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
to amuse yea amaze us under the sense of Divine Goodness and to draw our Hearts with the silken cords of love It 's his favour that drops the inclinations of affection into the hearts and tempers the reciprocal tides in the breasts of such whom he ordains for conjugal relation His Eye guided out-cast Hagar to a shrub in Paran Gen. 24.39 40 58. 29.11 and rather then her son should perish for thirst an Angel must point out a Well to slake her sorrow Wonderful are the instances both in sacred and civil Story in discovery of means ordering of method guiding of accidents to the prevention of dangers and preservation of life and the sudden issuing of sudden distresses No less admirable are many quick and stupendious deliverances out of Dungeons and Prisons to great and famous Advancements and by providences to us occasional and accidental flow high and exalted manifestations of God to his Church and people Not to be curious in ranking under distinct heads give leave to mention a few mixt Examples in various kinds Pharaohs Daughter coming occasionally to the Rivers side Exo. 2.6 had compassion on little Moses weeping in his Cradle of Bulrushes Her heart wept over the tears of Moses she brought him up like a Prince in Egypt to be Prince of Israel Thus God makes his enemies to foster their own Supplanters and to build up their own destroyers After this the Humanity of Moses to the Daughters of Jethro in watering their Sheep advanced him to be Son in Law to the Prince of Midian A poor Captive Maiden in the Land of Syria by a few words was the occasion of the cure of Naamans Leprosie both in soul and body And another finding favour in the eyes of the great King of Persia was the occasion of delivering the Jews from destruction in 127 Provinces and the Reading of that Kingdoms Chronicles opened a door to Mordecai's Glory and Haman's Infamy Joseph and Daniel arrived to unexpected Preferment by exposition of Princes Dreams whereby the Church of God was strangely preserved and at length delivered from Exile Simeon and Anna coming into the Temple at an instant of Providence met with the Lords Anointed and saw his Salvation Many of the choicest Mercies fall under this head The first and primary Mercy to the World the Protevangelium the preaching of the Gospel to Adam by God himself transcended the thoughts and imaginations of our fallen Parents The sending of the Messiah's Sceptre out of Zion among the Gentile Idolaters who sought him not and the Conversion of whole Nations to the Obedience of his Spiritual Law was performed by preventing Grace to the whole world and the particular turnings of Rebellious Souls to God are often managed by secret instincts Austin would needs sail over Sea to Rome against the prayers and tears and fears of his holy Mother She dreaded his being corrupted by the debauchery of Rome but God sent him to Milan to be converted by Ambrose and as he speaks sweetly of Gods denial of her prayers as to his journey Confes 1. â— c. 8. Sed tu alte consulens exaudiens cardinem desiderii ejus non curasti quod tunc petebat ut in me faceres quod semper petebat But thou in wise counsel didst regard the hinge on which her desires turned didst reject her present prayer to give in the effect of her constant petitions Many times such who run from the means of their own Salvation fall into the happy snares of Divine Mercy and such who are naturally unwilling to be saved Austin praevenisti ut vellem the secret Wisdom of Providence allures to become a willing people in the day of his Power Should I enlarge upon the many rare cases of special preventing Mercies this Discourse would run over the banks of Volumes Famous is the Instance of that man whose Horse in a dark night wafted him over a Plank laid upon the breach of Rochester Bridge and the next day coming to see the place of his strange deliverance sunk into the deep waters of Amazement and died away Great Salvation did the Lord work also for a Friend of mine M. Charles Morton who riding in the night along the High Way at Menegizy Cliffs in Cornwall which was fallen down into the Sea at a vast depth might have perish'd inevitably had not a man suddenly stept out of his door at his passing by and prevented the mischief More admirable the safe fall of a Butcher upon his Sheep from the Cliff at Dover Castle as the Inhabitants report How did an impulse upon Mr. Dods Spirit to visit a Friend two miles off in the night prevent the Self-murder of that person by a Halter who was esteemed truly gracious but overwhelmed by direful tentations How did an unexpected Fog prevent a second Battel between the English and Dutch in the late Wars And the like happened in the days of King Edward the Confessor upon the Navies addressing to fight How admirably have many persons been cured preserved delivered by sudden accidents Memorable is that story in Tilingius of one who being cured of a Dropsie by the poison of a Toad designed for his