natural hea and living Creatures would â—â—on be extinguished And this Evening and Morning was 〈◊〉 Fourth Day viz. with those â—hree that were before the Sun but the first Day wherein there was a Sun to give Light Thâ— nâ—xâ— Day the Ayr and Waâ—ers were furnished where it seemeth that God brought both Fowles and Fishes out of the Waters so it seemeth the Fowles were brought forth out of the Waters above the Fiâ—mament and now are appointed â—o fly in the Fiâ—mament or Ayr and the Fishes weâ—e brought forth out of tâ—e Waters bâ—low where yet they abide and swim this was on the fiâ—â—â— Day On the Sixth Day was the Earth furnished with Beasts and creeping things of every kinde And last of all was created a Lord of the rest even Man upon the same Day of which more hereafter Thus much for these bodily Creatures concerning which something may be profitabâ—y spoken by way of Application and someâ—hing also by way of Allusion CHAP. II. Use 1. IN that God did choose to make the World in this space of time who could as easily have made it as well in one moment as in six Days this should teach us to take time for Meditation on his Works He that could in one instant at one word have brought forth Heaven full of Stars the Ayr full of Fowls the Water full of Fishes the Earth full of Beasts creeping things Trees c. was pleased to make several Days works of this wonderful Creation and to proceed distinctly and orderly in his work teaching us by the manner of his working only by his Word without Instruments that he could have done all at once which now he did at several times it being as easie for Him at one word to say let there be a perfect World as at one word to say Let there be Light and on the other side by this stay and pause in working teaching us to stay in our thoughts and to cause our minds to dwell upon his glorious works our minds I say which are of narrow capaciâ—y and can but take in things by peece-meale into their consideration The eyes of our Souls are but narrow and it is not enough for them at one glance to view the whole frame of this glorious Building but rather by setled Meditation to fix themselves upâ—n it and leisurely to pass from one part and point thereof to another and in every part to admire the Infinite and All-sufficient perfection of the Worker It is that which may make us ashamed and tremble also 〈◊〉 God should call our Consciences to account few of us could say that of â—ll the time we have spent ever sith-hence we had the use of ouâ— understandings in a serious Meditation on Gods works to this end that we might glorify the Maker would not make up one Week not one six Days not so long as the Lord was in bringing them forth Is not this a shame for Man who was made of purpose to glorify God in his works that he should not in all his life spend so much time in meditating on the works of God notwithstanding his dulness and sloth of apprehension as the Lord was pleased to take in making of them notwithstanding his Omnipotency which could have made them all in less than one minute as easily as in a thousand years Thâ—s therefore should cause us to humble our selves for ouâ— failing in this regard whereof we are guilty in an high degree and move us to spend more hours in studying this great Book of Nature which the Lord hath spread open before us therein describing unto us those invisible things of his Eternal Power and God-head in such plain and legible Characters that he which runneth mâ—y read them every main part being as it were a several Volume the Heaven the Aire the Earth and Waters every Creature in thâ—se being a several Leaf or Page every part of each Creature every natural property quality or created vertue in each being a several liâ—e or at least word or syllable deserving a studious and attentive Reader that is one that will seriously take into his thoughts the admirable incomprehensible excellency and perfection of the Maker And as our Saviour speaking of Daniel's Prophesie concerning the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place saith Let him that readeth consider so say I of these great works of Gods Creation which we may call the Books of Nature written with the Finger of God let him that readeth them consider let him that looketh upon them not do it with a careless eye but with attentive thoughts and most effectual Meditations yee may not herein be like idle Readers that only loâ—k at the beginning of a Book to see the name and then throw it away again And what if I should say it were expedient herein to follow the same order in considering of the Lords works as the Lord himself did in their Creation that is to bind our selves to do the work of the Day in its Day namely on the same Day wherein each work was done to meditate on the work of that Day I will not say that he sinneth who doth not follow this order I know no such warrant But this I say considering our weakness who must have time to make a distinct consideration of things considering how apt we are to be carried away with idle impertinent and unprofitable musings and so to look away fâ—om those things whereupon our thoughts should especially be fixed considering the great and admirable variety of Creatures and of natural qualities and perfections in those Creatures all issuing from that one single but All-sufficient perfection of an infinite God especially considering that the Lord hath been pleased not only to let us know how many Days he spent in the Creation of all the whole but also particularly and distinctly to acquaint us with his several Days works telling us what he did the first Day what he did the second Day c. â— dare boldly say it is expedient even to tye our selves to set apart some time in those several Days for a more special view of those several works The work it self is necessary and a more natural and convenient order to be used in performing it I cannot think of than this which I now propose CHAP. III. Meditations on the first Days Work SECT 1. LEt us now consider what was the first days work and that upon the first day which now we call the Lords day and therein first consider what was done in the Evening of that Day and then what was done in the Morning 1. What was done in the Evening it seemeth that in the Evening or Nâ—gâ—t was maâ—e the Heaven without Light the Earth wiâ—hout form darkness câ—vering the face of the deâ—p and the spirit of God moving upon the surface of the Waters And here is plentiful maâ—ter for thy thoughts to work upon on this first day of the week 1. Then admire and magnify the wonderful power and
