and cast his loving kindnesses behind our backs Us only hath God chosen [3] Amos 3.2 above all the Churches under Heaven to be unto him a [4] Jer. 13.11 Name and a glory and do we thus [5] Deut. 32.6 7 8 9 requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee Remember the dayes of old consider the yeares of many generations If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him but if a people sin and thus sin against the Lord [6] 1 Sam. 2.25 who shall entreat for it The breaches betwixt us and our God are so wide that it will be [7] Ezek 13.5 22.30 Jer. 5.1 Numb 32.23 Ezek. 3.26 very difficult to make up this hedge were Noah Daniel Job and Moses alive among us they would be insufficient to stand in these gaps When Israel came out of Aegypt rather When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion then were they like unto them that [8] Psalm 126.1 were in a dream we although the Lord hath done greater things for us are in no such dream in a [9] Rom. 11.8 slumber we are we are like unto nay we are a generation drunken with excesse and fallen asleep in deadly sins May God ever have the glory of it the [10] Hos 2.18 bow the sword and the battel He hath broken such is His mercifulnesse we [11] ibid. lye down safely but we [12] Jer. 3.25 lye down in our shame too Our peace is [13] Esay 48.18 as a River mean while our Vnrighteousnesse is [14] ibid. as the waves of the sea This was the [15] Ezek. 16.49 51 iniquity of Sodom Pride fulnesse of bread and abundance of idlenesse Tell it not in Gath our iniquity is greater neither hath Samaria committed half of our sins By [16] Hos 4.2 swearing lying stealing adulteries oppressions drunkennesse prophanesse and covetousnesse we break forth shall we say now that we are [17] Jer. 7.10 delivered to do all these abominations God forbid After peace we follow and we do well but we [18] Heb. 12.14 follow not after holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord We have [19] Mark 9.50 peace one with another but our crime is we have no salt in our selves Had we a desire to goodnesse we should wish for another cruse of thy white salt O [20] See both 2 Kings 2.19 20. and holy Mr. Shermans White Salt viz. his Sober correction of a mad world in some well-wishes 1654. unto goodnesse man of God Wise as Serpents we are but not innocent as Doves Publish it not in the streets of Askelon we cease to rebel against Our King against His King we rebel more and more Let the whole sixth Chap. of Wisdome continue Apocryphal yet the first Chap. of Isaiah will not so escape us Luxury overthrew Persia I hope better things of Briltain We lead our lives as if we had [1] Ea muac sunt tempora in quibus nec vitia nec Remedia pati possumus Liv. compassed an Act of Oblivion for our God and an Act of Indempnity for our selves God is served by us as now adayes most Creditors are served by those landed Unthrifts who make the Fleet or the Kings Bench a new protection for non-payment of old debts The [2] Psal 29.3 Humanas motura tonitrua mentes viz from Anno Domini 1640. unto Anno Salutis 1660. Esay 44.22 late Thunder-showres which might have proved very fruitful have brought forth little except a few mush-rooms We are gone forth to behold a reed [3] Mat. 11.7 Arundo per temporalem gloriam foris quasi ad alta proficit sed intus à soliditate veritatis inanescit Greg. Mor. l. 33. c. 3. shaken in the ayr but Lord go not thou forth to [4] 1 Kings 14.15 smite us as a reed shaken in the water we have made our selves a broken reed make not thou of us a measuring reed a broken and bruised reed O Lord thou wilt not despise And yet how can we promise unto our selves further forgivenesses We go up to Bethel not [5] Gen. 28.19 21 35.1 2 with Jacob to pay our vowes but [6] Amos 4.4 with Israel to transgresse Beloved the more We like this the more our God disliketh us Vnto our land the Lord [7] 1 Kings 8 56 58 Esay 28.12 30.15 See also Levit. 26.35 43 and Deut. 28.58 47 See also Esay 58.13 14 hath indeed miraculously given rest but we alas deal by our God as through the neglect of some Magistrates most people deal by our anniversary Festivals viz. the more we rest from our labours the more we weary our selves to work wickednesse I have seen [8] A Book so entituled and printed 1663. at Cambridge Ichabod and although her five groanes vanish into ayr some of them whosoever heareth his eares shall tingle The sacred name of King Charles was not more prophaned among us during our late Revolt then [9] Jer. 23.10 Ezra 9.13 14 15 the holy Name of God is abused among us now Order Decency Uniformity Loyaltie Truth Holinesse and the Throne of Gods holinesse are everywhere [10] Rom. 2.23 24 blasphemed through that lye which is now almost every-where in our right hand so little availeth it that we have wholsome lawes enacted by men while [11] Esay 7. Mic. 2.7 Lam. 3.25 the lawes of God are epidemically despised God he hath loaded us [12] Psalm 68.19 with his benefits we in requital daily [13] Amos 2.13 Ezek. 6.9 Josh 22.16 17 18 19 20. load him with our provocations Unto You I betake my self my DREAD SOVERAIGN KING CHARLES The Lord hath (1) Esay 22.23 28.5 62.3 Josh 24 17 fastened your Gracious Majesty as a nail in a sure place Wherefore so may your sacred Person and Posterity remain a glorious Throne unto your Fathers house as you render unto the Lord the glory due unto his Mercies Divers of your Majesties servants fail much in this one point But your most sacred Majesty will appear (2) 〈◊〉 eminent was the same of Cotstactine the great 〈◊〉 one of his mean subjects had been a long while desirous to see this fainous Emperor at length a sight of him he obtained but as he saw him he cryed out I verily thought that Constantine had been some greater thing but now I that the Emperour is nothing but a man Unto whom Constantine mildly answered Tu so us est qui in me oculos habâ—â—â—sti apertos Greg. Dialogâ— 1.15 cited by 〈◊〉 Hull not only a Defender of the faith but an Example unto Believers for such as honour God them God will honour God will never reniove YOUR Diadem nor take off YOUR Crown YOU shall continue a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of your God if YOU in this
