haue heard of the Patience of Iob and haue seene the End which the Lord made and that the Lord is very mercifull and full of pittie Hee that shall set himselfe to consider in his mind how poore Ioseph was handled and sold of his Brethren and how refusing to consent to the shamefull request of his Mistresse hee was cast into Prison and kept there two yeeres surely a man would take pittie on him as on a miserable person But let vs see the accomplishment of the Worke of God Let vs consider him by this meanes exalted to the Gouernment of all the Kingdome of Egypt and then wee shall count him happie aboue all If wee behold Iesus Christ mocked scourged crowned with Thornes crucified betweene two Theeues who would not be offended that the Prince of Glory and Sauiour of the World should be so handled But let vs behold him risen againe ascended into Heauen and sitting at the right hand of God aboue all Principalities and Power and wee will admire and prayse the Worke of God Hee that neuer saw a Haruest seeing the Plough-man taking much paines to tyll the Earth to spread it with Dung and after to cast faire Wheat into the Field so tylled hee would thinke that this Man were mad and that a Child were to be whipt that should doe such a thing But seeing the Haruest hee would change his minde and acknowledge that the Husbandman had done an excellent Worke. Now this is the time to Tyll to Dung and to Sowe the Haruest shall follow Let vs not change the course of the Season neyther let vs separate them the one from the other but let vs ioyne the time of the Death with the day of the Resurrection and let vs assure our selues as wee haue it in the Psalme that hauing sowed in teares wee shall reape with ioy Hee that had seene poore Lazarus full of sores Luke 16.9 at the Gate of the Rich man and the Rich man at the Table in all Delights and Pleasures hee would not haue chosen to be Lazarus but the Rich man but if tarrying a while hee saw the Soule of Lazarus carried straight by the Angels into Heauen and the Rich mans Soule goe to Hell hee would change his minde and would desire to be Lazarus Let vs then derest the glistering state of cursed Riches and let vs account of the poore and afflicted Condition of the Lazarusses of our Time wayting to bee carryed vp into euerlasting glorie The wicked haue nothing in Heauen nor wee in the World Blessed is the man saith Dauid whom the Lord instructeth by the power of his Spirit and by the Doctrine of his Law to haue contentment and rest in the time of aduersitie while the Graue is digged for the vngodly for the end of his felicitie Not to feare death Yea if we were called to suffer Death for the Name of Christ what other thing is this Death but after a long Conflict the day of Victorie the Birth of a blessed Soule after a great Trauell the Hauen desired after so furious Tempests the end of a dangerous and troublesome Voyage the healing of all Wounds and Sicknesses the deliuerance from all feare and terror the accomplishment of our Sanctification the gate of Heauen the entrance into Paradise the taking possession of the Inheritance of the Father the Day of our Marriage with the Lambe and the enioying of our Desires Who is then among vs who feeling with Saint Paul the Bondage of sinne would not crye out with him Alas wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from this Body of Death And feeling the good that Death bringeth vnto vs will not also say with him I desire to bee dissolued Rom. 7.24 and to bee with Christ If Death vvherewith God threatened our first Parents is a feeling of the Wrath of God in the Soule and in the Body because of Sinne wee may well say that Death and Life are two Twinnes vnited and knit together vntill the separation of the Soule and Body and this separation which is commonly called Death is rather the deadly stroke of Death the Body being then exempt from paine and the Soule from vice and corruption wayting vntill the rest of Death bee swallowed vp in Victorie at the day of the Resurrection First therefore it is to be considered that there is no Creature more enemie vnto Man nor more able to hurt then the Deuill and indeed he is called the Enemie the Murtherer 1. Pet. 5.8 and the roaring Lyon seeking whom hee may deuoure but the Historie of Iob sheweth plainely that God holdeth him bridled so as hee can attempt nothing nor goe eyther forward or backward more then God will permit him And this which is more hee hath not power to enter so much as into the Swine vvithout the leaue of Christ What is this then that we should feare Men Are not they also vnder the prouidence power and gouernment of God It is God said Hannah 1. Sam. 2.3 the Mother of Samuel who weigheth their Enterprises so as they cannot passe one Ounce of the Weight ordayned of God It is hee that killeth and maketh aliue againe which bringeth downe to the Pit and lifteth vp againe hee maketh poore and maketh rich hee abaseth and exalteth Psal 115.3 It is hee alone as Dauid sayth which doth whatsoeuer hee will Now wee doubt not but hee will doe that which hee hath promised vs yea and that hee hath taken vpon him to make vs happie If then the Doctrine of the Prouidence of God importeth that hee hath not onely ordayned in his eternall Councell the end and issue of his Worke which is his Glorie and the Saluation of his Elect but also the fit meanes according to his infinite VVisdome and requisite for execution and accomplishment of it Let vs be assured that there is no creature that can let or alter his VVill as Saint Paul sayth Rom. 8.30 If God be for vs who shall be against vs Let vs also be assured that whatsoeuer happeneth vnto vs it is the way whereby hee hath ordayned to leade vs to Life and euerlasting Glorie c. Secondly The end of our regeneration is that there may appeare in our Life an holy melodie and consent betweene the Righteousnesse of God and our Obedience Yee haue vnderstood here before that the desire of the heart to consecrate your selues to God is a marke of your election and adoption but see yee that this desire may shew it selfe by the workes of Godlinesse and Charitie If you make profession that yee know Christ know yee him according to the Doctrine of Saint Paul that yee haue not knowne him as yee ought if yee mortifie not the Old Man and put on the New walking in righteousnesse and true holinesse God hath drawne you out of the power of Darknesse and hath transported you into the Kingdome of his beloued Sonne Walke yee then as the Children of Light renounce this cursed
