art 7 Pray for peace and reconâ—iliatiâ—n the Prince n Isaiah 9. 6 of peace and reconciliation which hath o Eph. 214.17 broken the partition wall aâ—d â—â—th preached peace vnto mee that thou might reconcile mee vnto thy GOD giue vnto mee p Iob. 34. 29 peace and quietnesse and who then can make trouble and vexation bee thou my advocate q â— Iohn 2. 1 with the Father and the reconâ—iliation for my soule be thou my attonemâ—nt and propitiation If the inhabitants of Tyrus and Sidon did earnestly labour to haue peace r Act. 12. 20 with Herod an evill and earthly King O LORD what paines should I take to haue concord and vnitie with thee a good and Heavenly King O LORD make mee diligent Å¿ 2 Pet. 3. 14 that I may be founde of thee in peace without spot and blamelesse let the t Col. 3. 15 peace of GOD rule in my heart let O LORD thy peace u Philip. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding preserue mine heart and minde in CHRIST IESVS for ever and ever And for this purpose most â— Pray for remissiâ—â— of sin mercifull GOD forgiue me x Math. 6. 12 all my debts grant vnto mee a free discharge of all my sinnes and a comfortable acquittance of all mine iniquities written subscribed and sealed with the Blood of mâ— faviour Put y Col. 2. 14 out that hand writting and obligation that is against me and cortrarie to mee take it out of the way and fasten it vpon the crosse Let it never bee of power to shame mee in this world or to condemne mee in the world to come As z Psal 103.12 farre as the East is from the West so farre remoue thou my sinnes from mee Let a Rom. 6. 12 not finne rule in my mortall bodie that I obey the lusts thereof But O LORD subdue b Math. 7. 19 mine iniquities and cast all my faultes into the bottome of the sea I humbly beseech thee to c Col 3. 5 mortifie and slay my sinne in mee least it slay my soule eternally Burie all my offences in the graue of CHRIST Let them never rise against mee for my conviction and eternall confusion Now almightie GOD Seing by 9 Pray for life spirituall nature I am d Eph. 2. 1 dead in sinne and trespasses I pray thee to quicken mee Let e 2 Cor. 4. 16 my inward man be renued dayly Grant that I may be borne f Iohn 3. 3 againe and bee partaker of regeneration and so enter into thy Kingdome Thou who art the g Iohn 11. 2 resurrection and the lyfe who raised from death Lazarus who was stincking and rotting in the graue and gaue him naturall lyfe breath spirituall lyfe into my dead soule that thou who art the GOD h Math. 22.32 of the living thou mayest bee my GOD and guide for ever O thou who art the i Mal. 4. 2 Sunne Pray for spirituall light of Righteousnesse and the true light of the world who hast abundance of eye k Revel 3. 18 salue arise and shine vpon mee anoynt the blind eyes of my minde illuminate my dark vnderstanding Thou who opened the l Genes 21.19 eyes of Hagar and made her see a Well of water wherewith her dying sonne was refreshed open thou the eyes of my inward man that I may see that Well of the m Iohn 3. 10 water of lyfe that my dying soule may be comforted and thou O powerfull SAVIOUR who did giue sight to that man who n Iohn 9.7 was borne blind giue spirituall sight to my blind soule that I may see thee and follow thee continually O my GOD thou who opened the o Math. 7. 33 eares of that deafe man grant Pray for in ward hearing that myne inward eares may be prepared q Psal 40. 6 and opened to heare thy holy and blessed Word that my bodie r Heb. 10. 5 may bee ordeined and made fitte for thy continuall service and worship For O my graâ—ious GOD while Pray for health I haue beene walking in the wildernesse of this world I haue fallen Å¿ Luke 11. 30 amongst cruell and covetous theeues who haue robbed mâ—e of my raiment and riches they haue wounded me grievously I am now lying waltring in my blood and half dead Many miseregarde me and passe by me without any pittie I can not pittie myne owne selfe but O sweet Samaritan come neere to me and haue compassion on mee Bind vp Ibidem my bleeding wounds powre in wine oile carry me in thy owne armes and heale mee Haue a continuall care of me that I may haue a care to honour thee and glorifie thy Majestie O my blessed Redâ—emer in whom Pray for wisdome are t Coloss 2. 3 hidde all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge giue vnto mee true wiâ—edome and Heavenly knowledge and vnderstanding so that I x Prover 5. 23 may not die for fault of instruction and that I goe not astray through my great folly that I may bee wise y Proverb 16 20. 21. in myne owne businesse and prudent in heart that my vnderstanding may bee a welspring z Pro. 16. 23 of lyfe vnto mee that I may trust in thy mercie and be blessed aeternally O LORD thou who art able to breake a Psal 107. 16 the gates of brasse and to brast the barres of yron asunder Pray for libertie I pray thy Majestie to set mee at libertie who am a captiâ—e and miserable prisoner loose mee from the bands of the devill for spiritually I am bound and bowed b Luke 13. 11 together and can not lift vp my soule in any wise without thy helpe Bring mee out of the snare c 2 Tim. 2. 26 of Sathan that I may come to amendement Take d 2 Sam. 8. 1 the bridle of bondage out of the hand of mine enemie Bee thou LORD my goodnesse e Psal 144. 2 and my fortresse my tower my sheild and delyverer Restore mee to the glorious freedome of thy children Giue mee strength to stand f Galat. 5.1 fast into that libertie wherewith thou hast made me free that I never bee intangled againe with the yoke of bondage And because in the devils dungeon and in the stinking puddle Pray for purgation of sinne I am filthily polluted and miserably defiled O holy God wash g Psal 51. 2 mee througly from mine iniquitie and cleanse mee from my sinnes and pollutions If thou wash mee h Iohn 13. 8 not I shall haue no part nor portion with thee and I know perfectly that no i Revel 21. 27 vncleane thing shall enter in Heavenly Ierusalem nor within thy holy Sanctuarie therefore O gratious GOD I humbly and heartily intreate thy Majestie to wash k Ierem. 4 4â— mine heart from wickednesse and my whole man from vngodâ—ines even in the
si confessio praecurrat humana the revenge of GOD ceasseth if the confession of man preceedeth and in an other place he thus exhorteth Fatere peccata ô homo vt Idem lib 1. de interpellatione cap. 5. veniam consequaris dic iniquitates vt justificeris quid erubescis fateri ea in quibus natus es O man acknowledge thy faults that thou mayest haue pardon tell thine iniquitie that thou mayest be justified wherefore art thou ashamed to confesse these in the which thou art borne An other Ancient affirmeth Gregorius Nazianzen in oratione consolaorta de pacis silentio thus Magnum remedium malitiae est confessio fuga peccati that confession is a great remedie of maliciousnesse and a flight of sinne An other so speaketh Basilius in Hexamero homilia vndeci ma. Septuplam retributionem peccatoribus delatam remittet DOMINUS in hac vita per confessionem ac resipiscentiam à nobis placatus the LORD being pleased by vs in this lyfe by confession and repentance will forgiue that sevenfold retribution objected to sinners dicito peceata saith Chrysostome vt Chrysostom homilia 2. deleas dicito in hac