shall be the more sanctified and they will learne sooner and with greater facilitie the on of an other then of an elder instructour 5. And if the father perceiueth him to be of ready and quicke capacitie he may acquaint him as hee thinketh best with his booke which shall keepe him from bad company or being idle and ill occupied then let him drop into him by familiar tearmes the name and right meaning of God his Creator of Christ his Redeemer of the holy Ghost his sanctifier then of the holy Trinitie in the Vnitie of the Dietie in as plaine easie and briefe manner as possible he can neither shall he labour in vaine for God will giue a wished blessing and comfort to his owne worke 6. Thus the sixth yeere of his age compleatly passed and the seauenth current then must hee prouide him a faithful godly schoolemaster to traine him further on in learning vertuous educatiō yet so that he forget not himselfe that still he is his father and therefore is to watch ouer him and must teach him priuately as his Master publikely to know and loue the Lord and to render some reasons thereof as thus we children must loue God aboue all because he loueth vs he made vs of nothing then God loueth vs for he gaue his Sonne to die for vs and gaue vs his Spirit and word to sanctifie vs and bring vs to him and therefore must wee obay the same and loue and praise God for by these meanes he gathereth vs to the mysticall vnion of his sonnes body and to the communion of his Elect Church Finally God loueth vs for after death he will raise vs to life and we shall euer liue with him in heauen and therefore must we loue and glorifie him in euery thing Then teach him to feare and abhorre sin in thought word and work And first to know as much as conueniently may be by the ten commandements what sin is and the temporall and spirituall penalties thereof As thus also wee must not sinne for then God will be angry with vs then wil he take his grace and peace from vs then will he send vs troubles sicknesses death and cast ve to hell with the diuell and reprobates And let him learne to doubt of his doing and demand of his parents if this should be done or vndone if the Lord bid or forbid it if he loue or hate it and to conclude that if God will it I will doe it if not to die rather then doe it 7. The seuenth yeere complete and the eight current acquaint him with the Bible and the principall stories therof as of the creation fall and recouery of man of the deluge and burning of Sodome of Israels departure out of Aegypt of the whole acts and life of our Sauiour Christ c. Then with other parts thereof and withall to make some vse thereof as we must not breake Gods commandement for this brought sinne and misery vpon the world wee must nor mocke the ministers for this caused God to send Beares to kill the children of Bethel maids must not be gadding about so Dinah was defloured we must not breake the Sabbath for he that gathered stickes that day was stoned to death nor blaspheme the Lord for the blasphemer must die the death nor with Absolon dishonor our parents nor with Cain commit murther c. Only be carefull not to ouercharge him with too many things at once nor yet to cloy or ouer weary him for there is nothing more pernitious then sacietie in well doing this will cause him forsake all but let his labours be workes of libertie freedome and sport knowing that the schoole-house is called not Carnificina a butcherie but Ludus a sporting and playing place where all things bee taught and learned with ease and delight Thus let him proceede till he be readie for some calling but euermore the parents must be watchfull that he be not carried away with ill company or infected with the sinnes of the time place or his age but that euer he proceede according to these beginnings and while the parents bee parents let them watch and command ouer their children and they euer obay c. Then thirdly Masters are to watch ouer their families with as great care for the time being as ouer their children and also ouer their kindred and friends and euery one ouer another that their hearts be not hardened with the deceitfulnesse of sinne and at no hand bee of Cains humour to say or thinke am I my brothers keeper Gen 4. 9. But because it were an endlesse labour to speake of all sorts of people and of all duties belonging to them and to euery period of mens ages where of their be already intire volumes extant I will surcease and speake of on or two more and referre the rest to euery godly mans consideration The next vse serues only for a memento to the godly Ministers not to forget their names but as in Scripture they be called watchmen Ezech. 3. 17. and 33. 2. 6. 7. So must they carefully and faithfully watch ouer the poore sheepe and lambes of Christ Iesus And howsoeuer most men take this to be no labour at all and that such as are in this worke most wakefull to be busie bodies taking more vpon them then neede for these sheepe are as wise and carefull for their saluation as they else it were pitty of their liues c. Yet Gods seruants finde it an Art of Arts and a Science of Sciences to ouersee and superintend this wily flocke euer distrustfull and suspecting all plaine dealing taking their friendly louing watchman euer to be their greatest and most malitious enemie and at euery bray laboureth to hide themselues from him or to escape out of his fould so that they may be resembled to fish which bee so sharpe sighted fearefull and distrustfull that were it not there be so many fishes in euery brooke and riuer Gen. 1. 20. and 48. 16. The fisher could hardly catch any and so if the Lord wrought not miraculously by his word and spirit with his painefull Minister he should neuer catch on of them so wilde and vntractable they be nay hee shall be so farre from catching them be he an vsurer a Church robber an oppressour c. that vnlesse he well see to himselfe the fish will catch the fisher and make him more the childe of hell then themselues and therefore no tongue is able to expresse his care vigilancie labour and trauell neuer at rest that whereas all others worke the sixe weeke daies yet they rest from their labours vpon the Lords day but this poore shepheard is to expect no rest but as the Sunne running his course laboureth all the weeke but most of all vpon the Lords day and what remedie but that as Ierem 10. 19. It is their sorrow and they will beare it Episcopius Printer in Basill had this Embleme in the first page of the bookes
