of Hony though little Water The French though Papists exprest their affections with briny Tears and beating their famish'd Trunks with loud cries Mon Dicu mon Dicu My God My God Cleanness of Teeth sharpned their Appetites to the Bread of Life At length they kept a Solemn day of Prayer when every day was a continual Fast Duty ended a Lad from the Topmast-head descried a Vessel and Heaven sent a benign Gale which soon brought them together She proved a Bermudas Merchant to their excessive joy which took in Mr. Leverton with his English supplyed the Rochellers wants and so they parted Upon conference the chief Person in the Ship being the Governour of Bermudas tells Mr. Leverton that that their Ship came newly from England and at her arrival fell in between two Rocks To get her off they took out their Guns and heavy Wares The next Tide rises with a violent Storm while most of the Seamen were ashore and hurries them among the liquid Flouds where the French found them on purpose to bring deliverance at the end of prayer After that a fair Gale conducts them safely to Bermudas where they who had embraced the Throne of Grace in their absence with Holy Hands now embrace their Friends with happy Arms and entertain them joyfully who had been both carried out and brought in by Prayer Here we have a French Calm at Sea awakened into a Breeze for a Haven Enjoyment and an English Calm in Haven rouzed into a Storm for Sea-adventures and both excited by Prayer The French have a storm within the Ship though a calm without and the English have a storm without to bring to the former a calm within O the vehement power of Prayer that raises storms quells the boysterous Waves at pleasure Here 's a Ship full of Provision hurried out to the Main to fetch famish'd Orators to the Harbour of Plenty What manner of Man is this Mark 4.41 said the Disciples of our Lord that the Winds and the Sea obey him O invincible Faith O Soveraign and Imperial Prayer that commandest both Calms and Storms Master carest thou not that we perish Mark 4.38 cries Prayer Christ delights to be awakened by his Holy Spouse and lays Storms asleep Christ always sails in the Ship of Prayer and though this Pilot be asleep yet he steers safely he sees the hidden Rocks and secret Shelves and needs no Star nor Compass He knows the Mystery of Longitude and wants no Tables of the four Planets attending Jupiter or the Spots of the Moon or Minute Watches to give the Distance of the first Meridian But who can measure the Length of his Love to the Church Eph. 3.18 or fathom the Depths of his Wisdom in manifestations of his Love He fins the Sails of the Churches Ship with prosperous Gales to bring her into safe Chambers He turns Calms into Storms to obey his Churches cries Ps 107.29 and raises the Waves of the Sea to invert the Psalmist that Saints are glad because of a Storm to bring them to a calm Haven O happy Storms that drive the Saylant Church to Heaven O happy Heaven that enjoys a perpetual an everlasting Calm CHAP. XII The Centemplation Mount or the Permanent Mercies of Heaven MOSES and XERXES took a view of their puissant Armies the first from a Mountain in the Plains of Moab Deut. 3.25 the other in the Plains of Abydus One rejoyced to see the Land of Canaan and the goodly Range of Lebanon extending 40 Miles in length which Israel was now ready to possess The other wept that his burthensom bulk of Barbarous Nations within a 100 Herod l. 7. p. 401. years would raise so many heaps of Bones or tumuli slightly turft over where on Death might stand and blow his Trumpet of Triumph Saints have but Jordans Valley to pass through into Eternal Joys while others wasting their precious time in vaine designs suddenly slip into eternal wo. Saints militant after many a sharp Combat enter victoriously into Paradise And although some may encounter with Fainting Drooping Qualms yea it may be set in a Cloud yet what an extasie of spirit will surprize them who after many Labyrinths and Mazes of trouble unexpectedly enter the ravishing Glories of Heaven The best may labour under fears and tears but one hour there makes amends for all When these Mists will be scattered in that Radiant Morning and all Tears wash'd away in those Rivers of Pleasure which run through the Streets of New Jerusalem Here the Inhabitants of the Earth build plant travel sail and fight upon an Atom The whole World is but an invisible point to the external Convex of Heaven and all its Inhabitants like the small Dust of the Balance Is 40.15 or a drop perishing from the Bucket nay less than nothing less than vanity The smallest Atom that rejoyces in the Sun Beams at a Chamber Window far transcends the whole Globe of Earth and Water if a Man were imagined to stand in one of the fixed Stars it could not be discern'd by the most curious Glasses nay if one stood in the Sun this circumference of about 21000 Miles could not be discovered For if the Sun be about 167 times bigger than this Earth Gassend è Ptol. in Epicur p. 784. as some Astronomers have determined while others enlarge the Suns Diameter to to much vaster extension and yet appears to us not to exceed 32 Minutes of such a Degree whereof 360 measures the Circumambient Line of the Ecliptick being its Race round about the Heavens Then the Earth must needs shrink into the visibility of a few seconds or less Nay more some have conceived by calculation that the whole Orb of the Earth's supposed motion about the Sun who is very probably the Centre of that Planetary Vortex as the Cartesians call it wherein we subsist is but a point to the Systeme or Sphear of the fixed Stars and that if the Earth all its annexed Beings were utterly annihilated it would not be wanted as being comparatively so insiderable a Particle of the Universe Plutarch de placitis l. 2. c. 13. Heraclides and the Pithagoreans held every Star to be a World What a smoak and smother do miserable Mortals raise about a petty Kingdom when Geometrical proportion may prove a Molehill to be vastly more considerable to the earth than the Earth is to the Empyraean Circumference then may an Ant shine upon a straw a more glorious Emperour than we imagine If then the inferiour Pavement of Heaven if the out Offices of the starry Chambers be so magnificent what 's the Chamber of Presence that are those Supercelestial spaces Mat. 13.43 where the Saints shall shine like so many Suns in the Kingdom of their infinitely Blessed Father Let 's a little contemplate the glorious State of the Saints after the Resurrection as far as we with sobriety and submission in this our Valley-state may inquire into those deep
