Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	become_v	fair_a	great_a	187	3	2.1253	3	false

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A08812	Meditations of death wherein a Christian is taught how to remember and prepare for his latter end: by the late able & faithfull minister of the Gospel, Iohn Paget.	Paget, John, d. 1640.; Paget, Robert.	1639 (1639)	STC 19099; ESTC S113906	110,470	273

sayd to bring forth thousands in our streets Psa 144.13 doe cloth the pastures with their multitude Psa 65.13 are made types of the flock of God that multiply by his blessing Ezek. 34.11.31 doe every one bring forth twinnes none being barren among them Sol. song 4.2 They are also likened to the doves that bring forth almost every moneth come by flights unto their windowes Esa 60.8 See this also in the shadow of mankinde endued with a reasonable life As the fathers mothers are called the fountaines of life from whence the children doe flow Psa 68.26 Esa 48.1 so the Lord communicating spirituall life to his children is sayd to beget them againe Iam. 1.18 they are the dew of his youth Psa 110.3 he is the living father of many children Ioh. 6.57 Heb. 2.10 Yea God is able even of stones to raise up children to Abraham Matt. 3.9 as once of old at first he hewed them out of the dry hard rock of Abrahams decayed body Sarahs dead wombe Esa 51.1.2 Rom. 4.18.19 after that againe tooke the stony heart out of their bodies Ezek. 11.19 as in time to come he is yet once more of the stony-hearted obstinate Iewes to raise up a new holy generation Rom. 11.7.8 24.25.26 And hereby it is evident what a power of life is in God that the well of life is not elswhere to be sought or found then in him alone be with men he will dwell with them God himselfe shall be with them be their God Rev. 21.3 He will rejoyce over them with joy quiet or rest himselfe in his love he will joy over them with singing or shouting as the word also signifies Zeph. 3.17 And what cause have they to sing shout clap their hands for joy eternally for whom the Lord doth sing shout joyfully Esa 12.6 Psa 47.1 how honourable are they whom the Father doth honour Ioh. 12.26 whom the Sonne doth confesse before the Angels for ever Luk. 12.8 And if these promises have their beginning here be made unto men in their pilgrimage be in part enjoyed in this life what shall their complement full performance be when they come to the wel-head of all this life glory hereafter which for the present is hidden with God Coll. 3.3 i What then remaines for us to be done what doth the Lord require of us but that we come to this well of life It is therefore shewed unto us that we might desire it in desiring seeke it in seeking finde it to our everlasting happines And before we come unto it even in the meane time by dayly comfortable meditation we may behold looke upon it yea tast it walking upon the bankes of this river of life sometimes as it were sayling upon these waters being carried with the Spirit of God blowing upon us by faith If any despise this call of God contemne the infinite felicity that is herein revealed unto them if any will forsake the Lord the fountaine of living waters dig unto themselves cisternes even broken cisternes that can hold no water if they will rather runne to the stinking puddles of sinful pleasures marke what the Lord sayth concerning their madnes O ye heavens be astonished at this be horribly afraid utterly confounded or very desolate sayth the Lord. Ier. 2.12.13 And what then is that unspeakable astonishment horrour confusion that shall come upon the despisers of this grace when heaven earth together shall be so affected at the sight of their miserable folly And if any fearefull hearts doe either despaire or doubt they can never obtaine such a divine glorious estate in respect of their basenes unworthines if they k If any fainting spirits be still afraid though they will not speake it out yet think thus within themselves Not our poore meane estate but our wickednes our sinnes that are both great many doe deprive us of hope take away our heart that we cannot looke for a portion in that grace of life that is so great for many others Let these consider how great pernicious an errour hath ensnared them let them labour with all care speedy diligence to have this black cloud of death infidelity hanging over their heads remooved from them It is indeed the uncomfortable estate of the greatest part of the world even of those licentious persons that seeme to boast often of the mercy of God yet not to beleeve his mercy Esa 53.1 Luk. 18.8 Psa 78.22.32.35.36 they feele it not in their hearts when they glory outwardly of it for had they faith it would soone have purifyed their hearts changed ther lives filled them with peace joy unspeakable glorious Act. 15.9 Rom. 5.1 1. Pet. 1.8 Let such consider that through unbeleefe men are broken off from God Rom. 11.20 they doe him the greatest dishonour that may be in not beleeving 1. Ioh. 5.10 for the healing of this sore let them set before them the rich precious promises of God by the meditation whereof they may be quickened have faith wrought in their hearts Psa 119.25.28.49.50.93 Though their sins be many that they cannot answer for one of a thousand Iob 9.3 there is mercy with God to blot out their sinnes as a thick cloud to take away their transgressions as a mist Esa 44.22 When the Lord proclaimed his glorious name he manifested himselfe by this mercy used twise so many titles to expresse it rather then his justice saying The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodnes and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sinne that surely will not cleare the wicked visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Exod. 34.5.6.7 For though the Lord in regard of himselfe be equally infinite in respect of all his attributes yet is it harder for men to beleeve his mercy then his justice as the event shewes it is a work more above the power of nature by true faith to apply the mercy of God with spirituall fornicatioÌ„ being carried away to dumbe Idoles 1. Cor. 12.2 when they turned from Idoles to serve the living God 1. Thes 1. 9 presently of most foule harlots they became the fairest among women even the Churches of God his most beauteous spouses Sol. song 5.9 They found mercy for all their sins which they confessed being baptised into the name of the Lord they arose up out of the water looked forth as the morning faire as the Moone pure as the Sunne Sol. song 6.9.10 they shone in glory as the great wonder in heaven like the woman cloathed with the Sunne treading upon the Moone with her feet crowned upon her head with the twelve starres Rev. 12.1 Manasses

warne every one that would stand in the evill day never to forget their latter end After the fall then God calles againe by a Sentence of mortality which he pronounced on man Dust thou art to dust thou shalt returne Gen. 3.19 to make men with new care to thinke upon death And this was a generall day of judgment in the beginning of the world as there shall be an other Generall judgment in the end of the world Then were we all in Adam Evah presented before the Tribunall judgment-seat of God receyved the sentence of the first death universally pronounced upon all men righteous or unrighteous elect or reprobate as there shal be a sentence of second death pronounced on the reprobate at last After this Sentence the Lord calles againe by the execution thereof from time to time while death being entred into the world reignes among men devouring all bringing all to dust yet so that the execution of this Sentence is revealed in manifold diverse degrees according to the great patience long their language but cut of their dayes from foure or five hundred to two hundred od yeares Gen. 11 18-32 And so with the ruine of Babel the life of man was ruinated The lofty tower of mans age that before ascended to so great an height by the steps of so many yeares was now throwne downe made lower by the halfe The noyse crash of this downefall sounded through many generations from Peleg to Terah warning all to be more watchfull because the execution of this sentence of death with double speed was brought upon them After this in the time of Abraham the generations following from two hundred od we finde the yeares of the Patriarkes brought to an hundred od Gen. 25.7 35.28 47.28 c. So was the reprive of man shortned againe And wheÌ„ the Lord called Abraham his seed into his covenant he withall called both him the world by a new summoÌ„s as by sound of trumpet to repentance amendment of life by remembrance of their latter end which now pressed upon them with double hast to that it had done And lastly in the time of Moses the Lord being provoked by a new rebellion did againe halfe the age of man reduced the number of his yeares to seventy or eighty Psal 90.10 Then was the execution of the Sentence of death hastned more then ever before thereby the Lord called them still calleth us to remember our end Lord let thy call be effectuall unto us bring our hearts to true wisedome establish thou the worke of our hands fill us with thy mercy in the morning that we may seeke thee early be glad in thee all our dayes d If God should once more have halfed the age of man as he did before then can we not conceive how the world should have subsisted If our dayes upon a new provocation had bene shortned from seventy to five thirty if weaknes of old age had prevayled as much upon us at thirty as now it doth at sixty if at fifteene yeares men should have bene at their full strength then have begun to decline as now many doe at thirty being then in the height vigour of their age how manifold defects in learning practising would theÌ„ have ensued what wisedome experience could men have learned in so short a time how could liberall or mechanicall arts sciences have bene learned or what continuance of streÌ„gth could have bene to have wrought exercised such trades sciences what a world of children old folkes yea what a world of fooles impotent persons should we have had though it be so already yet how much more then But the Lord will not conteÌ„d for ever though he be now provoked as much as ever before for the spirit would faile before him the soules that he hath made Esa 57.16 Therefore hath the terme of mans age continued at this stay from Moses to our time for about three thousand yeares together so as it was never settled in the former generations And therefore in speciall is this worke of God to be considered of us as being the last call warning of God in this kinde to make us remember our latter end Now though God doe not againe shorten halfe the dayes of man by such certaine determinate limits as formerly he hath done yet after another manner he doth not ceasse to cut them off prevent the course of nature for our warning as effectually as in the former judgemeÌ„ts For still the Lord being provoked by the wicked cutts them off before their time they are brought downe to the pit they live not out halfe their dayes Psal 55.23 the number of their moneths is cut off in the middest Iob 21.21 as the vine shakes off his unripe grape the olive his flower Iob 15.33 And not the wicked alone but the elect the beloved of God as Henoch Gen. 5.23.24 are also taken away in the midst of their dayes though sometime they live to seventy or eighty yeares come to their grave in a full age as a shock of corne commeth in in his season Iob 5.26 yet oft they are taken away before Esa 57.1 in infancy childhood youth middle age c. Vpon every step of life death waites and thousaÌ„ds are dayly translated on every yeare of mans life some the first yeare that they are borne some in the second some in the third so forward every yeare thousands ten thousands even to the last and so a thousand calles hereby we receyve from God to remember our latter end with greater hast e The multitude number of these uncertaine untimely deaths are innumerable We may observe it in three worlds The old world perished all together strong men with their women children were smitten with the sword of Ioshuah Ios 11.4 How many did the sword of Gideon of David other Kings of Israel devoure Who can recount how much flesh those foure beasts or Monarchies devoured Dan. 7.3 c. Not to speake more of the heathens what untimely deaths did overtake Israel their infants were drowned in Egypt Exo. 1.22 Six hundred thousaÌ„d of their carcasses fell in the wildernes And as the childreÌ„ especially were before destroyed in Egypt so now in the wildernes the meÌ„ especially A decree was made a bound set unto the murmurers that they which were tweÌ„ty yeares old should not live longer then sixty yeares accordingly for the rest whereas their childreÌ„ might live to seveÌ„ty or eighty yeares Num. 14 29-33 How many were slaine in the time of their Iudges Kings In Ahaz his time an hundred tweÌ„ty thousand valiant men were slaine in one day two hundred thousand captived 2. Chron. 28.6.8 In Ieroboams time five hundred thousand chosen men fell downe slaine at once 2. Chro. 13.17 And by innumerable such examples hath death

