for a little very little season â—anity emptyness a bubble a pleasant â—ream to such a rich solid satisfying durable glorious enjoyment of Jesus Christ while hâ—re as but a tast of the glory shall be revealed Those vain pleasures of Youth must issue in sorrow and deep repentance and bitterness of Soul if ever pardoned and saved but the pleasure of knowing having being in Christ Jesus and the delightful fellowship of the Saints have with him issues a blâ—ssed cheaâ—fulness and joy in God without fear of Repentance unless it be that we have no more of Christ in us and that we sin against such Love and Grace so freely revealed to us Oh how happy are younger Men and Maidens as the Psalmist speaks 148 Psal that begin to fear the Lord from their youth to seek early after Jesus Christ for the Lord to see their Faces before the throne and to hear their sighs and cryes after him for Christ the Spirit saving grace power against all sin to take up a Cross and choose ye affliction and reproach of the Lords people before the vanity's Pride of Life and Fading Glory of this world this oh this is happiness soul-happiness everlasting happiness riâ—hes honour peace blessing which none can take away Especially in an Age of the great corruption of youth when Religion is made a by-word and a scorn when many hardned and blaspheme when so Few of the youth of noble and generous familyes Fall in with serious Godliness sobriety but serving divers lusts and plâ—asures to all excess of Riot to the debasing of their Spirits in a degenerateness from true Nobility and generousness of Spirit which is in knowledge good learning true wisdom and piety as fitting them to serve God and their Generation Oh in the midst of such impiety's how beautiful how honourable how pleasing to the Holy God for any younger persons especiall such as pretend to a generous mind and education such as are in Family's where excess prophaneness abounds or the Sons and Daughters of Godly Parents to betake your selves to seek and know and fear serve the great blessed God betimes to be an example and a blessing to secure Christ and holiness and heaven to walk in the truly noble delightful pretious ways which this peice and she that lived it holds forth unto thee In order hereunto how should the Soul of Parents unless they will be Soul Murtherers to their Children be in travail for grace and Conversion for their Children and not think it enough to get them Estates honours and great things in this Life and leave them and it under a curse that all sorts of Parents not only give them liberty but incourage them to Godliness to pray and read the Scriptures and attend upon powerful means of grace to tremble at sin to dispose of them in the world in order hereunto as this blessed Soul acknowledgeth the good use of Parents reproof and instructions unto her 1. In this peice you have first an account of her Conversion and calling how the Lord gradually carried on her first convictions her daily diligence in prayer and the word when a child the discoveryes she had of the Free grace of the Gospel of the Mistery of Christ of Righteousness by Faith of being in Christ of the love oâ— God and Fâ—llowship with him of which she gives an exact and distinct account discovering the choice and spiritual understanding she had in the Mistery of the Gospel not taking up only from sin to duty when Christ and grace little understood as it may be feared many do nor yet turning grace into wantonness but under the constraints of the choice discoveryes of Free and glorious Grace and the loves of God in the admirement and adoration of which she lived to attend to most intimate Communion with him the breathings and parting 's of her Soul as you will see still running out afrer more injoyment of and likeness to her deaâ— Lord Jesus and exactest holiness bemoaning her self wherein she fell short 2. Next you will meet witk her longing after the reâ—l Communion of Saints which all profess to believe in the Creed but will not bear the practice of in the pure ordinances of the Gospel in a con Congregational Chuch so called which when she enjoyed she expressed those blessed delights she had in Fellowship with the Lord Jesus the kisses of his Lips she there met with his blessed Ordinances and establishment of soul in peace and joy in believing 3. You have a choice discourse of Wisdom the true Heavenly Wisdom which her Soul diligently sought after and found which was more pretious to her then Rubies and all the things that are not to be compared to it the rich experience whereof she commends to the World in the debasement of all fleshly Wisdom iâ— comparison of it Especially to her dear Relations in the flesh which is the next particular in this discourse to whose acceptance she commends it with such bowels and gratioâ— affection and sweetness of Spirit such powerfâ—l convincing motives and from what of Heaven her own Soul hath tasted as might become one very skilful in the word of Righteousness to whose serioâ— perusal with the blessing of God I would commend it as that which may lead you into the path of Life helpt on by the singular example of her Life in her Holy sweet acceptable conversation towards you which I hope you are convinced did arise from a divine principle of Grace so to fill up every Relation to you longing after all your Eternal Salvation in Christ Jesus oh may all of you be ingaged not only to read but to beg of God the same Spirit of Wisdom and grace that was found in her to walk in the same steps and wayes Heaven ward that this be not a witness against any of you at the great day of Jesus Christ 4. The next part is as she stiles it the mistery of Godliness namely of the mistery of God in Christ the grace and love of â—â—e Father revealed by hâ—m in which I may take libâ—rty to say is as much of the Misteâ—y of the Gospel discoveâ—ed as usuaâ—ly I have met with in so little a Room especially as to living in a delightful fellowship therewith which was her great business till taken up unto him 5. The rest consists of occasional Meditations choice experiences ravishments of Divine Love admirations of grace holy praises sweet supports under tryals with the account she used to take of her self of hearing the word and the preparation of her soul thereto in those pretious longings of her Soul to meet with her dear Lord in Ordinances and the high value she put upon Communion of Saints in a Church of Christ of which there is but Room for the giving out of some tastes in this little Treatise Lastly her Meditations of death which the spirit of Christ was preparing her for in her time of health whereby death was made familiar to her
