who being asked what Anton. Max. ser de somno Aelian lib. 2 sleepe was answered The image of death and rest of the senses and that of Gorgias who being very aged and feeling deadly sleepe or death to creepe on him unto a friend who asked him how hee did answered Sleepe now beginneth â—ras lib. 6. â—ap 8. to commend me unto his brother and that of Epaminondas who having slaine one of the watch whom hee found sleeping thus justified his fact Such a one as I found him saith he I have left him To â—uslat ad â—om Ibid. â—ertull de aâ—ma Chrys â—â— pop an t â—mil 5. â—rist lib. 19. â—nimal this purpose is it that of some sleepe and death are said to bee brethren or cousin-Germans Sleepe Deaths looking-glasse death a sleepe longer then usuall yea sleepe a kind of middle thing betweene death and life 2. Sleepe as it is common to all men and cannot bee driven away or avoided of any how sparing soever or well-spenders of time so it is â—eb 9. 27. â—om 5. 12. appointed unto him once to die Death passeth upon all men and â—al 89. 48. what man is he that shall not see death 3. Sleepe though usually it commeth by degrees as after labour meat wearinesse watching and the like yet doth it often steale on men at unawares So death though usually and by course of nature it 1 King 13. 24. followeth sicknesse as the forerunner thereof yet seazeth it often on men both good and bad on the very sudden So did it on the man of God that came Act. 5. 5. 10 unto Bethel so on Ananias and Luk. 12. 19 20. Sapphira Then said God unto the rich man Thou foole this night shall thy soule be required of thee when he had said unto his soule Soule thou hast much goods laid up for many yeares take thine ease eate drinke and be merry 4. Sleepe is proper to the body not the soule for even Corde vigilamus etiam cùm corpore dormimus Aug. de verb. dom Ser. 22. Isa 26. 19. then are we to be awake in soule when wee sleepe in body so dieth man in respect of his body not his soule Though the body rests and dwells in the dust of the earth yet doth not the soule so rest The dust that is the body returneth to the earth as it was and the Eccles 12. 7. spirit returneth unto God who gave it yea if the soule doe Anima quieti nunquam succedit Tertul. de anima not now sleepe whilst it is in the prison of the body much lesse shall it being freed therefrom As the soules of the godly are carried into heaven so Luk. 16. 22. are the soules of the ungodly into hell eithers bodyes in the meane time remaining in their graves As Cosimo the Florentine Hist Florent lib. 7. to some Rebels that sent him word they slept not answered that hee beleeved the same because their sleepe was taken from them So may it be affirmed of mens soules that as here they cannot sleepe so hereafter they cannot die 5. Sleepe though it bee of longer continuance with some then with others yet lasteth it not alwayes with any even the sluggard being at the length awaked or awaking therefrom so death must at the last restore her dead how long soever they have beene under the power and in the possession thereof For the trumpet shall 1 Cor. 15. 5 sound saith the Apostle and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed Agreeable hereunto is that of S Iohn And the sea gave Rev. 20. 13. up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them The difference between them Wherin thâ— differ in these 1. Though such as are asleepe may or shall awake yet doth not their awaking prove alike comfortable for Pharaohs Butler was restored and his Baker hanged according to Iosephs interpretation of their dreames So both the ungodly and the godly die yet doth not eithers death prove advantagious The houre is comming Ioh. 5. 28. in the which all that are in the graves shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of man and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of damnation Saith our Saviour himselfe All the ten virgins which slumbered as well the wise as the foolish arose but â—at 25. 7. â—â— 12. the wise onely went in with the Bridegroome unto the mariage the others being excluded Depart from me ye cursed shall â—at 25. 34. â—â— it be said unto the wicked on the day of judgement but unto the godly Come yee blessed of my Father Unto these death is not as death as having the Cor. 15. 56. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys â—â— Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—rist sting thereof removed which is sinne but as a sweet sleep unto those it is otherwise even of fearfull things the most fearfull Those lose but these gaine thereby a palace for a prison rest for labour liberty for bondage God for men the company of Angels for the company of sinners and finally heaven for earth 2. As sleepe proveth unto many fatall wherein they die and from which they never rise so unto the ungodly the death of the body is a forerunner of that second death the death both of body and soule under which they shall lye world without end But it is not so unto Gods children Thereby is put an end unto all their miseries for they rest from Rev. 14. 13 their labours neither doe they hunger any more or thirst any more and all teares are wiped from their eyes Thereby are they freed from all sorts of Rom. 6. 7. sinnes for hee that is dead is freed from sinne thereby from the beeing of sinne from the infection of sinne from the guilt of sinne from temptations unto sinne from the authority dominion and rule of sinne from the imputation of sinne from the reward or dangerous effect and consequents of sinne and that wholly fully perpetually Thereby from all sorts of crosses Thereby from all sorts of feares Thereby from all sorts of cares In a word thereby freed from all sorts of evill past present and to come They lye downe in 〈◊〉 57. 1â— sure and certaine hope of resurrection to eternall life Their â— Cor. 15. 42 â— 44. bodyes are sowne in corruption but raised in incorruption sowne in dishonour but raised in glory sowne in weaknesse but raised in power sowne naturall bodyes as many goe heavily to bed but raised spirituall bodyes when through the glorious beames of the Sunne of righteousnesse shining on them they shall fully recollect both their spirits and strength in all which respects that of Salomon may bee applyed unto them that Their day of death is better then the day wherein they were borne 3. As every
