Time there was no World Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God made the Heavens There was a beginning and the Earth Before that time nothing did appeare Heb. 11.3 Object They say Of nothing comes nothing therefore the World was eternall Answ Of nothing comes nothing in Mans worke because he cannot worke without materials Of nothing comes all things in Gods worke Psalme 33.9 because he is a Creator and his Word gives a being to that which had no being and his command produces substances and reall things so they appeare and are in being though they were form'd of nothing Quest 2 Were not the highest Heavens eternall and the dwelling place of the Lord Answ The maker thereof is God Heb. 11.10 It was made without hands 2. Cor. 5.1 Heaven is a glorious and excellent place yet a created place 'T is called Gods dwelling Psal 2.4 1. Kings 8.27 because he is manifested there in glory Yet the Heaven of Heavens the most excellent Heavens cannot containe him He had glory excellency before Heaven or t e World had a being Himselfe is eternall who had no beginning Iohn 7.5 The Heavens are not eternall which had a beginning Quest 3 Are not the Angels eternall of whose Creation 't is not spoken of in Genesis 'T is spoken of inclusively though not so plainely Answ Gen 2.1 The Heavens and Earth were finished with all their Hoasts In the Hoast of Heaven the Angels are not excluded for elsewhere they are called the Lords Hoast Gen. 32.2 So Ps 103.20 21. Praise the Lord yee his Angels praise the Lord yee his Hoasts And that the Angels were created read Psal 148.2 Praise the Lord yee his Angels vers 5. For he commanded and they were created Col. 1.16 By him were all things made things visible and invisible whether Thrones or Dominions Principalities or Powers Angels are not eternall but were created and had a beginning Quest 4 Saint Iude speakes of eternall Fire Iude vers 7. Had that Fire no beginning as it shall have no ending Answ It had a beginning that which Saint Iude calls eternall Christ calls Everlasting fire Math. 25.41 Math. 25.41 'T is eternall in a future relation it is prepared saith Christ for the Divell and his Angels being prepared fitted Iude 7. verse and made ready proves it had a beginning Note that Eternall and Everlasting one word is used for both Quest 5 What is the reason that men knowing that on this moment of time depends their eternall estate yet are carelesse for Eternity and minde so much the present time Answ The Reason is from the great subtilty of Sathan that separates betweene end and meanes If wee thinke of eternall fire hee will labour to race these thoughts out of our mindes yet provoke us to sinne which is the meanes hiding the end In good things hee will keepe us from the meanes as Repentance Prayer Holinesse yet gull us with a fooles hope we shall have the end as well as those that are most painefull and vertuous 2. Temporall things are next us and wee are too much led by Sence and Appetite like Esau wee will have the present pottage with losse of the future blessing Quest 6 By what Arguments can you prove Gods Eternity Answ 1. That which is the first Cause of all Causes must be eternall which is God He that gives the being to alâ— creatures must be an eternall being 2. He that had glory before there was a World and decreed and purposed before the foundations of the World were laid must be eternall But God had glory before the world Iohn 17.5 2. Tim. 1.9 and purposes and decrees before the world Ephes 1.4 and therefor is eternall 3. He that can give eternall rewards must be eternall But he can give eternall rewards Rom. 6. last vers therâ—ore is eternall 4. To be eternall is to have no beginning no mutation no end God had no beginning with him is no shadow of change nor possibility of end Quest 7 How is Christ thâ— eternall Sonne of God Answ In respect of his God-head Hee was before the mountaines a Synechdoche a part for the whole Mountaines put for the World Prov. 8.25 And for the future None can declare his age Esay 53.8 For hee liveth for ever Rev. 1.18 The Heavens have a duration without life The devils have an everlasting being without joy The Angels have an everlasting joyfull being but their being is dependant and by participation and their joy successive The Saints in Heaven have a blessed everlasting being but not perfect till the Day of Judgement But Christ is eternall and hath with his eternity and everlastingnesse life joy perfection fulnesse at once so that he is eternall as God Quest 8 Shall Judgement be eternall in pronouncing will the great Sessions last for ever 'T is Heb. 6.2 called Eternall Iudgement Answ Eternity follows the Sentence an eternall God judges and he gives an everlasting Sentence pronouncing to the Elect eternall life and to to the reprobate eternall destruction 2. 'T is Eternall judgement in opposition to temporall judgements here then time is out and we have nothing to doe with it all wee have to doe is about Eternity 3. As a Malefactor when he goes to the barre wee say he hath received his death notwithstanding the execution followes after so then men receive their eternall sentence 't is eternall judgement Sect. 4 Fourthly Vses to Edifie Vse 1 1. THis shewes us the difference of Eternity in Time First Time had a beginning and shall have ending Eternity hath neither beginning nor end 2. Time is measured by ages yeares moneths dayes houres minutes Eternity hath no measure nor portions nor limits it passes and out-strips the bounds of our thoughts nor can our reason gage it nor our understanding fathom it 3. Time is alwaies in motion as the spring of a Watch never stands still till it be consumed and brought to an end Eternity hath no motion it ever stands still it s alwaies the same Vse 2 Secondly here we may gaine a glimpse of Gods excellency he is Eternall without beginning or end Angels had a beginning so had men and the world Angels and men shall have an everlasting being after once they have begun to be from him that never began to be who is the Eternall God Therefore when we thinke or speake of Gods Eternity we should conclude as St. Paul To the King Everlasting Immortall c to him be glory for ever Amen Vse 3 Thirdly we may in Gods feare learne two profitable lessons considering we have time and are swittly passing to Eternity 1. Consider the brevity of Time 2. Take the opportunity of time 1. The brevity Time is short whilst I am in thinking some of it is gon mans whole life is numbred by dayes compared to a spanne a bubble to a winde that passes away c. If we could seriously alter our thoughts to thinke more of the shortnesse of Time it would