had he reteyned the image of God every imagination of the thoughts of his heart should have bene onely good and gracious continually without any inclination to evill or the least looking awry to any thing that might have bene displeasant in the sight of God And this image of God had bene such a beauty as the eye of man never saw in this corrupt world such a perfect beauty such a symmetry harmony of grace as that Gods owne judicious eye should have found no fault or dislike in it b And yet even this perfect beauty given at the first creation was farre inferiour and not to be compared with the glory of the world to come even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect by reason of that which excelleth 2. Cor. 3.10 The first man is of the earth earthly though made perfect yet in a lower degree of perfection the second man is the Lord from heaven As is the earthly such are they that be earthly and as is the heavenly such are they that be heavenly As we have borne the image of the earthly we shall also beare the image of the heavenly 1. Cor. 15.47.48.49 and shall be made conforme to the image of the Sonne of God Rom. 8.29 and that pleasant image of Christ is the highest degree of perfection the sweetest mirrour of beauty in heaven or earth stayning the glory of the former image The innocency of Adam was a white robe a glorious ornament unto him but the righteousnes of God in Christ is a white robe more pure precious of a finer threed of a brighter white of a more divine fashion to adorne the soule and by that righteousnes put on the Lord himselfe becomes a diademe of beauty unto his people Esa 28.5 62.3 Kings use to give gifts according to the state of kings great royall Esth 2.18 and so did the heavenly King at the first creation but the have bene no distemperature of the ayre as is felt now adayes no afflicting stormes or tempests no excesse of cold or heat but that the naked body unclothed without any paine or trouble might well have endured the same Now both the shame paine of nakednes is very great Esa 20.4 2. Sam. 10.4.5 Reu. 3.18 16.15 1. Cor. 4.11 2. Cor. 11.27 and such that men strive to cover the whole body so farre as necessity will permit the hands face being therefore excepted the face left uncovered lest the eyes should be blindfold the breath stopt the hands lest the manifold works of man in his divers callings should be hindered and yet even they also so muffled sometimes with maskes muffes mittens that with great cumber trouble they are often in the day covered uncovered covered againe to avoyd the injury of the weather A great freedome it was to have bene without care what to put on when as they needed no such exhortations as are since given to us thereabout Matth. 6.25.31 Againe the speciall forme of mans body erect upright with his face upward whereas other creatures are made with their heads hanging downward with their faces prone to the earth doth shew that man is called to fellowship with the Lord dwelling on high As the Lord when he still exhorts us to lift up our eyes looke up toward God doth in that phrase call us to communion with him to trust in him to love him to aspire unto him Psal 123.2 Esa 17.7 45.22 so when he made Adam in such a forme with his head and eyes lift up even in that manner of work the Lord called him to looke to his Creatour and to embrace him the author of all his good Besides this what are all the senses of the body but so many instruments of our communion with God or so many doores of the soule by which both the Lord enters in to shew himselfe and the soule goes out to behold him By them his praise is heard his glory is seene his goodnes gifts are tasted his sweetnes smelled yea groaped or handled of us Actes 17.27 By them both faith love feare of God is learned As by the senses of the body God communicated his goodnes with Adam so by the members of his body he was to communicate his heart with God to serve the Lord to render thanks unto him to glorify him at first could not without a change have inherited the kingdome of God 1. Cor. 15.50.51 His eyes had never seene nor could have seene that face of God which is in the light unapproachable 1. Tim. 6.16 with Exo. 33.20 If the eyes of holy men have fayled in waiting for the comforts and deliverances promised in this life Psa 119.82.123 how much more should our eyes wait our flesh long for that end where even in our flesh we shall see God so as Adam in paradise could not doe Iob. 19.26.27 Oh that the remembrance of this end were printed deeply in our hearts that it might ever be retained as the words that are written or plowed and the furrowes engraven with an yron pen filled with lead in stead of inke in the stony rocke in stead of paper all firme to endure so as Iob wished that his hope of this same glorious end might be recorded Iob. 19.23.24 c. e Looke we back againe into the old world behold how God further communicated his image with the whole person of man in that dominion lordship which he gave unto man over the earth all the creatures in it Gen. 1.28 Thereby Adam was crowned with honour and dignity set over the works of Gods hand all things being put under his feet sheepe oxen beasts of the field fowles of the aire fish of the sea Psal 8.5.6.7.8 God brought them all before Adam as it were to doe homage unto him as unto their king in signe of subjection to receive their names from him Gen. 2.19.20 Even after the fall since the rebellion of the creatures thereupon the service which they yet performe unto man is very great The oxe knowes his owner and the asse his masters crib Esa 1.3 The husbandman hath taught the strong horse to be obedient unto him to draw his plow his cart if he say goe he goeth if he say come he cometh at one word the horse goeth right forward at another he stands still and stirrs not at one word he turnes to the right hand at another he turnes to the left hand The silly sheepe are taught to know the voyce of their owne shepheard to follow him to distinguish betwixt his voyce the voyce of a stranger which they will not follow Iohn 10.3.4.5 Experience shewes how the doves are taught to carry letters for men The birds great small are tamed taught to come at the call of man eveÌ„ the ravenous hawkes at the voyce and call of the faulconer The dogs are taught many

