God conuerted themselues from the crooked and dangerous wayes of sinne and wickednesse wherein before they walked a Tit. 3.3 together with others seeke not to bring others into the right vvay with them that so they may both escape that danger which was ready to fall vpon them Good LORD as it hath pleased thee in the riches of thy mercies to recall me out of the by-pathes of sinne and iniquitie wherein I haue a long time wandered and gone astray and the end and issues whereof are death and perdition so giue me thy Spirit I humbly pray thee whereby I may be stirred vp daily as to renue my conuersation and repentance so also in a b Iude 22.23 Psal 51.13 compassion of others to seeke by all meanes to winne them and to bring them out of the wayes of destruction into the wayes of life and saluation by labouring their speedy and vnfained conuersion vnto thee that so we may ioyntly with one heart and c Luke 15.31 1 Tim. 1.17 voyce praise and glorifie thee both now and euermore Amen The miserable estate of a wicked and vnconuerted person O How fearefull and miserable is the estate of euery wicked and vngodly man both in life in death after death and for euer As soone as he commeth into the world hee is as a loathsome a Leuit. 13.45 Iob 14.4 Psal 51.5 Ezek 16.4 5.6.8 Leper in the sight of God stript b Rom. 3.23 of all righteousnesse and holinesse and altogether stayned and defiled with the filth and contagion of originall sinne and corruption There is no c Esa 1.6 whole part sound in him He is borne a d Ezek. 16.3 Iob. 11.12 limme of the old Adam yea the childe of e Eph. 2.3 wrath and of the curse subiect vnto hell death and damnation f Rom. 5.12.16 And the longer hee liues the more he increaseth this miserie and wretchednesse of his wherein hee was borne Euery houre addeth moment thereto so that he becommeth at length the childe of the Diuell g Ioh. 8.44 1 Iohn 3 8. seauen-fold more then hee was before The curse of the Law and the wrath of God seazeth more and more vpon him h Ioh. 3.36 Galat. 3.10 His person is not i Rom. 8.8 Psal 5.5 accepted of God yea he hates k Pro. 15.8 21.27 him nay his best seruices vvhereby hee vainely thinketh that he meriteth much at his hands as his Prayers Almes and outward morall vertues are an abhomination vnto him hee loaths and abhorres them they are as stincking l Esa 1.13.14 carrion in his nostrils burthensome vnto him He hath no right nor interest vnâ—o the things of this m Hosea 2.9 world which hee enioyeth but is an vsurper and intruder into other mens n 1 Cor. 3.21.22 possessions and standeth indited in the Court of Heauen for theft and robbery howsoeuer hee be free in the Courts of men yea and shall one day in the presence of the whole world hold vp his hand at the Bar of Gods Iudgement-seate and answere o Luk. 16.2 for the vniust vse and possession of the things that were not his owne but others from whom hee detayned them Hee is a drudge vnto the world and a slaue and vassall p Ioh. 8.34 Rom. 6.20 2 Pet. 2.19 to sinne and Sathan Hee euen that cursed Fiend q Ephe. 2.2 who ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience hath set vp his Scepter in his heart and ruleth and swayeth him altogether as it pleaseth him yea in most wofull manner tyrannizeth ouer him and layeth many and heauy bonds and fetters vpon him vpon euery part of his soule and body and so hauing dominion and power ouer him leadeth r 2 Tim. 2.26 him as it were in triumph after him as a most miserable thrall and bondslaue captiuated to euery vile lust wherewith it shall please him to insnare him Pride Couetousnes Vncleannesse Maliciousnesse Enuie c. Nay there is no thraldome no bondage like vnto that vnder which hee is held by Sathan and by the s Eph. 6.12 Powers of darknesse The bondage of the Israelites of old vnder that cruell and hard-hearted Tyrant t Exod. 1.11 c. 2.2.23 3.7.9 Pharaoh or of the poore captiuated Christians now vnder the barbarous Turke is but a shadow thereof yea but a dreame of a shadow in comparison of it For here not the body onely but the soule also and the whole man is bound yea laden and pressed downe with many heauie chaines and irons and that which maketh his miserie so much the greater whiles hee seeth v Isay 6.9.10 Rom. 11.8 Reu. 3.17 not nor feeleth that misery and wofull estate whereinto hee is plunged but reioyceth and x Prou. 12.15 14.12 glorieth in it thinking himselfe to be as y 1 Cor. 4.8 Iohn 8.33 free as any yea he thrusteth himselfe daily more more into the very depth of bondage and miserie and such is his extreame sottishnesse wherewith Sathan hath euen infatuated him thinking them to be his greatest z 1 Kin. 21 20 enemies who are his best friends seeking to pull him out of the clawes of Sathan and to free him from the power of death and darkenesse euen from that wretched bondage and slauery into which the prince of this world that deadly enemie of mankinde hath brought him Hee is a dead man whiles he liueth dead in trespasses a Eph. 2.1 Col. 2.13 and sinnes and lieth rotting and putrefying in the graue of his corruptions neither hearing the liuely sound of the voyce of the Sonne of God nor hauing any b 1 Cor. 2.14 taste or feeling of things spirituall and heauenly Hee hath no true sound constant ioy c Iob 20.5 or comfort in his life time no d Isay 57.20.21 perfect peace but onely flâ—shings of carnall and worldly ioy which is as the crackling e Eccles 7.8 of thornes vnder the pot and the f Prou. 14.13 end whereof is heauinesse and much anguish of minde and spirit yea terrour of soule and conscience g Iob. 15.21 27.20 which is his hell in this life and the fore-runner of those infernall torments and hellish pangs which he shall endure for euer in that place of woe and torment prouided for him euen in the h Prou. 21.16 congregation of the dead and damned where hee shall take vp his restlesse resting place for euermore He lyeth open continually al to the plagues and iudgâ—ments i Prou. 24.20 Psal 27.9.30 of GOD and may well feare that the Lord will strike him dead euery houre euery moment as hee did k Acts 5. Ananias and Saphira and make him a fearefull spectacle of his wrath and iust vengeance vnto others causing eyther the waters to ouerflow and drowne him as they did the old l Gen. 7. world or the Earth to open the mouth presently and to