and founded in the mystical Union of the Son of God with the Nature of Man in the promised Seed and establisht upon better promises Hence issued that Living Fountain of all that beneficence that comforts his chosen Flock in the state of Grace and beautifies their Souls in Glory CHAP. II. The Government of the World administred by preventing Providences and Mercies THe most Wise and Holy God having finish'd all in number weight and measure and adjusted all the proportions of Heaven and Earth in his Sacred Balance that not the least Atom of dust in the Mountains or Drop in the Ocean or Vapour in the Air but came out of his accurate Scales and setled in their due place by his arbitrement Neither is his Infinite Wisdom more radiant and magnificent in the composure of the vast circumference of the Celestial Bodies then admirably curious and stupendious in those minute and numerous Creatures which by reason of their smalness fly the sight of man Insomuch that the Majesty of God is most illustrious and conspicuous in those lesser Beings which the world never understood till he blessed it with the rare invention of Microscopes By which we are assisted to contemplate his Glory while sitting under he shadow of a Plant that grows it a canker'd Rose leaf Hook Micrograph p. 124. as well as of he tallest Cedar May not admiration be inflamed to view the quick and voluble motion of those Eels that swim up and down in their little Sea of a drop of Vinegar more then when Mariners from their Ships gaze at the tumblings of Whales in he Atlantick Ocean Or when we consider the fineness of those Spirits that agitate the Nerves of Mites or of those supposable Creatures that may draw their origin from the corruption of those little bodies or creep among their hairs while yet alive As Mites in Spiders Power p. 19. Or when we view by the aid of those discovering Glasses the 8 Eyes in a Spider or the 24 Teeth in the mouth of an Ant as black as Ebony as well as those vast Ivory Tusks in the head of the generous Elephant Or when we delight our Eyes in the rare textures of vivid marbling colours in the flowers of Eye-bright Panzies or the chequer'd Fritillary as well as the prophetical varieties in the Rainbow We may well cry out with Pliny while he descants on the great voice of a Gnat flying about in a Summers Evening Rerum natura nusquam magis quam in minimis tota sit Plin. l. 11. c. 2. That the great God of Nature is never more admirable then in framing the least of Beings But howsoever unspeakably and unimaginably glorious his Divine Providence shines in the management and government of all his works It is yet most admirable in his preventing goodness to the sinful sons of Adam and much more to his own chosen Inheritance As to Man in general he makes his Sun to rise every morning upon the unjust and his Moon to fill her Orb with light upon the Turkish Crescent Psal 65.11 His paths in the Clouds drop fatness upon the fields of bloody Tyrants and his Ocean is open and sweet Western Gales often swell he Sails of rambling and roving Pirates The Earth is full of his goodness Psal 119.64 He spread and fill'd the Tables of Heliogabalus with his hidden Treasures No Inhabitant but is laden with his benefits however abused to their luxury pride and wantonness His Mercies are over all his Works He makes the out-goings of the Morning Psal 65.8 121.8 and Evening to sing He preserves the goings out and comings in of the Children of Men. All the operations and influences of second causes are primarily ascribed to him Psal 139.15 The formation of our bodies when curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth was of his secret texture The race of the Sun the bright appearance of Venus like the Moon and the nimble motions of Mercury and the 4 Planets dancing their measures about Jupiter and all the Ordinances of Heaven they are his he sets the dominion of them in the Earth He binds up the sweet influences of the Pleiades in April Job 38.33 and looseth the frosty bands of Orion in November when he pleases he is the Father of the Rain and the pearly drops of Dew he hath begotten them from the Morning Womb. Amos 5.8 He calleth for the waters of the Sea and poureth them out upon the face of the Earth the Lord is his Name He sends the turbulent and tempestuons winds out of the hollow of his Hand Psal 104.32 He looketh on the Earth and it trembleth he toucheth the Hills and they smoak he shook lately the Cities of Ragusa and Rimini into ruines He cast up out of the bowels of Aetna the late dreadful River of sulphureous flames to run six miles breadth by the City Catania into the Sea He kindles the Lightnings in the Regions of the Air and they answer to him Job 38.35 here we are 'T is the voice of his Thunder that breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon and makes Mount Sirion to skip like a young Unicorn Psal 29.5 6. Whatever he pleaseth that he doth in Heaven and Earth Psal 135.6 in the Seas and in all deep places He causeth Grass to grow for the Cattle Psal 104.14 c. and Herbs for the service of Man the Wine to rejoyce his Spirits the Oyl to make strengthen his heart He gives life his face to shine and Bread to strengthen his heart He gives life and food to all Creatures they wait upon him to receive their meat in due season he opens his Hand every morning the Fowls of the Heaven fly to his feet and are filled with good The Gardiner may plant and his servant may water but 't is God that gives increase to the stature of Vegetables their Verdure their Flowers and Fruits 1 Chron. 3.6 Mat. 6.28 He clothes the Tulips of Persia those Lillies of the Plains of Shushan with more Royal Attire then Solomons As to the Church in special he often and mercifully prevents the fears of his people How graciously he dealt with Jacob in the case of Laban Gen. 31.24 commanding him in the night not to speak roughly to his servant from good to bad and made the face of Esau to shine upon him as the face of God Gen. 33.10 In the time of Famine he planted a Corn-field in the bottom of a barrel of meal for Elijah and an Olive-yard in a cruse for the Widow of Sarepta and opened as it were the Windows of Heaven in the time of Elisha and poured out Corn among the poor in the streets of Samaria Such stupendious Mercies which the ungrateful world calls hap and fortune are the sudden and sweet dispensations of his Heavenly and Holy Providence He is pleased out of his munificent bounty to prevent our expectations with sudden and surprizing benefits
12.1 while under the Moon 't is changeable but when clothed with the Sun in John's Vision she will be iâ—lustrious and tread the Moon under her Feet The Church has a time to sing the Song of the Lamb more melodiously than the Song of Moses Rev. 15.3 Moses his Song was a mixt Song there were Amorites to conquer after the Egyptians were sunk in the Mighty Waters After songs of deliverance come the bitter waters of Marah and new Elegies The Church sings that Song upon Earth but this Song of the Lamb in Heaven where no more troubles The Church in Apostolical times had a Sea of Glass as clear as Chrystal Rev. 4.6 wherein to see their faces and wash their spots 15.2.21.1 In Antichristian times of persecution a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire They enjoyed pure worship but attended with fiery tryals But in her Heavenly state there shall be Sea no more A State of perfection needs no more washings for communion in glory Here God wisely mingles comforts and crosses to keep us in a holy awe of sin and to encourage us in spiritual Services We contract much dust and soyl from worldly company and need washing and purging every day whereby to save our selves from this untoward Generation Act. 2.40 Israel had lain among the pots in Egypt and needed scouring in the Wilderness that the Thorns of Sinai might fetch the Onions of Egypt out of their squeazy stomachs Nay Gods people enjoy not only successive but temporary mixtures For in the midst of sorrows arises spiritual joy to support and quicken and in times of prosperiry are exercised with spiritual sins and heart-sorrows to humble and keep them steddy Nabal and Haman like other wicked wretches were either all joy or all sorrow and by turns overwhelm'd with both 1 Sam. 25.36 their