acceptiâ—ns of sleepe figuratively taken in respect of the godly in respect of the godly and the ungodly severally as in respect of both joyntly considered Severally In respect of the godly 1. For abundant prosperity tranquillitie peace of conscience quietnesse and rest of minde voide of carking care and free from such distractions as during the state of Nature disquiet the whole man I laid Psal 3. 5. me downe and slept said David And againe He giveth his beloved Psal 1 27. 2â— sleepe Agreeable hereunto is that of Ezekiel They Ezech. 34. 2â— shall dwell safely in the wildernesse and sleepe in the woods 2. For a spirituall slumber and drowsinesse in the mind and heart touching heavenly things occasioned through abundance of peace and pleasures wherewith a Christian may bee at sometimes so overtaken as that though bodily awake with David hee falleth into the 2 Sam. 11. 4â— sleepe of sinne Such was the Spouses slumber I sleepe saith â—ant 5. 2. she but my heart waketh Such also the slumber even of the five wise virgins When the â—at 25. 5. Soule either through carelesnesse or by reason of some temptation ceased from good then doth it thus sleepe Hereof what one is there which may not justly complaine How often doth man seeme unto himselfe wise just humble rich in grace how often goeth hee on in his vanitie glorying in the multitude of his spirituall riches and saying in the pride of his heart I shall Rev. 3. 17. not be moved for ever I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing but when hee shall awake hee will be ashamed of such fancies and dreames In respect of the ungodly The ungodly for sin considered in generall and that as well for sinne as the effects of sinne Sinne considered both in generall and in particular In Generall As in that of the Apostle Now it is high Rom. 13. 11. time to awake out of sleepe And againe Awake thou that Eph. 5. 14 1 Thes 5 6. sleepest And againe let us not sleepe as doe others Neither is it without especiall cause that sinne is thus expressed there Resemblances betweene sleepe and sinne being indeed betweene sinne and sleepe no small resemblance as may thus appeare 1. Sleepe is naturall to the body so is sinne to the Soule Naturally every imagination Gen. 6. 5. of the thoughts of our hearts is onely evill continually Wee leave the paths of uprightnesse Prov. 2. 13. 14. Isa 5. 18. to walke in the wayes of darknesse wee rejoyce to doe evill and delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked wee draw iniquity with cords of vanity and sinne as it were with a cart-rope 2. Sleepe steales upon man as it were by degrees so in like manner doth sinne Suggestion produceth delight Delight consent Consent act Act the habite thereof 3. Man being overtaken with sleepe feares no danger bee it never so neere never so great as the examples of Ishbosheth 2. Sam. 4. 6. and Ionah witnesse so sinne driveth into security We have Ionah 1. 5. made a covenant with death said some in the daies of Esay Isa 28. 15. and with hell are wee at an agreement when the over-flowing scourge shall passe through it shall not come unto us Agreeable here unto is that of the Lord by Amos All the sinners Amos 9. 10 of my people shall die by the sword which say the evill shall not overtake nor prevent us of whom Zephaniah They â—eph 1. 12. â—uk 17. 27 28. say in their heart The Lord will not doe good neither will he doe evill Of this sort were the old world and Sodomites 4. A man given to sleepe doth for the most part retyre himselfe from the company society and fellowship of others to some one corner or other that so neither himselfe may be perceived nor his rest disturbed Such a one also neither Lycost Thee vitae human affecteth light nor noise as Sibertus who banished dogs and trades-men from the place of his residence lest thereby his sleepe should be broke agreeable unto the Poets description of sleepe in these words Neere the Cimmerians lurkes Est propè◠Cimmerios longo Speâ—ca recessu â—mons cavuâ— c. Ovid Met. 11. Translateâ— by Masteâ— G. Sandys a cave in steepe And hollow hills the mansion of dull sleepe Not seene by Phoebus when he mounts the skies At height nor stouping glooming mists arise From humide earth which still a twilight make No crested fowles shrill crowing here awake The cheerefull morne no barking sentinell Here guards nor geese who wakefull dogs excell Beasts tame nor savage no wind-shaken boughs Nor strife of jarring tongues with noises rouse Secured ease c. So sinners if not past shame â—zech 8. 10. doe especially in secret commit their villanies Cain getteth his â—en 4. 8. brother out into the fields and then slayeth him Achan hideth â—sh 7. 21 his stollen goods Gehezi without the knowledge of his Master as hee conceived taketh money and raiment of Naaman and they that are drunke saith the Apostle are â—ing 5. 24. drunke in the night And lest they should not thus sleepe â—hes 5. 7. long enough and safe enough they stop the light of the Word put out the light of their owne consciences and forbid even those whose office it is to awake them out of sleepe to awake them till they please As for the word which thou â—4 16. hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord we will not hearken Amos 7. 