and all kinde of riot joyned with all kinde of filthinesse and shamefulnesse of living 1 Thes 5.8 But thou which art of the day be sober and trust perfectly on that grace that is brought unto you 1 Pet. 1.13 in the Revelation of Iesus Christ as an obedient child not fashioning your selfe unto the former lusts of your ignorance but as hee which hath called you is holy so be thou holy in all manner of conversation 1. Peter 1.13 14 15. WHO ever perished being an innocent or where were the upright destroyed Iob 4. ver 7. 3 MANS extremity is Gods oppertunity and many times hee suffers his children to sinke so low that all meanes of helpe seems to faile in so much that they many times become a by-word to wicked and prophane worldlings Loe these are the men that trusted in God these are they that tooke him for their comfort Psal 37.24 Yet then in mercy hee putteth under his hand not suffering them to perish or to bee cast off Doe thou then who hast an heart spiritually afflicted stay thy selfe heere Feare not any affliction whether immediately from God or from his instruments happening unto thee for God hath comforts for thee in all and will send comfort above all tribulation Though hee suffer thee to bee evill entreated of Tyrants and cruell oppressors yet despise not the chastening of the Lord neyther faint when thou art rebuked of him Heb. 12.5 10 knowing that he doth it for thy profit that thou mayst bee partaker of his holinesse Y. PROVERBS 27. vers 17. YRON sharpeneth yron so doth man sharpen the face of his friend 1. THERE is no speedier conjunction of Fier and Gunpowder Fire and Towe Tinder or of any other such combustable matter then there is of words for no sooner is an hasty word sent from the mouth of an angry man but it catches and kindles burning on till it have enflamed him who is of the like humor then as if it reached some concave it is repercussed and Echoed into the throate of the speaker Hence many times it comes to passe that even betweene most loving friends for trifles and matters of no moment most bitter discords and unnaturall bloudsheads have arisen for sayth Salomon grieveous words stirr up anger Pro. 1 1. which ends not in the teeth or tongue nor dies till it come to blading or handing at the best Therefore let it be thy coÌ„mendation that thou canst put up an angry words and passe by an injury offered or done unto thee howsoever the World befoole thee for it yet art thou Gods wiseman Pro. 14 29 for he that is slow to wrath is of great wisdome whereas he that is an angry man never lacks woe and a man of much anger shall suffer punishment Pro 19.19 YEE are all the children of light and the children of the day 1 Thes 5. vers 5. 2 TRVTH however it may sometimes be blamed yet it can never be shamed but with a constant and settled countenance it dares behold the Sun whereas sinne though it be a bould audacious brood yet it seeks to shrowde it selfe in obscure places not daring to behold the light Pro. 7 9. The whoremaster seekes out whore-howses in the twilight in the evening when the night begins to bee blacke and darke Job 24 15 The eye of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight and sayeth no eye shall see mee and disguiseth his face And they that be drunke are drunke in the night in which security whilst they are deepe buried singing sweete lullabies to their soules yea are ensnared in an evill hower and suddaine destruction comes upon them 1 Thess 5.3 that they cannot escape Whereas the child of God standing in awe of and yet joyfully expecting that day prevents the bitternesse thereof by walking soberlie as in the Day-time not fearing who seeth or scanneth his actions Thou therefore who art of the day be sober watch doe such things as doe belong and appertaine to the light not walking in the wayes nor doing the workes of vanity that when thy Master commeth and findeth thee doing such things as are pleasing in his eye-sight thou mayst partake of that comfortable invitation It is well done good servant Mat. 25.13 and faithfull enter into thy masters joy YES yee are our glory and joy 1. Thes 2.20 3 AS in all other professions so likewise in the Ministry perfection and a good effect is the thing principally intended and the salvation of soules cheifely aimed at a good successe is that which every one exspects upon his labours 1 Thes 2.19 and the Ministers Crowne of rejoycing is when the word of God which is by him sowen in the hearts of his people takes roote downewards Esay 55. â—1 and beares fruite upwards prospering in the things wherunto it is sent Let it therefore bee your care as it is his when you come to the hearing of the holy word of GOD to come with a desier to profit by it and to grow in grace through the powerfull operation of the same and to this end pray unto God to open your heart as hee did the heart of Lydia Acts 16 12. that