destruction became the Publisher of that Specifick Some by Falls into Rivers have been cured of Madness others by sudden frights restored to the use of their Limbs and others by Shipwreck have escaped Piracy And which is distinct as to relief unexpected in deep poverty that of Accesilaus is remarkable who caused a Bag of Money to be conveyed under the pillow of a sick Friend modestly hiding his poverty that he might find it rather then receive it And others that have let fall Money into the laps of persons from a window as if it fell from Heaven As to preventing Mercy in reference to prayer â— 65.24 Sometime before we call God is pleased to answer When the Heart is but a tuning he discovers the Lesson and turns it into a Song of praise Ps 32.5 When David was under resolutions of Confession God actually forgave the iniquity of his sin Gen. 24.15 45. Before Eliezer had done speaking in the case of Isaac out comes Rebecca with the answer of prayer When Hezekiah was praying and weeping 2 Kings 20.5 Turn again says the Lord to Isaiah and tell the Captain of my people I will heal thee And Gabriel told beloved Daniel Dan. 9.20 21 23. that at the beginning of his Supplication he was commanded to fly more swiftly down to Daniel then his prayer could fly up to Heaven So ready is our gracious Father to smell a savour of rest when the Incense of prayer is but newly kindled CHAP. III. The Numerousness of Preventing Mercies THE glittering Stars of Heaven the drops of the briny Ocean and the Sands upon the winding Shores the Dusts of the Earth and the Atoms that swim in the Sun-beams are not so numerous as these excellent Mercies Archimedes could write a Treatise
vocal Instruments for new Songs to bear a part with the Harmony of Angels for ever CHAP. V. Of the Instruments used for conveyance of these Mercies WHatever Hand presents our Mercies or whosoever's Heart was inclin'd to hand them all flowes from the grand Original Every Mercy is the Fruit of the Thoughts of God When David was poor and needy Ps 40.17 Gods thinking upon him enrich'd his Spirit But Instruments must have their due place in our respect and reverence since God honours them They were Golden Pipes that convey'd Golden Oyl in Zechaery Zech. 4.12 Heavens Ambassadors deserve Angelical Salutations remembring what 's due to Servants without prejudice to Divine Glory who bends and inflects the hearts of of men to shew that Benevolence which passes through them as a River between its Banks but springs from the infinite Fountain of Divine Mercy Few or no Enjoyments but have their enamelled means and methods of Providence and when its Beryl Wheels move towards us full of Eyes and Glory Ezek. 10.13 we may cry out with admiration of God O Wheel Our Health Beauty Feature Strength good Name Estate Utterance or any other Endowment of Soul or Body are the Product of Divine Love though second Causes may intervene for those very causes have their Creation Motion and Direction and Success from God Children are the Heritage of the Lord Ps 127.3 and yet the fruit of the Womb by his Reward Prov. 18.22 He that findeth a Vertuous Wife as if by casualty obtaineth favour of the Lord by the Designation of Heaven Whoever wishes he receives those wishes dropt into his Heart from higher influence Gen. 24.31 And faithful Eliezer must be called the Blessed of the Lord when he knocks at the Door and brings the Tidings The Presents which David sent from the Spoils of Amalek to his Friends though taken from his Enemies 1 Sam. 30.25 yet were given of the Lord. Senders and Messengers may vary but all comes from Heaven God is pleased sometimes to send an Olive-Branch by the Hand of a Dove to Noah Food by the Mouth of a Raven to Elijah at Cherich and sometimes by a Jay to others sometimes a Star passes before the Zabii the Wisemen of the East and enlightens them to Bethlchem and otherwhile an Angel is employed to the Prophet at Rithmah and many times the Methods of great Mercies are deep and intricate and we can never dive to the bottom of Wisdoms Ocean The stately River Nile rises from a latent head and the foundations of Famous Cities are under ground The Great and Holy God sometimes stirs up the Hearts of Relations most times Strangers and now and then even Enemies themselves are turned to help and favour his People Ps 106.46 Rare is that story of a good Woman at Sandwich imprisoned by the Major for a Religious Meeting and being askt by him how she would do in Prison being poor She reply'd I serve such a Master that rather than I shall starve I shall be fed from your Table The Magistrates Wife overhearing her confidence in God sent every day constantly from the Majors house a portion of Meat for about three Weeks being the time of her Restraint So that whatever are the Motives in the Hearts of inferiour Agents still the Supreme and Heavenly Cause is to be eyed with Adoration and Worship Many may unwillingly profit us we then owe not the benefit to them but the great Incliner the Soveraign Mover of