he printed An Herne standing vpon on foote vpon a dead mans tombe or a Crosiers staffe or sheephooke with a stone in the other clawe spying about and ready to fling it if he spied any enemy with this Impresse vnder a Bishop aluding to his owne name which signified so much intimating that a Bishop or Minister must as the Herne bee a continuall watchman ready to encounter with euery aduersarie of Gods truth and euer ouerseeing his charge remembring that a man with one foote in his graue he must die and render account of his stewardship but seeing I my selfe haue more neede to bee instructed of them and who of their owne accord are so wakefull and watchfull ouer their charges seuerally that for want of sleepe their eyes bee almost sunke in their heads and for want of rest their bloud and strength is out worne that few of them liue to the yeeres of the life of their fathers so few and euill their daies be for that they good men voluntarily take more weight vpon them then their weake nature is able to sustaine in so much that the image of death appeareth not only vnder their feete as to the Herne but in their faces also aboue all othermen Thus dying to the world and to all the comforts thereof and liuing to God The Lord God of heauen strengthen them lengthen their daies increase his graces in them blesse their labours and their flockes and make vs euer thankfull to God for them and obedient to their healthful admonitions and instructions And euer blessed bee the Lords holy name who hath multiplied the number of learned zealous Ministers in these our daies and countrey and that in greater aboundance then in any age before vs and those two men of singular hope full of Gods Spirit graced with most excellent gifts whose vertues and holy life in their yong yeeres doe shine farre aboue the gray heires of their forefathers would God we were but halfe thankfull ynough for so admirable blessings The ioy of the whole earth and the gladnesse of all the world that is the blessed hope of the Gospel shineth not a little in their gracious contenances the Lord encrease them a thousand thousand fold and giue them double and triple his spirit that they may be greater then all his enemies and abide euer faithfull that through them the King may reioyce the Magistrates be glad their fellow Ministers be backed and encouraged the people edified sinne abolished Idolatrie rooted out Antichrist ouerthrowne Satan troden vnder foote hell confounded the Gospell highly farre and wide flourish righteousnesse shineth God haue all the glory So be it and the Lord say so too and ratifie it Another vse serues for reproofe of a contrarie generation who in Scripture be also called watchmen but full sleepie and snorting euen at noone-day and therefore may as well be called watchmen of waking ouer their flockes as mountaines of moouing they are blinde they haue no knowledge they are all dumbe dogges they cannot barke they lie and sleepe and delight in sleeping and these greedie dogges can neuer haue innough and these shepheards cannot vnderstand for they all looke to their owne way euery one for his aduantage and for his owne purpose Isa. 56. 10 11. They eate the fat they cloth them with the wooll they kill them that are fed but they feede not the sheepe c. Ezech. 34. 3 4. And whereas the watchmen of Ephraim should bee with my God the Prophet is a snare of the fowler in all his waies and hatred in the house of God Hos. 9. 8. That is they should bring men to God and not to be a snare to catch and pul them from God which is abominable and what more lamentable then to see them so hard hearted that though the children crie for bread yet no man breaketh it vnto them nor affoord them on graine of salt to eate with their meate and yet as they bee improperly I grant called watchmen so are they caâ—led the salt of the earth Math 5. 13. And therefore should season the carnall and vnsauory soules of their people else they themselues are no better then vnsauorie salt If a Gentlemans table be laid and ouercouered with aboundance of meate and varitie of dishes yet if the meate be fresh and no salt vpon the table to what vse serueth all that prouision but to cast it to dogs salt is it that seasoneth all things so if a Minister come I will not say to Church and season not the soules of the people with the salt of the word but if he come to a Gentlemans house and sit at table if hee season not the company with the 〈…〉 rie salt of his diuine knowledge what is hee but the shame and disgrace of the company and contemned yea cast out and troden vnder foote as vnsauorie salt Whereas he ought both at Church and at home and else-where with this spirituall salt couer and cure the putrifactions and diseases of the people For heare it fareth with men liuing as with beasts dying which anone putrifies scrawle with wormes stinke and serue not for mans vse vnlesse in due time they be wisely and carefully salted so man when by sinning he looseth the life of God and becommeth wholly earthly minded hee forthwith begins to stinke and to scrawle with the wormes of carnall lusts and sensualitie with beastly and diuellish affection which not only fill the heart and soule but withall most fearefully come out at the mouth in scurilous filthie talke horrible and blâ—sphemous oathes and cursings and at the hands feete and whole body in most vngodly gestures actions and behauiour Whereby hee is vnsit for the table of his heauenly Father vnlesse the faithfull Minister forthwith steppe in and ouercouer it with his salt and so sweeten and purifie it againe else will all whoope at this vnskilfull cooke that spoileth all his Masters prouision for want of salting it in due time and who if he saw a Goliah come to a towne with full intent to murther and kill all the people therein would not rise against him but this is a murthering of the soules of a whole Parists if the Lord giue them not the more grace to prouide for themselues What more treacherous then to set a man a watchman ouer a citie who for a bribe will open the gate at first to the enemie to slay and spoile all and doe not these by their sleepie silence open for sinne and Satan to seaze vpon Christs inheritance regarding nothing but their priuate commoditie thinking when they enter vpon a liuing they enter vpon a farme to liue vpon or a flock of sheepe and yet watch not herein not so well as the shepheard of Bethlem did ouer their sheepe Luk. 2. 8. And who seeth not how foolish and dangerous it is to set vpon the walles of a citie besieged by the enemie a drowsie sleepie and sluggish watchman who can but snort all night in the
to render vp to the Lord our speciall callings and talents with their well-occupied encrease And lastâ—y as to the best keeper our bodies life and soules beseech his Grace as he in mercy and of his vnspeakeable loue gaue them vs and all temporall and spirituall good things with them hee will now in like fauour and mercy receiue them againe and keepe them safe for vs vntill the day of iudgement and then bestow them and himseâ—fe vpon vs grant we may euer be with him and he with vs. 8. In the last agony of death we must draw vnto vs al strength of body and soule now in this â—ast combat quit vs like men As 1. we are to rest by faith vpon the preseÌ„t fauour mercy of God in Christ perswading our hearts soules that now Neyther death nor life nor Angells nor Principâ—lities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be abie to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord Râ—m 8. 38. 39. and so plucking vp â—â—r broken hearts shew our selues to be that which long we laboured for viz. to be true Christians 2. Then let heart tongue and voyce bee imployed onely in prayer to God for patience in our anguish for comfort in this our greatest distress for strength in our temptations and for wished and victorious deliuerance from them for a godly end and a ioyfull receiuing and conducting of vs by his holy Angels vnto Abrahams bosome yea endeauour to dye praying for now our weapons be but prayers teares sighes and groanes misery must caâ—l for mercy and let our last words be Lord be mercifull to me a sinnâ—r Lord Iesu receiue my soule Come Lord Iesu come quickly And thus with our â—iues let vs breake vp our watch And thus farre of our watch against Death yet there bee that for better keeping of a true watch and performing of this most necessary necessity thoroughly contriue this preparation vnto a weekes worke or weekely Diarie sorting for euery day of the weeke vnto themselues certaine deuout exercises and meditations so as though they were to die presently that day as thus The first day of the weeke they wholly spend in this meditation that they are mortaâ—l and must die and therefore they so vse and dispose of the commodities of this life and their callings as though before night they must hence labouring to obey that coÌ„mandement of Christ Luk. 12. 