assistance and exercise of Faith an vnutterable sweete communion and humble familiarity with his holy Maiestie In a word to liue in Heauen vpon earth Proofes Gods Couenant and commandement to Abraeham and in him to all the faithfull vnto the Worlds end requires it Gen. 17. 1. The practise and protestations of the Saints and seruants of God seale vnto it Enochs walking with God chap. 5. was an happy preparatiue to his extraordinary translating to glory The Lord before whom I walk saith Abraham chap. 24. 40. will doe thus and thus I will walke before the Lord in the Land of the liuing saith Dauid Psal. 116. 9. O Lord God of Israel saith Salomon 2. Chron. 6. 14. There is no God like thee in the Heauen nor in the Earth which keepest couenant and shewest mercy vnto thy seruants that walke before thee with all their hearts I haue walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart saith Hezechiah 2. King 20. 3. And herein doe I exercise my selfe to haue alwaies a conscience voyde of offence toward God and toward men saith Paul Acts 24. 16. which sounds the same way Let their money perish with them who esteeme all the gold in the World worth one dayes societie with Iesus Christ and his holy Spirit said that Noble Marquesse of Vico well skilled and experienced in an heauenly conuersing with his God Reas. 1. And it must needs be so For howsoeuer naturall men and worldlings out of their obnoxiousnesse and secret terrors slauishly retyre doe not willingly neither dare they draw neere to that God which to them is a consuming fire yet all those who haue truly tasted how gracious and glorious he is shall find their hearts out of a secret sence of Gods loue vnto them first kindlily inflamed with infinite desire to liue vnder the comfortable influence of his pleased countenance to enioy his holy Maiestie with constant peace and an humble spirituall accesse and acquaintance continually His spirit of Prayer infinite loue exercise of repentance temptations and troubles from Satan pressures and oppressions from the World losse of inward peace faintnesse of Faith want of spirituall strength assault of some speciall sinne sweetnesse of meditation daily fauours showred downe vpon him without number and aboue measure sore-thought of the great and last Account motions of the blessed Spirit spirituall desertion c. but aboue all the inexplicable blessâ—…dnesse goodnesse and excellency of that highest Maiestie it selfe driues him to his God many times a day 2. All Gods loues vnto vs His louing kindnesses protections preseruations bounty patience diuine illuminations spirituall blessings in a word euery linke of that golden chaine of Mercy Grace and Glory farre thicker set with sweetest blessings in all kinds then the Heauen with Starres which our happy Soules haue doe or shall enioy from the first springing of it vp if euerlasting could haue any beginning out of the adored Fountaine of his free Grace to the last moment of eternitie in highest heauenly blisse if eternitie could possibly euer determine should be so many keene spurres deepest oblâ—…gations strongest chaines to draw our hearts most greedily to this infinite delight in him and thus with an humble familiaritie to conuerse with his holy Maiestie 3. Consciousnesse of our former walking comfortably with God sanctified by the life of Faith will mightily and incredibly support our spirits and courage in the times of confusions and feare The hearts of sensuall worldlings for want of reconcilement and acquaintance with God in calme and comfortable times sinke and tremble in the Day of distresse and Gods dreadfull visitations as the heart of a woman in her pangs and fall asunder in their brests like drops of water But that happy One who in his prosperity hath made God his portion and walked humbly in his presence shall in the time of trouble stand like a strong vnmoueable mountaine impregnable against the rage of wind and weather against the cruell incursions of all aduersarie power when the wicked shall tire the Mountaines with bootelesse cries to couer them he shall be able to say with Dauid The Lord is my refuge and my strength c. therefore will I not feare though the earth be moued and the Mountaines fall into the midst of the Sea He shall by the mercies of God and humble dependance vpon his omnipotent Arme encounter and entertaine the terrours euen of the euill day of the houre of temptation of the King of feare and last Iudgement with confidence and peace 4. Thy walking with God will make thee extraordinarily powerfull and mightily preuaile in prayer one of the greatest blessings and sweetest comforts which can be named or enioyed in this life As the Kings Fauourite who stands still in his presence and vnder the immediate and gracious influence of his Royall eye doth farre sooner and much more easily obtaine both his owne and friends suites then those who are more estranged from the Court So it is in this