light at the first so that this I conceive at the first was made that huge Oâ—b or Sphear of Heaven without Sun Moon or Stars and together with it the common matter of all inferiour Bodies for first he saith the Heaven and Earth were made but he doth not say that the Heaven but the Earth only was without form and void And the Spirit of God moved upon the Waters Or hovered over this mixed Mass of Earth Waters as the Bird over her Egge by its divine vertue framing and shaâ—â—ng distinct and several sorts of Creatures out of this common lump On this first Day was the Light created as an active Instrument to distinguish Time and as I conceive so also to be used in bringing forth distinct and special Creatures by vertue of a quickning operative heat accompanying this Light This Light you see was before the Sun which was not created until the fourth Day And in probability this Light was fâ—xed and radicated in the Heavens and so shined here upon this confused heap of the Earth and Waters for had it been without a subject scattered abroad throughout the vast and void empty spaces between Heaven and Earth on every side where had the distinction been between Day and Night And therefore I conceive that this excellent Creature being seated in Heaven by the Father of Lights did shine upon half the Earth at once as now the Sun doth and so was caâ—ried about with the motion of the Heavens and made Day where it shone and left the Night there whence it removed so that whiles the Earth continued without form and had its face coveâ—ed with darkness there was the first Evening and when the Light was made and shown upon the Earth out of darkness there was the first Morning and this Evening and Morning were the first Day SECT 2. IN the second place is to be considered the distinction and division between the greatest parts of the Earth and Waters 1. The division of the upper parts of the Waters from the lower parts of the same which was by the Firmament or Body of the Ayr which God made between the upper and lower parts of the Water which I apprehend thus That although the Earth and Waters lay confused together in one heap yet the thinner parts of this lump coming neerer the nature of Water was raised to the upper part and that these muddy Waters lying in an huge heap above the grâ—sser and more earthy part the Spirit of God did penetraâ—e into them and bâ— his vertue rarily the middle part of this wateâ—y matter turning it into an huge spacious but much purer and thinner body of the Ayr which is called an Expansion or out-spread Covering wherâ—by a separation was made between the Wâ—terish matter compassing and hiding under it the whole Earth on every side and the upper parts of the Water which in Cloâ—ds and Exhâ—lations were drawn and raised up some higher some lower above some parts of this Ayr or Covering And this Firmament is called Heaven even the same spoken of elsewhere in Scripture The Heavens shâ—ll hear the Earth Hos. 2 21. That is the Ayr shall showre down fattâ—ning Showres upon the Earth and so we â—ead of The Fowles of Heaven that is of the Ayr As S. Paul also calleth the Heaven of the blâ—ssed Saints and Angels The third Heaven aâ—d â—o propâ—rtionably that which is the place of the Sun and Stars is the second and this of the Ayr here mentioned is the first Heaven and this Evening and Morning wherein this was doâ—e was the second Day though yet without a Sun 2. As there was a distinction of the upper and lower parts of the Waters so now of the Waters from the Earth the Waters â—hat encompassed wholly overwhelmed the Earth before being by the Word of God gâ—â—hâ—red togetâ—er aâ—d shut up in one plâ—ce and called Seas so that the dâ—y Lâ—nd whâ—â—h was alâ—ogether hidden before did now appeaâ— the wisdome of God thus provid ng for those Creatures which he puâ—poâ—ed to place upon the Earth Next to this was â—he furnishing the Earth with Plâ—nts Trees Herbs Grass c. which were the first Creatures that had life and that the first degree of life vâ—z Vegetation without senâ—e or motion from place to place yet endâ—ed with a seminal vertue enabling them to propagate their kinde and to bring forth an encrease And this was the work of the third Day when as yet the Sun was not created SECT 3. NOw follow the Ornaments of the chiâ—f part of this glorious Building 1. Of the Heaven on the Fourth Day 2. Of the Ayr and Waters on the Fiâ—th Day 3 Of the Earth on the Sixth Day Now the Lord having without Sun Moon or Stars given Light to the World three Days together doth by his All-mighty Word create Lights in the Heaven viz. the great Light of the Sun which should now henceforth become a Fountain of Ligâ—t both to other Stars and to the rest of the Woâ—ld by which the Day should be ruled and then a lâ—sser Light though in appearaâ—ce great to us at a neerer distance than other stâ—rs even the Moon to rule the Night so that now there should be some