A GVIDE TO THE HOLY CITY OR Directions and Helps to an holy life Containing Rules of religious advice with Prayers in sundry cases and estates necessary for those who are not of heart so enlarged as to advise themselves or to conceive comfortable prayers according to their present wants By IOHN READING B. D. and sometimes Student in Magdalen Hall in OXFORD Come ye children hearken unto mee I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psal. 34. 11. If any man lacke wisedome let him aske of God which giveth to all men liberally and reproacheth no man and it shall be given him Jam 1. 5. OXFORD Printed for THOM ROBINSON and RICH DAVIS 1651. THE PREFACE Good Reader MY purpose in publishing these Meditations is an hearty desire to communicate that to others wherewith the Lord blessed forever hath comforted me If I may hereby contribute any assistance to them who have not better advice or hearts not so enlarged as to conceive prayers according to their severall conditions and wants I have my end I cannot reasonably expect that this Benom issue of my afflictions should be accepted of all or like the Manna fit every palate specially in this censorious age wherein some like nothing but the Minerva's of their owne braine I would I could not say many like those foolish heathens adore their owne maladies applauding themselves for good and wiâ—e in that they distast all that is good and wholsome which is indeed a symptome of a disaffected palate I am not ignorant that a speaker ventureth within the reach of Censure and that a writer tyeth himselfe to the stake yet in hope that some may reap good by my labours I resolve not to be discouraged if any shall be so injurious as to render evill to my good intentions my labour is with the Lord who appointed some cheap sacrifices that the poore might serve him as well as the rich and requiring principally willing hearts hee that had not jewels gold silver silke purple or like pretious things might bring skins goats-haire things of small vallew and bee accepted you who have a greater share of heavenly treasures offer of your fulnesse God accepteth the poore widdowes mites where is no more give me then the use of S. Augustines words whosoever readeth these things where he is equally certaine let him goe on with mee where he equally doubteth let him enquire with me where he acknowledgeth his errour let him returne to me where hee findeth mine let him recall me let us all enter into that sacred vvay of charitye which may bring us to Christ in vvhose schoole I desire to be a disciple of vvhom I beg in my daily prayers that whether â— follow or lead others in the vvay to heaven I may understand and persevere in that truth vvhich neither deceiveth nor is deceived in vvhich if my hearts desire and constant prayer to God through Jesus Christ that wee may all meet in his kingdome of glory merit any returne of your charity joyne with me and for me in your prayers And now brethren I commend you to the word of his grace which is able to build you further and to give you an inheritance among all them thaâ— are sanctified read happily practice diligently consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things The Summe of the Guide shewing the 1 End of a Christians hope and endeavours true happinesse 2 Meanes to attaine it true 1 Faith grounded on Gods Word and truth teaching us what we are to believe concerning 1 God the Father Almighty 2 God the Son Iesus Christ our Lord and Saviour 3 God the Holy Ghost our Comforter 4 The Catholike Church 5 The Communion of Saints 6 The remission of sinnes 7 The resurrection of the body 8 Life everlasting 2 Obedience in 1 Generall which is in our 1 Performance of duties to 1 God in 1 Love to him above all 2 Prayer 3 Hearing the Word 4 Receiving the Sacrament 5 Sanctification of the Sabbath 2 Man in love to our 1 Selves 2 Neighâ—bours 1 Friends in God 2 Enemies for Gods sake 2 Being rightly guided in our 1 Soule passions perturbations of mind as in case of 1 Love delight c. 2 Mirth sorrow 3 Anger hatred malice 4 Envie 5 Impatience patience 6 Discontent content 7 Hope 8 Feare 9 Cares 10 Iealousie 2 Outwardman as in the 1 Tongue 2 Actions 2 Particular 1 Calling of 1 Masters and servants 2 Man and wife 3 Parents and children 2 CoÌ„ditions which are either 1 IncideÌ„t to some which are either 1 Internall as the wounded spirit and afflicted conscience 2 Externall as 1 Wealth poverty 2 Imprisonment 3 Banishment 4 Old age 5 Child-bearing 6 Sickness 2 Common to all mankind as death The CONTENTS Chap. 1. THe necessity of a Christians aime at a right end in all his actions pag. 1. The Prayer pag. 3. 2. Of true religion wherein it consisteth of faith and those things which concerne it pag 4. A prayer for Faith pag. 10. 3. What we are to believe concerning God that there is but one God in essence and Trinity of Persons how we must labour to know him pag. 12. A prayer pag. 23. 4 What we are to believe concerning Iesus Christ Gods only Son our Lord conceived by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary p. 24. 5 What we are to believe concerning Christ's suffering under Pontius Pilate his crucifying death buriall resurrection ascâ—ntion sitting at the right hand of God the Father and his coming againe to judgement p. 35. The Prayer p. 47. 6 Concerning the Holy Ghost what we are to believe rules thereto belonging p. 48. 7 Concerning the Catholike Church conclusions belonging thereto and rules observable p. 50. 8 What the Communion of Saints is wherein consisting rules thereto appertaining p. 54. 9 Concerning the necessity of sins remission to whom it belongeth it is the summe of the Gospell rules thereto appertaining p. 59. A Prayer for repentance and remission of sinnes p. 63. 10 Concerning the resurrection of the dead how the truth thereof may appeare what use we are to make of the meditation thereon pag. 64. 11 What life everlasting is wherein the happinesse thereof consisteth what rules of practice we are to hold concerning the same pag. 68. The Prayer p. 72. 12 Concerning Prayer what and how necessary it is conditions thereof motives to the earnest practice of this duty râ—les thereto belonging pag. 73. A Prayer for the spirit of Prayer p. 87. 13 Of hearing Gods word motives thereto usuall lets conditions requisite to profitable hearing pag. 89. A Prayer before hearing the Word p. 104. 14 Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper who receive the grace thereby represented how we ought to prepare for the right receiving thereof how to receive it what we must doe after we have received pag. 108. A private prayer before the receiving of the Lords Supper p. 109. Another private
life and salvation through JESUS CHRIST our onely Saviour and Redeemer to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory ascribed in heaven and earth henceforth and for ever AMEN CHAP II. Of Religion and Faith § 1 Of true Religion wherein it consisteth § 2 Of Faith and those things which concerne the same THere is no nation so inhumane and barbarous but it pretendeth to some religion and worship divine Satan cannot put out all the light of conscience still there is a slender remainder which sheweth the very wicked that there is a God therefore he hath ever laboured to beguile men with false religions or corruptions of the true 2 True Religion is the right worship of the true God in imitation of his holinesse all other worship not agreeing with his revealed will is profanation and irreligion this is life eternall to know God and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ. He that will with such knowledge come unto him must beleeve that he is no man hath seen Gods essence that is greater then any finite apprehension so that we walke by faith not sight and therefore Christ when he had assumed a visible nature for the worke of our redemption would not long be conversant on earth in his publike ministry that our salvation might not be in sense but beleeving and blessed are they which have not seene and have beleeved 3 Concerning faith these things are considerable 1. What it is 2. Whence it is 3. Whose it is 4. How necessary it is 5. How excellent it is 6. Of what measure it is 7. What we must doe concerning it 8. What is the object thereof 1 Faith is the evidence of things not seene and the substance of that we hope for it is a grace and guift of Gods spirit whereby we assent to the word of God and apply the promises thereof to our selves it cannot be forced it is wrought in our minde by perswasion not compulsion faith is by hearing this is the unchangeable rule thereof one and the same forever 2 Faith is the worke of Gods spirit in us applying the promises bearing witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God opening the hearts of hearers to the word preached and Sacraments administred Paul may plant and Apollos water but except God give the encrease who shall beleeve their report The naturall man perceiveth not the things of the spirit neither can he without a spirituall eie they shall seeme foolishnesse to him so that Paul and Apollos are but the ministers by whom we beleeve as the Lord gives to every man 3 All have not faith many talk of it and professe it but as the heathens among the multitude of their Gods made Faith a Goddesse and were farre from beleeving in God faith here intended is the White stone with a new name written which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it a peculiar of the elect as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeved the seale and earnest of the spirit of promise therefore though we are taught to say our father give us forgive us yet in profession of our faith we say I beleeve in God c. we must pray one for another but every man must beleeve for himselfe 4 The necessitie of faith appeareth in that 1 the just shall live by it Heb 2. 4. 2. By faith onely we are justified Rom 3. 28. 3. Without Faith it is impossible to please God whatsoever is not of faith is sin 4. God hath appointed this meanes for us to take hold on the merits of Christ that we may be saved 5 The excellency of faith is in that it apprehendeth that is Christ and in him the unspeakable treasure of Gods mercy peace of conscience reconciliation with God remission of our sinnes indemnity from the guilt and punishment thereof justification sanctification in fine all things which concurre to the accomplishment of an happy man it is the rocke against which the gates of hell shall not prevaile the shield against the spirituall enimie it stiled Abraham Gods freind and us his sonnes it is the sanctuary of a troubled spirit the first fruits of the heavenly Paradise the effect and cause of illumination the eye which enlightneth the conscience if we beleeve we shall understand commendable is that faith which beleeveth that all the word of God is true and to be obeyed before it understandeth the particulars faith made Noah an Arke to preserve mankinde in gave Abraham possession of Canaan it hath subdued kingdomes wrought righteousnes obtained the promises stopped the mouthes of Lyons quenched the violence of fire delivered from the sword made men strong of weake and valiant in battle it is the doore keeper of heaven it lets in the theeâ—e from the crosse the Bathsheba which can have no repulse Whatsoever yee aske if yee beleeve yee shall receive it it is in effect all the world all things are yours the world and life were made for the Saints it is that one thing with which we have all things without which nothing it giveth us confident entrance to God and salvation of our selves through Jesus Christ. 6 The measures of true faith are divers yet sufficient to every one to salvation as 't is written he that gathered much had no superfluity and he that gathered little had no want In all ages God gave some great and eminent measures of faith as to the Prophets Apostles and Martyâ—s not that they should by their greater faith obtaine greater salvation then we who have received a farre lesse measure but because God appointed them to encounter greater tryalls to his honour and that the example of their constancie might be helpfull to our infirmitie as in the body of man there are veines sinewes flesh and bones to strenghthen all these not that the bones have more life then these so is the mysticall body of Christ 't is certaine that weake faith may lay sure hold on Christ and therefore be a saving faith yea the power of God is perfected in mans infirmitie to conclude it is not the merit of faith but of Christ apprehended by faith which saveth us so God crowneth his owne gifts in us 7 We must 1 examine our faith 2. Use the ordinance of God for the attaining it as hearing the word and receiving the sacraments praying c. They best know what need we have of frequent examination of our selves herein who are deeply sensible of their owne wants to them who are deluded with false lights tentations of security there appeareth no want either of faith in them selves or examination of their faith That we may examine profitably we must knowe there is a common faith which reprobates may have and it is