case 5. But aboue all that which should most quicken and keene vs to this duty is that particular interest we haue by Iesus Christ in Iehoua himselfe blessed for euer A mysterie which if I should offer to open and enlarge I should be endlesse and yet come infinitely short Oh then let vs infinitely loue and learne exactly the most sweete and heauenly Art of walking with God! For a more comfortable illightning and guiding vs wherein before I come to giue some generall instructions giue mee leaue to premise these quickning preparatiues 1. Looke that thou lyest not in any one knowne sinne against thy conscience hating to be reformed do not cherish allow or goe on in any lust corruption or lewd way in thine heart life or calling suffer not any worke of darknesse or seruice of Satan to reigne and domineere in thee For if so thou art so farre from abilitie or possibilitie of walking with God or delighting in him that thou wearest the Diuels brand and art yet most certainely one of his See and search the true meaning of such places as these 1. Ioh. 3. 3. 6 8 9. Iames 2. 10. Ezech. 18. 21. Psalm 66. 18. and 119. 6 101. Ezech. 18. 30. Matth. 18. 8 9. 2. Cor. 7. 1. Sutable hereunto is the concurrent iudgement and doctrine of our best Diuines and worthiest Writers graciously instructed vnto the Kingdome of Heauen These are their seuerall assertions to the same sense in their owne words 1. A man can haue no peace in his conscience that fauoureth and retaineth any one sinne in himselfe against his conscience 2. A man is in a damnable state whatsoeuer good deeds seeme to be in him if he yeeld not to the worke of the holy Ghost for the leauing but of any one knowne sinne which fighteth against peace of conscience 3. So long as the power of mortification destroyeth thy sinfull affections and so long as thou art vnfainedly displeased with all sinne and doest
constant onely in an heartlesse plodding course and coldnesse and many times at length when the motiue of their religious representations and shewes is remooued and the end compassed for which they counterfeited they put off their vizours and appeare againe plaine carnall men and downe-right good-fellowes as they were before The Play being done they are Rogues againe 5. Some there may be who out of a greedy pursuite of a generall applause from all sorts of men and ambitious hunting after a promi◅uous reputation and equall acceptance both with Professours of Religion and men of this world put on a show of religious deportment at least in the company of such as are ready and forward to commend their cōformitie and forwardnesse that way and by relation abroad to enrole their names amongst the number of those who are noted to be on the best side In a word such fellowes as these out of a base and vnblessed ambition to be well spoken of by all though a woe waites vpon such Luke 6. 26. furnish themselues both with a forme of profession to content Christians and flourishes of good-fellowship to please the prophane 6. Others there are who may gloriously pretend and protest with great brauery and confidence their assent and assistance to the best and holiest courses put on a temporary counterfeite profession and fashionable conformity to the communion of Saints that thereby they may passe more fairely and plausibly out of one calling into another from a baser lower more neglected and toilesome Trade into some other of more liberty acceptation and ease or else breake out of all Callings and so by the vnhallowed mystery of a sacred coozening if I may so call it liue vpon their profession and by amusing the tender consciences of weake Christians with the controuling and countermanding tyrannies as it were of an affected furious zeale sucke out of them no small aduantage and prey too plentifully vpon the people of God Such as these are ready to pretend and intimate that such base earthly and worldly imployment and spending of their time is disgracefull and derogatory to the prouidence of God and their Christian liberty that with vnworthy detainments and auocations it interrupts them in the pursuite of their generall Calling disables and hinders them in the discharge of holy duties But let them know that Christianity if sound and true doth not nullifie but sanctifie our particular Callings Thou oughtest to continue with conscionablenesse and constancy in that personall Calling wherein thy calling to grace did finde the◅ if it be warrantable and lawfull See 1. Cor. 7. 