younger years chosen Scholar of Corpus Christi College in Oxford and not long after Probationer Fellow of the same viz. before he came to be Batchelor of Arts a thing seldom known in that house There Men finding him to be not only Ingenious Ingeniosus Ingenuus but Ingenuous also did shew him great respect bestowing one token thereof after another And there God not for any desert in him but out of his own mercy and grace did set his eye upon him there did the kindness and love of God which a great while before had run like water under ground break forth and appear Saving him by the washing of Regeneration Tit. 3.5 and renewing of the Holy Ghost In Corpus Christi College as he told me it â—â—leased the Lord first to open 〈◊〉 eyes causing him to see his wretched condition which did greatly and deeply humble him and made him put up strong cryes with tears to him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared Hebr. 5.7 for at length he had his Conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ by whom he received the atonement and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom 8.2 made him free from the law of sin and death And now he became a Member of the most ancient honourable and durable Society in the world being first chosen and then admitted Fellow of Sion College where an innumerable company of Saints and Angels were his Collegues Herb. 12.22 Having received this grace he found himself strongly inclined to make others partakers of the same Wherefore having taken his degree of Master of Arts after some few Years he left the College and addicted himself to the work of the Ministry He spent most of his time and labours at Kingston upon Thames where the pleasure of the Lord did prosper in his hands From thence he was called in the time of the late Troubles to take upon him the government of the College of which he had been before a Member As soon as he came upon the place he manifested an earnest desire after the welfare of the Society in every respect exciting and by his example leading such as were to assist him to endeavour the same His Government savoured more of lenity and mildness than of sharpness and severity yet he kept the College in very good Order and Discipline Though the House before his time had been much troubled with divisions he by his moderation and Christian prudence kept them all of a piece and in the enjoyment of great peace and concord He was indeed naturally of an exceeding good temper and disposition gentle affable and courteous to all which being embellished with grace made him exceeding amiable and very useful in all his conversation His great care was to promote Religion and Learning in the College which he did with both his hands earnestly Divine knowledge and Humane Learning are the right and left eye of the World as the Sun and Moon are to the Vniverse the eclipsing of either of them leaves the World in darkness One thing there was that made him the more desire to see Religion and Learning meet together in conjunction in all such as were to be chosen Scholars of the House or if that could not be obtained to have them joined together afterward It was the Founders Will expressed in one of his Statutes That all the Fellows and Scholars of the Foundation should about a year or two after they became Masters of Arts be ordained to the Holy Ministry one only excepted who ad arbitrium might be deputed to the study and practice of Physick Parts and Learning without grace make a man capable of doing very good service in the Commonwealth but both in conjunction are more requisite in one who is to make manifest the savour of the knowledge of Christ in every place Alludit ad Sacerdotum unctioneâ— Sacrificiorum suffitus Junius in locum 2 Cor. 2.14 Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth 1 Cor. 8.1 A man of Learning without grace is like a ship without ballast the least blast of applause is ready to drive him upon the Quick-sands of Pride or carry him on the Rocks of opposition to others and sometimes to the truth it self to his own great danger if not ruine and the prejudice of others If such a man see another not to sail altogether by his Compass but to be carried by a side-wind to some distance from his judgment he finds it a hard matter to forbear making up to him and can scarce hold his hands from letting flie at him Difficile est Satyras-non scribere Hence have flown those great heats Animosities and perverse Disputings which have so much troubled the Church of God Unsanctified Parts and Learning have been the sharpest Tools that the great Adversary of Mankind and of the Church especially could ever lay hold on to do mischief withall as the Histories of all Ages do abundantly testifie Upon such accounts as these this godly wise man was careful to prevent if it might be an error in the first concoction knowing how hard it might prove to amend it in the second Therefore when any Scholars place became void if there appeared many Candidates for it he appointed them some time before the Election to attend him at his Lodgings where he examined them privately and set down in a Paper the age standing and proficiency in learning of every one of them He noted also what Testimonials he had received from persons of Integrity concerning the good conversation of any of them and their hopefulness as to Godliness with his own apprehensions about them upon his examination as to that matter also And if such a number of the Electors as was requisite could not after publick examination agree upon one of them