when it shall please his Majestie That which is the gift of Gods good pleasure is not a thing which a man may haue wheÌ„ he pleaseth Youth is lik the time of the stirring of the poole a gracious time if it be wel imployed Christ I knowe may cure a Soule that hath beene sicke of the palsey of sinne eight and thirtie yeeres but that must bee counted a most rare miracle Late repentance is seldome sound But alas though a man were assured that in his olde dayes he should repent truelie of all the folies of his youth how bitter a thing is that which Gods word calleth Repentance A Pagan hauing gotten some little glimpse thereof while he conferred the pleasures of sin with the paines of repentance refused to bargaine for his pleasures saying plainelie Non emeâ—…im tanti poenitere that hee would not buy repentance so deare Most men in the heat of their sinnes lay about them to finde some pretence for the lessening therof lest they seeme vgelie Oh that youth would bee wise our youth is either a great friend or a great foe vnto our olde age If we get a fill of Gods mercie in the morning of our age wee shall bee glad and rejoyce all our dayes The rememberance of a well spent youth is in olde age lik the casting of the Eagles bill whereby its age is renewed O the siluer coloured gray head of that olde man who from his youth in the maine of his life hath walked in the wayes of righteousnesse Grace froÌ„ the Cradle is of great expectation Happie is that youth which is old in grace If yee get grace to your youth yee shall get glorie after age God it is who giueth both grace and glorie which two I may call the euerlasting twinnes conceiued into the breast and bowels of that Mercie that is aboue Take heede my Children In your first dayes striue to bee like the Auncient of dayes A good Conscience well kept in youth is a perpetuall feast for olde age That mans youth is a great friend to his old age who can say with Obadiah I feare the Lord from my youth A well spent youth is a blessed seede time for Heauen A well spent youth is spirituall physicke vnto olde age which of it selfe on Earth is a sicknesse drawing vnto Death As the well spent youth is a friend vnto old age so if it bee euill spent it is a most fearfull foe a foe full of woes woe to him whose old bones are sores with the sins of his youth the Lord hath taken the penne in his hand wherewith after he that hath narrowly searched his wayes hee shall write bitter thinges against him and shall make him possesse the iniquities of his youth * Beware therefore to set your corruption to worke for to giue the Prime of your life vnto pleasures Bee wise in time lest Sathan shely foist in and closelie conuay corruptions into your young and tender heartes by tickling and tempting you to folie It is more easie while it is time to spend well the time than after to redeeme the mispent time Why would yee trouble your olde age with young folies If yee sawe the seede of folie in your youth ye shall vndoubtedly reapesheaues of sorrows in your old age It is a sore troublé to sow in laughter reape in teares In the best man that liueth there is sufficient mater of mourning for his cloudie and rainie yeares The old man hath enough to suffer vnder sicknes though hee had no cumber of his sinnes O how pleasant is the bitter haruest of a foolish youth O folie hath not olde age paines sufficientlie in the bodie though it bee not surcharged with the troubles of the Spirit What wisedome is this to surcharge the weakest age with the heauiest burden Thinke chieflie vpon this seeing the goodnesse of God followeth the whole life of man from his mothers bellie to his buriall it is reason that his whole life as well youth as olde age bee framed for to expresse his thankfulnesse My first and chiefest direction to you is that yee giue to God the first fruites of your age Suffer not sinne in your tender yeeres to get hold haunt in your heartes A godlie Youth hath a speciall promise 〈◊〉 God these that seeke mee earelie 〈◊〉 finde mee This parable was forged in Hell young Saincts old Deuils that is A good Lad will bee an euill man And this is turned ouer againe by the prophane world viz. An euill Lad will bee a good man Nay but an euill Lad is in the way to proue an olde wag-string A young scoffing Ismael will become an olde swaggering reueller Children in Scripture are called Plants If in the Moneth of May a 〈◊〉 bee without leafes or buddes we conceiue little good hope of anie fruites to bee had in the haruest time thereafter will a tree bring foorth fruites before it flourish When flourish time is past without anie blossome shall wee looke for anie fruite for that yeare Learne of the trees to know your seasons Solomon sent the sluggard to Doctour Pismires schoole for to learne wisedome to prouide for the euill day Striue with the trees in your youth to get a spring of grace which may appâ—…are in the sprout and blossome of dispositions vnto vertues Muâ—…ium est assâ—…escere a teneris To beginne well or euill is to bee in the midst of the journey Most powerfull are the first impressions lik the loue of women which ordinarlie is greatest towards her first Match the guide of her youth who tulit primos amores hath gorten the prime of her loue It is hard to fall from her first loue See what a liking these who are in Kings Courts will haue to remember of the Cottage or rurall village whereinto they were borne and brought vp The secret draught is so powerfull that hardlie can anie expresse the cause This made a Pagan to say Nescio qua natale soluÌ„ dulcedine cuÌ„ctos Ducit immemores non sinit esse sui By this yee may see how by a certaine secret instinct wee euer loue the places where wee haue beene borne brought vp Obserue the lesson of this if yee passe your youth in sin in the pleasures therof hardly shal yee euer forget that company doe what ye can ye shall euer haue a certaine secret loue which your Soule darre not auouch toward that which yee once loued while ye were yong If your sinnes bee your Companions in your vouth they will bee your Counsellers in olde age Rehoboams fall was in this that he took counsell of the young men that were growne vp with him If sinne bee brought vp with you in your youth there is danger that ye take its counsell in your olde age The time of youth is most dangerous for in it the affections