vita vt requiem habeas tell thy sinnes that thou mayest put them away tell them in this lyfe that thou mayest get rest in an other lyfe Absque confessione Bernard 2 â—ep cap 14. justus judicabitur ingratus peccator mortuus reputatur confessio igitur peccatoris est vita justi gloria without confession the just is judged vnthankfull and the wicked is esteemed dead confession then is the lyfe of the sins and the glory of the just Moreover another writeth thus Confessio sanat confessio justificat confessio peccatis vemam donat omnis spes in confessione consistit in confessione locus misericordia est nulla est tam gravis culpa quae per confessionem non habeat veniam Confession healeth confession justifieth confession giveth pardon to sinnes all hope consisteth into confession in confession there is a place for compassion there is no fault so greevous but by confession it will bee pardoned But principally let vs giue attendance August pas sim in multi locis to Augustin in this point assevering Damnaberis tacitus qui possis liberari confessus being silent thou shall bee condemned who being confessed may be delyvered Againe Confessio malorum operum initium bonorum operum est the confession of evill workes is the beginning of good workes And furthermore Confessio nos humiles facit Confession maketh vs humble Confessio jungit nos DEO confession conjoyneth or vniteth vs to GOD Confessio judicat vivos confession declareth that wee are aliue now enjoying the lyfe of grace referved to haue eternall fruition of the lyfe of glory yea that Philosopher Seneca Seneca saith Somnium narrare vigilantis est vitia confiteri sanitatis indicium est It is a token of one awake to tell their dreame and of health to confesse their sinnes And not to bee too tedious in such trie testimonies for concâ—ution of the same wee will offer to your due consideration that fathers saying Ratio DEI inducendi August citante Spinaeo in lib depeccatorum confessione vt peccata nosira excuset ac tegatâ— ea est si ea detegamus ac nos ipsos accusemus nos ille evehit cum ipsi nos abijcimus nos justificat cum nos ipsi condemnamus obliviscitur peccatorum cum nos ipsi meminimus eorum denique nos in prctio habet cum nobis ipsi vilescimus nos invenit cum nobis ipsis perditi videmur pluriminos facit cum nos ipsos nihili facimus â—he mâ—ane most remarkable are the sentences to moue GOD that hee may excuse and cover cur sinnes is that if wee shall vncover them accuse our selues hee exalteth vs when wee cast downe our selues hee justifieth vs when we condemne our selues hee forgetteth our sinnes when wee remember on them Finalie wee are pretious vnto him when wee are vile in our owne sight hee findeth vs when wee seeme lost to our selues and he maketh much of vs when we make nothing of our selues Sicut sumus praecedit incendium sic flammam Similitude fidei charitatis praecedit peccatorum confessiâ— As smoake goeth Primasius in Apocalypsin before burning so confession of sinnes goeth before the flamme of faith and charitie Thirdly Experience showeth vs that the parient will declare his disease to the Physitian the wounded man will vncover his soares to the Chirargion the Client will manifest the weaknesse of his cause or action to his Advocate the poore Beggar will vtter his wants to the helping Passenger and cry pittifully and earnestlie for some support that the child will tell his necessitie to his loving parents that the oppressed subject will signifie his hurt to a gratious King or pittiefull Magistrate Now answere mee truely is not GOD thy perfite Physitian who will heale all thine q Psal 103. 3 infirmimities Is not CHRIST a faithfull r 1 Iohn 2. 1 Advocate who will defend thy right and bee thy reconciliation for thy sinnes to purchase an Heavenly Kingdome for thee Is not thy LORD a most liberall benefactor who Å¿ Iob. 22. 18 can fill the house of the wicked with good things at sometimes and will multiplie his t Hezek 36.11 benefites towards thee more than at the first Is not Hee the Father u 2 Corinth 1.3 of mercy and the GOD of all consolation Will not He satisfie x Psal 91. 16 thee with long lyfe and glorifie thee with salvation Is not He the King of y Isaiah 44. 6 Israell the LORD of Hostes and thy Redeemer Will not Hee looke z Psalm 102 19. 20 downe from the hight of his Sanctuarie out of Heaven Will Hee not behold the Earth that he may heare the mourning of his prisoners and delyver the children of death Wherefore then will thou hide thy woes and offences from him Wherefore will thou a Iohn 8. 24 die in thy sinnes and perish eternally in thine iniquities Why concealeth thou thy cancred corruption for thine owne destruction in b 2 Pet. 3. 47 the day of judgement and perdition of vngodly men or before that dreadfull day Why will thou vexe thine owne soule with continuall griefe and molestation When DAVID himselfe did hold his c Psal 32. 3. tongue his bones consumed fearefully his hand was vpon him continually his very moisture was turned into the drought of summer But when hee did not hide his iniquitie but acknowledged his trespasse then he got remission and so joy and consolation It is written of Creusa by an Ethnick that being troubled in Euripides in Iovem her minde and grievouslie perplexed in conscience to mitigate the extremitie of that vexation shee did vse the remedie of confession and shee did discover her secret fornicatios and did declare openly her whoordome that shee had
vs with CHRIST that being made members wee may be quickned and revived 4. ruling and l Rom. 8.14 governing vs who are vnruly and subject to wander and goe m Psal 119.167 astray like lost sheepe even leading vs in the right way to happinesse 5. comforting n Iohn 1. 16 vs in all troubles and afflictions and sealing o Ephes 1. 18 vs wavering in faith and assuring vs of our salvation Secondly to insist shortly in the comparison by this Spirit wee will become GODS o 1 Cor. 3. 9 husbandrie to bring foorth fruit plentifully and constantly Thirdly by the helpe of this Spirit wee goe forward in the straite gate in the narrow p Math 7. 44 way that leadeth to life overcomming all impediments and enemies Fourthly when thou walkest through q Isaiah 43. 2 the fire thou shall not bee burnt neither shall the flame kindle vpon thee but thou by the Spirit shall bee refreshed joyfully and cooled comfortably Fiftly by this Spirit the Lord will fine r Mal. 3. 3 thee and purifie thee as golde and silver and separateth thy sinnes and drosse from thee Sixtly GOD by the vertue of his efficacious Spirit will raise thee vp when thou fallest When the holy Prophet Ezechiel saw that glorious and Heavenly vision hee Å¿ Ezech. 2. 2 fell vpon his face and the LORD said to him Sonne of man stand vp vpon thy feete and I shall speake vnto thee but of himselfe hee had no strength to arise vntill the Spirit entered into him and set him vpon his feete So it is with thee and the strongest Christian also thou hast no power to arise and stand vnlesse the Spirit enter into thee Sevently So u Psal 12. 7 the Lord will preserue thee from perishing or rotting from generation to generation for ever Eightly then hee will direct thee in the right course to Heaven that x Iob 17. 