20. No comfortable change of a Calling but in case of 1. priuate necessity or 2. common Good and that truly so not hypocritically pretended or for by-respects If any man then vpon giuing his name to Religion shall grow into neglect distaste or dereliction of his honest particular Calling wee may euer strongly suspect him of hollownesse and hypocrisie It is the confident conclusion of a very learned and holy Diuine Though a man bee indued with excellent gifts and bee able to speake well conceiue Prayer and with some reuerence to heare the Word and receiue the Sacraments yet if hee practise not the duties of godlinesse within his owne Calling all is but hypocrisie 1. What sonne or daughter of Adam can challenge and plead exemption from that common charge laid vpon them by the Lord of Heauen In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eate bread till thou returne vnto the ground Either by trauaile of body or toyle of minde or both 2. Diligence in a ciuill Calling is necessary for a comfortable prouision of earthly necessaries 3. Hee is a cursed Drone a child of idlenesse and sloth the very Tennis-ball of temptation most vnworthy the blessings and benefits of humane societie who doeth not one way or other cooperate as it were and contribute to the common Good with his best endeauours in some honest particular Calling 4. A seasonable imployment in a ciuill Calling is a Soueraigne preseruatiue and curbe for preuention of infinite swarmes of idle melancholike and exorbitant thoughts and for restraint from many wicked and vnwarrantable medlings and miscarriages 5. An honest Calling is a Schoole of Christianitie In which a man performing duties for the Lords sake may daily profit in the practise and increase of many heauenly graces Faith Obedience Patience Meekenesse Constancie Truth Fidelitie Inuocation Thanksgiuing experience of Gods prouidence c. A true Conuert therefore is so farre from casting off his personall Calling that after his calling to Christianitie he is woont to discharge the duties thereof with farre more care and conscience though with a better minde more moderate affections and for a blesseder end 7. Some there may bee who seeing the iniquity of these last and worst times lying in weight for the surprize and suppression of forwardnesse and zeale and that they may gaine or grow into credit with the world by some speciall seruice against the forwarder sort serue themselues in the meane time plausiblenesse of profession taking away the sense of their intrusion into the company and communion of the most noted religious people that at length they may doe them the more mischiefe and driue to the head the bitternesse of their lurking malice with a more desperate and deadly sting These are men of great imposture and cunning in their carriage They informe themselues thorowly and exactly in the wayes and zealous behauiour of Profession and so with great satisfaction and contentment apply and accommodate themselues for a time to their desires and deuotions But if once they pry into a point of seeming aduantage which by their wresting outfacing may create matter of molestation and spy their supposed season to winne by betraying they turne Turkes and traitors to those which are true of heart to serue their owne turnes 8. Many there are who out of a fond and groundlesse conceit that onely an outward conformitie to the Word Sacraments and other religious exercises will serue their turne for saluation giue their names to profession and so walke on plodding in the comfortlesse vnzealous formes of a frozen outside Christianity many times euen vnto their dying day These men marre and vnsanctifie themselues by making moderation in Religion a Saint and vndoe their soules by adoring discretion as an Idoll Moderation and discretion truly so called and rightly defined by the rules of God are blessed and beautifying ornaments to the best and most zealous Christians but being tempered with their coldnesse and edged with their eagernesse against forwardnesse and ferue◅cy in spirit which the Apostle enioynes Rom. 12. 11. become the very desperate cut-throates to the power of godlinesse and pestilent consumption of the spirits heart and life of true zeale These fellowes are most insolent and confident in their Pharisaicall brags spirituall security and hopes for Heauen They admire and applaude with much selfe-estimation of ther singular skill
which should euer bee vnto thee meate and drinke thy chiefest and choisest recreation and onely Paradise vpon earth X. Let thy soule full often so are aloft vpon the wings of faith vnto the glory of the Empyrean Heauen where God dwelleth and bathe it selfe before-hand with many a sweet meditation in that euerlasting blisse aboue Oh thinke with thy selfe though it farre passe the reach of any mortall thought what an infinite inexplicable sweetnesse it will be to looke for euer vpon the glorious Bodie of Iesus Christ shining with incomprehensible beautie and to consider that euen euery veine of that blessed Bodie bled to bring thee to heauen and that it being with such excesse of glory hypostatically vnited vnto the second person in the Trinity hath honoured and aduanced thy nature in that respect far aboue the brightest Cherub To say nothing of the beauty and brightnesse of that euer-blessed Place that vnapprochable Light which besets Gods dreadfull Throne the walking