teipsum know thy self The Heathens Lesson is very fit for a Christian The benefit of Sâ— Acquaintance tends much to right Discretion and the Government of our Lifeâ— Which makes many invert that of Sâ— Paul I know nothing by my self for want of reflection they can curse swearâ— lie and work abomination and theirâ— heart never smites them So they are lefâ— to themselves and put under the saddâ—â— plague of getting success in sin Better 〈◊〉 have the Way hedged with Thorns leaâ—â— thou run to ruine and labour so to guidâ— thy self that thy Heart condemn thee not and to exercise thy self with St. Paul to have 〈◊〉 Conscience void of Offence towards GOD and Man § 12. Many other things may be aded as rashness 〈…〉 and following vain customs 〈…〉 into a calling and course of life 〈◊〉 with no Deliberation but meerly from fondness and folly drive like Jehn in the pursuit of their carnal love and enter into a married staâ—e so rashly and indiscreetly that thev may have leasure eneugh after to regrate and so youth runs himself into inextricable difficulties But quod faciendum semel deliberandum diu And he should engage in this warefare with good advice but of the most of these I may have occasion to speak to after this § 13. And so I come to the second thing to wit The directions and motives for his recoverie and the ordering this state of Age. 1. As long as Man climbs to the top of the Wheel and Ascends to the hight of his Temporary Horizon he should take leasure to look back on his bygone life and view well that he act contrary Good to these evils fore-mentioned that he be Considerate Knowing tender hearted busie in good Exercise rhat his Conscience be awak'd himself humble even cloathed with humility which layes a good foundation for the Reception of Grace in his after Age that he learn to change Vain thoughtsâ— into Deliberation and Passions to rule them by a quiet Mind peaceable by patience and Moderation and the sooner he listens to the Call of GOD it will be easier for him that with great Aug he be alarmed with that of the Apostle Rom 13. 11. It is 〈◊〉 time to awake out of sleep Memory may decay in old Age. But Youth must remember hear Children the instruction of Wisdom Prov 6. 7. And since some aâ—â— snatched away in their younger yeaâ— some sin away and some play away their time Youth should not think iâ— too soon to be serious since posibly hâ— may not live till he think it time to bâ— serious § 14. It is Good for youth that is ready to stare upon rarities to take Wisdom from the example of such as miscarry least he himself become an Example and all sad accidents to others should make us listen to that of Solomon Follow the way of good men Better to be A monument of mercy than of wrath He must impartially correctâ— the errors of his bygon life and not be sparing in his own case to cry out with Judah against the Harlot and yet be the man himself that is defiled Gen. 38. 24. He must consider how he hath carried in all relations what sentiments he had of Religion what was his Temptation inclination humour and phansie what was his gift and what little good he hath done And if he Consider well he may acknowledge that he hath not obeyed the voice of his Teachers and that his Religion hath but Come by fiâ—s and that Possibly he hath harboured and does harbour some predominant sin and if he were serious he would find out the Dalilah that hath possessed his heart and know where the strength of his sin lyes and pray with the Psalmist LORD who knows his errors Psal 19. 12. § 15 It is high time then to smite thy thigh and knock thy breast and to be humble for thy bygon errors which thou may know to be a sincere repentance for them that if thou were placed in the former circumstances thou wouldst not react these follies And that thou doest not relish them with wonted affection And since they have not ruin'd thee show thy zeal revenge against these thy former Idols keep no reserve least thy Religion be Partial and Unpleasant look back with grief and redeem it with Duty sell not thy time for nought be no more beguild with toyes look back with Repentance and before thee with Prudence § 19. It is more then time also to consider thy Baptismal Engagement Whereby thou art sworn to GOD gets his mark and his Cognizance of Christianity Thou must renunce sin and Sataâ— GOD can make thy Baptism Effectual but 't is by Faith Repentance and Obedience that it works in the Adult Thoâ— must give the Answer of a good Consciencâ— 1 Pet. 3. 21. to thy Baptism as St. Peter speakâ— thou must wash in the Laver of Regeneration till it produce the new Creature Anâ— draw Vertue as a living Member from thy Blessed Head § 16. Who is now wise to consider these things look how the LORD trains thee in his Providence from Childhood to Youth GOD may bring thee homâ— with the voice of the Rod look theâ— what Influence Providence hath upon thy Younger heart if it be humbled and 〈◊〉 to receive the Blessings of Religion § 17. And yet more particularly to direct this ingoverned Age that needs solidity to keep it from Reeling 〈◊〉 the Scripture teacheth thee 1 to remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth It is a part and a great part that layes the foundation of practical principles Memento 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vere memento Mori both to remember how to live and how to die And 2ly the Scripture bids thee flee youthfull lusts 2 Tim 2 2 1 What these lusts are thou reads not there but certainly youth hath its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper lusts the vice of their age of their nature person and Nation Yet if thou look to the contrary Vertues which the Apostle there commends as Righteousness Grace Faith Love c. Thou shalt find Injustice Ambition Animosity Carnality Vnruliness Facileness Broils Tumults Contests and Duels that produceth dearfull deaths all which are against Charity which the Apostle there commends bnt thou must follow after Faith Love and Peace Secondly Shun idleness and evil Company beware of the Tavern and Stew If sinners entice thee consent thou not It is a Token that GOD hath called thee If thou choice a Right Calling It is time for thee now to think how to live Every minute of our short day has its Work Consider then well what Work thou puts thy Hand to and what Calling by the Advice of these that are Wiser than thy self may through GOD's Blessiing serve thee in this World and not Impede thy general Calling as a Christian Let thy Calling not be insnaring but approved propone not so much Gain as Contentedness And as I hinted before Oeteris paribus the Holy