you may diligently attend to that which shall bee taught that so GOD by his holy Spirit working with the Ministrie of his messenger they may in the great harvest of soules stand before the Lord with great comfort and bouldnes and joyfull say Behold heere are we Heb. 2.13 and the children which God hath given us which is their joy glory Z. PSAL. 69. vers 9. The ZEALE of thine house hath eaten me up 1. COVETOVSNESSE is a Leaprie which did not onely infect the common sort of people but appeared also in the Priests skinne yea it had spread to their harts and rather then any one should thinke to bee excused by reason of his long journey from his sacrifice at the Pasover the House of God shall be made an House of Marchandise for such necessaries as were then required Christ seeing this winkes not at it but was so enflamed that he whipt theÌ„ all forth fulfilling that Scripture The zeale of thine house hath eaten mee up And because every action of Christ ought to be a patterne for us to doe the like though not the same Therefore let it be thy care to bee eaten up with the zeale of Gods house i e to be zealously affected allwayes in good things Gal. 4.18 thinke it not enough to save one by caring onely for thine owne selfe but labour ro reduce others when thou seest them straying froÌ„ the good way Reprove sinne wheresoever and in whomsoever thou espiest it Remember that servant was condemned not for loosing but because he had not made advantage of his Talent Mat. 25.27 So will it bee with thee if as much as in thee lyeth thou seeke not to win souls unto Christ Be zealous therefore and amend repent and in all things be a means to bring others to Repentance FINIS Imprimatur Tho. Wykes March 27. 1637.
doth he disquiet himselfe in vaine and how weaklie doth he fortifie himselfe against Gods assaults who in the turning of an Hand makes all his dayes sorrowes Eccles 2.23 and his travaile greife 1 Joh. 2.15 Therefore love not the World nor the things of the World for they will bring thee nothing but vexation of spirit But delight thy selfe in the Lord Psal 37.4 and hee shall give thee the desires of thy heart Others may make a goodly shew and promise thee all the Kingdomes of the World and the glory thereof but trust them not Mundus deficit for though the World promise ease comfort and contentment yet her Motto is Deficiam I will faile you though the flesh promise as faire as the World Caro inficâ—t yet his Word is Inficiam Daemod inteâ—ficit I will infect you though the devill come not short of eyther in his promises yet his word is Interficiam I will destroy you so that vaine is all comfort that can bee expected from them Deus reficit But what God promiseth thou maist build upon his Motto is Reficiam Mat. 11.28 I will refresh you Say therefore unto him as Peter did to Christ Master unto whom shall we goe c. I have no other comfort but thee I delight in none but thee for all other delights shall faile but With thee there is pleasure for evermore Psal 16.11 VPON the Land of my people shall growe Thornes and Bryars yea upon all the houses of joy in the City of rejoycing Esay 30. ver 13. Psal 107.34 2 GOD maketh a fruitfull Land barren for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein the Bryars and Brambles which it bringeth forth Gen. 3.18 doe still catch at the heels of us the wofull inhabitants and by their silent rhetorique seeme to bidde us to behold the fruits of our Rebellion Yea Esay 32.14 the City of Gods delight shall bee made an heape of desolation the delight of wild Asses yea his holy Temple shall be destroyed and defiled by prophane wretches rather then wickednesse shall goe unpunished though in his owne people Let this stir up in thee an hearty hatred against sinne which bringeth forth such fearefull effects let it Spurre thee forwards to holinesse of life though wicked worldlings mocke thee for the same yet thou shalt finde that thou art highly in Gods esteeme for the Heaven over thee shall not be Iron Levit. 26 19. nor the Earth under thee as Brasse the Lord will not turne our Land into a standing Poole nor cause Thornes and Bryars to grow upon the same Psal 67.6 but the Earth shall bring forth her encrease and God even our God shall blesse us AS VINEGAR is to the teeth and as smoake to the eyes so is the sloathfull to them that send him Pro. 10. ver 26. Pro. 15.19 3. THE way of the sloathfull man is as an hedge of Thornes When he should goe about his imployments hee forecasteth a thousand feares a Lion is without he shall be slayne in the streete Pro. 22.13 a Beare will meete him Amos 5.19 or a Serpent out of the wall wil bite him onething or other is a continuall rub in his way so that he is but a trouble and a greife to him that imployeth him about any businesse Have no fellowship therefore with the sloathful man that maketh poore but deliver thy selfe from him Pro. 10 4. as a Doe from the hand of the Hunter and as a Bird Pro 6.5 from the hand of the Fowler so shalt thou finde comfort abundance of precious Treasures W. PRO. 2. Vers 10.11 WHEN wisdome entereth into thine heart knowledge delighteth thy soule then shall counsaile preserve thee and understanging shall keepe thee 1. 