9 thou Who are righteous should holde on thy way and thou Whose handes are pure shall encrease thy strength Nyntly his Spirit will worke true saith in thee which y Act. 15. 9 Will purifie thy heart and make cleane thy conversation Tenthly hee will giue thee an heart z Ezech. 11. 19 of flesh and mollifie and soften the hardnesse and obduration of the same Lastly it will kindle the fire of grace within thee and inflame thee with an ardent zeale of GODS Glory it shall bee like the a Levit. 6. 12 fire burning on the Altar evermore never to bee put out or extinguished Seeing then such is the necessitie of the presence of the holy Spirit seeke the same most earnestly and continually Entertaine the same most carefully and conscientiously never b Ephes 4. 3â— grieue this Spirit by which thou art sealed vnto the day of redemption quench not c Thess 5 19 this holy Spirit by thy filthy sinnes and stubbornnesse for it will procure to thee endlesse joy it will worke in thee new life and regeneration and so bring thee to a sense of thy misery and to a deploration of thy calamitie Without the power and asistance of this Spirit thou can never bee revived and quickened As d Ezech 17. 9 the dry bones which were scattered and dispersed being conjoyned and having flesh sineues skinne but had no breath nor life vntill the Prophet did prophecie vnto the wind and life and breath came vnto the slaine and they stood vp vpon their feete a great armie So thou who by nature was e Ephes 2. 5 dead by sinnes will bee quickned by GOD in CHRIST by the breathing as it were of the wind of the holy Spirit thou shall line spiritually Now seeing it is so sure that without the Spirit thou knowest not f Rom. 8. 26 to pray as thou ought to doe seeke for the Spirit seeke for this Spirit which will quicken and helpe thy infirmitie and make request for thee with sighes that cannot bee expressed and then the words of thy mouth and meditation of thy heart shall bee acceptable in the LORDS sight Secondly Before thou canst truely lament thy wretchednesse Wakening be fore true lameÌ„ting and miserable estate thou must not only bee quickened with the life of grace but also awakened from thy deepe sleepe of sinne and securitie In this place wee will declare Godwilling foure things 1. The evill of such sleeping 2. Who doe sleepe and the difference betweene them 3. The meanes of awakening 4. The good thereof First the great evill that fearefull hurt which commeth by this sleepe can not bee sufficiently declared The evill of sinfull sleepe First The Talent given from Idlenesse GOD is not well vsed the LORDS gifts are not duely employed one when he is sleeping is g Math. 25. 26 that vnprofitable servant that carelesse â—â—gerer from whom that which he hath shall bee taken away hee is not worthie of any reward Secondly If naturall sleepe of Povertie the body bee an occasion of indigence and scarsitie for this is the saying of Salomon himselfe loue not h Prover 2â— 13 sleepe least thou fall into poverty open thine eyes and thou shall bee satisfied with bread much more that spirituall slumber of the soule is a cause of povertie lamentable and shamefull povertie proceedeth therefrom One i Revel 3. 17. will bee poore and wretched miserable and naked Qui modo dormit in cupiditatibus suis postea nihil inveniet in suis manibus Thirdly Shame and infamie followeth Infamie this security for the wise man he k Proverb 10.5 that sleepeth in harvest is a sonne that causeth shame hee is a child of confusion that sleepeth vntymously when he should bee diligent about his businesse If ignominy follow sleepe naturall it will rather follow spirituall When Noah after wine was sleeping hee l Genes 9. 22 was vncovered in the midst of his tents his shame and nakednesse was seene and told to others Our shame and filthy nakednesse will bee seene of the Almighty GOD and of his holy Angels and many others when we are sleeping in sinfull securitie Fourthly Our m Math. 13 2â— enemie that Polluion or an evill mixture envyous one while men sleepe will come and sow tares amongst the wheate in the husbandrie of our hearts If Abimelech did harme to the citie of Shechem when n Indg 9. 45 he sowed salt in it for a token of perpetuall detestation will not Sathan doe much more harme to a Christian when hee shall sow salt and tares in his soule evill thoughts and most wicked lusts to defile the same Fifthly Our vigilant adversarie Spoile of goods will also bee most diligent to bereaue vs of the gifts which wee haue alreadie receaved As that harlot tooke her neighbours living sonne and o 1 King 3.20 layde her dead sonne in her bosome so that deceaver will most craftily labour to make a living soule a dead soule in sinne and in
patiently thou hast taken paines vpon mee Thou hast digged about mee thou hast sought figges and fruite from mee But alace thou hast found none justly THOU mayest cutte mee downe and cast mee out of thy wine-yarde to rotte and putrifie I lament bitterly O my KING and my SAVIOUR that I f Psal 39. 12 am Lament thy banishment not only a stranger and sojourner as all my fathers were but also that now I doe remaine in exile and banishment for my transgressions a most just punishment The Israelites being banished from Ierusalem did g Psal 13. 2 weepe when they sate at the river of Babel And out of all question our first parent Adam was perplexed and sore grieved when for his sinne thou h Genes 2. 24 did cast him out of the garden of Eden and banished him from a terrestiall paradise But LORD I want words to bewaiâ—e the evill of my trespasses which without forgivenesse will cause me bee banished from i IIeb. 12. 22 the citie of the living GOD from the Celâ—stiall Iâ—rusalem and to bee k Luk. 23 43 exiled from that Heavenly Paradise the l Luk. 16. 22 bosome of Abraham and to bee tormented in Hell in everlasting perdition Further O LORD I mourne 6. Lament for thy servitude with teares and dolour because I continue by nature a m Rom. 7. 10 servant of sinne vnto death and of n 2 Pet. 2 19 corruption a slane to sathan vnto damnation If the o Luk. 15. 15 prodigall sonne did regrate his pittifull estate when hee serued a stranger when hee was sent to his farme to feede swine and if that Egyptian p 1 Sam 30.13 the servant of an Amalekite could complaine of his masters crueltie and vnkindnesse who left him sicke in the wildernesse destitute of all comfort and necessaries I haue O LORD more cause to lament my sore servitude and thraldome in that I am slaue to mine enemie serving him in hunger in thrist in neede of all spirituall things who will not goe from mee but doeth abide to torture mee and doeth put a q Deut. 28. 48 yocke of irone upon my necke and to destroy mee Now LORD thy wisdome 7 Lament for thy burthen knoweth how greatlie I am displeased and how I bewaile this burthen of sinne that r Heb. 12. 1 preasseth so sore downe and this iniquitie that hangeth so fast on They Å¿ Psal 38. 4 are as a weightie burthen too heavie for mee I am wonderfull wearie and t Math. 11.28 laden with them The Israelites in Egypt were cruellie oppressed and vexed with bodilie burthens they u Exod. 1.11 sighed x Exod. 2. 23 in their bondage and cryed to the LORD who heard their moane and had a respect vnto them but I miserable wretch am more overcharged with the heavie burthen of sinne if I were sensible thereof The Scribs y Luk 11. 