35. 36. Let your loynes be gâ—rt about your lights burning And ye your selues like vnto men that wait for their Master when he will returne from the wedding that when he commeth and knocketh they may open vnto him immediately Blessed are those seruants whom the Lord when he commeth shall find waking c. and so set their house in good order for they must die The second day they spend in meditating vpon death the precedents and horror thereof to whom they willingly yeeld yet so that by faith in Christ true repentance and renued obedience they sweeten the taâ—t sharpnesse thereof whereby they shall be able they doubt not cheerefuâ—ly comfortably to drinke of this cup Math. 20. 22. 23. The third day they thinke vpon their sins and with broken and contrite hearts confesse them to the Lord. Psal. 32. 5. 6. 7. and that with such vehement feruency of spirit earnest sweating agonie in soule as if within that day or houre they shuld by death be attached The fourth day with their greatest deuotion and most careful preparation they come to the holy Communion which they call viaticum and so victuall themselues therewith for reliefe in their iourney to heauen ioyning therevnto the reading and preaching of Gods sacred word applying the same to the present purpose so nye as may be suting and agreeing with Christs last Sermon in the Chamber before his death Iohn 13. and 14. 15. and 16. not without prayer and praise to the holy Trinity I he fift day they spend in meditation and prayer for the more liuely and effectuall working of Gods holy Spirit in their harts the better entertainment of Gods sacred word in their soules and opening of their eyes to see their weakenes wickednesse and accursednesse and for wished power to ouercome all temptations assaulting their soules specially at their death-time The sixth day in all humblenesse of heart and feruentnesse of deuotion they pray for a spirituall death wholly heauenly free from all doubtings greefe temptations or fears with an infallible sight of the Sonne of God in some though small manner most comfortable feeling apprehension of the ioyes of heauen contempt of this world with the perfect fulfilling to them of all Gods promises made to them for the life to come and that whatsoeuer holy duty is in them wanting by ignorance or weakenesse the holy spirit of God would suggest vnto them and supply that so the whole glory might be the Lords and to them in life and in death Christ should be aduantage Phil. 1. 21 and that walking through the valley of the shadow of death they should feare nothing for the Lord would be with them and his Angels safely conduct them to Paradise The seuenth day they giue hearty thanks to Almighty God for the innumerable benefits bestowed vpon them spiritually and temporally beseeching his maiesty to continue the same so far forth as hee seeth expedient for them vowing to make the rest of their life if any part be remaining a perpetuall Sabbath vnto the Lord vntill they bee translated to his kingdome where with all his Angels and Saints they shall solemnize an euerlasting Iubilie then this day they vse a deepe meditation and repetition of all the exercises of the sixe daies going before and to euery of these dayes they select certaine fit Psalmes and praiers c. And thus according to my skill haue I charged my watch-man in the best manner I could deuise to prepare for death and when I haue done all I find my selfe vnable to finde the depth of this principle for want of experience which I cannot learne vntill I dye my selfe Onely this I know that albeit this watch be vnreprooueable and necessary for all Christians yet as we see in a Master of Fence if a strong champion set vpon him he will soone set him out of all his fence and make a foole of him so if Death assaile vs aboue our nature and strength wee will soone forget all these instructions and fall to cursing blaspheming and no man woteth with what violence death will assault him therefore would I wish him euer to lead a godly life and keepe a carefull watch annexing to the first obseruations this weekely Diary and that circularly that is weeke after weeke to renew it to our dying day and then to both to desire the Lord himselfe to watch ouer vs else all will be in
how much more should we here by the diet of sanctification so preuent Gods iudgements that wee may expect them cheerefully and be nothing agast and escape this terror for no earthquake to this shaking no thunderclap to this noyse and fright The second signe is ioyned with his most glorious comming which is in deluge wise the firing of the whole world so that it shall appeare no more till it be renewed according to these quotations Psalm 50. 1. 2. 3. and 97. 3. 4. and 102. 26. Isa. 66. 15. 16. 22. Dan. 7. 10. and 2. Thes. 1. 7. 8. and 2. Pet. 3. 10. 11. 12. 13. Reuel 20. 12. and 21. 1. Math. 24. 35. Rom. 8. 21. Heb. 1. 10. this fire shall as a lightning before a thunder goe before his presence as Exod. 19. 18. and this the learned take to bee the signe of the Sonne of Man in Heauen that is when this terrible fire shall flash before his presence then all men expect his appearing which fire though it fill the world yet shall it not consume but purifie it and cause it shine more glorious as gold the corruption consumed as Rom. 8. 20. as at the first creation to receiue his Lords comming to iudgment and so it shall appeare as a new Heauen and as a new earth Isa. 65. 17. and 66. 22. and 2. Pet. 3. 7. 10. 13. Reuel 21. 1. and this sight shall bee exceeding terrible to the wicked for now they see what manner of one the Lord is which before they would neuer beleeue euen a consuming fire Deutr. 4. 24. Heb. 12. 9. and now againe are the words of Isai chap. 33. 14. 15. c. forefiguring this day verified The siâ—ners in Sion are afraid a feare is come vpon the hypocrites who among vs shall dwell with the dâ—â—ouring fire who among vs shall dwell with the euerlasting burning Hee that walketh in iustice and speaketh righteous things refusing gaine of oppression shaking his hands from taking of gifts stopping his eares from hearing of bloud and shutting his eyes from seeing euill c. which things because formerly they did not now this fire shall ceaze also vpon them as the beginning of their sorrow and a taste of Gods fiery wrath and burning displeasure But to proceed further in this hote subiect I cannot nor list not neither is it needfull Only let the terriblenesse hereof now whiles time serueth moue vs to due and careful watchfulnes and preparation that then this fire nor any other annoy vs not no more then Daniels companions were in the fiery Ouen but rather that we euer labour to be filled with the heauenly fire of Gods loue and spirit which will consume coole and quench all other fires whatsoeuer The ninth Motiue to watchfulnesse is Christs sitting in iudgement vpon both Elect and Reprobate for thus we read For when the Sonne of Man commeth in his glory and all the holy Angels with him then shall hee sit vpon the throne of his glory Math. 25. 