he upon whom the election was in that case devolved if there appeared to him an equality or near an equality in other respects would alwayes let Piety have the honour to turn the scale His next care was to have these Twins parts and Piety fostered and cherished and by all wayes and means improved and heightned to the utmost of his power To this purpose he came ordinarily to all College Exercises held every one to the duties of their several places and observed every ones growth and progress in Learning by which he was the better able to judge whom to prefer when any of them came to be Competitors for a Fellowship He was no less careful to see Religion thrive and prosper among them For first he made choice of the fittest persons he could find to perform the duty of Prayer Morning and Evening such as might with reverence seriousness and warm affection engage the hearts of others in the duty At this holy exercise he was present himself as constantly if not more constantly than the younger Scholars as to join in the duty to bring down a blessing from above upon them and
Person were rarely once only but twice in one day Thus this good man in labours more abundant in the morning sowes his seed and in the evening withholds not his hand so liberal he was of his spiritual Almes not knowing whether should prosper this or that or whether they both might not be alike good Eccl. 11.6 so that in imitation of the great Apostle by the power of the Spirit of God he even from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum fully Preached the Gospel of Christ So this excellent Minister of our Lord Jesus from Rickmersworth even round about unto the utmost borders of the County and into the neighbouring Counties also he was spending and being spent in the service of his great Lord and Master By all this the Reader may gather that our Doctor had not layne idle in the University 'till he was rusted and cankered away and fit for no further use in the house of God but as it was said of Joseph that his bow still abode in strength so it was with his parts memory and with his affections also and he was constant untill the act of uniformity imposed that general silence upon all nonconformist August 24. 1662. But yet neither after this time was he willing to be idle every week almost keeping one day as a private fast in his own or else in some other godly Ministers or Christian Family as to humble himself for his own sins so for the abominations that were in the midst of the land and it cannot be easily forgotten with what brokenness of spirit and with what a dissolved soul he would still take up some hours himself on those extraordinary occasions either in the word or prayer or both for indeed he was mighty in prayer as well as in the Scriptures as it is said of Apollo Having passed I think some two yeares his wife now labouring under some weaknesses and being weary with the burden of houshold affairs he retired to a Chamber or two in a private Family some miles distant where he was very useful he much inlightned and quickly leavened the habitation his Ministerial Gifts and graces were such as that indeed he perfumed the whole house As long as he lived there there was a Church alwayes in that house and I presume the govenour and children and servants do bless God for his presence and conference and exemplary conversation to this day and may they never loose the savour of the knowledg of Christ and the sense of the power of the world to come that he manifested and they were under during his abode with them From thence he removed to another private family and I believe his frequent removes were that he might have renewed opportunity of doing more good and God more service where he was entertained as an Angel of God This Family was near S. Albans in which Town from that time he was a great instrument in the hand of God for good to correct some extravagancies amongst some people there by his sober principles and great moderation of spirit and the noble exercises of self-denial and charity being no burden unto any but being crafty catching them with guile 2 Cor. 12.16 His last remove was to a place called Bovingden a little village and I question whether ever it had been mentioned in any story if this good man had not liv'd and ended his days there he was led thither by the invitation of a religious and very kind Gentleman freely accommodating him with all the conveniences of an habitation of his in that place But he once told me that whatsoever was saved that way he still expended proportionably in charitable uses making conscience to give it either in mony or books to the poor to this and the neighbouring places and I believe he hath destributed several hundreds of short Catechisms besides some dozens of little books of that great light of our age Entitled The call to the Vnconverted During his abode here he continued daily to attend the duty of the Family wherein he was instructing the souls belonging thereunto And if one or more of the poor of that place chanced to come in he would say they were welcome and that God came along with them and the poor have the Gospel preached unto them In this place he enjoy'd great privacy which he greatly priz'd and had be been born for himself alone he could alwayes have chosen to have liv'd thus alone How many worthy's in the world have prefer'd retirement to the greatest preferments in Church or State and have thought Scepters and Myters not worthy to be compared with it But he could not thus satifie himself that of Paul was often in his