them any longer Iere. 17.9 Iohn 8.4 Let them know what they are and whose they are and let them as they haue cause feare and tremble whiles they thinke of it and labour by all meanes to dispossesse that euill spirit that heretofore hath had the rule sway ouer them and in stead therof to haue the holy sanctifying spirit of God dwelling and abiding in them crucifying and mortifying their wicked and corrupt nature quickening them vnto a spirituall life and leading them forward continually to the constant and conscionable practise of all the duties of righteousnesse and holinesse required of them that hereby they may haue the Lords seale set vpon them Rom. 8.14 and be marked out for the redeemed of Christ Iesus those whom he hath bought from this world and Sathan to liue with him in glorie for euer Gratious LORD as it hath pleased thee of thy free and vndeserued grace to redeeme me by the bloud of Christ my Sauiour to vnite me to him by a true sauing and iustifying faith apprehending and laying hold of his merits and absolute satisfaction for my full reconciliation vnto thee so vouchsafe also in the riches of thy mercies and for thy promise and couenant sake Ier. 32.40 Ezek. 36.26.27 made with mee in that beloued One to indue me with the spirit of Christ vnto true sanctification and holinesse both of heart of life and of conuersation poure out those cleane waters vpon my soule which may purge and cleanse me from all iniquitie let me finde the flesh daily more and more crucified in mee with the sinnefull lusts and affections thereof and let mee feele the spirit powerfull and effectuall in mee yea mightily preuailing within me to the mortifying and abolishing of the olde man of sinne and to the subduing of euery corruption especially those which heretofore haue bene the strongest in mee and had the greatest hand ouer mee as also to the quickening and increasing of euery sauing grace in mee faith loue hope ioy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse meekenesse sobrietie temperance patience godlinesse and the rest that so not onely liuing but also walking in the spirit yea hauing the spirit of thy Christ ruling and raigning in me I may be more assured daily vpon good euidence that I am not of the world nor of Sathan but that I am a true and liuely member of the mysticall body of the Lord Iesus redeemed by his pretious blood shed for mee that I am his and he is mine Cant. 2.16 Ioh. 17. ver 10.23 24. Ephes 2.6 4.10 Ioh. 14.2.3 and that together with him after a while I shall be raised vp vnto those heauenly places into vvhich hee is already ascended and where I shall enioy that blessed fellowship and communion of thee the euer-liuing God in the fulnesse of ioy and blessednesse lauding and praising thee vncessantly with all thy chosen Saints and elect Angels for euermore and that onely through the merits of my blessed Sauiour to vvhom with thee O Father and thy gracious Spirit three distinct persons but one most wise â—â—d glorious God be ascribed as due is all honour might and maiestie dignitie and dominion both now and euermore Amen Hypocrisie the vanitie and danger of it HOW great is the folly of those that chuse rather to serue God in hypocrisie then in truth and sinceritie to seeme to be holy then to bee so indeed They please not God yea rather they are an abhomination vnto him Psal 5.6 his soule loaths them because they make the outward badge and cognizance of his children a cloake of their impietie and wickednesse They want that vvhich is the life of a Christian true spirituall comfort and constant and heauenly ioy Iob 20.5 They lose that blessed reward vvhich is promised vnto them and them onely that walke in vprightnesse and singlenesse of heart before him Gen. 17.1 Prou. 10.9 and that vizzard which through vanitie they haue put vpon them to delude the world withall shall at length be plucked off from their faces to their shame and perpetuall reproach and infamie For that vvhich is fained and counterfait cannot stand long Mat. 21.19 and it is a true saying Hee that begins Religion in Hypocrisie ends in Apostasie O blessed LORD let my heart be alwayes vpright before thee Let it be my desire euer rather to bee more then I seeme to bee then to seeme to bee that vvhich I am not for alas what will it auaile mee to dissemble before thee my God who art of so cleerâ— eyes that nothing can be couered or hid from thee Iob. 26.6 who art the seer and the searcher of the very heart and reines Heb. 4.13 Pro. 15.11 and discernest the secretest thoughts and intents of the minde and soule yea long before they are O farre be it from me to turne aside into crooked wayes vvith those that are workers of iniquitie Psal 125.5 Iob. 15.34 27.8 Matth. 24.51 23.27 whom thou hatest and to whom thou hast threatned endlesse and euerlasting destruction and confusion without recouery but let it be my continuall care and endeuour to serue thee in spirit and in trueth all my dayes and to walke continually as in thy presence seeking to please thee and to increase more and more in all the fruites of righteousnesse and perfect holinesse that so my vvhole course may bee acceptable vnto thee I may bee filled vvith the ioyes of thy spirit heere Iob. 8.21 15.11 those sweet and heauenly refreshings which the hypocrite may talke of but neuer soundly tasted of and bee crowned vvith glory heereafter in thy kingdome for euermore Amen God beareth with the frailties and weakenesses of his Children PARENTS delight in their Children not onely vvhen they are come to mans estate but also vvhen they begin first to creepe on the ground and to speake some few words in an imperfect manner And vvill GOD our heauenly Father despise the poore endeuours of his vveake and little ones Psal 119.5 vvho cry vnto him continually for strength and abilitie to performe that which hee requireth of them Rom. 7.24 and grieue yea mourne vncessantly that they are not able to walke with more stedfastnesse and sinceritie in his wayes Farre be it from vs once to thinke or imagine this for what were this else then to make the Lord lesse pittifull Psal 86 15 and 145.8 lesse tenderly affected and compassionate towards his then earthly Parents are vnto theirs the very thought whereof is no small sinne but exceeding displeasing vnto him whose loue towards his children doth infinitely surpasse and exceede the naturall affection of any Parent whatsoeuer Psal 27.10 euen as farre as the heauens exceede the earth Psal 103.11.13 their loue being but a shadow of that which is in him in an infinite and vnspeakeable manner yea what were it else then to call his truth and faithfulnesse into question and to deny
to turne my feete g Pro. 4.14 from their pathes and to walke before thee in truth and sinceritie and in singlenesse of heart that so whereas they shall euer be wretched and miserable I may haue assurance that I am and shall be blessed both now and euer Amen The godly life the onely happie life ALL things in this life are vaine a Eccle. 1.8.14 and come to nothing riches health beautie strength glorie or whatsoeuer the heart of man can desire or which might seeme to promise vnto men the greatest felicitie happines VVho is so blinde that seeth not how fading and transitorie they are euen those that are of the greatest perfection and excellencie aboue others They haue an end and passe away as if they had neuer beene b Eccle. 1.11 Psal 119.96 But the feare of the Lord indureth for euer c Psal 19.9 Psal 112. True Religion and Godlinesse they abide with vs in life and in death and for euer This is as the tree of life in the Paradise of God vvhich giueth life d Pro. 12.28 22.4 19.23 happinesse to them that delight not onely to tast but also to feede and fill themselues with it This is as it were a cleare fountaine of liuing waters e Ioh. 4.14 vvhich spring vp to euerlasting life and glory in the kingdome of God It crownes a man vvith many graces f Prou. 10 27 Deut 28.3 c. Psal 1.19 and blessings heere and hereafter vvill giue him enterance into the fulnesse and perfection of all blessednesse when all other things shal appeare to be as they are vaine shadowes dreames and fancies that shall satisfie the soule with the abundance and accomplishment of all glorie and happinesse Oh then how great is the folly of those that seeke more after these fading g 1 Cor. 7.31 1. Ioh. 2.27 and perishing things then after that which is farre to be preferred before them that labour more to be h Psal 4.6 rich healthfull strong honourable c. then to be truly religious men fearing God and such as delight to walke conscionably before him in his wayes that striue more to abound in the pleasures profits and preferments of this world which are but as smoke and soone vanish away i Psal 49.17.18.19.20 leauing the owner of them neuer a vvhit the better then in grace and godlinesse which hath the promises of blessednesse both in this life * 1 Tim. 4.8 and in the life to come O LORD indue mee daily more and more with that wisedome which is from aboue discouer vnto me yet more and more the vanitie of all things here below Let me consider how * Psa 82.7 146.3.4 Iob 21.33 Princes the greatest men die and how their fauour and honour fadeth with them let me consider how one generation goeth and k Eccl. 1.4 another commeth and how euen those things which are of greatest perfection * Psal 119.96 and in greatest account amongst men perish come to an end quickly though insensibly to them especially that haue not eyes to discerne the course of them And on the other side cleere my dimmed sight by the cleere shine of thy grace and blessed Spirit that I may behold how great the reward of true Religion and godlinesse is what perfect and constant yea euerlasting blessednesse there is in walking vprightly before thee in the vvayes which thou hast prescribed vnto me that so making a choise of the better part * Luke 10.42 I may be truly blessed of thee both in life and death and for euermore The godly life is the onely comfortable and contented life MAny are afrayd to be religious for feare they should loose the comfort content which before they enioyed in their sinful vanities l Eccl. 11.9 lead a more heauy a dumpish discomfortable life wanting those sweet morsels with vvhich they were wont to glut themselues till they surfetted on them O vain man that so fondly imaginest that thou shalt finde comfort and happinesse vvhere it is not to be found m Eccle. 1.14 and that thou shouldest depriue thy selfe of it by taking that course wherby thou only mightst attaine vnto it n Eccl. 12.13 Why dost thou suffer thine owne heart thus to deceiue thee yea Sathan with his sleights o 2 Cor. 2.11 thus to beguile and delude thee causing thee to follow after shadowes and to let goe the substance euen that onely vvhich can make thee happy thy life comfortable and full of desired sweetnesse whereas now for want of it thou languishest in vaine hopes restles pursuite of that which is elsewhere to be found then thou dreamest yea euen by those very meanes by vvhich thou fearest thou shouldest depriue thy selfe of it Know at length thine errour and learne to get true vnderstanding and a right discerning of those things which concerne thy * Luk. 19.42 peace happinesse The godly life onely it is vvhich is the truly comfortable and contented life If thou wilt not beleeue the Saints of God p Psal 4.4 Rom 5.1 1 Pet. 1. Phil. 11.12 who speake out of their owne experience q Ioh. 3.11 euen those things which they haue felt and tasted of through the Spirit of grace vvhich dwels in them hauing had proofe also of both estates euen that wherein thou who art yet a carnall and vnregenerate man now art as also of that wherin through the mercy of God they now stand being sanctified and regenerate by the Spirit of God and such as vvould not returne to their former estate wherin thou liuest nor exchange theâ—r present comforts for their former â—aâ—ities though they might haue I say not with Balaam r Num. 12.28 a house full of Gold and Siluer but the whole world yea tenne thousand worlds if it might be If thou wilt not I say beleeue these vvho notwithstanding ought to be credited being well acquainted with those things vvhich they testifie yet beleeue God himselfe vvho hath sayd and sealed it in those diuine Oracles for a certaine and vndoubted truth vvhich none except hee vvill proclaime himselfe to bee a profest Atheist one vvhich denies God and his Word which is of infallible truth dare euer denie or once call into question in any sort viz. that the life of the wicked is nothing but vanitie and s Eccles 1. miserie they being like a restlesse and raging Sea t Isa 57.20 vvhich casts out mire and dirt continually their fearâ—s and sorrowes v Iob 15.21 being many and the euils x Psal 32.10 vvhich attend vpon them infinite the godly on the other side ful of comfort heauenly solace peace y Prou. 24 20. Rom. 5.1.14.17 Psal 97.11 Pro. 15.15 Phil. 4.4 ioy and much sweetnesse such as none know nor can conceiue of but they that haue tasted of it z 1 Pet. 2.3 and which after they haue once tasted