Hearts Let us not trouble our Spirits about that question Quo animo with what design their Favours are calculated to our use Ignoble Spirits may perform some noble Actions upon a superstitious or vainglorious aim as to merit Heaven to gain applause to restrain the barkings of Conscience to stop the Mouth of Reprovers and to oblige men to their humours or some base intrigue or other Of all persons Ministers should be most sagacious and the Seers of the Temple must be blind in such Emergencies When sordid tempers exact difficult Secrecies for a little pelf while themselves spend ten times more on a base lust like those that fat their Horses for a riding or their Slaves at Algier for to sell in the Market at a higher Price Homines vaenalis animae that buy and sell their souls for advantage and are meer Merchants of all the Benefits they exert to others Some Mens Favours are like Chrystal Glasses of a curious frailty every Spider of suspicion cracks them He that ponders too much upon the Publican return of his benefits gratifies the trade of gain and covetousness not his Conscience to God or the genuine good of others There be many that take a pride to be counted liberal when they let fall a few drops of charity upon famished poverty and love that the Sun should shine upon their forward bounty and make their Cock crow at the scratching out a few Corns from their lofty Dunghills that can empty their laden Stomachs into China Dishes and hang Jewels and Pearls the price of whole Cities upon their Ears and vest themselves with the Tribute of large Territories and make as great a noise in scattering their Offals among the Poor as when the Russian Emperor blows his Trumpet after Dinner and all the World must know when they give that which their high-fed Lap-curs many times refuse They 'le wear Silk Garments like the Roman Matrons of such a fine Web that neither their Bodies are defended from weather nor their Chastity from observation but think much of a few Rags to cover a poor Lazarus at the Door God gives them Hundreds by the Year and they carry single Pence in their Pockets or brass Farthings to buy off the Clamours of Conscience But yet such as are inward Enemies to true Evangelical Charity shall be Instruments sore against their will to preserve the Soul of the Needy from death and ruine Wicked and debauched Persons Prov. 13.22 shall in the issue lay up Treasures for the Righteous But when Instruments act generously like wise Stewards of the manifold Talents of Gods Mercies they are to be highly esteemed like the Gold Ring that encompasses an Orient and Sparkling Diamond They are to be nourished and cherished like the Doves of Aleppo to whose Feet the Missives and Letters of Merchants are tyed for speedy conveyance Embassadors are Sacred Persons and are to be sacredly handled The very Feet of them that bring glad tidings of Peace and Mercy are to be washt and anointed with Oyl and counted beautiful There 's a Glory shines upon the Sandals of them who come down from Heaven and we ought to crows the Footsteps of the Messengers of Heavenly Favours with Branches of Olives and the persons sent back to Heaven with grateful Acclamations to the Harps of Joy to hold in consort with the Host of Angels praising the Divine Beneficence CHAP. VI. The Beneficial Improvement of sudden and unexpected Mercies WOnderful Mercies speak
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
delicious and pleasant lustre upon prospects and Land-shapes where Hills and Dales Woods and Plains Rivers and Seas Castles and Cities and the carcases of ancient ruines and hanging Rocks are curiously drawn by the Pencil of nature Nay the sweet singer of Israel depaints the Churches garments Ex opere Phrygionico Ps 45.14 like Joseph's Coat with changeable Silks and the * Ps 68.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 54.12 greens of gold compared with the flowing colours that wave in the necks of Doves The Evangelical Prophet and the bosome Disciple build up the Towers of Zim the streets and walls of the new Jerusalem with Saphires Carbuncles Agats and pleasant stones lay the pavement of that glorious City with malleable transparent Gold There is nothng renders our preventing mercys so illustrious and glittering in glory as their wonderful changes and successive varieties in all ages and times of life When we first hung on the breasts of our Mothers we suckt in the sweet nectar of preventing mercy we drew our milk out of the milky way in Heaven Yea as prudent Physicians cure an infant by a potion to the nurse thus hath our gracious God by hidden means transmitted frequent cures to hidden maladies How hath our youth flowed with fragrant mercies and riper years smelt deliciously like a Garden of Pomgranates Cant. 4.13 How hath the goodness of God crowned gray hairs with a wreath of holiness honour and happiness How have the loving Angels carried some triumphant to Heaven who feared their setting in a dark cloud of horrour and despair Let 's