mouth Wo be to me if I preach not the Gospel he was of Calvins mind who would not his Lord should come and find him idle Wherefore he rode often to St. Albans or some other adjacent place and once or twice a year to London and Kingston and seeing he could not preach in a Church to many he would preach in a Chamber to a few T is not the place or company that commends our preaching to God What excellent Sermons have been preacht to despicable auditories and in very ordinary and contemptible places Pauls meeting place in Macedonia was the River side Acts 16.13 and his hearers a few of the weaker Sex Our Lord himself preacht a long Sermon once to one timorous man John c. 3. c. 4. and at another time in the open aire he preacht at large to one silly woman Thus this eminent servant of God like a torch or candle with lighting others consumed and wasted himself On the eighth of July Anno Dom. 1671. aetatis suae 71. he was seiz'd all on one side with the dead palsy by reason of which his speech much faild him so that he spake little and seldome A friend coming to visit him and asking him how he did he answered in the words of the Prophet In measure God debateth with me and in the day of the East-wind he stayeth his rough wind A while after he said to a friend that stood by him I neither fear death nor defire life but am willing to be at Gods disposal At another time he uttered these words very audibly I know that my redeemer liveth and by and by he repeated the fifth verse of the one and thirtieth Psalme in Meter Into thy hand Lord I commit My spirit which is thy due For why thou hast redeemed it Oh Lord my God most true He prest the by-standers so long as he was able to many wholsome duties As to make sure of Heaven in the time of health to keep their evidences fair and unblotted To remember and keep holy the Sabbath day of which he himself as you l find hereafter was a most careful observer When he could not speak himselfe he would desire others to read the Scriptures to him directing to the places which he most desired which were for the most part
himself His carriage was a Comment on Rom. 12.10 8. His great Bounty and liberality He was very charitable to all men especially to those of the houshold of Faith Ps 112.5.9 Verbum profusionem importat Muis. 'T is Davids character of a good man that he he giveth to the poor and disperseth liberally and this was his practise whilst others were for gathering and heaping up he was for dispersing and scattering abroad As all graces were conspicuous in him so this of charity in particular which is the only grace as one sayes wherein God and man communicate He devised liberal things and drew out his soule to the hungry Synes Ep. 57. Is 58 1◠he did not only draw out his purse to supply them but his bowels and soul to pity them His manner was Dando pauperi das tibi quia quod pauperi non dederis habebit alter tu solum quod pauperidederis Chrysol Serm. 41. p. 108. when he rode abroad to put so much mony in his pocket as he could well spare for this purpose and as he met with any indigent persons he would fall into discourse with them 'T is related of Mr. Fox that he never refused to give to any one that askt him an Almes for Christs sake and being askt if he knew such a poor person as was naim'd to him Yea said he I forget Lords and Ladies to remember such 'T is said of Cyprian that he never turn'd away a widdow empty He was wont to say Ne dormiat in thesauris tuis quod pauperi prodesse potest And again Aliquando de necessitate amittendum est quod sponte pro divina remuneratione distribuendum est and if he found any knowledge of God or savour of Godliness in them he would the more plentifully relieve them nor should the ignorant sif he judg'd them necessitous and not idle part from him without some counsel and reliefe For purse almes and spiritual almes together I never knew his fellow He would often visit poor and needy families or call in as he past by them and ever leave somewhat behind him for the good of soul and body both God lent him a competent estate and which is better gave him a heart to lend it back again unto him God honoured him and he again honoured God with his substance 9. His great patience and cheerfulness under afflictions You have heard of the patience of Job And I would acquaint you a little with the patience of this eminent servant of God Those that knew his circumstances and his lamblike carriage under them will readily graunt that he was one of the greatest patterns of patience that this age hath produc't 1. Vxorem delirantem Levamentum aliquod miseriarum est non veniti Lips cent 1. Ep. 61. Plut. consolat ad Apollon p. 116. Gaudet patientia duris Luc. li. ◠Amongst the various tryals wherewith he was exercis'd he had one which was not ordinary and which for some reasons I conceale though all that were of his intimate acquaintance do easily guess what I mean yet whoever saw him out of humour or ever heard a muttering or repining word to come out of his mouth he made light of those burthens which would have sat or layn heavy on others backs Yea many have admir'd not only at his patience but at his cheerfulness under his afflictions he had learnt in every thing to give thanks it may be said of him as of that Apostle that he was joyful yea exceeding joyful in all his tribulations His conversation was made up of seriousness temper'd with cheerfulness How grave was he in all company yet how pleasant also He deem'd that a morose sowr carriage in Christians did much disparage the Gospel of Christ I used my