bee beleeved 2. It may be yet they have not learned to speak wel 3. Be not impatient but use their accusations and scandalls for preventions 4. Praises may prove more dangerous than scandalls they are better that speake evill of us than they that flatter us and better to us 5. Christ was evill spoken of though an innocent 6. Our patience will more vexe our adversary than our returning word for word Quest 5 How if my crosses come thicke one upon another as Iobs did Answ 1. Time and custome makes fooles patient get patience timely and speedily by resolution and meditâ—tion beare all with patience they come from God be thankfull for them because they are medicines be the more patient and chearefull because they are steppes to glory 2. Labour to get a further interest in God then all shall be supplyed and we having lost all may be patient and quiet because we enjoy him that is better than all The fruition of God is the maine good the onely good matchlesse changelesse alwaies everywhere with us above all casualties and uncertainties 3. Be not insensible as a blocke nor impatient as without faith and hope be patient as a Christian that though he be molested be enjoyes himselfe By patience we possesse our soules Luke 21.19 4. Labour for a rectified judgement looke not with a wrong eye on others prosperity The Iewes were impatient to heare the children cry Hosanna Matth. 21.15 and impatiently murmured at a supposed fault when Christ went in with Zacheus Errour in opinion doth much wrong others and disquiet our selves we having blinded eyes shall have impatient hearts Ignorance makes us full of mistakes we see not good in evill Our crosses are as Sampsons Lyon there is honey of instruction in them bitter Alloes may prove medicinable 5. Impatience cures us not it is not the remedy of a misery but a procurer of a judgement The Iewes murmured and were impatient their carkasses fell in the Wildernesse Achitophel and Judas in their impatience hanged themselves Ezekiel 36. 6. Set up a Sessions in the conscience and let us judge our selves worthy of all the sorrows of this life and the life to come thus abasing our soules before God will breed in us patience and submission in all our afflictions 7. Meditate in the Law of God continually search the Scriptures then we shall learne this lesson to be patient Rom. 15.4 8. Learne Gods providence he disposes of all things to be grieved at Gods ordering things is great impiety all creatures submit Man onely disquiets himselfe and is impatient 9. Abhorre sinne the cause of crosses remember that crosses should prevent sinnes and make us to forbeare pleasures and endure troubles the more patiently 10. By patience the Will of God is â—one by us Heb. 10.36 and the promises inherited Heb. 6.12 Goe on therefore suffering his will and waiting with patience for the inheritance 11. Let our troubles cause us to cry to our Physitian who will heare us though not according to our will yet according to our good 12. We suffer not alone the same afflictions yea worse it may be our brethren doe endure The griefe of the Saints being indifferent it is the easier borne if it be great the glory shall be greater If it seeme hard let us blame our tendernesse most commonly if it bee long it is the lighter if it be violent it is the shorter None are exempted I shall not escape that which never any did before me God had but one Sonne without sin but not one without affliction 13. Looke to Christs comming to Iudgement then the troubled shall have rest 2. Thess 1.6 7. Be patient therefore for the comming of the Iudge draweth neare Iames 5.7 8. 14. Affect no earthly thing over-much for we impatiently part with that which wee inordinately affected Jonah too much rejoyced in his Gourd and David too much affected his sonne which made the one exceeding angry and the other cry out O Absolon my sonne my sonne Quest 6 How may I have my patience enlarged Answ 1. We must pray more for it for increase of it our Reasons our Arguments our Rules and Directions are but as Alder-guns without earnest prayer 2. Be lesse disquieted at the smaller crosses that dayly befall us small wheales ake and small dust flies in our eyes learne to say My God will enable me to beare more than these 3. Looke to the most noble examples Christ endured Heb. 12. The Prophets are examples Iames 5. 4. Resolve for the worst our preparations are as Armour learne to take up the crosse by stooping for it as well as beare it if it be laid on us 5. Grow dayly lesse and lesse in our owne eyes then shall we be more patient and willing to suffer 6. Be sure that we affect not the praise of men then disgraces will be lesse irkesome Of the Will 1. What it is to will 2. Of the will of God 3. Of Mans will 4. Lessons to edifie 5. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First what it is to will TO will is to chuse or refuse to desire to wish or consent Phil. 2.13 God workes the will that is the motions and purposes * Wâ—lson When we doe pray we do will something optando by desiring when wee will have a servant doe any thing we will it jubendo by commanding The will is free and freely wills without compulsion we will by nature we will well by grace we are free to evill but bound in respect of grace Will properly belongs to the reasonable creature ubi non est ratio ibi non est voluntas Where there is not reason there is not will So much what it is to will Sect. 2 Secondly of the Will of God THe Will of God is Essentiall whatsoever is in God is good Also the will of God is his decree Ephes 1.11 after the counsaile of his will Rom. 9.15 We apprehend his will two fold secret and revealed Deut. 29.29 The secret will of God wee admire as a great depth Psal 36.7 which cannot be found out * Rom. 11.33 This will of God is free absolutely free hee wils without interruption and with delight Also his will is the rule of Justice therefore things are just because he wills them his will is simple with one act he wills all his will is immutable he alters not by accidents his will is holy he is not carried by corrupt reason Our thoughts pitch on three things concerning Gods will The first what he will doe with us The second Note what he will doe for us The third what he will have us to doe But we should mainely looke to the last what he will have us to doe then he will doe this with us he will make us vessels of mercy he will doe this for us he will blesse us here and hereafter What hee will have us to doe is revealed in the Law and the Gospell In both he wils three things 1. He wills us
all to repent 2. He wills us to beleeve in Jesus Christ 3. He wills us to lead a holy life The will of God is that we should repent Acts 17.30 The word is a returning a waxing wise a recovering a mans selfe Repentan e is a change of the minde Prov. 1.23 â—zek 18. a turning from sinne to God Repentance makes a man come to himselfe it maâ—es a man as it were another man a new man The will of God is that we should beleeve in Jesus Christ he is lifted up to save beleevers Iohn 3.16 Ioh. 6.40 By faith we receive him Iohn 1.12 as our Priest to satisfie divine justice as our Prophet to be taught by his word as our King to be subject to his government faith beleeves him the onely Saviour the al-sufficient Saviour a Saviour to me The will of God is that we should live a holy life eschewing evill and doing good separating our selves from wickednesse and wicked company dedicating our selves to God and godlinesse to walke circumspectly to learne piety devotion heavenly mindednes 1 Thes 4. This is the will of God our holinesse 1. Pet. 1.16 2. Cor. 7.1 Sect. 3 Thirdly of Mans Will MAn is so wholly corrupted by the fall that hee understands not the things of God 1. Cor. 2.14 and his desires are opposite to Gods will 1. Pet. 4.2 being spiritually dead how can he will spirituall things Ephes 2.1 God offers grace men refuse Prov. 1 25. so that we have by nature no strength Rom. 5.6 We have no sufficiency to thinke which is lesse than to will 2. Cor. 3.5 Sect. 4 Fourthly Lessons to edifie FIrst we should labour to know Gods Will. Secondly we should endeavour to doe Gods will We attaine the knowledge of Gods will 1. By getting into the estate of grace and being beleevers for knowledge is a peculiar gift to such Matth. 