Heart with the Salt of Grace and make me to grow in Grace Imprint O LORD upon the Table of my Heart the A B C of Christianity teach me to know Love Fear Choice and Obey Thee give me to savour something of Reason and Religion in my ruder Age that I may mind my moment not trifle my time away abouâ— things of no moment Pardon and heal the corruption of my nature and the Vices of my person give me the new Heart in my younger dayes take away all Impediments and prejudices at Vertue and Religion And so shape sharpen and Sanctifie me that I may become an Instrument of Thy Glory and be prepared for Duty in the following Periods of the Life that thou shalt grant me Amen Devotion in order to Youth to be Exercised on Tuesday NOw Blessed GOD thou hast enlarged me from the bondage of None-Age the yoak of Discipline Keep me under thy Discipline For thy yoak is easie and thy commands are not grievous I am now lifted up to the Prime of my Age LORD make me steddy by Thy Grace that I do not turn giddy and stagger When I look back I find I have been Childish in mind as well as body What dark conceptions have I had of thee And any little spark of Grace was smuthered with a Mass of corruption the Brute in me much mastered it How raw and rude were my Notions of Religion And how contracted and deadned was my Conscience I was almost in all evil and knew it not and much under the Senses and sensitive Appetite The root of all evil was in me and I was content with my pleasant Fetters and were not Thy Mercy Thou hadst fully cast me off the Stage as a miscreant unworthy to live Yet LORD thou hast brought through all this dark trance of Childhood 1 Kings 18. 26. Save me from youthful lusts and grant mewith Obadiab that I may fear thee from my youth purge me from the Dregs of Nature Let them not fix in my Bones least in fuller years I â—e made to possess the sins of my Youth Joâ—â— 20. 11. Make me vigorous to engage under the Banner of CHRIST to fight against the infernal Trinity the devil the world and the Flesh and own the Holy TRINITY Blessed for ever Give me to offer the first fruits of my Life to Thee LORD make me to relish the sweetnesâ— of Vertue above all the pleasures of the World and pardon the Errors of my Youth Psal 25 11. and so ballast and establish me with Grace that I may lanch out unto a longer Life and not make shipwrack of Faith and good Conscience but have Thy Word for my Pilote Thy Spirit for my Star Humility for my Ballast the Gail of Grace to fill the Soul of my Affections Thy Glory for my End and Eternal Life for my Harbour Through JESUS CHRIST My LORD Amen 3ly Devotion As to our Entrance to a â—alling and Relation to be exercised on Wednesday O GOD of Love the Father of all sweet Harmony and Peace and the great Proveditor of Man Thou hast made him a Sociable Creature and hast united Mankind in a Society as Members of one Body Thou hast ordained him to live by his own Industry in the use of the Means which by Thy Blessing tends to his Provision As Nature abhores Vacuity so Thou O LORD abhores Idleness and hath given a particular Vocation to Man for Vertue LORD make me religious in my general Calling as a Christian and frugall in my particular Calling grant me the composed Wisdom to make choice of a Helper like unto Me let neither Lightness â—ondness nor carnal phansie be the principle and measures of my Affection and choice let the Advice and council of those whom I ought to follow be consulted and bless me with such purity in my Design that if by Thy Allowance I enter into a conjugal State I may ascend that bed with Innocence and Whiteness without the very knowledge of the carnal Tricks of Sin and Satan And when enteredâ— to entertain a constant Conjugal Affection to the wife or Husband of my Youth and if ever I have escaped in the least wash me throughly and Cement our Relation with the Endearments of the best Bond that our Family may be a Betâ—el to Thee Make our Calling Honest and Creditable and wherein we may be usefull to Thee and if Thy Providence hath brought us to Fortunes give us to consider that Thou wilt only honour them that honour Thee make us usefull in our Generation in the Stations Thou hast put us and may we with all Descretion pursue the Ends of our General and particular Calling to Thy Glory and our Comfort Amen Fourthly Devotion for our Riper years to be exercised on Thursday O Eternal Life and Action who dwells in a perpetual Repose grant me in all my Actions to aim Thee and repose in Thee and since now I must resolve with Action having not only the charge of my self but of a Family grant me to be active to what is accountable and agreeable for the increase of my Talents and the Improvement of the opportunities of my Time and Station Save me from vexing cares and doubtful aâ—xiety but grant me rational and providential Caâ—e in the diligent Use of the Means Help me to Cast all my Care upon Thee 1 Pet 5 7. And as to distâ—ust to be careful for nothing Save me from all impertinent and destructive digresions and let me never be worse than an Infidel in not providing for my Family and grant me O LORD Thy Blessing without which my â—arly and late Endeavours will not profit us Save me from all wrong measures in the Improvement of my Stock knowing that A little that the Righteous Man hath is better thâ—n the Treasures of the wicked For thou can turn my Mite into Talents Give me to seek the Kingdâ—m of GOD and mind the one Thing necessary without which all bussiness is but trouble give me to win my Soul and do Good in my place and time that when I cease from my labours I may enter into the Repose of everlasting Rest Through JESUS CHRIST my LORD Amen 3ly Devotion For our Declining Age on Friday O Unchaâ—geable GOD the same to Day Yesterday for ever the whole Creation hath been is and will be under a Decay untill the Deliverance of the Children of GOD. Our Life is but a vapour and a shadow the World so weights us that man begins to Decline ere he well consider that he lives Help O LORD my bowing and declining age give me to â—loath my self against the Winter and fill me well against a troubled Sea LORD give me to superstruct well upon solid Foundations to build my House upon a Rock 'T is time for me now to be wise since I have seen and done so much folly I will not choice the World for my portion it is Thee O LORD and Thee only as the Cenâ—er and Repose of my
be diligent since we know not the hour § 7 It cannâ—t then be impertinent seriously to warn the World to look to the Periods of their Life Which is the great Scope and Design of the following Treatise to lead the Christian through the Labyrinth of Life that he may well consider how short his time is with the Psalmist Psal 86. 47. And follow the Threed of the Word of GOD to direct him in all the Stages and Periods of his Life which is here set before thee in the following Periods Period first Of our Beginning and bygone Life and the Stages thereof Period second Of our present Time and the State of Our Growing Age and the several Stages thereof Period third Of the future Age or what is to come in the Declensions of Nature and the Stages thereof With a Vale to the WORLD Period first Of our beginning and bygone life and the Stages thereof MAn's Age is but a Span and but an Instant 'twixt our birth and our death Man comes to the World and knows not how and goes to a World of Eternity and knows not when He lives he groans he acts awhile and dyes And it takes a great part of the short Span of his time ' ere he well know where he is how he is and what he hath to do He lives long the life of a Brute as it were without reason It 's fit then when he begins to reflect to act as a rational Creature that he consider what he is and review the bygone time Yesterday can not be brought back But time may be Redeemed His life is but a dream yet he may gather some good out of it When he awakes if he consider The Prayer ANd Thou O LORD who only Remains unchangeable in all the stages and Changes of time and the inexpressible permanence of Eternal ages World without end Fix the heart of unconstant Man upon thee alone Our Soul is the Daughter of an high House Give us Grace with the Psalmist to say unto thee LORD thou art my LORD Psal 16. 