with it To answere thee in this behold the depth of the mysterie of Sathan here it lies herein consists the chiefest and craftiest slight and pollicie of that wily Serpent the Deuill the enemie of mankinde vvhereby he hath deceiued deluded many thousands to their vtter ouerthrow For he knowing wel enough that sin if it should appeare in his own likenes would be abhorred of all men deales very cunningly and deceitfully like a crafty marchant He casteth a goodly gloze vpon it He painteth coloureth it and guilds is ouer with the false colours of his deceiueable pollicie withal casts a mist before mens eies making them fondly belieue that its a goodly thing a very pleasant delightsome or profitable thing euen as the counterfeit and craftie Iugler maketh simple men beleeue that an Oister-shell or a Counter is a faire peece of siluer or gold And thus hauing trucked and trimmed vp as it vvere this cursed darling of his couering it with the false shape of some seeming good and clothing it with the deceiueable cloake of pleasure profit delight or one goodly outside or other he presents it to the view of the poore seduced sinner as some rare or pretious thing who thinking that hee hath met with some great treasure fals presently in loue with it and will part with it for no good and thereupon entertaineth and lodgeth this vile monster in the secretest closets of his heart and soule Thus Sathan dealeth with men as the Panther or Leopard deales with the beasts For that spotted and rauenous beast as is reported of him knowing how the rest of the beasts flye from him by reason of his ougly head vvhich fraies them hides onely his head till they comming about him and gazing on his goodly spotted hyde nothing suspecting or fearing the danger they are in suddenly hee breaketh out and maketh a prey of them so the deuill knowing well how much sin would scare men if they should see that ougly deformed head of it hideth that by all means he can setteth out the fine coloured skin thereof viz. the pleasing delights the deceitfull profits and preferments of this vaine and transitory world Gen. 3.5 Mat. 4.8 with the gaud glory whereof whiles they are bewitched as it were and foolishly enamored neuer thinking of that hellish monster which cunningly shrouds it selfe vnder those goodly shewes entising allurements he thereby intangleth them vnawares and hauing caught them in his clawes preyeth vpon them and deuoureth them with vvide open mouth in most fearefull manner Oh if men could see that filthinesse and that vile an loathsome deformitie vvhich lieth lurking vnder that vaile vvhich Sathan hath drawne ouer it to deceiue and delude men vvithall if they could but consider that vnder those sweet and delightsome baits which are offered vnto them there are most dangerous and deadly hookes which if they be not very wary will quickly draw them vnder the deepe waters of euerlasting destruction if they were so wise as to remember that in that golden cup of the pleasures and profits of sinne there is nothing but most ranke poyson the venome whereof vvill euen drinke vp the health yea the life of their soules if they could behold that loathsome tode and that stinging serpent which lieth secretly hidden vnder the greene and pleasant leaues of worldly and sinfull delights if they could thinke that in those golden apples there is such deadly poyson as was in the apple which our first parents tasted of through the deuils suggestion In a word if the eyes of their minds were opened that they might see the mystery of Sathan in this worke of iniquity making sinne which is so vile and so detestable in it selfe to seeme so sweet so louely and so amiable vnto men then I verily perswade my selfe that they should not need to be disswaded from it by so many motiues the very sight and appearance of it would be reasons and arguments sufficient to make them quite out of loue with it yea to loath hate and abhorre it for euer and to be ashamed and confounded in themselues that they had so much to do with it heretofore And that it may yet the more be detested vtterly abandoned and forsaken of all it is good to consider how exceeding displeasing it is vnto God for being so loathsome in it selfe it cannot but be loathed of him who is of so pure eyes that he cannot behold wickednesse Haback 13. Now how fearefull a thing is it to delight in that which is so displeasing vnto that glorious maiestie Euery one will be afraid to displease his Prince how much more him who is the Prince of Princes in comparison of whom all the most princely Potentates and mighty Monarchs in the world with all their glorious pompe and shining traine are nothing whom the Angels the heauens all things in the world besides sinfull man and the damned spirits do serue and obey who with the word of his mouth made all things and with the breath of his mouth is able in one moment to confound all things Psal 104. and to bring them to nought againe Psal 103.20 Iames. 