spirite of Iesus she would not haue sowned for Loue nor her hearte bene ouer-swaied by the recordating his former speeches In a word therefore shee Beleeued she Hoped she Loued that is she was endued from aboue with the holy guiftes of Faith Hope Loue the holy Trinity from the Trinity in vnity Christ was present in the beginnings of his spirit only absent in the full Reueale of Mercy of forgiuenes of Syns remission If faire means will not preuaile to cause vs arise out of sin then wel done it is of our father and a worthy worâ— of mercy to whip vs to briech vs â— so bring home the prodigall once â— lost Son If when with much patiencâ— hee hath awaited our Rising and witâ— sweete meanes allured vs to converâ— yet we will not arise yet wee will noâ— convert Let vs expect a famine of thâ— body a famine of the soule an Iliâ— of Crosses in our way To open thâ— heart freely for entertaining the Spâ—rit of Iesus and hauing opened not tâ— receiue him what greater crosse Tâ— seeke after the spirit of Iesus ey to crâ— and call for the grace of God by mucâ— and often prayer and yet to be denie the thing wee seeke for to misse thâ— grace wee call for Oh what great crosse then this If peace of consciencâ— be a sweete gyft passing all vnderstaâ—ding of man then the wante of thâ— peace with a thorow feeling of thâ— want must be as bitter gall passing â— the conceit of man If Prov. 15.15 a good heart â— a continuall feast then a bad accusinâ— condemning heart must be a continuall famine He that once hath bene wel burnt with this fyre and bit throughly with this Scorpion will bee afraide for euer after of abusing Gods call of turning his grace into wantonnes And shal not som mens harmes teach others to beware hauing seene another vnder the lash of halfe-despaire shall not that feare thee fright thee from nousling Sinne Satans snake in thy bosome Iust then should it be for God to leaue thee crying with Caine My punishment is intollerable Gen. 4. with Saul to say Slea me and with Achitophel to cry Com halter and strangle me for I haue abused the goodnes of my God But a great mercy of God it shall bee to lash thy heart to wound thy Conscience to confounde thy affections and for a tyme to kindle a feeling of hels fyre in thy brest that so thy stubble burnt vp thy sinne consumed and the inwarde man once purged of the sinne thou hast slept in thou so maiest meete with the comforte of God hiâ— spirite and the amiable countenancâ— of Iesus But is this torment of Conscience all the punishment inflicted on oâ— huswife newly risen out of sinnes beâ— No what followeth The watchmâ— of the city founde me they smote mee aâ— wounded me the watchmen of the walle tooke my Vaile away from mee Here is â— newe skirmish a new rod stiept in vineger a sharpe bitte to the flesh Hâ— soule before perplexed within her lazy flesh now vexed without Certainâ— watchmen finde her finde her againsâ— her will they smite her wound heâ— and take away her vaile She dwelt iâ— a City and the City had watchmeâ— wakefull watchmen the little Mouâ— could not styr but the Cat had her bâ— the throate Hee leaps at her anotheâ— smites her another wounds her another puls as it were her Skin oueâ— her heade and this is the fruite of hâ— late repentance of her late resurrectâ—on of her obedience almost ouer-late She ariseth at her owne leasure and therefore is Whipped of God at his pleasure When she laye slugging and snorting in sin suffering Iesus to stand without in the night cooling his toes then she demed her selfe most master but nowe at last she fyndes that shee wished not to finde that Christ is Head an ouer-ruling heade able ynough to bring a proude soul vnder and sufficient for humbling the rebellious flesh This Citie shadowes out the World and False-Church into the which Iesus somtimes steppeth to cal from sleepe such as the Father hath giuen vnto him The Watch-men of the City that is within lodged in the streets of the city they shadowe out the worldlings Ciuil maiestrate The vvatch-men of the walles or hiest partes of the City doe liuelily denote the Ecclesiastical or false spirituall Rulers who stande a lofte to ouer-watch the city and by their tempests trumpets sond to giue warning of aâ— aduersary to the worlds state By theâ— finding her for she no doubt had leâ—ned to bevv are of men is argued theâ— industrious watchfulnes by their smâ—ting wounding vnvailing her is sheâ—ed their studious care of keeping â— their Citizens in subjection to theâ— vvorldly state This vvatchfulnesse anâ— Care of theirs argues the worlde moâ—â— witty in their darke generation theâ— are the childeren of lighte Christiaâ— magistrates and ministers may be seâ— to schoole of these men these beinâ— more watching caring to keepe theiâ— worldlings in subjection to the Princâ— of Darknesse then are they for causing continuing subjection to the Lorâ— of lighte But to pursue the Sinners story Shâ— being disquieted in her soule througâ— the absence of her beloued what dotâ— she she seekes al about and calles anâ— cryes but findeth and heareth of noâ— comforte What doth shee then dotâ— she goe back againe to her sinful bed â—nd so sleepe it out with the residue of the citie Doth she say vnto her soule Soule seing ther is no more comfort to bee had though thou haue shaken of thy former sinne seeing there is no more solace in seking after Christ go back againe my soule and glut thee in sinne go sleepe on againe with the cities bone companions saith she so doth she so If so she had saide she had saide like a number of false Christians in these dayes If so she had don she had had a nomber of companions in this swynish age wherin hauing taken the start of profession they twine to their first crookednesse and sucke vp their former vncleane vomit so making 2. Peter 2.20 their ende worse then the Beginning Or doth shee say within her selfe Cursed am I of God reprobated am I of God there is no mercy or saluation for me therefore come yee cursed hands and strangle me take vp a dagger and stab me goe to som cursed water drown thee doth she say thus doth shee â— thus If she had said so she should â— haue lacked fellowes If so deuellisâ— she had don she should haue found desperate soules in these dayes Bâ— none of these wickednesses shee doâ— what then doth shee Shee takes aâ—wer her Tent on her back throuâ— the city she ploddeth if happily shâ— may meet with comfort elswhere seâ—ing it was not there finding not coâ—forte at home shee laboureth to finâ— comfort from home her feete that bâ—fore were washed for sleepe are noâ— washed and fitted to voyage abroadâ— a signe she was
because a man is as hardly to be stirred and pulled out of sinne as a man in a dead sleepe to bee awaked and to leape out of his bed As the Serpents sting darted into a mans legge doeth by litle and litle drawe the bodie to sleepe and that vnto the death the venome thereby the sooner exhaust of the heart so the Serpent and Dragon of Hell hauing pearced a man with his venemous dartes of Covetousnes Idolatrie Theft Adulterie Murther Drunkennes Lying Pride c. Hee couets onely that man would be tickled with the delight thereof and so sleepe by continuance in such sin because he knoweth the reward thereof will bee death Adam and Heuah the corrupâ— Roote from whence wee as corrupâ— branches do spring they having sucâ—ked vp the poyson of sinne loe they seeke starting holes Genes 3. among the bushes they goe so farre from desirinâ— to be awaken out of sinne as they fliâ— from the voice of God because theâ— would not bee questioned about theiâ— sinne but as Christ heere visiteth thâ— sinfull soule in the time of her sleepe so IEHOVAH there calleth out ouâ— Fore-parents examines them corrects them by whipping them out oâ— Eden Awake therfore you sonnes anâ— daughters of Adam that haue sucked vp the poyson of Murder Pride Adulterie covet to sleep therin accompâ— it a soveraigne mercie of God that hâ— calls vpon ye and vouchsafeth to visit yee Cain so slept in his murder as God Genes 4. marked him for a Reprobate Esau so slept in his belly hunting and neglect of holy things as God would not giue him to find Heb. 12.27 any place to repentance The Prophet Balaam slept so in Purse-prophecie as God therefore not only gaue him to Nom. 31.8 be slaine togither with the wicked 2. Pet. 2.15 