who at every turne called in Astrologers Chaldeans Magicians Dream-mongers to advise with was turned out of his Kingdom yea turned out of Man after all these dismal consultations with those of Satans Cabinet Councell Nay the greatest Artists in this black Art have not onely wilfully plunged their souls into eternal perdition but notwithstanding all their Star skill and their Covenants with Hell to prevent it the dreadful judgments of God have fallen most remarkably on their own heads Their great Grandfather Balaam slain by the sword Jezabel their Grandmother torn in pieces by dogs the like befel Asclaterion a famous Mathematician who took upon him to foretel Domitian the Emperour both his and his own death What became of Dr. Lamb in our remembrance Stories are full of examples Why did not these foresee those ends if they did foresee why did they not by all their Art prevent them Yet what a reproach is it to Christian Religion that such a generation of men should be suffered Not only Christian Emperours by their Edicts have punished but even Heathen States Augustus banished them Rome Tiberius and Claudius out of Italy Vitellius put them to death Domitian made two Acts to banish them out of City and Countrey The Primitive Heathens left these Arts and became Christians we set up these Arts and become Heathens They burnt those curious Art Books and took up the Bible do thou burne the Bible if thou resolve to meddle in these Books full of nothing but Vanity Uncertainty Lying Falsehood and Impiety 1. Of Lying Said Tully How many things did these Astrologers say to Pompey Crassus and to Caeâ—ar in my remembrance that each of them should â—y in Peace Age Honour that I wonder saith hee that any will yet believe them whose former Predictions all prove false It is a notable story of Galeacius Prince of Millain an Astrologer told him he should dye suddenly and himselfe live long the Duke commanded him to be presently hanged to prove him a Lyar and himselfe lived long after 2. Of Impiety To give you the relation of a Papist and a famous Jesuite of the Practices of Rome and the doleful effects thereof In those few yeares saith hee I was at Rome I saw many great men undone by these Astrologers who promised one should dye a Cardinal another a Pope who were all deceived not onely of their hope but of their salvation For when saith hee they dreamt not of dying till they came to these promotions they never prepared for it yea being stricken by death and admonished by their Physicians they yet regarded not which saith the Learned Jesuite is the onely Fraud of the Divel who by these baites â—ayeth wait for poore souls as a wolf for the sheep that he may devour them CHAP. XV. The Suns Activity and Motion the last Property WE are now come to the last Property of the Sun his Activity and Motion herein a further Resemblance of Christ. The Motion of boâ—h is 1. Restlesse and perpetual The Sun never stands still what ever the other Creatures do it is not an idle spectator of humane affairs but is it selfe most active When drest in his glory sits not as our Ladies to be looked on or as the Persian Emperours in a Chair of State to be worshipped But as Job in his splendor who led others in their way and sate chief as the King in the Army The Sun alwayes is in motion Christ alwaies in action vigilant sleeps not The Sun makes night to others by withdrawing it self never had yet one night of Rest or one day of Sabbath 1. Then behold the great care and pains of Christ who travels as a Gyant His life was nothing but labour he went about doing good The Sun walketh to day and to morrow The Father worketh hitherto and still worketh and I work saith the Son The Sons work in his Humiliation was hard work in his Exaltation he worketh still not so hard but higher work Who knoweth the care of a Master of a Family of a General in an Army of a Publick Magistrate Moses was tired out with the encumbrance of his weighty Office and of the oversight of Israel all day from morning to night 2. Be like these two great Lights stand not still The Sun hath but an imaginary solstice twice per annum let not thy whole year be a Solstice or pingue Otium Heavens are always in motion Earth only stands still let heavenly minds be moving Tempus est mensura motus motus Temporis Let not time be the measure of thy life but motion and action Let it not be said he lived so many years but did so many memorable actions he saw so many dayes but the dayes saw him doing so many good acts that there may bee Latitude in our lives as well as longitude 1. In Gods work be not negligent To do Gods work negligently and the worlds over diligently both are accursed Not slothful in business fervent in prayer serving the Lord. The Oxen and Farm have A must in the Worlds sense the Christian saith no must for the world Must is only for Gods work I must work the works of him that sent me Again Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business Take heed of being early in the shop late in the closet busie at the Farm idle in the Vineyard awake at the Exchange asleep at Church That the Christian be not drowned in the good Husband 2. In thy honest Calling All things are