God beleeue him to bee know him rightly behold him inuisibly conceiue him without Idolatry Remember euer his presence consider his powerfull prouidence Thou art of him thou art in him thou wast made for him Seeke his friendship force of nothing in respect of his fauour Loue him aboue all hold on his side against all and be subiect to him before all reuerence thou his maiestie obey his commands awefully in all actions seeke his glorie and praise his name continually that thou maiest of him be blessed eternally Amen The Picture of the holy Trinity GOD the true God is but one in vnity yet three in Trinity One in substance without diuision three in person by distinction the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost In order one afore and after an other but essentially all coequall coeternall together Al God not three Gods yet euer three persons neuer the same in propriety maner of working Heere is admiration but no demonstration This Catholik and Christian verity is an innarrable mystery Precepts BEleeue this the word teacheth it but corrupt reason is against it Beware of curious searching it is a matter vnsearchable Stand not vpon this to know how it may bee subiect thy reason to faith in sobriety It is a godly ignorance in that to be vnskilfull which the Scripture concealeth Hee that suffers herein his reason to wade farther than faith may lose his reason and beliefe his Christianitie for infidelity Presume not mā in this matter aboue that which is writtē This is a deep mystery this doctrine of the Deity the inscrutable point in Diuinity The Lord giue thee true wisedome resolued faith with reuerend feare Amen The Picture of the Father IN the vnity the Father is the first in the Trinity He is not begotten but from euerlasting begetteth the Son of his whole substance He made all things by the Sonne through the holie Ghost What he willed hee made good and all of nothing by his word This gracious father of his mere mercie hath chosen many without their merite He calles his ere they come when they come hee confirmes their faith He knows them before they bee and makes thē friends by grace of deadly foes by nature of Sathans slaues his faithfull Seruants of Seruants deare Sonnes children adopted yea kings priests and Coheires with Christ He careth for his children whē he mostcasts thē down He can allow them their godly will but he permits them not to be wantō when they do offend hee will fatherly forewarn if they repent he will not punish He is full of commiseration he doth speedily pardon the Penitent and withall sheweth great gladnesse to doe them good He doth send them his spirit to assure thē of peace freely promiseth to bestow on them grace either to preuēt their fal or to pardō their fault Though we be neither worthy of beeing nor breath and deserue nothing yet he affoords vs his blessing and giueth needfully anything Earthly Fathers are such as they be for a seasō but this Heauenly Father is so for euerlasting He forbeareth with patience and keepes his in eternal remembrāce He hateth neuer where hee loueth euer Bountifull hee is in his blessings largious in his liberality full graciously fauourable without end in goodnesse Hee is strict but not extreame in iustice Hee calleth man to make satisfaction vpon paine of destruction yet if man can make no payment his mercy hath ordained meanes to discharge the debt Ere sinfull man do die his sinlesse Son must suffer death Wrath must not reward vs his great goodnesse will needs haue vs guiltlesse Is not his loue enlarged towards vs vnspeakably doth he not purchase vs peace with the price of bloud He giueth an obedient Sonne for a rebellious Sinner Wrathfull displeasure must sease vpon Gods naturall Sonne and an innocent that pity may be shewed to adopted childrē to escape torment The euer worthily beloued must vndergoe paines of Hel to make for the vnworthie of loue free passage to Heauen See Sinner see the incrediblenesse of so great grace Stand thou Sinner amazed at this wōdermēt of good O matchlesse mercy Did euer a Father satisfie his wrath vpon his dearest son to appease his anger towards his deadly foe did euer a louing Father put his darling to death to preuent from his enimy the force of his wrath We see it not stories record it not nature suffers it not Yet this father killeth his best Sonne to kisse his worst creature forsaketh the Gracious for a time to receiue the Gracelesse to mercy for euer Precepts OH therefore let vs euer loue and praise the Lord this heauenlie Father for his goodnes Oh let vs not cease to declare the wonders which he doth for vs the children of men Amen The Picture of the Sonne THe Son is the second person in the Trinity the Fathers naturall Son begotten frō eternity the Image and substance of his Father without inequality From the father by the Holy Ghost hee worketh together with the Father in all things he is God he is man perfect in both natures He hath a Father he hath a mother euē both truely also no father nor mother but respectiuely He is mā-God God-mā yet not two persons but onely one Christ One not by conuersion but by assumption