inform me if you are able to inform me how manifold and how unfeigned Thanksgivings are from us due unto Him whose Name is WONDERFUL And yet before we step unto the Globe of the Vniversal World you will glance an eye upon a lesser Mapp upon the little mapp of this little word [1] How little more alas is man now then before he was he was Donns Poems MAN For Consider this dear Gentlewoman which shall hereafter rest in peace Consider these persons here spoken unto in my Text these whineing Disciples these sorry Fishermen Make a grand inquest upon these and all other believers How htghly soever their nature is now exalted their Father was an Amorite their Mother a Hittite Examine [1] Revolve pâ—imordia attende media memorare novissima haec pudorem adducunt ista dolorem ingerunt illa metuÌ„ incutiunt Cogita unde veneâ—is erubesce ubi sis ingemisce qâ—o vadis contremisce Bernard Serm. de primord novissim every Child of Adam At the best Vanity is light but as for man He is lighter even a thing of nought worse [2] Psa 62 9 then nought What ah What is a lump of [3] Ezek. 16.6 menstruous flesh that the pure the most holy God should not utterly detest utterly desert it How is it that God God who [4] Psalm 8.4 Heb. 2.16 rejecteth fallen Angels should have any compassion at all for ever-falling man for a crosse-grained off-spring of a prodigious Traitor for a pernicious brood of viperous Wretches Beloved seeing our first Parents [1] Compare 2 Sam. 12.9 10. with Gen. 2.16 17. despised their Creatours goodnesse seeing we like them thwart his will [2] Compare 2 Sam. 6.5 8.21 ever thwart his will What future good could possibly be foreseen in [3] Rom. 3.19 23 27 any of us which might in the least move election Alas originally there spreadeth in every one of our hearts the loathsome seed of [4] Rom. 7.7 13 Matth. 15.19 Revel 18.2 Esay 2.22 every wickednesse whatsoever There dwelleth in us that Lust which naturally lusteth after the vilest sins imaginable We finde within our selves [5] Job 4.17 19 9.15 20 21 22.2 3 5 25.4 5 6 14.3 4 17 matter worthy reprobation but what finde we worthy Gods election Verily when all that can be said in our behalf is fully spoken all will [6] Rom. 3.9 c. Lam. 3.12 Heb. 12.29 When Nonius rode in a triumphal Chariot Catulus saw cause to say What a deal of dirt is this Cart filled with See Gen. 3.22 and Rom. 3.19 signifie a new-nothing Nothing except guilt except inbred hereditary inveterate malicious guilt We must be [7] Eph. 1.11 predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will before we can obtain an inheritance Through [8] 1 Pet. 1.2 sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience our calling and election [9] 2 Pet. 1.10 is made sure and evident unto us but it must be [10] 1 Pet. 1.2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father that we are elected unto (11) Col. 3.12 Phil. 2.15 this sanctification To know our election of God it (12) 1 Thes 1.4 becometh us but it becometh us to know that our election was of God (13) Eph. 1.4 before all worlds The holy Calling wherewith we are called is (14) 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 3.5 not according unto our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began We differ from other men but (15) Rom. 3.22 who made the difference Who (16) 1 Cor. 4 7 maketh thee to differ from another We are kept by the (17) 1 Pet 1.5 power of God through faith unto Salvation but that faith is (18) Rom. 3.22 Tit. 1.1 the faith of Gods elect Whom God justifieth them he (19) Rom. 8.20 calleth whom he calleth them he did predestinate them he (20) Rom. 8.29 did predestinate to be conformed unto the image of his Son If (21) Eph. 1.5 11 according unto the good pleasure of his will he predestinated us unto salvation it is because he predestinated us unto the (22) Eph. 1.5 5 adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself If we (23) Phil. 2.15 Ephes 1.4 be holy and without blame before him in love it is because (24) ibid. he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world And all this to the (25) Phil. v. 12 prayse of the glory of his grace wherein he (26) Phil. v. 6 hath made us accepted in the Beloved Not unto us O Lord not (27) Psalm 115.1 Jer. 9.24 1 Cor. 1.30 31 unto us but unto thy Name give the glory for the Scripture hath (28) Gal. 3.22 concluded us all under sin the Scripture hath (29) RoÌ„ 11.32 3.12 concluded us all under unbelief Of our selves there is (30) Jer. 17.9 En cada casa ay un Ladron In every house liveth a Thief none that deth good no not one If we look no further then our selves 31 Hell is our portion Thus in our lesser Mapp Sins microcosm is found such a world of guilt such a world of provocation such a (1) Gen. 6 5 6 Rom. 3.10 -20 Job 4.17 7.17 18 9 2 11.11 12 14 10 15.14 16 25.4 6 