HEAVEN REALIZ'D OR The Holy Pleasure of daily intimate Communion with GOD Exemplified In a blessed Soul now in Heaven Mrs. Sarah Davy Dying about the 32 Year of her Age. Being a part of the pretious Reliques written with her own hand Stiled by her The Record of my Consolations and the Meditations of my heart Published by A. P. Come and hear all you that fear God and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul 66 Psalm 16. Printed in the Year 1670. To all sort of Readers WHosoever thou art into whosâ— hand providence may cast thiâ— small peice I have to beg oâ— thee that thou wouldst noâ— dispise it before perused it pleaseth thâ— wisdom of God thus to châ—ose the foolisâ— things of the world to confound the wise anâ— weak things to confound the things that arâ— mighty things that are not to bring to noughâ— thing that are that no flesh can glory in hâ— presence especially when the wisdom â— the flesh exalts it self against the Wisdoâ— of God in the simplicity of the Gospeâ— and the lusts of men against the Holinâ— of it when the mistery of God in Chriâ— there the dwelling of the Spirit in sanctified believers is denyed and called a delusion I say in such an hour of blasphemy the appearance of the Spirit in its clear enlightning and excellent workings in a weak instrument is a blessed testimony against the Atheism Prophanity Blasphemy and high derision of Godliness that every where abounds If thou art one of those who hast only a Form of godliness and Worship satisfying thy self with some kind of outward Worship and so makest a sorry shift to still thy conscience whilst in thy sins and walking after thy lusts a Lover of pleasure more then of God as the Character of the Apostle of such is And hast thence a low and slight esteem â—f serious Godliness and dâ—â—mest the â—artings with the World and pleasures of sin and vanity like death it self and â—hat living witâ— Gâ—d in self-denyal morâ—ification of sâ—n holyness anâ— Communion with God is a dark mâ—lancholly and uncomfortable walk as tâ—e Devil and a carnal heart suggests here thou hasâ— a full confutation thereof as also the experience of all the holy people of God iâ— the world in this pretious soul who realized that rich consolation and holy pleasure in serving God and walking with hiâ— and choosing very early the dispiseâ— ways of God rather then the pleasures oâ— sin for a season in a holy disdain and dayly trampling under her Foot the vanitie which the foolish hearts of most go after in a dayly solacing her soul in drinkinâ— of the Rivers of the pleasures of God beinâ— sick of Love to blessed Jesus Christ whoâ— she had chosen her Saviour Bridegroom Lord and King whose love beauty anâ— glory ravished her heart who held him iâ— the gallery's in his banquetting housâ— whose banner over her was love and iâ— his blessed Ordinances came as to thâ— gate of Heaven there giving him he Loves Thou poor sinful soul yet in darknesâ— to these things which are but as a sounâ— of words to thee In reading hereof â— â—he grace and power of the Lord may accompany it cast of those mean and base â—houghts of the despised ways of Christ â—nd holiness and believe these things to â—e real and satisfyingly injoyed by â—his blessed Soul and thereby break off â—rom thy course of Vanity and of this World and fall in Love with Heavens â—ays and set thy self the Lord helping â—hee to seek and know this beloved Jesus â—ho was this Souls delight and fall in â—ove with him and attend at Wisdoms â—ates though blacked and scorned by â—e World And thy own soul may come to expeence the same things to find out a pleant life of sweetest contentation in the Faâ—ur of God and injoyment of his goodâ—ss and Love in his dear Son Jesus â—hrist the true wisdom as this Soul â—th blessedly cleared that makes wise unâ— Salvation with Jesus Christ thou shalt â—d the Righteousness that can â—ustifie thee â—e pretious blood that can cleanse thee â— Light that shall shine into thee the Love that shall for ever endear thee the Life that shall quicken thee the power and spirit that shall convert and change thee the fulness that shall satisfie thee the peace and joy in believing that shall quiet and comfort thee in every condition here on earth and assure thee of Eternal blessedness and glory hereafter If this be not to be chosen before making provision for thy deceitful lusts that intice thee flatter thee in walking after them will certainly damn thee to Everlasting terrours and horrors wailings howlings that will never have an end among the impenitent the careless unconverted the unholy in the lake provided for them I say if glorious delightful certain salvation from this wrath to come be not to be chosen imbraced pursued laid hold of in the first place let thy soul seriously weigh and consider take time apart every day to muse on it pray and betake thy self to the Scriptures and hearing Godly Ministers that give of the experience hereof then let the word and conscience judge c. Particularly let younger persons especially young Gentlewomen be greatly affected with this pretious example and be perswaded of the joy and sweetness this blessed Soul did find in seeking the Lord in the days of her youth who received instructions betimes about the eleventh year of her Age began to know God as a holy God to fear sin to pray in secret to delight in dayly reading the Scriptures to fall in love with the beloved Jesus Christ to choose him her Lord and Bridegroom and to wait in the Ministry of his despised servants to know him and hear his voice became a Disciple and follower of him ravisht with his love admiring his grace and glory diligently inquiring afâ—er his feedings and betaking her to the â—ollowing of his people in a congregation â—f believers where her soul delighted it â—elf and as she speaks in her Meditations â—ere solaced her self in Communion with â—er Lord sitting at his Feet to hear his â—retious words going home with her â—eart filled from God and in her retirements praying meditating fâ—eding on the word making the day of the Lord a holy delight go tender soul and through grace be found in all these blessed practices and thou maist live delightfully here and be saved eternally When thou art come to years to be capable to understand any thing as 't is said of Moses Heb. 11. 24. 25. Refuse the pleasures of sin which are but for a season and choose the true wisdom and to be found in her paths for her Mershandize is better â—hen the Merchandize of silver and the gains thereof then fine gold which this Heavenly Soul really experienc'd and one part of her choice Meditations is of this Wisdom as in the perusal of it you will fiâ—d Oh what is the pleasures of sin and that but