take some turnes in this Garden of Eden and eye the curious walk of secret sudden and various mercies 1. Secret mercies whereof some are never fully known in this life like mazes and labyrinths and close arbours which the vultures eye could never discern strange and unforeseen deliverances whereof ensuing providences have made beautiful discoveries as Saul and his men went on one side of the Mountain when David escaped on the other in the Wilderness of Maon Some have been preserved by a Cobweb others by a Hen laying of eggs others by shoals of fishe in time of great persecution When afflictions themselves have been Seminaries of mercy and the dark and stormy showers of April have rained down flowers of savour end plentiful crops of summer deliverances 2. Sudden mercies in plunges of distress When the Church hath dream't of nothing but drinking the Wine of astonishment yet awakned at the brink of streams in the South How have the Saints been supported Ps 126.4 sustained enlightned How have doors opened on a sudden and Iron shackles been struck of by Angels and Jaylors bathed with their tears the prints of their own stripes How have the oars struck light in a dark tempest and the Ships we sail in ploughed up sparkles from the briny billows of the Ocean in a stormy night there being a native fire in salt from which the rapid motion hath extracted light Affliction it self hath taught a way to the haven of deliverance Nay usually when we begin to be willing and humble and patient to set down by the affliction and to consider Gods gracious dealings in the depths of correction to erect us into some thankful cheerful and admiring thoughts that it is not worse that thousands drink of more bitter cups and all out of hell is stupendious mercy Many times the wind of Divine favour blows from a fresh corner and our feet are set upon the rock that is higher then us 3. New and various mercies God seldom delivers in the same methods There was never the same face of Heaven from the Creation to this day The aspects clouds and weather do always vary as the shells on the Sea-shore and the pebble-stones none exactly alike No veins on the handback no lines in the palm no features in the millions of faces no voices from the windpipe no gate in the postures of walking but if curiously observed do differ to admiration No temptations no graces no afflictions and no deliverances are fully conformed to an union We have new songs for every moment had we hearts to tune them When Gods wisdom takes one mercy away his beneficent bounty sends another When some setting Stars dip their flaming rays in the Western Ocean new ones glitter in the East Never did the same water bubble from the same fountain but as God is the inhexhaustible spring of new and amiable Mercies So we find he adorns the Out-rooms of the World and the Chambers of the Tabernacle of his Church with the Diaper and Tapestry-hangings of the curious Needlework of his Providence Such Wisdom dwells with Prudenee Pro. 8.12 and finds out the Knowledge of witty Inventions All the curiosities of Art and the cunning devices of Artificers are from God the swarthy Plow-man derives his seasons and management of his Lands Is 28.26 Tillage and Culture from Heaven The Women that sit at the Wheel Exod. 35.25 26. turn it about by the direction of God for the Ornaments of the Tabernacle The Weaver the Embroyderer and the ingenious Lapidary learnt all in the School which is above the Stars Exod. 35.35 the most admirable of all Inventions have dropt into the Fancy from the Celestial Intelligence For what the vain unthankful world calls casualty is a graft upon the minds of Men cut from the Trees of Paradise Accident is the Mother of far more excellent Inventions than Industry Glass was found out by the Tyrian Merchants Polyd. Vâ—r. gil l. 2. c. 22. when boyling or broyling their Meat upon lumps of Nitre on the Sands of the River Belus * Munstâ—r Cosmogr l. 1. c. 173 174. Gun-powder was found out by a Monk A. 1354. and Printing by a Souldier A. 1440. and the Minerall Spaw at Tunbridge by a Page The purple colour by Hercules his Dog as 't is storied in Pollux l. 1. c. 4. and thousands of the like which were pleasant to recite did they not over-swell the proper place And shall we not think that infinite wisdom cannot always present new and ravishing wonders of Mercies upon the Stage Tullies Offices first printed A. 1466. Salmuth in Pancirol p. 244 246. from him who is unconceiveable in counsel and as admirable in working When we study in this Library we still find new Lines and new Editions we sail upon new Coasts and see new Stars as in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoy a new set of Creatures and smell at many Leagues distant fragrant odoriferous Sents as of Cinamon from the Mountains of Ceylon in India of Rosemary from Spain Cedar from Lebanon that perfume the very thoughts af a Saint and the further we travel the more delicious are the surging Tops of the Hills of Canaan and the more we taste the more surprising sweetness astonishes our Palates like the Queenpine in Barbadoes that supplies and transcends expectation with new and rasive savours and tunes our