mans journey vnto Heauen Read into it That thorow manie tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of Heauen euen thorow burning Riuers of Brimstone The sicke Man But alas they come thorow all their troubles were at last deliuered But I see none appearance that God will doe the like to mee I haue beene prodigall of the peace of my Conscience my sinnes doubled doe daylie ripen Gods wrath against mee In all liklie-hood Gods decree is gone out that I should porish * My Faith faileth mee Hope is flowne away Oh for that peace in belieuing The Pastour As by bitter Succorie the burning blood is cooled and refreshed so by such bitter bloodie blowes the pride of life is subdued hemmed within a compasse By such to◅turing and tormenting feares The good Lord is working for your well that thereby hee may driue you from all selfeconceate◅nesse partiall ouervaluing of your own worth It is Gods custome by such means to doublem as zeale to blow at the smoaking flaxe till the weak reeking sparkle of grace bee kindled into a bright burning flam By such troubles and temptations the good Lord keepeth your Soule in watchfulnesse Many in this world sleepe soundlie in their sinnes beeing fullie stuft and swelled therewith and for all that neuer waken till they be wakened in ye◅re of Hell Others who are troubled with some inward checkes runne◅ to Tauerns for to drowne their sorrow for sinne by powring in of strong drinke Others thinke to smoke it out by the ◅eeke of Tabacca Some runne to the di◅ne of the vvorld among loud laughters As the Israelite◅ in Tophe◅ sounded their Drummes that they should not beare the squeeles of their Infants burning in the fire so so go some about by the noise of sports worldlie joyes to deafen so their Soules that they should not heare the shrighes of their troubled Conscience But all such comforts and companiourie are like that red wine giuing colour in the cuppe and mouing it selfe aright But what is the end of all Such things may seeme to coole refresh for a space lik as when a burnt finger is dipped into cold water vvhere one qualitie encirculoth another But shortlie after that little an◅iperistasis is past in come doubled dolours with all the anwels of the principall summe at last all such drunke comforts bite like a Serpent and sting like a Cockatrice as doeth the drunkards best claret wine Well is that Soule which God in mercie exerciseth daylie either vvith one crosse or other not suffering it to be rocked and lulled with Sathans balowes in the cradle of Securitie Rejoyce then in tribulation put all your trust in God yea though hee should slay you inwarpe your selfe in the Mantle of his mercies Relye vpon him with vvhō nothing is imposible He vvho can make the great Camell passe thorow the needle eye can open the narrow gate and let your Soule enter into his Rest. Learne of the Father of the faithfull to belieue in hope against hope God thinketh himselfe most glorified vvhen men belieue in him while there is least outward appearance His delight is to allure in the wildernesse vvhere is least appearance Forget neuer that couragious words of Iob Though he should slay mee yet will I trust in him Not to haue Faith except vvee feele and see is to be faithlesse vvith Thomas vvhile hee said that hee vvould not belieue till hee vvas assured by the tvvo vvitnesses of his senses viz. Sight and Feeling Christ out of pittie granted to him contentment of ◅enle but with a sore a nipping checke Because thou hast seene mee thou hast belieued blessed are they that haue not seene and yet belieued If yee would bee blessed belieue before yee either feele or see Hee who brought meate out of the de◅ourer and light out of darknesse can inlighten your mistie minde The sicke Man What then would yee me to doe Sir while within and without I can perceiue no token of comfort none appearance of fauour seeing hee hath hid his countenance from my Soule what thinke yee best that I should doe The Pastour Doe as Isaiah did I will said he waite vpon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of Iakob and I will looke for him God is like a Mother that cannot forget her Child She may hide her selfe a little and let it get a knocke that it may feare and learne to beware of greater dangers Though God gloume in outward countenance at the faultes of his Children yet in his heart are euer thoughts of peace and of mercie Of this Dauid produced two witnesses Once I heard saide hee yea twise that mercie belongeth to God Once in all appearance hee heard this read or preached by the Prophets and another time by the Spirit the inward teacher of the Soule Behold how the Spirit and the Word once yea twise both outwardlie and inwardlie haue testified that mercie is with God yea as a thing which most properlie belongeth vnto him In your more sober moode and cold blood yee shall confesse this to bee true God for a space will seeme to bee vncouth Hee as Naomie bade Ruth returne home with her Sister ◅rpah will bidde a sinner goe seeke his comforts in his bypa◅t pleasures But if with Ruth hee see him stedfastlie minded he will incontinent leaue off such speaking The sicke Man I know that God is full of mercie Of this the Deuils did neuer doubt Within the compasse of his compassions is mercie for a thousand worlds but what is that to mee How shall I come by it The Pastour The Scripture is plaine Aske said Christ and yee shall receiue seeke and yee shall finde Sticke to him with a truely Christiā vnshakē resolutiō What euer yee shall seeke from the Father in my Name said Christ hee will giue it vnto you If yee beleeue Christ to bee true practise his precept Take once but a proofe of his promise seeke in the Name of Iesus whatsoeuer thing may doe you good and see whether or not God shall proue faithf◅ in his promise * Before that a man will distrust another hee will first at least bee beguiled once Vpon Christs words then with freedome of Spirit Aske seeke and knocke and see whether or not your Soule shall bee answered with these three viz receiuing finding and opening There is a worthie historie in the Gospel which pointeth at this that we should doe what Christ Commandeth though there be litle appearāce of any good successe After that Christ had teached the people out of Peters ship the Sermon beeing ended the Lord said vnto Simon Launch out into the deepe and let downe your nettes for a draught Simon answered said vnto him Master we haue toiled all the night and haue token nothing neuerthelesse at thy word
workes may easilie ouertoppe all your sins iniquities God will haue man with his narrow bowels of mercie to forgiue his brother seuen times in a day if hee shall returne seuen times in a day saying It repenteth mee If God requireth such mercie of man whose bowels in the widest are not of a span breadth what shall hee doe whose compassions are rouled together into bowels broader than the Sea yea wider than the heauens If ye can repent Sir God can forgiue When man ceaseth to spurne God beginneth to spare The sicke Man I take God to witnesse that I am sorie for my sinnes and so ashamed that with the Publicane I cannot lift vp mine eyes to the heauens I would be content to kisse the ground a thousand times for to get but one kisse of the feete of him who is the on◅ lie helpe of the conscience and the health of the countenance I finde myselfe deepe to the Chine in a gulfe of miserie Tell mee truelie Sir I pray you Thinkeyee that if with a mourning heart I confesse my sinnes to God that hee will haue pittie of me I am sore perplexed the deepe thoughts of mine owne guiltinesse strike men with such a set silence that I am not able to vtter my griefe My feare is that I bee of the familie of hell an haire of horrour and vtter woe Be free with mee I pray you Thinkeyee th◅t such an hord of miserie as mine can euer meete with his mercie The Pastour It is great ignorance Sir to thinke that anie miserie of man can ouer reach the infinite power of his pitie and boundlesse compasse of his compassions It were more easie to turne the Sunne from his course than God from shewing mercie to repenting sinners both his Name and Nature is mercie See wee not out of what myres