31. whereby it seemeth that a throne of Estate shall be set for his Maiesty and the rather because in Mat. 19. 28. the Apostles are said that they shall sit also vpon twelue thrones and iudge the twelue tribes of Israel but what manner of Throne this shall be wee cannot well define because wee haue heere nothing but the name thereof viz. the throne of his glory and therefore vvee are not to be ouer-curious heerein but suspend our iudgements rather then to imagine any particular likenesse of the maiesty hereof in our mindes till in due season wee shall ioyfully behold it vvith our eyes but sure wee are that it is a throne of glory because it is mentioned in so many places as in Dan. 7. 9. 10. Psal. 9. 4. Math. 25. 31. Reuel 4. 1. 4. and 3. 21. and 6. 16. and 20. 11. albeit I deny not but that many things heere spoken are deliuered in figure according to mans capacity and proportionable to the manner of worldly Monarchs Kings who when they shew themselues to their subiects in their Royall Maiesty and doe sit in iudgement then they vse to ascend to the Thrones of their kingdomes and there in all glorious graue and solemne high and magnificent estate shew themselues vnto their people and such as they iudge so it is here vndoubtedly when our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus is this day to shew himselfe in most magnificent triumphant and glorious manner before all Princes Nations of the world meete it is that he should shew himselfe in the highest degree of his honour power and maiesty and sit vpon the throne of his glory to iudge all the world that in such honourable and dreadfull manner as all flesh enemies and loyall subiects bee enforced to glorifie his holy and blessed name This throne is figured in 1. King 10. 18. 19. 30. by Salomons throne which hee made not onely to set out his royalty for other Kings could haue made the like but for the vse thereof which was to signifie vvhat vertues and graces should be in a King and Iudge aboue all other men and withall to prefigure the excellent graces which should appeare in the Prince of Peace and Iudge of all the World as thus briefly viz. 1. For the forme thereof It was a great throne for the great King so this throne of glory is said to be in Reuel 20. 11. Iohn saw a great white Throne and great indeede must that Throne be whereupon sitteth hee who is called the great God as Tit. 2. 13. Luke 1. 32. and 7. 16. then it was white signifying the innocency which should be in a King and so figuring the glorious and diuine brightness and integrity in the King of glory Cantic 5. 14. 2. The matter was yuory and golde signifying that the Kings hart ought to be simple innocent pure and voyd of all corruption and Christ herein passeth all Iudges 3. The Throne had steps to ascend vnto to signifie that iudgement should be giuen with aduise and deliberation and not hastily nor rashly Gen. 11. 5. 6. and 18 21. and to signifie that hee should excell all other in vertue as Christ doth 4. The toppe of the seat was round behinde to signifie the simplicity and perfection of the Kings harts 5. The staies or pummels whereon the King leaned declared that the Kings estate stood vpon these two stayes to wit in defending the godly and punishing the wicked 6. The Lions noted that hee ought to be strong and couragious in his rule and gouernment and yet milde and louing the footstep was of gold as 2. Chr. 9. 18. to signifie that a King should contemne bribes rewards which blinde Iudges eyes c. and all these vertues are foretold and found to be in Christ as in Isai. 11. 2. to 11. Psal. 45. 6. 7. Luk. 11. 31. Heb. 1. 8. Then moreouer it is called the throne of his glory because his iudgement shall
and brauest building in all the world for besides that all Kings and Princes of any name and fame sent gifts to adorne and enrich it Herod wonderfully repaired it the building was of white marble stones which were each of them 25. Cubites long eight Cubites high or thicke and some 12. Cubits broad c. whereof read Iosephus Antiq. lib. 15. cap. 14. and deâ—â—llo And lib. 1. cap. 16. and lib. 7. cap. 10. and Iosephus Ben Gorion in Hist. Heroid and Hegesippus lib. 1. cap. 35. de excid vrb and lib. 5. cap. 42. 43. where it is said of Titus that Mirabatur saxorum magnitudinem metalli â—itorem vâ—â—ustatem operis gratiam pulchritudinis nec immerito tantam fuisse â—oti celebritatem vt eo ex loâ—â— omnibus conueniretur quia tantum non nisi summi Dei crederetur esse Domicilium c. But our Sauiour answering sayd vnto him seest thou these buildings There shall not be left one stone vpon another that shall not be throwne down Thereby signifying vnto him that no strength is able to withstand the Lords iudgements how fortified soeuer Then as he s 〈…〉 pon the Mount of Oliues ouer against the Temple for hee neuer entred into it any more Peter and Iames and Iohn and And 〈◊〉 asked him priuately when these things should be c. Mar. 13. 1. to 5. and of the end of the world Math. 24. 3. which they thought wold come together with the destruction of the Temple whereupon our Sauiour most graciously foretelleth them 〈◊〉 Of the Iewes calamities fore-going the destruction of the Citty Mark 13. 5. to 14. 2 Of the flering of the Cittie and Temple vers 14. to 24. Lastly of the end of the world verse 24. to 33. Then to prevent all dangers ensuing he exhorts them to watch vers 33. to 37. lest they should take this aduice to be giuen them foure only he telleth them that this exhortation of watching appertaineth to all men as well to people as Pastors Now the former part of this prophesie came to passe iust 40. years after Christs Passion in An. Dom. 73. 1 And that 1. because they regarded not the time of their visitation though the Sonne of God with weeping eyes besought them Luk. 19. 41. Mat. 23. 37. 2 They refused the Messias to raigne ouer them saying they had no King but Tiberius Caesar Ioh. 19. 15. and preferred a murtherer before him Math. 27. 20. Luke 23. 18. Act. 3. 14. 3 They bought and sold at a most vile price the Lord of glory Luk. 22. 5. Acts 1. 18. according to Zac. 11. 13. 