beautie in them as the godly man who only can discerne them will exchange all he hath with them yea part with all the world before he will part
the excellencie as well as the need of this Pearle and God hath let them see in some measure the worth of it Why are men so earnestly caried to seeke Pearles farre and neere swallowing insensibly all toiles dangers and charges but because they know their worth and price and that if they can light on them they shall be well paid for all their labour Euen so such as to whom God hath made knowne in some measure the worth of this inestimable lewell are quickned daily to the vnweariable inquisition after it Paul knew that one graine of grace would weigh downe all the world and therefore would procure it through all perils and dangers through good reports or euill through wants and losses euen of the dearest things and most desirous in all the world whereas Ignoti nulla cupido none will seeke that he knoweth not or not any goodnesse in it Reas 3 3. They only know that without painfull seeking they shall neuer attaine the Pearle for as Pearles doe not lie on the face of the ground but are hid in the bowels of the earth or in the sands so the mysteries of the Kingdome lie not abroad for euery one to stumble vpon vnawares but they are a hidden treasure not discerned by the naturall man nay hated by the wisdome of the flesh and scorned by the wisest of the world Besides that this is the condition vpon which the Lord bestoweth his best blessings Pro. 2.4 if we dig for wisdome as for treasures which words implie that it is not easie to come by he knoweth our nature that wee lightly set by what wee lightly come by and if Pearles were as common as pibbles wee should as lightly set by them as we doe by the other Reas 4 4. The godly alone see that without the Pearle they cannot by any thing else be satisfied for so seeking implieth a discontent in the want of the thing sought for Common men if they finde health wealth friends pleasures and the like outward things are well contented corne wine oile to cheere their hearts But these wise Merchants seeking grace no other thing contenteth them but grace one glimpse of Gods countenance through Iesus Christ is sweet aboue all And as hee that seeketh a Iewell doth looke still after it a thousand things come in his way and eye but he passeth slightly ouer them and seeth them not nor seeketh hee them euen so doth the Christian Merchant and as the ciuill Merchant attaining Pearles doth rest ioyfull in them as in such commodities as will helpe his happinesse in the world So the godly Merchant finding this one Pearle of the Gospel which is the grace of life goeth away reioycing and resteth well appaid for all his labours and sufferings He was before hee light vpon this Pearle the most vnhappie man in the world but now hee cannot hide his ioy but as the poore widow which called in her neighbors to reioyce with her because she had found the lost groat Luk. 15.9 so can he neither wholly hide nor yet expresse halfe the ioy hee conceiueth in his new commoditie and purchase Ob. But many seeke and that with reares that faile of grace as Esan and many shall striue to enter saith Christ and shall not bee able and Rom. 9.31 32. Israel sought right nusnesse but obtained it not Sol. Answ Many seeke but amisse Fiue conditions of right seeking the Pearle and therefore faile so Israel sought but not by faith Now the true condition of seeking as the wise Merchant and as the word directeth standeth in fiue things 1. 1. Affectionately With an earnest and true loue desire and estimation of the thing sought this will make a man seeke diligently and as a thirsty person not coldly carelesly remisly slightly or negligently for such seeking shall neuer finde for why did the Church seeke Christ so laboriously till she found him but because it was hee whom her soule loued Cant. 3.3 The watchmen that went about the Citie found mee to whom I said Haue yee seene him whom my soule loueth And why did Mary seeke Christ hauing lost him three dayes Because she loued him and reioyced in his person and presence which made her heart so heauie in his absence Luk. 2.42 Behold thy father and I haue sought thee with heauie hearts The Merchant because hee loueth and esteemeth of siluer doth seeke it carefully and earnestly Pro. 2.4 and the heauenly Merchant shall finde grace vndoubtedly if he seeke it as the other doth siluer Loue is laborious he that loueth Christ and his grace will neuer cease to seeke him nor faile to finde him See the promise in Ier. 29.12 13. Then shall you crie vnto mee and you shall goe and pray vnto me and I will heare you and you shall seeke mee and finde mee because you shall seeke mee with all your heart Whosoeuer then euer meaneth to finde God and his sauing grace must vnfainedly and heartily seeke after him 2. Wisely in the likely place of finding Secondly it must be sought in the likely place and meanes of finding the ordinary place where this Pearle is to be found is