effectuall motiue to the leauing of all sinne from the consideration of Christs death and Passion COnsider O man who hath redeemed thee by what he hath redeemed thee from what and vnto what hee hath redeemed thee Christ Iesus the Sonne of the euerliuing God equall vnto his Father in Maiestie and glorie the Heire of the world Hebr. 1. and the Lord of all things both in Heauen in Earth and vnder the Earth hee it is that hath redeemed thee according vnto the good-will and gracious decree of God his Father He hath redeemed thee by becomming man for thy sake by liuing a base and ignominious life subiect vnto all the infirmities vvhereunto thou art subiect thy sinnes only excepted and dying a shamefull and cursed death 1 Pet. 1.19 pouring out his pretious bloud for thy sake He vvas borne in a stable layd in a manger an abasement vnto which the basest amongst men are not vsually subiect reiected of his owne Ioh. 1.11 Isa 53. despised of the most accounted as a drie and withered branch one in whom there was no forme nothing to be desired laden vvith reproaches broken vvith sorrowes buffeted spit vpon made to drinke gall and vinigar reuiled scourged made a scorne to the beholders Mat. 27.30 c. a spectacle to men and Angels and a wonderment to the world tossed as it were from post to pillar from one iudgement seat to another condemned as a vile and notorious malefactor worse then a theefe murtherer and crucified vpon the Crosse without the gates of the Citie in that loathed Golgotha Heb. 13 1â— where his head vvas crowned with thornes his hands and feet pierced with nayles and his side with a speare so that water bloud gushed forth abundantly and at last when malice enuie had wrought all the wickednesse they could against him layd in the graue dead and buried as one cut off from among the liuing and all this for thy sake Rom. 5.10 euen for thee who wert his enemie a traitour and rebell against him Ephe. 2.3 and a childe of wrath and of the curse heire of perdition and confusion He was made sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 Gal. 3.13 a curse and subiect vnto death for thee that hee might bring thee from sinne from the curse of the law from the wrath of God from death hell and damnation vnto righteousnesse blessednesse grace glory heauen and euerlasting happines in that celestiall kingdome vvhich hee hath purchased and prepared for all his redeemed ones All thiâ— he hath done for thee O wretched and sinnefull man not for any merits or deserts of thine for what was there in thee for which hee should any wayes respect thee Tit. 3.4 but of his owne free grace and of the infinite and vnspeakeable riches of his abundant mercies wherewith hee imbraced thee vvhen he might haue iustly cast thee off for euer as one moâ—â— vnworthy to be beloued of him especially with so great a loue Ephe. 3.19 All this hee hath done for thee and for thy sake onely O therefore vvilt thou be vnmindfull of his wonderfull loue his vnsearchable goodnesse and bountie towards thee and the great and maruailous things which he hath wrought for thee 1 Sam. 12.24 Wilt thou bee so vnthankefull to him Nay wilt thou be so vnkinde so vngratious as to continue still in thy sinnes and so to grieue his spirit and to crucifie him againe Heb. 6.6 For beleeue me so many sinnes as thou willingly committest so many thornes dost thou pleat on his head so many nailes dost thou thrust into his hands so many speares dost thou pierce his side withall and a fearefull thing to consider so oft dost thou imbrue thy wicked hands with his pretious bloud tread it in a prophane maner vnder thy Heb. 10.29 feet so that it may be sayd vnto thee as Peter said vnto the Iewes Thou hast crucified the Lord of life Act. 2.36 3.14.15 thou hast murdered the king of glory the Sonne of the euer liuing God Christ Iesus that iust and holy One and preferred not Barrabas but which is as bad thine owne wicked and sinfull lusts yea Sathan himselfe before thy blessed Sauiour and Redeemer O monstrous ingratitude and treacherie The Angels do blush at it the heauens stand amazed and astonied at it and worthy it is to be lothed and abhorred of all creatures Dost thou so reward the Lord O vaine and foolish man Deut. 32.6 Is this thy kindenesse to thy friend thy thankefulnesse to thy Sauiour Dost thou returne him euill for good and hatred for his good-will Because he hath abounded in loue and kindnesse towards thee wilt thou abound in sinne and wickednesse against him O be not so hard-hearted O deale not so impiously so vngraciously so treacherously with thy best friend thy beloued Sauiour who hath magnified the riches of his grace so wonderfully towards thee as that if thou hadst a thousand tongues thou couldst not fully expresse the same nor yeeld him sufficient praise and thankefulnesse for it Or if thou hadst many thousands of yeeres to liue vpon the earth and shouldst employ them all in his seruice with the greatest diligence and most carefull endeauour that could be yet all were too little for him Returne therfore returne O thou who