are written with the finger of the Spirit of God and wherein the manifold and vnsearchable vvisedome of God and those great and glorious mysteries are most clearely reuealed to them that haue eyes to behold them Ephe. 3.9.10 Next vnto this the heauens are the clearest and fayrest Booke that vve can open or reade in Thence wee may learne what profound and excellent knowledge yea hee that hath skill of neuer a Letter may herein read distinctly the magnificence â—â—b 37.23 â—â—al 19.1 the power the wisedome the glory and maiestie of the Almightie Lord and Creator of all things â—â—m 1.20 Hee is altogether inexcusable that hath no skill no desire no endeuour to gather instruction vnto himselfe out of it or that hauing it so long open before him shewes himselfe to be a Non-proficient one that is nothing at all bettered by it in regard of his knowledge and vnderstanding of those things vvhich concerne GOD and his Worship and Seruice Lord let that Booke of thine be neuer closed or sealed vnto me neyther let mine eyes bee so dimme that I should not bee able to reade those things which thou hast written therein in such great and Capitall Letters and vvith such a cleare and legible hand but giue mee the right vnderstanding of the same and grant that from thence I may learne to feare to loue to praise and extoll thy great and glorious Name vvho art so exceeding vvonderfull in all thy workes Gods marueilous workmanship in the frame of the world IF thou seest a stately Palace or some rare and exquisite frame wrought by the hand and by the curious Art of man thou dost presently vvonder and admire at it and vvithall giue large commendations of him whose workemanship it was Loe thou beholdest euery day that most exquisite and glorious frame of heauen and earth the worke of Gods owne hand Psal 8.3 and 135.6 the roofe vvhereof is bespangled and adorned vvith those celestiall creatures Eccle. 3.11 those glorious Lights the Sunne the Moone and all those bright and glittering Stars in vvhich the wonderfull glory and vvisedome of the Creator shineth forth so clearely Psal 104.24 111.2 that euen the blinde Heathen could not but see and acknowledge it yea the vvhole building whereof euen euery part of it is most admirable such as that it sheweth plainely that it had no other to be the Maker and builder of it then GOD himselfe Iob 38. and yet thou neuer or seldome lookest vpon it vvith an holy admiration thou art neuer moued with the serious consideration of it to acknowledge the great and vvondrous vvorke of God therein and to magnifie the Creator of all things O the blindnesse and senslesnesse nay Psal 92.5.6 brutishnes of man Lord doe thou raise vp my thoughts to the due meditation of thy vnspeakeable wisedome power goodnes mercie in those things which thou hast created and made for thine owne glorie and for the vse and benefit of man euen those wonders of thine in the heauen the earth the sea and all places Psal 107.12.24 Rom. 1.20 Let me in them see the inuisible things of thee who art God and Lord of all euen the infinite power and glory of thy eternall and incomprehensible Deitie Iob. 26.14 Let me acknowledge thy goodnesse and mercie towards mee a worme of the earth for whose sake thou hast made heauen and earth yea let mee neuer cease to praise and glorifie thee vvhose name is so excellent in all the vvorld who art Creator and Gouernour of all things holy and blessed for euer Amen The creatures prouoke man to serue his Creator ALL creatures serue their Lord and maker The birds of the ayre by their pleasant notes and cheereful melodie sing praise vnto their Creator Psal 104. the fishes of the Sea the beasts of the field by seruing for the vse of man according to the ordinance and appointment of God Euen the creatures without sense and life the Sunne the Moone the Starres all these keepe their places their motions which he hath assigned vnto them al these declare the glorie of God their maker and shew forth his power and wisedome Psal 145.10 Man only is found disobedient vnseruiceable nay rebellious against his Creator who of all should chiefly be seruiceable and obedient vnto him since all things were made for his sake euen to draw him to loue to duetie and obedience that so he might glorifie his Creator vvho had so highly honoured and aduanced him Ierem. 8.7 O blessed Lord farre be it from me to be more senselesse then the bruite beasts yea the insensible creatures themselues O let it be farre from me to be so vnkinde so vndutifull so ingratefull so stubborne and disobedient towards thee my God my Creator my Father my Soueraigne to whom I owe all seruice and homage yea let me passe the beasts in dutie and obedience or else euen they those dumbe and vnreasonable creatures shall be witnesses to testifie against me and cause thee to proceed in iudgement Psal 8.4.5 and to giue sentence with more rigour and seueritie to my deeper condemnation The greatnesse of the benefit of the redemption of mankind by Christ and how much we are bound vnto God for the same IF any one of vs were taken by his enemy put into a darke prison or deepe dungeon where he could see no light of the Sun or of the Moone not any of the Starres for a long season and besides this were laden also with many heauy chains and yrons and no waies able to helpe himselfe out of that misery yea in regard of any meanes which himselfe could vse were cleane out of all hope euer to bee deliuered sure to rot and perish would he not thinke himselfe much beholding and greatly indebted vnto him that should freely of his owne loue and voluntary accord seeke to bring him out of that wofull estate vnto light life and libertie especially if so bee that hee that did him this fauour were one of whom hee neuer deserued any thing yea to whom hee had beene a professed and open enemie 1 Tim. 1.17 Reuel 4.10.11 O then how much more ought wee euen all such as are the chosen of God and the redeemed of Christ Iesus to magnifie the grace and the tender mercie of God our Sauiour towards vs how deepely are we to acknowledge our selues to be indebted vnto him for the exceeding riches of his loue and vnspeakable kindnesse towards vs how are we to praise his name and to extoll his infinite goodnes and bounty so graciously vouchsafed and so manifestly declared vnto vs seeing that no prison no darknesse no bondage no miserie is Isai 42.6.7 Zach. 9.11 or can be like vnto that vvherein vve were inclosed and shut fast vp vvithout all hope of euer enioying the light of that glorious Sunne of righteousnesse or once beholding the bright beames of that rich grace mercie of God which
him to be that which he hath declared and reuealed himselfe to be and bound himselfe by promise Exod. 34.6.7 Mal. 3.17 to shew himselfe to be vnto his whom he hath chosen vnto himselfe and vpon vvhom his delight is set yea it were to derogate from his glory seeing he will be glorified as well in the acknowledgement of his goodnesse and mercy towards his children that feare him Pro. 8.31 as of his iustice and seueritie towards the vvicked and vngodly that know him not Blessed Lord and gracious Father thou knowest the desire of my heart Psa 119.40 thou seest vvith how many weaknesses and infirmities I am compassed about continually how many lets and hinderances are cast before me in the way of godlinesse which leadeth vnto life and saluation thou discernest perfectly vvhat I am made of Psa 103.14 how fraile and feeble my nature is euen as the dust or as the withering hay into what forme and mould I am cast yea that I am nothing without thee and thy quickening and strenthening grace ready to sinne against thee euery houre euery moment O be thou mercifull vnto me spare me as thou hast promised as a Father doth his little ones in vvhom hee delighteth Pardon my sinnes heale my infirmities accept my weake and imperfect endeuours giue me a continuall supply of thy heauenly grace and a greater measure of strength and abilitie to walke before thee vvith a perfect heart and to serue thee with chearefulnesse and alacritie and in truth and sinceritie all my dayes vntill I come at length vnto that perfection both of grace and glory whereof I shall be made partaker in thy Kingdome for euer Amen Good Motions EVery good motion arising at any time in the heart of any one is the voyce of God himselfe Isay 30.21 speaking inwardly vnto the soule and conscience of man and therefore neuer to be lightly accounted of much lesse to be smothered or wilfully resisted and gainsaid for that is a most fearefull thing Ierem. 6.16 18.12 euen rebellion against God and the voyce of his spirit vvhich speaketh in them and vnto them but alwaies diligently to be harkened vnto and by all meanes to be imbraced and cherished that so it may become effectuall and not die and vanish away without fruit or profit to the hardening of the heart and the making of it the more vncapable of grace and goodnesse the ordinary and most fearefull iudgement which the Lord vsually bringeth vpon men for so great a wickednesse Rom. 1.28 Psal 106.15 81.12.13 1 Thes 5.19 Good Lord suffer mee not at any time to quench thy spirit to resist that heauenly voyce of thine speaking vnto me according vnto thy word least thou giue me ouer to hardnesse of heart Cant. 5.2 but whensoeuer thou doest knocke at the doore of my heart and soule Reue. 3.20 let me be ready presently to open vnto thee and to giue thee the best entertainment that I can by yeelding my selfe euery-waies pliable and flexible vnto thee vvhensoeuer thou doest inspire me with any good motion or holy desire grant that I may vse all meanes whereby the same may be quickened and increased that so thine owne worke may daily be more and more perfected in me Yeelding to the wicked motions and desires of the heart THe vaine and wicked desires of the heart can neuer be satisfied yea Isa 57.20 the more that any doth feed them the more insatiable shall he find them He can neuer be filled neuer haue enough of them Who seeth not this most clearly in the couetous the voluptuous the ambitious yea in all such as giue the reines vnto their owne sinfull and inordinate affections It is as it were a fire in their bones which will neuer be quenched till the fewell which ministreth continually new matter vnto it be quite taken away It is as it were the flame of hell kindled by Sathan himselfe to the scorching of the conscience which is drowned in these earthly these sinful these sensuall delights It is like a greedy worme which continually lies gnawing vpon the soule and in time will eate out the very heart intrals if the euil be not timely preuented O blessed Lord withdraw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more from these lying and deceitfull vanities which can neuer yeeld me any true contentment but rather be a cause of torment and vexation vnto me robbing me not onely of thy grace but of my peace also seeing my minde can neuer bee satisfied with them And grant that the desires of my heart may be set wholly vpon thee who art the fountaine of all goodnesse of all true blisse and happinesse that so I may be satisfied and replenished with the plentifulnesse and abundant riches of thy grace and heauenly blessings Rom. 2.10 Gal. 6.6 and haue thy peace and mercy resting vpon me and abiding vvith me all my daies Amen How fearefull a thing it is for a man to be left vnto himselfe and to his owne desires THere can no greater euill befall any man in this world then to be left vnto himselfe Psal 81.12 Isai 1.5 63.17 vnto his owne will and waies and to the corrupt desires and affections which are most pleasing to his wicked heart and vnsanctified nature Of all iudgements which the Lord doth suffer to come vpon men in this life it is the greatest and most dangerous though thorow the marueilous blindnesse and sottishnesse that is in men least eyther discerned or feared of the most Better were it for them by any meanes to be restrained from those things which their corrupt nature is prone vnto yea better were it for them to bee held downe continually with some painefull sicknesse and grieuous disease or to be laid fast vp in close prison all their liues long and to endure the greatest outward misery that can be vnto their dying houre O blessed Lord giue me not ouer vnto the waies of mine owne heart an insensible but of all iudgements the most fearefull leaue me not vnto my selfe suffer me not at any time to wander and goe astray from thee by following those things which are good in mine owne eyes and pleasing vnto carnall and corrupt reason O let me neuer fall into so great an euill but be thou mercifull vnto me to order and dispose all my affections to guide and gouerne me with thy spirit and to direct my steppes according vnto the rule of thy holy and blessed word that so being kept and preserued by thee from those sinnes vvhereunto of my selfe I am prone and inclinable and established in euery good vvay and vvorke I may glorifie theein my life and find ioy and comfort in my death and after death liue and raigne with thee eternally in fulnesse of all glory and happinesse through the merits of Christ my Sauiour The many differences betweene a naturall and a spirituall man one that is truely sanctified VVHat difference
is there betweene a carnall and naturall man and him that is spirituall and truely regenerate How opposite and contrary are they in their thoughts desires inclinations proiects purposes and practises in briefe in the vvhole course and carryage of their liues It is wonderfull to obserue and see how exceedingly they differ what a marueilous contrarietie there is betweene them the naturall man doth alwayes eye those things which are visible and temporall the spirituall 2 Cor. 4.18 Heb. 11.1.27 those things especially which are inuisible and eternall The naturall man doth delight altogether in the creatures and in fulfilling the wicked lusts and vaine desires of his owne heart Mat. 24.38 1 Pet. 4.4 Gen. 19.9 and therefore neuer grieueth more then vvhen hee is most crossed in those courses vvhich hee so much affecteth Psal 33.21 Psal 37.4 and 95.1 1 Sam. 30.6 but the spirituall mans chiefe delight is in the Creator the fountaine of all true pleasure and delight and in feeding his soule vvith good thoughts 1 Pet. 1.3.6 blessed hopes holy desires and diuine and heauenly meditations Psa 119.97 vvith which hee can neuer bee satiated vvhereas for all earthly vanities hee hath a great distaste Gal. 6.14 and a base esteeme of them or at least hee looketh ouer them vvith a kinde of holy disdaine he doth not so much affect them but that hee doth earnestly desire and endeuour to restraine his minde from the sinfull and inordinate loue of them and neuer thinkes himselfe better at ease then when hee can most weane his affections from them Eccle. 2.17 and crucifie that corrupt nature of his with the wicked motions and concupiscence thereof Gal. 5.24 then which he findeth nothing more grieuous and burthensome vnto him or from which hee hath a greater desire to be altogether freed Rom. 7.24 The naturall man is led vvith the spirit of Sathan Ephes 2.2 and of this vvorld vvhich ruleth and raigneth yea rageth in him the spirituall man is led by the Spirit of Christ and of God Rom. 8.9.14 that holy and sanctifying Spirit of grace vvhich dwels in him rules gouernes and directeth him and leadeth him forth into the vvayes of righteousnesse and holinesse The naturall man doth vvholy vved himselfe to the vvorld Hosea 2.5 Iames 4.4 and therefore sauours nothing but the things of this earth Ioh. 3.31 Rom. 8.5 dotes fondly vpon them and lyes groueling vpon this slime and baser molde like a Mucke-vvorme vainely supposing that there can be no greater happinesse then to enioy abundantly the pleasures honours preferments profits and commodities thereof and therefore being foolishly enamoured Phil. 3.19 2 Pet. 2.19 or rather strangely besotted with the vvhorish loue of it doth in a base and sordid manner euen deuore himselfe to the seruice of it But the spirituall man doth not so loue the world but that when hee hath his eyes in his head hee flyes from it as farre as vvith conuenience hee may knowing the vanitie and the exceeding both danger and deceitfulnesse of it 1 Tim. 6.9 10.17 Eccles 1.2.14 1 Cor. 7.31 Psa 119.19 Heb. 11.9 Phil. 3.20 Gal. 6.14 he vseth it as if hee vsed it not maketh himselfe a stranger to it and had rather vtterly renounce and giue it ouer and be diuorced and quite separated from it then bee so much yoaked vnto it as hee seeth others are or tyed vvith so straite bonds of loue and amitie as that seeketh to chaine and fasten him vnto it and so to draw him to a more neare and entire vnion vvith it then he desires yea so contrary is it to his minde to be matched or ioyned in any league vvith it that he accounteth himselfe most happy vvhen he hath least to do vvith it and most freed from the encumbrances of it that so he may soare aloft and haue more fellowship and communion with God and greater liberty wholy to deuote himselfe to his worship and seruice assuredly perswading himselfe that herein and in nothing else consisteth true felicity and happinesse and therefore vvisely maketh it his chiefe treasure that vvhich he esteemeth farre aboue all other things The naturall man seeketh for comfort and contentment onely in sensible and externall things the spirituall Eccl. 11.9 Luk. 12.9.29 16.19 Psal 4.6.7 37.4 in the inward graces of Gods Spirit and in the assurance of his loue and fauour vvhich is a greater ioy and refreshing vnto him then all other things whatsoeuer Yea the sweetnesse of the world is bitternesse to him in comparison of this Phil. 2.21 The naturall man seeketh his owne priuate good that which may be most for thee aduancement of his outward state in the world his owne credit honour profit and commodity vvithout any respect vnto others the care of whom he thinks litle or nothing appertaineth vnto him if they be not such as nature hath linked and chained vnto him by such bonds as the verie Heathen themselues would not breake But the spirituall and regenerate man seeketh the good of others 1 Cor. 24.33 1 Cor. 13.5 as well as his owne yea he doth rather desire if he may conueniently do it to benefit many others then himselfe alone since he knoweth well that he was not borne for himself but for others also and that he is no lesse bound to others then to himselfe Iames. 