hearts were as light as a feather or else sunk like lead Let 's beware when fatned with mercies lest we kick with Jesurun and when were are brought to the salt waters of Marah lest our imbittered Spirits fret against the Holy One of Israel while we proclaim our anger against instruments let 's take care that our clamours reach not the ear of God himself Men often mask their impatience at God under colour of shooting at others miscarriages We may grieve under afflictions and carry our sins by prayer to Heaven for pardon and our troubles to the Mercy-seat for relief I poured out my complaint before him Ps 142.2 says David I shewed before him my trouble Mourn we may Ezek. 7.16 Is 51.20 Songs 2.14 but murmur and mutter we must not Mourn like Doves without Gall in the Clefts of the Rock but not toss the Horn and roar like wilde Bulls in the Net full of the fury of the Lord. When we have mourned meekly and patiently for sin Mic. 7.9 and born the Indignation of the Lord we may look up for mercy till he plead our cause and execute judgment for us and say fiducially God's our God which is often the last stroke upon Davids Harp Does God chuse us for his Is 48.10 and chuse us in the Furnace of Affliction and refine us but not with Silver non quasi argentum not as if we were pure Silver already before refinement but in the midst of our dross and faeculency to make us bright for Temple-service then let us take him for our gracious and watchful Refiner and reflect his Love back again to Heaven Chuse him before all the Angels in Heaven and the sweetest familiars on Earth Ps 73.25 and then all afflictions will work kindly when the Fire of Love and the Fire of Affliction melt the Soul together and as the flaming beams of the Sun extinguish our Kitchin Fires so the heat of Divine Love will damp and put out the sense and smart of all and the most fiery trials here below Let but a Saint recollect his thoughts that there 's excellent reason why God afflicts and as the waters cannot Song 8.6 so neither the fires out burn the vehement flames of Divine Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called by the Wise Man the Flame of God Succurrat non tantùm quid patiamur sed quid fecerimur Senec. Ira. l. 2. p. 33. Remember what we have done as well as suffer said the Spanish Moralist Compare our merits and sufferings and then our unworthiness and mercies together and we have little reason to complain since there is less reason why we should draw a breath in the Land of the Living Lam. 3.39 Mercies flow from the innate Bowels of God Judgment is his strange work Is 28.21 Kindness flows from the Divine Essence more naturally than streams from a Fountain or beams from the Sun but sin and affliction is rooted in us Justifie God in all and that will extinguish murmurs 1 Cor. 11.30 Sometimes there 's a particular cause for affliction which though many times latent is always just Let 's search and try our ways Lam. 3.40 and turn unto the Lord. Ask the inward Viceroy and he 'll tell thee As Clocks strike clearest in stormy times so does Conscience in the hour of Judgment though we top and clog it never so much in the fair weather of prosperity Wouldest thou know the plain truth hearken what thy heart condemns and smites for in the hearing of a searching Sermon sometimes Affliction it self points at its relative sin Adonibezek deprived of his Thumbs Judg. 1.7 could tell upon his fingers the 140 Royal Thumbs which he had cut off Is a dear Relation taken consider thy sins both in it and toward it Si res angusta domi If poverty pinch remember abused plenty and careless expences Does God withdraw his shining face it may be thou hast grieved his Spirit and therefore he grieves thine most righteously Hast thou cooled and quenched his Heavenly Motion wonder not if he stop his ear at thy cries and at length leave thee to coolness and deadness of heart Rev. 3.16 Thou art lukewarm in his cause Grumble not at Laodiceas Portion to be spew'd out of his mouth Art thou puff'd up with parts which are but gifts Gods not thine repine not if others prick thy swoln Bladder with the pin of infamy Want of pity and relief to thy Brother reaps just unkindness in time of straits Censorious persons must run the gauntlet patiently and a lashing Tongue needs a Launcet to let out its Salt and fiery Bloud or may be prickt with Pins as Fulvia dealt by Cicero Cassius l. 47. p. 331. d. Angry persons often meet with sturdy matches as good at fifty cuffs as themselves It 's usual for men to be measured by their own bushel and for froward affronts to meet with divine requital unless for sins of daily infirmity sudden tentations and disorderly provocations from others Then to mourn watch and pray is a Saints Armour and go to Heaven with Elthu Job 34.33
corner above all the good will of him who dwelt in the bush of Horeb defend all your flourishing Mercies from flames of wrath and like that marching Pillar of Fire conduct you to that City above whose builder and maker is God where your feet may tread that malleable pavement of transparent Gold Rev. 21.18 and your thirst after righteousness quencht with the Living Water of the Well of Jacob Joh. 4.14 that Water of Paradise which issues from the Throne of God Rev. 22.1 and be replenisht with those 12 sorts of Fruits which hang upon the Trees of Life and drink abundantly with the beloved Spouse of Christ Song 5.1 of the spiced Wine of the Kingdom in the presence of the Father and his Holy Angels at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Samuel Lee Febr. 8. 1676. Triumph of Mercy A TREATISE OF Preventing secret and sudden Mercies CHAP. I. The Beneficence of God the Spring and Source of preventing Mercies THE infinite goodness of God bestows more Mercies upon us in the method of prevention then of answer to particular Prayers We enjoy most things before we ask and oftentimes more excellent in kind and more abundant in measure then we ask The Lord began thus with Man at the first Creation when there was none as yet to know his mind Rom. 11.35 or sit in Council with him He framed the stupendious and glorious Fabrick of the Universe Job 26.7 By his Wisdom he stretched out the North upon the empty place and hung the Circle of the Earth upon nothing He thrust up its Glebe into aspiring Mountains Isa 40.22 fashioning their Concave Heads for Springs their Bowels for a Matrix to Minerals and their external Convexities and Declivities for beautiful Prospects He commanded some Portions to subside into humble Valleys and to be extended into Champain Plains He clothed its surface with stately Cedars shady Palms and Sea travelling Pines with all the Fruitful Medicinal and Sweet-sented Groves Balsamick Shrubs and wholesom Herbs graceful and various in curious Flowers wherewith the lovely Meadows laugh and sing at the return of their shining Psal 19.5 Bridegroom in his vernal Progress He spread its native Landscapes with that green Carpet of Grass woven by the hands of the blew Nitre of the Air and the yellow Sulphur of the Earth into that delectable Colour which salutes the eye of Man with so grateful a pleasance when painted upon its inward Vestment or Coat the Retina He enjoyned the Ocean to compass and embrace the habitation of Man to minister Rain to the Bottles of Heaven and Liquor to the bubling Fountains when strained through the Veins of the Earth And lastly for support to Ships for Navigation and Commerce 'T was the work