4 They crucified him to death after which time they enioyed not one merry day but were more and more vexed and oppressed by the Romanes vntill in the end they were all in a manner destroyed notwithstanding their strength and fortified Temple the miracle of all the world And therefore this should bee a faire warning for all to bee carefull to walke with their God onely As for the second part of this Prophecie which concerneth the day of Iudgement let vs be assured that in his due time it shall be fulfilled and that as the Lord in full iudgement executed his wrath against the Hierosolomits for their contempt and Apostacie he wil likewise in that day take vengeance against al his enemies who will not haue him to raigne ouer them regard not the time of their visitation sell God himselfe and their soules for the vncertaine loane of this world and with their vngodly liues crucifie to death the Lord of glory neither shall the glory of this world nor pompe of wealth number of friends nor their sinfull lusts and vanities in that day deliuer them no more then the great stones of the Temple their inuincible buildings protected the sinnefull Iewes from their enemies and therefore let vs watch and be wise The Doctrine that we are of the premises to collect before I descend to the exhortation is this That we are not 〈◊〉 our hearts nor eyes vpon any worldly thing wherein is no helpe Seeing all is but corruption and shal we wot not how soone by fire from God be vtterly consumed as was Ierusalem the Temple but wholly and onely vpon heauenly things and the means leading thereunto the proofs be these Salomon crieth that all is vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit and the summe of all is to feare God and keepe his commandements for God will bring euery worke into iudgment and euery secret thing whether it be good or euill Ecclesiast 1. 2. and 12. 13. 14. Loue not the world neyther the things that are in the world If any man loue the world the loue of the Father is not in him c. the word passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for euer 1. Ioh. 2. 15. 16. 17. The day of the Lord will come as a thiefe in the night in the which the beauens shall passe away with a great norse and the Elements shall melt with feruent heate the earth also and the workes that are therein shall be burnt vp Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolued what manner of persons ought yee to be in all holy conuersation and godlines 2. Pet. 3. 10. 11. so Thess. 1. 7. 8. â—am 4. 4. and 1. Peter 1. 24. 25. c. 2. Cor. 5. 10. 11. The first vse wee are to make heereof serues â—oradmonition to watchfulnes for if as in the aboue named testimonies this sinfull world and all therein be but vanity and corruption and shall shortly be fired then is it high time for all sorts of people to see to their soules and to their sinnes that they in that day be not consumed with the fire of Gods wrath and of hell but the while labour by all religious means to be sanctified and purified that as Daniels companions walking in Nebuchadnezzars Ouen vvithout harme we may stand vpright before the Sonne of God filled with the fire of Gods spirit and loue which blessed fire blessed Lord kindle in vs continually The second Vse serues for instruction for the vse of worldly wealth for we see in what short time eueÌ„ within the space of seauen Months this noble Citie and royall Temple full of worldly pompe iewels riches honor and glory was connerted to dust and ashes So that now it is not knowne where this Temple was founded vpon not one tagge of all the wealth thereof is any where to bee found This meditation should teach vs moderation in diet apparell building and hoording vp for hereafter why but because wee see all is corrupt transitory and vanitle of vanities which shortly it may bee ere seauen Moneths come about will not onely be fired but cause thee be cast to hell fire and so thy vanity of vanities will bring thee to misery of miseries Now then tell me were not hee more then mad
and shall they be damned too and so it is now but we are to learne that most excellent gifts will not auaile to saluation vnlesse we haue true faith sincere repentance and new obedience whereby we doe the will of God and this is a point of great weight and moment and worthy of obseruation that men not onely in this life and in death but euen at the last day shall thus plead for themselues and yet not be regarded because that all was done in hypocrisie and not in sincerity and this should teach all men to beware of sprituall pride selfe flattery and selfe-loue delighting in their externall gifts as Pharisees Luke 18. 11. Isa. 65. 5. whereby they flatter themselues in their estate ouer-weening the good things they haue and falsely thinking they haue that blessing of God which they haue not whereas in truth vve should labour to be purged of this pride and euer suspect the worst of our selues to iudge our selues seuerely and strictly in regard of our vnbeleefe and hollownesse of heart for this will be a meanes to make vs escape the iudgment and condemnation of the last day and this is the property of Gods Elect to thinke worse of themselues then God doth as we see in Math. 25. 37. but the reprobates haue euer better perswasion and opinion of themselues then God hath as Math. 25. 44. To conclude then let vs bee vpright and sincere both in profession and practise and in continual prayer for grace and bountiful willing hearts to do good works for this is the meere gift of God and without praier cannot be obtained for we are naturally so couetous so didistrustful in Gods prouidence and promises such louers of our selues hard-hearted to others that without his speciall loue and fauour to vs it is vnpossible for vs to get this great victory ouer our selues to bee mercifull no not to Christ himselfe nor to his Ministers that maintained his honour and glorie and therefore of all others ought most to be respected and releeued and yet I wote not how as a field vine subiect to euery of winde and tempest they be of euery body most reiected and least regarded as the out-scowring of the world and sheepe appointed for the slaughter neyther can we afford the crums from our tables to Christs poore members but rather giue them to dogges hawkes horses whoores and for Tobacco to vrge drunkennesse to make vs sober and circularly able to bee drunken so that it cannot be but the Lord hath a controuersie with the inhabitants of the Land because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the land but stealing and lying and whooring swearing and killing Hos. 4. 1. 2. Ranulphus Cestrensis in his Polichronicon lib. 5. cap. 10. and anno 610. writeth of Iohn Patriarch of Alexandria that being at his prayers vpon a time as is said there appeared vnto him a comely virgin hauing on her head a garland of Oliue leaues which named her selfe Iustice saying vnto him and promising that if hee would take her to wife hee should prosper well whereupon he after became so liberall to the poore that he assayed to striue in a manner with the Lord whether the Lord should giue him more or he should distribute more of that which was giuen and I would the maid Mercy should bee maried to more then this Almoner for so after he was surnamed that the maid Mercy should not liue so long a Virgin as that a few or none will marry her yet our Sauiour commands to sell what ye haue and giue almes make ye bagges which waxe not olde a treasure which can neuer faile in heauen Luke 12. 33. and to take heed that your hearts be not oppressed with surfeting and drunkennesse and cares of this life and lest that day come on you at vnawares for as a snare it shall come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth Watch therefore and pray continually c. Luke 21. 34. c. And so farre of this twelfth Motiue The last and thirteenth Motiue to watchfulnesse is the consideration of the execution of the sentence vpon the Reprobates for these shall goe into euerlasting paines Math. 25. 