either historicall such as the devill hath Jam 2. 19. or temporary Math. 13. 20. Act 8. 13. and this is either faith of miracles or a temptation of security for the devill himselfe will perswade obstinate sinners that they beleeve and are therefore sure of salvation that he may keep them without charity which is the life of religion and that one thing without which faith is dead perswade them to sin securely And there is also a sanctifying justifying lively faith proper to the elect only this purifyeth the heart gives us the adoption of sonnes and everlasting life concerning this faith we enquire and because the heart is so deceitfull and Satan suitable to teach hypocrisie so neerely to resemble true grace it highly concerneth every man seriously to examin whether his faith be true or counterfeit to which purpose take these rules Examin 1 Whether the more thou art perswaded concerning the assurance of thy salvation the more thou lovest God for his own sake and thy brethren for Gods sake Some vainely dreame of justifying faith though their conscience tells them they love but some for fashion sake or their own ends for Gods sake few if any and God onely as far as they hope he will blesse them that faith onely is available which worketh by love without which it is no more alive then a man without heat 2 Whether the more assurance of Gods mercies in Christ thou hast the more thou desirest to be further confirmed Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnesse for they shall be satisfied 3 Whether the more thou beleevest the more humble thou art God giveth grace to the humble when Paul was by Gods mercy brought out of his ignorance and unbeleefe he was not ashamed to acknowledge that which being in sin he would not have done of sinners I am chiefe True faith can no more be without humility then an house witohut a foundation the proud hypocrite resteth so securely upon his fruitlesse faith that he contemneth other men as if none were holy but himselfe and some few of his society which he vainely conceaveth have engrossed the infinite grace and spirit of God which freely and secretly worketh where others cannot judge thereof 4 Whether the greater perswasion thou hast of thy beleeving the deeper sense also thou hast of thy sanctification true faith is such a lively grace that it cannot be inactive where the natuall life is it will shew it selfe by some evident effects and so must the life of Grace to our consciences therefore the Apostle maketh the quaere know you not your owne selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be reprobates intimating that the regenerate and true believers doe indeed know and feele by comfortable effects that the Spirit of Jesus is in them for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sonnes of God which walke not after the flesh and if we walke in the spirit we shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh by which thou must examine thy faith 5. Whether after many trials feares and doubtings doth the Spirit of God still returne and comfort thee so that thy faith is more assured after trials then before True faith like the needle of a compasse in the severall boords tacks and agitations of the ship at sea never resteth till it returne to its owne point and fixeth on the mercy of God againe as 't is written I was in misery and he saved me returne unto thy rest O my soule 6 Lastly examine the conclusions suggested to thy minde with the hope of salvation men shall sometimes have a chearfull perswasion that they are the elect servants of God and therefore shall be saved but yet have Naamans exceptives frequent in their resolutions to sinne God pardon thy servant in this upon this abused promise of God whosoever believeth not shall perish not considering that 't is no true faith which impropriateth the gift of God to wantonnesse or any purpose to enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season but a dangerous tentation of security a meere snare of Satan perswading men that they have certaine interest in Gods promises that he might keepe them in some knowne sinne But if thy heart say thus I believe seeing therefore God hath shewed me this great mercy working this comfortable perswasion in me I will be more and more carefull of my waies that I may not offend so good a God and grieve his holy Spirit whereby he hath sealed me up to redemption I will strive to make my calling and election sure that an entrance into the eternall Kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ may be more abundantly administred to me I will heartily endeavour to follow the guidance of his good Spirit who hath translated me from the kingdome of sinne and darknesse of ignorance into light and the kingdome of his dear Sonne by some measure of sanctiâ—ication that I may make an end of my salvation with feare and trembling such a resolution is an undoubted adjunct of true faith purifying the heart slesh and bloud can never give this perswasion or resolution and Satan will not for though he will be contented to present some seeming good if he may thereby perswade a secure man to some reall evill yet 't is farre from his nature to move to good for any good end for this were to divide and ruine his owne kingdome and whole designe which is to make all others confederates in his rebellion and as desperate castawaies as himselfe It remaineth therefore that the Spirit of God against whose worke and purpose the gates of hell can never prevaile must be the sole Author of this perswasion and resolution I believe and therefore will doe my uttermost endeavour to be more holy then ever I have beene 7. Concerning the meanes to be used in the Word and Sacraments for the attaining of this faith I shall speake in its owne place 8. The Object of faith is the truth of God revealed in holy Scripture teaching us his will concerning our salvation the summe whereof are the Articles of our beliefe of which in the following Chapters A Prayer for Faith O Lord God of the spirits of just men Father of lights from whose fulnesse descendeth every good and perfect gift We humbly acknowledge our owne miserable hardnesse of heart wilfull obstinacy and disobedience to thy holy Word hath continually provoked thy justice to give us over to strong delusions and beliefe of lies to our owne destruction that the vaile should be laid over our hearts when we reade or heare the word of promise that Satan should be suffered to blind us that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ might not shine unto us and that we might not be able to discover our interest in thy promises nor make any assured claime to the merits of thy
be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one minde let nothing be done through strife If yee have any part in the communion of Saints hold the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace if there be envy malice contentions schismes factions and discords 't is an ill signe of your interest in this holy communion God's sonnes are peaceable all that are guided by his spirit who is Love love and care for each other as the members of the body mutually defend and hide the blemishes of their fellowes 2. Be compassionate if one member suffer all grieve because they are animated by one soule and is it possible that any man should make himselfe beleeve that the spirit of Jesus hath quickned him who not only remembreth not but malitiously promoteth the affliction of Joseph 3 Forsake not holy assemblies where Gods word soundeth and his honour dwelleth 'T is a delusion of Satan who advanceth his throne most in our divisions which maketh men prefer private prayers and exercises before the venerable publike 4 Unite to holy societies and with draw from evill company 't is very dangerous to have society with the wicked Jehoshaphat found it so what makest thou in the way to Egypt said the Prophet The wisest Solomons hazards were from evill company have no fellowship with them saith the Apostle In the society of the holy there is good even to the wicked sometimes for their sakes Potiphers house prospered for one good Josephs sake the ships company were saved for one Paul how much more are the Saints advantaged by their holy communion Begin thy heaven on earth having society and communion with the Saints here or thou shalt never have the happinesse thereof hereafter 5 Be thou holy if thou wilt be of this society you knowe in worldly leagues 't is parity of manners which begeteeth amity like loves his like get on the wedding garment if thou wilt rejoyce with the invited If we say wee have fellowship with him and walke in darknesse we ly and doe not know the truth Saul among the Prophets became a proverb of a prodigie The Nethanims joyned themselves to Israel but when they returned they could not finde their pedegrees and therefore were diffranchised as hypocrites shall be from the elect there 's no admission of any thing uncleane into heaven no wealth can purchase entrance but only sanctity if Simon had the Indies to morgage he could not enter 6. Let it comfort thee in thy sufferings feare not they are more with thee then against thee in every distresse thou partakest of the sweet odours ascending up into Gods holy presence the prayers of the Saints if one Moses by standing in the gap could divert the plague raging among the people what shall not many thousands doe for one afflicted man We will goe with you said they in the prophesie for wee have heard that God is with you God is with thee in all that thou dost said Abimelech and Phicol to Abraham therefore they thought themselves happy to have a covenant with him what ever thou sufferest they share with thee and intercede for thee CHAP. IX Concerning Remission of Sinnes § 1. Of the necessitie hereof to whom it belongeth it is the summe of the Gospell § 2. Rules hereto appertaining THE second benefit which God bestoweth on his Church is remission of sinnes which is a free pardon of all their transgressions so that God will never impute them remember or charge them upon any of those who are justified by faith in Christ. This is an article of great necessity to be beleeved for what could communion availe us if a free remission of our sinnes did not acquit us of a due condemnation Without this what could we be but a wretched condemned society What ever we else beleeve concerning Christ the Saviour without this wee were no better then excluded Virgins with oylelesse lamps then Judas amongst the Apostles sonnes of perdition This remission is when God forgiveth faults and punishments neither imputing the one nor executing the other not onely some sinnes but all as 't is written Thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depth of the sea and Psal. 103. 3. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities who healeth all thy diseases 'T is true that sometimes the chastisement lasteth longer then the imputation of the fault so when the Prophet had said to David repenting the Lord hath put away thy sinne yet hee could not prevaile for the life of his child neither did the sword depart from his house but this was a fatherly correction an healing not a punishment and David confessed as much 't is good for mee that I have beene in trouble and it standeth good by reason that God remitteth all sinnes if any for seeing he that breaketh any one commandement is guilty of all if God retained any one sinne unremitted the whole debt must be charged upon the sinner This was that which Christ declared to Simon in the parable of the two debters one owed 50. the other 500. pence and when neither had to pay the creditor equally forgave both 2. This benefit is peculiar to the elect the Church the people that dwell therein shall have their iniquities forgiven they onely are the redeemed of the Lord all others out of Christ are in the gall of bitternesse having no part nor fellowship herein there is no other name under heavenby which we can be saved he was delivered for our offences by his blood we are redeemed the Paschall lambe belongeth onely to this house herein however the grace of God is given in diverse measures remission of sinnes is equally bestowed on all the Saints 3. This great benefit is the summe of the Gospell proclaimed by John Baptist given in charge to be preached to all for this cause God sent his onely Sonne into the world to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remission of sinnes in him we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sinnes To this point appertaine these rules 1. That we despaire not in respect of the greatnesse of our sinnes how great soever it be it is farre lesse then the infinite merit of Jesus Christ whose blood cleanseth us from all sinnes though your sinnes be as scarlet twice dyed in originall and actuall transgression they shall be white as snow there were many who went out of Christs presence very happy some restored to sight some to hearing some to health some dispossessed of uncleane spirits some restored to life 't was true of him what was said of Caesar hee sent none away sad the yong rich mans owne fault dismissed him so but none more happy then her that heard goe in peace thy sinnes are forgiven thee let the spirit of truth say only this to my soule and in spight
