onely inducement to the exercise of your dutie towards him so the Religious practice of that dutie is the only rule whereby you may liue reposedly and dye cheerefully In this Exercise I doe commend foure things vnto you Heare Pray Meditate and Doc. SECT III. THis hearing whereof I speak consisteth a 1. Tim. 3.16 in the reading of Gods sacred word contained in the Bookes of the old and new Testament and hearing it from Preachers for the whole Scripture is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to improue to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse that the maÌ„ of God may be made perfit in all good workes The Scriptures are deuided in the old and new Testament b Dicitur vetus testamentum quia priore hoc autem nouum quia posteriore tempore reuelatum est August l. 3. ad Bonifac. Reuelationes eorum considerantur in his nominibus non institutiones Idem ibidem the first is called old because it was reuealed in the former time the other new because it was reuealed in the latter time The difference betwixt the old and new Testament is only in certain c Aliud illi aliud nos sed specie visibili quod tamen idem significaret virtute spirituali Aug. Tom. 3. de spirit lit cap. 20. accidents Ceremonies and dispensation of things in externall forme difference of time but in substance all one and tending to one effect in vertue and efficacie In the old the new is d In veteri nouum latet in nouo vetus patet figured and shadowed in the new is the declaration and manifestation of the old By Moses was the old Testament reuealed and the Law giuen being holy iust and good e Propter veteris hominis noxiaÌ„ in qua per literam iubentem minitantem minimè sanabatur dicitur vetus testamentuÌ„ nouum autem propter nouitatem spiritus quae hominem nouum sanat à vitio vetustatis August Tom. 3. ad Marcell cap. 20. seruing rather to bring vs to the knowledge of our owne insufficiencie to fulfill the same then for laying vpon the corrupted sons of Adam that which they were not able to vndergoe The new Testament was reuealed by Christ when he was manifested in the flesh in whom did appeare the righteousnesse of God or the goodnes that comes froÌ„ God to vs witnessed by the Law and Prophets In the Euangelical dispensation of the Gospell is the deliuerance of Gods people not from an earthly but from a spirituall bondage of sinne and Satan Heere is a triumph ouer the suppressed enemie not Pharaoh but Satan himselfe Heere is an introduction to possesse not earthly Canaan but heauenly Ierusalem Heere is a Law giuen not in Sina but in Sion not by Angelicall ministerie but by the presence of the Lord himselfe not after a fearefull sort but with wonderfull lenitie and gentlenesse not grauen in stonie Tables but effectually printed in the hearts of the Elect. In the old Testament was bondage and feare in the new libertie glad tidings the ministrie not of death but of life not a rigorous exacter but a mercifull Sauiour not the sacraments of Circumcision and the Passeouer the administration whereof was bloudie but Baptisme the Lords Supper both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnbloudie In the new Testament is a Priesthood not Aaronicall not externall not tyed to any one Nation Tribe but spirituall and common to all the faithfull throughout the world In it is a Sacrifice and that bloudie but not of Beasts but the sweet smelling Sacrifice of the precious body and bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus not iterated but finished once for all vpon the Crosse In the new Testament are Ceremonies few and easie to wit the Word Sacraments and Prayers In one word in the old Testament were figures shadowes and promises in the new the fulfilling accomplishment of them all this new Couenant of Grace shal continue to the worlds end and shall giue place to no other but to the eternall fruition of the Kingdome of Heauen Heereby the excellencie of the new Testament is manifest and that both the old and new differing in accidents and circumstances are in substance truth all one and that the one is contained in the other making vp an absolute body f CuÌ„ credimus nihil desideramus vltra credere Hoc enim priùs credimus non esse quod vltra credere debemus Tertull lib. de praescript aduers Hâ—ret Scrut mini Scripturas Ioh. 5.39 containing perfit sufficiencie to saluation and whereto we must neither adde nor diminish neither seeke for Christ and saluation elsewhere for this cause we are commanded to search the Scriptures Therefore wouldest thou know what sinne is and the punishment thereof by the Law a Gen. 50. Exod. 90. Leuit. 29. Numb 36. Deut. 39. The fiue Bookes of Moses shall teach thee the Historicall partes of these b Iosua 29. Iudges 21.1 2. Sam. 55.1 2. Kings 97.1 2. Chron. 65. Ezra 10. Nehem. 