about which we differ they will be saved We all grant Repentance Faith and a Holy Life necessary Mind these things Would to God I had spent some of the hours in enquiring how my Soul might be bowed down before God in Prayer that I have spent in enquiring whether I should Pray in my own words or the words of others that I had more enquired how I might come to the Lords Table Hungring and Thirsting after Righteousness and less what gesture I should there use You know my Brethren your own Judgments often change in the smaller matters of Religion which may make you moderate towards them that dissent from you seeing you so often dissent from your selves As the Body changeth in a few years old matter passeth away and there comes a succession of new so every enquiring thinking man knows that what he thought lawful at one time he hath thought unlawful at another and cannot help it Testifie my Brethren testifie against the formal men of all your perswasions who when they plead for the high things in Religion do it with so much coldness as if their words did freeze in their mouths but when for their little notions are so full of rage and fury as if wrath and envy had chosen their faces to discover their complexion to the world But remember you are Christians and Christians must love one another Germanicus in his Speech to the Souldiers when there was a mutiny among them Tacitus said Divus Julius seditionem exercitus uno verbo compescuit Quirites vocando that Julius Caesar ended a sedition in an Army by one word calling them Romans he bad them remember they were Romans so you are Christians If the hand have the Palsie and shakes much and can hardly hold any thing who is presently for Amputation or cutting it off Learn you of Paul Rom. 1â—1 2. Him that is weak in the Faith receive you but not to doubtful disputations For one believeth that he may eat all things another who is weak eateth herbs v. 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more v. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for Peace and the things whereby we may Edifie one another I know not how my counsel may take with some of you I know that he that cometh between two that are fighting to part them is sometime beaten by both I know that some on the one hand will be offended and charge me that I seem to countenance Superstition and others on the other hand will say that I favour Schism but I matter not The Protestant Church the Vessel in which we are is ready to sink Lord save us or else we perish God be merciful to those desperate Souls who because we cannot agree therefore reject all Religion as if a man at Sea seeing the waves urgent and hearing the winds roaring should say if this 't is to be in a Ship I will never here abide and so commit himself to the vast Ocean So are they that reject all Religion because of the Contentions that are in the Church of God and fall into Atheism and Prophaneness Accept kindly of this plain Discourse devoid of all Embellishments of fine words and Phrases and take up with the great things of Religion as you are directed by one that is of Pauls mind who saith of himself 1 Cor. 9.20 21 22. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews to them that are under the Law as under the Law that I might gain them that are under the Law to the weak became I as weak that I might gain the weak I am made observe all things to all men that by all means I might save some Had some weak headed Christians among us seen him thus to do perhaps they would have said that Paul often changed his Religion or could not tell what Religion to be of that he was not fixt or a man of no Principles Hear what he says elsewhere 1 Cor. 10.33 Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they might be saved As far as I can I am yours in your divers ways of worshipping one Lord Jesus Christ This I am resolved on that having been instrumental for the Conversion of many Souls and I hope shall of many more yet ungathered that I will Preach Repentance Faith and Obedience to the Gospel Grow my Brethren Grow in Grace that you may have that commendation given to the Church of Thyatira I know thy Works and Charity and Service and Faith and thy Patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first Rev. 2.19 But Oh! That my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of Tears that I might weep day and night not only for the Prophaneness of the Ungodly but for the backwardness of the Righteous to all good works I cry to you as in that Song Judg. 5.12 Awake awake Deborah Awake awake Set about the work to be more serious your selves and to sound an Alarm in the ears of a drowsie sleepy world that they may be saved That this may be your work is the hearty Desire and Prayer of him who is Your Brother And Servant in our Lord Samuel Young Gloucester Goal Feb. 2. 1683 4 TO ALL SEA-MEN THAT ARE Or would be Serious HAving in this Book spoken of the chief things in Religion I could not but call on you to mind these things your selves and to put others in mind of them I have you daily on my heart before the Throne of Grace that you that are serious may endeavour by Prayer by Admonitions by a good Example to make many so You that are Baptized have taken Christs Press-money have taken Christs Livery and are under an engagement to Fight under his Banner against Sin the World and the Devil testifie against the Drunkenness Swearing Uncleanness Sabbath-breaking Contempt of Prayer and Reading of Scriptures and other sins many among you are guilty of I know your great Objection is Obj. That you shall be derided if you so do this I have heard from many of you A. 1. Deride their Derision Remember what is said of Christ and when his friends heard of it they laid hold on him for they said he is beside himself Mar. 3.21 If you are accounted mad by them that are really so you have Christ for your Companion 2. It is better be derided by men now for the faithful discharge of your duty than be derided by Christ Angels and Saints another day for the neglect of your duty 3. The Derision of some may soon turn into imitation They that at first mock at good counsel may in time take it and give it to others I have seen an instance one laughing to see another minding secret Prayer and yet seeing constancy and resolution for that duty practised the same Remember if you mourn not if you pray not over the ungodly their sin is yours
