nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy He both prepares the good will of man August Enchir cap. 3 1. Repent Peter fol. 117. that it may be fit to be holpen by grace and also aydeth it being prepared Hee preventeth him that is unwilling that hee may bee willing and followeth him that is willing that hee may not will in vaine Blasphemous then is it to hold that the will of man should worke with Gods Grace in any thing that is good Indeede as they are workes and actions so they proceede from the will of man but as they are good works they are only the workes of grace as our Savior Christ told his Disciples John 15.5 Without me yee can doe nothing Yet in the very act of conversion the will of man is not idle nor without all motion and sense as a dead image but it followeth the Spirit of God that draweth it not by any violent necessitie but by sweetning and softning our hearts by his holy Spirit For in one and the same moment God moveth and boweth the will Non violenta necessi◅ate sed infandendo suavitatem ◅er spiritum sanctum bid and causeth us to bee willing indeed but yet so as all the efficacy of the worke is from the Spirit of God who of unwilling maketh obedient and of slow and dull maketh us runne Let this then teach thee himiliation for if there be no goodnesse nor any aptnesse to that which is good in us why should we be lift up with any conceipt of our selves rather glorifie God with acknowledgment of thy poverty and by earnest Prayer crave the assistance of Gods grace to quicken thee and effect the worke of thy conversion that so thou mayst performe those duties which God requireth of thee Thus doth the Church of God in divers places Convert thou me Jer. 31.18 and I shal be converted And againe Turne thou us unto thee O Lord Lam. 5.21 and wee shall be turned Yea Da Domine quod jubes jube quod vis Soliloq cap. 18. St. Augustine had that sweete Prayer oft in his Mouth Lord give grace to doe what thou commaundest and then commaund what thou wilt Otherwise there can be no good looked for in any of us And therefore Moyses maketh this the cause why the people were no more moved to repentance by all the gracious proceedings and administrations of God toward them in the wildernesse namely That the Lord had not given them an heart to perceive Deut. 29.4 nor eyes to see nor eares to heare unto this day QVENCH not the spirit 1 Thes 5.19 2 THE graces of the holy Spirit in this life are like sparkes of fier which may soone be quenced with a litle water as oft as wee sinne we cast water upon the Spirit of God and as much as in us lies wee put out the same Therefore let it bee thy speciall care to avoyde and make conscience of every thing wherein thou mayst offend and grieve the holy Spirit of God He is a Spirit most pure and will have an undefiled Temple to dwell in keepe therefore thy Vessell cleane thy body pure which is his Temple doe nothing that may disquiet or molest him least by abusing thy selfe by sinne thou cause the Holy Ghost with griefe to depart from thee QVEENE Esther also being in danger of death resorted unto the Lord Esther 14.1 3 THERE bee two things that fill the heart full of endlesse griefe outward calamities and a wounded conscience which as Salomon speakes none can beare Pro. 18 14 and the only comfort in distresse is to have recourse to GOD by earnest Prayer and although hee seeme not to heare presently Job 13.15 yet to trust in him with Iob even unto the death Rowle thy selfe therefore upon the Lord and cast all thy care upon him who careth for thee and though GOD or wicked men afflict and vex thee yet let it not drive thee from this Rocke of comfort to vaine and sorry shifts The Lord hath comforts for his children that will quiet and support them in any feares and dangers his consolation will make a man sleepe without a Bed live almost without a Soul they will make a man bold in danger quiet in trouble and live in the jawes of death Rejoyce therefore in all thy troubles but let it be in the Lord and hee will give thee strength to withstand thē for the joy of the Lord is our Strength R. PROVERBS 11. Vers 4. RICHES availe not in the day of wrath but righteousnesse delivereth from death 1. RICHES of themselves are not simplie evill but as they are corrupted by abuse it is possible though hard for a Man to bee rich and yet to bee a good Man neyther doth the Prophet advise us to have no riches Psal 62 10. but that wee should not set our hearts upon them But alas so easilie doth a prosperous estate make a corrupted minde that povertie were much better for many There is a fonde imagination