tire their Pens to inforce particular Duties That one Topick of Paul suffices us 2 Cor. 5.14 The Love of Christ constraineth me That love which is called by Solomon Cant. 8.6 the Flame of God I shall enlarge no further than a few points from these 3 Springs of consideration Whence we are what we are doing and whether tending 1. We came say some from the red clay in the Valley of Damascus and tend toward the pale earth in the caves of Hebron Nay we crept out of the bosom of nothing are less than nothing and vanity to compare with the Holy one that form'd us Is 40.17 and are able to do nothing without his Aid in whom we live move and have our being Act. 17.28 and shall such nothings be proud of any thing What have we that is not received and what 's received must be returned to the account of the Heavenly Donor in Joy and Praise 2. We are the Pictures of Old Adam drawn to the life by the Pencil of Satan and sin is inspired into us by his venemous breath and inflam'd to lust after every red-cheek'd apple of Sodom proud of every Fig-leaf and jet it about in Aprons made of the skins of Sacrifices sporting in our own shame cast down at the wagging of every Leaf Guilt makes us tremble at every bush Rejoyce not spiritually in any mercies can neither act good nor bear evil stumble at straws and shrink at every silly taunt against God and Holiness quake at the loss of a few shillings for any pure Ordinance or truth of Christ O miserable Man who shall deliver us Had not the Day-spring from on high visited us we had sunk into the bottom of wo and misery 3. We are passing creatures and whether tend all our glittering shows but to dust and rotteness The Scheme and Pageantry of this World it whirls away in a moment and at judgement are stript of all but shame and confusion what should puff us up and blow this bladder of pride which is prickt with the least pin of Divine displeasure and we vanish away Let 's admire and adore free grace that hath opened a way through the blood of sprinkling into the Holy of Holies and always contemplate and apply the magnificent Gift of Righteousness which infinite Love hath consigned to us that Mercy and Truth may follow us all our days Ps 23.6 and we dwell in the House of the Lord for ever CHAP. VII The honourable Duty of Gratitude GOD is the Supreme Lord Paramount of Heaven and Earth and therefore the highest Homage is due to his Name All Rivers spring from and swim into the bosom of the Ocean The Sun-beams reflect from the Earth to the Sun again Fragrant Flowers perfume the sweet Air which opens them All must be received with thanksgiving and being thus sanctified prove double Mercies Every enjoyment must turn to improvement our comforts must be exalted into helps the Viatica and Supports of our Pilgrimage while Travelling with Peace-Offerings towards Zion We must prevent God by early Praise as well as Prayer Ps 57.8 Ps 60.10.119.147 The God of my Mercy shall prevent me sings David and every Child of David must prevent God again with his Songs Jehosaphat delighted God with Instruments of Musick before his Deliverance 1 Chron. 20.21 Faith must tune an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Psalm of Victory before the Triumph Praise is the ingenious Mother of future mercies As the Virgin Mary sang at Hebron before the birth of her Son at Bethlehem Luk. 1.46 O Heavenly Contention between Mercy and Duty The Eye of Man has a Musclè which Anatomists call the Levator to help him to look up to Heaven A grateful Muscle Unthankful persons cut out that excellent Organ and corrupt the Chrystalline humour of their memories by tears and poring too much downward upon their Afflictions Many mens mercies through ill digestion ferment into Bane and Poyson Zwelser Append. ad Animadvers Fol. 1667. p. 67. As the learned Zwelfer late Physician to the Emperour Leopold tells us of a Noble German almost slain by the powders of Pearl Coral and other Cordial Species that which should have cherisht his Spirits wrought towards a dry Consumption Many like Jesurun wax fat with mercies and grow lean in praises and kick with that strength which mercy gives them and trample on those bowels that rowl towards them like great mens stomachs surcharged with dainty viands grow sick and squeezy over-eat their appetite and confound concoction with various mixtures of flesh fish luxurious Sauces then complain of splenetick fumes and flushes Like Israel quarrel at Quails and make light at Manna while qualms and maukish flegm and bitter choller flings up from their Hearts Ungrateful persons are the Grave of mercies and often cast up their rotten matter It 's an Argument of a vitious stomach to turn wholesome food into sower humours Borrichus de Aegypt p. 282. Fol. 14. p. 239. Hermes after wine took a grain of Mastick or Frankincense to hinder its