Light in the Night and not meâ—r Daâ—kness as in the three former Nights but either the Moon should shine with greater bâ—ightness on the Earth or aâ— least the Stars shâ—uld give some lesser Light in the absence of the Moon and even in the most cloudy Night should give some little abatement of utter Darkness But this was not all these glorious Bodies were to serve for Sâ—gnes and for Seasons and for Days and Years Wherein I. I embrace the Opinion of Parâ—â—s who acknowledgeth the Stars to have a thâ—â—e-fold kind of Signification Natural Civil Divine 1. Natural as they signify and fore-shew Rain and Drought Cold Heat Famine Plenty Eclipses c By their rising setting opposiâ—ion conjuâ—ction c. 2. Civil As they shew unto divers sorts of Men when is fit time for several employments viz. Pilots Fishermen Husbandmen Physicians c. 3 Divine So they many times foreshew the judgments of God â—o come as Wars Pestilences Conâ—lagâ—aâ—ions and fearfull alterations of States and Kingdomes II. As they are for Sigâ—es so likewise for Seasons The S n by his vaâ—iety â—f motion making the â—pring Sumâ—er Autâ—mn and Winter and the Moâ—n making nâ—w Monâ—tâ—s by her changes and revolutions III. They are likewise for Days and Yâ—ars the Light carried about bâ—fore made the Day but now the Sâ—n should measâ—re the Day from this fourth Day to the last Day the Day of Judgment by encâ—mpassing the Earth in twenty and four hours making a naâ—ural Day compleat and by a full revolution to the same point where it begun making a full Year IV. To give Light to the Earth without which all the Creatures would be in Darkness and with that Light to impart a câ—erishiâ—g heat and warmth without which the
golden mines Learn to humble thy self before him whose eyes are ten thousand times brighter than the Sun who knoweth many more faults in us than we can see in our selves be we never so watchful who is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things Let it not seem incredible unto thee that God should be every where present and see all things in all places seeing the Sun which is one of his Creatures and but apart of his fourth day's work doth at once shine many hundred thousand miles if you reckon how his light reacheth downward from heaven to earth and that Northward Southward Eastward Westward yea from heaven to heaven for when it is on the other side of the earth it shineth on the Moon on this side the earth and causeth it to shine yea it shineth upon every tree upon every little grass and doth as it were in its kind look upon the smallest thing Is it then to be doubted that God who can make a thousand Suns as excellent as this with a word should be in all places at once and see all things at one view Even reason may teach us that it is more strange that the Sun being a Creature should shine so far and on so many Creatures at once than that the Infinite God should be thus every where present and see all things Yea thou maist assure thy self that as the Sun is not polluted with the loathsome puddles and dunghils on which it shineth so neither is the Lord by filling all places even there where are the greatest pollutions He is no farther from happiness in Hell than in Heaven for himself is Hiâ— perfection and excellency from whom no degree of happiness can be taken 8. Consider also the swiftness of the Sun which is beyond the thought of man wonderful is the work of God in this regard if we consider what an huge compass the Earth hath and then how the heavens are above the Earth so that the Sun in twenty four houres doth not onely go round about the Earth but also round that huge compass between Heaven and Earth I cannot conceive but that it must needs go many hundred thousand miles in one hour Now is it not easier for God to be every where at once â—han for the Sun to make such a speedy course yet notwithstanding the time of thy life goeth as fast as the Sun it self for it carrieth about thy time thy days thy years thine age with it Oh consider every time thou seest the Sun in his race my life runs along and keepeth pace with this Sun a thousand times faster than any Eagle can fly in the ayr I sit still but my life runneth post I am idle but my time is every moment in a speedy course nay I go backward when my time runneth forward woe is me that I grow less careful in hastening on in my journey that I linger that I go out of the way when my days are carried away upon the wings of the Sun oh call to God for quickening grace that the spirit of God may lift thee up and carry thee on in a farr more speedy course of holy obedience When thou thy self lackest means to pass away the time or hearest others complain in this regard look up to the Sun and think with they self doth not the Sun go fast enough surely time goeth along with it and never laggeth one inch behind it is it not a madness then to call for more help to drive it forward Is there not much more cause to labour by all means to make hast after our time which we have already lost which hath long since out-run us let us take time to bewail our loss of time and be ashamed any more to complain of it as if it were too slow-paced 9. Consider that as the Sun is not the Authour nor cause of darkness when he taketh away his beams from us but the darkness followeth upon his removal so God is not the Authour of sin or blindness when he most justly denieth his light and graces to the unworthy sons of Adam but that sin followeth thereupon glorify his perfect purity and do not conceive one thought against him so as to enwrap him with thy self in guiltiness but say with the Psalmist The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Thus much for the Sun SECT 3. NOw follow the Moon and Stars The Moon which is appoinâ—ed