4. Lord make me to know mine end and the me asure of my days what it is that I may know how frail I am The reason our affections are so chill and cold in spiritual things is because we doe warm our selves no more at the fire of meditation Illumination makes us shining lamps meditation makes us burning lamps What is it to know Christ by speculation and not by affection It is the proper work of meditation to excite and blow up holy passions What sparklings of love in such a soul When David had meditated on Gods law he could not chuse but love it Psalm 119.97 O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day When the spouse had by meditation viewed those singular beauties in her beloved white and ruddy Cant. 5. she grew sick of love vers 8. Galeatius Caraccialus that famous Marquess of Vico who had been much in the contemplation of Christ breaks out into a holy Pathos let their mony perish with them who esteem all the gold in the world worth one hours communion with Jesus Christ 4. Meditation fits for holy duties The musician first put his instrument in tune and then he plaies a lesson meditation tunes the heart and then it is fit for any holy service as the sails to the Ship so is meditation to duty it carries on the soul more swiftly 1. Meditation fits for Hearing when the ground is softned then it is fit for the plough and the seed when the heart is softned by meditation now is a fit time for the seed of the word to be sown 2. Meditation fits for Prayer Prayer is Spiritualis pulsus the spiritual pulse of the soul by which it beats strongly after God There is no living without prayer a man cannot live unless he takes breath no more can the Soul unless it breathes out its desires to God Prayer Vshers in mercy and prayer sanctifies mercy * 1 Tim. 4.5 it makes mercy to be mercy prayer hath power over God vincit invincibilem * Luther Hosea 12.4 Prayer comes with Letters of mandamus to heaven Isa 45.11 Prayer is the spiritual Leech that sucks the poison of sinne out of the soul What a blessed shall I say duty or privilege is prayer Meditatio nutrix ora tionis Gerson Now meditation is an help to prayer Gerson calls it the nurse of Prayer Meditation is like oyl to the lamp the lamp of prayer will soon go out unless meditation cherish and support it meditation and prayer are like two Turtles if you separate one the other dies A cunning angler observes the time and season when the fish bite best and then he throws in his angle When the heart is warmed by meditation now is the best season to throw in the angle of prayer and fish for mercy After Isaac had been in the field meditating he was fit for prayer when he came home When the Gun is full of powder it is fittest to discharge So when the minde is full of good thoughts a Christian is fittest by prayer to discharge now he sends up whole volleys of sighs and groans to heaven Meditation hath a double benefit in it it powres in and poures out first it poures good thoughts into the mind and then it poures out those thoughts again in prayer meditation first furnisheth with matter to pray and then it furnisheth with a heart to pray Psalm 39.3 I was musing saith David and the very next words are a prayer Lord make me to know my end Hinc utilitas meditationis conspicitur quia animum Davidis ad pre candi studium erexit Calvin and Psalm 143.5 6. I muse on the works of thy hands I stretch forth my hands to thee the musing of his head made way for the stretching forth of his hands in prayer When Christ was upon the mount then he prayed So when the Soul is upon the mount of meditation now it is in tune for Prayer Prayer is the Child of meditation meditation leads the van and prayer brings up the Rear 3. Meditation fits for Humiliation When David had been contemplating the Works of Creation their splendor harmony motion influence he let the plumes of pride fall and begins to have Self-abasing thoughts Psalm 8.3 4. When I consider the Heavens the Work of thy fingers the moon and Starres which thou hast ordained What is man that thou art mindfull of him 5. Meditation is a strong antidote against sinne most sin is committed for want of meditation men sin through incogitancy and passion * Omnis passio inclinat cum impetu Tho. Quest 155. art 2. would they be so brutishly sensual as they are if they did seriously meditate what sin is Would they take this viper in their hand if they did but consider before of the sting Sin puts a worm in to conscience a sting into death a fire into hell did men meditate of this that after all their dainty dishes death will bring in the Reckoning and they must pay the Reckoning in Hell they would say as David in another sence Let me not eat of their dainties Psalm 141.4 The Devils apple hath a bitter kore in it Did men think of this sure it would put them into a cold sweat and be as the Angels drawn sword to affright them Judg. 22.23 Meditation is a golden Shield to beat back sin When Josephs mistress tempted him to wickedness meditation did preserve him How shall I do this Evil and sinne against God Meditation makes the heart like wet tinder it will not take the Devils fire 6. Meditation is a cure of Covetousness The covetous man is called an Idolater Col. 3.5 Though he will not bow down to an Idol yet he worships graven images in his coyn Now meditation is an excellent means to lessen our esteem of the World Great things seem little to him that stands high if we could live among the stars the earth would seem as nothing A Christian that stands high upon the pinacle of meditation how do all worldly things disappear and seem as nothing to him he sees not that in them which men of the world do He is gotten into his Tower and Heaven is his Prospect What is said of God He dwells on high he humbleth himself to behold the things done on the earth Psal 113.6 I may allude to with reverence The Christian that dwelleth on high by meditation accounts it an humbling and abasing of himself to look down upon the earth behold the things done in this lower Region Saint Paul whose meditations were sublime and seraphical looked at things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which were not seen 2 Cor. 4. ult How did he trample upon the World how did he scorn it I am crucifled to the world Gal. 6.14 As if he had said it is too much below me to mind it He who is catching at a crown will not fish for gudgeons as Clopatra once said to Mark Anthony A Christian