6 Phariseâ—s and interpreters of the Law did lade men with burthens of ceremonies grievous to be borne but Sathan the world mine owne lust and concupiscence doe lay more heavie burthens of sinne vpon my conscience And thus O LORD being 8 Lament thy filthinesse overburthened I am altogether defiled and filthily polluted with the turpitude and pollution of my filthinesse I haue remained in z Psal 40 2 myrie clay I am the dung vpon the earth I haue wallowed my selfe in the filthy puddle of this prophaine world I am spotted and altogether defiled I a Ier. 8.2 am filthie within and without Nitre and b Ier. 2.22 much sope will not wash away mine iniquitie All the water of the Ocean cannot cleanse mee for I am vncleane from my nativitie I c Ezech. 16.6 ly polluted in my owne blood lamentablie I d Iob. 9. 31 am plunged in the pit and mine owne clothes make mee filthie Albeit the water of the river Alpheus did cleanse the stable of Augeus where dung lay heaped vp the space of thirtie yeares yet all the waters of the rivers of the Word cannot cleanse e Ier 4. 14 and wash my heart from wickednesse For alace O LORD I f 2 Pet. 2 22 am like the dogge returning to his vomite and like the sow that was washed comming againe to the wallowing in the myre I lament that I am bound in the 9 Lament thy bands mâ—st miserable forme for g Genes 42 26 Simeon h Iudg. 15. 13 Samson i Daniel 3. 20 Shadrah Meshah and Abednego were bound bodilie but shortly loosed and gloriously delivered Thou O LORD laide k Ezech. 4. 8 bands vpon thine owne servant Ezechiel so that hee might neither turne himselfe from the one side to the other But alace heavie bands are laide vpon mee That l Luk. 13. 11 wretched woman who had a spirit of infirmitie and was bound together eighteene yeares that shee could not lift vp her selfe in any wise Sathan had bound her so that none could relieue her of her bands but thou O LORD could loose her shee questionlesse did mourne grievouslie in hard distresse and miserie but I poore catiue am deteined in straiter â—etters and bands it feareth mee for moe yeares so that I can not lift vp my eves nor my soule to thee as I desire and should for I O LORD am sore smitten and wounded There is nothing sound 10 Lament for thy wounds in mee but wounds and swelling and m Psal 69. 26 soares full of corruption Alace O LORD I n Isa 1. 6 haue fallen amongst theeues who haue robbed mee of my raiment and of all goods they haue wounded mee and left mee halfe dead Albeit King Ioram was sensible of his hurt and had a feeling of the paine and danger of o Luk. 10 30 the wound which the Aramits had given him at Ramath yet LORD I haue little sense or feeling of the dolorous and dangerous wounds that Sathan and sinne hath given mee in this my warfare and perillous fight I haue 2 King 8. 29 small griefe for them I cry not to thee who only is able for to heale p Isa 30. 26 the stroke of my wounds putrifying and bringing destruction both to soule and body And moreover I am captivated and by my foes strately imprisoned Many LORD of thy 1. Lament for thy imprisonment servants were deteined in earthly prisons and questionlesse did mourne bitterly for their miserable estate and calamitie Godly Ioseph q Genes 32.20 was put in prison They r Psal 105.18 layed his feete in the stockes and hee was laide in yron Strong Samson Å¿ Iudg. 16. 21 bound with fetters did grina in the prison Faithfull t 1 King 22.27 Micajah was put in prison and fedde with the bread and water of affliction The holy Prophet Ieremiah was vexed in a dungeon where hee stack u Ier 38 6 fast in the myre And when thy holy Apostle St. Paul x
that riddle which hee did put foorth to the Philistimes but p Iudg 14. 17 told the same to the children of her people Lyke Fulvia a whoorish woman Salust bello Catilin who declared the secreets of her foolish lover Cneius a noble Roman he a dissolute and luxurious young man This conscience is as a thousand Consâ—ientia mille resteâ— witnesses to tell the trueth and veritie of all our proceedings and as Seneca saith O te miserum si contemnis hunc testem that thou art miserable if thou contemne this witnesse Moreover Sathan a malicious q Math. 4. 3 Tempter entysing thee to doe Sathan evill hee is a shamelesse and impudent r Revel 12.10 Accuser judicially and openly challenging thee laying thy cryme to thy charge to condemne thee hee who was not ashamed to accuse patient JOB an Å¿ Iob. 2. 10 vpright and just man that feaved GOD and eshewed evill as an hyrling or hypocrite will he not more boldly accuse others farre inferior in pietie in sobrietie and in righteousnesse who are t Iohn 9. 24 borne in sinne and conceived in wickednesse Some rulers and governours full of envy did accuse u Dan. 6. 24 Daniell wrongouslie where fore they were punished deservedly But Sathan more full x Revel 12. 12 of wrath and envy doth declare and accuse sinners more earnestlie as Tertullus an oratour â—ppeared against St. Paul y Act. 24. â— and accused him vehemently so the Devill a more deadly adversare will stand vp against a sinner seeking his perdition more carefully For that evill z Math. 13.19 one and envyous is most vnlike a certaine other famous oratour Demosthenes who being commanded by the people to accuse a certaine man hee refused so to doe and when the whole multitude did straitly vrge him he arose and said yee shall haue mee a counseller to you against your will but not a calumniator nor an accuser Sathan is not so but most promptly and readie ever willing for to charge and accuse the LORDS most faithfull and conscientious servants It is written of one Fimbria Cicero pro Roscio Amerino Stephanus a most impudent and audacious accuser who summond Scaevola to vnderly the law because hee did not receaue the whole weapon within his whole bodie albâ—it it may bee thought he was grievously wounded with the poynt thereof But the Devill that malicious deceaver much more bold and shamelesse who durst presume to accuse the blessed GOD to our first a Genes 3 Parents of envy and malice he will be most eager and intentiue to cast vp in thy teeth thy most secreet and filthie sinnes to challenge impudently thee for the same for thy conviction and condemnation Besides these the nature of sin declareth plainely that it cannot Of the nature of sinne be kept close and secreet perpetually For sinne is an evill b Math. 13. 25 seede or tares sowne by the enemie while men sleept it will not appeare at the first but afterward when the blade will spring vp sinne is a debt which for a season may be committed and conteined but at length will be devulgate and craved That c 2 King 4. 1 son of the Prophet in the dayes of Elisha by all during her lyfetyme tooke order with his creditors his debt was not so well knowne as afterwards it was when hee was dead then his burthen better appeared his wife then a widow was vexed by the helpe of the Prophet shee was releeved So this fearefull d Math. 6. 12 debt sâ—nne for a short season I say may bee cunningly obscured but afterwards will bee open and manifest Sinne 3. is a Tempestuous wind who can hide e Proverb 27 16. it it is like oyle in the right hand it vttereth her selfe Sinne 4. is thift or murther which may bee done and committed but will be punisht publickly and exemplarlie when f Hos 4. 