deliuered This will make vs to hate and abandon all sinne which are the cause for the most part of al his punishments Lam. 3.39 this will make vs afraid to displease God by any one sin fearing lest he should iustly giue vs ouer vnto the wil of our aduersaries this will make vs to fly to him for help succor to depend vpon him to seek by all meanes to come into his loue and fauour Least his wrath be kindled and so wee perish from the right way in a word this will be a speciall meanes to quicken vs to the performance of all dutifull obedience vnto our good God who hath been so gracious and mercifull to vs thus to deliuer vs. Secondly we must call to minde often our perils by land by water by fire at home and abroade our danger in sickenesse and diseases how many wayes God could plague vs with strange and grieuous visitations as the stone and chollicke the frencie madnesse and manifold destructions frō all which the Lord hath graciously preserued vs. We must remember Gods mercy in preseruing of vs in our conception in our birth in our infancy youth middle age old age and how he hath continually prouided for vs all things necessary whereas hee might iustly for our sinnes haue sufferd vs to starue and and famish for want of foode infinite are Gods works in preseruing of vs which neuer ought to slip out of our mindes but to be treasured vp in faithfull memories acknowledging that God and none but he doth all things for vs and who therefore would abuse this bounty and goodnesse of God and not rather as the Apostle Paul sayth Be moued by these to forsake our sinnes and turne to God by true repentance Rom. 2.4.5 being led as it were by these to returne the more speedily vnto God Here first wee are to consider how great things God hath done for our soules how he hath kept vs from the spirituall famine in giuing vs his word to bee so plainely and plentifully taught how hee hath kept vs from the powre and snare of the diuell how hee hath pulled vs out of the dungeon of hell and hath deliuered vs from Sinne Death Hel and Condemnation how he hath made vs to know his Wil to vnderstand his Word how he hath inlightned our vnderstandings informed our Iudgements in Truth Psal 24.2 sanctifying our affections renewing our wils rectified our reasons pacified our troubled consciences asswaged the maledy of our minds how hee hath kept vs from the power and dominion of sinne of children of wrath he hath made vs heires of heauen he hath not onely giuen vs his Sonne to be our Sauiour but his spirit to assure vs and his Sacraments to seale the assurance of our saluation in our hearts he hath elected called iustified and sanctified vs and many gracious promises hath hee made from which he will neuer go back that vndoubtedly he will glorifie vs he gaue vs power ouer sin and Sathan in our conuersion he hath giuen vs strength from time to time to withstand the temptations of the world the flesh and the diuell so that wee may truely say What could the Lord haue done more for his Vineyard the Lord hath not dealt so with euery Nation neither had the Heathen such knowledge of his Lawes O that men would wisely consider these things it would make them leaue sinning moue them to exercise themselues meditating day and night to liue so and to please God O my people saith God What wrong haue I done vnto thee or wherein haue I wearied thee Micah 6.4 5 6 testifie against mee I haue deliuered thee redeemed thee and sent before thee Moses Aaron and Meriam i. Minister and Magistrate O my people remember now c. and this with Dauid this will make vs cry out and say Come and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soule Secondly we must remember the manner how God hath thus preserued vs both in body and soule and that hath beene extraordinarily for the most part on Gods part and vndeseruedly alwayes on our part extraordinary on Gods part as in those manifold treasons and treacheries beyond all expectation when there haue beene no way as we might thinke for vs to escape when they haue beene ready to put in execution their wicked deuises then hath God awaked as one out of sleepe to rescue and deliuer vs and that miraculously discouering their hidden treacheries as wee haue shewed before which the world knew not of Psal 107. O that men would therfore remember to praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare his wondrous workes to the Children of men Againe all this is vndeserued on our parts for we haue deserued iustly to bee cast off from God for wee diserue nothing but damnation and when we haue done all wee can doe yet still wee are vnprofitable seruants Luke 17. and therefore with Dauid wee may iustly say not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs Psal 115.1 Rom. 5. but to thy name giue the praise for thy mercy and truths sake Yea when wee were enemies to GOD yet did he looke vpon vs all which as it aggrauateth our misery and Gods mercy so it should aggrauate our hatred to all sin and loue to God and goodnesse Thirdly wee must remember the end of our preseruation that is to leaue vs so much the more without excuse at the latter day if we remember not these things to make aright vse of them Secondly to make our punishment so much the greater hauing abused Gods mercy Thirdly that we may be moued by the sight and consideration of Gods great mercy to yeeld him all possible thanks and praise expressing the same by all dutifull obedience to his commandements Fourthly that wee may hereby see our owne inabilitie weakenesse and insufficiencie how soone wee might perish were not God our good God to helpe vs and do for vs. Fifthly to make vs depend vpon his fatherly prouidence in the vse of all meanes Lam. 3.38 for out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth both euill and good That is both prosperitie and aduersitie Sixthly to make vs humble suters to Almighty God for euery good we stand in need of If the Lord himselfe had not beene on our side they had then swallowed vs vp quick for it is only Hee who preserues vs and euery good and perfect gift comes from aboue Iam. 1.17 Seuenthly to attribute nothing to chance and fortune but all to Gods mercy in Christ Iesus Lastly to deny our selues with all that wee haue acknowledging that not for any merit in vs but only because God had a fauour vnto vs he hath shewed such wonderfull deliuerance vnto vs both in soule and body for had it not beene Gods endlesse mercy wee had long since beene swept away as the Prophet Esaiah hath it Esay 19 Except the Lord of of Hosts had left vs a small remnant we
