guns of the losâ— of his Cattel and Estate and Servants would have done some execution in making some breach upon his faith and patience and this great gun playing when he was before tired in defending must needs shatter him in peices He may fitly be called the Wolf of the Evening Jer. 5. 6. that devoureth This roaring Lyon walketh in the night to seek his prey There have been few eminent Saints but have found their Death-bed a Bed of Thorns in regard of temptations Mr. Knox said when he came to dye In my life time the Devil tempted me to despair casting my sins in my teeth but now in my sickness he tells me I have been faithful in the Ministery and so have merited Heaven but blessed be God who brought those Texts into my mind Not I but the grace of God in me What hast thou that thou hast not received The Israelites never met with so much opposition as when they were to take possession of the Land of Canaan then all the Kings of Canaan combined together and came out and fought them When Satan was to be cast out of the possessed person and never to enter into him more he rent him and tore him that the people thought he was dead Now Reader What need hast thou to be serious and holy on a dying Bed to the utmost of thine ability and to fetch in all the strength thou canst from Heaven when thou hast such cruel powerful enemies to encounter with It s was one of the most quickening prevalent arguments that Alexander used to the Macedonians before their third and last fatal Battel with Darius That tâ—ey were to fight with all the strength of Persia at once What an awakening argument should it be to thee that thou art to fight with all the Powers of Hell at once Secondly Consider It s a special season wherein thou mayst glorifie God A Saint by his death may bring God more honour then by all his life The Actions and Speeches of dying men make a deep impression on the hearts of those that are about them The wicked themselves who have mocked at the purity and strictness of the Saints lives have admired their patience and chearfulness in their deaths Though they look on the beleivers words in health as savouring of self and sinister ends and humour and so neglect them yet when they hear a dying Saint commend the love and faithfulness of God the pleasantness and excellency of his ways and worship and to bless the time and pains and strength that ever they spent in his service they esteem his language and begin to have other thoughts of Holiness and Heaven for they consider that surely now the man is entering upon the borders of eternity he is serious and in earnest Hence the Patriarchs knowing the prevalency of such words urge Ioseph with Iacobs dying charge Thy Father when dying said Forgive I pray thee the iniquity of thy servants Gen. 50. 16. That Ruâ—â—ian that would live with his fellow Riotors beholding the holy behaviour of Ambrose on his Death-bed would chuse to dye with Ambrose The enemies of Christ beholding at the death of Christ how the Rocks were rent darkness covered the face of the earth how the vail of the Temple was torn in sunder the graves were opened the dead raised were forced to cry out Doubtless this man was the Son of God So when the adversaries of Gods people see them on their Death-beds and behold their patience in bearing their sickness their Faith in relying on their Saviour their charity in forgiving their enemies their zeal for the honour and interest of their Master their constancy in defending the Gospel they did before profess they are compelled in their consciences to acknowledge Doubtless these are the Servants the Sons and Daughters of God Much more will a holy behaviour on a Dying-bed benefit such as fear God It convinceth sinners that they whether they will or no must have other thoughts of holiness and holy men then formerly and it confirmeth Saints in their gracious practices and makes them more diligent in their preparation Mr. Bilny the day before he suffered death being told that though the fire was hot Gods Spirit would cool it to his everlasting refreshing answered putting his hand in the flame of the Candle I feel by experience and have known by Philosophy that Fire by Gods Ordinance is very hot but yet I am perswaded by Gods holy Word and by the experience of some spoken of therein That in the flame they felt no heat and in the fire no consumption and I constantly beleive howsoever the stubble of this my body shall be wasted by it yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby a pain for the time whereon followeth joy unspeakable And then he most comfortably treated on Isaiah 43. 1 2. But now Thus said the Lord that created thee O Jacob and that formed thee O Israel Fear not for I have redeemed thee When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Which words he applied both to himself and his friends then present Of which some reaped such fruit that they caused the words to be fair written on Tables The comfort whereof in several that were with him was never taken from them to their dying day O t is very profitable to others when a Saint so behaveth himself on his Death-bed that he may say to his Friends and Relations as Sir Robert Harleigh did to his Children I have formerly taught you how to live and now I teach you how to die Thirdly Consider It s the last opportunity that thou shalt ever have to do any work for thy God and Saviour and thy own soul When thou diest thou goest to the place where thou shalt receive thy reward and shalt never never more have any season to sow to the Spirit in to serve thy Redeemer in and to manifest thy thankfulness to him for his love to thee I must work the work of him that sent me whilst it is day saith Christ for the night cometh wherein no man can work Ioh. 9. 4. Thou mayst when dying say to thy friends as the Crier of the Ludi seculares which happened but once in a hundred years did at Rome Come see that which ye never saw before nor shall ever see again He that hath but one Arrow to shoot but one throw to cast but one opportunity left him to work out his salvation in may well improve it to the utmost A certain Martyr going to suffer expressed his sorrow that he was going thither Where he should do his God no more service Our God is so good that his work is desireable and were it possible for any grief in Heaven saith Dr. Sibs it would arise from a Christians consideration that he did no more
man in this world The greatness of the price the blood of God doth to every rational understanding fully speak the preciousness of the pearl Now how clear and plain is it in the word of truth that the Redeemer gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity and to purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of goodworks Tit. 2. 14. That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies we might serve him in holiness and righteousness all our days Surely Reader that which the Son of God who thought it no robbery to be equal with God thought worthy the taking on himself the form of a servant and the suffering the spite and malice of men the wrath and rage of devils and the frowns and fury of his father to purchase for thee doth deserve to be minded and regarded by thee as thee onely thing thou followest after and setst thy self about during thy pilgrimage Alas All the pains and labour and watching and working and time and strength and lives of all the men in the world are not equivalent to one drop of the blood of Christ or the least degree of his humiliation and wilt thou deny to make that thy business for which he shed so much blood and laid down his life 6. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which is the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost and for which the Spirit is infused into the hearts of men The worth of the Father doth speak the desert of the Child Though men who pretend to honour the Father for his work of Creation and to admire the Son for his work of Redemption blasphemously deride and wretchly slight sanctification which is the work of the Spirit yet undoubtedly the work of the Spirit is no whit inferiour to either nay is the beauty and glory both of Creation and Redemption as being the end and perfection of both The Father created the world in order to the new creation by the Spirit as that choice work man ship which he resolved should bring him in the largest revenue of praise and honour T is the new heavens wherein dwelleth righteousness that doth most declare the glory of God and the Firmament of sparkling graces that sheweth forth his most choice and curious handi-work Sanctification is the travel of the Sons soul a spiritual sacred life the great end of his death The Son redeemed man from slavery to sin and Satan and unto the service of righteousness by layino down the price thereof his own most precious blood One of the Sons main works was to purchase the re-impression of Gods Image on man the actual performance of which is the peculiar office of the Spirit hence he tells us Ioh. 14. I go away that the comforter may come and again Ioh. 6. The Spirit was not yet given i. e. so plentifully and universally because Iesus was not yet glorified And therefore we read that in few days after his ascension to acquaint us what was one main end and fruit of his death and suffering he powreth down the holy Ghost in an extraordinary manner and measure So that Creation the work of the Father doth as it were provide the matter the wax Redemption the work of the Son buyeth the Image of God the Seal and Sanctification the work of the Spirit stampeth it on the soul. Now Reader doth not the Sanctification of the Soul deserve to be thy main business when it is the curious work of the holy Spirit as that which the Fathers eye was chiafly on in thy Creation and the Sons in thy Redemption Is not that worthy to be made thy business which addeth a real worth to every thing and without which nothing is of worth or value Every one will grant that what is so richly excellent as to ennoble and add an intrinsick value to whatsoever it is affixed and the lack of which maketh every thing be they in other respects never so precious low and mean must needs deserve to be our business Truely Friend such is holiness it makes the word of God a precious word more to be embraced then gold yea then much fine gold The Ordinances of God precious Ordinances the people of God a precious people the excellent of the earth What is the reason that some in the account of him who is best able to judge though they be never so rich or beautiful or high and honourable in the world are called Dross Chaff Stubble Dust Filth Vessels of dishonour and counted Dogs Swine Vermine Serpents Cockatrices but want of holiness What is the reason that some though poor and despised and mean and houseless and friendless are esteemed by him who can best discern true worth The glory of the World the glory of Christ a Royal Diadem a Royal Priesthood higher then the Kings of the earth more excellent then their Neighbours Princes in all lands such of whom the world is not worthy but because they are godly persons an holy people Why are some Angels advanced to the highest Heavens waiting always in the presence of the King of Kings honoured to be his Ministers and Deputies in the Government of this lower world when other Angels are thrown down into the lowest Hell for ever banished the Celestial Court and bound in chains of darkness as prisoners to the day of execution but holiness in the former and want of it in the latter 8. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which will and can refresh and revive thee in an hour of death and enable thee to sing and triumph at the approach of the King of terrors The Master of Moral Philosophy tells us that its worth the while for a man to be all the time he lives learning how to dye well The unerring spirit of God acquaints us that it ought to be our great work to be wise for our latter end Doubtless it must be a rich costly cordial indeed and deserves not a little time and pains and charge to prepare which can keep a man from fainting in such a day of extremity wherein our honours and treasures friends wives children nay our flesh and hearts will fail and forsake us That cannot be of mean worth which can make a man encounter his last enemy with courage and conquest at the sight of which Kings and Captains and Nobles and the greatest Warriers have trembled as leaves with the wind and their hearts melted as grease before the fire Now Reader Godliness is that wine which will cause thee to sing at the approach of this Goliah and enable thee as Leviathan to laugh at the shaking of his spear when whole hosts of others without Godliness flie like Cowards before it and would give all they are worth to avoid fighting with it Heark what a challenge the godly sends to this adversary daring it to meet him in the field O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the
it by thy providence water it with the showres of thy grace and so quicken it with the beams of thy favour that it may bring forth much fruit to thy glory I Wish that I may like Enoch walk so with my God in all my actions whilst I walk amongst men that in thy good time my soul may be translated and I may not see death either as the wicked in this World do with terrour or as the damned in the other World do in torment to their everlasting woe Lord thou art Jehovah Tsidkenu the Lord my righteousness be pleased to cloath my person with the robe of thy Sons imputed righteousness that my nakedness may not appear before Men and Angels to my eternal shame let all my actions be covered with the garment of thy Spirits imparted righteousness that they may be acceptable and amiable in thine eye Let thy grace so fill my heart that godliness may be visible in my hands and I may thereby draw others towards Heaven Thou hast said Behold I make all things new what wilt thou then do with this old corrupt nature of mine O Renew that or nothing will be new to my comfort O God create a clean heart and renew a right Spirit within me I know the time will come that thou wilt create new Heavens and new Earth wherein shall dwell righteousness My body is the Earth and my soul is the Heaven which thou hast already made but might thy servant prevail with thy Majesty to create my soul thy new Heavens and my body thy new Earth wherein may dwell righteousness how infinitely should I be bound tâ— thy distinguishing mercy Thy hands have made me and fashioned me O give me understanding that I may keep thy Commandements Were my soul bespangled with the glorious stars of thy graces and my body embroydered and curiously wrought so as to be the Temple of thy Spirit then indeed thou mightest reâ—lect upon what thou hadst made with complacency for behold it would be very good Hast thou not made the great World for man and the little World Man for thy self When shall I be so pure as to invite thy presence and so sanctified as to be set apart from all others and to be only for thy service O make it appear that I am thy workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which thoâ— hast before ordained that I should walk in them If thou pleasest to set forth this Heaven and Earth this little Epitome of the creation in a new edition I know it would be done in so fair a Character as to delight thine eyes and to raviâ—h the hearts of all that behold it T is confest the Copy was perfect when it came out of thy hands there was no unrighteousness or impatience not the least blot or blemish in it but my Parents who transmitted the book to the world through their unfaithfulness filled it from the beginning to the end with errors Adam begat a Son in his own likeness after his Image The first sheet went off the press through his cursed falseness and negligence imperfect and full of faults and the many millions that followed have still retained the same defects Yet Lord since thy Son was at the cost of a new impression Let it please thee for his sake to be at the pains of correctâ—ing this volume so effectually that those who look into it may read righteousness courtesie meekness faith humility patience heavenly-mindedness printed in so large a Letter free from the former errors that they may so like it as to embrace and imitate it O then I shall be assured that at the general Resurrection when thy last hand shall pass on me and I shall be published in the newest and last edition none of those blots and blurs wherewith I have defiled it shall be found in it but thy Image shall be printed on me in such a lovely Character and in so perfect a manner that thou wilt delight in me and I in thee for ever and ever Amen CHAP. II. How Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness in the Choice of their Companions SEcondly Thy duty is to make Religion thy business and to exercise thy self to Godliness in relation to thy Company Man saith the Great Philosoper is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 natures good-fellow as one Englisheth it a creature in love with Company Cosmographers observe that the farthest Islands of the World are so seated that there is none so remote but that from some shore of it another Island or Continent may be discovered as if nature hereby invited Countries to mutual commerce God never intended that the World should be a wilderness nor the chief inhabitants thereof as barbarous Beasts to live alone lurking in their Monksâ— and Nuns and Hermits who under pretence of Sanctity sequester themselves from all society are so far from more holiness and being better Christians then others that they seem to have put off the very humane nature and not to be so much as Men. Vnclean nasty persons love to be always private and by their good will would neither seeâ— nor be seen of others Birds of Prey flye always alone and Ravenous Brutes come not abroad till others are retired Psa. 104. 23. Our very senses speak that God would have us sociable nay it s the natural voice of our tongues for our speech and hearing and sight would be in a great degree lost and our Makers end in giving us those Organs and Instruments for converse much frustrated if every man should immure himself in his own Cell The graces and spiritual riches of Saints would in some measure be useless if they did not deal with some to whom they might distribute them The Law of man condemneth ingrossers of external goods and the Law of God condemneth ingrossers of spiritual good things They who study to Monopolize all to themselves undo others As the World shall never want poor men that the wealthy may always have objects of Charity and opportunities of laying out and improving those talents which are committed to their trust so the world shall never be without needy Christians that those who are rich in grace may have fit objects and occasions of imploying their gifts The Moralists axiom is right Omne bonum quo communius eo melius Every good thing is so much the better as it hath many sharers in it In this sense there is a truth in that It is not good for man to be alone Not that it was a formal evil but inconvenient Infinite wisdom hath so dispenced his gifts and graces that no man is so sterile but he hath something wherewith to profit others nor any man so furnished and fruitful but he standeth in need of others help The Head cannot say to the Foot much-less the Foot to the Head I have no need of thee The King himself who seemeth to have least want cannot subsist without the meanest workmen even them that grind
burned We strike fire by meditation to kindle our affections This application of the thoughts to the heart is like the natural heat which digesteth the food and turneth it into good nourishment When we are meditating on the sinfulness of sin In its nature its contrariety to God his being his law his honour its opposition to our own souls their present purity and peace their future glory and bliss In its causes Satan the wicked one its Father the corrupt heart of man its Mother In its properties how defiling it is filthiness it self how infectious it is overspreading the whole man polluting all his natural civil spiritual actions making his praying hearing singing an abomination how deceiving it is pretending meat and intending murder In its effects the curse of God on all the creatures evident by the vanity in them the vexation they bring with them in the anger of God on sinners apparent in those temporal punishments spiritual judgements and eternal â—orments which he inflicteth on them I say when we meditate on this we should endeavour to get our hearts broken for sin ashamed of sin and fired with indignation against sin O what a wretch am I should the soul think to harbour such a Traytor against my Soveraign What a fool am I to hug such a serpent in my bosom What sorrow for it can be sufficient What hatred of it is enough What watchfulness against it what self abhorrency because I have loved it and lived in it can equal its desert O that I could weep bitterly for the commission of it and watch narrowly for the prevention of it and pray-fervently â—or pardon of it and power against it How much am I bound to God for his patience towards so great a sinner How infinitely am I engaged to Christ for taking upon him my sins T was infinite condescention in him to take upon him my nature but O what humiliation was it to take upon him my sins What life can answer such love what thankefulness should I render for such grace such goodness The close applying of our meditations to our hearts is like the applying and rubbing in oyl on a benummed joynt which recovers it to its due sense He that omits it doth as a chapman that praiseth ware and cheapens it but doth not buy it and so is never the better for it David proceeds from meditation of Gods works to application of his thoughts Psal. 8.2,3,4 When I consider the heavens the work of thy fingers c. What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou dost thus visit him 5. It is a serious applying of some sacred subject that his resolutions may be strengthned against evill and â—or good The Christian must not onely pray his good thoughts but practice them he must not lock them up in his mind but lay them out in his life A Council of war or of State is wholly useless if there be none to execute what they determine That Kingdom flourisheth best where faithful execution followeth sound advisements Therefore the Heathen pronounced that City â—afe which had the heads of old men for consideration and the â—ands of young men for execution Action without consideration is usually lame and defective consideration without action is lost and abortive Though meditation like Rachel be more fair execution like Leah is most fruitful The beasts under the law were unclean which did not both chew the cud and divide the hoof Ruminatio ad sapientiam fissa ungula pertinet ad mores Chewing the cud signifieth meditation dividing the hoof an holy conversation without which the former will be unprofitable saith Austin Reader Hast thou thought of the beauty and excellency of holiness in its nature its conformity to the pure nature and holy commands of the blessed God in its causes the Spirit of God its principal efficient the holy Scriptures its instrumental In its names it s the image of God the divine nature light life the travel of Christs soul grace glory the Kingdom of heaven In its effects or fruits how it renders thee amiable in Gods eye hath the promise of his ear is entituled to pardon peace joy adoption growth in grace perseverance to the end and the exceeding and eternal weight of glory and hast applied this so close to thy heart that thou hast been really affected with its worth and wished thy self enriched with that jewel though thou wert a beggar all thy life and resolved with thy self Well I will watch and weep and hear and pray both fervently and frequently for holiness I will follow God up and down and never leave him till he sanctifieth my soul Now I say to thee as Nathan to David when he told him of his thoughts and resolution of building a temple Do all that is in thine heart for God is with thee 2 Chron. 17.2 or as God to Moses concerning the Jews They have well spoken all that they have said O that there were an heart in them to keep my commandments It s well thou art brought to any good purposes but it will be ill if they be not followed with performances Good intentions without suitable actions is but a false conception or like a piece charged without a bullet which may make a noise but doth no good no execution Indeed there is no way better to evidence the sincerity of thy intentions then by answerable actions David was good at this I thought on my wayes there was his serious consideration and turned my feet to thy testimonies there is his holy conversation So again I will meditate on thy precepts and will have respect to thy testimonies T is in vain to pretend that like Moses we go into the mount of contemplation and converse with God unless we come down as he did with our faces shining our conversations more splendent with holiness This saith the cheif of the Philosophers will a man to perfect happiness if to his contemplation he joyn a constant imitation of God in wisdom justice and holiness Thus I have dispatched those five particulars in meditations The first three are but one though for methods sake to help the Reader I spake to them severally and are usually called Cogitation the other two Application and Resolution Cogitation provides food Application eats it Resolution digests it and gets strength from it Cogitation cuts out the sute Application makes it up Resolution puts it on and wears it Cogitation betters the judgement Application the affections and Resolution the life It s confest this duty of set meditation is as hard as rare and as uneasie as extraordinary but experience teacheth that the profit makes abâ—ndâ—nt recompence for our pains in the performance of it Besides as Milstones grind hard at first but being used to it they grind easily and make good flower so the Christian wholly disused to this duty at first may find it some what difficult but afterwards both facile and fruitful Reader to help thee