if you reprove not you are the cause of their damnation I have read in the dreadful Tragedy of the destruction of the English by the Dutch at Amboyna that one Dunchin who had falsely accused them one day passing by the Pit where sixteen of them were cast in that he fell on it raging and was distracted considering there lay so many men he had ruined How many go into Eternity whose Souls you have betrayed into the Infernal Pit by your sinful discourse or by your sinful silence Stop the mouth of the Swearer and Blasphemer as much as you can James 3.4 5 6. Behold also the Ships which though they be so great and are driven with fierce winds yet are they turned about with a very small Helm whithersoever the Governour listeth Even so the Tongue is a little member and boasteth great things Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth The tongue is a fire a world of iniquity And it is set on fire of Hell I wish you Moses's Blessing Deut. 33.18 19. Rejoice Zebulon in thy going out Suck of the abundance of the Seas and hid treasures in the Sands Have you been as those Mariners Jon. 1.15.16 When Seas have raged and ceased made Vows to the Lord Keep your Vows Instruct poor Pagans in the way to God Consider the worth of your Souls and theirs The better your Cargo is the more you fear Ship-wrack O man thou art richly laden that Vessel thy Body carryes a Soul of greater value than all the Treasures upon earth Let it never be said of it what was said of that Ship and men in it Acts 27.20 That all hope of being saved was taken away S. Y. THE PREFACE ALcinous the Platonist tells us That Plato thought that the work of a Philosopher consisted in three things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which I think taking the liberty the Poet speaks of Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus Interpres Herat. de Art Poet. I may tâ—uâ— English In thinking well in doing well and in speaking well What their Philosophy which was much of their Natural Religion taught them doth Christianity which is our supernatural Religion teach us but in a different way and in a fuller manner The design of the following discourse is to help in this work There are many things for Meditation of God his Word c. many practical Directions for a holy useful life several helps to speak to God and for God I know dangerous it is for a man in my circumstances to be a Writer But I care not if my counsel be accepted what becomes of my person I am perswading the World to play the Christian to play the Man As Solomon brings in Wisdom speaking so do I Unto you O men do I call and my voice is unto the Sons of men Are you men learn to act according to the excellency and dignity of your natures Let me beseech those into whose hands this Book may come if they have given up themselves to the Immoralities of the Age Drunkenness Adultery Swearing Oppression c. that have all vices that may make their lives a full Systeme of wickedness Vices the nanning of which may seem to corrupt the Air we breathe in Vices that need little more to their confutation than to be thought on I say let me perswade you to consider Is Sin an evil thing Grace a desirable thing Is God and your Souls to be minded above all things or not If not why do you say they are If they are why do you not live as those that thus believe I do not despair but that some who are guilty of the unpresidented Sins of the times Sins of the first Edition if they would consider they may yet learn to walk soberly righteously and godly in this present World I know such are ready to say Object Religion is abused to very bad purposes by some Answ I Answer And used to very good purposes by others Is Rhetorick to be despised because by it some bad men learn to colour a bad cause as well as some good men to flourish a good cause Is Logick to be despised because some learn to dispute Sophistically as well as others Topically Is the light of the Sun to be despised because one steals by it as another works in his Calling How many men had lived as Incarnate Devils that now live as Terrestrial Angels had not Religion healed their Natures and regulated their Lives Remember Sin is a great part of the misery and punishment of these men They are out God his Grace and Love and content to be so they serve the Devil and Sin and are glad of the work The Lord bring in such as their Elder Brother in the Gospel that was healed of his distraction and was placed in his right mind at the Feet of Jesus SOME Prison Meditations AND DIRECTIONS ON Several Subjects CHAP. I. Of the Fall of Man MEDITATIONS THat the finding out of our Disease is necessary in order to a Cure is not more true of the Natural Distempers of our Bodies than of the Spiritual Distempers of our Souls The Apostle mentions the Fall of man at large to the Romans to make way for the discovery of the Necessary and Excellency of a