of miserie Gods mercie hath deliuered repenting sinners In Scripture wee may read long Catologes of pardoning sinnes Consider well I pray you thinke deepelie vpon the mercies of your God Look well what hee hath done to others Could the adulterie of Dauid the incest of Lot the drunkennesse of Noah the murther of Simeon Leui the persecutions of Paul the perjurie of Peter or any other like sinne hinder God to be mercifull to the◅ so soone as they repented * Wherefore wereall these pardons printed into God Booke but for to tell all ages that no man were hee neuer so sinfull should despaire of the mercie of his God As I liue saith the Lord take no delight into the death of sinners but rather that they should repent and liue These bee his owne words If words beare no weight behold effects God hath so loued the world that hee hath giuen his onelie Sonne that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life This is not a verball loue when a man giueth his best beloued for to die for another God hath not spared his onelie Sonne that by his satisfying sufferings his Iustice beeing payed hee might shew mercie to man his poore vnworthie creature not onelie the Father hath loued the world but also the Sonne out of vnspeakable loue was as desirous to die for man as the Father was to send him This out of his owne mouth hee declared that no loue could ouer-reach his loue No man said hee hath greater loue than this than when a man layeth downe his life for his friend The highest of mans loue is to die for his friend But Christs loue was greater hee died for vs euen when wee were his enemies In another point behold the loue of Christ scarselie saith the Apostle for a righteous mā wil one die yet per aduenture for a good man some would euen dare to die But God commendeth his loue towardes vs in that while wee were yet sinners Christ died for vs Who shall doubt of this loue which the Lord hath registred on earth with the dearest blood of his onelie begotten Sonne There is such a loue in the Father and such a loue in the Sonne and such a loue in the holie Ghost toward the Saluation of man that all the heauens are filled with loue of our well so that at the conuersion of one sinner on earth there is more joy among the Saints and Angels than for fourescore and ninteene righteous who neede not repentance * If Sir yee would haue the heauens to rejoyce cast your selfe into the armes of your God with these words Lord doe with mee what thou wilt though thou shuld slay me yet will I true in thee If yee would see the picture of Gods mercy ye must draw aside the curtaine of all carnall surmises The sicke Man Oh that I might cast my Soule into his Armes But how can I doe this The Lord hath turned his backe on mee shall I cast my selfe into a consuming fire At the first sight of his angry face my Soule will die for feare The Pastour Men often are deceiued So soone as Manoah had seene the Angel hee said to his wife Wee shall surelie die because wee haue seene God But his wife answered more wiselie If the Lord were pleased to kill vs hee would not haue receiued a sacrifice from vs As shee said to him so say I to you If the Lord were pleased to kill you hee would not haue giuen his Sonne in a Sacrifice for you * I is a greater loue token that God hath giuen his Sonne in a Sacrifice for you than that hee should receiue any sacrifice from you It is the Apostles argument that since God hath giuen vnto vs his owne Sonne hee will not refuse vs any other thing that may doe vs good Christ alone is the sinners refuge hee is a Rocke of comfort which cannot bee shaken a Rocke which commandeth all seas of sorrows the pole of our peace Be earnest in prayer with God cry till he hea◅e The sicke Man I am wearied with crying to God my prayers may be called The voyce of my roaring But what shall I say I cry but there is none that maketh answere God hath couered himselfe with a cloude that my prayers should not passe thorow hee hath stopped his eares that my prayer should not bee heard This is a most fearefull blast and blow in his bloo die battell The Pastour Deceiue not your selfe often our prayer framed and followed by the Spirit of grace is heard though the fense of grant bee not yet brought to vs God for causes will let a time goe betweene seeking and finding After this the Angel spake vnto Daniel At the beginning of thy prayer God heard thee and now I am come to tell thee See how a space will interceede betweene Gods hearing of mans prayer and mans knowledge that God hath heard him Though yee as yet know not whither God hath heard you or not yee must not
anguish of his Spirit Behold LORD how hee renounceth himselfe desparing of his owne worth Giue him grace to flee to thy promises that as in the fearefull and perelous path of this val◅y of death he looketh for nothing but hell torments and paine for his owne sake so he may assuredlie look for heauens glorie euen pleasures for euermore and that for thy promise sake for thy Names sake for thy Christs sake in whom thy Soule is best pleased Mak the bones which thou hast brused to rejoyce Leaue him neuer to himselfe LORD till thou hast made thy graces now blooming in his heart to become type for thy glorie LORD blesse thy beloued Church which is hated of the world Shee is now pricked with persecutions as a Lillie among the thornes Let this comfort Her in all Her distresses that thou shalt neuer forsake Her But that thorow many tribulations thou shall bring Her vnto Glorie Lord pitie pardon the vnthankful Church of this Land Bind Her vnto Thee by the vnion of Faith and fasten euerie one of our heartes to another by the bond of loue left at last by our misdemeanour thou bee forced to roote vs out of thy good Land as a fruitlesse Nation GOD bee gracious to our dread SOVERAIGNE the Kings Majestie gard His Royall Person from the rage of His enemies Infatuate their plots Mak giddy their braines discouer their enterprises mak Him the Man of thy right Hand Anoint His Head with the blessed drops of the Oyle of thy Grace gladnesse Make Him an humble Homager to IESVS who hath written on His thigh the King of kings LORD giue Him Grace according to His Place Say vnto His Queene Hearken O Daughter cōsider incline thy eare Mak her to forget her own people Fathers House In stead of Her old acquaintance giue her Children whom thou mayest make Princes on the Earth Aboue all thinges we intreate Thee to discharge vpon Her Soule the beames and brightnesse of sauing Knowledge Blesse all the Nobilitie of this Land Make them truelie Noble like the men of Berea who were couragious for the Trueth Make euerie one of vs faithfull in our place calling keep our Soules euer waking waiting for thycomming Preserue vs from slumber of Conscience deadnesse of heart that liuing according to thy law we may be in this wicked world godlie professours like burning shining Lampes for to shew light vnto others We all heere O gracious Father relying vpon thy promised readines to helpe thy little Ones and to listen to their cryes haue powred out our Soules in thy presence wee intreate The from the sinceritie of our inward partes that of thy Fatherlie indulgence it would please Thee to vouchsaf a fauourable audiēce both to these and to all other our most humble