the Lord with tears that he would be pleased to give me a right understanding in what I could not well apprehend so gratious was the Lord at that time to give in answer to my poor request and caused me to find much sweetness and comfort in reading which before I never had found this raised up my heart to praise the Lord for his mercy towards me and gave me much comfort in that I hoped the Lord had not forgotten to be gratious but had in mercy owned himself to be my God hearing prayer and that the poor weak prayer of a wretched miserable creature who was looked upon with the eâ—e of scorn and much dispised this carried up my soul to joy in the Lord with praises to him in which I found much comfort and incouragement then did I in my heart resolve to wait upon the Lord with my poor petitions for strength till he should pâ—ease to give me a clearer evidence of his love and the true knowledge of his wayes which I desired to know above all earthly things tâ—us was the Lord pâ—eased to come in with a gratious iâ—fluence of his holy spirit whereby I received comfort from every â—ermon I â—eard for about 2 Months space But then how was my sinful and deceitful heart puffed up what thoughts did I begin to have of my self how had the Devil changed his notâ— and told my proud heart my state was now good and my graces were much increased for which I ought to be much esteemed how ready I was to do any thing which might secretly make me bethought well of by such as knew it then did I walk as one that was well principled in Religion and a great professâ—r O wicked wretch that after so much love should dare to be so careless as to let Satan steal away my heart yet the goodness of the Lord whose mercies indure for ever would not suffer me to rest in this condition but was pleased by a Sermon to make me behold my condition and search into with a single eye the subject he preached from was the 25 of Matthew the parable of the ten virgins whereby he shewed how far a carnal outward professor might be like a real Christian and yeâ— have never a dram of grace whiâ—h the Lord was pleased to fasten upon my soul making me to weigh my actions and the thoughts of my heart with the pure word of God where I â—ound much unsoundness and rottenness then was my heart east into its former sadness then was the Lord pleased to hâ—mblâ— my soul under the sence of a proud disâ—â—â—dâ—ent heart and made me to be more watchfull to my ways and apply my heart to reading and prayer which before it was much streightned in Thus did I look into the waies of some other professors where the Lord discovered to me many weaknesseâ— and failings by comparing of their wayes unto the pure word of God I saw a shortness of that Gospel spirit the whole Gospel so sweetly treats of this was a stumbling block to my soul thus was my trouble greatly increased wherein Saâ—an was very busie to destroy the comforts I had formerly had None could I find to declare my trouble so malitious was the fire brand of hell to cause several jealousies in the hearts of people what might be the cause of my trouble and as Daevid saies my humbling becaâ—e a reproach unto mâ— I cared not for company but most to be aloue in which I did contemplate the sweetness of his Divine Mercy yet desiring the Lord would ease me of my burden which I thought to be very great often should I sit and bewail my sad condition and be ready with Job to curse the day of my biâ—th yet in this my distress the Lord was pâ—eased to bring me to his feet then would I come with tears and offer up my poor supâ—licâ—tions before the Lord where I found my heart much inlarged beâ—ng affected with the love of God to sinners and carried out much upon those words call upon the Lord and he wiâ—l hear thee he is nigh unâ—o aâ—l that call upon him to deliver them ouâ— of trouble and many more sweet and seasonable Scriptures was the Lord pleased graâ—iously to bring into my remembrance and powerfully to apply unto my heart which made me go often unto the Lord and spread my condition before the Throne of his Grace having much incouragement to hope in his mercy thus did I find much comfort and sweetness in my secret communion with the Lord and found much ease in my troubles which I took aâ— gratious returns of my poor broken prayers and was much carried out to trust in him and to wâ—it upon him then could I sit and call to remembrance the mercies of old as a tender and a loving father who nourished up my poor soul which made me exceedingly admire the infinite riches of his Grace and the freeness of his love in Christ Jesus to my poor Souls which made me often cry out Lord what am I that thou shouldst take such notice of a poor creature that thou shouldest cast thine eye of love upon me though the Devil would yet be busie and often cast into my thoughts doubtful fear what was there in me should cause the Lord to pitty me and indeed I could do nothing in my self which began to increase my trouble yet I remembred it was the saying of David when my father and my Mother forsook me then the lord would look upon me this did at first revive me but then I considered David was a holy man after Gods own heart how dare I to lay claim to any thing belonged to him Thus was my base distrustful heart exercised with vaâ—iâ—â—y of temptaâ—ions by the Devil as to distrust the goodness of the Lord and to rob my soul of the comforts he was pleased many times to come in withall many times has the Lord been pleased to come in by a Sermon to my soul and as it were spake unto my present condiâ—ion but oh how dull have I been to remember and how did my unworthy walking cause those blessed truths to slip out of my mind yet was the Lord in mercy pleased to keep my heart sincere before him to plead for mercy for the Lords sake for whose sake he was gratiously pleased to continue his tender and compassionate love unto me The sweet experiences of the tender love of God to my Soul at Mrs. W. at School THen was the Lord pleased in much bounty to appear very gratious to my poor Soul and drawed out my heart much to long after the knowledge of his waies now being yet under the old way of Worship I bâ—sought the Lord truly to convince my Judgement as well as my affâ—â—ctions of the way which is of his own setting up but for a small time the Lord was pleased yet to leave me to my self that I found my self at a loss being dead and dull yet performing outward duties but with
