over them and thus much for the general frame SECT 2. NOw come we to the particular parts and therein let us consider I. Those that are contained in the rest namely the Blood and Spirits 1. For the blood you know it is an excellent part of the body and of absolute necessity insomuch that the blood is said to be the life of the body which must not be understood directly as the words seem to imply as if the life of a man were nothing but his blood for that is not possible if that were so then nothing could live which hath no blood but this is certain that Bees and many other like Creatures have no blood and yet have life it would also follow that so many drops of a mans blood as he loseth so much he loseth of his life whereas many times the evacuation of blood is the preservation of life And that which is most absurd it would follow that a mans life might be severed from him and yet remain for a time after such separation for so you see that the blood of men and of other creatures may be kept a long time in vessels after it is severed from the body And besides all this the Angels who have neither blood nor other bodily parts have life in greater perfection than a man Thus then we understand these places that speak of the the Blood that it is a special instrument of the soul whereby life is convayed to the several parts of the body by reason of the spirits which are a kind of airy invisible substance yet bodily arising like vapours â—rom the purest part of the blood for although it be said the life is in the blood yet this is because the blood is a thing which is more obvious to the senses than the spirits and again because it is the nursery and as it were the fuel of the spirits whereby as by a precious oyl the lamp and flame of life is cherished and maintained so that life is more immediately in the spirits than in the blood Again life is lost by the shedding of the blood because the spirits the immediate Instruments of the soul whereby it communicateth life to the body are extinguished by the shedding of the blood even as the flame goeth out when the wood is quiâ—e taken away and so in this respect also the blood is said to be the life of the Creature Moreover consider the spirits whereof somewhat hath already been spoken by the way These are called spirits not but that they are bodily substances but because they have the least grossness in them of all other parts of the body and come nearest to a spiritual nature And these are indeed the immediate instruments of the soul and being as it were of a middle nature between the soul and body they are a common tye or bond between them both uniting both together These are of most excellent use in the body throughout the parts they convay life sence and motion to them all they are in special manner employed in the more retired and spiritual actions of the soul in the exercise of reason and understanding in the serious thoughts and meditations of the heart by it the pain or delight of one part of the body is convayed and imparted to the rest and a sympathy or fellow feeling is derived from one to the other and in these the singular wisdome of the Creator is notably manifested SECT 3. THe parts containing these are in the next place to be considered where first the Head is that which is set in the highest place and is full of most curious workmanship it is the seat both of the outward and inward senses and as all the outward senses are placed there so none of the five are to be found in any other part of the body except that of the touch or feeling which is the lowest and grossest of the rest There is the Eye of a singular and most curious making which is the instrument of seeing the very window of this house that letteth in light to the soul which otherwise would dwell in a dark dungeon It is an admirable thing to consider how by the wonderful power and wisdome of God all colours have his property to caff sorth a resemblance and image of themselves whicâ— by the air is convayed into the Eye if this were well considered and understood it would be found one of the most wonderful works of the Creation setting forth the Creators glory But ye may conceive it thus When a Looking-glass is held before the face instantly there is an image of the face in the glass now the glass cannot frame such an image in it self for then it should be there as well when the face is turned away wherefore it must be of necessity that the face doth at all times in the light cast forth an image of it self and the glass doth only hold it by reason of the lead at the backside whereby this image is stayed and not suffered to pass through and vanish And so doth every thing that hath colour cast forth an image of it self at all times which being received into the eye presently the thing is seen and perceived by the eye which is an admirable thing to consider that all things that are Trees Plants Men Beasts c. whatsoever can be seen do every way cast forth Images of themselves into the air and that these are severally and distinctly conveyed to the eye and discerned by it There are the Ears whereby we hear which take in sounds and noises in a wonderful manner wherein also the admirable power and wisdome of God appeareth in that one voice issuing out of one mouth should enter in at many hundred ears for this must needs be granted that we cannot hear any voice or noise unless it truly enter into our ears for if the noise could be heard without such an entrance then were those open passages needless which are in the ears but these open passages are as needful to let in sounds as a door is to let a man into an house Now one man cannot enter in at many doors at once and so one voice remaining one cannot enter in at many hundred ears at the same moment and therefore it must needs be multiplied in the air and so that which is but one in the mouth of the speaker is manifold in the air and is taken in by many ears There is also the Nose which is the instrument of smelling another part of the body which serveth us both for necessity and delight it is a means to prove the wholsomness or unwholsomness of many things which are good and which are hurtful to us and yeildeth delight and refreshment in presenting us with many pleasing and fragrant smells There is also the Tongue and Palate the instruments of Tast but especially the palate or upper part of the mouth the Tongue having another and more proper use This is a sense of greatest use for