and if you will goe through all the examples of the Booke of GOD yee shall finde that they who haue beene greatest in Gods estimation haue beene alwaies smallest in their owne eyes the heart which hath receiued most from GOD euer thinks least of it selfe The deepe waters of the proude haue gone euen ouer our soule Thus Dauid setteth out the afflictions and calamities of the Church and of the godly whom the world doth not onely hate but cruelly persecute whereby wee may see that it hath not onely a greedy desire but also power to hurt murther and destroy Sathan likewise goeth about like a raging Lyon seeking whom hee may deuoure that we fall not therefore euery moment into desperation or otherwise perish it is because hee is greater which is in vs then he which is in the world as Dauid saith If God had not beene with vs our enemies had swallowed vs vp quicke A proud man his owne punishment But here is the iust recompence of his pride Let the proud bee ashamed saith Dauid He would faine haue honour or preheminence which God wil not giue vnto him he flyes shame and contempt but God shall powre them vpon him The consideration of this serues to humble the pride of man Sith they are but men of clay why waxe they proud to oppresse others It was a very worthy warning which a certaine Ambassadour gaue once to Alexander the Great That flyes and wormes at length should eate the flesh of Lyons If proud men considered this that they are but earth and that shortly their beautifull bodyes will become carkasses to bee eaten by wormes it would abate their naturall pride by which they trample dowme others poorer weaker then they vnder their feete and when they shall goe the way of all flesh they shall then say What hath pride profited vs 2. Cor. 10. and what hath the pompe of riches brought vs to When they shall see that all the dayes of their life they haue wearied themselues in vaine and then shall be plunged into irreuocable and intollerable torments These are fooles The miserable condition of a proud man and of all fooles the greatest they set themselues as parties against the Lord for hee resisteth the proud not considering that hee is stronger then they and they cannot stand before him the Lord is the most high God but it is not height makes a man stand before him none so sure to stand in his sight as they who are humble and little in their owne eyes to them hee giueth grace where it is the iust recompence of the proud that because they vsurpe to bee before all others the Lord puts them behinde all and casteth them downe to the lowest roome for mounting to the highest A notable example hereof wee haue in that Pharesie who was not so farre before the Publican in his owne estimation as hee was behinde him in the account of Christ who iudgeth of things according as they are Here then wee must put a difference betweene sinnes of pride and sinnes of infirmitie hee that of rebellion and pride departs from Gods Commandements not so hee that sinneth of weaknesse in whom euery sinne committed increaseth a griefe for sinne a hatred of sin and a care to withstand it for to these there is no condemnation these are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace mercy alwayes waits on them as a refreshing Medicine to restore them when of infirmitie they fall But as for the wicked who sinne are proud impenitent in their sins the curse of God is vpon them though it be not seene at the first but like a moath or secret consumption it eates them vp it shall deuoure their substance and shall quickly turne their glory and prosperity into shame and confusion First let vs therefore consider and that seriously that all worldly pompe all thy brauery thy gay attyre and all thy vaunting of it in the world Eccles 1.2 all is but vanitie vanitie of vanities all is but vanitie This was the foot of Salomons saying who knew too much of this by experience and no question but the like conclusion a number of proud Gallants make in the world who haue delighted to see and follow fashions so long till all is spent and then hauing nothing cry out when it is too late All is but vanity and vexation of spirit and a most vaine thing to vaunt it so in pride therefore let vs lay this to heart 1. Cor. 7.31 that the time is short and the fashion of this world passeth away See this vanitie and it will abate thy pride Secondly learne to know thy selfe throughly remember thou art but a man therefore mortall frayle flesh thy body an house of clay why then wilt thou O vaine and mortal man bestow so much cost vpon thy rotten carkasse and pamper it vp in iollitie and in the meane time neglect thy soule Remember whosoeuer thou art of what degree soeuer that of Dauid Lord what is man or the sonne of man as if hee should haue sayd Lord man is nothing yea vanitie it selfe and lesse then nothing as Dauid speaketh elsewhere Yea remember with thy selfe that it is not all thy pride shall make thee to be respected but rather ridiculous to the world and in the ende breede sorrow to thy selfe In a word remember the saying of the Prophet Esay Esay 2.22 Mans breath is in his nostrils and wherein is hee to bee accounted of As if the Prophet had answered In nothing Obiection But I doe but as the most doe who follow the fashion Exod. 23.2 Answere Thou must not follow a multitude to doe euill Now it is a great euill and a grieuous sinne to bee giuen ouer to follow fashions it being expresly forbidden in the Word of God Be not conformed to this world Rom. 12.28 or Fashion not your selues according to this world Therefore to conclude Pride is a most accursed and damnable sinne Esay 28.13 Woe to the crowne of pride it shall be troden vnder feete Psa 119.21 Cursed are the proud Pro. 16.18 Pride goeth before destruction Pro. 18.12 and a haughtie spirit before a fall Esay 5.14 Before destruction the heart of man is haughtie their glory and their pompe shall descend into hell Reade Woe vnto them that are wise in their owne eies Dan. 4.30 to 37. vers 21. Psal 124.4 Gen. 19.24 Ezek. 16.49 50. Reuel 18.4 5 6 7 c. Esay 10.5 to 20. and 13.11 and prudent in their owne sight Remember how wonderfully Sodome Babylon and Tyrus came downe for their pride The Deuil throwne downe from heauen to hell for his pride in all which is set downe the terrible iudgements of God against pride Let women read with shame Esay 3.16 to the end I meane the proud Fizgigs of this age who decke and trimme the body beyond their calling and abilitie Reade Ier. 44.10.11 12 where as the Apostle would haue