delighteth not in the death of sinners but in their conversion and as experience teacheth if wee may know who is welcome to the master of a family by the countenance and deportments of the servants and attendants then we may know how welcome a penitent sinner is to God by this that the Angels of heaven doe much rejoice at it 3. If he would have destroyed thee how often might he have taken thee away in thy sins but now that he giveth thee this time it is to lead thee to repentance that second table of ship-wrackt souls and to salvation Rom. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 7. 10. Ezek. 18. 21 30. Repentance is never too late if serious 4. He terrifieth with present sense of his anger against sinne that men may be stirred up to repentance and forsaking their sinne wherein they shall be more assured of the mercy of God and their salvation as the stormes often shaking the trees doe thereby more fasten them and give them better root so is it here as the windes purifie the aire and water by their agitation so doth God the mindes of his saints by afflictions feare of his judgments and sorrows 2 Cor. 7. 11. Psal. 119. 67 71. It is Gods mercy to terrifie thee now that thou maist repent and be saved the most unhappy condition of the sinner is when God concealeth his anger to the last and giveth the impenitent over as incorrigible Isai. 1. 5. so that if thou hadst no remorse of conscience thy case were desperate but this conflict in the soule concludeth another power in thee resisting finne whence thou maist be assured of thy regeneration because however weakly the spirit of God doth yet expresse it selfe to thee yet it is certain he can never be overcome 5. All men have sinned come short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus It is not therefore any mans own righteousnesse that must or can save him Blessed is the man whose sins are covered and to whom the Lord imputeth no sin not who hath no sinne for on those termes none could be blessed It is not in the geatnesse or smalnesse of the debt where 50. or 500. are equally forgiven and where an infinite Majestie if offended in the least Never any of the Saints were saved because they had lesse sins then thou who fearest Gods wrath because thine are great and appeare so to thy conscience because some they had and he that breaketh one commandement is guilty of all and subject to the curse of the law which is to those that continue not in all things written in the law to do them A little wound to the heart will as surely kill as the deepest and of the greatest orifice a shelfe of little sands will as surely bilge the ship as the greatest rocks a little postern gate unguarded will let in the enemy the smallest sinnes if not covered by faith and cured by repentance will destroy the soule When we consider Noah's drunkennesse David's murder and adultery Solomon's idolatry Manasses murder witch-craft and idolatry Paul's persecution Peter's denial of Christ it may appeare that these fell into the acts of some more grosse sinnes then thou canst charge thy conscience withall and that if Gods justice should proceed according to the rigour of his law no flesh living could be saved therefore is Christ the end of the law to every one that beleeveth as he was to Abraham David Peter Paul and all those that are saved when wee lay hold on him and his merits by Gods own covenant of grace the rigour and curse of the law is suspended hee therefore gave us Christ with this condition that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God and there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ for if God justifie who shall condemne 6. No sinne is so great as God's mercy and Christ's merit all actions of the creature are finite but his mercy and Christ's merit are infinite a drop holdeth some proportion with the sea because both are finite but finites with infinites hold none Feare not then if thou canst repent and beleeve there is balme in Gilead a plaister incomparably bigger then the wound onely despaire condemneth 7. Humility is the foundation of religion God giveth grace to the humble but resisteth the proud when the subtle tempter cannot prevaile in his perswasions to evil hee insinuateth himselfe into the minde of them who have done some good by his mischievous suggestions lifting it up to a secret admiration of the same untill it be deprived of grace and the fruit thereof The poore publican in his humility not daring to lift up an eie toward that heavenly Majesty he had so grievously offended having nothing to say but only God be merciful to me a sinner went home justified rather then the proud Pharisee who boasted of much sanctity Humility is the securest vertue pride the worme at the root of religion eating up the very life thereof now because it is a very hard thing for corrupt man to have any thing better then ordinary and not to be lifted up in minde above his opinion of others for the same therefore God justly permitteth his deare children sometimes to their own strength like a tender nurse a little with-drawing her hand from the childe to make it feele it owne weaknesse thereby to check a more dangerous presuming so that falling into some broad and disgraceful sinne they may learn in humility safely to distrust their own strength and depend upon God better was Peter weeping then presuming to lay down his life for Christs sake then he fell but now he rose again If the considerations of thy sinnes do throughly humble thee thou hast attained a good effect of a bad cause 8. God would have the great failings and grievous sinnes of some of his elect to stand upon record that wee might conclude from these instances as well as God's promises that if we can repent of sinnes as purple as they wee also shall finde mercy But this is here deeply considerable that wee never think of any of these to presumption but to move us to repentance and faith in him who freely forgiveth the penitent not the obstinate presumptuous sinner and is with nothing more offended then despair of his mercy which is a secret questioning the trueth of his promises and impenitency which is the undoubted issue of unbeliefe indeed there is no greater injury to God's mercy then in despair thereof to continue in sinne seeing his trueth is engaged for our pardon if we beleeve and repent he hath not said in vaine Isai. 1. 18. Though your sinnes be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow 9. Consider why hee sent Christ into the world because he
a measure as thereby to know the things that are freely given thee of God thou shalt finde that Blessed is the man whom the Lord chasteneth and teacheth in his law that hee may give him rest from his daies of adversity 3. In sense of spiritual wants aske thy soule whether ever thou hadst that whereof thou now feelest the want if thou hadst be assured it shall revive againe and finally overcome as it is written Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh our faith And this sense and sorrow is a certain token of thy recovery and soules health as that seven times neesing of the Shunamites sonne before hee opened his death-closed eies was of his lifes returning If thou never yet hadst the grace whereof thou now beginnest to feele the want it appeareth by this sense that now thou shalt have it and this trouble of thy soule is but as the moving of Bethesda waters a certain signe of an healing power descended thereinto 4. Aske thy conscience as the Prophet saith Hast thou not procured this unto thy selfe this of which thou complainest of hast thou not neglected the appointed meanes Suppose want of faith perplexe thee hast thou not carelesly heard the Gospel hast thou layed it up in a carefull heart hast thou valued it and begged it fervently and frequently of God above all things in the world Thou complainest of want of the spirit of praier hast thou not neglected this duety in times past doest thou duely prepare thyself thereto doest thou use that vigilancy which Christ enjoined Watch and pray by re-calling thy profane and wandring thoughts from their extravagancies and in all attention of spirit fixing them on Jesus Christ thou feelest the want of sanctification in thy heart tongue and actions Ask thy conscience if thou hast not heretofore buried the checks thereof for some vaine pleasure or profit's sake If thou wouldst have the effect cease remove the cause God will have his ordinances duely observed wherein they shall never want their promised effect 5. Ask thy conscience whether thou doest not live in some grievous sinne It is but folly to cry out of the heat and still cast oil on the fire if it be an Achan's wedge hidden search for the cursed thing and the plague in thine own heart in the cure whereof thou shalt be comforted if it be a sleeping Jonah cast him over-board as Eliphaz said If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up thou shalt put iniquity farre from thy tabernacles the Almighty shall be thy defence then shalt thou have delight in the Almighty and shalt lift up thy face unto God thou shalt make thy praier unto him and he shall hear thee The rules of practice are 1. Heare God's word preparedly that is as hath been said renew thy repentance and pray for a blessing thereon heare it reverendly and attentively faith is by hearing so is sanctification Gods spirit working upon his own ordinance to make it active thereto The very cause why so many hear so often and so few so seldome practice and receive true comfort thereby is because they prepare not but are like men that sow among thorns 2. Let faith and all other graces be precious to thee for his sake whom it apprehendeth God will never bestow his inestimable gifts on men who sleight and undervalue them how few set a right estimate on precious faith the spirit of praier or memory of good things till it be too late things of this world are rated high enough but where is the man that riseth early late takes rest eats the bread of carefulnesse ventureth sea and land to get faith and sanctity doe but thou so value and desire these best gifts and God will not with-hold them from thee Psal. 84. 11. 