34.15 lost world that as he is now encentred in the midst of the Universe man vain man justly appeareth a most inconsiderable spot lesse far lesse then the (2) Gen. 32.10 least of thy mercies O Lord Yet loe with what a (1) Psalm 32.11 circumference of blessings hast thou encircled this vile Malefactor this most unworthy wretch a wretch so (2) Prov. 8.36 mercilesse unto himself so (3) Esay 17.10 43.22 Jer. 2.32 mindlesse of thee his God! O Lord our God the more (4) Rom. 5.20 undeserving sinful-we are on the left hand and on the right hand the larger the globe (5) Psal 84.5 of thine Vniverse so much the greater prayses blessings and thanksgivings are ever from us due unto thy dreadful Name for all thy mercies Whether to Unbelievers or unto Believers To Unbelievers whether already dead or now living To them who died in Vnbelief It is the Lords mercy First How long since soever they were cast into Hell that into Hell they were not (1) Rom. 9.20 21 Esay 64.8 Prov. 16.4 sooner cast Secondly How great soever the measure of their guilt and pain is that (2) Psalm 145.9 103.10 greater it is not Thirdly That the utmost measure of their punishment is (3) Jude 11. Matth. 16.27 deferred until the great and terrible day of the Lord. Fourthly That their Carcasses which did sin and shall suffer with their soules are respited from Hell (4) John 5.29 1 Thes 4.16 until the general Resurrection Fifthly That both their soules and bodies had obtained everlasting mercies
holy fear thy slumbering conscience is thorough mercie a little awakened hath at length a little feeling dreameth now at last what an evil thou cherishest by maintaining enmities against the great God for (1) Esa 59 18 he will repay fury to his adversaries and recompence to his enemies Possibly thou beginnest to perceive what a desperate presumption it hath been to make it thy sport to crucifie (2) Heb. 6 6 Christ for had (3) 2 Kings 9.31 Zimri peace who slew his Master Possibly a fore-sight of judgement to come hath affected thy soul with present horrour for the (4) James 2.19 Devils themselves beleeve and tremble Which if thou according to thy wonted impenitencie canst not doe be confounded and astonished at the sense of thy (5) Esa 1.2 Jude 15. crying guilt Except thou repent and believe loe vengeance is at hand lieth ready in store (6) Mat. 3 10 Esa 65.6 and will in an hour which thou art not aware of swallow thee up for ever and ever Alas thou hast foolishly and childishly (7) Jer. 4.22 5.21 25 like one stupid or Starke madd with all contempt and heedlesnesse in the most unthankfull manner that malice it self can suggest from thy youth up despised thy (8) 2 Sam. 12.9 Num. 25.31 1 Sam. 2.30 Lords pleasure and thine own peace No marvell then if wrath already smoaketh against thee alas (9) Deut. 29.19 20. it already breaketh out and as it flasheth first into thy (10) Rom. 2.15 1 John 3.20 conscience scorching that so it will hereafter flash upon thy soul (11) Gen. 2.17 Rom. 6.23 Ezek. 18.4 affrighting that from thy body and will in the end seize again upon thine unclean body (12) John 5.29 forcing that lump of sin to accompany thy lost soul as well in suffering torments as in contracting guilt Now if the Lord hath a mind to destroy thee (13) Esa 63.17 2 Chron. 25.20 Mat. 13.14 15. Deut. 29.4 he will go on to hide from thee these sore evils but possibly the power of the Word hath wrought upon thee possibly thou art afraid of Gods judgements I trust the Lord hath caused thee to tremble at his threats I hope thy heart smiteth thee I hope thou seekest for Jesus If so then but not until then be of good cheer The Master calleth thee I beseech thee therefore whosoever thou art ponder thy life past the hours dayes weeks moneths years which thou hast spent not in service to but in rebellion against a God patient indeed but just and (1) Nahum 1.2 jealous Consider again and again that thou canst not be at the same time in a state of unbelief and in the state of salvation too it will cost more then so to work out thy salvation wouldest thou know in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace thou wouldest what pains soever it shall cost thee watch and pray and strive and strive to make thy calling and election sure Hell flames are about thine ears wilt thou lye still and be burnt in thy bed Art thou so foolish a Coward that thou wilt wink while the Devil stabbeth thee Is it more tolerable to endure torments in hell then to exercise repentance upon earth Are unquenchable flames more to be desired then the Mansions in heaven Is it safer to continue a Judas then to approve thy self a sincere convert and a sound beleever Wilt thou still refuse eternal life rather then accept of it upon Gods terms I deal plainly with thee unless thou canst truly say I (1) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Milesius Thales am not I except thou canst say I my self was (2) Joh. 3.7 Tit. 3.3 such another Judas as is here secluded from these Disciples here spoken unto in this Text except thou canst say such (3) 1 Cor. 6.11 a one was I but I am washed but I am sanctified but I am justified Until thou canst say I was (4) Ephes 2.1.2.3 a child of disobedience I was dead in Trespasses and sin but am now quickned am now a (5) 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 new Creature except thou canst say (6) Rom. 7.25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord this stone of unbelief presseth thee for a mute if thou persist in this stubborness thy