and godlie desires and that for IESVS thy deare Sonnes sake To whom with Thee and the Spirit of Grace bee all glorie and honour world without end AMEN Cause read vnto you this Night Psalme 38. Psal. 39. Psal 40 Psal. 41. Psal. 42. Psal. 130. Isa. 38. Isa. 53. Iohn 16. Let the end of euerie day remember you of the ende of your life Thogh euerie day of ourage should be as long as that day of Ioshuah whē at his word the Sunne stood still in Gibeon yet it would be night at last The Lord teach vs to number our dayes that wee may apply our hearts to wisedome and to well doing The grace of Iesus and the peace of his Spirit rest with you and comfort you in all the groanes of your griefe The Lord turne your smoking flax into a burning fire of zeale The God of all mercie and compassion refresh your weake and wounded heart with the softest o◅le of his sauing grace Nothing Sir is vnpossible to your God who of a brui sed Reede can make a pillar of Brasse which the prince of the powers of darknesse shall not be able to shake I intreat the Lord to giue you such Grace that may leade you vnto the face and presence of your GOD Bee more and more earnest with your GOD that hee would inspire your heart with Life Spirite and motion that thereby yee may bee made fitte for that blessed associatiō with Sainctes and Angels far from the crossing checkes of Conscience THE FOVRTH DAYES Conference The Pastour ACcording to your desire Sir I am come againe this morning for to visite you and for also to reape the fruites of yesterdayes conference This is the sweete fruits of a godlie life It hath saith Solomon hope in the end I pray God to blesse you with such an hope whereby in hope against hope yee may cleaue fast vnto your God finde yee the storme of your temptations alayed hath the Spirit of God giuen edge and vigour to these comfortes which yee heard yesterday Haue yee put on a Christian courage with a resolute and contented patience to abid the blessed will of your God The sicke Man Well is the man and blessed yea thrise blessed is hee whose transgressions is forgiuen whose sinne is couered for hee is free from that sting of Conscience that will for euer torment the Soule of the vngodlie All this night I haue beene sore cumbered with manie spirituall temptations as yee haue heard My Soule for a space hath beene wonderfully perplexed The spirit of mā alas is but too ingenious to debar it selfe from glorie It is a wonder how this shuld be in such a glorious Noonetyde of the Gospel hitherto Glorie bee to God yee haue comforted mee much ye haue handled my sores with the soft and smooth hand of a most wise and charitable discretion wiselie haue yee singled out comfortes most expedient for the cure of my Soule Now seeing by your former discourse I haue reaped comfort let mee bee so bold as to intreate you to declare breaflie how a man may know by the workings of the Spirit within whether he be a Reprobate or one of Gods chosen Ones It is no time for me now to bee beguiled Men which looke to die haue neede to looke well what they doe I desire earnestlie to be instructed touching the diuerse workinges of the Spirit into the wicked and the godlie My chiefe desire is to make my Saluation sure The Pastour I shall doe what I can to giue you contentment in that point The matter indeede is not without difficultie But yet the Lord God will doe nothing which hee will not reueale vnto his seruants the Prophets so farre as is needfull for his glorie the well of his People Mine helpe is in the Name of the Lord that made Heauen and Earth The Spirit of God in man hath two sortes of operations One generall another speciall As for the generall common to all men by the Spirit the wicked will say Iesus is the Lord I know Iesus said the Deuill to the sonnes of Sceuah * By this Spirite also the
swelling word which by the accent shall giue notice that they are not such as they say Certainelie Humilitie is one of the fairest flowers in the whole garland of spirituall vertues Whereas Pride a spirituall tympanie bloweth vp the heart and maketh the Arteries to swell with vncleane spirits Humilitie tempereth the blood and quieteth the Spirit with such a calmenesse as that wherein the Lord appeareth to Elijah Some if they bee not Whoores or Theeues they thinke that they cannot faile and yet in one sinne are all sinnes for who faile in one faile in all That which God said by his Prophet is notable If a man beget a sonne that is a Theefe or a Murtherer or that doeth any one of these thinges Obserue the words Anie one Thogh hee doe all these things Shall be liue hee shall not liue He hath done all these abominations See howe hee who hath done but any one is heere also said to haue done all these abominations See how all sinnes by a little bore creepe in with a deceitfull pace If one poisonfull herbe bee in the Potte death is there What shall I say more of Humilie the rarest vertue in women This I will say The lowliest heart is euer in highest in Gods account it euer hath the best share of his fauours As streames of waters runne to the lowe valleyes so doe the graces of God flow to the humble Soules Shame and confusion of face is the ordinatie end of all the puffes of pride and of all vnlawfull daliance This sentence neuer lighted false Pride must gette a fall This is Scripture Though the Lord bee high yet hath hee respect vnto the lowlie But the proud hee knoweth a farre off Bee constant in all thy wayes striue to keepe peace with thy neighbours For this end set a porter at thine eare for to hold out fal◅e reports an open eare and a loose tongue are two deadlie foes to all sacred friendshippe Where such are triffles are taken for truethe after that a matter it throughlie sifted most mens r◅ports are found to bee but babbling Let the true feare of God harbour in thine heart continuallie The feruent zeale of many is agueish lik feuers which come goe by fits and starts Ahab could crouch whē hee heard that the Dogges should licke his blood Till Pharaohs sorcerers were fearefullie plagued none of them could pronounce This is the finger of God Bee not like the wicked who neuer feare God but when hee is in a tempest Fooles are so stiffe and steelie that for God they will not stir an inch till his judgement cause them to stagger Striue to liue by precept not by example Many thinke themselues to bee well beause they are not so euill as many others In this they are like the Drapers who giue luster to a Karsey by laying it to a Rugge The deeper damnation of some in the poole and puddle of perdition shall bee a verie small comfort for these that are in the shallow foordes of the floodes of fyre kindled with the brimestone beames of euerlasting burnings The fore-skinne of an vncircumcised heart is so thicke and brawnie that no precepts can pierce through it till the Spirite himselfe make a way Oh then seeing wee are all a broode of corrupt loynes it standeth thee in hand to bee earnest with that Spirit of grace that he would teach thee to keepe watch and ward ouer all thy wayes If any creature offende thee bite not at the stone but lift vp thine eyes to God None euill is in the Citie but that which hee hath done At diuine Seruice be not chill nor colde Bee feruent in thy prayers while thou speakest