3. Jesus said Hee that beleeveth in mee out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters that is the abundant graces of the holy Ghost labour for this faith but if thou wilt attain it endeavour to remove all lets and obstructions thereto resolution to continue in any known sin and true faith are inconsistent Hardnesse of heart is like the great stone on the mouth of the well at Padan-Aram which keepe men from the refreshing waters these must first be removed sin in the affections is like a venemous toad in the mouth of the fountain stopping up the waters of life 4. Consider God's work in thee by comparing thy condition with others thou art possibly not heard in thy prayers not to say Doest thou aske according to his will I say mark Gods work which is to save thee and make thee eternally blessed if he do that by a means which he knoweth best Wilt thou be impatient with Naaman if thou art not healed and helped according to thy way which thou proposest Is it not enough that hee will do that which is best for thee and canst thou judge so well of that as God nay but subject to God's good will and infallible wisedom thou maist erre in asking who hath not but hee cannot in giving for the best it may be hee seeth best to try thy perseverance patience whereof I confess I know no harder object then opinion of his not hearing our praiers It was no small tryal when David cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee why art thou so far from helping mee and from the words of my crying It was the greatest when our Saviour repeated the same Moses was denied entrance into Canaan but received into heaven the cup did not passe away from Christ but Gods will was done in the work of mans redemption and so hee was heard Thy faith beareth many sharp charges of the tempter mark Gods work therein Doth hee not even by this means more confirm it Is not every temptation as the shaking of the trees which loosning the ground maketh them take the deeper root thou feelest great defects of sanctification and thence many dubious conflicts between the spirit the flesh making thy soul cry w th Rebecca perplexed with her wrestling twins why am I thus despair not but consider Gods work thus he forceth thee often to fly to him and to consult his oracles thus hee exerciseth thee to humility without which the most excellent graces could not save thee He that prayed for Peter fallen could have kept him from falling into that sin but thus he kept him from presumption and fitted him to confirm his brethren 5. Begge holinesse of God who hath said Aske and yee shall have it is a vehement motive hereto to consider that God is holinesse and certainly hee cannot chuse but love his own image in us and give us that which hee loveth it pleased God that Solomon before riches revenge and life it selfe begged of him Wisedom so that he did not only grant his request but over and above gave him riches
thee Lord despise not as I have justly deserved thine owne handy worke but mercifully repaire all my decayes it is indeed life everlasting to know thee and thy Sone Iesus but none can know thee but those to whome thou pleasest to reveale thy selfe Lord open mine eies that I sleepe not in death shew the light of thy countenance upon mee make mee to know thee in a comfortable participation of thy grace and communion of thy holy and sanctifying spirit that I may worship thee aright by serving thee sincerely take off the vaile from my heart in the reading and hearing thy holy word which testefieth thee give mee a constant assurance of thy gratious favour toward me and a comfortable sense of thy presence ever with me that in all my thoughts words and actions I may ever set my selfe in thy holy presence and walke with thee in purity of heart and sanctimony of life assure me of my interest in thee that I may in life and death depend upon thy fatherly providence that I may know that thou art my God my Saviour and mercifull preserver Lord thou art neere every one of us in thee we live move have our being Thou passest by us and we see thee not thou art about all our paths knowest all our waies the words we speak what ever we doe and the secrets of our hearts specially thou art neere unto them that call upon thee in truth thou wilt not conceale thy selfe from those who faithfully seeke thee and thy saving health which seeing none can doe except thou draw them Lord finde us that we may seeke thee and seeking finde thee Draw us with thy preventing grace that wee may follow thee and supply us with that strength that wee may not seeke thee in vaine good Lord manifest thy selfe and reveale thy will to us that doing it faithfully we may at last with all thy Saints and holy Angells enjoy thy blessed presence wherein is the fulnesse of joy for ever and ever through thy only sonne our Saviour JESUS CHRIST AMEN CHAP. IV. Of that which we are to beleeve concerning § 1. Iesus Christ Gods only sonne our Lord. § 2. Conceived by the holy Ghost § 3. Borne of the Virgin Mary THis is a sweet and comfortable part of our Creed and hath excellent promises annexed to it when Peter confessed Christ to be the sonne of the living God Christ replied upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against it that is this confession shall be an unmoved foundation of them that beleeve All that beleeve in him shall receive remission of sinnes Act 10. 43. So Paul said to the Gâ—aler Act 16. 31. Beleeve in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved and all thy houshold and that upon excellent ground for God dwelleth in true beleevers 1. Joh. 4. 15. and the confession hereof maketh the Church of God as the blood of Paschal Lambe did the doores of Israel that the destroyer might not enter as the red clew did Rahabs house distinguishing it from the rest of perishing Jerico 2 In the Articles of our faith wee finde foure titles of our Saviour 1. Jesus 2. Christ. 3. God's only Sonne 4. our Lord. 1 This name Jesus in the Hebrew Jehoscua a Saviour which the Greeks rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and other languages Jesus signifieth his office which was to save his people from sin and death eternall it was preâ—igured in the type which bare his name Joshua to whom the leading of Israël into Canaan and the division of the inheritance was received Moses stood on Pisga and shewed the people the holy land But Joshua led them in the law shewed us heaven and the holy way to it but it brought nothing to perfection by reason of our infirmity Rom 8. 3. but Jesus Christ condemned sinne in the flesh that the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us and wee bee saved in him so all the Prophets give testimony to him that as I noted through his name all that beleeve in him shall receive remission of sinnes for the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed This name was given him by the father and brought from heaven by the Angell Gabriel thou shalt call his name Jesus he is the only Saviour Neither is there salvation in any other for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved He only is able perfectly to save them that come unto God by him So often then as wee heare of this sweet name Jesus we must remember all the comforts through him acrewing to us that in no affliction nor death it selfe we despaire seeing that he beareth not that name in vaine 2 The second title of the Sonne of God is Christ which signifieth annointed as also the name Messiah doth The Law and custome was to ancient Kings Priests and Prophets Exod 9. 7. 30. 30. 23. 24. and therefore is Christ eminently and above all others called the Lords Christ or annointed Psal 45 7. Isai 6. 1. Luk 4. 18. Act 10. 38. Kings and Priests thus annoited were types of Christ the annointed not with bodily oile compounded of Mirrhe Calamus and Cassia but with the spirit of God which he receaved without measure as a fountaine to derive graces to others he was appointed of God to this triple office to bee a King to governe and preserve his people a Priest for ever who was once for our redemption the Priest sacrifice and altar first to offer up himselfe a sufficient sacrifice to expiate the sinne of the world and then to mediate and appeare before God for us as the great Master of requests to present our petitions to get us audience by his never-dying merit as t is said his blood speaketh better things for us then the blood of Abel that cryed for revenge this for pardon and attonement And lasâ—â—y he was appointed a Prophet to reveale and teach us his fathers will for that kingly Priesthood and holy kingdome in which consisteth our eternall peace and happinesse was to be established by the Scepter of his word and vertue of his holy spirit with which he was annointed his annointing as a Prophet importeth that he who is in the bosome of the father eternall God took on him an humane nature annointed with the fulnesse of the spirit that he might reveale to us the will of his father concerning our redemption and salvation and thereby manifest that great mystery which had been hid from the beginning of the world in darke shadowes and representations untill the fulnesse of time so preaching peace to them a far off and to them that were neere and that he might effectually teach us by his holy spirit and ministry of the word and sacraments unto the
our hearts as Adamant stone least we should heare thy law and the words which thou sentest in thy spirit by the former Prophets therofore came this great wrath from thee the Priests have offered polluted bread on thy altar with the strange â—ire of their owne inventions the oppressing Cities obeyed not thy voice nor received correction they trusted not in thee neither drew neere unto their God their Princes within them were roaring Lyons and their Judges evening Woolves yea their Prophets were light and treacherous persons their Priests have polluted thy sanctuary done violence to thy Law we have itching eares for heapes of teachers which preach pleasing things crying to us peace peace even when misery and destruction is upon us because we would not abide wholsome doctrine we have not feared thee nor received instruction but corrupted all our waies therefore are wee to this day consumed by the fire of thy jealousie we are become an aâ—â—licted poore people and we deserve that thou shouldst still be terrible unto us and powre upon us thy indignation bring distresse upon us and that our blood should be powred out like water on the bosome of this good land which we have stained with cruelty murder rapine oppression uncleanesse and that fulnesse of sinnes which is scarse heard of among those who have not heard thy law to teach them better But O Lord our God there is none holy whom thou hast not made such nor any so wicked but thou canst make him holy Lord we are in thy gracious hands we humbly pray thee to frame our hearts according to thine owne will and make us such as thou wouldst have us to be O God of mercy have compassion on them who would not swerve from thee make us a people of circumcised hearts and pure language that we may all yet once againe serve thee with one consent convert us that thou maist turne unto us and establish thy covenant of life and peace amongst us O Lord in the amazing feares and bitter aâ—â—lictions of our soules answere with good and comfortable words returne unto Jerusalem with mercies comfort Zion be still our God and let us be thy people in truth and righteousnesse be thou a wall of fire round about her the glory in the midst of her dwell thou in her that she may againe be called a city of truth the mountaine of the Lord of hoasts the holy mountaine Cut of the remnant of Baal from this place and the name of the Chemarims with their Priests who turned back from thee unto vanity and superstition shew us thy waies O Lord and teach us thy statutes lead us in thy truth O God of our salvation set thy feare in our hearts that thy secret may be with us open our eyes that we sleep not in death shew us our sinnes and the way to avoid them by the knowledge of thy law and the spirit of sanctification assure us of our interest in Christ by the comfortable testimony of thy holy spirit applying the promises of the Gospell to our wounded consciences continue forth the light of thy word to us and the purity of religion and thy holy worship amongst us put thy holy spirit the spirit of prayer and prophesie abundantly upon the Ministry assist them with enlightned understandings sound knowledge of all the mysteries of eternall life and salvation enlarged hearts holy affections faithfull memories and hasâ—owed lips for the powerfull delivery of thy holy word unto us forgive us all our disobedience barrennâ—sse and unfruitfulnesse give us true and hearty