2. Keep us O GOD in thy Name and make us pure and clean to be fit for Thee Keep our Immortal Soul in life and still upon wing to Flee to its Center and repose for where shall it Flee to be happie but to Thee thou only has the words of Eternal Life O JESV the Powerful attractive of Hearts who makes all Generous Souls sigh after thee draw us to thee for this is our Rest and only repose which sweetneth all the acerbities of time and Bitterness of this World here will we dwell for ever and If we Change upon the Wheel of time we roll indeed but in Thee we can not be moved nor Removed Amen Come I now to consider the stages and several Tuâ—ns of the first Period of our Life STAGE First The Contents OF the Formation and Production of the Infant of the propagation of the Soul and of sin of Infant Baptism and the right that the Children of Church Members have unto it The duty to be extended to Infants as Care Provision Prayer for them to study their Nature and Humour and acting accordingly Grave example and a serious timeous dedication of them to GOD which for more distinct clear uptaking thereof shall be considered by a Particular account of the purpose and dâ—ctrine of the first Stage in the first period of our life § 1. Let Naturalists and Ancient or modern Masters of Medicine discourse of the Formation of the Child in the womb Job and the Royal Psalmist draweth this unseen Embryo best with a Divine Pencil Job 10. 8. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me together round about thou hast fashioned me as the Clay Has thou not powred me out as Milk and croudled me as Chees Thou hast Clothed me with Skin and Flesh and fenced me with Bones and Sinews And Psal 139. from 13. Thou hast possessed my Reins thou hast covered me in my Mothers Womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made and Curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth and in thy book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned when yet there was none of them Man 's a wonder before the World see him lying in the dark Cells of the womb and if he consider from what he Flows and his little Chamber in the womb and how nourished there It may humble him he flows from Blood and lives on Blood and dwells amongst Blood and Ordurs Thy very nature may humble thee For as it proves the Wisdom and power of the GOD of Nature who can extract a quintessence out of Dullest matters so doth it bid thee look unto thy Original All the Earth being of one Blood Acts 17. 26. And there being no differance 'twixt the Prince and the Peasent and that GOD who teacheth Art to extract Rarities who by nature brings Silk from a Worm a Pearl from a Shell and precious Minerals from Dust and Rubbish doth make this Raritie Man Ex Humo Eccle. 12 7. For Dust thou art and to Dust thou shalt return thou comes from the womb and goes to thy long home the Grave If thou boast of thy Pedigree Go to the House of Rottenness and look to the worms that makes thy Flesh to shrink and learn to confess with Abraham that thou art Dust and Ashes Gen 17. 28. And with Job abhor thy self in Dust and Ashes Job 42. 6. And if thou shall consider that thou art not only Dust but fallen in the Dust and comes forth with a Contaminate Blood dying in thy sin and no Eye pitying thee Ezek 16. 1. it may further abase thee and not suffer thee to be proud when thou lyest in the Dunghill all besmeared with filth and uncleanness Consider then thy rise and thy fall and learn to be humble else thou art proud of nothing or worse than nothing § 2. Next As to the Propogation of the Soul and how the dust body comes to be animated not only with vital spirits but with a rational Soul I shall leave the curiousity of this also to Philosophers For altho some will have the Soul ex traduce because if not so Man doth not beget a perfect Man and commonly Children Patriscent follow the ill of the Parents and they are Father-like there is not only vitium Gentis familiae of the Nation and Family but also personae of the Person Yet its safest to joyn with the universal Church that the soul is infused according to that of St. Aug Creando infunditur infundendo Creature By creation it is infused and by the infusion of the Soul it is created And this common Vote is not infringed by the sentiments of some Private Men For although Man begetteth not a Soul yet he begets a spirituâ— Organ and Embryo disposed for the Soul aâ— so doth he begett Man Virtually And the Scripture favours this Infusion as Solomon sayeth Dust shall return to Dust and the spirit to
with most natural and â—â—easant inclinations For it 's hard to act â—gainst tide invita Minverva this makes â—ut â—oil and labour to little purpose and â—ithout proficiency And although Suâ—eriors are not fully to be concluded by â—â—e swing of their Children's inclinations â—et are they carefully to observe their â—ay in their after Education and Act â—ccordingly in the Observing the methods of the Stage following STAGE Fourth From the 12 to the 18 Year of Man's Age. The Contents Resumeth the Doctrine and Instructions for Children And further presseth home the special concerns of their life wâ—â— the Reinforcement of the Care and Duâ—â— of Parents and Overseers with a Traâ—â—tion from Child hood to Growing Aâ—â— and entrance upon the Limits of Youâ—â— with some Rules and Motives directâ—â— and pressing this § 1. IT is now high time for theâ— O Man to lift up thy Eyeâ— higher then the firmament and 〈◊〉 mind thy Creator look well then thaâ— thou consider thy bounden duty 〈◊〉 GOD the timous dedication and givinâ— up of thy name to Him and to poâ—der thy early engadgement and Baptismal Vow and as Baptism is the Lâ—ver of Regeneration thou art to look 〈◊〉 it hath any influence upon thee and 〈◊〉 thou finds any thing of the motions of aâ— new life within thee if Baptism has haâ—â— lowed thee and if thou does seriously consider that thou art washed that thou mavest begin now to escape the polutious of the World through lust and that as new born Babes thou desire the sincere milk of the word that thou mayest grow thereby and if thou hast learned the Language of Canaan to speak with GOD and for GOD if thou hast attained to any discretion to put on Modesty humility and patience If thou hast learned to govern thy homour propassions and passions If thou yet knows any thing of the Vanity and Deceitfulness of the World and the necessity of renuncing the same If these things be in thee O Child of Man then thou layest a good foundation against the time to come and for thy progress in Piety and Vertue § 2. And for Parents and Overseers Let me in all modesty enquire of you if your heart approves you as to your Duty to your Children and Pupils in order to their Religious education Some are ready to boast of Blood and Kinred Friends and Riches and other worldly priviledges but the great bussiness is to look well they be illuminated with the Rayes of Grace and the beauties and properties of Religion As also if you have used the rod with discretion for he that spareth the rod hateth the Child sayeth Solomon Which must be used not out of passion but from good Principles to holy ends For this is an instance of your Tender love of them since GOD Himself the Father of us all hath said Whom I love I Chastise that we may be Zealous and Repent Rev. 3. 