hast beene deceiued heretofore by thine own wicked hart deluded by Satan thy most malitious and deadly enemie who is euer seeking thy destruction and vtter ouerthrow Returne at length behold thy louing Sauiour yet stretching out his hands ready to receiue thee and to imbrace thee with the armes of his mercie and tender compassion Pro. 1.24 Hee calleth thee Isa 55.1 Ioh. 7.37 and cryeth aloud vnto thee why dost thou flye from him vvhy doest thou not cast away thy sins and come vnto him whiles the acceptable time of grace saluation lasteth 2 Cor. 6.2 Behold hee stands knocking at the doore of thy heart by the motions of his Spirit and by the voice of his word calling vnto thee Cant. 5.2 Reue. 3.20 that thou wouldest open vnto him that so he might enter in to thee and dwel with thee and make thee partaker of all the riches and treasures of his heauenly graces and of eternall life and saluation Behold him yet offering himselfe vnto thee yea Pro. 9.5 sending forth his messengers daily perswading thee effectually to leaue those husks and draffe which the Swine of this world delight to fill themselues withall Luk. 15.16 and inuiting thee most gratiously to come and sit with him at his table and to eate of the finest fare in his Fathers house that heauenly Manna vvhich none know but they that haue tasted of it and which when they haue once throughly tasted of and felt the sweetnesse of it they will not part with it againe for all the sweetest delicates with which the wicked glut themselues till they surfet dangerously no not for all the
altogether stained and p Ezek. 16. Iob 9.30.31 defiled both in soule and body with the filth and contagion of that originall corruption and pollution which cleaueth fast q Heb. 12.1 vnto him and couereth him as the flesh wherewith he is couered on euery side so that there is no sound part either in soule or body yea nothing but wounds r Isa 1.6 swelling and sores full of corruption Hee seeth that as hee was borne thus sinnefull by nature so that hee hath continued therein euer since he had his being in this vvorld yea that he is become euery day more corrupt s Gen. 6.5 8.21 Iob 15.16 more vile and abhominable his whole life hauing beene nothing else but a multiplying of sinne vpon sinne and transgression vpon transgression by the violating and breaking of the commaundements of God Hee seeth himselfe heereby to bee accursed t Gal. 3.10 Ioh. 3.18 hauing the Law continually thundering out that fearefull sentence against him vvhereby hee stands as a condemned wretch before God subiect to all plagues and v Deut 28.15.16 c. miseries in this life and to euerlasting x Mat. 25.41 Ioh. 5.29 torments both of body and soule in the life to come yea that he is pressed downe by that fearefull condemning sentence of that most iust and righteous law euen to hell-gates and that the dore is ready presently to be opened vpon him y Iob 21.13 Isa 5.14 euen assoone as the messenger vvhich continually attendeth vpon him readie to execute the law of his Creatour and most iust Iudge shall knocke at the same by death that so he may haue entrance into that place of torment prouided for him the congregation of the dead z Pro. 21.16 and damned vvhere he shall receiue the wages a Rom. 6.23 and due deserts of all his sinnes and rebellions against that infinite and glorious Maiestie for euermore Being thus brought to the knowledge and sight of his sinnes and wretched estate by the same and that through the preaching b Rom. 7.7.8.9.10 of the Law whereby it is discouered and made cleere vnto him as in a Glasse hee knoweth vvithall seeing the vvord of God which shall stand for euer hath sealed it c Exek 18.4 Ioh. 8.24 that if hee die in that estate hee must needs perish and be damned eternally vvithout all hope of recouery and therefore is marueilously humbled in himselfe being cast downe vvith the sense and feeling of his owne wretchednes and that vvoful estate into which he is plunged so that although heretofore hee reioyced in it and made a mocke of it d Pro. 14.9 vvhen hee vvas put in remembrance of it by others yet now hee hangeth downe his head with e Rom. 6.21 Ezra 9.6 shame and sorrow like a guiltie and condemned person ready to goe to the place of execution yea he is vvholly possessed with the spirit of bondage f Rom. 8.15 Isa 66.2 which filleth and striketh his soule with much feare anguish and exceeding horror and amazement so that his heart quaketh his conscience is wounded within him and his flesh trembleth for feare g Acts 16.29 9.6 of Gods vvrath and vengeance vvhich euery moment is ready to seize vpon him yea he groaneth vnder h Matt. 11.28 the heauie burthen that lieth vpon him and oppresseth him in most grieuous manner It causeth him to grieue to sigh to sorrow to mourne and lament for the miserie vvhich is come vpon him and to desire i Act. 2.37 16.30 Rom. 7.24 aboue al things in the world to be freed from it to be let loose as it were out of that hell into which in a sort hee findeth himselfe plunged being in his owne apprehension as a forlorne and condemned wretch Being thus broken-hearted thus wounded and humbled vnder the mighty hand of GOD and cast downe vvith the sight and sense of his sinne and of the curse and vvrath of God and all those horrible iudgements of his hanging ouer him for the same feeling himselfe to be as a damned creature dead and lost both confessing it k Luke 15 21. Iob 31.33 39.36.37 Pro. 28.13 and complaining of it vncessantly and seriously bethinking l Luke 15.17 himselfe how hee might if it vvere possible come out of it he heares by the preaching of the Gospell m Luke 2.10 of the meanes how to be deliuered from that so miserable and vvoful