arts of hunting in divers kindes It is strange to heare see how the waterfoules in Freeseland Waterland and elswhere are taught to entise other wild foules bring them into the snare and then to give a watchword unto their master to sease upon them If thus farre they be subdued unto man eveÌ„ after the fall what is that service which they should have performed before the fall when both man should have had more understanding to teach governe them they a more inclinable tractable disposition to have obeyed As Iehosaphat witnessed his fellowship with the kings of Israel when he professed My people are as thy people and my horses as thy horses 1. Kings 22.4 2. Kings 3.7 so hath the Lord hereby declared his communion with man by making his creatures our servants his horses our horses c. It cannot be conceived or knowne of us how great pleasure delight man should have had in this dignity communicated unto him of God The earth it selfe all the increase thereof was also subjected unto man Gen. 1.28 paradise all the pleasant fruits thereof Gen. 2.8.16 whereas otherwise every one might have bene as dangerous pernicious to be eaten tasted of as was the forbidden fruit the greene grasse diversifyed with sweet flowers of sundry colours shapes was spread as a pleasant carpet for man to tread upon and by a speciall providence the ground was greene a colour wholesomest for the eye-sight of man the firmament above beautifyed with so many spangles of shining starres was spread out as a canopie over the head of man where ever he goes Esa 40.22 more glorious then those carried over the heads of Popes or Emperours Even those heavenly bodies are communicated and distributed unto man for his benefit comfort Deu. 4.19 f And yet notwithstanding all this if we cast our eye into the world to come the glory thereof will be found far to surmount all this That which is now above our heads shall then be found to be under our feet The visible heavens that now are are not thought good enough nor pleasant enough for the elect but they shall passe away with a noise 2. Pet. 3.10 into singing Esa 44.23 the sea shall roare the floods clap their hands the field shall be joyfull all that is therein Psal 96.11.12 98.7.8 And yet all this is not enough if every twigge of all the trees in the world were a flute or sapwhistle if every stalk of corne in the field or reed by the waters side were all pipes blowne by the winde yet all would be too little to resound this incomprehensible glory And in the meane time untill this glory be revealed untill the sons of God be manifested they wait hold up their heads in exspectation they groane travell in paine longing for this blessed end Rom. 8.19.22 and so doe they that have the first fruits of the Spirit groane sigh within themselves waiting for the adoption the redemption of their bodies vers 23. This is the desired end which God calles us so oft to remember how can men thinke of it without desiring it how can they desire it aright without praying for it how can men thinke they pray aright for it unlesse they prepare themselves thereunto by denying the world What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation godlines whiles we looke for this end with what care diligence should we labour to be found of him in peace without spot blamelesse 2. Pet. 3.11.14 g BEsides the fellowship with God in the old world if we againe looke back into it we may behold an other happines of men in their mutuall fellowship one with another The first conjugation of humane society was that of maÌ„ wife by marriage this was the originall ground of all other societies from hence sprung the names estates of father mother with their sonnes and daughters out of this society in family sprung all the societies in Church common-wealth When God could have made men of new clods of the earth so as Adam was made at first Gen. 2.7 and so have multiplyed them abundantly according to the abundance of spirit that was in him Mal. 2.15 yet he thought it good to create not onely one woman for one man which he might have done in many couples of them but also to make onely one couple of them and from them to draw all the lines of consanguinity affinity which should be so many bandes of love to unite binde all mankinde new Cast we our eye that way againe behold how in the resurrection they neither marry nor give in marriage but are as the angels of God in heaven Matt. 22.30 All the comforts of marriage shall be as it were swallowed up overwhelmed of that heavenly glory vanish away in the sight of it There shall be more glorious bands of communion with Saints Angels then is the matrimoniall covenant sweeter knots of loving fellowship faster then the knot of marriage the bond of the Spirit uniting hearts mindes in one more then all the cords of consanguinity or affinity All the faithfull soules shall be presented unto Christ as pure virgines 2. Cor 11.2 they are shall be ever his loves his doves his undefiled Cant. 5.2 and he shall be their bridegroome Matt. 25.1 fayrer then the children of men Psal 45.2 white and ruddy the chiefest of ten thousand wholly delectable lovely Cant. 5.10 c. far above the first Adam The heavenly paradise shall be an eternall wedding-chamber and all the Angels of God shall rejoyce for them to whom such honour is vouchsafed Luke 15.10 What remaineth to be done of us untill we come to that immortall undefiled inheritance but that we aspire unto it dayly that we have this end before us as the loadstarre of our comfort direction that we be carried forward amaine toward this price of our heavenly calling one would thinke this should be a spurre sharp enough to make us runne the race of godlines set before us while we have such glory propounded the call of our Bridegroome inciting us i From Adam Evah come we to their children looke into the old world againe Had not sinne come into the world by the transgression of Adam had he his posterity continued untill this time in their uprightnes in the image of God wherein they were created what a glorious blessed communion should man have then enjoyed even upon the earth If sinne had bene kept out of the world then had not death entred Rom. 5.12 with Gen. 2.17 3.17.19 then might Adam Evah have bene alive to this day seene their childrens children not unto the third fourth but to the thirtieth fourtieth or hundredth generation all of them faire without blemish either of soule or body without any had thirty renowned sonnes that rode

to Adam to see how he would name them Ge. 2.19.20 so might Adam shew them to his childreÌ„ according to the wisedome given him at the first coÌ„ferre againe of their natures the reason of their names with those his childreÌ„ created in the same image of God with him taught of God that he might rejoyce in them also as they with him Though Solomon spake of trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssope on the wal also of beasts fouls creeping things fishes was wiser theÌ„ all the philosophers in the degenerate corrupt world 1. Kin. 4 29-34 yet was his wisedome but ignorance in comparison of that primitive estate the wisedome given to Adam at the first After this a multitude of other pleasures they might have returned loaden with blessings filled with comfort as much as their heart could hold And if at any time Adam Evah would in like manner have gone abroad on progresse to have visited their children what comfort should this have bene unto their children to have entertained that most royall honourable person above all others that right Catholick King or universal Monarch father of the whole world with Evah their Queene-mother therefore to have bene reverenced loved obeyed by all How would they have receyved him as an angel of God to the unspeakable joy both of him them mutually m And as the glory of this communion might thus be observed in the persons allyed in a right line both descendeÌ„t ascendent so also in the collaterall line extended on each side both farre neere to brethren sisters an hundred other degrees of kinred further off among all which if man had continued in his estate wherein the Lord placed him there should then have bene a most loving pleasant conversation more then can be imagined It had bene as easy for these to have travelled a thousand miles to embrace their friends as it is now for us to goe one small dayes-journey While there was no evill of sinne there should have bene no evill of paine or trouble in any of their labours And besides in the state of innocency great help comfort should have bene afforded unto man by the service of other creatures as hath bene shewed before Even in this corrupt degenerate estate of man beast all kinde 2. Cor. 6.18 behold my spouse my wife my bride Ioh. 3.29 Rev. 19.7 21.2 All the speciall bands of love union whether in the root of marriage or in the branches of kinred whether in the degrees ascending descending or any way extending themselves either in the right line or in the side line they are all found in Christ all meet together are combined in him He alone the new Adam is instead of all the fathers mothers brethren or sisters sonnes or daughters the comfort of all more fruits of love then all the kinred of the old world could have afforded unto us is to be enjoyed in the kingdome of Christ And looke how Christ esteemes of his elect so shall they be esteemed loved of all others there where his word requiring it must needs be performed Ioh. 13.34 15.12.13 And therefore looke how many Saints Angels there be in heaven so many sweet fountaines of loving communion there be for every soule to drinke at farre passing all the love of friends ever tasted in the lower world From every one shall flow rivers of water of life Ioh. 7.38 Christ Iesus being the headspring of all for then shall that all the rest of his promises be fullfilled in the highest degree It is matter of more joy even now to sit at the table of the Lord to receive the Sacrament of the New Testament then it was to pluck apples from the tree of life in paradise greater benefits are sealed even Christ is herein exhibited unto us a gift more excellent then all those that were confirmed unto Adam by the tree of life but then especially shall the difference appeare when the faythfull shall partake in the marriage supper of the Lambe in heaven when they shall be brought before the Lord the ancient of dayes the everlasting God before whom Adam though alive at this day should be as a child of yesterday a thousand yeares being but as one day in his sight when they shall heare him speake tell of his eternall love of us before the world in his decrees of election and predestination so often poynted at in Scripture and the like precious thoughts of his grace to us ward this shall be the fullnes of joy infinitely exceeding all the supposed delights of the old world As for the pleasant journeys motions we may not thinke that the godly shall be there as in a prison together in heavenly places in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.6 CHAP. VII Hovv God calleth men to remember the latter end of Reprobates The fearfulnes greevousnes of the second death set forth by a The deserving cause Sinne which is especially aggravated by the wisedome authority goodnes other attributes of God b The inflicting cause the wrath of God from which the whole misery all the circumstances of the second death have their denominations c compared unto fire yet different from common fire unquenchable most piercing largely extending it selfe taking hold on the greatest in the world d This fire the fiercenes of it made plaine by the observation of sundry fires already kindled in the bowels of the earth in vegetative sensitive creatures in the body of man in the aire firmament in the angels e but chiefly in the course of Gods just indignation against sinners seriously to be considered of all that desire to escape it f The effects dolefull cryes lamentations of the tormented of the Devils themselves yea even of our blessed Saviour in his sufferings g Particular manifestations of Gods wrath against particular sinnes transgressions of every commandement both of the first second table THe end of all flesh hath bene represented unto us of God by a basket of summer fruit ripe for the harvest ready to be gathered The blessed end of the godly hath bene shewed in the basket of good figs very good there remaines yet the basket of rotten figs very naught to be marked of us for that sight is also propounded unto us of God he calles us to remember the end of the wicked thereby whiles that basket was in vision also set before the Temple of the Lord. Ier. 24.1 It is an hideous fearefull sight to opeÌ„ the graves where the greene carcases of dead men doe lye to behold the grieslines lothsomnes of death in them and who doth not flie from it But much more horrour it is to looke upon the dead soules in Hell their torment lothsome estate being an hundred times more worse to be endured then the sight of any rotten carcasses in the grave Yet

