it so many precious priviledges for Soul and Body in the midst of so many Devils and devilish minded men and the rather considering not only their great power but their great number malicious nature deep subtilty and continual activity to plot and practise mischief we can never be enough in blessing God for his great Mercy and Goodness to us in restraining and preserving us from the power malice and rage of the Devil and his Instruments 2. As to bless God so to rejoyce in this priviledge we have by Jesus Christ of being rescued out of his power and being preserved in and under all our fears and dangers as the Apostle Rom. 8.33 and not without cause you know how poor Captives rejoyce when they are rescued out of cruel and oppressing hands of Turk and Pope and how poor condemned Malefactors rejoyce at the news of a Pardon how much more should we that the Lord Jesus Christ hath rescued us from the vassallage and slavery to Satan and procured a Pardon for all our sins this should make us rejoyce and again rejoyce Phil. 4.4 rejoyce evermore 1 Thes 5. 3. Not to fear him too much so as to be kept from duty or drawn into sin by him for this is to worship the Devil instead of God and to provoke God to leave you unto his power and therefore to take heed of fearing him with such a slavish fear as to be kept from duty and to be drawn into evil remember and consider well however the Devil be full of subtilty malice and power yet Christ he is the Wisdom of the Father and knows how to out-wit him and to out-work him Greater and stronger is he that is in you then he that is in the World 1 John 4.4 He hath already spoiled Principalities and Powers tryumphing over them on the Cross Col. 2.15 Hath them all in a Chain Jude 6. so as they cannot go an inch farther then their Chain can do nothing without his permission not so much as enter into a Swine without his leave however they may prevail over wicked men to carry them Souls and Bodies into destruction yet they cannot over true Believers such as he hath rescued out of his power I have prayed that thy Faith fail not saith Christ to Peter and not only for him but all others that believe in his Name John 17.20 The Devil may prevail sometimes by God's permission to the spoiling of their Goods the afflicting of their Bodies the troubling of their Spirits yea and it may be the loss of their life but never to the prejudice or loss of their Soul God may give way to them to let them separate us from worldly things but never from the love of God in Christ Jesus 4. To carry our selves so as we may still be protected from the power malice and rage of Satan and his Instruments to this end To take heed of some things and practise others 1. To take heed of these things that as you do not fear him too much so you do not slight him too much much less provoke him and seek for help from him 1. Not to slight him too much so as to be secure rush upon his temptations and presume on your own strength of Grace to withstand them for if he had so much power over man in the state of Innocency to give him a fall much more in the state of Apostacy as you may see in the Examples of David and Peter if he hath shaken the tallest Cedars much more such poor low shrubs as we are 2. As not to slight him too much so not to provoke him too much as many ignorant prophane wretches do by reviling and railing on him daring and challenging him he should do his worst rashly and indiscreetly rushing into those places given up to his possession for this is but fool-hardiness and many have sadly smarted for it therefore take warning by others harm You may read Jude 9. The Arch-Angel would not rail at the Devil but only said The Lord rebuke thee this being spoken in Faith will soon quell him and subdue him rather then railing tearms Remember and consider the Devil is forward enough to do mischief and needs not to be provoked to it 3. Above all take heed you be never drawn to seek help from him in the time of trouble and distress as many ignorant prophane persons are For 1. It is that which God hath expresly forbid Levit. 19.31 Levit. 22.6 Levit. 20.6 Isa 8.19 2. That which he hath exemplarily punished as in Ahaziah 2 Kings 1.3 6. and in Saul 1 Chron. 10.13 14. 3. Because it is a departing from the living God and a serving the Devil which is such a crying sin as the Lord himself bids Heaven and Earth to be astonished at it Jer. 12. For the things that are to be practised they either respect his Temptations in general or else those hideous and hellish ones to Atheism Blasphemy Self-murder in particular First For the remedy against his temptations in general you are to do these things To arm your selves against them to stand upon your watch and resist him stedfast in the Faith To arm your selves against him according to those directions of the Apostle Ephes 6. from 11 to 19. in which words you have these things observable 1. If you would be protected from him you must have Armour 2. This Armour must not lie by you but be put on 3. What kind of Armour this is no other then Spiritual Armour For we fight not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickednesses in high places vers 12. and therefore our Armour must be Spiritual and not Carnal such as Popish Armour Exorcisms Crucifixes Holy-Water c. This Armour is fashioned on the Devils Anvil and this Mystical Leviathan esteems no more of it then Iron and Straw and rotten Wood. 4. You must have the several pieces of this Armour which are partly Defensive and partly Offensive 1st For the Defensive Armour there are five pieces of it The Girdle of Truth Brest plate of Righteousness The feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace The Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Salvation By which are meant the principal Vertues and Graces Christians are to be armed with against the temptations of Satan To open these briefly to you 1. By the Girdle of Verity you are to understand Sincerity and Truth with which you are to arm your selves against all temptations to Guile and Hypocrisie for God's Children are Children that will not lie Zeph. 3.13 and we are exhorted to put away all lying and to speak every one the truth to his Neighbour Ephes 4.25 2. By the Brest-plate of Righteousness you are to understand a good Conscience and a righteous Conversation with which you are to arm your selves against all temptations to iniquity and unrighteousness Luk. 1.47 1 Thess 4.7 3. By the feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace you are to understand the many
an enlightening enlivening mortifying sanctifying quickning strengthning and establishing Spirit in you as you know you have life by your breathing moving walking so you may know you have the Spirit of God if he breathe and move in you and enable you to walk in the ways of God's Commandments more especially by this if you find him to be a spirit of sanctification in you to sanctifie you throughout in your whole man and in your whole Conversation for He is a Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1.4 and sanctifieth all his 1 Cor. 6.11 so as with David to hate every false way and have respect to every command of God Ps 119.6.12.8 Thirdly You may know it by this if you be careful not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5.19 or grieve the Spirit Eph. 4.30 but heedfully to hearken to his Voice Isai 30.21 and follow his guidance Rom. 8.14 Gal. 5.25 Fourthly By this if you go wholly out of your selves in every duty and enter upon it as in the name of Christ so by the strength of his Spirit as you are exhorted Eph. 6.10 and David did Psal 71.16 Fourthly If you find that you have not yet received the Spirit then to meditate on the many and weighty motives there are to quicken you to labour after the Spirit I will but name a few drawn from the Necessity and the Utility of it 1. There is an absolute Necessity of having the Spirit of God and that in these two respects 1. Because without the Spirit of Christ you can receive no grace from Christ for it is the Spirit that is the sole Author and Worker of grace in any therefore called the Spirit of Grace Zach. 12.10 And the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 and the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord Isai 11.2 2. Because without the Spirit you cannot perform any duty so as to please the Lord and to profit by it As for instance 1. Not hear the Word for without the Spirit the Word is but a dead and killing Letter 2 Cor. 3.6 It was he that opened the heart of Lydia to attend unto what was spoken so as to live by it Acts 16. 2. Not to pray effectually without the Spirit Rom. 8.26 2. Many and great will be the benefits that will come to you by having the Spirit 1. He will be a Spirit of Inhabitation to dwell in you honour you so far as to make you his House and Temple 1 Cor. 3.16 2. He will be a Spirit of Illumination to enlighten you with the knowledge of God's mind and will to teach you all things John 16.12 and bring all things to your remembrance John 14.26 3. A Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 To sanctifie you throughout in Spirit Soul and Body 1 Thes 5.23 To inrich you with all sanctifying graces Gal. 5.22 4. A Spirit of Consolation to cheer up your Spirits in and under affliction Rom. 14.17 John 14.16 5. A Spirit of Intercession teaching to pray Rom. 8.26 6. A Spirit of Direction to guide you in all your ways and lead you into all truth Rom. 8.14 and 16.5 In a word a Spirit of Adoption and Salvation Rom 8.16 Ephes 1.13 and therefore in all these respects to labour after the Spirit of Christ But you will say What must we do to procure this Spirit 5. You must take notice of and meditate on the means of procuring the Spirit which are amongst others these 1. You are to give the Spirit the glory that is due to him Well then Q. What must we do to procure the Spirit A. 1. You are to give the Spirit the glory that is due to him by acknowledging him to be true and very God every way equal with the Father and the Son to believe in him and rest on him for illumination sanctification and salvation as well as the Father and the Son for the ignorance and unbelief of this our Saviour shews to be the cause why the World receives him not John 14.17 Secondly You are to know and acknowledge that by nature you want the Spirit of God and thereupon to hunger and thirst after him for the promise is he will pour out his Spirit upon such Isaiah 44.3 John 7 37 38. Thirdly You are to attend and wait upon God in the Ministry of the Word wherein the Spirit is given Acts 10.44 Gal. 3.2 Fourthly You are to love the Lord Jesus Christ and express your love by keeping his Commandments for Christ hath promised to give his Spirit unto such John 14.15 16 17. Fifthly You are to be earnest and constant in Prayer for the Spirit to be given in to enlighten and enable you to every duty God calls you to the gift of the Spirit is a great gift and the greatest next to Christ his Son too great indeed for us to ask but not for God to give for he delights to give and do great things for his and not only commands us to ask him but makes many promises to incourage us Ezek. 36.25 26. Joel 2.28 29. Zac. 12.10 most clearly Luke 11.13 Fifthly If you would have the Spirit to obey the Spirit in his motions and excitements within and without Isa 30.20 21. and take heed you do not resist grieve or quench the Spirit Isai 63.10 Eph. 4.13 1 Thes 5.19 Sixthly Having obtain'd the Spirit to take notice of and meditate on the means you are to use for the preserving and increasing communion with him as First To take heed of and shun such sins as cause him to depart for instance 1. Take heed of quenching the Spirit 1 Thes 5.19 now the Spirit is quenched as Fire is either by with-drawing Fuel or casting-on of Water and filth so is the Spirit when Men either neglect the means and seasons of grace or else hearken unto and cherish the motions of sin and Satan and the World hence that Exhortation Isai 30. To hearken unto the Voice behind us and not turn to the right hand or to the left Secondly Take heed of grieving the Holy Spirit of God Eph. 4.30 Now the Holy Spirit is grieved as by all sin so especially by open and scandalous sins such as lying dissembling idleness rotten communication unbridled passion anger wrath revenge as you may see clearly Eph. 4 25. to the end Thirdly Take heed of resisting the Holy Ghost which is a higher degree of sinning when Men and Women not only refuse to hearken unto the Voice of the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word but even fall fowl on the Doctrines and truths that are taught out of the Word and quarrel with the Ministers for their plain and faithful dealing with them as the Israelites did with Jeremy 43.1.2 and the Jews with Stephen Acts 5.71 Fourthly Take heed of tempting the Holy Ghost as Ananias and Sapphira did Acts 5.1 to the 10. Q. When do Men tempt the Holy Ghost to take vengeance on them A. You may see in that place when they will profess and pretend that which is not in
them as faith and love and obedience which are the most eminent fruits of the Spirit and yet are wholly void of them when Men will profess and pretend they seek the glory of God the publick good the weal and comfort of others as well as themselves and yet do nothing less but seek only their own private Worldly and fleshly interest care not what become of others let them sink or swim all 's one to them and worse than so to promote their own private interest will be still plotting and practising mischief against others still instilling prejudices into the heads and hearts and tongues of others and yet profess and pretend the quite contrary This lying and dissembling of Professors is that which tempts the Holy Ghost to take vengeance on them sooner or later for their audacious robbing Him of those glorious Attributes of his Omnipresency Omnisciency Omnipotency and to exemplarily punish such as dare to sin not only against the light of the Word but the Dictates of the Holy Spirit in their Consciences Fifthly Take heed of defiling his Temple for if any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3.17 Q. Who are they that do so He tells you there they are professing believers Whereby do they defile his Temple They defile it by corrupt Doctrin and manners by dividing-Principles and practises causing Rents and Schisms Parties and Factions as you may find they did Vers 4 5. They also that defile their Bodies by Fornication and Uncleanness 1 Cor. 6.13 18 19. Secondly If you would hold and maintain communion with the Spirit as to shun the forenamed Evils so to observe and make conscience of these following duties First To hearken unto and obey the calls of the Spirit to faith and love and obedience Isai 30.21 Secondly To nourish and cherish the inward motions of the Spirit checking for evil and exciting to good 1 Thes 5.19 Thirdly To live in the Spirit Gal. 5.25 That is as we live a natural life by him so to live a spiritual life to him that we may be fitted to enjoy an Eternal Life with him Fourthly To walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16.25 That is to follow the Direction of the Spirit Vers 18. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God Rom. 8.14 Fifthly To enter upon and perform all duties in and by the assistance of the Spirit Eph. 6.10 To pray in the Holy Ghost Jude 20. Eph. 6.18 To preach in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.4 To love in the Spirit Col. 1.8 and exercise all Graces in the manifestation of the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.7 and rejoyce in the comforts of the Spirit Acts 9.31 Sixthly Labour to be filled with the Spirit Eph. 5.18 Not to content your selves with any measure of grace but still labouring to grow in grace and gracious practises 1 Cor. 15. last To be filled with peace and joy in believing and abound in the hope of glory through the Power of the Holy Ghost Rom. 15.13 Seventhly To preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 that is to endeavour it though we cannot effect it as we would because of the many and great remainders of corruption in the best that oppose and obstruct it yet I say tâ— endeavour it as the Apostle exhorts Phil. 1.27 3.15 Lastly To sow in the Spirit Gal. 6.8 that is lay out your substance and worldly good to spiritual uses for the maintenance of Christ'â— Ministry and Ordinances the providing of thâ— Gospel and incouragement of others in the way of holiness if you refuse to honour the Lord witâ— your substance and bestow it only upon your selveâ— and yours you do but sow to the flesh and of thâ— flesh shall reap corruption but he that soweth 〈◊〉 the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Vers 8. Lastly What grace you have receiv'â— above others or you have been enabled to exerciâ—â— above others or good duties you have been enabled to do above others when you have been moâ—â— enlarged in it above others take heed of arrogating any thing to your selves remember to gâ—â— wholly out of your selves and to give the Spirâ—â— the glory of his grace to you in it as the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.10 and be still careful to walk the more humbly before God and Man Micah 6. So much of the Spirit Nextly CHAP. V. The Fourth Head of Meditation is MAN IN and about Man to meditate on the Four-fold Estate of Man the Four last Things or Ends of Man and such things in the Soul and in the Body about the Tongue Talents Time and Eternity of Man as may most conduce to the enabling of you to answer God and Christ and the Spirit in all they have done for man First To meditate on the Four-fold Estate of Man his blessed state by Creation cursed state by Transgression gracious state by Regeneration and happy estate by Glorification Sect. 1. First His blessed estate by Creation and here to take notice of and meditate on these things First That he was made the most excellent of all the visible Creatures Secondly That he was made in the most excellent manner Thirdly That he was made to the most excellent ends First He was made the most excellent of all the visible Creatures as appears First In respect of the structure of his Body and the endowments of his Soul of which we shall speak hereafter Secondly In that he was made after his own Image in knowledge righteousness and true holiness Gen. 1.26 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 Thirdly In that he was made the Habitation and Temple of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 6.16 Fourthly In that he was made Lord over all the Creatures all subjected under his Feet and all for his use Gen. 1.26 Psal 8. Fifthly In that he was made the Epitome or abridgment of the whole Creation there being nothing in the World but there is some thing in Man like unto it as touching God we believe Him to be a Spirit touching the World we know it to be a Body in Man we have an abridgment of both namely of God in respect of his Spirit and of the World in respect of his Body As in the World there are some things visible and some things invisible so in Man a visible Body and an invisible Soul as in the World some Creatures live the life of Vegetation as Plants some the life of Sense as Beasts some the life of Reason as Angels in Man you have all these kinds of life In a word as one well Man is God's Text all the Creatures are Commentaries on it Secondly Meditate on the excellent manner of Man's Creation 1. Whereas all other Creatures were made by a bare and simple command God did but say the word Let there be Light and there was Light and so in the rest When God made Man it was not without Divine Consultation the sacred Trinity did not
Christ and never leave you until it hath crown'd you with Glory Col. 3.4 Ninthly To meditate on and make use of the means God hath revealed and commands you to â—se to get out of a state of Nature into a state of Grace What are they Mark a few 1. You must be willing to see and be sensible of and humbled under your want of Grace as they Acts 2.37 and the Jaylor Acts 16.30 2. You must labour to be united unto Christ the Fountain of Spiritual Life and Grace for the Son quickneth whom he will John 5.21 and John 1.16 from his fulness we receive Grace for Grace and 1 John 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life 3. You must prize and value it hunger and thirst after it above all other things in the World Isa 55.1 Rev. 22.17 4. You must go to the Covenant for it and beg the Lord to remember his Covenant and glorifie his Grace in giving in that Grace to you which he promiseth in the Covenant Psal 84.11 and tells him this Grace is as free for you as for others and will be as glorious on you as on others and you shall give him the glory of it here and to all eternity Read and ponder well that excellent place 2 Cor. 9.8 A sufficiency of Grace in him for you 5. You must wait constantly on the Ministry of the Word which is the only ordinary means of getting it James 1.21 1 Pet. 1.23 when ever you come to hear the Word remember to beg the Spirit of God to quicken his Word that it may quicken your dead Souls whereby you may be enabled to stand up from the dead and act as new Creatures in a state of Regeneration to God and for God It is the Spirit alone that quickens John 16. and him that God hath promised to such as ask him Luke 11. And therefore I say still remember to beg the Spirit of God and wait upon him in the ministry of the Word till he come to breath into this Spirit Life a Life of Grace that may fit you for and entitle you to a Life of Glory to quicken and encourage you Sect. 4. Take notice of the happy estate of Man by Glorification and what those things are you are to meditate on in and about that are these 1. What this Glory is and wherein it consists 2. The Properties of it 3. The certainty of it 4. Who they are that shall partake of it 1. What this glory is In the general it is no other then the lustre or beauty of a person or thing that draws admiration after it and it is either External Internal or Eternal 1. External is that state and pomp men have in the World and drawes the eyes of others after it of which you may read Gen. 45.13 You shall shew my Father of my glory in Egypt that is of the pomp state and honour I am exalted to 2. Internal Glory is that within in the Soul in the excellent Gifts and Graces that it is endowed withal Psal 45. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within and Numb 6.27 where God said to Moses He should bring Joshua before the Priest and put some of his Glory and Spirit upon him 3. Temporal Glory Is that which he promiseth to his in this life Prov. 22.4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is Riches and Glory 4. Eternal Glory Is that which God will confer upon the Saints in Heaven If you ask what that is we must answer in the words of Austin Facilius est excogitare quid non sit quam quid sit It cannot be conceived much less expressed yet as they guessed at the fruitfulness of the Land of Canaan by the mighty clusters of Grapes they brought thence so may we at the glory of Heaven by that glymps the Scripture holds forth of it That you may have the clearer sight of it we will consider it comparatively with that which is in the World and then absolutely as it is in it self First If we compare it with that glory which is visible in the World we may guess somewhat at the transcendent excellency of it You may see abundance of glory in all the Works of God especially in those Celestial Bodies above the Sun the Moon and the Stars but alas what is this to the Glory of Heaven And If in Heav'ns outward Court such glory be What is the Glory which the Saints do see Du. Bartas 2. Consider it absolutely in it self And here take notice of the Glorious Place and Glorious Company and Glorious Endowments of Soul and Body the Glorious Employments of both and the Glorious Priviledges the Saints shall enjoy there 1. For the Glotious Place that is the highest Heaven that which the Apostle calls the Third Heaven 2 Cor. 12. and this place is Verus totus Olimgus wholly Light not only bespangled here and there with glittering Stars but as one great Sun and that which is increased by the admirable splendor of the glorified Body of Jesus Christ and those millions of glorified Saints whose Bodies there shall shine not onely as the Stars Dan. 12. but as the Sun Mat. 13.43 2. For the Glorious Company There you shall have the society not only of all your Christian Alliance Friends and Acquaintance that have liv'd and dyed in the Lord but of all the Holy Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Saints not only of the Glorious Angels but the ever blessed Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost and if the company of a few humble upright chearful Christians be so sweet here how sweet must communion be with all these 3. For the Glorious Endowments 1. Of the Soul As soon as the Soul is separated from the Body it goes to the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. It is perfected in all its Faculties Understanding Will Memory Affections 1. For the Understanding It is perfected in the knowledge of God and all that 's good 1 Cor. 13.10 11 12. Here we are but as in the Grammer School there we shall be in the University here the knowledge most have is but the least part of that they shall know there of God and the Creatures of the Mysteries of Religion and the Secrets of Nature 2. For the Will there shall be in it a perfect conformity to the Will of God we shall will all that is good and that more freely and with more alacrity then here we ever willed any pleasure of this life 3. For the Memory It shall be so perfected as to remember all that is good and nothing that is evil so as to be troubled for it but rejoyce rather in this that we are freed from it 4. For the Affections These shall be wholly taken up with and rest upon God and all that is good the measure of our love and delight in him shall be to love and delight in him without measure 2. For the glory of the Body you may reade it 1 Cor. 15.42 43.