2.19 Isai 6.2 The Angels praise him and wonder at his greatnes the deuils feare him tremble at his power al the Saints reuerence and adore him for his goodnesse Seraphin and Cherubin continually sing laud praise vnto him with couered faces Ier. 8.22 and shal man miserable mortall man be so shamelesse as to set so litle by him as to do that which is such an abomination vnto him Ierem. 44.4 Iesem 3.6.7.22 6.28 11.9 so exceeding displeasing vnto his Maiesty yea rebellion high treason as it were against him who is the Lord of glorie Who doth not tremble when he thinkes of this Oh me thinks the very remembrance of this should cause the most obstinate hard-hearted sinner in the world to feare to shiuer and shake and to be amazed and astonished Dan. 5.6 as Belshazzar was euen in the midst of all his brauery iollity Me thinks it should be a forcible motiue to arrowse and to awake out of the dead sleepe of carnall security the most secure the most carelesse and drowsie-headed sleeper in the world Yea me thinkes it should be a bridle to curbe and to restrain the most cursed Cain the most prophane Esau the most desperate Iudas the greatest blasphemer and outragious swearer the most licentious and lasciuious person that liues vpon the earth as surely it will if they be not blind-foulded by Sathan so that they cannot see their great folly and marueilous presumption For knowest thou O man that committest the least sinne against God knowest thou I say what thou doest Knowest thou what a glorious maiestie thou therein offendest No but the deuil blindeth and imboldeneth thee to thy destruction For were thine eyes open thou wouldest not for all the world no not for a thousand worlds commit
louing thee inwardly in heart soule and manifesting my loue towards thee by the fruits effects of it in my life and conuersation I may euerie day haue more full assurance of thy especiall loue towards me and comfortable experience of the riches of thy grace and mercy sealed vnto my soule conscience yea I may see by the fruits and pledges of thy loue that thou louest me and delightest in me and wilt cause thy gracious countenance to shine vpon me all my daies yea that thou wilt refresh my soule in the midst of my troubles and cause my fainting spirits to reuiue within me when death shal be ready to seize vpon me and assoone as death shall put an end to this fraile and sinfull life wilt stretch forth thy hand to imbrace me with thy armes and to translate me immediatly by the ministery of thy Angels h Luk. 16.22 into that blessed and glorious kingdome of thine where I shall enioy thy presence see thee face to face and haue the bright beams of thy louing countenance shining alwaies most clearely and comfortably vpon me to thy endlesse praise and glorie and my vnspeakable felicitie and happinesse for euermore and all this through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Sonne my onely Sauiour and Redeemer in whom it hath pleased thee graciously to respect me and to whom with thee O Father and the spirit of grace and loue three persons and one most glorious God be all praise dominion and thanksgiuing from this time forth and for euer Amen Loue of the children of God IT is impossible to loue God and to hate his image to loue Christ who is the head and to hate Christians who are his members Nay the more that any one loues the one the more must he of necessitie loue the other and the more his affection increaseth toward God the more also it will increase towards those that are the children of God resembling him in their measure in the inward graces and vertues of their mindes puritie righteousnesse holinesse and the rest of those diuine a Mat. 5.43 perfections wherein he hath set himselfe as a patterne and president to be imitated and followed of them He loues them intirely and vnfainedly because hee seeth that he is nearely tied vnto them by many and strait bonds as being members b 1 Cor. 12.27 of one bodie children of one father c Math. 5.45 Ephe. 4.6 brethren d Mat. 12 50 Heb. 2.12 of one Saâ—â—our fed e 1 Cor. 10 17. at one table where they haue mutuall communion and fellowship in one f 1 Cor. 12.13 Ephes 4.4 and the same spirit nourished with the same meat in the word and Sacrament liuing together in one and the same familie which is the visible Church g Heb. 11.31 1 Pet. 2.11 stangers togither in this world and trauelling as pilgrimes towards the same countrey that heauenly Canaan h 2 Tim. 4 7. souldiours