the assemblies of the Saints there God holdeth forth his scepter and maketh offer of the grace of life Cant 1.7 Where was the Church to find Christ with his graces at noone in her thirst but in the steps of the shepherds And these assemblies are the Suburbs of heauen called therfore the Kingdome of grace and hee that refuseth the good offers of grace in the word sacraments praier hearing reading conferring the like shall neuer finde it No wise Merchant will slacke any good opportunity of aduancing his estate now the likely meanes in wise seeking are diligently to be vsed as 1. To search the euidence of the Pearle this euidence is contained in the Scriptures Iohn 5. Search the Scriptures for they witnesse of me Secondly the grant of it is from heauen by prayer Let vs therefore goe boldly to the Throne of grace that we may find mercy and grace to helpe in time of need Heb. 4.16 Thirdly the couenant is by the application of these meanes signed and deliuered yea and witnessed by the blessed Spirit of GOD by a blessed change in the beleeuing heart by mortification and subduing the corruption of nature by heauenly motions heauenly mindednes and gracious conuersation standing not in a shell a forme or shew but in the kernil power and substance of sound godlinesse Thirdly 3. Principally it must be sought first and principally yea onely sought and that for it selfe it must be sought first in time As Psalme 63.3 Early in the morning wil I seeke thee The Israelites must seeke Manna the first thing they doe in the morning Esau seeketh but too late the foolish Virgins doe knocke but the doore is shut 2. It must be sought in the first place Matth. 6.33 Seeke yee first the kingdome of heauen and the righteousnesse thereof Seeke neither
minde off them and to lift vp his thoughts to heauen the place of his abode Which dutie the Apostle strongly enforceth Phil. 3.20 Carnall men minde earthly things and forgetting both heauen and the God of heauen Make their belly their God that is drowne themselues in the pond and puddle of sensualitie But farre bee it from vs who professe the teaching of grace so to doe Our conuersation is in heauen from whence wee looke for a Sauiour they haue their portion in this life Psa 17.14 but our portion is in another and contrary courses beseeme men of contrary Countries Secondly In that wee are strangers heere wee learne another Dutic which is the exercise of Christian patience and contentment in all estates be it sicknesse pouerty reproaches abuses or wrongs in any kinde a stranger is contented to endure the wrongs that meet him in his way hee digesteth and putteth vp all patiently he complaineth not and much lesse seeketh reuenge for hee knowes he shall haue little rest or redresse till hee come home Euen so the Christian Pilgrim must learne patiently to endure the afflictions and course and crosse vsages of this strange Country 2 Cor. 4. last verse the blessed Apostle was contented to endure all indignities and wrongs because hee was of another countrey the high priuiledges and excellencies whereof Eie hath neuer seene nor eare hath ever heard nor ever entred into the heart of man Ioh. 14.4 When the Disciples of our SAVIOVR tooke it heauily that Christ sayd hee must leaue them for now what could they expect but to bee exposed and layd open to all the worlds malignitie destitute of their Lords presence and protection hee comforteth them by this same argument That this is not their place of rest but hee goeth to prepare a place for them Moses chused to suffer afflictions with Gods people Heb. 11.26 because hee was a stranger heere and looked for a recompense of reward hereafter A cloude of Martyres as witnesses seale this truth who were slaine hewen a sunder wandred vp and downe in sheepes skins in goats skins being destitute afflicted and tormented and would not bee deliuered Ver. 35 namely vpon vnequall conditions because they saw that God had prepared better things for them A stranger turnes not against euery Dogge that barketh at him let Doeg accuse and Shemei reuile let Currs barke there is no hope to still them the best way is to contemne them and attend and ride on thy way A stranger shrinkes not for euery shower of raine nor is disheartned with the roughnesse Nubecula est transilis and foulnesse of the way but hee will through thicke and thinne through drops and drought and all because hee is going home Neither must thou that art a Christian Pilgrim shrinke for the stormes of the world nor the asperousnesse of the way which is all strewed with crosses but hearten thy selfe as the Passenger who vsually sayth it is neuer an ill day that hath a good night and though many bitter pils of harsh and strange vsages must bee swallowed by these strangers yet the consideration of home is as sugar in their pockets to sweeten them all A stranger measures not his owne worth nor thinketh worse of himselfe for things befalling him in the way but esteemeth and valueth himselfe according to his estate at home So must the