to rule the night is a Creature where we may behold the glory of God though more dimly shining than in the Sun 1. Here see God's wisedome and goodness in mitigating the darkness of the night that when the Sun is out of sight yet we should have a Moon to give us some though not so great a light and if both be sometimes absenâ— yet then we have the Stars to make some abatement of utter darkness How wonderful was the Lord in his works who was pleased not onely to give us so great a light by day but also to set up candles for us in the Heavens in the night time even so should we think also how the Lord dealeth with his servants if he take away the Sun-shine of comforts from them even fulness of joy yet even then he leaveth some Moon-light or Star-light at the least some glimmerings whereby they conceive some hope and are though not much cheered yet supported Be thankful for the least degree and wait patiently for a greater measure seek to him stand not in thine own light let not thy soul refuse comfort or if there be no Moon or Stars to be seen by reason of the clouds yet I am perswaded that in the darkest night there is some little degree of light though not scarcely to be discerned by us yet I do not think it is ever so dark as in those three nights before the Sun was made so in the greatest decay of grace the greatest darkness of spiritual desertion when there is scarce any degree of spiritual life grace or comfort to be discerned yet in every true Christian who once was made a new Creature there is some degree and it is not with him as it was before the Sun of righteousness was risen upon him there is not that utter darkness that was upon his soul while it was in that more confused chaos and heap of unregeneration 2. The Moon in respect of the Sun is as the Church in respect of Christ the Moon borroweth her lâ—ght of the Sun so doth the Church her graces righteousness and all her happiness of Christ the Sun of righteousness What a poor Creature is the Moon how dark is it when the Earth cometh between the Sun and her how empty would the Church be of all light grace comfort if Christ should be hidden from her when the Moon is most enlightened by the Sun yet there are some dark spots to be disceâ—ned in her so when the Church is most replenished with the beams of this Sun of
paâ—ticular are brought â—â—rth fâ—om time to â—â—me by his Mighty Pâ—wer who 〈…〉 Day worketh all â—â—ings accâ—â—diâ—g â—o the câ—â—nsâ—l oâ— his own will 〈◊〉 yet thâ—â—e are many Inâ—trâ—â—â—ntâ— used to bring fâ—rth these the old to bâ—iâ—g â—oâ—th the young c. and tâ—ough â—he kinds of Creatures remaâ—n which God himâ—â—lf made yet the pâ—â—ticular Males and Females â—â—de 〈◊〉 beginning are lâ—ng since exâ—ing 〈◊〉 anâ—â—thers by many succâ—ssions are 〈…〉 many Ages in their stâ—ad But thâ—se 〈◊〉 are the very same witâ—ouâ— succâ—ssiâ—n tâ—â—â—efore the Heavâ—ns in spâ—cial man 〈◊〉 do sâ—t 〈◊〉 the glory of God the Sun and the Moon which God hath ordained are in a special manner to be hâ—â—ded that we may sâ—riously câ—nsider of the Lord whose immediate workmâ—nship they are If you câ—n once learn to see God in his Creatures as â—he Apostle direcâ—eth us Rom 1.20 where he saith The invisible things of God from the Câ—â—ation of the World are cleerly seen c. Thou maist then see him Dayly round about thee Thou canst not set thy Foot upon the ground but thou maist remember that thou treadest upon the Lords workmanship and that thou couldest not stir a Foot but that he hath made this ground to bear thee and given thee leave to walk upon it When thou seest the beautiful face of the Earth and the Fruits and Plants which it yieldeth thou seest abundant variety of the Lords Creatures and art taught if thou wilt learn to remember him by whom all of them were created Thou must think thou hearest Him in the noise of strong and mighty winds in hideous claps of thunder that thou discernest Him in the Clouds in the showers â—f Rain in the Hail Snow Ice and Hoar-frost in the Spring Summer Harvest Winter in all thâ— seasons of the Yeaâ— yea in tâ—e very Day and Night for Day unto Day and Night unto Night teach knowlâ—dge Time it self and the continuance of it are his woâ—k Look upon thy self every part â—very membâ—r of thee thy Brâ—ath in thy Nostrils the spiritual substance of thy Soul with all its excellent facultiâ—s thy reason when thou usest it thy Memory which preserveth unto thee the knowledge of things gone and past thine Eyes thine Eares c. which let in things like Windows into â—hy mind These and multitudes of oâ—her things which thou beaâ—est every Day about thee should make thee thâ—nk with much admiration of thy God that made thee and all that is within thee How canst thou look away from God How canst thou turn off the eyes of thy mind fâ—om bâ—holding Him if thou dost indeed discern Him in his works Canst thou see any thing that is and not see as it weâ—e the priâ—t of his Hâ—nd upon it We should not be so foâ—getfull of God if we did make use of this point that he is the Creator of all things Ye look upon the Creature and no farthâ—r as if it had mâ—de it self and had no Câ—eaâ—or to frame it nay so strange is our earthliness and sâ—nsâ—ality that we foâ—get God by looking so much upon the Creatures our plenty of the Creatures maketh us to forget him our dealings about the Creatuâ—es do put the Creator out of our thoughts whereas there is never a Creature in the World but it doth in its kind effectually call upon us to remember it and our Creator Yea the minding of our selves so much inordinate self-love and too much carnal respect had to our selves maketh us to forget our Maker whereas our selves as I have said should in special manner make us mindfull of Him that made