doe comfort me c. Subdiuision of the first part of this verse For the first viz the description of death it affoordeth vs these points to be considered First what death is Secondly what are the kinds of death of which Dauid here speaketh Thirdly the difference betwixt the death of a Chiristian and of a bruit beast Lastly the titles tending to the description of death here vsed For the first Death is the dissolution of nature 1. VVhat Death is and depriuation of that blessed life which he vouchsafed vnto man by his creation being inflicted vpon him as a punishment for his sinne thus God threatned Adam The day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death q Ge. 2. 17. But Adam did eate of the forbidden fruit r 1 Gen. 3. 6. And thereupon the Apostle saith By one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne ſ Ro. 5. 12. which death is the punishment and wage of sinne as elsewhere the same Apostle affirmeth t Ro. 6. 23. Secondly 2. VVhat are the kinds of death as concerning the kindes of death there is mention made of a foure-fold death in the Scripture viz first a death in sinne 2. A death vnto sinne 3. The death of the bodie Lastly the death both of bodie and soule For the first the man or woman is said to be dead in sinne in whome sinne raigneth u Rom. 6. 12. and who sauoureth altogether the things of the flesh w Ro. 8. 5. and perceiue not the thinges of the spirit x 1. Cor. 2. 14. and this is the death of euery naturall man and the wretched estate and condition of euerie mothers child as wee come from the wombe so Dauid confessed Behold I was borne in iniquitie and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me y Ps 51. 5. And in generall the Apostle hath pronounced of vs all that by nature wee are dead in trespasses and sinne z Eph. 2. 1. And in particular sayth of the widdow liuing in pleasure that shee is dead whilst shee liueth a 1. Ti. 5. 6. And surely The reason why all vnregenerate persons liuing in sin are sayd to be dead the reason why such as are aliue in the flesh and be neuer so actiue agill and nimble yet so long as they continue in their naturall corrupt estate may iustly be said to be dead is very great for what is there else but death in such as are not vnited vnto God the Fountaine of life b Ps 36. 9. and therefore as the immortalitie of those that are damned is called death c Reu. 20. 6 because they are separated from God and the glorie of his power d 2. Thess 1. 9. So the knitting together of the bodie and soule is properly no life but rather death in such as are not ruled by the spirit of God which is the Fountain of life * genus mortis sine poenitentia viuere Aug. 2 Secondly concerning death vnto sin it is this VVhat it is to be dead vnto sinne when by the power and vertue of Christ his resurrection e Phi. 3. 10 conuayed from Christ as the head to all the faithfull as members of his mysticall bodie the power of sinne is destroyed and all his Saints quickned vnto newnesse of life whereof the Apostle thus speaketh How shall wee that are dead to sinne liue yet therein f Rom. 6. 2 And againe in the same Chapter hee saith likewise Thinke ye also that ye are dead to sin but are aliue to God in Iesus Christ our Lord g Ro. 6. 11. And this is called by S. Iohn in the Reuelation the first Resurrection h Re. 20. 6. and is indeed the verie first degree of euerlasting life 3 Thirdly VVhat bodily death is concerning the death of the bodie this it is when the soule whose presence is cause of bodily life returneth vnto God that gaue it i Eccl. 12. 7. and the bodie destitute of sence and motion returneth vnto dust from whence it was takē k Gen. 2. 7. 3. 19. Of which our Sauiour speaketh vnto his disciples Our friend Lazarus is dead l Io. 11. 14. and this is called the first death m Re. 20. 6 because it goeth before and vnto all reprobate persons is as the dore that openeth the entrance into eternall death 4 Lastly VVhat is the death of body and soule concerning the death of the bodie and soule it is this when both of them shall be separated from God and the glorie of his power n 2. Thess 1. 9. and haue their portion giuen them in extreame darkenesse o Mat. 8. 12 without all hope of mercie or fauour p Lu. 16. 25 26. and therfore called euerlasting perdition q 2. Thess 1. 9. and the second death r Reu. 2. 11 Three of these viz The death in sinne 2. Death vnto sinne 3. The death of the bodie are in this life The fourth viz The death of the soule and bodie is in the world to come to be dead in sinne is of nature 2. to be dead vnto sin is of grace 3. the death of the bodie not changed by Christ and 4. the death of bodie and soule are of iudgement by being dead vnto sinne we are freed 1. from death in sinne 2. from eternall death and 3. haue the death of the bodie changed from a punishmēt for sin into a blessing to make an end of sinne it being heauens churlish porter to let vs in to the presence of God three of them 1. The death in sin 2. The death of the body 3. Eternall death are most fearfull but the fourth to die vnto sin is most comfortable and ioyfull Now Of which kind of deaths Dauid here speaketh of which of these kinds of deaths Dauid here speaketh may easily be gathered not of death in sin for with such persons God is not neither doth he speake of death vnto sinne for therin no euill is to be feared much lesse doth he meane the death of soule and bodie which is a perpetuall separation frō the presence of God and all euill in full measure powred out then by consequent he must needes meane the death of the bodie which to nature is verie fearefull but wherein the Lord is graciously present with his thorough assurance wherof the natural feare of death is suppressed And so much for the kinds of death and of which hee speaketh in this place Concerning the third poynt 3. The difference betwixt the death of man and beast viz. the difference betwixt the death of man and beast although in some sense it bee most true which the wise man saith viz. that there is one condition of the children of men and of beastes for as the one dieth so dieth the other for they haue all one breath and there is no excellency of man aboue the beast for all is vanitie
all go to one place and all was of the dust al shal returne to the dust who knoweth whether the spirit of man ascend vpward and the spirit of the beast descend downeward to the earth ſ Ecclc. 3. 19 20 21. q. d. No man is able by his carnall reason and iudgement M. Perkins in his treatise of dying well to put difference betwixt man and beast for the eie cannot iudge otherwise of a man being dead thē of a beast which is dead yet by the word of God and eie of faith wee learne and see a wonderfull difference both in regard of the bodies and soules * The great difference betwixt the bodies of man and beast both being dead For first in regard of the bodie though it returne vnto dust and see corruption as the bodie of a bruit beast yet whereas the bodies of beasts returne into their first matter and shall neuer bee remembred and so perish in this valley and neuer go through it yet the bodie of man and specially of the elect shall goe through this valley and be raised againe the same for substance but perfected in qualities as Christ himselfe hath affirmed in the Gospel and that with great asseueration Verely verely the houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and they shal come forth that haue don good vnto the resurrectiō of life but they that haue done euill to the resurrection of condemnation t Ioh. 5. 28 Which Article of faith Iob beleeued as hee hath witnessed in his booke saying I am sure that my Redeemer liueth and though wormes destroy this bodie yet shall I see God in my flesh whom I my selfe shall see and mine eies shall behold and none other for me u Iob 19. 25. 26. 27 which Article of faith is euery where taught vs in the holy Scriptures both of the old and new Testament w Exo. 3. 15 Esa 26. 19 1. Cor. 15 1. Thes 4. 16 Reu. 20. 