thee and therfore feare not be not any whit dismayed hold out vnto the end and trust in the Lord for euermore Hence we learne that as many as desire to be truly happy blessed may here behold the way to bee happy blessed Wouldst thou be truely happy and blessed here in this life and hereafter in the life to come Wouldst be assured that thou art the child of God in his fauour reconciled vnto him in Iesus Christ Wouldst thou be assured of saluation of thy soule Oh labour then to become a godly and a religious man repent of thy sinnes past amend thy life walke before God in new obedience labour to keepe Faith and a good Conscience hate euery euill way cleaue vnto the Lord delight in his Word let it be the ioy of thine heart then certainly thou shalt be blessed and happy for euermore To conclude if the godly man and hee that trusts in the Lord be blessed then the wicked man must of necessitie be cursed if the estate of the righteous and religious man be so comfortable and blessed then the estate of the wicked and vngodly must needes be miserable and cursed According to that of Moses vnto the Israelites Deu. 28.15 If thou wilt not obey the voyce of the Lord thy God as indeede Obedience is farre from a wicked man howsoeuer hee may come with Sauls painted Sacrifice what followes Thou shalt be cursed in Body and cursed in Soule Psal 119.21 c. Againe Thou hast destroyed the proud and cursed are they that erre from thy Commandements Verse 2. The Hills stand about Ierusalem euen so standeth the Lord about his people from this time forth for euermore WHere many hundred thousands of men are there are scarcely seuen thousand which know God or beleeue in God and yet for their sakes the whole multitude is called Gods people euen so was it in Ierusalem albeit the greater part was wicked and godlesse yet was Ierusalem called Holy not onely in respect of a small number of the godly but also because God had his abiding there So when there was not one iust person in Sodome but Lot Gen. 19.22 with his two Daughters yet could not the Angell destroy Sodome with Fire so long as Lot was in it Likewise where foure or fiue or tenne godly persons are to bee found for their sakes the whole Cittie is called Holy For these are the Elect Corner Stones these are the precious Pearles which GOD so highly esteemeth and for those sakes hee spareth the wicked Therefore sayth Dauid As Ierusalem is compassed about with Mountaines so doth the Lord compasse his people and mightily defend them on euery side In like manner Zacharie prophecyeth of a Citie whose Wall is of Fire These similitudes doe set forth vnto vs the safetie of Gods people that weake and little poore Flocke against all Dangers vpon this promise if wee also doe rest which at this day doe enioy the inestimable benefit of Gods Word wee shall be defended against the rage of Sathan and the whole World These things albeit we cannot comprehend yet should wee beleeue them so certainely as if wee did see them with our bodily eyes If wee should see our selues compassed about with brazen Walls wee should be without all feare and triumph against Sathan but it is a matter of Faith not to trust vnto that which the eyes see but which the Word offereth and promiseth This one thing therefore is lacking in vs that wee haue not the eyes of the Spirit but wee iudge according to the eyes and sence of the Flesh We must not doubt therefore but if we beleeue we are compassed about with fierie and brazen Mountaines that is to say wee abide for euer inuincible against the rage of Sathan and all the powers of Darkenesse Blessed therefore is hee that beleeueth These Mountaines are the Angels which compasse vs on euery side that Sathan with his Angels and Ministers cannot hurt vs as he would whose malice and power is such if they did not continually behold vs continually defend vs and watch ouer vs hee would destroy vs euery moment This can all they testifie which know that Sathan is a Murtherer and a Lyar which cannot abide to see the godly prosper and therefore he seeketh by all meanes to roote them out from the face of the Earth That wee are not then vtterly consumed it is the benefit of these Mountaines by whom wee are so compassed and defended Sometimes Sathan hurleth his Darts at vs as it were through the Window to destroy vs and worketh vs indeede some sorrow but he cannot hurt vs nor moue vs. This similitude seemeth to be taken out of the storie of Helizeus where the seruant of Helizeus saw the Hills about him full of fierie Chariots and Horsemen 2. Kin. 6.17 compassing Helizeus round about and mightily defending him This succour which the seruant of Helizeus saw and the Prophet beleeued when he saw nothing is sayth the Prophet round about all them which trust in the Lord The Angell of the Lord pitcheth his Tent round about them that feare him and haue a charge of them Psal 34.7 The Saints of Heauen and Earth are their fellow Brethren the Creatures of Almightie God are their Friends yea their Seruants to doe them good all their dayes The Deuils nor all the powers of Darkenesse shall not hurt them Psal 37.25 Psal 34.7 Psal 91.11 for Christ hath spoyled Principalities and Powers and hath made a shewe of them openly Hosea 2.18 and hath triumphed ouer them vpon the Crosse yea that which is more Col. 2.15 the Lord Iesus Christ to whom all Iudgement is committed is become their Lord and Sauiour so that they shall neuer come into condemnation Ioh. 5.24 but shall passe from Death vnto Life This Promise then will neuer deceiue vs onely let vs neuer deceiue our selues If therefore wee did beleeue no doubt wee should sleepe wee should liue wee should dye wee should suffer whatsoeuer Sathan and all the World can doe against vs without all feare for thus should wee thinke If I suffer any thing it is not without the will of God nor without good cause well knowne though not vnto me yet vnto God Therefore although Sathan breake through the wall in one place yet shall he neuer bee able vtterly to ouerthrow it altogether thus should wee thinke in our troubles and afflictions and comfort our selues with the good will of God The Lord will be a wall of fire round about Ierusalem and the glory in the midst of her he will keepe her as the apple of his eye and make Ierusalem a cup of poyson to all her enemies and a heauy stone which whosoeuer striueth to lift shall bee torne therewith though all the people of the earth were gathered together against it the weapons made against her shall not prosper and euery tongue that shall rise against her in iudgement shall be condemned this