full of labour and man born to it Heavens alwayes moving winds blowing sea flowing springs running earth moves not yet rests not neither is alwayes bearing fruits trees seeds in Winter if it bears not yet onely lyes in after hard labor to get strength for new births No Creatures made to be idle the mighty Elephant Warlike horse paineful Oxe yea the little Ant and Bee The Christian is not exempted when the Talent of Grace is given it is with this charge Occupy till I come Angels have their charge Adam in his Innocency had his Imployment the second Adam all whose life was a state of Innocency yet had his work If the Master be up at work a shame for the Servant to be in bed If Caesar say Eamus the soldier marches after The Sun looks into thy Chamber and saith up sluggard I rested not all night wilt thou rest all day The little Ant to work sluggard or to begging I have no Master to compel me to labour but I hate idleness The idle person is a Monster in nature a bryar in the field a weed in the Garden a Drone in the hive a thief in the candle What wretches they whose life is but a long vacation whose work is to eat drink play they rise dress dine halfe their dayes work is done they play sup undress and there is the other half The soul in such Drones is but as salt to keep the body
branch which through the two Golden Pipes of his Spirit and his Ordinances empties his oyl of grace into the hearts his people 2. Extraordinary and Anniversary if the Sun see thee not every day as the remoter parts yet wil it ere the yeare go about if it hath ever shined in that clime So if Christ gives thee not a daily visit stay thou at the appointed time the Vision wil speak The Redeemer wil return out of Sion If thou hast ever tasted that the Lord is gracious or canst say thou hast feared the name of the Lord then though thou walkest in darkness and hast no light yet trust in the name of the Lord and stay thy self on thy God Say with the Church in hope of his coming when I fal I shal rise againe though I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me and with the Prophet I wil wait upon the Lord who hideth his face from the house of Jacob and I wil look for him CHAP. XVI The fourth thing wherein there is a likenesse between Christ and the Sun is their effects AMong the many like effects I shall content my self to name a few Having among the Properties touched on divers already and finding this discourse begin to swel beyond my first intention 1. The Suns appearance makes the day puts an end to night not all the staâ—s conjoyned so it is Christ his appearance which makes the Christians day when he appeared to Saul and Silas at midnight in the dungeon they could see to sing praise God and when to Paul before at mid-day his eyes were dazeled not with the Suns but with that light of Christ appearing far above the brightness of the Sun 2. The Suns first appearance bringeth day his neerer approach the spring his hotter beams the Summer his longer continuance brings on the harvest So is it with the Soul to whom after the first day of grace caused by Christ his first appearance the neerer approach of his Vernal rising with his Healing-wings-embrace causeth the growth or spring The walking in the light of his countenance all the day long makes the long summers day and his abiding with us makes ouâ— harvest and our joy to be full 3. The Sun departing night comes on his longer absence brings on winter in the one so much darknesse in the other so much of cold wet and dirt as if it been never had either day or Summer What a night of darknesse came upon Lot and Peter Christs back once turned but what a longer winter for cold and mire and dirty waies on David upon that sad dereliction The actings of Saints in such cases differing little from the most vile actings of gracelesse men if they were to be judged by such single exorbitances But Sunne ariseth and returneth those then awake by repentance and come to themselves again 4. It is the Sun which makes that difference in climes and countries makes one more sweet and delightful another more sad and not inhabitable those neer both Poles makes one more fertile others more barren And what is it but Christs presence which makes the Church differ from the rest of the world he makes it a Goshen whereas they have a perpetual night and winter What was it wherein Israel might glory above all other nations but this they had God so neer to them in all which they called to him for His cloud and pillar was continually among them 5. The Sun is the great Restorer of the world Redintegrates the Universe once in the yeare at the Spring as some conceive at Autumn as others puts the world into the same condition wherein it was created Herein a great Resemblance of Christ who is the worlds great Restorer and Renewer who hath put lost mankind into the same condition of happiness wherein hee was at first created as if he had never fallen or sinned Behold I make all things new saith Christ. 