of his Hand to interweave the Fertile Vales with Chrystal Streams in their sporting Meanders Psal 104.10 curing the fat Pastures of anxiety about Summer droughts relieving the chafed and sweltring Air with cooler Vapours and indulging to the neighbour Villages easie conveyance and many delicious pleasures Neither was his Divine Bounty withheld from the dark Caverns of the Earth replenish'd with his hid Treasures Those deep and gloomy Regions being impregnated with various Salts with subterraneous Steams and Juices to give origin and food to Metalline Concretes for the service of Manual Arts and for the cure of the more obstinate Diseases in the bodies of Animals shortly to be formed out of the same congenial Earth Then his Curious Pencil embroiders the Land with rare variety of living Creatures and his Voice inspires the healthful Air with Vocal Musick from the winged Choristers that sing among the Branches Psal 104.12 whose warbling notes are not more pleasant to the Ear then their painted Feathers beautiful to the Eye of Man His Hand furnishes the liquid Seas with numerous Passengers who Sail under water fearing neither storms nor stifling At length having establisht the Heavens by his Wisdom he casts a glittering Canopy over all his Sublunary works admirably garnisht with spangling Stars glorious for Lustre harmonious for Motion and powerful in Influence Lo these are part of his ways Job 26.14 but how little portion is heard of him We are in deep darkness to what 's visible The essence of a small pebble gravels our stupid understandings the Eye of our Reason is so blunt that it cannot pierce into the shape or Emerald Colour of the growing Green-sword How much less able to Anatomize the Entrails of the Earth of some thousand miles Diameter Who can account for the Sand's being a bound to the Ocean though the Waves toss themselves yet they cannot prevail though they roar Jer. 5.22 yet cannot go over it Who can solve the flux of the Sea either by the Moon or the Earths motion Lydeat Spagnet Enchir. philos c. 20. l. 12. c. 22. l. 13. c. 15. Austin confess l. 13. c. 32. Or who so hardy to dive to the top of the under-wave Mountains or set their foot on the ridge of those hidden Ararats What Philosopher ever fathom'd the Air and all its Meteors in his Arms or formed a genuine conception of that liquid Aether wherein the Stars do swim or of those waters above the Heavens Gen. 1.7 Psal 148. 4. What Telescopes those curious Spectacles of our late Astronomers ever pierced into that Saphire pavement beyond their Convex Exod. 24.10 Ezek. 1.26 Eph. 4.10 the Place of the Blessed and the Seat of our Lords Glorified Body where Angels and Saints stand trumpeting his Praises through voluminous stations of Eternity who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in Working Isa 28.29 Whose Infinite Power and Goodness having finish'd his six days wonders and prevented the wishes of Man by these excellent preparations for him last of all forms the Head of the visible Creation and exalts him into the Chair of Dominion over all this capacious Theatre antedates his most ample desires rarifies his Heart with sacred wonder and installs him for High Priest of the whole Creation to offer their Tribute to worship adore and love him and to sing his Praises But oh heedless Man being fix'd upon the Pinacle of the Temple of Honour was soon inchanted by a vertiginous blast of the subtile Serpent Jer. 17.13 and forgat his Sovereign the Fountain of Living Waters and falling headlong drank deep of the muddy Cistern invenomed by his poison and became like the Beasts that perish But being sensible of his shame and confounded at his base disloyalty and afraid of Gods awful Majesty fled into the Woods to hide his distrustful Countenance yet found no shelter for his guilty Conscience Justice might now have pursued him with the flaming Sword of Cherubims but preventing Mercy steps into the close and shady Thickets and proffers a Covenant of Grace to the amazement of Angels and admiration of them that believe A Covenant flowing from the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1.5
wonderful Language and call aloud for admirable and joyful returns Lessons sung to Shoshannims the seven-string'd Instruments of Adoration and Honour Let 's hear the ravishing Musick in these seven succeeding Chapters that may be cordial to the very Hearts of Angels 1. Of the excellency of Love under the fense of Mercies 2. The Honourable Duty of Gratitude 3. The Exaltation of the Divine Name for his Munificence 4. The Anatomy and Vnbowelling of Secret Mercies 5. The Ingenuous meltings for sudden Sins 6. The softning Leniment of sudden Sorrows 7. The Contemplation of the permanent Mercies in Heaven I shall begin with the First and treat it as the Subject of this Chapter what an excellent Frame of Spirit is kindled by the sense of Mercies The most noble and generous love is that which streams from Heaven to ingratiate the hearts of Enemies by Springs of munificence to sweeten the tartest and sowrest tempers to break Flints upon Pillows to melt adamantine hearts in the warm blood of affection to lead Lyons in Chains of Gold and tame Hyrcanian Tygers into Doves Masculine and Heroick Love changes the frame and alters the constitution and texture of hostile Hearts Suspicion Suspicions which is the very Bane and Poyson of Love is by this Art fermented into a brisk volatile and balsamick Liquor To stand upon the Guard and watch to eye and try is but a feminine and childish trifling to subdue others by kindness is God-like to melt the Rocks of Caucasus by flames from Heaven Weak and low-statur'd Love insists upon the catch and so becomes touchy and waspish puts forth its captious sting at every buzz of false Flatterers and Backbiters Noble Love is like the Ointment of the right hand Pr. 27.16 which bewrays it self like a soft River of Oyl that runs down speedily in a direct Chanel of inclination into the Ocean of enjoyment He that can command his Love when attracted by the Magnetick Influence of genuine Friendship has but little true love under his Obedience Suspicion and Distrust grows upon the Root of a weak Love Generous and Noble Spirits had rather be deceived than distrust True Love is not easily provoked and thinks no evil 1 Cor. 15.5 it beareth believeth hopeth and endureth all things To lay heavy load upon sudden conjectures is to tread upon quick sands and walk among the Irish Bogs Such a Friend did not so courteously salute me in the street did not invite me among others brake off his speech abruptly lookt not so pleasantly and turn'd suddenly out of my company Suspicion blinds the understanding and is a Cloud that an evil temper turn'd upon the Sun of affection It cast Eve out of Paradise and leads fretful persons into desarts full of Bryars and Thorns It mischieves the owner and presents to himself a Cup to drink up his own Poyson Pro. 5.22 That Person is held with the cords of sin and may complain with Eve The Serpent within hath deceived me When Men can out-wit the Devil in Policy and be too strong for Divine Justice then they may walk in the shades of this Fools Paradise Men never gain by the ill bargain of Suspicion but at last their very thoughts will upbraid them with weakness and folly Deaw not long Arguments from the slender twine-thread of Suspicion We need a Dove-like simplicity and a benign estimate of every Accident Words misplac'd must not