1. It shall be an incorruptible body freed from all possibility of dying and suffering Luke 20.35 Rev. 17.16 2. It shall be full of beauty shining not onely as the Stars but as the Sun Mat. 13.41 made like to Christs glorious Body Phil. 3. last 3. It shall be a most vigorous Body able to do any thing Etiamsi velit terram movere saith Anselm able to encounter legions of Devils and Reprobates by the almighty power of God dwelling in it 4. A Spiritual Body Not that it shall be turned into a Spirit but endowed with such spiritual qualities as it shall be agile active and nimble in the Service of God like a Spirit 3. To meditate on the glorious employments of Soul and Body both shall be continually exercised in the highest services viz. the singing of the Songs of Moses and the Lamb the singing of continual Hallelujahs to God our Father for Christ our Redeemer by the ever blessed Spirit our Sanctifier and Comforter 4. To meditate on the glorious priviledges of Soul and Body there which are either Primitive or Positive 1. Primitive in a freedom of all evil both of Sin and Punishment 1. Of Sin not only from the power of it but the very being of it not only from sin but from all temptations to it and occasions of it Rev. 21. last 2. Of punishment Bevel 21.4 Rev. 22.3 tryumphing over all 1 Cor. 15.55 O death where is thy sting c. 2. For the Positive priviledges they are these 1. The continual presence of God 1 Thes 4. last there we shall ever be with the Lord. 2. The beatifical Vision of God 1 John 3.2 O beata visio videre Deum in nobis nos in Deo Deum in se ipso saith Bernard What a blessed sight will this be to see God in us our selves in God and God in himself so far as our finite natures are capable of 3. The nearest Union that can be not only of a Gracious but a Glorious 4. Immediate perfect and everlasting communion with God where there will be no need of Magistrates Ministers Ordinances but God will be all in all Rev. 21.21 22. 5. Perfection of Holiness both in Nature and Life Ephes 5.23 Pure as he is pure 1 John 3.2 And Perfect as he is perfect Mat. 5. last Not onely in parts but in degrees 6. Fulness of Joy and Rivers of Pleasure which are at Gods right hand for evermore Psal 16. last 7. An everlasting Sabbath here we have but a weekly Sabbath there an eternal everlasting Sabbath here we keep a Sabbath with much weatiness there we shall keep it with infinite delight Heb. 4.9 There remains a rest for the People of God and this is a transcendent Rest an uninterrupted Rest an universal Rest a perpetual Rest where we shall rest from all sinning sorrowing suffering and with the whole Quire of Heaven shall be still singing Hallelujahs to God the Father for God the Son by God the Spirit to all Eternity and still following the Lamb with Crowns on our Heads and Palmes in our Hands and tryumphant Songs in our Mouths 2. Meditate on the properties of this Glory 1. It 's a revealed Glory Rom. 8.18 Here it is hid from the eyes of the World and often from the eyes of Christians themselves but there it shall be revealed at the last day before all the World and the wicked World be made to acknowledge it to their shame and confusion of face Col. 3.3 4. 2. A full Glory Psal 16. last so full as the Apostle is not able to express it 2 Cor. 4.17 so full of Glory that if the Saints themselves were not upheld by the almighty power of God they could not stand under it so full of glory that because it cannot enter into them they shall enter into it Well done good and faithful Servant enter into thy Masters joy Mat. 25. 3ly An eternal glory such as they shall not only enjoy for millions of years but to all eternity Mat. 25. last 2 Cor. 4.17 3. To meditate on the certainty of this Glory That it is most certain there is such a glorious state for the People of God is evident upon these infallible grounds 1. Because it was prepared for them from before the foundation of the World Mat. 25.34 Heb. 11.16 2. Because they are prepared for it they are said to be Vessels prepared unto Glory Rom. 9.23 3. Because God predestinated his unto it from all eternity Rom. 8.29 2 Thes 2.13 14. 4. That which they are called unto 2 Pet. 1.3 1 Pet. 5.10 5. That which Christ hath purchased with his precious Blood Ephes 1.14 Rev. 5.9 10. 6. That which he made intercession for whilst he was here upon earth John 17.24 and still doth now in Heaven Heb. 7.25 7. That which he hath made many promises of and seconded them with his Oath Heb. 6.17 18. 8. He hath given his Spirit as the earnest of it 9. He hath given the beginnings of it in Grace here which is but glory begun 10thly and lastly He is gone into Heaven to take possession of it in our Name and Nature and hath promised he will come again and take us to himself John 14.3 and accounts not himself fully glorified until his Body and every member of it be in the same glory Ephes 1. the end And Lastly Consider who they are that have a right and title to this Glory what evidences the Scripture holds forth of it As 1. an effectual Vocation 1 Thes 2.12 2. Justification Rom. 5.3 Rom. 8.29 3. Sanctification Matth. 19.28 More particularly the having and exercising these Graces 1. Sanctified Knowledge John 17.3 2. A Justifying Faith John 3.16 3. An Evangelical Repentance Acts 3.19 4. A Gospel Obedience Heb. 5.9 5. An unfeigned love to the Saints 1 John 3.14 Lastly A loving looking and longing for the appearance of Jesus Christ in Glory by all which the Saints are described in the Gospel 2 Tim. 14.8 Titus 2.14 Heb. 9. last Rev. 22. last So much of the fourfold state of Man The Second Head of Meditation about Man is the four last Things or Ends of Man DEATH JUDGEMENT HELL and HEAVEN WE are to meditate on every one of these and that on these grounds 1. On Death because Death were no Death if Judgment did not follow in comparison and Judgement no Judgment or nothing so dreadful if Hell did not follow and Hell no Hell in comparison if it did not deprive men of Heaven 2. Therefore to meditate on these last Ends of Man because it is the Lord himself adviseth his unto and that in a very pathetical manner Deut. 32.29 Oh that men were wise that they understood this that they considered their latter end and the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 5. last he puts this question What will you do in the latter end He would have them know there is an end and to think seriously what will become of them in the end 3. Therefore to meditate on each
Lord. Secondly To meditate on such things as may not only fit and prepare you for death but meditate on such things as may make you willing to die and help you to die comfortably What are they Mind here well for they are of special use to you As first 1. The certainty of another and a better life after this nothing so sure as that by what you have seen already by the testimony of Scripture and many weighty grounds of it in your meditations on the Life of Glory 2. Meditate on the evidences you have of an interest in that better Life of Glory as your interest in God in Christ in the Spirit and in the Graces of the Spirit as your effectual Vocation Justification Adoption Sanctification and those Graces unto which 't is promised as Saving Sanctifying Knowledge Faith Repentance Obedience love to the Saints the Truth sincerity and uprightness of your heart in all to which you may see it frequently promised Psal 84. to the end Psal 37. v. 37. Isa 57.2 Thirdly To meditate on the many and weighty grounds God hath given to encourage your Faith and strengthen your Patience and cause both to have their perfect work 1. To encourage your Faith as 1. his immutable decree 2 Tim. 2.19 2. His unchangeable Love Jer. 31.3 3. His everlasting Covenant Jer. 32.39 4. His continual Intercession Heb. 7.25 5. His almighty Power to keep them through Faith unto Salvation 2 Pet. 1.4 however we should let go our Faith yet he will hold it fast by his Spirit 2. The grounds to strengthen our Patience 1. It 's a Lord whose Will cannot be resisted a Father who ought readily to be obeyed a wise Father who knows what is better for his Children then they do for themselves a pittiful tender-hearted Father that is afflicted in all the afflictions of his that will not afflict his too much because he knows whereof they are made that they are but Dust nor too long lest the Spirit faint and the Soul which he hath made a Father from whom they have received all the good they have had and therefore to be contented to receive a little evil and the rather because it is in order to their spiritual and eternal good Rom. 8.2 Ah! but the pains of my Body are great and the pangs of Death are bitter but to quiet your spirits under these Consider 1. That the pangs of Death are sometimes less then the pains they feel before as to Mr. Bolton who said to his Friend that askt him How it was with him when the pangs of death were upon him He said to him Your cold hand is the greatest pain I feel in his Epistle to the Four last Things 2. You are content to undergoe a great deal of pain here for a little gain how much more should you for an eternal gain These pains are but like the throwes in Travail to bring forth eternal Life 3. Whatsoever your pains and sufferings are they are little or nothing to those your sins made Christ to suffer and that many of his dear and precious Saints have and do suffer and to those eternal sufferings Christ hath redeemed you from and that exceeding excessive and eternal weight of glory that will follow your sufferings 2 Cor. 4.17 Fourthly To meditate on the many and great evils that Death will free you from as 1. from a body of Sin and Death that is still inclining you to evil and indisposing you to good still dulling deading and distracting you in all the services you do 2. From a wicked World wherein continually we see and hear what doth and should more vex our souls 2 Pet. 2. 3. From the dissention of Brethren who are continually undermining the credit and comfort one of another which made Melancton so willing to die when a Friend of his askt him how it was with him and whether he were willing to die He answered Oh yes Not only that he might be freed from a body of Sin and Death and a wicked World but from the dissention of Brethren and go there where all shall be perfected in love 4. From a malicious Devil that is still tempting us to evil and discouraging us from all that is good walking up and down like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. In a word from all Labours Pains Fears Doubts Sorrows Sufferings Rev. 14.13 Rev. 21.4 Death will perfectly cure you of all Diseases Corporeal and Spiritual at once both an aking Head and an unbelieving Heart a sickly Body and a distemper'd Spirit the best Physitian that ever you met with Fifthly To meditate on the many and great benefits Death will help you to as that glorious Place Company Imployment Priviledges you saw before in the Life of Glory the continual Presence of God the blessed Vision of God the immediate perfect and everlasting communion with God perfection of Holiness fulness of Joy and an everlasting Sabbath Sixthly To consider the evil of being unwilling to die By this Christians manifest too much ignorance unbelief hypocrisie love to the World senslesness of the body of Sin and Death that World of wickedness they live in and hereby procure more disquiet to their Spirits and hasten Death the sooner upon them besides the great unreasonableness of it that when God should be so willing of their company they should be so unwilling of his and when Christ should be content to leave Heaven and to come to Earth for them they should be unwilling to leave Earth to go to Heaven that they might enjoy him and know and profess it to be best of all to be with Jesus Christ Seventhly To meditate on the good of being willing to die Hereby you will make a vertue of necessity seeing you cannot put it off therefore you will voluntarily yeeld to it hereby you will manifest your hatred of sin contempt of the World Faith in God's Promises Love to God desire of immediate Communion with him honour your Christian Profession and make Death the less terrible to you Eighthly and Lastly Consider what the Apostle sayes 1 Cor. 13. to the end Death is yours Yours no way to hurt you but every way to do you good 1. No way to hurt you because however it be a Serpent yet 't is a Serpent without a sting by stinging of Jesus Christ to death it lost its sting so that though it may hiss yet it cannot hurt however the Devil brought Jesus Christ unto the Cross unto Death unto the Grave yet therein Jesus Christ out-shot the Devil in his own Bow spoiled Principalities and Powers and made a shew of it openly tryumphing over them on the Cross Col. 2.15 And that it can no way hurt you appears further by these Particulars 1. In that it is not the destruction or annihilation either of Soul or Body but onely the alteration and change of their condition for the better As for instance 1. In the Body The Body by Death is freed from
shall have there Austin wished he might have seen three things before he died Rome in its Glory Paul in the Pulpit and Christ in the Flesh but the Saints shall see better sights there They shall see not Rome but Heaven in its Glory Paul not in Pulpit but on the Throne Christ not with a crucified but glorified Body They shall behold the King in his beauty Isa 33.17 And what a glorious sight will this be And which is more then all the ever blessed Vision of God in himself and God in us and our selves in God Fourthly To meditate on those things wherein the happiness and blessedness of the Saints consist viz. In a removal of all evils and a confluence of all good things 1st In the removal of all evils which may be reduced to these three heads viz. 〈◊〉 Evil of Sin The Evil of Temptation The Evil of Affliction 1. The Evil of Sin The Saints shall not only be freed from the power of sin but from the very being of sin Grace here weakens Sin but Glory there will wholly abolish it Rev. 21. last No unclean thing shall enter there 2. From the Evil of Temptation Here we are continually subject unto temptations from within and from without from the Devil the World and the Flesh but there shall be freed from all though in Paradise yet none in Heaven no Serpent can creep in there nor any wicked one to vex our righteous Soul or any corruption left to incline us to evil 3. From the Evil of Affliction Here we are continually subject to one affliction or other in Body or Soul Name or Estate our selves or ours but there freed from all Rev. 21.4 God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes This happiness consists 2dly In a confluence of all good things The Saints there will be blessed in their Bodies in their Souls in their Company in the security and perpetuity of all 1. In their Bodies their bodies made immortal most beautiful vigorous active and glorious bodies as you saw before 1 Cor. 15.42 Phil. 3. last 2. For the Soul the Understanding Will Memory Affections all perfected in their acts and operations 1 Cor. 13. 3ly For their Company They shall have communion with all the glorious Angels and glorified Saints and the sacred Trinity in Unity God blessed for ever 4. For the security and perpetuity of this blessed condition it runs parallel with God to all eternity Mat. 25. last Fifthly To meditate on the duties you are to perform for the getting and making sure Heavens happiness to you as amongst others these 1. To see you be conformed to Christ in holiness because without holiness no happiness Mat. 5.8 John 3.3 Heb. 12.14 Rom. 8.29 2. To strengthen your Faith in this happy condition by the consideration of this That Christ your Head is gone into Heaven and taken the possession of it in your Name and Nature Heb. 6.20 and hath promised to come take you to himself that where he is you may be with him and that for ever John 14.3 4. 3. To admire and adore the infinite love of God to you in Christ in preparing for you and appointing you to so happy and blessed a state after this miserable life here saying still with David Lord what is Man and I amongst the Sons of Men that thou shouldest have such thoughts of love and eternal love to me Psal 103.1 Praise thou the Lord O my Soul c. 4. To contemn the World and all the glory of it in comparison of that glory above as David did Psal 4.6 and the Apostle Phil. 3.7 8. 5. To quicken and encourage your selves and all others especially your near and dear Relations to lay out themselves all they are and can for the making sure Heavens happiness to them 1 Cor. 15. last 2 Pet. 1.10 11. 6. To be still loving looking and longing for the appearance of Christ in Glory that when he appears we may appear with him as the promise runs to such Colos 3.4 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13 14. Rev. 22. last Great will be the benefit of meditation on these things it will put life and vigour into all your actions 1 Cor. 15. last and all your passions Rom. 8.18 One hour in Heaven will make an abundant recompence for all your sufferings here CHAP. VI. The third Head of Meditation in and about Man are such things in SOUL and BODY and about the Tongue Tallents Time Eternity of Man as may most conduce to the enabling of Man to answer God and Christ and the Spirit in all they have done for Man First The SOUL TO meditate in and about it of these Particulars The Nature of it The Worth of it The greatness of the Loss of it The greatness of the Salvation of it The Conscience God hath put into it to mind you of all First The Nature of it what it is sc A spiritual Substance Invisible Immortal Created of God United to the Body and endowed with admirable faculties of Vegitation Sense and Reason Secondly To meditate on the transcendent worth or excellency of it This appears 1st By the excellent Majesty of which it is an Image nothing so much resembles God as the Soul 1. In Spirituality 2. In Immortality 3. In the infinity of Comprehension or Duration 2dly By the excellent price was paid for the Redemption of a Soul not Silver and Gold but the precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.18 Had all the Creatures in the World laid down their lives they could never have done it being finite Creatures they could never have satisfied an infinite Justice 3dly By the excellent end and the use of it it being made to contemplate all those glorious Excellencies that are in God and in God for us 4thly The transcendent excellency of it above the Body and above all the World 1. Above the Body 1. The Body but an earthly Substance the Soul a heavenly Substance 2. The Body is a material and visible Substance the Soul a spiritual invisible Substance 3. The Body cannot live without the Soul but the Soul can and doth without the Body 4. The Soul not made for the Body but the Body for the Soul as the Box for a Jewel and the House for the Inhabitant 2. Above all the World One Soul 's of more worth then all the World then ten thousand Worlds as appears in this That all the World and ten thousand Worlds cannot content and satisfie the Soul no more then a Barley Corn can fill the World the Soul is of so large and vast a capacity as it 's able to conceive of and desire millions of Worlds Thirdly Consider the greatness of the Loss of a Soul There 's no loss to be compared to the loss of a Soul because he that loseth it loseth all not only himself but God and Christ and Grace and Glory both this World and that to come and this loss an irrecoverable loss Mat. 16.26 What will it profit