little spiritual life and my heart also was carried out after vanities then I found that I had lost the former sweet incombs of the Lord and the refreshings of this blessed spirit and was as one luâ—led a sleep by the deceitful inchantments of Satan and malitious devices O wicked and decâ—iâ—ful â—eaâ—t how couldst thou so soon forget such bondage delivered from such 〈◊〉 aâ— the Devil had so often got thee into how soon hast thou forgot the God of all thy mercies how hast thou made the Lord to serve with thy sins Yet once more was the Lord pleased to call me out of my benumbed conditions and shewed how I was running my self into my own destruction Oh the goodness of the Lord who never dâ—d leave me but to see my oâ—n in aâ—ility to live without his heâ—p then did the Lord in mercy convince me of the emptiâ—ess of all Earthly vanities and also of that way of formal worship that it was a dead carnal lifeless thing under which my soul couâ—d not prosper and so growing weary of it more and more at length besought the Lord to guide my poor iâ—norant Soul which was so easie to be led away with every wicked and â—ubâ—ile device of â—atan my heart desired much to hear goâ—d men and when I could with convenience which some took notice of and said I was one whom the Apostle speaks of having iâ—chiâ—g ears ever lâ—arning c. â—his did muâ—h afflict me about which the Lord was pleased to give me a heart to seeâ— him and that earnestly for his assistance in the knowledge of his truth One more experience of the providence of God appeared unto me as an incouragement to trust in his mercy and to wait upon him by prayer for all things I had at that time a distemper upon me of which I saw no hope of cure yet one day particularly being in a serious meditation of the infinite goodness of the Lord toward me the Lord was pâ—eased to direct my eye upon a place of Scripâ—ure where I found the woman coming to the Lord confessing that she had â—pent aâ—l she hâ—d â—o be cuâ—ed of her Infirmity and one touch of Christs garment had done it from thence may not I come trembling that have received so many testimonies of his love tryed so many medcines before I came unto the Lord or looâ—ed up to him for help then did I bewail my unpâ—ofitableness yet went unto the Lord in the language of the Lepper and said Lord if thâ—u wilt thou canst make me clean who was not deaf to my poor request but in some small time was gratiously pleased as I may say without means wholy to clear me of it this mercy carried up my heart more to praise the Lord then any yet I had received who notwithstanding all my weaknesses and sinfulnesses was gratiously pleased to follow me with many mercys Of further discoveries of Christ Then was the Lord pleased in his gratious Providence to remove me to a place in H. Sh. where I had much more advantage of means and helps for my poor Soul VVHere the Lord was pleased to give me through his grace a little more insight into the mind â—f Christ evidencing himself to be a God graâ—ious and merciful abundant in gâ—odnâ—ss c. I was filled with admiration to see the holy glorious God abase himself to so poor a wretchless Creature as I then was I cryed out with earnest desires and longings after more of the knowledge of this God but here came I under strong temptations Satan was powerful in raising up of spiritual Pride but the Lord whose goodness never failled me did then take care for me thou O Lord who broughtest me out of the Pit of despair O suffer me not to climb up to the Mount of Presumption then was the Lord pleased in the tenderness of his love to convince me that the poor in Spirit were heirs of the Kingdom that the lowly Soul was his habitation then I besought God begging at the Throne of Grace for the assistance of his gratious Spirit without which I could do nothing and that he would humble me even to the dust that so my Soul might not loose the sight of that Glory revealed in the face of Jesus Christ This the Lord was gratiously pleased to grant and sweetly bring me to see a riches in Christ Jesus and that this was more to be desired then all the treasures upon Earth The longings of her Soul after Church Fellowship and all the Ordinances of Christ THen did I long after God and the injoyment of him in his own way and said Lord thou hast made me O lead me in that way wherein I may bring most glory to thy self I durst â—ot trust my own judgement but resign'd my self unto his will and continued my petitions at tâ—e â—hrone of Grace and at length he was pleased gâ—atiâ—usâ— to answer my poor prayer â—lessâ—d be â—hy name O Lord O let my Soul be inlarged in thy pâ—aâ—ses One day the Lord was pleased by a strange providence to cast me into the company of one that I never saw before but of a sweet and free disposition and whose discourse savour'd so much of the Gospel that I could not but at that instant bless God for his goodness in that providence it pleased the Lord to carry out our hearts much towards one another at that time and a little while after the Lord was pleased to bring us together again for the space of three dayes in which time it pleased God by our much converse together to establish and confirm me more in the desires I had to jâ—yn with the people of God in socâ—ety and enjoy Communion with them according to the order of the Gospel she was of a society of the Congregational way called Iudependants and gave me so clear a demonstration of their wayes that upon considerations and searching of the Scripture for the understanding of which learnestly besought the Lord I was cleerly convinc't in my judgment that this was the way which came nearest to the ruâ—e of the Gospel and the commands of Christ then were our hearts firmâ—y united and â— blessed the Lord from my soul for so glorious and vâ—sible an appearance of his love for I had many sweet refreshments given me at that time when she was gone I was sensible of the great mercy the Lord had been pleased to show me but in an instance snatcht it from me again at which I began to be troubled but aâ—ter a few reflections to this purpose why do I not patiently submit to the will of my Father who knows what is best for me my soul was again filled with hungrings and thirstings after God for a more clear and full inâ—oyment of him and that in that bâ—essed ordinance appointed for a seal to coâ—fiâ—m the Covenant he hatâ— gratiously made through hiâ— dear Son with aâ—l believers this was at a time when the Lord was pleased as to