repentance for all our sinnes past with a stedfast purpose and faithfully resolution never to commit the like againe take from us all spirituall blindnesse hardnesse of heart unbeleefe prejudicate opinion wandring and profane thoughts and what ever else hath hitherto hindred the fruit bearing of thy holy word resist the vigilant malice of the tempter that he may not distract us nor take away the seed of thy word out of our hearts Give us sanctified thoughts and holy reverence towards thine ordinance an hearkening eare and attentive heart O God who hast the key of David which openeth none can shut who said'st unto the deafe eares be opened and they presently were so say it unto our hearts and eares so sanctify our affections and prepare us to heare and receive thy word that we may attend unto it as thy word and not the word of man that it may prove a savour of life to us that we may bring forth better fruits then ever we have done that leading us in thy way it may bring us to Christ the truth the way and the life the end of the law to every one that beleeveth and the fruits of our hopes endeavours the salvation of our bodies and soules through thy sonne our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN A Prayer to be used after hearing the word O Lord our God we humbly present unto thee the fruits of our hearts and lips praise and thankesgiving as for all thy gratious mercies and favours spirituall and temporall so specially for the light of truth in thy holy word preached unto us whereby thou pleasest to reveale thy will concerning our duty towards thee and our salvation in Christ Jesus More particularly wee thanke thee for that portion thereof now bestowed upon us we humbly pray thee to pardon our unholy and unreverend hearing our profanesse of heart and minde inattention wandring of thoughts and drouzinesse of spirit And now holy father prosper thine owne ordinance send downe the former and the latter raine the dew of grace to mollifie our hard and stony hearts that the seed now sowed in our outward eares may be fixed in our memory and take deepe root in our hearts and affections that the fruits of our faith and entire obedience may appeare in our lives and conversations to thy glory and our comfort and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN CHAP. XIV § 2. Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper § 2. Who receive the grace thereby represented § 3. How we ought to prepare for the right receiving thereof how to receive it and what to doe after receiving 1 OUr Saviour Christ hath left us under the Gospell onely two Sacraments Baptisme the Sacrament of initiation and the Lords Supper the sacrament of confirmation that admitteth us into Christs visible body the Church this feedeth and strengthneth in the same 2. A Sacrament is a visible signe of an invisible grace an holy seale ordained of God to strengthen our faith in his promises in Jesus Christ for the free remission of our sinnes which God therefore annexed to his word to confirme us by representing the suffering of Christ to our sight and tasting as the Gospell preacheth it to our eares 3. This Sacrament is called the Lords Supper because Christ ordained it at his last supper wherein to fulfill the law he eate the Pascall Lambe and to shew the determination
taketh not away faiths confidence but the security of the flesh 3. Lay up the promises of God therefore were they written that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 4. Set not up thy rest in this world neither trust in any thing thereof it is but like a staffe of reed a loose rope at Sea a false friend forsaking in adversity the quick-sands on which foolish builders lay their foundation as Moses told Israel yee are not come to your rest all Worldly things change continually here can be no constancy among the sonnes of Men prosperity is but like a faire morning quickly overcast with hideous stormes like the morning dew soon vanishing like a faire flower a Jonah's gourd such is all Worldly joy there is no sure hope but in the living God who changeth not neither deceiveth trust 5. Take heed of vaine hopes specially those which are against right reason lest thou tempt God they deceive men such is their trust who contemne the ordinary means in expectation of miracles and they who doe things against the expresse word of God in vaine hope of pardon 6. Propose not too great things to thy selfe we are often the evident authors of our own sorrowes when we promise peace health and prosperity to our selves this high-flying ambition sometimes looseth it feathers and we fall into bitterness when we come short of that which we vainly promised our selves 'T were better never climb then rise to fall 7. Pray to the God of hope and consolation to infuse a sure hope and confidence into thy soule A Prayer for Hope O Lord God my earnest expectation and my hope my fortresse helper and deliverer though my numberlesse sinnes have deserved thy wrath so that thou maist justly cast me off into hopelesse despaire and finall destruction yet look upon me in mercy through thy Christ in whom thou hast commanded me to beleeve and promised remission of my sinnes and eternall life for his sake assure me thereof that there may be hope in my end Though thou now fill my wounded spirit with bitternesse removing me from peace and comfort so that forgetting prosperity I goe mourning all the day long though thou humblest my dejected soule with grievous weights of sorrowes and makest my eyes fountains of teares driving me to solitude and silence with them that mourne in Zion yet art thou good to them that waite for thee and to the soule that seeketh thee thy mercies are renewed every morning thy compassions â—aile not thou hast opened unto me the riches of thy mercies in Christ 〈◊〉 caused me to trust in thee thou hast according to thine abundant 〈◊〉 begotten me againe to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christâ—om â—om the dead of an inheritance incorruptible therefore my soule hath â—id thou art my portion therefore will I trust in thee Truth it is ô Lord that the hopes of the hills are vaine so is all confidence in man unhappy is that hope which is not in thee but in spight of Satans malice blessed must he be whose hope thou art he shall be like a tree planted by the waters of life which cannot faile because thou canst not deceive trust ô God of all consolation therefore now at last speake peace to my afflicted soule let me not be disappointed of my hope though thou please to weane me from the love of an unkind and trustlesse World by permitting me to such griefe and sorrow yet seeing thou art my trust from my youth let me not be ashamed of my confidence let thy mercy be still my hope and thy grace my strength amidst all the stormes and surges of afflictions fasten my soules Anchor on the land of the living my rock who is entred within the vaile to make requests for me give me patience to beare untill the time of comfort and refreshing shall come from thy gracious presence give me the helmet of salvation assurance of all that which thou hast promised in thy word and layed up for me in heaven let the experience of thy former goodnesse in many deliverances give me a doore of hope for the future that I may more and more trust in thee Thou who art the God of hope fill me with joy and peace in beleeving that I may abound in hope through the power of thy holy spirit Give me strong consolation and full assurance of thy mercy that continuing grounded and established in a stedfast hope of my resurrection to a life of glory at the appointed houre my flesh may rest in hope and my soule be cheerfully rendred into thy gracious hands to rest with thee through Jesus Christ my ever-blessed Lord and Saviour Amen 1. Feare is a pensive and sorrowfull expectation of some evill to come imminent or so supposed wee feare any thing which is evil reall or apparent many times that which is not feare is opposite to fortitude as one extream of participation and as it allayeth too much daring limits it and so is good but as it exceedeth in it extream pernicious There can be no vertue where there is no fortitude hee can never be holy toward God or honest toward men who dareth not to be so because Satan will be sure to work upoâ— the timerous putting before him continual though 〈◊〉 and vaine feares like hunters Suells to put the fearfull 〈◊〉 from the safe wayes so driving through pusillanimity 〈◊〉 timidity that he maketh them evill for feare of men whom the true feare of God cannot make good 2. To omit many acceptations of the word 1. There is a natural feare and that of two sorts in respect of the object first concerning the avoidance of sinne for the love of God so Adam in his innocency having heard the threatning feared to sin because he would not offend God whom he loved above all for however Adam in the temptation lost this feare and so sinned yet in the rectitude of his minde he had it before the temptation prevailed upon him and secondly concerning the avoidance of sorrow in apprehension of God's anger against sinne committed so Christ feared Matth. 26. 38. Heb. 5. 7. both without sinne neerest to this cometh the filial fear of the regenerate who though through infirmity they often sinne and feare to displease God by any offence as it is said The â—ear of the Lord is to hate evil This is the beginning of wisedome and it is principally in foure things 1. That wee set God ever before our eies living as in his sight and presence 2. That we know and acknowledg him as the omniscient witnesse and just Judge of all our thoughts words and actions 3. That wee feare not creatures in respect of him 4. That wee ever do that which is just and acceptable to him though none other can witnesse against us so did good Joseph and who ever is offended with us for the same so did Daniel and those other servants of God 2. There
is a feare of unbeleefe in them that love the sin but feare the punishment thereof this is that servile fear which affecteth the wicked which though it sometimes restraine them from the externall acts of sinne yet is it not master of any constant duety so soone as their feare is over they are as bad or worse then ever as wee see in Pharoah This feare becometh not the children of God because it is ever with a guilty conscience unbeleefe and expectation of God's just judgment on their sinnes without hope in Christ wherefore should I feare in the daies of evil said the Psalmist for God is with them I will feare none evill for thou art with mee The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I feare the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid the wicked feare where no feare is they feare not God for love of God but for self-love and feare of punishment as the Grecians worshiped their false gods and poor men the great Lords which is a symptom of a base and impious minde prohibited to the children of God to whom it is said Be not afraid of sudden fear for the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keep thee from being taken Feare thou not saith the Lord for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee and I will helpe thee Feare not for I have redeemed thee All which Precepts are to be understood of servile feare which is to despaire of God's mercy rendring men desperate not provident to avoid danger neither more earnest to flie to God for helpe The first may appeare in Jehoram's message Behold said that wreeth this evill cometh of the Lord should I any longer wait on the Lord and in that precipitate counsell Job 2. 9. Curse God and die The second effect we read in Jacob in danger of his life instantly praying and sending presents to appease his revengefull brother not to be afraid of God's judgements on sinne is carnal security and stupid carelesnesse of feared consciences not to feare imminent dangers is improvident torpor of minde not to feare the dreadfull presence of God must needs be in sinfull man ignorance of God and a mans own selfe Moses and Danielâ—eared â—eared this On the other part to be a timerous Antemon for feare keeping home continually with his two servants ever guarding his head with a brasse shield held over it is not only an impious but a ridiculous fear To feare men more then God as Saul did 1 Sam. 15. 