It is a great comfort when a Man is in trouble to call to mind the gifts of God that made him sayth Gregorie in his Moralls For as sweete Oyntment doth not onely delight the Smell but is a speciall remedie against things that smell ill so the remembrance of good things is a comfort to a Man in Euill and Aduersitie sayth Ierome Wherefore to conclude this Point I end with that Exhortation of Saint Paul himselfe 2. Thess 4.18 Comfort your selues one another with these words and the Lord will deliuer you from euery euill worke and will preserue you vnto his heauenly Kingdome to whom be prayse for euer and euer Amen Seeing therefore it is certaine that reprobate persons haue no part in this redemption nor wicked vnbeleeuing impenitent sinners but onely the Elect This serues for to terrifie the vngodly to amaze them to feare themselues as not being in the right way but such as are vnder the Curse in the state of Damnation guiltie of eternall Death such as shall be partakers of the second Death which is a separation both of Soule and Body from God and an adiudging of them to perpetuall torments in Hell where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Which must teach them to turne from their wicked wayes and returne to God from whom they are fallen and labour to vse the meanes of their saluation and to goe out of themselues flying to the Throne of Gods Mercy most humbly beseeching God for pardon and forgiuenesse that so their part may be in this redemption and God may receiue them into his fauour without which repentance they must needs perish Except yee repent Luk. 13.3 yee shall all perish This is that our Sauiour Christ himselfe hath foretold saying He that shall not beleeue shall be damned Those that know not God and obey not his Word shall be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Againe All those shall be damned 2. Thess 1.9 that beleeue not the truth but haue pleasure in vnrighteousnesse Goe to now yee Rich men wicked and prophane weepe and howle for your miseries that shall come vpon you You that trust in your vncertaine Riches yee haue no part in the Redemption by Iesus Christ Goe to now ye that will not beleeue you that will not amend nor repent nor leaue your filthie lewd courses little thinke you of the Iudgement Day wherein euery one of you shall rise to giue vp your Accompts where the Booke of Gods Prouidence and the Booke of your owne Consciences shall be layd open before you and there shall you be arraigned at the Barre of Gods Iudgement and being condemned as Guiltie as hauing no part in this Redemption you shall will ye nill ye haue that fearefull Sentence of eternall Death pronounced against you Goe ye cursed into euerlasting fire Seeing then that it is proued that onely the Elect are redeemed and they onely saued it doth teach vs to labour to be in the number of the Elect and chosen Seruants of God and not onely to talke of our Election and discourse of it and reason about it as many will doe and that too curiously and more then is reuealed or necessarie to be knowne but to labour to gather vpon sound ground that my part in particular and thy part â—n particular is in this Election that wee may say truely vpon good proofe by euident testimonie and infallible Arguments especially from holy Scripture euery one by himselfe I thanke God from the ground of my Soule I trust I am one whom the Lord hath elected out of that cursed Race of Mankind I am one whom among so many thousands reiected of him my good God hath chosen to obtaine Saluation by Iesus Christ This is that which the Apostle Peter doth so labour in earnestly exhorting all of vs to giue all diligence 2. Pet. 1.10 to make our Calling and Election sure From which words of the Apostle wee are to note that it is no trifling matter or slight businesse no matter of dallying or delaying nor any matter arbitrarie or of indifferencie but a worke that requireth great labour paine and trauell great industrie and diligence a matter of absolute necessitie to make our Election sure Herein consisteth all our hope in this is continued our happinesse and felicitie and by this are we assured of Heauen and Life eternall and that vndoubtedly we shal be saued haue this and haue all and want this and want all Now O biectn whereas this is commonly obiected If I be elected it is no matter how I liue and so of the contrary I answere Answere That where God hath appointed the end there he hath appointed the meanes to attayne to that end the end is Life eternall which none shall euer attayne without the vsing of the true meanes This I proue plaine out of Saint Pauls words God hath chosen vs To what end to liue as wee list no sayth S. Paul but that we should vse the meanes studying true pietie and holynesse Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world to this end that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue This teacheth vs to liue in a continuall course of glorifying of God both in Body and Soule for wee are not our owne but wee are Christs 1. Cor. 6.20 Ye are not your owne for ye are bought with a price namely the bloud of Christ Therefore glorifie your heauenly Father both in Soule and Body for they are both his This is the end of our Redemption and deliuerance from our spirituall enemies Luke 1.74 75. That wee should serue God without seruile feare all the dayes of our liues in righteousnesse and holinesse before him Vprightly For the grace of God that bringeth saluation vnto all men that is all sorts of men hath appeared teaching vs that wee should denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should liue soberly that is in regard of our selues Righteously in regard oâ— our neighbour Godly in regard of God himselfe Titus 2.11 12. For Christ Iesus he is our Sauiour who gaue himselfe for vs that hee might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purge vs to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe Zealous of good Workes Tit. 2.14 His bloud which through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without fault to God Heb. 9.14 doth purge our Conscience from dead workes to serue â—he liuing God 1. Pet. 2.6 Wee are a people set at libertie that we should shew forth the vertue of him that hath called vs out of darkenesse into his maruellous light Of all the workes of Mercie â—his chiefely ought to bee remembred for it is the chiefest worke that God euer shewed to Man And if any thing will this will stay vs and keepe vs from â—he contagion of Sinne. And as it is true that none are redeemed I meanâ— none can approue