21. And â—e chastneth every 〈◊〉 whom He Receiveth Heb 12. 6. Folly is knit to the heart of the Child till the Rod of Correction take it out And it is far better for your Children to feel the Lash of your Rod then to be stricken and wounded with the effects of their own after miscarriage when their own Iniquity find them out § 3. And it is an excellent Mean for your Childrens happiness that you study their genius and proper Gift as I before hinted that so ye may prepare them to enter such Callings as may make them most useful in their Generation That their Calling be laudable and approved as little lyable to snares as possible a Calling that may most naturally dispose them for a course of Vertue And therefore they would be instructed to be Industrious Honest and diligent in the Exercise thereof And of whatever Rank they be it is a greater blemish then obscure blood to be idle in their Generation So that even the Noble and Rich as they have a High and Noble general Caling So must they act in some particular Calling and Exercise in these more Eminent Spheres GOD has placed them in And if ye find your Children's genius so disposed it may be very helpful and behoveful for their Comfort in this Life and that to come to give them to GOD and separate them for the Holy Tribe by the Holy and Honourable Calling of the Gospel Ministry Wherein if Men would answer their Character they might get Esteem and Respect and with their Master Grow in favour with GOD and Man § 4. Neither is the Femal Sex to be neglected as to this Religious Education The Daughters are to be directed as well as the Sons For as they have Interest in the Covenant 2 Cor 6. to the end I will be a Father unto you sayeth the LORD and ye shall be unto Me Sons and Daughters So when our Sons are as plants grown up in their Youth and our Daughters as Corner Stones polished after the similitude of a Palace it is a great token of the Happiness of a People Psal 144. 12. 15. Our Danghters are not born or bred to be idle For beside their General they have a particular Calling to be Employed in For which end and to illuminate their life they are to be very careful and such as Oversee them that they be neither like a gadding Dina nor a painted Jezebel or like the Daughter of Midian who were a stumbling block by the counsel of Balaam to the People of GOD They must shun the way of the prostitute Woman in the Prov and learn to do vertuously after the Copy of the gravest Matrons And to attire themselves with modesty and Vail themselves with shamefacedness and learn Humility which is a foundation Grace and to beware of pride and vanity since this may make them like the daughters of Zion Isa 2. 24. and bring baldness and a Scab upoâ— them in stead of Beauty They would labour also to refine Purifie all their Passions by giving Christ who is fairer than the Soâ—â— of Men The first and highest place in their love and to Espouse themselves to such a Blessed Husband ere they think upon their Nupâ—ials That when by the Approved methods of GOD and their Parents they begin a conjugal state they may enter the Marriage bed White as Swans and Purer then the Snow of Lebanon They would learn also to moderate all their affections speech and way with the Spirit of meekness for a meek and quiet Spirit is the Ornament of a Woman 1 Pet. 3. 4. And this being observed let them be as vertuous as they can both in a single and married life Let reason rather then Romances be their Study let them Deck their minds ere they adorn their Body Let them consider that they are the Weaker Vessel and under subjection and still think it to be unsuitable to their Sex and way to be Imperious and not to keep within the Sphere in which GOD hath placed them least they make Clamour Noise and in discretion which doth
much blot and Blur their delicacy § 5. And now by way of transition from the bygone time to the present For in this Stage of Mans life its high time for him to begin to reflect upon bygone and to consider where he is and that he ascends to an higher Horizon I shall leave all what I have said in order to the first Period of our life and the Stages thereof and take Man in his ascendant by the hand and lead him by Religion in this second Period of his life and the Various Circumstances and Stages thereof The Prayer AND thou O Great Father of the World who by the wise providence Carries Man from the Womb to Youth in the weak beginnings of his life and darker Rudeness of unjointed Judgement who pities his infirmities and provides for his healing and help bâ— the expresses of Purest reason Sanctifie this Period of his life Principle and ballast this new Vessel well with the sweet Odours of Religion that there be not any thing wrong in the first Region and no error and misdiet in the first concoction that so Man may be shaped and formed for thy self and Prepared for Felicity in the lustrous and lightsome Steps of thy holy Religion Amen Period second Of our Present time and the State of our Growing Age. STAGE I. Which commenceth from the 18 year of Mans age to twenty two or thereabout The Contents Considereth the portraiture and lineaments of Youth and the evils incident to that age with some directions and motives for the Right ordering of this circumstance of our age and some hints of particular Directions as to Our Natural Spiritual and Moral Capacitie for the help of youth Now entering more visible upon the Stage in the open View of the World With sutable Devotion § 1. NOw come I to consider a very turbulent and dangerous part of Man's Age Let man now consider what he is now arrived to almost at the top of the wheel and may be a little look back to the darker Region of his Childish years and how long he hath been buried in Oblivion without true sense solidity his many Unmanly and Unchristian Infirmities It hath been enquired concerning Childish follies See Dr. Taylors Ductor dubitantium Pag 800. How long they are excused as Inevitable Errors and Invincible Ignorance But since our Original sin makes us Culpable miserable before GOD I think it best to reflect with grief upon bygon infirmities and to labour in our growing Age nad Youth-hood which I have guessed to begin about the eighteen year of Man's Age to correct our selves of bygon infirmities and prepare to act more wisely and solidly in the more grave and settled state of Life § 2. Youth now iâ— his Morning Rise having the timous season to begin a course of Vertue and Duty having put off childish habits childish things being now dissintangled from these triffles must act like a Man God doth make some embrace his Yoke from their Youth by his Grace makes the motion and life of the New Creature appear in them and their way and such a Youth is like to be usefull in his Generation to GOD the World and himself and O how happy is such a 〈◊〉 whom GOD takes by the heart and by the hand betimes and fitteth him with good inclinations and warm tender Affections to love GOD and fear Him And to remember his Creator in his Youth Ecc 12. 