these_o sacrament_n and_o nature_n of_o these_o seal_n what_o river_n of_o comfort_n must_v needs_o flow_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o he_o who_o right_o partake_v they_o look_v as_o prince_n grave_a their_o own_o portraiture_n in_o their_o seal_n sit_v in_o state_n upon_o their_o throne_n invest_v with_o their_o royal_a apparel_n adorn_v with_o their_o crown_n and_o sceptre_n so_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n in_o these_o his_o signet_n have_v lively_o represent_v himself_o in_o his_o death_n conquer_a triumph_v and_o lead_v captive_a all_o our_o enemy_n and_o even_o trample_v they_o under_o our_o foot_n but_o prince_n can_v grave_n nothing_o on_o their_o seal_n but_o their_o dead_a image_n not_o so_o here_o for_o in_o these_o the_o very_a person_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v give_v we_o as_o be_v not_o only_o represent_v but_o present_v and_o exhibit_v to_o the_o faithful_a the_o body_n of_o christ_n feed_v and_o strengthen_v the_o blood_n of_o christ_n wash_v and_o more_o than_o wine_n cheer_v up_o our_o faint_a spirit_n be_v there_o offer_v and_o give_v we_o who_o reach_n out_o the_o hand_n of_o faith_n to_o receive_v he_o now_o how_o he_o shall_v be_v unhappy_a who_o have_v christ_n or_o miss_v of_o comfort_n who_o soul_n be_v fill_v with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o conceive_v but_o let_v we_o consider_v they_o a_o little_a several_o baptism_n be_v that_o sacrament_n wherein_o god_n apply_v the_o blood_n of_o christ_n to_o wash_v we_o from_o all_o the_o pollution_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o to_o communicate_v unto_o we_o his_o own_o glorious_a pureness_n let_v we_o therefore_o take_v some_o notice_n first_o as_o well_o of_o the_o filthiness_n of_o sin_n as_o our_o filthiness_n by_o it_o and_o then_o of_o this_o excellent_a pureness_n certain_a be_v it_o that_o our_o create_a understanding_n can_v find_v power_n in_o itself_o to_o conceive_v much_o less_o word_n to_o express_v the_o infinite_a loathsomnesse_n of_o sin_n hence_o be_v it_o that_o in_o scripture_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n resemble_v it_o to_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o our_o sense_n most_o abhor_v sin_n to_o stink_a mud_n a_o sinner_n to_o aswine_v wallow_v in_o that_o mire_n sin_n to_o a_o loathsome_a vomit_n a_o sinner_n to_o a_o dog_n lick_v up_o his_o vomit_n in_o a_o word_n sin_n to_o death_n a_o sinner_n to_o a_o rot_a carcase_n and_o his_o throat_n to_o a_o open_a sepulchre_n exhale_v and_o belch_a out_o stench_n and_o putrefaction_n so_o infectious_a that_o one_o sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n taint_v and_o slay_v the_o whole_a world_n with_o sin_n turn_v saint_n into_o swine_n angel_n into_o devil_n so_o loathsome_a that_o even_o both_o the_o material_n of_o man_n 25._o in_o the_o very_a touch_n defile_v and_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o holy_a duty_n 8._o pass_v through_o a_o sinful_a heart_n be_v altogether_o abhor_v and_o abominable_a it_o stain_v the_o very_a righteousness_n of_o the_o saint_n 6._o who_o be_v not_o on_o earth_n yet_o absolute_o cleanse_v from_o it_o so_o that_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o filthy_a clout_n this_o be_v our_o estate_n from_o which_o by_o christ_n apply_v unto_o we_o in_o baptism_n we_o be_v deliver_v second_o ponder_v well_o what_o be_v this_o image_n of_o christ_n which_o baptism_n imprint_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v even_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o glorious_a beauty_n of_o holiness_n which_o in_o god_n the_o bless_a