estate and condition in which for the present he is inwrapped and to be restored vnto full and perfect happinesse viz. n Isa 53. Matt. 3.15.17 the absolute obedience and satisfaction of CHRIST IESVS the promised Messiah vvho being the Sonne of God deare vnto his Father became Man o Gal. 4.4 Rom. 8.3.4 1 Pet. 2.24 subiect vnto the Law and fully satisfied the iustice of God by taking the p Gal. 3.13 curse vpon him and fulfilling the Law of God and so deliuered the prisoner q Esa 42.7 61.1 Luke 4.18 out of the prison-house and let them that were bond goe free by his death freeing them from sin death and condemnation r Rom. 8.1 3.24 5.19 2 Cor. 5.21 Hebr. 9.26 28. Ioh. 1.29 and restoring them to righteousnesse life and euerlasting saluation and happinesse so that nothing can euer after bee layd vnto their charge Hauing attained to the knowledge of this great and glorious worke of mans redemption vvrought by CHRIST Act. 13.38 1 Ioh. 5.9 and knowing that there is no other meanes to be saued s Acts 4.12 Rom. 8.3 there is bred in him a marueilous desire and vehement longing to be made pertaker of the same a hungring and thirsting t Esa 55.1 Mat. 5.6 after Christ and his righteousnesse and the redemption and saluation purchased by his death and bloudshed euen as a man that were ready to die for thirst v would desire drinke Iudg. 15.18 or a man condemned to die some cruel death would long for a pardon and withal a prizing x Matt. 13.44.46 of it at a high rate far aboue all other things in the vvorld whatsoeuer yea y Phil. 3.8 a base account of all other things in comparison thereof esteeming this the onely treasure on earth that which if hee may obtaine he would thinke himselfe a happy man and can neuer rest satisfied by any meanes till hee finde that hee as well as others hath his portion in it and therefore willingly forsaketh his sweetest sinnes and denieth himselfe * Luk 9.23 that he may obeaine it Heereupon followes faith in Christ in and by vvhom this great benefit is receiued an earnest seeking and suing vnto him for the obtayning of this grace and mercy at his hand that is knowing what the promises of the Gospel are z Matt. 9.13 Reuel 21.6 22.17 Isa 55.1 Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 7.37 how that Christ cals and inuites graciously all that feele the
with him that is tumbling downe from an high and a steepe hill how hee cannot possibly stay himselfe till he come vnto the bottome and by that fearefull downe-fall be quite depriued of life so that he can rise no more but lyeth groueling on the earth as a dead man not able to stirre hand or foote so is it with those that once giue themselues to the committing of any sinne or to delight in any wicked and vngodly course they fal daily more and more and that very dangerously neuer staying till in the end if the Lord be not the more mercifull to holde forth his hand to keepe them from that danger and to saue them they fall right downe into the bottomlesse pit euen into the depth of hell the place of vvoe and torment to the endlesse perdition both of their soules and bodies O Lord order my wayes aright grant that I may auoide all occasions and prouocations vnto euill and that I may walke wisely and circumspectly all my dayes that so I may not onely be preserued from that vvofull downe-fall of the vvicked but also liue in peace and safetie vnto the end and in the end hauing escaped the danger of this euill and sinfull world may liue with thee in glory for euer Amen Sinne committed presently to be repented of HEe that hath taken downe poyson wil labour as soone as hee can possibly to cast it vp againe or else to procure some remedie for it least otherwise it proue his bane and the sooner hee doth this the better it will be for him Euery sinne that any one committeth is poyson to his soule if hee seeke not to be cleare of it hauing once drunke it downe it vvill be his ruine his death How carefull therefore ought euery one to be when he hath fallen into any sinne to seeke for a present remedy against it to purge and cleare himselfe of it by casting it vp againe by a true and vnfained confession of it and to take heed that hee endeuour by all meanes to abstaine for euer after from it least otherwise hee perish with it Good Lord let me alwayes consider how dangerous sinne is vnto my soule how that if I lye in it if I keepe it in me vnrepented of it must needes be my destruction and therefore whensoeuer through frailtie or infirmitie I shall be ouer-taken with any sin and drinke downe that deadly poyson vvhich Sathan offereth vnto mee in a golden Cup and vvhich my corrupt nature doth exceedingly desire and long after Iob. 15.16 thinking that there is great sweetnesse in that which indeede is as bitter as death Ier. 2.19 graunt that I may haue an inward loathing of it and finding my soule surcharged with it presently empty my selfe of it and be more careful for euer after to refraine from it that so I may not dye but liue and prayse thee Sinne truely deciphered that being once knowne it may be euer loathed and abhorred of all A Strange thing it is that men should delight in any sinne yea that they should not lothe and abhorre vtterly abandon it for euer if they eyther consider the vile and cursed nature of it or the wofull and damnable fruits and effects of it First it is the most vile and abhominable thing in the world the stincke and noysome smell of it hath infected heauen and earth and made all those glorious Creatures the Sunne the Moone the Starres subiect vnto vanitie so that they must be purged by fire in that great day of the Lord. Rom. 8.20 2 Pet. 3.10 In Scripture besides many other names which set forth vnto vs the filthinesse thereof Ezek. 16. Ierem. 