Consider tâ—e unspeakabâ—e multitude of them even bâ—yond all imâ—gination no Man on Earth being able to number all the several kinds of Creatuâ—es muâ—h lâ—ss the particulars of those kinds And then if there were not mâ—ch dulness in our spirits and want of apprehâ—nsiâ—n there would be as it were no spirit in uâ— the powers of our Souls would even bâ— swallowed up with admiration and we should with feeling hearts express our astonished thoughts and cry out with the Psalmist O Lord our God how wonderfull is thy Name in all the Woâ—ld Psal. 8.1 In some one of the least Creatures the Lord is to be seen in admirable Workmanship how much more in the whole â—reatâ—on especially considering how it is brought out of nothing in which respect the least Worm is a witness of his Omnipotency beyond exception and therefore we must take time for Meditation on the Creatures that we may set forth the praise and glory of the Creator and as the Psalmist saith May talk of all his wondrous works That the Heavens may move us to declare the glory of God and the Firmament may provoke us and prevail with us to set forth his Handywoâ—k CHAP. IV. Use 4. AS we should admire and bless the Lord for the whole Creation so in special for any Creatuâ—es by which we receive any benefit Remember whatsoever hath any Beeing in the World whereby thou receivâ—st any comfort in any kind it is part of his Creation it is one of those things which he brought out of nothing A due consideration of this would be an excellent means to lead our minds unto thankfulness and to make â—s both love and praise the Lord at whose hand we receive it If we could but deal seriously there is not the least thing that sâ—rveth to cover our nakâ—dnâ—ss or to keep off the cold in Winter not the least refrâ—shment to a drop of Dâ—ink or a cruâ— of Bread which we take into our Boâ—ies not one draught of the Ayr which we suck in at any time not Fire or Waâ—er which are so usâ—ful to us but that every onâ— at any time whâ—n we partake of the benefit of them should be a motive unto thankfulness Once this and that was meerly nothing but God gave it Beeing and these and these qualities whereby it might do me good yea the Lord to whom his works are all known in all Eternity did shew his Almighty Power in bringing these things out of nothing for this veâ—y puâ—pose that it might do me good and supply my wants In specialâ— the Light which is â—o common a blessing how excellent is it in its nature how needfull and useful unto us how should we glorify the Lord for the use of this mercy every Day that when the Earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep the Lord by his Almighty Word did bring forth this glorious Creature whereby we have the use of that most excellent sense of seeing which otherwise could not be useful to us yea whereby the Lord in a notable manner sheweth forth his glory so that He that is not blind may from this Creature especially learn to see him that is Invisible Yea God himself hath pleased to câ—ll himself by the name of this Creature God is Light So brightly doth his glory shine in this work of wonder What plentiful matter of thanksgiving doth all the world offer us if we could take it yea we cannot look about us but we see that which should enlarge our hearts and open our Mouths for the praises of the Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth all our lives should be a course of thankfulness and as all the Lords works do give us occasion of thankfâ—lness so all our actions should be works wherein our thankfulness should be expressed for the works of God CHAP. V. Use 5. THis should keep us from abusing the least of the Creatures as we fear to become guilty of defacing the Lords own Workmanship and in this regard we should not dare to shew our selves cruel to our very Beasts which we use in our service either to carry our Bodies or to do our work The Righteous is merciful to his Beast but their mercies are cruel who carry merciless hearts towarâ— the poor Creatures We must always remember that the Lord who made them hath more right unto them than we can have our right being wholly derived from him and therefore we must usurp no farther upon them than he alloweth us which is moderately and mercifully to use them not cruelly without mercy to abuse them And therefore the withholding of due and necessary food from the Beast or over-burdening it beyond measure is a dishonour offered to its Creator And as these Beasts of service must not be abused bâ—cause they are the Creatures of God so neither may we in sport torment the poor Creature that crawleth upon the Earth If I should name some practices among us of this nature perhaps some would think them too mean to be mentioned here But Christians must walk exactly and keep Gods commandments diligently or exceedingly as the Hebrew word in â—sal 119 4. noteth unto us and the poorest Creature that is is a part of Gâ—ds Workmanship and God may be dishonoured in it yea to abuse in sport â—hough it be as mean a Creature as a Flâ—â— c. is to take the Name of God in vain sith these works of His are such things by which as by a name he hath made himself known unto us the least Flie being an evidence of his Almighty Power So for those Creatures which we use for cloathing nourishment or other use we must take heed of all excessive abuse and so of taking the name of the Lord in vain Still remember that this is created of God and I must use it as a Creature of His. The Apostle against the sin of Fornication useth this speech Sâ—all I take the Members of Christ and make them the Members of an Harlot God forbid 1 Cor. 6.15 So may I say of the Creatures shall I take Meat and Drink the very Creatures and Workmanship of Gods own hand and make them Instruments of Satan and sin of Gluttony of Drunkenness means whereby to dishonour God and fight against Him that made them Shall I take Money and Cloaths Gods Creatures to shew forth my pride and my heart lifted up against God that made these and made me a poor naked Creature allowing me a â—obâ—r use of them to cover my shame not an excessive or fantastical abuse of them to satisfy and shew forth my pride and vanity God forbid So for Time which God made at the first in the beginning of the Creation we should especially take â—eed of abusing it and account it as a precious thing flâ—wing oâ—t of Gods Eternity too precious to be wasâ—fully mispent and abused If the ancient of Days hath ouâ— of his Eternity broâ—ght forth time and givâ—n us time continuing it to
wisdome of the Lord in stretching out the huge and far-spreading body of the Heavens encompassing all the rest of the Creatures after-mentioned And let the wonderful circuit of this Creature make thee with much holy admiration to look upon that infinite Iehovah by whom it was created and if the Heavens be so great that they exceed thine imagination how great is He of whom it is truly said that Neither the Heaven nor the Heaven of Heavens can contain Him if the Heavens be so glorious how unspeakable is His glory and Majesty who hath the whole Heaven for his Throne and treadeâ—h upon the Earâ—h as his Foot-stool yea consider that if Gods wisdome power greatness c. be so notably manifested in these Earthly Creatures which we see it is much more gloriously apparent in the wonderful frame of the Heavens which we can scarcely see by reason of their distance not doubting but that the Heaven doth as far excell these lower Creatures in the excellent perfections of its nature as it is above them in height of scituation 2. Again let this make thee wonder at the goodness of God with a thankfull heart who hath not only given Man a pleasant dwelling here on Earth plentifully furnished and a Lordship over other Creatures bâ—ought out of the same common Mass with himself but also offereth him a place in the highest Heaven that he may dwell for ever in his glorious presence yea that he may sit down with him in his Throne as it is said in the Revelations so that Man who is but dust and ashes even a very piece of this lower Earth shall be exalted above the rest of the Creatures and made to dwell for ever before the face of God seeing then the Lord hath made Heaven for Man to possess