not by cōfusiō of substāce but by vnity of persō This is the seed promised the prophet foretold the prince of peace This is Melchisedech the priest of the high God the king of Salem the Iewes Messiah the Christians Sauiour This is he that wil summō all to appear giue true iudgemēt vpō al both quik dead in the last day Satā here he vāquished subdued the flesh cōquered the world He hath mitigated Gods wrath performed our work iustice is satisfied the law fulfilled Hee hath made an attonement obtained mercy freed vs frō punishment The father of his mercy gaue him for vs hee in loue bestowed himself of vs. The father did wil our peace hee spared no paines Hee came into the world poore to make vs ritch Hee was to the wicked a derision that wee with Angels might bee had in admiration He was blasphemed to make vs blessed buffeted and scorned to make vs secure in true comfort He wrought righteousnesse that wee might bee free of wickednesse Hee was innocent to procure vs pard on being penitent His holinesse is our happinesse his suffering our safety his grace our good Hee was heere in trouble for vs his life paineful and miserable so his end for vs dolefull and his torments intollerable In all his life that wee read of hee did neuer laugh but often lament Hee mourned to see mens madnesse and wept for their wo. Here he sighed sore to make vs sing hee sobd and sorrowed much to make vs merrie Hee bare vpon him vnutterable torment patiently that wee might auoid the plagues of God eternally His prayers were loud cries and strong to make our
Let it grace thy person and commend thy condition Let thy words declare it and thy workes paint it out to the world Thou shalt by goodnesse get with God fauour and among good men friendship which the God of goodnesse giue vnto thee now and alwaies Amen The Picture of Badnesse THis is sinne the cretures deformitie the turning of the will from God and the minde from good It is the seed of Satan the fruit of tentation and mans destruction The Diuel is the Father concupiscence the Mother The Serpent subtilly suggested it our first parents foolishly did entertaine it Satan yet is euer in begetting it worldly obiects prouoke it the senses let it in vnto the soule Consent is conception the heart is the wombe of conceiuing It quickneth by fleshly reasons it trauelleth in desire to bee doing It bringeth foorth by opportunity the Midwife expelling first Gods feare laying aside his precepts contemning his presence Holy piety hath heere no place conscience is not called to this businesse remembrance of Gods mercies is quite out of minde thoughts of his wrath hidden in the earth Gods word must be no warrant goodnesse is forgotten These bring not sinne to birth these hinder sin for comming forth Doubting of Gods word makes preparatiō lust laies it in bed infidelity brings it to perfection It is wrapt in vanitie it is laid in the cradle of security The Diuel closeth the eies with ignorance and filleth the eares with Sophistrie the head is couered with presumption of mercy ouer the heart is laid hardnesse the iudgement is ouerspread with blindnesse It is nursed by the world suckled vpon the breasts of pleasure and profit It growes great by custome and spreads by community Bad examples doe countenance it plausible tearms confirme it It is cloathed with the hope of pardon tied with the girdle of common fauors imagined to bee of Gods special grace Shamlesnesse attends it perswasion of time enough to repent giues it rest and conceit of finding fauour in the end rocks it asleepe Sinnes sleepe is conscience deadnesse the iudgements blindnesse the wils peruersenesse affections disorderlinesse and a resolued carelesnesse Tho sinne haue such a sleepe yet sometime vpon a fearefull terror it will suddenly awake and waking the pleasant ditty of Satans song gets it soone asleepe againe It hath foure parts the Tenor carke and care thou for the world the Meane thou maiest repent when thou wilt the Treble reioice thy selfe in thy youth the Base thinke death is not yet at hand Heereby it snorts in a carnal safety spreads in bredth waxeth big and hie by hardnesse of heart It is very foule at the first worse by continuance but loathsome at the last It bastard-like brings shame to the begetters disgrace to the abettours confusion to the followers Where it getteth strēgth there hardlie it is cast out where it is not timely mastred there it wil haue the vpper hand It is lordly and couets to rule it is raging and tyrannous if it raigne Hee that subdues it easily kils it and hee that striues not to stifle sinne workes his owne woe and neglects his owne safetie Sin where it is not killed will kill if it die we liue i◠it liue we die most certainely It was at the first personall it is now original and naturall From Gods mercie in the elect onely veniall in it selfe and in all other deadlie and mortall Good is propounded in the suggestion pleasure is conceiued in the consent and so wickednesse is approued by the heart deceiued till the time come of torment Seduced soules bewitched with the works of the flesh know not the euill of sinne but behold and