12 13. to thee said the people unto Ieremiah O thou Seer said Amaziah unto Amos goe flee thee away into the land of Iudah and there eat bread and prophecie there but prophecie not againe any more in Bethel for it is the kings Chappel and it is the Kings Court Yea as a man being asleepe doth for the most part take it ill when he is awaked so a sinner when hee is called upon to forsake his sinnes yet a little sleepe saith Prov. 6. 10. he a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleepe The time is not come the time that Hag. 1 2. the Lords house should be built said the people unto Haggai Hast thou found me O mine 1 King 21. 20. enemy said Ahab unto Elijah If Iohn the Baptist say unto Herod It is not lawfull for thee Math. 14 3â— to have thy brother Philips wife hee will lay hold on him and put him in prison If Paul reason of righteousnesse temperance and judgement to come Felix will tremble and answer Goe thy way for this Act. 24. 25. time when I have a convenient season I will call for thee If Micaiah detect the forgery and falshood of Zedekiah Zedekiah will smite him on the 1 King 22. 24. cheeke saying Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speake unto thee 5. Sleepe during its continuance
one is not alike willing to sleepe especially such as are unusually terrified by dreames so neither are all alike willing to die The godly wait for death All the Iob 7. 14. dayes of my appointed time will I wait saith Iob till my change Job 14. 14. come yea with the Apostle desire to be dissolved and to bee Phil. 1. 23. Heb. 9. 27. with Christ But the ungodly whose consciences tell them that after death commeth judgement Act. 24. 25. doe with Foelix tremble at the very mentioning thereof yet how loath soever to undergoe it what paines or charges soever they are at when they feele it or feare it approaching to remove it and put it off doe most of them even willingly as it were through intemperancie incontinencie carking cares and such like courses bring it upon themselves 4. As through sleepe they that are in misery are fitted and enabled to undergoe more misery and they that are in a good condition become capable of more happinesse so through death are the ungodly as it were fitted for hell the godly for heaven those for unconceivable misery these for unspeakable happinesse Take we it in this Treatise Sleepe how taken in this Treatise in its proper signification but for such a sleepe as is altogether unlawfull howsoever ordinarie and common for then to sleepe when wee ought to bee swift to heare and then to bee drowsie when it concernes us to be most vigilant as at the preaching of the word and prayer who will not judge the same unreasonable and so neither lawfull nor warrantable Be this then this unreasonable unlawfull unwarrantable kind of sleepe or rather sleeping evill sleeping at Church this inordinate ordinary bodily drousinesse I say whereby the Word read or preached becommeth wholly ineffectuall and no blessing from God but rather an undoubted curse can bee expected thereupon the subject of this discourse CHAP. II. How convenient and necessary it is to handle this Argument NEither needs any to Reasons shewing the utility and necessity of this Treatise wonder that this should bee medled withall or conceive him to have little to doe unlesse to keepe himselfe awake which busieth himselfe about such a sleepy subject These with the like warrantable reasons will questionlesse justifie our proceeding 1. Because this is by most no otherwise if at all medled withall then by a bare cursory speaking against it and that not of set purpose but occasionally upon the view of some one or other sleeping yea and that but in generall tearmes which how fruitlesse and ineffectuall it proveth to reclaime any there-from daily experience sheweth As therefore for the subduing of other vices there must bee both Precept upon â—sa 28. 10. precept and lyne upon lyne so must there be for the subduing of this 2. Because there are so many which offend herein and yet thinke that either they have not at all or but a little offended Those standing upon their justification These going about to excuse their practise Such had need to bee wrought on brought on to see the greatnesse of this sinne and that as Lot of Zoar they â—en 19. 20. may not conceit that it is but a little one Before those must the evils hereof bee laid open Reasons disswading from the same be propounded as in like manner their severall objections to the contrary plainly and solidly dissolved 3. Because there are so many which being customarily addicted hereunto yet exceedingly desirous and willing to leave the same are notwithstanding wholly ignorant how to effect it Those must bee made acquainted as well with the Causes hereof as Remedies how to be rid of the same 4. Because there are but a few which doe truly take notice of the danger ensuing hereby or consider the wrongs occasioned through the same The ignorant therefore and carelesse are to bee shewed that hereby they wrong the blessed Trinitie hereby are stumbling blocks unto others which through their evill example in this kind prove no lesse wicked then themselves Hereby the Word becommeth ineffectuall and the Ministers thereof discouraged yea that this is one maine cause why they doe so long continue in their sinnes to the griefe and hurt of their owne soules 5. Because this sinne cannot be so well met withall by speaking against it as by writing For if a Minister should in his Sermon when an occasion is presented unto him as when is there not inveigh against the same hee might haply through weaknesse or want of memory forget himselfe neither bee able againe without much adoe to come to his matter or rather be forced by new objects of drowsinesse to renew his reproofes and continually to goe on in that argument yea though there were no feare of such destruction yet in as much as a Minister is not to nominate any of his auditors in particular Neither haply if it were lawfull for him to name them knoweth hee his Auditors by name though hee should observe them to bee asleepe his reproofes must bee generall which as in other things who doth not almost put from himselfe as if they did not at-all concerne him or the Minister therein had no ayme at him Our Saviour Mat. 26. 