Satan for the advancement of Christ and holiness but thou hast excelled them all Thou hast changed Lions into Lambs Ravens into Doves Beasts into Men and Men into Angels thou hast subdued head-strong passions mortified natural and riveted corruptions tore up old and sturdy lusts by the roots conquered Principalities and Powers led captivity captive and turned the world upside down By thee wonders are wrought the blind restored to their sight the dead raised the deaf hear the dumb speak the Lepers are cleansed and the poor have the Gospel preached to them and are changed into the nature of it where thou ridest conquering and to conquer the whole world runneth after thee Thy neck is like the Tower of David builded for an Armoury wherein there hang a thousand bucklers all shields of mighty men Thy weapons are not carnal but spiritual and mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. By thee poor weak and contemptible men have subdued Kingdoms wrought righteousness obtained the promises stopped the mouths of roaring lions quenched the violence of hellish fire escaped the edge of Hereticks and persecutors sword out of weakness were made strong waxed valiant in sight turned to flight Armies of the Aliens Thou hast not onely like Saul slain thy thousands but with David thy ten thousands thou hast broken the serpents head destroyed the great Leviathan tramplest on Scorpions and Vipers and nothing can hurt thee Thou bringeth heaven down to earth and carriest earth up to heaven Thou are the joyful message from a far country the river whose streams make glad the City of God Infinite Wisdom contrived thee Infinite Truth proclaimed thee and infinite Goodness discovered thee The Father indited thee the Son confirmed thee and the Spirit revealed thee to the children of men The Countries and Kingdoms of the earth were overwhelmed with worse then Egyptian darkness till thou didst arise upon them and with thy glorious beams enlighten and enliven them by thee fools have been made wise sinners made Saints ignorant men have been instructed wandring men reduced weak ones confirmed and lost ones saved By thee the heavens were established the foundations of the earth formed the sorrowful are comforted the scandalous reformed the needy relieved and the righteousness of God revealed Thou art eyes to the blind and â—eet to the lame and food to the hungry and rest to the weary and physick to the sick and life to the dying The ablest Historian will infinitely fall short in describing thy heroick deeds None can declare thy noble acts or display half thy praise Angels may well pry into thee with admiration and astonishment and make the contents of thy Chapters the subject of their songs and substance of their Halelujahâ— to all eternity When that heavenly host preached on earth thou wert their Text be thou their triumph in heaven for ever O thou savour of life thou living water thou well of salvation thou tidings of great joy to all Nations thou ministration of righteousness thou mystery of godliness thou mine of unsearchable riches thou way of holiness thou word of the kingdom that thou wert written on the tables of my heart and graven with a pen of iron and the point of a diamond on that rock for ever Thou wast once written on tables of stone with the hand of God himself how precious was that book wherein every leaf was immediately of Gods making and every line in it of Gods writing My heart is an heart of stone I find it by too much experience but if thou wert engraven on it 't would be a precious stone its price would be far above Rubies the Onyx and the Saphire should not be valued with it the Gold and the Chrystal should not equal it neither should it be exchanged for Coral or Pearls O that I were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God known and read of all men O that my soul were the house and thou the inhabitant for ever O that the word of Christ might dwell richly within me that I were able to say with holy David I delight to do thy will O God thy law is within my heart or in the midst of my bowels Thou art the Oracles of God all thy sayings are faithful and true and worthy of all acceptation when O when shall I give it them Thou art worthy of the eye Blessed is he that readeth the words of this Prophesie Rev. 1. 3. Thou art worthy of the ear Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Thou art worthy of the heart O that I could hide thee in mine heart that I might not sin against the Lord Thou art a counsellor to the doubting a comforter to the distressed Thou art health to the navel and marrow to the bones an ornament of grace unto the head and a chain of gold about the neck They that walk in thy ways are safe and their feet do not stumble Thou teachest in the ways of wisdom and thou leadest in right paths O that my ways were directed to keep all thy commandements for thy steps tend to holiness and thy Paths take hold of Heaven O my soul is it possible for thee to hear the excellency of Scripture thus opened to thee and not to burn in love to it Hast thou been all this while in such an hot bath and still cold and shivering Hast thou felt its power tasted its savour seen its beauty often heard its awakening voice and known its universal vertue and dost thou yet doubt its divinity or question its excellency Surely if ever thou shouldst again through unbelief belief ask it the same question which the Scribes did Christ when they beheld his miraculous actions By what authority dost thou these things or who gave thee this authority thou mayst answer thy self in the words of the man born blind and then seeing to the Jews Is it not strange or This is a marvellous thing that thou knowest not whence it is yet it hath opened thine eyes Joh. 9. 30. Was there not a night of dread and horror with thee when thou didst sit in darkness and in the shadow of death till this sun did arise with light and life under its wings O cry out with the Psalmist I will never forget thy precepts for by them thou hast quickened me I was wallowing in my filth weltring in my blood rotting in the grave of corruption till thou didst say unto me Live yea till thou didst say unto me Live Thy voice is powerful overcoming all opposition The love revealed in thee is wonderful far surpassing the love of woman Thy promises are exceeding great and precious more to be desired then gold yea then much fine gold Thy Maker may well prevail for thine acceptance Who
of the rich Glutton can prevail to avoid it No time no place no company no houses no lands no relations no youth no strength no power no preferments can priviledge me against the arrest of death God hath decreed it Sin hath deserved it and I must expect it It is so searching that it will discover all the Children of men both to themselves and Angels Though ships are usually distinguished by their Flags yet that is no sure sign for Mariners when in sight and fear of their enemies will ordinarily hang out the colours of other Nations and say they belong to them but when they come to their Haven to unload their vessels it appears to what Country they belong Though men are usually distinguished by their outward behaviours yet many for their own ends put on Christs livery who are of Satans family but when they come to be searched and unladen at the end of their lives t will be known to whom they belong When I come to dye then the great controversie between Christ and Satan concerning my soul will be determined whose it shall be for ever O my soul that thou couldst but conceive what it will be to be sent by death into an unchangeable estate either of bliss or misery If thou diest in thy sins thou art killed with death Shouldst thou now live without conscience thou wilt dye without comfort and remain comfortless for ever Ponder a little with thy self the fearful death of a sinner that thou mayst flie his wicked acts as thou wouldst his woful end In the midst of his jollity and mirth when he is in an eager pursuit of carnal pleasures and posting in the way of worldly delights and running to all excess of riot he is on a sudden by deaths harbinger sickness commanded to stand and proceed no further This cuts him to the very heart His former prosperity like Oyl hath suppled his body and makes him more sensible of his present pain And his immoderate love to those fleshly delights doth abundantly greaten his grief and increase his loss Now the man is thrown whether he will or no upon his sick bed that must be his death bed In this his extremity his Companions and Friends and Wife and Children and Honour and Places and Preferments and Silver and Gold and Houses and Lands and costly attire and dainty fare are all dry things and unsavoury to him no creature can afford him the least comfort If he look into his Chamber his Wife is weeping and wringing her hands his Children are sighing his friends are lamenting and wailing but all this doth increase not mitigate his vexation and misery If he look into his Conscience he finds that taking courage and telling him to his face that though formerly he would not suffer it to speak yet now it must tell him the truth that death and hell and wrath are the wages of his ungodly works It will bring to his mind the time he hath mis-spent the talents that he hath mis-improved the day of grace that he hath despised the great salvation that he hath neglected his secret and private and publick sins the sins of his Childhood of his youth of his riper age those sins which he had forgotten and thought should never have been remembred are all set in order before his eyes His heart which was before harder then the neather Milstone is now pierced though not with an evangelical contrition yet with legal terrors and torments His sickness will allow no rest to his body and his sins will afford no ease to his soul. In the evening he cryeth Would God it were morning in the morning Would God it were evening because of the anguish of his spirit His bones are filled with a painful disease and his body with unquietness The Arrows of the Almighty are within him the poison thereof drinks up his spirit and the terrors of God do set themselves in array against him His review of his past actions his remembring of his slighting Christ for a brutish pleasure or a little fading treasure or a base lust and provoking God and continuance in sin against mercies judgements warnings the light of conscience the motions of the spirit are as so many envenomed Arrows sticking in his side and piercing him through with many sorrows but the thoughts of his necessity of dying and his fore-thoughts of the consequent of death how hell rides upon its back and eternal torments attend it how he must fry in unquenchable flames and take up his everlasting lodging amongst roaring Lyons frightful Dragons and the hellish crew sink him quite down To add some more Gall and Wormwood to his cup of bitterness the Devil now steps in and sheweth him his sins in their black hew in their bloody colour and countenance to make him hopeless and desperate The poor creature in this miserable plight and plunge knoweth not what to do whether to go for releif Dye he would not but must live he would but cannoâ— Now he wisheth that he had prayed and served God and minded his soul and salvation more and gratified his flesh and embraced the pleasures and honours of the World less Now he desireth that he might live a little longer and thinks O how would I redeem time and follow after holiness and walk with God what would I not do and suffer to lay up some comfort some cordial against such an hour But whilst he is thus in the midst of his vain wishes Death tells him by the violence of his distemper that the time of his departure is at hand His eyes now begin to sink his speech to faulter his breath to shorten and his heart to fail him and a cold sweat to seise on his whole body He strives and struggleth with all his might to continue here but Death like a Cruel Serjeant drags him to the bar of God whence he is immediately with frowns and fury dismist and haled to the dreadful and eternal Dungeon of Hell O the howlings the screeching the groans the grief which possesseth this poor soul when he is attached by Devils those merciless Officers and carried by them to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone for ever The Spirit being now gone the Body remains a cold lump of Clay forsaken of its dearest friends loathsom to its nearest relations sit for no company but the wormeaten congregation amongst which it must abide till the last day when it shall be joyned to the soul and partake with it in unconceiveable and endless torments Ah who can read such a souls estate with dry eyes or think of such a condition without sorrow O my soul what are thy thoughts of such a death Wouldst thou for the most prosperous Worldlings life dye such a death Doth not thine heart ake whilst thou art musing on it If thou wouldst not meet with the end of such men avoid their ways Lord I confess my self a great sinner and thou mightest justly leave me to walk
I love them how can I manifest it better then by commending them to God in prayer Should I leave them thousands of silver and gold if I were able it would not all amount to the price of one fervent prayer My riches might wrong them through the deceitfulness of their hearts and cause them to be contented short of Heaven but my prayers cannot prejudice them but may much further their eternal welfares Men whose natures are crabbed and cruel have granted the requests of their dying children when they have been contrary to their own humours How much more will God the Father of mercies whose nature is Love whose bowels are infinite satisfie the desire of his dying children when they fall in with his own design and desire If Joab had hopes to speed in his supplication for Absolom because he knew the Kings heart was more for it then his own may not I be confident to speed when I beg that he would pay my debts in spirituals with interest to those who have bestowed carnals on me for his sake when I ask that my Children and Relations may love and fear and worship his Majesty and be his workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good works and when I intreat that he would accomplish all the great and good things which he hath promised to his Church the purchase of his Christ knowing that his heart is infinitely more for these things then mine can be Lord when I dye I shall no more put up prayers for my self or other particular persons My natural obligations to my Kindred and Relations my civil ingagements to my Friends and Benefactours besides my spiritual bonds to them and thy whole Israel may well provoke me to be fervent and instant with thy Majesty at such an hour on their behalves My Redeemer before his death wrought hard at this duty He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears Ah how should I pray for my self and others when I am taking my leave of prayer O let thy spirit of supplication be so poured down on me that I may poure out my spirit in supplication unto theeâ— for my own and others souls through thy Son with the greatest success I Wish that the night of my death may shine gloriously with the sparkling stars of divine and heavenly graces In particular I desire that when the time of my combat with my last enemy and my last combat with any enemy shall come I may above all take the shield of Faith whereby I shall be sheltered against the sting of death and quench the fiery darts of the wicked one The wise Mariner perceiving a storm approaching makes hast to fasten his Vessel with Anchors that it may be steady and not altogether at the mercy of the winds I must expect the greatest tempest when I am entering into my eternal Haven then all the powers of darkness will conjure up their strongest winds if possible to shipwrack the vessel of my soul Ah how much doth it concern me to put forth this grace the anchor of my soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the vail and thereby to fasten on the rock of Ages If I fail in this I fall I miscarry for ever God is a severe judge to condemn all guilty Malefactours Without his Son I am cloathed with guilt and so under his boundless wrath When Adam had disrobed himself of original righteousness by disobeying the law he fled from God and dreaded the summons of offended justice There is no appearing in the Fathers sight with acceptance but in the garments of his Son None can have boldness to enter into the holy of holies but by the blood of Iesus It s Faith onely that interesteth in this blood I know that through the red Sea of this blood I pass may safely though enemies pursue me hard into the Land of promise Lord I confess through an evil heart of unbeleif I have many a time departed away from the living God yet Lord I believe help mine unbeleif O Lord of life be not far from me when Devils and death are near me Help me with thy servant Stephen to see Heaven open by faith and the Son of man at thy right hand Enable me to disclaim whatsoever duties I have performed or graces I have exercised and to rely alone on a crucified Christ for pardon and life Though thou killest me let me dye trusting and clinging on and cleaving to Iesus Christ Let this Pilgrims staff of faith be never out of my hand till I come to my joâ—rneys end Thou art the Lord of Hosts and the Captain of my salvation O help me to put on the whole armour of God grant me such skill to use it that I may be able to stand in the evil day Teach thou my hands to war and my fingers to fight that through thee I may do valiantly and through thee may tread down mine enemies Grant me so to finish my course to fight the good fight of faith that at death I may receive the crown of righteousness which the righteous judge shall give to all that love his appearing I Wish that my faith may ripen into full assurance that thereby I may depart with joy and an abundant entrance may be ministred unto me into the Kingdom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Moses and Simeon could sing at their own funerals The great Apostle could call to be put to Bed expecting thereby his sweetest eternal rest How many Martyrs have gone more joyfully to dye then ever Epicure did to dine and leaped when they drew near the Stake believing that they drew near their home their happiness their heaven What is it O my soul that makes thee start and flinch back at the sight of this bug-bear What is there in death that is so dreadful to thee Is it the sweetness of life or the pain of death or thy future estate after death Consider them all seriously and then judge rationally whether any of these should make the sigh so loath to depart First The love of life need not make thee so backward to obey the call of death If all thy time were made up of Holy-days death would bring thee greater advantage The Garlick and Onions of Egypt are nothing comparable to the Clusters of Canaan But alas its far otherwise thy whole life is a civil death Thou art born to sorrow as the sparks flye upward Thy days are few but full of trouble The earth to thee is a valley of tears the cross is thy daily companion which accompanieth thee where-ever thou goest The sufferings of thy flesh are neither few nor small How many diseases in thy body losses in thy estate how much disgrace ignominy slander oppression art thou liable to The sufferings of thy spirit are more and greater Thine own sins the provocations of others the dishonour of thy God the wants and weaknesses and oppression and persecution of the Church
strength to do and suffer whatsoever I am called to He carrieth the purse for me and gives out to me according to my necessities I have not a farthing of my own wherewith to buy the least morsel I can do nothâ—ng of my self but I can do all things through Christ strengthning me Man is a weak creature and so far from runing that he is not able to creep in the way of Gods commandements unless Christ strengthen him Without me ye can do nothing Joh. 13. 3. If Christ with-draw himself as the Sun he carrieth the light of holiness along with him The easiest duty is too hard and the weakest enemy too strong for us unless Christ assist us 'T is upon his wings alone that we can mount to Heaven in an Ordinance and through his power that we do improve any Providence It is not the standing Army of habitual grace that will make the Christian a Conquerour he must daily be recruted with Auxilaries from Heaven The watch-man doth not onely make the watch and set every wheel in its right place but he or some other must wind it up daily or it will stand still Exerciâ—ing grace is as requisite to our spiritual motion as habitual grace to our spiritual being The Razor though it be never so sharp or keen at first if it be used must be often at the Whetstone or it will grow dull The Wife that hath frequent occasions for money for provision for her Self and Children and Servants and for Cloaths and all Family necessaries and not a penny but what comes out of her Husbands purse and he fearing she should be prodigal lets her have money by driplets but from hand to mouth must be always going or sending to him or otherwise starve The Shopkeeper that drives a great trade in the Country must go often to London or abroad in other parts to fetch in commodities The Israelites in the Wilderness were maintained for water by the Rock They drank of the Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ. The Rock followed them they did not only drink of it at first but had a constant mornings draught and drank of it often in the day it ran iâ— a stream after them and every day supplied them It s no marvail the Apostle commandeth us Pray continually Pray without ceasing Pray evermore when he knew all our living was got by begging that all our supplies must be from above and we must expect nothing without asking Ordinances are the food of the soul. As Cows afford us both Milk and Beef so Ordinances are Milk to Babes and Meat for strong Men. Our God is the Fountain of Spiritual as well as of natural life It s said most truly in respect of a Natural life In him meaning God we live and move and have our beings Act. 17. 28. We live Now as God hath made the heart the spring of natural life and hath drawn from thence a multitude of arteries to carry the vital spirits through the whole body and disperse life through every part of it So he hath made the Mediatour the spring of spiritual life and his Ordinances the Arteries to convey life to every part of the soul. In whom we move As God hath from the head derived manifold sinews to carry out thence the animal spirits and with them the faculty both of sense and motion over all So the Lord from Jesus Christ the Churches head through the sinews of sacred duties conveyeth spiritual sense and motion to all his members And have our being To preserve our being he hath made the Liver a fountain of blood and from thence drawn the Veins to convey it over the body to the nourishment of the whole Ordinances are those Veins which convey and disperse gracious spirits over the whole new man With him is the well of life Psa. 36. Sacred duties are as needful every day for our souls as food and raiment for our bodies The body must continually be repaired with nourishment because it is continually consumed by our natural heat Yesterdays bread will not keep the laborer to day in strength and vigor to go through with his work he must have new diet or he cannot hold out Friend I must bespeak thee as the Angel to Elijah Vp and eat for the journey is too great for thee Vp and be doing in Prayer and Scripture and holy Ordinances that thou mayst feed and receive spiritual nourishment for otherwise the business of exercising thy self to godliness the duties required of thee to be performed the graces to be exercised the temptations to be resisted the deadly enemies to be conquered will be too hard for thee the journey will be too great for thee The Amalekite by long fasting grew faint and unable to go his journey If the bringing stream be not as large as the running stream the bottom will quickly be without water The greatest stock will lesson apace if a man spend daily on it though but in a small quantity if he hath no way of getting Those that are under-kept and called to hard labour can never perform what is required of them The spirits daily are decaying and if not daily renewed by proper nourishment we perish The Vessels that are always leaking must stand constantly under the conduit to get what they lose When Ionathan through fasting became faint He tasted a little honey and his eyes were enlightened How much more said he if happily the people had eaten liberally of the spoil of their enemies which they found for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines 1 Sam. 14. 29 30. The more a Christian mindeth Divine Ordinances in obedience to Gods precept and affiance on Gods promise the more strength he shall receive to conquer his spiritual adversaries and to discharge the several duties incumbent on him The truth is our religious life our heavenly flame is like a straw fire to mault which must constantly be tended and fed with fuel or it will go out There is noâ— more need of the Shepherds constant and daily tending his weak sheep in the summer seasonâ— then of the Saints daily regarding his precious soul. As trees being well ordered with skill and diligence they become abundantly fruitful but being left to themselves without culture and care they bring forth little or no fruit So Christians by a diligent use of means abound in the fruits of righteousness but neglecting ordinances they decline and decay The heart of man is like Reuben unstable 〈◊〉 water and is stablished with grace Heb. 10. which cannot be expected but through the means of grace The Viol that with every change of weather is apt to be out of tune must be constantly hung within sent of the fire Whilst we are in the care of this world we are full of damps and therefore need all means of quickening Our hearts are like Clocks twice a day at least the Plummets must be pulled up or their motion and