possesseth the heart of most men that wealth brings some happinesse and that if they have abundance they are then in safety and in an happy case This is evident by a common speech that such or such a man cannot doe amisse for he is wealthy and hath the World at will as if they should say hee is free from danger no hurt can come unto him But wealth is a very weake defendant against the LORDS assaults it shall not stand them in any stead neyther deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. Ezeck 7.19 Trust not therefore to thy riches Ecclus 5.1 and say not I have enough for my life for thou knowest not how soone they may be taken from thee or thou thy selfe pluckt from them Ecclus 1 1◅ 19. the time draweth neere that thou must leave all such things unto others and then whose shall those things be that thou hast provided RIGHTEOVS lips are the delight of Kings and the King loveth him that speaketh right things Pro. 16. ver 13. Ecclus 10.17 2 BLESSED is the Land when the King is the sonne of Nobles vertuouslie trained up and delighting in the grave advice of his Sage counsellors then doth he like the Sunne in the Firmament shine gloriouslie and as it so hee comforteth and rejoyceth the hearts of all that are under his rule But when his eares are stopt to honest and wholesome Counsaile and tyed onely to the tongues of flatterers and Thrasonicall Sycophāts a woe it is to the land Pro. 11.14 for the people must needes fall 2 Chron. 12.1 When foolish Rehoboam the Sonne of wise Salomon forsooke the Law of the Lord all Israel went with him Looke what manner of Man the ruler of the City is such Ecclus 10.2 are all they that dwell therein his very example is a secret kinde of Law and whatsoever hee doth himselfe he seems to command it to
losse in the conscience which the whole Worlds profit cannot countervaile nor make a Man a saver by his bargaine FAIRE words are as an Hony combe sweetnesse to the soule and health to the bones Pro. 16.24 3 THE Horse the Camel the Elephant the Lyon c. Are not naturally tame but that they may become gentle and serviceable mans helping hand must be layd too yet when this little weeping-master of all Gods Creatures hath thus played the Man in subduing others himselfe maintaines an unruly Rebell within himselfe ready to overthrow the whole body of Man the litle Model of a Cōmon Wealth which as S. Iames speakes is The tongue Jam. 3 7.8 an unruly evill that no Man can tame Iames 3.7.8 Blessed is the Man that hath not fallen by the word of his mouth Ecclus 14.1 Ecclus 41.1 For he that keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soule from afflictions Pro. 21.23 Pro. 21.23 But hee that openeth his lips unadvisedly destruction shall bee to him Pro. 13.3 Pro. 13.3 Dost thou then finde thy selfe addicted to swearing and other abuses of the tongue why then betake thy selfe to God implore his aide for though the preparation of the heart in Man yet the answere of the tongue is of the Lord. Pro. 16.1 Pro. 16.1 Pray therefore with David Set a watch Psal 141 3 O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lipes Psal 141.3 Psal 141.3 O Lord Father and governour of all my whole life leave me not to their counsell and let me not fall by them Ecclus 23.1 Ecclus 23.1 Set a watch before my mouth and a seale of Wisdome upon my lips that I fall not suddenly by them and that my tongue destroy mee not Ecclus 22.26 Eccles 22.26 G JOB 32.9 GREAT men are not alwayes wise neyther doe the aged alwayes understand judgment 1. AS sicke Men convert wholesome meates into the nature of the disease they labour off So doe evill Men subvert good that it becomes exceedingly bad Wit and Learning without grace is worse then honist sottishnesse the greatest Clarkes are not alwayes the holiest Men. Seldome hath their bin any great errour in Gods Church which hath not beene the of-spring of some great wit What hath brought foorth amongst us our Separatists or Pharises and other troublers of our Church but an overweening conceipt of their owne worth and learning all ages have proved that there was never any that did so much mischiefe in the Church of GOD as those who for wit and learning have bin most Eminent Hast thou then knowledge wit learning c. Pray hard for a good spirit from God to guide and direct thee in thy proceedings I reade of a sweete answer which one William Times made to those bloudy butchers Winchester and Bonner Acts and Monum being convented before them Times sayd the Bishops thou hast a good fresh spirit it were well if thou hadst learning to thy spirit yea my Lord sayd Times and it were well also