see how it defaceth Gods image makes man a monster of Gods child the diuels creature It dislodgeth goodnesse it keepes out godlines inwardlie it delights the hart with filthinesse and outwardlie sets the hand to act vnrighteousnes God and man by it are at ods who werebefore at one the Earth in creation blessed by transgressiō is accursed It takes from vs what good we haue brings the euils vppon vs which naturallie we hate It cast the Angels out of Heauen Adam out of Paradise by it Reuben lost his birthright Iudas his Apostleship by it commeth death to men terribile and their persons to God execrable It maketh the Law condemne vs and conscience to accuse vs. By it godlie exercises grow loathsome godly companie becomes irkesome No blessing should bee wanting if sinne put not in a barre euer contentment without discomfort euer internall peace without externall disgrace It is wickednesse that workes our wretchednesse Shame is sinnes raiment dishonour the cognizance reproach the praise an ill name the recompence In itselfe it is vanity the gaine but misery It is a strife with the truth an heresie against veritie Idolatrie against sincerity It is a conflict with God and a resisting of goodnesse nothing worse then heerein to haue the victory Mans opposing of the word is a taking part with Satan against the Lord and mans ioy in sinning is to be glad of the diuels triumphing All men haue sinne but hee that committeth sinne is a slaue to sinne It rules in some in other it is ruled Hee that makes the least of it shall as with wisards haue least to doe with it It is as an impudent guest tho it come seldome yet is euer troublesom smal kindnesse doth work great boldnesse much curtesie intollerable saucinesse It is euer to the godly vexation of spirit if but once in act yet greatly grieuous if it be liked and often welcome and neuer forbidden there grace and goodnesse will grow into a consumption and the partie runne headlong into perdition It is of diuers colours and keepes not one shape it is of diuers natures and not of one sort In one it is pride lordly in an other humility in shew but indeed hypocrisie In the cholerike it is irefull in some other nature lustfull It is somtime adulterie and maks a man filthy it is sometime drūkennesse and makes a man beastly It hath the commandements ten witnesses to name it it hath also the same law to declare against it One precept tearmes it Idolatrie an other saith it is adultery this maketh it superstition that trecherie and rebellion as the Law looks vpon sinne so the commandements doe name it and thereupon withall disclaime it It turnes a man into it selfe and makes a man to shew it against himselfe One sinne is linked in with another and euery one forceth out the proper fruit of it owne nature By couetousnesse man growes niggardly an oppressour vnmercifull by pride arrogant hauty and hatefull by gormandizing gluttonous by faithlesnesse treacherous by ignorance superstitious by carnall seruice Idolatrous by contempt of other and abuse of wit against the word hereticall and by immoderat passion and strong affection Schismaticall It is in euery one more or lesse the childe hath it but knowes it not the yong man is caried with it but
practiser nor patron Care combers no mans mind nothing weakneth the vnderstanding nothing blunts the apprehension Iudgement cannot bee infected with error zeale with corrupt affection patience with anger Will is there without wilful frowardnesse the heart without deceit and hardnesse Thoughts are not troubled they be not corrupted affections not distempered they bee not disordered The holy spirit rules all the holy Lamb leades all God by his power preserues them by his grace doth euer assist them All mercies are receiued thankefully al commands are obeied rightly in hart without hypocrisie willinglie without grudging readilie without lingring faithfully without altering ioifully without murmuring and constantly without ceasing Their drinke is the sweet water of life Angels foode their delicate nourishment Christs righteousnesse their holie raiment and their perfect fulnes ioifull contentment In a word there is happinesse with goodnesse felicitie with vnitie safetie with solace peace with perfection pleasure with profit agreement with grace lowlinesse without contempt exaltation without pride security without carnality stability without wauering abundance without euer-wanting All persons generallie haue the participation of ioy and euery one in particular the fruition of glory Nothing there is here to the eie discernable nothing there but innarrable all things to humane reason incredible A man may imagine much a tong may speake much the eare may heare much yet heauenly happinesse is beyond all relation all imagination The name of heauen to all is louely many doe wish it hartily All Religions aime at it the Iew expects it the Turke wisheth it the wickedest desire it the Papist would merit it the Schismaticke seekes for it the sound Protestant the deuout Christian by faith begges it and hee through Iesus Christ shall enioy it to whom be praise and glorie for euermore Amen Precepts