21 and in all ages confirmed both by the taking vp of Henoch before the law x Gen. 5. 24 by the raising vp of the widowes sonne of Zareptha by Eliah y 1. Kin. 17 22 and of the Shunamites sonne by Elisha z 2. King 4 34. 35 in the time of the law and the raising of the Rulers daughter being newly dead a Mat. 9. 18 and of the widow of Naims sonne being longer dead and carying towards the graue b Luk. 7. 11 and of Lazarus being both dead and buried and hauing lien 4. dayes in the graue c Ioh. 11. 39 were raised by Christ also of Dorcas raised by Saint Peter d Act. 9. 40 and of Eutichus by Saint Paule e Act. 20. 10 in the time of the Gospel Yea here is wrapped vp a most comfortable mysterie to be vnfolded viz. that the bodies of Gods Saints euen in their greatest corruption rotting in the graue drowned in the Sea or burned to Ashes yet remaine truly vnited vnto Christ and are euē then no lesse his mēbers then before for the whole mā is vnited spiritually to whole Christ death cānot dissolue a spiritual vnion f Ro. 8. 38. but as Christ his body soule being seuered each frō other as far as Paradise g Lu. 23. 43 the hart of the earth h Mat. 12. 40 yet neither of them were euer seuered frō the Godhead of the son so though our bodies and soules for a time be seuered by death yet neuer cā either be disioined frō Christ vnto whō they are both of them indissolubly vnited by vertue wherof the body at the last day shal rise againe to eternall life * The great difference betwixt the soules or spirits of man and beast being dead Secondly wheras the life or as the Philosophers call it the soule and the wise man the spirit i Eccl. 3. 19 of the beast being but a naturall vigor or qualitie arising from the temperature of the bodie * Sunte substantia ipsorum corporū Zanch. de operibus dei 3. part-li 2 c. 1. fol. 62◠and hauing no being of it selfe but wholy dependeth vpon the bodie and therefore dieth with the bodie vanisheth away like smoake in the aire the soule of man being a spirituall substance created and infused “ Beza in quaest fo 5. 2 Zanch. de ope fol. 762 Hieronim Theodoret. aswell subsisting forth of it as in it when the bodie returneth to the dust it returneth to God that gaue it k Eccl. 12 7 Now let vs briefly view the titles which Dauid here vseth and whereby he describeth death calling it a darke or shadowie valley not but that death is most lightsome and comfortable vnto Gods Saints no doubt but in the verie moment and instant of death though the outward mā perish the bodily eie grow dimme Gods Saints do see such glorious sights l Acts. 7. 55 as heart cannot conceiue their eies being then lightned as at noone day to see God as he is vvho dwelleth in that light which no mortall eie can pierce into m 1. Tim. 6. 16 But Dauid in this place of purpose bending himselfe to describe the terrors of death to the end that his Christian courage and fortitude in the contempt therof might more liuely appeare speaketh of it as of a dark way then which there is nothing more fearefull vnto nature n Psa 91. 5 oh then see the power of a liuely faith which maketh men not afrayd to goe through places most fearefull Q. But did not Christ passe through this valley and taste of death for vs why then doth it yet remaine A. It remaineth not as it was threatned and is still inflicted vpon the reprobate viz. a punishment for sin for then were God iniust to punish sinne twice But by Christ his death though it remaine for triall and exercise of our faith courage patience c. the nature of it is changed to his elect to become a blessed freeing of them from sinne for the sting being taken away it cannot hurt * Adest sed non obest but is rather a blessing that whereas sinne brought forth death death will bee the bane and destruction of sinne it was sayd to Adam and Euah If you sinne you shall die o Gen. 2. 17 But now it is said to all Gods elect You must die that you may cease to sinne * Dictum fuit homini morieris si peccaueris a nunc dicitur morere ne pecces Aug. Ciuit. dei 13. 4. No man then truly wearied with the burthen of sinne but as the wearied traueller desireth the shadow so will he desire to be dissolued p Phi. 1. 23 to passe through this valley that he may dwell at rest with Christ freed from all sin vpon mount Sion for euer It followeth THE FIFTH SERMON vpon the 23. Psalme I will feare no euill I Will
singing and playing vpon their Timbrels viols and other instruments thankefully recording as followeth Saule hath slaine his thousand Dauid his ten thousands d 1. Sa. 18. 7. Hannah when God had taken away her reprochfull barrennesse and made her honorably fruitfull she sung said e 1. Sam. 2 1. Mine heart reioyceth in the Lord mine horne is exalted in the Lord. When God had looked vpon the humilitie of the blessed Virgine and made her the glorious vessell of Christ his conception shee gaue glorie vnto God in a song and said My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit reioyceth in God my Sauiour f Luk. 1. 46 So Zacharie after the birth of Iohn Baptist his Sonne when his mouth was opened and tongue loosed he spake and praised God prophecying and saying Blessed bee the lord God of Israel because he hath visited and redeemed his people g Lu. 1. 68 Old Father Simeon embracing the babe Christ with his armes according to the promise of the holy ghost thankefully breaketh out into this sweet swan-like song Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace according to thy word h Lu. 2. 28. And not onely haue these and many others the Saints of God in their prosperitie and flourishing estate hauing receiued many good things offered in their songs a sacrifice of praise Euen the fruits of their lips cōfessing his name i Heb. 13. 15. But also in their aduersitie dolefull conditions haue they poured out their soules in songs vnto God for though S. Iames seeme to oppose prayer and singing as so diametrally contrarie that no man can pray singing nor sing praying where he sayeth Is any amongst you afflicted let him pray is any merrie let him sing k Ia. 5. 13. Yet surely it is most euident that the Apostle therein requireth first that in afflictions when we are in distresse and extreame anguish we flye vnto God by prayer and of him onely seeke release and comfort and when we are in prosperitie and enioy the blessings of God at our wils that then we giue thanks and praise vnto God in our afflictions praying and not despairing blaspheming and seeking vnlawfull meanes of deliuerance with the wicked and in our prosperitie singing songes of praise and not vain light and foolish ballads as the worldlings doe and herein consisteth the opposition and not in the former for as in prosperity it is lawfull in feruent praier to mourne sigh sob and lament so also in aduersitie lamentably and sorrowfully to sing as the Apostle councelleth saying My brethren count it exceeding ioy when ye fall into diuers temptations l Iames 1. 2 So the Apostles being beaten and scourged went out of the Councell reioycing m Act. 5. 41. and being sore beaten cast into the inner prison and their feete made fast in the stocks yet at midnight they prayed sung Psalmes vnto God n Act. 16. 25. Dauid sung many psalmes and played thereunto with sundrie instruments and yet oftentimes vnder a sweet sound had a wofull and heauie heart as when he lamented the deaths of Saul and Ionathan o 2. S◠1. And elsewhere complaineth of the want of the feeling and assurance of Gods fauour and remission of sinnes and most earnestly intreateth to haue those graces renewed again p Psa 4. 6. 51. 120. And who findeth not great vse of singing both in prosperitie and aduersitie In prosperitie by singing of Psalmes our zeale is quickned fervencie in prayer increased and our earnestnesse to perfourme all laudable seruice vnto God notably stirred vp wherevnto the example of Elisha may bee referred who yeelding to the request of Iehoshaphat called for a minstrell who by his songs to Gods glorie stirred vp the Prophets heart to prophecie q 2. Kin. 3. 