2. by killing and stearing men breake out Sinne 5. is a fire which for a space may bee covered with ashes and shortly will kindle and burne violently and shall g Iob. 31. 12 devoure to destruction and shall roote out all encrease the smoake whereof will mount vp to HEAVEN as the smoake of Sodom which Abraham saw Sinne 6. is as an heavie sicknesse or secreet corruption for a tyme lurking but afterward will spreâ—d and h 2 Timoth. 2. 17. fret as a Cancer It is lastly like a treacherous enemie who at last will vtter his malice and crueltie albeit he appeared to bee thy compainion thy i Psal 55. â—3 21. guid and thy familiar his words softer than butter and more gentle than oyle yet these will proue swords to kill thee and to be mortall and malicious enemies to destroy thee And surely k Genes 4. â— Cains parricide and crueltie and l Hebr. 12. 18. Esawe his profainesse Pharaoh m Exod. 1. 10 his oppression Saras n 1 Sam. 15. 5 covetousnesse Hamans hautinesse Achitophels treason Iezabels atheisme Manasses sorcerie Iudas â—is thift Ananias hypocrisie Demas worldlinesse all shall bee in their owne time openly delated clearely detected evidently published and seveerely punished Finally other creatures will discover Many creatures doe vtter their sinnes secreet sinnes and be witnesses against the same whether they bee creatures that hath no sence or lyfe for the o Habb 211. stone shall cry out of the wall and the beame out of the timber shall answere it and crie for a curse and woe against iniquitie and Zophar speaketh most p Iob. 20.27 truely that the Heaven shall declare the wickednesse of the vngodly and that the earth shall rise vp against him the Heaven defiled the earth burdened and other senselesse creatures defiled polluted they q Rom. 8. 22. groane and travell together and they complaine of the inhabitants of this earth or whither they be living creatures without reason as Salomon saith that the r Eccles 10. 20. foule of the Heaven shall carie the voice of the curse against it and that which hath wings shall declare the matter albeit it bee but in thought in thy bedchalmber Thus the Crowes did detect the Ex Erasmo in Proverbiis Ibici grues secreet murther of the Poet Ibicus Also the Crowes brought to light the death of a certaine Ausonius Ibicus vt periit vindex suit altiâ—olans grus man who travelling was killed by Robbers these whom he did take for witnesses was the occasion of the manifestation of that murther and of the deserved punishment inflicted vpon these malefactors Likewise the swallowes did so molest and trouble one Bessus as Plutarch reporteth Plutarch that hee was compelled to confesse his most vnnaturall and abhominable parricide wherefore hee was worthily tortured The histories record that many Blondus Read the theater of Gods îudgements Ah miser siquis multum periuria celet Sera tamen tacitis pâ—na â—enit
bee a strong confession if thou desires to haue strong i Hebr. 6.18 consolation to vphold thee in the day of tentation then also vse a strong confession of thy sinnes and transgressions never goe about to extenuate thine offences but rather labour to aggrevate and to aggrege the same 1 In regarde of the person against whom thou hast offended who hath beene so patient h 2. Pet. 3.9 in sparing a guiltie malefactor and would not thee to perish but to come to repentance and is so bountifull and mercifull towards thee whose mercies i Lament 3.21 faile not but are renued every morning Who k Exod. 34. 6 is strong gratious slow to anger abundant in goodnesse and trueth who l Psal 68. 19 ladeth thee dayly with his benefits who so loved thee that hee m Rom. 8. 32 spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him to death for thee and for thy redemption and for thine eternall glorification 2 Of IESUS CHRIST who made himselfe of no reputation but humbled n Philip. 2. 8 himselfe to the death of the crosse for his affection towards thee who o Revel 1. 5 shed his pretious blood to wash thee and to make thee a King and Priest to GOD. 3 In consideration of the season the p Rom. 13. 12 night is past the day is at hand that thou hast sinned when salvation was neere thee in the revelation of his glorious Gospell when his light hath shined clearely before thine eyes when his trumpet hath frequently fearefully and comfortably sounded in thine eares that thou hast not only trespassed in q Act. 17. 30 the time of ignorance which GOD regarded not but after so many instructions admonitions reprehensions counsells and consolations comminations and commandements in the contrarie 4 In consideration of the occasion or matter wherefore thou hast so transgressed for so small aâ—d base thing for some r Genes 25.33 pottage with Esau to sell thy birth-right or for a cuppe Å¿ Iudg. 4. 14 of milke with Sisera to lose thy lyfe or for some beastes with Saul t Sam. 15. 28 to bee deprived of a Kingdome not earthly or temporary but Heavenly and eternall for a triffle for vanitie and perishing pleasure a short and filthie delectation to losse GODS favour to bee plagued with his anger to destroy thine owne soule to bee miserable for ever confesse thy sinne vehemently that GOD may the more pittie thee 15 In thy confession transferre 15 An accusing confession not thy faults vpon others to lay the blame vpon them or cleareing and excusing thy selfe for now they be many like that foolish man of whom Seneca speaketh Seneca de tranquillitate animi who having a fore foote and so crooking he imputed the cause of his limping to the sharpenesse of the way and not to the thorne pricking his foote within or like one that is sea-sicke ascribing the cause of his diseasâ— to the swelling of the sea and not as the trueth is to the corrupt Simile humors of his owne stomack or like that blind woman Harpasta Seneca epistola â—0 who would not bee perswaded of her owne blindnesse but found fault with the house wherein shee remained as being voide of light and over dark So I say with too many it is who in their spirituall crookednesse their inward sicknesse and in their owne spirituall blindnesse would lay the fault vpon other outward occasions but not vpon themselues But in thy confession charge thine owne selfe for thy transgressions blame thine owne selfe and thine inward corruption accuse thy selfe principally and only with DAVID It u 2 Chron. 21. 17. is I even I that haue sinned but these sheepe what haue they done By such confession thou will obtaine the free absolution of GOD and stop the devils mouth from thine accusation 16 Lastly let thy confession 16 A punishing confession be without flattering of thy selfe and let it bee with some holy indignation and with a desire to take some punishment x 2 Cor 7. 11 of thy selfe for thy foolishnesse For thy beastlinesse with IOB abhorre y Iob. 42. 6 thy selfe in dust and ashes with the Prophete IEREMIE smite thine owne z Ierem. 31. 19 thigh and say what haue I done with the Publican knock thine a Luke 18. 