that you are learned so you had good spirits to your learning To the Serpent joyne the Dove both together will doe excellent but if they be severed let the World say what it will a dram of holinesse is better then a pound of wit for it is not policie but pietie not wit but wisdome that escaps damnation GOD will lay up the sorrowes of the Father for the children when he rewardeth him hee shall know it Iob. 21.29 2 THE soule that sinneth it shall die doth God then pervert judgment or doth the Almighty subvert justice Joh 8 3. that the sinnes of the Fathers should bee visited upon the children Exod 20.5 and that the sower Grapes which they have eaten should set their childrens Jer. 31.29 teeth or edge Surely no but it is commonly seene that wicked fathers have children like themselves who make their fathers sins their owne by imitation and therefore as Princes doe with equity disinherit the posterity of Traytors so wicked children having their fathers sinnes and their owne upon their heads they are Traytors themselves to God and so are much more justly punished of the Lord. Goe not then about to charge God falslie neyther doe thou cavill at him or finde fault at his just proceedings The Law allowes the heire or executor to be sued for the fathers debt and what injustice is it in God to proceede in like manner Psal 101.2 Walke therefore in the uprightnesse of thine heart in the middest of thine house that thou mayst neyther hearten thy familie in evill nor hinder them in that which is good GIVE admonition to the wise and he will be the wiser teach a righteous Man and he will encrease in learning Pro. 9. vers 9. Psal 133. 3 AS the costly oyntment on Aarons head so is admonition to a good Man it breakes not his head but as that ranne downe to his beard and so to the border of his garment so doth this distill into all the paths faculties of soule and body suppling and softning the hearte that grace may worke upon it to salvation Submit therefore to reproofe whether it be by gentle admonition from thy friend or by open reviling from thine enemie for howsoever it proceede from malice in him and bee done with a desire of revenge yet thou maist make good use of it for admit thou be not guilty of the particular things he chargeth thee with yet it may bee thou art faulty in some other things which God would chastise in thee by this meanes Seneca de moribus Bee not thou like the dull beast who can hardly be put forward with Spur or Switch whereas the more noble Steede is ruled by the shaddow of the rod onely regard correction Pro. 13.18 and so shalt thou bee honoured 2 Sam. 16.10 Thus was it with David when Shimei railed on him whom before he reviled he presently after honoured and so shall it be with thee 2 Sam. 19.18 and with every one that receiveth instruction H. PROVERBS 10. Vers 5. HEE that gathereth in Summer is the sonne of wisedome but hee that sleepeth in harvest is the sonne of confusion 1. THERE are a sort of people in the World who are conceipted that it is not according to their Birth and breeding to spend their time in labour and that there is no better way to manifest their gentility then with the Nagros noble Men amongst the Malabars in the East Indies by wearing long nailes on their hands to shew they are no workers but whilest they thus follow the idle Pro. 28.19 who seeth not how suddenly they are filled with poverty which comes upon them like an armed man Pro 6.11 Pro 12.11 and cannot be resisted whereas he that laboureth and tilleth his Land shall bee filled with bread Ecclus 20.27 and shall encrease his heape Let this therefore exhorte thee to thrift which hath both a
content for it is not much that nature wants it is lesse that she requires Take up therefore the care of riches only to serve thy turne in this life and as thou findest thy selfe drawing neerer home the more disburthen thy selfe of them knowing that he is but a foolish traveller that will furnish himselfe for a litle way as if his journey were of many Miles and if in thy journey thou meete with any crosse or affliction which the good are most subject unto being heere from home in a strange place in body goods or good name first looke backe to thy selfe what thou hast deserved and then looking up to heaven 1 Sam. 3.18 say with Eli It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good No man that warreth entangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a Souldier 2. Tim. 2. ver 4. 