15. Also in aduersitie by singing of some holy and godly Psalme our heauie and pensiue hearts are refreshed for this cause the holy Prophet Dauid in the sorrow and heauinesse of his heart would rebuke his soule saying Why art thou so heauie oh my soule and why art thou so disquieted within me r Ps 42. 5. And would stirre vp himselfe and his instrument to play and sing some ioyfull song awake my tongue awake violl and harpe I my selfe will awake right early ſ Ps 57. 8. But I wil passe ouer these things and come to intreat only of the Psalmes of Dauid whose penners were many Arguments diuers and vses manifold First Penners for the penners as I sayd they were many as Asaphe t Ps 50. 73. 74. 75. 76. 78. c. for so some godly learned will rather that he was a writer than onely a singer to whom they were committed and the rather because elsewhere it may bee gathered that he made some psalmes u 2. Cron. 29. 30. Some also were penned by Moses v Psa 90. But most of them by Dauid that princely Prophet and sweet singer of Israel and thereuppon called the Psalmes of Dauid but whosoeuer was the penner they are all to be receiued with the like reuerent estimation they being all led by one and the selfe same spirit so that the holy Ghost may well be said to be Author of the whole Booke for these holy men of God did speake and write as they were mooued by the holy Ghost x 2. Pet. 1. 21. and specially Dauid witnesseth of himselfe that the spirit of the Lord spake by him and that his word was in his tongue z 2. Sa. 23. 2. And therefore S. Peter alleaging the testimony of Dauid vseth this maner of preface Thus hath the holy Ghost spoken by the mouth of Dauid concerning Iudas who was guide vnto then that tooke Iesus a Act. 1. 16 Secondly Argument for the argument of this Book as I sayd it is diuers some containe confession of sinnes and humiliation before the Lord with earnest and heartie prayer vnto God both for repentance and remission of sinnes b Ps 25. 51 Some are wholly spent in commendation of Gods law with many intermixt praiers for strength to obserue the same c Ps 119. Some describe the wonderfull power wisedome majesty and prouidence of God shinning in the creation and preseruation of all the world for which all creatures are exhorted to praise the name of the Lord d Psa 8. 18. 104. 147. Some are penned for a preparation to stir vp the people with feare and reuerence to present themselues before the Lord in their holy conuocations and assemblies as the Psalme which beginneth thus Oh come let vs sing vnto the Lord e Psa 95. Some of them lay open the miseries of Gods people in their captituitie and how hardly they were vsed of their enemies f Psa 137. Some of them containe particuler praiers for supply of some particuler wants either of bodie or soule g Ps 6. 86. Some containe prayers of the whole Church for the
is broken but spend the best houres of the best daies in carding and dicing piping and dauncing chambering and wantonnesse ryot and drunkennesse speaking euill of them that will not run with them in their damnable waies Oh what will not men doe to satisfie their hunger and what careth hee for delicates that is full gorged Euen this one thing doth witnes to the faces of many thousands in this land that they haue neuer yet truly tasted of this heauenly food When Mannah first fell the people of Israel were so exceeding greedie and desirous of it that notwithstanding God was mercifull to preuent sinne by taking away the occasion not suffering any to fal vpon the Saboath day yet notwithstanding some of them contrarie to expresse commaundement went out euen on the Saboath to gather as if they could neuer bee satisfied nor haue inough of it f Ex. 16. 25. But they had not long eaten of it their bellies full but they beganne to loath it saying Our soules are dried vp we can see nothing but this Mannah g Num. 11 6. Euen so when it pleased God that by the meanes of our gracious Queene the Gospell began first to be preached in this land oh how forward and zealous men were sparing for no labor or cost so they might enioy and be made partakers of the ministry thereof being full of burning loue to the glorie of Christ and euen striuing who should be forwardest to perform any good worke that might aduance the same but now that the Gospell hath beene so long continued amongst vs alas whither can we cast our eies vpon any place where the Gospel hath beene preached but euen a few yeares not see with the church of Ephesus a fearefull falling from their first loue h Reu. 2. 4. Oh Lord what great cause haue we all of vs and especially wee Ministers of the worde to bee instant with God to quicken his graces in vs and to keepe vs vpright that with a true zeale to Gods glorie and a feruent loue to Christ and his Church we may performe all holy dayes that so the graces of God may spring afresh in our people and their appetites be prouoked to hunger after this heauenly foode least otherwise God in iustice shut vp his pasture gates and remoue his Candle-sticke from vs as he threatned the Church of Ephesus i Reu. 2. 5. It woulde make a mans heart to bleede that hath in it any sparke of remorse and is not harder then Flint or Adamant to passe by the prisons and grates in London and else-where to see their gastly countenances and heare their rewful complaints for want of food but surely if euery soule had but a grate to looke through crie for her selfe a thousand times more wofull and lamentable would their crie be in all places and companies and yet is this the miserable difference the hunger of the bodie is felt and perceyued whereby all good meanes are vsed for comfort but the want of the soule is not discerned but as God sayd to the Church of Laodicia Thou sayest I am rich and encreased with goods and haue neede of nothing and knowest not that thou art vvretched miserable poore blind and naked k Reu 3. 17 So may it be said of the hunger-starued soule Thou thinkest thou art in good plight fat and vvell liking and knowest not that thou art poore leane miserable and readie to starue and hereby it commeth to passe that Gods pasture is contemned and troden vnder foote l Eze. 34. 18 of none more then of them that are ready to perish and know it not The Lord giue all such a true knowledge and feeling of their estates that they may in a holy manner more and more hunger after this heauenly foode wherewith their soules may be fed vp to euerlasting life c. And so much for the first dutie of a good shepheard which is to prouide wholsome foode for his sheepe which thing our heauely shepheard doth most aboundantly for vs his poore sheepe that we may say with Dauid The Lorde being our shepheard vve shall not vvant any pasture And leadeth me by the stil waters 2. Dutie The 2. dutie of a good shepheard is to prouide wholesome and conuenient water for his sheep and specially in those hote and dry Countryes and Regions and therefore we reade of their great care this way Iacob in his iourney to Padan-Aram looked and behold there was a Well in the field and loe three flockes of sheepe lay thereby for at that Well were the flockes vvatered and there was a great stone vpon the Wels mouth and thither vvere all the flockes gathered m Gen. 29. 2. 3 so likewise wee reade of the Priest of Midians daughters who came and drevv vvater and filled the troughes for to vvater their fathers sheep and the shepheards came droue them away but Moses rose vp and defended them and vvatered their steepe n Exo. 2. 16 But euerie water is not fit for sheepe it must either be in troughes or as the Prophet sayth Leniter fluentes stil waters * Leniter fluentes rapidi torrentes ad potū ouium incommodi atque etiam vt plurim noxii sunt Moll in ps For as writers affirm violent streames are inconuenient and for the most part hurtfull * Leniter fluentes rapidi torrentes ad potū ouium incommodi atque etiam vt plurim noxii sunt Moll in ps Now how carefull this great shepheard is to water as well as to feede his sheepe Dauid in the person of them all thus witnesseth He leadeth me to the still vvaters where by still waters the Prophet signifieth the sweet and comfortable graces of Gods spirit conueyd by the conduit pypes of his worde and Sacraments for the refreshing of the drie and thirstie soules of his people which Metaphor is very common in the Scriptures so the Lord telleth his Church that he washed her with vvater o Eze. 16. 