2.8 and therefore not onely to wish but as farre as he can to procure their good with the same affection that he doth his owne The naturall man cares not how much or how oft he offends or prouokes others so that hee may please himselfe and satisfie his owne lustes yea it 's a pastime to him many times to grieue disquiet and molest others and those especially that are most innocent and harmelesse Psal 56.5 97.4 Psal 59.3 64.4 neyther thinking nor speaking much lesse working any euill against him but rather praying for him and seeking and desiring his good The spirituall man on the contrary is very loth to giue offence vnto any yea to the meanest and simplest ones 2 Cor. 6.3 1 Cor. 10.33 1 Ioh. 2.20 Rom. 15.2 1 Cor. 8.13 2 Cor. 6.3 2 Cor. 13.5 he seekes to please his neighbour as wel as himselfe and had rather doe or suffer that which would be some waies inconuenient to him then that his weake brother should be displeased or offended at him he is very wise and wary this waies so farre is he from delighting to grieue or prouoke others that he is much grieued when he seeth that others take occasion where there is none giuen to be grieued and displeased with him or by meanes of him and seekes presently in a louing affection towards them to heale that wound and to salue that sore which they haue rather brought vpon themselues then taken from him The naturall man doth scarce loue his best friends except it be carnally in worldly respects Psal 41.6.9
hee vvant that vvhich cannot be vvanting in any true Christian hauing onely the title and outward badge of a Christian and not the inward indowments of those heauenly vertues and graces of Gods holy and sanctifying spirit a Galat. 5.24 nor the outward ornaments of a godly and religious life vvherewith all that are true Christians indeed are beautified and adorned miserable are such men of all others if they could see it Better were it for them to be Turkes Pagans and such as neuer heard of the name of a Christian and easier shall it bee for the most rude and barbarous nation in the world that know not God nor Christ yea for those vile and monsterous people the wicked Sodomites whom the Lord branded with a note of perpetuall infamie b 2 Pet. 2.6 and made spectacles of his vvrath and vengeance to all ensuing ages easier I say nay Christ himselfe hath spoken it with his owne mouth shall it be for that wicked and cursed generation in the day of iudgement then for them euen those false and counterfeit Christians vvhich are the very staine of the name and profession of Christianitie and godlinesse c Math. 11 24 causing by the vvickednesse of their liues the name of Christ to bee blasphemed d Rom. 2.24 among the heathen and by their vnseemely actions and shamelesse conuersations bringing this honourable calling into contempt and reproach among those that are strangers from God and his Christ and iudge of the truth of our Religion not by that vvhich is the true touchstone and cannot deceiue viz. the Scriptures and glorious vvord vvhich wee beleeue but by the liues and carriages of those that are the professors of it or beare the name of Christians or Professors concluding though falsely that that Religion cannot bee good nor to bee embraced of any vvhich they see to bring forth no better fruits in those that are the professors of it or haue the name of such as are professors of it for they make no difference yea Tit. 1.16 2 Pet. 2.2 Rom. 8.9 as or vvorse then they see in that blindnesse of Turcisme or Paganisme wherein they liue Fearefull is the estate of such titular and seeming Christians or indeede rather no Christians although they haue a place in the Church and liue among Christians as the Chaffe among the Wheate men of wicked and corrupt hearts and liues of which there be multitudes among vs the shame and reproach of the Christian vvorld yea of Christ himselfe fearefull and wretched is their estate and condition of all their condemnation shall be greatest for so the Truth it selfe hath threatned against them and will surely accomplish it in due time This is the e Ioh. 3.19 condemnation that is this is the cause of that great and fearefull condemnation that light is come into the world and men loue darknesse rather then the light Children of night and of darknesse f 1 Thes 5.5 yea of the curse and perdition how thinke you yee shall escape the vengeance that is to come except as you haue taken vpon you the name of Christians so you liue as it becommeth Christians except you change your liues g Mat. 3.8 Acts 3.19 and bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life not thinking it to be sufficient to say wee haue Christ to be our Sauiour and Redeemer except you shew your selues to be such as are redeemed from sinne and loosed from the bands of h Ioh. 3.8 Luke 1.75 Iohn 3.36 Psal 2.12 iniquitie the vvorke of the Diuell vvhich vvas the end of Christs comming and which all that are redeemed by him must finde to be wrought in them If you beleeue and obey not * Iohn 3.36 2 Thes 1.8 assuredly you shall perish the wrath of God abideth on you and shall be poured forth vpon you in the day of the vvrath and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God Christ shall no wayes profit you hee shall not be a Sauiour to redeeme you but a Iudge to condemne you and to render vnto you according to your wayes i Isay 3.11 and workes that yee haue done Heare this you that haue the name and shew of Christians and are not heare it consider well of it and tremble at it and learne at length to be Christinns not in shew and profession onely for that vvill turne to your greater condemnaton but in deede and in truth which wil bring you much peace and ioy heere k Rom. 2.7 and infinite and vnspeakeable happines and glory hereafter when as Christ that blessed hope of ours shall appeare in glory l 2 Thes 1 10. and be made marueilous in all them that haue beleeued in him and beene obedient to him Gracious Lord who art the author and finisher of euery good gift and grace which is vvrought in any of thine perfect I beseech thee that vvorke of grace which of thy free mercy and goodnesse it hath pleased thee to beginne in mee O let mee neuer be of the number of them that haue a shew of godlinesse m 2 Tim. 3.5 but deny the power thereof professing themselues to be Christians and yet liue as those that are enimies to Christ bruitish and Heathenish people Farre be this from me for so I should heape the greatest measure of thy vvrath vpon mee bring my selfe to endlesse vvoe and miserie hauing my portion among them to whom Christ in the day of his appearance in flaming fire n 2 Thes 1.7.9 shall render vengeance because they were not obedient to thy blessed Gospell but graunt that as thou hast vouchsafed me the tytle and honour of a Christian so I may walk worthy of that holy and glorious profession endeuoring to keepe a good conscience alwayes both before thee and before men and to liue righteously iustly and vnblameably as it becommeth one of those whom thou hast separated from this vile and sinfull world this naughty and crooked generation and called vnto thy kingdome and glory by the preaching of the Gospell of thy Christ that so being made like vnto my Sauiour in righteousnesse and holinesse here and seeking to glorifie thee in all things I may hereafter obtaine the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ liuing with him in those heauenly mansions according to that promise of his vvho is faithfull and true in all his sayings and being made partaker with him of that felicitie and happinesse o 2 The. 2 14. Ioh. 17.24 vvhich is endlesse and vnspeakable and that only through thy mercies in Christ in whom it hath pleased thee to accept me and to vvhom with thee and thy good Spirit be all prayse now and for euer Amen Another to the same effect THE sinne of Christians is the greatest of all others and so their punishment likewise God being alwayes iust to render vengeance a Rom. 6.2 according to the qualitie of the offence First that their sinne is greatest vvill easily appeare to him
my selfe to be a sinfull man d Rom. 7.24 laden with many sins and iniquities full of frailte and infirmities The good which I would d Rom 7.19 I cannot doe and the euill which I would not that do I. Many waies doe I continually sinne against thee both in omission of the good which thou hast commaunded and in commission of the contrarie euill sinne cleaueth e Heb. 12.1 Rom. 7.17 24 vnto me in my best actions and performances wherein I desire most to please thee and to approue my selfe vnto thee yea it compasseth me about on euery side and holdeth me in a kinde of bondage and thraldome vnder it so that my soule mourneth many times secretly vvithin me and panteth f Psal 119.131 after thee desiring to bee loosed from this bodie of sinne and to inioy that perfect libertie and freedome and that full enlargement from this misery vvhich thou hast promised vnto thy Saints and seruants Haue mercy vpon me O most mercifull Lord haue mercy vpon me and according vnto thy free and gracious promise looke downe vpon me with the eye of thy fatherly compassion accept my vveake and inperfect desires as if I vvere able to performe that perfect obedience vnto thee vvhich thy law requireth Deale vvith mee as thou vsest to deale with thy children Behold I desire thy commaundements g Psal 119 40 accept me according to that which I haue and not according to that vvhich I haue not Let the truth of my inward affection be as the perfection of action before thee my desire to serue thee as if I did teÌ„der much better seruice to thee then I do or can doe Heale my infirmities I humbly pray thee and quicken me euery day more and more vvith thy grace and spirit that so I may vvalke before thee in all thy vvaies with more cheerefulnesse and sinceritie and howsoeuer I haue cause to be discouraged in regard of my selfe and my manifold imâ—erfections vvhen I enter into thy presence yet hauing respect to those sweet and gracious promises vvhich thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ in vvhom thou lookest alwaies vpon me and in vvhose righteousnesse thou wilt now and euer accapt mee couering all my infirmities vvith that perfect obedience of his Let me alwaies approach vnto the throne of thy grace with comfor and boldnesse being assured that I shall find grace mercie of thee vvho neuer faylest in any thing vvhich thou hast promised but shewest thy selfe to bee abundant in goodnesse and truth aboue that vvee are able to aske or thinke To thee be prayse for euer Amen True loue of God how it may be discerned from that which is counterfeit and hypocriticall MAny there be that in word professe they loue God but few that loue him indeed and in truth Wilt thou know therefore vvhether his loue be in thee or no whether thy heart be rightly affected towards him Consider then what I shall say vnto thee yea vvhat God himselfe vvho is the truth it selfe speakes vnto thee vnto mee vnto all of vs. They that loue him doe first finde that they are loued of him a 1 Ioh. 4.19 And this loue of his shed into their hearts causeth them to loue him againe and their loue towards him manifesteth it selfe First by a care and delight to keepe his commaundements So he sayth If ye loue mee keepe my commandements b Ioh. 14.15.21.23.24 15.14 And againe c 1 Ioh. 5.3 This is the loue of God that we keepe his commandements They are not grieuous or burdensome vnto them but they delight in them concerning the inner man d Rom. 7.22 yea they are an easie yoke and a light burden vnto them e Math. 11 30 Although they oft faile and cannot but faile in the performance of them in regard of the reliques and remainders of sinne and corruption vvhich are in them and vvill be in them vnto death f Heb. 12.1 cleauing as fast vnto them as their skinne doth vnto their flesh yet as farre as they are regenerate and renued by grace their hearts are set vpon them g Psal 119 40. Hebr. 13.18 they finde much sweetnesse in them they desire and indeuour with all their soules to keepe and obserue them not one but all of them h Psal 119.6 yea it is their full resolution and their constant endeuour to yeeld themselues flexible and pliable thereunto in all things They make holy vowes and enter into couenant vvith themselues yea they bind themselues as it vvere by a solemne i Psal 119.106 oath and promise to performe them to the vttermost of their strength and power Their heart k Psal 119 vers 20. breaketh in a manner for the earnest desire and feruent affâ—ction they haue thereunto yea like the chased and vvearied Hinde they l Vers 131 pant after them Thus they that loue the Lord delight in all his Commandements both in knowing them and in keeping and obseruing them and therefore they are carefull in vsing the meanes whereby they may be furthered herein as reading the Word hearing the same preached godly conference receiuing the Sacraments Prayer c. they ioy herein and make much account of these and all other blessed ordinances of the Lord they are pretious in their eyes they esteeme more of them then of their appointed food m Iob 23.12 And hereby it doth appeare indeed that their hearts are toward the Lord that they doe loue him truly and sincerely Againe their loue to him sheweth it selfe by a hatred n Psal 97.10 of all euill which they know to be hatefull and displeasing vnto him aboue all things Hauing a sense and feeling of his loue and fauour towards them yea of the exceeding riches of his grace and kindnesse towards them in CHRIST IESVS they burne in loue againe towards him and this loue of theirs towards him in a speciall manner restraineth them from all sinne and draweth yea forceth and constraineth them to the contrary vertues For they iudge it a meet o 2 Cor. 5.14.15 1 Pet. 4.1.2 and most equall thing that seeing Christ in loue to them hath died for their sinnes that therefore they euen in loue towards him should be dead vnto sinne for which hee died and that as hee rose againe to manifest his victory and triumph ouer sinne and Sathan and to raise them out of the graue of sinne to the life of righteousnesse and holinesse so that they also should liue no more vnto themselues and to their sinnes but to him who so loued them that he died for them and gaue his pretious bloud to wash and cleanse p Tit. 2.14 them from all sinne and iniquitie and to make them a righteous seed q 1 Pet. 2.9 a holy nation a peculiar people that they should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called them out of the darkenesse of sinne death into that maruailous light both of his