2 IT ill becommeth a Souldier that is upon service for his King and Countrey when hee should be bending both wit and force for the annoying of the enemy then to bee contriving or making Merchandise with him and as ill or rather worse it becommeth a Christian when hee hath given up his name to become the Souldier of Christ Iesus then to be traffiqueing and trading with the Devill dealing with him about worldly affaires Thou therefore that hast by Baptisme put on Christ Iesus Gal. 3.27 proclaming him to be thy King and vowing thy selfe to be his Souldier stand to thy tackling be strong and quite thee like a Man feare none but God and yeelde to nothing but godlinesse which hath the promise of this life and of that which is to come Turne thine eyes from the things of this World and fix them upon heavenly consider it is a Crowne thou runnest for a kingdome thou fightest for fight therefore manfully and so at last having fought that good fight of faith thou shalt inherit the Kingdome and raine regally without opposition or annoyance for ever for thou shalt please him whose Souldier thou art 1 Sam. 2.30 and who hath thus honoured thee NOVV will I arise sayeth the Lord now will I be exalted now will I lift up my selfe Esay 33. ver 10. 3 AS the nource to weane her child from the too earnest desire after her breast layes some bitter thing thereupon which having prevailed shee eyther wipes it off or throwes it away So deales God with the bitter enemies which he stirreth up against his peopl to weane them frō sin the love of the World hee at the last turnes their rage and fury upon themselves though they bee for the present Thornes in his Churches side Numb 33.55 and Prickes in their eyes and vexe them in the land wherein they dwell yet having executed and brought to effect his purpose hee at the last sweepes them away with the besome of destruction Esay 14.23 and kills their roote with famine For their actions proceeding from an hatred against Gods people and not from obedience they are at the last justly punished of God for that they have in such cruell manner made havocke of his people Let this then arme thee with patience when the Hand of God is upon thee Job 13.15 To trust in him though hee slay thee or when he doth exercise thy faith by wicked instruments yet still to relie upon him for deliverance for he will in his due time deliver thee he will arise and be exalted so that thou shalt see thy desire upon thine enemies O. JOB 21. vers 23.25 ONE dyeth in his full strength being in all ease prosperity And another dyeth in the bitternesse of his soule and never eateth with pleasure 1. VVHAT is the life of mā but a journey or pilgrimage through the desart of Sin toward the land of Promise the heavenly Ierusalem Esay 33.24 where no inhabitant shall say I am sick In which progresse some parents see their childrē consumed for presumption like Nadab and Abihu Leut. 10.2 Some both parents and children are devoured for rebellion like Corah his company Numb 16.31 but most children see their parents interred in the Wildernesse for their manifold transgressions and disobedience Man is borne with a condition to die and not only old men must but the youngest and lustiest may die Nay our whole life is a continuall death Infancy dies in childhood childhood in youth youth in strong age that in old age and old age is our Nebo from whence having taken a veiw of the holy Land we die according to the word of the Lord for it was Satans language he first spake the word yee shall not die at all Deut. 34.5 Some depart out of this World like a guest out of his Inne willingly others leave it like a Man pluckt out of his house Gen. 3.4 against their will one dyes like a Lampe or Candle wasted and consumed so dyes the old man the other like fier quenched with water violently so ends the yong man so that will they nill they yet all returne to Golgotha The workes of God are unsearchable and his wayes past finding out wherefore the godly and the wicked are many times deceived in the end God aimes at The wicked doe many times so flourish and end in such pompe and the godly are so afflicted and die so despisedly in the eye of the World that the one thinkes the godly mans life to be but madnes Wisd 5.4 and the other that he hath clensed his heart in vaine but the time will come when the wicked shall be scattered away like chaffe Psal 1.5 and the righteous shall stand in great boldnes before the face of such as have tormented him Wisd 5.1 Therefore judge not thou thy selfe hated of God because thou art poore and endest thy dayes without pleasure neyther judge thy selfe beloved because thou art rich and departest in prosperity but labour in both estates to die the Servant of the Lord and so bee thou low Wis 5.5 or high rich or poore thou shalt have thy Portion among the Saints ONELY by Pride doth Man make contention Pro. 13 10. 