but also to bee canonized for the leader of false Prophets and as the giver of ill example to all pievish Prophets in these last daies Iesabell so slept in 2. King 9.30 c. painting her face curious tyring her heade and other sorceries as God in just judgment gaue her to breake her necke and her painted curious flesh to become dogs meat Awake thou therefore that sleepest stand vp from the dead Christ wlll giue thee light Do nowe at last with this sinfull soul confesse thy sinne to God forsake it so shalt thou find mercie Dauid having about one year slept in his sinne was by the Prophet Nathan awaked who awaketh and crieth Psal 51. Haue mercie vpon me oh God wash me purge me create in me a newe heart c. vpon which humble and vnfained Confession and Petition he received this word from God * The Lord hath puâ— away thy sinne thou shalt not dye Thaâ— thou maist therefore obtaine merciâ— with David sleepe not in Pride vncleannesse Blood-thirstines prophannesse but awake and walke more warilie redeeming the time lost else feare leâ— the Lord swear in his wrath that thoâ— shalt never enter into his rest To daâ— therefore harden not thine heart bâ— arise out of thy Sin thou hast slept iâ— But mine heart awaked The hearâ— which is the seate of that facultie â— the soule called the Will vnder thâ— which is contained every Affection â— here put for the whole soul consistinâ— of the faculty of the Mind seated espâ—ciallie in the head vnder the which contained the interiour senses as alâ— of the Will especially occupied aboâ— the heart in his several affections Bâ—cause the Affections are seated in thâ— heart therefore wee say vve loue aâ— hate with our heart and though the iâ—teriour senses as Vnderstanding Coâ—ceipt c. be seated in the heade and therefore we say He hath a head able to comprehend knowledge to conceiue remeÌ„ber c. yet sometimes it is saide hee hath an vnderstanding heart but this improperlie Nowe that she saith But mine heart awaked it is as though hee should say Howsoeuer my flesh slugged and slept yet mine inward man or spirite vvas then not so sleepy and vntovvarde Here wee are to obserue her vpright â—udgment who condemneth the flesh because it slept but justifieth the spirit because it was waking A lesson which we are to learne namly to condemne what in vs is condemnable as also to â—ustifie what in vs is justifiable IOB had learned this lesson who when he was to set his worke before God his pearcing sight hee saith Iob. 9.30.31 If I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge mine handes most cleane yet shalt thou God plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloathes shall make me filthie But when he was to anâ—wer his kins-men charging him with hypocrisie he saith Iob. 26.5.6 God forbid that I should iustifie you I vvill not take mine innocencie from my selfe vntill death I vvill keep my righteousnes and vvill noâ— forsake it As IOB keepeth this equitie towards God and man so in this place the poore soule keepeth an equall ballance betwixt her Flesh and Spirit thâ— flesh a sleepe the spirite awake For â— man to say I hope I am as good a christian as any of them all and then to bâ— a sleep in Adulterie Pride Envie Murder c. Is to beare false witnes againsâ— Christs mysticall bodie which consisteth not of rotten vnfruitfull twiggs for such are Iohn 15.2.6 cutte off from the Vinâ— Christ neither shall such sleepie Matth. 25 10. foolish Virgins enter into the kingdome for the gate shall bee shut And for man in whome God hath wroughtâ— care of holinesse a loue of trueth foâ— such a one simplie to say There is nâ— one good thing in mee is to beare falsâ— witnes against the grace of God anâ— the worke of his spirit As the forme is common to the proude wicked so this is a spice of hypocrisie that would humble it self to the harming of Gods spirit or else a fruite of desperation to the daunting of Faith That her heart was waking what time Christ was calling her flesh from sleeping in securities bed wee are to obserue that there was in her a candle light by the glimpse whereof she in her conscience knewe it to be Christ or an heavenly power contrary vnto her vnregenerate body and soule that knocked althogh she had not willingnes yet to arise out of sinne A candle every man woman bringeth in their hand with them into the world that is Light of nature commonly called Conscience which is not so blind but it oft chargeth the heart of the Barbarian with some sinne as also looking vpon the Psal 19.1 Rom. 1.20 Heauens Firmament and other visible creatures they by that litle light are ledde to the acknowledgment of a God Lord that ought to be obeyed This light and knowledge is sufficienâ— to leaue a man inexcusable to judgement but vnable it is to lead a man to salvation And therefore Dauid saith Psal 19.7 The Lawe of God is a perfecâ— teacher as though hee would say the former teacheth
himselfe to a newe lord So did Math. 9.9 mathew the tolegatherer and so did the residue of the Apostles But so do not our people who either will not permit Christ to enter at al or if yet at their lesure Master Parson and Master Vicar will it may be leaue of murdering soules but when after he hath prouided fot himselfe his wife in the meane time soules shal starue ere his carcase starue after his belly is serued god shall haue his due if he can get it Such belly Gods will lay hand on the Bar but so vntowardly and looselie as the Dore shall open I knowe not when an euident signe that they haue as much meaning to part with their Sinne as an hors-leach with a gowtie legge that is they will leaue sin when they are bursten with sinne A nettle gingerlie handled doth ranckle the hand but being rudely aâ— roughly griped it nothing harmeâ— Sinne must bee sodainly strangled the throate or else as an Adder it wâ— slide through thy fiste and leape in tâ— face Agag liuing but a while after Sâ— was commanded to kil him was caâ— that Saule afterwardes was left to 〈◊〉 himselfe Spare not sin for it will nâ— spare thee strangle it or it wil strangâ— thee This poore soule setting Heart aâ— Hand to the remouall of all lets iâ—pediments to godlinesse what follâ—weth Liquid Myrrhe droppes from 〈◊〉 hands vpon the handles of the Barre thâ— is the oyle of Myrrhe made her hanâ— soople and nimble vnto this worke of 〈◊〉 moving the Barre Going in good eaâ—nest roundly vnto the worke shee wâ— awares findeth the spirituall oyle â— Anointed Iesus helping her hands anâ— furthering her holy labours not vnlâ— to him that digging to pit a cary oâ— findeth a coffer of treasure seeking 〈◊〉 thrust out the euil spirit she vnawares meeteth with the good Not that the good spirite had not before possessed her hart bound the strong man Sin but that the holy spirit is not visible Mat. 12.29 vnto vs til we bring forth holy works This caused S. Iames to say Iam. 2.18 Shew me thy faith which is inward by thy worke which is outwarde The harts affection must be manifested by the handes action This lesson she had learned this will Iames haue euerie professour of faith to learne VVe are called Christians and what is this word Christian in plain english Every Grecian can tel thee that Christian in english is One annointed Iesus Christ is Iesus annointed We take the name Christians of Christ because we shuld be annointed as was he He was annoynted Ioh. 3.34 aboue measure because Ioh. 1.16 of his fulnes we might receiue not onelie in our mouth and lip-profession but also in our hand and outward action Every one calling himselfe Christian calleth himselfe annointed annointeâ— to what annointed to whordome annointed to murder anointed to quafâ— annointed to pastime such annoynting commeth from the spirite of thâ— black burning pitte Nay to be a truâ— Christian is to be truly annoynted tâ— euery good worke as was our annoiâ—ted head before vs. The father is the husband-man Iesus annoynted Ihon. 15. is the vine and euery true Christian is a branche enoyled with an 1. Ioh. 2.20 oyntmenâ— from him that is holie This secretlie transfused to the hearte caused her to affection her beloued and so to arise to open But annointing her hands to Doe aswell as her heart to thinke and her mouth to speake she casteth aside such cursed Barres as before kept the spirite of Iesus without and therwithall openeth the Dorre