be the child of the Heavenly King who is so infinitely aboue all the world that the whole earth is but as the dâ—op of a Buckeâ— on the small dust of the Ballâ—nce unto him at whose feet Kings shall lay down their crowns and Rulers shall be iâ— subjection and when he speaks who can resist his power who with his voice maketh the earth to tremble the Lord who iâ— mighty in â—ower in Wisdom in knowledge in meâ—cy and in truâ—h who made all things out of nothing can withone word of his mouth reduce them to nothing again gain he is the King of Kings and the Lord of glory he pulleth down and seâ—teth up as he pleaseth Here then lies true honour and true happiness even in the favour of this God O what advaâ—tage has that Soul over the world whose Soul hath an intrest in the Fathers love as there is no love so great so there is no love so true as that where with he loveâ—h his peculiar ones his love it is a transendant love so it is in comprehensible love it hath no bound but it in dures forever what love is there like unto it what variety and change do we see daily the world produceth in this maâ—ter or love of creatures to day we may see a shew of love and affectious and think we are happy in them but how suddenly do they change how little a thing will set them at a distance and break their amity O this is the love of the world and what 1st worth but here is a love which is not subject to change as to the Nature of it is such a love as the substance of a mans house will not purchase which the Lord of love in spires his people with it is a Spiritual and evangillicall love such a one as proceed from the divine nature a perfect love which admits of no change his love is infinite and eternal whom he loves he loves forever A Soul once re-received unto the Fathers love shall a bide forever Who shall seperate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus neither height nor depth nor principallities nor powers neither things present nor things to come shall do it Death it self cannot take this love from his beloved ones no it will but make a way for the perfecting of that love which here we injoy but in part The love of God is also a tender and compassionate love the love of friends wax cold but the love of God shall never be diminished A mother may forget her child but such is the Nature of our Heavenly Father who hath ingraven his beloved ones so deeply in his heart that 't is impossible they should be forgotten sometimes he is pleased to correct his dearest Children but it is as a dear and loving Father chastâ—ising whom he loves sometime he hideâ— his face but 't is for a moment that he might remember them in everlasting goodness he looked upon us in our low estate when no eye pittied us then was a time of Love then the Lord had compassion on us and out of his infinite wisdâ—m found out a means for the recovery of our Souls he laid help upon one that was mighty even his dear Son the son of his love who gave himself a ransome that he might redeem our souls out of eternal misery behold with what manner of love the Father hath loved us when we were vile wretches sinful creatures he sent his only begotten who was willing to leave his Glory to invest himself with misery for the good of Souls he that sate at the right hand of the Fathers Glory he even the Lord of Glory took upon him the form of a servant He became poor for us that we through his poverty might be made rich and heirs of the Kingdom of glory O what was there in us to invite the Lord thus to love us it was an act of mercy alone riches of his Grace bestowed upon us in Jesus Christ O then why doe we spend our mony for that which is not why doe we spend our pretions time in catching shadows and in the mean time let go the substance why doe we promise our selves good out of vanities which are nothing but deceit and in the mean time deprive our selves of that Soul satisfying comfort which can only maâ—e us happy to all eternity is God so gratious and is the riches of his grace so freely bestowed upon us O then shall we any longer reject so great a blessedness doth Christ stand knocking at the door of our hearts out of love to our Soules and shall we deny him entrance shall we despise his calls And those tenders of Grace made in his word those intreatiâ—s and sweet iâ—vitations sent unto us to compel and bring unto him to bring to life it self and so raise us out of the Grave of Sin wherein we lie and so be made partakers of that â—â—vine nature and Co-heirs with him in the Kingdom of Glory and shall we now contine stiâ—l in our stubborness and resist wilfuly our Souls good shall we whilst Christ woeâ— intreats us in his word and by his spirit to be reconciled unto God to lay hold of mercy before it be too late stop our ears and haâ—den our hearts to our own destruction he can raise up Children out of the dust to praise him 't is the love and tender compassion of God towards us who wills our Saâ—vation and would not that we should perish but shouâ—d live for ever â—hall we for the love of a base lust forgo so great a blessedness O hardness of heart blinded and benummed with Sin who having any sence would not melt before beams of divine love what heart so hard as stone cannot but be pierced at the considerations of that love which with Christ hath loved us In whom is all fulness and will give out his fulness in such abundance into thy Soul as shall make thee for ever happy who would not joyfully submit to be under the protection and solâ— Goverment of such a King whose â—oke â—s easie and whose burden is light whose ways are pleasant and whose paths drop marrow and fatness in whom is all things and who iâ— infinitable to supply all wants and whatever thou standest in need of Oh consider what a blessed comfort is it for thy soul to have such a friend to stand by thee at the great and terrible day when the Lord shall pour out the Vials of his wrath rendring vengeance upon those who have wilfully neglected and made slight of those tenders of love and mercy the Lord has so freely offered unto them who have despised the means of their salvation To my dear Brothers and Sisters this poor yet sincere Manuscript of my truest love from the serious Meditations of my Soul out of the blessed Word of God Exhertations never come unseasonable never are unuseful unto the Souâ— who delights it self in the wayes of God which my Soul throuâ—h