Saviour Ron 5. In the Fall of man I shall consider that we all were in the First Man as in Heb. 7.9.10 Levi is said to pay Tithes to Melchisedeck as he was in the loyns of his Father Abraham So we may be said to eat Forbidden Fruit as we were in the loyns of our Father Adam We were in him as a Nation in their King Adam was our Repreâ—â—eâ—â—ative If he had stood we had had the benesit of his obedience though he not we obeyed So he disobeying we are brought under the Curse though he and not we offended It is in vain in war if Subjects be taken to say our King proclaimed and made the War not we we never consented to it If the Posterity of a Traitor be disinherited it is in vain for them to plead Our Father not we conspired the death of the Prince we were not then born Besides the nature of man by the Fall was corrupt and a clean thing cannot come out of an unclean Job 14.4 It is true indeed what God said by Ezekiel The Children shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father Ezek. 19.20 If the Father sin alone it is so but this is not our Case for we find our Principles and so Practices corrupted Adam was but one man personally but he was all men potentially and originally I shall in order consider 1. What we were before the Fall 2. What Sin we were guilty of in the Fall 3. What misery we brought on our selves after the Fall I may sometimes name Adam onely but it must be thus understood that we all were He. 1. What Adam was before he fell Adam and Eve Gen. 5.2 are both called Adam Male and Female created he
their Table Herbs and Roots their diet Wild fruits and Berries their dainties Hunger their sawce their Fingers their knives their Hands their Cups and the next Well their Wine-celler but he adds what they wanted in chear they had in Grace their lives being spent in Meditation and Prayer Fullers Church-History Sad indeed was the case of Mr. Glover in Queen Maryes dayes he was in a Prison very close very cold and very dark he had no Form or Stool to sit on only a little straw for a Bed but the worst was this that all this while he was much disquieted in his mind and under fear of Gods displeasure and so continued sad and sorrowful till he was within view of the stake and then the Comforts of God flowed down upon him Whatever our troubles be from men we should carry it seriously and then chearfully We should be as the Leviathan of whom it is said Job 41.22 In his neck remaineth strength and sorrow is turned into joy before him The Church were Brick-makers in Aegypt strangers had taken their houses and sore troubles we read of in the Lamentations Lam. 5.2 Lam. 5.8 If God make us to be Servants to Servants we must bear all patiently But by the way let us bring our selves no lower than God brinâ—s us and discover courage under the contempt of some that would insult over us in the time of our Trouble To such a one did the Poet write when he said Non ego sic ceidi Oâ—id quamvis abâ—estus ut infra Te quoque sim inferius quo nihil esse potest What if such a day should be Isa 10.14 when the King of Assyria said My hand hath found as a Nest the riches of the people and as one that gathereâ—h Eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth and there was none that moved the wing that opened the â—outh or peeped When we can no more resist thâ—n a Bird can us when we take Eggs out of the Nest Now we have gone from God it may be afflictions will bring as home We read in Jeremy 2.24 The Wild Asse in the Wilderness snuffeth up the wind in her month they shall find her that is in the impregnation of her womb then she is burdened and so stay'd so many when troubles come DIRECTIONS 1. Look unto Christ and his followers before us with what patience they have born afflictions How was Christ reviled spit on crucisied and yet as a Lamb before the Shearers Isa 53.7 so was he Do they contemn and hate us whom we have shewn great kindnesses to consider how Moses was dealt with by an ungrateful people though he left the pleasures of Pharaohs Court for their sakes yet sometimes they were ready to stone him Exo. 17.4 Though Paul suffered so much for the Gospels sake yet some in the Church of Corinth said of him that he walked after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.2 Because he pleaded the power he had to forbear working to have carnals from them that had spirituals from him 2 Cor. 4.1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry as we have received mercy we faint not Hopes he had of doing some Souls good and that quieted him The Pagans of old were wont to ask Tertul. Apol. how many Children the Christians devoured and who were the Cooks that dressed them c All which reproach they bore patiently Christ was not strict enough in his converse for a number of proud Pharisees they accused him with Sabbath-breaking and keeping company with vain men Solomons Counsel must take place Prov. 26.4 Answer not a fool according to his Folly lost thou also be like unto him and though there seems to be a contradiction in the next verse vers 5. Answer a fool according to his Folly lost he be wise in his own conceit Answer him not maliciously wrathfully or using sinful words as he doth but answer him wisely and with good and convincing words 2. Call to mind the wonderful Providences that have attended Gods People in their greatest afflictions What did God do for Abraham when he went he knew not whither and met with troubles every where Josephus for Moses when Tharmutis for so was the Daughter of Pharaoh call'd took care of him Sir W. R. Hist When God drowned Cheneres for so was that Pharaoh call'd as some say For the Church in Queen Esthers