hurry our raw conjectures into Passions It 's the sign of an evil temper to construe the worst when a fair Gloss may be more sweetly truly and decently given Believe nothing but what 's manifest use both your ears and your heart too before you whet your tongue and when suggestions once appear to be vain chide your too frequent credulity Be not hasty to conceive an injury lest you bring forth a lye the frequency of self-rebuke through experience will pare away sudden reflections Let not little touches and small scratches set you in a flame of anger Because your drink is not warm enough or your servant slow or the Table totters a little at Meat or the Door is not presently shut to be in a scurvy Feaver of wrath betrays dirty blood and sordid spirits within Because a Flea or a Fly troubles you or a pot falls or a pipkin boyls over or a glass broken or children make a noise or a thing is misplac'd or ancient people cough or as Myndyrides because the roses in his bed were a little doubled to be in a rage shews a proud weak and effeminate Spirit deserves the rebukes of silence on deserting their company as unfit for humane converse Some persons have Souls good for little but to salt their bodies and exercise the graces of others and are alive by providence for increase of wisdom patience and pardoning mercy in their Alliances Like Vermine subtile to do mischief and whet mens fancies to devise traps and gins to catch them spend their days in trifles to spin perishing Webs catch Flies and spit their Venom Let 's turn our eyes from miserable deplorable forlorn Creatures to him whose Throne is in the Heavens and counts it a condescending humility to behold the Angels Ps 113.6 All his works praise him Ps 145.10 and his Saints bless him Le ts set out the glory of his Excellency and admire the operation of his hands with heart and tongue We are too like the poor Disciples that wondered at the Marble-buildings of the Temple Mark 13.2 are these things fit for a Saints wonder Le ts adorn our time by comparing Precepts with Providence The rule of his Wisdom with its product and issue and narrowly espy how God glorifies every Attribute in the management of Heaven and Earth Providence comments on the Text of Prudence and delights in Mercy and Love as the Issue of his own glorious Bowels What stirred up Divine Wisdom to plot the mutual kissings of Righteousness and Peace together but rowling bowels of compassion towards perishing man when Angels fell from Heaven without recovery yet according to the Multitude of his tender Mercies Wombs full of Mercies hath blotted out our transgressions Ps 51.1 Hebr. Let us be inflamed with Love to God that sweetly provides for our bodies out of his Store house from the Air and Woods from Seas and Rivers from Hills and Plains not only for necessity but delight and ornament withholding nothing from us that 's good for grace or glory But the Master-piece the Top the Flower of love shines forth in the beauty of Gospel-Mercy Le ts dwell in the Temple of Meditation upon the infinite Love of God in Christ till our hearts he enlarged and amplified with flames of affection service and praise when Divine Love is the Fountain of ours we shall need no other arguments of bounty to Saints than the sweet apprehension of his Love to us We need no motives from Plato Tully or Seneca who range up and down the Mountains of Fancy and
Virgins chearful and smiling upon each other to teach that kindnesses must flow without fraud with a candid Rom. 12.8 simple and delightful spirit Yea Holy Page recommends it when done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with singleness of heart with a generous frame casting no squint-eye or nourishing any base aim either to elevate the crest of pride or debase others into servile offices And this deportment ingenerâ—tes a sweet temper in the Hearts of Receivers Love is the Cement of the Universe and humanity is twisted into unity by kindness and concord Vertuous Heathens numbred the graces among their Deities noting it for a Species of Sacrilege not to return Favours with an aimiable Gratitude The Dispenser of Love should have a slippery memory but the Recipient should engrave it on Pillars of Marble and Pyramids of Brass The Giver should shut his Eyes when he opens his Hand Dissimulation without blame to chear an unknown person or to hide his knowledge Prov. 19.17 such a one lends to the Lord and makes Heaven his Debtor and surely there is Treasure enough to requite him while he that accepts gratefully makes God his Pay-master by Prayer If by giving we expect returns we fit like Publicans at the Receipt of Custom and give to our selves what we pay to others Self-love is never truly magnificent To pour out benefits upon persons unknown or unable to return shews delight in bounty and the pleasure of Love to see such walk at liberty whose Iron bands we have unloosed incognito A liberal man deviseth liberal things like a Prince Is 32.8 and seeks out Objects to exercise friendship that so great a Grace may never lye idle A brave Spirit judges he receives the kindness which he bestows as M. Antony said Whatever I give that I have The Europaeans purchase whole Territories with a few Beads Knives and Hammers of the naked Indians much more happy who gain an Eternal Inheritance by a few Penies Such a one bestows himself whose Coyn comes warm from the Mint of his Heart and shall be melted into a Crown of Life He that seeks a debtor does but drive a Trade hearkens to the promise because of payment He gives proudly and worships his own ambition and sacrifices to the Drag of Covetousness He deals a Loaf but full of Grits to break the teeth and a Scorpion instead of Fish to sting the Stomach Be kind to such as are hoising sail to the Indies and send precious Cordials to such as swelter under incurable maladies or those that hold out their needy hands in a dusky even Scatter your morsels to them that come from far in a Pilgrims Habit and a transient Staff Heb. 13.2 and so entertain Angels at unawares 'T is the ready way to find Treasure Trove to enjoy plentiful Crops rain'd down from Heaven and Ships blest into the Ports from Storms and Pyrats Others spend their unsanctified returns in vanities while the bowels of Saints almost cleave to their Backs and the next year their credit sinks at Land and their ships at Sea or find the way to the French Harbors while others sail in safe by the breath of Prayer We may stand in need of the meanest before the Sun shines again from the Northern Tropick and those that scrape in dunghills and rake for Nails in Chapels may ride in pomp upon Velvet Sadles before twelve Moons be wained The Old Man of Winchester found it by experience being cast into the depth of poverty by one whom he had opprest in youth Haman may climb the Tree of Justice though planted for Mordecay and blind Sampson may see well enough to pull down a Play-house upon 2000 Philistins Who knows what evil may thunder upon the Earth and where the Bolt may hit A scoffing Noble was trod to death in the Gate of Samaria 2 K. 7.29 who had mock'd a Prophet and jeered at the Windows of Heaven but a day before Cast your Bread upon the sliding waters Eccl. 11.1 which though swallowed in the Sea return through the Caverns of the Earth into the same River after many days A prudent man foresees the evil and flies into the Temple of Charity and there meditates upon both fortunes He reaps at present the