1. Whereby much sin and folly in him is prevented and such corruptions as make the way to Life difficult if not impossible to Man Thus many seek to enter in at the strait gate and are not found able like that young Man in the Gospel Mat 19 6. Who probably had some good in him and came to CHRIST sincerely and not as the Pharisees did to tempt him Yet Because the Idol of the World was lurking in his heart he went away sorowfull from CHRIST But the Youth that hath reminded his Baptism Vow is put in a fair way to make progress in Vertue and Duty § 3. But alas Youth is in a sharp fever with a phrensie till GOD cool aâ—d câ—re him some are rather Gazers then Discerneâ—s a sort of Animal that but stares on the World and knows not well what he is doing Like a Bullock or wild Colt unacquainted with the easie yoak of duty He Evaporates in Air and Vanity like an imaginary Prince thinks himself None such who but he he towers up in t the Air there to build a Castle and propose to get a name through phansie without the methods of Fame and Vertue No considering that he lyes like a silly fool exposed to all temptation § 4. The Wisdom of GOD pronunceth that Child-hood and Youth are Vanity Ecâ— 11. 10. And the Psalmist praveth thaâ— the Errors of his Youth be not Remembred Psal 25. 7. The most of Youth without Restrain are evil there may be some better natures and Humours but all have the Common Corrupt nature which makes it's Eruptions like Aetna and giveth Cause of Regrate all the following life-time Great Augustine who of a profligate youth became the Oracle of Doctors because of the extravagancieâ— of his younger Age is very full and particular in his confessions Youth is wise in it's own conceit and so the Greater Fool he 's a little Gay with warm blood strength and health so that he is ready to think himself invincible and being of uncertain Humour concludes himself without a change But what 's thy strength O Young Man to the strength of a horse Behemoth or Leviathan A Lion or a beast of Prey may soon devour thee a Feverish disease may soon consume thee and Death thou so little thinks upon may turn thy White and Red Complexion into Black and Pale Dust The strength of the horse may fail but such as trust in the LORD shall renew their strength Isa 40 29. It is good then for Youth to pray for the Influence of that CALL that raised Lazarus from the Dead For if Grace interveen not There is a Law in the Members which rebels against the law of the mind which leads the Youth Captive to the power of sin and Death Rom 7. 23. § 4. But I must descend to more minute Particulars concerning Youth For this is in many a very unruly part of their Age very confused in the Rational Part And man in this State is altogether lighter then Vanity Who lives much by Phansie and Imaginations and is not so careful to â—ress the Soul as to attire the Body Yet a Roâ—e hath a greater gloss and beauty than all his artificial Decorement O it is sad to be proud of that which hides his nakedness and discovers that he is fallen Let this painted Spectacle appear in view he is like a Willâ— Ass snuffing up the wind Some are Lâ—â— quacious others Tongue-tyed Yet what is wanting in words is made upâ—â— Vaunts and vain Glory they look 〈◊〉 high that they
solid Foundation by Religion 2ly That thou enter into such a serious and lasting state of Life with the good Advice of GOD under him of those of Experience 3ly That thou propose the most pheasable means and good Ends for the Comfort and Contentment of thy Life 4ly That thou fall upon the most clear and approved Methods to attain these Ends. And Lastly When engaged in this Relation of conjugal Life that thou carry well therein and behave as a solid Christian in thy Family First Except the LORD build the house they labour in vain that buiâ—â— it Psal 127. 1. See that thou marry iâ— the Lord and that thou set him befoâ—â— thee that he may be at thy Right-handâ—â— and keep thy Heart still in His Handâ— that thy choice may be dexterous anâ— fortunate learn to be a Christian anâ— Espouse Christ ere thou be a Husband oâ— a wife for Religion is the bond the Bleâ—â—ing the beauty and the thrift of thy Relation and will have a greater influence upon the peace and prosperity 〈◊〉 thy family and the sweet converse 〈◊〉 the married twain Psal 128 2. And maâ—â— them live together as Heirs of the grace 〈◊〉 Life 1 Pet. 3. 7. 3ly Thou shouldest noâ— enter rashly unto this Covenant Consider what thou does Seek Counsel at Goâ— and good men especially of thy Parentâ—â— Let not Pride hast passion and indiscretion engage thee to make such an adventure and if the Council of GOD and good men be wanting thou mayest be fond this night and faint to morrow and begin to repent when it is too late and canst propose no Remedy but that which is desperate 3ly Have a Right designe before thee Marry Rationally and with discretion consider the ends for which GOD has appointed Marriage And never think to accomplish them except thou shape out fit means to obtain them bewar of Being unequally yoked Let thy match be suitable if thou wouldest have it profitaâ—le Consider how thou shalt live in that Relation that thou may live well in It. Bewar of the Snare of Poverty nor too greedily look after gain Keep the midle mean and that is to propose an honest and unchargeable way of living Say with Ag Give me neither Poverty nor Riches but what 's convenient for me Be not too confident in that thou art Perhaps young and strong to provide for thy self For thy youth may soon fade and thy strength decay a laudable seeking after a creditable way of living is rhy duty that thou have some talent and stock to use well which may by the Blessing of GOD be improved and thy Family provided 4ly That thou fall upon most clear and approved methods to attain these ends Besides what is already hinted thou art to engage in this setled state with consent of Parents if they be living for if thou oughtest to honour or obey thy Parents as GOD's Word directs Eph. 6. 1. Then thou 〈◊〉 not be but culpable If in this thou coâ—â— contrary to their will And if the Scâ—â—ture gives it as a note of Prophane Eâ—â— that by his Marriage he was a grieâ—â— heart to Isaac and Rebekah Wheâ—â— Jacob followed his Fathers Couâ—â— thou shalt find it most agreeable to follâ—â— Jacobs Rod and if thy parents should 〈◊〉 too tyranical and self willed in this 〈◊〉 imped thee for their own ends or as 〈◊〉 Apostle to the Hebrews sayeth in the 〈◊〉 of Chastisement for their own pleasuâ—â— yet shouldst thou be very submiss Bâ—â— they be unreasonably wilfull thou haâ—â— fuge in the Church which hath poâ—â— to call Parents to an account of their tâ—â—ciousness But this point is so fully hâ—â—led by Divines and determined by 〈◊〉 Church that I shall not enlarge this treaâ—â— upon it Only I would commend this â—â—siness to be orderly done with all thâ—â— necessarly previous to its consummatâ—â— and with suitable solemnities in the 〈◊〉 of GODs Chnrch and not after some â—â—sual Caruse nor done like a thing 〈◊〉 dares not hold up its face but doth 〈◊〉 and sneak in corners as the persons engâ—â—ing were ashamed that it shonld be knoâ—◠〈◊〉 the World whereas they must give an â—â—count of it before GOD Angels and Men. And make that suspected to the peoâ—â—e which they should approve themselves 〈◊〉 to their own Consciences and to the reâ—ular Church The Blessing whereof is not 〈◊〉 be despised by any private Man 5ly â—o carry Christianly in this Relation â—hat Man or Wife make conscience of â—â—eir mutual duties and the main thing â—hat concerns