angel_n above_o all_o other_o attribute_n admire_v and_o praise_v esa._n 6.3_o sure_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v in_o god_n more_o excellent_a than_o other_o than_o holiness_n be_v it_o as_o the_o face_n be_v in_o the_o body_n so_o be_v holiness_n in_o the_o lord_n the_o very_a beauty_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o as_o a_o passionate_a lover_n be_v even_o ravish_v with_o the_o presence_n and_o sight_n of_o his_o belove_a so_o be_v it_o the_o complete_a happiness_n of_o the_o creature_n to_o behold_v that_o face_n of_o god_n shine_v with_o that_o ravish_a beauty_n of_o holiness_n man_n swear_v by_o the_o great_a 15._o but_o because_o none_o be_v great_a than_o god_n therefore_o god_n swear_v by_o himself_o but_o in_o himself_o by_o nothing_o that_o i_o remember_v but_o his_o holiness_n 89.35_o oh_o then_o how_o unspeakable_a be_v the_o comfort_n of_o this_o holy_a ordinance_n which_o cleanse_v we_o from_o such_o a_o filthiness_n wash_v we_o into_o such_o a_o beauty_n again_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v that_o holy_a mystery_n wherein_o the_o spirit_n perfect_v this_o work_n which_o he_o have_v begin_v in_o we_o and_o thorough_o assure_v we_o christ._n look_v as_o when_o the_o wax_n be_v hard_a the_o first_o impression_n change_v the_o form_n and_o make_v some_o though_o no_o perfect_a print_n of_o the_o image_n ingrave_v in_o the_o seal_n so_o that_o image_n of_o god_n which_o by_o baptism_n be_v stamp_v upon_o we_o but_o by_o reason_n of_o our_o sinful_a hard_a heart_n as_o yet_o in_o part_n only_o be_v by_o often_o apply_v the_o lord_n in_o that_o other_o seal_n more_o perfect_o express_v and_o more_o lively_o portray_v in_o we_o so_o be_v enter_v into_o life_n by_o baptism_n we_o be_v nourish_v by_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o more_o strengthen_v till_o we_o attain_v unto_o full_a growth_n and_o ripeness_n chap._n xii_o meditation_n in_o these_o comfort_n give_v in_o the_o sacrament_n now_o here_o again_o let_v we_o commune_v with_o our_o own_o heart_n and_o say_v why_o oh_o my_o soul_n be_v thou_o so_o distract_v and_o rend_v with_o doubt_n and_o distrustful_a fear_n have_v thou_o not_o the_o seal_n of_o god_n covenant_n for_o thou_o yea_o in_o thou_o if_o he_o will_v do_v thou_o good_a shall_v any_o creature_n be_v able_a to_o hurt_v thou_o if_o he_o will_v knit_v my_o heart_n to_o he_o in_o his_o fear_n what_o shall_v separate_v it_o from_o his_o love_n oh_o be_v persuade_v for_o which_o thou_o have_v so_o strong_a evidence_n and_o assurance_n that_o no_o tribulation_n 39_o nor_o anguish_n nor_o life_n nor_o death_n nor_o principality_n nor_o power_n nor_o thing_n present_a nor_o thing_n to_o come_v shall_v be_v able_a to_o separate_v thou_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n now_o therefore_o cast_v thy_o burden_n upon_o his_o truth_n lean_a and_o establish_v all_o thy_o hope_n upon_o these_o his_o seal_a promise_n oh_o let_v perfect_a love_v cast_v out_o all_o distrust_n and_o fear_n assure_v thyself_o he_o will_v not_o nay_o in_o his_o truth_n can_v fail_v thou_o in_o such_o assurance_n how_o shall_v not_o he_o pity_v his_o own_o though_o never_o so_o weak_a life_n in_o thou_o who_o pity_v thy_o death_n in_o sin_n how_o shall_v he_o hate_v thou_o now_o his_o child_n who_o love_v thou_o once_o a_o enemy_n oh_o my_o god_n as_o thou_o have_v give_v i_o a_o eye_n in_o some_o measure_n to_o see_v my_o sinful_a filthiness_n so_o have_v thou_o give_v i_o a_o heart_n in_o the_o same_o measure_n to_o loathe_v myself_o so_o pollute_a and_o filthy_a lord_n thou_o have_v make_v i_o to_o know_v and_o i_o desire_v with_o