time when the day for their destruction was appointed Bish Spotswood in his History of the Church of Scotland speaking of that Holy man Cragge the night before he was to be executed Pope Paul the 4th died which caused his getting out of Prison having lost himself in a Wood and wanting conveniences a Dog came and fawned about him having a Purse of money in his mouth and laid it at Craggs feet and guided him to Millain where a company of Banditti or Robbers set upon him one of them told him that he knew him and once had his Charity and to requite that kindness he would now secure him out of the hands of that sort of men Lam. 3.27 I will not say much of my self who bore the yoke in my youth nor of a series of wonderful Providences that nine years ago I met with in the day when I had not where to lay my head which for a year after I did seldom think of with dry eyes I will add no more of that because I will offend none Gods care is such of his own that he saith Isa 45.11 Ask me of things to come concerning my Sons and concerning the works of my hands command you me I know some would read by way of Interrogation Do you command me but we will consider the words as signifying Gods great condescension yet it is not to be endured for any to say as once I heard a Minister do Lord we therefore command thee If a King say to an ordinary man in such a thing you may command me he doth not expect the man should reply Then Sir I command you but that he should thus understand him Your request shall as certainly be granted as if it had the force of a Command or as if you had the power of commanding me Let us consider Gods past Providences to us to take encouragement from them Luk. 22.35 When I sent you without Purse or Scrip lacked you any thing and they said Nothing What did God for Joseph in all his troubles Psal 105.18 19. Whose feet they hurt with fetters he was laid in Iron until the time that his word came till the word of the Lord tryed him Then the King sent and made him Lord of his house and Ruler of his substance 1 Kings 7.21 When the Pillars of the Porch of the Temple were set up the right Pillar was called Jachin which signifieth He shall establish and the left Pillar was called Boaz which signifieth Strength is in it All this shews the care God hath of his Church and People notwithstanding all
Christ will condemn the Wicked in the great day there is not the least Promise of Pity after thousands of Years or Ages Aegyptian Bondage though long yet ended so did the Babylonish Captivity but there will be no end of this misery God is not a man that he should repent 1 Sam. 15.29 there will be no change of his mind If God changeth Al. in Philos Platon saith a Platonist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. he must be changed of himself or some other if of another he must be greater than God or wiser which none can be if of himself he must change either for the better or the worse both which would argue imperfection in God and therefore he shall be known for ever to be a God that changeth not God is now preparing his Instruments of Death though vain men consider it not but are as Sheep or Oxen or other Beasts of the field that are grazing or sporting when one stands by whetting his Instruments to slay them DIRECTIONS Prepare for the day of Judgment and when prepared pray for it The compleating of the happiness of the Saints as to their body will be in that day What think you of the particular Judgment in the time of Death When Saul was told he should dye for that is the meaning of the word be with me that is in the number of the dead for Jonathan was a good man 1 Sam. 28.19 20. Then Saul fell strait way all along on the earth and there was no strength in him In the sixth verse we find In the day of his trouble God answered him not neither by Dreams nor by Vrim nor by Prophets Neither will God speak comfortably to ungodly men when they die by Ministers nor Scripture nor Conscience If you ask what that Vrim was we read not of it as a thing made by Moses or the People some think it was a precious stone in the breast of the High-Priest that by the change of its colour shewed what success the People should have in War as by Thummim what Offerings were accepted I know Mr. Weems throws in one rub against this Because saith he when the Priest put on Vrim and Thummim he asked Counsel at the mouth of the Lord He pleads if there were such a wonderful miraculous change of the colour of Vrim there was no need of asking of God his Opinion therefore was when the Priest had it on he was inspired to answer to the question I will not gainsay the Opinion only I conceive the objection is of no force for that change of the colour might be made by or in Prayer and calling upon God Saul had no answer the Ungodly shall cry in a time of Death and not be heard and when the day of judgment cometh that great day the Consciences of the despisers of Christ may say to them what once Zebul said to Gaal Judg. 9.38 Where is now thy mouth wherewith thou saidst Who is Abimelech that we should serve him Where is now thy mouth wherewith thou saidst Who is Christ that I should serve him Then will he say to such Exod. 6.1 what once God said to Moses of Pharaoh Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh Now shall Angels and Saints see what God will do to the ungodly but such as are prepared for that day may Pray for it Aug. Medit Aspice Domine Jesu cries Angustine viduitatis orbitatis meaelacrymas quas tibi offero donec redeas Behold Lord Jesus the tears of my Widdowhood or fatherless condition which I pour out 'till thou returnest Pray for the Judgment day that