but that we might have a Santified use with comfort of them that we might use them to his glory who is the giver of all good things these hath he given to us for to be our Servants to supply our necessity and if we set a higher price upon them he can take them from us he has required that we should set our affectiones on things more noble on things that will never fade away but are of an induring substance which if we do in the seeking the Kingdom of Heaven he has promised that all things shall be added to us O could we but do so how sweet and comfortable might our lives be when being invested in the Robe of our redeemers righteousness we may through him injoy Communion with the Father and live in the assureance of his love who hath said I will never laave thee or forsake thee O Blessed promise which if we could but by faith lay hold upon we need not be dismayed nor fear nor be in care for any thing but may with blessed David say the Lord is on my side I will not fear what Man can do unto me Meditations upon hearing the Voice of Christ MY Sheep hear my Voice the Sheep of Christ aâ—e few a little flock and to be one of these Oh how great a blessing is it the world is large and full and that the great JEHâ—VAH should please to pick out for himself one of a Tribe and one of a Family a smal remnanâ— a peculiar people and thee ONE O how great and gratious is thy wonder working God It could not be from any thing of thy desert but from his tender pitty his bowels of compassion to thy poor sin-sick soul O what canst thou render unto the Lord for all his benefits what recompence is there for so much mercy when all is mercy thou art made pâ—rtaker of yâ—a thy whole life it is made up of mercy thou art through Grace O Lord my gratious God my tender hearted Father in thy Son And if thou please to water this barren gâ—ound barren by nature it shall be made a fruitful garden yea thou canst make it bring forth fruit yea much fruit yea such fruit in which thou takest delight in which thou maist have glory is thine own Grace And give comfort to this poor unworthy Soul of mine unworthy in it self but thou dear Lord hast been pleased to favour it with so great evidence of thy Love O let me Lord for ever â—â—nd these sweet refreshing showers O how sweet a thing it is to sit at Wisdoms Gate at the footsteps of the beautiful gate of the Temple of Sions King there to behold his glory As a sheep of Christ to graise upon those Mountains of spices on which the Son of Righteousness shineth O how glorious art thou in the beauty of holiness here indeed is rest and here is comfort true satisfaction and everlasting felicity The Lord Jesus Christ the King of glory is pleased to stoop so low to poor unworthy creatures and in the condescention of his gratious Love to take upon himself the stile of a poor shepherd to his people yet is he such a one who through his grace will teach his sheep to know his voice and follow him O who can learn this Lesson Lord but such whom thou shalt teach therefore says David blessed is the man whom thou teacheth and instructest out of thy Law A shepherd leadeth his poor silly sheep creatures who of all others have least to defend themselves into the green pastures there to feed securely whilst his watchful eye is over them least Wolf or Bear should rob him of any one his care is also for the young and tender Lambs in cherishing and preserving them from cold and hunger which they cannot bear Such is the care of him who is thy Shepherd O my soul if thou art one that hears his voice if thou art one whom he hath known whom he hath looked upon in grace and mercy and so known as to make thee follow him art not thou one of his Sheep O then with comfort be assured thou shalt be fed thou art inriched by this with greater treasure and more honour then if thou wert the only child unto a King yea then if thou hadst in thy possession the greateâ—t treasure in the world know he that is thy shepherd is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings who doth not only know what thou standest in need of and what is fittest for thee but is willing yea ready to give out of his fullness to supply thy wants and help thy necessities then will I go unto my Rock since he hath brought me to behold his Glory and to taste through Grace the powerful influences of Love My earhly parents were they Kings or Princes could do no more but give me life and place to breath in but Eternal Life and endless Glory hath thy great Kingly shepherd purchased for thee 't is no less then a Kingdom hath it been the fathers good pleasure to take his little flock whilst here into his gratious Custody that none no not Satan himself that enemy of Souls shall ever be able to pluck them out of his hands Oh let thine eyes be upon him by whom thou livest that rock and fortress of thy souls salvation O what comfort is in his smiles And 't is he can keep thee in his favour and continuance of his Love therefore make glad my Soul O Lord with the bright beams of thy most glorious countenance that so my Soul may live O there is bitterness in thy frowns when thou hidest thy face I am as those that go down into the pit of utter darkness O 't is thy presence makes things pleasant to the soul and only gives it comfort in this world O 't is thy presence fits us for thy will and keeps humble and sincere before thee life is a death unto the soul without thee O that I might no more offend that Grace by which I live O Lord take thou my soul though weak into thy everlasting Arms that so I may no more be drawn aside from thy Commandments nor do the things that may displease thee Of heart examination O How good a thing it is my soul to be often taken up in this blessed work of self examination how it doth stand between thee and thy Lord the Lord will give thee his assistance to help in so great and good a work if thou wilt make thy addresses to him with blessed David commune with thy own heart and be still surely thine is not without evil when the wise man sayes the hearts of the Sons of men are full of evil yea the Lord himself hath declared Gen. 6. 5. v. and every imagination of the thoughts of Mans heart to be only evil and that continually the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked and who can know it sayes the Prophet Jer. 17 9. v. none but God he searcheth the