of her soule in good ernest the oyle of god his grace not onlie bedewing her handes but streaming downe euery finger To these that are called Rom. 8. according to God his purpose all things fall out happily Psal 1.4 whatsoeuer they do it shall be prosperous The poore Shunamits oyle incresed not more fast 2 King 4. then doth the oyle of the Good spirite in a right Christian or Annointed faith vppon faith Rom. 1.17 Grace vpon grace Ioh. 1.16 Strength vpon Strength Psal 84 more and more annointed as it were to the euery fingers end that is to the ending of euery action This is newe learning to the foole and smally heeded of the counterfeit Christiane who thinketh Christianitie a science speculatiue not practick a prating of the tong not a practise of the hand But he that is not annoynted from heauen to doe good he is annointed from hel to doe euill Iam. 3.6 The bad tongue is sette one fire from hell and I am as sure that wicked working hands are set on fire from the burning lake Hee that increaseth not in good encreaseth in euill he that goeth not to day a step towardes God dooth to daie goe two steps towardes the diuell If wickednes drop from thy fingers thou art wicked if hâ—ly actions issue from thy hands whâ— dare say but thou art holy Math. 7.18 for a gooâ— tree bringeth not forth euill fruite mâ— an euill tree good fruite make the treâ— good and his fruite good or the treâ— euill and his fruite euill But this liquid or thin pearcing oyle is saide to be of Myrrhe sweet iâ— sauour but bitter in taste As maniâ— can be contented to savour and smelâ— to manie symples whereof notwithstanding they abhor to taste so moe can be contented to smel vnto Christianity to heare look vpon Christian doctrine then spiritually to eate digest into practise To hear the word is sweete to reade the word is sweete to talke of the word is sweete but to doe that woorde is farre more bitter then Aloës Till wee come to practise all is wel but beginning once to turne hearing seeing speaking into Doing then begins a battle betwixt the Flesh and the Spirite a strife betwixte the Oyle of grace the sap of our crabtre nature A greater strife was not betwixt Iude. Michael and Satan about the body of Moses then here wil be betwixt old Adam and newe Adam for the producing a good worke The spirite cryeth Obedience the flesh proclaimeth Disobedience As Ezechiels scrowle was sweete in gusture but sowre bitter in digesture so spirituall thinges at the first doe rauishe the whole man but wheÌ„ obedience is required then three parts of the same man resiste and crie out with the sonnes of the Prophets oh Death is in the pot Elisha must cast a little meale in the pot or the brothe wil be to bitter as bitter as the waters of Exod. 15.23 Marah in the wildernes of Shur Neither is the oyle of God his spirit bitter in it selfe but of a soueraigne preseruing and comfortable operation but as the worde of God is called the sauour of death vnto death not simplie but in respect so is this liquid percing Myrrhe bitter not in it owâ— nature but by reson of our pevish coâ—rupt nature which as a corrupt stâ—macke is apt to convert a sugred potâ—â—on into poyson
but vnperfectly buâ— as for Gods Lawe it teacheth perfectlie by converting the soule and opening the eies of the spirituall blinde As the first light is a check to the soul so the second being cherished kepâ— burning by the oyle of God his spirit is able to saue the soul but if this lighâ— be once quenched and put out howâ— great and fearful shal be that darknes Well shee heares Christ calling he from sleepe her own heart witnessetâ— that it was Christs voice and yet aâ— afterwards she giueth scope of sleeping to the flesh A right fearfull estate and an estate wherein I feare too many at this day do stand namely doâ— heare and knowe Christs holy voice calling them from sleeping longer iâ— theft adulterie prophaning the Lords day drunkennes c. and yet ly still in their sin as not minding to part with it Of such a one what saith Moses after this manner Deut. 29.19.20.21 He that heareth the vvordes of the Curse namely against sinne and blesseth himselfe in his heart saying I shall haue peace although I walk according to the stubbornes of mine owne hart thus adding drunkennes vnto thirst the Lord vvill not bee mercifull to him but then the vvrath and iealousie of the Lord shall smoake against that man and every curse that is vvritten in this booke shall light vpon him and the Lord shall put out his name from vnder heauen c. A terrible judgement but from a just God who will race persons and their houses and families be they never so potent from the face of the Earth if so they be founde nourishers of their sinne when they heare Gods worde cursing their sin If therefore the light and vnderslanding thou art endued withall do not leade thee vnto repentance feare lest it proue a check-soare to thy conscience and seale thee vp excuseles against the day of vengence Davids knowledge led him to repentance when he cried Psal 51.4 Against thee against thee onely haue I sinned for with this Confession he made Conversion he turned from his sin But IVDAS Iscariot his knowledge caused him after this Confession I haue betrayed innocent blood to runne vnto the rope anâ— therewithall to take vengence on that throate that had breathed out wicked covetous counsel against the Lord oâ— Life so adding one murther to another If while we speake vnto thee and thy sinne thy conscience secretly telleth thee this is Christes voice it is God his holy worde that thus smites on my sinne awake and sleepe no longer therein let not sinne dominere and rule in thy mortall members quench not the spirit but obey his motion to repentance giving therwithall thanks to our God who should so mercifully fore-warne thee lest otherwise thou should bee damned So much brieflie for the time of Christes Call togither with the estate she then stood in Now followeth the speaker Christ and his speach It vvas the voice of my vvelbeloued The poore sinfull soule awaked and making rehearsal of things passed she nowe entitleth CHRIST vvelbeloued whome before in her sleepie estate she no doubt tooke but for a troubler of Israel SALOMON saith Prov. 28.23 Hee that rebuketh a man shall finde more fauour at the length than he that flattereth with his tongue As this is verified here where he is nowe called Welbeloued as being worthie loue whome before she neither loued nor kindlie intreated so shall it ever appeare in the end that who vnwoorthilie haue refused our wholesome counsell and correction shall once even in that appointed time be of another minde The wicked shal in Hell when it is al too late affirme and cry out Such and such were vvorthie to haue beene beloued for their calling of vs to Repentance howsoever we then hated them As for the Elect they shall once in this life leaue sleeping in sinne neither then shall they deferre to justifie such as before they condemned for Repentance is an altering of the iudgment and a renuing of thâ— affection Let this therefore stirre vp every man to Heb. 13.13 exhort one another especially the ministers of the word 〈◊〉 giue no rest vnto sleepers in transgresion howsoever the wicked raile vpoâ— them and intreate them right rudelâ— for the day shall come hereafter wiâ— they nil they wherein they shal turn their tongues and accompt vs worth of loue and good liking Lev. 19.17 Hate not tâ—â— brother in thine heart but plainlie rebuâ— him and suffer not sinne vppon him â— though he should say Let him not Mâ— begrowe in his sinne But how came Christ vnto her 〈◊〉 a voice by what kinde of voice by knocking voice vnto this knocking the holy Ghost alludeth when hee telleth the Revel 3. Luke-warme people of Laodicea that he stood knocking at their doore the worde in the originall signifying To * dosse vvith the horne as doeth the strong necked beast with the maine force of his head As Christ ordinarilie for the awaking people from sinne doth send a liuelie voice not a confused Noise so that voice is a powerfull knocking voice not a bare reading nor a smooth calme preaching but a powerfull thundring out and incessant beating vpon the door of the sleeper the portal of the conscience vnrepentant Isai 58.1 Cry aloude saith IEHOVAH to Isaiah spare not sounde out thy voice like a Trumpet