fighting together vnder the same banner the profession of the same faith i Ephe. 4.5 and against the same common enemie the deadly enemie of all mankinde Sathan and his complices and confederates partakers of the same grace of Gods holy and sanctifying spirit and ioynt-heires with Christ of the same glory reserued for them and all the Saints in the highest heauens Being so nearely allied and so straitly vnited mutually each to other by so many bands so many Obligations how can it be but that they should loue one another with an entire and Christian affection in truth and sincerity without vanity and flatterie Shamelesse k Iohn 4.20 lyars therefore they are who glory in word that they are of God and yet shew forth by their deeds that they haue no loue to his children but hate and despise them or at least make little reckoning of them If there were nothing else this were enough to conuince them that they are not yet admitted into this fellowship called to this brotherhood but remaine still as they were bred and borne Ioh. 8.44 1 Ioh. 3.27 the bastardly brood of Sathan vnto whom and to his impes they are ioyned in the same league of friendship and familiaritie m Pro. 29.27 1 Pet. 4.4 hating and iniurying them who vvill not be n Gen. 49.5 brethren with them in iniquitie and vanitie O Lord knit my heart daily more vnto thee in an vnfained loue of thee my God who hast loued me so dearely and in an entire and Christian loue and affection vnto thy children to whom thou hast linked and fastened me with so many bonds let me loue them not in tongue or in vvord onely o Iohn 3.18 but in deed and in truth as it becommeth me and manifest my loue towards them in seeking by all meanes to the vttermost of my strength and power to procure their good euery way yea the more that they doe appeare to be thine the more thy graces doe shine in them the more let my loue and affection increase towards them the more let me seeke to doe them good Hereby shall I haue a certaine proofe and a sure euidence that I loue thee vnfainedly seeing I loue thine for thy sake yea hereby my heart shall assure me before thee that I p 1 Ioh. 3.19 am in the truth I shall haue a comfortable assurance that I am one of thine one of that small number of thy adopted chosen children indued with thy grace and heire together with all thy Saintes of the riches of that glory which thou reseruest for them in that heauenly kingdom which thou hast purchased so vs by the death of thy onely Sonne and our alone Sauiour in whom thou hast graciously accepted vs and to whom with thee and thy blessed spirit of grace and comfort be all praise and glory both now and euer Amen How the hatred of the world is to be esteemed of the godly IF the world hate vs what marueile is it seeing that it a Ioh. 15.88 hated and persecuted him to the death by whom the world was made b Heb. 1.2 and who is the Lord of the world and all things therein euen Christ Iesus our blessed Sauiour Shall he that is the king of glory be content for our sakes to indure the crosse and to be c Psal 24.7 crowned with shame and dishonour d Mat. 27.29 and shall we sinfull wretches wormes of the earth shall we be vnwilling to haue shame and reproch fastened vpon vs for his sake yea rather how ought wee to account it our e Mat. 5.10 11. 1 Pet. 3.14 blessednesse when men reuile vs disgrace vs and say all manner of euill against vs for his sake falsly how ought we to reioyce and be glad vvhen vvee suffer such things at the hands of the world vvhich alwayes hath and euer will be in irreconciliable enmitie and in flat opposition vnto Christ our blessed Lord and Sauiour vvho vvilleth vs to follow
as whether the Saints in glory shall know one another the father the sonne the mother the daughter one neighbour another or one friend the other c. So much onely I will say hauing ground for it out of the Scriptures that no manner of knowledge shall bee wanting vnto them which may make for the increase of their happines neyther shall the knowledge of this be wanting vnto them if it will make them the more happy But to proceede Their Wils also shall be perfectly sanctified so that they shall will onely that which is good that which God willeth and not possibly be once moued or inclined vnto that which is euill that which GOD willeth not They shall not onely haue a will not to sinne but also an impossibilitie of willing that which is sinfull otherwise then it was with Adam in his greatest perfection Their Affections shall bee rightly ordered and tempered yea in an excellent frame and harmony without any vnpleasing discord They shall onely affect that loue that ioy and delight in that which is pleasing and acceptable vnto God and making most for