grace here and glory hereafter Thus the loue of God entering into their spirits doth purge and purifie them throughout it doth presently void out that filth and corruption both of originall pollution actuall transgression vvhich was before in them and smothereth vp their carnall earthly and sensuall loue by a greater force at least it striueth so to doe for the old man will not be quite dead as long as they liue in this vvorld It vvorketh mightily and very forcibly in them and is of marueilous efficacie for the clensing of them from all sinne and fitting and preparing them both in body soule to be temples and mansion-places for the holy Ghost the glorious spirit of God to rest and to dwell in What should I say They hauing tasted of the bounty and superabundant loue of God in Christ their Sauiour towards them and hauing in them the holy Ghost testifying r Rom. 8.16 vnto them assuring them that they are the sonnes of God yea sealing this vnto their soules and consciences haue such a sincere entire and pure loue kindled in their breasts that they doe desire vnfainedly to abstaine from all sinne which they know is so displeasing vnto him and to please him in all things and vvhen they are sollicited either by Sathan or their owne corrupt nature to the commission of any thing which is euill they say with righteous Ioseph s Gen. 39.9 How can I doe this great wickednesse and so sinne against God who hath beene so good and gracious vnto mee Hath the Lord loued mee with so great a loue and shall I not loue him againe and manifest my loue towards him by a care to keepe his Commandements This is such a flame that it cannot but breake forth out of the heart into the life This is such a fountaine as cannot but send foorth the streames of pure water into the actions of the life This in a word causeth them to leaue and to abhorre that which is euill and to cleaue vnto that which is good to desire and endeauour in trueth and sinceritie to keepe all the righteous Commandements of God The loue of God shed abroad into their harts kindleth inflameth their hearts towards him and so maketh them to hate euill because hee hateth it and to loue righteousnesse because hee loueth it yea their hearts are so heated and so inwardly affected with the sense of the loue of God which the spirit of grace stirreth vp in them that they euen melt in loue and entire affection vnto God and desire vnfainedly to please him in all things and to shew themselues zealous for his glory because hee hath so commaunded them euen for the loue which they beare vnto him who hast shewed himselfe to be so louing and gracious a God so kinde and tender a Father towards them in CHRIST IESVS Nay they desire that others also should haue experience of that which they haue felt euen of the vnspeakeable loue of GOD in CHRIST towards those whom hee imbraceth in him They desire vvith the t Ioh. 4.28 29 vvoman of Samaria that euery one should taste of that which they haue had so comfortable experience of in their soules and spirits and that others also as well as they might abstaine from all kinde of sinne and wickednesse they mourne and groane within themselues their hearts are grieued and their eyes v Psa 119.136.139 drop down teares in abundance when they see it is otherwise As they haue no x Ioh. 3.4 greater ioy then to see God honoured by the diligent keeping of his Commandements so there can be no greater griefe vnto them then to see him dishonoured by the neglect and contempt thereof Oh this is a vexation and euen a torment vnto their soules as it was vnto righteous Lot y 2 Pet. 2.7 when hee beheld the abhominations of the cursed Sodomites It is as it were a hell to them to be in the company of such as blaspheme the name of the Lord and set themselues to worke wickednesse to the prouoking of his glorious Maiestie And hereby it doth appeare that they loue God in truth and not in word and tongue onely as the most doe If it be thus with vs we haue cause to blesse God and to reioyce in the assurance of this that our hearts are sincere and vpright before him and that wee loue him and are z Pro. 8.17 and shall euer a Ioh. 13.1 be loued of him But if this be not in vs at least in some measure our loue which wee professe towards him is but a counterfait and hypocriticall loue vvhich he hateth yea if we be not thus affected if vve say that wee loue him wee are lyars and thee is no truth in vs our words fight with our actions like vnto them that strucke CHRIST saying b Ioh. 19.3 Haile Master wee are so farre from louing him that vvee doe not so much as c 1 Ioh. 2.4 know him by an effectuall and sauing knowledge neither are knowne or in any sort approued of him yea he loaths vs and so much the more as we dissemble vvith the vvorld and make shew of that loue towards him vvhich is not in vs. O blessed LORD how vnspeakeable is thy loue how vnsearchable are the riches of thy grace and mercy toward mee in CHRIST IESVS in whom thou hast imbraced mee with an infinite and an euerlasting loue before all worlds yea thou still louest me and wilt loue me vnto the end for thy loue is as thy selfe vnchangeable d Rom. 11 29. Euery day thou * Lam. 3.23 renewest thy compassions vpon me Thou vouchsafest to giue mee many pledges and sure euidences therof yea thou sealest the same to my soule and spirit by the testimony e Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 8.16 of thy blessed Spirit and by that inward ioy whereby thou causest mee to reioyce euen in the midst of mourning f Psa 94.19 2 Cor. 1.4 Oh that thou wouldst draw g Cant. 1.3 my heart vnto thee and cause mee to loue thee againe entirely and vnfainedly O that thou wouldst inflame these frozen affections of mine and cause mee euen to melt and to burne in loue towards thee O that it would please thee to change all that carnal that earthly and that sensuall loue and affection of this vvorld and the things thereof vvhich is yet remaining in mee into a holy and spirituall loue of thee my GOD and Sauiour my kinde and tender Father in CHRIST IESVS that so I may loue nothing but thee or in thee and for thee And let this loue of thee cause me to hate all sinne which thou hatest with so great and so infinite a hatred to hate it to abhorre it and vtterly to forsake it though neuer so pleasing to my corrupt nature neuer so profitable or gainfull to me in any respect and to loue all righteousnesse vvhich thou louest and wherein thou delightest that thus
the ioyfull light of that glorious Kingdome nor enioy so fully the desired presence of his Creator and his blessed Sauiour f Iohn 12.26 and Redeemer after whom his soule longeth g Can. 1.14 Phil. 3.23 Lord when it pleaseth thee ease mee of these bonds deliuer mee out of this Prison and set mee at libertie among thy Saints in glory that I may behold the brightnesse of thy face and enioy that promised saluation the very hope and expectation vvhereof is the stay and comfort of my life in this bondage of sinne and misery vnto vvhich I am daily subiect Come Lord h Reuel 22 17 Iesus come quickly Amen Christians in this world are vnknowne men THe life of the Children of God whiles they liue in this world is hid a Col. 3.3 with Christ in God They are not knowne b 1 Iohn 3. to the world being masked and shrowded vnder the vayle of c Rom. 8.3 weake sinful flesh Their naturall life and outward estate is not different from others All things come alike to all d Eccles 9. Their Persons are exposed to contempt disgrace e Iob 30.8.9.10 reproach and many iniuries which the proud and disdainfull world who are not worthy of them f 1 Cor. 4.9.10.11 Heb. 11.38 doe continually most vniustly offer vnto them delighting euen to sport themselues of them Their bodies are subiect to much miserie g 2 Cor. 4.7.8.9 10. and 11.6 to ignominie and basenesse and for the most part to more sicknesses weakenesses and infirmities then others and in the end to death h Gen. 3.19 Heb. 9.27 as vvell as others They dye like other men and are couered with the same mould taking vp their lodgings vvith the rest of the sonnes of Adam in the dust and in the chambers of darkenesse i Iob 10.21.22 17.13.14 hauing Corruption for their Father and the Worme for their Mother and Sister The spirituall life also of their Soules wherein all their glory k Psal 45.13 in this life consisteth the redemption of their bodies l Rom. 8.23 Phil. 3.21 being wholly reserued for the estate after this life euen the day of the generall and glorious resurrection as it is not discerned of the world so many times of themselues neyther but very dimmely and when it is in best estate it is but weake m 2 Cor. 12 9. Psal 119.4 and needes the quickning grace of Gods Spirit for the increasing and confirming of it Blessed Lord hasten that glorious appearance of thine that so this vayle being remoued I may be fully restored vnto that promised light and liberty which my soule longeth after and liue in thy sight for euer receiuing from thee continually that accomplishment of grace and glory which thou hast reserued for me in thy Kingdome Sabbath day the religious obseruation of it how necessary IT is not the Law of Man but the vnchangeable decree and ordinance of GOD himselfe the chiefe Law-giuer that the Sabbath-day which in the Apostles dayes * Acts 20.4.5.6.7 1 Cor. 16.1.2 and of the Apostles themselues a Olim certè priscis illis hominibus in summo precio Sabbathum fuit quam quidem solennitatem Dominus in Diem Dominicum transtulit Athan. Hom. de Semente Sabbathum est signum vt sciatur dies Creationis Idem in Mat. 11. Aug. Epist ad Ianuar. 119. cap. 13. Idem lib. 22. de Ciuitate Dei cap. 30. Chrisost in Genes 2. Homil. 18. Hieron contra Pelag. lib. 3. Beza in Apocalyps 1.10 Spiritu sancto procul dubio illud Apostolis dictante pro prioris seculi Sabbatho siue die septimo assumptus suit dies huius mundi primus in quo c. Vide Fulke Rhem. Test in eund loc Sect. 6. Iun. praelect in Gen. 2.3 P. Mart. in Gen. 2. Bulling in Rom. 4.5 Zanch. de operibus Dei lib. 1. cap. 1. no doubt by authoritie from CHRIST and by the direction of his Spirit b Iohn 14.26 Acts 1.3 1 Cor. 11.23 guiding them therein as in all other truth was changed and called the Lords-day should be religiously obserued of all euen to the comming of Christ Hee giues vs a speciall watch-word of remembrance to stirre vp all to the greater care and diligence hereof c Exod. 8.20 Remember the Sabbath-day to keepe it holy as if in no vvise hee would haue this forgotten at any time or slightly regarded as it is of the most This alone hath a Preface prefixed and both the affirmatiue and negatiue part expressed the like to be found in no other Commandement as if fore-seeing what libertie men vvould take vnto themselues herein he would of purpose set bounds on euery side to fence and to keepe vs continually within compasse of this Law Hee doth not onely command vs but also perswade and yeelds a reason yea many and forcible reasons and motiues whereby as with so many cords wee might bee drawne vnto this dutie from his owne example and practise from his hallowing of it to a holy vse from the equitie of the obseruation of it since that hee hath giuen vs the other sixe dayes to our selues and taken this one onely to himselfe as his owne due which by no meanes hee vvould haue vvith-held from him They therefore that make little or no conscience of the due and diligent obseruation of this day by absenting themselues from the publique assemblies or by neglecting priuate duties prayer reading conference meditation examination of things heard in the publique Ministerie d Acts 17.11 much more they that openly prophane it by spending it eyther idly or wickedly in excessiue drinking gaming or other vnlawfull courses whatsoeuer outwardly they professe in word yet assuredly they are such as haue forgotten the Lord they refuse to follow him they transgresse his law and violate his holy ordinance which he hath appointed for their owne welfare if they could see it They remoue the ancient bounds within which he hath inclosed them vvhich who so doth shall be accursed e Deut. 27.17 yea though they were but the bounds and limits which men had established They cast away his yoke a note of the sonnes of Belial f Deut. 13.13 They sinne grieuously very dangerously They are enemies to their owne good friends to Sathan yea they are falne into the very snare of the Deuill who both in the infancie and prime-age of the Church and euer since when he could not roote out the whole Christian faith which spread it selfe into so many nations laboured mightily the subuersion and ouerthrow of this maine prop and pillar thereof by raising vp men of hereticall mindes who some through the pretended colour of Christian libertie others by the aspersion and false imputation of Iewish superstition and bondage and I know not what haue by this meanes gone about to open a wide dore to Atheisme licentiousnesse prophanenesse and so by little and little in an insensible manner