If the sleepie sicknes haue ceazed on a man he must not be whispered in the eare but scourged on the sides In a wrong boxe are these men that exclaime on the preachers because they thunder out Curses against sinne whereas alas God hath ordained nothing but Curse for sinne If they like not the curses let them casâ— away the Cause of a Curse namely their sinnes Rom. 6.23 for the wages of sinne is death If men be so foolish as to suffeâ— sinne to mos-begrowe them and as canker to eat their hearts through yeâ— wee the Lords watch-men must noâ— cease to sound the trumpet but knocâ— till their heartes awake either it shal become the savour of life vnto life by repenting or the savour of death to death by still sleeping Iude 22.23 Some wee must saue by fearing them saith Iude and others by pulling them out of the fire If we sawe a brother plodding the waters towards a whirle-poole or Syrtes wee woulde feare him back by alâ— meanes and if we sawe another in the fire we would not stand speaking with Eli the Priest Thou doest ill my sonne c. but we wold snatch hold of some limbe and violentlie pull him out because of the present danger Easier dealing is for bruized reedes broken hearts but knocking and rougher bits for an vnbroken Mule and vntamed Heifer To what end knocketh Christ at the portall of her conscience Open vnto me saith he so that the end of his voice and knocking is to gaine Entrance Why did IEHOVAH call forth Adam to the end hee should come forth and appeare To what end did Noah prophesie of
the deluge to the end that they should prevent the judgment by repentance To what end did Christ so preach to Ierusalem but that thereby hee might gather them vnder his wing as a hen gathereth her chickens To what end doeth the Lord stirre vp many in these daies to knocke at the doores of festered Consciences but that they would open vnto him and let his spirit enter not the spirit of adulterie enter for that is there alreadie not the spirit of pride to enter for that is there alreadie not the spirite of the world or hypocrisie to enter for they are there alreadie but to the eâ— that Christ by his holy spirit rightâ—ous spirit chaste spirit loving spiriâ— might enter They that will not opâ— their hart to make this change namâ—ly to send out Satan and to receiueâ— Christ to send out the vncleane spiriâ— and to take in the holy it is pittieâ— their life But why doeth Christ craâ— this soule to open to him can he no without voice and knocking enter yeâ— he can but his ordinarie revealed wiâ— is otherwise namely by the 1. Cor. 1.18.21 liuely voice of preaching to beget faith anâ— that preaching with authoritie as diâ— Christ not coldlie or weaklie as diâ— the Scribes and Pharisies A man caâ— burst open a doore without a key buâ— ordinarilie hee vseth a key so can thâ— spirite of Christ burst open an harde heart without the spirituall key of Dauid displaied by preaching but ordinarilie hee vseth the key of preaching As a man is said to open the door but not without a key even so the spirite of God is saide to open the heart but not without preaching And as the â—ey is saide to open the doore but not without the help of mans hand even so the word preached is saide to open the hard heart but not without the hand of Christ which is his Spirite What great cause haue wee then not onely to praye that God would send Preachers into his Harvest but also that hee would graunt his spirit to accompanie their preching that so God his holy workman his spirite and his holy toole and instrument the worde preached concurring togither many hearts may bee opened to due attending the worde as was the Act. 16.14 heart of Lidia the Thyatirian to PAVLS Sermon Nowe as he calleth knocketh at the portall of her conscience so he vseth therewithall many sweete alluring titles saying Open vnto me my Sister my Loue my Doue mine vndefiled If the King of the Land should come vnto the doore of some base woman inhabiting his Land who stoode in traiterlie estate at her doore shoulâ— knock intreating entrance vnder thâ— tearmes of Sister Loue Doue peâ—fect one and that with a pardone iâ— his hand could her heart be so hard aâ— to lie still in her bed and not rather to arise hastilie come and open fall at hiâ— feet and beg pardon Our annointeâ— IESVS who hath received all poweâ— in Heauen and in Earth hee ever bâ— the voice of his written word calleth and knocketh at our doore with I beseech you brethren I beseech you sisters desire you in the bowels of IESVS and many other sweet speaches he oftentimes vseth if happily any thing might moue vs but oh alas how many arise from the dead how many leaue sleeping in sinne howe many open a free heart vnto IESVS that so entring Rev. 3.20 he might suppe vvith vs and we with him When Iesus came into Luke 19.8.9 Zacheus his house and hee entertained him with holy restitution Iesus tolde him that Salvation was come vnto his house Happie man he that as verily had obtained salvation as received the Saviour But in these daies men feare least the receiving of IESVS bring trouble povertie and death vnto their house whereof anone in his place and therfore Christ may knock and call at his pleasure for they will obey at their leasure but the daye will come that shall pay for all Open vnto me my Sister Christ in a certaine Sermon saith that These are my brethren sisters that hear the word of God and keepe it but here hee calleth her Sister as also vndefiled or perfect one that is so far from doing his will as shee refuseth it and doth her owne will keeping her heart barred against Christ when hee would haue had her open This terme therefore and the other doe not properlie appertaine to her present sleepy estate as yet she lay in an vnrepentant estate for so shee was no visible Church or member of a Church neither in that presumptâ—ous sinne could she warrant the applying of mercie in Christ the word being against her For to whome one gâ—ueth himselfe as servant to obeye his seâ—uant is he whome he doth obey Rom. 6 1â— but she heere gaue her selfe as servanâ— to obey vnrighteousnes therefore seâ—uant to vnrighteousnes But shee is termed of Christ in regard of her firâ— election which hereafter shuld be seâ—led vnto her heart by an effectuall câ—ling what time the power of his caâ— should appeare by mooving her to rise and seeke after Christ with thâ— crosse on her necke denying her selâ— for following after Christ So that may wel say he calleth her Sister Loâ— Doue vndefiled because she was calleâ— to be a Sister a Loue a Doue as also to liue in an vndefiled estate Brethreâ— and Sisters we are to Christ being 〈◊〉 him our Mediatour reconciled to thâ— Father Christ the Sonne of God be nature wee sonnes and daughters 〈◊〉 God by adoption and brethren and sisters to Christ by the handfast and betrothment of faith which makes vs Ephes 5.30 members of his body of his flesh of his bones So that thereby wee are not onely his Brethren and Sisters but also his Loue Spousesse Doues we are called to be for Mat. 10.16 Innocencie and harmlesnes The Naturians affirme the Doue to be without gall and sure I am wee are commanded to be without Bitternesse Vndefiled wee are called to be as also to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect Of every which title much might be saide which heere I passe by but from the whole this wee are to learne that as in regard of our Election knowne to God wee are to him from the beginning knowne for Sonnes Daughters as also Brethren and Sisters to Christ even before wee can with Iacob and Esau do good or evill So the calling of a Christian is for to stand in vnion with Christ in obedience and holy service to him as to our head and spirituall husband to harâ— not so much as our enemie and finâ—lie to bee holy in all our wordes aâ— workes as beseeming the children God brethren and sisters of Chrâ— these that professe themselues suâ—jects of the Kingdome of Heauen not the World If a Monarch and gret Kiâ— should call vs to bee his brethren aâ— sisters oh we would stirre our stump and endevour our selues therevnto trow if we heard the King