2. PRIDE is a disease of the minde whose efficient cause is the good gift of God abused to wit a wealthy estate yea so easilie doth prosperity infect that hardly can a Man be rich and not tainted with this disease While the families of Abraham Lot were not greate there was peace and quiet but assoone as they were encreased peace was excluded and debate admitted into the roome then began the hearts to bee possest with that contentious rhetorique of Mine and Thine which parted those whom neither adversity nor peril 's in famine or exile could sever or part assunder It is commonly sayd that poverty parts good company but it is more often seene that those have bin severed by prosperity whom a meaner estate had lovingly knit in a firmer bond for wealth inflameth the
hart with a desier of priority so that he now scornes to budge a foote who a litle before would have bin content to have licked up the very dust of thy feete Hinc Rixae I this is it Wealth begets pride which dies not issuelesse but brings forth contention Art thou rich be not high minded 1 Tim. 6.17 18.9 trust not in uncertain riches but in the living Lord which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy doe good and bee rich in good works bee ready to distribute and communicate laying up in store for your selfe a good foundatiō against the time to come that you may obtaine eternall life OPEN thy mouth for the dumbe in the cause of all the children of destruction Pro. 31. ver 8. 3 THERE is a dumbe oratour who by his silent thetorique implores our aide The poore and helplesse wretch whom God or none cares for We say to our lazers God helpe you but God sayeth to them that are godly and want helpe I will helpe where Man will not If no man else will pleade their cause God will out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings ordaine helpe for his Oh therefore joyne in Commission with God Pro 31.9 open thy mouth judge righteously and judge the afflicted and the poore defend their cause who are not able to helpe themselves Pro. 3.8 So health shal be to thy navell and marrow to thy bones when time hath consumed it selfe and wasted these when time shall bee no more time then shalt thou inherit an eternall life P. PROVERBS 4. Vers 26. PONDER the path of thy feete and let all thy wayes be ordered aright 1. THE Devill perceiving that man by humble obedience may ascend thither from whence hee by his pride is fallen envieth him and is become a Satan that is an adversary unto him and that a malicious one a strong one and a politique one hee hath set infinite snares before our feete and filled all our wayes with traps to catch our soules he putteth into our hearts evill thoughts into our Mouths lewd speeches into our members sinfull actions when wee are awake hee stirreth us up to unlawfull deeds in our sleepe to filthy dreames if wee bee merry hee maks us dissolute if wee be sad hee laboureth to drive us to desperation Nay he doth not only labour to lead us out of the way by manifest errour but where hee sees us walking by good works there he seeketh to insnare us Seeing then thou art beset with so many temptations thou hadst need to have Argus eyes and the faces of Ianus that thou mayst looke round about on every side for feare of danger Wherefore as they that know they have enemies lying in waite for them will not goe abroade without their weapōs So thou knowing that the devill continually lieth in waite for thee seeking to devour thee shouldst have a care to thy paths that hee may never take thee at advantage for as hee finds thee he will take thee Ephes 6.11 Stand therefore alwayes compleately furnished with the whole armour of God that so thou mayst be able to withstand the assaults of the Devill and as a peice most necessarie and bee-hovefull take unto thee prayer which is a strong Tower the righteous runneth to it and is exalted Pro. 18 18. PRIDE goeth before destruction and an high minde before the fall Pro. 16.18 2 IT is Gods ordinary proceeding against proud persons to subdue and bring under their pride by vile and base meanes and then to bring them to shame when their hearts are puft up with a fond conceipt of their owne worth when Herod was lifted up and swelled in pride at the acclamations of those flatterers who told him he spake more like a God then a man Acts 12.22 then was he suddainly smitten by the Angel of the Lord and miserably consumed being eaten up of wormes Therfore labour thou for humilitie thinke basely of thy selfe and