13. Ester 10. Iob 42. the Books of the Prophets Prouerbs of Salomon and Ecclesiastes will let you see the Reward of the Godly and punishment of the wicked and furnish you with a rich Store-house of Golden sentences and diuine Morall Precepts c Psal 150. Prouerb 31. Eccles 12. Esai 66. Iere. 2.52 Lam. 5. Eze. 48. Daniel 11. Hos 14. Ioel 3. Amos 9. Obe 1. Ionah 4. Micah 5. Nahum 3. Abacuâ—k 3. Zephania 3. Hagaij 2. Zecha 14. Mal. 4. The Kingly Psalmes of Dauid shall plentifully administer vnto you Heauenly Physicke for all Spirituall diseases d Mat. 28. Mar. 16. Lu. 24. Ioh. 21. The 4. Euangelists shall teach you the Life Doctrine and Death of our Sauiour e Acts 28. The Acts of the Apostles shall acquaint you with the practice of CHRISTS Doctrine in the Primitiue Church f Rom. 16.1 2. Corin. 2.9 Galat. 6. Ephes 6. Philip. 4. Col. 4.1 2. Thes 8.1 2. Tim. 10. Tit. 3. Phile. 1. Heb. 13. Iames 5.1 2. Peter 8.1 2. Iohn 5. Iude 1. Reuel 22. The Epistles of the Apostles shall traine you vp particularly in Christ his Schoole Make vse of the rest of the Bookes called * 3. Esdras 4. Esdras Tob. Iudith Ester Wisdome Eccles Bar. The Song of the three Children Sâ—sanna The Historie of Bell and the Dragon The Prayer of Manastes 1. Mac. 2. Mac. Apocrypha so far as they agree with the Scripture and no further Read the Scriptures with a sanctified and chast heart for vnlesse they be read by the inspiration of GODS Spirit by the which they were written with humilitie and desire to know they remaine as a dead letter in the efficacie thereof as I did aduise you before Admire reuerently such obscure places as by your weake capacity you cannot vnderstand neuer going further in the curious search of diuine Mysteries then either by conferring some other
Aug. de Mort. after the day of your death by setting it before your eyes by examining your selfe whether you bee prepared and o 1. Cor. 15.54 ready and by incouraging your cowardly soule to looke Death in the face flying euer in this poynt to thy Sauiour for helpe Conclude thy meditation by thinking vpon thy worldly estate if it prosper lay vp humility in thy heart If poore p Psalme 119. pray for supply and thinke vpon some lawfull and honest meanes SECT VI. THe fourth and most necessarie part belonging to a Christian is q Mat 7.21 Psal 103.18 doing being the life of all for it is nothing and vsuall to Hypocrites r Esay 58.2 to be religious in Ceremonies ioyne therefore as indiuidui Comites the liuely Å¿ Rom. 2.22 Faith of Paul t Iam. 2.13 14 16 17 26. with S. Iames good Works Faith without Works makes but a Carnall Gospeller and Workes without Faith a Pharisaicall Hypocrite Euer in doing beware of doing against thy u Qui conscientiae curam obijciunt nec Deum nec homines reuerentur Conscientia vna cadem in nobis singulis accusator testis Iudex Tortor Carcer Bernard Conscience for the treasure of a good Conscience is the best store you can prouide for a quiet life here and a blessed hereafter when a dram of it shall serue you to better vse then innumerable millions of Gold Omit neither time place nor person if thou canst doe good x Mat. 25.35 41. Esay 58 7 â—0 Phil. â— 18 Prou. 19.17 remember Christs last Iudgement wherein he sheweth that the best good in the World is Compassion Almes and comforting in Distresse as in Sicknesse Pouertie Imprisonment or Banishment for although God accepteth of good thoughts yet towards man they are little better then good dreames exercise therefore thy charitable offices as Gods Steward vpon thy Brethren Remember it is now the time y Viue memor quaÌ„ sis aeui breuis Mors senibus in Ianuis â—uuenibus insidijs Senec. de Mort. Psal 90.16 Iam. 4.14 Psal 103.15 thy life is short thy dayes euill z Heb. 9.27 thy death certaine a Mat. 25.19 thy account most certayne thy ioyes vnspeakeable if thou doe well for this cause labour to husband the Talent that God hath put into thy hands that thou maist returne thy soule better then thou didst receiue it If that seruant was b Mat. 25.30 condemned as ill that did giue his Master no more but his owne what shall become of him that robs God of his owne SECT VII SLoth m Prou. 6.6 v. 15. Ignauia turmatimâ—n nos ruens eligi facilis plana ad eam expedita est via at virtutem sudore dij obuallarunt Zenoph de dict Soc. is the Mother of many euils and the chiefe corrupter of Christian duetie banish it by diligence in all these former exercises neyther n Non delinquenti sed poenitenti peccatarelinqucati condonat Deus Aug. deferring Repentance for thy by-past neglects neyther amendment of thy former life o Quis est adolescens cui exploratum sit se ad vesperum esse victurum Cic. de Sen. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil In denuÌ„ciata sorte rapimur Fusc Suasor 2. Who knoweth but Death may shut vp thy breath at an vnprouided time Repentance and Amendment being the free Gifts of God the Tree of Faith watered by Gods Grace onely produceth not common in euerie mans Garden this Tree must be planted in the spring of thy Youth and not in the Frosty Winter when the day shall come wherein thou shalt say I haue no pleasure It must bee daily laboured hedged and preserued from the annoyaÌ„ces Caterpillers and choking Weedes of the World by this meanes it shall produce plentifull store of Fruit in thy life and at thy Death prepare thee with old Simeon in the peace of a good Conscience to say p Luke 2.27 Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace for mine eyes haue seene my Saluation I haue shortly poynted at Gods wonderfull Workes of Power Mercie and Iustice at those Names whereby chiefely hee hath reuealed himselfe in his Word and at the duties that are required in his seruice That I may come with the like breuitie to those things that may bring you to the knowledge of your selfe I will conclude this first part subioyning this ensuing Prayer which by GODS Grace will inable you to attayne to that perfection that is craued of you in your Christian calling a Gen. 1.17 ALmightie and b Exod. 15.11 glorious God full of incomprehensible Power Maiestie c Psal 51. whose glory the heauen of heauens is not able to containe thou that art the strong God that e Exod. 12.13 forgiuest offences and passest by iniquities g Psal 10.17 that preparest the heart of the poore and openest thine eare to heare their praiers h Psal 17. Incline O Lord thine eares and heare me open i Dan. 9.5 thine eyes and see a poore and wretched sinner O Lord k Psal 5.21 I haue done exceeding wickedly in thy sight I doe acknowledge and confesse it and doe humbly prostrate my selfe at the l Act. 7.49 foote-stoole of thy Throne of Grace for pardon m Ierem. 31.3 4. thou hast promised according to the riches of thy Mercies to forgiue my offences yea more to shew the stabilitie of thy Councell thou hast tyed thy selfe by an n Luke 1.73 oath thereunto sealed the Couenant thereof with the o Mat. 27.57 bloud of that immaculate Lambe thy Sonne the Lord Iesus at his death vpon the Crosse p Exod. 33.19 Regard O Lord thy gracious and free Mercie the Oath of thy Holinesse the Words of thy owne Mouth let mee feele the accomplishment thereof in my soule q Ierem. 31.33 34. write it in my heart by thy Spirit and seale it in my Conscience by the powerfull applying of that same bloud thereto that it may r Psal 51.2 7. wash away all my sinnes and transgresssions Å¿ Mat. 27.60 burie them in Christs buriall that they may neuer rise vp against mee to t Dan. 9.7 shame me in this life u Mat. 25.91 neither to condemne me in the life to come Create in mee O God that peace of Conscience that passeth all vnderstanding x Mat. 11.28 Thy free promises in Iesus Christ make me bold to come before thee thou art the very Truth and able to performe and as in all humilitie I craue this according to thy a Exod. 33.19 promise so by the like promise I doe earnestly begge thy b Psal grace that I may hereafter lead a more holy and godly life sanctifie my soule by the same grace that it may be a fit c Cor. 6.19 receptacle for thy holy Spirit and giue command d Mat. 18.10 Act. 12.7 Psal 39.7 to thy good Angels to attend both
my soule and bodie that in neither of them I make defection from so gracious a God e Psal remooue all occasions that may stay mee in this good course and grant vnto me such necessaries as may aduance mee in thy seruice f Gen. 28.20 Grant vnto mee Competent meanes that I may neither bee puffed vp with deceitfull pride neither depressed with extreme pouertie h Heb. 13.3 Giue me grace to vse those meanes to thy glorie the supply of those things without the which I am not able to serue thee i Heb. 13.3 and to the helpe of my distressed Brethren k 1. Reg. 8.30 Looke downe from heauen in Mercie vpon l Can. 2.6 thy whole Catholike Church euery Member thereof dispersed throughout the World bee with them O Lord and keepe those that m Iohn 17.9 Deut. 32.3 are thine vnder the Wings of thy Mercie n Math. 11.28 Remember likewise all distressed persons of this Church o Heb. 13.3 whether it bee griefe of body or minde mitigate so their paines and comfort their afflicted Consciences that either in p Psal 7â— life or q Act. 7.56 death they may haue a ioyfull deliuerance Let thy mercifull bountie be extended vpon all those of this Church in great Britaine Ireland and specially Å¿ Tim. 2.1.2 vpon our gracious and dread Soueraigne King Iames as it hath pleased thee to grant vnto him t Chro. 1.12 1. Reg. 3.12 Salomon-like Wisedome from heauen in the true knowledge of thee the peaceable gouernement of thy people and u 1. Reg. 2.28 true administration of Iustice so by the like