13.11 The Divell blindes unbeleevers 2. Cor. 4.4 The booke is closed to them Isaiah 28.11 or if it be opened they have not judgement 1. Cor. 2.14 2. For the desire of it we must separate our selves Prov. 18.1 separate from needlesse studies idle bookes which are not meate for children but scraps for whelps separate from vaine company excessive worldly busines carnall pleasures needlesse journies let spare houres and vacant time be spent this way to get it 3. We understand by bookes Dan. 9.2 Therefore we should search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 there is the fountaine of saving knowledge there we should labour hard Prov. 2.2 3 4. 4. Wee must frequent the faithfull ministry of the word there we shall be fed with knowledge and understanding Ier. 3.15 5. Be sure prayer be not omitted Psal 119.18 wee must cry for knowledge and call for understanding Prov. 2.2 3. pray earnestly for the Spirit promised Luk. 11.13 that Spirit is the Spirit of revelation Eph. 1.17 6. We must labour to be such vessels as knowledge is put into and get these qualifications 1. To feare God for his secrets are revealed to them that feare him Psal 25 14. 2. To obey him then we shal know Ioh. 7.17 3. To give up our selves wholly to his service and to be at his disposing then wee shall know what is his good and acceptable will Rom 12.2 7. We should propound our doubts to them able to resolve us the Disciples gained knowledge by questioning with our Saviour apart also Expositors Commentaries Dictionaries are helpes and as buckets whereby we draw waters out of the Well of knowledge We should doe the will of God 1. Because then we shall differ from Hypocrites which speake that is good but doe it not Matth. 23.3 2. We shall be like the Angels which execute the will of God Psal 103.20 3 We shall be the children of wisedome and differ from fooles hee that hears and doth is as a wise builder that built on a rocke Matt. 7.24 4. We shall be honourable being in affinity to Christ those that doe his will he accounts as his kindred Matth. 12.50 5. We shall be under the promises First temporall Isaiah 1.19 If yee consent and obey yee shall eate the good things of the Land Secondly spirituall The Spirit is promised to them that aske but is given to them that obey Acts 5.32 The eternall promise is made to the obedient Mat. 7.21 He shall enter into heaven that doth the will of God Romans 2.7 Heaven is for them that by patience doe continue in well-doing The manner of doing Gods Will. 1. It must be done speedily must and haste is for the great King Psal 119. I made haste 2. It must be done sincerely looking to Gods command and presence and reward Psal 51.8 God loves truth in the inward parts 3. It must be done constantly for the former part of our life yeelds to the latter If we doe leave our righteousnesse it was but seeming righteousnesse and wee shall perish in wickednesse Ezek 18.24 Againe it is an indignity to the Lord to leave his service and lastly we lose the promise which is made to perseverance Revel 2.10 4. Gods Will must be done cheerefully for we served sinne with great delight God is the better Master his worke and wages more honourable Secondly cheerefulnesse will evidence us to be Gods people who are a willing people Psal 110.3 Thirdly God accepts the will without the worke as in Abraham offering Isaac but never the worke without the will Fourthly cheerefulnesse is acceptable like ripe fruite soone shaken pleasant to the eye and taste Fifthly uncheerefulnesse is a diabolicall service a beastly service we make them obey with whips goads and spurres Sixthly there is a speciall command of cheerefulnesse Deut. 16.14 and a fearefull threat against uncheerefulnesse Deut. 28.47 48. Sect. 5 Fifthly Questions resolved Quest 1 HAth not Man free will by Nature Answ He hath freedome to will by Nature but to will well it is of Grace Quest 2 How is the Will of God free seeing hee cannot will that is evill Answ Liberty to evill is not from the property but from the defect of the will You said Vbi non est Ratio ibi non est Voluntas Quest 3 Where Reason is not there is not Will. What say you to Rom. 8.20 speaking of the unreasonable creature hee saith not of his owne will There is will proper Answ which onely the creature hath that is reasonable there is will improper or metaphoricall which the unreasonable creature is said to have being Inclinatio Naturae A naturall inclination called a Will Quest 4 If there be a secret will of God how doe you know it if you doe know it how is it secret Answ We know there is a secret will Deut. 29.29 but wee know not the secrets of that will but when it is manifested then we know it either by revelation or events Quest 5 Are men to looke for immediate revelations in our times besides or without the Scripture Answ No the Scripture is sufficient to make the man of God perfect
2. Tim. 3.16 17. If Revelations may be followed as a rule then they may be written for others then comes another Bible and new Pen-man Quest 6 What motions be agreeable to the Will of God Answ 1. Thâ—se which are agreeable to the written Word Isai 59. the last verse 2. Those which are agreeable to our callings 3. Those which are circumstantially good for time and place matter manner and end Quest 7 May we expect all the revealed Will of God in so many letters and syllables expressed Answ Fundamentall points are for the most part cleare if not fully exprest by plaine Texts yet some are to be proved by inferences sound consequences and sanctiâ—â—ed reasons The Catholique Church Sacrament Trinity Christian Sunday and the baptizing of Infants are not proved by letters and syllables the Preachers Doctrine and his whole Sermon may be very true yet not in the expresse words of the Text. Quest 8 May not Gods children expect to be taught by Angels or suppose an Angell or Angels appeare in some shape or light and speake by voyce may it not be Gods Will manifested this way Answ We must submit to Gods Ordinance and not expect or receive another meanes Dives in hell had a devillish disposition and hee would crosse Gods Ordinance to leave Moses and the Prophets and to have his brethren instructed by one that came from the dead Peter not an Angell must instruct and teach Cornelius Acts 10. Philip not an Angell must preach to the Eunuch Aâ—ts 8. In former time God spake by his Prophets in these last dayes by his Sonne Note Heb. 1.1 All merit belongs to his Priestly Office all Doctrine to his Propheticall Office and all efficacy to his Kingly Office As Prophet he taught personally in the dayes of his flesh being among us when he ascended on high hee gave giftâ— to men not Angels to the gathering of his Saints and edifying of his body Ephes 4. And men not Angels are Embassadors to reconcile us to God 2. Cor. 5.19 20. Of the grace of God 1. What is meant by grace 2. How we may obtaine the sence of his grace 3. How we may know we are in Gods favour 4. How the sence of Gods favour is preserved First What is meant by grace Sect. 1 THE Grace of God is either his free grace 2. Tim. 1.9 which was before the world called the good pleasure of his Will Ephes 1.5 or the effects of his favour in our Iustification