let not the Earth then so steal away thy heart O Christian as if there were no better thing than the Earth for thee to enjoy let the Heaven be of greater force to raise and lift up thy heart toward it than the Earth to sink it down-ward see thine own folly and bewail it that thou hast spent more precious hours employed more serious thoughts upon some few spans of the Earth or in gathering some few pieces of white and red Earth than in seeking an assâ—â—ed title of an inheritance in those glorious and spacious Heavens Think with thy self that no pains can be too much no service too hard no endeavours too constant no affection too eager in seeking Gods Kingdome and its righteousness When God would comfort Abraham in hope of the promised inheritance and so make it a motive to him that he might be stirred unto obedience and strengthened in the faith Look saith the Lord East-ward and West-ward North-ward and South-ward for all the Land which thou seâ—â—t to thee will I give it and to thy Seed for ever Genes 13.14 15. So wouldest thou have encouragements for obedience wouldest thou know why thou shouldest do these and these duties and shun these and these sins then look up to Heaven haâ—e an eye to the glorious inheritance which God hath provided for thee Wouldest thou fain be above the reach of malicious tongues or other injuries look up to Heaven they shall not touch thee there Wouldst thou learn contentedness with thy portion look up to Heaven Thou arâ— apt to think thou hast not enough here but when once thou shalt take hold of that Heavenly Kingdome thou shalt say I have enough Look up to Heaven and remember that Christ is there in the same nature of Man wherein now thou walkest up and down making intercession for thee and that thou hast a sure friend a Sureâ—y and Advocate a Spokesman one that is thine Head and to whom thou art united as a Member now in the highest part of the whole Câ—eation Consider the dignity and priviledge of a Christian whose happiness is as far above that of the Worldling as the Heaven is above the Earth 3. Consider the restless motions of the Heavens never at a stop never abating in any degree the swiftness of their motion and learn both the perfection of God whose providence is in a continual course by which as well the Heavens as the lowest Creatures are carried about all in him moving and having their Beeing and on the other side take notice of thy duty and learn to go on in a restless course of godliness as one carryed about by the power of the spirit as the first mover in all the ways and works of God whereby the heart as the first wheel is stirred and the whole outward Man carried about by that motion from which proceedeth both to will and to do according to his good pleasure In the second place to the first Nights work belongeth the Creation of that first confused lump and mass of things here called Earth but having in it as it were the stuff and materials of all these lower Bodies 1. Consider what a rude mishapen lump this was at the first and in thy thoughts strip the Earth of all its glory consider it bare and naked without Grass Trees Herbs Men Beasts Light or any thing that belongeth to its comeliness furniture or perfection and then remember that as it had Beeing so all its excellency and beauty was from the Lord and therefore suffer not any thing belonging to the Earth not any thing that partaketh of it or is of kin unto it to draw away thy heart from him who gave it all that it hath let not that which is wholly God's dâ—aw thee from God but rather lead thee to him Take the Earth as it was of it self and it was nothing take it as it was in the beginning of its Beeing and it was as good as nothing it had not any excellency of Beeing to draw thine heart after it if then thou hadst been Created and then conclude it were a madness to conceive it thus to be decked and dressed up by the Lord himself for this purpose that it might draw thy heart from him and move thee to prefer it above him 2. Learn here to see a Picture of thy state of unregeneration thy body of sin what is it bâ—t a very Chaos a rude confused lump of disordered lusts Earthly affections and muddy distempered passions Is it not without its proper form Doubtless the Soul hath lost that beautiful shape and Image of its Maker consisting in wisdome righteousness and true holiness darkness is upon the face of it What a misty Night shadoweth the understanding of every natural Man so that hâ— canâ—ot diâ—cern the things of God Alas he hath no Light the Day is not dawned neither is the Day-star risâ—n upon his Soul he speaketh readeth heareth of God of his love in Christ bâ—t hath no cleer sanctified aâ—â—reâ—ension of any Heavenly mystery he looketh blindly upon his sins upon his afflictiâ—ns upon his crosses upon his comforâ—s upon all or many of these that which the faithful Soul sees whose eyes have been
thanks as the cause requireth 8. Let the Ayr filling all empty corners in the World in a wonderfull manner leaving no creek nor crany in any degree not filled put thee in mind of the infinite presence of God who filleth all in all and through all And thus mâ—ch for the second Day CHAP. V. Meditations on the third Days work SECT I. I Proceed to the third Day which with us is usually called Tuesday wherein the Waters were gathered together in one place and called Seas and the Earth was dried and clothed 1. On this Day then thou hast special occasion to admire and magniâ—y the wisdome of God in foreseeing what was fit for the use of the Creatures his goodness in â—ffecting it and his Power in crossing and controuling the first order of nature for this purpose Consider this day how all was Water no sign of Earth no Mountain no dry Land appearing and then on a sudden by the Word of God the Waters rouling together into one place called Seas and there abiding And here consider what wonders are in this deep what numberless swarms of Fishes swimming and floating up and down of which afâ—erwards on the fifâ—h Day 2. Consider how admirable is the Power of God seen in bridling the Waves of the Seas and by his invisible but most mighty hand holding them in that they shall pass no farther And thus also doth the Lord restrain the Enemies of his Church both Devils and wicked Men who otherwise would soon bring down a deluge of misery upon the people of God and swallow up his little Flock and therefore as when thou seest the Waves beat furiously against the shore as if they would return to their old place again thou dost not fear it because the hand of God keeps them in so when thou seest the rage of the Enemies against the Church at the highest yet remember that the Covenant which God hath made with his own people is as a strong Bar against their might and malice 3. Wonderfull is the Lords Majesty set foâ—th by the greatness of the Seas bordering upon so many Nations and compassing the Eâ—rth about yielding by means of Navigation a speedy intercourse between those Countries which are far distant from each other 4. Wonderfull it is in the secret passages whâ—ch it hath whereby it sendeth forth Waters into the Cranies of the Earth which in divers places break out again in sweet and fresh Springs losing the saltness which they brought from the Sea and then by the conjunction of many Springs making Rivers and emptying themselves again in the Sea Eccles. 