at our do crying awake and rise thou man aâ— come and wedde my daughter awaâ— and rise thou woman come to wâ— with my sonne and that in paine loosing thy life I trow wee would nâ— loose our life and so good a marriagâ— for lying in bed a while If the Kinâ— should cry come out of these defilâ— and fowle waies and walk in the sweâ— hevenly allies we wold not like swinâ— still lye groveling in the myre and râ—fuse so sweet an offer And will weâ— found more sluggish careles and swâ—nish towardes our heavenly King of Kings who offereth vnto vs regall affinitie right happy vndefiled waies Awake therefore sluggish flesh sleepe no longer in swinish pleasures but arise vnto thy God and say Welcome be the voice of the holy one cast out of my heart the power of darknes and sinne let thy spirit sit hereafter in my conscience as in a chaire of estate and there occupie dominion and jurisdiction over sinne that so as a fruitefull braunch I may not onely bee graffed into the vine Christ but also liue by the sap of his spirit Sweete Christ having vsed all the former sweet titles for the moving of her heart to giue place doth in the second place lay downe a waightie and most reasonable argument drawne from the misery he vnderwent for her sake that thereby at least and at last shee might buckle her selfe to arise Mine head is full of dewe quoth he and my locks with the drops of the night By the Head the chiefest member heâ— meaneth the whole and by the Loch a beautifull accident vnto the bodie hee meaneth outwarde comelines Aâ— the body oppressed in the night wiâ— dewe abideth much grievance thâ— beauteous locks weather-beaten aâ— quicklie vnfeaturated and deformeâ— as befell vnto Nebuchadnetzers hairâ— Dan. 4.30 so would Christ giue pooâ— soules to vnderstand that for their saâ— his body vnderwent much grievancâ— as also he lost his beautie Of the firâ— namely the grievance of his body thâ— whole story of our redemption is fâ— persecuted in the cradle in being dâ—uen Matth. 2. to Aegypt hunted after by tâ— wicked and finallie smitten buffereâ— crucified pierced and that which more so smitten by his Father oâ— sinnes being imputed vnto him through the anguish of spirit his bâ— die in the Garden was bedewed wiâ— blood and on the crosse he roared oâ— vehemently My God my God why hâ— thou forsaken mee This Dewe of the Night not of the Light ISAIAH foreâ—awe in the spirite as alreadie rained downe vpon him and therefore saide Hee vvas wounded for our transgressiâ—ns hee was broken for our iniquities Isai 53. â— the hastisement of our peace vvas vpon him As for the second namely his Beautie what outward thing was there in him â—miable or louesome As Isaiah long â—efore could say Isa 53.2 He hath neither form â—or beautie for the which we should desire him so in his whole life there was but Penurie infamie reproch vnderbearing all hard vsage having vndergone the forme of a servant c. And wherefore vnderwent he this grievance and deformitie His body and soule was tormented that ours might be eased and he became vnbeauteous that hee might so beautifie vs neither is that his embasement ended nor shall be so long as hee hath a Ministerie in the Earth For throgh them he desireth vs to be reconciled a deep embasement that he should petitionate vnto vs hee bâ—ing the Lord of glory and we a degâ—nerat people Hard hearts wee hauâ— that haue put him to such torture anâ— grievance and yet continue so thanâ— les ey continue stil sinning as thougâ— still wee would cloth him with new sinnes and so put him every day to â— newlie crucified and tormented Secondly in that Christ giues tâ— vnderstand that during our spirituaâ— sleep he presents himselfe before thâ— doore of our conscience with his heaâ— and locks bare as with his cap in hâ— hand whereas hee â—ight haue coâ— with an helmet on his head and a twâ— edged sword in his hand we shuld thâ— rather be ashamed of our spirituall iâ— civilitie that so proudely stand in oâ— owne light when hee in all patiencâ— and long suffering desiring not thâ— death of a sinner doeth by his 2. Cor. 5.20 Ambassadours beseech vs to bee reconcâ—led to God Thirdly whereas hee calles the drops Drops of the night hee woulde haue vs to know 1. that while we liue in sinne we liue in darknes like battes and owles that flie the light 2. as also that these fruites of darknesse blacke workes of ours did fal vpon him Man having bathed himselfe in the workes of Darknes Christ commeth and putteth man his ougly black garment vpon himselfe which the Father seeing hee raineth downe on his Sonne the dewe haile and storme that otherwise was due vnto Man Sinne vvas imputed to him as verily as we had Righteousnesse imputed vnto vs ey He was made sinne for vs saith the Apostle that vve should bee made the righteousnesse of God not in our selues but in him 2. Cor. 5.21 The reason then our Saviour here vseth is this Seing I stand bareheaded entreating suffering for thy sake the heauie hand of my heauenly Father vpon me debasing my self in the forme of a seruant that so thou maiest bee freed from the punishment due to the vvorkes of darknes as also be advaunced into the state of Glâ—rie seeing all this I do for thy loue I prâ— thee let me stand no more without but râ—ceiue me into the closet of thy Conscienâ— Oh wonderfull alluring argumenâ— and vngainsayable request if the devâ— were not in man and man vnreasonâ—blie bewitched But let vs hearken â— her answer I haue put off my coate howe shall I pâ— it on I haue vvashed my feet howe shaâ— I defile them This answere consistiâ— on two branches let vs first examiâ— what this Coate is which shee hath pâ— off God putting his Image on maâ— especially seated in the most speciâ— part of man namely his soule he pâ—sessed the higher facultie or power of â— soule namely the Minde with the fiâ—nes of all necessarie Holie knowledge 〈◊〉 also the Inferiour facultie the Wil wiâ— full holines in every affection with thâ— Minde and vnderstanding part for so call it for learning sake though a siâ—ple essence admitteth no parts Saâ— begunne who having perverted the minde and abused the Vnderstanding and Conceipt loe after that through Gods just judgment the Minde and so consequently the Vnderstanding Conceipt c. went a wrong waye by the conduct of sinne which now had ceased on the powers of the soule Vnderstanding perverted blinded loosing Light and admitting Darknes and Errour caused Adams soule to seeme stripped and naked which before was cloathed with glorious Light The Minde so perverted and turned out of the right way the Will as an handmaid was redie to followe in her affections for the eye being darkned no marvell if the foote turne aside from the right way
to Christ as the wicked in IOB say Iob. 21.15 What profit should vve haue if we prâ— vnto the Almightie These holde thâ— heresie that good PAVLE long since â—ondemned namelie 1. Tim. 6.5 That gaine is â—odlines and therefore after once or wise admonishment to bee rejected â—it 3.10 Wicked man thou art are â—hy feete or affections to be washed â—rimmed for any other vse than to atâ—end Christs call Paul setting downe â—he spiritual souldiers furniture Ephes â— appointeth the feet to be shod with â—he preparation of the Gospell beâ—ause our affections should turne our â—eet to the Gospell not for the gazing â—hervpon but for the receiving thereof But sorsooth it will bee a discredite â—o my young Maister and young Miâ—tres to leaue their chesse cardes dice dauncing discoursing companions proud curtizan tirings c. Oh it will be a disgrace vnto them to obey the voice of the Preacher vppon whose heade and lockes resteth punishment and dislike of men to obey their call wold make them forsooth as beggerlie and asmuch despised as he that cals them from these vanities wherin thâ— haue slept from their infancie Indeeâ— the miserie and simplicitie of Chriâ— and the plainnes of the worde was stumbling block to the Iewes and a offence to the Gentiles If Christ woâ— come to our Magistrates Merchant and rich Naâ—bals with a golden crowâ— on his head and Salomons peace-scepter in his hande oh then it may be Christ in his Ministers word and hâ—ly ordinances should bee welcome Christ would come vnto our weomâ— with a curleâ—d fore-heade like a Buâ— with pictures of Serpents dependaâ— his locks figuring their serpentine â—fections apparelled like the Nomb. 25. Moabâ—tish weomen for the alluring of Goâ— Israel to whoredome If Christ wouâ— come vnto the poor people with pleâ—tie of barli eloaues and fishes finallâ— if he would not keep such a knockinâ— but would blesse the Adulterer kiâ— the Murderer embrace the theefe aâ— preach strong drinke to the pot companions oh then hee should be a Prophet for the nonce they would bring him in with the voice of a Trumpet and asmuch diversitie of Minstrelsie as was at the Dan. 3. dedication of Nebuchadnetzars Image But seeing hee comes in earthen vessels poorely not making any noise in the streets therefore their feete are washed to another vse they bought not their shoes for to run at Christs call they can vse their feete to a more credible and pleasurable service Well Eccle. 