and Earth entailed to it it gives a Christian much in Possession all the Promises of this Life and infinitely more in Reversion the Life that is to come Godliness will be profitable whilst you live sweeten and sanctifie every state and condition to you and yours Prov. 20.7 and will be much more profitable when you die when you are to leave all other things this better part shall never be taken from you Luke 10. last Thus of the general Rules Secondly For the more particular Rules respecting the right ordering of our Conversation they either respect God or Christ or the Spirit our Selves and others 1st For those respecting God they either concern his Attributes Words Works Worship 1. For the Attributes of God you ought to know them and to walk sutably to them let them have authority and influence on your Hearts and Wayes to keep you from sinning and quicken you to well-doing according to the directions given you before 2. For his Word To do nothing but what you have a warrant for out of the Word Isa 8.20 Psal 119.9 Whereby shall a young man cleanse his way but by taking heed to thy Word John 5.39 1 John 4.1 Acts 17.12 Rom. 12.2 Prove what is the good and acceptable Will of God God hath appointed it to be a Light to our Feet and a Lanthorn to our Paths Psal 119. He that walks not according to it walks amiss Mat. 22.29 Ye err not knowing the Scriptures As you are to walk according to the Word so every part of it the Precepts to obey them Psalm 119.2 the Promises to trust in them Psal 9.10 and the Threatnings to fear them Hebak 3.16 3. For the Works of God you are to eye God in his wayes of Justice and Mercy and to be humbled under the one and thankful for the other to admire him and adore him in what you cannot comprehend him as the Apostle Rom. 11.33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out 4. For the Worship of God I have given you directions before yet I will add these to have an eye in the Worship of God to a right Person Place Manner Time End 1. The duties of God's Worship must be performed by a right Person as for instance The Preaching of the Word and the Administration of the Sacraments onely by a faithful Minister called and sent by God and his Church because these are publick Duties and therefore to be performed only by a publick Person So Prayer in the Family and instruction of those in it by the head of the Family God having layed the charge of it upon him Deut. 6.6 Heb. 7.7 2. The Religious Duties must be performed in a right place as the Publick in Publick Private in Private Secret in Secret the reason is because though there be no place forbidden yet there be some places more convenient for some Duties then others 3. That there may be order they must be observed and performed in a right time and in due season as works of our general Calling in their season and of our particular in their season Duties of our general Calling especially on the Sabbath Day and every morning and evening Psal 92.2 The duties of our particular Calling only on the week day and the greatest part of the day the reason is Because there is an appointed time for every purpose under Heaven Eccles 3.1 And because what the Wise Man speaks of a word spoken in a season is true of an action done in season it 's very beautiful like an Apple of Gold in a Picture of Silver 4. For the right manner I gave you directions before at the beginning onely remember still this all be with fear and reverence Heb. 12. end and in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 God abhors those that draw near with their Lips and their hearts are far from him Isa 29.13 5. For the right ends you are to propose in every duty they are That God may be glorified others Edified your Souls Sanctified and Saved 1 Cor. 10.31 Phil. 1.20 John 15.8 2dly There be other Rules respecting Jesus Christ If you would order your Conversations aright you are to do what you do in Knowledge Faith Repentance Obedience Love 1. In Knowledge because this is Life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.3 And because all Obedience without Knowledge is but blind Obedience 2. In Faith That God will accept of your Persons and Services in him Ephes 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 Because without Faith it 's impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 And whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.23 3. To do it in Repentance Because so long as men live and lie impenitently in sin God will not regard any thing they do Psal 66.18 Psal 50.18 4. In Obedience to his command Because he is the Author of Salvation only to as many as obey him Heb. 5.9 And such as yeeld Universal Obedience their unfeigned desire and earnest endeavour Psal 119.3 Mat. 5. last John 15.14 5. To do all ye do in Love to Jesus Christ as the Apostle 2 Cor. 15.14 The love of Christ constrains me Because without Love all Religious Duties will profit us nothing 1 Cor. 13. That you may be enabled to all this you are to make Christ your Principle your Pattern and your Scope in all 1. Your Principle to fetch Grace and strength from him to do it because we can do nothing without him John 15.5 And it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in him that we from that fulness might still be receiving Grace for Grace 2. To make him your Pattern to walk as he walked 1 John 2.6 How that was you may read in the Gospel wisely inoffensively c. as we shewed you before in your Meditations on Christ 3. To make him your Scope and end in all you do that Christ may be magnified in your Bodies in Life and Death Phil. 1.19 20. 3dly Other Rules respect the Spirit of God as these 1. To hearken to and obey his Call unto Faith and Repentance Isa 30.21 2. To nourish and cherish his motions within in the Conscience checking you for evil and exercising you to duty and take heed you do not resist him as they Acts 5.21 nor quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5.19 nor grieve the Spirit so as to cause him to depart Ephes 4.30 3. To beg his help and assistance in every duty of your particular and general Calling Ephes 6.10 4thly There are other Rules respecting our selves If you would order your Conversation aright so as to have God's gracious Presence with you Providence over you and Blessing upon you all the day long then to mind and observe well these Rules To begin the day with God and continue it with God and end it with God 1. To begin the day with God by giving him the first of
2. Because they are Holy Spirits and cannot indure to see any unholy or unclean behaviour 4thly To imitate the Blessed Angels especially in these four things 1. their Humility 2. Piety 3. Charity 4. Alacrity 1. Their Humility Though they be glorious Spirits yet they are content to stoop to the meanest Servants of God at God's Command they came down from Heaven to bring glad tydings of Salvation to poor Shepherds are willing to wait on those that are despised of men Mat. 18.10 how much more should we stoop to one another and serve one another in love see the command Rom. 12.3.16 2. To imitate them in their Piety They are God-like Holy as he is Holy therefore called 〈◊〉 Holy Angels Mark 8.38 And we are commandâ—◠〈◊〉 be Holy as God is Holy 1 Tim. 1.15 They seek nor their own Glory but the Lords Isa 〈…〉 so we are commanded 1 Cor. 〈…〉 They stand ready prest to know and do the Will of God Psal 103.21 And we are commanded Tuâ—â— 3. â— Be ready to every good work They do it also zealously Dan. 9.21 He make 〈◊〉 Angels a flame of Fire and this we are commâ—nded Rev. 3.19 Be zealous and amend And they do it constantly Matth. 18.10 And we are commanded 1 Cor. 15. last Be stedfast uâ—â—oveable alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord c. Gal. 6.10 Be not weary of well doing And all this is no other then what we are taught to pray for in the Lords Prayer in these words Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven That is universally sincerely chearfully constantly 3. In their Charity They not only love one another but they love us and in love to us they are content to stoop to any Service wherein they may express their love to us how much more should we love one the other and as the Apostle exhorts serve one another in love and the rather because it is the express command of Christ and he hath given himself an Example of it and made it the chief character of a Disciple of his John 13.35 4. To imitate them in their Joy They rejoyce continually in the Glory of God the Exaltation of Christ the Conversation of Sinners the Salvation of Souls the Glorification of the Saints together with themselves how much more should we rejoyce in these things seeing the benefit redounds not so much to them as to us 6th Duty Not to fear the malice and rage of the Evil Angels for however the Evil Angels endeavour to do all the mischief they can to the Godly and God permits them to do it to wicked men Psal 78.49 50. and sometimes to afflict the Godly Job 1.6 yet here 's our comfort All the Godly have the Good Angels to protect them that they cannot hurt them as they would however Evil Angels may have a permission from God to do them evil yet the Good Angels have alwayes a Commission from God to do them good Psal 103. to the end And the power of Good Angels is more and greater then of the Evil they having lost much of it by their fall and therefore not so much to fear them A King that hath his Guard about him fears no danger how much less should we who have though not of men yet a Guard of Angels 2 Kings 6.16 7th Duty Not slavishly to fear Death but to wellcome it whensoever it comes seeing it is the last Office the Angels do for the Saints here to attend on their Death-beds and take the care of their Souls and carry them after Death to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect Luke 16.22 Heb. 12.22 Lastly Remember still to return God the Glory of this Glorious Priviledge the enjoyment of the Ministry of Angels and all the good and comfort you have reapt by it The Shepherds Luk. 2.20 having heard of the glad tydings brought by the Ministry of Angels they returned glorifying and praysing God but not the Angels the Angels ought to have their due reverence and respect for their Ministry but we are to give the honour and glory of it only to God Thus Daniel 6.22 and Peter Acts 12.11 they did not ascribe the deliverance to the Angels but unto God that sent his Angels And great cause have we to glorifie God in and for their Ministry 1. In respect of the great honour God conferreth on us in vouchsafing such honourable Guardians to us 2. In respect of the great good that comes to us by them not only in protecting us from those evil spirits which rule in the Air but the quickning and leadings to the following and guidance of his ever blessed Spirit of Grace 3. Because they are only instruments in God's Hand it 's God alone is the Author of all the good we receive by them Make these uses of the Ministry of Angels and you will be sure to reap much benefit and comfort by it and to have them still to attend upon you and minister to you in Life and Death and after Death 1. In Life to preserve you from evil and to incourage you in that which is good to comfort you in and deliver you out of trouble 2. In Death to stand about your Beds and keep off the evil Spirits and chear up your own Spirits arm you against the terrors of Death and as soon as your Soul shall be separate from the Body to carry it to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect And 3. after Death at the last and great Day to open your Graves and bring out your Bodies and take them up into the Air to the Accessors with Jesus Christ in judgment on the wicked World and after that to conduct you into Heaven there to be for ever with the Lord and with them still glorifying God the Father for God the Son by God the Spirit to all Eternity Amen Secondly For the Evil Angels and Devils Sect. 2. In and about them to take notice of and meditate on these things 1. That there are such 2. What they are 3. How they became such 4. What their punishment 5. What their Office or Work is 6. What their Properties or Qualities are Lastly What our duties are in respect of them 1. That there are such evil Spirits or Devils is abundantly manifest by the testimony of the Scripture and their frequent Temptations Apparitions Possessions and Dispossessions the Scripture often mentions in the Old New Testament In the Old we read that the Devil was a lying spirit in the mouth of the false Prophets 1 Kings 22. and that Satan stir'd up David to number the People 1 Chron. 21.1 and how he afflicted Job cap. 1. and that he stood at the right hand of Joshua to resist him Zach. 3.1 In the New Testament we read how he tempted Christ Mat. 4. and how Christ cast him out of many possest by him as for those Atheists and Epicures that question it they have some of them been forced to acknowledge it here to their horror
and terror ere they dyed if they do not here they shall hereafter Qui non credunt sensiant they shall find and feel it hereafter that Hell is no Fable and the Devils are no Nominals but Reals not imaginary but afflicting Spirits Spirits ordained for Vengeance tempters of men here to sin and tormentors hereafter for sin 2. Take notice what they are This you may understand by the several names given to them in Scripture as 1. in respect of their nature they are called Spirits i. e. Spiritual Substances or Substances without a body whereby they are distinguished from the Souls of Men that are united to their Bodies 1 Kings 22.21 Matth. 18.6 Luk. 10.20 2. In respect of their corrupt nature they are called Evil Spirits Luke 8.2 1 Sam. 18.10 1 Joh. 3.12 3. They are called lying Spirits 1 Kings 22.22 and unclean Spirits Matth. 10.1 4ly In respect of their great knowledge they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Levit. 17.7 1 Cor. 10.20 i. e. Understanding Spirits which we read or Devils though they be more fitly called Devils because they are continually doing evil 5. In regard of their Pride Power and Dominion in the World they are called the Prince of the Air Ephes 2.2 and the Godd of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 6. In respect of their Properties he is called the Tempter because continually he is tempting to evil and the Deceiver because he alwayes deceives men in the promises he makes and Accuser because he is still accusing God to Man and Man to God and the Destroyer because he is still plotting and practising ruine and destruction unto Souls 1 Pet. 5.8 So as put all together the Devils are evil and wicked Spirits abounding in knowledge and power to do mischief still tempting to sin imployed about delighting in nothing else 3. How became they such evil Spirits For the understanding of this you are to take notice 1. That they were by creation good and as good every way as the Elect Angels as Understanding Wise Pure Potent every way equal and no way inferior to the Good Angels Gen. 1. last 2. Though they were created good and as good as the Elect Angels yet they voluntarily fell from this good Estate and became as evil as they were good John 8.44 Jude 6. The Angels that left their first estate c. The cause of their fall was their sin 2 Pet. 2.4 God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to Hell c. What their special sin was is not clearly revealed in the Scripture but probably conceived to be their pride from that place 1 Tim. 3.6 where he adviseth That a Minister should not be a Novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil implying that their sin was either pride or mixed with pride 4. What their punishment is And this consists in two things 1. The grea◠corruption of their Nature whereas by Creation they were very good and holy by their fall they became extreamly evil and the greatest enemies to holiness whereas by Creation they had the Knowledge of of God's whole Will and an actual conformity to it by their fall they were deprived though not of their Natural yet of their Supernatural Knowledge and all Sanctified Knowledge and this Knowledge they have now it is accompanied with an implacable hatred of God and obstinate impenitency and final desperation The second part of their punishment is The Curse of God or the Infinite and Eternal Wrath of God which St. Peter layes down in four branches Having sinned 1. They were cast down viz. out of Heaven 2. Cast into Hell 3. Under everlasting Chains of Darkness 4. Reserved to the Day of Judgement for the full pouring out of God's Wrath and Vengeance upon them In the interim they are permitted to come out of that local place of Hell and to walk up and down in the World for the punishment of the wicked and the exercising of the Godly 5. To take notice what their Office and Work is And that is To be a Tempter an Accuser a Tormentor these three the Devil is continually exercised in 1. He is a continual tempter unto sin and therein behaves himself as a subtil Serpent and discovers himself to be that wicked One. 2. He is a continual Accuser of God to Man and Man to God and one Man to another and therein shews himself to be a Deceiver and a Murderer and the Father of Lies John 8.44 3ly He is a continual Tormentor and Troubler of men for sin and therein shews himself a Fiery Dragon and a Roaring Lion and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Destroyer of Souls this work God permits him to be imployed in in a double respect 1. The Wicked and 2. the Godly to punish the one and exercise the other 1. To punish and plague the wicked 1. In their Souls and that 1. by giving the Devils power to tempt them to sin and prevail over them by his temptations as over Ahab's false Prophets 1 Kings 22.22 2ly By giving power to them to vex and to terrifie their Consciences 1 Sam. 16.14 23. An Evil Spirit was sent to vex Saul and Psalm 78.49 Evil Angels were sent to vex and terrifie the Egyptians 2. To punish them in their bodies by giving leave to the Devil to possess them and torment them rend and tear them in pieces as History tells us he hath done the bodies of many wicked Hereticks Blasphemers and Apostates and at last to carry them to Hell as he did Dives Luke 16. Then 2ly their Office is to exercise the Godly 1. Sometimes in their Bodies by afflicting them as he did Job's Body Job 2.7 2. In their Souls by suffering Satan to tempt them and trouble them though not finally prevail over them as over the wicked however Satan sought to winnow Peter like Wheat yet Christ prayed that his Faith should not fail Luk. 22.32 Though he buffeted Paul yet God promised his Grace should be sufficient for him 2 Cor. 12.7 9. 6. VVhat their Properties and Qualities are They are very Knowing Subtil Powerful Wicked and Malicious Spirits 1. For their Knowledge That must needs be very great 1. In that by creation they were like to the good Angels in Knowledge 2. Their knowledge since hath been much increased by the long experience they have had of all God's Revelations and manifestations in the World Job 1.8 9. But yet however they know so much and more of God then others yet they know not mens hearts but only by conjecture for 't is only God's prerogative to be the searcher of the heart 1 King 8.39 Neither do they know what the Grace of Regeneration is nor what the comforts of the Spirit are for these are props to the Elect. 2. For their Subtilty we read of the Wiles of Satan Ephes 6. and the Depths of Satan Rev. 3. This subtilty of theirs appears in these Particulars 1. In