sin may be no more that all the faithful may be gathered in Pray for the eternal Kingdom Mat. 11.12 The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force You see how poor hungry Beggars cry at your doors for an alms if you do not presently answer them if you frown on them they will not be gone Let us all smite our breasts Blessed God what an infinite disproportion is there between my desires and their objects how coldly do I Pray for a Heaven 2. Get a Settlement in your Hearts of the truth and certainty of all these things It is reasonable to believe that verily there is a Reward for the Righteous Psal 58.11 verily there is a God that judgeth the earth God rewardeth not his People now God punisheth not his Enemies now and therefore will do it hereafter The worst of Men have many times the best of the World and the best of men the worst God hath put breathings and longings of Soul in his own after the full enjoyment of himself in Glory and he puts not those desires there to torment them but to satisfie these desires Men venture much at Sea in hopes of great gain Let hopes even weak hopes in many put them on diligence in God's Service Wherefore 1 Cor. 15.58 my Brethren be constant unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord knowing your labour shall not be in vain 3. Let all the Saints admire and adore our Lord Jesus that saveth them from Hell and brings them to Heaven Mr. Ambrose in his Looking unto Jesus saith thus Suppose for an Offence thou wert to be rack'd leisurably that thy Bones and Sinews might be pained thirty or forty years that so much Flesh should be cut off-one day such a Bone broken another and by Art the Flesh should be restored and the Skin cured again and all thâ—se years thou be dying and never dead and all this while thou shouldest have no Cloaths Fâ—od or Sleep convenient for thee and when thou thought'st there was no hope a great Prince should come and deliver thee from all this misery and not only so but give thee great Treasures and one of the most pleasant Habitations in his Kingdom how would'st thou love that Prince Our Sin had condemned us to far greater Misery and our Lord Jesus hath procured for us far greater Mercy It is well God hath prepared an Eternity to admire this Love in 4. Do God that Service here on Earth that you can never do him in Heaven I will name a few Particulars and leave the Amplification to your Meditation 1. Take thy fill of spiritual Mourning for shine own and other mens Sins now Thou canst not do this when thou comest to Heaven for there is no Sin there 2. Bear up patiently under all thy Trials now thou canst not do this in Heaven for there is no trouble there 3. Deal liberally with distressed Christians now thou canst not do this in Heaven for there is no distressed Christians there 4. Delight in Scripture and Ordinances for the healing of thy Soul now thou canst not do this in Heaven for there is no unhealed Soul there A Word to the Vnconverted Are these things so Then may I say to you what the Prophet said of Moab and Kirharesh Isa 16.11 Wherefore my Bowels shall sound as
a Harp for Moab and my Inwards for Kirharesh When Men ran from God though God offer'd Grace and Mercy it is said Gen. 6.7 It repented the Lord that he had made Man and it grieved him to the heart Sin hath made him such a Monster that God loatheth him and the People of God are often in Anguish of Spirit because of him What aileth the Unconverted Man that though he knoweth he hath sinned and is exposed to eternal Judgments yet can eat and drink by day and sleep by night as if all were well Men condemned to die for Theft Murder how sad do they look but Sin is of a hardening nature Hence it is that their Hearts feel not the keâ—nest Considerations in Religion Ungodly Men are as one sayes Whately's Nâ—w-birth as little Devils and differ from the great Devil not in Parts of Corruption but Degrees as a Child differs from a Man But O man thou must die and if it be so thou dyest before thou art made a new creature thou art damned for ever Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming Isa 14.9 If there were a Sword a Pistol at thy breast how wouldst thou beg for life if thou hadst any hopes of being heard the Sword of Justice is drawn against thee and ready to be sheathed in thy bowels Cry cry aloud to the merciful God for Mercy How often in the night season is there a scrole before thine eyes of thy past iniquities and of judgments to come and thou turnest from one side to another Shall I shall I yet reform When shall it once be If any say I hope to be saved though I obey not the Gospel This is to say I hope God will prove false of his word or as if a man call'd to work and promised pay should say Though I sport or sleep but work not all day long I doubt not of my wages and should argue from the goodness of the nature of that man that imployed him If others say I will repent hereafter So thou shalt but I fear that hereafter will be in Hell for ever when there is no hope of mercy The Scripture calleth obstinate Sinners Sons of Belial 1 Sam. 2.12 2 Sam. 20.1 the Sept. read in one place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pestilent men infectious men in the other place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Men yokeless against all Law And this is the case of men that were once glorious Creatures when in subjection to their Maker It is a comfortable consideration to them that are holy 1 Cor. 6.9 Rev. 21.27 That no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of God Your graceless Faces shall occasion no sorrow to them there When they see you in the great day yet