his glory and so much the more ioy and delight in it as they shall know it to be more pleasing and delightsome vnto him Yea they shall haue that measure of holinesse infused into them both into their Wils and Affections and all the faculties of their soules that they shall be holy according vnto the capablenesse of their nature euen as God himselfe is holy pure as hee is pure righteous as hee is righteous For then is the time and not before as some foolish Heretiques haue fondly dreamed when the Church that glorious Spouse of Christ and euery member thereof shall be without spot or wrinckle k Eph. 5.27 without staine or blemish as it becommeth the vndefiled Spouse of that heauenly Bridegroome the Lambes wife l Reu. 19.7 Their soules shall be so purified so purged with those cleane waters which flow out of the Sanctuarie that they shall not onely be free from all sinne but which is more not so much as once subiect to the least sinne nor any fit subiect for sinne to worke vpon They shall be pure and Angelicall In briefe they shall shine most gloriously glistering with all heauenly graces of the diuine Spirit for they shall be made partakers of the diuine nature m 2 Pet. 1.4 in more full manner not that the diuine essence shall be infused into them but that those diuine and heauenly qualities of wisedome glory righteousnesse holinesse puritie c. wherein the Image of God consisteth shall bee communicated vnto them in plentifull and abundant manner so that if their bodies as the Truth it selfe hath said shall shine as the Sunne then their Soules shall shine no doubt farre more gloriously O how excellent shall the brightnesse thereof be who is able to conceiue it Blessed are they that shall be partakers of it Thus the Saints shall be glorious in their bodies glorious in their soules yea both in body and in soule they shall bee clothed as it vvere vvith long white n Reu. 3.4.5 7.13 robes of glory and dignitie hauing Palmes in their hands in signe of victory and triumph ouer Sinne Sathan Death Hell and Damnation and Crownes on their heads in signe of royaltie sitting also with Christ Iesus in his throne o Reu. 3.21 euen as he sitteth with his Father in his throne They shall liue like kings yea raigne and triumph like Emperours hauing conquered the World p 1 Ioh. 5.4.5 and the Prince of the World q Iohn 12.31 Sathan and his infernall host r 1 Cor. 15.55.57 Rom. 16.20 Keu 20.13 There shall be glory without measure in the presence of that glorious God yea all the glory of the most glorious things in the world is nothing vnto it All the pompe royaltie and magnificence of all the most Princely Potentates and mightie Monarchs in the whole earth with all their glorious glittering shew though euery one of them were as glorious yea more glorious then Salomon was when he was at the height of his glory were nothing vnto that glory but euen as dust no more to be compared to it then brasse to the finest Siluer or Copper to the purest Gold To be briefe for words cannot expresse these things to the full Paul when being rapt into the third heauens hee had a view thereof said that hee saw things s 2 Cor. 12.4 that cannot be vttered where that great Apostle is silent who can speake To be briefe therefore so glorious shall their estate then be that in an holy admiration they shall euen wonder at it for indeede marueilous and wonderfull it shall be farre aboue that which they expected whiles they lay crawling like Wormes vpon this lower earth and had their habitation in these baser cottages these houses of clay yea as Luther that hammer of Antichrist said of Abel so it may be said and shall be verified of euery one of them They shall be in better estate and condition then if they had the possession of a thousand worlds with all the riches and glory thereof And hence to leade thee on yet further with mee for I am as one in a Maze I know not where to get out such varietie offereth it selfe on euery hand in this diuine Meditation for the minde that is heauenly affected to exercise it selfe in Hence I say from the fruition and apprehension of the greatnesse of that glory and happinesse of theirs shall arise and spring forth vnto them and in them abundance of peace and ioy They shall be filled and replenished vvith true peace and vvith spirituall and heauenly ioy euen that ioy vvhich shall rauish their hearts and soules They shall liue a heauenly and an Angelicall life singing and reioycing hauing that new song continually in their mouthes which they with the rest of that celestiall quire euen all those blessed Angels and glorious spirits shal continually sound forth Haleluiah praise and glory and wisedome and thankes and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen They shall haue fulnesse of ioy in the presence of God and be euen satisfied with those pleasures of his right hand for euermore a Psal 16.11 yea all pleasures and delights which this world can afford are but vaine shadowes smoake trifles for children and babes yea no pleasures no delights in comparison of those sweet pleasures delights wherewith the Saints shall be refreshed in that glorious Kingdome They shall feed daily vpon that Manna b Reuel 2.17 of diuine and heauenly consolation and all spirituall comforts which the heart of man can desire nay more then the heart of man can thinke of They shall drinke downe the cup of saluation and gladnesse c Isai 12.3 and draw waters of life out of the riuer of his pleasures vvhich shall flow forth abundantly vnto them Then they shall indeed tast d Tim.
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
can be named Is it not the Diuell I know thou vvilt and needs must say so For his very name doth affright men and vvhen vvee haue named him vvee thinke that we haue reckoned the worst and the most loathsome hatefull thing that can be yet I tell thee that euen Sathan himselfe that hellish Fiend is not so filthy so loathsome and deformed as sinne is Maruell not at this as though it could not so be but consider throughly of the matter and thou wilt easily perceiue and willingly acknowledge it to be so For vvhat is it that makes the Diuell so much abhorred both of God men and Angels Is it not sinne and sinne onely yes doubtlesse it cannot be denyed For who knowes not that knowes any thing that those damned Spirits euen all the Diuels in hell Iude v. 6. were at the first more glorious excellent louely and amiable Creatures then any mortall man whatsoeuer yea that they were like Starres Angels of light shining and glistering with puritie holinesse and righteousnesse before they vvere stained and defiled vvith the loathsome contagion and infection of sinne and transgression Sinne onely it was that blemished that goodly beautie Sinne onely it was that darkened that vvonderfull brightnesse and that resplendent glory vvherein they vvere at the first created and wherein they should for euer haue continued had they not sinned against the Maiestie of GOD their Creator Sinne onely it vvas that dimmed all their light and damped all their glory the beames vvhereof vvould haue dazeled any mortall eye Sinne onely it vvas that of Citizens of that Royall palace that heauenly Paradise that celestiall Ierusalem 2 Pet. 2.4 the Presence-chamber of the Lord of glory made them wretched bond-slaues and most miserable captiues in that deepe dungeon and darke prison of hell vvhere they are kept in euerlasting chaines of darknesse vnto that great damnation Sin onely it vvas that transformed them into damned Spirits cast them downe from the brightnes of heauenly glory into the darknesse of hellish misery and of bright-shining Starres as it were made them most ougly and loathsome Diuels In briefe Sin and Sinne onely it vvas that made them as loathsome as euer they vvere louely as ougly as euer they vvere amiable as greatly abhorred of God and of all his holy and elect Angels as euer they were loued of them before And were they freed from sinne they vvould become Angels of light glorious creatures Now then if sinne doth make others yea such glorious creatures as the Diuels once were so vile and loathsome yea odious vnto all other creatures oh then how vile and loathsome a thing is sin it selfe Surely so hydeous a monster is this monstrous Monster I know not how to tearme it of Sinne that those vvhose eyes GOD hath once opened that they are able rightly to discerne of the same vvill vnder-goe any torment 1 Ioh. 3.8 any sorrow any punishment whatsoeuer rather then once vvillingly commit the same as wee may see in the examples of many holy Martyrs Heb. 11.35 36.37.38 and godly Professors who haue endured the losse of their goods lands liuings yea and life it selfe and willingly suffered all kinde of tortures and torments that their cruell Aduersaries and bloudy Persecutors could deuise or imagine rather then they vvould be brought to that one sinne of denying the knowne truth or dissembling their profession Notable to this purpose is the saying of that auncient and religious Father that he would wish rather to be torne in pieces with wilde beasts then willingly and vvittingly to commit any sinne And from a more heroicall and diuine spirit Anselme was that speech of him that professed that if hee should haue the choyse eyther to burne in hell fire continually or to sinne any sinne willingly hee vvould rather choose those endlesse vnspeakeable torments then yeeld consent to the other so vile and