21 having informed his Disciples in generall tearmes not particularizing the name of any that one of them should betray Verse 25. him Iudas thereupon who indeed was the villaine the man aymed at could say notwithstanding Is it I Master so doe too too many in the case we have in hand 6. Because there are no lawfull meanes who will judge this unlawfull which Christians Deut. 22. 2 3. are not to use for the good one of another Yea if the Lord require of us the manifestation of brotherly love even in such things as concerne our â—eut 22. 1 â—3 neighbours our enemies e-estate much more doth hee it in such things as concerne the welfare of their bodies and if of their bodies much more of their soules Now what can be more advantagious unto their soules then their carefull and conscionable hearing of the Word and how can they thus heare it if they sleepe thereat and sleepe they will if meanes be not used to keepe them awake As therefore one of the Persian kings Chamberlaines was every morning to come unto his Masters bed-side and to awake him with these words Arise O King and be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carefull of the businesses whereof Mesoromasdes willed thee to take care So may every Christian must every Christian carefully use meanes whereby as well to with-hold themselves as withdraw others from this sleeping evill May it be lawfull in the words of Solomon to rowse up the sluggard Prov. 6. 9. How long wilt thou sleep O sluggard when wilt thou arise out of thy sleepe And will any judge this unlawfull yea should wee not thus endevour our selves according to our abilities to prevent or to amend the same we might aswell be truly reputed as
THE DROVSIE DISEASE OR AN ALARME TO AWAKE Church-sleepers Wherein not onely the dangers hereof are described but remedies also prescribed for this sleeping evill MAT. 26. 40. What could yee not watch with mee one houre LONDON Printed by I. D. for Michael Sparke junior and are to be sold at the blew Bible in greene Arbor 1638. THE DROVSIE DISEASE Or An Alarme to awake Church-sleepers CHAP. I. The severall kindes of sleepe and what kinde is here treated of SLeepe as it is referred The severall kindes of sleepe to man is used in Scripture either properly or figuratively Properly for that naturall The proper acception thereof rest which God hath appointed for the continuing and moistening of naturall heat the refreshing of the wearied spirits the quickening and strengthening of the weake members and the preservation of wearied Nature It is occasioned by vapours Whence it commeth and fumes rising from the stomack to the head where through coldnesse of the braine they become congealed and so stop the conduits and wayes of the senses that they become unable to execute their office and may seeme for a time to be tied and bound up which is therefore not without cause tearmed of some The bond of Arist de som vig. the senses Hereof the Lord is the Author The Author thereof Iam. 1. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Mat. 5. 45. even the Father of lights from whom every good gift and every perfect gift commeth downe who as hee maketh his Sunne to rise on the evill and on the good and sendeth raine on the just and on the unjust equally communicated this blessing to good and bad yet is it not more common then necessarie for It helpeth and perfecteth digestion recovereth How needfull it is strength refresheth the body reviveth the mind pacifieth anger driveth away sorrow and bringeth the whole man to good state and temperature according to that of the Poet Thou rest of things most meeke Somne quies rerum â—â—â—idissime Somne Deorum c. Ovid. metam lib. 11. Translated by Mt. G. Sandys of all the Gods O sleepe the peace of mindes from whose abods Care ever flies restoring the decay Of toyle-tir'd limbs to labour-burdening day Yea as without this man could not consist for There is no creature that can Quod caret alternâ requie durabile non est Ovid. Epist 4. alwayes last Which wholly of his sleepe is dispossest So for the fruition thereof hee hath in a manner no lesse time allotted unto him then for the workes of his calling for this Psal 104 23 craveth the night as those the day yea as it is used or rather abused it is the better part of Pars humanae melior vitae Senec. mans life during the continuance whereof which is at the least the one halfe of mans life there is no difference betweene masters and servants kings and beggers Craesus and Codrus Dimidio vitae nihil differunt foelices ab infoelicibus Eras Chil. as well those as these entertaining the same or rather with a kind of willing unwillingnesse nill they will they subjecting themselves hereunto Hereof another Poet speaking to and of sleepe Thou charme to all our cares Tuque ô domitor somne malorum requies animi c. Senec. Her fur act 4. translated by Master G. Sandys that art Of human life the better part Wing'd issue of a peacefull mother Of rigid death the elder brother Father of things the life of port The dayes repose and nights consort To Kings and vassals equall free The labour-tir'd refresht by thee Who man whom death doth terrifie Inur'st continually to die This is either ordinary or The kindes of sleepe properly taken Sleepe when lawfull extraordinary Ordinary lawfull or unlawfull Lawfull when 1. Seasonable as in the night implied in that of the Psalmist Man goeth forth to his worke Psal 104 23 1 Thess 5. 