14 owne brest with St. Paul beate thine owne body and bring it into subjection Thus thou hast more than reason to take heede most diligently and carefully that thou confesse thy sinnes arightly and in due maner or else know for a surety that thy confession will be altogether improfitable and never comfort thee without the forsaid conditions in some measure bee keept therein and first of all labour to get a sure notice and exact knowledge of thy secreet sinnes and privie corruptions of thy predominant profitable as thou dreames and pleasant vice Take travell with all industrie to try them with the b Proverb 20 27 light of the LORD with the Lanterne c Psal 119. 115 of his Word by searching d Zephan 2. 1 thy selfe narrowly by e 1 Cor. 11. 28 examining by f 2 Cor. 13. 15 prooving thy selfe most accurately and continually and thereafter goe to a sinceere humble and most serious confession and prying into thy selfe profoundly bee perswaded that thou cannot confesse thy sinnes sufficiently Thus farre for preparation come now to thy right confession as it shall please GOD to helpe thee and strengthen mee to further thee PSAIME 102. 6. I am like a Pelican of the Wildernesse A CONFESSION OF OVR SINNE AND INIQVITIE The second Chapter ALmightie GOD and most mercifull Father Now I thy poore servant am heere a Act. 10. 33 present before thee and it is of trueth thou seest b 1 Sam. 16. 7 not as man seeth for man looketh only to the outward appearance but thou ô GOD beholdest mine heart and searchest c Ierem. 17. 10 my reines thou vnderstandest d Psal 135 2 my thoughtes a farre off I take thy selfe to record O Lord GOD e Numb 27.16 of the spirits of all flesh that I desire greatly to confesse my sinnes in sinceritie humilitie and tymouslie as it becommeth mee to doe And I acknowledge before thee who knowest the hearts f Act. 1. 24. of all men that my transgressions are many they g Psal 49. 12 are moe 1. Many sins in number than the haires of my head my trespasses are multiplied before thee as the h Isaiah 40.12 waters As the waters in the deludge were encreased exceedingly to i Genes 7. 18 drowne the old and wicked world so are my sinnes to destroy mee everlastingly Certainly it was easier to Ioab to k 1 Sam. 24. 9 number the thousands of Israell than it is for mee to number the millions of mine iniquities It was as easie for Abraham to number the l Genes 13. 16 dust of the earth the
flammes of GODS loue endured that paine of these Northerne blasts most patiently as also the torments of the fire most couragiously 5. Then thou shall bee comely and pleasant in the sight of thy LORD Thou y Psal 45. 13 shall be faire and all glorious within the z Psal 90. 17 beautie of GOD shall bee vpon thee which fadeth not but ever shall remaine with thee wisedome also and joy shall never departe from thee it is much better than earthly beautie A faire woman comming to Coelius Rhodius lib 6. cap. 15. Stephan olde age looking into a glasse when shee saw her comelie countenance and well-favourdnesse altered and wrinkled for sorrow shee lost her wit and fell into madnesse but thou being thus beautified GOD a Psal 30. â—â— shall turne thy mourning into joy he shall loose thy sacke and gird thee with everlasting gladnesse 6. Thou b 1 Pet. 1. 23 being borne anew not of mortall seede but of immortall and continually nourished with the sweete milke of GODS Word and c 1 Pet 2. 2 anoynted with fresh oile thou shall not rotte nor decay thou d Psal 92. 10 shall still bring foorth good fruite in thine age thou e Isaiah 53. 15 shall bee the true Israell of GOD who shall bee saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation thou shall stand before his sight for ever Lastly If f Rom. 12. 1 thou bee a living sacrifice thou shall bee holy and acceptable to GOD thou g Philip. 4. 18 will be an odour that smelleth sweete and the LORD will fulfill all thy necessities Hee will also giue thee a feeling of thy miserie that thou mayest lament the same in a right manner to thy eternall comfort afterward Now if thou aske how this lyfe is obtained that thou may attaine to a sense of thine owne distresse and dangerous calamitie I answere thee by foure meanes ordinarly first by receaving of the holie Word preached for CHRIST hath h 2 Tim. 1. 10 brought lyfe vnto light through the Gospell by holding i Philip. 2. 16 foorth the Word of lyfe Secondly by praying the Prophet cryed fervently and frequently LORD k Psal 119. 25 quicken mee according to thy Word againe quicken mee l Psal 119. 149 according to thy loving kindnesse Moreover quicken m Psal 119.149 me according to thy judgement or custome Thirdly by the application of CHRIST who will doe to thee in a manner as Flisha n 2 King 4.33 did to the dead sonne of the Shunamite hee will as it were ly vpon thee and put his mouth vpon thy mouth and his eyes vpon thine eyes and his hands vpon thy hands and stretch himselfe vpon thee till thy soule waxe warme and thy selfe reviue Also by participation of the vertue and vigour of that most pretious and meritorious blood of that immaculate lambe slaine o Revel 13. 8 from the beginning of the world who as the Pelican quickneth thee when thou art dead in thy sinne and as p Plinius lib 2. cap. 20. polium is a preservatiue against serpents even so hee preserveth thee from that old q Revel 12. 9 serpent Sathan persuing thee Fourthlie by the operation of GODS sanctifying Spirit whom Similitude in this action and in all other service thou by no meanes may want for as the absence or the want of food bringeth leannesse want of clothes coldnesse or filthinesse want of light bringeth darknesse The want of this Spirit will bring r Psal 106. 15 leannesse vnto the inward man it will bring pollution and Å¿ Revel 3. 17 filthinesse to thy soule it will bring the blacknesse of t Iude. vers 13 darknesse and everlasting miserie and wretchednesse But by the gratious presence and powerfull operation of this Spirit thy u Psal 63. 6 soule shall bee satisfied with fatnesse and marrow thou shall x Cantic 6. 9 â—ooke foorth as the morning faire as the Moone pure as the Sun terrible as an armie with banners then y Iob 34. 30 thy soule shall bee turned back from the pit to be illuminated in the land of the living Thou z Iohn 6. 63 shall get the lyfe of grace for the spirit quickneth and all other things necessary The notable effects the good fruites and properties of the holy The holy Spirit compared to the wind by ten similitudes Spirit are largely declared in the fift chapter of our first treatise entituled CHRISTS Starre where it is likened to fire water and oile now in this place wee will compare it with the Scripture with wind for these ten respects First the wind is free blowing where a Iohn 3. 8 it listeth it is vnsearchable Effectes of the wind thou can not tell whence it commeth nor whether it goeth it is subtill and powerfull Secondly Wind dryeth the watery and durtie ground and fitteth the same for tillage and manuring After the deludge GOD made b Genes 8. 11 a wind to passe vpon the earth the waters ceassed and the ground was dryed Thirdly wind blowing on ones backe will promoue him on his way and helpe one in his journey yea it will bee comfortable vnto the godly for gaining of victorie and destroying of their enemies as it was c Exod. 14. 