1.7 So also we who receive all from God should return all to him again It were a monstrous thing in nature for a stream to wheel about and come home and sink into its own Spring again not emptying it self into the Sea from whence it came No less monstrous is it but much more common for us to run thus in a Circle and to reflect wholly upon our selves to aim at our selves our ease our credit carnal contentment and not seriously and effectually to bend our hearts and thoughts to direct our aimes to employ our gifts and talents of several kinds for the honour and glory of the giver A sin that will fall most heavy at the last day if not repented of and forsaken How can we cross and oppose the Lord more who made us for himself alone than when we make our selves only to aim at our selves These Rivers run into the Sea yet is not the Sea indebted to them nor over-filled by them when we have done all that we can for God yet are we unprofitable servants we cannot give him a recompence answerable to that which we have received much less deserve any thing at his hands 5. The peâ—peâ—ual course of these streams and Rivers fed by a living Spring should put us in mind of that Well of Living Waters even the Fountain of sanctifying grace which Christ by his spirit shall cause to arise in the hearts of the faithfull never to be dried up again and such must our graces be not like a little rain-water filling the Cistern and soon dried up or drawn out but like a Spring that giveth a continual supply And as many Waters which now glide along and shew themselves in the Vallies had their first rising in the Hills as it is said that the Râ—ine the Rhene and the Poe three great Rivers of Germany France and Italy have their Springs in those Mountains called the Alpes so those streams of grace which are to be seen in the low Vallies even the conversations of humble Christians had their beginnings in that Mountain of holiness and came down from the Father of lights SECT 2. NOw then the dry Land the huge massy Body of the Earth appeareth the Waters being put up in one place and here 1. You may think of huge Mountains deep Vallies in the bowels of it veins of gold silver brass lead iron and consider that these things which the World esteemeth most precious and for whâ—ch mâ—ny thousands cast away their precious Souls are laid up by God in the lowest and basest part of the Creation buried under ground And therefore though in these we should admire the wisdome goodness riches of their Maker yet at the other side we must take special care that we do nâ—t let â—hem steal away our heaâ—â—s from him who made both them and us That brazen Serpent which Moses made by the Lords appointment was a Sacrament unto the Isâ—aelites who had fâ—lt the Fiery Venome of those Serpents in the Wilderness but the Peâ—ples sin in after-times made it a dangerâ—us Idâ—l and so a Nehâ—shtan or contemptible piece of Brass as Hezekiah called it so God hath created these mettals c. and hath given them their natures beauty qualities for ouâ— use and his glory but if we give that affection to them which we owe to him we make them Idols and are to remember that they are but a brighter kind of deâ—d Earth and that the meanest Soul in the World is of more worth than a Mountain of Gold and therefore it is a notorious indignity to the Father of Spirits and Maker of all things if we prefer one of his meanest works above Himself Again it is reported that those grounds which abound with Gold and Silver are barren in bringing forth living Plants as Trees Herbs Grass c. So the heart that hath a golden Mine or a vein of Silver running through it is barren in bringing forth any lively fruits of holy obedience 2. But the Earth is without all ornament and clothing now that the Waters are removed neither did it bring forth one poor grass or herb or any other thing until the working and All-mighty Word of God laid a new Commandment upon it Let the Earth c. And therefore do not think that the Earth hath this vertue to bring forth of it self a yearly encrease but that it would
God with the Psalmist Teach me O Lord open mine eyes c. and make no great account of the judgment of such in spiâ—iâ—uâ—l things who are worldly wise or learned but unsaâ—ctified Think rather that as no Spectacles can make that eye to see that is altogâ—ther blind so no help of humane leaâ—ning natural sharpness of wit c. can make that Man that is spiritually blind rightly and savingly to discern spiritual things If there be some light in the eye thoâ—gh but dim it may be helped and furthered by such outward means so if there be some light of the enlightening sanctifying spirit and â—he mind then thâ—se outward helps of secular Leaâ—â—ing Arts Tongues natural quickness of wit c. may be of great and excellent use and must not be despised 9. Again consider that as there is great difference in the cleerness of the light between such a Day when the Sun-beams are intercepted by a thick Mist or dark Cloud and then when it shineth brightly through a cleer Ayr so when the light of heavenly truths was dimmed by a thick mist of Iewish Ceremonies when a Cloud was in the most Holy Place even before the Oracle and Ark of Gods presence when the Vail was whole and not rent asunder the means of grace were not so cleer the mysteries of grace not so plainly unfolded by many degrees as now since our Saviours coming when there are no impediments and this should stir thee up to thankfulness every Sun-shiny day should make thee lift up a thankfull heart with feeling affections to the Father of lights for that cleer light of the Gospel which now shineth unto thee in the Church And as there is a gâ—eat difference between the Sun in an Eclipse and the Sun free from such Eclipse in his full glory so shouldest thou think there is a great difference between the Gospel now cleerly preached since the reformation and the Gospel much darkned by Popish mists by humane Doctrines yea Doctrines of Devils in the time of Popery And when-ever thou seest the Sun Eclipsed lament the miseries of those times and when thou seest iâ— freed from the Eclipse again bless God for the happiness oâ— these last hundred years And as the Sun is not in a moment freed from the Eclipse but by degrees so was it in the reformation by the Ministery of Walaus and his followers of Wâ—ckliff and his folâ—owers then of Iohn Huss of Hierom of Praguâ— of Luther and Calvin c. And therefore think how vain the Popish objection is Luther and Calvin did not agree therefore both were Hereticks the Sun was not so folly freed from its Eclipse than in Lutâ—eâ—'s beginnings as afterwards and the difference was no more than between the Sun in some degree freed from the Eclipse and the Sun more cleered and freâ—d Again consider that the Sun is Eclipsed by the body of the Moon coming between it and our sight so the light of Gods Word is Eclpsed many times to many of us in particular by reason of the World and the things of the World which are changeable like the Moon coming between it and our affections so that our hearâ—s embracing clâ—aving to earthly things have the Earth standing in their light and Eclipsing he light of the Word Therefore if you will see cleerly by the light of the Word you must remove the World out of the way put â—he Earth out of your heart