thou part with him on any terms surely thou hast not loved him for Loaves only but for that excellency the Father hath cloathed him with the fear of man brings a snare but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be safe man says thou shalt not doe this c. t is disobedience to commands of men and the Issue of it will be either prison Banishment or death but the spirit of God says pay thy vows though it come in competition with thy very life for he that loveth his Father Mother c. Ye his very life better then me is not worthy of me and he that taketh not up his Cross to follow me cannot be my disciple then surely t is better disobeying man on earth then to be found an offender of the Majesty on high the waies of Christ are still the same good waies in persecution and they were in peace nor are they a whit the less disowned by Christ for being disallowed of man the soul that truly is established in Gospel truths is upon a sure foundation and owning Christ to be his Lord and King gives the honour due unto his King his Lord and Law giver As thy redeemer as thy saviour as a mediator now in heaven interceeding for thee as thy Lord and King as one who being fully interested in the fathers love and in all the father is and hath also made thee through grace to perticipate thereof O the unbounded richeâ— of free love what love was ever like to that of Christs who loved not his life unto the death but gave it freely for thee that thou mayest thereby freely come out of that cursed damned estate thou else hadst lain in unto all eternity and into the glorious liberty of Sons O how sweetly sounds that word Sons and Daughters heirs of a Kingdom and Co-heirs with Christ Jesus this is a believers portion and a glorious portion through the lively exercise of faith for the Lord in the offers of his grace sayes come come freely without any worth in your selves or good of your own and take my Son and with him all that shall make you eternally happy the Lord Jesus he a lone is thy redeemer he a lone is thy Redeemer he alone hath perfected the work of thy Redemption And unto him be glory ye all glory for ever and for ever who still had been a glorious and a holy God though thou hadst perished to all eternity and now what hath he required of thee O my soul but to love him to own him and this love begits obedience to him and love unto his laws and from which if thou shouldest now draw back thou wilt deny thy love to him and through a slavish fear make Shipwrack of thy faith deny the power faithfullness soveranity and omnipotency of the great God and so be come a prey to Satan and loose thy soul thy God thy Christ and all thy heavenly treasures forever the Lord in his mercy prevent it and all this for a song a sinful compliance with the men of the worâ—d and for fear of there threats sin against such Light such Love such Convictions of Conscience as the Lord through rich grace hath manifested to thee then consider how the Lord speaks to his poor covenant people who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye when I am on thy side who hath power to do with all men whatsoever he will am not I your Father and cannot you trust me with your preservation though in suffering times there fore O my soul trust in the Lord let him bee all thy stay and â—â—e assured all shall be well with thee if suffering be thy Lot as it is all theirs that will live Godly â—â— Christ â—esus the Lord will give out strength proportionable for he hath said that he will lay no more upon thee then he will inable thee to bear then let thy sufferings be what they will they shall be crowned with a glorious Isue thy small moment of affliction shall work for thee an eternity of glory say they then vaunt over thee with reviling speeches and reproach the too with sedition Hypocriâ— Hereticks Schismaticks c. Better is it to bear the Reproach then be truly guilty but what is this when the Lord saith Blessed are ye when all men hate Reproach and speak all manner of evil against you for my sake shall the Disciples be abâ—vt his Lord for what can they do to thee that they have not done to him He suffered a vile and shamefull death without the camp for the bearing this reproach he was scoffed at made a scorn off reviled buffered spit upon and at lengt crucified and all for thy sake taking it patiently and quietly and can't thou be content to suffer some small thing for his sake who hath suffered such great things for thee therefore my soul fix thou thy faith on Jesus Christ who ever liveth to make intercession for his affiicted ones is ready at hand to give seasonable supplies for every condition O be found still walking in his wayes and full of love to his pretious Laws and trust him with thy condition who can deliver thee from trouble or else preserve thee and bear thee up under it Blessed David saith the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me and for thy sake I have borne reproach shame hath covered my face it was good Davids portion to fall under such reproaches as were even ready sometimes to have broken his heart yet for his help hath his recourse to God ye though the Lord is pleased seemingly to turn away his ear yet he will seek no other help I was a reproach to all mine enemies but especially among my Neighbours ye his very friends reproached him but says he As for me I will call upon God and he shall save me evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud he shall hear my voice O let this be thy work to approve thy integretie and sincerity unto God And so plead with thy God for mercy and deliverance for what matter is it how man Judgeth of thee so thy heart be right with God what disadvantage will reproaches bring unto thee Mâ—ses esteâ—med the reproaches of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt therefore says Paul I take pleasure in reproaches Yea if you be reproached for the name of Christ hâ—pâ— are ye for the spirit of glory and of God in a more eminent manner resteth upâ—n you the Church of God in all ages hath lain under such afflictions and the father hath so ordained it for the purging away of sin the purifying of man from his dross that so he might become as tryed silver resigned fit for holy use and therefore seeing the necessity of it saith the Apostle beloved think it not stâ—ange concerning the fiery tryal which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you t is no new thing