to God with thy mouth suffer not thine hearte to wander vpon toyes it is more difficile to pray than to preach wicked men may preach but they cannot pray God hath branded them with this blot they call not vpon God The Lord put into thine heart the juice and sappe of his Grace My Spirit is so wearied that I am not able to expresse my minde The Pastour The Psalmest said well The Lord will perfite that which concerneth mee Hee who hath begun in you his graces shall perfite that which concerneth you yea and shall make his grace to bee made perfect in your weaknesse The sicke Man O my Lord lead mee in the land of vprightnesse O God with Thee is the Fountaine of life In thy Light wee shall see light Reuiue mine heart O Lord with some new supplye of strength from aboue Let the wordes of my mouth and the meditations of mine heart bee acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength my Redeemer Aboue all thinges my louing Spouse beware of euill companie the corruption of good manners and fuell of folie It is good to vse companie as Moses did his Rod so lōg as it remained a Rod he remained with it but so soone as it became a serpent incontinent he fled from before it Bee not like these most vile persons who for to varnish their appearances of euill with alledging innocencie say That they care not what men say of them and that they cannot hinder men to speake Away with such wordes such vaine partlings cannot secure the Conscience neither content the scandalized beholders of euill appearances If thou doe not euill doe not euill lik Be not altogether carelesse what others say of thee but in all securitie of life striue for a good name which is better than precious oyntment There is no such folie as folie practised with profession of wisedome Hypocrites may warilie watch ouer their words and outward actions but none but Nathanaels haue hearts without guile Consider well I pray thee that wee are now come to the dregges of dayes and extremities of time and also to the extremities of sinne for auoiding of the sands we rush vpō the rocks We liue in the last and most corrupt age wherein the verie confluence of all the corruptions of former ages haue made their Randie-vowes So as all may see it is vtterlie impossible except the Lord work wonders that anie keepe themselues so passinglie pure from all spice of contagion but some one infection or other shall sticke vnto them vnto Gods dishonour and their owne disgrace O how manie rubs are in the way to life eternall My best beloued let such instructions sinke deeplie down into thine heart that thou bee not like Hypocrites who are more thoughtfull for plausible conueiances and outward plastering appearances than for anie substance of godlinesse Bee truelie godlie and not prophane like these who say what the Prophets will must into the house of Rimmon one thing or other must they doe wherein God must bee mercifull vnto them As for thee bee a Church wife and also an House-wife It is not seemelie for women to bee gading heere and there shee is most happie
who in this sinfull time is least known of the world so that shee truelie striue to know God and her selfe Wise Solomon who in his wisedome excelleth all as also in number of wiues spake by experience that wandering Women were not chast by this special marke hee brandeth the whoore That her feete abide not in her house but nowe shee is without and now in the streetes By Solomons record shee that gadeth abroad cannot bee well thought of With Wisedome shee hath cracked her credit If Dinah had taried at home while shee went abroad shee had not beene deflored which was the cause of great blood-shed which made her brethren Simeon and 〈◊〉 afterward to bee diuided in Iaakob dispersed in Israel The occasion of all that euill was from the vanitie of the Damosell her folie is registred in Gods Chronicles for all Ages to come that women chieflie may read it and bee wise by her example The wordes are these And Dinah the daughter of Leah which shee bare vnto Iaakob went out to see the daughters of the Land Remember well I pray thee these few pâ—…ecepts Bee carefull sincere at the seruice of thy God Serue him not by halfes Hee who is onelie holie must bee serued wholie Take good heed to thy self beware of clawing flatterers who for gaine wil varnish thy vices for to make them seeme vertues Labour for a good name perrell it not for trifflles If for light matters it bee mainelie hazarded it shall bee easilie cut off where euer thou bee bee content with thy lot See that in anie wise thou neuer harbour in thine heart a discontented mind Beware of an euill tongue which is an vnruelie euill within the compasse of the mouth wherein it is is a vvorld of vvickednesse Bee carefull both for the inward and the outward of thy conuersation for many eyes will looke and spye what shall be thy life after me Bee therefore euer vpon thy guard sinne neuer in hope of secrecie for none can sinne without a witnesse Sequester thy selfe from all occasions of euil if thou wold haue grace to bee dearelie and deepelie rooted in thine heart Where euer thou art thinke God thereto be present Tak him at all times to bee an eye-witnes of thy thoughts Thogh ali be barred out the Lord is within Feare God liue in peace with thy neighbours Let the good thoughts of thine heart put the ouer in the handes of practise first know theÌ„ doe which is compleate Christianitie Grow in grace grone for sins past escape relapses haunt the godlie flie these that are of a prostitute Conscience Sinne is like a Ring-worme of a contagious and spreading nature from lesse to more ouer Shooes ouer Bootes like Hezekiels waters from the Ankles to the Knees and so higher and higher from scabbe to scandale Shune all appearance of euill so shall thy conuersation sauour like oyntment and most sweete perfume Now the Lord bee with thee Kisse mee and so farewell The Pastour Heere Sir are your little Children waiting for your blessing it is good that yee say some-thing to them for their instruction The last words of a Friend or of a Father are often of greatest weight and beare most into the rememberance of these to whom they are spoken I feare that ye faint in your weaknesse and therefore bee as summar and short as yee can The sicke Man I thanke God though the strength of my bodie decayeth my Spirit is become stronger like Samson after that his haire beganne to grow My force courage within is renewed like the youth of the Eagle by casting of its bill Blessed be he who giueth power to the faint and increaseth strength to them that haue no might O Lord mould mine heart after the heauenlie modell of thy Law Emptie mine head and disburden mine heart of all earthlie cares that my thoughts may be whollie and entirelie spent vpon thy selfe without any turning awry from holie and heauenlie meditations The Pastour Seeing God is with you in such a spirituall power spend your short time the best yee may for his glorie and for the well of these whom yee desire to bee best in this world after you That new strength which appeareth in you at the sight of your Children remembereth me of old Iaakob lying on his death-bedde when it was tolde him that Ioseph whom he loued was come to see him it is said That Israel strengthen himselfe