are we called of God to remember same offences of striking or cursing committed against others were not so though some childreÌ„ might happily have as much wisedome as their father mother yet their authority alone being despised brought such woe Now the authority of God the heavenly father over his creature being infinitely greater then the authority of any earthly father over his children the contempt thereof doth accordingly procure an infinite woe unto those that disobey God that reject his Law make their owne lust their law prefer the doing of their owne vile wills before the obedience of his holy heavenly will So in like manner the infinite evill of sinne appeareth distinctly in this that it is committed against the infinite goodnes mercy of God There are in creatures manifold degrees of love kindnes the love of one doth an hundred times exceed the love of some other both in tendernes of affection in multitude of benefits And in such case the treachery of such as deale falsely wickedly against their cheefest friends becomes an hundredfold greater evill then the sin of some others Now the Lord is love it selfe 1. Ioh. 4.8.16 herein is love not that we love God but that he loved us vers 10. his grace the gifts of his eternall free grace doe infinitely exceed all other love he gave himselfe to be our God portion his Sonne to be our ransome And therefore to sin against this high immeasurable grace to conteÌ„ne this love to love that which is vanitie of vanities more then God doth make the sin of such to be out of measure sinfull deserveth an infinite hatred misery to ensue thereupon And thus the greevousnes of sinne is to be considered conceived in respect of the other divine attributes whereby we may see as it were ten infinites in one behold many windowes of contemplation opened before us through which we may have a huge vast prospect of the endles unsearchable woe of sinne that is to be felt in the second death Though there be many other aggravations of sinne yet this so farre exceeds the rest as if they all were nothing in comparison of this therefore doth the Spirit often urge this consideration upon men saying to the sinners Ye have lyed not unto men but unto God Act. 5.4 he that despiseth despiseth not man but God vvho hath also given us his holy Spirit 1. Thes and it containes more then a world of bookes can expresse c This fierce wrath of God is often in Scripture compared unto burning devouring fire Deut. 32.22 Ier. 15.14 17.4 Ezek. 21.31 22.21 36.5 Zeph. 1.18 accordingly is the tormeÌ„t in hell described unto us by the name of hellfire Matt. 5.22 18.9 The smarting paine caused by fire is well knowne by the common use thereof among us And yet above the nature of common fire which is made for the comfort of man to cheere him to make him laugh Esa 44.16 this dolefull fire of hell is propounded unto us of God by many strange descriptions It is a fire not like unto ours that may be quenched but an unquenchable fire Esa 66.24 Mark 9.44 Rev. 14.11 an everlasting fire Matt. 18.8 25.41 which so burnes the wicked as that it doth not consume them but keeps them alive in death that they may burne for ever and ever It is a fire that will not onely burne stones melt yron brasse but a subtile piercing fire that burnes even the spirits soules of men being a fire prepared for the devill his angels which are spirits Matt. 25.41 Rev. 20.10 and therefore farre more terrible then our fire by which tyrants burne the bodies of martyrs but cannot burne their soules Mat. 10.28 For the greatnes of it it is a bottomlesse pit Rev. 9.1.2 deep large Esa 30.33 a lake or sea of fire Rev. 20.14.15 for the names of lake or sea are sometimes in Scripture indifferently put one for another Matt. 8.24 with Luk. 8.23 and this burning sea is withall called a lake of brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 which makes the fire to burne more cruelly to choake strangle such as are plunged into this lake And for the forme of it it is sometimes compared to an oven or furnace of fire Mal. 4.1 Mat. 13.42.50 in which the fire being kept close strait may be made seven times more hote fierce then it was before Dan. 3.19 To make this fire yet more abhominable it is compared unto Tophet Esa 30.33 where children were burnt in horrible lothsome manner being sacrificed unto devils Ier. 7.31 with Psa 106.37 so more horrible would it be to see the soules sacrificed in Hell-fire Were there now but a witch to be burned at a stake how many thousands would flock together to behold the sight how many would loose a dayes work be content to misse their dinners rather then to misse the sight of it But if it were to see a King or an Emperour burnt to see a Pope or a Cardinall which having burnt many martyrs should at length have their owne flesh burnt with fire how many farre and neere would run and ride and spare no cost or labour to become spectatours of such a judgment how long how often how earnestly would men talke of it afterwards And yet this fire of the second death is for such by faith we see it faith makes us spectatours thereof if we beleeve the Scriptures which shew us how Tophet is prepared for kings Esa 30.33 how the beast and the false prophet the Popes are to be cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 and with them the multitude of their idolaters and other abhominable persons Rev. 21.8 And how are men bewitched that they forget this latter end of sinners that they more regard the light and momentany judgments of men then the eternall and severe judgments of the everlasting God This lake of fire is so forgotten and contemned of many which stand dayly at the brink of the pit ready to sinke downe into it for their sinnes as if that fire were already quenched yea the very common knowledge and confession thereof by all sorts hath quenched the thought of it and extinguished the memory and mencion of it with many as if it were so well knowne that it needed no more to be spoken of And for this cause are many tumbled into it overwhelmed in the depth of it before they be aware of it d The power of Gods wrath in kindling this fire may further be perceived if we behold the great variety of strange fires which God in his works of creation providence hath already kindled and set before us to shew what he is able to doe In the bowels of the earth below the Lord hath as it were sowne the seeds of fire in the divers minerals thereof as in the

ourselves with zeale of the Lord to drive away that lukewarmnes of our soules that is so abhominable in the sight of God Rev. 3.16 The Apostle teacheth us to make this use of the aforesaid considerations for the change of our conversatioÌ„ unto all holines godly life 2. Pet. 3.11 And from hence may we learne patience in suffering as well as obedience in doing the will of God as the Spirit teacheth us if the Lord be at hand if the end of all things be at hand such an end why should not our patient minde our moderation and sobriety be made knowne unto all upon all occasions Phil. 4.5 1. Pet. 4.7 Though injuries be done vnto us great dayly in extraordinary manner both unchristian inhumane dealing yet seing the comming of the Lord draweth nigh the Iudge is at the doore at the threshold and entrance of our house and there is but a step betwixt us him but an inch of time betwixt our sufferings and his judgement therefore he requireth of us that we be patient establish our hearts in him Iam. 5.8.9 Have we other losses troubles in the world whether we winne or loose it skilles not much whether we purchase buy with increase of gaine or whether we sell for necessity whether we be rich or poore it is no great matter seing the earth all the works thereof are in a moment to be burnt up 2. Pet. 3.10 seing the end hasteneth the world passeth away let not the buyer rejoyce nor the seller mourne Ezek. 7.12 All the happines of man stands in being delivered from this everlasting fire kindled by the fierce wrath of God against sinne We have enough may well be content while we have our soule saved as a prey from this great destruction f If yet we be dull of hearing cannot see the dreadfulnes of this death in the causes thereof the sinne of man deserving it the wrath of God inflicting it if yet we desire a plainer evidence thereof let us then looke upon the effects thereof consider how the smart of this second death shall make the children of hell to crye waile take up eternall lamentations without any measure or end By the effects of sorrow Ieremy thus describeth the affliction of IerusaleÌ„ in her captivity that of a princesse being become a desolate widow she did weep sore in the night that her teares were on her cheekes that they raÌ„ downe as a river night day the apple of her eye never ceassing that her elders her infaÌ„ts young men virgines did mourne together that the priests prophets did sigh their eyes being dimmed fayling with teares their bowels troubled their liver powred thus roare faint in themselves under this burden of sorrow how can any men or Giants that are but flesh undergoe the same When the Lord shall pleade against the proud covetous cause his wrath to smoake against hypocrites dissemblers against profane men drunkards adulterers malicious men how can their heart endure or their hands be strong Ezek. 22.14 Though they were as stout as the devils they shall be crushed broken together with them Now many skorners make a mock of religion now the epicures make a sport of sinne now the obstinate persons despise admonition hate to be reformed they set their faces as Adamants in their obstinacy But though their bones were brasse their strength of stones their heart as hard as the nether milstone yet shall they be ground to peeces with this wrath of God that grindes the very Devils to powder makes them to howle yell before him Above all other the most terrible effect of Gods wrath was that which was shewed upon Christ Iesus the Lord of men angels when as he being become our surety bearing our sins did groane under the burden when he cryed out with strong cryes teares Heb. 5.7 when in the trouble of his soule with great astonishment feare he sayd What shall I say Ioh. 12.27 as if he had felt a sorrow not to be uttered when in the sense of Gods anger due unto us he not onely cryed day night but even with words of roaring Psa 22.1.2 finally uttered the most sorrowfull voyce that ever sounded in the world My God My God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27.46 If all the dolefull complaints lamentations of all miserable men were layd together upon the ballance they would be found lighter then this complaint of Christ because the iniquities of us all were layd together upon him Esa 53.6 he bore the curse of them Gal. 3.13 If we could see into the bowels of Hell or could lay our eare to any low vault to heare the howling of the spirits in that prison yet no wofull voyce ought to moove us so much as these cryes of our Saviour in his agony No weeping gnashing of teeth by those reprobates can so expresse the power fiercenes of Gods wrath as this weeping and sorrowfull teares of the in the second commandement the Lord threatens such a change that they shall be most ashamed of that which they adored shall cast their Idoles to the Moles to the Bats Esa 2.20 creatures that love darknes the one for place living under the earth the other for time comming abroad in the night The Idolaters shall wish their idoles were hidden in utter darknes for ever But as Moses once despited the Idolaters by burning their Idoll grinding it to powder strowing it on the waters making them drinke thereof to their further shame Exod. 32.20 so shall the Lord force the Idolaters by remorsefull remembrance evermore to drinke the powder of their images of their owne inventions The Lord through a secret antipathy of nature doth sometimes worke such a strange terrour in some men as experience shewes that at the sight of some creatures or dishes of meat set before them on the table though the creatures be good in themselves lawfull for use to other men comfortable yet these men quake tremble sit astonished with gastly countenances full of perplexity anguish gaping sweating at the sight their haire standing upright on their head their spirits appalled not able to speake a word nor to stirre out of their place but like men confounded remaine bound in the chaines of amazement as terribly affrighted as was Belshazzar when he saw the palme of a hand writing his destruction upon the wall Dan. 5.5.6 And hereby we may conceive the power of Gods wrath for the torment of idolaters by representing unto their mindes those unlawfull images which they worshipped to their eternall affright and horrour The Lord knoweth how to engrave all the sinnes of men with the point of a diamond upon the table of their heart for their vexation woe and so in speciall to pourtray their images idoles upon the broad plate