And as Zacheus fâ—und himself too low when he stood upon the ground and therefore went up into a Tree and stood above the Earth that he might take a view of Christ so that you may cleerly see Christ Jesus you must not stand much lâ—ss crawl and grovel upon the ground with an earthly heart cleaving to the dust and glewed to the Earth but must get up above the Earth in the height of an heavenly spirit seeing the Earth below thee and accounting it but as an heap of dung which thou treadest under thy feet and refusest to lay in the bosome of thine affections or to set it before the eye of thy Soul 10. Consider as the light of the Sun is offensive and displeasing to sore eyes which rather delight in a dim Ayr so consider that the reason why the light of Gods Word preached is so displeasing unto many is because of the carnal distemper of their hearts whereas to a sound heart it is most delightfull And consider though the light of the Sun be pleasing to a gâ—od eye yet the sharpest sight may be dazeled by its brightness so the light of heavenly mysteries in the Word is of that surpassing excellency as to overcome the cleerest apprehension of any sanctified Christ aâ— 11. Consider as the light of the Sun is accompanied with a cherishing heat and warmth whereby the Creatures on earth are refreshed and made to grow yea whereby life is ingenerated and preserved â—o the light of the word is attended with a Divine operative warmth and vertue of the blessed spirit whereby the new life is ingenerated and preserved in the hearts of the elect Again as the Sun by its coming in the Spring renueth the face of the earth and maketh such a difference in the world as if it were a new world so when the Gospel was preached abroad in in the world by the Apostles it made a wonderfull alteration in the world even as if it had been a new world insomuch that the heathens themselves and enemies observed it as Demetrius told his fellow smiths speaking of Paul and his fellow Apostles these be the men that have turned the world upside down Ah wonderful change when those idol Gods should be hated as wicked Devils and lying spirits which before were thought worthy of all reverence when Demetrius his Diana shall be set at nought and his waâ—â— out of request which before were so highly set by when the name of one God shall be glorified throughout the world whereas before many Gods were worshipped even in all parts of the world 12. When the Sun is up men do both arise and perform the business and works of the day so when the gospel is preached as it hath been with us a long time we must think it time to rouze up our selves from the beds of security and awake by repentance out of the sleep of sin and impenitency and to being forth fruits answerable to the gospel and the means of grace Consider how unseemly it is in this day-time to go naked without putting on Christ to come abroad in the light with the loathsome rags of our natural pollutions to be still in bed to be busied in our night-works of darkness to behave our selves no otherwise than those who never saw the light Oh detest those courses of idleness swearing whoring and drunkeness c. as most unseemly in the day most unfiâ— for the light put away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light 13. Consider also that as the
thee CHAP VII Meditations on the fifth Days Work SECT 1. COme we now to the fifth day which with us is usually called Thursday the story of which days work we have laid down in Gen. 1.20 21 22 23. Wherein the waters were furnished with fishes and other Creatures that live there and the air with fouls and such creatures as live in it 1. Here consider that after those four days when the heavens were furnished with lights and the earth beautified with plants springing out of it by vertue of the word of God yet all this while there was not one creature throughout the whole Creation that had sense or power to move from place to place not one fly or the least thing moving in the air not one fish swimming throughout the seas rivers or other waters not one worm creeping on the earth here then admire the wonderful power and wisdom of God who on the fifth day by his All-commanding word filled the air with multitudes of Creatures flying there the waters with abundant of fishâ—s swimming there this was done even in a moment Consider what numberless swarms there were both of fouls and fishes brought forth on the fifth day whereas the very day before there was not one of any kind to be found in any part of the Creation And as the wisdom of God joined these two sorts of creatures together so he made in many respects a special affinity between them as the fouls are covered with feathers so the fishes with scales as the fouls move in the air so do the fishes in that element which cometh nearest the nature of the air as the fouls have wings to fly withall so the fishes have â—innes whereby they swimme and that is a motion very like to that of flying yea some of either kind do communicate with each other in their element for as we have water-fouls so there have been flying-fish in great abundance so that here you may magnifie the wisdome of God who in the day that these creatures were made did imprint upon them such properties and qualities as should be evidences to the end of the world in some sort that they were but the work of one and the same day 2. Consider here that as the Lord hath appointed the fouls to fly in the air and the fishes to swimme in the sea confining each to his own element for the general though some few particulars be suffered to live in both this should teach us to walk within the compass of our callings and not to think we shall mend our selves in a different element or another kind of course without some special cause Some few may have some special warrant to change their callings as Amos to leave his flock and teach the people and Peter to leave his nets and fish for men These had an immediate call from God and so I dare not deny but that in case of great necessity when the Church is destitute of able Ministers some well-studied in the Scriptures and experienced in the mysteries of grace may take upon them the office of the Ministry being lawfully separated unto that function yet this will prove no more that every one may at his pleasure run from the shop to the pulpit than it will follow that all the fishes in the sea may fly up into the air because some few do so And this should especially â—each Christians who are called unto holiness to take heed how they leave their element They are bidden to walk in the spirit even as birds fly in the air and in this element they must keep for as the air giveth breath unto the fouls that fly in it so the sanctifying spirit giveth the new life unto those that walk in him the waters would choak and drown the fouls if they should fall into them so sin is that which endangereth the spiritual life when a christian falleth into it The air giveth a speedy flight and motion to the Birds whereas the waters would wet their wings and cause them to move but slowly if they fall into it so the spirit when a Christian walketh in it carrieth him along with winged-affections and setteth his heart in a speedy motion upon the things of God making him ready unto every good work but if he fall into sin which is like the waters