and satte vpon the bed The sicke Man I finde the like mercie though not in such a measure O my God fit and furnish my Soule with the sanctifying grace of thy spirit Rouse vp my Spirit whet vp my minde to feeke the thinges which are aboue Lord put a liuing Soule within this dying bodie A speach to his Children And now yee my Children gather your selues together and hearken vnto your louing Father that ye may remember well his last words Come neare mee I pray you and receiue your old Fathers blessing Let mee lay both mine handes vpon your heads that I may make my last prayer for you The Angel which redeemed mee from all euill blesse the Lads and lette them grow in multitude as fishes God make you as Ephraim and as Manasses Behold now my deare ChildreÌ„ I goe the way of all the earth keepe the charge of the Lord your God to walke in his wayes that yee may prosper in all that yee doe and whther soeuer yee turne your selues By instant prayers to God hemme in the folies of your youth In this wicked euill world striue to bee like fishes which keepe their fresh taste while they liue in saltest waters Bee carefull to consecrate the first yeeres euen the flower and pryme of your life vnto the Lord which shall bee a meanes for sanctifying the rest of your age The first borne and the first fruites vnder the Law of ceremonies were the Lords The substance thereof in the Gospel is that wee giue the Lord the best of our yeeres and the flower and strength of our age Most men in the prime of youth are both hote and headie Happie is hee who in a sober moode and colde blood passeth the time of his sojourning heere chieflie while hee is in the strength of youth By carefull culture manurance the fiercenesse of Beares and Lyons will be mitigated and tamed It is a great slight of Sathan to make young men sport in their sinnes vnder hope they may repent when they are olde But alas who is so young that can say that he shall liue vntill morrow Is it not seene that there bee as manie little as great skuls in Golgotha As soone say wee commeth the Lambe skin to the market as the olde Sheepes But thogh they who are yong were assured to become old they could not be assured of repentance which is the gift of God which hee giueth to whom and
leape the same loupe beeing assured of as much and all because hee seeth that now his neighbour is soundlie healed and feeleth no more paine If yee wander from God hasten your returne A man out of the way must come back againe The soone◅ hee returneth the lesse is his labour If yee fall in sinne and rise againe beware to bee relaps An Horse comming by the same place where hee caught a fall will starte a backe Neither for Spur nor Wand will ye get him into the same hole againe Dauid no doubt after once would not count the Tribes againe neither would Peter after that awefull looke of Christ denye his Master againe neither would Iob seck anie more to dispute with his God againe They all know by experience how bitter a thing such sins were and therefore abhorred all such things at the verie rememberance thereof Remember well I pray you that olde age will inquire what youth hath beene doing This now know that all youthlie pranking pleasures are followed with pages of paines which cry vnto others that they listen not to the allurementes and deceitfull charmes of their filthie flesh While Dalilah lulleth in her lappe shee is armed with Sissers for to cutte the haire of our strength It is good that both old young haue their loynes euer girded their Candles in their hands waiting for that comming of their Lord Learne of the foolish Virgines how dangerous a thing it is to sleepe without oyle in your Lampes Let neuer sinne reigne in your mortall bodies Subdue the flesh to the Spirit If yee liue in Gods feare looke to die in Gods fauour Happie is the man that keepeth a Calender of his days wherby hee may bee roused vp to thinke euerie day his last It is certaine that our life like a shippe vpon the Sea is caried with a strang gale There is none abiding heere our Sunne is fast posting to the West as hee arose so shortlie must hee fall And therefore though yee dwell one earth mind the thinges that are aboue Let your Soules here in earth on earth soare vp toward the euerlasting Tabernacles Too manie Soules bee Trewands from God onlie minding the thinges that are below Beware that thornie cares choak in your Soules the seede of grace To be worldlie minded is death Aspire not aboue your pitch Thrust not yourselues in offices An office is well called A Calling because man should waite till hee bee called vnto it It is better to bee haled by force of others to great offices than to rushrashlie vpon them vndesired It were to bee wished that rather men want Offices than that Offices want men answereable to their discharge Affect not to bee singular in glorious shewes of profession without substance like Pedlers who hang out more than they haue within There bee none so peeuish as prattling professours without the power of practise The new creature in actions is the truest outward witnesse of the trueth of the inward affections Affection bewrayeth the euill affections Malo esse probus quam haberi It is better to bee good than so to seeme Among all humane dueties bee carefull to keepe loue with your Neighbours So farre as is possible winne the good word and will of all men Bee not contentious nor stirrers vp of discordes God hath blessed the peace makers The Apostles Precept is plaine Let brotherlie loue remaine Forget not the poore Hide not yourselues from your owne flesh The rich and the poore will meete together saith Solomō That is One good turne may bee requited by another If they cānot recompence you they will pray for you Though that which yee giue vnto them at the first seeme to be lost like seed sowne into a running water which carrieth it away the Lord who brought backe the Iordan shall bring back your lost seede with a plentifull increase Cast then your bread vpon the waters for yee shall finde it after many dayes Christs counsell is that rich men mak vnto themselues friends of the Mammō of vnrighteausnesse If ye receiue the poore in their neede into your earthlie mansions they by their prayers shall receiue you in your greater neede into euerlasting Tabernacles When Diues hath dyned let Lazarus haue the crums Cursed Adam was couered but with figge leaues and Christ cursed the fig tree for hauing leaues without fruites While ye giue almes let all be done without a desire to be seene or praised of men Let not your left hand know what the right hand giueth and God shall reward that humble secrecie with open honour What euer bee done see that it bee done in Faith without which most glorious workes are but glistering sinnes and Pharisees almes beggers of praise things done to be seene Bee meeke and gentle toward all The Spirit of God cannot light vpon a Soule but in the shape of a Doue Euerie way of a man is right in his owne eyes But the Lord pondereth the hearts My Spirit fainteth my breath shorteneth mine heart sickeneth I finde Death now besieging my Noble partes I cannot tell how soone God shall fetch away my Soule It is most certaine that I drawe neare to the doores of death I haue yet some-thing in my mind for to tell you O my deare