that finde a fleshy and a melting heart and soule vvithin their breasts whose consciences are bruised with the sight and remorse of their sinnes vvhereby they haue displeased him vvho hath beene so kinde and so gracious a God and Father vnto them that haue a sonne-like * Heb. 12.28 and a reuerent feare of his displeasure and of his correcting hand that grieue sorrow and complaine oft and much for that they can be no more touched for their sinnes nor finde that cheerefulnesse d Psa 119 4â— Heb. 13 1â— and delight in the duties of his seruice which he requireth that are very fearefull and scrupulous of doing any thing whereby he might be offended or his lawes violated yea is it not euen a strange and vnknowne language as it vvere vnto the most â—o talke vnto them of a broken and contrite heart They thanke God they feele all vvell vvithin them they haue not such sicke and queasie stomackes as they see some haue nor would willingly be troubled with their maladies They feele it indeed complaine much if sickenesse pouerty shame or any such like outward euils seize vpon them but their hearts neuer bleed vvithin them their consciences neuer strike them vvith the sight or feare either of sinne or of the punishment of it e Gal. 3.10 Rom. 8.13 Ephe. 5.5.6 threatned vnto them from an angry and wrathfull God before whose face they neuer learned yet to tremble Yea through custome and continuance in sinne they haue quite lost the sence of sinne f Ephes 4.18.19 and are become so hardened that they neuer see nor sorrow nor mourne for it nor for the iudgements hanging ouer them for the same There is a brawne and thicke skinne as it were drawne ouer their hearts they are altogether seared and obdurate Nothing can moue them or at least make any deepe impression into them piercing into their hearts and wounding their soules They know not what it is to be g Act. 2.37 pricked for sinne or to bee pressed and harrowed with the rake of Gods iust iudgements h Psal 6. 32.38 but go on carelesly securely and presumptuously in the wicked wayes and vngodly courses which they haue taken vnto themselues and sing peace vnto their soules i Luke 12.19 1 Thes 5.3 A fearefull estate if men could see it and yet the most farre gone in it Not one amongst many that complaineth of it Not one scarce amongst a thousand that to his owne saluation findeth himselfe healed cured of it hauing his stony and flinty heart turned into a fleshy heart into mourning and lamenting spirits grieuing for sinne aboue all things and longing for the assurance of the pardon of it and the comfortable presence of God and the riches of his sanctifying grace desiring still to be more satisfied and replenished with those pure waters * Ezek. 47. of life and grace vvhich flow from his sanctuary O LORD giue me not ouer at any time I humbly pray thee vnto that fearefull euill k Psa 81.12 which thou sufferest in wrath to fall vpon the wicked those who are reprobates and vtterly forsaken of thee O doe thou more and more soften and mollifie my heart Take this stony heart of mine quite from me and giue mee a tender and a melting heart vvhich may bleed at the least blow with vvhich thou strikest mee with the least pricke of thy law when it threatneth me and cause mee to mourne for my sinnes especially because they haue beene so displeasing vnto thee my God who hast beene so kinde and so gracious vnto mee Let my minde be bruised rather with the taste and feeling of thy mercies then with the terrour of thy iudgements but let mee by both be brought alwayes to walke humbly and reuerently before thee desirous in all things to please thee and afraid in any thing willingly to offend thee and thirsting vnfainedly after a greater measure of thy heauenly graces that so thou maist looke graciously vpon mee both now and alwayes and delight in doing mee good according vnto thy promise vvherein is my comfort Wee ought to be more affected with spirituall miseries then with bodily IF men be in some bodily distresse sickenesse pouertie or any other outward calamitie vvhich lyeth heauie vpon them they sigh and euen groane in themselues and seeke by all meanes to be released from the same But though their Soules be in great misery and wretchednes a Reu. 3.17 poore blinde naked yea sicke vnto the death and exposed vnto many and those most fearefull Iudgements both in this life and much more in the life to come they complaine not they are no wayes troubled they sigh not they sorrow not they seeke not to be recouered out of that wofull estate condition wherein they are Oh how hath Sathan blinded their eyes how hath hee wholly possessed them with a Spirit of slumber b Rom. 11.8 that they should be so miserable and yet see not their misery nor haue any sense and feeling of their greatest euils For did they but see the misery they are in if they did but know how heauy a burthen lyeth vpon them which if it be not remoued in time will presse them downe to hell they would then fill euery place they came in with their plaints and mournings they would sigh sob and groane in spirit and neuer be at quiet c Acts 16.29.30 neuer at rest in themselues till they saw themselues freed from the same O mercifull LORD as thou hast shewed thy selfe exceeding gracious vnto mee in shewing me my miserie and bringing me out of it so I humbly beseech thee to d A s 26.18 open their eyes which are yet closed vp and couered with that fearefull darknes which Sinne and Sathan hath brought vpon them that they may see their estate and touch their hearts euen of as many of them as thou hast ordayned to life that seeing it and bewayling it they may labour to come out of it And keepe thy Seruant both now and alwayes from that blindnesse of minde and deadnesse of heart which of all euils are the most fearefull and such as thou sufferest to fall vpon the reprobate and those that shall perish for euer Let mee grieue more for the decay of thy graces the want of the comfortable sense and feeling of thy loue and fauour and the miseries vnto which my soule is subiect through sinne then for sickenesse of body losse of goods pouertie or any other outward calamitie whatsoeuer which may at any time befall me The conuersion of others is to be sought for HE is of a malignant nature that hauing wandered out of the way with the rest of his company and beene thereby together with them in great perill and danger and afterwards finding the right way walketh therein alone and letteth the rest goe on to their destruction So it is with those that being through the grace and goodnesse of
heauie burthen of their sinnes and miserie and labour and groane vnder them sighing and desiring in themselues to be freed and deliuered from the same to come vnto him promising to ease and refresh them by taking the burthen from their shoulders and laying it vpon his owne hence he is excited and stirred vp casting away all confidence in himselfe to flye vnto him by a true iustifying faith resting and relying vpon his promise that he will receiue him to mercie and ease and succour him yea hee cleaues fast vnto him vnto his word he builds vpon it and will sooner die then let goe his holde which hee hath taken a Can. 3.2.3.4 of him whom his soule loueth and longeth after aboue all things as in whom alone he seeth his freedome from his former misery all perfection of happinesse to consist when it can no where else be b Acts 4.12 found Hence proceedeth vnspeakeable ioy and comfort c Acts 2.46.47 Acts 16.34 in the sence and assurance of this wonderfull benefit vvhich by this meanes he is made partaker of His spirits are refreshed and his soule reioyceth within him as one that hath found a great d Mat. 13.44 treasure which lay hid in the bowels of the earth and could hardly be come by and which hee would not part with for ten thousand worlds Yea he hath that peace e Rom. 5.1 11. which passeth all vnderstanding and that ioy vvhich cannot bee expressed f 1 Pet. 1.8 arising from this that hee knoweth that hee is iustified g Rom. 8.33 and standeth as righteous in Gods sight before whom he lay in former times as a vile and loathsome leper h Leuit. 13 45. that he is i Rom. 8.39 loued of him vvhereas before hee was hated k Rom. 8.14.17 and abhorred that hee is his adopted childe l deare and precious in his eyes whereas before he vvas an * Ephes 2.12 enemie and an aliant and stranger from his couenant and in a word an heire of grace and all the good blessings of God in this life m Rom. 8.17 1 Cor. 3.21 2â— Reu. 21.7 and of endlesse and vnspeakeable glory and happinesse in the life to come in that celestiall kingdome which is prepared for him and which hee resteth in hope to haue the full possession of for euer assoone as this short and fading life of his is ended which he seeth daily winding vp apace And lastly hereby is kindled in his heart an vnfained loue of Christ and of God in Christ who hath beene so exceeding kinde and gracious vnto him aboue all that hee could expect or desire the coles of that affection wherwith he burneth towards him are fiery n Cant. 8.6.7 and the flame vehement nothing can quench it And this loue of his towards him causeth him o 2 Cor. 5.14.17 1 Pet. 4.1.2 Luke 1.75 1 Thes 4.1 5.23 2 Cor. 7.1 Psal 116.12 to study with himselfe how to please him in all things by walking before him in all the duties of righteousnesse and holinesse which hee requireth of him and that with a cheerefull willing heart and minde reioycing when hee can doe the good hee commaundeth and mourning when hee is ouertaken with the euill which he hath forbidden grieuing with a godly and repentant sorrow when through any occasion he fals into any sinne and striuing by all meanes to liue as it becommeth his redeemed Ones to shew p 1 Pet. 2.9 forth the vertues of him his God and mercifull Sauiour who hath in so wonderfull manner called him out of darkenesse into that marueilous light of his that so if it be possible he may in some sort be answerable to that great mercie and to those riches of his grace and kindnes vouchsafed vnto him and walke worthy thereof in some acceptable measure Hee is ashamed q Rom. 6.21 of his former vaine and foolish conuersation wherein before he so much pleased himselfe that hee wondered that others would not be like vnto him therein r 1 Pet. 4.4 yea hee abhorres it s Iob. 42.6 2 Cor. 7.11 and himselfe for it and is ready to lye downe in dust and ashes to testifie his inward griefe and sorrow for the same Set now this Glasse before thee and behold thy selfe in it with an vnpartiall view and right discerning If thou findest that it hath beene thus with thee that all these things in their measure haue beene wrought in thee thou hast cause to reioyce and to glory in the Lord thou art a true conuert Saluation t Luk. 19.9 is come vnto thee thy estate is most blessed and happy though outwardly thou beest miserable a despised and forlorne creature But alas how few be there that can say in truth it hath beene or is thus with them How small is the number of such For behold so is it with the most Although they vainely suppose that they haue truely repented as well as others and are therefore in good estate yet indeed they eyther neuer saw their sinnes and their wretchednesse and miserie by reason of the same but are of the Laodicean temper thinke themselues to be rich and increased with spirituall goods v Reu. 3.17 1 Cor. 4.8 and to haue neede of nothing when as indeede they are poore and blinde and naked or if they had a sight at any time of it they were not truly and throughly humbled for the same they had not a sense of their miserable and wofull condition they found not themselues lost and ready to perish they grieued not for it mourned not lamented not being much perplexed and astonished in themselues their hearts were neuer pricked and wounded by the preaching of the Law Or if they come thus farre which yet is not sufficient they attained not to a sound knowledge of the sauing grace offered in the Gospell of the Redemption and Saluation by Christ but remaine ignorant thereof and rest themselues content in that ignorance of theirs which hath couered their eyes so that they cannot see the light vvhich shineth so clearely vnto them Or else if they haue the knowledge hereof yet their hearts are not so affected therewith as they should be they doe not so earnestly and so vnfainedly long after the receiuing of this benefit they doe not hunger and thirst after the righteousnesse of CHRIST IESVS desirous aboue all things to be satisfied therewith they doe not so highly prize it as they should accounting all other things as losse and dongue in comparison of it yea their mindes are altogether in a manner taken vp about other matters x Psal 4.6 pleasures profits honours and this is the thing they least regard or seeke after much lesse thirst after in such an vnsatiable manner And therefore they are not stirred vp to come vnto CHRIST to labour by Faith to lay holde on him and to apply his merits and promises vnto them and to cast their burthen vpon
inheritance those glorious possessions in that heauenly Canaan and so that they may enioy the life present according vnto their owne desires altogether neglect the life to come and shew themselues to be euery way regardlesse of it How hath the world blinded them How hath Sathan bewitched them And who doth not euen wonder at them and at the strangenes of their folly and simplicity herein or rather dotage and extreame madnesse For what comparison is there betweene this life and that which is to come This is an earthly life b 2 Cor. 5.1.2 1 Cor. 15.48.49 that a heauenly This life is fraile momentarie we haue no certaintie no assurance of it c Iames 4.14 one houre one minute that euerlasting d 1 Pet. 1.4 and subiect to no change This sinfull e Iob. 14.4 15.16 and full of much impuritie and manifold pollutions that free from all kinde of contagion f Ephe. 5.27 and impuritie whatsoeuer This painefull g Iob. 14.1 Mat. 6.34 and full of griefe sorrowes and much misery and wretchednesse euery day brings his griefe his burthen griefe of bodie of minde from within vs without vs and on euery side of vs. Who is there that complaines not of it That not only void of all griefe sorrow anguish and miserie h Isai 25.8 all teares being cleane wiped away and the daies of mourning past and gone but also abounding with all kinde of ioy spirituall delight heauenly solace and endlesse and vnspeakeable blisse and happinesse The night is gone the Sunns risen all darkenesse scattered and the former bitternesse swallowed vp with the sweetnesse of that heauenly Manna wherewith the Saints are continually refreshed enioying pleasures i Psal 16.11 at the right hand of God for euermore Shall I set before thee more euidently the brightnesse of that glory and the full and absolute perfection of the blessednesse of that immortall and neuer fading life of the Saints of God in that glorious kingdome prepared for them Oh that we had eares to heare it eyes to see it mindes to vnderstand it and hearts duely and rightly to consider of it Doubtlesse it would euen rauish our hearts and soules and draw vs as it were out of our selues and aboue our selues It would raise vp our affections and make vs farre more heauenly affected then we are or vse to be yea it would cause vs to grow wearie of this vvorld and to aspire and long after that life of the Saints in glorie nay euen to sigh k Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 5.2 4.8 and breath after it vncessantly with restlesse desires For vvhat is there in this heauenly life which may not euen wholly affect vs and cause vs to sigh earnestly and continually after it First the place in vvhich they that haue attained vnto it do liue is most glorious and excellent the Citie of the great God the royall pallace of the glorious king of heauen and earth vvhere there are innumerable l Ioh. 14.2 mansions prepared for many thousands of elect men and Angels yea it is the glittering chamber of presence where the king of glory and maiesty sits continually in his throne accompanied and attended with the whole court of heauen A paradise of pleasures hauing streames of water of life flowing in euery place of it and trees of life euer budding euer blossoming in it that earthly Paradise m Gen. 2. was but a shadow of it and there was no meeter place in earth to shadow it out vnto vs then that where nothing was wanting that might be for the delight and refreshing of the inhabitants thereof The streetes gates yea the whole frame and and building thereof are nothing but gold pearle and precious stones shining and glittering in most glorious manner Nay so great is the glory and excellency thereof that all the purest and finest gold if it were that of Ophir the choisest pearle and the most costly and precious stones in the world are nothing in comparison of it scarce so much as a shew or a resemblance of it For it pleaseth the Diuine spirit by speeches borrowed from things which are most glorious in the eyes of men of greatest esteeme in the world to shadow out the glory of that place vnto vs and to teach vs thereby in this our frailtie in some sort to conceiue of those excellencies which no man is able fully to conceiue or to apprehend The glory of that heauenly Citie farre passeth and surmounteth all such terrene and earthly things though neuer so highly accounted of amongst men And no marueile for if the suburbs * Psal 19.1 as it were of that Citie be so specious and goodly to behold as our eyes are daily witnesses what then must the Citie it selfe needs be If the works n Iob. 37.14 of God which we see heere below be so wonderfull and glorious as who is there that knoweth any thing that doth not admire and and wonder at them what then shall we thinke of those that we see not * 2 Cor. 4.18 and which shall be reuealed onely vnto the Saints and Angels in the highest heauens in that heauenly mansion where the Lord dwelleth * Psal 103 19 in maiestie and glory what should I say Gloririous things are spoken of thee O thou Citie of God o Psal 87.3 If the Psalmist might say that truly of that earthly Ierusalem how much more may it be said of that heauenly Ierusalem vnto which the other though a type and figure of it was nothing comparable Wonderfull and glorious things are spoken of it and yet all that hath beene or can be spoken thereof is not the one halfe of that glory and excellency which the Saints shall finde there when they are once entred into it For as the Queene of Sheba said when she saw Solomans Court p 1 Kings 10.5.7 so and much more shall they say when with their eyes they shall behold the Court of heauen where a greater then Solomon euen the great God of the whole world shall sit in his throne hauing thousands thousands ministring vnto him q Dan. 7.10 and ten thousand thousands of glorious creatures men and Angels waiting and attending vpon him They shall acknowledge and account themselues happy in the acknowledgment of it that the report which they heard thereof with their eares whiles they liued heere on earth as it were strangers * Heb. 11.13 and a farre off was inferiour vnto that which they now see with their eyes and reioyce whiles they see it with ioy that cannot be vttered O how amiable are thy dwelling places O Lord of hostes r Psal 84.1 Thus did the Prophet admire at the glory of the Tabernacle of the Lord at Ierusalem How much more may we in a holy admiration and wonderment speake the same concerning that glorious and heauenly Pallace vvhich is prepared for the Saints in the heauen of heauens O how amiable how excellent