us Consider thâ—s ye that foâ—get God and either remember him â—ffâ—ctually by his works or else be sure his Creatures shall bear witness against thee and condemn thee for thy forgetfulness CHAP. III. Use 3. AS the Creatures should make us remember God sâ— should they make us admire and glorify Him This wonderful work viz. the whole World and all the Creatures in it should move us to esteem him wonderfull even beyond astonishment We cannot be sufficiently amazed at his excellent greatness manifested in his wonderful works 1 Kings 10.4 5 6. When the Qâ—een of Sâ—â—ha had seen all Solomon's wisdome and thâ— House that he had built and the Meat of his Table and the sitting of his Servants and the attendance of his Minâ—sters and their Apparâ—l and his Cup-bearers and his ascent by whâ—ch he went up into the House of the Lord Tâ—ere was no moâ—e Spirit in Her These things in this variety laid together did astonâ—sh Her for a time and She was as one amazed as if She had been left without a Soul But alas what was all Solomon's glory unto the Excellency of God his glory and greatness shining in tâ—e Creation not so much as a Gloâ—-worm is to the Sun Our Saviour hath pâ—â—ferred he beauty of a Lilly one of the least of Gods Creatures b fore the riâ—hâ—st Râ—bes that ever Solomon wore in his grâ—atest gloâ—y If Solomon's wisdome were so admirable unto Her how wonderful should the infinite wisdome of God appear to be unto us as it shineth in the excellent composition of the whole Creation If Solomon's House did so dazle Her Eyes with its stateliness greatness and magnificence how should we with much admiration look upon this goodly frame of Heaven and Earth which the Lord by his meer Word brought out of nothing to which the House of Solomon was no more than a poor Cottage If the consideration of divers things together orderly disposed and fitted did thus overcome Her spirit how should the exact order and plasing of numberless Creatures of divers kinds their several natures tempers qualities vertues enclinations some of them great some lesser raâ—ish us some of them giving support unto the â—est some contained within the rest some moving about with restless motion as the Hâ—avenâ— and in them the Sun Moon and Stars tuâ—ning abâ—out with â—hem the Wheel of Time câ—rrying abâ—uâ— with them Days Weeks Moneths Yeaâ—s Ages altering Times and Seasons raising the Earth to Life again in the Spring and renewing its Face with youâ—h and beauty ripening the Fruits of the Eaâ—â—h in Summer scorching our Bodies wiâ—h heat and even making us forget the cold breath of Winter then striâ—ping the World of thiâ— hâ—lf Years clothing at the fâ—ll of the Leaf or Autumn and soon afâ—er leaving it for dead in the benummed Winter until it obtain another râ—surrection as it were at the Spring This is the course of the Hâ—â—vens and these their effâ—ct 〈◊〉 â—gâ—inâ— look on the Earth holding 〈…〉 â—nd not stâ—â—riâ—g from its place eve◠〈◊〉 it Câ—eation See some 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 bigâ—â—ss yet neitheâ— stiâ—ring nor growing as Rocks 〈◊〉 Mâ—untains Some gâ—owing but not moving from their â—laces as Tâ—â—es and other Plants of â—he Earth some growing and stirâ—ing to and fro some creeping others going and running sâ—me swimming otheâ—s â—lâ—ing some of wonderful strength and swiftness some weaker â—nd slow in their motions
wisdome of the Lord in stretching out the huge and far-spreading body of the Heavens encompassing all the rest of the Creatures after-mentioned And let the wonderful circuit of this Creature make thee with much holy admiration to look upon that infinite Iehovah by whom it was created and if the Heavens be so great that they exceed thine imagination how great is He of whom it is truly said that Neither the Heaven nor the Heaven of Heavens can contain Him if the Heavens be so glorious how unspeakable is His glory and Majesty who hath the whole Heaven for his Throne and treadeâ—h upon the Earâ—h as his Foot-stool yea consider that if Gods wisdome power greatness c. be so notably manifested in these Earthly Creatures which we see it is much more gloriously apparent in the wonderful frame of the Heavens which we can scarcely see by reason of their distance not doubting but that the Heaven doth as far excell these lower Creatures in the excellent perfections of its nature as it is above them in height of scituation 2. Again let this make thee wonder at the goodness of God with a thankfull heart who hath not only given Man a pleasant dwelling here on Earth plentifully furnished and a Lordship over other Creatures bâ—ought out of the same common Mass with himself but also offereth him a place in the highest Heaven that he may dwell for ever in his glorious presence yea that he may sit down with him in his Throne as it is said in the Revelations so that Man who is but dust and ashes even a very piece of this lower Earth shall be exalted above the rest of the Creatures and made to dwell for ever before the face of God seeing then the Lord hath made Heaven for Man to possess let not the Earth then so steal away thy heart O Christian as if there were no better thing than the Earth for thee to enjoy let the Heaven be of greater force to raise and lift up thy heart toward it than the Earth to sink it down-ward see thine own folly and bewail it that thou hast spent more precious hours employed more serious thoughts upon some few spans of the Earth or in gathering some few pieces of white and red Earth than in seeking an assâ—â—ed title of an inheritance in those glorious and spacious Heavens Think with thy self that no pains can be too much no service too hard no endeavours too constant no affection too eager in seeking Gods Kingdome and