24. is the feare of Hypocrites to feare without confidence in God for the diversion of evill as Belshazzar when seeing the hand writing upon the wall his knees trembled and the joints of his loines were loosed or as Saul at Endor is the fear of those who feare not God aright This fear is the perpetual torment of the wicked conscience an imperious mischief an anticipation of evill not yet come making a man unhappy not onely with present evills but with future which but for â—ear could no way reach him as that feare of inevitable death which maketh men continually die for feare of dying once But to feare God with a filiall feare proceeding of love to him is as the fountain of wisedome so of true happinesse God regardeth such he will deliver them and fulfill their desire hee will teach them the way of righteousnesse they shall want nothing that is good when they seeme most to lack they shall have supply of that or something better it shall be health and strength to them Understanding temporal blessings and eternal and a minde to doe good and deale uprightly with men as appeared in Obadiah 1 King 18. 3 12 13. and Joseph Gen. 42. 10. This feare maketh every little more then great riches to the wicked it is the souls Angel-guardian Innocencies keeper Securities antidote the mindes centinel to awaken it and give the alarme against the assaults of the subtile enemie This giveth a man â—â—ue and unâ—ailing confidence 't is the summe of that which God requireth of us Deut. 10. 12. the whole duety of a man 〈◊〉 12. 14. of this only is that saying true the mother oâ— the fearfull useth not to cry because such are truely blessed 3. Now because we are men not yet perfect in love and so subject to many fears and subject to many sinnes failings and hazzards and therein to some dangerous groavings of servile feare by God's mercy turned in the issue to our good for if we are so prone to sinne under so much feare what would wee be if wee were secure from all these like rules are necessary to the ordering of our thoughts in feares 1. For God's glory and thy salvation contemne any danger It was Christ's precept Feare them not who are able to destroy the body only for they cannot make thee unhappy they may adde to thy blessednesse if thou bearest injuries well These objects are only terrible like that Cumane asse in the Lions skinne to those that know them not or the Crocodile fierce against the fearfull fearfull of the daring or to the impatient who cannot stoop to take up the crosse which like Moses rod thrown down became a dreadfull serpent but at God's command resumed an harmless rod to divide the bitter floods and open a way into the promised rest many men great â—n their owne feares deluding fancy making that monstrous which right reason would discover hurtlesse in a constant and prudent resolution to meet with difficulties 2. Fear God and be not â—aint-hearted endeavour to set thy minde upon such a stay of moderation that thy resolution neither rise to temerity nor fall to timidity neither to dare nor to be afraid of all things nor of nothing but between both beare such a temper as that wisedom may have place to sit at the helme withoâ—t the interruption of either extream Sanctifie the Lord of hosts and let him be your feare and your dread and hee shall be your Sanctuary but feare not their feare who say a confederacy The present feare of God createth us an eternall security fear him and thou shalt not be afraid of man though I walke in the valley of the shadow of death I will fear none evil for thou art with mee Psalm 23. 4. The Lord is on my side I will not feare c. Psal. 71. 1. The feare of the Lord like Moses serpent devoureth all the inchanters serpents swalloweth up all other fears 3. In every danger lay to heart the omnipotency of God and learne to trust in him hee that so doth shall be safe when the fiery fornace was threatned Shadrah Meshach and Abednego they answered the incensed King Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us his
lawes if thou wilt grant them Naaman's plea only God be mercifull to thy servant herein and sometimes Herod Ahab Pharoah will have certaine fits of seeming devotion and repentance the frozen serpent will not sting then mens corruptions appeare when opportunity gives them birth The Interrogatories to be propounded to thy conscience are 1. Doth sinne raigne in thee so that thou yeeldest a willing obedience thereto or doth it tyrannize over thee there is an immense difference between these all men sinne but sinne raigneth onely in the unregenerate let not sinne raign in your mortal body the regenerate sin but that which I doe I allow not for what I would that I do not but what I hate that I doe the evil which I would not that I doe aske thy conscience therefore whether thou wouldst have done the evill which now woundeth it if not it is no more thou but sin that dwelleth in thee 2. Doest thou loath all sin because it is contrary to God's holy will and rather because thou lovest God then because thou fearest his judgments doest thou not only grieve for every sinne which thou hast committed but also for the pravity and corruption of thy will and the infirmities of flesh and blood disabling thee to the purer service of God feare not in Gods esteeme thou art not what thou loathest and wouldst not be neither will God ever condemn thee for that which hee hath given thee grace to loath and condemne in thy selfe for if wee would judge our selves wee should not be judged The unregenerate man loveth sin however hee fear and hate the punishment thereof the regenerate hateth it therefore God will not judge him for it as our Saviour said to the penitent sinner Joh. 8. 11. neither do I condemn thee go and sin no more 3. Wouldst thou fain be holy and is it thy hearts desire to serve God sincerely so that thou canst say with the Church Isai. 26. 8. The desire of our soule is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee Doest thou hunger and thirst after rigteousnesse be assured thou shalt be satisfied Doest thou in the inward man consent to the law of God be confident a true desire to be holy speaks a man such in Gods esteeme our present best perfection is not that wee are holy but that wee would be such 4. Hast thou respect to all Gods commandements so that thou doest not in thy heart dispense with any of them for pleasures profits or any secular advantage sake but wouldst fain keep them all be comforted however Satan's delusions beguile thee and thine own corruptions sometimes betray thee yet a little to serve God without exception or dispensation to any sinne concludeth a man regenerate the denomination following the better part as appeareth in Paul's expression of himselfe in the same case Rom. 7. 25. With the minde I my selfe serve the law of God but with the flesh the law of sinne that is groaning under the tyranny thereof not dispensing with its reigne 5. Doest thou resolve to doe thy uttermost endeavour to avoid sinne God accepteth the will for the deed David said I will keep thy statutes and I have sworn and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous Judgments it is evident he did not so but certain that he would have done so 6. Doest thou conscionably and diligently use the meanes to know thy sinnes as by an home-applying the word to thy conscience for by the law is knowledge of sinne Doest thou carefully avoid all occasions and incentives moving thee and leading thee thereunto Hee hateth drunkennesse in vaine who will not refraine from the company that led him thereto if thou hate adultery look not on the lascivious let her not take thee with her eie-lids the harlots eie is the adulterers snare Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart either looking love not or loving look not saith Isidore Come not neer the door of her house Prov. 5. 8. Occasion is lusts pander 7. Aske thy conscience whether it can presume to sin wittingly and willingly and whether it can be quiet in any known and unrepented sin if it be unquiet feare not this very unrest of conscience which so much affrighteth thee is a principal mark of a good conscience it is true as the women sang of Saul and David Saul hath slain his thousand but David his ten thousand so despair hath cast away some but presumption many thousands more 8. Hath not thy conscience at some times in some good measure been comforted by a sweet assurance of thy interest in Christ resolution to leave all thy sinnes peace with God and salvation by the merits of Christ wee must not alwaies judge of our state by present sense there are certaine houres of tentation wherein the light of grace is fearfully eclipsed to our sense and the stupid or afflicted conscience feeleth no present comfort of Gods spirit which yet in due time shall return and compensate our trials with greater advantage of assurance then wee had before 9. Lastly examine thy conscience whether that after thy fearful tryals and esteeme in the midst of them thy refuge be not to God in earnest and hearty prayer to have mercy on thee comfort and confirme thee yea sometimes when hee hath not for a long season shewed thee any countenance and seemed to reject and not regard thy earnest supplications thou hast resolved not to give over crying unto him but with Jacob thy soule hath said I will not let thee go untill thou blesse mee Happy man hee that gave thee that spirit of praier and perseverance will assuredly hear thee as he did the Cunanitish woman and accomplish his work in thy salvation The conclusions necessary to be considered hereto are 1. God's judgements are ever just I when flesh and blood say with Nicodemus How can these things be when thee too curious inquests after them are to be stayed with a Nay but O man who art thou that repliest against God and so also his mercies are as the unsounded déepes beyond all apprehension of carnal reason often curing by wounding and afllicting the guilty conscience comforting by terrifying bringing to glory and immortality through corruption killing sinne in the flesh by death the fruit of sinne and bringing to heaven as I may say by the gates of hell and feare of damnation 2. The most grievous sinnes committed in ignorance and unbeliefe after repentance are no arguments to despair Neither fornicators idolaters theeves covetous drunkards revilers nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of heaven and such were some of you but yee are washed but yee are sanctified but yee are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Paul was a blasphemer persecuter and injurious man but