O Mortall man doe thou often meditate of this happinesse Let it eat vp thy heart with desire to enioy it Let carking for this world bee expelled with thy care of heauen neglect not this felicity the things heere are transitorie vanitie Delight not in the pleasures of death to lose for them the paradise of life To winne the world by works of darknesse what is thy gaine if thou lose true goodnesse To pawne thy soule for sinne is it not madnesse Exchange not God for the Diuell goodnesse for badnesse heauen for hell Heauen is a holy place the vncleane enter not thereinto Suppose no such easie passage as fabulous Poets paint out Straite is the way vnto it narrow is the gate to goe into it many seeke it few doe find it Let thy way be veritie thy path pietie the spirit thy conductor the word a directour thy eie faith thy staie hope The straitnesse of it is affliction the narrownesse true contrition the suburbs the Church the dore Christ by whom thou shalt enter into the pallace euen the Paradise of God Striue then to auoid heere wickednesse to escape all future wretchednesse that thou maiest possesse this true blessednesse for euermore This God grant thee Christ merit for thee the holie Spirit therof certainely assure thee and thy godlie life witnesse the same to thee that thou maiest end thy daies comfortably Amen The Picture of Hell HEll is the place for the impenitent euerie such person is the hellish inhabitant It is the prison for those that be separate from Gods presence the dreadful dungeō of vtter darkenes the fearefull Topheth and deep pit bottomlesse It is the lake burning with brimstone the hollow caue and Chaos of confusion It is terrour with lamentation it is dread with desolation and horrour with vtter destruction There is death there is euer dying and yet nener without being It is a gulph deuouring a swallowing whirle pole a flaming furnace Gods iustice makes it his power vpholds it and it is blown with the bellowes of his wrath There is scorching fire vnquenchable and freezing cold intollerable Stinking smoak is for the smell loathsome filth for the stomacke the eare shall heare a hideous noise the eie shall see gastlie sights and horrible visions what not there to breed amazedment what not there to cause fearefull astonishment It is the valley of Gods vtmost vengeance the fulnesse of his wrath perfection of his plagus The Lords gaole the exilement of soules the sinck of sinners the foule harbour for infernall Hags Oh what woe is there with wailing from hearts comfortlesse what riuers of teares because of torturing torments and yet remedilesse Forlorne creatures cursed caitifs full of trauell painefull wearines ful of frightings fearefull terrours endlesse They bee in themselues helpelesse of Gods mercy hopelesse Oh the clamorous outcrying the yelps and yelling the sighs and sobbing the mad rage that there is and roaring No heart so hard as can suffer a mortall eie to behold it no eare to heare it nor mind to muse of it The diuell there hath his full damnation the fiends are outragious and filled with furie the rest fret and sume and are as in a wood frensie Their desire is reuenge their deuotion cursing their blessing blaspheming The wicked there be so fagoted vp with the bands of Gods iustice as bundles of sticks so cast into the fire by the power of his might so held in vndurable torment by his perpetuall displeasure as they blaspheme Gods benignitie for feeling his iustice in seueritie They bee in a huge Sea of miserie in an Ocean of calamitie Fire flames and flashing about them the worme of conscience gnawing within thē rage madnesse irefull indignation among thē vgly visages of blacke diuel saffrighting them monstrous apparitions an vncomfortable companie about thē Sulphure and hot burning cinders vnder them the reuenging hand of God ouer them and pouring forth the viols of his wrath full of variety of plagues without ceasing vpon them Egyptian plagues are there encreased the tempests of lightening and thunder multiplied They may remoue from place to place so exchange in plagues but neuer either be eased of pangs or freed from paine They are chained vp perpetually to endure reall punishment vpon body and soule eternally They haue heauie hearts loadned with passion they be wofully distressed with all Calamities without any commiseration There is care but no comfort vexation without consolation lamentation but none shew compassion They weepe they crie they waile mourne they houle and pitiously bemone their euer-during miserie Ah alas saith one in cold freezing and yet extremely burning Woe to mee saith an other in hote water-scalding and yet so cold as his teeth may bee hard chattering his body may behold so to quak and in euery ioint to quiuer as if bone from bone would fall a sunder Hence such roaring such yelling such bitternesse in banning such scritching and outcries at the sudden renewing of torments at the continual remouing into exchange of tortures and yet remaining alwaies in contrarie plagues as the eare neuer heard the eie neuer saw nor minde of man able to apprehend Wofull dolefull horribly fearefull