of the dead sea that Lake of Sodom his heart is like a bird drenched in water his affections are deaded his heart moveth but slowly yea many times he lieth for dead and there is scarce any motion of the spirit to be discerned in him And as in such cases a foul had need of more than ordinary means to help as to be held over a warm fire c. So a christian that he may recover his wings again and have his heart spiritually affected and enlarged toward God had need of special humiliation special meditation pâ—aier and other warming and quickening means to raise him up 3. As the air giveth breath and motion so also it giveth support to the birds and it carrieth them even as the earth doth the beasts which go up and down upon it so doth the spirit also give support unto all that are born of the spirit They are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation If it were not ordinary it might seem strange that the air which none can see being so thin a substance should carry so many millions of souls as there are in it flying up and down wonderful is the power of the blessed invisible spirit who supporteth so many thousand christians by his sanctifying vertue against all the powers of darkness 4. As these birds do now live in the air so were the fouls created in the air at the first so whosoever walketh in the spirit was also born of the spirit he had his begining in this element 5. Consider that as the Birds although they live and move in the air yet they come down to receive some refreshment from the earth so the Lord alloweth his children to receive some nourishment from the earth and to partake of its refreshments yet so as they must not delight in the earth as in their element nor in the things of the earth as their chiefest contentment but like the birds of heaven having supplied their necessities must be ready to soar aloft again and not in their affections be still groveling here below 6. You see how sparingly the birds take of the water a bird doth not drink like a beast it rather sippeth so should a christian sparingly use the pleasures of this life rather sipping like the bird than swilling like the swine As for those that give themselves to drink down iniquity like water and to commit sin with greediness they are none of those who have their conversation in heaven nay those that glut themselves with earthly pleasures knowing no better contentments than in such things as please the senses the appetite the eyes ears tast c. They
first but to beware and tremble at that venemous and smarting sting which it leaveth behind Again as flies are most busie in the sun so are temptations in prosperity and as the flies are apt to light upon that part of the body where there is a fore so is Satan wont to assault the soul where it is weakest and to take advantage of those corruptions that do most prevail in in the heart And as when flies are beaten away they come again very speedily so when Satans temptations are resisted and put back another swarm of flies is at hand other temptations are ready to assault and of this especially Christians have experience when they are pestered with blasphemous thoughts cast into their minds by Satan against which they must take comfort in that by the power of the spirit they are enabled to renew their resistance even as the assaults are renewed SECT 3. THe other sort of Creatures made this day were the Fishes wherewith the sea and rivers were wonderfully stored Admirable were these works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep and it is thought that of all sensible creatures in the world there is the greatest numbers of fishes yea and some kinds of them of the greatest Bulk and bigness of any other creature that liveth and moveth their abundance appeareth in the story of the Creation Gen. 1.20 And God said let the Waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life and ver 21. it is said the Waters brought forth abundantly And again v. 22. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas He saith of the fouls let them multiply but he doth not say let them fill the air as he biddeth the fishes to fill the Waters And as the Lord gave this extraordinary power of multiplication to the fishes of the sea so they enjoy this grant of his unto this day and as may be seen by the rowes of fishes they bring forth thousands at once insomuch that it hath been used as a Phrase of speech To encrease as the Fish imploying an extraordinary encrease Here admire the wonderfull goodness of God in providing so abundantly for us not only by these Creatures which we daily see walking in the fields or flying in the air but also by an innumerable multititudes of fishes covered under water abounding in the seas and rivers SECT 4. 1. THe greatness of some fishes is as admirable as the multitude Pliny in his Natural History reporteth that about Arabia have Whales been found six hundred foot in length and three hundred and sixty foot in breadth so that if his report be true the length should seem to be above the sixth part of a mile six hundred foot making two hundred paces and a thousand paces making a mile Howsoever the greatness of these fishes is admirable as the experience sheweth of our Merchants daily trafficking toward Greenland to take them and they are far greater than any other living creature in the world which should make us to magnifie the admirable power and infinite greatness of him that made them Oh Lord our God how wonderful are thy works in all the world And the holy Text it self takes notice in special of this creatures greatness Gen. 1.21 God created great Whales Admirable it is in these fishes that whereas the Beasts and Birds cannot live if they be kept any long time under water These on the other side cannot live unless they be under water So whereas a Christian liveth by the spirit and it is the life of his life and the joy of his heart to partake of the spirit and to be conversant in the ordinances of God on the other side it is even death to a Carnal heart to be exercised this way and he thinketh not himself a free man untill he is let loose from these The fish though it live yet it is not lively but lieth almost for dead when it is in the open air out of the waters and the natural man though he be alive not yet dead yet is he not lively but like one as good as dead when he is taken out of his element and restrained by any means from his beloved sins and tyed to holy duties in publick or in private He hath no life in these things his heart is dead toward them 2. And as the fish living in the salt waters remaineth fresh so a carnal man living in the Church and in the middest of the means of grace remaineth in his unsavoury natural condition not having the salt of mortification whereby to eat out his corruptions and dead flesh and make him an acceptable sacrifice unto God as it is said every sacrifice must be salted with salt though he live under the word yet he carrieth no relish of the word in his heart and life Therefore we must not onely look what means we have but how these means do work upon us whether we be transformed into the word for a man to imagine that he is therefore a Christian because he heareth Christ preached is as idle as to say the fish must needs be salt because it liveth in the salt waters 3. Again in that the Lord feedeth