46. In vvhich words wee may see two expresse torments inflicted vpon the wicked First a departing from Christ in these words and they goe from Christ according to those words of the sentence in vers 41. Depart from mee ye cursed And secondly the place which is to eâ—erlasting pains agreeable to the iudge to euerlasting fire prepared for the Deuill and his Angells These two members of the execution of the sentence point out two sundry punishments to be inflicted vpon the Reprobates the one priuatiue the other positiue The priuatiue is a depriuing of them from Christ their head and from all goodnesse from Christ so that they haue nothing left in them but sin as a boulter when the flowre is boulted out there remaineth nothing in it but brannes so they depriued of all Gods graces and life haue nothing left in them but the brannes of sinne and the second death And thereupon as formerly the badde Angells are made or rather become as diuells incarnate This priuatiue paine some terme the paine of losse or the losse of all blisse which although it inflicteth no external sensible punishment yet hath it within it a positiue effect for as the absence of the Sunne causeth and bringeth darkenesse and the want of foode death so the absence of Christ Iesus the Sonne of righteousnesse bringeth darkenesse to the soule and the want of the food of life death eternall then which what torment greater then vtter darkenesse and euerlasting death for as the fulness of ioy is gotten by inioying his presence Psal. 16. 12. so the fulnesse of sorrow is attained by his absence and as he is the life quickening all creatures so the want of him is the depriuation of life and a second death So then this priuatiue punishment is a violent cutting of man from Christ his head and center of his life and blisse and a remoouall from all goodnesse whatsoeuer euen the smallest and this sorrow of want of God and all goodnesse is euerlasting because the Iudge is infinitely angry and for euer absent from all helpe to sinners for heere all light is away all the candles of comfort quite and for euer put out and nothing remaining but vtter darkenesse and gnashing of teeth all plenty wanting all scantnesse abounding not so much as one drop of cold water can bee obtained from Abraham sometime rich in good workes all springs of mercy be close locked against such as shewed no mercy not one word of comfort to him that would not comfort heretofore the poore comfortlesse no friend in â—heape-side no friend in Court poore rich Lazarus now scorneth the rich poore glâ—tton heere gentlemen be beggars and cannot be heard and beggers gentlemen and scorn their scorners who
punishment which shall be layed vpon the soule it selfe and all the faculties thereof as the cogitation memory vnderstanding will and affections c. then of the body and of euery member therof for wherein euery man sinneth therein is he tormented But these torments are partly vnknown and so I pray God they may euer be and partly so lamentable that no Christian heart can abide to dwell long vpon so dolefull a subiect and therefore I referre you to others that writ largely thereupon beseeching Almighty God to giue vs all grace to consider wisely and in time of all that hath beene said and to make a ready vse thereof to Gods glory and our saluation and not to run sottishly vpon Gods iudgements denying there is an hell as doe Sadduces Atheists Ideots Infidels and Nullifidians and vngodly liuels whose liues proclaime it 〈◊〉 and 2. such as deny there is any heauen as Epicures Belly-gods Worldlings Sodomites Inordinate liuers idlers out of a calling c. 3. all Theeues Oppressors Sacriledgers poore Cony-catchers 4. all Protestants at large Christians without faith or good workes Selfe louers Hypocrites Mis 〈…〉 cordists Origenists c. but let vs watch and pray The first vse wee are to make of this thirteenth Motine serues to shew how necessary it is for all men to know this principle concerning hell the reward of the wicked that in these respects 1. It bringeth the wicked to the knowledge and feare of God for when they consider the vnspeakeable power that is in the mildest word proceeding from Gods mouth they must needs accuse the hardnesse of their owne hearts vpon which it cannot worke vnlesse it be to their destruction whereas here we see the commanding voyce of God to depart from him to be so forcible and powerfull that neither man nor deuill is able to withstand it but all as slaues from the whip will runne to hell fire and therefore should they now not sin against the Lord whose very voyce is more terrible then hell it selfe and this reason vseth Dauid in Psal. 29. 4. out to exhoxt all men and by name the mighty Nimrods betimes to obey his glorious voyce in his word 2. Satan would perswade all men that there is no hell thereby to set all to worke iniquity without remorse and therefore this doctrine must be often whetted vpon them to feare 3. Most men yea Professors though they can discourse heereof are so wicked euen in the very bosome of the Church and liue so loosely as if there were no hell at all for how few will for feare thereof forgoe on◠houres pleasure or one mite of profit or auoid any temptation Satan can cast at them and therefore needful it is to set before them often what dainty fare they shall finde in hell whether they hasten and if this will not reforme them nothing will seeing it is the last remedy in the Bible vsed to presse men with 4. Were there no heauen to enioy no God to reward no hope of immortality yet should men for feare to burne in hell forbeare now to sinne for vve see how men for feare of temporall penalties forbear to transgresse the Lawes of the land yet Gods lawes penalties nor promises which far surmount these are not regarded heere a felon or traitor may be pardoned there no obstinate malefactor shall and though for a while he respiteth him in this life it is but to reach his hand the higher to let the weight of his stroke in the life to come to fall vpon him the heauier and his deferring is the more to inferre the thicker and surer blowes and of no ill paiment shall he need to complaine that hath the wages of his wickednesse withheld from him in this life to receiue the totall summe together and for euer in hel this would breed in the most valiantest Atheist liuing such a gasping terror and quaking dislike that euer after hee should abhor not onely the least branch of sinne but withall euery thing alluring or aspecting thereto and vvithall should haue hell it selfe pictured in euery corner of his gardens orchards banqueting houses and places of delight in more carefull manner then euer had the Pharisies Gods lawes broydered vpon the fringed Phylacteries of their garments and so would notwithstanding now all parents and superiors doe well their duty it is often to relate to their families the paines ordained in hell fire and so admonish them to beware of that burning place 5. The knowledge that there is an hell is behoofefull in sundry respects as 1. it rectifieth the conscience when the neuer-dying worme gnaweth thereat and signifieth vnto vs that still we haue some vnrepented sinners summoning vs to iudgement and damnation 1. Ioh 3. 20. 2. this should cause vs in all our carriage to misdoubt our actions euery of them and euer setting the Lords blessed word before vs feare him who is able to cast soule and body to hell Math. 10. 38. 3. it should make vs wary neuer to forfeit but still to retaine sure our title to Gods kingdome and therefore be carefull neuer to commit any of those sinnes that depriue vs of Gods kingdome as be in 1. Cor. 6. 