6. I might further also speak of the Productive and as it were the Creating effects of the Sun in bringing forth new Creatures yearly as well as of his reductive reviving and redeeming the plants and herbs before dead and gone as also of his nutritive and augmentative effects on all Vegetables his admirable Alterative vertue and operation on Metals and Minerals his Conservative Maturative and Consummative Vertue and Effects on the Fruits and living Creatures but I have touched on them already Herein is Christ his vigorous operations fully represented who besides his redeeming lost man maketh the new Creature createth grace de novo where none was recovereth what was lost reviveth what was decayed nourisheth what is weak increaseth what is small conserveth what is wrought hath a more admirable alterative force in an earthly or stony heart then the Sun in causing Gold and Silver to grow in the earth making flesh to grow where stone was spirit where flesh was grace where sin Heaven where Hell was turning a Swine-sty into an holy Temple and besides he ripeneth perfecteth consummateth whatever work of grace he hath wrought already 7. Sun rising man goes forth cheerfully to his labour but setting man comes home and gives over work What may not a weak man undertake Christ present and assisting I can do all things through Christ strengthening me said the Apostle but what caâ— the strongest do withour him Without me saith the Lord they shal bow down under the Prisoners and fall under the slaine The Chariot though it have four wheels and they all oyled yet moves not a step till drawne Our Wil though very active naturally and oyled with all the skill Art can use or with all the force Arguments can make stâ—rs not in any gracious manner till assisted by Grace and acted by Christ Draw me wee will run after thee and my soul shall be as the Chariots of Aminadib 8. The Sun present we see our way the Traveller stumbles not but when withdrawn hee loseth his way stumbles or falls into a pit gropeth as if blind is full of perplexed doubts and sadnesse of heart While Christ was with his Disciples he kept them though they were as sheep among wolves not one of them was lost but when he was seized on their light was taken away the same night they were all scandalâ—zed and fell Judas while he kept Christs company stumbled not Christ departed he fell into a pit and broke his neck Peter stumbled and got a foule fall When we follow the light of Christ his holy example or have the light of his Grace following us wee never fall but when wee leave his example or his spirit leaves us wee presently miscarry 9. Let me add one more We see all the Creatures how they are delighted with the presence of the Sun When the Sun approacheth the Elements change their habit and temper the Air growes more mild warm and pleasant and all those numerous tenants those daughters of Musick
neather springs both which fal into one river and make glad the City of God both these fields yield a plentiful harvest of comfort to the godly Quest. But here the godly soul is oft troubled and saith when shall this promise bee fulfilled this vision is for many dayes to come When will this Sun arise Answ. Though the Sun keep a certaine houre of his arising knowne to all yet of this day and hour knoweth no man when this Sun of righteousnesse will arise The operation and course of nature is much alike The dispensations of grace and peace are various more different then any other actings of God therefore nothing can be set downe certainly as a constant rule There are four notable dayes of the coming of Christ two in this life two after all alike unknowne 1. When Christ will come with his fanne in his hand refiners fire and fullers soap at conversion to purifie an elect unconverted 2. When with healing under his wings to cheer and satisfie the Elect converted yet unsatisfied soule 3. The third great and notable day of the Lord is at death when he comes as a Bridegroome his reward with him to make perfect the elect converted comforted soule yet never perfected And the fourth is the greatest of all when he cometh in the clouds to render to all according to their deeds None of these four dayes of the Lord are like the Lords day which is knowne and kept by all alike and we know that after every six dayes another will certainly follow but as the thiefe by night or the lightning not the sun by day come suddenly unexpected or as the dayes of Noah and of Lot were so shall all these comings of the Son of man be 1. Those dayes came but once 2. Came of a sudden 3. Came to put a mighty difference between them and others yet had we not need bee as the world was then Eating drinking sinning singing c. but as Noah and Lot fearing waiting praying preparing Samuel had the Sunne breaking out in the morning he was called young and it shined all day to his old gray â—ayres Abraham had no sun nor â—ight of heaven â—â—il he was seventy five years old and had a sad houre of darknesse before the covenant made The Lord had said hee would be a shield to him before he shewed himselfe to be his Sun Job had a glorious morning Sun in his younger age It was sadly overclouded at Noon but brake out again ere night Solomon the like or more glorious morning and noone waded toward evening and set in a cloud Moses had frequent familiarity with God as a friend forty dayes entertained by him as his Ghest and