and Sanctification Rom. 5.15 2. Pet. 3.18 To have the grace and favour of God is to be accepted Luke 2.22 Iesus grew in favour with God id est was accepted Gen. 4.4 God had respect to Abel Gen. 6.8 Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord hee had Gods favour shewed him There is Gods grace towards us and Gods grace in us the first in his owne breast the other we have by donation the first is his grace love and good-will the other the gift of his Spirit regenerating changing and sanctifying the first is the Cause the second the Effect Of the former I intend Gods grace and favour to us Sect. 2 Secondly How to attaine the sence of Gods Favour and grace WE must know that his favour is free Hosea 14. â— and none can give to him first Rom. 11.35 yet we are to use meanes for our owne good that wee may get some evidence to our owne soules that wee are in his favour 1. We must have respect to knowledge 2. We must labour for faith 3. We must looke to our course of life and conversation 1. That we avoide evill 2. That we doe good 3. That we suffer and beare the crosse First we must have respect to knowledge Knowledge for the ignorant are no favorites but rebells Hosea 4.1 and though they be Gods creatures yet they are excluded from Gods favour Isai 27.11 and shall feele Gods vengeance 2. Thes 1.8 Ignorance is not the mother of devotion but the mother of errour Matth. 22.29 the mother of blood-shed Acts 3.17 the mother of blasphemy persecution and oppression 1. Tim. 1.13 the mother of filthy lusts 1. Thes 4.5 Faith Secondly those who are in favour with God must be beleevers Without faith wee cannot please God Heb. 11.6 Unbeleefe brings Gods displeasure and they are so farre from favour that they are cast into the lake of fire Revel 21.8 Thirdly we must looke to our course of life and conversation in both active and passive obedience First in avoiding evill wee must shunne the love and affection to sinne Evill avoided God favours not but hates them that love iniquity Psal 11.5 Wee must also take heed that we doe not flatter our selves in sinne Deut. 29.19 Take heed of forgetting God Deut. 32.19 Take heed of all unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.18 These sinnes bring wrath and are contrary to Gods Nature 1. Pet. 1.16 Rom. 7.12 He is a holy God contrary to his Law a holy Law contrary to his Honour Rom. 2.23 Secondly something must be done if we will find and feele the favour of God 1. We must humble our selves this way Manasses found favour 2. Chron. 33.12 13. 2. We must pray earnestly Dan. 9.22 3. Be often and serious in thanksgiving Psal 69.30 4. Get our hearts broken Psal 51.17 5. We must reforme and amend our lives Isai 1.17 6. Doe good and distribute Heb. 13.16 7. Use a Mediator for favour Acts 12.20 Thirdly something must be suffered Sufferings are two-fold the sufferings for the Church and the sufferings of the Church The sufferings for the Church are for expiation or confirmation of expiation so Christ onely suffered to satisfie Iustice to pacifie wrath to purge and clense us from sin Heb. 9.26 Sufferings for Confirmation were the sufferings of the Martyrs others were strengthened by their death Sufferings of the Church are chastisements or tryalls these are internall or external internall as Sathans buffetings or trouble of conscience because of transgressions or else because of desertion externall are in body or name or goods To have sence of grace and favour in Martyrdome 1. We must get assurance our persons are accepted 2. We must looke to our calling to suffer 3. Have a care we trust not in our selves 4. Be sure the cause be good and warrantable 5. Labour for fit qualifications as patience and boldnesse and prayer for adversaries hope of glory cheerefulnesse and perseverance In chastisements and tryals 1. We must not slight them nor be Stoicall 2. We must strive against fainting Heb. 12.5 3. We must not make desperate conclusions 1. Sam. 27. 1. Psal 31.22 4. We must not use unlawfull meanes as to goe to Witches c. 5. Trust not in the meanes too much with Asa 6. Fret not nor murmure but be silent Psal 39.9 7. Limit not God meanes or time to deliver Psalme 78.41 These are Negatives Adde these affirmatives 1. Returne to him that smites Isaiah 9.13 2. Powre out a prayer to God Isaiah
comfortable in his presence and promises mercies and favours 4. If a man doe but open his mouth the ayre fils it so if we open our mouth to God and pray in faith God hath promised to fill it Psal 81.10 5. If a man be buried in the earth the ayre leaves him and he putrifies and rots so those men are wholy earthly minded suncke under earthly cares buried in earthly desires and in worldly hopes God leaves them and they rot decay and perish 6. A man that hath good ayre is in possibility of health and chearefulnes but hee that enioyes communion with God hath certainty of soules health and shall have so much comfort first or last as shal exceed worldlings Sect. 4 Fourthly of the usefulnesse of the Ayre IT is so usefull that we live in it and cannot live without it t is more usefull then fire and water friends or mony with the ayre we do eate and drinke and sleepe worke walke play and refresh our selves ayre is usefull in prison in sicknesse at all times in all places the ayre is with us in contempt in disgrace in all miseries the ayre will visite us abide with us offer it selfe to goe downe to our Lungs and refresh us Conclusions 1. How good is God that makes the Aire so common the poore Plough-man hath a better portion in it than the rich Citizen The Aire is Gods doale to the world all share in it the dogge the horse the swine are not deprived of it yet it is more pretious than the gold of Ophir the Rubies and Pearles are not to be compared with it were it not to bee had without price a man would part with all his substance for it and purchase it with his chiefest treasure yet God in bounty makes it common and more plentifull than the stones of the street O blesse his name for ever 2. The Sunne is the cause of the usefulnesse of the aire for of it selfe it is both cold and darke so 〈◊〉 my soule without grace both darke and cold till God doe shine on me with light and heate 3. Let me learne of the aire to be usefull that others may have benefit by me endeavouring to behave my selfe so toward my governours my family my kindred my neighbours toward the poore the weake the strong that I may be usefull to all so shall I not live without being desired nor dye without being bewailed my enemies will wish to be like to me and my friends will rejoyce to speake of me and my conscience will speake for me Sect. 5 Fifthly of the continuance of the Aire THe aire and all things are continued by an upholding providence of God Psal 119.90.91 Good things in their want doe breede desire in their enjoyment they bring delight comfort and contentment Conclusions 1. As the Aire is constantly continued so is the love of God to his people our sinnes if we repent deprive us not of it Psal 89.33 nor our afflictions Psal 91.15 nor yet death it selfe Rom. 8. ver 38. The loue of God compasses us and continues with us as surely and as sweetly as the ayre we do breath in 2. God takes not away this useful Creature but continues it I must learne of him not to take away from men that which is most usefull that which they cannot well bee without To take a poore mans