self saith he in his aforesaid memoires to be somewhat merry and cheerful in company that standers by might for that reason be the more in love with Religion to shew that it was not inconsistent with harmless merriment and through mercy I have cause to think that I have sometimes attained that end Suidas speaking of Macarius relates how by his pleasant discourses on all occasions he drew many into the wayes of God I have drawn others by this means to a likeing of the good wayes of God 10. His moderation and peaceableness He much dislikt and lamented the unnatural heats and divisions amongst Christians He was not sceptical and indifferent not was he severe and rigid He seem'd to me to tread in Pauls steps 1 Cor. 9.10 and did alwayes endeavour to accommodate himself to those that differed from him so far as lawfully he could and as his love of Truth would permit Many men prefer a petty Notion to the Churches peace and communion and are so capricious and overconfident of their own determinations That they will hold no communion nay hardly have a pleasing conversation with those who are not of their persuasion he was of a more excellent temper he would say All men must have their grains of allowance the most knowing Christians know but in part He would familiarly converse ay and if occasion were in all Ordinances communicate with those that held the head and were sound in the vitals of Christian Religion though in other things they were erroneous This one thing he would greatly declaim against That Christians upon every little occasion Vide Hier. Zanch. de Ecclesia de quinque causis quas Schismatici obtendunt cum ab Ecclesiae communione deficiunt made nothing of Separation if they dislik't a people the next word is We 'll join with them no longer if they dislik't a Preacher this follow'd next We 'll hear him no more His opinion was to which I subscribe That it will never be well with the Church of God in this Nation so long as Christians are so prone to division and separation This this is Englands incurable Wound 11. His Zeal for God What was said of David and our Lord Jesus Christ himself the same may be affirm'd of him The zeal of God did consume and eat him up John 2.17 Psal 69.19 119.139 Me zelus meus Cruciavit egregiè vim exprimit zeli perquem cor vellicatur lancinatur Muis. What is said of another may be also affirmed of him That he was kin to Angels who are active spirits and a flaming fire Though he seldom sinn'd in being angry yet he often very often was angry with sin He could bear to be reproach't and evil-spoken of himself but not that God and his Name should be blasphem'd and dishonour'd of this I could give many instances take one or two under his own hand Being once sayes he at a Wedding dinner at the Marriage of one Mr. Valentine's Servant I observ'd a Fidler to swear and sing very obscenely at which I was troubled and filled with indignation till anon I call'd to him to forbear and gave him money to hold his peace tendring therein the glory of
he had constantly in his eye When he came among persons of Quality being himself well born well educated of a generous spirit and a chearful temper his company and converse was usually very acceptable to them which gave him an advantage to tell them as he would plainly though prudently of what he saw amiss in them to mind them of the vanity of the World of better things above and to put them as he often would upon good designs to shew their thankfulness to God for his mercy to them Nor was there a person so mean but he could and would readily and humbly condescend to him as knowing what precious souls dwell in the poorest houses of clay He spake to such alwayes in their own dialect and in a phrase they well understood trying their knowledge and feeling the pulse of their souls if he found them ignorant or unsensible he would endeavour to awaken them by laying plain Texts of Scripture before them for their conviction If he met with humbled and burdened souls or such as were babes in Christ he would gather them as lambs in his arms and gently lead them to the Wells of Salvation If at any time there hapned to be a mixt company at the Table with him some serious Christians some Professors at large his manner was to be very free and pleasant in discourse with them which caused them all to give great attention to him then might you have seen how ever and anon the honey dropt from his lips while the company were hanging on them how skilful he was in dividing the Word aright to every one his portion and how wise in winning of souls If he observed any to take the boldness from his innocent mirth and pleasant humour to incline to vain and frothy discourse he would very dexterously turn to some more profitable matter and as occasion was given afford a serious reproof tempered with much kindness and love to their souls which was usually well taken at his hand If his occasions required his stay a day or two at any place he seldom departed before he had Preached to the People He found by much and long experience that a plain way of Preaching was most effectual to the ends for which that Ordinance was appointed and therefore he constantly used it even in the College and Vniversity though he could easily have appeared in another strain had he preferred an aiery Reputation with some before the Work of his Master and the real advantage of others To conclude I hope that many who some time were and some who yet are members of that Society having felt his fatherly care heard his sound and pious instructions and seen