11.9 walk in the waies of thine heart not of Gods heart and in the sight of thine eies not of Gods eies but know that for all these things not one of thy sinnes forgotten thou shalt come vnto Iudgment Christ standeth without wee with this sinful soul keep our selues within hee powerfully crieth Open wee lye tumbling in our sins the meane while making interrogatories with What and If and Howe he desireth entrance with sweet speeches and forcible râ—sons we with SALOMONS Sluggaâ— that thinks himselfe more vvise thâ— seven men that can render a reason dâ— giue him a slie answer to our owne â—ter sorrowe Do wee say that wee â— coupled to Christ by faith and in tâ— meane time keep Christ at the speaâ— point are we coupled or rather seâ— red he wooeth vs and wee will not wooed when are we like to be wedâ— 1. Iohn 2.4 He saith IOHN that saith hee knâ— Christ and keeps not his commandemâ— is a lyer then much more say I is hâ— lyer that saith he is coupled to Châ— and yet denieth to do his commanments Let vs therefore at last awaâ— arise and open our heartes wide tâ— Christ by his holy spirite may enâ— and there establish an heavenly reâ—ment and kingdome We pray Let Kingdome come take heede lest by nying the passage of his word throâ— our soules wee be found adversariâ— his Kingdome We pray Let thy vvill be done by vs in earth beware therfore lest we be found resisters of Gods glorious will revealed in the worde and so consequently be not found Mockers in steed of Prayers The Lord hath knocked in these partes of the world a long season deferre not to repent lest thou grieving his spirit which should seale thee vp to the day of glorification hee leaue of knocking and leaue behind him a flint stone at thy doore I meane do giue thine heart vp to bee hardened with Pharaoh and in steede of an heart sealed thou haue thy conscience seared with an hote yron But leauing this our Sinner heere sleeping or rather betweene Sleeping and vvaking namely in a Slumber I will in the next tractate God permitting take examination of her soul by which time I exspect her first Resurrection In the mean time rowse vp your Soules heavie through sleepe that finding with Her an assured place in â— First Resurrection you may finally wâ— her Rise joyfullie in the second Resurction whereas these that Rise not hâ— first from the Bands of sinne shall sluber and soundly sleep on to the poâ—er of the Second Death Melior vigilantia somno FINIS THE SINNERS RESVRRECTION The Song of SALOMON Chap. 5. Verse 4.5.6.7.8 The Text. 4 My Welbeloued put his hand by the hole of the doore and mine heart being affectioned towards him 5 I rose vp to open to my Welbeloued and mine hands dropping downe Myrrhe and my fingers pure Myrrhe on the handles of the Barre 6 I opened vnto my Welbeloued but my Welbeloued vvas gone and past mine heart was gone because of his speach I sought him but I could not finde him I called but he answered me not 7 The Watch-men that vvent about the Cittie found me they smote mee and vvounded me the Watch-men of Walles tooke away my vayle from â— 8 I charge you oh Daughters of Ierâ—lem if you finde my Welbeloued â— shall you tell him That I am siâ— Loue. NOwe followeth â— issue of the Conâ—rence betwixt Câ— and the sinfull Soâ— wherein is considâ—ble first the deparâ— of Christ insinuated in these wor My Welbeloued put his hand by the of the doore Secondly her Arise Search after Christ in the residuâ— the Text. In her Arise and Search â— is set downe the cause of her Arisâ— these wordes Mine heart being â—ctioned towards him I rose vp to open â— to my vvelbeloued togither with â— Cause of that Cause in these wordâ— And mine hands dropping down Myrâ— and my fingers liquid Myrrhe vpon handles of the Barre I opened to my Welbeloued Secondly is set down the fruit of her late opening in the next verses The first fruit is sowre because of her late obedience and that lyeth in the 6. and 7. verses where first with an heavie heart remembring Christs former speach shee searcheth for and calleth after her Beloved but cannot see or heare of him Secondly during her search she falleth into the handes of the Cities watch-men being by them smitten wounded disrobed The second kind of fruit because late repenting is better than never
forsake a morâ—ell of meat a thing neither Holie nor vnholie in it selfe it therefore followeth that thou hast like freedome natuâ—allie to the things of God the Consequent may sounde reasonablie to the Belly that hath no eares but vnto him that hath but one crum of spirituall sence it reasoneth thus I haue power to do the thing is not holy therefore I haue power to doe the thing is holy Lord Bishops haue opposed themselues ere nowe to Doctrines more tollerable than these let every of them that will not bee suspected of Popish hearts in Protestants skins vse their great power to stop the course of such Romish seedes else I can tell them these that haue forsaken the English Parishes because of the Ecclesiasticall government wil ere long say they haue cause so to doe because of publick countenancing of popish groundes Oh saith he that writ vpon the words of Chrisâ— in Luke 23.28 some tell vs that theâ— weep for our Church of England buâ— vnto such our Church saith as Chriâ— to the women Weepe not for mee bâ— vveepe for your selues Surely the maâ— may so say in the name of the church but sure I am that all that haue anâ— sence of sin will with sorrowe affirme That the present estate of the English Church is mightelie to be lamented Buâ— in a Sermon stuffed from head to toe with Poeticall vanitie and affectation of speach what shuld we exspect Buâ— to leaue false Prophets teaching false fundamental doctrin or crying peace peace where is no ground of peace Let vs examine the remaindor Christ receiving an vntoward answer setteth downe with himselfe to forsake her as the Hose 5 vlt. Lord forsooke Iudah and Ephraim for a season and yet mark that hee leaues the Oyle of Grace namely his working spirite behinde him so that it may be saide of him as â—f a politick lover He departs in his bodie but staies behind in his spirit Not vnâ—ike to a discrete besieger of a Castle who not prevailing by outward batteâ—ie doth secretly vndermyne the wals while the enclosed dreaming of the besiegers departure slepeth soundly Christ departeth in his comfortable voyce My sister my loue my Doue mine vndefiled but in the mean time vseth the inwarde vnction of his spirite for the suppling and making the harde heart softe and plyable to euery holie motion of that spirite But to whome communicates hee this inwarde workinge Grace doth he giue this inward teacher vnto such as to whom the gospell hath not sounded powerfullie by some outwarde teacher If that be so then what needeth the ministerie of man No no this grace internall was Communicated to the poore sinner whose eares before had bene pearced with Doctrine As it is 1. Cor. 3.6.7 God by the inward work of his spirit that giueth encreâ— vnto his spirituall plants so first 〈◊〉 hath appointed Paul to preach and pollos to water The Apostles eniâ—ing first the outwarde ministery of â—sus vnto them after was sent the Ioh. 14.26 Sâ—rite of truth who brought the form doctrins vnto mind insomuch as soâ—what which they vnderstoode not the time of his bodilie presence thâ— after his bodily departure called vnâ— mind and then truly vnderstood as â—mongst other things may be seene â— their after conceauing the sence â— these words Destroy this Temple and â— three daies I will raise it vp againe Ioh. â— 19. compared with vers 22. All whiâ—â— as it teacheth vs to depend on the orâ—nary means to grace namely the ouâ—warde ministery togither with whicâ— the