2 Chron. 1.7 SALOMON being bidden of God to aske what hee would desired not silver nor any such earthly trash but give mee wisdome sayth he to goe in 2 Chron. 1 10. and out to governe this people If he who was a governour of mens bodies only made this choice then how much more wary ought evry one to be in his election when body and soule are under his charge The Word of God is called a Lanthorne Psa 119.105 and a Light now as a man who hath a Lanthorne and a Candle carried before him keepes himselfe from falling in the darkest night so hee that suffers himselfe to be guided by Gods Word placing it alway before him and letting it shine to his heart he shall by the light thereof keepe himselfe from falling Psal 119.11 so that he shall not sinne against the Lord or if he doe fall through infirmity as who sinneth not yet hee shall not lie along impenitently for he hath the seede of Gods Word abiding in him 1 John 3 9 which will reduce and bring him into the way againe Pro. 6.21 Binde therefore the precepts of Gods Word upon thy heart and tie them alwayes about thy necke have them alwayes in remembrance and before thine eyes and then like a Lanthorne and a light they shall preserve thee from falling into sinfull wayes Psal 141.4 with men that worke iniquity WINE is a mocker and strong drinke is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise Pro. 20. vers 1. 2 THE Vine bringeth forth three sorts of Grapes the first of plesantnesse the second of drunkennesse the third of shame when men are so taken with the colour or plesantnesse of the Wine in going downe that they tarry by it till night till the Wine enflame them Esay 9.21 Then besides other woes and sorrowes which attend thereupon Pro. 23.29 shame followes and leaves them not till shee hath made them ridiculous so when it hath stripped them as bare as Noah then it exposeth them like Noah to Cham and all that see them doe mocke them It is recorded of a Bird which hath the face of a Man but is so feirce of nature that sometimes for hunger shee will set upon a man and slay him afterwards comming for thirst unto the water and seeing a face in the water like the face of him whom shee had devoured for greife that she had killed one like her selfe takes such sorrow that she never eateth nor drinketh after but frets beates and pines her selfe to death What then shall they doe who have not slaine one like themselves but themselves their very selves with a Cup of Wine As Christ therefore sayd remember Lots wife Luke 17.32 so say I Remember Lot one nights drunkennesse did him more hurt then all his enemies in Sodome Gen. 19.33 Remember Noah one howers drunkennesse exposed him to shame and the contempt of his owne child by discovering the nakednesse of those things which he had concealed Gen. 19 21.22 and kept hid six hundred yeeres together Ephes 5.18 Be not then drunken with wine or strong drinke wherein is excesse
losse in the conscience which the whole Worlds profit cannot countervaile nor make a Man a saver by his bargaine FAIRE words are as an Hony combe sweetnesse to the soule and health to the bones Pro. 16.24 3 THE Horse the Camel the Elephant the Lyon c. Are not naturally tame but that they may become gentle and serviceable mans helping hand must be layd too yet when this little weeping-master of all Gods Creatures hath thus played the Man in subduing others himselfe maintaines an unruly Rebell within himselfe ready to overthrow the whole body of Man the litle Model of a Cōmon Wealth which as S. Iames speakes is The tongue Jam. 3 7.8 an unruly evill that no Man can tame Iames 3.7.8 Blessed is the Man that hath not fallen by the word of his mouth Ecclus 14.1 Ecclus 41.1 For he that keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soule from afflictions Pro. 21.23 Pro. 21.23 But hee that openeth his lips unadvisedly destruction shall bee to him Pro. 13.3 Pro. 13.3 Dost thou then finde thy selfe addicted to swearing and other abuses of the tongue why then betake thy selfe to God implore his aide for though the preparation of the heart in Man yet the answere of the tongue is of the Lord. Pro. 16.1 Pro. 16.1 Pray therefore with David Set a watch Psal 141 3 O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lipes Psal 141.3 Psal 141.3 O Lord Father and governour of all my whole life leave me not to their counsell and let me not fall by them Ecclus 23.1 Ecclus 23.1 Set a watch before my mouth and a seale of Wisdome upon my lips that I fall not suddenly by them and that my tongue destroy mee not