they nor their God will have any pity upon you Fathers whose hearts were once ready to break for their ungodly Children or Husbands for their ungodly Wives or Brothers for their ungodly Brethren they will not wish in that day O that I could save them from the Wrath of God! They will be contented and not only so but will rejoyce that Justice is executed upon them that God hath honour upon them in their eternal Damnation who had none by them by any Reformation or good works Turn you Ezek. 33.11 turn you why will you die Mind the duties I have perswaded to before Let none complain for want of time when they know that many of as much business as they can find time to mind God and their duty in Jer. 13.17 But if you will not hear my Soul shall mourn in secret for your pride You that cry in Youth It is too soon to be serious or in Middle-age It is time enough will in old age say It is too late I turn from you to them that I know will hear me and with whom my pains are never lost To the Righteous Praise the Lord all ye his Saints whom God hath sanctified whom God will save You may sing that Song Exod. 15.21 The Horse and his Rider hath he thrown into the Sea So your vile affections and Satan hath God conquer'd for you Grow in grace as the Children of God and as the Brethren of the holy Prophets and Apostles Epictetus gives a direction to Philosophers to consider when about to do an action 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What would Socrates or Zeno do So how would David Paul pray read or do the works of Religion if they were by you and were to do the same If your Brethren in Heaven could speak to you how would they perswade you to be zealous in good works as Children of the same Father and Heirs of the same Kingdom with themselves A strange sight would it be to see a King with a Crown on his Head taking in a Dunghill Sad is it to see the Christian that hath Grace and shall have glory to be immoderately concerned about the things of this life I perswade you to that which tends to make your lives happy on all accounts and which I have often spoken of Piety Industry Vsefulness and Chearfulness Piety be serious in Religion and seek for comfortable Perswasions of the Love of God Industry be laborious in your Callings Vsefulness do good to the Souls and Bodies of many Chearfulness flee all needless sorrow adorn the Gospel of Christ and let your Conversations invite others to receive it Faults in you are bad indeed The better the Garment is the worse is the rent the better the Cup the worse is the crack the better the man the worse the disorder For your encouragement to walk with God hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 2.7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God Rev. 7.16 17. They are before the Throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple And he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them They shall neither hunger nor thirst any more Neither shall the Sun light on them nor any heat for the Lamb that is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto the Fountain of living waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 22.1 There is that pure River of the water of Life clear as Chrystal proceeding out of the throne of God Rev. 22.6 and of the Lamb. These sayings are faithful and true And the Lord God of the holy Prophets hath shewn to his Servants the things which must shortly be done Blessed are they that do his Commandements Rev. 22.14 that they may have right to the Tree of life and may enter in through the Gates into the City I end all with this humble Address unto the Lord That he would come with all his Train of Graces and put an end to all our Heats and Contentions about the smaller things in Religion and make us zealous of all good Works and then bring us to himself in Glory Even so come Rev. 22.20 Lord Jesus That all the Saints may enjoy those Delights of which it shall never be said Here is THE END
the earth and did reverence to the King and said Let my Lord King David live for ever Adore the Lord God if he hath made your Children by his Grace Heirs of the Kingdom that cannot be shaken Give me leave by the way to bewail the great and common sin found among us That many children are sooner taught what Jupiter Mars and such Pagan Gods were than what Father Son and Spirit is Josiah when he was young 2 Chron. 34.3 enquired after the God of David his Father but many now when young after Heathen Gods Augustine of old complained of this Aug. Confes lib. 6. of hearing in Schools Joves Thundering and Adulteries and for giving an account of such things saith he Et ob hoc bonae spei puer appellabar I was called a hopeful Lad. Luther also complained that our Schools were more Pagan than Christian I referr the unsatisfied Reader to Pasors Preface to his Lexicon he observeth of Pythagoras his golden verses so much esteemed of and I fear accounted more golden by too many than our Saviours Sayings on the Mount how they begin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Honour the Immortal Gods c. And as I have observed worse after I knew an Aged Famous Schoolmaster that after he had kept School about fifty years said with a very sad countenance That it was a great trouble to him that he had spent so much time in reading Pagan Authors to his Scholars and wisht it were customary to read such a Book as Duports Greek Verses upon Job rather than Homer and such Books I beseech School-masters if they must read such Authors do as they do that eat Mushromes or such dangerous meats use strong Correctives Shew Youth the vanity of the Pagan Religion and the