Divine Meditation and therefore it should be our endeavour to take notice of it and improve it to the Glory of God and our own and others spiritual advantage in the way homeward to Eternal Life because the most are ignorant or not so well acquainted as they should with this Divine Art of Extracting Spiritual out of Temporal things For your help and furtherance herein I shall briefly direct you in a few Particulars from the beginning of the day to the end and so conclude this Subject Pray mark them well I. WHen you awake to give God the first of your thoughts As David Psalm 139. When I awake I am presently with thee How precious are the thoughts of thee unto me To think also of our duty of awaking out of Sin unto Righteousness Ephes 5.14 and of our awaking at the last day out of the Grave by the sound of the Trumpet 1 Thess 4.16 This you may find was David's thought Psalm 17. last When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Remember sleep is but the Image of Death the Bed the Grave and the Morning of the Resurrection at the last Day II. When you have had a sweet nights rest think thus If natural rest be so sweet refreshing and reviving how much more is Spiritual Rest and will be Eternal Rest Oh what cause have you to bless him that hath given his Beloved Rest when others have been altogether restless and others it may be slept their last sleep Think and say to thy Soul Oh how justly mightest thou have been awakened out of thy sleep at midnight as the Egyptians were with a cry or else have slept the sleep of Death whereas we have layen down in peace and slept because the Lord sustained us III. When you see the light of the day shining into your eyes think and say If the light be sweet and it be a pleasant thing to behold the Sun Eccles 11.7 Oh how excellent is thy loving kindness in causing the Son of Righteousness to arise with healing in his Wings upon us Mal. 4.2 Oh what great cause have we to bless God for the Light of Life especially for the Light of the Gospel the Light of Grace here and the hope of the Light of Glory hereafter to beg also of God to lift up the Light of his Countenance upon us and help us to walk in the Light of his Countenance all the day long IV. When you are about to rise think upon the first Resurrection to Grace here and the second Resurrection to Glory at the last day because without an interest in the first Resurrection you can never expect an interest in the second and therefore to be careful as you rise out of your beds so to look to this that you arise out of sin unto newness of Life V. When you put on your cloaths think on sin which was the cause both of your nakedness and your need of Apparel to be humbled under the one and keep you from priding your selves in the other think also what infinite cause you have also to bless God for Jesus Christ that he hath fulfilled and brought in everlasting Righteousness whereby your nakedness might be covered and you might stand amiable in his sight without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5. end And therefore when you put on your Apparel remember to put on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13. end and put him on wholly for Justification Sanctification Consolation Salvation and take heed of spending too much time in apparelling your selves It is reported of one Pambo that seeing a Gentlewoman dressing her self all the morning by the Glass he fell a weeping and being asked Why He answered Because this Woman had spent all the morning in dressing her Body and I scarce one hour in dressing my Soul VI. When you look into the Glass to see what is amiss about you remember to look into the Glass of the Word to see what is amiss in your hearts and lives and to order your Conversation according to it Psalm 119.9 Where withall shall a young man cleanse his wayes but by taking heed to thy Word VII When you begin to wash your hands and face think of that Fountain which God hath opened to wash in from sin and from uncleanness Zach. 13. What infinite cause have you to bless Jesus Christ that was willing to shed his precious heart-blood for you to wash in and the love of the Spirit to you in opening your eyes and revealing this Fountain to you begging of him That he would put you in and wash you and rinse your Souls and Bodies more and more from your remaining filthiness of Flesh and Spirit 2 Corin. 7.1 VIII When you are about to go apart into your Chamber or Closet to read the Word and pray unto God in secret Think thus What a mercy is it to have this liberty which is denied unto many What a mercy is it to look into that blessed Book of the Scriptures Lord open mine eyes that I may see the wondrous things contained in it What a mercy also is it to have access with boldness and confidence to the Throne of God when we cannot to the throne of Men to go to him also as my Father and a Father not onely able but as willing as able to supply all my wants that sees in secret and hath promised to reward me openly Matth. 6.6 IX When you are to pray with the Family think thus What a mercy is this that I have a Family to pray with and for and that we have all health and liberty to pray together and that any have hearts to joyn with us in Prayer and are not as too many are in other Families scoffing Ishmaelites and prophane Esaues X. When you are about to imploy your selves about the duties of your particular Calling Remember that as God requires every one should live in a Calling so that every one be diligent in it because it 's the diligent hand makes rich yet not to labour so much after the meat that perishes as that which endures to eternal Life John 6.27 1. So to labour in your particular Callings as that you may be more serviceable to God and helpful to others in the duties of your general Calling 2. That you be faithful and just 1 Thess 4.6 11 12. 3. That you be useful and fruitful not seeking only your own profit but the weal and benefit of others Phil. 2.4 1 Cor. 10. about the end 4. That you be Spiritual and Heavenly careful to trade for Heaven as well as for Earth and lay up a stock of Grace that will stand by you when all other things will fail you and forsake you XI When you are trading and trafficking buying and selling and making any bargain think on the best Bargain that which will make you rich for ever that of the wise Merchant who sold all he had to purchase the Pearl Matth. 13.44 Think of buying the Gold tryed in the fire Rev. 3.18 and
and Condemnation of Men at the last than this That they have known so much and practised so little Luke 12.48 Math. 10.14 15. Heathens at the last day will wring their Hands that they have known no more of God by the means vouchsafed them but Christians will rend their Hearts that they have known so much of God to no better purpose So as all Practical Treatises or Treatises quickening unto Practice are few enough to awaken men to their Duties And as for those that treat of Meditation as many Worthies have done whose Books I am not worthy to carry after them yet I find none that have Collected all necessary Practical Truths and Duties into such a way of Meditation but either are too large or too streight and therefore I hope this may through the Blessing of God conduce much to the benefit of those to whom God shall give Hearts to make use of it which is the Unfeigned Desire and Earnest Prayer of Your Faithful but Vnworthy Servant in the Work of the Lord J. B. THE CONTENTS Cap. 1. OF Meditation in general wherein the Doctrine Reasons Vses and there What it is the Kinds Motives Hinderances Helps and Directions Page 1. Cap. 2. Contains the first Head of Meditation viz. God and the things to be meditated on in him where 1. You have three Cautions 2. What those things are as Page 28 Sect. 1. 1. His Nature what that is and that he only is Jehovah Page 29 Sect. 2. 2. His Attributes and here on four things 1. What they are Page 32 2. Kinds of them 3. The benefit of Meditation on them Page 33 4. The evidences of an Interest in them Page 38 Sect. 3. 3. His Word Page 39 1. In general What it is the excellent Properties of it the Precepts Promises Threatnings and Examples in it Page 40 2. The Covenant of Grace in particular and here of Page 42 10. things what and why so called wherein the Old and New Covenant agree and differ c. Page 43 Sect. 4. 4. His Works 1 Before time viz. His Decree Page 50 2. In Time as Page 52 1. Creation and 2. Providence Page 52 And in the providences of God to meditate Page 53 1. On the kinds of Providences which are two as 1. Of Mercy where of the properties Page 54 The Branches of it sc His Converting Page 56 Protecting Providing Disposing Assisting Correcting Supporting and refreshing Providence Page 58 2. Of Justice and there of six things Page 66 2. The parts of Providence which are three 3. The extent of it 4. The Ends of it 5. The Experiences we have had of it 6. How to carry our selves under glad and sad Providences Page 73 Sect. 5. 5. His Worship where 1. What it is 2. Where 3. When 4. How 5. Why he is to be worshipped 82 Cap. 3. Of Christ and twelve things in and about him as Page 76 Sect. 1. 1. Who he is Page 100 2. What he is Page 100 3. The infinite Love of God in giving him Page 101 4. Of Christ in undertaking the Great Work of Redemption Page 101 5. The Loveliness of this Redeemer Page 101 6. The Greatness of his Work Page 105 7. The Ways and Means of his effecting our Redemption Page 111 8. The Priviledges that come by Him Page 112 9. The Evidences of our Interest in Him Page 1 10. The means of getting an Interest in Him Page 13 11. The Motives to labour after it Page 116 12. How to walk worthy of and suitable to such a Redeemer Page 118 Cap. 4. Of the Spirit of God and here of five things 1. Who he is Page 121 2. What his Office 3. Evidences of our Interest in him Page 123 4. Motives to seek it and 5. Means to procure it Page 127 Cap. 5. Of Man and in and about him 1. Of the four-fold state of Man 2. The Four last ends of Man Page 133 3. Such things about the Soul and Body Tongue Tallents Time and Eternity of Man as may most conduce to the Enabling Man to the Answering God and Christ and the Spirit in what they have done for Man Page 206 Sect. 1. Of the Blessed state of Man by Creation and here on three thinge Page 133 2. The cursed state of Man by Transgression and here of two things the Causes and Consequents Page 135 3. His Gracious state by Regeneration and here of Four things Page 137 1. What 2. Signes 3. Motives and 4. Means for it Page 159 4. The Happy state of Man by Glorification and here of five things 1. what 2. properties 3. certainty 4. who they are that shall partake in it Page 165 5. Of Death and here on two things 1. Such things as may fit us for it 2. Such things as may make us willing to it Page 173 6. Of Judgment and here on ten things as the Certainty Vncertainty the neer approach of it c. Page 185 7. Hell and here on ten things What and the Hideousness of the place c. Page 195 8. Of Heaven and here on four thing as what it is the excellent Titles given to it c. Page 201 Sect. 9. 9. Of the Soul and here of five things especially of the right ordering of our Conversation in order to the Salvation of our Souls Page 206 Sect. 10. Of the Body and here of two things 1. The Admirable structure of it and 2. The excellent use of it Page 234 11. Of the Tongue and here on two things 1. The ends wherefore God gave it 2. The Great need we have to imploy it to those ends Page 235 12. Of our Talents Corporal and Spiritual and what need we have to imploy them well Page 236 13. Of our Time wherein you have five or six things to be seriously thought on Page 237 14. Of Eternity and therein of four things Page 241 Cap. 7. Of the World and therein to Meditate on three things as 1. Those things in the Creature that engage us to Love God 2. Those things that disengage us from the inordinate Love of the Creature 3. The Duties we owe to God for the Creatures and What the Creatures teach us Page 243 Cap. 8. Of the Good and Evil Angels by which God governs the World Page 264 Sect. 1. Of the Good Angels and here of three things 1. What they are 2. Their Office 3. Our Duties in reference to them Page 265 Sect. 2. Of Evil Angels and here on these things 1. That there are such 2. What they are 3. How they became such 4. What their Office 5. What their Properties 6. What our Duties are in respect of them Page 274 Cap. 9. Of Occasional Meditation from Morning to Evening at Home and Abroad Page 301 The Reader is desired to mind these following Mistakes which have escaped the Press by reason of the Author's absence PAge 8. for 2 Kings 8. read 2 Kings 6. ult P. 9. for connected r. converted P. 11. The six first lines should come in after
my comfort in mine affliction thy word hath quickned me And Vers 52. I remembred thy judgments of old and have comforted my self Fourthly to frame our lives according to it as David Psal 119 59. I consider'd my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies And that First because without practise all knowledge is but ignorance 1 Epst John 2.4 And secondly it will aggravate mens condemnation at the last Luk. 12.48 Secondly That this is the property of gracious Souls you may see in David here and frequently else-where Psal 63.6 143. Vers 5. Psal 119.15.23.48.78.97.99.148 Then Joseph Gen. 24.63 And all other godly men Psalm 1. vers 2d Malach. 3.16 Thirdly For the grounds of it First because they know it is their duty that which God hath commanded Joshua 1.8 1 Timothy 4.15 Colossians 3.2 Set your affections on things above c. Secondly Their love to God Love delights to think on the Person and Thing beloved Psal 119.97 Oh how I love thy Law it is my meditation all the day long Amor est ubi amat non ubi animat is an old saying and as true as old The mind is where a man loves and not where he lives The more men love the more they think and the more they think the more they love Thirdly The transcendent excellency of God and the things of God Psalm 119.129 Thy testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soul keep them Canticles 1.3 Thy Name is an Ointment poured out therefore do the Virgins love thee Psalm 3.2 3. Fourthly Because they have receiv'd a new nature They are made partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 They are renewed in the spirit of their minds Rom. 12.2 and thereby are taken off from these things below to mind affect and pursue those things above Men of high and noble spirits can't endure to be imployed about low and base things but those of the highest and greatest Concernment so Gracious Souls they account the things of the World and the Flesh too low for them and desire to have their thoughts to be taken up with God and Christ his Spirit and Kingdom their precious and immortal Souls their safety and welfare here and to all Eternity Such as the man is such are his thoughts The liberal man deviseth liberal things Isaiah 32.8 A good man out of the good treasury of his heart bringeth forth good things Math. 12.35 Vse the First 1. This shews us the reason why Professors are such Non-proficients in the School of Christ namely because they are so seldom and slight in this weighty duty of Meditation rest in hearing reading and never think on it more the Devil will never trouble such he cares not how much they are in duty so he can prevail with them not to think on it after Vse the Second For the humiliation of three sorts First Such as meditate not at all on God or the things of God as natural carnal wordly Men do not will not Psalm 10.4 The ungodly is so proud God is not in all his thoughts Viz. with any delight Secondly Such as have their Meditation on other things as the ambitious Man on his honour the Covetous Man on his wealth the Voluptuous Man on his pleasure the Merchant on his Ships the Trades-man on his Shop c. none of them any serious thoughts of God or the things of God Thirdly A worse sort there are that think on God not to honour him but dishonour him either have low and base thoughts of him or wicked and ungodly thoughts First Some that have low and base thoughts of God as ignorant and superstitious sorts of People who conceive of God as an old Man sitting in Heaven with a Crown on his Head and a Scepter in his Hand looking down upon his Creatures and governing the World others Though they do not conceive of him so grosly with a Bodily substance but acknowledge him to be a Spirit yet not such a Spirit as he hath revealed himself to be a Pure Holy Just Omnipresent Omniscient Omnipotent Spirit but conceive him to be such a one as themselves Psal 50.21 Secondly Others they have wicked and ungodly thoughts of him some Atheistical thoughts as those in Job 21. Vers 15. Who is the Almighty that we should serve him Others basphemous thoughts as they Psalm 94. Tush God sees not God regards not Others distrustful thoughts as 2 Kings 8. last This evil is of the Lord Why should I want any longer upon him Others rebellious contemptuous thoughts as they Psal 12. Our Tongues are our own Who shall controle us Jerem. 