hard heart may well be called stony for it shall be nothing (7) Pro. 10.20 worth unless to make a fearful (8) Gen. 19.26 monument of inexcusable guilt and of ineffable Justice There is a (9) 1 Kin. 8.38 Plague in thy heart wilt thou not be made whole when (10) Si non modo quando shall it once be Jer. 13.27 Thou With Joy of whom I travail in birth until Christ be formed in thee the Prophet raised up (1) Deu. 18.15 like (2) Deu. 30.15 unto Moses hath set before thee this day Life and Death viz. Life that thou mayest escape death Death that thou mayest seek life I have heard of one in a Swoon who was mistaken for dead layed out for dead wrapped in a Winding sheet coffined A familiar but sad story related applyed and buried too for dead the same person awaking out of his Trance and finding himself coffined by struggling for life bruised his body to death Shall I apply this He when people thought him quite dead was alive thou O unbeliever hast a name that thou livest but art dead He when he found his body buried bruised it to death couldst thou complain that thou art dead there were hopes of thy life true thy body of sin hath indeed been hitherto merely a black Coffin for thy departed soul the worser Grave-stone of the two remaineth fixed on thy heart of unbelief as immoveably as ever the dust of death lay upon that interred friend nevertheless the good Angel in my Text can (3) Mat. 28.2 roll away this stone He who (4) Joh. 11.44 called Lazarus forth of his grave can speak to thee the dead (5) Joh. 5.25 have heard his voice and thou mayest the Author of this Gospel hath (6) 2 Tim. 1.10 abolished death and brought immortality and Life to light werefore he saith Awake (7) Eph. 5.14 thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee life Set thy soul in order for thou mayest live and not dye Object Object I am fitted for destruction and therefore (1) Rom. 9.22 for ought that I know am a vessel of wrath Answ Answer Though thou art fitted for destruction thou art for ought that thou knowest (1) Eph. 1.4 chosen in Christ Object Object I have in me all the signs of a (1) 2 Cor. 13.5 Reprobate Answ Answer Thou hast the more need to (1) Phil. 2.12 work out thy salvation for God (2) 2 Pet. 3.9 would not have thee perish he would have thee (3) 1 Tim. 2.4 saved Object Object The (1)
of grace then those [11] Isa 41 2.55.5 Jer. 4.2.10.7 Zech. 2.11.8.22 Turks have which worship Mahomet the same God which (12) Isa 38.19 Eccle. 8.113 Dan. 4.17 Psal 66.9 spareth unto thee the breath of life while Judas Julian nay while some born since thou wert born are grievously tormented in Hell the self same God would have thee [13] Ezek. 33.11 escape the everlasting torments due unto thee and to thy heart of unbelief Thy Rebellion [14] Isa 1.2 4 24. Nahum 2.2 6. hath been inexcusable and thou liest wholly at the power of that King against whom thou hast rebelled yet lo he offereth [15] Ezek. 18.32 Isa 55.7 a Free Pardon yea he offereth terms of Peace every way for thine advantage thou (16) Rom. 8.7 art at enmity with him but he hath Love free (17) Hos 14.4.2.19 love everlasting loves for thee though (18) Psal 9 17 11.6 Hell be thy portion fain would God entitle thee (19) 1 Pet. 1.4 to an inheritance in heaven When thou hast done all that ever thou canst be able to do thou wilt be at the best but an (20) Luk. 17.10 compared with Mat. 25.30 unprofitable creature I wiss yet loe God longeth to (21) Deut. 4.6 7.28.58.10.21 Psal 34.2 Jer. 17.14 honour thee with his service as (22) Deut. 3.1 Ezek. 6.9 corrupt as thine affections are God (23) Hos 2.14 Jer. 3.14 Isa 54.5 wooeth thee for them as wicked as thy heart is God (24) Gen. 6.5 compared with Jer. 4.14 and Prov. 23.26 calleth for it if thou wilt not believe him search the Scriptures in them he offereth thee his (25) Prov. 1.23 own Spirit in them he offereth unto thee his his own Son Oh he taketh glory Luke 19.10 in saving so lost a sinner as thou art Thou witness thy life past thou hast had no (26) Psal 14.4 knowledge of God let it be Gods glory that he can cause thee to (27) Jer. 24.7 know him thou hast a stony heart of thine own let it be the glory of thy God that he can (28) Ezek. 36.26 give thee a heart of flesh The Lord hath (29) Deut. 29.4 not given thee a heart to perceive nor eyes to see nor ears to hear unto this day let it now be his praise that he hath giveth thee a (30) Pro. 20.12 hearing ear a seeing eye and a believing (31) Phil. 1.29 heart too Thou hast had no (32) Rom. 3.18 Job 6.14 fear of God before thine eyes let God have the honour of (33) Jer. 32.40 Psal 51.6 10. putting his fear in thy inward parts Happily God hath hitherto winked (34) Act. 17.30 at thy carelesness on purpose that the (35) Rom. 5.20.7.13 transcendency of thy guilt may exalt (36) Luk. 7.47 Isa 30.18 Psal 130.4 his free his unsearchable mercies the (37) Luk. 51.13.25.11 Dan. 9.9 Lord forgive thy sins for they are great the Lord help (38) Mar. 9.14 thine unbelief for thy heart is not stedfast the Lord have compassion upon thee for (39) Heb. 5.2 thou art ignorant The holy God can write his Law even in (40) Jer. 31.33 thy heart he can pour upon thee a (41) Zec. 12.19 Spirit of Prayer and of supplication In all thy doings (42) Ezek. 21.24 thy sins appear but the person speaking in my Text can take away those (43) Zech. 3.4 Isa 64.9 filthy rags from thine incurable wounds thou hast no (44) Jer. 30.13 healing Medicines but the Physitian in my Text is the God of thy health he (45) Jer. 30.17 can heal