such innumerable multitudes of Fishes in the waters by what means we cannot imagine so should we be confident that he will provide for us though the means as yet seem to be hidden from us for though some of the greater fishes do feed upon the lesser yet it cannot be imagined how such an admirable number of them should be continually supplied but the Lord Al-sufficient openeth his hand of bounty and filleth them with good things 4. Wonderful is the work of God in the strange variety of kinds in the strange shapes of these creatures insomuch that it is thought there be few Beasts on earth but that there be fishes in the sea which resemble them so they speak of sea-calves sea-horses c. Wonderful strange are the properties of some fishes which the Al-mighty Creator hath given them Pliny speaketh of a little fish like a great snail which by cleaving to a Ship under sail and driven with strong winds will stay it that it shall not be able to go forward and that even about his own time the Gally of the Emperour Caligula was held fast by one of these against the uttermost endeavour of four hundred Mariners with their Oars It were strange that a Man of his dignity and place in the Common-wealth should expose himself as a laughing-stock to the Common people in reporting so notorious a lie concerning a thing done in his own time and his own countrey Therefore for my part I conceive it to be true and being supposed to be true how wonderfully doth it set forth the admirable power and wisdom of God! and in this particular example it is to be thought that the great God did purposely befool the madness of this arrogant Emperour who would take upon him to be God and required among other
vassall to the earth and not a servant to the Lord. Learn thou to know him that made thee and never think thine understanding so well employed about any other things as when it is busied in studying the word of God frequent those exercises wherein the word of God is taught and thine understanding is to be preâ—ected The eye loveth the light and is delighted with the sun-shine let thine understanding the eye of thy Soul love the light that shineth from heaven in the ministery of the word and do not turn from it or neglect it Let thy delight be in the law of the Lord and meditate therein day and night magnifie God who hath given thee this faculty of thy soul whereby thou mightest come to be acquainted with him thy Maker and think there is none so worthy of thy knowledge as he that made thee this knowledg shall be everlasting the knowledg of earthly things worldly policy skill in dealings laws of men c. shall perish but the knowledg of God is everlasting and immortal as the soul it self is yea it shall be perfected when other knowledg shall perish 3. Thy Wâ—ll wherein the strength of thy soul lyeth must be wholly for God it must be firmly bent to obey God and strongly resolved against all disobedience flashes motions and good moods and fits now and then arising in the heart toward God either in affliction or when we see some spectacles 〈◊〉 mortality or hear the word pressed upon us are but slight and weak of themselves and soon Vanish if there be nothing else but these But the strength of the Soul lies in the Will when it is sanctified and firmely resolved to obey its Maker in all things When Barnabas saw the good affections of the new Converts at Antioch be exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord Act. 11.23 So David I have sworn and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous judgments Psal. 119.106 there was a resolute spirit and such should be the bent of every sanctified will The affections may be stirred and yet may be no more but as a few loose sticks which Satan will soon break again and bring to nothing but the will when it is throughly bent and confirmed indeed it is as a common bond to tye up all the affections and to strengthen all let us therefore pray to the Lord that he would give us both the Will and the Deed. 4. The will being thus for God then labour to stir up the affections which are as it were the wings of the soul. 1. Love is strong as death jealousie is hot as fire thou shouldest love God with passionate and strong affections Oh how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day saith David Psal. 119.97 Tell him that I am sick of love saith the Church of Christ. Cant. 5.8 That is an happy soul that is sick of this heavenly love It is not enough to wish well to God and his glory and coldly to desire that things might be amended but the heart must be carried after him in strong and stirring passions of Love that as the heart of a fond lover is passionately carried and overcome with the love of the person beloved so should a Christian Soul not content it self with an ordinary cold temper of love but should labour to have it self possessed with fervent affections yea to be overcome The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts saith the Apostle now that I hope will work an affectionate love to God when his love is poured abundantly into the heart this will make a man love out of a pure heart fervently 2. This will draw desire after it which is another affection oh how the Soul will pant long hunger and thrist for God if once it fall in love with him and be truly joyned unto him having tasted of his excellency and found how Good the Lord is I have lifted up mine eyes to the hills saith the Psalmist Travellers at the foot of the hill look up to the top and now oh that I were there with a wish so a Christian in the valley of humiliation and in the sence of his own wants locketh up to God and his holy Mount and now oh that I were with the Lord oh that I were neer to him and could more fully enjoy him oh that I had more of his Spirit more of his fulness more of his graces my soul thirsteth for the Lord even for the living God And when once thou comest to this how canst thou chuse but from thy heart loath all sin tendered or suggested to thee by Satan the world or the flesh if once thou thus lovest God thou wilt not make league with any enemy of His. 3. Then thou wilt rejoice in the Lord with joy unspeakable and full of glory then the worlds joys will seem poor heartless unsavoury flashes and now a world for my part in that blessed feast of fat things of wine upon the lees of wine upon the lees well refined No delicates so sweet as the Paschal Lamb Christ Jesus no feast so excellent as that which the soul maketh on him by Faith Now I can relish Christs sweetness in the Word in the Sacraments in private Meditations 4. And now also must thy sorrow be sanctified and nothing be so grievous to thee as that which is displeasing to thy God thy heart should ake when his spirit is grieved all should be godly sorrow that bringeth repentance give not way to that sorrow for which thou must sorrow again but to those tears after which thou shalt reap in joy 5. As for Hope where shouldest thou cast Anchor but upon the Rock there is the only sure hold that will abide a storm fasten there lean not upon the arm of flesh cast not Anchor in the Sand. 6. And whom shouldest thou fear but him that hath all power in his hand all Creatures that can help or hurt at his command eâ—ther to let them loose or to tye them up fear him for his Goodness and Mercy as well as for his Justice that it is too good to be abused and to be made a patronage to thy sins 7. Labour to be couragiously confident in the Lords goodness toward thee and bear up thy soul upon the multitude of his mercies and his truth that never faileth above the gulf of desperation 8. And for thine Anger let it not be a strange fire of inordinate and distempered passion but an holy fire of zeal for the glory of God oh let it burn inwardly to consume the dross and corruptions of thy own soul and to burn up the stubble vanity of thy corrupt affections and then let it flame out in the eyes of the world that those that hate it may yet see its light and then whatsoever the world speaks or thinks of thee thou maist with a glad heart say in the presence oâ— God Praise the Lord O my soul