18.12 There is no hope we will walk after the imagination of our own hearts and Chap. 44.17 A Third Vse of Exhortation If you will evidence your selves to be Saints indeed then to make this your property and practise That you may be the more willing to it and able for it I shall do four things First Give you some Motives to it Secondly Discover and remove the Hinderances of it Thirdly Give you some Helps to it And Fourthly Some Directions for it First By way of Motive to quicken you to it Consider with me the Necessity Excellency Utility and sweetness of this Duty First The Necessity of it in many respects as First The command of God that which he expresly requires as you saw before and may further Deut. 6.6 Job 37.14 Eccl. 7.15 Haggai 1.5 6. Secondly Because it is the end wherefore he hath revealed and made himself known to us in his Word and Works Psal 111.4 Isai 41.19 20. Thirdly Because without Meditation no Conversion David first consider'd hiâ— ways and then turn'd his Feet to God ' testim nies Psalm 119 59. The Prodigal first bethought himself and then return'd to his Fathers House Luke 15. That there is no Conversion without Meditation appears in that such as are connected are converted in this way and Method First They heâ—r the Word Secondly are convinc'd of the Truth Thirdly Meditates how much it concerns them Fourthly by Meditation come to be affected with it And Fifthly By affection are wrought over to a holy resolution of Faith and Obedience Fourthly Because without Meditation you cannot profit by any thing you hear or read out of the Word or see in the works of God A Plant may as soon grow without watering and Meat nourish without digesting as a Soul profit in holiness without Meditation God provides Meat sends his Ministers to Cook it and dress it it is Meditation must Concoct it otherwise like Meat undigested the Stomack will be burdened with it and cast it up again or if it abide it will breed ill humours and make them sick unto death The Reasons are obvious First Because without meditation the Seed of the Word will lye uncover'd in the Furrows of the Soul and being uncover'd the Devil will come and steal it away as the Birds do the Seed in the High-way that lieth uncovered Secondly Because without meditation we shall never be
any onâ—â— leave every one as he findes the temper of his body and spirit most inclin'd and disposed to Thirdly Though none strictly bound to any part of the Day yet none to leave themselves at random and at large to do it at any time of the Day but appoint some set-time for it either the Morning or Evening either before or after Supper or a little before we compose our selves to rest The reason is because if we should leave our selves at randome we should never be constant in this Exercise but shift it off from one time to another Fourthly When you have set the time then be careful to observe it constantly unless some urgent necessity prevent because otherwise fickleness and unconstancy will keep us from profiting by it and soon make us weary of it Secondly For extraordinary Seasons they are amongst others these First When the spirit of God doth in a more than ordinary manner move and incline to it when the Spirit lifts up the heart to Heaven then to lift up with him to nourish and cherish those motions Secondly When you are under more than ordinary trouble of Spirit then to apply your selves to this duty for Cordials are never more seasonable than in times of fainting Psal 94.19 2 Cor. 4. 2 last verses Thirdly When either Age or sickness do summon us to death then is a fit season to meditate on God and the things of God when all other things in the World begin to leave us then to think on those things will never leave us for it 's observable in the Saints they have been most heavenly in their mediations affections and expressions towards their end as Jacob Genes last Moses Deut. 33. 33. chap. our Saviour in the 14 15 16 17. chap. of John we should follow them in the same practise As the pulling down of one Ballance is the lifting up of another so the drawing down of the body to Earth should be the lifting up of the Soul to Heaven As the Soul here is usually at the worst when the Body is at the best so the Soul should be at the best when the Body is at the worst The fifth Circumstance is the Manner how we are to perform this duty and that is thus Cordially reverently seriously affectionately constantly and orderly First Cordially because it 's not the meditation of the head but the heart God looks unto Prov. 4. My Son give me thy heart Luke 2.19 Mary ponder'd Christ's sayings in her heart Psalm 19. last and 49.3 Secondly To do it reverently remembering and considering he is a great King and his Name is dreadful amongst the Heathen Malachy 1. ult therefore to take heed of any unreverent or careless behaviour in his presence and worship as being a great dishonour to him and that which he sharply reproves in those formal and lazie Priests Mal. 1. about the end Thirdly Seriously so as to keep the mind intent upon the business in hand and not to give way to any other thoughts though they be good thoughts because they are unseasonable at that time and will thrust out the other and so make both useless to keep also a narrow watch over our hearts and senses that they be not avocated or drawn aside by other objects Fourthly Affectionately so as to have our affections stirred and warmed and wrought upon by those things we meditate on as David here in the Text My Meditation of him shall be sweet and I will be glad in the Lord so to think on spiritual and heavenly things as they may leave an impression upon the Soul as the Seal doth on the Wax that so your affections may answer your cogitations as the Wax doth the Seal and the Eccho the voice As for Example when you think on the glorious Majesty of God to make your hearts stand in aw of Him when on his Love Grace Mercy to have your Hearts thereby indear'd to him Secondly When on Christ the amiableness and fulness that is in him and in him for you to have your desires drawn out the more after nearer sweeter fuller communion with him when on the Holy Ghost his sweet motions and invitations to have your Hearts opened to receive Him and obey Him in them Fourthly When on the Word to do it with a particular Application Fifthly When on God's Works of Mercy and Justice to have your Hearts melt with the one and tremble at the other Sixthly When on your selves your sins and corruptions to be humbled under them when on the Evidences of God's love and grace to rejoice in them Seventhly When on the World and the things of it to have your hearts disingag'd from them and hang loose to them Lastly When on Death to live in a continual expectation and a religious preparation for it when on the Judgment-Day to cast up your accounts sit in judgment on your selves that you may not be condemn'd with the World so think on Hell as your Hearts may tremble at sin that made it and so think on Heaven that your conversation may be there where you hope e're long to have your Habitation to all Eternity Fifthly To do it constantly so as to observe the due and the appointed time or otherwise omission and intermission may soon cause amission and so dead the affection as to become weary of it and cast off the duty and therefore to be constant in it and continue so long in it until our hearts be affected with what we think and we receive some benefit by it Sixthly To do it orderly for God being a God of Order he loves Order in us to this end to have an eye to three things the Ingress the Progress and the Egress As for Example to begin with Hearing or Reading and then go on with Meditation or thinking on it and then end all with Prayer for as Mr. Greenham well said Hearing and reading without Meditation is useless Meditation without reading and hearing fruitless and both without prayer will be successless miss a blessing More distinctly and fully First for the Ingress or Entrance upon it we are to prepare for it by making choice of some particular subject most sutable to your present condition and then lift up an Ejaculation for the Lord direction assistance and blessing on it Secondly For the Progress in it to observe a Method in it either such as Scholars use to do in Meditation on a subject as First The Definition or Description Secondly The Division or kind or parts Thirdly The Causes efficient material formal final Fourthly The fruits and the effects and the like Logical heads all which you may see exemplified in Bishop Hall's and Mr. Roger's Seven Treatises or thus which I conceive a more profitable way for our more ordinary sort of hearers being not acquainted with this art to proceed in your Meditations as you are taught First On the Doctrine then the Proofs then the Reasons then the Uses and in them the signs motives means You
that have this Book because your Memory is weak to take it in your hands and begin with the first Head of Meditation and then go on Day after Day until you have gone thorow and if there be any special subject you desire to meditate on to look into the Contents Thirdly For the Egress or Conclusion of your Meditation First so reflect and look back how we have perform'd it If not with profit and comfort then to take notice wherein we are defective and faulty and humble our selves under it and mend it the next time If we have reaped benefit and comfort by it to bless God for it and conclude all with praise for his gracious presence with us and pray he would make all effectual for the bettering of our heads and hearts and tongues and lives And thus of Meditation in general Next because most complain of scarcity or want of matter others of distraction through want of Method I have therefore thought fit to select the choisest things for Meditation through the Body of Divinity and reduce them to their several Heads that so however you cannot remember them all yet you may have them still before your eye and go on in the Meditation of them Day after Day CHAP. II. AND first I shall begin with solemn and deliberate Meditation and after give you some heads for sudden and occasional Meditation For solemn and deliberate Meditation the matter of your Meditation may be reduced to these 6 or 7 Heads God and Christ the Holy Spirit Man the World and the good and evil Angels by which God governs the World First I shall shew you what special things you are to meditate on in GOD to begin with him who is the beginning of all things and to be often and much in meditation on him for the more we meditate on him the more we shall know him and the more we know him the more we shall love him and the more we love him the more we shall desire him and the more we desire him the more shall we labour after communion with him not only in grace here but in glory hereafter but here in meditating on God take with you these three Cautions First To meditate on him in a way of faith and not reason because reason cannot comprehend the Unity in Trinity or Trinity in Unity Secondly Not to conceive of God out of Christ because God out of Christ is a consuming Fire Hebr. 12. last Thirdly Take heed of framing any Image of God in your minds he being a Spirit and an Infinite Spirit in all and through all and above all but to conceive of him I say in Christ who is the express Image of the Father the Ladder by which we are to clime up to Heaven to see and know God One well expresseth it thus when I see the body of a living man I know his Soul is there also and therefore when I speak to his body I speak to his understanding also because they are together so in viewing with the eye of my mind the humane nature of Christ glorious in Heaven I do at the same time look upon the God-head that being personally united unto it for in him dwelleth the God-head bodily or Personally Q. What are those things we are to meditate on in GOD A. His Nature Attributes Word Works Worship 1. His Nature and here take notice what he is in his Beeing and that he only is Jehovah 1. What he is in his Beeing This cannot be conceived much less defined by finite Creatures yet may be described so far as he hath revealed himself in the Scripture which is this An Eternal Infinite Perfect Incomprehensible Spirit distinguished into three Persons Father Son and Holy Ghost every one Co-essential and Co-equal To open this briefly mind well I say he is a Spirit John 4.24 Now what a Spirit is our Saviour tells you Luke 24.31 Iohn 1.18 sc a Substance or Beeing that cannot be seen or felt 2. I say he is an Eternal Infinite Perfect Incomprehensible Spirit these Attributes distinguish him from all other Spirits as Angels and the Souls of men 1. He is an Eternal Spirit i. e. One that had no beginning nor can have any end 1 Tim. 1.17 To the King Eternal c. and Revel 1.8 But now Angels and the Souls of men though they shall have no end yet had a beginning were Created by God Gen. 12.1 2. God he is an Infinite Spirit i. e. Such a Beeing as cannot be contained within any place 1 Kings 8.27 Behold The Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him and Isa 66.1 But for Angels and the Souls of men they are contained within their proper places 3. God he is a perfect Spirit unto whom no degree of goodness or excellency can be added 1 Iohn 1.5 Gen. 17.1 I am God All-sufficient But for Angels and the Souls of men they are capable of more degrees of goodness and excellency 4. God is an incomprehensible Spirit Psal 145.3 His greatness is incomprehensible 1 Timothy 1.16 He dwells in light unapproachable we may more easily comprehend what God is not than what he is but now for Angels and the Souls of Men we may in some measure comprehend what they are so far forth as God hath revealed it 3. I add distinguished into three Persons Here to take notice 1. What a Person is sc a distinct Subsistence or beeing having in it the whole God-head and distinguished from another by his incommunicable properties as 1. Of the Father to beget Psal 2.7 the Son to be begotten John 18. and of the Holy Ghost to proceed from both John 15.26 2. To take notice why we say Distinguished and not divided sc because the God-head being one pure simple unchangeable Beeing it cannot be divided or separated one from the other but are in one the other as you may see cleerly John 14.9 Lastly I add Co-essential and Co-equal i. e. Every one true and very God and not one before the other or greater than the other being every one God as appears in that the same names of God and properties of God and actions of God are given to every Person in the Trinity The Father God Eph. 13. John 17.3 The Son God Isai 9.6 Heb. 1.8 The Holy Ghost God Acts 5.3 4. 1 Cor. 3.16 To take notice and meditate seriously on these things in the Nature of God because the ignorance and want of the serious consideration of it is the cause of so many misapprehensions of God and aberrations from God 2. That you may the better know what God is to take notice that he only is Jehovah Psal 83.18 Thy Name only is Jehovah Q. What is the meaning of that Ans This word Jehovah it imports three things 1. That he hath his Beeing in and of and from Himself being deemed Hava or Hajah that signifieth To be and be of himself and from himself 2. It is he that gave a beeing to all that have any beeing as Isa 44.24