his bottle with my teares but I have filled his book with my debts Well but meditate on this promise I am he that blotteth out c. The word there in the original to blot out * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Metaphor alludes to a Merchant who when his debtor hath paid him he blots out the debt and gives him an acquittance So saith God I will blot out your sinne I will crosse the debt-book Ah but may the poore soul say it may be a great while first I may be a long time under the convulsions of conscience I may even pine away and my life draw nigh to the grave * Psal 88.9 No in the Hebrew it is in the participle of the present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am blotting out thy transgressions I have taken my penne and am crossing out thy score Oh but may the sinner say there 's no reason God should do this for me Well but acts of grace do not go by reason I will blot out thy sinnes for my name sake Ah but saith the sinner will not the Lord call my sins again to remembrance no he promiseth an Act of Oblivion I will not upbraid thee with thy sinnes or sue thee with a bond that is cancell'd I will remember thy sinnes no more Here is a sweet promise to meditate upon 't is an Hive full of the honey of the Gospel 2. Meditate upon promises of Sanctification The earth is not so apt to be over-grown with weeds and thornes as the heart is to be over-grown with lusts now God hath made many promises of healing Hos 14.4 and purging Jerem. 33.8 Esay 4◠3 promises of sending his Spirit * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophy act which for its sanctifying nature is compar'd sometimes to water which cleanseth the vessel sometimes to winde which is the fan to winnow and purifie the aire sometimes to fire which doth refine the mettals Meditate often on that promise Isa 1.18 Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow Scarlet is so deep a die that all the art of man cannot take it out but behold here a promise God will lay the soul a whitening he will make of a scarlet sinner a milk-white Saint By vertue of this refining and consecrating work a Christian is made partaker of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 he hath an idoneity and fitnesse to have communion with God for ever Meditate much on this promise 3. Meditate upon promises of remuneration The Haven of rest Heb. 4.9 The beatifical sight of God Matth. 5.8 The glorious Mansions John 14.2 The meditation of these promises will be as bezar-stone to keep us from fainting under our sinnes and sorrows SECT 3. THe third subject of meditation is * Meditate on the love of Christ meditate upon the love of Christ * Rev. 1.5 Christ is as full of love as he is of merit What was it but love that he should save us and not not the Angels Among the rarities of the Load-stone this is not the least that leaving the gold and pearl it should draw iron to it which is a baser kinde of mettal so that Christ should leave the Angels those more noble spirits the gold and pearl and draw mankinde to him how doth this proclaime his love Love was the wing on which he did flie into the Virgins womb 1. How transcendent is Christs love to the Saints The Apostle calls it a love that passeth knowledge * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 3.19 'T is such a love as God the Father bears to Christ the same for quality though not equality Joh. 15.9 As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you A beleevers heart is the garden where Christ hath planted this sweet flower of his love 'T is the channel through which the golden stream of his affection runnes 2. How distinguishing is Christ love 1 Corinth 1.26 Not many wise not many noble are called In the old Law God passed by the Lion and the Eagle and took the Dove for sacrifice that God should passe by so many of birth and parts and that the lot of free-grace should fall upon thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O the depth of divine love 3. How invinsible is the love of Christ It is strong as death Cant. 8 6. Death might take away his life not his love * Absorbeat igitur mentem meam ab omnibus quae sub caelo sunt ignita melliflua vis tui amoris ut totus tibi inhaeream solaque suavitatis tuae dulcedine pascar inchrier and as death so neither sinne could wholly quench that divine flame of love the Church had her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her infirmities her sleepy fits Cant. 5.2 but though black'd and sullied yet still a Dove Christ could see the faith wink at the failing He who drew Alexander while there was a scarre upon his face drew him with his finger upon the scar Christ puts the finger of mercy upon the scars of the Saints he will not throw away his pearls for every speck of durt And which makes this love of