arme in arme with the Angels of God that euerlasting ioyfull communion and conuersing with the dearest Christian friends and all the crowned Saints and innumerable felicities moe which infinitely surpasse in excellencie and sweetenesse the comprehension of the largest heart and expression of any Angels tongue contemplate principally the Fountaine of all thy blisse how the mighty IEHOVAH God blessed for euer will powre out of Himselfe by the influence of Beatificall Vision as they call it perpetuall riuers of vnutterable ioyes and pleasures vpon thy glorified Body and Soule thorow all eternity euen as the Sunne powres out his beames and shining euery day afâ—…esh vpon the world without emptinesse or end and with such variety for hee is infinite that they shall bee vnto thee as fresh as new as sweete as rauishing millions of yeeres after thou hast dwelt in those Mansions of rest as they were the very first moment thou enteredst that blisfull Place Such fixed considerations as these of things aboue will serue as notable helpes to draw and keepe thy heart Heauen-ward and may mightily moue thee to delight in God and to hold it the sweetest life vpon earth to walke with him in the wayes of Puritie and Peace Methinkes if a man doe but once a day seriously and solemnly thus cast vp the eye of his Faith vpon that neuer-fading Crowne of Life which after an inch of time shall eternally rest vpon his head the goodly splendour thereof and beames of that incomparable ioy should be able to dispell those mists of fading vanities and hurtfull fumes of honours riches and earthly pleasures which this great dung-hill of the World heated by the fire of inordinate lust doth euaporate and interpose betweene the sight of the soule and celestiall Blisse So that hee might with more affectionate freedome and contempt of earth haue his conuersation aboue and turne the current of all his delights loue and longings with more resolution and constancie towards his heauenly home These Preparatiues thus premised I proceed to some generall directions for a more comfortable walking in the way that is called Holy 1. First and before all other things haue a speciall eye and attendance to a sincere constant and fruitfull performance of holy duties Gods seruices And to say nothing punctually and particularly at this time of priuate reading the Scriptures publike hearing the Word personall Prayer and with thy yoke-fellow if thou liue in that estate singing of Psalmes Meditation Conference dayes of humiliation c. of which thou must proportionably make conscience in their due place obseruing also in them the ensuing Cautions for a knowne grosse customary neglect of any holy dutie religious exercise diuine Ordinance in its season may bring a dampe vpon the rest and a consumption vpon the whole bodie of Christianitie I say to leaue these and the like in their courses and turnes to bee performed also with all good conscience and following Cautions I onely at this time purposely aduise for the better sanctifying thy selfe and all about thee to a more comfortable and successefull managing of all affaires businesses and vnder-takings either spirituall or ciuill that thou beeing Master of a Family for I single out such an one for instance bee euer sure to glorifie God amidst thy people by Morning and Euening sacrifice of Prayers and praises to his heauenly Highnesse In the discharge of which maine dutie of Christianitie vtterly neglected by the most and empoysoned to many by their resting only in the worke wrought take heed of growing into forme customarinesse perfunctorinesse which will most certainely draw the very life-blood and breathing out of those holy businesses being euer the canker and cut-throate of all true godlinesse and gracious acceptation with God Labour therefore by a reuerent recollecting all the powers of thy soule and fresh renewing and strengthening thy watch at euery seuerall time to preserue heart and spirit in those daily deuotions and family-duties Which thou shalt the better doe if thou looke to 1. A right disposition before 2. A spirituall behauiour in the doing 3. An holy carriage afterward 1. For the first 1. Come not before God with any sinne lying vpon thy conscience vnrepented of or delighted in see Psal. 66. 18. 