his godly examples do and will endeavour to hold a conformity thereunto If any neglect or despise them let them know assuredly that God will require it at their hands A Dialogue OR A DISCOURSE BETWEEN A Minister and a Stranger As they were On the High-way together ABOUT Soul Affairs By Edmund Staunton D. D. LONDON Printed for Tho Parkhurst and are to be Sold at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel And at the Gilded Bible on London-bridge under the Gate 1673. A Dialogue or Discourse between a Minister and a Stranger as they were on the High-way together Minister FRiend Good morrow to you How far Travel you this way Stranger To such or such a place Min. I shall be glad of your company Str. And I Sir of yours Min. Little thought you in the Morning of meeting me or I of meeting you Str. True Sir Min. Well Friend since by the Providence of God we are brought together and must be accountable to God at death and judgment how we spend our time whil'st we be together shall we talk of what concerns the good of our Souls and of the Things of God Stranger Yes Sir with all my heart if you please Minister Friend What think you then that your Soul is Str. I think that my Soul is my breath because when a man's breath is gone then he dyeth and his Soul is gone also Min. True Friend when the breath departeth the Soul departeth also yet the Soul of a man is not his breath because 1. Beasts and the Fowls of the Air breathe also and yet you do not think they have reasonable immortal Souls as we have 2. Our breath is but the Air drawn in and cast out again and can you reasonably imagine first that the Air thus sucked in and blown out again should be the Soul or Souls of men or secondly that the whole Region of the Air should be the rational and immortal Souls of men or thirdly that our Souls come in and go out of our bodies as the Air we breathe in doth Stranger Truly Sir you have convinced me that the Soul is not breath whatever it be Minister What else do you think it is Str. I think it is my blood most likely Not so because 1. Beasts and Birds have blood in them as well as Men and yet you do not think they have reasonable immortal Souls as we Men have 2. If our Souls were blood then when our Noses bleed to speak familiarly with you our Souls would even out at our Noses or when we cut our fingers our Souls would run out at our fingers ends Min. Friend guess once more what your Soul is Str. Sir Is it not my Conscience Min. No Friend the understanding will conscience and affections as love hatred are the faculties and endowments of the Soul but not the Soul it self Str. You say well Sir I pray tell me then what my Soul is Minister Friend not to trouble you with any curious definitions the Soul of man is a spiritual substance endowed with reason immortal created and infused into man informeth inliveneth the body doth and acteth all in man the Soul seeth in the eye heareth in the ear speaketh in the tongue c. zach 12.1 God formeth the spirit of man within him Stranger I thank you Sir this is more than ever I heard of before Min. Well Friend having spoken something concerning our Souls shall we speak a little concerning God Str. Yes Sir I like your talk very well Min. What do you think God is Is he an old man or a young Str. An old man surely he hath been a long time Min. No God is neither a young man nor an old man Str. If God be not a man why do the Scriptures speak of God as having eyes ears hands and feet c Min. This kind of speaking is not proper but figurative speaking of God after the manner of men stooping to our understandings and capacities but the Scripture speaking plainly and properly saith God is a Spirit John 4.24 Stranger You say right Sir God is a Spirit Minister Well Friend Are not the Angels spirits too They are called ministring spirits Hebr. 1.13 What then is the difference between God and the Angels Str. God is the greatest and highest of all the
Angels Min. No Friend God is not an Angel at all God is a Spirit uncreated having his being of himself infinite and eternal the Angels are creatures were made by God are finite have a beginning Col. 1.16 By him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones and dominions principalities or powers all the Angels were made by God Str. I believe Sir what you say concerning God and the Angels Min. Where is God think you Str. Why God is in heaven Minister What is God no where els but in heaven Stranger Yes I hope he is in the hearts of all good people also Min. Is God in hell also Str. No not in hell unless by his power onely Min. Yes God is in hell also and that not onely by his power but in his essence and being or else How is God infinite if he be not every where Str. What you say is true but I never heard so much before Min. Friend How many Gods be there Str. There is but one God Min. Is there not God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost And are there not then three Gods Str. Yes Sir three Gods Min. No Friend three persons indeed but onely one God Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Str. Yea three persons and one God I remember it now Minister Having said something concerning God what think you Friend concerning your self Are you a sinner against this God or no Stranger Yes Sir we are all sinners God help us Min. Why Friend which of the Commandments of God have you ever broken Str. Sir I break them all every day in thought word and deed Min. Say you so Friend let us come to each particular Commandment Did you ever break the first Commandment Thou shalt