more_o feeling_n to_o acknowledge_v that_o i_o be_o beyond_o measure_n beyond_o my_o own_o apprehension_n in_o nature_n horrible_a and_o loathsome_a my_o root_n rottenness_n my_o stalk_n corruption_n my_o fruit_n contagion_n more_o vile_a than_o the_o earth_n i_o tread_v on_o more_o pollute_v than_o the_o dung_n i_o scorn_v to_o tread_v on_o but_o oh_o incomprehensible_a height_n depth_n breadth_n and_o length_n of_o thy_o grace_n those_o thy_o infinite_o pure_a eye_n can_v even_o then_o with_o compassion_n behold_v this_o unmeasurable_o impure_a and_o infectious_a mire_n when_o no_o eye_n pity_v i_o when_o i_o have_v no_o pity_n on_o myself_o even_o then_o have_v thou_o compassion_n on_o i_o 16._o when_o i_o be_v cast_v out_o as_o the_o execrable_a and_o loathsome_a dunghill_n of_o the_o world_n even_o then_o do_v thou_o not_o despise_v i_o i_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n stink_v in_o the_o grave_n of_o my_o lust_n yet_o even_o then_o do_v thou_o say_v unto_o i_o live_v thou_o wash_v i_o with_o the_o water_n of_o life_n the_o blood_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n annoynt_v i_o with_o the_o oil_n of_o thy_o gracious_a spirit_n and_o do_v set_v thy_o own_o beauty_n upon_o i_o 33._o thou_o have_v nourish_v i_o with_o the_o true_a manna_n that_o bread_n of_o heaven_n which_o give_v life_n unto_o the_o world_n and_o daily_o do_v thou_o vouchsafe_v to_o renew_v i_o after_o thy_o image_n and_o to_o strengthen_v thy_o life_n and_o nature_n in_o i_o and_o now_o my_o god_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n like_o this_o to_o be_v like_a to_o thou_o oh_o what_o a_o honour_n what_o a_o crown_n be_v this_o unto_o i_o in_o all_o other_o
joy_n in_o tribulation_n or_o consolation_n for_o afflict_a spirit_n by_o phinees_n fletcher_n b.d._n and_o minister_n of_o god_n word_n at_o hilgay_n in_o norfolk_n psal._n 34._o 19_o many_o be_v the_o trouble_n of_o the_o righteous_a but_o the_o lord_n deliver_v he_o out_o of_o all_o london_n print_v for_o james_n boler_n dwell_v at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o marigold_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1632._o to_o the_o true_o honourable_a my_o most_o honour_a cousin_n sir_n walter_n roberts_n knight_n and_o baronet_n and_o to_o his_o gracious_a lady_n everlasting_a consolation_n of_o the_o eternal_a comforter_n sir_n your_o very_a ancient_a gentry_n do_v not_o so_o ennoble_v you_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o your_o new_a man_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o church_n naz._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v that_o ancient_a &_o eloquent_a father_n the_o new_a birth_n be_v the_o noble_a birth_n in_o the_o creation_n man_n be_v the_o first_o and_o last_o creature_n last_o in_o time_n first_o in_o place_n and_o dignily_n be_v make_v the_o son_n of_o god_n 38._o and_o the_o great_a favourite_n of_o heaven_n and_o now_o the_o new_a creature_n though_o last_o bear_v as_o jacob_n yet_o as_o jacâ—b_n obtain_v the_o birthright_n and_o overtop_n the_o elder_a the_o best_a herald_n god_n bless_a spirit_n prefer_v the_o beraean_o as_o more_o noble_a or_o best_a bear_v 17.11_o who_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n etc._n etc._n and_o sure_o if_o high_a blood_n of_o generous_a parent_n set_v we_o aloft_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n how_o much_o more_o lustre_n among_o christian_n will_v that_o immortal_a seed_n give_v you_o whereby_o you_o be_v bear_v 13â—_n not_o of_o blood_n nor_o of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o flesh_n nor_o of_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n