therefore know thy duty in it but rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed ye mâ—â— be glad also with exceeding joy And in another place if you suffer with him you shall also Reign with him and let none of you suffeâ— aâ— an evill doer at a Mâ—â—derer thiefe or as a busie body in other mens matters yet if any man suffer as a Christian cleaâ—ly on that account let him not be a shamed â—ut let him glorifie God on this behalf for the time is coming that judgâ—ment must begin at the house of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end bâ— of them thaâ— obey not the Gospell of God and if the righteous scaâ—cely be saved where shall the ungodly and siners apear Wherefore let them â—hat suffer accordiâ—g to the will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unâ—o a faithful Creator through grace I desire to pitch my Soul â—n everlasting faithfullnâ—ss by which I trust I shall be kept in even walking in his own paths be they never so rugged yet if I meet my Lord I shall do well his gratious presence makes every condition sweet and though this poor piâ—gramage represents nothing but thorns aâ—d bryers it will be recompensed with an eternity of glory A place where no sorrow shall be known but fulness of joy add pleasure and the compâ—eat injoyment of thy Lord for ever therefore O Lord into thy gratious care I do commit my self my Soul and spirit Lord fit me for thy will and let me only fear thy righteous judgements and be sound trembling at thy word so shall I be kept faithfull unto the end Sparks of Divine Love Love is a heavenly fire fetcht from above Irradiant beams shot from the God of Love Unâ—er those blessed shines my Soul abide Let all thy paces there be multiply'd In firength and beauty there to rest secure Through Love divine which ever shall indure Hast thou dear Lord such great things done for me And shall I not give up my heart to thee â—oo poor a thing yet Lord since 't is my All O take it Lord though it be poor and small O take it Lord by purchase it is thine Let me not any longer call it mine Nor set it on poor fond things here below Which vainly are but actors of a show Or feigâ—'d objects painted ore delights Appear a little and pass from our sights Vain shadows of a poor short Sunny day While â—e peruse them quickly fly away A praising Soul Lord shall a heaven born Soul forget to sing Eternal praises to her Lord and King Shall she be one that seemeth not to know The hand from which her mercies still do flow O quicken Lord thy servant O that she May have her life all praises unto thee O t is a life of praises thou wouldst have Thy poor redeemed ones return to thee Give Lord what thou art pleased from them to crave Of thy own store what thou acceptest must be Then my dear Lord I shall not cease to sing The Song of Canaan unto Israels King Though in a Land so far and strange I be As destitute of what I would injoy Let me by faith my Native Country see And not forsake my treasure for a toy O blessed be thy name which still doth keep My droâ—sie soul which else would ever sleep And loose its glorious comforts sweet delights Which in the presence of its Lord is found Those Heavenly Glories and transcendant sights In which to empty souls Grace doth aboundi O glorious Grace let my soul still admire And warm it self at this blest Heavenly fire O shall I grieve that glorious spirit which Is pleased to bow and condescend so low Thus to a poor unworthy sinful wretch How is it Lord that I thy Grace should know And that thou shouldest be pleased to look on me So as redeem me from such misery A hymne of free grace What shall I do my soul shall I then speak Or shall I let my heart through silence break Should I be dumb then sure stones would cry Me shame and magnifie the Lord on high Who doth his riches wonderful bestow On such pâ—oâ— wormâ— as crawleth here below But now to praise him would I fain begin Who is my God my Lord and eke my King Who in his goodness hath done more for me Then can with admiration spoken be O though I would I want both power and art For to express what lâ—es within my heart But since it is the heart Lord thou wouldest have Acceptance is the thing I only crave Receive it Lord O that I could aspire Into thy aâ—ms which is my Souls desire On wings of faith and Soaring acts of Love Oh in the Clefts behold me as thy Dove My sweetest Lord help me to sing thy praâ—se And tell the world the wonders of thy grace Shall I be dumb and live henceforth as one To whom such favor never had been shown Then were I sure unworthy ere to live But Lord what 's wanting thou canst quickâ—y give Both tongue and heart that daily I may bring Of sweetest Odour my poor offering Let my soul bless the Lord with all delight Of thy glory have a daily sight Goodness and mercy that do so excel O in its fillings my Soul still dwell The ocean of his love so sweet and pure Which shall to all eternity indure What greater good unto my soul can bring Then singing praises to my Lord and King Lord take and keep me there why shall we part T is thy own hand must hold my feeble heart A short dialogue between flesh and spirit Flesh Fond foul what â—ileth thee thus low to deem Our pleasure and our comforts here below And that thou dost so highly them estâ—em As if thou didst not care such things to know Is it not better mirth for to injoy Which maketh fat the bones and glads the heart Then in thy musings thus thy self annoy At last perswaded he with them to part Spirit Fond fleshly part this all thou hast to say Cease now with all spetious flattering speech And never think by all thy pleas to sway A soul that now is got above thy reach All thy suggestions I cannot approve Seeing in earth thy comforts all do lye But I much live in flames of heavenly love With heavenly comforts which will never dye What are your pleasures that you count so great But very froths and bubbles in the wind What can they do for you at mercies seat Or can you true contentment in them find Indeed your fleshly eâ—es cannot behold These Jewels of most rich and glorious worth That pearl of price that City of pure Gold And therefore think to set yeur pleasures forth Poor Soul alass why dost thou cavil so My comforts come from a far greater spring Then are the puffs of mirth which you would know Whilst I desire the love of Christ my