they passed by the great Luminaries of Heaven without admiration So these beholding the poor mean treasures and fleeting honours of this world bow down the knees of their souls to them and worship them but pass by the beautiful Image of the blessed God the unsearchable riches in Christ and the glory to be revealed without any respect or regard So reasonable and righteous is mans devoting himself to the worship of the blessed and most high God that he cannot without manifest injustice as well as ingratitude and folly deny the exercising himself to godliness Unless man were his own Makerâ— he cannot have any title to become his own Master Psa. 119. 73. The Redeemers title to us is certain and clear and unquestionable whether we own it or no and all the while we keep any thing from him or deny subjection to him we rob him of his right Ye are not your own but â—ought with a price therefore glorifie God in your bodies and spirits which are Gods 1 Cor. 6. ult The Slave is not his own man but his who redeemed him though his proud and stubborn spirit may refuse to acknowledge it Man is not in the condition of those persons who are servants by compact and agreement for a year or so long as they think fit and upon their own terms but like those whom the Romans took in War over whose persons and estates they had an absolute dominion as well as a right to their works and service Though the Commands of Christ are all holy just and good as profitable for man as honourable for himself yet he hath absolute authority over man and all that he hath and may command him what he pleaseth As Laban said to Iacob These daughters are my daughters these sons are my sons these cattel are my cattel and all thou seest is mine So the Redeemer by vertue of the price he laid down his most precious blood may say to every man This soul is my soul this body is my body this estate is my estate these children and friends are my children and friends this name and credit and interest is mine and all thou haste is mine Yet alas men â—â—o will give their Relations their due strangers their due enemies their due nay according to their Proverb the very Devil his due and far more then his due will not give Iesus Christ his due but against all justice and righteousness rob and wrong him of that which is his own and dearly bought too Rom. 14.7 8. For whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we dye we dye unto the Lord whether therefore we live or dye we are the Lords For to this end Christ both dyed and rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living So absolute is the necessity of mans making Religion his business that upon his diligence or negligence herein his eternal salvation or damnation doth depend If any man will be Christs Disciple he must deny himself disclaim all title and disown all right to himself have nothing more to do with himself as upon his own account and make an unfaigned unreserved dedication of himself and all that he hath to the honour and interest of his Redeemer Sanctification is a separation from all common to sacred uses and this must be done with all the heart and soul and strength in the whole course of the life by all that will escape the wrath to come God commandeth men to strive to enter in at the straight gate to work out their salvations with fear and trembling to be holy as he is holy in all manner of conversation and his word is like the Law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be altered He hath enjoyned nothing but what his infinite wisdom saw fit and he is resolved not to vary the least tittle not to abate the least farthing of the price he hath set Foolish men are so besotted by their deceitful hearts and befooled by the Devil that they complement with Religion and onely give it an outside formal salute instead of cordial embraces and real entertainment They deal with religion as Anacharsis saith the Athenians dealt with money using it for no other end but to number and cast up accounts with whereas it might have served them for excellent purposes So they use Religion onely for a shew for fashion for custom and are satisfied with an hypocritical way of Worshipping God and think to put God off therewith whereas it would serve them for high and honourable ends it would if entertained in the power and life of it elevate the Christian above this beggarly world enable him to combat with and conquer his sturdy stubborn lusts and the power and policy of Hell help him to a conversation in Heaven to converse and communion with the Father and Jesus Christ his Son and dress his soul for a blessed eternity Reader If thou art unacquainted with this high and honourable this worthy and noble Calling of Christianity I shall appeal to thy reason and conscience in the tender of some questions possibly one or other of them may prevail with thee to bind thy self Apprentice to it As a Fowler according to the different nature of his game contrives and appropriates his stratagems that some he catcheth with light as Larks with a glass and day nets some with baits as Pigeons with pease some with frights as Blackbirds with a low-bell some with company as Ducks with decoy fowl So I shall endeavour to suit my questions to thy temper whatever it be that if either the light of reason or the bait of unconceiveable and infinite profit or the frights of dreadful threatnings and comminations or the company of Christ the captain of our salvation and all his followers and Souldiers who marched to Heaven in this way will win upon thee I may perswade thee to make Religion thy business O that being crafty I might catch thee with holy guile To this end I beseech thee to weigh the questions again and again as thou readest them and to dart up thy prayers to Heaven for a blessing on them that thou mayst not reject the counsel of God against thy own soul but hearken to counsel receive instruction and be wise for thy latter end 1. Is not that worthy to be made thy business upon which the true comfort and joy of thy life during thy whole pilgrimage doth depend Comfort is the cream the top of life joy is the flower the honey the life of life Life without comfort without delight is a living death If the body be disquieted with diseases and aches and pains the soul as a tender Husband sympathizing with his bride though the patient be heir of a Kingdom and commander of large dominions yet all creatures to him are unsavoury morsels and as an aguish pallat he can taste can rellish nothing Iob in distress speaks in such a mans dilect Why is light given to him that is in misery
affections to them Who would esteem much of that flower which flourisheth and looks lovely in the morning but perisheth and is withered at night How little are those things worth which are to day mine and to morrow anothers which make themselves wings and as birds flye away are no sooner in sight but almost as soon out of sight Though all the works and creatures of God are excellent and admirable in their degrees and places yet some are of far more worth then others because of their nearer relation to our spiritual souls and their eternal duration When I look upon honours and applause and respect in the world methinks its worth is little for I can see through that air it is but a breath a blast that quickly passeth away When I look upon houses and lands and silver and gold I may well judge their price low for there is a worm that will eat out and consume the strongest timberd-dwelling and gold and silver are corruptable things Riches are not for ever When I look upon my Wife and Children in whom I have through mercy much comfort and contentment yet their value as natural relations is small for so they shall not be mine for ever and therefore they that have wives are commanded to be as though they had none But when I look upon grace upon godliness upon religion upon the Image of God O of what inâ—â—nite worth and price and value are they because they are lasting they are everlasting they are mine for ever When honours and crowns and robes and scepters are but for a few days when stately pallaces and costly mannors and treasures gold and pearl are but for a short time when the most lovely and loving wives and husbands and sons and daughters and friends are frail and fading The fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever Godliness is the good part that when thy relations and possessions and all the good thing of this life shall be taken from thee shall never be taken from thee Reader what an argument is here to provoke thee to spend and be spent to imploy all thy time and strength and talents to sell all for this pearl when it is of so great price that when all other priviledges excellencies royal or noble births high breedings preferments favours with Great men riches pleasures will onely as brass of leathren money be currant in some Countries in this beggarly earth it will enrich thee and enliven thee refresh and rejoyce thee for ever 11. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which all men even the greatest enemies to it will sooner or later heartily and earnestly wish had been their business We have an usual saying that what one speaketh may be false and light and what two speak may be false and vain and what three speak may be so but what all speak and agree in must have something of truth and weight in it And again we say Vox populi est vox dei The voice of all the people is an oracle Though as Christ said of himself so I may say of Godliness God himself beareth witness of it and his witness is true and it needeth not testimony from man yet as he made use of the testimony of Iohn to convince the Jews of their desperate wickedness and inexcusableness in not submitting to his precepts and accepting him as a Saviour So may I improve the witness of the whole world on the behalf of Godliness to convince thee Reader of thy folly and sinfullness in neglecting it and to shew thee how inexcusable thou wilt be found at the day of Christ if thou dost not presently set upon it and make it thy business It s evident that many men whose hearts are full of opposition to the ways of God and whose lives are a flat contradiction to his Word and Will do yet in their extremity seek him early and cry to him earnestly and flie to Godliness as the only shelter in a storm and safest anchor in a tempest The most prophane and atheistical wretches who have in their works defied God himself and in their words blasphemously derided godly men and godliness when they have been brought low by sickness and entred within the borders of the King of terrours and have some apprehensions upon their spirits that they must go the way of all the earth then as Naturalists observe of the dying Cuckoe they change their note send for godly Ministers godly Christians desire them to pray with them to pray for them hearken diligently to their serious instructions wish with all their hearts and would give their highest honours and richest treasures and imperial diadems and kingdoms if they have any and all they are worth that they had made Godliness their business and promise if God will spare them and lengthen their lives but a few days upon earth that they will have no work no calling no employment no design but how to please God and obey his counsel and submit to his Spirit and follow after holiness and prepare their souls for heaven O then Godliness is godliness indeed and grace is grace indeed Then they call and cry as the foolish Virgins to the wise Give us of your oyl for our lamps are gone out O give us grace give us godliness in the power of it for all our formal out side lazy serving of God is come to nothing The Serpent that is crooked all her life time when dying stretcheth her self straight As Dionisius on his death when he heard Thales discoursing excellently about the nature and worth of Moral Philosophy Cursed his pastimes and sports and foolish pleasures that had taken him off and diverted him from the study of so worthy a subject So these lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God whose lives are little else then brutish delights in a circle or a diversion from one pleasure to another whose business now is to mock at piety and persecute the pious when they come to be thrown by a disease on their beds and their consciences begin to accuse them for their neglect of Godliness and to convince them of its absolute necessity and they have some fears to be overthroâ—n by death then they curse their hauks and hounds and games and cups and companions and sensual delights that hindered them from making religion their business Experience testifieth this frequently in many parts of the Nation where the consciences of dying sinners are not seared with a red hot iron Some wish this whilst they live either under some great affliction or on a dying bed nay I am perswaded that most wicked men that live under the Gospel in their prosperity even when they have the world at will in the midst of their sensual delights have inward conviction that the course they take will prove cursed in the end and have some velleities or weak desires though overruled by carnal head-strong affections that they could leave those vanities and make religion their business But
me in all my dealings chuse rather to be a loser then a lyar and let that be my character which thou hast given of the Citizens of Sion that I may never lift up my soul to vanity nor swear deceitfully but walk uprightly work righteousness and speak the truth in my heart I Wish that I may be Courteous as well as Righteous towards all with whom I converse Humanity is a debt which I owe to all mankind why should I therefore as some proud men dam up and contract my civility into so narrow a compass that it shall swell into flittery towards my Superiors and not suffer one drop to descend towards Inferiors I would not as Formalists in fashion of habits or outward Vesture discover the lightness of a carnal mind Nor like Hypocrites by composed actions or artificial gesture manifest the looseness of a frothy spirit but as a prudent yet serious Christian be so affable in my carriage that I may be the more acceptable in my counsel for the good of others souls Humanity doth cast a lustre to attract the eyes and hearts of others Courtesie is commendable and an adorning adjunct to sanctity Holiness is honoured by the attendance of this Hand-maid Grace is rendered more lovely when t is accompanied with a kind nature T is pity that Jewel should not ever be in this soft Velvet Cabinet One end of my trading must be to commend to others the excellency of spiritual wares and to encourage them to buy the truth but if my behaviour be morose and unkind I shall fright men from being my customers and inflict on my self part of Nebuchadnezars penalty separate my self from amongst men by forcing them to withdraw from me If my language be fierce and my looks frowning I may deter men from my company but shall never allure them to Christ. Where the carriage is sowre and pouting the Counsel will never be sweet and prevalent O that I might never disadvantage Religion by any rugged disposition but by the kindness of my nature may do a real kindness to grace and become all things to all men if by any means I might save some Yet I would not be so courteous to others as to be discourteous to my self I mean be so courteous to sinners as to comply with them in their sins T is far better that the World should count me uncivil then the Lord should esteem me ungodly Let me be an enemy to their corruptions when I shew my self most friendly to their persons and never be so much a Courtier as to forget that I am a Christian Lord who hast commanded thy people to be kindly affected one towards another teach me to shew the true affection of my heart in the kindness of my tongue and hand courtesie is as salt and dryeth those ill humours which are distastful to others and will make my counsel the more savoury Thine Angels themselves used salutations in their occasional converses with Mortals give me to do thy will on earth as it is done by those Noble Courtiers in Heaven for I believe that they were in Heaven when they were discoursing with thy chosen on Earth Grant me so much gracious good manners as by my prayers to send the next man I meet even all I deal with to thee Let me bestow the almes of some hearty ejaculation as well as the outward expressions of The Lord be with you upon them Yea let me for thy sake be kind and gentle to all men that I may draw them to thy self Yet suffer me not to be so friendly in my words as to have fellowship with any in their wickedness but helpe me to dispence even my civilities by a standard measure least what I intend as shy Net to take others souls prove Satans trap to catch mine I Wish that I may be both so just as not to offer injuries to others and also so meek as to suffer with patience what others offer to me The world will never leave its old haunt of persecuting them that are holy It s natural for Wolves to hate and devour Sheep If I were of the world I should be one of its darlings for the World loveth its own My God hath called me from it and chosen me out of it therefore it hates me I need not marvail at its malice when it did spit its venome at the Author of its being and took away life from him who gave life to it The Servant is not above his Master nor must the Disciple look to fare better then his Lord. If the soft Pillow of meekness be not laid on my back I shall never bear the burthens of their calumnies and cruelties with the least comfort What pain doth such Vinegar cause when it meets with the raw wound of an impatient spirit The more mad the world is the more meek I had need to be if I would enjoy my self Besides there may be â—allings out amongst the best friends Good men are not all of the same stature nor all of the same temper Some are like broken bones if but toucht they fret and fling How full are some of jealousies and suspicions which would soon be increased by my passions and that spark which might be extinguished by my lenity is blown into a flame by my fury Some are sickly and in constant pain others are under some smarting providence some offend me upon mistake and though others should do it out of malice yet even they also call for my pity more then my passion The best have need of pardon from man as well as God and shall I who want it more then others not allow it to others Alas what harme do I get by others heats The Air when beaten is not injured no not so much as divided but returnes to its place and becomes thicker then before The sharpest words cannot wound me if I do not put my hand to the weapon All those tongue-squibs of reproach which the malevolent world throw at me will go out alone and die of themselves if I do not revive them My well-grounded patience will as a walking staff preserve me from many a fall whilst I travail in rugged ways The distracted world indeed judgeth him the bravest fellow that will not pocket up the least affronts but the wisest man that ever was nay the onely wise God tells me The patient in spirit is better then the proud in spirit O my soul whom wilt thou believe the world that long since hath lost its wits and must ere long for its phrensie be fettered with the chains of everlasting darkness in the Bridewel of the bottomless pit or that God to whom Angels themselves are comparative fools O be not hasty to be angry for anger resteth in the bosome of fools What a fool art thou to break thy own bones to give another a smart blow A furious man is like Tamar who to be revenged of her father in Law defiled him and her self