its righteousness When God would comfort Abraham in hope of the promised inheritance and so make it a motive to him that he might be stirred unto obedience and strengthened in the faith Look saith the Lord East-ward and West-ward North-ward and South-ward for all the Land which thou seâ—â—t to thee will I give it and to thy Seed for ever Genes 13.14 15. So wouldest thou have encouragements for obedience wouldest thou know why thou shouldest do these and these duties and shun these and these sins then look up to Heaven haâ—e an eye to the glorious inheritance which God hath provided for thee Wouldest thou fain be above the reach of malicious tongues or other injuries look up to Heaven they shall not touch thee there Wouldst thou learn contentedness with thy portion look up to Heaven Thou arâ— apt to think thou hast not enough here but when once thou shalt take hold of that Heavenly Kingdome thou shalt say I have enough Look up to Heaven and remember that Christ is there in the same nature of Man wherein now thou walkest up and down making intercession for thee and that thou hast a sure friend a Sureâ—y and Advocate a Spokesman one that is thine Head and to whom thou art united as a Member now in the highest part of the whole Câ—eation Consider the dignity and priviledge of a Christian whose happiness is as far above that of the Worldling as the Heaven is above the Earth 3. Consider the restless motions of the Heavens never at a stop never abating in any degree the swiftness of their motion and learn both the perfection of God whose providence is in a continual course by which as well the Heavens as the lowest Creatures are carried about all in him moving and having their Beeing and on the other side take notice of thy duty and learn to go on in a restless course of godliness as one carryed about by the power of the spirit as the first mover in all the ways and works of God whereby the heart as the first wheel is stirred and the whole outward Man carried about by that motion from which proceedeth both to will and to do according to his good pleasure In the second place to the first Nights work belongeth the Creation of that first confused lump and mass of things here called Earth but having in it as it were the stuff and materials of all these lower Bodies 1. Consider what a rude mishapen lump this was at the first and in thy thoughts strip the Earth of all its glory consider it bare and naked without Grass Trees Herbs Men Beasts Light or any thing that belongeth to its comeliness furniture or perfection and then remember that as it had Beeing so all its excellency and beauty was from the Lord and therefore suffer not any thing belonging to the Earth not any thing that partaketh of it or is of kin unto it to draw away thy heart from him who gave it all that it hath let not that which is wholly God's dâ—aw thee from God but rather lead thee to him Take the Earth as it was of it self and it was nothing take it as it was in the beginning of its Beeing and it was as good as nothing it had not any excellency of Beeing to draw thine heart after it if then thou hadst been Created and then conclude it were a madness to conceive it thus to be decked and dressed up by the Lord himself for this purpose that it might draw thy heart from him and move thee to prefer it above him 2. Learn here to see a Picture of thy state of unregeneration thy body of sin what is it bâ—t a very Chaos a rude confused lump of disordered lusts Earthly affections and muddy distempered passions Is it not without its proper form Doubtless the Soul hath lost that beautiful shape and Image of its Maker consisting in wisdome righteousness and true holiness darkness is upon the face of it What a misty Night shadoweth the understanding of every natural Man so that hâ— canâ—ot diâ—cern the things of God Alas he hath no Light the Day is not dawned neither is the Day-star risâ—n upon his Soul he speaketh readeth heareth of God of his love in Christ bâ—t hath no cleer sanctified aâ—â—reâ—ension of any Heavenly mystery he looketh blindly upon his sins upon his afflictiâ—ns upon his crosses upon his comforâ—s upon all or many of these that which the faithful Soul sees whose eyes have been
thee CHAP VII Meditations on the fifth Days Work SECT 1. COme we now to the fifth day which with us is usually called Thursday the story of which days work we have laid down in Gen. 1.20 21 22 23. Wherein the waters were furnished with fishes and other Creatures that live there and the air with fouls and such creatures as live in it 1. Here consider that after those four days when the heavens were furnished with lights and the earth beautified with plants springing out of it by vertue of the word of God yet all this while there was not one creature throughout the whole Creation that had sense or power to move from place to place not one fly or the least thing moving in the air not one fish swimming throughout the seas rivers or other waters not one worm creeping on the earth here then admire the wonderful power and wisdom of God who on the fifth day by his All-commanding word filled the air with multitudes of Creatures flying there the waters with abundant of fishâ—s swimming there this was done even in a moment Consider what numberless swarms there were both of fouls and fishes brought forth on the fifth day whereas the very day before there was not one of any kind to be found in any part of the Creation And as the wisdom of God joined these two sorts of creatures together so he made in many respects a special affinity between them as the fouls are covered with feathers so the fishes with scales as the fouls move in the air so do the fishes in that element which cometh nearest the nature of the air as the