7 and to his labour untill the evening And in that of the Apostle They that sleepe sleepe in the night So in the time of weaknesse sicknesse and such other bodily infirmities whether it be by day or night 2. Moderate Not so short as that thereupon our health is endangered or so long as that thereby we are hindered from the duties of our Calling 3. Sanctified by prayer without which no creature of God 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. is to be received 4. Occasioned by the works of our Calling Eccles 5 12. 5. Our soules are awake in the meditation of heavenly Isa 26. 9. Gen. 28. 12. Cant. 5. 2. things as it was with Iacob and the Spouse in the Canticles if that may bee understood of bodily rest 6. Wee are therby the more fitted for the workes of our calling When unâ—â—wfull Vnlawfull when 1. Vnseasonable as at prayer and the preaching of the Word for wee are to watch in Col. 4. 2. â—am 1. 19. the one and be swift to heare the other 2. Immoderate as the sluggards in the Proverbs Yet a â—rov 6. 10. little steepe a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleepe 3. No blessing of God is craved thereupon which is too too usuall with most 4. Following upon the Commission of sinne as theirs of Prov. 4. 16. whom Salomon They sleepe not except they have done mischiefe and their sleepe is taken away unlesse they cause some to fall 5. Our soules during the continuance thereof satiate themselves with the seeming pleasures of sinne whereof our usuall dreames may sufficiently informe us 6. Wee become thereby the more strengthened to continue in sin and to commit the same Extraordinary occasioned Naturall meanes occasioning extraordinary sleepe either through naturall or through supernaturall meanes Naturall through 1. Care and griefe as was that of the Disciples Luk. 22. 45. 2. Wearinesse as was that of Sisera's Judg. 4. 21. 3. Long watching as was that of Eutychus Act. 20. 9. 4. Intemperance as was that of Noahs Gen. 9. 24. 5. Labour according to that of the Preacher The sleepe of Eccles 5. 12. a labouring man is sweet whether he eat little or much 6. Heate as was that of Ishbosheth 2 Sam. 4. 5. 7. Artificiall Potions made of Poppy Lettuce c. which is brought to passe sometimes for a good end as when meanes are used to bring sicke weake and aged persons into a sleepe Sometimes for a bad as when Dalilah made Sampson sleepe Iudg 16. 19. that shee might betray him into the hands of his enemies Supernaturall as which commeth immediatly of God and that sometimes on the godly as on Adam when Hevah was Gen. 2. 21. Gen. 15. 12. formed and on Abraham when God confirmed his promise to him by a vision Sometimes on the ungodly as on Saul when David tooke his 1 Sam. 26. 12 Speare and the cruise of water which stood at his bolster Figuratively and that as well The
justly punished for partaking with others in sinne which according to S. Pauls caveat who 1 Tim. 5. 2 is not bound carefully to avoide 7. Because this is a breach Canon 18. of one of our Church-Constitutions which requireth that None either man woman or child of what calling soever shall bee otherwise busied in time of Service or Sermon then in quiet attendance to heare marke and understand that which is read preached or ministred And that They shall not disturbe the Service or Sermon by walking and talking or any other way 8. Because as toward the rearing up of the Tabernacle Exod. 35. 22. some brought bracelets and earnings and rings and tablets Verse 23. all jewels of gold and the Rulers brought Onix-stones and Verse 24 stones to be set for the Ephod and for the brest-plate So others brought goats haire and red skinnes of rams and badgers skinnes neither of which were rejected but the offerings of either accepted yea and our Saviour did more commend the poore widow for her two mites which shee cast into â—uk 21. 3. the treasury then the rich for their liberall offerings inasmuch as they out of their abundance â—erse 4. cast into the offerings of God but she of her penurie cast in all the living she had So if towards the encrease of the kingdome of Christ and building up one another in our most holy faith Some with the Captaine of the Aramites 1 King 22 32. medled onely with the king of Israel that is great sinnes as swearing adultery murther and the like as some worthily and profitably have done or detect and confute heresies resolve cases of conscience set forth large commentaries on the Scriptures and handle controversies which are as gold silver and pretious stones and all to the singular good of Gods people why may not others bring their goates haire I meane discover and oppose even the pettiest offences As there must bee meat for men of which kind are the Fathers Councels Schoole-men large Commentaries on the Scriptures c. So must there milke for babes of which kind are Catechismes plaine Sermons Prayer bookes books of Meditations and such like short godly discourses whereof questionlesse no small benefit daily ariseth as their often impressions cleerely witnesse Nay even the greatest schollers and most learned men have not thought their time â—ll bestowed in writing on such low discourses as Salomon spake of the hysope that springeth out â— King 4. 