God of all true consolation who defendest the fatherlesse and widowes leave them not comfortless be thou their guider and protector though thou pleasest to take us from them take not thy grace and holy spirit from us nor them and so thy will be done Blesse all those who any where suffer in the like durance with us blesse us all here present grant that wee may make a right use of our present afflictions that they may better us give us hearts to trust in thee what ever thou doest to us cheerfully to discern thy mercies in the midst of our corrections and ever to blesse thy holy name for that thou hast corrected and not given us over to final destruction Lord encline thine eare and heare Lord help us Lord consider in mercy and do it for Jesus Christ his sake in whose ever blessed name we conclude our petitions in that absolute forme of prayer which hee hath taught us in his Gospel saying Our Father which art in heaven c. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ c. AMEN An Evening praier for the same O Most gracious and glorious Lord God we do not here appear before thee with any confidence in our own merits being such in respect of our unhallowed thoughts corrupt words and sinful actions as that if there were neither in earth or heaven among men or Angels any witnesse of our iniquities our owne consciences would accuse and convict us and if there were no other judge our own hearts could not but condemne us and thou art greater then our hearts and nothing can be hid from thee the just and all-seeing judge of the living and the dead who must all stand before thy tribunal wee therefore in all humility of soules appeale from thy justice in which wee can looke for nothing lesse then death and destruction the due wages of sin unto the sanctuary of thy mercy there laying hold on that altar on which thy sonne Christ Jesus was offered up a living sacrifice for us who were dead in trespasses and sinnes hee is that lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world and that great Angel of the Covenant who in the precious censer of his merits offereth the praiers of the Saints as Sweet odors holy and acceptable to thee for his sâ—ke â—arden all our sinnes which have rendred us not onely lesse then the least of thy mercies but also worthy of thy severest judgments temporal and eternal for his sake let our complaints come before thee and from thy mercy seat 〈◊〉 thou our supplications which come not out of feigned 〈◊〉 but from the depth of our afflicted soules Trueth it is O Lord wee have procured all these miseries unto our selves and the bitternesse wherewith thou hast filled us is none other but the fruit of our owne inventions who have obstinately followed our owne vain and unprofitable waies refusing the guidance of thy good spirit and holy word recalling us to the paths of eternal life But O Lord God of mercy thou desirest not the death of sinners but that they may be converted and live thou art the sole fountain of holinesse every good and perfect giving descendeth from thee who art the father of light enlighten thou our understandings open our eies that wee sleep not in death sanctifie our depraved wills rectifie our sinful affections and subject them all to thine owne holy will and pleasure frame every faculty of our soules and bodies to a new and sincere obedience to thy law that wee may neither decline to the right hand nor to the left but may henceforth make strait steps to our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name wee continue our supplications to thee in the behalfe of thy Church universal Lord gather dayly to her such as thou hast elected to salvation enlighten those who have not yet known thy name take off the vaile from the hearts of thy ancient people the Jewes that now neer the fulnesse of time they may see unto Christ the end of the law to every one that beleeveth both of Jewes and Gentiles shew more and more mercy in the confirmation of us whom thou hast called until our fulness be come in Discover and confound the man of sinne daily abolishing the mystery of iniquity by the brightnesse of thy coming the sword of the spirit and evident preaching the Gospel to all nations until thou shalt at thy second coming manifest thy selfe our Saviour and Redeemer and wipe all teares from our eies even so come Lord Jesus And now O Lord who lookest with a tender eie upon the pressures of thy servants let the sighing of the Prisoners come before thee and according to the greatnesse of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die be merciful to us here present before thee we have indeed at thy hands against whom wee have sinned deserved this rod but O our God correct us in mercy not in thine anger for what are wee in thy hands and who can stand before thee when thou art angry Wee have not rendred unto thee according to thy goodnesse wee have surfeited on the sweet blessings of peace and abused our liberties not valuing the benefit thereof but vainly reckoning it among our hereditary possessions as if it might never be taken from us when we had freedom to goe into the assemblies of thy children the places where thine honour dwelleth to hear thy word and present our supplications unto thee Lord how often have vain pleasures or worldly profits detained us or coming before thee how seldom have wee returned with any fruits of amendment therefore doest thou now teach us by wanting these comforts their estimate which wee would not know while wee enjoyed them But O good God seeing thy fatherly corrections are not to destroy but to amend us give us now good understanding by these chastisements give us discerning spirits that through these afflictions we may look up to the hand that smiteth us and by our corrections gain a true loathing and detestation of all the sins for which thou art displeased with us Lord if it may stand with thine honor enlarge and deliver us in mercy restore every man to his own family to the mutual comfort of us and ours that with them we may praise thy holy name and better serve thee then ever wee have done if otherwise Lord proportion our patience to our tryals forsake us not in our sad distresses be thou ever present with us that we may rest assured of thy mercies give us peace of conscience and a blessed freedom from the bondage of sin that wee may therein know that neither stone walls nor armed guards can shut thy holy spirit the comforter from us nor bar our praiers from ascending up to thee Lord as our tryals encrease encrease our comforts in thee so that as the more it rained the more the arke was listed up in which thou hadst enclosed those whom thou didst thereby save in a
hast left may best appear in thy tryals how many of these shadowes follow thee now thou art clouded doe they not feare thy mine doth not that set a strange distance between you are these thy friends or such acquaintance as thou maist every where finde Againe how many malicious enemies hast thou left behinde who have often so embittered thy soule that thou hast cryed out Wo is mee that I sojourne in Meshech that I dwell in the tents of Kedar my soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace so that upon a just account thou art not so much banished thy country as taken from impious enemies 4. Lastly be confident that what ever is good wee shall meet withal again in the immutable happinesse of heaven what ever cannot come thither is not worth our lamenting here it being truely rather a gaine to loose it then to recover it 7. Consider how popular inconstancy usually retributeth evil to best deserts as Aristides the just Alcibiades as hee also whose epitaph sayed to posterity Ingrateful native soile thou hast not so much as my bones had experience of it Wee have examples in holy writ of those who wandred in deserts and mountaines of whom the world was not worthy All is little to that one example of Christ persecuted from his infancy carried into Egypt to avoid Herod's tyrannous fury and all his life made a man of sorrows by them hee came to save That condition to which Christ is a pattern can make no man unhappy hee came amongst his own and they received him not hee did only good to them their owne testimony was hee hath done all things well yet they crucified him remember his words The disciple is not greater then his master and doest thou think much that being innocent thou art banished thy native soile few good men live where they first drew breath or best deserve 8. Learne the good which God doth for thee who best knoweth how to make all things work for the best as in thy exile thy security from thine adversaries whose restles malice is as trucelesse as the Divells which ruleth in the enemies of Gods children that he hath set thee by better neighbours or lesse pernicious who canst not have worse then thou hast lost however thou valew this the Prophet fervently wisheth for it O that I had in the Wildernesse a Cottage of a Wayfaring man that I might leave my People and goe from them for they be all an assembly of treacherous men they bend their tongues like their bow for lies 9. Learne to seek happinesse and content in thy selfe in peace of conscience purity of heart sanctified will and affections faith patience meeknesse temperance humility and the like and no losse of these outward â—hings shall much trouble thee who hast set thy affections on heaven and to a man assured that he must ere long change this life for an eternall what matter is it from what point of the earth his soule taketh her flight whether from Pisga with Moses from the bankes of Jordan with Eliah from the Prison with John Baptist from the field mill or bed or from the mount of Olives whence Christ ascended into Heaven it is not much considerable whence thou comest thy happinesse in spight of secular afflictions and active malice shall be once to arrive at heaven where all shall be securely unchangeably and eternally happy The Banished mans Petition O Lord God holy and mercifull whose providence ruleth over all the earth is thine and thou assignest the parts thereof to the children of men thou brougâ—st a Vine out of Egypt and plantedst it thou madst the branches thereof to fill the land and spread themselves from the river to the flood but in thy displeasure thou didst cast them out of the inheritance which thou hadst given them Thou art the Lord of Mountaines and vallies land and sea and the God of the exiled and outcast Thou dost with much patience behold oâ—â—ression and wrong untill the measures of iniquity be filled up ô Lord behold the pressures of me thy poore despised and dejected servant thy mercy and gracious audience of the afflicted is neither limited to Jerusalem nor this mountaine every place is equally neere heaven where ever men lift up pure hands and hearts worshipping thee in spirit and truth thou art there present to heare and help them Gracious Father though thou seest good to permit me to the power of men to exercise me yet can they not shut thy mercifull eare against me O let my complaint therefore come before thee let thy word be as the clowdy Pillar to lead me in thy way let thy good spirit direct me cast me not from thy presence take not thy mercies from me give me grace to forsake all those sinnes for which thy chastisement is now upon me that I may happily profit by thy Fatherly corrections and if it be thy holy will restore me to these blessings and comforts which thou gavest me for my support if otherwise yet good Lord give me assurance of thy mercy and patience to expect thy saving health leave me not destitute and comfortlesse in my afflictions be my guide and helper in this earthly pilgrimage and vally of teares unto and in the howre in which thou hast appointed to take me hence into the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance by thy power reserved in heaven for all that beleeve in thee to which no hand of the oppressor shall reach where shall be no curse no sinne nor feare of forfeiture into which no enemy shall be admitted from which no inhabitant shall ever be cast out Lord heare and help me Lord have mercy on me and grant me that which I aske according to thy will and that which I should aske which thou knowest best for me through the infinite merits of the Sonne of thy Love the author and finisher of our Salvation and eternall happinesse Christ Jesus the righteous AMEN CHAP. XXXIII Of old Age directions counsels and comforts therein § 1. Age common evils thereof § 2. How the foundation of an happy Age must be laid in youth § 3. How the evils of Age may be lessened § 4. Or more patiently borne § 5. By what Rules of practice it may be improved to the comfort of the Aged 1. OLd Age is our times sun-set the last of this life and first-fruits of death that which all desire and but few like or patiently bear so ingrateful are men to God that they would be yong again so waiward doth sinne make them that they like no present state of so discomposed and foolish a minde are those aged children whose desires look to the Sodom whose dangerous â—lame they had escaped 2. It is the condition of all that groweth in time to decay Time is the devourer of his children here is nothing but perpetual changes we shall not be to morrow what wee were