fouls have wings to fly withall so the fishes have â—innes whereby they swimme and that is a motion very like to that of flying yea some of either kind do communicate with each other in their element for as we have water-fouls so there have been flying-fish in great abundance so that here you may magnifie the wisdome of God who in the day that these creatures were made did imprint upon them such properties and qualities as should be evidences to the end of the world in some sort that they were but the work of one and the same day 2. Consider here that as the Lord hath appointed the fouls to fly in the air and the fishes to swimme in the sea confining each to his own element for the general though some few particulars be suffered to live in both this should teach us to walk within the compass of our callings and not to think we shall mend our selves in a different element or another kind of course without some special cause Some few may have some special warrant to change their callings as Amos to leave his flock and teach the people and Peter to leave his nets and fish for men These had an immediate call from God and so I dare not deny but that in case of great necessity when the Church is destitute of able Ministers some well-studied in the Scriptures and experienced in the mysteries of grace may take upon them the office of the Ministry being lawfully separated unto that function yet this will prove no more that every one may at his pleasure run from the shop to the pulpit than it will follow that all the fishes in the sea may fly up into the air because some few do so And this should especially â—each Christians who are called unto holiness to take heed how they leave their element They are bidden to walk in the spirit even as birds fly in the air and in this element they must keep for as the air giveth breath unto the fouls that fly in it so the sanctifying spirit giveth the new life unto those that walk in him the waters would choak and drown the fouls if they should fall into them so sin is that which endangereth the spiritual life when a christian falleth into it The air giveth a speedy flight and motion to the Birds whereas the waters would wet their wings and cause them to move but slowly if they fall into it so the spirit when a Christian walketh in it carrieth him along with winged-affections and setteth his heart in a speedy motion upon the things of God making him ready unto every good work but if he fall into sin which is like the waters of the dead sea that Lake of Sodom his heart is like a bird drenched in water his affections are deaded his heart moveth but slowly yea many times he lieth for dead and there is scarce any motion of the spirit to be discerned in him And as in such cases a foul had need of more than ordinary means to help as to be held over a warm fire c. So a christian that he may recover his wings again and have his heart spiritually affected and enlarged toward God had need of special humiliation special meditation pâ—aier and other warming and quickening means to raise him up 3. As the air giveth breath and motion so also it giveth support to the birds and it carrieth them even as the earth doth the beasts which go up and down upon it so doth the spirit also give support unto all that are born of the spirit They are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation If it were not ordinary it might seem strange that the air which none can see being so thin a substance should carry so many millions of souls as there are in it flying up and down wonderful is the power of the blessed invisible spirit who supporteth so many thousand christians by his sanctifying vertue against all the powers of darkness 4. As these birds do now live in the air so were the fouls created in the air at the first so whosoever walketh in the spirit was also born of the spirit he had his begining in this element 5. Consider that as the Birds although they live and move in the air yet they come down to receive some refreshment from the earth so the Lord alloweth his children to receive some nourishment from the earth and to partake of its refreshments yet so as they must not delight in the earth as in their element nor in the things of the earth as their chiefest contentment but like the birds of heaven having supplied their necessities must be ready to soar aloft again and not in their affections be still groveling here below 6. You see how sparingly the birds take of the water a bird doth not drink like a beast it rather sippeth so should a christian sparingly use the pleasures of this life rather sipping like the bird than swilling like the swine As for those that give themselves to drink down iniquity like water and to commit sin with greediness they are none of those who have their conversation in heaven nay those that glut themselves with earthly pleasures knowing no better contentments than in such things as please the senses the appetite the eyes ears tast c. They