coagulation into Tartar And Arnoldns orders Bdellium to be taken with Scammony to preserve the bowels from Ulcers After Kindnesses we should take in Medicines against Ingratitude There be many black instances of this base and degenerous Temper Aristotle hath many a sinister bend in his Infamous Scutcheon pourtrayed by Borrichius but for three most memorable in betraying Stagira his Native City in scorning at Plato his excellent Tutor and for dipping his finger in a design of poysoning Alexander his munificent Prince Another was that of the lean and pale Brutus Sueton. in Caesar c. 92. Plut. to whom being found among the bloody Conspiratours in the Senate-house Caesar replyed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What thou among them What thou my Son Being deemed his natural Off spring by Servilia the Sister of Cato A third may be that Nobleman Wigandus in praefat ad Herb. Borussiae who being near death by a dangerous bleeding at nose was cured with the bloud red Burnet by a German Doctor but denyed him his Reward because the Herb was found neer his own Palace Were not others of a more noble genius it might shrink beneficence into a Mushrome and blast the Flower of Love with a nitrous East Wind into the Dust Such wretches are like the beastly Capraemulgi in Aelian Aelian de animal l. c. 39. that suck the poor Goats and by their venemous mouths shrivel and dry up their Udders that they never give milk more Impudence is the Fruit of Ingratitude and genders to all manner of lewdness Gratitude is a high piece of justice and feasts the owner with a joyful Conscience A thankful and cheerful person walk together and is a grand Ornament to his profession The three Graces tread their measures before his door in Crowns of Myrtle Chartarius Imag. Deorum p. 336. They were formed by Ancient Statuaries in shape of naked
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
their Silver Trumpets Glory be to God in the Highest peace upon Earth and good will to Man whose grand imployment should be to study discern and applaud the Infinite Love of God in all his Mercies which in a few words shall close this Period 1. When we taste some sweetness and relish the goodness of God in every Mercy which is that Divine Symploce on David's Harp or an elegant Complication of two figures the Anaphora and Epistrophe together O give thanks to the Lord Ps 136.1 for he is good his Mercy endureth for ever That as the Name of God in our native Tongue is from good so our Souls should spell the nature of his goodness and every passage of his Providence 2. When Mercies return down to us upon the wings of Ejaculations sent up to Heaven when enlargements of heart follow straits in prayer What Divine Benefits shine out suddenly like Stars in a dark night 3. Then mercies come in love when they flow in by sucking at the Breast of a Promise for hence we know that God is in covenant with us For then the Spirit seals our interest when he who penn'd the Promise writes it in our Heart when he that breaths them warms us by them 4. When we feel supporting strength in a dark night when ready to faint feel sudden Cordials when trouble is nigh and God is nigher When the Heart fails and God enlivens Ps 73.26 A Saint may perceive it by the suddenness sweetness soul-calming quietness of a word within consonant to the word without and encourages a Saint to carry every new Emergency upon the memory of former experience in a Chariot of Love to Heaven That no sudden accident knocks at the Door of our Hearts or Houses but we as suddenly knock at the Gate of Heaven If any tentation new motion or weighty affair surprize us at unawares we instantly carry it through the Roof of our Closets into Heaven then our Spirits are in a holy calm as gracious Rebekah found it Gen. 25.22 Prov. 15.24 knowing that the sudden desires as well as the set Prayers of the Righteous shall be granted And now it 's high time to conclude this Chapter with God its whole Scope being to recount some portions of his manifold mercies and to adore him for all his bounteous beneficence to us who is the only first Spring and principal Mover and Conducter of all the Kindnesses we receive from Men being his Instruments Servants and Ordinances CHAP. IX The Anatomy of Mercies FOR the Higher Advancement of Divine Goodness in all our Enjoyments and to learn that excellent Lesson of Godly Contentment in all Estates it were expedient to peruse consider and unbowel every mercy that comes down from Heaven We have little reason to expect any when we remember our inability to merit unskilfulness to improve our ingratitude in slender returns of the least Benefits wherewith we are laden every day It 's meer free grace that showers down Kindnesses upon our barren murmuring and repining Spirits Did we but refresh our memories with the many thousands better than us who are yet below us Ps 37.1 we should never fret at the prosperity of the wicked that are above us In what a pleasant Paradise might our thoughts expatiate