of Spirits i Heb. 12.9 euen the vvhole Trinitie that great and glorious God the splendor and brightnesse of vvhose Maiestie is so great that the eye of no mortall creature k 1 Tim. 6 16 now were able to behold the same Hence vvhen Moses not throughly vveighing his owne vveakenesse besought the Lord to see his glory hee receiued this answere from the Lord l Exod. 33.18.20 Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see me and liue But they then shall see his face that is the fulnesse of his glory as farre as the nature of man is able to comprehend the same for neither man nor any creature else can perfectly discerne his whole nature for that is infinite they finite and limited vvith certaine bonds which they cannot passe They shall see him not as in a glasse m 1 Cor. 13.12 as they doe in the time of this life here vpon earth darkely obscurely and as it vvere a farre off but euen as hee is n 1 Ioh. 3.2 yea they shall haue his name written vpon their foreheads o Reuel 3.12 22.44 they shall liue with him in that glorious mansion hauing as farre as their nature is capable fellowship and communion vvith him reioycing in his presence vvith ioy vnspeakeable and glorious nay p Reuel 3.20 Ioh. 14.23 dining and supping with him in a manner at that heauenly table being continually fed with that pleasant Manna the food of Angels and refreshed vvith those pure waters which flow vncessantly from the throne of God wondering at the glory the might Maiestie of their Creatour yea wondering and admiring at their owne blessednesse which is farre aboue that the heart of man q 1 Cor. 2 9. now is able to conceiue or the tongue to expresse Our vnderstandings are too shallow to comprehend these things It is a light which our dimme and weake eyes are not able to behold without dazeling All earthly things are but toyes and trifles and dreames of imaginarie fancies compared thereunto yea vaine vanities r Eccl. 1.1 The Queene of Sheba s 1 Kin. 10 8 counted them happy that might stand euer in the presence of king Salomon Oh then how blessed and happie are they that stand continually in the presence of that glorious God seeing and admiring his wisedome his glory and vnspeakeable Maiestie yea liuing raigning and triumphing with him in fulnesse of ioy and happinesse for euermore who doth not wonder at their blessednesse If Peter was so rauished when hee saw Christ in his transfiguration on the Mount vvith those two worthees of his Moses and Elias attending vpon him that he forgat his home his wife and familie breaking forth into that speach Master it is good for vs to be heere t Mat. 17.4 Le ts make this our mansion place Let vs here builde vs Tents and Tabernacles to dwell in How much more must all the Saints needs reioyce yea be euen swallowed vp with ioy and admiration when they shall behold the diuine and glorious Maiestie of the Sonne of God yea of the whole Trinitie the great God of Heauen and Earth not onely haue a glance or glimpse of his glory but fully behold it as much as the nature of man is able when they shal enioy the presence of that glorious Maiestie when they shall haue such heauenly companie and societie euen the companie and societie of God himselfe the Father of lights v Iam. 1.17 of Christ Iesus their Sauiour of the Holy Ghost their comforter of all the Saints and Angels their fellow-brethren x Reuel 22 9. yea of the whole Court of Heauen who together with them make vp one family y Ephes 3.15 What a life is this Who doth not admire at it What a change is this from the estate wherein before they were For whiles they continued here vpon earth as Pilgrims and Strangers z Heb. 11.13 from their owne Countrie they were constrained to liue amongst the wicked of all sorts Sathans imps children of Beliall a Iudg. 19.22 who did continually vexe molest them b Prou 6.12.14 2 Pet. 2.8 vvith their prophane and vngodly courses being as the Cananites vvere to the Israelites prickes in their sides and thornes in their eyes making their hearts to ake within them and causing them to complaine with the holy man of God d Psa 120.5 Wo is me that I dwel in Meshec and that I haue my habitation among the tents of Kedar Or with that other who was led by the same spirit e Ier. 9.2.20 Oh that I had in the Wildernesse a cottage of wayfaring men that I might leaue this people this naughtie and crooked generation * Phi. 2.15 and be gone farre off from them Oh that I might once leaue this drie barren wildernes wherein there bee so many cruell and sauage beasts on euery side Lions f Nahu 2.11 Psal 22.13 2 Tim. 4.17 Tygers Wolues g Mat. 10.16 Foxes h Luke 13.32 i Pro. 17.12 Beares c. which are ready to prey vpon mee and to deuoure me Thus it was with them whiles they liued in this wretched and sinnefull world k 1 Ioh. 5.19 Mat. 13.41 1 Cor. 5.10 where there is a mixture of all sorts But now it is farre otherwise with them in steade of these they are receiued into the company and fellowship of all the Saints and Angels yea of God himselfe l Psal 16.11 in whose presence is fulnesse of ioy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for euermore I might lead thee further to a more ful distinct view of the maner of that blessed and glorious life which the Saints together in the presence of God shall enioy in that place of glory happines into which they are to be receiued yea I might euen wilder both my selfe and thee whiles I wander with thee in the varietie and plentie of matter which here doth offer it selfe vnto me and put me to a stand knowing better where to beginne then to end To keepe within some limits The life which they shall there leade is marueilous glorious in regard of the exceeding glorie which shal be put both vpon their bodies and vpon their soules They shall bee glorified in both First their bodies to let passe the fruitlesse and vncertaine speculations vvhich some haue broched with more curiositie of speech then euidence of truth their bodies no doubt shall bee very glorious farre aboue that our hearts now are able to conceiue yea so glorious that if now whiles wee are in the flesh wee should see the glorie of one of them euen the meanest of them as it shall then be vve could not be able to looke vpon it but wee would be amazed at the beholding thereof as the Israelites were at the shine vvhich was vpon Moses face when hee came from the Mount after that God had talked vvith him m Exod.
34 29.30 For they shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament n Dan. 12.3 as the Starres yea as the Sunne it selfe o Mat. 13.43 when it shineth in his greatest strength and dazeleth the eyes of all the beholders Nay as the Sunne of righteousnesse p Mal. 4.2 CHRIST IESVS himselfe VVee know how glorious his body was in his transfiguration vpon the mount q Mat. 17.2 when he gaue those three Disciples but a glimpse of that resplendent brightnesse wherewith his bodie doth now shine most gloriously Such as was then yea such as is now the glory of his body in the highest heauens such then also shal theirs be For their bodies shall be made conformable vnto his s Phil. 3.21 Now we are the sonnes of God saith that beloued Disciple of Christ Now we t 1 Iohn 3.2 are the sonnes of God euen all the faithfull but yet it doth not appeare what wee shall be But wee know that when hee shall appeare we shall be like him They shall be made like vnto him in glory though not equall They shall haue the same kinde of glory put vpon them though not the same degree and measure As their bodies were some-wayes comformable vnto his in his humilitie and abasement in regard of their sufferings as the Apostle speakes of himselfe v Gal. 6.17 I beare in my body the markes of the Lord Iesus and in regard of their manifold weaknesses and infirmities whereunto they are now continually subiect so then they shall be made conformable vnto his glorious body being beautified with the same glory and shining with the same brightnesse Such as is the Head such shall be the members As the Sunne giueth light vnto all the other Lights of heauen so shall CHRIST vnto all the Saints by communicating his owne glory vnto them Or as the Ayre being inlightned by the light of the Sunne is so transformed into the brightnes thereof that it seemes not so much to be lightened as to be light it selfe so the bodies of the Saints being inlightned with the beames of the glory of GOD and his Sonne Christ Iesus which shall shine vnto them x Ioh. 16.22 and in them shall be euen transformed into the glorious Image of God shining clearely with the brightnesse of that glory which is in the Son of God himselfe When the glory of the Lord reflected vpon Moses vvhiles hee was with him certaine dayes vpon the Mount it made his face to shine so brightly as it was formerly said that the people could not behold him but were afraid to come neare him for the glory of his y Exod. 34.33 2 Cor. 3.7.13 countenance so that hee was faine to put a couering vpon his face and to vaile himselfe because otherwise they were not able to talke with him and to heare that Message which hee had vnto them from the Lord Oh then how glorious must not onely their faces but their whole bodies be who shall not be certaine dayes or yeares but continually in the presence of God in his heauenly Mountaine vvhere hee shall cause all the beames of that vnspeakeable brightnesse and glory of his to be euer reflecting euer shining vpon them Adams body in his integritie was glorious and had a kinde of Maiestie vpon it so that all the Creatures stood in awe z Gen. 2.19 20. Psal 8.6.7 and reuerence of his presence much more shall theirs when liuing in that coelestiall Paradise they shall be made like not that earthly but that heauenly Adam CHRIST IESVS our blessed Lord and Sauiour whose Image they shall then a 1 Cor. 15 48.49 beare The Sunne that glorious creature vvould not so much dazle our eyes if wee should looke full vpon it in the greatest brightnes thereof as the bodies of euery one yea of the least of the Saints would if wee should now behold them in the glory wherewith then they shall be inuested in a wonderfull manner What should I say more The tongue of man is not able to expresse the greatnesse of their glory In briefe then to inlarge this no further whiles the bodies of the wicked like loathsome carkasses shall be vile contemptible inglorious full of shame and confusion yea an abhorring to all flesh b Isa 66.24 theirs shall shine in that brightnesse of glory which is vnspeakeable and rather with comfort to be expected then with words sufficiently expressed They onely who shall be made partakers of it shall know what it is And as their bodies shall be made thus glorious so much more their soules Nay the glory hereof shall as much exceede the other as the Soule it selfe doth excell the body which they that are of any vnderstanding vvill grant to be exceeding much Great yea marueilous great shall the glory thereof be They shall be changed and renued and of a farre more excellent condition then they now are changed I say not in regard of their essence for that shall remaine the same without any difference any alteration but in regard of their qualities which shall be refined and much altered from that they were before of a new stampe and impression as it were inriched with new endowments new ornaments yea the glory of them shall be wonderfull farre aboue that wee are able to thinke or conceiue of them More particularly The Image of God c Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 and of Christ which now through sinne is much defaced in them shall then shine forth in them in most glorious manner It is begunne in them here d 2 Cor. 3.18 it shall be perfected there Their Vnderstandings shall bee inlightned to know whatsoeuer may make for their happinesse Whereas now they are ouer-shadowed with much darkenesse then they shall shine most clearely most brightly They shall vnderstand perfectly the whole Mystery of e 1 Tim. 3.16 Godlinesse They shall know God yea see him as he is euen face to f 1 Cor. 13.12 face as much as the nature of a finite and humane creature is able to comprehend the glory of so infinite and so glorious a Maiestie There shall be no darknesse of error or ignorance in them for they shall liue alwayes in the light yea where hee that is the Father of lights g Iam. 1.17 shall continually cast forth his shine vpon them illuminating and inlightning their vnderstandings with the bright beames of his Spirit and making them partakers of the rich treasuries of all heauenly vvisedome and true spirituall knowledge and vnderstanding Great was the knowledge which Adam had in Paradise before his fall when as at the first veiw hee was able to giue vnto euery h Gen. 2.20 creature both Fowles of the Ayre and Beasts of the Field a name according vnto their nature but it was not so great as that which the Saints shall haue in Heauen I list not here to feede the curious Reader with nice speculations of things not reuealed i Deut. 29 29.