9. Galat. 5. 19. Eph. 5. 3. c. 4. It maketh vs thankefull for our Election withall teacheth vs to be careful to obserue the same in the whole course of our liues lest wilfully we relapse and euer feare all our waies Ephes. 1. 3. to 7. 5. This is a forcible meanes to weane vs from the world and all sinfulnesse and to cause vs to hasten to enter in couenant with God afresh and so open a doore to heauen and to all Christs treasures of grace which God grant we doe speedily The second Vse serues for reproofe of such as deny there is any hell and therefore will not watch these be Atheists Nullifidians Epicures Worldlings inordinate liuers malefactors c. but that there is an hell appeares by the aboue quoted titles of hell 2. By our consciences accusing when we sinne 3. the very Heathen in all ages and places how prophane soeuer affirmed that malefactors should to hell 4. Chysostome in his Homelies 48. and 49. and 50. Ad populum Antiochenum confuteth this error And therefore let all men stand in awe and sinne not but beleeue lest they approoue worse then the Deuils who beleeue and confesse it and tremble at the minding thereof Iames 2. 19. The third Vse is for admonition for all men generally that seeing there is an hell and the paines thereof vnspeakable yea so great as no heart can conceiue onely by the names of the extreamest punishments vpon earth as fire brimstone darkenesse death an euereating worme and neuer dying they bee shadowed because vvee can conceiue no soarer nor greater torments all vvorldly torments bee finite and temporall these infinite spirituall pittilesse easelesse remedilesse a paine beyond all paines and greefe surmounting all greefes at the very names whereof the
regard the ioyes of this sinfull troublesome world but still will call Come Lord Iesu. The third Vse should serue for a warning to the wicked who cannot abide in his heart any of Gods Elect if hee beare the name of a godly man nor yet of his Ministers if he be a strict reproouer of his sinnes but euer rideth and derideth them slanders reuiles and abuseth them with all indignities and ioyeth in nothing more then in spoyling beggering and persecuting them but one day they shall heare our Sauiour their Iudge name them the blessed of his Father call them cheerefully to him to iudge them Math. 19. 28. Luke 22. 30. and 1. Cor 9. 1. 2. and doe they not now make a faire hand to mis-â—all such as Christ calleth blessed that is intire and dearely beloued to him to his Father precious and glorious in his sight what welcome and entertainment doe they hope for this day when they stand before the Ministers they reuiled robbed and persecuted what fauour canst thou O bloudy persecutor and robber of Christ and his Ministers expect at their hands or with what face canst thou desire them speake a good word for thee that thou maist be receiued to heauenly Tabernacles but rather looke that they will aggrauate thy sinnes to the Iudge to reward thee as thou didst serue them and to execute iudgement mercilesse to thee that shewedst them no mercy loue nor kindenesse not so much as to a dogge Be wise then in time and make them thy friends that as Abraham for Abimâ—lech and Iob for his three friends they may now pray for thee and then giue testimony of thy reformed godly life else thou art like to finde as little fauour from them as the rich glutton found of Lazarus Luke 16. 25. 26. but aboue all humble thy soule in true faith and repentance and make now whilest thou heere liuest the chiefe Iudge himselfe thy friend and he will fully secure thee and if the chiefe Iudge take thy part all the bench will and whom the King fauours all the Court will doe so likewise And so farre of the tenth Motiue The eleuenth Motiue to watchfulnesse is to consider the manner of Christs proceeding in iudgement vpon the Elect and Reprobate which shall be by a true and iust triall of euery mans particular life heere ledde be it good or euill none shall complaine of partiality or want of due triall not indifferent â—earing for shall not the Iudge of all the world doe right Gen. 18. 25. Psal. 96. 13. yes Christs proceedings that day with all the world shall bee most righteous sincere and vpright for as at the barre of an earthly Iudge the prisoners are from the goale brought forth and presented before the Iudge and there the bookes are opened their causes examined and they according to the produced euidences acquitted or condemned so in that great day shall euery man without exception be brought before Gods tribunall to be tried according to their workes 2. Cor. 5. 10. Math. 25. 35. 42. because their outward works are plaine euidences of their hearts and inward graces or vices Now the manner of this manifestation is two-fold first their workes must be made known what they be secondly they must be prooued to be good or euill The reuealing of the workes is said in Dan. 7. 10. Reuel 20. 12. to bee by opening of the books not that God hath or needeth bookes to register all mens workes for this would imply that his memory were defectiue brittle and failing as mans and so were hee not a most wife perfect omniscient and an all knowing God in and of himselfe but it is so said in respect of the weakenesse of our capacity which otherwise cannot conceiue Gods mysteries but by earthly similitudâ— and comparisons as Isa. 28. 9. for we are very children in heauenly things tell a childe of the latter iudgement and the circumstances therof and he vnderstandeth nothing therof at all no more then if you tould him parables and why but because hee is a childe and this booke is to him as clasped or sealed as that in Reuel 5. 2. 3. so the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neyther can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned 1. Cor. 2. 14. Therefore the Lord in mercie humbleth himselfe lispeth and speaketh after the manner of men for as Iudges when they come to the bench and the prisoners are set before them then the bookes of their information euidences and inditements c. are opened and read before them whereupon a Iury is impanelled to determine whether the parties be guilty or not and then accordingly the Iudge giueth sentence so shall it be heere that albeit all things are open in his sight and hee euer knoweth all mens workes as if hee had written and read them out of a booke Psal. 139. 16. Ier. 23. 23. yet it is said that then the bookes shall bee opened These books be first the Word of God which is the ground and foundation of all for as the Law was deliuered at Sinai to be a rule for euery mans life and the Gospell a rule for faith so now must all bee iudged according to that booke So our Sauiour affirmeth in Iohn 12. 48. and 17. 20. The word that I haue spoken shall iudge him in the last day and saith Paul Rom. 2. 16. At the day when God shall iudge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ according to my Gospell The second booke is the booke of euery mans Conscience Rom. 2. 12. 14. 15. They shall shew the effect of the Law written in their hearts their Consciences also bearing them witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another or excusing for the Lord by his secrets and omnipotent power shall in that day so awake and touch euery mans conscience with the guilt of their sinnes which now is rocked in the cradle of security and sleepeth as a snorting dogge or as a clasped booke is shut vp that it dare not peepe nor mutter that they all shal be brought as fresh and perfect into their remembrance as they were the very day they were done with all the circumstances thereof that possibly they cannot bee denied 1. Cor. 4. 5. So that being left excuseless needs they must confesse them as men at the gallowes and holding vp their hands cry guilty as Gen. â— 13. Iob 20. 20. Math. 27. 4. Iohn 8. 7. 9. for their Consciences shal be as a thousand witnesses enforcing them to accuse iudge and vtterly condemne themselues before the Iudge doe iudge or condemn them which will be the cause that they shall not bee able as wicked as they be to finde any fault with the Iudges proceeding against them for they confounded at the sight of their sinnes will abhorre themselues and confesse they deserued all punishments as God will put vpon them and