did we beautifie our Meditation with the prospect of the Flowry Medows interwoven with Chrystal streams and the gentle rising Hills crowned with lovely Groves more delicious than those of Woodstock when we contemplate the various numbers curious methods amazing circumstances the unexpected ends and surprizing designs in the Lawnes and close Walks of Mercy When we pore upon sins pry too curiously into afflictions grieve too smartly for imbitterments by Relations and toyle our Spirits with the losses and crosses of this Life we disquiet our selves in vaine and are too subject to mutter at every little disappointment and inconvenience We augment our troubles prolong our miseries and run upon the brink of danger to charge a Gracious God foolishly Let us then turn our eyes into the Anatomy-School of Mercies and cut open the Inwards and spend a diligent view on the curious Situations and various turnings and smaller Arteries of every Divine Favour and holding up hands with Holy Jacob Gen. 32.10 proclaim our unworthiness of the least of mercies and while we are musing what might comparatively be esteem'd the least as that we have a Being and Life and draw one Breath of Air the Original conducts us into his Courts with praise and gratefulness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Katonti I am lessened in mine own eyes before every mercy the least of which should humble and lay us low in the sight of God What am I and what is my Fathers House that the great God should cause to great faithfulness and truth to shine before us and lighten our Path to Glory The School of Salerne writes of the Body of Man Ex tricentenis decies sex quinquéque venis That it consists of 365 Veins one for each day of the Year To be sure there is not one particular Mercy but yields matter of Contemplation all the days of our Life We should cut open the Root climb the Branches smell the Flowers and taste the Fruit of Divine Love in every Mercy O rare Imployment when we ride or walk or sit or lye waking in the Night Ps 77.5 to ruminate in the days of Ancient times run over the state of the Church from Genesis to the Revelations and compare our case with any of the Saints of old and work our hearts into praises as David often begins his Psalms with mournful Elegies and concludes with joyful Extasies As the Ancient Church sprang in Aegypt past through Paran to Sinai and at length sat under their Vines in Canaan So every Saint enters his life with a Tragedy but ends in Heaven The first curiosity of each mercy lies hid in the Texture of a minute seed which though exceeding small yet by the influence of Heaven ferments and swells into a mighty Cedar Who would think that the spreading Oaks of Bashan should sleep under the shadow of a small Acorn and the sweet-sented Trees of Lebanon in a petty Berry What vast Crocodiles of Nile break Shell from a small Egg What Rivers of Fire the first little sparks of Sulfur do kindle from the bowels of Aetna What little distaste at first overthrow mighty Empires at last and what great Estates and Dominions start out of little casualties The grand Ottoman Empire arose first out of the Flight of Mahomet and Darius by the neighing of a Horse rode into the Throne of Persia One glance upon a poor captive Maid brought Esther to a Kingdom Haman to the Gallows and Israel to deliverance David brought Cheeses to the Army perhaps in the same Bag wherein he carried stones to fling into the Fore-Head of Goliah and in the same brought back his Head to Saul Nay Saul himself when seeking of Asses
away Not unlike a more glorious Instance of our blessed Lord Joh 4.4 who the Spirit of God says must needs go through the Province of Samaria that he might convert the poor old Woman of Sychar or Shechem at the Well of Jacob. How should we admire God who is often pleased to go out of the ordinary way of Providence to bring some into the way of Paradise Meditation must sweeten our thoughts of God by pondering on his Mercy and what special goodness is wrapt up in every divine kindness The circumstances of time and place the methods the means the straits and exigencies the persons and speeches and thoughts of heart are transcendent in contributing to and producing of admirable ends and issues Gen. 22.14 In the Mount will the Lord be seen When the Psalmist's Feet had well nigh slipt Ps 73.2 v. 24. Ps 66.11 12. yet was continually with God and held by the right hand of his Counsel till received to glory He brings us into the Net causeth men to ride over our heads and carries us through fire and water into it wealthy place When the Oil scarce wets the bottom of the Cruse and the Meal spent from the Barrel then comes the Prophet with a Miracle 1 K. 19.6 When Elijah was faint under a Tree at Rithmah then comes the Angel and bakes a Cake for him with Juniper Coals while yet asleep and awakes him to eat it When Moses lay crying in a Cage of Bulrushes upon the River Nile instead of a Crocodile to devour him comes the Daughter of Pharaoh to