the blood of Martyrs Oh what wonderful condescention of the great God is this to his poor worthless Creatures that when he might have left us still in our contracted blindness and suffered us to grope through inward to outward and eternal darkness He should cause the light to shine forth once more upon us and reveal his mind and will how he would have us to walk and to worship him so as to enjoy him in grace here and in glory to all Eternity hereafter How should the consideration of it affect our hearts make us to prize and to value this blessed Book to love and delight in reading of our Father's Letters and the rather because it 's the great Charter of our Peace our evidence for a better life and our Eternal Inheritance 1 Ep. John 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that you may know you have Eternal Life 2. To meditate on the excellent properties of it as 1. The Divinity of it that it 's all and every part of it divinely inspir'd 2 Pet. 1. last 2 The infallibility of it that it never did or can deceive any being the word of him that is truth it self and hath said Heaven and Earth shall pass before one Iota or title of it go unfulfilled Luk 16.17 3. The All-sufficiency of it that it contains all things necessary to be known believed and practised to salvation 2 Tim. 3.16 17. 4 The Authority and Efficacy of it on the Conscience to humble and comfort when Men and Angels cannot by all they can say or do one word of God dropt into the Conscience by the Spirit of God is able to humble the proudest sinner and raise up the most dejected Soul so as to make him to acknowledge God is in it of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 3. To meditate on the Precepts Promises Examples in the Word First First The Precepts that they are good and just and holy Rom. 7.12 as you may find David did Psalm 119.15.23 And when you meditate on the Precept to remember that there is no Precept but is backt with a promise of acceptance assistance and a reward Secondly Meditate on the Promises in the Word that they are many for number exceeding great for quantity and precious for quality 2 Pet. 1.4 All the godly man's called therefore the Heirs of the promise Heb. 6.17 Promises of all things concerning life and godliness this and a better that he will give grace and glory and with-hold no good thing Psalm 84. the end That they are all Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus 2 Pet. 1.20 Still to go to them as the Bee to the Flower and suck sweetness out of them and when you meditate on them remember still God is as faithful in performing as gracious in promising 1 Thes 5.33 Thirdly On the threatnings of the Word that they are infinitely more dreadful than the threatnings of men the threatnings of men can reach only to the Body but the threatnings of God unto the Soul Men's threatnings only to this life but God's to all Eternity Math. 10 28 Fear not them which kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul but rather fear him who is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell and here remember God is as righteous in making good his Threatnings as his Promises there 's only this difference he promiseth that he may fulfill but threatens that he may not fulfill Fourthly On the Examples in the word of mercy and goodness to the obedient and Justice and Severity to the disobedient and when you meditate on them to take notice There is no Example in it but is for our instruction and hath a promise or a threatning in the Bowels and Bosom of it Rom. 15.4 1 Cor. 10.11 Secondly Above all to meditate on the Gospel or the New-Covenant of Grace and in and about that to meditate on these 8. things 1. What it is 2. Why call'd the Covenant of grace 3. Why a new Covenant 4. Wherein the old Covenant and new agree and differ 5. What those special spiritual things are contain'd in the Covenant 6. What Signs there are of a Person 's being actually in Covenant 7. The Means for it and the Motives to it 1. What it is viz. That Second Contract or Agreement which God the Father made with Christ and in Him with all his Elect To give them Christ and all that is Christ's even all things that pertain to life and godliness upon their believing in Him Psal 84.11 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Secondly Q. Why is this call'd a Covenant of Grace A. In opposition to the Covenant of Works which God made with Adam in the state of Innocency That promised Life and Salvation upon condition of doing the whole will of God this only upon condition of believing and giving God the glory of his grace in it Eph. 2.8 9. 3dly Why is it call'd the new Covenant In opposition to the old Covenant of grace made with the Jews under the Law The old Covenant is the revelation and dispensation of the Covenant before the coming of Christ the new Covenant the Revelation and Dispensation of it since the coming of Christ 4ly Wherin do the old and new Covenant agree A. In two things First In the substance which is one and the same in both viz. Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3. Revel 13.8 Heb. 13.8 Secondly In the way of receiving Life and Salvation to wit by Faith in Christ Act. 15.10 11. Heb. 4.2 Then Fifthly Q Wherein they differ A. In three things the clearness easiness and efficaciousness of it First In the Clearness in the new Covenant Christ and the benefits that come by him are more clearly revealed unto us than to them under the old they had it under types and shaddows and Ceremonies which things are now done away by Christ Heb 8. last Secondly In the Easiness the service of the old Covenant was a Service they were not able to bear Act. 15.10 But Christ's Yoke is easie and his Burden is light Math 11. last Because he hath freed us from those heavy Yokes and Burdens that lay on them as of many costly Sacrifices long and tedious Journeys prohibition of many Meats observation of many Days Rites and Ceremonies from all which we are freed by Christ Thirdly In the Efficaciousness oâ— Power of it there was less of the influence of the Spirit of grace given to ordinary believers under the Law than to those under the Gospel this plentiful Effusion of the Spirit being reserved unto the time of Christ's Ascension John 7.39 Eph 4.7 8. Heb. 7 18 19. Sixthly What those special spiritual blessings are which are promised in the Covenant which are first in general That God will be a God to them Gen. 17.7 and a Father 2 Cor. 6. last that is He will do all God and a Father can as he can do all things and is as
he had of it or of us but that he might discover his unsearchable goodness to us and to this end did create us after his own Image gave us a reasonable and understanding Soul whereby we might come to know him and contemplate all his glorious excellencies which shine forth in the Creation of the World for the invisible things of God viz. his Eternal Power and God-head are seen by the Creation of the World Rom. 1.20 and therefore a just cause of humiliation to us that we eye him and answer him no better in the ends of our Creation but of this more hereafter The Second Work of God in Time is His Providence In this Head of Meditation I shall stay the longer because it is generally so much neglected and in opening of it I shall do these things First Shew you What it is Secondly Give you some Grounds for your Meditation on it Thirdly Shew you What those things are you are to meditate on in and about it First What it is viz. That continued act of God whereby He takes notice of preserves and governs all and every Creature to those ends and by those means which he appointed with Himself to the glory of his Name and the good of his Elect. Secondly For the Grounds or Reasons why you are to meditate on this First Because it will make you to acknowledge God in all your ways Prov. 3.6 Secondly It will cause you to see the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107.43 Thirdly It will quiet your Spirits under whatsoever befalls you Job 1. last Psal 39.9 Fourthly It will enlarge your hearts in thankfulness for his distinguishing providences over you Psal 103.1 2 3. Psal 116.1 2. Yea it will make you admire and adore him in them as it did David Psal 8.3 4 Psal 144.3 2 Sam. 7.18 19. Fifthly It will wonderfully quicken you to an holy dependance on Him for the future as Jacob Gen. 48.15 and the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.10 Thirdly For the things to be meditated on in the providences of God they are these the kinds of it the parts of it the extent of it the ends of it the experiences you have had of it all full of admiration and how to carry your selves under all sad and glad Providences First For the Kinds of it First There is God's general Providence over all from the greatest to the least and there is his special Providence over his Church and People in a special manner takeing notice of them and the care of them which made Austin to cry out O bone Omnipotens Oh good God which dost so govern all as not to neglect any so look'st after thy Children as if all were but one and so respects every one as if one were all Secondly The providences of God are either the providences of his Mercy or of his Justice First For his merciful Providences here take notice of and meditate on the properties of this Mercy and the special branches of this mercy First For the properties of this mercy First It 's a free mercy He is merciful to whom he will be merciful Rom 9.15 Secondly That it is a rich mercy Rom. 10.12 Thirdly An everlasting mercy Psal 103.17 To whom he is once merciful he is ever merciful he can as soon forget to be as forget to be gracious and merciful to his and more then so Fourthly He delights to shew mercy to his Micah 7.18 Secondly Meditate on some of the special Branches of this Mercy to the Body to the Soul First To the Body as these the Lord 's forming and fashioning us so handsomely and comely in the Womb bringing us forth in perfection of parts upholding our Souls so long in life giving and continuing to us the use of our Senses and Limbs when others want them and would give a World for them if they had the use of them and all these from God and not from Parents and all of free-grace there being no more in us than others to move Him to this Mercy and to distinguish us as he does in his Mercies so as to give us health when others are in sickness and strength when others in weakness and maintenance when others in wants and liberty when others in bonds and peace when others in trouble should also give us perfection of parts when others are Monsters give us our sight when others are blind our hearing when others are deaf our speech when others are dumb our feet when others are lame The serious meditation on these Body-mercies will let us see what abundant cause we have of thankfulness and improving all to his glory Secondly To meditate on God's special Mercies to your Souls as these his Electing-mercies unto life his enlightning mercy with the saving knowledge of himself his Calling-mercy not only to the knowledge and profession but the faith love and obedience of the Gospel his adopting mercy to be the Sons and Daughters of the everliving God his justifying-mercy freely of his grace his Sanctifying-mercy with his grace his strengthning and establishing-mercy in the ways of grace the continuance of the precious means and seasons of grace to build you up still further in grace and gracious practises In short the giving Himself to be your Father and Portion hs Son to be your Redeemer and Saviour his Spirit to be your Sanctifier and Comforter Serious meditation on these Soul-mercies will cause you to say with David Psal 103. Praise thou the Lord O my Soul c. More particularly distinctly and fully To meditate on these merciful providences His converting-providence his protecting-providence his disposing-providence his correcting-providence his supporting-providence and his refreshing-providence First His Converting-providence in bringing us forth under the light of the Gospel and causing the light of his glorious grace in the face of Jesus Christ to shine into our hearts to turn us from darkness to light and from the Power of Satan unto God in placing us under a faithful Ministry and blessing the Ministry to our Conversion and Edification in saving-knowledg and grace when he leaves others under the same Ministry in their dark dead Christless and graceless condition Amongst other things which Beza in his last Will and Testâ—ment gives thanks for this was the first and chief that at the Age of 16. Years God had called him to the knowledge of the truth Although we cannot tell the Time or Person yet if we can find the Work a thorow-change of heart and life let us still remember to meditate on God's distinguishing-love and grace and mercy in it Secondly Take notice of and meditate on God's Protecting-providence how he hath watched over us and ours from the Womb to this very Day protecting us from many sins temptations and dangers we have been exposed to and others have miscarried by as for instance from the rage of Satan malice of Men violence of the Creature from Fire falls many tormenting sicknesses and diseases others lie groaning under how wonderfully and graciously
God and more opportunities and abilities for the promoting of the worship of God amongst others It 's noted of Jehoshaphat when the Lord prospered him his heart was lifted up in God's ways 2 Chron. 15.6 7. and David's study Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits 5. To be more helpful to others making a supply of others wants out of your abundance as the Apostle exhorts 2 Cor. 9. remembring we are but Stewards of what we have Luk. 16.1 and therefore be willing and ready to distribute to the supply of others wants and necessities as the Command runs 1 Tim. 6.18 19. and Gal. 6.9 10. 6. To moderate our selves in the use of our Creature-comforts and not take so much liberty and delight in them as you may 1 Cor. 7.30 31. Phil. 4.5 7. To sympathize with others in adversity Heb. 13.3 Remember those in Bonds c. Lastly Consider how soon your day of prosperity may be turn'd into a day of adversity Summer will not last all the Year therefore wise men provide for Winter the Sun will not always shine the Weather will not always be calm we know not how soon a Storm may arise and therefore in a day of prosperity to look for a day of adversity in wealth for poverty in honour for dishonour in health for sickness in life for death Job 3.25.14.14 All the days of my appointed time c. Revel 16.7 And that you may be prepared for a day of adversity 1. Hearken unto that of Eliphaz to Job ch 22.21 Acquaint thy self with God be at peace labour to make your peace with God by Jesus Christ and this will fit you for enable you to bear adversity Rom. 5.1 3. He that hath secured his Eternal state will not much regard the loss of his temporal estate Heb. 10.34 they took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods c. And therefore hearken to that 1 Cor. 7.30 The time is but short c. Get off your hearts from Creature-comforts and you will more easily part with them when God calls for them as the Apostle Acts 21. What do you weeping c Thus much of your carriage under prosperous Providences For adverse and sad Providences mind well these Rules Take heed of some things and practise others 1. Take heed of some things as these the taking up hard thoughts of God murmuring thoughts against God despising and desponding thoughts under the Rod envious thoughts of others prosperity 1. Take heed of taking up hard thoughts of God of questioning God's love under the Rod for however prosperity be no mark of God's special love yet Adversity is as you may see clearly Heb. 12.6 and Revel 3.19 Whom I love I rebuke and chasten Q. But you will say To whom is it a pledge of God's special love Ans Not to all but some not to the wicked but the godly Not to Cain but to Abel not to Esau but to Jacob Rom. 9. Mal. 1. To all that unfeignedly love God Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me Q How shall I know I truly love God Ans Thus 1. If thou love nothing out of him or without him or in comparison of him and can'st readily part with all for him Mat. 10. end 2. If thou art one that makest conscience of yielding obedience universal and constant obedience in thy desires and endeavours to all his Commandments John 10.15.21 Q. But when is afflictions an evidence of God's special love Ans Only then when they are sanctified Q. How may we know that Ans Briefly thus when they lead men to repentance and a reformation of heart and life Jer. 31.18 19. Job 34.29 2. Take heed of murmuring and repining-thoughts under your afflictions and that 1. Because it is that which God expresly forbids and exemplarily punisheth 1 Cor. 10.10 2. That which makes Men like unto the Devil for this is his sin and punishment who is still repining and rising up against God provoking him the more 1 Pet. 5.8 3. It 's fruitless and bootless to strive with God he will be too hard for men and will afflict them the more Jer. 17.19 Do they provoke me to anger do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their faces And 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger than he 3. You do by your impatience but afflict your selves the more make your burthen the heavier Impatiens aegrotus crudelem facit medicum It is just with God to lay on more strokes as a Father on a stubborn Childe 3. Take heed of despising and desponding thoughts under the Rod. God forbids both Heb. 12.5 My Son despise not the chastning of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him a Christian must be careful to avoid both Extreams despising and desponding thoughts First Not to despise the Rod by slighting it that which the Lord complains of Jer. 5.9 Thou hast stricken them but they have not grieved Though it be a sin to faint under it yet it is a greater to slight it and despise it and therefore made the aggravation of Ahaz wickedness This is that Ahaz which in his afflictions trespassed more more 2 Chro. 28.22 Secondly Take heed of desponding thoughts for if thou saint in the day of adversity thy strength is but small Prov. 24.10 No sin more dishonourable to God to Christ to the Spirit to a Man's Soul than Desperation that which robs God of the glory of his grace Christ of the glory of his Merits the Spirit of the glory of his Power and sinks Soul and Body into everlasting destruction 4. Take heed of envious thoughts of others prosperity that which the best are subject to under their own adversity as you may see in David Psal 73.3 until he went into the Sanctuary and saw the end of such ungodly prosperous ones how suddenly they were brought to desolation even in a moment Psal 18.19 And therefore let not thy heart envy sinners c. Pro 22.17 2. For the things to be practised they are these 1. In the day of adversity consider Eccles 7.14 Consider 1. Whence-ever it comes who or whatsoever be the Instrument God is the Author Amos 3.6 Is there any evil in the City and I have not done it and Psal 39.10 Affliction comes not out of the dust neither doth trouble spring out of the ground Job 5.6 But from an allwise disposing providence Can a Bird fall into a snare where there is no Ginn Shall there be any evil in the City and the Lord hath not done it Amos 3.6 7. The Bird seems to be taken by chance and yet taken by providence though the Bird did not see the snare yet the Fowler did and did set it purposely for him So afflictions may seem accidental to us but yet intended by God though we do not fore-see them yet God did fore-appoint them 1 Thes 3.3 See more to this purpose 1 Sam. 2.7 Is 45.7 Hos 8.14 2.