tooles to pawne or his bed-cloathes or garments and keep them is somwhat harsh To with-draw maintenance from my teacher to take away the good name of my brethren to be a meanes to keepe bread from the Market or preaching from the people is not the Divine but the diabolicall nature 3. The aire is continued amongst others to them that are evill and sinne against God and blaspheme his name To teach me not to doe the worst I can to those which are evill and doe me wrong but to be patient toward them and to strive to overcome them by supplying their wants and necessities 4. At night the aire hath his being though it wants the well-being to me that is it doth want light and heate so grace may give me a being though I want the comfort and exercise for my well-being but the sunne-shine of favour brings feeling comfort and joy Sect. 6 Sixthly Questions resolved about the Aire Quest 1 WHere doe you prove the Aire was created Answ The aiery region is called heaven There are three heavens the Imperiall heauens where the Angels are and Elementary heavens where the Sunne Moone and Starres are and the Region of the Aire where the Fowles doe flye called the Fowles of heaven Mat. 13 3◠which heaven is the aiery region When God made the Firmament he made the aiery region Quest 2 How is Sathan said to be from beneath Iohn 8. Yee are from beneath ye are of the Divell saith Christ Yet in Ephes 2.2 he is the Prince that hath his power in the aire Answ There is beneath in place beneath in dignity a Lord may be beneath a slave in place the slave may be in the chamber above him there is beneath in respect of dignity so the people are beneath the Prince Sathan is from beneath in respect of cursednesse basenes and indignity Quest 3 How are the clouds supported by the aire seeing the aire is more thinne and pure doth the weaker uphold the stronger Answ The Lord upholds all things by his power the earth he hangs upon nothing he is not tied to meanes nor to give a reason of his doings the Clouds are upheld it is so but by what meanes our ignorance of it is no vice in us Quest 4 Have fishes aire in the seas and rivers Answ As the wind blows where it listeth and we know not whence it comes nor whither it goes so it may be said of the aire how it penetrates or commixes it selfe with a contrary element what path it hath under water what aire fishes have or whether they breath by the Gills we may question but should avoyd curiosity and never looke for full satisfaction Quest 5 Are not some Masters of families to be blamed that being able in state they are so grosly worldly minded that they deprive themselves of the fresh aire and also their wives and children and servants and let them have no time or too little time to refresh themselves Answ They deprive themselves of a sweet blessing and demonstrate to the world what a hard master their Lord Mammon is that taskes them so hard and makes such drudges of them for the fresh aire cheeres their spirits farthers their health encreases their appetites abroad neare the City or farre off as they goe they eate of the fruites of their labours rejoyce their children encourage their servants if they have grace glorifie God in his workes doe good by conference and example amongst the countrey people returne to their home and with a fresh Career with cheerefulnesse and activenesse they fall againe to their trades and callings their whet proves no
afflictions allaied our hot tentations quenched Thus the word and raine are fitly compared together Quest 6 How were the hearbes and grasse and trees flourishing without the raine Answ 1. God is not tyed to secondary meanes he can give light without the Sunne and cause grasse and the hearbs to flourish without the raine 2. There was that which was equivalant to the raine Gen. 2.6 vapor ascenderat â— terra a mist * had not ascended from the earth but some read there was not a man to till the earth nor a mist had ascended from the earth then the first answer serves 3. The waters lately had covered the earth and it might yet be without raine Quest 4 What be the fruits a Christian brings forth on whose heart God hath rained gratiously Answ 1. To God he beares the fruits of prayer confidence remembrance love feare and subjection 2. To men he brings forth the fruits of justice and mercy and peace 3. To superiours he beares the fruits of reverence obedience and faithfulnesse 4. To his family his fruit is example and instruction and provision 5. To the godly a desire of them a delight in them a studying their good pleading for them 6. To the poore compassion counsell reliefe 7. To enemies meeknesse forgivenesse praier for them 8. To neighbours like affection kindnes †If it may be without sin sociablenes 9. To friends faithfulnesse gratitude requitall of favours regard to their posterity 10. The fruits concerning our owne good is 1. To be sound in faith and repentance 2. To increase in heavenly mindednesse 3. To get more assurance peace and joy In outward things 1. To use them as things which have no sufficiency eternity 2. To be diligent in the particular calling sufficiency eternity This is a high poynt 3. Out of earthly objects still to be winding the minde to holy things Quest 5 Is there any countrey where it raines not at all Answ The land of Egypt being under Zona Torrida hath no raine unlesse in the Northerne parts some small showers yet the Lord affoords them the river Nilus which waters their Land by the flowing thereof Aegyptus sola inter regiones hyemem ignorat Egypt alone of the regions knowes no winter there Israel sowed their seed and to water it with their feet * That is with their labour as Gen. 30.30 Sicut hâ—rtum olitorium as a garden of hearbes Deut. 11.10 Quest 6 What is the hoarie frost Answ It is the dew that falls in the night so being frozen it is called Canities for whitenesse pruina for coldnesse a hoary frost Psalm 147.16 compared to ashes for likenesse Quest 7 What is the cause of the haile Answ The vapour is carried to the highest place of the aire where the most extreme cold is the drops frozen fall in little round stones Quest 8 Seing there is no raine in Egypt how could it haile so much there Exod. 9.23 Answ It was supernaturall and miraculous 1. It was over all the land whereas it never rained over all the land before * Since Noah's flood 2. It was deadly to them in the field 3. It was mixt with fire yet the fire did not melt the haile-stones nor the hailestones quench the fire three elements were against the Egyptians the fire in the Lightning the thunder in the Aire the water in the Haile Quest 9 What is the naturall cause of the Snow Answ The vapour is exhaled in the lower part of the middle region of the aire not so high as the place of haile and having some heate blended with it that makes it spread so that it is too cold for raine and not high enough nor cold enough for haile it is more hard and dry then water and it falls downe without noyse if it come before a frost it preserves the blade from nipping off and nourisheth the hearbes and by heate it doth melt and descend to the rootes the Snow water is of a binding nature bad to drinke usually for it will cause a botch under the chin and benumbe the members and farther the stone in the bladder Quest 10 What is the commodity of the frost Answ 1. It striketh and forceth the Naturall heate to descend to the rootes 