Christ the more stupendious There was nothing in us to excite or draw forth his love * Non dilexit dignos sed diligendo efficit dignos Aug. He did not love us because we were worthy but by loving us made us worthy 4 How immutable is Christs love Having loved his own he loved them to the end * Joh. 13.1 The Saints are like letters of gold engraven upon Christs heart which cannot be raced out Meditate much upon the love of Christ The serious meditation of the love of Christ 1. Would make us love him again Can one go upon bot coales and his feet not be burnt Prov. 6.28 who can tread by meditation upon these hot coals of Christs love and his heart not burne in love to him 2. The Meditation of Christs love would set our eyes abroach with tears for our Gospel-unkindnesses O that we should sinne against so sweet a Saviour had we none to abuse but our friend had we nothing to kick against but bowels of love did not Christ suffer enough upon the Crosse but must we needs make him suffer more do we give him more gall and vinegar to drink O if any thing can dissolve the heart in mourning it is disingenuity and unkindness offered to Christ When Peter thought of Christs love to him Christ could deny Peter nothing yet that he should deny Christ this made his eyes to water Peter went out and wept bitterly * Mat. 26.75 3. The meditation of Christs love would make us love our enemies Jesus Christ shewed love to his enemies We read of the fire licking up the water 1 King 18.38 'T is usual for water to quench the fire but for fire to dry up and consume the water which was not capable of burning this was miraculous such a miracle did Christ shew his
love did burne where there was no fit matter to work upon nothing but sin and enmity he loved his enemies the fire of his love did consume and lick up the water of their sins He prayed for his enemies Father fargive them he shed tears for them that shed his blood Those that gave him gall and vinegar to drink them he gave his blood to drink O amor his plagis membra cruentat amor The meditation of this love would melt our hearts in love to our enemies Austin saith Christ made a Pulpit of the Crosse and the great lesson he taught Christians was to love their enemies 4. The meditation of Christs love would be a means to support us in case of his absence Sometimes he is pleased to withdraw himselfe Cant. 5.6 yet when we consider how entire and immutable his love is * Joh. 13. it wil make us wait with patience till he sweetly manifests himself to us He is love 1 John 4.16 and he cannot forsake his people over-long He may take his leave not his last farewel * Mic. 7.19 The Sunne may be gone a while from our climate but it returnes in the spring The meditation of Christs love may make us waite for the returne of this Sunne of righteousnesse Heb. 10.37 For yet a little while and he that shall come will come He is Truth therefore he shall come he is love therefore he will come SECT 4. THe fourth subject of meditation is Meditate on sinne meditate upon sinne 1. Reatus Meditate upon the guilt of sin We were in Adam tanquam in radice as in a common head or root and he sinning we become guilty Rom. 5.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom all have sinned by his treason our blood is tainted and this guilt bringeth shame with it as its twin * Conscia purpureus venit in ora rubor Ovid. Rom. 6.21 2. Meditate upon the filth of sin Macula not only is the guilt of Adams sinne imputed but the poison of his nature is disseminated to us Our Virgin nature is defiled the heart is spotted * 1 Kings 8.38 how then can the actions be pure If the water be foule in the well it cannot be cleane in the bucket Isa 64.6 We are all as an unclean thing We are like a Patient under the Physicians hand that hath no sound part in him his head bruised his liver swell'd his lungs perish'd his blood enflam'd his feet gangreen'd Thus is it with us before grace comes in the mind darknesse in the memory slipperinesse in the heart hardnesse in the will stubbornesse from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head there is no soundnesse but wounds and bruises and putrifying sores Isa 1.6 A sinner befilthied with sinne is no better than a devil in mans shape * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar hom 11. and which is sadly to be laid to heart the adherency of this sinne Sinne is naturalized to us the Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an encompassing sinne Heb. 12.1 a sin that will not easily be cast off A man may as well shake off the skin of his body as the sinne of his soul it sticks fast as the ivy to the wall There 's no shaking off this viper till death Oh often meditate on this contagion of sinne How strong is that poison a drop whereof is able to poison a whole sea how venemous and malignant was that apple a taste whereof poisoned all mankinde Meditate sadly on this The meditation of sinne would make the plumes of pride fall if our knowledge makes us proud we have sin enough to make us humble The best Saint alive who is taken out of the grave of sin yet hath the smell of the grave-cloathes still upon him 3. Meditate upon the curse of sinne Maledictio Gal. 3.10 Cursed be every one that continues not in all things written in the book of the Law This curse is like a blast upon fruit which keeps it from thriving sinne is not only a defiling thing but a damning It is not only a spot in the face but a stab at the heart Sin betrays us into the Devils hands who like Draco writes all his Laws in blood Sin bindes us over to the wrath of God and then what are all our earthly