plentiful crops of Peace in the Champain of a good Conscience and makes a continual Feast to himself upon the dones let fall to others He that gives to Princes and rich Equalls Prov. 22.16 may come to poverty by out-vying Such as expect returns are like Merchants in the Port Physicians in Cities and Victuallers is in Camps and such as sun their Fancies in the Usurers Walks They are Traffickers and not Benefactors and are often out-witted by Expert Sophisters who are wonderful officious in hopes of gain Like Crows that fit kawing upon an old stump watch dying Cattel with much ceremony and with fawning flatteries hop about them till they pick out their Eyes But whatever be the frame of the Givers Spirit the Receiver must not pry too narrowly into the Patrons Conscience but make his kindness the seed-plot of renown Happy are those Noble Souls who so give as to stir up a sweet memorial before God and man The amiable frame of the Giver out shines the Gift it self and cherishes Gratitude in the leanest Soil Praise is comely for Saints Ps 33.1 2 Sam. 24.23 Mat. 5.45 especially when men with Ornan give like Princes when Jebusites act like Israelites or like God himself whose Sun warms the House of the Evil and his Rain pours down upon the Field of the Wicked It becomes us to let God hear from us when we hear from him and all his Mercies to turn into Sacrifices A thankful Spirit is like a Musical Echo in the Star-chamber of Heaven Man must not only be a Concha but a Canalis Bernard not a Shell to retain but a Chanel to derive mercies Like marble Basons at Fountains when full run over to others and water the parched Plains Our Corn-fields must grow for the Poor and the Levite Deut. 12.18 19.14.27 29.16.11 14. as well as to swell our barns and cram our Garners that others hearts and faces may shine with the Oil of Joy and Thankfulness both to God and us That like the cheared Lark when enlivened by morning warmth mounts up with singing out of our sight towards the Suns Chariot and thanks him with a Sonnet and makes him rejoyce to run his Race We should learn his Lesson and praise the Fountain of Israels mercies at the dawning day Scruple not to leave the Rosy-finger'd Morn abed in Tithonus Arms. Leave the Sun a Sluggard sweating in the watry Embraces of the Eastern Ocean We need not the glittering Lamp of Venus to find out the Palace or knock at the Gate of Heaven The blessing of former the sense of present and the hope of future Mercies should all inflame us Our Souls from experienced observations of former Mercies like expert Astronomers
insist here nor hint about the Earth that the very Soyl where Corn grows gives a various Tincture to it and makes some more wholesome than others as may be considered in reference to Grain produced in Mineral Countries Should I amplify about Waters Water it might over-flow a Volume But this Element being truly Terra fluens Earth in Flux is impregnated with the various Salts and Sulfurs that it finds in the bellies of those mountains whence discharg'd and in the Chanels of those Champions where it sports and plays in curious Maeanders and pleasant Turnings And therefore according to its differing imbibitions is sometimes wholsom and often pernicious to humane bodies Schoockius de cerevisia Bochart de animal par 1. p. 292. 2 Kin. 2.19 Untzer p. 967. Willis Henr. de Rochas and hence 't is of great concern in Brewing and all Offices of the Kitchen For instance The Waters about Jericho were naught causing Women to miscarry The Waters among the Alps procure the Kings Evil. The Water of the River Po breeds the Stone Those at Watford in Northamptonshire make men bald at 30 and those at Carleton in Leicestershire induce a wharling in the Throat Veget. de remilit l. 3. c. 2. Juvenal sat 13. v. 161. and generally the stagnant corrupt Waters of Fennes are dangerous by naughty Ferments for the Pestilence Such as are taken up at Fountains are replenish'd with the Atoms of that Earth whence they spring and such as are near great Cities are not so wholesome especially when convey'd home by Leaden Pipes and landed and kept in Cisterns of the same Metal Plin. l. 31. c. 7. Vitruv. Lang. Ep. Albert. de Met. l. 3. c. 4. Majer Symbol p. 494. as Pliny Vitruvius Albertus Magnus Langius Majerus and other of the Learned have observ'd that Griping of the Guts Bloody Fluxes and Kings Evil are tormenting Diseases to such Inhabitants which I could wish were attended by the worthy Citizens of London my dear native City If the Earth and Water minister so many inconveniencies to the prosperous Health of Man Air. how can the Air be free which is always fill'd with Vapours and Steams from both Whence some Solutions may arise to the questions about the various Products of different Winds blowing from the Horizon Why the Nitre of the North makes the Air so bitter and the Sulfur of the South so contagious Why the East so parching and blasting being mixt with mineral Atoms from the Mountains of Germany Hungary and Thrace and in Jewry from the Mine Hills of Arabia though there may be other latent Causes intermixt Are not some places noxious to the Brain by vegetable Fumes as Arbours of Night shade Walks of Walnut and Woods of Box Nay do not many Animals where frequent infect the Air as Naturalists have observed and to name but one for warning sake Arnold It 's noted by Arnoldus out of Avenzoar that the continual usage of Cats is so unwholesome to the Body of Man that it often produces the Phthisick and Consumption of the Lungs And so do many Learned Physicians testifie by experience In Ramsey of Poysons But to hasten Fire it may not be unfit to observe that the Air may be much impaired as to wholesomeness by the very culinary Fires which we use where scarcity of Trees forces many to use dryed Cow-dung Turff Peat Seacoal and Canol instead of Wood. The crude Sulfur Arsenical Fumes that fill the Air of our city are doubtless great causes of the multitudes of Consumptions within those Walls by drawing so constantly those corroding Fumes into the Lungs Not to mention that the very Body may be much molested by Itches and Scabs in sitting by Seacoal Fires Arnold siquis p. 64. b. and the very Meat that 's roasted and Beer warmed by them is not so wholesome Bacon Nat. Hist p. 202. Let the Learned Bacon vouch my fears who affirms that the vapors of Seacoal as well as Charcoal in a close Room hath killed many and stealing in by little and little induces only faintness without any manifest strangling And to this I can attest with great thankfulness for my deliverance being forced to sit in a close Room for a long time in a late Winter and found evident recovery by change of Fuel O what cause have we to magnifie the Name of God for the sweet Air we breath in and to sweeten it more with the Musick of our Praises and that all within us should bless his Holy Name That every Western Wind with its fresh and wholesome Gales should open the Flowers of Thankfulness that every sense and all their Organs that every Nerve should strive to string the Harp of Praise Ps 139.4 not a thought in our Heart or word in our Mouth but should be known to him altogether in the Echoings and Resoundings of his Gloey That our Spiriturl Senses should be ever exercised in making him their lovely Object Heb. 5.14 and his Holy Bosom the Center of all their Songs Shall the Holy Psalmist lead the Quire Praise him all his Angels and all his Hosts Ps 148.1 Praise him Sun and