one day above all the rest had into the banquetting house as his onely favourite hee saw the similitude of the Lord heard his Name proclaimed beheld his glory and had this superadded I know thee by thy name and thou hast found favour in my sight Jacob was twenty whole years kept in suspence about his sonne Joseph ere he knew what was become of him and full twenty years it was betweene his first vision at Bethel and that at Penuel where he saw God face to face Thomas was but eight dayes under that uncomfortable fit of incredulity then full satisfaction Manoahs wife had two heavenly apparitions not long between the one and the other no more all her life Solomon had his two also The Son of God bad only one transfiguration and twice that testimony Thou art my Beloved Son the rest of his life was all Humiliation Heman and Ethan haply never saw the sun of righteousnesse shine out all their dayes never got higher then faith of Adherence yet dyed in faith not having received the promises But first usually the Promise is made good when the Christian is conscientiously attending on Gospel ordinances to meet God in his way when we wait to receive God wayteth to bestow grace 1. The Lords day is usually the day of the Lord the desired day of the Son of man on that day John being in the spirit had that communion with Christ and the Revelation of so great mysteries The Sabbath sanctified is also blissed The house of prayer is the place where God will make his people joyfull and where God records his name in any place hee will there meet and blesse his people Upon every dwelling place of mount Syon and upon her assemblies the Lord hath promised to creaete a cloud and smoak by day and a pillar of fire by night for upon all the glory shall bee a defence Where was Christ to bee found but in the Temple And when did he appear to his Disciples but on the Lords day one day after another It is observed if there be any wind at all stirring it is about the Church and if any breath of the spirit it is within the Church Sometimes Christ sets this fruit on the Preachers lips and there you must gather it Sometimes and as usually in and after prayer Cornelius had his and Peter his vision when both at prayer Christ had both those famous testimonies by audible voyce on the day of the holy Ghosts Transfiguration into a dove and his owne Transfiguration after when at prayer When did Jacob see the face of God but when he wept and made supplication Often at the Sacrament when wee set to our seals and avouch God for our God he sets to his seal and doth avouch us for his people Christ at Baptism received that first testimony from the Fathers mouth and the spirits descending upon him And how many doe we read of that have together with the water Baptisme received that also of the holy Ghost So for that other Sacrament how many can say in experience the Lord hath been known to them in breaking of bread when not till then discovered Abraham had the covenant first made and sealed at that first and notable Sacrament or Sacramental sacrifice so solemnely celebrated When Hezekiah and his people prepared themselves to a religious celebrating the Passeover their prayer came up to heaven God heard and healed his people Wait then upon God in the way of his owne ordinances And if thou know not yet where Christ is to be found goe thy way forth by the foot steps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepherds tents 2. Sometimes God revealeth himselfe in an extraordinary manner when we have been seeking him in a more extraordinary manner when Jacob was more importunate then ever had wrestled and wept all night he saw Gods face in the morning 3. Often before some singular tryall to be undergone and some hard service to bee performed Jacob had that laetificall vision at Bethel when he was to enter on Labans hard service Joseph had his divine dreame before hee was sold that he might have somewhat to live upon in
travel c David after his broken bones were set again could pray praise God believe resist sin performe any Duty as well as ever he could in all his life 5 Then the danger of death is over no danger to them that fear his name Christ hath undertaken your cure and yet never Patient dyed under his hand 6 When one is healed hee is restored to his perfect health to be as wel as ever he was yea some are made more healthful by Physick then ever they were before Christ whom he healeth maketh to be as wel as before they fell ill yes in as good condition for safety as Adam before his fall and in a better for Glory then could have been if Adam had not sinned Adams sin cast us out of Paradise Christ lets us into Heaven Adams sin drove him from the Typical Christ hath brought us to the Celestial tree of Life Therefore this Sanitas is vera salus Health and Salvation or saving health And Christ is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And as the Prophet joyned them in his Prayer so Christ in his Promise Heal me and I shall be healed save me and I shall be saved Qu. 2. What are the means Christ useth in this healing Answ. Four especially 1 His Word He sendeth his word and healeth them He sends it and the Minister is he that brings it