enjoyments but like Damaris his banquet with a sword hanging over the head sinne brings forth the rowle written with curses against a sinner Zach. 5. and it is a flying rowle v. 5. it comes swiftly if mercy doth not stop it Ye are cursed with a curse Mal. 3.9 Thus it is till the entail of this curse be cut off by Christ Oh meditate upon this curse due to sin The meditation of this curse would make us afraid 1. Of retaining sinne When Micah had stolen his mothers money and heard her curse him he durst not keep it any longer but restores it Judges 17.2 he was afraid of his mothers curse what then is Gods curse 2. The meditation of this curse would make us afraid of entertaining sinne We would not willingly entertaine one into our house who had the plague Sinne brings a curse along with it which is the plague of God that cleaves to a sinner sinne is like the water of jealosie which made the belly to swell and the thigh to rot Numb 5.22 The meditation of this would make us fly from sinne while we sit under the shadow of this bramble fire will come out of the bramble eternally to devoure us * Judg. 5.19 SECT 5. THe fifth subject of meditation is Meditate on the vanity of the creature meditate upon the vanity of the creature When you have sifted out the finest flower that the creature doth afford you will finde something either to dissatisfie or nauseate The best wine hath its froth the sweetest Rose its prickles and the purest comforts their dregs the creature cannot be said to be full unlesse of vanity as a bladder may be fill'd with wind Job 20.22 In the fulnesse of his sufficiency he shall be in streights They who think to finde happinesse here are like Apollo who embraced the lawrel-tree instead of Daphne Meditate on this vanity The world is like a looking-glasse which represents that face which is not in it The meditation of this vanity 1. Would be like the digging about the roots of a tree to loosen it from the earth it would much loosen our hearts from the world and be an excellent preservative against a surfeit Let a Christian think thus with himself why am I so serious about vanity * Ridetura Tertulliâ—no Achilles dum discit stolam fundere comam struere cutem fingere speculum consulere collum demulcere aurem Fo ratu effaeminare quid forma quid tota mundi compages if the whole earth were chang'd into a globe of gold it could not fill my heart 2. The meditation of the creatures vanity would make us
is possible he may have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a taste of the heavenly gift he may taste but not concoct * Potest summis labris delibare Estius as one saith a Cook may taste the meat he dresseth but not be nourished by it * M. Perkins This taste may not only illuminare but reficere * Thom. Aquin. it may carry some sweetnesse in it there may be a kinde of delight in spiritual things Thus farre a man may go and yet penitus recidere fall away finally Now this will be very sad it being such a God-affronting and Christ-reproaching sinne Know therefore it is an evil and bitter thing that thou hast forsaken the Lord Jerem. 2.19 Meditate upon final relapses The meditation of this would make us earnest in prayer to God 1. For soundnesse of heart make my heart sound in thy statutes Psal Ps 119.80 119.80 Lord let me not be an Alchimy Christian work a thorough work of grace upon me Though I am not washed perfectly let me be wash'd throughly Psalme 51.2 That which begins in hypocrisie ends in apostasie 2. The meditation of hypocrites final falling away would make us earnest in prayer for perseverance Hold up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps stip not Psalme 17.5 Lord hold me up that I may hold out Thou hast set the crown at the end of the race let me run the race that I may wear the crown it was Beza's prayer Domine quod coepisti perfice ne in portu naufragium accidat Beza and let it be ours Lord perfect what thou hast begun in me that I may not suffer shipwrack when I am almost at Haven SECT 10. THe tenth subject of meditation is meditate of death * Vera Philosophia est mortis contemplatio Plato in dial de sap We say we must all die but who is he that meditates seriously upon it Meditate 1. Of the certainty of death statutum est 'T is appointed for all once to die Heb. 9.27 There 's a statute out 2. Meditate upon the proximity of death it is near to us Et mors atra caput fuscis circumvolat alis We are almost setting our feet upon the dark entry of death The Poets painted time with wings it not only rides Post but flies and carries us upon its wings The race is short between the cradle and the grave the sentence of death is already passed Gen. 3.19 To dust thou shalt returne so that our life is but a short reprieval from death which is granted to a condemned man Mine age is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as nothing Psal 39.5 nay if it were possible to take something out of nothing our life is lesse than nothing reckon'd with eternity 3. Meditate upon the uncertainty of the time We have no Lease but may be turned out the next houre there are so many casualties that it is a wonder if life be not cut off by untimely death * Quis scit an adjiciant hodiernae crastina vitae tempora dii superi Horat. How soon may God seale us a lease of ejectment Our grave may be digging before night To day we lie upon a pillow of downe to morrow we may be laid upon a pillow of dust To day the Sermon-bell goes to morrow our passing-bell may go 4. Think seriously that to die is to be but once done and after death there 's nothing to be done If thou diest in thy impenitency there 's no repenting