thee and all thy back-slidings he can cause thee to draw near and to (46) Jer. 30.21 approach and to come with (47) Heb. 4.16 boldness unto the Throne of His grace Sinner thou hast (48) 2 Kin. 17.17 sold thy self to work wickedness but be no longer the (49) Rom. 6.16 servant of a Devil for Christ (50) 1 Cor. 6.20 hath bought thee and that not with corruptible gold but with his own blood his precious blood his precious his most precious blood Greater love hath no man (51) John 15.130 then this viz. that he lay down his life for his friend but Christ commendeth his love toward thee in that thou being (52) Rom. 5.8 an Enemy a polluted an inconsiderable a contemptible enemy and He being a righteous a holy person a person therefore a man (53) Heb. 2.14 because a God died died the shameful death of the Cross and despised the shame because he died for thee Who (1) Rom. 8.34 is he that condemneth It is the person speaking in my Text that died Thou who hast been so careless of Christ hitherto happily thou now turnest over a new leaf happily thou wilt now (2) Ephes 5.16 redeem thy time and amend one the (3) Jer. 7.3.23.22 evil of thy doings thou wilt put away from thee if thy canst thou wilt be renewed (4) Eph. 4.23 Col. 3.10 as well as thou canst in the spirit of thy mind happily thou art mortified and grieved and full (5) Zech. 12.10 of bitterness for the (6) Eccles 7.25 wickenness of thy folly happily thou resolvest to (7) 2 Cor. 7.1 clense thy self from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the Spirit to give (8) 1 Thes 5.17 thy self unto prayer to exercise (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 thy self unto godlinesse and to (10) 2 Cor. 13.9 strive after perfection all the days of thine appointed time if so this is a good change of mind in this thy good resolution go on prosper this notwithstanding know unless thou make the person speaking in my Text thy Refuge thy practise of Piety will never (11) Heb. 10.22 Tit. 3.5 quiet thy conscience the reason is though a (12) Rom. 8.15 spirit of bondage may restrain thee from evil and may presse thee upon duties yet it can (13) Ephes 2.9 never render thee acceptable in the presence of an offended God alas the best works that ever thou canst perform (14) Tit. 1.15 Gal. 2.16 shall never be able to satisfie the most infinite Justice of a provoked God no not (15) Heb. 9.22 for the least of the least of all thine infirmities Be as upright as ever thou canst yet of all those innumerable debts due from thee unto thy Lord thou shalt never be able to pay (16) Mat. 5.26 one mite that is sterling if this alone be that Plea by which thou hopest to (17) Rom. 3.20.24 answer the Law never never look the severe Judge in the face assure thy self that the just Judge of all the earth will do right Judas (19) Mat. 27.4 repented himself of his evil and yet Judas (20) Act. 1.25 perished in his transgression and so mayest thou if thou hope to pacifie God by thine own righteousness How then shall my Conscience obtain peace with
of the holy One and the poor in spirit wax rich in grace MOTIVE VIII Thy natural averseness There is no such Trewant as the natural man Motive 8. Judas will rather hang himself then delight in his Masters pleasure but first meer shame will reduce thee from this ingratitude no love for thy father nor love for thy Redeemer nor love for thy preserver fie fie for shame the oxe (1) Isa 1 3 knoweth his owner and the dog at thy heels his master Secondly Let thy heart alone and thou (2) 1 Cor. 2.14 wilt love thy God less next day then thou wilt to morrow and less to morrow then to day thou dost Thirdly Thou must not follow but (3) Col. 3.1 lead thine affections we force our selves to delight in such diets such exercises such employments as most suit not with our pleasure but with our real good Fourthly What thanks is it if we place our affections upon that whereunto we are of our selves addicted but herein we know that we love our God if we deny (4) Mat. 16.24 our selves that we may love him Lastly remove thine ignorance and thy dis-affection is removed once see the beauty of holiness (5) Exod. 15.11 and be out of love with it if thou canst thou wilt therefore love God because God is glorious in holiness thy Lord most holy MOTIVE IX Motive 9. A ninth Motive which may stir up thy mind to follow God fully is thy desperate guilt The whole need not the Physitian but thou dost such a sinner as thou art may well cry God mercy all the days of his life He that hath wallowed in so much mire as thou hast done hath great reason to wish (1) Ezek. 36.25 for clean waters who should thirst after sanctification if thine Aethiopian skin should not the Leopards spots are white to thine if the blood of the Lamb can make thy crimson sins whiter then snow surely thou hast cause sufficient to bath in that warm blood thou hast sinned so prodigally against heaven and against God that it is the best of thy skill to make benefit of Christ merits Then then the holy Angels will (2) Luk. 15.7 rejoyce indeed when they see such a lost creature as thou hast been take the kingdom of heaven by violence and main force MOTIVE Motive 10. X. A tenth particular which helpeth thine unwearied soul to take the kingdom of heaven by violence is the present evil world viz. unless it were better then it is thou wilt no more (1) Jam. 1.27 dirty thy self with it the cares thereof may choak such as love them but thee they drive unto (2) 1 Pet. 4.19 thy faithful Creator to him that endured