monstrous did sinne seeme vnto him What should I say more Men would bee much afrayde if the Deuill should appeare vnto them in some shape yea the very naming of him strikes a deepe impression of feare into many But could these once behold sin it selfe which makes the deuill so odious if they could view it as it is indeed they would be wonderfully flaited and affrighted at the very appearance of it it vvould make their hearts to tremble within them and their haire to stand vpright on their heads they would flie from it more then from the most poisonous Serpent or venimous creature in the vvorld yea as much as from the Deuill himselfe They would neuer shake hands with it as they haue done heretofore they would neuer keepe company with it they would neuer be quiet till they were freed from the dominion and slauery of it It would bee euen death vnto them to haue any fellowshippe therewith as no doubt it is to the godly man who because hee seeth he cannot be fully rid of it in this life therefore is constrained often to crie out as one that were stabbed at the heart Woe is me that I remaine in Mesheth Psal 120. and dwell in the tents of Kedar or as one that had the pangs of death vpon him Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death So it is with the religious soule vvhen it is ouerswaied with the corruption of it owne sinfull nature or carried away violently in a sort with the forcible blasts of Sathans temptations Oh so far it is from doing it willingly or from taking ful delight in it that it rather complaines and mournes bitterly though secretly oftentimes for it It gals that man at the very heart for it it is as it were a pricke in his eyes or a thorne in his side yea euery sinne vvhich hee commits when hee once knowes it is as an Awle at his heart it stingeth and woundeth his conscience and maketh him to mourne like a Doue and chatter like a Swallow In a word the very consideration of this that he should commit so filthy a fact and so foule an offence causeth his heart and soule euen to bleed within him Neither hinders it any thing at all which some might bring with some colour for the gaine-saying of this What is sinne so vile and loathsome a thing as you make it How comes it to passe then that it seemes so sweet so amiable and pleasant as it doth vnto the most How commeth it that it allureth enticeth and draweth men vnto it causing them to follow it to loue embrace ioy and delight in it yea to serue obey it with all greedinesse and to spend all their time their strength vvit and vvealth in the seruice of it Can sinne be so vile and deformed a monster and yet bee sought after vvith such great care and diligence and pursued vvith so great delight and cheerefulnesse as if it vvere some excellent pretious thing vvhich might vvell cause all to be enamoured
to ouerturne all Religion and Pietie * Tantum abest quin decorum ordo nisi ista politia moderatione obseruari possit vt praesentissima impendeat Ecclesiae perturbatio ruina si dissoluatur j. In briefe The neglect of the Sabbath day is the ruine of the Church Caluin Instit lib. 2. cap. 8. sect 32. A notable politie of that wilie serpent And a marueilous eyther blindnes or presumption in them who are so bewitched by him For what God hath hallowed how should man once dare to prophane or to accoūt common vnhallowed But those vvhom God who is the light of our eyes hath caused the light of his sauing grace to shine more clearly vnto are otherwise minded otherwise affected They acknowledge it not only a iust equal thing that the Lord should haue one day of many dedicated wholy deuoted to his seruice a shame it were that any should deale sparingly with him herin who hath bin so prodigal to them but also they accoūt it a great argument and euidence of Gods speciall care ouer them and singular goodnesse towards them vvho in this estate of their frailetie and weakenesse hath in mercy appointed so excellent a helpe and so necessary a meanes for them to gather spirituall strength and increase of grace vvhereby to stand out against Sathan their deadly foe and to walke on cheerefully comfortably and constantly through the wildernesse of this troublesome vvorld to that promised rest that heauenly Canaan yea they reioyce greatly in it g Isai 58.13 finde much sweetnesse and delight in it long for it before it comes and when it is come solace themselues in it exceedingly And no marueile for they see and finde that it is the market-day of their soules vvherein according to Gods appointment they gather that heauenly Manna that bread of life vvhereby they are nourished and strengthened all the vveeke after and increase daily in that spirituall life of grace and godlinesse till they come