in the grave If thou leavest thy work at death half done there is no finishing it in the grave Eccles 9.10 There 's no work nor devise nor wisdome in the grave whether thou goest If a garison surrender at the first summons there is mercy but if it stay til the red flag be hung out and the garison is storm'd there 's no mercy then Now 't is a day of grace and God holds forth the white flag of mercy to the penitent if we stay till God hold forth the red flag and storme us by death now there 's no mercy There is nothing to be done for our souls after death Oh meditate of death 'T is reported of Zeleucus that the first piece of houshold-stuff he brought into Babylon was a tomb-stone think often of your Tomb-stone The meditation of death would work these admirable effects 1. The meditation of death would pull down the plumes of pride Cum sis humi limus cur non humilimus thou art but pulvis animatus shall dust and ashes be proud Thou hast a grassy body Is 40.6 Agnoscat homose esse mortalem franget elationem Aug. and shalt shortly be mowen down I have said ye are gods Ps 82 but lest they should grow proud he adds a corrective ye shal die like men v. 7. ye are dying gods 2. The meditation of death would be a means to give a deaths wound to sinne nihil sic revocat a peccato c. No stronger antidote against sinne saith Austin than the frequent meditation of death am I now sinning and to morrow may be dying What if death should take me doing the devils work would it not send me to him to receive double pay carry the thoughts of death as a table-book alwayes about thee and when sinne tempts pull out this table-book and read in it and you shall see sinne will vanish We should look upon sin in two glasses the glasse of Christs blood and the glasse of death 3. The meditation of death would be a bridle for intemperancy shall I pamper that body which must lie down in the house of rottennesse Our Saviour at a feast breaks forth into mention of his burial Mat. 26.12 Matth. 26.12 feeding upon the thoughts of death would be an excellent preservative against a surfeit 4. The meditation of death would make us husband time better and croud up much work in a a little room Many meet in Taverns to drive away time the Apostle bids us redeeme it Eph. 5.15 Redeeming the time Our lives should be like jewels though little in bulk yet great in worth Some die young yet with gray haires upon them we must be like grasse of the field useful not like grasse of the house-top Psalme 129.6 which withers before it be grown up To live and not be serviceable is not vita but tempus * Seneca 5. The meditation of death would make us lay in provision against such a time It would spur us on in the pursuit after holinesse Death is the great plunderer it will shortly plunder us of all our outward comforts our feathers of beauty and honour must be laid in the dust but death cannot plunder us of our graces The Common-Wealth of Venice in their armoury have this inscription happy is he that in time of peace thinks of warre * Id etiam depictuon aurcis literis in porta aquaria civitatis Embrincensis he that often meditates of death will make preparation against
bottom ver 9. For with thee is the fountain of life Dulcius ex ipso fonte c. and is not this most satisfactory It is a witty observation of Picus Mirandula That in the Creation of the World God gave the water to the fish the earth to the beasts the ayr to the fowls afterward made man in his own image that man might say Lord there is nothing upon earth to be desired besides Thee what can satiate my soul but to be still with thee 3. To be still with God is the most comfortable life what sweet harmony and musick is in that soul The Bird the higher it takes its flight the sweeter it sings so the higher the soul is raised above the World the sweeter joy it hath How is the heart inflamed in Prayer How is it ravished in Holy Meditation What joy and peace in believing Rom. 15.13 and these joys are those mellea flumina those honey-streams which flow out of the Rock Christ Tell me is it not comfortable being in Heaven He that is still with God carries Heaven about him he hath those praelibations and tasts of Gods love which are the beginnings of Heaven * Rom. 8.23 So sweet is this kinde of Life that it can drop sweetness into the troubles and disquiets of the World that we shall be scarce sensible of them * Nihil sentit crus in nervo quando animus est in coelo Tertullian It can turn the Prison into a Paradise the Furnace into a Festival it can sweeten death A soul elevated by grace can rejoyce to think of dying Death will but cut the string and the Soul that Bird of Paradise shall flie away and be at rest 4. To be still with God is the most durable life nunquam deficit semper resicit Diuturniora sunt praestantio ra the life of sense will fail we must shortly bid farewell to all our outward Comforts these blossoms will drop off We read of a Sea of glass mingled with fire Rev. 12.2 Bullinger and other learned Expositors understand by that Sea of glass the World Indeed it is a fit embleme of it the World is a Sea and it is seldome calm and 't is a Sea of glass slippery and this glass is mingled with fire to shew it is of a perishable and consuming nature Riches take wings and relations take wings but you that by the wings of grace are still soaring aloft This life shall never have an end it is the beginning of an eternal life happiness is but the cream of holiness you that are still with God shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4.17 You shall see God in all his embroidered Robes of majesty * In Coelesti