13.27 Psal 51.2 it is compared to the most loathsome disease in the world euen the filthy and contagious Leprosie a disease so much abhorred that hee that was infected therewith among the Iewes by Gods owne ordinance was to be excluded and shut out from all company Numb 5.2 2 Kin. 15.5 as vnmeet to liue and conuerse amongst men and yet this was but a type and a shadow of the filthinesse and vncleannesse of sinne If wee had seene the Iewes Leprosie it vvould haue seemed very loathsome to vs we would haue wondred at it for the contagion of it was such that it did not onely infect the vvhole man who was tainted with it but his garments also which vvere about him Leu. 13.47 and sometimes also the very wals of his house 14.34.45 so that it was faine to be broken downe and to be cast out of the Citie into an vncleane place But if we had eyes to see this spirituall Leprosie of the soule it would seeme much more loathsome vnto vs wee vvould vvonder at it at our selues that we should once euer giue our selues in any sort to delight in it yea it would humble vs and cause vs to blush Rom. 6.21 and to hang downe our heads for shame nay with holy Iob Iob 42.6 euen to abhorre our selues and to abase our selues vnto the dust and to thinke of our selues as most vile and more loathsome then any Lazar that lyeth by the way full of blaines and sores vnworthy euer to come into Gods presence or to partake of his holy things who are so vnholy our selues and so exceedingly polluted and defiled from top to toe Isa 1.6 from the crown of the head to the sole of our feete with that inbred corruption and actuall pollution yea wee would neuer be quiet or at rest in our selues till wee had procured that grace and mercy of the Lord whereby we vvere washed and cleansed from the filthinesse of our sinnes and iniquitie Psal 51.7.2.7 Heb. 10.22 vvith the sprinckling of the bloud of that immaculate Lambe and the pouring out of those cleane vvaters of his sanctifying Spirit Ezek. 16.25 Zach. 13.2 which flow out of that heauenly Sanctuarie and so found the vncleane Spirit departed from vs. Such is the filthy and loathsome contagion of sinne nay surely it is so ougly so vile and so loathsome that neyther I nor any else is able fully to decipher or to expresse the ouglinesse and loathsomenesse thereof if wee vvere able to paint it forth or to lay it open in it true colours there is no man but vvould euen be flaited and affrighted at the very sight and appearance of it there is none but vvould hate and abhorre it more then the most loathsome Toade the most venemous Serpent or the ougliest Creature in the vvorld For there is no toade so loathsome no Serpent so venemous no creature so ougly as sinne is nay if a man if it were possible should make a confection of all the Spiders Toades Snakes Adders Serpents Vipers and all the most filthy things in the world it vvould not be halfe so vile and infectious as Sinne is That this may appeare yet more clearely thinke with thy selfe what is the most detestable and execrable thing besides sinne that possibly
my selfe to be a sinfull man d Rom. 7.24 laden with many sins and iniquities full of frailte and infirmities The good which I would d Rom 7.19 I cannot doe and the euill which I would not that do I. Many waies doe I continually sinne against thee both in omission of the good which thou hast commaunded and in commission of the contrarie euill sinne cleaueth e Heb. 12.1 Rom. 7.17 24 vnto me in my best actions and performances wherein I desire most to please thee and to approue my selfe vnto thee yea it compasseth me about on euery side and holdeth me in a kinde of bondage and thraldome vnder it so that my soule mourneth many times secretly vvithin me and panteth f Psal 119.131 after thee desiring to bee loosed from this bodie of sinne and to inioy that perfect libertie and freedome and that full enlargement from this misery vvhich thou hast promised vnto thy Saints and seruants Haue mercy vpon me O most mercifull Lord haue mercy vpon me and according vnto thy free and gracious promise looke downe vpon me with the eye of thy fatherly compassion accept my vveake and inperfect desires as if I vvere able to performe that perfect obedience vnto thee vvhich thy law requireth Deale vvith mee as thou vsest to deale with thy children Behold I desire thy commaundements g Psal 119 40 accept me according to that which I haue and not according to that vvhich I haue not Let the truth of my inward affection be as the perfection of action before thee my desire to serue thee as if I did teÌ„der much better seruice to thee then I do or can doe Heale my infirmities I humbly pray thee and quicken me euery day more and more vvith thy grace and spirit that so I may vvalke before thee in all thy vvaies with more cheerefulnesse and sinceritie and howsoeuer I haue cause to be discouraged in regard of my selfe and my manifold imâ—erfections vvhen I enter into thy presence yet hauing respect to those sweet and gracious promises vvhich thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ in vvhom thou lookest alwaies vpon me and in vvhose righteousnesse thou wilt now and euer accapt mee couering all my infirmities vvith that perfect obedience of his Let me alwaies approach vnto the throne of thy grace with comfor and boldnesse being assured that I shall find grace mercie of thee vvho neuer faylest in any thing vvhich thou hast promised but shewest thy selfe to bee abundant in goodnesse and truth aboue that vvee are able to aske or thinke To thee be prayse for euer Amen True loue of God how it may be discerned from that which is counterfeit and