blinde dull to discerne acknowledge the living God the author of this life therefore they approach neere unto us bite us though it cost them their life for it they will have us by the face or hands sleeping or waking night day they will tast of our blood this by divine providence that by these little monitors we might be rowsed up out of our senseles behaviour to looke unto that welspring of life from whence they come Though these creatures be small contemptible in the eyes of many yet doe these small things carry in them the glorious evidences of the living God and as effectuall for our instruction as are to be found in the great Oxe Elephant or Leviathan Psa 104.25 Exo. 8.18.19 He that rayseth these living soules out of the ditches rotten ground sometimes maketh many of these lives to spring from one dead carcasse how easily can he rayse our dead bodies out of the grave restore one life to one body yea quickeÌ„ the soule from the mire of sinne He that longeth after life let him looke to this fountaine c Besides this ordinary flood of life flowing from that generall word com mall spirits with them the faculty both of sense motion over all To preserve our being he hath made the liver a fountaine of blood from thence drawne the veines dispersed them over the whole body to carry abroad the blood the naturall spirits therein to the nourishment of every part With these living threeds more precious then any golden wires theÌ„ fine twined linnen blue purple scarlet the ornaments of the Tabernacle hath God beautifyed the body of man which is also compared to a Tabernacle 2. Cor. 5.1.4 2. Pet. 1.13.14 With these feeling mooving nourishing strings hath the Lord covered embroydered curiously wrought the vaile of our flesh Psal 139.15 Iob 10.11 And each of these life-strings doth the living God still hold in his hand maintaining their faculties inspiring life quickening vertue into them And besides this in the very tunicles or coates of each of these hollow strings hath the Lord wrought a curious network woven together another sort of subtile threeds thousands of them more fine small then haires some of them drawne right along of an attractive power some round circular crossing the other with right angles of an expulsive vertue others drawne athwart both the other with oblique angles of a retentive faculty all for the service of life in great variety some draw some hold some drive out superfluities of nature all these held and upheld in their severall functions by the finger of God extending his quickening power unto every one of theÌ„ Neither are these particular streames and waves of the river of life flowing from God to be neglected of us the workes of God are to be sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 Distinct knowledge and consideration hereof brings clearer comfort and it is great sinne unthankfulnes and contempt of Gods glorious wisedome to looke coÌ„fusedly over those things that God propounds distinctly in many severall formes and particular acts To proceed therefore from these faculties and functions of life sensitive common to the brute creatures with man we are to behold another well of life in that reasonable soule which God hath placed in men when as he formed the spirit of man within him Zacch 12.1 The stirrings motions and acts of life flowing with vers 30. the Lord even then offered unto him to have opened his well of life as wide for him to have made of him a greater mightier nation then Israel was Num. 14.12 Oh how great are the treasures of life which God hath in store for them that love him even worlds of life to give to every one of them Well might the Psalmist say of this God With him is the vvell of life and in his light we shall see light Psa 36.9 In which words David pointeth at two glorious workes gifts of God specially noted in the six dayes of the creation In three dayes God beautifyed the world with light the first day he created light the second day he created a pure transparent firmament or an expansion through which the beames of the heavenly light being diffused spread forth might so come to us without such a meane or middle passage our sight the light could not have met together the fourth day God created heavenly lights the Sunne Moone starres gathering abundance of light into them by their motion distributed that light unto the divers parts of the world successively for the greater benefit thereof Gen. 1.3.6 c. In three other dayes God created life in the divers degrees thereof the third day God opened a box of life powred out that vegetative life which appeareth in the growing plants herbes trees the fift day God opened another box powred out a streame of sensitive life such as appeared in the foules fishes the sixt day God opened againe another box beside the sensitive life in the beasts cattell powred out the treasure of an intellectuall life which appeared in the reasonable soule of man which he then created Gen. 1.11.12.20 c. And from that first week unto this day both the beames of light the streames of life have flowed out incessantly to his praise the comfort of man f And yet all this is but the little finger of God in respect of his mighty arme all this is but the power of life naturall vouchsafed even to his enimies to the reprobats There is a new life a more high precious life to be found in God even a well of spirituall life opened by him immediately after the fall Then was made the promise of this life of victory over death by breaking the serpents head Gen. 3.15 that word was the Gospell of Salvation preached instantly to Adam upon the kindes of life natural are made to serve as shadowes of the life spirituall which God giveth to his elect See it in the plants that doe live a vegetative life As the earth bringeth forth her bud as the garden causeth the things that are sowne therein to spring forth so the Lord God will cause righteousnes praise to spring forth before all the nations Esa 61.11 The Lord doth as easily make men to be trees of righteousnes as he maketh thorns or briers to grow Esa 61.3 with ch 55.13 Yea the plants that exceed others in growth the tall cedars the flourishing palme Psa 92.12 the greene olive the fruitfull lillies Hos 14.5 6. the willowes by the water-courses Esa 44.4 the flovving spices Sol. song 4.16 the trees that bring forth new fruit according to their moneths Ezek. 47.12 are all but shadowes of this grace of life flowing from the Lord. See it in the creatures that live a sensitive life The sheep that are