will suffer then not to publish what thou art is a sin The light of Religion ought not to be carried in a Dark Lanthorn and to be shewn onely when thy own interest will permit and at other times to be hid Christ tells us Whoâ—oever shall deny me before men him will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 33. Not to confess Christ openly when thou art called to it is to deny him And expect the same measure from Christ in the other world which thou givest to him in this How justly will he be disowned for a servant hereafter that was ashamed to own so Noble a Master here And how dreadful will his condition be whom Christ shall deny before his Father All thy happiness depends upon his confessing thee If he disclaim thee Divels will lay claim to thee and theirs thou shalt be for ever It concerns thee therefore to confess Christ how dear soever it may cost and to own Religion in all companies for thou mayst truly say what an honest man did being occasionally in a Pyrates Ship when t was searcht and the Pyrates cryed out Wo be to us if we be known he said Wo be to me if I be not known There are a sort of men that like Mercury the Good-fellow Planet are according to their company good if with the good bad if in conjunction with bad but the true Christian hath not so learned Christ. He who like the Mariner changeth his course upon the change of the weather is but an unsound Professour We read of some that feared the Lord and served graven Images 2 King 17. 41. They divided themselves between the true God and Idols As the Jewish Children which spake half Hebrew and half in the language of Ashdod Nehem. 13. 24. and as some Gentlemen that speak Italian when they are amongst Italians French amongst French men and order their language answerable to their associates So some that would be called Christians change themselves both for words and deeds into the nature of their Companions Amongst the godly they own God but amongst the wicked they deny him They alter their colour as the Sole say Naturalists according to that which is nearest and expose the Name of God rather then their own to contempt Beza saith of Baldwinus that he had Religionem ephemeram A Religion for every day Some men have a deportment sutable to all with whom they converse resembling such as are sinful and dissembling with them that are holy These are either ashamed or afraid of Christ both which are unreasonable 1. Some will not own him out of shame though he be the glory of his people Israel The Paint of women in some Countries is the Dung of the Crocodile and their sweet powder the excrement of a Cat yet people can esteem these their honour The Drunkard can boast of his strength to drink The cunning Cheat of his deceitful doings And alas many Christians are ashamed of Christ. O how unworthy is it that wicked men should glory in their shame and good men be ashamed of their glory that the scum of Hell should be prided in and the Soveraign of Heaven be esteemed a disgrace that some should with brows of brass boast of the ugly Monster begotten of Satan and others not dare to own the fairest of ten thousands and the onely begotten of the Father It s reported of Aristotles Daughter that being asked what colour was best she should answer the blush colour Diogenes was wont to say that Blushing was the colour of vertue How ever this colour may be commendable on other occasions its abominable in the cause of Christ David saith I will speak of thy judgements before Kings and will not be ashamed Psa. 119. 46. Neither the greatness of their power nor the brightness of their splendour shall make me bashful and ashamed to own thee Shame doth excellently become sin but it s wholly unbecoming the blessed Saviour Rom. 6. 21. Mark 8. 38. 2. Some will not own Christ out of fear As an Owl peeps at the Sun out of a Bâ—rn but dares not come near it So some peep at the Sun of righteousness but stand aloof as if they were more afraid to be nigh God then the Devil This made Peter deny his Master How daunted have many been to look danger in the face He who had sometimes courage enough to take a Lion by the beard lost his colour and changed his behaviour before wicked Achish Slavish fear is a great foe to Godliness The Great Philosopher gives this reason why the Camelion changeth colour so frequently he being a fearful creature swelleth by drawing in the air hereby his skin is pent in and made smooth and more apt to receive the colour of those objects that are next him They who are fearful of suffering will easily if their company require it change their colour and disown their Saviour Timerous creatures will run into any unclean places for shelter when a magnanimous spirit in a good cause will defie death it self He who fears his skin is no friend to his soul but will defile the latter to defend the former Fear surprising the heart takes it away and makes the Christian weak and then 't is no wonder if the smallest blow conquer him and like a Reed he bend with the least blast of wind but how unreasonable is it that any should be afraid to own the blessed Saviour when in sticking close to him is their only safety Nothing can hurt thee but sin t is that alone which exposeth thee to injuries and miseries if thou fearest that thou needest fear nothing else What a foolish bargain dost thou make by denying Christ to make wicked and weak men thy seeming friends and the jealous God thy real enemy Is not he distracted who to avoid the scratch of a pin layeth himself open to the shatering of a Cannon And art thou not worse if to avoid the fury of poor Mortals thou incurrest the wrath of the Almighty Remember that the fearful are the first in the black list for the eternal fire Rev. 21. 8. and do not play the Coward as Furius Fulvius to sound a retreat when thou shouldst as a man of courage sound an Alarm The Mulberry tree is esteemed the wisest of all Trees because it onely bringeth forth its leaves after the cold frosts be past but in Christianity he is a fool who dares not profess himself a Christian till dangers be over St. Austin in his Confessions relates a story of one Victorinus who being converted because he had many great friends that were Heathens durst not own Christ publiquely but went to Simplicianus and whispered him in the ear I am a Christian but Simplicianus answered him Vix credo nec deputabo te inter Christianos c. I do not beleive it nor will count thee a Christian till I see thee profess it openly Victorinus at first derided this answer but afterwards considering the
endeavour it and leave as little a scar as possibly he can Pliny tells us of one Martia who had the Child in the womb kill'd by lightning and yet she her self was unhurt It s excellent when a Boanerges can so cast forth lightning as to kill sin in his conscience and not hurt the sinner in his repute To avoid this it was ordained among the Lacedemonians that every transgressour should be his own corrector for his punishment was to compass the Altar finging an invective made against himself It s a singular credit to the Christian if he can open and so heal mens sores as not to leave any brand upon their persons We read that God appointed Snuff-dishes as well as Snuffers for the Lamps of the Tabernacle and both to be of pure gold Exod. 37. 23. The Snuffers noted that those who check any fault in others should be free themselves The Snuff-dishes noted that those crimes which we reprove we should forgive and remit The Râ—bbies say that those Snuff dishes were filled with Sand to bury the Snuffs in He who snuffs a Candle and throws the snuff about the Room gives offence to more by the ill savour he makes then content by his care and diligence There is hardly any work of Christianity which requires more wisdom then this of Admonition The temper and quality of the persons the nature and difference of the crimes the manner and way of delivering the reproof the fittest season for it ought all to be seriously and diligently considered The rebuke of sin is aptly resembled to the fishing for Whales the mark is big enough one can hardly miss hitting but if there be not Sea-room enough and line enough and a dexterity in letting out that line he that fixeth his harping-iron in the Whale endangers both Himself and his Boat Reproof strikes an Iron as it were into the conscience of the Offendour which makes him struggle and strive to draw the Reprover into the Sea to bring him into disgrace and contempt but if the line be prudently handled and not pull'd too strait nor too qâ—ick the sinner may be drâ—wn to the Reprover and saved I confess this duty of reproving is an hard and unpleasing task because truth ordinarily begets hatred but it s far better that men should hate thee for the discharge of thy duty then that God should hate thee for the neglect of it It s much easier to endure their rage for a short time then the Lords wrath for ever If the perfons reproved have any true love to themselves they will love thee and truly that mans love is little worth who hath none for his own soul. Therefore Reader obey Gods precept and leave the event to his providence Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Ephes. 5. 11. If thou canst advantage and gain their souls they will give thee thanks if not thy God will and surely his thanks are not to be esteemed at a low rate It hath many times been experienced that faithful reprehensions have procured though present ill-will yet respect afterwards Dean Colet for delivering his conscience by way of reproof before Henry the eighth at the siege of Tourney was questioned by the Privy Counsellors but within a short time he got a large interest in the Kings heart by the discharge of his duty He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour then he that flattereth with his tongue Prov. 28. 23. The sick patient who at present wrangleth with his Physitian for his bitter potions doth afterwards when he findeth the happy effect of it in his healâ—h and recovery both thank and reward him Though thou meetest with an ungrateful return in his passion yet thou mayst when that cloud is dispersed expect a more serene and pleasing requital However the best way to lose a friend if thou canst not keep him and a good conscience too is by seeking by thy love and faithfulness to save him Sixthly Mourn for those sins which thou canst not amend Those sins which thou canst not beat down with a stream of truth do thou overcome with a flood of tears When others kindled a fire of lust David drew water and poured it out before the Lord Rivers of tears run down mine eys because the wicked forsake thy law Psa. 119. 135. Mark the intension of Davids passion upon the disobedience of wicked persons Sighs are an ordinary sign of grief but tears a far greater What sorrow was then in Davids heart when not onely tears but rivers of tears ran down his eyes Sâ—rely the Fountain of sorrow was very full and deep when the streams did run so fast and freely Others guilt calleth aloud to thee for grief Do they wound their souls by sin do thou wound thy own soul with sorrow Alas how is it possible thou canst be amongst them that dishonour the blessed God grieve his holy Spirit and break his righteous Commands and not have thine heart broken Lot vexed his righteous soul with the unclean conversation of the Sodomites 2 Pet. 2. 8. Unless thou hast lost thy spiritual sent thou canst not endure the stench of their filthy unsavoury breath without much perplexity and trouble I remembred the transgressors and was greived because they kept not thy Law Psa. 119. 158. He that hath any part of the new man in himself must needs be offended at the old man in others It s presumed he is of a dishonest mind who is not offended at the cheats and thefts of others Every creature is disturbed at that which is contrary to its own nature If grace be the object of my joy and delight sin must needs be the object of my grief and sorrow My soul shall weep in secret for your pride saith Ieremiah Jer. 13. 17. Reader If thou lovest thy God with all thine heart thou cast not but mourn that others should hate him and walk contrary to him We grieve as truly for wrongs done to those whom we sincerely affect as for injuries done to our selves When one of Darius his Eunuches saw Alexander the Gâ—eat setting his foot and trampling upon a Table that had been highly esteemed by his Master he fell a weeping Of which when Alexander asked the reason he answered I weep to see that which my Master esteemed at so high a rate made thy foot-stool A gracious person cannot hear or see the Son of God the Word of God and the People of God which his God prizeth at an high rate vilified trampled under foot and slighted by wicked men but he falls a weeping My tears have been my meat day and night while they say unto me continually Where is thy God Psa. 42. 3. The dishonour of his God went nearer to his heart was very sad at that season Because others did eat the bread of violence and drink the wine of deceit he did eat his bread with tears and mingle his drink with weeping As
when they were sick he fasted so when they sinned he prayed and mourned Hasten out of evil company if thou hast no hopes of doing good That Company may well be to thee as the torrid Zone where wickedness sits in the chair and Religion is made a foot-stool Though thou mayst pass through such a Climate as thy occasions require yet it s not safe to dwell in so unwholsom an air Men that are forced to walk by unsavoury carcasses hold their breath and hasten away as soon as they can It s ill being an Inhabitant in any place where God is an Exile A little before the destruction of Ierusalem there was a voâ—ce heard in the Temple very terrible Migremus hinc let us go hence That were a good Motto for Christians in ill-company Let us go hence Let such men know as Manlius Torquatus told the Romans that as they cannot bear thy strictness so thou canst not endure their looseness sake heed of staying in any place needlesly out of which thy God is gone before thee Go from the presence of a foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge Prov. 14. 7. Running away was the means Ioseph used against the wicked allurements of his Mistriss It s not cowardise but true courage to turn the back upon sin and sinners It doth often reflect upon our credits to be amongst wicked men AEschinus in the Comaedian blusht when he saw his Father knock at the door of an infamous woman but it will reflect upon our consciences to continue amongst them when our business with them is done The Apostle Peter with many words did exhort and testifie saying save your selves from this untoward generation Act. 2. 40. It appears to be a business of no small concernment and weight that the Apostle should use so many words about it Wise men will not spend their time or breath in vain they do not send more messengers about any work then the consequence and worth of it requireth Besides as Beza observeth upon the place he interposeth Gods authority and chargeth them in his name to save or guard themselves from such ill Companions What hast thou to do with them that scorn to have any thing to do with God The King may well frown on those and deny to converse with them that converse with Traytours in no relation to his service Rebeccah must leave her Fathers and Brothers House if she will be joyned to Isaac Hearken O Daughter and consider aâ—d encline thine ear forget also thine own people and thy Fathers House so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty Psal. 45. 10 11. A Good Wish concerning a Christians carriage in evil Company Wherein the former heads are applied THe Mighty Possessour of Heaven and Earth who governeth the World with infinite wisdom and allotteth to all the Children of men their several Callings and Habitations having permitted the chaff to continue amongst the Corn and appointed the tares to remain amongst the wheat till the great Harvest day and calling me sometimes by his providence to deal with prophane and vicious persons I Wish I may be so sensible how difficult it is to be safe amongst such defilers and destroyers of souls that I may walk with the more caution when ever I walk in such company and make them my fear not my familiarâ— and rather my care then my Companions I know that I must go out of the world if I will go away from the wicked Ill humours will be amongst good in the body Sins will be amongst graces in the soul and sinners will be amongst Saints on this Earth I am but a stranger here they are men of the world I must therefore expect as Lot in Sodom to be both vexed with their unclean conversations and tempted to their violent corruptions my God calleth them Foxes for their craft Lions for their cruelty and a generation of Vipers for their rage and venome In what danger therefore is my soul of being deceived and devoured by them How certainly will these ravenous beasts tear me in peices unless I stand upon my guard and the Keeper of Israel undertake my protection Lord since it is not thy pleasure to free me from their Company grant me such help from thy good spirit that I may be free from their contagion Though I may sit at the same table with them as my occasions or relations require let me never eat of their dish nor feed on their dainties I pray not that thou shouldst take me out of the world but that thou shouldst keep me from the evil keep me from the snares which they lay for me and from the gins of the workers of iniquity Let the wicked rather fall into their own Nets whilst that I withal escape I Wish that the sense of my danger may keep me from being secure and make me the more sedulous in the discharge of my duty Sound eyes are apt to fall a watering by beholding and looking on sore eyes Dry Flax is not more apt to take fire then my vicious nature to be inflamed the wet sheet of watchfulness is a good preservative He had need to have much grace who would not learn others vice It s hard to touch pitch and not be defiled Vngodly men are Satans blood-hounds with which he hunteth my soul. How many hath he drawn into the pit of perdition by such Cart-ropeâ— They are his strongest chains wherewith he binds men now to his own work and at last as their wages hales them to Hell Fruits of hotter Countries transplanted into colder Climates do not seldom die through the chilling nips of the air and the unsutableness of the soyl wherein they are planted there may be grace in my soul ready to flame heavenward which may be soon quenched by the putrid fogs of evil companions I know my God can keep mee as he did the three Children in the fiery furnace amongst them that are set on fire of Hell from being sienged or so much as having the sent of the fire on me but I know also that then I must keep his way and be watchful O that I might keep my heart with such diligence that as the Christal I may touch those Toads and not be poisoned yea that as a true Diamond in a ditch I may sparkle with holiness and shine brightly amongst defiled persons How natural is it to resemble their faults whose faces I am wholly unlike I am apt like a Snow-ball to carry away the dirt I am rolled upon and as an Ape to imitate those amongst whom I am in their folly and to sin for company rather then to be singular But though the Loadstone can draw Iron yet it cannot draw gold Lightning may smite the dead Oak but not the green and fresh Laurel though corrupt nature follow a multitude to do evil yet grace through the help of the Spirit is invincible Why may not my soul like Moses bush in the midst
be secure as thinking themselves safe when they are as they imagine among none but themselves But truly seeming honest men may deceive us sooner then known cheats because we are apt to conâ—ide in the former when we fear and take heed of the latter The Plague may soonest be conveyed through perfumed linnen Satan tempted Eve in the forme of a Serpent but when he sets upon Christ whom he knew hard to be conquered he sets upon him in the shape of a Dove None so fit as a Peter to perswade him to pity himself As God can send us a Pearl in a Toads Head bring light out of darkness and enable us to get good by polluted persons So Satan like Hanibal can convey poison through a gold ring bring darkness out of light and make us the worse for the Company of the best Christians The society of the godly is like the Shop of an Apothecary in which there are many Cordial Iulips Purging Potions and Wholsom Drugs but also some poisonous which need strong correctives and therefore they must be the object of our caution as well as of our choice There are two or three things which Christians when they meet together too frequently erre in against which I would advise thee In mis-spending time censuring the good aâ—d backbiting the bad 1. Take heed of mispending that season Time is in it self of great price and ought to be redeemed but Opportunity is of greater value and t is infinite pity to cut such a precious commodity to waste It s ordinary even with good men when they meet though it relate nothing to their callings or concernments to be talking chiefly of corn and cattel and markets and fayrs and forraign transactions as if they had not a God a Christ a soul an eternal estate to be minding each other of Our words are the servants of our reason and to send more then will performe our business or to send them upon unnecessary and trifling errands argueth vanity and folly Have we not the country to which we are all travailing the purity and pleasantness of the way thither the excellency and certainty of our reward there to talk about St. Bernard complained that in his time Christians were faulty in this particular Nihil de scripturis nihil de salute agitur animarum sed nugae risus verba proferuntur in ventum Not a word of the Scriptures nothing of your eternal salvation but trifles and laughter and words as light as the wind take up the time Some spend their time in nice Questions as what Christ disputed of amongst the Doctors where Paradise stood in what part of the world is local Hell What became of Moses body how many orders and degrees of elect Spirits These curious persons the further they go the nearer they approach a Sun that blinds them Others in circumstantial câ—ntroversies when in the interim the essentials of Religion are laid by Such talk is but a wasting time and those that sweat at it are but laborious loyterers like those that take great pains to crack or cleave a date stone which when they have done affords them no Kernel Would it not be counted a peice of great folly for a man that had a wound neer some vital part to be very busie in laying a plaister upon his scratcht finger while the other lay unregarded Were it not a peice of strange madness when the enemy is at the walls and the town every moment in danger of being stormed the Bullets flying thick about the streets for the people within to be sitting still and consulting whether a Musquet would carry further then a Trunk or whether more are killed with Bullets or Arrows Truly such folly such madness is it to imploy our selves about needless discourse about the world or superficial circumstantial things when our inestimable souls are continually in danger of being surprised and slain The Apostle reproveth such as spent their time about fables and endless genealogies that is things frivolous and besides our work of Christianity though not false or directly opposite to it which minister Questions rather then godly edifying 1 Tim. 1. 5. To prevent this Reader Offer some serious discourse either by way of Position or Question Thy profit by good company doth very much depend upon thy self Thy Question or Position is the fire which draweth out either the quintessence or dregs of things It may be there is one in thy company rich in grace in gifts these are the treasure of the soul but if ever thou wouldst be the better for it thou must open it by the Key of some savoury question or sentence An ordinary person by some practical question may lay the foundation for a goodly fabrick of rich and excellent discourse A little water poured into a Pump may fetch up many Buckets full A small Lacquey may call us to a costly Banquet Ferus on Matthew affirmeth that it was the practice of the Monks to meet together once in a week and to acquaint each other with their temptations the means of resistance and the issue thereof I believe if Christians were more open-hearted in declaring to one another the state of their souls their experiences in point of loss or gain in spirituals and sense of Gods favour or anger c. it would much tend not onely to the honour of God but also to the defeating of our great enemy and our own mutual advantage Satan hath many wiles where-with to wrong and destroy souls he proceedeth many times in the same method with several Christians now when one acquainteth another with the snares he laid to catch him and the way he took to avoid it hereby the other is fore-warned and fore-armed fore-warned to expect that such a trap should be laid for him and fore-armed how to avoid it An Almanack Calculated for London without any sensible error may serve the whole Kingdom That which hath been one Saints condition or temptation may be any Saints and that way which one hath taken to escape a peril or improve a providence may be useful and helpful to any of the Saints Some tell us the Art of medicines was thus perfected When any one met with an Herb and discovered the vertue of it by any accident he did post it up in some publique place and if any were sick or diseased he was laid in some common passage that every passenger might communicate the best Receipt he knew for that distemper and so the Physitians skill was compleated by a collection of those posted Experiences and Receipts I cannot but think that our souls would be more safe and our spiritual sicknesses less dangerous if Christians were more free in revealing what means have through the assistance of the Spirit been instrumental for their recovery out of their inward distempers and the preservation of their health 2. Take heed of censuring the good This is another sin that even good men are guilty of when they meet