temptations in the wilderness Canaan is sweet pleasures upon earth may ensnare fools they only mind thee of thy masters joys thou translatest the whole book of nature into a book of grace well knowing that the things which are seen are transitory but the things which are not seen are eternal MOTIVE XI Motive 11. The next particular serving to awaken thee unto righteousness is the corruption of thine old man For first while [1] Gal 5.17 thy flesh is contrary to thy spirit his thou [2] Rom. 6.16 art unto whom thou yieldest obedience and if it was thy [3] Rom. 8.6 death to be carnally minded to be spiritually minded is a sign of life Again sometimes a (4] 2 Cor. 12.7 buffet or two doth Saint Paul a kindnâ—ss [5] 2 Cor. 12.9 while the flesh (6) 1 Pet. 2.11 warreth against thy soul thy soul is [7] Deut. 8.2 Judg. 2.21 22 3.2 kept upon her guard Rome is not secure so long as Carthage is standing nay opposition strengthneth the prevailing party as [8] 2 Sam. 3.1 Sauls rebellions established David in his Throne for infirmities of nature excite the power of grace Corruption is flesh and [9] Isa 31.3 not spirit MOTIVE XII Motive 12. The roaring lion at this instant seeking to devoure thee Among too too many Ministers who during our late detestable rebellions were most reproachfully tossed out of their livelyhoods one I knew who (1) Mr. Vade of Odington in Glocester-shire would full often with indignation enough boast himself a person more beholding unto Committee-men then unto all the kinred which be had his riddle was while he kept house in his Parsonage diseases cares and debts grew upon him but so soon as the Committee had once for ever sequestred from Him his Parsonage they from that time forward eased him of his debts by disposing his fifths for their payment they cured him of his disease while want of a horse made him walk away his Gout and withall they freed him from his cares for he had now no worldly thing to care for bear with me the condition is thine I may seriously affirme that next unto God himself this (2) Matt. 6.13 13.39 evil one is although full (3) Esa 10.7 sore against his will the very best friend whom thou hast in the world if thou hast but eyes of understanding in thy head this I will clear unto thee in three particulars The Devil (4) Eph. 6.12 1 Pet. 5.8 befriendeth thee first By deterring from sin Ah Sir this Bug-bear at the gate will make thee (5) 1 Tim. 3.6 7. keep within dores the saucer eyes of this spright will make thee look unto thy self espie once his cloven foot and adventure (6) Act. 24.16 abroad if thou darest Secondly By Temptations thou wilt not trust a reconciled enemy The Devil is so [7] Eph. 6.11 2 Cor. 2.11 well known that none of his chaff can catch old birds if he begin to tempt he will make thee glad to cling unto thy father Thy fear of this Pursevants Arrest [8] Heb. 4.16 will make thee take Sanctuary the more stratagems this subtle creature useth to (9) 2 Tim. 2.26 entice thee toward hell the more thy holy jealousies will draw thee toward heaven and all the while this Avenger lasheth thee [10] 1 Kin. 12.11 with Scorpions he [11] Gal. 3.24 schooleth thee unto Christ Thirdly [12] Ephes 6.11 by wrestlings carnal [13] 1 Pet. 2.11 lusts war against the soul but we wrestle not against flesh and blood alone these are no equal match for him that [14] Psal 23.4 27.12 undertaketh to be strong in the Lord that is a [15] Heb. 22.4 Sine periculo seiget ludus dull skirmish which hazardeth no blood Surely thou shalt see what thy servant can do saith the (16) 1 Sam. 28.2 Warriour As the Martyr Juliano kissed the step whereon he stood to suffer death so thou when valiant wilt kiss the turf whereon thou standest to fight thy Lords battel Glad is David if he may be but allowed to deal with (17) 1 Sam. 17.32 a Goliah if Jether (18) Judg. 8.20 fear Zebah and Zalmunna it is
had they not (5) Eccl. 7.29 Hos 13.9 Job 34 11 fallen from that perfection wherein they were created To them who live in a state of Vnbelief It is the Lords mercy First That they are not (1) Lam. 3.22 already hopelesse and helplesse in Hell Secondly That the present troubles of their heart are not (2) John 3.18 Gal. 3.10 worthy to be compared unto the severe judgements which they deserve Thirdly That though they deserve no mercy at all they have (3) Psalm 17.14 Eccles 9.1 2 Matth. 5.45 Psalm 73.3 -7 so large a portion in this life Fourthly For that the long-suffering and (4) Rev. 2.21 Rom. 2.4 1 Pet. 3.19 forbearance and goodnesse of their God daily inviteth them to repentance As for the persons spoken unto in my Text they finde Matter of thankfulnesse First For the Kingdom of this World First For their very being for that they were are any part of the Vniverse Friends It was it is the Lords mercy that ever there were such creatures in the world as were these Disciples in my Text. There is one flesh (1) 1 Cor. 15.39 of men And that is wonder if we call to mind how and against whom Adam transgressed Be it that rather then lessen the number of his several kinds of creatures mankind God will continue One would think He would sooner raise up Children (2) as Mat. 3 9 out of these stones under our feet then from out of the loines of our first Father These stones never offended God as Adam once the (3) Gen. 1.27 perfect image of his God! did That the determinate Counsel of God should before time was decree his own Image that at the beginning of time he should say (4) Gen. 1.26 After our own Image let us make man that Having made man after his Image God should (5) Psal 8.6 put all things under his feet that Having put all things under his feet God should (6) Gen. 2.17 Nehem. 