the Husband is Religious and Conjugal Love to his Wife which the Apostle so fully presseth Eph. 5. Gives the Man an excellent Pattern of the free sinâ—ere full and constant Love of CHRIST to â—he Church And the great Specifick of â—he Wifes duty is Reverence and Obediâ—nce to her Husband as the head For this Rational and Religious Love of the Husband Will last when the heats of passion shall expire and evanish And that Reverence and Obedience of the Wife to the Husband as it will Indear his Heart to her more and more so shall it make her to be taken among the number of the Godly Women especially Sarah 1 Peter 3 6. Who reverenced her hnsband and Called him LORD So that these things being observed they may be freer for a good Understandâ—â— among themselves to govern their Faâ—â—ly with Discretion and their Affairs 〈◊〉 Frugality and Vertue 2ly As to yâ—â— entrance into the Exercise of your Pâ—â—cular Calling be well advised that it qâ—â—drate with thy General Calling as a Chriâ—â—an Be as vertuous as thou may but 〈◊〉 not thy Bussiness hinder thee from workiâ—â— out the Work of thy own Salvaâ—ion â—â—gin and end the Day with GOD aâ—â— seek first the Kingdom of GOD aâ—â— His Righteousness Mat. 6. 20. And neâ—â— say that thou hast not time For if thâ—â— improve thy time with Frugality thâ—â— will never want leasure to seek and seâ—â— GOD It is to be feared thou wants Wiâ—â— and there lyes the root of the evil Thâ—â— would also take care to Employ thy seâ—â— well in an approved Calling Beware 〈◊〉 the snares thereof keep a good Conscience let the Word of GOD and noâ—â— Interest rule thy Conscience Be honeâ—â— in thy Calling beware of fraud anâ—â— sneaking wayes and work not in thâ—â— Calling to be called a Cheat Take rightâ—â— Measure true Ballance and the same Weights otherwayes thy Tricks are an Abomination to the LORD Consult the most approved Proportions for thy gain â—nd if thou be engaged in the laborious Work of the Husband-Man let Grace â—uide thy Georgicks And consider that in 〈◊〉 beginning such a Calling payed Fruits â—o GOD Gen 4. 3. He makes the ground â—â—st up to thee and brutish Animals â—eed thee Cloath thee and serve thee The LORD brings food out of the Earth Psal 104. 14. And makes the senseless Clod and Turâ— produce Corn and Grain And all thy Labour without His Blessing will not profit thee Thou canst therefore
so much neglected The Pharises in old turned superficial in their Religion by their Zâ—al for their traditions and it is to be feared that Christianity is much exanimated by such a cry for the outward part with too great neglect of Charity and the holiest of all where only we can find the propiratory And to be more particular these things that we are mainly to insist upon may be taken up in these particulars following 1. The necessaria or things absoluty needfull to Saâ—vation 2ly The Prosecution of the great design of the Gospel 3ly The Right informing of what we have been what we are and what we shall be 4ly The consideration of the last things so useful for the salvation of our souls and so clearly manifested in the Gospel First the things absolutly necessary for salvation as the true Knowledge of GOD and the Mediator and the operations of the Holy Ghost in the illumination and sanctification of our hearts These are the Revelation of that mystery that was hid from ages which refresh the Soul in the true knowledge of GOD and directs our Spirit to worship him in spirit and in trâ—th and to love fear â—bey and châ—ose him as our Portion â—â—â—e and hereafter wâ—ich overaweth the â—â—ul with a reverential fear of his naâ—e and shaâ—tech abroad Divine love in our hearâ—s whereby we are veâ—â—y much Refâ—â—shâ—d with the Bread of Angels and Saint And â—hen we look upon GOD in the Mediator we take him up aright And by our applying of and imploying CHRIST in his Mediatorial office we come to get Victory oâ— ver Hell and Death and by the commiting our selves to the Guidance of the Spirit it makes a spirit of Glory Rest upon us It fills our hearts with a wonderous Jubilation and joy and fiâ—â—s us tâ— have our Conversation in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour Phil. 3. 20. 2ly The prosecution of the great design of the Gospel We are taught by the Aâ—pâ—aâ—ance of the Grace of GOD to deny all ungodliness and Worldly lusts and to live Godly Righteousâ—â— and Soberly in this present World Tiâ— 2. 11. This is the right management oâ— our Knowledge and Christian Calling whereby we are directed and assisted to put in Practice our holy Religion 3ly And it is very behoovful in our Christian Course well to consider what we have been that we may be humbled To consider what we are that we may be Cautious and Circumspect And Iabour to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge to our LORD JESUS CHRIST To answer our Gospel Education in all tke Relations and Turns and Exigents of our Life And what we shall be is best known by 4ly The consideration of the Novissima or Last Things That we entertain frequent Meditations of Death that so we may be ready when GOD's time comes To be wise to consider our latter End and wisely to number up our Dayes To Judge our selves that we be not condemned at the Last Judgement To consiâ—er Hâ—ll that we may put a Beacon over Tophet to flee from it And to recreat our selves with the Prospect of Heaven to encourrage us To make meet for that Inheritance with the Saints in Light Nâ—w that all these things may be layed to Heart entertained and improved in our Christian Life I shall subjoyn these Reasons following 1st The Orignal of these things 2ly These things contain our Right and Title to Glorv And 3ly They contain our Portion and Patrimonâ— in HEâ—VEN First There Original They are ◠〈◊〉 from above They are wholy Divâ—ne the Etâ—rnal Truth of the Eternal GOD They are neither Humane Inventions nor Traditions but the â—â—ictates of Eternal Reason so Pure so Excelâ—ent so True and so Just that they discover the Fountain from whence they flow The Gospel then is a Divine Thing every Truth thereof is a Ray of Eternal Light and the Preaching of the â—ross of CHRIST tho to the blinded World of no account being to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness Yet is it to be Gloried in by true Beleivers as the Issue of Eternal Love and the great product of Heavenly Council and Covenant 'T is wholly composed of Glories discovers unto us the everlasting Love Precious CHRIST and Precious Promises great Rewards and an Eternal Crown 2ly These Things contain our Title to Glory Our Charter of Inheritance with the Saints in Light Which Composed according to the Terms of the Covenant of Grace That GOD is our GOD and we His People Which Charter wâ— should understand as being sealed with the Word aâ—d Oath of GOD And upon our part ougâ—t to be sealed with persevering Fidelity so that we need not run to turn the leaves of our destiny in the secret Council of GOD but search the revealed Will that our names by Well doing may appâ—ar to us to be written in the Book of Life 3ly These things contain our Portion and Heavenly Patrimonie For 1 Cor 3. End If we be CHRISTâ— all is ours If Genuine Christians Then are we Sons Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST Gal 4. 