that was not onely an idolater but in the grossest manner worshipping all the hoast of heaven setting their altars his graven image in the house of the Lord that was not onely a witch but defiled with many kindes of witchcraft leaving the Lord flying to the devill leaving the Prophets running to wizards that was not onely a murderer but abounding in murders filling Ierusalem with innocent blood which he shed from one end thereof unto another all this after the education under his godly father Hezekias with contempt of many admonitions godly examples yet wheÌ„ he was humbled in his affliction sought the Lord he was not barred froÌ„ the well of life but he found mercy with God who was intreated of him forgave his sins 2. Chro. 33 12-16 And so also those that committed yet a more horrible murder in killing crucifying the Lord of life embruing their wicked hands in his precious blood Act. 2. 23. and 3.15 when they were pricked in their hearts sought grace they found that which they sought obtained remission of sinnes the gift of the holy Ghost being united unto the Church of God were filled with unspeakable joy glory Act. 2 37-47 And as the Lord dealt with these when they turned unto him so hath he promised to deale with the wickedest alive whosoever doe seeke him Thus saith the Lord of hostes Turne ye unto me saith the Lord of hostes and I will turne unto you saith the Lord of hostes Zacch 1. 3. In this divine comfortable promise the Lord doth three times interpose pawne the authority of his name to confirme his word that it might 1.1 2. and 2.20 c and 2. Sam. 7.15 Our Saviour telles Peter that he is to forgive his brother not seven times but seventy times seven Matt. 18. 21.22 And immediately after in the parable next following he shewes how farre the mercy of God exceeds the mercy of men how many times the Lord forgiveth us more then we forgive men And this he doth by comparing our sinnes or debts unto God to ten thousand Talents vers 24. the offences of others against us to an hundred pence v. 28. Now that we may the better conceive the love of God in the pardon of many sins for the comfort of sinners taught in this parable these two summes the difference that is betwixt them is duely to be considered of us And to this end it is to be observed that our Saviour speakes of the Romane coyne such as was then in use among the Iewes at that time subject to the Romanes as appeareth in that peny which Christ required the Herodians to shew unto him having upon it the image superscription of Caesar the Romane Emperour Matt. 22.19.20.21 And though our Saviour spoke in the Iewes language the Evangelists wrote in the Greeke tongue then most common in the world yet the word that is here used for a peny denarion Matt. 18.28 22.19 is the Romane or Latine word to shew that he spoke of Romane coyne The Romane Talent as our writers witnesse contained seven hundred fifty ounces of silver the Romane peny was but the eight part of one ounce Hereupon it followes by just computatioÌ„ 750. being multiplyed by 8. that one Talent contained precisely six thousand pence consequently teÌ„ thousand Talents contained six thousand times ten thousand pence which is the great summe representing the many sinnes that God forgiveth unto men And though our Saviour by a definite number intends an indefinite yet is the proportion to be observed while he hath chosen so exceeding great a number he would thereby have us to conceive the infinite grace of God in pardoning innumerable sinnes millions of transgressions which the elect faythfull do dayly commit even after their conversion The Lord is still ready to forgive the repentant will abundantly pardon or as the words in the text are will multiply to pardon Esa 55.7 His mercies faile not but are renewed sired they might be consumed with fire from heaven Luk. 10.54.55.56 The spirit that is in man lusteth after envy even Ioshua repined at the mercy grace of God the gifts of his Spirit upon Eldad Medad Num. 11 27.28.2â— Ionas in speciall was strangely vexed and fretted with an exceeding displeasure being angry even to the death and was therefore so hasty swift to anger because God was so slow to anger so mercifull in sparing the Ninevites Ion. 4.1.2.3 And though this seeme strange to those that read it yet is the same passion common among men What godly man is there at this day which doth not in some measure overrunne the Lord to judgment in wishing the destruction of Antichrist as though the Lord were too slow to anger If they might have had their will the Lord should not have waited with so great patience in calling them to repentance But further God is more mercifull to men then men would have him to be even towards themselves For all those that are saved God is more willing to save them then they themselves are to be saved His willingnes to give doth exceed ours in receyving by many degrees First he had a will to save us when we had no will nor being at all he loved us first ordained us unto eternall life before the foundation of the world 1. Ioh. 4.19 Act. 13.48 Eph. 1.4.5 Againe when we came into this world being borne in sinne had a will indeed but no will unto that which is good a will onely unto evill Gen. 6.5 the Lord prevented us called us of unwilling made us willing gave us a minde will to know him seeke him as he did unto Paul in the middes of his wickednes Actes 9.1 3. c. And we should never have had a will to come unto the well of life except we had bene drawne by him Ioh. 6.44 And againe being called made willing it is he that of willing doth make us more willing and constantly willing dayly gives unto his elect both the will the deed of his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 Our will wish is bent unto evill we desire we know not what Matt. 20.22 Our will is often eagerly set upon that which would wound our soules be an hinderance to our salvation comfort Iam. 4.3 but the Lord by his gracious will keepes away the evill we faine would have gives the good that we had no will unto He beareth up supporteth our will in good which els presently declines unto evill He holdeth our soules in life suffereth not our feet to be mooved Psa 66.9 And therefore his will is better to us then our owne Unto this living God that is so good so farre exceeds our desires with his good will let us ever runne flye unto him we shall surely finde the well of life with

eyes sometimes set upon our heads as witnesses and pledges of the glorious kingdome to be enjoyed hereafter In Baptisme is represented both the washing away of our sinnes Act. 2.38 our fellowship with the holy Trinity whose names are put upon us Matt. 28.19 The names of the Father Sonne H. Ghost are set like three pearles shining in our crowne of glory set upon our heads Esa 28.5 In the Supper of the Lord being called unto his Table to the participation of the body blood of Christ we are thereby set together in heavenly places with him Eph. 2 6. like olive plants round about his Table as a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord Esa 62.3 even a crowne about our head Christ in the middes of his Church As the children of Israel in the wildernes to guide support them in the way were led by a pillar of cloud fed with manna water out of the rock so by a like favour for the same spirituall use hath Christ our King given us the Sacraments of the new Testament 1. Cor. 10.1.2.3.4 therefore looke what joy comfort the most faithfull in Jsrael had when they saw the cloud of the Tabernacle going before them such joy comfort ought we to be filled withall at the administration of Baptisme and looke with what joy and thankfulnes they went forth to gather Manna with as great ought we to be affected in going to the Table of the Lord giving thankes unto Christ for such a staffe of comfort to quicken strengthen us in our journey way unto the Kingdome of Heaven f But for a further view of this unspeakable grace comfort exhibited in these three offices of Christ we are to looke upon the dignity of his person whereupon depends the vertue power 33.15.16 When for sinne the Lord threatned a departure of this presence yet offered to send an Angel with them to destroy their enimies Exod. 33.2.3 that would not content him no presence of prophets or angels would serve the turne without this divine presence united to the Tabernacle for their guidance And even so according to this type when the word was made flesh he dwelt among us as in a Tabernacle as the word signifyes Ioh. 1.14 escenose His body was the true Tabernacle which the Lord pight and not man Heb. 8.2 In him dwelt all the fulnes of the Godhead bodily Coll. 2.9 Out of this Tabernacle he spake Heb. 1.1 and wrought miracles Matt. 4.23 Act. 10.38 and remooved up and downe and conversing among men led his sheep in the way of life Ioh. 10.27.28 No man nor angel had bene sufficient for this worke but he being very God as well as man bearing up all things by his mighty word Heb. 1.3 caries along his sheep unresistably and safely unto the glory exspected He is Lord of all and at his right hand we may see all his blessed angels attending to whom he hath given charge to watch over his sheep in this way and to carry them in their hands that they dash not their feet against a stone Psal 91.11.12 At his left hand he hath the Devill his angels in a chaine and bindes them at his pleasure Rev. 20.1.2 2. Pet. 2.4 so that they cannot hurt a swine or any uncleane beast without his permission Matth. 8.31 and much lesse can they hurt them that are washed in his blood and he having given commandement to prepare the way of his people to cast up an high way to gather out the stones and to remoove the stumbling blockes Esa 62.10 57.14 they shall goe in the way of life as Israel marched out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14.8 a dog shall not moove his tongue against them Exod. 11.7 further then is for their good Rom. 8.28 and in due season they shall come to the Lord the wel-spring of all glory life comfort in heaven g The comfort which ariseth from this consideration of Christ is marvellous great for all the faithfull and in speciall for afflicted conscieÌ„ces that desire to be established and confirmed in faith for t out of his fullnesse Thus the soules that come dayly to Christ as their Prophet may dayly be refreshed by him h If any through weaknes of faith cannot lay hold on the promises of God touching the pardon of sinne and the free gift of salvation set before us let them bring these promises to the ground of them even to Christ applying them first to Christ then to themselves for in him all the promises of God are Yea and in him they are Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 not onely in their owne nature truth but also in respect of our apprehension He that cannot assent unto the promise looking on the promise onely may better assent sooner beleeve when he lookes on Christ the ground of the promise for example God promiseth unto the repentant that their crimson skarlet sinnes shall be taken away and they made white as snow wooll Esa 1.18 now the troubled soule that cannot say Yea to this promise by particular application let the same looke upon the sacrifice of Christ bearing their sins satisfying the justice of God behold his blood powred out to wash them so they shall sooner conceive apprehend their sins to be done away and their soules to be cleansed and made white as snow There is a promise that where sinne abounds there grace aboundeth much more Rom. 5.20 The perplexed consciences that faine would but cannot say Amen unto this promise by applying it unto themselves let the same looke upon Christ and behold the dignity of his person his deity divine majesty being the brightnes of glory the character or engraven forme of his Fathers person his equall and his fellow Heb. 1.3 Phil. 2.6 Zach. 13.7 when they see his eternall Godhead and almighty power to whom nothing is hard or impossible withal consider how he stoops downe to help and puts his hand to this work to give worth price unto the sacrifice for sinne to make the blood of redemptioÌ„ more precious meritorious to redeeme the vilest sinners then shall they more easily receive the promise of abundant grace with more faith say Amen unto it There is a promise that God will be mercifull to the sinnes of his people Heb. 8.12 receive them with everlasting kindenes Esa 54.8 pity theÌ„ as a father merit of life to justify us v. 54. the spirit of life for our sanctification Rom. 8.10 the crowne of life for our glorification Rev. 2.10 He is all in all Coll. 3.11 and therefore we are to be nothing in ourselves but all in him and wholly renouncing ourselves our owne righteousnes we are to cast ourselves altogether upon him for the hope of eternall life To him be praise for ever Amen CHAP. III. Of Mortification or the death of sinne The nature necessity thereof in generall a