2. It kills the wormes which hurt the earth 3. It brings us store of wild fowle Quest 11 What is the reason such great drops of raine do sometimes fall Answ Then they are from the cloudes neere us the vapour is hot and moist and dissolved before the ascent be farre from us so it falles in some countries in great plashes with us in great drops The clouds doe part that were gathered together so are quickly dissolved usually it is heate comes with these great drops Quest 12 How are waters and afflictions alike the stormes and raine waters I meane 1. Waters come not out of the dust but from above so afflictions come out of the dust Iob 5.6 2. Waters fall on all alike Mat. 5.45 so afflictions come alike to all Ecles 9.2 3. Stormes for the present are grievous so are afflictions for the present Heb. 12.11 4. The showers doe wash not wound us so afflictions doe clense us not hurt us 5. When the storme is past the sunne-shine is welcome so is prosperity after afflictions so much of the Raine Of the Earth 1. Of the divers names given to the earth 2. Of the scituation and place of the earth 3. Of the fashion and forme of it 4. Of the nature and quality of it 5. Of the subsistence and dependance of it 6. Of the quantity and greatnesse of it 7. Of the riches and fruitfulnesse of it 8. Resolves concerning the earth Sect. 1 First Of the names given to the Earth 1. IT is called Terra earth Gen. 1.1 2. It is called Arida dry land Gen. 1.9 3. It is called Tellus earth or ground 4. It is called Humus moist earth the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used for earth with Terra Tellus Humus 5. When earth is spoken with heaven as in Psalm 124.8 then is it the whole globe of earth and waters The first time we doe read of earth is that it was Informis Inanis Without shape and empty a confused Chaos but after it is Arida dry land yet barren lastly at the word of God it doth bud and beare fruit I who am but earth in my naturall estate without beauty (a) Eze. 16.5 being empty of all good a Reflection and though separated from pagans by outward Baptisme yet I am barren in goodnesse O that God would say to me bring forth and increase and multiply in all saving graces then should I not be as the mountaines of Gilboa (b) 2. Sa. 1.21 nor be as one called barren (c) Luk. 2.36 but as a well watered garden (d) Isa 58.11 and as a field the Lord had blessed Gen. 27.27 Sect. 2 Secondly Of the scituation of the Earth IT is farre from heaven and
speed from one people to another then could be by Camels or Horses also the Ilands are as Innes for seafaring men to refresh them Quest 3 How should they be quallified that goe to sea Answ 1. To prepare for danger for at sea be rocks quick-sands pirates tempests 2. To prepare for death for there is but an inch or two alwaies betweene it and them 3. To resolve to glorifie God when they doe see his great workes Quest 4 What is the cause of the saltnesse of the sea Answ Some thinke it is caused by the Sunne that draweth from it all thinne and sweet vapours to make raine leaving the rest as the setling or bottome others say it takes a saltnesse from the earth where it runnes God hath made it salt the meanes is hard to find Quest 5 What is the cause of the waters ebbe and flowing Answ One opinion is there be exhalations under the water that moves it two and fro others say the Moone causes the tides and ebbes we sooner find it is so then how it is so Reason is like the Sunne it discovers things under it but darkens the things above it Quest 6 From whence have the Springs and Rivers their originall Answ Some thinke from the aire converted into water they reason in nature is no emptinesse and in caves and hollow places of the earth is aire which by cold is resolved into water they give an example of Marble pillars which sweat before it raines but this is not an argument convictive the water that is on marble stones is not aire transmutated but rather exhalations of thin vapours which sticke there as the hoare frost sticks on mens beards and horses haires by a conveiance invisible a more sollide infallible answer is that of Solomon Ecles 1.7 all the rivers runne into the Sea yet the Sea is not full unto the place from which the rivers come they returne and goe so then the sea not the aire is the originall of the springs Solomon is to be preferr'd before Aristotle Quest 7 Why are some springs medicinable Answ Gods goodnesse is such he gives vertue to the creatures for mans good the second aire causes the waters come through divers mines of the earth and licke of them and participate of them and so become physicall Quest 8 What is the cause of the hotnesse of bathes Answ Some suppose there are burning minerals like Mount Aetna others thinke there are mines of brimstone they passe through others the tumbling of waters beating one against the other makes them hote we must be content to looke à posteriori God hee knowes a priori let us be thankefull for the effects when we find not the cause Quest 9 Whether are the most excellent the fishes in the water or beasts on earth Answ In the generall the beasts for they have more perfect senses converse more with men are more docible and serviceable Quest 10 Were fishes made of water onely Answ It is probable the fishes were made of the foure Elements but the water was the most predominate and the place of their habitation generation and conservation Quest 11 Were the Birds created of the water Answ It is thought not of the thickest of the water but the watery vapour aire and water is predominate in birds fishes in the water birdes in the aire have a resemblance 1. The elements they live in are cleare and perspicuous 2. The bird flies very swiftly so doth the fishes swim swiftly 3. The birds have wings and feathers the fishes have sins and scales The bird guids his flying with his taile so doth the fish his swimming 4. There be some fishes make a prey of others and devoure them so is it with the birds 5. The birds that prey on others doe not multiply so fast as those preyed upon so is it with fishes Quest 12 How are people compared to waters Answ In five particulars reade page 131. Quest 13 How is the word compared to waters Answ In sixe particulars reade page 3. Quest 14 How is the spirit compared to waters Answ 1. As water cleanseth from filthinesse so doth the Spirit of God Ezek. 36.35 2. Cor. 6.11 yee are washed c. by the Spirit 2. Water refresheth Iudges 15.19 much more doth the Spirit revive and quicken our soules 3. Water cooleth us so doth the Spirit in the time of tentation 4. Water makes fruitfull so doth the Spirit enable us to bring forth fruit to God 5. Those that have plenty of water we judge them happy so should we them that have Gods Spirit 6. No water no temporall life so without the Holy Ghost no spirituall life Quest 14 How is he said never to thirst that drinkes of the water Christ gives Joh. 4.14 Answ 1. He shall never thirst out of an emptinesse 2. He shall not thirst corruptly to satisfie his lusts Quest 15 Why is the sea called the red sea Exod. 14. Answ Some thinke because the mountaines and cliffes and sea bankes are red others say the originall word Suph signifies a Reede aboundance of Reed grow there so is to be understood the Reedy sea Quest 16 What water is best and most wholsome Answ The fresh water that is most thinne pure and freest from mixture and