be lowly in thine owne eyes and so shalt thou be exalted in the sight of God The Sunne the higher hee is in the firmament the shorter shadow hee maketh and the neerer he commeth to the Earth the shadowes of all things are the longer So vertue the higher and the more eminent it is the lesse ostentation it maketh whereas where vertue is wanting there is nothing but pride and arrogancy even as the eares of Corne that have nothing in them but light stuffe stand perching up above all the rest but those that are laden with full graines hang downe their heads The deeper the Well is the sweeter is the Water so the more humble any man is in his owne conceipt the more acceptable he is to God and when the other in their high conceipts imagining they stand fast come tottering downe this man stands fast indeede and at the length shall be exalted with glory PREPARE thy worke without and make ready the things in the field and after build thine house Pro. 24.27 3 IN Worldly affaires deliberation is very necessary and it is held a great point of policy for a man to deliberate long before hee determine any thing for want of this wise forecast many men worthily undergoe the censure of inconsiderate and receive nothing else but a mocke for what they take in hand When Israel without the Commandement of the Lord Numb 14.40.41.42 nay contrary to his appoyntment would bee so forward as to goe up and fight against the Amalekites what was the issue presuming obstinately and rashly to goe up to the top of the Mountaine they became a prey to their enemies the Amalekits and Canaanites Num. 14.45 who smote them and consumed them unto Hormah In all thy affaires therfore whether spirituall or temporall be not too forward eyther with tongue or hand but take hands with advice in worldly busines bee sure of meanes how to compasse it before thou take any enterprise in hand and in Spirituall matters when thou purposest to give up thy Name to Christ first sit downe cast thine accompts what it will cost thee to become a Christian least not being able to undergoe the troubles that shall accompany that profession thou be found unworthy to be his Disciple Q. PSAL. 30. vers 18. QVICKEN us and we will call upon thy Name 1. NITIMVR in vetitum is not more old then true the forbidden Fruit still hangs in our eyes and we long to be tasting and whereas wee are dead Colos 3.3 and therefore should minde worldly things no more then dead men doe yet neverthelesse wee are sprightly and lively in worldly affaires but heavy and lumpish nay dead in spirituall matters So that unlesse Christ say to us Marke 4 41. as sometime to the Mayden I say unto you arise There could not bee the least endeavour in any of us to further the worke of grace in himselfe by calling upon God for as the Apostle sayeth It is not in him that willeth Rom. 9.16
doth he disquiet himselfe in vaine and how weaklie doth he fortifie himselfe against Gods assaults who in the turning of an Hand makes all his dayes sorrowes Eccles 2.23 and his travaile greife 1 Joh. 2.15 Therefore love not the World nor the things of the World for they will bring thee nothing but vexation of spirit But delight thy selfe in the Lord Psal 37.4 and hee shall give thee the desires of thy heart Others may make a goodly shew and promise thee all the Kingdomes of the World and the glory thereof but trust them not Mundus deficit for though the World promise ease comfort and contentment yet her Motto is Deficiam I will faile you though the flesh promise as faire as the World Caro inficâ—t yet his Word is Inficiam Daemod inteâ—ficit I will infect you though the devill come not short of eyther in his promises yet his word is Interficiam I will destroy you so that vaine is all comfort that can bee expected from them Deus reficit But what God promiseth thou maist build upon his Motto is Reficiam Mat. 11.28 I will refresh you Say therefore unto him as Peter did to Christ Master unto whom shall we goe c. I have no other comfort but thee I delight in none but thee for all other delights shall faile but With thee there is pleasure for evermore Psal 16.11 VPON the Land of my people shall growe Thornes and Bryars yea upon all the houses of joy in the City of rejoycing Esay 30. ver 13. Psal 107.34 2 GOD maketh a fruitfull Land barren for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein the Bryars and Brambles which it bringeth forth Gen. 3.18 doe still catch at the heels of us the wofull inhabitants and by their silent rhetorique seeme to bidde us to behold the fruits of our Rebellion Yea Esay 32.14 the City of Gods delight shall bee made an heape of desolation the delight of wild Asses yea his holy Temple shall be destroyed and defiled by prophane wretches rather then wickednesse shall goe unpunished though in his owne people Let this stir up in thee an hearty hatred against sinne which bringeth forth such fearefull effects let it Spurre thee forwards to holinesse of life though wicked worldlings mocke thee for the same yet thou shalt finde that thou art highly in Gods esteeme for the Heaven over thee shall not be Iron Levit. 