are none of those that are born up by the spirit of God above the earth Consider how little contenteth one of these creatures and then learn to be ashamed that thine appetite is so much beyond thy necessity and practise mortification As far as we can guess the birds take more delight in flying and singing than they do in feeding and therefore they have soon done with this so should a christian be more delighted in conversing with God in walking in the spirit in running the ways of his commandments than in serving the necessities of nature yea it should be his meat and drink to do the will of God as it is a delight to the bird to sing and soar aloft Again as the bird useth not these things so as to make her unfit to fly so a Christian must not abuse meat and drink so as to clogg and dull his spirits and make him more dull and dead in the service of God but so to refresh himself that he may be the more chearful and lively in his heavenly flight 7. As the Bird not sowing nor gathering into Barnes as our Saviour telleth us yet is fed by our heavenly Father so should a child of God depend upon his providence without distrustful eares against the providence of God though not without moderate and christian cares which serve the providence of God 8. As the Bird having found somwhat to satisfie its hunger by its chirping calleth others to partake with it so should christians chearfully invite others to partake with them of those things that God hath given them and not like the hog grunt and wrangle at any that feedeth near them 9. As the Bird doth not so much as light upon the ground without the All-guiding providence of God Mat. 10. So should a christian learn to depend upon the providence and protection of God who is of far greater price in the esteem of his heavenly father than many sparrows know certainly that thy hairs are numbred and that none of them can fall to the ground without thy heavenly Father 10. Consider that as when the Bird flyeth highest it taketh least notice of earthly things and is least moved with them and affected toward them so when a Christian is most raised in spiritual affections to the greatest height of heavenly-mindedness keeping nearest heaven then is the earth farthest out of sight and he is least moved with the things here below and best able to contemn earthly vanities he is too far above these to be much affected toward them Therefore this should make us think of the exhortation of the Apostle Mind the things which are above and this should teach us to help our selves against earthly affections and fleshly lusts Think with thy self what is the reason that I am so earthly-minded that my affections are so engaged to this or that in the world yet I cannot come off nor free my self that I can scarce perswade my own heart to be without these and these things it is this because my heart is not carried aloft it draweth too near the ground it withdraweth too much from God if I should keep up my heart closer to God these things would be out of sight the earth would seldome be in my thoughts at least not so as to work much upon my affections On the other side you see that those Birds which use so much upon the ground they fly but softly as may be seen by those that use about our houses so also those Christians that are much taken up with the dealings and business of the world they fly but softly have but slow affections and sluggish motions to the things of God they go but coldly about good duties and therefore we should pray for a greater measure of the spirit to bear us upward 11. Consider also that as the Bird can mount up into the air and yet light upon the earth too and receive some refreshment there whereas the Beast cannot mount up and live in the air so a Christian can and may partake of the natural comforts and refreshments of this life though in a moderate manner and measure as well as the natural man But the natural man cannot mount up to heaven cannot live in the air cannot live by the spirit he hath no relish of spiritual things The spiritual man judgeth all things he can discern what is in nature but himself is judged of no man his excellency cannot be discerned by the eye of nature 12. Again as the Birds live in a stormy element and feel much alteration of weather heat cold winds c. as the air is the most unsetled of all other parts of the Creation so Christians do live in a condition subject to manifold alterations subject to many stormes of persecution and temptation And as the Birds are then especially in danger by snares and ginnes when they are upon the earth to which they are not subject when they are aloft in the air so a Christian is then in danger to be ensnared and entangled when he dealeth with earthly things and is most affected to the things below when he is most heavenly-minded then is he most out of danger of these snares 13. The Birds in the air meet with Birds of prey there also which are ready to seize upon them and destroy them so the Devil who is called the prince that ruleth in the air doth especially chuse to assault those that walk in the spirit even then when they are most spiritual endeavouring to pull down those that are highest in the favour of God as David c. therefore special watchfulness must be used by such 14. As the Birds are of all other living Creatures the most chearful as they are highest above the earth and nearest heaven so should a Christian labour of all other men to be most cheaâ—ful replenished with heavenly joys as he is nearer heaven and farther from the earth than others God is infinite in all goodness and happiness and the nearer to God the more happy and the greater cause of chearfulness As the Birds are most chearful in a clear sun-shiny day so is a Christian when the light of Gods countenance shineth on him As the Birds sing most chearfully after a sweet refreshing showr so should a Christian go away most cheared from the word of God when it hath distilled upon him as the dew of heaven As the Birds are merry in the spring so a Christian is when there is a spring and encrease of grace in his soul and a nearer approach of the sun of Righteousness and a special warmth of Gods love is shed abroad into his heart As the birds by chirping do set others on singing and many join together in consort so one christian should draw another by example to yeild up sweet songs of praise to God and many should join together with one spirit to glorifie the Lord. As the Birds sing although they know not where to have their next supply of