Moon with all the Stars of light The Heaven of Heavens and the Waters above the Heavens The Dragons and all Deeps Fire and Hail Snow and Vapor Stormy Wind fulfilling his Word of command Mountains and all Hills Fruitful Trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Cattel creeping Insects and flying Fowl Kings of the Earth and all People Princes and all Judges Young Men and Maidens Old men and Children Praise ye the Name of the Lord for his Name is alone excellent his Glory is above Earth and Heaven Let every bright Lamp of the Firmament prove a falling Star and worship at his Footstool Let the cold Influences of the Moon wax warm with motion in the Chariot of Praise upon the mighty Waters Let the healing Balsam of the Sun which cherishes the surface of the Earth its Inhabitants from Pole to Pole inflame every living Creature with his Glory Let the Sea roar and the fulness thereof Let every River wash the Pavement of his Temple Ezek. 47.1 and run under the Threshold of his Sanctuary Let the savage Lions hasten and the ravenous Eagles fly to his Altar and pant to expire in its Flames Let all the Spices of India and Arabia perfume the Mansion of his Honour Let all Minerals Rocks and Mountains pour out streams of Oil to attend his Sacrifice Let all the Vines of Lebanon Eschcol and Sibmah thirst to empty their blood-red Liquor for Drink-offerings Let mighty Aetna Vesuvius and Hecla cast up their flaming Bowels upon his Hearth in Zion Isa 31.9 and turn all his Sacrifices into ashes Let his Priests be clothed with Salvation and his Saints sing aloud for joy for the Lord reigneth Let the whole Earth rejoyce and the multitude of Isles be glad thereof Let the Holy Angels answer from Heaven with
and a Worm sent to gnaw at the Root of their Substance Many blustering Storms split carnal hopes that in broken planks of mercy they may recover the port of happiness The Paths of Mercy are wonderfully intricate that we may study and learn to discry the windings of Providence God led his people by a right or straight way says David but in a very crooked and winding way according to the Stations set down by Moses Ps 107.7 The cloudy Pillar gave them many a weary turn to chastize their crooked hearts Their Journey took them up 40 years which might have been performed in passing over but 92 Miles from the Border of Egypt to the Southern City of Canaan For Pelusium or Sin in the Land of Sinim the last City of Aegypt was distant but 92 Miles from Rhinocurura or Nahalmizraim Is 27.12 the first City of Canaan on the brook in the South of Simeons Tribe called the River of Aegypt in Scripture as appears by the Itinerary of Antonine the Emperour which at 10 Miles a day considering so vast a multitude makes but 9 days journey to arrive at the Land of Promise Yet in what vast wandrings to and fro in that howling Wilderness did they rowl about Four several times they were commanded to turn about First Exod. 14.2 Numb 33.7 Numb 14.25 Deut. 1.40 Deut. 2.3 Numb 14.34 from Etham to Pihahiroth Secondly from Mount Horeb to the Mount of the Amorites Thirdly from Zinkadesh by the Amorite Mountains quite back again to the Red Sea And Fourthly from the Red Sea northward again besides other Special Turns according to the various Stations in the Wilderness to bear their Iniquities and know Gods Breach of Promise which though failing to them that believed not and so first brake with him yet was fulfilled to a tittle with their Children whom the murmuring Fathers had consigned to be a prey in the Desert The posterity of those Repiners were taught better manners by the Briars and Thorns of Sinai We never carve well for our selves when we snuff at the portion cut out to us by the Hand of God The way to our old Lovers is hedg'd up with merciful thorns to turn us into the right way to the new Jerusalem Austin Confes l. 9. c. 9. Austin says of his Mother Monica She had learn'd the Lesson of a Vertuous Wife not to resist her offended Husband Non tantùm factor sed nè verbo quidem Not by an unseemly word much less in carriages How much more obsequious behaviour owe we to the Father of our Spirits that we may live in his love and to that Heavenly Husband of all gracious and meek Souls to gain his delight in our persons by resembling himself Then out of seeming discouragements we may draw real and experienced comforts Is 12.3 and out of the deep Wells of trouble the Waters of Salvation and Joy As the Woman of Canaan by our Lords calling her a Dog to try her Faith proved her self to be one of the lost Sheep of the true Israel which he came down to find We must behave and quiet our selves like weaned Children under all Ps 131.2 the tossings and tumblings of their Mothers Holy contentation and lowliness of Spirit must hush all the proud whimperings of our minds in the hour of Trial till we become like little Children if we would enter the Kingdom of Heaven Jacob served for a Wife Hos 12.12 and for a Wife kept Sheep in Aram says the Prophet though by an unkind brother was frighted thither and by an hard Uncle was hurried back by untoward Children forced from Shechem and by a threatning famine compelled into Aegypt and all to this end that God might nourish the People of Shem in the Land of Ham to prepare them for the Milk and Honey of the Land of Canaan at that time the possession of Ham's Posterity God glorifies many an Attribute in one single Mercy and teaches us to pry into every one and to gaze upon the Lustre and Tapestry-work of all his Mercies Though God is never the holier or wiser more powerful or just by our glorifying his Name Joh 25.6 yet 't is our duty and his tribute our homage and his condescending savour to accept it The 3 glorious persons did glorifie each other before all worlds and do still The Son was always rejoycing before the Father Prov. 8.30 The Son prays Father glorifie thy Name and a Voice from Heaven answers Joh. 12.28 I have both glorified it and Will glorifie it again And the Son prays Joh. 17.5 That the Father would glorifie him with that Glory which he had with him before the World was And speaking of the Holy Spirit he saith He shall glorifie me Joh. 16.14 yet he is pleased to set forth his Name that we should ascribe the Honour due to it Ps 29.2 Ps 50.23 He that offers praise glorifies him To this end ought we to observe what wisdom shines in contrivement what power in management against all opposition and what mercy in finishing and landing such a Favour in our Bosoms So that when we little dream such an Affair can come to pass it suddenly surprizes us with admiration and astonishment by unspeakable Mazes and winding Labyrinths without our trouble that as we now stand still and see his Salvation so we may all our lives sit still and solace our Spirits with the curious Embroidery of Divine Providence We may say as Naomy to Ruth about Boaz Ruth 3.18 Sit still for the man will not be at rest till he finish the thing this day Resignation of our concerns to the Wisdom of God should cure all anxious and querulous thoughts about Events and Issues If God design such a Mercy all the Powers on Earth cannot hinder it and if it be against his secret Will all the Princes on Earth cannot further it Yea if never so near to attainment yet a trifling surmise shall blast it Follow the conduct of Providence by the Lamp of the Word and this Ariadnes's Thread will lead through all secret and dark turnings into the pleasant Fields of Enjoyment This consideration as it should stay our Spirits in reference to all outward Mercies so more especially as to eternal Where Election hath pitch'd an eye of Love the Hand of Mercy will certainly guide to Heaven If an elect Vessel could be imagined to be in the centre of the Earth the very Bowels of the Earth should open and a Golden Chain of Mercy be let down to draw up that Soul into the Centre of Heaven I knew a Holy man Mr. Christopher Hewling who living in a profane Village in the Forest of Dean had a Godly Minister sent thither on purpose to convert him as that Reverend person profest himself For he was there but a little time I think about a year and as soon as my Friend was converted the profane people rose up against his Ministry and chased him