I create the fruit of the lips peace and I will heal him The waters issuing out of the Sanctuary are healing waters and the Sabbath day was oft the day of Cures The good word of a man makes the bones fat and cheeres a drooping spirit How forcible is the good Word of God then 2. His bloud By his stripes are we healed every blow given Christ was a blow to our sin every wound of Christ was health to our souls The bloud of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself to God is only that which can ease the troubled purge the defiled and heal the wounded conscience Christs spittle could cure the blind his touch open the eares and mouth of the dumb and deaf his word could send home health to the Centurions servant his very garment stop an Issue of bloud but only a plaister of his bloud can heal a broken heart purge out old festered sores and allay the Inflammations of the soul. This is present remedy against the venemous stings of Satans rage and the poisoned Arrowes of Gods wrath It is not thy tears if thou shouldest weep out thine eyes nor thy bloud if thou couldst bleed out thy heart can heal thee but this bloud perfectly cleanseth us from all sin all without exception It is Soveraign against all sores sins blasphemies fear despair it self If Ahab and Saul yea if Cain and Judas had gone to this bloud they had been saved He whose sins are as Scarlet shall become being washed in this fountaine as white as Snow He that hath a bloudy Issue of bloudy crying Crimes Davids bloody Issue or Manassehs the blackest Malefactor he that hath a bloody-flux of Oathes or Blasphemies may be healed and saved Pauls bloody-flux of Blasphemy and Persecution Many Diseases are Opprobria Medici none Christi Many sinners are dangerously sick none can be desperately that he takes in hand The Divels case is desperate mans not There is an impossibility they should be saved but a possibility of every mans even the vilest sinner but a certainty of the Salvation of all that fear his name 3 The Spirit of Christ. This is the oyl the Samaritan applyed to the wounded man the former was the wine Christ with his bloud washeth the sore then with his Spirit softeneth suppleth closeth the wound Justification and Sanctification are of an even length to whom one to him both belong That is Purgative this Restorative that expels old ill humours this breedeth new spirits 4 His love and favour In his favour is life health Salvation This is Christs extreme unction which he useth after this the soul is ready and willing to depart The love-sick soul is only curable by the love of Christ shed abroad into the heart This healing is under the wings of Christ a Metaphor taken from birds who cherish their young under their wings It is the nearer approaches and warmer embraces of Christ that are our health David calls The help of Gods countenance Psal. 42. 5. the health of his own countenance ver 9. The sick child is half cured by lying in his Mothers bed and bosome As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort thee and thou shalt be comforted saith the Lord to his afflicted people Christ is said to have wings for four Reasons 1. The wings are to cover The Cherubims with their wings covered their bodyes Christs are covering sin covering wings 2 The dams wings with their warmth recover the drooping young Christs are sin-covering but soul-recovering wings 3 The wings are used to secure the young The Eagle carryes her young upon her wings she â—eareth nothing above but only from below and it must pieâ—ce her first if hurt her young The hen hideth her chickens under her wings nothing from below hurts them but the Kites above How safe are the Godly whom Christ doth secure both wayes beareth them on his wings as the Eagle hideth them under his wings as the Hen that whether Satan above strike at the chicken or the world below shoot at the young Eagle both are safe and Christ must bee first wounded ere wee are hurt 4. The wings are given to hasten the flight and speed the way Christ is said to have wings to shew when he comes how speedily he will come and will not tarry therefore is he for strength called a Gyant he travelleth in his strength mighty to save for his expedition likened to the Roe that is the swiftest Creature of foot and yet for more swiftnesse to the winged fowle whose motion is swifter then the Roes He is said to ride upon the Horses and Chariots of Salvation yea for more swiftnesse yet he is said to ride upon Cherubims or the wings of the wind yet swifter his pace is as the lightning Quest. But there is a sad and serious Question to be answered If Christ have promised to come with healing how is it that many fearing God remain uncured Ans. 1. It may be they are not healed and then it is their sin 2. It may be they are cured and then it is their Error 1. It may be they are not cured and then it is their sin 1 They go not to this Physician They go from Doctor to Doctor and from Duty to Duty as shee that spent all on Physicians and came to Christ in the last place These are not better but worse by Duties The Silkworm spends the first part of her life in eating and sleeping the latter in working and dyes in working out of