Consider what they come for sc for sin Though there be other causes yet this is always one cause Lament 3.39 Wherefore doth the living man complain c Psal 130. last Miea 7. I will patiently bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned If sin lies heavy all afflictions will be light Luther gives this reason why he slighted the rage of the Pope the Emperor and all his Enemies They are all little to me saith he because sin is so weighty 3. Consider to what end they come Rom. 8.28 All things work together for good Gen. 15.20 Heb. 12. He corrects us not for his pleasure but for our profit Phil. 1.19 I know this shall turn to my Salvation 4. Be careful to justifie God in and under all even the greatest afflictions As Ezra 9. Thou hast punished us less than we deserve Psal 119. of very faithfulness thou hast corrected me and the Church Lament 3. It 's the Lord's mercy we are not consumed Isai 24.15 The command is Glorifie God in the Fire sc of Affliction which is as a Fire to try you humble purge you and purifie you 5. Be filent and patient under it as Job 1. last and David Psal 9.9 Remembring and considering wnatsoever your sufferings are 1. They are from a Lord whose will cannot be resisted and a Father whose will ought readily to be obeyed a wise Father that knows what is better for his Children than they do for themselves a compassionate Father that will not afflict too much because he knows whereof they are made that they are but dust Psal 103. nor too long least the Spirit faint and the Soul that he hath made Isai 57. Secondly Because whatsoever your sufferings are they are little or nothing in respect of what our sins made Christ to suffer 2. In respect of the many and bitter things many of his Saints have and do suffer 3. Those evils our sins deserve we should suffer 4. Those Eternal sufferings Christ hath redeem'd us from 5. That exceeding excessive weight of glory that will follow these sufferings 2 Cor. 4. end 3. In respect of those many sweet gracious and holy ends God hath in the Afflictions of his which you saw before in your Meditations on God's supporting grace 6. Lastly To hearken unto and obey the voice of God in his Rod Mica 6.9 The Lord's Voice cryeth unto the City c. The Rod of God hath a Voice as well as the Word when Men will not hearken unto and obey God's Voice in the Ministry of the Word then God sends his Rod and awakens Conscience opens Mens Ears and Seals up instructions Q. But what is the Voice of the Rod what doth it teach and instruct men in Ans That you have in four places of Scripture 1. That of Job 22.21 Acquaint thy self with God and be at peace so good shall come unto thee 2. That Lament 3.39 Wherefore doth the living man complain let him search and trie his ways and turn again unto the Lord. 3. That of Peter 1 Pet. 5.6 Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God and he will exalt you in due time 4. That Ezek. 18.31 Cast away all your transgressions and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit For why will you die O House of Israel 7. To be thankful that as God of faithfulness hath corrected us so of the same faithfulness he hath not taken away his loving kindness That he hath corrected us in so much measure and mercy dealt not with us according to our deserts but the multitude of his free tender and unchangeable mercies our afflictions not so many and great but God's mercies more and greater if not in temporals yet in spirituals though poor in the World yet rich in Christ though we want the smiles of the World you have the favour of the great God though not the riches of the World yet we have the riches of grace though not the pleasures of the World yet the peace of a good Conscience 8. Not only to be thankful for them but joyful in them and under them though not in respect of the nature of them which is evil for so they are not joyous but grievous Heb. 12. Yet in respect of the concomitants Pardon and Peace and the consequents Salvation and Glotification as they 1 Thes 1.4.6 This is the meaning of that James 1.2 My brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers Temptations or Afflictions There are two Sights saith Luther the Devil most delights-in To see a wicked man merry and a Saint sorrowful but there are two Sights that do intollerably vex him sc To see a sinner mournful for his sin and a Saint joyful under his sufferings Luther's Colloq Mensal Cap. 37. And therefore I say be joyful and comfortable under all your affl ctions in respect of the blessed issue and fruit of them as the Saints before us Acts 5. last Rom. 5.3 4. 9. To be fruitful under them What that fruit is you are to bring forth under them you may see in Isai 27.9 By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged c. And David Psal 119.67 It 's good for me that I have been afflicted 10. To live still by faith in God's promises and providences for supporting Grace under and deliverance out of all as the Saints have done before you First You have many promises to encourage you take notice of and meditate on a few 1 Cor. 10.13 Psal 91.15 Isai 41.10.27.9 10. Psal 34.19 Secondly You have many also of the Saints going before you in this as Job 15 13. David Psal 42 last Psal 9.10 Paul 2 Cor. 1.10 And we are commanded to follow them in the same practise Heb. 10.35 end Lastly To follow all with Praver that Faith and Patience may have their through and perfect work The Rod may be sanctified before it be removed That as your sufferings abound so your Consolations may abound by Jesus Christ Amen The Fifth Head concerning the Worship and Service of God Sect. 1. About this to meditate on these sew things What it is Where and When and How and Why we are to worship God 1. What it is for the understanding of this to consider Servants you know owe unto their Lord a service of honour and of labour for the protection and provision they have from them and such do we owe to our Soveraign Lord and Master Mal. 1.6 So that this worship of God it is that Homage and service which every one owes unto Him and which he requires and expects from them and for their Creation Redemption Vocation and the daily protection and provision he makes for them Math. 4.10 Deut. 10.12 and vers 21. Psal 29.1 2. And here to take notice This Worship of God it 's either External or Internal First External God is to be worshipped with the Body and every part of it Joshua sell on his face and worshipped Josh 5.14 Moses bowed his head and worshipped Exod. 4.32
David lifted up his hands to God and worshipped Psal 63.4 Jesus lifted up his eyes to Heaven and prayed John 17.1 The reason is because the Bodies of the Saints shall be glorified with God hereafter therfore they are to glorifie him with their Bodies here Rom. 12.1 I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of God present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God Secondly Internal worship is a worshipping God with the Spirit as well as the Body it being that God especially calls for John 4.24 Phil. 3.3 And this is sometimes called a fearing of God Deut. 6.13 a loving of God Jam. 2.5 a delighting in God Psal 37.3 and a trusting in God Psal 16.1 Secondly For the Place where he is to be worshipped it is not only in this and that place as ignorant superstitious persons fancy but He is every where to be worshipped and that in the observance of all those religious duties which He requires in publick private and secret Isaiah 2.2 Psal 122.1 Gen. 18.19 Job 1.5 Jer. 10. last Mat. 6.6 Then Thirdly For the Time that he is to be worshipped by us as in all places so at all times as on the Week days by beginning continuing and ending the day with him so especially on his own day the Sabbath-day because although every day be his yet this in a special manner His Psal 18.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made this is the Day which he hath sanctified and set apart wholly for the worship of Himself Isaiah 58. last And as this is the day he made for his own glory so for Man's good the good of his Body and of his Soul The good of his Body that he might not tire out himself in the service of the World but especially the good of his soul that he might by a Sabbath on Earth be minded of and fitted for an everlasting Sabbath in Heaven by communion with God in Ordinances here he might be made to long after that place where he hath promised to be all in all without Ordinances Rev. 21.22 23. To this end he hath appointed it to be the Schooling-day and Market-day and Feasting-day and Sealing-day to the Soul therefore in a special manner to be careful of giving God his worship upon this day in the observance and performance of all those duties of piety and mercy that he requires from you in publick private and secret and here to mark that you spend not only a part but the whole day in the worship and service of God and that upon these accounts First Because He rested the whole day created nothing the Seventh-day but finished all before on the Six days Secondly Because he sanctified and set apart the whole day for Himself and therefore not to rob him of any part seeing he hath dealt so bountifully with us as to give us Six days for the service of our selves and reserved but One for the service of Himself Thirdly Because the duties of God's Worship on that Day are so many and weighty as a whole Day is little enough to perform them as they ought The Fourth Circumstance that is especially to be thought on is the right manner How we are to worship God because God looks not so much to the matter as the right manner of worshipping Him and abhorrs and rejects the work without the right manner as you may see fully Isai 1.11 to the 21. Jer. 7.8 9. Mal. 1. last Q Well what is this right manner of worshipping God Ans It is to worship Him by a right Rule from a right Principle and to a right End 1. By a right Rule sc the Rule of God's Word Isai 8.20 Psal 119.9 According to his own Institutions and not Mens Inventions In vain do you worship me c. 2. From a right Principle sc in the Name of Christ Colos 3.17 and the strength of Christ Joh. 15.5 From Faith Heb. 11.6 and Love 1 Peter 2.1 3. To a right end sc the Glory of God and the Salvation of your Souls 1 Cor. 10.13 Phil. 1.19 Q. But what are those Rules in the Word according to which we are to worship God Ans first More general as these Preparation and affection before attention and reverence in and meditation and practise after Eccles 5.1 Psal 66.18 Acts 16.14 Hebr. 12.2 last Luke 2.19 John 13.17 Secondly More special Rules for the worshipping of God are such as respect the sanctifying of the Sabbath Prayer to God Hearing of the Word Reading of the Scriptures Receiving of the Lord's Supper singing of Psalms religious Fasting and Feasting and holy Conference For the acceptable comfortable and profitable use of these you are to meditate on some things before in and after every one I shall but name a few to help your Memories and quicken your Devotion First For the right sanctifying of the Sabbath to take notice of and meditate on these things before in and after the Sabbath First Before the Sabbath to remember the Sabbath before it comes Secondly To prepare for it by ordering your Worldly affairs so as they may not hinder you and to sequester your thoughts from all other things that you may intend the duties of the Sabbath Exod. 20.8 Secondly When the Sabbath is come to consecrate it as a holy Rest to the Lord your God not thinking your own thoughts or speaking your own words or doing your own pleasure but the Lord's Isaiah 58.13 To begin continue and end the Sabbath with God And that you may do so to observe these things First To rise early on the Sabbath after the Example of Christ and when you awake to bless God for another day of grace in rising up to think on your Resurrection at the last Day to glory in putting on of your apparel to think on the command of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13. end After you have Apparel'd your selves to remember the duties requir'd of you before in and after the publick Assemblies First Before to sequester your thoughts from all things of the World and the Flesh to mind only and wholly God his Day and Worship Secondly To pray by your selves and with the Family for God's presence with assistance in and blessing on his Ordinances to you and yours and all his especially on the Ministry of the Word that it may be made effectual to all the ends he hath appointed it as the conviction conversion humiliation consolation edification and salvation of all those that belong to the Election of grace Thirdly As you are going to the publick Assemblies to remember where you are going that you are going into the Presence not only of men but God that-God who will be sanctified by all that draw nigh to him or will be sanctified upon them Levit. 10. To consider also what you are going about a business of the greatest consequence in the World To converse with God and to enjoy communion with God and hear that Word which will make you better or
all the sufferings of this life are not worthy the glory that shall be reveal'd Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 This light and momentary affliction c. Fourthly In the Resurrection of Christ to meditate on these things First The truth and certainty of his Resurrection we have the testimony of God Angels and Men for it 1 Cor. 15.3 to the end Secondly On the Ends of his Resurrection as First That he might declare to all the World that he was the Son of God true and very God Rom. 1.4 Secondly That He might manifest to all the World that he had fully satisfied the Justice of God John 16.8 9. Heb. 2.13 14. Thirdly That He might strengthen our faith in that full satisfaction and reconciliation He hath made for us whence that Rom. 4. last He died for our offences and rose again for our Justification and hence that Triumph Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemns It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again c. Thirdly The evidences you have in the Merits and Benefits of Christ's Resurrection Whether he be risen as our Head and will raise us up hereafter to glory which we may know thus if we be risen with him and by him from a state of death to a state of life and grace called the first Resurrection Revel 20.6 Such only shall have an interest in the benefits of the second Resurrection at the last day John 5.28 Fourthly What you must do to get an interest in the first Resurrection that you may come to have the comfort of the second and that is to attend constantly on the Ministry of the Word and to beg the Spirit of Christ to quicken that Word that it may quicken your dead Souls according to his promise John 5.25 Fifthly In the Ascension of Christ to meditate on these things First The truth of it by the testimony of Angels and Men Acts 1.10 11. Luke 24.51 52. Secondly The End of his Ascention to shew that he was true and very God in that he could lift up his Body into the Ayr 2. That he might open the Gate of Heaven for us which we had shut by our sin and prepare a place for us in it Heb. 10 19 20. John 14.3 4. Thirdly Take notice of the use you are to make of the Ascention of Christ which is To ascend daily in our hearts and affections to him Colos 3.1 2. Sixthly In the Session of Christ at the right hand of God First To take notice what it is viz. that Equality of Glory and Dignity Authority and Power He hath with his Father Phil. 2.6.9 Eph. 1.20 Secondly To meditate on the End of his Sitting there which is First That He may Rule and Raign until he hath made all his Enemies his Foot-stool 1 Cor. 15. Secondly That he may assure us that as he sits there in our name and nature so he will cause all his at the last to sit with him upon the same Throne of glory Rev. 3.21 Thirdly The use that we are to make of it which is the same Col. 3.1 2. Seventhly In the Intercession of Christ First To take notice what it is viz. the presenting of his active and passive obedience to his Father for the procuring all that grace and mercy he hath purchased and his Father hath promised to his Elect or if you will thus That part of his Priestly Office whereby for his satisfaction sake he desires wills and procures for all his Elect the acceptation of their Persons and Services and the remuneration of all their weak endeavours for his glory Revel 8.3 4. Revel 14.13 Secondly Meditate on the Ends of his Intercession as First That we may have the benefit of all he hath done and suffered for us which we could not had he not gone into Heaven to make Intercession for us Heb. 9.7.24 Secondly That so he might take away the iniquity of our holy things and render our Persons and services acceptable to his Father and so be able to save us to the uttermost 1 Epist John 2.12 Heb. 7.25 Thirdly The use that we are to make of it and that is In all our services still to draw neer to God in the name of Christ and beg the acceptance of our Persons and Service and all that grace we stand in need of for his Intercessions sake Col. 3. â—7 Heb. 4. last But then Eighthly To meditate on the great Priviledges that come by Jesus Christ to such as have a true actual and real interest in Him as 1. Remission of all our sins 2 Cor. 5.19 1 John 17. Rev 15. 2. Imputation of Christ's righteousness 2 Cor. 5.20 3. Reconciliation to God 1 Colos 20. And thereby 1. Peace with God and Conscience Men and Angels Rom. 5.1 Col. 3 15. Isai 11.6 Hos 2. end Heb. 1. last 2. Communion with the Father and the Son 1 John 1 3. 3. A spiritual right and title to all Creature-comforts which are lost by the Fall 1 Tim. 4.45 and all that is God's and Christ's all his Attributes Promises Providences 1 Cor. 3. 2 last 4. A sanctified use of every estate both of Prosperity and Adversity Health and Sickness Life and Death Rom. 8.28 All things work together for good c. 4. Priviledge Adoption of us into his Family to be the Sons and Daughters of the great and ever living God Eph. 1.5 Joh. 1.12 1 Joh. 5.1 5. Sanctification of our natures Acts 26.18 Sanctified by Faith in Christ 1 Thes 5.21 The God of Peace sanctifie you throughout c 2 Pet. â— 4 Whereby we are enabled to die unto sin and live unto righteousness 1 Pet. 2.24 6. Acceptation of our Persons and all our Services notwithstanding all our infirmities and imperfections Eph. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 7. Inhabitation of his Spirit to assist us in all our duties and lead us in all our ways 1 Joh. 3 last Rom. 8.14.26 8. Confirmation and establishment in a state of Grace Joh. 10.18 1 Pet. 1.5 9. The continual Intercession of Jesus Christ for all that Grace and Mercy we stand in need of Heb. 7.25 1 Joh. 2.2 3. 10. Lastly The Consecration of Souls and Bodies Rom. 8.30 John 17.22 Tenthly To meditate if you would have the comfort of the forenamed Priviledges To meditate I say on the Evidences of an actual and real interest in Christ and that 1. Because it is expresly commanded 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether you be in the faith Know ye not that Ghrist is in you c. 2. Because the most do deceive themselves herein flatter themselves that they are Christ's and Christ is theirs because they are baptized into his Name and make a profession of him to whom Christ will say at the last Day I know you not c. Luke 13.25 And therefore to search and see the interest you have in Him be not only nominal and professional but actual and real Q. Well then How may we know it Ans By the Grounds of it the Means of
it and the Fruits of it 1. By the Grounds of it whence it ariseth and they are these 1. A sight and sense of their lost condition that they came into the World without Christ before Men be convinced of this they will never look out after Christ Eph. 2.12 2. It ariseth from sound Humiliation under the fight and sense of their lost condition so as to be willing upon it to break off the League between the Soul and every sin for a Graft must be cut off from the old Stock before it can be set into a new This you may find in those new Converts Acts 2.37 And the Jaylor Acts 16.29 2. You may know it by the Means of it now these are four whereof there are two on Christ's part sc His Word and his Spirit and two on our part sc Faith and Love By these as so many Bands and Ligaments the union is made between Christ and the Soul By the two former God draws the Soul home to Christ By the two latter he unites and knits it to Christ 1. The Word of Christ that is the Ordinance by which he cuts them off from the old Stock and ingrafts them into the new Acts 26.18 therefore called the ingrafted Word James 1.21 Now Souls are cut off from the old Stock by sound Humiliation under their sinful and miserable condition by nature so as to be willing to have the League broken between the Soul and every sin to part with all for Him And they come to be ingrafted to Him when they are made willing to receive Him on Gospel-terms not only as their Saviour but their Ruler 2. Another Means and the principal is the Spirit of Christ 1 Joh. 3. last which the Lord gives effectually to accompany his Word for the cutting them off from the old Stock and ingrafting them into the new and this the Spirit doth by convincing them of sin righteousness and judgment Joh. 16.8 By being in them first a Spirit of Bondage and then of Adoption Rom. 8 15. By mortifying of their Corruptions Rom. 8.13 and quickning them with Grace Vers 10 11. 1 Cor. 6.11 3. Another Means or Band of our union with and interest in Christ is a lively Faith taking us off from our own righteousness and causing us to rest and rely only on the righteousness of Jesus Christ for Justification and Salvation Joh. 3.16 Phil. 3.9 4th Means or Band is an unfained Love to Christ for his lovely Self and all his Members for his sake Joh. 14.21 1 Joh. 3.14 3. You may know it by the fruits of it which are especially these 1. A through change of heart and life 2 Cor. 5.17 2. Subjection and obedience to his Laws and Commandments Joh. 14.15.21 15.14 Then are you my friends if you do whatsoever I command you and Heb. 5.9 3. Conformity to him in heart and life doing and suffering living and dying Rom. 6.5 6. 1 Joh. 2.6 2 Tim. 2.12 4. A constant adherence to him in faith love and obedience with full purpose of heart not to depart from him Heb. 3.14 Tenthly To meditate on what we are to do for the getting and clearing up our interest in Christ and all he hath done and suffer'd for us to this end mind well a few directions as First Look to this that you be throughly convinc't of and humbled under your sinful and miserable condition out of Christ so as to find your selves in a lost and undone condition Luke 19.10 Sick in Soul with the confideration of it Mat. 9.13 Burdned with and weary of your sins Mat. 11.29 And pricked in your hearts as they Act. 2.37 for this is the first work of the Spirit of God in bringing in a Soul to Christ viz. the convincing him and humbling him under his sin and misery by reason of sin Joh. 16.8 Secondly To hunger and thirst after an interest in Christ above all other things in the World Isaiah 55.1 Revel 22.17 so as with the Apostle To account all things but loss and dung in comparison of it Phil. 3. Thirdly You are to be willing to take Him on Gospel-terms such as he therein offers himself as these First To take Him in all his Titles and Offices not only as your alone Jesus but Lord and Christ Rom. 13. end Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and so Acts 16.31 Secondly Be willing to deny our selves and tâ—â—e up his Cross to follow Him Mark 8.34 willing to part with all and every sin yea all and every thing to follow Him as Christ advised the young man Luke 19. Sell all thou hast and come and follow me c. For as a Noble Lord said well That Person may be deceived that thinks to save any thing by his Religion but his Soul meaning his Religion might cost him the loss of all Thirdly Give up your selves to Him in a Universal sincere and constant obedience and conformity to Him and all his commands expresly requir'd Heb. 5.9 Heb. 3.14 John 15.14 Fourthly You are to endeavour to lay hold on Him and close with Him and be united to him by faith and love Rom. 11.19 20. Eph. 3.17 Gal. 5.6 John 14.21 And that you may to wait constantly on the Ministry of the Word and beg the Spirit of God effectually to accompany it for the begetting and working of this faith and love whereby you may be actually and really united to him and made one with him 1 Cor. 12.13 Eleventhly To meditate on the motives and incouragements you have to get and clear up your interest in Christ You have seen enough in what hath been said before yet take two or three more First Consider the miserable condition of a man our of Christ in these particulars First So long as Men are without Christ they are without Covenant without hope and without God in the World Eph. 2.12 Secondly They lie under the guilt of all their sins Rom. 3.19 and that you cannot stand under the guilt of one sin that first sin how much less under the guilt of such innumerable sins Thirdly You remain still in Vassallage and slavery unto the basest and 〈…〉 Tyrants Sin Saâ—an and the World Eph. 〈…〉 Fourthly You sin in all you think and 〈…〉 do Pro. 15.8 Rom. 8.7 Titus 1.15 〈◊〉 Every thing you have and use is accurâ—ed to 〈◊〉 Deut. 28 16. to the end Mal. 2.2 Sixthly Theâ—◠〈◊〉 but a step between you and Hell John 8.21 1 Cor. 6.9 Mat. 25. last Secondly Consider the happy estate of a man in Christ he is freed from all that is truly evil and instated in all that is truly good First He is freed from all evil both of sin and punishment from the evil of sin both the guilt of it and the filth of it 1 John 1.7 Rom. 8.1 Rom. 6.14 Secondly He is instated in all that is good As the Wife is by her marriage in all the honours riches pleasures of her Husband so is the believing Soul in all the honours riches and