lover of the world and of these things of the world then is not the love of the Father in him 1. Ioh. 2.15.16 then is he made the enimy of God for his entertainment of these lusts and his amity with them Iam. 4.4 and consequently cannot looke for the fruits of that blessed friendship with God but for such remaineth a fearefull exspectation of judgment death in the day of Gods wrath Therefore men die for ever because they live after the flesh doe not die betimes to these sinfull lusts Rom. 8.13 e As the world so the Devill also by the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life both worketh his chief temptations by the mortifying of those he is coÌ„quered by mens yeelding unto theÌ„ he overcommeth devoureth them This appeareth in three most memorable examples of Adam Christ and Antichrist At the temptation of our first parents the Devill used these three baites thereby ensnared them The forbidden tree by his suggestion appeared good for meat Gen. 3.6 to bring them to covetousnes not content with all the other trees of paradise as though there had not bene meat enough for theÌ„ without this also it appeared pleasant to the eyes to kindle the lust of false and vaine pleasure in them and by his suggestion it appeared as a tree desirable by which the Devill workes so effectually in him and in others by him are those three forenamed lusts for by these three is Antichrist often described In respect of the lust of the flesh the habitation and denne of Antichrist is a spiriruall Sodom Rev. 11.8 abounding with lusts of monstrous uncleannes the Romish city is compared to a great Harlot the mother of harlots having in her hand a great cup full of abominations filthinesse of her fornication Rev. 17.1.4.5 and living deliciously in pleasures Rev. 18.7 In respect of the lust of the eyes love of riches she is decked with gold precious stone pearles Rev. 17.4 18.16 and for increase maintenance of that wealth her servants ministers through covetousnes and with fained words doe make merchandise of men 2. Pet. 2.3 And as for the pride of life this man of sinne doth exalt himselfe above all that is called God shewes himselfe that he is God 2. Thes 2.4 and hath a mouth speaking great things blasphemies is wondred at worshipped throughout the world Rev. 13.3.4.5 And when he is crossed in any of his lusts then he makes warre with the Saints overcomes them is drunken with their blood Rev. 13.7 17.6 suffers them not to buy or sell that will not receive his marke Rev. 13.17 Hereby it appeares that the spirit of Antichrist and the breath of his life is lust these worldly lusts are as it were the bridle and saddle wherewith Satan rides upon him with the spurres of these lusts he drives him on to commit so great abhominations By lust is the greatest sinne wrought in the world and therefore is every one to be warned hereby to fight continually against these lusts that fight against the soule and make it a slave to Satan 1. Pet. 2.11 They must either mortify these lusts of the old man or els for ever be a spoyle prey unto the old serpent that worketh by them Holy Ghost they are againe taught upon the new consideratioÌ„ of this honour done unto them in reverence of this divine guest to proceed unto a further degree care of their mortification to cleanse themselves from all filthines of flesh and spirit to subdue the old man with his lusts affections lest they grieve this Spirit that is come to dwell with them 1. Cor. 6.19.20 2. Cor. 6.16 7.1 Eph. 4.30 a The manner how the Spirit doth mortify sinne is by bringing the sinner unto Christ by him unto the Father As the Father for communicating of life unto men hath sent his Sonne to merit life Ioh. 7.16 3.16 both the Father the Sonne have sent the Holy Spirit for our assurance of that life Ioh. 15.26 so the Spirit againe bringes us both to Christ to the Father and first teacheth us to embrace Christ he testifies of Christ and glorifies him takes of his shewes it unto us Ioh. 16.13.14.15 The manner how the Spirit bringes us unto Christ is by working in us the graces of Faith Hope Love of Christ These are the most sweet breathings of the Holy Ghost by each of these he workes mortification in them that are so brought unto him I. Faith in Christ serves to kill sinne in us many wayes First of all by the death of Christ there is merited for us not onely the pardon of our sinne but also a power of subduing sinne by his death he hath merited the gift of the spirit even of the spirit of sanctification Of this gift we are made partakers by faith which engraffes us into Christ into the fellowship of his death of all the merit thereof Therefore is it sayd that we are planted together with him into the likenes of his death and hereupon we know that the old man is crucifyed with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 6.5.6.7 8. Thus being by faith united to Christ the spirit of mortification as well as the gift of reconciliation is bestowed upon us in this regard should we the more earnestly seek that precious faith which procures so great grace unto us Therefore did Christ beare our sins in his body on the tree that we might become dead unto sinnes 1. Pet. 2.24 that by the merit of his death sinne might be mortifyed in us And hereupon we come to say with the Apostle that we are crucifyed with Christ Gal. 2.20 we may stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free Gal. 5.1 IV. Moreover as our Mortification depends upon that which Christ merited for us so that which Christ by his death obtained for himselfe doth further lead us thereunto For to this end Christ both dyed rose againe that he might be Lord both of the dead living Rom. 14.9 And as we beleeve that he is becom our Lord so we are to beleeve that we are become his servants being bought with a price to wit by his blood therefore are not our owne but his 1. Cor. 6..19.20 7.23 therefore may not doe our owne willes nor follow our owne affections lusts but are to mortify them that we may doe his will Thus the faith of Christs dominion over us purchased by his death doth serve for an help of our mortification while it apprehends that the redeemed of Christ are redeemed from the earth from among men to follow the Lambe being the first fruits unto God to the Lambe Rev. 14.3.4 V. Againe being in part mortifyed contrite for sinne by another act of faith we doe