2. Neither with passion wrath or heart-burning against any 3. Stirre vp and quicken the actiuenesse and particular apprehensions of thy Faith about the things desired and deprecated In a word in the Apostles words for that is my meaning Lift vp holy hands without wrath and doubting Bring 1. Resolution against all sinne in respect of God 2. Peace and appeased passions in respect of men 3. Assurance to be heard in respect of thy selfe Or thus Before thou fall vpon thy knees shake off three empoysoning and heauy hindrances which will clog and clip the wings of thy prayers that they will neuer be able to ascend vp vnto Heauen sinne anger distrust And possesse thy heart of three excellent helpes and inflaming furtherances 1. A right apprehension of Gods dreadfulnesse puritie power c. 2. A true sence of thy owne vilenesse abominablenesse nothingnesse c. 3. A heartie suruay of the infinitenesse and vnexpressablenesse of Gods bountie blessings and many compassionate forbearances towards thee 2. For the second 1. Repell with an vndaunted spirit and resolute contempt Satans blasphemous iniections if he be busie that way and he is ordinarily most spitefull against the best businesses and the rather because if they be heartily abominated and abandoned with heart-rising and loathing they are put vpon the Deuils score and are onely thy crosses not thy sinnes 2. Watch ouer the World with all care and timely opposition that if it be possible not an earthly thought may creepe into thy heart all the while 3. Striue to hold thy heart in heate as well in confession as deprecation in deprecation as petition in intercession as for personall blessings as well for puritie of heart as pardon of
her selfe and cheerefull walking If hee to whose company and conditions shee is now so neerely and necessarily confined and as it were enchained proue dogged shee holds her selfe vtterly vndone for any outward contentment 2. Let him dwell with her according to knowledge 1. Pet. 3. 7. 1. By a wise discouery at the first and timely acquainting himselfe with her disposition affections infirmities passions imperfections and thereupon with all holy discretion apply and addresse himselfe in a faire and louing manner to rectifie and reforme all hee can and to beare the rest with patience passing by it without passion and impatiency still waiting vpon God by Prayer in his good time for a further and more full redresse and conformity One of the rankest rootes of distastes and discontentment in the Marriage-state is the neglect of a punctuall obseruation of each others properties of taking the right measure of each others manners vpon purpose that with mutuall patience and forbearance they may support each other in loue and louingly beare one anothers burthens Memorable is that speech and may bee a fit medicine against marriage-iarres which a reuerend man receiued from an husband being asked how such a cholericke couple could so consort together Thus saith he when her fit is vpon her I yeeld to her as Abraham did to Sara and when my fit is vpon me she yeelds to me and so we neuer striue together but asunder 2. By a prouident discreet and patient ordering guiding and managing businesses abroad and family affaires without that carking impatiencie preuention and distrust of Gods prouidence without that clamour boysterousnesse and confusion with which worldlings are woont to trouble their owne houses It is incredible to consider the vast and vnualuable difference between the comforts calmenesse and many sweet contentments of an houshold gouerned by the patient wisedome of an heauenly-minded man and the endlesse brawlings bitter contestations about trifles disorders domesticall hurlyburlies c. which haunt that family where a cholericke couetous and hairebrained husband doth domineere This latter is like the middle region of the ayre continually torne and rent with fresh commotions thunders and many tumultuous stirres which rise at first from a thing of nothing a thinne inuisible fume drawne out of the earth So earthly things vainer then the most vanishing vapour doe ordinarily raise in such Nourceries of disquietnesse and noise a world of needlesse troubles passionate distempers and selfe-vexations But the former is like the highest part of the aire full of calmenesse tranquillitie and constant light the Sunne of righteousnesse shining still vpon it with the blessed beames of patience contentment and spirituall noblenesse of minde doth from time to time dissolue and driue away all mists of worldly mourning stormes of bitternesse and brawling matter of such sencelesse and brainelesse molesting one another and doth with a sweete and kindly heate refresh and support the heart against all chollericke encounters and crosse accidents by vertue of such heauenly and healing cordials as these which were wont to calme and repell the most tempestuous assaults vpon the afflicted Saints Iob 1. 21. 1. Sam. 3. 18. 3. But aboue all by leading his wife in the way of life and path that is called Holy This is the flower and crowne of all his skill to be a blessed and manly guide vnto her towards euerlasting happinesse For want of this wisedome and wil many a poore soule lies bleeding vnto eternal death vnder the bloody and mercilesse hand of an ignorant prophane or Pharisaicall husband which perhaps may haue knowledge enough and too much to thriue in the world to prosper in his outward state to prouide for posterity nay to oppresse ouer-reach and defraud his brother But no wit no vnderstanding no braines at all to teach and tell his wife one foote of the right way to heauen wise to do euill as the Prophet speakes Ier. 4. 