9.6 Job 7.20 Psalm 36.6 preserve the nature of man who (7) Gen. 3.17 as 2 Sam. 12.8 9. and Psalm 50.17 slighted all things Verily there is no motive no ground at all for this but meerly the perpetual prayse of his great Name Next For their not being in Hell It is the Lords mercy that these Disciples for as much as they also were the Sons of Adam did not only just live to dye in Hell that instead of having their heart troubled in their body their soul was not flaming in Tophet But (1) Rom. 9.15 God will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy Although man unto this day disregardeth his God Unto this day God (2) Psalm 8.4 regardeth man Man quickly destroyed himself God patiently continueth (3) Job 7.20 mans Preserver Thirdly For being under no more troubles of heart You have heard of the calamity of Job But what was Jobs misery in comparison of those (1) See Deut. 28 15-68 bitter curses and fearful judgements unto which mans sinful nature is most justly exposed Horrible was the anguish of Francis Spira but was His anguish equal unto that of damned soules The fires which (2) Anno Dom. 1662. Decemb. 26. consumed de Launes House in Louthbury London Oh how amazing yet were not to be complained of if we call to mind Hell-flames Feed a condemned person with bread of affliction and water of affliction all the yeares of his life he will acknowledge it a favour that the hour of his execution is deferred Sirs the saddest and most forlorn condition upon earth is a merciful estate unto him who deserveth everlasting burnings Deliver me not over unto the will of mine (3) Psal 27.12 Matth. 13.39 enemy O God Fourthly For temporal mercies Nicanor had as hard thoughts of his Prince as natural men have of their God even and anon like many unthankful English Subjects he would be detracting (1) Pâ—uâ—arch Apotheg ubi supra from his Soveraign This his Soveraign knew yet took occasion to relieve his wants now that he had received Relief (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ib. Nicanor was never so well as then when he was speaking well of this King at which the King See said he It is in my power if I please to hear or evil or well Christians the Lord doth not only deliver us from execution but furnish us with food and raiment Yea (3) Videas Bellarminum De Ascensionâ— mentis in delum per Scalas A Book so useful that I am translating it into English he frâ—ely giveth us all things appertaining unto life Oh set it (4) Psal 107.4 be in His power to make us speak well of him The same Sun which stood still at the (5) Josh 10.13 command of Joshua runneth a daily Race to give us light That Moon which stood still (6) â— 14 over the Valley of Ajalon night by night attendeâ—h us while we steep God calleth all (7) Psalm 147.4 the starres by their names and accompteth them all few enough to do us service He hath placed us in the very middest of whole multitudes of blessings His blessings do crowd upon us as living creatures did upon Noah at the door (8) Gen. 7.9 of the Arâ— they throng upon us as they did upon Adam at his (9) Gen. 2.19 first creation they swarm about us like Bees like Beeâ— all honey and (10) See Psal 118.12 no sting Solomon did well to write of Herbs from the Hysop to the (11) 1 Kings 4.33 Cedar We want more Aristotles more Plinies more Philosophers and more Secretaries of Nature to number up the good works of our God With what plenty of water woods grasse Cattle fish fowl c. doth God accomodate divers unknown Regions (12) Psal 50.10 11 104.30 Acts 17.26 Job 24.5 38.26 27 of the World as if his bounty would prepare a Table in the Wildernesse against man come thither to inhabite his mercies We upon whom the latter (13) as Jer. 23.20 and Hos 3.5 ends of the world are come enjoy to our ease the help the benefit the studies the arts the experience and the labours (14) See Gen. 4.20 Josh 24.13 Prov. 8.12 Esay 28 23-29 Exod. 35 30-35 of all ages from the beginning of the Creation unto this more then fiâ—â— thousandth year of the World For which of all these common mercies can we neglect to give especial prayses unto our God It is usual with persons great and Childlesse to sttle their Inheritance upon some adopted Kinsman that so their Lands may be called after their name but (1) See Gen. 21.12 14 seldom do they give their goods and chattels too unto the same person whom they make their Heir these they distribute as Legacies unto other of their Kinred Beloved that we may not want matter for our thanksgivings the (2) See Gen. 25.5 6 Father of mercies bestoweth upon us (3) Rom. 8.32 land and goods