21 to the Israelites in Moses dayes as it was to Christian souldiers in the dayes of Marcus Aurelius as in that Euseb lib. 5 cap. 5 bloodie battell of Theodosius the first against the tyrant Engenius Socrat. lib. 5 cap. 25 the dartes of whose armie were turned backe on their faces as it Claud. Et coniurati veniunt ad classica venti was GOD bee praised to the inhabitants of this Iland in the 1588 yeere of CHRIST against the Spainyards Fourthlie A moderate winde will coole and refresh 〈◊〉 in time of the heate of summer Fiftly in the cleane d Math. 3. 12 floore wind will purge the corne and separateth the same from the chaffe which will bee burned with fire Sixtly Wind will raise corne fallen downe with weight of raine and cause the same to grow Seventhly Wind will winne the cornes and preserue them from rotting Eightly Winde will further navigation and bring e Psal 107. 30 the shippes and Mariners vnto their haven where they would bee Ninthly Wind melteth hard yee hee f Psal 147. 18 causeth it to blow and the waters flow Tenthly It purifieth the aire the g Iob. 27. 21 wind passeth and cleanseth the clouds Lastly the wind encreaseth the flammes of fire and maketh it to burne more vehemently Now these and manie moe more comfortable and more profitable are the effects of the holy Spirit which First is a most free Spirit most penetrating and most powerfull in operation whom hee pleaseth teaching h Iohn 14. 26 and illuminating and remembering 2. regenerating i Iohn 3. 5 and converting 3. conjoyning k Cor. 12.13 and vniting
GOD r Psal 139. 7 from whose presence thou can no wayes flie thy sinne is abominable like Herods who Å¿ Luke 23. 11 despised and mocked the King of glory thou art so culpable that thou art inexcusable for a contemning Scholler sayeth a Father cannot bee excused who Auguâ—â—in learned what hee should doe and contemned Fifthly if thou pray not thou plainlie declarest thy selfe to bee The sinne of Atheisme guiltie of that detestable sinne of Atheisme thou hast no hope thou t Ephes 2. 12 art without GOD in this world a meere Atheist I doe thee no wrong but tells the trueth according to the veritie of the sacred Scripture The foole hath said in u Psalm 14.1.2 his heart saith the Prophet there is no GOD how is it known that the foolish so thinke thus hee calleth not vpon the LORD pretend what thou will thy not praying to GOD bewrayeth thy Atheisme that thou doâ—st x dâ—ny Iudeverse 4 GOD. It is written of the Athenians that they banished and thrust out one of their Philosophers named Suidas ex Lil. lib. 1 de natura â—eorum Diagoras and promised a talent to any that would kill him because by his speach hee denyed their false gods and idols The Heathen accompted his sinne to bee very hainous but is not his fault by infinite degrees more grievous who in his heart a 2 Peâ— 2. â— denyeth the true GOD who made him and his only Lord that hath bought him Sixthly if thou pray not thou art barren and vnprofitable and in a worse estate than that b Math. 21. 16 figge Barrennesse tree which had leafes only but no fruit but thou hast neither leases nor fruites I meane neither a true profâ—ssion nor true action Thy LORD hath come â—undrie yeares to seeke fruite but hath c â—uke 13. 7 found none thou art a d â—ude vâ—â—s 12 corrupt tree without fruit tuice dead and pluckâ—d vp by the rootes thou then art but the stâ—ck of a rotten tree Arboris exesae â—runcus Telluris invtile pondus an vnprofiâ—able burthâ—n of the earth thâ—u art a e Iohn 15. 6 withered branch and the vnprofitable wood Of the vine tree shall f Ezech. 15 3 wood saith GOD bee takâ—n thereof to any worke or will men take a pinne of it to hang any veshell thereon amongst all the trees of the forrest is it meet for any worke Lastâ—ie if thou continue not in prayer thou art not only a drye Wickednesse and withâ—râ—d ground for â—arren â—and will sometimes bee profitable for bringing foorth the strongest men aâ—â— for containing the Petraris Dial. Saepe â—ortiâ—res viros plaga fert sterilis â— chest mineraâ—â—s but also like that earth which g Hebr. 6.7 8 drinkâ—â—â— in the raine which commeth oâ—t vpon it yet beareth thornes and briâ—rs The h Psal 53 1.2.3 foole who hath said in his heart there is no GOD. Now who is this foole Even he who will not seeke GOD nor call vpon the Lord hee is corrupted hee is a worker of iniquitie and doth abominable wickednesse Assure thy selfe in thy owne conscience that not praying maâ—eth evill doing that the want of godlinesse and the spirit of supplication is the mother of proâ—â—inesse and aboundance of abhomination Then perswade thy self that thou will i Hebr. 6. 6 crucifie againe to thy self the Sonne of GOD and make a mocke of the Lord of glorie then I truely tell thee that it shall bee k Math. 1. 24 easier for them of Sodome in the day of judgment than for thee if thou continue still without repentance in thy maniâ—old sin and haâ—ous iniquitie A GRIEVOVS PVNISHMENT NOT TO PRAY The ninth Chapter THE a Iob 27 33 Almightie who is excellent in power and judgment who is aboundant in justice who b Isaiah 2â— 17 will lay judgment to the rule and righteousnesse to the ballance will not suffer such a grievâ—us sinner so stubbornely disobeying his Majestie by neglecting his duetâ—e refusing him his due most vâ—reasonablâ—e rejecting God most vnworthiâ—ie c Rom. 2. 4 despising the riches of his bountifulnesse continually living on this earth an Atheist impiouslie a fruitlesse creature a vitious and perverse wretch to escape vâ—punished as the sinne is great so will the judgement bee heavie and grievous the Lord who is slow to wrath and aboundâ—nt in goodnesse yet d Exod. 34. 7 he will not make the wicked innocent hee will not suffer the faultie goe free vâ—judged If the trespasse bee maâ—ifold and multiplied hee will e Deut. 28 59 make the plagues many and wonderfull of long continuance and long dâ—rance Seeing it is most true that our Saviour telleth vs with f Math 7. 2 what measure you mett it shall bee measured to you againe First then if thou bee carelesse GOD will bee caâ—elesse of thy safâ—tie of thy service GOD will bee carelesse of your safetie hee will speake and perfome this that g Zach. 11. 9 which dyeth let it die that which perisheth let it perish and let the remnant every one eate the flesh of his neighbour Hee h Revel 22. 11 that is vnjust let him bee vâ—just still and bee that is filthie let him bee filthie still If the LORD carelâ—sly misregarde thee what I pray thee will become of thâ—â— In what lamentable estate will thou remaine into Thou will bee â—â—e a wast vineyard which is 〈◊〉 her cutre nor diggâ—â— but i Isaiah 5. 6 where briers and thâ—rnes will grow vp vntill it be consumed Thou 〈…〉 aâ— an adulterous wife k Hosea 2. 3 dishonoured diverced and stript naked made as a wildernesse and left like a dry land 〈◊〉 for thirst Thou will bee liâ—â— a weake new infant whose l Ezech. 16. 4 navel is not cutted who in water is not washed nor with salt seasoned nor with cloutes swadled but in thine owne blood polluted exposed and cast foorth to the open fields to the contempt of thy person to thy endlesse perdition When the Emperor Honorius Carion Chrâ— lib. 3 became a little carelesse of his governement and Italy â—eft destitute of a Praesident and chistane what woefull calamitie what doolefuâ—l destruction did then come vnto the subjects of the Romaine Empire What desolation came to that realme it is well knowne by the recordes of historic for by Alaricus King of the Gothes the counâ—rey was wasted Rom it selfe beseâ—ged taken and spoiled people captivated and many riots committed If then the m Genes 14.22 most high GOD possessor of Heaven and earth shall neglect thee of whom he is neglected and so behaue himselfe to thee as he justly behaved himselfe vnto the vnduetifull Iewes whom hee brought out of Egipt for it is written that he regarded n Hebr. 8. 9 not them who continued not in his testament into what pittiâ—full case will thou abide into then thou o Zach. 2. 9