22. But to doe good no knowledge at all No holy habit or heart to pray with her to instruct and incourage her in the great mystery and practise of godlinesse to keepe the Sabbath holy and daies of humiliation to reade Scriptures repeate Sermons and conferre of good things with her c. from which he is so farre that although it be the strongest barre to keepe her from grace and the bloody cut-throate of both their soules he will needes perswade her that all this is too much precisenesse And yet heare Chrysostome Let them both goe to the Church and afterward at home let the husband require of the wife and the wife of the husband those things which were there spoken and read or at least some of them And in the same Sermon Teach her saith he the feare of God and all things will flow in abundantly as out of a fountaine and thine house will be replenished with innumerable good things 4 By a conscionable and constant care also for the conuersion and saluation of their children and seruants Euery husband and head of Family is as it were a Priest and Pastour in his owne house and therefore if he take not a course to catechize them pray with them prepare them for the Sacrament and to bring them vp in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as the Apostle counsels Ephe. 6. 4. to restraine them all hee can from lewde courses ill company the corruptions of the time but suffer them to haue their swinge in their youthfull rebellions vnhallowing the Lords Day Alehouse-hauntings stubbornnesse against the Ministery c. vntill many times they swing in an halter as they say Let them then know that all those sinnes they so runne into by such grosse neglect and default are set vpon his score and he must be exactly countable and full dearely answer for them at that great and last Day Nay let mee further tell him that which will make his eares to tingle and heart to tremble if it bee not of Adamant and his heartstrings turned into Iron sinnewes Those his children and seruants which by his impenitent omissions and vnconscionablenesse in this kinde haue perished in their sinnes will curse him for euer hereafter amongst the fiends in hell They will follow thee vp and downe in that euer-burning Lake with direfull bannings and hideous outcries crying out continually Woe vnto vt that euer we serued such a wicked and wretched master that had no care of the saluation of our soules tooke no course to saue vs out of these fiery torments Euen thine owne deare children in this case will yell in thine eares world without end Woe and alasse that euer wee were borne of such accursed parents who had not the grace to teach vs betime the waies of God to keepe vs from our youthfull vanities and to traine vs vp in the paths of Godlinesse Had they done so wee might haue liued in the endlesse ioyes of Heauen whereas now damned soules we must lie irrecouerably in these euerlasting flames Oh will they say it
match because said she I shall not finde a second Ualdaura for so her husband was called Whence it appeares that this worthy woman was wedded to her husbands soule not to his body no infirmity or deformity whereof could coole or weaken the manlinesse and feruency of her loue Such choyse as this were the way to make wiues neuer weary of their husbands Whereas affections fastened onely on a mans outside are subiect to the tedious misery of inconstancy and change and torture of many wicked and impossible wishes according to the vanity and vexation of its transitory obiect Against which heare the indignation of an ancient Father But thy husband saith he is growne vnhandsome and homely Hee once pleased thee wouldest thou euer bee choosing an husband The Oxe and the Horse like their mate And if the one be changed the other knowes not how to draw but wants as it were halfe of himselfe But thou refusest thy yoke-fellow and wouldest often change Helpefulnesse to her husband must bee vniuersall apprehending and improouing with all readinesse and loue all opportunities to doe him any good in soule or body name estate c. In a speciall manner she must learne and labour with all meekenesse of Wisedome and patient discretion to forecast contriue and manage as her more proper and particular charge household affaires and businesses within dore as they say For which see a right noble glorious patterne Prou. 31. For the pride vanity idlenesse and luxury of these last times wherein there is so much hell vpon earth such an impetuous raigne and rage of sinne in all sorts hath transported also that sexe into many monstrous degenerations So that our great women in these daies would bee very loth to worke after this sample though set by the holy Ghost himselfe Yet heretofore right Noble Princesses and daughters of mighty Kings made conscience of a particular Calling and disdayned not to put their hands to huswifery See Gen. 18. 6. And 27. 