Lord ordinarily convaieth his spâ—rite 2. Cor. 3.6 and therefore are they called Mâ—nisters of the spirite so wee whome thâ— Lord hath stirred vp in this declyninâ— age or rather confused times are noâ— to be discouraged though oftentimes wee see not present obedience to our preaching The husbandmans seede cast into the earth semeth to be lost a â—ong seson yet the wise seedsman with patience awaiteth the Lords time and â—n time receaueth a comfortable crop â—nd of that which doth spring vp al is not of one dayes sprout but som soon som latter Though Saul yet slaughâ—er Christians cause many to blaspheme Christianty yet hope the best â—n patience posses we our souls when hee hath the commission and broade seal of the hy priests vtterly to destroy the beleuers at Damascus then hapily the Lord will knock downe syr Pursevant and send him to make his recantacion at Damascus As the spirite bloweth where he list so when he list som must be called at one houre som at an other cease we not in the meane time hoping the best to perseuer in our embassage The spirit of God worketh by little and little in the hearte as liquid oyâ—som and some penetrateth the flesh passageth through the hand Dealiâ—â— with worldlings we haue not to deâ— with halfe dead folks as freewill-nâ— teach vs but with these that are Ephes 2.5 Dâ— in sinnes Life is not so easely put intâ— dead man Muche a doe wee haue â— gaine a person out of a trance wee â—fuse into him Angelica water rubâ— temples with Aqua-Vitae thrust alâ— into his mouth buffet him shake hiâ— hoist him vp in the aire and more wâ— will doe but to kindle the coale of lâ— that is ready to quenche how muâ— more ought we toyl and sweat to fyâ— a dead cole and to raise vp dead Lazâ—rus from his graue of Sin wherein â— hath lodged not 4. daies but 4. yearâ— 20. yeares 40. 50. yeares Yet if Ieâ—â—â— loue him he will after some groniâ—â— in the spirite raize him and if he loâ— vnto the Lords vineyarde hee shal fetc ht in though but at the last houâ— Though now they neglecte the oâ—ward ministerie as this sinner did in the former treatise yet happely as she doth here they shall once arise open seeke after that ministerie which before they neglected She arising because her heart now at last affectioned Iesus what freewil-man dare say that an vnregenerat person doth affect Iesus shee arising by vertue of a secret touch or draught of Gods spirite for none come to God without drawing Iohn 6 44. shee setteth hands to remoue the Barres of the dore that is she is not onlie contented with the good affection she bare vnto her beloued but for her further comfort as also to testify obedience to her beloued she laboureth with heart and hand euen with al her soul strength to put away remoue the occasions which were as barrs to the hindring of her heart in the waies of holinesse Dost thou marke this oh thou hypocriticall professor she saith not with thee I haue a good meaning and a good hart to God I could wish I had more leâ—sure to heare the worde If it were not 〈◊〉 these and these lettes or bars I would 〈◊〉 aside my fals Calling c. she saith not but knowing her former offence shâ— ariseth setteth hand vnto the banâ— of her hearte not to make them faâ—
The Sophies of Perâ—â—â— offered corporeall Math. 2. Myrhe vnto Iesuâ— in the swadling clouts and Nicodemâ—â— Iohn 19.39 brought Myrhe to hâ—â— buriall the one preaching bitternesâ—â— in his life and the other proclaminâ— no les bitternesse in his death and yeâ— such a bitternes as without which oâ—â— fruite would neuer haue bene sweeteâ— nor our actions to God acceptableâ— To liue with Christ is bitter to thâ— flesh but to dy with Christ more bitter and yet of absolute necessity we must both liue and dy with him if wâ— will appeare with comfort before thâ— Father If thou long after the Sweete oâ— heauen doe not then repine to foretaste the Bitternes of the earth The sharp battaile must be fought beforâ— the golden crowne be got But hauing risen out of her sinne and put away these Barres that in fore time kept the spirite of Iesus from entring in vnto full operation what ensueth Her beloued vvas gone and past A correction for late repentance yea very iust and equal that if man wil repent at his leasure hee should meete with the spirit of comfort at Christes latest pleasure But here was not an end of her hearts sorrowe As he was gone past her feelinge so immediately herevpon she remembreth his former speaches kinde and reasonable the remembrance wherof smiteth her to the heart wherevpon she soundeth is ready to departe away in a qualme When she at first hearde him crying bareheaded Open my sister my loue my Doue myne vndefiled for mine head and locks suffer the nights tempest then shee lay tumbling in her sin and regarded not his sugred voice Then shee returned her sluggish answer with interogatories implying Impossibility thinking Christ had nothing els to do but to waite her lazye leasure Well noâ— at last though at her own leasure shâ— ariseth and looketh for the comfortable presence of Iesus his spirit but alas he is gone and past Hee gone anâ— past now her memory presenteth hiâ— former speaches vnto her conscience Her conscience pondering vpon theâ— speaches straight it accuseth and condemneth her soule of Ingratitude oâ— Churlishnes and abusing of the spirit oâ— Iesus She thus charged and condemned of her conscence she through thâ— waighte of the burden falleth downe in a spirituall trance her hearte ouerwhelmed with sorrow And is here anâ— end no Shee seeketh her beloued within her without her but findeth him not And is there an end no She calleth Sâ— cryeth vpon her beloued but he answereth not Seeke she him in the leaues oâ— the sacred Bible or seeke she him elsewhere she meeteth not with him Caâ— she and cry she neuer so earnestly vpon him in her morning noone-tyde and euening prayers yet he speaketh not peace vnto her consience Oh judgment of all Iudgements vnto the wicked and the sharpest correction of all corrections to the sonnes and daughters of God VVhen the wicked haue despised the voice of wisdome rejected her Correction what shall befall them Salomon saith Prov. 1.27 28. That when affliction and anguish shall come vpon them Then shall they cal vpon her but she shal not answere they shal seeke her early but not find her meaning Not at all Esau shall seek Repentance with teares but shall not finde Repentance though his hearte break Iudas shall Repent his trecherie but shal not find the comfortable face of Repentance though hee hang himselfe As for the sonnes daughters of God if they deferre Repentance and greue the spirit of Iesus they shal not scape scot free Many times shall they tosse their naturall Reason and turne ouer the leaues of the Gospell but yeâ— for a season not finde anie comforâ— within them any solace without theâ— Many times shall they call for Comfort in prayer but colde praiers shaâ— they make rysing with as heauy hartâ— as they kneeled downe seeing yet nothing in God but angry face a frowning countenance Who hath spenâ— any yeares in Christianity knowe not this by experience he that saieth he hath spent some yeares in truth oâ— Christianisme yet was neuer plunged in this pit eyther he hath walke in perfection of obedience beyond manie or that which is more to be feared he hath bene for the time buâ— in a deludinge dreame But how comes it about that she meteth not with her beloued or witâ— the spirit of Iesus seing she could noâ— Rise out of her sinne but by the spirit of Iesus seing she could not put asidâ— the Barres that before hindered thâ— free worke of Iesus except therto shâ— had the helpe of his hand which hand is his spirit how could she be said not to find or feele the spirite of Iesus seeing she could not persist in seeking calling after her beloued were it not that she had the spirit of Iesus True it is that Iesus and his spirite were not passed away nor yet absent from her Nay in very deed they wer present touching her heart and guiding her hand in all this her comfortles toyling but how They were present in preparing her spiritual temple to an after banquet Christ by his spirit was sweeping her heart VVith an hard stubbed broome that so shee might not onelie be halfe but wholie swept prepared to a glorious mariage Should a sicke person