Ecclus 22.26 Eccles 22.26 G JOB 32.9 GREAT men are not alwayes wise neyther doe the aged alwayes understand judgment 1. AS sicke Men convert wholesome meates into the nature of the disease they labour off So doe evill Men subvert good that it becomes exceedingly bad Wit and Learning without grace is worse then honist sottishnesse the greatest Clarkes are not alwayes the holiest Men. Seldome hath their bin any great errour in Gods Church which hath not beene the of-spring of some great wit What hath brought foorth amongst us our Separatists or Pharises and other troublers of our Church but an overweening conceipt of their owne worth and learning all ages have proved that there was never any that did so much mischiefe in the Church of GOD as those who for wit and learning have bin most Eminent Hast thou then knowledge wit learning c. Pray hard for a good spirit from God to guide and direct thee in thy proceedings I reade of a sweete answer which one William Times made to those bloudy butchers Winchester and Bonner Acts and Monum being convented before them Times sayd the Bishops thou hast a good fresh spirit it were well if thou hadst learning to thy spirit yea my Lord sayd Times and it were well also that you are learned so you had good spirits to your learning To the Serpent joyne the Dove both together will doe excellent but if they be severed let the World say what it will a dram of holinesse is better then a pound of wit for it is not policie but pietie not wit but wisdome that escaps damnation GOD will lay up the sorrowes of the Father for the children when he rewardeth him hee shall know it Iob. 21.29 2 THE soule that sinneth it shall die doth God then pervert judgment or doth the Almighty subvert justice Joh 8 3. that the sinnes of the Fathers should bee visited upon the children Exod 20.5 and that the sower Grapes which they have eaten should set their childrens Jer. 31.29 teeth or edge Surely no but it is commonly seene that wicked fathers have children like themselves who make their fathers sins their owne by imitation and therefore as Princes doe with equity disinherit the posterity of Traytors so wicked children having their fathers sinnes and their owne upon their heads they are Traytors themselves to God and so are much more justly punished of the Lord. Goe not then about to charge God falslie neyther doe thou cavill at him or finde fault at his just proceedings The Law allowes the heire or executor to be sued for the fathers debt and what injustice is it in God to proceede in like manner Psal 101.2 Walke therefore in the uprightnesse of thine heart in the middest of thine house that thou mayst neyther hearten thy familie in evill nor hinder them in that which is good GIVE admonition to the wise and he will be the wiser teach a righteous Man and he will encrease in learning Pro. 9. vers 9. Psal 133. 3 AS the costly oyntment on Aarons head so is admonition to a good Man it breakes not his head but as that ranne downe to his beard and so to the border of his garment so doth this distill into all the paths faculties of soule and body suppling and softning the hearte that grace may worke upon it to salvation Submit therefore to reproofe whether it be by gentle admonition from thy friend or by open reviling from thine enemie for howsoever it proceede from malice in him and bee done with a desire of revenge yet thou maist make good use of it for admit thou be not guilty of the particular things he chargeth thee with yet it may bee thou art faulty in some other things which God would chastise in thee by this meanes Seneca de moribus Bee not thou like the dull beast who can hardly be put forward with Spur or Switch whereas the more noble Steede is ruled by the shaddow of the rod onely regard correction Pro. 13.18 and so shalt thou bee honoured 2 Sam. 16.10 Thus was it with David when Shimei railed on him whom before he reviled he presently after honoured and so shall it be with thee 2 Sam. 19.18 and with every one that receiveth instruction H. PROVERBS 10. Vers 5. HEE that gathereth in Summer is the sonne of wisedome but hee that sleepeth in harvest is the sonne of confusion 1. THERE are a sort of people in the World who are conceipted that it is not according to their Birth and breeding to spend their time in labour and that there is no better way to manifest their gentility then with the Nagros noble Men amongst the Malabars in the East Indies by wearing long nailes on their hands to shew they are no workers but whilest they thus follow the idle Pro. 28.19 who seeth not how suddenly they are filled with poverty which comes upon them like an armed man Pro 6.11 Pro 12.11 and cannot be resisted whereas he that laboureth and tilleth his Land shall bee filled with bread Ecclus 20.27 and shall encrease his heape Let this therefore exhorte thee to thrift which hath both a