fauour preserue him from all dangers of soule and bodie x Gen. 27. and after Methusalems age crowne him with an euerlasting Crowne of Glorie Blesse y Psal 72.1 that hopefull Prince Charles next vnto his Father z 1. Es 17.19 the very life of our hopes and the rest of that Royall Issue remember O Lord thy promise made to Dauid his seede for euer and a Psal 18.50 Math. 24.29 so long as the Sunne giues light to the World let vs neuer want one of that Royall Line to sway the Scepter ouer vs b 1. Tim. 2.2 Heb. 13.18 grant grace vnto the Lords of his Maiesties most honourable Councell and to all inferior Magistrates either Ecclesiastical or Ciuil c Exod. 18.21 that they may with a good Conscience courage discharge their seuerall callings Finally I doe not only intreate thy Maiesties protection this day but d Psal 38.22 71 17. all the daies of my life and in e Psal 37.37 the ende thereof that I being garded vnder the defence of thy All-sheelding Mercie may in the end participate of f Psal 16.11 those inspeakeable ioyes prepared for all them that put their trust in thee g Psal 9.9.26.12.32.10 Now yeelding all humble and heartie thankes for all thy benefits from time to time and especially at this time I conclude my h Gen. 6.5 imperfect Prayers with the patterne of all Prayers and i Mat. 5.9 which the Lord IESVS hath taught saying Our Father c. SECT VIII NExt vnto the knowledge of God your duty to him hauing the approbatioÌ„ of a good p Nil iuuat bonum nomen reclamante conscientia Cass Conscience seeke for a good reputatioÌ„ among men not by close carriage or concealing your faults but by eschewing all those vices that may iustly deserue reproch for it is hard to doe good except a man bee thought good therefore wisely * Palpebrae praecedunt gressus cum operationem consilia rectè praeuâ—niunt Qui enim negligit considerando praeuidere quod facit gressus tendit sed oculos claudit pergendo iter conâ—cit sed praeuidendo sibimetipsi non antecedit atque idcirco citius corruit quoniam vbi pedem operis ponere debet per consilij palpebram non attendit Greg. Rom. de past par 3. c. 1. foresee and consider that a good name and reputation being the Manna Nepenthe of generous Spirits is so delicate that the least excesse doth blemish an vniust action doth dishonor it an act of in discretion negligence or idlenesse defaceth it and a sinister successe ruins it and as Glasse crackt is easily broken so is a Mans good name once iustly tainted Obserue diligeÌ„tly that the * Quid prauius quid malignius quidue aduersario nostro nequius qui posuit in Coelo bellum in Paradiso fraudem odium inter primos fratres in omni nostro opere zizania semináuit in comessatione posuit gulam in generatione luxuriam in exercitatione ignauiam in conuersatione inuidiam in gubernatione auaritiam in correctione iram in dominatione superbiam in corde posuit cogitationes malas in orâ— locutiones falsas in membris operationes iniquas in vigilando mouet ad praua opera in dormiendo ad somnia turpia laetos mouet ad dissolutionem tristes ad desperationem vt breuius loquar omnia mala sunt ipsius prauitate commissa Aug. describens conatus Diab Arch-Enemie to Man the World your own corrupt affections with whom you are to enter Combat are 3. daÌ„gerous enemies so long as breath entertaynes your Earthly Mansion shall neuer leaue to assault you the first is Cruell Diligent and Trecherous the second false and inconstant beeing rightly called * Nihil tam contrarium rationi constantiae quà m mundi inconstantia Cic. lib. 2. de Diuin Quod ego fui ad tracimenuÌ„ tu hodie ad cannas es verba Hannib ad Scip. Mundus à mouendo because it is in continuall motion without any stabilitie the third being a a Sua domestica vitia quisque fugiat nam aliena non nocebunt Guig Caâ—th Medit. cap. 2. Domestical Enemie or rather troopes of inmate foes will haue their hands in the Dish with you and yet Iudas-like euer readie to betray you with a kisse SECT IX HAue a special care to resist seuen chiefe Champions that shall be sent out against you First b Superbia â—et 2. Epist est vitiuÌ„ muliebre superbia arguit oris duritiem ac sensus qualis inest Lapidi Text. Pride shall indeuor to make you with Lucifer be thrust out of Heauen c Inuidia Gen. 3.1 Squalida vipereas manducans foemina carnes cuique dolent oculi quaeque suum cor edit quam macies pâ—llor habent spinosaque gestat tela manu talis pingitur inuidia Enuie with that olde Serpent shall perswade you to eat the forbidden fruit d Ira Gen 4.8 Irae affectus totus positus est in impetu doloris armorum sanguinis minimè humana feruens cupiditate Sen. de Ira. Pro. 15.19 Wrath shall stirre you vp to kill innocent Abel e Segnities species rectè velata cucullo Non se non alios vtilitate iuvat Sloth that lazie Sluggard shall make your Vineyard