which tastes of nothing but it selfe Quest 17 How is Baptisme resembled to the Jsraelites passing through the Red sea Answ 1. The Israelites were as it were buried in the sea yet arose at the shore so in Baptisme we are as buried in sinne and rise to a new life 2. The Egyptians being drowned could no more hurt the Israelites so our sinnes in Baptisme being pardoned cannot prevaile any more 3. The Baptized Israelites all of them entred not into Canaan nor doe all baptized Christians enter into heaven 4. In the overthrow of Pharoah they were delivered from bondage so by Baptisme wee are delivered from the service of sinne and Sathan and vow warre against them 5. The Israelites after they passed through the sea did feede on heavenly Manna so Christians after baptisme doe partake of heavenly mysteries 6. As all the Israelites were baptized 1 Cor. 10. so all Christians have but one baptisme Ephesians the fourth So much of the waters Of Fire 1. Of the divers names of fire 2. Of fire properly so called 3. Of the qualities of fire 4. Of the improper fire fire met aphoricall 5. Divers resolves concerning fire Sect. 1 First of divers names given to fire SOmetimes fire is attributed to God Heb. 12.29 Our God is a consuming fire so Christ in purging the elect is like a purging fire Mal. 3.2 and the holy Ghost is like fire Matth 3.11 and the word is as fire to perplexe the carnall Luke 12.49 and fire to try and examine mens doctrines 1. Cor. 3.13 so afflictions are fire Psal 66.12 And fire is that which is made with combustible things as wood Acts 28.2 3. and coales Isai 54.16 But all fire may be ranked to two heads proper or improper fire
is invisible The persons No man The time at any time Never man at any time saw God wee cannot see a Spirit but God is a most pure Spirit excelling the Angels First the Angels have many perfections but God hath all perfection Digressio Secondly the Angels receive all from him he hath all from himselfe Thirdly they are finite and limited but God is infinite Thirdly God is Incomprehensible to the minde as well as invisible to the eye no created Nature can comprehend him in his Essence nor his Attributes whatsoever wee conceive it is but in part there is much more we perceive not nor can comprehend In respect of his Eternity Eternity our capacity is like the Sunne which shewes things under it but darkens all about it wee can looke backe to the beginning if wee looke forward wee cannot conceive after time shall bee no more Concerning Gods being before time or after time Revel 10.6 we have but a glimpse a generall notion we can conceive but little our comprehension failes us Who can behold the Sunne in his glorious shining Glory much lesse can we comprehend the glorious Majesty of God who hath beheld it that he may demonstrate it not the Angels for they are faine to cover their their faces Isai 6.2 much lesse we that dwell in houses of clay who have that ignorance and guiltinesse that those glorious Zeraphims are freed from Nor can we comprehend his greatnesse Psal 145.3 Greatnesse no not by all our industry and searching Iob. 11.7 The heaven of heavens cannot conteine him 1 King 8.27 Wee are capable but to see his backe parts in this life Exod. 33.23 so much of God as can be perceived in his word and workes his greatnesse is such that the Nations are as the drop of the Bucket and the Ilands as a little dust Lebanon hath not wood enough for fire nor the beasts enough for a sacrifice for him Isaiah 40.15 16. Also his wisedome is unsearchable Wisedome a deepe we cannot fathom Rom. 11.33 the foolishnesse of God is wiser than men 1. Cor. 1.25 It is onely the Spirit of God that searcheth the deepe things of God 1. Cor. 2.10 and although vaine men would be wise Iob. 11.12 yet hee is but a beast by his owne knowledge Ieremiah 10.14 and we must bee constrained to confesse our darknesse Iob. 37.19 Applications 1. Is God invisible to the eye and incomprehensible to the minde let us then lay by our sence and reason and labour for faith though wee cannot apprehend nor demonstrate what God is yet we are to beleeve that He is Heb. 11.6 Hee that commeth to God must beleeve Note three things 1. Our felicity is to come to God 2. The meanes is by beleeving 3. God is that we must beleeve which we cannot see nor comprehend 2. By this 't is easie to distinguish the Eternall Iehovah from all false Gods being some of them visible all comprehensible those that adore them are more honourable then that they worship those Gods were but titular gods no Creators but created live lesse in being and perishing in conclusion Ier. 10.11 3. No man was ever a perfect Artist in the contemplation of God How little a portion doe they heare of him Iob 26.14 long in studying but little in fruition deepe conceites but poore conclusions Hoc solum scio Arist me nihil scire This onely I doe know that I know nothing 4. Yet are we to be diligent to study the knowledge of God and although we cannot finde him out in his perfection Iob 11.7 yet we must learne to know him to our salvation Iohn 17.3 and to encrease in the knowledge of God Col. 1.10 though wee cannot see his face he reveales his backe-parts to us Exod. 33.23 we are to know him by his workes Rom. 1.20 in his Sonne 2. Cor. 4.6 't is a shame living under the preaching of the Word to be ignorant of God 1. Cor. 15.34 and we are fooles before the Lord Jer. 4.22 Therefore let us cry for wisedome and call for understanding search for it as silver and digge for it as for gold then shall we finde the knowledge of God Prov. 2.3 4 5. Quest What is it to glorifie God Answ To glorifie God is not to add any thing to him to make him glorious but to acknowledge and demonstrate that glory is in him already God glorifies us by putting glory on us adding that unto us wee are destitute of We doe glorifie him by taking notice admiring and praising of him setting forth his glory That is done by Acknowledgement Either To himselfe or to men To himselfe by Admiration Praises To others by Speeches Actions Sufferings First we glorifie God by acknowledgment which is more than knowledge Rom. 1.21 The Wise Heathens that knew God did not acknowledge him nor demonstrate him accordingly they knew God vers 21. but regarded not to acknowledge him vers 28. then to our knowledge of God we must joyne an acknowledgment whereby we shall glorifie him This acknowledgment must be free Mark 1.24 Iudges 1.7 else we differ not from the divels which acknowledge God upon constraint so wicked men may acknowledge God by constraint The truth of this free a knowledgment will appeare by our Admiration and Praises Question Qu. What is Admiration Answer Answ To Admire is to wonder to marvaile Consider 1. The subject is the Admirour 2. The Object admired 3. Then how to attaine admiration of God First the Subject that admires is the reasonable creature for the unreasonable creature is not capable of actuall Admiration the unreasonable creatures may be frighted or amazed as Horses and any other beasts and also Birds and Fishes But Admiration requires Reason Deliberation and Consultation Then 't is plaine Angels and Men onely are the subjects of Admiration Secondly the objects of Admiration are either Supreme or Inferiour the Supreme is God the Inferior are the creatures of God We must not admire Positives nor Comparatives but Superlatives things most excellent things excelling We admire things beyond our capacity when our Reason can stretch it selfe no further As we see little children seeing curious workmanship the poore children are amazed and admire how 't is done they much honour and reverence the Artist that made the worke Thirdly how to attaine Admiration of God Question We must pray for the Spirit of illumination to see excellency in God Ephes 1.17 Answ 1 2. We must be given to divine Meditations as David in the 8. Psalme fals to Meditation then to Admiration So in Psalme 104. his Meditation concludes in Admiration Psal 104.1.24 Oh Lord how wonderfull are thy workes 3. We must learne to silence our Reason wee must admire where we cannot comprehend as Rom. 11.33 Oh the deepnesse of the riches both of the Wisedome and Knowledge of God Quest Wherein is God to be admired Answ 1. In his Essence secondly in his Attributes thirdly in his Workes