make us admire his infinite power in curbing them his infinite-goodness in preserving us 4. Consider of what use many of these creatures are to us especially those which are most common among us What supply of Milk do the Kine afford us what Fleeces of Wool do the Sheep yeild us what store of strong wholesome and pleasant nourishment do their bodies yeild us and what labour is bestowed about these when we have eaten of these and are full when we are cloathed by these and are warm then should we take heed lest we forget God of whom we have received all 5. Among other things we should observe the Lords goodness in giving us divers of these creatures to do our work to carry our burthens to bear our selves What benefits do we daily receive by the labour of the Oxe plowing our ground and doing us necessary services many ways How serviceable is the Horse unto us both for speed and ease carrying us from place to place wonderful is the goodness of God in making these creatures far stronger than our selves to yeild to us not using their strength to resist us but to do us service Therefore we should not at any time use any of these creatures but that we should be moved to lift up thankful hearts to God for this mercy which we would think worthy of much admiration if they were not so common among us but on the other side we should think the more we have of them the more thankfulness we owe to God for them 6. Consider that as a man hath in him the senses of a Beast and somthing more excellent as Reason and Understanding so a Christian hath Nature in him and somthing above Nature even the Spirit of Regeneration And as some Beasts have some things in them wherein they excel man as the Lion in strength the Horse in swiftness c. yet the meanest man is naturally more excellent than the most excellent among the Beasts so though the children of this world do in some thiâ—gs outstrip the children of light as many times in beauty strength wit outward carriage policy civil deportment c. yet the meanest true Christian is more excellent than his best carnal neighbour in regard of the Image of God restored to him 7. Again seeing the Beasts have those pleasures whereof the senses are capable this should perswade us that these are not the most excellent delights but that there are purer higher more heavenly delights which suit better with an intellectual immortal soul and this should teach us to bewail our brutish affections which carry us so strongly after sensual delights of the eye the ear the taste c. as if we had no better souls than the Beasts Solomon saith The spirit of a beast goeth downward and the spirit of a man goeth â—pward Eccles. 3.21 So it should be in our affections our souls should go upward reaching toward the things above and not go down-ward enthralling themselves to these sensual things here below like the spirits of the Beasts 8. As the Beasts do bear our burthens so should we willingly bear those burthens and do those services which God requireth How wouldest thou rage if thy Beast should continually fling and cast thee and those things which thou layest upon it and are not we herein worse than Beasts that perish when with froward spirits we fling and kick at the Lords commandements and do not willingly and obediently submit unto them Of the Creation of Man CHAP. I. Gen. 1.27 So God Created man in his own Image in the Image of God Created he Him Male and Female Created he them SECT 1. THe rest of the Creatures being made the supream Lord of heaven and earth was pleased to make Man after his own Image to be his Deputy here on earth and under him a Lord of the other creatures which being a principal work requiring special attention the holy Ghost setteth down the consultation of the Trinity about it and sheweth us how it was accordingly performed in these words where you may take notice of three things which you may take as so many several points of doctrine I. That God created Man II. That God created both Sexes Man and Woman Male and Female III. That God made man in his own Image For the first that God Created Man this is that kind of creature as we have said partly visible partly invisible and so his Creation is to be considered according to his several parts first then consider the creation of mans body and then of his soul. The Creation of mans body is but briefly laid down Gen. 2.7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground that is his body where though the dust of the ground be mentioned yet I conceive that the matter of mans body was tempered with the other elements although the earth was that which bare the greatest bulk and made up the greatest part of the substance in the body Now to set forth the excellency of the Creatour it may not be amiss briefly to consider of the notable workmanship of mans body whereof the Psalmist speaketh Psal. 139.14 15 c. and in it may be considered The general frame The particular parts 1. In the general frame is to be observed a notable and excellent temper of body consistinâ—â—f divers humours admirably composed and mixed together and fitted so as to be a serviceable Instrument of the soul this was in full perfection when God made it for we musâ— not judge of it according to those distempers whereunto the body now is subject yet now in some tempers above others there is some degree of evenness which giveth us a shadow of that exactness that was at the first But in that state of â—reation there was not the least defect nor disorder in the temper of the body nothing which a man could have wished to have been otherwise than it was the constitution and complexion of the body and so the colour and appearance of it was perfect and exact For as every thing wâ—s good in its kind so man especially had his due natural perfection every way 2. As there was this perfect temper and so an excellent constitution so there was a just and due proportion the whole body had its just stature and every part its due measure it was exactly shaped and framed nothing wanting nothing exceeding nothing beyond nothing short of the due size And this exactness both of temper and proportion made up the perfect beauty and comliness which God gave to the body of man in his Creation 3. In the general frame also we may consider the upright and erected posture of mans body in which regard he was permitted to look up to heaven and an excellent Majesty was given him as a Lord and Ruler over the other Creatures who were made to bow down their back in subjection unto him and by the very stooping of their body to do him homage and acknowledge his dominion