have c Str. No Sir I believe there 's but one God Min. What say you to the second Commandment Thou shalt not make c Str. I am sure I have not broken this Commandment I am no Papist I abhor Images I am a Protestant and so was my father before me Min. Did you ever break the third Commandment Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain c Stranger No Sir I am no common Swearer it may be I let fall an Oath now and then as others do but I am sorry for it when I have done Minister What think you of the fourth Commandment Do you keep holy the Sabbath Str. Yes truly Sir I keep the Church all my Neighbours can bear me witness I hear our own Minister sometimes I stay at home but not very often Min. For the fifth Commandment Honour thy Father c. Have you broken this Commandment Str. I hope not much Sir my father and mother were they alive would say I was as good a child as any they had and we were so many of us Min. What think you of the sixth seventh and eighth Commandments Thou shalt not kill commit adultery steal Have you broken these Commandments Str. I hope not for I am no murderer no adulterer no thief Min. For the ninth Commandment Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour have you kept or broken it Stranger I hope I have not broken it for I never took a false Oath against any man in my life Minister What think you of the tenth Commandment Thou shalt not covet c Are you guilty or not Str. Covet would I were as free from other sins as I am from Covetousness if you would have me tell you the truth I am to blame rather on the other hand I spend my money too fast Min. Oh Friend how do these things stand together you said even now that you broke all the Commandments every day in thought word and deed and now I have dealt with you upon each particular Commandment you clear your self in all as if you had broken none of the Commandments in thought word or deed Str. I pray Sir tell me something that I may understand my self better Min. Know Friend that you are grievously ignorant and that Satan the god of this World hath miserably blinded you that your heart fearfully deceiveth you pray earnestly to God that he would inlighten you hear read the Scriptures Catechisms and other good Books remember Sermons go to the Minister intreating him to instruct you in the principles of Religion grow acquainted with good people talk and discourse much with them about heavenly matters and by the blessing of God in a little time you will come to know God more and your self better Stranger I thank you heartily Sir and when I come home I purpose to think of your counsel and to follow it Minister Say and hold Friend and remember that a blind ignorant Soul is worse than a dark and blind body And that the soul be without knowledge is not good Prov. 19.2 Str. I hope I shall remember what you have said to me as long as I live and I confess I am a sinner Min. Are you guilty of Adam's sin in his eating the forbidden fruit Str. No Sir that was long before my time I know nothing of it Min. Yes Friend I and you and all Mankind except Christ are guilty of Adams first sin Rom. 5.12 By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all for that all have sinned Stranger True Sir now I remember my self I have heard them say that we are all guilty of Adam 's sin because we were all in his loins Minister I have heard them say you must not build your faith upon hear-sayes but upon the written Word of God and for your reason why we are guilty of Adam's sin because we were all in his loins that 's not the main reason for then we should be as well guilty of the sins of our Fathers and Grandfathers c. for we were in their loins also Str. How then I pray you came we to be guilty of Adam 's first sin Min. Why thus Adam was a publick person representing all Mankind and the Covenant of life made with him was not for himself only but for all his posterity so that when he sinned we sinned when he fell we fell with him in that his first transgression Stranger I must needs confess that I am guilty of Adam 's first sin Minister Friend You and I are not only guilty of Adam's first sin but also of many actual transgressions You said even now that sometimes you let fall an Oath in your common discourse which is swearing and taking the Name of God in vain and you said truly also that we break the Commandments of God in thought word and deed and the Scripture saith Rom. 3.23 All have sinned c. So that you and I and all men are sinners certainly Str. I acknowledge Sir that I am a sinner Min. Yea Friend but are you such a sinner as that you deserve
of patience Rom. 15.5 whose name is by himself proclaimed to be the Lord the Lord God gracious and merciful slow to anger Exod. 34.6 Neh. 1.6 so highly as to pour out his fury like fire yea in fire to the laying wast of Englands Metropolis in three or four days and so to putting God yea forcing God as it were upon his strange work which he so unwillingly is ingaged in I would well hope that whilst England is England the Histories and Chronicles relating these signal tokens of Gods fierce indignation will have a benigne influence by the blessing of God upon our posterity to the worlds end that they may hear and fear and do no more such wickedness as we have done Deut. 13.11 4 Strangers meet Again 4ly Strangers meeting upon the high-way or else where might and should discourse it how all even the best of men Gods own Children are and have confessed themselves to be but strangers and pilgrims here and therefore as strangers and pilgrims we ought