7. The Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST are Thine We should then oftâ—n read our Charter rejoice in our high Descent improve our Priviledges as the Children of GOD and labour to comprehend with all Saints the dimensiâ—ns of the Love of GOD seek to have a heart to these things for they contain a great prize if not put in the hand of a fool These Things are the Light of a Christian and the Conscience of them the Conduct of a Believer and the Beleif of these Things his â—rown And as to the manner of the Apostle's bearing in these Things upon People is by way of Remembrance Gospel Ministeâ—â— are subordinate Mediators betwixt GOD and â—eople They are the LORD 's Râ—â— membâ—ances Isa 62. 6. 7. For the Peoples Good and Peoples Remembrances of their Duty to GOD they must warne admonish Remember and inculcate Truth upon Peoples hearts by frequent Admonition and Repetition Phil 3. 3â— But this Remembring being so much mentioned by the Apostle here I shall refer to a particular discourse ere I conclude this subject and so I come to the last parâ— ticular Which containeth the Knowledge and Establishment of Christians in the prime of Christianity and clearly informeth us of the exact Instruction and stability of Primitive Christians in the 〈◊〉 3d. Faith The Prophets foretold this Light that the People should be all taught of GOD. Which is clearly fulfilled under the Gospel as you may see by comparing 2 Chap of st John with 2 Chap of the Acts For in effect Ignorance is the greatest impediment of the Comfort and Duty of Religion and a great Prognostick of a fatal and judicial stroak it hindereth the Action of Religion and the Pleasures of it and puts People in an Element where Satan the prince of darkness works and hinders them from the Light and Liberty of the Children of GOD. Sermon III. The Expediency and Vsefulness of
time of plowing and sowing in order to our great harvest We must work while it is called the day for the night cometh wherein no man worketh John 9. 11. What ever our hand findeth to do we must do it with our might for there is no knowledge nor work in the grave Ecl. 10. 9. The present time is the season of preaching â—o day if he will hear his Voice Ere long the Pastor's Mouth will be closed as well as your Ears GOD useth not to send a Seminary from the Dead to preach the Gospel the Living shall praise Him and act for Him for in this short Life all our Bussiness must be done in order to Eternitie the LORD doth not cause preach to the Dead for in the state of Separation our Bodily Organs are consumed and the Soul is under its everlasting Sentence it s therefore absolutely necessary that we plye our Work in time with all Alacrity and Diligence But this must be more particularly unfolded by the consideration of these following heads 1. The great care that serious men should have to make use of the Season 2ly Their great Diligence that they should manifest in their weighty Work 3ly The Frailty and Brittleness of our mortal Life our Soul is in a Tent or Tabernacle 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account 1. The great Care that Serious Men should have to make use of the Season This is not the Work of Yesterday for that is past and cannot be recalled nor of to Morrow for we know not what then may be Prov. 27 1. Therefore we should not bost of it for we know not what a Day may bring forth But it is the Work of the Present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Instant which passeth as a Thought and will not abide Delayes and as we know not if we shall preach another Day so people know not how long the Voice may be behind them saying This is the Way But this they may know that it is the Voice of GOD that calletâ— them and they know not how soon iâ— it may be silent and the Heavenly Oraclâ— give no more Response 2ly The great diligence that Serioâ—â— Men should manifest in their Weighty Work Their Work is a Harvest the Labourers should be busie and tho GOD doth not allow that with too fast driving we put our selves out of Breath yet since the Work tho very weighty is so pleasant and so necessary and the exercise of the greatest Charity of the World to do good to Souls and since we have anointing Oil and the Aid of the Spirit to enable us we should not be idle nor taken up with Triffles and vain things and especially shun all worldly and sinfull Distractions that we may be well excercised in so good and necessary a Work 3ly The frailty and Brittleness of our mortal life Our life is both short and uncertain we are Pilgrims on Earth and sojurn as all our Fathers have done our Soul is in a tent and our life is but Transient ambulatory and transitory we are Pilgrims Souldiers strangers and not at home we have no continuing abode here the Tabernacle and Tent may soon be lowsed our passing house fall about our ears Which as it should prevent our taking our Rest on Earth so should it make us busie while we are in this Tabernacle and animate us in all our travels on earth with our priviledge that we shall come to a Temple and have a House with GOD Eternal in the Heavens 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account the Apostle makes much use of this Word for Ministers are GOD's mouth they should admonish and incite People to duty People should be warned for they are secure and become tuchy when they are awakened they are ready to say Peace Peace before sudden destruction Come We should therefore seek supplie to our Lamps in time and to have our Wedding Garment in hand against the Bridegroom come there be many things to give us Memento and Ministers should never forget to give this warning but labour to keep people on foot to Run their Race unto the End Sermon IV. Of the Practical Knowledge of Death and the Information and Warning that the LORD giveth some of His Favourites thereof Knowing that shortly I must put off this Tabernacle Verse 14. ALTHO no doubt this Holy and Reverend Father had his Soul still upon readiness to render it up on his Master's Call with all Chearfulness And tho he was animated to Duty by an extraordinary Help of the Spirit Yet the Knowledge he was shortly to put off his Tabernacle did serve as a motive in him to excite him in his holy Work As his Master before him John 9. 4. 2 Wherein we may Consider 1st His Resolution Practical Knowledge of his approaching dissolution 2ly His favourable Representation of Death a putting off this Tabernacle and giving the Soul more room to commerce with GOD. 3ly His more than ordinary Information of this his Deseace As to the First we may observe that the Practical Knowledge of Death serves much to make serious Doct. 1 Men well Employed All men know they must die but few consider and improve it Which maketh Moses in the Name of the LORD so pathetically cry out O that they were wise to consider their latter End Deut. 32. 26. And Jeremiah so sadly to lament That Jerusalem was taken away because she knew not her last end The best of Men have layed this to Heart I have run sayeth St. Paul Cor 9. 26. For Death puts a Period to all Business Eccles 9. 10. Death puts us ab agendis a Judgement immediatly follows where account must be given of our Stewartship Who is then that faithful Servant that when the LORD cometh shall find so doing and busie about his work Do not say the LORD delayeth his comming let not GOD's Patience make thee procrastinate but be the more busie that thou hast a day to labour in 2ly If thy Work be imperfect and not done it will remain undone for ever and except Christ stand for thee thou will enter imperfect to ternity It is dangerous to sleep our time or triffle it but rather if thou hast loitered double thy diligence This practical knowledge of Death concerns all Men Omnes Tangit from the Court to the Countrey from the Palace to the Cottage Death hath an Universal Empire over all Ranks Sexes Ages Goodness Greatness Riches and the Greatest power and strength cannot prevent it bribe it nor oppose it It is the Messenger of the Great King It cannot be deforced disce mori learn to die is a great lesson it is a great principle in Practical Religion as nosce teipsum to know thy self is necessary Death comes upon many with a surprise and unaware it creeps on Gray hares are here and there on us ere we advert There are some inconsiderate and layes it not to heart Some are dead and drowned in interest and sing