Christian stranger liue by faith looke vpon things not seene Let the world vnder-value thee content thy selfe that thou hast credit and reputation at home where thou art knowne and thy worth is knowne which by no disparagement in the way can be obscured or diminished Thirdly a third dutie hence that wee are strangers heere is to learne to estrange our selues from the world and courses of worldly men A stranger when euer hee trauailes reteineth the manners fashions and customes of his owne countrey a Christian stranger although hee bee in the world yet hee is not of the world hee is of another corporation and therefore though hee walke in the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet hee must not warre according to the flesh Hee carrieth this body of flesh about him as others doe but hee must fight against flesh and the lusts of it contrary to the Patrons and defenders of the corruptions that are in the worlde through lust The worlde may and must enioy our presence for a time but must at no time gaine our conformity to it Rom. 12.2 Fashion not your selues according to this world that is the customes and guizes of it because it lieth in wickednesse and the Christian is cast into another forme of doctrine and conuersation Art thou now sollicited to follow the lusts and fashions of this world thinke with thy selfe that thou art a stranger heere and of another Countrey thou liuest vnder other lawes thou maist not cast in thy lot with the wicked of the world nor giue voice or suffrage in their meetings but bee as Lot who though hee were in Sodome was not of Sodome but was perpetually vexed with the vncleane conuersation of those wicked men Art thou prouoked to sweare to drinke excessiuely to lie for aduantage to breake the Sabbath for gaine to vncleannesse or any other foule lust Now say to thy selfe I am of the kingdome of light but this is a worke of darkenesse this is an vnlawfull act in my Countrey and why should I practise it heere seeing my Lord and King must needs know it if I commit treason heere against my King and Countrey my King hath informers enough and I shall loose my whole estate there and bee banished out of my countrey for euer Shall I saith Ioseph commit this sinne against my God against my Master Seeing my Master hath kept nothing from mee but sinne I will not doe this thing I will not sinne and commit this high wickednesse Fourthly A fourth dutie is that seeing we are strangers heere to learne to affect our owne countrey and highly to esteeme it Euery man by nature loueth his natiue Countrey best neither thinketh himselfe so well in any forreine land and strangers especially hauing parents kindred and great reuenues in their natiue soyle and being hardly entreated where they soiourne would be glad to returne home and enioy the sight of those whom they haue long longed to see Euen so the Christian Pilgrim Neuer did Israel more affect and extoll their owne Countrey in their banishment from it and captiuitie in Babylon than the Christian stranger doth affectedly desire and preferre his heauenly Countrey aboue this strange land the Countrey of his captiuitie For hee discerneth that this is not his Countrey first That is a mans Country where he was borne and brought vp but whence taketh a Christian his spirituall birth or where is hee brought vp but in the Church and kingdome of Christ Earth giueth him a birth and being as hee is man but as a Christian hee is borne of God Secondly againe that is a mans
countrey where his parents his ancestors and deare kindred dwell and inhabit Now where dwelleth the Christian mans Father but in heauen Where is his elder brother but there Where are all his brethren and sisters sonnes and daughters of the same parents but there and therefore heauen is his Countrey Thirdly Further that is a mans Countrey where his principall estate and goods are where his patrimony and inheritance lyeth and where is the chiefe portion the treasure the immortall inheritance of the Christian but in heauen And where else is his Countrie Now then a Christian considering on the one hand that hee is in a strange Countrey and how hardly hee hath bin intreated in it and so likely to be still and on the other hand that hee hath an home and a father there that loueth him dearely and that his elder brother Iesus Christ and all his spirituall kindred the Saints of God are there And besides that hee hath a rich portion and a large patrimony euen an immortall inheritance in heauen how can hee chuse but to bee reared in his affections yea rauished to bee there desiring nothing in the world more than to bee dissolued hence and to bee with Christ which is best of all Phil. 1.23 A Traueller hath his minde and thoughts still vpon home and saith with himselfe Home is homely And the Marriner or Sea-faring man in a storme or rough Sea hath his desires on the Shore and his minde is not where his body is So is it with the Christian Passenger his minde is not where his body is and if hee cannot get home in