more too and so the Lord shall bee iustified by the Reprobates themselues The third booke is the book of life that is of mans Election Reuel 20. 12. 15. mentioned also in Psal. 69. 92. Dan. 12. 1. Philip. 4. 3. Reu. 3. 5. and 13. 8. and 17. 8. and 21. 27. and 22. 19. Ex. 32. 32. 34. Isa. 34. 16. Now according to these three bookes the world shall bee iudged whereto may bee added the fourth booke which is the booke of Gods workes which for 2000. yeares instructed the world and by which the holy Patriarkes profited exceedingly witnesse the Patriarkes all from Adam to Moses and also the booke of Iob and that this shall be iudge may be gathered out of Rom. 1. 19. to 26. Psal. 19. 1. c. and 8. 2. c. and these bookes may properly be said to be so many witnesses for or against them that day The Vses then wee are to make of these bookes are these 1. That euery man bee watchfull to study the whole booke of Gods worde seeing we must be iudged by the same that so they may know what to doe and what to leaue vndone wee see theeues though they regard no Lawes nor equity yet vvhen they be attached and see they must appeare at the Assises they vvill be very carefull to peruse vvhat statutes make for them or against them that so they may in that day be able to answer according to Law and by Law plead defend and free themselues and how much more should vve doe so seeing the danger is greater and we know wee shall bee iudged by this booke of bookes especially seeing we are before-hand fore-told and commanded so to doe as Deut. 6. 6. c. Iosh. 1. 7. 8. 2. Then in that wee shall be iudged by the booke of Conscience the great Chancery booke we must be carefull so to liue according to the prescript rule of Gods word that vvee sinne not against our consciences nor knowledge in the word of God for there is no burthen to the burthen of a wounded conscience euer forecasting fearefull things iudgeing and condemning himselfe as Iudas who seeing the greatnesse of his sinne and not of Gods mercy accused and hanged himselfe not able to abide the horror thereof and therfore if our conscience controule vs let vs in prayer reperitance faith new obedience speedily be reformed and quiet it else let vs assure our selues that howsoeuer worldlings say that Conscience is hanged it will reuiue and hang vs for it is resembled to a bawling Mastiffe which thogh at his Masters doore it fall asleepe yet if any awake him he will take him by the throat and so will a wounded Conscience awake when the Lord by any iudgement toucheth it and cause vs destroy our selues for the Conscience is choyce and tender like the Apple of a mans eye the least moate will chafe it and disquiet the whole man and therefore must we charily keepe it as the apple of our eye which is done by eschewing all euill and doing all good wee can to all men 3. In that vve shall be iudged by the booke of life that is if God hath before all vvorlds elected vs to saluation then shall we vndoubtedly be saued else not Now for the making our Electiō sure to our selues or rather for the assuring of our selues that we are elected vve must haue an earnest care to leade godly liues stored with all heauenly graces as Peter exhorteth saying Ioyne vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlines c. Make your Calling and Election sure for if you doe these things you shall neuer fall 2. Pet. 1. 3. to 12. for vvee must know that as God called vs to the end that is to bee saued of his owne vndeserued mercy so hee calleth vs to the meanes whereby vvee may come to this end vvhich is by leading a godly life as Rom. 8. 29. 30. Eph. 1. 3. 4. and therefore must vve labour by hearing reading and practising Gods word to serue Gods election and make it sure to our selues that vvee are elected and shall questionlesse be saued but if we contemn the word resist the spirit and regard not to leade a godly life but follow the torrent of the wicked it is plaine we vvere neuer elected and neuer shall be saued but be put out of the booke of life as the Lord said to Moses whosoeuer hath sinned against mee I will put him out of my booke Exod. 32. 33. that is it shall bee euident his name vvas neuer written there and the like speech is in 1. Sam. 2. 30. vvherefore the Lord God of Israell said to Eli I said that thy house and the house of thy Father should walke before me for euer But now the Lord saith it shall not be so for them that honour me I will honor and they that despise me shall be despised So that we need not climbe vp to heauen to see if our names bee written in the booke of life but descend into our selues and examine our liues if wee lead godly liues we are surely elected for else vve could neuer haue the grace to be godly and contrarily The fourth Vse is to contemplate and meditate in a deuout and thankefull heart vpon all the vvorkes of God and abuse them not but conuert them all to the glory of God 1. Cor. 10. 31. and to the good of his Church The next Vse serues for terror to the wicked vvho vvhen these bookes be open and first the booke of life be shut against them that they haue no hope nor helpe to be saued and next vvhen the bookes of Gods vvord be opened and it testifie what a great despiser and persecutor thereof and of all the Articles of the Couenant of Grace therein registred thou hast beene as also of the Preachers and Professors thereof reuiling all good men and blaspheming thy Iudge extinguishing and spiting the very spirit of grace and heereunto thy Conscience as a thousand witnesses will giue testimony and cry vnto God for iudgement and the booke of Gods works yea all Gods creatures but specially the poore widdow fatherlesse and stranger cry against thee for spilling innocent bloud for detaining the hirelings wages for oppressing the impotent and for thy Sodomitry and all creatures rise in iudgment against thee what wilt thou doe for shame and sorrow yea what paine and confusion of face will it be to thee when by the wide and broad opening of these bookes all thy sinnes of omission and commission all thy mischiefes and treacheries thy blasphemies scornings scoffings reuilings buffetings persecutings and all thy indignities done formerly against the Iudge himselfe his Church his Ministers and people with the Sacriledge Oppressions Thefts and Robberies c. shall be all discouered and laid open in the face of all the world yea besides these the villenies which hitherto thou