a Requiem while perhaps immediatly their Soul may be taken from them Some put off the day of Death and many run to another extream and hasten their Death by sensuality and look upon it as fatality and so grow careless Some are so swelled with the World that they can not here mementâ— fili but the old World Sodom Belshazer the Rich Glutton Herâ—â— Annanias and Saphira and others are Beacoâ— to thee to guard against precipices aâ—â— learn thee to be considerate practically tâ— think upon thy latter End And yet further this practical knowledgâ— of Death is very useful to advance practical Religion 1 st Guarding against security and surprise 2ly Stirring up men to plie their work in time well 3ly To dissarm of its Sting and dreadour 4ly To prepare us for our decease Fitst This practical knowledge of Death saves us from the greatest of evils and that is security and surprise in a matter of such a consequence as passing to our final Doom Security is the great Temptation And it produceth most dierful effects as the Old World and Wordly men set forth by Christ in the case of Dives doth declare It layes the hold open to the enemy and takes the man off the Stage of time ere he hath done any good in it Sudden destruction follows such as cry Peace It hath made tall Cedars fall But to be awake and to be armed let 〈◊〉 not fix our Repose upon Earth wheâ— it cannot be had for the Voice 〈◊〉 GOD sayeth Arise this is not thy Râ—â— And to be thus prepared delivers us froâ— the dreadour of Death For how dreadful is Death to the Man at ease said thâ— son of Sirah 2ly The practical knowledge of Death cannot but make any Serious Man to plye his Work in time it will not suffer him to delay and put off Our Life is but a Vapour and very uncertain and therefore we should do our Work now or never we should neither boast of to morrow nor putt of till to morrow but do the Work of the Day Accidents and Incident troubles and diseases may soon lay us by by the blast of the Wrath of GOD For all men are but Grass c. Isa 40. 6. 3ly To dissarm Death of its sting and dreadour the most of men live under the bondage of the fear of Death the most of their time And certainly to have the practical knowledge of it would make the consideration of Death to be easie and familiar to us When we can say with Job I know that thou will bring me to death And Death gathers a great and venomous sting if we labour not to reâ— move sin and interest our selves in the Death of Christ and then we may triumph with St. Paul O death where is thy â—ting 4ly This practical Knowledge serves to prepare us for our death and to make us ready to render up our Soul that we may expire in the Arms of Christ and with old Simeon have Christ in our Arms and therefore desire to depart in Peace And this practical Knowledge serves much to make us lead a good Life which is the only way to a happy Death Let this then learn all Christians especially Gospel Ministers to study this practical Knowledge of Death App which made St. Chrysostome say Offeramus DEO voluntarie quod â—ro debito debemur reddere give that freely to GOD which we owe in Debt to Him Ministers of the Gospel should be mortified their Life should preach Mortification they have a great account to make at Death and therefore by their Well doing should undo it There are no men who have more need of Wisdom than they and it is the greatest Wisdom to consider our Latter End 2ly The favourable Representations the Apostle here gives of Death a puttiâ—â— off or laying down this Tabernacle Where observe That Death is not dreadful to the Godly Natuâ—â— Doct 2d may shrink but Faith prevaâ—â—â— Death is but a long sleep the Grave a doâ—â— mitory it is but a taking up of our Tent and a passing to our Fathers House leaveing our Pilgrimage to possess our Inheritance Death is very kindly to a well resolved Christian it puts our Body in a Chamber gives us a Covert from the storm Isa 26. 20. In which state of Separation we have no more sense to feel than the Dust we ly amongst the irksomeness is only in our Apprehension It is the common fate of all Mortals We cannot tell how we did grow in the Womb much less how we shall rot in the Grave The Body was an Instrument of sin it must be corrupted and in a manner refined in the Grave to rise incorruptible at the Resurrection Let us then pay the debt of nature freely willingly and with a sort of Holy Faith concur with GOD and lay down our Tabernacle with Joy and render up our Soul with Delight that having our Work done and our Loiâ—s girt up we may moâ—nt Nebo with Moses and flee to Heaven with Elijah 3dly Come I now to consider how the Lord did show this Apostle of his Death Some makes this refer to the time of his Death some to the manner of it as John 21. 16. Thou shalt follow me hereafter c. saith Christ to him I shall not be very positive in determining providing that this one general be observed that the Term of our Life is uncertain we know we must die but when how or where is only known to God there is no Oracle but that of God which can clear us and Horoscops as they are too daring in medling with the secret things of God as they are dangerous so are they frequently â—aâ—al and leaves the Curious Enquirer as Wise as he was Yet it may be observed That some Favorites have much more of Doct. 3d. GODS Mind in this matter than the generality of Men. We find Moses and Aâ—râ—n and the famous 〈…〉 theâ—â— Pass from their Master and did ly down and die and the Sons of the Prophets knew and said to Elisha Knowest thou not that God will take away thy Master this day And God doth wonderfully insinâ—ate his Will in this by Dreams and Visions in thâ— Night O then labour to do thy work and then thou has no more adoe but to die Die daily and this will fit thee for thy daâ—â— and since thou knows not the hour watâ—â— till thou get thy dying Call Sermon V. Of the Endeavours Faithful Ministers have to make their Labours useful to People after their Decease and to fix such Monuments as may serve after Generationsâ— Ver. 15. Moreover c. O Fall the Offices and Works in the World the Work of the Ministry is most for Eternity it 's all Divine it came from Heaven and tends thither so that a Gospel Minister according to his Measure may say with St. Paul I received it not from Man It 's the Eternal Word which they Preach the Sonls to whom they Preach are Immortal and the Result of