14. 2. Sam. 13. 8. But aboue all let here be assistant to him in setting vp and forward the rich and Royall trade of grace in erecting and establishing Christs glorious Kingdome both in their owne hearts and in their house This is that one necessary thing without which their family is but Satans seminary and a nurcery for hell And therefore let her be so far from drawing a contrary way a cursed villany of some wicked wiues abroad in the world or dead-heartednesse this way which is the graue of all spirituall graces that in case of negligence slacknesse she should labor by all wise modest seasonable insinuations to stirre vp and quicken her husband to constancy and seruency in religious exercises of prayer reading catechizing conference daies of humiliation and other household holy duties As the two greater lights of Heauen doe gouerne this great world with their naturall so let the husband and wife guide the little world of their family with the spirituall light of diuine knowledge and discretion When the Sunne is present in our firmament the Moone out of a sence as it were of a naturall reuerence to the fountaine of all her beauty and light doth vaile her splendor and retire her beames But when he is departed to the other Hemisphaere she shewes her selfe and shines as a Princesse amongst the lesser lights When the husband is at home let the wife onely if need be serue as a louing remembrancer to him to keepe his turnes and times of illightning and informing the ignorant darke and earthy hearts of their people But in his absence comes her course when her graces of knowledge and prayer c. ought to shew forth themselues and shine vpon them to preserue them from coldnesse and that dreadfull curse which hangs ouer the head of those that know not God and shall certainely fall vpon those Families that call not on his Name See Ierem. 10. 25. For conclusion of the point crowning of the marriage-state with sound and lasting comfort in the meane time and with euerlasting peace pleasures at last Let man and wife ioyntly labour to sweeten and sanctifie their mutuall carriages both common and seuerall duties each to other with often and constant meeting together in prayer For perswasion to which practise Consider such places as these Gen. 25. 21. 1. Cor. 7. 5. 1. Pet. 3. 7. That precise passage in Ambrose You must both speaking of married couples rise in the night to prayer and God is to bee intreated of you with ioynt supplications Continually saith Chrysostome teach her profitable things and pray together If besides Family-prayers wherein the more generall affaires of the household are to bee commended vnto God man and wife make conscience also of this more priuate duty betweene themselues wherein many particulars are to be petitioned onely proper and indiuiduall to that neere society I say if they set themselues vnto it with sincerity of heart it may be a notable helpe and by Gods blessing prooue a soueraigne antidote against any roote of bitternesse heart-rising dissention or discontent betwixt them wrath and ill-will towards any lurking in the heart doth vtterly dampe and empoyson the power and comfort of prayer much more towards one tyed vnto thee with so many deare and perpetuall bonds so that prayer together will make them leaue iarring or iarring will make them leaue praying against all immodesties dishonours and defilements of the marriage-bed against want monstrousnesse and miscarriage of children against wearinesse saciety and light esteeme one of another against plunging themselues insensibly into the gulfe of worldly-mindednesse the canker and cutthroate of all grace comfort and noblenesse of mind c. This priuate morning and euening sacrifice offered to the Throne of grace with heartinesse and life will spiritualize that I may so speake their loue and renew it daily vpon their hearts with fresh ardent and heauenly embracements It will marueilously sweeten all reproaches and contumelies cast vpon them for their profession by enuenomed tongues when they shall come together in priuate and complaine vnto God and begge at his mercifull hands patience and Christian fortitude to take them in submission to his will and conformity to his Sonne as so many crownes of glory to their heads and of ioy vnto their hearts Acts 5. 41. 1. Pet. 4. 14. Iob 31. 36. It will sweetly seale vnto them in the meane time their assurance of meeting together hereafter in Heauen and when the time of sorrow shall come and stroke of death diuorce them for a time consciousnesse of their former blessed communion in prayer will not onely serue as a counterpoyson against all slauish bitternesse of immoderate griefe incident to hopelesse worldlings but crowne their hearts at parting which is a precious thing with incomparably more true inward lasting contentment then if they two had couetously hoarded and heapt together all the wealth both of this and the other golden world Thus much