33. of the wall to the capacitie of the meanest CHAP. III. Whence it is that Church-sleeping is so ordinary and usuall THE causes hereof not to mention Gods justice on the contemners of his Word who for the most part being come to Church are cast into such a deepesleepe that though they have both eyes and eares yet for the time they are deprived of the use of either neiâ—her seeing with the one nor â—earing with the other of whom it may be said as of Saul â—nd his troups a deepe sleepe of 1 Sam. 26. 12 God is upon them that they doe not awake The causes I say hereof may be reduced especially into these three The first arising from Satan The causes of Church-sleeping The second arising from our selves The third arising from others both Preachers and people Sect. 1. Satan From Satan As Dalilah made Sampson Iudg. 16. 19. sleepe on her lap to the losse as well of his liberty as life so doth Satan rocke us asleepe at Church that hee may leade us captive at his pleasure to the utter and everlasting ruine both of bodies and soules Hereof tooke Machetes of whom Lorinus in Acta Apost pag. 591. Cassianus maketh mention good notice for observing his fellow-Monkes when hee began to speake unto them of heavenly things suddenly thereupon to fall asleepe but when of other matters to lend their attentive eares hee informed them that the same came of Satan yea how many are there found which if they had no mind nor inclination to sleepe a day or two before will notwithstanding sleepe at Service and Sermon whence commeth it to passe assuredly from Satan who is ready and busie enough to besprinkle their temples with his spirituall opium of evill motions and suggestions and having maliciously enclined them to drowsinesse diligently rocketh the cradle that they may sleepe the more soundly This hee bringeth Who bringeth to passe diversly to passe as 1. By working with outward meanes occasioning sleepe such as heat weaknesse griefe long watching and the like 2. By keeping men and women in ignorance or without the knowledge of the Word 3. By perswading that the Preacher is not worth the hearing and so that his words are not to be regarded or that in his Sermons he venteth his owne spleene and malice 4. By propounding that though the Minister should preach never so well and they should give never so diligent heed thereunto yet that it will be to no purpose they being unable to conceive any thing by him delivered which for the most part through his meanes in most proveth too too true 5. By working a generall dislike of the Word preached in respect of its opposition unto those things which are with most in most request 6. By drawing the attention and intention another way Sect. 2. Our selves From our selves in sundry particulars 1. Through sloathfulnesse according to that of Salomon Pro. 19. 15. Slothfulnesse casteth into a deep sleepe which may bee no lesse appointed unto this then unto any other Hee that is sloathfull cannot but sleepe wheresoever he is Neither the feare of danger nor hope of reward will keepe him awake wee Languido sumus ingenio in somnum ituro Senec. de Provid cap. 5. are all naturally of a very dull and drowsie disposition by reason of that lumpish flesh of ours that abideth much even in the best by meanes whereof it commeth to passe that wee doe often-times sleepe and slumber be we never so carefull and diligent much more being sloathfull As it is with drowsie persons if they sit still and doe nothing they will soone fall asleepe so if we give our selves over to slothfulnesse wee shall soone be overtaken with this dismall sleepe 2. Through carelesnesse or want of attention when the mind is not set on its right object the preaching and reading of the Word but roveth on by-matters neither are the eyes fixed on the Preacher but walke hither and thither then is it no wonder but that sleepe by degrees creepeth on Therefore have we caveats and warnings propounded Hee that Rev. 2. 7. hath eares to heare let him heare Take heed how yee heare Mar. 4. 24. Jam. 1. 19. Be swift to heare and the like 3. Through intemperancie When the stomacke is full how can the eyes bee but heavy Thereby the senses are so oppressed that during the same they cannot execute their office and experience sheweth that wee doe oftener and
more readily sleepe at Church in the afternoone then in the forenoone Yea if this shutteth out the Spirit according to that of the Apostle and be not Eph. 5. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 5. Gen. 9. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 8. drunke with wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the Spirit made Noah a Preacher of righteousnesse discover his nakednesse occasioned just Lot who dwelling among the Sodomites in seeing and hearing Gen. 19. 33 34 c. vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their unlawfull deeds in beastly manner to abuse himselfe by filthy incest with those that came out of his owne loynes and through the same the day of judgement shall take men at unawares as is implied in that of our Saviour And take heed â—uk 21. 34. to your selves lest at any time your hearts bee over-charged with surfetting and drunkennesse and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares How can it but in like manner occasion this Sound sleepe saith the sonne of Sirach â—cclus 31. 20 commeth of moderate eating but this for the most part of immoderate 4. Through hatred of the Preacher when wee cannot abide him as Ahab could not indure Micaiah when we are so affected towards him as the Iewes towards Paul and Steven will wee attentively heare what he delivereth Many indeed even thus affected afford the Preacher their bodily presence but like images having eyes they see not having Psal 115. 