9 and promiseth that hee vvillpowre cleane water vpon her and clense her from al her filthinesse p Eze. 36. 25 Yea Christ hath said Except a man bee borne of this vvater and the spirit he cannot enter into the Kigdome of heauen q Iohn 3. 5 And vnto the woman of Samariah VVhosoeuer drinketh of this vvater shall thirst againe but vvhosoeuer shall drinke of the vvater that I shall giue him shall neuer thirst any more but the water that I shall giue him shall bee in him a VVell of vvater springing vp into euerlasting life r Ioh. 4. 13 14 And yet most plainely elsewhere in the same Gospel If any man thirst let him come vnto me and drinke he that beleeueth in me as saith the Scripture out of is bellie shall flow riuers of vvater of life this spake he of the spirit which they that beleeued in him should receiue ſ Ioh. 7. 37 38 And surely this Metaphor is not so frequent
much for the second dutye The thirde followeth which is To prouide rest at noone 3. Dutie To prouide rest at noon that in some shadow where the sheepe are freed from the scorching heate of the Sunne they may lie downe and chew the cud and this is no lesse needfull and comfortable then either of the former and specially in those hot Regions and Countryes where the shepheards thēselues could not tend their flocks without their tēts or booths whereunto Ezechiah alluding sayeth Mine habitation is remooued like a Shepheards Tent p Esa 38. 12 But let vs consider what is that comfortable rest which Iesus Christ the great shepheard prouideth for his sheepe And that is two-fold for as he feedeth the bodie and soule so also hee prouideth rest for both First Christ prouideth a bodily rest for his sheep and what it is he prouideth rest for the bodie in time of hotte persecution whereunto the Church alluding sayth Shew mee oh thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest and where thou causest thy flocke to lie downe at noone q Cant. 1. 6 At the noonetide the Sunne is hottest neither can any thing hide it selfe frō the heate therof as Dauid saith r Psal 19. 6 And how comfortable a shadow is at that time experience euen in these cold countries declareth and the example of Ionah beareth witnesse who sitting on the east side of the Citie Naniuie to see what should be done in the citie and the Sunne beating vpon his head that he fainted the Lord God prepared a Gourd and made it to come vp our Ionah that it might be a shadow ouer his head and deliuer him from his griefe so Ionah was exceeding glad of the Gourd ſ Ionah 4. 5 6 7. for what is more intollerable then heate It is one of the curses threatned t Deu. 28. 22 Ardor aestus And when the fourth Angel powred out his Violl vppon the Sunne and it was giuen him to torment men with heate of fire then men boyled in great heate and blasphemed the name of God as is mencioned in the booke of the Reuelation u Reu. 16. 8 what a singular cōfort then is it vnto Gods people that when the Sunne of persecution is hottest u Mat. 13. 21 yet their shepheard will one way or other prouide a shadow of refreshing for them either by preseruing them secretly from the rage of tyrannie as he did in the dayes of Ahab and Iesabel when not onely Elizah and an hundred Prophets of the Lorde were saued being hid by fiftie in a Caue and fed with bread and water by good Obadiah w 1. Kin. 18 13 but also seuen thousand in Israel which neuer bowed their knees vnto Baal x 1. Kin. 19 18 Or secondly by sending them gracious kings and princes such as may be vnto Gods Saints as an hyding place from the winde and as a refuge for the tempest as riuers of water in a drie place and as the shadow of a great rocke in a wearie land as was prophecied of Ezekiah y Esay 32. 2 Or thirdly the Lord giueth them fauour in the eyes of forraine Princes as Dauid with his two wiues and the sixe hundred men that were with him seeking refuge against the cruell persecution of Saul by flying vnto Achish king of Gath he securely enterteined thē gaue them Ziglag to dwell in z 1. Sam. 27 3 And thus by Gods mercie Geneua Germanie other places were a shadow to our persecuted fathers as Englang this day is vnto many of the like condition againe But lastly if the Lord for his owne glorie sake and the good of his Church doe suffer this Sunne to shine vpon them and scorch them yet doth hee send vnto them the Comforter a Ioh. 16. 7 which maketh them to reioyce in afflictions b Rom. 5. 3 And though they haue trouble the world yet haue they sweete peace in Christ c Ioh. 16. 33 that euen the burning flames of fire are as a most comfortable shadow vnto them as the ioyfull deathes of many the holy Martyrs of God doe witnesse The consideration whereof Vse yeeldeth Gods people a very profitable vse viz. that whereas carnall and worldly wise men whensoeuer they perceiue any trouble or daunger to bee imminent for the profession of the Gospel they account it their greatest safetie to flie from Christ and conforme themselues to all times places and companies and to carry themselues so indifferently that no man can say of what religion they are But if wee will shew our selues true members of the Church we must in all dangers flie vnto Christ knowing that he both can and will prouide a rest for his sheepe hee hath a layer at noone and when the Sunne shineth hotest he will make vs lie downe in peace in the verie midst of our enemies oh then let vs neuer bee ashamed of Christ nor afraid to professe his Gospel for if once we be shrowded vnder the shadow of his wings though the earth remoue we need to feare none euill and if once we enter by him as the doore wee shall bee safe and go in and out and finde pasture d Ioh. 10. 9 And nowe to make application of those things vnto our selues The blessed rest that Gods sheepe haue founde in this land vnder the happie gouernment of queene Elizabeth wee were vnworthie to haue our heades sheltred vnder the same if we doe not continually thankfully record the sweete rest and comfortable shadow which Gods people haue so long enioyed in this lande vnder the happie gouernment of our gracious Princesse Elizabeth O bona si sua norint Angli During whose raigne it may as truly be said of her people as euer of the people in Salomons dayes that wee haue liued without feare and euerie one sate vnder the shadow of his vine and fig tree e 1. King 4. 25 Which shadow God as seasonably prouided as euer he did Ionahs Gourd euen when the soules of his sheepe were readie to faint being scorched with the feruent East wind and noone-tide sun of cruell persecution in the dayes of Queene Mary oh that we had rightly vsed this rest It is said in the commendation of the church of Iudeah Galile and Samariah that hauing rest they were edified and walked in the feare of the Lord and were multiplied by the comfort of the holy ghost f Act. 9. 31 Oh if wee had made such vse of our long rest euen hungerly to haue fedde in Gods greene pastures thirstily to haue drunke of those still waters and cheerefully to haue chewed the cudde vnder this shadow the Lord had had a most glorious church in this land by this day but alas we haue all of vs so abused our peace libertie and prosperitie to carnall securitie and haue passed away this happie time as men in a dreame that now it is high time to repent awake from