excellency of the Christian Religion Perswade them above all things to be acquainted with the Holy Scriptures which alone can make them wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 when many vain books make many wise to Damnation If Children die what doth it signifie to say they were ingenious if they be graceless will Ingenuity save them They are as Thales Milesius that was gazing on the Stars minding their magnitude situation and influences when he should have been minding his way and so fell into the water and was drowned I pray God put it in the hearts of a wise Parliament to purge our Schools that instead of learning vain Fictions and filthy stories they may be acquainted with the VVord of God with Books containing Grave Sayings And learn in Prose or Verse the Histories of the Kings of England the chief Passages in their Reigns and some Maxims in Law and things that may make them truly wise and useful in the world I know I shall offend not a few in thus writing But let such remember my Authors before named Austin Luther Pasor and others that I might name and if I must have a Reprimand I am glad that I have such good company It is storied of the old Waldenses in France in the dark times of Popery R. his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they so instructed their Children in the great things of God that some Popish Doctors said that they learned more of the Doctrine of Salvation by talking with those Children than they did by the Disputations of great men There is another fault among us to be condemned the early and unnecessary sending of young men beyond Sea to see Countreys speak Languages before they have studied the grounds of our Religion and so are infected with Popery or Atheism I desire such before they send their Children away or the Children before they go to read Bishop Hall his Quo vadis a Book to which little can be added And then I hope they may be willing to stay at home How sad is it in most houses where the fear of God is not Of which it may be said what is said of Babylon Rev. 18.2 that they are a Habitation of Devils and the hold of every foul Spiriâ—â— and the cage of every unclean and hateful Bird so many wicked persons and so much wickedness is in them that the serious Christian may sometimes say in the beholding of it what Job said in another case O that my grief were thorougly weighed and that my sorrow were laid in the ballance for then would it be heavier than the sand of the Sea That there is so much Lying Prophaning the Name of God and so much of unsavoury rotten communications in most families and among Children that when they are men and women these things become common to them That if it be then asked what Christ asked the Father about his Childs disease how long ago this happened to them the same answer may be given even from a Child 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 9.21 I now come to a few Directions DIRECTIONS 1. Cry to God for Bowels of Compassion toward Souls and for Dexterity in this work of Reproving and Counseling that you may say with Paul Rom. 9.1 2 3. I say the Truth in Christ I lye not my Conscience also bearing me Witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great heaviness and continual Sorrow in my Heart for I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my Brethren my Kinsmen according to the flesh As if he had said I could almost be willing to perish for their sakes say with David Psal 119.158 I beheld the Transgressors and was grieved because they kept not thy Word You Parents that are so tender of the Bodies of your Children be much more concerned for their Souls You that desire great Estates for them much more desire Heaven for them How many mind their Oxen Sheep and Swine more than the Souls of their Children Sauls Father Kish 1 Sam. 10.2 Gave over caring for the Asses saying What shall I do for my Son So be less concerned about the things of the World and say What shall I do for the Souls of my Children that it may be said of you as in Prov. 10.20 The Mouth of the Righteous is as choice Silver when you speak with tender Bowels of Compassion It is not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you Mat. 10.20 When God bad Moses to speak to Pharaoh and Moses Objected want of Eloquence said God Exod. 4.12 Now therefore go and I will be thy mouth and I will teach thee what thou shalt say That you may by your good Counsel overcome Satan as David by playing with his Musical Instrument made the evil Spirit to depart from Saul 1 Sam. 16.23 I know for some audacious Sinners it is better to be silent than reprove Hezekiah his command was prudent when Rabshakeh Blasphemed Isa 36.21 But the People held their peace and answered him not a Word for the Kings Commandment was saying Answer him not Let Prayer accompany the work of Exhorting Neh. 2.4 stand before the man as Nehemiah before the King and Queen praying to the God of