beatitudine sine alique taedio manens aeternitas inspectio sola divinitatis efficit ut beatius nihilesse possit Cassidor lib. 2. Ireneus lib. 4. contra haeres cap. 37. Greg. Nyssen lib. de beatitud Damascen lib. 4. de fide 1 Joh. 3. We shall see him as he is and this sight vvill be ravishing and full of glory Oh then is not this the best kinde of life He who when he awakes is still with God when he goes to sleep at death shall be ever with the Lord. Quest Quest But how shall I arrive at this blessed frame of heart to be still with God Answ Answ 1. Get a right Judgement 'T is a great matter to have the Judgement set right Get a right judgement of sin and you will be never with it get a right Judgement of God and you will be still with him In God are all combined excellencies How sweet is his love how satisfying is his presence But as the Painter drew a vail over Agamemnons face because the greatness of his grief for his daughter Iphigenia could not be expressed So when I speak of the glorious perfections in God I must draw a vail neither pen nor pensil can set them forth in their orientlustre the angels here must be silent 2. If you would be still with God watch over your hearts every day Lock up your hearts with God every morning and give him the key The heart will be stealing out to vanity * Nihil corde meo fugacius Bern. Lord saith Bernard there 's nothing more flitting then my heart Keep watch and ward there especially Christians look to your hearts after an Ordinance when you have been with God in duty now expect a temptation Physitians say The body must be more carefully looked to when it comes out of an hot Bath for the pores being open it is more in danger of catching cold After your spiritual Bathing in an Ordinance when you have been at a Sermon or Sacrament now take heed that you do not catch cold 3. Beware of remisness in duty * Sic putamus orâsse Jonam sic Danielem inter leones Sic latronem in Cruce Hierom. when you begin to slacken the reins and abate your former heat and vigour in Religion there steals insensibly a deadness upon the heart and by degrees there ariseth a sad estrangement between God and the Soul And Brethren how hard a Work will you finde it to get your hearts up again when they are once down A weighty stone that hath been rowled up to the top of a steep hill and then falls down to the bottom how hard is it to get it up again Oh take heed of a dull lazy temper in Gods service we are bid to be fervent in spirit Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lecto neglecto mollem discute somnum Sarisburiensis in Policrat lib. 1. The Athenians enquiring at the Oracle of Apollo why their plagues did continue so long the Oracle answered them they must duplare aram double their Sacrifices * Plutarch those who would hold constant communion with God must double their devotion they must be much in praier and mighty in prayer we read that the coals were to be put to the incense Lev. 16.13 incense was a Type of prayer and the coals put to the incense was to shew That the heart of a Christian ought to be inflamed in holy services nothing more dangerous then a plodding formality 4. If you would be still with God be much in the Communion of Saints many Christians live as if this Article were blotted out of their Creed how doth one Saint whet and Sharpen another As vain company cools good affections so by being in the communion of Saints we are warmed and quickned Be often among the Spices and you will smell of them These directions observed we shall be able to keep our acquaintance with God and may arrive at this blessed frame as here David had When I awake I am still with thee FINIS CHRISTS LOVELINES OR A Discourse setting forth the Rare Beauties of the Lord Jesus which may both amaze the eye and draw the heart of a sinner to him By THOMAS WATSON Minister of Stephens Walbrook in the city of
seen him were so amazed at his beauty and did seed upon it with such delight that they were unwilling to look off again * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Josephus And herein he was a Type of Christin whom are all sparkling beauties to be found he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 altogether lovely 2. Moses was a Type of Christ in his Education he was bred up a while at Court and as Josephus saith Pharaohs Daughter set a Crown of Gold upon his Head but leaving the Court he went and lived in the Land of Midian Exod. 2.15 so Christ left the Royal Court of Heaven to come and live in the World 3. Moses was a type of Christ in his Office he was a Prophet Deut. 34.10 and there arose not a Prophet since in Israel like unto Moses He acquainted Israel with the mind of God he gave them the two Tables of the Law So Jesus Christ is a Prophet Luke 24.19 he reveals to his people the mysteries of salvation He unseals the Book of Gods decree * Ideo angelus dictus ob officium propheticum Tertul. and makes known his Will Rev. 5.5 He is counted worthy of more glory then Moses Heb. 3.3 4. Moses vvas a Type of Christ in his Noble Acts 1. he was a Deliverer of the people from the Egyptian furnace he vvas a temporal Saviour So Jesus Christ his Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Saviour Mat. 1.21 He shall save his people from their sinnes 2. Moses vvas an intercessor for Israel and turned avvay the Wrath of God from them Num. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Christ is the Saints Advocate Rom. 8.34 Who also maketh intercession for us 2. Christ vvas typified by David 1. David vvas a King So is Christ adorned vvith Regall povver he is a King to govern his people Revel 15.3 and to conquer his enemies Psal 110.1.2 David was a man after Gods own heart This did prefigure Christ in whom God was well pleased Mat. 3.17 3. Christ was typified by Solomon 1. In his Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies peaceable so Christ is call'd the Prince of peace Isa 9.7 This the Angels proclaim'd at his incarnation Luke 2.14 Peace on earth all his wars tend to peace he gives that peace which passeth all understanding * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat. 2. Solomon typified Christ in his government His was a most flourishing Kingdom 2 Chr. 9.22 King Solomon passed all the Kings of the earth in riches so Christs Kingdome is very glorious all his subjects are made Kings he reigns in heaven and earth and of his Kingdome is no end 3. Solomon typified Christ in his Wisdome he was the Oracle of his age 1 King 4.31 He was wiser than all men * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joseph antiq l. 8. So Christ received the unction from his Father he had a spirit of wisdom and holinesse poured upon him without measure John 3.34 Isa 11.2 Behold a greater than Solomon is here Thus Jesus Christ was prefigured by those persons who were most lovely 2. Christ was typified by Things most lovely I will instance only in five Type 1 1. Christ was typified by the pillar of cloud and fire which was Israels guide and conduct in the Wildernesse Exod. 13.21 * Erat columna corpus quoddam ex acre condensato mirum in modum à Deo preparatum ad usam Israeliticum in cremo Tornielli Annal. This did typifie Christ our pillar of cloud who guides our feet into the way of peace Luke 1.79 The cloud was unerring for God was in it such is Christ who is the way and the truth John 14.6 How lovely is this pillar to behold Type 2 2. By the Manna This pointed at Christ He is like the Manna in three things 1. The figure of Manna was circular Exod. 16.14 There lay a small round thing c. The circle is a figure of perfection this typed out Christ in whom is all perfection 2. Cibus paratus The Manna was a meat prepared for Israel in an extraordinary manner so the Hebrew word from whence Manna seems to be derived * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to prepare Manna was a meat cook'd and dressed in heaven God himself prepared it and then serv'd it in Thus Jesus Christ was like Manna he was prepared and set apart by his Father to the blessed work of mediatorship Heb. 10.5 Abody hast thou prepared me 3. The Jewish Rabbins say Manna suited it self to every ones pallat whatever he desired that he found in Manna so Jesus Christ suits himself to every Christians condition he is full of quickning strengthning comforting vertue * Amaritu dines mundi dulces reddit Austin What fools are they that preferre the earthly mammon before this heavenly Manna Type 3 3. By the mercy-seat which was a sacred embleme or hyeroglyphick representing the mercy of God to his people there the Lord did give forth his Oracles and answers of peace to his people Exod. 25.22 There will I meet thee and I will commune with thee c. This mercy-seat was a type of Christ * Cyrill de incarnat unigen Greg. hom 6. sup Ezek Rupertus in and thorough whom God is appeased towards us Therefore he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Propitiation Rom. 3.25 O how lovely is this mercy-seat We could not speak to God in prayer nor would he commune with us were it not for this blessed propitiatory The Hebrew word for mercy-seat * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Covering to shew that in Christ the sinnes of beleevers are covered Type 4 4. Christ was prefigured by the brazen Serpent Numb 21.9 The brazen Serpent resembled Christ two wayes 1. It was made like a Serpent but it was no real Serpent so Christ was in the likenesse of sinful flesh Rom. 8.3 but he was not a sinner he was made sin but he knew no sinne Christ was as void of sinne as the brazen Serpent was of a sting 2. Qui istam Scrpentem metallinum intuerentur à Serpentum morsibus sanati fuerunt ita qui Christum fide contemplantur c. Tostat Paradox 4. When the people of Israel were stung by the fiery Serpents v. 6. then whosoever did look upon the brazen Serpent were cured Thus when sinne stings the souls of men for it is a Serpent with five stings it stings men with guilt shame horror of conscience death the curse of God Now Christ that brazen Serpent being looked upon with a penitent beleeving eye Zach. 12.10 cures these deadly stings * Joh. 3.15 Oh how lovely is this brazen Serpent many of the Jews saith Tostatus worshipped the Serpent of brasse let us in our hearts adore this brazen Serpent the Lord Jesus Type 5 5. Christ was typified by Noahs Ark which saved Noah and his family from the flood Thus when the wrath of God as a deluge overflows the wicked Christ is