sin and seeke the Lord least otherwise we prouoke him to prepare a worme to smite our Gourd that it wither and it be said vnto vs as it was to the rich man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 You haue had your Gourd now it is dead cā not be reuiued So much for the bodily rest which Christ prepareth for his sheep The second rest The spirituall rest which christ prouideth for the souls of his people and that which is a thousand times more precious is the spirituall rest of the soule whereby it is shadowed and refreshed against the intollerable and consuming heate of Gods wrath and this rest or shadow Christ Iesus himselfe is he is our peace g Eph. 2. 14 through whom God is wel pleased as he himself hath proclaimed h Mat. 3. 17 It is he that hath troden the wine-presse of his father alone i Esa 63. 3 Yea hee is a strength to the poore and needie in their trouble a refuge against the tempest and shadow against the heate as the Prophet Esay speaketh k Esa 25. 4 Yea the Church herself acknowledgeth him for her onely shadow saying Like the Appletree amongst the Trees of the Forrest so is my wel-beloued amongest the sonnes of men vnder his shadow had I delight and sate downe l Cant. 2. 3 The shadow of a tree is comfortable Christ Iesus the onely comfortable rest of the soule and doth greatly refresh them that are parched with the boyling heate of the Sun but there is no shadow so comfortable to the bodie as Christ Iesus is vnto the soule that is scorched with the firie temptations of Sathan m Eph. 6. 16 and burning heate of a guiltie conscience for sinne yea there is no other tree able to shadow vs and therefore sayth Christ Come vnto me all yee that trauell and are heauie loadned and I will refresh you take my yoke vpon you and you shall finde rest vnto your soules n Mat. 11. 29 Yea the Saints of God hauing beene vexed with his stormes and once comming vnder the shadow of this tree they finde such wealth rest and peace therein that they do sit downe and neuer seeke any further nay for the world they would not bee drawne away from the same againe It is farre otherwise with Idolaters Idolaters can find no true peace in their superstitious traditions and such as do worship false gods for though they punish and afflict themselues many wayes seeking by all meanes to make satisfactions for their sinnes and to coole the flaming heate of their guiltie consciences yet when they haue wearied themselues done all that euer they can they they are so farre from being satisfied finding ease or taking away the sting of sin that rather as Dauid sayth they doe multiplie sorrowes vpon their heads o Psal 16. 4 There is no true rest in the worlde but onely vnder the shadowe of this Apple-tree Iesus Christ. To conclude this point seeing wee haue heard that this good shepherd prepareth abounantly both pasture water shadow let vs I beseech you as Gods sheepe hunger after this foode thirst after these waters and take our delight in this rest then shall we no more hunger after the draffe of humane traditions nor thirst after the puddle of popish poysoned cups no more wearie our selues seeking for rest in our owne merits and satisfactions but hauing fedde in these pastures drunke of these waters and rested vnder this shadow wee shall haue the heate of sinne slaked and our soules fatted with the taste of these heauenly delicates till in the end wee be brought into the presence of God where the fulnesse of ioy shall euer be present with vs Beata vita in fonte wherewith we cannot be filled or rather filled but cannot be satisfied for there is blessednesse at the head of the spring not in the Cesterns or Conduits For with God is the Well of life and he shall giue his Saints drinke out of the riuer of his pleasures as Dauid sayth p Psal 36. 8 Which riuer is as cleare as Christall proceeding out of the throne of God q Reu. 22. 1 Yea and there shall we find the tree of life whose leaues are not onely for shadow but for medicine to heale the Nations with r Reu. 22. 2 yea and beareth fruit not onely to satisfie the hunger but twelue manner of fruits euery Moneth brought forth to satisfie the pleasure of his Saints ſ Reu. 22. 2 Oh for it let vs sharpen our appetites and beseech him that hath planted it to bring vs thither where we may taste how wholesome and pleasant the fruit of it is It followeth THE THIRD SERMON vpon the 23. Psalme He restoreth my soule and leadeth me in the pathes of righteousnesse for his names sake THe fourth dutie of a good Shepheard The 4. duty of a good and louing shepheard is to beare with the weake and if any of his flock be sicke or feeble to cherish norish and strengthen thē yea euen to carrie them in his bosome for so the Lord himselfe alluding to these qualities of a good shepheard sayth Hee shall feede his flocke like a shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his arme and carrie them in his bosome and guide them that are with yong a Esa 40. 11 euen so kinde is the spirituall sheheard of our soules that his sheepe being weake he wil strengthen feeble he will cheerish yea dead in sinnes hee will quicken restore and conuert them by regenerating and induing them with a true and liuely faith whereby they liue b Heb. 10. 38 and being vndoubtedly perswaded of Gods fauour and loue doe reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious c 1. Pet. 1. 8 And this is the grace whreof we are now to speak which indeed is so great that neither heart of man nor tong of Angels are able fully to conceiue or expresse for what would it profit Dauid now that he is dead and seeth corruption d Act. 1. 29 that hee hath beene taken frō following the Ewes great with yong to become a king in great honor welth that he hath bin mighty in battel sung vnto in dāces Saul hath slaine his thousand and Dauid his ten thousand e 1. Sam. 11 7 If the Lord had not conuerted his soule yea what wil it profit a man to win the whole worlde and loose his owne soule this this therfore is more to be reioyced in then the finding of all the kingdoms of the world happie Dauid and happie that man or woman that can truely say vvith Dauid The Lord hath conuerted my soule Now that we may the more orderly and profitably handle this straine there are two things therein to be considered First the Conuerter the Lord secondly the thing conuerted the soule for the first He restoreth restituit animam Doctrine the words are plaine our lesson for instructiō is this
but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And lastly contrarie to the iudgement of Augustine who saith Man before hee can become righteous hath neede of a Phisitian because hee is sicke yea of a quickner because he is dead Vt homo redeat adiustitiā opus habet medico quia sanus non est imo opus habet viuificatore quia mortuus est t August de natur grat ca. 23. So much for the conuerter the thing conuerted is the soule he conuerteth my soule God worketh not to halfes laying a foundation without any further building but he finisheth euerie good worke that he taketh in hand u Phil. 1. 6. he conuerteth the whole man the bodie aswell as the soule the eies which were full of adulterie shall become chast the hands that were full of bribes shall be seasoned with liberall guifts to the poore w Esay 32. ◠the feete which were swifts to shedde innocent bloud shall bee swift to releeue and helpe the innocent oppressed the tongue that was defiled with blasphemie and filthy speaking shall speake reuerently and soberly as may minister grace to the hearers x Eph. 4. 29 the head that was fraught with couetous and carnall deuices shall be sanctified with wholesome and diuine meditations y Ps 77. 6. And in a word all the members of the bodie which haue been abused to become weapons of vnright cousnesse vnto sinne shall become weapons of righteousnesse vnto God z Ro. 6. 13. But because the root must be good before it can send forth sap into the braunches to the bringing forth of good fruit a Mat. 7. 17 12. 