further apprehend that in Christ we shall be accepted notwithstanding the weake measure of mortification that is in us And this faith of acceptance is a great encouragement for us to proceed further in the subduing mortifying of the flesh with the lusts thereof to abound dayly therein when as we know that our weake labour in the Lord is not in vaine 1. Cor. 15.58 when this perswasion abides within us that the day of small beginnings is not to be despised Zech. 4.10 that the Lord doth both accept the willing minde notwithstanding many wants 2. Cor. 8.12 will also in due season perfect accomplish that which he hath begun in us Philip 1.6 b That we may the better apprehend the comfort of this acceptance through faith there are divers poynts to be observed touching the nature of true Mortification which is yet acceptable to God 1. First that it is still imperfect in this life even in the most excellent servants of Christ who coÌ„fesse themselves wretched transgressours of the law of God feeling in themselves another law power of sinne rebelling against the law of their minde leading them into captivity to the law of sinne that is in their members Rom. 7.23.24 II. Secondly true mortification of sinne as it is imperfect so it is nnequall every man having a portion of grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.7 The same measure of the spirit is not to be exspected in all All have not the same measure of sorrow for their sinnes that some others have yet it may be true and unfained and so accepted of God The fruits of repentance are in some thirty in some sixty in some an hundred-fold Matt. 13.23 Though every true beleever have the spirit of God Rom. 8.9 be a spirituall person 1. Cor. 2.14.15 yet some truely spirituall are so weake that in comparison of others they are not spirituall 1. Cor. 3.1 And therefore ought not any for this to be discouraged if they finde themselves inferiour unto others III. Thirdly true Mortification as it is unequall so it is in some respects unlike in the faithfull as there are divers measures thereof so are there divers manners of it The gifts graces of God are not onely many but manifold or divers of different kinde in divers persons 1. Pet. 4.10 and therefore some that have not mortifyed the outward actions of sinne may have striven more in the mortifying of their inward lusts affections Some that have not mortifyed the more hainous sinnes but have sometimes fallen into notorious scandals may yet in their ordinary course of life farre exceed those in true mortification which yet never fell into such grosse outward offences 1. Kin. 15.5 2. Sam. 24.3.4 c. And some that proceed further unto dayly mortification of the actions of sinne may yet want that great contrition sorrow for sinne which is in others that fall oftner doe lesse abstaine from the ordinary practise of sinne It is hard for any to determine whether it was greater grace in Ioseph a servant resisting the temptation not committing adultery with his mistresse or in David after his fall to humble himselfe so farre as being a glorious king to shame himselfe by publick confession of his adultery Psa 51. title For as God magnifies his mercy by sinne in forgiving it more then if no sinne had bene Rom. 3.4 5.20 so the godly may sometime manifest their grace and godlines by open and effectuall repentance more then if that speciall sin had not bene committed by them Luk. 7 38-34 IIII. Fourthly that Mortification which ariseth from the liveliest faith and feeling of Gods favour in Christ is most acceptable unto God rather then that which hath the extreamest griefe feare and terrour joyned with it or then that which hath a greater restraint of sinfull actions For as by faith men please God Heb. 11. 5.6 so according to the measure of faith in any action men doe more or lesse please God therein Though the degrees of mortification be many though the working of faith be sometimes revealed more at one degree then at another yet whatsoever is wrought at any degree is still by faith whether it be at the chaÌ„ge of the disposition the motion affection will or action or in contrition after the sinfull action whether it be in divers men according to their different measure of grace or in the same men according to their divers assistance at severall times it is all by faith Faith is the root of other graces Col. 2.7 every act of mortification is a branch springing from this root no branch may boast against the root that beareth it Rom. 11.18 This is the victory that overcommeth the world eveÌ„ our faith 1. Ioh. 5.4 by it mortification is wrought by it each act of mortification becomes most acceptable to God And therefore above all things we are to labour that this blessed grace of faith may be stirred up within us that though it have as it were slept at one assault of sin it may yet be awakened at another degree of mortification in the progresse of our spirituall combates And seing the spirit of God is the spirit of faith 2. Cor. 4.13 therefore should we seek to be filled with the spirit Eph. 5.18 that by it we may both become strong in the Lord in the power of his might may withall in the middes of our weakenesses be comforted encouraged through this faith of being made acceptable unto God in Christ c Furthermore besides this working of faith for the mortification of all kinde of sin in generall there is yet also a more particular consideration of the power of faith for the mortification of some speciall sinnes against God man By faith the spirituall pride of nature is subdued and confidence in a mans owne selfe is overthrowne whiles such a way of salvation by free grace without our owne works merits is taught us by faith Thus is humility utter denyall of a mans self wrought in the soule as the Spirit declareth by that threefold emphaticall interrogatioÌ„ the answer thereof when as he saith Where is boasting then it is excluded By what law of vvorkes Nay but by the law of faith Rom. 3.27 And so also in respect of men it may in like manner be demaÌ„ded Where is hatred revenge it is excluded By what law of workes Nay but by the law of faith Faith teacheth men to be kinde mercifull tender hearted forbearing one another and forgiving one another if they beleeve the pardon of their owne sinnes and that God in Christ hath forgiveÌ„ them Eph. 4.32 Col. 3.13 Though the law of workes require both humility in respect of God meekenes in respect of men though it condemne both boasting revengefulnes yet it is the law of faith that workes these graces required mortifyes the contrary sinnes d Having heard how the

the servants of my Lord 1. Sam. 25.41 David himselfe of his marriage with Sauls daughter Seemeth it to you to be a light thing to be a kings sonne in law seeing that I am a poore man and lightly esteemed 1. Sam. 18.23 then what may we say of our exaltation and of the divine benefits bestowed upon us All the mercies and blessings which we receive from God if we compare them with our sinfull nature are like so many coales of mortification coales of indignatioÌ„ heaped on our heads Rom. 12.20 and therefore doth God let us know how good he hath bene unto us even when we were his enimies that by that meanes we might be mortifyed and burne in just hatred and indignation against ourselves Rom. 5.10 with 2. Sam. 12.7.8 Esa 5.1.2 Deut. 32 6-15 And in summe even the least good done to us should make us thinke how little we are and ever lesse then the least of Gods mercies farre unworthy of them Gen. 32.10 so take occasion thereby of being humbled before the Lord. As all the good that by divine providence is done to us so all the good done by us should ever give us occasion of further mortification of abasing ourselves in the sight of God Thus it was with David in his free offerings for the Temple 1. Chron. 29.14 Solomon when the Temple was built 1. Kin. 8.27 Such is the greatnes of the Lord above our works that in respect of the infinite reward we may say as Barzillai to David Thy servant will goe a little way with the King why should the King recompense it me with such a reward 2. Sam. 19.36 All that we have and doe for God is of his owne that he hath first given us 1. Chron. 29.14.16 these gifts of his in our best use of them in the best workes we doe are still so polluted that we have ever cause to acknowledge with shame the filthines of our righteousnesses Esa 64.6 Phi. 3.8.9 ever have a gracious respect unto them that sigh cry for the abominations committed by other men Ezek. 9.4 This was observed by Lot 2. Pet. 2.7.8 by Moses Exod. 32 19-32 Num. 16.4 and others with him Num. 14.5.6 by David Psal 119.136.139.158 by Ezra chap. 9.2.3 by Nehemiah ch 13.7.8 by Paul Rom. 9.1.2.3 2. Cor. 11.29 12.21 by Christ Iesus Mark 3.5 Luk. 19.41.42 And the contrary is made a signe of a wicked man no man is truely greeved for his owne sinne that is not touched with greefe for the sins of others for seeing God is dishonoured our neighbour wounded thereby it must needes be a signe that such have neither love of God nor pity of their neighbour Ier. 36.23.24.25 Prov. 14.9 k Thus doe the evils of sinne call for greefe and sorrow besides these the evils of punishment the afflictions calamities tribulations in the world doe also lead unto mortification Thereby God breakes the pride of man withdraweth him from his evill course Iob 33.16.17 by his chastisements God humbles the heart of men makes them submit unto his yoke Ier. 31.18.19 theÌ„ is the case most miserable when they are least regarded Prov. 27.22 Men are warned of God to mortify sin not onely by greater afflictions but even by the lesser sort also for there are two kindes of them a light touch a heavy hand Esa 9.1 There is a wonderfull variety in Gods dealings this way sometimes the touch is so easy gentle that it is scarse felt men are scarse able to say whether there be a paine in it or no they have such light aches of the head the belly the bones such small reproches and losses that they are hardly sensible of them As a loving mothersmites her child sometimes so softly gently that it doth not appeare whether she be angry or not even so doth our most loving God deale oftentimes with his children Iob 33.14.15 with ch 7.14 Mat. 10.30 but though the stroke be most milde gentle yet they that are wise will make use of it Prov. 17.10 Though there be an hundred degrees of difference in Gods visitations some of them like a fillop onely or a lifting up of the hand yet no stroke a striking but yet no smart or easy to be borne as it were with a rod of rushes yet all of them are a push or thrusting with the finger for our admonition and at every such thrusting or pinching we are called unto the acts of pride of life Looke upon death see how it layes the heads of the proudest men in the world they that were before as starres the sonnes of the morning have then the wormes spread under theÌ„ over them become like broken vessels in the land of oblivion Esa 14.11.12 What availeth it to be praysed a while by the stinking breath of flatterers when afterwards their names shall rotte among men Pro. 10.7 like those bones of the great meÌ„ in Israel that should be for dung upon the face of the earth Ier. 8.1.2 or if they be praysed by men after their death in their writings chronicles what will this profit them when their sins are written with a pen of iron with the point of a diamond Ier. 17.1 when those bookes shall be opened in the secoÌ„d death Rev. 20.12 what though their sepulchers be paynted covered with golden letters when at the second death their soules shall be cast into the bottomlesse pit into the oven of hell where the proud they that doe wickedly shall be burned up consumed Mal. 4.1 CHAP. VI. Touching Vivification or quickening of the new man The nature necessity thereof in generall a Six degrees of vivification 1. A new disposition or habit of quickening grace 2. Motions of spirituall life in the understanding judgment memory 3. Affections of love joy desire c. 4. Renewing of the will 5. Workes of righteousnes true holines 6. Ioyful thanksgiving in the apprehension of all the former graces of life b The inward meanes of vivification The Spirit of God bringing us unto Christ working in us the graces of Faith Hope Love c The outward meanes The primary ordinances the Word Prayer Sacraments Discipline d The secondary a holy Feast and a holy Watch e Ordinances of a third degree Vowes and Covenants f The workes of Creation Providence FRom the Mortification of the old man come we now to the Vivification of the new man It is not possible that these two can be severed if any man be in Christ he must be a new creature 2. Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 borne againe of the Spirit by this new birth made partaker of a new spirituall life Ioh. 3.3.5 The Lord that is rich in mercy through his great love wherewith he loveth his elect quickeneth them together in Christ Eph. 2.4.5 The feeling of this new life is a preparative unto death and a preservative against all the terrours thereof and

Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Text snippets containing the quad