26 19. nor the Earth under thee as Brasse the Lord will not turne our Land into a standing Poole nor cause Thornes and Bryars to grow upon the same Psal 67.6 but the Earth shall bring forth her encrease and God even our God shall blesse us AS VINEGAR is to the teeth and as smoake to the eyes so is the sloathfull to them that send him Pro. 10. ver 26. Pro. 15.19 3. THE way of the sloathfull man is as an hedge of Thornes When he should goe about his imployments hee forecasteth a thousand feares a Lion is without he shall be slayne in the streete Pro. 22.13 a Beare will meete him Amos 5.19 or a Serpent out of the wall wil bite him onething or other is a continuall rub in his way so that he is but a trouble and a greife to him that imployeth him about any businesse Have no fellowship therefore with the sloathful man that maketh poore but deliver thy selfe from him Pro. 10 4. as a Doe from the hand of the Hunter and as a Bird Pro 6.5 from the hand of the Fowler so shalt thou finde comfort abundance of precious Treasures W. PRO. 2. Vers 10.11 WHEN wisdome entereth into thine heart knowledge delighteth thy soule then shall counsaile preserve thee and understanging shall keepe thee 1. 2 Chron. 1.7 SALOMON being bidden of God to aske what hee would desired not silver nor any such earthly trash but give mee wisdome sayth he to goe in 2 Chron. 1 10. and out to governe this people If he who was a governour of mens bodies only made this choice then how much more wary ought evry one to be in his election when body and soule are under his charge The Word of God is called a Lanthorne Psa 119.105 and a Light now as a man who hath a Lanthorne and a Candle carried before him keepes himselfe from falling in the darkest night so hee that suffers himselfe to be guided by Gods Word placing it alway before him and letting it shine to his heart he shall by the light thereof keepe himselfe from falling Psal 119.11 so that he shall not sinne against the Lord or if he doe fall through infirmity as who sinneth not yet hee shall not lie along impenitently for he hath the seede of Gods Word abiding in him 1 John 3 9 which will reduce and bring him into the way againe Pro. 6.21 Binde therefore the precepts of Gods Word upon thy heart and tie them alwayes about thy necke have them alwayes in remembrance and before thine eyes and then like a Lanthorne and a light they shall preserve thee from falling into sinfull wayes Psal 141.4 with men that worke iniquity WINE is a mocker and strong drinke is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise Pro. 20. vers 1. 2 THE Vine bringeth forth three sorts of Grapes the first of plesantnesse the second of drunkennesse the third of shame when men are so taken with the colour or plesantnesse of the Wine in going downe that they tarry by it till night till the Wine enflame them Esay 9.21 Then besides other woes and sorrowes which attend thereupon Pro. 23.29 shame followes and leaves them not till shee hath made them ridiculous so when it hath stripped them as bare as Noah then it exposeth them like Noah to Cham and all that see them doe mocke them It is recorded of a Bird which hath the face of a Man but is so feirce of nature that sometimes for hunger shee will set upon a man and slay him afterwards comming for thirst unto the water and seeing a face in the water like the face of him whom shee had devoured for greife that she had killed one like her selfe takes such sorrow that she never eateth nor drinketh after but frets beates and pines her selfe to death What then shall they doe who have not slaine one like themselves but themselves their very selves with a Cup of Wine As Christ therefore sayd remember Lots wife Luke 17.32 so say I Remember Lot one nights drunkennesse did him more hurt then all his enemies in Sodome Gen. 19.33 Remember Noah one howers drunkennesse exposed him to shame and the contempt of his owne child by discovering the nakednesse of those things which he had concealed Gen. 19 21.22 and kept hid six hundred yeeres together Ephes 5.18 Be not then drunken with wine or strong drinke wherein is excesse