5. eares they heare not or if they afford them their eyes and eares it is to a sinistrous end even that they may have some ground or other from his cariage or from what hee delivereth to bring him into trouble and molestation 5. Through disesteeme of the Word read or preached Too too many thinke that there is no more wisdome therein then their Teachers shew out of it which in their conceit being very small or none at all they neither watch thereat nor thereunto As no man cares for grace but hee that knowes its worth so none cares for the Word but hee that hath it in high esteeme for its unspeakeable excellencie Those prize it above thousands of gold and silver Psal 119. 72. 78. 148. Psal 19. 10. and unto them as unto David who meditated therein day and night it is sweeter then the honey and the honey combe They that have drunke of this water of life doe more and more thirst after it and as Peter being informed how necessarie it was that our Saviour should wash his feet said unto him Lord not my feet onely Joh. 13. 8 9. but also my hands and my head rest not satisfied with sipping or tasting hereof but long as it were as David to drinke of the water of the well of Bethleem 2 Sam. 23. 15 which is by the gate even to be drunke therewith Where this desire is there is watchfulnesse where it is wanting drowsinesse 6. Through disobedience unto the admonitions and reproofes of the Word when being admonished of our drowsinesse wee notwithstanding doe not amend but rather grow worse and worse as the people in the dayes of Ieremie As for the Ier. 44. 16. word which thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord wee will not hearken unto thee When I say being againe and againe admonished wee notwithstanding amend not doe we not as it were through our obstinacie put out the light that wee may sleepe the more securely 7. Through shamelesnes When we become so impudent that though we be detected noted pointed at spoken of spoken against spoken to as common sleepers at Church and so consequently contemners of the Word yea and certainly informed that thereby we make our selves as gazing stocks or common objects of laughter yet having as it were an whores forehead wee are not ashamed but doe the more goe on in the same Of us may it be said The shew of their countenance Isa 3. 9. doth witnesse against them and they declare their sinne as Sodome they hide it not Yea as drowsie sluggards which love to sleep how loath are we how unwilling to be awaked how froward how angry when wee are awaked 8. Through inconsideratnesse or want of consideration as well of the excellencie of the Word and necessity of hearing the same as of our owne pronenesse unto drowsinesse Satans endevours to lull us asleepe and our owne weaknesse to resist the same Were wee affected with those wee could not but bee more watchfull 9. Through the want of Gods feare As Abraham unto Abimelech Gen. 20. 11. enquiring of him why hee had said of Sarah that shee was his sister because I thought surely the feare of God is not in this place and they will slay me for my wives sake So may wee of Church-sleepers that wanting Gods feare they will make no conscience of sinne Yea as David Psal 36. 1 2 3 4. layeth downe the want of Gods feare to be the ground of the ungodlies ungodly both workes words and thoughts so may wee no lesse confidently affirme that it is the ground of this wickednesse and as Salomon The feare of the Lord is Prov. 1. 7. the beginning of knowledge so wee The want of it is the beginning of this particular follie Iudg. 16. 20. Sampson not being afraid of the Philistims slept to the destruction of his body as too too many being voide of Gods feare sleepe at Church to the destruction both of soule and body 10. Through custome and willingnesse For when being come to Church and no sooner set but wee set our selves to sleepe so with the dogge returning to our vomite holding downe our heads and leaning them on our elbowes as on pillowes pulling our hats over our eyes lest wee should see an unreverent thing in Gods house and stopping our eares as it were lest the noise or voyce of the Preacher should awake us or hinder us from our sleepe doe not wee willingly bring the same upon us and doth not this willingnesse occasion the same Sect. 3. Others Preachers From Preachers 1. When they doe not at any time or upon any occasion reprove this sinne or disswade their Auditors from the same 2. When they take no paines in their ministrie neither study to any purpose for what they doe deliver 3. When they doe either preach their owne inventions Ezek. 22. 2â— mens traditions or lies and errours in the name of the Lord. 4. When they doe not sute and fit their doctrine to the capacitie of their hearers 5. When they doe not what in them lyes to bring their people unto a love and liking of the Word 6. When they continue too long in their Sermons 7. When they lead a scandalous life walke inordinatly and their conversation is such as becommeth not the Gospel of Christ like unto those of whom the Prophet makes mention His watchmen are blinde they are all ignorant they are all Isa 56. 1 dumbe dogs they cannot