relieve him and nurse him up for a King nay to pay his own Mother for nursing her own Son We should nourish sweet thoughts of God when afflictions minister sharp to Sense We may be nourish'd by the Meat from the Eater and suck Honey from Flowers that grow on Thorns God hath ordained varieties and successions in all The Night the Storms the Winters and Wilderness of a Saint shall end in a glorious Sun-shine day and an everlasting Somer in Heaven that so in the midst of all anxious perplexing thoughts within us thy Comforts may delight our souls Ps 94.19 It 's a double word or a quadrate-root in the Hebrew and signifies to play or sport with delight and excessive Joy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is used by the Prophet Esay to note the exuberant felicity of the Church in the later days when she shall be dandled and danced over and over upon the knees of prosperity and mercy Is 66.12 The aims and ends of God should be eyed in every providence Sennacharib was sent to correct and not destroy his people Is 10.7 howbeit he meant not so but to cut off Nations not a few Stay says the Lord shall the Ax boast against the Hewer and the Saw shake against the Handler Let the Staff know it self to be but wood For yet a very little while and mine indignation against Jerusalem shall cease and mine anger shall end in the destruction of Nineveh and Babylon When men determine they must ask leave of God or else they shall suck the Venome of the Cockatrice Eggs which themselves have laid Like that infamous Pope Baleus in Alexand. 6. p. 485. who was himself poysoned with the same wine he had prepared for his Cardinals Joseph's Brethren meant his ruine Gen. 50.20 but God meant it for good to save much people alive to nourish his Father just 17 years in Egypt the same number that he was nourish'd by his Father in Canaan and to lay the foundation of a People that should be the ruine of Egypts Armies Ps 37.6 7. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him and he shall bring forth thy Righteousness as the light and thy Judgement as the noon day Jam 5.11 Ye have heard of the patience of Job and seen the end of the Lord he is very pitiful and of tender mercy Although my house be not so with God 2 Sam. 23.5 says David yet he hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure Let 's finish this Chapter with some Inferences The Anatomy of former Mercies puts an Argument in the mouth of Prayer a Glass to the Eye of Faith and a Harp in the Hand of Thankfulness Whoso knows and considers he is worthy of nothing will be meek and sweetly satisfied with every dispensation of God Zeph. 2.3 Seek the Lord all ye meek of the Earth A meek Spirit is of a praying and thankful frame Holy contentation is the Fruit that grows upon the Tree of Observation of foregoing Providences All former storms have issued in spiritual calms When the Disciples Ship was full of Waves Mat. 8.26 Mark 6.48 Christ comes and treads the boisterous billows into a smooth plain under the Foot of his Command Who can divine what infinite wisdom is doing who knows what errand a flight of Snow or a clap of Thunder or ashower of Rain is sent upon When a Gentleman once riding furiously was stopt by a terrible storm and forced into a Smith's Shop demanding of him for what particular use some of his mechanick Tools might serve He replyes in a chaff He knew not Then says the good man How much less can you tell for what ends the wise God may send this forcible Rain from the Clouds Judg. 5.21 A Lion was once forced into a Pit by Snow and perhaps many a life saved and the valour of Benajah tried and proved 1 Sam. 12.10 Samuel obtained a Victory upon the Philistines by thunder 2 Sam. 23.20 Great Rains from Heaven overflowed the Banks of Kishin and swept away the Canaanites into the Gulf of Destruction Experiences of the presidents in former conducts teach a Saint not to ask riches preferment or health or success or any outward mercy with an impotent and impetuous Spirit but with submission to and consistency with the love and good pleasure of God Say upon thy knees Blessed Lord I beg to have and see and taste thy love in every mercy Nay to discern that every cross is the fruit of fatherly Love and every deliverance sweetned by the straits and pressures which turn the answer of prayer into an experience to fortifie faith If then we are instructed by former escapes to carry our Cross to Golgotha with our Lord and Simon we shall certainly rise from Mount Olivet to a Crown in Heaven CHAP. X. Repentance of Secret and Sudden Sins THE Divine Visitation by secret sudden and unexpected Mercies lays strong Bonds and Obligations upon us to repentance and watchfulness against secret sins They are always in the light of Gods countenance to discern Ps 90.8 and ought to be in the light of our Conscience to prevent David sets a president to hide the word within our Hearts Ps 119.11 to preserve from hidden offences Set up the strict Judicature of Conscience upon heart inquiries to