say that the phisitian is neuer present but when there is ease in the sicknes Is not the Phisitian as well present when he ministreth bitter Pilles for cleansing the stomake as when afterwards the stomake cleansed he administreth sugred receipts But as the poore patient crieth out the dead flesh cutting out oh that I had a Chirurgian indeede for he would not torment me after such a butcherlike manner euen so the spiritual Patient languishing vnder the burdeâ— of sinne whereof the Memory speaketh the conscience accuseth still he thinketh the beloued far away when the Beloued is hard by working the soules good as fast as he may Dauid being iâ— extreme trouble he cryeth out Psal 10.1 whâ— standest thou so far of Iehouah hiding the in the tyme of affliction Good man because the lord cast a myst of afflictiâ— about him he therefore jmagined thâ— Lord to stand a loofe alas it was bâ— the want of cleare sight for the Lorâ— was neuer more neere him Nay ouâ— Beloued Dauid Iesus himselfe on thâ— Crosse rored out Mark 15.34 My god my god whâ— hast thou forsaken me Alas sweete sauiour encompassed with our infirmâ—ties but without sin God was neâ— nerer then at that time as it appearâ— presently after when he lastly cryed Iohn 19.30 Tetelestai It is finished that is the whol worke of mans Redemption is finished Christ then was not absent wholie in his spirit to this poore sinner for shee had Faith by vertue whereof she Rose by vertue whereof she Sought by vertue wherof she called vpon God Had she not Beleued shee woulde not haue sought ease had shee not hoped shee would not haue continued seking had she not loued the
with a charge then with a patheticall Interrogatory for the Hebrewe admitteth that by both plainly intimating her fresh bleeding heart whose gushing streames none could stanch but onely her Welbeloued As the Lorde jested not with her soule so neither doth she offer vp her petition as a jest but in right good earnest as earnest of her perplexed soule But who are these daughters of Ierusalem to whom she incommendeth her case Such they were as to whom she might boldlie speake and such they were as at whose hands shee might boldly expect helpe such they wer as by whose prayers vnto her Beloued she might be the rather accepted and such they wer as were like to obviate her Beloued before her selfe All these Circumstances gathered from her manner of dealing doe plainly proue that these Daughters of Ierusalem aâ— opposite-ones to the former Watcâ— men of the Citie and that therfore the must necessarilie be The true visiâ— Church As Ierusalem was called Psal 87.3 Thâ— Cittie of God first because God haâ— there placed the Temple his Delight Secondly because that materiall Ciâ—tie figured out the Newe Testamentâ— Church called Ierusalem from abouâ— Galat. 4.26 Revel 21. so Ierusalem Daughters that is people were Gâ— his Cittizens and visible Church To these the distressed soule comes vnto them she maketh her mone and herâ— she exspecteth comfort or no where Shee runnes not to the Daughters oâ— Sodome nor yet of Babylon and Egypt spiritually so called Alas no she commeth to Ierusalems Damzels Saintes by calling the Daughters not of slauish Hagar but of Sarah who is free with her children Without the Cittie of the Saintes out of Shems Tent no comfort much lesse is Salvatioâ— to be had Oh the palpable blindnes of wounded soules in these daies If the hand of God haue smiten them haue wounded their soul haue crushed their conscience whither repair they for balm to Gilead One starteth aside with Ion. 1. Ionah to flee vnto Tarshish from the presence of IEHOVAH Another runneth vnto the smooth Prophet that he may daube vp the wounde with vntempered morter The third goeth for life Ezech. 12.18 to the smoth tongued prophetesses who lay soft pillows vnder their sore elbowes that so rhey may sleepe on peaceablie to the Deuil But how many after they are once wounded do stand forth with Hosheahs people cry one vnto another Hos 6.1 Com let vs convert vnto Iehouah for he hath spoiled and he will heale vs he hath wounded vs and he will binde vs vp how many I say once smitten by the Lordes hand do turne back to be cured at the Lords hande The heathen prophets write that to whome Aiax his speares head gaue a wound by it or by nâ—thing the wounded was to bee cureâ— but sure I am that if the Lorde by thâ— ministerie of his worde haue gadgeâ— any conscience by the same worde oâ— the Lord they must if euer be cureâ— for where hee by his heauenly kay opens no man by humaine helpe caâ— shut and where Iehouah by his kaâ— shutteth that by no naturall witte oâ— man can be opened If the two edgeâ— sworde of his worde haue giuen thee a gash it is neither cards nor dice nor dauncinge nor bone companionship that will surely heale thee VVell iâ— may for a season skin ouer the maladie of thy soule but the daie of the Lorde will come wherein Eze. 13.13 a storme from heauen shall burst out in Iehouahâ— vvrath and then shatters downe the vntempered morter false application of life and peace for There is no peace vnto the wicked Isa 48.22 no salvation to the slepy impenitent therfore no promise of the Gospell to be applieâ— to such If when the spirite of Christ hath â—tabbed thy vlcerous soule thou deâ—esire releife repaire vnto the same â—pirite who within the true visible Church sealeth vp the promises of the Gospell Lot gained bâ—t vexation of soule in Sodome and thinkes thou to gaine hearts ease there Lot could not sleepe quietlie in his Zoar and thinks thou to reape holie contentment in thine vnholie choise Henoch finding no solide or sounde ioye in the societie of the prophaine he therefore abandoned such fellowship Gen. 5.24 walked with God and therefore was taken away from men as worthie the onelie presence of God Seeke comfort wher thou should seeke and thou hast promise to finde comforte Knocke for it at the Lordes portall and thou shalt finde entry but aske for soules helth where thou should not aske for it and my soule for thine thou shalt receiue but a false comforte Badde powder may giue a false fire but the guilt of thy soule rests vndischargâ— and when Iehouah coms to examiâ—â— thy general acquittance loe it wil proâ— a peculiar blank faire without nothiâ— within a false heart seduced thee aâ— thou but dreamed of releasment Well this poore soule laboured haue peace spoken vnto her consciencâ— and therfore she commeth to Ieruâ—â—lem that is To the vision of peace 〈◊〉 onely in the Church is there peace aâ— the vision of peace without neithâ— peace nor vision is sanctified or sealâ— to any soule much lesse assurance â— saluation This holy Luke intimateâ— in his Apostolicall history when hâ— saith Act. 2.47 And the Lord added to the churâ— from day to day such as should bee sauâ—â— Neither is it possible for any to loue Iesus that covet not to be joyned witâ— his misticall bodie for where the Corpâ— bee saith our sauiour thither will thâ— Eagles resort CHRIST hath giuen hiâ— slaughtered corps to be fed vpon witâ— in not without the Church and thâ— Eagles of Iesus not Sodoms Car-crows â—re to be fed of that sacramentall bodie Iob saith that Iob. 39.13 the Eagle maketh â—er nest in the rock and sure I am that â—pirituall mounting mindes will nesâ—el within the Rock Iesus against whom â—ell gates cannot prevaile Iob saith 32. that the Eagles eyes beholde the meate a â—â—r off sure I am that the Lords Eagles by the eies of faith behold Iesus their spirituall food as far off as aboue the Sun Iob saith that the Eagles youngâ—â—es suck vp blood and sure I am that â—esus his Eagles doe by the mouth of fifth suck vp the sacramentall blood shed on the Crosse by whose blood they liue in whose blood their garments are only made white Al which considered what marvaile was it that his poore soule would by no means be hindered from Ierusalem the place of sauing vision eternal peace what maruaile is it if vnto these heauenlie â—tizens she commence her souls meaâ—â—ng If vnto these damzels shee offer her petition more then a petitioâ— Let vs examine the words I charge yee Oh daughters of Ierusalem c. Here is an homely Exordiam a seeming rude beginning In steade of I desire ye she saith I charge ye and what should be the cause of such abrupt entrie and so emphaticall admiration Surelie her case required