Childrē but for weakenesse I cannot till I be refreshed with a little rest Within a little space I looke to bee lockt in my graue O Lord say vnto my Soule I am thy Saluation Refresh mine heart rejoyce my Soule with a sight of thy reconcealed face before that I goe hence and bee seene no more The Pastour Lord heare thou in Heauen O how much fruite groweth off one stalke GODS grace in you hath brought foorth a large haruest of comforts to all that haue heard you The Lord renew your strength and put his Spirit within you The Lord sanctifie your Spirit which is the Candle of the Lord searching all the bowels of the bellie The God of all grace hath cleansed and purified your words throgh the stramer of his great mercie * So soone as ye haue gathered strēgth let vs heare the rest of your counsell to your Children In it is wisedome for to be learned of old age recouer your force a little that yee may conclude that which yee haue begunne It is good in good things to goe throgh stitch The sicke Man O Lord perfect thy strength in my great weaknesse My deare Children hearken vnto mee It is not possible but in this euill world yee shall bee troubled with great and grieuous afflictions In my great griefes I was euer wont to comfort my selfe with that wise speach of Solomon When a mans wayes shall please the Lord hee shall make euen his enemies to bee at peace with him If anie man offend you or is offended against you perswade yourselues that some of your wayes please not
Seruant fainting in great weaknesse of bodie But thogh flesh and friends health wealth and all should faile him thou LORD will neuer faile him Hee is thy Seruant he is thy Seruant the son of thy hand-maide Thou hast most powerfullie hitherto supported and vpholdeÌ„ him by thy mercifull hand Now leaue him not while he is drawing neare vnto his long home It is easie to perceiue that his age is departing from him like a shepheards tent and that thou art readie to cutte off his life like a weauer His desire LORD is to bee with Thee Thou hast heard the sighings of this prisoner and thou hast vnderstood the groanes of thine own Spirit As thou hast begunne the good worke in him so perfect it in due time As thou doest with the yeare crowne it with thy goodnesse with-draw not thy Grace from him till it bee made perfect in weaknesse Thou LORD hast manifested thy loue to him wonderfullie by putting into his minde and mouth such diuine preceptes and counselâ—… to his Friends Wife and Children that all that haue heard them haue beene forced to wonder at the glorie of thy grace Now deare Iesus let thy force be with him in his fainting but the nearer hee draweth vnto his end lâ—…t thy Spirit the Comforter enable him the more till victoriouslie hee hath put an end vnto this Battell As the strength of his bodie shall beginne to decrease let the comfortes of thy Spirit increase in his Soule Seale vp in his heart that peace which thou hast purchased by the blood of the Prince of peace Assure him of the rest of these joyes which are to bee reuealed whereof hee hath alreadie receiued the earnest O say vnto his Soule that thou shalt bee his Saluation In the silence of the night while deepe sleepe falleth on man make thou his reines to instruct him Suggest vnto his heart the sweetest wordes of thy comforts which may bee vnto him like apples of gold in pictures of siluer Waine his heart daylie more and more from the loue of things below Make thou his Soule to soare vp with Eagles wings towardes the heauenlie Mansions Prepare nowe his Soule to the last conflict Put vpon him all the Armour of God Strengthen his Faith that hee may holde fast by Thee yea so resoluedlie that though thou should slay him yet hee may trust in thee When the force of sicknesse shall tak away the vse of his tongue make his heart to groane vnto Thee in the secret language of thy Spirite â—…hat in thine hands he commenâ—… 〈◊〉 his Soule and that he desireth thee to come quicklie for his reliefe Let not the increasing throes and pangues of death discourage him In greatest anguish vphold his enfeebled heart with the hope of Glorie Look on him Lord with the eye of thy mercie incline thine eare to the sighes of his heart make haste to come for his Soule is longing for his appointed time till his change come As thou art the Lord of life so vnto thee belong the issues of death Let strength proceede from thee like vertue from Christes garment whereby hee may bee encouraged against the fearefull assaults of death which shortly in all appearance shall besiege his noble parts for to bring him vnto dust froÌ„ whence hee came Make thy Spirit to enter into his hearte for to vphold him against this feare smart of his last and most heauie houre Let him know that if the earthlie house of his Tabernacle bee dissolued that he hath a building of God an house not made with hand eternall in the heauen Make his Soule more and more earnestlie to groane for to bee cloathed vpon with his house which is from Heauen Seeing while hee is heere at home in the bodie hee is absent from the Lord make thou him confident and willing rather to bee absent from the bodie that hee may bee present with Thee in the Heauens Let the hope of the Resurrection vphold him against all the terrours of the Graâ—…e Perswade his Soule that at the sound of that shrill celestiall Trumpet his bodie shall arise and with these same eyes shall beholde his Redeemer and none other for him Innumerable euils Lord haue compassed him about Nowe the time approacheth that thou wilt deliuer him from all his feares Make haste Lord Come Lord Iesus come Rebuke Sathan wee intreat thee that in the darksome night he interrupt not the comforts of thy Spirit Suffer neuer that slie and craftie one to bereaue him of the pledges of thy loue Make him to holde fast that which hee hath that none bee able to take his Crowne O mercifull God take notice of all his wants and necessities and bee thou to him SHADAI GOD all sufficient for to supplie them Let him not want that Grace without the which hee cannot serue thee Through thy selfe make him to push downe all the enemies of his Saluation Through thy Name make him to treade them vnder foote that rise vp against him for he hath not forgotten the Name of thee his God neither hath hee stretched out his hands to a strange God While his eye-stringes shall bee broken and when the throes of death shall make his heart to tumble within him then bee thou the strength of his heart the health of his countenance and his God In his greatest griefes anoynt his Soule with some droppes of that oyle of gladnesse wherewith thou once anointed our Lord and Sauiour aboue his fellowes Let thy Graces like that precious ointment that ran downe vpon the beard of Aaron flowe down from thee aboundantlie vpon all the powers of his Soule Let spirituall vertues drop downe vpon him as the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended vpon the mountaines of Zion O thou the perfection of beautie shine vpon his Soule Indue him with a melting and relenting heart Bee mercifull to thy distressed Church comfort Her in all Her teares and troubles Pittie Her deformities Adorne Her with Puritie and Vnitie Though Shee bee outwardlie 1. duskie because the Sun hath withered Her yet Shee is the Kings Daughter whose 2. whole glorie is within 3 Awake O North Wind and come thou South blow vpon Her Garden that the spices thereof may flowe out Declare vnto Her enemies that if they 4 touch Her they shall touch the Apple of thine Eye Let them all know that it is 5 hard to kicke against prickes and that if they perlecute thee Thou wilt throw them to the ground Bee mercifull to our gracious SOVERAIGNE the Kings Majestie as by thy Grace thou hast made him a King so by thy Grace make Him a good King Powre down a princelie Spirit vpon his Soule that Hee may haue courage for the Trueth Make Him answerable to his most honourable Style Defender of the Faith Vouchsafe thy mercie vpon his Princelie Spouse Let the beautie of the Lord Her God bee vpon Her Make Her like