vndefiled as the Temple of the Holy Ghost and that our Soules may be defended cherished and tendered as the apple of thine Eye Keepe vs Lord this Night from all euill which may happen eyther to our Bodyes or our Soules extend thy Goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon vs or wee on them Giue vs quiet sleepe and rest and when wee shall awake let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy Meditations on thee and thy Law Blesse vs O Lord all the Nights and Dayes of our Life and at the end thereof send vs a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto Life eternall Graunt vs these good things most mercifull Father and all other needfull Graces not onely vnto vs but vnto all thy deare Children throughout the whole World euen for Iesus Christ his sake in whose Name we further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. ¶ A priuate Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in Power fearefull in Iudgement and rich in Mercy which bindest and no man looseth and looseth and no man bindeth I yeeld thee most humble and heartie thankes for that of thy fatherly Goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed me this last Nights sleepe in peace and rest and againe loosing the bands wherewith I was tyed hast giuen me power to see this Morning Light Now O Lord I beseech thee powre vpon me this Day the Dew of thy Blessing that through the operation of thy gracious Beames I may bud forth and beare the fruits of true Faith in my life and conuersation Continue this goodnesse and mercie towards me and by thy power rayse me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse Discharge me from the works of Darknesse and cloath me with the armour of Light that I may walke honestly as in the Day and liue soberly righteously and godlily in this present World Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in me pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill mee this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a watch before my mouth and order my lips that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly eyther before thee or men Keepe my senses within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my Vocation O Lord I beseech thee preserue and keepe my senses safe and sound that I be neyther corrupted by prosperitie nor cast downe by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy Iudgements or too bold vpon thy mercy but graunt me grace O mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a Religious contented Minde and in the end of my dayes by a liuely Faith may ioyfully arriue in the Land of Promise the Kingdome of Heauen through the merites of Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Amen ¶ A priuate Euening Prayer O Most holy Father and my gracious God which giuest vnto all sorts of men the chearefull light of the Day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest Vocations and likewise sendest the silent Night that then they may rest their wearied Limbes and busied Mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy Goodnesse I sinfull Creature adore and prayse thee for the totall summe of all thy Mercies whereof I haue beene this Day partaker O Lord I am vile looke not vpon mine vnworthynesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy anger iustly conceiued against me and forgiue what hath beene amisse in me this day or at any other time euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Pardon the sinnes and offences which I haue committed this Day in thought word and deede eyther against thee or my Neighbour Giue me grace to water my Couch with Teares in vnfayned Repentance for all my former sinnes and grant that I may so passe the residue of my life as that in regard of thy Iustice I may retaine a holy feare to stand alwayes in awe of thee and in regard of thy Mercy conceiue sure hope neuer to despayre or distrust in thee O Lord keepe me this Night both in Soule and Body that I may with the next Light ioyfully rise againe bee thankefull vnto thee and carefully walke in my Vocation and Calling to the glory of thy holy Name and the good of my Brethren amongst whom I liue for Iesus Christ his sake in whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. FINIS A TABLE DIRECTING where to finde the chiefe Matters contayned in this Booke A. ACcesse The godly haue free accesse to the King of Heauen when they please Pag. 322 Accomplishment Wee must looke as well to the accomplishment and end as the beginning of Gods workes 392 Aduersarie See Enemie Aduersitie See Trouble Afflictions Turne to the good of the godly 97. They humble vs for Sinne 99. Gods Name a Sanctuarie for vs in them 115. The fruits of them 122. They are but short 190 196 355. God hath set a time how long they shal last 192. which should worke patience in vs 193. Impatience in them dangerous 198. We must endure them constantly 199. Our Nature abhorreth them 326. They are no testimonies of Gods anger 334. Comfort against inward affliction 340. and outward 341 Amendment The amending of our liues brings endlesse comfort 131 Apparrell The vanitie of Brauerie gay Attyre and Apparrell 78. Fashion followers therein taxed 80 B. BAckward It is dangerous to goe backward in matters of Religion 204 Baptisme What a solemne Vow we haue made in it 10. wherein wee are made sworne Seruants of God 10 11. And haue receiued Wages aforehand of seruices to bee done 12. which God will require at our hand 14 Beginning A godly beginning without going forward auayles vs nothing 202. The end of a Christian better then his beginning 330 Beleeue The endlesse comfort of those that beleeue in Christ 131. The separation Christ will make betweene Beleeuers and Vnbeleeuers 143. Where a few true Beleeuers are for their sake all the multitude are called Gods people 155 Blessing The way to true blessednesse 152. They are blessed that keepe Gods Commandements 224. The godly make least esteeme of outward Blessings 170 Body See Preseruation Brauerie See Apparrell C. CHild of God neuer at one stay 210 Christ a powerfull Sauiour 56 Christian Different courses of the Christian and Worldling worth noting 329 Church The Rage of the Churches Enemies described 45. To what the Church may be compared 46. Gods prouidence limitteth the time in which it shal suffer and no longer 113. None can hurt it 159. What the state thereof is 161. since the Apostles time there haue been deceiuers in it 241. The troublesome estate of the Church causeth mourning in the godly 370 Cittie See Beleeue Commandements They are blest that keepe Gods Commandements 224 Come The wicked come farre different from the godly