hypocriticall MAny there be that in word professe they loue God but few that loue him indeed and in truth Wilt thou know therefore vvhether his loue be in thee or no whether thy heart be rightly affected towards him Consider then what I shall say vnto thee yea vvhat God himselfe vvho is the truth it selfe speakes vnto thee vnto mee vnto all of vs. They that loue him doe first finde that they are loued of him a 1 Ioh. 4.19 And this loue of his shed into their hearts causeth them to loue him againe and their loue towards him manifesteth it selfe First by a care and delight to keepe his commaundements So he sayth If ye loue mee keepe my commandements b Ioh. 14.15.21.23.24 15.14 And againe c 1 Ioh. 5.3 This is the loue of God that we keepe his commandements They are not grieuous or burdensome vnto them but they delight in them concerning the inner man d Rom. 7.22 yea they are an easie yoke and a light burden vnto them e Math. 11 30 Although they oft faile and cannot but faile in the performance of them in regard of the reliques and remainders of sinne and corruption vvhich are in them and vvill be in them vnto death f Heb. 12.1 cleauing as fast vnto them as their skinne doth vnto their flesh yet as farre as they are regenerate and renued by grace their hearts are set vpon them g Psal 119 40. Hebr. 13.18 they finde much sweetnesse in them they desire and indeuour with all their soules to keepe and obserue them not one but all of them h Psal 119.6 yea it is their full resolution and their constant endeuour to yeeld themselues flexible and pliable thereunto in all things They make holy vowes and enter into couenant vvith themselues yea they bind themselues as it vvere by a solemne i Psal 119.106 oath and promise to performe them to the vttermost of their strength and power Their heart k Psal 119 vers 20. breaketh in a manner for the earnest desire and feruent affâ—ction they haue thereunto yea like the chased and vvearied Hinde they l Vers 131 pant after them Thus they that loue the Lord delight in all his Commandements both in knowing them and in keeping and obseruing them and therefore they are carefull in vsing the meanes whereby they may be furthered herein as reading the Word hearing the same preached godly conference receiuing the Sacraments Prayer c. they ioy herein and make much account of these and all other blessed ordinances of the Lord they are pretious in their eyes they esteeme more of them then of their appointed food m Iob 23.12 And hereby it doth appeare indeed that their hearts are toward the Lord that they doe loue him truly and sincerely Againe their loue to him sheweth it selfe by a hatred n Psal 97.10 of all euill which they know to be hatefull and displeasing vnto him aboue all things Hauing a sense and feeling of his loue and fauour towards them yea of the exceeding riches of his grace and kindnesse towards them in CHRIST IESVS they burne in loue againe towards him and this loue of theirs towards him in a speciall manner restraineth them from all sinne and draweth yea forceth and constraineth them to the contrary vertues For they iudge it a meet o 2 Cor. 5.14.15 1 Pet. 4.1.2 and most equall thing that seeing Christ in loue to them hath died for their sinnes that therefore they euen in loue towards him should be dead vnto sinne for which hee died and that as hee rose againe to manifest his victory and triumph ouer sinne and Sathan and to raise them out of the graue of sinne to the life of righteousnesse and holinesse so that they also should liue no more vnto themselues and to their sinnes but to him who so loued them that he died for them and gaue his pretious bloud to wash and cleanse p Tit. 2.14 them from all sinne and iniquitie and to make them a righteous seed q 1 Pet. 2.9 a holy nation a peculiar people that they should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called them out of the darkenesse of sinne death into that maruailous light both of his
grace here and glory hereafter Thus the loue of God entering into their spirits doth purge and purifie them throughout it doth presently void out that filth and corruption both of originall pollution actuall transgression vvhich was before in them and smothereth vp their carnall earthly and sensuall loue by a greater force at least it striueth so to doe for the old man will not be quite dead as long as they liue in this vvorld It vvorketh mightily and very forcibly in them and is of marueilous efficacie for the clensing of them from all sinne and fitting and preparing them both in body soule to be temples and mansion-places for the holy Ghost the glorious spirit of God to rest and to dwell in What should I say They hauing tasted of the bounty and superabundant loue of God in Christ their Sauiour towards them and hauing in them the holy Ghost testifying r Rom. 8.16 vnto them assuring them that they are the sonnes of God yea sealing this vnto their soules and consciences haue such a sincere entire and pure loue kindled in their breasts that they doe desire vnfainedly to abstaine from all sinne which they know is so displeasing vnto him and to please him in all things and vvhen they are sollicited either by Sathan or their owne corrupt nature to the commission of any thing which is euill they say with righteous Ioseph s Gen. 39.9 How can I doe this great wickednesse and so sinne against God who hath beene so good and gracious vnto mee Hath the Lord loued mee with so great a loue and shall I not loue him againe and manifest my loue towards him by a care to keepe his Commandements This is such a flame that it cannot but breake forth out of the heart into the life This is such a fountaine as cannot but send