this is the reason why men do not embrace Christ who is infinitely lovely because they know not his worth though they are not grossely ignorant of Christ yet they are spiritually ignorant To this day the vaile is upon their heart 3. Branch 3. Bran. Inform. If Jesus Christ be so lovely it shewes us the misery of a man out of Christ 1. That lives without Christ 2. That dies without Christ 1. Behold his misery that lives without Christ He is very deformed and unlovely for all lovelinesse flows from Christ A sinner in the state of nature is like an infant tumbling in its blood Ezek. 16.6 Thou wert in thy blood The Leper in the Law was but the sad emblem of a sinner 1. * Lev. 13. The Leper was to live alone as being unworthy to come into the congregation of the holy 2. The Leper did wear three marks to be known by his garments torne his head bare his mouth covered 3. He was to cry unclean unclean This spirituall leprosie is upon every Christlesse sinner Therefore a man in a state of unregeneracy is in Scripture compar'd to things most unlovely and unbeautiful To a dog Revel 22.15 a swine * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 2.22 a Viper Mat. 3.7 * Homines à bono deficientes humanam quoque amisere naturam evenit igitur ut quem vitiis transformatum videas hominem aestimare non possis Alienarum opum ereptor lupo similem dixeris Ferox in quietus cani aut leoni parem insidiator fraudibus surripuisse gaudens vulpeculis exaequetur pavidus fugax cervus habeatur immundis libidinibus se immergens porcae comparetur ita fit ut peccans vertatur in belluam Boetius lib. 4. prosa 3. a Devil Joh. 6.70 a sinners heart is a poysoned spring 'T is like a piece of muddy ground which defiles the purest water that runnes thorough it The Heathen had this kinde of notion ingraffed into them for as Authours report they had their stone pots of water set at the doores of their Temple where they used to wash before they went to sacrifice a sinner is blinde Rev. 3.17 and the more blinde because he thinks he sees He is dead * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost ad Pop. Anticch and though he may be decked with some moral vertues this is but like strowing flowers upon a dead corps * Non vivit homo qui superbia inflatur qui caeteris insicitur pestibus quia hoc non est vivere c. Bern. in Serm 1. de Apostol Ephes 2.1 dead things have no beauty in them a sinner out of Christ is a filthy excrementitious creature * Job 15.16 he runs nothing but dregs he is hell epitomized There 's no part of him sound Totum pro vulnere corpus The man who had his running issue in his flesh Levit. 15.2 was but a type of a sinner who hath the plague-sores of sinne running upon him 1 King 8.38 Oh how ghastly and deformed is every Christlesse soul God loathes him Zach. 11.8 My soul loathed them So abominable and unsavory is a sinner that God stands afar off Psalme 138.6 He will not come near the stench of him The sinner is so deformed and diseased that when he comes to be converted the first thing he doth is to loath himself Ezek. 36.31 Ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities Thus unlovely is every person out of Christ If he brags of his goodnesse it is because he never yet look'd his face in the glass of Gods Word that would discover his spots and blemishes 2. Behold his misery that dies without Christ Though Jesus Christ be so infinitely beautiful the sinner shall see none of his beauty Christ will put a vaile upon his face as Moses did when his face shined Exod. 34.33 Nay that is not all though Christ be so lovely in himself yet to an ungodly sinner he will be terrible to behold A wicked man shall see nothing in Christ that is lovely The Sunne of righteousnesse will be eclipsed to him his beauty will be changed into fury The Lamb will be turned to a Lion Christs visage will strike the heart of a sinner with horrour and amazement King Ahashuerus was pleasant to Queen-Esther to behold when he held forth the golden Scepter but how dreadful was his visage to Haman when he arose from the banquet of wine in his wrath Esther 7.7 His look did carry death in its face So though Christ be so lovely in himself and full of smiling beauty to his Saints yet to those who reject him and die in their sins O how gastly and affrighting will his look be His eyes will be as a flame of fire Revel 1.14 Christ is represented with a bewe and a crown Rev. 6.2 Give me leave to allude Christ will appeare to the Saints with a crown very lovely and glorious to behold but to the wicked he will appeare with his bowe to shoot at them with the arrows of his indignation We read Psalme 97.2 clouds and darknesse are round about him To beleevers Christ will shine forth with his rays of Majesty and beauty but to the wicked he will cover himself with a cloud of displeasure This will be the hell of hell to the damned they shall be shut out from a sight of Christs glory and shall behol donly a sight of his wrath They shall cry to the mountains to cover them from the face of him that sits on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6.16 The humane nature of Christ Hierom. saith Hierom will be as terrible to a sinner as the sight of hell fire Use 2 Use 2. Exhortation 1. Branch If Christ be so infinitely lovely Exhort 1. Bran. then let us labour to get a part in Christ that the cursed deformity of our nature may be taken away and the bespangled beauties of holinesse may shine in us 'T is little comfort for the soul to say Christ is altogether lovely unlesse it can also say My beloved is mine Cant. 2.16 Ignatius cared not what befel him so he had Christ * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat. Epist 12. ad Rom. Clear the interest The ground of priviledge is union There are saith Bernard many Christians who have nothing of Christ in them * Sine Christo Christiani Bern. Oh labour to be made one with Christ to have Christ not only in thy Bible but in thy heart * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 renounce thy own beauty all thy parts moralities duties these are a rotten bough to hold by Phil 3.9 That I may be found in him not having mine own righteousnesse When Augustus Caesar desired the Senate of Rome to joyn some with him in Consul-ship The Senate answered that they held it a great disparagement to him to joyne any Consul with him * Sueton. in vit Aug. Caes So Jesus Christ takes it as a great