7. The strictness of the account 8. The terror of it to the Wicked 9. The comfort of it to the Godly 10. What we are to do to escape the terror and enjoy the comfort of it 1. Meditate on the Certainty of it However wicked men and atheistical wretches scoff and say Where 's the promise of his coming yet he will most certainly come to Judgment for he hath appointed a day that he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man Christ Jesus Acts 17.31 2. On the Uncertainty of that day He will come to Judgment in a day and hour that knoweth no man no nor the Angels in Heaven Mat. 24.36 He will come as a Thief in the night 2 Pet. 3.10 and in an hour when men think not of Mat. 24.44 As the Lightning out of the East Matth. 25. and as Travel upon a Woman with Child 1 Thes 5.3 3. To think on the near approach of that day Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known in all things for the Lord 's at hand sayes the Apostle And James 5.8 The coming of the Lord draweth nigh and vers 9. Behold the Judge stands before the door If he were so near then doubtless he cannot be far off now now he is ready to come to Judgment if not the general yet remember your particular Judgment may be before the next morrow 4. Meditate on the great solemnity of that day Then the Trumpet will sound to summon all the World before the Judge of all the World 1 Thes 4.16 Mat. 25.31 5. On the universality of that Judgement 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ high and low rich and poor young and old none to be exempted not the greatest Potentate Rev. 6. to the end I have read of a wicked King that on his death-bed fell a weeping and being askt by his Brother why he so wept Answered Oh saith he to think that I who have judged others must stand forth to be judged my self 6. The impartiality of that Judgment He will judge the World in Righteousness Acts 17.31 There will be no respect of Persons no Advocate to plead the cause of wicked Men no Bribes to be taken in that Court 7. Of the strict account that is to be made in that day of all mens most secret Thoughts Words and Works First Their Thoughts Rom. 2.16 Secondly Their Words Mat. 12.36 Thirdly Their works Eccles 12.14 And the Books wherein all these are written Rev. 20.12 I saw the dead c. Q. What are these Books A. There are five the Book of the Creatures the Book of the Scriptures the Book of God's Remembrance the Book of Conscience and the Book of Life 8. The terror of that day unto all found out of Christ and enemies to him and of all other dayes the most terrible to the wicked and ungodly of the World and that 1. in respect of him that is to be their Judge the Lord Jesus Christ whose Name they have blasphemed whose Creatures they have abused who Sabbaths they have prophaned whose Gospel they have disobeyed whose Grace they have despised whose Spirit they have despighted whose Ministers they have contemned whose Children they have persecuted He to be their Judge who is infinite in Knowledge to find out every sin and sinner infinite in Justice to render to every man according to his work infinite in Power to â—â—row Soul and Body into Hell If in the time of his humiliation he struck so many Souldiers to the ground with his Voice when they came to apprehend him Quid faciet judicaturus qui haec fecit judicandus saith one If he did this when he was to be judged what shall he do when he comes to judge his presence will be so terrible as the greatest will call to the Rocks and to the Mountains to fall upon them and hide them from this presence of the Judge Râ—â— 6. about the latter end 2. The terror will be the more in respect of the dreadful manner of his coming in that he will come suddenly in an hour that men think not of in a moment in the twinkling of an eye 1 Cor. 15. as Travail upon a Woman with Child 1 Thes 5. as a snare upon all the sons of Men Luke 21.35 And as suddenly so most gloriously will he come with thousand thousands of his glorious Angels and glorified Saints Dan. 7.10 And in flaming fire rendering vengeance to all that know not God and obey not his Gospel 2 Thes 1.7 8.3 It will yet be more dreadful in respect of the separation that will be then made of them from all the Godly those wicked ones that upon the Earth scorn'd to take the left hand or sit in the lowest place shall then be forced whether they will or no to take the left hand and stand below amongst the Goats and with the Devil and his Angels when the Godly shall be taken up into the Clouds and shall be Accessors with Jesus Christ in Judgement upon the wicked World 4. The terror will yet be greater in respect of that most just and dreadful sentence that is to be passed upon them Depart ye cursed c. Wherein every word is a Hell before they come to Hell breatheth out nothing but Fire and Brimstone is enough to break the heart of a sinner and add a new degree of misery To depart from so Glorious and Gracious a Presence were Hell enough but they must depart with a Curse and not only so but into Fire and that everlasting Fire and that with no other Companions but the Devil and his angels insulting over them with hellish â—espight and stinging exprobations of their folly and madness in neglecting so great a Salvation as was tendred so often to them and lâ—sing Heaven for a base Lust 9. Meditate on the exceeding great joy and comfort to all true Believers and gracious Souls the most joyfullest and comfortablest day that ever they knew and that in many respects mind them well 1. In respect of the Judge Quia idem erit Judex qui patronus qui mediator et pontifex saith Ambrose He to be our Judge who is our Advocate our Mediator our merciful high Priest our dear Head and Husband and who will be afraid to appear before such a Judge 2. In respect of their enemies it will be a day of Revelation Vindication Exultation First A day of Revelation Rom. 8.19 when those who were censured to have been Hypocrites shall be found to have been true Nathaniels those that were censured to have been Factious and Rebellious against their Governors shall be found and acknowledged to be the onely true and loyal Subjects the best Friends to Church and State when those that were censured to have been but precise Fools shall be acknowledged even by the wicked themselves to have been the onely wise Men and themselves the very Fools as he brings them in the 5th of Wisdom We Fools c. Secondly A day of Vindication
worse but not a better man he may conceit himself a better man and the men of the World may esteem him the better for his abundance of these things his high Place his brave Apparel his great Revenues but God esteems no man the better for these things Job 34.19 Job 36.19 2. They cannot profit or better the Soul hurt it they may and do as for instance 1st They keep them from looking after piety Luke 14.18 2ly They distract them in duty Ezek. 33.31 3ly It makes them unfruitful in duty Mat. 13.22 They may better his outward condition he may eat more and go finer and lie easier but they cannot better his inward condition help to Pardon or Peace Grace or Glory Thou and thy Money perish with thee that thinkest the Gift of God may be purchased with Money said Peter to Simon Magus Acts 8.20 God will not give away his Graces as the Indians do their Gold for Gaudes and Rattles Toyes and Trifles 3. Unprofitable to the Body Can Honour or Wealth buy Health or get a stomach to meat or procure ease rest and sleep No we find by experience the contrary he that hath most of these outward things can but eat and drink and cloath himself and so doth a poor man and with more comfort and contentment many times then the Rich and hath usually a a better appetite to his meat and more sweet sleep after his labour Eccl. 5.11 Job 20.22 4. Unprofitable likewise to his Posterity How often have you seen after that men have toyled and turmoiled in the World all their dayes for their Children their Children to be either suddenly snatcht away from their Wealth or their Wealth from their Children How often have you seen the Proverb made good Covetous men have either Prodigals or Fools to their Children such as either presently consume it away or are soon cheated of all If you would observe it you may find many Parents bewailing their folly at the last that they have toyled so much in the World for such wicked and rebellious Children and many Children cursing the time that ever their Parents left them so great and ill-gotten Estates according to that Job 21.19 5. However they may afford them some comfort in the day of prosperity and in a day of peace yet not in the time of Adversity and in a day of Calamity in a day of Sickness Death and Judgement 1st Not in a day of common Calamity when the Judgments of God are upon the Land Sword Famine Pestilence 1 Sam. 12.21 Prov. 11.4 Zeph. 1. last Ezek. 7.19 2ly In Sickness It is not high Places honourable Titles full Bags great Revenues that can prevent or remove Stone Gout Strangury Feaver or any Sickness or Pain it 's true they may procure Physicians and Medicines but those kill rather then cure without the Lord. 3ly In the hour of Death Job 27.8 What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gained when God taketh away his Soul All the Rich Fools Wealth could not keep his Soul one night longer Luke 12.15 20. 4ly In the day of Judgment all the World is so far from profiting as they shall see all in fire about their ears have nothing left but an account how they got and kept and imployed it and the more they have had of this Worlds good and the less good they have done with it and the more they have abused it the more and greater will be their torment 5ly All they have of the World cannot save them from Hell Luke 16.23 Rev. 21.8 nor mitigate their torments there Dives could not procure a drop of Water to cool his scorched tongue Luke 16.24 25. So as you see clearly and fully what unprofitable and helpless things these of the World are without Grace they cannot free from any thing that is truly evil Sin or Pain nor help to any thing that is truly good Pardon or Peace they cannot keep sickness from the Body or trouble from the Mind or terrors from the Conscience or the Soul out of Hell they may make men worse but never the better 6. Think on the Deceitfulness of the things of the World They do promise to men much help and comfort or rather men promise to themselves much by them but both they and themselves deceive themselves and meet with bitterness instead of sweetness and trouble instead of comfort therefore called deceitful Riches Mat. 13.22 Like Jael seeds men with Milk but pierceth their heads and hearts afterwards with sorrow like Joab and Judas who salute with a Kiss but stab to the heart 7. On the Hurtfulness of them Especially being got and kept by unlawful means and used and imployed to unlawful ends they keep them from a great deal of good and expose them to a great deal of hurt 1. They keep men from a great deal of good as the minding the glory of God and the good of Souls both their own and others keep them either from using the means of Grace or from profiting by them Ezek 33.31 32. Luke 18.19 2. Expose them to a great deal of evil both of Sin and Punishment the wrath and curse of God and Man both here and to all eternity in Hell as you may see clearly Eccles 5.13 1 Tim. 6.9 10. James 5.1 2 3. Hence it is that Solomon stiles them not only Vanity but vexation of Spirit because they are still vexing men either with cares in getting or fears in keeping or sorrows in losing and our Saviour compares them to Thorns because they are still piercing both head and heart with troubles in getting and grief in parting with them 8. Meditate on the great folly and madness of men in minding affecting and pursuing these things of the World before and more then the things of God and Christ and his Spirit and Kingdom and the wellfare of their own precious and immortal Souls The Spirit of God brands them frequently in the Scripture for Fools or the Fools and the worst of Fools Prov. 1.22 Mat. 23.17 18. Luke 12.19 20. and not without cause 1. He is a Fool that is not able to discern between Copper and Gold Pebles and Pearls that will part with the richest Coyn for the richest Counter what are all temporal things in comparison of spiritual and eternal Excellencies but dross and dung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 offal and Dogs-meat in comparison of Christ Grace and Glory as the Apostle stiles them Phil. 3. 2. He is a Fool you know that minds onely things present and nothing for the future A wise man foresees the evil and hides himself but a fool passeth on and is punished Prov. 22.5 A wise man fore-sees and fore-casts his business but a fool doth neither And such fools are all worldly wise men all for this present World and nothing for another I have read a story of a certain great Man that having many Houses was wont every month to go from one House to anothe◠and send Harbingers before
will teach you sayes Job to trust in God for a livelyhood Mat. 6.26 and to know your times and seasons for every work Jer. 8.7 The Dove will teach you Innocency and Sympathy the little Birds to sound forth praises to God every morning and evening Cantat a lauda Deo laudes gratissima summo Hinc vos in gratâ—s gratu lacessit avis 3. Ask the Fishes of the Sea and they will teach you sayes Job The Sea by her continual fluctuating and foaming will mind you of the continual unquietness and resâ—lesness of wicked men Isa 5â— 20 They are like the troubled Sea c. The Fish of the Sea they will shew you the misery of want of Government they being every one without a Ruler so as the lesser are still devoured of the greater Hab. 1. Why hast thou made mâ—n like the Fishes of the Sea c. XX. When you are to go to wait an God in the use of his Ordinance think what a mercy it is to have the Doors of God's Sanctuary open when they are shut to others to see Souls flock to the Ordinances as the Doves to the Windows that some Souls might still be added to the Church and brought into Christ and built up further in Grace and gracious practices When you are to hear the Word remember you are not only to hear a Man but God who speaks in and by Man who hath said His Word shall not return in vain but surely prosper to the end he sends it Isa 55. last And if it be not the savour of Life it will of Death 2 Cor. 1. end When the Sermon is ended remember though the Minister have done the Sermon is not done until you have done and practised it if it be not practised it will be preached over with more terror another day when you will not be able to hear it XXI When you are walking abroad and meet with any Christian Friend think if it be sweet with a dear Christian Friend upon Earth Oh how sweet will it be to meet with all in Heaven When you hear of any good news from them then think Oh what good news hath Christ brought from Heaven and did the Angel sing at the time of his Birth and hath the Spirit of God brought home and spoken unto my heart if it be bad news that you have heard yet think and comfort your hearts with this However you have sad expectations from Earth yet you have comfortable expectations from Heaven God and Christ and the Spirit is yours and will be for ever yours 1 Cor. 3. last Psal 112.7 When you hear of any Prodigies or dreadful appearances of God in the Heaven or the Earth or the Sea then think and say How terrible O Lord art thou in all thy wayes Who knows the power of thy anger what mean these dreadful tokens of thy displeasure make me and all to fear and tremble before thee When you see or hear the corruption of men to break out into Drunkenness Uncleanness Blasphemy Persecution c. then think and say as Bradford the Martyr Lord what a wicked heart have I what cause have I to give glory to Grace that keeps under corruption in me that does not break out in me as in others When any cross or affliction befals you on the day in Body Soul Name Estate think say Lord what sin is it that thou correctest shew me my sin sanctifie this affliction and do me good by it When any mercy is renewed upon you and yours think and say Oh how great is that goodness thou hast laid up for them that fear thee and that thou workest daily for the Children of men Psal 31. XXII When the day draweth towards an end remember you are nearer to your end by one day then you were in the morning as the night approacheth towards you so do you to the Grave and for ought you know may be your last day When you look up and see the Stars appear in the Heaven think thus Though your life here be hid with Christ in God yet when he shall appear you shall appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 and then your bodies shall shine as the Stars Dan. 12. When you see the dark night to come upon you and you begin to light Candles then think if outward darkness be so uncomfortable how much more is the inward darkness of the Soul and utter darkness in Hell if the light of a Candle be so comfortable how comfortable is the Life of Grace here and will be the Life of Glory hereafter When you are about to put off your Cloaths think thus It will not be long ere I must be uncloathed of this body of Sin and Death and if I be so willing to the one why not to the other that I might be cloathed with my House from Heaven 2 Cor. 5.2 And if I be so willing to go into Bed to take my rest that I may have renewed strength for Body and Spirit to fit me for the service of the next day why should I not be as willing and more willing at God's call to lay down my body in the Grave there to rest from all sinning sorrowing suffering and to be raised up at the last day with renewed and perfect strength both in Soul and Body to be still serving and glorifying God to all Eternity Remember still O my Soul thy sleep is but the Image of Death the Bed the Image of thy Grave and the Sheets of thy Winding Sheets the biting of the Fleas but the gnawing of the Worms on the Body the crowing of the Cock in the morning the sounding of the Trump of God at the last day by the Voice of the Arch-Angel Awake ye dead and come to Judgment Isa 57.2 1 Thess 4.16 Lastly When you are about to sleep labour to sleep with precious thoughts of God for such as your thoughts are when you are about to sleep such will your thoughts be when you awake When we rake up fire in the Ashes at night so we usually find it in the morning and such I say as our thoughts are of God when we sleep will be when we awake In a word Think of your sleeping in Jesus and your awaking and appearing with him in glory in the morning of the Resurrection And thus I have as briefly as I could with any profit to you directed you how to make a Spiritual use of whatsoever presents it self to your senses from morning to evening at home and abroad What remains but that we put in practice what we see to be our duty motives to iâ— and directions for it you have had before I need not add any more onely this consideration there 's a double use God expects we should make of every Creature a natural and a spiritual and if we should content our selves only with the natural use without the Spiritual we should lose the one half and the best half of that comfort in the Creature which God gave it for and we shall do no more then natural carnal sensual men yea the very Beasts do and therefore if we will evidence our selves to be Christians indeed that mind the wellfare of our Souls as well as our Bodies then to apply our selves more then ever we have done to the practice of this sweet weighty and profitable duty of Meditation both Solemn and Occasional Which that we may blessed Lord thou who hast put it into the heart of thy weak and unworthy Servant to study and write these things for the good and comfort of thy People be thou graciously pleased by the effectual working of thy Holy Spirit to make them useful to all into whose hands they shall come for the promoting and carrying on the Work of Grace in their hearts and lives and the furthering of their everlasting Salvation Oh Lord I pray thee let it not be in vain that this or any other help is afforded them but do thou give success to the weak endeavours of thy unworthy Servant so as there may be glory to thee profit to them and comfort to him who hath found that grace in thy sight to be accepted and enabled to be any way instrumental for their help and comfort in the way homeward to everlasting life This is and shall be the Prayer of Your Affectionate and Antient Pastor J. B. FINIS