suat qui Phâ—losophantur Ulpian de excus leg 5. finde the promise of this life neverthelesse be it that Ahab speedeth the better for humbling his heart or that Israel procure corn and wine by howling [2] Hos 7.14 Uxor dicitur quae dotem habet concubina vero quae non habet upon their bed or that every hypocrite hath the whole reward which he looketh after yet still while he preferreth things temporal before things eternal his soul is more like a* concubine then a spouse Yea let a man suck out the [3] Disce gaudere caetera bilares levitates sunt mihi crede res severa est verum gaudium Quid sit islu l interrogas Dicam ex bonâ consciâ—nt á ex honest's consiliis ex rectis actionibus Seneca lib. 3. Ep. 13. ad Lucil. sweets of Vertue let his soul delude her self with the common works of the Spirit and mistake counterfeit grace for true grace I confesse no heathen Philosopher could ever attain so near no not unto this lifes happinesse I say the soul that perisheth cannot finde a more self-pleasing practice wherewith to feed empty hopes yet still this happinesse is only in this life it is but a perishing happinesse As young as he was that dying Prince of Loraine could say [4] O Domine Jesu quem meritò praecepisti muâ—di contemptum O Lord Jesu most deservedly hast thou required our contempt of this world And Philip the third of Spain [5] Nihil confert regemesse nisi ut in morte cruciet suisse Mendoza in 1 Sam. Tom. 1. Page ult protested All the sweet which I have found in being a King only serves to embitter my death Beloved it fareth not so with the Kingdome of grace To believe in God to believe in his Christ does as well in death as in life raise for us Matter of Thankfulnesse unto God viz. First For [1] Psalm 19.11 giving us to [2] Gen. 2.17 understand our [3] Rom. 7 8 9 lost condition Who [4] Gen. 3.11 told us that we were naked Children of wrath we [5] Ephes 2.3 are by nature but who hath warned us to [6] Matth. 3.7 flee from wrath If God say unto Abimelech Thou art [7] Ephes 2.1 Gen. 20.3 a dead man there is mercy [8] Ephes 2.7 intended for Abimelech Whether we heed it or heed it not Guilt dwelleth in us It is therefore of thy free mercy O our God that the Scripture hath [9] Gal. 3.22 concluded us all under sin Secondly For delivering us from so great a death Gnashing of teeth weeping wailing This was our portion for ever Ah who among us can abide darknesse which may be felt perpetual darknesse perpetual darknesse in a bottomlesse pit in a bottomlesse pit streaming with brimstone even with everlasting burnings With everlasting burnings kindled by the breath of the Lord by the breath of Him [1] Horresco resereas unto whom vengeance belongeth even of a provoked Judge of an enraged Father in short of a jealous angry furious God! O give thanks unto the Lord for his mercy endureth for ever Thirdly For redeeming us not only from torment but from damnation Friends though we must all appear before the judgement seat of God yet there is [1] Rom. 8.1 no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus A Malefactor reprieved at the place of Execution escapeth death yet was he in a peck of cares in a bodily fright he trembled every joint of him then when he held up his hand at the Bar he looked as pale as that death which he feared at what time sentence was pronouncing against him But ye Beloved give glory to the Father of mercies Although the ungodly [2] Psalm 1.5 cannot the righteous shall [3] Psalm 37.33 stand in judgement That great and last day terrible to unbelievers to you shall be a day of [4] Revel 12.10 absolution a day of [5] Ephes 4.30 redemption a day of [6] Acts 3.21 restitution a day of [7] Luke 21.28 exaltation yea of exultation rejoycing and triumph Christians you shall be so far from dreading judgement that you your selves shall [8] 1 Cor. 6.2 judge the Angels Fourthly For preserving us as in Judgement so in death Unto us death shall be not our fear but our hope not our sting but our gain When we shall like the Priests [1] Luke 1.8 in the Temple have sinished our course we shall then [2] Revel 14.13 Heb. 4.9 rest from our labours We shall not only rest but [3] Psalm 127.2 sleep sleep we [4] Dan. 12.2 shall and shall sleep [5] 1 Thes 4.14 in Jesus Thanks be unto God for our life in death Fifthly For begetting us unto a [1] 1 Pet. 3.1 lively hope We who [2] Esay 48.8 from the tombe unto [3] John 3.3 our new birth have [4] Esay 1.2 Jerem. 5.23 Ezek 2.7 fought against [5] Psalm 2.6 10.16 our King had high cause to despair of obtaining mercy Against our dread Soveraign even then when He Himself stood at at the door [6] Rev. 3.20 and knocked we have shut the door of our Imagination which should ever conceive of him not evil but good the door of our Memory which should never let him go the door of our Vnderstanding which should in all our wayes acknowledge him the door of our Affections which should rejoyce in him above all that can be desired the door of our Conscience which should ever admit him a witnesse unto all our deeds words and thoughts These [7] Psalm 24.7 everlasting doores have we bolted against him wherefore most equal it is that he should shut against us every [8] Hos 2.15 Matth. 25.10 Prov. 1.26 28 door of hope yet lo before we call He answereth yea He expostulateth [9] Ezek. 18.31 Why will ye dye He saith unto us [10] Ezek. 16.6 Live What compassions he bare unto his Brethren Joseph [11] Gen. 42.17 concealed How Esau would deal [12] Gen. 32.7 by Jacob Jacob was not worthy to foreknow but for the righteous light is [13] Psalm 97.11 sown Our life which is given us for a prey is [14] 2 Tim. 1.10 brought to light doth not hang in doubt before us Sixthly For the exercise of godlinesse When the (1) Saper King of Persia led about the Roman (2) Valeriames Emperour captive so often as he took Horse he trod upon the back of this Emperour the late Emperour of Rome was now made an Upping stock Beloved the King of Heaven doth not like that King of Persia Upon us he trampleth not His enemies he (3) Psalm 110.1 Esay 63.3 doth his redeemed ones he doth not make his footstool VVe are not handled we are not (4) Judges 1.7 thumbed as were those seventy Kings whom Adoni-bezek used worse then dogs God neither fettereth nor cageth us as Tamerlan did Bajazet