vs feele the fruit of it 400. Fiue godly Prayers 412 Preseruation Wee must remember the manner how God hath preserued vs in body soule 34. The end thereof to bee remembred in eight respects 35 c. Preaching Is a great blessing to them that enioy it 38 Presence See Trouble Preuaile See Enemies and Faithfull Pride Pride an horrible euill 70.71 A proud man his owne punishment 74. The miserable condition of a proud man 75. The difference betweene sinnes of pride and infirmity 77. Women exhorted to shun it 81 Professors Cold professors reproued 321 Promise We ought to be mindfull and credulous of Gods promises 41 c. Psalmes The Booke of Psalmes are an Epitome of the Bible 1. VVherefore these three expounded in this Booke are called Psalmes of Degrees 2. They are excellent Platformes of Prayer and Thankesgiuing 3. The Argument of the 124. Psalme 4. The Argument of the 125. Psalme 133. The Argument of of the 126. Psalme 258 Q. QVestion Three obiections or questions answered First what the reason is why the godly are neuer ouerthrowne 50. Secondly how it can be proued they still ouercome seeing they are often put to death by their persecutors 53. c. The third whether one that is elected may liue as he list 275 R. RAge See Church Reason Many walke crooked waies of humane reason 245 Redemption The reprobate hath no part in redemption 270. VVe must glorifie God continually for our redemption 276. The Meditation of our redemption is necessary in many respects 277. c. VVe must pray for our Redemption 306 Religion It is not in vaine to be religious 150. A true triall of Religion 25 Repentance Remembrance of Gods iudgements on others hastens it 92. As sinne is a falling so repentance is a rising 234. Repentance is a first death a first resurrection and first ascention 235. It is a worke of diuine power 236. It is no lesse miraculous then the raising of the dead 236 Reuolt See Backward S. SAluation The means apointed to attain saluation must be vsed of those that expect it 129 243 275. Mens folly herein 380 Sathan The prerogatiue of Sathan 309. Hee hath no power ouer vs but what God permits 398 Sauiour See Christ Seruice Seruice to God and Sinne diuersly performed by the godly 108. It is not in vaine to serue the Lord. 150 Sinne. Comfort for sinning after Repentance 205. It is dangerous to liue in knowne sinnes 217. Comfort for such as are grieued for their sinnes 219. Seruice to Sinne and God diuersly performed by the godly 108. In temptations to sinne what we must doe 123. A purpose not to sinne the marke of a sanctified heart 214. The secure sinner the greatest sinner 232. There is no rest for a sinner till hee returne to God 239. We are to shun occasions of sinne 249. We should not despaire for our sinne 250. We must beware of falling into sinne againe 251. Our manyfold sinnes are causes of inward mourning 371 Soule See Preseruation Snare The perils of the godly compared to a Snare 94. Our life lyes open to Sathans Snares from which God deliuers vs 99. and from the Snares of the vngodly 109 Speculation See Knowledge Spirit To the godly the Spirit of God is a Seale and Signet shewing they belong to God 103. The wicked doe not receiue the fruits of the Spirit ibid. Why the Lord in this life giues vs the first fruits of the Spirit and not the principall 104. Sathans darts may afflict the Flesh but cannot surmount the Spirit 173. The state of those that haue receiued the first fruits of the Spirit 306. The testimonie of it is not alwayes receiued in a like measure 311 Suffering Three things required to make our suffering a suffering with Christ 338 Superstition Many walke in the crosse wayes of superstition 244 Supplication an helpe to godly conuersation 382 384 T. TEares God is though men are not moued to mercy by teares 354 Temptations are Sathans snares laid to intrap vs 95. The godly endures great temptations 96. Comfort against Sathans temptations 165. Neither inward nor outward temptations can hurt the godly 166. God deliuers them from all temptations 183 184. yet they are subiect to many 324. which cause in them inward mourning 372. Wee must pray to God to helpe vs in them 373. the fruits of them 375 376. they last but a little time 355 Thanksgiuing Publique thanksgiuing after deliuerance required 15. Application of it to the Gun-powder Treason 16 17. In what sort wee should be thankefull for our deliuerance from that Treason 20. A godly prayer or thanksgiuing for our deliuerie from it 412 Time How time posts away 318. Time a most precious Iewell 319. How the time of the day should be spent 320 Tongue Miserable are those that bend their tongues against the godly 348. See Heart Traditions The traditions of the Pope are burthens to mens Consciences 301 Treason See Deliuerance and Thanksgiuing Triall Christs Members militant and triumphant not to be tryed by one Rule 106 Troubles The best triall of Religion 25. God deliuers his from all troubles 60 111. The godly glory in them 65. God the best helpe and first to be sought to in them 65 66. We see three things in them better then in prosperitie 98. God deliuers his out of them by his presence 113. and God preserues vs in them 196. The remembrance of Gods gifts a great comfort in them 269 Trust In God are all things fit to be in one on whom we are to place our trust 140. The happinesse of such as trust in God 136. To trust in him is the greatest seruice we can doe him 145. He compasseth such as trust in him in all their troubles 165 Truth Some walke in the detestable and damnable wayes of wilfull spurning against the truth 246 V. VIgilancie Gods vigilancie ouer his 172 Vngodly The state of the vngodly accursed 153 Vnmercifull God preserues his from being hurt of the vnmercifull 166 Voluptuousnesse Many walke in the filthie myrie wayes of voluptuousnesse c. 246 Vowes Solemne Vowes a Christian dutie 8 W. VVAyes Many by-wayes beaten by many 243 We must be carefull we keepe the right way 378 385 Wants Gods children should not be discouraged with the sense and feeling of their owne wants 100. No comfort belongs to the wicked in the feeling of their wants 101 Welfare Gods prouidence the cause of our welfare 39 99 Wicked What the wicked are to the godly 87. Gods Iudgements on the wicked to be remembred and taken heed of 88 89 Women See Pride Word They are happy that delight in Gods Word 388 Workes See Accomplishment Worldling Different courses of the Christian and Worldling worth noting 329 Wrath. What wee are to doe in temptations of Gods wrath 123 FINIS Faults escaped in Printing Page 26. line 20 read had p. 45. l. 14. r. can p. 193. l. 9. r. or p â—06 l 1. r all the dayes of Iehoâ—ada p. 258. l. 10. r. people p. 283. l. 15. r. so we p. 314. l. 4. r. prayer p. 325. l. 7. r. is p. 347. l. 15. r. purpose