humbled for it and strivest against it it is not thy sinne neither shall it be laid unto thy charge 3. If thou findest thy selfe prone thereunto it is the sinne that God especially calleth thee to keepe watch and ward against II. I am old and weake and so am to bee borne withall Whatsoever it is in others in me I hope it is no great sinne to sleepe at Church A 1 A. 1. The older thou art the more need hast thou to abstaine therefrom as being nigh thine end 2. Thou wouldest be loath that whilst thou art thus sleeping death should seize on thee 3. As old as thou art thou canst watch longer about thine owne businesse or in hearing some vaine triviall sinfull discourse or in seeing a Play or some vaine show Canst thou thus watch and not watch one houre in hearing Gods Word 4. Simeon was as old as thou art yet when he came into the Temple did hee not thus behave Luk. 2. 28. himselfe and Anna the Prophetesse who was a widow Verse 36. about fourescore yeares departed not from the temple but served God with fastings and Ioh. 3. 2â— prayers night and day yea and Nicodemus to enjoy Christs company came by night unto him when hee should have slept III. I watch on the other dayes of the weeke and labour hardly A 1 A. 1. Thou wert then in thy calling for the good of thy body and therefore didst watch and when thou commest to Church thou art then also in thy calling for the good of thy soule and therefore shouldst watch 2. Thou hast watched indeed but was it for Eras apophth lib. 4. thy neighbours good as Parmenio excused Philip of Macedon unto the Grecians which complained one time that hee slept by day wonder not saith he that Philip now sleepeth for when yee slept and seemed carelesse of your owne affaires hee was awake was it not rather for his good or to worke him some mischiefe The murtherer rising with the light Iob 24. 14 15 16 17. saith Iob killeth the poore and needy c. for the morning is to them even as the shadow of death To the same purpose is that of the Poet The eves rise Horat. by night that they may slay men as hath beene already alleaged If thou hast thus watched unto villany whilst others were at their rest thou shalt find one day that better it had beene for thee that thou hadst beene asleepe 3. If thou hast done thine owne workes on the other dayes thou must doe Gods on his Since he hath not deprived thee of thy due which notwithstanding is onely thine by his gift thou must not rob him of his 4. Thou must not so toile on the weeke-dayes as thereby to make thy selfe unfit for the sanctifying of the Lords day 5. Even by night are wee to watch in Gods service much Psal 134. 1. more then by day and on Psal 119. 55. Gods day IIII. I rose very early A 1 A. 1. Didst thou not rise about thine owne worldly affaires and art thereby made unfit for this duty was it not to meet such a friend in such a place to bee merry with him for an houre or two before Sermon was it not to make up such and such a bargaine formerly spoken of was it not to cast up thy accompts and looke after thy Debtors If thou didst rise for these or the like ends better it had beene for thee to have lyen a bed 2. If thou rosest not for those or the like ends thou hadst the more time to prepare thy selfe in private for the performance of thy duty in publike neither would that have beene any let unto this nay rather prayer reading meditation and conference preceding it would bee especiall furtherances thereunto V. I have farre to Church sit farre from the pulpit am thicke of hearing and the Preachers voyce is weake A A. Though thou canst not doe as thou wouldest doe so much as thou canst Rise earlier and come sooner and sit or stand nigher waiting on Gods providence who as he hath given Mar. 7. 37. thee eares and both can and hath made the deafe to heare so may be pleased to bestow on them their proper office of hearing yea though thou canst not heare and so profit thy selfe yet thou must not sleepe lest thou offend others which may and would heare VI. I know my duty already as well as they that give best attention A A. Suppose thou doest yet shouldest thou know it much better by thy watchfulnesse neither doth the Word onely teach thee to know Gods will but calleth upon thee to be a doer thereof Bee Iam. 1. 22. yee doers saith S. Iames and not hearers onely VII What I shall lose at one time by sleeping at Church I can get up either when I come home or at another time when I goe to Church At home either by reading as good a Sermon or one on the same subject if not the very same words or by hearing the same repeated by some one in my family which writeth the Sermon At Church by giving attendance unto what shall bee then and there delivered A A. To the first branch of the former To the former and 1. branch therâ— of Mal. 2. 7. 1. Experience teacheth that the lively voyce is more effectuall then ocular reading 2. As the Priests lips are to preserve knowledge So art thou required to heare it at his mouth Mal. 2. 7. c. 3. If thou canst so well profit at home why dost thou come to Church at all 4 Sermons are not therefore printed that thou mightest heare no more but to put thee in mind of what thou hast already heard 5. Thou art to profit as well by the Sermon which thou hearest as those which thou readest The second branch To the second branch 1. Doth hee so write it as that hee neither addeth thereto nor taketh therfrom I suppose few or none have such cunning 2. No hearer can deliver it with that force and efficacie that the Preacher doth 3. If thou makest no conscience of the publike hearing of it much lesse wilt thou to heare it privatly repeated how exactly soever written 4. As the divell hindered thee from that so will he from the performance of this â—o the latâ—er duty To the latter 1. That thou sinnest if thou doest at all sleepe at Church 2. Thou maist give such offence at one time that thou canst not salve it at another 3. May not God justly give thee over that thou shalt not repent thereof nor bee reclaimed there-from 4. Knowest thou the contrary but that death may then seaze upon thee and so how miserable were thy condition VIII Even the precisest sleepe at Church A 1 A. 1. It is none of their vertues neither are they herein to be imitated 2. They doe as much as in them lyes strive against it and are no doubt humbled for it 3. It is not ordinary