him under that he rise no more How many that should reprove others have their mouths stopt as the Dogs by the Thief with a piece of bread some kindness or other Or else as Erasmus saith of Harpocrates they hold their finger in their mouths and are affraid of giving offence they are rather like the reflection of a Looking-glass ready to imitate others sinful gestures and actions then rebuke them for them There is no reprover in the gate Nay Heathen exceed in this many of us The Great Philosopher tells us That is true love which to profit and do good to us feareth not to offend us and that it is one of the chiefest offices of friendship to admonish Euripides exhorts men to get such friends as would not spare to displease them saying Friends are like new wines those that are harsh and sowr keep best the sweet are not lasting Phocian told Antipater Thou shalt not have me for thy Friend and Flatterer too Diogenes when men called him Dog for his severe kind of reproving would Answer Dogs bite their enemies but I my friends for their good And are we so hardly drawn to this duty O how justly might the Lord reprove us cuttingly and set our sins in order before our eyes to our comdemnation for our backwardness to reprove others to their humiliation We have most of us cause with Reverend Mr. Robert Bolton to confess and bewayl our neglect herein SECT V. FIfthly By bearing each others infirmities Christians like the clearest fire will have some smoak whereby they are apt to offend each others eyes and to cause anger The best and most pious may sometimes be peevish Those brethren that love sincerely may too often quarrel True Members of the same body may by some accident be dis-joynted Though contentions argue them to have flesh yet they may arise where there is spirit Therefore the Holy Ghost commandeth Bear one anothers burthens and so fulfil the Law of Christ Here is the Commandment enjoyned and the Argument whereby it is enforced Galat. 6. 2. First The Precept Bear one anothers burthens There is a threefold burden that Christians must bear for each other I. The civil burthens of their miseries and sufferings Have a fellow-feeling with them in their afflictions Who is weak and I am not weak Who is afflicted and I burn not saith holy Paul Herod and his men of War will set a persecuted Christ at naught The Chief Priests and Elders will mock him when he hangs upon the Cross Luk. 23. 11. Mat. 27. 4. Edom rejoyced in the day of Ierusalem's trouble they cryed Aha so would we have it But the true seed of Iacob sigh for others sorrows they weep with them that weep Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them and them that suffer adversity If one part of the natural body be in pain the other parts are sensible of it When one branch of a Tree is torn and mangled in Summer the other branches are affected with it and out of Sympathy as it were will not thrive so well as formerly If one person of a family be sick how much do his relations from a principle of nature lay to heart his pain and illness Christians are all members of the same body branches of the same vine children of the same family and it would be monstrous and unnatural for them not to feel each others miseries and suffer in each others sufferings II. The Spiritual burthen of their iniquities and sins Whether more immediately against God Though we must not bear with them in their sins yet we must help to bear their sins with them We ought to sit on the same floor with them that are fallen down and to mourn with them and for them and to bear some of the weight This temper was so eminent in Ambrose he would so plentifully weep with the sinning party that a Great Commander under Theodosius beholding it cried out This man is onely worthy the name of a Bishop As Stags when they swim over a River to feed in some Meadow they swim in a row and lay their heads over one anothers backs bearing the weight of one anothers horns and when the first is weary another taketh his room and so they do it by course So Christians must be willing to bear each others weight whilst they are passing through those boistrous waters till they land at their glorious eternal harbour Or whether their sins are immediately against our selves If the teeth bite the tongue that seeketh no revenge When the feet through their slipping throw the body upon the ground it riseth up and all is well Some Christians are of such weak stomachs that they can digest nothing that looks like an unkindness or injury But it s the glory of a man to pass by offences Cyprian saith to bear with affronts is a ray of Divinity A noble-spirited man will disdain to take notice of petâ—y dis-respects he will over-come contempt by contempt But an heaven-born Christian hath higher principles and more sublime motives to forgive his offending brother I Paul the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness with a long-suffering forbearing one another in love Ephes. 4. 1 2. And be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you verse ult It is reported of Cosroes the Persian King that he caused a Throne to be made for him like Heaven with the Sun Moon and Stars artificially placed above it and under his feet thick and black clouds and high winds and tempests He that would have an Heaven here I mean enjoy God and himself must of necessity trample these under his feet It is good advice which Bernard gives in such a case Dost thou hear that a brother hath said or done somewhat that reflecteth upon thee or is injurious to thee then saith he 1. Be hard to believe it He should have a loud tongue that can make thee to hear such a report I would give him little thanks in case the honour of God were not concerned that were the messenger to bring me such a sowr present his pains would deserve but a poor reward that brought me tidings of a discourtesie to rob me of my charity The evidence shall be very clear or I will write Ignoramus upon his Bill of Indictment But if the thing be so plain that it cannot be denyed then saith he 2. Excuse his intent and purpose Think with thy self Possibly he had a good end in it He spake as he heard or he did what he did upon some good ground and account Though the action seem to savour of injury yet certainly in his intention there was no evil Had I his eyes I should see his end was right and honest But if there should be no reason for hope that his purpose was good then saith he
my self when any reprove me for the evil in me let me accept it with thanks Make me able to say with that sweet singer of Israel Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me and it shall be an excellent oyl it shall not break my head I Wish that I may by no means repine but always rejoyce at the gifts and graces of others If the other members of the body thrive the heart doth not grieve but is glad at it It s ordinary for younger brothers to boast and glory in the large estate and great possessions which their elder brothers have left them by their Fathers Why should not my soul be joyful at the great share of spiritual riches which the onely wise God hath given some of my brethren If a man love sweet smels the greater degree of them he observeth in any place the moâ—e he is refreshed with them He that delights in Pictures if he see one in a room exactly and exquisitely drawn above all the rest that shall have more of his eye and his heart Is not grace compared to sweet Oynments and shall not I be comforted the more for the greatness of its savour Is not the Image of my God amiable in mine eye and ought I not to delight most in that Copy which is nearest the Original Surely if I envy any their spiritual excellencies I shew my self too like a Child of the Devil There is hardly any worm that gnaweth that unclean spirit more painfully then the grace which God gives his Children Their sins are his utmost joy their graces are his extream greif Would I be found in Satans livery at the last O that I might be so far from murmuring at that double portion of the Spirit which my God bestoweth upon some of his people that I might bless God heartily for it and beg of God to add to it an hundred fold how great soever it is The pretty Birds sing the more merrily the higher the Sun mounteth in the Heavens I have cause to be the more chearful the nearer any ascend to Heaven and the higher they mount in holiness My love to my God to my Brother nay to my self all command me to it My love to my God He that loves his Soverain will rejoyce that he hath any Subjects eminent above others for duty and loyalty They that have much spiritual strength will do my God much spiritual service The more grace they have the more glory they bring to God It s an honour to the Father of Spirits when his Children keep open house according to their estates cloathing the naked feeding the hungry soul and relieving liberally such as are in want I am no Christian if I be not tender of my Gods honour and joyful when that is exalted in the World Besides Love to my brother should quicken me to this duty If I love him as my self I shall both grieve at his soul-losses and rejoyce at his spiritual gains Love delighteth in the welfare of the party loved The hotter the beames of grace are in the party beloved the more they rejoyce the heart of the lover Why should any mans eye be evil towards his Brother because Gods is good to him Have others the less because some have so much Or is it not my own fault that I am not as holy and gracious as he God is a Fountain of grace always running over but he derives it to us according to our capacities If I go to the Well of Salvation and receive but little of the water of life I may know the cause my Vessel was no bigger Nay Love to my self may make me glad at others gifts and graces The greater the Saints estate is the more he will relievâ— others As the Earth though it sucketh in so much water as will give her self a competent refreshment conveyeth many springs through her veins for the cherishing and refreshment of others So the Saints do not onely advantage their own but also others souls Lord though in Hell there be little else but murmuring and repining at the good of thy chosen yet in Heaven there is no emptiness in themselves no envying at others every Saint there hath his joy doubled for anothers joy and is glorified in anothers glory Suffer not thy Servant to make his heart a little Hell by filling it with grief at the good of thy chosen But O make it thy lesser Heaven be thou pleased to dwell in it and then I shall begin the work of eternity in time magnifie and bless thee for thy love to them and praise and bless them for their likeness to thee Finally I Wish that I may so carry my self in all my converses with the Children of God here that I may meet them in the Fathers house and sit down with them at the Supper of the Lamb. Lord if Communion with thy Saints be so pleasant and delightful on earth how pleasant and delightful will it be in Heaven Here my communion with them is imperfect my flesh will not suffer me to receive the good I might from them nor their flesh allow them to do the good they might to me But there shall be no evil no occasion of evil no appearance of evil no sin shall clog the chariots of our souls no flesh shall fetter us from running to embrace and delight in each other but all shall be free to rejoyce and refresh one another Every Saint shall be as it were a fountain of Communion in the sweetest mannerâ— and fullest measure from every one shall flow Riâ—ers of water of life and every one enlarged to rellish and receive If Jonathan beholding a little grace in David on earth loved him as his own soul how doth he love him in Heaven Here our Communion is much lamed by the defects in our bodily organs we cannot impart our minds without our members which being defective make our Communion so but there we shall be as Angels seeing each other without eyes hearing each other without ears and embracing each other without hands Here our Communion is interrupted our particular callings our eating our drinking our sleeping our many occasions call us from it But there is no calling but our general calling of worshipping and enjoying our God no feeding but on the tree of life that groweth in the midst of Paradise no drinking but of the Rivers of Gods own pleasures and no night no sleeping but that rest which remaineth for the people of God O what darkness what night can be there where all the righteous shall shine infinitely brighter then the Sun in his noon day lustâ—e Here our Communion is hindered by the differences that frequently arise â— like Children of the same Father we quarrel and wrangle but there they will all be like-minded having the same love being of one accord and one judgement There indeed Jerusalem is a City compact together and at unity within it self There Pauls desire is granted
for the least of their offences how he hath manifested his justice in the deluge brought on the old world in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in his carriage towards Apostate Angels rebellious Israelites his own chosen people and the Medâ—atour his own Son when he took upon him mans sin in the instruments of eternal death which he hath prepared in Hell for sinners and the solemn triumph which justice shall have at the great day and to all eternity in the other world 5. His holiness how he loaths sin with the greatest abhorrency cannot behold the least iniquity shoots the arrows of his vengeance against its actours and authors will be sanctified in or upon all that approach him is terrible in his holy places forbiddeth the least complyance with sin though but in a sudden thought and makes it his end in his providences ordinances the gift of his Son his Spirit to make men holy I might shew how it exalteth him in all his properties but I pass on It glorifieth him in every part of it Its precepts and commands speak his purity and dominion its promises and covenant speak his boundless mercy and compassion its threatnings and comminations speak his justice and jealousie its prophesies and predictions speak his wisdom and omniscience The Scripture tendeth also to the eternal good of men It is helpful to beget a soul to Christ Of his own will begat he us again by the Word of truth The Word of grace is instrumental for the conveyance of grace Act. 2.37 Rom. 10. 14. It is helpful to build the soul up in Christ as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2. 2. Grace is increased by the same means by which it is generated as the same Sun that begets some living creatures is helpful for their growth The Word of God of stones raiseth up children to Abraham and of Children maketh Young men and Fathers It is so penned that all sorts of persons all ranks of Christians may be directed into the way of truth and guided by it in the way of life It is able to make us wise to salvation To shew the path of life 2 Tim. 3. 15. Psa. 16. 11. As Ioshua it leads the Israelites into Canaan All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable 1. For Doctrine Where Scripture hath not a tongue to speak I must not have an ear to hear Scriptura est regula fidei Scripture is the rule of faith Hence the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets is called a foundation Ephes. 2. 20. 2. For reproof It is the hammer of Heresies Ignorance of Scripture is one main cause of error Ye err not knowing the Scripture By this sword of the Spirit Christ vanquished Satan Mat. 4. 4. and the Jews Ioh. 5.45 and Sadduces Mat. 22.29 Lapidandi sunt haeretici sacrarum literarum argumentis Hereticks are to be stoned with Scripture arguments saith Athanasius The Word of God hiâ—s that unclean bird in the eye and wounds it mortally 3. For correction of manners The sword of the Word pierceth the sinners conscience like Christ to the woman of Samaria It tells him all that ever he did and makes him smite upon his thigh and say What have I done Scripture is a glass which sheweth him the spots that are in the face of his heart and life 4. For instruction in righteousness It is the way in which we should walk the rule of our spiritual race What is written on some Psalms may be written on every Psalm and Chapter in the whole Bible Maschil or Psalm for instruction Its precepts teach us what to follow its prohibitions tell us what to forsake Its promises are to allure us to sanctity its threatnings to affright us from sin the good example of the Saints speaketh as Christ to Peter Follow thou me the wicked actions and ends of sinners cry aloud as Abner to Ioab Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the end 5. For comfort There is no such cordial for a fainting spirit as a promise in the Word The Gospel in the Greek is glad tidings and not without cause This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me When souls have been ready to despair under the sense of their wickedness and to sink in deep waters the Word of God hath held them up by the chin and preserved them from drowning Vnless thy law had been my delight I had perished in mine affliction 6. For salvation the Word is called the Kingdom of heaven partly because it revealeth Gods thoughts of such an inestimable happiness to the children of men The celestial Canaan was terra incognita till that discovered it He hath brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel partly because it prepares the soul for heaven the Word sanctifieth and so saveth precious souls By filling us with grace it fitteth us for glory Rom. 1.16 Ioh. 17.17 Partly because it is the seed of heaven As the Harvest is potentially in the seed and a tall Oke potentially in an acorn so heaven and eternal life is potentially in the Word of life It is called The grace of God that bringeth salvation It bringeth salvation to men and it bringeth men to salvation Secondly Consider it O my soul in its properties they will also speak its preciousness 1. It is pure and holy there are some dregs that will appear in the exactest writings of the best men when they have been shaken by a critical hand but none could ever justly fasten the least filth upon the holy Scriptures The Word of Christ is like the Spouse of Christ There is no spot in it The Alcoran of Mahomet alloweth Polygamy promiseth sensual pleasures as the reward of his servants but the Scripture winketh not at the least sin no not so much as in a motion of the heart or a glance of the eye and its promises are also pure and spiritual The Doctrine of the wisest Heathen and Philosophers were a mixture of good and bad Theft was no fault amongst Lycurgus Laws but if done slily commended highly Aristotle permitted revenge and obscene jesting which Scripture expresly forbids Thy word is very pure The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times There is not the least dross of evil or error in it 1. It s principal Author is the original and exemplar of all holiness his nature is the pattern and his will the rule of purity Exod. 15. 4. Isa. 6. 3. 2. The Scribes of it were holy men moved and actuated by the Holy Ghost 3. It s effect is to sanctifie and make holy Ye are clean through the word that I have given you 4. The matter of it is holy Its commanding part is holy The Law is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. It s assertory part is holy what it affirmes to be is what it denyeth to
would not reverence the issue for the Authors sake Surely that coin deserves esteem which hath that Kings Image and Superscription on it The matter in thee merits respect Thou art a Love-letter from God to his creature revealing his eternal thoughts of good will publishing his acts of grace and oblivion to all traytors and rebels in arms against his Majesty upon condition they will throw down their weapons and become Loyal Subjects for the future Thou art the Churches Charter containing all the priviledges which the blessed Jesus purchased for her What wise man would not value the deeds and evidences which speak and give a right to pardon love grace joy peace and the undefiled inheritance for ever When thou comest to a soul salvation comes to that soul Thou art always attended with a rich train of all sorts of comforts The good tidings thou bringest and great blessings thou conveyest where ever thou comest may well make thee welcome I may well say unâ—o thee beholding the bracelets and ear-rings wherewith thou adornest the Spouse of the true Isaac as Laban to Abrahams servant Come in thou blessed of the Lord why standest thou without I have prepared lodging for thee If I am bound to bless my God for the natural lights which he hath made the greater to rule the day and the lesser to rule the night because thereby it appears that his mercy endureth for ever Psa. 136. 7 8 9. How much am I bound to bless him for the spiritual light of his word that true that marvellous light which shineth in a dark place till the eternal day dawn O what mercy what mercy enduring for ever is there in every leaf in every verse in every line of that sacred Book If Regeneration be a mercy to be partaker of the divine nature the stamping the lovely Image of the glorious God upon thee then the word is a mercy for that is the seal in the hand of the Spirit which imprinteâ—h it on thee Iames 1. 18. Is faith a mercy that shield of the soul whereby it quencheth the fiery darts of the Devil that Ladder by which the soul mounteth to Heaven and converseth daily with its Lord and Master then the word is a mercy for faith comes by hearing the word is the door of faith Rom. 10. 14. Act. 14. 27. If repentance be a mercy those second and best thoughts of the soul that recovery of the man to his wits and right mind then the word is a mercy for t is the voice of Christ in the word that casteth the Devil of impenitency and sensuality out of the heart where it raigned and raged sending out fire and flames like AEtna for many years and makes the man like him in the Gospel out of whom the Devil was cast to sit at Iesus his feet in his right mind bitterly weeping and mourning for his former folly and madness T is the hot beams of love that shine in the Gospel that thaw the frozen spirits Is hope a mercy â—hat Helmet of salvation which defendeth the head of Christians from Swords and Musquets the souls of Saints from the darts and dangers of temptations those Bladders of the soul which keep it from sinking in deep waters then the word is a mercy for we through patience and comfort of the Scripture have hope Rom. 15. 4. Hope had never lookt out at the window longing for the coming of its beloved if the word had not come before as a faithful Messenger and brought certain news that he was upon the way Are pardon reconciliation with God adoption growth in grace yea Heaven it self a mercy then the word is a mercy All those Jewels are lockt up in that Cabinet Man durst not have presumed he could not have conceived that the glorious jealous God should ever have such infinite respect for such wretches and rebels if he had not found it written with his own hand in the word T is on the waters of the sanctuary that the Saint saileth safely through the Sea of this world to the Port of salvation There was no visible bridge laid over the Gulf of Gods wrath for sinners to pass into the Kingdom of grace here and glory hereafter till the Gospel erected one O my soul what honour can be high enough what love hot enough for the holy Scriptures 1. Consider the preciousness of them in the eyes of good men and the love they had for them Iob preferred them before food before his necessary food Solomon before ornaments of gold crowns of glory Paul before all other Doctrines though Preached by Angels David before the honey and the honey comb great spoils thousands of gold and silver all riches And when he ceaseth to compare beginneth to admire iâ—s worth Wonderful are thy testimonies And his own fervent affection to it O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day 2. The price paid for it It cost the blood of thy beloved well may the Scriptures be called Testaments they were both sprinkled with blood and made valid by the death of the Testatour Heb. 9. 15 16 17. And for this cause he is the mediatour of the New Testament that by means of death for the redemption of transgressions that were under the first Testament they which were called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance For where a Testament is there must of necessity also be the death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth 3. The pearl hid in it The Lord Jesus Christ is the matter as well as the Author of it Well may it be called the Word of Christ. Search the Scripture for they are they that testifie of me He was the substance of the Law and he is the sum of the Gospel Thou hadst not known sin but for the Law nor the Saviour but for the Gospel When David considered the kindness he had receâ—ved from Ionathan he said to his servants Is there none left of the house of Saul that I may shew kindness to for Jonathans sake He could not but in gratitude study some return suitable to that good will of his dear friend Great is the kindness I have received from the Scripture What wilt thou say what wilt thou do O my soul for this Word of thy God! O swear unto the Lord and vow unto the mighty God of Jacob surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house I will not go up into my bed I will not give sleep to mine eyes nor slumber to mine eyeâ—lids until I â—inde out a place for the law of the Lord and an habitation for the Gospel of the God of Jacob. Wilt thou not willingly O my soul rather then this worthy guest should lie without doors take it into thy heart O that thou wert the ark wherein the two Tables the two Testaments might be laid up for ever Lord I will