the Woman was of the man without paine because innocent but now the man is of the woman with her sorrow because she hath sinned a sorrow so intense and embittered with feare and anguish that the Holy Ghost hereby expresseth the condition of the fainting afflicted and dejected spirit in sodaine feares of the affrighted conscience expecting an inevitable judgement The hower of birth and death the entrance and exit of this World being solely in Gods hand and secret counsaile none else knowing the time nor being able to dispose thereof reason more then apparent urgeth the necessity of addresse to him 2. Some are the sepulchers of their Children gone out of ere they came into this World exiled before they saw a native soile advanced from a short imprisonment in the wombe to the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God to the blessed Kingdome of Heaven before they touched this cursebearing earth some see their Benoni and thence have passage into eternall life where the sentence of death began some live to tast their sorrowes allay in â—he sweetest temper of divine mercy with justice becoming rejoycing mothers all is disposed by the all-guiding providence and unlessened power of Gods word who at the beginning but spake and it was done It hath much troubled some to think why if our sinnes be pardoned in Christ are not the punishments thereof also taken away as here why the elect and reprobate the chast matron and filthy adultresse should in this sentence share and suffer alike for satisfaction herein let the servant of God considerâ— 1. That whereas all sinne though not in the same kinde measure or degrees there remaining the same cause there must remaine the same effect in all that bring forth 2. This life is the stadium or race which we have through the variable distractions and tryalls of seducing pleasures and dejecting paines so to runne that we may obtaine here all are a like the Wheat and the tares must grow up togeather unto the harvest the difference shall appeare in the binding up which shall sufficiently crowne or punish 3. Gods finall sentence is adjourned to the Worlds great Assizes the day in which he hath appointed to judge in righteousnesse if he should by present rewards or punishments distinguish between good and evill the matter of Religion would seem acted by selfe-love feare awing and gaine alluring servile mindes to secure and serve themselves not God rather then the love of God which is the summe and ground of all true obedience nor should men according to the mercifull ordinance of God live by Faith but sense the lives of beasts rather then of men they are drawn to obsequie by rewards held out to them or compelled to duty by stripes but these by Faith in the promises of God even when there appeareth in things externall no difference between the wicked and the just nor indeed should God otherwise leave a due place for faiths reward which is not slitely tryed by our present sharing in secular evills with the wicked nor so just and great a punishment of sinne by permitting the disobedient to runne on in their own wayes storing up wrath against the day of wrath and greatning their own damnation 4. Though there is much difference in the issue between the temporall afflictions common to elect and reprobate they being the beginning of destruction to these and a fatherly correction to the other that they might not be condemned with the World yet he continueth them to his dearest children in this life that they may make them throughly sensible of the odiousnesse of sinne by the bitter effects thereof of Gods immutable and inviolable justice the same now which it was when this dolefull sentence was first pronounced of the corrupted state of mans depraved nature conceived in sinne and therefore comming into living in and going out of the World with sorrow and lastly of the necessity of our repaire by faith and continuall renewing our repentance 5. As all other afflictions are not only mitigated but made good to the Saints and coâ—perative for the best to them that love God so is this for through this temporall Childbearing they shall be saved if they continue in Faith and Charity with holinesse and sobriety and in the mean time they are not without their peculiar comforts 1. Our Saviour noted it So soon as she is delivered of the child she remembreth no more the anguish for joy that a man is borne into the World Doubtlesse as it was and is an affliction to be childlesse so it cannot but be a comfort to her that by an holy progeny encreaseth the Kingdome of God to be her Husbands blessing a fruitfull Vine upon the walls of his house God promising the fruit of the wombe and the sweet Olive branches round about the table for a blessing to them that feare him and walke in his waies 2. It must be a comfort to consider how God not only in Christ in whom male and female have equall interest hath taken off the curse from this sexe made coe-heires with us of the same grace but also the dishonour and bitternesse of their sentence by some peculiar favours and consolations as first that he sent forth his Sonne made of a Woman without man so that he made her mother of Christ according to the flesh that shee might by the power of the most high conceive her Saviour that as shee was the unhappy doore to let in sorrowes and paines deaths terrible harbingers and destruction on all her posterity so she might be to let in Christ the peace happinesse redeemer and life of all the elect Secondly that God made her seed to break the serpents head 3. That he made a Woman the first witnesse of the accomplishment thereof in his resurrection from the dead that the sexe that first heard and felt the sentence on sinne should first see and beleeve the ransome of our sinne there accomplished where death was absolutely vanquished 3. In the sweet object of their affection they most tenderly love who suffer the most bitter sorrow for Children God sometimes expresseth the constancy of his love by a mothers can a Mother forget could a greater among the children of men have been found his infinite love and compassion towards man should have been weighed by it 4. In their Husbands greater love as Leah said now therefore my Husband will love me none but the unnaturall but will have compassion and the more tender love to her by whose sorrowes God hath made him glad by the comfort of deare Children pledges of his posterity 5. In their Childrens love and duty who forsake not the law of their mother as fooles who are their living sorrowes onely the wicked forget their Mothers paines and care for them the ravens of the vallies are too milde executioners for them who despise their Mother when shee is old who looketh
which grant us O good Lord for the same thy sonne our Sauiour Jesus Christ his sake who with thee and the holy spirit liveth and reigneth one glorious God for ever and ever AMEN CHAP. XXXVI Meditations concerning death § 1. Seeing all must dye how to prepare that death may not be terrible § 2. Meanes to comfort in the death of deare friends § 3. Comforts against death THat needeth no proofe whereof all are examples to themselves such is that easiest and hardest lesson that All must dye that death is the undoubted issue of sinne that it is a separation of the soule from the body for a time But because it stealeth on as they that sleepe in a ship undersaile arrive at their port while they thinke not of going so goe wee with a restlesse pace to that same terra incognita the unknowne limit of our present life consuming while we are not sensible thereof and because it is terrible to flesh and blood the maine care must be to knowe 1 What preparation we are to make that neither life may be tedious nor death terrible 2 How to comfort our selves against it in case of sorrow for others 3 How we must be comforted against feare of death We must prepare for death because in the place where the tree falleth there it shall be as death leaveth us judgement shall finde us now as the passage to the promised rest which was a type of heaven to the Israël of God was terrible so is this to heaven we are presently ripe though not ready for death all are subject to this pale prince to whom we are going every moment this day wee now live wee divide with death that which is past thereof being unrecoverably gone rhe houre is uncertaine but they are certainly happy who are then provided thou wouldst watch against the comming of theeves who can take nothing from thee but only that which a little time must what a stupid security is it not to watch and provide against death which thou knowest will certainly and quickly come and take away body soule heaven and all to eternity from the secure sinner Thinkest thou of youth and strength Alas how many young and strong men have died before thee Doest thou in others funeralls thinke as the Pharise said I am not as other men What priviledge hast thou Let not Satan delude thee but prepare for the day that it may bee thy happiest To prepare so that thou maist not feare death it is necessary that thou 1 Put thy house in order so that when the houre is come that thou shalt be taken hence all secular cares falling off like Eliahs mantle thou maist quietly fix thy minde on those things which are above to which thou art going 2. That thou alwaies keepe innocency for so thy end shall be peace Psal. 37. 37. The sting of death is sinne 1. Cor. 15. 56. and more greivous then it into which when our first parents fell they became mortall and so death went over all for as much as all have sinned so that which was their punishment became naturall to all borne of them The best preparation against death is as much as we can to avoid the cause thereof but for which as it could never have prevailed so neither can it now be terrible what is the serpent when his venemous teeth are broken or his sting pulled out what is death to those who are fully assured of their sinnes remission death where is thy sting cryed Paul certaine of victory in Christ and insulting over death otherwise even Aristippus how excellently soever disputing of the contempt of death will looke pale in the storme at sea yea where some remaindes of the first Adam appeare and therein some degrees of unbeleefe the saints thinke of death as Jacob said of his Luz how dreadfull is this place this is the gate of heaven for the guilt of sin presenteth the conscience with apprehension and feare of Gods anger as faith doth with confidence of attonement in Christ hence is the conflict in the soule desiring to be with Christ and flesh and blood naturally fearing its owne destructiō look how Moses assured that the rod turn'd into a serpent should not sting him yet fled it with a kind of fearfull willingnesse tooke it up so is it here the guilt of sinne afflicting the conscience is the onely terrour of death therefore as the Philistins said of David we may say of it let him not goe downe into the battel with us lest he be an enemy to us sinne is the mother of unbeliefe feare and doubting it leaveth the conscience wounded and affrighted with feare of judgment whereof death is but the execution most embittred with present sorrow and apprehension of the future which maketh death evill that can be no evill death whith endeth a good life the heathen could say that they that will be immortall must live holily and justly if thou feare death so But why may some say is not death the punishment of sinne taken away from those who by the grace of regeneration are acquitted from the guilt of sinne We must know that if the bodies immortalitie should ever presently follow the sacrament of regeneration faith it selfe should be enervated which then hath being when it expecteth that in hope which is not yet actually seen also the feare of death must be overcome by the strength and conflict of faith in men of ripe yeares as it appeared in the Martyres wherein there could be neither victory nor glory if no conflict as there could not be if the Saints had present immunity from bodily death who would not then runne to the grace of Christ with infants to be baptised that they might not dye And so should faith not be tryed by an invisible reward nor indeed by faith in that it now sought and obtained reward But now by a greater and more admirable grace of our Savicur the punishment of sinne is converted to the use of righteousnesse for then it was said to man if thou sinne thou shalt dye but now it is said to the martyr dye that thou maist not sinne so by the unspeakable mercy of God the very punishment of sinne became the armour of vertue and so death which endeth this mortall and sinfull life becommeth a passage to the eternall in which shall be no sinne and so the punishment is turned into mercy and death become againe by which sinne and misery are cut off lest the evill should be immortall 3 It is necessary that thou strive to live an heavenly life in all godlinesse to set thy affections on things above to reckon that thou art here but a pilgrime and stranger not having in this world any continuing city that thou art a fellow citizen with the Saints and of the houshold of God that being here in this earthly