the body as soone as hee desireth yet in his spirit hee will minde heauen and heauenly things hee will get as neere home as hee can if he cannot get into the heart of the citie hee will bee sure to get into the suburbes the Church of God If hee cannot get suddenly into that Ierusalem which is aboue Reu. 21.2 hee will get into the Ierusalem which is from aboue and where his person cannot bee for the time his conuersation meditation shall bee in heauen Matt. 6 21. for where his treasure is there will his heart be also Vse 2. In that wee are strangers with God wee learne diuers things 1. The soueraigntie and power of God who is the great owner Zach. 4.14 and ruler of the whole earth Kings themselues who are the highest earthly Lords and commanders are but strangers with God Psal 24.1 for the earth is the Lords and all that therein is And no man sitteth in his owne but are Tenants at will vnder this great Land-Lord The greatest of men yea of Kings are but as David was soiourners in his sight Leuitic 25.23 The Land is his and wee are but strangers and soiourners with him 2. Wee must hence gather out our owne dutie towards God in whose Countrey wee soiourne and our dutie is manifold 1. To aske leaue of GOD to passe through his Countrey so did Israel of Edom a wicked Prince and people Numbers 20. I pray thee that we may passe through thy Countrey c. It is fit to aske leaue where no right is Besides that by daily prayer for Gods leaue and fauourable loue in our way wee both ascribe vnto God the honour of soueraigntie and bountie as also sweeten his mercies which hee giueth vs leaue to enioy all which are sanctified to vs by the word and by praier 1 Tim. 4.5 2. Binde thy selfe from trespassing in the way and Countrey through which thou passest So did Israel vnto Edom Num. 20.17 We will not goe through the fields nor the vineyards neither will wee drinke of the water of the wells wee will goe by the Kings way and neither turne to the right hand nor left till wee bee past thy borders So must the Christian bee carefull hee transgresse not the lawes of the Countrey in which hee soiournes to stirre vp against himselfe the wrath and reuenge of the Lord in whose Countrey hee soiourneth but frame himselfe to please him by whose leaue hee trauelleth through his Countrey How carefull and diligent were Iosephs brethren to please their vnknowne brother Gen. 44. the Lord of that strange Countrey Much more ought we to please our brother Iesus Christ the Lord of this strange countrey through which wee passe to our owne Canaan 3. Cast thy care vpon God and depend vpon him for all needfull supplies so did holy David heere because hee was a stranger in Gods Countrey he therefore casteth his burden vpon the Lord desiring him to heare his prayer and to hearken to his cry and not to bee silent at his teares A stranger ouer-loadeth not himselfe with cares and carriages but carrying a competent viaunce with him dependeth for all necessaries vpon them where he soiourneth so a Christian stranger need bee in nothing carefull Phil. 4.6 but in all things let his requests bee shewed vnto God the King of the Countrey in prayer All distrustfull and excessiue carefulnesse is to bee auoyded of a Christian yea suppose the care be about things lawfull if it bee excessiue it is sinfull and vnseemely in a Christian Pilgrim Let thy chiefe care be Psal 37.5 1 Pet. 5.7 to commit thy way vnto the Lord and trust in him and hee shall bring it to passe Psal 55.22 Cast thy care vpon the Lord and he shall nourish thee 4. Be much in thankefulnesse vnto God for all the comfortable blessings thou receiuest in thy Pilgrimage a stranger thankefully accepteth all the fauours shewed him in a strange Countrey and so did holy Dauid when God had enabled him to prepare abundantly for the building of the temple breake out into abundant praises Wee thanke thee our God 1 Chro. 29.13.14 and praise thy glorious Name But who am I or what is my people that we should offer vnto thee for all is thine and of thine own haue we giuen thee for wee are strangers before thee and soiourners as all our Fathers were And surely it well beseemeth the iust to bee thankfull seeing they are strangers in the Lords land and all the comforts they enioy are his by right and possession and theirs onely by leaue and thankfull acceptation 5. Be contented and patient if this great Lord deny thee any thing thou wouldst haue whilest thou passest through his Countrey Numb 20 21. so was Israel when Edom out of a churlish and hurtfull minde denied them peaceable passage But the Lord of this Countrey knoweth what is fit for vs and neuer denieth any thing out of a churlish minde neither can deny any thing good in it selfe and good to vs and if he with-hold any hurtfull things we must be not onely patient but thankfull Vse 3. In that wee are strangers heere and trauelling to our countrey as all our Fathers haue done before vs it appeareth that our wisdome will bee to resolue of paines and trauell all the dayes of our life and