conscienciousness of my behaviour in secret The lineaments and features of the body are beâ—t discovered in the night when it s stripped naked of those garments which in the day time covered it and were not wholly answerable to the proportion of its several parts The shape and countenance of the soul is much better revealed when it retires from the world and is freed from these objects and businesses which hurried it hither and thither possibly much differing from its own inclination There is no right judging of the Patient by his water till it is setled nor true discovery of the state of a Christian by his heart till it be quiet and composed When men are busie upon the stage of the world surrounded with spectators they put on habitsâ— and act not their own but the parts of others and so are not easily known who or what they are but he that followeth them into the retiring room where they undress themselves may soon discover them The frame and bent of my heart in private to sin or holiness will speak its temper whether good or bad The soul is not at such liberty to vent it self and to manifest its genius and disposition in its outward actions as in its inward motions and meditations External acts may flow from external principles which as a Team of Horse draw the Cart after it by force but internal thoughts ever flow from an internal principle which as the natural and proper off-spring of the mind discover what its parent is The Laws of men the fear of punishment the hope of reward may tye my hands in company but it s nothing but the fear of my God can bind my heart to its good behaviour in secret My thoughts are not liable to an arraignment at any earthy Bar nor my person to any arrest from men â—or any tumult or disorder in them because the Law of the Magistrate can take no cognizance of them they being locked up from all humane eyes in the privy cabinet of my heart Though I am limited in my words not to speak what I will and also in my works not to do what I will by reason of that shame or penalty or ill-will from friends or superiours which dishonest actions and unseemly expressions may bring upon me yet my thoughts in this sense are free I may think what I will notwithstanding any of these considerations Again outward actions both good and bad materially considered are common both to Sinners and Saints What good duties are there but as to the matter of them wicked men may perform them as well as the godly Abstinence from gross sins praying fasting hearing reading almes-giving have been practised by some Hypocrites in a larger measure then by some sincere Christians On the other side There are â—ew sins so great but some of the Children of God have at some time or other been guilty of them Gluttony Drunkenness Fornication Incest Murder c. have been committed by them that were truly sanctified where then lieth the difference between them so much as in their usual and predominant thoughts Once more my God judgeth of my actions by my thoughts and therefore by them I may well judge of my spiritual condition Isa. 10. 7. Gen. 22. 16 17. Lord I have often heard out of thy word Where the treasure is there will the heart be also I know every man will be frequent in thinking of that which he esteems his happiness and treasure The Covetous wretch hugs and embraceth his wealth in his heart and thoughts when it is out of his sight and in other mens hands the Adulterer pleaseth himself in the meditation of his wanton dalliances with his foolish Minion when he hath no opportunity for the execution of his lust the Proud man fancieth himself in a fools Paradise whilst he imagineth multitudes waiting upon him in the Presence Chamber of his crazie brain with their bare heads their bended knees admiring and applauding the worth of his person the vastness of his parts and himself as the only epitome of all perfections O give me that character of thy children to meditate in thy Law day and night Let my thoughts be conversant about those riches that are not liable to rust those pleasures which satisfie a rational soul and that honour which is from God give me to know that my treasure is in Heaven with thy self in thy Son by having my heart and my conversation there also I Wish that when ever I sequester my self from worldly business I might leave all my finful and worldly thoughts behind me There can no work of concernment be done in secret unless these disturbers be absent Should I entertain such guests I forbid Christ my Company Vicious thoughts are his sworn enemies and he will not dwel in the same heart in the same house with them If I desire him to sit upon the throne of my heart I must give him leave to cast down every imagination and to bring every thought to the obedience of himself Places that are full of vermine are not fit for a Princes presence Vain and unnecessary thoughts about lawful objects are strangers though not sworn enemies and will give my best friend distast Though a noble person should come to give me a visit if he should hear me debasing my self to converse needlesly with inconsiderable impertinent fellows I may look that he should passe by without calling in Christ loves not to be entertained in a room full of dust-heaps and cobwebs If vain thoughts lodge within the blessed Jesus will stand without Gold and Clay will not mingle If these mists arise and these clouds interpose they will hinder my sight of the true Sun Besides My works will be answerable to my thoughts if my thoughts be wicked or fruitless so will my actions be My hands are but the Midwife to bring my thoughts the conception of my heart into the world My thoughts are the seed that lyeth in the ground out of sight my works are the crop which is visible to others according to the seed whether good or bad such will the crop be If men be so careful to get the purest the cleanest and the best seed for their fields that their harvest may be the more to their advantage how much doth it concern me that my heart be sown with pure and holy thoughts that my crop may tend both to my credit and comfort Lord there is no good seed but what comes out of thy garner I confess the piercing thorns of vicious thoughts and the fruitless weeds of vain thoughts are all the natural product of my heart O let thy good spirit plow up the fallow ground of my soul and scatter in it such seeds of grace and holiness that my life may be answerable to thy Gospel and at my death I may be translated to thy glory I Wish that I may in solitude when I have no men to discourse with converse with other
nourishment Fluxes in the mind as in the outward man are arguments and authors of weakness The milk must be set some time before it will turn into Cream The longer Physick remains within me tâ—e more operative it will be The flame of Davids extraordinary affection to Gods Law was kindled at the hot fire of his constant meditation O how love I thy Law it is my meditation all the day His love was hot burning coals He speaks not barely by way of affirmation I love thy law and by way interrogation How love I thy Law but also by way of Admiration O how love I thy Law But his abiding thoughts on it were the warm beams which beating constantly upon him put him into such a violent heat It is my meditation all the day As the Hen by sitting on her eggs some weeks warmeth them and hatcheth young ones so may I by applying savoury subjects home to my soul and brooding some considerable time on them bring forth new affections and new actions Though my affections seem as dead as the Shunamites son by stretching my thoughts thus on them I shall warm and enliven them Many blows drive a nail to the head many thoughts settle a truth on the heart O that I might not onely at some times exchange a few words with the subject of my meditation occasionally as I do with a friend passing by my door but also at set times invite it as Lot did the Angels to stay with me all night being confident it will pay me bountifully as they him for my charges in its entertainment Yet I would not onely have my affections renewed but also my actions reformed by my meditations If I meditate what is good to be done and do not the good meditated on I lose my labour and take much pains to no purpose Cogitation is the sowing of the seed Action is the springing of it up the former is hidden and under ground the latter is visible and many are the better for it If the seed should still lye buried in the earth it is but lost and thrown away t is the springing of it up that causeth the Harvest Meditation is the womb of my actions action is the Midwife of my meditations An evil and imperfect conception if it hath the favour of a birth yet the mind is but delivered of a monster and of that which had better been stifled in the womb then ever seen the light A good and perfect conception if it want strength for its birth perisheth and comes to nothing like Ephraim It playeth the part of an unwise Son and stayeth in the place of the breaking forth of Children Its pity that such conceptions should prove abortive or such beautiful children be still-born Lord thou hast appointed me to meditate seriously on thy statutes and those excellent subjects contained in them I confess my heart is unwilling to this needful and gainful work and apt to be unfaithful in the management of this sacred duty If thou pleasest not to lay thy charge upon it and to use thy power over it it will either wholly omit it or perform it to no purpose Why should it not dwell now upon thee by meditation with whom I hope to dwell for ever What unspeakable joy might I receive in and from thy self could I but get above this earth and flesh O who will bring me into that strong City not made with hands Who will lead me into thy holy hill of Sion by meditation Wilt not thou O God Grant me thy Spirit I beseech thee that my spirit which lives upon thee may be united in thinking of thee and may live wholly to thee O my soul now thou art spending thy self in Wishes set upon the work and turn thy prayers into practice for an example and pattern to others and for thy profit There is one Attribute of thy God to which thou art infinitely indebted and beholden for every moments abode on this side the unquenchable sire even his Patience and long-suffering Ah where hadst thou been at this hour had not that Attribute stood thy friend Let the kindness thou hast received from it encourage thee to a serious consideration of it Old acquaintance and former courtesies may well plead and prevail also with thee to afford it entertainment for some time in thy thoughts What is this Patience of thy God to whiâ—h thou art so much engaged It is his gracious will wherâ—by he beareth long and forbeareth his sinful creatures It is that Attribute whereby he beareth their reproach and forbeareth revenge It is sometimes called slowness to anger Psal. 103. â— He is not easily overcome by the provocations of men but striveth to overcome them by his patience A small matter doth not incense him to anger he is not presently put into a fury and his wrath is not easily heightned into revenge Thou wast a trangressor from the womb for mine name sake I will defer mine anger and refrain for thee that I cut thee not off Isa. 48. 8,9 It is sometimes called long-suffering Exod. 34. 6. He expecteth and waiteth a long time for the repentance of sinners He doth not onely pity our misery which is his mercy and notwithstanding all our wickedness and unworthiness load us with benefits which is his grace but also bear many days many years with our infirmities which is his long-suffering Men are transgressors in the womb before they are able to go they go astray yet after a thousand and thousand affronts from the womb to the tomb he bears with them Forty years long was I grieved with this generation Infants or green wood are fit fuel for the eternal fire yet he forbears rotten Okes and old sinners They owe an infinite debt to Iustice and are liable every moment to the prison of Hell but Patience stoppeth the arrest of destructionâ— Rom. 9.12 This Patience of thy God is amplified by considering 1. How odious sin is to him the evil of sin never obtained a good look from God Thou art of purer eyes then to behold iniquity He seeth all sins with an eye of observation but he seeth no sin with an eye of approbation T is not out of any love to sin that he is so long-suffering towards sinners for sin is the object of his anger and dislike He is angry with sinners every day Sin is the object of his wrath which is anger boyled up to its greatest heat The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighttousness and ungodliness of men Nay it s the object of his hatred which is the highest degree of detestation Hatred is abhorrency heightned to an implacability Bare anger might be appeased wrath might be pacified but hatred is irreconcileable The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all workers of iniquity Six things doth the Lord hate yea seven are an abomination to him There is an antipathy in his nature against the smallest sin as sin is
doth imagine It s called a Resurrection from the dead a new Creation the Work of God because nothing less then a Divine Almighty power can effect it Revel 20. 6. Ephes. 2. 10. Ioh. 6. 29. Ephes. 2. 6. 4. Speak to the necessity of a change in him both of his disposition by Repentance and of his condition by faith in Iesus Christ That these are not works which may be done or left undone but such as must be done or he is undone for ever Tell him the necessity of a change 1. Of his Nature by Repentance how God himself hath said Except he repent he shall perish and that it is not possible for the whole creation to make void Gods Word That as he is a corrupted depraved creature he is no way capable of Heaven for God hath shut him out and bard the gate of bliss against him Into it i. e. Heaven can in no wise enter any thing that defileth or is unclean Rev. 21. ult And he hath shut himself out by his vicious nature for spiritual pleasures are not sutable neither can be enjoyed by depraved and ungodly creatures Let him know that swinish dispositions cannot rellish heavenly delights and therefore if it were possible for him to get to Heaven in a carnal estate Heaven would be no Heaven that is no place of joy or pleasure to him Acquaint him especially wherein the nature of repentance consisteth not in a few sighs or sobs for sin or in crying God mercy or saying I am sorry I ever sinned but in a real change of the heart and nature that his mind must be changed to see the ugliness and deformity of sin his will to refuse it as the greatest evil his affections to loath it and hate it above all things whatsoever that he must abhor himself and loath himself and bemoan himself for all his abominations if ever he would fiâ—d mercy that he must in his whole man be altered turned upside down be contrary to what he is by nature be converted and born again or he can nevrr see the Kingdom of God Mat. 18. 3. Ioh. 3. 3. Forget not also to discover the necessity of a change 2. Of his state by faith in Iesus Christ how the Son of God can alone deliver him from the wrath of God that there is no name under heaven by which he can be saved but the name of Christ that all his prayers and tears and duties cannot satisfie the divine justice for the least of his sins or deserve the least favour on the behalf of his soul that he must of necessity be united by faith to Christ and submit to his guidance and give up himself to his Government or perish eternally that though Christ died for him without his will yet he will not save him against or without his will but he must be heartily willing to accept Christ as his Saviour and Soveraign as ever he looks for salvation by him Here it may not be amiss to acquaint him with the fulness of Christs merits and the freeness of Gods mercy to them that do sincerely repent and believe How God commands intreats threatens promiseth and all to draw men to mind the things of their peace 5. Speak to the shortness of his time to do this weighty and necessary work in that now there is no dallying no delaying for within a few hours it may be too late that grace must be got now or never that Christ and pardon and life must be obtained now or never that no sin shall be forgiven no person shall be justified no soul renewed or cleansed in the other world that is not pardoned and sanctified in this that Heaven and Hell are before him and within a short time the matter will be determined which of the two he shall be in for ever that he must now get a title to bliss or miss it for ever now prevent the unquenchable fire or burn in it for ever that he is now upon the shore just stepping into the Ocean either of Honey or Wormwood Joy or Horror and therefore it concerns him nearly to consider what he doth and to be diligent to the utmost if he would escape the endless company and torments of Devils and damned Spirits Take heed of giving him hopes of recovery which many do to please the sick or their friends for hereby thou mayst exceedingly injure his soul frustrating all the means used for his spiritual health Think not much to be often with the sick person in case thou hast opportunity Let his misery move thee and the love of Christ draw thee When we fell an Oak thirty or forty of the first strokes seem to be lost because the Tree stirs not yet if we continue it comes at last down and sheweth the effects of the first as well as the last strokes If he be converted thou wilt be satisfied however thy reward is with God If this unconverted person be scandalous then it may be sometimes convenient to hint at the horrid nature of such sins being committed against common light and abhorred by many of the very Heathen and marked particularly for vengeance by the jealous God 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Gal. 5. 19 20 21. Ephes. 5. 5 6. Thou mayst have the more hopes of success in visiting such a one because conscience in this sinner will probably prove thy friend and joyn with thee in terrifying him for those sins from which it could not though it frequently attempted disswade him If the unconverted person be one that liyed civilly and orderly in his outward conversation paying every man his own keeping his Church forbearing enormous crimes c. It will be then needful to commend his civility Iesus looked on such a man and loved him but also to discover its defects and insufficiency that there is one thing lacking how his nature is universally polluted and it must be throughly purified or he is a lost man that its one thing to have a wound hid and another thing to have it healed that many Inâ—idels have been unblameable in their outward carriages who yet perished being without Christ that the Scribes and Pharises went farther then most civil men for they had not onely a negative holiness in denying gross sins but a Positive holiness in shew at least they prayed fasted c. yet he to whom it is impossible to lye tells us Mat. 5. 20. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven It will be good also in dealing with such a person to insist much upon the latitude and purity of the Law of God how it forbiddeth and condemneth for the least sinful thought and how nothing less then perfect obedience can answer its demands or satisfie the Law-giver because such men are apt to judge themselves righteous comparing themselves with those that are notoriously vicious They think all is well their minds being darkned and unable to
teeth that it eateth out the heart of the strongest timber Flattery is to sin what Oyl to Fire it makes it flame the more O t is dangerous to speak peace where God speaks war shouldst thou do so the blood of such a soul would be required at thy hands Ezek. 33.8 Jer. 23. Faithful dealing will bring thee in most comfort at present and most credit hereafter as also be most advantagious to the sick person When the great day comes the man that hated flattery and scorned for a little profit or favour to disown his duty or prove false to the soul of his Neighbour will hold up his head with courage but the cowardly and fearful wil hang down their heads with shame Rev. 21. 8. 4. Pray with him and for him Sick persons are often full of pain and grief and are more then usually assaulted by Satan whereby they are the less able to pray for themselves and have the more need of the prayers of others It s observable that though the Holy Ghost commandeth men in other afflictions to pray themselves Is any afflicted let him Pray yet when he mentioneth sickness he saith not Is any sick let him Pray But Is any sick let him send for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him Jam. 5. 13 14. i. e. A sick man is not so fit to pray himself he wanteth others to pray for him and with him The soul sympathizeth in the sufferings of the body and the inner man is seldom at rest if the outward man be distempered and disquieted The mind is unfitted for duties by the diseases of the flesh Paul calls his bodily weaknesses a temptation Gal. 4. 13 14. Afflictions on the flesh are temptations to the spirit and sickness is a piercing Arrow in Satans Quiver of temptations If the person be carnal what Motives hast thou from his misery to quicken thee to the duty The poor creature is going to Hell and knoweth it not His destruction is near and he is not aware How should the thoughts of that extremity and eternity of torments which he is every moment liable to stir thee up to be earnest and instant with God on his behalf It may be thou wouldst sit up a whole night to watch with him for the comfort of his body Dost thou not know that the soul is infinitely more worth O watch and pray that he enter not into eternal condemnation Thou art not ignorant that God hath made promises of grace as well as promises to grace and canst not tell but that grace waiteth in heaven for the â—ick person onely thy prayer must be the messenger to fetch it thence God hath shewn mercy at the last he can do it to this man therefore thou mayst have the more hopes Besides it may be his sickness shall not be unto death but onely to heal his diseased soul and so to give him a new life both natural and spiritual The Question before thee is whether that poor sick creatures soul shall be Christs or the Devils for ever and wilt thou not plead hard with God that it may be thrown in to Christ whose title is unquestionable and that the Grand and Arch-enemy of Christ and Men may be frustrated and disappointed in his expectation Zeal to the advancement of thy Redeemers interest and love to the soul of thy Neighbour should actuate and animate thy requests and put life and fervency into thy Petitions If the sick man be godly thou hast the more encouragement to pray God hath promised as much to him as thou canst rationally desire for him He hath hopes to speed that goeth to an honest able man and sheweth him his Bond for what he demands God is infinite both in righteousness and power so that there is no fear of a repulse if you can shew his hand for your request He delights to hear his promises pleaded in prayer and to see his Children so full of affection as to be fervent in their petitions for each other Thou mayst send the same message by prayer to Jesus that the Sister of Lazarus did Lord behold he whom thou lovest is sick and mayst be confident of the like gracious answer This sickness is not unto death eternal but for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby Next to thy endeavours for the good of thy sick Neighbours spiritual estate it will be fit to advise him about his temporal estate that he may dispose of his worldly affairs and his wealth if God have given him any with wisdom and settle things so firmly that his Relations may not be wrangling for his goods when his body is at rest in his grave Secondly The exercising our selves to Godliness in visiting the sick consisteth in getting good to our own souls by it Though it be forbidden us to enquire of the dead and ask their counsel yet it s commanded us to enquire of the dying and to learn of them Sick men may teach them that are in health many excellent lessons Some say that ground covered with Ashes is made thereby the more fruitful The Dust of the dead falling upon a right soil an honest heart will make it the more abundant in holiness A Christian findeth walking in Hospitals or Church-yards among the sick or dying much conducing to the health and life of his soul. He that was cast dead into his Grave by touching the bones of dead Elisha he was ravished to life That which Elias said to Elisha when he begged a double portion of his spirit If thou seest me when I am taken from thee it shall be so unto thee may fitly be alluded to in this place The sight of others sickness and death and their departures from us is a great means to increase the spirit in us and to double our care and diligence in preparing for such an hour 1. In laying to heart thine own frailty He is but a cold clod of clay and dead already who doth not see his own death in the death of others Sickness is but one remove from death the sick bed is the way to the coffin therefore when thou visitest the sick or dying reflect upon thy self and consider This will be my case or a worse a violent stroak The same enemy that encountred my Neighbour is upon his march towards me and will certainly overtake me The feet of them that carry my friend to his grave are ready to carry me also what need have I to be always in a dying frame and ready for death The very next arrow that death shoots may be levelled at me and shall not I stand always upon my guard in expectation of it and armed for it O how deep will the head of that Arrow pierce me if it find me naked 2. In considering Gods mercy to thee and blessing him for the health thou enjoyest The pain of others will tell thee that ease is a mercy the racking sickness and restless nights