to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 1 Pet. 2.11 Or when we ask others or others ask us the way to such or such a place why may not a question be put touching the way to heaven and happiness how Christ is the way purchased for believers and how in thankfulness to God for Christ and the benefits we have by Christ we should walk in yea run the way of his Commandements as holy David resolved to do Ps 119.32 Yet againe 5. When people marry 5 Marriages and matches are made possibly with some of the relations and you are guests also at the wedding feast surely it would not be unbecoming Christians to be thinking and speaking of the happy condition of such as are betrothed to Jesus Christ as all believers are and that for ever in righteousness in judgment in loving kindness and mercies Hos 2.19 20. And as John was commanded to write Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 As also the sad and dolefull estate of all who being invited to the wedding feast as all are who live under the sound of the Gospel Come not but desire to be excused make light of it go their wayes one to his farme another to his merchandize Matt. 22.5 or if they come yet have not on the wedding garment are not clothed with the righteousness of Christ and graces of the spirit The Gentile hypocrite is that man to whom the King when he came to see his guests said Friend how earnest thou in hither not having a wedding garment vers 11 12. Both these fall and lie under an heavie doom and dreadful vengeance The slighters who came not to the feast probably the unbelieving Jews with them the King was wroth and he sent forth his armies and destroyed those murderers and burnt up their City This execution was done speedily by the Romans destroying Jerusalem firing and demolishing the Temple and the City and there was a dismal slaughter of eleven millions of men De belle Judaico women and Children as Josephus reports And for the man that came to the feast he made some Christian profession but had not the wedding garment which is the false unsound Professour the Gentile hypocrite the King deales or will deal severely with him also the man was speechless or muzzled not having a word to say for himself why he should not be condemned vers 12. but the King hath something to say to him which might make his heart to ake and tremble vers 13. Then said the King to the servants to wit the holy Angels ministring spirits bind him hand and foot that is make him sure as they use to do condemned persons he is disabled to sight for himself or by flight to make escape being bound hand and foot take him away O that 's a cutting word if when an angry Father sayeth concerning a froward child take it away away with it the Child screams and roars it 's worse to it then the rod or whipping If when the Judge upon the Bench having passed his sentence of death against a Malefactor saith Take him Jaylor away with him to Prison and from thence to the place of execution if these words be as swords and daggers piercing the hearts of the condemned O then how terrible and dreadful beyond all expression or imagination must it needs be when Christ the righteous Judge shall turne and cashire sinners for ever out of his gratious presence never to see the face of God never to be with the Lord this punishment of loss privative torment is not the least piecâ— of the misery of the damned and to compleat their woe and horror it follows Cast him into utter or outer darkness Joh. 3.19 They loved darkness rather then light the darkness of gross and wilful ignorance know not nor care to know the things of God but are willingly ignorant saying unto God Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes 2 Pet. 3.5 Job 21.14 Eph. 5.11 And love the deeds of darkness therefore the Lord justly casts them into darkness and they shall be filled with darkness as they who cutting the bloody Tyrants head threw it into a pail of bloud saying satiate thy self with bloud Whereas The inheritance of the Saints is in light Satio te Sanguine Col. 1.2 The portion of sinners shall be in blackness of darkness for ever Jude 13. And more it 's outer darkness as doggs without Rev. 22.15 When believers as the children of God are within doors housed in Heaven a place of light and glory the glory of God doth lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof vers 23. And if here be not misery enough for what followes there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 22.13 Now the sinner hath as he thinks a merry time of it but there 's a woe coming Wo unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep Luk. 6.25 Now the wicked plotteth against the just and gnasheth upon him with his teeth Psal 37.12 But let them know their black day is at hand wherein they will have gnashing for gnashing their gnashing upon the righteous in scorne and contempt shall be turned into a gnashing their teeth through extremitie of paine anguish and horrour for ever Having been large in this instance my words may seem to be words of digression or of diversion might they by the blessing of God prove to any words of Conversion or of Edification neither writer nor reader would have any cause to repent them of their labour 6 Conversion of a sinner If we hear of the conversion of a sinner it puts us upon rejoycing and praising God and expressing our thankfulness in words and actions It was meet we should make merry and be glad for this thy brother was dead and is alive again c. saith the Father of the returning Prodigal to his elder Brother Luk.