foorth the streames of pure water into the actions of the life This in a word causeth them to leaue and to abhorre that which is euill and to cleaue vnto that which is good to desire and endeauour in trueth and sinceritie to keepe all the righteous Commandements of God The loue of God shed abroad into their harts kindleth inflameth their hearts towards him and so maketh them to hate euill because hee hateth it and to loue righteousnesse because hee loueth it yea their hearts are so heated and so inwardly affected with the sense of the loue of God which the spirit of grace stirreth vp in them that they euen melt in loue and entire affection vnto God and desire vnfainedly to please him in all things and to shew themselues zealous for his glory because hee hath so commaunded them euen for the loue which they beare vnto him who hast shewed himselfe to be so louing and gracious a God so kinde and tender a Father towards them in CHRIST IESVS Nay they desire that others also should haue experience of that which they haue felt euen of the vnspeakeable loue of GOD in CHRIST towards those whom hee imbraceth in him They desire vvith the t Ioh. 4.28 29 vvoman of Samaria that euery one should taste of that which they haue had so comfortable experience of in their soules and spirits and that others also as well as they might abstaine from all kinde of sinne and wickednesse they mourne and groane within themselues their hearts are grieued and their eyes v Psa 119.136.139 drop down teares in abundance when they see it is otherwise As they haue no x Ioh. 3.4 greater ioy then to see God honoured by the diligent keeping of his Commandements so there can be no greater griefe vnto them then to see him dishonoured by the neglect and contempt thereof Oh this is a vexation and euen a torment vnto their soules as it was vnto righteous Lot y 2 Pet. 2.7 when hee beheld the abhominations of the cursed Sodomites It is as it were a hell to them to be in the company of such as blaspheme the name of the Lord and set themselues to worke wickednesse to the prouoking of his glorious Maiestie And hereby it doth appeare that they loue God in truth and not in word and tongue onely as the most doe If it be thus with vs we haue cause to blesse God and to reioyce in the assurance of this that our hearts are sincere and vpright before him and that wee loue him and are z Pro. 8.17 and shall euer a Ioh. 13.1 be loued of him But if this be not in vs at least in some measure our loue which wee professe towards him is but a counterfait and hypocriticall loue vvhich he hateth yea if we be not thus affected if vve say that wee loue him wee are lyars and thee is no truth in vs our words fight with our actions like vnto them that strucke CHRIST saying b Ioh. 19.3 Haile Master wee are so farre from louing him that vvee doe not so much as c 1 Ioh. 2.4 know him by an effectuall and sauing knowledge neither are knowne or in any sort approued of him yea he loaths vs and so much the more as we dissemble vvith the vvorld and make shew of that loue towards him vvhich is not in vs. O blessed LORD how vnspeakeable is thy loue how vnsearchable are the riches of thy grace and mercy toward mee in CHRIST IESVS in whom thou hast imbraced mee with an infinite and an euerlasting loue before all worlds yea thou still louest me and wilt loue me vnto the end for thy loue is as thy selfe vnchangeable d Rom. 11 29. Euery day thou * Lam. 3.23 renewest thy compassions vpon me Thou vouchsafest to giue mee many pledges and sure euidences therof yea thou sealest the same to my soule and spirit by the testimony e Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 8.16 of thy blessed Spirit and by that inward ioy whereby thou causest mee to reioyce euen in the midst of mourning f Psa 94.19 2 Cor. 1.4 Oh that thou wouldst draw g Cant. 1.3 my heart vnto thee and cause mee to loue thee againe entirely and vnfainedly O that thou wouldst inflame these frozen affections of mine and cause mee euen to melt and to burne in loue towards thee O that it would please thee to change all that carnal that earthly and that sensuall loue and affection of this vvorld and the things thereof vvhich is yet remaining in mee into a holy and spirituall loue of thee my GOD and Sauiour my kinde and tender Father in CHRIST IESVS that so I may loue nothing but thee or in thee and for thee And let this loue of thee cause me to hate all sinne which thou hatest with so great and so infinite a hatred to hate it to abhorre it and vtterly to forsake it though neuer so pleasing to my corrupt nature neuer so profitable or gainfull to me in any respect and to loue all righteousnesse vvhich thou louest and wherein thou delightest that thus
him desirous to be vnloosed and to finde ease comfort and refreshing in him but their hearts are euen dead vvithin them and they are strangers from this life of grace and y Gal. 2.20 faith which is in Christ Iesus And no maruell then that there appeares in them so little or no loue of him so small desire to please him and to testifie their loue and thankefulnes vnto him by their new obedience and carefull and conscionable walking in his commandements seeing they neuer tasted fully of the sweetnesse and the exceeding ioy and comfort arising from that wonderfull benefit and vnspeakable mercie which is sealed vp to the soules and consciences of true penitent sinners and such as haue receiued Christ by a sauing faith to be their wisedome z 1 Cor. 1 30. their righteousnesse their sanctification and redemption O mercifull LORD how great is thy goodnesse and mercy towards mee that whereas thou sufferest many yea the greatest part of the world still to wander in