32. And the fountaine must first bee purged before the streames that issue from the same can bee made cleane and sweet therefore must the heart being the root and fountaine bee first purged and conuerted without which all holynesse is but hipocrisie and deuotion dissimulation Religion superstition and all appearing of conuersion a counterfaiting before the Lord wherefore the Prophet Dauid to declare the trueth of his conuersion doth wisely and purposely adde this circumstance He conuerteth my soule and therby teacheth vs this lesson That vntill such time as God conuert Doctrine our soules howsoeuer wee may with an outward appearance bleare and deceiue the eies of men yet can we neuer haue any comfortable assurance concerning our estate with God but rather looke when God shall pluck away our maskes and vizards and make vs bewray our hipocrisie dissimulation to those who haue beene most deceiued by vs. Iudas hee obtained fellowship in the ministration of the Apostleship b Act. 1. 17 25. But because his soule was not conuerted vnto God he fell away like water from one sinne to another till in the end he became guide to them that tooke Iesus and so went astray to goe to his owne place Herode hee feared and reuerenced Iohn Baptist and heard him gladly and did many things but because his soule was not conuerted hee embraced a beloued sinne which when the man of God reprooued he took away his head c Mar. 6. 17 18 19 20 Demas was a companion of the Apostles but because his soule was neuer truely conuerted in time being ouercome of couetousnesse he fell away and embraced this present world d 2. Tim. 4 10 Were there euer any in the world that for outward appearance had greater shew of sanctitie and holinesse than the Scribes and Pharisies◠They looked sower and disfigured their face when they fasted prayed in synagogues and corners of the streets gaue almes with the sound of a trumpet e Mat. 6. 2. 5. 16. made their philacteries broad and fringes of their garments long compassed sea and land to make a proselyte tythed mint anny se and cummine washed the outside of the cuppe and platter f Mat 23. 15. 23. 25 26 and yet because their soules were nto conuerted vnto God but full of couetousnesse bryberie rapine and extortion our Sauiour plucketh away the painted vizards from their faces and ratleth them vp with many a fearefull woe laying their condition most plainely before them by a worthy comparison saying You are like vnto painted Sepulchers goodly and gorgeous toombes and monuments without beautifull to looke vpon but within full of rottennesse corruption and dead mens bones g Mat. 23. 27. and hath told vs except our righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisies we shal neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen h Mat. 5. 20. Oh Lord God Vse how ought the consideration here of to rowse vs vp euerie one to a thorough triall and examination of our selues that we be not deceiued with a vaine perswasion and opinion of our estate and condition as if all were well when it is starke naught and to think with the Church of Laodicea That we are rich and increased in goods and haue need of nothing when in truth we are very wretched blind poore miserable and naked i Reu. 3. 17. Oh then let vs as in the sight of God examine our selues how we stand affected whether we doe hate those thinges which we haue loued whether we loath our former liues and be ashamed of our old sinnes casting off the workes of darkenesse liuing by faith depending vpon the prouidence of God hauing knowledge to render a reason of our faith hauing a zeale to Gods glorie and a sincere loue to the trueth professors thereof If we find these things in trueth in vs though but in small and weake measure yet doubtlesse wee may boldly pronounce with Dauid The Lord hath conuerted my soule and happie is hee that euer he was borne to see that houre but if we find not these thinges in vs but all that we haue to cleaue vnto is a naked bare and verball profession surely then let vs not flatter our selues we are but in the condition of many reprobates k Esay 1. 13 and if thus we continue Mich. 6. 6. 7 Mat. 15. 7. 8. we shall one day bee found filthily naked for want of a wedding garment and be thrust out of dores by head and shoulders and haue our portion with hypocrites And surely Application if we doe make application of these thinges to our selues it is a miserable thing and would make the heart of any man bleede that is not harder than flint and Adamant to consider the ruefull estate and condition of many people who if they be demanded how they hope or look to be saued and in what state they stand before God this is their common answere I hope well that God will saue that which he hath made I goe orderly to the Church and receiue the Sacrament I thanke God I meane no body any harme but doe as I would be done vnto But oh foole know that God is a spirit and wil be worshipped in spirit and truth and therefore it is not inough not to steale not to cōmit whoredome to beare
to all them to whome this people sayth a confederacie neither feare ye their feare nor be afraid of thē but sanctifie the Lord of hoasts and let him be your feare and dread and he shall be as a sanctuarie vnto you n Esay 8. 12 13. Againe when tyrants most cruelly rage and persecute yet Christ biddeth vs not feare them that can but kill the bodie but feare him that is able to destroy both bodie and soule in hell o Mat. 10. 28. Yea when that great terrible day of the Lord shall come euen the day of wrath and vengeance when the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen in flaming fire as the Apostle Paule saith p 2. Thess 1. 7 8. Yea when the elements shall melt with heat the heauens goe away with a noise yea and the earth with all the workes therein be burnt vp as S. Peter saith q 2. Pe. 3. 10 The waters roare that vnbeleeuers hearts shall faile them for feare as saith the Euangelist r Lu 21. 25 26 28. Yet euen then our Sauiour biddeth his Disciples not to be afraid but lift vp their heads with ioye knowing that their redemption draweth nigh r Lu 21. 25 26 28. But because nothing is more fearefull to nature thā death which is the enemie and dissoluer thereof * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Eth. lib. 3. and wherein many of Gods deere Saints bewary great weakenesse I will therefore gather a fewe Argumetns from the holy Scriptures the consideratiō whereof may serue to strengthen our faith Foure Arguments for the strengthning of faith and suppressing the immoderat feare of death suppresse in vs the immoderate feare of death that in some measure wee may triumph in Christ and say with the Prophet I will feare no euill And whereas the scriptures afford vs many yet I will content my selfe onely with these foure The first Argument for this purpose The first argument is drawne from consideration of those manifold and great euils from which by death we are for euer deliuered may be the consideration of those manifold and great euils from which by death the faithfull are deliuered which that we may the better conceiue and discerne are of two sorts generall and speciall by speciall euils I doe meane those which for some great and extraordinarie causes are to be inflicted vpon some particular persons and places as the burning of Sodome and Gomorha ſ Ge. 19. 24 the carrying of Gods people into captiuitie t 2. Kin. 24 15. VVhat are the speciall euils from which by death Gods Saints are deliuered This was the blessing promised to old Father Abraham saying Know for a suertie that thy people shall bee a stranger in a land that is not theirs foure hundred yeeres and shall serue them and they shall intreat them euill but thou shalt goe vnto thy fathers in peace and shalt bee buried in a good age u Gen 15. 13. 15. This was a blessing which God promised to wicked King Ieroboams sonne saying I will bring euill vpon the house of Ieroboam and will cut off him that pisseth against the wall aswell him that is shut vp as him that is left in Israell and will sweep away the remnant of the house of Ieroboam as a man sweepeth away dung till it be all gone the dogs shall eat him that dyeth of Ieroboams stocke in the citie and the foules of the aire shall eat him that dieth in the field yet that child for whom his mother came disguised to the Prophet should die in his bed and all Israel shall mourne for him and burie him for hee onely of Ieroboams stocke shall come to the graue because in him there is found some goodnesse towards the Lord God of Israel in the house of Ieroboam w 1. Ki. 14. 