Heaven to direct you what you shall say Pray Lord let my words administer Grace to the Hearers Ephes 4.29 Ask some that are under you after the reading of a Chapter or hearing of a Sermon what Christ asked his Disciples Mat. 13.51 Have ye understood all those things Heal their Ignorance direct their Souls We see Afflictions do many times stir Christians up to this Work and prepare them for it Paul speaks of great Troubles he endured 2 Cor. 6.4 But in all things approving our selves as the Ministers of Christ in much Patience in Afflictions in Necessities in Distresses Vers 9.10 As unknown and yet well-known as dying and behold we live as chastened and not killed as sorrowful yet always Rejoycing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things What did this blessed Apostle get by all vers 11. O ye Corinthians our Mouth is open unto you our Heart is enlarged He got a Heart to pity Souls and a Tongue to Counsel them There is Gold and a multitude of Rubies but the Lips of Knowledge are precious Jewels saith Solomon Prov. 20.15 Good Counsel given is better than the giving of Gold Whilst you are musing the fire may kindle and then you speak with your Tongue If you cannot speak to some write to them Letters will not blush if Faces do 2. Have an eye upon the Sins they are most addicted to and Reprove for them and on the Duties they are most averse from and perswade to them It is not enough that the Words spoken by you be good but they must be seasonable Words Some are apt to use the Name of God irreverently in their Communications Nay many great Professors I am ashamed to mention it It hath been a comfortable Consideration to me many a time that when I dye I shall be tormented with hearing the Name of God irreverently used ☜ no more Would to God the third Commandment Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain were often before the eyes of men Tell such men that they ought to fear that great and terrible Name the Lord thy God That they have Reason to adore him that he will give us leave to use his Name at any time and therefore we should not take it in vain whether theusing in common Discourse the Word Faith be Swearing I know the great Sanderson saith Saunder de juro mento that per fidem though from the manner of some Nations and intention of some Speakers it may be an Oath yet he saith Non est ex vi Verborum because saith he Fides Humana non est res Sacra but civilis and in those words we call not God a Witness and therefore is Asseveratio tantum aut ad plurimum Testatio And so he adds that per fidem is the same with Ex animo loquor Pignerofidem meam si rem ita se non habere aut si sciens fallo nulla mihi in posterum fides habeatur So he If you ask Is it unlawful thus to use the Word Faith I answer I am sure it is not unlawful to let it alone it is not a thing of good report to use and the more serious decline it Are they addicted to Lying Scoffing at Religion Shew them the evil nature and consequents of these things If they slight Prayer the Holy Scriptures Alms-deeds perswade to them 3. Be not soon discouraged because of the Ignorance or Backwardness of them with whom you deal God may in time work on them Are they ignorant speak to them of Christ and the Covenant of Grace and of the way of Sinners coming to God through a Mediatour shew them kindness and seek to make their lives comfortable as much as you can that you may the better win them If any say We are ignorant our selves and how can we instruct others This is the way to get knowledge You know that God made the world That Jesus Christ is a glorious Redeemer That all men are hastning to Eternity Come man come on thou knowest enough to fall on the practice of this duty speak to vain spirits of these things Mr. Elliot in his Account of the Progress of the Gospel in New-England written in the year 43. speaks of one Hiacoomes a plain ignorant but yet pious and serious man he converted one Towanquetick a plain Indian and this Towanquetick was the Instrument of the conversion of about a hundred Indians in a little time If others say We are ignorant after all counsel and therefore are discouraged let such often call to mind what they hear and time may make an impression I have read of Hilarius Pictavienses a famous man of France Hanmore's View of Antiqu. finding that little that he read was remembred by him threw away his Books One day passing by a Well he saw that by frequent drawing up of the Bucket the rope had made a deep impression on the Stones he thought that by frequent consideration and meditation the things he heard and read might make a deep impression on him he fell closely to his work and proved a famous man You that are ungodly and hear not your Instructors you discourage them in their work that they are ready to say as Jeremiah Then I said I will not make mention of him nor speak any more in his name But zeal for God and love to Souls makes them at last to come to themselves and add as hâ—â— Jer. 20.9 But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones and I was weary of forbearing and I could not stay How many serious Souls have experienced this The Life of Mr. Janeway When Mr. Janeway overheard some unsavoury discourse in a room nigh to him he wrote down their discourse and asked them after he had read what they said whether they were willing to hear of such discourse another day Many men by their evil discourse poyson many hearers as the Basilisk doth men Morney's Resolver not by looking on them according to the vulgar error but by Poyson coming out of the mouth Children hearken to your Parents that prerswade you to mind your Souls grieve them not by your folly Let good men hearken to Reproof from their Brethren as Aaron did from Moses and Peter from Paul When Luther reproved Bullinger for some errors he had about the Word of God Bullinger came forth before all the company and fell at the feet of Luther and said Blessed be the day wherein I saw this gracious face and had these reproofs Let good men counsel then their Children and Servants and Friends It is sad that such should say My Father my Master my Friend that is a great Professor of Religion and with whom I am on all occasions by day by night never was the man that asked me what I thought of my present or eternal condition never aked me whether I thought I was converted or should be saved Yet