as the center to the circumference earthly substance it poises downewards the earth is in the middle and heaven is round about it heaven is above Exod. 20.4 earth is beneath heaven is on high Psalm 103.11 earth below heaven is Gods Throne Mat. 5.34 earth his Foot-stoole when God is said to looke downe upon the earth he is said to looke downe from heaven (e) Deu 26.15 Psalm 33.13 1. How shall I ascend so high Reflexions that am now so farre from heaven I am as farre as can be from that blessed place no farther place from heaven then earth is except it be hell yet I looke for three ascentions thither First in my mind and affections Colos 3.1 Secondly with my soule when I depart hence Thirdly with my body after tâ—â— Resurrection 2. Distance of place cannot hinder spirituall Communion with Christ I may have relation to him who is on high though I be below The Sunne in the Heavens communicates his light and heate to us below the foote participates with the head by vertue of corporall union though the foote being on earth the head in the aire Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the fashion and forme of the Earth IT is for forme and fashion not a triangle nor square nor long nor a semicircle but round called in Psal 93.1 and Psal 96.10 and Psal 98.7 Orbis habitabilis An Orbe for roundnesse and in Isai 40.22 it is called a Circle The Equinoctiall The Articke The Antarticke The Tropicks men usually call it the Terrestriall Globe as heaven is called the Caelestiall Globe and as Astronomers doe attribute five Circles to their Caelestiall Globe so Geographers make as many in this Terrestriall Globe they have their five Zones the hote Zone and the two extreames for cold and the two temperate Zones so then the earth is a round Globe 1. This calls for my delight I can with delight looke on the effigies of mans making Reflexion why should I not to looke on the Globe of Gods making I looke on mans little Globe with the eye of my body I contemplate Gods great Globe with an act of my mind 2. This Globe is Gods Theater whereon all the inhabitants are actors here are acted daily sinfull civill pious acts and the exijt of every man is from this Globe is to a bottomlesse pit or to the new Ierusalem which is foure square firme and sure with what feare and care shall I act my part Mat. 25.23 that it may be said well done Sect. 4 Fourthly of the nature and quallity of the earth 1. It is dry 2. It is cold 3. It is heavy IT is drye of it selfe for though it be called Humus moyst earth yet it is not so of it selfe but an adjunct of water for of it selfe it is Arida dry land Gen. 1.9 Also the earth is cold of it selfe as we may percevie in Cellers and where men digge deepe and in shady places where the Sunne doth not come also the body of a dead man is cold which is of earthy matter Lastly it is heavy a basket of earth on a mans shoulders is heavy and we say of a man who is of a heavy disposition that he is lumpish that he is like a heavy lumpe of earth Reflexions I am dry by nature being made of earth without all spirituall moysture whatsoever I have it is added to me but it comes not from me but all grace that softens and makes plyable comes from him who powers out his Spirit on his servants and in the wildernesse waters breake out and streames into the desarts Isai 35.6 2. I am as earth cold without the heate of zeale and love benumbed and without life and vigor it is Gods Spirit comes to kindle in my heart the fire of true zeale and the heate of charity 3. I am heavy earth and lumpish in all holy duties wanting spiritualnesse untill God revives mee I cannot rejoyce in him Psal 85.6 till he quickens me I cannot call upon his name Psal 80.18 I cannot give first to him Rom. 11.35 I am but a lumpe of sinnefull earth and can doe that is evill but nothing that is good it is God who workes all my workes for me Isaiah 26.12 Drinesse should cause me to thirst for a present sutable large satisfaction Coldnesse should make me stirre and labour for heat and lumpishinesse should provoke me to pray to be quickned according to Gods loving kindnesse Psal 119 88. 4. I much rejoyce in hope and remembrance of that day when all heavinesse and lumpishnesse shall flye away and my body shall be raised so as it shall become spirituall 1. Cor. 15.44 we shall then be ut Angeli as the Angels Mat. 22.30 Sect. 5 Fifthly of the earthes subsistance THough it hangs in the aire yet it is upheld by a divine power Heb. 1.3 No creature is independent God hath made the earth and hangs it upon nothing Iob 26.7 The earth at first had being by the power of God and stil is supported by the same power to this day Conclusions 1. There be many things man could yet never attaine unto as First the perpetuall motion Secondly the Philosophers stone Thirdly fire incombustible Fourthly to make a heavy thing hang in the aire so that wee may say of God there are no workes like thy workes Psalme 86.8 Men have tryed and could not effect their designes but if God but speake it is done Psal 33.9 2. The earth is upheld by God without supporters and secondary helpes Oh that I could trust in God with all my heart Prov. 3.5 then though others forsake mee yet the Lord will support mee Psalme 27.10 Sect. 6 Sixthly of the greatnesse of the earth THe earth is great simply considered yet but small comparatively as the Center is small compared with the circumference of old they held the compasse of the earth to be 50000 miles as Aristotle others held it 34625. Some differed from them and ghessed it 31500. But of late those which have compassed the whole Ocean doe say it is 19080 miles the Diameter 7000 from us to the Center 3500 miles 1. An elevation 1. The great globe of the earth is but a little poynt being compared to the heavens and my portion in it but a little being compared with the whole and if I had it all it could not be a sufficiency to my minde nor could my enjoyment be long O that God would unglue my affections from this little and enlarge them toward his owne greatnesse 2. A Contemplation 2. I was once nine moneths contained in a little roome and I have forty yeares beene contained in this little world I am much enlarged by comming from the wombe to the world there I had reason potentially and a life of obscurity here I see a bright Sunne and Moon and Stars a earth and waters and innumerable creatures for my admiration and delight use and service my life in the next world as farre yea farther exceedes this