10 11 12 13. Also this mercie the Lord promised vnto good King Iosiah saying The wordes that thou hast heard shall surely come to passe but because thine heart did melt and thou hast humbled thy selfe before the Lord when thou heardest what I speake against this place and against the Inhabitants of the same viz That it should bee destroyed and accursed and hast rent thy cloathes and wept before me I haue also heard it sayth the Lord Behold therefore I will gather thee to thy Fathers and thou shalt bee put in thy graue in peace and thine eies shall not see all the euill which I wil bring vpon this place x 2. Ki. 22. 19. 20. Yea this is a course which the Lord many times taketh with his faithfull ones thogh the world do not obserue it whose taking away is a prognostication of some fearefull euill to befall that place as the Prophet Esay noteth saying The righteous perisheth and no man considereth it in his heart that mercifull men are taken away from the euill to come y Esay 57. 1 2. And surely in this respect it must needes bee a great blessing for Gods Saints to die and go to the graue in these happie daies of peace before the Lord bring vpō vs those great euils which hee hath many waies threatned we euery way deserued in ful mesure to be powred vpon vs as for the wicked it is not so with them God is so farre from taking them away from the euill to come that rather he taketh them away in full measure to suffer the euill to come so that the day of death of all other is most woefull vnto them and therefore no maruaile though they feare death so much as they doe that skinne for skinne and all that euer they haue they would giue for their liues z Iob. 2. 4. and as the Gibeonites were contented to be hewers of wood and drawers of water a Iosh 9. 23 25 so they had rather endure any miserie than die and therefore must euen be pulled from home with no lesse violence thā Ioab was from the hornes of the altar b 1. Kin. 2. 30. Whereas the Godly knowing that when the earthly house of this tabernacle shall bee destroyed they shall haue a building giuen of God an house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens doe therefore sigh desiring to be cloathed with that house which is from heauen c 2. Cor 5. 1. 2. By generall euils from which by death we are deliuered I meane such as either all or most men doe suffer and they are of three sorts either such as concerne specially the bodie 2. VVhat are the general euils from which Gods saints by death are freed or 2. such as concerne the soule or 3. such as doe ioyntly concerne both The generall euils which chiefely concerne the bodie VVhat are the general euils of the bodie are many as sicknesses diseases aches paines hunger and wearinesse cold and nakednesse toyle and labour losses and crosse greefe and sorrow troubles and persecution And lastly death it selfe which maketh an end
of all for Iohn heard it proclaimed from heauen and was commanded to write it for the comfort of Gods Saints Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord for so sayth the spirit they rest from their labour d Re. 14. 13 For God shall wipe away all teares from the eies of his children and there shall neuer be any more sorrow crying paine or death for the first things are passed e Esay 25. 8 Reu. 21. 4. 2 The generall euils which chiefely doe concerne the soule VVhat are the general euils which doe cheefely concerne the soule in comparison whereof the former is but a flea-biting are also many and especially that great burthen of originall corruption which continually lusteth against the spirit and hindreth vs from doing the good which we would f Gal. 5. 17. Yea is as a furnace which continually breatheth out many euill things as doubtings of Gods fauour prouidence infidelitie pride hardnesse of heart hypocrisie couetousnesse ambition hatred c. And what not which is a miserie of all miseries and made the Apostle so vehemently crie out Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this bodie of Death g Ro. 7. 24 This is a hell which Gods children goe thorough Originall corruption the hell of Gods children and the greatest torment that can possibly bee deuised for a man that hath any spark of grace and true desire to glorifie God to bee continually exercised turmoyled yea many times ouermatched and foyled by the home-borne rebellious corruptions of his owne heart whereby hee is pinnioned and led as a poore captiue and so fettered hampered that though hee desire to runne in the waies of Gods commandements yet is he constrained to creep with the snaile and make no way * vvhat are those generall euils which concerne both bodie and soule 3 The generall euils which doe concerne both body and soule are also many and especially these three The first is a continuall temptation vnto sin for whersoeuer they become 1. The first generall euill concerning soule and bodie Sathan that roaring Lion which goeth about continually seeking whome hee may deuoure h 1. Pe. 5. 8. alwaies doggeth them at their heeles and whensoeuer they intend any good thing he is by by at their right hands to resist thē i Zach. 3. 1. and watcheth full narrowly euerie occasion to tempt and draw them to euill k 2. Sa. 11. 2. wherupon ariseth the greatest strife wrestling and combate betwixt Sathan and a faithfull soule that euer was whereof S. Paule thus speaketh We wrastle not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and worldly gouernours the Princes of the darkenesse of this world against spirituall wickednesses which are in the high places l Eph. 6. 12. and sayth of himselfe that the messenger of Sathan was sent for to buffet him m 2. Cor. 12. 7 Of which buffetting and beating onely the Saints of GOD haue experience for worldlinges in whome all thinges are at peace n Lu. 11. 21 woonder at it and perceiue it not but by death Gods Saints get a final conquest for though now hee compasse the earth to and fro o Iob. 1. 7. and hath great wrath because he knoweth his time is but short p Reu. 12 12 and being let loose of the Lord is become the Prince of the ayre q Eph. 2. 2. that wee can no way flie from him but he will find vs out yet can he neuer come within the compasse and lists of heauen for from thence this wretched accuser of the brethren is cast r Reu. 12. 10 that though hee had accesse to tempt Adam in the earthly Paradise yet can he neuer come to tempt his soule or the spirits of iust and perfect men ſ Heb. 12. 23 in the heauenly Paradice yea after the day of iudgement when there shall be a new heauen and a new earth for qualitie t Esa 65. 17 66 22 Reu. 2◠1 A sua qualibet corruptione prius contracta both of them made one habitacle for Gods Saints then shal he haue his portion in the fiery lake u Mat. 25. 41 and chained in the blacknesse of darknes for euer w Iude. 6. The second great generall euill in regard of the whole man is the continuall practise of sinne The second euill generall in regard of the whole man and which lieth heauy on Gods Saints in this life is a continuall practise of sinne by reason that their sanctification in this life though true yet imperfect wherby it cōmeth to passe that as Salomon saith there is no man that liueth and sinneth not and Saint Iames In many things we sinne all y Iam. 3. 2. oh what a wretched thing is this that wee should continually offend the Maiestie of so good louing a God who dayly powreth his blessings vpon vs but when death commeth and closeth our eies there is to all the elect an happie end of sinning any more for their corruption of nature shall bee abolished Sathan banished and their sanctification perfected without all sinne or the temptations thereunto to doe the will of God willingly speedily and perfectly The third and last generall euill is this The third general euil and miserie is conuersation with the wicked that in this life Gods Saints are cōstrained to conuerse liue in the cōpanie of wicked ones as sheep mingled with vncleane goates yea so thicke are they sowne that if we will not keepe companie with fornicators couetous extortioners and Idolaters we must go out of the world y 1. Cor. 5. 