now_o though_o i_o well_o know_v that_o the_o near_a relation_n of_o fleshly_a alliance_n and_o blood_n which_o be_v betwixt_o we_o beside_o many_o other_o knot_n of_o friendship_n have_v tie_v my_o heart_n long_o since_o unto_o you_o both_o in_o all_o unfeigned_a affection_n yet_o this_o spiritual_a kindred_n be_v a_o much_o dear_a and_o near_a link_n unite_n my_o soul_n unto_o you_o in_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o spirit_n so_o that_o i_o can_v true_o say_v with_o that_o bless_a apostle_n 8_o i_o be_o affectionate_o desirous_a of_o you_o and_o willing_a to_o impart_v to_o you_o not_o only_o this_o slender_a fruit_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o my_o own_o soul_n bebause_v you_o be_v dear_a unto_o i_o i_o be_o confident_a you_o will_v receive_v this_o pledge_n of_o love_n with_o the_o same_o affection_n with_o which_o it_o be_v present_v and_o therefore_o leave_v these_o few_o consolation_n to_o the_o application_n of_o that_o great_a comforter_n and_o yourselves_o with_o all_o your_o olive_n branch_n unto_o the_o unction_n of_o that_o holy_a one_o and_o perfect_a growth_n of_o the_o bless_a spirit_n i_o commend_v the_o weak_a author_n to_o your_o christian_a love_n and_o prayer_n who_o while_o he_o be_v shall_v ever_o be_v your_o willing_a servant_n in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n phinees_n fletcher_n to_o the_o poor_a in_o spirit_n christian_n reader_n whosoever_o thou_o be_v who_o mourn_v and_o be_v humble_v under_o the_o sense_n of_o spiritual_a poverty_n to_o thou_o belong_v that_o blessedness_n of_o the_o heavenly_a kingdom_n and_o strong_a consolation_n of_o that_o great_a comforter_n 3,4â—_n witness_v he_o that_o buy_v it_o for_o thou_o and_o by_o his_o own_o mouth_n have_v bequeath_v it_o to_o thou_o in_o his_o testament_n but_o how_o cunning_a satan_n be_v to_o hide_v this_o evidence_n from_o thy_o blubber_a eye_n wâ—ll_n need_v no_o other_o testimony_n than_o thou_o own_o unquiet_a and_o deject_a spirit_n the_o height_n of_o grace_n be_v rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n 8._o and_o this_o be_v a_o joy_n unspeakable_a and_o glorious_a and_o indeed_o a_o lesser_a heaven_n upon_o earth_n now_o that_o curse_a enemy_n envy_v thou_o that_o thy_o future_a heaven_n but_o be_v rage_a mad_a that_o thou_o shall_v even_v here_o also_o enjoy_v a_o heaven_n of_o joy_n in_o this_o vale_n of_o tear_n therefore_o employ_v all_o his_o policy_n and_o fallacy_n to_o hinder_v thy_o rejoice_v and_o to_o hold_v down_o thy_o heart_n in_o distrustful_a fear_n and_o sorrow_n thou_o may_v easy_o observe_v that_o none_o have_v be_v more_o câ—st_v down_o in_o this_o uncomfortable_a mourning_n than_o those_o who_o thou_o will_v confess_v have_v have_v most_o cause_n of_o rejoice_v that_o princely_a prophet_n have_v the_o oath_n of_o god_n attest_v by_o his_o holiness_n that_o he_o will_v not_o fail_v david_n 89.35_o and_o i_o know_v thou_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o deep_a mourning_n a_o bless_a saint_n and_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o rejoice_v always_o in_o the_o lord_n yet_o be_v there_o a_o time_n when_o his_o soul_n lie_v groan_v under_o a_o intolerable_a burden_n of_o heavy_a discomfort_n 50.10_o he_o that_o when_o he_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o have_v no_o light_n when_o not_o one_o spark_n of_o earthly_a consolation_n shine_v forth_o unto_o he_o 35â—6_n can_v yet_o stay_v himself_o on_o the_o lord_n and_o can_v fill_v his_o heart_n in_o this_o wane_n nay_o eclipse_n with_o the_o borrow_a light_n of_o his_o countenance_n â—ven_o this_o saint_n find_v a_o time_n