the wayes of wickednesse and to sit in the shadow of death and darknesse eyther not seeing their misery and wofull and most wretched estate and condition or else seeing it to be so secure so carelesse and so hard-harted as not to regard it and to labour to come out of it being beguiled through the deceitfulnesse of their owne harts and the craft and delusion of Sathan yet in the vnsearchable riches of thy abundant grace and a 1 Tim. 1 14.17 mercy towards mee in Christ Iesus hast opened mine eyes vvhich before were shut vp as well as others and turned me from darkenesse to light and from the power of Sathan vnto thee my blessed Lord and Sauiour raising mee out of the graue vvherein I was dead and buryed deliuering me from the Kingdome of darkenesse and translating mee into the Kingdome of thy deare Sonne giuing me assurance of the forgiuenesse of my sinnes and a comfortable hope and expectation of that ioyfull inheritance prouided for thy Saints and chosen ones in the highest heauens What shall I returne vnto thee answerable vnto so great loue vnto such fatherly compassions and vnspeakeable mercies of thine towards me Thou mightest haue suffered mee to continue in my blindnesse and ignorance as well as others to haue beene as carelesse as secure and as hard-harted as any others and so to haue perished with them dreaming that all had beene well with me whiles I lay rotting in my naturall and corrupt estate For what am I or what haue I beene that thou shouldest respect me more then others Thou mightst for my sinnes so many and so grieuous iustly haue forsaken mee as thou hast done them But thou hast not so dealt with mee Blessed be thy name both now and euermore O touch my heart with the due meditation of this thy gracious goodnesse towards mee And teach mee daily to labour to feele this worke of thine more and more effectuall in me by renuing my repentance for my sinnes whereby I haue and doe daily and hourely displease thee in the breach of thy righteous lawes and commaundements Let me see my sinnes and transgressions and the misery vvhereunto they make me subiect and seeing them let me bewaile them yea lament and mourne for them and be truely humbled with the consideration of them Let me freely and vnfainedly confesse them vnto thee and that vvith shame and sorrow of heart And let them cause me wholly to renounce my selfe to iudge and condemne my selfe yea to abhorre my selfe and to flie vnto thee in the name of thy Sonne my blessed Sauiour in whom there is mercy and plentifull redemption b Psal 130.7 Let me hunger and thirst after his righteousnesse more then after any thing else vvhatsoeuer yea let me highly esteeme of it and make more precious account of it then of all the riches and treasures of this world desirous though with the losse of all other things to winne Christ and to be found in him clothed and couered with those precious robes of his And let me by the hand of a true sauing faith apply vnto my selfe the merits of his death and passion his righteousnesse his obedience and his full and perfect satisfaction being certainly assured that all the promises of the Gospell belong vnto me And let the knowledge and full perswasion hereof cause me to reioyce yea to glorie in thee and in this vvonderfull and vnspeakeable mercy of thine towards me euen with that ioy of thy spirit which is most glorious c 1 Pet. 1.8 and fill my heart and soule with that peace which passeth all vnderstanding And with all let it stirre me vp continually to walke before thee in all holy obedience desiring and endeauouring in all things to please thee and to approue my selfe and all my actions vnto thee dying daily more and more vnto sinne and liuing vnto righteousnesse and labouring by all meanes to bee cleansed from all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit and to grow vp to full holinesse d 2 Cor. 7 1 in thy feare that thus I may haue good euidence that I am thine that thou hast wrought thy gracious vvorke in me and wilt perfect it daily more and more till thou bringest me vnto that glory which thou hast prepared for me in thy heauenly kingdome through the merits of thy Sonne my blessed Lord and Sauiour to whom with thee and thy Spirit be all praise power and dominion both now and euermore Amen The godly man is alwaies blessed neuer miserable THe godly cannot but be alwaies blessed * Iob. 5.17 yea then when he seemes to be most miserable in the eye of the vvorld and to sense and carnall reason For when he is at the worst hee hath those things vvhich hee would haue being contented with any a Phil. 4.11 estate which the wise and gracious disposer of all things seeth fittest for him yea he cannot haue better things in regard of his present estate in this life then those things vvhich he hath and enioyeth euen then when he is laden and oppressed vvith many miseries Is he humbled through afflictions this is that which he vvould haue b Ier. 10.24 Iames 1.2 10 he had rather be continually vnder the Crosse then destitute of those excellent graces of c Rom. 5.3 patience humility d Mat. 11.29 Ioh. 12.26 without which he cannot be the disciple of Christ nor approued of God e Psal 4.6 119.13.5 of vvhom aboue all things he desires to be accepted and fauoured Is he poore he is vvell contented therewith seeing he is largely recompensed with the greater supply of those better riches * Phil. 4.19 those heauenly treasures both of grace and glory Hee would not change his portion with the greatest and richest Monarch in the world that aboundeth in worldly wealth f Psal 4.6.7 and wanteth those spirituall and heauenly treasures which he enioyeth and which shall neuer be taken from him vvhereas the