vnto that measure vvhich GOD hath allotted vnto them They see how hereby they recouer themselues from sinnes past arme themselues against sinne to come grow in knowledge increase in faith hope patience and all other Christian vertues haue the inward man repaired and in a word vvhereas on other daies their mindes are troubled and distracted vvith worldly businesse this day they haue libertie to recall themselues as it were to draw neere vnto the Lord and sweetly to repose themselues in him who is their peace rest and happinesse and therefore they ioy reioyce herein Againe their Sabbath-day heere on earth as it doth expresse * Ambros in Psa 119. calleth aeternam vitam magnū Sabbathum August lib. 22. de ciuit Dei ca. 30. Sabbathum maximum where he saith it prefigureth the rest of the bodie and soule so it doth put them in minde of that eternal Sabbath which they shall celebrate for euer in the heauens that peace that ioy and that perfect rest and happinesse vvhich they shall shortly bee made partakers of for euer in those glorious mansions those celestiall habitations It is as it were a mappe or an Embleme to them of that Angelicall life which their soules longeth after and the very remembrance vvhereof doth vvonderfully refresh their grieued minds and languishing spirits vvhiles they vvander in this wearisome vvildernesse where they haue so many enemies continually assayling them so many difficulties with vvhich they are continually incumbred The sanctifying of this day doth bring them as it were from Aegypt to Canaan and from Babell vnto Sion i Heb. 11.10.16 It cals them home to their owne countrey giues them a view of it though a farre off and affords them a tast of that spirituall and heauenly life vvhich afterwards they shall liue for euer in glorious manner How therefore can it bee but that they should reioyce in it and in no vvise thinke it burdensome vnto them as carnall and worldly men doe O my God forgiue me that I haue had no more care of this dutie heretofore and teach me to be more mindfull of it hereafter As thou hast appointed this day to be wholly bestowed vpon thee and thy seruice so I humbly pray thee to guide me therein vvith thy grace and spirit that it may be my delight to consecrate it as * Isa 58.13 glorious vnto thee O let me not by any meanes pollute it by doing mine owne waies nor seeking mine owne will no not so much as speaking a vaine word but let me giue my selfe therein wholly to the duties k Act. 16.13 Psal 122. Nehe. 8.8 Act. 17.11 Psal 92.1 145.5 Mal. 3.16 1 Cor. 16.1.2 vvhich thou requirest of me both publique and priuate as hearing thy word preached with all reuerence and carefull attention reading the same prayer meditation and godly conference whatsoeuer else whereby I may be furthered or a means to further or helpe forward others in the wayes of grace and godlinesse that thus being obedient vnto thy commandement vnto which I am tied by so many bonds thy blessing may be vpon me thy spirit may dwell with me I may daily more and more be built vp in sauing knowledge and true holinesse I may grow strong in thy feare finding the powers of sinne and Sathan euery day more and more weakened in me and after that I haue at thy appointed times indeuoured to keepe a holy and religious Sabbath heere on earth I may hereafter keepe an eternall Sabbath with thee in the heauens praysing and magnifying thee vncessantly and enioying that perfect rest and happinesse which thou hast promised and I daily expect and hope for that only through the merits of thy deare Son my blessed Sauiour to whom with thee thy spirit be all praise now for euer Prophanenesse how fearefull the end of it will be THe Fig-tree a Math. 21 19 was accursed because it had leaues onely but brought forth no fruit how much more they then that haue cast away the leaues also hauing not so much as the shew and outward profession of religion and godlinesse It 's a heauie and dreadfull sentence which is to be pronounced against the vnprofitable seruant that hath not improued the Lords talent which he gaue vnto him and made the best vse of it for his masters aduantage so as might be most for his glory and the good and benefit of others amongst whom he liued b Math. 25 30 Cast that vnprofitable seruant into vtter darkenesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth O then what shall become of those that are not onely fruitelesse and vnprofitable in their course but prophane and openly euill so as the world doth point at them and cri◠shame vpon them though they are so hardened many of them that they neuer blush for it c Ier. 5.3 6.15 nor will be ashamed but d Hose 7.10 glory in it that doe not onely omit that which is good setting themselues