aspire heaven-ward when its returning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to its original divinity according to Plotinus his phrase of death As his Saviour he brings out his best wine at last and his last works are more then his first Rev. 2. 19. The blessed Prince and Lord of life should be our pattern at death He got his Father most glory he did his Church most good by his death though he was eminently serviceable to both all his life time It s said of him He was obedient Phil. 2. 7. to the death Which may import 1. His continuance in well-doing His obedience lasted to the last moment of his life so should ours Elisha would not leave his Master till taken from him into Heaven and we should not leave our Lord till taken to him into Heaven Polycarp in his old age being urged by the Proconsul to deny Christ answered I have served him eighty six years and he never once hurt me and shall I now deny him 2. His obedience in his death His death was a Free-will offering in obedience to his Fathers command Not onely his birth and life was an answer to his Fathers call A body hast thou prepared c. Then said I Lo I come to put on that body to take upo◠〈◊〉 that nature and thereby and therein to do thy Will O God but also his death was in pursuance of his duty This commandment received I of my Father Thus the Christians death must be offered up as a sacrifice to God in obedience to his command The Sinners soul is Prest to this War in which there is no discharge This night thy soul shall be required of thee The Saint understanding the orders from the Lord of Hosts is a Voluntier He gives up the Ghost Into thy hands Lord I commend my Spirit 3. The gracious manner of his dying The Sun of righteousness when setting did shine most gloriously Though at his death he had such infinite disadvantage being to wrestle with the frowns of an incensed God the fury of earth and Hell and met with clouds black and thick enough to have obscured the graces and hindered the holiness of any but himself from shining at all yet how brightly did they break forth in the midst of all those Fogs and Mists and Darkness What holy counsel and comfort did he give his Disciples to prepare them for his departure in his last and one of his longest Sermon Ioh. 14 15 16. What an heavenly prayer doth he put up to his Father for them and all his elect to give them both a taste and a pledge of that intercession which he was going to Heaven to make for them When he was hanging on the Cross under such an heavy weight as the sins of the whole World Grace was not depressed His love to his Mother is observeable Woman behold thy Son And from that hour that Disciple took her to his own house John 19. 26. But his love to his membrenâ— though enemies was wonderful Father forgiâ—â— them they know not what they do His Faith in his Father Father into thy hands I commend my spirit His pity to one of the Theives His Patience in bearing the scoffing words and taunts more bitter then Worm-wood of them that passed by reviling him as well as in suffering the wracking of his bones and whole body and the anger of an infinite God in his soul without any murmuring may well call for our admiration Reader he hath set thee a pattern that thou shouldst follow his steps Some tell us the Phoenix of Saba in Arabia Faelix so called from Phoenicea or the Purple colour of her wings liveth six hundred and sixty years at the end of which time she buildeth her a nest of Cassia Calamus Cinnamon and other precious spices and gums which the Sun by the extremity of his heat and the wavering of her wings fires and she taking delight in the sweetness of the savour hovers so long over it that she burns her self in her own Nest. Thus did the blessed Jesus and thus ought his followers to expire in a Nest of sweet Spices the exercise of the graces of the holy Spirit It was a poor farewel to the world which even Octavius Augustus gave when at the point of death he called for his Looking-glass commanded to have his Head and beard combed and his shriveled Cheeks smoothed up then asking his friends if he had acted his part well Cum ita responderint vos omnes igitur inquit Plaudite It is a dreadful conclusion which Pliny relates the Hyberboreans to make who when they have lived to one hundred years or more make a great feast to which they invite all their friends and after their jollity and mirth throw themselves down a steep rock and so perish Ungodly men are always worst at last when they come to the bottom they are flat and dead and nothing but grounds and dregs How often in the eyes of the world do wicked persons go out like a Lamp leaving a stench behind them The scandalous sinner usually like the Goats beard or star of Jerusalem closeth up the flower of his presumptuous hope at high noon he is cast in his own conscience long before his death The Hypocrite ordinarily as the Daysie and Dandelion declares the approach of the evening by shutting up before its approach If he be gold in the morning and silver at noon yet as we say of Butter he is lead at night What is the hope of the Hypocrite when God shall take away his soul As its storied of the Pardora a people in India that in their youth they have silver hairs but in their age their hairs are quite black Or as the She Wolf hath a yearly defect in generation the first time she hath five the second time four then three then two then one then barren ever after So the Hypocrite dâ—clines and decreaseth in goodness faster then the Moon in its last quarter and is commonly worst at last But the sincere Christian hath his best at the bottom and hath his daintiest dish reserved to be served in at the last courseâ— Naturalists tell us of Honey that that is the thickest and best Honey which is squeezed last out of the Comb. O what excellent periods and endings both in regard of the exercise of grace and comfort have many of the Children of God made The Death-bed to some Saints hath been like Tharah to the Israelites in the Wilderness where after many journeys growing near to the Land of Canaan they rested themselves and it was called Tharah from Roah and Tarah which signifieth a breathing time The Sun when it declines into the West hath even then much more light then any of the Stars The meanest upright Christian when he is near setting hath more joy and comfort then a specious Hypocrite any day of his life When some asked Oecolampadius lying on his death-bed whether the light did not offend him he answered pointing
of Christ do all give thee daily occasion to mingle thy bread with ashes and thy drink with weeping What is this world that thou art so fond of it Thy God calls it a Sea of glass mingled with fire Rev. 15. 2. A Sea for its turbulency it s never at rest but ebbs and flows continually though sometimes more sometimes less Its work is to bubble up mire and dirt especially on them who are chosen out of the world A Sea of glass for its fragility All its pomp and pride on a sudden vanisheth Glass is both easily and irrecoverably broken in peices A Sea of glass mingled with fire for the fiery and dreadful miseries that befal men in it All its apparent comforts are mingled with real crosses In Heaven there is solace without the least grain of sorrow In Hell there is mourning without the smallest dram of mirth but on Earth there is no estate without mixture The Saints have joy in God but if need be they are in heaviness through manifold tribulations 1 Pet. 1. 6. The merry sinners in the midst of their pleasures have their hearts heavy Some of the wiser Heathen were so sensible of humane miseries that one of them when Ancient told his Scholar that if it were offered him to be young again he would not accept if Saints of all men must expect a large draught of sufferings The world is their enemy and raiseth all its forces against them If I be a Disciple I must look to follow my Master in bearing his Cross O my soul why shouldst thou hug that which hates thee and doat on this world which is neither a fit match for thee as being unsutable to thy nature nor if she were can be faithful to thee being made up of wavering and inconstancy Or secondly Is it the pain of death that thou art so frighted at Surely the fear of it is the greatest torment How many have felt greater pain in divers diseases as in the Stone or Strangury or Collick then in a dying hour Some of Gods Children have felt very little pain in the judgement of those that have seen them dying The waters of Jordan though rough to others have stood still when the Ark was to pass over But though I were sure my pain should be sharp yet I am as sure it shall be short In a moment in the twinckling of an eye I shall be transported over the gulp of misery into endless glory My pangs will be almost as soon gone as come Sorrow will endure but for a short night joy will come in the morning If I were assured of a great purchase made for me in Spain or Turky which upon my first comming over I should enjoy would I not adventure a passage through the boistrous Ocean to take possession My Saviour hath made a larger a better purchase for me in Heaven He is gone before to prepare a place for me My passage thither though it may be more painful is less perillous It s impossible for me to miscarry in it O why am I so slothful to go in and possess the good Land Surely the pleasures of the end may well sweeten the ways to it were they never so bitter With what chearfulness do some women undergo their sharp throws and hard labours supported with this cordial that a child shall thereby be born to them O how infinitely inferiour is the joy of a man child brought forth into this world to the joy of a sanctified soul brought out of this world into Heaven Again I have a tender Father who knoweth my frame and will lay no more upon me living or dying then he will enable me to bear He hath said it I will never leave thee nor forsake thee O my soul thou hast little reason to dread a contest with this enemy for this cause Thou mayst contentedly undergo a little pain to go to thy dearest Lord when many a sinner hath suffered greater to satisfie his hellish lust Thirdly Is it thy future condition that makes thee unwilling to dye Dost thou not know that death is thy portal through which thou shalt pass into the true Paradise It s the straight gate through which thou shalt enter into life Though its the wicked mans shipwrack which swalloweth him up in an Ocean of wrath and torment yet it s the Saints putting into harbour where he is received with the greatest acclamation and richest welcom imaginable Travellers who have met with many dangers and troubles in their journeys rejoyce when they come near their own Country I am a Pilgrim here and used or rather abused as a stranger shall I not be glad when I come near my blessed home my eternal happy habitation Children in some parts when they first behold the Stork the messenger of the Spring testifie their joy with pleasant and loud shoutings O why shouldst not thou lift up thy head with joy when sickness the fore-runner of death is come to bring thee tidings that the Winter of thy misery and cold and hardships is past and the Summer of thine eternal light and joy and pleasure is at hand Thy death may well be a Free-will-offering considering that though the ashes of the sacrifice thy body fall to the earth yet that divine flame thy immortal spirit shall ascend to Heaven In death nothing dyeth of thee but what thou mayst well spare thy sin and sorrows When the house is pulled to peices all those Ivy roots in the wall shall be destroyed The Egg-shell must be broken that the little chick may slip out Thy body must be dissolved that thy â—oul may be delivered Yet thy body doth not dye but sleep in the bed of the grave till the morning of the resurrection That outward apparel shall not be utterly consumed by the moth of time but lockt up safe as in a chest to be new trimmed and gloriously adorned above the Sun in his greatest lustre and put on again when thou shalt awake in the morning never never to put off more O that I could so live that I might not only be always ready but also when God calls me desirous to dye If I borrow any thing of my Neighbour I pay it back with thanks My life is Gods he lends it me for a time Why should I not when he calls for it restore it with thanks that he hath been pleased to lend it me so long Lord thy Children love thee dearly and believe that when they come home to thee thou wilt entertain them kindly yet their flesh like Lots Wife is still â—ankering after the Sodom of this World and loath they are to leave it though it be for their exceeding gain Give thy servant such true faith in thy Son that I may neither love life nor fear death immoderately but as the heart of Jacob revived when he saw the Wagons which Joseph sent to fetch him to Egypt so my heart may leap for joy to behold the heavenly Chariot which the Son of
Joseph shall send to convey me to the true Goshen I Wish that I may with patience submit on my dying bed to the divine pleasure It hath been far from some Moralists to murmure either at the extremity of their sickness or the necessity of dying By impatience I do not help but rather kill my self before-hand It s the general lot of mankind to sickeâ— and dye Am I angry that I am a man that I am mortal Because I know that I must be sick and dye I know that I must submit The knowledge of an approaching evil is no small good if improved Though it cannot teach me to prevent it by all my power or providence yet it may teach me to prepare for it and to bear it with courage and patience Discontent and quarrelling are great arguments of guilt and a defiled conscience The harmless sheep conscious of their innocency do quietly receive the Knife either on the Altar or in the Shambles and give death entrance with small reluctancy when the filthy loathsom Swine roar horribly at their first handling and with hideous cries are haled and held to the fatal block The Children of God and members of Christ who are perfect through their head do often give up the Ghost and desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ when the souls of wicked men are required of them and they are strangely passionate at the approach of death and with dreadful screeches salute its Harbinger sickness O that patience might have its perfect work in me when I am taking my leave of it and its work is near an end Lord my heart is too prone to be impatient under thy hand though thou art infinitely wise as well as gracious and knowest what is best for me In my sickness turn mine eyes upon my sins that my discontent may be at my self for that which is the original of all my sorrows and then I shall never repine or murmur against thee I Wish that I may daily think of death and wait beleiving and repenting and working out my salvation till my change shall come My whole time is given me that therein I might prepare and dress my soul for my blessed eternal estate Why should it not be imployed for that end The Child who hath all day been diligent about his duty may expect his Fathers good word at night But what Master will give a reward to him in the evening who hath all the day long served his enemy My life is the seed which will yeild a crop of horror or comfort in an hour of death If that be good my Harvest will be glorious and joyful if that be sinful my Harvest will be bitter and sorrowful Do men gather Grapes of Thorns or Figs of Thistles The Grapes of comfort are not to be expected from the Thistles of corruption nor the Figs of peace from the thorns of impiety I should blush to commit to the keeping of a cleanly and considerable person a foul and filthy vessel With what face can I commend to the holy and glorious God an impure and polluted soul O how dreadful will it be to meet with my dying bed before I have met with the Lord of life and to be going out of the world before I have seriously considered why I came into it My great work in this world is to get my depraved nature healed by the blood and spirit of Christ ifâ— I forget my business when I have time to do it and trifle away my days in doing evil or doing nothing I lose my soul am unfaithful to my Master and deepen my judgement by the number of my days â— That Traveller may well be agast and perplexed who hath a long journey to go upon pain of death in one day for which the whole day is little enough and seeth the sun near setting before he hath begun his journey How ill doth the evening of my time and the morning of my taske accord together How justly may God reserve the dregs of his wrath for me if I reserve the dregs of myâ— days for him What folly am I guilty of in deferring my preparation for death If he be a ridiculous person that having choice of lusty horses should let them all go empty and lay an extraordinary heavy load upon a poor tired jade that is hardly able to go much more foolish is he that prodigally wasteth his youth and health and strength in the service of the flesh and the world and leaves the great and weighty affairs of his soul and eternity to be transacted on a sick or dying bed O my soul what little cause hast thou to future or delay thy solemn provision for the other world First thy life is uncertain thou hast not another day at thy disposal There are some creatures they say in Pontus whose life lasteth but one day They are born in the morning come to their full growth at noon grow old in the evening and dye at night What is thy life but a vapour that soon passeth away The first minute thou didst begin to live thou didst begin to dye Death was born when thou wast born the last act of life is but the completing of death As on thy birâ—hâ—day thou didst begin to dye so on the day of thy death thou dost cease to live How many outward accidents and inward diseases art thou every moment liable to May I not say to thee as Michael to David Save thy self to night for tomorrow thou shalt be slain Others have died suddenly by imposthumes or the falling-sickness or violent means and if thou promisest thy self a fair warning before the fatal stroak thou dost but cozen and cheat thy self But secondly If thou wert sure to see the evening star of sickness before the night of death overtake thee thou art not sure thy sickness shall not be such as may not incapacitate thee for the working out thy salvation Extremity of pain anguish of body lack of sleep the violence of a fever may indispose thee and distract thee that thou canst not so much as think of God Or thy distemper may be such that the Physitian may charge thee not to trouble thy self with melancholy or sad thoughts lest thou wrongest thy body and yet the Minister commandeth thee to pull up those sluces of sorrow if thou wouldst not lose thy soul for ever Or cold diseases as the Lethargy or Palsie may surprise thee and incline thee to continual slumbers till at last thou sleepest the sleep of death O how sottish art thou and how grosly doth the destroyer of souls delude thee to defer that work of absolute necessity of conversion to God upon which thine endless weal or wo dependeth to a dying Bed when thou art not sure to dye in thy bed but mayst as well dye in thy Shop or Fields or in the Streets when thou art uncertain what disease if thou shouldst meet with a dying bed should send thee to thy eternal
concern thee to watch Consider 1. His Power Your adversary the Devil It is not a weak man but a mighty Devil Thou art not called to wrestle with flesh and blood but Principalities and powers Is man a match for a Devil or a stripling nodding fit to enter the Lists with Goliah What is a Pigmie to a Giant or a a dying creature to the Prince of the powers of the air Had David been asleep when the Lion out of the wood came against him the Lion had sooner tore him by the throat then he had taken the Lion by the beard The cobweb may as soon withstand the broom in the maids hand and the dust oppose the force of a violent wind as a nodding secure Christian the temptations of Satan 2. His Policy Seeking whom he may devour Had our enemy strength without craft there were not so much danger nor cause of vigilancy but when he hath seven heads as well as ten horns and exceeds us in subtilty as much as in power it concerneth us to be watchful He that playeth with a cunning Fencer will heed his wards the more Reader the Devil hath a shrewd guess what Dalilah is most likely to entice thee and deprive thee of thy spiritual strength and if amongst all the uncircumcised there be any that will fit thee thou shalt not want her He hath not walked too and fro in the earth so long for nothing but he knoweth what weeds will take best and thrive most in the soil of thy heart be confident he will help thee both to the seeds and plants of them The subtle serpent that could wind himself into Paradise knoweth surely how to wind himself into thee If he were too crafty for man when he was perfect much more is he for man polluted And can such a strong politick foe be resisted when thou art lazing upon thy bed of security 3. His Industry Your adversary the Devil goeth about He is a diligent servant never from your elbow As Ioseph's Mistris when denied still sollicited and Sampsons Harlot pressed him with continual importunity night and day that his very soul was vexed unto death So the Devil serveth men he will never forsake them but follow them with his darts and assaults till they are safe in heaven from hiâ— or safe in hell with him He is called the Prince of the powers of the air and his Angels spiritual Wickednesses in high places the air is the seat of his Empire and truly as ravenous foul hover up and doâ—n in the air to catch and kill little chickens and though they be frighted away by any one yet they lye near at the catch and the person is no sooner gone but they are descending to destroy them So those infernal spirits are hovering up and down walking too and fro to defile and destroy souls and though they are resisted and foiled yet they impudently continue their former endeavours to undo us Now hath he any time for sleep that is every moment in such danger 4. His Cruelty As a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour The Lions of the Forrest have no pitty Lest he tear my soul like a Lion renting it in peices Psal. 7.2 The Lions brake the bones of Daniels accusers before they came to the bottom of the Den But the Lions of hell have much less pity his tender mercies are cruelties indeed it is not the loss of thy life but of thy soul and thy God and thy Christ and that for ever which he looks after The racking of thy body and renting thy bones is nothing to the flames and whips and torments which he makes men suffer and that not for a day or week or year or age but to all eternity Reader is there not infinite reason for watchfulness Had not the Apostle ground enough for his precept Be sober be vigilant when our adversary is so strong a Devil so sedulous going about so cruel as a roaring Lion and so crafty seeking by all means whom he may devour Yet alas this is not all Go where we will we see abundant cause to look well to our feet Every place we come into is a net to ensnare us we cannot look out of our eyes but we see a baited hook nor open our ears but we hear the Syrens songs we cannot put forth our hands but we touch pitch nor set our feet but in the midst of nets every part of the body is a Iudas a Traytor to the soul. Our crosses and afflictions if we be secure will be to us as the Goal to a prisoner filling us with Vermine Our greatest earthly comforts if we be not watchful prove but like traps set for vermine pleasant and killing When the world sings most sweetly in our ears she doth but like Orpheus with his pipe endeavour to lead us by the ears into unquenchable flames Theives with provender in their hands catch horses to steal them The world allures our hearts by its pleasures and profits and steals them from God Our own hearts are Iacobs Supplanters of us deceitful and desperately wicked As the water-foul in Friezland will decoy other wilde foul in a net and then give a watchword to their Master to seise on them so officious will our own hearts be to the Devil And shall we not watch and pray that we enter not into temptation Sleep is the great Leveller which makes all equal The strongest Sampson is as liable in his sleep to be slain as the smallest infant When a deep sleep from the Lord had seised on Saul and his Souldiers how easily might David if he had pleased have killed them He took away Sauls Spear and Cruse of Water to assure him that he could have taken away his life Ah! how soon may the Devil or World or Flesh defile deceive and destroy a sleeping soul Bees that have many enemies Mice Spiders Drones Hornets Birds and Beasts never dare say Naturalists to give themselves to security but night and day have their Scouts and Centinels and Corp-du-guard to keep watch and ward lest some of their many enemies should on a sudden surprise them The Christian may learn this duty from such creatures Spiders weave their Cobwebs near the Flowers where the Bees use to gather and also just over the passage out of their Hives that so at their going out but especially at their comming in laden and weary they may catch them and make a prey of them David saith In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me So mayst thou Reader say In the way wherein I daily walk doth Satan privily lay Baits to catch me at my Table in my Closet in my Shop in my Bed in the Streets in all places where I go he hath laid snares for my soul. If there be a snare and such danger in all things then let me advise thee if thou woulst avoid them in the words of Paul to Timothy Watch thou in all things 2 Timoth. 4. 5.