2.3 Psa 31.19 how sweet and how gracious the Lord is vnto his chosen and beloued ones Their hearts shall reioyce and glory in him And no marueile that they shall haue such peace and ioy in the presence of God For if they finde now such inward spiritual ioy in their soules and consciences in the place of their exile and banishment yea in their prison as it were euen this valley of teares when God letteth some bright beame of his gracious countenance shine vpon them through the thicke clouds of many temptations and afflictions wherewith they are continually exercised when by his word and spirit he giueth them but a droppe of that diuine and heauenly comfort as they alone know what a refreshing this ioy is vnto them who haue truly tasted of it e Pro. 14.10 others are strangers to it how great then must their ioy needs bee when being taken vp into heauen the place of their glory those celestiall mansions God shall cause the light of his countenance to shine fully vpon them when he shall reueale himselfe perfectly vnto them when he who is the God of all true comfort and consolation shall powre out himselfe vnto them and open wide as it were all the fountaines of his rich grace and mercy towardes them in Christ Iesus and cause them to tast of the plenteousnesse of his house f Psal 36.1 and to drinke downe abundantly the vvaters of his diuine and heauenly comforts If the poore distressed Saints of God whiles they indure many miseries and afflictions in the world and of the world yet notwithstanding haue that peace g Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding a continual feast * Pro. 15.51 and reioyce with that ioy which is vnspeakeable and glorious as the Scripture testifieth h 1 Pet. 1.8 euen whiles they are absent from Christ not seeing him with bodily sight * 2 Cor. 5 7 but only belieuing in him looking vpon him with the eyes of faith in the promises of the Gospell how great then and wonderfull shall their ioy be vvhen being freed from all these miseries whereunto they are now subiect they shall be present with Christ their Sauiour whom so long before they expected and desired see him with their eyes i 1 Ioh. 3.2 Iob. 19.25 26 yea liue and conuerse with him in familiar manner and be made partakers with him of the same glory k Ioh. 17.1 22.24 into vvhich he is exalted that in his time appointed he may draw them vp vnto him l Ioh. 14.3 make their hearts to reioyce in him and in his saluation If their ioy wherewith they now reioyce euen in this valley of misery this place of mourning be vnspeakeable and glorious passing all vnderstanding as the word of truth teacheth and the Saints by comfortable feeling and experience doe well know and thankefully acknowledge what then I beseech you consider of it what shall it be in that place of triumph that Paradise of pleasures that glorious and celestiall kingdome where they shall keepe a continuall Sabbath and being clothed arrayed with the rich robes of holinesse righteousnesse glory and shining as Starres yea as the Sun in the brightnesse therof shall haue their hearts filled with reioycing and their mouthes with himnes ioyfull Haleluiahs euen heauenly ditties of praise thanksgiuing vnto him that sitteth on the throne O that we had harts to conceiue aright of these things And to all these adde yet moreouer the time which they shal liue in so blessed an estate in that glorious place If this blessednesse and glorie of theirs were mutable and changeable as all things here below are it were not so great and so much to be admired as it is for nothing is perfectly happy that is not permanent and euerlasting But it is otherwise it admits no change no alteration All things which any can enioy in this life m Eccle. 1. 1 Cor. 7.31 1 Ioh. 2.17 are transitory and fading riches pleasures strength health beauty honour or whatsoeuer else in this world is most made account of and seemeth to haue the greatest perfection in it n Psal 119.96 but that happinesse and felicitie of the Saints in light shall neuer fade It 's an inheritance immortall o 1 Pet. 1.4 2 Cor. 4.18 vndefiled and euer continuing in the heauens The measure of it shall bee in a manner infinite the continuance of it infinite altogether The time thereof shall be without time for time then shall be no more there shall be neyther daies moneths nor yeares as now there are There shall be no end of it no decaying of it no diminishing or abating of it But it shall continue as long as the heauens yea as long as God himself shall indure without any ceasing or intermission any change or alteration or the least shadow of change of the excellency of that estate vvherein they shal at the first be As the hell of the wicked so the heauen of the godly shall be perpetuall O blessed and happy estate where there shall be nothing but peace ioy glory happinesse and felicity and that not for a time but for euer euen as long as eternity it selfe lasteth O life to be desired farre aboue this corruptible this vaine and transitorie life which the most doe so much make of yea preferre it before the other loath to leaue this that they may attaine vnto that O the brutishnesse and sottishnesse of the men of this vvorld that are so strangely and so fondly affected as to neglect so great saluation so glorious a life for the enioying of the vaine and sinnefull pleasures and profits of this life which last but for a season How hath the Deuill bewitched them How doe their owne wicked and corrupt hearts blinde and deceiue them that they should euen preferre a dunghill of earth as it were before the glory of that heauenly pallace or that they should bee vnwilling to forgoe the earth and to forsake their pleasing or gainefull trade of wickednesse that they may enioy Heauen and the happinesse of Gods Saints and chosen ones Oh these things are hid from their eyes p 1 Cor. 2.9 Luke 19.42 they perceiue no more vvhat the glorious life of the Saints is then a bruit beast discernes of the life of a man or if they know them in some measure yet are regardlesse to seeke after them how great is their folly and madnesse who vvould not wonder at them yea vvho is not amazed to thinke of them Assuredly such as haue wisedome and vnderstanding to discerne of these thingâ— aright and faith to beleeue them as they ought vvill not be kept backe from them with a thousand worlds q 2 Cor. 4.18 if there were so many they were offered vnto them seeing all glory pleasures profits and commodities of this world are nothing comparable thereunto But whence is it that if the estate of the life to come be
neuer deceiue g 1 Ioh. 4.20 thy selfe with the vaine dreames of thine owne braine but know thy selfe and confesse as the trueth is that thou art not yet vnited vnto Christ that thou hast no part in him but art a stranger from him from that life of grace and glory which flowes from him yea that thou art of that serpentine h Gen. 3.15 seed which is alwayes at enmitie with the redeemed of Christ one of that vvicked race and of Sathans brood i Ioh. 3.10 a childe of the curse and an heire of perdition k Phil. 1.28 who could neuer abide the sonnes of the promised l Gal. 4.29 If thou sayest thou art in the light thou giuest God the lie m 1 Iohn 2.9.11 nay thou art couered vvith darkenesse and walkest like one blinded vnto thine owne destruction in that place of vtter darkenesse and euerlasting desolation Gracious Lord as thou hast in the riches of thy mercies vnited me vnto CHRIST and so through him to all that are his making vs all members of one body vvhereof he is the Head so vnite my heart and soule I humbly pray thee in an entire loue and affection vnto thee and vnto thy Sonne my blessed Lord and Sauiour and in him and for his sake to all those in vvhom I can see any signes or euidences that they are ingraffed into that mysticall body together with me children of the same Father brethren of the same Sauiour and Heires of the same grace and glory which thou hast freely promised to all thine O let mee neuer hate despise or vvrong the least of them in any sort for thereby I should shew my selfe to be very vnnaturall but let mee loue them delight in them n Psal 16.3 and seeke to doe o Gal. 6.10 them vvhat good I can by any meanes Let mee root out of my heart all sinister conceits and wicked surmises which are the very bane of true Christian loue and Charitie and let me bend my selfe alwayes to thinke the best of p 1 Cor. 13 them and to doe the best for them according to their necessitie and my ability yea let them alwayes bee deare vnto mee and precious in mine eyes and so much the more as they shall appeare to be more neerely and firmely vnited vnto thee that thus I may please thee and haue assurance that I am a liuely member of CHRIST IESVS the Head of his Church and my blessed LORD and Sauiour to whom with thee and thy Spirit be all prayse and glory both now and euermore Amen A wicked life and the profession of Religion how ill they agree AS is a precious Pearle in the dirt or a Iewell of Gold in a Swines snout so is the name of a Christian or the profession of Religion in one of a wicked and prophane life How vnbeseeming a thing is it How ill doe they agree How is the glory and beautie of the one stained and blemished by the vilenesse and basenes of the other Either therefore let men neuer take this honour vnto themselues to be called and accounted Christians and to weare the badge and cognisance of Christs holy and redeemed ones or else let them as it is meet they should cast away the cloaks of shame wherewith they haue couered themselues heretofore and abandon all their former sinfull and euill courses wherein formerly they haue walked to the dishonour of God a Rom. 2.24 the disgrace of their profession b 1 Pet. 2.12 Tit. 2.5 yea and to the increase of their owne condemnation if they continue in their wickednesse c 2 Pet â— 21 O blessed Lord as it hath pleased thee in the riches of thy mercies to call me to the knowledge and the acknowledgement of thee to the profession of thy glorious name euen of thy Christ to be called a Christian and to stand vpon the priuiledges and royall prerogatiues which belong vnto those that are indeed his redeemed ones bought with his most precious bloud so I humbly beseech thee to make my life and conuersation euery way answerable to my calling and profession Let me consider oft and seriously of the dignitie and excellency whereunto I am aduanced aboue those that are aliants from thee strangers from thy couenant d Ephes 2.12 without Christ without God and without the name of Christianity and godlinesse children of the night e 1 Thes 1 5.5 and of darkenesse and let me alway be ashamed to doe any thing whereby I may in any sort bring a staine vpon that which is and should be my glory or a dishonour to that blessed and glorious name after which I am called causing others through my folly and wickednesse to speake euill of thee and of thy grace and truth yea let the very thought of this that I should be so ouertaken at any time as Lord thou knowest what my fraily and weaknesse is if I be not continually strengthened and supported by thee let it euen cause me to blush within my selfe and to hang downe my head with griefe and sorrow and withall to stirre vp my selfe to walke more carefully f Ephes 5.15 and circumspectly all my daies striuing and indeauoring as to haue the name of a Christian so to follow the example of Christ g 1 Pet. 2. to tread in his steppes and to walke as he hath walked setting him alwaies as a patterne and president before me as to haue the shew so likewise the power of godlinesse in my whole life and conuersation and to walke worthy of the vocation h Ephes 4.1 wherewith thou hast honoured mee shining forth as a light in this sinfull world i Phil. 2.14 1 Pet. 2.9 and shewing forth the vertues of thee my Lord and Sauiour who hast called me out of the darknesse of sinne and ignorance into that maruellous light of thine both of grace and of glory that thus they that are enemies to thy trueth and seeke by all meanes to bring reproch vpon that glorious profession vvith vvhich thou hast graced thy seruants hauing nothing concerning me to speake euill of iustly thy great name may be glorified thy Gospell adorned that worthy calling vvhereunto thou hast called me beautified my soule and conscience comforted and both bodie and soule eternally saued in that great day vvherein thou hast appointed to iudge the world in righteousnesse by him vvhom thou hast ordayned Lord of all things Christ my righteousnesse to vvhom with thee O Father and thy blessed Spirit be all praise and glory both now and for euermore Amen A Christian eyther the best or the worst of all men most happie or most miserable A CHRISTIAN is eyther the most happie of all other men or the most miserable Most happie if he hath the trueth of that vvhich hee beareth the name of being a Christian not onely in outward profession but also in inward affection manifesting it selfe by action and outward conuersation Most miserable if
this is the folly of the most in the vvorld euen such as otherwise are men of vvisedome and vnderstanding they will by no meanes forgoe the earth and the sinfull profits and pleasures of it which are but drosse and vanitie a Isa 55.2 for the enioying of heauen and happinesse it selfe How hath Sathan bewitched and besotted them It is marueilous strange to consider that the reasonable soule of man should be so seduced and deluded through the craft and wilinesse of Sathan who lieth in wait to deceiue and to bring men vnto confusion b 2 Pet. 5.8 Blessed Lord let the things of this world be vile and base in mine eyes in comparison of the felicitie of thy Saints and the glory of thy kingdome Keepe me now and alwaies from the foolishnesse of the wretched worldling and make me wise to see the difference betweene those most excellent and glorious things and these which are but fading and transitory Worldlinesse meere dotage VVE would wonder at him that would dote vpon a Strumpet a Pro. 7.7.22 that sought his life Such a one is euery couetous worldling or whosoeuer else is enamoured with the things here below pleasures profits honors The world with the sinfull and deceitfull shewes thereof doe secretly fight b 2 Pet. 2.11 against the soule of man yea seeke the vtter ruine both of soule and bodie they are the Deuils nets c 1 Tim. 4 6.9 and snares And the worldling is strangely besotted with this inchantresse he very fondly doteth vpon her and is drawne away with her allurements to his owne destruction And though he be often warned and admonished to take heed of her baites and to auoyd the mischiefe which she euen vvhiles she laughs and smiles vpon him seekes to bring him vnto yet he will not be drawne from her nor from her adulterous loue but runneth a d Hose 2.5 Iam. 4.4 whoring after her and is so bewitched with her that hee will not leaue her till shee hath wrought his vtter ouerthrow Mercifull LORD let not this world nor any thing that is in this world euer be able to preuaile against me so that I should perish with it But be thou powerfull in me by thy Word and Spirit draw my heart euery day more and more from these fading and perishing things and cause it to be set wholly vpon thee e Prou. 23.26 to whom of right it belongeth Discouer vnto mee daily more and more the f 1 Tim. 6.17 Eccle. 