when_o his_o soul_n refuse_v comfort_n 77â—2_n when_o even_o the_o remembrance_n of_o â—od_n his_o main_a cordial_a become_v his_o speâ—iall_a coâ—asive_a so_o that_o his_o spirit_n be_v overwhelm_v with_o it_o read_v careful_o that_o 77_o psalm_n and_o thou_o will_v confess_v that_o thy_o trouble_n of_o spirit_n do_v not_o equal_a at_o lest_o can_v exceed_v he_o it_o be_v a_o constant_a practice_n of_o satan_n to_o hold_v and_o rock_n a_o carnal_a heart_n in_o all_o presumptuous_a quietness_n and_o rejoice_v and_o if_o he_o may_v to_o keep_v down_o the_o believe_a soul_n in_o continual_a unchearefulnesse_n and_o mourning_n i_o have_v desire_v therefore_o to_o publish_v this_o little_a treatise_n which_o god_n have_v bless_v to_o some_o in_o private_a that_o if_o he_o be_v please_v to_o glorify_v his_o power_n in_o great_a weakness_n thy_o wound_n may_v be_v supple_v if_o not_o cure_v and_o to_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o brother_n who_o have_v more_o gift_n and_o less_o employment_n to_o enlarge_v this_o excellent_a subject_n remember_v thou_o that_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v thy_o strength_n 8.10_o oh_o let_v not_o thy_o sorrow_n no_o not_o for_o sin_n drown_v thy_o rejoice_v in_o that_o saviour_n who_o be_v become_v sin_n for_o thou_o that_o thou_o may_v be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n in_o he_o â—1_n i_o know_v when_o thy_o soul_n be_v far_o from_o peace_n thou_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v my_o strength_n and_o my_o hope_n be_v perish_v from_o the_o lord_n 25,26_o but_o remember_v the_o lord_n be_v thy_o portion_n remember_v it_o be_v good_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v both_o hope_n and_o quiet_o wait_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o let_v thy_o heart_n be_v assure_v and_o in_o that_o assurance_n comfort_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v good_a unto_o they_o that_o wait_v for_o he_o to_o the_o soul_n that_o seek_v wait_v for_o thy_o lord_n for_o he_o will_v come_v and_o will_v not_o tarry_v he_o that_o testify_v these_o thing_n say_v 2â—â—2â—â—_n sure_o i_o come_v quick_o amen_o even_o so_o come_v lord_n jesus_n if_o you_o receive_v any_o profit_n let_v i_o have_v some_o use_n of_o it_o in_o thy_o prayer_n thy_o compassionate_a fellow-member_n p._n f._n christian_n consolation_n for_o the_o afflict_a spirit_n chap._n i._n the_o necessity_n of_o comfort_n in_o this_o life_n as_o in_o this_o estate_n of_o mortality_n our_o weak_a body_n stand_v in_o continual_a need_n of_o reparation_n as_o well_o by_o physical_a purgation_n to_o dissolve_v and_o cast_v out_o ill_a humour_n which_o through_o distemper_n either_o of_o air_n or_o diet_n have_v creep_v in_o upon_o we_o as_o continual_o by_o seasonable_a refresh_n and_o some_o exercise_n to_o gather_v &_o maintain_v strength_n and_o health_n so_o and_o much_o more_o our_o weak_a spirit_n in_o this_o sinful_a world_n so_o subject_a to_o backslide_v have_v much_o necessity_n of_o continual_a comfort_n as_o well_o to_o raise_v up_o our_o faint_a soul_n when_o they_o be_v stagger_v through_o unbelief_n as_o to_o underprop_v and_o hold_v they_o fast_o when_o they_o stand_v by_o faith_n for_o comfort_n in_o the_o large_a sense_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o fortify_v the_o heart_n against_o the_o assault_n of_o evil_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o malicious_a enemy_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o christian_a man_n hold_v every_o one_o in_o a_o straight_a siege_n and_o fail_v not_o to_o make_v battery_n by_o all_o manner_n of_o engine_n against_o soul_n