deriving all her nocturnal beauty from the Sun Eâ—e 1.14 so must Saints shine by the comeliness of Christ And as a Gracious Husband labours to change his Spouse into his own Image and likeness by kindnesses precepts and example that he may take the more delight in her person Ps 45.10 So does our spiritual Solomon change the hew of his Egyptian Queen to deem of things and persons as her Lord and Husband judges and frames her Spirit to delight in doing his Will and Pleasure and take the highest solace in obedience to enjoy a heavenly freedom mixt mith aimiable and joyful reverence He roots out of her heart all changeable affections worldly fancies and hankering longings after the fond fashions of Shechem Gen. 34.1 and all carnal inclinations to the Daughters of Canaans Linage and all the beggerly humours of the besotted world and to pass by with a Holy scorn all the pitiful Pageantry of this perishing and fading life and rise to a mean estimate of the Baubles and trifles that inchant a carnal Heart At length she arrives to a noble and generous judgment counting all but dung and dross that she may win Christ As her Prince of life was crucified by the World for her Redemption so she begins to be crucified to it in token of conformity to him and at length becomes all glorious within She takes down the Pendants of folly Ps 45.13 and hangs all her Jewels within Her Pearls and Diamonds are the gracious Sermons and dying Prayers of her Holy Lord they hang at her ears Songs 1.13 they lye between her Breasts all night Her clothing is of the Gold of Ophir made with Needlework of divers colours Judg. 5.30 twined by the Daughters of the New Jerusalem The 12 precious Stones in the breast-plate of Aaron are upon her Heart She is Holy like him and goes about doing good with the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit with a Crown of Carbuncles of flaming love to Christ upon her Head and thus reflecting the Glory of Christ here is preparing and fitting for fuller visions and brighter reflections of Glory hereafter Here 's nothing but noise and confusion in the dust and smoak of folly This World is like the Sea in Habakuk Hab. 1.14 where the great Fish swallow the small storms and pirats rocks and sands shipwrecks and new furprizing dangers every moment Let 's long and pack up for our best and sweetest home looking upon every secret Mercy every joyful income of the Spirit as so many earnests of glory as so many bent tokens put in hand to secure Heaven Let 's draw off and wean our affections from sublunary vanishing Vapors which perish in the very use Carnal persons in their heights have but a wordly Heaven and Saints while here in their lowest depths by the Sunshine of divine Favour have a sweet portion of Heaven here upon Earth Oh what a Heaven shall they have in Heaven it self Here though sometimes deep in the mire of affliction yet when conscience sings 't is fair above head still travelling towards Zion Since our natures are chang'd like a Cion or Graft inserted into the Vine of the Church we shall in due time be transplanted to Paradise Strengthen assurance by perseverance and both by the promises to each and mix prayer with Praises Our Harps must always sound while our Sacrifice burns on the Altar Every day adds to the treasury of evidence Like laborious Bees increase your stock from the flowers of Scripture and the Honey of Assurance will sweeten every Prayer and cheer persevering grace and enliven the strings of praise till we come with Harps in our hands well tuned to the Gate of Heaven Let our chaste Souls be a Garden enclos'd to Christ Our eyes ears Song 4.12 affections seal'd and shut up from worldly communion Hearken O Daughter Ps 45.10 11. and forget thine Egyptian people and thy Fathers house in Zoan So shall the King of Glory greatly desire to see and enjoy thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him Some Passages to be inserted in page 26. which through a casualty did happen to be misplaced AS that Person in Bisseter Market who having a piece of Bread in his Mouth and turning suddenly to answer a question while the Bread was swallowing was immediately choack'd and though he survived about two or three days yet no remedy prevailed Remarkable was that providence of a poor Taylor at Reading choak'd with a bit of Mutton having wish'd it to himself as he was eating if he had stoln the Stockings whereof he was accused Which story is set down in the Register of one of the Parishes of that Town A sudden accident also besell Colonel Rossiter endeavouring to crack a Plum-stone as I am informed brake a Tooth and thereby lost his Life I would not let pass two or three stories more of signal providences as to sudden accidents There lived some time since in Grassechurch-street LONDON a Vintner Mr. Fowler by name who playing with his little Child abed received a scratch of a Pin First it rankled and cost him a Hundred Pounds-under design of cure but at length his Arm was cut off and shortly after lost his life There hapned also a notable memorial of Divine providence upon a Child in Bishops-gate Parish where sometime the good hand of God was pleased to use my poor labours in the honourable service of the Ministry This little Child looking up through a wooden case to a ponderous Jack-weight in that very moment the Weight drop'd down and kill'd it I have also received intelligence of a Person worthy of credit that a Woman having a very fair Hand molested by a Wart and submitting to the skill of a Chirurgeon at Thomas Hospital in Southwark in order to cure But the sore place began to be angry at the improper Medicines and Festers and shortly receives from his hand the cure of all her Diseases To end with a comfortable story My good Friend Mr. Ch. Morton then at Sea and yielding to the advice of a Ship-Chirurgeon to lay the Lapis Infernalis to eat down a Wart his Arm swelled very dangerously but the Lord delivered him So true is that saying of Paracelsus That the greatest Wounds may issue prosperously and little Scratches may end disastrously since the Keys of Life and Death are in the Hand of God FINIS Books printed toy and are to be sold by John Hancock at the Sign of the three Bibles in Popes Head Alley in Cornhill TWelve Books lately published by Mr. Tho. Brooks late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New Fish-street 1. Precious Remedies against Satans Devices or Salve for Believers and Vnbelievers Sores being a Companion for those that are in Christ or out of Christ 2. Heaven on Earth Or a serious Discourse touching a Well-grounded Assurance of Mans Everlasting Happiness 3. The Vnsearchable Riches of Christ held forth in 22 Sermons 4. Apples