10 now what a miserie of all miseries is this that being so wretched M. Perkins in his treatise of dying well fo 780. 781 sinful in our selues we are constrained to be in the companies of such whose onely delight is in swearing lying blaspheming filthie and foolish talking speaking euill of God and all godlinesse cursing the blessed of God and loading them with all vile reproches and disgraces that may bee what man that is truly grieued for his owne sinnes whose soule within him is not vexed to heare as Lots was z 2. Pet. 2. 8 and gush out into tears as Dauids did to see men so fearfully transgresse the commaundements of the Lord a Psal 119. 136. yea and complaine of this miserie as he did Wo is mee that I remaine in Mesech and haue mine habitation amongst the tents of Kedar b Ps 120. 5 But blessed bee the houre of death which maketh a perpetuall separation and an euerlasting farewell betwixt the godly and wicked when we shall no more liue amongst prophane sinners by whom the name of God is blasphemed all the day long but shall be gathered to the glorious and innumerable companie of Angels to the assembly and congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen and to God the iudge of all and
God I am pure from the blood of all men I haue coueted no mans siluer gold or apparell u Act. 20. 20 26 27 Let euerie ruler that would haue a comfortable death so carrie himselfe in this life that he may be able to say with Samuel Beare record of me before the Lord whose Oxe haue I taken or whose Asse haue I taken or whom haue I done wrong to or whom haue I hurt or of whose hands haue I receiued any bribe to blind mine eies withal w 1. Sa. 12 3. Yea let euery one striue to keepe a good conscience before God and al men that on their death beds they may say with Iob Let God weigh me in the inst ballance and he shall know mine vprightnesse mine heart hath not beene deceyued by a woman neither haue I laid wait at the doore of my neighbour I haue not restrained the poore of their desire nor caused the eyes of the widow to faile I haue not eaten my morsels alone but the fatherlesse haue eaten therof I haue seene none to perish for want of clothing but the loynes of the poore may blesse me which haue beene couered with the fleeces of my flocke x Iob 31. 6 9. 16. qualis vita finis ita yea doth not dayly experience confirme Iren. that as the life is so is the death What a comfortable thing is it to bee present at the deathes of the godly What notable confessions of faith testimonies of repentance patience in their paines feruencie of the spirit zeale in prayer ioy in the holy Ghost power in exhortation and comfort in their farewell Is there to bee seene and heard if by violence of the disease they be not hindered whereby it appeareth true that Dauid witnesseth that towalke in the wayes of gods coÌ„maundements bringeth peace at the last on the other side most miserable and comfortlesse are the sicknesses and deathes of the wicked who for the most part die like sottes as Naball whose heart was as dead as a stone y 1. Sam. 25. 37. or desperate like Caine z Gen. 4. 13 their consciences awaking as a mad dog out of sleepe and tormenting them for their sins most extreamely Well then we must liue the life of the righteous if euer wee looke to die the death of the righteous and if with the Apostle we will haue death our aduauntage a Phil. 1. 21 We must first with the Apostle serue God with all good conscience b Act. 24. 16 Late repentance is seldome sound wee reade but of one that became righteous at his last end of one that none may despaire for their long led sinfull life and but of one that none may presume to continue in sinne The safest way is to begin betime and euen this day c Psa 9â— 7. Heb. 3. 7. 13. to turne to the Lord. For though somtime a good death may follow an euill life yet an euill death can neuer follow a good life and therefore correct and reforme thine euill life and feare not an euil death for he can not die ill that liueth well * Corrige male viuere et nâ—li timere non potest male mori qui bene vexerit Aug. de discip Christ cap. 3. So much for the third speciall meanes which do procure a bold and comfortable death the fourth and last remaineth which is the greatest of all and must giue life to all the rest as without which they are but dead and nothing worth A true and liuely faith The fourth and most effectuall meanes for the procuring of a comfortable death is a stedfast faith For a man may consider the euils of this present life and the happinesse of the other yea and lead a life for ciuill duties vnrebukeable and yet not his death bee comfortable vnto him but rather he hath great cause to fear much euill therein but when to the consideration of freedome from miserie the fruition of happinesse and an honest and vpright life there is lastly ioyned a true and liuely faith whereby wee are assured of Gods fauour * Fides ambiguum non habet aut si habet fides non est sed opinio Bern. and the remission of sins and that through the obedience and passion of Christ we shall bee receiued into Gods kingdome these togither doe bring a most ioyfull comfortable and blessed death When death seazeth vpon a carnal man wanting faith who can see no further then by the light of blind naturall reason and seeth that he must leaue al his honour riches pleasures friends and families that his body which hath beene so daintily fed costly clothed and much made of must now be laid in the dust and become meate for the wormes and see corruption and when hee seeth that his soule must go to iudgement to render account for those sinnes which he hath vngodly committed oh how doth this torment and massacre him oh death how bitter is thy remembraÌ„ce to such an one but to the spirituall man that by the eye of faith looketh further then to the present corruptible estate of his body namely to that glorious estate wherein it shall be raysed by the power of God at the last day and by the eye of faith beholdeth the brazen Serpent Christ Iesus lifted vp vpon the pole of the crosse by which one sacrifice once offered God is well pleased oh how little doth such an one feare any euill in death so that by faith wee liue and faith is our stay when we doe die let vs then with all diligence heare the word of God and pray continually * Imo demus operam vt moreamur â—n precatione Aug. for the begetting and increase hereof that wee may in some measure triumph ouer death and say with Dauid I wil feare no euill to go through the valley of the shadow of death It followeth THE SIXT SERMON vpon the 23. Psalme For thou Lord art with me thy rodde and staffe c. IN this third circumstance The third Circumstance declaring the true cause and ground of a Christians courage in passing thorough the valley of death is layd downe the ground of a Christians boldnesse and courage which is not desperat madnesse rashnes wherby many a Swash-buckler casteth himself headlong into the danger of death as though he feared no euill therin but it is the assurance of Gods presence and fauour that is the ground of a true Christians boldnesse A point most necessarie to be considered least otherwise we may imagine that Dauids boldnesse is appropriate to himselfe and grounded vpon some speciall promise and assurance not communicable vnto any other and so it should be great presumption in any other to say as hee did I will feare no euill in death c. Vnlesse he had the same warant that hee had I say to preuent this surmise heere Dauid layeth downe the ground of his speach that if wee haue promise of the same aswell