1.14 deceitfulnesse and vanitie of all things here below Let mee not vvith those vvhose eyes Sathan hath blinded with the false shewes of this deceiueable world dote vpon any earthly thing but let my loue be set vpon thee my ioy and delight be onely in thee and those blessed and glorious things which thou hast prepared for me in the heauens and in comparison of which all the things of this earth are but meere vanitie A Christian must not liue as one of this world A CHRISTIAN is not a man of this vvorld he is a soiourner and a stranger here vpon earth So haue a Gen. 23.4 47.9 1 Chro. 29 15. Psal 39.12 119.19 2 Cor. 5.6 Heb. 11.13 Hebr. 12.22.23 Abraham Iacob Dauid and other holy men of GOD acknowledged themselues to bee Heauen is his Country there is his mansion and dwelling place where he shall haue his abode for euer there is his God and blessed Sauiour his life and hope there are his best friends his neerest kinsefolke vnto whom hee is linked with the straitest bonds of perfect loue and amitie there are his chiefest riches and treasures euen that b Eph 1.18 1 Pet. 1.4 glorious inheritance that celestiall kingdome which shal haue no end no change Oh then why doe wee not vveane our hearts more from this vvorld vvhy doe we not shew ourselues strangers here by estranging c 1 Pet. 2.11 our affections from these things here below and lifting them vp vnto the desire and contemplation of those excellent things vvhich are aboue d Col. 3.2 vvhy doe wee not liue as Citizens of that heauenly Countrey If wee be Christians heires of glory vvhy is not our e Phil. 3.20 conuersation in heauen but on earth as if vvee were men of this world to liue here for euer and had no better * Heb. 11.16 things prouided for vs then those which the wicked of the vvorld enioy and which shall perish with them Is our Sauiour in the Heauens and doe wee lye groueling on this Earth like mucke-wormes Is our portion with the Saints in glory and doe wee in a base and seruile manner fasten our affections vnto this world which is but our prison vvherein vve are detained till the time of our libertie and redemption f Rom. 8.23 come O blessed Lord as in the riches of thy vnspeakeable mercies thou hast called me out of this world vnto the hope of g 1 Pet. 1.3 glory giuing mee some comfortable assurance of the full possâ—ssion of those glorious mansions h Ioh. 14.2 prouided for mee and all thy Saints in the highest Heauens so draw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more vnto thee Raise vp my soule and all the affections thereof from Earth to Heauen Let mee vse this world i 1 Cor. 7.31 as if I vsed it not Let me carry my selfe as a stranger and one that is from his owne home alwayes ready and willing to depart from hence k Phil. 1.23 yea euer in my thoughts aspiring vnto that heauenly country l 2 Cor. 5.2 desiring and longing to bee with thee my God and Sauiour and to haue the fruition of that glory and happinesse vvhich thou reseruest for me and which I am no wayes worthy of but that it hath pleased thee graciously to respect me in the merits and worthinesse of thy Sonne in whom and through whom thou hast done great things for me and to whom with thee and thy good Spirit bee all praise and glory now and for euer Amen Another IT ought to be the continuall and earnest desire of euery true Christian that his heart may daily be more and more alienated and withdrawen from the things of this world a Psal 73.25 1 Cor. 7.31 which are but shadowes and meere vanities and more neerely vnited vnto God in whom alone that true comfort and happinesse is to be found which is not elsewhere to bee obtained O LORD increase this desire in mee and be gracious in giuing mee to see the desire of my heart therein fulfilled and accomplished vnto mee and in mee O draw mee from the inordinate loue of this vaine and sinnefull world wherevvith many are so much insnared let mee finde my affections euery day more estranged and separated from the same and graunt that I may be wholly vnited vnto thee my GOD delighting continually in thy presence and receiuing from thee that plentifull increase of the heauenly graces
of thy blessed Spirit whereby I may be fitted and inabled in some sort to walke worthy of thee to whom I desire wholly to deuote my selfe and whatsoeuer is in me How to ouercome the World HE that vvould ouercome this World must first ouercome himselfe bringing his sensuall appetite and desire in subiection vnto his reason and his reason vnto the will and word of God If hee can doe this once the victory and conquest will be easie otherwise impossible Herein lies the valour and fortitude of a Christian O most mightie Lord GOD the GOD of my strength without whom I can do nothing in whom and through whom all things strengthen me with thy grace and effectuall power that I may be able to subdue the corruption of my sinfull and rebellious nature whensoeuer it riseth vp against me that I may lay the axe close vnto the root and cut downe and plucke vp euery secret sinne that hath gotten any place in me that so I may mortefie euery inordinate affection of my heart which might be any hinderance to the worke of thy grace in me that thus hauing power ouer my selfe and that inbred enemie which lieth secretly lurking in my bosome and in the inmost parts of my soule I may with lesse difficulty vanquish and ouercome this present euill world and all those outward enmities vvhich at any time shall oppose themselues against mee and the powerfull operation of thy holy blessed spirit within me which I humbly and earnestly desire thee that it may be renued daily more and more and brought vnto further perfection Ruling the affections how necessary THE affections of mans heart are endlesse and vnsatiable they can neuer be satisfied a Eccl. 1.8 yea the more that they are yeelded vnto the more doth the inordinatenesse and distemper thereof increase VVhat a vanitie therefore is it for any one to giue libertie vnto his rouing and disordered minde and by seeking to quench that thirst to make it the more vehement as it is vvith those that are falne into the dropsie LORD giue mee vvisedome vvhereby I may learne rightly to moderate all my affections and not to follow the sway of them nor to suffer my selfe at any time to bee carried or drawne away vvhether the inordinate motion and desire of them shall lead mee but so to restraine and rule them that I may liue a quiet and contented life free from those manifolde distractions b Pro. 25.28 vnto vvhich they are continually subiect vvho haue not learned to keepe themselues vvithin those limits vvhich thou hast prescribed and appointed to them Affections must bee made Seruants and not Masters AS the Schoole-master is to his Scholler or a Master vnto his Seruant so ought reason to be vnto the affections of euery one It must alwayes beare rule ouer them and haue them at commaund or else they vvill quickly bee disordered and quite out of frame yea they vvill carry away a man headlong vvith violence into much mischiefe and miserie as vvee see wilde and fierce horses oft times runne away vvith an vnguided Coach or Wagon to the ouerthrow of them that are carried in it O LORD thou seest vnto how many vnruly passions and distempered affections I am continually subiect vvhich make mee oftentimes lesse fit for the performance of good duties and holy exercises then otherwise through thy grace I should be Let it please thee to giue me the masterie and power ouer them yea graunt that I may alwayes subiect them to the rule of right reason and to the direction vvhich thy Word giueth that so being well ordered and disposed they may not bee as they haue beene le ts and hinderances but as they should be seruiceable and conuenient helpes and furtherances vnto vertue piety and godlinesse euen to all Christian duties which thou requirest of mee How dangerous it is to be giuen vnto the World HE cannot be a good Seruant that is addicted to his pleasures and delights or that is giuen to follow his owne businesse ouermuch and doth not principally intend his Masters affaires Hee can neuer be a good Disciple of Christ nor a faithfull Seruant of God whose minde is set vpon earthly things a Mat. 6.24 vvho is carried away with the pleasures and delights of sinne or much addicted to the profits and commodities of this vaine and transitory world or otherwise wedded vnto his owne rouing and vnstayed affections and doth not wholly consecrate b Rom. 12.1 and dedicate himselfe vnto the Lord and to his worship and seruice vvith restraint from all those things vvhich might be any hinderance or encumbrance vnto him in the same O my God how vnworthy am I to be called thy Seruant to call thee my Lord how vnable am I to performe that dutie and seruice which thou requirest of me O be thou mercifull vnto mee notwithstanding my vnworthinesse pardon my great vnprofitablenesse heretofore Inable mee daily more and more for the discharge of the duties of thy seruice which thou hast commaunded and vvhereunto thou hast called me Let neither the sinfull pleasures nor the deceiueable profits fruitles commodities of this fading c 1 Cor. 7.31 1 Ioh. 2.17 and decaying vvorld cause me at any time to be slacke slothfull or any wayes vnfaithfull in thy businesse in my calling but giue mee grace euer to renounce these things euen whatsoeuer may at any time in any sort vvithdraw mee from my dutie or be any hinderance vnto mee in the ready vvilling and cheerfull performance of that seruice vvhich I owe vnto thy Maiestie yea let mee alwayes deny d Luke 9.23 Mat. 10.37 Luke 14.26 my selfe and euen hate e my deerest friends and neerest acquaintance if the matter standeth so betweene thee and them yea euen my life it selfe rather then bee found vvillingly defectiue in my dutie or vnfaithfull in thy seruice vvho hast euery way beene so good and gracious vnto mee and freely promised to reward mee so f liberally Psal 19.11 1 Cor. 15.58 Rom. 2.7 Ioh. 12.26 so plentifully euen vvith the riches of glory honour immortalitie and euerlasting life and happinesse in thy kingdome yet not for the worthinesse of my workes but for the merits of my Sauiour for vvhose sake thou crownest what good thing soeuer it pleaseth thee g Heb. 13.21 to worke in me To him together with thee and thy blessed Spirit be all praise and glory now and for euer This world a Prison THis World is the godly mans Prison hee is continually laden with the chaines a Heb. 12.1 of sinne and misery which lye heauy vpon his soule and cause him like a distressed captiue b Rom. 7.23 to sit mourning c Psal 120.5 Rom. 7.24 all the day long and with great earnestnes and vehemencie to call and cry d Rom. 8.21 2 Cor. 5.2.4.8 for reliefe Yea hee is as it were in a darke dungeon e 2 Cor. 5.7 Col. 3.3.4 so that hee cannot see
and glorious is that celestiall mansion the kingdome of glory in the vvhich the Lord of glory dwelleth in the fulnesse of his glorie and maiestie There is no night no darkenesse in it but the brightnesse and glory of the Lord doth shine continually most gloriously in it yea farre more brightly then the Sunne vvhen it is in his greatest strength Nay the glory and shining beauty thereof is so great that the resplendent brightnesse thereof doth as farre excell the brightnesse of the Sunne and Moone as they doe exceed a little candle at noone day Our eyes as now they are vvere not able to behold one glimpse thereof s Exod. 40 34.35 but would be dazeled presently and ouercome with the shine and luster of it We cannot see it and liue We see how glorious the outward Court * Iob. 37.18 or pauement of it is in vvhich those celestiall bodies as so many burning lampes t Iob. 38.7 Psal 148.3 doe shine forth most clearely with their glittering and radiant beames and cause the diligent beholder to stand u Iob. 137 14 as one amazed vvondring at the skill and marueilous wisedome of the maker of so curious and glorious a workemanship so excellently adorned and garnished in euery part more then if it were all sprinckled with the most bright shining pearles or pretious stones that the vvhole earth can affoord how much more glorious then thinke you must the inward Court needs be Besides vvho is able to consider how large and spacious that glorious mansion is who can mete out the breadth the length or compasse of that heauenly Citie If one starre as the learned doe in that Art affirme bee many times greater then the whole earth vvhat is the firmament in vvhich there are so many starres and some of them of greater magnitude and if the firmament be so large what may we thinke is the heauen of heauens vvhich compasseth in all the other as a lesser circle It passeth mans vnderstanding both for glory and greatnesse O how blessed and happie are they that shall be Citizens of such a Kingdome that shall liue in such a glorious place for euermore euen in the presence chamber of the Lord of glory Assuredly this world is but a barren wildernesse a wearisome prison yea a darke dungeon in comparison of it But to giue thee yet a further view of that heauenly life As the place vvhere they shall liue is wonderfull glorious so the company vvith whom they shall liue in that place is no lesse glorious yea farre aboue it It doth exceed it by many degrees For what company shall they haue there Euen the blessed societie of all the Saints Patriarches Prophets Apostles Martyrs Adam Enoch Noah Abraham Isaak Iacob Iob Dauid Daniel c. x Heb. 11. 12.22 Euen all those worthies and renowmed ones that haue beene from the beginning of the vvorld to this present or shall be to the end thereof the beholding of some one of vvhom is greatly desired of vs and would wonderfully content vs. They shall bee companions of Princes yea the least and meanest of their companie shall be greater then the greatest Prince in this world for they shall all be crowned Kings * Reue. 1.6 and triumphant Emperours set vpon heauenly thrones y Ephe. 2.6 Reue. 2.26 27. 3.21 These are their familiars and companions and with these together with that innumerable multitude of the elect and chosen Angels those coelestiall and heauenly creatures shall they continually liue and conuerse each ioying and delighting in the company and societie of the other as being partakers of the same glory and truely louing and entirely affecting one another more then euer Ionathan did Dauid vvhose loue notwithstanding was wonderfull z 2 Sam. 1.26 hardly to be patterned Being knit among themselues by the band of one spirit into a holy communion they shall haue as it vvere one soule willing the same things affecting the same things and re ioycing mutually and continually in him who is the fountaine of all their ioy glory and happinesse The ioy of one shall be the ioy of all and the glory of one the glory of all Nay which is farre farre greater matter and the thought vvhereof may euen rauish our soules they shall enioy the sweet and heauenly company of their blessed Sauiour and Redeemer a Ioh. 12.26 17.24 Christ Iesus the Prince of peace b Isa 9.6 1 Tim 6.15 the King of glory yea the glory of heauen and earth the image of his Father c Coloss 1 15 Heb. 1.3 Iohn 1.9 in vvhom those things which are inuisible are seene the brightnesse of the euerlasting light the vndefiled mirrour of the maiesty of God the desire of all nations * Haggai 2.8 whose name is Wonderfull whose power vnspeakable the beholding of vvhom euen whiles hee was heere on earth in the state of his frailty and humilitie made good old Simeon to reioyce exceedingly d Luke 2.28 and vvould haue gladded the hearts of many Kings and Prophets e Math. 13 16.17 that were before him who desired and longed after this and would haue accounted themselues happy in the enioying of it They shall enioy his company whom the Angels doe reuerence and adore f Heb. 1.6 Psal 97.7 and the very sight and appearance of vvhom will be an exceeding refreshing * Act. 3.19 vnto them yea cause their hearts to spring within them g Luke 1.41 as the babe did in Elizabeths wombe at the salutation of the blessed Virgin Oh how shall their hearts be rauished with ioy when they shall see the Lord of the family the heire of the whole world the Prince of glory clothed with their nature c Luke 12.37 13.29 and sitting downe at the same table with them and speaking most sweet and comfortable vvords vnto them Eate d Can. 5.1 O friends drinke and make you merry O welbeloued They shall haue fellowship familiaritie acquaintance with him as one brother vvith another e Mat. 12.49 Hebr. 2.11 to their vnspeakeable comfort the very consideration vvhereof makes their righteous soules now in the time of their absence * 2 Cor. 5.6 from him to crye out as Paul did f Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ for that is best of all And vvith the Spouse in the Canticles g Cant. 8.14 O my welbeloued flee away and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the Mountaines of spices and vvith the Spirit and the Bride in the Reuelations h Reuel 22 7.20 Come come Lord Iesus come quickly Oh that wee may once see thy face and behold that brightnesse of thine who art so wonderfull in thy Saints and redeemed ones Here is their hope their ioy and their reioycing And vvith him they shall enioy the gratious and most comfortable presence of the blessed and glorious Spirit yea of the Father