he denied the Faith but siting at the Court Gate when Simeon an old Bishop and holy person was leading to prison he rose up to salute him but the good Bishop frowning on him turn'd away his head with indignation upon which Vsthazanes fell a weeping went into his chamber put off his Courtly attire and burst out into this speech Ah how shall I appear before the great God of heaven whom I have denied when Simeon but a man will not endure to look upon me If he frown how will God frown when I come to appear at his Tribunal Upon these considerations he repented of his Apostacy assumed courage and be-became a glorious Martyr for Christ. If Felix an Heathen trembled when Paul reasoned of judgement to come nay if the very Devils so far believe that day as to tremble at the thoughts of it well may the consideration of that day make Christians tremble at the thoughts of sin and not dare thereby to treasure up wrath upon their heads against that day of wrath and the declaration of the righteous judgement of God Reader At this day think much of that day of judgement hereby thou wilt be stirred up to judge thy self to repent of sin to ensure an interest in Christ the Judge to keep a good conscience and so to think speak and act as one that must be judged by the Law of liberty 1 Cor. 11.31 Act. 3.19 and 17. 31. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Eccles. 12. ult Iam. 2. 12. Act. 24. 16. Eighthly If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness Call thy self often to account This is a special help to holiness I considered my ways and turned my feet to thy testimonies saith David Psa. 119.5 A man that goeth out of his way will continue wandering if his mind be occupied about other things and he consider not what he is doing and whither he is going The Christian that is careless of his carriage and seldom compareth his heart and life with the divine commands to observe how they agree or disagree will never order his conversation aright When a clock is out of order we take it to peices and search where the fault lyeth knowing that one wheel amiss may hinder the going of the whole Clock Our hearts are every day out of order our work must be to take them to peices by Examination and to see where the great fault is Seneca's sober young man Ita laborat ita ludit ita caenat ita potat ita loquitur ita vivit ut qui ephemerides Patri est approbaturâ—â—â— so labours so playeth so eateth so drinketh so speakâ— and so lives as one that is daily to be accountable for all to his Father He that would keep his spiritual estate must keep his Account-books well The neglect of this hath been the breaking of many Tradesmen When Shop-keepers live high far above their incomes and for want of searching into their Books are ignorant whether their gains will allow such large expences it is no wonder if they prove worse then naught They who expect the coming of great and severe strangers who will observe narrowly how their house lyeth and how their vessels are kept and publish it either to their credit or discredit according as they find will keep their houses in order sweep them clean have their pewter bright and clear and all things exactly in their places When the Christian looks every night for the coming of Gods Deputy his conscience to spy and search into his heart and life how clean and holy both have been kept all the day it will be a special means to make him watchful over his ways and exact in his carriage and conversation Bee-Masters tell us that they are the best hives which make the greatest noise So that conscience is the best which makes the greatest noise in daily reasonings and debates before its own bar Examination is the quickest way to bring the erring sheep home to the fold Honest men will examine their weights and measures by the standard that if they be defective they may be mended The honest heart will examine its thoughts its words its actions by the Royal Law that their unsutableness to its strictness and latitude may be repented of and to the utmost of its power reformed Let us search and try our ways For what cause What will be the issue of such a scrutiny And turn again to the Lord Lam. 3.39 What man will seek to a Physitian or accept his advice or take his prescriptions who doth not know himself distempered and feel his disease T is examination of our hearts and lives by the holy and pure Law of God that gives thee knowledge of our spiritual sickness and helpeth us to feel it to prize our Physitian and thankfully and heartily to accept his directions for our cure It s observed of the Dutch-men that they keep their banks notwithstanding the threats of the insulting Ocean with little cost and labour because they look narrowly to them and stop them up in time If there be but a small breach they stop it presently and hereby save much charge and trouble Frequent examination will do this courtesie for the Christian it will maintain his peace with little charge and trouble comparatively As soon as any breach is made by sin that Arch-make-bate between God and the soul it will help the Christian to run presently to Christ to heal and make it up in Heaven by his merits and in the soul by his purifying and pacifying spirit The counsel which the Philosopher gave the young men at Athens may sutably and profitably be applied to Christians That they should often view themselves in a glass that if they were fair and well featured they should do such things as were beseeming their amiable shape but if soul and ill-favoured that then they should labour to salve the bodies blemishes by the beauties of a mind accoutred with the ornaments of vertue and good literature Examination is a special preservative against sin No Children are more bold to defile themselves and to play with dirt or rake in kennels then those who know their Parents are so foolishly fond like David of Adonijah that they never displease them at any time in saying Why hast thou done so The Child that expecteth to be reckoned with at night will be careful how he dirtieth his cloaths in the day Examination will help the Christian if not to hinder a coming disease yet to prevent its growing and increase The Ship that leaketh is more easily emptied at the beginning then afterwards The Bird is easily killed in the Egge but when once hatcht and fledged we may kill it when we can catch it A frequent reckoning with our selves will pluck sin up before it is rooted in the soul. Examination will help the Christian that hath fallen and bruised himself to heal the wound whilst it is fresh before it is festered This one advantage if there were no more is extraordinary As the sting of
love of creatures is a canker which in time will eat up the very life of godliness Reader If thou art risen with Christ seek those things that are above where Christ is It is recorded by divers Historians both of the East and West Indians and some Blackamoors in Guinea between both that many subjects willingly dye with their Princes and Women with their Husbands that some Men give their Wives others their Children others their Servants to be buried alive in the Grave with their Kings to serve him as they conceit in the other world that some Women cast themâ—elves into the fire in which the dead bodies of their Husbands are consumed If those can cast away and contemn the world and all things in it for the love of a poor wretched creature what a shame is it to Christians if the love of Jesus Christ their Head their Prince their Husband do not mortifie them to the world and make them dispise all in it to injoy him whilst they live and to be with him where he is when they dye 4. Allow thy self in â—o known sin This like a thief used to the shop which will steal away all thy gains and keep thee assuredly from thriving in thy heavenly calling There is no possibility of making Religion thy business without the gracious concurrence of the holy Spirit he it is that must lay the foundation rear up the building and perfect what he beginneth but thou canst not expect his company or assistance if thou harbourest any corruption in thy heart though this Dove may flye to thee desirous to make its abode with thee as the Dove went of out the Ark yet if it behold the earth under water thy heart in any way of wickedness it will return again whence it came Doves will lye clean or be gone Bees will not continue in a stinking or impure Hive therefore those that would not loose them prepare the stools where they set them with perfumes and sweet-smelling boughs lest ill savours force them to forsake their stations Thus saith Chrysostom deals the holy spirit Our souls are the hives which if perfumed with grace invite his presence but if polluted with any known sin provoke him to depart O let there not be any way of wickedness in thee if thou wouldst run the way of Gods commandments CHAP. XIV Motives inciting Christians to exercise themselves to Godliness The Vanity of other exercises The brevity of mans life The Patterns of others THirdly I shall annex some Motives to quicken thee to exercise thy self to godliness and then conclude the Treatise First Consider The vanity of all other exercises and labours The wise man begins his Ecclesiastes with Vanity of Vanities all is Vanity and after a large and exact demonstration thereof makes this use and ends his book with Hear the conclusion of the whole matter fear God and keep his commandements for this is the whole duty of man It may be Reader thou takest much pains and spendest much time thou risest early and sittest up late and wastest thy body and wearest out thy strength and toylest and moylest about the things of this life but alass to what purpose to what profit The foot of all thy accompts when at the end of thy life the total comes to be summed up will be onely Ciphers and signifie nothing Thou workest all this while at the labour in vain like the Disciples thou fishest all night and catchest nothing thou spendest thy strength for what is not bread and thy labour for what will not satisfie If the word of truth and the God for whom it is impossible to lye may be beleived all the things of this life separated from godliness are lying vanities broken cisternes ashes lyes wind vanity of vanities and things of naught Joh. 2. 8. Ier. 2. 13. 1. Sam. 12. 21. Hos. 10. 13. and 12. 1. Eccles. 1. 2. Hab. 2. 13. It is Chrysostoms saying that if he had been to Preach to all the world and could so have spoken that all should have heard him he would have chosen that Text O mortal men how long will ye love vanity and follow after leasing Democritus gave that for the reason of his continual laughter which occasioned his Country-men to look on him as distracted That when he beheld the labour and diligence the running and riding the sweating and painting nay the fighting and killing of men to get one above another and to heap up a fading treasure he could not but deride their folly Indeed though the Heathen laughed at the ridiculousness of such persons the sensible Christian seeth great cause to weep at the emptiness and unprofitablenss of such actions and the madness of the Agents Cyprian advised his friend Donatus to suppose himself at the top of the highest mountain and thence to behold the tumults and chances of this wavering world and told him that then he could not but either laugh at it or pity it It s no such wonder that brutish horses should leave good provender to feed on litter as some Jades do but that men who are indued with reasonable souls that seeming Christians who have a Table spread before them with hidden Manna with Angels food with meat indeed and drink indeed withal tâ—e dainties of Heaven should neglect these and feed on ashes may well be matter both of admiration and lamentation The holy Ghost tells such that they follow after vain things which cannot profit them 1 Sam. 12. 21. All outward things are like an olive or date stone hard to crack or cleave but when with much labour they are opened they are nothing worth The Wise Moralist speaking of such laborious loyterers as work hard for nothing compares them to such as spend many months to learn to write with their feet and when they have learned it are never the Better for it Caesar compares them to such as fish for gudgeons with a golden hook hazard more then the fish when taken are worth Life is precious health and strength and time are precious because all these have a relation to an eternal estate now how foolish is he that wasteth them upon toys and trifles and neglecteth provision for the other world Surely every man walketh in a vain shew surely they are disquieted in vain Psal. 39. 6. Observe Rearder how dearly men pay for their guilded nothings for their earthen potsherds coverd with silver dross they walk up and down run hither and thither disquiet themselves with cares and fears and heart piercing frights and vexations for a vain shew The people labour in the fire and weary themselves for very vanity Habbak 2. 13. Their work is hot and hard they labour in the fire even to lassitude and weariness But is it about the noble concerments of their immortal souls Is it that their sins may be pardoned the vitiosity of their natures healed and that their souls may be fitted for the heavenly mansions No it is for very vanity For that which will
Did not ye hate me and expell me out of my Fathers house why are ye come unto me now ye are in distress Didst not thou hate me and expell me out of thy heart and house didst thou not deride and jeer and persecute me against all the commands and threatnings and promises and intreaties of God and his word and why art thou come to me now thou art in distress I must tell thee thou wilt then weep and howl and lament to God as the Israelites did in their extremity Deliver us only we pray thee this day Lord help me Lord save me Deliver me this day from the jaws of the roaring Lion Lord let not hell shut her mouth upon me Who can dwell in everlasting burnings who can abide devouring flames But thou mayst expect the same answer which God gave them Go and cry to the gods which ye have chosen let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation Go to the flesh and the world Go to thy riches and honours and sinful delights which thou hast chosen and preferred before me and let them deliver thee in this time of thy tribulation Where are those gods the rocks in which thou trustedst Let them rise up and help thee and be thy protection Iudg. 11. 6 7. Iudg. 10. 15 32. Deut. 37. 38. A Saint can sing in such a day of trial knowing that death is come to him as the Angel to Peter striking on his side not to hurt but to awaken him to beat off his fetters and set him in the glorious liberty of the children of God The Saint and the Sinner never differ so much at least in open view as in their ends Sin in the bud is sweet but in the fruit bitter and holiness though at first draught seems not so pleasant yet afterwards is all sweetness Though the path of sin be smooth and pleasing to thy flesh yet thou wilt find it slippery and killing to thy spirit It s like an evening star to usher in a night of blackness of darkness for ever The way of holiness is more harsh to the body but the onely Nectar of the soul Ah Reader if thou wilt but choose it thou wilt find by experience that t will be like Hannibal's passage over the Alpes a way which will require some pains but t will lead thee into the heavenly Paradise at that did him into the worlds garden Italy Reader Let me therefore bespeak thee or rather God himself Thus saith the Lord of Hosts Turn unto me saith the Lord of Hosts and I will turn unto thee saith Lord of Hosts Zach. 1. 3. After all thy neglect and contempt of God and his word after all thy wandrings and wickedness thou hast one call more to turn and live In which thy Maker doth three times pawn and interpose the authority of his name to confirm his word The Lord of Hosts three times he doth as it were bring his Angels his Hosts with him in this precept and promise as once to Sinai at the delivery of the law 1. As witnesses of his truth 2. As avengers of him on them that despise his call 3. As rejoycers for those that turn unto him O friend Consider it that God who might have turned thee into hell commandeth thee now after all thy folly and lewdness to turn to him yea he promiseth that if thou dost come at his call he will meet thee half way and turn unto thee It is not for his own sake that he is so earnest with thee for he can be happy without thee he hath no addition by thy salvation he suffereth no diminution by thy damnation but he calleth on thee for thy good that thou mightst be happy in his favour It was the saying of Antigona that she ought to please them with whom she hoped to remain for ever Ah doth it not concern thee to please that God upon whom thoâ— dependest for thy eternal weal or wo When Antiochus was in Egypt in armes against the Romans they sent P. Popilius with other Ambassadours to him where when he had welcomed them P. Popilius delivered some writings to him containing the mind of his Masters which he he commanded Antiochus to read which he did Then he consulted with his friends what was best to be done in the business Whilst he was in a great study P. Popilius with a wand that he had in his hand made a circle about him in the dust saying Ere thou stir a foot out of this circle return thy answer that I may tell the Senate whether thou hadst rather have war or peace This he uttered with such a firm countenance that it amazed the King wherefore after he had paused a while he answered I will do what the Senate hath written or shall think fit Reader I shall onely allude to it and conclude Thou art if in thy natural estate a rebel against God thy heart is full of enmity and thy life of treason against his blessed Majesty thou art daily discharging whole vollies of shot against him he hath sent me as his Embassadour to offer thee terms of peace and to require thee in his name to throw down thine armes and to submit to his mercy I know thou art ready to consult with thy seeming friends but real enemies the world and the flesh what thou wert best to do in this case but whilst thou art thus musing I charge and command thee in the name of God and by his authority who sent me to thee that before thou closest the book thou returne to thy Maker in thy conscience thine answer whether thou hadst rather have peace with him whose wrath is infininety worse then death and whose favour is better then life or war If considering the excellency necessity and profit of godliness thou sayst I will through the help of Christ do all that the Lord hath written or thinketh fit to be done in order to my recovery out of this estate of woe and misery I shall inform thee that God is ready to receive thee the Spirit to assist thee thy Saviour to embrace thee the rich and precious promises of the Gospel containing pardon love peace eternal life are all ready to welcome thee But if thou deniest thy God thy real able and faithful friend and wilt gratifie thy profest though politick enemy the Devil so much as to continue in thine ungodly courses I must assure thee that Phrygan like thou wilt repent when it is too late and be taught by woful experience that it had been far better to have hearkened to the Counsels and Commands of God that with prudent Prometheus thou mightst have forseen a danger and shund it then to walk on in the broad way to hell with foolish Epimetheus without any consideration till thou art unconceivably and irrecoverably miserable and plunged in that lake and amidst those dreadful torments of which there is no FINIS AN Alphabetical Table OF THE Chief Heads contained in the foregoing