trespasses During Samsons sleepe one p Iudg. 16. 19 did shaue off his seven lockes of his head and tooke away his consecrate haire then his strength was gone from him yea the LORD for a season departed from him therefore the Philistims his enemies they tooke him they put out his eyes and bound him with fetters and hee did grind in the prison house so while a Christian is sleeping Sathan will bee most readie to spoile him of his strength and other gifts wherewith hee was endued Sixtly By such sleepe man becommeth most vnlike to GOD Vnlikenesse to GOD. whom hee should most of all resemble for the keeper of Israell will q Psal 122. 4 neither sleepe nor slumber GOD r Iob. 28. 24 beholdeth the ends of the world and seeth all that is vnder Heaven ruling and governing all things by his mightie providence his eyes are looking his eares patent his hand sustaining continually and Å¿ Psal 104. 27 giving foode in due season to every creature wherefore his servants should studie to show themselues to be obedient children of their good Creator to bee lyke to him in holynesse in righteousnesse and in watchfulnes That every one may say t Psal 25. 1 vnto the LORD I lift vp my heart and I u Psal 123. 1 lift vp my eyes O LORD to thee that dwelleth in the Heavens and I x 1 Tim. 2. 8 pray every where lifting vp pure hands I will altogether with all vigilance and diligence consecrate my selfe soule and bodie vnto the LORD his service and y Rom. 6.13 giue all my members to GOD as weapons of righteousnesse 7 Death and destruction will Destruction ensue therevpon if that younge man Eutychus z Act. 20. 9 fallen into a deepe sleepe and overcome therewith fell downe and with that fall he died whom the Apostle Paule raised vp and restored to life againe Sisera a Iudg. 4 21 a valiant man being fast a sleepe was killed by a woman as b Iudg. 8. 11 the hoste of the Midianits which were carelesse was easily destroyed in the night Chedarlaomer with the rest of the Kinges and their victorious armie being c Genes 14.15 secure sleepie and drunken as Iosephus writeth were surprized and smitten Wee Antiquitatiud lib. 1. cap. 1. Franc. Patric de inst reip Herod read that Spargastes sonne to Thomyris queene of the Scythians and all his armie being buried in sleepe and wine was destroyed by Cyrus Thus if so many hath beene overthrowen in sleepe naturall many moe haue perished while they haue beene sleeping in sinne and securitie Yea wee read that a weake Plinius and contemptible enemie will overcome and kill a strong adversarie being a sleepe for albeit the Crocodile an hudge and a savage Serpent bee of great strength yet a very weake beast of a little more quantitie than a ratte while the Crocodile sleepeth creepeth in at the mouth of the strong fish it goeth downe to the bellie and lacerateth the same the Crocodile dieth and it escapeth No maruell then that Sathan who is strong and subtill get advantage to overcome and overthrow weake men especially when in securitie accompanied with infirmitie These and moe being the discommodities of that fearefull sleep namely 1. idlenesse 2. indigence 3. infamie 4. pollution 5. losse 6. vnliknesse to GOD and 7. destruction It is much to bee wondred and much more to bee pitied that Alace so many should so carelesly continue in their let hargie Heere in the third place wee Who do sleepe A difference betweene the godly and the wicked will breefly declare who they are that sleepe 1. The godlie sleepe 2. The wicked also but with this maine difference albeit while the d Cant. 5. 2. bridegroome tarieth both the wise Virgins and the foolish Virgins slumber and sleepe yet the wise haue oyle in their lampes even faith in their soules but the foolish are emptie and haue not the oyle of grace in their hearts Againe the faithfull sleepe most vnwillingly they are sorrowfull for their slumbring hee sleepeth but his heart waketh and it is oftentymes that hee f Numb 15.27 sinneth through ignorance so they sleepe But the wicked hee doeth g Numb 15.30 presumptuously hee sleepeth willingly as h Prover 15.21 foolishnesse is a joy to him so sleepe is a pleasure and delectation This may be esteemed a wonder in Gippius that Romane Lucilius apud Beraldum who would desire yea faine himselfe to sleepe and swore that his owne wife might play the harlote more easilie and commit adulterie But it is verie vsuall to many calling themselues Christians who desire to sleepe that their soules may the more readily commit great whoredome i Hos 1. 2 departing from the LORD a most pittifull and marvellous matter Few men will sleepe naturally to prostitute their wiues but many will sleepe spiritually to prostitute their soules Fourthly Let vs consider by what meanes and how wee are awakened 1. by GODS Word 2. by his rodde 3. by his benefites 4. by the operation of his holy Spirit First The Word is a cleare light that shineth k Prov. 4. 12 in a darke place vntill the day dawne and the day starre arise in our hearts it is a Lanterne to our feete and a light to our paths that l Psal 2. 9. the way of righteousnesse may shine as the light which shineth more and more vntill the perfite day The Word of the LORD is his m Numb 10.2 voice Which is mightie and glorious like the silver trumpets which were vsed for the assembling of the congregation Now shall the light so long tyme shine in thine eyes and shall this voice and trumpet so long tyme sound in thine eares telling thee with many cryes and advertisements that thou sleepest in a most perillous place as n Prov. 23.34 one that sleepeth in the top of the mast in the midst of the sea 2. In a most dangerous case having moe cruell enemies in this wildernesse compassing thee round about for thy confusion than DAVID had in the wildernesse Maon where hee sleeped not but made o 1 Sam. 23. 36 haste to get from the presence of Saul pursuing him 3. In a most short and troublous time when other Saincts some of them are sore working for p â— Cor. 9. 24 their penny some of them are fast q Heb. 12. 4 running for their prize some are praying and weeping in calamitie some are fighting for victorie some are suffering and resisting r Act. 21. 13 vnto blood striving against sinne readie to die and giue their lyues for the name of the LORD IESVS for to obtaine an incorruptible Crowne of glorie What now art thou I pray thee doing Is this a fitte tyme to sleepe in yea the Heavens are swiftly moving the sea vncessantly flowing and ebbing the earth is now decaying All creatures Å¿ Rom. 8. 22 together are groning Our