Bernard When we aske of God saith S. Bernard euen those things that concerne this present life our praiers are not so soone out of our mouth but they are written in his booke and we ought saith he to bee assured that he will either giue the thing it selfe which we haue asked or other things which hee knoweth to be more profitable for vs. To conclude Prayer is the most mightie and fruifull work of Charitie seeing by it we help our neighbours present and absent knowne and vnknowne great and little and that both with Spirituall and Corporall good things drawing by our Prayers the blessing of God vpon them Now the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus that great Shepheard of the Sheepe through the blood of the euerlasting couenant make you perfect in euery good worke to doe his Will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Iesus Christ To whom be glorie for euer and euer Amen FINIS A NECESSARY Prayer for the great deliuerie from the Gun-powder Treason O Blessed Lord and euerliuing God whose mercy is ouer all thy workes Wee thy poore vnworthy Creatures do heere powre forth our hearts vnto thee that we may neither vngratefully remember thy gratious benefits nor vngratiously forget thy seuere Iudgements who both in the one and the other hast beene beyond all measure so gratious vnto vs. We thanke thee O Lord for all the externall and internall graces bestowed vpon vs the Spirituall and Corporall the Ecclesiasticall and Terrestiall blessings which we haue receiued O Lord thou knowest that without thy helpe we cannot auoid our ruine We beseech thee O Lord let this thy mercy towards vs and our great deliuerance daily put vs in minde to be thankfull vnto thee O God we were without all meanes to foreknow such a miserie and without all Iudgement to vnderstand such a mysterie haddest not thou O Lord of thy great loue to true Religion and mercy to vs giuen meanes to discouer it O Lord if this had not beene we had beene blowne vp we had beene smothered we had beene dismembred we had beene persecuted we had been vndone Wherefore good Lord seeing thou didst bring vs to the graues mouth but hast not giuen vs ouer vnto death wee haue imprinted in our minds the horror of the danger and excited our soules to thankefulnesse for the rescue and therefore wee prayse thee wee blesse thee wee worship thee wee glorifie thee and wee render to thee all thanks Honor and power wee ascribe vnto thee for this thy gracious preseruation And wee beseech thee O Lord still to lend thy helping hand to this Kingdome To this end wee beseech thee to blesse our gracious King Iames our supreme Head next vnder thee O Lord make all thy good to goe before him day and night vphold his Crowne maintaine his State giue him continuall peace long life and much happinesse mercifully heare him in all his Petitions and effectually worke for him in all dangers Furthermore we beseech thee to blesse our Noble Prince Charles the Prince Elector Palatine the Lady Elizabeth his Wife and their hopefull Issue and the righteous Cause and when it shall make most for thy glory and their good giue them victorie O Lord ouer all their Enemies And we entreat thee O Lord still to lend thy helping hand to this Kingdome thy assistance to the Gospell and euer blesse the Persons and Consultations of that High Court with holinesse safety that we may inioy our Liues Liuings our Religion our King and that his Off-spring after him may sit vpon his Throne till the comming of Christ Iesus to our comfort thy glory to whom we offer our selues our soules and bodies to be at thy seruice for euer and euer Amen Amen ¶ A Morning Prayer for a Familie O God of glorie and Father of mercy eternall and incomprehensible Maiestie in whom we sinfull Creatures doe liue mooue and haue our being fauourably heare our vnperfect Prayers and mercifully grant our needful suites We sinfull creatures doe sue vnto thee for grace hoping in thy mercie towards vs which is ouer all Keepe vs we beseech thee this day as thou hast kept vs this night past Keepe vs in thy feare faith and loue O Lord turne thy face from our sinnes wherein we haue so delighted and blot out all our misdeeds alter our hearts and wash and cleanse vs from all staines and corruptions in the blood of thy Sonne forgiue vs all that is past euen all the euill that wee haue done or thought and graunt vs the assurance of that forgiuenesse sealed vp in our Consciences by thy holy Spirit Kindle thy loue so feruently in our hearts that wee may detest whatsoeuer is against thee and thy Word Forgiue vs our great contempt and intollerable barrennesse in good workes our soule vnthankfulnesse and the abuse of thy graces and strike our stony Hearts with the Rod of thy feare that wee may attayne vnto a due thankfulnesse for thy benefites and a most vnfayned and earnest repentance for all our sinnes O Lord wee pray thee send thy blessing vpon all our labours and giue vs a willing minde to helpe them that haue neede according to our abilitie and so prepare our hearts in all our businesses that wee may alwayes begin it in thy Name and goe forward in thy feare and finish it with thy blessing that whatsoeuer wee shall doe it may prosper Graunt this O Lord for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Mediator and Redeemer in whose Name wee further pray vnto thee saying that forme of Prayer that hee hath taught vs. Our Father which art in Heauen c. ¶ An Euening Prayer for a Familie BLessing and glory and wisedome and thanksgiuing and power and might be vnto thee O Lord most high and immortall God for thy gracious goodnesse and mercie extended to vs this day past and alwayes notwithstanding all our Wickednesses which cry dayly against vs and our Enemies that would swallow vs vp Wee beseech thee O Lord be still our God and our Lord and continue thy gracious and mercifull fauour vnto vs forgiue vs all the euill that wee haue committed this day or any time heretofore teach vs to sorrow for our sinnes and separate them from vs that would separate vs from thee O Lord pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes remoue from vs those things which our Consciences are afraid of assure vs of thy gracious Pardon and renew vs by thy holy Spirit that wee may vnfainedly hate and detest whatsoeuer is displeasing vnto thee and graunt good Father that wee may euer hereafter serue and please thee in holynesse and newnesse of life Bee thou our shield and defence against the suggestions illusions and temptations of Sathan against all the allurements and baits of the flesh with all alterations prouocations changes and chances of the world sanctifie vs with thy grace that we may keepe our bodyes