brought me out of an horrible pitte out of the myrrie clay and set my feete vpon a Rocke and established my goings He hath put a new song into my mouth euen praise vnto our God many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the Lord. O that I had breath for the setting foorth of his praise Happie is he who while he may vtter words praiseth God continuallie Blessed is that man who may call his tongue his Glorie O my Soule I charge thee by the Roes and by the Hindes of the fielde that thou cease not to praise his Might his Mercie and his Majestie O my Soule take heede and listen vnto his voyce O Iesus the great Deputie of mercie sent by the Father forsake mee not in this heauie houre Now I sore sicken so that all naturall force faileth me My words now so weaâ—…ie mee that I thinke ere it be long this bodie shall bee lodged in the place of silence But let mee intreate you Sir so long as ye shall perceiue life to bee in mee let it please you to continue in some good purpose concerning the world to come By some holie discourse rouse vp my drousie Spirit hold mine heart vpon an edge Let me not die like a senselesse Nabal of whom it is written that his heart died within him so that hee became like a stone Manie blindlie and boldlie rush into hell I beseech you Sir to waite well vpon mee till yee see the ende I thinke that ere it bee long my Soule shall bee at the farthest tryst O Lord warme my frozen Soule with the sense of the kindled compassions of the bowels of thy loue Inlighten my mistie minde cleare it with thy countenance Bee thou the comforter of my Conscience vntil the day break and the shadows flie away Take now Sir my Soule into the armes of your prayers lift it vp and lay it into that blessed bosome of my Lordes mercies Bend yet againe your knees before God in prayer that hee for his mercies sake would receiue mee into my Masters joye O but my Soule fluttereth fast within mee for to bee at my God Let it please you to bee feruent in prayer for mee that I may foile vnder my feete the Deuill Death and all the powers of hell The Deuill in death will not faile to giue mee a furious assault at the chiefest fortresse of my Saluation for to batter it downe to the ground Intreate the Lord that his mercie may bee a strong rempart and a blessed Bul-wark against all the Engines of hell which are readie bent to waste and hauock all Gods graces within mee O Lord campe thine Angels about mee Place thy Pauilions of war betweene mee and mine enemies Refresh mee more and more with thy comforts Giue mee the earnest of these joyes which passe all vnderstanding Possesse mee with the Spirit of gladnesse for that thou in mercie hast forgiuen mee my sinnes Continue so vnto the end that in the heauens for euer this may be the burden of my song For his mercie indureth for euer Let it please you Sir on whome God hath vouchsafed the Spirit of Prayer in a good and great measure to assist mee with your comforts and prayers lest by temptations I should beginne to slacke off my care and watchfulnesse The Pastour Hold fast your eye vpon Christ your Redeemer Follow him thorow the valey of death for hee hath not onelie pointed out our path but as Captaine of our Saluation hath troden euery steppe before vs Yee may well sticke a little in the narrow throate of Death but that one steppe being past yee enter into Rehoboth a place of roome farre from the reekie smoke vaine shadowes and dreames of earthlie vanitie and perishing pleasures Bee glad Sir to flit from this barren moorish ground and muddie mortalitie for to goe to a paradise a Palace a place of pleasures for euermore According to your desire wee shall returne to God by prayer A Prayer for the sicke man drawing neare to the doores of death O Father of mercies and God of all comforts in whom all goodnesse and graces are treasured let it please thee fauourablie to regard the soule of this thy seruant here whose heart panteth after thee as the wearied Hart panteth after the water brookes Refresh his Soule with the diuine dew of thy grace till it bee entered in at the gates of Glorie Powre into his hearte the sweete streames of thy loue Settle his soule in a right and vpright course so long as it remaineth in this mistie muddie mortalitie send out thy light and guide it by thy Grace till it hath passed the straites of Death for to enter into the Land of vprightnes O Father of mercies perswade him by thy Spirit that the comming of Death shall bee to him a time of discharge a time of freedome from sicknes of bodie anguish of Spirit trouble of Conscience and from all possibilitie of sinning anie more Let him know that while hee is going to the Graue hee is going to a bedde of ease where most quietlie he shall rest from all his toylesome labours Turne all feare of Death into a chearefull expectation and longing for the houre of dissolution Make quiet his Conscience that he may die with comfort O thou Sauiour of mankind whose boweles are filled with mercifull compassions spreade the wing of thy righteous garment ouer this Soule of thy seruant Thou hast shaken him with thy terrours in diuerse assaults Thou hast broght him low for to make him a fitte passenger for the little doore which leadeth vnto Glorie Leaue him not now Lord in his greatest neede Make thine Angels camped about him powerfully to assist him against al the last assaults of that euill one Thou who hast heard all his groanes registrat thou his sighs and put all his teares into thy bottels suffer not thy kindled zeale to coole in him In an holie despaire of his owne worth make him whollie to relye vpon thy meere mercies in Christe the onelie salue for sicke Soules and remeed for broken bones While hee is weakest work with thy Spirit feelinglie and powerfullie into his hearte Subdue euerie euill motion that may arise therein for the troubling of his soule Draw vp his desire aboue the pitch of all natural knowledge Banish all earthlie thinges cleane out of his minde and make all his thoughts to attend vpon thee In thy diuine might rebuke Sathan that hee interrupt not thy comforts Let him not bee able by his secret craft and vyles to steale from him the pledges of thy loue O Sonne of GOD O Sunne of Righteousnes send a quickning heate with a shining light into his sillie Soule Make thy blessed Beames to strik on his heart for to warme it with thy loue Set all his desires a floate from the moode of sinful mortalitie Thou at diuerse times hast affrighted him fearefullie with